washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Saturday classes? Schools mull ways to make up lost time

When students return to school after a lengthy pandemic-induced absence , the consensus is they will have lost significant academic ground .
Still unresolved for governments and educators are the questions of how - or even whether - teachers should try to make up for lost learning .
Some have proposed holding evening or Saturday classes for students to catch up .
A Maryland senator has proposed school year-round .
In California , the governor has suggested the next school year could begin as soon as July .
But any remediation plans will be complicated by social distancing mandates that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuts that appear imminent because of falling local and state revenues .
In surveys , many educators say the fall will be no time to pile on additional schoolwork .
“ First and foremost , we need to recognize that we have young people in front of us who have gone through a traumatic experience , ” said Andres Perez , a Chula Vista , California , high school teacher who warns against moving too fast to get back on track .
“ And right now , I think students and teachers really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaningful , that students are excited to go back to.
” Even students in schools that managed to issue devices for video lessons and assignments and transition to distance learning early on , using school-issued devices for video lessons and assignments , will have lost out from shortened sessions and limited interaction with teachers , experts say .
The vast number of students still without technology in early May and those who have all but vanished from schools ’ radars will have fallen even further behind .
The effects of the lost learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even though we were closed for the last two-and-a-half months of school , it will take us literally - don ’ t fall out of your seat - it ’ ll take us a couple or three years to get through this , ” Alabama Education Superintendent Eric Mackey told the Alabama Association of School Boards .
The “ summer slide ” in which students typically lose some ground during their break is expected to be far worse next fall , with projections by the nonprofit Northwest Evaluation Association suggesting some students could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in math .
“ Students with worse educational opportunity will have worse outcomes and it occurs fairly rapidly , ” Andre Perry , a fellow at the Brookings Institution , said .
“ A month away can have a dramatic impact on outcomes , so six months will certainly show up in the classroom in the fall.
” U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has said she hopes schools will test students in the fall to gauge where they are academically , particularly because this spring ’ s standardized tests that might have provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , most teachers favor a business-as-usual approach , starting the next school year where they normally would , while giving targeted help to students who need it , according to an April survey of 5,500 teachers , administrators and advocates by the nonprofit Collaborative for Student Success .
Administrators lean toward beginning the new year with April concepts , given where classroom instruction abruptly ended in the current one .
“ Teachers always deal with this to some degree in their classrooms .
There ’ s always going to be a disparity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and skills , ” said Jim Cowen , executive director of the Collaborative for Student Success .
“ There will obviously be an additional barrier but it ’ s not new to them.
” Still , Cowen said , it ’ s important that schools are ready to respond to the disruption likely worsening the country ’ s already troubling gaps in achievement affecting students from minority and low-income families .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom said “ that learning loss is very real , ” suggesting schoolchildren not wait for fall and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as late July .
The California Federation of Teachers , while praising Newsom ’ s overall response to the crisis , said in a statement the decision to reopen schools should be made at the local level through collective bargaining with unions , once the number of infections has declined and testing and safety measures are in place .
In Maryland , state Sen. Paul Pinsky , a Democrat and chair of the state ’ s Education , Health and Environmental Affairs Committee , wants his state to consider year-round school comprising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mendelson , a spokesman for the 74,000-member Maryland State Education Association teachers union , said the idea “ clearly has major legislative , budgetary , and other legal angles that would all need to be considered , analyzed , and addressed as part of an inclusive policy conversation about what is best for our students.
” Officials in Cleveland , Ohio , have said the “ multi-year recovery ” may include a shift toward a narrower but deeper curriculum focused on core skills .
A spokeswoman for South Dakota ’ s Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local school boards may be considering the Saturday class proposal .
Superintendent Shari Camhi of the Baldwin Union Free School District in New York ’ s Nassau County said her focus is on retrofitting the gymnasium and renting party tents to allow for social distancing .
She is awaiting guidance from state officials on whether her district can plan differently for older and younger students .
That would allow for a blend of in-person and online classes for students old enough to be at home if their parents are working .
“ For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will meet them where they are and work with them and get them to where they need to be , ” she said .

When students return to school after a lengthy pandemic-induced absence, the consensus is they will have lost significant academic ground. Still unresolved for governments and educators are the questions of how - or even whether - teachers should try to make up for lost learning.
Some have proposed holding evening or Saturday classes for students to catch up. A Maryland senator has proposed school year-round. In California, the governor has suggested the next school year could begin as soon as July.
But any remediation plans will be complicated by social distancing mandates that may require smaller class sizes and budget cuts that appear imminent because of falling local and state revenues. In surveys, many educators say the fall will be no time to pile on additional schoolwork.
“First and foremost, we need to recognize that we have young people in front of us who have gone through a traumatic experience,” said Andres Perez, a Chula Vista, California, high school teacher who warns against moving too fast to get back on track. “And right now, I think students and teachers really want to make school something that feels meaningful, that students are excited to go back to.”
Even students in schools that managed to issue devices for video lessons and assignments and transition to distance learning early on, using school-issued devices for video lessons and assignments, will have lost out from shortened sessions and limited interaction with teachers, experts say. The vast number of students still without technology in early May and those who have all but vanished from schools’ radars will have fallen even further behind.
The effects of the lost learning could be felt for years.
“Even though we were closed for the last two-and-a-half months of school, it will take us literally - don’t fall out of your seat - it’ll take us a couple or three years to get through this,” Alabama Education Superintendent Eric Mackey told the Alabama Association of School Boards.
The “summer slide” in which students typically lose some ground during their break is expected to be far worse next fall, with projections by the nonprofit Northwest Evaluation Association suggesting some students could be as much as a year behind in math.
“Students with worse educational opportunity will have worse outcomes and it occurs fairly rapidly,” Andre Perry, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, said. “A month away can have a dramatic impact on outcomes, so six months will certainly show up in the classroom in the fall.”
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has said she hopes schools will test students in the fall to gauge where they are academically, particularly because this spring’s standardized tests that might have provided a barometer were canceled.
To catch up, most teachers favor a business-as-usual approach, starting the next school year where they normally would, while giving targeted help to students who need it, according to an April survey of 5,500 teachers, administrators and advocates by the nonprofit Collaborative for Student Success. Administrators lean toward beginning the new year with April concepts, given where classroom instruction abruptly ended in the current one.
“Teachers always deal with this to some degree in their classrooms. There’s always going to be a disparity between kids and their levels of ability and skills,” said Jim Cowen, executive director of the Collaborative for Student Success. “There will obviously be an additional barrier but it’s not new to them.”
Still, Cowen said, it’s important that schools are ready to respond to the disruption likely worsening the country’s already troubling gaps in achievement affecting students from minority and low-income families.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said “that learning loss is very real,” suggesting schoolchildren not wait for fall and instead proposing a return to classrooms as soon as late July. The California Federation of Teachers, while praising Newsom’s overall response to the crisis, said in a statement the decision to reopen schools should be made at the local level through collective bargaining with unions, once the number of infections has declined and testing and safety measures are in place.
In Maryland, state Sen. Paul Pinsky, a Democrat and chair of the state’s Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, wants his state to consider year-round school comprising four quarters and seasonal breaks.
Adam Mendelson, a spokesman for the 74,000-member Maryland State Education Association teachers union, said the idea “clearly has major legislative, budgetary, and other legal angles that would all need to be considered, analyzed, and addressed as part of an inclusive policy conversation about what is best for our students.”
Officials in Cleveland, Ohio, have said the “multi-year recovery” may include a shift toward a narrower but deeper curriculum focused on core skills. A spokeswoman for South Dakota’s Department of Education, Mary Stadick Smith, says local school boards may be considering the Saturday class proposal.
Superintendent Shari Camhi of the Baldwin Union Free School District in New York’s Nassau County said her focus is on retrofitting the gymnasium and renting party tents to allow for social distancing. She is awaiting guidance from state officials on whether her district can plan differently for older and younger students. That would allow for a blend of in-person and online classes for students old enough to be at home if their parents are working.
“For those students who saw a loss, we will meet them where they are and work with them and get them to where they need to be,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Serbia protests priests' detention in Montenegro

PODGORICA , Montenegro ( AP ) - Serbia on Wednesday strongly protested the detention of eight Serbian Orthodox Church priests in Montenegro after thousands of people attended a religious procession despite a ban on gatherings because of the coronavirus .
Montenegrin prosecutors said that the priests are facing charges of violating health regulations during the virus outbreak by organizing the procession on Tuesday in the western town of Niksic .
Most people participating in the procession didn ’ t wear face masks or keep a safe distance from each other .
Angry over the arrests , supporters of the Serbian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northern Montenegro on Wednesday , according to the state Montenegrin RTCG television .
The report said that a long line of blocked cars formed down the road .
The detentions heightened tensions between the small Adriatic state and Serbia and its church which earlier this year led weeks of protests against a religious law that it says would strip the church of its property .
Montenegrin officials have repeatedly denied the allegations .
Serbia ’ s president , Aleksandar Vucic , and Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej said in a joint statement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t spark any “ unwanted unrest or clashes.
” The patriarch said the detentions “ are only a proof that the Montenegrin state is conducting a purge of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
” Vucic urged a peaceful resolution of the crisis and a quick release of the priests .
Montenegro , a country of 620,000 people , split from much larger Serbia in a referendum in 2006 .
Serbian nationalists both in Serbia and Montenegro have never fully recognized the separation of what they claim is a historic Serbian territory .
Montenegro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus and more than 300 infections .

