washingtontimes--2020-05-17--Donald Trump emergency powers details sought by senators

WASHINGTON — The day he declared the COVID-19 pandemic a national emergency , President Donald Trump made a cryptic offhand remark .
“ I have the right to do a lot of things that people don ’ t even know about , ” he said at the White House .
Trump wasn ’ t just crowing .
Dozens of statutory authorities become available to any president when national emergencies are declared .
They are rarely used , but Trump last month stunned legal experts and others when he claimed – mistakenly – that he has “ total ” authority over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted 10 senators to look into how sweeping Trump believes his emergency powers are .
They have asked to see this administration ’ s Presidential Emergency Action Documents , or PEADs .
The little-known , classified documents are essentially planning papers .
The documents don ’ t give a president authority beyond what ’ s in the Constitution .
But they outline what powers a president believes that the Constitution gives him to deal with national emergencies .
The senators think the documents would provide them a window into how this White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to look at these things , ” Sen. Angus King , I-Maine , said in a telephone interview .
“ This is a case where the president can declare an emergency and then say , ‘ Because there ’ s an emergency , I can do this , this and this.
’ ” King , seven Democrats and one Republican sent a letter late last month to acting national intelligence director Richard Grenell asking to be briefed on any existing PEADs .
Sen. Patrick Leahy , D-Vt. , wrote a similar letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House counsel Pat Cipollone .
“ The concern is that there could be actions taken that would violate individual rights under the Constitution , ” such as limiting due process , unreasonable search and seizure and holding individuals without cause , King said .
“ I ’ m merely speculating .
It may be that we get these documents and there ’ s nothing untoward in their checks and balances and everything is above board and reasonable.
” Joshua Geltzer , visiting professor of law at Georgetown University , said there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents because there is rising distrust for the Trump administration ’ s legal interpretations in a way he hasn ’ t seen in his lifetime .
The most publicized example was Trump ’ s decision last year to declare the security situation along the U.S.-Mexico border a national emergency .
That decision allowed him to take up to $ 3.6 billion from military construction projects to finance wall construction beyond the miles that lawmakers had been willing to fund .
Trump ’ s move skirted the authority of Congress , which by law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation ’ s wallet .
“ I worry about other things he might call an emergency , ” Geltzer said .
“ I think around the election itself in November – that ’ s where there seems to be a lot of potential for mischief with this president.
” The lawmakers made their request just days after Trump made his startling claim on April 13 that he had the authority to force states to reopen for business amid the pandemic .
“ When somebody ’ s the president of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said , causing a backlash from some governors and legal experts .
Trump later tweeted that while some people say it ’ s the governors , not the president ’ s decision , “ Let it be fully understood that this is incorrect.
” Trump later backtracked on his claim of “ total ” authority and agreed that states have the upper hand in deciding when to end their lockdowns .
But it was just the latest from a president who has been stretching existing statutory authorities “ to , if not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Stephen Vladeck , a law professor at the University of Texas .
Questions about Trump ’ s PEADs went unanswered by the Justice Department , National Security Council and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence .
Elizabeth Goitein , co-director of a national security program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law , said PEADs have not been subject to congressional oversight for decades .
She estimates that there are 50 to 60 of these documents , which include draft proclamations , executive orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced to “ assert broad presidential authority ” in national emergencies .
She said the Eisenhower administration had PEADs outlining how it might respond to a possible Soviet nuclear attack .
According to the Brennan Center , PEADs issued up through the 1970s included detention of U.S. citizens suspected of being subversives , warrantless searches and seizures and the imposition of martial law .
“ A Department of Justice memorandum from the Lyndon B. Johnson administration discusses a presidential emergency action document that would impose censorship on news sent abroad , ” Goitein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boyle published last month in The New York Times .
“ The memo notes that while no ‘ express statutory authority ’ exists for such a measure , ‘ it can be argued that these actions would be legal in the aftermath of a devastating nuclear attack based on the president ’ s constitutional powers to preserve the national security.
” ’ Goitein said she especially worries about any orders having to do with military deployment , including martial law .
“ You can imagine a situation where he ( Trump ) engineers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which then becomes a pretext for martial law , ” said Goitein , who insists she ’ s simply playing out worst-case scenarios .
She said she wonders if there is a PEAD outlining steps the president could take to respond to a serious cyberattack .
Would the president aggressively interpret telecommunications law and flip an internet kill switch , or restrain domestic internet traffic ?
she asks .
Bobby Chesney , associate dean at the University of Texas School of Law , said some fears might be exaggerated because while Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past presidents , he doesn ’ t necessarily follow up with action .
Says Chesney : “ His actions don ’ t match the rhetoric always – or even often.
” This story has been corrected by deleting Goitein quote beginning , “ What I worry about … ” because of a misunderstanding over its context .

WASHINGTON — The day he declared the COVID-19 pandemic a national emergency, President Donald Trump made a cryptic offhand remark.
“I have the right to do a lot of things that people don’t even know about,” he said at the White House.
Trump wasn’t just crowing. Dozens of statutory authorities become available to any president when national emergencies are declared. They are rarely used, but Trump last month stunned legal experts and others when he claimed – mistakenly – that he has “total” authority over governors in easing COVID-19 guidelines.
That prompted 10 senators to look into how sweeping Trump believes his emergency powers are.
They have asked to see this administration’s Presidential Emergency Action Documents, or PEADs. The little-known, classified documents are essentially planning papers.
The documents don’t give a president authority beyond what’s in the Constitution. But they outline what powers a president believes that the Constitution gives him to deal with national emergencies. The senators think the documents would provide them a window into how this White House interprets presidential emergency powers.
“Somebody needs to look at these things,” Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said in a telephone interview. “This is a case where the president can declare an emergency and then say, ‘Because there’s an emergency, I can do this, this and this.’”
King, seven Democrats and one Republican sent a letter late last month to acting national intelligence director Richard Grenell asking to be briefed on any existing PEADs. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., wrote a similar letter to Attorney General William Barr and White House counsel Pat Cipollone.
“The concern is that there could be actions taken that would violate individual rights under the Constitution,” such as limiting due process, unreasonable search and seizure and holding individuals without cause, King said.
“I’m merely speculating. It may be that we get these documents and there’s nothing untoward in their checks and balances and everything is above board and reasonable.”
Joshua Geltzer, visiting professor of law at Georgetown University, said there is a push to take a look at these documents because there is rising distrust for the Trump administration’s legal interpretations in a way he hasn’t seen in his lifetime.
The most publicized example was Trump’s decision last year to declare the security situation along the U.S.-Mexico border a national emergency. That decision allowed him to take up to $3.6 billion from military construction projects to finance wall construction beyond the miles that lawmakers had been willing to fund. Trump’s move skirted the authority of Congress, which by law has the power to spend money in the nation’s wallet.
“I worry about other things he might call an emergency,” Geltzer said. “I think around the election itself in November – that’s where there seems to be a lot of potential for mischief with this president.”
The lawmakers made their request just days after Trump made his startling claim on April 13 that he had the authority to force states to reopen for business amid the pandemic.
“When somebody’s the president of the United States, the authority is total,” Trump said, causing a backlash from some governors and legal experts. Trump later tweeted that while some people say it’s the governors, not the president’s decision, “Let it be fully understood that this is incorrect.”
Trump later backtracked on his claim of “total” authority and agreed that states have the upper hand in deciding when to end their lockdowns. But it was just the latest from a president who has been stretching existing statutory authorities “to, if not beyond, their breaking point,” said Stephen Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas.
Questions about Trump’s PEADs went unanswered by the Justice Department, National Security Council and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Elizabeth Goitein, co-director of a national security program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, said PEADs have not been subject to congressional oversight for decades. She estimates that there are 50 to 60 of these documents, which include draft proclamations, executive orders and proposed legislation that could be swiftly introduced to “assert broad presidential authority” in national emergencies.
She said the Eisenhower administration had PEADs outlining how it might respond to a possible Soviet nuclear attack. According to the Brennan Center, PEADs issued up through the 1970s included detention of U.S. citizens suspected of being subversives, warrantless searches and seizures and the imposition of martial law.
“A Department of Justice memorandum from the Lyndon B. Johnson administration discusses a presidential emergency action document that would impose censorship on news sent abroad,” Goitein wrote in an op-ed with lawyer Andrew Boyle published last month in The New York Times.
“The memo notes that while no ‘express statutory authority’ exists for such a measure, ‘it can be argued that these actions would be legal in the aftermath of a devastating nuclear attack based on the president’s constitutional powers to preserve the national security.”’
Goitein said she especially worries about any orders having to do with military deployment, including martial law.
“You can imagine a situation where he (Trump) engineers a crisis that leads to domestic violence, which then becomes a pretext for martial law,” said Goitein, who insists she’s simply playing out worst-case scenarios.
She said she wonders if there is a PEAD outlining steps the president could take to respond to a serious cyberattack. Would the president aggressively interpret telecommunications law and flip an internet kill switch, or restrain domestic internet traffic? she asks.
Bobby Chesney, associate dean at the University of Texas School of Law, said some fears might be exaggerated because while Trump makes off-the-cuff assertions of authority far beyond past presidents, he doesn’t necessarily follow up with action.
Says Chesney: “His actions don’t match the rhetoric always – or even often.”
This story has been corrected by deleting Goitein quote beginning, “What I worry about …” because of a misunderstanding over its context.


