washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Justin Rohrwasser, Patriots kicker: Tattoo doesn't represent Three Percenters

BOSTON — New Patriots kicker Justin Rohrwasser says a tattoo on his arm is not representative of a loosely organized right-wing militia group that has adopted the symbol .
Rohrwasser , who played at Rhode Island and Marshall , was taken 159th overall in the fifth round of the draft Saturday .
He said in a conference call with reporters that he got the tattoo as a teenager because he has a lot of family members in the military .
He added he “ thought it was a military support symbol at the time.
” “ It evolved into something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ It will be covered.
” On its website , the right-wing Three Percenters group says it isn ’ t an anti-government militia but “ we will defend ourselves when necessary.
” The Three Percenters derived the name from the belief that just 3 % of the colonists rose up to fight the British .
They have vowed to resist any government that infringes on the U.S. Constitution .
According to an interview on Marshall ’ s Herdzone.com last year Rohrwasser described his tattoos , which include phrases like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don ’ t tread on me ” as well as an American flag and one for the Dave Matthews Band , are “ all random.
” Rohrwasser was drafted as a replacement for Patriots all-time leading scorer Stephen Gostkowski , who was released last month .
Gostkowski made the 2010s All-Decade team , is a two-time All-Pro and member of three of the Patriots ’ Super Bowl-winning teams .

BOSTON — New Patriots kicker Justin Rohrwasser says a tattoo on his arm is not representative of a loosely organized right-wing militia group that has adopted the symbol.
Rohrwasser, who played at Rhode Island and Marshall, was taken 159th overall in the fifth round of the draft Saturday.
He said in a conference call with reporters that he got the tattoo as a teenager because he has a lot of family members in the military. He added he “thought it was a military support symbol at the time.”
“It evolved into something I do not want to represent,” he said. “It will be covered.”
On its website, the right-wing Three Percenters group says it isn’t an anti-government militia but “we will defend ourselves when necessary.”
The Three Percenters derived the name from the belief that just 3% of the colonists rose up to fight the British. They have vowed to resist any government that infringes on the U.S. Constitution.
According to an interview on Marshall’s Herdzone.com last year Rohrwasser described his tattoos, which include phrases like “Liberty or death” and “Don’t tread on me” as well as an American flag and one for the Dave Matthews Band, are “all random.”
Rohrwasser was drafted as a replacement for Patriots all-time leading scorer Stephen Gostkowski, who was released last month. Gostkowski made the 2010s All-Decade team, is a two-time All-Pro and member of three of the Patriots’ Super Bowl-winning teams.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Israel's once-mighty Labor party weighs unity with Netanyahu

JERUSALEM ( AP ) - Israel ’ s Labor party is voting Sunday on proposal to join a government headed by arch-rival Benjamin Netanyahu despite repeated campaign promises to never sit with a prime minister facing criminal indictments .
The once-mighty left-wing party dominated Israeli politics for the country ’ s first three decades , but has since fallen to a historic low of six seats in the 120-member parliament .
Netanyahu ’ s right-wing Likud is the largest faction , with 36 .
Around 3,800 members of Labor ’ s central committee will vote electronically on party leader Amir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unity government headed by Netanyahu and his main political adversary , Benny Gantz of the centrist Blue and White party .
After three deadlocked national elections in just over a year , Gantz and Netanyahu agreed earlier this month to form a unity government to address the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic crisis .
Unemployment has shot up to over 25 % since the beginning of March as Israel has forced most non-essential businesses to close to prevent the virus ’ spread .
The Health Ministry has reported over 15,000 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mild to moderate symptoms in most patients , who recover within a few weeks , but it can cause severe illness or death , particularly in older patients or those with underlying health problems .
As part of their unity deal , Netanyahu and Gantz agreed to share the premiership , with Netanyahu serving as prime minister the first 18 months and Gantz serving the next 18 months .
Netanyahu is scheduled to face trial next month on charges of fraud , breach of trust and accepting bribes .
He denies the charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that joining the Netanyahu-Gantz government would put the six-seat party “ back in political center stage.
” “ We are joining an equal unity government with a rotation in the role of prime minister , not a right-wing government , ” he said .
But allying with Netanyahu runs against repeated campaign promises by Peretz , who shaved his decades-old signature mustache on video last year .
“ Now everybody can read my lips , ” he said .
He then pledged never to join a Netanyahu-led government .
The Netanyahu-Gantz agreement also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annex parts of the occupied West Bank , including Israeli settlements , starting on July 1 .
Peretz has said he would oppose such a move from within the government .
But some Labor supporters believe that by joining Netanyahu ’ s government , the party will be accessory to dismantling the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians spearheaded by Labor prime minister Yitzhak Rabin , who was assassinated by a right-wing extremist in 1995 .
Labor lawmaker Merav Michaeli appealed to party members to reject joining the government .
“ Voters will retaliate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the glorious Labor party of Ben Gurion and Rabin will simply be erased , ” she said in a video Sunday , referring to Israel ’ s founding father and first prime minister , David Ben Gurion .

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel’s Labor party voted on Sunday to join the incoming government headed by arch-rival Benjamin Netanyahu, despite repeated campaign promises to never sit with a prime minister facing criminal indictments.
The once-mighty left-wing party dominated Israeli politics for the country’s first three decades, but has since fallen to a historic low of three seats in the 120-member parliament. Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud is the largest faction, with 36.
Around 3,800 members of Labor’s central committee were eligible to vote electronically on party leader Amir Peretz’s proposal to join the unity government headed by Netanyahu and his main political adversary, Benny Gantz of the centrist Blue and White party. Israeli media said the measure passed by a roughly 60-40 margin.
After three deadlocked national elections in just over a year, Gantz and Netanyahu agreed earlier this month to form what they called an “emergency” government to address the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic crisis.
Unemployment has shot up to over 25% since the beginning of March as Israel has forced many businesses to close to prevent the virus’s spread. The Health Ministry has reported over 15,000 cases and nearly 200 deaths.
As part of their unity deal, Netanyahu and Gantz agreed to share the premiership, with Netanyahu serving as prime minister the first 18 months and Gantz serving the next 18 months.
Gantz, however, has come under heavy criticism for giving a lifeline to Netanyahu and abandoning his promises never to sit in a government with an indicted prime minister.
Netanyahu is scheduled to face trial next month on charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes. He denies the charges.
Under the coalition deal, Labor would receive two government ministries.
One of those would-be ministers, Itzik Shmuli, said on twitter that entering the government was the right thing to do and would allow the party to promote its social agenda and to “put the brakes” on any attempts to undermine democracy.
But critics have noted that Labor could now become an accessory to dismantling the Oslo peace accords by the Palestinians. The interim agreements were spearheaded by Labor Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated by an ultranationalist extremist in 1995.
The Netanyahu-Gantz agreement includes a clause to advance plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, including Israeli settlements, starting on July 1. Such a move would all but destroy any remaining hopes of establishing a Palestinian state.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--9th Circuit Court reinstates California ammunition purchase law

SAN FRANCISCO — An appeals court has reinstated a California law requiring background checks for people buying ammunition , reversing a federal judge ’ s decision to stop the checks that he said violate the constitutional right to bear arms .
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday granted the state attorney general ’ s request to stay the judge ’ s order .
“ This means that the same restrictions that have been previously in effect regarding ammunition in California are back for the time being , ” the National Rifle Association , which hailed the judge ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
The law , which took effect last July , requires Californians to pass an in-store background check before buying ammunition , which involves running buyers ’ names through a California Department of Justice database that tracks legal purchases of guns .
Gun rights activists complained the law ’ s red tape and database errors unfairly limited legal purchases of ammunition .
U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez in San Diego ruled in their favor , saying the law “ defies common sense while unduly and severely burdening the Second Amendment rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lawfully buy ammunition.
” While it is intended to keep ammunition from criminals , it blocked sales to legitimate , law-abiding buyers about 16 % of the time , Benitez wrote .
Moreover , he ruled that the state ’ s ban on importing ammunition from outside California violates federal interstate commerce laws .
Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a court filing earlier this month that the background checks stopped more than 750 people from buying bullets illegally from July 2019 through January 2020 , not including those who didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t eligible .
The law requires buyers who already are in the state ’ s firearm background check database to pay a $ 1 fee each time they buy ammunition , while others can buy longer-term licenses if they do not have certain criminal convictions or mental health commitments .
It took an average of less than five minutes to complete the background checks , according to state court filings .

