washingtontimes--2020-06-07--Africa's essential truckers say they face virus stigma

NAMANGA , Kenya ( AP ) - They haul food , fuel and other essential supplies along sometimes dangerous roads during tough economic times .
But Africa ’ s long-distance truckers say they are increasingly being accused of carrying something else : the coronavirus .
While hundreds of truckers have tested positive for the virus in recent weeks , the drivers say they are being stigmatized and treated like criminals , being detained by governments and slowing cargo traffic to a crawl .
That has created a challenge for governments in much of sub-Saharan Africa , where many borders remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to strike a balance between contagion and commerce .
Countries are struggling to reach common ground .
“ When I entered Tanzania , in every town that I would drive through , they would call me , ’ You , corona , get away from here with your corona !
’ ” said Abdulkarim Rajab , a burly Kenyan who has been driving trucks for 17 years and recalls when drivers were being accused of spreading HIV during that outbreak .
Rajab and his load of liquefied gas spent three days at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trucks waiting to be cleared stretched into the distance and wound around the lush hills overlooking the crossing at Namanga .
Tanzania closed the border there this week , protesting Kenya ’ s efforts to re-test all incoming truckers , including those who even had certificates showing they had been tested in the previous 14 days .
It was the second time the frontier was closed in less than a month and was taken after many Tanzanian truckers with negative results started testing positive at the border .
Many truckers must sleep in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , increasing their risk of contagion .
They ’ re often stuck for days at a border waiting for virus test results , mingling in crowded parking lots .
Some told The Associated Press they try to elude authorities or switch off their phones when they enter Uganda so they can ’ t be ordered to pull over .
More than half of the country ’ s 507 coronavirus cases as of Wednesday have been confirmed among truckers .
New government orders largely confine truckers to their vehicles and have designated rest areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Authorities say the restrictions are necessary , but the truckers see them as biased and unjust .
When a driver takes a bathroom break , “ the people in the area start chasing him , saying , ‘ You want to leave your COVID here.
’ That ’ s discrimination , ” said Byron Kinene , a Ugandan who heads the Regional Lorry Drivers and Transporters Association .
Several Kenyan truckers driving through northern Uganda to South Sudan on May 30 made a distress call after locals threatened them as they sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities in East African countries don ’ t have enough tests for their population , so they focus instead on highly mobile truckers .
“ We are concentrating on hot spot areas .
We are picking many ( truckers ) who are positive , ” said Pontiano Kaleebu , who heads the Uganda Virus Research Institute , the government testing agency .
“ This is not unfair .
This is the reality.
” The testing at the border is often slow , frustrating and risky .
“ The challenge is the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many , ” said Aggrey Keya , a Kenyan lab technician at the Namanga border .
Taking samples raises the possibility of getting infected , Keya said .
Processing the samples can take two days , along with another three days for truckers to clear customs and immigration .
Some drivers report waiting for up to a week .
The East African Community regional bloc said May 30 it wants to monitor truckers via mobile phones and issue certificates declaring their health status .
But the measure can ’ t be implemented until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gets the necessary equipment , and no start date has been set .
That means countries like Kenya and Tanzania , which have responded differently to the pandemic , will continue their own restrictions .
Tanzania hasn ’ t updated its number of virus cases since April 29 .
While its president claims the virus has been defeated , African health authorities want its government to be more transparent and the opposition fears a cover-up .
Officially , cases remain at just over 500 while the opposition says the real number could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neighboring Kenya and Uganda have enforced strict measures .
The countries are on major transport corridors that serve a large part of central and southern Africa .
Some trucks coming in from the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa head for South Sudan , which is emerging from civil war .
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has said banning trucks is “ suicidal ” in a region where delivery by other means , including air and sea , is underdeveloped .
Some truckers have staged protests on the highway leading to the Kenya-Uganda border recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The four-day protest , during which truckers deflated their tires , caused a huge traffic jam inside Kenya .
Feeling harassed , some truckers refuse to cooperate with authorities , switching off phones or giving the wrong contact address if their sample tests positive , said Ndugu Omogo , head of the Uganda Professional Drivers Network .
He said some drivers have been mistreated when arrested .
Ally Akida Samwel of Tanzania , waiting at the Namanga border post to haul maize to Kenya , said some officials refuse even to touch a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be read aloud instead .
“ On the other hand , drivers themselves are scared of getting the coronavirus from the people , so most prefer to sleep in their trucks and not hotels , ” he said .
“ I stop and cook on the roadside , and I am on my way .
If you are scared of me giving you the coronavirus , I am also scared of you giving it to me .
”

NAMANGA, Kenya (AP) - They haul food, fuel and other essential supplies along sometimes dangerous roads during tough economic times. But Africa’s long-distance truckers say they are increasingly being accused of carrying something else: the coronavirus.
While hundreds of truckers have tested positive for the virus in recent weeks, the drivers say they are being stigmatized and treated like criminals, being detained by governments and slowing cargo traffic to a crawl.
That has created a challenge for governments in much of sub-Saharan Africa, where many borders remain closed by the pandemic, on how to strike a balance between contagion and commerce. Countries are struggling to reach common ground.
“When I entered Tanzania, in every town that I would drive through, they would call me, ’You, corona, get away from here with your corona!’” said Abdulkarim Rajab, a burly Kenyan who has been driving trucks for 17 years and recalls when drivers were being accused of spreading HIV during that outbreak.
Rajab and his load of liquefied gas spent three days at the Kenya-Tanzania border, where the line of trucks waiting to be cleared stretched into the distance and wound around the lush hills overlooking the crossing at Namanga.
Tanzania closed the border there this week, protesting Kenya’s efforts to re-test all incoming truckers, including those who even had certificates showing they had been tested in the previous 14 days. It was the second time the frontier was closed in less than a month and was taken after many Tanzanian truckers with negative results started testing positive at the border.
Many truckers must sleep in unsanitary motels and interact with many people, increasing their risk of contagion. They’re often stuck for days at a border waiting for virus test results, mingling in crowded parking lots.
Some told The Associated Press they try to elude authorities or switch off their phones when they enter Uganda so they can’t be ordered to pull over. More than half of the country’s 507 coronavirus cases as of Wednesday have been confirmed among truckers.
New government orders largely confine truckers to their vehicles and have designated rest areas along highways to limit contact with residents. Authorities say the restrictions are necessary, but the truckers see them as biased and unjust.
When a driver takes a bathroom break, “the people in the area start chasing him, saying, ‘You want to leave your COVID here.’ That’s discrimination,” said Byron Kinene, a Ugandan who heads the Regional Lorry Drivers and Transporters Association.
Several Kenyan truckers driving through northern Uganda to South Sudan on May 30 made a distress call after locals threatened them as they sought to park, Kinene said.
Health authorities in East African countries don’t have enough tests for their population, so they focus instead on highly mobile truckers.
“We are concentrating on hot spot areas. We are picking many (truckers) who are positive,” said Pontiano Kaleebu, who heads the Uganda Virus Research Institute, the government testing agency. “This is not unfair. This is the reality.”
The testing at the border is often slow, frustrating and risky.
“The challenge is the number of people who come. They are so many,” said Aggrey Keya, a Kenyan lab technician at the Namanga border.
Taking samples raises the possibility of getting infected, Keya said. Processing the samples can take two days, along with another three days for truckers to clear customs and immigration. Some drivers report waiting for up to a week.
The East African Community regional bloc said May 30 it wants to monitor truckers via mobile phones and issue certificates declaring their health status. But the measure can’t be implemented until each country sets up a coordinating office and gets the necessary equipment, and no start date has been set.
That means countries like Kenya and Tanzania, which have responded differently to the pandemic, will continue their own restrictions.
Tanzania hasn’t updated its number of virus cases since April 29. While its president claims the virus has been defeated, African health authorities want its government to be more transparent and the opposition fears a cover-up. Officially, cases remain at just over 500 while the opposition says the real number could be in the tens of thousands.
Neighboring Kenya and Uganda have enforced strict measures. The countries are on major transport corridors that serve a large part of central and southern Africa. Some trucks coming in from the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa head for South Sudan, which is emerging from civil war.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has said banning trucks is “suicidal” in a region where delivery by other means, including air and sea, is underdeveloped.
Some truckers have staged protests on the highway leading to the Kenya-Uganda border recently, citing alleged mistreatment in Uganda. The four-day protest, during which truckers deflated their tires, caused a huge traffic jam inside Kenya.
Feeling harassed, some truckers refuse to cooperate with authorities, switching off phones or giving the wrong contact address if their sample tests positive, said Ndugu Omogo, head of the Uganda Professional Drivers Network. He said some drivers have been mistreated when arrested.
Ally Akida Samwel of Tanzania, waiting at the Namanga border post to haul maize to Kenya, said some officials refuse even to touch a trucker’s documents, asking they be read aloud instead.
“On the other hand, drivers themselves are scared of getting the coronavirus from the people, so most prefer to sleep in their trucks and not hotels,” he said. “I stop and cook on the roadside, and I am on my way. If you are scared of me giving you the coronavirus, I am also scared of you giving it to me.”
___
Muhumuza reported from Kampala, Uganda.


washingtontimes--2020-06-07--Florida fire chief, arts official removed over black mural

BOYNTON BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - A Florida fire chief and arts manager have been removed from their @ @ @ @ @ black former fire department officials was replaced with one showing them with white faces .
@ @ @ @ @ that City Manager Lori LaVerriere removed Matthew Petty , the city ’ s fire chief @ @ @ @ @ , the city ’ s public arts manager .
LaVerriere said in a statement Saturday @ @ @ @ @ to any part of the community .
The mural , which the city unveiled this @ @ @ @ @ of Latosha Clemons , who was the city ’ s first and only black female @ @ @ @ @ Also erased on the mural was the face of Glenn Joseph , the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ He was the first black firefighter in Boca Raton ’ s department .
Officials removed @ @ @ @ @ day after it was unveiled .

