washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Growth of immigrants slows from Obama era as nearly 1 million a year decide to leave the U.S.

For many immigrants , it turns out there ’ s no place like home — and home is no longer the U.S .
The rate of growth of the immigrant population in the U.S. has slowed under President Trump to an average of 200,000 a year , down from more than 600,000 a year under President Barack Obama , according to a report being released Thursday by the Center for Immigration studies .
Rough calculations suggest it ’ s not just that fewer people are coming .
Nearly 1 million immigrants appear to have left the country each year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Steven A. Camarota , the CIS demographer who wrote the report .
“ A whole lot of people seem to be going home , ” he said .
He said the most likely conclusion is a “ Trump effect ” — the president ’ s policies have blocked some migrants from arriving and convinced others to depart .
Even with the slower rate of net migration , the immigrant population was almost 45 million on July 1 , 2019 , or nearly 14 % of the total of 328 million .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1910 census .
Mr. Camarota used data from the Census Bureau ’ s American Community Survey to figure out who ’ s in the country and then extrapolate who ’ s left .
He found about 3 million migrants who said they arrived during the period of July 2017 to July 2019 , which is the most recent ACS data .
But over that time the immigrant population rose by only about 400,000 .
Roughly 600,000 among the whole immigrant populace will have died during the two years , but that still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Camarota said those are the ones who seem to have departed the country .
They left even though the U.S. economy was humming and immigrant unemployment rates were stunningly slow , suggesting economics weren ’ t pushing people to leave .
“ The notion that immigration simply rises and falls with the economy and is outside the control of government action , the new data indicates that perspective is wrong , ” Mr. Camarota told The Washington Times .
Why , exactly , they left is tougher to determine .
The Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that attempted to revoke the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program , required immigrants to prove self-sufficiency in order to obtain a green card and stepped up immigration enforcement at worksites .
Immigrant rights groups say it ’ s more than that .
They accuse Mr. Trump of spreading terror within immigrant communities , pointing to his travel ban , stiffer enforcement , crackdowns on asylum , policies that led to the separation of children from illegal immigrant parents at the border , and other moves .
Census data shows that immigrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are more citizens than noncitizens among the foreign-born population for the first time in decades .
That would indicate that the migrants who are leaving did not have citizenship — though whether they were here legally is unclear .
“ It looks like it ’ s not established immigrants deciding to leave .
It ’ s recent arrivals , ” Mr. Camarota said .
The report was released hours before Mr. Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden are slated to face off in their second , and final , debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t come up in their first face-off , nor was it an issue in the vice presidential debate .
It ’ s also not one of the topics announced by the moderator for this week ’ s debate .
That ’ s striking , given how much of a role immigration played in Mr. Trump ’ s 2016 campaign , how much time his administration has devoted to the issue , and the colossal differences between Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump .
Mr. Camarota said Mr. Biden ’ s policies would likely send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the level of the Obama years .
Americans in the past have been opposed to increasing immigration , according to the Gallup Poll , which found more support for either keeping levels the same or cutting them .
But this year ’ s poll , taken in late May and early June , found a surprising surge in support for increased immigration , rising to 34 % .
That is the highest ever for Gallup data , which dates back to 1965 .
By contrast , 36 % want immigration kept at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it cut .
A large majority — 77 % of Americans — said immigration overall is good for the country , Gallup says .
That , too , is a record high .
There are caveats to the findings , such as the integrity of the data and sampling variability .
It ’ s possible , for example , that the American Community Survey , the census survey that Mr. Camarota used for most of his calculations , have missed more migrants in recent years .
But there are reasons to doubt that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the number of Central Americans , at a time when the country was facing a border surge of Central American families coming illegally but many of whom were admitted into the country to await deportation proceedings .

