washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Cyclone dumps rain on India, Bangladesh, 2M head to shelters

NEW DELHI ( AP ) — A powerful cyclone slammed ashore Wednesday along the coastline of India and Bangladesh where more than 2.6 million people fled to shelters in a frantic evacuation made all the more challenging by the coronavirus pandemic .
Cyclone Amphan , an equivalent of a category-3 hurricane , was packing winds of up to 170 kilometers ( 105 miles ) per hour and maximum gusts of 190 kph ( 118 mph ) .
Authorities warned it could wreak extensive damage to flimsy houses and a storm surge may push seawater 25 kilometers ( 15 miles ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The densely populated regions are home to some of the most vulnerable communities in South Asia : poor fishing communities in the Sunderbans and over a million Rohingya refugees living in the crowded camps in Cox ’ s Bazar in Bangladesh .
The cyclone began to make landfall Wednesday afternoon between Digha , a seaside resort in West Bengal , and Hatiya Islands in Bangladesh .
The eye of the storm is likely to pass through the Sunderbans , one of the largest mangrove forests in the world , India ’ s meteorological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a vital line of defense by dissipating some of the energy from the waves that would otherwise crash into the coastline , said K.J .
Ramesh , the department ’ s former chief .
Bangladesh is attempting to evacuate 2.2 million people to safety .
India ’ s West Bengal state moved nearly 300,000 and Odisha state another 148,486 people , officials said .
In Cox ’ s Bazar , where the first 10 coronavirus cases were confirmed last week , authorities and U.N. workers prepared 50 shelters and assigned 256 volunteer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were stabilized with bamboo and concrete walls .
But the combination of the virus and cyclone could lead to a “ new humanitarian crisis ” , said Manuel Pereira , deputy chief of mission for the International Organization for Migration in Bangladesh .
“ We know that if people are forced to seek communal shelter , they ’ ll be unable to maintain physical distancing and run the risk of contracting or transmitting the virus , ” Pereira said .
Masks and hand sanitizers were hastily added to emergency items in the shelters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mousuni Island in India , close to the Sunderbans , described the shelters as crowded and said “ very few people are wearing masks.
” He said children were crying and women desperately tried to cover their faces with their saris while trying to maintain some distance from each other .
“ I have left all my belongings in my house and hope it doesn ’ t get washed away in the floods , ” he said .
Some cyclone shelters in West Bengal were being used for quarantining COVID-19 patients and migrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state government asked for trains transporting migrants to be suspended , Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said .
Some schools were turned into shelters , news reports said .
Some in the cyclone ’ s path saw a choice between the virus and the storm .
In the seaside resort of Digha , many people feared going to the shelters , fisherman Debasis Shyamal said .
“ They have been home for weeks , and are afraid of going into a crowd where they could get infected , ” he said .
The densely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 1,500 coronavirus cases , is likely to see flooding , while some centuries-old buildings in the northern half of the city could collapse due to the strong winds , officials warned .
The cyclone is bearing down during the Islamic holy month Ramadan , and some Bangladeshis who fasted during the day reportedly waited until the early morning hours before heading for the shelters .
The region is no stranger to devastating cyclones .
Ramesh , the former chief of India ’ s weather agency , said it wasn ’ t the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has increased due to climate change patterns .
This has to do with the temperature of the sea ’ s surface .
Warm water is the fuel for cyclones .
It is where storms get their energy and the amount of heat trapped in the top 700 meters ( 2,300 feet ) of the ocean has increased .
“ As a result , cyclones are intensifying faster than before , ” he said .
Alam reported from Dhaka , Bangladesh .
Associated Press writers Sheikh Saaliq and Chonchui Ngashangva in New Delhi contributed @ @ @ @

NEW DELHI (AP) — A powerful cyclone slammed ashore Wednesday along the coastline of India and Bangladesh where more than 2.6 million people fled to shelters in a frantic evacuation made all the more challenging by the coronavirus pandemic.
Cyclone Amphan, an equivalent of a category-3 hurricane, was packing winds of up to 170 kilometers (105 miles) per hour and maximum gusts of 190 kph (118 mph). Authorities warned it could wreak extensive damage to flimsy houses and a storm surge may push seawater 25 kilometers (15 miles) inland, flooding cities including Kolkata.
The densely populated regions are home to some of the most vulnerable communities in South Asia: poor fishing communities in the Sunderbans and over a million Rohingya refugees living in the crowded camps in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh.
The cyclone began to make landfall Wednesday afternoon between Digha, a seaside resort in West Bengal, and Hatiya Islands in Bangladesh. The eye of the storm is likely to pass through the Sunderbans, one of the largest mangrove forests in the world, India’s meteorological department said.
The forests could act as a vital line of defense by dissipating some of the energy from the waves that would otherwise crash into the coastline, said K.J. Ramesh, the department’s former chief.
Bangladesh is attempting to evacuate 2.2 million people to safety. India’s West Bengal state moved nearly 300,000 and Odisha state another 148,486 people, officials said.
In Cox’s Bazar, where the first 10 coronavirus cases were confirmed last week, authorities and U.N. workers prepared 50 shelters and assigned 256 volunteer units.
Areas at risk of landslides were stabilized with bamboo and concrete walls. But the combination of the virus and cyclone could lead to a “new humanitarian crisis”, said Manuel Pereira, deputy chief of mission for the International Organization for Migration in Bangladesh.
“We know that if people are forced to seek communal shelter, they’ll be unable to maintain physical distancing and run the risk of contracting or transmitting the virus,” Pereira said.
Masks and hand sanitizers were hastily added to emergency items in the shelters.
Sobrato Das, a fisherman in Mousuni Island in India, close to the Sunderbans, described the shelters as crowded and said “very few people are wearing masks.”
He said children were crying and women desperately tried to cover their faces with their saris while trying to maintain some distance from each other.
“I have left all my belongings in my house and hope it doesn’t get washed away in the floods,” he said.
Some cyclone shelters in West Bengal were being used for quarantining COVID-19 patients and migrant workers returning to their homes. The state government asked for trains transporting migrants to be suspended, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said. Some schools were turned into shelters, news reports said.
Some in the cyclone’s path saw a choice between the virus and the storm.
In the seaside resort of Digha, many people feared going to the shelters, fisherman Debasis Shyamal said. “They have been home for weeks, and are afraid of going into a crowd where they could get infected,” he said.
The densely populated city of Kolkata, which has nearly 1,500 coronavirus cases, is likely to see flooding, while some centuries-old buildings in the northern half of the city could collapse due to the strong winds, officials warned.
The cyclone is bearing down during the Islamic holy month Ramadan, and some Bangladeshis who fasted during the day reportedly waited until the early morning hours before heading for the shelters.
The region is no stranger to devastating cyclones. Ramesh, the former chief of India’s weather agency, said it wasn’t the frequency of cyclones but their intensity that has increased due to climate change patterns.
This has to do with the temperature of the sea’s surface. Warm water is the fuel for cyclones. It is where storms get their energy and the amount of heat trapped in the top 700 meters (2,300 feet) of the ocean has increased. “As a result, cyclones are intensifying faster than before,” he said.
___
Alam reported from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Associated Press writers Sheikh Saaliq and Chonchui Ngashangva in New Delhi contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--South Korean high school seniors return to school