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A Florida fire chief and arts manager have been removed from their jobs after a mural depicting black former fire department officials was replaced with one showing them with white faces.
The Palm Beach Post reports that City Manager Lori LaVerriere removed Matthew Petty, the city’s fire chief, and fired Debby Coles-Dobay, the city’s public arts manager. LaVerriere said in a statement Saturday she would not tolerate disrespect to any part of the community.
The mural, which the city unveiled this month, erased the image of Latosha Clemons, who was the city’s first and only black female firefighter and deputy chief. Also erased on the mural was the face of Glenn Joseph, the city’s former fire chief. He was the first black firefighter in Boca Raton’s department.
Officials removed the public art project a day after it was unveiled.


washingtontimes--2020-06-07--Mitt Romney marches in Black Lives Matter protest in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON — Sen. Mitt Romney marched in a protest against police mistreatment of minorities in the nation ’ s capital , making him the first known Republican senator to do so .
Romney , who represents Utah , posted a tweet showing him wearing a mask as he walked with Black Lives Matter protesters in Washington on Sunday .
Above the photo he wrote : Black Lives Matter .
Romney , who was walking with a Christian group , told NBC News that he needed to be there .
“ We need a voice against racism , we need many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
On Saturday , Romney tweeted a photo of his father , George , who was the governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969 , marching with civil rights protesters in the 1960s in a Detroit suburb .
Above the photo , Mitt Romney wrote : “ This is my father , George Romney , participating in a Civil Rights march in the Detroit suburbs during the late 1960s – “ Force alone will not eliminate riots , ” he said .
“ We must eliminate the problems from which @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON — Sen. Mitt Romney marched Sunday in a protest against police mistreatment of minorities in the nation’s capitol, making him the first Republican senator known to do so.
Romney, who represents Utah, posted a tweet showing him wearing a mask as he walked with Black Lives Matter protesters in Washington. Above the photo he wrote: Black Lives Matter.
Romney, who was walking with a Christian group, told NBC News that he needed to be there.
“We need a voice against racism, we need many voices against racism and against brutality,” he said. “We need to stand up and say, ‘Black lives matter.’ “
On Saturday, Romney tweeted a photo of his father, George, who was the governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969, marching with civil rights protesters in the 1960s in a Detroit suburb.
Above the photo, Mitt Romney wrote: “This is my father, George Romney, participating in a Civil Rights march in the Detroit suburbs during the late 1960s – “Force alone will not eliminate riots,” he said. “We must eliminate the problems from which they stem.”
Romney also wrote two other tweets on May 30 and May 28 criticizing the Minneapolis officers involved in the death of George Floyd.
The May 30 tweet said: “The George Floyd murder is abhorrent. Peaceful protests underscore the urgency of addressing injustices. But violence drowns the message of the protestors and mocks the principles of justice.”
The May 28 tweet said: “No Americans should fear enmity and harm from those sworn to protect us. The death of George Floyd must not be in vain: Our shock and outrage must grow into collective determination to extinguish forever such racist abuse.”
Romney has been one of the more independent members of the U.S. Senate’s GOP caucus. He voted to remove President Donald Trump from office after the impeachment trial.


washingtontimes--2020-06-07--Former Florida, NFL star Reche Caldwell fatally shot

TAMPA , Fla. ( AP ) - Reche Caldwell , the former University of Florida and NFL receiver , was fatally shot Saturday night in his hometown .
Caldwell ’ s mother , Deborah , did not return phone messages left by The Associated Press on Sunday , but confirmed her son ’ s death to the Tampa Bay Times .
She said police told her they believe her son was ambushed outside his home in a possible robbery attempt .
The New England Patriots and Washington Redskins — two of Caldwell ’ s stops in the NFL - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet condolences to his family , along with former Gators quarterback Rex Grossman .
“ RIP Reche , ” Grossman wrote .
“ You were one of my favorite teammates of all time .
I will always remember our time at Florida for your unreal talent , infectious humor , and our shared success as a team .
You will be missed by all your Gator family.
” The 41-year-old Caldwell was not named in a police report on the incident per Florida law , but the report said , early in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear to be a random act.
” Caldwell was awaiting sentencing this month after pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud , along with several other former NFL players .
He also served prison time on a 2014 drug charge .
Caldwell was drafted by San Diego in the second round in 2002 .
He had 152 catches for 1,851 yards and 11 touchdowns in six NFL seasons - four with the Chargers and one each with New England and Washington .
Caldwell ’ s brother Andre Caldwell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Former Florida and NFL receiver Reche Caldwell was fatally shot Saturday night in his hometown.
Caldwell’s mother, Deborah, did not return phone messages left by The Associated Press on Sunday, but confirmed her son’s death to the Tampa Bay Times.
She said police told her they believe her son was ambushed outside his home in a possible robbery attempt.
The University of Florida and Caldwell’s three NFL teams - the Chargers, Patriots and Redskins - were among those to tweet condolences to his family, along with former Florida coach Steve Spurrier and former Gators quarterback Rex Grossman.
Spurrier tweeted that Caldwell “was one of the best WR’s in school history and was very instrumental in winning the 2000 SEC Championship.”
“RIP Reche,” Grossman wrote. “You were one of my favorite teammates of all time. I will always remember our time at Florida for your unreal talent, infectious humor, and our shared success as a team. You will be missed by all your Gator family.”
Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady posted a photo tribute to his Instagram page, with one photo showing Brady and Caldwell in an on-field embrace.
The 41-year-old Caldwell was not named in a police report on the incident per Florida law, but the report said, early in the investigation, the shooting “does not appear to be a random act.”
Caldwell was awaiting sentencing this month after pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, along with several other former NFL players. He also served prison time on a 2014 drug charge.
Caldwell was drafted by San Diego in the second round in 2002. He had 152 catches for 1,851 yards and 11 touchdowns in six NFL seasons - four with the Chargers and one each with New England and Washington.
Caldwell’s brother Andre Caldwell also was a Florida and NFL receiver.


washingtontimes--2020-06-07--The Obamas deliver speeches during YouTube virtual ceremony

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - President Barack Obama said in a commencement speech Sunday that the nationwide protests following the recent deaths of unarmed black women and men including George Floyd were fueled from “ decades worth of anguish , frustration , over unequal treatment and a failure to perform police practices.
” Obama along with his wife , Michelle , delivered speeches during YouTube ’ s “ Dear Class of 2020 ” virtual ceremony .
The duo , along with a wide-ranging , star-studded lineup including Beyoncé , Lady Gaga and Tom Brady , offered inspirational messages in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former president told graduates that the coronavirus shined a light on a plethora of America ’ s ongoing issues .
“ In a lot of ways , the pandemic just brought into focus problems that have been growing for a very long time , ” he continued .
“ Whether it ’ s widening economic inequality , the lack of basic health care for millions of people , the continuing scourge of bigotry and sexism , or the division or dysfunction that plagued our political system.
” Obama added : “ As scary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are also a wake-up call .
And they ’ re an incredible opportunity for your generation.
” Michelle Obama said the ongoing protests following Floyd ’ s death are a “ direct result of decades of unaddressed , prejudice and inequality.
” She said she understands those who are “ scared or confused or angry , or just plain overwhelmed ” with the events the past few months .
“ Over these past couple of months , our foundation has been shaken , ” she said .
“ Not just by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved ones , upended our daily lives and sent tens of millions into unemployment , but also by the rumbling of the age-old fault lines that our country was built on , the lines of race and power that are now once again so nakedly exposed for all of us to grapple with.
” Beyoncé delivered a stirring 10-minute speech to graduates .
She spoke about the recent protests as well as shared her secrets to success and the importance of ownership .
“ You are achieving things your parents and grandparents never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ You are the answer to a generation of prayers.
” Beyoncé advised graduates to believe in themselves as she did when the singer started her own company a decade ago .
She said creating her own lane was challenging in an entertainment business that is still “ very sexist ” and “ male-dominated.
” The singer also said the protests have already made an impact .
“ Look what you ’ ve been able to do in the last 14 days , ” she said .
“ We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ve seen what happens when we join for the same cause .
Please , continue to be the voice for the voiceless.
” The four-hour ceremony was filmed over the last several weeks , but Lady Gaga decided to re-record her message .
Her initial speech touched on the effect COVID-19 had on this year ’ s graduating class , but she wanted to speak more on the Floyd ’ s death , the Black Lives Matter movement and racism in America .
“ While my original commencement speech may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs most right now , I wish to tell you today that though there is much to be sad about , there is also much to celebrated , ” she said .
“ You are watching what is a pivotal moment in this country ’ s evolution .
… Change will happen , and it will be for the better.
” Taylor Swift said her high school graduation wasn ’ t what she expected .
The singer told a story about how she was on tour and unable to go to her own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t the kind of graduation you thought you were going to be having , ” she said .
“ I ended up getting mailed my diploma .
… It wasn ’ t exactly what I had pictured.
” Lizzo began the ceremony with a rousing performance .
While wielding her flute , the “ Truth Hurts ” singer performed the classic “ Pomp and Circumstance ” before she congratulated graduates as the New York Philharmonic accompanied her .
Several music artists from Cynthia Erivo , Camila Cabello , Coldplay ’ s Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khalid and others collaborated to sing a rendition of U2 ’ s “ Beautiful Day.
” Katy Perry led graduates in the ceremonial tassel turn at the end of the commencement celebration .

