washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Officer injured, 2 others wounded in Florida shooting spree

A Florida man is in police custody after he went on a 40-minute shooting spree on a Tampa highway and city streets where he fired on at least 11 people , wounding two adults , and injuring a police officer when he shot into his squad vehicle .
None of the injuries were life threatening , Tampa police officials said .
The Tampa Police Department started getting reports of someone shooting from a moving car on Interstate 275 on Thursday evening .
A Tampa police officer responding to the shootings spotted the 31-year-old suspect ’ s car and attempted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department said in a news release .
Antonio Cruz Ortiz got out of his car and fired on the officer ’ s squad car .
The unnamed 24-year-old officer ducked as bullets shattered the back windshield and penetrated the front window , according to authorities .
Cruz Ortiz ran into a nearby apartment building where other officers tracked him down and arrested him , police said .
The officer had a non-life threatening injury to his arm from the gunshots and shattered glass and was taken to a hospital .
He had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months and was in “ good spirits , ” Tampa police said .
Cruz Ortiz was being held at the Hillsborough County Jail without bond Friday .
Jail records show he is facing charges of attempted murder on a law enforcement officer , attempted murder , aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into a vehicle .
Jail records showed no attorney listed for him .

A Florida man is in police custody after he went on a 40-minute shooting spree on a Tampa highway and city streets where he fired on at least 11 people, wounding two adults, and injuring a police officer when he shot into his squad vehicle.
None of the injuries were life threatening, Tampa police officials said.
The Tampa Police Department started getting reports of someone shooting from a moving car on Interstate 275 on Thursday evening. A Tampa police officer responding to the shootings spotted the 31-year-old suspect’s car and attempted to pull him over, the Tampa Police Department said in a news release.
Antonio Cruz Ortiz got out of his car and fired on the officer’s squad car. The unnamed 24-year-old officer ducked as bullets shattered the back windshield and penetrated the front window, according to authorities.
Cruz Ortiz ran into a nearby apartment building where other officers tracked him down and arrested him, police said.
The officer had a non-life threatening injury to his arm from the gunshots and shattered glass and was taken to a hospital. He had been working for the police department for 11 months and was in “good spirits,” Tampa police said.
Cruz Ortiz was being held at the Hillsborough County Jail without bond Friday. Jail records show he is facing charges of attempted murder on a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into a vehicle. Jail records showed no attorney listed for him.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Man charged with providing drug that caused date's overdose

ST. PAUL , Minn. ( AP ) - A man is charged in Ramsey County with murder and manslaughter after a woman he met on a dating app overdosed on a drug he gave her , according to authorities .
The Ramsey County medical examiner determined 43-year-old Thea Renae Toles died of toxicity caused by a narcotic commonly known as a “ date rape ” drug .
Police responded to Edward Zappa ’ s Mounds View home on Nov. 29 after he called 911 to report that the woman wasn ’ t breathing , according to a criminal complaint .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Zappa , who said he met Toles on Tinder , told officers that the two had spent the night together and that he wasn ’ t aware of any drugs that she may have taken , the complaint said .
But , investigators say they found texts between Zappa and others indicating that Zappa used the drug and provided it to others , the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported .
Zappa ’ s criminal record includes several felonies , including convictions for first and second-degree burglary , domestic assault involving strangulation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time of the incident , authorities say .
Zappa ’ s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 25 .

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A man is charged in Ramsey County with murder and manslaughter after a woman he met on a dating app overdosed on a drug he gave her, according to authorities.
The Ramsey County medical examiner determined 43-year-old Thea Renae Toles died of toxicity caused by a narcotic commonly known as a “date rape” drug.
Police responded to Edward Zappa’s Mounds View home on Nov. 29 after he called 911 to report that the woman wasn’t breathing, according to a criminal complaint. Toles was pronounced dead at the scene.
Zappa, who said he met Toles on Tinder, told officers that the two had spent the night together and that he wasn’t aware of any drugs that she may have taken, the complaint said.
But, investigators say they found texts between Zappa and others indicating that Zappa used the drug and provided it to others, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported.
Zappa’s criminal record includes several felonies, including convictions for first and second-degree burglary, domestic assault involving strangulation and second-degree assault.
He was on probation at the time of the incident, authorities say.
Zappa’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 25.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Judge postpones arguments in crowd-control weapons case

SEATTLE ( AP ) - A federal judge has postponed arguments over whether Seattle police violated an injunction against using force on peaceful protesters , and has asked lawyers for Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County and the city to plan for a full hearing instead .
U.S. District Judge Richard Jones initially scheduled Friday for arguments but on Thursday , Jones said he will use that time to set the parameters for a more formal evidentiary hearing , with testimony and exhibits including video , The Seattle Times reported .
The date for that hearing has not been set .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional 60 days to sort through evidence and prepare its defense .
Jones issued the injunction after finding police had violated the First Amendment rights of thousands of peaceful protesters .
The judge cited the indiscriminate use of tear gas , pepper spray , foam-tipped projectiles and other force against crowds during mass protests in late May and June downtown and on Capitol Hill .
Earlier this week , BLM Seattle-King County , with the backing of the American Civil Liberties Union , filed a motion accusing police of violating that injunction .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ department in contempt and require sanctions and more safeguards against abuses .
The organization filed two dozen sworn declarations from journalists , medics , legal observers and others detailing injuries and purported assaults by police .
Police have said they were responding to violence and property damage , including arson and threats to officers .
Police commanders declared a riot last weekend after some people set fire to buildings and equipment at the construction site for the youth jail .
The city says police complied with the injunction and used force only against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property .
It did concede that innocent bystanders may have been inadvertently injured or impacted .
BLM , in new filings Thursday , said the city has a “ deeply flawed ” understanding of the injunction that led to officers using blast balls , pepper spray and other less-than-lethal tools to move crowds along , including those who were not involved in vandalism or assaulting officers .

SEATTLE (AP) - A federal judge has postponed arguments over whether Seattle police violated an injunction against using force on peaceful protesters, and has asked lawyers for Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County and the city to plan for a full hearing instead.
U.S. District Judge Richard Jones initially scheduled Friday for arguments but on Thursday, Jones said he will use that time to set the parameters for a more formal evidentiary hearing, with testimony and exhibits including video, The Seattle Times reported. The date for that hearing has not been set.
The city on Wednesday asked for an additional 60 days to sort through evidence and prepare its defense.
Jones issued the injunction after finding police had violated the First Amendment rights of thousands of peaceful protesters. The judge cited the indiscriminate use of tear gas, pepper spray, foam-tipped projectiles and other force against crowds during mass protests in late May and June downtown and on Capitol Hill.
Earlier this week, BLM Seattle-King County, with the backing of the American Civil Liberties Union, filed a motion accusing police of violating that injunction. They asked the court to hold the department in contempt and require sanctions and more safeguards against abuses. The organization filed two dozen sworn declarations from journalists, medics, legal observers and others detailing injuries and purported assaults by police.
Police have said they were responding to violence and property damage, including arson and threats to officers. Police commanders declared a riot last weekend after some people set fire to buildings and equipment at the construction site for the youth jail.
The city says police complied with the injunction and used force only against individuals who were disobeying officers or damaging property. It did concede that innocent bystanders may have been inadvertently injured or impacted.
BLM, in new filings Thursday, said the city has a “deeply flawed” understanding of the injunction that led to officers using blast balls, pepper spray and other less-than-lethal tools to move crowds along, including those who were not involved in vandalism or assaulting officers.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--COVID-19 uptick puts 11 Illinois counties in 'warning level'