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) - Serbia on Wednesday strongly protested the detention of eight Serbian Orthodox Church priests in Montenegro after thousands of people attended a religious procession despite a ban on gatherings because of the coronavirus.
Montenegrin prosecutors said that the priests are facing charges of violating health regulations during the virus outbreak by organizing the procession on Tuesday in the western town of Niksic.
Most people participating in the procession didn’t wear face masks or keep a safe distance from each other.
Angry over the arrests, supporters of the Serbian Orthodox Church blocked a regional road in northern Montenegro on Wednesday, according to the state Montenegrin RTCG television. The report said that a long line of blocked cars formed down the road.
The detentions heightened tensions between the small Adriatic state and Serbia and its church which earlier this year led weeks of protests against a religious law that it says would strip the church of its property. Montenegrin officials have repeatedly denied the allegations.
Serbia’s president, Aleksandar Vucic, and Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej said in a joint statement on Wednesday that they hope the arrests won’t spark any “unwanted unrest or clashes.”
The patriarch said the detentions “are only a proof that the Montenegrin state is conducting a purge of the Serbian Orthodox Church.”
Vucic urged a peaceful resolution of the crisis and a quick release of the priests.
Montenegro, a country of 620,000 people, split from much larger Serbia in a referendum in 2006. Serbian nationalists both in Serbia and Montenegro have never fully recognized the separation of what they claim is a historic Serbian territory.
Montenegro has reported nine deaths caused by the new coronavirus and more than 300 infections.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--2 arrests in deadly Fargo shopping center shooting

FARGO , N.D. ( AP ) - Two people have been arrested in a shooting at outside a shopping center @ @ @ @ @ man dead and another critically injured .
Police have not said what may have motivated @ @ @ @ @ if the suspects and victims knew each other .
One man died in the shooting @ @ @ @ @ Northport Shopping Center .
The second man was rushed to Sanford Hospital where he underwent @ @ @ @ @ no word on his condition .
KVLY-TV reports two men , ages 21 and 28 @ @ @ @ @ Police said two guns were recovered following the shooting .

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Two people have been arrested in a shooting at outside a shopping center in Fargo that left one man dead and another critically injured.
Police have not said what may have motivated the shooting Tuesday morning or if the suspects and victims knew each other.
One man died in the shooting in the parking lot of Northport Shopping Center. The second man was rushed to Sanford Hospital where he underwent surgery. There’s no word on his condition.
KVLY-TV reports two men, ages 21 and 28, are in custody. Police said two guns were recovered following the shooting.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez named co-chair of Biden-Sanders climate task force

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , one of the House ’ s most influential liberal voices , has been tapped to co-chair @ @ @ @ @ ” on climate change as part of a partnership between presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph @ @ @ @ @ Sanders of Vermont .
The Biden campaign announced on Wednesday that Ms. Ocasio-Cortez , New @ @ @ @ @ the task force along with former Secretary of State John Kerry .
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez backed @ @ @ @ @ Democratic presidential primary contest and has not formally endorsed Mr. Biden yet .
A spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ as Mr. Sanders ’ representative on the committee , that she will be “ fully @ @ @ @ @ justice and advocacy communities , and that she believes the movement will only be successful @ @ @ @ @ apply pressure both inside and outside the system.
” The task forces are supposed to @ @ @ @ @ National Convention to make recommendations about the party platform .
Other subjects include criminal justice @ @ @ @ @ education , health care and immigration .

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the House’s most influential liberal voices, has been tapped to co-chair a “unity task force” on climate change as part of a partnership between presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden and Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont.
The Biden campaign announced on Wednesday that Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, New York Democrat, will co-chair the task force along with former Secretary of State John Kerry.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez backed Mr. Sanders in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary contest and has not formally endorsed Mr. Biden yet.
A spokeswoman said she’s serving as Mr. Sanders’ representative on the committee, that she will be “fully accountable” to the climate justice and advocacy communities, and that she believes the movement will only be successful “if we continue to apply pressure both inside and outside the system.”
The task forces are supposed to meet ahead of the Democratic National Convention to make recommendations about the party platform.
Other subjects include criminal justice reform, the economy, education, health care and immigration.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Soldiers shoot man in Kashmir, triggering anti-India clashes

SRINAGAR , India ( AP ) - Indian soldiers fatally shot a young man at a checkpoint in the Himalayan region of Kashmir on Wednesday , residents and officials said , triggering anti-India protests and clashes in the disputed region .
India ’ s Central Reserve Police Force said the man was driving a car and ignored signals to stop at two checkpoints in the western outskirts of Srinagar , the region ’ s main city .
It said the soldiers feared sabotage because a military convoy was passing by at the time .
It said in a statement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the car didn ’ t stop despite warning shots.
” The victim ’ s father , Ghulam Nabi Shah , denied the police account , saying his son did not drive through any checkpoints , and that soldiers first stopped him and then shot him .
A witness , Firdousa , said the victim stopped his car when soldiers signaled him .
“ A security official told him something to which he replied that he had some emergency .
They let him go but as he was getting into his vehicle , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ He was killed deliberately .
He did no wrong.
” As news of his death spread in his village , hundreds of men and women began chanting “ Go India , go back ” and “ We want freedom ” and demanded that the victim ’ s body be returned to the family for burial .
Authorities did not immediately hand over the body .
As government forces moved in to stop the villagers from marching , hundreds threw stones at the troops , who fired shotgun pellets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There were no immediate reports of casualties in the clashes .
Authorities shut down mobile internet service in the area , a common Indian tactic in the region when such protests erupt .
Indian forces have imposed a stringent lockdown in the region since late March to combat the coronavirus .
Despite the lockdown , India has stepped up its counterinsurgency operations while militants have also continued their attacks on government forces and alleged informants .
Indian soldiers man checkpoints and bunkers across the region , where an armed resistance to Indian rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little secret of their anger at the troops ’ presence and support the rebels ’ call for the territory to be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country .
India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir , but both claim the region in its entirety .
About 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown .

SRINAGAR, India (AP) - Indian soldiers fatally shot a young man at a checkpoint in the Himalayan region of Kashmir on Wednesday, residents and officials said, triggering anti-India protests and clashes in the disputed region.
India’s Central Reserve Police Force said the man was driving a car and ignored signals to stop at two checkpoints in the western outskirts of Srinagar, the region’s main city. It said the soldiers feared sabotage because a military convoy was passing by at the time.
It said in a statement that a soldier shot the victim “when the car didn’t stop despite warning shots.”
The victim’s father, Ghulam Nabi Shah, denied the police account, saying his son did not drive through any checkpoints, and that soldiers first stopped him and then shot him.
A witness, Firdousa, said the victim stopped his car when soldiers signaled him. “A security official told him something to which he replied that he had some emergency. They let him go but as he was getting into his vehicle, they shot him in the back,” she said. “He was killed deliberately. He did no wrong.”
As news of his death spread in his village, hundreds of men and women began chanting “Go India, go back” and “We want freedom” and demanded that the victim’s body be returned to the family for burial. Authorities did not immediately hand over the body.
As government forces moved in to stop the villagers from marching, hundreds threw stones at the troops, who fired shotgun pellets and tear gas to quell the protests. Many were injured in the clashes and most were treated locally. At least two women with pellet injuries to their eyes were taken to the main hospital in Srinagar for treatment, a doctor said on condition of anonymity because medics have been barred from briefing the media.
Authorities shut down mobile internet service, a common Indian tactic in the region when such protests erupt. They also ordered a probe into the shooting. Rights groups say such probes rarely yield any concrete results and are often aimed at calming public anger.
Indian forces have imposed a stringent lockdown in the region since late March to combat the coronavirus. Despite the lockdown, India has stepped up its counterinsurgency operations while militants have also continued their attacks on government forces and alleged informants.
Indian soldiers man checkpoints and bunkers across the region, where an armed resistance to Indian rule has raged since 1989. Residents make little secret of their anger at the troops’ presence and support the rebels’ call for the territory to be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.
India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the region in its entirety. About 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Norway's top military official in Iraq says virus helps IS

COPENHAGEN , Denmark ( AP ) - Islamic State militants hide in sparsely populated farmlands in Iraq from where they stage attacks on Iraqi forces scrambling to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country , the head of the 70-man Norwegian contingent in this Mideast nation was quoted as saying Wednesday .
Iraq is not just facing the global pandemic but also a resurgence of attacks by the Islamic State group and a financial crunch as oil prices plummet to historic lows - a crisis for a nation depending on crude exports to fund 90 % of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in agricultural areas and are thus not particularly susceptible to the virus infection , ” Lt. Col. Stein Grongstad told Norway ’ s VG newspaper .
In recent weeks , they have been targeting Iraqi forces “ that are not currently coordinated to the same extent as before the virus struck.
” Grongstad described the situation as a “ paradox , ” that at a time when the world is grappling with the pandemic , IS attacks are on the rise .
“ The Islamic State group has been moving the fighting from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is strengthening , both financially and militarily , ” he said .
Since 2017 , a Norwegian contingent has been based in western Iraq ’ s vast and mostly desert Anbar province , where it trains and advises Iraqi security forces .
Iraq has reported over 2,700 cases of coronavirus infections , including 109 deaths .

