washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Police response to Raleigh protests has cost at least $2.2M

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - Law enforcement agencies have spent at least $ 2.2 million responding to protests that occurred in Raleigh , North Carolina , following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
WRAL reported Wednesday that it obtained cost figures from agencies that include the Raleigh Police Department , the Wake County Sheriff ’ s Office and the State Highway Patrol .
The figure does not include costs after the first week of June .
George Floyd , a Black man , died while in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25 .
People came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and police brutality .
Some people turned to riots and looting in the Raleigh area on May 30 and 31 .
Protesters also pulled down pieces of a Confederate monument near the North Carolina Capitol .
Raleigh police said officers worked nearly 2,350 hours of overtime at a cost of $ 860,011 .
The Wake County Sheriff ’ s Office accrued nearly $ 400,000 in costs .
The State Highway Patrol spent almost $ 150,000 .
Activating North Carolina National Guard members cost about $ 725,000 .
The State Capitol Police spent a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Law Enforcement officers spent at least $ 27,000 in pay .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Law enforcement agencies have spent at least $2.2 million responding to protests that occurred in Raleigh, North Carolina, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
WRAL reported Wednesday that it obtained cost figures from agencies that include the Raleigh Police Department, the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and the State Highway Patrol. The figure does not include costs after the first week of June.
George Floyd, a Black man, died while in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25. People came together across the country to protest racism and police brutality.
Some people turned to riots and looting in the Raleigh area on May 30 and 31. Protesters also pulled down pieces of a Confederate monument near the North Carolina Capitol.
Raleigh police said officers worked nearly 2,350 hours of overtime at a cost of $860,011.
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office accrued nearly $400,000 in costs. The State Highway Patrol spent almost $150,000. Activating North Carolina National Guard members cost about $725,000.
The State Capitol Police spent a little more than $48,000 and Alcohol Law Enforcement officers spent at least $27,000 in pay.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Officials delay decision on Kentucky Confederate statue

OWENSBORO , Ky. ( AP ) - Officials in a Kentucky county have delayed a vote on whether to remove a Confederate statue from the grounds of a courthouse .
Members of the Daviess County Fiscal Court were expected to vote Tuesday on a resolution that would have returned the statue to the Kentucky Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and moved it to property owned by the chapter .
Instead , a commissioner presented a surprise motion to postpone the vote until Aug. 6 that passed on a 3-1 vote , the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reported .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Owensboro NAACP , has led the charge for the statue ’ s removal .
She said she was disappointed by the delay , telling the paper , “ In my heart and mind , I knew something like this would happen.
” Randolph said she is concerned that the Daughters of the Confederacy may want to place the statue somewhere prominent that would continue the “ glorification of the Confederate cause.
” Susan McCrobie , president of the Kentucky Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy , applauded the delay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statue remain in public view .
“ The idea that they signify white supremacy is not truthful , ” she said .
“ These monuments were strictly meant to be memorials.
” In emails obtained by the paper through an open records request , McCrobie wrote that the group would not consider proposals from the NAACP on where to place the memorial , saying the organization had “ no standing ” to offer an opinion on the matter .
Randolph noted that those pushing removal of the statue include a coalition of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move our community forward.
” “ We will continue to make our voices heard and will work to have the statue taken off of public property because it is inappropriate for it to be there , ” she added .
Judge-Executive Al Mattingly cast the sole vote against the delay .
He said the issue has been ongoing since 2012 and neither side was likely to change their position because of a delay .

OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) - Officials in a Kentucky county have delayed a vote on whether to remove a Confederate statue from the grounds of a courthouse.
Members of the Daviess County Fiscal Court were expected to vote Tuesday on a resolution that would have returned the statue to the Kentucky Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and moved it to property owned by the chapter. Instead, a commissioner presented a surprise motion to postpone the vote until Aug. 6 that passed on a 3-1 vote, the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reported.
The Rev. Rhondalyn Randolph, president of the Owensboro NAACP, has led the charge for the statue’s removal. She said she was disappointed by the delay, telling the paper, “In my heart and mind, I knew something like this would happen.”
Randolph said she is concerned that the Daughters of the Confederacy may want to place the statue somewhere prominent that would continue the “glorification of the Confederate cause.”
Susan McCrobie, president of the Kentucky Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, applauded the delay, saying she would like to see the statue remain in public view.
“The idea that they signify white supremacy is not truthful,” she said. “These monuments were strictly meant to be memorials.”
In emails obtained by the paper through an open records request, McCrobie wrote that the group would not consider proposals from the NAACP on where to place the memorial, saying the organization had “no standing” to offer an opinion on the matter.
Randolph noted that those pushing removal of the statue include a coalition of “people from all walks of life working to move our community forward.”
“We will continue to make our voices heard and will work to have the statue taken off of public property because it is inappropriate for it to be there,” she added.
Judge-Executive Al Mattingly cast the sole vote against the delay. He said the issue has been ongoing since 2012 and neither side was likely to change their position because of a delay.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Kansas City police investigate separate shooting deaths

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - Police in Kansas City are investigating two separate shooting deaths that @ @ @ @ @ The first shooting happened around 7:15 p.m. Wednesday in a residential neighborhood at Chestnut Avenue @ @ @ @ @ police said in a news release .
Officers called to the scene for reports of @ @ @ @ @ with injuries on the ground .
The man , whose name had not been released @ @ @ @ @ at the scene , police said .
Witnesses gave police a description of a car @ @ @ @ @ and the car was later found abandoned .
A suspect was soon arrested in that @ @ @ @ @ About 30 minutes after the first shooting , police were called to the south side @ @ @ @ @ shooting .
Police found an injured , unresponsive woman in a roadway who was pronounced @ @ @ @ @ The woman ’ s name had not been released by Thursday morning , and no @ @ @ @ @ that case .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Police in Kansas City are investigating two separate shooting deaths that occurred only minutes apart.
The first shooting happened around 7:15 p.m. Wednesday in a residential neighborhood at Chestnut Avenue and East 27th Street, police said in a news release. Officers called to the scene for reports of a shooting found a man with injuries on the ground. The man, whose name had not been released by Thursday morning, died at the scene, police said.
Witnesses gave police a description of a car that fled the scene, and the car was later found abandoned. A suspect was soon arrested in that shooting, police said.
About 30 minutes after the first shooting, police were called to the south side of the city for another shooting. Police found an injured, unresponsive woman in a roadway who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The woman’s name had not been released by Thursday morning, and no arrests had been reported in that case.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--US trade deficit rises 9.7% in May to $54.6 billion

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - The U.S. trade deficit rose for the third straight month in May .
Both exports and imports fell as the coronavirus outbreak continued to take a toll on world commerce .
The Commerce Department said Thursday that the gap between the goods and services the United States buys and what it sells abroad rose 9.7 % in May to $ 54.6 billion , highest since December 2018 .
The coronavirus pandemic has devastated world trade .
U.S. exports fell 4.4 % in May to $ 144.5 billion , lowest since November 2009 .
Imports slid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lowest since July 2010 .
The politically sensitive deficit in the trade of goods with China rose 7.3 % to $ 27.9 billion in May .
So far this year , the overall U.S. deficit in the trade of goods and services has fallen 9.1 % to $ 223.4 billion from $ 245.7 billion in January-May 2019 .
World trade has plummeted in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak .
In May , overall U.S. trade - exports plus imports - came in at $ 343.6 billion , down 28 % from May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ petroleum products dropped sharply in May as did auto imports .
In May , the United States ran a $ 76.1 billion deficit in the trade of goods such as autos and appliances .
But it ran a $ 21.5 billion surplus , smallest since February 2016 , in the trade of services such as banking and education .

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. trade deficit rose for the third straight month in May. Both exports and imports fell as the coronavirus outbreak continued to take a toll on world commerce.
The Commerce Department said Thursday that the gap between the goods and services the United States buys and what it sells abroad rose 9.7% in May to $54.6 billion, highest since December 2018. The coronavirus pandemic has devastated world trade. U.S. exports fell 4.4% in May to $144.5 billion, lowest since November 2009. Imports slid 0.9% to $199.1 billion, lowest since July 2010.
The politically sensitive deficit in the trade of goods with China rose 7.3% to $27.9 billion in May.
So far this year, the overall U.S. deficit in the trade of goods and services has fallen 9.1% to $223.4 billion from $245.7 billion in January-May 2019.
World trade has plummeted in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak. In May, overall U.S. trade - exports plus imports - came in at $343.6 billion, down 28% from May 2019. Exports of crude oil and petroleum products dropped sharply in May as did auto imports.
In May, the United States ran a $76.1 billion deficit in the trade of goods such as autos and appliances. But it ran a $21.5 billion surplus, smallest since February 2016, in the trade of services such as banking and education.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Joe Biden gathers 600 lawyers to prepare for possible 'chicanery' ahead of November election

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden on Wednesday said the Democratic Party has rallied a group of 600 lawyers and thousands of more volunteers to prepare for potential deception or trickery ahead of the November election .
Mr. Biden has previously warned that President Trump could try to “ steal ” the fall election and said last month that the president would ultimately be escorted from the White House “ with great dispatch ” if he didn ’ t leave voluntarily .
Mr. Trump has joked about extending his tenure in the White House beyond a would-be second term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would accept whatever result comes in 2020 “ We put together 600 lawyers and a group of people throughout the country who are going into every single state to try to figure out whether chicanery is likely to take place , ” Mr. Biden said in a video conference with campaign donors , Reuters reported .
“ We have over 10,000 people signed up to volunteer , ” the former vice president continued .
“ We ’ re in the process of getting into the states in question to train them to be @ @ @ @ @ @

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden on Wednesday said the Democratic Party has rallied a group of 600 lawyers and thousands of more volunteers to prepare for potential deception or trickery ahead of the November election.
Mr. Biden has previously warned that President Trump could try to “steal” the fall election and said last month that the president would ultimately be escorted from the White House “with great dispatch” if he didn’t leave voluntarily.
Mr. Trump has joked about extending his tenure in the White House beyond a would-be second term, but he said last year he would accept whatever result comes in 2020
“We put together 600 lawyers and a group of people throughout the country who are going into every single state to try to figure out whether chicanery is likely to take place,” Mr. Biden said in a video conference with campaign donors, Reuters reported.
“We have over 10,000 people signed up to volunteer,” the former vice president continued. “We’re in the process of getting into the states in question to train them to be in a polling place.”
• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Police investigating hate graffiti painted on Vermont dam

WATERBURY , Vt. ( AP ) - State troopers are investigating after graffiti from what is being described as a @ @ @ @ @ painted on a portion of the Waterbury dam , the Vermont State Police said .
@ @ @ @ @ identified as coming from a known hate group , was reported to police Wednesday after @ @ @ @ @ state worker .
The graffiti was and was applied quickly with the help of a @ @ @ @ @ known witnesses or suspects .
State police reported the incident to the attorney general ’ @ @ @ @ @ Incident Reporting System .