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) — South Korean students began returning to school on Wednesday , but not without some hitches , in a possible template for other countries struggling to reopen educational facilities .
Hundreds of thousands of high school seniors across South Korea entered their schools after having their temperatures checked and rubbing their hands with sanitizer — familiar measures amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Students and teachers are required to wear masks , and some schools have installed plastic partitions at each student ’ s desk , according to the Education Ministry .
Only high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students are scheduled to return to school in phased steps by June 8 .
In a reminder that getting back to normalcy won ’ t be easy , students in some schools near Seoul were asked to return home in the morning after two students were found to have contracted the coronavirus .
Earlier Wednesday , health authorities also reported 32 new cases in South Korea for a total of 11,110 , the first time the daily jump has been above 30 in more than a week .
South Korean officials say virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at some schools but express confidence they can suppress those outbreaks .
“ We can not avoid initial confusion and anxiety but I believe we can overcome those as we ’ ve been calmly and swiftly handling and containing COVID-19 , ” senior quarantine official Kwon Jun-wook told reporters Tuesday .
South Korea ’ s caseload has been gradually waning due in large part to its aggressive tracing , testing and treating strategy and widespread public support for government-led social distancing rules .
But recently , a sudden spike in new infections linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entertainment district has posed a threat to the quarantine campaign .
There are also worries that schools could be new sources of infections .
The French government said Monday that about 70 virus cases had been linked to schools , one week after a third of French schoolchildren went back to school in an easing of the coronavirus lockdown .
In South Korea , if any school has a new virus case , its students , teachers and other staff will immediately be asked to return home and authorities will disinfect school facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea ’ s new school year was supposed to start in early March , but was delayed several times due to worries about the spread of the coronavirus .
About 5.4 million students in South Korea have been taking classes online .
At Seoul ’ s Kyungbock High School , Cho Hee-yeon , the education superintendent in the capital , used a digital ear thermometer to check students ’ temperatures at the main gate as another official placed liquid sanitizer on the hands of the students .
Signs reading “ No outsiders are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been set up .
“ I am here to see students returning to school while praying that there won ’ t be any coronavirus patients among our students in 2,200 schools ” in Seoul , Cho told reporters .
Students at 66 schools in Incheon , just west of Seoul , had to leave after two students at one of the schools tested positive for the virus Wednesday .
The two students didn ’ t attend classes on Wednesday , but authorities decided to temporarily close all schools in their area , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Education .
The two students had been in a karaoke room visited by another student who tested positive for the virus after taking private classes from a person who visited an Itaewon club , according to Incheon city officials .
In Anseong , just south of Seoul , authorities sent messages to all high school seniors on Wednesday morning telling them to continue to stay home because health authorities hadn ’ t finished compiling a list of places that a newly confirmed local patient had visited .
Those schools were expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean students began returning to school on Wednesday, but not without some hitches, in a possible template for other countries struggling to reopen educational facilities.
Hundreds of thousands of high school seniors across South Korea entered their schools after having their temperatures checked and rubbing their hands with sanitizer — familiar measures amid the coronavirus pandemic. Students and teachers are required to wear masks, and some schools have installed plastic partitions at each student’s desk, according to the Education Ministry.
Only high school seniors returned on Wednesday. Younger students are scheduled to return to school in phased steps by June 8.
In a reminder that getting back to normalcy won’t be easy, students in some schools near Seoul were asked to return home in the morning after two students were found to have contracted the coronavirus. Earlier Wednesday, health authorities also reported 32 new cases in South Korea for a total of 11,110, the first time the daily jump has been above 30 in more than a week.
South Korean officials say virus infections are likely to be reported eventually at some schools but express confidence they can suppress those outbreaks. “We cannot avoid initial confusion and anxiety but I believe we can overcome those as we’ve been calmly and swiftly handling and containing COVID-19,” senior quarantine official Kwon Jun-wook told reporters Tuesday.
South Korea’s caseload has been gradually waning due in large part to its aggressive tracing, testing and treating strategy and widespread public support for government-led social distancing rules. But recently, a sudden spike in new infections linked to nightclubs in Seoul’s Itaewon entertainment district has posed a threat to the quarantine campaign.
There are also worries that schools could be new sources of infections. The French government said Monday that about 70 virus cases had been linked to schools, one week after a third of French schoolchildren went back to school in an easing of the coronavirus lockdown.
In South Korea, if any school has a new virus case, its students, teachers and other staff will immediately be asked to return home and authorities will disinfect school facilities, Education Ministry officials said.
South Korea’s new school year was supposed to start in early March, but was delayed several times due to worries about the spread of the coronavirus. About 5.4 million students in South Korea have been taking classes online.
At Seoul’s Kyungbock High School, Cho Hee-yeon, the education superintendent in the capital, used a digital ear thermometer to check students’ temperatures at the main gate as another official placed liquid sanitizer on the hands of the students. Signs reading “No outsiders are allowed to enter the school premises” had been set up.
“I am here to see students returning to school while praying that there won’t be any coronavirus patients among our students in 2,200 schools” in Seoul, Cho told reporters.
Students at 66 schools in Incheon, just west of Seoul, had to leave after two students at one of the schools tested positive for the virus Wednesday. The two students didn’t attend classes on Wednesday, but authorities decided to temporarily close all schools in their area, according to the Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education.
The two students had been in a karaoke room visited by another student who tested positive for the virus after taking private classes from a person who visited an Itaewon club, according to Incheon city officials.
In Anseong, just south of Seoul, authorities sent messages to all high school seniors on Wednesday morning telling them to continue to stay home because health authorities hadn’t finished compiling a list of places that a newly confirmed local patient had visited. Those schools were expected to reopen on Thursday, education officials said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--West Virginia reaps $6.4M in auto loan company settlement

CHARLESTON , W.Va. ( AP ) - West Virginia is getting more than $ 6.4 million under a multi-state settlement with Santander Consumer USA over claims that it violated consumer protection laws with predatory auto loans , officials said Tuesday .
The settlement with attorneys general in 33 states and the District of Columbia totaled $ 550 million , according to a news release from West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey .
The auto loan financing company was accused of knowingly targeting consumers who were likely to default on its loans .
“ Those that violate our consumer protection laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should serve as a warning to anyone who seeks to take advantage of vulnerable consumers , ” Morrisey said in a statement .
People who defaulted on their loans from the company as of last year will be allowed to keep their car if it has not been dispossessed , and they are eligible for waivers for unpaid balances , according to the settlement .
West Virginia ’ s chunk of the settlement includes around $ 6 million in canceled debt , $ 500,000 in restitution and $ 30,000 to the state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is happy to put the matter behind it .

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia is getting more than $6.4 million under a multi-state settlement with Santander Consumer USA over claims that it violated consumer protection laws with predatory auto loans, officials said Tuesday.
The settlement with attorneys general in 33 states and the District of Columbia totaled $550 million, according to a news release from West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. The auto loan financing company was accused of knowingly targeting consumers who were likely to default on its loans.
“Those that violate our consumer protection laws will be held accountable. This settlement should serve as a warning to anyone who seeks to take advantage of vulnerable consumers,” Morrisey said in a statement.
People who defaulted on their loans from the company as of last year will be allowed to keep their car if it has not been dispossessed, and they are eligible for waivers for unpaid balances, according to the settlement.
West Virginia’s chunk of the settlement includes around $6 million in canceled debt, $500,000 in restitution and $30,000 to the state.
Santander Consumer USA issued a statement saying it is happy to put the matter behind it.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Banners honor graduates along Florida Keys Overseas Highway

ISLAMORADA , Fla. ( AP ) - Banners featuring scores of yearbook photos are hanging next to the Florida Keys Overseas Highway to honor graduating seniors who will miss out on traditional ceremonies because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Several residents in Islamorada knew that COVID-19 would affect celebrations for the 177 graduating seniors at Coral Shores High School in the Upper Keys .
Local businessman Mike Forster helped finance the project to transform yearbook portraits into banners , and Florida Keys Electric Cooperative crews hung them from powerline poles in Islamorada .
Each banner has four senior pictures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning to attend the University of South Florida , said she and her fellow graduates were surprised by the banners .
“ It ’ s reassuring that people are aware of what we are going through , ” Dougherty said .
“ It ’ s connected those who have graduated with those who are graduating now.
” Dougherty said she was very disappointed with missing out on traditional celebrations .
“ I spent a lot time in school building up to this , ” she said .
“ Graduation is the thing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning to study chemistry and said she will consider post-graduate studies in medicine , hoping to research and perhaps help to cure diseases like coronavirus .

ISLAMORADA, Fla. (AP) - Banners featuring scores of yearbook photos are hanging next to the Florida Keys Overseas Highway to honor graduating seniors who will miss out on traditional ceremonies because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Several residents in Islamorada knew that COVID-19 would affect celebrations for the 177 graduating seniors at Coral Shores High School in the Upper Keys. Local businessman Mike Forster helped finance the project to transform yearbook portraits into banners, and Florida Keys Electric Cooperative crews hung them from powerline poles in Islamorada. Each banner has four senior pictures.
Bridget Dougherty, 18, who is planning to attend the University of South Florida, said she and her fellow graduates were surprised by the banners.
“It’s reassuring that people are aware of what we are going through,” Dougherty said. “It’s connected those who have graduated with those who are graduating now.”
Dougherty said she was very disappointed with missing out on traditional celebrations.
“I spent a lot time in school building up to this,” she said. “Graduation is the thing that makes it worthwhile.”
She’s planning to study chemistry and said she will consider post-graduate studies in medicine, hoping to research and perhaps help to cure diseases like coronavirus.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Raleigh city budget proposal freezes hiring, no layoffs