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former President Barack Obama said in a commencement speech Sunday that the nationwide protests following the recent deaths of unarmed black women and men including George Floyd were fueled from “decades worth of anguish, frustration, over unequal treatment and a failure to perform police practices.”
Obama along with his wife, Michelle, delivered speeches during YouTube’s “Dear Class of 2020” virtual ceremony. The duo, along with a wide-ranging, star-studded lineup including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Tom Brady, offered inspirational messages in hopes of uplifting new graduates.
The former president told graduates that the coronavirus shined a light on a plethora of America’s ongoing issues.
“In a lot of ways, the pandemic just brought into focus problems that have been growing for a very long time,” he continued. “Whether it’s widening economic inequality, the lack of basic health care for millions of people, the continuing scourge of bigotry and sexism, or the division or dysfunction that plagued our political system.”
Obama added: “As scary and uncertain these times may be, they are also a wake-up call. And they’re an incredible opportunity for your generation.”
Michelle Obama said the ongoing protests following Floyd’s death are a “direct result of decades of unaddressed, prejudice and inequality.” She said she understands those who are “scared or confused or angry, or just plain overwhelmed” with the events the past few months.
“Over these past couple of months, our foundation has been shaken,” she said. “Not just by a pandemic that stole too many of our loved ones, upended our daily lives and sent tens of millions into unemployment, but also by the rumbling of the age-old fault lines that our country was built on, the lines of race and power that are now once again so nakedly exposed for all of us to grapple with.”
Beyoncé delivered a stirring 10-minute speech to graduates. She spoke about the recent protests as well as shared her secrets to success and the importance of ownership.
“You are achieving things your parents and grandparents never could imagine for themselves,” she said. “You are the answer to a generation of prayers.”
Beyoncé advised graduates to believe in themselves as she did when the singer started her own company a decade ago. She said creating her own lane was challenging in an entertainment business that is still “very sexist” and “male-dominated.” The singer also said the protests have already made an impact.
“Look what you’ve been able to do in the last 14 days,” she said. “We’ve seen the power of the collective. We’ve seen what happens when we join for the same cause. Please, continue to be the voice for the voiceless.”
The four-hour ceremony was filmed over the last several weeks, but Lady Gaga decided to re-record her message. Her initial speech touched on the effect COVID-19 had on this year’s graduating class, but she wanted to speak more on the Floyd’s death, the Black Lives Matter movement and racism in America.
“While my original commencement speech may not be directly relevant to what this country needs most right now, I wish to tell you today that though there is much to be sad about, there is also much to celebrated,” she said. “You are watching what is a pivotal moment in this country’s evolution. … Change will happen, and it will be for the better.”
Taylor Swift said her high school graduation wasn’t what she expected. The singer told a story about how she was on tour and unable to go to her own ceremony.
“I know this isn’t the kind of graduation you thought you were going to be having,” she said. “I ended up getting mailed my diploma. … It wasn’t exactly what I had pictured.”
Lizzo began the ceremony with a rousing performance. While wielding her flute, the “Truth Hurts” singer performed the classic “Pomp and Circumstance” before she congratulated graduates as the New York Philharmonic accompanied her.
Several music artists from Cynthia Erivo, Camila Cabello, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Ty Dolla $ign, Khalid and others collaborated to sing a rendition of U2’s “Beautiful Day.” Katy Perry led graduates in the ceremonial tassel turn at the end of the commencement celebration.


washingtontimes--2020-06-07--Defund police movement advances in Minneapolis, New York

Key Democrats on Sunday tamped down expectations of the “ defund police ” movement but said there will need to be a reexamination of how money is spent , as they prepared to announce a major piece of legislation designed to set national standards for how state and local police can operate .
The defund police movement has picked up steam on the political left in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and a series of encounters between police and protesters over the ensuing two weeks that left much of the country demanding changes .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Jacob Frey was booed at a rally over the weekend for rejecting calls to wipe out the city ’ s police department .
However on Sunday , a supermajority of members of the Minneapolis City Council committed themselves at a rally to doing exactly that .
Eight members , enough to override a Frey veto , vowed in a statement read to the demonstrators to “ begin the process of ending the Minneapolis Police Department , ” saying the department “ can not be reformed , and will never be accountable for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mayor Bill de Blasio reversed himself and said Sunday that he will pursue cuts in police funding .
“ We ’ re committed to seeing a shift of funding to youth services , to social services , that will happen literally in the course of the next three weeks , but I ’ m not going to go into detail because it is subject to negotiation and we want to figure out what makes sense , ” the mayor said , according to The New York Times .
In Washington , two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass of California , acknowledged the growing movement but said defunding is not on the table when Democrats reveal their police reform bill Monday .
“ I don ’ t believe that you should disband police departments .
But I do think that , in cities , in states , we need to look at how we are spending the resources and invest more in our communities , ” Ms. Bass told CNN ’ s “ State of the Union ” program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , will set standards for how officers should react to protests , will ban use of chokeholds and will remove officers ’ immunity from personal lawsuits over damages caused by their policing .
Asked about the defund police movement , Mr. Jeffries said he had not seen a plan he would back .
He said Democrats can resist the pressure from the left , just as they did last year when liberal activists demanded abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about approval of the other reforms including the ban on chokeholds , which he has advocated for years .
“ We obviously have a serious problem , ” Mr. Jeffries told CNN ’ s “ Inside Politics.
” “ We can not deny that we have far too many brutal officers , far too many violent officers , far too many abusive officers , and we have to address that phenomenon.
” President Trump took to Twitter to feed the battle over defunding police within Democratic circles .
He predicted his likely Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , will side with “ radical left Democrats ” in stripping money from departments .
“ I want great and well paid LAW ENFORCEMENT .
I want LAW & ORDER !
” the president said , with his characteristic flourish for capital letters and exclamation points .
The nation ’ s top law enforcement official , Attorney General William Barr , said from his standpoint there isn ’ t systemic racism in policing and most officers are doing their jobs correctly .
“ I think there is racism in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think the law enforcement system is systemically racist , ” Mr. Barr said .
“ I understand the distrust , however , of the African American community given the history in this country.
” He told CBS ’ s “ Face the Nation ” that removing officers ’ immunity , the centerpiece of Democrats ’ expected legislation , would hinder law enforcement and “ result certainly in police pulling back.
” Michael Avery , board president of the National Police Accountability Project , a nonprofit that advocates against police misconduct , said police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the late 1960s , the early 1990s after video of Los Angeles police beating Rodney King , and half a decade ago after the shooting death of Michael Brown by police in Ferguson , Missouri .
“ Of course in the 1960s there was a great deal of concern about police , but it would blow over after a while , ” Mr. Avery told The Washington Times .
“ In the 50 years I ’ ve been a civil rights lawyer , I ’ ve never seen the concern stick the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going away this time.
” He said defunding police departments is unrealistic but their budgets should be scoured .
“ To the extent the police are buying little tanks , robots and incredible weapons and things of that sort , I would cut that way back , ” he said , emphasizing he was speaking for himself and not his organization .
“ But I don ’ t think current concerns will be solved by defunding the police.
” He said solving a systemic problem will take time and determining whether changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is no quick fix because these problems and systemic and rooted in our society , ” Mr. Avery said .
“ None of these things can be accomplished overnight , but departments have to signal they are interested in change.
” To send those signals , he said , departments could commit to more civilian oversight of police forces and increase transparency .
Ensuring body cameras are working at all times and being more open to misconduct investigations would be a start , he said .
Officers must also improve their relationships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard Pozniak , who teaches crisis communications and lectures at police academies on maintaining a good reputation .
He called for more social interaction between law enforcement and citizens .
As examples , he said officers could introduce themselves and engage residents in polite conversation .
He also called for more stringent screening of recruits , including scrutiny of their mental health and their professional careers .
Protests during the past couple of weeks have exposed a willingness of some to take the fight straight to the police .
In Brooklyn , three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week .
At least five police officers were shot in St. Louis , and a federal officer was killed in Oakland , California , during early stages of the rioting .
Mr. Pozniak said the attacks illustrate the reputation crisis facing law enforcement .
“ Any police chief or law enforcement officer who doesn ’ t think their local department is impacted by what happened in Minneapolis is in complete denial , ” he said .
Mr. Pozniak called the idea of eliminating departments “ out of the box thinking , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will never come into the sphere of reality.
” “ Doing away with the traditional American police force in favor of the British bobby will not work in a country consumed with handguns and committing crimes against merchants , ” he said .
He said he believes police can emerge better and more respected , but it will take work and substantial reform .
“ I don ’ t think the trust is totally gone , but it is in bad shape , ” he said .

