washingtontimes--2020-06-12--Police arrest 21 people for flouting Hawaii quarantine

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Twenty-one people who recently arrived in Hawaii , describing themselves as a family with a leader , were arrested and charged with violating the state ’ s mandatory 14-day quarantine put in place in an attempt to protect the islands from the spread of the coronavirus , police said .
They all arrived over two days earlier this month from Los Angeles , Hawaii County police Lt. Rio Amon-Wilkins said Friday .
Some of them indicated on quarantine forms and travel declarations that they would be vacationing , while most of them reported that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ They describe themselves kind of as a family , ” he said .
“ They indicated they wanted to get away from mainstream society and live off the land.
” Their self-described leader , Eligio Lee Bishop , was arrested Thursday with six other men and six women at a home booked via Airbnb in a rural and remote district of the Big Island , Amon-Wilkins said .
Bishop , 38 , of Georgia , couldn ’ t immediately be reached for comment Friday .
It wasn ’ t immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He and the others arrested were scheduled for an arraignment in court in the afternoon .
“ We ’ re not a cult , we ’ re a tribe , ” Bishop said in a YouTube video posted Thursday before his arrest titled “ NatureBoy ’ s Message To The People of Hawaii.
” On Wednesday , police arrested other members of the group - five men and three women - at a different home in the Puna district also booked through Airbnb , Amon-Wilkins said .
Tips from the public and social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some of them were seen at a beach park in Hilo on the day they arrived , police said .
The group arrived over two days — June 7 and 8 .
Since March , travelers - residents and tourists - arriving in Hawaii must quarantine for 14 days .
Gov .
David Ige has extended the mandate through the end of July .
Some tourists and one resident have been arrested on suspicion of violating the quarantine .
The quarantine has helped Hawaii maintain relatively low infection rates compared to other parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health reported 15 new cases Friday , bringing the total number of people who tested positive since the outbreak began to 706 .
There have been 17 deaths .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The owner of the home where the Wednesday arrests took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rentals aren ’ t allowed to operate right now .
Tylea Fuhrmann , 42 , couldn ’ t immediately be reached for comment Friday .
She was being held on $ 2,000 bail and was also scheduled to be arraigned Friday .
Amon-Wilkins said police are trying to confirm ownership of the other residence .
Two women part of the group were not arrested with the others even though they also allegedly violated the quarantine .
Amon-Wilkins said he made a “ judgement call ” not to have them arrested because they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Arresting the women would have required calling child protective services , which would have exposed the group to more people , he said .
The children ranged in age from toddlers to teens , he said .
So they were allowed to remain and given strict instructions to remain in quarantine , Amon-Wilkins said .
Police will be keeping tabs on them and it ’ s possible the women will be charged later , he said .

HONOLULU (AP) - Twenty-one people who recently arrived in Hawaii, describing themselves as a family with a leader, were arrested and charged with violating the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine put in place in an attempt to protect the islands from the spread of the coronavirus, police said.
They all arrived over two days earlier this month from Los Angeles, Hawaii County police Lt. Rio Amon-Wilkins said Friday. Some of them indicated on quarantine forms and travel declarations that they would be vacationing, while most of them reported that they intended to move to Hawaii, he said.
“They describe themselves kind of as a family,” he said. “They indicated they wanted to get away from mainstream society and live off the land.”
Their self-described leader, Eligio Lee Bishop, was arrested Thursday with six other men and six women at a home booked via Airbnb in a rural and remote district of the Big Island, Amon-Wilkins said.
Bishop, 38, of Georgia, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Friday. It wasn’t immediately clear if he had an attorney. He and the others arrested were scheduled for an arraignment in court in the afternoon.
“We’re not a cult, we’re a tribe,” Bishop said in a YouTube video posted Thursday before his arrest titled “NatureBoy’s Message To The People of Hawaii.”
On Wednesday, police arrested other members of the group - five men and three women - at a different home in the Puna district also booked through Airbnb, Amon-Wilkins said.
Tips from the public and social media led police to the group. Some of them were seen at a beach park in Hilo on the day they arrived, police said. The group arrived over two days — June 7 and 8.
Since March, travelers - residents and tourists - arriving in Hawaii must quarantine for 14 days. Gov. David Ige has extended the mandate through the end of July. Some tourists and one resident have been arrested on suspicion of violating the quarantine.
The quarantine has helped Hawaii maintain relatively low infection rates compared to other parts of the U.S.
The state Department of Health reported 15 new cases Friday, bringing the total number of people who tested positive since the outbreak began to 706. There have been 17 deaths.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
The owner of the home where the Wednesday arrests took place was also arrested because short-term vacation rentals aren’t allowed to operate right now. Tylea Fuhrmann, 42, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Friday. She was being held on $2,000 bail and was also scheduled to be arraigned Friday.
Amon-Wilkins said police are trying to confirm ownership of the other residence.
Two women part of the group were not arrested with the others even though they also allegedly violated the quarantine. Amon-Wilkins said he made a “judgement call” not to have them arrested because they are mothers of four children in the group.
Arresting the women would have required calling child protective services, which would have exposed the group to more people, he said. The children ranged in age from toddlers to teens, he said.
So they were allowed to remain and given strict instructions to remain in quarantine, Amon-Wilkins said. Police will be keeping tabs on them and it’s possible the women will be charged later, he said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--Number of deaths related to COVID-19 jumps by 77 to 6,260

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - The Illinois Department of Public Health reported Friday 77 additional fatalities related to COVID-19 , bringing the total number of deaths to 6,260 .
Health department officials also reported 595 new known coronavirus cases , lifting the statewide total to 131,198 .
It is the first time the daily number of new infections has fallen below 600 since March 30 .
Health officials said more than 1.1 million people have been tested in Illinois .
The state is also reporting an additional 181 deaths and 861 non-fatal infections were “ probable ” cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t performed .
Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said the city of Chicago accounts for more than a third of the statewide figures , with 2,359 coronavirus deaths among 48,924 overall cases .
One in 12 Chicago residents have been tested for COVID-19 , while one in 57 has tested positive and one in 1,200 has died , she said .
An average of 18 Chicagoans are dying of the coronavirus per day , along with 232 new cases confirmed daily , Arwady said .
However , she said the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming down form a peak in early May .
“ If people can hang in there and keep doing the things that we know work , the things that have given us the progress that we saw in the month of May , we will be okay to continue that cautious reopening carefully , ” she said .
Arwady said she expects the city to advance to the next phase of reopening from the coronavirus shutdown on July 1 .

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Department of Public Health reported Friday 77 additional fatalities related to COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths to 6,260.
Health department officials also reported 595 new known coronavirus cases, lifting the statewide total to 131,198. It is the first time the daily number of new infections has fallen below 600 since March 30.
Health officials said more than 1.1 million people have been tested in Illinois. The state is also reporting an additional 181 deaths and 861 non-fatal infections were “probable” cases of COVID-19, though lab tests weren’t performed.
Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said the city of Chicago accounts for more than a third of the statewide figures, with 2,359 coronavirus deaths among 48,924 overall cases. One in 12 Chicago residents have been tested for COVID-19, while one in 57 has tested positive and one in 1,200 has died, she said.
An average of 18 Chicagoans are dying of the coronavirus per day, along with 232 new cases confirmed daily, Arwady said. However, she said the city is showing “very good progress” coming down form a peak in early May.
“If people can hang in there and keep doing the things that we know work, the things that have given us the progress that we saw in the month of May, we will be okay to continue that cautious reopening carefully,” she said.
Arwady said she expects the city to advance to the next phase of reopening from the coronavirus shutdown on July 1.


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--2nd inmate killed in 2 days at same California prison

CORCORAN , Calif. ( AP ) - A second inmate in two days has been killed at the same Central Valley prison , California corrections officials said Friday , though they said the two slayings are believed to be unrelated .
Anthony Roberson-Anderson , 30 , was found Tuesday with swelling and multiple lacerations to his face and head at the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran , officials said .
He died late Thursday at an outside hospital .
Prison employees say they saw inmate Brandon Caine , 38 , running from Roberson-Anderson ’ s prone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The victim was serving a life term for a Los Angeles County murder .
The suspect was serving a 12-year robbery sentence from the same county .
Officials said there is no known connection to the slaying Wednesday at the same prison of Danny Roman , 64 , a purported leader of the Mexican Mafia .
The federal government once accused Roman of running street gang operations from inside Pelican Bay State Prison , which at the time was the state ’ s most secure lockup , by passing coded orders to his @ @

CORCORAN, Calif. (AP) - A second inmate in two days has been killed at the same Central Valley prison, California corrections officials said Friday, though they said the two slayings are believed to be unrelated.
Anthony Roberson-Anderson, 30, was found Tuesday with swelling and multiple lacerations to his face and head at the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran, officials said.
He died late Thursday at an outside hospital.
Prison employees say they saw inmate Brandon Caine, 38, running from Roberson-Anderson’s prone body and put him in restraints.
The victim was serving a life term for a Los Angeles County murder. The suspect was serving a 12-year robbery sentence from the same county.
Officials said there is no known connection to the slaying Wednesday at the same prison of Danny Roman, 64, a purported leader of the Mexican Mafia.
The federal government once accused Roman of running street gang operations from inside Pelican Bay State Prison, which at the time was the state’s most secure lockup, by passing coded orders to his daughter.


