washingtontimes--2020-08-06--Tennessee House incumbents secure party nominations

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - Several incumbents running for reelection in their House districts comfortably won their primaries Thursday .
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen will defend his U.S. House seat against a Republican challenger in November after soundly defeating a Democratic primary challenger in Tennessee ’ s 9th Congressional District .
Meanwhile , incumbent Democrat Jim Cooper won his party ’ s primary in Tennessee ’ s 5th Congressional District .
Cooper , a white lawmaker with a reputation as a moderate Democrat , defeated Keeda Haynes , a Black public defender .
Haynes served four years in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has maintained she didn ’ t commit .
Cooper has held his Nashville-area House seat since 2003 .
Before that , he served in the House from 1983 to 1995 .
The 5th District is just one of only two Democratic-held congressional seats in Tennessee .
Thursday ’ s victory assures him the seat , as no Republican is running the November general election .
Cohen , the seven-term incumbent and vocal critic of President Donald Trump , prevailed over former Shelby County Democratic Party chair Corey Strong .
Cohen has won his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the vote or more .
Strong , who is Black , is a U.S. Navy veteran who was vying for an upset .
African American candidate Charlotte Bergmann ran unopposed in the Republican primary .
She has lost three previous general elections to Cohen in the 9th district .
For Republicans , Scott DesJarlais won the primary in Tennessee ’ s 4th Congressional District .
DesJarlais is seeking a sixth term in Congress .
He ’ s a physician from Jasper , has survived cancer and a series of revelations that included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mistress to seek an abortion and once held a gun in his mouth for hours outside his ex-wife ’ s room .
He has since said he opposes abortion rights .
The Republican will face Democrat Christopher Hale in the November general election .
Hale won the Democratic primary against two other challengers .
Over in the 8th District , Erika Stotts Pearson won the Democratic primary .
She will face Republican Rep. David Kustoff , who ran unopposed , in November .
Pearson has worked as a sports agent and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care provider and a logistics company , according to a biography posted on her Facebook page .
In the 2nd District , Renee Hoyos won the Democratic primary .
She ’ ll face Republican Rep. Tim Burchett , who also ran unopposed , in November .
Race results were still being tabulated for the remaining congressional races in Tennessee .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - First-time political candidate Diana Harshbarger emerged victorious Thursday among a crowded field of Republican contenders vying to secure a rare opening for a U.S. House seat in northeastern Tennessee.
Harshbarger, a pharmacist from Kingsport, secured her party’s nomination for the 1st Congressional District against 15 opponents, including longtime state Sen. Rusty Crowe and state Rep. Timothy Hill. Harshbarger poured nearly $1 million of her money into the race to outpace her opponents.
She is vying to replace incumbent U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, who announced earlier this year that he wouldn’t pursue a sixth term.
In November, Harshbarger will face Blair Walsingham, the only Democrat who actively campaigned for the seat after two other candidates dropped out. Walsingham is a U.S. Air Force veteran who has been endorsed by former Democratic presidential hopeful Andrew Yang. The last time a Democrat held the seat was during the Civil War.
Harshbarger has raised eyebrows after campaigning that she supports putting “America first by holding China accountable” for the coronavirus pandemic. Her husband, Bob Harshbarger, was sentenced to four years in federal prison in 2013 for distributing a misbranded Chinese-made drug that was given to kidney dialysis patients.
The Republican has said she had no involvement with her husband’s company at the time. She later took over as the registered agent for his company, American Inhalation Medication Specialists Inc., after he was sentenced. The company dissolved in 2018.
Tennessee’s 1st District has been represented by just eight people - all Republicans - for nearly 100 years. While Tennessee is known for long-serving members in most of its congressional seats, District 1 has the unique distinction of being home to two of Tennessee’s longest-serving House members ever.
B. Carroll Reece held the seat for all but six years from 1921 to 1961; Jimmy Quillen served from 1963 to 1997.
In other races Thursday, Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen soundly defeated former Shelby County Democratic Party chair Corey Strong in the 9th District. Cohen has won his past six general elections by 74% of the vote or more. Strong, who is Black, is a U.S. Navy veteran who was vying for an upset.
African American candidate Charlotte Bergmann ran unopposed in the Republican primary. She has lost three previous general elections to Cohen in the 9th district.
In the 5th District, Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper - a white lawmaker with a reputation as a moderate Democrat - defeated Keeda Haynes, a Black public defender. Haynes served four years in federal prison for a drug-related crime she has maintained she didn’t commit.
Cooper has held his Nashville-area House seat since 2003. Before that, he served in the House from 1983 to 1995.
Scott DesJarlais won the GOP primary in Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District. DesJarlais is seeking a sixth term in Congress. He’s a physician from Jasper, has survived cancer and a series of revelations that included affairs with patients.
DesJarlais also urged a mistress to seek an abortion and once held a gun in his mouth for hours outside his ex-wife’s room. He has since said he opposes abortion rights.
The Republican will face Democrat Christopher Hale in the November general election. Hale won the Democratic primary against two other challengers.
In the 8th District, Erika Stotts Pearson won the Democratic primary. She will face Republican incumbent Rep. David Kustoff, who ran unopposed, in November.
Pearson has worked as a sports agent and an educator. She currently operates a health care provider and a logistics company, according to a biography posted on her Facebook page.
In the 2nd District, Renee Hoyos won the Democratic primary. She’ll face Republican Rep. Tim Burchett, who also ran unopposed, in November.
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Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-08-06--White House eyes executive action on COVID relief as talks stall

White House and Democratic negotiators emerged from their tenth covid-relief negotiation late Thursday still “ very far apart ” on major issues they need for a deal .
Republicans have set Friday up as a new deadline for lawmakers to make significant progress on a larger relief bill , or President Trump will continue to move forward with his plans to use executive action .
“ I think there are a lot of issues we are close to a compromise position on but I think there are a handful of very big issues we ’ re still very far apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters .
“ If we conclude tomorrow that there is not a compromise position on the major issues the president has alternatives.
” “ There would have to be some serious compromises on some big issues tomorrow , ” he added .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said they were “ disappointed ” in how the three-hour meeting went and accused Republicans of demanding “ it has to be mostly in our direction.
” “ We have always said that the Republicans and the president do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And every time we meet with them it is reinforced , ” Mrs. Pelosi , California Democrat , said .
Republicans , meanwhile , levied the same accusation — blaming Democrats for shooting down compromises on unemployment and other benefits .
President Trump said Thursday he ’ s tasked his staff with working on an executive order that would include a payroll tax cut , eviction protections , extensions on boosted unemployment , and flexibility on student loan repayment .
Mr. Schumer countered that going that route would leave millions of Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a good choice at all and they admitted that in the room , ” the New York Democrat argued .
“ So we plead with them : Continue to negotiate .
Realize that you have to do this in a truly bipartisan way , not the way Donald Trump seems to see it , which is it mostly all has to be his way.
” The GOP is split over its own proposal , with more than a dozen Republican senators unhappy with spending even more money as the coronavirus tab reaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re united in saying the Democrats ’ proposal is a partisan wishlist and non-starter .
While there ’ s an overlap in having schools , extended unemployment benefits , direct payments to the public as top priorities , the sticking points are , as always , in the details — who qualifies and how much to spend .
The issue currently at the forefront of the talks is how Congress should address extra unemployment insurance , with 1.2 million new unemployment claims filed last week .
Democrats want a straight extension of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come on top of normal unemployment benefits , while Republicans ‘ initial proposal would have cut that down to $ 200 a week until states can implement a new system that would pay 70 % of a worker ’ s previous wages .
Some Republicans have floated a few other proposals for short-term UI extensions or a scaled-down benefit .

White House and Democratic negotiators emerged from their tenth covid-relief negotiation late Thursday still “very far apart” on major issues they need for a deal.
Republicans have set Friday up as a new deadline for lawmakers to make significant progress on a larger relief bill, or President Trump will continue to move forward with his plans to use executive action.
“I think there are a lot of issues we are close to a compromise position on but I think there are a handful of very big issues we’re still very far apart,” Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin told reporters. “If we conclude tomorrow that there is not a compromise position on the major issues the president has alternatives.”
“There would have to be some serious compromises on some big issues tomorrow,” he added.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said they were “disappointed” in how the three-hour meeting went and accused Republicans of demanding “it has to be mostly in our direction.”
“We have always said that the Republicans and the president do not understand the gravity of the situation. And every time we meet with them it is reinforced,” Mrs. Pelosi, California Democrat, said.
Republicans, meanwhile, levied the same accusation — blaming Democrats for shooting down compromises on unemployment and other benefits.
President Trump said Thursday he’s tasked his staff with working on an executive order that would include a payroll tax cut, eviction protections, extensions on boosted unemployment, and flexibility on student loan repayment.
Mr. Schumer countered that going that route would leave millions of Americans without benefits.
“It’s not a good choice at all and they admitted that in the room,” the New York Democrat argued. “So we plead with them: Continue to negotiate. Realize that you have to do this in a truly bipartisan way, not the way Donald Trump seems to see it, which is it mostly all has to be his way.”
The GOP is split over its own proposal, with more than a dozen Republican senators unhappy with spending even more money as the coronavirus tab reaches nearly $3 trillion — but they’re united in saying the Democrats’ proposal is a partisan wishlist and non-starter.
While there’s an overlap in having schools, extended unemployment benefits, direct payments to the public as top priorities, the sticking points are, as always, in the details — who qualifies and how much to spend.
The issue currently at the forefront of the talks is how Congress should address extra unemployment insurance, with 1.2 million new unemployment claims filed last week.
Democrats want a straight extension of the $600 weekly payments, which come on top of normal unemployment benefits, while Republicans’ initial proposal would have cut that down to $200 a week until states can implement a new system that would pay 70% of a worker’s previous wages. Some Republicans have floated a few other proposals for short-term UI extensions or a scaled-down benefit.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-06--Sturgis motorcycle rally officials dismiss coronavirus spread worries