For many immigrants, it turns out there’s no place like home — and home is no longer the U.S.
The rate of growth of the immigrant population in the U.S. has slowed under President Trump to an average of 200,000 a year, down from more than 600,000 a year under President Barack Obama, according to a report being released Thursday by the Center for Immigration studies.
Rough calculations suggest it’s not just that fewer people are coming. Nearly 1 million immigrants appear to have left the country each year, in what is known as outmigration, said Steven A. Camarota, the CIS demographer who wrote the report.
“A whole lot of people seem to be going home,” he said.
He said the most likely conclusion is a “Trump effect” — the president’s policies have blocked some migrants from arriving and convinced others to depart.
Even with the slower rate of net migration, the immigrant population was almost 45 million on July 1, 2019, or nearly 14% of the total of 328 million. That is the highest rate of immigrants since the 1910 census.
Mr. Camarota used data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to figure out who’s in the country and then extrapolate who’s left. He found about 3 million migrants who said they arrived during the period of July 2017 to July 2019, which is the most recent ACS data.
But over that time the immigrant population rose by only about 400,000.
Roughly 600,000 among the whole immigrant populace will have died during the two years, but that still leaves 2 million migrants unaccounted for. Mr. Camarota said those are the ones who seem to have departed the country.
They left even though the U.S. economy was humming and immigrant unemployment rates were stunningly slow, suggesting economics weren’t pushing people to leave.
“The notion that immigration simply rises and falls with the economy and is outside the control of government action, the new data indicates that perspective is wrong,” Mr. Camarota told The Washington Times.
Why, exactly, they left is tougher to determine.
The Center for Immigration Studies pointed to Trump policies that attempted to revoke the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, required immigrants to prove self-sufficiency in order to obtain a green card and stepped up immigration enforcement at worksites.
Immigrant rights groups say it’s more than that. They accuse Mr. Trump of spreading terror within immigrant communities, pointing to his travel ban, stiffer enforcement, crackdowns on asylum, policies that led to the separation of children from illegal immigrant parents at the border, and other moves.
Census data shows that immigrants are still winning citizenship.
Indeed, there are more citizens than noncitizens among the foreign-born population for the first time in decades.
That would indicate that the migrants who are leaving did not have citizenship — though whether they were here legally is unclear.
“It looks like it’s not established immigrants deciding to leave. It’s recent arrivals,” Mr. Camarota said.
The report was released hours before Mr. Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden are slated to face off in their second, and final, debate of the campaign.
Immigration didn’t come up in their first face-off, nor was it an issue in the vice presidential debate. It’s also not one of the topics announced by the moderator for this week’s debate.
That’s striking, given how much of a role immigration played in Mr. Trump’s 2016 campaign, how much time his administration has devoted to the issue, and the colossal differences between Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump.
Mr. Camarota said Mr. Biden’s policies would likely send the level of net immigration soaring back to the level of the Obama years.
Americans in the past have been opposed to increasing immigration, according to the Gallup Poll, which found more support for either keeping levels the same or cutting them.
But this year’s poll, taken in late May and early June, found a surprising surge in support for increased immigration, rising to 34%. That is the highest ever for Gallup data, which dates back to 1965.
By contrast, 36% want immigration kept at its present level and 28% want it cut.
A large majority — 77% of Americans — said immigration overall is good for the country, Gallup says. That, too, is a record high.
There are caveats to the findings, such as the integrity of the data and sampling variability.
It’s possible, for example, that the American Community Survey, the census survey that Mr. Camarota used for most of his calculations, have missed more migrants in recent years. But there are reasons to doubt that explanation.
The data shows a rise in the number of Central Americans, at a time when the country was facing a border surge of Central American families coming illegally but many of whom were admitted into the country to await deportation proceedings.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Heavy rain causes landslide in Indonesia, killing 11 miners

JAKARTA , Indonesia ( AP ) - Intense rains caused a landslide at a coal mine on Indonesia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ miners , authorities said Thursday .
The slide occurred Wednesday in a mine tunnel about @ @ @ @ @ ) deep at Tanjung Lalang village in Muara Enim district of South Sumatra province , @ @ @ @ @ Agency spokesman Raditya Jati .
Rescuers have recovered all the bodies .
Seasonal rains and @ @ @ @ @ have caused dozens of landslides and widespread flooding across much of Indonesia , a chain @ @ @ @ @ of people live in mountainous areas or near fertile flood plains close to rivers .
@ @ @ @ @ Climatology and Geophysics Agency said the area could see light to moderate rainfall for the @ @ @ @ @ parts of Indonesia have entered the rainy season this October .
In addition , the @ @ @ @ @ Pacific Ocean can set off intense rainfall across the islands .

