washingtontimes--2020-08-17--Judge stops Idaho from enacting ban on transgender athletes

BOISE , Idaho ( AP ) - A federal judge on Monday issued a temporary injunction to stop Idaho from enacting a law banning transgender girls and women from participating in women ’ s sports while a legal challenge moves forward .
The ruling means transgender athletes wanting to participate in sports that match their gender identity can do so this fall at the college and secondary school level , The Idaho Statesman reported .
U.S. District Judge David Nye in Idaho ruled that a preliminary injunction is warranted because the plaintiffs are likely to win in court as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Civil Liberties Union challenging the constitutionality of the law .
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Lindsay Hecox , a student at Boise State University who is transgender and had been planning to try out for the cross country team , and an unnamed Boise High School student who is cisgender and concerned about being subjected to the law ’ s invasive “ sex verification ” testing , according to the ACLU .
The law disallowing transgender athletes from playing on a team matching their gender identity contains a provision allowing anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It then would be incumbent upon the athletes to verify their gender through an exam or genetic testing .
Nye said the law ’ s ban on transgender athletes “ stands in stark contrast to the policies of elite athletic bodies that regulate sports both nationally and globally.
” “ I feel a major sense of relief , ” Hecox said Monday in a news release .
“ I ’ m a girl , and the right team for me is the girls ’ team .
It ’ s time courts recognize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court ’ s ruling does.
” In March Idaho Gov .
Brad Little signed the measure , passed by Republicans during the 2020 state legislative session , into law despite warnings from legal experts that it wasn ’ t likely to survive court challenges .
Supporters said the law was needed because transgender female athletes have physical advantages .
“ Transgender people belong in Idaho , including on school sports teams , ” Ritchie Eppink , legal director for the ACLU of Idaho , said in a news release .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - A federal judge on Monday issued a temporary injunction to stop Idaho from enacting a law banning transgender girls and women from participating in women’s sports while a legal challenge moves forward.
The ruling means transgender athletes wanting to participate in sports that match their gender identity can do so this fall at the college and secondary school level, The Idaho Statesman reported.
U.S. District Judge David Nye in Idaho ruled that a preliminary injunction is warranted because the plaintiffs are likely to win in court as part of a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union challenging the constitutionality of the law.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Lindsay Hecox, a student at Boise State University who is transgender and had been planning to try out for the cross country team, and an unnamed Boise High School student who is cisgender and concerned about being subjected to the law’s invasive “sex verification” testing, according to the ACLU.
The law disallowing transgender athletes from playing on a team matching their gender identity contains a provision allowing anyone to challenge a person’s identity. It then would be incumbent upon the athletes to verify their gender through an exam or genetic testing.
Nye said the law’s ban on transgender athletes “stands in stark contrast to the policies of elite athletic bodies that regulate sports both nationally and globally.”
“I feel a major sense of relief,” Hecox said Monday in a news release. “I’m a girl, and the right team for me is the girls’ team. It’s time courts recognize that and I am so glad that the court’s ruling does.”
In March Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed the measure, passed by Republicans during the 2020 state legislative session, into law despite warnings from legal experts that it wasn’t likely to survive court challenges.
Supporters said the law was needed because transgender female athletes have physical advantages.
“Transgender people belong in Idaho, including on school sports teams,” Ritchie Eppink, legal director for the ACLU of Idaho, said in a news release. “This is a welcome first step.”
It’s the second time this month a federal judge has effectively rejected a new anti-transgender law in Idaho. Last week, U.S. Magistrate Candy Dale said the state’s latest attempt to ban transgender people from changing the gender on their birth certificate violates a court order she issued two years ago stopping a similar law.


washingtontimes--2020-08-17--Muriel Bowser rips Trump for 'photo op' at St. John's Church with Bible

Washington , D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Monday lambasted President Trump for the “ photo op ” near historic St. John ’ s Church on June 1 after law enforcement had cleared the area of protesters .
“ While we were peacefully protesting , Donald Trump was plotting , ” Ms. Bowser said on the opening night of the virtual Democratic National Convention .
“ He stood in front of one of our most treasured houses of worship and held a Bible for a photo op .
He sent troops in camouflage into our streets .
He sent tear gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too .
I knew if he did this to D.C. , he would do it to your city or your town.
” Ms. Bowser delivered the remarks overlooking the renamed “ Black Lives Matter Plaza ” in Washington , D.C. Federal authorities have disputed that they used tear gas to disperse the crowd , though they have acknowledged using pepper balls , which can produce a similar effect .
The crowd near the White House had gathered to protest after the Memorial Day death of George Floyd , a Black man , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd was dispersed , Mr. Trump walked over near the recently vandalized St. John ’ s Church and held up a Bible .
Part of Mr. Trump ’ s walk was included in an earlier montage video with Bruce Springsteen ’ s “ The Rising ” playing in the background .
Floyd ’ s death ended up sparking racial justice protests across the country , some of which have escalated into violent rioting and looting .
Ms. Bowser ’ s remarks preceded comments from members of Floyd ’ s family and a moment @ @ @ @ @

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Monday lambasted President Trump for the “photo op” near historic St. John’s Church on June 1 after law enforcement had cleared the area of protesters.
“While we were peacefully protesting, Donald Trump was plotting,” Ms. Bowser said on the opening night of the virtual Democratic National Convention. “He stood in front of one of our most treasured houses of worship and held a Bible for a photo op. He sent troops in camouflage into our streets. He sent tear gas into the air and federal helicopters, too. I knew if he did this to D.C., he would do it to your city or your town.”
Ms. Bowser delivered the remarks overlooking the renamed “Black Lives Matter Plaza” in Washington, D.C.
Federal authorities have disputed that they used tear gas to disperse the crowd, though they have acknowledged using pepper balls, which can produce a similar effect.
The crowd near the White House had gathered to protest after the Memorial Day death of George Floyd, a Black man, while in Minneapolis police custody.
After the crowd was dispersed, Mr. Trump walked over near the recently vandalized St. John’s Church and held up a Bible.
Part of Mr. Trump’s walk was included in an earlier montage video with Bruce Springsteen’s “The Rising” playing in the background.
Floyd’s death ended up sparking racial justice protests across the country, some of which have escalated into violent rioting and looting.
Ms. Bowser’s remarks preceded comments from members of Floyd’s family and a moment of silence for Floyd.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-17--Former CIA officer charged with giving China classified info

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - A former CIA officer and contract linguist for the FBI has been charged with spying for China , including by disclosing tradecraft and information on sources to Chinese intelligence officers who had co-opted him , according to documents unsealed Monday .
Alexander Yuk Ching Ma , 67 , was arrested last week after an undercover operation in which prosecutors say he accepted thousands of dollars in cash in exchange for his past espionage activities .
He told a law enforcement officer who was posing as a Chinese intelligence officer that he wanted to see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was eager to resume helping China after the coronavirus pandemic subsided , prosecutors said .
“ The trail of Chinese espionage is long and , sadly , strewn with former American intelligence officers who betrayed their colleagues , their country and its liberal democratic values to support an authoritarian communist regime , ” Assistant Attorney John Demers , the Justice Department ’ s top national security official , said in a statement .
An FBI affidavit accuses Ma , who worked for the CIA from 1982 to 1989 , of revealing government secrets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Hong Kong hotel room over a three-day period in March 2001 .
Those secrets included information about CIA sources and assets , international operations , secure communication practices practices and operational tradecraft .
Prosecutors say Ma ’ s meeting with the Chinese officers included a relative and fellow CIA employee who was not named in court documents and who is not being charged because , officials say , the now 85-year-old suffers from advanced and debilitating cognitive diseases .
A video recording of the hotel meeting shows the men receiving payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided , the authorities said .
By that point , the FBI says , Ma had become a compromised asset of China ’ s Ministry of State Security , which collects intelligence information of value and interest to the Chinese government - a relationship that endured for years and carried over into Ma ’ s next job .
Ma remained in touch with the Chinese intelligence officers after he joined the FBI as a contract linguist in 2004 , at which point he used his work computer to copy images of documents related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Over the next several years , prosecutors say , he repeatedly brought a digital camera into a secure FBI work area and photographed translation documents , and also stole secret records that he took with him to Asia , it was alleged .
Some of Ma ’ s travel drew attention , prosecutors said .
In 2006 , he returned home from Honolulu after a trip to Shanghai and was found to be carrying $ 20,000 and a set of golf clubs that he did not previously own .
The Justice Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped Chinese intelligence officers identify suspected human sources .
At one point , according to an FBI affidavit , Ma received an email message from a Chinese intelligence contact that included as an attachment a photograph of five puppies sitting on a park bench .
The FBI believes the photo was meant to prompt Ma to arrange for his relative and former CIA colleague to provide information on five people who were suspected of being informants .
The FBI undercover investigation took shape in January 2019 when an official posing as a Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Honolulu office and showed him a video recording of the 2001 meeting in Hong Kong and asked for help identifying people who were present .
Ma , apparently convinced that the undercover officer was an actual intelligence officer , provided the help and met again with the officer two months later , when he accepted $ 2,000 for his work on China ’ s behalf , according to court papers .
He offered to do more work for China , prosecutors said , and met again last week with the undercover officer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and saying that he wanted “ the motherland ” to succeed .
A naturalized U.S. citizen born in Hong Kong , Ma was charged in federal court in Honolulu with conspiring to gather and communicate national defense information for a foreign nation .
He faces up to life in prison if convicted , and is due to make his first court appearance Tuesday .
A phone message left for a lawyer listed as Ma ’ s federal defender was not immediately returned Monday .
Another former CIA officer , Jerry Chun Shing Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison last November for an espionage conspiracy in which prosecutors say he received more than $ 840,000 from China to divulge the names of human sources and his knowledge of spycraft .