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s administration on Friday urged additional vigilance by local officials in 11 counties where there are upticks in COVID-19 cases .
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported there are 11 counties in “ warning level ” status because of the spread of the coronavirus , which causes the highly contagious and potentially lethal COVID-19 .
Online data shows there are 13 .
The counties are Cass , Gallatin , Jackson , Jo Daviess , Johnson , Perry , Randolph , Saline , Sangamon , St. Clair and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variety of indicators to determine warning-level status , including increased new infections per 100,000 people , a 20 % increase in deaths two weeks in a row , availability of intensive care units in hospitals , hospital admissions and more .
An area hits warning level by surpassing at least two indicators .
Public health officials reported 1,941 new cases in the state Thursday , the first time the daily number has topped 1,900 since April 27 , during the height of the initial outbreak .
In the 145 consecutive days since March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , there have been only 27 days when more new infections were recorded .
With declining numbers in June , Pritzker ushered the state into the fourth phase of a five-part Restore Illinois plan which gradually loosens restrictions on social interaction .
The governor has warned that regions of the state where the outbreak spikes will see what he calls “ surge mitigation , ” or the restoration of restrictions which , during the initial outbreak last spring , included closing bars and restaurants , limiting groups to no more than 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home unless departure is essential .
In the meantime , Pritzker pointed to swift action taken in some of the warning-level counties .
Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder issued an executive order Friday outlining stringent rules for restaurant dining , including fines for employees not wearing face coverings to discourage transmission of the virus .
Visitation at Perry County hospitals and nursing homes has been suspended .
In Jackson County , the state ’ s attorney has authorized enforcement of COVID-19 precautions at restaurants and bars through the local ordinance governing the preparation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state has witnessed 7,495 deaths among 178,837 confirmed cases .
In most instances , those who contracted the illness have recovered .
But experts believe that the true number of infections is much higher because not everyone has been tested for the virus and not everyone who contracts it displays symptoms .
Check out more of the AP ’ s coronavirus coverage at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration on Friday urged additional vigilance by local officials in 11 counties where there are upticks in COVID-19 cases.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported there are 11 counties in “warning level” status because of the spread of the coronavirus, which causes the highly contagious and potentially lethal COVID-19. Online data shows there are 13.
The counties are Cass, Gallatin, Jackson, Jo Daviess, Johnson, Perry, Randolph, Saline, Sangamon, St. Clair and White.
The health department uses a variety of indicators to determine warning-level status, including increased new infections per 100,000 people, a 20% increase in deaths two weeks in a row, availability of intensive care units in hospitals, hospital admissions and more. An area hits warning level by surpassing at least two indicators.
Public health officials reported 1,941 new cases in the state Thursday, the first time the daily number has topped 1,900 since April 27, during the height of the initial outbreak. In the 145 consecutive days since March 9 that Public Health has reported new cases, there have been only 27 days when more new infections were recorded.
With declining numbers in June, Pritzker ushered the state into the fourth phase of a five-part Restore Illinois plan which gradually loosens restrictions on social interaction. The governor has warned that regions of the state where the outbreak spikes will see what he calls “surge mitigation,” or the restoration of restrictions which, during the initial outbreak last spring, included closing bars and restaurants, limiting groups to no more than 10, and even requiring people to stay at home unless departure is essential.
In the meantime, Pritzker pointed to swift action taken in some of the warning-level counties. Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder issued an executive order Friday outlining stringent rules for restaurant dining, including fines for employees not wearing face coverings to discourage transmission of the virus. Visitation at Perry County hospitals and nursing homes has been suspended. In Jackson County, the state’s attorney has authorized enforcement of COVID-19 precautions at restaurants and bars through the local ordinance governing the preparation and serving of food.
Overall, the state has witnessed 7,495 deaths among 178,837 confirmed cases. In most instances, those who contracted the illness have recovered. But experts believe that the true number of infections is much higher because not everyone has been tested for the virus and not everyone who contracts it displays symptoms.
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Online
Illinois Department of Public Health COVID-19 county status map: https://bit.ly/3jZKkLq
Surge mitigation breakdown: https://bit.ly/2DM5RXm
___
Check out more of the AP’s coronavirus coverage at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
___
Follow Political Writer John O’Connor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Death of northern Arizona inmate under investigation

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. ( AP ) - Authorities are investigating the death of a northern Arizona inmate who refused medical @ @ @ @ @ strange cut on his finger .
The Coconino County Sheriff ’ s Office said Friday @ @ @ @ @ death of the inmate from the Coconino County Detention Facility .
Officials said he died @ @ @ @ @ According to investigators , the arrestee refused to answer any medical-related questions during his booking @ @ @ @ @ seeing a laceration on the arrestee ’ s finger that “ appeared red , swollen @ @ @ @ @ touch.
” Officials said the inmate was on transported from Page to the Flagstaff Facility @ @ @ @ @ officers said the inmate had a medical episode and later died Friday .
His cause @ @ @ @ @ His name has not been released .

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Authorities are investigating the death of a northern Arizona inmate who refused medical attention and reportedly had a strange cut on his finger.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said Friday it is looking into the death of the inmate from the Coconino County Detention Facility. Officials said he died at Flagstaff Medical Center.
According to investigators, the arrestee refused to answer any medical-related questions during his booking on Wednesday. Officers reported seeing a laceration on the arrestee’s finger that “appeared red, swollen, and hot to the touch.”
Officials said the inmate was on transported from Page to the Flagstaff Facility. During his move, officers said the inmate had a medical episode and later died Friday.
His cause of death remains unknown.
His name has not been released.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Delayed election results? Maybe, but not because of fraud

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - A shift to mail voting is increasing the chances that Americans will not know the winner of November ’ s presidential race on election night .
But that doesn ’ t mean the results will be flawed or fraudulent , despite President Donald Trump ’ s continued insistence Friday .
Trump , seeking to undermine the results of an election he could lose , is stepping up demands that the winner of the Nov. 3 contest be known that night .
He is also sowing doubt that election results can be trusted as states look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You won ’ t know the election result for weeks , months , maybe years after , ” Trump told reporters Friday .
“ Maybe you ’ ll never know the election result .
And that ’ s what I ’ m concerned with .
It ’ ll be fixed .
It ’ ll be rigged.
” The president has repeatedly raised unsubstantiated fears of fraud involving mail-in voting , which is expected to be more widely used in the November election out of concern for safety given the COVID-19 election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battleground state polls show Trump in political peril in his race against Democrat Joe Biden , he went even further , floating the idea of delaying the election until it could be conducted in person .
Then on Friday - after facing bipartisan criticism - Trump inched away from calling for a delay and insisted “ nobody wants that date more than me.
” “ I wish we would move it up , OK ?
” Trump said .
“ Move it up.
” Trump pivoted from the prospect of a delayed election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shifting Election Day is also virtually impossible for Trump on his own ; the date - the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in every fourth year - is enshrined in federal law and would require an act of Congress to change .
What is more likely to be delayed is the result .
State election officials in some key battleground states have warned that it might take days to count the votes given what they expect will be a surge of ballots sent by mail .
In an election as close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key states could keep news organizations from calling a winner .
“ It may be several days before we know the outcome of the election , ” said Jocelyn Benson , Michigan ’ s Democratic secretary of state , said in May .
“ We have to prepare for that now and accept that reality.
” Delayed results are common in a few states where elections are already conducted largely by mail .
But a presidential election hasn ’ t been left in limbo since 2000 , when ballot irregularities in Florida led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For some election experts and Democrats , the prospect of similar uncertainty is especially worrisome this year , given Trump ’ s frequent declarations that mail-in voting is fraudulent and a “ threat ” to his reelection .
The president has also refused to commit to accepting the results of the election , saying it ’ s too soon to make an ironclad guarantee .
Biden first suggested during an April fundraiser that Trump “ is going to try to kick back the election somehow , come up with some rationale why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said last month that Trump might try to “ indirectly steal ” the election by vocally opposing mail-in ballots .
On Friday , during a virtual fundraiser with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , Biden reminded donors of his earlier prediction .
“ Remember , this president went so far to say what I warned he would say four months ago : He thinks maybe we should delay the election .
Be prepared .
This is going to be a tough road , so vote .
Vote early .
Convince your friends to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters look for a safer alternative to in-person voting , election officials from both parties have promoted mail-in and absentee voting options .
Requests for mail ballots have surged in the primaries .
Many states expect to be scrambling to process millions more in November .
While each state runs its own process , those mail ballots can take longer to count .
In some states , the ballots can be accepted several days after Election Day , as long as they are postmarked before polls closed .
And while some states count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others - notably the critical battlegrounds of Michigan and Pennsylvania - have laws that forbid processing mail ballots until Election Day , guaranteeing the count will extend well past that night .
That doesn ’ t mean The Associated Press and other news organizations won ’ t call a winner .
The AP regularly calls races before the official vote count is complete , using models based on partial results , past races and extensive polling .
But in particularly tight contests , the AP and other news organizations may hold off on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a national roller coaster ride as the votes are counted .
In Arizona in 2018 , for example , Republican Martha McSally was narrowly winning the initial tally of in-person votes and mail ballots that had arrived days before Election Day .
More than a week later , after election officials were able to tally all the mail votes that arrived on Election Day , Democrat Kyrsten Sinema won the senatorial race by more than 2 percentage points .
Arizona has since changed its procedures to try to speed up the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Lansing , Mich. , and Marc Levy in Harrisburg , Pa. , contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON (AP) - A shift to mail voting is increasing the chances that Americans will not know the winner of November’s presidential race on election night. But that doesn’t mean the results will be flawed or fraudulent, despite President Donald Trump’s continued insistence Friday.
Trump, seeking to undermine the results of an election he could lose, is stepping up demands that the winner of the Nov. 3 contest be known that night. He is also sowing doubt that election results can be trusted as states look to expand the availability of mail-in voting.
“You won’t know the election result for weeks, months, maybe years after,” Trump told reporters Friday. “Maybe you’ll never know the election result. And that’s what I’m concerned with. It’ll be fixed. It’ll be rigged.”
The president has repeatedly raised unsubstantiated fears of fraud involving mail-in voting, which is expected to be more widely used in the November election out of concern for safety given the COVID-19 election.
On Thursday, as national and battleground state polls show Trump in political peril in his race against Democrat Joe Biden, he went even further, floating the idea of delaying the election until it could be conducted in person. Then on Friday - after facing bipartisan criticism - Trump inched away from calling for a delay and insisted “nobody wants that date more than me.”
“I wish we would move it up, OK?” Trump said. “Move it up.”
Trump pivoted from the prospect of a delayed election after fellow Republicans roundly rejected it. Shifting Election Day is also virtually impossible for Trump on his own; the date - the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in every fourth year - is enshrined in federal law and would require an act of Congress to change.
What is more likely to be delayed is the result. State election officials in some key battleground states have warned that it might take days to count the votes given what they expect will be a surge of ballots sent by mail. In an election as close as 2016′s, a delayed tally in key states could keep news organizations from calling a winner.
“It may be several days before we know the outcome of the election,” said Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s Democratic secretary of state, said in May. “We have to prepare for that now and accept that reality.”
Delayed results are common in a few states where elections are already conducted largely by mail. But a presidential election hasn’t been left in limbo since 2000, when ballot irregularities in Florida led to weeks of chaos and court fights.
For some election experts and Democrats, the prospect of similar uncertainty is especially worrisome this year, given Trump’s frequent declarations that mail-in voting is fraudulent and a “threat” to his reelection. The president has also refused to commit to accepting the results of the election, saying it’s too soon to make an ironclad guarantee.
Biden first suggested during an April fundraiser that Trump “is going to try to kick back the election somehow, come up with some rationale why it can’t be held.” He said last month that Trump might try to “indirectly steal” the election by vocally opposing mail-in ballots.
On Friday, during a virtual fundraiser with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Biden reminded donors of his earlier prediction.
“Remember, this president went so far to say what I warned he would say four months ago: He thinks maybe we should delay the election. Be prepared. This is going to be a tough road, so vote. Vote early. Convince your friends to vote,” Biden said.
As voters look for a safer alternative to in-person voting, election officials from both parties have promoted mail-in and absentee voting options. Requests for mail ballots have surged in the primaries. Many states expect to be scrambling to process millions more in November.
While each state runs its own process, those mail ballots can take longer to count. In some states, the ballots can be accepted several days after Election Day, as long as they are postmarked before polls closed. And while some states count the ballots as they come in, others - notably the critical battlegrounds of Michigan and Pennsylvania - have laws that forbid processing mail ballots until Election Day, guaranteeing the count will extend well past that night.
That doesn’t mean The Associated Press and other news organizations won’t call a winner. The AP regularly calls races before the official vote count is complete, using models based on partial results, past races and extensive polling.
But in particularly tight contests, the AP and other news organizations may hold off on declaring a winner. That could lead to a national roller coaster ride as the votes are counted.
In Arizona in 2018, for example, Republican Martha McSally was narrowly winning the initial tally of in-person votes and mail ballots that had arrived days before Election Day. More than a week later, after election officials were able to tally all the mail votes that arrived on Election Day, Democrat Kyrsten Sinema won the senatorial race by more than 2 percentage points.
Arizona has since changed its procedures to try to speed up the vote count.
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Associated Press writers David Eggert in Lansing, Mich., and Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pa., contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Woman mangles hand in Indiana toll collection booth

