washingtontimes--2020-07-10--Donald Trump commutes 'unjust' sentence of friend Roger Stone days before prison term to begin

President Trump commuted the prison sentence of longtime friend Roger Stone on Friday night , days before Stone was to report to federal prison to serve a sentence for lying to Congress and obstruction of justice .
The president said Stone ’ s 40-month prison term was “ unjust.
” “ Roger Stone is a victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump presidency , ” said White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany .
“ There was never any collusion between the Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia.
” She said , “ Roger Stone has already suffered greatly .
Roger Stone is now a free man !
” Stone , a longtime Republican operative , was the seventh person to be convicted of crimes in former special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation .
The Justice Department revised its original sentencing guidelines of seven to nine years in prison after the president called it a “ miscarriage of justice , ” prompting several federal prosecutors to quit the case .
Stone wasn ’ t charged with crimes related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was prosecuted over tweets purporting that he had information about WikiLeaks releasing documents , prior to their release .
Prosecutors accused Stone of lying to lawmakers about WikiLeaks , which dumped damaging and stolen emails in 2016 about Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton .
The White House said the “ collusion delusion spawned endless and farcical investigations , conducted at great taxpayer expense , looking for evidence that did not exist.
” “ As it became clear that these witch hunts would never bear fruit , the Special Counsel ’ s Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in an attempt to manufacture the false impression of criminality lurking below the surface , ” Ms. McEnany said .
“ These charges were the product of recklessness borne of frustration and malice.
” She added , “ This is why the out-of-control Mueller prosecutors , desperate for splashy headlines to compensate for a failed investigation , set their sights on Mr. Stone .
Roger Stone is well known for his nearly 50 years of work as a consultant for high-profile Republican politicians , including President Ronald Reagan , Senator Bob Dole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also well known for his outspoken support for President Donald J. Trump and opposition to Hillary Clinton.
” She said Stone “ was charged by the same prosecutors from the Mueller Investigation tasked with finding evidence of collusion with Russia.
” “ Because no such evidence exists , however , they could not charge him for any collusion-related crime , ” she said .
“ Instead , they charged him for his conduct during their investigation .
The simple fact is that if the Special Counsel had not been pursuing an absolutely baseless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing time in prison.
” The White House said the Mueller team “ also took pains to make a public and shameful spectacle of his arrest.
” “ Mr .
Stone is a 67-year-old man , with numerous medical conditions , who had never been convicted of another crime , ” she said .
“ But rather than allow him to surrender himself , they used dozens of FBI agents with automatic weapons and tactical equipment , armored vehicles , and an amphibious unit to execute a pre-dawn raid of his home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many years .
Notably , CNN cameras were present to broadcast these events live to the world , even though they swore they were not notified — it was just a coincidence that they were there together with the FBI early in the morning.
” The White House said Stone was a victim of “ overzealous prosecutors pursing a case that never should have existed , and arrested in an operation that never should have been approved.
” Ms. McEnany also said there were “ serious questions about the jury in the case.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for example , concealed the fact that she is a member of the so-called liberal ‘ resistance ’ to the Trump Presidency , ” she said .
“ In now-deleted tweets , this activist-juror vividly and openly attacked President Trump and his supporters.
” Incarcerating Stone would create “ serious medical risk ” for him , the White House said .
“ Mr .
Stone , like every American , deserves a fair trial and every opportunity to vindicate himself before the courts , ” Ms. McEnany said .
“ The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to do so .
At this time , however , and particularly in light of the egregious facts and circumstances surrounding his unfair prosecution , arrest , and trial , the president has determined to commute his sentence.
” Even before the White House announced the decision , word had begun to leak in Florida , where Stone resides and where the president had visited on Friday .
John Cardillo , a conservative radio host and a friend of Stone , tweeted Friday night that he was “ En route to # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Justice was done by @ realDonaldTrump tonight , ” he said .
Karen Giorno , who served as Mr. Trump ’ s Florida primary campaign director , tweeted that “ President Trump just granted clemency to @ RogerStone tonight !
” “ Today is a good day in America , ” she said .
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham , South Carolina Republican , said “ it would be justified ” for the president to commute Stone ’ s prison sentence .
“ Mr .
Stone is in his 70s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offense , ” he tweeted .
Stone is 67 .
Stone was convicted in 2019 on seven counts of lying to Congress , witness tampering and obstruction .
Stone ’ s lawyer , Grant Smith , said Friday night that Stone “ is incredibly honored that President Trump used his awesome and unique power under the Constitution of the United States for this act of mercy.
” “ Mr .
and Mrs. Stone appreciate all the consideration the president gave to this matter , ” Mr. Smith said .
Democratic National Committee Chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s decision by saying , “ Is there any power Trump won ’ t abuse ?
” “ COVID-19 is devastating our communities and our economy , ” Mr. Perez said .
“ New infections in the U.S. just reached their sixth single-day record in 10 days .
And what is Donald Trump focused on ?
Commuting the sentence of his longtime associate Roger Stone just days before he was set to go to prison for lying to Congress , witness tampering , and obstructing committee proceedings.
” He said Americans “ are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and flagrant abuse of the justice system in this White House.
” “ They are fed up with the incompetence of this president .
And that ’ s why on November 3 , they are going to replace him with a man of integrity and courage — Joe Biden , ” Mr. Perez said .
Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia , vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee , responded to the president ’ s action in a tweet : “ The United States was founded on the rule of law .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for it.
” Sen. Tom Udall , New Mexico Democrat , said the president commuted Stone ’ s sentence “ as a reward for an illegal coverup of election interference.
” “ Donald Trump ’ s corruption and contempt for the rule of law know no bounds , ” Mr. Udall tweeted .

President Trump commuted the prison sentence of longtime friend Roger Stone on Friday night, days before Stone was to report to federal prison to serve a sentence for lying to Congress and obstruction of justice.
The president said Stone’s 40-month prison term was “unjust.”
“Roger Stone is a victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump presidency,” said White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. “There was never any collusion between the Trump campaign, or the Trump administration, with Russia.”
She said, “Roger Stone has already suffered greatly. Roger Stone is now a free man!”
Stone, a longtime Republican operative, was the seventh person to be convicted of crimes in former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. The Justice Department revised its original sentencing guidelines of seven to nine years in prison after the president called it a “miscarriage of justice,” prompting several federal prosecutors to quit the case.
Stone wasn’t charged with crimes related to alleged Russian collusion with the Trump campaign. He was prosecuted over tweets purporting that he had information about WikiLeaks releasing documents, prior to their release.
Prosecutors accused Stone of lying to lawmakers about WikiLeaks, which dumped damaging and stolen emails in 2016 about Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
The White House said the “collusion delusion spawned endless and farcical investigations, conducted at great taxpayer expense, looking for evidence that did not exist.”
“As it became clear that these witch hunts would never bear fruit, the Special Counsel’s Office resorted to process-based charges leveled at high-profile people in an attempt to manufacture the false impression of criminality lurking below the surface,” Ms. McEnany said. “These charges were the product of recklessness borne of frustration and malice.”
She added, “This is why the out-of-control Mueller prosecutors, desperate for splashy headlines to compensate for a failed investigation, set their sights on Mr. Stone. Roger Stone is well known for his nearly 50 years of work as a consultant for high-profile Republican politicians, including President Ronald Reagan, Senator Bob Dole, and many others. He is also well known for his outspoken support for President Donald J. Trump and opposition to Hillary Clinton.”
She said Stone “was charged by the same prosecutors from the Mueller Investigation tasked with finding evidence of collusion with Russia.”
“Because no such evidence exists, however, they could not charge him for any collusion-related crime,” she said. “Instead, they charged him for his conduct during their investigation. The simple fact is that if the Special Counsel had not been pursuing an absolutely baseless investigation, Mr. Stone would not be facing time in prison.”
The White House said the Mueller team “also took pains to make a public and shameful spectacle of his arrest.”
“Mr. Stone is a 67-year-old man, with numerous medical conditions, who had never been convicted of another crime,” she said. “But rather than allow him to surrender himself, they used dozens of FBI agents with automatic weapons and tactical equipment, armored vehicles, and an amphibious unit to execute a pre-dawn raid of his home, where he was with his wife of many years. Notably, CNN cameras were present to broadcast these events live to the world, even though they swore they were not notified — it was just a coincidence that they were there together with the FBI early in the morning.”
The White House said Stone was a victim of “overzealous prosecutors pursing a case that never should have existed, and arrested in an operation that never should have been approved.”
Ms. McEnany also said there were “serious questions about the jury in the case.”
“The forewoman of his jury, for example, concealed the fact that she is a member of the so-called liberal ‘resistance’ to the Trump Presidency,” she said. “In now-deleted tweets, this activist-juror vividly and openly attacked President Trump and his supporters.”
Incarcerating Stone would create “serious medical risk” for him, the White House said.
“Mr. Stone, like every American, deserves a fair trial and every opportunity to vindicate himself before the courts,” Ms. McEnany said. “The president does not wish to interfere with his efforts to do so. At this time, however, and particularly in light of the egregious facts and circumstances surrounding his unfair prosecution, arrest, and trial, the president has determined to commute his sentence.”
Even before the White House announced the decision, word had begun to leak in Florida, where Stone resides and where the president had visited on Friday.
John Cardillo, a conservative radio host and a friend of Stone, tweeted Friday night that he was “En route to #RogerStone’s house for celebratory drinks.”
“Justice was done by @realDonaldTrump tonight,” he said.
Karen Giorno, who served as Mr. Trump’s Florida primary campaign director, tweeted that “President Trump just granted clemency to @RogerStone tonight!”
“Today is a good day in America,” she said.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, said “it would be justified” for the president to commute Stone’s prison sentence.
“Mr. Stone is in his 70s and this was a non-violent, first-time offense,” he tweeted. Stone is 67.
Stone was convicted in 2019 on seven counts of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstruction.
Stone’s lawyer, Grant Smith, said Friday night that Stone “is incredibly honored that President Trump used his awesome and unique power under the Constitution of the United States for this act of mercy.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Stone appreciate all the consideration the president gave to this matter,” Mr. Smith said.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez reacted to the president’s decision by saying, “Is there any power Trump won’t abuse?”
“COVID-19 is devastating our communities and our economy,” Mr. Perez said. “New infections in the U.S. just reached their sixth single-day record in 10 days. And what is Donald Trump focused on? Commuting the sentence of his longtime associate Roger Stone just days before he was set to go to prison for lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstructing committee proceedings.”
He said Americans “are fed up with the culture of corruption and flagrant abuse of the justice system in this White House.”
“They are fed up with the incompetence of this president. And that’s why on November 3, they are going to replace him with a man of integrity and courage — Joe Biden,” Mr. Perez said.
Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, responded to the president’s action in a tweet: “The United States was founded on the rule of law. It seems our president has nothing but contempt for it.”
Sen. Tom Udall, New Mexico Democrat, said the president commuted Stone’s sentence “as a reward for an illegal coverup of election interference.”
“Donald Trump’s corruption and contempt for the rule of law know no bounds,” Mr. Udall tweeted.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-10--600 firefighters halt growth of Nevada wildfire, for now