WATERBURY, Vt. (AP) - State troopers are investigating after graffiti from what is being described as a white supremacist hate group was painted on a portion of the Waterbury dam, the Vermont State Police said.
Police say the graffiti, identified as coming from a known hate group, was reported to police Wednesday after it was discovered by a state worker.
The graffiti was applied quickly with the help of a stencil.
There are no known witnesses or suspects.
State police reported the incident to the attorney general’s office under the Bias Incident Reporting System.
State workers painted over the graffiti.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Bishop: North Carolina priest kept on leave on abuse claims

CHARLOTTE , N.C. ( AP ) - A Catholic priest in North Carolina will remain on administrative leave after allegations of sexual abuse against him were revealed last year , the Charlotte diocese ’ s bishop said .
Bishop Peter Jugis made the announcement to St. Matthew parishioners in a letter Wednesday , writing that he had accepted the recommendation of the diocese ’ s Lay Review Board to keep the Rev .
Patrick Hoare out of ministry , The Charlotte Observer reported .
Hoare was originally put on administrative leave in December after the diocese received “ an allegation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was said to have occurred in Pennsylvania more than 25 years ago , before Father Hoare entered ministry ” the Charlotte Observer quoted Jugis as writing .
The Bishop ’ s letter said officers from the Abington Township Police Department in Pennsylvania investigated the allegations and told the diocese in February they “ found the claimants to be credible ” but couldn ’ t bring charges against Hoare due to the statute of limitations .
That ’ s when Jugis said he asked the diocese ’ s board to conduct its own investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the allegations “ credible , ” but didn ’ t identify a “ specific incident of sexual abuse of a minor , ” the paper quotes Jugis as saying .
Jugis said the board also considered three complaints that allege Hoare showed “ several instances of inappropriate physical contact with minors ” at two Charlotte parishes , including at St. Matthew Catholic Church .
The complaints involved a hug , rubbing the shoulders or abdomen of a minor , and being “ very touchy , ” the paper quotes Jugis as saying .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Observer reported .
It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf .

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - A Catholic priest in North Carolina will remain on administrative leave after allegations of sexual abuse against him were revealed last year, the Charlotte diocese’s bishop said.
Bishop Peter Jugis made the announcement to St. Matthew parishioners in a letter Wednesday, writing that he had accepted the recommendation of the diocese’s Lay Review Board to keep the Rev. Patrick Hoare out of ministry, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Hoare was originally put on administrative leave in December after the diocese received “an allegation against him of child sexual abuse that was said to have occurred in Pennsylvania more than 25 years ago, before Father Hoare entered ministry” the Charlotte Observer quoted Jugis as writing.
The Bishop’s letter said officers from the Abington Township Police Department in Pennsylvania investigated the allegations and told the diocese in February they “found the claimants to be credible” but couldn’t bring charges against Hoare due to the statute of limitations.
That’s when Jugis said he asked the diocese’s board to conduct its own investigation into the allegations. The board found the allegations “credible,” but didn’t identify a “specific incident of sexual abuse of a minor,” the paper quotes Jugis as saying.
Jugis said the board also considered three complaints that allege Hoare showed “several instances of inappropriate physical contact with minors” at two Charlotte parishes, including at St. Matthew Catholic Church. The complaints involved a hug, rubbing the shoulders or abdomen of a minor, and being “very touchy,” the paper quotes Jugis as saying.
Hoare has previously denied the allegations, the Observer reported. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Oklahoma St finds 'no signs' of racism in football program

STILLWATER , Okla. ( AP ) - Oklahoma State ’ s athletic director said late Thursday an internal review had found “ no sign or indication of racism ” in the football program under coach Mike Gundy after a number of players raised concerns .
“ We have spent the past couple of weeks reviewing our program and talking with current and former players , ” AD Mike Holder said in a statement posted online .
“ Our internal review found that Coach Gundy needs to invest more time in building stronger relationships with his student-athletes .
However , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of racism.
” Two weeks ago , star running back Chuba Hubbard lashed out at Gundy on social media for wearing a T-shirt promoting a far-right news channel , One America News Network .
Hubbard , who is Black , suggested he may boycott the program ; OANN has been critical of the Black Lives Matter movement .
Hubbard ’ s tweet drew support from past and present Oklahoma State players .
The school ’ s president and Holder issued statements supporting Black athletes , condemning insensitive behavior and voicing concern about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out Gundy .
Gundy , who is white , apologized and he appeared with Hubbard in a video .
“ Our players expressed their feelings as individuals and as team members .
They helped me see , through their eyes , how the T-shirt affected their hearts , ” Gundy said .
“ Once I learned how that network felt about Black Lives Matter , I was disgusted and knew it was completely unacceptable to me .
I want to apologize to all members of our team , former players and their families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been caused over the last two days .
Black lives matter to me .
Our players matter to me.
” Gundy also apologized in April after a media session in which he called the coronavirus the “ Chinese virus.
” Last week , the school announced a new diversity council that will include students , athletes and alumni .
“ After meeting with Coach Gundy , I am confident that he listened to his student-athletes , ” Holder said Thursday .
“ I believe he is genuine in his commitment to strengthening relationships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a win for everyone .
I ’ m looking forward to seeing the impact this will have on our team.
” At Iowa , more than three dozen former players , most of them Black , have alleged racial bias within the program run by longtime coach Kirk Ferentz .
Iowa has hired a law firm to conduct a review .
Ferentz , who has the backing of his athletic director , has also promised to listen to his former players .

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma State’s athletic director said late Thursday an internal review had found “no sign or indication of racism” in the football program under coach Mike Gundy after a number of players raised concerns.
“We have spent the past couple of weeks reviewing our program and talking with current and former players,” AD Mike Holder said in a statement posted online. “Our internal review found that Coach Gundy needs to invest more time in building stronger relationships with his student-athletes. However, our review has uncovered no signs or indication of racism.”
Two weeks ago, star running back Chuba Hubbard lashed out at Gundy on social media for wearing a T-shirt promoting a far-right news channel, One America News Network. Hubbard, who is Black, suggested he may boycott the program; OANN has been critical of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Hubbard’s tweet drew support from past and present Oklahoma State players. The school’s president and Holder issued statements supporting Black athletes, condemning insensitive behavior and voicing concern about the responses to the tweet without directly calling out Gundy.
Gundy, who is white, apologized and he appeared with Hubbard in a video.
“Our players expressed their feelings as individuals and as team members. They helped me see, through their eyes, how the T-shirt affected their hearts,” Gundy said. “Once I learned how that network felt about Black Lives Matter, I was disgusted and knew it was completely unacceptable to me. I want to apologize to all members of our team, former players and their families for the pain and discomfort that has been caused over the last two days. Black lives matter to me. Our players matter to me.”
Gundy also apologized in April after a media session in which he called the coronavirus the “Chinese virus.” Last week, the school announced a new diversity council that will include students, athletes and alumni.
“After meeting with Coach Gundy, I am confident that he listened to his student-athletes,” Holder said Thursday. “I believe he is genuine in his commitment to strengthening relationships with his players. I believe this to be a win for everyone. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact this will have on our team.”
At Iowa, more than three dozen former players, most of them Black, have alleged racial bias within the program run by longtime coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa has hired a law firm to conduct a review. Ferentz, who has the backing of his athletic director, has also promised to listen to his former players.
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Brooklyn's U.S. attorney tapped for Justice Department role

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The top federal prosecutor in Brooklyn is leaving his post for a job at @ @ @ @ @ Washington .
Richard Donoghue , the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York @ @ @ @ @ that he will become the top deputy to Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen .
@ @ @ @ @ 13 , said John Marzulli , a spokesman for the office .
Donoghue is the @ @ @ @ @ York to leave his post in recent weeks .
His former counterpart in Manhattan , @ @ @ @ @ fired after overseeing several investigations that rankled President Donald Trump .
Donoghue was appointed U.S. @ @ @ @ @ serving as the chief federal prosecutor for a region that includes Brooklyn , Queens and @ @ @ @ @ not formally nominated by Trump but sworn in a few months later by the district @ @ @ @ @ Eastern District prosecuted several high-profile cases during Donoghue ’ s tenure , including the conviction @ @ @ @ @ “ El Chapo ” Guzman .