GARY , Ind .
( AP ) - A driver was taken to a hospital Friday after she badly injured @ @ @ @ @ toll road collection booth , police said .
The woman ’ s hand became stuck @ @ @ @ @ possibly because of a ring , state police Cpl .
Judith Kubsch told The ( @ @ @ @ @ The incident occurred on eastbound Interstate 90 in Gary .
Some motorists said the woman @ @ @ @ @ for help .
A crew cleaned the coin collection machine and reopened the booth .

GARY, Ind. (AP) - A driver was taken to a hospital Friday after she badly injured her hand at an Indiana toll road collection booth, police said.
The woman’s hand became stuck as she drove away, possibly because of a ring, state police Cpl. Judith Kubsch told The (Northwest Indiana) Times.
The incident occurred on eastbound Interstate 90 in Gary. Some motorists said the woman was on the ground calling for help.
A crew cleaned the coin collection machine and reopened the booth.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--SUV sinks in Housatonic River, killing man, woman inside

SEYMOUR , Conn. ( AP ) - A man and woman were killed Friday when their SUV sank in the @ @ @ @ @ as rescue workers frantically tried to free them , officials said .
The mid-size SUV @ @ @ @ @ 3:45 p.m. in Seymour and ended up floating upside down about 75 yards from the @ @ @ @ @ in about 16 to 20 feet of water .
Seymour Fire Chief Michael Lombardi said @ @ @ @ @ ’ s boat to reach the vehicle .
The man and woman were still buckled @ @ @ @ @ teams were later sent in to retrieve the bodies .

SEYMOUR, Conn. (AP) - A man and woman were killed Friday when their SUV sank in the Housatonic River near New Haven as rescue workers frantically tried to free them, officials said.
The mid-size SUV crashed into the river around 3:45 p.m. in Seymour and ended up floating upside down about 75 yards from the river bank. It sank in about 16 to 20 feet of water.
Seymour Fire Chief Michael Lombardi said some firefighters commandeered a resident’s boat to reach the vehicle. The man and woman were still buckled into their seats.
Dive teams were later sent in to retrieve the bodies.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Jury: Washington state liable in Powell boys' deaths

TACOMA , Wash. ( AP ) - A jury has found that Washington state officials were partially responsible for the deaths of missing Utah woman Susan Cox Powell ’ s children at the hands of their father .
The News Tribune newspaper in Tacoma reported that jurors on Friday awarded $ 98 million to the estates of Charlie and Braden Powell .
Josh Powell was a suspect in the presumed killing of his wife in 2009 and living in Pierce County , Washington , in 2012 , when he killed their two young sons Charlie and Braden and himself in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were visiting Josh Powell at his home on a supervised visit with a social worker when they were killed ; Powell had locked the social worker outside .
Susan Powell ’ s parents , Judith and Charles Cox , alleged in a wrongful death lawsuit that Washington ’ s Department of Social and Health Services did not do enough to keep their 7- and 5-year-old grandsons , Braden and Charlie , safe .
The Coxes were in a custody fight for the boys when Josh Powell killed them ; they are seeking tens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started in Pierce County Superior Court in February and was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Jurors had begun deliberating Thursday .
Ted Buck , an attorney for the Coxes , argued during closing arguments on Wednesday that state workers weren ’ t properly trained on policy regarding parental visits in domestic violence situations .
He said “ none of this would have happened ” had state policies and common sense been followed , pointing to a social worker who recognized Josh Powell as an abduction risk without informing the judge overseeing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diaz said in his closing argument the boys ’ deaths were unquestionably tragic , but that experienced state workers took the custody matter very seriously .
He said the department tried “ to do what ’ s best for both those boys , at the same time recognizing that Mr. Powell had rights.
” “ Mr .
Powell is the sole cause of the murder of his sons , ” Diaz told the jury .
“ There was not any negligence by the state of Washington.
” Josh Powell had moved to Puyallup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , with the boys following his wife ’ s disappearance .
But investigators looking for clues to her whereabouts searched that house and found child pornography , including images that Steven Powell had secretly recorded of neighbor girls .
The boys were then removed from the home and placed with the Coxes .
Josh Powell moved to a house in Graham .
When the boys arrived for the visit with the social worker , he locked the social worker out , attacked the boys with a hatched and then blew up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) - A jury has found that Washington state officials were partially responsible for the deaths of missing Utah woman Susan Cox Powell’s children at the hands of their father.
The News Tribune newspaper in Tacoma reported that jurors on Friday awarded $98 million to the estates of Charlie and Braden Powell.
Josh Powell was a suspect in the presumed killing of his wife in 2009 and living in Pierce County, Washington, in 2012, when he killed their two young sons Charlie and Braden and himself in an explosive house fire. The boys were visiting Josh Powell at his home on a supervised visit with a social worker when they were killed; Powell had locked the social worker outside.
Susan Powell’s parents, Judith and Charles Cox, alleged in a wrongful death lawsuit that Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services did not do enough to keep their 7- and 5-year-old grandsons, Braden and Charlie, safe. The Coxes were in a custody fight for the boys when Josh Powell killed them; they are seeking tens of millions of dollars.
The trial started in Pierce County Superior Court in February and was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jurors had begun deliberating Thursday.
Ted Buck, an attorney for the Coxes, argued during closing arguments on Wednesday that state workers weren’t properly trained on policy regarding parental visits in domestic violence situations.
He said “none of this would have happened” had state policies and common sense been followed, pointing to a social worker who recognized Josh Powell as an abduction risk without informing the judge overseeing the custody dispute.
Assistant attorney general Joseph Diaz said in his closing argument the boys’ deaths were unquestionably tragic, but that experienced state workers took the custody matter very seriously. He said the department tried “to do what’s best for both those boys, at the same time recognizing that Mr. Powell had rights.”
“Mr. Powell is the sole cause of the murder of his sons,” Diaz told the jury. “There was not any negligence by the state of Washington.”
Josh Powell had moved to Puyallup, to his father Steven’s home, with the boys following his wife’s disappearance. But investigators looking for clues to her whereabouts searched that house and found child pornography, including images that Steven Powell had secretly recorded of neighbor girls.
The boys were then removed from the home and placed with the Coxes. Josh Powell moved to a house in Graham. When the boys arrived for the visit with the social worker, he locked the social worker out, attacked the boys with a hatched and then blew up the home with the three of them inside.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Arizona judge removes education tax initiative from ballot

