washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Hong Kong blocks Tiananmen vigil; rush on for UK passports

HONG KONG ( AP ) - Hong Kong police rejected an application Monday for an annual candlelight vigil marking the anniversary this week of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown , as residents rushed to apply for passports that could allow them to move to the United Kingdom .
Throngs of people lined up at DHL courier outlets across the city , many to send documents to the U.K. to apply for or renew what is known as a British National ( Overseas ) passport .
“ My BNO passport expired in 2004 , but at the time I didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said 40-year-old Peter Chan , who works in asset management and waited in line for more than two hours .
Chan said he was worried about political and security issues in Hong Kong stemming from an upcoming national security law as well as a push by the semi-autonomous territory ’ s legislature to enact a bill that would make it illegal to insult the Chinese national anthem .
Even though there is rising anti-immigrant and anti-Asian sentiment in the U.K. , “ it ’ s still better than Hong Kong , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong , you never know what will happen tomorrow , ” Chan said .
It would be the first time in 30 years that the candlelight vigil , which draws a huge crowd to an outdoor space , is not held in Hong Kong .
The vigil marks the deadly military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing ’ s Tiananmen Square on June 4 , 1989 .
The police , in a letter to organizers , said it would violate coronavirus social distancing rules that ban gatherings of more than eight people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China , expressed disappointment and urged people to light candles individually and observe a moment of silence .
Amnesty International said authorities should facilitate a socially distanced vigil rather than ban it .
“ COVID-19 must not be used as an excuse to stifle freedom of expression , ” said Joshua Rosenzweig , the group ’ s deputy director for East and Southeast Asia .
“ With this ban , and a disastrous national security law looming , it is not clear if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever be allowed to take place again.
” Hong Kong has reported five local infections of the coronavirus in the last two days , breaking a nearly two-week streak of no new cases outside of those brought in from abroad .
The rush to apply for passports came after Britain said last week that it might allow holders of the document to stay in the country for a year or more .
The proposal came after China ’ s legislature decided it would enact a national security law for Hong Kong .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pro-democracy movement that has at times resulted in violent clashes between protesters and the police .
Critics say the law erodes the “ one country , two systems ” framework that promised Hong Kong freedoms not found in mainland China for 50 years .
Protesters demonstrated against the security law during lunchtime Monday at a luxury shopping mall in the Central business district , shouting pro-democracy slogans .
The British National ( Overseas ) passport , which was issued to Hong Kongers when it was a British colony , allows them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but falls short of offering them citizenship rights .
Currently , BNO passport holders can remain in the U.K. as visitors for six months without a visa .
But Britain ’ s plan to allow them to stay in the U.K. for a longer period could include options that offer a path to citizenship , according to British Home Secretary Priti Patel .
In Hong Kong ’ s eastern district of Quarry Bay , Vanessa Tai was among more than 40 people who stood in line at a DHL service point , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 24 , said the BNO passport is a Plan B for Hong Kongers who are worried about losing their freedoms as China strengthens its control over the city .
“ If I had a choice , I ’ d rather work and live in Hong Kong .
I hadn ’ t considered emigrating or working overseas before this , ” she said .
“ Nowadays , my family and I are seeking an alternative , just in case.
” As of February , nearly 350,000 Hong Kong residents held BNO passports , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are 2.9 million people in the city of 7.5 million who are eligible for the passport .

HONG KONG (AP) - Hong Kong police rejected an application Monday by organizers for an annual candlelight vigil marking the anniversary this week of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, as residents rushed to apply for passports that could allow them to move to the United Kingdom
It would be the first time in 30 years that the vigil, which draws a huge crowd to an outdoor space, is not held in Hong Kong. The vigil commemorates China’s deadly military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.
The decision follows a vote by China’s ceremonial parliament to bypass Hong Kong’s legislature and enact national security legislation for the semi-autonomous territory. Democracy activists and many legal experts worry that the law could curtail free speech and opposition political activities.
Throngs of people lined up on Monday at DHL courier outlets across the city, many to send documents to the U.K. to apply for or renew what is known as a British National (Overseas) passport.
“My BNO passport expired in 2004, but at the time I didn’t renew it because I trusted China,” said 40-year-old Peter Chan, who works in asset management and waited in line for more than two hours.
Chan said he was worried about political and security issues in Hong Kong stemming from the national security law as well as a push by the territory’s legislature to enact a bill that would make it illegal to insult the Chinese national anthem.
Even though there is rising anti-immigrant and anti-Asian sentiment in the U.K., “it’s still better than Hong Kong,” he said.
“In Hong Kong, you never know what will happen tomorrow,” Chan said.
The police, in a letter to organizers of the candlelight vigil, said it would violate coronavirus social distancing rules that ban gatherings of more than eight people.
Organizer Lee Cheuk-yan, chair of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, expressed disappointment and urged people to light candles individually and observe a moment of silence.
Amnesty International said authorities should facilitate a socially distanced vigil rather than ban it.
“COVID-19 must not be used as an excuse to stifle freedom of expression,” said Joshua Rosenzweig, the group’s deputy director for East and Southeast Asia. “With this ban, and a disastrous national security law looming, it is not clear if Hong Kong’s Tiananmen vigil will ever be allowed to take place again.”
Hong Kong has reported five local infections of the coronavirus in the last two days, breaking a nearly two-week streak of no new cases outside of those brought in from abroad.
The rush to apply for passports came after Britain said last week that it might allow holders of the document to stay in the country for a year or more. The proposal came after China’s legislature decided it would enact a national security law for Hong Kong.
The move is aimed at clamping down on a pro-democracy movement that has at times resulted in violent clashes between protesters and the police. Critics say the law erodes the “one country, two systems” framework that promised Hong Kong freedoms not found in mainland China for 50 years.
Protesters demonstrated against the security law at lunchtime Monday at a luxury shopping mall in the Central business district, shouting pro-democracy slogans.
The British National (Overseas) passport, which was issued to Hong Kongers when it was a British colony, allows them to visit the country for an extended period but falls short of offering them citizenship rights.
Currently, BNO passport holders can remain in the U.K. as visitors for six months without a visa. But Britain’s plan to allow them to stay in the U.K. for a longer period could include options that offer a path to citizenship, according to British Home Secretary Priti Patel.
In Hong Kong’s eastern district of Quarry Bay, Vanessa Tai was among more than 40 people who stood in line at a DHL service point, many holding envelopes with application documents.
Tai, 24, said the BNO passport is a Plan B for Hong Kongers who are worried about losing their freedoms as China strengthens its control over the city.
“If I had a choice, I’d rather work and live in Hong Kong. I hadn’t considered emigrating or working overseas before this,” she said. “Nowadays, my family and I are seeking an alternative, just in case.”
As of February, nearly 350,000 Hong Kong residents held BNO passports, although the U.K. government estimated that there are 2.9 million people in the city of 7.5 million who are eligible for the passport.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Protests continue throughout Arkansas over death of Floyd

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - Protests continued for a second night outside Arkansas ’ Capitol and throughout the state over the death of George Floyd .
Late Sunday , police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators outside the Capitol , the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported .
The move came after hours of peaceful protest in the capital city , police said .
Saturday protests at the Capitol also ended with police firing tear gas and pepper balls on a group that had damaged property and thrown things at officers , officials said .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who aren ’ t from Little Rock , who aren ’ t from central Arkansas , who aren ’ t even from the state of Arkansas that came to our city to be destructive , ” Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said Sunday morning .
“ While vandalism & defacing public property are against the law & contrary to the spirit of non-violent protest , I am hopeful that we can listen better , engage more and ultimately unite to support equal justice for all , ” Hutchinson said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state Sunday , including in Conway , Fort Smith , Jonesboro and Russellville , over the death of Floyd in Minneapolis .
Floyd died May 25 after an officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott said Monday that the city will re-institute a nightly curfew because large crowds that have gathered to protest the death of George Floyd haven’t followed social distancing guidelines, and some aren’t wearing face masks.
The curfew, which begins Monday, will be in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and exempts people who are traveling to and from work.
Little Rock on May 21 had lifted a curfew put in place in March to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are putting in place this curfew to protect our residents from outside forces who seek to do harm to our city and to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Scott said. “We respect the rights of residents to peacefully protest and fully expect that they will. We’ll continue to monitor what is happening to determine when the curfew should be lifted.”
There have been protests outside Arkansas’ Capital and throughout the state over Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. Floyd died May 25 after an officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air.
Late Sunday, police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators outside the Capitol, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. The move came after hours of peaceful protest in the capital city, police said.
Saturday protests at the Capitol also ended with police firing tear gas and pepper balls on a group that had damaged property and thrown things at officers, officials said.
Scott said those who violate the curfew will be given a warning the first time it happens but further violations will result in a citation.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who mobilized the Arkansas National Guard over the weekend, said Monday afternoon that he’s working to make sure the peaceful protesters are protected.
“I understand the outrage, the disappointment, the fear and the distrust that is prevalent in a community, in African Americans, that calls them to come out and to demonstrate and to protest,” Hutchinson said Monday afternoon.
“Let’s not let violence and destruction of property … undermine the message that is so important that is being conveyed by the demonstrators,” Hutchinson said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Turkey eases lockdown as restaurants reopen, flights resume

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) - Turkish Airlines resumed limited domestic flights , restaurants welcomed sit-in customers and beaches and museums reopened as Turkey ’ s broadest easing of coronavirus restrictions came into effect Monday .
A Turkish Airlines flight , with 156 people on board , departed from Ankara airport for Istanbul as Turkey lifted a travel ban between 15 of its worst-affected provinces .
The air routes between Istanbul , Ankara , Izmir , Antalya and Trabzon are the first start , with others scheduled to follow gradually .
Traffic jams returned to Istanbul , Turkey ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roads filled with people heading for hometowns or to resorts .
Meanwhile , restaurants and cafes opened their doors to a limited number of customers after some two months of takeout services only .
Istanbul ’ s 15th-century Grand Bazaar , museums , libraries , gyms , swimming pools , child care centers and nurseries were among other venues allowed to resume operations .
Businesses will be required to ensure social distancing and strict hygiene conditions are maintained .
Bars , nightclubs and hookah bars , however , will remain closed .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older and minors also remains in place .
The easing of restrictions follows a slowdown in confirmed COVID-19 infections and deaths in the country .
Turkey has registered more than 4,500 COVID-19 deaths and nearly 164,000 confirmed infections .
Last month , shopping malls were allowed to go back into business along with barber shops , hairdressers and beauty salons .
Worshippers held their first communal Friday prayers in more than two months last week .