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - City officials in Raleigh proposed a budget that implements a city-wide hiring freeze and cuts costs without hiking taxes or eliminating staff during the coronavirus pandemic .
The proposal was made Tuesday by Raleigh City Manager Ruffin Hall .
Its recommendations include putting off city construction projects , software updates and travel for employees , closing a visitor center on Mondays and cutting back on a tackle football program , the News & Observer reported .
The nearly $ 1 billion proposal also recommends an additional monthly charge on recycling fees and canceling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fireworks celebration .
Hall said city officials have tried to limit the impact of the multimillion-dollar cuts on residents .
“ We have even gone through some of our own personal loss and sorrow , ” Hall said .
“ And the organization has really stepped up and remained committed to providing our core services to our citizens.
” Overall , the proposal for the fiscal year that starts on July 1 is 2.2 % less than the current year ’ s budget .
It also calls for city employees to get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meets its financial goals .
Hall said the proposal does not include adding staff to the city ’ s police and fire departments , something that was discussed by city leaders before the virus outbreak .
A virtual public hearing for the proposal is scheduled for June 2 .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - City officials in Raleigh proposed a budget that implements a city-wide hiring freeze and cuts costs without hiking taxes or eliminating staff during the coronavirus pandemic.
The proposal was made Tuesday by Raleigh City Manager Ruffin Hall. Its recommendations include putting off city construction projects, software updates and travel for employees, closing a visitor center on Mondays and cutting back on a tackle football program, the News & Observer reported.
The nearly $1 billion proposal also recommends an additional monthly charge on recycling fees and canceling the city’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration.
Hall said city officials have tried to limit the impact of the multimillion-dollar cuts on residents.
“We have even gone through some of our own personal loss and sorrow,” Hall said. “And the organization has really stepped up and remained committed to providing our core services to our citizens.”
Overall, the proposal for the fiscal year that starts on July 1 is 2.2% less than the current year’s budget. It also calls for city employees to get a 2% base pay increase if Raleigh meets its financial goals.
Hall said the proposal does not include adding staff to the city’s police and fire departments, something that was discussed by city leaders before the virus outbreak.
A virtual public hearing for the proposal is scheduled for June 2.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Karen Pence speaks on health benefits of getting outdoors

GATLINBURG , Tenn. ( AP ) - Second Lady Karen Pence visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park to talk about the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors as officials announced the second phase of a plan to reopen all park trails .
Pence was accompanied on her visit Tuesday by Deputy Secretary of Interior Katharine MacGregor , the White House said in a statement .
Both took part in a ceremonial road reopening at the national park and hiked up a trail during their visit .
“ National parks offer many mental health benefits and more than ever before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking care of ourselves and each other , ” Pence said .
The Smokies reopened on May 9 with some popular trails blocked off to visitors after closing in late March .
All park trails will now reopen on Saturday , while campgrounds and visitor centers will remain closed , news outlets reported .
Pence said it ’ s possible for people to visit the park and still practice social distancing .
But some are reluctant about that idea during the virus outbreak .
“ Karen Pence ’ s visit to Great Smoky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visiting a crowded park , ” David Lamfrom , southeast regional director for the National Parks Conservation Association , told Knoxville News Sentinel .
“ When people learn that the vice president ’ s wife visited the park , they may believe it is safe for them to visit over the long weekend .
It ’ s not.
” Pence serves as the lead ambassador for the PREVENTS task force , an acronym for President Donald Trump ’ s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End the National Tragedy of Suicide .
The task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ever Before ” social media campaign to help reach Americans before they get to “ the end of their rope , ” Pence said .
MacGregor said millions of park visitors pumped $ 1 billion into the local economy last year .

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) - Second Lady Karen Pence visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park to talk about the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors as officials announced the second phase of a plan to reopen all park trails.
Pence was accompanied on her visit Tuesday by Deputy Secretary of Interior Katharine MacGregor, the White House said in a statement. Both took part in a ceremonial road reopening at the national park and hiked up a trail during their visit.
“National parks offer many mental health benefits and more than ever before, we must ensure that we are taking care of ourselves and each other,” Pence said.
The Smokies reopened on May 9 with some popular trails blocked off to visitors after closing in late March.
All park trails will now reopen on Saturday, while campgrounds and visitor centers will remain closed, news outlets reported. Pence said it’s possible for people to visit the park and still practice social distancing.
But some are reluctant about that idea during the virus outbreak.
“Karen Pence’s visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park downplays the risks of visiting a crowded park,” David Lamfrom, southeast regional director for the National Parks Conservation Association, told Knoxville News Sentinel. “When people learn that the vice president’s wife visited the park, they may believe it is safe for them to visit over the long weekend. It’s not.”
Pence serves as the lead ambassador for the PREVENTS task force, an acronym for President Donald Trump’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End the National Tragedy of Suicide. The task force recently launched the “More Than Ever Before” social media campaign to help reach Americans before they get to “the end of their rope,” Pence said.
MacGregor said millions of park visitors pumped $1 billion into the local economy last year.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo's careless cruelty shows in coronavirus nursing home policy

The core of cruelty defining New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo marches on .
As many contend , his policies are responsible for the shocking number of deaths at nursing homes in the state .
In a response to a reporter inquiring about the situation , Mr. Cuomo declared , “ He [ President Trump ] worked it out so we always had available beds .
Nobody was deprived of a bed or medical coverage in any way .
And still people died .
Still , people died .
Older people , vulnerable people are going to die from this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite whatever you do .
Because with all our progress as a society , we can ’ t keep everyone alive.
” Janice Dean , Fox News ’ senior meteorologist , was not impressed with Mr. Cuomo ’ s remark .
Both of her in-laws died of coronavirus complications in a New York nursing home .
She responded on Twitter , “ Translation : not my fault even though I approved the order that recovering coronavirus patients could go back into nursing and assisted living homes .
And then it spread like wildfire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are supposed to be protecting .
… ” Ms. Dean is not the only one arguing this happened not despite what Mr. Cuomo did , but because of what he did .
The policy of requiring coronavirus patients to go from hospital to a nursing home , regardless of whether they still harbored the virus , while forbidding nursing homes from refusing them , was even more perplexing considering the federal government had sent the hospital ship Comfort to provide additional support and beds , as well as establishing the Javits Center as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,700 beds .
Neither one of those facilities were used to any great degree , leaving close to 1,000 beds empty at any one time .
There was literally no reason to send compromised elderly and infirm into environments of more elderly and infirm , and every existential reason not to do so .
Recently , this column remarked on Mr. Cuomo ’ s astoundingly cold comments to frightened small business owners and out-of-work New Yorkers that they should stop complaining and apply for jobs as “ essential workers.
” That sort of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t just show up as a one-off burst of benign apathy .
Now , this even more illustrative example of Mr. Cuomo ’ s brutality is finally being discussed , at least in some quarters .
New York City Council member Joe Borelli told Fox News : “ The truth of the matter is on March 25 , the Cuomo administration made a decision in the form of a written policy that prevented nursing homes from rejecting patients that were testing positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” That order specifically said “ No resident shall be denied readmission or admission to NH [ nursing home ] solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19.
” New York is now reporting more than 5,400 coronavirus-related deaths in nursing homes and assisted living facilities , a number that many believe is underreported .
As the outrage continued to build , finally on May 10 , Mr. Cuomo effectively reversed himself with new rules requiring , in part , that hospitals do not discharge anyone to a nursing home without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the question about the obvious recklessness of his original policy became even more urgent because of his response about the issue on Sunday .
Did Mr. Cuomo ’ s attitude that elderly victims of the virus were going to die “ no matter what you do ” inform his decision to send them back to nursing homes ?
Did he not want to “ waste ” a bed anywhere else on these supposedly hopeless cases ?
When did that attitude infect his thinking ?
Perhaps he believes his excuse absolves him of responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goodwin at the New York Post tells us , “ Nursing home executives , meanwhile , complain privately that Cuomo should ’ ve known his mandate would be a killer , but they were never consulted and got no notice before being swamped with infected patients .
As one owner put it , longtime residents began ‘ dropping like flies ’ soon afterward .
The same executives will not go public with their complaints because they fear Cuomo will punish them with fines and take their licenses.
” In his piece , Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls for a federal investigation with a designated U.S. attorney using a grand jury to find answers and pursue justice .
In addition to Mr. Borelli of New York City calling for an investigation , New York Republican Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis wants an independent federal investigation into Mr. Cuomo ’ s nursing home order , Fox News reported .
Moreover , Republican New York Rep. Elise Stefanik is also calling for an independent federal investigation .
She told “ Fox & Friends , ” “ The governor took executive action forcing positive COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was zero transparency in terms of informing the seniors , the workers , or the family members whether there were positive cases .
They also didn ’ t fully tell the public how many seniors deaths that were coming from nursing homes .
… ” The backlash has been severe , but what we all deserve is accountability and justice .
Mr. Cuomo ’ s infamous March order made no sense , unless he decided executive orders give him the power to be a one-man death panel .
Only a federal investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Tammy Bruce , president of Independent Women ’ s Voice , author and Fox News contributor , is a radio talk-show host .

