washingtontimes--2020-07-20--German politicians ask Congress to keep U.S. troops in their country

German politicians representing areas where large numbers of American military personnel are based want Congress to force President Trump to back down on his plans to withdraw almost 10,000 U.S. troops from Germany .
The troops represent the “ backbone of the U.S. military presence in Europe and NATO ’ s ability to act , ” the governors of Bavaria , Hesse , Baden-Wuerttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate wrote in a letter sent recently to more than a dozen U.S. lawmakers .
Among those who received it were several influential Republicans , including Sen. Jim Inhofe from Oklahoma , who is both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee .
While there was no immediate comment on the letter from Capitol Hill on Monday , several members of Congress have previously spoken out against Mr. Trump ’ s troop withdrawal plan , including some prominent Republicans .
In June , Mr. Trump ordered the American troop presence in Germany to be reduced from about 34,500 to 25,00 .
The president has said he wanted the numbers reduced because Germany takes advantage of the U.S. in trade policy and won ’ t sufficiently invest in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign policy expert with the Heritage Foundation , said Mr. Trump has a point about Germany ’ s lack of defense spending .
But , in an interview with The Washington Times , Mr. Coffey said such factors shouldn ’ t warrant a U.S. pullout .
“ I think there are plenty of good reasons to keep U.S. forces in Europe .
I would like to see them increased , ” he said , asserting the U.S. military presence in Germany protects Americans interests in Europe by strengthening allies and deterring adversaries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and the Grafenwoehr training area as constituting essential to the U.S. presence in Europe , according to a copy obtained by The Associated Press .
Americans and Germans have worked together for decades to develop those structures , along with the headquarters for the U.S. European Command , the governors wrote .
“ They provide the necessary foundation for a partnership-based contribution to peace in Europe and the world , to which we all share a common commitment , ” they wrote .
“ We therefore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strive not to sever the bond of friendship but to strengthen it and to secure the U.S. presence in Germany and Europe in the future.
” Domestic political considerations and the need to placate constituents is more likely at the center of the letter from the German chief ministers than geopolitical strategic concerns , said Mr. Coffey , who noted the loss of 10,000 well-paid American military personnel would be a major hit to the economies of the four German regions represented in the letter .
At the same time , Mr. Coffey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a factor in weighing the strategic value of U.S. troops in Germany .
Sen. Mitt Romney , Utah Republican and one of Mr. Trump ’ s most ardent political foes , was one of the recipients of the letter .
He was already firmly opposed to the president ’ s order — having called it a “ gift to Russia ” — and last month introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act aimed at blocking any serious withdrawal of U.S. personnel from Germany .
“ In addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would present serious logistical challenges and prevent our military from performing routine military readiness exercises , ” Mr. Romney said on introducing the measure .
Pentagon officials have not indicated which troops would be moved and what their next location would be .
Some are expected to be transferred east , possibly to Poland which has been constructing facilities in hope of an influx of American military personnel .
Most are expected to move back to the U.S .
There is precedent , meanwhile , for foreign politicians to try and play the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other on sensitive national security matters .
In March 2015 , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited to speak before a joint meeting of Congress in opposition to the Obama era Iranian nuclear negotiations .
Some saw it as a breach of diplomatic and political protocol .
While the German politicians may be attempting a similar end run around the White House with their letter to U.S. lawmakers , Mr. Coffey said Mr. Trump may not even have been made aware of the attempt .
“ I ’ m not even sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in terms of briefings , ” Mr. Coffey said .
“ But if [ German chancellor Angela Merkel ] starts firing off letters to various senators and congressmen , that would change .
”

German politicians representing areas where large numbers of American military personnel are based want Congress to force President Trump to back down on his plans to withdraw almost 10,000 U.S. troops from Germany.
The troops represent the “backbone of the U.S. military presence in Europe and NATO’s ability to act,” the governors of Bavaria, Hesse, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate wrote in a letter sent recently to more than a dozen U.S. lawmakers.
Among those who received it were several influential Republicans, including Sen. Jim Inhofe from Oklahoma, who is both a strong ally of President Trump and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
While there was no immediate comment on the letter from Capitol Hill on Monday, several members of Congress have previously spoken out against Mr. Trump’s troop withdrawal plan, including some prominent Republicans.
In June, Mr. Trump ordered the American troop presence in Germany to be reduced from about 34,500 to 25,00. The president has said he wanted the numbers reduced because Germany takes advantage of the U.S. in trade policy and won’t sufficiently invest in its own defense.
Luke Coffey, a foreign policy expert with the Heritage Foundation, said Mr. Trump has a point about Germany’s lack of defense spending. But, in an interview with The Washington Times, Mr. Coffey said such factors shouldn’t warrant a U.S. pullout.
SEE ALSO: Mitt Romney slams Germany troop withdrawal as ‘slap in the face’ to ally
“I think there are plenty of good reasons to keep U.S. forces in Europe. I would like to see them increased,” he said, asserting the U.S. military presence in Germany protects Americans interests in Europe by strengthening allies and deterring adversaries.
The letter from the German governors draws attention to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and the Grafenwoehr training area as constituting essential to the U.S. presence in Europe, according to a copy obtained by The Associated Press. Americans and Germans have worked together for decades to develop those structures, along with the headquarters for the U.S. European Command, the governors wrote.
“They provide the necessary foundation for a partnership-based contribution to peace in Europe and the world, to which we all share a common commitment,” they wrote. “We therefore ask you to support us as we strive not to sever the bond of friendship but to strengthen it and to secure the U.S. presence in Germany and Europe in the future.”
Domestic political considerations and the need to placate constituents is more likely at the center of the letter from the German chief ministers than geopolitical strategic concerns, said Mr. Coffey, who noted the loss of 10,000 well-paid American military personnel would be a major hit to the economies of the four German regions represented in the letter.
At the same time, Mr. Coffey argued such considerations also should not be a factor in weighing the strategic value of U.S. troops in Germany.
Sen. Mitt Romney, Utah Republican and one of Mr. Trump’s most ardent political foes, was one of the recipients of the letter. He was already firmly opposed to the president’s order — having called it a “gift to Russia” — and last month introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act aimed at blocking any serious withdrawal of U.S. personnel from Germany.
“In addition to undermining our NATO alliance, a withdrawal would present serious logistical challenges and prevent our military from performing routine military readiness exercises,” Mr. Romney said on introducing the measure.
Final details around Mr. Trump’s troop withdrawal plan remain murky.
Pentagon officials have not indicated which troops would be moved and what their next location would be. Some are expected to be transferred east, possibly to Poland which has been constructing facilities in hope of an influx of American military personnel. Most are expected to move back to the U.S.
There is precedent, meanwhile, for foreign politicians to try and play the U.S. legislative and executive branches off each other on sensitive national security matters. In March 2015, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited to speak before a joint meeting of Congress in opposition to the Obama era Iranian nuclear negotiations. Some saw it as a breach of diplomatic and political protocol.
While the German politicians may be attempting a similar end run around the White House with their letter to U.S. lawmakers, Mr. Coffey said Mr. Trump may not even have been made aware of the attempt.
“I’m not even sure this will be raised to his level in terms of briefings,” Mr. Coffey said. “But if [German chancellor Angela Merkel] starts firing off letters to various senators and congressmen, that would change.”
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Connecticut: Coronavirus testing flaw causing false positives

