washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Joe Biden on Hunter Biden, Burisma 'Nothing was unethical'

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Thursday insisted that “ nothing was unethical ” in relation to his son Hunter ’ s business relationship with a Ukranian energy company .
President Trump pressed the Democratic nominee about his son ’ s alleged payments from Russia , but Mr. Biden insisted that rules were not violated .
“ I carried out U.S. policy , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ Not one single thing was out of line.
” Mr. Biden ’ s relationship with Ukraine and Russia has been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks after Senate Republicans said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s appointment to the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma may have posed a conflict of interest .
The report did not present substantial evidence that the appointment influenced U.S. policy .
A recent story by the New York Post highlighted messaging between Hunter and Vadym Pozharskyi , an adviser to Burisma ’ s board where Mr. Pozharskyi applauds Hunter “ for inviting me to DC and giving an opportunity to meet your father and [ spend ] some time together .
It ’ s [ really ] an honor and pleasure.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former vice president insisted that his son “ has not made money ” from the agreement .
“ No one said anything he did was wrong in Ukraine , ” Mr. Biden said .

Democratic presidential candidate Joseph R. Biden on Thursday insisted that “nothing was unethical” about his son Hunter’s business relationship with a Ukrainian energy company.
President Trump pressed the Democratic nominee about his son’s alleged payments from Russia, but Mr. Biden insisted that rules were not violated.
“I carried out U.S. policy,” Mr. Biden said. “Not one single thing was out of line.”
Mr. Biden’s relationship with Ukraine and Russia has been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks after Senate Republicans said in a recent report that his son Hunter’s appointment to the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma may have posed a conflict of interest.
The report did not present substantial evidence that the appointment influenced U.S. policy.
A recent article by the New York Post highlighted messaging between Hunter Biden and Vadym Pozharskyi, an adviser to Burisma’s board in which Mr. Pozharskyi applauds Hunter “for inviting me to DC and giving an opportunity to meet your father and [spend] some time together. It’s [really] an honor and pleasure.”
During the final presidential debate, the former vice president insisted that his son “has not made money” from the agreement.
“No one said anything he did was wrong in Ukraine,” Mr. Biden said.
• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Biden blames Obama for deportations

Biden blames Obama for deportations

President Trump lashed out at Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden over the border on Thursday , demanding to know @ @ @ @ @ ” that housed illegal immigrant children during the Obama administration .
Mr. Biden , meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ , President Obama , saying he “ made a mistake ” in taking too long @ @ @ @ @ said he won ’ t make the same mistake .
“ I ’ ll be @ @ @ @ @ , not vice president , ” Mr. Biden said .

President Trump lashed out at Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden about the southern border on Thursday, demanding to know “who built the cages” that housed illegal immigrant children during the Obama administration.
Mr. Biden, meanwhile, criticized his former boss, President Barack Obama, saying he “made a mistake” in taking too long to tackle immigration.
He said he wouldn’t make the same mistake.
“I’ll be president of the United States, not vice president,” Mr. Biden said.
The clash happened at the second and final presidential debate — the first time immigration has come up in any of the affairs.
Moderator Kristen Welker of NBC News asked Mr. Trump about hundreds of illegal immigrant children who remain separated from their parents years after they jumped the border.
“It makes us a laughing stock,” Mr. Biden said.
He accused Mr. Trump of cruelty, and defended what’s known as catch-and-release of illegal immigrant families.
“Catch-and-release, you know what he’s talking about there? If in fact you had a family, they came across, they were arrested, they in fact were given a date to show up for their heating, they were released, and guess what, they showed up for their hearing,” he said.
In fact, Homeland Security says, that did not always happen. During the 2019 surge, Homeland Security and the Justice Department conducted a 10-city pilot program to speed up cases for families who jumped the border. Only about 15% of families showed up for their deportation hearings, according to testimony given to Congress in July 2019.
“When you say they come back, they don’t come back, Joe,” Mr. Trump said. “Only the really, I hate to say this, but those with the lowest IQ, they might come back.”
He suggested only 1% showed up — a number that is not backed up by the data.
Some experts question the Homeland Security data, including the National Association of Immigration Judges, which says from the judges’ experience most illegal immigrants do show up for hearings.
Mr. Biden may have been referring to a now-defunct Family Case Management Program, a short-lived pilot program instituted under the Obama administration. It did have success in getting people to show for an initial hearing, but it was too short-lived to say whether it would have been successful in getting them to show for eventual deportations.
Mr. Obama still holds the record for most formal deportations in any year, with more than 400,000 in 2012. The Trump administration was averaging roughly half that number.
Mr. Biden said he would not repeat Mr. Obama’s errors.
Asked what he would do if elected, Mr. Biden promised to renew the DACA program and put illegal immigrant “Dreamers” on a path to citizenship.
“We owe them,” he said.
Mr. Trump said Mr. Biden had eight years in office to do all that and “he did nothing, except build cages to keep children in.”
Those chain-link pens were constructed during the Obama administration to handle a surge of illegal immigrants from Central America.
They were still in use in 2018 and 2019, when the Trump administration saw a new surge.
But Mr. Trump said the press wrongly blamed him for them.
“Who built the cages, Joe?” he said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Biden: Red and blue states are going to go bankrupt without fed money

Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden late Thursday said localities across the country , regardless of political persuasion , will start laying off public servants and scaling back services unless Congress acts to provide federal support .
He said he ’ s a proud Democrat but he doesn ’ t “ see red states or blue states , ” so Washington needs to step in and provide money to states and cities that went bankrupt fighting the coronavirus .
Asked why he hasn ’ t gotten Democrats to agree to a stimulus package , Mr. Biden said the House leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the summer .
“ This is not new , it ’ s been out there , ” Mr. Biden said at the final presidential debate in Nashville , Tennessee .
President Trump said the House-passed bill amounted to a bailout for poorly run blue states , so it was unacceptable .
He said Speaker Nancy Pelosi is the main impediment to getting a bipartisan package across the finish line , as millions remain jobless and families slip into poverty .
“ Nancy Pelosi doesn ’ t want to approve it , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d love to have some victories on a date called Nov. 3.
” “ We are ready , willing and able to do something , ” the president said .
Mr. Biden said Senate Republicans are unwilling to spend money , so Mr. Trump ought to be on the phone with leaders of his own party if he wants a deal .

Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden on Thursday said localities across the country, regardless of political persuasion, will start laying off public servants and scaling back services unless Congress acts to provide federal support.
He said he’s a proud Democrat but he doesn’t “see red states or blue states,” so Washington needs to step in and provide money to states and cities that are going bankrupt fighting the coronavirus.
Asked why he hasn’t gotten Democrats to agree to a stimulus package, Mr. Biden said the House leadership passed a comprehensive bill at the start of the summer.
“This is not new, it’s been out there,” Mr. Biden said at the final presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee.
President Trump said the House-passed bill amounted to a bailout for poorly run blue states, so it was unacceptable. He said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is the main impediment to getting a bipartisan package across the finish line, as millions of Americans remain jobless and families slip into poverty.
“Nancy Pelosi doesn’t want to approve it,” Mr. Trump said. “She’d love to have some victories on a date called Nov. 3.”
“We are ready, willing and able to do something,” the president said.
Mr. Biden said Senate Republicans are unwilling to spend money, so Mr. Trump ought to be on the phone with leaders of his own party if he wants a deal.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Trump: 'Better healthcare' coming if Supreme Court strikes down Obamacare

President Trump said Thursday that his administration would come up with “ better health care ” and protect people with preexisting conditions if the Supreme Court were to strike down Obamacare .
A case coming before the justices on Nov. 10 weighs whether eliminating the tax penalty under the Affordable Care Act ’ s individual mandate makes President Obama ’ s signature health-care law unconstitutional .
Democrats have claimed Mr. Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett , who is slated to be confirmed Monday , will be a key vote to strike down the ACA .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without the individual mandate , it ’ s much different , ” Mr. Trump said .
He said his administration would come up with a better system and protect people with pre-existing conditions .
Mr. Trump claimed his opponent , Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden , wants to move toward socialized medicine , saying it would eliminate 180 million private health-care plans for families .
Mr. Biden , though , said if the Supreme Court ruled Obamacare illegal , he would add a public option to the law , and “ it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone can not obtain Medicaid in the state of residence , then that person could automatically be enrolled in the public option .
Mr. Biden also said he would move to reduce premiums and drug prices .

President Trump said Thursday that his administration would come up with “better health care” and protect people with preexisting conditions if the Supreme Court were to strike down Obamacare.
A case coming before the justices on Nov. 10 weighs whether eliminating the tax penalty under the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate makes President Obama’s signature health-care law unconstitutional.
Democrats have claimed Mr. Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, who is slated to be confirmed Monday, will be a key vote to strike down the ACA.
“It no longer is Obamacare because, without the individual mandate, it’s much different,” Mr. Trump said.
He said his administration would come up with a better system and protect people with pre-existing conditions.
Mr. Trump claimed his opponent, Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden, wants to move toward socialized medicine, saying it would eliminate 180 million private health-care plans for families.
Mr. Biden, though, said if the Supreme Court ruled Obamacare illegal, he would add a public option to the law, and “it would become Bidencare.”
He said if someone cannot obtain Medicaid in the state of residence, then that person could automatically be enrolled in the public option. Mr. Biden also said he would move to reduce premiums and drug prices.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Joe Biden at debate deflects Hunter Biden questions

President Trump tried to put Joseph R. Biden on the spot about Hunter Biden ’ s overseas sweetheart deals , but the former vice president quickly changed the subject .
Mr. Trump prodded Mr. Biden to explain his son Hunter ’ s big-money deals in Russia , Ukraine and China , including new emails purporting to show that the elder Mr. Biden had a stake in the ventures .
“ You were vice president when some of this was happening.
” Mr. Trump said in the final 2020 debate .
“ I think you have to clean it up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden said , “ I have not taken a penny from a foreign source in my life.
” Emails purportedly from Hunter Biden ’ s laptop computer implicate the former vice president indirectly , saying that “ The Big Guy ” was guaranteed a 10 % cut of Hunter ’ s money in a Chinese deal .
Mr. Biden then pivoted to questioning why Mr. Trump doesn ’ t release his income tax returns , saying it was the president who was making money from Russia and China .
“ Either release your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Mr. Biden .
The president said it was Mr. Biden and his family that cashed in on their political clout .
“ I don ’ t make money from China .
You do .
I don ’ t make money from Ukraine .
You do , ” he said .
“ You ’ re the ‘ Big Man , ’ ” referring to the latest email reports .

