washingtontimes--2020-04-29--New York hospital ship set to return to Virginia on Thursday

NORFOLK , Va. ( AP ) - The Navy hospital ship sent to relieve stressed New York City hospitals as coronavirus cases surged is set to leave this week and return to its homeport in Virginia , the U.S. Navy said .
The USNS Comfort will set sail for Norfolk on Thursday , officials said in a statement Tuesday .
The ship docked in Manhattan on March 30 , and while it was originally deployed to care for non-coronavirus patients , by April 6 it had begun accepting those with the virus as the city ’ s hospitals continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo said last week that the ship was no longer needed as stresses on the hospital system appeared to be easing .
As of Saturday , the 1,000-bed hospital ship had treated 182 patients .
The last patients were discharged this week , according to the Navy .
Once in Norfolk , the ship will restock and remain ready for possible future deployments , officials said .
The ship was crewed by civilian mariners and a majority of its medical staff was based at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth , The Virginian-Pilot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the staff would go upon the ship ’ s return .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - The Navy hospital ship sent to relieve stressed New York City hospitals as coronavirus cases surged is set to leave this week and return to its homeport in Virginia, the U.S. Navy said.
The USNS Comfort will set sail for Norfolk on Thursday, officials said in a statement Tuesday.
The ship docked in Manhattan on March 30, and while it was originally deployed to care for non-coronavirus patients, by April 6 it had begun accepting those with the virus as the city’s hospitals continued to crowd.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said last week that the ship was no longer needed as stresses on the hospital system appeared to be easing. As of Saturday, the 1,000-bed hospital ship had treated 182 patients. The last patients were discharged this week, according to the Navy.
Once in Norfolk, the ship will restock and remain ready for possible future deployments, officials said.
The ship was crewed by civilian mariners and a majority of its medical staff was based at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, The Virginian-Pilot reported. Officials did not say where the staff would go upon the ship’s return.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Man killed during shootout with police after traffic stop

TAMPA , Fla. ( AP ) - Police officers in Tampa fatally shot a man who fired at them during @ @ @ @ @ night , police said .
The driver got out of the vehicle and began shooting @ @ @ @ @ .
The officers returned fire , killing the man .
Police said the vehicle had @ @ @ @ @ in another neighborhood on April 24 .
No other injuries were reported .
Police have @ @ @ @ @ the man .
They didn ’ t say how many officers fired at the man @

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Police officers in Florida fatally shot a man who fired at them during a late night traffic stop, authorities said.
Officers stopped a white Chevrolet Impala in a Tampa neighborhood around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, news outlets reported.
The driver, later identified as 26-year-old Jonas Joseph, got out of the vehicle and began shooting at officers, police said. The officers returned fire, killing the man, according to police.
Police said the vehicle had been involved in a shooting in another neighborhood on April 24.
None of the officers were injured.
Joseph was black. Police didn’t immediately say what races the five officers involved in the shooting are.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--From a loft studio on a farm, professor teaches painting

Fred Haag , an associate professor of visual arts at Penn State York , normally teaches his Art 50 : Introduction to Painting course in a large studio at a state-of-the art performing arts center .
But because of the COVID-19 outbreak , classes are now being held remotely from a loft studio at his small farm in south-central Pennsylvania .
The farm is in a hilly , agrarian area in Hellam , about 11 miles from campus .
Haag lives there with his wife of almost 30 years , Marcy Nicholas , who also teaches at Penn State York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chickens , but the old farm has hosted cattle , goats and ducks .
The spring class of 20 undergraduate students has been meeting remotely three days a week since March 16 , when the whole Penn State system moved to remote and online classes in response to the global pandemic .
On a rainy Friday morning , the class began on Zoom with an artist presentation , with Haag later checking in on students ’ progress on their projects - and a crowing rooster outside the window making an occasional interruption .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ teaching for more than three decades , this is his first experience with remote instruction .
He ’ s encountered a few growing pains with technology and streaming video .
“ Our area has limited wifi , and visual courses consume lots of bandwidth , ” said Haag , 58 .
The university has provided him with a smartphone to act as an internet hotspot .
“ There is a significant learning curve for both faculty and students , ” he added .
“ This term is really an emergency stopgap measure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would want a lot more time to assemble materials and work out the details of class-time activities.
” Haag said he thinks remote painting classes could continue after the pandemic , but he has some reservations .
“ There are a bunch of folks who teach art courses remotely , ” he said .
“ But I find myself missing the studio dynamic and the active learning that occurs for me in the face-to-face environment .
”

Fred Haag, an associate professor of visual arts at Penn State York, normally teaches his Art 50: Introduction to Painting course in a large studio at a state-of-the art performing arts center. But because of the COVID-19 outbreak, classes are now being held remotely from a loft studio at his small farm in south-central Pennsylvania.
The farm is in a hilly, agrarian area in Hellam, about 11 miles from campus. Haag lives there with his wife of almost 30 years, Marcy Nicholas, who also teaches at Penn State York. They currently raise just cats and chickens, but the old farm has hosted cattle, goats and ducks.
The spring class of 20 undergraduate students has been meeting remotely three days a week since March 16, when the whole Penn State system moved to remote and online classes in response to the global pandemic. On a rainy Friday morning, the class began on Zoom with an artist presentation, with Haag later checking in on students’ progress on their projects - and a crowing rooster outside the window making an occasional interruption.
For Haag, who’s been teaching for more than three decades, this is his first experience with remote instruction. He’s encountered a few growing pains with technology and streaming video. “Our area has limited wifi, and visual courses consume lots of bandwidth,” said Haag, 58. The university has provided him with a smartphone to act as an internet hotspot.
“There is a significant learning curve for both faculty and students,” he added. “This term is really an emergency stopgap measure. And to do things correctly, I would want a lot more time to assemble materials and work out the details of class-time activities.”
Haag said he thinks remote painting classes could continue after the pandemic, but he has some reservations. “There are a bunch of folks who teach art courses remotely,” he said. “But I find myself missing the studio dynamic and the active learning that occurs for me in the face-to-face environment.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Suspected impaired driver arrested in fatal hit-and-run

ST. PAUL , Minn. ( AP ) - Police say a driver was apparently impaired when he struck and killed @ @ @ @ @ and left the scene .
Officers responded to a report of a collision involving a @ @ @ @ @ shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday .
Officers found a man with seriously injuries .
Paramedics @ @ @ @ @ man was pronounced dead at the scene .
After reviewing surveillance video in the area @ @ @ @ @ description of the suspect vehicle and an officer spotted the driver about 15 minutes later @ @ @ @ @ to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol , was arrested and booked into @ @ @ @ @ suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide , the St. Paul Pioneer Pres s reported .
The @ @ @ @ @ not been released .

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Police say a driver was apparently impaired when he struck and killed a pedestrian in St. Paul and left the scene.
Officers responded to a report of a collision involving a pedestrian in the Midway area shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday. Officers found a man with seriously injuries. Paramedics were called, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
After reviewing surveillance video in the area, officers put out a description of the suspect vehicle and an officer spotted the driver about 15 minutes later.
The 46-year-old man appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, was arrested and booked into the Ramsey County jail on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide, the St. Paul Pioneer Pres s reported.
The identity of the victim has not been released.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Man arrested in strangulation death of Seattle woman

SEATTLE ( AP ) - A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a Seattle woman whose body was found in a car that was involved in a train wreck in Kent .
Kent police said detectives quickly realized her injuries weren ’ t from the crash .
On Tuesday , her ex-boyfriend , a 37-year-old Tukwila man , was booked jail on investigation of homicide , court and jail records show .
He is expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday , The Seattle Times reported .
The King County Medical Examiner ’ s Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined she died from asphyxia due to strangulation at about 2 a.m. on April 22 .
Kent Assistant Police Chief Jarod Kasner said a witness called 911 at 3 a.m. on April 22 and reported a car had collided with a train .
The witness said the car stopped briefly but then drove off , Kasner said .
Police officers found the vehicle nearby and began CPR on the woman but she was declared dead at the scene .
The male driver was arrested at the scene for a Department of Corrections violation @

SEATTLE (AP) - A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a Seattle woman whose body was found in a car that was involved in a train wreck in Kent. Kent police said detectives quickly realized her injuries weren’t from the crash.
On Tuesday, her ex-boyfriend, a 37-year-old Tukwila man, was booked jail on investigation of homicide, court and jail records show. He is expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday, The Seattle Times reported.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Destinie Gates-Jackson and determined she died from asphyxia due to strangulation at about 2 a.m. on April 22.
Kent Assistant Police Chief Jarod Kasner said a witness called 911 at 3 a.m. on April 22 and reported a car had collided with a train. The witness said the car stopped briefly but then drove off, Kasner said. Police officers found the vehicle nearby and began CPR on the woman but she was declared dead at the scene.
The male driver was arrested at the scene for a Department of Corrections violation.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--3 Vancouver officers shoot man who refused commands

VANCOUVER , Wash. ( AP ) - Vancouver police say three of their officers shot someone who refused commands to @ @ @ @ @ holding on Tuesday morning .
Officers responded to a call about two people fighting in @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter .
When they arrived , officers found one person unconscious lying on the @ @ @ @ @ refused officers ’ commands to drop “ sharpened objects ” he was holding , police @ @ @ @ @ at the person .
No officers were injured .
The condition of the person shot @ @ @ @ @ The Regional Independent Investigative Team , led by the Clark County Sheriff ’ s Office @ @ @ @

