washingtontimes--2020-09-11--US Navy veteran: For 2 decades, VA never told him he had HIV

A U.S. Navy veteran had no idea he was living with the virus that causes AIDS for more than two decades , because government health care workers never informed him of his positive test result in the mid-1990s , he says .
In a federal lawsuit filed this week , the South Carolina man says he ended up with “ full-blown AIDS ” because he never received treatment after being kept in the dark .
“ The treatment he ’ s getting now is effective , but he ’ s had essentially 25 years of wear and tear for having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chad McGowan .
Conditions related to his unknown HIV status included an infection of his brain tissue , McGowan said .
“ He feels extremely guilty about the girlfriends he ’ s had over the last 25 years because he didn ’ t know , ” he said .
The HIV test was done in November 1995 as part of standard lab testing at a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Columbia , South Carolina , the lawsuit states .
The V.A .
“ does not typically comment on pending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in an email .
The veteran , identified in the lawsuit as John Doe to protect his privacy , was hurt in a 1976 ship wreck while serving in the Navy , the lawsuit states .
He was aboard a destroyer that collided with an aircraft carrier off the coast of Scotland , McGowan said .
The servicemen on the destroyer were told to abandon ship .
He and others were rescued from the North Sea .
McGowan said the ordeal led to his client developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mental injuries , and began being treated by the Veterans Affairs Department .
A doctor at the V.A.
’ s Columbia medical center ordered the lab work that included the HIV test in November 1995 .
Guidelines require that patients be informed of any positive test result , and that treatments begin .
“ In clear contravention of the standard of care , Mr. Doe was not informed of the positive HIV test until decades later , ” the lawsuit states .
In 2014 , a nurse practitioner at the Columbia facility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests , according to medical records included in the complaint .
But the information still wasn ’ t conveyed to the veteran , the complaint states .
In 2015 , the veteran saw another doctor through the V.A .
who wrote in a medical record that he came across the 1995 lab results showing the positive HIV test .
The doctor asked him who his infectious disease doctor was , and the veteran said he didn ’ t have one .
That doctor also asked the veteran if he knew he was HIV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was never told about any positive test .
That doctor “ does not diagnose Mr. Doe with HIV , nor does he even add the positive HIV test to Mr. Doe ’ s problem list or medical history in his medical chart to flag the positive HIV test for subsequent providers , ” the complaint states .
It wasn ’ t until September 2018 when the veteran had an emergency visit to a non-V.A .
hospital - Maimonides Medical Center in New York City - that he received a definitive diagnosis and began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he responded well to antiretroviral therapy , but “ the virus had already progressed to full-blown AIDS , ” the complaint states .
He “ needlessly suffered for decades with co-existing conditions common in HIV infected persons , including lymphadenopathy , neurotoxoplasmosis , muscle aches and joint pain , ” the complaint states .
“ Had Defendants acted within the standard of care , Mr. Doe would not have suffered the losses he has suffered , and will continue to suffer in the future , and more likely than not , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who are HIV-positive can live for several years without developing symptoms , but others develop symptoms much more quickly , experts say .
“ Some people progress really fast and some don ’ t progress at all , ” said Dr. Carlos del Rio , director of the Center for AIDS Research at Emory University in Atlanta .
The negligence alleged in this lawsuit appears to be highly unusual .
“ I can ’ t think of any specific situation where someone ’ s test result was delayed in that way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HIV project director at Lambda Legal , which is involved in HIV-related court cases around the nation .
Schoettes is not involved in the South Carolina case .
McGowan said he ’ s advocated for other V.A .
patients who weren ’ t informed in a timely manner after biopsies found evidence of disease , “ but nothing where there ’ s a 25-year delay.
” “ In my experience working with patients like Mr. Doe , the V.A .
has so many providers that come and go , that they try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuff falls through the cracks all time , ” he said .
“ Communication issues , I believe .
Sort of like it gets pushed down in the file and nobody looks .
”

A U.S. Navy veteran had no idea he was living with the virus that causes AIDS for more than two decades, because government health care workers never informed him of his positive test result in the mid-1990s, he says.
In a federal lawsuit filed this week, the South Carolina man says he ended up with “full-blown AIDS” because he never received treatment after being kept in the dark.
“The treatment he’s getting now is effective, but he’s had essentially 25 years of wear and tear for having no treatment,” said his lawyer, Chad McGowan. Conditions related to his unknown HIV status included an infection of his brain tissue, McGowan said.
“He feels extremely guilty about the girlfriends he’s had over the last 25 years because he didn’t know,” he said.
The HIV test was done in November 1995 as part of standard lab testing at a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Columbia, South Carolina, the lawsuit states.
The V.A. “does not typically comment on pending litigation,” agency spokeswoman Marlous Black said in an email.
The veteran, identified in the lawsuit as John Doe to protect his privacy, was hurt in a 1976 ship wreck while serving in the Navy, the lawsuit states.
He was aboard a destroyer that collided with an aircraft carrier off the coast of Scotland, McGowan said. The servicemen on the destroyer were told to abandon ship. He and others were rescued from the North Sea.
McGowan said the ordeal led to his client developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He was classified as disabled due to his physical and mental injuries, and began being treated by the Veterans Affairs Department.
A doctor at the V.A.’s Columbia medical center ordered the lab work that included the HIV test in November 1995. Guidelines require that patients be informed of any positive test result, and that treatments begin. “In clear contravention of the standard of care, Mr. Doe was not informed of the positive HIV test until decades later,” the lawsuit states.
In 2014, a nurse practitioner at the Columbia facility wrote a memo noting the 1995 lab tests, according to medical records included in the complaint. But the information still wasn’t conveyed to the veteran, the complaint states.
In 2015, the veteran saw another doctor through the V.A. who wrote in a medical record that he came across the 1995 lab results showing the positive HIV test. The doctor asked him who his infectious disease doctor was, and the veteran said he didn’t have one. That doctor also asked the veteran if he knew he was HIV positive, and he responded that he was never told about any positive test.
That doctor “does not diagnose Mr. Doe with HIV, nor does he even add the positive HIV test to Mr. Doe’s problem list or medical history in his medical chart to flag the positive HIV test for subsequent providers,” the complaint states.
It wasn’t until September 2018 when the veteran had an emergency visit to a non-V.A. hospital - Maimonides Medical Center in New York City - that he received a definitive diagnosis and began treatment for HIV/AIDS. At that point, he responded well to antiretroviral therapy, but “the virus had already progressed to full-blown AIDS,” the complaint states.
He “needlessly suffered for decades with co-existing conditions common in HIV infected persons, including lymphadenopathy, neurotoxoplasmosis, muscle aches and joint pain,” the complaint states.
“Had Defendants acted within the standard of care, Mr. Doe would not have suffered the losses he has suffered, and will continue to suffer in the future, and more likely than not, he would not have developed AIDS.”
Some people who are HIV-positive can live for several years without developing symptoms, but others develop symptoms much more quickly, experts say.
“Some people progress really fast and some don’t progress at all,” said Dr. Carlos del Rio, director of the Center for AIDS Research at Emory University in Atlanta.
The negligence alleged in this lawsuit appears to be highly unusual.
“I can’t think of any specific situation where someone’s test result was delayed in that way,” said lawyer Scott Schoettes, the HIV project director at Lambda Legal, which is involved in HIV-related court cases around the nation. Schoettes is not involved in the South Carolina case.
McGowan said he’s advocated for other V.A. patients who weren’t informed in a timely manner after biopsies found evidence of disease, “but nothing where there’s a 25-year delay.”
“In my experience working with patients like Mr. Doe, the V.A. has so many providers that come and go, that they try to have some continuity of care, but stuff falls through the cracks all time,” he said. “Communication issues, I believe. Sort of like it gets pushed down in the file and nobody looks.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Officials encourage rodeo attendees to get tested for virus

BRIDGEVILLE , Del .
( AP ) - Health officials in Delaware are encouraging anyone who attended a recent rodeo @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
The Delaware State News reported Thursday that Delaware Division of Public Health @ @ @ @ @ expressed serious concerns about the potential for community spread .
“ We want to make @ @ @ @ @ that event knows they ’ re at risk , ” Rattay said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ the event get tested as soon as possible to identify if they have been infected @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 and that they take the steps to isolate and protect their friends and family @ @ @ @ @ ” The News Journal reported that as many as 1,500 people attended the event in @ @ @ @ @ Video shows hundreds of people packed together throughout the day and into the evening .
@ @ @ @ @ masks .
Outdoor gatherings can have no more than 250 people under the state ’ @ @ @ @

BRIDGEVILLE, Del. (AP) - Health officials in Delaware are encouraging anyone who attended a recent rodeo event to get tested for the coronavirus.
The Delaware State News reported Thursday that Delaware Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay has expressed serious concerns about the potential for community spread.
“We want to make sure that everyone who attended that event knows they’re at risk,” Rattay said. “It is important that anyone attending the event get tested as soon as possible to identify if they have been infected by the virus that causes COVID-19 and that they take the steps to isolate and protect their friends and family from also contracting the disease.”
The News Journal reported that as many as 1,500 people attended the event in Bridgeville in Sussex County. Video shows hundreds of people packed together throughout the day and into the evening. Many were not wearing face masks.
Outdoor gatherings can have no more than 250 people under the state’s coronavirus restrictions.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Waterbury man dies from car crash injuries

The driver in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 89 in South Burlington last week has died of his injuries , @ @ @ @ @ The crash happened on Friday , Sept. 4 , when the car traveling south went @ @ @ @ @ the median , hitting a rock pile and then a large concrete culvert , police @ @ @ @ @ stopped and helped the passenger get out of the vehicle and to an ambulance .
@ @ @ @ @ was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center with critical injuries .
The passenger @ @ @ @ @ and later released from the hospital .
The crash is under investigation , police said @