OPINION:
The core of cruelty defining New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo marches on. As many contend, his policies are responsible for the shocking number of deaths at nursing homes in the state.
In a response to a reporter inquiring about the situation, Mr. Cuomo declared, “He [President Trump] worked it out so we always had available beds. Nobody was deprived of a bed or medical coverage in any way. And still people died. Still, people died. Older people, vulnerable people are going to die from this virus. That is going to happen despite whatever you do. Because with all our progress as a society, we can’t keep everyone alive.”
Janice Dean, Fox News’ senior meteorologist, was not impressed with Mr. Cuomo’s remark. Both of her in-laws died of coronavirus complications in a New York nursing home. She responded on Twitter, “Translation: not my fault even though I approved the order that recovering coronavirus patients could go back into nursing and assisted living homes. And then it spread like wildfire to the most vulnerable people that we are supposed to be protecting. …”
Ms. Dean is not the only one arguing this happened not despite what Mr. Cuomo did, but because of what he did.
The policy of requiring coronavirus patients to go from hospital to a nursing home, regardless of whether they still harbored the virus, while forbidding nursing homes from refusing them, was even more perplexing considering the federal government had sent the hospital ship Comfort to provide additional support and beds, as well as establishing the Javits Center as a massive field hospital with an additional 1,700 beds.
Neither one of those facilities were used to any great degree, leaving close to 1,000 beds empty at any one time. There was literally no reason to send compromised elderly and infirm into environments of more elderly and infirm, and every existential reason not to do so.
Recently, this column remarked on Mr. Cuomo’s astoundingly cold comments to frightened small business owners and out-of-work New Yorkers that they should stop complaining and apply for jobs as “essential workers.” That sort of contempt for the average person doesn’t just show up as a one-off burst of benign apathy. Now, this even more illustrative example of Mr. Cuomo’s brutality is finally being discussed, at least in some quarters.
New York City Council member Joe Borelli told Fox News: “The truth of the matter is on March 25, the Cuomo administration made a decision in the form of a written policy that prevented nursing homes from rejecting patients that were testing positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, from coming back into the nursing home.”
That order specifically said “No resident shall be denied readmission or admission to NH [nursing home] solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19.”
New York is now reporting more than 5,400 coronavirus-related deaths in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, a number that many believe is underreported. As the outrage continued to build, finally on May 10, Mr. Cuomo effectively reversed himself with new rules requiring, in part, that hospitals do not discharge anyone to a nursing home without confirming that they are coronavirus-free. But the question about the obvious recklessness of his original policy became even more urgent because of his response about the issue on Sunday.
Did Mr. Cuomo’s attitude that elderly victims of the virus were going to die “no matter what you do” inform his decision to send them back to nursing homes? Did he not want to “waste” a bed anywhere else on these supposedly hopeless cases? When did that attitude infect his thinking? Perhaps he believes his excuse absolves him of responsibility. He would be wrong.
Michael Goodwin at the New York Post tells us, “Nursing home executives, meanwhile, complain privately that Cuomo should’ve known his mandate would be a killer, but they were never consulted and got no notice before being swamped with infected patients. As one owner put it, longtime residents began ‘dropping like flies’ soon afterward. The same executives will not go public with their complaints because they fear Cuomo will punish them with fines and take their licenses.”
In his piece, Mr. Goodman, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, calls for a federal investigation with a designated U.S. attorney using a grand jury to find answers and pursue justice. In addition to Mr. Borelli of New York City calling for an investigation, New York Republican Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis wants an independent federal investigation into Mr. Cuomo’s nursing home order, Fox News reported.
Moreover, Republican New York Rep. Elise Stefanik is also calling for an independent federal investigation. She told “Fox & Friends,” “The governor took executive action forcing positive COVID cases back in the nursing homes, there was zero transparency in terms of informing the seniors, the workers, or the family members whether there were positive cases. They also didn’t fully tell the public how many seniors deaths that were coming from nursing homes. …”
The backlash has been severe, but what we all deserve is accountability and justice. Mr. Cuomo’s infamous March order made no sense, unless he decided executive orders give him the power to be a one-man death panel. Only a federal investigation will provide answers that everyone can trust.
• Tammy Bruce, president of Independent Women’s Voice, author and Fox News contributor, is a radio talk-show host.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Pacific hurricane forecast complicated by coronavirus

HONOLULU ( AP ) - The Central Pacific basin including Hawaii should expect to see between two and six tropical storms or hurricanes this year , federal forecasters said Wednesday .
The annual National Weather Service prediction came as wary Hawaii residents begin to emerge from coronavirus isolation and face massive unemployment and economic uncertainty .
The forecast means there is about a 75 % chance of an average or below normal season , and a 25 % chance of higher than average storm activity .
State , federal and local officials said in a video news conference Wednesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major hurricane amid the looming threat of the novel coronavirus .
Hawaii has had among the lowest COVID-19 infection and mortality rates in the nation , but officials had to effectively shut down the state ’ s tourism-based economy to contain the pandemic .
Systems need to be established to deal with potential hurricane victims who have the coronavirus while seeking shelter during an emergency , officials said .
Isolating the sick will be key , officials said , but few details were provided about the logistics of handling a second natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , storm surges and flooding can “ wreak havoc within our communities and impact the lives of thousands of residents all across our state , ” said Hawaii Gov .
David Ige .
Ige encouraged people to prepare 14-day emergency kits , which for the first time should now include hand sanitizer and masks .
Last year four tropical cyclones developed in the Central Pacific .
None directly impacted Hawaii .
In 2018 , the massive and powerful Hurricane Lane made a last-minute turn and narrowly spared Oahu , Hawaii ’ s most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to strike the state was Hurricane Iniki in 1992 , which hit Kauai and caused massive damage across the island .
Hurricane season in Hawaii lasts from June 1 until the end of November .
August and September are historically active months for cyclones in the region .

HONOLULU (AP) - The Central Pacific basin including Hawaii should expect to see between two and six tropical storms or hurricanes this year, federal forecasters said Wednesday.
The annual National Weather Service prediction came as wary Hawaii residents begin to emerge from coronavirus isolation and face massive unemployment and economic uncertainty.
The forecast means there is about a 75% chance of an average or below normal season, and a 25% chance of higher than average storm activity.
State, federal and local officials said in a video news conference Wednesday that plans are being developed to deal with a major hurricane amid the looming threat of the novel coronavirus.
Hawaii has had among the lowest COVID-19 infection and mortality rates in the nation, but officials had to effectively shut down the state’s tourism-based economy to contain the pandemic.
Systems need to be established to deal with potential hurricane victims who have the coronavirus while seeking shelter during an emergency, officials said. Isolating the sick will be key, officials said, but few details were provided about the logistics of handling a second natural disaster atop the pandemic.
Destructive winds, storm surges and flooding can “wreak havoc within our communities and impact the lives of thousands of residents all across our state,” said Hawaii Gov. David Ige.
Ige encouraged people to prepare 14-day emergency kits, which for the first time should now include hand sanitizer and masks.
Last year four tropical cyclones developed in the Central Pacific. None directly impacted Hawaii.
In 2018, the massive and powerful Hurricane Lane made a last-minute turn and narrowly spared Oahu, Hawaii’s most populous island. The last major hurricane to strike the state was Hurricane Iniki in 1992, which hit Kauai and caused massive damage across the island.
Hurricane season in Hawaii lasts from June 1 until the end of November. August and September are historically active months for cyclones in the region.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Deputy kills armed man at assisted living facility

VIERA , Fla. ( AP ) - A Florida deputy fatally shot an armed man at an assisted living facility @ @ @ @ @ .
Deputies responded to reports of an armed resident at The Brennity at Melbourne Senior @ @ @ @ @ Today reported .
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said during a news conference that deputies @ @ @ @ @ approaching the man .
The sheriff said a deputy shot the man when he pointed @ @ @ @ @ officers .
Ivey said there was evidence that the man may have been considering suicide @ @ @ @ @ deputies to end his own life .
Officials didn ’ t immediately disclose the names @ @ @ @ @ man or the deputy .

VIERA, Fla. (AP) - A Florida deputy fatally shot an armed man at an assisted living facility Wednesday morning, authorities said.
Deputies responded to reports of an armed resident at The Brennity at Melbourne Senior Living in Viera, Florida Today reported.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said during a news conference that deputies heard a single gunshot before approaching the man. The sheriff said a deputy shot the man when he pointed his weapon at law enforcement officers.
Ivey said there was evidence that the man may have been considering suicide and used the confrontation with deputies to end his own life.
Officials didn’t immediately disclose the names or races of the armed man or the deputy.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Request for injunction on Maryland stay-at-home order denied

A federal judge on Wednesday rejected a request to issue a temporary restraining order sought by people challenging Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan ’ s stay-at-home order in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic .
U.S. District Court Judge Catherine C. Blake issued the order in response to a lawsuit filed by a group that included Del .
Dan Cox , a Frederick Republican .
The plaintiffs were identified in court documents as individuals threatened with arrest if they violated the executive orders or who objected to having to comply ; businesses deemed non-essential ; and religious leaders whose ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the orders , which they called unlawful .
Also , the plaintiffs argued that Hogan violated a portion of the Maryland Declaration of Rights by “ silencing a legislator who wished to speak about an issue and by refusing to exempt legislators from the prohibitions in his executive orders.
” Court documents indicated Cox said he was threatened with criminal prosecution if he attended a ReOpen Maryland rally on May 2 which was held in protest to Hogan ’ s executive order .
At issue was the prohibition on large gatherings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protest and express their feelings , ” Hogan said on CNN on May 3 .
“ A couple of dozen people did so yesterday .
And they have every right to do that .
We - sadly , we had far more people die yesterday in Maryland than we had protesters.
” Nine ministers and a deacon were also plaintiffs in the case , arguing that they didn ’ t have the resources or equipment to broadcast their worship services online or to hold parking lot or drive-in services .
They said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t necessarily have the resources to watch online .
Two military veterans also voiced objections to Hogan ’ s executive orders because they said having to wear a mask to cover their faces when entering a business reminded them of the battlefield in Iraq , according to the document .
“ Public officials can not responsibly exercise their broad authority to protect the health of the entire community without considering the data , the science , and the advice of experienced public health professionals , ” Blake wrote .
She said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informed , if not dictated by , such data , science and advice.
” Blake said the plaintiffs ’ opposition to Hogan ’ s order “ minimize the risks of this pandemic but cite no contrary scientific authority .
”