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--California to allow nail salons to reopen starting June 19

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - Some Californians will again be able to get a manicure , a new tattoo or enjoy a massage starting late next week under new state guidance issued Friday .
But studios and salons won ’ t look the same when they do open .
Workers and customers must wear face masks , adopt far more intense cleaning practices for shared reusable items like tweezers , and the services will be limited - no mouth or nose tattoos or piercings for now .
The guidance on nail salons has been highly anticipated .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow them to reopen .
The services can reopen starting June 19 in counties where health officials allow it .
They join a long list of other businesses cleared to reopen in recent weeks , including hair salons , churches and restaurants .
Beyond masks , nail salon workers should consider wearing face shields or goggles to protect their eyes and wear a new pair of disposable gloves for each customer .
Salons should even consider putting plastic partitions with cutouts for hands between workers and customers .
Salons should also no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and instead ask customers to choose a color from a palette that can be disinfected .
Technicians should throw away nail files , buffers and other items after each use .
Other services cleared to open include facials , electrolysis , waxing and massage therapy .
All surfaces used by customers should be cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Some Californians will again be able to get a manicure, a new tattoo or enjoy a massage starting late next week under new state guidance issued Friday.
But studios and salons won’t look the same when they do open. Workers and customers must wear face masks, adopt far more intense cleaning practices for shared reusable items like tweezers, and the services will be limited - no mouth or nose tattoos or piercings for now.
The guidance on nail salons has been highly anticipated. The Professional Beauty Federation of California sued the state in May to reopen hair and nail salons. Hair salons were cleared to reopen several weeks ago.
Gov. Gavin Newsom also sparked anger among some in the industry, including Vietnamese salon owners who own a majority of California’s salons, when he alleged California’s first case of the virus spreading in the community was linked to a nail salon. He declined to give details, citing privacy.
The services can reopen starting June 19 in counties where health officials allow it. They join a long list of other businesses cleared to reopen in recent weeks, including hair salons, restaurants, churches and movie theaters. Most counties have been cleared to move forward, though infection rates and hospitalizations are climbing in some. The state is monitoring infection rates and hospitalizations in 11 counties.
Mark Ghaly, head of California’s health and human services agency, said Friday that positive test rates and hospitalizations are remaining stable statewide and the state has hospital capacity for a surge as it moves ahead with reopening.
Beyond masks, nail salon workers should consider wearing face shields or goggles to protect their eyes and wear a new pair of disposable gloves for each customer. Salons should even consider putting plastic partitions with cutouts for hands between workers and customers.
Salons should also no longer display nail polish bottles on a shelf and instead ask customers to choose a color from a palette that can be disinfected. Technicians should throw away nail files, buffers and other items after each use.
Fred Jones, public policy director and legal counsel for the beauty federation, said he was pleased Newsom cleared the reopening but disappointed it took so long. He said he’s concerned some counties will delay.
Republican Assemblyman Tyler Diep, who is Vietnamese American, led a group of lawmakers who wrote to Newsom Wednesday urging him to reopen nail salons. Diep represents Orange County, home to a large Vietnamese community, and said 80% of California’s nail salons are owned by Vietnamese Americans.
“They have patiently waited and sacrificed their own financial well-being to protect the public’s health. However, they can no longer stand aside when casinos, fitness facilities, and movie theaters begin to reopen,” the letter said.
Jaime Schrabeck, a licensed manicurist and owner of Precision Nails in Carmel, said she’s pleased to see the state stepping up cleaning protocols but wants more clarity about which parts of the guidance are required, not just suggested. She was not among those advocating for a faster reopening, saying it made sense that services like nail salons and massages were opening later than hair salons because they involve skin-to-skin contact.
“This is definitely a health crisis, not a beauty crisis,” she said.
She suggested salons start collecting the names and phone numbers for everyone they see to assist officials in tracing their contacts if a customer tests positive for the virus.
Other services cleared to open include facials, electrolysis, waxing and massage therapy. All surfaces used by customers should be cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants.


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--Georgia judge orders Decatur Confederate monument relocated

DECATUR , Ga. ( AP ) - A Georgia judge Friday ordered the relocation of a Confederate monument that stands in downtown Decatur .
DeKalb County Judge Clarence Seeliger ’ s order said the 30-foot obelisk in Decatur Square should be removed by midnight June 26 and placed in storage indefinitely .
The city , in a complaint filed Wednesday , argued that the monument had become a threat to public safety during recent protests about racism and police brutality .
Seeliger agreed .
“ In short , the Confederate obelisk has become an increasingly frequent target of graffiti and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friction among citizens , and a potential catastrophe that could happen at any time if individuals attempt to forcibly remove or destroy it , ” Seeliger wrote .
“ We were able to work within the existing law to resolve a problem , ” Decatur City Manager Andrea Arnold told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
“ We didn ’ t have to ask for a law to be changed , the law was right there in front of us.
” DeKalb County has spent the last several years trying to rid itself of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the old county courthouse by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1908 .
A marker added last September says the monument was erected to “ glorify the ‘ lost cause ’ of the Confederacy ” and has “ bolstered white supremacy and faulty history.
” Groups like Hate Free Decatur and Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights have been pushing for the monument to be removed since the 2017 “ Unite the Right ” rally in Charlottesville , Virginia .
“ We are pleased to see DeKalb County has heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this monument to white supremacy must go , ” said Sara Paternaude , of Hate Free Decatur .
“ This and other monuments like those erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy , including the genocide cannon located on the same property , are meant to denigrate and intimidate black people and people of color.
” The cannon Paternaude referred to is one used in the Creek War of 1836 , which saw the removal of Native Americans from the South .
Demonstrators have been removing monuments they see as symbols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since national protests began over the May death of George Floyd , who died after a police officer in Minneapolis pressed down on his neck with a leg for several minutes .
For Seeliger , who is retiring this year , the ruling on the monument bookends a judicial career that began when his election in 1980 ousted a judge who was infamous for illegally sentencing Martin Luther King Jr. to a chain gang in a misdemeanor traffic case in 1960 .
Seeliger ’ s first moves after taking over J. Oscar Mitchell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s first black bailiff and having him remove Mitchell ’ s Confederate flag , which he said was “ unacceptable in a court of law.
” An exact timeline for the monument ’ s removal was unclear .
But Arnold said Seeliger recommended that it be moved well in advance of the deadline .
“ What happens ( next ) is the county gets a crane and it ’ s removed , ” Arnold told the newspaper .

DECATUR, Ga. (AP) - A Georgia judge Friday ordered the relocation of a Confederate monument that stands in downtown Decatur.
DeKalb County Judge Clarence Seeliger’s order said the 30-foot obelisk in Decatur Square should be removed by midnight June 26 and placed in storage indefinitely.
The city, in a complaint filed Wednesday, argued that the monument had become a threat to public safety during recent protests about racism and police brutality. Seeliger agreed.
“In short, the Confederate obelisk has become an increasingly frequent target of graffiti and vandalism, a figurative lightning rod for friction among citizens, and a potential catastrophe that could happen at any time if individuals attempt to forcibly remove or destroy it,” Seeliger wrote.
“We were able to work within the existing law to resolve a problem,” Decatur City Manager Andrea Arnold told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We didn’t have to ask for a law to be changed, the law was right there in front of us.”
Gov. Brian Kemp’s office declined to comment on Seeliger’s order.
DeKalb County has spent the last several years trying to rid itself of the Lost Cause monument, which was erected near the old county courthouse by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1908. A marker added last September says the monument was erected to “glorify the ‘lost cause’ of the Confederacy” and has “bolstered white supremacy and faulty history.”
Groups like Hate Free Decatur and Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights have been pushing for the monument to be removed since the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“We are pleased to see DeKalb County has heard the will of the people and decided that this monument to white supremacy must go,” said Sara Paternaude, of Hate Free Decatur. “This and other monuments like those erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, including the genocide cannon located on the same property, are meant to denigrate and intimidate black people and people of color.”
The cannon Paternaude referred to is one used in the Creek War of 1836, which saw the removal of Native Americans from the South.
Demonstrators have been removing monuments they see as symbols of the United States’ ingrained racism since national protests began over the May death of George Floyd, who died after a police officer in Minneapolis pressed down on his neck with a leg for several minutes.
For Seeliger, who is retiring this year, the ruling on the monument bookends a judicial career that began when his election in 1980 ousted a judge who was infamous for illegally sentencing Martin Luther King Jr. to a chain gang in a misdemeanor traffic case in 1960. Seeliger’s first moves after taking over J. Oscar Mitchell’s courtroom included hiring the county’s first black bailiff and having him remove Mitchell’s Confederate flag, which he said was “unacceptable in a court of law.”
An exact timeline for the monument’s removal was unclear. But Arnold said Seeliger recommended that it be moved well in advance of the deadline.
“What happens (next) is the county gets a crane and it’s removed,” Arnold told the newspaper.


