washingtontimes--2020-04-20--Washington COVID-19 deaths reach 652, cases top 12,000

SEATTLE ( AP ) - The Washington state Department of Heath reports the number of COVID-19 cases has topped 12,000 across the state while the total number of people who have died has reached at 652 .
The agency on Monday reported nearly 300 newly-confirmed cases and 18 additional deaths from the disease .
Public Health – Seattle & King County on Monday announced 112 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among people living homeless or working in homeless services sites , including two deaths .
A man in his 60s who was staying at King County ’ s isolation and quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officials said .
The death will be investigated by the King County Medical Examiner ’ s Office .
The man moved to the Kent motel , which the county bought for isolation and quarantine for people with symptoms of COVID-19 but no place to isolate , on April 17 , officials said in a news release .
Seventy people are now staying there , officials said .
“ We are all saddened by the death of our guest , ” said Leo Flor , director of the King County Department of Community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of Public Health – Seattle & King County in a statement .
“ We will continue to work around the clock to ensure that all King County residents , including those without a home , have a dignified place to be when receiving care for this virus.
” Additionally , Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is suing a property-management company for allegedly violating the coronavirus-related emergency moratorium on evictions , the Seattle Times reported .
It ’ s the first lawsuit filed to enforce the emergency orders issued amid the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his office .
Filed in Pierce County Superior Court , the lawsuit says JRK Residential Group Inc. , violated Gov .
Jay Inslee ’ s emergency order by issuing notices to pay or vacate this month to 14 tenants in Tacoma .
The filing contends the violations ran afoul of Washington ’ s Consumer Protection Act , according to the news release .
Those notices were issued to tenants at The Boulders at Puget Sound , a 700-unit apartment complex operated by the company .
Inslee ’ s moratorium , which has drawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from issuing such notices while the order is in effect .
Ferguson ’ s lawsuit seeks restitution for those tenants who were impacted , a penalty “ to hold JRK Residential accountable for its conduct and deter future bad actors ” and costs and fees , according to the news release .
Since April 1 , the Attorney General ’ s Office said it has received over 650 complaints from tenants and the office has been in touch with 284 landlords and 469 tenants about them .

SEATTLE (AP) - The Washington state Department of Heath reports the number of COVID-19 cases has topped 12,000 across the state while the total number of people who have died has reached at 652.
The agency on Monday reported nearly 300 newly-confirmed cases and 18 additional deaths from the disease.
Public Health – Seattle & King County on Monday announced 112 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among people living homeless or working in homeless services sites, including two deaths.
A man in his 60s who was staying at King County’s isolation and quarantine facility in suburban Seattle also has died, officials said. The death will be investigated by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The man moved to the Kent motel, which the county bought for isolation and quarantine for people with symptoms of COVID-19 but no place to isolate, on April 17, officials said in a news release.
Seventy people are now staying there, officials said.
“We are all saddened by the death of our guest,” said Leo Flor, director of the King County Department of Community and Human Services and Patty Hayes, director of Public Health – Seattle & King County in a statement. “We will continue to work around the clock to ensure that all King County residents, including those without a home, have a dignified place to be when receiving care for this virus.”
Additionally, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is suing a property-management company for allegedly violating the coronavirus-related emergency moratorium on evictions, the Seattle Times reported.
It’s the first lawsuit filed to enforce the emergency orders issued amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to a news release from his office. Filed in Pierce County Superior Court, the lawsuit says JRK Residential Group Inc., violated Gov. Jay Inslee’s emergency order by issuing notices to pay or vacate this month to 14 tenants in Tacoma.
The filing contends the violations ran afoul of Washington’s Consumer Protection Act, according to the news release. Those notices were issued to tenants at The Boulders at Puget Sound, a 700-unit apartment complex operated by the company.
Inslee’s moratorium, which has drawn criticism from some landlords, bars landlords from issuing such notices while the order is in effect. Ferguson’s lawsuit seeks restitution for those tenants who were impacted, a penalty “to hold JRK Residential accountable for its conduct and deter future bad actors” and costs and fees, according to the news release.
Since April 1, the Attorney General’s Office said it has received over 650 complaints from tenants and the office has been in touch with 284 landlords and 469 tenants about them.


washingtontimes--2020-04-20--US appeals order to give detained migrants beds in Arizona

PHOENIX ( AP ) - The Trump administration on Monday appealed a federal court order requiring the U.S. Border Patrol to provide beds , blankets , showers , quality food and medical evaluations to migrants held in many Arizona facilities longer than 48 hours .
In February , U.S. District Judge David C. Bury ruled in favor of migrants who sued nearly five years ago over what they called dangerously crowded and inhumane conditions in Arizona ’ s Tucson Sector , which covers most of the state .
Bury wrote that the Border Patrol and its parent agencies , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a detention system that deprives detainees , who are held in CBP stations , Tucson Sector , longer than 48 hours , of conditions of confinement that meet basic human needs.
” The judge issued the final order last week , calling on the government to provide actual beds , not sleeping mats , and washable blankets , not the thin , foil-type ones provided now .
It also requires that immigrants detained longer than two days get meals approved by a nutritionist and assessed by a doctor , nurse or other medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Border Patrol facilities , now infamously known as hieleras , or iceboxes , filing the lawsuit in June 2015 .
Video shown during the January trial showed a man walking over body after body in an attempt to reach a bathroom .
His cell was so crowded , migrants were sleeping in the bathrooms , too .
The government has long said that the facilities are meant for short-term stays and that immigrants only remain for extended periods when other agencies don ’ t have the capacity to take them in .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t list a reason for its appeal .
But government attorneys argued in court that no constitutional violations had been proven and that the Border Patrol has taken steps to reduce time in custody .
An attorney also said at trial that there wasn ’ t funding to build facilities with beds .
The order applies only to the Tucson Sector , which includes eight facilities where migrants are held before they are deported or transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement .

PHOENIX (AP) - The Trump administration on Monday appealed a federal court order requiring the U.S. Border Patrol to provide beds, blankets, showers, quality food and medical evaluations to migrants held in many Arizona facilities longer than 48 hours.
In February, U.S. District Judge David C. Bury ruled in favor of migrants who sued nearly five years ago over what they called dangerously crowded and inhumane conditions in Arizona’s Tucson Sector, which covers most of the state.
Bury wrote that the Border Patrol and its parent agencies, including Customs and Border Protection, “administer a detention system that deprives detainees, who are held in CBP stations, Tucson Sector, longer than 48 hours, of conditions of confinement that meet basic human needs.”
The judge issued the final order last week, calling on the government to provide actual beds, not sleeping mats, and washable blankets, not the thin, foil-type ones provided now. It also requires that immigrants detained longer than two days get meals approved by a nutritionist and assessed by a doctor, nurse or other medical professional.
Migrants have long decried conditions in Border Patrol facilities, now infamously known as hieleras, or iceboxes, filing the lawsuit in June 2015. Video shown during the January trial showed a man walking over body after body in an attempt to reach a bathroom. His cell was so crowded, migrants were sleeping in the bathrooms, too.
The government has long said that the facilities are meant for short-term stays and that immigrants only remain for extended periods when other agencies don’t have the capacity to take them in.
President Donald Trump’s administration didn’t list a reason for its appeal. But government attorneys argued in court that no constitutional violations had been proven and that the Border Patrol has taken steps to reduce time in custody. An attorney also said at trial that there wasn’t funding to build facilities with beds.
The order applies only to the Tucson Sector, which includes eight facilities where migrants are held before they are deported or transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.


washingtontimes--2020-04-20--Alaska Native group sues Neiman Marcus over coat's design

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - An Alaska Native cultural organization is suing luxury retailer Neiman Marcus , saying the Dallas-based company violated copyright and American Indian arts protection laws in selling a knit coat with a geometric design borrowed from indigenous culture .
In the federal lawsuit filed Monday , Sealaska Heritage Institute maintains the retailer falsely affiliated the $ 2,555 “ Ravenstail ” coat with northwest coast native artists through the design and use of the term , Ravenstail .
The plaintiffs say the Ravenstail term and style has been associated for hundreds of years with Tlingit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the lawsuit , the coat also mimics a Ravenstail coat created by a Tlingit weaver nearly a quarter century ago .
Sealaska attorney Jacob Adams said the case is part of a larger movement to recognize the rights of indigenous people to their cultural items .
“ For a very long time , they ’ ve been seen as kind of resources that anyone can use , “ Adams said .
“ And that goes beyond inspiration to outright violation.
“ Neiman Marcus representatives did not immediately respond to an email seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coat is still for sale .
It did not appear in a search on the retailer ’ s website Monday .
Nieman Marcus has 43 stores throughout the U.S. , none in Alaska .
Sealaska says it discovered the retailer was selling the coat in 2019 .
Adams said the garment was still being sold last month .
According to the lawsuit , Neiman Marcus violated the Indian Arts and Crafts Act that requires that products marketed as “ Indian ” are actually made by indigenous people .
The Juneau-based nonprofit works to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alaska ’ s Tlingit , Haida and Tsimshian tribes .
Sealaska also says the Neiman Marcus robe violates the copyright of Clarissa Rizal , a late master weaver who created the Ravenstail robe in 1996 .
When she died in 2016 , her family obtained the rights to the robe , Adams said .
Last year , Rizal ’ s heirs registered the robe with the U.S. copyright office , the lawsuit says .
The copyright was then exclusively licensed to Sealaska , the lawsuit says .
Plaintiffs seek an injunction prohibiting Neiman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coat , as well as unspecified compensatory , punitive and other damages .

