washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Lebanese general was in Syria over missing American reporter

BEIRUT ( AP ) - A top Lebanese security official said Saturday that he visited Syria for two days to speak with officials there about American journalist Austin Tice , who has been missing in the war-torn country since 2012 .
Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim did not give further details in an interview with the local Al-Jadeed television channel , but his comments came two weeks after his return from Washington where he is believed to have discussed Tice ’ s case with U.S. officials .
“ After my visit to Washington , I went to Syria for two days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will continue , ” Ibrahim said , referring to Tice ’ s disappearance .
Tice , of Houston , Texas , disappeared at a checkpoint in the contested western Damascus suburb of Daraya on Aug. 14 , 2012 .
A video released a month later showed him blindfolded and held by armed men .
He has not been heard from since .
Tice is a former U.S. Marine who has reported for The Washington Post , McClatchy Newspapers , CBS and other outlets , and disappeared shortly after his 31st birthday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar reported Saturday that the U.S. Congress could impose sanctions on him , under a new bill being considered .
Ibrahim in recent years has helped to facilitate the release of a U.S. citizen held in Syria , and a Lebanese-American who was held in Iran .
The U.S. has imposed sanctions in recent months on Lebanese politicians including allies of the militant Hezbollah group .
Washington has listed Hezbollah as a terrorist organization since 1997 and sees the group as a proxy for its archenemy Iran in the region .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t stop him from working on Tice ’ s case .
“ I have promised Austin Tice ’ s mother whom I met in Washington and speak with her by telephone on a daily basis that neither sanctions nor anything else will affect work over the case of her son , ” he added .
In late October , Trump administration officials said that Kash Patel , a deputy assistant to President Donald Trump , made an unusual , secret visit to Syria for high-level talks aimed at securing the release of Tice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 62-year-old clinical psychologist from Virginia , who disappeared in 2017 and is believed to be held in a Syrian government prison .
The Syrian government has not publicly acknowledged knowing anything about his whereabouts .
U.S. envoy to Syria James Jeffrey , who resigned from his post earlier this month , said that Tice is believed to be alive and held hostage in Syria .
He didn ’ t say why officials believe this or who might be holding him .

BEIRUT (AP) - A top Lebanese security official said Saturday that he visited Syria for two days to speak with officials there about American journalist Austin Tice, who has been missing in the war-torn country since 2012.
Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim did not give further details in an interview with the local Al-Jadeed television channel, but his comments came two weeks after his return from Washington where he is believed to have discussed Tice’s case with U.S. officials.
“After my visit to Washington, I went to Syria for two days and discussions over this matter are continuing and will continue,” Ibrahim said, referring to Tice’s disappearance.
Tice, of Houston, Texas, disappeared at a checkpoint in the contested western Damascus suburb of Daraya on Aug. 14, 2012. A video released a month later showed him blindfolded and held by armed men. He has not been heard from since.
Tice is a former U.S. Marine who has reported for The Washington Post, McClatchy Newspapers, CBS and other outlets, and disappeared shortly after his 31st birthday.
Ibrahim’s comments came as the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar reported Saturday that the U.S. Congress could impose sanctions on him, under a new bill being considered. Ibrahim in recent years has helped to facilitate the release of a U.S. citizen held in Syria, and a Lebanese-American who was held in Iran.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions in recent months on Lebanese politicians including allies of the militant Hezbollah group. Washington has listed Hezbollah as a terrorist organization since 1997 and sees the group as a proxy for its archenemy Iran in the region.
Ibrahim said that U.S. sanctions wouldn’t stop him from working on Tice’s case.
“I have promised Austin Tice’s mother whom I met in Washington and speak with her by telephone on a daily basis that neither sanctions nor anything else will affect work over the case of her son,” he added.
In late October, Trump administration officials said that Kash Patel, a deputy assistant to President Donald Trump, made an unusual, secret visit to Syria for high-level talks aimed at securing the release of Tice and U.S. citizen Majd Kamalmaz, a 62-year-old clinical psychologist from Virginia, who disappeared in 2017 and is believed to be held in a Syrian government prison.
The Syrian government has not publicly acknowledged knowing anything about his whereabouts.
U.S. envoy to Syria James Jeffrey, who resigned from his post earlier this month, said that Tice is believed to be alive and held hostage in Syria. He didn’t say why officials believe this or who might be holding him.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Gucci, Gus Van Sant challenge fashion cycle with film collab

MILAN ( AP ) - Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele has been looking to transcend the runway show , and the coronavirus pandemic has provided an apt moment .
Michele teamed up with American film director Gus Van Sant to create a seven-part miniseries revealing Gucci ’ s latest collection , titled “ Ouverture.
” The videos will be trickled out a day at a time starting Monday in the format of a virtual film festival and following the addictive pattern of streaming services .
Film and fashion have a long relationship , and Gucci is not the first fashion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even during the pandemic .
Ferragamo presented a film by Luca Guadagnino , the Italian director of “ Call Me By Your Name ” as the backdrop to its live show in September , while another Italian , Matteo Garrone created a film for Dior ’ s digital couture presentation in Paris in July .
Prada commissioned five international video artists for its presentation in July .
What perhaps makes GucciFest unveil unique is its episodic format .
Michele announced in May that he was breaking with the tradition of the four-times-a-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional destination cruise show .
Gucci will now roll out largely seasonless collections in November and April .
It ’ s hard to say what he might have done if the pandemic hadn ’ t in some ways made a virtual presentation a necessity - especially as the virus makes a resurgence .
But Michele ’ s notion of how to present fashion has been in evolution since he took over the brand six years ago .
“ It has been in the air for many years , the need to follow a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I like experiments , ’ ’ Michele said .
While the pandemic did not condition the project , “ for me it created a speedier reaction.
” A film buff since childhood , Michele said he was discussing another project with Van Sant before the pandemic and proposed the miniseries project just a month ago .
Van Sant traveled to Rome , where he filmed part of “ My Private Idaho ” 30 years ago , to shoot on location .
“ It was a spontaneous idea to make something within just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that exciting and challenging , like something I had done before , ’ ’ the director said , recalling his work on “ Gerry , ” “ Elephant ” and “ Last Days , ” which he said were filmed on tight schedules with loose screenplays .
Michele said the project was more a collaboration than a commission .
“ I felt neither invaded , nor invasive , ’ ’ the creative director said .
The film series follows days in the life of a woman , played by Italian actress Silvia Calderoni @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move dreamily through a rarified Roman landscape , from her shabby chic apartment to a theater , café and vintage shop .
She is joined by Gucci models with cameos by friends of Michele ‘ s , including Billie Eilish , Florence Welch and Harry Styles , all wearing Gucci looks that will be in stores starting next spring .
“ There is a cinematic fusing with commerce , ’ ’ Van Sant said .
The format allows all fashionistas a coveted front-row seat , removing some of the exclusivity of the runway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see clothes in real-life , if perhaps surreal , situations .
Michele said the garments were “ freed from their traps , ” the idea that luxury brands like Gucci belong out of reach , only in certain boutiques or closets .
In the videos , branding is highlighted , and thought is given to the experience of the garments : Calderoni stretches in a sheer lace pajama , a diaphanous dress is set aloft from a balcony , and pearl beads rustle on a skirt fringe .
“ The combination of cinema @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of potential , as cinema starts to get sucked into the computer screen , ’ ’ Van Sant said .

MILAN (AP) - Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele has been looking to transcend the runway show, and the coronavirus pandemic has provided an apt moment.
Michele teamed up with American film director Gus Van Sant to create a seven-part miniseries revealing Gucci’s latest collection, titled “Ouverture.” The videos will be trickled out a day at a time starting Monday in the format of a virtual film festival and following the addictive pattern of streaming services.
Film and fashion have a long relationship, and Gucci is not the first fashion house to team up with a filmmaker, even during the pandemic. Ferragamo presented a film by Luca Guadagnino, the Italian director of “Call Me By Your Name” as the backdrop to its live show in September, while another Italian, Matteo Garrone created a film for Dior’s digital couture presentation in Paris in July. Prada commissioned five international video artists for its presentation in July.
What perhaps makes GucciFest unveil unique is its episodic format.
Michele announced in May that he was breaking with the tradition of the four-times-a-year runway show, often punctuated with an additional destination cruise show. Gucci will now roll out largely seasonless collections in November and April. It’s hard to say what he might have done if the pandemic hadn’t in some ways made a virtual presentation a necessity - especially as the virus makes a resurgence.
But Michele’s notion of how to present fashion has been in evolution since he took over the brand six years ago.
“It has been in the air for many years, the need to follow a new narrative and a new communication. I like experiments,’’ Michele said. While the pandemic did not condition the project, “for me it created a speedier reaction.”
A film buff since childhood, Michele said he was discussing another project with Van Sant before the pandemic and proposed the miniseries project just a month ago. Van Sant traveled to Rome, where he filmed part of “My Private Idaho” 30 years ago, to shoot on location.
“It was a spontaneous idea to make something within just a few weeks. I sort of found that exciting and challenging, like something I had done before,’’ the director said, recalling his work on “Gerry,” “Elephant” and “Last Days,” which he said were filmed on tight schedules with loose screenplays.
Michele said the project was more a collaboration than a commission. “I felt neither invaded, nor invasive,’’ the creative director said.
The film series follows days in the life of a woman, played by Italian actress Silvia Calderoni, as she and her Gucci tribe move dreamily through a rarified Roman landscape, from her shabby chic apartment to a theater, café and vintage shop. She is joined by Gucci models with cameos by friends of Michele’s, including Billie Eilish, Florence Welch and Harry Styles, all wearing Gucci looks that will be in stores starting next spring.
“There is a cinematic fusing with commerce,’’ Van Sant said.
The format allows all fashionistas a coveted front-row seat, removing some of the exclusivity of the runway show. Customers will be able to see clothes in real-life, if perhaps surreal, situations. Michele said the garments were “freed from their traps,” the idea that luxury brands like Gucci belong out of reach, only in certain boutiques or closets.
In the videos, branding is highlighted, and thought is given to the experience of the garments: Calderoni stretches in a sheer lace pajama, a diaphanous dress is set aloft from a balcony, and pearl beads rustle on a skirt fringe.
“The combination of cinema with exposing fashion ideas has a lot of potential, as cinema starts to get sucked into the computer screen,’’ Van Sant said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Thousands of invasive pythons removed from Everglades