Key Democrats on Sunday tamped down expectations of the “defund police” movement but said there will need to be a reexamination of how money is spent, as they prepared to announce a major piece of legislation designed to set national standards for how state and local police can operate.
The defund police movement has picked up steam on the political left in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and a series of encounters between police and protesters over the ensuing two weeks that left much of the country demanding changes.
At the epicenter of unrest in Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey was booed at a rally over the weekend for rejecting calls to wipe out the city’s police department. However on Sunday, a supermajority of members of the Minneapolis City Council committed themselves at a rally to doing exactly that.
Eight members, enough to override a Frey veto, vowed in a statement read to the demonstrators to “begin the process of ending the Minneapolis Police Department,” saying the department “cannot be reformed, and will never be accountable for its actions.”
In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio reversed himself and said Sunday that he will pursue cuts in police funding.
“We’re committed to seeing a shift of funding to youth services, to social services, that will happen literally in the course of the next three weeks, but I’m not going to go into detail because it is subject to negotiation and we want to figure out what makes sense,” the mayor said, according to The New York Times.
SEE ALSO: Minneapolis City Council pledge to dissolve police department
In Washington, two senior black Democrats, House Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass of California, acknowledged the growing movement but said defunding is not on the table when Democrats reveal their police reform bill Monday.
“I don’t believe that you should disband police departments. But I do think that, in cities, in states, we need to look at how we are spending the resources and invest more in our communities,” Ms. Bass told CNN’s “State of the Union” program.
The bill they will announce, along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, will set standards for how officers should react to protests, will ban use of chokeholds and will remove officers’ immunity from personal lawsuits over damages caused by their policing.
Asked about the defund police movement, Mr. Jeffries said he had not seen a plan he would back. He said Democrats can resist the pressure from the left, just as they did last year when liberal activists demanded abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
But Mr. Jeffries was optimistic about approval of the other reforms including the ban on chokeholds, which he has advocated for years.
“We obviously have a serious problem,” Mr. Jeffries told CNN’s “Inside Politics.” “We cannot deny that we have far too many brutal officers, far too many violent officers, far too many abusive officers, and we have to address that phenomenon.”
SEE ALSO: Bill de Blasio vows to defund to New York Police
President Trump took to Twitter to feed the battle over defunding police within Democratic circles. He predicted his likely Democratic opponent, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, will side with “radical left Democrats” in stripping money from departments.
“I want great and well paid LAW ENFORCEMENT. I want LAW & ORDER!” the president said, with his characteristic flourish for capital letters and exclamation points.
The nation’s top law enforcement official, Attorney General William Barr, said from his standpoint there isn’t systemic racism in policing and most officers are doing their jobs correctly.
“I think there is racism in the United States still, but I don’t think the law enforcement system is systemically racist,” Mr. Barr said. “I understand the distrust, however, of the African American community given the history in this country.”
He told CBS’s “Face the Nation” that removing officers’ immunity, the centerpiece of Democrats’ expected legislation, would hinder law enforcement and “result certainly in police pulling back.”
Michael Avery, board president of the National Police Accountability Project, a nonprofit that advocates against police misconduct, said police have faced other times of distrust, including the late 1960s, the early 1990s after video of Los Angeles police beating Rodney King, and half a decade ago after the shooting death of Michael Brown by police in Ferguson, Missouri.
“Of course in the 1960s there was a great deal of concern about police, but it would blow over after a while,” Mr. Avery told The Washington Times. “In the 50 years I’ve been a civil rights lawyer, I’ve never seen the concern stick the way it is now. It is not going away this time.”
He said defunding police departments is unrealistic but their budgets should be scoured.
“To the extent the police are buying little tanks, robots and incredible weapons and things of that sort, I would cut that way back,” he said, emphasizing he was speaking for himself and not his organization. “But I don’t think current concerns will be solved by defunding the police.”
He said solving a systemic problem will take time and determining whether changes are working might take decades.
“There is no quick fix because these problems and systemic and rooted in our society,” Mr. Avery said. “None of these things can be accomplished overnight, but departments have to signal they are interested in change.”
To send those signals, he said, departments could commit to more civilian oversight of police forces and increase transparency. Ensuring body cameras are working at all times and being more open to misconduct investigations would be a start, he said.
Officers must also improve their relationships with the communities they serve, said Richard Pozniak, who teaches crisis communications and lectures at police academies on maintaining a good reputation. He called for more social interaction between law enforcement and citizens. As examples, he said officers could introduce themselves and engage residents in polite conversation.
He also called for more stringent screening of recruits, including scrutiny of their mental health and their professional careers.
Protests during the past couple of weeks have exposed a willingness of some to take the fight straight to the police.
In Brooklyn, three officers were stabbed in a knife attack last week. At least five police officers were shot in St. Louis, and a federal officer was killed in Oakland, California, during early stages of the rioting.
Mr. Pozniak said the attacks illustrate the reputation crisis facing law enforcement. “Any police chief or law enforcement officer who doesn’t think their local department is impacted by what happened in Minneapolis is in complete denial,” he said.
Mr. Pozniak called the idea of eliminating departments “out of the box thinking, but it is so far-fetched, that it will never come into the sphere of reality.”
“Doing away with the traditional American police force in favor of the British bobby will not work in a country consumed with handguns and committing crimes against merchants,” he said.
He said he believes police can emerge better and more respected, but it will take work and substantial reform.
“I don’t think the trust is totally gone, but it is in bad shape,” he said.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com. • Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-07--Thomas Kelly descendant fights to recover Medal of Honor sold in auction

The descendants of Pvt .
Thomas Kelly always knew the Irish immigrant received the Medal of Honor as a young soldier in the Spanish-American War .
His rescue of wounded comrades in July 1899 while under heavy enemy fire in Santiago , Cuba , is part of family lore .
But the tangible proof of Kelly ’ s valor , the medal itself , has been missing for decades .
All that ’ s left is a 1973 certificate from the Department of Defense acknowledging the award .
Then , his great-granddaughter saw a recent article in The Washington Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering a Medal of Honor .
“ We just jumped out of our skins , ” Kasey LeClercq said in an interview .
She had never seen the medal , not even a photograph , yet there it was on the website of the Munich-based auction house Hermann Historica .
But the location of Kelly ’ s medal is once again a mystery : An unidentified private collector bought it for $ 15,000 .
“ Our family believes deeply that Thomas ‘ medal belongs on U.S. soil and with the American people he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who lives in the Seattle area .
“ He was a proud Irish American and served most of his life protecting our country.
” The medal disappeared after his death in 1920 , and the family has no idea how it ended up with Hermann Historica .
Auction house officials wouldn ’ t reveal how they received it and who bought it at the auction .
Hermann Historica didn ’ t respond to messages from The Times about the sale .
It is against U.S. law to sell or purchase a Medal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas Republican , and the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation condemned the auction .
The U.S. Consulate in Munich asked Hermann Historica not to go forward with the sale .
The auction house , which identified the medal as Kelly ‘ s , refused the appeal to halt the sale because it is legal in Germany to sell military decorations .
However , it turned down the family ’ s request to bid on the medal out of deference to U.S. regulations , Mrs. LeClercq said .
“ We really wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have done anything .
It is priceless to our family , ” she said .
Mr. Cruz ’ s office said in a statement that the sale harms the dignity and honor of all recipients of America ’ s highest award for combat valor .
“ Medals of Honor represent the best of America and they belong with the families of the heroes who earned them or in a museum for Americans to honor — not with rich collectors in Germany , ” Mr. Cruz said .
The senator said he will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign sales of Medals of Honor with the aim of recovering those that have already been sold .
Thomas Kelly was alone when he left Ireland and entered the United States through Canada .
His sister and sole family member later followed him to America .
He joined the Army as a teenager and spent much of his life in uniform , family members said .
“ His whole life was military , ” Mrs. LaClercq said .
“ His story is really quite profound.
” His family asked the auction house to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid the $ 15,000 for Kelly ’ s Medal of Honor , but they have received nothing to indicate that happened .
Mrs. LeClercq said that if the medal can ’ t be returned to Kelly ’ s family , then it should at least be on display in a museum open to the public rather than locked away in the cabinet of a private collector .
She wants to share the story of her heroic forebear with her children .
“ I want to know more , and I want my kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ This is in our blood .
”