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - An Alaska Native cultural organization is suing luxury retailer Neiman Marcus, saying the Dallas-based company violated copyright and American Indian arts protection laws in selling a knit coat with a geometric design borrowed from indigenous culture.
In the federal lawsuit filed Monday, Sealaska Heritage Institute maintains the retailer falsely affiliated the $2,555 “Ravenstail” coat with northwest coast native artists through the design and use of the term, Ravenstail.
The plaintiffs say the Ravenstail term and style has been associated for hundreds of years with Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian tribes. According to the lawsuit, the coat also mimics a Ravenstail coat created by a Tlingit weaver nearly a quarter century ago.
Sealaska attorney Jacob Adams said the case is part of a larger movement to recognize the rights of indigenous people to their cultural items.
“For a very long time, they’ve been seen as kind of resources that anyone can use,“ Adams said. “And that goes beyond inspiration to outright violation.“
Neiman Marcus representatives did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. It is unclear if the coat is still for sale. It did not appear in a search on the retailer’s website Monday.
Nieman Marcus has 43 stores throughout the U.S., none in Alaska.
Sealaska says it discovered the retailer was selling the coat in 2019. Adams said the garment was still being sold last month.
According to the lawsuit, Neiman Marcus violated the Indian Arts and Crafts Act that requires that products marketed as “Indian” are actually made by indigenous people. The Juneau-based nonprofit works to preserve and enhance the culture of southeast Alaska’s Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian tribes.
Sealaska also says the Neiman Marcus robe violates the copyright of Clarissa Rizal, a late master weaver who created the Ravenstail robe in 1996. When she died in 2016, her family obtained the rights to the robe, Adams said.
Last year, Rizal’s heirs registered the robe with the U.S. copyright office, the lawsuit says. The copyright was then exclusively licensed to Sealaska, the lawsuit says.
Plaintiffs seek an injunction prohibiting Neiman Marcus or parent companies from selling the coat, as well as unspecified compensatory, punitive and other damages.
___
Follow Rachel D’Oro at https://twitter.com/rdoro


washingtontimes--2020-04-20--Editorial Roundup: Excerpts from recent Wisconsin editorials

“ You have to wonder what the governor has been smoking , ” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writer Eugene Kane wrote in a classic column on former Gov .
Scott Walker in 2014 .
“ With a razor-thin lead over his Democratic challenger , Gov .
Scott Walker apparently decided to up the ante by proposing the ‘ Pee in a Cup Challenge ’ for Wisconsin residents on public assistance.
” Kane was objecting to another example of Walker ’ s manifest cruelty : a proposal to force Wisconsinites who receive public assistance - including food stamps and unemployment insurance - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who died last week at age 63 , had a righteous capacity for outrage .
He never hid his fury when politicians treated the most vulnerable people in Wisconsin as pawns in their electoral games .
And he let rip when Walker and his ghoulish legislative allies - Assembly Speaker Robin Vos , R-Rochester , and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald , R-Juneau - engaged in political stunts that were so obviously unnecessary and so obviously cruel .
“ With no compelling facts to suggest drug testing is a paramount issue for voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead of other extreme right-wing governors who back questionable policies straight from the conservative playbook written by wealthy corporate donors , ” wrote Kane , who did not hesitate to point out , “ it ’ s undeniable that the overwhelming perception is that many Republican policies such as voter ID , restricting voting hours and drug testing for public aid recipients are aimed at punishing African-Americans , most of whom turned out for President Barack Obama.
” Yet , Kane brought so much more than righteous indignation to the Wisconsin debate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ good-humored writer that he knew exactly how to expose and upend the foulest figures in the state ’ s political firmament .
The columnist well understood Walker ’ s intention - to rally his mean-spirited supporters with a crude appeal that would help him secure the 2014 win that would serve as a launch pad for a 2016 Republican presidential run .
Kane knew Walker , an ill-equipped and ill-informed political charlatan , would wither under scrutiny from the national media .
So he closed that column with a perfect sting .
Noting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more of the political red meat they crave - just another way to build credibility with his right-wing base for a possible run for the presidency in 2016 , ” Kane concluded , “ If Walker is really considering a run , I can ’ t help but wonder if the right people are being asked to take drug tests.
” Walker ’ s delusional bid for the 2016 GOP nomination crashed and burned within weeks of its launch .
As usual , Kane got the story right - and told it with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsinites will sorely miss .
Online learning , with students and teachers collaborating on digital platforms , has been optional for the last decade at most public schools .
With the coronavirus pandemic forcing K-12 schools and colleges to close their buildings and campuses to avoid spreading a potentially deadly disease , using distance technology to educate students is now required .
The abrupt yet necessary transition has been uncomfortable for those who cling to the traditional learning model of students seated in a classroom listening to a teacher .
But the demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , educators and parents across Wisconsin to dive head-first into the digital world .
And in the long run , this should move our education systems forward .
Across society , in fact , workers in countless professions and fields are quickly having to adopt technologies they had avoided or didn ’ t know existed .
How many people used Zoom video conferences before the governor issued a stay-at-home order to avoid the virus ?
Raise your hands .
Anyone ?
Our State Journal editorial board just started meeting and podcasting on Zoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls .
It ’ s a new world , and we all need to be open and flexible so distance technology can benefit and improve what we do .
Many Madison schools already were using Google Classroom to submit homework and do projects .
But the district had to dramatically expand its online offerings to more than 25,000 students in a matter of weeks .
It wasn ’ t always smooth .
Some students and staff have struggled to engage .
Some families don ’ t have fast or any internet .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But classes are proceeding - with many of us impressed by what ’ s been possible , and how quickly our children can adapt and advance .
UW-Madison , which already incorporated technology into traditional classrooms , converted thousands of courses to online-only in just a week .
“ In my world , ” said Richard Halverson , a UW-Madison education professor , “ there ’ s a lot of sadness and apprehension .
But I ’ m looking at an emergence of an entirely new form of literacy for teachers and learners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of remarkable .
It might be the next revolution in how we think about education.
” Halverson studies technology in education and wrote the 2018 book “ Rethinking education in the age of technology ” with Allan Collins .
Nobody , of course , wanted a pandemic to threaten people ’ s lives and stall our economy .
But a silver lining to these difficult times could be the way the virus , in limiting our movement , has forced us to adopt - not just dabble with - technologies that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big opportunity .
Distance technology can customize our learning and help us be more efficient and effective in the global economy .
The digital classroom has its limits and won ’ t replace teachers or school buildings .
Face-to-face human interaction is still best .
But the COVID-19 crisis is pushing the education world to embrace virtual learning , and the rest of society to communicate in new ways , all of which should improve our collective knowledge over time .
Halverson said he ’ s wondered for years when technology would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ and it looks like right now - the spring of 2020.
” Two and a half weeks ago , we warned that the April 7 spring election was a mess and said it would only get worse before election day .
Sure enough , it did .
We argued at the time that , in the face of the spread of the coronavirus across the state , the election should be postponed .
We urged Gov .
Tony Evers and Republican leaders in the state Senate and Assembly to take that action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already proposed going to all-mail ballots , but Assembly Speaker Robin Vos , R-Rochester , said that was a “ careless and reckless ” suggestion that would not have been logistically possible for the election clerks across the state to accomplish .
On the day before the election , Evers postponed the vote , but state Republicans went to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to get Evers ’ executive order quashed , which it promptly did .
Even as that was going on , a fight was developing over extending the deadline for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court judge noted it may be “ ill-advised ” for in-person voting because of the coronavirus , he ruled in favor of granting a one-week extension to send in mail-in ballots to April 13 .
That , too , was met with a court challenge by state Republicans and a quick appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court which denied the extension and issued a ruling saying mail-in ballots must be “ postmarked ” by April 7 and received within a week .
Election Day came and went on schedule .
There was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the in-person voting was fairly quiet and orderly at the polls , except for Milwaukee , which had only five polling places open instead of the usual 180 because of a shortage of poll workers and Green Bay , which also reduced its number of polling sites .
But the mess was not over .
The Supreme Court ruling that mail-in ballots had to be postmarked by Tuesday , April 7 triggered another fight between the partisan members of the Wisconsin Elections Commission .
The problem ?
Not all mailed-in ballots bore postmarks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-canceled stamp for postage aren ’ t required to get cancellation marks ; some postmarks were smudged or unclear and others carried a cancellation mark with only “ April , 2020 ” on them .
Compound that with the issue of ballots that may have been in the possession of the Post Office on Tuesday - either in a mailbox or a bin - but not processed until April 8 .
The Elections Commission with its three Democrat appointees and three Republican appointees on Friday after the election did what it has done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instruction to local election clerks .
The only instruction it gave to the 1,850 municipalities around the state and their canvass boards was : “ Each municipality must determine whether the ballot was postmarked timely.
” In other words : You ’ re on your own .
As we said it ’ s not the first time the WEC has deadlocked .
It did so famously last year when the commission deadlocked ( yes , 3-3 ) on a proposal by Republicans to purge more than 200,000 voters from the state rolls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts with the voter purge denied in the most recent ruling .
That ’ s not the kind of direction we should be getting from the Wisconsin Election Commission .
Deadlocks and partisan infighting undercut the commission ’ s duty to support and give guidance to election clerks across the state .
As one election clerk put it last week , “ I don ’ t want to throw the Elections Commission under the bus , but if their job is to interpret the rules and they ’ re not doing it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to deadlock in a 3-3 tie and throw the onus back to us , we ’ ll do the best we can .
But it can be frustrating when you ask the experts for an answer and they can ’ t give us one.
” We would suggest adding a tie-breaker member to the six-person commission .
Maybe someone chosen at random from the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association - someone with skin in the game , some expertise - but not necessarily a political ax to grind like the partisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the postmark issue means that each clerk and canvass board will have to make its own decision - and potentially defend their actions on why some postmarked ballots were accepted and others were not .
Yes , that might end up in court .
Those decisions will vary across the state , where they should be uniform .
According to news reports last week , Milwaukee received 380 ballots with unclear postmarks .
The elections commission there voted to accept all ballots with questionable postmarks .
In the City of Racine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 88 ballots because they did not have an April 7 postmark .
The city was still receiving ballots by mail on Tuesday .
Caledonia Village Clerk Karie Pope said the village received 24 ballots postmarked April 8 , which were rejected .
Those rejected ballots loomed large as a $ 1 billion , 30-year school referendum which passed by a five-vote margin was challenged with a recount , which took place Saturday .
We deserve better than this from Elections Commission members who put party power over the needs of Wisconsin ’ s @ @