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) -
The driver in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 89 in South Burlington last week has died of his injuries, Vermont State Police said.
James Sheldon, 59, of Waterbury, died Thursday, police said.
The crash happened on Friday, Sept. 4, when the car traveling south went off the road and into the median, hitting a rock pile and then a large concrete culvert, police said. Several passing drivers stopped and helped the passenger get out of the vehicle and to an ambulance. Sheldon, the driver, was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center with critical injuries.
The passenger was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later released from the hospital. The crash is under investigation, police said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Springsteen tells students to 'absorb every day' in college

CHESTNUT HILL , Mass .
( AP ) - Bruce Springsteen urged students at Boston College on Thursday to “ absorb every day ” of their time in school , saying he passed on the college experience and had to make up for it later .
The singer and songwriter addressed first-year and transfer students in a virtual convocation ceremony .
The incoming class had been assigned to read his autobiography , “ Born to Run , ” as part of a summer reading series .
Springsteen , who dropped out of college , encouraged students not to “ neglect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I missed that my first time around and I had to do my best to make up for it on my own , ” he said .
“ I had to seek my teachers and my mentors in libraries and on the street .
It works , but I was not able to immerse myself in a place entirely dedicated to learning , and I wish that I had.
” The annual convocation ceremony is typically held on campus but was moved online because of the coronavirus .
Springsteen ’ s son graduated @ @ @ @ @ @

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. (AP) - Bruce Springsteen urged students at Boston College on Thursday to “absorb every day” of their time in school, saying he passed on the college experience and had to make up for it later.
The singer and songwriter addressed first-year and transfer students in a virtual convocation ceremony. The incoming class had been assigned to read his autobiography, “Born to Run,” as part of a summer reading series.
Springsteen, who dropped out of college, encouraged students not to “neglect the life of your mind.”
“I missed that my first time around and I had to do my best to make up for it on my own,” he said. “I had to seek my teachers and my mentors in libraries and on the street. It works, but I was not able to immerse myself in a place entirely dedicated to learning, and I wish that I had.”
The annual convocation ceremony is typically held on campus but was moved online because of the coronavirus. Springsteen’s son graduated from Boston College in 2012.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Officer charged with assault after man left paralyzed

OXON HILL , Md .
( AP ) - A police officer in Maryland has been charged with misdemeanor assault after officials said that he slammed a man to the ground during a traffic stop , leaving him paralyzed .
The Washington Post reported Thursday that a grand jury indicted Cpl .
Bryant Strong in Prince George ’ s County .
He faces charges of second-degree assault , misconduct in office and reckless endangerment Prince George ’ s County State ’ s Attorney Aisha Braveboy said that Strong pulled over Demonte Ward-Blake last year in Oxon Hill for driving a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time that Ward-Blake became agitated and the initial responding officer called for backup .
Officials said that Ward-Blake tried to flee as officers removed him from the car and handcuffed him , prompting Strong to pull him to the ground .
Ward-Blake ’ s attorneys say he hit his head on the ground , breaking vertebrae in his neck and spine and leaving him paralyzed from the chest down .
“ We intend to seek justice on behalf of Mr. Ward-Blake and the community , ” Braveboy said .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately be reached for comment .
The police union representing officers in the county said in a statement that it was “ shocked ” by the indictment against Strong .
“ We are confident that the evidence will show that his actions were fully justified and within policy , ” union local president Angelo Consoli said .

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) - A police officer in Maryland has been charged with misdemeanor assault after officials said that he slammed a man to the ground during a traffic stop, leaving him paralyzed.
The Washington Post reported Thursday that a grand jury indicted Cpl. Bryant Strong in Prince George’s County. He faces charges of second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment
Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy said that Strong pulled over Demonte Ward-Blake last year in Oxon Hill for driving a car with expired tags.
Authorities said at the time that Ward-Blake became agitated and the initial responding officer called for backup. Officials said that Ward-Blake tried to flee as officers removed him from the car and handcuffed him, prompting Strong to pull him to the ground.
Ward-Blake’s attorneys say he hit his head on the ground, breaking vertebrae in his neck and spine and leaving him paralyzed from the chest down.
“We intend to seek justice on behalf of Mr. Ward-Blake and the community,” Braveboy said. “This is a tragedy.”
Strong could not immediately be reached for comment.
The police union representing officers in the county said in a statement that it was “shocked” by the indictment against Strong.
“We are confident that the evidence will show that his actions were fully justified and within policy,” union local president Angelo Consoli said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Hungary's Viktor Orban says he is rooting for Trump victory

BUDAPEST , Hungary ( AP ) - Hungary ’ s prime minister said Friday that he is rooting for the reelection of U.S President Donald Trump because what he represents “ is good for Central Europe.
” Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he was in his kitchen when Trump called him Thursday evening and they had a long talk about the pandemic situation in the United States , the U.S. electoral outlook and bilateral issues .
“ What the president represents is good for Central Europe , which is why we are rooting - at least me , personally - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Orban said Friday on state radio .
In July 2016 , Orban became the first European national leader to publicly endorse Trump ’ s presidential candidacy .
At the time , Orban , who was elected for a third consecutive term , and fourth overall , in 2018 on the back of a ferocious anti-immigrant campaign , said he preferred Trump because of his anti-terrorism proposals and his opposition to “ democracy export.
” The Hungarian government is facing proceedings in the European Union for allegedly undermining the bloc ’ s democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues like media freedoms , minority rights , the electoral system and academic and religious freedoms .
Orban also said Friday that it was increasingly common for national leaders to speak informally on the phone and build personal relationships instead of relying on formal diplomatic contacts .

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - Hungary’s prime minister said Friday that he is rooting for the reelection of U.S President Donald Trump because what he represents “is good for Central Europe.”
Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he was in his kitchen when Trump called him Thursday evening and they had a long talk about the pandemic situation in the United States, the U.S. electoral outlook and bilateral issues.
“What the president represents is good for Central Europe, which is why we are rooting - at least me, personally - for him to win the election,” Orban said Friday on state radio.
In July 2016, Orban became the first European national leader to publicly endorse Trump’s presidential candidacy. At the time, Orban, who was elected for a third consecutive term, and fourth overall, in 2018 on the back of a ferocious anti-immigrant campaign, said he preferred Trump because of his anti-terrorism proposals and his opposition to “democracy export.”
The Hungarian government is facing proceedings in the European Union for allegedly undermining the bloc’s democratic values and rule of law, including issues like media freedoms, minority rights, the electoral system and academic and religious freedoms.
Orban also said Friday that it was increasingly common for national leaders to speak informally on the phone and build personal relationships instead of relying on formal diplomatic contacts.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Turkey tells EU to stop 'blindly' backing Greece in standoff

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) - Turkey called on European Union countries on Friday to abandon a policy of “ blindly ” taking the side of EU members Greece and Cyprus in a tense standoff over energy search rights in the eastern Mediterranean .
Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hami Aksoy also urged Greece to take steps to reduce tensions , including by backing a NATO initiative that aims to reduce the risk of armed conflict and withdrawing warships that are monitoring the activities of a Turkish research ship - which itself is accompanied by Turkish warships .
NATO allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air force units to assert competing claims over energy exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean .
Turkish survey vessels and drill ships continue to prospect for gas in waters where Greece and Cyprus claim exclusive economic rights .
Turkey accuses Greece of trying to grab an unfair share of maritime resources and Cyprus of disregarding the rights of Turkish Cypriots on the ethnically-divided island .
Aksoy ’ s statement was in response to a meeting of the leaders of seven southern European countries which on Thursday urged Turkey to end its “ unilateral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mediterranean and to resume dialogue to ease tensions .
In their final statement , the leaders of France , Greece , Cyprus , Malta , Italy , Spain and Portugal reaffirmed their “ full support and solidarity with Cyprus and Greece ” who they say are facing Turkey ’ s “ confrontational actions.
” Meeting in Corsica , France , the leaders also warned that the EU is ready to develop a list of further sanctions at a summit later this month unless Turkey ends its unilateral activities and engages in dialogue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ detached from reality and lacking a legal basis.
” “ The EU and the other countries that signed the declaration should abandon their one-sided and biased attitudes that they blindly pursue under the guise of solidarity , ” Aksoy said .
“ Solidarity can occur with the side which is right .
There can be no solidarity with the wrongful side .
”

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey called on European Union countries Friday to abandon a policy of “blindly” taking the side of EU members Greece and Cyprus in a tense standoff over energy exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy also urged Greece to reduce the ongoing tensions by backing a NATO initiative that aims to reduce the risk of an armed conflict at sea and withdrawing Greek warships that are monitoring a Turkish research ship - which itself is accompanied by Turkish warships.
NATO allies Greece and Turkey have deployed naval and air force units to assert competing claims over energy rights in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkish survey vessels and drill ships continue to prospect for gas in waters where Greece and Cyprus claim exclusive economic rights.
Turkey accuses Greece of trying to grab an unfair share of maritime resources and Cyprus of disregarding the rights of Turkish Cypriots on the ethnically-divided island.
Greece and Turkey have carried rival naval exercises amid their standoff. On Friday, Turkey issued a new Navtex, or international maritime safety message, for Sept. 12-Sept. 14 live-fire exercises between its southern coast.
Aksoy’s statements were directed at the leaders of seven southern European countries, who at a meeting Thursday urged Turkey to end its “unilateral and illegal activities” in the eastern Mediterranean and to resume dialogue to ease tensions.
In their final statement, the leaders of France, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Italy, Spain and Portugal reaffirmed their “full support and solidarity with Cyprus and Greece” as they face Turkey’s “confrontational actions.”
Meeting in Corsica, France, the leaders also warned that the EU was ready to develop a list of further sanctions unless Turkey ends its unilateral activities and engages in dialogue.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman called their declaration “biased, detached from reality and lacking a legal basis.”
“The EU and the other countries that signed the declaration should abandon their one-sided and biased attitudes that they blindly pursue under the guise of solidarity,” Aksoy said. “Solidarity can occur with the side which is right. There can be no solidarity with the wrongful side.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Suicide bomber kills 2, wounds 6 outside mosque in Somalia

MOGADISHU , Somalia ( AP ) - A Somali police officer says a suicide bomber attacked a mosque in the @ @ @ @ @ as Friday prayers ended , killing two people .
Sahal Nur told The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ explosives belt near the gate of the mosque as worshippers were leaving after prayers .
@ @ @ @ @ he said .
Abdinasir Ali , a local official , said the bomber appeared to @ @ @ @ @ the regional chamber of commerce , who was wounded .
There was no immediate claim @ @ @ @ @ .
However , the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group often carries out such attacks .
Attacks on @ @ @ @ @ .