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - Vancouver police say three of their officers shot someone who refused commands to drop sharpened objects they were holding on Tuesday morning.
Officers responded to a call about two people fighting in central Vancouver, police said on Twitter.
When they arrived, officers found one person unconscious lying on the ground and the other person refused officers’ commands to drop “sharpened objects” he was holding, police said.
Three officers fired at man.
No officers were injured. Police said Wednesday that the man shot by Vancouver police died at a hospital.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office said the man will be publicly identified after his family has been notified of his death. An autopsy will determine his official cause and manner of death.
No further information has been released.
The Regional Independent Investigative Team, led by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Officials: Two men drank cleaning products to fight virus

ATLANTA ( AP ) - Two Georgia men were hospitalized after drinking cleaning products hoping to prevent a coronavirus infection .
Georgia Poison Control Director Gaylord Lopez told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the men in Atlanta , who had a history of mental health issues , are expected to recover after drinking the products over the weekend .
Lopez said he does not know if the men ingested the cleaning solutions because of President Donald Trump ’ s musings on whether injecting disinfectants could treat the virus during a White House briefing on Thursday .
The statements provoked an intense outcry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company behind Lysol , to release a statement urging people to avoid ingesting their products .
“ We must be clear that under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body through injection , ingestion or any other route , ” the company said .
The first man in Atlanta drank about 16 ounces of bleach on Saturday .
He was treated in a hospital and has since been discharged from a psychiatric ward , Lopez said .
Authorities did not reveal his identity but noted the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man in his 30s was discharged after he guzzled a mixture of Pine-Sol , mouthwash , beer and pain medications on Sunday , Lopez said .
At least two other people in Georgia have consumed household chemicals since the virus outbreak began and before President Trump made his comments , the news outlet reported .
The state ’ s poison center was made aware of the two men ’ s cleaning product consumption when hospitals treating them called seeking advice .
“ We don ’ t ask the question of , was it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Lopez said .
The center ’ s mission is to provide advice so they “ make sure these patients make it , ” he added .
Lopez said poison control also has seen a spike in other calls this year , involving people who have inhaled different household supplies while cleaning surfaces , and children poisoned when parents left them unattended while working from home .
According to the CDC , calls to poison centers about disinfectants has increased 20 % in the first three months of this year .

ATLANTA (AP) - Two Georgia men were hospitalized after drinking cleaning products hoping to prevent a coronavirus infection.
Georgia Poison Control Director Gaylord Lopez told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the men in Atlanta, who had a history of mental health issues, are expected to recover after drinking the products over the weekend.
Lopez said he does not know if the men ingested the cleaning solutions because of President Donald Trump’s musings on whether injecting disinfectants could treat the virus during a White House briefing on Thursday. The statements provoked an intense outcry from health officials and prompted RB, the company behind Lysol, to release a statement urging people to avoid ingesting their products.
“We must be clear that under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body through injection, ingestion or any other route,” the company said.
The first man in Atlanta drank about 16 ounces of bleach on Saturday. He was treated in a hospital and has since been discharged from a psychiatric ward, Lopez said. Authorities did not reveal his identity but noted the man was in his 50s.
A second man in his 30s was discharged after he guzzled a mixture of Pine-Sol, mouthwash, beer and pain medications on Sunday, Lopez said. At least two other people in Georgia have consumed household chemicals since the virus outbreak began and before President Trump made his comments, the news outlet reported.
The state’s poison center was made aware of the two men’s cleaning product consumption when hospitals treating them called seeking advice.
“We don’t ask the question of, was it because they watched a TV show?” Lopez said. The center’s mission is to provide advice so they “make sure these patients make it,” he added.
Lopez said poison control also has seen a spike in other calls this year, involving people who have inhaled different household supplies while cleaning surfaces, and children poisoned when parents left them unattended while working from home. According to the CDC, calls to poison centers about disinfectants has increased 20% in the first three months of this year.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Plan to use malaria drug in Mumbai slums temporarily shelved

NEW DELHI ( AP ) - A plan to give the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to thousands of people in Mumbai ’ s crowded slums to prevent coronavirus infections has temporarily been shelved , officials said Wednesday .
Health officials in Mumbai said that a test to prove the efficacy of the much touted but largely untested drug was still in the cards , but that for now they would follow federal Indian guidelines .
India , which reached the grim milestone of over 1,000 deaths from the virus on Wednesday , is one of the few countries that has pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HCQ , as a precautionary measure among high-risk groups such as health care workers or people who have come in close contact with COVID-19 patients .
Mumbai , one of the world ’ s most densely populated cities , has struggled to contain the spread of the virus , and has over 3,000 cases .
In Mumbai slums like Dharavi , which is Asia ’ s largest , social distancing is nearly impossible .
In response , the state government had said it would conduct a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed to the scant evidence for the efficacy of the drug and the risks it poses , and questioned the ethics of using HCQ on a vulnerable population .
Dr. Daksha Shah , Mumbai ’ s deputy executive health officer , said that officials would now follow guidelines set by India ’ s top medical research body , and that they were waiting for approval to test the drug .
The state government has now said that HCQ - which has been touted by President Donald Trump - can be given only after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risks involved .
It added that adverse reactions need to be immediately reported to authorities , and that doctors must sign off on giving the drug to those with heart ailments , diabetes or blood disorders .
But concerns remain over India ’ s policy of using the drug as a precautionary measure .
India ’ s National Task Force for COVID-19 issued a statement on March 22 that said its decision to allow the use of the drug was based on “ risk-benefit considerations , under exceptional circumstances ” and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as treatment and supported by preclinical data.
” After the statement was issued , health workers in Mumbai , like other parts of India , began taking HCQ .
The drug was also given to healthy police officers in the city .
But experts say there is no evidence that the drug is a preventative tool against COVID-19 .
Even for the treatment of diagnosed patients , HCQ has shown no benefit .
An analysis of 368 patients in U.S. veterans hospitals published earlier this month reported more deaths among those given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no evidence … why are scientific bodies pushing this drug and giving the impression to the public that there is a magic bullet , and this is your last hope ?
” said Dr. Shriprakash Kalantri , an epidemiologist in the west Indian state of Maharashtra .

NEW DELHI (AP) - A plan to give the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to thousands of people in Mumbai’s crowded slums to prevent coronavirus infections has temporarily been shelved, officials said Wednesday.
Health officials in Mumbai said that a test to prove the efficacy of the much touted but largely untested drug was still in the cards, but that for now they would follow federal Indian guidelines.
India, which reached the grim milestone of over 1,000 deaths from the virus on Wednesday, is one of the few countries that has pushed for the use of hydroxychloroquine, as a precautionary measure among high-risk groups such as health care workers or people who have come in close contact with COVID-19 patients.
Mumbai, one of the world’s most densely populated cities, has struggled to contain the spread of the virus, and has over 3,000 cases. In Mumbai slums like Dharavi, which is Asia’s largest, social distancing is nearly impossible. In response, the state government had said it would conduct a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine on slum residents.
But experts pointed to the scant evidence for the efficacy of the drug and the risks it poses, and questioned the ethics of using hydroxychloroquine on a vulnerable population. Dr. Daksha Shah, Mumbai’s deputy executive health officer, said that officials would now follow guidelines set by India’s top medical research body, and that they were waiting for approval to test the drug.
The state government has now said that hydroxychloroquine - which has been touted by President Donald Trump - can be given only after patients consent to taking it while knowing the risks involved. It added that adverse reactions need to be immediately reported to authorities, and that doctors must sign off on giving the drug to those with heart ailments, diabetes or blood disorders.
But concerns remain over India’s policy of using the drug as a precautionary measure. India’s National Task Force for COVID-19 issued a statement on March 22 that said its decision to allow the use of the drug was based on “risk-benefit considerations, under exceptional circumstances” and was “derived from available evidence of benefit as treatment and supported by preclinical data.”
After the statement was issued, health workers in Mumbai, like other parts of India, began taking hydroxychloroquine. The drug was also given to healthy police officers in the city.
But experts say there is no evidence that the drug is a preventative tool against COVID-19. Even for the treatment of diagnosed patients, hydroxychloroquine has shown no benefit.
An analysis of 368 patients in U.S. veterans hospitals published earlier this month reported more deaths among those given the drug versus standard care.
“If there is no evidence … why are scientific bodies pushing this drug and giving the impression to the public that there is a magic bullet, and this is your last hope?” said Dr. Shriprakash Kalantri, an epidemiologist in the west Indian state of Maharashtra.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Police file reveals suspicions of Blatter in FIFA TV deal