washingtontimes--2020-05-17--Ben Carpenter, Alaska Republican, likens coronavirus screening stickers to Star of David

JUNEAU , Alaska — An Alaska lawmaker defended asking whether stickers that individuals may be asked to wear as part of a Capitol coronavirus screening process will be “ available as a yellow Star of David.
” Republican Rep. Ben Carpenter of Nikiski said Friday he was serious in making the comment in an email chain with other legislators .
He was responding to proposed protocols aimed at guarding against the virus as lawmakers prepare to reconvene Monday .
The protocols suggest stickers be worn to confirm someone at the Capitol had been screened .
“ The point is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows , who amongst the human population has lost their liberties more than the Jewish people ?
” he said in an interview .
“ And if there were more people standing up for the loss of liberties prior to World War II , maybe we wouldn ’ t have had the Holocaust.
” “ This is about the loss of liberties within our people , and we ’ re just turning a blind eye to it , ” he said , adding that virus fears are “ causing us to have policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In his email , Carpenter asked about the screening process .
“ If my sticker falls off , do I get a new one or do I get public shaming too ?
Are the stickers available as a yellow Star of David ?
” Rep. Grier Hopkins , a Fairbanks Democrat , responded to Carpenter ’ s email by calling the remark “ disgusting .
Keep your Holocaust jokes to yourself.
” The state has reported 388 cases of COVID-19 involving Alaska residents and eight cases involving nonresidents .
There have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease caused by the virus , according to the state health department .
The Legislature , which recessed in late March amid coronavirus concerns , plans to reconvene Monday , prodded by a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of plans to distribute federal coronavirus relief funds .
The sole focus will be on taking action aimed at clearing up concerns about the funding , according to Senate majority communications director Daniel McDonald and a release from the House majority .
Gov .
Mike Dunleavy submitted plans for distributing federal aid dollars to the Legislative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set out in law .
The process allows a governor to submit plans to accept and spend additional federal or other program funds on a budget item .
The committee signed off despite questions about whether use of that process was appropriate for some of the items .
Some legislators argued the items in question should have been taken up by the full Legislature .
A 90-day session limit set in law has passed , but the constitution permits sessions of up to 121 days , a deadline that will be reached Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if there is sufficient support for one .

JUNEAU, Alaska — An Alaska lawmaker defended asking whether stickers that individuals may be asked to wear as part of a Capitol coronavirus screening process will be “available as a yellow Star of David.”
Republican Rep. Ben Carpenter of Nikiski said Friday he was serious in making the comment in an email chain with other legislators. He was responding to proposed protocols aimed at guarding against the virus as lawmakers prepare to reconvene Monday. The protocols suggest stickers be worn to confirm someone at the Capitol had been screened.
“The point is, tying it to the Star of David shows, who amongst the human population has lost their liberties more than the Jewish people?” he said in an interview. “And if there were more people standing up for the loss of liberties prior to World War II, maybe we wouldn’t have had the Holocaust.”
“This is about the loss of liberties within our people, and we’re just turning a blind eye to it,” he said, adding that virus fears are “causing us to have policies that don’t make any sense.”
In his email, Carpenter asked about the screening process. “If my sticker falls off, do I get a new one or do I get public shaming too? Are the stickers available as a yellow Star of David?”
Rep. Grier Hopkins, a Fairbanks Democrat, responded to Carpenter’s email by calling the remark “disgusting. Keep your Holocaust jokes to yourself.”
The state has reported 388 cases of COVID-19 involving Alaska residents and eight cases involving nonresidents. There have been 10 deaths related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, according to the state health department.
The Legislature, which recessed in late March amid coronavirus concerns, plans to reconvene Monday, prodded by a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of plans to distribute federal coronavirus relief funds.
The sole focus will be on taking action aimed at clearing up concerns about the funding, according to Senate majority communications director Daniel McDonald and a release from the House majority.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy submitted plans for distributing federal aid dollars to the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee under a process set out in law. The process allows a governor to submit plans to accept and spend additional federal or other program funds on a budget item.
The committee signed off despite questions about whether use of that process was appropriate for some of the items. Some legislators argued the items in question should have been taken up by the full Legislature.
The lawsuit raises similar issues.
A 90-day session limit set in law has passed, but the constitution permits sessions of up to 121 days, a deadline that will be reached Wednesday. The constitution allows a 10-day extension if there is sufficient support for one.


washingtontimes--2020-05-17--Jim Lucas, Indiana Republican, booted from committees over Facebook post

INDIANAPOLIS — A white Indiana state lawmaker has been removed from two committees after posting a meme that showed black children in diapers dancing with the caption , “ We gon ’ get free money !
” Rep. Jim Lucas was removed from the interim study committees on elections and public policy and demoted as vice chair of the committee on government reduction , House Speaker Todd Huston said .
“ The post is unacceptable and I don ’ t condone it , ” Huston , R-Fishers , told the Indianapolis Star .
Lucas , R-Seymour , said he took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Facebook page Monday from a meme generator .
He said the language simply reflects how he and other people talk .
“ I am not a racist , ” said Lucas , who subsequently deactivated his Facebook page .
“ The amount of support I ’ ve had over this is phenomenal , from the people that know me .
… I look back now knowing I would never have done that in the first place had I known it would get anywhere near this level , ” he said .
Lucas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nancy Pelosi unveiled a new coronavirus aid package in Washington totaling more than $ 3 trillion .
Last year , he posted a picture of a gallows with two nooses under a WISH-TV Facebook story about a black man pleading guilty to rape .

INDIANAPOLIS — A white Indiana state lawmaker has been removed from two committees after posting a meme that showed black children in diapers dancing with the caption, “We gon’ get free money!”
Rep. Jim Lucas was removed from the interim study committees on elections and public policy and demoted as vice chair of the committee on government reduction, House Speaker Todd Huston said.
“The post is unacceptable and I don’t condone it,” Huston, R-Fishers, told the Indianapolis Star.
Lucas, R-Seymour, said he took the stock photo that he posted on his Facebook page Monday from a meme generator. He said the language simply reflects how he and other people talk.
“I am not a racist,” said Lucas, who subsequently deactivated his Facebook page.
“The amount of support I’ve had over this is phenomenal, from the people that know me. … I look back now knowing I would never have done that in the first place had I known it would get anywhere near this level,” he said.
Lucas posted the meme before Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled a new coronavirus aid package in Washington totaling more than $3 trillion.
Last year, he posted a picture of a gallows with two nooses under a WISH-TV Facebook story about a black man pleading guilty to rape.


washingtontimes--2020-05-17--Gavin Newsom, California governor, eyes prison closures amid budget woes