WASHINGTON (AP) - A former CIA officer and contract linguist for the FBI has been charged with spying for China, including by disclosing tradecraft and information on sources to Chinese intelligence officers who had co-opted him, according to documents unsealed Monday.
Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, 67, was arrested last week after an undercover operation in which prosecutors say he accepted thousands of dollars in cash in exchange for his past espionage activities. He told a law enforcement officer who was posing as a Chinese intelligence officer that he wanted to see the “motherland” succeed and that he was eager to resume helping China after the coronavirus pandemic subsided, prosecutors said.
“The trail of Chinese espionage is long and, sadly, strewn with former American intelligence officers who betrayed their colleagues, their country and its liberal democratic values to support an authoritarian communist regime,” Assistant Attorney John Demers, the Justice Department’s top national security official, said in a statement.
An FBI affidavit accuses Ma, who worked for the CIA from 1982 to 1989, of revealing government secrets to at least five Chinese intelligence officers in a Hong Kong hotel room over a three-day period in March 2001. Those secrets included information about CIA sources and assets, international operations, secure communication practices practices and operational tradecraft.
Prosecutors say Ma’s meeting with the Chinese officers included a relative and fellow CIA employee who was not named in court documents and who is not being charged because, officials say, the now 85-year-old suffers from advanced and debilitating cognitive diseases.
A video recording of the hotel meeting shows the men receiving payments of $50,000 for the information they provided, the authorities said.
By that point, the FBI says, Ma had become a compromised asset of China’s Ministry of State Security, which collects intelligence information of value and interest to the Chinese government - a relationship that endured for years and carried over into Ma’s next job.
Ma remained in touch with the Chinese intelligence officers after he joined the FBI as a contract linguist in 2004, at which point he used his work computer to copy images of documents related to missiles and weapon system technology research.
Over the next several years, prosecutors say, he repeatedly brought a digital camera into a secure FBI work area and photographed translation documents, and also stole secret records that he took with him to Asia, it was alleged.
Some of Ma’s travel drew attention, prosecutors said. In 2006, he returned home from Honolulu after a trip to Shanghai and was found to be carrying $20,000 and a set of golf clubs that he did not previously own.
The Justice Department alleges that Ma and his co-conspirator also helped Chinese intelligence officers identify suspected human sources. At one point, according to an FBI affidavit, Ma received an email message from a Chinese intelligence contact that included as an attachment a photograph of five puppies sitting on a park bench. The FBI believes the photo was meant to prompt Ma to arrange for his relative and former CIA colleague to provide information on five people who were suspected of being informants.
The FBI undercover investigation took shape in January 2019 when an official posing as a Chinese intelligence officer met with Ma in his Honolulu office and showed him a video recording of the 2001 meeting in Hong Kong and asked for help identifying people who were present.
Ma, apparently convinced that the undercover officer was an actual intelligence officer, provided the help and met again with the officer two months later, when he accepted $2,000 for his work on China’s behalf, according to court papers.
He offered to do more work for China, prosecutors said, and met again last week with the undercover officer, accepting a red envelope with $2,000 and saying that he wanted “the motherland” to succeed.
A naturalized U.S. citizen born in Hong Kong, Ma was charged in federal court in Honolulu with conspiring to gather and communicate national defense information for a foreign nation. He faces up to life in prison if convicted, and is due to make his first court appearance Tuesday.
A phone message left for a lawyer listed as Ma’s federal defender was not immediately returned Monday.
Another former CIA officer, Jerry Chun Shing Lee, was sentenced to 19 years in prison last November for an espionage conspiracy in which prosecutors say he received more than $840,000 from China to divulge the names of human sources and his knowledge of spycraft.
_____
Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP


washingtontimes--2020-08-17--Genevieve grows into Category 2 hurricane off Mexico's coast

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - A tropical storm watch was issued Monday for southern parts of Mexico ’ s @ @ @ @ @ strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane off the country ’ s Pacific coast .
The @ @ @ @ @ late Monday the storm had sustained winds of 100 mph ( 160 kmh ) and @ @ @ @ @ mph ( 30 kmh ) .
Genevieve was located about 225 miles ( 360 km @ @ @ @ @ Mexico .
Genevieve is forecast to become a major hurricane Tuesday .
But it is @ @ @ @ @ , possibly passing near the tip of Baja California Sur on Wednesday night and Thursday @

MEXICO CITY (AP) - A tropical storm watch was issued Monday for southern parts of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula as Genevieve rapidly strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane off the country’s Pacific coast.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said late Monday the storm had sustained winds of 100 mph (160 kmh) and was moving west-northwest at 18 mph (30 kmh). Genevieve was located about 225 miles (360 km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.
Genevieve is forecast to become a major hurricane Tuesday. But it is not expected to make landfall, possibly passing near the tip of Baja California Sur on Wednesday night and Thursday.


washingtontimes--2020-08-17--Strong quake jolts central Philippines, no damage known yet

MANILA , Philippines ( AP ) - A powerful and shallow earthquake struck a central Philippine region Tuesday , prompting @ @ @ @ @ homes and offices but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage .
@ @ @ @ @ and Seismology said it was expecting damage and aftershocks from the 6.5 magnitude quake that @ @ @ @ @ kilometers ( 3 miles ) from the coastal town of Cataingan in Masbate province at @ @ @ @ @ kilometer ( half a mile ) .
Renato Solidum , who heads the government institute @ @ @ @ @ threat of a tsunami from the earthquake , which was set off by movement in @ @ @ @ @ Philippines lies in the Pacific “ Ring of Fire , ” an arc of faults @ @ @ @ @ most of the world ’ s earthquakes occur .
It ’ s also lashed by @ @ @ @ @ each year , making it one of the world ’ s most disaster-prone countries .
@ @ @ @ @ nearly 2,000 people in the northern Philippines in 1990 .

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - A strong earthquake jolted the central Philippines on Tuesday, killing at least one person, injuring dozens, and damaging houses, two buildings used for coronavirus quarantine, bridges and a port.
A three-story house collapsed in the coastal town of Cataingan as the ground shook. A retired police officer pinned in the debris died, and rescuers were looking for other members of his family who were missing. More than 40 people were injured by the quake in Masbate province, according to disaster response officials.
More than 100 people who were undergoing coronavirus quarantine in two damaged Cataingan government buildings were moved to school buildings to ensure their safety, the Office of Civil Defense said. The quake also damaged roads, bridges and a port.
“People should avoid returning immediately to damaged structures,” Rino Revalo, a Masbate provincial administrator, told the ABS-CBN network.
The 6.6 magnitude quake hit about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Cataingan at a depth of about 21 kilometers (13 miles), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.
Cataingan resident Isagani Libatan said he was on his way to his aunt’s house for breakfast when his motorcycle suddenly swerved as the ground heaved.
“I thought it was my tire but people suddenly streamed out in panic from swaying houses and then we lost power,” Libatan said by telephone, pausing as he felt a fairly strong aftershock.
The earthquake was set off by a movement of the Philippine Fault, said Renato Solidum, who heads the government volcanology institute. It was felt in several provinces across the central Visayas region.
The Philippines lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world’s earthquakes occur. It is also lashed by about 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries.
A magnitude 7.7 quake killed nearly 2,000 people in the northern Philippines in 1990.


washingtontimes--2020-08-17--Eva Longoria kicks off DNC

Eva Longoria kicks off DNC

The Democratic National Committee kicked off Monday in a political environment unlike any other Monday as the 2020 presidential campaign turned its attention to the head-to-head matchup between President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden .
The honor of addressing the virtual convention first fell to actress Eva Longoria , an immigration rights activist who has used her platform as a Hollywood celebrity to air her grievances with the Trump administration .
“ We always hear that line about this election being the most important of our lifetime , but this year it really is , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus has hit the nation hard , taking over 170,000 lives and damaging the economy .
“ The past four years have left us as a nation diminished and divided , and yet in the middle of the fear and sorrow and uncertainty people have come together because they know we are better than this , America is better than this , ” she said .
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida mocked the decision to have Ms. Longoria emcee Monday ’ s programming .
“ Brilliant move !
” Mr. Rubio said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more in touch with the challenges & obstacles faced by everyday Americans than actors & celebrities.
” The four-day event features a who ’ s who of Democratic Party politics , ranging from Hillary Clinton to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
Mr. Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris of California are set to accept the party ’ s nomination on Thursday .
It also is set to shine a spotlight on voters across the country who are struggling to get by on Mr. Trump ’ s watch .

The Democratic National Committee kicked off Monday in a political environment unlike any other Monday as the 2020 presidential campaign turned its attention to the head-to-head matchup between President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden.
The honor of addressing the virtual convention first fell to actress Eva Longoria, an immigration rights activist who has used her platform as a Hollywood celebrity to air her grievances with the Trump administration.
“We always hear that line about this election being the most important of our lifetime, but this year it really is,” Ms. Longoria said.
Ms. Longoria said the coronavirus has hit the nation hard, taking more than 170,000 lives and damaging the economy.
“The past four years have left us as a nation diminished and divided, and yet in the middle of the fear and sorrow and uncertainty people have come together because they know we are better than this, America is better than this,” she said.
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida mocked the decision to have Ms. Longoria emcee Monday’s programming.
“Brilliant move!” Mr. Rubio said on Twitter. “No one is more in touch with the challenges & obstacles faced by everyday Americans than actors & celebrities.”
The four-day event features a who’s who of Democratic Party politics, ranging from Hillary Clinton to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Mr. Biden and Sen. Kamala D. Harris of California are set to accept the party’s nomination on Thursday.
It also is set to shine a spotlight on voters across the country who are struggling to get by on Mr. Trump’s watch.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-17--Inside the Beltway: C-SPAN's impeccable convention coverage