GARDNERVILLE , Nev. ( AP ) - More than 600 firefighters have stopped , at least for now , the growth of a Nevada wildfire southeast of Lake Tahoe that had threatened up to 1,000 homes .
But fire officials warned Friday “ a high potential for fire growth remains ” as a warm and dry weather pattern persists over the area .
The fire that broke out Monday evening in the Pine Nut Mountains about 10 miles ( 16 kilometers ) southeast of Gardnerville has burned more than 28 square miles ( 72 square km ) of mostly rangeland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the California line .
The Bureau of Land Management estimated Friday it was 30 % contained .
Three homes and about three-dozen outbuildings have been destroyed but no injuries have been reported .
Crews focused efforts Friday on the southeast ridge of the mountain ridge in a continuing effort to keep the flames from moving into the Smith Valley further east .
“ Existing containment lines held despite gusty winds , ” the agency said .
“ Islands of unburned trees and brush inside the fire perimeter continue to burn .
While smoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these sections do not pose a risk for spread and will be allowed to burn out.
” All evacuation orders were dropped earlier this week .

GARDNERVILLE, Nev. (AP) - More than 600 firefighters have stopped, at least for now, the growth of a Nevada wildfire southeast of Lake Tahoe that had threatened up to 1,000 homes.
But fire officials warned Friday “a high potential for fire growth remains” as a warm and dry weather pattern persists over the area.
The fire that broke out Monday evening in the Pine Nut Mountains about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Gardnerville has burned more than 28 square miles (72 square km) of mostly rangeland and rugged terrain in Douglas County near the California line.
The Bureau of Land Management estimated Friday it was 30% contained.
Three homes and about three-dozen outbuildings have been destroyed but no injuries have been reported.
Crews focused efforts Friday on the southeast ridge of the mountain ridge in a continuing effort to keep the flames from moving into the Smith Valley further east.
“Existing containment lines held despite gusty winds,” the agency said. “Islands of unburned trees and brush inside the fire perimeter continue to burn. While smoke may be visible for several days, these sections do not pose a risk for spread and will be allowed to burn out.”
All evacuation orders were dropped earlier this week.


washingtontimes--2020-07-10--Professional bull riding set to welcome fans back into arena

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
( AP ) - As bull riders attempt to hang on to their rides for eight seconds on Friday night in South Dakota , they will be energized by a lively sound they haven ’ t heard in months - the cheers of a crowd .
Thousands of people are expected to yell and applaud from the stands as they watch one of the first indoor professional sporting events since the pandemic began .
Professional Bull Riders is allowing 4,000 fans into the arena to watch the culmination of a month-long competition that until Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s a cautious step towards giving sports fans who have been cooped up for months a chance to leave their homes and watch a 1,800 pound ( 816 kilogram ) bull attempt to throw a man from its back as the rider tries to hold on .
Other professional sports leagues such as the NBA and UFC are watching the bull riding event to observe how fans may be allowed back into stadiums and arenas , competition organizers said .
NASCAR will let thousands of spectators into a race in Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Liverpool has played out its march to a first league title in 30 years in front of empty stadiums .
Professional Bull Riders are trying to keep both athletes and fans safe from the spread of coronavirus infections by limiting the crowds to less than half of normal capacity , seating groups apart from each other in a method they call “ pod seating , ” and testing riders and their support staff .
The tightly packed lines for the concession stand or bathroom will be gone as well , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the number of COVID-19 cases topped 3 million in the United States this week , South Dakota has seen a relatively low number of coronavirus cases in addition to a governor eager to push reopening economic activity .
Gov .
Kristi Noem has worked with event organizers and even welcomed the event as a way to “ get back to normal.
” The county where the bull riding event is being held had 230 active cases of COVID-19 , according to the South Dakota Department of Health .

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - As bull riders attempted to hang on for eight seconds Friday night, they were encouraged by something they hadn’t heard in months - the cheers of a crowd.
A little more than a thousand fans were on hand in the 9,000-seat arena to watch one of the first indoor professional sporting events since the coronavirus pandemic began.
The Professional Bull Riders event ends a month-long competition that until Friday has played out before silent stands. It’s a cautious step toward giving sports fans who have been cooped up for months a chance to leave their homes and watch a bull attempt to throw a man from its back as the rider tries to hold on.
Other professional sports leagues are watching the bull riding event to observe how fans may be allowed back into stadiums and arenas, competition organizers said. NASCAR will let thousands of spectators into a race in Texas on July 19, but English soccer’s Liverpool has played out its march to a first league title in 30 years in front of empty stadiums.
“It’s going to be very sparsely attended tonight,” Professional Bull Riders CEO Sean Gleason said. “There’s only so many seats that you can sell in this building and keep people socially distanced.”
PBR tried to keep both cowboys and fans safe from the spread of coronavirus infections by seating spectators apart from each other in a method they call “pod seating,” as well as regularly testing riders and their support staff. The tightly packed lines for the concession stand or bathroom were gone as well, with signs encouraging people to space apart.
As the number of COVID-19 cases topped 3 million in the United States this week, South Dakota has seen a relatively low number of coronavirus cases in addition to a governor eager to push reopening economic activity.
Gov. Kristi Noem has worked with event organizers and even welcomed the event as a way to “get back to normal.” The county where the bull riding event is being held had 230 active cases of COVID-19, according to the South Dakota Department of Health.
Stadium workers patrolled the hallways with cleaning supplies, and the arena offered masks to spectators. Most people in the crowd went without masks.
Sandy Hall drove three hours with her husband to attend the competition and said she was nervous at first about coronavirus infections, but enjoyed the show.
“We haven’t been out of town for a while, to come up here was a lot of fun,” she said.
Though the arena was far from packed, the bull riders, who wore masks with their cowboy hats, said having a live crowd for the first time in months provided motivation.
“It does feel a lot cooler when you get to ride your bull and step off and you’ve got people screaming your name,” said Ezekiel Mitchell, a 23-year-old rider from Rockdale, Texas. “It’s like nothing else, really. Just to be able to bring light to what a lot of people think of as a dark time in America just to be able to lighten the mood and make somebody’s day is amazing.”
The three-day competition, known as the Monster Energy Team Challenge, pits teams of riders against each other in a playoff-style competition. The winning team will be decided Sunday.


washingtontimes--2020-07-10--Prosecutor: Marshals acted lawfully in Black man's death

MEMPHIS , Tenn. ( AP ) - Members of a U.S .
Marshals Service fugitive task force who fatally shot a 20-year-old Black man after he pointed a rifle at them will not be charged in his killing , the top prosecutor in Memphis , Tennessee , said Friday .
Shelby County district attorney Amy Weirich said marshals acted within the law when they fired at Brandon Webber during an attempted arrest in the Frayser neighborhood of Memphis on June 12 , 2019 .
Authorities said Webber was wanted on felony warrants related to a shooting and car theft in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car in the driveway of a home and attempted to pin his vehicle with theirs , Weirich said .
Webber rammed task force members ’ vehicles with his car , then got out and pointed a tactical rifle at marshals before two of them shot at Webber , Weirich said .
Three other marshals provided cover fire as well , she said .
“ Under the law in Tennessee , officers are not required to wait until they are fired upon , ” Weirich said in a statement .
“ They may use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to believe that the individual to be arrested poses a threat of serious bodily injury , either to the officer or to others.
” Marshals involved in the shooting have not been identified .
Their races were not released .
Protesters threw rocks and bricks at Memphis police after Webber ’ s shooting , injuring some officers .