President Trump tried to put Joseph R. Biden on the spot about Hunter Biden’s overseas sweetheart deals, but the former vice president quickly changed the subject.
Mr. Trump prodded Mr. Biden to explain his son Hunter’s big-money deals in Russia, Ukraine and China, including new emails purporting to show that the elder Mr. Biden had a stake in the ventures.
“You were vice president when some of this was happening.” Mr. Trump said in the final 2020 debate. “I think you have to clean it up and talk to the American people.”
Mr. Biden said, “I have not taken a penny from a foreign source in my life.”
Emails purportedly from Hunter Biden’s laptop computer implicate the former vice president indirectly, saying that “The Big Guy” was guaranteed a 10% cut of Hunter’s money in a Chinese deal.
Mr. Biden then pivoted to questioning why Mr. Trump doesn’t release his income tax returns, saying it was the president who was making money from Russia and China.
“Either release your tax returns or stop talking about corruption,” said Mr. Biden.
The president said it was Mr. Biden and his family that cashed in on their political clout.
“I don’t make money from China. You do. I don’t make money from Ukraine. You do,” he said. “You’re the ‘Big Man,’” referring to the latest email reports.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Coronavirus having unhealthy effect on global online freedoms, survey warns

Add the state of online political freedom worldwide to the list of things that are not looking so healthy since the coronavirus pandemic arrived earlier this year .
A new report this month from Freedom House , a Washington-based human rights advocacy organization , is warning that internet users around the world are experiencing a “ dismal ” deterioration of their personal rights as regimes crack down on free speech and online dissent .
The report , which also ranked each country on its internet freedoms , found that the COVID-19 pandemic has led many governments to crack down on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and additional monitoring with the global health crisis as their excuse .
China ranked as the worst offender for the survey ’ s sixth consecutive year , while Iceland ranked first in digital freedom followed by Estonia and Canada .
The U.S. tied for seventh .
The report cited a number of retreats on digital openness , such as internet blackouts in Myanmar earlier this year .
Kyrgyzstan , India , Ecuador and Nigeria were also among the countries which saw significant drops in their rankings in 2020 .
“ The coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet freedom , ” the report said .
“ State and non-state actors in many countries are now exploiting opportunities created by the pandemic to shape online narratives , censor critical speech , and build new technological systems of social control.
” Adrian Shahbaz , director for technology and democracy at Freedom House , said the coronavirus outbreak gave undemocratic regimes such as China an opportunity to intensify their efforts to control content and debate online .
A particular target was Hong Kong , where Beijing ’ s attempts to crush pro-democracy protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ What we saw in China is that the pandemic is normalizing the tools of digital authoritarianism that the Chinese government has long sought to mainstream , ” he said Wednesday in a briefing on the report .
“ Individuals have complained of being asked to install webcams inside of their homes and outside of their front doors , allegedly to monitor their compliance with quarantines.
” He also pointed to the detention of ethnic and religious minorities in China for what he called “ mundane online activities ” such as communicating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise the prospect of a dystopian future in which private companies , security agencies and cybercriminals enjoy easy access not only to sensitive information about the places we visit and the items we purchase , but also to our medical histories , facial and voice patterns , and even our genetic codes , ” the report said .
Overall , the report highlighted three practices that resulted in declining internet freedom ratings .
It found that political leaders used the pandemic as a pretext to limit access to information ; cited COVID-19 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new technologies that were once seen as too intrusive ; and accelerated a push of the “ splintering ” of the Web into a rush toward “ cyber sovereignty ” that restricts the flow of information across national borders .
“ Unless we change course , the slow-motion splintering of the internet [ is ] likely to accelerate into an all-out race for cyber sovereignty , ” Mr. Shahbaz said , “ which will likely harm the rights of hundreds of millions of users around the world.
” The report found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have moved to curb online freedom during the pandemic .
Countries across the democratic spectrum are erecting their own digital borders in a sign of fraying trust in the open internet , ” the report found .
The U.S. and India , it noted , have tried to ban popular Chinese apps , while the European Union ’ s efforts to monitor online speech for privacy violations risks “ invalidating one of the world ’ s largest data-sharing agreements ” with the U.S .
While the intention may be justifiable , “ these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each state to oversee its own ‘ national internet , ’ which was previously championed only by autocratic governments in countries such as China , Iran and Russia , ” the report said .

Add the state of online political freedom worldwide to the list of things that are not looking so healthy since the coronavirus pandemic arrived earlier this year.
A new report this month from Freedom House, a Washington-based human rights advocacy organization, is warning that internet users around the world are experiencing a “dismal” deterioration of their personal rights as regimes crack down on free speech and online dissent.
The report, which also ranked each country on its internet freedoms, found that the COVID-19 pandemic has led many governments to crack down on digital rights, instituting heightened surveillance practices and additional monitoring with the global health crisis as their excuse.
China ranked as the worst offender for the survey’s sixth consecutive year, while Iceland ranked first in digital freedom followed by Estonia and Canada. The U.S. tied for seventh.
The report cited a number of retreats on digital openness, such as internet blackouts in Myanmar earlier this year. Kyrgyzstan, India, Ecuador and Nigeria were also among the countries which saw significant drops in their rankings in 2020.
“The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating a dramatic decline in global internet freedom,” the report said. “State and non-state actors in many countries are now exploiting opportunities created by the pandemic to shape online narratives, censor critical speech, and build new technological systems of social control.”
Adrian Shahbaz, director for technology and democracy at Freedom House, said the coronavirus outbreak gave undemocratic regimes such as China an opportunity to intensify their efforts to control content and debate online. A particular target was Hong Kong, where Beijing’s attempts to crush pro-democracy protests were fought out in large part online.
“What we saw in China is that the pandemic is normalizing the tools of digital authoritarianism that the Chinese government has long sought to mainstream,” he said Wednesday in a briefing on the report. “Individuals have complained of being asked to install webcams inside of their homes and outside of their front doors, allegedly to monitor their compliance with quarantines.”
He also pointed to the detention of ethnic and religious minorities in China for what he called “mundane online activities” such as communicating with relatives abroad.
“These practices raise the prospect of a dystopian future in which private companies, security agencies and cybercriminals enjoy easy access not only to sensitive information about the places we visit and the items we purchase, but also to our medical histories, facial and voice patterns, and even our genetic codes,” the report said.
Overall, the report highlighted three practices that resulted in declining internet freedom ratings.
It found that political leaders used the pandemic as a pretext to limit access to information; cited COVID-19 to justify expanded surveillance powers and the deployment of new technologies that were once seen as too intrusive; and accelerated a push of the “splintering” of the Web into a rush toward “cyber sovereignty” that restricts the flow of information across national borders.
“Unless we change course, the slow-motion splintering of the internet [is] likely to accelerate into an all-out race for cyber sovereignty,” Mr. Shahbaz said, “which will likely harm the rights of hundreds of millions of users around the world.”
The report found that it was not just repressive regimes who have moved to curb online freedom during the pandemic.
Countries across the democratic spectrum are erecting their own digital borders in a sign of fraying trust in the open internet,” the report found.
The U.S. and India, it noted, have tried to ban popular Chinese apps, while the European Union’s efforts to monitor online speech for privacy violations risks “invalidating one of the world’s largest data-sharing agreements” with the U.S.
While the intention may be justifiable, “these actions serve to legitimize the push for each state to oversee its own ‘national internet,’ which was previously championed only by autocratic governments in countries such as China, Iran and Russia,” the report said.
• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Biden: 'I have not taken a penny from any foreign source'

Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden denied Thursday accepting money from “ any foreign source , ” seeking to bat down allegations of a pay-for-influence scam involving China and his son Hunter Biden .
“ I have not taken a penny from any foreign source ever in my life , ” said Mr. Biden , then turned the question back to President Trump .
He said the president “ paid 50 times the tax in China , has a secret bank account with China , does business in China , and in fact is talking about me taking money ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from any country whatsoever .
Ever.
” Mr. Trump criticized Mr. Biden over emails reportedly from Hunter Biden ’ s laptop about foreign business dealings , with Hunter ’ s former business associate Tony Bubolinski saying Thursday the former vice president was involved in a deal with a Chinese business .
“ All of the emails , the emails , the horrible emails of the kind of money you were raking in , you and your family , ” said Mr. Trump .
“ And Joe , you were vice president when some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should have never happened .
”

Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden denied Thursday accepting money from “any foreign source,” seeking to bat down allegations of a pay-for-influence scam involving China and his son Hunter Biden.
“I have not taken a penny from any foreign source ever in my life,” said Mr. Biden, then turned the question back to President Trump.
He said the president “paid 50 times the tax in China, has a secret bank account with China, does business in China, and in fact is talking about me taking money? I have not taken a single penny from any country whatsoever. Ever.”
Mr. Trump shot back: “I don’t make money from China. You do.”
Mr. Trump criticized Mr. Biden over emails reportedly from Hunter Biden’s laptop about foreign business dealings, with Hunter’s former business associate Tony Bobulinski saying Thursday the former vice president was involved in a deal with a Chinese business.
“All of the emails, the emails, the horrible emails of the kind of money you were raking in, you and your family,” said Mr. Trump. “And Joe, you were vice president when some of this was happening, and it should have never happened.”
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--California court says Uber, Lyft drivers are employees

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) - A California appeals court on Thursday upheld an order requiring Uber and Lyft to treat their California drivers as employees instead of independent contractors , less than two weeks before voters will be asked to exempt the ride-hailing giants from the state ’ s gig economy law .
The decision won ’ t have any immediate impact because it doesn ’ t take effect for at least 30 days , well after the Nov. 3 vote on Proposition 22 .
Uber and Lyft - who along with DoorDash have heavily bankrolled the ballot measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a San Francisco judge .
But the appellate ruling found “ no legal error ” and allowed it to stand .
“ We conclude that the injunction was properly issued in accordance with enduring principles of equity , ” the 74-page ruling said .
“ It is broad in scope , no doubt , but so too is the scale of the alleged violations.
” Uber and Lyft issued statements noting that the ruling doesn ’ t take immediate affect and urging voters to approve Prop .
22 .
Lyft also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Supreme Court .
Together , the two companies have more than 400,000 drivers in California .
The decision came in a lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the city attorneys of Los Angeles , San Diego and San Francisco under a new California law that says companies can only classify workers as contractors if they perform work “ outside the usual course ” of their business .
Treating Uber and Lyft drivers as employees instead of independent contractors would guarantee benefits such as overtime , sick leave and expense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the freewheeling gig economy .
The law has wide-reaching implications across a number of sectors , but none more so than the ride-hailing industry .
Lawyers for Uber and Lyft say drivers are not fundamental to the business , arguing the companies are “ multi-sided platforms ” whose activities encompass much more than transportation .
“ Californians have fought long and hard for paycheck and benefit protections .
Uber and Lyft have used their muscle and clout to resist treating their drivers as workers entitled to those paycheck and benefit protections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The courts saw right through their arguments .
In the midst of a COVID health and economic crisis , what worker can afford to be denied basic protections like paid sick leave , unemployment insurance , minimum wage , or overtime ?
”

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A California appeals court on Thursday upheld an order requiring Uber and Lyft to treat their California drivers as employees instead of independent contractors, less than two weeks before voters will be asked to exempt the ride-hailing giants from the state’s gig economy law.
The decision won’t have any immediate impact because it doesn’t take effect for at least 30 days, well after the Nov. 3 vote on Proposition 22.
Uber and Lyft — who along with DoorDash have heavily bankrolled the ballot measure — had appealed an August preliminary injunction by a San Francisco judge. But the appellate ruling found “no legal error” and allowed it to stand.
“We conclude that the injunction was properly issued in accordance with enduring principles of equity,” the 74-page ruling said. “It is broad in scope, no doubt, but so too is the scale of the alleged violations.”
Uber and Lyft issued statements noting that the ruling doesn’t take immediate affect and urging voters to approve Prop. 22. Lyft also said it also is considering appealing to the California Supreme Court.
Together, the two companies have more than 400,000 drivers in California.
The decision came in a lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the city attorneys of Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco under a new California law that says companies can only classify workers as contractors if they perform work “outside the usual course” of their business.
Treating Uber and Lyft drivers as employees instead of independent contractors would guarantee benefits such as overtime, sick leave and expense reimbursement for workers who make up much of the freewheeling gig economy.
The law has wide-reaching implications across a number of sectors, but none more so than the ride-hailing industry. Lawyers for Uber and Lyft say drivers are not fundamental to the business, arguing the companies are “multi-sided platforms” whose activities encompass much more than transportation.
Becerra praised the appellate decision.
“Californians have fought long and hard for paycheck and benefit protections. Uber and Lyft have used their muscle and clout to resist treating their drivers as workers entitled to those paycheck and benefit protections,” Becerra said in a statement. “The courts saw right through their arguments. In the midst of a COVID health and economic crisis, what worker can afford to be denied basic protections like paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, minimum wage, or overtime?”


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Kuster, Negron offer contrasting views on virus response

The coronavirus pandemic and how New Hampshire communities have responded dominated a debate Thursday night between Democratic Rep. Annie Kuster and her Republican challenger Steve Negron .
Kuster credited the state ’ s low case numbers relative to other states to the way most residents wore masks , social distanced and followed the science .
She said the key going forward will be expanded testing , contact tracing and getting a vaccine .
“ Of course , we want to get back to work .
Of course , we want to back to school .
But we have to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Negron , in contrast , criticized limitations put in place as case numbers rose and suggested a spike in mental health problems was the result .
He also said that students should be going back to school and that the protection measures going forward should be limited to the most vulnerable citizen .
He also wouldn ’ t commit to taking a vaccine once it is approved .
“ Granite Staters want to get out of their homes .
Granite Staters want to get back to their normal lives , ” Negron said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school .
… I think there are people out there who have shown they can actually survive this pandemic .
Let ’ s protect those who are most vulnerable and , for the rest of us , let ’ s try and get back onto our lives the way they were prior to the pandemic.
” The two also clashed over how best to provide additional COVID-19 relief , with each candidate reflecting the views of their party .
Democratic priorities include another $ 1,200 direct payment to most Americans , restart bonus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines , provide aid to schools and allocate money to states and local governments .
“ If we don ’ t come together and pass this bill , that is going to be a tremendous hole in our state budget come January when the legislature reconvenes , ” Kuster said , adding that the state and local governments are looking to recover $ 800 million in lost revenue due to the virus .
Negron accused the Democratic leadership of packing their bill with a bunch of items unrelated to the coronavirus .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on extending the Treasury Department ’ s Paycheck Protection Program and unemployment benefits and then vote on it .
“ If the congresswoman wanted to help New Hampshire , then she should go to Speaker Pelosi and talk about PPP right now .
Let ’ s get this done .
We could have it in bank accounts next week , ” he said .
“ But that is not the case.
” The two also clashed over President Donald Trump ’ s refusal to release his tax returns and how much he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times has reported that Trump paid just $ 750 in federal income taxes the year he ran for president and in his first year in the White House .
“ I absolutely believe that a person with that kind of wealth should be paying taxes and we need the IRS to have the oversight and strengthen their implementation of our tax code , ” she said .
“ He is cheating you as the taxpayer , and I think it ’ s unconscionable and he should be voted out Nov. 3.
” Negron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at but said Democrats of using Trump ’ s tax returns as another attack line against the president .
“ When you look at the Constitution and you look at what the requirements are to run for president and , I ’ ve looked a couple of times , I got to tell you I haven ’ t seen anything in there about tax returns , ” he said .
“ It isn ’ t about tax returns .
It ’ s about another divisive opportunity to go after this president , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal.
” The two also offered contrasting views on climate change , gun control and immigration .
Some of their starkest differences came over family separation along the Mexican border , which Kuster called “ pure evil.
” “ This is not Christian .
It is not American , ” said Kuster , who twice visited the border with Mexico .
“ This not the American way .
We should have a pathway to citizenship .
We should have compassionate laws.
” Negron , whose grandfather came to United States from Mexico , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related .
“ We now know with lots of empirical data that a lot of these smugglers and a lot of these people that are bringing kids in across the country , they ’ re not their children , ” he said , adding the children were being used “ as pawns ” to help others get into the country .