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) - A Somali police officer says a suicide bomber attacked a mosque in the southern port city of Kismayo as Friday prayers ended, killing two people.
Sahal Nur told The Associated Press that the bomber detonated his explosives belt near the gate of the mosque as worshippers were leaving after prayers. Six people were hurt, he said.
Abdinasir Ali, a local official, said the bomber appeared to be targeting the head of the regional chamber of commerce, who was wounded.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. However, the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group often carries out such attacks.
Attacks on mosques are uncommon in Somalia.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Poll: Pandemic takes toll on mental health of young adults

PHOENIX ( AP ) - The coronavirus pandemic has taken a harsh toll on the mental health of young Americans , according to a new poll that finds adults under 35 especially likely to report negative feelings or experience physical or emotional symptoms associated with stress and anxiety .
A majority of Americans ages 18 through 34 - 56 % - say they have at least sometimes felt isolated in the past month , compared with about 4 in 10 older Americans , according to the latest COVID Response Tracking Study conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental health as fair or poor , compared with 13 % of older adults , while 56 % of older adults say their mental health is excellent or very good , compared with just 39 % of young adults .
In the midst of the pandemic , young adults are navigating life transitions such as starting college and finding jobs , all without being able to experience normal social activities that might be especially essential for people who are less likely to have already married and started their own families .
Some young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid a recession , and older members of the group are already experiencing their second .
Christina Torres , 32 , a middle school teacher in Honolulu , had to postpone her June wedding and was not able to travel to her grandmother ’ s funeral in California because of the pandemic .
She misses being able to deal with stress by going to the gym and getting together with friends .
“ And so it ’ s hard to not feel really hopeless sometimes , especially because the numbers keep going up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that younger Americans also consistently show higher rates of psychosomatic symptoms , like having trouble sleeping , getting headaches or crying , compared to other age groups .
The likelihood of experiencing such symptoms decreases with age .
The results are surprising because people who are considered most at risk normally report more mental health symptoms , and older adults are more likely to become seriously ill from the coronavirus , said Tom Smith , who has directed NORC ’ s General Social Survey since 1980 .
The numbers also contrast with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large parties , seemingly unafraid of the risk pose by the virus , he said .
One possible explanation could be that young adults have less experience dealing with a public health crisis , said Smith , 71 , who grew up being told not to play in the dirt because of the risk of contracting polio .
“ This experience facing a pandemic is completely new for most younger adults , ” he said .
Torres thought some of the hardship her generation is experiencing now could be attributed to their lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents ’ generation .
“ So it kind of feels like , oh my God , can this get any worse ?
When is it going to get better ?
” she said .
“ It doesn ’ t feel like it ’ s going to get better.
” Young adults also face constant exposure to social media , which could make negative feelings about the virus even worse .
The survey found that frequently watching , reading or talking about the virus is consistently linked with higher rates of negative mental health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a freshman at North Carolina State University studying remotely after being sent home because of virus cases at the school , said social media provided daily reminders of COVID-19 .
“ In some ways social media has added to my stressors , yes .
Just the information overload that ’ s unavoidable on social media platforms can be distracting , ” he said .
The survey found 67 % of young adults , but just 50 % of those older , say they have at least sometimes felt that they were unable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And 55 % of 18 to 34 year olds say they have felt difficulties piling up too high to overcome , compared with 33 % of older adults .
In Arizona , Desiree Eskridge , 17 , decided to study remotely in California for her first year at Northern Arizona University partly because she did not want to risk spreading COVID-19 to her family , which is prone to sickness .
She also worried she would get sick and have to pay back a student loan for a semester she could not finish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into her grandparents ’ house so she could still be more on her own .
She relies on friends who are living on campus and taking the same classes to explain things she did not quite understand during lectures and has to schedule extra Zoom appointments with her professors for additional help .
“ It ’ s extremely stressful , but me being home makes it a little easier because I can do it all in my own time and my own space and I don ’ t have to be in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything all over , ” she said .
Associated Press writer Colleen Slevin in Wheat Ridge , Colorado contributed to this report .
Kelleher reported from Honolulu .
The survey of 2,007 adults was conducted July 22-August 10 with funding from the National Science Foundation .
It uses a sample drawn from NORC ’ s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel , which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population .
The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points .

CHEYANNE MUMPHREY and JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER

PHOENIX (AP) - The coronavirus pandemic has taken a harsh toll on the mental health of young Americans, according to a new poll that finds adults under 35 especially likely to report negative feelings or experience physical or emotional symptoms associated with stress and anxiety.
A majority of Americans ages 18 through 34 - 56% - say they have at least sometimes felt isolated in the past month, compared with about 4 in 10 older Americans, according to the latest COVID Response Tracking Study conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago. Twenty-five percent of young adults rate their mental health as fair or poor, compared with 13% of older adults, while 56% of older adults say their mental health is excellent or very good, compared with just 39% of young adults.
In the midst of the pandemic, young adults are navigating life transitions such as starting college and finding jobs, all without being able to experience normal social activities that might be especially essential for people who are less likely to have already married and started their own families. Some young people are just beginning their adult lives amid a recession, and older members of the group are already experiencing their second.
Christina Torres, 32, a middle school teacher in Honolulu, had to postpone her June wedding and was not able to travel to her grandmother’s funeral in California because of the pandemic. She misses being able to deal with stress by going to the gym and getting together with friends.
“And so it’s hard to not feel really hopeless sometimes, especially because the numbers keep going up,” she said.
The study found that younger Americans also consistently show higher rates of psychosomatic symptoms, like having trouble sleeping, getting headaches or crying, compared to other age groups. The likelihood of experiencing such symptoms decreases with age.
One possible explanation for the age gap could be that young adults have less experience dealing with a public health crisis, said Tom Smith, who has directed NORC’s General Social Survey since 1980. Smith, 71, says he grew up being told not to play in the dirt because of the risk of contracting polio.
“This experience facing a pandemic is completely new for most younger adults,” he said.
Torres thought some of the hardship her generation is experiencing now could be attributed to their lack of historical context, compared with her parents’ generation.
“So it kind of feels like, oh my God, can this get any worse? When is it going to get better?” she said. “It doesn’t feel like it’s going to get better.”
Young adults also face constant exposure to social media, which could make negative feelings about the virus even worse. The survey found that frequently watching, reading or talking about the virus is consistently linked with higher rates of negative mental health symptoms.
Wayne Evans, 18, a freshman at North Carolina State University studying remotely after being sent home because of virus cases at the school, said social media provided daily reminders of COVID-19.
“In some ways social media has added to my stressors, yes. Just the information overload that’s unavoidable on social media platforms can be distracting,” he said.
The survey found 67% of young adults, but just 50% of those older, say they have at least sometimes felt that they were unable to control the important things in life. And 55% of 18 to 34 year olds say they have felt difficulties piling up too high to overcome, compared with 33% of older adults.
In Arizona, Desiree Eskridge, 17, decided to study remotely in California for her first year at Northern Arizona University partly because she did not want to risk spreading COVID-19 to her family, which is prone to sickness. She also worried she would get sick and have to pay back a student loan for a semester she could not finish on the campus.
She did move into her grandparents’ house so she could still be more on her own. She relies on friends who are living on campus and taking the same classes to explain things she did not quite understand during lectures and has to schedule extra Zoom appointments with her professors for additional help.
“It’s extremely stressful, but me being home makes it a little easier because I can do it all in my own time and my own space and I don’t have to be in this new environment where I have to learn everything all over,” she said.
_____
Associated Press writer Colleen Slevin in Wheat Ridge, Colorado contributed to this report. Kelleher reported from Honolulu.
___
The survey of 2,007 adults was conducted July 22-August 10 with funding from the National Science Foundation. It uses a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--DNA leads police to man suspected of attacking woman in 2000

TAMPA , Fla. ( AP ) - DNA , fingerprints , a silver gun and a bizarre Facebook tirade led them to a man suspected of sexually attacking a woman nearly 20 years ago , Tampa police said .
Antonio Rivers , who was 19 at the time of the attack , was charged Tuesday with sexual battery with a deadly weapon and armed burglary of a dwelling , the Tampa Bay Times reported .
The woman was attacked Dec. 17 , 2000 , when she returned to the house she shared with her sister and encountered a masked man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators said .
She told police he pointed a silver pistol at her .
A sexual assault forensic exam was conducted , which included a sample of the attacker ’ s DNA .
But no match was found in the DNA database , investigators said .
Almost six months later , a Tampa police officer tried to pull over Rivers for something else .
As he ran from police , he tossed a a silver Bryco Jennings 9mm semi-automatic pistol , according to police .
He was eventually caught and the gun was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators he ’ d had the gun for about two years .
Years went by .
Then , in January , a latent fingerprint specialist re-analyzed two right palm prints taken from the crime scene in 2000 .
They matched Rivers ’ jail booking records , and they had also learned from his 2001 arrest that he carried a silver pistol during the time of the sexual assault .
Detectives spoke to the woman and her sister again .
Neither said they knew Rivers .
But the woman told them about a strange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She said an Antonio Rivers “ sent her a profane tirade that made no sense to her at the time , ” police said .
She forwarded the message to police , who said the account appeared to belong to the same Rivers under investigation , the newspaper reported .
Police did not offer details on the message .
Police obtained a search warrant that allowed them to take a DNA sample from Rivers , now 39 , on July 2 .
They also questioned him about the attack in 2000 .
Rivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scene , denied knowing or recognizing the victim , and stated his DNA , prints , or hairs should not be found at the crime scene , ” police said .
But the DNA lab report that came back Sept. 3 showed Rivers ’ DNA matched the sample taken after the attack , and he was arrested .
He remained in the Hillsborough County Jail on Friday morning .
Bond was set at $ 300,000 .
An attorney for Rivers wasn ’ t listed on jail records .