Scientists at Connecticut ’ s public health laboratory say they ’ ve discovered a flaw in a manufacturer ’ s testing system for the coronavirus that ’ s used by labs around the country .
So far , it ’ s resulted in 90 people - mostly residents of Connecticut nursing homes and assisted living facilities - recently receiving false positive tests .
State public health officials are now reviewing whether nursing home residents who received false positive tests were grouped with other residents with accurate positive tests , given the state ’ s recommendation to cohort nursing home residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We don ’ t know that yet , ” said Josh Geballe , Gov .
Ned Lamont ’ s chief operating officer , noting that a team from the state ’ s Department of Public Health has been reaching out to every clinician responsible for those individuals , as well as the facilities where they live , and compiling data on the situation .
Meanwhile , Dr. Deidre S. Gifford , the state ’ s acting public health commissioner , said her agency is also reaching out to labs throughout the state to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing platform manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific .
Yale epidemiologist and researcher Dr. Albert Ko , who co-chaired Lamont ’ s reopening advisory committee , said the particular test is being used in many commercial labs around the U.S .
He said the employees at Connecticut ’ s state laboratory deserve “ a shout-out ” for discovering the flaw because it not only highlighted a potential problem in nursing home testing but “ helped people all over the country who are using that test.
” But Ko noted that no test is perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is using large-scale , intense testing to keep down transmission , we are going to have false positives , ” he said .
“ And that ’ s going to happen even in the best of tests because none of them are 100 % positive.
” DPH said the affected patients were originally tested between June 15 and July 17 .
A total of 144 tested positive and 90 were discovered to be false positives .
The state has reported the flaw to the manufacturer and to the federal Food and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the agency said the exact cause of the false positive results is still being investigated .
Any nursing home resident that had a false positive COVID-19 test result will be retested as soon as possible , DPH said .
DPH said the false positive test results were discovered by DPH laboratory scientists while examining previously positive samples to determine the feasibility of testing “ pooled ” specimens at the state lab .
Dr. Jafar Razeq , director of the state lab , said staff were looking at the “ background information ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that these specimens shouldn ’ t have not been reported as positive.
” As of Monday , there have been more than 48,000 positive cases statewide in Connecticut , a figure that grew by 162 since Friday .
Lamont said Connecticut ’ s positive rate is 0.6 % , still among the lowest in the country .
Meanwhile , the number of COVID-associated deaths increased by 10 since Friday , for a total of 4,406 .
Hospitalizations dropped by 12 to 54 .
Lamont said Connecticut is planning to require out-of-state travelers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fill out online travel health forms , the latest effort to beef up Connecticut ’ s 14-day quarantine requirement .
Lamont also warned there could be a $ 1,000 fine for violators .
Lamont said Connecticut is working with New York , New Jersey and Massachusetts on the concept where people will be required to fill out the form before they land at Bradley International Airport or drive into the state , possibly from other regional airports .
He said Connecticut Department of Public Health staff will be Bradley , making sure people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will include information about which state the person came from , where they ’ re staying in Connecticut and how they can be reached .
Lamont said enforcement of the quarantine requirement will evolve over time .
“ But we want to send the message loud and clear , as you look at the incredible infection rates in other parts of the country , ” he said .
“ We know that COVID came to this part of the country by airplane and we don ’ t want it to come by airplane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly strict about how we do that going forward.
” The state is still exempting travelers from those states with high infection rates from the 14-day quarantine if they can prove they ’ ve tested negative in the past 72 hours .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Scientists at Connecticut’s public health laboratory say they’ve discovered a flaw in a manufacturer’s testing system for the coronavirus that’s used by labs around the country. So far, it’s resulted in 90 people - mostly residents of Connecticut nursing homes and assisted living facilities - recently receiving false positive tests.
State public health officials are now reviewing whether nursing home residents who received false positive tests were grouped with other residents with accurate positive tests, given the state’s recommendation to cohort nursing home residents who test positive for COVID-19.
“We don’t know that yet,” said Josh Geballe, Gov. Ned Lamont’s chief operating officer, noting that a team from the state’s Department of Public Health has been reaching out to every clinician responsible for those individuals, as well as the facilities where they live, and compiling data on the situation.
Meanwhile, Dr. Deidre S. Gifford, the state’s acting public health commissioner, said her agency is also reaching out to labs throughout the state to see how many of them use the testing platform manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Yale epidemiologist and researcher Dr. Albert Ko, who co-chaired Lamont’s reopening advisory committee, said the particular test is being used in many commercial labs around the U.S. He said the employees at Connecticut’s state laboratory deserve “a shout-out” for discovering the flaw because it not only highlighted a potential problem in nursing home testing but “helped people all over the country who are using that test.”
But Ko noted that no test is perfect.
“In a state like ours, which is using large-scale, intense testing to keep down transmission, we are going to have false positives,” he said. “And that’s going to happen even in the best of tests because none of them are 100% positive.”
DPH said the affected patients were originally tested between June 15 and July 17. A total of 144 tested positive and 90 were discovered to be false positives. The state has reported the flaw to the manufacturer and to the federal Food and Drug Administration. In a written statement, the agency said the exact cause of the false positive results is still being investigated.
Any nursing home resident that had a false positive COVID-19 test result will be retested as soon as possible, DPH said.
DPH said the false positive test results were discovered by DPH laboratory scientists while examining previously positive samples to determine the feasibility of testing “pooled” specimens at the state lab. Dr. Jafar Razeq, director of the state lab, said staff were looking at the “background information” of the specimens and “we realized that these specimens shouldn’t have not been reported as positive.”
As of Monday, there have been more than 48,000 positive cases statewide in Connecticut, a figure that grew by 162 since Friday. Lamont said Connecticut’s positive rate is 0.6%, still among the lowest in the country. Meanwhile, the number of COVID-associated deaths increased by 10 since Friday, for a total of 4,406. Hospitalizations dropped by 12 to 54.
___
CONNECTICUT QUARANTINE RULES
Lamont said Connecticut is planning to require out-of-state travelers from states with high COVID-19 infection rates to fill out online travel health forms, the latest effort to beef up Connecticut’s 14-day quarantine requirement. Lamont also warned there could be a $1,000 fine for violators.
Lamont said Connecticut is working with New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts on the concept where people will be required to fill out the form before they land at Bradley International Airport or drive into the state, possibly from other regional airports. He said Connecticut Department of Public Health staff will be Bradley, making sure people have filled out the form, which will include information about which state the person came from, where they’re staying in Connecticut and how they can be reached.
Lamont said enforcement of the quarantine requirement will evolve over time.
“But we want to send the message loud and clear, as you look at the incredible infection rates in other parts of the country,” he said. “We know that COVID came to this part of the country by airplane and we don’t want it to come by airplane again. So we’re being particularly strict about how we do that going forward.”
The state is still exempting travelers from those states with high infection rates from the 14-day quarantine if they can prove they’ve tested negative in the past 72 hours.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--MJ Hegar challenges  John Cornyn for Texas Senate seat

Democrats are bullish about ousting Sen. John Cornyn in November from his seat from Texas , where they have MJ Hegar — a tattooed , motorcycle-driving , decorated military combat veteran — fighting to prove that the state is indeed trending away from Republicans .
The Republican Party has had a stranglehold on statewide elections in Texas since 1994 , but there is a sense that the state has been inching toward Democrats and that Mr. Cornyn ’ s old-school , low-key cowboy style has lost a bit of its political luster .
These days , bomb-throwing , high-octane Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star State .
“ I think Cornyn is as vulnerable as he has ever been , ” said Joshua Blank , research director for the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin .
“ Having said that , he has not been terribly vulnerable in the past.
” Texas has changed a lot since Mr. Cornyn cruised to a third term in 2014 .
Mrs. Hegar is shaping up to be his toughest rival to date , Mr. Blank said .
“ MJ Hegar still has a lot of work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profile — both in Texas and nationally — than his last two Senate opponents , ” he said .
Mr. Cornyn , 68 , has been a longtime staple of Texas politics .
He served as a state Supreme Court justice for more than five years before he was elected as state attorney general in the 1990s .
In 2002 , Mr. Cornyn won his Senate seat by 12 percentage points and followed up with another double-digit victory in 2008 .
His best showing was in 2014 , when he won by nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has climbed the ranks of power in Congress and served as minority and majority whip .
Mrs. Hegar , meanwhile , is a relative newcomer to politics .
The 44-year-old served in the Air Force for 12 years , first as a maintenance mechanic and then as a pilot .
She was awarded the Purple Heart after co-piloting a helicopter shot down by the Taliban during her third tour in Afghanistan .
She recounts her combat duty in her 2017 memoir , “ Shoot Like a Girl.
” In 2012 , Mrs. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit that helped pressure the Defense Department to lift its ban on women in combat .
Her first stab at politics was in a failed 2018 bid to replace Republican Rep. John Carter in his district in suburban Austin .
Last week , she won a runoff election to capture the Democratic nomination and the chance to face off against Mr. Cornyn .
The Cook Political Report , a nonpartisan campaign tracker , rates the Senate race as “ likely ” to stay in Republican hands .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ races of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky , Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska .
Mr. Cornyn has nearly $ 15 million in the bank , and Mrs. Hegar has about $ 1 million cash on hand , according to the latest campaign finance reports .
The disparity could make it easier for Mr. Cornyn to define Mrs. Hegar before she can define herself .
His campaign has moved to do just that by dismissing her ability to replicate former Rep. Beto O ’ Rourke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cruz in 2018 .
“ MJ is no Beto , ” the Cornyn campaign says .
His campaign also has branded her “ Hollywood Hegar ” and accused her of being more show than substance , casting her as a manufactured product of Hollywood and Washington liberals .
Ads link her to liberal Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and far-left policies on climate , taxes , schools and health care that are “ anathema to the majority of Texans.
” “ Why won ’ t MJ answer questions ?
” a narrator says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because Texans know the difference between reality and Hollywood .
“ Hiding behind the curtain and bright lights might work in other states , but not here , ” the narrator says .
“ MJ Hegar , don ’ t fall for the special effects .
She ’ s Elizabeth Warren on a motorcycle.
” The landing page for Mr. Cornyn ’ s campaign website warns that Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , New York Democrat , “ is meddling ” in the race and “ Pouring Money Into Flipping Texas Blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an animated , cartoonlike image of Mr. Schumer piloting a helicopter and tossing bags emblazoned with dollar signs into the state .
Presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden started running a television ad in Texas last week , but it remains to be seen how much money Democrats plan to invest in the state .
Abhi Rahman , a spokesman for the Texas Democratic Party , said polls have shown voters are not as enthusiastic about Mr. Cornyn as they are about other Republicans in statewide office .
He pointed to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer than 4 in 10 voters planned to vote for Mr. Cornyn and 3 in 10 voters were on the fence .
A Quinnipiac University survey showed Mr. Cornyn trailing President Trump , Gov .
Greg Abbott and Mr. Cruz on the favorability scorecard .
“ Sen .
Cornyn is the least liked [ statewide ] politician in the state of Texas , and he is very highly unknown despite the fact he spent the last 20 years representing them , ” Mr. Rahman said .
“ This is the most competitive race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life.
” The Texas Republican Party is going through a leadership shake-up .
On Monday , former Rep. Allen West of Florida won the race to become chairman of the Texas Republican Party , stopping James Dickie from securing a second term and adding to the sense that it pays to be a renegade in the Lone Star State .
“ Cornyn is a Republican about two vintages older than the most recent crop , and I just mean stylistically , ” Mr. Blank said .
“ Cornyn is a very patriarchal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been surpassed in the minds of Texas Republicans by Ted Cruz and Donald Trump.
” That is not lost on Democrats .
They say the state ’ s demographics have been trending in their favor , which is born out in recent elections .
In 2012 , President Obama lost the state by nearly 16 points , and in 2016 Hillary Clinton shaved that down to 9 points .
Democrats got a big emotional lift in 2018 when Mr. O ’ Rourke came within 3 points of defeating Mr. Cruz .
Democrats flipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to roll that momentum in November .
They are targeting seven Republican House seats , including three that are considered toss-ups .
They say Mrs. Hegar could be a tough opponent for Mr. Cornyn , whom they plan to portray as a career politician .
“ MJ is everything Cornyn isn ’ t , ” Mr. Rahman said .
“ Cornyn is a bootlicker , and MJ is an ass-kicker .
”