Officials inside and outside South Dakota are expressing concern about the potential spread of the coronavirus during an annual motorcycle rally that opens Friday in the Black Hills and typically attracts hundreds of thousands of bikers .
But officials in Sturgis , the town of 7,000 residents that has hosted the rally for 80 years , are not quite as worried .
“ I don ’ t know if we ’ re concerned about an outbreak , ” said Sturgis spokeswoman Christina Steele .
“ It ’ s mostly asymptomatic people that could spread this.
” Officials in neighboring states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that attitude , which some have called cavalier and others have attributed to South Dakota ’ s libertarian streak .
“ We are concerned with any large gathering sustained contact of that nature , ” Jan Malcolm , commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health , said at a news conference earlier this week .
“ South Dakota has seen its spikes , as well .
It ’ s not like they ’ re going into an environment that has no risk.
” The coronavirus has not hit South Dakota as hard as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 9,200 infections and 141 deaths , and fewer than 50 people currently are hospitalized .
But positive cases have been climbing over the past two months in neighboring Minnesota , Nebraska and North Dakota .
And the South Dakota Department of Health lists Meade and Pennington counties — home to many of the rally events — as having “ substantial ” community spread of COVID-19 .
In Wyoming , which has had 27 COVID-19-related deaths , officials are recommending that riders should think before hopping on bikes and driving cross-country to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attract about 250,000 bikers — half its usual draw .
“ We recognize this has the potential to be an especially large gathering , ” said Kim Deti , spokeswoman for the Wyoming Department of Health .
“ And we know the larger the gathering , the greater the risk.
” Despite a town survey showing 60 % of residents wanted to cancel this year ’ s rally , the Sturgis City Council voted this summer to go ahead with the event , where motorcyclists spend millions of dollars amid campgrounds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warnings have been muted from the state ’ s leadership .
Gov .
Kristi Noem , a Repulbican , has discouraged mask-wearing in schools and welcomed President Trump to an outdoor rally at Mount Rushmore last month .
She invited riders to the state on during an appearance on Fox News Wednesday evening .
“ We ’ ve been back to normal for over three months here in South Dakota , ” said Ms. Noem .
“ We hope people come [ to Sturgis ] .
” The South Dakota Tourism Department estimates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drew nearly 500,000 people and generates $ 800 million in revenue .
Riders travel from all over the nation , including COVID-19 hotspots like Florida , California , and Texas .
This year ’ s rally will look notably different .
Tribal nations on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the Cheyenne Sioux Reservation — where coronavirus rates have outpaced those in most other counties — have set up checkpoints along major highways into western South Dakota that could slow some riders coming into town .
And the City of Sturgis has cancelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is requiring masks to be provided to all staff on city grounds .
Concert venues have set up hand sanitizer stations and arranged for crowds to maintain distance from stages .
Fears that the virus might be brought into the state persist .
“ The biggest thing if for you to decide whether or not you ’ re safe to go to something like this , ” said Dr. Benjamin Aaker , president of the South Dakota Medical Association .
“ Should I go this year or not ?
Talk to your doctor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Officials inside and outside South Dakota are expressing concern about the potential spread of the coronavirus during an annual motorcycle rally that opens Friday in the Black Hills and typically attracts hundreds of thousands of bikers.
But officials in Sturgis, the town of 7,000 residents that has hosted the rally for 80 years, are not quite as worried.
“I don’t know if we’re concerned about an outbreak,” said Sturgis spokeswoman Christina Steele. “It’s mostly asymptomatic people that could spread this.”
Officials in neighboring states, however, don’t share that attitude, which some have called cavalier and others have attributed to South Dakota’s libertarian streak.
“We are concerned with any large gathering sustained contact of that nature,” Jan Malcolm, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health, said at a news conference earlier this week. “South Dakota has seen its spikes, as well. It’s not like they’re going into an environment that has no risk.”
The coronavirus has not hit South Dakota as hard as other states. The state has had more than 9,200 infections and 141 deaths, and fewer than 50 people currently are hospitalized.
But positive cases have been climbing over the past two months in neighboring Minnesota, Nebraska and North Dakota. And the South Dakota Department of Health lists Meade and Pennington counties — home to many of the rally events — as having “substantial” community spread of COVID-19.
In Wyoming, which has had 27 COVID-19-related deaths, officials are recommending that riders should think before hopping on bikes and driving cross-country to the 10-day rally, which is expected to attract about 250,000 bikers — half its usual draw.
“We recognize this has the potential to be an especially large gathering,” said Kim Deti, spokeswoman for the Wyoming Department of Health. “And we know the larger the gathering, the greater the risk.”
Despite a town survey showing 60% of residents wanted to cancel this year’s rally, the Sturgis City Council voted this summer to go ahead with the event, where motorcyclists spend millions of dollars amid campgrounds, music venues and other attractions.
Health warnings have been muted from the state’s leadership. Gov. Kristi Noem, a Repulbican, has discouraged mask-wearing in schools and welcomed President Trump to an outdoor rally at Mount Rushmore last month. She invited riders to the state on during an appearance on Fox News Wednesday evening.
“We’ve been back to normal for over three months here in South Dakota,” said Ms. Noem. “We hope people come [to Sturgis].”
The South Dakota Tourism Department estimates last year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally drew nearly 500,000 people and generates $800 million in revenue. Riders travel from all over the nation, including COVID-19 hotspots like Florida, California, and Texas.
This year’s rally will look notably different.
Tribal nations on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the Cheyenne Sioux Reservation — where coronavirus rates have outpaced those in most other counties — have set up checkpoints along major highways into western South Dakota that could slow some riders coming into town.
And the City of Sturgis has cancelled its sponsorship of some downtown events and is requiring masks to be provided to all staff on city grounds. Concert venues have set up hand sanitizer stations and arranged for crowds to maintain distance from stages.
Fears that the virus might be brought into the state persist.
“The biggest thing if for you to decide whether or not you’re safe to go to something like this,” said Dr. Benjamin Aaker, president of the South Dakota Medical Association. “Should I go this year or not? Talk to your doctor about whether you can be safe.”
• Christopher Vondracek can be reached at cvondracek@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-06--AP News Guide: A look at Tennessee's Aug. 6 primary races

