washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Jobless fret as rent comes due again amid virus outbreak

PHOENIX ( AP ) - The rent is due again for more than 30 million people around the U.S. who have filed for unemployment benefits after losing work in the coronavirus pandemic .
Jason W. Still has been waiting six weeks for his first unemployment check since losing his job as a cook at an upscale restaurant in Spokane , Washington .
Out-of-work bartender Luke Blaine in Phoenix got his first check three weeks ago , but now has to pay his landlord again .
Eli Oderberg in Denver is among those swept up in a later wave of layoffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from restaurants to corners of the economy like the oil company where he had worked on apps to track spills and leaks .
Federal data released this week show the U.S. economy contracted at a 4.8 % annual rate last quarter as the pandemic put the nation into a recession .
Economists expect January-March to be just a taste of the widespread pain being recorded for April-June .
And while a record number of people have applied for unemployment insurance payments , there are many other out-of-work people who don ’ t qualify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states ’ overwhelmed systems .
Still said he ’ s filed for unemployment every week , with nothing yet to show for it , since he was first interviewed by The Associated Press a month ago , just before he paid April rent .
His wife still has her job in the legal marijuana industry , and his $ 1,200 stimulus check helped pay an assortment of bills .
“ But I ’ m about to hit my savings and I really don ’ t want to do that , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s unemployment office dozens of times a day until April 24 , when he somehow got into an on-hold queue behind 83 other people .
After hours of waiting , he was transferred to a claims specialist , but then the call was dropped .
It took him until this week to reach a human , who said there seemed to be a minor glitch in his file that needs to be worked out .
“ It seems to be getting closer , but it ’ s not clear to me what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Still .
“ I think I ’ m the last person who was laid off at my restaurant who hasn ’ t gotten an unemployment payment yet.
” The restaurant , Clover , remains in limbo .
Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee this week announced a partial opening May 5 of some recreational offerings like state parks , fishing and golf courses , but restaurant dining rooms and most other businesses will remain closed for now .
Blaine counts himself lucky : He started receiving unemployment checks three weeks after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several coworkers are still waiting for their money after losing their jobs at Fez , a popular restaurant in Phoenix .
“ I feel very fortunate based on what I ’ ve heard from my friends here and around the country , ” said Blaine , who also was interviewed by the AP a month ago .
His boyfriend , Kyle Schomer , still has his job in the tech industry , and is working from their home in a trendy neighborhood of adobe homes .
They have a huge vegetable and flower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he and everyone else he knows have received their stimulus money .
With that and the unemployment checks , which through July include an additional $ 600 per payment , Blaine has made ends meet , for now .
“ We will be back , ” Fez management promised on the restaurant ’ s Facebook page .
“ We hope sooner rather than later.
” Anything but an opening soon is unlikely resolve the anxieties of people whose savings are running out as the initial wave of service-industry layoffs sweeps up other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost his job in Denver on April 19 , as global oil futures plunged into negative territory following the shutdowns of air travel , factories and commuting around the world .
He said his wife got her first unemployment check after losing her job in retail , but he ’ s still waiting for his .
The Colorado website for benefits has confirmed he is eligible , “ but I haven ’ t been able to get through to talk to anyone after making about 100 calls each time , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been lining up job interviews in information technology , including at least four this week , and hopes to land something quickly , before he has to scramble for their next mortgage payment for the house he shares with his wife , who is pregnant , and their 4-year-old daughter .
“ From my job , I ’ m accustomed to planning everything six months in advance , ” said Oderberg .
“ So we ’ re going to be OK , for now at least .
”

PHOENIX (AP) - Rent and mortgage payments are due again as more than 30 million people around the U.S. have filed for unemployment benefits after losing work in the coronavirus pandemic.
Jason W. Still has been waiting six weeks for his first unemployment check since losing his job as a cook at an upscale restaurant in Spokane, Washington. Out-of-work bartender Luke Blaine in Phoenix got his first check three weeks ago, but now has to pay his landlord again.
And Eli Oderberg in Denver has his mortgage due after being swept up in a later wave of layoffs as the pandemic’s effects spread from restaurants to corners of the economy, like the oil company where he had worked on apps to track spills and leaks.
Federal data released this week show the U.S. economy contracted at a 4.8% annual rate last quarter as the pandemic put the nation into a recession. Economists expect January-March to be just a taste of the widespread pain being recorded for April-June. And while a record number of people have applied for unemployment insurance payments, there are many other out-of-work people who don’t qualify or couldn’t get through the states’ overwhelmed systems.
More than three dozen cities and states, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York state, have put in place their own policies to halt evictions, foreclosures and utility shutoffs out of concern that the economic fallout from massive job losses will push many people to the brink of homelessness at a time when they need to stay in their houses and apartments.
But all this really means is that deputies won’t be knocking at their doors, for now. The money is still due, and delaying the payments just puts off the pain.
Still said he’s filed for unemployment every week, with nothing yet to show for it, since he was first interviewed by The Associated Press a month ago, just before he paid April rent. His wife still has her job in the legal marijuana industry, and his $1,200 stimulus check helped pay an assortment of bills. “But I’m about to hit my savings and I really don’t want to do that,” he said.
“I’ve made about 900 calls over the last month trying to find out what’s going on,” Still said. On April 24, he finally got into an on-hold queue behind 83 other callers to Washington state’s unemployment office, and after hours of waiting, he was transferred to a claims specialist, but then the call was dropped.
It took him until this week to reach a human, who said there seemed to be a minor glitch in his file that needs to be worked out.
“It seems to be getting closer, but it’s not clear to me what’s going on at that end,” said Still. “I think I’m the last person who was laid off at my restaurant who hasn’t gotten an unemployment payment yet.”
The restaurant, Clover, remains in limbo. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee this week announced a partial opening May 5 of some recreational offerings like state parks, fishing and golf courses, but restaurant dining rooms and most other businesses will remain closed for now.
Blaine counts himself lucky: He started receiving unemployment checks three weeks after being laid off on March 17. Several coworkers are still waiting for their money after losing their jobs at Fez, a popular restaurant in Phoenix.
“I feel very fortunate based on what I’ve heard from my friends here and around the country,” said Blaine, who also was interviewed by the AP a month ago. His boyfriend, Kyle Schomer, still has his job in the tech industry, and is working from their home in a trendy neighborhood of adobe homes. They have a huge vegetable and flower garden out back.
Blaine also said that he and everyone else he knows have received their stimulus money. With that and the unemployment checks, which through July include an additional $600 per payment, Blaine has made ends meet, for now.
“We will be back,” Fez management promised on the restaurant’s Facebook page. “We hope sooner rather than later.”
Anything but an opening soon is unlikely resolve the anxieties of people whose savings are running out as the initial wave of service-industry layoffs sweeps up other hard-hit sectors, like energy.
Oderberg lost his job in Denver on April 19, as global oil futures plunged into negative territory following the shutdowns of air travel, factories and commuting around the world.
He said his wife got her first unemployment check after losing her job in retail, but he’s still waiting for his. The Colorado website for benefits has confirmed he is eligible, “but I haven’t been able to get through to talk to anyone after making about 100 calls each time,” he said.
In the meantime, Oderberg has been lining up job interviews in information technology, including at least four this week, and hopes to land something quickly, before he has to scramble for their next mortgage payment for the house he shares with his wife, who is pregnant, and their 4-year-old daughter.
“From my job, I’m accustomed to planning everything six months in advance,” said Oderberg. “So we’re going to be OK, for now at least.”
—
Follow Anita Snow: https://twitter.com/asnowreports
https://apnews.com/f8f91b1028ac23b878d27f68ec6eab93


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Report gives Pakistan failing grade on human rights

ISLAMABAD ( AP ) - An annual human rights report released this week gives Pakistan a failing grade , charging that too little is being done to protect the country ’ s most vulnerable , including women and children .
The 264-page report by the Independent Pakistan Human Rights Commission laid out a litany of human rights failings .
They include unabated honor killings , forced conversions of minority Hindu under-age girls and continued use of a blasphemy law that carries the death penalty to intimidate and settle scores .
In December , Pakistan was ranked 151st out of 153 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Global Gender Gap Index .
“ Despite the legislation enacted to protect and promote women ’ s rights in recent years , violence against women has escalated , ” the report released Thursday said .
It also criticizes increased restrictions on media freedom and criticism of state institutions and a growing number of cases of sexual and physical abuse of children .
There was no immediate comment from the government .
Pakistan has been slow to enact laws to protect the country ’ s most vulnerable and even where laws are in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Law enforcement agencies in Pakistan are often corrupt or refuse to take the word of a woman over a man in Pakistan ’ s deeply male-dominated society .
In March , a powerful cleric who has the ear of the prime minister blamed the global coronavirus pandemic on women who dress immodestly .
Social media outrage greeted cleric Tariq Jameel after he blamed women , particularly young women who “ choose the path of indecency and … vulgarity , ” for the coronavirus pandemic .
His charges were made during a live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s poorest hurt by a weeks-long lock-down to stem the virus ’ s spread .
Jameel also shamed girls for dancing and wearing “ skimpy clothing.
” Jameel , who did not rescind his remarks , later said he was addressing the failings of the “ collective ” society .
Pakistan on Friday recorded 16,817 positive cases of COVID-19 , the illness caused by the new coronavirus , with 385 deaths .
Pakistan also recorded its largest single day hike in positive cases with 990 new infections .
However , Pakistan has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , considerably less than the 20,000 daily target the government has promised .
“ The weakest segments of society remained invisible , unheard , neglected , and undermined when it came to the real priorities of the state - be it children who were malnourished , subjected to hazardous labor , sexually abused , physically tortured and murdered ; or women who continued to face violence and discrimination at home , at the workplace and in public spaces , ” the report said .
“ Pakistan continued to bear a dismal human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the constitutional guarantees to its own citizens and the international obligations to which it is a state party , ” it said .
The government ’ s own National Commission on Human Rights has been without a chairperson and six of its seven members for nearly a year .
Requests for country visits by U.N. special investigators on a number of issues are still pending .
Those include extrajudicial killings and freedom of religion and the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism .
Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed in Islamabad @ @ @ @ @