SACRAMENTO , Calif. — Gov .
Gavin Newsom is proposing to significantly shrink the footprint of California ’ s prison system , partly because of massive budget cuts prompted by the pandemic but also because of philosophy .
The revised budget he sent to state lawmakers this week envisions closing two state prisons in the coming years ; cutting nearly one in five of the 43 inmate firefighter camps ; and eventually closing all three state-run juvenile prisons .
He ’ s also seeking unspecified increases to sentencing credits that allow inmates to leave prison more quickly .
And he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of two years , down from five years for felonies , and let ex-felons earn their way off supervision in just a year , or 18 months for sex offenders .
The Democratic governor called it a “ core value ” of his administration to eliminate prisons and invest more in education .
It follows nearly a decade of prison reform in California , starting under Gov .
Jerry Brown when the state began keeping less serious criminals in county jails as one way to cut spending during the Great Recession .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to do more and better in the rehabilitative space , ” Newsom said Thursday .
The proposals drew support from reformers , condemnation from crime victims ’ advocates , and resistance from county officials who said they can ’ t take in the serious juvenile offenders who now go to state-run lockups .
Newsom previously won approval to move the Division of Juvenile Justice from the state ’ s adult prison agency to health and human services so it could focus on rehabilitating youthful offenders .
He switched gears Thursday , proposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting next year .
The state would gradually close its juvenile facilities as the current 800 youthful offenders are released or turn 18 and are eventually sent to adult prisons .
But similar proposals have failed in the Legislature before , and county officials called the new plan unworkable .
Those sent to state facilities “ have the most serious needs , which if left unaddressed , pose the most serious risk to our communities , ” said Brian Richart , president of Chief Probation Officers of California , whose members already handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We are not financially and structurally prepared for it.
” Newsom ’ s administration said counties have plenty of room , with about 3,600 young offenders in juvenile halls , camps and ranches designed to hold 11,200 .
He proposes annual competitive grants to counties of nearly $ 10 million for “ hubs ” to treat youths currently in state lockups because of serious sex behavior or mental health treatment needs .
Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice Executive Director Daniel Macallair hailed the long-sought shift .
“ To reduce the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce the institutions of confinement , ” Macallair said .
Newsom in January said he planned to close a single unspecified adult prison sometime in the next five years .
With earlier releases often predicated on inmates participating in rehabilitation programs , his revised plan seeks to close one of the state ’ s 34 prisons by mid-2022 and a second a year later , eventually saving $ 400 million annually .
His revised budget “ reflects what California voters have known for a long time - that continued wasteful spending on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our budgets , ” said Jay Jordan , executive director of Californians for Safety and Justice , which pushes for shorter prison sentences .
State Sen. John Moorlach , an accountant and the ranking Republican on two corrections oversight committees , welcomed the savings but said it might be even cheaper to use more private prisons , something the state has committed to ending .
Prisons are often remote communities ’ major employer , he cautioned , saying the governor is also imperiling unionized prison employees .
Democratic lawmakers who control Assembly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requests for comment .
Closing eight fire camps would save a projected $ 7.4 million in the fiscal year that starts July 1 and double that in future years .
Newsom wants to spend $ 200 million to hire 600 professional state firefighters and support personnel , in part to make up for a dwindling pool of prisoner fire crews because of earlier releases .
Even with the proposed cuts , the reform group Californians United for a Responsible Budget objected that the state ’ s projected $ 13.4 billion corrections budget would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other reformers in calling for even more redirected spending .
University of California , Irvine , criminologist Keramet Reiter said downsizing prisons makes sense , particularly since California ’ s are among the nation ’ s most expensive per inmate and historically have done a poor job of rehabilitation .
But she said sending young offenders to state-run treatment programs is preferable to shifting them to county-run lockups .
Overall crime hasn ’ t spiked despite years of earlier prisoner paroles , and has generally declined despite thousands of additional prison and jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , citing a study by the nonprofit Public Policy Institute of California last month of preliminary crime reports from Los Angeles , Oakland , San Diego and San Francisco .
Crime Victims Alliance Director Christine Ward fears the state will reach a tipping point if more criminals are on the streets as the governor proposes cutting parole and probation programs .
“ We ’ re not talking about your small-time drug dealer .
We ’ re talking about the most serious and violent felons in our state .
That ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing to significantly shrink the footprint of California’s prison system, partly because of massive budget cuts prompted by the pandemic but also because of philosophy.
The revised budget he sent to state lawmakers this week envisions closing two state prisons in the coming years; cutting nearly one in five of the 43 inmate firefighter camps; and eventually closing all three state-run juvenile prisons.
He’s also seeking unspecified increases to sentencing credits that allow inmates to leave prison more quickly. And he proposes to shorten parole to a maximum of two years, down from five years for felonies, and let ex-felons earn their way off supervision in just a year, or 18 months for sex offenders.
The Democratic governor called it a “core value” of his administration to eliminate prisons and invest more in education. It follows nearly a decade of prison reform in California, starting under Gov. Jerry Brown when the state began keeping less serious criminals in county jails as one way to cut spending during the Great Recession.
“I think it’s incumbent upon us to do more and better in the rehabilitative space,” Newsom said Thursday.
The proposals drew support from reformers, condemnation from crime victims’ advocates, and resistance from county officials who said they can’t take in the serious juvenile offenders who now go to state-run lockups.
Newsom previously won approval to move the Division of Juvenile Justice from the state’s adult prison agency to health and human services so it could focus on rehabilitating youthful offenders.
He switched gears Thursday, proposing instead to bar new admissions from counties starting next year. The state would gradually close its juvenile facilities as the current 800 youthful offenders are released or turn 18 and are eventually sent to adult prisons.
But similar proposals have failed in the Legislature before, and county officials called the new plan unworkable.
Those sent to state facilities “have the most serious needs, which if left unaddressed, pose the most serious risk to our communities,” said Brian Richart, president of Chief Probation Officers of California, whose members already handle about 90% of youthful offenders. “We are not financially and structurally prepared for it.”
Newsom’s administration said counties have plenty of room, with about 3,600 young offenders in juvenile halls, camps and ranches designed to hold 11,200. He proposes annual competitive grants to counties of nearly $10 million for “hubs” to treat youths currently in state lockups because of serious sex behavior or mental health treatment needs.
Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice Executive Director Daniel Macallair hailed the long-sought shift.
“To reduce the number of people in confinement, we need to reduce the institutions of confinement,” Macallair said.
Newsom in January said he planned to close a single unspecified adult prison sometime in the next five years. With earlier releases often predicated on inmates participating in rehabilitation programs, his revised plan seeks to close one of the state’s 34 prisons by mid-2022 and a second a year later, eventually saving $400 million annually.
His revised budget “reflects what California voters have known for a long time - that continued wasteful spending on failed prisons is bad for safety and our budgets,” said Jay Jordan, executive director of Californians for Safety and Justice, which pushes for shorter prison sentences.
State Sen. John Moorlach, an accountant and the ranking Republican on two corrections oversight committees, welcomed the savings but said it might be even cheaper to use more private prisons, something the state has committed to ending. Prisons are often remote communities’ major employer, he cautioned, saying the governor is also imperiling unionized prison employees.
Democratic lawmakers who control Assembly and Senate oversight committees did not respond to requests for comment.
Closing eight fire camps would save a projected $7.4 million in the fiscal year that starts July 1 and double that in future years. Newsom wants to spend $200 million to hire 600 professional state firefighters and support personnel, in part to make up for a dwindling pool of prisoner fire crews because of earlier releases.
Even with the proposed cuts, the reform group Californians United for a Responsible Budget objected that the state’s projected $13.4 billion corrections budget would be an all-time high, and joined other reformers in calling for even more redirected spending.
University of California, Irvine, criminologist Keramet Reiter said downsizing prisons makes sense, particularly since California’s are among the nation’s most expensive per inmate and historically have done a poor job of rehabilitation. But she said sending young offenders to state-run treatment programs is preferable to shifting them to county-run lockups.
Overall crime hasn’t spiked despite years of earlier prisoner paroles, and has generally declined despite thousands of additional prison and jail releases due to the coronavirus, Reiter said, citing a study by the nonprofit Public Policy Institute of California last month of preliminary crime reports from Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego and San Francisco.
Crime Victims Alliance Director Christine Ward fears the state will reach a tipping point if more criminals are on the streets as the governor proposes cutting parole and probation programs.
“We’re not talking about your small-time drug dealer. We’re talking about the most serious and violent felons in our state. That’s what’s left in our prisons,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-17--'Rodham' book imagines Hillary Clinton without Bill