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Intense rains caused a landslide at a coal mine on Indonesia’s Sumatra island that killed 11 miners, authorities said Thursday.
The slide occurred Wednesday in a mine tunnel about 20 meters (65 feet) deep at Tanjung Lalang village in Muara Enim district of South Sumatra province, according to National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Raditya Jati.
Rescuers have recovered all the bodies.
Seasonal rains and high tides in recent days have caused dozens of landslides and widespread flooding across much of Indonesia, a chain of 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near fertile flood plains close to rivers.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said the area could see light to moderate rainfall for the next three days.
Most parts of Indonesia have entered the rainy season this October. In addition, the La Nina phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean can set off intense rainfall across the islands.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Funds aimed at protecting Kentuckians from scams, fraud

FRANKFORT , Ky. ( AP ) - Kentucky has been awarded more than $ 780,000 in federal funding that will @ @ @ @ @ residents from scams , fraud and price gouging during the coronavirus pandemic , Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ funding will be used to better protect Kentucky residents , especially seniors and those experiencing @ @ @ @ @ targeted by criminals , Beshear said Wednesday in a statement .
“ This funding provides @ @ @ @ @ and public safety agencies to take forceful action to stop predators and protect Kentuckians , @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General ’ s Office will receive $ 540,323 to hire an attorney , a @ @ @ @ @ address rampant COVID-related consumer fraud , scams and price-gouging complaints .
The office will also @ @ @ @ @ an investigator dedicated to financial fraud and exploitation targeting seniors .
In addition , the @ @ @ @ @ receive $ 102,270 to launch a pilot project that addresses the adverse effects of COVID-19 @ @ @ @

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky has been awarded more than $780,000 in federal funding that will be used to help protect residents from scams, fraud and price gouging during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Andy Beshear said.
The funding will be used to better protect Kentucky residents, especially seniors and those experiencing financial difficulty, from being targeted by criminals, Beshear said Wednesday in a statement.
“This funding provides resources to our law enforcement and public safety agencies to take forceful action to stop predators and protect Kentuckians,” he said.
The Attorney General’s Office will receive $540,323 to hire an attorney, a paralegal and an investigator to address rampant COVID-related consumer fraud, scams and price-gouging complaints. The office will also get $144,136 to hire an investigator dedicated to financial fraud and exploitation targeting seniors.
In addition, the Department of Public Advocacy will receive $102,270 to launch a pilot project that addresses the adverse effects of COVID-19 on indigent clients.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Tennessee release vaccine distribution plan

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - Tennessee ’ s Department of Health has revealed its plan to distribute COVID-19 vaccines once they become available .
According to a news release , the agency submitted its draft proposal to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week .
The plan was made public on Wednesday .
“ We assure Tennesseans that safe , effective and approved COVID-19 vaccines will be released in Tennessee when they are available to reduce the spread of the virus , ” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey in a statement .
Piercey added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state learns when and how many vaccines will be received .
Currently , Tennessee is expected to get 2 % of the national vaccine allocation , but the exact number is unclear .
Under the current draft plan , Tennessee will distribute the majority of the vaccines throughout its 95 counties based on population .
Ten percent of the vaccines will be set aside as a reserve stash .
The health agency is seeking hospitals , pharmacies , clinics and other partners capable of storing vaccine and administering the vaccine .
First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top priority in receiving the vaccine during the initial distribution phases , with health care workers being the next top priority .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee’s Department of Health has revealed its plan to distribute COVID-19 vaccines once they become available.
According to a news release, the agency submitted its draft proposal to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week. The plan was made public on Wednesday.
“We assure Tennesseans that safe, effective and approved COVID-19 vaccines will be released in Tennessee when they are available to reduce the spread of the virus,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey in a statement.
Piercey added that the plan will likely be modified as the state learns when and how many vaccines will be received. Currently, Tennessee is expected to get 2% of the national vaccine allocation, but the exact number is unclear.
Under the current draft plan, Tennessee will distribute the majority of the vaccines throughout its 95 counties based on population. Ten percent of the vaccines will be set aside as a reserve.
The health agency is seeking hospitals, pharmacies, clinics and other partners capable of storing vaccine and administering the vaccine. First responders will be the state’s top priority in receiving the vaccine during the initial distribution phases, with health care workers being the next top priority.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Transcripts: Epstein's ex-girlfriend combative and defensive