C-SPAN has perfect plans for both the Democratic National Convention , now underway — and the Republican National Convention which springs to life next Monday .
The public affairs network covers the two pivotal political events without endless commentary .
Isn ’ t that a relief ?
That is what C-SPAN does — airing countless significant hearings , speeches , forums and other fare 24/7 — minus mindless chatter .
The network has provided gavel-to-gavel coverage of every presidential convention since 1984 .
The plans this time around include broadcast plus live online streaming — all destined for the C-SPAN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s also snappy archival footage from past conventions featured at 6 p.m. every day , along with a finely calibrated recap of the day from senior political editor Steve Scully , who has covered every previous major-party convention for C-SPAN since 1992 and attended every one since 1980 .
The man has serious institutional knowledge .
Thanks to COVID-19 , this year ’ s conventions are without the bustling live audiences .
Traditions have faded .
Things have changed .
The conventions are now an unprecedented exercise in virtual presence due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind , Inside the Beltway asked Mr. Scully whether the mission has also changed .
“ It goes without saying , this has been a political year like no other .
Like all the networks , we have had to made some significant adjustments .
Nevertheless , C-SPAN ’ s mission remains the same : Live , gavel-to-gavel coverage of the convention proceedings .
While our presence in Milwaukee and Charlotte has been scaled back significantly , our approach remains the same .
No other network will provide you an uninterrupted look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the C-SPAN platforms , ” Mr. Scully tells the Beltway .
DIAMOND AND SILK HAVE A SAY Arriving Tuesday : “ Uprising : Who the Hell Said You Can ’ t Ditch and Switch ?
— the Awakening of Diamond and Silk , ” a new book penned by the two unstoppable sisters who became a positive force for President Trump through their clear thinking , forthright style , and sheer gumption .
This is a candid book .
“ We are not politically correct ; we are politically direct .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s down with politics , who love this country , stand for the flag , and love the president of the United States , ” Diamond and Silk tell Inside the Beltway in a joint statement .
The book reveals that sisters Lynette and Rochelle Hardaway are the daughters of a pastor and were textile-factory workers in North Carolina .
They dedicated their book to God .
They supported Mr. Trump the minute he revealed his intent to run for president .
It has been an amazing road for them , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — who claimed to be civilized and more enlightened than us deplorables — called us coons , Uncle Toms , and sellouts .
They marginalized us , criticized us , stigmatized us , and when that failed , they tried to assassinate our characters and ruin our reputations .
Through it all , no matter how they tried to hide us or get rid of us , Diamond and Silk weren ’ t going anywhere .
We were a force to be reckoned with , ” the pair write .
“ So imagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump won ; we knew that it was time for the Left and the left-wing media to start eating crow , ” they advised .
The 256-page book is from Regnery Publishing .
Diamond and Silk have a podcast on Apple , plus “ Diamond and Silk Crystal Clear , ” a new show on NewsMax TV that the network ’ s CEO Christopher Ruddy calls “ honest , patriotic , sometimes controversial and always entertaining.
” If the presidential election were “ today , ” who would voters in battleground states pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s neck and neck : 49 % would choose Joseph R. Biden and Sen. Kamala D. Harris , while 48 % pick President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence .
The CNN/SSRS poll of 1,108 U.S. adults included an oversampling of adults living in 15 battleground states — Arizona , Florida , Georgia , Iowa , Maine , Michigan , Minnesota , Nevada , New Hampshire , New Mexico , North Carolina , Ohio , Pennsylvania , Texas and Wisconsin .
The poll was conducted Aug. 12-15 .
Negative press coverage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , previous studies from analysts at the Media Research Center revealed that the coverage of Mr. Trump on major broadcast networks was 91 % negative .
A new study released Monday found that the coverage is now 95 % negative .
“ I ’ ve been studying the news media and elections for more than 35 years .
Trust me — there ’ s never been anything like it , ” said Rich Noyes , research director for the conservative press watchdog .
The study revealed that ABC , CBS and NBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump than presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
“ Biden escaped any scrutiny of his left-wing policy positions , past job performance or character .
From June 1 through July 31 , the ABC , CBS and NBC evening newscasts focused 512 minutes of airtime on the president , or nine times more than the 58 minutes allotted to Biden , ” the study said .
“ The extra airtime devoted to Trump consisted almost entirely of anchors and reporters criticizing the President .
During these two months , our analysts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 95 % of which ( 634 ) were negative , vs. a mere 5 % ( 34 ) that were positive.
” “ In contrast , 67 % of the evaluative statements about Mr. Biden are positive — viewers heard 150 times more negative comments about Trump than Biden .
That ’ s not news reporting — that ’ s a negative advertising campaign in action , ” the study advised .
• 56 % of Democratic voters support Joe Biden because “ he is not President Trump.
” • 19 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 % refused to answer or did not know .
• 13 % cite his personality , 13 % cite some other reason .
• 9 % cite Mr. Biden ’ s policy positions , 7 % say it ’ s a vote “ for Democrats and against Republicans.
” • 6 % say Mr. Biden is “ for American people and values.
” Source : A Pew Research Center poll of 5,159 registered Democratic voters conducted July 27-Aug. 2 and released Friday .
Respondents could give multiple answers to the open-ended question @

NEWS AND OPINION:
C-SPAN has perfect plans for both the Democratic National Convention, now underway — and the Republican National Convention which springs to life next Monday. The public affairs network covers the two pivotal political events without endless commentary. Isn’t that a relief? That is what C-SPAN does — airing countless significant hearings, speeches, forums and other fare 24/7 — minus mindless chatter.
The network has provided gavel-to-gavel coverage of every presidential convention since 1984. The plans this time around include broadcast plus live online streaming — all destined for the C-SPAN video library, and available on-demand. There’s also snappy archival footage from past conventions featured at 6 p.m. every day, along with a finely calibrated recap of the day from senior political editor Steve Scully, who has covered every previous major-party convention for C-SPAN since 1992 and attended every one since 1980.
The man has serious institutional knowledge.
Thanks to COVID-19, this year’s conventions are without the bustling live audiences. Traditions have faded. Things have changed. The conventions are now an unprecedented exercise in virtual presence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
That in mind, Inside the Beltway asked Mr. Scully whether the mission has also changed.
“It goes without saying, this has been a political year like no other. Like all the networks, we have had to made some significant adjustments. Nevertheless, C-SPAN’s mission remains the same: Live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of the convention proceedings. While our presence in Milwaukee and Charlotte has been scaled back significantly, our approach remains the same. No other network will provide you an uninterrupted look at the DNC and RNC proceedings on all of the C-SPAN platforms,” Mr. Scully tells the Beltway.
DIAMOND AND SILK HAVE A SAY
Arriving Tuesday: “Uprising: Who the Hell Said You Can’t Ditch and Switch? — the Awakening of Diamond and Silk,” a new book penned by the two unstoppable sisters who became a positive force for President Trump through their clear thinking, forthright style, and sheer gumption. This is a candid book.
“We are not politically correct; we are politically direct. We’re just two black chicks who’s down with politics, who love this country, stand for the flag, and love the president of the United States,” Diamond and Silk tell Inside the Beltway in a joint statement.
The book reveals that sisters Lynette and Rochelle Hardaway are the daughters of a pastor and were textile-factory workers in North Carolina. They dedicated their book to God. They supported Mr. Trump the minute he revealed his intent to run for president. It has been an amazing road for them, but not without strife.
“Our critics — who claimed to be civilized and more enlightened than us deplorables — called us coons, Uncle Toms, and sellouts. They marginalized us, criticized us, stigmatized us, and when that failed, they tried to assassinate our characters and ruin our reputations. Through it all, no matter how they tried to hide us or get rid of us, Diamond and Silk weren’t going anywhere. We were a force to be reckoned with,” the pair write.
“So imagine how tickled pink we were when Donald Trump won; we knew that it was time for the Left and the left-wing media to start eating crow,” they advised.
The 256-page book is from Regnery Publishing. Diamond and Silk have a podcast on Apple, plus “Diamond and Silk Crystal Clear,” a new show on NewsMax TV that the network’s CEO Christopher Ruddy calls “honest, patriotic, sometimes controversial and always entertaining.”
NECK AND NECK
If the presidential election were “today,” who would voters in battleground states pick? A CNN poll has insight.
It’s neck and neck: 49% would choose Joseph R. Biden and Sen. Kamala D. Harris, while 48% pick President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
The CNN/SSRS poll of 1,108 U.S. adults included an oversampling of adults living in 15 battleground states — Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. The poll was conducted Aug. 12-15.
THE COVERAGE GETS WORSE
Negative press coverage of President Trump has worsened. Since 2016, previous studies from analysts at the Media Research Center revealed that the coverage of Mr. Trump on major broadcast networks was 91% negative. A new study released Monday found that the coverage is now 95% negative.
“I’ve been studying the news media and elections for more than 35 years. Trust me — there’s never been anything like it,” said Rich Noyes, research director for the conservative press watchdog.
The study revealed that ABC, CBS and NBC aired nine times as much coverage of Mr. Trump than presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
“Biden escaped any scrutiny of his left-wing policy positions, past job performance or character. From June 1 through July 31, the ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts focused 512 minutes of airtime on the president, or nine times more than the 58 minutes allotted to Biden,” the study said.
“The extra airtime devoted to Trump consisted almost entirely of anchors and reporters criticizing the President. During these two months, our analysts documented 668 evaluative statements about the President, 95% of which (634) were negative, vs. a mere 5% (34) that were positive.”
“In contrast, 67% of the evaluative statements about Mr. Biden are positive — viewers heard 150 times more negative comments about Trump than Biden. That’s not news reporting — that’s a negative advertising campaign in action,” the study advised.
POLL DU JOUR
• 56% of Democratic voters support Joe Biden because “he is not President Trump.”
• 19% cite Mr. Biden’s leadership, 14% refused to answer or did not know.
• 13% cite his personality, 13% cite some other reason.
• 9% cite Mr. Biden’s policy positions, 7% say it’s a vote “for Democrats and against Republicans.”
• 6% say Mr. Biden is “for American people and values.”
Source: A Pew Research Center poll of 5,159 registered Democratic voters conducted July 27-Aug. 2 and released Friday. Respondents could give multiple answers to the open-ended question.
• Helpful information to jharper@washingontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-17--Authorities investigate suspicious death in SE Wisconsin