NEW YORK — Over the past few years , author Curtis Sittenfeld has gotten to know Hillary Clinton in a way uniquely suited for a novelist - by writing a work of fiction about her .
“ I was definitely an admirer of Hillary before I started the book , but writing from her perspective made me feel closer to her , ” Sittenfeld , whose “ Rodham ” comes out Tuesday , wrote to The Associated Press in an email .
“ I realize that closeness is NOT mutual - we ’ ve never met .
But she feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the trajectory of her life , her relationships , her syntax , so when I see clips of her or hear her voice , I think , ‘ Oh , that ’ s my Hillary.
’ ” Sittenfeld ’ s new book is her second imagined portrait of a famous woman : “ American Wife , ” based on the life of Laura Bush , was published in in 2008 .
But while “ American Wife ” tells of a high-profile marriage that remains intact despite the narrator ’ s misgivings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rodham.
” The “ Hillary ” in Sittenfeld ’ s book breaks off from Bill early and remains Hillary Rodham , a decision which proves fortunate for her .
It ’ s a premise that has been raised before , including by the author and journalist Rebecca Traister .
In a 2015 story for The New Republic , entitled “ The Best Thing Hillary Could Do for Her Campaign ?
Ditch Bill , ” Traister wrote of how Hillary was endlessly “ pulled back , into the shadow ” of Bill Clinton and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political beneficiary of their relationship .
“ I ’ m pretty sure I ’ ve read every article Rebecca Traister has written about Hillary , and I read Traister ’ s book ‘ Good and Mad ’ while writing ‘ Rodham , ’ so it ’ s safe to assume I work under Traister ’ s influence , among others , ” Sittenfeld says .
Sittenfeld , now 44 , caught on with critics and readers in 2005 with her first novel , “ Prep , ” a best-selling coming of-age narrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Man of My Dreams ” and “ Eligible ” and the story collection “ You Think It , I ’ ll Say It.
” She also has written reviews , including one for Vanity Fair about Michelle Obama ’ s “ Becoming , ” which Sittenfeld praised as “ so surprisingly candid , richly emotional , and granularly detailed that it allows readers to feel exactly what Michelle herself felt at various moments in her life.
” The kind of memoir , in other words , that has the power of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent interview with Sittenfeld : On why she wrote “ Rodham “ : Two things made me write this book .
First , in early 2016 , an editor at Esquire asked if I ’ d like to write a short story from Hillary ’ s perspective as she accepted the Democratic nomination for president .
I had declined to write essays about Hillary - I didn ’ t feel I had any new analysis to contribute - but fiction gave me the chance to ask not “ What do the American people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What does Hillary think of the American people ?
” I also realized around the 2016 election , which I was devastated by , that schoolchildren who knew Hillary was running for president often literally didn ’ t know that Bill Clinton existed .
I wondered if the outcome of the election would have been different if adults were similarly able to see her as independent from him .
On whether “ Rodham ” is how she wishes Clinton ’ s life had turned out : “ Rodham ” is definitely without question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events in it are made-up .
I feel that it ’ s important for me to say that if anyone wants to read a definitive account of Hillary ’ s life , they should read either of her two memoirs or perhaps the non-fiction accounts “ A Woman in Charge ” by Carl Bernstein or “ Chasing Hillary ” by Amy Chozick .
“ Rodham ” is an act of imagination , creativity , and , yes , to some extent wishful thinking .
I confess that I read only the first 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up until the point when Bill and Hillary get married , but I enjoyed both those books .
Political memoirs are criticized for being anodyne or else campaign tools masquerading as literature , but I ’ m often surprised by how revealing and colorful they are .
I read memoirs by all the female senators running for president in 2020 , and I especially enjoyed hearing about the candidates ’ families and upbringings .
( For instance , Amy Klobuchar , who ’ s my senator , went on spring break in high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group was named Amy , Amy , Amy , and Heidi , and they rode the Greyhound from Minnesota to Florida , where they pretended to be college students and met a group of high school boys pretending the same , while wearing fake mustaches . )
On whether she hopes Hillary Clinton reads “ Rodham “ : “ If Hillary wants to read the book , she ’ s very welcome to and I ’ d be happy to hear her feedback ( even if she thinks parts of it are preposterous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to , I don ’ t blame her .
”

NEW YORK — Over the past few years, author Curtis Sittenfeld has gotten to know Hillary Clinton in a way uniquely suited for a novelist - by writing a work of fiction about her.
“I was definitely an admirer of Hillary before I started the book, but writing from her perspective made me feel closer to her,” Sittenfeld, whose “Rodham” comes out Tuesday, wrote to The Associated Press in an email. “I realize that closeness is NOT mutual - we’ve never met. But she feels very familiar to me now in terms of the trajectory of her life, her relationships, her syntax, so when I see clips of her or hear her voice, I think, ‘Oh, that’s my Hillary.’”
Sittenfeld’s new book is her second imagined portrait of a famous woman: “American Wife,” based on the life of Laura Bush, was published in in 2008. But while “American Wife” tells of a high-profile marriage that remains intact despite the narrator’s misgivings, Sittenfeld follows a different path in “Rodham.” The “Hillary” in Sittenfeld’s book breaks off from Bill early and remains Hillary Rodham, a decision which proves fortunate for her.
It’s a premise that has been raised before, including by the author and journalist Rebecca Traister. In a 2015 story for The New Republic, entitled “The Best Thing Hillary Could Do for Her Campaign? Ditch Bill,” Traister wrote of how Hillary was endlessly “pulled back, into the shadow” of Bill Clinton and that he, not she, was the political beneficiary of their relationship.
“I’m pretty sure I’ve read every article Rebecca Traister has written about Hillary, and I read Traister’s book ‘Good and Mad’ while writing ‘Rodham,’ so it’s safe to assume I work under Traister’s influence, among others,” Sittenfeld says.
Sittenfeld, now 44, caught on with critics and readers in 2005 with her first novel, “Prep,” a best-selling coming of-age narrative. Her other books include the novels “The Man of My Dreams” and “Eligible” and the story collection “You Think It, I’ll Say It.” She also has written reviews, including one for Vanity Fair about Michelle Obama’s “Becoming,” which Sittenfeld praised as “so surprisingly candid, richly emotional, and granularly detailed that it allows readers to feel exactly what Michelle herself felt at various moments in her life.”
The kind of memoir, in other words, that has the power of a novel.
Other highlights from the recent interview with Sittenfeld:
____
On why she wrote “Rodham”:
Two things made me write this book. First, in early 2016, an editor at Esquire asked if I’d like to write a short story from Hillary’s perspective as she accepted the Democratic nomination for president. I had declined to write essays about Hillary - I didn’t feel I had any new analysis to contribute - but fiction gave me the chance to ask not “What do the American people think of Hillary?” but “What does Hillary think of the American people?”
I also realized around the 2016 election, which I was devastated by, that schoolchildren who knew Hillary was running for president often literally didn’t know that Bill Clinton existed. I wondered if the outcome of the election would have been different if adults were similarly able to see her as independent from him.
On whether “Rodham” is how she wishes Clinton’s life had turned out:
“Rodham” is definitely without question a novel - the great majority of events in it are made-up. I feel that it’s important for me to say that if anyone wants to read a definitive account of Hillary’s life, they should read either of her two memoirs or perhaps the non-fiction accounts “A Woman in Charge” by Carl Bernstein or “Chasing Hillary” by Amy Chozick. “Rodham” is an act of imagination, creativity, and, yes, to some extent wishful thinking.
On political memoirs, including Bill Clinton’s “My Life” and Hillary Clinton’s “Living History”:
I confess that I read only the first 25% of “My Life,” up until the point when Bill and Hillary get married, but I enjoyed both those books. Political memoirs are criticized for being anodyne or else campaign tools masquerading as literature, but I’m often surprised by how revealing and colorful they are. I read memoirs by all the female senators running for president in 2020, and I especially enjoyed hearing about the candidates’ families and upbringings. (For instance, Amy Klobuchar, who’s my senator, went on spring break in high school with three friends. Their friend group was named Amy, Amy, Amy, and Heidi, and they rode the Greyhound from Minnesota to Florida, where they pretended to be college students and met a group of high school boys pretending the same, while wearing fake mustaches.)
On whether she hopes Hillary Clinton reads “Rodham”:
“If Hillary wants to read the book, she’s very welcome to and I’d be happy to hear her feedback (even if she thinks parts of it are preposterous), and if she doesn’t want to, I don’t blame her.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-17--Steven Horsford, Nevada Democrat, admits affair with Gabriela Linder

LAS VEGAS — Democratic Congressman Steven Horsford of Nevada on Saturday acknowledged he had an extramarital affair with a woman who said the on-and-off relationship began in 2009 before ending last September .
Horsford , 47 , in a statement released to The Associated Press responded to a report by the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he had an affair with Gabriela Linder , who previously had shared her story on podcasts and Twitter posts through a pseudonym before she was interviewed Friday by the newspaper .
“ It is true that I had a previous consensual relationship with another adult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course of several years , ” Horsford said the statement .
“ I ’ m deeply sorry to all of those who have been impacted by this very poor decision , most importantly my wife and family .
Out of concern for my family during this challenging time , I ask that our privacy is respected.
” Horsford ’ s House bio says he and his wife have three children .
A spokeswoman for Horsford indicated he does not plan to resign , as at least one Republican opponent suggested .
In 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District seat that he first held for one term before losing a reelection bid in 2014 .
He is running for reelection in the swing district that leans Democratic and extends from Las Vegas through largely rural areas of southern and central Nevada .
Linder told the the Review-Journal she was 21 and an intern for then-Sen. Harry Reid in his Las Vegas office when she met Horsford , then majority leader of the Nevada Senate .
During the course of the relationship , Linder said , Horsford offered her financial support and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said her sexual relationship with Horsford took place between 2009-10 and 2017-2019 , though they remained in regular contact throughout the decade .
She said her son was the result of a different relationship during a period when she and Horsford were not seeing each other .
This spring , which was after when Linder said the relationship ended , Horsford filmed a segment about the COVID-19 pandemic for her young son ’ s YouTube show using Horsford ’ s congressional staff .
Linder told the Review-Journal she was publicizing her past relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and now realizes Horsford used his status as an older , powerful man to take advantage of her and control her .
She said she wasn ’ t trying to damage Horsford politically but believes he should end his bid for reelection .
“ He obtained this position under false pretenses that he was a family man and man of God .
He should take a step back , atone , and if people are satisfied , then he can come back into politics.
” Horsford spokeswoman Shelbie Bostedt said Linder “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shape or form ” and Horsford never used campaign or official funds to provide financial support to her .
“ This former personal relationship has no bearing on the congressman ’ s ability to fight for the people of Nevada and he fully intends to serve them in this Congress , and beyond , ” Bostedt said in a statement provided to the AP .
The 4th District was created in reapportionment after the 2010 U.S. Census and the seat has changed hands in each of the last three elections .
Five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Horsford in the 2020 Democratic primary while eight Republicans and a Libertarian filed to run for their nominations .
The Republicans include former Nevada Assemblyman Jim Marchant , Nye County Commissioner Leo Blundo and Lisa Song Sutton , a business owner and former Miss Nevada .
Sutton on Saturday called for Horsford to resign from Congress and for the House Ethics Committee to investigate his conduct .
Sutton noted that then-Rep. Ruben Kihuen , a one-term Democrat , did not run for reelection in the 4th District in 2018 following allegations of sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plagued by distractions and scandals by men who can not stay focused on their responsibilities because they are too busy chasing women , ” Sutton said .
“ Horsford is not fit to lead us .
His family will be in my prayers .
”