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Transcripts released Thursday show financier Jeffrey Epstein ’ s ex-girlfriend was combative and defensive under tough questioning four years ago about her ex-boyfriend ’ s interactions with underage girls .
In the transcripts , Ghislaine Maxwell repeatedly denied hiring anyone under the age of 18 for Epstein .
“ I never saw any inappropriate underage activities with Jeffrey ever , ” she said .
Manhattan U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska had ordered the transcripts of seven hours of depositions of Maxwell released by 9 a.m. Thursday .
Preska allowed release of the transcripts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyers that the interviews for a defamation lawsuit brought against Maxwell by an Epstein victim several years ago would jeopardize a fair criminal trial for her next July .
Maxwell , 58 , has been held without bail since her July arrest on charges that she procured three underage girls for Epstein to sexually abuse between 1994 and 1997 .
She has pleaded not guilty .
The 2016 transcripts were among over 2,000 pages of documents that began to be released last year after a federal appeals court began the unsealing of documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 by Virginia Giuffre .
She said Maxwell recruited her at age 17 to be sexually abused by Epstein and Maxwell from 1999 to 2002 .
Giuffre has accused Epstein of arranging for her to have sexual encounters with numerous wealthy and influential men , including Britain ’ s Prince Andrew .
He and the other men have denied her allegations .
In the transcripts , Maxwell repeatedly derided Giuffre , saying : “ She has lied repeatedly.
” She said she “ never instructed Virginia to have sex with anybody ever.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other women to perform sexual massages , Maxwell said : “ It′s absurd and her entire story is one giant tissue of lies.
” The Miami Herald , whose reporting in 2018 brought fresh scrutiny to Epstein ’ s crimes , had argued in seeking the unsealing that Maxwell ’ s fear of embarrassment shouldn ’ t stop the public from learning of “ the sexual abuse of young girls at the hands of the wealthy and powerful.
” Epstein was 66 in August 2019 when he killed himself in a federal jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sex trafficking charges .