PHOENIX ( AP ) - A judge on Friday blocked an initiative that would have raised taxes on the wealthy in Arizona to help boost education funding , agreeing with opponents that the 100-word summary on petitions that more than 400,000 voters signed to qualify it for the November ballot was incomplete .
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Christopher Coury also found that a bonus system the petition company used to award some circulators violated a law that bans paying them per signature .
But he declined to remove all petitions gathered by the company , instead ruling some were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure .
The ruling is a huge blow to proponents of the Invest in Education Act , who saw it as a way to pump about $ 940 million a year into the state ’ s underfunded school system .
The proposed initiative backed by many educators and the state teachers union would have imposed a 3.5 % tax surcharge on income above $ 250,000 for an individual or above $ 500,000 for couples .
Jaime Molera , a former state superintendent of public instruction who led the opponents ’ effort , hailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear , the tax increase proponents ’ entire process , from signature gathering to their 100-word summary , was flawed and misleading , ” Molera said in a statement .
“ Perhaps most troubling , however , is that their proposed policy would have done tremendous harm to the Arizona economy and the state ’ s small businesses during a particularly challenging time .
“ Should the proponents appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court , we anticipate the same outcome.
” Joe Thomas , president of the state teachers union and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t immediately available to comment .
But the Invest in Ed group tweeted that the judge put his “ personal political views … into a process that is supposed to be impartial , ” and vowed to appeal .
The backers can appeal directly to the state Supreme Court .
Coury wrote that backers failed to include five “ principal provisions ” in the summary , an omission that the state Supreme Court said in 2018 merits removing the measure .
That ruling blocked an earlier effort by the same group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost education funding .
The judge agreed with Molera ’ s group , which was backed by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry , that the summary was misleading because it didn ’ t clearly state how the money would have been distributed .
He also agreed that voters weren ’ t told that business income that is counted as individual income on tax returns will be affected by the new tax and that the initiative didn ’ t clearly spell out the impact on marginal tax rates , or that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding to offset the new tax and overruled a limit on local revenues .
The fifth provision , backers ’ calling the new tax a “ surcharge ” rather a tax , was part of the earlier Supreme Court ruling .
The judge said that ruling provided backers the “ rare luxury ” of an Arizona Supreme Court decision discussing how to phrase the proposed tax increase .
Instead , they used the confusing term “ surcharge ” instead of “ tax increase , ” he wrote .
“ The unfortunate victims in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and students , ” Coury wrote .
“ Defendant Invest in Education , quite simply , let Arizona ’ s teachers down for the second time since 2018.
” The judge said backers were required to write a transparent summary but instead “ circulated an opaque ‘ trojan horse ’ of a 100-word description , concealing principal provisions of the Initiative .
No matter how well-intentioned IIE ’ s Initiative was , its non-transparent description violates Arizona law.
” Proponents said half of the new tax would have been devoted to raises for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wages for cafeteria workers , bus drivers and other support staff , and the rest for teacher training , vocational education and other initiatives .
The leader of minority Democrats in the state House , Charlene Fernandez , said in a statement that there was no confusion and that voters knew exactly what they were signing .
“ This judge held Invest in Ed to an impossible standard where a ballot measure must - in effect - use its opposition ’ s talking points and include minor aspects of the proposal that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Fernandez said .
“ Arizona schools and teachers have been disrespected for too long , and the Arizona Supreme Court should right this wrong as soon as possible.
” Coury oversaw three days of testimony that ended Thursday .
Witnesses for a petition circulation company denied they paid collectors per signature , although they acknowledged paying bonuses partly tied to the number of petition sheets they collected .
Lawyers for the opponents argued the bonuses ran afoul of a 2017 state law .
The initiative was the latest outgrowth from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low wages for educators and a slow rebound from budget cuts enacted during the Great Recession .
The walkout secured higher wages for teachers , but many education interest groups said it fell short .
Three other initiatives that filed enough signatures to qualify for the ballot also face court challenges .
Initiatives legalizing marijuana , forbidding surprise medical billing and overhauling the state ’ s criminal sentencing rules face similar challenges in upcoming court hearings .
The secretary of state is reviewing the petition sheets for all four initiatives and will send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before certifying that they have enough to make the ballot .

PHOENIX (AP) - A judge on Friday blocked an initiative that would have raised taxes on the wealthy in Arizona to help boost education funding, agreeing with opponents that the 100-word summary on petitions that more than 400,000 voters signed to qualify it for the November ballot was incomplete.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Christopher Coury also found that a bonus system the petition company used to award some circulators violated a law that bans paying them per signature. But he declined to remove all petitions gathered by the company, instead ruling some were invalid but not enough to block the measure.
The ruling is a huge blow to proponents of the Invest in Education Act, who saw it as a way to pump about $940 million a year into the state’s underfunded school system. The proposed initiative backed by many educators and the state teachers union would have imposed a 3.5% tax surcharge on income above $250,000 for an individual or above $500,000 for couples.
Jaime Molera, a former state superintendent of public instruction who led the opponents’ effort, hailed the ruling.
“As we made clear, the tax increase proponents’ entire process, from signature gathering to their 100-word summary, was flawed and misleading,” Molera said in a statement. “Perhaps most troubling, however, is that their proposed policy would have done tremendous harm to the Arizona economy and the state’s small businesses during a particularly challenging time.
“Should the proponents appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court, we anticipate the same outcome.”
Joe Thomas, president of the state teachers union and a major backer of the initiative, wasn’t immediately available to comment. But the Invest in Ed group tweeted that the judge put his “personal political views … into a process that is supposed to be impartial,” and vowed to appeal.
The backers can appeal directly to the state Supreme Court.
Coury wrote that backers failed to include five “principal provisions” in the summary, an omission that the state Supreme Court said in 2018 merits removing the measure. That ruling blocked an earlier effort by the same group to raise taxes on the wealthy to boost education funding.
The judge agreed with Molera’s group, which was backed by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, that the summary was misleading because it didn’t clearly state how the money would have been distributed.
He also agreed that voters weren’t told that business income that is counted as individual income on tax returns will be affected by the new tax and that the initiative didn’t clearly spell out the impact on marginal tax rates, or that it blocked the Legislature from cutting other school funding to offset the new tax and overruled a limit on local revenues.
The fifth provision, backers’ calling the new tax a “surcharge” rather a tax, was part of the earlier Supreme Court ruling.
The judge said that ruling provided backers the “rare luxury” of an Arizona Supreme Court decision discussing how to phrase the proposed tax increase. Instead, they used the confusing term “surcharge” instead of “tax increase,” he wrote.
“The unfortunate victims in this case are Arizona’s teachers and students,” Coury wrote. “Defendant Invest in Education, quite simply, let Arizona’s teachers down for the second time since 2018.”
The judge said backers were required to write a transparent summary but instead “circulated an opaque ‘trojan horse’ of a 100-word description, concealing principal provisions of the Initiative. No matter how well-intentioned IIE’s Initiative was, its non-transparent description violates Arizona law.”
Proponents said half of the new tax would have been devoted to raises for credentialed teachers, 25% to boosting wages for cafeteria workers, bus drivers and other support staff, and the rest for teacher training, vocational education and other initiatives.
The leader of minority Democrats in the state House, Charlene Fernandez, said in a statement that there was no confusion and that voters knew exactly what they were signing.
“This judge held Invest in Ed to an impossible standard where a ballot measure must - in effect - use its opposition’s talking points and include minor aspects of the proposal that can’t possibly fit in 100 words,” Fernandez said. “Arizona schools and teachers have been disrespected for too long, and the Arizona Supreme Court should right this wrong as soon as possible.”
Coury oversaw three days of testimony that ended Thursday. Witnesses for a petition circulation company denied they paid collectors per signature, although they acknowledged paying bonuses partly tied to the number of petition sheets they collected. Lawyers for the opponents argued the bonuses ran afoul of a 2017 state law.
The initiative was the latest outgrowth from a teachers strike two years ago that highlighted low wages for educators and a slow rebound from budget cuts enacted during the Great Recession. The walkout secured higher wages for teachers, but many education interest groups said it fell short.
Three other initiatives that filed enough signatures to qualify for the ballot also face court challenges. Initiatives legalizing marijuana, forbidding surprise medical billing and overhauling the state’s criminal sentencing rules face similar challenges in upcoming court hearings.
The secretary of state is reviewing the petition sheets for all four initiatives and will send a sample to county recorders for verification before certifying that they have enough to make the ballot.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Illinois to shift teens in state custody to smaller centers

CHICAGO ( AP ) - Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced a plan Friday to move teenagers in state custody to @ @ @ @ @ a variety of services closer to their homes .
There now are five sites in @ @ @ @ @ re located in the north and south , which means teens can be far from @ @ @ @ @ , 75 % of youth will be closer to family .
Pritzker said young people @ @ @ @ @ services and family support .
“ When it comes to changing young lives for the @ @ @ @ @ and connection work better than fear , loathing and isolation , ” said Heidi Mueller @ @ @ @ @ Department of Juvenile Justice .
The larger sites will be transferred to the state Corrections @ @ @ @ @ in prisons .

CHICAGO (AP) - Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a plan Friday to move teenagers in state custody to small regional residential centers with a variety of services closer to their homes.
“The 150-year-old punitive model simply doesn’t fulfill its mission,” Pritzker said.
There now are five sites in Illinois, but they’re located in the north and south, which means teens can be far from home. Under the plan, 75% of youth will be closer to family.
Pritzker said young people need rehabilitation programs, therapeutic services and family support.
“When it comes to changing young lives for the better, love, nurturing and connection work better than fear, loathing and isolation,” said Heidi Mueller, director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.
The larger sites will be transferred to the state Corrections Department to possibly ease crowding in prisons.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Judge orders review of protest news images sought by police

SEATTLE ( AP ) - A King County judge has revised his ruling , ordering Friday that either he or a special master first will conduct a review of five Seattle news outlets ’ unpublished protest photos and videos before deciding whether any should be turned over to Seattle police for an ongoing criminal investigation .
Superior Court Judge Nelson Lee said he added the provision for the review of the news images - taken during a protest May 30 downtown by journalists for The Seattle Times and television stations KIRO , KING , KOMO and KCPQ - after grappling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media outlets must comply with a police subpoena .
Despite the revisions , Seattle Times Executive Editor Michele Matassa Flores said the media parties to the case are disappointed with the ruling and will be filing an appeal , The Seattle Times reported .
“ While we appreciate the judge ’ s addition of an intermediary - possibly himself - to review the material and select what to hand to the police - we strongly believe this decision poses a risk to the independence of the media and to the safety of photojournalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contend the raw news photos and footage may help identify people who torched five Seattle Police Department vehicles and stole two police guns .
The judge ’ s ruling last week that the media had to turn over the images drew widespread criticism from national civil rights and press freedom groups , local and national news organizations and several Seattle City Council members , among others .
Lee ’ s final written order , entered Friday after hearings about it over parts of two days , gives media outlets 21 days to appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With the review , Lee said he aimed “ to add another layer of scrutiny ” to allay concerns about government intrusion on free speech rights .