LAS VEGAS — Democratic Congressman Steven Horsford of Nevada on Saturday acknowledged he had an extramarital affair with a woman who said the on-and-off relationship began in 2009 before ending last September.
Horsford, 47, in a statement released to The Associated Press responded to a report by the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he had an affair with Gabriela Linder, who previously had shared her story on podcasts and Twitter posts through a pseudonym before she was interviewed Friday by the newspaper.
“It is true that I had a previous consensual relationship with another adult outside of my marriage, over the course of several years,” Horsford said the statement. “I’m deeply sorry to all of those who have been impacted by this very poor decision, most importantly my wife and family. Out of concern for my family during this challenging time, I ask that our privacy is respected.”
Horsford’s House bio says he and his wife have three children.
A spokeswoman for Horsford indicated he does not plan to resign, as at least one Republican opponent suggested.
In 2018, Horsford won back the 4th Congressional District seat that he first held for one term before losing a reelection bid in 2014. He is running for reelection in the swing district that leans Democratic and extends from Las Vegas through largely rural areas of southern and central Nevada.
Linder told the the Review-Journal she was 21 and an intern for then-Sen. Harry Reid in his Las Vegas office when she met Horsford, then majority leader of the Nevada Senate.
During the course of the relationship, Linder said, Horsford offered her financial support and introduced her to political connections.
Linder said her sexual relationship with Horsford took place between 2009-10 and 2017-2019, though they remained in regular contact throughout the decade. She said her son was the result of a different relationship during a period when she and Horsford were not seeing each other. This spring, which was after when Linder said the relationship ended, Horsford filmed a segment about the COVID-19 pandemic for her young son’s YouTube show using Horsford’s congressional staff.
Linder told the Review-Journal she was publicizing her past relationship with Horsford as “an empowering journey” and now realizes Horsford used his status as an older, powerful man to take advantage of her and control her.
She said she wasn’t trying to damage Horsford politically but believes he should end his bid for reelection. “He obtained this position under false pretenses that he was a family man and man of God. He should take a step back, atone, and if people are satisfied, then he can come back into politics.”
Horsford spokeswoman Shelbie Bostedt said Linder “never worked for Steven in any way, shape or form” and Horsford never used campaign or official funds to provide financial support to her.
“This former personal relationship has no bearing on the congressman’s ability to fight for the people of Nevada and he fully intends to serve them in this Congress, and beyond,” Bostedt said in a statement provided to the AP.
The 4th District was created in reapportionment after the 2010 U.S. Census and the seat has changed hands in each of the last three elections.
Five lesser known candidates have filed to challenge Horsford in the 2020 Democratic primary while eight Republicans and a Libertarian filed to run for their nominations. The Republicans include former Nevada Assemblyman Jim Marchant, Nye County Commissioner Leo Blundo and Lisa Song Sutton, a business owner and former Miss Nevada.
Sutton on Saturday called for Horsford to resign from Congress and for the House Ethics Committee to investigate his conduct.
Sutton noted that then-Rep. Ruben Kihuen, a one-term Democrat, did not run for reelection in the 4th District in 2018 following allegations of sexual harassment.
“This seat has been plagued by distractions and scandals by men who cannot stay focused on their responsibilities because they are too busy chasing women,” Sutton said. “Horsford is not fit to lead us. His family will be in my prayers.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-17--Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico governor, orders face masks worn in public

SANTA FE , N.M. — The loosening of some restrictions imposed on nonessential businesses by New Mexico ’ s governor two months ago to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak took effect Saturday , along with a new edict that people wear masks in public under most circumstances .
Also Saturday , state officials reported six additional deaths from the outbreak and 185 more COVID-19 cases .
Figures released by state officials put the death toll at 259 as of Saturday , with the total number of cases statewide at 5,847 .
Though only three of the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any COVID-19 cases , the outbreak is most prevalent in Bernalillo County , neighboring Sandoval County and northwestern New Mexico ’ s McKinley and San Juan counties .
Northwestern New Mexico include parts of the Navajo Nation , which has become a hot spot in portions of New Mexico and Arizona .
The loosening of restrictions that took effect Saturday applied to most of the state but not in the northwest region , where McKinley and San Juan counties are located along with Cibola County .
The additional deaths reported Saturday included four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Juan and Sandoval counties .
Under the loosening , retailers and many services along with houses of worship could reopen at limited capacity .
Also , in a new move to combat the spread , Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered that face masks be worn in public , but with exceptions that included eating , drinking and exercising .
Wearing masks is needed to help produce “ a safe environment , ” but police will not ticket people not wearing some sort of face covering , the governor said Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and try to make examples of individuals and cite them .
I don ’ t think that that wins the day .
I think positive re-enforcement wins the day and we don ’ t have the resources to do it anyway , ” Lujan Grisham said .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .

SANTA FE, N.M. — The loosening of some restrictions imposed on nonessential businesses by New Mexico’s governor two months ago to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak took effect Saturday, along with a new edict that people wear masks in public under most circumstances.
Also Saturday, state officials reported six additional deaths from the outbreak and 185 more COVID-19 cases.
Figures released by state officials put the death toll at 259 as of Saturday, with the total number of cases statewide at 5,847.
Though only three of the state’s 33 counties haven’t reported any COVID-19 cases, the outbreak is most prevalent in Bernalillo County, neighboring Sandoval County and northwestern New Mexico’s McKinley and San Juan counties. Northwestern New Mexico include parts of the Navajo Nation, which has become a hot spot in portions of New Mexico and Arizona.
The loosening of restrictions that took effect Saturday applied to most of the state but not in the northwest region, where McKinley and San Juan counties are located along with Cibola County.
The additional deaths reported Saturday included four from McKinley County and one each from San Juan and Sandoval counties.
Under the loosening, retailers and many services along with houses of worship could reopen at limited capacity.
Also, in a new move to combat the spread, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered that face masks be worn in public, but with exceptions that included eating, drinking and exercising.
Wearing masks is needed to help produce “a safe environment,” but police will not ticket people not wearing some sort of face covering, the governor said Friday.
“I am not going to go out and try to make examples of individuals and cite them. I don’t think that that wins the day. I think positive re-enforcement wins the day and we don’t have the resources to do it anyway,” Lujan Grisham said.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-05-17--Alvin Gwynn Sr., Friendship Baptist Church pastor, to defy Baltimore order, host services for 250

BALTIMORE — A prominent Baltimore pastor plans to hold two services for 250 people each Sunday , defying an executive order from the city ’ s mayor that extended stay-at-home directives .
The Rev .
Alvin Gwynn Sr. , pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in northeast Baltimore , told The Baltimore Sun he will not comply with the city ’ s order that limits gatherings to no more than 10 people .
He said his congregation will follow social-distancing guidelines and the 500-seat church will be at 50 % capacity .
“ I don ’ t know what the mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gwynn said .
“ He wants to have a knock-down about First Amendment rights ?
He ’ s the mayor , not the pastor of churches in the city.
” On Friday , Maryland businesses began a gradual reopening of retail and personal services as a stay-at-home order issued by Gov .
Larry Hogan about six weeks ago in response to the coronavirus ended , though the governor left flexibility for counties to decide how much they want to reopen .
Baltimore is among the jurisdictions in the state that are not easing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage-one reopening , churches and houses of worship can begin holding religious services at up to 50 % capacity with outdoor services strongly encouraged .
Gwynn said his church has about 800 members .
Neither the mayor ’ s office nor the police department responded to the newspaper ’ s requests for comment on Gwynn ’ s plans .
Gwynn ’ s decision contrasts with that of most houses of worship in the area , which have decided to remain closed , including megachurches Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore and Grace Christian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live-streamed services .
In accordance with Mayor Bernard C. “ Jack ” Young ’ s directive , the Archdiocese of Baltimore won ’ t allow more than 10 people in parishes .
But Sunday mass services will not resume before the end of the month .