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--Tennessee Supreme Court delays 2nd execution due to pandemic

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday issued a stay of execution for a second death row inmate because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Byron Black ’ s execution was scheduled for Oct. 8 , but the court moved it to April 8 , 2021 .
Attorneys for the 64-year-old Black had said the pandemic made it impossible to have a hearing on whether Black is competent to be executed .
They also wrote that the health crisis is interfering with his ability to prepare for a clemency request .
The court also extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a petition alleging incompetence .
The previous deadline was next month .
“ The stay will help protect guards , witnesses , attorneys representing the prisoners , attorneys for the State , and everyone else involved in these cases , ” said Kelley Henry , supervisory assistant federal public defender .
Henry said Black has mental defects and medical issues .
“ For the court to evaluate Mr. Black ’ s competency , it would need to hear from mental health experts who are out of state and can ’ t travel to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison at this time , ” Henry said .
“ The stay in Mr. Black ’ s case was absolutely necessary.
” Tennessee ’ s attorney general opposed Black ’ s motion to delay his execution .
Attorney General Herbert Slatery wrote in Supreme Court filings that attorneys for Black and another inmate who sought a stay , Harold Nichols , were speculating about future public health conditions in their delay requests .
Black was convicted by a Nashville court of murdering his girlfriend Angela Clay and her daughters Latoya , 9 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home in 1988 .
Prosecutors said he shot the three during a jealous rage .
Black was on work release at the time for shooting and wounding Clay ’ s estranged husband .
The state Supreme Court previously delayed inmate Oscar Smith ’ s execution from June to February 2021 because of the pandemic .
Last week , the court denied , without explanation , Nichols ’ request for a stay .
Another execution remains scheduled this year , that of Pervis Payne on Dec. 3 .
Since Tennessee resumed executions in August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Texas - five of seven inmates have chosen the electric chair .
The last was Nicholas Sutton , executed on Feb. 20 for the 1985 murder of a fellow inmate .
Inmates ’ attorneys have argued that both lethal injection and electrocution are forms of punishment that violate the Constitution ’ s ban on cruel and unusual punishment .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday issued a stay of execution for a second death row inmate because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Byron Black’s execution was scheduled for Oct. 8, but the court moved it to April 8, 2021.
Attorneys for the 64-year-old Black had said the pandemic made it impossible to have a hearing on whether Black is competent to be executed. They also wrote that the health crisis is interfering with his ability to prepare for a clemency request.
The court also extended until January Black’s deadline for a petition alleging incompetence. The previous deadline was next month.
“The stay will help protect guards, witnesses, attorneys representing the prisoners, attorneys for the State, and everyone else involved in these cases,” said Kelley Henry, supervisory assistant federal public defender.
Henry said Black has mental defects and medical issues.
“For the court to evaluate Mr. Black’s competency, it would need to hear from mental health experts who are out of state and can’t travel to Tennessee to examine Mr. Black in the prison at this time,” Henry said. “The stay in Mr. Black’s case was absolutely necessary.”
Tennessee’s attorney general opposed Black’s motion to delay his execution. Attorney General Herbert Slatery wrote in Supreme Court filings that attorneys for Black and another inmate who sought a stay, Harold Nichols, were speculating about future public health conditions in their delay requests.
Black was convicted by a Nashville court of murdering his girlfriend Angela Clay and her daughters Latoya, 9, and Lakesha, 6, at their home in 1988. Prosecutors said he shot the three during a jealous rage. Black was on work release at the time for shooting and wounding Clay’s estranged husband.
The state Supreme Court previously delayed inmate Oscar Smith’s execution from June to February 2021 because of the pandemic.
Last week, the court denied, without explanation, Nichols’ request for a stay. Another execution remains scheduled this year, that of Pervis Payne on Dec. 3.
Since Tennessee resumed executions in August 2018 - at a pace topped only by Texas - five of seven inmates have chosen the electric chair. The last was Nicholas Sutton, executed on Feb. 20 for the 1985 murder of a fellow inmate.
Inmates’ attorneys have argued that both lethal injection and electrocution are forms of punishment that violate the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--Warner Bros. sets late July theatrical release for 'Tenet'

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - The closely watched arrival of Christopher Nolan ’ s big-budget sci-fi espionage film “ Tenet ” will finally happen on July 31 , Warner Bros. announced Friday .
The studio said it would delay the release by two weeks and instead re-issue Nolan ’ s 2010 sci-fi blockbuster “ Inception ” in mid-July .
The release date for “ Tenet ” has been closely watched in all corners of the film industry , which has faced shuttered theaters due to the coronavirus since mid-March .
Movie theaters plan to reopen in July for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the industry had planned .
The Marvel film “ Black Widow ” and the ninth installment in the “ Fast & Furious ” franchise , both expected to arrive in the early summer , have delayed their releases .
Warner Bros. also announced Friday that “ Wonder Woman 1984 , ” a sequel to its 2017 hit , would shift from an August release to Oct. 2 .
“ Tenet ” will arrive in theaters a week after Disney ’ s live-action version of “ Mulan ” is released on July 24 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s trailer in May , it didn ’ t include a release date , simply stating , “ Coming to theaters.
” The film stars John David Washington , Robert Pattinson , Elizabeth Debicki and Michael Caine .
AMC Theaters , the world ’ s largest theater operator , said this week it expects to have at least 97 % of its locations open by mid-July .
The National Association of Theater Owners , the trade group that represents exhibitors , expects some 90-95 % of cinemas around the world will open then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , AMC says it will keep its cinemas 25-50 % full to ensure social distancing .
Those won ’ t be the only changes .
Concessions will ordered via an app and theaters will undergo regular cleanings , AMC has said .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The closely watched arrival of Christopher Nolan’s big-budget sci-fi espionage film “Tenet” will finally happen on July 31, Warner Bros. announced Friday.
The studio said it would delay the release by two weeks and instead re-issue Nolan’s 2010 sci-fi blockbuster “Inception” in mid-July.
The release date for “Tenet” has been closely watched in all corners of the film industry, which has faced shuttered theaters due to the coronavirus since mid-March. Movie theaters plan to reopen in July for a vastly different summer season than the one the industry had planned.
The Marvel film “Black Widow” and the ninth installment in the “Fast & Furious” franchise, both expected to arrive in the early summer, have delayed their releases.
Warner Bros. also announced Friday that “Wonder Woman 1984,” a sequel to its 2017 hit, would shift from an August release to Oct. 2.
“Tenet” will arrive in theaters a week after Disney’s live-action version of “Mulan” is released on July 24.
When the studio released the film’s trailer in May, it didn’t include a release date, simply stating, “Coming to theaters.” The film stars John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki and Michael Caine.
AMC Theaters, the world’s largest theater operator, said this week it expects to have at least 97% of its locations open by mid-July. The National Association of Theater Owners, the trade group that represents exhibitors, expects some 90-95% of cinemas around the world will open then as well.
Rather than packing multiplexes, AMC says it will keep its cinemas 25-50% full to ensure social distancing. Those won’t be the only changes. Concessions will ordered via an app and theaters will undergo regular cleanings, AMC has said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--Manhunt underway after Mississippi deputy shot, killed

MENDENHALL , Miss .
( AP ) - Mississippi law enforcement are searching for an escaped inmate in the shooting @ @ @ @ @ sheriff ’ s deputy .
The deputy was shot Friday afternoon and flown to a @ @ @ @ @ Deputies said he later died .
The deputy ’ s name was not immediately released @ @ @ @ @ a mental health center in Mendenhall , WJTV-TV reported .
Further details were not immediately @ @ @ @ @ searching for Joaquin Stevens Blackwell , an escaped inmate believed to be involved in the @ @ @ @ @ Magee , is considered armed and dangerous .
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office , 911 or Crime Stoppers at 601-355-8477 .

MENDENHALL, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi law enforcement are searching for an escaped inmate in the shooting death of a Simpson County sheriff’s deputy.
The deputy was shot Friday afternoon and flown to a hospital, WAPT-TV reported. Deputies said he later died.
The deputy’s name was not immediately released.
The shooting happened at a mental health center in Mendenhall, WJTV-TV reported. Further details were not immediately released.
Law enforcement are searching for Joaquin Stevens Blackwell, an escaped inmate believed to be involved in the shooting.
Blackwell, of Magee, is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff’s office, 911 or Crime Stoppers at 601-355-8477.


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--6 Houston athletes test positive for COVID-19 with symptoms

HOUSTON ( AP ) - The University of Houston is suspending all voluntary workouts for its athletes after six tested positive for COVID-19 with symptoms .
Houston announced it was shutting down workouts due to “ an abundance of caution ” and an increase of positive tests in the greater Houston area over the last week .
The school said the athletes , who were not identified , have been placed in isolation and medical staff is conducting contact-tracing procedures .
Schools around the country have begun bringing athletes back to campus this month for voluntary workouts .
Athletes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and given physical screenings through examines and questionnaires .
There is no national standardized testing protocol for athletes .
Positive tests results had been expected and quickly have become fairly common as schools bring athletes back .
Arkansas State announced seven athletes test positive .
Alabama has had at least five .
Clemson reported three athletes testing positive among 169 tests on students and coaches .
UCF , Houston ’ s American Athletic Conference rival , reported three positives from its first 60 tests .
Houston was the first school to report its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workouts because of the results .