The descendants of Pvt. Thomas Kelly always knew the Irish immigrant received the Medal of Honor as a young soldier in the Spanish-American War.
His rescue of wounded comrades in July 1899 while under heavy enemy fire in Santiago, Cuba, is part of family lore.
But the tangible proof of Kelly’s valor, the medal itself, has been missing for decades. All that’s left is a 1973 certificate from the Department of Defense acknowledging the award.
Then, his great-granddaughter saw a recent article in The Washington Times about a German auction house that was offering a Medal of Honor.
“We just jumped out of our skins,” Kasey LeClercq said in an interview.
She had never seen the medal, not even a photograph, yet there it was on the website of the Munich-based auction house Hermann Historica. But the location of Kelly’s medal is once again a mystery: An unidentified private collector bought it for $15,000.
“Our family believes deeply that Thomas’ medal belongs on U.S. soil and with the American people he fought for,” said Mrs. LeClercq, who lives in the Seattle area. “He was a proud Irish American and served most of his life protecting our country.”
The medal disappeared after his death in 1920, and the family has no idea how it ended up with Hermann Historica. Auction house officials wouldn’t reveal how they received it and who bought it at the auction.
Hermann Historica didn’t respond to messages from The Times about the sale.
It is against U.S. law to sell or purchase a Medal of Honor.
Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican, and the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation condemned the auction. The U.S. Consulate in Munich asked Hermann Historica not to go forward with the sale.
The auction house, which identified the medal as Kelly’s, refused the appeal to halt the sale because it is legal in Germany to sell military decorations. However, it turned down the family’s request to bid on the medal out of deference to U.S. regulations, Mrs. LeClercq said.
“We really wanted to buy it for our family. We would have done anything. It is priceless to our family,” she said.
Mr. Cruz’s office said in a statement that the sale harms the dignity and honor of all recipients of America’s highest award for combat valor.
“Medals of Honor represent the best of America and they belong with the families of the heroes who earned them or in a museum for Americans to honor — not with rich collectors in Germany,” Mr. Cruz said.
The senator said he will introduce legislation in the Senate to prevent foreign sales of Medals of Honor with the aim of recovering those that have already been sold.
Thomas Kelly was alone when he left Ireland and entered the United States through Canada. His sister and sole family member later followed him to America. He joined the Army as a teenager and spent much of his life in uniform, family members said.
“His whole life was military,” Mrs. LeClercq said. “His story is really quite profound.”
His family asked the auction house to forward their information to the collector who paid the $15,000 for Kelly’s Medal of Honor, but they have received nothing to indicate that happened.
Mrs. LeClercq said that if the medal can’t be returned to Kelly’s family, then it should at least be on display in a museum open to the public rather than locked away in the cabinet of a private collector.
She wants to share the story of her heroic forebear with her children.
“I want to know more, and I want my kids to know more,” Mrs. LeClerq said. “This is in our blood.”
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-07--Man charged in slaying of retired St. Louis police captain

ST. LOUIS ( AP ) - A 24-year-old St. Louis man has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a retired police captain who died on a night of violent protests while trying to protect his friend ’ s pawn shop , the city ’ s prosecutor announced Sunday Stephan Cannon was being held without bond on a first-degree murder charge in the death of David Dorn , 77 , who was killed Tuesday on the sidewalk outside Lee ’ s Pawn and Jewelry .
Dorn ’ s last moments were caught on video and apparently posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has since been taken down .
Dorn ’ s death came on a violent night in St. Louis , where four officers were shot , officers were pelted with rocks and fireworks , and 55 businesses were burglarized or damaged , including a convenience store that burned .
The unrest came as cities across the U.S. have seen protests and violence since George Floyd died May 25 after a white Minneapolis officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes , even after the handcuffed black man stopped moving and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police probable cause statement , Cannon was among those seen on surveillance footage entering the store and then stealing several televisions , The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported .
Dorn , a friend of the pawn shop ’ s owner who was in the habit of checking on the business when alarms went off , arrived at the store .
Cannon then walked toward the street corner with gun in his hand .
“ At the time the shots were fired , ( Cannon ) was the only person standing at that corner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Multiple plumes of smoke ” can be seen coming from where Cannon was standing , and shell casings were found on the spot , police said .
Cannon also faces several other charges including robbery and felon in possession of a firearm .

ST. LOUIS (AP) - A 24-year-old St. Louis man has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a retired police captain who died on a night of violent protests while trying to protect his friend’s pawn shop, the city’s prosecutor announced.
Stephan Cannon was being held without bond on a first-degree murder charge in the death of David Dorn, 77, who was killed Tuesday on the sidewalk outside Lee’s Pawn and Jewelry. Dorn’s last moments were caught on video and apparently posted on Facebook Live, though the video has since been taken down.
Dorn’s death came on a violent night in St. Louis, where four officers were shot, officers were pelted with rocks and fireworks, and 55 businesses were burglarized or damaged, including a convenience store that burned.
The unrest came as cities across the U.S. have seen protests and violence since George Floyd died May 25 after a white Minneapolis officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes, even after the handcuffed black man stopped moving and pleading for air.
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner announced the charges Sunday.
According to a police probable cause statement, Cannon was among those seen on surveillance footage entering the store and then stealing several televisions, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Dorn, a friend of the pawn shop’s owner who was in the habit of checking on the business when alarms went off, arrived at the store. Cannon then walked toward the street corner with gun in his hand.
“At the time the shots were fired, (Cannon) was the only person standing at that corner,” the probable cause statement reads. “Multiple plumes of smoke” can be seen coming from where Cannon was standing, and shell casings were found on the spot, police said.
Cannon also faces several other charges including robbery and felon in possession of a firearm.


washingtontimes--2020-06-07--Sen. Mitt Romney joins Black Lives Matter protest in DC

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney marched Sunday in a protest against police mistreatment of minorities in the nation ’ s capitol , making him the first Republican senator known to do so .
Romney , who represents Utah , posted a tweet showing him wearing a mask as he walked with Black Lives Matter protesters in Washington .
Above the photo he wrote : Black Lives Matter .
Romney , who was walking with a Christian group , told NBC News that he needed to be there .
“ We need a voice against racism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against brutality , ” he said .
“ We need to stand up and say , ‘ Black lives matter.
’ ” On Saturday , Romney tweeted a photo of his father , George , who was the governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969 , marching with civil rights protesters in the 1960s in a Detroit suburb .
Above the photo , Mitt Romney wrote : “ This is my father , George Romney , participating in a Civil Rights march in the Detroit suburbs during the late 1960s - “ Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ We must eliminate the problems from which they stem.
” Romney also wrote two other tweets on May 30 and May 28 criticizing the Minneapolis officers involved in the death of George Floyd .
The May 30 tweet said : “ The George Floyd murder is abhorrent .
Peaceful protests underscore the urgency of addressing injustices .
But violence drowns the message of the protestors and mocks the principles of justice.
” The May 28 tweet said : “ No Americans should fear enmity and harm from those sworn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd must not be in vain : Our shock and outrage must grow into collective determination to extinguish forever such racist abuse.
” Romney has been one of the more independent members of the U.S. Senate ’ s GOP caucus .
He voted to remove President Donald Trump from office after the impeachment trial .

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney marched Sunday in the nation’s capital in a protest against police mistreatment of minorities, making him the first Republican senator known to do so.
Romney, who represents Utah, posted a tweet showing him wearing a mask as he walked with Black Lives Matter protesters in Washington. Above the photo he wrote: Black Lives Matter.
Romney, who was walking with a Christian group, told NBC News that he needed to be there.
“We need a voice against racism, we need many voices against racism and against brutality,” he said. “We need to stand up and say, ‘Black lives matter.’ ”
On Saturday, Romney tweeted a photo of his father, George, who was the governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969, marching with civil rights protesters in the 1960s in a Detroit suburb.
Above the photo, Mitt Romney wrote: “This is my father, George Romney, participating in a Civil Rights march in the Detroit suburbs during the late 1960s - “Force alone will not eliminate riots,” he said. “We must eliminate the problems from which they stem.”
Romney also wrote two other tweets on May 30 and May 28 criticizing the Minneapolis officers involved in the death of George Floyd.
The May 30 tweet said: “The George Floyd murder is abhorrent. Peaceful protests underscore the urgency of addressing injustices. But violence drowns the message of the protestors and mocks the principles of justice.”
The May 28 tweet said: “No Americans should fear enmity and harm from those sworn to protect us. The death of George Floyd must not be in vain: Our shock and outrage must grow into collective determination to extinguish forever such racist abuse.”
Romney has been one of the more independent members of the U.S. Senate’s GOP caucus. He voted to remove President Donald Trump from office after the impeachment trial.


washingtontimes--2020-06-07--Minneapolis City Council pledge to dissolve police department

A two-thirds majority of the Minneapolis City Council pledged Sunday to dissolve the city ’ s police department at a rally over the George Floyd killing two weeks ago .
The members vowed in a statement that , according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune , they read off a piece at a time , to “ begin the process of ending the Minneapolis Police Department.
” “ Decades of police reform efforts have proved that the Minneapolis police department can not be reformed , and will never be accountable for its actions , ” said the eight council members , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veto .
The statement was read at a rally Sunday afternoon in Powderhorn Park .
The members reading the statement , according to the Star Tribune and other local news outlets are Council President Lisa Bender , Vice President Andrea Jenkins and council members Alondra Cano , Phillipe Cunningham , Jeremiah Ellison , Steve Fletcher , Cam Gordon , Andrew Johnson and Jeremy Schroeder .
Mayor Jacob Frey has said he does not support abolishing the department , though if the eight council members stick together , his veto would be overridden .