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - DNA, fingerprints, a silver gun and a bizarre Facebook tirade led them to a man suspected of sexually attacking a woman nearly 20 years ago, Tampa police said.
Antonio Rivers, who was 19 at the time of the attack, was charged Tuesday with sexual battery with a deadly weapon and armed burglary of a dwelling, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
The woman was attacked Dec. 17, 2000, when she returned to the house she shared with her sister and encountered a masked man who was already inside her home, investigators said. She told police he pointed a silver pistol at her.
A sexual assault forensic exam was conducted, which included a sample of the attacker’s DNA. But no match was found in the DNA database, investigators said.
Almost six months later, a Tampa police officer tried to pull over Rivers for something else. As he ran from police, he tossed a a silver Bryco Jennings 9mm semi-automatic pistol, according to police. He was eventually caught and the gun was recovered.
The newspaper reported Rivers told investigators he’d had the gun for about two years.
Years went by. Then, in January, a latent fingerprint specialist re-analyzed two right palm prints taken from the crime scene in 2000. They matched Rivers’ jail booking records, and they had also learned from his 2001 arrest that he carried a silver pistol during the time of the sexual assault.
Detectives spoke to the woman and her sister again. Neither said they knew Rivers. But the woman told them about a strange Facebook message she received in 2014. She said an Antonio Rivers “sent her a profane tirade that made no sense to her at the time,” police said. She forwarded the message to police, who said the account appeared to belong to the same Rivers under investigation, the newspaper reported. Police did not offer details on the message.
Police obtained a search warrant that allowed them to take a DNA sample from Rivers, now 39, on July 2. They also questioned him about the attack in 2000. Rivers “denied ever being at the crime scene, denied knowing or recognizing the victim, and stated his DNA, prints, or hairs should not be found at the crime scene,” police said.
But the DNA lab report that came back Sept. 3 showed Rivers’ DNA matched the sample taken after the attack, and he was arrested.
He remained in the Hillsborough County Jail on Friday morning. Bond was set at $300,000. An attorney for Rivers wasn’t listed on jail records.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Police believe they found bodies of 2 men who went on ride

BOSCAWEN , N.H. ( AP ) - Police in a New Hampshire believe they have found the bodies of a @ @ @ @ @ who were reported missing after they went on a motorcycle ride .
The Newport Police @ @ @ @ @ 69 , and his grandson , Cody Pillsbury , 22 , went on the ride @ @ @ @ @ did not have a set destination .
They did not return home .
Pillsbury had @ @ @ @ @ but police said information from the phone was limited because of bad cell service .
@ @ @ @ @ said they found bodies matching the description in a densely wooded area off of Route @ @ @ @ @ 40 miles away , WMUR-TV reported .

BOSCAWEN, N.H. (AP) - Police in New Hampshire believe a man and his grandfather on a Labor Day motorcycle ride died in a fatal crash after striking a deer.
Police said Thursday they believed they found the bodies of Jerry Proper 69, and Cody Pillsbury, 22, who went on a ride from Newport. The two didn’t have a set destination, but family members became worried when they didn’t return home.
Authorities searched by air and ground and received cellular tower data analysis that focused their search in an area of Route 4 in Salisbury and Boscawen.
Police said the initial investigation indicates that the two were riding southbound on the road in Boscawen, about 40 miles away, when they struck a deer. Their motorcycle left the road and came to rest in a dense swamp.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--VW truck maker MAN plans to cut up to 9,500 jobs

BERLIN ( AP ) - Truck and bus maker MAN , a subsidiary of Volkswagen , said Friday that it @ @ @ @ @ 9,500 jobs worldwide as part of a cost-cutting drive .
MAN said the planned package @ @ @ @ @ improve the company ’ s operating result by about 1.8 billion euros ( about $ @ @ @ @ @ involve a “ fundamental restructuring ” of all areas of its business .
It said @ @ @ @ @ of some of the development and production processes to other sites is planned ” and @ @ @ @ @ Austria and in Plauen and Wittlich , Germany “ are up for discussion.
” The @ @ @ @ @ soon with employee representatives on the plan .
The auto and truck industry has taken @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , as sales plunged in markets around the world .

BERLIN (AP) - Truck and bus maker MAN, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, said Friday that it plans to shed up to 9,500 jobs worldwide as part of a cost-cutting drive.
MAN said the planned package of measures is intended to improve the company’s operating result by about 1.8 billion euros (about $2 billion) and will involve a “fundamental restructuring” of all areas of its business.
It said that “a partial relocation of some of the development and production processes to other sites is planned” and that plants in Steyr, Austria and in Plauen and Wittlich, Germany “are up for discussion.” The company plans to start negotiations soon with employee representatives on the plan.
The auto and truck industry has taken a huge hit during the pandemic, as sales plunged in markets around the world.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Notre Dame COVID-19 protocols bar independent photographers

SOUTH BEND , Ind .
( AP ) - The Associated Press and other news organizations and publishers will not have digital images from Saturday ’ s Notre Dame ’ s home game against Duke because of the school ’ s COVID-19 restrictions on who is allowed in the stadium and on the field .
Notre Dame is not allowing independent photojournalists on the field or in the stands to photograph its opening game of the season .
The school is using three photographers it employs to shoot images that will be uploaded to the Atlantic Coast Conference ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trustworthiness of AP ’ s coverage is reliant on its use of journalists and photojournalists that are independent from the institutions that they are assigned to cover , ” said Denis Paquin , APs Deputy Director of Photography for Global Sports and Operations .
“ Accepting coverage from an unknown source , in this particular instance hired by the school , is tantamount to accepting handouts , which AP policy prohibits.
” Leagues around the world have provided photo positions for journalists during the pandemic , including the games played in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been covered from the stands , but Notre Dame would not agree to that arrangement .
Notre Dame is permitting only students , school staff members and faculty to purchase tickets for the game and sit in the bowl of the stadium .
Notre Dame Stadium will be limited to 20 % of its usual capacity of 77,622 , or about 15,000 .
There will be another 400 tickets distributed to families of players from both teams .
“ In preparation for the 2020 season , the university has always put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local community at the heart of its decision-making - from who would be eligible for tickets to the game-day experience , ” Notre Dame athletic department spokesman Aaron Horvath said in a statement to AP .
“ Our decision to provide pool photos to all media entities free of charge , using internal resources instead of welcoming outside organizations was no different .
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
” Horvath said the school-employed photographers permitted on the field are administered COVID-19 tests three times per week , same as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Notre Dame is permitting 26 reporters to cover the game from the press box .
Normal capacity is 180 .
Notre Dame and AP officials have agreed to discuss alternative arrangements to provide images from independent photojournalists at future home games this season .
The 10th-ranked Fighting Irish play South Florida at home Sept. 19 .

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - The Associated Press and other news organizations and publishers will not have digital images from Saturday’s Notre Dame’s home game against Duke because of the school’s COVID-19 restrictions on who is allowed in the stadium and on the field.
Notre Dame is not allowing independent photojournalists on the field or in the stands to photograph its opening game of the season. The school is using three photographers it employs to shoot images that will be uploaded to the Atlantic Coast Conference’s online media portal.
“The integrity and trustworthiness of AP’s coverage is reliant on its use of journalists and photojournalists that are independent from the institutions that they are assigned to cover,” said Denis Paquin, APs Deputy Director of Photography for Global Sports and Operations. “Accepting coverage from an unknown source, in this particular instance hired by the school, is tantamount to accepting handouts, which AP policy prohibits.”
Leagues around the world have provided photo positions for journalists during the pandemic, including the games played in the NBA and NHL bubbles. Some games have been covered from the stands, but Notre Dame would not agree to that arrangement.
Notre Dame is permitting only students, school staff members and faculty to purchase tickets for the game and sit in the bowl of the stadium. Notre Dame Stadium will be limited to 20% of its usual capacity of 77,622, or about 15,000. There will be another 400 tickets distributed to families of players from both teams.
“In preparation for the 2020 season, the university has always put the health and safety of the campus and local community at the heart of its decision-making - from who would be eligible for tickets to the game-day experience,” Notre Dame athletic department spokesman Aaron Horvath said in a statement to AP. “Our decision to provide pool photos to all media entities free of charge, using internal resources instead of welcoming outside organizations was no different. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Horvath said the school-employed photographers permitted on the field are administered COVID-19 tests three times per week, same as the players, coaches and other essential employees.
Notre Dame is permitting 26 reporters to cover the game from the press box. Normal capacity is 180.
Notre Dame and AP officials have agreed to discuss alternative arrangements to provide images from independent photojournalists at future home games this season. The 10th-ranked Fighting Irish play South Florida at home Sept. 19.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Venezuelan president says US spy captured near refineries

CARACAS , Venezuela ( AP ) - President Nicolás Maduro said Friday that Venezuelan authorities captured a U.S. spy targeting a pair of refineries on the north Caribbean coast as this nation once wealthy from oil is gripped by a deep gasoline shortage .
The spy , Maduro alleged , was a Marine who had served as a CIA operative in Iraq .
He gave no identity or other immediate proof to support the claim , saying more details would follow , such as photos and video .
The suspect was captured Thursday while possessing specialized weapons and a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that the man was being interrogated about his activities around the Amuay and Cardon refineries in Falcon state .
Maduro , an adversary of the United States , also said Venezuelan authorities had dismantled a plot on Wednesday that was aimed at blowing up a third refinery , El Palito in Carabobo state .
He urged the nation ’ s oil workers to be on alert for more attacks .
“ The gringo empire wants revenge against Venezuela , ” he said .
“ It wants to prevent Venezuela from producing all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made Venezuela a wealthy nation , but critics of Maduro say two decades of socialist rule have left it near ruin .
Its dilapidated oil fields and refineries barely produce , and the nation today relies on imports from Iran , another U.S. foe .
A second , deep scarcity of gasoline struck in recent days , frustrating drivers stuck in lines for hours and days to fuel up , even in the capital of Caracas .
Analysts say the next three Iranian ships hauling fuel won ’ t arrive for weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaves drivers stranded , stiff U.S. sanctions have also blocked Maduro from importing gasoline .
If Maduro ’ s claim of netting a U.S. citizen prove correct , the suspect would join two ex-Green Beret soldiers already jailed in Venezuela for allegedly participating in a failed attempt to overthrow the socialist leader .
The two former U.S. special forces soldiers were arrested in early May among more than 80 rebel Venezuelan fighters who staged a failed beach attack called Operation Gideon aimed at arresting Maduro .
The ex-green berets - Luke Denman Airan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 years in prison .
Authorities say the two men confessed to being part of the plot .
While the Trump administration denied having anything to do with the blundered May incursion , Washington backs Venezuelan opposition politician Juan Guaidó who seeks to overthrow Maduro .