Kenosha County deputies and detectives were called around 8 p.m. Saturday to a home in the Village of Somers .
@ @ @ @ @ David Zoerner said the investigation involves the death of a man .
Authorities have not @ @ @ @ @ name and say the investigation is ongoing .
A friend of the man tells the @ @ @ @ @ dead in his room .
Lei Lani Akina said when she went to his room @ @ @ @ @ bed and there was “ blood splattered everywhere.
” She asked neighbors to call 911 @ @ @ @ @ , who was in his 70s , was “ a good guy ” who “ @ @ @ @ @ the last time she spoke with him was a few days ago when he came @ @ @ @ @ and tomatoes .
She texted him afterward to thank him , but he never got @ @ @ @

SOMERS, Wis. (AP) - Authorities are investigating a suspicious death in southeastern Wisconsin.
Kenosha County deputies and detectives were called around 8 p.m. Saturday to a home in the Village of Somers. Sheriff’s Sgt. David Zoerner said the investigation involves the death of a man.
Authorities have not released the man’s name and say the investigation is ongoing. A friend of the man tells the Kenosha News she found him dead in his room.
Lei Lani Akina said when she went to his room, he was in his bed and there was “blood splattered everywhere.” She asked neighbors to call 911.
Akina said the man, who was in his 70s, was “a good guy” who “helped everybody.” She said the last time she spoke with him was a few days ago when he came over to drop off cucumbers and tomatoes. She texted him afterward to thank him, but he never got back to her.


washingtontimes--2020-08-17--D.C. to hire 175 more virus contact tracers

District officials announced Monday that the city ’ s health department will hire 175 more contact tracers , boosting its force up to 450 staff members to respond to the coronavirus pandemic , and start home visits later this week .
“ We remain concerned about the amount of community spread in the District , ” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser at a press conference Monday , noting the city ’ s health department reported 53 new coronavirus cases .
The coronavirus has infected 13,273 residents and killed 597 as of Monday , D.C. Health data shows .
The data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.07 , slightly above the health department ’ s goal of staying below one in order to eventually halt the epidemic .
The District maintains its goal of keeping its seven-day average test positivity rate below 5 % , reporting a 3.5 % positivity rate .
Starting Thursday , D.C. Health will start conducting home visits for contact tracing cases where individuals did not complete interviews or were unable to be reached by phone after one or two days .
“ We will also prioritize individuals who are flagged by either community-based providers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are most at risk for not being able to isolate successfully in their homes , ” said Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt , director of DC Health .
About 70 % to 75 % of people complete their interviews with contact tracers on a weekly basis since June 12 , according to Dr. Nesbitt .
Although contact tracers are able to follow up with most individuals , the health department reportedly lacks contact information for about 2 % of coronavirus exposure cases .
During home visits , investigators will assess the residence for safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional social services such as alternative housing , food or medication .
Data from 971 cases from July 31 to Aug. 13 found that 145 people reported attending a large event , defined as five more people , during their exposure period .
More than 60 % indicated that part of the event was held indoors and 62 % reported social distancing was not practiced at some point during the gatherings .
Dr. Nesbitt outlined three case studies where infected individuals spread the coronavirus to others at gatherings .
One involved a woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss of appetite who went out to dinner with five friends and shared food , another involved four college friends who took flights to Los Angeles to celebrate July 4 and shared a rental home , and the last involved a family gathering celebrating a 6-year-old ’ s birthday .
D.C. Health also found that 102 of the 971 cases involved traveling during the exposure period .
Of those who reported traveling , 71 % said they traveled by plane , 33 % by rideshare , almost 7 % by public transportation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or shuttle and 4 % by train or commuter rail .
Of 971 people with coronavirus , 711 answered questions about whether they had contact with someone who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 during the exposure period .
Thirty-six percent reported they did have contact , 51 % reported no and 12 % were unsure .
Also at the press conference , Miss Bowser introduced Kevin Donahue , who was appointed as deputy city administrator and deputy mayor public safety and justice in 2015 , as the interim city administrator .
Mr. Donahue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday following the mayor ’ s request for an ethics review of the former city administrator .
Mr. Young had helped negotiate a deal for more than $ 276 million in tax breaks and public funding for a new acute care hospital for Howard University , according to media reports .
The mayor applauded Mr. Young for his service while noting that the D.C. Board of Ethics and Government Accountability will review Mr. Young ’ s role in the hospital negotiations .
She said the Council should proceed with a second vote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their September meeting .
Howard University said it has no comments on the reports .

District officials announced Monday that the city’s health department will hire 175 more contact tracers, boosting its force up to 450 staff members to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, and start home visits later this week.
“We remain concerned about the amount of community spread in the District,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser at a press conference Monday, noting the city’s health department reported 53 new coronavirus cases.
The coronavirus has infected 13,273 residents and killed 597 as of Monday, D.C. Health data shows. The data also reflect a sustained transmission rate of 1.07, slightly above the health department’s goal of staying below one in order to eventually halt the epidemic. The District maintains its goal of keeping its seven-day average test positivity rate below 5%, reporting a 3.5% positivity rate.
Starting Thursday, D.C. Health will start conducting home visits for contact tracing cases where individuals did not complete interviews or were unable to be reached by phone after one or two days.
“We will also prioritize individuals who are flagged by either community-based providers or our health center providers as those who are most at risk for not being able to isolate successfully in their homes,” said Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, director of DC Health.
About 70% to 75% of people complete their interviews with contact tracers on a weekly basis since June 12, according to Dr. Nesbitt. Although contact tracers are able to follow up with most individuals, the health department reportedly lacks contact information for about 2% of coronavirus exposure cases.
During home visits, investigators will assess the residence for safe quarantine and isolation and evaluate needs for additional social services such as alternative housing, food or medication.
Data from 971 cases from July 31 to Aug. 13 found that 145 people reported attending a large event, defined as five more people, during their exposure period. More than 60% indicated that part of the event was held indoors and 62% reported social distancing was not practiced at some point during the gatherings.
Dr. Nesbitt outlined three case studies where infected individuals spread the coronavirus to others at gatherings. One involved a woman who had symptoms of a headache and loss of appetite who went out to dinner with five friends and shared food, another involved four college friends who took flights to Los Angeles to celebrate July 4 and shared a rental home, and the last involved a family gathering celebrating a 6-year-old’s birthday.
D.C. Health also found that 102 of the 971 cases involved traveling during the exposure period. Of those who reported traveling, 71% said they traveled by plane, 33% by rideshare, almost 7% by public transportation, nearly 9% by shared a van or shuttle and 4% by train or commuter rail.
Of 971 people with coronavirus, 711 answered questions about whether they had contact with someone who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 during the exposure period. Thirty-six percent reported they did have contact, 51% reported no and 12% were unsure.
Also at the press conference, Miss Bowser introduced Kevin Donahue, who was appointed as deputy city administrator and deputy mayor public safety and justice in 2015, as the interim city administrator.
Mr. Donahue replaces Rashad Young, who stepped down Friday following the mayor’s request for an ethics review of the former city administrator.
Mr. Young had helped negotiate a deal for more than $276 million in tax breaks and public funding for a new acute care hospital for Howard University, according to media reports.
The mayor applauded Mr. Young for his service while noting that the D.C. Board of Ethics and Government Accountability will review Mr. Young’s role in the hospital negotiations. She said the Council should proceed with a second vote on Howard University’s new hospital at their September meeting.
Howard University said it has no comments on the reports.
• Shen Wu Tan can be reached at stan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-17--States says opioid crisis has cost them $630B since 2007

U.S. state and territorial governments say the opioid epidemic has cost them $ 630 billion since 2007 and that the cost could balloon to more than $ 2 trillion over the next 20 years .
Attorneys general for nearly every state and territory made that calculation public Monday in OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma ’ s bankruptcy case .
The cost estimate pertains to the overall toll of an opioid overdose epidemic that has contributed to nearly 500,000 deaths in the U.S. over the past two decades .
It ’ s based on past and future costs of opioid-related medical care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice and child welfare system costs , prevention programs and other spending .
It also includes future opioid abatement programs that advocates say are needed .
The estimate applies to the government costs attributed to the entire epidemic , not just those related directly to Purdue .
The state filing does not include an estimate for Oklahoma , which previously settled its lawsuit against Purdue , or Kentucky before 2016 , when its previous settlement with the company took effect .
The states and other entities had until the end of July to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process , which the Connecticut-based company is using to attempt to settle thousands of lawsuits filed over its role in the overdose epidemic .
More than 142,000 entities , mostly individuals who say they or their loved ones were harmed by Purdue ’ s drugs , filed claims .
Other drug manufacturers , distribution companies and pharmacy chains also are facing lawsuits .
The company ’ s settlement proposal calls for it to become a public benefit trust in which future profits would be used to combat the opioid crisis .
As part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sackler family that own the company would give up their stake and contribute at least $ 3 billion in cash .
States are divided nearly evenly on whether that ’ s a deal they should accept .
Opioids are a class of drugs that include powerful prescription painkillers such as Oxycontin and illegal drugs that include heroin and illicitly made fentanyl .