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - The heated race to become the Republican nominee for an open U.S. Senate seat topped Tennessee ’ s primary election Thursday , as well as contested challenges in a handful of U.S. House and legislative seats .
Here is a summary of those offices on the ballot : Former U.S .
Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty , 60 , endorsed by President Donald Trump , won a contested Republican primary for an open U.S. Senate seat in Tennessee .
The Nashville businessman emerged from a tough challenge from trauma surgeon Manny Sethi to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seat of retiring Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander .
Trump threw his support behind Hagerty , who contended that Sethi wasn ’ t a good enough advocate for Trump during the 2016 election .
Sethi countered by describing himself as a conservative “ outsider ” and criticizing Hagerty as a part of the “ political establishment.
” Memphis environmentalist , Black activist and single mom Marquita Bradshaw won the Democratic primary to face Hagerty in November .
Bradshaw defeated Nashville attorney and former Army helicopter pilot James Mackler , who had been endorsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
Bradshaw is expected to face a challenge , considering Republicans have held both of Tennessee ’ s Senate seats since 1994 .
Sixteen GOP hopefuls are crowding the ballot after U.S. Rep. Phil Roe announced earlier this year that he would retire .
Top candidates include longtime state Sen. Rusty Crowe ; state Reps. Timothy Hill and David Hawk ; and Diana Harshbarger , a pharmacist from Kingsport running for political office for the first time .
Two previous mayors are also running : former Kingsport Mayor John Clark and former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walsingham is the only active candidate campaigning for the seat in the primary .
Walsingham is a U.S. Air Force veteran who has been endorsed by former presidential candidate Andrew Yang .
Renee Hoyos won the Democratic primary in the 2nd Congressional District and will face incumbent Republican Tim Burchett in the fall .
Incumbent Scott DesJarlais won the Republican primary in Tennessee ’ s 4th Congressional District against two opponents .
DesJarlais is seeking a sixth term in Congress and will face Democratic nominee Christopher Hale in the fall .
No active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper , a white lawmaker with a reputation as a moderate Democrat , defeated Keeda Haynes , a Black public defender , in the primary for just one of two Democratic-held congressional seats in Tennessee .
Haynes argued that the Middle Tennessee district should be represented by someone more progressive , while Cooper countered that he has voted overwhelmingly with Democrats during his long political tenure .
Cooper has held his Nashville-area House seat since 2003 .
Before that , he served in the House representing the 4th Congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rawlings also ran in the Democratic primary but raised the least amount of money of the three .
Two-term incumbent David Kustoff is running unopposed in the GOP primary .
Erika Stotts Pearson won the four-person Democratic primary in the Republican-leaning district .
A vocal critic of President Donald Trump , seven-term incumbent Rep. Steve Cohen defeated former Shelby County Democratic Party chair Corey Strong in the primary in the 9th district , which includes majority-black Memphis .
Cohen , who is white , has won his past six general elections by 74 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strong , who is Black , is a U.S. Navy veteran who was vying for an upset .
Charlotte Bergmann ran unopposed on the Republican side .
She has lost three previous general elections to Cohen in the 9th district .
In the GOP supermajority General Assembly , all 99 state House seats and about half of the 33 Senate seats are on the ballot .
Moderate Republican Sen. Steve Dickerson of Nashville will find out which Democrat he will face in November : Kimi Abernathy , who has an educational counseling practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two former state commissioners are facing off for the Republican nomination for retiring GOP Sen. Dolores Gresham ’ s seat : Jai Templeton , who led the Department of Agriculture , and Page Walley , who headed the Department of Children ’ s Services .
One Democrat is unopposed .
In the state House , there are contested GOP primaries for the seats of Republican Reps. Timothy Hill , Bill Dunn , Martin Daniel , Jim Coley and Andy Holt , who are all leaving at the end of the term .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic contest .
Additionally , there ’ s a contested Democratic primary for the seat of Rep. John DeBerry , who was kicked off the Democratic ballot but has indicated he wants to run as an independent .
The House also includes more than a dozen contested primaries for sitting Republican lawmakers and nine for Democratic incumbents .
One is Republican Rep. David Byrd , who has faced allegations by three women of sexual misconduct that stem from three decades ago when he was a high school teacher and their basketball coach .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cruised to reelection in 2018 after the sexual misconduct allegations were made public earlier that year in his conservative-tilted district .
Byrd has not outright denied the allegations , though he has said he ’ s sorry if he hurt or emotionally upset any of his students .
He was never charged .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The heated race to become the Republican nominee for an open U.S. Senate seat topped Tennessee’s primary election Thursday, as well as contested challenges in a handful of U.S. House and legislative seats. Here is a summary of those offices on the ballot:
U.S. Senate
Republicans
Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty endorsed by President Donald Trump, won a contested Republican primary for an open U.S. Senate seat in Tennessee. The Nashville businessman emerged from a tough challenge from trauma surgeon Manny Sethi to clinch his party’s nomination for the seat of retiring Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander. Trump threw his support behind Hagerty, who contended that Sethi wasn’t a good enough advocate for Trump during the 2016 election. Sethi countered by describing himself as a conservative “outsider” and criticizing Hagerty as a part of the “political establishment.”
Democrats
Memphis environmentalist, Black activist and single mom Marquita Bradshaw won the Democratic primary to face Hagerty in November. Bradshaw defeated Nashville attorney and former Army helicopter pilot James Mackler, who had been endorsed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and others. Bradshaw is expected to face a challenge, considering Republicans have held both of Tennessee’s Senate seats since 1994.
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1st Congressional District
Republicans
Kingsport pharmacist Diana Harshbarger, running for political office for the first time, emerged from a field of 16 GOP hopefuls seeking to succeed U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, who announced earlier this year he would retire. Among the candidates she defeated were longtime state Sen. Rusty Crowe, state Reps. Timothy Hill and David Hawk, former Kingsport Mayor John Clark and former Johnson City Mayor Steve Darden.
Democrats
Blair Walsingham was the only active candidate campaigning for the seat in the primary and won the Democratic nomination Thursday. Walsingham is a U.S. Air Force veteran who has been endorsed by former presidential candidate Andrew Yang.
___
2nd Congressional District
Renee Hoyos won the Democratic primary in the 2nd Congressional District and will face incumbent Republican Tim Burchett in the fall.
___
4th Congressional District
Incumbent Scott DesJarlais won the Republican primary in Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District against two opponents. DesJarlais is seeking a sixth term in Congress and will face Democratic nominee Christopher Hale in November.
DesJarlais, a physician from Jasper, has survived cancer and a series of revelations that included affairs with patients. DesJarlais also urged a mistress to seek an abortion and once held a gun in his mouth for hours outside his ex-wife’s room. He has since said he opposes abortion rights.
___
5th Congressional District
Republicans
No active Republicans ran for this seat.
Democrats
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, a white lawmaker with a reputation as a moderate Democrat, defeated Keeda Haynes, a Black public defender, in the primary for just one of two Democratic-held congressional seats in Tennessee. Haynes argued that the Middle Tennessee district should be represented by someone more progressive, while Cooper countered that he has voted overwhelmingly with Democrats during his long political tenure. Cooper has held his Nashville-area House seat since 2003. Before that, he served in the House representing the 4th Congressional District from 1983 to 1995. Joshua Rawlings also ran in the Democratic primary but raised the least amount of money of the three.
___
8th Congressional District
Republicans
Two-term incumbent David Kustoff ran unopposed in the GOP primary.
Democrats
Erika Stotts Pearson won the four-person Democratic primary in the Republican-leaning district.
___
9th Congressional District
Democrats
A vocal critic of President Donald Trump, seven-term incumbent Rep. Steve Cohen defeated former Shelby County Democratic Party chair Corey Strong in the primary in the 9th District, which includes majority-Black Memphis. Cohen, who is white, has won his past six general elections by 74% of the vote or more. Strong, who is Black, is a U.S. Navy veteran who was vying for an upset.
Republicans
Charlotte Bergmann ran unopposed on the Republican side. She has lost three previous general elections to Cohen in the 9th district.
___
Statehouse
In the GOP supermajority General Assembly, all 99 state House seats and about half of the 33 Senate seats were on the ballot.
Three Republican House members were ousted by challengers: Reps. Micah Van Huss, Matthew Hill and Rick Tillis.
Republican Sens. John Stevens, Paul Rose and Bill Powers, and Democrat Sen. Sara Kyle each survived primary contests.
In a Nashville-centered Senate seat, Kimi Abernathy, who has an educational counseling practice, appeared poised to win before a batch of absentee votes was counted overnight, but Oak Hill Mayor Heidi Campbell took a close lead in the Democratic primary to face moderate Republican Sen. Steve Dickerson in November.
Page Walley, who headed the Department of Children’s Services, won the battle of former state commissioners in the GOP primary over ex-Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton in the race for retiring GOP Sen. Dolores Gresham’s seat. One Democrat was unopposed.
In the state House, candidates battled it out in GOP primaries for the seats of Republican Reps. Timothy Hill, Bill Dunn, Martin Daniel, Jim Coley and Andy Holt, who are all leaving at the end of the term. Coley’s seat also featured a Democratic contest. Additionally, there was a contested Democratic primary for the seat of Rep. John DeBerry, who was kicked off the Democratic ballot but has indicated he wants to run as an independent.
The House also included more than a dozen contested primaries for sitting Republican lawmakers and nine for Democratic incumbents. One is Republican Rep. David Byrd, who has faced allegations by three women of sexual misconduct that stem from three decades ago when he was a high school teacher and their basketball coach. He defeated two Republican challengers Thursday.
Byrd cruised to reelection in 2018 after the sexual misconduct allegations were made public earlier that year in his conservative-tilted district.
Byrd has not outright denied the allegations, though he has said he’s sorry if he hurt or emotionally upset any of his students. He was never charged.


washingtontimes--2020-08-06--Ex-death row inmate's rape, murder conviction overturned

HARTFORD , Conn. ( AP ) - A former death-row inmate ’ s conviction in the rape and killing of a woman in Connecticut was overturned by the state Supreme Court , which ruled his rights were violated when he made admissions to a fellow prisoner .
In a decision released Thursday afternoon , the Connecticut Supreme Court overturned the conviction of Lazale Ashby , now 35 , for the Dec. 2 , 2002 rape , kidnapping and killing of Elizabeth Garcia in Hartford , the Hartford Courant reported .
The court found that Ashby was entitled to representation by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmate , Kenneth Pladsen , because Pladsen had previously communicated with authorities about getting Ashby to incriminate himself .
The finding overruled Judge Carmen Espinosa , who had concluded during the trial that Pladsen acted on his own and not at the direction of now-retired Hartford police Det .
Andrew Weaver , with whom he had previously conversed , when he coaxed Ashby into incriminating himself .
Ashby was previously sentenced to death after being convicted of multiple crimes .
His sentence was later changed to life without the possibility of release , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court abolished the state ’ s death penalty in 2015 .
Ashby is also serving a 25-year sentence in another case - for murder in the fatal shooting of Nahshon Cohen , 22 , on Sept. 1 , 2003 .
Prosecutor John Fahey told the Courant on Thursday that the state will try Ashby again for the rape , kidnapping and killing of Garcia .
“ The state has every intention of retrying Mr. Ashby in accordance with the Supreme Court ’ s decision , ” he said .

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A former death-row inmate’s conviction in the rape and killing of a woman in Connecticut was overturned by the state Supreme Court, which ruled his rights were violated when he made admissions to a fellow prisoner.
In a decision released Thursday afternoon, the Connecticut Supreme Court overturned the conviction of Lazale Ashby, now 35, for the Dec. 2, 2002 rape, kidnapping and killing of Elizabeth Garcia in Hartford, the Hartford Courant reported.
Prosecutors plan to retry Ashby.
The court found that Ashby was entitled to representation by a lawyer when speaking with the other inmate, Kenneth Pladsen, because Pladsen had previously communicated with authorities about getting Ashby to incriminate himself.
The finding overruled Judge Carmen Espinosa, who had concluded during the trial that Pladsen acted on his own and not at the direction of now-retired Hartford police Det. Andrew Weaver, with whom he had previously conversed, when he coaxed Ashby into incriminating himself.
Ashby was previously sentenced to death after being convicted of multiple crimes. His sentence was later changed to life without the possibility of release, plus 125 years, after the Supreme Court abolished the state’s death penalty in 2015.
Ashby is also serving a 25-year sentence in another case - for murder in the fatal shooting of Nahshon Cohen, 22, on Sept. 1, 2003.
Prosecutor John Fahey told the Courant on Thursday that the state will try Ashby again for the rape, kidnapping and killing of Garcia.
“The state has every intention of retrying Mr. Ashby in accordance with the Supreme Court’s decision,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-06--Man charged in slaying of Fort Hood soldier