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Nicolás Maduro said Friday that Venezuelan authorities captured a U.S. spy targeting a pair of refineries on the north Caribbean coast as this nation once wealthy from oil is gripped by a deep gasoline shortage.
The spy, Maduro alleged, was a Marine who had served as a CIA operative in Iraq. He gave no identity or other immediate proof to support the claim, saying more details would follow, such as photos and video.
The suspect was captured Thursday while possessing specialized weapons and a large sum of dollars, Maduro said, adding that the man was being interrogated about his activities around the Amuay and Cardon refineries in Falcon state.
Maduro, an adversary of the United States, also said Venezuelan authorities had dismantled a plot on Wednesday that was aimed at blowing up a third refinery, El Palito in Carabobo state. He urged the nation’s oil workers to be on alert for more attacks.
“The gringo empire wants revenge against Venezuela,” he said. “It wants to prevent Venezuela from producing all petroleum products, gasoline.”
Oil once made Venezuela a wealthy nation, but critics of Maduro say two decades of socialist rule have left it near ruin. Its dilapidated oil fields and refineries barely produce, and the nation today relies on imports from Iran, another U.S. foe.
A second, deep scarcity of gasoline struck in recent days, frustrating drivers stuck in lines for hours and days to fuel up, even in the capital of Caracas. Analysts say the next three Iranian ships hauling fuel won’t arrive for weeks.
While Venezuela’s broken oil industry leaves drivers stranded, stiff U.S. sanctions have also blocked Maduro from importing gasoline.
If Maduro’s claim of netting a U.S. citizen prove correct, the suspect would join two ex-Green Beret soldiers already jailed in Venezuela for allegedly participating in a failed attempt to overthrow the socialist leader. The two former U.S. special forces soldiers were arrested in early May among more than 80 rebel Venezuelan fighters who staged a failed beach attack called Operation Gideon aimed at arresting Maduro.
The ex-green berets - Luke Denman Airan Berry Venezuela - have been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Authorities say the two men confessed to being part of the plot.
While the Trump administration denied having anything to do with the blundered May incursion, Washington backs Venezuelan opposition politician Juan Guaidó who seeks to overthrow Maduro.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Patriot Prayer leader sues Multnomah County DA

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson and supporter Russell Schultz , who both face riot charges in Multnomah County , have filed a federal lawsuit against the county ’ s district attorney , alleging selective prosecution based on political beliefs .
The suit filed Friday accuses Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt of engaging in unfair prosecution by refusing to dismiss a sole felony riot allegation against them .
The claim comes after Schmidt ’ s new office policy saying he won ’ t pursue that charge against people involved in recent Portland protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage or use of force , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
On May Day 2019 , Gibson and Schultz are among six men accused of inciting a riot between right-wing Patriot Prayer and left-leaning antifa outside a Portland pub .
Gibson and Schultz have pleaded not guilty and their trials are set for October .
Their lawyers , James Buchal , chair of Multnomah County ’ s Republican Party , and D. Angus Lee want a judge to issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction to halt their state prosecution .
The district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s lawyers last month when asked that the new policy is not retroactive .
The lawsuit filed by Gibson and Schultz also references an interview Schmidt did with his former Vassar College classmate , a social justice activist and hip hop artist who goes by the name “ AWKWORD , ” before Schmidt started as district attorney in August .
The suit points to the interview as an indication that Schmidt has a predisposition against Gibson and his followers .
Schmidt , through office spokesman Brent Weisberg , has declined comment on Gibson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a matter pending before the court .
Weisberg also Friday declined comment on the federal lawsuit .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson and supporter Russell Schultz, who both face riot charges in Multnomah County, have filed a federal lawsuit against the county’s district attorney, alleging selective prosecution based on political beliefs.
The suit filed Friday accuses Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt of engaging in unfair prosecution by refusing to dismiss a sole felony riot allegation against them.
The claim comes after Schmidt’s new office policy saying he won’t pursue that charge against people involved in recent Portland protests without an accompanying allegation of specific property damage or use of force, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
On May Day 2019, Gibson and Schultz are among six men accused of inciting a riot between right-wing Patriot Prayer and left-leaning antifa outside a Portland pub. Gibson and Schultz have pleaded not guilty and their trials are set for October.
Their lawyers, James Buchal, chair of Multnomah County’s Republican Party, and D. Angus Lee want a judge to issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction to halt their state prosecution.
The district attorney’s office told Gibson’s lawyers last month when asked that the new policy is not retroactive.
The lawsuit filed by Gibson and Schultz also references an interview Schmidt did with his former Vassar College classmate, a social justice activist and hip hop artist who goes by the name “AWKWORD,” before Schmidt started as district attorney in August. The suit points to the interview as an indication that Schmidt has a predisposition against Gibson and his followers.
Schmidt, through office spokesman Brent Weisberg, has declined comment on Gibson’s case, noting it’s a matter pending before the court. Weisberg also Friday declined comment on the federal lawsuit.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Millsap helps Nuggets rally, stun Clippers 111-105 in Game 5

LAKE BUENA VISTA , Fla. ( AP ) - Paul Millsap scored 14 of his 17 points in the third quarter , Michael Porter Jr. made a late 3-pointer and the Denver Nuggets overcame a 15-point , second-half deficit to stun the Los Angeles Clippers 111-105 on Friday night in Game 5 .
Denver - down 16 in the first half - trailed 61-46 with 9:42 remaining in the third before rallying behind the 35-year-old Millsap .
The Nuggets took their first lead on Nikola Jokic ’ s 3-pointer with 7:06 left and extended it to eight .
After the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit a deep 3-pointer with 1:11 remaining to all but wrap it up .
Jamal Murray finished with 26 points , and Jokic added 22 points and 14 rebounds to help the Nuggets pull to 3-2 in the best-of-seven series .
Game 6 is Sunday .
This marked Denver ’ s fourth elimination-game win of this postseason , the team ’ s most since capturing six win-or-go-home games during the 1994 playoff run .
The Nuggets came back from a 3-1 deficit to win their first-round series against Utah .
Kawhi Leonard scored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Clippers , who are searching for the franchise ’ s first appearance in a conference finals .
They ’ re 0-6 in games where they could clinch a trip to the conference finals .
Millsap and Marcus Morris jawed at each other face-to-face late in the first half and had to be separated .
Morris was given a technical foul .
Nuggets : Gary Harris fouled out with 1:58 remaining .
He had seven points .
Clippers coach Doc Rivers and Nuggets coach Michael Malone reflected on their memories on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rivers had just returned home in Orlando after a trip to Australia when he awoke to the news that began to hit .
Nearly 3,000 people were killed as al-Qaida hijackers took control of four planes , sending two of the planes into New York ’ s World Trade Center , one into the Pentagon and the fourth into a field in Pennsylvania .
“ Just like every American that day , we were in awe .
We were saddened and we just needed answers , ” Rivers said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Malone was working in New York under coach Jeff Van Gundy and was at team ’ s practice facility .
He remembered an equipment manager telling them to turn on the television .
“ It was surreal .
You felt so vulnerable , ” Malone said .
“ I reflected on that today with it being 19 years ago and the tragic memories that you have.
” Malone said he spoke with Porter about publicly expressing his frustrations over his role like the rookie did after Game 4 .
“ During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is any type of distraction , ” Malone said .
“ If those frustrations are there for Michael , for anybody , it ’ s much better to keep those conversations internal , in the locker room and among ourselves .
”