Democrats are bullish about ousting Sen. John Cornyn in November from his seat from Texas, where they have MJ Hegar — a tattooed, motorcycle-driving, decorated military combat veteran — fighting to prove that the state is indeed trending away from Republicans.
The Republican Party has had a stranglehold on statewide elections in Texas since 1994, but there is a sense that the state has been inching toward Democrats and that Mr. Cornyn’s old-school, low-key cowboy style has lost a bit of its political luster.
These days, bomb-throwing, high-octane Republicans are more in vogue in the Lone Star State.
“I think Cornyn is as vulnerable as he has ever been,” said Joshua Blank, research director for the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. “Having said that, he has not been terribly vulnerable in the past.”
Texas has changed a lot since Mr. Cornyn cruised to a third term in 2014. Mrs. Hegar is shaping up to be his toughest rival to date, Mr. Blank said.
“MJ Hegar still has a lot of work to do, but has a larger profile — both in Texas and nationally — than his last two Senate opponents,” he said.
Mr. Cornyn, 68, has been a longtime staple of Texas politics. He served as a state Supreme Court justice for more than five years before he was elected as state attorney general in the 1990s.
In 2002, Mr. Cornyn won his Senate seat by 12 percentage points and followed up with another double-digit victory in 2008. His best showing was in 2014, when he won by nearly 30 points.
Along the way, he has climbed the ranks of power in Congress and served as minority and majority whip.
Mrs. Hegar, meanwhile, is a relative newcomer to politics.
The 44-year-old served in the Air Force for 12 years, first as a maintenance mechanic and then as a pilot. She was awarded the Purple Heart after co-piloting a helicopter shot down by the Taliban during her third tour in Afghanistan.
She recounts her combat duty in her 2017 memoir, “Shoot Like a Girl.”
In 2012, Mrs. Hegar served as the lead plaintiff in an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit that helped pressure the Defense Department to lift its ban on women in combat.
Her first stab at politics was in a failed 2018 bid to replace Republican Rep. John Carter in his district in suburban Austin.
Last week, she won a runoff election to capture the Democratic nomination and the chance to face off against Mr. Cornyn.
The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan campaign tracker, rates the Senate race as “likely” to stay in Republican hands. It applied the same ranking to the reelection races of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska.
Mr. Cornyn has nearly $15 million in the bank, and Mrs. Hegar has about $1 million cash on hand, according to the latest campaign finance reports.
The disparity could make it easier for Mr. Cornyn to define Mrs. Hegar before she can define herself. His campaign has moved to do just that by dismissing her ability to replicate former Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s stronger-than-expected bid against Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018.
“MJ is no Beto,” the Cornyn campaign says.
His campaign also has branded her “Hollywood Hegar” and accused her of being more show than substance, casting her as a manufactured product of Hollywood and Washington liberals. Ads link her to liberal Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and far-left policies on climate, taxes, schools and health care that are “anathema to the majority of Texans.”
“Why won’t MJ answer questions?” a narrator says in a recent Cornyn ad. “Because Texans know the difference between reality and Hollywood.
“Hiding behind the curtain and bright lights might work in other states, but not here,” the narrator says. “MJ Hegar, don’t fall for the special effects. She’s Elizabeth Warren on a motorcycle.”
The landing page for Mr. Cornyn’s campaign website warns that Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, “is meddling” in the race and “Pouring Money Into Flipping Texas Blue!”
The message is accompanied by an animated, cartoonlike image of Mr. Schumer piloting a helicopter and tossing bags emblazoned with dollar signs into the state.
Presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden started running a television ad in Texas last week, but it remains to be seen how much money Democrats plan to invest in the state.
Democrats are projecting optimism.
Abhi Rahman, a spokesman for the Texas Democratic Party, said polls have shown voters are not as enthusiastic about Mr. Cornyn as they are about other Republicans in statewide office.
He pointed to a recent Dallas Morning News survey that found fewer than 4 in 10 voters planned to vote for Mr. Cornyn and 3 in 10 voters were on the fence.
A Quinnipiac University survey showed Mr. Cornyn trailing President Trump, Gov. Greg Abbott and Mr. Cruz on the favorability scorecard.
“Sen. Cornyn is the least liked [statewide] politician in the state of Texas, and he is very highly unknown despite the fact he spent the last 20 years representing them,” Mr. Rahman said. “This is the most competitive race that he will likely face in his life.”
The Texas Republican Party is going through a leadership shake-up.
On Monday, former Rep. Allen West of Florida won the race to become chairman of the Texas Republican Party, stopping James Dickie from securing a second term and adding to the sense that it pays to be a renegade in the Lone Star State.
“Cornyn is a Republican about two vintages older than the most recent crop, and I just mean stylistically,” Mr. Blank said. “Cornyn is a very patriarchal and a traditional Republican senator, who has been surpassed in the minds of Texas Republicans by Ted Cruz and Donald Trump.”
That is not lost on Democrats. They say the state’s demographics have been trending in their favor, which is born out in recent elections.
In 2012, President Obama lost the state by nearly 16 points, and in 2016 Hillary Clinton shaved that down to 9 points.
Democrats got a big emotional lift in 2018 when Mr. O’Rourke came within 3 points of defeating Mr. Cruz.
Democrats flipped a pair of House seats and hope to roll that momentum in November. They are targeting seven Republican House seats, including three that are considered toss-ups.
They say Mrs. Hegar could be a tough opponent for Mr. Cornyn, whom they plan to portray as a career politician.
“MJ is everything Cornyn isn’t,” Mr. Rahman said. “Cornyn is a bootlicker, and MJ is an ass-kicker.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Watchdogs eye $700M relief loan to struggling trucking firm