FORT MYERS , Fla.. ( AP ) - Less than a year after two state agencies decided to combine forces and remove invasive snakes from the Everglades , contractors caught a record number of Burmese pythons .
The News-Press reported that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Southwest Florida Water Management District removed nearly 2,000 invasive pythons in the first eight months of 2020 , surpassing 2019 totals .
As of mid-October , the teams removed nearly 4,000 snakes bringing the total snakes removed since the program ’ s inception in 2017 to 6,278 .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way , I just want to point out that there ’ s that many snakes , ” said FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton , during a recent meeting .
Invasive Burmese pythons pose a great risk for small mammal populations in the Everglades .
The snakes pose a huge risk to the overall ecology of the Everglades , experts say .
Researchers concluded that of the total number of marsh rabbits tracked for the experiment , 77 % were killed by pythons .
Breeders and owners introduced pythons to the Everglades by dumping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Female Burmese pythons can carry between 50-100 eggs .

FORT MYERS, Fla.. (AP) - Less than a year after two state agencies decided to combine forces and remove invasive snakes from the Everglades, contractors caught a record number of Burmese pythons.
The News-Press reported that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Southwest Florida Water Management District removed nearly 2,000 invasive pythons in the first eight months of 2020, surpassing 2019 totals. As of mid-October, the teams removed nearly 4,000 snakes bringing the total snakes removed since the program’s inception in 2017 to 6,278.
“That’s also bad news by the way, I just want to point out that there’s that many snakes,” said FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton, during a recent meeting.
Invasive Burmese pythons pose a great risk for small mammal populations in the Everglades. The snakes pose a huge risk to the overall ecology of the Everglades, experts say. Researchers concluded that of the total number of marsh rabbits tracked for the experiment, 77% were killed by pythons.
Breeders and owners introduced pythons to the Everglades by dumping the unwanted snakes into the wild. Female Burmese pythons can carry between 50-100 eggs.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Illinois awards $112M to boost downstate transit projects

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - State transportation officials have awarded $ 112 million to boost transit projects in Illinois ’ downstate communities ranging from construction of new bus shelters to new maintenance buildings .
The grants announced Friday by the Illinois Department of Transportation for 31 downstate transit providers are part of Gov .
JB Pritzker ’ s Rebuild Illinois capital program .
The largest single grant is $ 16.7 million for the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District , which will use the funding to improve existing buildings that house the district ’ s maintenance and operations functions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the 30 other entities will go toward the purchase of new vehicles , the construction of new bus shelters , bus stations and maintenance facilities , Acting Transportation Secretary Omer Osman said .
“ Transit in our downstate communities can be a lifeline for getting to work or school , a doctor ’ s appointment or a trip to the grocery store , ” Osman said in a statement .
About $ 87 million of the funding is going for projects in urban areas , with another $ 25 million benefitting rural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed last year , makes a total of $ 33.2 billion available over six years to boost the state ’ s aging transportation system while creating jobs and promoting economic growth .

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - State transportation officials have awarded $112 million to boost transit projects in Illinois’ downstate communities ranging from construction of new bus shelters to new maintenance buildings.
The grants announced Friday by the Illinois Department of Transportation for 31 downstate transit providers are part of Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program.
The largest single grant is $16.7 million for the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District, which will use the funding to improve existing buildings that house the district’s maintenance and operations functions, and for other improvements.
Funding for the 30 other entities will go toward the purchase of new vehicles, the construction of new bus shelters, bus stations and maintenance facilities, Acting Transportation Secretary Omer Osman said.
“Transit in our downstate communities can be a lifeline for getting to work or school, a doctor’s appointment or a trip to the grocery store,” Osman said in a statement.
About $87 million of the funding is going for projects in urban areas, with another $25 million benefitting rural recipients.
The Rebuild Illinois program, passed last year, makes a total of $33.2 billion available over six years to boost the state’s aging transportation system while creating jobs and promoting economic growth.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Shipyard, union are getting back on same page after strike

BATH , Maine ( AP ) - Months after bitter strike during a pandemic , Bath Iron Works managers and production workers are starting to get on the same page when it comes to catching up on the production schedule .
Machinists Union Local S6 and shipyard managers have been meeting with help from a federal mediator since the two-month strike ended in August .
The result is a number of agreements , “ substantial progress ” on grievances and many new ideas for operational improvements going forward , said Martin Callaghan of the federal mediation service .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these critical collaborative efforts .
They are clearly beginning to make a difference , ” he wrote in a memo .
The shipbuilder , a subsidiary of General Dynamics , contended during the strike that changes were necessary after falling six months to a year behind on construction of Navy destroyers .
The delays likely knocked the shipyard out of contention for a lucrative contract to build a new class of frigates , officials said .
Bath Iron Works President Dirk Lesko said Friday that he expects the federally mediated discussions to yield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the shipyard and union embark on a three-year plan to get caught up .
“ The committee is working well and together we are making significant progress with the help of the FMCS , ” he said , referring to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service .
George Edwards , an district official with the Machinists Union , agreed that things are improving .
“ The parties are working together and trying to move on .
I ’ m not going to say its 100 % mended .
But they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Bath Iron Works is one of the Navy ’ s largest shipbuilders , and it ’ s a major employer with 6,800 workers in Maine .
It ’ s one of two shipyards that build destroyers , the workhorse of the Navy fleet , which have the ability to provide air defense while simultaneously waging war against submarines and surface warships .
Matthew Caris , a defense analyst with Avascent , said the shipyard is “ going to have to dig itself out of a hole.
” And that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multi-ship procurement of Navy destroyers is looming on the horizon .
Bath Iron Works will be competing against the Ingalls shipyard in Mississippi on that contract .
“ Bath doesn ’ t have a lot of time to get its house in order relative to that next major award , ” Caris said .
One of the shipyard ’ s challenges is its graying workforce .
The company is hiring at a furious pace to replace retiring shipbuilders with 300 new mechanics hired since August and 600 more currently going through the hiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are providing comprehensive training so that our new employees can contribute immediately , but it can take up to five years for a mechanic to gain the experience necessary to be fully proficient , ” he said .
There was one bit of recent good news for the shipyard .
Bath Iron Works fared better than Pascagoula , Mississippi-based Ingalls Shipbuilding , its chief competitor , in a report by naval inspectors on acceptance trials for new warships .
The Bath-built Thomas Hudner in 2019 scored the highest of any destroyer in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Survey , outperforming the Ingalls shipyard , the report said .