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - Islamic State militants hide in sparsely populated farmlands in Iraq from where they stage attacks on Iraqi forces scrambling to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country, the head of the 70-man Norwegian contingent in this Mideast nation was quoted as saying Wednesday.
Iraq is not just facing the global pandemic but also a resurgence of attacks by the Islamic State group and a financial crunch as oil prices plummet to historic lows - a crisis for a nation depending on crude exports to fund 90% of its state expenditure.
The militants “reside in agricultural areas and are thus not particularly susceptible to the virus infection,” Lt. Col. Stein Grongstad told Norway’s VG newspaper. In recent weeks, they have been targeting Iraqi forces “that are not currently coordinated to the same extent as before the virus struck.”
Grongstad described the situation as a “paradox,” that at a time when the world is grappling with the pandemic, IS attacks are on the rise.
“The Islamic State group has been moving the fighting from Syria to Iraq … (and ) is strengthening, both financially and militarily,” he said.
Since 2017, a Norwegian contingent has been based in western Iraq’s vast and mostly desert Anbar province, where it trains and advises Iraqi security forces.
Iraq has reported over 2,700 cases of coronavirus infections, including 109 deaths.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--1 injured in boat crash off Star Island near Miami Beach

MIAMI BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - One man was injured when two boats collided in the waters off @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday night , officials said .
The U.S. Coast Guard said in a tweet @ @ @ @ @ from the boat during the collision , which happened around 9 p.m .
Multiple agencies @ @ @ @ @ and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission , responded to the scene .
Divers @ @ @ @ @ the man in the water and took boat responded with divers , who located that @ @ @ @ @ Miami Beach Fire then transported the man to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital @ @ @ @ @ be in serious condition .
No additional details were available .
Fish and Wildlife officials @ @ @ @ @

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) - One man was injured when two boats collided in the waters off Star Island near Miami Beach on Tuesday night, officials said.
The U.S. Coast Guard said in a tweet the injured person was ejected from the boat during the collision, which happened around 9 p.m. Multiple agencies, including Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, responded to the scene.
Divers from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue located the man in the water and took boat responded with divers, who located that person in the water.
Miami Beach Fire then transported the man to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He was reported to be in serious condition.
No additional details were available.
Fish and Wildlife officials are investigating the crash.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--The Latest: Portuguese soccer league set to return on June 4

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world : The Portuguese soccer league says it will delay its restart until June 4 .
The league was expected to resume at the end of May but will wait another week so there is time to “ rigorously inspect stadiums and conduct medical tests on all professionals involved ” in the matches .
The league says it hopes to serve as an example of “ good practices ” for the rest of the Portuguese society during the coronavirus pandemic .
The league was stopped with Porto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rounds to go .
The players at French rugby club Toulouse have offered to take a pay cut amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The players at the 20-time French champions say they told club president Bernard Lemaitre they are willing to accept “ a significant decrease ” in earnings .
They did not give any figures regarding the amount of the proposed decrease .
Lemaitre praised his players for their “ spontaneous and unanimous ” offer amid challenging economic times .
He says it “ further reinforces our motivation and our desire to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French league was canceled after the government called it off late last month .
The semifinals of the Top 14 league will not be played .

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
___
The Italian soccer league is hoping to resume competition on June 13.
The date was agreed to during a video conference with all 20 Serie A clubs. It is subject to approval by the Italian government.
Full team training will restart on May 18 after a revised medical protocol was approved. The clubs have already resumed training on an individual basis.
There are 12 rounds remaining in Serie A along with four matches that were postponed from the 25th round. The Italian Cup is in the semifinal stage.
___
Beach volleyball teams will have an extra year to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.
The system will otherwise remain the same.
Most teams qualify by earning points on the international tour. The deadline for Tokyo had been this June but now it will be June 13, 2021. Additional spots in the Olympic tournament will be decided at continental tournaments that will be held until June 27 of next year.
The FIVB world tour is currently on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.
___
Ferrari says it has developed a ventilator for hospitals dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
The Formula One team says it created a device that is easy to use and assemble in conjunction with the Italian Institute of Technology. Ferrari says it was designed in only five weeks and can be produced using easily available materials at a lower cost than normal ventilators.
The ventilator has been designed to meet the typical demands of medium intensive care and the technical specifications are available as an open source project.
___
Players from Spanish soccer club Elche have not practiced as a protest against reduced salaries.
The players for the second-division club were supposed to practice at the team’s stadium but decided to keep training at home to show their discontentment with the team’s decision not to lift the furloughs that had been put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Players want to resume earning full salaries now that they are back to training.
The players practiced normally on Tuesday. The club says it is negotiating with them.
The club used government furloughs to reduce its labor costs during the pandemic. Players had their salaries and working hours reduced by 70%.
Elche was sixth in the 22-team second-division standings when the competition was suspended after 31 matches.
___
The Portuguese soccer league says it will delay its restart until June 4.
The league was expected to resume at the end of May but will wait another week so there is time to “rigorously inspect stadiums and conduct medical tests on all professionals involved” in the matches.
The league says it hopes to serve as an example of “good practices” for the rest of the Portuguese society during the coronavirus pandemic.
The league was stopped with Porto leading Benfica by one point with 10 rounds to go.
___
The players at French rugby club Toulouse have offered to take a pay cut amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The players at the 20-time French champions say they told club president Bernard Lemaitre they are willing to accept “a significant decrease” in earnings. They did not give any figures regarding the amount of the proposed decrease.
Lemaitre praised his players for their “spontaneous and unanimous” offer amid challenging economic times.
He says it “further reinforces our motivation and our desire to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”
The French league was canceled after the government called it off late last month. The semifinals of the Top 14 league will not be played.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Police: Man caught on camera choking ex-girlfriend's dog

SLIDELL , La .
( AP ) - A Louisiana man was recorded on a doorbell camera choking his estranged girlfriend ’ s dog , police said .
Shane Michael Mitchell stole the dog , Rubyjean , and choked her on Sunday after arguing with his estranged girlfriend , Slidell police said in a news release .
They sent undercover investigators to surveil and arrest him after reviewing the video .
“ I was sick to my stomach watching that video , ” Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal said Tuesday .
How someone can “ hurt a defenseless animal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Slidell apartment building after he refused to cooperate with authorities , and recovered the dog , which was returned to its owner , police said .
Mitchell , 30 , was booked into jail on animal cruelty charges .
It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer to comment on his behalf .
“ I had the opportunity to meet Rubyjean this afternoon , and she was as sweet and well-mannered as could be , ” Fandal said Tuesday .
“ We are glad this had a happy ending for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

SLIDELL, La. (AP) - A Louisiana man was recorded on a doorbell camera choking his estranged girlfriend’s dog, police said.
Shane Michael Mitchell stole the dog, Rubyjean, and choked her on Sunday after arguing with his estranged girlfriend, Slidell police said in a news release. They sent undercover investigators to surveil and arrest him after reviewing the video.
“I was sick to my stomach watching that video,” Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal said Tuesday. How someone can “hurt a defenseless animal is beyond me.”
Investigators found Mitchell in a Slidell apartment building after he refused to cooperate with authorities, and recovered the dog, which was returned to its owner, police said. Mitchell, 30, was booked into jail on animal cruelty charges. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer to comment on his behalf.
“I had the opportunity to meet Rubyjean this afternoon, and she was as sweet and well-mannered as could be,” Fandal said Tuesday. “We are glad this had a happy ending for both the dog and her owner.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--TV anchor recovering from light rail station attack