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Congressional watchdogs are questioning the government ’ s decision to award a $ 700 million coronavirus relief loan to a struggling trucking company on grounds its operations are critical for maintaining national security .
YRC Worldwide provides transportation and logistics services , such as delivering food , electronics and other supplies to military locations around the country .
The Defense Department is a major YRC client .
The department , however , sued YRC in 2018 for overcharging the government for freight carrier services and making false statements .
Under terms of the coronavirus relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treasury Department , will take a 30 % stake in the company .
YRC , based in Overland Park , Kansas , will be required to maintain its payroll at the current level of an estimate 30,000 trucking jobs , and to limit executive compensation , dividend payouts and share repurchases .
The Congressional Oversight Commission also said in a report Monday that taxpayers appear to be at risk of losing money on the investment .
YRC has had financial problems for years , well before the onset of the pandemic , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report said .
The money is scheduled to be repaid by September 2024 .
The congressional monitors said they questioned the decision to deem YRC ’ s business critical to national security and the process for reaching that decision .
It ’ s the first and only loan made so far under the national security portion of Treasury ’ s corporate aid program , which has made several billions of dollars in loans to major airlines and smaller air carriers .
The national security section , with an available pot of up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected earlier this year to be earmarked for hard-pressed aircraft maker Boeing or for General Electric .
To qualify for the national security aid , companies should be performing under defense contracts of the highest national priority or operating under top-secret security clearance .
YRC apparently didn ’ t meet either of the criteria , but qualified under a “ catch-all ” provision allowing a recommendation and certification from the secretary of defense or the director of national intelligence to be sufficient .
The five-member oversight commission was appointed by congressional leaders of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some $ 2 trillion in economic aid enacted by Congress this spring and directed by the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve .
Shares of YRC Worldwide Inc. fell 27 % on Monday to close at $ 2.60 .
They jumped 75 % on July 1 , the day the relief loan was announced .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Congressional watchdogs are questioning the government’s decision to award a $700 million coronavirus relief loan to a struggling trucking company on grounds its operations are critical for maintaining national security.
YRC Worldwide provides transportation and logistics services, such as delivering food, electronics and other supplies to military locations around the country. The Defense Department is a major YRC client. The department, however, sued YRC in 2018 for overcharging the government for freight carrier services and making false statements.
Under terms of the coronavirus relief loan, U.S. taxpayers, through the Treasury Department, will take a 30% stake in the company. YRC, based in Overland Park, Kansas, will be required to maintain its payroll at the current level of an estimate 30,000 trucking jobs, and to limit executive compensation, dividend payouts and share repurchases.
The Congressional Oversight Commission also said in a report Monday that taxpayers appear to be at risk of losing money on the investment. YRC has had financial problems for years, well before the onset of the pandemic, and has been at risk of bankruptcy, the report said. The money is scheduled to be repaid by September 2024.
The congressional monitors said they questioned the decision to deem YRC’s business critical to national security and the process for reaching that decision. It’s the first and only loan made so far under the national security portion of Treasury’s corporate aid program, which has made several billions of dollars in loans to major airlines and smaller air carriers. The national security section, with an available pot of up to $17 billion, had been expected earlier this year to be earmarked for hard-pressed aircraft maker Boeing or for General Electric.
To qualify for the national security aid, companies should be performing under defense contracts of the highest national priority or operating under top-secret security clearance. YRC apparently didn’t meet either of the criteria, but qualified under a “catch-all” provision allowing a recommendation and certification from the secretary of defense or the director of national intelligence to be sufficient.
Treasury spokespeople didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
The five-member oversight commission was appointed by congressional leaders of both parties to monitor the spending of some $2 trillion in economic aid enacted by Congress this spring and directed by the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve.
Shares of YRC Worldwide Inc. fell 27% on Monday to close at $2.60. They jumped 75% on July 1, the day the relief loan was announced.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--New Mexico rolls out draft rules to cut methane emissions

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - New Mexico regulators on Monday rolled out proposed rules aimed at reducing methane and other emissions from the oil and gas industry .
The draft rules released by the New Mexico Environment Department target oil and natural gas equipment that emit volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides .
State officials said regulating these emissions also will result reducing methane emissions .
Proposed rules released by the state Energy , Minerals and Natural Resources Department address waste due to venting and flaring in the oilfield .
The proposed regulations are the culmination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and technical presentations by scientists , environmentalists and experts in the industry .
The effort began last year as oil production was on pace to break more records and the state was awash in revenue from the boom in the Permian Basin - one of the most prolific plays in the United States .
However , the industry now is looking to recover following a historic drop in prices that has been exacerbated by economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic .
State Environment Department Secretary James Kenney said the rules use the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he called a pressing environmental issue .
Environmentalists call the rules a step in the right direction .
Thomas Singer with the Western Environmental Law Center said the proposed regulations are still being reviewed to ensure that any exemptions are appropriately limited to prevent loopholes that would undermine the purpose of the rules and that low-producing wells and smaller facilities are covered .
State officials said the New Mexico Environment Department and the state Energy , Minerals and Natural Resources Department worked together throughout the process to ensure the draft rules are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redundant or conflicting requirements .
The agencies are planning a virtual public meeting on the rules on Aug. 6 .
The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association has said its members are committed to reducing emissions while still providing a sustainable source of energy and that the industry will continue to share technical and scientific expertise with state regulators .
“ New Mexico relies heavily upon the oil and gas industry for our state budget and funding for public schools , and it is critical that these rules allow our industry to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic challenges , ” said Ryan Flynn , the association ’ s executive director .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico regulators on Monday rolled out proposed rules aimed at reducing methane and other emissions from the oil and gas industry.
The draft rules released by the New Mexico Environment Department target oil and natural gas equipment that emit volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides. State officials said regulating these emissions also will result reducing methane emissions.
Proposed rules released by the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department address waste due to venting and flaring in the oilfield.
The proposed regulations are the culmination of a dozen meetings, hours of discussion and technical presentations by scientists, environmentalists and experts in the industry.
The effort began last year as oil production was on pace to break more records and the state was awash in revenue from the boom in the Permian Basin - one of the most prolific plays in the United States. However, the industry now is looking to recover following a historic drop in prices that has been exacerbated by economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
State Environment Department Secretary James Kenney said the rules use the best available science and employ innovative solutions to what he called a pressing environmental issue.
Environmentalists call the rules a step in the right direction.
Thomas Singer with the Western Environmental Law Center said the proposed regulations are still being reviewed to ensure that any exemptions are appropriately limited to prevent loopholes that would undermine the purpose of the rules and that low-producing wells and smaller facilities are covered.
State officials said the New Mexico Environment Department and the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department worked together throughout the process to ensure the draft rules are complementary and don’t result in redundant or conflicting requirements.
The agencies are planning a virtual public meeting on the rules on Aug. 6.
The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association has said its members are committed to reducing emissions while still providing a sustainable source of energy and that the industry will continue to share technical and scientific expertise with state regulators.
“New Mexico relies heavily upon the oil and gas industry for our state budget and funding for public schools, and it is critical that these rules allow our industry to continue to create jobs and revenue amid unprecedented economic challenges,” said Ryan Flynn, the association’s executive director.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Judge rules Nevada gig workers should get stopped benefits

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - A Nevada judge said Monday the state unemployment office has to begin paying pandemic relief benefits to out-of-work gig and independent workers who haven ’ t completely stopped working and were cut off from receiving payments .
Judge Barry Breslow in Reno ruled that Pandemic Unemployment Assistance payments should begin next week , said Mark Thierman , an attorney representing nine plaintiffs among a group he said totals nearly 190,000 people .
Another hearing is scheduled July 30 .
“ People are in a whirlpool , ” Thierman said .
“ They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ( Department of Employment , Training and Rehabilitation ) coordinates regular unemployment insurance , PUA and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation.
” Thierman estimated that 30,000 people affected by Breslow ’ s order had payments start and then stop - leaving them without the $ 600 a week Congress promised plus state payments .
Most are due between $ 800 and more than $ 1,000 a week , the attorney said .
Many have tried to find work where they can , jeopardizing their eligibility for continued benefits , he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ filing a claim has excessive earnings , no weekly filings , or the state unemployment department can show evidence of fraud , payments may not be stopped .
Thierman sought class-action status when he filed the lawsuit May 12 - when Nevada was the last state in the nation to begin taking applications for PUA payments .
He said then the goal was to force the state to begin paying thousands of people idled when Gov .
Steve Sisolak closed casinos and businesses deemed non-essential to prevent people from congregating and spreading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relaxed closure orders in late May and early June , but business has been slow for ride-hail drivers , salon workers , the self-employed and independent workers .
Breslow on Friday received a 310-page investigative report by a court-appointed special hearing master that identified eight primary “ bottlenecks ” and “ fractures ” hampering the gig workers ’ pandemic payments claims process , the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported .
The judge determined the swamped state unemployment office was incorrect in deciding that PUA applicants were ineligible unless they had completely ceased working , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contended the jobless benefits office was battling rampant fraud in the unemployment benefits system and needed to determine the legitimacy of each claim before paying it out .