NEW YORK (AP) - The top federal prosecutor in Brooklyn is leaving his post for a job at the U.S. Justice Department in Washington.
Richard Donoghue, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, told his staff Thursday that he will become the top deputy to Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen.
The change takes effect July 13, said John Marzulli, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office.
Donoghue is the second U.S. attorney in New York to leave his post in recent weeks. His former counterpart in Manhattan, Geoffrey Berman, was recently fired after overseeing several investigations that rankled President Donald Trump.
Donoghue was appointed U.S. attorney in early 2018, serving as the chief federal prosecutor for a region that includes Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island. He was not formally nominated by Trump but sworn in a few months later by the district’s judges.
The Eastern District prosecuted several high-profile cases during Donoghue’s tenure, including the conviction of notorious drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--July Fourth celebrations 'reimagined' as coronavirus spoils traditions

The coronavirus may have silenced traditional revelries for the Fourth of July , but officials and others still aim to celebrate the country ’ s birthday using creativity , technology and safety .
Macy ’ s , which historically has hosted the country ’ s biggest pyrotechnic show on Independence Day , will offer “ Fireworks — Reimagined , ” a display of five-minute bursts of brilliance from a platform floating along the rivers around every borough of New York .
“ It will not be like the past , where there ’ s one big giant show , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the department store ’ s display will force residents to maintain social distancing .
“ We do not want a lot of people out watching .
There ’ s not going to be a single focal point.
” In Philadelphia , officials have migrated their entire weeklong Wawa Welcome America 2020 festival online to skirt the coronavirus .
Michael DelBene , president and CEO of Welcome America , a public-private nonprofit that promotes Philadelphia , said his team realized in the spring that the pandemic would disrupt 10 months of planning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ something.
” “ Philadelphia is such a city of strong tradition that we wanted to make sure that we upheld this 28-year tradition , because July Fourth in Philadelphia is very , very special , ” Mr. DelBene said .
Meanwhile , official fireworks displays in Chicago , Los Angeles , Boston , Houston , New Orleans and many other cities have been canceled or altered in ways that prohibit mass gatherings .
Nonetheless , President Trump will be at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota on Friday for a fireworks extravaganza , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the internet .
The Department of the Interior has planned what it is calling the largest fireworks display “ in recent memory ” in Washington on Saturday , starting at 9:07 p.m .
But Washington ’ s annual Independence Day concert , “ A Capitol Fourth , ” will be a virtual affair on Facebook Live and PBS , hosted by John Stamos and Vanessa Williams .
Americans will be left to host their own July Fourth parties , and many are planning to do so in a big way .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shelves , we ’ re selling so many , ” said Alex Ristovski , a manager at Dynamite Fireworks Store in Hammond , Illinois , near Chicago , which was open around the clock to satisfy the demand .
“ Sales have been big , big time , and without a doubt this is one of our biggest years in recent memory.
” Not everyone is happy with do-it-yourself fireworks displays .
Across social media , people are shrilling with outrage over the noise .
Boston media reported that complaint calls about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose to 1,455 , compared with 22 last year .
The national party pooper is easy to spot : COVID-19 .
“ It ’ s counterintuitive for people to want to go and gather in large groups on the Mall and watch the fireworks when we know that we ’ re in the midst of this pandemic , ” said Dr. Amanda Castel , a professor of epidemiology at George Washington University .
Dr. Castel said Americans should remember that the coronavirus won ’ t “ pause ” for their Fourth of July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 2.7 million people in the U.S. had contracted the respiratory disease and more than 128,000 have died from it this year , according to the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker .
The coronavirus is raging across much of the country , and several states have paused or rolled back reopening plans .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , a Democrat , this week shuttered museums , zoos , theaters and indoor dining at restaurants and wineries .
The shutdown follows Los Angeles County ’ s decision to not allow July Fourth beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Louisiana , where daily new cases topped 2,000 on July 1 .
Consequently , the bombs that usually burst in the air over the Mississippi River will not .
“ Reimagined ” seems to be a theme to what urban celebrations will occur this July Fourth .
In Houston , where the orchestra annually plays and the “ Freedom Over Texas ” fireworks illuminate the sky , the reimagination will feature the band and the firecrackers , but the only viewing will be on television .
Similarly , the Boston Pops will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s harbor .
The spate of cancellations has sparked a kind of underground rebellion in the fireworks world , and complaints are pouring in .
Social media is replete with people complaining about fireworks from Long Island to California .
Police departments across the country are reporting an increase in celebratory — and illegal — displays .
In the last weekend in June , Clark County around Las Vegas fielded almost 2,400 complaints .
A Facebook page called “ Omaha NE Fireworks Complaints ” has launched , and right away mocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ last year.
” “ Public officials only feel the pain if they receive lots of phone calls they have to answer , ” the moderators wrote .

James Varney and James Varney and Jackie Park

The coronavirus may have silenced traditional revelries for the Fourth of July, but officials and others still aim to celebrate the country’s birthday using creativity, technology and safety.
Macy’s, which historically has hosted the country’s biggest pyrotechnic show on Independence Day, will offer “Fireworks — Reimagined,” a display of five-minute bursts of brilliance from a platform floating along the rivers around every borough of New York.
“It will not be like the past, where there’s one big giant show,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio, noting that the department store’s display will force residents to maintain social distancing. “We do not want a lot of people out watching. There’s not going to be a single focal point.”
In Philadelphia, officials have migrated their entire weeklong Wawa Welcome America 2020 festival online to skirt the coronavirus.
Michael DelBene, president and CEO of Welcome America, a public-private nonprofit that promotes Philadelphia, said his team realized in the spring that the pandemic would disrupt 10 months of planning, but organizers knew they had to do “something.”
“Philadelphia is such a city of strong tradition that we wanted to make sure that we upheld this 28-year tradition, because July Fourth in Philadelphia is very, very special,” Mr. DelBene said.
SEE ALSO: Federal government, D.C. clash over July 4 events on National Mall
Meanwhile, official fireworks displays in Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Houston, New Orleans and many other cities have been canceled or altered in ways that prohibit mass gatherings.
Nonetheless, President Trump will be at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota on Friday for a fireworks extravaganza, which will be broadcast live on television and the internet.
The Department of the Interior has planned what it is calling the largest fireworks display “in recent memory” in Washington on Saturday, starting at 9:07 p.m.
But Washington’s annual Independence Day concert, “A Capitol Fourth,” will be a virtual affair on Facebook Live and PBS, hosted by John Stamos and Vanessa Williams.
Americans will be left to host their own July Fourth parties, and many are planning to do so in a big way.
“We are struggling to keep products on the shelves, we’re selling so many,” said Alex Ristovski, a manager at Dynamite Fireworks Store in Hammond, Illinois, near Chicago, which was open around the clock to satisfy the demand. “Sales have been big, big time, and without a doubt this is one of our biggest years in recent memory.”
SEE ALSO: Trump at Rushmore: Jets and fireworks, but masks optional
Not everyone is happy with do-it-yourself fireworks displays. Across social media, people are shrilling with outrage over the noise. Boston media reported that complaint calls about fireworks in the first week of June rose to 1,455, compared with 22 last year.
The national party pooper is easy to spot: COVID-19.
“It’s counterintuitive for people to want to go and gather in large groups on the Mall and watch the fireworks when we know that we’re in the midst of this pandemic,” said Dr. Amanda Castel, a professor of epidemiology at George Washington University.
Dr. Castel said Americans should remember that the coronavirus won’t “pause” for their Fourth of July celebrations.
As of Thursday, more than 2.7 million people in the U.S. had contracted the respiratory disease and more than 128,000 have died from it this year, according to the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker.
The coronavirus is raging across much of the country, and several states have paused or rolled back reopening plans.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, this week shuttered museums, zoos, theaters and indoor dining at restaurants and wineries. The shutdown follows Los Angeles County’s decision to not allow July Fourth beach outings.
COVID-19 also is spreading again in Louisiana, where daily new cases topped 2,000 on July 1. Consequently, the bombs that usually burst in the air over the Mississippi River will not.
“Reimagined” seems to be a theme to what urban celebrations will occur this July Fourth. In Houston, where the orchestra annually plays and the “Freedom Over Texas” fireworks illuminate the sky, the reimagination will feature the band and the firecrackers, but the only viewing will be on television.
Similarly, the Boston Pops will not hold its annual concert near the city’s harbor.
The spate of cancellations has sparked a kind of underground rebellion in the fireworks world, and complaints are pouring in. Social media is replete with people complaining about fireworks from Long Island to California.
Police departments across the country are reporting an increase in celebratory — and illegal — displays. In the last weekend in June, Clark County around Las Vegas fielded almost 2,400 complaints.
A Facebook page called “Omaha NE Fireworks Complaints” has launched, and right away mocked the city for its “‘enforcement’ last year.”
“Public officials only feel the pain if they receive lots of phone calls they have to answer,” the moderators wrote.
• James Varney can be reached at jvarney@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Michael Avenatti reputation at George Washington University law school tarnished