A federal judge on Wednesday rejected a request to issue a temporary restraining order sought by people challenging Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s stay-at-home order in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. District Court Judge Catherine C. Blake issued the order in response to a lawsuit filed by a group that included Del. Dan Cox, a Frederick Republican.
The plaintiffs were identified in court documents as individuals threatened with arrest if they violated the executive orders or who objected to having to comply; businesses deemed non-essential; and religious leaders whose ability to hold religious services has been affected by the orders, which they called unlawful.
Also, the plaintiffs argued that Hogan violated a portion of the Maryland Declaration of Rights by “silencing a legislator who wished to speak about an issue and by refusing to exempt legislators from the prohibitions in his executive orders.”
Court documents indicated Cox said he was threatened with criminal prosecution if he attended a ReOpen Maryland rally on May 2 which was held in protest to Hogan’s executive order. At issue was the prohibition on large gatherings.
“I think everybody has a right to protest and express their feelings,” Hogan said on CNN on May 3. “A couple of dozen people did so yesterday. And they have every right to do that. We - sadly, we had far more people die yesterday in Maryland than we had protesters.”
Nine ministers and a deacon were also plaintiffs in the case, arguing that they didn’t have the resources or equipment to broadcast their worship services online or to hold parking lot or drive-in services. They said even if they could, their members didn’t necessarily have the resources to watch online.
Two military veterans also voiced objections to Hogan’s executive orders because they said having to wear a mask to cover their faces when entering a business reminded them of the battlefield in Iraq, according to the document.
“Public officials cannot responsibly exercise their broad authority to protect the health of the entire community without considering the data, the science, and the advice of experienced public health professionals,” Blake wrote. She said the governor “has made reasonable choices informed, if not dictated by, such data, science and advice.”
Blake said the plaintiffs’ opposition to Hogan’s order “minimize the risks of this pandemic but cite no contrary scientific authority.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Officials: Loon killed bald eagle by stabbing its heart

BRIDGTON , Maine ( AP ) - A bald eagle died last year in Maine after being stabbed through the heart by a loon , wildlife officials said .
A biologist at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife recently got word about the July 2019 attack , the Bangor Daily News reported Wednesday .
Danielle D ’ Auria believes it to be one of the strangest cases of eagle death she has ever seen .
The bird had been found with a puncture would in its chest by a loon biologist in New Hampshire .
A dead loon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When D ’ Auria heard about the case she had the bird radiographed fro a possible bullet wound as it is illegal in the U.S. to kill bald eagles .
The evidence showed no gun residue but indicated that the big bird had been stabbed through the heart by the beak of a loon .
“ We know conflicts between bald eagles and loons have soared in recent years as a result of the recovery of our eagle population , ” D ’ Auria wrote in a blog entry for the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more eagle predation on loon chicks and even adult loons.
” The biologist believes the loon ’ s attack was a result of its attempt to protect its chick from the bird .
D ’ Auria wrote the evidence is important because it shows an attack that appears to be the first recorded wherein a loon has killed an eagle .
She added , “ Who would think a loon would stand a chance against such a powerful predator ?
”

BRIDGTON, Maine (AP) - A bald eagle died last year in Maine after being stabbed through the heart by a loon, wildlife officials said.
A biologist at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife recently got word about the July 2019 attack, the Bangor Daily News reported Wednesday.
Danielle D’Auria believes it to be one of the strangest cases of eagle death she has ever seen.
The bird had been found with a puncture would in its chest by a loon biologist in New Hampshire. A dead loon chick was also discovered near the eagle.
When D’Auria heard about the case she had the bird radiographed fro a possible bullet wound as it is illegal in the U.S. to kill bald eagles.
The evidence showed no gun residue but indicated that the big bird had been stabbed through the heart by the beak of a loon.
“We know conflicts between bald eagles and loons have soared in recent years as a result of the recovery of our eagle population,” D’Auria wrote in a blog entry for the state agency. “We are seeing more and more eagle predation on loon chicks and even adult loons.”
The biologist believes the loon’s attack was a result of its attempt to protect its chick from the bird.
D’Auria wrote the evidence is important because it shows an attack that appears to be the first recorded wherein a loon has killed an eagle.
She added, “Who would think a loon would stand a chance against such a powerful predator?”


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Police: 2 dead after gunfire, including 1 shot by police

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Two people were killed by gunfire on Wednesday at a Manhattan apartment building , @ @ @ @ @ the other and police fatally firing at the shooter , authorities said .
The New @ @ @ @ @ responded to the building on St. Nicholas Terrace shortly before 7 p.m. after reports of @ @ @ @ @ of the situation and the shootings were unclear .

NEW YORK (AP) - A New York City police sergeant killed a 44-year-old man who shot a woman and then refused to stop attacking the owner of the Harlem apartment they were in Wednesday night, Chief of Patrol Fausto Pichardo said.
Police had been responding to a report of shots fired when they found the 45-year-old woman on the ground of the fifth-floor apartment and the men fighting, one of them wielding a kitchen knife, Fausto said.
The man ignored officers orders to drop the knife and was shot in the torso as he attempted to stab the 39-year old man, he said.
Medical personnel pronounced the woman and the man shot by an officer dead at the scene.
The owner of the apartment is in stable condition, Pichardo said.
A 41-year-old woman who was also in the apartment was not injured.
A semiautomatic handgun and a kitchen knife were recovered.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Attorney: 1,200 California pastors agree to reopen May 31

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - More than 1,200 California pastors say they will resume in-person services on May 31 in defiance of Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the new coronavirus .
Newsom has gradually allowed some businesses to reopen as the state ’ s number of virus-related hospitalizations has flattened .
But churches are still banned , along with hair salons and sporting events .
Newsom said Monday churches could reopen in weeks , not months .
But many churches are tired of waiting .
Wednesday , a lawyer representing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom said more than 1,200 pastors have signed a “ declaration of essentiality ” that announces their plan to reopen on May 31 while observing physical distancing and other precautions .
Attorney Robert Tyler said some pastors represent multiple churches .
He expects as many as 3,000 churches across California could have in-person services on May 31 .
“ This letter was not sent for the purposes of asking for permission , ” he said .
The letter comes one day after the head of the U.S. Justice Department ’ s Civil Rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his stay-at-home order discriminates against churches and places an “ unfair burden ” on them .
Representatives from Newsom ’ s office and the California Department of Public Health did not respond to a request for comment .
California has more than 85,700 coronavirus cases and more than 3,400 deaths , according to data complied by Johns Hopkins University .
The number of people infected is likely higher because of a lack of testing .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
California was the first state to issue a mandatory stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Nearly all of the state ’ s churches complied with the order , with most holding services online for people to worship in their homes .
But that ’ s been a problem for Temple Ner Simcha in Westlake Village .
Rabbi Michael Barclay has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of his congregants are orthodox Jews and can not use electricity on the Sabbath .
“ It ’ s been extremely difficult to stay in contact with people , especially to deal with people and their psychological , emotional and spiritual needs , ” said Barclay , who signed the letter and plans to resume services on May 31 .
“ It really has hurt the psyche and the spirit of people.
” Barclay said his 300-seat sanctuary has enough room for about 40 families to practice physical distancing “ without a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Lodi was one of the few churches that tried to keep meeting despite the stay-at-home order .
Local police entered the church during a service in March to tell them they were violating the governor ’ s order .
The church ’ s landlord later changed the locks , and police threatened to cite anyone who entered the property .
The church sued .
A federal judge earlier this month sided with Newsom , saying he had the right to ban church services in the interest of public health .
Tyler said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earlier this month , a federal judge in Kentucky ruled overturned Gov .
Andy Beshear ’ s temporary ban of religious services , saying he did not give a “ compelling reason ” to limit people ’ s right to freely practice religion .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - More than 1,200 California pastors say they will resume in-person services on May 31 in defiance of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
Newsom has gradually allowed some businesses to reopen as the state’s number of virus-related hospitalizations has flattened. But churches are still banned, along with hair salons and sporting events. Newsom said Monday churches could reopen in weeks, not months.
But many churches are tired of waiting. Wednesday, a lawyer representing a church in Lodi that has sued Newsom said more than 1,200 pastors have signed a “declaration of essentiality” that announces their plan to reopen on May 31 while observing physical distancing and other precautions.
Attorney Robert Tyler said some pastors represent multiple churches. He expects as many as 3,000 churches across California could have in-person services on May 31.
“This letter was not sent for the purposes of asking for permission,” he said.
The letter comes one day after the head of the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division told Newsom in a letter that his stay-at-home order discriminates against churches and places an “unfair burden” on them.
Representatives from Newsom’s office and the California Department of Public Health did not respond to a request for comment.
California has more than 85,700 coronavirus cases and more than 3,400 deaths, according to data complied by Johns Hopkins University. The number of people infected is likely higher because of a lack of testing.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
California was the first state to issue a mandatory stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Nearly all of the state’s churches complied with the order, with most holding services online for people to worship in their homes.
But that’s been a problem for Temple Ner Simcha in Westlake Village. Rabbi Michael Barclay has been streaming his services, but he says some of his congregants are orthodox Jews and cannot use electricity on the Sabbath.
“It’s been extremely difficult to stay in contact with people, especially to deal with people and their psychological, emotional and spiritual needs,” said Barclay, who signed the letter and plans to resume services on May 31. “It really has hurt the psyche and the spirit of people.”
Barclay said his 300-seat sanctuary has enough room for about 40 families to practice physical distancing “without a problem.”
The Cross Culture Christian Center in Lodi was one of the few churches that tried to keep meeting despite the stay-at-home order. Local police entered the church during a service in March to tell them they were violating the governor’s order. The church’s landlord later changed the locks, and police threatened to cite anyone who entered the property.
The church sued. A federal judge earlier this month sided with Newsom, saying he had the right to ban church services in the interest of public health. Tyler said the church has appealed the ruling.
Earlier this month, a federal judge in Kentucky ruled overturned Gov. Andy Beshear’s temporary ban of religious services, saying he did not give a “compelling reason” to limit people’s right to freely practice religion.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Trey Gowdy mocks Susan Rice over declassified email: 'Dear diary, Obama is perfect'