SEATTLE (AP) - A King County judge has revised his ruling, ordering Friday that either he or a special master first will conduct a review of five Seattle news outlets’ unpublished protest photos and videos before deciding whether any should be turned over to Seattle police for an ongoing criminal investigation.
Superior Court Judge Nelson Lee said he added the provision for the review of the news images - taken during a protest May 30 downtown by journalists for The Seattle Times and television stations KIRO, KING, KOMO and KCPQ - after grappling with his July 23 ruling that the media outlets must comply with a police subpoena.
Despite the revisions, Seattle Times Executive Editor Michele Matassa Flores said the media parties to the case are disappointed with the ruling and will be filing an appeal, The Seattle Times reported.
“While we appreciate the judge’s addition of an intermediary - possibly himself - to review the material and select what to hand to the police - we strongly believe this decision poses a risk to the independence of the media and to the safety of photojournalists,” Matassa Flores said.
Police contend the raw news photos and footage may help identify people who torched five Seattle Police Department vehicles and stole two police guns.
The judge’s ruling last week that the media had to turn over the images drew widespread criticism from national civil rights and press freedom groups, local and national news organizations and several Seattle City Council members, among others.
Lee’s final written order, entered Friday after hearings about it over parts of two days, gives media outlets 21 days to appeal and obtain a stay to his order.
With the review, Lee said he aimed “to add another layer of scrutiny” to allay concerns about government intrusion on free speech rights.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--LA police video shows protester with hands up shot in head

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Los Angeles police released body-worn camera footage Friday that shows a protester with his hands up as he is shot in the head with a less-than-lethal round when officers tried to contain demonstrations against police brutality in May .
The May 30 video depicts a chaotic scene with officers - who were reportedly being struck by rocks , glass bottles and frozen water bottles - screaming “ Less lethal !
” and “ Leave the area !
” and firing at fleeing protesters .
One protester , later identified as CJ Montano , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands raised .
The video shows him crumpling to the ground as officers fire projectiles at the protesters .
Others are seen helping Montano get out of harm ’ s way as officers in skirmish lines advance down the street .
Montano told the Los Angeles Times that he did not pose a threat to police and was targeted during the protests in the city ’ s Fairfax District .
The 24-year-old former Marine told the newspaper he was hospitalized with serious bleeding in his brain and is still recovering from multiple symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an “ unintentional head strike ” and say they have not been able to interview Montano , who has notified the city that he plans to file a lawsuit unless he is compensated for his injuries .
“ It just feels like it was all intentional , and it makes me feel sick , ” Montano told the LA Times .
It ’ s not clear if Montano was struck with a sponge and foam bullets or a beanbag round .
Authorities said they are investigating who fired the projectile at him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ projectiles at specific targets who present a threat .
Officers are not supposed to aim for a person ’ s head or neck , or any people who are running away .
The department ’ s uses of force during the protests , which occurred in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis police custody , have come under scrutiny .
An LA Times review found that officers likely violated protocols governing batons and tactical weapons use as they sought to quell civil unrest .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles police released body-worn camera footage Friday that shows a protester with his hands up as he is shot in the head with a less-than-lethal round when officers tried to contain demonstrations against police brutality in May.
The May 30 video depicts a chaotic scene with officers - who were reportedly being struck by rocks, glass bottles and frozen water bottles - screaming “Less lethal!” and “Leave the area!” and firing at fleeing protesters.
One protester, later identified as CJ Montano, is seen standing in the street with his hands raised. The video shows him crumpling to the ground as officers fire projectiles at the protesters. Others are seen helping Montano get out of harm’s way as officers in skirmish lines advance down the street.
Montano told the Los Angeles Times that he did not pose a threat to police and was targeted during the protests in the city’s Fairfax District. The 24-year-old former Marine told the newspaper he was hospitalized with serious bleeding in his brain and is still recovering from multiple symptoms.
LAPD officials are calling the incident an “unintentional head strike” and say they have not been able to interview Montano, who has notified the city that he plans to file a lawsuit unless he is compensated for his injuries.
“It just feels like it was all intentional, and it makes me feel sick,” Montano told the LA Times.
It’s not clear if Montano was struck with a sponge and foam bullets or a beanbag round. Authorities said they are investigating who fired the projectile at him.
LAPD policy requires that officers fire non-lethal projectiles at specific targets who present a threat. Officers are not supposed to aim for a person’s head or neck, or any people who are running away.
The department’s uses of force during the protests, which occurred in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis police custody, have come under scrutiny. An LA Times review found that officers likely violated protocols governing batons and tactical weapons use as they sought to quell civil unrest.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--DA: Suburban NYC jail guards mistreated female inmates

NEW CITY , N.Y. ( AP ) - Two jail guards in the New York City suburbs were indicted Friday on charges alleging they sexually mistreated non-white female inmates .
Christopher Taggart , 39 , is accused of allowing contraband into the Rockland County Correctional Center and engaging in what prosecutors deemed an “ inappropriate relationship with female minority inmates.
” John Kezek , 35 , is accused of sexually harassment .
Both are charged with multiple counts of official misconduct , a misdemeanor , while Taggart also faces charges of promoting prison contraband , a felony .
Taggart is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains free on his own recognizance .
Information on Kezek ’ s court date and lawyers who could speak on the men ’ s behalf was not listed in court records .
A telephone number for the county correctional officers ’ union connected instead to the county sheriff ’ s office .
District Attorney Thomas Walsh said prosecutors started looking into the treatment of female inmates after a defense lawyer alerted his office about intimidating and sexually harassment her client was enduring .
“ Far too often , female inmates are not considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us who are walking the streets , ” Walsh said .
“ We can ’ t allow a systemic issue of female minorities being mistreated in our jails .
”

NEW CITY, N.Y. (AP) - Two jail guards in the New York City suburbs were indicted Friday on charges alleging they sexually mistreated non-white female inmates.
Christopher Taggart, 39, is accused of allowing contraband into the Rockland County Correctional Center and engaging in what prosecutors deemed an “inappropriate relationship with female minority inmates.”
John Kezek, 35, is accused of sexually harassment. Both are charged with multiple counts of official misconduct, a misdemeanor, while Taggart also faces charges of promoting prison contraband, a felony.
Taggart is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 11 and remains free on his own recognizance. Information on Kezek’s court date and lawyers who could speak on the men’s behalf was not listed in court records.
A telephone number for the county correctional officers’ union connected instead to the county sheriff’s office.
District Attorney Thomas Walsh said prosecutors started looking into the treatment of female inmates after a defense lawyer alerted his office about intimidating and sexually harassment her client was enduring.
“Far too often, female inmates are not considered to have the same rights as those of us who are walking the streets,” Walsh said. “We can’t allow a systemic issue of female minorities being mistreated in our jails.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Alabama police: teen bitten, possibly by a shark

ORANGE BEACH , Ala. ( AP ) - A 15-year-old boy swimming with his father in the Gulf of Mexico off Alabama may have been bitten by a shark , authorities said .
It happened about 1:20 p.m. Friday in waters near condominiums at Orange Beach , Orange Beach Assistant Police Chief Robert Howard said .
Police said the teenager was near a sand bar when the incident occurred .
Police told news outlets the teenager ’ s injuries consist of a “ mile abrasion and a few small puncture wounds.
” The father told investigators he saw a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , as they were leaving the area , his son felt pain , Howard told news outlets .
Neither the father nor the victim saw a shark or any large fish when that happened , police said .
The victim ’ s family took him to a nearby hospital for treatment .
Orange Beach Safety Chief Brett Lesinger tells WEAR-TV that it appeared to be a shark bite .
Though rare , Lesinger said that would be the third time someone has been bit by a shark at Orange Beach in the @ @ @ @

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (AP) - A 15-year-old boy swimming with his father in the Gulf of Mexico off Alabama may have been bitten by a shark, authorities said.
It happened about 1:20 p.m. Friday in waters near condominiums at Orange Beach, Orange Beach Assistant Police Chief Robert Howard said. Police said the teenager was near a sand bar when the incident occurred.
Police told news outlets the teenager’s injuries consist of a “mile abrasion and a few small puncture wounds.” The father told investigators he saw a large number of small fish swimming around them and, as they were leaving the area, his son felt pain, Howard told news outlets. Neither the father nor the victim saw a shark or any large fish when that happened, police said.
The victim’s family took him to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Orange Beach Safety Chief Brett Lesinger tells WEAR-TV that it appeared to be a shark bite. Though rare, Lesinger said that would be the third time someone has been bit by a shark at Orange Beach in the past 10 years.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Cowboys for Trump leader: Trump campaign distancing from us

RIO RANCHO , N.M. ( AP ) - The leader of Cowboys for Trump said Friday the reelection campaign for President Donald Trump is distancing itself from the group after the leader posted a video saying some Black athletes should “ go back to Africa.
” Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin told The Associated Press that a Trump campaign representative contacted him this week and said it would distance itself from the group ’ s activities .
“ A campaign representative told me that if someone asked the president about Cowboys for Trump he would have to do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I understand that .
We are not affiliated with the campaign.
” Samantha Zager , Deputy National Press Secretary for Trump ’ s campaign , did not immediately return an email .
While it ’ s unclear what distancing from the group might mean , Trump has in the past met with the leader and retweeted some of the group ’ s tweets .
The move comes after Griffin faced criticism this week following his Facebook live video where he chastised Black athletes who support performances at NFL games of “ Lift Ev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditionally known as the Black National Anthem - as a gesture of solidarity against racial injustice .
“ They want to destroy our country .
They want to talk about playing a Black national anthem before football games ?
I got a better idea , why don ’ t you go back to Africa and form your little football teams over in Africa and you can play on a ( n ) old beat-out dirt lot and you can play your Black national anthem there .
How about that ?
” Griffin said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America , we play the National Anthem in America today.
” Griffin also offered to give people of color what he called a “ 101 ” lesson on racial identity and said anyone who does not identify as “ American ” first or opposes the Second Amendment right to bear arms should leave the U.S. or “ go home.
” Statements like “ go back to where you came from ” is a racist insult aimed for decades at immigrants and African Americans in the United States .
Griffin , who is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded the speech from a southern New Mexico mountaintop after fasting for three days , contemplating the nation ’ s political fate as the November election approaches .
Democrats , including New Mexico Speaker of the House Brian Egolf and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján , called the remarks racists .
Griffin said he now sees that he chose his words poorly and isn ’ t a racist despite what critics say .
The Republican also is facing a recall petition to remove him from his Otero County Commissioner ’ s seat because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that often brings him out of state .
Griffin said he admits he ’ s not “ a traditional Otero County Commissioner ” and seeks to go “ to the top ” to address forest issues .