Michael Avenatti used to be the golden boy of George Washington University ’ s law school , having been awarded its Alumni Achievement Award in 2010 , served on its dean ’ s board of advisers and been the subject of a fawning profile in its alumni magazine .
He also sponsored a $ 250,000 endowed scholarship and paid to renovate a room for a moot court .
Since 2003 , the school had given a newly minted law graduate the Michael J. Avenatti Award for Excellence in Pre-Trial Advocacy .
That was , until this year .
The school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be trying to scrub him from memory now that he has been convicted of extortion and faces two more trials on charges of bilking clients .
Though it kept the scholarship and the award last year , even after Avenatti ’ s indictments were announced , his conviction and trips in and out of jail appear to have forced GW Law to sever those links .
The Avenatti Award was quietly expunged from this year ’ s program and was reborn as the “ Graduation Award for Excellence in Pre-Trial Advocacy.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis , which canceled this year ’ s commencement ceremony .
The school won ’ t say what it is doing with the Avenatti scholarship money .
“ Thanks again for reaching out .
We don ’ t have any additional information at this time , ” Kara Tershel , the school ’ s senior associate director for strategic communications and marketing , said in an email brushing aside questions .
The Avenatti scholarship is aimed at students in GW ’ s night school , officially known as the “ evening division.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late 1990s .
He earned his law degree in 2000 and , as he proudly announces on his law firm biography , graduated at the top of his class .
As his law career took off , he deepened his ties to the school , endowing the Avenatti award and the scholarship and paying to refurbish the Jacob Burns Moot Court Room .
He joined the board of advisers a decade ago , though he appears to have dropped off by the 2014-2015 school year .
Avenatti became a household name with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represented porn actress Stormy Daniels , who claimed to have had an affair with Mr. Trump and who was paid hush money , though the president denies the affair .
Avenatti also found his way into the confirmation process for Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh .
After more than 200 appearances on CNN and MSNBC , he explored a run for president .
It all unraveled with his arrests last year .
He has been convicted of attempting to extort Nike and faces two more trials : one on charges of bilking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Stephanie Clifford , and another , the most serious case , in which he is accused of defrauding clients and laundering money to try to keep his other business interests afloat .
Avenatti is out on a coronavirus reprieve bail , though the Justice Department says he has violated the terms of that bail and a judge will have to decide whether to send him back behind bars .
The Justice Department says he used a computer with access to the internet to write his own defense briefs .
Lawyers say it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lawyer to write his own defense because he lacks the emotional distance necessary , and in this case using the internet would violate the terms of his release .
Robert Tuttle , a law professor at George Washington who teaches ethics , among other classes , said Avenatti ’ s fall should be a caution to institutions that honor living people .
“ There are tons and tons of examples of embarrassing prizes and awards vanishing in the middle of the night , never to be seen or heard from again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the globe are pondering how to handle buildings and exhibits named after the Sackler family , which is closely tied to Purdue Pharma .
The drugmaker produces the opioid OxyContin , which has been a major part of the soaring addiction crisis this century .
As for Avenatti , Mr. Tuttle said , he is reluctant to go back and see whether the disgraced lawyer took his ethics course .
“ It ’ s just one of those things you don ’ t want to know , ” he said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did that.
” Whatever his legal problems , the Avenatti Award is a glittering prize to some past winners .
The Times found several who still list the award on their corporate law firm biographies .
The Times reached out to several this month but none responded .
Nor did they remove the award from those biography pages .
Mr. Tuttle said , “ People ought to review their resumes every once in a while and see if there are things that don ’ t look so good right now .
”

Michael Avenatti used to be the golden boy of George Washington University’s law school, having been awarded its Alumni Achievement Award in 2010, served on its dean’s board of advisers and been the subject of a fawning profile in its alumni magazine.
He also sponsored a $250,000 endowed scholarship and paid to renovate a room for a moot court. Since 2003, the school had given a newly minted law graduate the Michael J. Avenatti Award for Excellence in Pre-Trial Advocacy.
That was, until this year.
The school that used to celebrate Avenatti seems to be trying to scrub him from memory now that he has been convicted of extortion and faces two more trials on charges of bilking clients.
Though it kept the scholarship and the award last year, even after Avenatti’s indictments were announced, his conviction and trips in and out of jail appear to have forced GW Law to sever those links.
The Avenatti Award was quietly expunged from this year’s program and was reborn as the “Graduation Award for Excellence in Pre-Trial Advocacy.” The change was perhaps made easier by the coronavirus crisis, which canceled this year’s commencement ceremony.
The school won’t say what it is doing with the Avenatti scholarship money.
“Thanks again for reaching out. We don’t have any additional information at this time,” Kara Tershel, the school’s senior associate director for strategic communications and marketing, said in an email brushing aside questions.
The Avenatti scholarship is aimed at students in GW’s night school, officially known as the “evening division.” That was what Avenatti attended in the late 1990s. He earned his law degree in 2000 and, as he proudly announces on his law firm biography, graduated at the top of his class.
As his law career took off, he deepened his ties to the school, endowing the Avenatti award and the scholarship and paying to refurbish the Jacob Burns Moot Court Room. He joined the board of advisers a decade ago, though he appears to have dropped off by the 2014-2015 school year.
Avenatti became a household name with the rise of President Trump.
He represented porn actress Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have had an affair with Mr. Trump and who was paid hush money, though the president denies the affair. Avenatti also found his way into the confirmation process for Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh. After more than 200 appearances on CNN and MSNBC, he explored a run for president.
It all unraveled with his arrests last year.
He has been convicted of attempting to extort Nike and faces two more trials: one on charges of bilking the adult entertainer, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, and another, the most serious case, in which he is accused of defrauding clients and laundering money to try to keep his other business interests afloat.
Avenatti is out on a coronavirus reprieve bail, though the Justice Department says he has violated the terms of that bail and a judge will have to decide whether to send him back behind bars.
The Justice Department says he used a computer with access to the internet to write his own defense briefs.
Lawyers say it’s always a bad idea for a lawyer to write his own defense because he lacks the emotional distance necessary, and in this case using the internet would violate the terms of his release.
Robert Tuttle, a law professor at George Washington who teaches ethics, among other classes, said Avenatti’s fall should be a caution to institutions that honor living people.
“There are tons and tons of examples of embarrassing prizes and awards vanishing in the middle of the night, never to be seen or heard from again,” he said.
Art galleries around the globe are pondering how to handle buildings and exhibits named after the Sackler family, which is closely tied to Purdue Pharma. The drugmaker produces the opioid OxyContin, which has been a major part of the soaring addiction crisis this century.
As for Avenatti, Mr. Tuttle said, he is reluctant to go back and see whether the disgraced lawyer took his ethics course.
“It’s just one of those things you don’t want to know,” he said. “I would be so humiliated to find out he did that.”
Whatever his legal problems, the Avenatti Award is a glittering prize to some past winners.
The Times found several who still list the award on their corporate law firm biographies. The Times reached out to several this month but none responded. Nor did they remove the award from those biography pages.
Mr. Tuttle said, “People ought to review their resumes every once in a while and see if there are things that don’t look so good right now.”
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Supreme Court blocks curbside voting in Alabama

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - The U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision Thursday blocked a lower court allowing curbside voting in Alabama and waiving some absentee ballot requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Conservative justices granted Alabama ’ s request to stay a federal judge ’ s order that would allow local officials to offer curbside voting in the July runoff and loosens absentee ballot requirements in three of the state ’ s large counties .
The order will remain stayed while the court decides whether to hear Alabama ’ s appeal .
U.S. District Judge Abdul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Alabama ’ s election rules will cause sick or elderly voters to “ likely face a painful and difficult choice between exercising their fundamental right to vote and safeguarding their health , which could prevent them from casting a vote in upcoming elections.
” Kallon said Alabama can ’ t prevent local election officials from offering curbside voting at in-person polling locations in the July 14 runoff .
Kallon also ruled Alabama can ’ t require some absentee ballot voters in three counties to submit photocopies of their identification and witness signatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out during the pandemic because of their age and underlying health conditions .
The ruling applies to the July 14 runoff election .
The three counties are where plaintiffs in the lawsuit live .
Alabama argued that it would be confusing to change absentee ballot rules in three of Alabama ’ s 67 counties and that curbside voting would be a major change done right before the election .
The state also argued that Alabama ’ s rules are needed to combat voter fraud and are not unreasonable .
“ But this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even during COVID-19 .
The individual plaintiffs in this case regularly see at least one other person .
Can they really not find a safe way to have a second person watch them sign a piece of paper ?
” lawyers for the state wrote in their petition to the Supreme Court .
The court ’ s five conservative justices ruled in favor of Alabama while the four more liberal justices indicated they would deny the state ’ s application for a stay .
The justices did not offer an explanation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down late Thursday .
The court rulings stem from a lawsuit filed by the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund , the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program .
The lawsuit contended Alabama ’ s rules force people to choose between voting and protecting their health .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision Thursday blocked a lower court ruling allowing curbside voting in Alabama and waiving some absentee ballot requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conservative justices granted Alabama’s request to stay a federal judge’s order that would allow local officials to offer curbside voting in the July runoff and loosen absentee ballot requirements in three of the state’s large counties. The order will remain stayed while the court decides whether to hear Alabama’s appeal.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said he was pleased the court acted quickly so that Alabama voting rules remain in place for the July 14 runoff.
“Alabama is again able to enforce laws that help ensure the fairness and integrity of our elections,” the Republican said.
The court rulings stem from a lawsuit filed by the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program. A group of voters had sought more voting options because of health concerns.
U.S. District Judge Abdul K. Kallon last month issued a preliminary injunction after finding that Alabama’s election rules will cause sick or elderly voters to “likely face a painful and difficult choice between exercising their fundamental right to vote and safeguarding their health, which could prevent them from casting a vote in upcoming elections.”
Kallon said Alabama can’t prevent local election officials from offering curbside voting at in-person polling locations in the July 14 runoff. Kallon also ruled Alabama can’t require some absentee ballot voters in three counties to submit photocopies of their identification and witness signatures if it is dangerous for them to get out during the pandemic because of their age and underlying health conditions.
The three counties are where plaintiffs in the lawsuit live.
Alabama appealed the decision. The state argued that it would be confusing to change absentee ballot rules in three of Alabama’s 67 counties and that curbside voting would be a major change done right before the election.
The state also argued that Alabama’s rules are needed to combat voter fraud and are not unreasonable.
“But this dichotomy between voting and safety is false, even during COVID-19. The individual plaintiffs in this case regularly see at least one other person. Can they really not find a safe way to have a second person watch them sign a piece of paper?” lawyers for the state wrote in their petition to the Supreme Court.
The court’s five conservative justices ruled in favor of Alabama while the four more liberal justices indicated they would deny the state’s application for a stay. The justices did not offer an explanation for their decision in the brief order handed down late Thursday.
“Unfortunately, this means that Alabama voters who are at greater risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 will be required to risk their health and violate CDC recommendations in order to vote on July 14,” Deuel Ross, senior counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc., said in a statement.
The plaintiffs said they were disappointed by the decision, and will continue to pursue the ongoing litigation in federal court in Alabama.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Big Tech companies advocate for federal government to create national research hub