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A Nevada judge said Monday the state unemployment office has to begin paying pandemic relief benefits to out-of-work gig and independent workers who haven’t completely stopped working and were cut off from receiving payments.
Judge Barry Breslow in Reno ruled that Pandemic Unemployment Assistance payments should begin next week, said Mark Thierman, an attorney representing nine plaintiffs among a group he said totals nearly 190,000 people. Another hearing is scheduled July 30.
“People are in a whirlpool,” Thierman said. “They’re caught between types of payments - how the state (Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation) coordinates regular unemployment insurance, PUA and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation.”
Thierman estimated that 30,000 people affected by Breslow’s order had payments start and then stop - leaving them without the $600 a week Congress promised plus state payments. Most are due between $800 and more than $1,000 a week, the attorney said.
Many have tried to find work where they can, jeopardizing their eligibility for continued benefits, he added.
The judge said that unless a person filing a claim has excessive earnings, no weekly filings, or the state unemployment department can show evidence of fraud, payments may not be stopped.
Thierman sought class-action status when he filed the lawsuit May 12 - when Nevada was the last state in the nation to begin taking applications for PUA payments.
He said then the goal was to force the state to begin paying thousands of people idled when Gov. Steve Sisolak closed casinos and businesses deemed non-essential to prevent people from congregating and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.
The governor relaxed closure orders in late May and early June, but business has been slow for ride-hail drivers, salon workers, the self-employed and independent workers.
Breslow on Friday received a 310-page investigative report by a court-appointed special hearing master that identified eight primary “bottlenecks” and “fractures” hampering the gig workers’ pandemic payments claims process, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported .
The judge determined the swamped state unemployment office was incorrect in deciding that PUA applicants were ineligible unless they had completely ceased working, the newspaper said.
State officials have contended the jobless benefits office was battling rampant fraud in the unemployment benefits system and needed to determine the legitimacy of each claim before paying it out.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Judge refuses to block Northam's COVID-19 executive orders

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - A federal judge refused Monday to temporarily block enforcement of Virginia Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ orders aimed at reducing COVID-19 ’ s spread .
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that U.S. @ @ @ @ @ Jr. also scheduled an Aug. 27 trial date for a Loudoun County businessman ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
Jon Tigges , owner of the Zion Springs vineyard and wedding venue , is @ @ @ @ @ an attorney who also is a state senator .
Petersen and Northam are both Democrats @ @ @ @ @ denied Tigges ’ request for a preliminary injunction , said COVID-19 “ is a dangerous @ @ @ @ @ obligation of our government to address that .
”

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A federal judge refused Monday to temporarily block enforcement of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s executive orders aimed at reducing COVID-19’s spread.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. also scheduled an Aug. 27 trial date for a Loudoun County businessman’s lawsuit challenging the executive orders.
Jon Tigges, owner of the Zion Springs vineyard and wedding venue, is represented by Chap Petersen, an attorney who also is a state senator. Petersen and Northam are both Democrats.
Tigges’ lawsuit claims the governor’s COVID-19 restrictions exceed his emergency powers.
The judge, who denied Tigges’ request for a preliminary injunction, said COVID-19 “is a dangerous disease and it is the obligation of our government to address that.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--California kills 3.2 million trout to halt bacteria outbreak

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California will kill 3.2 million trout to stop the outbreak of a bacterial infection that ’ s threatening hatcheries , wildlife officials said Monday .
The trout , which are used to stock waterways for recreational fishing , are in two hatcheries in the Owens Valley in the eastern Sierra and one hatchery in the Mojave Desert city of Victorville , northeast of Los Angeles .
Fish at the hatcheries have been infected with Lactococcus garvieae , which is similar to streptococcus , wildlife officials said .
“ We didn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our treatments weren ’ t working , ” said Jay Rowan , environmental program manager for the wildlife department ’ s hatcheries .
Killing the fish and disinfecting the facilities was “ the best option we have available ” to restore use of the hatcheries in the shortest amount of time , Rowan said .
Outbreaks have been reported in fresh and saltwater fish farms and shellfish hatcheries but also cattle and poultry farms around the world , according to a statement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fish in California before it was found at the Victorville facility in April .
About 60,000 fish have since died .
The fish to be killed are at Mojave River Hatchery , Black Rock Hatchery and Fish Springs Hatchery .
All three facilities had been under quarantine for more than a month .
Testing hasn ’ t found any bacteria at Hot Creek Hatchery in the eastern Sierra , authorities said .
The depopulation could begin as early as next week and could last up to four weeks , Rowan said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge effort , ” he said .
Infected fish can “ show symptoms including bulging eyes , lethargic or erratic swimming and increased mortality , or be asymptomatic and show no signs of infection , ” the wildlife agency said in a statement .
Transmitting the bacteria from fish or animals to humans is “ rare and unlikely ” but there have been a few cases of people with weakened immune systems getting it from infected raw fish and unpasteurized milk products , the statement said .
Rowan said it ’ s unclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strain of the bacterium matches that found in the Columbia River in Washington state .
One possibility is that migrating birds visiting the California hatcheries brought the bacterium in their feces but investigators are still working on the cause , Rowan said .
“ We may never find out exactly how this got in , ” he said .
Other California hatcheries still have tens of millions of trout but the fish kills will “ have a significant impact for a long period of time , ” he added .
The agency is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central and northern hatcheries to stock some waters in the eastern Sierra and Southern California .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California will kill 3.2 million trout to stop the outbreak of a bacterial infection that’s threatening hatcheries, wildlife officials said Monday.
The trout, which are used to stock waterways for recreational fishing, are in two hatcheries in the Owens Valley in the eastern Sierra and one hatchery in the Mojave Desert city of Victorville, northeast of Los Angeles.
Fish at the hatcheries have been infected with Lactococcus garvieae, which is similar to streptococcus, wildlife officials said.
“We didn’t have any other choice at this point. Our treatments weren’t working,” said Jay Rowan, environmental program manager for the wildlife department’s hatcheries.
Killing the fish and disinfecting the facilities was “the best option we have available” to restore use of the hatcheries in the shortest amount of time, Rowan said.
Outbreaks have been reported in fresh and saltwater fish farms and shellfish hatcheries but also cattle and poultry farms around the world, according to a statement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
However, the bacterium had never been detected in fish in California before it was found at the Victorville facility in April. About 60,000 fish have since died.
The fish to be killed are at Mojave River Hatchery, Black Rock Hatchery and Fish Springs Hatchery. All three facilities had been under quarantine for more than a month. Testing hasn’t found any bacteria at Hot Creek Hatchery in the eastern Sierra, authorities said.
The depopulation could begin as early as next week and could last up to four weeks, Rowan said.
“It’s going to be a huge effort,” he said.
Infected fish can “show symptoms including bulging eyes, lethargic or erratic swimming and increased mortality, or be asymptomatic and show no signs of infection,” the wildlife agency said in a statement.
Transmitting the bacteria from fish or animals to humans is “rare and unlikely” but there have been a few cases of people with weakened immune systems getting it from infected raw fish and unpasteurized milk products, the statement said.
Rowan said it’s unclear how the fish were infected but the strain of the bacterium matches that found in the Columbia River in Washington state. One possibility is that migrating birds visiting the California hatcheries brought the bacterium in their feces but investigators are still working on the cause, Rowan said.
“We may never find out exactly how this got in,” he said.
Other California hatcheries still have tens of millions of trout but the fish kills will “have a significant impact for a long period of time,” he added.
The agency is looking at possibly moving some fish from central and northern hatcheries to stock some waters in the eastern Sierra and Southern California.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--ABC News cuts ties with exec, cites racial insensitivity

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - ABC News has cut ties with a veteran executive after an investigation concluded that she made racially insensitive remarks , according to an internal memo .
In an email to ABC News staff , Walt Disney Television Chairman Peter Rice said the outside inquiry also found that Barbara Fedida “ managed in a rough manner and , on occasion , used crass and inappropriate language.
” Fedida , who was placed on administrative leave last month , no longer can serve in a “ leadership role ” and won ’ t be returning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rice said in the email obtained Monday by The Associated Press .
According to Rice , outside counsel found that Fedida made some of the “ unacceptable ” comments first publicly attributed to her in a HuffPost story .
Nothing was found to support media reports that dozens of complaints about Fedida were filed with human resources or that ABC News paid millions of dollars in confidential settlements related to Fedida , said Rice , who ’ s also co-chairman of Disney Media Networks .
There was no immediate comment from a representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production assistant for ABC News in 1989 and rose to management ranks .
She left to join CBS News in 2006 , returned in 2011 and was most recently senior vice president for talent and business .
While Rice credited Fedida for contributions she made during her ABC News career , he added that changes would be implemented “ given the manner in which Ms. Fedida wielded the power of her position.
” Business affairs will function separately from talent relations and recruitment , each led separately , Rice said in the email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ serious work that needs to be done to enhance the culture of inclusion and make further progress on our goal of attracting , fostering and retaining diverse talent.
” he said , adding that further details would be announced .
In a statement to HuffPost for its June 13 story , Fedida said she has a track record as “ a champion ” for diversity in network news and called the claims against her “ heartbreaking and incredibly misleading.
” Her departure comes during a period of acute national sensitivity to allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s videotaped death while in Minneapolis police custody and ensuing protests and condemnation of inequality .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - ABC News has cut ties with a veteran executive after an investigation concluded that she made racially insensitive remarks, according to an internal memo.
In an email to ABC News staff, Walt Disney Television Chairman Peter Rice said the outside inquiry also found that Barbara Fedida “managed in a rough manner and, on occasion, used crass and inappropriate language.”
Fedida, who was placed on administrative leave last month, no longer can serve in a “leadership role” and won’t be returning to the news division of Disney-owned ABC, Rice said in the email obtained Monday by The Associated Press.
According to Rice, outside counsel found that Fedida made some of the “unacceptable” comments first publicly attributed to her in a HuffPost story.
Nothing was found to support media reports that dozens of complaints about Fedida were filed with human resources or that ABC News paid millions of dollars in confidential settlements related to Fedida, said Rice, who’s also co-chairman of Disney Media Networks.
There was no immediate comment from a representative for Fedida, who began as a production assistant for ABC News in 1989 and rose to management ranks. She left to join CBS News in 2006, returned in 2011 and was most recently senior vice president for talent and business.
ABC had no comment.
While Rice credited Fedida for contributions she made during her ABC News career, he added that changes would be implemented “given the manner in which Ms. Fedida wielded the power of her position.”
Business affairs will function separately from talent relations and recruitment, each led separately, Rice said in the email.
The company also acknowledges there is “serious work that needs to be done to enhance the culture of inclusion and make further progress on our goal of attracting, fostering and retaining diverse talent.” he said, adding that further details would be announced.
In a statement to HuffPost for its June 13 story, Fedida said she has a track record as “a champion” for diversity in network news and called the claims against her “heartbreaking and incredibly misleading.”
Her departure comes during a period of acute national sensitivity to allegations of racism, prompted by George Floyd’s videotaped death while in Minneapolis police custody and ensuing protests and condemnation of inequality.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Grocery chain Winn-Dixie reverses policy, will require masks