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) - The leader of Cowboys for Trump said Friday the reelection campaign for President Donald Trump is distancing itself from the group after the leader posted a video saying some Black athletes should “go back to Africa.”
Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin told The Associated Press that a Trump campaign representative contacted him this week and said it would distance itself from the group’s activities.
“A campaign representative told me that if someone asked the president about Cowboys for Trump he would have to do that,” Griffin said. “And I understand that. We are not affiliated with the campaign.”
Samantha Zager, Deputy National Press Secretary for Trump’s campaign, did not immediately return an email. While it’s unclear what distancing from the group might mean, Trump has in the past met with the leader and retweeted some of the group’s tweets.
The move comes after Griffin faced criticism this week following his Facebook live video where he chastised Black athletes who support performances at NFL games of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” - traditionally known as the Black National Anthem - as a gesture of solidarity against racial injustice.
“They want to destroy our country. They want to talk about playing a Black national anthem before football games? I got a better idea, why don’t you go back to Africa and form your little football teams over in Africa and you can play on a(n) old beat-out dirt lot and you can play your Black national anthem there. How about that?” Griffin said in the video. “This is America, we play the National Anthem in America today.”
Griffin also offered to give people of color what he called a “101” lesson on racial identity and said anyone who does not identify as “American” first or opposes the Second Amendment right to bear arms should leave the U.S. or “go home.” Statements like “go back to where you came from” is a racist insult aimed for decades at immigrants and African Americans in the United States.
Griffin, who is also an Otero County Commissioner, said he recorded the speech from a southern New Mexico mountaintop after fasting for three days, contemplating the nation’s political fate as the November election approaches.
Democrats, including New Mexico Speaker of the House Brian Egolf and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, called the remarks racists.
Griffin said he now sees that he chose his words poorly and isn’t a racist despite what critics say.
The Republican also is facing a recall petition to remove him from his Otero County Commissioner’s seat because of his role with Cowboys for Trump that often brings him out of state. Griffin said he admits he’s not “a traditional Otero County Commissioner” and seeks to go “to the top” to address forest issues.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Rangers investigating vandalism at Zion National Park

SPRINGDALE , Utah ( AP ) - Zion National Park rangers are seeking information about vandalism at the park after @ @ @ @ @ painted on the sandstone , authorities said Friday .
Most of the paint was removed @ @ @ @ @ can not restore vandalized sites to their former condition , said park spokesman Jeff Axel @ @ @ @ @ parks is illegal , and repairing damaged sites can be costly and time consuming .
@ @ @ @ @ be part of a masonry or art project , Axel said .
They were found @ @ @ @ @ the park , about 1 mile ( 1.6 kilometers ) south of the Wildcat Trailhead @ @ @ @ @ any information that can help identify those responsible .

SPRINGDALE, Utah (AP) - Zion National Park rangers are seeking information about vandalism at the park after several blue squares were found painted on the sandstone, authorities said Friday.
Most of the paint was removed, but park staff often cannot restore vandalized sites to their former condition, said park spokesman Jeff Axel. Any vandalism to the parks is illegal, and repairing damaged sites can be costly and time consuming.
The squares are believed to be part of a masonry or art project, Axel said. They were found in the northwest corner of the park, about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) south of the Wildcat Trailhead.
Park rangers are seeking any information that can help identify those responsible.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Fitch lowers its outlook on US credit rating to 'negative'

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Fitch has lowered the outlook for its U.S. government credit rating to “ negative ” from “ stable ” due to soaring budget deficits , but the agency is keeping its overall rating at the highest AAA level .
Fitch said Friday that the downgraded outlook reflects the surge in government debt and “ the absence of a credible fiscal consolidation plan ” to get the deficits under control .
Credit rating agencies often use changes in outlooks to signal possible future moves in the overall rating .
The Congressional Budget Office has projected that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which ends Sept. 30 , will surge to an all-time high of $ 3.7 trillion .
That would be up from an already high deficit of $ 984.4 billion last year .
This year ’ s deficit is being driven higher by the severe recession triggered by efforts to contain the coronavirus and the spending Congress has authorized to cushion the impact of that downturn .
The government ’ s deficit for just the month of June hit $ 864 billion , the highest one-month total , and was part of an imbalance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine months of this budget year .
All the borrowing has pushed public debt to $ 26.5 trillion currently .
The Fitch report said , “ There is a growing risk that U.S. policymakers will not consolidate public finances sufficiently to stabilize public debt after the pandemic has passed .
”

WASHINGTON (AP) - Fitch has lowered the outlook for its U.S. government credit rating to “negative” from “stable” due to soaring budget deficits, but the agency is keeping its overall rating at the highest AAA level.
Fitch said Friday that the downgraded outlook reflects the surge in government debt and “the absence of a credible fiscal consolidation plan” to get the deficits under control.
Credit rating agencies often use changes in outlooks to signal possible future moves in the overall rating.
The Congressional Budget Office has projected that the deficit for this budget year, which ends Sept. 30, will surge to an all-time high of $3.7 trillion. That would be up from an already high deficit of $984.4 billion last year.
This year’s deficit is being driven higher by the severe recession triggered by efforts to contain the coronavirus and the spending Congress has authorized to cushion the impact of that downturn.
The government’s deficit for just the month of June hit $864 billion, the highest one-month total, and was part of an imbalance of $2.74 trillion for the first nine months of this budget year.
All the borrowing has pushed public debt to $26.5 trillion currently.
The Fitch report said, “There is a growing risk that U.S. policymakers will not consolidate public finances sufficiently to stabilize public debt after the pandemic has passed.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Gay officer who settled suit will resign from diversity unit

CLAYTON , Mo .
( AP ) - A gay St. Louis County police lieutenant who settled a discrimination lawsuit against the police department for $ 10.25 million said Friday he is resigning from his job as commander of the department ’ s new diversity and inclusion unit .
Keith Wildhaber , who is white , said he was the victim of racism in a Facebook post , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported .
He alleged in his suit that he was passed over for promotion 23 times and was told to “ tone down ” his “ gayness.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October , but he and the county settled for the lower amount in February .
“ The dog whispers of a gay , white guy being unable to lead Diversity and Inclusion were loud and clear , ” he wrote .
“ Systemic racism is alive and well .
I tried to ignore the background noise , but I ’ m not battling ESOP and the activists for another 3 years .
This afternoon , I notified the department of my decision to transfer back to Patrol.
” Wildhaber couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post-Dispatch on Friday .
Wildhaber had been appointed as commander of the newly created unit in late 2019 by then-Chief Jon Belmar , weeks after a St. Louis County jury found the department had discriminated and retaliated against him because of his sexuality .
But Wildhaber ’ s appointment had been criticized by the Ethical Society of Police , a group that represents minority officers to address racial discrimination , whose leaders called for a more diverse group of employees to be included in the unit .
The group said in mid-July that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of making “ transformative change in racial diversity , inclusion and equity.
” In the Facebook post , Wildhaber wrote that he was qualified to lead the unit and had been enrolled in a national certification program that was postponed until September because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Police spokeswoman Tracy Panus said in an email that the department ’ s personnel issues “ will be handling internally , per Department policy.
” Sgt .
Heather Taylor , president of Ethical Society of Police , said the department should “ hire someone that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone from the outside who doesn ’ t have any affiliation to anyone and are given the authority to make decisions that are not overruled by the police board .
”

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) - A gay St. Louis County police lieutenant who settled a discrimination lawsuit against the police department for $10.25 million said Friday he is resigning from his job as commander of the department’s new diversity and inclusion unit.
Keith Wildhaber, who is white, said he was the victim of racism in a Facebook post, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. He alleged in his suit that he was passed over for promotion 23 times and was told to “tone down” his “gayness.” Jurors awarded him nearly $20 million in October, but he and the county settled for the lower amount in February.
“The dog whispers of a gay, white guy being unable to lead Diversity and Inclusion were loud and clear,” he wrote. “Systemic racism is alive and well. I tried to ignore the background noise, but I’m not battling ESOP and the activists for another 3 years. This afternoon, I notified the department of my decision to transfer back to Patrol.”
Wildhaber couldn’t immediately be reached for comment by the Post-Dispatch on Friday.
Wildhaber had been appointed as commander of the newly created unit in late 2019 by then-Chief Jon Belmar, weeks after a St. Louis County jury found the department had discriminated and retaliated against him because of his sexuality.
But Wildhaber’s appointment had been criticized by the Ethical Society of Police, a group that represents minority officers to address racial discrimination, whose leaders called for a more diverse group of employees to be included in the unit.
The group said in mid-July that it wanted proof that Wildhaber was capable of making “transformative change in racial diversity, inclusion and equity.”
In the Facebook post, Wildhaber wrote that he was qualified to lead the unit and had been enrolled in a national certification program that was postponed until September because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Police spokeswoman Tracy Panus said in an email that the department’s personnel issues “will be handling internally, per Department policy.”
Sgt. Heather Taylor, president of Ethical Society of Police, said the department should “hire someone that is actually qualified for the position … someone from the outside who doesn’t have any affiliation to anyone and are given the authority to make decisions that are not overruled by the police board.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Law firm representing Fort Hood soldier in fatal shooting