Google , IBM and Microsoft have joined with top research universities to prod the federal government to create a nationwide shared cloud-computing platform , saying it is urgently needed to keep the U.S. from falling behind foreign competitors .
A national research cloud would open the doors of Big Tech companies ’ data to academic outsiders .
It could mean that companies such as Google would hand over the keys to data collected during the coronavirus crisis , such as details on users ’ movements during government-imposed social distancing .
“ A National Research Cloud will give academic researchers the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the future , ” said John Etchemendy , co-director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence , in a statement .
“ It will also elevate the ability of all colleges and universities to provide the research and teaching needed to maintain our competitiveness in AI.
” The more than 20 companies , institutions and organizations advocating for the national research cloud have expressed support for a bipartisan roadmap moving through Congress for the government to begin developing the cloud system .
Sens .
Rob Portman , Ohio Republican , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have introduced legislation to assemble technical experts from the private sector to draw up a blueprint for the federal government to implement .
Companion legislation was introduced simultaneously in the House by Reps. Anna Eshoo , California Democrat , and Anthony Gonzalez , Ohio Republican .
“ United States investment in Research & Development has enabled remarkable innovations , including the microchip , internet , supercomputers , and the Human Genome Project , ” said Jeff Dean , Google Research senior vice president , in a statement .
“ A National AI Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artificial intelligence and advanced technologies by providing academic researchers access to the cloud computing resources necessary for experiments at scale.
” Google currently provides aggregated and anonymized datasets to individual researchers on a case-by-case basis .
After tracking the location of 300 million people , Google delivered the data on its smartphone users ’ movements to scientists who made requests deemed reasonable .
The company has indicated that it requires researchers accessing users ’ movement data to agree to Google ’ s terms that block transmission of the anonymized data from landing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s foreign adversaries .
Google refused to answer questions about whether it would make the same dataset available on any forthcoming national research cloud .
The Trump administration has increasingly disclosed the sophisticated efforts of hostile foreign powers to capture or steal American research .
This month , the National Institutes of Health revealed that it had identified 399 “ scientists of possible concern ” over undisclosed ties to foreign governments who also collected grants from NIH .
Some 93 % of the scientists tagged by NIH failed to disclose foreign support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterintelligence strategy announced this year pointed to China as growing more emboldened and the strategy revealed that foreign intelligence entities had embedded themselves into American academic and research institutions and U.S. national labs .
The creation of a central hub of research on a shared-cloud system likely would create a new target-rich environment for America ’ s adversaries that the government would be charged with protecting .

Google, IBM and Microsoft have joined with top research universities to prod the federal government to create a nationwide shared cloud-computing platform, saying it is urgently needed to keep the U.S. from falling behind foreign competitors.
A national research cloud would open the doors of Big Tech companies’ data to academic outsiders. It could mean that companies such as Google would hand over the keys to data collected during the coronavirus crisis, such as details on users’ movements during government-imposed social distancing.
“A National Research Cloud will give academic researchers the tools needed to advance artificial intelligence far into the future,” said John Etchemendy, co-director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, in a statement. “It will also elevate the ability of all colleges and universities to provide the research and teaching needed to maintain our competitiveness in AI.”
The more than 20 companies, institutions and organizations advocating for the national research cloud have expressed support for a bipartisan roadmap moving through Congress for the government to begin developing the cloud system.
Sens. Rob Portman, Ohio Republican, and Martin Heinrich, New Mexico Democrat, have introduced legislation to assemble technical experts from the private sector to draw up a blueprint for the federal government to implement. Companion legislation was introduced simultaneously in the House by Reps. Anna Eshoo, California Democrat, and Anthony Gonzalez, Ohio Republican.
“United States investment in Research & Development has enabled remarkable innovations, including the microchip, internet, supercomputers, and the Human Genome Project,” said Jeff Dean, Google Research senior vice president, in a statement. “A National AI Research Resource will help accelerate U.S. progress in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies by providing academic researchers access to the cloud computing resources necessary for experiments at scale.”
Google currently provides aggregated and anonymized datasets to individual researchers on a case-by-case basis. After tracking the location of 300 million people, Google delivered the data on its smartphone users’ movements to scientists who made requests deemed reasonable.
The company has indicated that it requires researchers accessing users’ movement data to agree to Google’s terms that block transmission of the anonymized data from landing in the hands of others, including America’s foreign adversaries.
Google refused to answer questions about whether it would make the same dataset available on any forthcoming national research cloud.
The Trump administration has increasingly disclosed the sophisticated efforts of hostile foreign powers to capture or steal American research. This month, the National Institutes of Health revealed that it had identified 399 “scientists of possible concern” over undisclosed ties to foreign governments who also collected grants from NIH. Some 93% of the scientists tagged by NIH failed to disclose foreign support coming from China.
A revamped national counterintelligence strategy announced this year pointed to China as growing more emboldened and the strategy revealed that foreign intelligence entities had embedded themselves into American academic and research institutions and U.S. national labs. The creation of a central hub of research on a shared-cloud system likely would create a new target-rich environment for America’s adversaries that the government would be charged with protecting.
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--AP PHOTOS: AP Week in Pictures, Asia

AP PHOTOS: AP Week in Pictures, Asia

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and @ @ @ @ @ curated by AP photo editor Masayo Yoshida in Tokyo .

June 26-July 2, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and Pacific.
The gallery was curated by AP photo editor Masayo Yoshida in Tokyo.
Follow AP visual journalism:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews
AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Mexico's top human rights official says she was threatened

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - The head of Mexico ’ s governmental human rights commission said Thursday she has @ @ @ @ @ text messages and social media postings .
Human Rights Commissioner Rosario Piedra Ibarra said the @ @ @ @ @ up the case of a young man who was allegedly beaten to death by police @ @ @ @ @ him for not wearing a face mask during the coronavirus pandemic .
The death occurred @ @ @ @ @ is governed by an opposition party , and the man ’ s death has become @ @ @ @ @ Ibarra said she filed a complaint with prosecutors after receiving threats from more than 100 @ @ @ @ @ the threats also mentioned her family .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - The head of Mexico’s governmental human rights commission said Thursday she has received threatening telephone calls, text messages and social media postings.
Human Rights Commissioner Rosario Piedra Ibarra said the threats started after she took up the case of a young man who was allegedly beaten to death by police in May after they detained him for not wearing a face mask during the coronavirus pandemic.
The death occurred in Jalisco state, which is governed by an opposition party, and the man’s death has become a political issue.
Piedra Ibarra said she filed a complaint with prosecutors after receiving threats from more than 100 telephone numbers. She said the threats also mentioned her family.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Union tells actors not to work on pandemic film "Songbird"

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - The union that represents film actors told its members Thursday not to work on the upcoming pandemic thriller “ Songbird , ” saying the filmmakers have not been up-front about safety measures and had not signed the proper agreements for the movie that is among the first in production after coronavirus closures .
Actors had reportedly been rehearsing remotely for the film produced by Michael Bay and directed by Adam Mason .
The film ’ s pre-production listing on IMDbPro.com says its stars include Demi Moore , Peter Stormare and Craig Robinson , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post-pandemic world , an even more serious virus continues to mutate.
” But the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Actors issued a do-not-work order to its members , saying the production company “ has failed to complete the signatory process , ” and working on the film could result in disciplinary action .
“ The producers have not been transparent about their safety protocols and that is something we obviously take very seriously , ” a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson said in a statement .
“ Also , as noted in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not yet become signatory to our agreement .
We have no further comment.
” The small film was among the first to attempt to resume production after the long closure .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom gave film and television productions the green light to resume shooting in the state starting June 12 , so long as strict coronavirus restrictions were in place .
Messages seeking comment from the film ’ s production companies and representatives for Bay and Mason were not immediately returned .
One of the companies , Invisible Narrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actively working to resolve this paperwork issue with the guild .
”