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) - Desperate times brings out the best in the Denver Nuggets.
So does a 35-year-old veteran willing to scuffle and stand his ground.
Paul Millsap ignited Denver with a fracas before scoring 14 of his 17 points in the third quarter, Michael Porter Jr. made a late 3-pointer and the Nuggets overcame a 15-point, second-half deficit to stun the Los Angeles Clippers 111-105 on Friday night in Game 5.
Don’t evict the Nuggets out of the bubble just yet. They’ve pulled to 3-2 in their best-of-seven series.
“Everybody continues to count us out,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “That’s the way we like it.”
This marked Denver’s fourth elimination-game win of this postseason, the team’s most since capturing six win-or-go-home games during the 1994 playoff run. The Nuggets came back from a 3-1 deficit to capture their first-round series against Utah.
Denver’s resiliency comes as no surprise to the Clippers.
“They played like the season was on the line. They had that approach,” Clippers standout Paul George said. “They were out there flying around and played hard. They made timely baskets they needed.”
One of the catalysts was Millsap. Denver - down 16 in the first half - trailed 61-46 with 9:42 remaining in the third before rallying behind his play. He made 4 of 5 shots and 5 of 6 free throws in the quarter.
Really, though, it was a big play he turned in before halftime that sparked the Nuggets. Millsap and Marcus Morris jawed at each other face-to-face late and had to be separated. Morris was given a technical foul and the Nuggets got some swagger.
“He stood up. His response to that situation really helped our team to respond,” Malone said. “That gave us a group toughness. Paul played really well for us tonight. That play was really impactful.”
So was this: Nikola Jokic’s 3-pointer with 7:06 left to give the Nuggets their first lead.
And this: Porter hitting a deep 3-pointer with 1:11 remaining to all but wrap it up. It was the only shot he made from the floor all night.
This after publicly talking about how he wanted a bigger role after Game 4. He responded at crunch time.
“The one thing you love about the kid is he’s not scared,” Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said. “He showed that.”
Jamal Murray finished with 26 points, and Jokic added 22 points and 14 rebounds to lift the Nuggets.
Game 6 is Sunday.
Kawhi Leonard scored 36 points and George added 26 for the Clippers, who are searching for the franchise’s first appearance in a conference finals. They’re 0-6 all-time in games where they could clinch a trip to the conference finals.
“We’re in the driver’s seat,” George said. “We had them were we wanted them. We should’ve put them away. They came back and won the game. Comes down to Game 6.”
TIP-INS
Nuggets: Gary Harris fouled out with 1:58 remaining. He had seven points.
Clippers: G Patrick Beverley finished with 10 points. … Morris added 12 points.
COOL KAWHI
Leonard has now scored 30 or more points seven times during this postseason. He also grabbed nine rebounds and had four assists.
Playing at his best or is there another level?
“Trying to win a basketball game,” Leonard said. “Next question, please.”
9/11 MEMORIES
Rivers and Malone reflected on their memories on the 19th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.
Rivers had just returned home in Orlando after a trip to Australia when he awoke to the news that began to hit. Nearly 3,000 people were killed as al-Qaida hijackers took control of four planes, sending two of the planes into New York’s World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon and the fourth into a field in Pennsylvania.
“Just like every American that day, we were in awe. We were saddened and we just needed answers,” Rivers said. “It was a sad day for our country.”
Malone was working in New York under coach Jeff Van Gundy and was at team’s practice facility. He remembered an equipment manager telling them to turn on the television.
“It was surreal. You felt so vulnerable,” Malone said. “I reflected on that today with it being 19 years ago and the tragic memories that you have.”
HEART-TO-HEART
Malone said he spoke with Porter about publicly expressing his frustrations over his role like the rookie did after Game 4.
“During the playoffs, the last thing you want is any type of distraction,” Malone said. “If those frustrations are there for Michael, for anybody, it’s much better to keep those conversations internal, in the locker room and among ourselves.”
Malone appreciates his moxie.
“What you love about Michael, whether it’s his youthful inexperience or not understanding the magnitude of the situation, but he has supreme confidence,” Malone said.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Amid ashes, California governor fires away on climate change

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California Gov .
Newsom offered some of his most impassioned comments on climate change , denouncing the “ ideological BS ” of those who deny the danger and vowing Friday to accelerate the state ’ s already ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gases .
Newsom spoke against a backdrop of ghost-like trees and ground covered in snow-like gray ash left by the deadliest of the record-breaking fires that have charred huge swaths of California in recent weeks .
“ The data is self-evident , the experience that we have in the state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ravages of climate change , ” he said .
“ Mother Nature is physics , biology and chemistry .
She bats last and she bats one thousand .
That ’ s the reality we ’ re facing , the smash mouth reality - this perfect storm .
The debate is over around climate change.
” Two Republican state lawmakers who represent the Northern California region where Newsom spoke countered that the governor is using climate change as an excuse for years of failed policies by fellow Democrats who control nearly all aspects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former governor , Jerry Brown , who championed combating climate change , said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press that the massive fires in the West may get more people thinking about the role of climate change “ as they cough and choke on this terrible air.
” But he said it won ’ t change the minds of those who view global warming as fiction .
“ This is not enough , ” he said .
“ But don ’ t worry , we ’ re going to have this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with flooding of subways in places in Florida and New Orleans and Texas , ” he said .
“ The weather is changing , and human beings can ’ t snap their fingers and tell the weather : ‘ Don ’ t change , ’ ” said Brown , who left office last year and now serves as chairman of the California-China Climate Institute at the University of California , Berkeley.. “ The weather is changing because of the chemicals that human beings are putting into the air all over the world.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless we get our act together on climate change , unless we disabuse ourselves of all the BS that ’ s being spewed by a very small group of people , ” then time to take action will be lost .
Newsom noted that just in the last month , California had its hottest August , with world-record-setting heat in Death Valley .
It had 14,000 dry lightning strikes that set off hundreds of fires , some that combined into creating five of the 10 largest fires in the state ’ s recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waves stretching through the Labor Day weekend .
California already is leading the nation in lowering its carbon output , Newsom said , but “ we ’ re going to have to do more and we ’ re going to have to fast-track our efforts.
” The state ’ s ambitious goal of using 100 % clean energy by 2045 “ is inadequate , ” Newsom argued .
“ We ’ re going to have to be more aggressive in terms of meeting our goals much sooner.
” He said the state must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other non-polluting transportation , and ordered the heads of his environmental protection and natural resources agencies to explore more changes to the state ’ s industrial and agricultural policies .
Newsom finally called for voters to unseat politicians “ across the spectrum ” who deny the effects of climate change , saying he was not just criticizing President Donald Trump .
Republican state Sen. Jim Nielsen and Assemblyman James Gallagher countered that the cause of recent devastating wildfires and electricity blackouts “ is decades of bad policy enacted by Democrats , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate change can not be used to deflect from the fundamental failure to address the fuels build-up in our forests that are the cause of these devastating fires , ” they said in a statement .
“ These same misguided policy decisions have led to rolling blackouts and an energy grid that is falling apart .
”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California Gov. Newsom offered some of his most impassioned comments on climate change, denouncing the “ideological BS” of those who deny the danger and vowing Friday to accelerate the state’s already ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gases.
Newsom spoke against a backdrop of ghost-like trees and ground covered in snow-like gray ash left by the deadliest of the record-breaking fires that have charred huge swaths of California in recent weeks.
“The data is self-evident, the experience that we have in the state of California just underscoring the reality of the ravages of climate change,” he said. “Mother Nature is physics, biology and chemistry. She bats last and she bats one thousand. That’s the reality we’re facing, the smash mouth reality - this perfect storm. The debate is over around climate change.”
Two Republican state lawmakers who represent the Northern California region where Newsom spoke countered that the governor is using climate change as an excuse for years of failed policies by fellow Democrats who control nearly all aspects of California government.
The state’s former governor, Jerry Brown, who championed combating climate change, said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press that the massive fires in the West may get more people thinking about the role of climate change “as they cough and choke on this terrible air.”
But he said it won’t change the minds of those who view global warming as fiction.
“This is not enough,” he said. “But don’t worry, we’re going to have this over and over, with hurricanes, with flooding of subways in places in Florida and New Orleans and Texas,” he said.
“The weather is changing, and human beings can’t snap their fingers and tell the weather: ‘Don’t change,’” said Brown, who left office last year and now serves as chairman of the California-China Climate Institute at the University of California, Berkeley.. “The weather is changing because of the chemicals that human beings are putting into the air all over the world.”
Newsom was more blunt, saying “unless we get our act together on climate change, unless we disabuse ourselves of all the BS that’s being spewed by a very small group of people,” then time to take action will be lost.
Newsom noted that just in the last month, California had its hottest August, with world-record-setting heat in Death Valley. It had 14,000 dry lightning strikes that set off hundreds of fires, some that combined into creating five of the 10 largest fires in the state’s recorded history. And it had back-to-back heat waves stretching through the Labor Day weekend.
California already is leading the nation in lowering its carbon output, Newsom said, but “we’re going to have to do more and we’re going to have to fast-track our efforts.”
The state’s ambitious goal of using 100% clean energy by 2045 “is inadequate,” Newsom argued. “We’re going to have to be more aggressive in terms of meeting our goals much sooner.”
He said the state must push to more quickly adopt electric vehicles and other non-polluting transportation, and ordered the heads of his environmental protection and natural resources agencies to explore more changes to the state’s industrial and agricultural policies.
Newsom finally called for voters to unseat politicians “across the spectrum” who deny the effects of climate change, saying he was not just criticizing President Donald Trump.
Republican state Sen. Jim Nielsen and Assemblyman James Gallagher countered that the cause of recent devastating wildfires and electricity blackouts “is decades of bad policy enacted by Democrats, not climate change.”
“The excuse of climate change cannot be used to deflect from the fundamental failure to address the fuels build-up in our forests that are the cause of these devastating fires,” they said in a statement. “These same misguided policy decisions have led to rolling blackouts and an energy grid that is falling apart.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--2,145 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Illinois, 32 deaths

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - The Illinois Department of Public Health on Friday reported 2,145 newly confirmed COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ fatalities .
The new cases came as 30 of Illinois ’ 102 counties reached two @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 is spreading there .
The total number of known infections in Illinois is 257,788 @ @ @ @ @ toll is 8,273 since the start of the pandemic .
Friday ’ s cases were @ @ @ @ @ , resulting in a seven-day statewide positivity rate for COVID-19 of 3.9 percent .
There @ @ @ @ @ in Illinois .
As of late Thursday , 1,619 people in Illinois were reported to @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
Of those , 359 patients were in intensive care units and 155 patients @ @ @ @

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Department of Public Health on Friday reported 2,145 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 32 confirmed fatalities.
The new cases came as 30 of Illinois’ 102 counties reached two or more benchmarks that indicate COVID-19 is spreading there.
The total number of known infections in Illinois is 257,788, and the statewide death toll is 8,273 since the start of the pandemic.
Friday’s cases were the result of 56,661 tests, resulting in a seven-day statewide positivity rate for COVID-19 of 3.9 percent. There have been 4,632,382 tests conducted in Illinois.
As of late Thursday, 1,619 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 359 patients were in intensive care units and 155 patients were on ventilators.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Family believes boy died in fire trying to save grandmother