HOUSTON (AP) - The University of Houston is suspending all voluntary workouts for its athletes after six tested positive for COVID-19 with symptoms.
Houston announced it was shutting down workouts due to “an abundance of caution” and an increase of positive tests in the greater Houston area over the last week.
The school said the athletes, who were not identified, have been placed in isolation and medical staff is conducting contact-tracing procedures.
Schools around the country have begun bringing athletes back to campus this month for voluntary workouts. Athletes are being tested for COVID-19 and coronavirus antibodies and given physical screenings through examines and questionnaires. There is no national standardized testing protocol for athletes.
Positive tests results had been expected and quickly have become fairly common as schools bring athletes back. Arkansas State announced seven athletes test positive. Alabama has had at least five. Clemson reported three athletes testing positive among 169 tests on students and coaches. UCF, Houston’s American Athletic Conference rival, reported three positives from its first 60 tests.
Houston was the first school to report its positive athletes were symptomatic and to halt workouts because of the results.
___


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--With the search for 2 kids at an end, a community mourns

BOISE , Idaho ( AP ) - Within a few hours , a garden of mementos grew outside the rural crime scene .
Pinwheels , flowers and stuffed animals dotted a fence near where police found remains believed to belong to two children in a bizarre case that has captured attention around the world .
For police , the grisly discovery this week marked a significant break in a monthslong investigation into what happened to Joshua “ JJ ” Vallow , who was 7 when he vanished in September along with his 17-year-old sister Tylee Ryan .
For relatives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , their heartbreak was magnified .
For cluster of small Idaho towns , it was the denouement of one mystery and the start of another : Where are JJ and Tylee ?
Right here , and yet irretrievably gone .
Why are they gone ?
That may never be fully answered .
“ I never thought it would come to this - I didn ’ t think they were dead , ” said Timanee Olsen , a specialty cookie baker who has closely followed the case and after hearing about the bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids who disappeared from Rexburg .
“ It ’ s just sparked a lot of sadness in our town.
” The children ’ s mother , Lori Vallow Daybell , has been in jail since February on felony child abandonment and other charges .
Her new husband , Chad Daybell , was charged with concealing or destroying the bodies after police searched his rural property Tuesday .
The remains have yet to be formally identified , but family members told news outlets that they belong to JJ and Tylee .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bright stars were stolen from us , and only hope that they died without pain or suffering , ” the families wrote in the statement .
Kay and Larry Woodcock , JJ ’ s grandparents , worked for months to keep the search for kids in the limelight .
With this week ’ s discovery , they have withdrawn to grieve .
“ The family is not doing any interviews right now , ” said Felicia Dewall , who is acting as their spokeswoman .
“ They ’ re asking everybody to kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transfixed the public with its ties to the mysterious deaths of the Daybells ’ former spouses and the couple ’ s doomsday beliefs .
It began with Lori Daybell ’ s brother shooting and killing her estranged husband , Charles Vallow , in suburban Phoenix last summer in what he asserted was self-defense .
Vallow was seeking a divorce , saying Lori believed she had become a god-like figure who was responsible for ushering in the biblical end times .
Her brother , Alex Cox , died in December of an apparent blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vallow ’ s death , Lori and the children moved to Idaho , where Chad Daybell lived .
He ran a small publishing company , putting out many fiction books he wrote about apocalyptic scenarios loosely based on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .
He also recorded podcasts about preparing for biblical end times , and friends said he claimed to be able to receive visions from “ beyond the veil.
” He was married to Tammy Daybell , who died in her sleep last October of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Authorities grew suspicious when Chad Daybell married Lori just two weeks later , and they had Tammy Daybell ’ s body exhumed in December .
The results of that autopsy have not been released .
Police began searching for Tylee and JJ in November after relatives raised concerns .
Police say the Daybells lied to investigators about the children ’ s whereabouts before quietly leaving Idaho .
They were found in Hawaii months later .
Investigators haven ’ t released any new details since the remains were found .
The bodies were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not clear when those results will be released .
“ It is the most horrendous outcome to the craziest nine-month mystery that I ’ ve ever heard of , ” said Olsen , who organized the vigil with a friend .
“ Those kids deserved better , and we ’ re going to do everything we can to get those kids justice.
” Olsen said hundreds of people have indicated they want to attend .
She arranged to have the vigil in a parking lot in Idaho Falls , close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hoping it would provide enough space for people to feel connected while remaining socially distant .
“ It ’ s taken our town and turned it upside down .
It ’ s all you hear about all day long , and you don ’ t need to know them to feel affected by it - it ’ s in the air , ” she said .
“ We ’ re just doing our best to stick together , especially in the hard times .
”

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Within a few hours, a garden of mementos grew outside the rural crime scene. Pinwheels, flowers and stuffed animals dotted a fence near where police found remains believed to belong to two children in a bizarre case that has captured attention around the world.
For police, the grisly discovery this week marked a significant break in a monthslong investigation into what happened to Joshua “JJ” Vallow, who was 7 when he vanished in September along with his 17-year-old sister Tylee Ryan.
For relatives, who said the remains belong to the children, their heartbreak was magnified.
For cluster of small Idaho towns, it was the denouement of one mystery and the start of another: Where are JJ and Tylee? Right here, and yet irretrievably gone. Why are they gone? That may never be fully answered.
“I never thought it would come to this - I didn’t think they were dead,” said Timanee Olsen, a specialty cookie baker who has closely followed the case and after hearing about the bodies, planned a vigil to mourn the kids who disappeared from Rexburg. “It’s just sparked a lot of sadness in our town.”
The children’s mother, Lori Vallow Daybell, has been in jail since February on felony child abandonment and other charges. Her new husband, Chad Daybell, was charged with concealing or destroying the bodies after police searched his rural property Tuesday. The remains have yet to be formally identified, but family members told news outlets that they belong to JJ and Tylee.
“We are filled with unfathomable sadness that these two bright stars were stolen from us, and only hope that they died without pain or suffering,” the families wrote in the statement.
Kay and Larry Woodcock, JJ’s grandparents, worked for months to keep the search for kids in the limelight. With this week’s discovery, they have withdrawn to grieve.
“The family is not doing any interviews right now,” said Felicia Dewall, who is acting as their spokeswoman. “They’re asking everybody to kind of respect that.”
The complex case transfixed the public with its ties to the mysterious deaths of the Daybells’ former spouses and the couple’s doomsday beliefs.
It began with Lori Daybell’s brother shooting and killing her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in suburban Phoenix last summer in what he asserted was self-defense. Vallow was seeking a divorce, saying Lori believed she had become a god-like figure who was responsible for ushering in the biblical end times. Her brother, Alex Cox, died in December of an apparent blood clot in his lung.
Shortly after Vallow’s death, Lori and the children moved to Idaho, where Chad Daybell lived. He ran a small publishing company, putting out many fiction books he wrote about apocalyptic scenarios loosely based on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also recorded podcasts about preparing for biblical end times, and friends said he claimed to be able to receive visions from “beyond the veil.”
He was married to Tammy Daybell, who died in her sleep last October of what her obituary said were natural causes. Authorities grew suspicious when Chad Daybell married Lori just two weeks later, and they had Tammy Daybell’s body exhumed in December. The results of that autopsy have not been released.
Police began searching for Tylee and JJ in November after relatives raised concerns. Police say the Daybells lied to investigators about the children’s whereabouts before quietly leaving Idaho. They were found in Hawaii months later.
Investigators haven’t released any new details since the remains were found. The bodies were sent to Boise for autopsies, and it’s not clear when those results will be released.
“It is the most horrendous outcome to the craziest nine-month mystery that I’ve ever heard of,” said Olsen, who organized the vigil with a friend. “Those kids deserved better, and we’re going to do everything we can to get those kids justice.”
Olsen said hundreds of people had indicated they want to attend. She arranged to have the vigil in a parking lot in Idaho Falls, close to the town where the kids lived, hoping it would provide enough space for people to feel connected while remaining socially distant. People gathered Friday night wrote notes to the kids, burned candles and listened to “In the Arms of an Angel,” according to The Idaho Post-Register.
“It’s taken our town and turned it upside down. It’s all you hear about all day long, and you don’t need to know them to feel affected by it - it’s in the air,” she said. “We’re just doing our best to stick together, especially in the hard times.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--Albuquerque mayor signs on to Obama-led reform initiative

ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. ( AP ) - The mayor of New Mexico ’ s largest city said Friday he ’ s joining other Democrat mayors who are vowing to take action on police reform .
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller announced that he signed the Obama Foundation-sponsored My Brother ’ s Keeper pledge and that doing so was more than just a symbol for the city .
“ This is a continuation of the conversation about police reform and the work of rebuilding the trust between APD and the community , ” Keller said in a statement .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in for two years , but we have a long , long road to go , and we are facing those challenges head on.
” The Albuquerque Police Department began implementing reforms years ago under a prior administration as part of a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department .
Federal authorities in 2014 issued a scathing report in response to a series of deadly police shootings in the city that pointed to patterns of excessive force , constitutional violations and a lack of training and oversight of its officers .
Calls for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make changes - are making headlines again following the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis .
Floyd ’ s death ignited protests around the world , with some of the early demonstrations being followed by violence , arson and vandalism .
In downtown Albuquerque , most of the businesses along historic Route 66 remained boarded up with plywood Friday after windows were smashed and small fires were set nearly two weeks ago .
The mayor had blamed a group of “ agitators ” for the damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As part of the pledge , the city must review police use of force policies , which Albuquerque already does .
The mayor ’ s office said new policies are being reviewed now and will soon be available for public comment .
The city also must engage the community as part of the process .
The mayor ’ s office said open meetings were held with the Civilian Police Oversight Agency and that city officials met with several community groups while crafting the proposed policies .
Albuquerque police are expected to present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. Justice Department and an independent monitor also will review the policies .
The department ’ s policies already restrict the use of force beyond the constitutionally minimum standard defined by the courts .
Albuquerque officers also are required to deescalate and to use the minimum amount of force that is “ reasonable , necessary and proportional.
” Civil rights groups and others have said that any reforms will have to be coupled with an accountability system in which incidents of force are investigated and officers are disciplined for any violations @