The Capital Times, Madison, April 20
Eugene Kane had a righteous capacity for outrage
“You have to wonder what the governor has been smoking,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writer Eugene Kane wrote in a classic column on former Gov. Scott Walker in 2014. “With a razor-thin lead over his Democratic challenger, Gov. Scott Walker apparently decided to up the ante by proposing the ‘Pee in a Cup Challenge’ for Wisconsin residents on public assistance.”
Kane was objecting to another example of Walker’s manifest cruelty: a proposal to force Wisconsinites who receive public assistance - including food stamps and unemployment insurance - to take drug tests.
Kane, who died last week at age 63, had a righteous capacity for outrage. He never hid his fury when politicians treated the most vulnerable people in Wisconsin as pawns in their electoral games. And he let rip when Walker and his ghoulish legislative allies - Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau - engaged in political stunts that were so obviously unnecessary and so obviously cruel.
“With no compelling facts to suggest drug testing is a paramount issue for voters, Walker once again is following the lead of other extreme right-wing governors who back questionable policies straight from the conservative playbook written by wealthy corporate donors,” wrote Kane, who did not hesitate to point out, “it’s undeniable that the overwhelming perception is that many Republican policies such as voter ID, restricting voting hours and drug testing for public aid recipients are aimed at punishing African-Americans, most of whom turned out for President Barack Obama.”
Yet, Kane brought so much more than righteous indignation to the Wisconsin debate. He was such an agile, and good-humored writer that he knew exactly how to expose and upend the foulest figures in the state’s political firmament. The columnist well understood Walker’s intention - to rally his mean-spirited supporters with a crude appeal that would help him secure the 2014 win that would serve as a launch pad for a 2016 Republican presidential run. Kane knew Walker, an ill-equipped and ill-informed political charlatan, would wither under scrutiny from the national media. So he closed that column with a perfect sting.
Noting that Walker was “giving his supporters more of the political red meat they crave - just another way to build credibility with his right-wing base for a possible run for the presidency in 2016,” Kane concluded, “If Walker is really considering a run, I can’t help but wonder if the right people are being asked to take drug tests.”
Walker’s delusional bid for the 2016 GOP nomination crashed and burned within weeks of its launch. As usual, Kane got the story right - and told it with a combination of wit and wisdom that Wisconsinites will sorely miss.
___
Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, April 19
Pandemic has silver lining for learning
Online learning, with students and teachers collaborating on digital platforms, has been optional for the last decade at most public schools.
Not anymore.
With the coronavirus pandemic forcing K-12 schools and colleges to close their buildings and campuses to avoid spreading a potentially deadly disease, using distance technology to educate students is now required.
The abrupt yet necessary transition has been uncomfortable for those who cling to the traditional learning model of students seated in a classroom listening to a teacher.
But the demand for learning from home is forcing students, educators and parents across Wisconsin to dive head-first into the digital world. And in the long run, this should move our education systems forward.
Across society, in fact, workers in countless professions and fields are quickly having to adopt technologies they had avoided or didn’t know existed. How many people used Zoom video conferences before the governor issued a stay-at-home order to avoid the virus? Raise your hands. Anyone?
Our State Journal editorial board just started meeting and podcasting on Zoom, rather than relying on clumsy conference calls.
It’s a new world, and we all need to be open and flexible so distance technology can benefit and improve what we do.
Many Madison schools already were using Google Classroom to submit homework and do projects. But the district had to dramatically expand its online offerings to more than 25,000 students in a matter of weeks. It wasn’t always smooth. Some students and staff have struggled to engage. Some families don’t have fast or any internet. The digital divide could exacerbate achievement gaps.
But classes are proceeding - with many of us impressed by what’s been possible, and how quickly our children can adapt and advance.
UW-Madison, which already incorporated technology into traditional classrooms, converted thousands of courses to online-only in just a week.
“In my world,” said Richard Halverson, a UW-Madison education professor, “there’s a lot of sadness and apprehension. But I’m looking at an emergence of an entirely new form of literacy for teachers and learners - technology-enabled learning literacy, which is kind of remarkable. It might be the next revolution in how we think about education.”
Halverson studies technology in education and wrote the 2018 book “Rethinking education in the age of technology” with Allan Collins.
Nobody, of course, wanted a pandemic to threaten people’s lives and stall our economy. But a silver lining to these difficult times could be the way the virus, in limiting our movement, has forced us to adopt - not just dabble with - technologies that were here all along. It’s a big opportunity. Distance technology can customize our learning and help us be more efficient and effective in the global economy.
The digital classroom has its limits and won’t replace teachers or school buildings. Face-to-face human interaction is still best.
But the COVID-19 crisis is pushing the education world to embrace virtual learning, and the rest of society to communicate in new ways, all of which should improve our collective knowledge over time.
Halverson said he’s wondered for years when technology would become just everyday tools for learning, “and it looks like right now - the spring of 2020.”
___
The Journal Times of Racine, April 19
Election Commission failed Wisconsin voters
Two and a half weeks ago, we warned that the April 7 spring election was a mess and said it would only get worse before election day.
Sure enough, it did.
We argued at the time that, in the face of the spread of the coronavirus across the state, the election should be postponed. We urged Gov. Tony Evers and Republican leaders in the state Senate and Assembly to take that action before it was too late.
Evers had already proposed going to all-mail ballots, but Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said that was a “careless and reckless” suggestion that would not have been logistically possible for the election clerks across the state to accomplish.
On the day before the election, Evers postponed the vote, but state Republicans went to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to get Evers’ executive order quashed, which it promptly did.
Even as that was going on, a fight was developing over extending the deadline for mail-in absentee ballots. After a federal court judge noted it may be “ill-advised” for in-person voting because of the coronavirus, he ruled in favor of granting a one-week extension to send in mail-in ballots to April 13. That, too, was met with a court challenge by state Republicans and a quick appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court which denied the extension and issued a ruling saying mail-in ballots must be “postmarked” by April 7 and received within a week.
Election Day came and went on schedule. There was a massive increase in mail-in voting, but the in-person voting was fairly quiet and orderly at the polls, except for Milwaukee, which had only five polling places open instead of the usual 180 because of a shortage of poll workers and Green Bay, which also reduced its number of polling sites.
But the mess was not over. The Supreme Court ruling that mail-in ballots had to be postmarked by Tuesday, April 7 triggered another fight between the partisan members of the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
The problem? Not all mailed-in ballots bore postmarks. Mailings with a permit meter or pre-canceled stamp for postage aren’t required to get cancellation marks; some postmarks were smudged or unclear and others carried a cancellation mark with only “April, 2020” on them. Compound that with the issue of ballots that may have been in the possession of the Post Office on Tuesday - either in a mailbox or a bin - but not processed until April 8.
The Elections Commission with its three Democrat appointees and three Republican appointees on Friday after the election did what it has done often: it deadlocked 3-3 on giving instruction to local election clerks.
The only instruction it gave to the 1,850 municipalities around the state and their canvass boards was: “Each municipality must determine whether the ballot was postmarked timely.”
In other words: You’re on your own.
As we said it’s not the first time the WEC has deadlocked. It did so famously last year when the commission deadlocked (yes, 3-3) on a proposal by Republicans to purge more than 200,000 voters from the state rolls. That case is still bubbling through the courts with the voter purge denied in the most recent ruling.
That’s not the kind of direction we should be getting from the Wisconsin Election Commission. Deadlocks and partisan infighting undercut the commission’s duty to support and give guidance to election clerks across the state.
As one election clerk put it last week, “I don’t want to throw the Elections Commission under the bus, but if their job is to interpret the rules and they’re not doing it, something has to change. If they’re going to deadlock in a 3-3 tie and throw the onus back to us, we’ll do the best we can. But it can be frustrating when you ask the experts for an answer and they can’t give us one.”
We would suggest adding a tie-breaker member to the six-person commission. Maybe someone chosen at random from the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association - someone with skin in the game, some expertise - but not necessarily a political ax to grind like the partisan appointees.
The commission’s gridlock on the postmark issue means that each clerk and canvass board will have to make its own decision - and potentially defend their actions on why some postmarked ballots were accepted and others were not. Yes, that might end up in court.
Those decisions will vary across the state, where they should be uniform.
According to news reports last week, Milwaukee received 380 ballots with unclear postmarks. The elections commission there voted to accept all ballots with questionable postmarks.
In the City of Racine, City Clerk Tara Coolidge said they rejected 88 ballots because they did not have an April 7 postmark. The city was still receiving ballots by mail on Tuesday. Caledonia Village Clerk Karie Pope said the village received 24 ballots postmarked April 8, which were rejected.
Those rejected ballots loomed large as a $1 billion, 30-year school referendum which passed by a five-vote margin was challenged with a recount, which took place Saturday.
We deserve better than this from Elections Commission members who put party power over the needs of Wisconsin’s citizens.