BATH, Maine (AP) - Months after a bitter strike during a pandemic, Bath Iron Works managers and production workers are starting to get on the same page when it comes to catching up on the production schedule.
Machinists Union Local S6 and shipyard managers have been meeting with help from a federal mediator since the two-month strike ended in August.
The result is a number of agreements, “substantial progress” on grievances and many new ideas for operational improvements going forward, said Martin Callaghan of the federal mediation service.
“I commend you all for your support of these critical collaborative efforts. They are clearly beginning to make a difference,” he wrote in a memo.
The shipbuilder, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, contended during the strike that changes were necessary after falling six months to a year behind on construction of Navy destroyers.
The delays likely knocked the shipyard out of contention for a lucrative contract to build a new class of frigates, officials said.
Bath Iron Works President Dirk Lesko said Friday that he expects the federally mediated discussions to yield positive results by year’s end, as the shipyard and union embark on a three-year plan to get caught up.
“The committee is working well and together we are making significant progress with the help of the FMCS,” he said, referring to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
George Edwards, an district official with the Machinists Union, agreed that things are improving. “The parties are working together and trying to move on. I’m not going to say its 100% mended. But they’re heading in the right direction,” he said.
Bath Iron Works is one of the Navy’s largest shipbuilders and is a major employer with 6,800 workers in Maine.
It’s one of two shipyards that build destroyers, the workhorse of the Navy fleet, which have the ability to provide air defense while simultaneously waging war against submarines and surface warships.
Matthew Caris, a defense analyst with Avascent, said the shipyard is “going to have to dig itself out of a hole.” And that needs to happen fast because an upcoming multi-ship procurement of Navy destroyers is looming on the horizon. Bath Iron Works will be competing against the Ingalls shipyard in Mississippi on that contract.
“Bath doesn’t have a lot of time to get its house in order relative to that next major award,” Caris said.
One of the shipyard’s challenges is its graying workforce. The company is hiring at a furious pace to replace retiring shipbuilders with 300 new mechanics hired since August and 600 more currently going through the hiring process, Lesko said.
“We are providing comprehensive training so that our new employees can contribute immediately, but it can take up to five years for a mechanic to gain the experience necessary to be fully proficient,” he said.
There was one bit of recent good news for the shipyard.
Bath Iron Works fared better than Pascagoula, Mississippi-based Ingalls Shipbuilding, its chief competitor, in a report earlier this year by naval inspectors on acceptance trials for new warships.
The Bath-built Thomas Hudner in 2019 scored the highest in the program history, outperforming a destroyer from the Ingalls shipyard, according the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Retiring justice says Supreme Court service was a 'blessing'

LANSING , Mich. ( AP ) - Stephen Markman has heard his last round of cases after 21 years as a justice on the Michigan Supreme Court .
Markman , 71 , is retiring but can still participate in opinions and orders through December .
Before the court heard five cases Thursday , Chief Justice Bridget McCormack recognized Markman ’ s tenure as a judge at the Supreme Court and the Michigan appeals court as well as U.S. attorney in Detroit and deputy attorney general in Washington .
“ I know very few people who have had such a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Markman , ” McCormack said .
Markman said it ’ s “ been a blessing ” to serve on the Supreme Court .
He was appointed in 1999 by Republican Gov .
John Engler and subsequently elected and reelected .
For years , he was part of a powerful conservative majority that said appellate courts should interpret the law , not make it .
In October , Markman wrote the 4-3 opinion that struck down Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s executive orders related to the coronavirus .
The court said Whitmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unconstitutional .
Many orders have been reinstated under different laws .

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Stephen Markman has heard his last round of cases after 21 years as a justice on the Michigan Supreme Court.
Markman, 71, is retiring but can still participate in opinions and orders through December. Judges can’t run for election when they reach 70.
Before the court heard five cases Thursday, Chief Justice Bridget McCormack recognized Markman’s tenure as a judge at the Supreme Court and the Michigan appeals court as well as U.S. attorney in Detroit and deputy attorney general in Washington.
“I know very few people who have had such a long and committed career to public service as Justice Markman,” McCormack said.
Markman said it’s “been a blessing” to serve on the Supreme Court.
He was appointed in 1999 by Republican Gov. John Engler and subsequently elected and reelected. For years, he was part of a powerful conservative majority that said appellate courts should interpret the law, not make it.
In October, Markman wrote the 4-3 opinion that struck down Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders related to the coronavirus. The court said Whitmer was drawing power from a law that was unconstitutional. Many orders have been reinstated under different laws.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Curtis Flowers defense team receives human rights award

OXFORD , Miss .
( AP ) - A human rights award has been presented to the defense team for a Mississippi man who was freed from prison in December after more than 20 years and this year had all charges dropped against him .
The Curtis Flowers defense team , which includes the George C. Cochran Innocence Project at the University of Mississippi , won the 2020 Frederick Douglass Human Rights Award , The Southern Center for Human Rights announced Friday .
Flowers was convicted multiple times in a slaying and robbery at a small-town furniture store in 1996 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most recent conviction in June 2019 , citing racial bias in jury selection .
The award was presented online at the 24th Annual Frederick Douglass Awards ceremony , which featured remarks from members of the defense team and from Flowers .
“ I will never forget the day the judge granted bail and I walked out of jail , ” Flowers said , according to a University of Mississippi news release .
“ I will never forget the day , some months later , when my lawyers told me and my family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I was truly a free man again.
” Four people were shot to death on July 16 , 1996 , in the Tardy Furniture store in Winona .
Flowers was convicted four times in the slayings : twice for individual slayings and twice for all four killings .
Two other trials involving all four deaths ended in mistrials .
Each of Flowers ’ convictions was overturned .
In June 2019 , the U.S. Supreme Court tossed out the conviction and death sentence from Flowers ’ sixth trial , which took place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unconstitutional pattern of excluding African American jurors in the trials of Flowers , who is Black .
The Supreme Court ruling came after American Public Media ’ s “ In the Dark ” investigated the case .
The Frederick Douglass Human Rights Award recognizes people and organizations that have made significant contributions to the enhancement of human rights in the justice system , said Sara Tonochi , SCHR executive director .
“ With this award , SCHR honors their bold advocacy , unshakable commitment to speaking truth to power and the palpable compassion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would discard , ” Tonochi said of Flowers ’ defense team .
Previous honorees include U.S. Rep. John Lewis , the Rev .
Joseph E. Lowery and Bryan Stevenson , executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of “ Just Mercy : A Story of Justice and Redemption .
”

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - A human rights award has been presented to the defense team for a Mississippi man who was freed from prison in December after more than 20 years and this year had all charges dropped against him.
The Curtis Flowers defense team, which includes the George C. Cochran Innocence Project at the University of Mississippi, won the 2020 Frederick Douglass Human Rights Award, The Southern Center for Human Rights announced Friday.
Flowers was convicted multiple times in a slaying and robbery at a small-town furniture store in 1996. The U.S. Supreme Court threw out the most recent conviction in June 2019, citing racial bias in jury selection.
The award was presented online at the 24th Annual Frederick Douglass Awards ceremony, which featured remarks from members of the defense team and from Flowers.
“I will never forget the day the judge granted bail and I walked out of jail,” Flowers said, according to a University of Mississippi news release. “I will never forget the day, some months later, when my lawyers told me and my family that the charges had been dropped, and I was truly a free man again.”
Four people were shot to death on July 16, 1996, in the Tardy Furniture store in Winona. Flowers was convicted four times in the slayings: twice for individual slayings and twice for all four killings. Two other trials involving all four deaths ended in mistrials.
Each of Flowers’ convictions was overturned. In June 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court tossed out the conviction and death sentence from Flowers’ sixth trial, which took place in 2010. Justices said prosecutors showed an unconstitutional pattern of excluding African American jurors in the trials of Flowers, who is Black.
The Supreme Court ruling came after American Public Media’s “In the Dark” investigated the case.
The Frederick Douglass Human Rights Award recognizes people and organizations that have made significant contributions to the enhancement of human rights in the justice system, said Sara Tonochi, SCHR executive director.
“With this award, SCHR honors their bold advocacy, unshakable commitment to speaking truth to power and the palpable compassion that they express for those whom society would discard,” Tonochi said of Flowers’ defense team.
Previous honorees include U.S. Rep. John Lewis, the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery and Bryan Stevenson, executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Gas prices rise in NJ, around nation as demand increases

TRENTON , N.J. ( AP ) - Gas prices rose in New Jersey and around the country due to increased @ @ @ @ @ that to slacken in some places as the end of the year approaches .
AAA @ @ @ @ @ of a gallon of regular gas in New Jersey on Friday was $ 2.19 , @ @ @ @ @ week .
Drivers were paying an average of $ 2.58 a gallon a year ago @ @ @ @ @ national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $ 2.13 , up two @ @ @ @ @ .
Drivers were paying an average of $ 2.60 a gallon a year ago at @ @ @ @ @ potential increase in demand over the holiday season , analysts expect demand to weaken as @ @ @ @ @ nears amid new restrictions in some states due to the rise in COVID-19 cases .