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The mayor of New Mexico’s largest city said Friday he’s joining other Democrat mayors who are vowing to take action on police reform.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller announced that he signed the Obama Foundation-sponsored My Brother’s Keeper pledge and that doing so was more than just a symbol for the city.
“This is a continuation of the conversation about police reform and the work of rebuilding the trust between APD and the community,” Keller said in a statement. “It’s work we’ve been engaged in for two years, but we have a long, long road to go, and we are facing those challenges head on.”
The Albuquerque Police Department began implementing reforms years ago under a prior administration as part of a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department. Federal authorities in 2014 issued a scathing report in response to a series of deadly police shootings in the city that pointed to patterns of excessive force, constitutional violations and a lack of training and oversight of its officers.
Calls for reform - and politicians’ vows to make changes - are making headlines again following the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis. Floyd’s death ignited protests around the world, with some of the early demonstrations being followed by violence, arson and vandalism.
In downtown Albuquerque, most of the businesses along historic Route 66 remained boarded up with plywood Friday after windows were smashed and small fires were set nearly two weeks ago. The mayor had blamed a group of “agitators” for the damage and said the city welcomed peaceful protests.
As part of the pledge, the city must review police use of force policies, which Albuquerque already does. The mayor’s office said new policies are being reviewed now and will soon be available for public comment.
The city also must engage the community as part of the process. The mayor’s office said open meetings were held with the Civilian Police Oversight Agency and that city officials met with several community groups while crafting the proposed policies.
Albuquerque police are expected to present the proposed changes at an upcoming meeting.
The U.S. Justice Department and an independent monitor also will review the policies.
The department’s policies already restrict the use of force beyond the constitutionally minimum standard defined by the courts. Albuquerque officers also are required to deescalate and to use the minimum amount of force that is “reasonable, necessary and proportional.”
Civil rights groups and others have said that any reforms will have to be coupled with an accountability system in which incidents of force are investigated and officers are disciplined for any violations.


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--Kate Brown, Oregon gov., freezes reopening over surge in coronavirus cases

Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown has slammed the brakes on the state ’ s reopening plans after an uptick in novel coronavirus cases , delaying business restarts even as protesters continue to gather by the thousands for Black Lives Matter marches and rallies in Portland .
At a Friday press conference , she said the state had placed a one-week freeze on all county applications to advance to the next phase of reopening after the state recorded Thursday its largest-ever daily increase in COVID-19 cases .
“ This is essentially a statewide yellow light , ” Ms. Brown said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health experts time to assess what factors are driving the spread of the virus and determine if we need to adjust our approach to reopening.
” Her announcement came with the state ’ s most populous county , Multnomah County , still under the maximum “ baseline ” restrictions and unable to move up to “ phase one , ” which would allow the limited reopening of restaurants , bars , hair salons , barbershops , gyms and malls in the Portland area .
The pause also drew contrasts between struggling small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules versus the enormous protest crowds , which the Democratic governor has supported , spurred by the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody .
 ” I ’ ve been inspired to see tens of thousands of Oregonians raising their voices to demand justice and make it clear that # BlackLivesMatter .
I stand with you , ” Ms. Brown said in a Thursday post .
“ And I want you to stay healthy.
” She urged the protesters to wear face masks and maintain physical distancing , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was little evidence of social separation at Monday ’ s protest , which saw thousands of marchers block Interstate 84 in Portland .
Meanwhile , the Oregon Supreme Court overturned Friday a county judge ’ s decision nullifying the governor ’ s pandemic executive orders , a challenge filed by churches and pastors arguing that the orders had expired after 28 days .
“ Although there are many statutory and constitutional limits on the governor ’ s emergency powers during a state of emergency declared pursuant to [ state statues ] , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject to a time limit of a certain number of days , ” the high court said in its decision .
Oregon Health Authority Director Pat Allen said the state recorded 178 new cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus , the highest total ever .
Positive tests increased by 75 % for the week ending June 7 , versus 18 % in the previous week .
He said that “ testing has increased , but so has the percentage of positive results , ” jumping from 1.9 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge to the reopening process .
“ There have been large gatherings across the state , some involving protests , some not , ” Mr. Allen said .
“ It ’ s still not clear whether the most recent large demonstrations in Portland and other communities have resulted in the spread of coronavirus , but we will have more information in the coming days.
” State health officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger said that “ to date we don ’ t have any reports of people who have tested positive who ’ ve attended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” adding that some may be reluctant to admit that to health officials .
Officials stressed that the uptick had occurred in areas throughout the state , not just Portland , where the protests have been concentrated .
Forty percent of the recent cases in Multnomah County could not be traced to a prior exposure .
“ I am hoping we can get them up and running in Multnomah County as quickly as possible ; however , I have to put the safety and health of Oregonians first , ” Ms. Brown said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are seeing a number of cases in Multnomah County that can not be traced to a source , and that should be very concerning for all of us.
” Oregon , with a population of 4.3 million , has recorded 5,377 cases of the coronavirus and 173 deaths .
The state reported Friday that another two people have died , a 96-year-old man and a 68-year-old man who had underlying medical conditions .

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has slammed the brakes on the state’s reopening plans after an uptick in novel coronavirus cases, delaying business restarts even as protesters continue to gather by the thousands for Black Lives Matter marches and rallies in Portland.
At a Friday press conference, she said the state had placed a one-week freeze on all county applications to advance to the next phase of reopening after the state recorded Thursday its largest-ever daily increase in COVID-19 cases.
“This is essentially a statewide yellow light,” Ms. Brown said. “This one-week pause will give our public health experts time to assess what factors are driving the spread of the virus and determine if we need to adjust our approach to reopening.”
Her announcement came with the state’s most populous county, Multnomah County, still under the maximum “baseline” restrictions and unable to move up to “phase one,” which would allow the limited reopening of restaurants, bars, hair salons, barbershops, gyms and malls in the Portland area.
“Choke the peasants more,” tweeted the Multnomah County Republican Party.
The pause also drew contrasts between struggling small businesses required to adhere to strict social-distancing rules versus the enormous protest crowds, which the Democratic governor has supported, spurred by the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
”I’ve been inspired to see tens of thousands of Oregonians raising their voices to demand justice and make it clear that #BlackLivesMatter. I stand with you,” Ms. Brown said in a Thursday post. “And I want you to stay healthy.”
She urged the protesters to wear face masks and maintain physical distancing, and while many have covered their faces, there was little evidence of social separation at Monday’s protest, which saw thousands of marchers block Interstate 84 in Portland.
Choke the peasants more. https://t.co/9BBPr7xwAp — Multnomah County GOP (@MultnomahGOP) June 12, 2020
For those not rioting in Oregon: https://t.co/d1fmOjaUIz — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) June 12, 2020
Portland, Oregon peaceful protesters on I-84 is happening from BOTH directions for #BlackLivesMattter pic.twitter.com/dgFkiR8llG — Peter Morley (@morethanmySLE) June 9, 2020
Meanwhile, the Oregon Supreme Court overturned Friday a county judge’s decision nullifying the governor’s pandemic executive orders, a challenge filed by churches and pastors arguing that the orders had expired after 28 days.
“Although there are many statutory and constitutional limits on the governor’s emergency powers during a state of emergency declared pursuant to [state statues], a declared state of emergency is not subject to a time limit of a certain number of days,” the high court said in its decision.
Oregon Health Authority Director Pat Allen said the state recorded 178 new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, the highest total ever. Positive tests increased by 75% for the week ending June 7, versus 18% in the previous week.
He said that “testing has increased, but so has the percentage of positive results,” jumping from 1.9% to 3%, and attributed the surge to the reopening process.
“There have been large gatherings across the state, some involving protests, some not,” Mr. Allen said. “It’s still not clear whether the most recent large demonstrations in Portland and other communities have resulted in the spread of coronavirus, but we will have more information in the coming days.”
State health officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger said that “to date we don’t have any reports of people who have tested positive who’ve attended one of these demonstrations or protests,” adding that some may be reluctant to admit that to health officials.
Officials stressed that the uptick had occurred in areas throughout the state, not just Portland, where the protests have been concentrated. Forty percent of the recent cases in Multnomah County could not be traced to a prior exposure.
“I am hoping we can get them up and running in Multnomah County as quickly as possible; however, I have to put the safety and health of Oregonians first,” Ms. Brown said. “My major concern is we are seeing a number of cases in Multnomah County that cannot be traced to a source, and that should be very concerning for all of us.”
Oregon, with a population of 4.3 million, has recorded 5,377 cases of the coronavirus and 173 deaths. The state reported Friday that another two people have died, a 96-year-old man and a 68-year-old man who had underlying medical conditions.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--Texas man pleaded guilty in cacti smuggling case

EL PASO , Texas ( AP ) - A man pleaded guilty in connection with a West Texas ring that smuggled rare living rock cacti , a plant that wildlife officials say is a protected species .
Harry George Bock II of El Paso pleaded guilty Tuesday before a U.S. magistrate judge in Pecos to one count of mislabeling exports in a scheme to ship cacti overseas , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the Western District of Texas said .
The living rock cactus is only found in the Big Bend region , federal wildlife officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ thorns and is soft and plushy .
In 2018 , the government seized Bock ’ s shipment of 41 cacti at an international mail facility in Chicago , the El Paso Times reported .
The U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service said Bock faces three years of probation , $ 7,200 in restitution as part of a plea agreement .
“ When you mess with protected Texas cacti , you ’ re messing with Texas , ” U.S. Attorney John F. Bash said in a statement .
While awaiting a sentencing date , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five other people have already been sentenced in connection with the scheme .
One of them is William Howard Gornto II , 60 , who was sentenced in May for felony charges .
The Fort Davis man will be on probation for three years and has been ordered to pay $ 10,800 restitution , according to U.S. wildlife officials .
The men were accused of violating the Lacey Act of 1900 that makes it a felony to sell or purchase protected wildlife and plants .
The men advertised the plants on the internet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to authorities .
The investigation began in 2012 .
But it is still unknown how many plants were smuggled , but about 4,000 plants were seized by the authorities , wildlife officials said in a release .
“ Those who came before us knew the importance of protecting wildlife from unlawful trade , and this law continues to stay relevant each time a poacher or wild plant smuggler is charged , ” Amy Lueders , U.S. Wildlife Service ’ s Southwest region director , said in a statement .