The coronavirus pandemic and how New Hampshire communities have responded dominated a debate Thursday night between Democratic Rep. Annie Kuster and her Republican challenger Steve Negron.
Kuster credited the state’s low case numbers relative to other states to the way most residents wore masks, social distanced and followed the science. She said the key going forward will be expanded testing, contact tracing and getting a vaccine.
“Of course, we want to get back to work. Of course, we want to back to school. But we have to follow the science,” Kuster said.
Negron, in contrast, criticized limitations put in place as case numbers rose and suggested a spike in mental health problems was the result. He also said that students should be going back to school and that the protection measures going forward should be limited to the most vulnerable citizen. He also wouldn’t commit to taking a vaccine once it is approved.
“Granite Staters want to get out of their homes. Granite Staters want to get back to their normal lives,” Negron said. “Kids want go back to school. … I think there are people out there who have shown they can actually survive this pandemic. Let’s protect those who are most vulnerable and, for the rest of us, let’s try and get back onto our lives the way they were prior to the pandemic.”
The two also clashed over how best to provide additional COVID-19 relief, with each candidate reflecting the views of their party.
Democratic priorities include another $1,200 direct payment to most Americans, restart bonus unemployment benefits, fund additional testing and vaccines, provide aid to schools and allocate money to states and local governments.
“If we don’t come together and pass this bill, that is going to be a tremendous hole in our state budget come January when the legislature reconvenes,” Kuster said, adding that the state and local governments are looking to recover $800 million in lost revenue due to the virus.
Negron accused the Democratic leadership of packing their bill with a bunch of items unrelated to the coronavirus. He said lawmakers should draw up a bill focused on extending the Treasury Department’s Paycheck Protection Program and unemployment benefits and then vote on it.
“If the congresswoman wanted to help New Hampshire, then she should go to Speaker Pelosi and talk about PPP right now. Let’s get this done. We could have it in bank accounts next week,” he said. “But that is not the case.”
The two also clashed over President Donald Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns and how much he pays in taxes. The New York Times has reported that Trump paid just $750 in federal income taxes the year he ran for president and in his first year in the White House.
“I absolutely believe that a person with that kind of wealth should be paying taxes and we need the IRS to have the oversight and strengthen their implementation of our tax code,” she said. “He is cheating you as the taxpayer, and I think it’s unconscionable and he should be voted out Nov. 3.”
Negron said the tax code should be looked at but said Democrats of using Trump’s tax returns as another attack line against the president.
“When you look at the Constitution and you look at what the requirements are to run for president and, I’ve looked a couple of times, I got to tell you I haven’t seen anything in there about tax returns,” he said. “It isn’t about tax returns. It’s about another divisive opportunity to go after this president, to make sure that he is doing something illegal.”
The two also offered contrasting views on climate change, gun control and immigration. Some of their starkest differences came over family separation along the Mexican border, which Kuster called “pure evil.”
“This is not Christian. It is not American,” said Kuster, who twice visited the border with Mexico. “This not the American way. We should have a pathway to citizenship. We should have compassionate laws.”
Negron, whose grandfather came to United States from Mexico, seemed to suggest those being separated were unrelated.
“We now know with lots of empirical data that a lot of these smugglers and a lot of these people that are bringing kids in across the country, they’re not their children,” he said, adding the children were being used “as pawns” to help others get into the country.
___
This story has been corrected to show The Associated Press erroneously reported that Republican candidate Steve Negron said that children separated at the border are related to the adults who brought them into the country. He said they are unrelated to those they have been separated from.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Joe Biden: 'We'll fly through' Chinese identification zones over South China Sea

Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden on Thursday threatened to fly U.S. bombers through the South China Sea if Beijing @ @ @ @ @ territory .
During Thursday ’ s final presidential debate in Nashville , Tennessee , Mr. @ @ @ @ @ “ make China abide by international rules ” and accused his Republican rival , President @ @ @ @ @ relaxed approach to China ’ s government .
“ [ Chinese President Xi Jinping ] @ @ @ @ @ system , ” Mr. Biden said , referring to a system set up to cover @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ ll fly through them , ” he added , saying he would @ @ @ @ @ the area .
“ China would have to play by the rules internationally as well @ @ @ @ @ when asked how he would respond to increasing pressure from Beijing .

Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden on Thursday said he would force China to “play by the rules” if he is elected president.
During Thursday’s final presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee, the former vice president insisted that he would “make China abide by international rules” and accused his Republican rival, President Trump, of taking a relaxed approach to China’s government.
Mr. Biden referenced an air identification zone set up in the East China Sea — which he mistakenly referred to as the South China Sea — by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Obama administration.
“I said we’re going to fly through them,” he said.
“We just flew B-52 bombers through them. … They have to play by the rules.”
• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Trump defends Kim Jong Un talks: No North Korea war

President Trump said Thursday he doesn ’ t view North Korea ’ s unveiling of a new intercontinental ballistic missile as a betrayal of his unconventional negotiations with dictator Kim Jong Un .
Speaking at the final presidential debate , Mr. Trump said the proof is in the pudding , citing claims the U.S. was on the brink of war with the reclusive nation when he took office .
“ Different kind of guy … but there ’ s no war , ” Mr. Trump said of Mr. Kim .
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden said Mr. Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s capabilities but did legitimize the strongman .
Mr. Trump broke with precedent and met with Mr. Kim in Singapore , Hanoi and the demilitarized zone that splits the Korean peninsula .
And while Mr. Kim hasn ’ t flashed intercontinental missiles that can reach the U.S. , there hasn ’ t been a deal to denuclearize the peninsula and reporters indicate Mr. Kim is building up his military arsenal .
“ He ’ s talked about his good buddy , who is a thug , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the status quo is better than conflict , citing his relations with Mr. Kim .
“ We had a good relationship with Hitler before he invaded the rest of Europe , ” Mr. Biden said .

President Trump said Thursday he doesn’t view North Korea’s unveiling of a new intercontinental ballistic missile as a betrayal of his unconventional negotiations with dictator Kim Jong-un.
Speaking at the final presidential debate, Mr. Trump said the proof is in the pudding, citing claims the U.S. was on the brink of war with the reclusive nation when he took office.
“Different kind of guy … but there’s no war,” Mr. Trump said of Mr. Kim.
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden said Mr. Trump has done little to stem North Korea’s capabilities but did legitimize the strongman.
Mr. Trump broke with precedent and met with Mr. Kim in Singapore, Hanoi and the demilitarized zone that splits the Korean peninsula. And while Mr. Kim hasn’t flashed intercontinental missiles that can reach the U.S., there hasn’t been a deal to denuclearize the peninsula and reporters indicate Mr. Kim is building up his military arsenal.
“He’s talked about his good buddy, who is a thug,” Mr. Biden said. “They have much more capability.”
Mr. Trump said the status quo is better than conflict, citing his relations with Mr. Kim.
“We had a good relationship with Hitler before he invaded the rest of Europe,” Mr. Biden said.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--AP FACT CHECK: Examining claims from last Trump-Biden debate

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden sparred Thursday in their final presidential debate , hoping to sway undecided voters in the Nov. 3 election .
A look at how their statements from Nashville , Tennessee , stack up with the facts : TRUMP on the toll of COVID-19 in the U.S. : “ So as you know 2.2 million people , modeled out , were expected to die.
” THE FACTS : This was his first line in the debate , and it is false .
The U.S. death toll from the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Such an extreme projection was merely a baseline if nothing at all were done to fight the pandemic .
Doing nothing was never an option and public-health authorities did not expect over 2 million deaths .
Trump often cites the number to put the reality of more than 200,000 deaths in a better light and to attempt to take credit for reducing projected mortality .
At an April 1 briefing , when Trump and his officials discussed an actual projection of 100,000 to 240,000 deaths , the president held out hope of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we ’ re doing better than that.
” He has repeatedly moved the goal posts to make the massive mortality and infection numbers look better .
TRUMP : “ We ’ re rounding the turn .
We ’ re rounding the corner .
It ’ s going away.
” THE FACTS : No , the coronavirus isn ’ t going away .
It ’ s coming back .
New cases are on the rise toward their summer peak .
Deaths have also been increasing .
According to data through Oct. 21 from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average for daily new cases in the U.S. rose over the past two weeks from over 42,300 on Oct. 7 to nearly 60,000 on Oct. 21 .
According to data through Oct. 21 from Johns Hopkins University , the 7-day rolling average for daily new deaths in the U.S. rose over the past two weeks from 695 on Oct. 7 to 757 on Oct. 21 .
Associated Press writers Cal Woodward and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar contributed to this report .
EDITOR ’ S NOTE - A look at the veracity of claims by political @ @