HARKER HEIGHTS , Texas ( AP ) - A Central Texas man has been charged with murder in the slaying @ @ @ @ @ whose body was found beside a road four miles from where his burned sport utility @ @ @ @ @ Michael Olivares , 28 , of Killeen , was already booked into the Bell County @ @ @ @ @ unrelated charge when he was charged Wednesday with murdering Pfc .
Brandon Rosecrans .
His @ @ @ @ @ 1 million , and jail records do not list an attorney for the man .
@ @ @ @ @ and Rosecrans were riding in Rosecran ’ s SUV when Olivares shot the soldier and @ @ @ @ @ secluded road near Stillhouse Hollow Lake in Harker Heights , about 11 miles from Fort @ @ @ @ @ found burning about four miles away .
Court records do not list a motive for @ @ @

HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas (AP) - A Central Texas man has been charged with murder in the slaying of a Fort Hood soldier whose body was found beside a road four miles from where his burned sport utility vehicle was found.
Brandon Michael Olivares, 28, of Killeen, was already booked into the Bell County Jail in Belton on an unrelated charge when he was charged Wednesday with murdering Pfc. Brandon Rosecrans. His bond is set at $1 million, and jail records do not list an attorney for the man.
A police affidavit says he and Rosecrans were riding in Rosecran’s SUV when Olivares shot the soldier and left his body beside a secluded road near Stillhouse Hollow Lake in Harker Heights, about 11 miles from Fort Hood. His SUV was found burning about four miles away.
Court records do not list a motive for the slaying.


washingtontimes--2020-08-06--Portland mayor unleashes police on violent demonstrations

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler , who for weeks had blamed President Trump for fueling riots in his Oregon city , on Thursday acknowledged that the violence has continued even after the federal presence was curtailed , and told peaceful protesters to stay home .
Mr. Wheeler , who is also the city ’ s police commissioner , said he ’ s authorized officers to “ do whatever is necessary ” to gain control after another night of rioting against officers .
And he used a base political appeal to try to get the riots to stop , saying they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don ’ t think for a moment that if you are participating in this activity that you are not being a prop for the re-election campaign for Donald Trump , because because you absolutely are , ” he said in a press conference conducted online .
“ You are creating the b-roll film that will be used in ads nationally to help Donald Trump during his campaign .
You don ’ t want to be part of that , then don ’ t show up.
” Police say a crowd barricaded and tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers still inside it Wednesday night .
Protesters also aimed green lasers at officers , threw shot put-sized rocks at them , and fired commercial grade fireworks at them .
At one point a demonstrator attempted to run over officers using a truck , police said .
A riot was declared and police used tear gas to clear the scene .
“ The attack was immediate , it was intentional , and it was planned .
It was intended to cause serious injury or death , and it very well could have , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference .
He and other local officials had insisted things would calm down once Homeland Security curtailed its presence at the federal courthouse downtown , giving the lead over to state police .
That transition happened a week ago , and the downtown area , while still the scene of large marches , has been much quieter .
But the violence has now shifted to target local police .
Mr. Wheeler said trying to burn the precinct with officers inside it was attempted murder .
The Oregonian newspaper reported that the fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though it did char a board near the precinct entrance .
Mr. Wheeler said the use of tear gas to disperse the crowd was the right call .
He said he anticipated more “ attacks ” in coming days , and warned peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters that they ’ re being sullied by the violence .
“ If you do not view yourself as wanting to be associated with , or be part of the kind of criminal activity we saw last night , I would ask you not to show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , say something , ” he said .
That warning was akin to the statements by federal officials , who have said they respect the rights of peaceful protesters but are compelled to take action against violent mobs .
Mr. Wheeler said the violence has become a distraction from real work he said the BLM movement is about .

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, who for weeks had blamed President Trump for fueling riots in his Oregon city, on Thursday acknowledged that the violence has continued even after the federal presence was curtailed, and told peaceful protesters to stay home.
Mr. Wheeler, who is also the city’s police commissioner, said he’s authorized officers to “do whatever is necessary” to gain control after another night of rioting against officers.
And he used a base political appeal to try to get the riots to stop, saying they’re inadvertently helping Mr. Trump.
“Don’t think for a moment that if you are participating in this activity that you are not being a prop for the reelection campaign for Donald Trump, because you absolutely are,” he said in a press conference conducted online. “You are creating the b-roll film that will be used in ads nationally to help Donald Trump during his campaign. You don’t want to be part of that, then don’t show up.”
Police say a crowd barricaded and tried to set fire to a precinct with officers still inside it Wednesday night. Protesters also aimed green lasers at officers, threw shot put-sized rocks at them and fired commercial grade fireworks at them. At one point a demonstrator attempted to run over officers using a truck, police said.
A riot was declared and police used tear gas to clear the scene.
“The attack was immediate, it was intentional, and it was planned. It was intended to cause serious injury or death, and it very well could have,” Mr. Wheeler said in a Zoom press conference.
He and other local officials had insisted things would calm down once Homeland Security curtailed its presence at the federal courthouse downtown, giving the lead over to state police.
That transition happened a week ago, and the downtown area, while still the scene of large marches, has been much quieter. But the violence has now shifted to target local police.
Mr. Wheeler said trying to burn the precinct with officers inside it was attempted murder.
The Oregonian newspaper reported that the fire was contained in a metal garbage can, though it did char a board near the precinct entrance.
Mr. Wheeler said the use of tear gas to disperse the crowd was the right call.
He said he anticipated more “attacks” in coming days and warned peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters that they’re being sullied by the violence.
“If you do not view yourself as wanting to be associated with, or be part of the kind of criminal activity we saw last night, I would ask you not to show up. And if you do show up, say something,” he said.
That warning was akin to the statements by federal officials, who have said they respect the rights of peaceful protesters but are compelled to take action against violent mobs.
Mr. Wheeler said the violence has become a distraction from real work he said the BLM movement is about.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-06--So far, so good for Caribbean Premier League COVID-19 tests

PORT OF SPAIN , Trinidad ( AP ) - The Caribbean Premier League says its players , officials and administrators have arrived in Trinidad and Tobago and that 162 people who traveled into the country have tested negative for COVID-19 .
The CPL said the teams will now be kept in quarantine in the official hotel for 14 days and undergo regular testing .
If anyone from in the group is found to have contracted the coronavirus they will be removed from the hotel and placed in further isolation .
“ It has been a colossal effort by all involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tobago , ” tournament operations director Michael Hall said in a statement .
“ Our main priority is the health and well-being of all those involved in CPL and the wider population in the host country , to have got through this first step without any cases is encouraging news , but we will remain vigilant.
” Players , coaches and support staff have traveled to the Caribbean from all parts of the cricket world .
The West Indies team lost a three-test series in England last month , the first international cricket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shuttered globally .
The Caribbean players had to spend time in quarantine in Britain before the series started , and had to remain inside so-called bio-secure bubbles at match venues .
The Twenty20 tournament begins Aug. 18 , and 33 games will be played at two venues in Trinidad .
The first match has last year ’ s runners-up , the Guyana Amazon Warriors , playing the Trinbago Knight Riders .
The final will take place on Sept. 10 .
Barbados Tridents are the defending champions .
The other teams are St. Kitts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jamaica Tallawahs .

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) - The Caribbean Premier League says its players, officials and administrators have arrived in Trinidad and Tobago and that 162 people who traveled into the country have tested negative for COVID-19.
The CPL said the teams will now be kept in quarantine in the official hotel for 14 days and undergo regular testing. If anyone from in the group is found to have contracted the coronavirus they will be removed from the hotel and placed in further isolation.
“It has been a colossal effort by all involved to get everyone safely into Trinidad and Tobago,” tournament operations director Michael Hall said in a statement. “Our main priority is the health and well-being of all those involved in CPL and the wider population in the host country, to have got through this first step without any cases is encouraging news, but we will remain vigilant.”
Players, coaches and support staff have traveled to the Caribbean from all parts of the cricket world.
The West Indies team lost a three-test series in England last month, the first international cricket to be played after the sport was shuttered globally. The Caribbean players had to spend time in quarantine in Britain before the series started, and had to remain inside so-called bio-secure bubbles at match venues.
The Twenty20 tournament begins Aug. 18, and 33 games will be played at two venues in Trinidad. The first match has last year’s runners-up, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, playing the Trinbago Knight Riders. The final will take place on Sept. 10.
Barbados Tridents are the defending champions. The other teams are St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Zouks and Jamaica Tallawahs.
___
More AP cricket: https://apnews.com/Cricket and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-08-06--Illinois extends unemployment benefits another 20 weeks

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Thursday it has extended jobless benefits @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s unemployment numbers continue to soar because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The @ @ @ @ @ extension was available starting Thursday to people who have received 26 weeks of benefits .
@ @ @ @ @ among 19 states providing 20 weeks of extended benefits .
According to the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ people filed for unemployment benefits for the first time in the week ending Aug. 1 @ @ @ @ @ the more than 33,000 who filed the week before .
Last week , millions of @ @ @ @ @ 600 a week in federal unemployment benefits .
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are struggling to @ @ @ @ @ would restore some federal jobless aid .
Even if they do reach a deal , @ @ @ @ @ be less than $ 600 .