ISLAMABAD (AP) - An annual human rights report released this week gives Pakistan a failing grade, charging that too little is being done to protect the country’s most vulnerable, including women and children.
The 264-page report by the Independent Pakistan Human Rights Commission laid out a litany of human rights failings. They include unabated honor killings, forced conversions of minority Hindu under-age girls and continued use of a blasphemy law that carries the death penalty to intimidate and settle scores.
In December, Pakistan was ranked 151st out of 153 by the World Economic Forum on the Global Gender Gap Index.
“Despite the legislation enacted to protect and promote women’s rights in recent years, violence against women has escalated,” the report released Thursday said.
It also criticizes increased restrictions on media freedom and criticism of state institutions and a growing number of cases of sexual and physical abuse of children.
There was no immediate comment from the government.
Pakistan has been slow to enact laws to protect the country’s most vulnerable and even where laws are in place they are often not enforced by police. Law enforcement agencies in Pakistan are often corrupt or refuse to take the word of a woman over a man in Pakistan’s deeply male-dominated society. In April, a powerful cleric who has the ear of the prime minister blamed the global coronavirus pandemic on women who dress immodestly.
Social media outrage greeted cleric Tariq Jameel after he blamed women, particularly young women who “choose the path of indecency and … vulgarity,” for the coronavirus pandemic. His charges were made during a live TV fundraising drive to feed Pakistan’s poorest hurt by a weeks-long lock-down to stem the virus’s spread. Jameel also shamed girls for dancing and wearing “skimpy clothing.”
Jameel, who did not rescind his remarks, later said he was addressing the failings of the “collective” society.
Pakistan on Friday recorded 16,817 positive cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, with 385 deaths. Pakistan also recorded its largest single day hike in positive cases with 990 new infections. However, Pakistan has also increased its testing to around 8,000 per day, considerably less than the 20,000 daily target the government has promised.
“The weakest segments of society remained invisible, unheard, neglected, and undermined when it came to the real priorities of the state - be it children who were malnourished, subjected to hazardous labor, sexually abused, physically tortured and murdered; or women who continued to face violence and discrimination at home, at the workplace and in public spaces,” the report said.
“Pakistan continued to bear a dismal human rights record in terms of complying with the constitutional guarantees to its own citizens and the international obligations to which it is a state party,” it said.
The government’s own National Commission on Human Rights has been without a chairperson and six of its seven members for nearly a year.
Requests for country visits by U.N. special investigators on a number of issues are still pending. Those include extrajudicial killings and freedom of religion and the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism.
____
Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Population shrinks in California, still most populous state

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - The nation ’ s most populous state shrank a bit in the second half of last year , according to official figures released Friday .
California had a population of 39.78 million as of January , the state Department of Finance said , down from its previous report of 39.96 million residents in July .
But Doug Kuczynski of the department ’ s Demographic Research Unit said the two numbers aren ’ t directly comparable because of various adjustments and because each figure represents a point in time .
By the department ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents during the last full calendar year , comparing January-to-January figures .
The state has been creeping toward 40 million residents without ever quite getting there .
It still tops second-place Texas , which has about 30 million people .
Even the January-to-January comparison used by the department shows population growth of just 0.2 % , which officials said continues slow growth trends since the Great Recession .
The figures predate the current recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Growth slowed to near zero or declined in most coastal counties , grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and remained robust in the Central Valley and counties east of Los Angeles .
Los Angeles County lost residents for the second straight year , but it remains the nation ’ s most populous with more than 10 million residents .
- The fastest-growing counties were , in order , Glenn , Yuba , Placer , El Dorado , San Benito , San Joaquin and Kern .
- The state for the first time added more housing units than people .
California has been struggling to address a severe affordable housing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest population gain , by percentage , among the state ’ s 10 largest cities .
- The fastest-growing cities from housing construction not related to wildfires were , in order , Colma in San Mateo County , Calimesa in Riverside County , Lathrop in San Joaquin County , Wasco in Kern County , and Rio Vista in Solano County .
Friday ’ s report did not address migration trends .
But the department in December said more people were leaving California than moving in , thwarting projections from demographers who have predicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The department said then that more people left California between July 2018 and July 2019 for the first time since the 2010 census , leading to the state ’ s slowest recorded growth rate since 1900 .
The state ’ s population had nearly tripled in the last half of the last century .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The nation’s most populous state shrank a bit in the second half of last year, according to official figures released Friday.
California had a population of 39.78 million as of January, the state Department of Finance said, down from its previous report of 39.96 million residents in July.
But Doug Kuczynski of the department’s Demographic Research Unit said the two numbers aren’t directly comparable because of various adjustments and because each figure represents a point in time. By the department’s reckoning, California added about 87,500 residents during the last full calendar year, comparing January-to-January figures.
The state has been creeping toward 40 million residents without ever quite getting there. It still tops second-place Texas, which has about 30 million people.
Even the January-to-January comparison used by the department shows population growth of just 0.2%, which officials said continues slow growth trends since the Great Recession. The figures predate the current recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Growth slowed to near zero or declined in most coastal counties, grew slightly in the San Francisco Bay Area, and remained robust in the Central Valley and counties east of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County lost residents for the second straight year, but it remains the nation’s most populous with more than 10 million residents.
Among other highlights:
- The fastest-growing counties were, in order, Glenn, Yuba, Placer, El Dorado, San Benito, San Joaquin and Kern.
- The state for the first time added more housing units than people. California has been struggling to address a severe affordable housing and homelessness problem.
- Bakersfield had the largest population gain, by percentage, among the state’s 10 largest cities.
- The fastest-growing cities from housing construction not related to wildfires were, in order, Colma in San Mateo County, Calimesa in Riverside County, Lathrop in San Joaquin County, Wasco in Kern County, and Rio Vista in Solano County.
Friday’s report did not address migration trends. But the department in December said more people were leaving California than moving in, thwarting projections from demographers who have predicted the state would top 40 million.
The department said then that more people left California between July 2018 and July 2019 for the first time since the 2010 census, leading to the state’s slowest recorded growth rate since 1900.
The state’s population had nearly tripled in the last half of the last century.


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Committee agrees to initial allocation of federal aid funds

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - A legislative committee agreed Friday to the allocation of about $ 125 million in federal coronavirus relief aid requested by Gov .
Mike Dunleavy , a fraction of the total request , as lawmakers said work continued in reviewing the remaining requests .
The Legislative Budget and Audit Committee is expected to meet again Wednesday .
Senate President Cathy Giessel said she expects it will hear the administration ’ s proposal for distributing community assistance and small business relief , two of the biggest-ticket items .
Giessel , a committee member , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address technical and legal issues that had been raised .
At this point , she told reporters she saw “ no imminent reason ” for the full Legislature to reconvene , “ but I never say never.
” The Anchorage Republican said there is a ratification process that would allow the Legislature , when it next meets , to ratify the action taken , “ to close the loop on the legislative appropriation process.
” The Legislature recessed in late March amid coronavirus concerns ; the clock on the session has not yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bishop said Friday ’ s action comes “ during an unprecedented public health disaster ” and does not represent an abrogation of the Legislature ’ s appropriating authority .
Sen. Bill Wielechowski , an Anchorage Democrat , expressed concern with the process , particularly related to community assistance .
“ As much as I think many legislators are hesitant or reluctant to go back to Juneau to appropriate the federal dollars , I don ’ t see how you get around it , ” he said , adding later : “ The constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his funding requests through the committee under a process set out in state law .
It allows a governor to submit to the committee plans to accept and spend additional federal or other program funds on a budget item .
It delays for 45 days use of the funds unless the committee earlier agrees .
Questions at various points have been raised about the appropriateness of using the process for some of the items .
Lauren Giliam , a Dunleavy spokeswoman , said by email the administration believes it is acting within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revisions made by the administration are improvements over the originals .
Items agreed to Friday include funding for schools , transportation and public safety .
Committee chair Rep. Chris Tuck said he looked forward to Wednesday ’ s meeting and taking up the issues the committee can “ legally address .
”