A two-thirds majority of the Minneapolis City Council pledged Sunday to dissolve the city’s police department at a rally over the George Floyd killing two weeks ago.
The members vowed in a statement that, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, they read off a piece at a time, to “begin the process of ending the Minneapolis Police Department.”
“Decades of police reform efforts have proved that the Minneapolis police department cannot be reformed, and will never be accountable for its actions,” said the eight council members, a supermajority that could override a mayoral veto.
The statement was read at a rally Sunday afternoon in Powderhorn Park.
The members reading the statement, according to the Star Tribune and other local news outlets are Council President Lisa Bender, Vice President Andrea Jenkins and council members Alondra Cano, Phillipe Cunningham, Jeremiah Ellison, Steve Fletcher, Cam Gordon, Andrew Johnson and Jeremy Schroeder.
Mayor Jacob Frey has said he does not support abolishing the department, though if the eight council members stick together, his veto would be overridden.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-07--Minneapolis council majority backs disbanding police force

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - A majority of the members of the Minneapolis City Council said Sunday they support disbanding the city ’ s police department , an aggressive stance that comes just as the state has launched a civil rights investigation after George Floyd ’ s death .
Nine of the council ’ s 12 members appeared with activists at a rally in a city park Sunday afternoon and vowed to end policing as the city currently knows it .
Council member Jeremiah Ellison promised that the council would “ dismantle ” the department .
“ It is clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeping our communities safe , ” Lisa Bender , the council president , said .
“ Our efforts at incremental reform have failed , period.
” Bender went on to say she and the eight other council members that joined the rally are committed to ending the city ’ s relationship with the police force and “ to end policing as we know it and recreate systems that actually keep us safe.
” Floyd , a handcuffed black man , died May 25 after a white officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t breathe ” cries and holding it there even after Floyd stopped moving .
His death sparked protests - some violent , many peaceful - that spread nationwide .
Community activists have criticized the Minneapolis department for years for what they say is a racist and brutal culture that resists change .
The state of Minnesota launched a civil rights investigation of the department last week , and the first concrete changes came Friday in a stipulated agreement in which the city agreed to ban chokeholds and neck restraints .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to unfold in coming months .
Disbanding an entire department has happened before .
In 2012 , with crime rampant in Camden , New Jersey , the city disbanded its police department and replaced it with a new force that covered Camden County .
Compton , California , took the same step in 2000 , shifting its policing to Los Angeles County .
It was a step that then-Attorney General Eric Holder said the Justice Department was considering for Ferguson , Missouri , after the death of Michael Brown .
The city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but one that required massive reforms overseen by a court-appointed mediator .
The move to defund or abolish the Minneapolis department is far from assured , with the civil rights investigation likely to unfold over the next several months .
On Saturday , activists for defunding the department staged a protest outside Mayor Jacob Frey ’ s home .
Frey came out to talk with them .
“ I have been coming to grips with my own responsibility , my own failure in this , ” Frey said .
When pressed on whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ I do not support the full abolition of the police department.
” At another march Saturday during which leaders called for defunding the department , Verbena Dempster said she supported the idea .
“ I think , honestly , we ’ re too far past ” the chance for reform , Dempster told Minnesota Public Radio .
“ We just have to take down the whole system .
”

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A majority of the members of the Minneapolis City Council said Sunday they support disbanding the city’s police department, an aggressive stance that comes just as the state has launched a civil rights investigation after George Floyd’s death.
Nine of the council’s 12 members appeared with activists at a rally in a city park Sunday afternoon and vowed to end policing as the city currently knows it. Council member Jeremiah Ellison promised that the council would “dismantle” the department.
“It is clear that our system of policing is not keeping our communities safe,” Lisa Bender, the council president, said. “Our efforts at incremental reform have failed, period.”
Bender went on to say she and the eight other council members that joined the rally are committed to ending the city’s relationship with the police force and “to end policing as we know it and recreate systems that actually keep us safe.”
Floyd, a handcuffed black man, died May 25 after a white officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck, ignoring his “I can’t breathe” cries and holding it there even after Floyd stopped moving. His death sparked protests - some violent, many peaceful - that spread nationwide.
Community activists have criticized the Minneapolis department for years for what they say is a racist and brutal culture that resists change. The state of Minnesota launched a civil rights investigation of the department last week, and the first concrete changes came Friday in a stipulated agreement in which the city agreed to ban chokeholds and neck restraints.
A more complete remaking of the department is likely to unfold in coming months.
Disbanding an entire department has happened before. In 2012, with crime rampant in Camden, New Jersey, the city disbanded its police department and replaced it with a new force that covered Camden County. Compton, California, took the same step in 2000, shifting its policing to Los Angeles County.
It was a step that then-Attorney General Eric Holder said the Justice Department was considering for Ferguson, Missouri, after the death of Michael Brown. The city eventually reached an agreement short of that but one that required massive reforms overseen by a court-appointed mediator.
The move to defund or abolish the Minneapolis department is far from assured, with the civil rights investigation likely to unfold over the next several months.
On Saturday, activists for defunding the department staged a protest outside Mayor Jacob Frey’s home. Frey came out to talk with them.
“I have been coming to grips with my own responsibility, my own failure in this,” Frey said. When pressed on whether he supported their demands, Frey said: “I do not support the full abolition of the police department.”
He left to booing.
At another march Saturday during which leaders called for defunding the department, Verbena Dempster said she supported the idea.
“I think, honestly, we’re too far past” the chance for reform, Dempster told Minnesota Public Radio. “We just have to take down the whole system.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-07--Coronavirus hospitalization rates down in Georgia, Florida back early reopening move

Georgia led the way in reopening its economy as Gov .
Brian Kemp defied critics , including President Trump , by telling gyms and salons that they could do business again in late April .
Six weeks on , Georgia is faring well : The number of hospitalizations has dropped from about 155 a day to about 110 a day and the new positive test rate remains about the same , even though many more are performed .
The same thing has happened in Florida , where another Republican governor , Ron DeSantis allowed his stay-at-home order to expire May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test rate has ticked up , but the number of hospitalizations has dropped from about 160 a day on average to 130 , according to a Washington Times analysis of state data .
Texas , which joined Georgia and Florida in leading to country to reopen , has more mixed results .
Its positive test rate has risen significantly , and after weeks of little change , the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations spiked late last week .
More than 1,800 cases were being treated Friday and Saturday .
But even with Texas ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in good shape to handle outbreaks , with 10 times as many available hospital beds as COVID-19 patients .
In short , experts say , they succeeded in bending the curve and preventing a surge in cases that might have overwhelmed their medical system , and cleared the path to reopening .
“ It hasn ’ t in any way reached a situation where we are worried we can ’ t handle it , ” said Dr. Jeffrey Singer , a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and a practicing surgeon in Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than adequately able to handle what is going on right now.
” Georgia , Florida and Texas were the biggest states to relax their rules early , and other governors took notice .
All but seven states have abandoned , or in some cases never had , stay-at-home orders .
The Times focused on hospitalization data because it provides insight into the most severe cases .
Death statistics typically reflect COVID-19 cases diagnosed weeks earlier .
The number of positive tests is less calibrated because testing is far more robust now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a seven-day average to account for weekend lulls and other calendar-related spikes .
Dr. Robert Quigley , senior vice president and regional medical director for International SOS , a medical consulting company , said one month may not be enough to determine whether lifting stay-at-home orders will overwhelm health care systems .
He also questioned whether states are using the best measurements .
“ Even though the data we both looked at that said Georgia didn ’ t have a spike after they released their lockdown , that may be because they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s where this becomes such a challenge , ” he said , noting that some hospitalizations may be attributed to factors other than COVID-19 .
Dr. Singer said he expects more cases as states relax their rules , though the reason for the shutdown orders was to flatten the curve of cases and prevent an immediate crisis that would have overwhelmed hospitals .
“ The good news is we have learned in the intervening few months , it seems like if you are under the age of 65 or 70 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing you in is relatively small , ” said Dr. Singer , noting that he tested positive recently for COVID-19 antibodies .
Predictions of doom were prevalent when Mr. Kemp , in late April , laid out his reopening plans .
A New York Times article turned it into a racial issue by saying black residents of Georgia would suffer the most .
NPR and the Center for Public Integrity , citing a confidential government memo , warned that the state didn ’ t have enough beds in intensive care units to handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump told Mr. Kemp he was moving too quickly .
“ They can wait a little bit longer , ” the president said .
“ Safety has to predominate.
” Mr. Kemp reopened the state anyway , saying he had to protect lives and livelihoods of residents .
Mr. Trump did cheer Mr. DeSantis in Florida and Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott when they reopened .
Now he is pushing for even speedier action and calling for states to reopen schools .
Georgia residents were initially skeptical of Mr. Kemp ’ s pace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
A University of Georgia poll showed the share of people supporting the reopening plan went from 24 % in April to 40 % now , The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported .
Another 40 % are still opposed .
The racial catastrophe The New York Times predicted hasn ’ t come to pass .
Although the number of black Georgians testing positive for the coronavirus topped whites in early April , the number has reversed .
Whites now outnumber blacks in positive tests , according to state data .
Some signs still warn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate , a way of measuring whether the disease is on the path toward expanding or dying out , is moving in the wrong direction , according to trackers at the website Rt.live .
A rate higher than 1 means the disease is expanding .
Georgia last week clocked in at a rate of 1.09 , the third-highest among states and trailing only Alaska and Montana .
Florida was fourth at 1.08 , and Texas was 11th at a flat 1 .
Four weeks ago , Georgia was in far better shape at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was 1.03 .
Amira Albert Roess , a professor in epidemiology at George Mason University , said tracking positive COVID-19 cases is important to allow hospital systems to prepare for a possible influx in patients .
She said it is important to track numbers at the county level because some states may be able to reopen but need to leave some areas shut down .
“ Counties that are especially hard hit may decide to stay closed .
In that case , looking at state-level data can give you an incomplete picture of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .

Georgia led the way in reopening its economy as Gov. Brian Kemp defied critics, including President Trump, by telling gyms and salons that they could do business again in late April.
Six weeks on, Georgia is faring well: The number of hospitalizations has dropped from about 155 a day to about 110 a day and the new positive test rate remains about the same, even though many more are performed.
The same thing has happened in Florida, where another Republican governor, Ron DeSantis allowed his stay-at-home order to expire May 4. The state’s positive test rate has ticked up, but the number of hospitalizations has dropped from about 160 a day on average to 130, according to a Washington Times analysis of state data.
Texas, which joined Georgia and Florida in leading to country to reopen, has more mixed results. Its positive test rate has risen significantly, and after weeks of little change, the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations spiked late last week. More than 1,800 cases were being treated Friday and Saturday.
But even with Texas’ increase, each of the states is in good shape to handle outbreaks, with 10 times as many available hospital beds as COVID-19 patients. In short, experts say, they succeeded in bending the curve and preventing a surge in cases that might have overwhelmed their medical system, and cleared the path to reopening.
“It hasn’t in any way reached a situation where we are worried we can’t handle it,” said Dr. Jeffrey Singer, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and a practicing surgeon in Arizona. “Our health care system is more than adequately able to handle what is going on right now.”
SEE ALSO: ‘All eyes’ on New York: Reopening tests city torn by crises
Georgia, Florida and Texas were the biggest states to relax their rules early, and other governors took notice. All but seven states have abandoned, or in some cases never had, stay-at-home orders.
The Times focused on hospitalization data because it provides insight into the most severe cases. Death statistics typically reflect COVID-19 cases diagnosed weeks earlier. The number of positive tests is less calibrated because testing is far more robust now.
In each case, The Times used a seven-day average to account for weekend lulls and other calendar-related spikes.
Dr. Robert Quigley, senior vice president and regional medical director for International SOS, a medical consulting company, said one month may not be enough to determine whether lifting stay-at-home orders will overwhelm health care systems.
He also questioned whether states are using the best measurements.
“Even though the data we both looked at that said Georgia didn’t have a spike after they released their lockdown, that may be because they are looking at the wrong metrics, and that’s where this becomes such a challenge,” he said, noting that some hospitalizations may be attributed to factors other than COVID-19.
Dr. Singer said he expects more cases as states relax their rules, though the reason for the shutdown orders was to flatten the curve of cases and prevent an immediate crisis that would have overwhelmed hospitals.
“The good news is we have learned in the intervening few months, it seems like if you are under the age of 65 or 70 and generally healthy, the odds of this doing you in is relatively small,” said Dr. Singer, noting that he tested positive recently for COVID-19 antibodies.
Predictions of doom were prevalent when Mr. Kemp, in late April, laid out his reopening plans.
A New York Times article turned it into a racial issue by saying black residents of Georgia would suffer the most. NPR and the Center for Public Integrity, citing a confidential government memo, warned that the state didn’t have enough beds in intensive care units to handle a surge of patients.
Even Mr. Trump told Mr. Kemp he was moving too quickly.
“They can wait a little bit longer,” the president said. “Safety has to predominate.”
Mr. Kemp reopened the state anyway, saying he had to protect lives and livelihoods of residents.
Mr. Trump did cheer Mr. DeSantis in Florida and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott when they reopened. Now he is pushing for even speedier action and calling for states to reopen schools.
Georgia residents were initially skeptical of Mr. Kemp’s pace of opening but are starting to accept it. A University of Georgia poll showed the share of people supporting the reopening plan went from 24% in April to 40% now, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Another 40% are still opposed.
The racial catastrophe The New York Times predicted hasn’t come to pass. Although the number of black Georgians testing positive for the coronavirus topped whites in early April, the number has reversed. Whites now outnumber blacks in positive tests, according to state data.
Some signs still warn of a grim future.
The reproduction rate, a way of measuring whether the disease is on the path toward expanding or dying out, is moving in the wrong direction, according to trackers at the website Rt.live.
A rate higher than 1 means the disease is expanding. Georgia last week clocked in at a rate of 1.09, the third-highest among states and trailing only Alaska and Montana. Florida was fourth at 1.08, and Texas was 11th at a flat 1.
Four weeks ago, Georgia was in far better shape at 0.88 and Florida was 0.93. Texas was 1.03.
Amira Albert Roess, a professor in epidemiology at George Mason University, said tracking positive COVID-19 cases is important to allow hospital systems to prepare for a possible influx in patients.
She said it is important to track numbers at the county level because some states may be able to reopen but need to leave some areas shut down.
“Counties that are especially hard hit may decide to stay closed. In that case, looking at state-level data can give you an incomplete picture of what’s actually happening,” she said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com. • Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-07--Inside the Beltway: Gavin Newsom releases Hollywood from quarantine

When the coronavirus pandemic first took hold of the nation , Hollywood ’ s creative types wondered how long it would be before they could build the health crisis into plots for TV shows and movies .
Then came the production shut-downs which affected all broadcast and cable networks and film companies ; late night talk , soap operas , game shows , dramas , comedies — all ground to a halt .
Actors ’ unions and other industry professionals quickly created a 22-page list of recommendations for COVID-19-era productions which included testing all cast and crew members for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But quiet on the set , now .
The anxious community does not have long to wait for their creative return .
Productions will fire up once again on Friday .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom has released official guidelines for restarting TV and film production , in conjunction with the Department of Public Health .
“ Music , TV and film production may resume in California , recommended no sooner than June 12 , 2020 , and subject to approval by county public health officers within the jurisdictions of operations following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases per 100,000 population , rate of test positivity , and local preparedness to support a health care surge , vulnerable populations , contact tracing and testing , ” the guidelines advised .
“ To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission , productions , cast , crew and other industry workers should abide by safety protocols agreed by labor and management , which may be further enhanced by county public health officers , ” the agency continued , also issuing guidance for “ back office staff and management.
” Though some may puzzle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tidy two-thirds of both Republicans and conservatives are under the impression he is conservative .
So are a majority of Democrats .
Sen. Tim Scott , South Carolina Republican , has reintroduced the Walter Scott Notification Act , legislation he introduced in 2015 following Walter Scott ’ s death in a police encounter .
The bill requires states which receive federal funding for law enforcement to report specific details of such events .
This time around , Mr. Scott was joined by Republican Sens .
Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst of Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort ; the legislation is now called the George Floyd-Walter Scott Notification Act , emerging just days after Floyd also died while in police custody , which was caught on video .
His death sparked protests and riots both here and abroad .
“ On the idea of defunding police , what a ridiculous idea .
It is not an idea whose time has come .
It should never come .
The nation [ absolutely ] requires law and order .
We need order in our of streets , and the easiest way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong presence of character-driven law enforcement officers .
There ’ s no doubt in my mind that the average law enforcement officer in this nation is not a racist .
There ’ s also no doubt in my mind that , when you look at the actual facts , black folks are 2.5 times more likely to be shot by an officer than whites , ” Mr. Scott told Fox News on Sunday .
“ Without that actual information in an aggregate value , we don ’ t really know what ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of law enforcement agencies actually report their information to the FBI .
I think it would help all of us to get a clearer picture of what ’ s going on within the law enforcement community , ” the senator said .
BLACK VOICES FOR TRUMP HAVE A SAY A tweet from a state legislator in Georgia — an African American and a Democrat — asked a stark question following news that U.S. employment had improved by record-breaking numbers despite coronavirus-related lockdowns of businesses and consumers .
“ Why has my party become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve become pro-nothing ?
Why are they so actively rooting for America ’ s failure ?
Our unemployment rate is on the decline .
This is something to celebrate , not diminish .
Thank you Donald Trump , ” tweeted Vernon Jones .
That wasn ’ t all he wrote .
“ I ’ m a Georgia state representative and lifelong Democrat .
But in this election , I ’ ll be casting my vote for Trump .
I didn ’ t leave the Democratic Party .
The Party left me , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , he was part of an hour-long discussion on emerging trends organized by Black Voices for Trump , a coalition within Mr. Trump ’ s reelection campaign .
Mr. Jones was joined in the online video by Paris Dennard , an adviser to the coalition , and Katrina Pierson , a senior adviser to the campaign .
“ President Donald J. Trump has a solid record of accomplishments in the black community .
His leadership and successful legislative agenda has done more to improve black lives and their communities than any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights Act , ” Mr. Jones said during the discussion .
“ President Trump has rapidly enacted criminal justice reform , increased funding for historically black colleges and universities , and delivered record economic growth for African Americans .
Black voters are beginning to realize that the Democrat Party has never prioritized their interests , and I am confident that there will be historic African American support for President Trump in November , ” Ms. Pierson said .
“ For every black small business owner in America , help is coming — help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , noting that Mr. Trump ’ s policies had created an “ inclusive ” economy .
• 52 % of Americans say President Trump is conservative ; 65 % of Republicans , 41 % of independents and 53 % of Democrats agree .
• 14 % say Mr. Trump is moderate ; 19 % of Republicans , 15 % of independents and 8 % of Democrats agree .
• 8 % say he is liberal ; 6 % of Republicans , 5 % of independents and 11 % of Democrats agree .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump ’ s ideology is ; 9 % of Republicans , 39 % of independents and 28 % of Democrats agree .
Source : An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,493 U.S. adults conducted May 31-June 2 .