washingtontimes--2020-04-20--Southwest, Delta among airlines to get coronavirus relief funds

Six U.S. airlines reached an agreement with the federal government Monday to receive billions in aid , and the Treasury Department paid its first installment of $ 2.9 billion to dozens of other carriers that have enrolled in the payroll support program .
Allegiant Air , American Airlines , Delta Air Lines , Southwest Airlines , Spirit Airlines , and United Airlines all reached agreements with Treasury to receive aid under the $ 2.2 trillion coronavirus economic rescue package signed by President Trump on March 27 .
Treasury said Alaska Airlines , Frontier Airlines , Hawaiian Airlines , JetBlue Airways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicated that they plan to participate ” in the loan program .
Together , the airlines represent nearly 95 percent of U.S. airline capacity , Treasury said .
“ The Payroll Support Program is critical to supporting American workers and preserving our airline industry , which is a vital part of the U.S. economy , ” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin .
“ We continue to work quickly to deliver this needed relief.
” Treasury said it will make additional payments to approved applicants on a rolling basis , including to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used only for the continuation of payment of employee wages , salaries , and benefits .

Six U.S. airlines reached an agreement with the federal government Monday to receive billions in aid, and the Treasury Department paid its first installment of $2.9 billion to dozens of other carriers that have enrolled in the payroll support program.
Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines all reached agreements with Treasury to receive aid under the $2.2 trillion coronavirus economic rescue package signed by President Trump on March 27.
Treasury said Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and SkyWest Airlines “have also indicated that they plan to participate” in the loan program.
Together, the airlines represent nearly 95 percent of U.S. airline capacity, Treasury said.
“The Payroll Support Program is critical to supporting American workers and preserving our airline industry, which is a vital part of the U.S. economy,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “We continue to work quickly to deliver this needed relief.”
Treasury said it will make additional payments to approved applicants on a rolling basis, including to the major airlines. All funds can be used only for the continuation of payment of employee wages, salaries, and benefits.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-20--Supreme Court won't send St. Louis to arbitration with Rams

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a petition from the Los Angeles Rams to @ @ @ @ @ relocation from St. Louis into arbitration .
The court rejected the Rams ’ long-shot petition @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to go to trial in St. Louis late next year , or it could @ @ @ @ @ .
The city and county of St. Louis and the regional sports complex authority sued @ @ @ @ @ owner Stan Kroenke returned his franchise to Los Angeles in early 2016 .
The Rams @ @ @ @ @ St. Louis before returning to their hometown for the previous 49 years .
The St. @ @ @ @ @ and the NFL committed fraud and breach of contract while moving the franchise .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a petition from the Los Angeles Rams to send a lawsuit regarding their relocation from St. Louis into arbitration.
The court rejected the Rams’ long-shot petition Monday. The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in St. Louis late next year, or it could be settled out of court.
The city and county of St. Louis and the regional sports complex authority sued the Rams 15 months after owner Stan Kroenke returned his franchise to Los Angeles in early 2016. The Rams had spent 21 years in St. Louis before returning to their hometown for the previous 49 years.
The St. Louis parties allege the Rams and the NFL committed fraud and breach of contract while moving the franchise.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


washingtontimes--2020-04-20--Inside the Beltway: Americans confront absent, ailing Congress

The relationship between the public and the nation ’ s politicians has become complex during the coronavirus pandemic .
Close to 50 members of Congress in both House and Senate , in fact , have either tested or been presumed to be positive for exposure to coronavirus according to a new count by National Public Radio .
The public appears to have clear understanding of the stakes here .
Two-thirds , in fact , say it ’ s likely that “ more politicians ” will contract coronavirus in the future according to an Economist/YouGov poll .
An almost equal number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the idea that members of Congress should be able to vote on bills and work from offices outside of the U.S. Capitol .
More importantly perhaps , the majority of Americans are not concerned that sickened politicians would prevent the U.S. government from functioning properly .
More Republicans believe this than Democrats , by the way .
The pandemic , meanwhile , could present an opportunity for politicians to repair their public images , which continue to erode during the crisis .
Unfortunately , 48 % of Americans believe that politicians are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political opponents ” during the pandemic .
A quarter believe that politicians are concerned about protecting the public from the health effects of the virus , while 26 % say lawmakers are interested in shielding people from the economic repercussions .
Find more numbers — which include results from Republicans , independents and Democrats — in the Poll du Jour at column ’ s end .
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT The coronavirus pandemic has sparked meaningful moments in political discourse .
In case you have missed some of this coverage , indefatigable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the federal response to the health crisis .
All sides are represented , including remarks , hearings and press conferences from state-based sources , as well as Congress , White House , and international sources .
Find it all at www.c-span.org/coronavirus .
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — PETA — has long been known for its demonstrations supporting animal rights .
These events continue , even in the era of coronavirus .
On Tuesday , the organization now plans a drive-by protest at the National Institutes of Health in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ monkey fright tests ” which gauge fear in primates .
PETA claims the facility has been conducting such tests for 13 years and has received $ 36 million in funding .
“ The protesters ’ cars will also be covered with rubber snakes and spiders , ” organizers report .
“ While our medical workers go without basic protective equipment , NIH is wasting millions upon millions of dollars scaring mutilated monkeys with rubber snakes , ” advises PETA President Ingrid Newkirk .
Most Democratic voters — 60 % — now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic , according to a Rasmussen Reports survey released Monday .
Among all voters , 42 % pointed the finger at the president .
But 71 % of Republicans and 46 % of independents disagreed with this .
The pollster based the question on public commentary from Sen. Chris Murphy .
The Connecticut Democrat recently told CNN that China and the World Health Organization were not responsible for the coronavirus crisis , clearly casting blame on Mr. Trump , instead .
The survey also revealed partisan divides about the U.S. response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all voters think the U.S. government ’ s response to the coronavirus has been better than government actions in most other countries .
Forty-two percent say it ’ s worse than others , while 24 % view it as about the same , ” the poll said .
“ Sixty-two percent of Democrats believe the U.S. government ’ s response has been worse than others .
Fifty-six percent of GOP voters think the U.S. response has been better .
Among voters not affiliated with either major party , 24 % say better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % about the same.
” The survey of 1,000 likely U.S. voters was conducted April 16-19 .
Sen. Bernard Sanders is now raising money for three freshman Democratic congresswomen who are already well-known to the public .
“ Our campaign for president was never just about winning the White House .
It was about growing a movement that can stand up to the corporate elite of this country and create a government that works for all of us , ” Mr. Sanders said in a new public outreach released Monday , seeking donations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan .
The trio was known as “ The Squad ” in adoring press coverage , which often described them as charismatic , driven progressives .
“ If we are serious about building a political revolution — and continuing our fight for economic justice , social justice , racial justice , and environmental justice — we need people like Alexandria , Ilhan and Rashida representing our progressive values in Congress , ” said Mr. Sanders , who suggested in the emailed message that fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • 66 % of Americans say it ’ s likely that “ more politicians ” will contract coronavirus ; 62 % of Republicans , 62 % of independents and 73 % of Democrats agree .
• 64 % of Americans say members of Congress should be able to vote and work from offices outside the U.S. Capitol ; 60 % of Republicans , 59 % of independents and 75 % of Democrats agree .
• 56 % are not concerned that sick politicians could prevent the U.S. government from functioning properly ; 63 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independents and 46 % of Democrats agree .
• 43 % are concerned that government operations would be affected ; 37 % of Republicans , 39 % of independents and 53 % of Democrats agree .
• 17 % overall say it is not likely the politicians will contract the virus ; 20 % of Republicans , 19 % of independents and 13 % of Democrats agree .
Source : An Economist/YouGov of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted April 12-14 .