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The union that represents film actors told its members Thursday not to work on the upcoming pandemic thriller “Songbird,” saying the filmmakers have not been up-front about safety measures and had not signed the proper agreements for the movie that is among the first in production after coronavirus closures.
Actors had reportedly been rehearsing remotely for the film produced by Michael Bay and directed by Adam Mason.
The film’s pre-production listing on IMDbPro.com says its stars include Demi Moore, Peter Stormare and Craig Robinson, and gives the description, “In a post-pandemic world, an even more serious virus continues to mutate.”
But the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Actors issued a do-not-work order to its members, saying the production company “has failed to complete the signatory process,” and working on the film could result in disciplinary action.
“The producers have not been transparent about their safety protocols and that is something we obviously take very seriously,” a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson said in a statement. “Also, as noted in the Do Not Work order, the producers have not yet become signatory to our agreement. We have no further comment.”
The small film was among the first to attempt to resume production after the long closure. California Gov. Gavin Newsom gave film and television productions the green light to resume shooting in the state starting June 12, so long as strict coronavirus restrictions were in place.
Messages seeking comment from the film’s production companies and representatives for Bay and Mason were not immediately returned.
One of the companies, Invisible Narrative, told Deadline, “We are actively working to resolve this paperwork issue with the guild.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Authorities seek man accused of killing ex-wife in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - Authorities are searching for an Arkansas man suspected of kidnapping and @ @ @ @ @ week .
Arkansas State Police said Thursday that law enforcement agencies across the region are @ @ @ @ @ for Lavern Blackmon , 57 , of Conway .
State police say Blackmon is charged @ @ @ @ @ .
State police say he was last seen Monday in Little Rock after kidnapping Viola @ @ @ @ @ home in Mitchellville at about 5:30 a.m. to go to work .
State police said @ @ @ @ @ a short time later along an area road .
Mitchellville , a city of about @ @ @ @ @ miles southeast of Little Rock .
Blackmon is believed to be driving a gray 2008 @ @ @ @ @ said .
State police said he may have fled Arkansas , and could be in @ @ @ @ @ Blackmon is believed to be in possession of at least two handguns .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - An Arkansas man suspected of kidnapping and killing his ex-wife earlier this week has been found dead in Texas, authorities said Thursday.
Arkansas State Police said in a news release that Texas law enforcement authorities notified special agents in Arkansas that Lavern Blackmon, 57, of Conway, was found dead in Conroe, Texas, possibly of a self-inflected gunshot wound. Conroe is about 40 miles (64.37 kilometers) north of Houston.
Law enforcement agencies across the region had been following leads in the search for Blackmon, who was charged with kidnapping and capital murder.
State police said Blackmon was last seen Monday in Little Rock after kidnapping Viola Davis as she left her home in Mitchellville at about 5:30 a.m. to go to work. State police said Davis’ body was found a short time later along an area road. Mitchellville, a city of about 400, is located 90 miles (144.84 kilometers) southeast of Little Rock.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Review: A master class by Catherine Deneuve in 'The Truth'

Family may be the great subject of Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda , but he doesn ’ t draw straightforward portraits .
In Kore-eda ’ s hands , family is more malleable .
He tends to shift roles around like he ’ s rearranging furniture , subtly remaking familiar dynamics until he has , without you knowing it , undone everything .
In his delicate , devastating and deeply humane films , family works like a prism , a way to see things often obscured in Japanese society .
In “ Like Father , Like Son , ” a switched-at-birth tale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is used to delicately render class divisions .
In “ Nobody Knows , ” four children of different fathers and one mother for a moment find harmony together .
In his Palme d ’ Or-winning “ Shoplifters , ” a makeshift and impoverished clan are a truer family than most that are bound by DNA .
For Kore-eda , family is a choice .
And in his latest and first French-language film , “ The Truth , ” it ’ s a choice that his central character - a celebrated French actor played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I prefer to have been a bad mother , a bad friend and a good actress , ” she says without regret .
Kore-eda has shifted from Japan to Paris .
Fabienne ( Deneuve ) is a grand dame of French cinema not so unlike Deneuve , herself , who is visited by what she calls the “ little family ” of her daughter , Lumin ( Juliette Binoche ) from New York .
With Lumin are her actor husband Hank ( Ethan Hawke ) and daughter Charlotte ( Clémentine Grenier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not entirely factual memoir , titled “ The Truth , ” is being published .
“ My memories , my book , ” she says .
The visit takes place while Fabienne is filming a science-fiction film as an ageless , space-traveling mother - another layer of fiction in “ The Truth ” that serves as a part authentic , part false refraction of who Fabienne is as a mother .
She can act the part , but can she actually be it ?
Lumin certainly doesn ’ t think so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ childhood baggage from Fabienne ’ s less than caring upbringing , including the time Fabienne locked her in the basement as punishment and then forgot to let her out .
“ I was shooting , ” she says matter-of-factly , like her priorities were squarely in order .
But “ The Truth ” steadily chips away at some of those old grievances , causing Lumin to question her recollections and soften under Fabienne ’ s indomitable will .
( “ You can ’ t trust memories , ” her mother tells her .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The conflicts , including Hank ’ s drinking problem , are a little familiar and the film ’ s sensibility at times verges on the territory of countless other French dramas .
Kore-eda shot the film with a French crew , directing through a translator , and an element of his gentle brilliance doesn ’ t come through quite as clearly in translation .
But “ The Truth ” is still often masterful in delicately balancing conflicting ideas at once .
And , besides , Deneuve .
The once and always belle du @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with winks to her own storied past ; she simply commands it by her own formidable presence .
Her Fabienne - cruelly cutting , wholly remorseless , sensationally talented - is too alive for mere homage .
She wouldn ’ t stand it for it , besides .
There are moments when she and Binoche share the screen that are almost overwhelming for how simply good - in vastly different ways - both actors are .
And then there are notes of grace like when the whole shambling clan stumbles into the night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in arm to a street musician ’ s music .
All family life is a performance .
And Kore-eda has somehow done it again .
“ The Truth , ” an IFC Films release , is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for thematic and suggestive elements , and for smoking and brief language .
Running time : 106 minutes .
Three stars out of four .

Family may be the great subject of Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, but he doesn’t draw straightforward portraits. In Kore-eda’s hands, family is more malleable. He tends to shift roles around like he’s rearranging furniture, subtly remaking familiar dynamics until he has, without you knowing it, undone everything.
In his delicate, devastating and deeply humane films, family works like a prism, a way to see things often obscured in Japanese society. In “Like Father, Like Son,” a switched-at-birth tale (usually the stuff of melodrama) is used to delicately render class divisions. In “Nobody Knows,” four children of different fathers and one mother for a moment find harmony together. In his Palme d’Or-winning “Shoplifters,” a makeshift and impoverished clan are a truer family than most that are bound by DNA.
For Kore-eda, family is a choice. And in his latest and first French-language film, “The Truth,” it’s a choice that his central character - a celebrated French actor played by Catherine Deneuve - has seemingly abdicated. “I prefer to have been a bad mother, a bad friend and a good actress,” she says without regret.
Kore-eda has shifted from Japan to Paris. Fabienne (Deneuve) is a grand dame of French cinema not so unlike Deneuve, herself, who is visited by what she calls the “little family” of her daughter, Lumin (Juliette Binoche) from New York. With Lumin are her actor husband Hank (Ethan Hawke) and daughter Charlotte (Clémentine Grenier). They arrive just as Fabienne’s not entirely factual memoir, titled “The Truth,” is being published. “My memories, my book,” she says.
The visit takes place while Fabienne is filming a science-fiction film as an ageless, space-traveling mother - another layer of fiction in “The Truth” that serves as a part authentic, part false refraction of who Fabienne is as a mother. She can act the part, but can she actually be it?
Lumin certainly doesn’t think so. She carries with her plenty of childhood baggage from Fabienne’s less than caring upbringing, including the time Fabienne locked her in the basement as punishment and then forgot to let her out. “I was shooting,” she says matter-of-factly, like her priorities were squarely in order.
But “The Truth” steadily chips away at some of those old grievances, causing Lumin to question her recollections and soften under Fabienne’s indomitable will. (“You can’t trust memories,” her mother tells her. “Memories come and go.”)
The conflicts, including Hank’s drinking problem, are a little familiar and the film’s sensibility at times verges on the territory of countless other French dramas. Kore-eda shot the film with a French crew, directing through a translator, and an element of his gentle brilliance doesn’t come through quite as clearly in translation.
But “The Truth” is still often masterful in delicately balancing conflicting ideas at once. And, besides, Deneuve. The once and always belle du jour doesn’t overwhelm the film with winks to her own storied past; she simply commands it by her own formidable presence. Her Fabienne - cruelly cutting, wholly remorseless, sensationally talented - is too alive for mere homage. She wouldn’t stand it for it, besides.
There are moments when she and Binoche share the screen that are almost overwhelming for how simply good - in vastly different ways - both actors are. And then there are notes of grace like when the whole shambling clan stumbles into the night from a restaurant and begins dancing arm in arm to a street musician’s music. All family life is a performance. And Kore-eda has somehow done it again.
“The Truth,” an IFC Films release, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for thematic and suggestive elements, and for smoking and brief language. Running time: 106 minutes. Three stars out of four.
___
Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Potato chip heiress wins back control of fortune

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - The heiress to the Golden Flake potato chip empire is for now back in control of her fortune after a ruling Thursday by the Alabama Supreme Court .
The court voided a 2019 probate order granting an emergency conservator that came after two employees claimed that 88-year-old Joann Bashinsky has dementia and is mentally unfit to handle her vast estate .
Justices said Bashinsky ’ s basic due-process rights were egregiously violated when the probate court made the emergency decision without giving her time to obtain counsel after her lawyers were disqualified .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ court .
Joann Bashinsky is the widow of Sloan Y. Bashinsky , Sr. who owned the majority stock in Golden Enterprises , Inc. , and who was the founder , chairman , and chief executive officer of Golden Flake Foods .
Her personal estate is estimated to be worth $ 80 million , and her entire estate was valued at $ 218 million .
Joann Bashinsky has been locked in a legal battle with two former employees who claim she has dementia and is no longer able to manage her estate .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bashinsky loaned her only grandson $ 23 million for his business ventures .
The employees said the grandson has undue influence over his grandmother .
Bashinsky ’ s lawyers have disputed that she has dementia and that she wants to help her only grandson and heir .
Justices said the situation did not merit an emergency action by the probate court .
Justices said the petitioners and the probate judge “ may all firmly believe that Ms. Bashinsky ’ s generosity to her grandson is financially unwise , and they may be correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a concern is not an occasion for invoking the emergency procedures afforded a court as a result of which Ms. Bashinsky was admittedly deprived of proper notice of the hearing and , more egregiously , not given the opportunity at that hearing to present her own explanations for her behavior .
”