U.S. state and territorial governments say the opioid epidemic has cost them $630 billion since 2007 and that the cost could balloon to more than $2 trillion over the next 20 years.
Attorneys general for nearly every state and territory made that calculation public Monday in OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy case.
The cost estimate pertains to the overall toll of an opioid overdose epidemic that has contributed to nearly 500,000 deaths in the U.S. over the past two decades. It’s based on past and future costs of opioid-related medical care of state employees and Medicaid recipients, justice and child welfare system costs, prevention programs and other spending. It also includes future opioid abatement programs that advocates say are needed.
The estimate applies to the government costs attributed to the entire epidemic, not just those related directly to Purdue.
The state filing does not include an estimate for Oklahoma, which previously settled its lawsuit against Purdue, or Kentucky before 2016, when its previous settlement with the company took effect.
The states and other entities had until the end of July to file claims as part of the bankruptcy process, which the Connecticut-based company is using to attempt to settle thousands of lawsuits filed over its role in the overdose epidemic.
More than 142,000 entities, mostly individuals who say they or their loved ones were harmed by Purdue’s drugs, filed claims. Other drug manufacturers, distribution companies and pharmacy chains also are facing lawsuits.
The company’s settlement proposal calls for it to become a public benefit trust in which future profits would be used to combat the opioid crisis. As part of the deal, members of the Sackler family that own the company would give up their stake and contribute at least $3 billion in cash.
States are divided nearly evenly on whether that’s a deal they should accept.
Opioids are a class of drugs that include powerful prescription painkillers such as Oxycontin and illegal drugs that include heroin and illicitly made fentanyl.


washingtontimes--2020-08-17--DNA links 1 of 4 bears killed to fatal attack site in Alaska

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - DNA from one of three black bears killed by state wildlife department employees earlier this month matched samples collected as part of an investigation into a fatal bear attack in south-central Alaska , the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said Monday .
Earlier this month , the department said employees had killed a female brown bear and three female black bears near where Daniel Schilling of Hope died late last month .
DNA samples from the scene matched one of the black bears , the department said Monday , adding that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s body after he had died .
The department said authorities believe a female brown bear was responsible for the initial attack that killed Schilling .
It is unclear what led to the incident , as there were no witnesses , the department said .
DNA from the brown bear killed by department employees did not match samples taken from near the attack site , the department said .
“ Bear attacks are rare and finding the DNA of two different bear species at the site makes it even more unusual , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it will continue collecting samples from brown bears killed by hunters or killed under defense of life or property regulations .

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - DNA from one of three black bears killed by state wildlife department employees earlier this month matched samples collected as part of an investigation into a fatal bear attack in south-central Alaska, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said Monday.
Earlier this month, the department said employees had killed a female brown bear and three female black bears near where Daniel Schilling of Hope died late last month. DNA samples from the scene matched one of the black bears, the department said Monday, adding that it believed the black bear came upon Schilling’s body after he had died.
The department said authorities believe a female brown bear was responsible for the initial attack that killed Schilling. It is unclear what led to the incident, as there were no witnesses, the department said. DNA from the brown bear killed by department employees did not match samples taken from near the attack site, the department said.
“Bear attacks are rare and finding the DNA of two different bear species at the site makes it even more unusual,” the release states.
The department said it will continue collecting samples from brown bears killed by hunters or killed under defense of life or property regulations.


washingtontimes--2020-08-17--Avalanche overwhelm Coyotes 7-1 to take 3-1 series lead

EDMONTON , Alberta ( AP ) - The Colorado Avalanche scored three early goals , revved up their power play and hit Arizona with a barrage of odd-man rushes .
Their defense closed in around goalie Philipp Grubauer , shut down the Coyotes ’ shooting lanes .
Dominating in all aspects , the Avalanche are now within one win of advancing in the Stanley Cup playoffs .
Nazem Kadri had two goals and an assist , Philipp Grubauer stopped 14 shots and the Avalanche overwhelmed the Coyotes 7-1 Monday to take a 3-1 lead their first-round playoff series .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said .
“ We had some real good individual efforts and guys capitalized on their chances.
” The Avalanche jumped on Arizona after losing 4-2 in Game 3 , scoring three first-period goals , two by Kadri on the power play .
Matt Calvert , Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen each had a goal and an assist .
Matt Nieto and Joonas Donskoi also scored .
Grubauer was sharp after Pavel Francouz started Game 3 .
A complete all-around game in the Edmonton bubble puts Colorado , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western Conference , in position to clinch the series in Game 5 on Wednesday .
“ We had so many chances in Game 3 and obviously couldn ’ t get the puck in the net , ” said Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon , who had two assists .
“ It was nice to see us get that early one and we just kept going from there.
” The Coyotes had numerous defensive breakdowns and took three penalties while falling into the early hole , leaving goalie Darcy Kuemper defenseless .
Kuemper gave up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replaced by Antti Raanta in the third period and Jakob Chychrun scored for the Coyotes , who were held to 15 shots .
Coming off a big win in Game 3 , the Coyotes are now one game from having their playoff bubble popped .
“ I can ’ t tell you one player who played well today .
We were embarrassed , ” Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said .
“ It was men against boys today.
” Arizona played its rope-a-Yote style to near perfection to win Game 3 , absorbing Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opportunities arose .
Kuemper made it work , stopping 49 shots for the second time this postseason , and the Coyotes blocked 27 shots in front of him .
Arizona wanted to be more aggressive offensively , as it was in Game 2 , but Colorado had the game ’ s first six shots and scored late in the first period when a Coyotes turnover led to an odd-man rush .
Nieto scored it by angling his skate to knock the puck past Kuemper on a feed from Calvert .
Colorado kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s third penalty in the opening period .
The Avalanche converted on the power play , going up 2-0 on Kadri ’ s rebound two minutes after Nieto ’ s goal .
Kadri scored again on a power play in the closing seconds of the first period , punching in a rebound after the Coyotes allowed MacKinnon an open rush at Kuemper .
“ It ’ s not good enough to come out like that when it ’ s a 2-1 series , ” Coyotes captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson said .
Donskoi made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on another odd-man rush , one-timing a pass from Andre Burakovsky past Kuemper ’ s glove side .
Arizona finally showed some signs of offensive life , scoring its first power-play goal of the series on a wrist shot by Chychrun from the right circle .
Raanta , who had been out since Game 2 against Nashville , replaced Kuemper to start the third period and gave up a goal 19 seconds in .
Makar , a Calder Trophy finalist , shook defenseman Alex Goligoski with a nifty move and beat Raanta stick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That was an amazing and what made it more amazing was how easy he made it look , ” Nieto said .
The same thing could be said about Colorado ’ s entire roster in Game 4 .
Notes : Colorado C Vladislav Namestnikov missed his second straight game after leaving Game 2 in the second period .
… Arizona leading scorer Nick Schmaltz missed his eighth straight game since suffering a head injury in an exhibition game .
… MacKinnon has a least a point in all seven postseason games ( two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conor Garland , Arizona ’ s leading goal scorer during the regular season , was injured in the first and did not play the final two periods .

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) - The Colorado Avalanche scored three early goals, revved up their power play and hit Arizona with a barrage of odd-man rushes.
Their defense closed in around goalie Philipp Grubauer, shut down the Coyotes’ shooting lanes.
Dominating in all aspects, the Avalanche are now within one win of advancing in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Nazem Kadri had two goals and an assist, Philipp Grubauer stopped 14 shots and the Avalanche overwhelmed the Coyotes 7-1 Monday to take a 3-1 lead their first-round playoff series.
“We had a real good night tonight,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “We had some real good individual efforts and guys capitalized on their chances.”
The Avalanche jumped on Arizona after losing 4-2 in Game 3, scoring three first-period goals, two by Kadri on the power play.
Matt Calvert, Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen each had a goal and an assist. Matt Nieto and Joonas Donskoi also scored. Grubauer was sharp after Pavel Francouz started Game 3.
A complete all-around game in the Edmonton bubble puts Colorado, the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, in position to clinch the series in Game 5 on Wednesday.
“We had so many chances in Game 3 and obviously couldn’t get the puck in the net,” said Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon, who had two assists. “It was nice to see us get that early one and we just kept going from there.”
The Coyotes had numerous defensive breakdowns and took three penalties while falling into the early hole, leaving goalie Darcy Kuemper defenseless.
Kuemper gave up four goals on 22 shots before being replaced by Antti Raanta in the third period and Jakob Chychrun scored for the Coyotes, who were held to 15 shots.
Coming off a big win in Game 3, the Coyotes are now one game from having their playoff bubble popped.
“I can’t tell you one player who played well today. We were embarrassed,” Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said. “It was men against boys today.”
Arizona played its rope-a-Yote style to near perfection to win Game 3, absorbing Colorado’s near-constant pressure and counterattacking when the opportunities arose.
Kuemper made it work, stopping 49 shots for the second time this postseason, and the Coyotes blocked 27 shots in front of him.
Arizona wanted to be more aggressive offensively, as it was in Game 2, but Colorado had the game’s first six shots and scored late in the first period when a Coyotes turnover led to an odd-man rush. Nieto scored it by angling his skate to knock the puck past Kuemper on a feed from Calvert.
Colorado kept up the pressure, leading to Arizona’s third penalty in the opening period. The Avalanche converted on the power play, going up 2-0 on Kadri’s rebound two minutes after Nieto’s goal.
Kadri scored again on a power play in the closing seconds of the first period, punching in a rebound after the Coyotes allowed MacKinnon an open rush at Kuemper.
“It’s not good enough to come out like that when it’s a 2-1 series,” Coyotes captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson said.
Donskoi made it 4-0 midway through the second period on another odd-man rush, one-timing a pass from Andre Burakovsky past Kuemper’s glove side.
Arizona finally showed some signs of offensive life, scoring its first power-play goal of the series on a wrist shot by Chychrun from the right circle.
Raanta, who had been out since Game 2 against Nashville, replaced Kuemper to start the third period and gave up a goal 19 seconds in. Makar, a Calder Trophy finalist, shook defenseman Alex Goligoski with a nifty move and beat Raanta stick side to make it 5-1.
“That was an amazing and what made it more amazing was how easy he made it look,” Nieto said.
The same thing could be said about Colorado’s entire roster in Game 4.
Notes: Colorado C Vladislav Namestnikov missed his second straight game after leaving Game 2 in the second period. … Arizona leading scorer Nick Schmaltz missed his eighth straight game since suffering a head injury in an exhibition game. … MacKinnon has a least a point in all seven postseason games (two goals, seven assists). … Conor Garland, Arizona’s leading goal scorer during the regular season, was injured in the first and did not play the final two periods.
___
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-08-17--Couple charged, accused of harassment toward Black neighbor

Valley Stream , N.Y. ( AP ) - A white man and woman accused of harassing a Black woman who lives next door to them , including throwing feces and firing a pellet gun , were arrested and charged Monday , the Nassau County District Attorney ’ s office said .
District Attorney Madeline Singas said John McEneaney , 57 , and Mindy Canarick , 53 , were charged with misdemeanors in connection to the alleged treatment of their neighbor , Jennifer McLeggan , who moved into her home in April 2017 .
McEneaney was charged with criminal mischief as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a year in jail .
Canarick was charged with criminal tampering and faces up to three months in jail .
Both were arraigned and released on their own recognizance , and are due back in court in October .
Phone numbers for them were not available , and a call to an attorney for McEneaney was not answered .
The judge also handed down an order of protection at the behest of prosecutors .
McLeggan , mother to a toddler , had said her neighbors had been subjecting her to repeated abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had told police , but had gotten no help .
She gained public support last month , after posting a sign to her door saying she was being harassed .
One of her attorneys , Heather Palmore , said the arrests were only the first step in the process , and said they “ were a long time coming.
” She lauded the district attorney ’ s office for investigating and bringing the charges .
“ Anybody who comes to these communities has a right to live there , and has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .