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A legislative committee agreed Friday to the allocation of about $125 million in federal coronavirus relief aid requested by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a fraction of the total request, as lawmakers said work continued in reviewing the remaining requests.
The Legislative Budget and Audit Committee is expected to meet again Wednesday. Senate President Cathy Giessel said she expects it will hear the administration’s proposal for distributing community assistance and small business relief, two of the biggest-ticket items.
Giessel, a committee member, said the administration was working with lawmakers to address technical and legal issues that had been raised. At this point, she told reporters she saw “no imminent reason” for the full Legislature to reconvene, “but I never say never.”
The Anchorage Republican said there is a ratification process that would allow the Legislature, when it next meets, to ratify the action taken, “to close the loop on the legislative appropriation process.”
The Legislature recessed in late March amid coronavirus concerns; the clock on the session has not yet run out.
Committee vice-chair Sen. Click Bishop said Friday’s action comes “during an unprecedented public health disaster” and does not represent an abrogation of the Legislature’s appropriating authority.
Sen. Bill Wielechowski, an Anchorage Democrat, expressed concern with the process, particularly related to community assistance.
“As much as I think many legislators are hesitant or reluctant to go back to Juneau to appropriate the federal dollars, I don’t see how you get around it,” he said, adding later: “The constitution says the Legislature appropriates.”
Dunleavy submitted his funding requests through the committee under a process set out in state law. It allows a governor to submit to the committee plans to accept and spend additional federal or other program funds on a budget item. It delays for 45 days use of the funds unless the committee earlier agrees.
Questions at various points have been raised about the appropriateness of using the process for some of the items. Lauren Giliam, a Dunleavy spokeswoman, said by email the administration believes it is acting within the confines of the process.
Giessel said revisions made by the administration are improvements over the originals. Items agreed to Friday include funding for schools, transportation and public safety.
Committee chair Rep. Chris Tuck said he looked forward to Wednesday’s meeting and taking up the issues the committee can “legally address.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Officials: Reopening businesses, virus aid to offset losses

OKLAHOMA CITY ( AP ) - Federal relief aid and reopening Oklahoma businesses shuttered to slow down the spread of the coronavirus could potentially offset the steep economic impact of the pandemic , state lawmakers said .
The Oklahoma Tax Commission projected earlier this month that the state is slated to have $ 1.366 billion less to spend in fiscal 2021 than it had the previous year , based on analysis of current trends in revenue streams such as oil and gas production , tax collections and sales , and payroll tax receipts .
Fiscal 2021 begins July 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ’ s abbreviated legislative session to create and agree on a spending plan , The Journal Record reported Thursday .
For Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat , figuring out how the $ 1.25 billion Oklahoma received through the federal coronavirus aid bill can help state agencies is a priority .
But the bill mandates the money is not to be used to fill budget holes unrelated to the state ’ s pandemic response .
“ That ’ s one of the things that hasn ’ t really been considered yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how does it offset any loss of revenue ?
” Treat said .
“ What we need on that from a state legislator ’ s perspective is transparency .
We need to make sure the public knows where those monies are going and how they are being utilized.
” Chief financial officers of state agencies were instructed to document pandemic expenses , Republican Gov .
Kevin Stitt said Thursday .
Money spent on overtime , computers for people to work at home , personal protective equipment and other virus-related expenses are reimbursable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ projections are based on economic data analysis , which examines unemployment levels and steep declines in oil and gas prices .
“ We believe these apolitical revenue revisions should be taken very seriously , ” Mazzei added .
Meanwhile , Republican Senate Appropriations Chairman Roger Thompson along with Treat and other lawmakers are optimistic that income tax receipts that have been down by 25 % and sales taxes down by 12 % should rebound as the state ’ s economy begins to reopen .
“ I think we ’ ll have some tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think it will be as dire as that $ 1.3 billion number , ” Thompson said .

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Federal relief aid and reopening Oklahoma businesses shuttered to slow down the spread of the coronavirus could potentially offset the steep economic impact of the pandemic, state lawmakers said.
The Oklahoma Tax Commission projected earlier this month that the state is slated to have $1.366 billion less to spend in fiscal 2021 than it had the previous year, based on analysis of current trends in revenue streams such as oil and gas production, tax collections and sales, and payroll tax receipts.
Fiscal 2021 begins July 1, giving lawmakers a few weeks in this year’s abbreviated legislative session to create and agree on a spending plan, The Journal Record reported Thursday.
For Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, figuring out how the $1.25 billion Oklahoma received through the federal coronavirus aid bill can help state agencies is a priority.
But the bill mandates the money is not to be used to fill budget holes unrelated to the state’s pandemic response.
“That’s one of the things that hasn’t really been considered yet. Where does that money go and how does it offset any loss of revenue?” Treat said. “What we need on that from a state legislator’s perspective is transparency. We need to make sure the public knows where those monies are going and how they are being utilized.”
Chief financial officers of state agencies were instructed to document pandemic expenses, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt said Thursday. Money spent on overtime, computers for people to work at home, personal protective equipment and other virus-related expenses are reimbursable.
Budget Secretary Mike Mazzei said the revenue projections are based on economic data analysis, which examines unemployment levels and steep declines in oil and gas prices.
“We believe these apolitical revenue revisions should be taken very seriously,” Mazzei added.
Meanwhile, Republican Senate Appropriations Chairman Roger Thompson along with Treat and other lawmakers are optimistic that income tax receipts that have been down by 25% and sales taxes down by 12% should rebound as the state’s economy begins to reopen.
“I think we’ll have some tough decisions moving forward, but I don’t think it will be as dire as that $1.3 billion number,” Thompson said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--University of Michigan: Abuse victim waited too long to sue

DETROIT ( AP ) - A former wrestler who claims he was sexually assaulted by a University of Michigan sports doctor waited too long to file a lawsuit , the school said Friday as it asked a judge to dismiss the case .
The university said it believes Dr. Robert Anderson assaulted athletes , and it wants to compensate victims .
But it added that it ’ s trying to avoid “ drawn-out litigation ” while a law firm investigates what happened during Anderson ’ s decades in Ann Arbor .
He died in 2008 .
“ The university is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whatever they may be , to ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again , ” attorneys said in a filing in U.S. District Court .
In his lawsuit , a man identified as John Doe MC-4 said he was molested by Anderson during exams approximately 16 times , from 1987 to 1991 .
Hundreds of others have said they , too , were assaulted , some as far back as the 1960s .
“ The university has great sympathy for what plaintiff suffered , ” attorney Cheryl Bush said of Doe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bush noted that decades have passed since the last abuse , making the lawsuit untimely .
“ The statutes of limitations and sovereign immunity prevent him from recovering damages in court .
Plaintiff ’ s complaint should be dismissed , ” she said .
Campus police began looking into Anderson in 2018 after a former athlete wrote to athletic director Warde Manuel about being sexually abused during medical exams in the early 1970s .
The university has acknowledged some employees were aware of accusations against Anderson before the 2018 complaint .
President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to compensate people outside the court system .
He was joined in a statement by Ron Weiser , chairman of the university ’ s governing board , who has said he was molested by Anderson in the ‘ 60s .
Nearly 300 complaints about Anderson are being investigated by the WilmerHale law firm , university spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said Friday .
The firm ’ s report will be released to the public , Fitzgerald said .

DETROIT (AP) - A former wrestler who claims he was sexually assaulted by a University of Michigan sports doctor waited too long to file a lawsuit, the school said Friday as it asked a judge to dismiss the case.
The university said it believes Dr. Robert Anderson assaulted athletes, and it wants to compensate victims. But it added that it’s trying to avoid “drawn-out litigation” while a law firm investigates what happened during Anderson’s decades in Ann Arbor. He died in 2008.
“The university is committed to grappling with those findings, whatever they may be, to ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again,” attorneys said in a filing in U.S. District Court.
In his lawsuit, a man identified as John Doe MC-4 said he was molested by Anderson during exams approximately 16 times, from 1987 to 1991. Hundreds of others have said they, too, were assaulted, some as far back as the 1960s.
“The university has great sympathy for what plaintiff suffered,” attorney Cheryl Bush said of Doe.
But in Doe’s case, Bush noted that decades have passed since the last abuse, making the lawsuit untimely.
“The statutes of limitations and sovereign immunity prevent him from recovering damages in court. Plaintiff’s complaint should be dismissed,” she said.
Campus police began looking into Anderson in 2018 after a former athlete wrote to athletic director Warde Manuel about being sexually abused during medical exams in the early 1970s.
The university has acknowledged some employees were aware of accusations against Anderson before the 2018 complaint.
President Mark Schlissel this week said he wants to compensate people outside the court system. He was joined in a statement by Ron Weiser, chairman of the university’s governing board, who has said he was molested by Anderson in the ‘60s.
Nearly 300 complaints about Anderson are being investigated by the WilmerHale law firm, university spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said Friday.
The firm’s report will be released to the public, Fitzgerald said.
___
Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwhiteap


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Grizzly injures antler hunter in northwestern Wyoming

CODY , Wyo .
( AP ) - A Wyoming man was injured by a grizzly bear Friday while he @ @ @ @ @ of Yellowstone National Park , officials said .
Spencer Smith , 41 , of Cody @ @ @ @ @ injury but was alert and in stable condition after being flown to a hospital in @ @ @ @ @ Park County , Wyoming , sheriff ’ s office .
Searchers responded to an emergency @ @ @ @ @ a GPS device in the East Painter Creek area north of the Sunlight Basin Wildlife @ @ @ @ @ ’ s officials said .
They first found Smith ’ s parked four wheeler and @ @ @ @ @ and Fish officials said they had employees at the scene and the investigation was ongoing @ @ @ @ @ day that shed hunters could go onto public lands to collect antlers that elk , @ @ @ @ @ the winter .

CODY, Wyo. (AP) - A Wyoming man was injured by a grizzly bear Friday while he was searching for antlers east of Yellowstone National Park, officials said.
Spencer Smith, 41, of Cody, suffered a severe neck injury but was alert and in stable condition after being flown to a hospital in Billings, according to the Park County, Wyoming, sheriff’s office.
Searchers responded to an emergency alert that was activated on a GPS device in the East Painter Creek area north of the Sunlight Basin Wildlife Habitat Management Area, sheriff’s officials said. They first found Smith’s parked four wheeler and then Smith.
Wyoming Game and Fish officials said they had employees at the scene and the investigation was ongoing.
Friday was the first day that shed hunters could go onto public lands to collect antlers that elk, deer and moose lost over the winter.