SAN FRANCISCO — An appeals court has reinstated a California law requiring background checks for people buying ammunition, reversing a federal judge’s decision to stop the checks that he said violate the constitutional right to bear arms.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday granted the state attorney general’s request to stay the judge’s order.
“This means that the same restrictions that have been previously in effect regarding ammunition in California are back for the time being,” the National Rifle Association, which hailed the judge’s injunction, said in a news release.
The law, which took effect last July, requires Californians to pass an in-store background check before buying ammunition, which involves running buyers’ names through a California Department of Justice database that tracks legal purchases of guns.
Gun rights activists complained the law’s red tape and database errors unfairly limited legal purchases of ammunition.
U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez in San Diego ruled in their favor, saying the law “defies common sense while unduly and severely burdening the Second Amendment rights of every responsible, gun-owning citizen desiring to lawfully buy ammunition.”
While it is intended to keep ammunition from criminals, it blocked sales to legitimate, law-abiding buyers about 16% of the time, Benitez wrote. Moreover, he ruled that the state’s ban on importing ammunition from outside California violates federal interstate commerce laws.
Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a court filing earlier this month that the background checks stopped more than 750 people from buying bullets illegally from July 2019 through January 2020, not including those who didn’t even try because they knew they weren’t eligible.
The law requires buyers who already are in the state’s firearm background check database to pay a $1 fee each time they buy ammunition, while others can buy longer-term licenses if they do not have certain criminal convictions or mental health commitments.
It took an average of less than five minutes to complete the background checks, according to state court filings.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--John Carney, Delaware governor, orders residents to wear face masks, coverings in public

WILMINGTON , Del .
— Delaware residents will be required to wear masks or other face coverings in public settings once a new order by Gov .
John Carney takes effect on Tuesday morning .
The governor on Saturday modified an emergency declaration to include the new requirement , which doesn ’ t apply to children who are 12 years old or younger .
The governor ’ s office says children who are 2 years old or younger must not wear a face covering due to the risk of suffocation .
The places where cloth face coverings will be required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pharmacies , doctors ’ offices and on public transportation .
“ Now is not the time for Delawareans to get complacent , ” Carney said in a statement .
“ Wearing a face covering in public settings is important to prevent transmission of this disease .
But wearing a face covering is not permission to go out in public more often.
” Carney ’ s modified order also requires businesses to take steps designed to protect customers and employees from COVID-19 infections .
By Friday morning , businesses must provide employees with face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear a face covering while working in public areas or places where they are likely to come within 6 feet of co-workers .

WILMINGTON, Del. — Delaware residents will be required to wear masks or other face coverings in public settings once a new order by Gov. John Carney takes effect on Tuesday morning.
The governor on Saturday modified an emergency declaration to include the new requirement, which doesn’t apply to children who are 12 years old or younger. The governor’s office says children who are 2 years old or younger must not wear a face covering due to the risk of suffocation.
The places where cloth face coverings will be required includes grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, doctors’ offices and on public transportation.
“Now is not the time for Delawareans to get complacent,” Carney said in a statement. “Wearing a face covering in public settings is important to prevent transmission of this disease. But wearing a face covering is not permission to go out in public more often.”
Carney’s modified order also requires businesses to take steps designed to protect customers and employees from COVID-19 infections. By Friday morning, businesses must provide employees with face coverings and hand sanitizer. Employees must wear a face covering while working in public areas or places where they are likely to come within 6 feet of co-workers.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--USNS Comfort discharging or transferring last 12 New York patients

The Navy hospital ship sent to relieve stress on New York City hospitals at the height the pandemic is discharging or transferring its last 12 patients this weekend as it nears the end of its mission , according to Northwell Health , which provides operational assistance to the vessel .
The USNS Comfort , docked at a Manhattan pier since March 30 , will soon leave for its homeport in Norfolk , Virginia , where it will restock and be readied for another possible assignment , Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said .
He did not provide a date for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , the 1,000-bed hospital ship had treated just 182 patients .
There was just one patient left on the ship late Saturday evening .
Originally deployed to care for patients without coronavirus , the Comfort switched gears and started accepting them as the city ’ s hospitals became overrun with people suffering from the disease .
Hoffman said the Comfort ’ s impending departure “ is a sure sign of modest progress in mitigating the virus in the nation ’ s hardest hit city and is a welcome sign.
” A temporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center has also seen lower than projected patient volume .
As of Saturday , the facility had treated a total of about 1,100 patients , with 125 still receiving care .
First envisioned as a 2,500-bed field hospital for people without the disease , the Javits Center was soon converted to a coronavirus-only hospital , but only ever topped out at about 500 beds .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Saturday that there is no official date for the closure of the facility .
“ We are encouraged by the data which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York and we are working with the city and state to begin the strategic drawdown of resources , ” the agency said .

The Navy hospital ship sent to relieve stress on New York City hospitals at the height the pandemic is discharging or transferring its last 12 patients this weekend as it nears the end of its mission, according to Northwell Health, which provides operational assistance to the vessel.
The USNS Comfort, docked at a Manhattan pier since March 30, will soon leave for its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, where it will restock and be readied for another possible assignment, Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said. He did not provide a date for the ship’s departure.
As of Saturday, the 1,000-bed hospital ship had treated just 182 patients. There was just one patient left on the ship late Saturday evening.
Originally deployed to care for patients without coronavirus, the Comfort switched gears and started accepting them as the city’s hospitals became overrun with people suffering from the disease.
Hoffman said the Comfort’s impending departure “is a sure sign of modest progress in mitigating the virus in the nation’s hardest hit city and is a welcome sign.”
A temporary hospital set up at a Manhattan convention center has also seen lower than projected patient volume. As of Saturday, the facility had treated a total of about 1,100 patients, with 125 still receiving care.
First envisioned as a 2,500-bed field hospital for people without the disease, the Javits Center was soon converted to a coronavirus-only hospital, but only ever topped out at about 500 beds.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Saturday that there is no official date for the closure of the facility.
“We are encouraged by the data which suggest the curve is flattening in New York and we are working with the city and state to begin the strategic drawdown of resources,” the agency said.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Mickael Gedlu sentenced in Donald Trump assassination threat

DALLAS — A 36-year-old Texas man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for threatening to assassinate President @ @ @ @ @ .
Mickael Gedlu was sentenced Friday , according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Erin @ @ @ @ @ in Dallas .
He pleaded guilty in December to making threats against Trump .
According @ @ @ @ @ admitted he threatened Trump ’ s life on social media , stating on YouTube : @ @ @ @ @ Trump to visit Dallas before I attempt to assassinate him.
” During court proceedings , @ @ @ @ @ 31 , 2018 , Gedlu was observed across the street from Dallas ‘ Adolphus Hotel @ @ @ @ @ arrived there for a fundraiser .
Dallas police officers noticed Gedlu holding a “ Kill @ @ @ @ @ him as he screamed “ kill the president.
” Prosecutors said the U.S. Secret Service @ @ @ @ @ assistance of Dallas police .

DALLAS — A 36-year-old Texas man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump, prosecutors said.
Mickael Gedlu was sentenced Friday, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox’s office in Dallas. He pleaded guilty in December to making threats against Trump.
According to plea documents, Gedlu admitted he threatened Trump’s life on social media, stating on YouTube: “I am waiting for Trump to visit Dallas before I attempt to assassinate him.”
During court proceedings, prosecutors said that on May 31, 2018, Gedlu was observed across the street from Dallas’ Adolphus Hotel just 30 minutes before Trump arrived there for a fundraiser. Dallas police officers noticed Gedlu holding a “Kill Trump” sign and detained him as he screamed “kill the president.”
Prosecutors said the U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of Dallas police.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Seattle closes streets to vehicle traffic amid coronavirus outbreak

SEATTLE — Seattle will close six more miles of residential streets to vehicle traffic to create space for pedestrians and bicyclists during the coronavirus outbreak .
The closures began Friday in he Greenwood , Othello , Rainier Beach , Beacon Hill and Central District neighborhoods .
That ’ s in addition to about 2.5 miles of street that were closed last week in the Central District and West Seattle .
The Seattle Times reports that ultimately , the city wants to close about 15 miles of streets across Seattle in the coming weeks to nonessential vehicle traffic to give more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Through traffic isn ’ t permitted but people who live along the streets can drive to and from their homes , and delivery workers can operate on the streets .
The city will install signs to alert residents about the closures .
Seattle ’ s initiative follows efforts from other cities , including Denver and Philadelphia , to provide more space for pedestrians and bicyclists at a time when vehicle traffic in many areas has plummeted .
Legislation proposed in New York City would close up to 75 miles of streets across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington state have tested positive for the virus and at least 723 have died .
The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients , and the vast majority recover .
But it is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear healthy and can cause severe illness and death in some patients , particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions .

SEATTLE — Seattle will close six more miles of residential streets to vehicle traffic to create space for pedestrians and bicyclists during the coronavirus outbreak.
The closures began Friday in he Greenwood, Othello, Rainier Beach, Beacon Hill and Central District neighborhoods. That’s in addition to about 2.5 miles of street that were closed last week in the Central District and West Seattle.
The Seattle Times reports that ultimately, the city wants to close about 15 miles of streets across Seattle in the coming weeks to nonessential vehicle traffic to give more space for people to practice social distancing.
Through traffic isn’t permitted but people who live along the streets can drive to and from their homes, and delivery workers can operate on the streets. The city will install signs to alert residents about the closures.
Seattle’s initiative follows efforts from other cities, including Denver and Philadelphia, to provide more space for pedestrians and bicyclists at a time when vehicle traffic in many areas has plummeted. Legislation proposed in New York City would close up to 75 miles of streets across all boroughs.
Nearly 13,000 people in Washington state have tested positive for the virus and at least 723 have died. The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients, and the vast majority recover. But it is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear healthy and can cause severe illness and death in some patients, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--David Ige, Hawaii governor, extends stay-at-home order through May 31

HONOLULU — Gov .
David Ige has extended the state ’ s state-at-home order and the mandatory quarantine for visitors through May 31 .
“ This was not an easy decision .
I know this has been difficult for everyone .
Businesses need to reopen .
People want to end this self-isolation and we want to return to normal , ” Ige said Saturday in a statement .
“ But this virus is potentially deadly , especially for the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.
” Ige also announced that elective surgeries may now take place and beaches will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference to outline the moves , Ige pointed to alarming COVID-19 clusters on the Big Island and Maui , Hawaii News Now reported .
“ We still need to remain vigilant.
” In his statement , Ige warned of undoing Hawaii ’ s progress in containing the virus if public places open up too early .
Hawaii has 601 cases of coronavirus and 13 deaths from the illness , according to the Johns Hopkins University database .
“ Thanks to our residents , we are flattening the curve , saving lives , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not reopening prematurely , ” Ige said .
The governor also extended the eviction moratorium , which prevents any eviction from a residential dwelling for failure to pay rent , through May 31 .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The vast majority of people recover .