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - A Twin Cities television anchor is recovering from injuries suffered in an attack at a @ @ @ @ @ .
KSTP-TV said anchor Matt Belanger was struck in the head with a rock or @ @ @ @ @ random assault at the Nicollet Mall light rail stop .
News Director Kirk Varner said @ @ @ @ @ was assaulted because he ’ s a journalist .
Metro Transit spokesman Howie Padilla says @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis man who fled after the attack , but was arrested a short time later @ @ @ @ @ County Jail .
The suspect ’ s home address is listed as an addiction recovery @ @ @ @ @ is expected to return to the air in a couple of days .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Twin Cities television anchor is recovering from injuries suffered in an attack at a downtown Minneapolis light rail station.
KSTP-TV said anchor Matt Belanger was struck in the head with a rock or brick Tuesday morning in a random assault at the Nicollet Mall light rail stop.
News Director Kirk Varner said it does not appear Belanger was assaulted because he’s a journalist.
Metro Transit spokesman Howie Padilla says the suspect is a 39-year-old Minneapolis man who fled after the attack, but was arrested a short time later and booked into the Hennepin County Jail.
The suspect’s home address is listed as an addiction recovery house.
Varner says Belanger is expected to return to the air in a couple of days.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--EU unveils plans to save vacations and avoid a lost summer

BRUSSELS ( AP ) - The European Union unveiled Wednesday its plan to help citizens across the 27 nations salvage their summer vacations after months of tough coronavirus confinement and to hopefully resurrect Europe ’ s badly battered tourism industry .
Around 150,000 people have died across Europe and Britain since the virus surfaced in northern Italy in February , but with the spread of the disease tapering off , people in many countries are cautiously venturing out of confinement to return to work and some schools are reopening .
A question on the minds of people , tour operators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depend on the tourism industry is whether this year ’ s warmest months will turn into a lost summer , with most Europeans reduced to a home-style “ staycation.
” “ This is not going to be a normal summer , not for any of us .
But when we all work together , and we all do our part … then we don ’ t have to face a summer stuck at home or a complete lost summer for the European tourist industry , ” Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager told reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU ’ s executive arm , the European Commission , laid out its advice for lifting ID checks on hastily closed borders , helping to get airlines , ferries and buses running while ensuring the safety of passengers and crew , and preparing health measures for hotels to reassure clients .
But a big question remains : will the countries of the world ’ s biggest trading bloc follow the advice ?
Faced with a disease about which much is still unknown , national capitals have tended to go it alone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - have the final say over health and security matters .
The commission ’ s over-arching advice is that EU countries with similar rates of coronavirus infections and comparably strong health care systems should begin lifting border measures between each other .
Tourists from outside Europe can not enter until at least June 15 .
The move comes amid deep concern that Europe ’ s ID-check free travel zone - the 26-country space known as the Schengen Area - is being strangled by controls , further harming virus-ravaged economies by limiting the movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are essential to business .
Austria and Germany said Wednesday they plan to start loosening border controls this weekend after two months of restrictions .
German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said all border crossing points with France , Switzerland and Austria will be opened - compared with a select few currently .
Border guards will no longer check all travelers , as they have been since March 16 .
In a tweet , Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced a shift from Friday to “ random checks at the German-Austrian border and on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He said his government is looking to do the same “ with Switzerland , Liechtenstein and neighboring countries in Eastern Europe , provided the infection numbers allow it.
” Even with border restrictions easing , social distancing rules would apply , and the EU Commission is recommending that robust disease monitoring measures are put in place - including good testing capacity and contact tracing - so that people have the confidence to return to hotels and camping sites abroad .
With airlines and travel operators buckling under a liquidity crisis after governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights and limits on public life , the commission is hoping for a greater use of air travel vouchers , which would be more flexible than tickets and could limit the need for refunds .
That would save time for consumers and spare airlines and operators the cost of refunds in some cases .
Vouchers would be protected against the company going bankrupt , and valid for at least a year , with trips remaining refundable if the vouchers are not redeemed .
The vouchers would also be transferable to another traveler , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which handled the coronavirus better than most of its partners but whose economy was already severely weakened by its debt crisis , has thrown its weight behind the commission plan , and is calling for the resumption of travel between EU countries by June 15 .
It says prospective travelers should be tested three days before departure .
A government document seen by The Associated Press says that while containing the pandemic remains key , “ health measures should be implemented in a way that minimize unnecessary impact on cross-border travel.
” It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by EU funding , that would allow resumption of air , road , train and sea travel simultaneously .
Raf Casert in Brussels , Geir Moulson in Berlin , Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Nicholas Paphitis in Athens contributed .

BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union unveiled Wednesday its plan to help citizens across the 27 nations salvage their summer vacations after months of tough coronavirus confinement and to hopefully resurrect Europe’s badly battered tourism industry.
Around 150,000 people have died across Europe and Britain since the virus surfaced in northern Italy in February, but with the spread of the disease tapering off, people in many countries are cautiously venturing out of confinement to return to work and some schools are reopening.
A question on the minds of people, tour operators and the thousands of small businesses that depend on the tourism industry is whether this year’s warmest months will turn into a lost summer, with most Europeans reduced to a home-style “staycation.”
“This is not going to be a normal summer, not for any of us. But when we all work together, and we all do our part … then we don’t have to face a summer stuck at home or a complete lost summer for the European tourist industry,” Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager told reporters.
In a series of guidelines, the EU’s executive arm, the European Commission, laid out its advice for lifting ID checks on hastily closed borders, helping to get airlines, ferries and buses running while ensuring the safety of passengers and crew, and preparing health measures for hotels to reassure clients.
But a big question remains: will the countries of the world’s biggest trading bloc follow the advice? Faced with a disease about which much is still unknown, national capitals have tended to go it alone, and they - not the EU Commission - have the final say over health and security matters.
The commission’s over-arching advice is that EU countries with similar rates of coronavirus infections and comparably strong health care systems should begin lifting border measures between each other. Tourists from outside Europe cannot enter until at least June 15.
The move comes amid deep concern that Europe’s ID-check free travel zone - the 26-country space known as the Schengen Area - is being strangled by controls, further harming virus-ravaged economies by limiting the movement of goods, services and people that are essential to business.
Austria and Germany said Wednesday they plan to start loosening border controls this weekend after two months of restrictions. German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said all border crossing points with France, Switzerland and Austria will be opened - compared with a select few currently. Border guards will no longer check all travelers, as they have been since March 16.
In a tweet, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced a shift from Friday to “random checks at the German-Austrian border and on June 15 the border should be opened again.” He said his government is looking to do the same “with Switzerland, Liechtenstein and neighboring countries in Eastern Europe, provided the infection numbers allow it.”
Even with border restrictions easing, social distancing rules would apply, and the EU Commission is recommending that robust disease monitoring measures are put in place - including good testing capacity and contact tracing - so that people have the confidence to return to hotels and camping sites abroad.
With airlines and travel operators buckling under a liquidity crisis after governments ordered the cancellation and grounding of many flights and limits on public life, the commission is hoping for a greater use of air travel vouchers, which would be more flexible than tickets and could limit the need for refunds. That would save time for consumers and spare airlines and operators the cost of refunds in some cases.
Vouchers would be protected against the company going bankrupt, and valid for at least a year, with trips remaining refundable if the vouchers are not redeemed. The vouchers would also be transferable to another traveler, under the guidelines.
Tourism-reliant Greece, which handled the coronavirus better than most of its partners but whose economy was already severely weakened by its debt crisis, has thrown its weight behind the commission plan, and is calling for the resumption of travel between EU countries by June 15. It says prospective travelers should be tested three days before departure.
A government document seen by The Associated Press says that while containing the pandemic remains key, “health measures should be implemented in a way that minimize unnecessary impact on cross-border travel.” It calls for a coordinated response, backed by EU funding, that would allow resumption of air, road, train and sea travel simultaneously.
___
Raf Casert in Brussels, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Nicholas Paphitis in Athens contributed.
___
Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Outbreak at German slaughterhouse reveals migrants' plight