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Members of a U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force who fatally shot a 20-year-old Black man after he pointed a rifle at them will not be charged in his killing, the top prosecutor in Memphis, Tennessee, said Friday.
Shelby County district attorney Amy Weirich said marshals acted within the law when they fired at Brandon Webber during an attempted arrest in the Frayser neighborhood of Memphis on June 12, 2019.
Authorities said Webber was wanted on felony warrants related to a shooting and car theft in Mississippi. Marshals found him in the car in the driveway of a home and attempted to pin his vehicle with theirs, Weirich said.
Webber rammed task force members’ vehicles with his car, then got out and pointed a tactical rifle at marshals before two of them shot at Webber, Weirich said. Three other marshals provided cover fire as well, she said.
“Under the law in Tennessee, officers are not required to wait until they are fired upon,” Weirich said in a statement. “They may use deadly force when they have probable cause to believe that the individual to be arrested poses a threat of serious bodily injury, either to the officer or to others.”
Marshals involved in the shooting have not been identified. Their races were not released.
Protesters threw rocks and bricks at Memphis police after Webber’s shooting, injuring some officers.


washingtontimes--2020-07-10--Pac-12 joins Big Ten in eliminating nonconference games

The Pac-12 has become the second major conference to shift to a conference-only fall schedule amid growing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic .
The announcement came after a meeting of the Pac-12 CEO Group on Friday , a day after the Big Ten opted to eliminate nonconference games for all fall sports .
“ The health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports continues to be our No .
1 priority , ” Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement .
“ Our decisions have and will be guided by science and data , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the past days , it has become clear that we need to provide ourselves with maximum flexibility to schedule , and to delay any movement to the next phase of return-to-play activities.
” The Atlantic Coast , Big 12 and Southeastern conferences are still weighing options for fall sports .
On Wednesday , the Ivy League became the first Division I conference to suspend all fall sports until at least January , leaving open the possibility of moving some sports to the spring if the pandemic is under better control .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men ’ s and women ’ s soccer and women ’ s volleyball .
Conference-only schedules will be announced no later than July 31 .
The conference is also delaying the start of mandatory athletic activities until a series of health and safety indicators become more positive .
Student-athletes who choose not to participate in the next academic year due to COVID-19 concerns will continue to have their scholarships honored and will remain in good standing with their teams .
The college sports world has been put on hold since the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all spring sports .
Athletes recently began returning to campuses for voluntary workouts , but many schools have scaled back as more than a dozen schools have reported positive COVID-19 tests among athletes in the past month .
Schools also have faced massive budget shortfalls in the wake of the pandemic .
The NCAA shorted its member schools $ 375 million in scheduled payouts due to the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament and schools across the country have been hit with massive budget shortfalls as college sports remain on hold .
Stanford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week and at least 171 four-year schools have eliminated sports during the pandemic .
“ Arizona State University and Sun Devil Athletics support the Pac-12 ’ s announcement of a strictly conference schedule for the 2020 football and fall sports seasons , ” Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson said in a statement .
“ We will continue to seek the guidance and input from medical and infectious disease experts , as well as our local and campus health officials and doctors as we evaluate this ever-changing landscape.
” A shift to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the college sports landscape .
Smaller schools that rely on revenue from guarantee football games against Power Five schools could be shorted millions of dollars .
Non-Power Five schools receive hundreds of thousands of dollars to more than $ 1 million from guarantee games to fund their athletic departments .
Guarantee-game revenue can account for more than 5 % of a school ’ s overall athletic budget .

The Pac-12 has become the second major conference to shift to a conference-only fall schedule amid growing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
The announcement came after a meeting of the Pac-12 CEO Group on Friday and a day after the Big Ten opted to eliminate nonconference games for all fall sports.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports continues to be our No. 1 priority,” Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement. “Our decisions have and will be guided by science and data, and based upon the trends and indicators over the past days, it has become clear that we need to provide ourselves with maximum flexibility to schedule, and to delay any movement to the next phase of return-to-play activities.”
Two hours later, the Pac-12 announced that Scott had tested positive for COVID-19 and was under self-quarantine.
The Atlantic Coast, Big 12 and Southeastern conferences are still weighing options for fall sports. On Wednesday, the Ivy League became the first Division I conference to suspend all fall sports until at least January, leaving open the possibility of moving some sports to the spring if the pandemic is under better control.
The Pac-12’s decision covers football, men’s and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball. Conference-only schedules will be announced no later than July 31.
The conference is also delaying the start of mandatory athletic activities until a series of health and safety indicators become more positive. Athletes who choose not to participate in the next academic year due to COVID-19 concerns will continue to have their scholarships honored and will remain in good standing with their teams.
The college sports world has been put on hold since the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the lucrative NCAA basketball tournaments and all spring sports. Athletes recently began returning to campuses for voluntary workouts, but many schools have scaled back as more than a dozen schools have reported positive COVID-19 tests among athletes in the past month.
Schools also have faced massive budget shortfalls in the wake of the pandemic.
The NCAA shorted its member schools $375 million in scheduled payouts due to the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament and schools across the country have been hit with massive budget shortfalls as college sports remain on hold.
Stanford eliminated 11 of its 36 varsity sports this week and at least 171 four-year schools have eliminated sports during the pandemic.
“Arizona State University and Sun Devil athletics support the Pac-12’s announcement of a strictly conference schedule for the 2020 football and fall sports seasons,” Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson said in a statement. “We will continue to seek the guidance and input from medical and infectious disease experts, as well as our local and campus health officials and doctors as we evaluate this ever-changing landscape.”
A shift to conference-only schedules will likely have a ripple across the college sports landscape.
Smaller schools that rely on revenue from guarantee football games against Power Five schools could be shorted millions of dollars.
Non-Power Five schools receive hundreds of thousands of dollars to more than $1 million from guarantee games to fund their athletic departments. Guarantee-game revenue can account for more than 5% of a school’s overall athletic budget.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-07-10--11 people drowned at rocky beach in northern Egypt

CAIRO ( AP ) - Eleven people drowned off the coast of northern Egypt , local authorities said Friday , at a beach known for its rocky jetty and fast-moving waters .
The tragedy unfolded at a beach in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria , when a young boy ran into the sea and began having difficulties , said the city ’ s central tourism administration .
When a man from the group jumped in to rescue him , he became caught in the waters , too .
Nine other people then entered the water to help , and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rashad .
It was not immediately clear if they were related .
Emergency teams recovered six bodies and were still searching for the rest late Friday .
The waters off Alexandria are popular in the summer , but beaches are currently closed and lifeguards off duty due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The group went to the shore at dawn to avoid being caught by police , who try to disperse crowds and enforce antivirus restrictions at beaches in the area , authorities said .
Palm Beach has long been known for its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Every year it sees a rash of drownings due to its strong currents , foamy waters and rocky shore .
Members of parliament have repeatedly demanded that the beach be closed to the public .
As summer temperatures in Egypt reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit , the accident raised concerns over water safety as people seek relief from the heat despite pandemic-related restrictions .

CAIRO (AP) - Eleven people drowned off the coast of northern Egypt, local authorities said Friday, at a beach known for its rocky jetty and fast-moving waters.
The tragedy unfolded at a beach in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, when a young boy ran into the sea and began having difficulties, said the city’s central tourism administration.
When a man from the group jumped in to rescue him, he became caught in the waters, too. Nine other people then entered the water to help, and they all died, said Maj. Gen. Jamal Rashad. It was not immediately clear if they were related.
Emergency teams recovered six bodies and were still searching for the rest late Friday.
The waters off Alexandria are popular in the summer, but beaches are currently closed and lifeguards off duty due to the coronavirus pandemic. The group went to the shore at dawn to avoid being caught by police, who try to disperse crowds and enforce antivirus restrictions at beaches in the area, authorities said.
Palm Beach has long been known for its deadly waters, local media reported. Every year it sees a rash of drownings due to its strong currents, foamy waters and rocky shore. Members of parliament have repeatedly demanded that the beach be closed to the public.
As summer temperatures in Egypt reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the accident raised concerns over water safety as people seek relief from the heat despite pandemic-related restrictions.


washingtontimes--2020-07-10--Idaho prosecutors question governor's plan for federal funds

TWIN FALLS , Idaho ( AP ) - Prosecutors from more than half of Idaho ’ s counties questioned whether Gov .
Brad Little ’ s plan to use $ 200 million in federal aid for property tax relief is legal under the federal coronavirus aid package .
Prosecutors in 16 counties signed a letter that asks Little ’ s office to request a legal opinion from the U.S. Treasury Department and the Idaho attorney general ’ s office before proceeding with the plan , The Times-News reported Friday .
The letter was written by Latah County prosecuting attorney William @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecuting attorney Bradley J. Rudley .
It contends that the governor ’ s plan “ does not appear to meet legal requirements ” of the federal rescue package .
Little ’ s plan would send $ 200 million to participating cities and counties to cover public health personnel salaries on the condition that savings are passed to property taxpayers as a credit on their 2021 tax bill .
As part of the deal , cities and counties can not increase their property tax budgets by the allowed 3 % next year or use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The letter from the county prosecutors questions whether Little ’ s plan to conditionally distribute the money complies with the federal government ’ s regulations .
It also asserts Little ’ s plan does not meet the requirement for equitable treatment between local governments and would “ disproportionately affect rural counties.
” “ While some local governments do not need the 3 % increase this year , many do , ” the letter said .
“ This further creates an inequitable situation for property taxpayers in those counties which need the increases to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Little ’ s press secretary Marissa Morrison told the Times-News that the program is optional and their office was “ a little taken aback ” by the letter from counties .