HONOLULU — Gov. David Ige has extended the state’s state-at-home order and the mandatory quarantine for visitors through May 31.
“This was not an easy decision. I know this has been difficult for everyone. Businesses need to reopen. People want to end this self-isolation and we want to return to normal,” Ige said Saturday in a statement. “But this virus is potentially deadly, especially for the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.”
Ige also announced that elective surgeries may now take place and beaches will be open for exercise.
At a news conference to outline the moves, Ige pointed to alarming COVID-19 clusters on the Big Island and Maui, Hawaii News Now reported. “We still need to remain vigilant.”
In his statement, Ige warned of undoing Hawaii’s progress in containing the virus if public places open up too early. Hawaii has 601 cases of coronavirus and 13 deaths from the illness, according to the Johns Hopkins University database.
“Thanks to our residents, we are flattening the curve, saving lives, and avoiding a resurgence of this virus by not reopening prematurely,” Ige said.
The governor also extended the eviction moratorium, which prevents any eviction from a residential dwelling for failure to pay rent, through May 31.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death. The vast majority of people recover.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Kim Jong-un train likely seen in satellite images

SEOUL , South Korea — A train likely belonging to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been parked at his compound on the country ’ s east coast since last week , satellite imagery showed , amid speculation about his health that has been caused , in part , by a long period out of the public eye .
The satellite photos released by 38 North , a website specializing in North Korea studies , don ’ t say anything about Kim ’ s potential health problems , and they echo South Korean government intelligence that Kim is staying outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also repeatedly indicated that there have been no unusual signs that could indicate health problems for Kim .
That hasn ’ t stopped growing unconfirmed rumors and media reports about Kim ’ s health that have emerged since he missed an April 15 commemoration of the 108th birthday of his grandfather , North Korea founder Kim Il Sung .
Kim Jong-un is the third generation of his family to rule North Korea , and he hadn ’ t missed the April 15 event , one of the year ’ s most important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after his father Kim Jong Il ’ s death in late 2011 .
Kim ’ s health is of crucial importance because of worries that the serious illness or death of a leader venerated with near godlike passion by millions of North Koreans could cause instability in the impoverished , nuclear-armed country .
Many experts in South Korea downplayed speculation that Kim is seriously ill .
They also said North Korea won ’ t likely face a serious immediate turmoil even if Kim is incapacitated or dies because someone else like his influential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in , though the prospect for the North ’ s long-term political future would be unclear .
Kim Jong-un ’ s train has been parked at the Leadership Railway Station servicing his Wonsan compound since at least April 21 , the website 38 North said Saturday , citing an analysis of recent satellite photos of the area .
The website said that the approximately 250-meter ( 820-foot ) -long train wasn ’ t present on April 15 but was present on both April 21 and 23 .
“ The train ’ s presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Korean leader or indicate anything about his health , but it does lend weight to reports that Kim is staying at an elite area on the country ’ s eastern coast , ” it said .
The photos indicate the train arrived before April 21 and was still present on April 23 , when it appeared to be repositioned for departure .
However , there was no indication when that departure might take place , 38 North said .
North Korea exerts extremely tight control on information about its leadership , making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out what ’ s going on at those senior levels .
Even South Korea ’ s main spy agency has a mixed record on confirming developments in North Korea .
When Kim Jong Il died in December 2011 , for instance , few outsiders knew it until it was reported by North Korea ’ s state media two days later .
A U.S. official , speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn ’ t authorized to talk to the media , said the latest rumors about Kim ’ s health had not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ speculation.
” Danny Russel , a former National Security Council director and assistant secretary of state for Asia who has dealt with North Korea in the past , cautioned that rumors have abounded for years about Kim , his father , Kim Jong Il , and his grandfather , Kim Il Sung , and most turned out to have been false .
“ While serving in government I was on the receiving end of multiple intelligence reports about alleged accidents , illnesses and assassination attempts against North Korean leaders - only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
South Korea ’ s presidential office said last week that Kim appeared to be handling state affairs normally and that there had been no suspicious activities , such as an emergency readiness order issued by the North ’ s military or the ruling Workers ’ Party .
The South Korean government has since maintained its assessment that Kim ’ s health remains the same .
Some South Korean media outlets , citing unidentified government officials , have reported that Kim was staying at Wonsan .
North Korea ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside speculation on Kim ’ s health .
On Saturday , the official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim had received a message of greeting from the chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation on the occasion of the first anniversary of Kim ’ s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin .
The message wished Kim “ good health and happiness , ” KCNA said .
It ’ s not the first time that Kim has vanished from the public eye , and past absences in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about his health .
In 2014 , state media didn ’ t report any public activities for Kim for about six weeks , before he reappeared with a cane .
South Korea ’ s spy agency said later that he had a cyst removed from his ankle .
• AP Diplomatic Writer Matt Lee in Washington contributed to this report .

SEOUL, South Korea — A train likely belonging to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been parked at his compound on the country’s east coast since last week, satellite imagery showed, amid speculation about his health that has been caused, in part, by a long period out of the public eye.
The satellite photos released by 38 North, a website specializing in North Korea studies, don’t say anything about Kim’s potential health problems, and they echo South Korean government intelligence that Kim is staying outside of the capital, Pyongyang. Seoul has also repeatedly indicated that there have been no unusual signs that could indicate health problems for Kim.
That hasn’t stopped growing unconfirmed rumors and media reports about Kim’s health that have emerged since he missed an April 15 commemoration of the 108th birthday of his grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.
Kim Jong-un is the third generation of his family to rule North Korea, and he hadn’t missed the April 15 event, one of the year’s most important for the North, since assuming power after his father Kim Jong Il’s death in late 2011.
Kim’s health is of crucial importance because of worries that the serious illness or death of a leader venerated with near godlike passion by millions of North Koreans could cause instability in the impoverished, nuclear-armed country.
Many experts in South Korea downplayed speculation that Kim is seriously ill. They also said North Korea won’t likely face a serious immediate turmoil even if Kim is incapacitated or dies because someone else like his influential sister Kim Yo Jong will quickly step in, though the prospect for the North’s long-term political future would be unclear.
Kim Jong-un’s train has been parked at the Leadership Railway Station servicing his Wonsan compound since at least April 21, the website 38 North said Saturday, citing an analysis of recent satellite photos of the area. The website said that the approximately 250-meter (820-foot) -long train wasn’t present on April 15 but was present on both April 21 and 23.
“The train’s presence does not prove the whereabouts of the North Korean leader or indicate anything about his health, but it does lend weight to reports that Kim is staying at an elite area on the country’s eastern coast,” it said.
The photos indicate the train arrived before April 21 and was still present on April 23, when it appeared to be repositioned for departure. However, there was no indication when that departure might take place, 38 North said.
North Korea exerts extremely tight control on information about its leadership, making it virtually impossible for outsiders to find out what’s going on at those senior levels. Even South Korea’s main spy agency has a mixed record on confirming developments in North Korea. When Kim Jong Il died in December 2011, for instance, few outsiders knew it until it was reported by North Korea’s state media two days later.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to talk to the media, said the latest rumors about Kim’s health had not changed the U.S. assessment of the information as “speculation.”
Danny Russel, a former National Security Council director and assistant secretary of state for Asia who has dealt with North Korea in the past, cautioned that rumors have abounded for years about Kim, his father, Kim Jong Il, and his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, and most turned out to have been false.
“While serving in government I was on the receiving end of multiple intelligence reports about alleged accidents, illnesses and assassination attempts against North Korean leaders - only to have them reappear in public,” he said.
South Korea’s presidential office said last week that Kim appeared to be handling state affairs normally and that there had been no suspicious activities, such as an emergency readiness order issued by the North’s military or the ruling Workers’ Party. The South Korean government has since maintained its assessment that Kim’s health remains the same. Some South Korean media outlets, citing unidentified government officials, have reported that Kim was staying at Wonsan.
North Korea’s state media still remain silent about the outside speculation on Kim’s health. On Saturday, the official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim had received a message of greeting from the chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation on the occasion of the first anniversary of Kim’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The message wished Kim “good health and happiness,” KCNA said.
It’s not the first time that Kim has vanished from the public eye, and past absences in state media dispatches have also triggered speculation about his health. In 2014, state media didn’t report any public activities for Kim for about six weeks, before he reappeared with a cane. South Korea’s spy agency said later that he had a cyst removed from his ankle.
• AP Diplomatic Writer Matt Lee in Washington contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Lightning kills at least 10 in India amid heavy rain

PATNA , India ( AP ) - Lightning killed at least 10 villagers during thunderstorms and heavy rain in eastern @ @ @ @ @ government official said .
Pratay Amrit , a Bihar state disaster management official , said @ @ @ @ @ lightning struck them in Khalpura , a village in Bihar state ’ s Saran district @ @ @ @ @ in farms , about 60 kilometers ( 35 miles ) north of Patna , the @ @ @ @ @ nine villagers died on the spot and one later died in a hospital .
In @ @ @ @ @ killed 39 people in Bihar state during the monsoon season .