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkish Airlines resumed limited domestic flights, restaurants welcomed sit-in customers and beaches and museums reopened as Turkey’s broadest easing of coronavirus restrictions came into effect Monday.
A Turkish Airlines flight, with 156 people on board, departed from Ankara airport for Istanbul as Turkey lifted a travel ban between 15 of its worst-affected provinces. The air routes between Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya and Trabzon are the first start, with others scheduled to follow gradually.
Traffic jams returned to Istanbul, Turkey’s most populous city, while intercity roads filled with people heading for hometowns or to resorts.
Meanwhile, restaurants and cafes opened their doors to a limited number of customers after some two months of takeout services only.
Istanbul’s 15th-century Grand Bazaar, museums, libraries, gyms, swimming pools, child care centers and nurseries were among other venues allowed to resume operations.
Businesses will be required to ensure social distancing and strict hygiene conditions are maintained.
Bars, nightclubs and hookah bars, however, will remain closed. A stay-at-home order for people age 65 and older and minors also remains in place.
The easing of restrictions follows a slowdown in confirmed COVID-19 infections and deaths in the country. Turkey has registered more than 4,500 COVID-19 deaths and nearly 164,000 confirmed infections.
Last month, shopping malls were allowed to go back into business along with barber shops, hairdressers and beauty salons. Worshippers held their first communal Friday prayers in more than two months last week.
___
Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Detroit to receive about $1M to help improve public spaces

DETROIT ( AP ) - Efforts to improve public spaces in Detroit are being bolstered by just over $ 1 @ @ @ @ @ an additional three-year commitment through a national initiative .
The Reimagining the Civic Commons initiative @ @ @ @ @ in ways that advance engagement , equity , environmental sustainability and economic development , city @ @ @ @ @ chosen in 2016 as one of five cities to participate in the initiative , which @ @ @ @ @ Detroit ’ s Fitzgerald neighborhood , including the construction of Ella Fitzgerald Park , community @ @ @ @ @ the rehabilitation of a number of new community storefronts along West McNichols Road .
Reimagining @ @ @ @ @ collaboration of national foundations and local partners .
Five more cities have been added .
@ @ @ @ @ , each city will continue to transform civic assets to connect people of all backgrounds @ @ @ @ @ more resilient communities .

DETROIT (AP) - Efforts to improve public spaces in Detroit are being bolstered by just over $1 million in new investment and an additional three-year commitment through a national initiative.
The Reimagining the Civic Commons initiative works to transform public spaces in ways that advance engagement, equity, environmental sustainability and economic development, city officials said.
Detroit was chosen in 2016 as one of five cities to participate in the initiative, which has helped support reinvestment in Detroit’s Fitzgerald neighborhood, including the construction of Ella Fitzgerald Park, community programming and events, and the rehabilitation of a number of new community storefronts along West McNichols Road.
Reimagining the Civic Commons is a collaboration of national foundations and local partners.
Five more cities have been added. For the next three years, each city will continue to transform civic assets to connect people of all backgrounds, cultivate trust and create more resilient communities.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Masses reopen in Milwaukee despite bans of big gatherings

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - The Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee reopened Mass to the public over the weekend in many @ @ @ @ @ order that still bans gatherings of more than 10 people .
Archbishop Jerome Listeck told @ @ @ @ @ though much smaller in scale than usual , it gave congregants the ability “ to @ @ @ @ @ water.
” The churches are limiting attendance to 25 % of capacity .
In response @ @ @ @ @ City of Milwaukee ’ s order limiting gatherings to groups of 10 people or fewer @ @ @ @ @ archdiocese has said , though , that it considers religious gatherings to be essential .
@ @ @ @ @ changes to the process of worship to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , including limiting @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus .
Listecki told pastors to reopen their churches only if they @ @ @ @ @ congregants .
About 45 parishes have remained closed , including a cluster on Milwaukee ’ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus case numbers have been high .

MILWAUKEE (AP) - The Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee reopened Mass to the public over the weekend in many city churches, despite an order that still bans gatherings of more than 10 people.
Archbishop Jerome Listeck told the Journal Sentinel said that though much smaller in scale than usual, it gave congregants the ability “to dip their toe in the water.”
The churches are limiting attendance to 25% of capacity.
In response to the pandemic, the City of Milwaukee’s order limiting gatherings to groups of 10 people or fewer remains in effect. The archdiocese has said, though, that it considers religious gatherings to be essential.
The archdiocese has made several changes to the process of worship to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including limiting singing that may increase the spread of the virus.
Listecki told pastors to reopen their churches only if they believed they could safely accommodate congregants. About 45 parishes have remained closed, including a cluster on Milwaukee’s south side, where coronavirus case numbers have been high.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Illinois to offer free meals to youth during summer break

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - Illinois will offer free meals to school-aged children at hundreds of sites this summer , using options such as home delivery and drive-through distribution to ensure families that need help can get it during the pandemic .
The Illinois State Board of Education said more organizations are needed to participate in the summer food program , as the number of families relying on the assistance for meals when school isn ’ t in session has increased due to the coronavirus outbreak .
“ COVID-19 has turned many families ’ lives upside down , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ayala .
“ Illinois ’ summer meals programs help to ensure that one thing families do not have to worry about is where their children will get their next meal.
” Ayala said schools have found safe and creative ways to provide food to students while schools have been closed , including curbside pickup and providing meals for multiple days at one time .
Those options will continue during the summer .
Schools , faith-based groups , local governments and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to participate , and meals are available to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locate their summer food site by calling ( 800 ) 359-2163 , texting “ FoodIL ” to 877-877 , or visiting summermealsillinois.org .

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois will offer free meals to school-aged children at hundreds of sites this summer, using options such as home delivery and drive-through distribution to ensure families that need help can get it during the pandemic.
The Illinois State Board of Education said more organizations are needed to participate in the summer food program, as the number of families relying on the assistance for meals when school isn’t in session has increased due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“COVID-19 has turned many families’ lives upside down,” said State Superintendent of Education Carmen Ayala. “Illinois’ summer meals programs help to ensure that one thing families do not have to worry about is where their children will get their next meal.”
Ayala said schools have found safe and creative ways to provide food to students while schools have been closed, including curbside pickup and providing meals for multiple days at one time. Those options will continue during the summer.
Schools, faith-based groups, local governments and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to participate, and meals are available to those age 18 and younger. Families may locate their summer food site by calling (800) 359-2163, texting “FoodIL” to 877-877, or visiting summermealsillinois.org.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Public awareness campaign seeks to prevent financial abuse

CONCORD , N.H. ( AP ) - A group working to prevent the financial exploitation of New Hampshire ’ s @ @ @ @ @ statewide public awareness campaign to connect victims and those at risk with trusted sources of @ @ @ @ @ Financial Abuse Specialty Team was created in 2013 and includes representatives from several state agencies @ @ @ @ @ groups .
Its new campaign is called “ Stay Connected NH ” and includes TV @ @ @ @ @ General Gordon MacDonald says financial exploitation is a growing threat in New Hampshire , and @ @ @ @ @ .
A group working to prevent the financial exploitation of New Hampshire ’ s elderly @

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A group working to prevent the financial exploitation of New Hampshire’s elderly residents has launched a statewide public awareness campaign to connect victims and those at risk with trusted sources of help.
The New Hampshire Financial Abuse Specialty Team was created in 2013 and includes representatives from several state agencies, financial institutions and advocacy groups. Its new campaign is called “Stay Connected NH” and includes TV and radio ads.
Attorney General Gordon MacDonald says financial exploitation is a growing threat in New Hampshire, and that raising awareness is crucial.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Indonesian police shoot militant who fatally slashed officer

JAKARTA , Indonesia ( AP ) - Indonesian police fatally shot a suspected Islamic militant who killed an officer at a police station with a samurai-style sword , officials said Monday .
National Police spokesman Ahmad Ramadhan said the suspect was shot as he tried to attack two other policemen after fatally slashing the first officer .
The suspect died on the way to the hospital .
The attack occurred early Monday at the South Daha police station in South Kalimantan province , he said .
“ One of the police officers died at the crime scene and the suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If the officer did not shoot , he would have killed more , ” Ramadhan said .
“ We are still investigating if the suspect was related to or inspired by the Islamic State group.
” He said police seized the sword , an Islamic State-style flag and a small Quran .
South Kalimantan police spokesman Mohammad Rifai said the suspect burned a police car at the station before attacking the officers .
Indonesia has carried out a sustained crackdown on Islamic militants since bombings on the tourist island of Bali in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Attacks on foreigners have been largely replaced in recent years by smaller , less deadly strikes targeting the government , police and anti-terrorism forces , inspired by Islamic State group attacks abroad .