GENEVA ( AP ) - Swiss investigators concluded Sepp Blatter knew that a World Cup broadcasting contract was breached illegally and that it would cost FIFA millions of dollars , according to a federal police file obtained by The Associated Press .
Investigation reports sent to prosecutors in December and January showed FIFA wrote off a $ 3.8 million debt from a Caribbean TV deal signed in 2005 by then-FIFA president Blatter and long-time vice president Jack Warner .
The deal was later alleged to have been illegally mismanaged by Blatter .
“ Blatter acted … more in the interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FIFA , ” concluded one investigation file seen by the AP .
However , the office of Switzerland ’ s attorney general decided in March it would drop a criminal proceeding from 2015 against Blatter for the Caribbean deal .
No reason was stated .
Swiss federal police believed Blatter knew in 2007 that Warner had breached - and would personally profit from - a Caribbean rights deal for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups that was sold to a Jamaica-based broadcaster .
Details of the original FIFA contract were revealed by Swiss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 600,000 sale to the Warner-controlled Caribbean Football Union .
At the time , FIFA defended the contract by saying it required soccer ’ s governing body to get a 50 % profit share of any future licensing arrangement .
The re-sale was valued at about $ 15 million .
But FIFA did not try to collect money due in August 2010 within 30 days of the World Cup ending , according to the Swiss police file .
The investigation cited documents and staff emails showing FIFA was due half of any gross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Warner had inserted a company he owned .
“ FIFA were very reluctant to implement any measures in connection with enforcing their rights against the CFU , ” Swiss police said in its 491-page report .
FIFA calculated it was owed almost $ 3.8 million in 2011 after Warner resigned from soccer .
He had been implicated in bribing Caribbean voters to oppose Blatter in that year ’ s FIFA presidential election .
Only then did FIFA management terminate the Caribbean rights and pursue the debt , though not directly with Warner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which had few assets after Warner left .
FIFA wrote off the debt weeks later , the police file showed .
It included $ 3.625 million of estimated revenue from broadcasting sponsors and advertising , and $ 155,000 of unpaid rights fee instalments , the investigation file said .
A different police report detailed more than 15 years of FIFA ’ s working relations with Warner .
It suggested FIFA granted favors and gifts in apparent exchange for election support to help Blatter retain the presidency .
Blatter , who is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 , did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
He has long denied wrongdoing .
Blatter faces a second criminal proceeding over a $ 2 million payment he authorized in 2011 to former UEFA president Michel Platini .
That payment was revealed by Swiss authorities in September 2015 and led to both men being suspended and then banned from soccer .
Swiss investigations of Blatter are handled by a second prosecutor who took over after the federal office ’ s head of financial crimes had his contract terminated in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recused from FIFA cases last year .
He was disciplined in March after having secret meetings with current FIFA president Gianni Infantino and failing to tell the truth about them .

GENEVA (AP) - Swiss investigators concluded Sepp Blatter knew that a World Cup broadcasting contract was breached illegally and that it would cost FIFA millions of dollars, according to a federal police file obtained by The Associated Press.
Investigation reports sent to prosecutors in December and January showed FIFA wrote off a $3.8 million debt from a Caribbean TV deal signed in 2005 by then-FIFA president Blatter and long-time vice president Jack Warner. The deal was later alleged to have been illegally mismanaged by Blatter.
“Blatter acted … more in the interests of Warner than in the interests of FIFA,” concluded one investigation file seen by the AP.
However, the office of Switzerland’s attorney general decided in March it would drop a criminal proceeding from 2015 against Blatter for the Caribbean deal. No reason was stated.
Swiss federal police believed Blatter knew in 2007 that Warner had breached - and would personally profit from - a Caribbean rights deal for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups that was sold to a Jamaica-based broadcaster.
Details of the original FIFA contract were revealed by Swiss media in September 2015, showing a $600,000 sale to the Warner-controlled Caribbean Football Union.
At the time, FIFA defended the contract by saying it required soccer’s governing body to get a 50% profit share of any future licensing arrangement. The re-sale was valued at about $15 million.
But FIFA did not try to collect money due in August 2010 within 30 days of the World Cup ending, according to the Swiss police file.
The investigation cited documents and staff emails showing FIFA was due half of any gross revenue from the Caribbean deal, into which Warner had inserted a company he owned.
“FIFA were very reluctant to implement any measures in connection with enforcing their rights against the CFU,” Swiss police said in its 491-page report.
FIFA calculated it was owed almost $3.8 million in 2011 after Warner resigned from soccer. He had been implicated in bribing Caribbean voters to oppose Blatter in that year’s FIFA presidential election.
Only then did FIFA management terminate the Caribbean rights and pursue the debt, though not directly with Warner. Instead, it asked the CFU, which had few assets after Warner left.
FIFA wrote off the debt weeks later, the police file showed. It included $3.625 million of estimated revenue from broadcasting sponsors and advertising, and $155,000 of unpaid rights fee instalments, the investigation file said.
A different police report detailed more than 15 years of FIFA’s working relations with Warner. It suggested FIFA granted favors and gifts in apparent exchange for election support to help Blatter retain the presidency.
Blatter, who is now 84 and banned from soccer until October 2021, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He has long denied wrongdoing.
Blatter faces a second criminal proceeding over a $2 million payment he authorized in 2011 to former UEFA president Michel Platini. That payment was revealed by Swiss authorities in September 2015 and led to both men being suspended and then banned from soccer.
Swiss investigations of Blatter are handled by a second prosecutor who took over after the federal office’s head of financial crimes had his contract terminated in November 2018.
Attorney general Michael Lauber was recused from FIFA cases last year. He was disciplined in March after having secret meetings with current FIFA president Gianni Infantino and failing to tell the truth about them.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Hit hard by closures, Tennessee tourist spots eager to open

MEMPHIS , Tenn. ( AP ) - Like other tourist spots in Tennessee , Casey Jones Village in Jackson has taken a financial hit since nonessential businesses closed in March as part of the response to the new coronavirus outbreak .
The train museum dedicated to the legendary railroad engineer has been closed for a month and a half .
The gift shop and ice cream parlor are also shut down , and the restaurant known for Southern staples like fried chicken , banana pudding and hot water cornbread is only filling carryout orders .
Owner Clark Shaw says business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopover , located off Interstate 40 between Nashville and Memphis .
“ This has been a living nightmare , ” Shaw said .
However , Shaw has hope .
He secured a small business loan from the federal government ’ s coronavirus relief package to keep the place afloat .
The restaurant could reopen Friday , and the museum could start hosting visitors in late May .
Improvements such as deep-cleaning the restaurant , new lighting , and a fresh paint job for the historic train car stationed next to the museum will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ We said to ourselves , ‘ OK , how can we use this terrible crisis for good ?
’ ” said Shaw , whose father opened Casey Jones Village 55 years ago .
“ We began to think outside the box a little bit.
” As businesses start to gradually reopen across the state , big-name Tennessee tourist draws like Dollywood , Graceland and the Grand Ole Opry remained closed Wednesday .
But destinations both large and small are preparing to start welcoming visitors once again in a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .
Tourism communities in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains , including Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge , were allowed to start reopening restaurants Monday at limited capacity , with retail to follow under similar restrictions Wednesday .
The cities and Sevier County say they are not actively marketing to visitors to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 .
State officials have said they are discouraging travelers from out-of-state and have yet to release guidelines for tourist attractions .
Dolly Parton ’ s Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge , for one , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening and putting hundreds of furloughed employees back to work .
Meanwhile , some smaller attractions are advertising reopenings on Friday , the first day the governor ’ s stay-at-home order is no longer in place .
Great Smoky Mountains National Park also hasn ’ t said when it might reopen .
State officials say they hope travelers from Tennessee or out of state visitors will respect established social distancing rules as they return to restaurants and tourist attractions .
“ We ’ re first doing the restaurants well , we ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and many more across the state will continue their plans on how to be ready , ” Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell said during an online news conference Tuesday .
At Elvis Presley ’ s Graceland , the Memphis-based attraction centered on the life and career of the late singer and actor , officials said the museum , restaurants and exhibits will remain closed though at least Thursday .
On a normal year , Graceland attracts more than 500,000 visitors from around the world .
A few miles away on Beale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the blues , restaurants , shops and bars remain closed or operating on a limited basis under guidelines issued in social distancing orders handed down by the city .
In the country music capital of Nashville , the Grand Ole Opry has suspended all events through May 16 .
That includes shows at the Ryman Auditorium and visitor tours .
The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga remains shuttered .
But during its hiatus , the aquarium created Weekday Wonders , a series of free , science based activities available online for children and parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lemur Forest exhibit and have delivered Facebook Live events connecting viewers with experts and animals .
In Union City , Discovery Park of America remains closed , but officials at the educational museum that draws about 250,000 visitors a year are working on a tentative opening date .
Discovery Park has avoided staff layoffs and added a trove of online educational content , including photos of artifacts and new lesson plans .
Improvements geared toward visitor safety include plastic shields at ticket counters , temperature checks for staff , revamped outdoor seating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
President and CEO Scott Williams said outdoor spaces will be limited to 50 % occupancy when the museum opens , and the building will still be closed for two days a week for deep cleaning .
“ I ’ m definitely anxious to get us back to where we can welcome guests again , ” Williams said .
Associated Press writers Kimberlee Kruesi and Jonathan Mattise in Nashville , Tennessee , contributed to this report .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Like other tourist spots in Tennessee, Casey Jones Village in Jackson has taken a financial hit since nonessential businesses closed in March as part of the response to the new coronavirus outbreak.
The train museum dedicated to the legendary railroad engineer has been closed for a month and a half. The gift shop and ice cream parlor are also shut down, and the restaurant known for Southern staples like fried chicken, banana pudding and hot water cornbread is only filling carryout orders. Owner Clark Shaw says business is down 80% at the family-owned stopover, located off Interstate 40 between Nashville and Memphis.
“This has been a living nightmare,” Shaw said.
However, Shaw has hope. He secured a small business loan from the federal government’s coronavirus relief package to keep the place afloat. The restaurant could reopen Friday, and the museum could start hosting visitors in late May. Improvements such as deep-cleaning the restaurant, new lighting, and a fresh paint job for the historic train car stationed next to the museum will make the visitor experience more worthwhile, he said.
“We said to ourselves, ‘OK, how can we use this terrible crisis for good?’” said Shaw, whose father opened Casey Jones Village 55 years ago. “We began to think outside the box a little bit.”
As businesses start to gradually reopen across the state, big-name Tennessee tourist draws like Dollywood, Graceland and the Grand Ole Opry remained closed Wednesday. But destinations both large and small are preparing to start welcoming visitors once again in a state where travelers spent $22 billion in 2018.
Tourism communities in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, including Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, were allowed to start reopening restaurants Monday at limited capacity, with retail to follow under similar restrictions Wednesday.
The cities and Sevier County say they are not actively marketing to visitors to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. State officials have said they are discouraging travelers from out-of-state and have yet to release guidelines for tourist attractions.
Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, for one, hasn’t discussed a timeline for reopening and putting hundreds of furloughed employees back to work. Meanwhile, some smaller attractions are advertising reopenings on Friday, the first day the governor’s stay-at-home order is no longer in place.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park also hasn’t said when it might reopen.
State officials say they hope travelers from Tennessee or out of state visitors will respect established social distancing rules as they return to restaurants and tourist attractions.
“We’re first doing the restaurants well, we’ll do retail well and the Gatlinburg leaders and many more across the state will continue their plans on how to be ready,” Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell said during an online news conference Tuesday.
At Elvis Presley’s Graceland, the Memphis-based attraction centered on the life and career of the late singer and actor, officials said the museum, restaurants and exhibits will remain closed through May 20.
On a normal year, Graceland attracts more than 500,000 visitors from around the world.
A few miles away on Beale Street, the Memphis street dedicated to the blues, restaurants, shops and bars remain closed or operating on a limited basis under guidelines issued in social distancing orders handed down by the city.
In the country music capital of Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry has suspended all events through May 16. That includes shows at the Ryman Auditorium and visitor tours.
The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga remains shuttered. But during its hiatus, the aquarium created Weekday Wonders, a series of free, science based activities available online for children and parents.
Aquarium workers also have spruced up the Lemur Forest exhibit and have delivered Facebook Live events connecting viewers with experts and animals.
In Union City, Discovery Park of America remains closed, but officials at the educational museum that draws about 250,000 visitors a year are working on a tentative opening date.
Discovery Park has avoided staff layoffs and added a trove of online educational content, including photos of artifacts and new lesson plans. Improvements geared toward visitor safety include plastic shields at ticket counters, temperature checks for staff, revamped outdoor seating areas, and more hand sanitizer stations.
President and CEO Scott Williams said outdoor spaces will be limited to 50% occupancy when the museum opens, and the building will still be closed for two days a week for deep cleaning.
“I’m definitely anxious to get us back to where we can welcome guests again,” Williams said.
___
Associated Press writers Kimberlee Kruesi and Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Dr. Anthony Fauci cautions some sports leagues might have to skip 2020 season

Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said some sports leagues might simply have to wait until next season before revving back up amid the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Safety , for the players and for the fans , trumps everything , ” Dr. Fauci told The New York Times this week .
“ If you can ’ t guarantee safety , then unfortunately you ’ re going to have to bite the bullet and say , ‘ We may have to go without this sport for this season.
’ “ Major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start up in late June with modified divisions and the National Basketball Association is eyeing a May 8 target date for reopening team practice facilities .
President Trump , an avid golfer , has repeatedly invoked the idea of sports fans returning to packed arenas and stadiums as a potential boon to the U.S. psyche during the pandemic .
“ If we let our desire to prematurely get back to normal , we can only get ourselves right back in the same hole we were in a few weeks ago , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love to be able to have all sports back .
But as a health official and a physician and a scientist , I have to say , right now , when you look at the country , we ’ re not ready for that yet .
”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said some sports leagues might simply have to wait until next season before revving back up amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Safety, for the players and for the fans, trumps everything,” Dr. Fauci told The New York Times this week. “If you can’t guarantee safety, then unfortunately you’re going to have to bite the bullet and say, ‘We may have to go without this sport for this season.’ “
Major League Baseball is reportedly eyeing a plan to start up in late June with modified divisions and the National Basketball Association is eyeing a May 8 target date for reopening team practice facilities.
President Trump, an avid golfer, has repeatedly invoked the idea of sports fans returning to packed arenas and stadiums as a potential boon to the U.S. psyche during the pandemic.
“If we let our desire to prematurely get back to normal, we can only get ourselves right back in the same hole we were in a few weeks ago,” Dr. Fauci said. “I would love to be able to have all sports back. But as a health official and a physician and a scientist, I have to say, right now, when you look at the country, we’re not ready for that yet.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--40 KU leaders to take 10% pay cuts in wake of virus effects

LAWRENCE , Kan. ( AP ) - The University of Kansas has announced that 40 of its top-paid employees , @ @ @ @ @ take temporary 10 % pay cuts to help cushion the financial impact of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Girod announced the cuts in a letter this week , Wichita station KAKE reported .
@ @ @ @ @ the chancellor ’ s cabinet , vice provosts , deans and department heads will take @ @ @ @ @ months .
The cuts will generate $ 853,000 in savings for the university , Girod @ @ @ @ @ will be redeployed for urgent needs .
Also taking the 10 % pay cut are @ @ @ @ @ coach Bill Self , head football coach Les Miles and Athletic Director Jeff Long .
@ @ @ @ @ that KU ’ s losses in the wake of the pandemic are expected to be @ @ @ @ @ of dollars .

MISSION, Kan. (AP) - Worried relatives are demanding that Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly release some inmates to allow better social distancing to control the spread of the coronavirus in prisons, the corrections department said Wednesday, as an outbreak at one facility topped 150 cases and led to a second virus-related death.
Seventy-five members of staff at the Lansing Correction Facility have tested positive, amounting to 18% of the prison’s workforce, according to data posted on the Kansas Department of Corrections’ website. Fifteen of them have recovered and returned to work.
In addition, 79 inmates have been sickened, and one of them - a man serving a sentence for first-degree murder - died over the weekend. The department reported that an inmate at Lansing who died Wednesday tested positive for the coronavirus. He had been serving a life sentence for multiple counts of rape, other sex crimes, robbery and kidnapping.
Two inmates and three staffers at the women’s prison in Topeka also tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, and a member of staff tested positive at the juvenile facility in Topeka.
Prisons nationwide have been hard-hit. In response to a federal lawsuit demanding the release of vulnerable inmates, Kelly has repeatedly said efforts are underway to identify inmates who are close to finishing their sentences and could be released early. She said Wednesday that she would make an announcement on that Thursday.
Corrections spokeswoman Rebecca Witte said the department has received hundreds of calls from family members and friends inquiring about Kelly’s plan and “pleading the case for their loved one” to be released.
“We realize that everyone in our system is someone’s sibling, someone’s child, someones parent,” Witte said. “And all of those people want their loved ones home with them.”
Dr. Lee Norman, the state’s health director, said officials on Tuesday tested 239 offenders at Lansing, including some without symptoms, to get a better sense of the scope of the outbreak.
Kelly also announced Wednesday that she would release her plan for reopening the state’s economy on Thursday evening. The state of emergency will run out on Friday and her stay-at-home order, which was imposed to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the general population, runs out at midnight on Sunday.
A key challenge has been the state’s low testing rate. But Kelly said at her daily briefing that the state has secured 500,000 test collection kits from overseas, with the first 5,000 coming soon. She said an additional 10,000 kits will be arriving on a weekly basis until the order is fulfilled. She said federal partners are sending another 25,000 testing kits this week and 25,000 more next week.
“There is no question that expanded tested for COVID-19 is the key to safely reopening the state and rebuilding our economy,” Kelly said.
Kansas reported one additional COVID-19-related death Wednesday to bring the state’s total to 125. The state had 3,738 people who have tested positive, up 247 from Tuesday.
Among those infected are 451 people at six meatpacking plants. Three southwest Kansas counties, where most of the plants are located, account for 1,285 cases, or 34.4% of the state’s total, even though they have only 3.2% of the state’s population, the latest numbers show.
Norman said he supports President Donald Trump’s order to keep meatpacking plants open, adding that it will be a “challenge” but describing the public health efforts in the plants as “high quality.”
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms 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, or death.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--John Bolton book again delayed, this time to June 23

NEW YORK ( AP ) - John Bolton ’ s book has again been delayed , according to listings on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble , both of which say “ What Happened In the Room ” has been pushed back from May 12 to June 23 .
The new date also appears on publisher Simon & Schuster ’ s web site .
Bolton ’ s book about his time as national security adviser was originally scheduled to come out in March , but was postponed to May , pending a government security review .
Meanwhile , “ The Room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer .
It was originally listed as 528 pages , but is now 576 pages , according to the retailer and publisher web sites .
Interest in the book , and its anticipated criticism of President Trump ’ s actions on Ukraine , peaked during the Senate impeachment trial earlier this year when it reached the top 20 on Amazon ’ s bestseller list .
On Wednesday night , it ranked # 11,971 .
Bolton reportedly describes an August conversation , a month before he left the White House on acrimonious terms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in security aid from Ukraine until it helped him with investigations into political rival Joe Biden .
Allegations that Trump pressured Ukraine led to his being impeached last December by the House of Representatives .
In February , the Senate acquitted him .
The Associated Press reported in November that Bolton ’ s book deal was worth $ 2 million .