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - A Dallas law firm said it is representing a soldier stationed at Fort Hood who fatally shot an armed demonstrator at an Austin rally against police violence last weekend .
The law firm Broden & Mickelsen said Thursday night that it is representing Sgt .
Daniel Perry , who is on active duty with the U.S. Army .
Perry has not been charged , and Austin police have not named him as a suspect in their investigation .
Police asked the public for tips and video Thursday to help in their investigation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Foster was shot July 25 as demonstrators marched through downtown Austin .
He was taken to a hospital , where he was later pronounced dead .
The law firm said Perry was in Austin that night driving for a ride-share company .
Perry dropped off a client off and was waiting for his next rider when he turned right onto a street and encountered the protest that he didn ’ t know was happening , according to a statement from attorney Clint Broden .
“ When Sgt .
Perry turned on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his vehicle , ” the law firm ’ s statement said .
“ An individual carrying an assault rifle , now known to be Garrett Foster , quickly approached the car and then motioned with the assault rifle for Mr. Perry to lower his window.
” Perry initially thought Foster worked in law enforcement and put his window down , the law firm said .
But then Foster raised his weapon toward Perry , according to the law firm , and Perry realized Foster was not a police officer .
The statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perry , who carried a handgun in his car , fired at Foster in self defense , Broden said .
Someone in the crowd then fired at Perry ’ s vehicle , so Perry drove to away and called the police .
Perry is cooperating with the police investigation , Broden said , and offered sympathy to Foster ’ s family on his client ’ s behalf .
“ Sgt .
Perry is devastated by what happened , ” Broden said .
Austin police did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it would not be releasing or confirming the identity of the person who shot Foster , citing an ongoing investigation .
U.S. Army officials confirmed that Perry is on active duty and assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood .
“ The unit continues to cooperate with the Austin Police Department in their ongoing investigation , ” Army officials said Friday in a statement .
Perry is a decorated soldier from North Texas who has served in the military for eight years , Broden said .
Police said witnesses told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started honking at protesters .
The vehicle stopped as protesters crossed the street and Foster , who was holding an AK-47 type assault rifle , approached the driver ’ s side window .
He was shot from inside the vehicle .
Witness Michael Capochiano said the car sped through the protesters before it apparently hit an orange barrier and stopped , told the Austin American-Statesman .
In video that was streamed live on Facebook , a car can be heard honking before several shots ring out and protesters start screaming and scattering .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone lying in the street .
Austin police say they have interviewed the person who shot Foster and have the gun used in the confrontation secured as evidence .
Acacia Coronado is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A Dallas law firm said it is representing a soldier stationed at Fort Hood who fatally shot an armed demonstrator at an Austin rally against police violence last weekend.
The law firm Broden & Mickelsen said Thursday night that it is representing Sgt. Daniel Perry, who is on active duty with the U.S. Army.
Perry has not been charged, and Austin police have not named him as a suspect in their investigation. Police asked the public for tips and video Thursday to help in their investigation of the killing of Garrett Foster, 28.
Foster was shot July 25 as demonstrators marched through downtown Austin. He was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The law firm said Perry was in Austin that night driving for a ride-share company. Perry dropped off a client off and was waiting for his next rider when he turned right onto a street and encountered the protest that he didn’t know was happening, according to a statement from attorney Clint Broden.
“When Sgt. Perry turned on the Congress Avenue, several people started beating on his vehicle,” the law firm’s statement said. “An individual carrying an assault rifle, now known to be Garrett Foster, quickly approached the car and then motioned with the assault rifle for Mr. Perry to lower his window.”
Perry initially thought Foster worked in law enforcement and put his window down, the law firm said. But then Foster raised his weapon toward Perry, according to the law firm, and Perry realized Foster was not a police officer.
The statement said several witnesses confirmed this account.
Perry, who carried a handgun in his car, fired at Foster in self defense, Broden said. Someone in the crowd then fired at Perry’s vehicle, so Perry drove to away and called the police.
Perry is cooperating with the police investigation, Broden said, and offered sympathy to Foster’s family on his client’s behalf.
“Sgt. Perry is devastated by what happened,” Broden said.
Austin police did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday. A day earlier, the department said it would not be releasing or confirming the identity of the person who shot Foster, citing an ongoing investigation.
U.S. Army officials confirmed that Perry is on active duty and assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood.
“The unit continues to cooperate with the Austin Police Department in their ongoing investigation,” Army officials said Friday in a statement.
Perry is a decorated soldier from North Texas who has served in the military for eight years, Broden said.
Police said witnesses told them a disturbance began when a vehicle started honking at protesters. The vehicle stopped as protesters crossed the street and Foster, who was holding an AK-47 type assault rifle, approached the driver’s side window. He was shot from inside the vehicle.
Witness Michael Capochiano said the car sped through the protesters before it apparently hit an orange barrier and stopped, told the Austin American-Statesman.
In video that was streamed live on Facebook, a car can be heard honking before several shots ring out and protesters start screaming and scattering. Police can then be seen tending to someone lying in the street.
Austin police say they have interviewed the person who shot Foster and have the gun used in the confrontation secured as evidence.
___
Acacia Coronado is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Drunk, high driver faces 5-15 years for deadly NYC pileup

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A New York City man pleaded guilty Thursday to charges he triggered a deadly seven-car pileup after downing Hennessy and smoking marijuana at a strip club .
Alex Elicier faces 5 to 15 years behind bars on aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges stemming from the August 2018 crash on the Van Wyck Expressway in Queens .
The 31-year-old Elicier is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 1 .
According to prosecutors , Elicier was speeding and weaving through traffic around 5 a.m. when his car slammed into the back of an Acura , sending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where it was struck by another car .
Acura passenger Jairo Castano , 38 , and his two dogs were were killed .
Elicier and four other people were hurt , including the driver of the Acura , prosecutors said .
Elicier ’ s blood alcohol level , tested about 40 minutes after the crash , was 0.16 - twice the legal limit , prosecutors said .
He also tested positive for THC , the chemical in marijuana that causes people to get high , they said .
Strip club surveillance camera footage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smoking pot before getting behind the wheel .

NEW YORK (AP) - A New York City man pleaded guilty Thursday to charges he triggered a deadly seven-car pileup after downing Hennessy and smoking marijuana at a strip club.
Alex Elicier faces 5 to 15 years behind bars on aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges stemming from the August 2018 crash on the Van Wyck Expressway in Queens. The 31-year-old Elicier is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 1.
A message seeking comment was left with Elicier’s lawyer.
According to prosecutors, Elicier was speeding and weaving through traffic around 5 a.m. when his car slammed into the back of an Acura, sending it airborne and into opposing traffic, where it was struck by another car.
Acura passenger Jairo Castano, 38, and his two dogs were were killed. Elicier and four other people were hurt, including the driver of the Acura, prosecutors said.
Elicier’s blood alcohol level, tested about 40 minutes after the crash, was 0.16 - twice the legal limit, prosecutors said. He also tested positive for THC, the chemical in marijuana that causes people to get high, they said.
Strip club surveillance camera footage confirmed that Elicier was drinking Cognac and smoking pot before getting behind the wheel.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Truck smashes into bus in north Sudan, killing at least 13

CAIRO ( AP ) - A speeding truck trying to overtake a car crashed into a passenger bus on a highway in northern Sudan on Friday , killing 13 people and injuring 15 , authorities .
Sudanese police said the accident happened near the village of Dongola on the Nile River , around 500 miles north of the capital , Khartoum .
Streets were slick as heavy rains and gale force winds pummeled much of the country , causing severe flooding in some towns .
Images circulating online showed the two big vehicles crumpled and overturned by the roadside .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the bus were among those killed , officials said .
The 15 injured were taken to a hospital , where some were reported in critical condition .
Automobile accidents are common in Sudan , often the result of badly maintained roads and poor enforcement of traffic laws .
The World Health Organization has said that road accidents killed more than 10,000 people in Sudan in 2018 .
In May , a fiery head-on collision between a truck packed with passengers and a tractor-trailer killed 57 people and left more than 20 injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Darfur region .