COESFELD , Germany ( AP ) - Big white trailers with pictures of juicy roasts and the wholesome slogan “ Straight from the farmer ” sit idle on the edge of Coesfeld , their usual pork hauls disrupted by an outbreak of coronavirus at one of Germany ’ s biggest meat processing companies that has put the industry in the spotlight .
At least 260 workers at Westfleisch ’ s slaughterhouse in northwestern Germany have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days , causing alarm at a time when the country is trying to slowly relax the restrictions that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities scrambled to contain the growing outbreak over the weekend , it emerged that many of those infected were Eastern European migrants working for subcontractors who also provide them with accommodation and shuttle buses to work .
“ If one person is infected then basically everybody else that sits on the bus or lives in the shared houses is infected , ” said Anne-Monika Spallek , a Green Party representative in Coesfeld who has campaigned against the meat industry ’ s practice of outsourcing much of its back-breaking work to migrants working under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a trained carpenter from Bacau in Romania ’ s poor northeast who previously worked for a German courier company but recently got a job at Westfleisch that promised several times what he would make back home .
The 48-year-old , who declined to give his last name fearing repercussions , said he was still having to pay his employer rent for the room he shares with a colleague , but doesn ’ t know if his employer will pay him for the time he isn ’ t working .
Poor housing conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for coronavirus outbreaks at U.S. meatpacking plants .
Standing behind a metal fence erected to stop workers from leaving their shared house about 15 minutes ’ drive from Coesfeld , Iulian and others inside were waiting Tuesday for the results of the COVID-19 tests they had taken four days earlier .
“ Like a jail , ” he said .
“ Like a lion in a cage.
” Authorities had stopped the men from going to a nearby supermarket but subsequently groceries had been delivered .
“ Water , food , salami , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Iulian said .
As for medical care , so far there is none .
“ If we do have problem , we call , ” he said hopefully .
Westfleisch declined a request for an interview .
But in a statement , the company said it was “ deeply affected ” by what had happened in recent days .
“ We are fully aware of our responsibility , ” Westfleisch said , adding it now requires workers at facilities that remain open to wear face masks on site , have their temperature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly separated small groups .
The company said it is also trying to impress upon workers “ the importance of hygiene and behavior measures in the company and in private settings.
” The outbreak at Westfleisch has caused consternation in Berlin , where the country ’ s agriculture minister accused “ black sheep ” in the industry of failing to follow the rules .
It began shortly before Germany ’ s federal and state governments agreed to trigger an “ emergency brake ” on relaxing restrictions when the number of new infections passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - a threshold that Coesfeld has far surpassed .
Authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia , where Coesfeld is located , ordered all 20,000 workers in the meat industry tested for the new coronavirus and delayed the reopening of bars and restaurants in the region by another week .
“ Overall , the population has reacted with great understanding to the corona-situation , ” said Heinz Oehmann , the mayor of Coesfeld .
“ Of course people are disappointed now that the further relaxation isn ’ t happening for the time being.
” Some enraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost earnings , though it is unclear who they would take to court : Westfleisch , the subcontractors , the workers or regional officials now being accused of acting too slowly .
Olaf Klenke of the NGG union , which represents workers in the food industry , says the outbreak could be the right moment to clamp down on outsourcing in the meat industry .
“ The corona-crisis simply reveals the situation that exists in this area , ” he said .
“ We often talk about animal welfare in the industry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who work there is at least as important.
” While the outbreak in Coesfeld has drawn the most attention , there have been smaller clusters of cases at slaughterhouses across the country in recent days .
And though there ’ s been no death yet among abattoir workers , a 57-year-old farm worker from Romania died of COVID-19 in Germany last month .
Klenk blamed a lack of public interest in the issue and price pressure from large supermarket chains for promoting cut-throat competition in the slaughterhouse business .
At a market stall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pork cutlet from a pig butchered by hand costs 15.50 euros per kilogram ( $ 7.63 a pound ) .
At a nearby supermarket , the same cut from an industrial slaughterhouse costs 3.29 euros per kilogram ( $ 2.32 a pound ) .
Carrying a bundle of letters across the square to the post office , resident Brigitte Sieverding said she understood the disappointment businesses must feel about not being able to open yet , but expressed support for the delay .
“ I hope next week we can have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker said .
Asked about the outbreak in the slaughterhouse , Sieverding said she hadn ’ t been aware until now about the conditions for migrant workers .
“ But somehow we suspected it .
If you look at the way they are housed , it had to happen , ” she said .
Spallek , the Green party politician , said the outbreak has prompted sympathy for the migrant workers among many Germans who had previously taken little notice of the problem .
“ Everybody wants these miserable conditions to finally end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other hand the people are really mad at Westfleisch and at the county official for not closing ( the factory ) sooner.
” Spallek voiced fears that a number of workers might develop serious illnesses in the coming days .
“ I ’ m convinced that we ’ ve yet to see the consequences , including in the hospitals , ” she said .
Kerstin Sopke in Berlin , and Vadim Ghirda in Bucharest , Romania , contributed to this report .

COESFELD, Germany (AP) - Big white trailers with pictures of juicy roasts and the wholesome slogan “Straight from the farmer” sit idle on the edge of Coesfeld, their usual pork hauls disrupted by an outbreak of coronavirus at one of Germany’s biggest meat processing companies that has put the industry in the spotlight.
At least 260 workers at Westfleisch’s slaughterhouse in northwestern Germany have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days, causing alarm at a time when the country is trying to slowly relax the restrictions that were imposed to curb the pandemic.
As authorities scrambled to contain the growing outbreak over the weekend, it emerged that many of those infected were Eastern European migrants working for subcontractors who also provide them with accommodation and shuttle buses to work.
“If one person is infected then basically everybody else that sits on the bus or lives in the shared houses is infected,” said Anne-Monika Spallek, a Green Party representative in Coesfeld who has campaigned against the meat industry’s practice of outsourcing much of its back-breaking work to migrants working under precarious conditions.
Among them is Iulian, a trained carpenter from Bacau in Romania’s poor northeast who previously worked for a German courier company but recently got a job at Westfleisch that promised several times what he would make back home.
The 48-year-old, who declined to give his last name fearing repercussions, said he was still having to pay his employer rent for the room he shares with a colleague, but doesn’t know if his employer will pay him for the time he isn’t working. Poor housing conditions have been identified as a possible reason for coronavirus outbreaks at U.S. meatpacking plants.
Standing behind a metal fence erected to stop workers from leaving their shared house about 15 minutes’ drive from Coesfeld, Iulian and others inside were waiting Tuesday for the results of the COVID-19 tests they had taken four days earlier.
“Like a jail,” he said of his current situation. “Like a lion in a cage.”
Authorities had stopped the men from going to a nearby supermarket but subsequently groceries had been delivered.
“Water, food, salami, it’s OK for now,” Iulian said. As for medical care, so far there is none. “If we do have problem, we call,” he said hopefully.
Westfleisch declined a request for an interview. But in a statement, the company said it was “deeply affected” by what had happened in recent days.
“We are fully aware of our responsibility,” Westfleisch said, adding it now requires workers at facilities that remain open to wear face masks on site, have their temperature taken at the gate and work in clearly separated small groups. The company said it is also trying to impress upon workers “the importance of hygiene and behavior measures in the company and in private settings.”
The outbreak has caused consternation in Berlin, where German Chancellor Angela Merkel told lawmakers Wednesday that the government plans to make “necessary changes” to rules for the meat industry, citing “alarming news” about the situation at Westfleisch.
“There are significant shortcomings in accommodation – we have all seen that now – and it has to be seen who is held responsible,” Merkel said. “I can tell you in any case that I am not satisfied with what we have seen there.”
The outbreak began shortly before Germany’s federal and state governments agreed to trigger an “emergency brake” on relaxing restrictions when the number of new infections passed 50 per 100,000 inhabitants in a week - a threshold that Coesfeld has far surpassed.
Authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia, where Coesfeld is located, have ordered all 20,000 workers in the meat industry tested for the new coronavirus and delayed the reopening of bars and restaurants in the region by another week.
“Overall, the population has reacted with great understanding to the corona-situation,” said Heinz Oehmann, the mayor of Coesfeld. “Of course people are disappointed now that the further relaxation isn’t happening for the time being.”
Some enraged restaurant owners have threatened to sue for lost earnings, though it is unclear who they would take to court: Westfleisch, the subcontractors, the workers or regional officials now being accused of acting too slowly.
Olaf Klenke of the NGG union, which represents workers in the food industry, says the outbreak could be the right moment to clamp down on outsourcing in the meat industry.
“The corona crisis simply reveals the situation that exists in this area,” he said. “We often talk about animal welfare in the industry,“but what happens to the people who work there is at least as important.”
While the outbreak in Coesfeld has drawn the most attention, there have been smaller clusters of cases at slaughterhouses across the country in recent days. And though there’s been no death yet among abattoir workers, a 57-year-old farm worker from Romania died of COVID-19 in Germany last month.
Klenk blamed a lack of public interest in the issue and price pressure from large supermarket chains for promoting cut-throat competition in the slaughterhouse business.
At a market stall in Coesfeld’s town square, a pork cutlet from a pig butchered by hand costs 15.50 euros per kilogram ($7.63 a pound). At a nearby supermarket, the same cut from an industrial slaughterhouse costs 3.29 euros per kilogram ($2.32 a pound).
Carrying a bundle of letters across the square to the post office, resident Brigitte Sieverding said she understood the disappointment businesses must feel about not being able to open yet, but expressed support for the delay.
“I hope next week we can have a bit more freedom,” she said.
Asked about the outbreak in the slaughterhouse, Sieverding said she hadn’t been aware of the conditions for migrant workers until recently.
“But somehow we suspected it. If you look at the way they are housed, it had to happen,” she said.
Spallek, the Green party politician, said the outbreak has prompted sympathy for the migrants among many Germans who had previously taken little notice of the problem.
“Everybody wants these miserable conditions to finally end,” she said. “On the other hand the people are really mad at Westfleisch and at the county official for not closing (the factory) sooner.”
Spallek voiced fears that a number of workers might develop serious illnesses in the coming days.
“I’m convinced that we’ve yet to see the consequences, including in the hospitals,” she said.
___
Kerstin Sopke in Berlin, and Vadim Ghirda in Bucharest, Romania, contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Wildfires shut stretch of Interstate 75 in southwest Florida

NAPLES , Fla. ( AP ) - Four brush fires burning a total of about 400 acres ( 162 hectares @ @ @ @ @ of Interstate 75 in southwest Florida on Wednesday , officials said .
One of the @ @ @ @ @ in the Collier County area of Golden Gate Estates , according to the Florida Forestry @ @ @ @ @ of I-75 known as Alligator Alley was shut down for about 20 miles ( 32 @ @ @ @ @ Highway Patrol said .
The Collier County Sheriff ’ s Office and the Florida Fish @ @ @ @ @ coordinating voluntary evacuations in the areas near the fires , the Naples Daily News reported @ @ @ @ @ Rescue District led efforts to fight the blazes , while two Lee County strike teams @ @ @ @ @ also responded , Naples Fire Chief Kingman Schuldt said .