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Gas prices rose in New Jersey and around the country due to increased demand, but analysts expect that to slacken in some places as the end of the year approaches.
AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gas in New Jersey on Friday was $2.19, up a penny from last week. Drivers were paying an average of $2.58 a gallon a year ago at this time.
The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.13, up two cents from the previous week. Drivers were paying an average of $2.60 a gallon a year ago at this time.
Despite a potential increase in demand over the holiday season, analysts expect demand to weaken as the year’s end nears amid new restrictions in some states due to the rise in COVID-19 cases.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Jackson volunteer helps connect people with free dental work

JACKSON , Tenn. ( AP ) - Alanna Heflin hasn ’ t been in Jackson long , but she ’ s glad to make the impact she ’ s having .
She ’ s the new associate dentist at Helping Hands of West Tennessee , continuing the work of the recently-retired Melvin Wright after the non-profit was established a few years ago to give people with low income the opportunity to have dental work done without a massive hit on their finances .
“ I loved going to the dentist when I was a little girl , and I knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into dentistry , ” said Heflin , who ’ s from Jackson , Mississippi .
“ My husband had family here in Jackson , Tennessee , and this opportunity opened up.
” Heflin began shadowing a couple of oral surgeons as a teenager , and that began her training before graduating high school and going to dentistry school .
At 27 years old , she ’ s already had a year in private practice , but she knew all along that she wanted to get a position to help people that needed help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I love pulling teeth , ” Heflin said .
“ And I found out I love inserting dentures after I delivered my first one .
I knew then that ’ s what I had to do.
” Heflin said she respects cosmetic-driven dentistry , but she said that ’ s not her passion .
“ I wanted to get into dentistry to help people , ” Heflin said .
“ Whether it ’ s helping someone in pain or someone who ’ s lost confidence in their smile because of work they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passion.
” So working with Helping Hands fits in with what Heflin wants to do .
“ I grew up poor , so I ’ m not a person that wants a lot money , ” Heflin said .
“ What I have is a stable job where I can help people , and it ’ s a rewarding job.
” Heflin said she helps bring someone confidence when their appearance improves after she works with them .
“ There is nothing more satisfying to me than working with someone either in one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re crying because their smile has changed so much for the better , ” Heflin said .
“ And they probably walked in here for the first time crying because they were afraid their mouth was destroyed and beyond repair and needed every tooth pulled .
“ I ’ ll say we need to take a look at it , see what needs to be done and how it can be done and then we do it .
And the patient loves the results .
That ’ s why Helping Hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why I ’ m here too .
”

JACKSON, Tenn. (AP) - Alanna Heflin hasn’t been in Jackson long, but she’s glad to make the impact she’s having.
She’s the new associate dentist at Helping Hands of West Tennessee, continuing the work of the recently-retired Melvin Wright after the non-profit was established a few years ago to give people with low income the opportunity to have dental work done without a massive hit on their finances.
“I loved going to the dentist when I was a little girl, and I knew pretty early that I wanted to go into dentistry,” said Heflin, who’s from Jackson, Mississippi. “My husband had family here in Jackson, Tennessee, and this opportunity opened up.”
Heflin began shadowing a couple of oral surgeons as a teenager, and that began her training before graduating high school and going to dentistry school.
At 27 years old, she’s already had a year in private practice, but she knew all along that she wanted to get a position to help people that needed help.
“Oral surgery is my background because I love pulling teeth,” Heflin said. “And I found out I love inserting dentures after I delivered my first one. I knew then that’s what I had to do.”
Heflin said she respects cosmetic-driven dentistry, but she said that’s not her passion.
“I wanted to get into dentistry to help people,” Heflin said. “Whether it’s helping someone in pain or someone who’s lost confidence in their smile because of work they need done, that work is my passion.”
So working with Helping Hands fits in with what Heflin wants to do.
“I grew up poor, so I’m not a person that wants a lot money,” Heflin said. “What I have is a stable job where I can help people, and it’s a rewarding job.”
Heflin said she helps bring someone confidence when their appearance improves after she works with them.
“There is nothing more satisfying to me than working with someone either in one visit or a series of visits and they’re crying because their smile has changed so much for the better,” Heflin said. “And they probably walked in here for the first time crying because they were afraid their mouth was destroyed and beyond repair and needed every tooth pulled.
“I’ll say we need to take a look at it, see what needs to be done and how it can be done and then we do it. And the patient loves the results. That’s why Helping Hands is here, and it’s why I’m here too.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Company plans closing 100-worker northeastern Indiana plant

AUBURN , Ind .
( AP ) - The owner of a northeastern Indiana auto parts factory is planning to @ @ @ @ @ move that will cost about 100 jobs .
Eaton Corp. has notified state officials that @ @ @ @ @ at the Auburn factory in February and completely close in May the factory that makes @ @ @ @ @ .
Eaton spokeswoman Cara Klaer said the company has seen a decline in demand for @ @ @ @ @ s notice to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development called the decision a “ permanent @ @ @ @ @ the company would make a final decision after meeting with the factory ’ s union @ @ @ @ @ Ireland is planning to consolidate its manufacturing operations , but Klaer didn ’ t provide @ @ @ @ @ Mike Ley said he hoped the Eaton ’ s workers can be hired at other @ @ @ @ @ the area about 20 miles north of Fort Wayne .

AUBURN, Ind. (AP) - The owner of a northeastern Indiana auto parts factory is planning to shut it down, a move that will cost about 100 jobs.
Eaton Corp. has notified state officials that it intends to begin layoffs at the Auburn factory in February and completely close in May the factory that makes clutches for heavy-duty truck transmissions.
Eaton spokeswoman Cara Klaer said the company has seen a decline in demand for those transmissions. Eaton’s notice to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development called the decision a “permanent closure” but Klaer said the company would make a final decision after meeting with the factory’s union.
The company based in Ireland is planning to consolidate its manufacturing operations, but Klaer didn’t provide any specifics.
Auburn Mayor Mike Ley said he hoped the Eaton’s workers can be hired at other factories with job openings in the area about 20 miles north of Fort Wayne.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Britain's Prince Charles celebrates 72nd birthday

LONDON ( AP ) - Britain ’ s Prince Charles celebrated his 72nd birthday Saturday following an eventful year that saw him contract the coronavirus and his son Prince Harry step down from official royal duties .
Gun salutes would normally be fired from London ’ s Green Park and the Tower of London for the heir to the throne ’ s birthday , but officials said the traditional ceremonies would not take place this year due to COVID-19 restrictions .
Charles ’ eldest son , Prince William , and his wife , Kate , were among those wishing him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The royal family ’ s official Twitter account posted a photo of Charles as a baby sitting on Queen Elizabeth II ’ s knee , while the account of Charles and his wife , Camilla , shared a photo of the prince dressed in a kilt and smiling to the camera .
Charles tested positive for the coronavirus in March and self-isolated for a week in Scotland with mild COVID-19 symptoms .
He later told Sky News he was lucky to have “ got away with it quite lightly.
” Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cenotaph war memorial on behalf of his mother to honor the country ’ s war dead on Remembrance Sunday .
But like the rest of the royal family , Charles has had to adapt his many official engagements by moving them online during the pandemic .
The year also saw Charles ’ son Harry and his wife , the former Meghan Markle , move abroad after quitting royal duties .
The couple , who said they wanted to seek financial independence , have settled in California with their son , Archie .
Charles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is the queen ’ s eldest son .
He became heir apparent at age 3 , when his mother was crowned monarch in 1952 .

LONDON (AP) - Britain’s Prince Charles celebrated his 72nd birthday Saturday following an eventful year that saw him contract the coronavirus and his son Prince Harry step down from official royal duties.
Gun salutes would normally be fired from London’s Green Park and the Tower of London for the heir to the throne’s birthday, but officials said the traditional ceremonies would not take place this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Charles’ eldest son, Prince William, and his wife, Kate, were among those wishing him a happy birthday on social media. The royal family’s official Twitter account posted a photo of Charles as a baby sitting on Queen Elizabeth II’s knee, while the account of Charles and his wife, Camilla, shared a photo of the prince dressed in a kilt and smiling to the camera.
Charles tested positive for the coronavirus in March and self-isolated for a week in Scotland with mild COVID-19 symptoms. He later told Sky News he was lucky to have “got away with it quite lightly.”
Last week, the royal laid a wreath at the Cenotaph war memorial on behalf of his mother to honor the country’s war dead on Remembrance Sunday.
But like the rest of the royal family, Charles has had to adapt his many official engagements by moving them online during the pandemic.
The year also saw Charles’ son Harry and his wife, the former Meghan Markle, move abroad after quitting royal duties. The couple, who said they wanted to seek financial independence, have settled in California with their son, Archie.
Charles, known as the Prince of Wales, is the queen’s eldest son. He became heir apparent at age 3, when his mother was crowned monarch in 1952.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Can this old rail yard become a tourism spot in Kentucky?