CAIRO (AP) - A speeding truck trying to overtake a car crashed into a passenger bus on a highway in northern Sudan on Friday, killing 13 people and injuring 15, authorities.
Sudanese police said the accident happened near the village of Dongola on the Nile River, around 500 miles north of the capital, Khartoum. Streets were slick as heavy rains and gale force winds pummeled much of the country, causing severe flooding in some towns.
Images circulating online showed the two big vehicles crumpled and overturned by the roadside.
Both drivers and four police officers traveling on the bus were among those killed, officials said. The 15 injured were taken to a hospital, where some were reported in critical condition.
Automobile accidents are common in Sudan, often the result of badly maintained roads and poor enforcement of traffic laws. The World Health Organization has said that road accidents killed more than 10,000 people in Sudan in 2018.
In May, a fiery head-on collision between a truck packed with passengers and a tractor-trailer killed 57 people and left more than 20 injured on a highway in the country’s Darfur region.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--LPGA returns with Kang posting 66 at Inverness for the lead

TOLEDO , Ohio ( AP ) - Danielle Kang went more than six months without competing and looked as though she had never been away , playing bogey-free at Inverness Club for a 6-under 66 and a one-shot lead in the LPGA Drive On Championship .
The LPGA Tour ’ s much-awaited return from the COVID-19 pandemic brought an immediate sense of its new world .
Kang had no idea where she stood after a closing birde .
“ There aren ’ t any leaderboards on the golf course , ” Kang said .
Inverness , where Paul Azinger beat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1993 PGA Championship , is hosting the Solheim Cup next year and offered to stage the first event back for the LPGA Tour since the Women ’ s Australian Open on Feb. 16 .
The LPGA Tour remains in northeast Ohio next week before heading to Scotland .
Jodi Ewart Shadoff of England also played bogey-free for a 67 .
Celine Boutier of France and Lee-Anne Pace of South Africa also were at 5 under until both made bogey on the closing hole .
They settled for a 68 .
The foremost global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some 30 countries , though it was missing the leading stars from powerhouse South Korea .
Jin Young Ko , the No .
1 player in the world , and Sung Hyun Park have stayed home and are playing on the Korean LPGA .
Neither is expected to travel to Scotland for the Women ’ s British Open in three weeks .
The lone Korean among the top 10 — a rarity given the country ’ s strength in women ’ s golf — was Hee Young Park at 70 .
Kang , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , paid particular attention to the speed of the greens at Inverness , making six birdies and a number of key par putts to keep her round going .
“ Even if you hit a good shot , it ’ s not an easy putt , ” Kang said .
“ I almost three-putted from 9 feet .
Definitely had a really good attitude , and it was really fun to be back.
” The LPGA Tour is not allowing spectators , though that wasn ’ t a problem for Kang .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two other players , different from a more casual attitude at home .
Kang played only twice at the start of the year in the Florida events , including a third-place finish Jan. 23 at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio .
The field attracted four of the top 10 from the world ranking , and Kang ( No .
4 ) Minjee Lee of Australia ( No .
8 ) were the only ones to break par .
Lee shot 69 .
Nelly Korda , the highest-ranked player at No .
2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birdies in three holes and closed with another birdie .
It was the part in between that cost her , and she had a 76 .
Lexi Thompson , who has slipped to No .
9 , opened with a 73 .
For most of them , it was simply good to be back .
Lydia Ko made a long birdie to close out her round of 69 , joining Lee and Amy Olson .
“ I saw some of the girls and I was like , ‘ Man , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual app or on social media , ’ ” Ko said .

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - Danielle Kang went more than six months without competing and looked as though she had never been away, playing bogey-free at Inverness Club for a 6-under 66 and a one-shot lead in the LPGA Drive On Championship.
The LPGA Tour’s much-awaited return from the COVID-19 pandemic brought an immediate sense of its new world. Kang had no idea where she stood after a closing birde.
“There aren’t any leaderboards on the golf course,” Kang said.
Inverness, where Paul Azinger beat Greg Norman in a playoff at the 1993 PGA Championship, is hosting the Solheim Cup next year and offered to stage the first event back for the LPGA Tour since the Women’s Australian Open on Feb. 16. The LPGA Tour remains in northeast Ohio next week before heading to Scotland.
Jodi Ewart Shadoff of England also played bogey-free for a 67. Celine Boutier of France and Lee-Anne Pace of South Africa also were at 5 under until both made bogey on the closing hole. They settled for a 68.
The foremost global tour in golf attracted 130 players from some 30 countries, though it was missing the leading stars from powerhouse South Korea. Jin Young Ko, the No. 1 player in the world, and Sung Hyun Park have stayed home and are playing on the Korean LPGA. Neither is expected to travel to Scotland for the Women’s British Open in three weeks.
The lone Korean among the top 10 — a rarity given the country’s strength in women’s golf — was Hee Young Park at 70.
Kang, a former Women’s PGA champion, paid particular attention to the speed of the greens at Inverness, making six birdies and a number of key par putts to keep her round going.
“Even if you hit a good shot, it’s not an easy putt,” Kang said. “I almost three-putted from 9 feet. Definitely had a really good attitude, and it was really fun to be back.”
The LPGA Tour is not allowing spectators, though that wasn’t a problem for Kang. She was more concerned about her etiquette with two other players, different from a more casual attitude at home. Kang played only twice at the start of the year in the Florida events, including a third-place finish Jan. 23 at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.
The field attracted four of the top 10 from the world ranking, and Kang (No. 4) Minjee Lee of Australia (No. 8) were the only ones to break par. Lee shot 69.
Nelly Korda, the highest-ranked player at No. 2 in the world, opened with two birdies in three holes and closed with another birdie. It was the part in between that cost her, and she had a 76. Lexi Thompson, who has slipped to No. 9, opened with a 73.
For most of them, it was simply good to be back.
Lydia Ko made a long birdie to close out her round of 69, joining Lee and Amy Olson.
“I saw some of the girls and I was like, ‘Man, it’s nice to not see you through a virtual app or on social media,’” Ko said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-01--Vietnam reports more than 2 dozen new cases, 2nd death

HANOI , Vietnam ( AP ) - Vietnam reported more than two dozen new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday , while a second man died of virus complications a day after the country recorded its first death from COVID-19 .
Of the 28 new cases , 20 are from Da Nang hospitals , six from local community transmissions in Da Nang and two Vietnamese nationals returning from Indonesia .
Vietnam had been seen as a global success story in combating the coronavirus , with no deaths and no confirmed cases of local transmission for 99 days .
But a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Da Nang hospital .
It has spread to six parts of the country , including three of the largest cities , forcing authorities to reimpose virus restrictions .
Da Nang is Vietnam ’ s most popular beach destination , and thousands of visitors were in the city for summer vacation .
Across the country , authorities are rushing to test people who have returned home from the coastal city .
Both men died in a hospital in Da Nang .
The Health Ministry said a 61 year-old man died on Friday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The country ’ s first fatality was a 70-year-old man who was being treated for a kidney illness .
Fifteen other patients with COVID-19 are in critical condition , officials said .
All have other underlying illnesses .
Experts worry the actual number of cases could be far higher .
Before the latest outbreak Vietnam had a total of only 416 cases .
In Hanoi , the capital , where two people have tested positive after returning from Da Nang , over 100 clinics have been set up with test kits to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a third of the 54,000 people returning from Da Nang .
In Ho Chi Minh City , the country ’ s southern hub , five people who returned from Da Nang have tested positive for the virus .
The city is testing some 20,000 other returnees .
“ The COVID-19 outbreak is no longer an issue in Da Nang only when we have recorded cases in Quang Nam , Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh City among other locations , ” acting health minister Nguyen Thanh Long said .
As the number of case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tightened security and set up more checkpoints to prevent people from leaving or entering the city , which has been in lockdown since Tuesday .
The city on Friday began setting up a makeshift hospital in a sports auditorium and doctors have been mobilized from other cities to help .
Hoi An , an ancient town and top tourist destination known for its charming old houses 20 kilometers ( 12 miles ) south of Da Nang , stopped allowing visitors on Thursday because of the outbreak .
Its pedestrian streets , adorned with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gatherings were banned .

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - Vietnam reported more than three dozen new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday, while a third person died of COVID-19 complications a day after the country reported its first-ever death from the disease.
Vietnam had been seen as a global success story in combating the coronavirus, with no confirmed cases of local transmission for 99 days. But a week ago, an outbreak began at a Da Nang hospital. It has spread to six parts of the country, including three of the largest cities, forcing authorities to reimpose virus restrictions.
Da Nang is Vietnam’s most popular beach destination, and thousands of visitors were in the city for summer vacation. Across the country, authorities are rushing to test people who have returned home from the coastal city.
Of the 40 new cases reported Saturday, 32 are from Da Nang hospitals and six are from local community transmissions in the city. The other two are Vietnamese nationals returning from Indonesia.
The Health Ministry said the latest fatalities included a 68-year-old woman who was treated for blood cancer and a 61-year-old man who suffered septic shock and chronic kidney failure. The country’s first COVID-19 death was a 70-year-old man who was admitted with a kidney illness. All three died in a hospital in Da Nang.
Fifteen other patients with COVID-19 are in critical condition, officials said. All have other underlying illnesses.
Vietnam has now confirmed 586 cases of the virus, but experts worry the actual number could be far higher.
In Hanoi, the capital, where two people have tested positive after returning from Da Nang, over 100 clinics have been set up with test kits to detect the virus. Hanoi has tested a third of the 54,000 people returning from Da Nang.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s southern hub, five people who returned from Da Nang have tested positive for the virus. The city is testing some 20,000 other returnees.
“The COVID-19 outbreak is no longer an issue in Da Nang only when we have recorded cases in Quang Nam, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City among other locations,” acting health minister Nguyen Thanh Long said.
As the number of case continues to increase, Da Nang has tightened security and set up more checkpoints to prevent people from leaving or entering the city, which has been in lockdown since Tuesday.
The city on Friday began setting up a makeshift hospital in a sports auditorium and doctors have been mobilized from other cities to help.
Hoi An, an ancient town and top tourist destination known for its charming old houses 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Da Nang, stopped allowing visitors on Thursday because of the outbreak. Its pedestrian streets, adorned with lanterns, were empty and nonessential services and gatherings were banned.
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This story has been corrected to show that three people in Vietnam have died from the coronavirus, not two.