NEWS AND OPINION:
The relationship between the public and the nation’s politicians has become complex during the coronavirus pandemic. Close to 50 members of Congress in both House and Senate, in fact, have either tested or been presumed to be positive for exposure to coronavirus according to a new count by National Public Radio.
The public appears to have clear understanding of the stakes here. Two-thirds, in fact, say it’s likely that “more politicians” will contract coronavirus in the future according to an Economist/YouGov poll. An almost equal number — 64% — also are comfortable with the idea that members of Congress should be able to vote on bills and work from offices outside of the U.S. Capitol.
More importantly perhaps, the majority of Americans are not concerned that sickened politicians would prevent the U.S. government from functioning properly. More Republicans believe this than Democrats, by the way.
The pandemic, meanwhile, could present an opportunity for politicians to repair their public images, which continue to erode during the crisis.
Unfortunately, 48% of Americans believe that politicians are most interested in “scoring points against political opponents” during the pandemic. A quarter believe that politicians are concerned about protecting the public from the health effects of the virus, while 26% say lawmakers are interested in shielding people from the economic repercussions. Find more numbers — which include results from Republicans, independents and Democrats — in the Poll du Jour at column’s end.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The coronavirus pandemic has sparked meaningful moments in political discourse. In case you have missed some of this coverage, indefatigable C-SPAN has created a valuable video repository of the federal response to the health crisis.
All sides are represented, including remarks, hearings and press conferences from state-based sources, as well as Congress, White House, and international sources. Find it all at www.c-span.org/coronavirus.
NEVER A DULL MOMENT
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — PETA — has long been known for its demonstrations supporting animal rights. These events continue, even in the era of coronavirus.
On Tuesday, the organization now plans a drive-by protest at the National Institutes of Health in the nation’s capital to draw attention to “monkey fright tests” which gauge fear in primates. PETA claims the facility has been conducting such tests for 13 years and has received $36 million in funding.
“The protesters’ cars will also be covered with rubber snakes and spiders,” organizers report.
“While our medical workers go without basic protective equipment, NIH is wasting millions upon millions of dollars scaring mutilated monkeys with rubber snakes,” advises PETA President Ingrid Newkirk.
THE BLAME GAME CONTINUES
Most Democratic voters — 60% — now blame President Trump rather than China for the coronavirus pandemic, according to a Rasmussen Reports survey released Monday.
Among all voters, 42% pointed the finger at the president. But 71% of Republicans and 46% of independents disagreed with this.
The pollster based the question on public commentary from Sen. Chris Murphy. The Connecticut Democrat recently told CNN that China and the World Health Organization were not responsible for the coronavirus crisis, clearly casting blame on Mr. Trump, instead.
The survey also revealed partisan divides about the U.S. response to the pandemic.
“Thirty-two percent of all voters think the U.S. government’s response to the coronavirus has been better than government actions in most other countries. Forty-two percent say it’s worse than others, while 24% view it as about the same,” the poll said.
“Sixty-two percent of Democrats believe the U.S. government’s response has been worse than others. Fifty-six percent of GOP voters think the U.S. response has been better. Among voters not affiliated with either major party, 24% say better, 42% worse, and 32% about the same.”
The survey of 1,000 likely U.S. voters was conducted April 16-19.
RAISING MONEY FOR ‘THE SQUAD’
Sen. Bernard Sanders is now raising money for three freshman Democratic congresswomen who are already well-known to the public.
“Our campaign for president was never just about winning the White House. It was about growing a movement that can stand up to the corporate elite of this country and create a government that works for all of us,” Mr. Sanders said in a new public outreach released Monday, seeking donations for Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.
The trio was known as “The Squad” in adoring press coverage, which often described them as charismatic, driven progressives.
“If we are serious about building a political revolution — and continuing our fight for economic justice, social justice, racial justice, and environmental justice — we need people like Alexandria, Ilhan and Rashida representing our progressive values in Congress,” said Mr. Sanders, who suggested in the emailed message that fans start with a $5 contribution.
POLL DU JOUR
• 66% of Americans say it’s likely that “more politicians” will contract coronavirus; 62% of Republicans, 62% of independents and 73% of Democrats agree.
• 64% of Americans say members of Congress should be able to vote and work from offices outside the U.S. Capitol; 60% of Republicans, 59% of independents and 75% of Democrats agree.
• 56% are not concerned that sick politicians could prevent the U.S. government from functioning properly; 63% of Republicans, 62% of independents and 46% of Democrats agree.
• 43% are concerned that government operations would be affected; 37% of Republicans, 39% of independents and 53% of Democrats agree.
• 17% overall say it is not likely the politicians will contract the virus; 20% of Republicans, 19% of independents and 13% of Democrats agree.
Source: An Economist/YouGov of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted April 12-14.
• Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-20--MCSO: caregiver at assisted living facility accused of abuse

PHOENIX ( AP ) - A caregiver at an assisted living facility has been arrested for allegedly assaulting an elderly @ @ @ @ @ the Maricopa County Sheriff ’ s Office .
The agency said Gloria Biamushinga was taken @ @ @ @ @ one count of vulnerable adult abuse .
It was unclear Monday if Biamushinga has a @ @ @ @ @ of the alleged victim contacted the sheriff ’ s office on April 11 to report @ @ @ @ @ allegedly shows the caregiver striking the victim in the head three times .
Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ apparent physical evidence of bruising to the woman ’ s eye that was consistent with @ @ @ @ @ video was shared with the assisted living facility and Biamushinga was suspended .
She was @ @ @ @ @ name of the assisting living facility wasn ’ t released .

PHOENIX (AP) - A caregiver at an assisted living facility has been arrested for allegedly assaulting an elderly female resident, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
The agency said Gloria Biamushinga was taken into custody on suspicion of one count of vulnerable adult abuse.
It was unclear Monday if Biamushinga has a lawyer yet.
Family members of the alleged victim contacted the sheriff’s office on April 11 to report the incident.
Video footage allegedly shows the caregiver striking the victim in the head three times.
Sheriff’s officials say there was apparent physical evidence of bruising to the woman’s eye that was consistent with the reported assault.
The video was shared with the assisted living facility and Biamushinga was suspended. She was arrested last Friday.
The name of the assisting living facility wasn’t released.


washingtontimes--2020-04-20--California lawmakers want say in governor's virus spending

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - Five weeks after giving California Gov .
Gavin Newsom broad power to spend up to $ 1 billion on coronavirus precautions , state lawmakers on Monday said they feared overreach by the governor ’ s office and sought more answers on a contract to buy millions of protective masks .
“ The emergency powers that were granted were with an understanding that this would be for a certain amount of discreet time , ” said Democratic Assemblyman Phil Ting , chair of the budget oversight committee .
There “ definitely wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check or that we would just be notified after expenditures were already committed to.
” His comments came during a budget oversight hearing on the money Newsom has already spent and his administration ’ s prediction it will spend $ 7 billion or more tackling the pandemic .
Lawmakers called for Newsom to work with the legislature before spending money on relief measures , citing language from the coronavirus bill passed last month that gave Newsom new spending authority .
They passed the bill March 16 before suspending their legislative session .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with stakeholders but not with the legislature or the legislative staff , ” said Jim Wood , a Democrat from Santa Rosa .
“ I have a health committee staff that has over a hundred years of health policy experience and we have not been engaged.
” He said Newsom ’ s unilateral spending is a “ bipartisan concern , ” echoing the Republican vice chair of the budget oversight committee , Assemblyman Jay Obernolte , who questioned whether the governor ’ s broadened emergency spending powers included social safety net programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the funds on food banks , homelessness and filling other gaps that federal funding did not address .
“ I feel like the Legislature has been bypassed on this issue , ” Obernolte replied .
Lawmakers also pressed for details on a roughly $ 1 billion contract the administration signed with the Chinese company BYD to manufacture 200 million protective masks per month .
Newsom ’ s administration hasn ’ t released the contract details to lawmakers or the public .
Doing so could jeopardize the delivery of the supplies , said Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emergency Services .
He said the Newsom administration will release more details when possible , including how much the state paid for each mask .
“ When the course of the time is correct , we will release the contract , ” Ghilarducci said .
“ I think you ’ ll find that the price point was pretty good given the circumstances.
” He said the state expects shipments to begin next week .
Ting also pressed Newsom administration officials about how many coronavirus tests the state needs to be doing daily in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state plans to hit its goal of 25,000 daily tests by the start of next month , said Marko Mijic of the California Health and Human Services Agency .
But he said the state is in short supply of swabs to collect results on tests , creating a backlog of pending tests .
He could not say how many tests California needs to be completing every day in order to ease restrictions on businesses and movement .
“ We ’ re assessing that right now , ” Mijic said .
Meanwhile , state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 84 million more in revenue than projected in March .
That ’ s despite the state spending about half the month under a stay at home order , but before the brunt of the pandemic ’ s economic devastation .
Newsom last week said the state is now in a “ pandemic-induced recession.
” 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life-threatening illness , including pneumonia , and death .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Five weeks after giving California Gov. Gavin Newsom broad power to spend up to $1 billion on coronavirus precautions, state lawmakers on Monday said they feared overreach by the governor’s office and sought more answers on a contract to buy millions of protective masks.
“The emergency powers that were granted were with an understanding that this would be for a certain amount of discreet time,” said Democratic Assemblyman Phil Ting, chair of the budget oversight committee. There “definitely wasn’t the sense that there was a blank check or that we would just be notified after expenditures were already committed to.”
His comments came during a budget oversight hearing on the money Newsom has already spent and his administration’s prediction it will spend $7 billion or more tackling the pandemic. Lawmakers called for Newsom to work with the legislature before spending money on relief measures, citing language from the coronavirus bill passed last month that gave Newsom new spending authority. They passed the bill March 16 before suspending their legislative session.
“It’s clear the administration is working with stakeholders but not with the legislature or the legislative staff,” said Jim Wood, a Democrat from Santa Rosa. “I have a health committee staff that has over a hundred years of health policy experience and we have not been engaged.”
He said Newsom’s unilateral spending is a “bipartisan concern,” echoing the Republican vice chair of the budget oversight committee, Assemblyman Jay Obernolte, who questioned whether the governor’s broadened emergency spending powers included social safety net programs. State officials defended using part of the funds on food banks, homelessness and filling other gaps that federal funding did not address.
“I feel like the Legislature has been bypassed on this issue,” Obernolte replied.
Lawmakers also pressed for details on a roughly $1 billion contract the administration signed with the Chinese company BYD to manufacture 200 million protective masks per month. Newsom’s administration hasn’t released the contract details to lawmakers or the public.
Doing so could jeopardize the delivery of the supplies, said Mark Ghilarducci, director of the Office of Emergency Services. He said the Newsom administration will release more details when possible, including how much the state paid for each mask.
“When the course of the time is correct, we will release the contract,” Ghilarducci said. “I think you’ll find that the price point was pretty good given the circumstances.” He said the state expects shipments to begin next week.
Ting also pressed Newsom administration officials about how many coronavirus tests the state needs to be doing daily in order to reopen public life.
The state plans to hit its goal of 25,000 daily tests by the start of next month, said Marko Mijic of the California Health and Human Services Agency. But he said the state is in short supply of swabs to collect results on tests, creating a backlog of pending tests.
He could not say how many tests California needs to be completing every day in order to ease restrictions on businesses and movement.
“We’re assessing that right now,” Mijic said.
Meanwhile, state finance officials reported Monday the state collected $84 million more in revenue than projected in March. That’s despite the state spending about half the month under a stay at home order, but before the brunt of the pandemic’s economic devastation. Newsom last week said the state is now in a “pandemic-induced recession.”
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 life-threatening illness, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-04-20--Man shoots at FBI Phoenix field office; no injuries reported

PHOENIX ( AP ) - The FBI says no one was injured and a suspect is in custody after he @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Phoenix field office on Monday .
FBI spokeswoman Jill McCabe said a man @ @ @ @ @ North Phoenix offices and fired at the building and at an employee who was exiting @ @ @ @ @ access the FBI ’ s building or grounds , she said .
Phoenix police officers @ @ @ @ @ man into custody without incident near Interstate 17 and Durango Street , about 20 miles @ @ @ @ @ .