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Women's soccer claim of unequal pay tossed, can argue travel

A federal judge threw out the unequal pay claim by players on the U.S. women ’ s national soccer team in a surprising loss for the defending World Cup champions but allowed their allegation of discriminatory working conditions to go to trial .
Players led by Alex Morgan sued in March 2019 , claiming they have not been paid equally under their collective bargaining agreement to what the men ’ s national team receives under its labor deal .
They asked for more than $ 66 million in damages under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 32-page decision Friday , U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner granted in part a motion for partial summary judgment by the U.S. Soccer Federation .
He threw out the Equal Pay Act allegations but left intact the Civil Rights Act claims .
“ The history of negotiations between the parties demonstrates that the WNT rejected an offer to be paid under the same pay-to-play structure as the MNT , and the WNT was willing to forgo higher bonuses for benefits , such as greater base compensation and the guarantee of a higher number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Accordingly , plaintiffs can not now retroactively deem their CBA worse than the MNT CBA by reference to what they would have made had they been paid under the MNT ’ s pay-to-play terms structure when they themselves rejected such a structure , ” he said .
Klausner left intact claims the USSF discriminated in the money it spent on commercial airfare , hotel accommodations , and medical and training support services .
A trial is scheduled for June 16 in federal court in Los Angeles .
“ We are shocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we will not give up our hard work for equal pay , ” Molly Levinson , spokeswoman for the women ’ s players , said in a statement .
“ We are confident in our case and steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that girls and women who play this sport will not be valued as lesser just because of their gender.
” Players intend to ask the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Klausner ’ s decision , a move that could delay the trial into 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this team at all you know we have a lot of fight left in us .
We knew this wasn ’ t going to be easy , change never is , ” defender Becky Sauerbrunn wrote on Twitter .
While the Americans are the most successful women ’ s team , with four World Cup titles including the last two , the U.S. men did not even qualify for the 2018 World Cup .
The USSF argued the women actually made more than the men both overall and by game average , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same bonus structure as the men .
“ Merely comparing what WNT players received under their own CBA with what they would have received under the MNT CBA discounts the value that the team placed on guaranteed benefits they receive under their agreement , which they opted for at the expense of higher performance-based bonuses , ” Klausner wrote .
“ This issue is insufficient to create a genuine issue of material fact for trial , ” he added .
Klausner also said the women could not go forward with their claim that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more games on artificial turf than the men had .
He said there was not sufficient evidence to show that decisions on field surface were made for discriminatory reasons .
He rejected the USSF ’ s argument that the men had a competitive need for charter flights that the women lacked , allowing that part of the suit to go forward .
The federation has argued that the men , who have struggled in World Cup qualifying , have more need for charters than the women in order to arrive more rested for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not fully explain the gross disparity on money spent on airfare and hotels for the teams , ” Klausner wrote .
Klausner allowed other claims of discriminatory travel accommodations , such as money spent on hotels and commercial flights , to go to trial along with claims on support services such as medical and training staff .
He said the USSF ’ s lawyers waited until reply briefs to ask for those claims to be thrown out , which meant he did not have to consider them .
Seyfarth Shaw ’ s summary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical of American women ’ s players .
That filing caused an uproar and led to the resignation of USSF president Carlos Cordeiro , who was replaced by Cindy Parlow Cone , a former national team player .
Latham & Watkins took over as counsel and filed the reply brief .
Earlier Friday , the women asked that Parlow Cone be included .
Their lawyers said although the federation backed off earlier arguments saying women were inferior to their male counterparts in skill and effort , it still planned to contest differences in @ @

A federal judge threw out the unequal pay claim by players on the U.S. women’s national soccer team in a surprising loss for the defending World Cup champions but allowed their allegation of discriminatory working conditions to go to trial.
Players led by Alex Morgan sued in March 2019, claiming they have not been paid equally under their collective bargaining agreement to what the men’s national team receives under its labor deal. They asked for more than $66 million in damages under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
In a 32-page decision Friday, U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner granted in part a motion for partial summary judgment by the U.S. Soccer Federation. He threw out the Equal Pay Act allegations but left intact the Civil Rights Act claims.
“The history of negotiations between the parties demonstrates that the WNT rejected an offer to be paid under the same pay-to-play structure as the MNT, and the WNT was willing to forgo higher bonuses for benefits, such as greater base compensation and the guarantee of a higher number of contracted players,” Klausner wrote.
“Accordingly, plaintiffs cannot now retroactively deem their CBA worse than the MNT CBA by reference to what they would have made had they been paid under the MNT’s pay-to-play terms structure when they themselves rejected such a structure,” he said.
Klausner left intact claims the USSF discriminated in the money it spent on commercial airfare, hotel accommodations, and medical and training support services.
A trial is scheduled for June 16 in federal court in Los Angeles.
“We are shocked and disappointed with today’s decision, but we will not give up our hard work for equal pay,” Molly Levinson, spokeswoman for the women’s players, said in a statement. “We are confident in our case and steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that girls and women who play this sport will not be valued as lesser just because of their gender.”
Players intend to ask the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Klausner’s decision, a move that could delay the trial into 2021 or later.
“If you know this team at all you know we have a lot of fight left in us. We knew this wasn’t going to be easy, change never is,” defender Becky Sauerbrunn wrote on Twitter.
While the Americans are the most successful women’s team, with four World Cup titles including the last two, the U.S. men did not even qualify for the 2018 World Cup. The USSF argued the women actually made more than the men both overall and by game average, and the women claimed they should have the same bonus structure as the men.
“Merely comparing what WNT players received under their own CBA with what they would have received under the MNT CBA discounts the value that the team placed on guaranteed benefits they receive under their agreement, which they opted for at the expense of higher performance-based bonuses,” Klausner wrote.
“This issue is insufficient to create a genuine issue of material fact for trial,” he added.
Klausner also said the women could not go forward with their claim that the USSF discriminated against them by scheduling more games on artificial turf than the men had. He said there was not sufficient evidence to show that decisions on field surface were made for discriminatory reasons.
He rejected the USSF’s argument that the men had a competitive need for charter flights that the women lacked, allowing that part of the suit to go forward. The federation has argued that the men, who have struggled in World Cup qualifying, have more need for charters than the women in order to arrive more rested for their qualifiers.
“This rationale does not fully explain the gross disparity on money spent on airfare and hotels for the teams,” Klausner wrote.
Klausner allowed other claims of discriminatory travel accommodations, such as money spent on hotels and commercial flights, to go to trial along with claims on support services such as medical and training staff. He said the USSF’s lawyers waited until reply briefs to ask for those claims to be thrown out, which meant he did not have to consider them.
Seyfarth Shaw’s summary judgment motion for the USSF included arguments critical of American women’s players. That filing caused an uproar and led to the resignation of USSF president Carlos Cordeiro, who was replaced by Cindy Parlow Cone, a former national team player. Latham & Watkins took over as counsel and filed the reply brief.
Earlier Friday, the women asked that Parlow Cone be included. Their lawyers said although the federation backed off earlier arguments saying women were inferior to their male counterparts in skill and effort, it still planned to contest differences in responsibility.


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Officer, deputy injured during chase after Walmart theft

PORT WENTWORTH , Ga. ( AP ) - A police officer and a sheriff ’ s deputy were injured in a car chase Thursday afternoon , after three men stole from a Walmart and fled , authorities said .
Rincon police said a theft was reported at a Walmart on Thursday afternoon .
Police said they pulled over the three suspects and began to question them , but the suspects fled and threw a gun from the car .
Rincon police decided not to pursue because of the busy time of day .
Port Wentworth police said an officer later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mph in a 50 mph zone .
The officer attempted to pull the car over but they continued to flee .
An Effingham County Sheriff ’ s Office deputy attempted to help the officer during the chase but the two crashed into each other and were hospitalized .
They were both later released from a hospital .
Port Wentworth police arrested Jermaine Kareem Evans on Friday and identified the other two suspects as Jamari Pai ’ Shaw Chisholm and Javonta Hakeem Coney .
Police said the suspects were last seen in a 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men weren ’ t immediately released .

PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. (AP) - A police officer and a sheriff’s deputy were injured in a car chase Thursday afternoon, after three men stole from a Walmart and fled, authorities said.
Rincon police said a theft was reported at a Walmart on Thursday afternoon. Police said they pulled over the three suspects and began to question them, but the suspects fled and threw a gun from the car.
Rincon police decided not to pursue because of the busy time of day.
Port Wentworth police said an officer later saw the suspects’ vehicle going 85 mph in a 50 mph zone. The officer attempted to pull the car over but they continued to flee.
An Effingham County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to help the officer during the chase but the two crashed into each other and were hospitalized. They were both later released from a hospital.
Port Wentworth police arrested Jermaine Kareem Evans on Friday and identified the other two suspects as Jamari Pai’Shaw Chisholm and Javonta Hakeem Coney.
Police said the suspects were last seen in a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. Specific charges against the men weren’t immediately released.