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Indonesian police fatally shot a suspected Islamic militant who killed an officer at a police station with a samurai-style sword, officials said Monday.
National Police spokesman Ahmad Ramadhan said the suspect was shot as he tried to attack two other policemen after fatally slashing the first officer. The suspect died on the way to the hospital.
The attack occurred early Monday at the South Daha police station in South Kalimantan province, he said.
“One of the police officers died at the crime scene and the suspect was still trying to attack other officers. If the officer did not shoot, he would have killed more,” Ramadhan said. “We are still investigating if the suspect was related to or inspired by the Islamic State group.”
He said police seized the sword, an Islamic State-style flag and a small Quran.
South Kalimantan police spokesman Mohammad Rifai said the suspect burned a police car at the station before attacking the officers.
Indonesia has carried out a sustained crackdown on Islamic militants since bombings on the tourist island of Bali in 2002 killed 202 people, mostly foreigners.
Attacks on foreigners have been largely replaced in recent years by smaller, less deadly strikes targeting the government, police and anti-terrorism forces, inspired by Islamic State group attacks abroad.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Officials: Georgia teen died in lake while fleeing deputies

COVINGTON , Ga. ( AP ) - The body of a teenager was recovered from a lake the day after @ @ @ @ @ trying to escape officers during a traffic stop , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said @ @ @ @ @ Campbell , 19 , of Covington , was recovered Friday afternoon in Butts County .
@ @ @ @ @ and the Georgia State Patrol had tried to find him the day before , the @ @ @ @ @ agency said Campbell left his car Thursday night and ran into Jackson Lake after Newton @ @ @ @ @ Butts County following the traffic stop on Thursday .
The pursuing officers dove into the @ @ @ @ @ him , but couldn ’ t find him .
A dive team was called , @ @ @ @ @ find his body either , the GBI said .
The Newton County Sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ investigation .
His body has been sent to a GBI Medical Examiner for an autopsy @

COVINGTON, Ga. (AP) - The body of a teenager was recovered from a lake the day after he ran into the water trying to escape officers during a traffic stop, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said.
The body of Gavin Campbell, 19, of Covington, was recovered Friday afternoon in Butts County. Deputies from three different counties and the Georgia State Patrol had tried to find him the day before, the GBI statement said.
The agency said Campbell left his car Thursday night and ran into Jackson Lake after Newton County deputies pursued him to Butts County following the traffic stop on Thursday. The pursuing officers dove into the water to try to rescue him, but couldn’t find him. A dive team was called, and they couldn’t find his body either, the GBI said.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office has requested a GBI investigation. His body has been sent to a GBI Medical Examiner for an autopsy.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Full squad training resumes in Spain ahead of soccer restart

MADRID ( AP ) - Spanish clubs resumed full squad training on Monday , beginning the final stage of preparations for the return to competition .
Clubs will have just under two weeks of full sessions before the league restarts on June 11 , almost three months after it was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Training was only previously allowed with groups of up to 14 players .
Clubs began individual sessions a few weeks ago and had been gradually increasing their workload .
On Monday , Barcelona showed an image of coach Quique Setién surrounded by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the message “ Together Again ” , and a video of Lionel Messi scoring a goal .
Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid also showed their players training in full groups .
The resumption of normal training comes a day after the league confirmed the dates and times of the first two rounds of matches following its suspension in mid-March .
The first game will be the derby between Sevilla and Real Betis on June 11 .
Leader Barcelona will resume at Mallorca on June 13 , with Atlético visiting Athletic Bilbao on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The derby between Valencia and Levante will be played on June 12 .
“ It ’ s been unusual preparation , with the players not being allowed to be together , ” Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernández told league broadcaster Movistar late Sunday .
“ The team has been practicing well and with a lot of confidence .
We want to be at 100 % when we start , and right now we are at about 95 % .
” With all remaining league matches likely to be played without fans , Madrid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium , the team ’ s training center , thus allowing renovation work at the Santiago Bernabéu to continue during the summer as originally planned .
“ It would be strange to play at the Bernabéu without fans , ” Fernández said .
“ We have practiced at the Alfredo Di Stéfano before .
We will get used to it.
” Madrid trails Barcelona by two points in the league .
“ It will be a new championship , with 11 matches remaining , ” Barcelona defender Clément Lenglet said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of points to be able to win the title .
It will be like starting from zero.
” Players will have trained for about a month by the time the league resumes .
Matches are expected to be played every day until the competition concludes on July 19 .
“ We know it ’ s a risk to play so many matches like this , after the stoppage and with the heat , ” Lenglet said .
“ We will have to be well prepared.
” The league will schedule most games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account high temperatures in Spain , but some can also be brought forward based on favorable weather forecasts .
There will be a couple of matches at 1 p.m. local time ( 1100 GMT ) on the first weekend .
All games will include an “ applause to infinity ” tribute to the “ heroes who are fighting to overcome ” the pandemic .
Pre-recorded applause uploaded in videos by fans will be played in the 20th minute of matches .

MADRID (AP) - Spanish clubs resumed full squad training on Monday, beginning the final stage of preparations for the return to competition.
Clubs will have just under two weeks of full sessions before the league restarts on June 11, almost three months after it was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Training was only previously allowed with groups of up to 14 players. Clubs began individual sessions a few weeks ago and had been gradually increasing their workload.
On Monday, Barcelona showed an image of coach Quique Setién surrounded by the entire squad in training, along with the message “Together Again”, and a video of Lionel Messi scoring a goal.
Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid also showed their players training in full groups.
The resumption of normal training comes a day after the league confirmed the dates and times of the first two rounds of matches following its suspension in mid-March. The first game will be the derby between Sevilla and Real Betis on June 11.
Leader Barcelona will resume at Mallorca on June 13, with Atlético visiting Athletic Bilbao on June 14 and Real Madrid hosting Eibar. The derby between Valencia and Levante will be played on June 12.
“It’s been unusual preparation, with the players not being allowed to be together,” Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernández told league broadcaster Movistar late Sunday. “The team has been practicing well and with a lot of confidence. We want to be at 100% when we start, and right now we are at about 95%.”
With all remaining league matches likely to be played without fans, Madrid has decided to host games at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium, the team’s training center, thus allowing renovation work at the Santiago Bernabéu to continue during the summer as originally planned.
“It would be strange to play at the Bernabéu without fans,” Fernández said. “We have practiced at the Alfredo Di Stéfano before. We will get used to it.”
Madrid trails Barcelona by two points in the league.
“It will be a new championship, with 11 matches remaining,” Barcelona defender Clément Lenglet said. “We will need the maximum number of points to be able to win the title. It will be like starting from zero.”
Players will have trained for about a month by the time the league resumes. Matches are expected to be played every day until the competition concludes on July 19.
“We know it’s a risk to play so many matches like this, after the stoppage and with the heat,” Lenglet said. “We will have to be well prepared.”
The league will schedule most games late in the day to take into account high temperatures in Spain, but some can also be brought forward based on favorable weather forecasts. There will be a couple of matches at 1 p.m. local time (1100 GMT) on the first weekend.
All games will include an “applause to infinity” tribute to the “heroes who are fighting to overcome” the pandemic. Pre-recorded applause uploaded in videos by fans will be played in the 20th minute of matches.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
___
Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Dermot Shea, NYPD commissioner: 'We believe in a light touch'

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea on Monday said the department does believe in a “ light touch ” amid widespread protests following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota , responding to recent comments from New York Mayor Bill de Blasio .
“ If you look at yesterday in New York City , we had thousands and thousands of people protesting all day and not really an incident , ” Mr. Shea said on “ Fox & Friends.
” “ Sometimes there was some agitation , but it was exactly as how it should be.
” “ We believe in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capable to respond to multiple situations and every situation is fluid , so we ’ ll deal with whatever is in front of us and we ’ ll deal with it accordingly , ” he said .
Mr. de Blasio , who has had a tenuous relationship with the city ’ s police department , had said last week he wanted to see a “ light touch ” in response to protests over the death of Floyd , a 46-year-old black man suspected of using fake money at a grocery store .
Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after an officer knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes .
The former officer , Derek Chauvin , now faces third-degree murder and manslaughter charges .
Floyd ’ s death has triggered a wave of protests across the country that escalated into heated clashes with law enforcement over the weekend in certain spots .