WASHINGTON (AP) - The facts took a hit right out of the gate Thursday night.
President Donald Trump’s first line of the night, about COVID-19 deaths, was false and set the tone as he and Democratic rival Joe Biden unleashed a torrent of claims in their last presidential debate.
Trump misrepresented the reality of the pandemic in myriad and familiar ways, insisting against obvious reality that the pandemic is drawing to a close. He also boasted about “clean” facilities at the border for migrant children, ignoring the filthy conditions under which they were held in 2018.
Biden, at times, was selective on the coronavirus and other matters, at one point stating that no one under Obamacare lost private health coverage. Millions did.
A look at how some of the statements on the stage in Nashville, Tennessee, compared with the facts:
CORONAVIRUS
TRUMP: “We’re rounding the turn. We’re rounding the corner. It’s going away.”
THE FACTS: No, the coronavirus isn’t going away. It’s coming back. New cases are on the rise toward their summer peak. Deaths have also been increasing.
According to data through Oct. 21 from Johns Hopkins University, the seven-day rolling average for daily new cases in the U.S. rose over the past two weeks from over 42,300 on Oct. 7 to nearly 60,000 on Oct. 21.
In that time the seven-day rolling average for daily new deaths in the U.S. rose from 695 to 757.
___
TRUMP: “All he does is talk about shutdowns. But forget about him. His Democrat governors Cuomo in New York, you look at what’s going on in California, you look at Pennsylvania, North Carolina. Democrats - Democrats all. They’re shut down so tight, and they’re dying.”
BIDEN: “Look at the states that are having such a spike in the coronavirus. They’re the red states. They’re the states in the Midwest or the states in the Upper Midwest. That’s where the spike is occurring significantly.”
THE FACTS: Neither of them is right. Coronavirus isn’t a red-state problem or a blue-state problem. It’s a public health problem that affects people no matter where they live or what their politics are.
Some Republican-led states that were quick to reopen saw a surge of virus cases in the summer and are still struggling to get their transmission rates down. Florida’s test positivity rate is about 12% currently, a level indicating widespread transmission. South Dakota is approaching 35%.
Democratic-led states like New York that were hit hard in the initial wave closed down and got their virus transmission rates down to very low levels. But they’re now seeing rebounds in certain local communities, prompting them to target renewed restrictions.
Nevada and Pennsylvania are two states with Democratic governors and high transmission rates at currently 20% and 10% respectively, based on a 14-day trend.
___
TRUMP on the toll of COVID-19 in the U.S.: “So as you know 2.2 million people, modeled out, were expected to die.”
THE FACTS: This was his first line in the debate, and it is false. The U.S. death toll from the pandemic was not expected to be that high.
Such an extreme projection was merely a baseline if nothing at all were done to fight the pandemic. Doing nothing was never an option and public-health authorities did not expect over 2 million deaths.
Trump often cites the number to put the reality of more than 220,000 deaths in a better light and to attempt to take credit for reducing projected mortality.
At an April 1 briefing, when Trump and his officials discussed an actual projection of 100,000 to 240,000 deaths, the president held out hope of keeping deaths under 100,000. “I think we’re doing better than that.” He has repeatedly moved the goal posts to make the massive mortality and infection numbers look better.
___
MIGRANTS
TRUMP, speaking about children who were separated from parents at the U.S.-Mexico border: “They are so well taken care of; they’re in facilities that are so clean.”
THE FACTS: Not so.
At the height of the family separations in 2018, Border Patrol facilities were cramped well beyond capacity with migrants who were kept in squalid conditions, according to watchdog reports and the lawyers responsible for a federal settlement that governs how children are cared for in immigration custody. Long-term facilities for adults and children were at capacity, meaning the administration held people in the small border stations for much longer than the 72 hours normally allowed by law.
The stations are hardly meant for long-term care. Children were not provided hot meals and families slept on the floor on top of Mylar blankets. Flu and sickness ran rampant, and hundreds of small children were kept together without adequate care.
___
TRUMP, on immigrants who are released from custody in the U.S. to wait out their cases being allowed to stay: “They say they come back, less than 1% of the people come back. We have to send … Border Patrol out to find them.”
THE FACTS: That’s false. There are far fewer no-shows for immigration hearings among those who are released pending their cases. According to Justice Department Statistics, a majority come back for their hearings.
___
HEALTH CARE
BIDEN: “Not one single person with private insurance would lose their insurance under my plan, nor did they under Obamacare, they did not lose their insurance, unless they chose they wanted to go to something else.”
THE FACTS: He’s wrong about Obamacare.
Then-President Barack Obama promised if you liked your health insurance, you could keep it under his Affordable Care Act, but that’s not what happened for some.
When Obamacare took effect in 2014, several million people lost individual health insurance plans that no longer met minimum standards established by the law. A backlash forced the White House to offer a work-around, but the political damage was done.
Health insurance is such a complicated area that almost any action has the potential for unintended consequences.
___
CLIMATE CHANGE
TRUMP: The Paris accord meant “we were going to have to spend trillions of dollars…. They did a great disservice. They were going to take away our business.”
THE FACTS: The Paris accord, an international agreement that aims to halt the rise in global temperatures, is based on voluntary emission reductions. No nation was forced to do anything.
___
EXTREMISTS
BIDEN: “He says about the Poor Boys, last time we were on a stage here, said — I told them to stand down and stand ready. Come on. This guy has a dog whistle as big as a fog horn.”
THE FACTS: That is not exactly what Trump said and that is not the name of the neo-fascist group.
During the last debate, Trump was asked if he would condemn white supremacist and militia groups that have shown up at some protests in the U.S. He said, “Give me a name” and Biden chimed in by saying, “Proud Boys,” a reference to the far-right extremist group that has shown up at protests in the Pacific Northwest.
“Proud Boys, stand back and stand by,” Trump said. He did not tell them to “stand ready,” though it’s debatable whether there is a material difference.
___
TRUMP’S TAXES
TRUMP on his taxes: “They keep talking about $750, which I think is a filing fee. … Tens of millions of dollars (in income taxes) I prepaid.” On his China bank account: “I was a businessman in 2013 and I closed the account in 2015.”
THE FACTS: Trump is not being honest about his taxes.
Reporting by The New York Times, which obtained his tax records, contradicts his claims.
The IRS does not charge taxpayers a filing fee, though tax preparation services do. The $750 that Trump paid in 2016 and 2017 in the income taxes was to the federal government, not a tax preparation service.
It’s not clear what Trump is talking about with regard to prepaying his taxes, but what matters is what he ultimately owed the government. Americans often have their income tax payments deducted from their paychecks. The Times reported that Trump, starting in 2010, claimed and received an income tax refund that totaled $72.9 million, which was at the core of an ongoing audit by the IRS. The Times said a ruling against Trump could cost him $100 million or more.
Nor did Trump close his Chinese bank account, according to Alan Garten, a lawyer for Trump’s company. He told the Times that the account remains open, though the company’s office in China has been inactive since 2015.
___
HUNTER BIDEN
TRUMP: “Joe got $3.5 (million) from Russia. And it came through Putin because he was very friendly with the former mayor of Moscow, and it was the the mayor of Moscow’s wife. … Your family got $3.5 million. Someday you’re going to have to explain why.”
THE FACTS: There is no evidence of this. Trump is falsely characterizing a recent report by Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, who investigated Biden’s son, Hunter, and his business dealings in Ukraine.
The report did not allege that Joe Biden himself got $3.5 million or that Russia President Vladimir Putin had anything to do with such a payment. Nor does the report allege that Hunter Biden pocketed the money himself. The report said the sum went instead to an investment firm he co-founded. Hunter Biden’s lawyer has said in a statement to reporters that his client had no interest in and was not a founder of the firm.
___
Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Eric Tucker, Josh Boak, Stephen Braun, Michael Balsamo, Amanda Seitz and David Klepper contributed to this report.
___
EDITOR’S NOTE - A look at the veracity of claims by political figures.
___
Find AP Fact Checks at http://apnews.com/APFactCheck
Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Hunter Biden, Joe Biden like 'vacuum cleaner' sucking up money, Donald Trump says

President Trump said Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden ’ s family members are like a “ vacuum cleaner ” sucking up money with high-flying overseas business dealings .
“ He is the vice president of the United States and his son , his brother , and his other brother are getting rich , ” Mr. Trump said at the second presidential debate in Nashville , Tennessee .
“ They ’ re like a vacuum cleaner .
They ’ re sucking up money every place he goes.
” Mr. Trump tried to press the issue on Mr. Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business dealings in countries such as Ukraine and China — some of which took place while his father was vice president .
Mr. Biden denied that there was anything untoward going on or that his son cashed in via Chinese money .
“ There ’ s a reason why he ’ s bringing up all this malarkey — he doesn ’ t want to talk about the substantive issues , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ It ’ s not about his family and my family — it ’ s about your family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ badly .
”

President Trump said Joseph R. Biden’s family members are like a “vacuum cleaner” sucking up money with high-flying overseas business dealings.
“He is the vice president of the United States and his son, his brother, and his other brother are getting rich,” Mr. Trump said at the second presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee. “They’re like a vacuum cleaner. They’re sucking up money every place he goes.”
Mr. Trump tried to press the issue on Hunter Biden, Mr. Biden’s son, and Hunter’s overseas business dealings in countries like Ukraine and China - some of which took place while his father was vice president.
Mr. Biden denied that there was anything untoward going on or that his son cashed in via Chinese money.
“There’s a reason why he’s bringing up all this malarkey - he doesn’t want to talk about the substantive issues,” Mr. Biden said. “It’s not about his family and my family - it’s about your family, and your family’s hurting badly.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Trump claims he pre-paid his taxes, disputes New York Times report

President Trump said Thursday he pre-paid his taxes , pushing back against allegations that he barely paid any federal income @ @ @ @ @ to buck pressure from critics to release his tax returns .
During Thursday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ nominee Joseph R. Biden , Mr. Trump announced he pre-paid tens of millions of dollars @ @ @ @ @ against a New York Times report published last month claiming Mr. Trump paid only $ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I don ’ t make money from China , you do .
I @ @ @ @ @ from Ukraine , you do , ” the president said to Mr. Biden , hinting @ @ @ @ @ ’ s son ’ s dealings with foreign countries that have come under scrutiny .
@ @ @ @ @ still say he is under audit and can not release his tax returns — a @ @ @ @ @ first running for president in 2016 .
“ Stop playing around .
You have been @ @ @ @ @ will release your taxes , ” Mr. Biden said .

President Trump said Thursday he pre-paid his taxes, pushing back against allegations that he barely paid any federal income taxes as president and continuing to buck pressure from critics to release his tax returns.
During Thursday’s presidential debate with Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden, Mr. Trump announced he pre-paid tens of millions of dollars in taxes, pushing back against a New York Times report published last month claiming Mr. Trump paid only $750 in taxes from 2016-2017.
“I don’t make money from China, you do. I don’t make money from Ukraine, you do,” the president said to Mr. Biden, hinting at some of Mr. Biden’s son’s dealings with foreign countries that have come under scrutiny.
Mr. Trump said his accountants still say he is under audit and cannot release his tax returns — a claim he has made since first running for president in 2016.
“Stop playing around. You have been saying for four years you will release your taxes,” Mr. Biden said.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Rudy Giuliani 'Russian pawn' for disinformation, Joe Biden says

Joseph R. Biden said Thursday that President Trump ’ s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani is being used as a “ Russian pawn ” to spread disinformation in an effort to influence the outcome of the 2020 presidential election .
Mr. Biden accused Mr. Trump of being soft on Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s attempts to interfere in the U.S. elections and then turned to Mr. Giuliani ’ s role in promoting allegations that the former vice president has lied about what he knew about his son Hunter ’ s lucrative overseas business deals .
“ His own national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rudy Giuliani is being used as a Russian pawn .
He is being fed information that is Russia , that is not true , and then what happens ?
Nothing happens , and then you find out everything that is going on here is about Russia is wanting to make sure that I do not get elected the next president of the United States because they know I know them , and they know me.
” Mr. Biden said he does understand why Mr. Trump has not taken a firmer stand against Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was putting bounties on the heads of American soldiers in Afghanistan .
“ I don ’ t know why he doesn ’ t do it , ” Mr. Biden said .
Mr. Trump countered that Mr. Biden ’ s family has profited off business deals with Russia and that Moscow doesn ’ t want him to win another term .
“ While he was selling pillows and sheets , I sold tank busters to Ukraine , there has been nobody tougher on Russian than Donald Trump , ” he said .
The clash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tennessee .
The showdown offered both major party candidates the chance to leave a lasting impression with a national audience and sway the limited pool of undecided voters .
Mr. Biden has led Mr. Trump in most national and battleground state polls , but the race has tightened in some of those states .