NEW YORK (AP) - Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-girlfriend denied introducing Britain’s Prince Andrew to underage sex partners in a defensive and combative deposition made public Thursday, calling the prince’s accuser an “awful fantasist.”
“Are we tallying all the lies?” Ghislaine Maxwell asked during the 2016 deposition, saying she could not recall taking Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre out for a night of clubbing with Andrew in London. “Her tissue of lies is extremely hard to pick apart what is true and what isn’t.”
The exchange was contained in over 400 pages of transcript ordered released by U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska in a lawsuit. Many names and several pages in the deposition were blacked out, though information around some names, including the prince’s, made it obvious who was being referenced.
Also, Slate first reported that it could decipher some names, including some redactions involving Andrew and ex-President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, by analyzing the alphabetized listings in a deposition transcript index and matching them with already public information.
In the deposition, Maxwell said she had flown on Epstein’s private planes with Clinton but refused to label Epstein and Clinton as friends. There appeared to be no mention of President Donald Trump, who told a news conference this summer after Maxwell’s arrest: “I just wish her well, frankly.”
Clinton and Trump both have said they hadn’t seen Epstein in years and knew nothing of his alleged misconduct.
Maxwell, 58, has been charged with recruiting three underage girls in the 1990s for Epstein, a wealthy financier who killed himself in jail in 2019, to sexually abuse and committing perjury in the depositions, though the charges don’t relate to the prince. She has pleaded not guilty.
A message seeking comment was left with lawyers for Maxwell.
Maxwell parried a long list of inquiries about Epstein’s sexual proclivities and her interactions with Giuffre and other young women, insisting she never saw him have sex with anybody.
“She is an absolute total liar and you all know she lied on multiple things and that is just one other disgusting thing she added,” Maxwell said, denying having three-way sex with Epstein and Giuffre.
“I never saw any inappropriate underage activities with Jeffrey ever,” Maxwell said. The implication that she recruited girls or women to be sexually abused by Epstein was “repulsive,” she said.
Giuffre has accused Epstein of arranging for her to have sexual encounters with numerous wealthy and influential men, including Andrew. He and the other men have denied her allegations.
Maxwell repeatedly denied hiring anyone under age 18 for Epstein.
As for whether she was Epstein’s girlfriend after meeting him in 1991, Maxwell called it a “tricky question.”
“There were times when I would have liked to think of myself as his girlfriend,” she said, adding later in the deposition that her intimate relationship with Epstein was mostly confined to the early 1990s.
Asked whether it was Epstein’s “preference to start a massage with sex,” Maxwell said: “I think you should ask that question of Jeffrey.”
In a deposition of Epstein conducted later in 2016, Epstein mostly invoked the Fifth Amendment, which protects against self incrimination.
“Fifth,” he replied when he was asked if Maxwell was “one of the main women” he used to procure underage girls for sexual activities.
Preska had ordered the transcripts of seven hours of depositions of Maxwell over two days in 2016 released by 9 a.m. Thursday. The judge allowed the release after rejecting arguments that the interviews for Giuffre’s 2015 defamation lawsuit against Maxwell would jeopardize a fair criminal trial for Maxwell next July.
Maxwell has been held without bail since her July arrest on charges that she procured the underage girls for Epstein to sexually abuse between 1994 and 1997.
The 2016 transcripts were among over 2,000 pages of documents being released since a federal appeals court last year began unsealing documents from the since-settled Giuffre lawsuit. She said Maxwell recruited her at age 17 to be sexually abused by Epstein and Maxwell from 1999 to 2002.
The Associated Press generally doesn’t identify alleged sexual misconduct victims unless they decide to tell their stories publicly, as Giuffre has.
The transcript revealed that Maxwell worked for Epstein from 1992 through 2002 and received compensation until 2009, though she said she spent little time at his six residences from 2002 to 2009. She acknowledged that Epstein bought her a car and made a $50,000 donation to her charity.
She said she had hired architects, decorators, cooks, cleaners, gardeners, pool people, pilots and added that “a very small part of my job was from time to time to find adult professional massage therapists for Jeffrey.”
Sigrid McCawley, an attorney for Giuffre, said in a statement that the transcript release was “a long-time coming and a welcome step towards revealing the evidence of the scope and scale of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking ring.”
McCawley said the transcript was a small portion of the total evidence that, once made public, would make “clear why Ms. Maxwell and others who enabled Jeffrey Epstein are fighting so hard to keep it concealed.”
The Miami Herald, whose reporting in 2018 brought fresh scrutiny to Epstein’s crimes, had argued in seeking the unsealing that Maxwell’s fear of embarrassment shouldn’t stop the public from learning of “the sexual abuse of young girls at the hands of the wealthy and powerful.”
Epstein was 66 in August 2019 when he killed himself in a federal jail in Manhattan as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Northeastern Kansas corrections officer arrested, on leave

MANHATTAN , Kan. ( AP ) - A corrections officer in northeastern Kansas has been arrested and placed on leave @ @ @ @ @ battery , police there said .
Officer Ace Thompson , with the Riley County Police @ @ @ @ @ evening , television station KSNT reported .
The arrest came after a 28-year-old woman reported @ @ @ @ @ her , police said .
Thompson , 33 , of Manhattan , was booked into @ @ @ @ @ domestic battery and criminal restraint , and he was later released on $ 1,500 bond @ @ @ @ @ .
The department said Thompson had been placed on administrative leave .
A working telephone @ @ @ @ @ be found Thursday morning .