PHOENIX (AP) - The FBI says no one was injured and a suspect is in custody after he allegedly fired at the bureau’s Phoenix field office on Monday.
FBI spokeswoman Jill McCabe said a man approached the bureau’s North Phoenix offices and fired at the building and at an employee who was exiting. The shooter did not access the FBI’s building or grounds, she said.
Phoenix police officers and FBI agents took the man into custody without incident near Interstate 17 and Durango Street, about 20 miles south of the shooting scene.


washingtontimes--2020-04-20--Added benefits to families of firefighter COVID-19 victims

CHICAGO ( AP ) - The families of Chicago firefighters who died of COVID-19 will receive line-of-duty benefits , Chicago @ @ @ @ @ .
The families of firefighters Mario Araujo and Edward Singleton will receive one-year ’ s @ @ @ @ @ expenses .
A spokesman says the fire department will also assist the families in obtaining @ @ @ @ @ local benefits given families of firefighters who have died in the line of duty .
@ @ @ @ @ unprecedented in the history of our department and will be addressed accordingly , ” Fire @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
Singleton , 55 , a 33-year veteran of the department , died @ @ @ @ @ from the coronavirus .
He is survived by a wife and two adult children .
@ @ @ @ @ a 17-year department veteran , died April 7 .
He was single .
As of @ @ @ @ @ the Chicago Fire Department have tested positive for COVID-19 , with 37 having already returned @ @ @ @ @ department spokesman Larry Merritt .

CHICAGO (AP) - The families of Chicago firefighters who died of COVID-19 will receive line-of-duty benefits, Chicago Fire Department officials announced Monday.
The families of firefighters Mario Araujo and Edward Singleton will receive one-year’s salary and funds for funeral expenses. A spokesman says the fire department will also assist the families in obtaining other federal, state and local benefits given families of firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
“Our current situation is unprecedented in the history of our department and will be addressed accordingly,” Fire Commissioner Richard Ford said in a statement.
Singleton, 55, a 33-year veteran of the department, died April 14 from complications resulting from the coronavirus. He is survived by a wife and two adult children. Mario Araugo, 49, a 17-year department veteran, died April 7. He was single.
As of Friday, 109 members of the Chicago Fire Department have tested positive for COVID-19, with 37 having already returned to duty, according to department spokesman Larry Merritt.


washingtontimes--2020-04-20--California burglary suspect charged for looting in emergency

COVELO , Calif. ( AP ) - A man arrested in Northern California for allegedly burglarizing at least two businesses faces the unusual charge of looting during a state of emergency - a charge that carries an enhanced sentence of at least six months in jail .
Criminal penalties for common shoplifting and theft are greatly enhanced under California ’ s looting law , officials said , with violations punishable by incarceration for up to three years and a fines up to $ 10,000 .
The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of six months in county jail .
Neil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was arrested Friday by deputies who responded to a reported burglary at a clothing store in Covelo , Mendocino County Sheriff Sgt .
Joseph DeMarco said Monday .
It wasn ’ t immediately known if Waldron has an attorney who can speak on his behalf .
Deputies found a shop window broken and a black pellet rifle apparently abandoned by the burglar on the floor of the store , which was in disarray .
The store ’ s owner told them an iPad was missing , DeMarco said .
While investigating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grocery store had also been broken into .
Surveillance video from the store showed Waldron breaking a door ’ s glass with a pellet rifle , then taking alcoholic beverages and cigarettes before leaving , DeMarco said .
Waldron was also charged with two counts of burglary and violation of probation .
He was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was being held in lieu of $ 20,000 bail .
Deputies are investigating a third robbery Friday , DeMarco said .

COVELO, Calif. (AP) - A man arrested in Northern California for allegedly burglarizing at least two businesses faces the unusual charge of looting during a state of emergency - a charge that carries an enhanced sentence of at least six months in jail.
Criminal penalties for common shoplifting and theft are greatly enhanced under California’s looting law, officials said, with violations punishable by incarceration for up to three years and a fines up to $10,000. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of six months in county jail.
Neil Bruce Waldron, 51, of Covelo, was arrested Friday by deputies who responded to a reported burglary at a clothing store in Covelo, Mendocino County Sheriff Sgt. Joseph DeMarco said Monday.
It wasn’t immediately known if Waldron has an attorney who can speak on his behalf.
Deputies found a shop window broken and a black pellet rifle apparently abandoned by the burglar on the floor of the store, which was in disarray. The store’s owner told them an iPad was missing, DeMarco said.
While investigating the burglary, the deputies learned a nearby grocery store had also been broken into. Surveillance video from the store showed Waldron breaking a door’s glass with a pellet rifle, then taking alcoholic beverages and cigarettes before leaving, DeMarco said.
Waldron was also charged with two counts of burglary and violation of probation. He was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.
Deputies are investigating a third robbery Friday, DeMarco said.


washingtontimes--2020-04-20--Editorial Roundup: Excerpts from recent Minnesota editorials