PATNA, India (AP) - Lightning killed at least 10 villagers during thunderstorms and heavy rain in eastern India on Sunday, a government official said.
Pratay Amrit, a Bihar state disaster management official, said nine others suffered injuries after lightning struck them in Khalpura, a village in Bihar state’s Saran district.
They were plucking vegetables in farms, about 60 kilometers (35 miles) north of Patna, the state capital.
Amrit said nine villagers died on the spot and one later died in a hospital.
In July last year, lightning killed 39 people in Bihar state during the monsoon season.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Nevada fight over bombing range pits tribes vs. U.S. Navy

FALLON , Nev. ( AP ) - On any given day , the remote desert valleys of central Northern Nevada can feel like the most peaceful places on earth .
Until the noise from the jets arrives .
Sometimes the disruption is nothing more than a low rumble beyond a distant horizon that quickly fades back to silence .
Other times it turns into an ear-splitting roar that rattles windows and frightens cattle and wildlife .
To some native Paiute and Shoshone people in the region , the thunderous sound from Navy jets serves as a reminder of the damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They worry a proposed base expansion could broaden the damage .
“ The military has not been kind to the Toi-ticutta , ” said Donna Cossette of the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe , using the Paiute word for “ cattail eater , ” the phrase for people who once lived around what is now the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge about 80 miles ( 128 km ) east of Reno .
The jet noise , explosions , restrictions on once-open landscape and environmental contamination are also , they fear , a mere glimpse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Navy wins approval from Congress to expand the reach of the Fallon Naval Air Station .
The Fallon Paiute Shoshone , Walker River Paiute and Yomba Shoshone tribes have all objected to various aspects of the plan , fearing loss of land and damage to resources on the expanded bombing and training ranges .
They are joined by environmental groups , hunters and others who want to prevent the Navy from adding 937 square miles ( 2,426 square km ) of public land beyond the size of the existing base which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ km ) .
But the tribal members have been among the most dedicated and passionate leaders in the fight because , they say , they have the most to lose .
“ Take a good look at my face because you will be seeing it again and again , ” Cossette said during a Navy-led public meeting in January .
“ I will be the one you will be arresting from our sacred places because that is how important it is to me.
” Cossette is a direct descendant of Captain Truckee - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ century guided explorers and settlers across the western Great Basin by way of the river that now bears his name .
She was also one of several people from area tribes who spoke publicly about how the military ’ s prior mistreatment of native people is directly related to their opposition to the expansion .
Cossette and other native people view the expansion proposal as another attempt by the military to bulldoze through native land while paying as little regard as possible to objections from native people .
Although each of the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its own objections , they share an overarching concern that the expansion proposal will cause even more irreparable harm to their land .
“ The environment is at the core of all tribal nations ’ existence , ” said Stacey Montooth , executive director of the Nevada Indian Commission and a Walker River Paiute member .
“ The mountains , the sagebrush , all of Mother Nature ’ s animals , those are what make up our churches.
” The Navy has acknowledged tribes ’ complaints about past environmental practices and has pledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go forward .
“ It is certainly true there are historical examples where our stewardship hasn ’ t been what it should have been , ” said Alex Stone , the Navy ’ s project manager for the plan .
“ But we are committed to turning the page on that ; I think this whole project has reflected that.
” The Fallon Naval Air Station is probably best known to the general public as the home of the Navy ’ s TOPGUN program - popularized by two Tom Cruise movies of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada goes back to World War II .
The area at the core of the modern base was part of the Western Defense Program , aimed at staving off a Japanese invasion that never happened .
After a brief period during which the site was under the control of the Bureau of Indian Affairs , it reverted to military use during the Korean War .
In the ensuing decades , jet and electronic warfare training expanded , and in the 1990s the site became home to the Naval Fighter Weapons School , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ranges and a ground training area for U.S. Navy SEALs , Fallon NAS is at a crossroads .
The Congressional legislation that authorizes the Navy to occupy most of the land is set to expire in 2021 .
That means the base , which brings thousands of personnel to Fallon and supports the local economy , will need Congress to renew the land withdrawal .
But Navy officials say the existing spread is insufficient to train pilots with current weaponry .
Modern technology allows today ’ s pilots to drop bombs from as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and far as 12 miles ( 19 km ) away .
The added distance means they need larger buffer zones between targets and the public at large , Navy officials say .
“ The Department of Defense is required to own all that space between where that weapon is dropped to the target area , ” said Rob Rule , community plans and liaison officer for Fallon NAS .
Without the added space , Navy pilots won ’ t have the chance to practice under realistic fighting conditions , officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgency that this needs to occur , ” Rule said .
That ’ s why they want to package the planned renewal with the expansion of the amount of land under military control .
About half of the expansion would occur in the Dixie Valley Training area about 40 miles ( 64 km ) east of Fallon .
But it would also expand the B-17 and B-20 bombing ranges .
The expanded B-20 range would place it adjacent to the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge and the expanded B-17 range would cover much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Combining the renewal of the existing base with the expansion , which has run into widespread opposition , would allow both to become part of the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act .
Len George , the soft-spoken chairman of the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe since 2002 , wrote a column publicly criticizing the proposal .
George , a U.S. Army veteran who served overseas , accused the Navy of seeking to turn “ sacred public lands into a bombing range.
” He said the proposal would expand the Navy ’ s reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived , died and worshiped for more than 10,000 years .
“ Congress would never allow Arlington National Cemetery to be bombed for training exercises or ban the public from going there to pay their respects ; our sites deserve the same protection , ” he wrote .
How far Congress will go to accommodate the tribes remains uncertain .
During a Feb. 12 meeting of the House Committee on Armed Services , members showed varying levels of commitment to prioritizing tribal concerns .
Rep. Doug Lamborn , R-Colo. , showed little interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the interests of native people or others who voiced objections .
“ There are national security implications for not doing the expansion and withdrawal that I think would be very detrimental , ” Lamborn said .
“ There are national security concerns with making sure both of these ranges are fully functional many , many years into the future.
” But Rep. Deb Haaland , D-New Mexico , chastised officials for brushing off tribal concerns and suggested the process so far was an affront to native culture .
“ They ’ ve lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their ancestors are buried there , ” Haaland said .
“ The idea this land that is hallowed ground can be used for this type of training , it is really sacrilegious in a way.
” A staff member for Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto , D-Nev. , said the senator is working on a public lands bill for the Fallon area that would address concerns from native people , businesses and conservationists .
Sen. Jacky Rosen , D-Nev. , said she ’ s aware of the tribes ’ concerns .
“ My team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe and with the Walker River Paiute Tribe , ” Rosen said .
“ I ’ m making sure that local tribes have a seat at the table so that their concerns are addressed.
” Logan Ramsey Tucker , a spokesperson for Rep. Mark Amodei , R-Nev. , said it ’ s not yet clear what will happen next because Congress is now preoccupied with the COVID-19 pandemic and sudden global economic crash .
“ There ’ s really not any updates to report at this time in Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be following the original timeline we had expected it to due to interruptions caused by coronavirus , ” Taylor said .
Native people acknowledge they face an uphill fight to convince Congress to rein in the military ’ s proposal .
But no matter what happens they ’ re planning to continue their efforts to regain what they ’ ve lost , said Rachel Downs , a Fallon Paiute Shoshone member and director of the tribe ’ s Cultural Learning Center .
“ In the end the tribe is always going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And we ’ re always going to be here cleaning up and picking up because this is our home .
”