Joseph R. Biden said Thursday that President Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani is being used as a “Russian pawn” to spread disinformation in an effort to influence the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
Mr. Biden accused Mr. Trump of being soft on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attempts to interfere in the U.S. elections and then turned to Mr. Giuliani’s role in promoting allegations that the former vice president has lied about what he knew about his son Hunter’s lucrative overseas business deals.
“His own national security adviser told him that … his buddy Rudy Giuliani is being used as a Russian pawn. He is being fed information that is Russia, that is not true, and then what happens? Nothing happens, and then you find out everything that is going on here is about Russia is wanting to make sure that I do not get elected the next president of the United States because they know I know them, and they know me.”
Mr. Biden said he does understand why Mr. Trump has not taken a firmer stand against Mr. Putin, particularly following reports that he was putting bounties on the heads of American soldiers in Afghanistan.
“I don’t know why he doesn’t do it,” Mr. Biden said.
Mr. Trump countered that Mr. Biden’s family has profited off business deals with Russia and that Moscow doesn’t want him to win another term.
“While he was selling pillows and sheets, I sold tank busters to Ukraine, there has been nobody tougher on Russian than Donald Trump,” he said.
The clash came during the final debate in Nashville, Tennessee. The showdown offered both major party candidates the chance to leave a lasting impression with a national audience and sway the limited pool of undecided voters.
Mr. Biden has led Mr. Trump in most national and battleground state polls, but the race has tightened in some of those states.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Trump says he could beat Biden fundraising totals

President Trump said Thursday that he could match and easily surpass Joseph R. Biden ’ s record-breaking fundraising totals in @ @ @ @ @ really wanted to do so .
“ I could raise so much more money , @ @ @ @ @ the second presidential debate in Nashville , Tennessee .
“ I could blow away your @ @ @ @ @ t believe — we don ’ t need money .
We have plenty of money.
@ @ @ @ @ the one that takes all the money from Wall Street , ” Mr. Trump told @ @ @ @ @ was responding after Mr. Biden cited a report saying members of the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ up in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic about potential threats to the economy @

President Trump said Thursday that he could match and easily surpass Joseph R. Biden’s record-breaking fundraising totals in the 2020 race if he really wanted to do so.
“I could raise so much more money,” the president said at the second presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee. “I could blow away your records like you wouldn’t believe — we don’t need money. We have plenty of money.”
“You’re the one that takes all the money from Wall Street,” Mr. Trump told Mr. Biden.
Mr. Trump was responding after Mr. Biden cited a report saying members of the president’s team gave investors a heads up in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic about potential threats to the economy.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Trump at debate says U.S. learning to live with coronavirus

President Trump said Thursday the coronavirus “ will soon be gone ” but the nation can persevere through a potential next wave of the coronavirus , citing a forthcoming vaccine and declining case-fatality rate .
“ We ’ re rounding the turn , ” he said at the debate in Nashville , Tennessee .
“ It ’ s going away .
“ If you notice , the mortality rate is down , ” Mr. Trump said , adding he saved lives by imposing early travel restrictions .
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden said the president is engaged in happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case count rise to about 60,000 , a high baseline as the country enters cooler months when respiratory diseases tend to proliferate .
“ We ’ re about to go into a dark winter , and he has no clear plan , ” said Mr. Biden , the Democratic nominee .
Mr. Biden said the president needs to form a “ comprehensive plan ” to deal with the pathogen nationwide , including rapid testing and widespread mask use .
Mr. Trump said his opponent is too eager to shut down economies , overreacting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the population at large , including young people — and creating more problems in the process .
He said Democratic governors in Pennsylvania , Michigan and New York have done a poor job of protecting their economies while battling the virus .
“ We ’ re not going to have a country , you can ’ t do this , we can ’ t keep this country closed , ” Mr. Trump said .
Mr. Biden said it ’ s a good thing to reopen but businesses and institutions need resources , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it safely .
He also chafed at Mr. Trump ’ s criticism of blue-state leadership , saying “ all Americans ” are reeling from the virus .
The coronavirus was discovered in Wuhan , China , in December and swiftly spread across the globe .
It has killed 1.1 million people .
The U.S. accounts for 4.25 % of the world ’ s population but nearly a fifth of its recorded deaths , with more than 220,000 .
“ Anyone who is responsible for that many deaths should not remain as president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Biden said .
Mr. Trump emphasized the record pace of vaccine development , with multiple companies in line to request emergency approval before the end of the year .
Federal officials say it may take until mid-2021 to inoculate everyone who wants the shot in the country , though Mr. Trump said it could be done sooner .
The president cited the military ’ s preparedness in delivering the vaccine , although federal officials say the military ’ s role will be in setting up manufacturing while a contractor , McKesson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. can not simply close up while the virus is swirling , criticizing the former vice president for living in his “ basement ” — a frequent swipe he takes at Mr. Biden , who hasn ’ t engaged in as many public campaign events .
The president said the nation is learning how to live with the virus , as is he , who got the virus and recovered a couple of weeks ago .
“ Now they say I ’ m immune , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Biden said people aren ’ t learning to live with the disease , but “ learning to die with it , ” Mr. Biden said .
He spoke in evocative terms about family members who have disappeared from households .

President Trump said Thursday the coronavirus “will soon be gone” but the nation can persevere through a potential next wave of the coronavirus, citing a forthcoming vaccine and declining case-fatality rate.
“We’re rounding the turn,” he said at the debate in Nashville, Tennessee. “It’s going away.
“If you notice, the mortality rate is down,” Mr. Trump said, adding he saved lives by imposing early travel restrictions.
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden said the president is engaged in happy talk as the nation sees its daily case count rise to about 60,000, a high baseline as the country enters cooler months when respiratory diseases tend to proliferate.
“We’re about to go into a dark winter, and he has no clear plan,” said Mr. Biden, the Democratic nominee.
Mr. Biden said the president needs to form a “comprehensive plan” to deal with the pathogen nationwide, including rapid testing and widespread mask use.
Mr. Trump said his opponent is too eager to shut down economies, overreacting to the virus’s impact on the population at large, including young people — and creating more problems in the process. He said Democratic governors in Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York have done a poor job of protecting their economies while battling the virus.
“We’re not going to have a country, you can’t do this, we can’t keep this country closed,” Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Biden said it’s a good thing to reopen but businesses and institutions need resources, such plexiglass dividers and testing, to do it safely. He also chafed at Mr. Trump’s criticism of blue-state leadership, saying “all Americans” are reeling from the virus.
The coronavirus was discovered in Wuhan, China, in December and swiftly spread across the globe. It has killed 1.1 million people.
The U.S. accounts for 4.25% of the world’s population but nearly a fifth of its recorded deaths, with more than 220,000.
“Anyone who is responsible for that many deaths should not remain as president of the United States of America,” Mr. Biden said.
Mr. Trump emphasized the record pace of vaccine development, with multiple companies in line to request emergency approval before the end of the year.
Federal officials say it may take until mid-2021 to inoculate everyone who wants the shot in the country, though Mr. Trump said it could be done sooner.
The president cited the military’s preparedness in delivering the vaccine, although federal officials say the military’s role will be in setting up manufacturing while a contractor, McKesson, works on distribution.
Mr. Trump said the U.S. cannot simply close up while the virus is swirling, criticizing the former vice president for living in his “basement” — a frequent swipe he takes at Mr. Biden, who hasn’t engaged in as many public campaign events.
The president said the nation is learning how to live with the virus, as is he, who got the virus and recovered a couple of weeks ago.
“Now they say I’m immune,” Mr. Trump said. “More and more people are getting better.”
Mr. Biden said people aren’t learning to live with the disease, but “learning to die with it,” Mr. Biden said.
He spoke in evocative terms about family members who have disappeared from households.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--Confederate monument removed from Alabama courthouse

HUNTSVILLE , Ala. ( AP ) - A 115-year-old Confederate monument that was the subject of protests in Alabama this year was removed from outside a county courthouse early Friday .
News outlets reported that a small group of onlookers cheered at the Madison County Courthouse in Huntsville as crews took away the stone memorial , which was topped by the likeness of a soldier , in pieces .
Music blasted during part of the work .
“ I ’ m speechless , literally speechless .
It ’ s an amazing time for our culture and for people of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m able to watch this event happen during this time , ” said Joretha Wright .
Demonstrators sought its removal amid nationwide protests against racial injustice following the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota in May .
City and county officials went back and forth over legal authority to take it down .
Madison County Commissioner JesHenry Malone , in a statement , said the county finally took action after a state commission created in 2017 to protect historic monuments failed to respond in a timely way to the commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The staff of the Madison County Commission executed the plan outlined in my June 2020 resolution for the legal removal of the Confederate Monument , ” he said .
First erected in 1905 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy , the monument is expected to be moved to a cemetery .
It went up at a time when Confederate descendants were trying to portray the South ’ s cause in the Civil War as noble rather than linked to slavery .
It ’ s unclear whether the county will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed in 2017 to discourage the removal of Confederate memorials .