IRVINE , Ky. ( AP ) - Trains and railways are a part of Eastern Kentucky ’ s heritage that has been slowly slipping away , but “ The Yard , ” an economic development project , plans to make them a key part of the region ’ s future .
Backers hope The Yard , a 40-acre former railroad property in Irvine , will someday feature a 75-year-old steam locomotive , a rail rehab facility , a machine shop , an interactive museum , a restaurant and a pavilion to spur revitalization of Eastern Kentucky ’ s economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky Steam , a nonprofit with a goal of restoring historic rail equipment and bolstering economic development in Appalachian Kentucky by adaptive reuse of the area ’ s rail infrastructure .
The Yard has come together slow and steady .
In 2016 , Kentucky Steam agreed to lease a steam locomotive from the Kentucky Railway Museum .
Kentucky Steam President Chris Campbell said the 75-year-old steam locomotive , Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Steam Locomotive 2716 , will be the tourism project ’ s focal point .
Once it is repaired , the steam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few in the nation operating .
A working locomotive is like a dinosaur that has been brought back to life , Campbell said .
It wheezes , drips and shakes the ground , creating interest because of its novelty .
Two years later , in 2018 , Kentucky Steam purchased property for The Yard .
Joe Crawford , executive director of the Estill Development Alliance , is cautiously optimistic about Kentucky Steam ’ s plans .
“ We ’ ve had our heart broken before , ” he said .
Last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be the title sponsor of “ Hardy Pavilion at The Yard.
” Campbell said pieces of the puzzle that have been in the making for more than a year are starting to come together .
“ It ’ s not a matter of if , it ’ s when , ” Campbell said .
“ This Hardy Pavilion is really going to be a way we can publicize our endeavor and say ‘ Hey , this isn ’ t just a dreamed thing , it ’ s coming to reality.
’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project will cost $ 5 million to $ 8 million .
The nonprofit has raised $ 300,000 and is applying for grants .
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet awarded Kentucky Steam a $ 120,000 partially-forgivable loan .
Campbell estimates The Yard , once completed in three to five years , will bring 170,000 visitors a year and bring in $ 1.75 million annually , with an economic impact five times that amount throughout the region .
The pavilion will be able to hold 4,500 people .
It will be used for concerts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of Hardy Oil Company , said it can be adapted for other community gatherings .
“ As a fan of live music , I initially envisioned attending a concert in Irvine with 4,500 of our closest friends , ” Hardy said .
“ But it can be so much more .
Whether it ’ s used as an outdoor classroom in conjunction with an educational field trip , as a stage for the high school concert band to perform , or perhaps as a centralized pavilion and lawn area to host a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might only be limited by the imagination.
” Campbell said the pavilion is a natural fit in Estill County , which has been an anchor for music in the region and a champion of Appalachian folk rock and country .
It ’ s home of the annual Kickin ’ It On The Creek music festival and Tyler and Senora May Childers .
The county also produced Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys .
Organizers hope the pavilion can be operational by late summer or early fall of 2021 , when COVID-19 restrictions will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only a pause , not a hesitation , ” Hardy said .
“ By that I mean we have not hesitated in our sponsorship of this project despite the significant changes we all have encountered , but merely paused its travel from vision to venue .
While we may not know when , we are optimistic that life will return to normal again and gatherings , such as those at The Yard , will return soon.
” Campbell understands most people aren ’ t train enthusiasts and said The Yard can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pavilion makes the project multi-faceted , but he hopes visitors see and understand the impact trains have had on Eastern Kentucky .
Irvine , like much of the region , has long been economically dependent on coal and the trains that carried it .
The region was economically crushed as the industry declined in the last decade , Hardy said .
“ The trains stopped moving , jobs were eliminated , and the livelihoods that depended on both simply disappeared , ” Hardy said .
“ This project , while giving a nod @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than just the jobs directly associated with it .
The trickle-down economic impact of The Yard ’ s visitors will be felt by our local businesses and community partners looking for any means to replace a source of revenue they once depended upon.
” Crawford said trains were a way of life for many in the region , recalling how he often listened to trains pass through in the night as a child .
“ When it ’ s gone , you miss it , ” Crawford said .
“ The sounds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s who we are , and it ’ s so exciting to get back to that.
” Backers of The Yard also hope Estill County vocational students will be able to get hands-on training in its machine shop .
While working on trains , the students will learn valuable skills , such as welding , pipe-fitting , fabrication and metal bending .
The Yard will draw visitors to Eastern Kentucky , Crawford said , but tourism will not be the sole answer to building back an economy that had relied on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yard will be an example of ways to capitalize on the already existing assets of the region .
“ ( The Yard ) will be a calling card in saying there ’ s a lot of things that we can do here and we don ’ t always have to reinvent the wheel , ” he said .
“ We ’ re essentially utilizing old infrastructure and just reusing it .
”

IRVINE, Ky. (AP) - Trains and railways are a part of Eastern Kentucky’s heritage that has been slowly slipping away, but “The Yard,” an economic development project, plans to make them a key part of the region’s future.
Backers hope The Yard, a 40-acre former railroad property in Irvine, will someday feature a 75-year-old steam locomotive, a rail rehab facility, a machine shop, an interactive museum, a restaurant and a pavilion to spur revitalization of Eastern Kentucky’s economy.
The Estill County project is led by Kentucky Steam, a nonprofit with a goal of restoring historic rail equipment and bolstering economic development in Appalachian Kentucky by adaptive reuse of the area’s rail infrastructure.
The Yard has come together slow and steady.
In 2016, Kentucky Steam agreed to lease a steam locomotive from the Kentucky Railway Museum. Kentucky Steam President Chris Campbell said the 75-year-old steam locomotive, Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Steam Locomotive 2716, will be the tourism project’s focal point. Once it is repaired, the steam locomotive will be one of only a few in the nation operating.
A working locomotive is like a dinosaur that has been brought back to life, Campbell said. It wheezes, drips and shakes the ground, creating interest because of its novelty.
Two years later, in 2018, Kentucky Steam purchased property for The Yard.
Joe Crawford, executive director of the Estill Development Alliance, is cautiously optimistic about Kentucky Steam’s plans. “We’ve had our heart broken before,” he said.
Last month, Hardy Oil Company in Irvine announced it will be the title sponsor of “Hardy Pavilion at The Yard.” Campbell said pieces of the puzzle that have been in the making for more than a year are starting to come together.
“It’s not a matter of if, it’s when,” Campbell said. “This Hardy Pavilion is really going to be a way we can publicize our endeavor and say ‘Hey, this isn’t just a dreamed thing, it’s coming to reality.’”’
Campbell said he estimates the final project will cost $5 million to $8 million. The nonprofit has raised $300,000 and is applying for grants. The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet awarded Kentucky Steam a $120,000 partially-forgivable loan.
Campbell estimates The Yard, once completed in three to five years, will bring 170,000 visitors a year and bring in $1.75 million annually, with an economic impact five times that amount throughout the region.
The pavilion will be able to hold 4,500 people. It will be used for concerts, but Michael Hardy, the vice president of Hardy Oil Company, said it can be adapted for other community gatherings.
“As a fan of live music, I initially envisioned attending a concert in Irvine with 4,500 of our closest friends,” Hardy said. “But it can be so much more. Whether it’s used as an outdoor classroom in conjunction with an educational field trip, as a stage for the high school concert band to perform, or perhaps as a centralized pavilion and lawn area to host a farmer’s market, its uses might only be limited by the imagination.”
Campbell said the pavilion is a natural fit in Estill County, which has been an anchor for music in the region and a champion of Appalachian folk rock and country. It’s home of the annual Kickin’ It On The Creek music festival and Tyler and Senora May Childers. The county also produced Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys.
Organizers hope the pavilion can be operational by late summer or early fall of 2021, when COVID-19 restrictions will hopefully be lifted.
“COVID-19 is only a pause, not a hesitation,” Hardy said. “By that I mean we have not hesitated in our sponsorship of this project despite the significant changes we all have encountered, but merely paused its travel from vision to venue. While we may not know when, we are optimistic that life will return to normal again and gatherings, such as those at The Yard, will return soon.”
Campbell understands most people aren’t train enthusiasts and said The Yard can’t be “a one-trick pony.” The pavilion makes the project multi-faceted, but he hopes visitors see and understand the impact trains have had on Eastern Kentucky.
Irvine, like much of the region, has long been economically dependent on coal and the trains that carried it. The region was economically crushed as the industry declined in the last decade, Hardy said.
“The trains stopped moving, jobs were eliminated, and the livelihoods that depended on both simply disappeared,” Hardy said. “This project, while giving a nod to our proud history, provides more than just the jobs directly associated with it. The trickle-down economic impact of The Yard’s visitors will be felt by our local businesses and community partners looking for any means to replace a source of revenue they once depended upon.”
Crawford said trains were a way of life for many in the region, recalling how he often listened to trains pass through in the night as a child.
“When it’s gone, you miss it,” Crawford said. “The sounds of the railroads are who we are. It’s who we are, and it’s so exciting to get back to that.”
Backers of The Yard also hope Estill County vocational students will be able to get hands-on training in its machine shop. While working on trains, the students will learn valuable skills, such as welding, pipe-fitting, fabrication and metal bending.
The Yard will draw visitors to Eastern Kentucky, Crawford said, but tourism will not be the sole answer to building back an economy that had relied on coal for decades.
Campbell said The Yard will be an example of ways to capitalize on the already existing assets of the region.
“(The Yard) will be a calling card in saying there’s a lot of things that we can do here and we don’t always have to reinvent the wheel,” he said. “We’re essentially utilizing old infrastructure and just reusing it.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--1 dead, 2 injured in South Deerfield crash

SOUTH DEERFIELD , Mass .
( AP ) - A young man from South Deerfield has died in a crash @ @ @ @ @ his passengers .
The crash happened just before 5 a.m. Friday in South Deerfield , @ @ @ @ @ driver , Cole Baranoski , 18 , was thrown from the vehicle .
He died @ @ @ @ @ passengers were hurt , one of whom remains hospitalized .
The crash is under investigation @ @ @ @ @ , state police and the Northwester District Attorney ’ s office .