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Thursday it has extended jobless benefits another 20 weeks as the state’s unemployment numbers continue to soar because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Employment Security Department announced the extension was available starting Thursday to people who have received 26 weeks of benefits. The agency said Illinois is among 19 states providing 20 weeks of extended benefits.
According to the state’s latest figures, 25,000 people filed for unemployment benefits for the first time in the week ending Aug. 1. That is down from the more than 33,000 who filed the week before.
Last week, millions of Americans lost the extra $600 a week in federal unemployment benefits. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are struggling to work out an agreement that would restore some federal jobless aid. Even if they do reach a deal, the amount is likely to be less than $600.


washingtontimes--2020-08-06--California man held in 1996 rape-killing at retirement home

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - A man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of raping and killing a woman at @ @ @ @ @ 24 years ago , authorities said .
DNA linked David Adolph Bernal , 46 , @ @ @ @ @ death of Mary Lindgren , the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department said in @ @ @ @ @ ’ t immediately clear whether Bernal had an attorney to speak on his behalf .
@ @ @ @ @ beaten , raped and killed in her bedroom at the Covina Villa Retirement Home on @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
Last year , a profile of DNA evidence from the crime scene @ @ @ @ @ Department of Justice and a match was found to Bernal in July , authorities said @

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of raping and killing a woman at a Southern California retirement home 24 years ago, authorities said.
DNA linked David Adolph Bernal, 46, of El Monte to the death of Mary Lindgren, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether Bernal had an attorney to speak on his behalf.
Lindgren, 67, was beaten, raped and killed in her bedroom at the Covina Villa Retirement Home on Jan. 19, 1996, authorities said.
Last year, a profile of DNA evidence from the crime scene was sent to the state Department of Justice and a match was found to Bernal in July, authorities said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-07--5 charged in brazen shooting outside Connecticut courthouse

BRIDGEPORT , Conn. ( AP ) - Five gang members have been indicted in a brazen midday shooting outside a Connecticut courthouse that injured four rival gang members earlier this year , the U.S. attorney ’ s office announced .
Four of the men were arrested Thursday and the fifth was already in state custody on unrelated charges , U.S. Attorney John Durham said .
All five were charged with attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon .
The victims were sitting in a Chevrolet Impala outside Bridgeport Superior Court on Golden Hill Street just after noon on Jan. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened fire .
According to the indictment , 23 bullets struck the car .
One victim , Trevon Wright , was shot in the side of his chest and has been left paralyzed .
The indictment alleges that Marquis Israel , 24 ; Asante Gaines , 23 ; Destine Calderon , 25 ; Diomie Blackwell , 23 ; and Laheem Jones , 25 , were members of the “ Greene Home Boys ” gang , also called the “ Hots , ” and were targeting rival gang members during a series of retaliatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t available .
FBI Special Agent in Charge Sundberg said the arrests resulted from around-the-clock investigative work by city , state and federal law enforcers “ despite the ongoing challenges in our communities.
” He added , “ The alleged brazen violent acts by these individuals showed their blatant disregard for life of innocent people entering and exiting the courthouse .
”

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) - Five gang members have been indicted in a brazen midday shooting outside a Connecticut courthouse that injured four rival gang members earlier this year, the U.S. attorney’s office announced.
Four of the men were arrested Thursday and the fifth was already in state custody on unrelated charges, U.S. Attorney John Durham said. All five were charged with attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon.
The victims were sitting in a Chevrolet Impala outside Bridgeport Superior Court on Golden Hill Street just after noon on Jan. 27 when someone in a passing SUV opened fire. According to the indictment, 23 bullets struck the car. One victim, Trevon Wright, was shot in the side of his chest and has been left paralyzed.
The indictment alleges that Marquis Israel, 24; Asante Gaines, 23; Destine Calderon, 25; Diomie Blackwell, 23; and Laheem Jones, 25, were members of the “Greene Home Boys” gang, also called the “Hots,” and were targeting rival gang members during a series of retaliatory shootings. Information on their attorneys wasn’t available.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Sundberg said the arrests resulted from around-the-clock investigative work by city, state and federal law enforcers “despite the ongoing challenges in our communities.” He added, “The alleged brazen violent acts by these individuals showed their blatant disregard for life of innocent people entering and exiting the courthouse.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-07--Turkish president slams Egypt-Greece deal, drilling resumes

ISTANBUL ( AP ) - Turkey ’ s president has called a maritime deal between Greece and Egypt “ worthless , ” saying Turkey will resume oil and gas exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean .
Egypt and Greece on Thursday signed a maritime deal that sets the sea boundary between the two countries and demarcates an exclusive economic zone for oil and gas drilling rights .
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , speaking after Friday prayers in the recently reconverted Hagia Sophia mosque , said the deal was a response to Turkey ’ s maritime agreement with Libya ’ s Tripoli-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
That deal spiked tensions in the East Mediterranean region and was dismissed by Egypt , Cyprus and Greece as an infringement on their economic rights in the oil-rich sea .
Erdogan also said Turkey had paused research in disputed waters with Greece after a request from German Chancellor Angela Merkel .
“ I told ( Merkel ) we ’ ll pause drilling for three to four weeks if you trust Greece and the others … but I don ’ t trust them and you will see , ” Erdogan said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deal between Greece and Egypt .
“ We have immediately resumed exploration activities , ” Erdogan said and appointed Turkish research vessel Barbaros Hayreddin , which is sailing off the western coast of Cyprus .
Turkey has accused Greece of trying to exclude it from the benefits of oil and gas finds in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean , arguing that sea boundaries for commercial exploitation should be divided between the Greek and Turkish mainlands and not include the Greek islands on an equal basis .
Athens counters that Turkey ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .

ISTANBUL (AP) - Turkey’s president has called a maritime deal between Greece and Egypt “worthless,” saying Turkey will resume oil and gas exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Egypt and Greece on Thursday signed a maritime deal that sets the sea boundary between the two countries and demarcates an exclusive economic zone for oil and gas drilling rights.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking after Friday prayers in the recently reconverted Hagia Sophia mosque, said the deal was a response to Turkey’s maritime agreement with Libya’s Tripoli-based government last year and vowed to continue it.
That deal spiked tensions in the East Mediterranean region and was dismissed by Egypt, Cyprus and Greece as an infringement on their economic rights in the oil-rich sea.
Erdogan also said Turkey had paused research in disputed waters with Greece after a request from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “I told (Merkel) we’ll pause drilling for three to four weeks if you trust Greece and the others … but I don’t trust them and you will see,” Erdogan said.
But that appears to have ended with the deal between Greece and Egypt.
“We have immediately resumed exploration activities,” Erdogan said and appointed Turkish research vessel Barbaros Hayreddin, which is sailing off the western coast of Cyprus.
Turkey has accused Greece of trying to exclude it from the benefits of oil and gas finds in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, arguing that sea boundaries for commercial exploitation should be divided between the Greek and Turkish mainlands and not include the Greek islands on an equal basis.
Athens counters that Turkey’s position is a violation of international law.


washingtontimes--2020-08-07--Man charged with breaking in to Jewish temple

WORCESTER , Mass .
( AP ) - A Massachusetts man is facing charges for allegedly breaking into a Jewish temple , then returning to try and break in again , police said .
Kyle Wood , 28 , of Leicester , was arrested Thursday and charged with breaking and entering and vandalism , Worcester police said in a statement .
Officers reponded to Temple Emanuel Sinai in Worcester on Wednesday for a report of a past break-in and found a broken window and some damage to the temple , police said .
On Thursday morning , police reponded to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report of a man screaming at parents and children at a camp dropoff line .
The man was kicking the Star of David and appeared to be “ threatening and out of control , ” police said .
He also pulled a lawn sign out of the grass and threw it down .
He left before police arrived , but a short time later police received another report of a man breaking into the temple .
Officers responded and arrested Wood , police said .
Police did not say when Wood would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has an attorney .

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - A Massachusetts man is facing charges for allegedly breaking into a Jewish temple, then returning to try and break in again, police said.
Kyle Wood, 28, of Leicester, was arrested Thursday and charged with breaking and entering and vandalism, Worcester police said in a statement.
Officers reponded to Temple Emanuel Sinai in Worcester on Wednesday for a report of a past break-in and found a broken window and some damage to the temple, police said.
On Thursday morning, police reponded to the nearby Jewish Community Center for a report of a man screaming at parents and children at a camp dropoff line. The man was kicking the Star of David and appeared to be “threatening and out of control,” police said. He also pulled a lawn sign out of the grass and threw it down.
He left before police arrived, but a short time later police received another report of a man breaking into the temple. Officers responded and arrested Wood, police said.
Police did not say when Wood would be arraigned. It was not clear if he has an attorney.


washingtontimes--2020-08-07--Man critically injured when explosion rocks Iowa house

CEDAR RAPIDS , Iowa ( AP ) - A man has suffered life-threatening injuries in an explosion at a home @ @ @ @ @ city limits , authorities their said .
The explosion occurred around 2 p.m. Thursday as @ @ @ @ @ of Marion , was working on the property , the Linn County Sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ severe burns from the blast and was taken by a medical helicopter from the scene @ @ @ @ @ Iowa City hospital , officials said .
Thomas was the only person on the property @ @ @ @ @ explosion , and the only person injured in the explosion , Sheriff Brian Gardner said @ @ @ @ @ to pinpoint the cause of the explosion , but Gardner said officials had narrowed down @ @ @ @ @ natural gas or propane .

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) - A man has suffered life-threatening injuries in an explosion at a home just outside the Cedar Rapids city limits, authorities their said.
The explosion occurred around 2 p.m. Thursday as Joshua Thomas, 24, of Marion, was working on the property, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office said. Thomas suffered severe burns from the blast and was taken by a medical helicopter from the scene of the explosion to an Iowa City hospital, officials said.
Thomas was the only person on the property at the time of the explosion, and the only person injured in the explosion, Sheriff Brian Gardner said.
Fire investigators were working to pinpoint the cause of the explosion, but Gardner said officials had narrowed down that it was fueled by natural gas or propane.


washingtontimes--2020-08-07--Unemployment rate fell to 10.2% in July, but job growth eases

The unemployment rate dipped to 10.2 % in July , the government reported Friday , as the labor market continued to improve from the coronavirus pandemic .
Employers added a better-than-expected 1.763 million jobs last month , although job growth slowed from 4.8 million in June .
The jobless rate has continued to decline from its high of 14.7 % in April , during the worst of the economic shutdowns .
The report came as negotiations between the White House and congressional Democratic leaders failed again Thursday night to reach a deal on a new round of coronavirus aid that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 600 per week .
President Trump is preparing to issue executive orders to halt evictions in federally backed housing , cut payroll taxes and extend federal unemployment payments .
Alfredo Ortiz , an ally of the White House and president and CEO of the Job Creators Network , called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democrats “ to stop holding further relief hostage.
” “ Senate Republicans have put together a strong stimulus bill that will extend the Paycheck Protection Program , which has already saved 51 million jobs and is set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ The Senate bill also makes common-sense changes to unemployment benefits .
Instead of negotiating in good faith , Pelosi and the Democrats would rather create pain for small businesses — and for America ’ s workers , who saw their unemployment benefits expire on July 31 — than meet Republicans halfway.
” Mrs. Pelosi said White House negotiators want Democrats to move further in the administration ’ s direction on the total cost of a bill .
Democrats have proposed more than $ 3 trillion in aid ; Senate Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trillion .