NEW YORK (AP) — John Bolton’s book has again been delayed, according to listings on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, both of which say “What Happened In the Room” has been pushed back from May 12 to June 23. The new date also appears on publisher Simon & Schuster’s web site.
Bolton’s book about his time as national security adviser was originally scheduled to come out in March, but was postponed to May, pending a government security review. Meanwhile, “The Room Where It Happened” has apparently grown longer. It was originally listed as 528 pages, but is now 576 pages, according to the retailer and publisher web sites.
A Simon & Schuster spokeswoman declined comment Wednesday.
Interest in the book, and its anticipated criticism of President Trump’s actions on Ukraine, peaked during the Senate impeachment trial earlier this year when it reached the top 20 on Amazon’s bestseller list. On Wednesday night, it ranked #11,971.
Bolton reportedly describes an August conversation, a month before he left the White House on acrimonious terms, when Trump told him that he wanted to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in security aid from Ukraine until it helped him with investigations into political rival Joe Biden. Allegations that Trump pressured Ukraine led to his being impeached last December by the House of Representatives. In February, the Senate acquitted him.
The Associated Press reported in November that Bolton’s book deal was worth $2 million.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--India scraps plan to test hydroxychloroquine in Mumbai slums

NEW DELHI — A plan to give the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to thousands of people in Mumbai ’ s crowded slums to prevent coronavirus infections has temporarily been shelved , officials said Wednesday .
Health officials in Mumbai said that a test to prove the efficacy of the much touted but largely untested drug was still in the cards , but that for now they would follow federal Indian guidelines .
India , which reached the grim milestone of over 1,000 deaths from the virus on Wednesday , is one of the few countries that has pushed for the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among high-risk groups such as health care workers or people who have come in close contact with COVID-19 patients .
Mumbai , one of the world ’ s most densely populated cities , has struggled to contain the spread of the virus , and has over 3,000 cases .
In Mumbai slums like Dharavi , which is Asia ’ s largest , social distancing is nearly impossible .
In response , the state government had said it would conduct a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine on slum residents .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the efficacy of the drug and the risks it poses , and questioned the ethics of using hydroxychloroquine on a vulnerable population .
Dr. Daksha Shah , Mumbai ’ s deputy executive health officer , said that officials would now follow guidelines set by India ’ s top medical research body , and that they were waiting for approval to test the drug .
The state government has now said that hydroxychloroquine - which has been touted by President Donald Trump - can be given only after patients consent to taking it while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that adverse reactions need to be immediately reported to authorities , and that doctors must sign off on giving the drug to those with heart ailments , diabetes or blood disorders .
But concerns remain over India ’ s policy of using the drug as a precautionary measure .
India ’ s National Task Force for COVID-19 issued a statement on March 22 that said its decision to allow the use of the drug was based on “ risk-benefit considerations , under exceptional circumstances ” and was “ derived from available evidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data.
” After the statement was issued , health workers in Mumbai , like other parts of India , began taking hydroxychloroquine .
The drug was also given to healthy police officers in the city .
But experts say there is no evidence that the drug is a preventative tool against COVID-19 .
Even for the treatment of diagnosed patients , hydroxychloroquine has shown no benefit .
An analysis of 368 patients in U.S. veterans hospitals published earlier this month reported more deaths among those given the drug versus standard care .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are scientific bodies pushing this drug and giving the impression to the public that there is a magic bullet , and this is your last hope ?
” said Dr. Shriprakash Kalantri , an epidemiologist in the west Indian state of Maharashtra .

NEW DELHI — A plan to give the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to thousands of people in Mumbai’s crowded slums to prevent coronavirus infections has temporarily been shelved, officials said Wednesday.
Health officials in Mumbai said that a test to prove the efficacy of the much touted but largely untested drug was still in the cards, but that for now they would follow federal Indian guidelines.
India, which reached the grim milestone of over 1,000 deaths from the virus on Wednesday, is one of the few countries that has pushed for the use of hydroxychloroquine, as a precautionary measure among high-risk groups such as health care workers or people who have come in close contact with COVID-19 patients.
Mumbai, one of the world’s most densely populated cities, has struggled to contain the spread of the virus, and has over 3,000 cases. In Mumbai slums like Dharavi, which is Asia’s largest, social distancing is nearly impossible. In response, the state government had said it would conduct a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine on slum residents.
But experts pointed to the scant evidence for the efficacy of the drug and the risks it poses, and questioned the ethics of using hydroxychloroquine on a vulnerable population. Dr. Daksha Shah, Mumbai’s deputy executive health officer, said that officials would now follow guidelines set by India’s top medical research body, and that they were waiting for approval to test the drug.
The state government has now said that hydroxychloroquine - which has been touted by President Donald Trump - can be given only after patients consent to taking it while knowing the risks involved. It added that adverse reactions need to be immediately reported to authorities, and that doctors must sign off on giving the drug to those with heart ailments, diabetes or blood disorders.
But concerns remain over India’s policy of using the drug as a precautionary measure. India’s National Task Force for COVID-19 issued a statement on March 22 that said its decision to allow the use of the drug was based on “risk-benefit considerations, under exceptional circumstances” and was “derived from available evidence of benefit as treatment and supported by preclinical data.”
After the statement was issued, health workers in Mumbai, like other parts of India, began taking hydroxychloroquine. The drug was also given to healthy police officers in the city.
But experts say there is no evidence that the drug is a preventative tool against COVID-19. Even for the treatment of diagnosed patients, hydroxychloroquine has shown no benefit.
An analysis of 368 patients in U.S. veterans hospitals published earlier this month reported more deaths among those given the drug versus standard care.
“If there is no evidence … why are scientific bodies pushing this drug and giving the impression to the public that there is a magic bullet, and this is your last hope?” said Dr. Shriprakash Kalantri, an epidemiologist in the west Indian state of Maharashtra.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Police: Bodies in vehicles outside Brooklyn funeral home

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Police were called to a Brooklyn neighborhood Wednesday after someone reported human bodies in vehicles , which officers determined were connected to a nearby funeral home .
The New York Police Department said the call to 911 came in just before 11:30 a.m. , and officers responded to Utica Avenue .
The vehicles were determined to be connected to the Andrew T. Cleckley Funeral Home nearby , police said .
The NYPD notified the state Department of Health , which oversees funeral homes .
The department did not respond to an email seeking comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the funeral home , a person on the other end picked up and then hung up .
Subsequent calls went to voicemail , which was full .
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams went to the scene on Wednesday evening .
He told the Daily News , “ While this situation is under investigation , we should not have what we have right now , with trucks lining the streets filled with bodies.
” He said “ it was people who walked by who saw some leakage and detected an odor coming from a @ @ @

NEW YORK (AP) - Police were called to a Brooklyn neighborhood Wednesday after a funeral home overwhelmed by the coronavirus resorted to storing dozens of bodies on ice in rented trucks, and a passerby complained about the smell, officials said.
Investigators who responded to a 911 call found that the home had rented four trucks to hold about 50 corpses, according to a law enforcement official. No criminal charges were brought and the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The Andrew T. Cleckley Funeral Home was cited for failing to control the odors. The home was able to obtain a larger, refrigerated truck later in the day, the official said.
Workers suited up in protective gear could be seen in the afternoon transferring bodies into the refrigerated truck.
A person who answered the phone at the funeral home hung up without speaking. Subsequent calls went to voicemail, which was full.
Still, Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday called the funeral home’s actions “unconscionable.”
“I have no idea in the world how any funeral home could let this happen,” the Democrat said at a news briefing, arguing that officials at the home should have asked its state regulators or even city police for help if it was becoming overwhelmed.
The funeral home “should have been able to figure it out,” he said.
New York City funeral homes have struggled in the city since late March.
The city set up temporary morgues. Hospitals used refrigerated tractor trailers to cart away multiple bodies at a time, sometimes loading them in public view on the sidewalk. Crematoriums have been backed up. Funeral directors across the city have pleaded for help as they have run out of space.
The NYPD notified the state Department of Health, which oversees funeral homes, about the situation at the Andrew T. Cleckley Funeral Home. It did not respond to an email seeking comment.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams went to the scene on Wednesday evening. The Democrat told the Daily News, “While this situation is under investigation, we should not have what we have right now, with trucks lining the streets filled with bodies.”
He said “it was people who walked by who saw some leakage and detected an odor coming from a truck.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Reward reaches $10K for information in teen's stabbing death