Valley Stream, N.Y. (AP) - A white man and woman accused of harassing a Black woman who lives next door to them, including throwing feces and firing a pellet gun, were arrested and charged Monday, the Nassau County District Attorney’s office said.
District Attorney Madeline Singas said John McEneaney, 57, and Mindy Canarick, 53, were charged with misdemeanors in connection to the alleged treatment of their neighbor, Jennifer McLeggan, who moved into her home in April 2017.
McEneaney was charged with criminal mischief as well as harassment, and faces up to a year in jail. Canarick was charged with criminal tampering and faces up to three months in jail.
Both were arraigned and released on their own recognizance, and are due back in court in October. Phone numbers for them were not available, and a call to an attorney for McEneaney was not answered.
The judge also handed down an order of protection at the behest of prosecutors.
McLeggan, mother to a toddler, had said her neighbors had been subjecting her to repeated abuse since she moved in. She said she had told police, but had gotten no help. She gained public support last month, after posting a sign to her door saying she was being harassed.
One of her attorneys, Heather Palmore, said the arrests were only the first step in the process, and said they “were a long time coming.”
She lauded the district attorney’s office for investigating and bringing the charges.
“Anybody who comes to these communities has a right to live there, and has a right to live free of harassment,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-17--Levar Stoney, Richmond mayor, paid donor Devon Henry to remove statues

RICHMOND , Va. — The mayor of Virginia ’ s capital city agreed to pay $ 1.8 million to a firm linked to a political donor to take down Richmond ’ s Confederate statues last month , according to records .
Documents provided by Mayor Levar Stoney ’ s office after a Freedom of Information Act request showed the city contracted with NAH LLC to remove Richmond ’ s Confederate statues during ongoing civil unrest , the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Monday .
The newspaper reported that the firm , created 10 days before Stoney ordered the statues removed , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Enterprises , a Newport News-based contracting firm owned by Devon Henry , a Stoney donor .
Under an emergency order , Richmond officials , including the director of procurement , said Stoney executed the contract in compliance with state law , even without following procedures outlined under the city ’ s emergency procurement rules .
“ Were it possible to pursue a traditional procurement , the mayor would have done so , but circumstances required him to pursue a different legal avenue and he chose to prioritize protecting lives and property over process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman for the mayor .
“ This decision was fully within his authority , and he stands by it.
” A message left for Henry at his company ’ s Newport News office Monday was not returned , the newspaper said .
Campaign finance records show Henry has given Stoney and his One Richmond political action committee a combined $ 4,000 since 2016 .
A Stoney spokeswoman said those donations did not play a role in the mayor ’ s decision to award Henry ’ s firm the contract .
The city paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin removing the statues , then $ 180,000 per day of work .

RICHMOND, Va. — The mayor of Virginia’s capital city agreed to pay $1.8 million to a firm linked to a political donor to take down Richmond’s Confederate statues last month, according to records.
Documents provided by Mayor Levar Stoney’s office after a Freedom of Information Act request showed the city contracted with NAH LLC to remove Richmond’s Confederate statues during ongoing civil unrest, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Monday.
The newspaper reported that the firm, created 10 days before Stoney ordered the statues removed, is a shell company linked to Team Henry Enterprises, a Newport News-based contracting firm owned by Devon Henry, a Stoney donor.
Under an emergency order, Richmond officials, including the director of procurement, said Stoney executed the contract in compliance with state law, even without following procedures outlined under the city’s emergency procurement rules.
“Were it possible to pursue a traditional procurement, the mayor would have done so, but circumstances required him to pursue a different legal avenue and he chose to prioritize protecting lives and property over process,” said Jim Nolan, a spokesman for the mayor. “This decision was fully within his authority, and he stands by it.”
A message left for Henry at his company’s Newport News office Monday was not returned, the newspaper said.
Campaign finance records show Henry has given Stoney and his One Richmond political action committee a combined $4,000 since 2016.
A Stoney spokeswoman said those donations did not play a role in the mayor’s decision to award Henry’s firm the contract. The city paid NAH LLC $900,000 to mobilize crews to begin removing the statues, then $180,000 per day of work.


washingtontimes--2020-08-18--Judge releases pregnant woman from jail with virus outbreak

CHARLOTTE , N.C. ( AP ) - A federal judge in North Carolina has released an inmate who is eight @ @ @ @ @ that has seen dozens of coronavirus cases .
The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday that the @ @ @ @ @ asked U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler to release her because of an outbreak in the @ @ @ @ @ was among a group of federal inmates who asked the courts to reconsider their detention @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for COVID-19 .
Brittany Cowick left the jail last week and is on @ @ @ @ @ ’ s home in Lenoir .
She still faces trial on drug charges that federal @ @ @ @ @ methamphetamine ring in Burke and Caldwell counties .
“ Obviously you knew what the numbers @ @ @ @ @ ” defense attorney Reggie McKnight told the Observer .
“ I had the obligation to @ @ @ @ @ ’ m glad the courts took the time to hear both sides .
”

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - A federal judge in North Carolina has released an inmate who is eight months pregnant from a jail that has seen dozens of coronavirus cases.
The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday that the woman’s lawyer had asked U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler to release her because of an outbreak in the Mecklenburg County Jail.
Cowick was among a group of federal inmates who asked the courts to reconsider their detention after four dozen Mecklenburg inmates tested positive for COVID-19.
Brittany Cowick left the jail last week and is on house arrest at her mother’s home in Lenoir. She still faces trial on drug charges that federal prosecutors say are connected a methamphetamine ring in Burke and Caldwell counties.
“Obviously you knew what the numbers were in the jail,” defense attorney Reggie McKnight told the Observer. “I had the obligation to make this argument. I’m glad the courts took the time to hear both sides.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-18--Man struck and killed by driver on Milwaukee sidewalk

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - A 14-year-old driver has struck and killed an elderly man on a sidewalk in Milwaukee @ @ @ @ @ It happened Monday afternoon on the city ’ s near south side .
The boy @ @ @ @ @ and then struck the 82-year-old man on the sidewalk .
The Milwaukee man was trapped @ @ @ @ @ to be extricated .
He was taken to a hospital where he died of his @ @ @ @ @ boy and a 25-year-old female passenger .
The case will be referred to the Milwaukee @ @ @ @ @ Office in the coming days .

MILWAUKEE (AP) - A 14-year-old driver has struck and killed an elderly man on a sidewalk in Milwaukee, according to police.
It happened Monday afternoon on the city’s near south side. The boy struck an unoccupied parked vehicle and then struck the 82-year-old man on the sidewalk.
The Milwaukee man was trapped underneath the car and had to be extricated. He was taken to a hospital where he died of his injuries.
Police arrested the boy and a 25-year-old female passenger. The case will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office in the coming days.


washingtontimes--2020-08-18--Bloomberg donates $3M toward new library in hometown

MEDFORD , Mass .
( AP ) - Former New York City Mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg has through his charitable organization donated $ 3 million toward construction of a new public library in his Massachusetts hometown , officials said Tuesday .
The library , scheduled to open next year , will be named the Charlotte and William Bloomberg Medford Public Library in honor of Bloomberg ’ s parents , who lived in the city north of Boston for 65 years , according to a statement from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Medford Public Library Foundation .
The entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his sister , Marjorie Tiven , said in a statement .
“ The Medford Public Library played such a big role in our community , and in my family , when my sister and I were growing up , ” Bloomberg said .
“ Our father was passionate about books and our mother joined one of the library ’ s first reading groups - and she continued returning to the library for clubs and programs throughout her life.
” The new $ 27.5 million building will have double the usable square footage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be fully accessible , energy efficient and have the latest technology .
“ The new library building will serve all of Medford ’ s residents , providing cutting edge technology and access to resources for generations to come , ” Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said .

MEDFORD, Mass. (AP) - Former New York City Mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg has through his charitable organization donated $3 million toward construction of a new public library in his Massachusetts hometown, officials said Tuesday.
The library, scheduled to open next year, will be named the Charlotte and William Bloomberg Medford Public Library in honor of Bloomberg’s parents, who lived in the city north of Boston for 65 years, according to a statement from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Medford Public Library Foundation.
The entire family benefited from the library, Bloomberg and his sister, Marjorie Tiven, said in a statement.
“The Medford Public Library played such a big role in our community, and in my family, when my sister and I were growing up,” Bloomberg said. “Our father was passionate about books and our mother joined one of the library’s first reading groups - and she continued returning to the library for clubs and programs throughout her life.”
The new $27.5 million building will have double the usable square footage of the current 60-year-old library, and will be fully accessible, energy efficient and have the latest technology.
“The new library building will serve all of Medford’s residents, providing cutting edge technology and access to resources for generations to come,” Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-18--Trump campaign ad asks: 'What happened to Joe Biden?'