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - A 115-year-old Confederate monument that was the subject of protests in Alabama this year was removed from outside a county courthouse early Friday.
News outlets reported that a small group of onlookers cheered at the Madison County Courthouse in Huntsville as crews took away the stone memorial, which was topped by the likeness of a soldier, in pieces. Music blasted during part of the work.
“I’m speechless, literally speechless. It’s an amazing time for our culture and for people of all colors. I’m excited that I’m able to watch this event happen during this time,” said Joretha Wright.
Demonstrators sought its removal amid nationwide protests against racial injustice following the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota in May. City and county officials went back and forth over legal authority to take it down.
Madison County Commissioner JesHenry Malone, in a statement, said the county finally took action after a state commission created in 2017 to protect historic monuments failed to respond in a timely way to the commission’s request to remove the memorial.
“The staff of the Madison County Commission executed the plan outlined in my June 2020 resolution for the legal removal of the Confederate Monument,” he said.
Hours after its removal, the monument was reassembled at its new home in the Confederate burial section of a city-owned cemetery.
First erected in 1905 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the monument went up at a time when Confederate descendants were trying to portray the South’s cause in the Civil War as noble rather than linked to slavery.
It’s unclear whether the county will have to pay a $25,000 state fine imposed in 2017 to discourage the removal of Confederate memorials.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--Police investigate Providence's 15th homicide of the year

PROVIDENCE , R.I. ( AP ) - Providence police are investigating the city ’ s 15th homicide of the year @ @ @ @ @ on Gallup Street at around 11:45 p.m. Thursday , Lt. Carlos Sical told WPRI-TV .
@ @ @ @ @ Rhode Island Hospital before officers arrived on the scene , and the victim died there @ @ @ @ @ name was not released but police say he is in his 20s .
The investigation @ @ @ @ @ have been announced .
Police are expected to release more information on the shooting on @ @

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A man recording a music video on a Providence street was shot and killed, police said Friday.
The victim shot at about 11:45 p.m. Thursday, identified by police as Dante Mann, 27, was the city’s 15th homicide victim of the year.
Officers reponding to reports of a shooting found that Mann had already been taken to the hospital by friends, where he was pronunced dead.
Mann and several other people were making a music video when a car drove by, a shooter came out and fired several shots at the group, Police Maj. David Lapatin said. It appears members of Mann’s group shot back, he said. It’s unclear if Mann was the intended target.
An hour or two prior to the shooting, there was a fight in the same general area, but police ae still investigating whether they are linked.
Mann’s family told WPRI-TV he was a rapper who went by the name SOS DMann, and was filming a music video in memory of a cousin who was shot and killed in July 2018 on the same street.
No one has been arrested.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--St. Louis police seek man who stole phone from dying woman

ST. LOUIS ( AP ) - Police in St. Louis are looking for a man who stole a cellphone from @ @ @ @ @ dying on a sidewalk outside Anheuser-Bush brewery .
The incident happened Sunday and was captured @ @ @ @ @ said .
The video shows a 64-year-old woman who had been jogging collapse on the @ @ @ @ @ heart attack , police said .
A man in a red van then pulls up @ @ @ @ @ out , grabs her cellphone and speeds away .
The man did not provide any @ @ @ @ @ who appeared to be unconscious on the sidewalk , authorities said .
An ambulance later @ @ @ @ @ to a hospital , where she was pronounced dead .
Police have not released the @ @ @ @ @ the surveillance video showing the theft .

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Police in St. Louis are looking for a man who stole a cellphone from a woman as she lay dying on a sidewalk outside Anheuser-Bush brewery.
The incident happened Sunday and was captured on surveillance video, police said. The video shows a 64-year-old woman who had been jogging collapse on the sidewalk after suffering an apparent heart attack, police said. A man in a red van then pulls up to the woman, hops out, grabs her cellphone and speeds away. The man did not provide any assistance to the woman, who appeared to be unconscious on the sidewalk, authorities said.
An ambulance later arrived and took the woman to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police have not released the woman’s name or the surveillance video showing the theft.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--Pepper spray used at Ithaca police headquarters protest

ITHACA , N.Y. ( AP ) - Police in Ithaca used pepper spray to disperse a crowd of several dozen protesters who had gathered at police headquarters and were banging on walls and writing graffiti , officials said .
The confrontation started at 5 p.m. Thursday when a protester blocked a patrol car as a sergeant was trying to leave the headquarters building to respond to a report of shots fired , the police said in a news release .
After that person was arrested on a charge of obstructing governmental administration , about 30 more protesters converged and began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ windows and doors and writing graffiti on the headquarters building , the department said .
An unlawful assembly was declared , and several more protesters were arrested , the police said .
When the remaining protesters refused to disperse , “ one short burst of pepper spray was directed at the ground , ” the police said .
Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick later tweeted that all of those arrested had been released and the protesters had left the area .
Myrick said city officials would review footage of the confrontation to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve heard loud and clear your concern especially about the use of pepper spray , ” he said .

ITHACA, N.Y. (AP) - Police in Ithaca used pepper spray to disperse a crowd of several dozen protesters who had gathered at police headquarters and were banging on walls and writing graffiti, officials said.
The Ithaca Voice reported that a crowd initially gathered outside police headquarters on Thursday because a protester had been arrested after a press conference held by Rep. Tom Reed, a Republican, outside the Tompkins County Republican Committee Headquarters.
Police said a protester blocked a patrol car at about 5 p.m. as a sergeant was trying to leave the headquarters building to respond to a report of shots fired. After that person was arrested on a charge of obstructing governmental administration, about 30 more protesters converged and began climbing onto the roof, banging on windows and doors and writing graffiti on the headquarters building, the department said in a news release.
An unlawful assembly was declared, and several more protesters were arrested, the police said. When the remaining protesters refused to disperse, “one short burst of pepper spray was directed at the ground,” the police said.
Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick later tweeted that all of those arrested had been released and the protesters had left the area.
Myrick said city officials would review footage of the confrontation to ensure that police tactics were appropriate. “I’ve heard loud and clear your concern especially about the use of pepper spray,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--U.S. Embassy in Turkey issues alert on potential attacks

ISTANBUL ( AP ) - The U.S. Embassy in Turkey issued a security alert Friday , saying it received reports of a possible attack on Americans and other foreigners , and temporarily suspended consular services .
“ The U.S. Mission in Turkey has received credible reports of potential terrorist attacks and kidnappings against U.S. citizens and foreign nationals in Istanbul , including against the U.S. Consulate General , as well as potentially other locations in Turkey , ” the embassy said in a statement .
The embassy in Ankara , Turkey ’ s capital , urged American citizens to exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buildings , shopping malls and other locations where foreigners gather .
It said citizen and visa services would be temporarily suspended at all U.S. consulates in Turkey .
The Islamic State group and an outlawed Kurdish militant group conducted deadly attacks on Turkish soil between 2015 and 2017 .
A far-left group has also previously targeted the U.S. Embassy in Ankara .
A U.S. Embassy spokesperson said : “ The US mission to Turkey issued this notice as a result of our ongoing assessment of security conditions .
The statement speaks for itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Turkish government in ensuring the safety of Americans living in Turkey as well as Turkish citizens who visit our Embassy and Consulates .
”

ISTANBUL (AP) - The U.S. Embassy in Turkey issued a security alert Friday, saying it received reports of a possible attack on Americans and other foreigners, and temporarily suspended consular services.
“The U.S. Mission in Turkey has received credible reports of potential terrorist attacks and kidnappings against U.S. citizens and foreign nationals in Istanbul, including against the U.S. Consulate General, as well as potentially other locations in Turkey,” the embassy said in a statement.
The embassy in Ankara, Turkey’s capital, urged American citizens to exercise caution, including while at large office buildings, shopping malls and other locations where foreigners gather. It said citizen and visa services would be temporarily suspended at all U.S. consulates in Turkey .
The Islamic State group and an outlawed Kurdish militant group conducted deadly attacks on Turkish soil between 2015 and 2017. A far-left group has also previously targeted the U.S. Embassy in Ankara.
A U.S. Embassy spokesperson said: “The US mission to Turkey issued this notice as a result of our ongoing assessment of security conditions. The statement speaks for itself. We are grateful for the support of the Turkish government in ensuring the safety of Americans living in Turkey as well as Turkish citizens who visit our Embassy and Consulates.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--Blaze rips through north Georgia lumber business

CLEVELAND , Ga. ( AP ) - A massive fire that started Thursday at a north Georgia lumber facility could take days to burn itself out .
North Georgia Hardwoods in Cleveland caught fire before dawn Thursday .
The blaze was contained by 7:30 a.m. , Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt told news outlets , but continued to burn through 3 million board feet of lumber and three buildings .
No injuries have been reported .
“ The piles of lumber are still burning , but everything is contained inside what ’ s left of the walls , ” Pruitt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ ll burn for a couple of days because of all the lumber that was in there.
” Pruitt said an employee who lives in an apartment onsite called in the blaze .
A driver who had delivered a load of lumber during the night was asleep in his truck when the blaze spread to his truck and trailer , which were damaged .
White County firefighters and inmate firefighters from the Lee Arrendale women ’ s prison near Alto assisted the Cleveland Fire Department .
Pruitt said investigators wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fire until the site cools down .
The state fire marshal will assist .