The former Republican head of the Benghazi-probe committee ridiculed Susan Rice on another matter Wednesday — her email to herself as she was leaving the White House on the day of President Trump ’ s inauguration .
In an appearance on Fox News Channel , former Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina , also a former prosecutor was asked about Ms. Rice ’ s email and called it a classic cover-up , a self-vindication intended to be found .
“ It ’ s the most bizarre thing I ’ ve read .
It is : ‘ Dear diary , Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s done everything by the book.
’ Well , I ’ d like to know what book he ’ s following , ” Mr. Gowdy said .
Mr. Gowdy called the email bizarre on other fronts , noting that it referred to meeting weeks earlier and so isn ’ t the kind of contemporaneous notes people make “ It ’ s two weeks late , so it can ’ t be present-tense recall , ” he said incredulously .
“ Obama is perfect ” was a slight paraphrase of the email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it still are .
What she wrote was : “ President Obama began the conversation by stressing his continued commitment to ensuring that every aspect of this issue is handled by the Intelligence and law enforcement communities ‘ by the book ’ .
The President stressed that he is not asking about , initiating or instructing anything from a law enforcement perspective .
He reiterated that our law enforcement team needs to proceed as it normally would by the book , ” she wrote to herself .
Mr. Gowdy also went after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox ’ s Ed Henry played a clip from Sen. Marco Rubio , during which the Florida Republican noted that not only was incoming National Security Adviser Michael Flynn unmasked as having conversed with Sergey Kislyak , Russia ’ s then-ambassador to the U.S. , but that these facts were leaked to the press — a crime .
Mr. Gowdy wanted to know what the FBI was doing to investigate that leak of classified information — a crime that carries up to 10 years ’ imprisonment .
“ My question for the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to interview Michael Flynn .
That ’ s well documented .
How is your leak investigation going ?
It ’ s been almost four years .
… We know Flynn was the victim of a crime .
We ain ’ t sure he committed one , but we know he was the victim of one , Mr. Gowdy said .
He also warned about declining public confidence in the FBI that the Obama administration ’ s conduct is creating .
“ If you want these surveillance programs to go away , keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he warned .

The former Republican head of the Benghazi-probe committee ridiculed Susan Rice on another matter Wednesday — her email to herself as she was leaving the White House on the day of President Trump’s inauguration.
In an appearance on Fox News Channel, former Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, also an ex-prosecutor, was asked about Ms. Rice’s email and called it a classic cover-up, a self-vindication intended to be found.
“It’s the most bizarre thing I’ve read. It is: ‘Dear diary, Obama is perfect, and Jim Comey says he’s done everything by the book.’ Well, I’d like to know what book he’s following,” Mr. Gowdy said.
Mr. Gowdy called the email bizarre on other fronts, noting that it referred to meeting weeks earlier and so isn’t the kind of contemporaneous notes that people in government often make.
“It’s two weeks late, so it can’t be present-tense recall,” he said incredulously.
“Obama is perfect” was a slight paraphrase of the email, which was initially classified and parts of it still are. What she wrote was:
“President Obama began the conversation by stressing his continued commitment to ensuring that every aspect of this issue is handled by the Intelligence and law enforcement communities ‘by the book’. The President stressed that he is not asking about, initiating or instructing anything from a law enforcement perspective. He reiterated that our law enforcement team needs to proceed as it normally would by the book,” she wrote to herself.
Mr. Gowdy also went after the FBI in the segment, during which Fox’s Ed Henry played a clip from Sen. Marco Rubio.
The Florida Republican noted that not only was incoming National Security Adviser Michael Flynn unmasked as having conversed with Sergey Kislyak, Russia’s then-ambassador to the U.S., but that these facts were leaked to the press — a crime.
Mr. Gowdy wanted to know what the FBI was doing to investigate that leak of classified information — a crime that carries up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
“My question for the FBI is: I know the lengths you went to interview Michael Flynn. That’s well documented. How is your leak investigation going? It’s been almost four years. … We know Flynn was the victim of a crime. We ain’t sure he committed one, but we know he was the victim of one,” Mr. Gowdy said.
He also warned about the declining public confidence in the FBI that the Obama administration’s conduct is creating.
“If you want these surveillance programs to go away, keep turning a blind eye towards leaks,” he warned.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Michael McKenna, former Trump adviser, writes column in Times

Former White House energy adviser Michael McKenna has joined The Washington Times as a columnist .
A longtime political consultant , Mr. McKenna joined the White House in October and worked on legislative affairs .
He departed the Trump administration in March , having served as a deputy assistant to the president on energy and environmental issues .
His weekly column for The Times will be titled “ Alternative Hypothesis.
” “ From inside the White House to walking the halls of Congress to advising political candidates and polling for industry , Mike McKenna has been at the center of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrilled to have him share those decades of insight with our readers , ” said Christopher Dolan , president and executive editor of The Times .
A veteran of state and federal government , Mr. McKenna briefly served on Mr. Trump ’ s transition team for the Department of Energy in 2016 .
He launched the energy lobbying firm MWR Strategies 15 years earlier .
He also has worked at Republican communications firms , including Luntz Research Cos. , Vox Populi Communications Inc. and Andres McKenna Research .
Mr. McKenna holds a master @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Mason University and a bachelor ’ s degree in history from the University of Pennsylvania .
He also has been a research fellow at the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas and the Institute for Public Policy Studies at the University of Denver .
A staunch Trump supporter , Mr. McKenna was quoted in a 2017 Time magazine story about anxieties among career staff at the Environmental Protection Agency over then-Administrator Scott Pruitt : “ We ’ re not about assuaging the concerns of the 14,000 employees of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the concerns of the 63 million people who voted for Donald Trump.
” On Tuesday , the Indiana-based law firm Ice Miller LLP announced a joint venture with Mr. McKenna to expand advocacy , communications and policy capabilities .
“ Mike has a deep and broad understanding of both policy and political processes .
We know he can help our current and prospective clients thrive in the federal policy arena .
He understands how Washington works , has deep relationships throughout the Administration and Congress and helps position us for continued growth in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Lawren Mills , Ice Miller partner and chair of the Firm ’ s Public Affairs Group .
A researcher and advocate for corporate and political clients over the last three decades , Mr. McKenna has had his work appear in a host of outlets , including The Wall Street Journal , the New York Times , the Los Angeles Times , The Chicago Tribune , National Review , Fox News , MSNBC , CNN and C-SPAN .