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--NY nursing home reports 98 deaths linked to coronavirus

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A New York City nursing home on Friday reported the deaths of 98 residents believed to have had the coronavirus - a staggering death toll that shocked public officials .
“ It ’ s absolutely horrifying , ” Mayor Bill de Blasio said .
“ It ’ s inestimable loss , and it ’ s just impossible to imagine so many people lost in one place.
” It is hard to say whether the spate of deaths at the Isabella Geriatric Center , in Manhattan , is the worst nursing home outbreak yet in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city facilities have chosen to report fatalities in different ways .
An official state tally of nursing home deaths listed only 13 at the home as of Friday .
But officials at the 705-bed center confirmed that through Wednesday 46 residents who tested positive for COVID-19 had died as well as an additional 52 people “ suspected ” to have the virus .
Some died at the nursing home and some died after being treated at hospitals .
The number of bodies became so overwhelming the home ordered a refrigerator truck to store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days to pick up the deceased .
“ Isabella , like all other nursing homes in New York City , initially had limited access to widespread and consistent in-house testing to quickly diagnose our residents and staff , ” Audrey Waters , a spokeswoman for the nursing home , wrote in an email .
“ This hampered our ability to identify those who were infected and asymptomatic , despite our efforts to swiftly separate anyone who presented symptoms.
” Isabella also encountered staffing shortages , prompting it to hire from outside agencies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees .
Waters said the home finally is “ getting more access to testing ” now .
The nursing home ’ s death toll was first reported by local cable news station NY1 .
Nursing homes have been known since the earliest days of the outbreak as a trouble spot .
They have been particularly hard hit in New York , which has had at least 3,065 nursing home deaths - by far the most in the nation - as of Thursday , according to an Associated Press count .
The state Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak reports ” from 239 nursing homes , including at least six facilities with death tolls of 40 patients or more .
“ The one thing we now know about the nursing homes is the status quo can not continue to say the least , ” de Blasio said .
“ Something very different has to happen.
” City officials are “ trying to provide help in every way we can , ” the mayor added , saying the city had delivered thousands of respirator masks to the Washington Heights facility .
U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat , accused Isabella of keeping the public and elected officials in the dark about the outbreak .
He sent a letter Friday to Gov .
Andrew Cuomo and New York Attorney General Letitia James urging them to investigate the “ information sharing practices ” of New York nursing homes .
“ People deserve to know what ’ s happening , ” Espaillat said in an interview with AP .
Isabella Geriatric Center said it “ could not speculate ” as to why a state survey previously listed only 13 COVID-19 deaths at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement to AP on Friday insisting it “ truthfully and accurately reported ” its death toll to state officials .
State officials said they are building an updated data set intended to offer a more detailed window into nursing home deaths .
Cuomo referred to a “ vagueness ” in some reporting of suspected COVID-19 cases but warned nursing homes not to misrepresent their death tolls .
“ They submit these numbers under penalty of perjury , ” Cuomo told reporters .
“ They can be prosecuted criminally for fraud on any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept family members in the loop about changes in their loved ones ’ conditions despite the circumstances .
“ When we believe their loved one is nearing death , we do reach out to a resident ’ s primary contact and ask if they would like to say goodbye in person or via phone or an app , ” Waters said .
“ In-person goodbye visits were never interrupted and continue to happen.
” Associated Press writer Marina Villeneuve and investigative researcher Randy Herschaft contributed to this report .

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City nursing home on Friday reported the deaths of 98 residents believed to have had the coronavirus — a staggering death toll that shocked public officials.
“It’s absolutely horrifying,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “It’s inestimable loss, and it’s just impossible to imagine so many people lost in one place.”
It is hard to say whether the spate of deaths at the Isabella Geriatric Center, in Manhattan, is the worst nursing home outbreak yet in the U.S., because even within the city facilities have chosen to report fatalities in different ways. A state tally of nursing home deaths released Friday listed only 13 at the home.
But officials at the 705-bed center confirmed that through Wednesday 46 residents who tested positive for COVID-19 had died as well as an additional 52 people “suspected” to have the virus. Some died at the nursing home and some died after being treated at hospitals.
The number of bodies became so overwhelming the home ordered a refrigerator truck to store them because funeral homes have been taking days to pick up the deceased.
“Isabella, like all other nursing homes in New York City, initially had limited access to widespread and consistent in-house testing to quickly diagnose our residents and staff,” Audrey Waters, a spokeswoman for the nursing home, wrote in an email. “This hampered our ability to identify those who were infected and asymptomatic, despite our efforts to swiftly separate anyone who presented symptoms.”
Isabella also encountered staffing shortages, prompting it to hire from outside agencies and early challenges securing personal protective equipment for employees. Waters said the home finally is “getting more access to testing” now.
The nursing home’s death toll was first reported by local cable news station NY1.
Nursing homes have been known since the earliest days of the outbreak as a trouble spot. They have been particularly hard hit in New York, which has had at least 3,065 nursing home deaths - by far the most in the nation - as of Thursday, according to an Associated Press count.
The state Department of Health said it has received “outbreak reports” from 239 nursing homes, including at least six facilities with death tolls of 40 patients or more.
“The one thing we now know about the nursing homes is the status quo cannot continue to say the least,” de Blasio said. “Something very different has to happen.”
City officials are “trying to provide help in every way we can,” the mayor added, saying the city had delivered thousands of respirator masks to the Washington Heights facility.
U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, a New York Democrat, accused Isabella of keeping the public and elected officials in the dark about the outbreak. He sent a letter Friday to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York Attorney General Letitia James urging them to investigate the “information sharing practices” of New York nursing homes.
“People deserve to know what’s happening,” Espaillat said in an interview with AP.
Isabella Geriatric Center said it “could not speculate” as to why a state survey previously listed only 13 COVID-19 deaths at its facility. It sent a lengthy statement to AP on Friday insisting it “truthfully and accurately reported” its death toll to state officials.
State officials said they are building an updated data set intended to offer a more detailed window into nursing home deaths. Cuomo referred to a “vagueness” in some reporting of suspected COVID-19 cases but warned nursing homes not to misrepresent their death tolls.
“They submit these numbers under penalty of perjury,” Cuomo told reporters. “They can be prosecuted criminally for fraud on any of these reporting numbers.”
Isabella said it kept family members in the loop about changes in their loved ones’ conditions despite the circumstances.
“When we believe their loved one is nearing death, we do reach out to a resident’s primary contact and ask if they would like to say goodbye in person or via phone or an app,” Waters said. “In-person goodbye visits were never interrupted and continue to happen.”
__
Associated Press writer Marina Villeneuve and investigative researcher Randy Herschaft contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Judge refuses to lower $1 million bail for missing kids' mom

BOISE , Idaho ( AP ) - An Idaho judge has refused to lower the $ 1 million bail set for the mom of two kids missing since last fall .
Magistrate Judge Michelle Mallard said Friday that the challenges Lori Daybell may face in jail during the coronavirus pandemic are not any different than challenges faced by other defendants in other criminal cases , and that there was not a reason to lower her bail at this time .
Daybell was arrested in February and charged with abandoning 7-year-old Joshua “ JJ ” Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend to lie to authorities about the case .
Police say the kids were last seen in September and that both Daybell and her new husband , Chad Daybell , have lied to police about the children ’ s whereabouts .
The deaths of three people are also under investigation in connection with the case — Lori Daybell ’ s previous husband , Charles Vallow , was shot and killed by her brother , Alex Cox , who later died of unknown causes .
And Chad Daybell ’ s previous wife , Tammy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Chad married Lori .
Investigators have had Tammy Daybell ’ s remains exhumed , but the autopsy results have not yet been released .
Lori Daybell has not yet entered a plea in the case .
But she and her attorney , Mark Means , have said in court they intend to vigorously defend Daybell against the charges .
On Friday , Means asked the court to lower Daybell ’ s bond because he said some of his conversations with Daybell that had been wrongly recorded by the jail , making it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communication confidential , as required under attorney-client privilege rules .
He also said restrictions on visiting put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic made it unduly difficult for him to work with Daybell on her defense .
But Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood said Means was told that he could ask jail staff to have the recording mechanism turned off if he needed to speak to Daybell confidentially , and that if the call was being recorded , a warning would be played at the start of it alerting the participants of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were inadvertently recorded on March 31 , but as soon as staffers realized it was a call between an attorney and a defendant they stopped the recording .
Wood said both Means and Daybell heard the warning at the start of those calls and knew how to ask for non-recorded calls , but they declined to do so .
Daybell ’ s attorney said he feared additional calls may have been surreptitiously recorded , however , and said there was no way to ensure Daybell ’ s constitutional right to an adequate defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the current economic downturn , a $ 1 million bond is impossible for most people to come up with , he said .
“ A million dollars is the equivalent of holding without bail .
What we ’ re thinking is in the ballpark of $ 150,000 to $ 200,000 , ” he said .
“ I think that puts enough skin in the game.
” The judge said a lowered bond wouldn ’ t be appropriate , and she noted Means didn ’ t produce any evidence that additional calls were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me be clear , because your gut reaction is not something I can take action on , ” Mallard said .
“ I ’ ve heard nothing to indicate to me that Ms. Daybell is being treated differently than anyone else .
”