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) - Four brush fires burning a total of about 400 acres (162 hectares) shut down a section of Interstate 75 in southwest Florida on Wednesday, officials said.
One of the fires threatened about 30 homes in the Collier County area of Golden Gate Estates, according to the Florida Forestry Service. A toll section of I-75 known as Alligator Alley was shut down for about 20 miles (32 kilometers), the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were coordinating voluntary evacuations in the areas near the fires, the Naples Daily News reported.
The Greater Naples Fire Rescue District led efforts to fight the blazes, while two Lee County strike teams and one Sarasota County team also responded, Naples Fire Chief Kingman Schuldt said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Wisconsin Supreme Court blocks Tony Evers' stay-at-home order

MADISON , Wis. — The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov .
Tony Evers ‘ coronavirus stay-at-home order Wednesday , ruling that his administration overstepped its authority when it extended the mandate for another month without consulting legislators .
The 4-3 ruling essentially reopens the state , lifting caps on the size of gatherings , allowing people to travel as they please and allowing shuttered businesses to reopen , including bars and restaurants .
Local governments can still impose their own health restrictions , however .
Dane County officials issued a local order minutes after the ruling came down imposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order .
Evers issued a stay-at-home order in March that closed schools and nonessential businesses .
The closures battered the state economy , but Evers argued they were necessary to slow the virus ’ spread .
The order was supposed to lift April 24 , but Health and Human Services Secretary Andrea Palm , an Evers appointee , extended it to May 26 .
Republicans asked the Supreme Court to block the extension , arguing that Palm exceeded her authority because the extension amounted to an administrative rule , requiring legislative approval .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly gives the executive branch broad authority to quickly enact emergency measures to control communicable diseases .
Attorney General Josh Kaul also noted that Evers ‘ order was similar to that in at least 42 other states and has saved many lives .
Nearly seven of 10 Wisconsin residents back Evers ‘ “ safer at home ” order , based on a Marquette University Law School poll released Tuesday , though that support was down from 86 % in March .
Evers ‘ administration faced an uphill battle in convincing the court to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justices hold a 5-2 majority .
Four conservative justices joined on the majority opinion .
The fifth , Brian Hagedorn , joined with liberal justices Ann Walsh Bradley and Rebecca Dallet in dissent .
Roggensack wrote for the majority that the order amounts to an emergency rule that Palm can ’ t enact unilaterally , and creates criminal penalties that Palm has no authority to create .
“ Rule-making exists precisely to ensure that kind of controlling , subjective judgement asserted by one unelected official , Palm , is not imposed in Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislators had asked the court to let the rule remain in place for six days to give them time to work with Evers ‘ administration on an alternative plan .
The court refused to grant the stay , saying the two sides have had weeks to come up with something .
The GOP so far has not offered any alternative plans .
The state ’ s chamber of commerce has suggested allowing all businesses to open at once while compelling higher-risk establishments and operations to take increasingly strict mitigation measures such as requiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the court ’ s order , the Tavern League of Wisconsin posted news of the ruling on its website and said it meant businesses could open immediately .
The GOP move against Evers mirrors actions taken by Republican-controlled legislatures in other states , most notably against the Democratic governors in nearby “ blue wall ” states Michigan and Pennsylvania .
All three are critical presidential battlegrounds in November .
Dallet wrote that the court ’ s decision will “ undoubtedly go down as one of the most blatant examples of judicial activism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it will be Wisconsinites who pay the price.
” Dallet also took aim at the potential delay set up by a rule-making process , writing : “ A review of the tedious multi-step process required to enact an emergency rule illustrates why the Legislature authorized DHS to issue statewide orders to control contagion.
” The GOP has been working to weaken Evers ‘ powers since he ousted incumbent Republican Gov .
Scott Walker in 2018 .
During Walker ’ s final weeks in office , Republicans adopted a set of laws that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to withdraw from lawsuits , a move designed to prevent the governor from pulling Wisconsin out of a multistate lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act .
The state Supreme Court has upheld those laws .
The high court also backed Republicans over Evers in the GOP ’ s insistence on holding in-person voting for April ’ s presidential primary despite the health risks of the coronavirus .

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ coronavirus stay-at-home order Wednesday, ruling that his administration overstepped its authority when it extended the mandate for another month without consulting legislators.
The 4-3 ruling essentially reopens the state, lifting caps on the size of gatherings, allowing people to travel as they please and allowing shuttered businesses to reopen, including bars and restaurants. Local governments can still impose their own health restrictions, however. Dane County officials issued a local order minutes after the ruling came down imposing a mandate identical to now-invalidated state stay-at-home order.
Evers issued a stay-at-home order in March that closed schools and nonessential businesses. The closures battered the state economy, but Evers argued they were necessary to slow the virus’ spread. The order was supposed to lift April 24, but Health and Human Services Secretary Andrea Palm, an Evers appointee, extended it to May 26.
Republicans asked the Supreme Court to block the extension, arguing that Palm exceeded her authority because the extension amounted to an administrative rule, requiring legislative approval.
Evers’ administration countered that state law clearly gives the executive branch broad authority to quickly enact emergency measures to control communicable diseases. Attorney General Josh Kaul also noted that Evers’ order was similar to that in at least 42 other states and has saved many lives.
Nearly seven of 10 Wisconsin residents back Evers’ “safer at home” order, based on a Marquette University Law School poll released Tuesday, though that support was down from 86% in March.
Evers’ administration faced an uphill battle in convincing the court to keep the order in place. Conservative-leaning justices hold a 5-2 majority. Four conservative justices joined on the majority opinion. The fifth, Brian Hagedorn, joined with liberal justices Ann Walsh Bradley and Rebecca Dallet in dissent.
Roggensack wrote for the majority that the order amounts to an emergency rule that Palm can’t enact unilaterally, and creates criminal penalties that Palm has no authority to create.
“Rule-making exists precisely to ensure that kind of controlling, subjective judgement asserted by one unelected official, Palm, is not imposed in Wisconsin,” Roggensack wrote.
The Republican legislators had asked the court to let the rule remain in place for six days to give them time to work with Evers’ administration on an alternative plan. The court refused to grant the stay, saying the two sides have had weeks to come up with something.
The GOP so far has not offered any alternative plans. The state’s chamber of commerce has suggested allowing all businesses to open at once while compelling higher-risk establishments and operations to take increasingly strict mitigation measures such as requiring employees to use protective gear.
Soon after the court’s order, the Tavern League of Wisconsin posted news of the ruling on its website and said it meant businesses could open immediately.
The GOP move against Evers mirrors actions taken by Republican-controlled legislatures in other states, most notably against the Democratic governors in nearby “blue wall” states Michigan and Pennsylvania. All three are critical presidential battlegrounds in November.
Dallet wrote that the court’s decision will “undoubtedly go down as one of the most blatant examples of judicial activism in this court’s history. And it will be Wisconsinites who pay the price.”
Dallet also took aim at the potential delay set up by a rule-making process, writing: “A review of the tedious multi-step process required to enact an emergency rule illustrates why the Legislature authorized DHS to issue statewide orders to control contagion.”
The GOP has been working to weaken Evers’ powers since he ousted incumbent Republican Gov. Scott Walker in 2018.
During Walker’s final weeks in office, Republicans adopted a set of laws that prohibited Evers from ordering the attorney general to withdraw from lawsuits, a move designed to prevent the governor from pulling Wisconsin out of a multistate lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act. The state Supreme Court has upheld those laws.
The high court also backed Republicans over Evers in the GOP’s insistence on holding in-person voting for April’s presidential primary despite the health risks of the coronavirus.
___


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Official: 3-year-old shot in Oklahoma home; uncle arrested

TULSA , Okla. ( AP ) - A 3-year-old boy suffered a life-threatening wound after he was shot Tuesday at a Oklahoma residence , authorities said .
Sheriff Scott Walton said the child ’ s condition is unknown , but he will have his second surgery Wednesday .
Keven Her , the child ’ s uncle , called 911 , according to a probable cause affidavit .
He told dispatchers that a 3-year-old had been shot by a 9mm pistol .
“ Keven advised that he removed the magazine and cocked the firearm for his nephew , ” deputies state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his nephew pointed the firearm at him and pulled the trigger.
” Her , 22 , told deputies he heard the gun click , and he took it from his nephew .
They continued to play when Her allegedly pointed the gun at the child and pulled the trigger .
Authorities obtained a search warrant and drugs were found in the home .
Walton noted that the investigation is ongoing .
“ It ’ s just so sad that a child could be hurt by stupidity , but that ’ s what got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her was arrested for reckless conduct with a firearm , child neglect , possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia .
He is being held in Rogers County jail .