EL PASO, Texas (AP) - A man pleaded guilty in connection with a West Texas ring that smuggled rare living rock cacti, a plant that wildlife officials say is a protected species.
Harry George Bock II of El Paso pleaded guilty Tuesday before a U.S. magistrate judge in Pecos to one count of mislabeling exports in a scheme to ship cacti overseas, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas said.
The living rock cactus is only found in the Big Bend region, federal wildlife officials said. The small plant does not have any thorns and is soft and plushy.
In 2018, the government seized Bock’s shipment of 41 cacti at an international mail facility in Chicago, the El Paso Times reported.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Bock faces three years of probation, $7,200 in restitution as part of a plea agreement.
“When you mess with protected Texas cacti, you’re messing with Texas,” U.S. Attorney John F. Bash said in a statement.
While awaiting a sentencing date, Bock is free on bond. But five other people have already been sentenced in connection with the scheme. One of them is William Howard Gornto II, 60, who was sentenced in May for felony charges. The Fort Davis man will be on probation for three years and has been ordered to pay $10,800 restitution, according to U.S. wildlife officials.
The men were accused of violating the Lacey Act of 1900 that makes it a felony to sell or purchase protected wildlife and plants.
The men advertised the plants on the internet for collectors in Asia and Europe, according to authorities.
The investigation began in 2012. But it is still unknown how many plants were smuggled, but about 4,000 plants were seized by the authorities, wildlife officials said in a release.
“Those who came before us knew the importance of protecting wildlife from unlawful trade, and this law continues to stay relevant each time a poacher or wild plant smuggler is charged,” Amy Lueders, U.S. Wildlife Service’s Southwest region director, said in a statement.


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--Texas sets record high of COVID-19 hospitalizations

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - Novel coronavirus infections reached a record high for the third time in four days Friday , even as state officials continue to loosen restrictions on public activities .
State health officials said 2,166 patients were in Texas hospitals with COVID-19 , the illness caused by the coronavirus , 13 more than Wednesday ’ s record .
Friday saw almost 2,100 new cases reported in Texas , bringing the total to 83,680 .
However , the true number is likely higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nineteen new deaths reported Friday from the disease brought the overall state death toll to 1,939 .
The upward trend comes six weeks into Texas ’ reopening that began in May , which kicked off one of the fastest reboots of daily life in the U.S , and as restaurants got permission to expand their dining rooms to nearly full capacity Friday .
While thousands of hospital beds remain available , officials are voicing concern .
Throughout the record-setting week in Texas , Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott and state health officials have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meatpacking plants and prisons but have not offered an explanation for rising caseloads elsewhere .
But on Wednesday , some big city officials and health experts readily linked the worsening numbers to businesses reopening and people growing more complacent with social distancing .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and @ @

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Novel coronavirus infections reached a record high for the third time in four days Friday, even as state officials continue to loosen restrictions on public activities.
State health officials said 2,166 patients were in Texas hospitals with COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, 13 more than Wednesday’s record.
Friday saw almost 2,100 new cases reported in Texas, bringing the total to 83,680. However, the true number is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
Nineteen new deaths reported Friday from the disease brought the overall state death toll to 1,939.
The upward trend comes six weeks into Texas’ reopening that began in May, which kicked off one of the fastest reboots of daily life in the U.S, and as restaurants got permission to expand their dining rooms to nearly full capacity Friday. While thousands of hospital beds remain available, officials are voicing concern.
Throughout the record-setting week in Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and state health officials have pointed out hotspots in rural counties with meatpacking plants and prisons but have not offered an explanation for rising caseloads elsewhere. But on Wednesday, some big city officials and health experts readily linked the worsening numbers to businesses reopening and people growing more complacent with social distancing.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--Lab in Ecuador's capital forced to halt coronavirus testing

QUITO , Ecuador ( AP ) - A major laboratory in Ecuador ’ s capital closed and halted processing coronavirus tests Friday because technicians didn ’ t have basic supplies like tubes , pipettes , masks and gloves needed to safely analyze the specimens .
The Biotechnology Institute at Quito ’ s Central University had been expected to receive and process tens of thousands of tests but its director said only 5,150 could be done before running out of equipment .
“ We can ’ t process any more tests because of a technical failing , ” Lucy Baldeón said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit by the coronavirus pandemic in Latin America .
As major cities like Quito begin to reopen , authorities have insisted on the need to increases testing .
But those efforts have been complicated by corruption scandals , delays in acquiring tests and now shortages of essential lab materials .
“ We have the tests and we can ’ t use them , ” city councilman Bernardo Abad said .
“ They were purchased but the city didn ’ t prepare.
” The Central University lab is one of two contracted directly by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s testing capability .
The other has not yet begun processing specimens .
The Ministry of Public Health operates its own labs and conducted 16,379 tests in Quito from March to May .
That testing is expected to continue , though to date has fallen short of what many believe is needed in the city of 2.7 million people .
Ecuador has done 133,458 molecular and rapid COVID-19 tests in all , according to the health ministry , and nation ’ s per capita rate trails far behind countries like Chile and Peru @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Biotechnology Institute managed to stay in operation the last two weeks by collecting supplies from other university departments .
They were averaging around 320 tests a day before running out of lab materials .
“ A lot of energy was put into acquiring the tests , in getting them , but the logistics to process the amount the city needs … wasn ’ t done , ” councilwoman Luz Elena Coloma said .
Prosecutors in Ecuador have opened 45 corruption cases related to suspicious practices in acquiring medical equipment to confront @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was arrested in Guayaquil earlier this month in connection with the probe .
Investigators found 5,000 masks and 2,000 test kits in his home .
Quito ’ s health secretary resigned in late May after prosecutors opened an investigation indicating possible overcharging in the purchase of 100,00 molecular COVID-19 tests .
Ecuador was one of the first nations in Latin America to see a surge in virus cases .
In the coastal city of Guayaquil hospitals reached maximum capacity in early April and turned away many patients who later died in their homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited intensive care unit capacity has been stretched as cases continue to rise .
The Biotechnology Institute ’ s director faulted city officials for their preparations .
“ The city didn ’ t calculate well the capacity for how many could be processed , ” Baldeón said .
“ They had no idea or no technical input .
”

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) - A major laboratory in Ecuador’s capital closed and halted processing coronavirus tests Friday because technicians didn’t have basic supplies like tubes, pipettes, masks and gloves needed to safely analyze the specimens.
The Biotechnology Institute at Quito’s Central University had been expected to receive and process tens of thousands of tests but its director said only 5,150 could be done before running out of equipment.
“We can’t process any more tests because of a technical failing,” Lucy Baldeón said.
Ecuador is one of nations hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic in Latin America. As major cities like Quito begin to reopen, authorities have insisted on the need to increases testing. But those efforts have been complicated by corruption scandals, delays in acquiring tests and now shortages of essential lab materials.
“We have the tests and we can’t use them,” city councilman Bernardo Abad said. “They were purchased but the city didn’t prepare.”
The Central University lab is one of two contracted directly by Quito officials to boost the city’s testing capability. The other has not yet begun processing specimens. The Ministry of Public Health operates its own labs and conducted 16,379 tests in Quito from March to May. That testing is expected to continue, though to date has fallen short of what many believe is needed in the city of 2.7 million people.
Ecuador has done 133,458 molecular and rapid COVID-19 tests in all, according to the health ministry, and nation’s per capita rate trails far behind countries like Chile and Peru that have greatly expanded testing.
Technicians at the Biotechnology Institute managed to stay in operation the last two weeks by collecting supplies from other university departments. They were averaging around 320 tests a day before running out of lab materials.
“A lot of energy was put into acquiring the tests, in getting them, but the logistics to process the amount the city needs … wasn’t done,” councilwoman Luz Elena Coloma said.
Prosecutors in Ecuador have opened 45 corruption cases related to suspicious practices in acquiring medical equipment to confront the pandemic. Former President Abdalá Bucaram was arrested in Guayaquil earlier this month in connection with the probe. Investigators found 5,000 masks and 2,000 test kits in his home.
Quito’s health secretary resigned in late May after prosecutors opened an investigation indicating possible overcharging in the purchase of 100,00 molecular COVID-19 tests.
Ecuador was one of the first nations in Latin America to see a surge in virus cases. In the coastal city of Guayaquil hospitals reached maximum capacity in early April and turned away many patients who later died in their homes. More recently, Quito’s limited intensive care unit capacity has been stretched as cases continue to rise.
The Biotechnology Institute’s director faulted city officials for their preparations.
“The city didn’t calculate well the capacity for how many could be processed,” Baldeón said. “They had no idea or no technical input.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--Edwards rejects 8 bills, including business lobby priority