Former White House deputy director for legislative affairs Michael McKenna has joined The Washington Times as a columnist.
A longtime political consultant, Mr. McKenna joined the White House in October as a deputy assistant to the president, working on the president’s agenda with Congress. He departed the White House in March. His weekly column for The Times will be titled “Alternative Hypothesis.”
“From inside the White House to walking the halls of Congress to advising political candidates and polling for industry, Mike McKenna has been at the center of American policies. The Washington Times is thrilled to have him share those decades of insight with our readers,” said Christopher Dolan, president and executive editor of The Times.
A veteran of state and federal government, Mr. McKenna briefly served on Mr. Trump’s transition team for the Department of Energy in 2016. He launched the energy lobbying firm MWR Strategies 15 years earlier.
He also has worked at Republican communications firms, including Luntz Research Cos., Vox Populi Communications Inc. and Andres McKenna Research.
Mr. McKenna holds a master’s degree in public administration at George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Pennsylvania. He also has been a research fellow at the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas and the Institute for Public Policy Studies at the University of Denver.
SEE ALSO: Donald Trump didn’t win in 2016 by mobilizing white working-class voters
A staunch Trump supporter, Mr. McKenna was quoted in a 2017 Time magazine story about anxieties among career staff at the Environmental Protection Agency over then-Administrator Scott Pruitt: “We’re not about assuaging the concerns of the 14,000 employees of the EPA. We’re about assuaging the concerns of the 63 million people who voted for Donald Trump.”
On Tuesday, the Indiana-based law firm Ice Miller LLP announced a joint venture with Mr. McKenna to expand advocacy, communications and policy capabilities.
“Mike has a deep and broad understanding of both policy and political processes. We know he can help our current and prospective clients thrive in the federal policy arena. He understands how Washington works, has deep relationships throughout the Administration and Congress and helps position us for continued growth in Washington and across the country,” said Lawren Mills, Ice Miller partner and chair of the Firm’s Public Affairs Group.
A researcher and advocate for corporate and political clients over the last three decades, Mr. McKenna has had his work appear in a host of outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, National Review, Fox News, MSNBC, CNN and C-SPAN.
• Christopher Vondracek can be reached at cvondracek@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Visitor hurt when bison knocks her to ground at Yellowstone

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK , Wyo .
( AP ) - Yellowstone National Park officials say a visitor was injured when @ @ @ @ @ ground after getting too close to a bison near the popular Old Faithful Geyser .
@ @ @ @ @ and age have not been released , was injured Wednesday afternoon but refused to be @ @ @ @ @ Park officials did not provide any details about her injuries .
The incident is the @ @ @ @ @ injured a visitor this year .
Visitors are required to stay at least 25 yards @ @ @ @ @ from large animals , including bison , elk , bighorn sheep , deer , moose @ @ @ @ @ least 100 yards ( 91 meters ) away from bears and wolves .

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) - Yellowstone National Park officials say a visitor was injured when she was knocked to the ground after getting too close to a bison near the popular Old Faithful Geyser.
The visitor, whose name and age have not been released, was injured Wednesday afternoon but refused to be taken to a hospital. Park officials did not provide any details about her injuries.
The incident is the first time a bison has injured a visitor this year.
Visitors are required to stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from large animals, including bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes, and at least 100 yards (91 meters) away from bears and wolves.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Arizona governor not ready to further relax social distance

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Gov .
Doug Ducey said Wednesday people in Arizona are acting responsibly since he loosened restrictions on businesses , but he ’ s not ready yet to open new sectors of the economy .
Ducey said he has an “ aspirational ” goal for schools to reopen on schedule in August , and he ’ s hopeful summer camps and youth activities will be open soon .
Schools have been closed since March , when Ducey and schools chief Kathy Hoffman shut them due to staffing concerns stemming from the coronavirus outbreak .
Hoffman has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to write plans for the safe reopening of schools .
“ We are aspirational for what ’ s possible , and we are thinking ahead for what ’ s next , ” Ducey said in a news conference .
The Republican governor said he sees “ zero evidence ” that Arizona will have a surge in coronavirus infections as social distancing measures relax .
But he suggested he ’ s willing to re-impose restrictions if necessary .
“ I am going to use every tool that ’ s available to a governor to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest of Arizona , ” Ducey said .
- Arizona paid more than $ 500 million in jobless benefit payments last week as the Department of Economic Security caught up with weeks of overdue benefits for thousands of applicants who are unemployed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is implementing a mandatory face mask policy starting June 1 due to the coronavirus pandemic .
- The University of Arizona has recruited former U.S .
Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona , a longtime faculty member , to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ university President Robert Robbins at a news conference Wednesday in Tucson .
Both men said the school is aiming to reopen this fall in a hybrid fashion of both in-person and online instruction .
The school also wants to reopen dorms but with multiple changes .
These will likely include masks being available , enforcement of proper social distancing and no more than two students assigned to a room .

PHOENIX (AP) - Gov. Doug Ducey said Wednesday people in Arizona are acting responsibly since he loosened restrictions on businesses, but he’s not ready yet to open new sectors of the economy.
Ducey said he has an “aspirational” goal for schools to reopen on schedule in August, and he’s hopeful summer camps and youth activities will be open soon.
Schools have been closed since March, when Ducey and schools chief Kathy Hoffman shut them due to staffing concerns stemming from the coronavirus outbreak. Hoffman has formed a task force of education leaders to write plans for the safe reopening of schools.
“We are aspirational for what’s possible, and we are thinking ahead for what’s next,” Ducey said in a news conference.
The Republican governor said he sees “zero evidence” that Arizona will have a surge in coronavirus infections as social distancing measures relax. But he suggested he’s willing to re-impose restrictions if necessary.
“I am going to use every tool that’s available to a governor to do what’s in the best interest of Arizona,” Ducey said.
In other coronavirus developments:
- Arizona paid more than $500 million in jobless benefit payments last week as the Department of Economic Security caught up with weeks of overdue benefits for thousands of applicants who are unemployed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is implementing a mandatory face mask policy starting June 1 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
- The University of Arizona has recruited former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona, a longtime faculty member, to help oversee its reopening plans. Carmona joined university President Robert Robbins at a news conference Wednesday in Tucson. Both men said the school is aiming to reopen this fall in a hybrid fashion of both in-person and online instruction. The school also wants to reopen dorms but with multiple changes. These will likely include masks being available, enforcement of proper social distancing and no more than two students assigned to a room.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Inside the Beltway: Economic disobedience: It's time for 'Take Yourself to Work Day'

In years past , Americans participated in take your daughter , son , child or dog to work day — the gesture meant as an upbeat affirmation of ties between workers , work and family members .
The coronavirus lockdowns against businesses deemed non-essential , however , have left millions at home , pining for the day they will indeed be on the job again .
Now comes an idea from Michigan businessman Erik Kiilunen , founder of a new grassroots campaign called “ All Business is Essential.
” He has declared Thursday to be “ Take Yourself to Work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elsewhere if possible .
“ Economic disobedience ” is the primary mission .
“ In the midst of the economic suicide of the most prosperous nation the world has ever seen , and the financial ruin of her citizens , there remains the only hope we ’ ve ever had—allowing those who built the greatest country in the world to get back to work , ” says Mr. Kiilunen .
“ In the recent past we had the leisure to dedicate a day to taking our children to work in order to show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what makes the country run .
It ’ s time we reminded ourselves .
The American citizen has no obligation to sit idly by while his savings and his livelihood are bled dry , ” he continues .
“ Americans protest not by disrupting society , but by sustaining it — by getting up in the morning and going to work , ” advises Mr. Kiilunen , who is currently raising money for billboards to pressure assorted leaders to reopen businesses and get on with life .
GET IT RIGHT An event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the reopening process , this from a primary source .
The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health is hosting a live webcast to parse out productive ideas , serious challenges and practical cautions , based on the best available data and science , the organizers say .
The webcast , titled “ How to Get Reopening Right , ” gets underway at 2:30 p.m. Thursday .
Find it at Jhsph.edu/covid-19 .
Incidentally , get some insight on who would be willing to receive an American-made coronavirus vaccine in the Poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some believe that Joseph R. Biden is going to hand off the election to President Trump by trumpeting grand socialist ideas and “ bold ” policy , rather than emphasizing that he ’ d provide an even-paced administration to calm a jittery America at a critical time .
“ Somehow , the Biden campaign has decided to abandon Biden ’ s greatest advantage : his promise of a sedated interregnum , ” writes syndicated columnist Ben Shapiro .
Wait , inter-what ?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary , an interregnum is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when normal functions of government or control are suspended .
But back to Mr. Biden , now pushing much change .
“ The former vice president and other Democratic leaders are racing to assemble a new governing agenda that meets the extraordinary times — and they agree it must be far bolder than anything the party establishment has embraced before , ” The New York Times reported .
But Mr. Shapiro asked : “ Do Americans really want the world remade ?
Or are they simply longing for the world of four months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , when incomes were rising at the lowest end of the income scale , when Americans could attend events without fear of infection and death ?
Are Americans truly desperate for a reshaping of our medical system , a universal basic income and trillions more in debt ?
” “ Biden seems to be betting on the latter .
And that ’ s idiocy of the highest order .
It completely undermines his entire case for the nomination ; it allows Trump to place the new radical agenda front and center , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s go-for-broke strategy is a massive opportunity for Trump , ” the columnist cautions .
When will the coronavirus pandemic end ?
Well , that depends .
Asked whether the “ worst part of the pandemic is behind us , ” 43 % of Republican respondents agreed that the nation had passed the most trying part of the health crisis , according to a new Economist/YouGov survey .
Only 8 % of Democrats agreed .
Nearly 6 out of 10 Democrats also believe the pandemic will get worse , compared to 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Dems and GOPers — just under one-fourth — think we ’ re in the worst part of the pandemic right now while under 15 % of both sides are not sure where we stand .
The Economist/YouGov poll of 1,500 U.S. adults was conducted May 10-12 .
Fox News continues to best all its rivals in the cable realm for the 19th consecutive week , drawing 3.5 million primetime viewers last week , according to Nielsen .
MSNBC was in second place with 2 million , followed by CNN ( 1.5 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and TLC ( 1.2 million ) .
Prime-time host Sean Hannity continues to be the ratings king with 4.5 million , besting MSNBC rival Rachel Maddow , who drew 3.1 million .
Overall , Fox News delivered 11 programs with audiences that surpassed 4 million , and aired 12 of the top 15 telecasts in cable news for the week .
“ The Greg Gutfeld Show ” emerged as the No .
1 show in cable news during the weekend , drawing 2.6 million viewers .
Of note : Fox Nation , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has acquired all 11 seasons of “ Duck Dynasty , ” to become available on June 1 .
The series showcases the now famous Robertson family as they conquer new milestones and embrace life in the South .
• 28 % of U.S. voters would be “ among the first ” to get vaccinated ; 28 % of Republicans , 18 % of independents and 36 % of Democrats agree .
• 32 % of voters would be in the “ middle ” of the line to get a coronavirus vaccine if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Republicans , 33 % of independents and 32 % of Democrats agree .
• 13 % overall would be “ among the last ” to get vaccinated ; 12 % of Republicans , 16 % of independents and 12 % of Democrats agree .
• 14 % would not get vaccinated ; 19 % of Republicans , 15 % of independents and 10 % of Democrats agree .
• 12 % do not know when they would get the vaccine ; 10 % of Republicans , 18 % of independents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : A Politico/Morning Consult poll of 993 registered U.S. voters conducted May 15-18 .