ATLANTA ( AP ) - The parent company of Southern supermarket chain Winn-Dixie said Monday that it is reversing its policy and will now require customers to wear masks at its stores to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus .
Southeastern Grocers Inc. said the requirement will go into effect next Monday .
The company had initially rejected a mask mandate , saying it did not want to put its workers in the position of having to ban customers .
But in a statement , the company headquartered in Jacksonville , Florida , said its position had “ evolved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emphasize the importance of its customers ’ , workers ’ and communities ’ safety .
Still , the company said state and federal officials should be responsible for issuing mask requirements .
“ We will continue to work with our peers in the retail industry to advocate for this sensible mandate to be passed into law to remove the burden from employers and their heroic frontline associates , ” the company said .
Walmart , supermarket chain Kroger and department store Kohl ’ s are among other retailers that have required customers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the role of states and the federal government that have failed to issue such mandates on an issue that has been highly politicized by President Donald Trump and many of his ardent supporters .
___ Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

ATLANTA (AP) - The parent company of Southern supermarket chain Winn-Dixie said Monday that it is reversing its policy and will now require customers to wear masks at its stores to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
Southeastern Grocers Inc. said the requirement will go into effect next Monday. The company had initially rejected a mask mandate, saying it did not want to put its workers in the position of having to ban customers.
But in a statement, the company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, said its position had “evolved” and it wanted to more clearly emphasize the importance of its customers’, workers’ and communities’ safety. Still, the company said state and federal officials should be responsible for issuing mask requirements.
“We will continue to work with our peers in the retail industry to advocate for this sensible mandate to be passed into law to remove the burden from employers and their heroic frontline associates,” the company said.
Walmart, supermarket chain Kroger and department store Kohl’s are among other retailers that have required customers to wear masks at their stores, filling the role of states and the federal government that have failed to issue such mandates on an issue that has been highly politicized by President Donald Trump and many of his ardent supporters.
___ Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--California allows outdoor haircuts, manicures and massages

California hair and nail salons may provide services outdoors under new rules announced Monday that aim to provide a lifeline for personal care services decimated by the state ’ s shutdown orders but an industry organization says the changes give little help to many owners .
The announcement came as Gov .
Gavin Newsom reported that infections , hospitalizations and intensive care cases continued increasing but at a slower rate after the state scaled back reopening earlier this month .
“ We saw a big increase , now we ’ re seeing some stabilization , ” Newsom said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell slightly in the last week to 7.2 % .
Virus cases have surged in many parts of California in the last month .
In the last two weeks alone , the number of new confirmed cases was nearly 120,000 and there were 1,357 deaths .
Newsom continued to implore Californians to avoid social gatherings and to wear masks and socially distance .
The California Business , Consumer Services and Housing Agency released rules allowing hair stylists , barbers , manicurists , massage therapists and estheticians to offer some personal care services outdoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canopies or other shelters so long as no more than one side is enclosed , the agency said , allowing for enough outdoor air movement to deter the buildup or spread of the virus .
The rules still bar chemical hair services including shampooing , permanent waving , bleaching , tinting , coloring , dyeing and straightening .
Electrolysis , tattooing and piercing also are banned .
“ I ’ m open to innovation , I truly am , but how many small businesses are going to be able to afford all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the owner of Salon Benders in Long Beach .
She planned to buy a shade structure and was considering other equipment she will need .
Fred Jones , attorney for the Professional Beauty Federation of California , said that while some barber shops and beauty salons are ready to reopen outdoors , many of the federation ’ s 53,000 members will have trouble finding appropriate space or getting accommodations from their landlords , insurers or neighbors .
“ How would you like to be outside dining and you ’ re next to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hair flying into your hamburger ?
” Jones said .
The new rules come a week after Newsom closed bars and indoor restaurant dining statewide , and imposed other closures on inside businesses for much of the state .
Restaurants may service patrons outdoors .
Hair and nail salon owners joined by at least 16 state lawmakers of both political parties had called on the governor to make it clear that the shops could operate outside , warning that a complete shutdown could put many out of business .
“ This is another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re seeing , ” said Republican Assemblyman Jim Patterson , who organized one of the bipartisan efforts .
He called the revised rules ” a Band-Aid approach ” that nonetheless will allow some shops to reopen .
Jones said operators spent thousands of dollars on personal protective gear , shields separating customers and other indoor precautions .
Newsom had allowed indoor service to resume in mid-June but when virus cases spiked following the Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays , the businesses were closed again .
“ The idea that ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indoor facilities is not only a joke , but a slap in our professional faces , ” he said .
Meanwhile , on Monday California ’ s governing body for high school sports said the 2020-21 athletic seasons will begin no earlier than December .
Last Friday , Newsom announced rules for reopening schools that will have most K-12 students resuming distance learning at home at the start of the new year .
The California Interscholastic Federation said the normal fall , winter and spring sports seasons will be condensed into two seasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most playoffs and championships .
Football , for example , will complete its playoffs and championships by mid-April .
Actual regular season and playoff schedules will be set separately .
Elsewhere , malls in San Francisco were ordered to close Monday , about a month after they were allowed to reopen , as the county landed on the state ’ s watch list for areas with rising infection and hospitalization rates .
Stores with direct access to the street are allowed to stay open .
Four months after the San Francisco Bay Area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to issue broad stay-at-home orders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , only one Bay Area county is not on the state watch list - San Mateo County .
To the south , Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer outlined new measures to improve contact tracing , including gift cards to encourage people to complete the process and a call-in center for people who have a positive test .
“ Without a doubt the No .
1 driver of the surge that we ’ re experiencing today is simple to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other and they ’ re not adhering to the recommended prevention measures , ” she said .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal .
Associated Press writers John Antczak in Los Angeles and Juliet Williams in San Francisco contributed to this story .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -
California hair and nail salons may provide services outdoors under new rules announced Monday that aim to provide a lifeline for personal care services decimated by the state’s shutdown orders but an industry organization says the changes give little help to many owners.
The announcement came as Gov. Gavin Newsom reported that infections, hospitalizations and intensive care cases continued increasing but at a slower rate after the state scaled back reopening earlier this month.
“We saw a big increase, now we’re seeing some stabilization,” Newsom said. He noted the rate of positive coronavirus tests fell slightly in the last week to 7.2%.
Virus cases have surged in many parts of California in the last month. In the last two weeks alone, the number of new confirmed cases was nearly 120,000 and there were 1,357 deaths.
Newsom continued to implore Californians to avoid social gatherings and to wear masks and socially distance.
The California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency released rules allowing hair stylists, barbers, manicurists, massage therapists and estheticians to offer some personal care services outdoors.
They can operate under tents, canopies or other shelters so long as no more than one side is enclosed, the agency said, allowing for enough outdoor air movement to deter the buildup or spread of the virus.
The rules still bar chemical hair services including shampooing, permanent waving, bleaching, tinting, coloring, dyeing and straightening. Electrolysis, tattooing and piercing also are banned.
“I’m open to innovation, I truly am, but how many small businesses are going to be able to afford all of these modifications?” asked Jessie Santiago, the owner of Salon Benders in Long Beach. She planned to buy a shade structure and was considering other equipment she will need.
Fred Jones, attorney for the Professional Beauty Federation of California, said that while some barber shops and beauty salons are ready to reopen outdoors, many of the federation’s 53,000 members will have trouble finding appropriate space or getting accommodations from their landlords, insurers or neighbors.
“How would you like to be outside dining and you’re next to one of these tents and you have hair flying into your hamburger?” Jones said.
The new rules come a week after Newsom closed bars and indoor restaurant dining statewide, and imposed other closures on inside businesses for much of the state. Restaurants may service patrons outdoors.
Hair and nail salon owners joined by at least 16 state lawmakers of both political parties had called on the governor to make it clear that the shops could operate outside, warning that a complete shutdown could put many out of business.
“This is another example of the utter confusion that we’re seeing,” said Republican Assemblyman Jim Patterson, who organized one of the bipartisan efforts. He called the revised rules ”a Band-Aid approach” that nonetheless will allow some shops to reopen.
Jones said operators spent thousands of dollars on personal protective gear, shields separating customers and other indoor precautions. Newsom had allowed indoor service to resume in mid-June but when virus cases spiked following the Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays, the businesses were closed again.
“The idea that (operating outdoors) is safer than our indoor facilities is not only a joke, but a slap in our professional faces,” he said.
Meanwhile, on Monday California’s governing body for high school sports said the 2020-21 athletic seasons will begin no earlier than December. Last Friday, Newsom announced rules for reopening schools that will have most K-12 students resuming distance learning at home at the start of the new year.
The California Interscholastic Federation said the normal fall, winter and spring sports seasons will be condensed into two seasons. The federation set time frames for most playoffs and championships. Football, for example, will complete its playoffs and championships by mid-April. Actual regular season and playoff schedules will be set separately.
Elsewhere, malls in San Francisco were ordered to close Monday, about a month after they were allowed to reopen, as the county landed on the state’s watch list for areas with rising infection and hospitalization rates. Stores with direct access to the street are allowed to stay open.
Four months after the San Francisco Bay Area became the first place in the nation to issue broad stay-at-home orders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, only one Bay Area county is not on the state watch list - San Mateo County.
To the south, Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer outlined new measures to improve contact tracing, including gift cards to encourage people to complete the process and a call-in center for people who have a positive test.
“Without a doubt the No. 1 driver of the surge that we’re experiencing today is simple to identify: People are interacting with each other and they’re not adhering to the recommended prevention measures,” she said.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal.
____
Associated Press writers John Antczak in Los Angeles and Juliet Williams in San Francisco contributed to this story.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--2nd arrest in death of man found on McDonald's roof