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - An Idaho judge has refused to lower the $1 million bail set for the mom of two kids missing since last fall.
Magistrate Judge Michelle Mallard said Friday that the challenges Lori Daybell may face in jail during the coronavirus pandemic are not any different than challenges faced by other defendants in other criminal cases, and that there was not a reason to lower her bail at this time.
Daybell was arrested in February and charged with abandoning 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan, obstructing a police investigation and asking a friend to lie to authorities about the case.
Police say the kids were last seen in September and that both Daybell and her new husband, Chad Daybell, have lied to police about the children’s whereabouts.
The deaths of three people are also under investigation in connection with the case — Lori Daybell’s previous husband, Charles Vallow, was shot and killed by her brother, Alex Cox, who later died of unknown causes. And Chad Daybell’s previous wife, Tammy Daybell, died unexpectedly roughly two weeks before Chad married Lori.
Investigators have had Tammy Daybell’s remains exhumed, but the autopsy results have not yet been released.
Lori Daybell has not yet entered a plea in the case. But she and her attorney, Mark Means, have said in court they intend to vigorously defend Daybell against the charges.
On Friday, Means asked the court to lower Daybell’s bond because he said some of his conversations with Daybell that had been wrongly recorded by the jail, making it impossible for the pair to keep their communication confidential, as required under attorney-client privilege rules. He also said restrictions on visiting put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic made it unduly difficult for him to work with Daybell on her defense.
But Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood said Means was told that he could ask jail staff to have the recording mechanism turned off if he needed to speak to Daybell confidentially, and that if the call was being recorded, a warning would be played at the start of it alerting the participants of the recording.
Wood said two calls were inadvertently recorded on March 31, but as soon as staffers realized it was a call between an attorney and a defendant they stopped the recording. Wood said both Means and Daybell heard the warning at the start of those calls and knew how to ask for non-recorded calls, but they declined to do so.
Daybell’s attorney said he feared additional calls may have been surreptitiously recorded, however, and said there was no way to ensure Daybell’s constitutional right to an adequate defense while she is in jail. Especially given the current economic downturn, a $1 million bond is impossible for most people to come up with, he said.
“A million dollars is the equivalent of holding without bail. What we’re thinking is in the ballpark of $150,000 to $200,000,” he said. “I think that puts enough skin in the game.”
The judge said a lowered bond wouldn’t be appropriate, and she noted Means didn’t produce any evidence that additional calls were recorded, just speculation.
“Let me be clear, because your gut reaction is not something I can take action on,” Mallard said. “I’ve heard nothing to indicate to me that Ms. Daybell is being treated differently than anyone else.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Illinois experts wonder how pandemic impacts endangered bird

CHICAGO ( AP ) - Bird experts are curious to see how shutdowns brought on by the pandemic will affect endangered shorebirds , particularly the first pair of plovers to nest successfully in Chicago in decades .
Ornithologists are trying to adjust to a plover summer during the coronavirus outbreak , the Chicago Tribune reported .
“ We did so much planning over the winter , discussing how to prepare for this year , ” said Carl Giometti , former president of the Chicago Ornithological Society .
“ We did not take into account that there would be a global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the Lake Michigan shoreline , giving fans hope that Monty and Rose will come .
Last summer , the couple fledged two chicks at Montrose Beach .
Plovers usually return to places where they ’ ve successfully nested .
But Monty and Rose have yet to appear .
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources , the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service and the Chicago Park District are among those anticipating the birds ’ return .
“ I saw my first plover at Waukegan on Sunday , and all of a sudden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy thing to happen in the midst of all of this , ” said Tamima Itani , of the Illinois Ornithological Society .
“ It ’ s kind of like , life continues , somehow.
” If Monty and Rose show up and the lakefront is closed , a nesting season without beach goers could lead to fledgling success .
If large groups of people are allowed back to the lake after courting begins , the plovers may be in trouble .
Noise pollution also affects nesting , so some areas may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plovers ’ survival and reproduction , said Brad Semel , an endangered species recovery specialist with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources .
Birds in busy areas pick up body weight while intruding on walkers and dogs .
Fewer disturbances could be an advantage .
But the birds may have benefited from the crowds last year .
“ It really is kind of a double-edged sword , ” Semel said .
“ Because in previous years we ’ ve had almost instantaneous reports of where these plovers are because there are just @ @ @ @ @ @

CHICAGO (AP) - Bird experts are curious to see how shutdowns brought on by the pandemic will affect endangered shorebirds, particularly the first pair of plovers to nest successfully in Chicago in decades.
Ornithologists are trying to adjust to a plover summer during the coronavirus outbreak, the Chicago Tribune reported.
“We did so much planning over the winter, discussing how to prepare for this year,” said Carl Giometti, former president of the Chicago Ornithological Society. “We did not take into account that there would be a global pandemic.”
Some plovers have been spotted along the Lake Michigan shoreline, giving fans hope that Monty and Rose will come. Last summer, the couple fledged two chicks at Montrose Beach.
Plovers usually return to places where they’ve successfully nested. But Monty and Rose have yet to appear.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Chicago Park District are among those anticipating the birds’ return.
“I saw my first plover at Waukegan on Sunday, and all of a sudden, it’s just such a happy thing to happen in the midst of all of this,” said Tamima Itani, of the Illinois Ornithological Society. “It’s kind of like, life continues, somehow.”
If Monty and Rose show up and the lakefront is closed, a nesting season without beach goers could lead to fledgling success. If large groups of people are allowed back to the lake after courting begins, the plovers may be in trouble.
Noise pollution also affects nesting, so some areas may be welcoming.
Empty beaches may specifically help the plovers’ survival and reproduction, said Brad Semel, an endangered species recovery specialist with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Birds in busy areas pick up body weight while intruding on walkers and dogs. Fewer disturbances could be an advantage.
But the birds may have benefited from the crowds last year.
“It really is kind of a double-edged sword,” Semel said. “Because in previous years we’ve had almost instantaneous reports of where these plovers are because there are just so many bird watchers.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--UN: COVID-19 deaths for people over 80 are 5 times average

UNITED NATIONS ( AP ) - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing “ untold fear and suffering ” for older people around the world who are dying at a higher rate , and especially for those over age 80 , whose fatality rate is five times the global average .
The U.N. chief said that beyond the health risks , “ the pandemic is putting older people at greater risk of poverty , ” with an especially devastating impact on the elderly in developing countries .
Guterres issued a 16-page policy briefing on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several key messages , most importantly that “ no person , young or old , is expendable ” and “ older people have the same rights to life and health as everyone else.
” The secretary-general , who celebrated his 71st birthday Thursday , said : “ As an older person myself , with responsibility for an even older mother , I am deeply concerned about the pandemic on a personal level , and about its effects on our communities and societies.
” He called for improved social support and “ smarter efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older people who may face great suffering because of isolation and restrictions on their movements .
Guterres said all social , economic and humanitarian responses to the pandemic must take the needs of older people into account , noting that the majority are women who are more likely to enter their later years in poverty , without access to health care .
He also said older people must not be treated as “ invisible or powerless , ” pointing out that many are working and fully engaged in family life , teaching , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To get through this pandemic together , we need a surge in global and national solidarity and the contributions of all members of society , including older people , ” Guterres said in a video message accompanying the policy report that also stressed the importance of building “ age-friendly societies.
” The report warns that not only are those over 80 dying at five times the average rate from the new coronavirus but “ an estimated 66 % of people aged 70 and over have at least one underlying condition , placing them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19.
” According to the report , over 95 % of fatalities due to COVID-19 in Europe have been people 60 and older .
In the United States , 80 % of deaths are among adults 65 and over , it said , and in China , approximately 80 % of deaths occurred among adults aged 60 or older .
The report warned that “ the mortality rate for older persons could climb even higher ” as COVID-19 spreads to developing countries , “ likely overwhelming health and social protection systems.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.N. report said , overburdened hospitals and medical facilities face difficult decisions around the use of scarce resources .
Human rights experts have noted with concern that decisions about using these resources , including ventilators , “ have in some cases been made based on age , or on generalized assumptions about the impact of a particular diagnosis , such as dementia , on overall health , life expectancy or chances of survival , ” the report said .
“ Less visible but no less worrisome , ” it said , “ are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for conditions unrelated to COVID-19 ; neglect and abuse in institutions and care facilities ; an increase in poverty and unemployment ; the dramatic impact on well-being and mental health ; and the trauma of stigma and discrimination .
”

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing “untold fear and suffering” for older people around the world who are dying at a higher rate, and especially for those over age 80, whose fatality rate is five times the global average.
The U.N. chief said that beyond the health risks, “the pandemic is putting older people at greater risk of poverty,” with an especially devastating impact on the elderly in developing countries.
Guterres issued a 16-page policy briefing on the impact of COVID-19 on older people with several key messages, most importantly that “no person, young or old, is expendable” and “older people have the same rights to life and health as everyone else.”
The secretary-general, who celebrated his 71st birthday Thursday, said: “As an older person myself, with responsibility for an even older mother, I am deeply concerned about the pandemic on a personal level, and about its effects on our communities and societies.”
He called for improved social support and “smarter efforts” to use digital technology to reach older people who may face great suffering because of isolation and restrictions on their movements.
Guterres said all social, economic and humanitarian responses to the pandemic must take the needs of older people into account, noting that the majority are women who are more likely to enter their later years in poverty, without access to health care.
He also said older people must not be treated as “invisible or powerless,” pointing out that many are working and fully engaged in family life, teaching, learning and looking after others.
“To get through this pandemic together, we need a surge in global and national solidarity and the contributions of all members of society, including older people,” Guterres said in a video message accompanying the policy report that also stressed the importance of building “age-friendly societies.”
The report warns that not only are those over 80 dying at five times the average rate from the new coronavirus but “an estimated 66% of people aged 70 and over have at least one underlying condition, placing them at increased risk of severe impact from COVID-19.”
According to the report, over 95% of fatalities due to COVID-19 in Europe have been people 60 and older. In the United States, 80% of deaths are among adults 65 and over, it said, and in China, approximately 80% of deaths occurred among adults aged 60 or older.
The report warned that “the mortality rate for older persons could climb even higher” as COVID-19 spreads to developing countries, “likely overwhelming health and social protection systems.”
In the midst of the pandemic, the U.N. report said, overburdened hospitals and medical facilities face difficult decisions around the use of scarce resources.
Human rights experts have noted with concern that decisions about using these resources, including ventilators, “have in some cases been made based on age, or on generalized assumptions about the impact of a particular diagnosis, such as dementia, on overall health, life expectancy or chances of survival,” the report said.
“Less visible but no less worrisome,” it said, “are the broader effects: health care denied for conditions unrelated to COVID-19; neglect and abuse in institutions and care facilities; an increase in poverty and unemployment; the dramatic impact on well-being and mental health; and the trauma of stigma and discrimination.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Rural California county hums back to life, defying order