President Trump ’ s campaign is out with a new digital ad , timed to coincide with the start of the virtual Democratic National Convention , that paints presumptive nominee Joseph R. Biden as confused and stumbling compared to just a few years ago .
The ad , titled “ What Happened to Joe Biden ?
” overlays clips of Mr. Biden speaking in 2015 and 2016 while he was vice president with more recent clips of Mr. Biden looking down at notes , stumbling over his words and appearing to signal to an aide for a prompt .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line of attack that Mr. Biden , 77 , has lost his fastball and can ’ t keep up with the manic energy of Mr. Trump , 74 .
In a recent interview with Black and Latino journalists , Mr. Biden suggested that African Americans aren ’ t as diverse in their thinking as Hispanics — comments he later tried to walk back .
He also asked a Black reporter whether he was a junkie after dismissing the idea of taking a cognitive test .
Mr. Trump has bragged about recently acing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentally and has challenged Mr. Biden to take it .
The Biden campaign said the Trump team is erring by trying to highlight issues of mental acuity .

President Trump’s campaign is out with a new digital ad, timed to coincide with the start of the virtual Democratic National Convention, that paints presumptive nominee Joseph R. Biden as confused and stumbling compared to just a few years ago.
The ad, titled “What Happened to Joe Biden?” overlays clips of Mr. Biden speaking in 2015 and 2016 while he was vice president with more recent clips of Mr. Biden looking down at notes, stumbling over his words and appearing to signal to an aide for a prompt.
The Trump campaign has gone all-in on a line of attack that Mr. Biden, 77, has lost his fastball and can’t keep up with the manic energy of Mr. Trump, 74.
In a recent interview with Black and Latino journalists, Mr. Biden suggested that African Americans aren’t as diverse in their thinking as Hispanics — comments he later tried to walk back.
He also asked a Black reporter whether he was a junkie after dismissing the idea of taking a cognitive test.
Mr. Trump has bragged about recently acing a test that measures whether someone is declining mentally and has challenged Mr. Biden to take it.
The Biden campaign said Mr. Trump is “spectacularly failing every conceivable strategic test” by ramping up talk of mental acuity.
Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates pointed to Mr. Trump’s public musing about injecting disinfectant as a potential cure for COVID-19.
“Trump has even said that we should nuke hurricanes out over the water,” Mr. Bates said. “And if that’s not enough for you, ‘Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV.’ “
That’s a reference to a TV interview where Mr. Trump touted his ability to remember and repeat five consecutive words as part of the cognitive test.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-18--Deputy on leave after video shows him shoving Black man

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - A white Florida sheriff ’ s deputy has been placed on administrative leave after he was caught on camera shoving a handcuffed 19-year-old Black man against a wall outside a fast food restaurant .
In the cellphone video , which was tweeted by Florida-based civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump , Kevin Wygant asserts his First Amendment right to the Palm Beach County deputy , asking , “ I don ’ t have the freedom of speech to you ?
” The deputy , identified by news outlets as Deputy Charles Rhoads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you don ’ t , ” and pushes him face first against a wall and uses an expletive .
A bystander is heard attempting to intervene .
“ Woah .
Woah .
Woah .
What are you doing , bro ?
, ” he said .
The deputy turns and tells them leave before the video stops .
In a tweet , Crump said Wygant witnessed a fight and was only trying to help .
The sheriff ’ s office placed Rhoads on administrative leave .
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradhaw said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an internal affairs investigation .
“ I DO NOT condone this behavior and take this matter very seriously , ” the tweet said .
Wygant was charged with trespassing , but additional details about the arrest have not been provided .

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A white Florida sheriff’s deputy has been placed on administrative leave after he was caught on camera shoving a handcuffed 19-year-old Black man against a wall outside a fast food restaurant.
In the cellphone video, which was tweeted by Florida-based civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, Kevin Wygant asserts his First Amendment right to the Palm Beach County deputy, asking, “I don’t have the freedom of speech to you?”
The deputy, identified by news outlets as Deputy Charles Rhoads, responds, “not to us you don’t,” and pushes him face first against a wall and uses an expletive.
A bystander is heard attempting to intervene. “Woah. Woah. Woah. What are you doing, bro?,” he said. The deputy turns and tells them leave before the video stops.
In a tweet, Crump said Wygant witnessed a fight and was only trying to help.
The sheriff’s office placed Rhoads on administrative leave. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradhaw said on Twitter than he’s ordered an internal affairs investigation. “I DO NOT condone this behavior and take this matter very seriously,” the tweet said.
Wygant was charged with trespassing, but additional details about the arrest have not been provided.


washingtontimes--2020-08-18--High-altitude airships company picks New Mexico for base

RIO RANCHO , N.M. ( AP ) - A technology company aiming to send high-altitude airships above Earth to monitor crops and bring broadband has chosen New Mexico for its U.S. production center , New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Alicia J. Keyes announced Tuesday .
The Switzerland-based Sceye picked the state as its U.S. base for stratospheric flights for earth observation and communication after spending more than $ 50 million in developing and maturing the stratospheric airship and building infrastructure in New Mexico , state officials said .
Under the new plan , the company , founded by global humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation in the state and will create 140 high-paying manufacturing and engineering jobs .
Sceye is working to develop a fleet of airships that could be parked for long periods of time about 65000 feet ( 19,812 meters ) in the air .
Once in the sky , the blimp-like airships could monitor crop conditions , climate change , and human trafficking .
The crafts also may improve communication connections between drones , aircraft , satellites and expand broadband .
Sceye is negotiating a deal to provide better broadband access to the Navajo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexico .
Keyes said Sceye will start with five airships over the state .

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) - A technology company aiming to send up high-altitude airships to monitor crops and bring broadband has chosen New Mexico for its U.S. production center, state Economic Development Secretary Alicia J. Keyes announced Tuesday.
The Switzerland-based Sceye picked the state as its U.S. base for stratospheric flights for earth observation and communication after spending more than $50 million in developing the stratospheric airship and building infrastructure, state officials said.
Officials said the company founded by global humanitarian Mikkel Vestergaard will locate its manufacturing operation in the state and will create 140 high-paying manufacturing and engineering jobs.
The move comes as Sceye works to develop a fleet of airships that could be parked for long periods of time about 65,000 feet (19,812 meters) in the air. Once in the sky, the blimp-like airships would monitor crop conditions, climate change, and human trafficking. The aircraft also may improve communication connections between drones, aircraft, satellites, and expand broadband.
The airships are controlled by pilots on the ground who move them as weather and the Earth’s atmosphere changes.
“New Mexico has been home to many innovative companies and Sceye’s approach to broadband and methane monitoring is game-changing,” Keyes said. “It’s these types of disruptive companies that will drive economic development in the state for years to come.”
At New Mexico’s Spaceport America, a company called SpinLaunch is testing technology that would launch satellites into orbit with kinetic energy. Virgin Galactic has 150 employees in the state as it prepares for commercial space flights.
While preparing for more airship flights, Sceye is negotiating a deal to provide broadband access to the Navajo Nation and other underserved areas.
Keyes said for years the state has struggled with building an infrastructure on the ground to bring broadband to rural areas. “This could eliminate that problem,” she said.
“The (COVID-19) emergency has amplified the need for universal access to the advantage of a networked world,” Vestergaard said in a statement. “There is a massive gap between the connected and unconnected.”
Keyes said Sceye will start with five airships and could expand to other areas of the country.
In January 2019, Vestergaard, former CEO of global public health companies Vestergaard and LifeStraw, stepped down from those companies to exclusively focus on Sceye’s expansion. Sceye was founded in 2014.
In recent years, the company has conducted research and development of its technology at Roswell and Moriarty, New Mexico, airports.
Last year, the state gave the company a $2 million loan to help it to rebuild following a windstorm that caused extensive damage to its hangar and airship.


washingtontimes--2020-08-18--Teen drowns after rescuing children from Clearwater Lake

BAGLEY , Minn. ( AP ) - An 18-year-old woman has drowned in a northwestern Minnesota lake after pulling several @ @ @ @ @ according to authorities .
Witnesses told deputies a group of children had been swimming in @ @ @ @ @ when some of them were caught up in the churning water that was coming over @ @ @ @ @ level at the dam was considerably higher due to the large amount of rain recently @ @ @ @ @ When the first deputy arrived , an 8-year-old girl had been pulled from the water @ @ @ @ @ Bystanders at the scene performed life saving measures and were able to resuscitate her , @ @ @ @ @ also attempting to revive the woman before paramedics arrived , but she was unresponsive .
@ @ @ @ @ had pulled several children out of the water before she went under .