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea on Monday said the department does believe in a “light touch” amid widespread protests following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, responding to recent comments from New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“If you look at yesterday in New York City, we had thousands and thousands of people protesting all day and not really an incident,” Mr. Shea said on “Fox & Friends.” “Sometimes there was some agitation, but it was exactly as how it should be.”
“We believe in a light touch — we are also very capable to respond to multiple situations and every situation is fluid, so we’ll deal with whatever is in front of us and we’ll deal with it accordingly,” he said.
Mr. de Blasio, who has had a tenuous relationship with the city’s police department, had said last week he wanted to see a “light touch” in response to protests over the death of Floyd, a 46-year-old black man suspected of using fake money at a grocery store.
Floyd died while in police custody last week after an officer knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes. The former officer, Derek Chauvin, now faces third-degree murder and manslaughter charges.
Floyd’s death has triggered a wave of protests across the country that escalated into heated clashes with law enforcement over the weekend in certain spots.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Players skip training after union impasse with MLS

Players from several Major League Soccer teams skipped voluntary workouts Monday after the league and the players ’ association hit an impasse on an agreement that would clear the way for a tournament this summer in Florida .
A person with knowledge of the negotiations said the talks between the two sides were ongoing and a deadline has been pushed to Wednesday .
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the negotiations were not being made public .
The Major League Soccer Players Association had voted to approve economic concessions for this season , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made public by the union Sunday night , was sent back to the league for approval by team owners .
“ While a difficult vote in incredibly challenging times , it was taken collectively to ensure that players can return to competition as soon as they are safely able to do so , ” the union said in a statement .
The season was suspended March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Teams had played just two games .
The league gave its teams the go-ahead last week to begin small voluntary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow a strict protocol , as well as local public health and government restrictions .
Not all the teams have returned to training .
On Monday , players from a number of teams including Atlanta United , Inter Miami , Vancouver Whitecaps and Minnesota United did not report to voluntary training .
“ Players made a CHOICE to focus their time and energy on an important decision which includes the threat of a lockout instead of volunteering to attend on-field training for a tournament we already agreed to attend .
Refuse is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota midfielder Ethan Finlay posted on social media .
Finlay is on the executive board of the players ’ union .
Details of the Florida tournament were still under consideration but the league ’ s 26 teams and limited staff would be sheltered at hotels with games played without fans at ESPN ’ s Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World .
In addition to salary cuts , the union ’ s proposal includes reduced team and individual bonuses , as well as concessions to the existing and future terms of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately available .
MLS did not comment on the proposal .
MLS first announced last month it was exploring possible “ changes to player compensation ” because of the financial hit the league and teams were facing with the extended suspension in play .
The sides have since gone back and forth .
“ We are seeking to work collaboratively with the MLSPA to find a solution that provides a safety net for all players , opportunity to earn full salary in the scenario where all matches are played with fans , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the lower end of the salary scale , ” the league said in a statement at the time .
MLS and the players ’ union agreed to terms of a new contract in early February , but it had not been ratified when the season was put on hold .

Players from several Major League Soccer teams skipped voluntary workouts Monday after the league and the players’ association hit an impasse on an agreement that would clear the way for a tournament this summer in Florida.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations said the talks between the two sides were ongoing and a deadline has been pushed to Wednesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the negotiations were not being made public.
The Major League Soccer Players Association had voted to approve economic concessions for this season, including across-the-board salary cuts. The proposal, made public by the union Sunday night, was sent back to the league for approval by team owners.
“While a difficult vote in incredibly challenging times, it was taken collectively to ensure that players can return to competition as soon as they are safely able to do so,” the union said in a statement.
The season was suspended March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Teams had played just two games.
The league gave its teams the go-ahead last week to begin small voluntary group training sessions outdoors. They must follow a strict protocol, as well as local public health and government restrictions. Not all the teams have returned to training.
On Monday, players from a number of teams including Atlanta United, Inter Miami, Vancouver Whitecaps and Minnesota United did not report to voluntary training.
“Players made a CHOICE to focus their time and energy on an important decision which includes the threat of a lockout instead of volunteering to attend on-field training for a tournament we already agreed to attend. Refuse is not the word I would use,” Minnesota midfielder Ethan Finlay posted on social media. Finlay is on the executive board of the players’ union.
Details of the Florida tournament were still under consideration but the league’s 26 teams and limited staff would be sheltered at hotels with games played without fans at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World.
In addition to salary cuts, the union’s proposal includes reduced team and individual bonuses, as well as concessions to the existing and future terms of the collective bargaining agreement. Details were not immediately available.
MLS did not comment on the proposal.
MLS first announced last month it was exploring possible “changes to player compensation” because of the financial hit the league and teams were facing with the extended suspension in play. The sides have since gone back and forth.
“We are seeking to work collaboratively with the MLSPA to find a solution that provides a safety net for all players, opportunity to earn full salary in the scenario where all matches are played with fans, and in particular provides protection for the players at the lower end of the salary scale,” the league said in a statement at the time.
MLS and the players’ union agreed to terms of a new contract in early February, but it had not been ratified when the season was put on hold.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Puerto Rico overhauls 1930 civil code amid sharp criticism

SAN JUAN , Puerto Rico ( AP ) - For the first time in nearly a century , Puerto Rico overhauled a series of laws that regulate rights in the U.S. territory including marriage , abortion and property ownership without having held any public hearings .
Gov .
Wanda Vázquez on Monday night signed into law a new civil code that replaces the one created in 1930 and contains more than 130 amendments , raising concerns that some could lead to certain loopholes in what is considered Puerto Rico ’ s second most important legal document after its Constitution .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ code with 100 % consensus , ” she said as she defended the new code , adding there will always be room to improve or change it .
Vázquez said she consulted numerous experts including judges and professors as part of an effort that began more than 20 years ago .
Critics agree that it was time to revise and modernize the civil code , but said legislators should have held public hearings before it was approved .
One of the biggest concerns for some is that while the new code upholds the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rico , it also for the first time recognizes the rights of a fetus .
“ You have to ask yourself , ‘ Why was that clause included ?
What ’ s the final intention ?
’ ” said Edgardo Román , president of Puerto Rico ’ s Bar Association , adding that in the future , it could be used to question the legality of abortion or in cases where a mother might be in a coma or incapacitated in some way .
Meanwhile , the island ’ s LGBTQ community in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contradicting language regarding the ongoing right to change one ’ s gender on their birth certificate .
Human rights activist Pedro Julio Serrano said he expects a flurry of lawsuits over the new civil code : “ They wanted to satisfy God and the devil , and they ended up making no one happy.
” The island ’ s House of Representatives had approved some 70 amendments alone that Román said were adopted to promote the conservative vision of various religious groups .
The Senate then introduced more than 60 new amendments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe the civil code violates the rights of anyone and that it would go into effect in 180 days .
Román , however , wants to delay implementation of it to give attorneys and others time to read and understand all the changes .
Among those changes are that couples getting a divorce no longer have to justify their decision in front of a judge and inheritors are not responsible for the debts or obligations of those who died .

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - For the first time in nearly a century, Puerto Rico overhauled a series of laws that regulate rights in the U.S. territory including marriage, abortion and property ownership without having held any public hearings.
Gov. Wanda Vázquez on Monday night signed into law a new civil code that replaces the one created in 1930 and contains more than 130 amendments, raising concerns that some could lead to certain loopholes in what is considered Puerto Rico’s second most important legal document after its Constitution.
“We will never have a civil code with 100% consensus,” she said as she defended the new code, adding there will always be room to improve or change it.
Vázquez said she consulted numerous experts including judges and professors as part of an effort that began more than 20 years ago.
Critics agree that it was time to revise and modernize the civil code, but said legislators should have held public hearings before it was approved. One of the biggest concerns for some is that while the new code upholds the right to have an abortion in Puerto Rico, it also for the first time recognizes the rights of a fetus.
“You have to ask yourself, ‘Why was that clause included? What’s the final intention?’” said Edgardo Román, president of Puerto Rico’s Bar Association, adding that in the future, it could be used to question the legality of abortion or in cases where a mother might be in a coma or incapacitated in some way.
Meanwhile, the island’s LGBTQ community in part decried what it described as obscure and contradicting language regarding the ongoing right to change one’s gender on their birth certificate.
Human rights activist Pedro Julio Serrano said he expects a flurry of lawsuits over the new civil code: “They wanted to satisfy God and the devil, and they ended up making no one happy.”
The island’s House of Representatives had approved some 70 amendments alone that Román said were adopted to promote the conservative vision of various religious groups. The Senate then introduced more than 60 new amendments.
Vázquez said she doesn’t believe the civil code violates the rights of anyone and that it would go into effect in 180 days. Román, however, wants to delay implementation of it to give attorneys and others time to read and understand all the changes.
Among those changes are that couples getting a divorce no longer have to justify their decision in front of a judge and inheritors are not responsible for the debts or obligations of those who died.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Marian Edgar Budde, D.C. bishop, blasts Donald Trump over St. John's Church photo op

The Episcopal bishop of Washington said she was “ outraged ” Monday evening about President Trump ’ s visit to the facade of the church across the street from the White House and effectively accused him of profaning the church she oversees .
“ I am outraged , ” Bishop Marian Edgar Budde said in an interview on CNN , accusing Mr. Trump of “ abuse of sacred symbols ” by holding up a Bible in front of St. John ’ s Episcopal Church .
She said the diocese did not approve Mr. Trump ’ s appearance and she only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bishop Budde thundered prophetic judgment against Mr. Trump ’ s actions , in ordering that protesters be cleared from Lafayette Park using force and his martial rhetoric about the week of protests in the police killing of George Floyd .
The visit was “ antithetical to everything we and this faith stands for ” and “ were against the teachings of Christ.
” She noted that Mr. Trump did not come inside the church — which was closed — and did not come to pray “ and certainly not to confess .
”