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A 3-year-old boy suffered a life-threatening wound after he was shot Tuesday at a Oklahoma residence, authorities said.
Sheriff Scott Walton said the child’s condition is unknown, but he will have his second surgery Wednesday.
Keven Her, the child’s uncle, called 911, according to a probable cause affidavit. He told dispatchers that a 3-year-old had been shot by a 9mm pistol.
“Keven advised that he removed the magazine and cocked the firearm for his nephew,” deputies state in the affidavit. “Keven stated his nephew pointed the firearm at him and pulled the trigger.”
Her, 22, told deputies he heard the gun click, and he took it from his nephew. They continued to play when Her allegedly pointed the gun at the child and pulled the trigger.
Authorities obtained a search warrant and drugs were found in the home.
Walton noted that the investigation is ongoing.
“It’s just so sad that a child could be hurt by stupidity, but that’s what got him hurt,” Walton said.
Her was arrested for reckless conduct with a firearm, child neglect, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held in Rogers County jail.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Court: Suit against LSU in frat pledge's death can continue

BATON ROUGE , La .
( AP ) - A federal appeals court said the parents of a Louisiana State University freshman who died during a hazing ritual can pursue a lawsuit that accuses the university of committing sexual discrimination when disciplining sororities and fraternities .
Stephen and Rae Ann Gruver filed a lawsuit in 2018 on behalf of their son Maxwell Gruver , who died from alcohol poisoning after a Phi Delta Theta fraternity party .
The university claimed sovereign immunity seeking to nullify the suit but on Tuesday the 5th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding , it waives immunity from lawsuits claiming sexual discrimination , The Advocate reported .
The lawsuit , which seeks $ 25 million , alleges that LSU responded with “ deliberate indifference ” to allegations of hazing at fraternities .
It also said Phi Delta has “ a long history of dangerous misconduct at universities across the country.
” The suit said LSU committed discriminatory disciplinary actions by policing sorority hazing incidents stricter than fraternity hazing .
It said the university committed intentional discrimination that forces males to seek benefits of Greek life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspaper reported .
LSU did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
Max Gruver , from the Atlanta suburb of Roswell , Georgia , had been at LSU for a month when he died of alcohol poisoning in 2017 .
Matthew Naquin , 21 , of Fair Oaks Ranch , Texas was convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced in November 2019 to five years in prison , but a judge suspended all but 2½ years .
Witnesses said Naquin didn ’ t like Gruver and singled him out during a hazing ritual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Naquin ordered Gruver to chug a bottle of 190-proof liquor in September 2017 .
Gruver died the following morning .
His blood-alcohol level was 0.495 % , which is more than six times the legal limit to drive in Louisiana .
Phi Delta Theta is banned from the LSU campus until at least 2033 as a result of the events leading to Gruver ’ s death .

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A federal appeals court said the parents of a Louisiana State University freshman who died during a hazing ritual can pursue a lawsuit that accuses the university of committing sexual discrimination when disciplining sororities and fraternities.
Stephen and Rae Ann Gruver filed a lawsuit in 2018 on behalf of their son Maxwell Gruver, who died from alcohol poisoning after a Phi Delta Theta fraternity party.
The university claimed sovereign immunity seeking to nullify the suit but on Tuesday the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled that because LSU accepts federal funding, it waives immunity from lawsuits claiming sexual discrimination, The Advocate reported.
The lawsuit, which seeks $25 million, alleges that LSU responded with “deliberate indifference” to allegations of hazing at fraternities. It also said Phi Delta has “a long history of dangerous misconduct at universities across the country.”
The suit said LSU committed discriminatory disciplinary actions by policing sorority hazing incidents stricter than fraternity hazing. It said the university committed intentional discrimination that forces males to seek benefits of Greek life with greater risk of injury, the newspaper reported.
LSU did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Max Gruver, from the Atlanta suburb of Roswell, Georgia, had been at LSU for a month when he died of alcohol poisoning in 2017.
Matthew Naquin, 21, of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas was convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced in November 2019 to five years in prison, but a judge suspended all but 2½ years.
Witnesses said Naquin didn’t like Gruver and singled him out during a hazing ritual at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house. Naquin ordered Gruver to chug a bottle of 190-proof liquor in September 2017. Gruver died the following morning. His blood-alcohol level was 0.495%, which is more than six times the legal limit to drive in Louisiana.
Phi Delta Theta is banned from the LSU campus until at least 2033 as a result of the events leading to Gruver’s death.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Inside the Beltway: Joe Biden needs a co-president

Some wonder if the one and only Joseph R. Biden needs some serious assistance in his quest for the White House .
“ Joe Biden needs a co-president .
Not just a running mate , not just a potential vice president , but someone who will be president-in-waiting should Biden win in November — the month he turns 78 , ” writes Daniel McCarthy , a contributor to the Spectator USA , and editor of Modern Age : A Conservative Review .
He has done all the math .
“ The idea of Biden running for a second term in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to take seriously .
So far , this is something everybody knows but nobody is taking seriously enough .
The question of Biden ’ s current mental acuity has become a campaign issue , but even Democrats who believe Biden is up to the job of being president in 2020 will have a tough time arguing that he ’ d be fit to serve a second term , ” Mr. McCarthy says .
“ Biden doesn ’ t need a running mate with experience .
He needs someone who can plausibly represent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who could be sworn in as president in January 2025 — or earlier , if the country ’ s oldest president should die or become incapacitated in office , ” Mr. McCarthy adds .
“ The question to be answered by his pick of running mate has to be : what vision does Biden ’ s Democratic party have of the future — if any ?
” he asks .
Mr. Biden ’ s choice of running mate continues to be a topic of interest as observers wonder if he can keep his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role .
Meanwhile , a political action committee to draft Michelle Obama is already up and running , but the former first lady ’ s presence has been questioned by one analyst .
“ The downfall for Biden in this potential scenario would be the continue reality of being outshined by his vice president .
Michelle Obama is arguably bigger than Joe Biden in terms of her name recognition and global popularity .
Biden would be playing second fiddle to yet another Obama even though his name would be at the top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , editor in chief of Election Central , a news site .
WHAT DID THEY KNOW ?
“ Get ready for ‘ Obamagate ’ to become ‘ ObamaBidengate , ” says Michael Goodwin , a columnist for The New York Post .
“ One of Joe Biden ’ s strengths among Democrats is his eight-year stint as Barack Obama ’ s vice president .
It was , the former veep often says proudly , the Obama-Biden administration , ” writes Mr. Goodwin .
“ Suddenly , Republicans are happy to agree as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the false Russia-collusion charges and the phony Michael Flynn prosecution .
Already , Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley has included Biden in his version of the infamous question , asking : ‘ What did Obama and Biden know and when did they know it ?
’ ” This handy little phrase was coined by Bob Salera , deputy communications director of the National Republican Congressional Committee , who believes it is the perfect descriptor for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s very expensive , very expansive coronavirus aid package .
“ House Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting dragged for trying to cram the last coronavirus relief bill full of socialist wish list items .
The latest proposal from Nancy Pelosi and her minions comes with an astonishing $ 3 trillion price tag and includes a grab bag of far left ideas like stimulus checks for illegal immigrants and the early release of thousands of federal inmates , ” Mr. Salera explains .
He wants everybody to take a shot — for free .
Sen. Bernard Sanders has organized a public petition with a single demand .
The Vermont independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus vaccine to be “ free to all people ” once it becomes available .
“ This pandemic must not become another opportunity for the pharmaceutical companies to engage in profiteering and make billions , ” Mr. Sanders declares .
THE PRICE IS RIGHT , OR MAYBE NOT Yes , prices are skyrocketing at the grocery stores .
Fresh from the Bureau of Labor Statistics ’ Consumer Price Index , here ’ s how much the price of your favorite foods have jumped in the last months : Meat , poultry , fish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; cereals and bakery products are up 2.9 % as are non-alcoholic beverages ; both dairy products plus fruits and vegetables have risen by 1.5 % .
All other “ food in the home ” has also gone up by 1.9 % .
It is of interest that “ food outside the home ” has only gone up by 0.1 % .
The price of alcoholic beverages has gone up by 0.3 % .
CNBC analyst Thomas Franck consulted earlier government numbers to discover that this is the greatest increase in grocery prices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers .
But cheer up .
The price of gas for your car is down by 20.4 % while car insurance has dropped by 7.2 % and airline fares are down by 15.2 % .
The cost of clothes , incidentally , are down by 4.7 % .
Fox News has now marked 18 consecutive weeks as the most popular network among all cable TV offerings , last week drawing 3.5 million primetime viewers according to Nielsen .
MSNBC is in second place with 1.8 million viewers , followed by CNN ( 1.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and TLC ( 1.2 million ) .
Primetime hosts Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson continue to be the ratings kings , with audiences of 4.3 million and 4.2 million , respectively .
Fox News , in fact , aired 13 of the top 16 telecasts of the week .
On the weekend , Judge Jeanine Pirro ruled the ratings , drawing 2.9 million viewers .
• 58 % of registered U.S. voters say they are “ extremely ” or “ very ” enthusiastic about voting in the presidential , congressional and state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans , 40 % of independents and 60 % of Democrats agree .
• 19 % overall say they are “ somewhat enthusiastic ” about voting ; 17 % of Republicans , 22 % of independents and 18 % of Democrats agree .
• 12 % are “ not too enthusiastic ” about voting ; 9 % of Republicans , 19 % of independents and 10 % of Democrats agree .
• 11 % are “ not at all enthusiastic ” : 4 % of Republicans , 18 % of independents and 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Politico/Morning Consult poll of 1,994 registered U.S. voters conducted May 8-10 .