SOUTH DEERFIELD, Mass. (AP) - A young man from South Deerfield has died in a crash that also injured two of his passengers.
The crash happened just before 5 a.m. Friday in South Deerfield, authorities said Saturday. The driver, Cole Baranoski, 18, was thrown from the vehicle. He died at the hospital.
Two passengers were hurt, one of whom remains hospitalized.
The crash is under investigation by the Deerfield Police Department, state police and the Northwester District Attorney’s office.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Chicago nonprofits hold fundraisers online amid pandemic

CHICAGO ( AP ) - Chicago nonprofits have shifted fundraising events online to keep donations coming in during the pandemic , which forced organizations to cancel in-person gatherings that bring in crucial revenue .
PAWS Chicago , the city ’ s largest no-kill animal shelter , usually holds its annual Fur Ball fundraiser at elegant venues .
But this year , the fundraiser was a virtual experience .
The event , which was on Friday , had catered delivery , an online auction and small remote gatherings .
Donors paid at least $ 400 a plate to attend last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.2 million , or about 10 % of PAWS ’ annual operating budget , the Chicago Tribune reported .
The nonprofit depends on fundraising for its $ 12 million annual operating budget , said Paula Fasseas , who founded the group in 1997 .
Fasseas said the nonprofit ’ s biggest fundraising event is projected to fall about $ 500,000 short of last year ’ s total .
“ We ’ ll be down at least $ 1.5 million at the end of the year , ” Fasseas said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the history of PAWS that we didn ’ t meet our budget in 23 years.
” Fasseas said the organization plans to tap its cash reserves to make up for the difference and ramp up fundraising efforts after the pandemic .
The YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago will be having its annual leader luncheon Nov. 19 on Zoom , rather than Hyatt Regency as planned .
The event usually attracts about 1,200 people and raises $ 750,000 to $ 800,000 , said Molly Silverman , who manages marketing and development .
Silverman said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ’ s revenue through corporate sponsorships , and that lower expenses might make it more profitable .
She said they ’ ll save the most on the venue , a $ 100,000 bill .
Last year , sponsorships started at $ 5,000 for a table of 10 , with some individual tickets selling for $ 300 .
But this year , Silverman said , anyone with a YWCA membership can be part of the luncheon .
Memberships start at $ 25 .
Still , registrations are lagging , Silverman said .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise more donations .
“ I think people are getting to the point of Zoom fatigue , ” Silverman said .
Rick Cohen , spokesman for the National Council of Nonprofits , said the council is concerned about the viability of lots of organizations .
“ We ’ re seeing a lot of nonprofits running into this place where the PPP ( Paycheck Protection Program ) money has run out , the rainy day fund has run out and the people who usually donate to them aren ’ t able to , ” @ @ @

CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago nonprofits have shifted fundraising events online to keep donations coming in during the pandemic, which forced organizations to cancel in-person gatherings that bring in crucial revenue.
PAWS Chicago, the city’s largest no-kill animal shelter, usually holds its annual Fur Ball fundraiser at elegant venues. But this year, the fundraiser was a virtual experience. The event, which was on Friday, had catered delivery, an online auction and small remote gatherings.
Donors paid at least $400 a plate to attend last year’s Fur Ball, which raised $1.2 million, or about 10% of PAWS’ annual operating budget, the Chicago Tribune reported. The nonprofit depends on fundraising for its $12 million annual operating budget, said Paula Fasseas, who founded the group in 1997.
Fasseas said the nonprofit’s biggest fundraising event is projected to fall about $500,000 short of last year’s total.
“We’ll be down at least $1.5 million at the end of the year,” Fasseas said. “It’ll be our first time in the history of PAWS that we didn’t meet our budget in 23 years.”
Fasseas said the organization plans to tap its cash reserves to make up for the difference and ramp up fundraising efforts after the pandemic.
The YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago will be having its annual leader luncheon Nov. 19 on Zoom, rather than Hyatt Regency as planned. The event usually attracts about 1,200 people and raises $750,000 to $800,000, said Molly Silverman, who manages marketing and development.
Silverman said the luncheon is on track to match last year’s revenue through corporate sponsorships, and that lower expenses might make it more profitable. She said they’ll save the most on the venue, a $100,000 bill.
Last year, sponsorships started at $5,000 for a table of 10, with some individual tickets selling for $300. But this year, Silverman said, anyone with a YWCA membership can be part of the luncheon. Memberships start at $25.
Still, registrations are lagging, Silverman said. They hoped to have thousands of people to raise more donations.
“I think people are getting to the point of Zoom fatigue,” Silverman said.
Rick Cohen, spokesman for the National Council of Nonprofits, said the council is concerned about the viability of lots of organizations.
“We’re seeing a lot of nonprofits running into this place where the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) money has run out, the rainy day fund has run out and the people who usually donate to them aren’t able to,” Cohen said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Civil rights leader Rogers Johnson dies at 62

STRATHAM , N.H. ( AP ) - Rogers Johnson , a former New Hampshire lawmaker and longtime civil rights leader , has died .
Johnson , who served as president of the Seacoast NAACP and was chair of the Governor ’ s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion , died Thursday at age 62 .
Johnson also served as a member of statewide commissions related to police accountability and equity in the state ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic .
A Republican who represented Stratham as a state representative from 2001 to 2006 , he was the was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Majority whip .
In a statement Friday , Gov .
Chris Sununu praised Johnson for his tireless leadership and advocacy in making New Hampshire a more diverse and equitable state .
“ We will carry on this work in his legacy and honor , and all of New Hampshire mourns his passing , ” Sununu said .
Johnson , who was born in New York , was an insurance salesman and executive who also served as the director of intergovernmental affairs for the U.S. Department of Education during the Bush administration .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he was treasurer of the organization ’ s New England regional conference .
Johnson is survived by his wife and two sons .
Visitation is set for Wednesday followed by a private funeral .

STRATHAM, N.H. (AP) - Rogers Johnson, a former New Hampshire lawmaker and longtime civil rights leader, has died.
Johnson, who served as president of the Seacoast NAACP and was chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion, died Thursday at age 62.
Johnson also served as a member of statewide commissions related to police accountability and equity in the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. A Republican who represented Stratham as a state representative from 2001 to 2006, he was the was the first Black lawmaker to serve as House Majority whip.
In a statement Friday, Gov. Chris Sununu praised Johnson for his tireless leadership and advocacy in making New Hampshire a more diverse and equitable state.
“We will carry on this work in his legacy and honor, and all of New Hampshire mourns his passing,” Sununu said.
Johnson, who was born in New York, was an insurance salesman and executive who also served as the director of intergovernmental affairs for the U.S. Department of Education during the Bush administration. In addition to leading the Seacoast NAACP chapter, he was treasurer of the organization’s New England regional conference.
Johnson is survived by his wife and two sons. Visitation is set for Wednesday followed by a private funeral.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Feds investigating NW company making virus protection claims

BLAINE , Wash. ( AP ) - Federal investigators are looking into a company in northwestern Washington for claiming its @ @ @ @ @ bottles , can protect people from the coronavirus .
The website copperH20.com invites customers to @ @ @ @ @ a copper water bottle ” with claims that for $ 32.50 , copper water bottles @ @ @ @ @ away , KING-TV reported .
The Federal Trade Commission has sent the company a warning @ @ @ @ @ immediately stop making ( those ) claims.
” The news outlet made several attempts to @ @ @ @ @ email , a California phone number , and through their mailing address , which led @ @ @ @ @ in the Whatcom County town of Blaine , where no post office box was listed @ @ @ @ @ has received 240,000 complaints about COVID-19-related products since the start of the pandemic .