The Episcopal bishop of Washington said she was “outraged” Monday evening about President Trump’s visit to the facade of the church across the street from the White House and effectively accused him of blasphemy.
Bishop Marian Edgar Budde accused Mr. Trump in an interview on CNN, of “abuse of sacred symbols” by holding up a Bible in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church without telling the diocese.
“The president just used a Bible … and one of the churches of my diocese without permission as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus,” Bishop Budde said.
“I am outraged,” she said, adding that she only learned while watching TV of the Trump visit to the church, which had been attacked by protesters Sunday night.
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde: “The President just used a Bible … and one of the churches of my diocese without permission as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything our churches stand for….I am outraged.” pic.twitter.com/yegcO7xoJ0 — Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) June 2, 2020
“I just couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing,” she said.
The bishop thundered prophetic judgment against Mr. Trump’s actions — ordering that protesters be cleared from Lafayette Park using tear gas, his martial rhetoric about the week of protests in the police killing of George Floyd, and what she described as his refusal to acknowledge systemic racism and racial oppression.
“I just want the world to know that we in the Diocese of Washington, following Jesus and His rule of love … distance ourselves from the incendiary language of this president.”
Bishop Budde noted that Mr. Trump did not come inside the church — which was closed — and “did not pray when he came to St. John’s” or come to confess.
She was backed later on social media by the Episcopal Church’s presiding bishop in the U.S., who accused Mr. Trump of engaging in a useless partisan stunt.
“He used a church building and the Holy Bible for partisan political purposes,” Presiding Bishop Michael Curry wrote on Twitter.
He added that “this was done in a time of deep hurt and pain in our country, and his action did nothing to help us or to heal us.”
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Third lawsuit filed in deaths at West Virginia VA hospital

CHARLESTON , W.Va. ( AP ) - A third lawsuit was filed Monday involving the deaths of patients over wrongful insulin injections at a West Virginia veterans hospital .
Charleston attorney Tony O ’ Dell filed the federal lawsuit in the death of John William Hallman .
The 87-year-old Navy veteran died at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg in June 2018 .
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Hallman ’ s son and daughter and seeks unspecified damages .
Five months after he died , Hallman ’ s death certificate was amended and his immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unexplained hypoglycemia , ” or low blood sugar .
The lawsuit alleged an unidentified employee had given Hallman a shot of insulin despite no physician ’ s order being issued .
The lawsuit asserts that prior to Hallman ’ s death , the night shift on the same hospital floor “ experienced sudden severe unexplained patient decline leading to patient death on at least 9 occasions.
” O ’ Dell also filed a lawsuit in April on behalf of the widow of George Nelson Shaw Sr. , an 81-year-old retired member of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital in April 2018 .
That suit said an autopsy performed on Shaw found four insulin injection sites on both arms and one leg .
A similar lawsuit was filed in March by a woman whose father , former Army Sgt .
Felix Kirk McDermott , 82 , also died at the hospital in April 2018 .
Federal prosecutors are probing the deaths of up to 11 patients at the hospital .
Attorneys representing the families of men who died say the deaths of McDermott and Shaw have been ruled homicides .
Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Virginia , has said the investigation is a “ top priority.
” But U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia told Attorney General William Barr in a letter last year that he had “ grave concerns over the pace of the investigation.
” The Democrat said VA officials had told him a “ person of interest ” was no longer in contact with any veterans at the facility .
The VA inspector general told Manchin ’ s office about the opening of a medical and criminal investigation of the hospital in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s second-largest department , responsible for nine million military veterans .

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A third lawsuit was filed Monday involving the deaths of patients over wrongful insulin injections at a West Virginia veterans hospital.
Charleston attorney Tony O’Dell filed the federal lawsuit in the death of John William Hallman. The 87-year-old Navy veteran died at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg in June 2018. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Hallman’s son and daughter and seeks unspecified damages.
Five months after he died, Hallman’s death certificate was amended and his immediate cause of death was listed as “unexplained hypoglycemia,” or low blood sugar. The lawsuit alleged an unidentified employee had given Hallman a shot of insulin despite no physician’s order being issued.
The lawsuit asserts that prior to Hallman’s death, the night shift on the same hospital floor “experienced sudden severe unexplained patient decline leading to patient death on at least 9 occasions.”
O’Dell also filed a lawsuit in April on behalf of the widow of George Nelson Shaw Sr., an 81-year-old retired member of the Air Force who also died at the hospital in April 2018. That suit said an autopsy performed on Shaw found four insulin injection sites on both arms and one leg.
A similar lawsuit was filed in March by a woman whose father, former Army Sgt. Felix Kirk McDermott, 82, also died at the hospital in April 2018.
Federal prosecutors are probing the deaths of up to 11 patients at the hospital. Attorneys representing the families of men who died say the deaths of McDermott and Shaw have been ruled homicides.
Bill Powell, the U.S. attorney for northern West Virginia, has said the investigation is a “top priority.” But U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia told Attorney General William Barr in a letter last year that he had “grave concerns over the pace of the investigation.”
The Democrat said VA officials had told him a “person of interest” was no longer in contact with any veterans at the facility. The VA inspector general told Manchin’s office about the opening of a medical and criminal investigation of the hospital in July 2018.
The VA is the government’s second-largest department, responsible for nine million military veterans.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--South Dakota prison inmate dies of non-coronavirus illness

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
( AP ) - A South Dakota state prison inmate serving a life sentence for @ @ @ @ @ years ago died over the weekend , authorities said .
The South Dakota Department of @ @ @ @ @ 44 , died Sunday after an extended illness .
Officials said the illness was not @ @ @ @ @ died in a comfort care setting at the Jameson Annex to the South Dakota State @ @ @ @ @ The Argus Leader reported Benallie was serving a life sentence for second-degree murder out of @ @ @ @ @ stabbing death of Joe Moran .

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A South Dakota state prison inmate serving a life sentence for a fatal stabbing nearly 25 years ago died over the weekend, authorities said.
The South Dakota Department of Corrections said Lorenzo Benallie, 44, died Sunday after an extended illness. Officials said the illness was not related to COVID-19.
Benallie died in a comfort care setting at the Jameson Annex to the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls.
The Argus Leader reported Benallie was serving a life sentence for second-degree murder out of Mellette County for the 1996 stabbing death of Joe Moran.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Tennessee House advance abortion ‘reversal’ bill

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - The Tennessee House on Monday advanced a proposal requiring providers to inform women that drug-induced abortions may be halted halfway or face felony charges .
Medical groups say that claim isn ’ t backed up by science and that there is little information about the reversal procedure ’ s safety .
Lawmakers voted 71-22 on the measure .
However , the bill must still pass the Senate before it can be considered by Republican Gov .
Bill Lee .
While the GOP-dominant Statehouse tends to easily approve anti-abortion bills , Senate leaders have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bills while lawmakers work over the next couple of weeks .
A handful of states across the country have adopted similar laws .
Under the proposal , abortion providers would face a $ 10,000 civil penalty and a felony charge for not informing women by telephone or in person that mifepristone - the drug that begins a medication abortion - does not always end a pregnancy if taken alone .
It also dictates that signs echoing similar claims must also be posted in all patient waiting areas if the provider performs more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , medical abortion involves taking two drugs .
The first - mifepristone - thins the lining of the uterus and loosens the connection between the embryo and the uterine lining .
The second - misoprostol - softens and opens the cervix and causes contractions to push out the pregnancy .
The second drug is taken at home hours to days after the first drug .
Women rarely change their minds before completing the treatment .
Doctors are required to report such information to the manufacturer of mifepristone .
The reversal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given if a woman changes her mind after the first step of a medical abortion .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee House on Monday advanced a proposal requiring providers to inform women that drug-induced abortions may be halted halfway or face felony charges.
Medical groups say that claim isn’t backed up by science and that there is little information about the reversal procedure’s safety.
Lawmakers voted 71-22 on the measure. However, the bill must still pass the Senate before it can be considered by Republican Gov. Bill Lee. While the GOP-dominant Statehouse tends to easily approve anti-abortion bills, Senate leaders have expressed reluctance to take up non-coronavirus related bills while lawmakers work over the next couple of weeks.
A handful of states across the country have adopted similar laws.
Under the proposal, abortion providers would face a $10,000 civil penalty and a felony charge for not informing women by telephone or in person that mifepristone - the drug that begins a medication abortion - does not always end a pregnancy if taken alone.
It also dictates that signs echoing similar claims must also be posted in all patient waiting areas if the provider performs more than 50 abortions in a year.
In the United States, medical abortion involves taking two drugs. The first - mifepristone - thins the lining of the uterus and loosens the connection between the embryo and the uterine lining. The second - misoprostol - softens and opens the cervix and causes contractions to push out the pregnancy.
The second drug is taken at home hours to days after the first drug.
Women rarely change their minds before completing the treatment. Doctors are required to report such information to the manufacturer of mifepristone.
The reversal procedure involves shots of the hormone progesterone given if a woman changes her mind after the first step of a medical abortion.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--NBA star Trae Young speaks at peaceful protest in Oklahoma

NORMAN , Okla. ( AP ) - NBA All-Star Trae Young spoke at a peaceful protest of racial injustice and police brutality in his hometown on Monday .
Young , the former University of Oklahoma star who now plays for the Atlanta Hawks , briefly addressed several hundred people at Andrews Park about the deaths of George Floyd and others .
“ I know this country ’ s in a messed up place right now , ” he said .
“ And for me , I just think it ’ s important that we all stick together and we stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s not just going to take just me .
It ’ s not just going to take just you .
It ’ s all of us coming together and doing this as a collective unit.
” Floyd , a black man , died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck while Floyd was handcuffed and saying that he couldn ’ t breathe .
His death sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the country , some of which became violent .
Norman mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were among the other speakers at the Norman rally .
Young acknowledged that he doesn ’ t often speak out on social issues and credited his sister , Caitlyn , for helping him come out of his shell .
At one point , Young held up a “ Black Lives Matter ” sign .
“ I ’ m not used to doing this , ” he said .
“ I ’ m not very open about what I see or the things that go on in this world very often , but for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 21 years old , I feel that it was necessary .
This is bigger than me , and I feel like this is a big step in the right direction.
” Young ’ s NBA city of Atlanta has been rocked by protests , fires and looting .
He said after he left the stage that he has mixed feelings about those protests .
“ I play in Atlanta , a black cultured city where people are looting there and it ’ s messing up the city , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can protest the right way and peacefully , which I believe it should be , but I also see where it hasn ’ t worked.
” He believes better days are ahead .
“ I feel like justice will be served and changes will be made if we all come together , ” he said .
“ This is us doing it .
This is the first step .
”