ALTURAS , Calif. ( AP ) - At the Brass Rail , two neon signs were beaming “ OPEN ” Friday , as the town and county slowly hummed to life , the first to do so in California in defiance of Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s order to stay home .
About a dozen customers were in the bar of the Basque restaurant - the only portion open so far - eager to be back among friends and neighbors after a six-week shutdown mandated by the Democratic governor 300 miles ( 480 kilometres ) south in Sacramento .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been a long haul .
We ’ re a small community , ” said owner Jodie Larranga .
“ It ’ s not that we ’ ve been given permission , we ’ ve just had a bellyful .
People are fed up.
” Modoc County is a place that defies California stereotypes .
It ’ s where semi-trailers carrying logs from the nearby national forest pass on the highway and where seven in 10 voted for Donald Trump in 2016 .
And its residents are putting their faith in local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tex would never say it ’ s OK to be out in public if he didn ’ t truly feel it in his heart , ” said Amber McCandles , 41 , referring to Sheriff Tex Dowdy .
He “ has done a great job keeping us healthy .
He shut the town down and kept us isolated , in quarantine , and kept us COVID-free.
” With no cases of coronavirus among 9,000 residents in the far northeastern part of the state and plenty of land to spread out on , county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they said was careful planning and with stringent limits - businesses could only have half the patrons and customers must stay 6 feet ( 1.8 meters ) apart .
For the vast majority of people , coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
In Modoc County , hair salons , churches , restaurants and the county ’ s only movie theater were also allowed to reopen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ main street appeared open , though a third of the storefronts were already vacant .
At Gates Gallery and Trading Post , owner Gerry Gates planned to reopen Friday with or without permission .
He thinks Modoc County is “ reasonably safe ” to reopen .
“ You just hope it ’ s the right decision and we ’ ll see .
The way the economy is tanking , you ’ ve got to do something , ” he said .
Still , in a county so spread out that one supervisor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was even a thing , some were wary of outsiders bringing in the virus now that businesses are open .
At a general store just across the county line from Nevada , a woman who refused to be named said she wasn ’ t interested in talking out-of-towners and lamented that the media was “ making fun of ” its residents .
Local officials stressed the reopening followed Newsom ’ s phased plan to reopen the whole state , albeit earlier than he ’ s approved .
“ Our residents were moving forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hardwick , deputy director of emergency services , said in an email , adding that residents needed guidelines to do it safely .
At Country Hearth Restaurant and Bakery in Cedarville , manager Janet Irene said she ’ s been following “ the guiding light ” of county officials in keeping the small eatery she ’ s run for 35 years closed except for takeout during the lockdown .
She was relieved to reopen it Friday morning .
“ People were constantly asking to be able to sit in the restaurant and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to deny that .
It ’ s like the hardest thing I ’ ve ever done in my life , ” she said .
Newsom has declined to address Modoc County ’ s move directly and has not responded to a demand from six other rural Northern California counties to also be allowed to reopen .
He said Friday during his daily coronavirus briefing that he is paying attention to their pleas .
“ Know that and know that I ’ m looking forward to answering your call , addressing your anxiety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on me .
We ’ re not turning our back to those concerns , ” Newsom said .
Not everyone waived off the concern about defying the governor .
“ I ’ m really concerned about the governor not giving his approval , ” said Irene , at the Country Hearth .
“ It could be that he would approve it anyway but he just has his plate full , I ’ m sure.
” This story has been corrected to remove a reference to a lumber mill .
The logs on trucks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williams reported from San Francisco .
Associated Press writers John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report .

ALTURAS, Calif. (AP) - At the Brass Rail, two neon signs were beaming “OPEN” Friday, as the town and county slowly hummed to life, the first to do so in California in defiance of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order to stay home.
About a dozen customers were in the bar of the Basque restaurant - the only portion open so far - eager to be back among friends and neighbors after a six-week shutdown mandated by the Democratic governor 300 miles (480 kilometres) south in Sacramento. A few wore masks.
“It’s been a long haul. We’re a small community,” said owner Jodie Larranga. “It’s not that we’ve been given permission, we’ve just had a bellyful. People are fed up.”
Modoc County is a place that defies California stereotypes. It’s where semi-trailers carrying logs from the nearby national forest pass on the highway and where seven in 10 voted for Donald Trump in 2016. And its residents are putting their faith in local officials, not the state.
“Tex would never say it’s OK to be out in public if he didn’t truly feel it in his heart,” said Amber McCandles, 41, referring to Sheriff Tex Dowdy. He “has done a great job keeping us healthy. He shut the town down and kept us isolated, in quarantine, and kept us COVID-free.”
With no cases of coronavirus among 9,000 residents in the far northeastern part of the state and plenty of land to spread out on, county officials moved to reopen Friday after what they said was careful planning and with stringent limits - businesses could only have half the patrons and customers must stay 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart.
For the vast majority of people, coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
In Modoc County, hair salons, churches, restaurants and the county’s only movie theater were also allowed to reopen. About half the functioning businesses on Alturas’ main street appeared open, though a third of the storefronts were already vacant.
At Gates Gallery and Trading Post, owner Gerry Gates planned to reopen Friday with or without permission. He thinks Modoc County is “reasonably safe” to reopen.
“You just hope it’s the right decision and we’ll see. The way the economy is tanking, you’ve got to do something,” he said.
Still, in a county so spread out that one supervisor said they were social distancing before it was even a thing, some were wary of outsiders bringing in the virus now that businesses are open.
At a general store just across the county line from Nevada, a woman who refused to be named said she wasn’t interested in talking out-of-towners and lamented that the media was “making fun of” its residents.
Local officials stressed the reopening followed Newsom’s phased plan to reopen the whole state, albeit earlier than he’s approved.
“Our residents were moving forward with or without us,” Heather Hardwick, deputy director of emergency services, said in an email, adding that residents needed guidelines to do it safely.
At Country Hearth Restaurant and Bakery in Cedarville, manager Janet Irene said she’s been following “the guiding light” of county officials in keeping the small eatery she’s run for 35 years closed except for takeout during the lockdown.
She was relieved to reopen it Friday morning.
“People were constantly asking to be able to sit in the restaurant and it was really, really difficult during this time to deny that. It’s like the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” she said.
Newsom has declined to address Modoc County’s move directly and has not responded to a demand from six other rural Northern California counties to also be allowed to reopen.
He said Friday during his daily coronavirus briefing that he is paying attention to their pleas.
“Know that and know that I’m looking forward to answering your call, addressing your anxiety, and it’s not lost on me. We’re not turning our back to those concerns,” Newsom said.
Not everyone waived off the concern about defying the governor.
“I’m really concerned about the governor not giving his approval,” said Irene, at the Country Hearth. “It could be that he would approve it anyway but he just has his plate full, I’m sure.”
___
This story has been corrected to remove a reference to a lumber mill. The logs on trucks are coming from Modoc National Forest.
___
Williams reported from San Francisco. Associated Press writers John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Oklahoma AG refiles opioid litigation in rural county

DURANT , Okla. ( AP ) - Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter refiled lawsuits Friday against three opioid distributors in @ @ @ @ @ s counties hit hardest by the opioid epidemic .
The litigation previously filed as one @ @ @ @ @ refiled as three separate cases in Bryan County in southeast Oklahoma against AmerisourceBergen Corp. , @ @ @ @ @ Hunter calculated the three companies were responsible for supplying nearly 70 % of the pain @ @ @ @ @ from 2006 to 2014 .
Messages seeking comment left Friday afternoon with all three companies @ @ @ @ @ .
Hunter previously secured a $ 465 million judgment against consumer products giant Johnson & @ @ @ @ @ state trial against an opioid manufacturer .
That case is currently on appeal .
He @ @ @ @ @ other drugmakers over the state ’ s opioid crisis .
From 2007 to 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ Oklahoma died from opioid overdoses , state statistics show .

DURANT, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter refiled lawsuits Friday against three opioid distributors in one of the state’s counties hit hardest by the opioid epidemic.
The litigation previously filed as one case in Cleveland County was refiled as three separate cases in Bryan County in southeast Oklahoma against AmerisourceBergen Corp., Cardinal Health and McKesson.
Hunter calculated the three companies were responsible for supplying nearly 70% of the pain pills distributed in Bryan County from 2006 to 2014.
In separate statements, McKesson denied driving the demand for opioids and Cardinal Health said it continues to negotiate settlements but will defend itself at trial, if necessary. A message seeking comment from AmerisourceBergen wasn’t immediately returned.
Hunter previously secured a $465 million judgment against consumer products giant Johnson & Johnson in the first such state trial against an opioid manufacturer. That case is currently on appeal.
He also secured multimillion-dollar settlements with other drugmakers over the state’s opioid crisis.
From 2007 to 2017, more than 4,600 people in Oklahoma died from opioid overdoses, state statistics show.