CLEVELAND, Ga. (AP) - A massive fire that started Thursday at a north Georgia lumber facility could take days to burn itself out.
North Georgia Hardwoods in Cleveland caught fire before dawn Thursday. The blaze was contained by 7:30 a.m., Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt told news outlets, but continued to burn through 3 million board feet of lumber and three buildings.
No injuries have been reported.
“The piles of lumber are still burning, but everything is contained inside what’s left of the walls,” Pruitt told The Times of Gainesville. “It’ll burn for a couple of days because of all the lumber that was in there.”
Pruitt said an employee who lives in an apartment onsite called in the blaze. A driver who had delivered a load of lumber during the night was asleep in his truck when the blaze spread to his truck and trailer, which were damaged.
White County firefighters and inmate firefighters from the Lee Arrendale women’s prison near Alto assisted the Cleveland Fire Department.
Pruitt said investigators wouldn’t be able to seek the cause of the fire until the site cools down. The state fire marshal will assist.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--Everett council rejects housing plan for homeless students

EVERETT , Wash. ( AP ) - An undeveloped ball field in Everett ’ s Port Gardner neighborhood will remain that way after the city council voted to reject a planned housing development for students and their families .
The Everett City Council voted 4-2 Wednesday to reject a nonprofit ’ s application to amend city land-use designations to allow for multifamily supportive housing , the Herald reported .
The development was to be constructed for Everett School District students and their families experiencing homelessness .
The council ’ s vote effectively ends Housing Hope ’ s proposal for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every opportunity is the right one to accept , ” said council President Judy Tuohy .
“ We absolutely need this type of project for our community and we need to do more for our homeless .
To me , this location is just not the right fit.
” The council heard hours of public comment and received hundreds of letters about the proposal .
Deemed surplus land by Everett School District and passed over by the city for a park , Housing Hope agreed to lease the field for $ 1 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbors vocally opposed the project , citing an inequitable distribution of affordable housing in Everett and complaints about other Housing Hope projects .
Council member Brenda Stonecipher described the decision as heart-wrenching .
“ We have supported affordable housing at all turns in our city , ” she said .
“ There are other interests , there are neighborhoods , people make investments when they purchase a home.
” In favoring the project , Liz Vogeli and Paul Roberts said it was an opportunity to fill a clear need in the community , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra mile .
“ This vote is not about taking away space , but instead it is about creating space , ” Vogeli said .
“ I just think Everett is better than this , ” he said .
“ That decision does not reflect the views of a majority of our citizens.
” Safstrom said Housing Hope will continue discussions with the school district and other public entities to find an alternative path to housing some of the 1,300 students who lack permanent housing in Everett .

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) - An undeveloped ball field in Everett’s Port Gardner neighborhood will remain that way after the city council voted to reject a planned housing development for students and their families.
The Everett City Council voted 4-2 Wednesday to reject a nonprofit’s application to amend city land-use designations to allow for multifamily supportive housing, the Herald reported.
The development was to be constructed for Everett School District students and their families experiencing homelessness. The council’s vote effectively ends Housing Hope’s proposal for an 11-building, 44-unit complex.
“Not every opportunity is the right one to accept,” said council President Judy Tuohy. “We absolutely need this type of project for our community and we need to do more for our homeless. To me, this location is just not the right fit.”
The council heard hours of public comment and received hundreds of letters about the proposal. Deemed surplus land by Everett School District and passed over by the city for a park, Housing Hope agreed to lease the field for $1 per year to build the housing.
Some neighbors vocally opposed the project, citing an inequitable distribution of affordable housing in Everett and complaints about other Housing Hope projects.
Council member Brenda Stonecipher described the decision as heart-wrenching.
“We have supported affordable housing at all turns in our city,” she said. “There are other interests, there are neighborhoods, people make investments when they purchase a home.”
In favoring the project, Liz Vogeli and Paul Roberts said it was an opportunity to fill a clear need in the community, with a developer willing to go the extra mile.
“This vote is not about taking away space, but instead it is about creating space,” Vogeli said.
Housing Hope CEO Fred Safstrom said the council’s decision brought incredible sadness.
“I just think Everett is better than this,” he said. “That decision does not reflect the views of a majority of our citizens.”
Safstrom said Housing Hope will continue discussions with the school district and other public entities to find an alternative path to housing some of the 1,300 students who lack permanent housing in Everett.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--UAB opening clinic for recovered COVID-19 patients

BIRMINGHAM , Ala. ( AP ) - The University of Alabama at Birmingham said it will open a clinic meant @ @ @ @ @ recover from the illness caused by the new coronavirus yet still need care .
While @ @ @ @ @ recovery , doctors have discovered long-term , chronic health conditions arise after some leave the @ @ @ @ @ seeing people with cardiac issues .
We see people with neurology issues , chronic headaches @ @ @ @ @ vocal problems , ” said Dr. Turner Overton .
Located in downtown Birmingham , the @ @ @ @ @ those with PTSD , anxiety and depression once it opens in November , WBRC-TV reported @ @ @ @ @ have tested positive for COVID-19 , and more than 2,840 have died .
While most @ @ @ @ @ coverage symptoms , the illness can be deadly for people with other , serious health @ @

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - The University of Alabama at Birmingham said it will open a clinic meant to help COVID-19 patients who recover from the illness caused by the new coronavirus yet still need care.
While many patients make a complete recovery, doctors have discovered long-term, chronic health conditions arise after some leave the hospital.
“We are seeing people with cardiac issues. We see people with neurology issues, chronic headaches. We see people with vocal problems,” said Dr. Turner Overton.
Located in downtown Birmingham, the UAB clinic will also see those with PTSD, anxiety and depression once it opens in November, WBRC-TV reported.
More than 177,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19, and more than 2,840 have died. While most people suffered only mild or coverage symptoms, the illness can be deadly for people with other, serious health problems.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--Hearing set for woman convicted in stepchildren's deaths

MOBILE , Ala. ( AP ) - An Alabama judge has scheduled a hearing Nov. 17 for a woman who @ @ @ @ @ killing her two stepchildren .
Mobile County Circuit Judge Rick Stout set the date Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ Keaton tried to convince him to hold an entirely new sentencing hearing for the woman @ @ @ @ @ state appellate court earlier this month ordered a hearing just to let Keaton speak for @ @ @ @ @ for leniency based on her good behavior in jail and factors including her blindness and @ @ @ @ @ , was convicted of capital murder in the death of 3-year-old Chase DeBlase and manslaughter @ @ @ @ @ Natalie DeBlase .
Prosecutors say the children were tortured , gagged and choked to death @ @ @ @ @ in remote areas near Citronelle , Alabama and Vancleave , Mississippi .
The children ’ @ @ @ @ @ , also was sentenced to death .

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - An Alabama judge has scheduled a hearing Nov. 17 for a woman who was sentenced to death for killing her two stepchildren.
Mobile County Circuit Judge Rick Stout set the date Wednesday after lawyers for Heather Leavell Keaton tried to convince him to hold an entirely new sentencing hearing for the woman, WPMI-TV reported.
A state appellate court earlier this month ordered a hearing just to let Keaton speak for herself. Her lawyers asked for leniency based on her good behavior in jail and factors including her blindness and COVID-19.
Keaton, 31, was convicted of capital murder in the death of 3-year-old Chase DeBlase and manslaughter in the death of 4-year-old Natalie DeBlase. Prosecutors say the children were tortured, gagged and choked to death. Their bodies were found in remote areas near Citronelle, Alabama and Vancleave, Mississippi.
The children’s father, John DeBlase, also was sentenced to death.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--'Play fighting' death leads to negligent homicide charge

NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) - A grand jury indicted a New Orleans man on charges of negligent homicide and obstruction of justice in the shooting death of an Alabama college student last November , the New Orleans district attorneys office said .
Andrew Gant told police he accidentally shot his friend Jace Scott while they were “ play fighting , ” according to a news release sent Thursday , the day the indictment was handed up .
Gant was then attending Delgado Community College in New Orleans and Scott was a student at Talladega College in Alabama , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made to New Orleans police by Gant and other witnesses , he and Scott were acquaintances who had a history of play fighting that included pointing guns at each other , ” the statement said .
“ They did so twice on this occasion , but Gant said he was startled the second time and accidentally shot Scott in the neck.
” Scott died at the scene , in a business incubator room at Southern University-New Orleans , the news release said .
Prosecutors said Gant could get up to five years in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 40 years for obstruction of justice .
That charge resulted from Gant telling police he had thrown the gun into a body of water , the news release said .
It wasn ’ t immediately known if Gant had an attorney who could comment .

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A grand jury indicted a New Orleans man on charges of negligent homicide and obstruction of justice in the shooting death of an Alabama college student last November, the New Orleans district attorneys office said.
Andrew Gant told police he accidentally shot his friend Jace Scott while they were “play fighting,” according to a news release sent Thursday, the day the indictment was handed up.
Gant was then attending Delgado Community College in New Orleans and Scott was a student at Talladega College in Alabama, according to prosecutors.
“According to statements made to New Orleans police by Gant and other witnesses, he and Scott were acquaintances who had a history of play fighting that included pointing guns at each other,” the statement said. “They did so twice on this occasion, but Gant said he was startled the second time and accidentally shot Scott in the neck.”
Scott died at the scene, in a business incubator room at Southern University-New Orleans, the news release said.
Prosecutors said Gant could get up to five years in prison if convicted of negligent homicide and up to 40 years for obstruction of justice. That charge resulted from Gant telling police he had thrown the gun into a body of water, the news release said.
It wasn’t immediately known if Gant had an attorney who could comment.