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) - Prosecutors from more than half of Idaho’s counties questioned whether Gov. Brad Little’s plan to use $200 million in federal aid for property tax relief is legal under the federal coronavirus aid package.
Prosecutors in 16 counties signed a letter that asks Little’s office to request a legal opinion from the U.S. Treasury Department and the Idaho attorney general’s office before proceeding with the plan, The Times-News reported Friday.
The letter was written by Latah County prosecuting attorney William W. Thompson Jr. and chief civil deputy prosecuting attorney Bradley J. Rudley. It contends that the governor’s plan “does not appear to meet legal requirements” of the federal rescue package.
Little’s plan would send $200 million to participating cities and counties to cover public health personnel salaries on the condition that savings are passed to property taxpayers as a credit on their 2021 tax bill.
As part of the deal, cities and counties cannot increase their property tax budgets by the allowed 3% next year or use any forgone balance from previous years.
The letter from the county prosecutors questions whether Little’s plan to conditionally distribute the money complies with the federal government’s regulations. It also asserts Little’s plan does not meet the requirement for equitable treatment between local governments and would “disproportionately affect rural counties.”
“While some local governments do not need the 3% increase this year, many do,” the letter said. “This further creates an inequitable situation for property taxpayers in those counties which need the increases to provide their services year after year.”
Little’s press secretary Marissa Morrison told the Times-News that the program is optional and their office was “a little taken aback” by the letter from counties.


washingtontimes--2020-07-10--NHL, players approve plan to resume season, extend CBA

Hockey became the latest sport to finalize a return during a global pandemic after NHL owners and players approved an agreement Friday to resume the season - and with it an assurance of labor peace through September 2026 .
Games are scheduled to begin Aug. 1 in Toronto and Edmonton , Alberta , with coronavirus cases in the U.S. pushing the league into Canada for the summer and fall until the Stanley Cup is awarded in late September or early October .
Training camps open across North America on Monday , which is also the deadline for players to opt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I don ’ t think you ’ re going to see a lot of players saying I don ’ t want to go , ” Minnesota forward Zach Parise said .
“ If one of my teammates says they don ’ t want to go , you respect their decision for whatever reason .
We all want to keep our families safe.
” The return-to-play plan , tentatively approved by the NHL and NHL Players ’ Association on Monday , was ratified by the league ’ s board of governors and with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting period , ending Friday .
Along with it , the two sides also formally approved a four-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement .
“ This agreement is a meaningful step forward for the players and owners , and for our game , in a difficult and uncertain time , ” NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said .
“ We are pleased to be able to bring NHL hockey back to the fans.
” The NHL is back with an expanded 24-team playoff format , but things will be much different from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans .
There will be between five and six games a day at the start - up to three at each site , which will be heavily cordoned off from the public .
And for the first time in league history , there will be an unusual final four in Edmonton to settle a championship later than ever before with ramifications pushing back the start of next season to December or even as late as January .
Still , hockey is preparing to go on in a year that has upended life for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Only twice since 1893 has the Cup not been awarded : in 1919 , when the final couldn ’ t be completed because of the Spanish flu pandemic , and 2005 when the season was wiped out by a lockout .
“ While we have all worked very hard to try to address the risks of COVID-19 , we know that health and safety are and will continue to be our priorities , ” Commissioner Gary Bettman said .
“ We know that all of our fans are excited about our return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has been our goal since we paused our season on March 12.
” Even so , the NHL is being cautious in its return with Toronto and Edmonton to serve as hub cities through the qualifying and first two rounds of the playoffs .
The 12 Eastern Conference teams will play in Toronto and the 12 West teams in Edmonton , with home-rink advantages for the Maple Leafs and Oilers conceded in a nod to television preferences .
The top four teams in each conference - Boston , Tampa Bay , Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Louis , Colorado , Vegas and Dallas in the West - automatically advance to the field of 16 and will play separate round-robin tournaments to determine seeding .
The best-of-five qualifying round series in the East are No .
5 Pittsburgh vs. No .
12 Montreal , No .
6 Carolina vs. No .
11 New York Rangers , No .
7 New York Islanders vs. No .
10 Florida and No .
8 Toronto vs. No .
9 Columbus and in the West No .
5 Edmonton vs. No .
12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
11 Arizona , No .
7 Vancouver vs. No .
10 Minnesota and No .
8 Calgary vs. No .
9 Winnipeg .
Action will begin with five games on Aug. 1 , starting with Hurricanes-Rangers , Islanders-Panthers and Penguins-Canadiens in Toronto , and Oilers-Blackhawks and Flames-Jets in Edmonton .
The preliminary round will feature 52 games played through the first nine days before teams will get a break on Aug. 10 , when the NHL will hold the second phase of its draft lottery .
Each of the eight eliminated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning the No .
1 pick , after the first phase of the draft lottery left the choice undetermined .
The first round of the playoffs will then begin at each of the two hub cities on Aug. 11 .
Teams will be re-seeded every round , and the remainder of the playoffs will all be best-of-seven series .
The NHL draft has been tentatively set for Oct. 9 and 10 and likely be held by phone rather than in a traditional arena setting .
Players have been able to skate and train @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 8 .
The league has reported 35 players testing positive since that point , though the hope is that number will hit zero once teams are scheduled to travel to their respective hubs on July 26 .
With personnel limits - each team ’ s travel parties are limited to 52 people , with rosters capped at 31 players - quarantining restrictions and daily tests for players , coaches , management , plus arena , hotel and restaurant staff , the NHL will try to complete a season that was shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playoffs remaining .
Teams will be quarantined from families and the general public during play at least for the qualifying and first two traditional playoff rounds .
Getting back on the ice also comes with labor peace through at least 2026 .
The CBA extension includes an agreement to send players to Olympics in 2022 and 2026 - pending an agreement with the International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation - and includes some salary deferrals that allow both sides to bear the brunt of losses from the COVID-19 pandemic and share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV rights contract .
“ All we know is we will be playing hockey , there will be labor peace so long as this thing gets ratified for another four years , six years maybe , ” Carolina veteran Justin Williams said .
“ That ’ s good for the fan , that ’ s good for the TV audience , that ’ s good for the players , it ’ s good for everybody .
So we ’ re obviously excited about that .
It ’ s awesome that they were able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think a normal CBA negotiation goes this quickly .
But both parties wanted it done and they got it done.
” AP Sports Writers Dave Campbell and Aaron Beard contributed to this report .
For more AP NHL coverage : https : //apnews.com/NHL and https : //twitter.com/AP_Sports