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The heiress to the Golden Flake potato chip empire is for now back in control of her fortune after a ruling Thursday by the Alabama Supreme Court.
The court voided a 2019 probate order granting an emergency conservator that came after two employees claimed that 88-year-old Joann Bashinsky has dementia and is mentally unfit to handle her vast estate.
Justices said Bashinsky’s basic due-process rights were egregiously violated when the probate court made the emergency decision without giving her time to obtain counsel after her lawyers were disqualified. The permanent petition remains pending before the court.
Joann Bashinsky is the widow of Sloan Y. Bashinsky, Sr. who owned the majority stock in Golden Enterprises, Inc., and who was the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Golden Flake Foods. Her personal estate is estimated to be worth $80 million, and her entire estate was valued at $218 million.
Pennsylvania-based Utz Quality Foods bought Golden Enterprises for $141 million in 2016.
Joann Bashinsky has been locked in a legal battle with two former employees who claim she has dementia and is no longer able to manage her estate. The petition to appoint a conservator came after Bashinsky loaned her only grandson $23 million for his business ventures.
The employees said the grandson has undue influence over his grandmother. Bashinsky’s lawyers have disputed that she has dementia and that she wants to help her only grandson and heir.
Justices said the situation did not merit an emergency action by the probate court.
Justices said the petitioners and the probate judge “may all firmly believe that Ms. Bashinsky’s generosity to her grandson is financially unwise, and they may be correct in that judgment.”
“But such a concern is not an occasion for invoking the emergency procedures afforded a court as a result of which Ms. Bashinsky was admittedly deprived of proper notice of the hearing and, more egregiously, not given the opportunity at that hearing to present her own explanations for her behavior.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Petition wants Fulbright statue off Arkansas campus

FAYETTEVILLE , Ark .
( AP ) - A petition seeking to remove a statue of J. William Fulbright from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville campus is receiving support from both students and alumni .
The petition , which also requests that Fulbright ’ s name be removed from the arts and sciences college , had 5,700 signatures as of Wednesday , the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported .
Most signatures have come recently , though the petition started almost a year ago .
The former U.S. senator is known for creating the international educational exchange program named after him in 1945 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of the university and served in the U.S. House of Representatives .
“ I ’ m a Fulbright alum and I can ’ t believe I never even knew how racist he was until now and I ’ m really disappointed in the U of A for tarnishing every arts and sciences student diploma w ( ith ) his name , ” Madi Watkins , a 2019 graduate , commented on the petition .
Black student leaders have recently criticized Fulbright ’ s record on civil rights .
The Black Student Caucus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not respond to the newspaper ’ s request for comment .
The push to remove Fulbright ’ s legacy comes at a time colleges and universities are making changes on their campuses to address controversial figures .
“ We are having these very conversations on campus currently , not only with our student leaders , but also with our faculty and staff .
We are expanding the campus dialogue in the coming days with the goal of establishing a plan to address the legacies as well as the tragedies of Arkansas history on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a university spokesman , said in an email .
“ He signed the Southern Manifesto in 1956 , a declaration by southern congressmen and senators promising a massive effort to obstruct the Brown decision , ” Woods said , referring to the U.S. Supreme Court ’ s decision in the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case .
The court ruled in 1954 that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional .
Fulbright spoke about how “ it was just the prejudice of the times , of his constituents , ” Woods said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared some of that prejudice.
” Willy Foote , Fulbright ’ s grandson , told the newspaper that Fulbright ’ s political actions on race should spark a conversation .
“ The last few weeks have seen righteous protests as this country comes to grips with its original sin of slavery against people of color .
We are confronting our shameful history with dissenting voices , long ignored , ” Foote said .

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - A petition seeking to remove a statue of J. William Fulbright from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville campus is receiving support from both students and alumni.
The petition, which also requests that Fulbright’s name be removed from the arts and sciences college, had 5,700 signatures as of Wednesday, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. Most signatures have come recently, though the petition started almost a year ago.
The former U.S. senator is known for creating the international educational exchange program named after him in 1945. Prior to becoming senator, he was president of the university and served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“I’m a Fulbright alum and I can’t believe I never even knew how racist he was until now and I’m really disappointed in the U of A for tarnishing every arts and sciences student diploma w(ith) his name,” Madi Watkins, a 2019 graduate, commented on the petition.
Black student leaders have recently criticized Fulbright’s record on civil rights. The Black Student Caucus, which promoted the petition, did not respond to the newspaper’s request for comment.
The push to remove Fulbright’s legacy comes at a time colleges and universities are making changes on their campuses to address controversial figures.
“We are having these very conversations on campus currently, not only with our student leaders, but also with our faculty and staff. We are expanding the campus dialogue in the coming days with the goal of establishing a plan to address the legacies as well as the tragedies of Arkansas history on our campus,” Mark Rushing, a university spokesman, said in an email.
Randall Woods, a UA history professor, said Fulbright was a segregationist.
“He signed the Southern Manifesto in 1956, a declaration by southern congressmen and senators promising a massive effort to obstruct the Brown decision,” Woods said, referring to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case. The court ruled in 1954 that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional.
Fulbright spoke about how “it was just the prejudice of the times, of his constituents,” Woods said. “But I think that he shared some of that prejudice.”
Willy Foote, Fulbright’s grandson, told the newspaper that Fulbright’s political actions on race should spark a conversation.
“The last few weeks have seen righteous protests as this country comes to grips with its original sin of slavery against people of color. We are confronting our shameful history with dissenting voices, long ignored,” Foote said.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Vandy player expelled for violating sexual misconduct policy

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - A Vanderbilt football player dismissed from the team and expelled for violating the university ’ s sexual misconduct policy in October 2018 took part in a Pro Day on campus months later , forcing the university to apologize and adjust its procedures .
The Title IX office investigated linebacker Charles Wright and ruled he had violated school policy on sexual misconduct .
That led to his immediate dismissal , and he was expelled Oct. 25 .
Vanderbilt blamed communication issues for Wright ’ s “ inappropriate participation in Pro Day , ” noting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premises .
The university evaluated and adjusted its protocols and procedures to “ prevent a mistake like this from occurring in the future , ” according to a statement .
“ We are deeply sorry for the additional distress this error caused , ” Vanderbilt said in the statement shared Thursday with The Associated Press .
Four Vanderbilt football players were charged in the 2013 rape of an unconscious female student in a dorm room .
Three were sentenced to prison while a fourth received probation for testifying against his former teammates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessean first reported Thursday that the linebacker had access to football facilities for months and was in proximity of his accuser , a female student equipment manager .
The woman said she was moved to a different building so Wright could work out for NFL scouts in March 2019 .
The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they have been victims of sexual assault , unless they agree to be named .
Regan Siems , who told The Tennessean she wanted to be identified , said she was a freshman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2018 , in his dorm room while she was intoxicated .
Siems gave The Tennessean a copy of the Title IX investigation and text messages and Snapchat messages with her friends and with Wright .
The newspaper also obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request a summary of findings by a Nashville district attorney declining to charge Wright with sexual assault due to insufficient evidence .
Wright ’ s attorney told The Tennessean that the linebacker was given permission to take part in Pro Bowl day by the Vanderbilt athletics department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Candice Storey Lee .
Now Vanderbilt ’ s athletic director , Lee then was football administrator .
“ I can say with the utmost confidence that sexual assault and sexual misconduct are not issues we ignore , ” Lee wrote as part of a string of Twitter posts June 21 .
“ My commitment and that of our coaches , staff and student-athletes to addressing these issues is as firm as ever.
” The linebacker led Vanderbilt with nine sacks in 2017 , second-most in school history .
He was a preseason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Asked why Wright , who hurt a leg on Sept. 29 , didn ’ t play and had been removed from the depth chart , coach Derek Mason never mentioned the linebacker ’ s suspension or expulsion .
Instead , Mason said Wright had a “ setback ” with his leg .
Vanderbilt ’ s website showed until Monday that a leg injury ended Wright ’ s 2018 season .
Wright got four extensions on his appeal before an appeals panel affirmed his expulsion unanimously Feb. 14 , 2019 .
But he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro day March 12 .
Siems and her mother demanded to know who gave Wright permission to return to campus in a meeting later that same month .
Renee Siems said they were told Vanderbilt couldn ’ t stop anyone with an agent who registered for pro day from taking part and that Wright was responsible to “ self-monitor ” while on campus .
“ I thought we got through the hardest part , but Vanderbilt didn ’ t stand by her and protect her when all this was done , ” Renee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threw my daughter to the wolves.
” Wright went undrafted by the NFL in 2019 , and he has yet to sign with an NFL team .
He played two games in the XFL in February before that league canceled the rest of the season due to the coronavirus pandemic .
His parents are fighting the Title IX case and want his degree awarded .
“ We want an apology from Vanderbilt University for our son , ” they said in a statement to The Tennessean .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A Vanderbilt football player dismissed from the team and expelled for violating the university’s sexual misconduct policy in October 2018 took part in a Pro Day on campus months later, forcing the university to apologize and adjust its procedures.
The Title IX office investigated linebacker Charles Wright and ruled he had violated school policy on sexual misconduct. That led to his immediate dismissal, and he was expelled Oct. 25.
Vanderbilt blamed communication issues for Wright’s “inappropriate participation in Pro Day,” noting the linebacker was asked to leave the premises. The university evaluated and adjusted its protocols and procedures to “prevent a mistake like this from occurring in the future,” according to a statement.
“We are deeply sorry for the additional distress this error caused,” Vanderbilt said in the statement shared Thursday with The Associated Press.
Four Vanderbilt football players were charged in the 2013 rape of an unconscious female student in a dorm room. Three were sentenced to prison while a fourth received probation for testifying against his former teammates.
Not only was Wright expelled, The Tennessean first reported Thursday that the linebacker had access to football facilities for months and was in proximity of his accuser, a female student equipment manager. The woman said she was moved to a different building so Wright could work out for NFL scouts in March 2019.
The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they have been victims of sexual assault, unless they agree to be named.
Regan Siems, who told The Tennessean she wanted to be identified, said she was a freshman when Wright sexually assaulted her Feb. 3, 2018, in his dorm room while she was intoxicated. Siems gave The Tennessean a copy of the Title IX investigation and text messages and Snapchat messages with her friends and with Wright.
The newspaper also obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request a summary of findings by a Nashville district attorney declining to charge Wright with sexual assault due to insufficient evidence.
Wright’s attorney told The Tennessean that the linebacker was given permission to take part in Pro Bowl day by the Vanderbilt athletics department, which was conveyed to his family by Candice Storey Lee. Now Vanderbilt’s athletic director, Lee then was football administrator.
“I can say with the utmost confidence that sexual assault and sexual misconduct are not issues we ignore,” Lee wrote as part of a string of Twitter posts June 21. “My commitment and that of our coaches, staff and student-athletes to addressing these issues is as firm as ever.”
The linebacker led Vanderbilt with nine sacks in 2017, second-most in school history. He was a preseason All-Southeastern Conference pick before the 2018 season.
Asked why Wright, who hurt a leg on Sept. 29, didn’t play and had been removed from the depth chart, coach Derek Mason never mentioned the linebacker’s suspension or expulsion. Instead, Mason said Wright had a “setback” with his leg. Vanderbilt’s website showed until Monday that a leg injury ended Wright’s 2018 season.
Wright got four extensions on his appeal before an appeals panel affirmed his expulsion unanimously Feb. 14, 2019. But he took part in every drill at that pro day March 12. Siems and her mother demanded to know who gave Wright permission to return to campus in a meeting later that same month.
Renee Siems said they were told Vanderbilt couldn’t stop anyone with an agent who registered for pro day from taking part and that Wright was responsible to “self-monitor” while on campus.
“I thought we got through the hardest part, but Vanderbilt didn’t stand by her and protect her when all this was done,” Renee Siems told The Tennessean. “Vanderbilt threw my daughter to the wolves.”
Wright went undrafted by the NFL in 2019, and he has yet to sign with an NFL team. He played two games in the XFL in February before that league canceled the rest of the season due to the coronavirus pandemic. His parents are fighting the Title IX case and want his degree awarded.
“We want an apology from Vanderbilt University for our son,” they said in a statement to The Tennessean.
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Sponsor FedEx asks Redskins to change their name