Early-ed programs are feeling the impact of COVID-19 Shutdown has left many hoping for financial help to survive pandemic .
The COVID-19 pandemic has reached every corner of daily life .
But in one arena , it ’ s proven calamitous by snatching hope from thousands of disadvantaged Minnesota children in critical early childhood education programs .
These preschool efforts - targeting children under age 5 - are being devastated by the epidemic and demand state government intervention .
Minnesota has the means to answer the emergency , if it has the will .
Even before the virus hit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s estimated 51,000 young children in poverty received scholarships for early-ed programs .
The number of children left behind was a crisis , in and of itself .
Minnesota ’ s school achievement gap is among the largest in the nation .
But now , a second emergency threatens even that limited effort to giving disadvantaged young children a hope of being ready for kindergarten and beyond .
A survey of 629 Minnesota early-ed programs found a third were so strapped for funds that they would not survive “ without significant public investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compensate and retain staff , pay rent , and cover other fixed costs.
” Twenty-two percent said they couldn ’ t withstand closing two weeks without substantial government aid .
The same percentage had no idea how long they could endure closing .
Nearly half of Minnesota early-ed programs have parents who can not afford to pay fees or copays .
More than half the programs have lost income as parents have lost jobs or suffered reduced hours of work .
Early childhood programs across the nation face a similar fate .
Nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the National Association for the Education of Young Children that they won ’ t survive a closure of more than two weeks .
Another 25 % said they didn ’ t know how long they could remain closed and hope to reopen in the absence of financial support .
“ If we had numbers like that about some key sector of the economy , there would be a rush to save it from collapse , ” said Ericca Maas , executive director of Close Gaps by 5 , a Minnesota early-ed advocacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many times in this country , ” she said .
“ We should do no less for a sector that is so important to the economy and our collective future.
” That theme is echoed by another longtime proponent of early-childhood education , Art Rolnick , senior fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota .
“ For the sake of Minnesota ’ s critical workers , our current and future workforce , and , most important , the well-being of infants and toddlers , I urge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early childhood education , ” he said .
The expected Minnesota state budget surplus of $ 1.5 billion , millions of which Democrats hoped to allocate to early education , has eroded as businesses have closed by the thousands and tens of thousands of the state ’ s residents have lost income and jobs .
Gov .
Tim Walz and legislators , on both sides of the aisle , modestly increased money for early-ed scholarships in March .
But that was for years ahead , not the here and now .
A billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shore up Minnesota ’ s finances soon .
Tens of millions should be earmarked to rescue early childhood education programs .
Advocates stress the move would benefit everyone .
Many hospital cleaners , medical assistants , grocery clerks and other essential workers are parents of young children in desperate need of a head start in life .
Aid to those vulnerable children will benefit not only their families , but the rest of us who rely on those besieged essential workers for our own survival .
Mail ballots for all the safest way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid a repeat of the Wisconsin primary debacle , Minnesota lawmakers need to approve mail-in balloting quickly for the general election .
If you need convincing that mail-in ballots for all voters makes perfect sense in these uncertain times , take a look at neighboring Wisconsin for proof .
The National Guard was called in to help when the number of election judges for the April 7 primary dwindled as COVID-19 cases increased .
Just before the primary , Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin blocked efforts by Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers to delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and provide mail ballots to all voters .
Then the U.S. Supreme Court reversed his order to extend the absentee ballot deadline .
So hundreds of thousands of voters still showed up at Wisconsin polling places because the election was important to them .
But being dedicated citizens shouldn ’ t have meant risking their health and those around them .
An estimated 25 % of coronavirus victims are asymptomatic , so even if voters felt healthy , it doesn ’ t mean they weren ’ t infecting others .
Some voters had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time when social distancing , no mass gatherings and staying home when possible are paramount to keeping the number of seriously ill from flooding hospitals , forcing the polls to be open was irresponsible .
And so avoidable .
Minnesota needs to learn from its neighbor to the east and take steps that ensure residents ’ right to vote without putting public health at risk .
Secretary of State Steve Simon is supporting legislation to make voting by mail possible for all Minnesotans during periods of peacetime emergency due to infectious disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to vote ; already 130,000 Minnesota residents participate in mail-in voting because they live in places with fewer than 400 voters .
Unlike absentee voting , the ballots don ’ t need to be requested if voters are registered .
Colorado , Hawaii , Oregon , Washington and Utah already conduct elections entirely by mail , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests moving toward mail voting in jurisdictions where it is allowed .
Voters aren ’ t the only people at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numerous election judges in Minnesota are retired residents who fall into the high-risk category when it comes to severity of illness if the virus is contracted .
Despite some politicians using voting as a partisan football , mail-in ballots are a fair , smart way to safely handle November ’ s presidential election .
A new study by Stanford political scientists - reaffirming and expanding on years of prior research - concludes no party gains an advantage when a state switches to universal vote-by-mail .
Just because we all want the pandemic to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be .
All indicators point to this being a marathon and not a sprint .
Many experts are saying cases could crest again in the fall .
As with any aspect of crisis planning , the more we prepare in advance , the better off we are .
That applies to avoiding an election that could endanger people ’ s lives when it doesn ’ t have to .
Plans for mail-in balloting need to start today .
As we can see by Wisconsin ’ s experience , last-minute decisions make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wake of COVID-19 The competitive culture in college hurts more than it helps .
The competitive nature of college begins , for many , in high school .
Joining as many AP classes , clubs and sports teams as possible becomes the norm , as does the desire to impress those around you .
This behavior only makes itself more evidence in college , as the stakes – a future career – are higher .
Maybe it ’ s not just for the clout ; maybe people just enjoy being busy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that raises a question : is the proud feeling from admiration worth the anxiety from being constantly on-the-go ?
For some , maybe .
For others , no .
The competitive culture in college hurts more than it helps .
Many students juggle being a full-time student , having a part-time job , as well as extracurriculars .
Many also balance multiple jobs or multiple clubs .
This can be understandably anxiety-inducing .
A study of eight countries done by the World Health Organization revealed that nearly 30 % of college students in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 12 months prior .
The obvious solution to heightened anxiety would be to take a break from the biggest stressors in your life , potentially classes if that ’ s what ’ s best for your mental health .
But finding a job post-graduation without a stacked resume and previous experience feels close to impossible , and needing to out-perform peers for those jobs feels crucial .
This competitive nature presents itself in many ways .
Friends compare the number of hours they slept the night before , how many coffees they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late they get home and how much homework they still have to do .
As more people attend college and more opportunities are provided , it seems as though the educational standard begins to rise , too .
The pressure to go on to receive a Master ’ s , J.D.
, Ph.D. , etc .
has begun to rise , and it won ’ t be long until that has become the new standard .
COVID-19 has only complicated the matter more .
Student groups aren ’ t meeting , campus has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of jobs or internships that they rely on not just for income but also experience .
Soon , many will be graduating into an economy that is quickly declining , and our stress is higher than ever .
Seniors could be graduating into a job market that sorely needs workers , or they could be taking jobs unworthy of their degree .
The future is more uncertain now than ever , and there is little relief that can be offered .
No one is sure how the world will look in two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The end does not appear to be in sight .
A problem of this magnitude is not easily fixed .
When this pandemic is all over , the solution to heightened anxiety might be to add more mental health professionals and counselors on campus .
But , what about an ingrained ideology that fixes students against each other ?
It ’ s the difference between being competent and being competitive .
Instead of instilling a “ win no matter what ” mindset , maybe teachers , parents and colleges should think about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just be good enough .
That ’ s not to promote mediocrity , or alack of drive , but perhaps not always pushing to be the best will allow us to fully engage in what we ’ re learning and with the life around us .
The competitive nature of the job market might not ever change , but the way people respond to competitive remarks can .
The next time a friend tells you that they only got four hours of sleep the night before show some real concern , rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If they say they ’ re stressed because the five student groups they ’ re a part of all meet on the same day , ask if they ’ re really invested in what those groups are doing .
Or , if they ’ re panicked about the fact that everything has been canceled and are worried about what the future holds , listen to understand and empathize .
Don ’ t listen to reply or patronize .
This is only a small , short-term solution .
It is a systematic problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that answer is provided , encouraging self-care and discouraging harmful habits is the best we can do .

Star Tribune, Minneapolis, April 20
Early-ed programs are feeling the impact of COVID-19
Shutdown has left many hoping for financial help to survive pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reached every corner of daily life. But in one arena, it’s proven calamitous by snatching hope from thousands of disadvantaged Minnesota children in critical early childhood education programs.
These preschool efforts - targeting children under age 5 - are being devastated by the epidemic and demand state government intervention. Minnesota has the means to answer the emergency, if it has the will.
Even before the virus hit, only about 16,000 of the state’s estimated 51,000 young children in poverty received scholarships for early-ed programs. The number of children left behind was a crisis, in and of itself. Minnesota’s school achievement gap is among the largest in the nation.
But now, a second emergency threatens even that limited effort to giving disadvantaged young children a hope of being ready for kindergarten and beyond.
A survey of 629 Minnesota early-ed programs found a third were so strapped for funds that they would not survive “without significant public investment and support that would allow them to compensate and retain staff, pay rent, and cover other fixed costs.”
Twenty-two percent said they couldn’t withstand closing two weeks without substantial government aid. The same percentage had no idea how long they could endure closing.
That was a month ago.
Nearly half of Minnesota early-ed programs have parents who cannot afford to pay fees or copays. More than half the programs have lost income as parents have lost jobs or suffered reduced hours of work.
Early childhood programs across the nation face a similar fate. Nearly 50% of 11,500 child care providers told the National Association for the Education of Young Children that they won’t survive a closure of more than two weeks. Another 25% said they didn’t know how long they could remain closed and hope to reopen in the absence of financial support.
“If we had numbers like that about some key sector of the economy, there would be a rush to save it from collapse,” said Ericca Maas, executive director of Close Gaps by 5, a Minnesota early-ed advocacy group.
“We’ve done that many times in this country,” she said. “We should do no less for a sector that is so important to the economy and our collective future.”
That theme is echoed by another longtime proponent of early-childhood education, Art Rolnick, senior fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
“For the sake of Minnesota’s critical workers, our current and future workforce, and, most important, the well-being of infants and toddlers, I urge the state to increase its funding for early childhood education,” he said.
The expected Minnesota state budget surplus of $1.5 billion, millions of which Democrats hoped to allocate to early education, has eroded as businesses have closed by the thousands and tens of thousands of the state’s residents have lost income and jobs.
Gov. Tim Walz and legislators, on both sides of the aisle, modestly increased money for early-ed scholarships in March. But that was for years ahead, not the here and now. A billion dollars in federal aid is expected to shore up Minnesota’s finances soon. Tens of millions should be earmarked to rescue early childhood education programs.
Advocates stress the move would benefit everyone. Many hospital cleaners, medical assistants, grocery clerks and other essential workers are parents of young children in desperate need of a head start in life.
Aid to those vulnerable children will benefit not only their families, but the rest of us who rely on those besieged essential workers for our own survival.
___
The Free Press of Mankato, April 20
Mail ballots for all the safest way to vote
Why it matters: To avoid a repeat of the Wisconsin primary debacle, Minnesota lawmakers need to approve mail-in balloting quickly for the general election.
If you need convincing that mail-in ballots for all voters makes perfect sense in these uncertain times, take a look at neighboring Wisconsin for proof. The National Guard was called in to help when the number of election judges for the April 7 primary dwindled as COVID-19 cases increased.
Just before the primary, Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin blocked efforts by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to delay the election because of the coronavirus pandemic and provide mail ballots to all voters. Then the U.S. Supreme Court reversed his order to extend the absentee ballot deadline.
So hundreds of thousands of voters still showed up at Wisconsin polling places because the election was important to them. But being dedicated citizens shouldn’t have meant risking their health and those around them. An estimated 25% of coronavirus victims are asymptomatic, so even if voters felt healthy, it doesn’t mean they weren’t infecting others. Some voters had two-hour waits at the polls.
At a time when social distancing, no mass gatherings and staying home when possible are paramount to keeping the number of seriously ill from flooding hospitals, forcing the polls to be open was irresponsible. And so avoidable.
Minnesota needs to learn from its neighbor to the east and take steps that ensure residents’ right to vote without putting public health at risk. Secretary of State Steve Simon is supporting legislation to make voting by mail possible for all Minnesotans during periods of peacetime emergency due to infectious disease outbreaks.
This is not a new way to vote; already 130,000 Minnesota residents participate in mail-in voting because they live in places with fewer than 400 voters. Unlike absentee voting, the ballots don’t need to be requested if voters are registered. Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Utah already conduct elections entirely by mail, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests moving toward mail voting in jurisdictions where it is allowed. Voters aren’t the only people at risk. Like in many states, numerous election judges in Minnesota are retired residents who fall into the high-risk category when it comes to severity of illness if the virus is contracted.
Despite some politicians using voting as a partisan football, mail-in ballots are a fair, smart way to safely handle November’s presidential election. A new study by Stanford political scientists - reaffirming and expanding on years of prior research - concludes no party gains an advantage when a state switches to universal vote-by-mail.
Just because we all want the pandemic to be over doesn’t mean it will be. All indicators point to this being a marathon and not a sprint. Many experts are saying cases could crest again in the fall.
As with any aspect of crisis planning, the more we prepare in advance, the better off we are. That applies to avoiding an election that could endanger people’s lives when it doesn’t have to.
Plans for mail-in balloting need to start today. As we can see by Wisconsin’s experience, last-minute decisions make a mess.
___
Minnesota Daily, April 17
The culture of competition in the wake of COVID-19
The competitive culture in college hurts more than it helps.
The competitive nature of college begins, for many, in high school. Joining as many AP classes, clubs and sports teams as possible becomes the norm, as does the desire to impress those around you. This behavior only makes itself more evidence in college, as the stakes – a future career – are higher.
Maybe it’s not just for the clout; maybe people just enjoy being busy for the sake of consuming time. But that raises a question: is the proud feeling from admiration worth the anxiety from being constantly on-the-go? For some, maybe. For others, no.
The competitive culture in college hurts more than it helps. Many students juggle being a full-time student, having a part-time job, as well as extracurriculars. Many also balance multiple jobs or multiple clubs. This can be understandably anxiety-inducing.
A study of eight countries done by the World Health Organization revealed that nearly 30% of college students in the U.S. have felt general anxiety in the 12 months prior.
The obvious solution to heightened anxiety would be to take a break from the biggest stressors in your life, potentially classes if that’s what’s best for your mental health. But finding a job post-graduation without a stacked resume and previous experience feels close to impossible, and needing to out-perform peers for those jobs feels crucial.
This competitive nature presents itself in many ways. Friends compare the number of hours they slept the night before, how many coffees they’ve had that day, how late they get home and how much homework they still have to do. As more people attend college and more opportunities are provided, it seems as though the educational standard begins to rise, too. The pressure to go on to receive a Master’s, J.D., Ph.D., etc. has begun to rise, and it won’t be long until that has become the new standard.
COVID-19 has only complicated the matter more. Student groups aren’t meeting, campus has been shut down, and many are out of jobs or internships that they rely on not just for income but also experience. Soon, many will be graduating into an economy that is quickly declining, and our stress is higher than ever. Seniors could be graduating into a job market that sorely needs workers, or they could be taking jobs unworthy of their degree.
The future is more uncertain now than ever, and there is little relief that can be offered. No one is sure how the world will look in two weeks, or even two months time. The end does not appear to be in sight. A problem of this magnitude is not easily fixed. When this pandemic is all over, the solution to heightened anxiety might be to add more mental health professionals and counselors on campus. But, what about an ingrained ideology that fixes students against each other?
It’s the difference between being competent and being competitive. Instead of instilling a “win no matter what” mindset, maybe teachers, parents and colleges should think about how being “good enough” might just be good enough. That’s not to promote mediocrity, or alack of drive, but perhaps not always pushing to be the best will allow us to fully engage in what we’re learning and with the life around us.
The competitive nature of the job market might not ever change, but the way people respond to competitive remarks can. The next time a friend tells you that they only got four hours of sleep the night before show some real concern, rather than tell them that you only got three.
If they say they’re stressed because the five student groups they’re a part of all meet on the same day, ask if they’re really invested in what those groups are doing. Or, if they’re panicked about the fact that everything has been canceled and are worried about what the future holds, listen to understand and empathize. Don’t listen to reply or patronize.
This is only a small, short-term solution. It is a systematic problem that needs a systematic solve. Until that answer is provided, encouraging self-care and discouraging harmful habits is the best we can do.