NEWS AND OPINION:
When the coronavirus pandemic first took hold of the nation, Hollywood’s creative types wondered how long it would be before they could build the health crisis into plots for TV shows and movies. Then came the production shut-downs which affected all broadcast and cable networks and film companies; late night talk, soap operas, game shows, dramas, comedies — all ground to a halt.
Actors’ unions and other industry professionals quickly created a 22-page list of recommendations for COVID-19-era productions which included testing all cast and crew members for the virus and eliminating buffet-style meals on sets.
But quiet on the set, now. The anxious community does not have long to wait for their creative return. Productions will fire up once again on Friday. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has released official guidelines for restarting TV and film production, in conjunction with the Department of Public Health.
“Music, TV and film production may resume in California, recommended no sooner than June 12, 2020, and subject to approval by county public health officers within the jurisdictions of operations following their review of local epidemiological data including cases per 100,000 population, rate of test positivity, and local preparedness to support a health care surge, vulnerable populations, contact tracing and testing,” the guidelines advised.
“To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, productions, cast, crew and other industry workers should abide by safety protocols agreed by labor and management, which may be further enhanced by county public health officers,” the agency continued, also issuing guidance for “back office staff and management.”
YES, TRUMP’S A CONSERVATIVE
Though some may puzzle over President Trump’s ideology, a tidy two-thirds of both Republicans and conservatives are under the impression he is conservative. So are a majority of Democrats.
Curious? See today’s Poll du Jour at column’s end.
LEGISLATION AT THE READY
Sen. Tim Scott, South Carolina Republican, has reintroduced the Walter Scott Notification Act, legislation he introduced in 2015 following Walter Scott‘s death in a police encounter. The bill requires states which receive federal funding for law enforcement to report specific details of such events.
This time around, Mr. Scott was joined by Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst of Iowa plus James Lankford of Oklahoma in the effort; the legislation is now called the George Floyd-Walter Scott Notification Act, emerging just days after Floyd also died while in police custody, which was caught on video. His death sparked protests and riots both here and abroad.
“On the idea of defunding police, what a ridiculous idea. It is not an idea whose time has come. It should never come. The nation [absolutely] requires law and order. We need order in our of streets, and the easiest way to have that is to have a strong presence of character-driven law enforcement officers. There’s no doubt in my mind that the average law enforcement officer in this nation is not a racist. There’s also no doubt in my mind that, when you look at the actual facts, black folks are 2.5 times more likely to be shot by an officer than whites,” Mr. Scott told Fox News on Sunday.
“Without that actual information in an aggregate value, we don’t really know what’s going on. Fewer than 45% of law enforcement agencies actually report their information to the FBI. I think it would help all of us to get a clearer picture of what’s going on within the law enforcement community,” the senator said.
BLACK VOICES FOR TRUMP HAVE A SAY
A tweet from a state legislator in Georgia — an African American and a Democrat — asked a stark question following news that U.S. employment had improved by record-breaking numbers despite coronavirus-related lockdowns of businesses and consumers.
“Why has my party become so anti-Trump [that] they’ve become pro-nothing? Why are they so actively rooting for America’s failure? Our unemployment rate is on the decline. This is something to celebrate, not diminish. Thank you Donald Trump,” tweeted Vernon Jones.
That wasn’t all he wrote.
“I’m a Georgia state representative and lifelong Democrat. But in this election, I’ll be casting my vote for Trump. I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The Party left me,” Mr. Jones tweeted in April.
On Saturday, he was part of an hour-long discussion on emerging trends organized by Black Voices for Trump, a coalition within Mr. Trump’s reelection campaign. Mr. Jones was joined in the online video by Paris Dennard, an adviser to the coalition, and Katrina Pierson, a senior adviser to the campaign.
“President Donald J. Trump has a solid record of accomplishments in the black community. His leadership and successful legislative agenda has done more to improve black lives and their communities than any other president since the Civil Rights and Voters Rights Act,” Mr. Jones said during the discussion.
“President Trump has rapidly enacted criminal justice reform, increased funding for historically black colleges and universities, and delivered record economic growth for African Americans. Black voters are beginning to realize that the Democrat Party has never prioritized their interests, and I am confident that there will be historic African American support for President Trump in November,” Ms. Pierson said.
“For every black small business owner in America, help is coming — help is actually here,” Mr. Dennard said, noting that Mr. Trump’s policies had created an “inclusive” economy.
POLL DU JOUR
• 52% of Americans say President Trump is conservative; 65% of Republicans, 41% of independents and 53% of Democrats agree.
• 14% say Mr. Trump is moderate; 19% of Republicans, 15% of independents and 8% of Democrats agree.
• 8% say he is liberal; 6% of Republicans, 5% of independents and 11% of Democrats agree.
• 27% are not sure what Mr. Trump’s ideology is; 9% of Republicans, 39% of independents and 28% of Democrats agree.
Source: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,493 U.S. adults conducted May 31-June 2.
• Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-07--Shooting at California house party leaves 1 dead, 4 wounded

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - Gunfire at a California house party left one person dead and four others @ @ @ @ @ The Sacramento Police Department responded to a shooting report and found five victims Saturday around @ @ @ @ @ Bee reports .
One of the victims was pronounced dead at a hospital while the @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said .
Homicide detectives investigating the shooting did not immediately provide additional information @ @ @ @ @ genders of the victims are expected to be provided in the near future , Sacramento @ @ @ @ @ said .
The victim who was killed will be identified by the Sacramento County Coroner @ @ @ @ @ has been notified , police said .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Gunfire at a California house party left one person dead and four others injured, authorities said.
The Sacramento Police Department responded to a shooting report and found five victims Saturday around 7:20 p.m., The Sacramento Bee reports.
One of the victims was pronounced dead at a hospital while the others were expected to survive, authorities said.
Homicide detectives investigating the shooting did not immediately provide additional information Sunday.
The ages and genders of the victims are expected to be provided in the near future, Sacramento police spokesperson Officer Karl Chan said.
The victim who was killed will be identified by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office after family has been notified, police said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-07--Police look for driver in fatal hit-and-run at bridge tunnel

NORFOLK , Va. ( AP ) - Police are looking for a hit-and-run driver they say crashed his vehicle heading @ @ @ @ @ Tunnel and left his passenger to die .
Virginia State Police say they received a @ @ @ @ @ a driver who was struck by a silver Ford Fusion on westbound I-64 .
The @ @ @ @ @ going and flipped the car while speeding into the bridge tunnel .
Police say his @ @ @ @ @ the car and died on impact .
Another driver stopped to render aid , and @ @ @ @ @ s driver stole the good Samaritan ’ s car and drove off .
That vehicle @ @ @ @ @ in nearby Hampton .

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - Police are looking for a hit-and-run driver they say crashed his vehicle heading into the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and left his passenger to die.
Virginia State Police say they received a call 2:30 a.m. Sunday from a driver who was struck by a silver Ford Fusion on westbound I-64.
The Fusion’s driver kept going and flipped the car while speeding into the bridge tunnel. Police say his female passenger was ejected from the car and died on impact.
Another driver stopped to render aid, and police say the Fusion’s driver stole the good Samaritan’s car and drove off. That vehicle was found wrecked and abandoned in nearby Hampton.
Virginia State Police continue to investigate.