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--White House delays Anthony Fauci testimony before House committee

The White House said Friday it won ’ t allow Dr. Anthony Fauci to testify at a House hearing next @ @ @ @ @ s coronavirus response , saying he has more important things to do at the moment @ @ @ @ @ administration continues its whole-of-government response to COVID-19 , including safely opening up America again and @ @ @ @ @ is counter-productive to have the very individuals involved in those efforts appearing at Congressional hearings @ @ @ @ @ press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement .
“ We are committed to working @ @ @ @ @ at the appropriate time.
” The House Appropriations Committee wanted Dr. Fauci , a top @ @ @ @ @ House coronavirus task force , to testify next week .
“ We have been informed @ @ @ @ @ the White House has blocked Dr. Fauci from testifying , ” committee spokesman Evan Hollander @ @ @ @ @

The White House said Friday it won’t allow Dr. Anthony Fauci to testify at a House hearing next week on the administration’s coronavirus response, saying he has more important things to do at the moment.
“While the Trump administration continues its whole-of-government response to COVID-19, including safely opening up America again and expediting vaccine development, it is counter-productive to have the very individuals involved in those efforts appearing at Congressional hearings,” White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement. “We are committed to working with Congress to offer testimony at the appropriate time.”
The House Appropriations Committee wanted Dr. Fauci, a top medical adviser on the White House coronavirus task force, to testify next week.
“We have been informed by an administration official that the White House has blocked Dr. Fauci from testifying,” committee spokesman Evan Hollander said in a statement.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Spirit AeroSystems announces lay offs of 1,450 employees

WICHITA , Kan. ( AP ) - Aircraft parts maker Spirit AeroSystems announced Friday that it would lay off 1,450 employees because demand for new airplanes has plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Wichita Eagle reports that an email sent to employees Friday says Boeing and Airbus reported their first-quarter financial reports this week and indicated there would be a decline in demand for new airplanes .
Spirit is a supplier of parts for both companies .
“ All indications right now tell us this lower demand for new commercial airplanes is likely to last for several years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the email .
Affected employees in Wichita will start leaving on May 15 but some “ may be asked to work during this 60 day period to provide cross training.
” Employees working on the defense side will not be affected .
The email says there will be smaller reductions later this month at other Spirit sites in the U.S .
Spirit announced layoffs of about 2,800 employees earlier this year as a result of the Boeing 737 Max being grounded after two fatal flights .
It also offered voluntary layoffs Thursday @

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Aircraft parts maker Spirit AeroSystems announced Friday that it would lay off 1,450 employees because demand for new airplanes has plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Wichita Eagle reports that an email sent to employees Friday says Boeing and Airbus reported their first-quarter financial reports this week and indicated there would be a decline in demand for new airplanes. Spirit is a supplier of parts for both companies.
“All indications right now tell us this lower demand for new commercial airplanes is likely to last for several years,” president and CEO Tom Gentile said in the email.
Affected employees in Wichita will start leaving on May 15 but some “may be asked to work during this 60 day period to provide cross training.” Employees working on the defense side will not be affected.
The email says there will be smaller reductions later this month at other Spirit sites in the U.S.
Spirit announced layoffs of about 2,800 employees earlier this year as a result of the Boeing 737 Max being grounded after two fatal flights. It also offered voluntary layoffs Thursday.


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Riot hits Venezuelan prison; wounded warden among casualties

CARACAS , Venezuela ( AP ) - A riot erupted at a prison in central Venezuela on Friday , leaving about 20 casualties , including a National Guard officer who was wounded by an explosion and the warden , who suffered a knife wound , authorities said .
Officials indicated there were some deaths , but gave no figures .
The violence at the Llanos Penitentiary Center resulted in an armed confrontation between inmates and guards , lawmaker María Beatriz Martínez told The Associated Press .
It was unclear what sparked the violent unrest .
Martínez said she did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured at the prison , which is in the city of Guanare , 450 kilometers ( 280 miles ) south-west of the capital of Caracas .
The National Guard officer was injured by a grenade explosion , said Martínez , who had access to an early report prepared by the town ’ s security forces .
Venezuela ’ s minister of penitentiary services , Iris Varela , confirmed the riot , telling the local newspaper Ultimas Noticias that a group of inmates attacked officers standing guard outside the prison .
The warden was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a knife , Varela said .
A once-wealthy oil nation , Venezuela is gripped by a deepening political and economic crisis .
Street violence is common in the nation that has had nearly 5 million residents flee in recent years as public services crumble .
Venezuela has roughly 30 prisons and 500 jails that can holds an estimated 110,000 inmates .
Human rights officials say the prisons are violent and badly overcrowded , with gangs that traffic weapons and drugs in control .
A similar riot occurred a year ago in a nearby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where 29 inmates died at a police jail that housed several hundred detainees .
Violence broke out when armed inmates objected to officers entering the jail .

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - A riot erupted at a prison in central Venezuela on Friday, killing at least 40 people and injuring 50 more, including a National Guard officer who was wounded by an explosion and the warden, who suffered a knife wound, authorities said.
The upheaval at the Llanos Penitentiary Center started with an inmate protest demanding that their relatives be allowed to deliver them food and then an armed confrontation broke out between inmates and guards, lawmaker María Beatriz Martínez told The Associated Press.
The National Guard officer was injured by a grenade explosion, said Martínez, who had access to an early report prepared by the town’s security forces. The prison is located in the city of Guanare, 450 kilometers (280 miles) south-west of the capital of Caracas.
Venezuela’s minister of penitentiary services, Iris Varela, confirmed the riot, telling the local newspaper Ultimas Noticias that a group of inmates attacked officers standing guard outside the prison.
The warden was injured by at least one inmate wielding a knife, Varela said.
A once-wealthy oil nation, Venezuela is gripped by a deepening political and economic crisis. Street violence is common in the nation that has had nearly 5 million residents flee in recent years as public services crumble.
Venezuela has roughly 30 prisons and 500 jails that can hold an estimated 110,000 inmates. Human rights officials say the prisons are violent and badly overcrowded, with gangs that traffic weapons and drugs in control.
According to the human rights group Venezuelan Prison Observatory, the Guanare prison was built to hold 750 inmates but is jammed beyond capacity with 2,500 inmates.
A similar riot occurred a year ago in a nearby jail also in the state of Portuguese, where 29 inmates died at a police jail that housed several hundred detainees. Violence broke out when armed inmates objected to officers entering the jail.


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Claim of unequal pay by US women's players dismissed by judge; claim of unequal travel, medical staf

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Claim of unequal pay by US women ’ s players dismissed by judge ; @ @ @ @ @ medical staff can go to trial .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Claim of unequal pay by US women’s players dismissed by judge; claim of unequal travel, medical staff can go to trial.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-05-01--Abortion clinic challenges Arkansas coronavirus testing rule

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - Arkansas ’ only surgical abortion clinic on Friday challenged a state rule requiring coronavirus tests before elective surgeries , saying it ’ s preventing women from having the procedure .
The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas , which represents Little Rock Family Planning Services , asked a federal judge to prevent the state from enforcing the requirement on three women nearing the state ’ s limit on when abortions can be performed .
The clinic had been prohibited from performing abortions under a rule that banned elective procedures during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eased , but the state requires a negative coronavirus test within 48 hours of the procedure .
According to the lawsuit , the clinic has contacted more than 15 testing locations but has been unable to find that will test asymptomatic people and able to have results within 48 hours .
The ACLU said one of the three patients was recently tested twice but did not get her results within 48 hours of her procedure .
“ The directive ’ s rapid-testing requirement not only is a substantial barrier to pre-viability abortion care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barriers to such care in Arkansas , ” the lawsuit said .
“ This requirement is consistent with that public health emergency and applies across the board to all elective procedures , ” Hutchinson said .
Other states had used similar bans on elective procedures to restrict abortions during the pandemic .
A judge last month had blocked the state ’ s order that Little Rock Family Planning Services stop performing surgical abortions , but a federal appeals court lifted that decision .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas’ only surgical abortion clinic on Friday challenged a state rule requiring coronavirus tests before elective surgeries, saying it’s preventing women from having the procedure.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, which represents Little Rock Family Planning Services, asked a federal judge to prevent the state from enforcing the requirement on three women nearing the state’s limit on when abortions can be performed.
Arkansas bans abortions 20 weeks into a woman’s pregnancy.
The clinic had been prohibited from performing abortions under a rule that banned elective procedures during the coronavirus pandemic. That ban has been eased, but the state requires a negative coronavirus test within 48 hours of the procedure.
According to the lawsuit, the clinic has contacted more than 15 testing locations but has been unable to find that will test asymptomatic people and able to have results within 48 hours. The ACLU said one of the three patients was recently tested twice but did not get her results within 48 hours of her procedure.
“The directive’s rapid-testing requirement not only is a substantial barrier to pre-viability abortion care in itself, but also compounds pre-existing barriers to such care in Arkansas,” the lawsuit said.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Friday defended the requirement.
“This requirement is consistent with that public health emergency and applies across the board to all elective procedures,” Hutchinson said.
Other states had used similar bans on elective procedures to restrict abortions during the pandemic. A judge last month had blocked the state’s order that Little Rock Family Planning Services stop performing surgical abortions, but a federal appeals court lifted that decision.