FALLON, Nev. (AP) - On any given day, the remote desert valleys of central Northern Nevada can feel like the most peaceful places on earth.
Until the noise from the jets arrives.
Sometimes the disruption is nothing more than a low rumble beyond a distant horizon that quickly fades back to silence.
Other times it turns into an ear-splitting roar that rattles windows and frightens cattle and wildlife.
To some native Paiute and Shoshone people in the region, the thunderous sound from Navy jets serves as a reminder of the damage caused by military expansion in their communities. They worry a proposed base expansion could broaden the damage.
“The military has not been kind to the Toi-ticutta,” said Donna Cossette of the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe, using the Paiute word for “cattail eater,” the phrase for people who once lived around what is now the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge about 80 miles (128 km) east of Reno.
The jet noise, explosions, restrictions on once-open landscape and environmental contamination are also, they fear, a mere glimpse of what’s to come if the Navy wins approval from Congress to expand the reach of the Fallon Naval Air Station.
The Fallon Paiute Shoshone, Walker River Paiute and Yomba Shoshone tribes have all objected to various aspects of the plan, fearing loss of land and damage to resources on the expanded bombing and training ranges.
They are joined by environmental groups, hunters and others who want to prevent the Navy from adding 937 square miles (2,426 square km) of public land beyond the size of the existing base which is about 360 square miles (93 square km) .
But the tribal members have been among the most dedicated and passionate leaders in the fight because, they say, they have the most to lose.
“Take a good look at my face because you will be seeing it again and again,” Cossette said during a Navy-led public meeting in January. “I will be the one you will be arresting from our sacred places because that is how important it is to me.”
Cossette is a direct descendant of Captain Truckee - the Paiute leader who in the mid-19th century guided explorers and settlers across the western Great Basin by way of the river that now bears his name.
She was also one of several people from area tribes who spoke publicly about how the military’s prior mistreatment of native people is directly related to their opposition to the expansion.
Cossette and other native people view the expansion proposal as another attempt by the military to bulldoze through native land while paying as little regard as possible to objections from native people.
Although each of the three tribes around the naval air station has its own objections, they share an overarching concern that the expansion proposal will cause even more irreparable harm to their land.
“The environment is at the core of all tribal nations’ existence,” said Stacey Montooth, executive director of the Nevada Indian Commission and a Walker River Paiute member. “The mountains, the sagebrush, all of Mother Nature’s animals, those are what make up our churches.”
The Navy has acknowledged tribes’ complaints about past environmental practices and has pledged to do better should the proposed expansion go forward.
“It is certainly true there are historical examples where our stewardship hasn’t been what it should have been,” said Alex Stone, the Navy’s project manager for the plan. “But we are committed to turning the page on that; I think this whole project has reflected that.”
The Fallon Naval Air Station is probably best known to the general public as the home of the Navy’s TOPGUN program - popularized by two Tom Cruise movies of the same name.
But its history in Nevada goes back to World War II. The area at the core of the modern base was part of the Western Defense Program, aimed at staving off a Japanese invasion that never happened.
After a brief period during which the site was under the control of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, it reverted to military use during the Korean War.
In the ensuing decades, jet and electronic warfare training expanded, and in the 1990s the site became home to the Naval Fighter Weapons School, or TOPGUN.
Now, with four bombing ranges and a ground training area for U.S. Navy SEALs, Fallon NAS is at a crossroads.
The Congressional legislation that authorizes the Navy to occupy most of the land is set to expire in 2021.
That means the base, which brings thousands of personnel to Fallon and supports the local economy, will need Congress to renew the land withdrawal.
But Navy officials say the existing spread is insufficient to train pilots with current weaponry.
Modern technology allows today’s pilots to drop bombs from as high as 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) and far as 12 miles (19 km) away.
The added distance means they need larger buffer zones between targets and the public at large, Navy officials say.
“The Department of Defense is required to own all that space between where that weapon is dropped to the target area,” said Rob Rule, community plans and liaison officer for Fallon NAS.
Without the added space, Navy pilots won’t have the chance to practice under realistic fighting conditions, officials said.
“There is a certain amount of urgency that this needs to occur,” Rule said.
That’s why they want to package the planned renewal with the expansion of the amount of land under military control.
About half of the expansion would occur in the Dixie Valley Training area about 40 miles (64 km) east of Fallon. But it would also expand the B-17 and B-20 bombing ranges. The expanded B-20 range would place it adjacent to the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge and the expanded B-17 range would cover much of Gabbs Valley and require re-routing Highway 361.
Combining the renewal of the existing base with the expansion, which has run into widespread opposition, would allow both to become part of the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act.
Len George, the soft-spoken chairman of the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe since 2002, wrote a column publicly criticizing the proposal.
George, a U.S. Army veteran who served overseas, accused the Navy of seeking to turn “sacred public lands into a bombing range.” He said the proposal would expand the Navy’s reach further into areas where native people have lived, died and worshiped for more than 10,000 years.
“Congress would never allow Arlington National Cemetery to be bombed for training exercises or ban the public from going there to pay their respects; our sites deserve the same protection,” he wrote.
How far Congress will go to accommodate the tribes remains uncertain.
During a Feb. 12 meeting of the House Committee on Armed Services, members showed varying levels of commitment to prioritizing tribal concerns.
Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., showed little interest in scaling back the proposal to consider the interests of native people or others who voiced objections.
“There are national security implications for not doing the expansion and withdrawal that I think would be very detrimental,” Lamborn said. “There are national security concerns with making sure both of these ranges are fully functional many, many years into the future.”
But Rep. Deb Haaland, D-New Mexico, chastised officials for brushing off tribal concerns and suggested the process so far was an affront to native culture.
“They’ve lived on the land since time immemorial, their ancestors are buried there,” Haaland said. “The idea this land that is hallowed ground can be used for this type of training, it is really sacrilegious in a way.”
A staff member for Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said the senator is working on a public lands bill for the Fallon area that would address concerns from native people, businesses and conservationists.
Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., said she’s aware of the tribes’ concerns.
“My team and I have met with stakeholders from the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe and with the Walker River Paiute Tribe,” Rosen said. “I’m making sure that local tribes have a seat at the table so that their concerns are addressed.”
Logan Ramsey Tucker, a spokesperson for Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., said it’s not yet clear what will happen next because Congress is now preoccupied with the COVID-19 pandemic and sudden global economic crash.
“There’s really not any updates to report at this time in Congress as the bill is not going to be following the original timeline we had expected it to due to interruptions caused by coronavirus,” Taylor said.
Native people acknowledge they face an uphill fight to convince Congress to rein in the military’s proposal.
But no matter what happens they’re planning to continue their efforts to regain what they’ve lost, said Rachel Downs, a Fallon Paiute Shoshone member and director of the tribe’s Cultural Learning Center.
“In the end the tribe is always going to be here,” Downs said. “And we’re always going to be here cleaning up and picking up because this is our home.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Fairfax County Public Schools distance learning app fails again

The Fairfax County Public Schools system has failed twice in as many weeks to properly employ a distance learning app for its nearly 200,000 students under a statewide stay-at-home order , despite weeks of testing and assessing the program .
The repeated failure has prompted the departure of the school district ’ s chief technology officer , the formation of an advisory panel of outside technology experts — and questions about how one of the largest and richest school systems could be so ill-prepared to provide distance education .
“ In promising that we would be able to offer remote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we likely over-promised , ” said schools spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell .
“ We have now moved on and are offering other options for teachers and students to connect.
” Schools Superintendent Scott Braband told technology staffers Wednesday that Maribeth Luftglass , assistant superintendent of the department of information technology for the school district , had stepped down , news outlets reported .
The school district did not provide an official statement on Ms. Luftglass , who resigned after having served 21 years in the system .
Her resignation came after students were unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app Blackboard last Monday , the second time in two weeks the program could not deliver face-to-face instruction between teachers and students .
The program had been tested for four weeks before online learning was set to begin on April 14 and the firm that operates Blackboard had assured school officials it could handle the increased online traffic of the county ’ s students and teachers , Ms. Caldwell said .
Still there were “ widespread ” issues with the program on that first day of distance learning , she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be reliable and able to provide face to face teaching was incomplete , ” Ms. Caldwell said in an email .
“ And when the day came to turn it on , and all users logged on simultaneously , the capacity wasn ’ t there .
But face-to-face was just one aspect ( albeit a popular aspect ) of learning.
” Mr. Braband postponed teacher-led instruction for the rest of that week so that Blackboard could resolve the technical issues .
But when face-to-face learning was to resume on April 20 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patches , ” Ms. Caldwell said , adding that officials decided last Monday to move on to other means of distance learning .
The superintendent subsequently tapped Bobbie Kilberg , president and CEO of the Northern Virginia Technology Council ; Andrew Ko , managing director of global education at Amazon Web Services ; and Amy Gilliland , president of General Dynamics IT , to serve on his technology advisory council .
The panel willl advise Mr. Braband on best practices and emerging educational technology .
In addition , Mr. Braband retained the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report on the school district ’ s roll out of online learning .
“ Despite some notions , allow me to stress that the learning never stopped , ” Ms. Caldwell said in an email .
“ Our teachers continued to connect with students , and to encourage them through these tough times.
” In the meantime , teachers have emailed and called students , pre-recorded lessons and used Google Classrooms , Blackboard Collaborate Ultra , learning packets , ebooks and educational programming on public access cable channels 21 , 25 and 99 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requested anonymity because their spouse works in the state govnerment , said this has been a frustrating experience due to a lack of clear information .
“ In totality , it seemed kinda nebulous , like , ‘ We are working on a plan but not [ sharing ] a lot of details , ’ ” the parent said .
“ That was OK until the plan didn ’ t work the first time or the second time.
” Steve Knotts , chairman of the county ’ s Republican committee , said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on bureaucracy when it should focus on education first .
“ There seems to be more attention given to things that aren ’ t important when the schools are shut down , ” Mr. Knotts said .
“ Hiring an outside consulting firm to investigate their failure before it ’ s over just really seems out of place.
” Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam closed schools in March in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus .

The Fairfax County Public Schools system has failed twice in as many weeks to properly employ a distance learning app for its nearly 200,000 students under a statewide stay-at-home order, despite weeks of testing and assessing the program.
The repeated failure has prompted the departure of the school district’s chief technology officer, the formation of an advisory panel of outside technology experts — and questions about how one of the largest and richest school systems could be so ill-prepared to provide distance education.
“In promising that we would be able to offer remote learning to all 189,000 students simultaneously, we likely over-promised,” said schools spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell. “We have now moved on and are offering other options for teachers and students to connect.”
Schools Superintendent Scott Braband told technology staffers Wednesday that Maribeth Luftglass, assistant superintendent of the department of information technology for the school district, had stepped down, news outlets reported. The school district did not provide an official statement on Ms. Luftglass, who resigned after having served 21 years in the system.
Her resignation came after students were unable to log in on the remote learning app Blackboard last Monday, the second time in two weeks the program could not deliver face-to-face instruction between teachers and students.
The program had been tested for four weeks before online learning was set to begin on April 14 and the firm that operates Blackboard had assured school officials it could handle the increased online traffic of the county’s students and teachers, Ms. Caldwell said. Still there were “widespread” issues with the program on that first day of distance learning, she said.
“The testing to ensure that the system would be reliable and able to provide face to face teaching was incomplete,” Ms. Caldwell said in an email. “And when the day came to turn it on, and all users logged on simultaneously, the capacity wasn’t there. But face-to-face was just one aspect (albeit a popular aspect) of learning.”
Mr. Braband postponed teacher-led instruction for the rest of that week so that Blackboard could resolve the technical issues. But when face-to-face learning was to resume on April 20, Blackboard could not apply its “software patches,” Ms. Caldwell said, adding that officials decided last Monday to move on to other means of distance learning.
The superintendent subsequently tapped Bobbie Kilberg, president and CEO of the Northern Virginia Technology Council; Andrew Ko, managing director of global education at Amazon Web Services; and Amy Gilliland, president of General Dynamics IT, to serve on his technology advisory council. The panel willl advise Mr. Braband on best practices and emerging educational technology.
Ms. Kilberg declined a request for comment.
In addition, Mr. Braband retained the law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth to review and report on the school district’s roll out of online learning.
“Despite some notions, allow me to stress that the learning never stopped,” Ms. Caldwell said in an email. “Our teachers continued to connect with students, and to encourage them through these tough times.”
In the meantime, teachers have emailed and called students, pre-recorded lessons and used Google Classrooms, Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, learning packets, ebooks and educational programming on public access cable channels 21, 25 and 99.
One Fairfax County parent, who requested anonymity because their spouse works in the state govnerment, said this has been a frustrating experience due to a lack of clear information.
“In totality, it seemed kinda nebulous, like, ‘We are working on a plan but not [sharing] a lot of details,’” the parent said. “That was OK until the plan didn’t work the first time or the second time.”
Steve Knotts, chairman of the county’s Republican committee, said he thinks the district put too much focus on bureaucracy when it should focus on education first.
“There seems to be more attention given to things that aren’t important when the schools are shut down,” Mr. Knotts said. “Hiring an outside consulting firm to investigate their failure before it’s over just really seems out of place.”
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam closed schools in March in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
• Sophie Kaplan can be reached at skaplan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--South Korea not ready to declare victory in coronavirus fight

South Korean health officials say the world has a lot of learn from how the country contained a vicious early outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic , but told a Washington audience last week South Korea itself has a long way to go before even thinking about declaring victory .
Initially one of the hardest-hit epicenters of coronavirus infection , Seoul has been winning high praise for its massive mitigation response to flatten the infection curve and a testing and tracking regimen to identify and contain new outbreaks .
What once was a rate of infection that reached more than 900 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now plummeted in a matter of weeks to a daily infection rate in the single digits .
On April 23 , the nation saw just eight new confirmed cases , and just 89 across the country in previous seven days .
Despite reporting its first cases in early February , South Korea has recorded just 10,708 confirmed cases nationwide , with 8,501 recovered patients .
Just 240 deaths — in a nation of 51 million people — are attributed to the virus , fewer than the number in U.S. states such as North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosted by George Washington University Thursday , Director-General of the Republic of Korea ’ s Ministry of Science International Cooperation Bureau Hee-Kwon Jung cited the government ’ s focus on expansive testing , experimental treatment and advanced data collection as key factors in diminishing the virus ’ spread soon after it peaked in late February .
“ In the case of Korea , test kits [ were ] a very important factor in how to handle this COVID-19 , ” Mr. Jung said .
“ Because COVID-19 is an unknown virus , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the test kits.
” South Korean researchers began developing possible test prototypes before the virus was confirmed in the nation in mid-January , with the government of President Moon Jae-in fast-tracking the regulatory process for approvals .
Using artificial intelligence techniques , South Korean companies were able to mass-produce effective tests in a matter of weeks .
These tests , Mr. Jung said , can detect COVID-19 infection in “ a matter of seconds , ” allowing doctors to test thousands of patients each day with results in real-time .
The Korean government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ self-quarantine safety app , ” which allowed residents to monitor their own symptoms and self-isolate if necessary .
Those who tested positive for the virus were asked to share information about their recent whereabouts , aided by cell phone GPS tracking and credit card transactions .
These details enabled the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue alerts to the public about possible places of exposure while keeping the identity of those infected anonymous .
After weeks of self-isolation , residents in Seoul South Korea flocked to crowded cafes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while wearing face masks and practicing social distancing .
This picture of outdoor festivities and crowds is in stark contrast with cities in the US and Europe , where strict lockdowns have turned once bustling cities into ghost towns .
Moran Ki , a professor in the Department of Cancer Control and Population Health at South Korea ’ s National Cancer Center , said officials learned a harsh lesson about the importance of preparedness from a previous outbreak in the peninsula .
After the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome ( MERS ) outbreak of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health commissioner ordered a review of all systems should a future epidemic threaten the nation again .
These changes , Ms. Ki said , shifted the capacity of the national health system to handle an outbreak of large proportion .
Ms. Ki says the South Korean virus “ preparedness ” was not perfect , but the expanded capacity — especially the ability to treat patients of varying severity in different facilities — contributed to the nation ’ s low mortality rate , which is hovering around 2 % .
“ I think in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decrease case fatality rate , at first , they should prepare separation based on the severity of the patient , ” Ms. Ki said .
Although South Korea ’ s virus count has significantly curbed since February , Ms. Ki says experts are proceeding with caution .
Ms. Ki said residents of the Korean peninsula should not expect life to ever fully return to “ normal.
” “ I think we can not go back to the before-COVID-19 era , ” Ms. Ki said .
“ I think we have to live with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change our lifestyle and our work style and our health system to live with the virus .
”

South Korean health officials say the world has a lot of learn from how the country contained a vicious early outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, but told a Washington audience last week South Korea itself has a long way to go before even thinking about declaring victory.
Initially one of the hardest-hit epicenters of coronavirus infection, Seoul has been winning high praise for its massive mitigation response to flatten the infection curve and a testing and tracking regimen to identify and contain new outbreaks.
What once was a rate of infection that reached more than 900 confirmed cases on a single day has now plummeted in a matter of weeks to a daily infection rate in the single digits. On April 23, the nation saw just eight new confirmed cases, and just 89 across the country in previous seven days.
Despite reporting its first cases in early February, South Korea has recorded just 10,708 confirmed cases nationwide, with 8,501 recovered patients. Just 240 deaths — in a nation of 51 million people — are attributed to the virus, fewer than the number in U.S. states such as North Carolina and Wisconsin.
In a teleconference hosted by George Washington University Thursday, Director-General of the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Science International Cooperation Bureau Hee-Kwon Jung cited the government’s focus on expansive testing, experimental treatment and advanced data collection as key factors in diminishing the virus’ spread soon after it peaked in late February.
“In the case of Korea, test kits [were] a very important factor in how to handle this COVID-19,” Mr. Jung said. “Because COVID-19 is an unknown virus, it was very important how quickly we developed the test kits.”
South Korean researchers began developing possible test prototypes before the virus was confirmed in the nation in mid-January, with the government of President Moon Jae-in fast-tracking the regulatory process for approvals.
Using artificial intelligence techniques, South Korean companies were able to mass-produce effective tests in a matter of weeks. These tests, Mr. Jung said, can detect COVID-19 infection in “a matter of seconds,” allowing doctors to test thousands of patients each day with results in real-time.
The Korean government also instituted a tracking system through a “self-quarantine safety app,” which allowed residents to monitor their own symptoms and self-isolate if necessary. Those who tested positive for the virus were asked to share information about their recent whereabouts, aided by cell phone GPS tracking and credit card transactions.
These details enabled the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue alerts to the public about possible places of exposure while keeping the identity of those infected anonymous.
After weeks of self-isolation, residents in Seoul South Korea flocked to crowded cafes and picnicked in public parks Saturday, all while wearing face masks and practicing social distancing. This picture of outdoor festivities and crowds is in stark contrast with cities in the US and Europe, where strict lockdowns have turned once bustling cities into ghost towns.
Moran Ki, a professor in the Department of Cancer Control and Population Health at South Korea’s National Cancer Center, said officials learned a harsh lesson about the importance of preparedness from a previous outbreak in the peninsula.
After the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak of 2015, South Korean’s public health commissioner ordered a review of all systems should a future epidemic threaten the nation again. These changes, Ms. Ki said, shifted the capacity of the national health system to handle an outbreak of large proportion.
Ms. Ki says the South Korean virus “preparedness” was not perfect, but the expanded capacity — especially the ability to treat patients of varying severity in different facilities — contributed to the nation’s low mortality rate, which is hovering around 2%.
“I think in other countries if their goal is to decrease case fatality rate, at first, they should prepare separation based on the severity of the patient,” Ms. Ki said.
Although South Korea’s virus count has significantly curbed since February, Ms. Ki says experts are proceeding with caution.
Ms. Ki said residents of the Korean peninsula should not expect life to ever fully return to “normal.”
“I think we cannot go back to the before-COVID-19 era,” Ms. Ki said. “I think we have to live with COVID-19 forever, so we have to change our lifestyle and our work style and our health system to live with the virus.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Coronavirus deaths in Washington reach 749

SEATTLE ( AP ) - Health authorities on Sunday reported 11 more coronavirus deaths in Washington state , bringing the @ @ @ @ @ .
More than 13,500 people have tested positive for COVID-19 , according to the state @ @ @ @ @ most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and @ @ @ @ @ two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing @ @ @ @ @ cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .

SEATTLE (AP) - Health authorities on Sunday reported 11 more coronavirus deaths in Washington state, bringing the total to at least 749.
More than 13,500 people have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the state Department of Health.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Inside the Beltway: Media offers 'crickets' on Joe Biden misconduct charges

Observers continue to ponder the situation of Tara Reade , a former Senate aide to then-Sen. Joseph R. Biden of Delaware .
She has accused him of sexual misconduct in a 1993 encounter , complaints about which now seem to have been verified by a video clip from “ Larry King Live ” which aired on CNN on Aug. 11 , 1993 .
A female caller asked the prime-time host for advice in handling certain “ problems ” with a prominent senator ; Ms. Reade confirmed to CNN just 48 hours ago that she was certain that the woman was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make ideal fodder for the great Sunday talk fest on the networks , right ?
Uh , no .
“ Crickets on the Sunday talk shows .
After corroborating evidence of Tara Reade ’ s sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden emerged from an episode of “ Larry King Live ” from 1993 , one would think that would merit a mention on Sunday shows , ” says Steve Guest , rapid response director for the Republican National Committee .
He cited “ zero mentions on all five Sunday broadcasts , including CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press.
” “ That ’ s five hours of coverage and not one single mention , ” Mr .
Guest said .
“ The mainstream media ’ s coverage of the Reade allegations has made it very clear : sexual assault allegations will be given wall to wall coverage if they are made against a prominent Republican , whether corroborating evidence exists or not .
But allegations against Democrats will be swept aside , even if corroborating evidence to support the allegation exists .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even begin to describe this incredible pattern by our media , ” he observed .
Ms. Reade herself went on Fox News over the weekend to note the double standard .
“ I think it ’ s shocking that this much time has passed and that he is an actual nominee for president and they ’ re not asking the questions .
He ’ s been on ‘ Anderson Cooper ’ at least twice where he was not asked , ” she said in an interview .
“ I guess my question is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would they treat it the same way ?
If this were Brett Kavanaugh , did they treat it the same way ?
” Ms. Reade said .
“ In other words , it ’ s politics and political agenda playing a role in objective reporting and asking the question.
” Despite endless press attacks on President Trump , he still holds a unique advantage in the presidential election .
His main rival in the race does not appear to be instilling much voter confidence .
“ Joe Biden may be the presumptive Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president has a unique problem among registered voters : a lot of people who prefer him don ’ t think he ’ ll win , ” writes Kathy Frankovic , a senior analyst with YouGov polls .
“ Registered voters favor Joe Biden but are skeptical he can beat ” Mr. Trump , she says .
Here are the telling numbers : The poll found that among all voters , 48 % favor Mr. Biden , 42 % favor Mr. Trump .
Yet when asked who will actually win the election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump would emerge the victor , while 43 % cited Mr. Biden as the top dog .
“ Biden holds his six-point lead over President Donald Trump when registered voters are asked how they will vote .
But when those voters are asked who will win the election , confidence in a Biden win is just 43 percent , ” summarizes Ms. Frankovic .
“ Not only do a majority of registered voters not think Biden will win the November election , neither do almost one in five of his own anticipated voters.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the real cost of the election for President Trump .
These numbers have been compiled by Charlie Kirk , founder of Turning Point USA and author of “ The MAGA Doctrine : The Only Ideas that will Win the Future.
” He points out that Mr. Trump ’ s net worth before running for president in 2016 was $ 4.5 billion .
When then-Democratic candidate Barack Obama ran in 2008 , his net worth was $ 3 million , while Bill Clinton was worth $ 400,000 when he first ran in 1992 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 3 billion , while the Obamas are worth $ 135 million and the Clinton ’ s $ 100 million , Mr. Kirk reports .
“ Trump lost money running for public office So why is he the only one donating his salary ?
” the analyst asked in a tweet Sunday .
STEPPING UP TO HELP He was the heartthrob singer of another era , his trademark voice selling some 45 million records during the 1950s and ‘ 60s .
Pat Boone has stepped forward to record once again — this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal protection equipment during the coronavirus pandemic .
He joins the growing population of celebrities , actors and entertainers who have used their fame or talent to draw attention to the same cause .
Mr. Boone has recorded a 60-second public service announcement on behalf of the National Sheriffs ’ Association , which is raising money to obtain masks , gloves , face visors , disposable gowns , hand sanitizer and disinfectant .
The intended recipients are sheriff deputies , police , firefighters and EMTs .
His announcement is now in the hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds are being raised through the National Sheriffs ’ Educational Foundation , which says that donations of equipment from businesses are also welcome .
Country music duo Wynonna and Naomi Judd also recorded a video from their kitchen in Tennessee on behalf of the organization , the spot now circulating through social media and via YouTube .
“ The first responders keep us safe .
Let ’ s do our part to keep them safe too , ” Wynonna Judd advises in their message .
• 46 % of Americans plan to travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 52 % of this group will travel within the U.S. , 23 % are unsure of their destination , 10 % will make an international trip .
• 42 % of this group will visit family and friends , 40 % will go on a leisure trip , 10 % are unsure of their plans .
• 85 % of this group will travel for business .
• 42 % overall did not have to cancel travel plans because of the coronavirus because they had no travel or vacation plans .
• 34 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans , 24 % had to cancel a trip which was already booked .

NEWS AND OPINION:
Observers continue to ponder the situation of Tara Reade, a former Senate aide to then-Sen. Joseph R. Biden of Delaware. She has accused him of sexual misconduct in a 1993 encounter, complaints about which now seem to have been verified by a video clip from “Larry King Live” which aired on CNN on Aug. 11, 1993.
A female caller asked the prime-time host for advice in handling certain “problems” with a prominent senator; Ms. Reade confirmed to CNN just 48 hours ago that she was certain that the woman was her late mother.
Such goings would make ideal fodder for the great Sunday talk fest on the networks, right? Uh, no.
“Crickets on the Sunday talk shows. After corroborating evidence of Tara Reade’s sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden emerged from an episode of “Larry King Live” from 1993, one would think that would merit a mention on Sunday shows,” says Steve Guest, rapid response director for the Republican National Committee.
He cited “zero mentions on all five Sunday broadcasts, including CNN’s “State Of The Union” and NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“That’s five hours of coverage and not one single mention,” Mr. Guest said.
“The mainstream media’s coverage of the Reade allegations has made it very clear: sexual assault allegations will be given wall to wall coverage if they are made against a prominent Republican, whether corroborating evidence exists or not. But allegations against Democrats will be swept aside, even if corroborating evidence to support the allegation exists. The word ‘shameful’ doesn’t even begin to describe this incredible pattern by our media,” he observed.
Ms. Reade herself went on Fox News over the weekend to note the double standard.
“I think it’s shocking that this much time has passed and that he is an actual nominee for president and they’re not asking the questions. He’s been on ‘Anderson Cooper’ at least twice where he was not asked,” she said in an interview.
“I guess my question is, if this were Donald Trump, would they treat it the same way? If this were Brett Kavanaugh, did they treat it the same way?” Ms. Reade said. “In other words, it’s politics and political agenda playing a role in objective reporting and asking the question.”
VOTERS DOUBT BIDEN CAN WIN
Despite endless press attacks on President Trump, he still holds a unique advantage in the presidential election. His main rival in the race does not appear to be instilling much voter confidence.
“Joe Biden may be the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, but the former vice president has a unique problem among registered voters: a lot of people who prefer him don’t think he’ll win,” writes Kathy Frankovic, a senior analyst with YouGov polls.
“Registered voters favor Joe Biden but are skeptical he can beat” Mr. Trump, she says.
Here are the telling numbers: The poll found that among all voters, 48% favor Mr. Biden, 42% favor Mr. Trump. Yet when asked who will actually win the election, 57% of the respondents said Mr. Trump would emerge the victor, while 43% cited Mr. Biden as the top dog.
“Biden holds his six-point lead over President Donald Trump when registered voters are asked how they will vote. But when those voters are asked who will win the election, confidence in a Biden win is just 43 percent,” summarizes Ms. Frankovic. “Not only do a majority of registered voters not think Biden will win the November election, neither do almost one in five of his own anticipated voters.”
THE TRUE COST OF ELECTION
A few stark numbers say much about the real cost of the election for President Trump.
These numbers have been compiled by Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and author of “The MAGA Doctrine: The Only Ideas that will Win the Future.”
He points out that Mr. Trump’s net worth before running for president in 2016 was $4.5 billion. When then-Democratic candidate Barack Obama ran in 2008, his net worth was $3 million, while Bill Clinton was worth $400,000 when he first ran in 1992.
And today?
The Trump fortune now stands at $3 billion, while the Obamas are worth $135 million and the Clinton’s $100 million, Mr. Kirk reports.
“Trump lost money running for public office So why is he the only one donating his salary?” the analyst asked in a tweet Sunday.
STEPPING UP TO HELP
He was the heartthrob singer of another era, his trademark voice selling some 45 million records during the 1950s and ‘60s. Pat Boone has stepped forward to record once again — this time to support first responders in need of personal protection equipment during the coronavirus pandemic.
He joins the growing population of celebrities, actors and entertainers who have used their fame or talent to draw attention to the same cause.
Mr. Boone has recorded a 60-second public service announcement on behalf of the National Sheriffs’ Association, which is raising money to obtain masks, gloves, face visors, disposable gowns, hand sanitizer and disinfectant. The intended recipients are sheriff deputies, police, firefighters and EMTs.
His announcement is now in the hands of 800 radio stations nationwide. The funds are being raised through the National Sheriffs’ Educational Foundation, which says that donations of equipment from businesses are also welcome.
Country music duo Wynonna and Naomi Judd also recorded a video from their kitchen in Tennessee on behalf of the organization, the spot now circulating through social media and via YouTube.
“The first responders keep us safe. Let’s do our part to keep them safe too,” Wynonna Judd advises in their message.
POLL DU JOUR
• 46% of Americans plan to travel once the coronavirus lockdown ends.
• 52% of this group will travel within the U.S., 23% are unsure of their destination, 10% will make an international trip.
• 42% of this group will visit family and friends, 40% will go on a leisure trip, 10% are unsure of their plans.
• 85% of this group will travel for business.
• 42% overall did not have to cancel travel plans because of the coronavirus because they had no travel or vacation plans.
• 34% had to cancel or delay their plans, 24% had to cancel a trip which was already booked.
Source: A Piplsay/Market Cube online survey of 30,587 U.S. adults conducted April 1-21.
• Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Diego Pongo, Marine killed in Iraq, gets parade, police flyover