BLAINE, Wash. (AP) - Federal investigators are looking into a company in northwestern Washington for claiming its products, specifically copper water bottles, can protect people from the coronavirus.
The website copperH20.com invites customers to “experience the benefits of a copper water bottle” with claims that for $32.50, copper water bottles will help keep the coronavirus away, KING-TV reported.
The Federal Trade Commission has sent the company a warning letter ordering them to “immediately stop making (those) claims.”
The news outlet made several attempts to reach CopperH2O, including through email, a California phone number, and through their mailing address, which led them to the post office in the Whatcom County town of Blaine, where no post office box was listed.
The FTC said it has received 240,000 complaints about COVID-19-related products since the start of the pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--EXPLAINER: Why poll watcher complaints don't amount to fraud

President Donald Trump ‘ s legal allies have launched a flurry of lawsuits arguing that widespread fraud could have been committed because its poll watchers didn ’ t get proper access to the voting process .
Most of those lawsuits have been dismissed over lack of evidence of election fraud .
Trump has tried to argue that there is a link between some of the complaints of partisan poll watchers and the results of the election , which was won by Democrat Joe Biden .
But there has been no credible information to validate his assertions .
In fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 election as safe and secure .
A poll watcher is a partisan appointee who monitors voting or ballot counting to help ensure their party gets a fair shot .
They are not supposed to interfere in the electoral process , except to report issues to party officials or polling place authorities , and are typically required to register in advance with the local election office .
Tasked this year with monitoring a record number of mail ballots , poll watchers are designated by a political party or campaign to report any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few reports of overly aggressive poll watchers , election officials said they were carefully balancing access with the need to minimize disruptions and social distance concerns over the coronavirus pandemic .
In many places , they were ordered to stand 6 feet away .
Monitoring polling places and election offices is allowed in most states , but rules vary and there are certain limits to avoid any harassment or intimidation .
The Trump campaign said from the beginning that Republican poll watchers were being improperly denied access to observe the counting of ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in key battleground states , who said rules were being followed and they were committed to transparency .
In Pennsylvania , for example , state election officials said poll watchers were certified in every county .
Republican lawyers acknowledged in court that they had observers watching polls and mail-in ballots being processed .
In Michigan , a Trump campaign lawsuit included assertions from their observers that poll workers rolled their eyes when viewing votes for Trump , wore masks or clothing supporting the Black Lives Matter movement or appeared to double-count ballots .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied access in some locations , but there has been no evidence to back it up .
Nor was there evidence of votes being miscounted out of political bias .
And most of the litigation alleging this has been dismissed .
WAS THERE ANY VOTER FRAUD IN THE 2020 ELECTION ?
No , not according to multiple election officials in key states .
The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has called the voting and count “ the most secure in American history.
” Trump ‘ s legal allies have tried to argue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on hand , anything could have happened out of their view .
But they have not provided any evidence of nefarious activity .

President Donald Trump’s legal allies have launched a flurry of lawsuits arguing that widespread fraud could have been committed because its poll watchers didn’t get proper access to the voting process. Most of those lawsuits have been dismissed over lack of evidence of election fraud.
Trump has tried to argue that there is a link between some of the complaints of partisan poll watchers and the results of the election, which was won by Democrat Joe Biden. But there has been no credible information to validate his assertions. In fact, both state and federal officials have praised the 2020 election as safe and secure.
WHAT IS A POLL WATCHER?
A poll watcher is a partisan appointee who monitors voting or ballot counting to help ensure their party gets a fair shot. They are not supposed to interfere in the electoral process, except to report issues to party officials or polling place authorities, and are typically required to register in advance with the local election office.
Tasked this year with monitoring a record number of mail ballots, poll watchers are designated by a political party or campaign to report any concerns they may have. With a few reports of overly aggressive poll watchers, election officials said they were carefully balancing access with the need to minimize disruptions and social distance concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. In many places, they were ordered to stand 6 feet away.
Monitoring polling places and election offices is allowed in most states, but rules vary and there are certain limits to avoid any harassment or intimidation.
WERE TRUMP’S POLL WATCHERS DENIED ACCESS?
The Trump campaign said from the beginning that Republican poll watchers were being improperly denied access to observe the counting of ballots. Not so, countered election officials in key battleground states, who said rules were being followed and they were committed to transparency.
In Pennsylvania, for example, state election officials said poll watchers were certified in every county. Republican lawyers acknowledged in court that they had observers watching polls and mail-in ballots being processed.
In Michigan, a Trump campaign lawsuit included assertions from their observers that poll workers rolled their eyes when viewing votes for Trump, wore masks or clothing supporting the Black Lives Matter movement or appeared to double-count ballots. Other lawsuits claimed poll watchers were temporarily denied access in some locations, but there has been no evidence to back it up. Nor was there evidence of votes being miscounted out of political bias. And most of the litigation alleging this has been dismissed.
WAS THERE ANY VOTER FRAUD IN THE 2020 ELECTION?
No, not according to multiple election officials in key states. The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has called the voting and count “the most secure in American history.”
Trump’s legal allies have tried to argue that if poll workers weren’t on hand, anything could have happened out of their view. But they have not provided any evidence of nefarious activity.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Suspect arrested in attack on actor Rick Moranis

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A New York man was arrested Saturday in connection with an unprovoked assault against @ @ @ @ @ the 67-year-old actor was walking near Central Park in October .
New York City police @ @ @ @ @ whom authorities listed as homeless , was arrested Saturday afternoon .
It wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ an attorney who could comment .
Moranis , known for his work in the 1980s @ @ @ @ @ City Television ” and roles in movies such as “ Ghostbusters , ” “ Spaceballs @ @ @ @ @ Shrunk the Kids , ” was walking on a sidewalk near Central Park on the @ @ @ @ @ he was attacked .
Video released by police showed a man wearing a black “ @ @ @ @ @ ” sweatshirt hit Moranis with a sucker punch and knock him to the ground .
@ @ @ @ @ Moranis at the time , but Moranis ’ s representative , Troy Bailey , confirmed @ @ @ @ @ .
Police characterized it as a “ random , unprovoked assault .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - A New York man was arrested Saturday in connection with an unprovoked assault against Rick Moranis that occurred as the 67-year-old actor was walking near Central Park in October.
New York City police said 35-year-old Marquis Ventura, whom authorities listed as homeless, was arrested Saturday afternoon. It wasn’t known if Ventura had retained an attorney who could comment.
Moranis, known for his work in the 1980s sketch comedy series “Second City Television” and roles in movies such as “Ghostbusters,” “Spaceballs” and “Honey I Shrunk the Kids,” was walking on a sidewalk near Central Park on the morning of Oct. 1 when he was attacked.
Video released by police showed a man wearing a black “I (heart) NY” sweatshirt hit Moranis with a sucker punch and knock him to the ground.
Police didn’t identify Moranis at the time, but Moranis’s representative, Troy Bailey, confirmed the actor had been attacked. Police characterized it as a “random, unprovoked assault.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Mexico reaches 1 million virus cases, nears 100,000 deaths

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Mexico on Saturday topped 1 million registered coronavirus cases and nearly 100,000 test-confirmed deaths , though officials agree the number is probably much higher .
How did Mexico get here ?
By marching resolutely , even defiantly , against many internationally accepted practices in pandemic management , from face mask wearing , to lockdowns , testing and contact tracing .
What is more , officials in Mexico claim science is on their side .
Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López-Gatell says any wider testing would be “ a waste of time , effort and money.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ are an auxiliary measure to prevent spreading the virus .
They do not protect us , but they are useful for protecting other people.
” President Andres Manuel López Obrador almost never wears a mask , and López-Gatell only occasionally does .
Except science does not appear to be on their side .
International experts have recommended mass testing , and say face masks protect both the wearer and other people .
“ They say there is no evidence .
No , excuse me , there is evidence , ” said former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In May , we already began to have empirical evidence and well-documented scientific studies began to appear stressing the importance of face masks and the need for testing.
” “ What I can say is the ( government ) strategy did not have the necessary flexibility to adjust to the increasing amount of knowledge ” about the disease , Narro said .
In part that has been a hallmark of López Obrador ’ s administration : never back down , never change course , and if challenged , double down .
His main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be enough hospital beds for everyone who needs one , and his government has largely fulfilled that basic promise - even if Mexicans are so afraid of those hospitals they often wait until the last moment to go for treatment , at which point , doctors say , it ’ s often too late .
That fear was not unfounded ; early in the pandemic , three-quarters of patients intubated and put on ventilators in Mexico ’ s largest hospital network died .
That resistance was what Mexico City human resources manager Lorena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jaime Salas Osuna , began to show signs of what could be COVID-19 .
“ The idea was mainly to stay at home , no ?
Thinking of going to the hospital was not an option , we were terrified that there he would surely be infected , ” said Salas .
Instead , she sped down to the resort city of Acapulco , where her father lived , and when she arrived , she found him thin , sweating and confused .
“ At that moment the delivery service arrived with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was 77 , ” she recalled .
( A normal reading is 93 to 98 ) .
“ At that moment I felt like a bucket of cold water had fallen on me .
We just looked at each other .
I said ‘ Dad , do you have COVID ?
” Salas drove him to Mexico City ; he didn ’ t want to be intubated , but doctors explained they had to .
He underwent two operations , two intubations and struggled for 13 days before he died on Oct. 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the few areas where the government ’ s public message has changed : where officials once urged people with the disease to stay home as long as possible , they now advise those over 60 or with risk factors like diabetes or obesity to seek treatment immediately .
But on most other points , the insistence that the rest of the world is wrong and Mexico ’ s approach is right appears to have taken a toll in lives .
Late Saturday , Mexican Director General of Health Promotion Ricardo Cortés @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases had reached 1,003,253 , with at least 98,259 deaths from COVID-19 .
Since the pandemic began , Mexico has managed to administer only about 2.5 million tests to its citizens ; only seriously ill people get tested in Mexico .
Testing only 1.9 % of the population since the pandemic began has made it hard , if not impossible , to effectively trace contacts , catch outbreaks early or identify asymptomatic cases .
Even in Mexico City , one of the few places that has paid lip-service to trying to identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the efforts have been incredibly weak .
To be fair , few countries have managed to do contact tracing well ; Mexico , with fewer financial resources and where half the population is poor , self-employed or working off the books , there was little chance of strict control or surveillance .
Mexico City has tried an alternative approach , which is to identify neighborhoods where clusters of cases have occurred , and give them special attention .
Lurid yellow warning posters reading “ Caution !
You are entering an area of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Special kiosks are set up in such neighborhoods to provide some tests , and a few health workers have gone door-to-door looking for cases .
But that is rare .
For doctors on the front lines , the official response has been at times frustrating .
Dr. Arturo Galindo , head of the infectious disease program at the National Medical Sciences and Nutrition Institute , one of Mexico ’ s leading public hospitals , has seen his intensive care unit fill up to 100 % capacity in recent weeks as Mexicans relaxed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital is now sending critical COVID-19 cases to other treatment centers .
“ I have had arguments on the street when I say “ hey , put your face mask on , ” and people argue with me , citing the argument ‘ well , the president doesn ’ t , ’ and that is their only argument , ” Galindo said .
“ It wouldn ’ t be bad if he ( López Obrador ) set an example.
” Speaking for himself , not his hospital , Galindo also voices support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs of a new-found willingness to consider the idea - not the least because of the advent of rapid , cheap new antigen tests .
But while he says some things are improving - people are now getting to hospitals sooner , thus improving their chances - some recent developments make him worry .
Except for a few states , nobody in Mexico has even attempted to enforce a lockdown , or mask-wearing .
The closest thing most local authorities have done has been to force some workplaces to shut down , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many customers inside at once .
Beyond that - travel , mask wearing , parties , weddings - there is very little enforcement .
And as the pandemic stretched into its tenth month , people began to let their guard down .
That has led to super-spreader events like an Oct. 3 wedding of a soap opera actor and the daughter of a local businessman in the northern border city of Mexicali .
Authorities in Mexico say more than 100 people are believed to have been infected by the coronavirus at the wedding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There have been instances of outright rebellion .
On Oct. 25 , a couple of hundred young people gathered for an illegal concert in an empty lot on the outskirts of the city of Toluca , just west of Mexico City .
On videos of the event , the lead singer of one band can be heard telling asking the crowd , “ Honestly , who doesn ’ t give a damn about the pandemic ?
Whoever doesn ’ t give a damn about coronavirus , raise your beer !
” Dozens raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died and who herself was infected , said people have to abandon conspiracy theories and the strange belief it won ’ t happen to them .
“ I see a lot of apathy , a lot of people being irresponsible , not giving a damn or not believing the disease is real .
People still think it is something invented by the government.
” Salas said .
“ It is something that people have to realize does exist , it is real.
” Galindo said those on the front lines are shocked when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They have this sense of frustration seeing photos of parties , meetings , ” Galindo said .
“ They have been locked up for six months , fighting , going without sleep or without eating , and then they see that , and it ’ s shocking .
”