Hockey became the latest sport to finalize a return during a global pandemic after NHL owners and players approved an agreement Friday to resume the season - and with it an assurance of labor peace through September 2026.
Games are scheduled to begin Aug. 1 in Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta, with coronavirus cases in the U.S. pushing the league into Canada for the summer and fall until the Stanley Cup is awarded in late September or early October.
Training camps open across North America on Monday, which is also the deadline for players to opt out of participating with no penalty. Minnesota’s Zach Parise said earlier this week he doesn’t think a lot of players will choose not to play, but the NHL already has one example.
Hours after the agreement was reached, Calgary defenseman Travis Hamonic became the first to publicly opt out, citing family reasons. Hamonic’s daughter was hospitalized last year with a respiratory illness
“I wish I could lace up my skates and be out there battling, blocking a shot and helping my team win, but my family has and always will come first,” Hamonic said. “Being my little kids’ dad every day is the most important job I have.”
Flames general manager Brad Treliving said, “While we will miss Travis in our lineup, we understand and respect his decision.”
The return-to-play plan, tentatively approved by the NHL and NHL Players’ Association on Monday, was ratified by the league’s board of governors and with majority approval from players following a three-day voting period, ending Friday. Along with it, the two sides also formally approved a four-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement.
“This agreement is a meaningful step forward for the players and owners, and for our game, in a difficult and uncertain time,” NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said. “We are pleased to be able to bring NHL hockey back to the fans.”
The NHL is back with an expanded 24-team playoff format, but things will be much different from the norm: There will be no fans. There will be between five and six games a day at the start - up to three at each site, which will be heavily cordoned off from the public.
And for the first time in league history, there will be an unusual final four in Edmonton to settle a championship later than ever before with ramifications pushing back the start of next season to December or even as late as January.
Still, hockey is preparing to go on in a year that has upended life for millions, and sports along with it. Only twice since 1893 has the Cup not been awarded: in 1919, when the final couldn’t be completed because of the Spanish flu pandemic, and 2005 when the season was wiped out by a lockout.
“While we have all worked very hard to try to address the risks of COVID-19, we know that health and safety are and will continue to be our priorities,” Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “We know that all of our fans are excited about our return to the ice next month, and that has been our goal since we paused our season on March 12.”
Even so, the NHL is being cautious in its return with Toronto and Edmonton to serve as hub cities through the qualifying and first two rounds of the playoffs. The 12 Eastern Conference teams will play in Toronto and the 12 West teams in Edmonton, with home-rink advantages for the Maple Leafs and Oilers conceded in a nod to television preferences.
The top four teams in each conference - Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington and Philadelphia in the East, and St. Louis, Colorado, Vegas and Dallas in the West - automatically advance to the field of 16 and will play separate round-robin tournaments to determine seeding.
The best-of-five qualifying round series in the East are No. 5 Pittsburgh vs. No. 12 Montreal, No. 6 Carolina vs. No. 11 New York Rangers, No. 7 New York Islanders vs. No. 10 Florida and No. 8 Toronto vs. No. 9 Columbus and in the West No. 5 Edmonton vs. No. 12 Chicago, No. 6 Nashville vs. No. 11 Arizona, No. 7 Vancouver vs. No. 10 Minnesota and No. 8 Calgary vs. No. 9 Winnipeg.
Action will begin with five games on Aug. 1, starting with Hurricanes-Rangers, Islanders-Panthers and Penguins-Canadiens in Toronto, and Oilers-Blackhawks and Flames-Jets in Edmonton.
The preliminary round will feature 52 games played through the first nine days before teams will get a break on Aug. 10, when the NHL will hold the second phase of its draft lottery. Each of the eight eliminated teams will have an equal chance of winning the No. 1 pick, after the first phase of the draft lottery left the choice undetermined.
The first round of the playoffs will then begin at each of the two hub cities on Aug. 11. Teams will be re-seeded every round, and the remainder of the playoffs will all be best-of-seven series.
The NHL draft has been tentatively set for Oct. 9 and 10 and likely be held by phone rather than in a traditional arena setting.
Players have been able to skate and train off-ice in voluntary, small-group workouts since June 8. The league has reported 35 players testing positive since that point, though the hope is that number will hit zero once teams are scheduled to travel to their respective hubs on July 26.
With personnel limits - each team’s travel parties are limited to 52 people, with rosters capped at 31 players - quarantining restrictions and daily tests for players, coaches, management, plus arena, hotel and restaurant staff, the NHL will try to complete a season that was shut down March 12 with 189 games and the playoffs remaining.
Teams will be quarantined from families and the general public during play at least for the qualifying and first two traditional playoff rounds.
Getting back on the ice also comes with labor peace through at least 2026.
The CBA extension includes an agreement to send players to Olympics in 2022 and 2026 - pending an agreement with the International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation - and includes some salary deferrals that allow both sides to bear the brunt of losses from the COVID-19 pandemic and share in the benefits of an upcoming U.S. TV rights contract.
“All we know is we will be playing hockey, there will be labor peace so long as this thing gets ratified for another four years, six years maybe,” Carolina veteran Justin Williams said. “That’s good for the fan, that’s good for the TV audience, that’s good for the players, it’s good for everybody. So we’re obviously excited about that. It’s awesome that they were able to do this. I don’t think a normal CBA negotiation goes this quickly. But both parties wanted it done and they got it done.”
___
AP Sports Writers Dave Campbell and Aaron Beard contributed to this report.
___
For more AP NHL coverage: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-07-10--1 dead, 1 arrested in shooting outside Portland strip club

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - A Portland man has been arrested and is being held on suspicion of second-degree murder after a man was shot to death , authorities said Friday .
Officers were called to a strip club at about 8:15 p.m. Thursday on reports that a person had been shot .
A man was pronounced dead in the parking lot , police said .
Jordan Clark , 25 , was arrested and lodged at the Multnomah County Detention Center , according to police .
A subsequent statement from the Portland Police Bureau said there is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivated by race .
Posts on several social media platforms Friday alleged the suspect used a racial slur before the shooting .
“ Detectives interviewed multiple witnesses to this crime and there is no information at this time to support race was a factor that played a role in this case , ” the police said .
Police have not released the victim ’ s name or any other information about what happened before the shooting .
It wasn ’ t immediately unclear if Clark had retained an attorney to comment on the @ @

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A Portland man has been arrested and is being held on suspicion of second-degree murder after a man was shot to death, authorities said Friday.
Officers were called to a strip club at about 8:15 p.m. Thursday on reports that a person had been shot. A man was pronounced dead in the parking lot, police said. Jordan Clark, 25, was arrested and lodged at the Multnomah County Detention Center, according to police.
A subsequent statement from the Portland Police Bureau said there is “no evidence” that the incident was motivated by race. Posts on several social media platforms Friday alleged the suspect used a racial slur before the shooting.
“Detectives interviewed multiple witnesses to this crime and there is no information at this time to support race was a factor that played a role in this case,” the police said.
Police have not released the victim’s name or any other information about what happened before the shooting.
It wasn’t immediately unclear if Clark had retained an attorney to comment on the case.


washingtontimes--2020-07-10--Chuck Schumer backs effort to slash Pentagon spending

Sen. Charles E. Schumer , the Senate ’ s top Democrat , threw his support Friday behind a proposal to cut $ 74 billion from the Pentagon ’ s budget , embracing a key priority of the left wing .
The 10 % cut to the Defense Department was authored by Sen. Bernard Sanders , and it is due for a vote later this month , when the Senate returns .
The proposal would redirect the money to communities with heavy poverty levels , paying for additional health care and housing .
“ I proudly support the amendment , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendment will be debated as part of the annual defense policy bill .
The proposal is not likely to clear the GOP-controlled Senate , but it will become a major marker for the two parties heading into November ’ s election , with President Trump having made funding the Pentagon a major push of his tenure .
Right now , the bill envisions $ 740 billion for Pentagon spending next year .
The $ 74 billion cut would reduce that to $ 666 billion .
Just four years ago the military budget was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The defense policy bill envisions that reaching $ 740 billion next year .
Even with a $ 74 billion trim , the Pentagon would still be well ahead of where it was at the end of the Obama years .
Mr. Sanders called the 10 % cut a first step to “ change our national priorities.
” But it ’ s not clear it could even pass the Democrat-led House , which is also working on a defense bill with a $ 740 billion budget .
Mr. Sanders ‘ amendment comes as Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security funding — usually in the form of police departments .
In Congress , Democrats are not eyeing cuts to police funding , but have proposed slashing Homeland Security ’ s deportation force by 25 % .

Sen. Charles E. Schumer, the Senate’s top Democrat, threw his support Friday behind a proposal to cut $74 billion from the Pentagon’s budget, embracing a key priority of the left wing.
The 10% cut to the Defense Department was authored by Sen. Bernard Sanders, and it is due for a vote later this month, when the Senate returns.
The proposal would redirect the money to communities with heavy poverty levels, paying for additional health care and housing.
“I proudly support the amendment,” Mr. Schumer said on Twitter.
The amendment will be debated as part of the annual defense policy bill.
The proposal is not likely to clear the GOP-controlled Senate, but it will become a major marker for the two parties heading into November’s election, with President Trump having made funding the Pentagon a major push of his tenure.
Right now, the bill envisions $740 billion for Pentagon spending next year. The $74 billion cut would reduce that to $666 billion.
Just four years ago the military budget was about $600 billion a year. The defense policy bill envisions that reaching $740 billion next year.
Even with a $74 billion trim, the Pentagon would still be well ahead of where it was at the end of the Obama years.
Mr. Sanders called the 10% cut a first step to “change our national priorities.”
But it’s not clear it could even pass the Democrat-led House, which is also working on a defense bill with a $740 billion budget.
Mr. Sanders’ amendment comes as Democrats across the country are pushing to cut security funding — usually in the form of police departments. In Congress, Democrats are not eyeing cuts to police funding, but have proposed slashing Homeland Security’s deportation force by 25%.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-10--Brazil's Bolsonaro picks pastor as latest education minister

SAO PAULO ( AP ) - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced on Friday his second pick to head the education ministry in 11 days , naming a college professor and church pastor to the post .
Milton Ribeiro , a former deputy dean of Mackenzie University in Sao Paulo who preaches at a Presbyterian church in Santos outside the metropolis , will be in charge of one of the government ’ s most desired jobs .
Religious groups supporting the president say the education ministry is key to boosting Christian values in Brazil and casting aside what they contend is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s predecessor , economist Carlos Alberto Decotelli , left June 30 after only five days on the job amid multiple allegations that he had embellished his academic credentials .
Decotelli was Bolsonaro ’ s first Black minister and replaced Abraham Weintraub , who has been targeted in an investigation into a network that purportedly spread defamatory and threatening social media posts about Supreme Court justices .
Weintraub resigned June 18 and went to the United States .
Last Sunday , a candidate interviewed by Bolsonaro said he had rejected the education minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Renato Feder , an education secretary in the state of Paraná , said he appreciated the offer .
Feder ’ s decision highlighted the difficulty the far-right president has faced in naming members of his administration .
An interim health minister , Gen. Eduardo Pazuello , has led the country ’ s efforts against the coronavirus pandemic since May 15 .
Bolsonaro took office in 2019 with promises to appoint Cabinet ministers with technical expertise rather than dole out positions to curry political favor .
Evangelical conservatives are a key support to Bolsonaro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolation due to his handling of the COVID-19 crisis , which has killed more than 70,000 people in Brazil .
The president announced Tuesday he also has the virus .