BATON ROUGE , La .
( AP ) - Gov .
John Bel Edwards on Friday vetoed eight bills passed by Louisiana lawmakers in their recently ended regular session , including the business lobby ’ s top priority , a measure to scale back damage claims against insurance companies in car accident lawsuits .
In rejecting the sweeping changes to Louisiana ’ s civil litigation system , the Democratic governor said the bill by Republican Sen. Kirk Talbot of River Ridge didn ’ t contain a commitment that it would lower insurance rates as its supporters promised .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single insurance company testified in committee that ( the bill ) would actually reduce rates , ” Edwards wrote in his veto message , released Friday evening .
“ Further , the rate reduction provision in the bill is permissive , rather than mandatory , and actually allows for rate increases if the insurers are able to demonstrate one would be needed.
” GOP lawmakers are trying to pass a similar measure in the Legislature ’ s ongoing special session , and Edwards said he ’ s willing to continue negotiations .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operating in good faith to reach a compromise , ” Edwards wrote .
Edwards also scrapped bills that would have given lawmakers more oversight of state contracts and would have enacted new restrictions on TV , radio and billboard ads from lawyers promising big paydays by suing businesses .
He jettisoned a measure that would have expanded an existing law barring entrance to any place deemed “ critical infrastructure , ” such as chemical plants , power plants , water treatment facilities , ports and pipelines .
The bill by Republican Rep. Jerome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have added floodgates and pump stations to that list - and would have toughened the penalties during states of emergency , requiring a mandatory minimum three-year prison sentence for anyone convicted .
At the Louisiana Capitol , the veto drawing the most interest involved the so-called tort reform bill changing the system for handling car wreck lawsuits , a measure championed by business groups .
The measure would have forced jury trials more frequently , so that lawyers would have to argue damage claims to more people than a single judge ; capped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited when insurance companies can be sued directly ; and increased the time accident victims can file lawsuits to give more time for settlement negotiations .
It also would have allowed information about whether someone was wearing a seatbelt as evidence in litigation .
Supporters of the measure said it will lower Louisiana ’ s car insurance rates , which are the nation ’ s second-highest , by making it less lucrative to sue over car accidents .
But in the flurry of final rewrites to the legislation amid negotiations with the Edwards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause even larger damage awards in some of those lawsuits .
Republican lawmakers who backed the proposal urged Edwards to sign the bill and work with lawmakers on the language fix .
“ The governor ’ s veto of Sen. Talbot ’ s ( bill ) , the bill to reduce frivolous lawsuits and insurance rates , was not unexpected , but make no mistake , leaving this special session without legislation signed into law to address the insurance crisis is not a feasible option .
Everyone knows the insurance affordability and availability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Waguespack , president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry , said in a statement .
Opponents of the package of civil litigation system changes , largely lawyers and Democrats , argued the measure would keep people from getting money needed to cover their medical bills and could increase costs for courts .
Bill backers worry that Edwards won ’ t sign any version of the bill because his allies and campaign contributors include personal injury lawyers .

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. John Bel Edwards on Friday vetoed eight bills passed by Louisiana lawmakers in their recently ended regular session, including the business lobby’s top priority, a measure to scale back damage claims against insurance companies in car accident lawsuits.
In rejecting the sweeping changes to Louisiana’s civil litigation system, the Democratic governor said the bill by Republican Sen. Kirk Talbot of River Ridge didn’t contain a commitment that it would lower insurance rates as its supporters promised.
“It is important to note that not a single insurance company testified in committee that (the bill) would actually reduce rates,” Edwards wrote in his veto message, released Friday evening. “Further, the rate reduction provision in the bill is permissive, rather than mandatory, and actually allows for rate increases if the insurers are able to demonstrate one would be needed.”
GOP lawmakers are trying to pass a similar measure in the Legislature’s ongoing special session, and Edwards said he’s willing to continue negotiations.
“I remain willing to work with anyone operating in good faith to reach a compromise,” Edwards wrote.
Edwards also scrapped bills that would have given lawmakers more oversight of state contracts and would have enacted new restrictions on TV, radio and billboard ads from lawyers promising big paydays by suing businesses.
He jettisoned a measure that would have expanded an existing law barring entrance to any place deemed “critical infrastructure,” such as chemical plants, power plants, water treatment facilities, ports and pipelines. The bill by Republican Rep. Jerome “Zee” Zeringue of Houma would have added floodgates and pump stations to that list - and would have toughened the penalties during states of emergency, requiring a mandatory minimum three-year prison sentence for anyone convicted.
At the Louisiana Capitol, the veto drawing the most interest involved the so-called tort reform bill changing the system for handling car wreck lawsuits, a measure championed by business groups.
The measure would have forced jury trials more frequently, so that lawyers would have to argue damage claims to more people than a single judge; capped certain damages that can be awarded; limited when insurance companies can be sued directly; and increased the time accident victims can file lawsuits to give more time for settlement negotiations. It also would have allowed information about whether someone was wearing a seatbelt as evidence in litigation.
Supporters of the measure said it will lower Louisiana’s car insurance rates, which are the nation’s second-highest, by making it less lucrative to sue over car accidents.
But in the flurry of final rewrites to the legislation amid negotiations with the Edwards administration, lawmakers added language that could cause even larger damage awards in some of those lawsuits. Republican lawmakers who backed the proposal urged Edwards to sign the bill and work with lawmakers on the language fix.
“The governor’s veto of Sen. Talbot’s (bill), the bill to reduce frivolous lawsuits and insurance rates, was not unexpected, but make no mistake, leaving this special session without legislation signed into law to address the insurance crisis is not a feasible option. Everyone knows the insurance affordability and availability problem is very real,” Stephen Waguespack, president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, said in a statement.
Opponents of the package of civil litigation system changes, largely lawyers and Democrats, argued the measure would keep people from getting money needed to cover their medical bills and could increase costs for courts.
Bill backers worry that Edwards won’t sign any version of the bill because his allies and campaign contributors include personal injury lawyers.
___
Follow Melinda Deslatte on Twitter at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Beijing closes market, locks down area in new virus outbreak

BEIJING ( AP ) - The largest wholesale food market in Beijing was shuttered behind police guard and the surrounding neighborhood locked down Saturday after more than 50 people tested positive for the coronavirus in the Chinese capital .
The outbreak - coming more than 50 days after the last local case in the city of 20 million people - showed how the virus can still come back as restrictions are eased .
The city ’ s swift response reflected China ’ s emphasis on moving quickly to stem the spread of new cases wherever they appear , a lesson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The epidemic was already almost over , and then suddenly there ’ s one or two more new hot spots , ” said Jin Zheng , a woman in her 20s walking in central Beijing .
“ I ’ m a little scared .
I hope everyone avoids going outside too much and wears protective gear.
” Authorities locked down 11 residential communities near the Xinfadi market , about 3 kilometers ( 2 miles ) southeast of the Temple of Heaven tourist site .
Police officers could be seen maneuvering white fencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading to a cluster of apartment buildings .
Communist Party members and volunteers were being mobilized to shop for food and other daily necessities for the affected residents , the Beijing News newspaper said in a social media post .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear how many people live in the 11 communities .
Outside the market , paramilitary police in green uniforms put up vehicle barricades and stood in position at the entrances .
Some people were allowed in after showing documents at checkpoints .
A red banner reading “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to epidemic prevention and control ” hung on a fence .
Beijing officials said 45 workers at the market tested positive for the coronavirus , though they showed no symptoms .
That was in addition to seven earlier cases of people with symptoms who had visited or worked at the market .
China does not include asymptomatic cases in its official case count .
Inspectors took 1,901 samples from meat , surfaces , dustbins , handles and other objects at the market , and 40 tested positive , the officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Xinfadi market , said the virus had been found on a chopping board for imported salmon .
That led to several major supermarket chains removing salmon from their shelves , another newspaper , the Beijing Youth Daily , reported .
Attention focused on the market after the discovery of the first three cases on Thursday and Friday .
Two of the infected people had been to the market , and the third worked with one of them at a nearby meat research institute , according to Chinese media reports .
City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market would be tested for the coronavirus .
They also ordered the testing of food and environmental samples from all the city ’ s wholesale food markets , and food safety inspections at restaurants and supermarkets Beijing , which had gradually been returning to normal , reversed some recent moves to relax coronavirus restrictions .
Plans to reopen primary schools for grades one to three this Monday were shelved , and athletic events have been canceled .
One immediate casualty was an orienteering race slated for Saturday , the official Xinhua News Agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Performing Arts , which had just reopened on June 2 , reclosed , according to The Paper , a Chinese media outlet .