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico on Saturday topped 1 million registered coronavirus cases and nearly 100,000 test-confirmed deaths, though officials agree the number is probably much higher.
How did Mexico get here? By marching resolutely, even defiantly, against many internationally accepted practices in pandemic management, from face mask wearing, to lockdowns, testing and contact tracing.
What is more, officials in Mexico claim science is on their side. Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López-Gatell says any wider testing would be “a waste of time, effort and money.” Face masks, López-Gatell says, “are an auxiliary measure to prevent spreading the virus. They do not protect us, but they are useful for protecting other people.”
President Andres Manuel López Obrador almost never wears a mask, and López-Gatell only occasionally does.
Except science does not appear to be on their side. International experts have recommended mass testing, and say face masks protect both the wearer and other people.
“They say there is no evidence. No, excuse me, there is evidence,” said former health secretary Dr. José Narro. “In May, we already began to have empirical evidence and well-documented scientific studies began to appear stressing the importance of face masks and the need for testing.”
“What I can say is the (government) strategy did not have the necessary flexibility to adjust to the increasing amount of knowledge” about the disease, Narro said.
In part that has been a hallmark of López Obrador’s administration: never back down, never change course, and if challenged, double down.
His main promise to Mexicans is that there would be enough hospital beds for everyone who needs one, and his government has largely fulfilled that basic promise - even if Mexicans are so afraid of those hospitals they often wait until the last moment to go for treatment, at which point, doctors say, it’s often too late. That fear was not unfounded; early in the pandemic, three-quarters of patients intubated and put on ventilators in Mexico’s largest hospital network died.
That resistance was what Mexico City human resources manager Lorena Salas felt when her 76-year-old father, Jaime Salas Osuna, began to show signs of what could be COVID-19.
“The idea was mainly to stay at home, no? Thinking of going to the hospital was not an option, we were terrified that there he would surely be infected,” said Salas.
Instead, she sped down to the resort city of Acapulco, where her father lived, and when she arrived, she found him thin, sweating and confused.
“At that moment the delivery service arrived with the oxygen meter, and his oxygen saturation was 77,” she recalled. (A normal reading is 93 to 98). “At that moment I felt like a bucket of cold water had fallen on me. We just looked at each other. I said ‘Dad, do you have COVID?”
Salas drove him to Mexico City; he didn’t want to be intubated, but doctors explained they had to. He underwent two operations, two intubations and struggled for 13 days before he died on Oct. 20.
To its credit, that is one of the few areas where the government’s public message has changed: where officials once urged people with the disease to stay home as long as possible, they now advise those over 60 or with risk factors like diabetes or obesity to seek treatment immediately.
But on most other points, the insistence that the rest of the world is wrong and Mexico’s approach is right appears to have taken a toll in lives.
Late Saturday, Mexican Director General of Health Promotion Ricardo Cortés Alcalá announced that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases had reached 1,003,253, with at least 98,259 deaths from COVID-19.
Since the pandemic began, Mexico has managed to administer only about 2.5 million tests to its citizens; only seriously ill people get tested in Mexico. Testing only 1.9% of the population since the pandemic began has made it hard, if not impossible, to effectively trace contacts, catch outbreaks early or identify asymptomatic cases.
Even in Mexico City, one of the few places that has paid lip-service to trying to identify cases before they get to a hospital, the efforts have been incredibly weak.
To be fair, few countries have managed to do contact tracing well; Mexico, with fewer financial resources and where half the population is poor, self-employed or working off the books, there was little chance of strict control or surveillance.
Mexico City has tried an alternative approach, which is to identify neighborhoods where clusters of cases have occurred, and give them special attention. Lurid yellow warning posters reading “Caution! You are entering an area of high infection” now dot the city. Special kiosks are set up in such neighborhoods to provide some tests, and a few health workers have gone door-to-door looking for cases. But that is rare.
For doctors on the front lines, the official response has been at times frustrating.
Dr. Arturo Galindo, head of the infectious disease program at the National Medical Sciences and Nutrition Institute, one of Mexico’s leading public hospitals, has seen his intensive care unit fill up to 100% capacity in recent weeks as Mexicans relaxed and began holding more get-togethers. The hospital is now sending critical COVID-19 cases to other treatment centers.
“I have had arguments on the street when I say “hey, put your face mask on,” and people argue with me, citing the argument ‘well, the president doesn’t,’ and that is their only argument,” Galindo said. “It wouldn’t be bad if he (López Obrador) set an example.”
Speaking for himself, not his hospital, Galindo also voices support for more testing, and senses there are signs of a new-found willingness to consider the idea - not the least because of the advent of rapid, cheap new antigen tests.
But while he says some things are improving - people are now getting to hospitals sooner, thus improving their chances - some recent developments make him worry.
Except for a few states, nobody in Mexico has even attempted to enforce a lockdown, or mask-wearing. The closest thing most local authorities have done has been to force some workplaces to shut down, and fine or close businesses that allow too many customers inside at once. Beyond that - travel, mask wearing, parties, weddings - there is very little enforcement. And as the pandemic stretched into its tenth month, people began to let their guard down.
That has led to super-spreader events like an Oct. 3 wedding of a soap opera actor and the daughter of a local businessman in the northern border city of Mexicali. Authorities in Mexico say more than 100 people are believed to have been infected by the coronavirus at the wedding, which about 300 people attended.
There have been instances of outright rebellion. On Oct. 25, a couple of hundred young people gathered for an illegal concert in an empty lot on the outskirts of the city of Toluca, just west of Mexico City. On videos of the event, the lead singer of one band can be heard telling asking the crowd, “Honestly, who doesn’t give a damn about the pandemic? Whoever doesn’t give a damn about coronavirus, raise your beer!” Dozens raised their cups.
Salas, whose father died and who herself was infected, said people have to abandon conspiracy theories and the strange belief it won’t happen to them.
“I see a lot of apathy, a lot of people being irresponsible, not giving a damn or not believing the disease is real. People still think it is something invented by the government.” Salas said. “It is something that people have to realize does exist, it is real.”
Galindo said those on the front lines are shocked when they look at social media. “They have this sense of frustration seeing photos of parties, meetings,” Galindo said. “They have been locked up for six months, fighting, going without sleep or without eating, and then they see that, and it’s shocking.”