SAO PAULO (AP) - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced on Friday his second pick to head the education ministry in 11 days, naming a college professor and church pastor to the post.
Milton Ribeiro, a former deputy dean of Mackenzie University in Sao Paulo who preaches at a Presbyterian church in Santos outside the metropolis, will be in charge of one of the government’s most desired jobs.
Religious groups supporting the president say the education ministry is key to boosting Christian values in Brazil and casting aside what they contend is leftist influence in the schools.
Ribeiro’s predecessor, economist Carlos Alberto Decotelli, left June 30 after only five days on the job amid multiple allegations that he had embellished his academic credentials.
Decotelli was Bolsonaro’s first Black minister and replaced Abraham Weintraub, who has been targeted in an investigation into a network that purportedly spread defamatory and threatening social media posts about Supreme Court justices. Weintraub resigned June 18 and went to the United States.
Last Sunday, a candidate interviewed by Bolsonaro said he had rejected the education minister job, without giving more details. Renato Feder, an education secretary in the state of Paraná, said he appreciated the offer.
Feder’s decision highlighted the difficulty the far-right president has faced in naming members of his administration. An interim health minister, Gen. Eduardo Pazuello, has led the country’s efforts against the coronavirus pandemic since May 15.
Bolsonaro took office in 2019 with promises to appoint Cabinet ministers with technical expertise rather than dole out positions to curry political favor.
Evangelical conservatives are a key support to Bolsonaro, who has faced headwinds and political isolation due to his handling of the COVID-19 crisis, which has killed more than 70,000 people in Brazil. The president announced Tuesday he also has the virus.


washingtontimes--2020-07-10--Woodburn sues Marion County over COVID-19 isolation shelter

WOODBURN , Ore. ( AP ) - The City of Woodburn is suing Marion County over a COVID-19 isolation shelter at a Super 8 Hotel .
The lawsuit was filed Thursday following a directive by the Woodburn City Council , the Statesman Journal reported .
Attorneys for the city seek a court order against Marion County to cease shelter operations .
City officials maintain the shelter is operating in violation of the Woodburn ’ s Zoning & Development Ordinance and say the shelter poses a public safety risk to surrounding neighborhoods .
The hotel is located across from a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home and a medical facility .
City officials learned of Marion County ’ s plans on June 16 and did not participate in the planning for the use of the site .
Marion County officials said they would operate the shelter starting July 1 for nine months .
As a condition of the county moving into phase 2 of reopening June 19 , county health officials were required to find a facility for COVID-19 positive patients with mild symptoms who don ’ t have anywhere to isolate .
The county chose the hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus cases in the state .
On June 24 , Marion County Commissioners held a public meeting and unanimously approved a $ 2.1 million agreement to use the hotel .
Marion County spokeswoman Jolene Kelley said as of Friday , no COVID-19 guests had used the hotel as a shelter and declined to comment on the city ’ s claims , citing the pending litigation .

WOODBURN, Ore. (AP) - The City of Woodburn is suing Marion County over a COVID-19 isolation shelter at a Super 8 Hotel.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday following a directive by the Woodburn City Council, the Statesman Journal reported.
Attorneys for the city seek a court order against Marion County to cease shelter operations.
City officials maintain the shelter is operating in violation of the Woodburn’s Zoning & Development Ordinance and say the shelter poses a public safety risk to surrounding neighborhoods. The hotel is located across from a large facility with senior-restricted residences, a nursing home and a medical facility.
City officials learned of Marion County’s plans on June 16 and did not participate in the planning for the use of the site.
Marion County officials said they would operate the shelter starting July 1 for nine months.
As a condition of the county moving into phase 2 of reopening June 19, county health officials were required to find a facility for COVID-19 positive patients with mild symptoms who don’t have anywhere to isolate.
The county chose the hotel in Woodburn - one of the hotspots of coronavirus cases in the state.
On June 24, Marion County Commissioners held a public meeting and unanimously approved a $2.1 million agreement to use the hotel.
Marion County spokeswoman Jolene Kelley said as of Friday, no COVID-19 guests had used the hotel as a shelter and declined to comment on the city’s claims, citing the pending litigation.


washingtontimes--2020-07-10--Social media posts prompt review of decades-old abuse claims

KIRKWOOD , Mo .
( AP ) - Officials in a suburban St. Louis school district say they are reviewing decades-old complaints about alleged teacher sexual abuse and misconduct after a former student turned to social media to voice concerns and others came forward .
Kirkwood police Capt .
Scott Bailey said one case involving a former teacher has been referred to prosecutors , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported .
The cascade of allegations began after a former Kirkwood High School student alleged Tuesday on a Facebook page for graduates that she was groomed and then abused starting when she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Someone who maintains the Facebook page deleted the original post , but it has been repeatedly reposted by others .
Other complaints then surfaced along with criticism that administrators turned a blind eye to abuse .
Elizabeth Donielle , who graduated in 1997 and has become a spokeswoman for some of the alumni who are coming forward although she is not among those alleging abuse , said the problems occurred before 2000 .
Students told school staff at the time but the claims were never fully addressed , she said .
Teachers were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quietly for another teaching job , Donielle said .
School Superintendent David Ulrich said in a statement that the district takes the allegations “ very seriously ” and is reviewing them .
“ We encourage those who have stepped forward to contact the authorities , ” he said .
“ The Kirkwood School District is in contact with the Kirkwood Police Department as well.
” Jessica Bueler , one of the Facebook page ’ s new administrators , said that former students have so far alleged abuse by five teachers and coaches .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening now because of the # metoo movement and because those alleging abuse are finding support from others .
“ It starts to remove that victim blaming , ” she said .

KIRKWOOD, Mo. (AP) - Officials in a suburban St. Louis school district say they are reviewing decades-old complaints about alleged teacher sexual abuse and misconduct after a former student turned to social media to voice concerns and others came forward.
Kirkwood police Capt. Scott Bailey said one case involving a former teacher has been referred to prosecutors, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
The cascade of allegations began after a former Kirkwood High School student alleged Tuesday on a Facebook page for graduates that she was groomed and then abused starting when she was 13 in the late 1990s. Someone who maintains the Facebook page deleted the original post, but it has been repeatedly reposted by others. Other complaints then surfaced along with criticism that administrators turned a blind eye to abuse.
Elizabeth Donielle, who graduated in 1997 and has become a spokeswoman for some of the alumni who are coming forward although she is not among those alleging abuse, said the problems occurred before 2000. Students told school staff at the time but the claims were never fully addressed, she said. Teachers were allowed to stay or leave the school quietly for another teaching job, Donielle said.
School Superintendent David Ulrich said in a statement that the district takes the allegations “very seriously” and is reviewing them.
“We encourage those who have stepped forward to contact the authorities,” he said. “The Kirkwood School District is in contact with the Kirkwood Police Department as well.”
Jessica Bueler, one of the Facebook page’s new administrators, said that former students have so far alleged abuse by five teachers and coaches. Bueler added that the complaints are likely happening now because of the #metoo movement and because those alleging abuse are finding support from others.
“It starts to remove that victim blaming,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-07-10--Pilot killed in small-plane crash in eastern Oklahoma

DUSTIN , Okla. ( AP ) - A crop-dusting aircraft crashed Friday into a wooded area in eastern Oklahoma , @ @ @ @ @ said .
The single-engine , single-wing Cessna T188 crashed shortly after takeoff at about 12:30 @ @ @ @ @ area near Dustin , Oklahoma , about 80 miles ( 129 kilometers ) east of @ @ @ @ @ a Federal Aviation Administration statement .
The pilot was killed , according to the Oklahoma @ @ @ @ @ of the pilot has not been released , and no cause for the crash has @ @ @ @ @ said it will investigate with the National Transportation Safety Board .

DUSTIN, Okla. (AP) - A crop-dusting aircraft crashed Friday into a wooded area in eastern Oklahoma, killing its pilot, officials said.
The single-engine, single-wing Cessna T188 crashed shortly after takeoff at about 12:30 p.m. into a heavily wooded area near Dustin, Oklahoma, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) east of Oklahoma City, according to a Federal Aviation Administration statement.
The pilot was killed, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
The identity of the pilot has not been released, and no cause for the crash has been determined. The FAA said it will investigate with the National Transportation Safety Board.


washingtontimes--2020-07-10--JBS workers walk off job at beef plant over pay dispute

GREELEY , Colo. ( AP ) - Employees walked off the fabrication floor at the JBS Swift beef plant in @ @ @ @ @ a dispute over pay for a certain group of workers .
The Greeley Tribune reports @ @ @ @ @ at the facility in Greeley involved a pay dispute by the “ black hat ” @ @ @ @ @ fabrication floor - apparently the highest-paid of the non-supervisory roles .
It ’ s unclear @ @ @ @ @ off the floor at the Greeley plant .
The union that represents the majority - @ @ @ @ @ several thousand workers at the plant said it did not organize the protest and did @ @ @ @ @ to happen .
Several workers told the newspaper the black hat position is paid better @ @ @ @ @ Fort Morgan , and these employees want to be paid equally .
Different color hats @ @ @ @ @ or supervisory role .
A JBS spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for @ @ @

GREELEY, Colo. (AP) - Employees walked off the fabrication floor at the JBS Swift beef plant in northern Colorado as part of a dispute over pay for a certain group of workers.
The Greeley Tribune reports Friday afternoon’s protest at the facility in Greeley involved a pay dispute by the “black hat” cadre of workers on the fabrication floor - apparently the highest-paid of the non-supervisory roles. It’s unclear exactly how many workers walked off the floor at the Greeley plant.
The union that represents the majority - about 3,000 - of the several thousand workers at the plant said it did not organize the protest and did not know it was going to happen.
Several workers told the newspaper the black hat position is paid better at the Cargill plant in Fort Morgan, and these employees want to be paid equally. Different color hats at the facility indicate position or supervisory role.
A JBS spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--COVID-19 cases at Swiss soccer club raise league doubts

Swiss top-tier soccer club Zurich said it had more cases of coronavirus Saturday among its players and staff who are @ @ @ @ @ Zurich did not specify how many new cases were reported after the initial COVID-19 positive @ @ @ @ @ was announced Friday .
Zurich ’ s Swiss Super League games on Saturday against Sion @ @ @ @ @ Basel , have been postponed during the 10-day quarantine period through to next Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ left and it is unclear how that program can be met ahead of UEFA ’ @ @ @ @ @ complete domestic seasons .
Zurich still has to play both title-chasing teams , Young Boys @ @ @ @ @ league said it was talking with clubs about the next steps to take .
Another @ @ @ @ @ , had its league game Friday postponed due to a player testing positive .
Switzerland @ @ @ @ @ said Saturday there were 108 new cases registered in the previous day in the nation @ @ @ @ @ .