SIMI VALLEY , Calif. — The family of a U.S. Marine killed in Iraq last month had to postpone his @ @ @ @ @ on large gatherings in California to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
On Sunday @ @ @ @ @ with a parade outside their Simi Valley home that began with a police helicopter flyover @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement vehicles , fire engines and cars .
The Ventura County Star reports the @ @ @ @ @ Sgt .
Diego D. Pongo was orderly .
Pongo ’ s sister-in-law helped organize the @ @ @ @ @ and brothers .
The city ’ s police department helped with traffic control .
Community @ @ @ @ @ for more than two hours , and many of their cars blasted music while kids @ @ @ @ @ flags .
People who gathered on the sidewalk to watch the parade followed social distancing @ @ @ @ @ Zayicek told the newspaper .
“ It was a great show of support in our @ @ @ @ @ .

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — The family of a U.S. Marine killed in Iraq last month had to postpone his memorial service because of restrictions on large gatherings in California to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
On Sunday morning, they were surprised with a parade outside their Simi Valley home that began with a police helicopter flyover, followed by about 1,500 law enforcement vehicles, fire engines and cars.
The Ventura County Star reports the huge turnout to honor Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo was orderly.
Pongo’s sister-in-law helped organize the parade to surprise his parents and brothers. The city’s police department helped with traffic control.
Community members kept the parade going for more than two hours, and many of their cars blasted music while kids hung out of windows waving flags. People who gathered on the sidewalk to watch the parade followed social distancing measures, Sgt. Patrick Zayicek told the newspaper.
“It was a great show of support in our community,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Beachgoers swarm Newport Beach, Huntington Beach in California

LOS ANGELES – A lingering heat wave lured people to Southern California beaches , rivers and trails again Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ defiance of stay-at-home orders could reverse progress and bring the coronavirus surging back .
Tens @ @ @ @ @ the sand at Newport Beach in Orange County , where residents compared weekend crowds to @ @ @ @ @ lifeguards reminded people to stay apart if they were in groups of six or more @ @ @ @ @ saw big gatherings , despite the closure of parking lots and metered parking restricted along @ @ @ @ @ were close to 90 degrees .
Robin Ford surveyed the crush of visitors with concern @ @ @ @ @ people are in one household , it does look like they are not social distancing @ @ @ @ @ Orange County Register .
“ They could be spread out more .
”

LOS ANGELES – A lingering heat wave lured people to Southern California beaches, rivers and trails again Sunday, prompting warnings from officials that defiance of stay-at-home orders could reverse progress and bring the coronavirus surging back.
Tens of thousands of people packed the sand at Newport Beach in Orange County, where residents compared weekend crowds to the Fourth of July and lifeguards reminded people to stay apart if they were in groups of six or more.
Neighboring Huntington Beach also saw big gatherings, despite the closure of parking lots and metered parking restricted along Pacific Coast Highway. Temperatures were close to 90 degrees.
Robin Ford surveyed the crush of visitors with concern.
“Unless all these people are in one household, it does look like they are not social distancing,” Ford told the Orange County Register. “They could be spread out more.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Sara Brady, Idaho activist, apologizes for refusing to leave playground

BOISE — An anti-vaccine activist who was arrested in Idaho after she repeatedly refused orders by police to leave a playground that had been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic has apologized to the police officer .
Sara Brady said she was on edge with the “ constant stress ” of being stuck at home and trying to take care of her cooped-up children .
“ However , this is not an excuse for my behavior and my part in what happened , ” she said Friday , reading from a prepared statement , according to Boise television station KBOI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment made to you out of frustration … would create such a divide.
” Brady , 40 , was charged with misdemeanor trespassing on a closed playground .
Video showed her refusing officers repeatedly requests to leave the play structures Tuesday .
She is affiliated with two groups that sponsored a protest at the Idaho Statehouse against Gov .
Brad Little ’ s stay-at-home order .
The coronavirus causes flu-like symptoms in most people and can be fatal for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There has been a growing number of protests in Idaho and elsewhere over stay-at-home orders , including a Saturday protest in eastern Idaho where Lt. Gov .
Janice McGeachin spoke .

BOISE — An anti-vaccine activist who was arrested in Idaho after she repeatedly refused orders by police to leave a playground that had been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic has apologized to the police officer.
Sara Brady said she was on edge with the “constant stress” of being stuck at home and trying to take care of her cooped-up children.
“However, this is not an excuse for my behavior and my part in what happened,” she said Friday, reading from a prepared statement , according to Boise television station KBOI. “I never thought a knee-jerk comment made to you out of frustration … would create such a divide.”
Brady, 40, was charged with misdemeanor trespassing on a closed playground.
Video showed her refusing officers repeatedly requests to leave the play structures Tuesday. She is affiliated with two groups that sponsored a protest at the Idaho Statehouse against Gov. Brad Little’s stay-at-home order.
The coronavirus causes flu-like symptoms in most people and can be fatal for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems. More than 50 people have died in Idaho.
There has been a growing number of protests in Idaho and elsewhere over stay-at-home orders, including a Saturday protest in eastern Idaho where Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin spoke.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Activist apologizes after refusing to leave playground

BOISE ( AP ) - An anti-vaccine activist who was arrested in Idaho after she repeatedly refused orders by police to leave a playground that had been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic has apologized to the police officer .
Sara Brady said she was on edge with the “ constant stress ” of being stuck at home and trying to take care of her cooped-up children .
“ However , this is not an excuse for my behavior and my part in what happened , ” she said Friday , reading from a prepared statement , according to Boise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought a knee-jerk comment made to you out of frustration … would create such a divide.
” Brady , 40 , was charged with misdemeanor trespassing on a closed playground .
Video showed her refusing officers repeatedly requests to leave the play structures Tuesday .
She is affiliated with two groups that sponsored a protest at the Idaho Statehouse against Gov .
Brad Little ’ s stay-at-home order .
The coronavirus causes flu-like symptoms in most people and can be fatal for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Idaho .
There has been a growing number of protests in Idaho and elsewhere over stay-at-home orders , including a Saturday protest in eastern Idaho where Lt. Gov .
Janice McGeachin spoke .

BOISE (AP) - An anti-vaccine activist who was arrested in Idaho after she repeatedly refused orders by police to leave a playground that had been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic has apologized to the police officer.
Sara Brady said she was on edge with the “constant stress” of being stuck at home and trying to take care of her cooped-up children.
“However, this is not an excuse for my behavior and my part in what happened,” she said Friday, reading from a prepared statement , according to Boise television station KBOI. “I never thought a knee-jerk comment made to you out of frustration … would create such a divide.”
Brady, 40, was charged with misdemeanor trespassing on a closed playground.
Video showed her refusing officers repeatedly requests to leave the play structures Tuesday. She is affiliated with two groups that sponsored a protest at the Idaho Statehouse against Gov. Brad Little’s stay-at-home order.
The coronavirus causes flu-like symptoms in most people and can be fatal for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems. More than 50 people have died in Idaho.
There has been a growing number of protests in Idaho and elsewhere over stay-at-home orders, including a Saturday protest in eastern Idaho where Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin spoke.