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - NBA All-Star Trae Young spoke at a peaceful protest of racial injustice and police brutality in his hometown on Monday.
Young, the former University of Oklahoma star who now plays for the Atlanta Hawks, briefly addressed several hundred people at Andrews Park about the deaths of George Floyd and others.
“I know this country’s in a messed up place right now,” he said. “And for me, I just think it’s important that we all stick together and we stand up for what’s right. It’s not just going to take just me. It’s not just going to take just you. It’s all of us coming together and doing this as a collective unit.”
Floyd, a black man, died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck while Floyd was handcuffed and saying that he couldn’t breathe. His death sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the country, some of which became violent.
Norman mayor Breea Clark and police chief Kevin Foster were among the other speakers at the Norman rally.
Young acknowledged that he doesn’t often speak out on social issues and credited his sister, Caitlyn, for helping him come out of his shell. At one point, Young held up a “Black Lives Matter” sign.
“I’m not used to doing this,” he said. “I’m not very open about what I see or the things that go on in this world very often, but for me, even though I’m just 21 years old, I feel that it was necessary. This is bigger than me, and I feel like this is a big step in the right direction.”
Young’s NBA city of Atlanta has been rocked by protests, fires and looting. He said after he left the stage that he has mixed feelings about those protests.
“I play in Atlanta, a black cultured city where people are looting there and it’s messing up the city,” he said. “So I see both sides. You can protest the right way and peacefully, which I believe it should be, but I also see where it hasn’t worked.”
He believes better days are ahead.
“I feel like justice will be served and changes will be made if we all come together,” he said. “This is us doing it. This is the first step.”
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--First California prison employee dies of coronavirus

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California ’ s state prison system had its first known staff death due to the coronavirus , officials said , as well as the death of the 10th inmate from the virus .
The prison department posted photographs of eight firefighters saluting from atop their trucks and a long procession of law enforcement and first-responder vehicles honoring California Rehabilitation Center Correctional Officer Danny Mendoza , 53 .
Mendoza , a 24-year veteran of the department , died Saturday after recently testing positive for the coronavirus , though the official cause of death will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Office .
“ Officer Mendoza was loved and respected by his peers , he will be greatly missed , ” Warden Cynthia Tampkins said in a statement .
More than 300 state corrections department employees have tested positive , but more than half of those have returned to work , the department said .
An inmate at the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County died Sunday at an outside hospital from what appear to be coronavirus complications , officials said .
It would be the 10th such inmate death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 450 inmates have tested positive .
The department has nearly 2,000 active cases statewide .
Officials did not release more information on the inmate , citing medical privacy rules .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The vast majority of people recover .
Two inmates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officials said Monday .
Officials at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad said they found Elazer Black , 25 , bleeding from multiple stab wounds to his upper chest .
They identified four suspects in the area and said one , fellow inmate Lamar Shaw , had an inmate-made weapon .
They also recovered a second inmate-made weapon .
The victim was serving a 26-year sentence from San Joaquin County for voluntary manslaughter .
Shaw , 26 , is serving a life term for an Alameda County murder .
Three other inmates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Hours later , officers at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton found Aaron Coderre , 40 , unresponsive in the showers from they said was a wound consistent with being attacked by a weapon .
Fellow inmate Joshua Rudiger , 42 , was also in the showers and is considered a suspect , officials said .
Both men were serving life sentences , Coderre for an attempted Butte County murder and Rudiger for second-degree murder in San Francisco .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California’s state prison system had its first known staff death due to the coronavirus, officials said, as well as the death of the 10th inmate from the virus.
The prison department posted photographs of eight firefighters saluting from atop their trucks and a long procession of law enforcement and first-responder vehicles honoring California Rehabilitation Center Correctional Officer Danny Mendoza, 53.
Mendoza, a 24-year veteran of the department, died Saturday after recently testing positive for the coronavirus, though the official cause of death will be determined by the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.
“Officer Mendoza was loved and respected by his peers, he will be greatly missed,” Warden Cynthia Tampkins said in a statement.
More than 300 state corrections department employees have tested positive, but more than half of those have returned to work, the department said.
An inmate at the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County died Sunday at an outside hospital from what appear to be coronavirus complications, officials said. It would be the 10th such inmate death, all at the same prison where more than 450 inmates have tested positive. The department has nearly 2,000 active cases statewide.
Officials did not release more information on the inmate, citing medical privacy rules.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
Two inmates were slain at separate prisons on Sunday, officials said Monday.
Officials at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad said they found Elazer Black, 25, bleeding from multiple stab wounds to his upper chest. They identified four suspects in the area and said one, fellow inmate Lamar Shaw, had an inmate-made weapon. They also recovered a second inmate-made weapon.
The victim was serving a 26-year sentence from San Joaquin County for voluntary manslaughter. Shaw, 26, is serving a life term for an Alameda County murder.
Three other inmates also are considered suspects, officials said:
- Ronald Armstrong, 30, serving a life term for a Contra Costa County attempted murder.
- Kevin Moore, 34, serving life for a Solano County murder.
- Asbury Rankins, 44, serving a 17-year sentence from Alameda County for voluntary manslaughter
Hours later, officers at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton found Aaron Coderre, 40, unresponsive in the showers from they said was a wound consistent with being attacked by a weapon.
Fellow inmate Joshua Rudiger, 42, was also in the showers and is considered a suspect, officials said. Both men were serving life sentences, Coderre for an attempted Butte County murder and Rudiger for second-degree murder in San Francisco.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--San Diego police to stop using blood-stopping neck restraint

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) - Police in San Diego , the nation ’ s eighth-largest city , will immediately stop using the carotid restraint in the wake of nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd after he was placed in a neck hold in Minneapolis , authorities said Monday .
“ We are watching the hurt and pain so many people are expressing after the tragic death of George Floyd , and are committed to taking new actions to make sure something like this doesn ’ t happen in San Diego , ” Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is deadly , and it is unnecessary , ” City Council President Georgette Gomez said .
The restraint , also called a sleeper hold , involves applying pressure to the sides of the neck with an arm , which can almost immediately block blood flow and render someone unconscious .
Police figures showed officers used it hundreds of times in the past five years .
Activists contend it is disproportionately used against black people and other minorities .
Faulconer said it “ has led to so much concern and frustration by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief David Nisleit said he began evaluating the procedure last week after Floyd ’ s death and will send officers a memo on Tuesday ordering an end to the use-of-force tactic .
“ It ’ s the right thing to do for the community and it ’ s the right thing to do for our officers , ” Nisleit said .
“ Some will say it ’ s taking away a tool , I say it ’ s adding a layer of protection.
” Many police departments already ban the restraint or restrict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a black man , died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes even as he stopped moving and pleaded for air .

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Police in San Diego, the nation’s eighth-largest city, will immediately stop using the carotid restraint in the wake of nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd after he was placed in a neck hold in Minneapolis, authorities said Monday.
“We are watching the hurt and pain so many people are expressing after the tragic death of George Floyd, and are committed to taking new actions to make sure something like this doesn’t happen in San Diego,” Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer said.
“As we’ve seen, it is deadly, and it is unnecessary,” City Council President Georgette Gomez said.
The restraint, also called a sleeper hold, involves applying pressure to the sides of the neck with an arm, which can almost immediately block blood flow and render someone unconscious.
Police figures showed officers used it hundreds of times in the past five years. Activists contend it is disproportionately used against black people and other minorities.
Faulconer said it “has led to so much concern and frustration by many in our minority communities.”
Police Chief David Nisleit said he began evaluating the procedure last week after Floyd’s death and will send officers a memo on Tuesday ordering an end to the use-of-force tactic.
“It’s the right thing to do for the community and it’s the right thing to do for our officers,” Nisleit said. “Some will say it’s taking away a tool, I say it’s adding a layer of protection.”
Many police departments already ban the restraint or restrict its use to life-threatening situations.
Floyd, a black man, died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes even as he stopped moving and pleaded for air.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Boxer Floyd Mayweather to pay for George Floyd's funeral

Former boxing champion Floyd Mayweather has offered to pay for George Floyd ’ s funeral and memorial services , and the family has accepted the offer .
Mayweather personally has been in touch with the family , according to Leonard Ellerbe , the CEO of Mayweather Promotions .
He will handle costs for the funeral on June 9 in Floyd ’ s hometown of Houston , as well as other expenses .
Floyd , a black man , died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck while Floyd was handcuffed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His death sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the country , some of which became violent .
TMZ originally reported Mayweather ’ s offer , and said he will also pay for services in Minnesota and North Carolina .
“ He ’ ll probably get mad at me for saying that , but yes , he is definitely paying for the funeral , ” Ellerbe told ESPN.com on Monday .
Mayweather , who lives in Las Vegas , has not met the Floyd family .
Mayweather , who retired undefeated after 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also paid for the funeral of an opponent .
Mayweather won his first world championship when he stopped Genaro Hernandez for the WBC super featherweight title in 1998 .
Hernandez died 13 years later of cancer , and Mayweather handled funeral expenses .
Mayweather is considered one of the best boxers of his generation .
Among the champion boxers he defeated before retiring in 2017 , are Manny Pacquiao , Canelo Alvarez , Oscar de la Hoya and Miguel Cotto .