LYONS , Ore. ( AP ) - The fire was 15 miles away , so the Oregon family went to sleep but planned to leave soon .
On Monday evening , Angela Mosso had packed a few things for the family to take with them and her husband , Chris Tofte , drove to town to borrow a friend ’ s trailer to carry the family , their dog and their belongings .
But as family members slept , the Beachie Creek Fire bore down , the Statesman Journal reported .
Eventually , it reached their house , turning a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gov .
Kate Brown said more than 40,000 Oregonians have been evacuated from their homes as two large windblown wildfires rage across the Pacific Northwest .
About 500,000 people are in different levels of evacuation zones , either having been told to leave or to prepare to do so .
Dozens of people are reported missing and at least six fatalities have been reported .
Thirteen-year-old Wyatt Tofte of Lyons , Oregon , and his grandmother Peggy Mosso , 71 , are among them .
They died trying to escape the fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The three initially escaped the house with their dog and three cats , setting out in one of the family ’ s cars .
But they didn ’ t make it far .
Lonnie Bertalotto , Angela ’ s brother , thinks the tires melted and the car caught fire .
As the flames grew around them , Angela Mosso realized she had to save Wyatt .
She told him to run for it with the dog .
She also realized that if she wanted to survive , she had no choice but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mosso - who the family says died that night but whose remains have not yet been found .
She had a broken knee that was to be operated on in a few days , Bertalotto said Friday .
Angela Mosso walked nearly three miles on the hot asphalt .
Sometime around 4 a.m. , Chris Tofte returned with the trailer , driving through a blockade that separated him from the inferno and his family .
As Tofte struggled to navigate the dark , smokey road , he almost ran over a barefoot woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a blackened mouth .
Tofte helped her into his car , telling her that he was looking for his wife and son .
She told him : “ I am your wife.
” Once in the car , Tofte turned around and sped back toward the blockade .
He left his wife of 24 years with paramedics and turned back to find his son , Wyatt .
But at that point , the fires had spread even farther .
Tofte couldn ’ t make it as far as he did the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next day and night .
On social media , friends and relatives posted photos of Wyatt and thousands of people shared his image .
Finally , on Wednesday , Tofte spoke with sheriff ’ s deputies from Marion County .
They said Wyatt was found behind the wheel of the family ’ s vehicle back at the property with his dog Duke on his lap .
“ I don ’ t need to go into too much detail but obviously … he turned around to go try and save his grandma , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angela Mosso is being treated at the Legacy Emanuel Hospital Burn Center in Portland .
She was told Thursday that she lost her son and her mother .
Bertalotto said he has not seen his sister or Tofte , his brother-in-law , since the fire because the hospital allows only one guest per patient to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
“ It ’ s just unbelievable when a fire can move that fast , ” he said .
“ Everything was lined up to be a disaster … and no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been corrected on several references in this story .

LYONS, Ore. (AP) - The fire was 15 miles away, so the Oregon family went to sleep but planned to leave soon.
On Monday evening, Angela Mosso had packed a few things for the family to take with them and her husband, Chris Tofte, drove to town to borrow a friend’s trailer to carry the family, their dog and their belongings.
But as family members slept, the Beachie Creek Fire bore down, the Statesman Journal reported. Eventually, it reached their house, turning a night of calm preparation into harrowing loss.
Gov. Kate Brown said more than 40,000 Oregonians have been evacuated from their homes as two large windblown wildfires rage across the Pacific Northwest. About 500,000 people are in different levels of evacuation zones, either having been told to leave or to prepare to do so. Dozens of people are reported missing and at least six fatalities have been reported.
Thirteen-year-old Wyatt Tofte of Lyons, Oregon, and his grandmother Peggy Mosso, 71, are among them. They died trying to escape the fire that engulfed their home Tuesday morning.
The three initially escaped the house with their dog and three cats, setting out in one of the family’s cars. But they didn’t make it far.
Lonnie Bertalotto, Angela’s brother, thinks the tires melted and the car caught fire. As the flames grew around them, Angela Mosso realized she had to save Wyatt. She told him to run for it with the dog.
She also realized that if she wanted to survive, she had no choice but to leave behind her mother, Peggy Mosso, whose remains were identified by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office on Friday. She had a broken knee that was to be operated on in a few days, Bertalotto said Friday.
Angela Mosso walked nearly three miles on the hot asphalt. Sometime around 4 a.m., Chris Tofte returned with the trailer, driving through a blockade that separated him from the inferno and his family.
As Tofte struggled to navigate the dark, smokey road, he almost ran over a barefoot woman in her underwear with charred hair and a blackened mouth. Tofte helped her into his car, telling her that he was looking for his wife and son.
She told him: “I am your wife.”
Once in the car, Tofte turned around and sped back toward the blockade. He left his wife of 24 years with paramedics and turned back to find his son, Wyatt.
But at that point, the fires had spread even farther. Tofte couldn’t make it as far as he did the first time, so he searched for his son the next day and night.
On social media, friends and relatives posted photos of Wyatt and thousands of people shared his image.
Finally, on Wednesday, Tofte spoke with sheriff’s deputies from Marion County. They said Wyatt was found behind the wheel of the family’s vehicle back at the property with his dog Duke on his lap. Peggy Mosso’s remains were also found in the vehicle.
“I don’t need to go into too much detail but obviously … he turned around to go try and save his grandma,” Bertalotto told The Associated Press.
Angela Mosso is being treated at the Legacy Emanuel Hospital Burn Center in Portland. She was told Thursday that she lost her son and her mother.
Bertalotto said he has not seen his sister or Tofte, his brother-in-law, since the fire because the hospital allows only one guest per patient to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“It’s just unbelievable when a fire can move that fast,” he said. “Everything was lined up to be a disaster … and no one knew it.”
___
The spelling of Tofte has been corrected on several references in this story.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Mexico rights agency faults gov't in migrant COVID-19 death

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Mexico ’ s National Human Rights Commission said Friday the country ’ s immigration @ @ @ @ @ the death of a Salvadoran migrant who died of COVID-19 after a stay at a @ @ @ @ @ .
The governmental commission said the National Immigration Institute displayed “ negligence ” in the @ @ @ @ @ It said the institute ’ s agents failed to provide adequate medical care or send @ @ @ @ @ specialized treatment , given that the woman had unspecified risk factors for the disease .
@ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t provide adequate sanitation measures to prevent people from getting infected , putting @ @ @ @ @ at greater risk of contagion.
” The commission has the power to make recommendations to @ @ @ @ @ either obey or explain why they won ’ t .
The immigration agency said it @ @ @ @ @ would respond to it .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission said Friday the country’s immigration agency was to blame in the death of a Salvadoran migrant who died of COVID-19 after a stay at a detention center in Mexico City.
The governmental commission said the National Immigration Institute displayed “negligence” in the woman’s death.
It said the institute’s agents failed to provide adequate medical care or send her to a hospital for specialized treatment, given that the woman had unspecified risk factors for the disease. It said the agency also didn’t provide adequate sanitation measures to prevent people from getting infected, putting both detainees and personnel “at greater risk of contagion.”
The commission has the power to make recommendations to government agencies, which must either obey or explain why they won’t. The immigration agency said it was studying the complaint and would respond to it.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Trump to campaign Saturday in rural Nevada, Sunday in Vegas

RENO , Nev. ( AP ) - President Donald Trump plans a rally at a small airport in rural northern Nevada Saturday night before two campaign events in Las Vegas Sunday amid controversy over the western swing state ’ s 50-person COVID-19 cap on public gatherings .
The Trump campaign announced plans Friday for a 7 p.m. rally Saturday at Minden-Tahoe Airport in rural Douglas County 45 miles ( 72 kilometers ) south of Reno .
Trump originally planned a 5,000-person event in a private hangar at Reno-Tahoe International Airport .
But the airport authority warned Wednesday that would violate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Melissa Blosser told the Reno Gazette Journal Friday that adequate social distancing will be in place at the Minden event but “ no one from Douglas County will be enforcing anything.
” Trump plans to host a “ Latinos for Trump ” round-table Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip .
He ’ s scheduled a 7 p.m. rally at a manufacturing facility in neighboring Henderson before a campaign stop Monday in Phoenix .
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Nevada ’ s 50-person cap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , restaurants and other businesses are allowed to operate at 50 % capacity .

RENO, Nev. (AP) - President Donald Trump plans a rally at a small airport in rural northern Nevada Saturday night before two campaign events in Las Vegas Sunday amid controversy over the western swing state’s 50-person COVID-19 cap on public gatherings.
The Trump campaign announced plans Friday for a 7 p.m. rally Saturday at Minden-Tahoe Airport in rural Douglas County 45 miles (72 kilometers) south of Reno.
Trump originally planned a 5,000-person event in a private hangar at Reno-Tahoe International Airport. But the airport authority warned Wednesday that would violate the gathering restriction.
Douglas County spokeswoman Melissa Blosser told the Reno Gazette Journal Friday that adequate social distancing will be in place at the Minden event but “no one from Douglas County will be enforcing anything.”
Trump plans to host a “Latinos for Trump” round-table Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. He’s scheduled a 7 p.m. rally at a manufacturing facility in neighboring Henderson before a campaign stop Monday in Phoenix.
Republicans accuse Nevada Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak of setting inconsistent COVID-19 rules statewide.
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Nevada’s 50-person cap on religious gatherings in July but casinos, restaurants and other businesses are allowed to operate at 50% capacity.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Illinois legislator hit with federal tax charge resigns

CHICAGO ( AP ) - Illinois state Sen. Terry Link , who was hit last month with federal charge of filing a false income tax return for 2016 , announced his resignation Friday after 24 years in the Legislature .
Link ’ s resignation , which goes into effect Saturday , garnered a brief reaction from Illinois Senate President Don Harmon , who said he “ looks forward to welcoming and working with a new senator from Lake County , .
Link reported an income of $ 264,450 in 2016 when the “ defendant knew that the total income substantially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the single-page charging documen t. Often , those charged in these type of filings go on to enter plea deals with prosecutors .
Link , 73 , was unavailable for comment Friday .
The Democrat , whose district covers suburbs north of Chicago , first took office in 1997 and eventually became assistant majority leader .
Over the years , he has often championed gambling legislation .
The charge against Link comes after several other state lawmakers were charged as a result of the federal government ’ s ongoing criminal investigations into public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luis Arroyo , a Chicago Democrat , who is accused of paying a bribe to an unnamed state senator in exchange for support of a gambling bill that would have benefited a lobbying client .

CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois state Sen. Terry Link, who was hit last month with federal charge of filing a false income tax return for 2016, announced his resignation Friday after 24 years in the Legislature.
Link’s resignation, which goes into effect Saturday, garnered a brief reaction from Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, who said he “looks forward to welcoming and working with a new senator from Lake County,.
Link reported an income of $264,450 in 2016 when the “defendant knew that the total income substantially exceeded that amount,” according to the single-page charging documen t. Often, those charged in these type of filings go on to enter plea deals with prosecutors. Link, 73, was unavailable for comment Friday.
The Democrat, whose district covers suburbs north of Chicago, first took office in 1997 and eventually became assistant majority leader. Over the years, he has often championed gambling legislation.
The charge against Link comes after several other state lawmakers were charged as a result of the federal government’s ongoing criminal investigations into public corruption. Among them was state Rep. Luis Arroyo, a Chicago Democrat, who is accused of paying a bribe to an unnamed state senator in exchange for support of a gambling bill that would have benefited a lobbying client.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Republican tries again to get Greens back on Montana ballot

BILLINGS , Mont .
( AP ) - Montana ’ s Republican secretary of state on Friday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to restore the names of Green Party candidates to the state ’ s November election ballot after a similar request was rejected last month .
But there ’ s little time left before ballots get printed .
The Green Party ’ s removal by court order followed revelations that the state Republican Party bankrolled the $ 100,000 signature-gathering effort that put the Greens on the ballot .
An earlier request by Secretary of State Todd Stapleton to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied last month by Justice Elena Kagan .
Stapleton has now filed an emergency request seeking to have the Greens restored to the ballot while the case is argued .
Having the Greens on the ballot could siphon votes from Democratic candidates .
Ballots are due to go out to military and overseas voters by next Friday .
The August 7 state court decision that removed the Green Party marked the second time in two years that Green candidates were stripped from the ballot .
It was never determined who was behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Montana ballot .
But the Green Party of Montana said it was not behind the efforts in 2018 or 2020 .

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Montana’s Republican secretary of state on Friday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to restore the names of Green Party candidates to the state’s November election ballot after a similar request was rejected last month. But there’s little time left before ballots get printed.
The Green Party’s removal by court order followed revelations that the state Republican Party bankrolled the $100,000 signature-gathering effort that put the Greens on the ballot.
An earlier request by Secretary of State Todd Stapleton to get the party back on the ballot was denied last month by Justice Elena Kagan. Stapleton has now filed an emergency request seeking to have the Greens restored to the ballot while the case is argued.
Having the Greens on the ballot could siphon votes from Democratic candidates. Ballots are due to go out to military and overseas voters by next Friday.
The August 7 state court decision that removed the Green Party marked the second time in two years that Green candidates were stripped from the ballot.
It was never determined who was behind the 2018 effort to get Green Party candidates on the Montana ballot. But the Green Party of Montana said it was not behind the efforts in 2018 or 2020.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Bennie Thompson subpoenas Chad Wolf

Bennie Thompson subpoenas Chad Wolf

House Homeland Security Committee Chair Bennie G. Thompson issued a subpoena Friday to try to compel acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf to testify at a hearing next week , setting up a major clash of two branches of government .
Mr. Thompson has called a hearing on terrorist threats and has the FBI chief and the leader of the National Counterterrorism Center slated to testify .
He has also demanded Mr. Wolf appear , but the acting secretary said he wouldn ’ t , citing his recent nomination to the secretary ’ s post .
Homeland Security says it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s facing Senate confirmation not to testify .
Mr. Thompson said the times are so uncertain that the acting secretary must appear , and he accused Mr. Wolf of “ evading ” the hearing .
“ From the coronavirus pandemic to the rise of right-wing extremism to ongoing election interference , there are urgent threats requiring our attention , ” the Mississippi Democrat said .
The subpoena , issued 19 years to the day after the terrorist attacks that spurred creation of the department , pits tradition and courtesy against Democrats ’ demands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to pin Mr. Wolf down on a series of matters , including ongoing immigration matters , a new whistleblower complaint that accuses him and other top department officials of shaping intelligence reports to benefit President Trump , and Homeland Security ’ s response to riots in Portland , Oregon .
Republicans complained that Mr. Thompson had previously promised not to issue unilateral subpoenas .
Rep. Mike Rogers , the ranking Republican , said the committee could have heard from Ken Cuccinelli , the No .
2 man at the department .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picking a procedural fight .
“ We need to get our priorities straight , ” Mr. Rogers said .
“ It ’ s of the utmost importance to hear from the Department on the threats facing our nation .
”

House Homeland Security Committee Chair Bennie G. Thompson issued a subpoena Friday to try to compel acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad F. Wolf to testify at a hearing next week, setting up a major clash of two branches of government.
Mr. Thompson has called a hearing on terrorist threats and has the FBI chief and the leader of the National Counterterrorism Center slated to testify. He has also demanded Mr. Wolf appear, but the acting secretary said he wouldn’t, citing his recent nomination to the secretary’s post.
Homeland Security says it’s tradition for someone who’s facing Senate confirmation not to testify.
Mr. Thompson said the times are so uncertain that the acting secretary must appear, and he accused Mr. Wolf of “evading” the hearing.
“From the coronavirus pandemic to the rise of right-wing extremism to ongoing election interference, there are urgent threats requiring our attention,” the Mississippi Democrat said.
The subpoena, issued 19 years to the day after the terrorist attacks that spurred creation of the department, pits tradition and courtesy against Democrats’ demands for answers.
They are eager to try to pin Mr. Wolf down on a series of matters, including ongoing immigration matters, a new whistleblower complaint that accuses him and other top department officials of shaping intelligence reports to benefit President Trump, and Homeland Security’s response to riots in Portland, Oregon.
Homeland Security said that if the committee is serious about wanting to investigate threats it would accept the department’s offer to have the No. 2 official, acting deputy secretary Ken Cuccinelli, appear.
“Instead, this is just another example of D.C. swampland putting politics above public safety,” the department tweeted.
In a letter to Mr. Thompson, the department acknowledged the tradition of not having pending nominees testify outside of the confirmation process is “unwritten” but has been followed by both parties in Congress, for presidents of both parties.
On Capitol Hill, Republicans complained that Mr. Thompson had previously promised not to issue unilateral subpoenas.
Rep. Mike Rogers, the ranking Republican, said Mr. Thompson is picking a procedural fight.
Mr. Wolf was confirmed as under secretary for strategy last November. He also became acting secretary, taking over for Kevin McAleenan, who had been acting secretary since the spring and wrote the rules of succession that allowed Mr. Wolf to ascend to the top job.
But a Government Accountability Office report says Mr. McAleenan wasn’t properly serving as acting secretary, so the rules of succession were tainted. The GAO says neither Mr. Wolf nor Mr. Cuccinelli are properly installed.
Homeland Security says the GAO reported was tainted by politics, ignored key evidence and disregarded alternate explanations.
Still, top Democrats — including Mr. Thompson — have demanded Mr. Wolf resign, making the subpoena demand all the more pointed.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-11--Teacher's union head warns schools open safely or not at all

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The president of the city ’ s teachers ’ union warned that they wouldn ’ t let New York City schools open later this month if the city doesn ’ t do what ’ s needed in terms of issues like getting protective equipment issued properly , testing , and school cleanings .
In a video issued Friday to United Federation of Teachers union members , UFT President Michael Mulgrew was visibly angry about how the week ’ s efforts had gone , and chastised the city for not acting with enough urgency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in city schools was delayed from Sept. 10 to Sept. 21 to continue working on coronavirus safety precautions .
“ We are responsible for working and taking care of children .
We are responsible for wearing a mask in the school , for keeping our social distancing .
We understand what we ’ re responsible for , ” Mulgrew said .
“ But we also know what you ’ re responsible for .
And If you can ’ t make that happen before the children come into schools , then we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools .
Avery Cohen , a spokeswoman for Mayor Bill de Blasio , said the city “ will continue to work in lockstep with UFT to ensure we are doing everything in our power to make schools safe .
Our students and teachers deserve nothing less .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - The president of the city’s teachers’ union warned that they wouldn’t let New York City schools open later this month if the city doesn’t do what’s needed in terms of issues like getting protective equipment issued properly, testing, and school cleanings.
In a video issued Friday to United Federation of Teachers union members, UFT President Michael Mulgrew was visibly angry about how the week’s efforts had gone, and chastised the city for not acting with enough urgency.
The return of students to in-person learning in city schools was delayed from Sept. 10 to Sept. 21 to continue working on coronavirus safety precautions.
“We are responsible for working and taking care of children. We are responsible for wearing a mask in the school, for keeping our social distancing. We understand what we’re responsible for,” Mulgrew said. “But we also know what you’re responsible for. And If you can’t make that happen before the children come into schools, then we’re not going to let you open these schools.
Avery Cohen, a spokeswoman for Mayor Bill de Blasio, said the city “will continue to work in lockstep with UFT to ensure we are doing everything in our power to make schools safe. Our students and teachers deserve nothing less.”