BAGLEY, Minn. (AP) - An 18-year-old woman drowned after pulling several children from turbulent river water below a dam in northwestern Minnesota, authorities said.
The teen and about seven children related to her were sliding over a rushing dam that separates Clearwater Lake and Clearwater River and got caught up in the churning water, according to the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office.
“They use it as a big waterslide,” Sheriff Darin Halverson said Tuesday. “Kids like to do that. … They use tubes or whatever. Lots of times they go over on their own.”
The young woman pulled several of the youngsters to safety before she went under, witnesses told authorities.
“We probably would have had multiple fatalities,” Halverson told the Star Tribune. “The water is just churning under the dam. … She did her part and saved who she could.”
When the first deputy arrived at the scene in Sinclair Township, an 8-year-old girl had been pulled from the water and initially was unresponsive. Bystanders performed life-saving measures and were able to resuscitate her, KVLY-TV reported.
Bystanders were attempting to revive the woman before paramedics arrived, but she was unresponsive.
Halverson said there are signs at the dam warning people to stay away. The water level was high due to a large amount of recent rain, he said.
“When the water level is lower, it’s not as dangerous,” the sheriff said. ”But it’s always dangerous when you are dealing with a dam.”
The water on both sides of the dam are not to be used for swimming, fishing or thrill-seeking, he said.
___
This story has been corrected to change the source from KSFY-TV to KVLY-TV.


washingtontimes--2020-08-18--Drug treatment firm co-founder sentenced for fraud scheme

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) - A New Jersey man who co-founded a Pennsylvania-based drug rehabilitation firm that made millions through @ @ @ @ @ been sentenced to three years in federal prison and must pay more than $ 9 @ @ @ @ @ Gerner , 46 , of Shamong , will also forfeit $ 444,983 and must serve @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s freed from prison under the sentence imposed Monday .
He had pleaded @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering .
Gerner , who @ @ @ @ @ , helped launch the now-defunct Liberation Way in 2015 .
Authorities have said the firm @ @ @ @ @ cycle of ineffective treatment .
Gerner admitted accepting kickbacks from lab operators and illegally buying @ @ @ @ @ so the firm could profit from frequent , medically unnecessary , and expensive drug screenings @

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A New Jersey man who co-founded a Pennsylvania-based drug rehabilitation firm that made millions through a wide-ranging fraud scheme has been sentenced to three years in federal prison and must pay more than $9 million in restitution.
Jason Gerner, 46, of Shamong, will also forfeit $444,983 and must serve three years of probation once he’s freed from prison under the sentence imposed Monday. He had pleaded guilty in August 2019 to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Gerner, who overcame a longtime painkiller addiction, helped launch the now-defunct Liberation Way in 2015. Authorities have said the firm lured vulnerable patients into a cycle of ineffective treatment.
Gerner admitted accepting kickbacks from lab operators and illegally buying insurance for dozens of patients so the firm could profit from frequent, medically unnecessary, and expensive drug screenings.


washingtontimes--2020-08-18--Police: Juvenile has died following car chase with deputy

WINSTON-SALEM , N.C. ( AP ) - Police in North Carolina say that a juvenile has died following a chase @ @ @ @ @ deputy .
The Winston-Salem Journal reports that the crash occurred early Tuesday morning .
Police @ @ @ @ @ ’ s deputies were pursuing a 2003 Chevrolet when the car ran off the road @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said that one passenger in the car was pronounced dead at the scene @ @ @ @ @ name was not released .
Three other people were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening @ @ @ @ @ Police said the injured included the driver of the car , who is a juvenile @ @ @ @ @ 18-year-old and a 21-year-old .

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) - Police in North Carolina say that a juvenile has died following a chase with a sheriff’s deputy.
The Winston-Salem Journal reports that the crash occurred early Tuesday morning.
Police said that Forsyth County Sheriff’s deputies were pursuing a 2003 Chevrolet when the car ran off the road and hit a utility pole.
Police said that one passenger in the car was pronounced dead at the scene. The person’s name was not released.
Three other people were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Police said the injured included the driver of the car, who is a juvenile, as well as an 18-year-old and a 21-year-old.


washingtontimes--2020-08-18--Kansas City man charged in Sunday shooting death of wife

INDEPENDENCE , Mo .
( AP ) - A man has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death @ @ @ @ @ Kansas City suburb of Independence .
The shooting happened Sunday , when Larnell McDonald , @ @ @ @ @ said he needed police , the Kansas City Star reported .
Arriving officers found his @ @ @ @ @ , in a bedroom in the home , dead from a gunshot wound .
Police @ @ @ @ @ he was holding a gun while he and his estranged wife were arguing and that @ @ @ @ @ off.
” Prosecutors charged him Monday with murder and armed criminal action .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ 150,000 bond .

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (AP) - A man has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of his wife in the Kansas City suburb of Independence.
The shooting happened Sunday, when Larnell McDonald, 63, called 911 and said he needed police, the Kansas City Star reported.
Arriving officers found his wife, 44-year-old Kimah McDonald, in a bedroom in the home, dead from a gunshot wound. Police said Larnell McDonald told officers he was holding a gun while he and his estranged wife were arguing and that the gun “just went off.”
Prosecutors charged him Monday with murder and armed criminal action. He’s being held on $150,000 bond.


washingtontimes--2020-08-18--Gaza's power plant shuts down amid Israel-Hamas standoff

GAZA CITY , Gaza Strip ( AP ) - Gaza ’ s sole power plant shut down on Tuesday , leaving the territory ’ s 2 million residents with only around four hours of electricity a day after Israel cut off fuel supplies in response to incendiary balloons launched by Palestinian militants .
Tensions have risen in recent weeks between Israel and Hamas , the Islamic militant group that has ruled Gaza since 2007 .
The balloons , launched across the frontier by Hamas-affiliated groups , have set farmland ablaze , prompting retaliatory strikes by Israel .
Hamas is demanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Israel take steps to further ease a crippling blockade it imposed when the militants seized control from rival Palestinian forces in 2007 .
Instead , Israel has tightened the blockade in response to the attacks , closing the main commercial crossing into the coastal territory and barring fishermen from taking to the sea .
The closure of the power plant further reduces the supply of electricity in the territory , which was already experiencing frequent , widespread blackouts at the height of the scorching summer .
Power lines running from Israel provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day for most households .
“ Many services are threatened with collapse if this crisis continues , ” said Mohammed Thabet , a spokesman for Gaza ’ s power distribution company .
He called on Israel to allow to allow the resumption of fuel deliveries paid for by Qatar .
The Health Ministry meanwhile warned of “ dangerous consequences ” for patients in the territory ’ s intensive care units .
Hamas says Israel is not honoring previous understandings reached with the help of Egypt and Qatar , in which Israel would ease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help rescue the collapsing economy .
On Monday , Egyptian mediators were in Gaza in an effort to reduce tensions and prevent another large-scale conflict between Israel and Hamas , which have fought three wars and several smaller battles since 2007 .
They departed without announcing any agreement .

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Gaza’s sole power plant shut down Tuesday, leaving the territory’s 2 million residents with only around four hours of electricity a day after Israel cut off fuel supplies in response to incendiary balloons launched by Palestinian militants.
Tensions have risen in recent weeks between Israel and Hamas, the Islamic militant group that has ruled Gaza since 2007. The balloons, launched across the frontier by Hamas-affiliated groups, have set farmland ablaze, prompting retaliatory strikes by Israel.
On Tuesday evening, Palestinian militants launched a rocket from the Gaza Strip toward Israeli territory, the Israeli military said. There were no reports of casualties or damage.
In response, the army said it bombed Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, including “a military compound belonging to one of the special arrays” belonging to the militant group.
Hamas is demanding, through Egyptian and Qatari mediators, that Israel take steps to further ease a crippling blockade it imposed when the militants seized control from rival Palestinian forces in 2007.
Instead, Israel has tightened the blockade in response to the attacks, closing the main commercial crossing into the coastal territory and barring fishermen from taking to the sea.
The closure of the power plant further reduces the supply of electricity in the territory, which was already experiencing frequent, widespread blackouts at the height of the scorching summer. Power lines running from Israel provide three to four hours of electricity a day for most households.
“Many services are threatened with collapse if this crisis continues,” said Mohammed Thabet, a spokesman for Gaza’s power distribution company. He called on Israel to allow to allow the resumption of fuel deliveries paid for by Qatar.
The Health Ministry meanwhile warned of “dangerous consequences” for patients in the territory’s intensive care units.
Hamas says Israel is not honoring previous understandings reached with the help of Egypt and Qatar, in which Israel would ease the blockade and allow for large-scale projects to help rescue the collapsing economy.
On Monday, Egyptian mediators were in Gaza in an effort to reduce tensions and prevent another large-scale conflict between Israel and Hamas, which have fought three wars and several smaller battles since 2007. They departed without announcing any agreement.


washingtontimes--2020-08-18--US home construction surges 22.6%, third monthly increase

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Construction of new U.S. homes surged 22.6 % last month as homebuilders bounced back from @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
The Commerce Department reported Tuesday that new homes were started an annual @ @ @ @ @ in July , highest since February and well above what economists were expecting .
Housing @ @ @ @ @ straight months after plunging in March and April as the virus outbreak paralyzed the American @ @ @ @ @ s pace of construction was 23.4 % above July 2019 ’ s .
Construction of @ @ @ @ @ % from June .
Construction of apartments and condominiums soared 56.7 % .
Housing construction @ @ @ @ @ the Northeast , 5.8 % in the Midwest , 33.2 % in the South and @ @ @ @ @ .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Construction of new U.S. homes surged 22.6% last month as homebuilders bounced back from a lull induced by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Commerce Department reported Tuesday that new homes were started an annual pace of nearly 1.5 million in July, highest since February and well above what economists were expecting. Housing starts have now risen three straight months after plunging in March and April as the virus outbreak paralyzed the American economy. Last month’s pace of construction was 23.4% above July 2019’s.
“U.S. housing starts blew the roof off of expectations in July … …. these are the kind of gains seen after storms/hurricanes,” Jennifer Lee, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, wrote in a research note. Strong demand and limited supply drove builders to break ground.
The big gains came from the construction of apartments and condominiums, which soared 56.7%. But single-family home construction ticked up, too, by 8.2%.
Construction rose all over - 35.3% in the Northeast, 33.2% in the South, 5.8% in both the Midwest and the West.
Applications for building permits, a good indication of future activity, jumped 18.8% from June to an annual rate of 1.5 million, highest since January and up 9.4% from July 2019.
The National Association of Home Builders reported Monday that builders’ confidence this month matched the record high first reached in December 1998. “Strong demand and a record level of homebuilder confidence will support housing starts in the second half of 2020,” economists Nancy Vanden Houten and Gregory Daco of Oxford Economics wrote.
But they warned that Congress’ failure to approve another rescue package could take a toll on the economy. “The still-widespread coronavirus and an economy struggling to recover without fiscal support may limit the upside” for the housing industry, they wrote.