The unemployment rate dipped to 10.2% in July, the government reported Friday, as the labor market continued to improve from the coronavirus pandemic.
Employers added a better-than-expected 1.763 million jobs last month, although job growth slowed from 4.8 million in June.
The jobless rate has continued to decline from its high of 14.7% in April, during the worst of the economic shutdowns.
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said the report was especially strong because it covered a period in which the virus was “spiking” in the Southwest and other areas.
“The worries that some partial shutdowns or some pausing shutdowns would wreck the job numbers did not pan out,” Mr. Kudlow said on Fox Business Network. “I think that’s a great sign of strength.”
The report came as negotiations between the White House and congressional Democratic leaders failed again Thursday night to reach a deal on a new round of coronavirus aid that would extend enhanced federal unemployment benefits of $600 per week.
President Trump is preparing to issue executive orders to halt evictions in federally backed housing, cut payroll taxes and extend federal unemployment payments.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York said the jobs report “shows that the economic recovery spurred by the investments Congress has passed is losing steam and more investments are still urgently needed to protect the lives and livelihoods of the American people.”
“Millions of Americans are still hurting and yet, despite this reality, President Trump and Republicans appear ready to walk away from the negotiating table to do unworkable, weak and narrow executive orders that barely scratch the surface of what is needed to defeat the virus and help struggling Americans,” they said in a joint statement.
Mr. Kudlow said the legal drafting of an order to cut payroll taxes is complete.
He also said there is about $1 trillion unspent from the CARES Act, approved in March, available for the president’s actions.
He said among the “essential” items on the president’s list are providing a benefit for “reemployment” for workers, and a job-retention credit for employers.
“There’s a whole variety of issues and federal powers that are at the president’s disposal and he will use them,” Mr. Kudlow said. “You can bet on it.”
Mrs. Pelosi and Mr. Schumer said they “remain committed to continue negotiating and reaching a fair agreement with the administration, but we will not go along with the meager legislative proposals that fail to address the gravity of the health and economic situation our country faces.”
“We call upon the White House’s negotiators to join us once again at the negotiating table today to secure a bipartisan agreement to put children, families and workers first,” they said.
Mrs. Pelosi said White House negotiators want Democrats to move further in the administration’s direction on the total cost of a bill. Democrats have proposed more than $3 trillion in aid; Senate Republicans’ plan would cost roughly $1 trillion.
Alfredo Ortiz, an ally of the White House and president and CEO of the Job Creators Network, called on Democrats “to stop holding further relief hostage.”
“Senate Republicans have put together a strong stimulus bill that will extend the Paycheck Protection Program, which has already saved 51 million jobs and is set to expire tomorrow,” Mr. Ortiz said. “The Senate bill also makes common-sense changes to unemployment benefits. Instead of negotiating in good faith, Pelosi and the Democrats would rather create pain for small businesses — and for America’s workers, who saw their unemployment benefits expire on July 31 — than meet Republicans halfway.”
Mrs. Pelosi said White House negotiators want Democrats to move further in the administration’s direction on the total cost of a bill. Democrats have proposed more than $3 trillion in aid; Senate Republicans’ plan would cost roughly $1 trillion.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden said the July jobs report “shows just how far we have to go and why leadership matters.”
“We are in a deeper economic hole than we should be because of Donald Trump’s historic failure to respond to the pandemic, and the pace of recovery has now slowed because of Trump’s continuing inability to come up with a plan to control the virus,” Mr. Biden said.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-07--Indian court rejects plea to end trial of 2 Italian marines

NEW DELHI ( AP ) - India ’ s Supreme Court on Friday declined an Indian government plea to end the prosecution of two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen in 2012 until it has heard from the victims ’ families on the issue of Italian compensation .
Government attorney Tushar Mehta sought the court ’ s permission following a ruling by an international arbitration court in July that Italy , not India , has jurisdiction in prosecuting the marines .
The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ordered Italy to pay compensation to India for the loss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm ” suffered by the surviving crew of the fishing ship .
It invited the two countries to enter into negotiations to reach a final financial settlement .
Italy had argued that the men were Italian government employees acting in their official capacities when the fishermen were shot .
On Friday , Indian Chief Justice S.A. Bobde told the government attorney to let Italy pay compensation to the victims ’ families and the court will allow the withdrawal of prosecution of the marines .
India had accused Salvatore Girone and Massimiliano Latorre of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while they were assigned to anti-piracy duties aboard an Italian commercial ship .
The shooting , and India ’ s claim of jurisdiction in the case , strained relations between the two countries .
Italy said the marines thought the fishermen were pirates , that they fired warning shots , and that the shooting occurred in international waters .
Italy took the case to international arbitration after India arrested the men and detained them without charge for years .
After the ruling by the arbitration court in July , the Italian Foreign Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the arbitration tribunal had established .

NEW DELHI (AP) - India’s Supreme Court on Friday declined an Indian government plea to end the prosecution of two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen in 2012 until it has heard from the victims’ families on the issue of Italian compensation.
Government attorney Tushar Mehta sought the court’s permission following a ruling by an international arbitration court in July that Italy, not India, has jurisdiction in prosecuting the marines.
The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ordered Italy to pay compensation to India for the loss of life, material damage and “moral harm” suffered by the surviving crew of the fishing ship. It invited the two countries to enter into negotiations to reach a final financial settlement.
Italy had argued that the men were Italian government employees acting in their official capacities when the fishermen were shot.
On Friday, Indian Chief Justice S.A. Bobde told the government attorney to let Italy pay compensation to the victims’ families and the court will allow the withdrawal of prosecution of the marines.
India had accused Salvatore Girone and Massimiliano Latorre of killing the two fishermen in Indian waters while they were assigned to anti-piracy duties aboard an Italian commercial ship. The shooting, and India’s claim of jurisdiction in the case, strained relations between the two countries.
Italy said the marines thought the fishermen were pirates, that they fired warning shots, and that the shooting occurred in international waters. Italy took the case to international arbitration after India arrested the men and detained them without charge for years.
After the ruling by the arbitration court in July, the Italian Foreign Ministry said it was ready to fulfill what the arbitration tribunal had established.


washingtontimes--2020-08-07--Albermarle County votes to remove Confederate statue

CHARLOTTESVILLE , Va. ( AP ) - Virginia ’ s Albemarle County has voted to remove a statue of a Confederate soldier .
The Daily Progress in Charlottesville reports that the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Thursday to remove the 111-year-old bronze statue .
It stands on Albemarle County Courthouse property in Charlottesville .
The monument depicts a life-size Confederate soldier in uniform and includes a cannon and three cannon balls .
The statue went up in 1909 .
It was paid for by the county , the city of Charlottesville and the United Daughters of the Confederacy .
Board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave the “ statue and his accessories to the history books.
” State law will require the county to consider offers to relocate the statue from museums , historical societies or military battlefields .
The statue will be taken down and stored in early September .
Supervisor Bea LaPisto-Kirtley said Confederate statues should not be in front of a courthouse .
“ These were made to intimidate , ” she said .
“ As Americans , we don ’ t intimidate .
You can ’ t intimidate us .
Yet , someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our citizens .
That can not stand.
” Confederate statues have been coming down throughout the southern United States in the wake of protests against racism and police brutality .
The demonstrations were sparked by the death of George Floyd , a Black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis .

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - Virginia’s Albemarle County has voted to remove a statue of a Confederate soldier.
The Daily Progress in Charlottesville reports that the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Thursday to remove the 111-year-old bronze statue. It stands on Albemarle County Courthouse property in Charlottesville.
The monument depicts a life-size Confederate soldier in uniform and includes a cannon and three cannon balls.
The statue went up in 1909. It was paid for by the county, the city of Charlottesville and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Board Chairman Ned Gallaway said it was time to leave the “statue and his accessories to the history books.”
State law will require the county to consider offers to relocate the statue from museums, historical societies or military battlefields. The statue will be taken down and stored in early September.
Supervisor Bea LaPisto-Kirtley said Confederate statues should not be in front of a courthouse.
“These were made to intimidate,” she said. “As Americans, we don’t intimidate. You can’t intimidate us. Yet, someone put these up to intimidate some of our citizens. That cannot stand.”
Confederate statues have been coming down throughout the southern United States in the wake of protests against racism and police brutality. The demonstrations were sparked by the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis.


washingtontimes--2020-08-07--Conservative Catholics call on Biden to break 'deafening silence' on anti-Catholic vandalism, arson