BEIJING (AP) - The largest wholesale food market in Beijing was shuttered behind police guard and the surrounding neighborhood locked down Saturday after more than 50 people tested positive for the coronavirus in the Chinese capital.
The outbreak - coming more than 50 days after the last local case in the city of 20 million people - showed how the virus can still come back as restrictions are eased. The city’s swift response reflected China’s emphasis on moving quickly to stem the spread of new cases wherever they appear, a lesson learned from fighting the outbreak earlier.
“The epidemic was already almost over, and then suddenly there’s one or two more new hot spots,” said Jin Zheng, a woman in her 20s walking in central Beijing. “I’m a little scared. I hope everyone avoids going outside too much and wears protective gear.”
Authorities locked down 11 residential communities near the Xinfadi market, about 3 kilometers (2 miles) southeast of the Temple of Heaven tourist site. Police officers could be seen maneuvering white fencing into place to seal off a road leading to a cluster of apartment buildings.
Communist Party members and volunteers were being mobilized to shop for food and other daily necessities for the affected residents, the Beijing News newspaper said in a social media post. It wasn’t immediately clear how many people live in the 11 communities.
Outside the market, paramilitary police in green uniforms put up vehicle barricades and stood in position at the entrances. Some people were allowed in after showing documents at checkpoints. A red banner reading “We cannot lower our guard when it comes to epidemic prevention and control” hung on a fence.
Beijing officials said 45 workers at the market tested positive for the coronavirus, though they showed no symptoms. That was in addition to seven earlier cases of people with symptoms, including six who had visited or worked at the market. China does not include asymptomatic cases in its official case count.
Inspectors took 1,901 samples from meat, surfaces, dustbins, handles and other objects at the market, and 40 tested positive, the officials said.
The Beijing News, citing the head of the Xinfadi market, said the virus had been found on a chopping board for imported salmon. That led to several major supermarket chains removing salmon from their shelves, another newspaper, the Beijing Youth Daily, reported.
Attention focused on the market after the reports of the first three cases on Thursday and Friday. Two of the infected people had been to the market, and the third worked with one of them at a nearby meat research institute, according to Chinese media reports.
City officials then decided to test all the workers at the market for the coronavirus. They also ordered the testing of food and environmental samples from all the city’s wholesale food markets, and food safety inspections at restaurants and supermarkets.
Beijing, which had gradually been returning to normal, reversed some recent moves to relax coronavirus restrictions.
Plans to reopen primary schools for grades one to three this Monday were shelved, and athletic events have been canceled. One immediate casualty was an orienteering race slated for Saturday, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
The National Center for the Performing Arts, which had just reopened on June 2, reclosed, according to The Paper, a Chinese media outlet.
Cao Yajiang, who works in finance, said it’s hard to avoid a second outbreak but expressed confidence that authorities could control it.
“When I first saw it, I was really panicked, but when I calmed down and thought it over, I thought it wasn’t a big deal, because they’ll seal off the area,” he said. “There shouldn’t be a large-scale outbreak.”
___
This story corrects that six of the seven people with symptoms had visited or worked at the market, not all seven.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Trump shifts date of next campaign rally to avoid Juneteenth celebrations

President Trump is pushing back his next campaign rally by one day to avoid holding it on Juneteenth , citing criticism that it would conflict with the anniversary commemorating the end of slavery .
“ We had previously scheduled our # MAGA Rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , for June 19th – a big deal .
Unfortunately , however , this would fall on the Juneteenth Holiday , ” Mr. Trump tweeted late Friday night .
“ Many of my African American friends and supporters have reached out to suggest that we consider changing the date out of respect for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this important occasion and all that it represents , ” he said .
“ I have therefore decided to move our rally to Saturday , June 20th , in order to honor their requests.
” Critics also pointed out that Tulsa is the site of one of the worst massacres of blacks in U.S. history , in 1921 .
The president has been criticized heavily over his response to the death of George Floyd , the black man killed by police in Minneapolis , Minnesota , on May 25 .
The White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 date .
Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Juneteenth is “ meaningful ” to the president .
The president told Fox News the rally date was not a deliberate slight .
“ Think about it as a celebration .
They ’ re always a celebration , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ In the history of politics , I think I can say there ’ s never been any group or any person that ’ s had rallies like I do.
” The Juneteenth anniversary marks the date in 1865 when enslaved African-Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the Civil War .
The rally is the president ’ s first since March 2 , when the coronavirus crisis forced widespread shutdowns .
The campaign is requiring people who want to attend the rally , to be held in an indoor arena , to agree to a waiver that they won ’ t sue organizers if they contract the COVID-19 disease .
The president said his campaign has had ticket requests for more than 200,000 people .
“ I look forward to seeing everyone in Oklahoma !
” he @ @

President Trump is pushing back his next campaign rally by one day to avoid holding it on Juneteenth, citing criticism that it would conflict with the anniversary commemorating the end of slavery.
“We had previously scheduled our #MAGA Rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for June 19th – a big deal. Unfortunately, however, this would fall on the Juneteenth Holiday,” Mr. Trump tweeted late Friday night.
“Many of my African American friends and supporters have reached out to suggest that we consider changing the date out of respect for this Holiday, and in observance of this important occasion and all that it represents,” he said. “I have therefore decided to move our rally to Saturday, June 20th, in order to honor their requests.”
Critics also pointed out that Tulsa is the site of one of the worst massacres of blacks in U.S. history , in 1921.
Sen. Kamala D. Harris, California Democrat, called the planned rally “a welcome-home party” for white supremacists.
The president has been criticized heavily over his response to the death of George Floyd, the black man killed by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25.
The White House initially defended the choice of the June 19 date. Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Juneteenth is “meaningful” to the president.
The president told Fox News the rally date was not a deliberate slight.
“Think about it as a celebration. They’re always a celebration,” Mr. Trump said. “In the history of politics, I think I can say there’s never been any group or any person that’s had rallies like I do.”
The Juneteenth anniversary marks the date in 1865 when enslaved African-Americans in Texas learned of their freedom after the end of the Civil War.
The rally is the president’s first since March 2, when the coronavirus crisis forced widespread shutdowns. The campaign is requiring people who want to attend the rally, to be held in an indoor arena, to agree to a waiver that they won’t sue organizers if they contract the COVID-19 disease.
The president said his campaign has had ticket requests for more than 200,000 people.
“I look forward to seeing everyone in Oklahoma!” he tweeted.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Far-right activists gather in London despite police warning

LONDON ( AP ) - Several hundred people , including far-right activists , have gathered to demonstrate in central London ’ s Parliament Square despite police warnings to stay home to contain the coronavirus .
Dozens gathered around the statue of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the Cenotaph war memorial , both boarded up .
Officials fear far-right activists will seek confrontation with anti-racism protesters Saturday under the guise of protecting statues .
Paul Golding , leader of the far-right group Britain First , said activists have turned out to “ guard our monuments.
” “ I am extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities have allowed two consecutive weekends of vandalism against our national monuments , ” Golding told the Press Association .
Monuments around the world have become flash points in demonstrations against racism and police violence after the May 25 death of George Floyd , a black man who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer pressed a knee to his neck .
In Britain , the protests have triggered a national debate about the legacy of empire and its role in the slave trade .
A statue of slave trader Edward Colston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city of Bristol on Sunday and dumped in the harbor .
In London , Churchill ’ s statue was daubed with the words “ was a racist.
” Police have imposed strict restrictions on Saturday ’ s protests in a bid to avoid violent clashes .
Authorities also fenced off other statues in Parliament Square , including memorials to Nelson Mandela and Abraham Lincoln .
Police Commander Bas Javid urged people not to gather in large groups at all because of the coronavirus .
But if they must , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ route and be off the streets by 5 p.m. or risk arrest .
He said that while protesters last weekend were largely peaceful , a minority was “ intent on disorder ” and that resulted in assaults on police and violent behavior .
Dozens were arrested last weekend and a police horse was pictured bolting past the crowds amid the chaos .
A Black Lives Matter group in London said it was calling off a planned protest on Saturday because the presence of far-right activists would make it unsafe , though some anti-racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @

LONDON (AP) - Far-right activists scuffled with police in central London Saturday, as hundreds gathered to demonstrate despite strict police restrictions and warnings to stay home to contain the coronavirus.
Different groups of right-wing activists and soccer fans descended on the U.K. capital, saying they wanted to guard historical monuments that have been targeted in the last week by anti-racism protesters.
Many gathered around the statue of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the Cenotaph war memorial, which were both boarded up Friday to protect them from vandalism. Officials put protective panels around the monuments amid fears that far-right activists would seek confrontations with anti-racism protesters under the guise of protecting statues.
Some activists threw bottles and cans at officers, while others tried to push through police barriers. Riot police on horses pushed the crowd back. The protesters, who appeared to be mostly white men, chanted “England” and sang the national anthem.
“I am extremely fed up with the way that the authorities have allowed two consecutive weekends of vandalism against our national monuments,” Paul Golding, leader of the far-right group Britain First, told the Press Association.
A Black Lives Matter group in London called off a demonstration planned for Saturday, saying the presence of the counter-protesters would make it unsafe. Some anti-racism demonstrators gathered in smaller numbers at Hyde Park.
Monuments around the world have become flash points in demonstrations against racism and police violence after the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer pressed a knee to his neck.
In Britain, the protests have triggered a national debate about the legacy of empire and its role in the slave trade. A statue of slave trader Edward Colston was hauled from its plinth by protesters in the city of Bristol on Sunday and dumped in the harbor. In London, Churchill’s statue was daubed with the words “was a racist.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted Friday that while Churchill “sometimes expressed opinions that were and are unacceptable to us today,” he was a hero and “we cannot now try to edit or censor our past.” Churchill, whose first term spanned 1940-45, has long been revered for his leadership during World War II.
Police have imposed strict restrictions on Saturday’s protests in a bid to avoid violent clashes. Authorities also fenced off other statues in Parliament Square, including memorials to Nelson Mandela and Abraham Lincoln.
Police Commander Bas Javid urged people not to gather in large groups at all because of the coronavirus. But if they must, he said activists have to stick to the planned route and be off the streets by 5 p.m. or risk arrest.
He said that while protesters last weekend were largely peaceful, a minority was “intent on disorder” and that resulted in assaults on police and violent behavior.
Dozens were arrested last weekend, and a police horse was pictured bolting past the crowds amid the chaos.