BALTIMORE — A prominent Baltimore pastor plans to hold two services for 250 people each Sunday, defying an executive order from the city’s mayor that extended stay-at-home directives.
The Rev. Alvin Gwynn Sr., pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in northeast Baltimore, told The Baltimore Sun he will not comply with the city’s order that limits gatherings to no more than 10 people. He said his congregation will follow social distancing guidelines and the 500-seat church will be at 50% capacity.
“I don’t know what the mayor’s trying to do,” Gwynn said. “He wants to have a knock-down about First Amendment rights? He’s the mayor, not the pastor of churches in the city.”
On Friday, Maryland businesses began a gradual reopening of retail and personal services as a stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Larry Hogan about six weeks ago in response to the coronavirus ended, though the governor left flexibility for counties to decide how much they want to reopen. Baltimore is among the jurisdictions in the state that are not easing restrictions.
Under the governor’s stage-one reopening, churches and houses of worship can begin holding religious services at up to 50% capacity with outdoor services strongly encouraged.
Gwynn said his church has about 800 members.
Neither the mayor’s office nor the police department responded to the newspaper’s requests for comment on Gwynn’s plans.
Gwynn’s decision contrasts with that of most houses of worship in the area, which have decided to remain closed, including megachurches Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore and Grace Christian Fellowship in Timonium. Both are offering live-streamed services.
In accordance with Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young’s directive, the Archdiocese of Baltimore won’t allow more than 10 people in parishes. But Sunday Mass services will not resume before the end of the month.


washingtontimes--2020-05-17--Atwater, California declared 'sanctuary' from Gavin Newsom stay-at-home order

More parks and hiking trails welcomed visitors again Saturday and one city declared itself a “ sanctuary ” from California ’ s stay-at-home order as the state ’ s diverse regions carve their own path toward reopening .
Officials in Atwater , a city of 30,000 in central California , unanimously agreed Friday not to enforce the nearly 2-month-old order intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus , meaning local authorities won ’ t interfere with any business or church that decides to reopen ahead of state restrictions .
The declaration was a symbolic gesture of defiance against Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The city ’ s mayor cautioned that businesses were taking their own risks by reopening .
“ If you do have a state ( business ) license , that ’ s between you and the state of California , ” Mayor Paul Creighton told the Merced Sun-Star .
California is moving through the second phase of relaxing the order .
Businesses deemed lower risk have been gradually allowed to reopen , with retailers offering curbside pickup .
Beaches in Los Angeles County , which has emerged as California ’ s epicenter for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday , and more trails in the Angeles National Forest reopened Saturday .
Meanwhile , state public health officials confirmed nearly 100 deaths Saturday for a total of 3,200 fatalities .
California , the nation ’ s most populous state , has fared better than many other other states , most notably New York , which has nine times more deaths .
Los Angeles County reported 40 new deaths , bringing the death toll to nearly 1,800 .
In some less-populated areas mainly in the northern half of the state , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few or no deaths , and even hospitalizations now are rare in those areas .
As a result , California has seen counties move at different paces in reopening their economies .
Most people with the virus experience fever and cough for up to three weeks .
Older adults and people with existing health problems can face severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The vast majority recover .
In other news related to the outbreak in California : 1 .
The University of California , Berkeley held a first-ever virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
University leaders gave speeches in a replica of the campus stadium built by a group of students and alumni after it closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Chancellor Carol Christ acknowledged this year ’ s graduation was anything but typical , telling graduates they probably couldn ’ t have imagined three months ago that they would be celebrating their academic achievements from home “ while watching my avatar explode across a screen.
” 2 .
The governor and his wife , Jennifer Siebel-Newsom , congratulated graduates Saturday for overcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the finish line .
“ We know that this isn ’ t what you imaged this day would look like and feel like .
But you ’ re here , you did it and we ’ re proud of you , ” Siebel-Newsom said in a video posted on Twitter .
The governor encouraged graduates to “ see the world from a different set of eyes ” and show more compassion during the pandemic .

More parks and hiking trails welcomed visitors again Saturday and one city declared itself a “sanctuary” from California’s stay-at-home order as the state’s diverse regions carve their own path toward reopening.
Officials in Atwater, a city of 30,000 in central California, unanimously agreed Friday not to enforce the nearly 2-month-old order intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus, meaning local authorities won’t interfere with any business or church that decides to reopen ahead of state restrictions.
The declaration was a symbolic gesture of defiance against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order. The city’s mayor cautioned that businesses were taking their own risks by reopening.
“If you do have a state (business) license, that’s between you and the state of California,” Mayor Paul Creighton told the Merced Sun-Star.
California is moving through the second phase of relaxing the order. Businesses deemed lower risk have been gradually allowed to reopen, with retailers offering curbside pickup. Beaches in Los Angeles County, which has emerged as California’s epicenter for the coronavirus outbreak, reopened for limited use on Wednesday, and more trails in the Angeles National Forest reopened Saturday.
Meanwhile, state public health officials confirmed nearly 100 deaths Saturday for a total of 3,200 fatalities. California, the nation’s most populous state, has fared better than many other other states, most notably New York, which has nine times more deaths. Los Angeles County reported 40 new deaths, bringing the death toll to nearly 1,800.
In some less-populated areas mainly in the northern half of the state, the virus barely registered. There have been few or no deaths, and even hospitalizations now are rare in those areas.
As a result, California has seen counties move at different paces in reopening their economies.
Most people with the virus experience fever and cough for up to three weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems can face severe illness, including pneumonia, and death. The vast majority recover.
In other news related to the outbreak in California:
1. The University of California, Berkeley held a first-ever virtual graduation ceremony on the Minecraft video game. University leaders gave speeches in a replica of the campus stadium built by a group of students and alumni after it closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Chancellor Carol Christ acknowledged this year’s graduation was anything but typical, telling graduates they probably couldn’t have imagined three months ago that they would be celebrating their academic achievements from home “while watching my avatar explode across a screen.”
2. The governor and his wife, Jennifer Siebel-Newsom, congratulated graduates Saturday for overcoming obstacles created by the pandemic to reach the finish line. “We know that this isn’t what you imaged this day would look like and feel like. But you’re here, you did it and we’re proud of you,” Siebel-Newsom said in a video posted on Twitter. The governor encouraged graduates to “see the world from a different set of eyes” and show more compassion during the pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-05-17--Tropical Storm Arthur forms off Florida; warning issued for North Carolina Outer Banks

MIAMI — Tropical Storm Arthur formed off the coast of Florida on Saturday , making it the sixth straight year for a named storm to develop before the official June 1 start of the Atlantic hurricane season .
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami issued a tropical storm warning for North Carolina ’ s Outer Banks in its 5 a.m. Sunday advisory .
At that time , the storm ’ s center was located about 380 miles ( 610 kilometers ) south-southwest of Cape Hatteras , North Carolina .
Arthur had top sustained winds of 40 mph ( 65 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north-northeast at 9 mph ( 14 kph ) , slowing slightly from 13 mph ( 20 kph ) .
Forecasts say Arthur will stay well offshore of Florida , Georgia and South Carolina on Sunday and then approach the North Carolina coast on Monday , where it will drop 1-3 inches of rain Sunday night and Monday .
The tropical storm warning was issued for parts of North Carolina ’ s coast , from Surf City to Duck , including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds .
Dangerous coastal surf conditions and rip currents are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mid-Atlantic states during the next few days .
While there may be a component of warming waters and climate change in other pre-June storms , Arthur is more of a subtropical storm system than a traditional named storm and its water is cooler than what ’ s usually needed for storm formation , said Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach .
A lot of these out-of-season storms are weak fleeting ones that meteorologists can see now because of satellites and better technology and would have been missed in earlier times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Arthur is likely to remain offshore , but could come relatively close to North Carolina ’ s coast Monday , Klotzbach said .
Local forecasters in the Bahamas said showers have lingered over the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco , which are still struggling to recover after being hit by a Category 5 hurricane last year .
However , no flooding has been reported as the depression swirls just northwest of the archipelago and is expected to head into open ocean as it strengthens .
Officials said they were prepared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grand Bahama after Hurricane Dorian damaged the island ’ s hospital , but forecasters said the bulk of thunderstorms are located north and east of the depression and are not expected to affect the region .
• Danica Coto in San Juan , Puerto Rico , contributed to this report