Conservative Catholics called Thursday on former Vice President Joseph R. Biden to break his “ deafening silence ” on the recent targeting of religious statues and churches , accusing the Catholic Democrat of ignoring the leftist vandalism and arson .
CatholicVote , a faith-based advocacy group , said Mr. Biden should “ publicly condemn the disturbing rise in attacks on Catholic symbols , churches , statues and beliefs , ” which include setting fires ; beheading statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary ; pulling down statues of Father Serra , and painting Satanic symbols on churches .
“ Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Joe Biden has said nothing , ” said CatholicVote president Brian Burch in a statement .
“ Leading members of the Democratic Party have fueled a climate of hate against Catholics , and these attacks have now led to acts of vandalism and violence.
” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , New York Democrat , referred last week to the statue of St. Damien of Molokai , Hawaii , in the U.S. Capitol , saying that “ this is what patriarchy and white supremacist culture looks like.
” Mr. Burch said the “ attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commitment of Joe Biden , a self-professed Catholic , to stand up to the rising climate of anti-Catholicism across the country.
” Last week , a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the Sacred Heart Church in Weymouth , Massachusetts , the sixth attack on a Catholic church or institution this year in Massachusetts , according to Catholic Action League executive director C.J .
Doyle .
Some of the worst damage came July 11 with a blaze that gutted the 249-year-old San Gabriel Mission in Los Angeles County—the cause has yet to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peace Church in Ocala , Florida , set by a man who crashed into the church and dumped gasoline on the floor .
Former Rep. Tim Huelskamp , CatholicVote senior political adviser , said that many of the statues and churches “ were built centuries ago by faithful Catholics and remain powerful symbols for Catholics today.
” “ All good and decent Catholics are offended by this growing anti-Catholic rampage .
Joe Biden ’ s deafening silence during this hate-filled epidemic speaks loudly of his consent to this shocking assault on our religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Biden faced questions about his Catholic faith last year when he came out in support of federal funding for abortion , reversing a long-held position in favor of the Hyde Amendment , prompting a South Carolina priest to deny him communion .
President Trump on Thursday targeted Mr. Biden ’ s beliefs , saying , “ He ’ s against God , he ’ s against guns , he ’ s against energy , our kind of energy , ” prompting the Biden campaign to swing back .
“ Joe Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who he is , ” Biden spokesperson Andrew Bates told USAToday .
“ He ’ s lived it with dignity his entire life , and it ’ s been a source of strength and comfort in times of extreme hardship.
” In February , the Biden campaign released a one-minute video in which the candidate discussed his faith , saying it “ got me through difficult times in my life , ” referring to the 1972 deaths of his wife and daughter in a car accident , and son Beau Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks on churches and statues come on the heels of widespread Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody .
Progressive activist Shaun King tweeted June 22 that “ the statues of the white European they claim is Jesus should also come down .
They are a form of white supremacy .
Always have been .
”

Conservative Catholics called Thursday on former Vice President Joseph R. Biden to break his “deafening silence” on the recent targeting of religious statues and churches, accusing the Catholic Democrat of ignoring the leftist vandalism and arson.
CatholicVote, a faith-based advocacy group, said Mr. Biden should “publicly condemn the disturbing rise in attacks on Catholic symbols, churches, statues and beliefs,” which include setting fires; beheading statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary; pulling down statues of Father Serra, and painting Satanic symbols on churches.
“Catholic churches across America are literally burning, and Joe Biden has said nothing,” said CatholicVote president Brian Burch in a statement. “Leading members of the Democratic Party have fueled a climate of hate against Catholics, and these attacks have now led to acts of vandalism and violence.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Democrat, referred last week to the statue of St. Damien of Molokai, Hawaii, in the U.S. Capitol, saying that “this is what patriarchy and white supremacist culture looks like.”
Mr. Burch said the “attacks on the Church raise serious questions about the commitment of Joe Biden, a self-professed Catholic, to stand up to the rising climate of anti-Catholicism across the country.”
Last week, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the Sacred Heart Church in Weymouth, Massachusetts, the sixth attack on a Catholic church or institution this year in Massachusetts, according to Catholic Action League executive director C.J. Doyle.
Some of the worst damage came July 11 with a blaze that gutted the 249-year-old San Gabriel Mission in Los Angeles County—the cause has yet to be determined—and a fire at the Queen of Peace Church in Ocala, Florida, set by a man who crashed into the church and dumped gasoline on the floor.
Former Rep. Tim Huelskamp, CatholicVote senior political adviser, said that many of the statues and churches “were built centuries ago by faithful Catholics and remain powerful symbols for Catholics today.”
“All good and decent Catholics are offended by this growing anti-Catholic rampage. Joe Biden’s deafening silence during this hate-filled epidemic speaks loudly of his consent to this shocking assault on our religious freedoms,” Mr. Huelskamp said.
PRESS RELEASE:
CatholicVote is calling on presumptive Democratic presidential nominee @JoeBiden to publicly condemn the disturbing rise in attacks on Catholic symbols, churches, statues, and beliefs.https://t.co/8VtQrQ1NuL — CatholicVote.org (@CatholicVote) August 6, 2020
Mr. Biden faced questions about his Catholic faith last year when he came out in support of federal funding for abortion, reversing a long-held position in favor of the Hyde Amendment, prompting a South Carolina priest to deny him communion.
President Trump on Thursday targeted Mr. Biden’s beliefs, saying, “He’s against God, he’s against guns, he’s against energy, our kind of energy,” prompting the Biden campaign to swing back.
“Joe Biden’s faith is at the core of who he is,” Biden spokesperson Andrew Bates told USAToday. “He’s lived it with dignity his entire life, and it’s been a source of strength and comfort in times of extreme hardship.”
In February, the Biden campaign released a one-minute video in which the candidate discussed his faith, saying it “got me through difficult times in my life,” referring to the 1972 deaths of his wife and daughter in a car accident, and son Beau Biden’s 2015 death from brain cancer.
The attacks on churches and statues come on the heels of widespread Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
Progressive activist Shaun King tweeted June 22 that “the statues of the white European they claim is Jesus should also come down. They are a form of white supremacy. Always have been.”
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-07--Unemployment falls to 10.2% even as US job growth slowed to 1.8 million in July under pressure from

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Unemployment falls to 10.2 % even as US job growth slowed to 1.8 million in @ @ @ @ @ .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Unemployment falls to 10.2% even as US job growth slowed to 1.8 million in July under pressure from pandemic.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-08-07--Georgia DA who charged officers faces tough primary runoff

ATLANTA ( AP ) - Against the backdrop of protests over racial injustice and police brutality and with allegations of misconduct emboldening challengers , the top prosecutor in Georgia ’ s most populous country is fighting to keep his job .
After two decades of running unopposed , Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard placed second in the June Democratic primary and faces a tough runoff election Tuesday .
The extended primary contest has unfolded as Atlanta rocked with protests sparked by the killing of an African American , George Floyd , by a white police officer in Minneapolis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ praised and criticized for quickly bringing charges against officers accused of using excessive force against Black people .
Challenger Fani Willis , who worked in Howard ’ s office for 16 years until several years ago and has also been a defense attorney and a judge , has raised more money and snagged key endorsements .
She won the primary but failed to get more than 50 % of the vote , the necessary threshold to avoid a runoff in the three-way race .
With no Republican qualified for the general election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic primary .
Howard was the first African American district attorney elected in Georgia when he took office in 1997 .
He touts a 70 % drop in violent crime and a 50 % reduction in the county jail population as his main accomplishments .
He also said he ’ s proud that about 60 % of his staff is Black and about 65 % female , with women holding 84 % of supervisory positions .
But he ’ s been dogged by allegations of misconduct .
Three past or present female employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into the legality of a salary supplement he received from the city of Atlanta that was administered through one of two nonprofit organizations he controlled .
He agreed to pay a state ethics fine Thursday for failing to note on financial disclosure forms that he headed the organizations .
The GBI is also investigating whether he properly issued subpoenas in one of the high-profile cases against police officers .
Howard dismisses the harassment and discrimination allegations , saying they ’ re baseless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was fully approved by city leaders and handled transparently , and the subpoenas were properly issued , he said .
“ What I ’ ve asked people to do is to look at the record , ” he said .
“ Doesn ’ t it seem kind of suspicious that all of those issues arrive during this election season ?
” No criminal charges have been filed , and Howard insists he will be fully exonerated .
But those allegations likely encouraged challengers who might not otherwise have taken on a sitting district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well established , Emory University political science professor Andra Gillespie said .
Any time something surfaces “ that might help voters question the ethics of a candidate or an incumbent , they shouldn ’ t be surprised if challengers sense vulnerability and choose to run campaigns against them , ” she said .
That was the case for Willis , who said that out of respect for her former boss , she long ignored calls for her to challenge Howard .
But the allegations of harassment and her belief that he mismanages his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ He really let me down and disappointed me , ” she said .
If elected , Willis said , she would put more resources into investigating cases prior to making charging decisions , implement pre-indictment diversion programs and increase transparency in police use-of-force cases .
In a nod to recent protests , Howard said police reform is a top priority .
“ I ’ m asking people to please put me back in office so we can confront this problem dealing with brutality , institutional racism , so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community and this country , ” he said .
Atlanta police in mid-June responded to a report of a man sleeping in a car in a Wendy ’ s drive-thru .
After about 40 minutes of calm conversation , Rayshard Brooks resisted when officers tried to arrest him .
He struggled with officers and fired a Taser at one of them as he fled , and the officer fatally shot him .
Five days later , Howard brought charges against the two officers , including a murder charge against the one who killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had announced charges against six officers after dramatic video showed police using Tasers on two college students and pulling them from their car as they were caught in traffic caused by protests .
Howard held news conferences in each of those cases , laying out the charges in detail and allowing the victims ’ attorneys to speak .
The victims and their attorneys , as well as some activists , applauded Howard ’ s quick action .
But others , including police officials , police unions and the officers ’ attorneys , condemned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation before bringing charges and accused him of making inflammatory and false statements .
Willis and other critics argue Howard has a history of allowing officer use-of-force cases to languish for years without taking action and rushed charges in these two cases to bolster his bid for reelection .
Howard said the availability of video evidence and witnesses made it possible to bring charges quickly , while other cases involving officers take longer because of a lack of evidence or cooperating witnesses .
Much of the criticism has been driven by the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the union ’ s endorsement of Willis and suggested she would refrain from prosecuting officers .
Christian Wise Smith , who placed third in the primary , cited the union ’ s endorsement of Willis as one of the reasons he endorsed Howard in the runoff .
Willis countered that she enjoys a diverse base of support , and she scoffed at the idea that an endorsement or campaign contribution would keep her from prosecuting anyone .