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - Three Alabama businesses have offered a combined $ 2,500 reward for information in the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old girl .
Maryuri Aleman Cantillano was found fatally stabbed on April 14 near a community center in Montgomery after she had been missing since March 31 .
After the body was found , City Councilman Oronde Mitchell offered $ 2,500 for information on the case .
The next day CrimeStoppers said they were offering a $ 5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or prosecution .
On Monday , CrimeStoppers said business owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sales , James Brown of La Taquiza Mexican Restaurant and Jair Lopez of Radio Digital Estrella also donated $ 2,500 towards the reward , bringing the total to $ 10,000 .
Anyone with information should call police or CrimeStoppers .
Montgomery police Capt .
Regina Duckett previously said details surrounding the teen ’ s death were unknown .
Duckett said Aleman Cantillano was listed as a runway based on the family ’ s report and wasn ’ t considered to be in danger , the Montgomery Advertiser reported .
Duckett said an Amber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed Aleman Cantillano had been abducted or was in danger .
An interpreter from a Hispanic outreach group has said he believes a miscommunication between the police and the family led to the teen being listed as a runaway .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Three Alabama businesses have offered a combined $2,500 reward for information in the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old girl.
Maryuri Aleman Cantillano was found fatally stabbed on April 14 near a community center in Montgomery after she had been missing since March 31.
After the body was found, City Councilman Oronde Mitchell offered $2,500 for information on the case. The next day CrimeStoppers said they were offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or prosecution.
On Monday, CrimeStoppers said business owners Edgar Valerio of Valerio’s Auto Sales, James Brown of La Taquiza Mexican Restaurant and Jair Lopez of Radio Digital Estrella also donated $2,500 towards the reward, bringing the total to $10,000.
Anyone with information should call police or CrimeStoppers.
Montgomery police Capt. Regina Duckett previously said details surrounding the teen’s death were unknown.
Duckett said Aleman Cantillano was listed as a runway based on the family’s report and wasn’t considered to be in danger, the Montgomery Advertiser reported. Duckett said an Amber Alert would have been issued if authorities believed Aleman Cantillano had been abducted or was in danger.
An interpreter from a Hispanic outreach group has said he believes a miscommunication between the police and the family led to the teen being listed as a runaway.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Police: Officer shoots armed man who beat woman, took baby

SEATTLE ( AP ) - Officers shot a man in South Seattle after he beat a woman with an iron @ @ @ @ @ abducted their baby , police said .
The incident happened at about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ Police Chief Deanna Nolette .
Officers responded after a woman contacted police and said a @ @ @ @ @ and then fled with their infant , KOMO-TV reported .
Nolette says the woman had @ @ @ @ @ beating by the man .
The man was found and shot by an officer , @ @ @ @ @ ’ t said exactly what happened before the shooting The man was taken to a @ @

SEATTLE (AP) - Officers shot a man in South Seattle after he beat a woman with an iron, shot at her and abducted their baby, police said.
The incident happened at about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to Seattle Assistant Police Chief Deanna Nolette.
Officers responded after a woman contacted police and said a man had shot at her and then fled with their infant, KOMO-TV reported.
Nolette says the woman had serious injuries from a prolonged beating by the man.
The man was found and shot by an officer, police said. Police haven’t said exactly what happened before the shooting The man was taken to a hospital.
His condition hasn’t been released.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--AG: Bismarck School District broke law by destroying notes

BISMARCK , N.D. ( AP ) - The Bismarck School District violated state open records law when it destroyed handwritten notes sought by an attorney , North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said in an opinion released Wednesday .
Bismarck attorney Lawrence King asked for documents from the school district in January , including handwritten notes of the school ’ s human resources director .
Stenehjem said the district determined the notes were not legible , so the district transcribed the notes , gave those to King and shredded the handwritten ones .
But in the attorney general ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the original notes .
“ I appreciate the School ’ s attempt to be helpful in creating a more easily readable Word document of the notes ; however , the request specifically asked for the handwritten notes .
Therefore , the School should have provided the notes , even if illegible , ” Stenehjem wrote .
Because the notes were discarded , remedies for the open records violation are limited , Stenehjem said .
No further action is available or necessary , he said .
An attorney representing the school district said a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to type the records for readability and had no ill intent by destroying them , The Bismarck Tribune reported .

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The Bismarck School District violated state open records law when it destroyed handwritten notes sought by an attorney, North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said in an opinion released Wednesday.
Bismarck attorney Lawrence King asked for documents from the school district in January, including handwritten notes of the school’s human resources director. Stenehjem said the district determined the notes were not legible, so the district transcribed the notes, gave those to King and shredded the handwritten ones.
But in the attorney general’s opinion, the school should have provided the original notes.
“I appreciate the School’s attempt to be helpful in creating a more easily readable Word document of the notes; however, the request specifically asked for the handwritten notes. Therefore, the School should have provided the notes, even if illegible,” Stenehjem wrote.
Because the notes were discarded, remedies for the open records violation are limited, Stenehjem said. No further action is available or necessary, he said.
An attorney representing the school district said a district employee made “good faith decision” to type the records for readability and had no ill intent by destroying them, The Bismarck Tribune reported.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Inmates sue prison guards after being beaten while cuffed

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - Two Alabama inmates who reported being beaten while handcuffed by a prison guard have sued him and other prison employees , saying they conspired to conceal the assault and violated their rights .
In February 2019 , Cortney Rolley and Christopher Hampton were beaten by Elmore Correctional Facility Sgt .
Ulysses Oliver Jr. , who faces up to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to assaulting the pair , AL.Com reported .
Rolley and Hampton filed a lawsuit this month against Oliver and other prison employees stating they violated the men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conceal the violations , according to the media outlet .
Rolley lost consciousness , defecated on himself and was later hospitalized with a concussion , the lawsuit said .
Hampton suffered a broken wrist , and multiple contusions , the suit added .
The lawsuit said several employees watched the assault and did nothing .
It said the men were later threatened if they told anyone about the beatings .
The men remain imprisoned and each has tentative parole consideration dates in October .
Rolley is serving a 30-year sentence for the abduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampton was sentenced to 33 years in 2000 for assault and violating sex offender registration requirements , according to authorities .
Department of Corrections spokeswoman Samantha Rose declined to comment on the pending litigation .
It wasn ’ t immediately known if Oliver had an attorney who could comment .
The men ’ s attorney , Eric Artrip , said the two fear retaliation because of the lawsuit and criminal prosecution of the prison employees .
Two other officers besides Oliver have entered pleas in connection with the incident .
The other two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the beating .
Additionally , a lieutenant also was indicted in September 2019 on accusations of failing to stop Oliver and of making false statement during the investigation .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Two Alabama inmates who reported being beaten while handcuffed by a prison guard have sued him and other prison employees, saying they conspired to conceal the assault and violated their rights.
In February 2019, Cortney Rolley and Christopher Hampton were beaten by Elmore Correctional Facility Sgt. Ulysses Oliver Jr., who faces up to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to assaulting the pair, AL.Com reported.
Rolley and Hampton filed a lawsuit this month against Oliver and other prison employees stating they violated the men’s constitutional rights and conspired to conceal the violations, according to the media outlet.
Rolley lost consciousness, defecated on himself and was later hospitalized with a concussion, the lawsuit said. Hampton suffered a broken wrist, and multiple contusions, the suit added.
The lawsuit said several employees watched the assault and did nothing. It said the men were later threatened if they told anyone about the beatings.
The men remain imprisoned and each has tentative parole consideration dates in October.
Rolley is serving a 30-year sentence for the abduction of two women in 2001, and Hampton was sentenced to 33 years in 2000 for assault and violating sex offender registration requirements, according to authorities.
Department of Corrections spokeswoman Samantha Rose declined to comment on the pending litigation.
It wasn’t immediately known if Oliver had an attorney who could comment.
The men’s attorney, Eric Artrip, said the two fear retaliation because of the lawsuit and criminal prosecution of the prison employees.
Two other officers besides Oliver have entered pleas in connection with the incident.
The other two officers pleaded guilty to failing to intervene in the beating. Additionally, a lieutenant also was indicted in September 2019 on accusations of failing to stop Oliver and of making false statement during the investigation.
Further court dates weren’t immediately scheduled.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Ex-congregant charged with breaking into minister's home

UNDATED ( AP ) - A secretive evangelical church in North Carolina says hysteria over the coronavirus may have motivated a former member with a gun to break into the home of one of the sect ’ s top ministers , but the now-jailed suspect said he was on drugs and doesn ’ t know why he ended up in the communal house .
Members of the Word of Faith Fellowship told authorities that Stephen Cordes , 23 , was spotted by a congregant walking into Brooke Covington ’ s home in Rutherfordton on Sunday afternoon .
They said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the home , in a closet .
When Cordes tried to leave , the members said , they stopped him .
During the struggle , the witnesses said a Glock pistol “ fell off Mr. Cordes ’ person , ” according to a sheriff ’ s investigative report .
A church leader and lawyer told the Charlotte Observer newspaper that Cordes was at least partially motivated by “ online hysteria ” that congregants have spread the virus in this rural community and are covering it up .
Health officials have declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase in the number of COVID-19 cases .
Cordes grew up in the Word of Faith Fellowship in Spindale , a church he and other former members consider a “ cult.
” The church was the subject of an Associated Press investigation into allegations that members were regularly slapped , choked and thrown to the floor during a high-decibel group prayer known as “ blasting , ” which is meant to expel demons .
The church was founded in 1979 by Sam and Jane Whaley in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jane Whaley a prophet .
Cordes left the church in 2017 and is a student at North Carolina State University in Raleigh .
His parents are still members .
Cordes told AP in a phone call from jail that he was in the town to hang out with friends and blacked out after smoking a marijuana “ blunt.
” He said the next thing he remembers is being in an upstairs closet of Covington ’ s home and trying to fight his way out of the house .
“ I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
He acknowledged having concerns about COVID-19 infecting family members in the church , but insists he is not violent and wished no one harm .
He said he carries a gun for protection and usually leaves it in his car .
He has expressed dismay that relatives who remain in the congregation , including his parents , have cut off contact with him .
Three members of the church have died of the virus , according to former members .
But it ’ s unclear how many have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were 124 reported cases and six deaths in Rutherford County , with a population of about 67,000 .
Investigators didn ’ t speculate on a motive in documents reviewed by AP .
Brooke Covington told authorities she believes Cordes came to her house to harm her or others .
Cordes is being held in the Rutherford County jail on a $ 100,000 bond , though the case will be handled by a prosecutor in another county , according to Ben Cooper , an attorney who is also Cordes ’ cousin .
Cordes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands bound behind his back with plastic ties when deputies arrived , the report said .
Authorities said a pistol was nearby and a shotgun was found in the trunk of his rental car , which was left running .
Cordes is charged with breaking and entering to terrorize or injure along with possession of more than 10 ounces of marijuana and 1.8 grams of methamphetamine , authorities said .
He could face additional charges .
A search warrant said investigators were looking for evidence “ that may relate to the crime of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arms and back bloodied and bruised .
Cordes acknowledged using drugs but said he doesn ’ t know where the meth came from .
Brooke Covington is one of Word of Faith Fellowship ’ s top leaders .
Covington is currently facing charges of kidnapping and assault related to a 2013 attack in which a young , gay man says he was beaten during a blasting session to expel his “ homosexual demons.
” Her husband , Kent Covington , is currently in federal prison related to an unemployment fraud scheme at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current and former church members have lived communally in the home over the years .
Cordes has described beatings by church members , being sexually assaulted and being separated from his parents during his childhood .
His sister , Danielle Cordes , said her brother is not dangerous , but a traumatized and troubled young man , and they are seeking help for him .
“ He ’ s going through a really tough period right now as a result of the way he grew up , ” she said .
Josh Farmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not respond to an email with questions .
Word of Faith has said it ’ s been persecuted for years because of its beliefs .
They also have said threats of violence have increased since the global coronavirus pandemic .
A statement on the church ’ s website said it has been “ 100 percent compliant with public health guidelines.
” Follow AP coverage of the Word of Faith Fellowship at https : //apnews.com/WordofFaithFellowship