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A 21-year-old man was facing a murder charge in connection to the death of @ @ @ @ @ found on a fast-food restaurant , the second arrest in the case , police said @ @ @ @ @ Police Department identified the man as Jonathan Rodriguez of the Bronx .
There was no @ @ @ @ @ had an attorney .
Officers responding to a 911 call last week found the body @ @ @ @ @ a bag on the roof of the McDonald ’ s in the South Bronx , @ @ @ @ @ woman was arrested last week on charges including murder , tampering with evidence and concealing @ @ @ @ @ ordered jailed without bail after her arraignment .
In charging documents at the woman ’ @ @ @ @ @ detective said the victim ’ s dead body was moved to the fast food restaurant @ @ @ @ @ was killed in his apartment .

NEW YORK (AP) - A 21-year-old man was facing a murder charge in connection to the death of a man whose body was found on a fast-food restaurant, the second arrest in the case, police said Monday.
The New York Police Department identified the man as Jonathan Rodriguez of the Bronx. There was no information available on whether he had an attorney.
Officers responding to a 911 call last week found the body of 65-year-old Richard Hamlet inside a bag on the roof of the McDonald’s in the South Bronx, police said.
An 18-year-old woman was arrested last week on charges including murder, tampering with evidence and concealing a corpse. She was ordered jailed without bail after her arraignment.
In charging documents at the woman’s arraignment, a police detective said the victim’s dead body was moved to the fast food restaurant’s roof after he was killed in his apartment.


washingtontimes--2020-07-21--Brian Kemp, Georgia gov.: Hospitals will shut down if localities flout COVID-19 orders

Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp on Tuesday said his state ’ s hospitals will be forced to shut down if he lets local leaders set their own coronavirus-related restrictions .
“ When you have local officials that [ are ] going beyond the executive orders during this public state of emergency trying to pull our economy back — what that will do [ is ] it will shut our hospitals down , ” Mr. Kemp said on “ Fox & Friends.
” “ They can not afford that financially.
” “ Before , when the economy shut down two metro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care workers .
I mean , that is insane that we would do that during a pandemic , ” Mr. Kemp said .
Mr. Kemp said he is encouraging people to wear masks when they can ’ t practice social distancing .
“ So that ’ s why we ’ re trying to do both — protect lives .
I agree — wear a mask , ” he said .
“ Socially distance yourself .
Enforce and follow the existing guidelines that we have in place and let ’ s continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suing Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms over a city mask mandate and is trying to block Ms .
Bottoms and other local leaders from instituting rules that conflict with his executive orders on the coronavirus crisis .

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday said his state’s hospitals will be forced to shut down if he lets local leaders set their own coronavirus-related restrictions.
“When you have local officials that [are] going beyond the executive orders during this public state of emergency trying to pull our economy back — what that will do [is] it will shut our hospitals down,” Mr. Kemp said on “Fox & Friends.” “They cannot afford that financially.”
“Before, when the economy shut down two metro Atlanta hospital systems laid off almost 30,000 health care workers. I mean, that is insane that we would do that during a pandemic,” Mr. Kemp said.
Mr. Kemp said he is encouraging people to wear masks when they can’t practice social distancing.
“So that’s why we’re trying to do both — protect lives. I agree — wear a mask,” he said. “Socially distance yourself. Enforce and follow the existing guidelines that we have in place and let’s continue to flatten the curve.”
Mr. Kemp is suing Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms over a city mask mandate and is trying to block Ms. Bottoms and other local leaders from instituting rules that conflict with his executive orders on the coronavirus crisis.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-21--William & Mary raised $1 billion during fundraising campaign

WILLIAMSBURG , Va. ( AP ) - William & Mary has raised slightly more than $ 1 billion during its latest fundraising campaign .
The university in Williamsburg , Virginia , said in a statement Tuesday that its For the Bold campaign spanned nearly a decade .
The school said it was able to raise nearly $ 150 million during this fiscal year , a time period that included the coronavirus pandemic .
William & Mary said the campaign funded more than $ 300 million in scholarships .
The university said it saw a four-fold increase in annual scholarship donors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become increasingly crucial .
Campaign Chair Sue Hanna Gerdelman said in a statement that the campaign “ has been a constant during so much uncertainty , often being the impetus to greater community action to advance what we value most.
” The campaign allowed William & Mary to purchase new science equipment and funded professorships .
Graduate student fellowships were also paid for , underpinning research that focused on marine plastics pollution and international foreign aid spending .
The campaign also helped to pay for diversity and inclusion initiatives .
They included the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Project , which promotes greater understanding of the African American experience at William & Mary ,

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) - William & Mary has raised slightly more than $1 billion during its latest fundraising campaign.
The university in Williamsburg, Virginia, said in a statement Tuesday that its For the Bold campaign spanned nearly a decade. The school said it was able to raise nearly $150 million during this fiscal year, a time period that included the coronavirus pandemic.
William & Mary said the campaign funded more than $300 million in scholarships. The university said it saw a four-fold increase in annual scholarship donors at a time when the assistance has become increasingly crucial.
Campaign Chair Sue Hanna Gerdelman said in a statement that the campaign “has been a constant during so much uncertainty, often being the impetus to greater community action to advance what we value most.”
The campaign allowed William & Mary to purchase new science equipment and funded professorships. Graduate student fellowships were also paid for, underpinning research that focused on marine plastics pollution and international foreign aid spending.
The campaign also helped to pay for diversity and inclusion initiatives. They included the Memorial to the Enslaved and the Lemon Project, which promotes greater understanding of the African American experience at William & Mary,


washingtontimes--2020-07-21--Mitt Romney slams Germany troop withdrawal as 'slap in the face' to ally

Sen. Mitt Romney , Utah Republican , hit back at the Trump administration ’ s proposed plans to scale down the number of U.S. troops stationed in Germany , calling the move a “ slap in the face ” to a key ally .
President Trump last month said he ’ s prepared to recall nearly a third of U.S. soldiers stationed in Germany if that nation doesn ’ t pay more to NATO and treat Washington more fairly on trade issues .
He argued that the current deployment of U.S. troops in Germany is a “ tremendous ” cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reciprocated .
But Mr. Romney , who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , said in a speech on the Senate floor late Monday that “ the withdrawal of 10,000 troops from Germany is a very bad idea.
” “ First of all , it ’ s a slap in the face at a key ally , a friend , and a great country , ” he continued and pointed to Germany ’ s current 1.5 % military spending .
Mr. Trump has demanded the country reach 2 % .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ western democracies and said , “ Now is also a time to draw our friends closer , to link arms with our allies , in part because of China ’ s ambition to become the dominant player on the earth , to displace the West , to displace the United States , and to supplant democracy with authoritarian despotism.
” Mr. Romney has proposed an amendment to the annual defense policy bill that would maintain the current troop levels in Germany , while the House Armed Services Committee has unanimously approved similar language @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although around 50,000 American troops are authorized to be stationed in Germany , currently there are about 34,000 U.S. troops deployed in the country .
Mr. Trump has said he is seeking to cut about 28 % , or 9,500 troops , from the American force presence in the country .
There has also been speculation some of the forces in Germany could be redeployed in Poland and elsewhere in Europe closer to Russia .
Republican and Democratic lawmakers have urged the president to reconsider his plan , arguing that the move would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China and Russia .
“ This is a matter of extraordinary significance to American foreign policy , ” Mr. Romney said and called for his amendment to be included in the manager ’ s package of the bill .
The Senate continues to review the National Defense Authorization Act on Tuesday .