ATLANTA (AP) — Against the backdrop of protests over racial injustice and police brutality and with allegations of misconduct emboldening challengers, the top prosecutor in Georgia’s most populous country is fighting to keep his job.
After two decades of running unopposed, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard placed second in the June Democratic primary and faces a tough runoff election Tuesday.
The extended primary contest has unfolded as Atlanta rocked with protests sparked by the killing of an African American, George Floyd, by a white police officer in Minneapolis. In Georgia, Howard has been both praised and criticized for quickly bringing charges against officers accused of using excessive force against Black people.
Challenger Fani Willis, who worked in Howard’s office for 16 years until several years ago and has also been a defense attorney and a judge, has raised more money and snagged key endorsements. She won the primary but failed to get more than 50% of the vote, the necessary threshold to avoid a runoff in the three-way race.
With no Republican qualified for the general election, the race will be decided by the Democratic primary.
Howard was the first African American district attorney elected in Georgia when he took office in 1997. He touts a 70% drop in violent crime and a 50% reduction in the county jail population as his main accomplishments. He also said he’s proud that about 60% of his staff is Black and about 65% female, with women holding 84% of supervisory positions.
But he’s been dogged by allegations of misconduct. Three past or present female employees have filed lawsuits alleging harassment or discrimination. In addition, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into the legality of a salary supplement he received from the city of Atlanta that was administered through one of two nonprofit organizations he controlled. He agreed to pay a state ethics fine Thursday for failing to note on financial disclosure forms that he headed the organizations. The GBI is also investigating whether he properly issued subpoenas in one of the high-profile cases against police officers.
Howard dismisses the harassment and discrimination allegations, saying they’re baseless and politically motivated. The salary supplement was fully approved by city leaders and handled transparently, and the subpoenas were properly issued, he said.
“What I’ve asked people to do is to look at the record,” he said. “Doesn’t it seem kind of suspicious that all of those issues arrive during this election season?”
No criminal charges have been filed, and Howard insists he will be fully exonerated.
But those allegations likely encouraged challengers who might not otherwise have taken on a sitting district attorney, particularly one who is so well established, Emory University political science professor Andra Gillespie said.
Any time something surfaces “that might help voters question the ethics of a candidate or an incumbent, they shouldn’t be surprised if challengers sense vulnerability and choose to run campaigns against them,” she said.
That was the case for Willis, who said that out of respect for her former boss, she long ignored calls for her to challenge Howard. But the allegations of harassment and her belief that he mismanages his office pushed her over the edge, she said.
“He really let me down and disappointed me,” she said.
If elected, Willis said, she would put more resources into investigating cases prior to making charging decisions, implement pre-indictment diversion programs and increase transparency in police use-of-force cases.
In a nod to recent protests, Howard said police reform is a top priority.
“I’m asking people to please put me back in office so we can confront this problem dealing with brutality, institutional racism, so that we can make a change in our community and this country,” he said.
Atlanta police in mid-June responded to a report of a man sleeping in a car in a Wendy’s drive-thru. After about 40 minutes of calm conversation, Rayshard Brooks resisted when officers tried to arrest him. He struggled with officers and fired a Taser at one of them as he fled, and the officer fatally shot him. Five days later, Howard brought charges against the two officers, including a murder charge against the one who killed Brooks.
Two weeks earlier, Howard had announced charges against six officers after dramatic video showed police using Tasers on two college students and pulling them from their car as they were caught in traffic caused by protests.
Howard held news conferences in each of those cases, laying out the charges in detail and allowing the victims’ attorneys to speak.
The victims and their attorneys, as well as some activists, applauded Howard’s quick action. But others, including police officials, police unions and the officers’ attorneys, condemned him for failing to allow a full investigation before bringing charges and accused him of making inflammatory and false statements.
Willis and other critics argue Howard has a history of allowing officer use-of-force cases to languish for years without taking action and rushed charges in these two cases to bolster his bid for reelection. Howard said the availability of video evidence and witnesses made it possible to bring charges quickly, while other cases involving officers take longer because of a lack of evidence or cooperating witnesses.
Much of the criticism has been driven by the police union, Howard said. He noted the union’s endorsement of Willis and suggested she would refrain from prosecuting officers. Christian Wise Smith, who placed third in the primary, cited the union’s endorsement of Willis as one of the reasons he endorsed Howard in the runoff.
Willis countered that she enjoys a diverse base of support, and she scoffed at the idea that an endorsement or campaign contribution would keep her from prosecuting anyone.


washingtontimes--2020-08-07--Louisiana district delays school start after virus cases

ZACHARY , La .
( AP ) - A Louisiana school district will delay the reopening of its schools by one week after nearly 20 teachers were infected with or exposed to the coronavirus and other staff members quit ahead of the year ’ s start , officials said .
The Zachary Community School Board voted unanimously Thursday to postpone its first day of classes to Aug. 17 , news outlets reported .
Instruction was originally set to begin Aug. 10 under a hybrid model , with part in-person and part virtual learning .
Seven teachers in the district outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for or are suspected of having the coronavirus , and an additional 12 reported possible exposure , according to Zachary Superintendent Scott Devillier .
Some tested positive before reporting to work on Monday , while others were identified afterward , the superintendent said .
Devillier asked attendees at the special meeting Thursday to consider applying to work for the district , saying its schools are facing a shortage of teachers for the first time , The Advocate reported .
Some substitute teachers have also requested to be removed from the district ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions , but cautioned that it takes about two weeks for new candidates to be cleared to begin work .
“ I can tell you when we start … it ’ s not going to be perfect , ” Devillier added .
“ There ’ s going to be bumps in the road.
” Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. John Bel Edwards is questioning why Louisiana must pay a portion of the costs to use the state’s National Guard in coronavirus response work if the federal government is picking up the full tab in some other states.
The Democratic governor sent a letter Friday to President Donald Trump, asking that the federal government continue to cover all costs of activating the Louisiana National Guard as it did earlier this year. If Louisiana has to pay a 25% cost share through December, that would cost the state $2.5 million a month, Edwards said.
Louisiana is using 1,100 members of the National Guard to staff virus testing sites, support food bank operations and distribute protective equipment to hospitals, schools and other locations.
In prior months of the coronavirus outbreak, Louisiana had full federal funding for the activation. But Trump changed the reimbursement terms in the latest authorization for Louisiana to use its National Guard in coronavirus response.
Edwards said at least two other states - Texas and Florida - received similar extensions for their National Guard activation, but with full federal funding to cover the costs.
“There is not a rational basis to distinguish Louisiana from those two states,” Edwards told reporters.
In his letter to the president, Louisiana’s governor said his state has seen more coronavirus cases and deaths per capita than Texas and Florida.
More than 128,000 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Louisiana, which has 4.6 million residents, and the state health department said 4,089 people have died from the COVID-19 disease caused by the virus.
Meanwhile, the Edwards administration successfully persuaded a Livingston Parish judge Friday to temporarily shut down a Denham Springs barbecue restaurant that refuses to follow the governor’s statewide mask mandate for its workers or its patrons.
The temporary restraining order sought by the state health department and issued by state District Judge Brenda Bedsole Ricks prohibits Firehouse BBQ from operating, at least until an Aug. 18 court hearing into the owners’ disobeying Edwards’ statewide order.
Edwards called the business’s refusal to require face coverings “extremely reckless and irresponsible.”
“It was my hope that the action today would not be necessary, but we are left with no choice as the owner insists on being non-compliant, thus jeopardizing the safety of the employees and customers,” the governor said in a statement.
Despite Edwards’ statewide order requiring face coverings, Firehouse BBQ posted on its Facebook site in July that customers and employees “are given the option to wear a mask or not. It is not mandated in our store.” The business called it “an illegal mandate” and continued operating after the state revoked its food permit.
The judge’s restraining order comes a day after a separate judge in Baton Rouge district court upheld the mask mandate and other restrictions Edwards has enacted to try to lessen the spread of the coronavirus.
Also in the Baton Rouge region, the Zachary school district announced that it will delay the reopening of its schools because of the pandemic, after officials said nearly 20 teachers were infected with or exposed to the coronavirus and other staff members quit ahead of the year’s start.
The Zachary Community School Board voted unanimously Thursday to postpone its first day of classes to Aug. 17, news outlets reported. Instruction was originally set to begin Aug. 10 under a hybrid model, with part in-person and part virtual learning.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause more severe or fatal illness.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-08-07--1 arrested in fatal Fargo fight, police seek second man

FARGO , N.D. ( AP ) - Fargo police have arrested one man and are looking for another in a @ @ @ @ @ teen .
Cameron Caleb Camacho , 18 , died at the hospital a day after @ @ @ @ @ fight at a Fargo residence on Tuesday .
A 31-year-old Fargo man has been arrested @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy to commit aggravated assault .
Police are looking for a 25-year-old Fargo man as @ @ @ @ @ the case .
Officials say he may be driving a 2005 Pontiac G6 with North @ @ @ @ @

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Fargo police have arrested one man and are looking for another in a fatal attack on a Minnesota teen.
Cameron Caleb Camacho, 18, died at the hospital a day after he was involved in a fight at a Fargo residence on Tuesday.
A 31-year-old Fargo man has been arrested on a tentative charge of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.
Police are looking for a 25-year-old Fargo man as a person of interest in the case. Officials say he may be driving a 2005 Pontiac G6 with North Dakota plates, 073-DBU.