Former boxing champion Floyd Mayweather has offered to pay for George Floyd’s funeral and memorial services, and the family has accepted the offer.
Mayweather personally has been in touch with the family, according to Leonard Ellerbe, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions. He will handle costs for the funeral on June 9 in Floyd’s hometown of Houston, as well as other expenses.
Floyd, a black man, died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck while Floyd was handcuffed and saying that he couldn’t breathe. His death sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the country, some of which became violent.
TMZ originally reported Mayweather’s offer, and said he will also pay for services in Minnesota and North Carolina.
“He’ll probably get mad at me for saying that, but yes, he is definitely paying for the funeral,” Ellerbe told ESPN.com on Monday.
Mayweather, who lives in Las Vegas, has not met the Floyd family.
Mayweather, who retired undefeated after 50 fights, winning five division titles, also paid for the funeral of an opponent. Mayweather won his first world championship when he stopped Genaro Hernandez for the WBC super featherweight title in 1998. Hernandez died 13 years later of cancer, and Mayweather handled funeral expenses.
Mayweather is considered one of the best boxers of his generation. Among the champion boxers he defeated before retiring in 2017, are Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez, Oscar de la Hoya and Miguel Cotto.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Altru eliminates 167 jobs due to COVID-19 pandemic

GRAND FORKS , N.D. ( AP ) - Grand Forks-based Altru Health System said Monday it has eliminated 167 jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Officials said most of the reductions are in support and administrative departments .
The cuts represent about 6.5 % of Altru ’ s workforce .
In a statement , Altru President Dr. Steven Weiser said he hoped Altru would never have to make the move , but “ it is necessary.
” “ Today ’ s announcement is part of a crucial re-design of our organization , ” Weiser said .
“ We must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest of those we serve .
As we adapt , we will not lose sight of our patients and our responsibility to the community and region .
Patients always come first and providing safe , high-quality care remains our priority.
” KNOX-AM reports before Monday ’ s announcement , Altru had made several moves to offset financial losses this year , including reducing executive , leadership and physician pay , workforce adjustments to patient volume and deciding to pause construction of a new Altru hospital .
Hospitals and health care systems have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has postponed routine visits and elective surgeries .

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - Grand Forks-based Altru Health System said Monday it has eliminated 167 jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials said most of the reductions are in support and administrative departments. The cuts represent about 6.5% of Altru’s workforce.
In a statement, Altru President Dr. Steven Weiser said he hoped Altru would never have to make the move, but “it is necessary.”
“Today’s announcement is part of a crucial re-design of our organization,” Weiser said. “We must continue to make changes in the best interest of those we serve. As we adapt, we will not lose sight of our patients and our responsibility to the community and region. Patients always come first and providing safe, high-quality care remains our priority.”
KNOX-AM reports before Monday’s announcement, Altru had made several moves to offset financial losses this year, including reducing executive, leadership and physician pay, workforce adjustments to patient volume and deciding to pause construction of a new Altru hospital.
Hospitals and health care systems have seen a steep drop in business as COVID-19 has postponed routine visits and elective surgeries.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Border agents deployed put down riot in Washington, D.C.

The Homeland Security Department said Monday it has deployed some of its border forces to downtown Washington , D.C. to help quell the unrest that ’ s gripped the city over the last few days .
CBP is based in the Ronald Reagan Building , which stands on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street , just blocks from the White House , which has been the scene of massive protests and a heavy response from the Secret Service .
CBP said it was bringing in “ uniformed personnel ” from around the region to help with the defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support our law enforcement partners in their efforts to prevent any further civil unrest in the D.C area , ” the agency said in a brief statement .
“ It is our sincere hope that local protests remain peaceful and without incident .
Our brave CBP agents , officers and operators stand ready to assist in protecting our law enforcement partners from any lawless rioting , domestic acts of terrorism , and other criminal activities.
” CBP , a part of Homeland Security , includes Border Patrol agents and border officers , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Homeland Security ’ s main office is on the outskirts of the city , across the Anacostia River , and in a location unlikely to make it a target for protests .

The Homeland Security Department said Monday it has deployed some of its border forces to downtown Washington, D.C. to help quell the unrest that’s gripped the city over the last few days.
CBP is based in the Ronald Reagan Building, which stands on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street, just blocks from the White House, which has been the scene of massive protests and a heavy response from the Secret Service.
CBP said it was bringing in “uniformed personnel” from around the region to help with the defense.
“This action is necessary to support our law enforcement partners in their efforts to prevent any further civil unrest in the D.C area,” the agency said in a brief statement. “It is our sincere hope that local protests remain peaceful and without incident. Our brave CBP agents, officers and operators stand ready to assist in protecting our law enforcement partners from any lawless rioting, domestic acts of terrorism, and other criminal activities.”
CBP, a part of Homeland Security, includes Border Patrol agents and border officers, as well as Air and Marine agents.
Homeland Security’s main office is on the outskirts of the city, across the Anacostia River, and in a location unlikely to make it a target for protests.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Key Wisconsin races for November coming into focus

MADISON , Wis. ( AP ) - Key races in Wisconsin came into clearer focus Monday , the deadline for candidates to file nomination papers to get on the November ballot .
Republicans are looking to maintain their majorities in both the state Senate and Assembly heading into 2021 , when the Legislature will be charged with the once-a-decade job of redistricting .
Because of how the lines were drawn by Republicans the last time , there are very few competitive races beyond open seats where the battles are largely fought in the primaries .
Republicans hold a 19-14 majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are on the ballot .
Three seats held by Republicans and four by Democrats are open , mostly due to retirements .
One of the most targeted races is for a seat in La Crosse vacated by former Democratic Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling .
Former Republican state Sen. Dan Kapanke is running , as are three Democrats .
One of them , Brad Pfaff , was fired as Gov .
Tony Evers state agriculture secretary by the GOP-controlled Senate last year .
In the Assembly , Republicans have a 63-36 majority and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotly contested races are in primaries for the 13 open seats where six Republicans and seven Democrats not running again .
In congressional races , Republicans are targeting Democratic Rep. Ron Kind in western Wisconsin district President Donald Trump won by 4.5 points four years ago .
Republicans think Kind is vulnerable because of how well Trump did in the district in 2016 .
Kind was unopposed in 2018 .
Two Republicans - Derrick Van Orden and Jessie Ebben - in addition to Democrat Mark Neumann filed to run against Kind .
Neumann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Republican congressman from the Milwaukee area with the same name .
Van Orden is a former Navy SEAL who grew up in southeastern Wisconsin and then moved back to the state after his military career ended in 2015 .
He has done consulting work on leadership and opened a cafe in northern Wisconsin .
This is his first run for office .
Ebben is a public relations professional in Eau Claire .
For the first time in 42 years , Jim Sensenbrenner will not be on the ballot for Congress .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that covers of Milwaukee ’ s western suburbs is retiring .
Scott Fitzgerald , the Republican state Senate majority leader , is vying for the seat .
Republican Cliff DeTemple of Jackson , a U.S. Coast Guard Reserve commander , filed nomination papers just before the deadline Monday .
It was unclear whether he turned in enough valid nomination signatures to get on the ballot ; state election officials were still reviewing them , and others submitted late Monday .
If he did , DeTemple would face Fitzgerald in an August primary .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sensenbrenner in 2018 and lost by 24 points , is also running .
There will be a rematch of last month ’ s special election to fill northern Wisconsin ’ s 7th Congressional District .
Republican Tom Tiffany handily won the special election by 14 points over Democrat Tricia Zunker .
They will meet again in November with a full , two-year term on the line .
Incumbents in Wisconsin ’ s six other congressional districts are all running again .
The Democrats are Mark Pocan , who represents the Madison and surrounding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Milwaukee ; and Kind , who has represented western Wisconsin since 1996 .
Both Pocan and Moore are in safe Democratic districts .
Republican Peter Theron , of Madison , filed to challenge Pocan for a third time .
Pocan easily defeated him in both 2014 and 2016 .
Republican Tim Rogers , a delivery driver , and independent Robert Raymond are challenging Moore for a second time .
Moore cruised to victory over them both in 2018 with 76 % of the vote .
Republican Army veteran Cindy Werner of Milwaukee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in addition to Tiffany , are Mike Gallagher , of Green Bay , who represents northeast Wisconsin ; Glenn Grothman , of Glenbeulah , whose district includes conservative northern Milwaukee suburbs and Bryan Steil , of Janesville , who represents southeast Wisconsin .
Democratic state Rep. Amanda Stuck , who is completing her sixth year in the state Assembly , is giving up her seat to take on Gallagher .
Democrats Roger Polack , a political newcomer , and 2018 gubernatorial candidate Josh Pade both registered to run against Steil .
Republican John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday to force a primary against Steil Democrats Jessica King , Matthew Boor and Michael Beardsley filed to run against Grothman .
King , an attorney , served a year and a half in the state Senate after winning a recall election in 2011 .
The primary for races with more than two candidates is Aug. 11 with the general election on Nov. 3 .