Sen. Mitt Romney, Utah Republican, hit back at the Trump administration’s proposed plans to scale down the number of U.S. troops stationed in Germany, calling the move a “slap in the face” to a key ally.
President Trump last month said he’s prepared to recall nearly a third of U.S. soldiers stationed in Germany if that nation doesn’t pay more to NATO and treat Washington more fairly on trade issues.
He argued that the current deployment of U.S. troops in Germany is a “tremendous” cost to America that isn’t being reciprocated.
But Mr. Romney, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a speech on the Senate floor late Monday that “the withdrawal of 10,000 troops from Germany is a very bad idea.”
“First of all, it’s a slap in the face at a key ally, a friend, and a great country,” he continued and pointed to Germany’s current 1.5% military spending. Mr. Trump has demanded the country reach 2%.
He also cited a growing threat from China to western democracies and said, “Now is also a time to draw our friends closer, to link arms with our allies, in part because of China’s ambition to become the dominant player on the earth, to displace the West, to displace the United States, and to supplant democracy with authoritarian despotism.”
SEE ALSO: German politicians ask Congress to keep U.S. troops in their country
Mr. Romney has proposed an amendment to the annual defense policy bill that would maintain the current troop levels in Germany, while the House Armed Services Committee has unanimously approved similar language for its version of the bill.
Although around 50,000 American troops are authorized to be stationed in Germany, currently there are about 34,000 U.S. troops deployed in the country. Mr. Trump has said he is seeking to cut about 28%, or 9,500 troops, from the American force presence in the country.
There has also been speculation some of the forces in Germany could be redeployed in Poland and elsewhere in Europe closer to Russia.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers have urged the president to reconsider his plan, arguing that the move would weaken NATO’s long-standing deterrence against China and Russia.
“This is a matter of extraordinary significance to American foreign policy,” Mr. Romney said and called for his amendment to be included in the manager’s package of the bill.
The Senate continues to review the National Defense Authorization Act on Tuesday.
• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-21--Iowa city of Indianola to remove Indian head from city logo

INDIANOLA , Iowa ( AP ) - Leaders in the south-central Iowa city of Indianola have approved a measure to @ @ @ @ @ its city logo , including from police cars , badges and patches .
The Indianola @ @ @ @ @ to remove the depiction of a Native American chief in full feathered headdress , television @ @ @ @ @ move comes as corporations and sports teams around the country face increasing pressure to dump @ @ @ @ @ American Indians amid a nationwide movement calling for racial justice .
Council members said the @ @ @ @ @ , but creating a new logo will take time and cost about $ 27,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ long-running reckoning with the use of Native American imagery and nicknames .
Simpson College , @ @ @ @ @ Indianola , dropped the “ Redmen ” nickname from its sports teams in 1992 .
@ @ @ @ @ schools removed its “ Indian head ” mascot , but kept the Indians name .

INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) - Leaders in the south-central Iowa city of Indianola have approved a measure to remove Native American imagery from its city logo, including from police cars, badges and patches.
The Indianola City Council voted unanimously Monday to remove the depiction of a Native American chief in full feathered headdress, television station KCCI reported.
The move comes as corporations and sports teams around the country face increasing pressure to dump nicknames and depictions that reference American Indians amid a nationwide movement calling for racial justice.
Council members said the logo will be removed immediately, but creating a new logo will take time and cost about $27,000.
The city has had a long-running reckoning with the use of Native American imagery and nicknames. Simpson College, which has a campus in Indianola, dropped the “Redmen” nickname from its sports teams in 1992. More recently, Indianola public schools removed its “Indian head” mascot, but kept the Indians name.


washingtontimes--2020-07-21--FDLE: Commissioner who impersonated deputy arrested

WINTER PARK , Fla. ( AP ) - A county commissioner in Florida was arrested on Monday for impersonating a sheriff ’ s deputy , the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said .
Osceola County Commissioner Fred Hawkins Jr. , 53 , was arrested Monday evening for impersonating a member of the Osceola County Sheriff ’ s Office , according to a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement .
Hawkins tried to enter an election of the Turnberry Reserve Homeowners Association in Winter Park on Nov. 7 even though he didn ’ t belong to the association , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sentinel .
A security guard attempted to stop Hawkins , who showed a sheriff ’ s office credential and claimed he was with the agency .
He then threatened to arrest the security guard , officials said .
Hawkins holds the honorary title of special deputy with the Osceola County Sheriff ’ s Office , but is not a certified law enforcement officer and has no arrest powers , Plessinger said .
She said the agency issued a warrant for Hawkins ’ arrest on Monday , and he turned himself in at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attending a County Commissioners meeting .
Hawkins was booked into jail and posted a $ 1,000 bond shortly afterward , according to jail records .
Hawkins is currently serving his third term on the Osceola county commission , and is running to represent District 42 in the Florida House of Representatives .
His campaign said in a statement released Monday night that Hawkins “ was merely trying to gain access inside a meeting room ” where an association meeting was getting heated and people were getting unruly .
“ Hawkins was attempting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation when he was blocked by a private security guard .
… Commissioner Hawkins has routinely cooperated with investigators in an open and honest fashion and will continue to do so , ” spokeswoman Christina Johnson said in the statement .

WINTER PARK, Fla. (AP) - A county commissioner in Florida was arrested on Monday for impersonating a sheriff’s deputy, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said.
Osceola County Commissioner Fred Hawkins Jr., 53, was arrested Monday evening for impersonating a member of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, according to a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Hawkins tried to enter an election of the Turnberry Reserve Homeowners Association in Winter Park on Nov. 7 even though he didn’t belong to the association, FDLE spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger told the Orlando Sentinel.
A security guard attempted to stop Hawkins, who showed a sheriff’s office credential and claimed he was with the agency. He then threatened to arrest the security guard, officials said.
Hawkins holds the honorary title of special deputy with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, but is not a certified law enforcement officer and has no arrest powers, Plessinger said.
She said the agency issued a warrant for Hawkins’ arrest on Monday, and he turned himself in at the Osceola County Jail in the evening after attending a County Commissioners meeting.
Hawkins was booked into jail and posted a $1,000 bond shortly afterward, according to jail records.
Hawkins is currently serving his third term on the Osceola county commission, and is running to represent District 42 in the Florida House of Representatives.
His campaign said in a statement released Monday night that Hawkins “was merely trying to gain access inside a meeting room” where an association meeting was getting heated and people were getting unruly.
“Hawkins was attempting to reach a deputy in hopes of deescalating the situation when he was blocked by a private security guard. … Commissioner Hawkins has routinely cooperated with investigators in an open and honest fashion and will continue to do so,” spokeswoman Christina Johnson said in the statement.


washingtontimes--2020-07-21--Troopers: Mississippi man killed Florida man in hit-and-run

PASCAGOULA , Miss .
( AP ) - A Mississippi man was arrested and accused of killing a Florida man @ @ @ @ @ car and fleeing the scene , authorities said .
John David Cole , 46 , @ @ @ @ @ Sunday with one felony count of leaving the scene of an accident causing death , @ @ @ @ @ Highway Patrol troopers responded to a crash Sunday around 2 a.m. and found a deceased @ @ @ @ @ .
Jackson County coroner Bruce Lynd , Jr. identified the victim as 33-year-old Douglas Couey @ @ @ @ @ Troopers said a blue Hyundai Elantra hit Couey and fled the scene .
Troopers found @ @ @ @ @ s residence .
Highway patrol said they were still investigating the incident .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ an attorney who could comment on his behalf .

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP) - A Mississippi man was arrested and accused of killing a Florida man after striking him with a car and fleeing the scene, authorities said.
John David Cole, 46, of Biloxi, was charged Sunday with one felony count of leaving the scene of an accident causing death, news outlets reported.
Mississippi Highway Patrol troopers responded to a crash Sunday around 2 a.m. and found a deceased man lying in the roadway. Jackson County coroner Bruce Lynd, Jr. identified the victim as 33-year-old Douglas Couey of Jacksonville, Florida.
Troopers said a blue Hyundai Elantra hit Couey and fled the scene. Troopers found that car at Cole’s residence.
Highway patrol said they were still investigating the incident. It’s unclear whether Cole had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.