MIAMI — Tropical Storm Arthur formed off the coast of Florida on Saturday, making it the sixth straight year for a named storm to develop before the official June 1 start of the Atlantic hurricane season.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami issued a tropical storm warning for North Carolina’s Outer Banks in its 5 a.m. Sunday advisory. At that time, the storm’s center was located about 380 miles (610 kilometers) south-southwest of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Arthur had top sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was moving to the north-northeast at 9 mph (14 kph), slowing slightly from 13 mph (20 kph).
Forecasts say Arthur will stay well offshore of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina on Sunday and then approach the North Carolina coast on Monday, where it will drop 1-3 inches of rain Sunday night and Monday.
The tropical storm warning was issued for parts of North Carolina’s coast, from Surf City to Duck, including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.
Dangerous coastal surf conditions and rip currents are expected to spread northward from Florida to the mid-Atlantic states during the next few days.
While there may be a component of warming waters and climate change in other pre-June storms, Arthur is more of a subtropical storm system than a traditional named storm and its water is cooler than what’s usually needed for storm formation, said Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.
A lot of these out-of-season storms are weak fleeting ones that meteorologists can see now because of satellites and better technology and would have been missed in earlier times, Klotzbach said. Like most earlier-than-usual storms, Arthur is likely to remain offshore, but could come relatively close to North Carolina’s coast Monday, Klotzbach said.
Hurricane season officially starts June 1.
Local forecasters in the Bahamas said showers have lingered over the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco, which are still struggling to recover after being hit by a Category 5 hurricane last year.
However, no flooding has been reported as the depression swirls just northwest of the archipelago and is expected to head into open ocean as it strengthens.
Officials said they were prepared to evacuate patients currently housed in tents in Grand Bahama after Hurricane Dorian damaged the island’s hospital, but forecasters said the bulk of thunderstorms are located north and east of the depression and are not expected to affect the region.
• Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed to this report


washingtontimes--2020-05-17--Miami Beach outlaws panhandling near restaurants, businesses

MIAMI BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - Asking for money or food near the entrance of a business in @ @ @ @ @ , under emergency rules put in place by the city because of the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ within 50 feet of an entrance or service window of a restaurant or other eatery @ @ @ @ @ the entry of an essential business , according to the Miami Herald .
The new @ @ @ @ @ ’ s reopening plan signed by City Manager Jimmy Morales on Saturday under emergency powers @ @ @ @ @ City Commission .
Commissioner Mark Samuelian defended the new rule , saying on Twitter that @ @ @ @ @ itself to social distancing.
” Violations could lead to arrest and prosecution , but authorities @ @ @ @ @ the ban .
Miami Beach will allow retail stores to open Wednesday , while dining @ @ @ @ @ resume until May 27 .

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Asking for money or food near the entrance of a business in Miami Beach is now illegal, under emergency rules put in place by the city because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The restrictions prohibit panhandling within 50 feet of an entrance or service window of a restaurant or other eatery, as well as near the entry of an essential business, according to the Miami Herald.
The new rule is part the city’s reopening plan signed by City Manager Jimmy Morales on Saturday under emergency powers granted to him by the City Commission.
Commissioner Mark Samuelian defended the new rule, saying on Twitter that panhandling does not “lend itself to social distancing.”
Violations could lead to arrest and prosecution, but authorities have wide discretion in enforcing the ban.
Miami Beach will allow retail stores to open Wednesday, while dining in restaurants won’t resume until May 27.


washingtontimes--2020-05-17--Copper Door Overtown hotel reopens as restaurant

MIAMI ( AP ) - The aroma of buttery vanilla-nutmeg waffles and crispy fried chicken floats up from the Overtown bed and breakfast ’ s busy kitchen to the empty 22 guest rooms upstairs .
Jamila Ross and Akino West haven ’ t had a guest at their Copper Door Bed & Breakfast since March 15 .
Yet on this Friday morning ( May 8 ) they dance around each other in suffocating black masks in their hotel ’ s 10-by-10 kitchen .
The deep fryer is bubbling , the waffle maker toasting and the oven baking flaky buttermilk biscuits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they will slide open an improvised ventanita and sell comfort soul food out of a walk-up window on the side of their hotel .
It ’ s a pop-up of their concept Rosie ’ s , a restaurant named after Ross ’ mother that they still hope to open next door - expanding a dream they haven ’ t abandoned even after the coronavirus forced their main business closed .
“ You can ’ t give up on a dream , ” West said .
“ Usually , you only get this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re cooking early this morning aren ’ t for sale .
Ross and West are also cooking free meals every week for volunteers at the nearby pop-up of World Central Kitchen , which is making hundreds of meals a day for local residents left suddenly unstable in the pandemic .
They ’ re feeding those who are feeding their neighbors .
“ We can ’ t prepare 500 meals , ” Ross thought , “ but we can make 10 to feed our neighbors.
” Three weeks ago , while driving around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people two blocks long snaking toward the nearby restaurant Red Rooster Overtown .
Hundreds of hungry neighbors were lined up for free meals at celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson ’ s restaurant , which had yet to open when he offered the kitchen to José Andrés ’ non-profit World Central Kitchen .
“ It was painful to see the amount of people in need , ” Ross said .
She and West , both 28 , a couple since they met at Johnson & Wales in North Miami , returned to their empty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ How can we give back to the people that are giving back to our community ?
” West wondered .
Their restaurant pop-up , open since March 26 , isn ’ t paying the bills on the 6,000 square foot building .
But it has helped them put some money directly into the pockets of their three employees , since the bed and breakfast closed and their income went to zero .
Maybe their love of food and hospitality , they thought , could do a little more .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West said .
“ And that ’ s one way we can reach a lot of hearts.
” The image of their hungry Overtown neighbors played fresh in their minds .
Then they thought about the volunteers cooking for them since 8 a.m .
So once a week , Ross and West get an early start at their pop up and prepare an extra 10-15 meals that they deliver to Red Rooster during the staff ’ s break between cooking and handing out boxed meals .
“ We could take 20 minutes out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nourishment to our neighborhood friends , ” Ross said .
They owed that much to Overtown , they figured , for inspiring a vision neither of them had ever dared dream .
They young couple wasn ’ t thinking of opening a bed and breakfast in 2018 .
West , a Riviera Beach native , was still a chef working in the kitchens of some of Miami ’ s best restaurants ( Michael Schwartz ’ s Michael ’ s Genuine Food and Drink , Ghee Indian Kitchen and Denmark ’ s Noma ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yonkers , New York , had traveled around the world , from Los Angeles to Dubai , in management for the SLS hotel group .
But after they successfully bought , renovated and rented an Allapattah house as an Airbnb , they scraped together their earnings and thought they ’ d open their own restaurant - West as the chef , Ross running the books .
That is , until they approached the Barlington Group about opening a restaurant in a different building and were brought to the abandoned Demetree Hotel in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1942 hotel and take a huge leap forward on their hotel management business .
They put off getting married and put their money into the Copper Door Bed & Breakfast .
Rather than gut the building , they massaged it , restoring the terrazzo floors downstairs , the oak planks upstairs .
They adorned the lobby in an Old Florida vibe with rattan furniture , Bunny Yeager photos of black and Hispanic Miami pin-up models and art from African artists to Purvis Young .
And in the center of the room - a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indulged guests with his culinary whims .
“ We want to make sure we ’ re bringing something that makes everyone proud to be a part of this , ” Ross said .
They discovered their neighbors .
Children at the YWCA across the street stopped in for candy from the dish on the counter .
Tourists preferred to stay in the wedge between downtown and suburban Miami , where they are also walking distance to the Miami River and restaurants like The Wharf , Garcia ’ s , Crust and Seaspice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is something special .
Don ’ t sleep on it , ” West said .
After one year , they were in the black .
And this year , they projected a 25 % -35 % year-over-year increase on rooms that rent for $ 200- $ 215 a night during high season .
They were going to make real money for the first time as their bookings filled up from November to March , and that would carry them through the slow summer months .
Then , the annual electronic music festival Ultra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Next , spring break .
During what would have been their busiest month , their sold-out bed and breakfast was abandoned again .
“ Initially we were very optimistic , ” she said .
“ We didn ’ t realize the situation was going to last this long.
” They ran the numbers : They had about two and a half months of reserves .
Ross applied for both rounds of the federal payment-protection funds to try to keep their staff employed and their rent paid but never heard back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ applicants left out of the state ’ s small-business bridge loan .
They are waiting to hear whether they ’ ve been approved for a pair of new city of Miami programs , a grant for up to $ 10,000 and a small business emergency loan for up to $ 20,000 .
They started a Gofundme for the staff , and Ross cried when she saw three donations for $ 30 from former Dutch guests .
“ That was heartfelt because they had stayed with us and wanted to be back , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too small right now .
We ’ re in the hustle.
” Their landlord , Barlington , has told them it has its own bills to pay and has not offered a rent reduction .
Ross and West tapped into their hurricane fund .
“ It ’ s unnerving , ” Ross said .
“ We ’ re just pushing to break even and see next year .
It ’ s not about making a profit .
It ’ s about surviving to exist.
” Rather than lock the door , they decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support their neighborhood .
They opened Rosie ’ s a week after the hotel closed , offering what West calls a “ late-night soul food vibe , ” familiar and approachable but with unique twist .
The income barely makes a dent , but it allows them to pay at least one other employee a part-time salary .
“ We had to get creative , ” Jamila said .
West ’ s crispy dark meat fried chicken is served with a spicy maple syrup to drizzle over vanilla-nutmeg waffles .
Apricot-lemon jam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level .
The creamy cheddar grits , based on his mother Katrina ’ s recipe , are elevated with a roasted tomato coulis .
The French omelets are the definition of pillowy .
( Dishes like hot chicken and waffles start at $ 10 , not including delivery . )
Ross and West pack a sample of each , hot from the oven , into a dozen containers , quickly pile them into their car and hurry the five blocks to Red Rooster .
They teeter toward the entrance with food steaming up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Red Rooster with Samuelsson , flips open the door , his eyes smiling above a white mask .
Inside , over 200 meals are spread out over tables pushed together inside this mostly yet unseen restaurant , still partly under construction .
“ Enjoy breakfast , ” Ross tells the staff as she set down the bags .
“ And thank you so much for what you are doing.
” Chefs break from work and swarm the warm food , eyes delighting at the chicken and the creamy grits topped with roasted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ll be back to work , handing out as many as 300 meals .
For right now , they dig into food made with love .
“ They ’ re looking out for us while we ’ re looking out for others , ” Fleming said .
“ It ’ s really sweet.
” Soon a line begins to form outside the restaurant from Miamians in need of free meals .
West and Ross are off with a wave and a promise to return next week .
“ If you don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not doing your part , ” West said .
“ It ’ s important to help in some way , even if it ’ s just a little bit .
”