ZURICH (AP) - Swiss top-tier soccer club Zurich said it had more cases of coronavirus Saturday among its players and staff who are now in home quarantine.
Zurich did not specify how many new cases were reported after the initial COVID-19 positive test of defender Mirlind Kryeziu was announced Friday.
Zurich’s Swiss Super League games on Saturday against Sion, and on Tuesday at Basel, have been postponed during the 10-day quarantine period through to next Friday.
Zurich has seven league games left and it is unclear how that program can be met ahead of UEFA’s Aug. 2 deadline to complete domestic seasons.
Zurich still has to play both title-chasing teams, Young Boys and St. Gallen, and is in fifth place, two points behind Servette. Fourth place earns entry to the Europa League qualifying rounds with the entry deadline on Aug. 3.
The league said it was talking with clubs about the next steps to take.
Another Zurich club, second-tier Grasshopper, had its league game Friday postponed due to a player testing positive.
Switzerland’s public health office said Saturday there were 108 new cases registered in the previous day in the nation of around 8.6 million people.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Building collapses in Lagos, Nigeria; 2 are reported dead

LAGOS , Nigeria ( AP ) - A building has collapsed in Lagos , Nigeria and scores of people have @ @ @ @ @ Local reports say two people are dead .
Associated Press live video shows emergency tape @ @ @ @ @ from murmuring onlookers .
Such collapses are alarmingly common in Africa ’ s largest city @ @ @ @ @ where corruption often hollows out building standards .

People gather at the site of a collapsed building in Lagos Nigeria, Saturday July 11, 2020. A building has collapsed in Lagos, Nigeria and scores of people have gathered at the scene. Local reports say two people are dead. (AP …
People gather at the site of …


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Buses pose particular challenge for schools' pandemic plans

HARRISBURG , Pa. ( AP ) - A proposal to construct plastic barriers around school bus drivers as a COVID-19 mitigation tactic was shot down by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation , a sign of one particular challenge - among many - schools face as they plan for a fall reopening .
The state Education Department told districts last month each can restart in-person instruction with a plan that ’ s approved by the local school board , made public and provided to the state .
But Education Secretary Pedro Rivera warned that transportation would be a difficult problem to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s public school districts contract with private companies to provide bus transportation , and those companies have difficulty finding and keeping enough drivers in the best of times , said Mike Berk with the Pennsylvania School Bus Association , a trade group .
“ Everyone is looking at this very differently .
And they all are looking at the science of it .
They ’ re looking at what ’ s going to work in their district .
But there is no single answer to the question .
All we know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do is put options out there for the districts , ” Berk said .
A private company that contracts with schools had asked the state transportation agency to waive regulations to allow an internal barrier as a way to shield drivers from students who might be carrying the virus .
PennDOT replied June 22 that there was no evidence making the change would improve safety for the students or drivers , Deputy Secretary Kurt Myers said Friday .
“ Our concern is we ’ re not aware of any study that has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Myers said .
“ We ’ re not saying it couldn ’ t be safe .
We ’ re just simply saying we ’ re not aware of something where somebody has looked at this.
” Myers said PennDOT was concerned about how barriers might limit drivers ’ sight lines , whether barrier material could shatter during a crash and its potential to ignite .
Pennsylvania ’ s last fatality inside a school bus was nearly 30 years ago , officials said .
Many districts are currently working on their safe reopening plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 have already submitted their plans to the state , Education Department spokesman Rick Levis said Friday .
The state has not yet made those plans public , but they should eventually be posted on district websites .
A school reopening task force report issued last month warned of costs and practical considerations for some of the transportation strategies they evaluated .
Berk said districts are considering how many students should be riding at once , how best and how often to clean buses , whether to have some drivers make repeated runs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address mask wearing and health checks .
He said the barriers were an idea that arose to deal with children passing near the driver while getting on and off the bus .
Many drivers are older people at heightened risk for severe illness if they contract the virus .
Some districts have been surveying parents to determine how many will want or need their children to ride the bus , giving planners an idea of how many bus trips they will need .
Schools will also have to customize transportation services to match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remotely and whether to adopt alternative scheduling .

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A proposal to construct plastic barriers around school bus drivers as a COVID-19 mitigation tactic was shot down by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, a sign of one particular challenge - among many - schools face as they plan for a fall reopening.
The state Education Department told districts last month each can restart in-person instruction with a plan that’s approved by the local school board, made public and provided to the state. But Education Secretary Pedro Rivera warned that transportation would be a difficult problem to solve.
The great majority of the state’s public school districts contract with private companies to provide bus transportation, and those companies have difficulty finding and keeping enough drivers in the best of times, said Mike Berk with the Pennsylvania School Bus Association, a trade group.
“Everyone is looking at this very differently. And they all are looking at the science of it. They’re looking at what’s going to work in their district. But there is no single answer to the question. All we know is what we’re trying to do is put options out there for the districts,” Berk said.
A private company that contracts with schools had asked the state transportation agency to waive regulations to allow an internal barrier as a way to shield drivers from students who might be carrying the virus. PennDOT replied June 22 that there was no evidence making the change would improve safety for the students or drivers, Deputy Secretary Kurt Myers said Friday.
“Our concern is we’re not aware of any study that has said this is a safe option,” Myers said. “We’re not saying it couldn’t be safe. We’re just simply saying we’re not aware of something where somebody has looked at this.”
Myers said PennDOT was concerned about how barriers might limit drivers’ sight lines, whether barrier material could shatter during a crash and its potential to ignite. Pennsylvania’s last fatality inside a school bus was nearly 30 years ago, officials said.
Many districts and other school entities are currently working on their safe reopening plans, which must address transportation. Nearly 100 have already submitted their plans to the state, but nearly 2,000 are expected, Education Department spokesman Rick Levis said Saturday.
A state website with links to districts went live on Friday, Levis said. The state is directing people to the districts’ own sites, he said, because the plans are fluid and can be updated.
Some of those that have been posted say little more than that they will follow CDC or state Health Department guidelines for transportation, while others talk about adjusting schedules and cleaning practices.
A school reopening task force report issued last month warned of costs and practical considerations for some of the transportation strategies they evaluated.
Berk said districts are considering how many students should be riding at once, how best and how often to clean buses, whether to have some drivers make repeated runs to limit ridership, and how to address mask wearing and health checks.
He said the barriers were an idea that arose to deal with children passing near the driver while getting on and off the bus. Many drivers are older people at heightened risk for severe illness if they contract the virus.
Some districts have been surveying parents to determine how many will want or need their children to ride the bus, giving planners an idea of how many bus trips they will need.
Schools will also have to customize transportation services to match decisions about how many students will study remotely and whether to adopt alternative scheduling.


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Delayed Louisiana presidential primary is settled Saturday

Louisiana holds its presidential primary Saturday , an election that was postponed twice because of the coronavirus outbreak and pushed back so many months that it became irrelevant to the selection of the Democratic nominee to challenge Donald Trump .
Before Louisiana ’ s election results were tallied , it already was decided that Trump would face Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden in the Nov. 3 election .
Trump was expected to easily win Louisiana ’ s GOP primary , where he faces four other Republicans on the state ’ s ballot seeking the nomination .
Biden was one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot .
Amid the coronavirus pandemic , voters had extra days of early voting and expanded mail-in balloting options , boosting the number of votes cast ahead of Election Day to historic levels .
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin ’ s office took extra precautions at polling locations as well , saying workers would regularly sanitize voting areas and wipe down voting machines .
Louisiana ’ s presidential primary is one of the latest in the nation this cycle , after being delayed two times from its original April 4 date .
Only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Aug. 11 , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures .
It ’ s a rare closed party primary in Louisiana , a state that generally allows all of its candidates regardless of party to run against each other at one time .
Because of the virus , Louisiana lawmakers agreed to allow the election - which also includes municipal competitions in 24 parishes - to run under emergency rules .
The rules gave Ardoin , the Republican elections chief , the ability to change precinct locations , relocate polling places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days to 13 days and widen the availability of mail-in absentee ballots to people affected by the virus .
Louisiana ’ s existing absentee balloting procedure usually is limited to people who are 65 years old or older , members of the military , overseas voters , people who are hospitalized and people who won ’ t be in their parish for the election .
The emergency plan let people seek an absentee-by-mail ballot for the Saturday primary if they attested on an application that they are at a higher risk of severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions ; are subject to a quarantine or isolation order ; are advised by a health provider to self-quarantine ; are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking medical confirmation ; or are caring for someone who is quarantined or isolated because of the disease .
Ardoin also will use those emergency rules for an Aug. 15 municipal runoff election .