NEWS AND OPINION:
In years past, Americans participated in take your daughter, son, child or dog to work day — the gesture meant as an upbeat affirmation of ties between workers, work and family members. The coronavirus lockdowns against businesses deemed non-essential, however, have left millions at home, pining for the day they will indeed be on the job again.
Now comes an idea from Michigan businessman Erik Kiilunen, founder of a new grassroots campaign called “All Business is Essential.”
He has declared Thursday to be “Take Yourself to Work Day” in his state, and elsewhere if possible. “Economic disobedience” is the primary mission.
“In the midst of the economic suicide of the most prosperous nation the world has ever seen, and the financial ruin of her citizens, there remains the only hope we’ve ever had—allowing those who built the greatest country in the world to get back to work,” says Mr. Kiilunen.
“In the recent past we had the leisure to dedicate a day to taking our children to work in order to show them what puts food on the table and what makes the country run. It’s time we reminded ourselves. The American citizen has no obligation to sit idly by while his savings and his livelihood are bled dry,” he continues.
“Americans protest not by disrupting society, but by sustaining it — by getting up in the morning and going to work,” advises Mr. Kiilunen, who is currently raising money for billboards to pressure assorted leaders to reopen businesses and get on with life.
GET IT RIGHT
An event of note for those who want insight into the reopening process, this from a primary source. The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health is hosting a live webcast to parse out productive ideas, serious challenges and practical cautions, based on the best available data and science, the organizers say.
The webcast, titled “How to Get Reopening Right,” gets underway at 2:30 p.m. Thursday. Find it at Jhsph.edu/covid-19.
Incidentally, get some insight on who would be willing to receive an American-made coronavirus vaccine in the Poll du Jour at column’s end.
A RADICAL BIDEN COULD FALTER
Some believe that Joseph R. Biden is going to hand off the election to President Trump by trumpeting grand socialist ideas and “bold” policy, rather than emphasizing that he’d provide an even-paced administration to calm a jittery America at a critical time.
“Somehow, the Biden campaign has decided to abandon Biden’s greatest advantage: his promise of a sedated interregnum,” writes syndicated columnist Ben Shapiro.
Wait, inter-what? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an interregnum is the time between two successive regimes, or when normal functions of government or control are suspended. But back to Mr. Biden, now pushing much change.
“The former vice president and other Democratic leaders are racing to assemble a new governing agenda that meets the extraordinary times — and they agree it must be far bolder than anything the party establishment has embraced before,” The New York Times reported.
But Mr. Shapiro asked: “Do Americans really want the world remade? Or are they simply longing for the world of four months ago, when unemployment stood at 3.5%, when incomes were rising at the lowest end of the income scale, when Americans could attend events without fear of infection and death? Are Americans truly desperate for a reshaping of our medical system, a universal basic income and trillions more in debt?”
“Biden seems to be betting on the latter. And that’s idiocy of the highest order. It completely undermines his entire case for the nomination; it allows Trump to place the new radical agenda front and center, rather than his own foibles. Biden’s go-for-broke strategy is a massive opportunity for Trump,” the columnist cautions.
THE VIRAL DIVIDE
When will the coronavirus pandemic end? Well, that depends. Asked whether the “worst part of the pandemic is behind us,” 43% of Republican respondents agreed that the nation had passed the most trying part of the health crisis, according to a new Economist/YouGov survey. Only 8% of Democrats agreed.
Nearly 6 out of 10 Democrats also believe the pandemic will get worse, compared to 20% of Republicans. Nearly equal numbers of Dems and GOPers — just under one-fourth — think we’re in the worst part of the pandemic right now while under 15% of both sides are not sure where we stand.
The Economist/YouGov poll of 1,500 U.S. adults was conducted May 10-12.
FOXIFIED
Fox News continues to best all its rivals in the cable realm for the 19th consecutive week, drawing 3.5 million primetime viewers last week, according to Nielsen. MSNBC was in second place with 2 million, followed by CNN (1.5 million), HGTV (1.3 million) and TLC (1.2 million).
Prime-time host Sean Hannity continues to be the ratings king with 4.5 million, besting MSNBC rival Rachel Maddow, who drew 3.1 million. Overall, Fox News delivered 11 programs with audiences that surpassed 4 million, and aired 12 of the top 15 telecasts in cable news for the week. “The Greg Gutfeld Show” emerged as the No. 1 show in cable news during the weekend, drawing 2.6 million viewers.
Of note: Fox Nation, the network’s subscription-based streaming service, has acquired all 11 seasons of “Duck Dynasty,” to become available on June 1. The series showcases the now famous Robertson family as they conquer new milestones and embrace life in the South.
POLL DU JOUR
• 28% of U.S. voters would be “among the first” to get vaccinated; 28% of Republicans, 18% of independents and 36% of Democrats agree.
• 32% of voters would be in the “middle” of the line to get a coronavirus vaccine if it was developed in the U.S.; 31% of Republicans, 33% of independents and 32% of Democrats agree.
• 13% overall would be “among the last” to get vaccinated; 12% of Republicans, 16% of independents and 12% of Democrats agree.
• 14% would not get vaccinated; 19% of Republicans, 15% of independents and 10% of Democrats agree.
• 12% do not know when they would get the vaccine; 10% of Republicans, 18% of independents and 10% of Democrats agree.
Source: A Politico/Morning Consult poll of 1,994 registered U.S. voters conducted May 15-18.
• Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--RavnAir cites conditional approval to seek federal aid

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - RavnAir Group , the regional Alaska air carrier that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection , said Wednesday it has received conditional approval to seek federal aid that it says will help pave the way for potential buyers .
The company , in a release , said it also will help maximize recovery by creditors and “ enable a successful exit from Chapter 11.
” RavnAir Group plans to ask a federal bankruptcy judge to approve a process by which it could sell assets .
Dave Pflieger , Ravn ’ s president and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity to receive aid and work on a sale process provides “ a new path forward by which Ravn could resume operations later this summer .
Now , instead of only one path , a planned liquidation , qualified parties who meet strict bidding criteria and guidelines will be able to buy the entire Air Group with all three of its airlines.
” The company in April said it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it awaited word about potential federal coronavirus relief aid .
It cited the coronavirus pandemic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenue for stopping operations .

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - RavnAir Group, the regional Alaska air carrier that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, said Wednesday it has received conditional approval to seek federal aid that it says will help pave the way for potential buyers.
The company, in a release, said it also will help maximize recovery by creditors and “enable a successful exit from Chapter 11.”
RavnAir Group plans to ask a federal bankruptcy judge to approve a process by which it could sell assets.
Dave Pflieger, Ravn’s president and CEO, in a release said the opportunity to receive aid and work on a sale process provides “a new path forward by which Ravn could resume operations later this summer. Now, instead of only one path, a planned liquidation, qualified parties who meet strict bidding criteria and guidelines will be able to buy the entire Air Group with all three of its airlines.”
The company in April said it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it awaited word about potential federal coronavirus relief aid. It cited the coronavirus pandemic and a loss of 90% of passenger revenue for stopping operations.