MIAMI (AP) - The aroma of buttery vanilla-nutmeg waffles and crispy fried chicken floats up from the Overtown bed and breakfast’s busy kitchen to the empty 22 guest rooms upstairs.
Jamila Ross and Akino West haven’t had a guest at their Copper Door Bed & Breakfast since March 15.
Yet on this Friday morning (May 8) they dance around each other in suffocating black masks in their hotel’s 10-by-10 kitchen. The deep fryer is bubbling, the waffle maker toasting and the oven baking flaky buttermilk biscuits for hungry Overtown residents.
At noon, they will slide open an improvised ventanita and sell comfort soul food out of a walk-up window on the side of their hotel. It’s a pop-up of their concept Rosie’s, a restaurant named after Ross’ mother that they still hope to open next door - expanding a dream they haven’t abandoned even after the coronavirus forced their main business closed.
“You can’t give up on a dream,” West said. “Usually, you only get this chance once.”
But the meals they’re cooking early this morning aren’t for sale.
Ross and West are also cooking free meals every week for volunteers at the nearby pop-up of World Central Kitchen, which is making hundreds of meals a day for local residents left suddenly unstable in the pandemic. They’re feeding those who are feeding their neighbors.
“We can’t prepare 500 meals,” Ross thought, “but we can make 10 to feed our neighbors.”
COOKING TO SURVIVE, GIVE BACK
Three weeks ago, while driving around their neighborhood, they noticed a line of people two blocks long snaking toward the nearby restaurant Red Rooster Overtown. Hundreds of hungry neighbors were lined up for free meals at celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s restaurant, which had yet to open when he offered the kitchen to José Andrés’ non-profit World Central Kitchen.
“It was painful to see the amount of people in need,” Ross said.
She and West, both 28, a couple since they met at Johnson & Wales in North Miami, returned to their empty bed and breakfast overwhelmed - but determined.
“How can we give back to the people that are giving back to our community?” West wondered.
Their restaurant pop-up, open since March 26, isn’t paying the bills on the 6,000 square foot building. But it has helped them put some money directly into the pockets of their three employees, since the bed and breakfast closed and their income went to zero. Maybe their love of food and hospitality, they thought, could do a little more.
“What we do well is cook,” West said. “And that’s one way we can reach a lot of hearts.”
The image of their hungry Overtown neighbors played fresh in their minds. Then they thought about the volunteers cooking for them since 8 a.m.
So once a week, Ross and West get an early start at their pop up and prepare an extra 10-15 meals that they deliver to Red Rooster during the staff’s break between cooking and handing out boxed meals.
“We could take 20 minutes out of the day to give a little nourishment to our neighborhood friends,” Ross said.
‘OVERTOWN IS SOMETHING SPECIAL’
They owed that much to Overtown, they figured, for inspiring a vision neither of them had ever dared dream.
They young couple wasn’t thinking of opening a bed and breakfast in 2018. West, a Riviera Beach native, was still a chef working in the kitchens of some of Miami’s best restaurants (Michael Schwartz’s Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink, Ghee Indian Kitchen and Denmark’s Noma). Ross, born and raised in Yonkers, New York, had traveled around the world, from Los Angeles to Dubai, in management for the SLS hotel group.
But after they successfully bought, renovated and rented an Allapattah house as an Airbnb, they scraped together their earnings and thought they’d open their own restaurant - West as the chef, Ross running the books.
That is, until they approached the Barlington Group about opening a restaurant in a different building and were brought to the abandoned Demetree Hotel in 2018 with a bigger idea: Restore the 1942 hotel and take a huge leap forward on their hotel management business.
They put off getting married and put their money into the Copper Door Bed & Breakfast.
Rather than gut the building, they massaged it, restoring the terrazzo floors downstairs, the oak planks upstairs. They adorned the lobby in an Old Florida vibe with rattan furniture, Bunny Yeager photos of black and Hispanic Miami pin-up models and art from African artists to Purvis Young.
And in the center of the room - a dining table for 12, where West indulged guests with his culinary whims.
“We want to make sure we’re bringing something that makes everyone proud to be a part of this,” Ross said.
They discovered their neighbors. Children at the YWCA across the street stopped in for candy from the dish on the counter. Tourists preferred to stay in the wedge between downtown and suburban Miami, where they are also walking distance to the Miami River and restaurants like The Wharf, Garcia’s, Crust and Seaspice.
“We want people to know Overtown is something special. Don’t sleep on it,” West said.
After one year, they were in the black. And this year, they projected a 25%-35% year-over-year increase on rooms that rent for $200-$215 a night during high season. They were going to make real money for the first time as their bookings filled up from November to March, and that would carry them through the slow summer months.
Then, the annual electronic music festival Ultra was canceled over concerns of spreading the coronavirus. Next, spring break. During what would have been their busiest month, their sold-out bed and breakfast was abandoned again.
“Initially we were very optimistic,” she said. “We didn’t realize the situation was going to last this long.”
They ran the numbers: They had about two and a half months of reserves.
Ross applied for both rounds of the federal payment-protection funds to try to keep their staff employed and their rent paid but never heard back. They were also one of the 37,000 applicants left out of the state’s small-business bridge loan.
They are waiting to hear whether they’ve been approved for a pair of new city of Miami programs, a grant for up to $10,000 and a small business emergency loan for up to $20,000. They started a Gofundme for the staff, and Ross cried when she saw three donations for $30 from former Dutch guests.
“That was heartfelt because they had stayed with us and wanted to be back,” Ross said. “No amount is too small right now. We’re in the hustle.”
Their landlord, Barlington, has told them it has its own bills to pay and has not offered a rent reduction.
Ross and West tapped into their hurricane fund.
“It’s unnerving,” Ross said. “We’re just pushing to break even and see next year. It’s not about making a profit. It’s about surviving to exist.”
IT’S FOOD MADE WITH LOVE
Rather than lock the door, they decided the best way to support themselves was to support their neighborhood.
They opened Rosie’s a week after the hotel closed, offering what West calls a “late-night soul food vibe,” familiar and approachable but with unique twist. The income barely makes a dent, but it allows them to pay at least one other employee a part-time salary.
“We had to get creative,” Jamila said.
West’s crispy dark meat fried chicken is served with a spicy maple syrup to drizzle over vanilla-nutmeg waffles. Apricot-lemon jam takes his buttery buttermilk biscuits to another level. The creamy cheddar grits, based on his mother Katrina’s recipe, are elevated with a roasted tomato coulis. The French omelets are the definition of pillowy. (Dishes like hot chicken and waffles start at $10, not including delivery.)
Ross and West pack a sample of each, hot from the oven, into a dozen containers, quickly pile them into their car and hurry the five blocks to Red Rooster.
They teeter toward the entrance with food steaming up the bags as Derek Fleming, co-owner of Red Rooster with Samuelsson, flips open the door, his eyes smiling above a white mask.
Inside, over 200 meals are spread out over tables pushed together inside this mostly yet unseen restaurant, still partly under construction.
“Enjoy breakfast,” Ross tells the staff as she set down the bags. “And thank you so much for what you are doing.”
Chefs break from work and swarm the warm food, eyes delighting at the chicken and the creamy grits topped with roasted tomatoes. In about an hour, they’ll be back to work, handing out as many as 300 meals.
For right now, they dig into food made with love.
“They’re looking out for us while we’re looking out for others,” Fleming said. “It’s really sweet.”
Soon a line begins to form outside the restaurant from Miamians in need of free meals. West and Ross are off with a wave and a promise to return next week.
“If you don’t give back, then you’re not doing your part,” West said. “It’s important to help in some way, even if it’s just a little bit.”