UNDATED (AP) - A secretive evangelical church in North Carolina says hysteria over the coronavirus may have motivated a former member with a gun to break into the home of one of the sect’s top ministers, but the now-jailed suspect said he was on drugs and doesn’t know why he ended up in the communal house.
Members of the Word of Faith Fellowship told authorities that Stephen Cordes, 23, was spotted by a congregant walking into Brooke Covington’s home in Rutherfordton on Sunday afternoon. They said they found the man, who once lived in the home, in a closet. When Cordes tried to leave, the members said, they stopped him. During the struggle, the witnesses said a Glock pistol “fell off Mr. Cordes’ person,” according to a sheriff’s investigative report.
A church leader and lawyer told the Charlotte Observer newspaper that Cordes was at least partially motivated by “online hysteria” that congregants have spread the virus in this rural community and are covering it up. Health officials have declined to say if the church has caused an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
Cordes grew up in the Word of Faith Fellowship in Spindale, a church he and other former members consider a “cult.” The church was the subject of an Associated Press investigation into allegations that members were regularly slapped, choked and thrown to the floor during a high-decibel group prayer known as “blasting,” which is meant to expel demons.
The church was founded in 1979 by Sam and Jane Whaley in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains between Charlotte and Asheville. Members consider Jane Whaley a prophet. Cordes left the church in 2017 and is a student at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. His parents are still members.
Cordes told AP in a phone call from jail that he was in the town to hang out with friends and blacked out after smoking a marijuana “blunt.” He said the next thing he remembers is being in an upstairs closet of Covington’s home and trying to fight his way out of the house.
“I don’t know why I ended up there,” he said. He acknowledged having concerns about COVID-19 infecting family members in the church, but insists he is not violent and wished no one harm.
He said he carries a gun for protection and usually leaves it in his car.
He has expressed dismay that relatives who remain in the congregation, including his parents, have cut off contact with him.
Three members of the church have died of the virus, according to former members. But it’s unclear how many have been infected. As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 124 reported cases and six deaths in Rutherford County, with a population of about 67,000.
Investigators didn’t speculate on a motive in documents reviewed by AP.
Brooke Covington told authorities she believes Cordes came to her house to harm her or others.
Cordes is being held in the Rutherford County jail on a $100,000 bond, though the case will be handled by a prosecutor in another county, according to Ben Cooper, an attorney who is also Cordes’ cousin.
Rutherford County Sheriff Chris Francis didn’t return messages.
Cordes was lying on the ground with his hands bound behind his back with plastic ties when deputies arrived, the report said. Authorities said a pistol was nearby and a shotgun was found in the trunk of his rental car, which was left running.
Cordes is charged with breaking and entering to terrorize or injure along with possession of more than 10 ounces of marijuana and 1.8 grams of methamphetamine, authorities said. He could face additional charges.
A search warrant said investigators were looking for evidence “that may relate to the crime of attempted murder.” Pictures show his face, arms and back bloodied and bruised. Cordes acknowledged using drugs but said he doesn’t know where the meth came from.
Brooke Covington is one of Word of Faith Fellowship’s top leaders. Covington is currently facing charges of kidnapping and assault related to a 2013 attack in which a young, gay man says he was beaten during a blasting session to expel his “homosexual demons.” Her husband, Kent Covington, is currently in federal prison related to an unemployment fraud scheme at businesses owned by church leaders.
Various current and former church members have lived communally in the home over the years.
Cordes has described beatings by church members, being sexually assaulted and being separated from his parents during his childhood.
His sister, Danielle Cordes, said her brother is not dangerous, but a traumatized and troubled young man, and they are seeking help for him.
“He’s going through a really tough period right now as a result of the way he grew up,” she said.
Josh Farmer, a church member and attorney, did not respond to an email with questions. Word of Faith has said it’s been persecuted for years because of its beliefs. They also have said threats of violence have increased since the global coronavirus pandemic. A statement on the church’s website said it has been “100 percent compliant with public health guidelines.”
___
Follow AP coverage of the Word of Faith Fellowship at https://apnews.com/WordofFaithFellowship


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Washington's stay-at-home order won't be lifted Monday

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee said Wednesday the state has to see more progress in several areas , including the daily number of new coronavirus cases and deaths , before social distancing restrictions can safely be lifted .
At a news conference , Inslee confirmed the state ’ s stay-at-home order that was enacted March 23 would remain in place beyond May 4 and said he would have more details Friday “ on the phased-in approach about how we will open our economy in a safe way.
” Inslee showed a series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes hourly , metrics state officials are looking at , ranging from the number of hospitalizations to the current transmission rate in King County to projections for increases in cases if social distancing efforts were ended today .
Inslee said the quickest way to restart the economy is to make sure that “ we get this job done.
” He warned that lifting his order too soon could lead to a spike in new cases that would require reinstating restrictions .
“ We do not want to go through this pain again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Inslee has announced the easing of some restrictions , including the resumption of existing construction projects , and allowing day use activities at state parks and some outdoor recreation like hunting , golfing and fishing .
On Wednesday , he announced that some non-urgent surgeries could also resume , something state medical groups had urged him to do .
But he said while he knows people are eager to go back to work and for non-essential businesses to reopen , “ we still can ’ t do that for many of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are at play in his decision making , and that all of them need to see reduced risk : disease activity , health care system readiness , testing capacity and availability , an increase in case and contact investigations once a case is confirmed and risk to vulnerable populations , like those in assisted living facilities .
On the issue of testing , Inslee said the state is currently averaging 4,650 tests a day .
They want to be doing more than 22,000 a day , but currently lack the necessary supplies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ told by the federal government that the state would receive enough swabs to quadruple the current testing in the next week or two .
“ I am very hopeful that that comes through , ” he said .
Dr. Kathy Lofy , state health officer , said once testing increases , they will have a better sense of the true progress the state is making on all of the other factors that they are monitoring daily .
“ I know this is frustrating for people , they want an exact number and what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ It ’ s not as easy as that , we need to look at multiple things .
” Republican House Minority leader J.T .
Wilcox , who has warned that the public might start losing motivation to comply with the stay-at-home order without more specifics from the governor , posted on Facebook after Inslee ’ s news conference , writing that it “ served an important purpose and I ’ m glad he gave it.
” “ I know that everyone wants to hear about getting back to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope he is as clear soon about the way back for that .
He explained the foundation today.
” More than 14,000 people in Washington state have tested positive for the virus , which causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients .
While the vast majority recover , the coronavirus 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 .
At least 801 people in the state have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think we should become inured to death , ” Inslee said .
“ Each one of these numbers is a person .
”