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Key races in Wisconsin came into clearer focus Monday, the deadline for candidates to file nomination papers to get on the November ballot.
Republicans are looking to maintain their majorities in both the state Senate and Assembly heading into 2021, when the Legislature will be charged with the once-a-decade job of redistricting. Because of how the lines were drawn by Republicans the last time, there are very few competitive races beyond open seats where the battles are largely fought in the primaries.
Republicans hold a 19-14 majority in the state Senate where 16 seats are on the ballot. Three seats held by Republicans and four by Democrats are open, mostly due to retirements.
One of the most targeted races is for a seat in La Crosse vacated by former Democratic Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling. Former Republican state Sen. Dan Kapanke is running, as are three Democrats. One of them, Brad Pfaff, was fired as Gov. Tony Evers state agriculture secretary by the GOP-controlled Senate last year.
In the Assembly, Republicans have a 63-36 majority and all 99 seats are up. The most hotly contested races are in primaries for the 13 open seats where six Republicans and seven Democrats not running again.
In congressional races, Republicans are targeting Democratic Rep. Ron Kind in western Wisconsin district President Donald Trump won by 4.5 points four years ago. Republicans think Kind is vulnerable because of how well Trump did in the district in 2016. Kind was unopposed in 2018.
Two Republicans - Derrick Van Orden and Jessie Ebben - in addition to Democrat Mark Neumann filed to run against Kind. Neumann is a retired pediatrician, not the former Republican congressman from the Milwaukee area with the same name.
Van Orden is a former Navy SEAL who grew up in southeastern Wisconsin and then moved back to the state after his military career ended in 2015. He has done consulting work on leadership and opened a cafe in northern Wisconsin. This is his first run for office. Ebben is a public relations professional in Eau Claire.
For the first time in 42 years, Jim Sensenbrenner will not be on the ballot for Congress. The Republican who represents a conservative congressional district that covers of Milwaukee’s western suburbs is retiring. Scott Fitzgerald, the Republican state Senate majority leader, is vying for the seat.
Republican Cliff DeTemple of Jackson, a U.S. Coast Guard Reserve commander, filed nomination papers just before the deadline Monday. It was unclear whether he turned in enough valid nomination signatures to get on the ballot; state election officials were still reviewing them, and others submitted late Monday. If he did, DeTemple would face Fitzgerald in an August primary.
Democrat Tom Palzewicz, who ran against Sensenbrenner in 2018 and lost by 24 points, is also running.
There will be a rematch of last month’s special election to fill northern Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District. Republican Tom Tiffany handily won the special election by 14 points over Democrat Tricia Zunker. They will meet again in November with a full, two-year term on the line.
Incumbents in Wisconsin’s six other congressional districts are all running again. The Democrats are Mark Pocan, who represents the Madison and surrounding south-central Wisconsin area; Gwen Moore, of Milwaukee; and Kind, who has represented western Wisconsin since 1996.
Both Pocan and Moore are in safe Democratic districts.
Republican Peter Theron, of Madison, filed to challenge Pocan for a third time. Pocan easily defeated him in both 2014 and 2016. Republican Tim Rogers, a delivery driver, and independent Robert Raymond are challenging Moore for a second time. Moore cruised to victory over them both in 2018 with 76% of the vote. Republican Army veteran Cindy Werner of Milwaukee is also running.
Republican incumbents, in addition to Tiffany, are Mike Gallagher, of Green Bay, who represents northeast Wisconsin; Glenn Grothman, of Glenbeulah, whose district includes conservative northern Milwaukee suburbs and Bryan Steil, of Janesville, who represents southeast Wisconsin.
Democratic state Rep. Amanda Stuck, who is completing her sixth year in the state Assembly, is giving up her seat to take on Gallagher. Democrats Roger Polack, a political newcomer, and 2018 gubernatorial candidate Josh Pade both registered to run against Steil. Republican John Baker of Mukwonago filed nomination papers late Monday to force a primary against Steil
Democrats Jessica King, Matthew Boor and Michael Beardsley filed to run against Grothman. King, an attorney, served a year and a half in the state Senate after winning a recall election in 2011.
The primary for races with more than two candidates is Aug. 11 with the general election on Nov. 3.
___
Follow Scott Bauer on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sbauerAP


washingtontimes--2020-06-01--Donald Trump mobilizing military horrifies liberals

Liberals expressed disgust Monday night at President Trump ’ s mobilizing of military and civilian forces to confront nationwide rioting .
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith , Washington Democrat , said the president ’ s action “ proves that he can not lead us through these tumultuous times and unite the country.
” “ Instead , he has decided to rely on the use of force to address those who he views as a threat , ” Mr. Smith said .
“ I urge President Trump to reverse course and use the full weight of the presidency to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escalate them .
It simply doesn ’ t have to be this way.
” The president on Monday night threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy military troops to stop rioting if governors can ’ t restore order with National Guard troops .
“ The domestic deployment of our armed services is an incredibly serious undertaking that should not be taken lightly , ” Mr. Smith said .
“ It is un-American to use our service members to ‘ dominate ’ civilians , as both the President and Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a democracy , not a dictatorship.
” New York State Attorney General Letitia said the president “ is not a dictator.
” “ President Trump does not and will not dominate New York state , ” she said .
“ In fact , the president does not have the right to unilaterally deploy U.S. military across American states .
We respect and will guard the right to peaceful protest , and my office will review any federal action with an eye toward protecting our state ’ s rights .
Rest assured : We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect our constitutional rights during this time and well into the future.
” Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David said Mr. Trump ’ s announcement “ could have come from Bull Connor or George Wallace , ” referring to a public-safety commissioner and governor of Alabama who clashed with civil-rights activists in the 1960s .
“ You can not silence us , Mr. President , because you don ’ t like the message or the speaker , ” Mr. David said .
“ This country is not governed by authoritarian rule , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to advocate and fight for our country and the freedoms our forebearers died for .
You will hear us — tonight , tomorrow and on Election Day.
” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York said on Twitter , “ How low can this president go ?
” “ President Trump ordered federal authorities to fire tear gas at peaceful protesters so that he could hold a photo op to appear like a tough guy , ” Mr. Schumer tweeted .
“ His words are empty .
His actions reveal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kentucky Democrat and chairman of the House Budget Committee , said the president “ just declared war on millions of Americans and the 1st Amendment .
He is the greatest threat to the American way of life in our history.
” Rep. Joe Kennedy III , Massachusetts Democrat , tweeted a photo of Mr. Trump holding a Bible in front of the church and commented , “ This egotistical , racist President must go.
” Rep. Val Demings , Florida Democrat who ’ s a contender to become the running mate for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter , “ Donald Trump may not consider himself a fascist .
But he ’ s using every trick in the book.
” District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser objected to the actions surrounding the president ’ s visit to St. John ’ s Church .
“ I imposed a curfew at 7pm , ” she tweeted .
“ A full 25 minutes before the curfew & w/o provocation , federal police used munitions on peaceful protestors in front of the White House , an act that will make the job of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
”

Liberals expressed disgust Monday night at President Trump’s mobilizing of military and civilian forces to confront nationwide rioting.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, Washington Democrat, said the president’s action “proves that he cannot lead us through these tumultuous times and unite the country.”
“Instead, he has decided to rely on the use of force to address those who he views as a threat,” Mr. Smith said. “I urge President Trump to reverse course and use the full weight of the presidency to calm tensions across the country, not escalate them. It simply doesn’t have to be this way.”
The president on Monday night threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy military troops to stop rioting if governors can’t restore order with National Guard troops.
“The domestic deployment of our armed services is an incredibly serious undertaking that should not be taken lightly,” Mr. Smith said. “It is un-American to use our service members to ‘dominate’ civilians, as both the President and Secretary of Defense have suggested. We live in a democracy, not a dictatorship.”
New York State Attorney General Letitia said the president “is not a dictator.”
“President Trump does not and will not dominate New York state,” she said. “In fact, the president does not have the right to unilaterally deploy U.S. military across American states. We respect and will guard the right to peaceful protest, and my office will review any federal action with an eye toward protecting our state’s rights. Rest assured: We will not hesitate to go to court to protect our constitutional rights during this time and well into the future.”
Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David said Mr. Trump’s announcement “could have come from Bull Connor or George Wallace,” referring to a public-safety commissioner and governor of Alabama who clashed with civil-rights activists in the 1960s.
“You cannot silence us, Mr. President, because you don’t like the message or the speaker,” Mr. David said. “This country is not governed by authoritarian rule, despite your best efforts. We are going to advocate and fight for our country and the freedoms our forebearers died for. You will hear us — tonight, tomorrow and on Election Day.”
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York said on Twitter, “How low can this president go?”
“President Trump ordered federal authorities to fire tear gas at peaceful protesters so that he could hold a photo op to appear like a tough guy,” Mr. Schumer tweeted. “His words are empty. His actions reveal his true nature.”
Rep. John Yarmuth, Kentucky Democrat and chairman of the House Budget Committee, said the president “just declared war on millions of Americans and the 1st Amendment. He is the greatest threat to the American way of life in our history.”
Rep. Joe Kennedy III, Massachusetts Democrat, tweeted a photo of Mr. Trump holding a Bible in front of the church and commented, “This egotistical, racist President must go.”
Rep. Val Demings, Florida Democrat who’s a contender to become the running mate for presumptive nominee Joseph R. Biden, said on Twitter, “Donald Trump may not consider himself a fascist. But he’s using every trick in the book.”
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser objected to the actions surrounding the president’s visit to St. John’s Church.
“I imposed a curfew at 7pm,” she tweeted. “A full 25 minutes before the curfew & w/o provocation, federal police used munitions on peaceful protestors in front of the White House, an act that will make the job of @DCPoliceDept officers more difficult. Shameful!”
She told District residents, “Go home. Be Safe.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.