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Joe Biden and Donald Trump on Saturday won their parties’ respective Louisiana presidential primaries, an election that was postponed twice because of the coronavirus outbreak and pushed back so many months that it became irrelevant to the selection of the Democratic nominee to challenge Trump in November.
Biden formally clinched the Democratic presidential nomination weeks ago.
On Saturday, Trump easily won Louisiana’s GOP primary, where he faced four other Republicans on the state’s ballot seeking the nomination. Biden, who was one of 14 Democrats on Louisiana’s ballot, also coasted to victory.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, voters had extra days of early voting and expanded mail-in balloting options, boosting the number of votes cast ahead of Election Day to historic levels. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s office took extra precautions at polling locations as well, saying workers would regularly sanitize voting areas and wipe down voting machines.
Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters Sandra Wilson told WDSU that some 4,000 applications for mail-in ballots were discovered July 1 at a New Orleans post office. She didn’t know how long they had been sitting there, but Wilson said postal workers delivered them to her office at City Hall that day.
The registrar’s staff worked overtime to put ballots in the mail to voters whose requests were delayed, Wilson said Thursday. Mail-in ballots must have arrived before 4:30 p.m. Friday to be counted in Saturday’s election, which consists of presidential party primaries, state party contests and a few municipal races.
Albert Ruiz, a regional U.S. Postal Service spokesman, said in an email Saturday that ballot applications in New Orleans were held at the post office because of “short-page postage.” The employees involved were brought up to speed on the agency’s policies, he added without detailing what those polices are.
The Louisiana Democratic Party announced Saturday that a lawsuit would be filed in the coming days to prevent the officials from certifying the election until voters’ absentee ballots are properly counted.
Louisiana’s presidential primary was one of the latest in the nation this cycle, after being delayed two times from its original April 4 date. Only Connecticut has a presidential primary later, on Aug. 11, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. It was a rare closed party primary in Louisiana, a state that generally allows all of its candidates regardless of party to run against each other at one time.
Because of the virus, Louisiana lawmakers agreed to allow the election - which also includes municipal competitions in 24 parishes - to run under emergency rules.
The rules gave Ardoin, the Republican elections chief, the ability to change precinct locations, relocate polling places, expand in-person early voting from seven days to 13 days and widen the availability of mail-in absentee ballots to people affected by the virus.
Louisiana’s existing absentee balloting procedure usually is limited to people who are 65 years old or older, members of the military, overseas voters, people who are hospitalized and people who won’t be in their parish for the election.
The emergency plan let people seek an absentee-by-mail ballot for the Saturday primary if they attested on an application that they are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 because of certain medical conditions; were subject to a quarantine or isolation order; were advised by a health provider to self-quarantine; were experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking medical confirmation; or were caring for someone who is quarantined or isolated because of the disease.
Ardoin also will use those emergency rules for an Aug. 15 municipal runoff election.


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Senate, House runoffs included on Alabama runoff ballot

The Republican Senate runoff for U.S. Senate and three contests to select party nominees for two open U.S. House seats are the highlights of Tuesday ’ s election in Alabama .
Here is a look at the top races on the ballot : Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former football coach Tommy Tuberville are fighting over the Republican nomination to oppose Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in the November election , but a third person weighs heavily in the race : President Donald Trump .
While Sessions previously served in the Senate for two decades from Alabama and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump in 2016 , the president is supporting Tuberville , who coached at Auburn University for 10 seasons ending in 2008 .
Sessions , who angered Trump by stepping aside from the investigation into Russian meddling in the last election , is still portraying himself as solidly in Trump ’ s corner .
But Trump has harshly criticized Sessions while tweeting his support for Tuberville , who is making his first bid for political office .
Tuberville narrowly led Sessions in voting in the March primary , which included five other candidates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , partly because of the limited ballot and also because of the worsening coronavirus pandemic in Alabama .
The race to replace Rep. Bradley Byrne in the 1st District of southwest Alabama includes a runoff on both the Republican and Democratic sides .
Jerry Carl and Bill Hightower are both portraying themselves as Trump-supporting conservatives as they seek the GOP nod for the seat held by Byrne , who finished third in the Senate race in March and didn ’ t seek re-election to the House .
Carl , the president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies .
Hightower is a business operator who served five years in the Alabama Senate .
Kiani A. Gardner and James Averhart are vying for the Democratic nomination in District 1 .
A native of Hawaii , Gardner led primary balloting but had to sideline her runoff campaign for a time after donating a kidney to a stranger in Birmingham .
Averhart is a military veteran who served as president of a national Marines group .
Each billing himself as conservative who supports President Trump , Jeff Coleman and Barry Moore will meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the District 2 House seat now held by Rep. Martha Roby , who didn ’ t seek another term .
Coleman , a native of Dothan , runs a family-owned moving and storage company in southeast Alabama , where the district is located .
Moore , who grew up on a farm in Coffee County , served two terms in the Alabama House ending in 2018 .
The eventual nominee will be a favorite in the Republican-leaning district in November against Democrat Phyllis Harvey-Hall .
Fred Bell and Tonya Smith Chestnut are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5th District seat on the Alabama Board of Education .
Bell is a former member of the Montgomery City Council who served as a part-time municipal judge .
Chestnut is a retired educator with 36 years of experience working in a number of classroom and administrative roles in the district , which includes much of central and southwestern Alabama .
The seat is now held by Tommie Stewart , who was appointed following the death of longtime board member Ella Bell last year .
The winner will face Republican nominee Lesa Keith in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kellum will meet Will Smith in a runoff for the Republican nomination for the Place 2 seat .
Kellum , who has served on the court since 2009 , led a three-person field in March but couldn ’ t get a majority .
Smith is a former member of the Lauderdale County Commission .
The five-member court is composed entirely of Republicans .
No Democrat is seeking the Place 2 position so winning the runoff will be tantamount to election .

The Republican Senate runoff for U.S. Senate and three contests to select party nominees for two open U.S. House seats are the highlights of Tuesday’s election in Alabama.
Here is a look at the top races on the ballot:
U.S. SENATE
Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former football coach Tommy Tuberville are fighting over the Republican nomination to oppose Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in the November election, but a third person weighs heavily in the race: President Donald Trump.
While Sessions previously served in the Senate for two decades from Alabama and was the first member of Congress to endorse Trump in 2016, the president is supporting Tuberville, who coached at Auburn University for 10 seasons ending in 2008.
Sessions, who angered Trump by stepping aside from the investigation into Russian meddling in the last election, is still portraying himself as solidly in Trump’s corner. But Trump has harshly criticized Sessions while tweeting his support for Tuberville, who is making his first bid for political office.
Tuberville narrowly led Sessions in voting in the March primary, which included five other candidates. Turnout in the runoff could be light, partly because of the limited ballot and also because of the worsening coronavirus pandemic in Alabama.
U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 1
The race to replace Rep. Bradley Byrne in the 1st District of southwest Alabama includes a runoff on both the Republican and Democratic sides.
Jerry Carl and Bill Hightower are both portraying themselves as Trump-supporting conservatives as they seek the GOP nod for the seat held by Byrne, who finished third in the Senate race in March and didn’t seek re-election to the House.
Carl, the president of the Mobile County Commission, has started multiple companies. Hightower is a business operator who served five years in the Alabama Senate.
Kiani A. Gardner and James Averhart are vying for the Democratic nomination in District 1. A native of Hawaii, Gardner led primary balloting but had to sideline her runoff campaign for a time after donating a kidney to a stranger in Birmingham. Averhart is a military veteran who served as president of a national Marines group.
U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 2
Each billing himself as conservative who supports President Trump, Jeff Coleman and Barry Moore will meet in a runoff for the Republican nomination for the District 2 House seat now held by Rep. Martha Roby, who didn’t seek another term.
Coleman, a native of Dothan, runs a family-owned moving and storage company in southeast Alabama, where the district is located. Moore, who grew up on a farm in Coffee County, served two terms in the Alabama House ending in 2018.
The eventual nominee will be a favorite in the Republican-leaning district in November against Democrat Phyllis Harvey-Hall.
STATE SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 5
Fred Bell and Tonya Smith Chestnut are competing for the Democratic nomination for the 5th District seat on the Alabama Board of Education.
Bell is a former member of the Montgomery City Council who served as a part-time municipal judge. Chestnut is a retired educator with 36 years of experience working in a number of classroom and administrative roles in the district, which includes much of central and southwestern Alabama.
The seat is now held by Tommie Stewart, who was appointed following the death of longtime board member Ella Bell last year.
The winner will face Republican nominee Lesa Keith in the fall.
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, PLACE 2
Criminal Appeals Judge Beth Kellum will meet Will Smith in a runoff for the Republican nomination for the Place 2 seat.
Kellum, who has served on the court since 2009, led a three-person field in March but couldn’t get a majority. Smith is a former member of the Lauderdale County Commission.
The five-member court is composed entirely of Republicans. No Democrat is seeking the Place 2 position so winning the runoff will be tantamount to election.