NEWS AND OPINION:
Some wonder if the one and only Joseph R. Biden needs some serious assistance in his quest for the White House.
“Joe Biden needs a co-president. Not just a running mate, not just a potential vice president, but someone who will be president-in-waiting should Biden win in November — the month he turns 78,” writes Daniel McCarthy, a contributor to the Spectator USA, and editor of Modern Age: A Conservative Review.
He has done all the math.
“The idea of Biden running for a second term in 2024 at the age of 81 is hard to take seriously. So far, this is something everybody knows but nobody is taking seriously enough. The question of Biden’s current mental acuity has become a campaign issue, but even Democrats who believe Biden is up to the job of being president in 2020 will have a tough time arguing that he’d be fit to serve a second term,” Mr. McCarthy says.
“Biden doesn’t need a running mate with experience. He needs someone who can plausibly represent the future of the Democratic party and who could be sworn in as president in January 2025 — or earlier, if the country’s oldest president should die or become incapacitated in office,” Mr. McCarthy adds.
“The question to be answered by his pick of running mate has to be: what vision does Biden’s Democratic party have of the future — if any?” he asks.
Mr. Biden’s choice of running mate continues to be a topic of interest as observers wonder if he can keep his promise to name a woman in the role. Meanwhile, a political action committee to draft Michelle Obama is already up and running, but the former first lady’s presence has been questioned by one analyst.
“The downfall for Biden in this potential scenario would be the continue reality of being outshined by his vice president. Michelle Obama is arguably bigger than Joe Biden in terms of her name recognition and global popularity. Biden would be playing second fiddle to yet another Obama even though his name would be at the top of the ticket,” advises Nate Ashworth, editor in chief of Election Central, a news site.
WHAT DID THEY KNOW?
“Get ready for ‘Obamagate’ to become ‘ObamaBidengate,” says Michael Goodwin, a columnist for The New York Post.
“One of Joe Biden’s strengths among Democrats is his eight-year stint as Barack Obama‘s vice president. It was, the former veep often says proudly, the Obama-Biden administration,” writes Mr. Goodwin.
“Suddenly, Republicans are happy to agree as they probe the previous administration’s role in the false Russia-collusion charges and the phony Michael Flynn prosecution. Already, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley has included Biden in his version of the infamous question, asking: ‘What did Obama and Biden know and when did they know it?’”
FOR THE LEXICON
“Socialist Boondoggle.”
This handy little phrase was coined by Bob Salera, deputy communications director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, who believes it is the perfect descriptor for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s very expensive, very expansive coronavirus aid package.
“House Democrats didn’t learn their lesson after getting dragged for trying to cram the last coronavirus relief bill full of socialist wish list items. The latest proposal from Nancy Pelosi and her minions comes with an astonishing $3 trillion price tag and includes a grab bag of far left ideas like stimulus checks for illegal immigrants and the early release of thousands of federal inmates,” Mr. Salera explains.
BERNIE HAS A MOMENT
He wants everybody to take a shot — for free.
Sen. Bernard Sanders has organized a public petition with a single demand. The Vermont independent and self-described democratic socialist wants the future coronavirus vaccine to be “free to all people” once it becomes available.
“This pandemic must not become another opportunity for the pharmaceutical companies to engage in profiteering and make billions,” Mr. Sanders declares.
THE PRICE IS RIGHT, OR MAYBE NOT
Yes, prices are skyrocketing at the grocery stores. Fresh from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index, here’s how much the price of your favorite foods have jumped in the last months:
Meat, poultry, fish and eggs are up by 4.3%; cereals and bakery products are up 2.9% as are non-alcoholic beverages; both dairy products plus fruits and vegetables have risen by 1.5%. All other “food in the home” has also gone up by 1.9%. It is of interest that “food outside the home” has only gone up by 0.1%. The price of alcoholic beverages has gone up by 0.3%.
CNBC analyst Thomas Franck consulted earlier government numbers to discover that this is the greatest increase in grocery prices in 46 years, according to government numbers.
But cheer up. The price of gas for your car is down by 20.4% while car insurance has dropped by 7.2% and airline fares are down by 15.2%. The cost of clothes, incidentally, are down by 4.7%.
FOXIFIED
Fox News has now marked 18 consecutive weeks as the most popular network among all cable TV offerings, last week drawing 3.5 million primetime viewers according to Nielsen.
MSNBC is in second place with 1.8 million viewers, followed by CNN (1.5 million), HGTV (1.3 million) and TLC (1.2 million).
Primetime hosts Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson continue to be the ratings kings, with audiences of 4.3 million and 4.2 million, respectively. Fox News, in fact, aired 13 of the top 16 telecasts of the week. On the weekend, Judge Jeanine Pirro ruled the ratings, drawing 2.9 million viewers.
POLL DU JOUR
• 58% of registered U.S. voters say they are “extremely” or “very” enthusiastic about voting in the presidential, congressional and state elections this year; 70% of Republicans, 40% of independents and 60% of Democrats agree.
• 19% overall say they are “somewhat enthusiastic” about voting; 17% of Republicans, 22% of independents and 18% of Democrats agree.
• 12% are “not too enthusiastic” about voting; 9% of Republicans, 19% of independents and 10% of Democrats agree.
• 11% are “not at all enthusiastic”: 4% of Republicans, 18% of independents and 11% of Democrats agree.
Source: A Politico/Morning Consult poll of 1,994 registered U.S. voters conducted May 8-10.
• Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--US judge rejects churches' challenge to stay-at-home order

CHICAGO ( AP ) - A federal judge on Wednesday rejected a challenge to Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s authority to impose stay-at-home orders on churches in the battle against the coronavirus .
U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman denied a request for a temporary restraining order by two churches .
Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church in Chicago and Logos Baptist Ministries in Niles wanted to hold worship services while reducing seating , designating entry and exit points , offering hand sanitizer and cleaning facilities .
Elim Romanian held services Sunday despite Pritzker ’ s order .
The judge dismissed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He asserted churches are more comparable to schools , movie theaters or concert halls , where people are also not gathering .
Gettleman noted COVID-19 can easily spread in church despite the efforts of congregants , adding the churches ’ desire to hold services “ can not outweigh the health and safety of the public.
” The churches have filed notice they will appeal Gettleman ’ s ruling .
Gettleman ’ s decision follows that of U.S. District Court Judge John Lee , who two weeks ago ruled against a northwest Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to hold worship services .
Pritzker has modified his order to allow the “ free exercise of religion , ” but limited religious gatherings to no more than 10 people .

CHICAGO (AP) - A federal judge on Wednesday rejected a challenge to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s authority to impose stay-at-home orders on churches in the battle against the coronavirus.
U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman denied a request for a temporary restraining order by two churches. Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church in Chicago and Logos Baptist Ministries in Niles wanted to hold worship services while reducing seating, designating entry and exit points, offering hand sanitizer and cleaning facilities. Elim Romanian held services Sunday despite Pritzker’s order.
The judge dismissed the comparison between churches and grocery stores. He asserted churches are more comparable to schools, movie theaters or concert halls, where people are also not gathering.
Gettleman noted COVID-19 can easily spread in church despite the efforts of congregants, adding the churches’ desire to hold services “cannot outweigh the health and safety of the public.”
The churches have filed notice they will appeal Gettleman’s ruling.
Gettleman’s decision follows that of U.S. District Court Judge John Lee, who two weeks ago ruled against a northwest Illinois church that sought a temporary restraining in order to hold worship services.
Pritzker has modified his order to allow the “free exercise of religion,” but limited religious gatherings to no more than 10 people.