washingtontimes--2020-04-20--PG&E's bankruptcy plan strides toward approval in California

BERKELEY , Calif. ( AP ) - California regulators are being advised to approve Pacific Gas & Electric ’ s plan to emerge from bankruptcy with new controls designed to prevent a recurrence of the utility ’ s past bad behavior that has resulted in deadly wildfires , infuriating blackouts and high electricity rates .
If approved , a proposed decision issued Monday by Administrative Law Judge Peter Allen will enable PG & E ; to clear another key hurdle in its frantic race to end one of the most complex bankruptcy cases in U.S. history by June 30 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The California Public Utilities Commission , the company ’ s chief regulator , will vote on the recommendations in the 117-page report May 21 .
Although it said it was still reviewing some of the finer points of Allen ’ s decision , PG & E ; called it a “ positive step.
” PG & E ; also still needs the approval of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali , who is overseeing the business since it sought bankruptcy protection because of $ 30 billion in claimed losses from catastrophic Northern California wildfires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 and 2018 .
More than 82,000 wildfire victims are currently voting on a plan to create a $ 13.5 billion fund for those who lost family , homes and businesses .
The voting is due to be completed May 15 .
A bankruptcy court hearing on whether to confirm PG & E ; ’ s plan is scheduled May 27 , the day after the company is supposed to plead guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter in the 2018 wildfire that wiped out the town of Paradise .
PG & E @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 to qualify for coverage from a wildfire insurance fund the state created last summer .
Without that coverage , the utility ’ s plan won ’ t be financially viable .
Critics already worry that PG & E ; is taking on a crippling amount of debt .
But Allen signed off on a plan that foresees the company saddled with more than $ 35 billion in debt , including nearly $ 12 billion in short-term loans .
Despite recommending approval of PG & E ; ’ s plan with a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company for its “ dismal to abysmal ” safety record and lack of accountability for its past misconduct .
“ PG & E ; seems reluctant to take ownership of its own safety history and acknowledge its failings , ” Allen wrote .
Among other things , Allen ’ s decision recommends forcing PG & E ; to create new regional operations with separate executives in an effort to make the utility more responsive to customers needs across a service territory larger than most states .
The decision also recommends forcing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it won ’ t require PG & E ; to replace its entire 14-member board , including CEO Bill Johnson , as Batjer and Gov .
Gavin Newsom wanted .
PG & E ; has said it intends to replace several board members , without specifying a number .
The decision would also authorize an independent safety monitor to serve as watchdog over PG & E ; ’ s conduct and deliver regular reports to state regulators .
PG & E ; had already agreed it should break itself down into regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until next year .
Allen ’ s decision dictates that PG & E ; start the process by June 30 .
Allen ’ s decision also defines a list of “ triggering events ” that would indicate PG & E ; was operating in a reckless or negligent manner , opening the door for company management to be handed over to an executive picked by the state .
In a worst-case scenario , this chain of events would culminate in the utility being placed into a receivership and sold , with the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid .

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) - California regulators are being advised to approve Pacific Gas & Electric’s plan to emerge from bankruptcy with new controls designed to prevent a recurrence of the utility’s past bad behavior that has resulted in deadly wildfires, infuriating blackouts and high electricity rates.
If approved, a proposed decision issued Monday by Administrative Law Judge Peter Allen will enable PG&E to clear another key hurdle in its frantic race to end one of the most complex bankruptcy cases in U.S. history by June 30 or risk losing billions in state funding. The California Public Utilities Commission, the company’s chief regulator, will vote on the recommendations in the 117-page report May 21.
Although it said it was still reviewing some of the finer points of Allen’s decision, PG&E called it a “positive step.”
PG&E also still needs the approval of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali, who is overseeing the business since it sought bankruptcy protection because of $30 billion in claimed losses from catastrophic Northern California wildfires ignited by its decaying electrical grid in 2017 and 2018.
More than 82,000 wildfire victims are currently voting on a plan to create a $13.5 billion fund for those who lost family, homes and businesses. The voting is due to be completed May 15. A bankruptcy court hearing on whether to confirm PG&E’s plan is scheduled May 27, the day after the company is supposed to plead guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter in the 2018 wildfire that wiped out the town of Paradise.
PG&E needs to exit bankruptcy by June 30 to qualify for coverage from a wildfire insurance fund the state created last summer. Without that coverage, the utility’s plan won’t be financially viable.
Critics already worry that PG&E is taking on a crippling amount of debt. But Allen signed off on a plan that foresees the company saddled with more than $35 billion in debt, including nearly $12 billion in short-term loans.
Monday’s decision largely adopts a proposal recommended by CPUC President Marybel Batjer.
Despite recommending approval of PG&E’s plan with a few adjustments, Allen also lashed out at the company for its “dismal to abysmal” safety record and lack of accountability for its past misconduct.
“PG&E seems reluctant to take ownership of its own safety history and acknowledge its failings,” Allen wrote.
Among other things, Allen’s decision recommends forcing PG&E to create new regional operations with separate executives in an effort to make the utility more responsive to customers needs across a service territory larger than most states.
The decision also recommends forcing the company to overhaul its board of directors but it won’t require PG&E to replace its entire 14-member board, including CEO Bill Johnson, as Batjer and Gov. Gavin Newsom wanted. PG&E has said it intends to replace several board members, without specifying a number.
The decision would also authorize an independent safety monitor to serve as watchdog over PG&E’s conduct and deliver regular reports to state regulators. PG&E had already agreed it should break itself down into regional units, but was hoping to wait until next year. Allen’s decision dictates that PG&E start the process by June 30.
Allen’s decision also defines a list of “triggering events” that would indicate PG&E was operating in a reckless or negligent manner, opening the door for company management to be handed over to an executive picked by the state. In a worst-case scenario, this chain of events would culminate in the utility being placed into a receivership and sold, with the state and local governments given a chance to bid.