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday the state has to see more progress in several areas, including the daily number of new coronavirus cases and deaths, before social distancing restrictions can safely be lifted.
At a news conference, Inslee confirmed the state’s stay-at-home order that was enacted March 23 would remain in place beyond May 4 and said he would have more details Friday “on the phased-in approach about how we will open our economy in a safe way.”
Inslee showed a series of slides to explain the daily, and sometimes hourly, metrics state officials are looking at, ranging from the number of hospitalizations to the current transmission rate in King County to projections for increases in cases if social distancing efforts were ended today.
Inslee said the quickest way to restart the economy is to make sure that “we get this job done.” He warned that lifting his order too soon could lead to a spike in new cases that would require reinstating restrictions.
“We do not want to go through this pain again,” he said.
Since last Friday, Inslee has announced the easing of some restrictions, including the resumption of existing construction projects, and allowing day use activities at state parks and some outdoor recreation like hunting, golfing and fishing. On Wednesday, he announced that some non-urgent surgeries could also resume, something state medical groups had urged him to do.
But he said while he knows people are eager to go back to work and for non-essential businesses to reopen, “we still can’t do that for many of our folks safely.”
Inslee said several elements are at play in his decision making, and that all of them need to see reduced risk: disease activity, health care system readiness, testing capacity and availability, an increase in case and contact investigations once a case is confirmed and risk to vulnerable populations, like those in assisted living facilities.
On the issue of testing, Inslee said the state is currently averaging 4,650 tests a day. They want to be doing more than 22,000 a day, but currently lack the necessary supplies.
The Democratic governor said he has been told by the federal government that the state would receive enough swabs to quadruple the current testing in the next week or two.
“I am very hopeful that that comes through,” he said.
Dr. Kathy Lofy, state health officer, said once testing increases, they will have a better sense of the true progress the state is making on all of the other factors that they are monitoring daily.
“I know this is frustrating for people, they want an exact number and what we need to get to,” she said. “It’s not as easy as that, we need to look at multiple things. ”
Republican House Minority leader J.T. Wilcox, who has warned that the public might start losing motivation to comply with the stay-at-home order without more specifics from the governor, posted on Facebook after Inslee’s news conference, writing that it “served an important purpose and I’m glad he gave it.”
“I know that everyone wants to hear about getting back to work,” Wilcox wrote. “I hope he is as clear soon about the way back for that. He explained the foundation today.”
More than 14,000 people in Washington state have tested positive for the virus, which causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients. While the vast majority recover, the coronavirus 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. At least 801 people in the state have died of COVID-19.
“I don’t think we should become inured to death,” Inslee said. “Each one of these numbers is a person.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Trump erupts at campaign team as his poll numbers slide

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - President Donald Trump erupted at his top political advisers last week when they presented him with worrisome polling data that showed his support eroding in a series of battleground states as his response to the coronavirus comes under criticism .
As the virus takes its deadly toll and much of the nation ’ s economy remains shuttered , new surveys by the Republican National Committee and Trump ’ s campaign pointed to a harrowing picture for the president as he faces reelection .
While Trump saw some of the best approval ratings of his presidency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , aides highlighted the growing political cost of the crisis and the unforced errors by Trump in his freewheeling press briefings .
Trump reacted with defiance , incredulous that he could be losing to someone he viewed as a weak candidate .
“ I am not f—ing losing to Joe Biden , ” he repeated in a series of heated conference calls with his top campaign officials , according to five people with knowledge of the conversations .
They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president was sobering : Trump was trailing the former Democratic vice president in many key battleground states , he was told , and would have lost the Electoral College if the election had been held earlier this month .
On the line from the White House , Trump snapped at the state of his polling during a series of calls with campaign manager Brad Parscale , who called in from Florida ; RNC chair Ronna McDaniel , on the line from her home in Michigan ; senior adviser Jared Kushner ; and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House aides and outside advisers , the political team urged Trump to curtail his daily coronavirus briefings , arguing that the combative sessions were costing him in the polls , particularly among seniors .
Trump initially pushed back , pointing to high television ratings .
But , at least temporarily , he agreed to scale back the briefings after drawing sharp criticism for raising the idea that Americans might get virus protection by injecting disinfectants .
Trump aides encouraged the president to stay out of medical issues and direct his focus toward more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy .
Even as Trump preaches optimism , the president has expressed frustration and even powerlessness as the dire economic statistics pile up .
It ’ s been a whiplash-inducing moment for the president , who just two months ago planned to run for reelection on the strength of an economy that was experiencing unprecedented employment levels .
Now , as the records mount in the opposite direction , Trump is feeling the pressure .
“ We built the greatest economy in the world , ” Trump has said publicly .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump ’ s political team warned that the president ’ s path to reelection depends on how quickly he can bring about a recovery .
“ I think you ’ ll see by June a lot of the country should be back to normal , and the hope is that by July the country ’ s really rocking again , ” Kushner told “ Fox & Friends ” on Wednesday morning .
But other aides , business leaders and economists predict a far longer road toward recovery .
Representatives for the RNC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the polling or last week ’ s phone calls .
According to people familiar with the incident , Trump vented much of his frustration at Parscale , who served as the bearer of bad news .
Trump has long distrusted negative poll numbers - telling aides for years that his gut was right about the 2016 race , when he insisted that he was ahead in the Midwest and Florida .
At the same time , Parscale and other Trump aides are talking up the sophistication of their data and voter outreach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some aides have had simmering frustrations with Parscale for a while , believing the campaign manager - a close Kushner ally - has enriched himself from his association with Trump and sought personal publicity .
Trump had previously been angered when Parscale was the subject of magazine profiles .
This latest episode flared before the campaign manager was featured in a New York Times Magazine profile this week .
Aides have grown particularly worried about Michigan - which some advisers have all but written off — as well as Florida , Wisconsin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will visit Arizona next week - his first trip outside Washington in a month - as he looks to declare that much of the nation is ready to begin reopening after the virus .
The president has mocked Biden , his presumptive general election rival , for being “ stuck in his basement ” in his Delaware home during the pandemic .
Trump said Wednesday that he hopes to soon visit Ohio , a battleground state that Trump carried handily in 2016 but that aides see as growing slightly competitive in recent weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s signature rallies would not be returning anytime soon .
Some have privately offered doubts that he would be able to hold any in his familiar format of jam-packed arenas before Election Day , Nov. 3 .

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump erupted at his top political advisers last week when they presented him with worrisome polling data that showed his support eroding in a series of battleground states as his response to the coronavirus comes under criticism.
As the virus takes its deadly toll and much of the nation’s economy remains shuttered, new surveys by the Republican National Committee and Trump’s campaign pointed to a harrowing picture for the president as he faces reelection.
While Trump saw some of the best approval ratings of his presidency during the early weeks of the crisis, aides highlighted the growing political cost of the crisis and the unforced errors by Trump in his freewheeling press briefings.
Trump reacted with defiance, incredulous that he could be losing to someone he viewed as a weak candidate.
“I am not f—-ing losing to Joe Biden,” he repeated in a series of heated conference calls with his top campaign officials, according to five people with knowledge of the conversations. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about private discussions.
The message to the president was sobering: Trump was trailing the former Democratic vice president in many key battleground states, he was told, and would have lost the Electoral College if the election had been held earlier this month.
On the line from the White House, Trump snapped at the state of his polling during a series of calls with campaign manager Brad Parscale, who called in from Florida; RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, on the line from her home in Michigan; senior adviser Jared Kushner; and other aides.
Echoing a number of White House aides and outside advisers, the political team urged Trump to curtail his daily coronavirus briefings, arguing that the combative sessions were costing him in the polls, particularly among seniors. Trump initially pushed back, pointing to high television ratings. But, at least temporarily, he agreed to scale back the briefings after drawing sharp criticism for raising the idea that Americans might get virus protection by injecting disinfectants.
Trump aides encouraged the president to stay out of medical issues and direct his focus toward more familiar and politically important ground: the economy.
Even as Trump preaches optimism, the president has expressed frustration and even powerlessness as the dire economic statistics pile up. It’s been a whiplash-inducing moment for the president, who just two months ago planned to run for reelection on the strength of an economy that was experiencing unprecedented employment levels. Now, as the records mount in the opposite direction, Trump is feeling the pressure.
“We built the greatest economy in the world,” Trump has said publicly. “I’ll do it a second time.”
Trump’s political team warned that the president’s path to reelection depends on how quickly he can bring about a recovery.
“I think you’ll see by June a lot of the country should be back to normal, and the hope is that by July the country’s really rocking again,” Kushner told “Fox & Friends” on Wednesday morning. But other aides, business leaders and economists predict a far longer road toward recovery.
Representatives for the RNC and the Trump campaign did not comment on the polling or last week’s phone calls. In a tweet just after midnight Wednesday, Trump denied that he had recently shouted at his campaign manager and said that “he is doing a great job.”
According to people familiar with the incident, Trump vented much of his frustration at Parscale, who served as the bearer of bad news.
Trump has long distrusted negative poll numbers - telling aides for years that his gut was right about the 2016 race, when he insisted that he was ahead in the Midwest and Florida. At the same time, Parscale and other Trump aides are talking up the sophistication of their data and voter outreach capabilities this time.
The president and some aides have had simmering frustrations with Parscale for a while, believing the campaign manager - a close Kushner ally - has enriched himself from his association with Trump and sought personal publicity. Trump had previously been angered when Parscale was the subject of magazine profiles. This latest episode flared before the campaign manager was featured in a New York Times Magazine profile this week.
Aides have grown particularly worried about Michigan — which some advisers have all but written off — as well as Florida, Wisconsin and Arizona.
Trump announced Wednesday that he will visit Arizona next week - his first trip outside Washington in a month — as he looks to declare that much of the nation is ready to begin reopening after the virus.
The president has mocked Biden, his presumptive general election rival, for being “stuck in his basement” in his Delaware home during the pandemic.
Trump said Wednesday that he hopes to soon visit Ohio, a battleground state that Trump carried handily in 2016 but that aides see as growing slightly competitive in recent weeks.
Aides acknowledged that the president’s signature rallies would not be returning anytime soon. Some have privately offered doubts that he would be able to hold any in his familiar format of jam-packed arenas before Election Day, Nov. 3.
___
Lemire reported from New York.