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - The title sponsor of the Washington Redskins ’ stadium wants the NFL team to change its name .
“ We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name , “ FedEx said in a statement Thursday .
The company paid the team $ 205 million in 1999 for the naming rights to FedEx Field in Landover , Maryland .
In addition to the stadium name and sponsorship agreement , FedEx CEO Frederik Smith is a minority owner .
Majority owner Daniel Snyder has shown no indications he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team in 1999 .
Amid the national debate over race , pressure has been mounting on the organization to abandon the name called a “ dictionary-defined racial slur ” by experts and advocates .
Investors this week wrote to FedEx , PepsiCo and other sponsors asking them to request a change .
FedEx is believed to be the first to take action .
Asked about Snyder changing the name , a spokesman said recently the team had no comment .
The team last week removed the name of racist founder George Preston Marshall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Field , and a monument to him was removed from the site of the old RFK Stadium .
Washington , D.C. , mayor Muriel Bowser also said the name was an “ obstacle ” to the team returning to the District .
The team ’ s lease at FedEx Field expires in 2027 , and it is still talking to Washington , Virginia and Maryland about building a new stadium .

WASHINGTON (AP) - The title sponsor of the Washington Redskins’ stadium wants the NFL team to change its name.
“We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name,“ FedEx said in a statement Thursday.
The company paid the team $205 million in 1999 for the naming rights to FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.
In addition to the stadium name and sponsorship agreement, FedEx CEO Frederik Smith is a minority owner. Majority owner Daniel Snyder has shown no indications he’ll change the name since buying the team in 1999.
Amid the national debate over race, pressure has been mounting on the organization to abandon the name called a “dictionary-defined racial slur” by experts and advocates.
Investors this week wrote to FedEx, PepsiCo and other sponsors asking them to request a change. FedEx is believed to be the first to take action.
On Thursday night, Nike appeared to remove all Redskins gear from its online store. The other 31 NFL teams were listed and a search for “Redskins” came up with no results. Nike did not immediately respond to an email message seeking comment.
Asked about Snyder changing the name, a spokesman said recently the team had no comment. The team last week removed the name of racist founder George Preston Marshall from its Ring of Fame at FedEx Field, and a monument to him was removed from the site of the old RFK Stadium.
Washington, D.C., mayor Muriel Bowser also said the name was an “obstacle” to the team returning to the District. The team’s lease at FedEx Field expires in 2027, and it is still talking to Washington, Virginia and Maryland about building a new stadium.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Retired Florida detective charged in 1999 home invasion

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. ( AP ) - A retired Florida detective has been arrested in a 1999 fatal home invasion , authorities announced Thursday .
William Robert Baer Jr. , 64 , was arrested in Jacksonville on Wednesday and charged with murder and armed robbery , Jacksonville Sheriff ’ s Office Undersheriff Pat Ivey said during a news conference .
Baer ’ s former wife , Melissa Jo Schafer , was arrested Thursday in Jefferson City , Missouri , in connection to the case , the Florida Times-Union reported .
Baer and Schafer fatally attacked Saad Kawaf outside his gated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
They then dragged Kawaf ’ s wife inside and tied her up .
Baer and Schafer made off with about $ 30,000 , officials said .
Baer had been an intelligence division detective at the time of the attack , and Ivey said Baer met the victim , a convenience store owner , through work .
Baer retired in 2002 .
Investigators initially knew the attackers were a man and woman , and DNA profiles were developed in 2003 .
State law enforcement tests for genealogy helped narrow down the search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were identified last month , Ivey said .
Baer was being held without bond .
Jail records didn ’ t list an attorney .
Schafer hadn ’ t been returned to Jacksonville jail by Thursday evening .
It wasn ’ t known if she had an attorney .

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A retired Florida detective has been arrested in a 1999 fatal home invasion, authorities announced Thursday.
William Robert Baer Jr., 64, was arrested in Jacksonville on Wednesday and charged with murder and armed robbery, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Pat Ivey said during a news conference. Baer’s former wife, Melissa Jo Schafer, was arrested Thursday in Jefferson City, Missouri, in connection to the case, the Florida Times-Union reported.
Baer and Schafer fatally attacked Saad Kawaf outside his gated community home in May 1999, officials said. They then dragged Kawaf’s wife inside and tied her up. Baer and Schafer made off with about $30,000, officials said.
Baer had been an intelligence division detective at the time of the attack, and Ivey said Baer met the victim, a convenience store owner, through work. Baer retired in 2002.
Investigators initially knew the attackers were a man and woman, and DNA profiles were developed in 2003. State law enforcement tests for genealogy helped narrow down the search this past May, and two suspects were identified last month, Ivey said.
Baer was being held without bond. Jail records didn’t list an attorney. Schafer hadn’t been returned to Jacksonville jail by Thursday evening. It wasn’t known if she had an attorney.


washingtontimes--2020-07-02--Christina Ricci files for divorce from husband of 7 years

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Actress Christina Ricci has filed for divorce Thursday from her husband of seven years @ @ @ @ @ sole custody of their son .
Ricci filed documents in Los Angeles County Superior Court @ @ @ @ @ James Heerdegen , citing irreconcilable differences .
The documents say that Ricci wants sole legal @ @ @ @ @ 5-year-old son Freddie .
Ricci met Heerdegen , a camera operator for films and television @ @ @ @ @ her short-lived TV series “ Pan Am ” in 2011 .
They started dating the @ @ @ @ @ in 2013 .
Ricci is best known for her childhood work in hit films including @ @ @ @ @ The Addams Family , ” and for her adult appearances in indie films including “ @ @ @ @ @ “ Buffalo 66 .
”

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Actress Christina Ricci has filed for divorce Thursday from her husband of seven years, and is asking for sole custody of their son.
Ricci filed documents in Los Angeles County Superior Court to dissolve her marriage with James Heerdegen, citing irreconcilable differences.
The documents say that Ricci wants sole legal and physical custody of their 5-year-old son Freddie.
Ricci met Heerdegen, a camera operator for films and television, on the set of her short-lived TV series “Pan Am” in 2011. They started dating the following year, and married in 2013.
Ricci is best known for her childhood work in hit films including “Casper” and “The Addams Family,” and for her adult appearances in indie films including “Black Snake Moan” and “Buffalo 66.”