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) - A corrections officer in northeastern Kansas has been arrested and placed on leave after being accused of domestic battery, police there said.
Officer Ace Thompson, with the Riley County Police Department, was arrested Wednesday evening, television station KSNT reported. The arrest came after a 28-year-old woman reported on Monday that Thompson assaulted her, police said.
Thompson, 33, of Manhattan, was booked into the jail on suspicion of domestic battery and criminal restraint, and he was later released on $1,500 bond, Riley County police said. The department said Thompson had been placed on administrative leave.
A working telephone number for Thompson could not be found Thursday morning.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Judiciary Committee votes to move Amy Coney Barrett forward for confirmation

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to approve Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett , moving her one step closer @ @ @ @ @ voted 12 to 10 , with none of the 10 Democratic senators on the committee @ @ @ @ @ .
They had planned a boycott , hoping to slow the process , but Chairman @ @ @ @ @ and moved forward with the nomination .
“ I ’ ve been here a while @ @ @ @ @ never seen anyone more capable than Judge Barrett on the law , ” the South @ @ @ @ @ Barrett ’ s nomination is now moved to the full Senate for debate over the @ @ @ @ @ vote slated for Monday .

Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday in a unanimous but deeply partisan vote, with Republicans speeding her to the full Senate for a final confirmation vote Monday.
The committee vote was 12-0. Democrats boycotted the hearing to protest the Republicans’ rapid push to install Judge Barrett on the high court. In their seats, they placed photos of Americans they said would suffer if the Supreme Court rules Obamacare illegal in a case coming before the justices Nov. 10.
The protest was dramatic but futile.
“It is supremely ironic that our Democratic colleagues delivered through a temper tantrum what they should have delivered through a fair appraisal: a unanimous endorsement,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.
The Kentucky Republican accused Democrats of bowing to left-wing activists, who have complained about any show of cooperation with Republicans during the confirmation process.
But Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, said Mr. McConnell had “defiled the Senate as an institution” by pushing the election-season confirmation, just four years after Mr. McConnell refused to allow action on President Obama’s nominee for a high court seat in an election year.
“This is the culmination of a decadeslong effort to skew the court to the far right,” he said.
Judge Barrett is in line to take the seat of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18. President Trump officially nominated Judge Barrett on Sept. 26.
If she is confirmed Monday, as expected, it will be the fastest confirmation for an associate justice since the 1970s.
“They want her on the bench for Election Day. I don’t think there is much mystery about it,” said Josh Blackman, a professor at South Texas College of Law.
Democrats sought to slow the confirmation process by arguing that the winner of the presidential election should have the chance to fill the seat, just as Mr. McConnell said in 2016.
Democrats also said the rapid pace left them without enough time to review Judge Barrett’s record thoroughly.
They hoped to use committee rules to scuttle Thursday’s vote. At least two members of the minority party were supposed to be present to have a voting quorum, but none of the committee’s 10 Democrats attended the meeting.
Republicans said a quorum of the committee’s 22 members were present, even if they were all Republicans. They also pointed to instances when Democrats controlled the committee and conducted votes even without two Republicans present, though Republicans did not raise objections.
As it was, without any Democrats present, nobody raised an objection.
“I regret we could not do it the normal way, but what I don’t regret is reporting her out of committee,” said Chairman Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican. “I could not have lived with myself if I had denied her her day.”
He said Democrats changed the rules in 2013 when they used the “nuclear option” to defang the filibuster and allow most judges to be confirmed without having to clear a 60-vote threshold. Democrats’ goal at the time was to force some of Mr. Obama’s nominees into the powerful U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
Republicans removed the filibuster for Supreme Court nominations after Democrats filibustered President Trump’s first Supreme Court appointee, Justice Neil M. Gorsuch.
“They started this, not me,” Mr. Graham said.
Judge Barrett sailed through her confirmation hearing without trouble. She rebuffed Democrats’ attempts to get her to reveal how she might decide abortion, election or health care cases that could come before the Supreme Court.
The Affordable Care Act case, slated for oral arguments Nov. 10, loomed particularly large, which was why Democrats placed photos of Obamacare customers in their empty seats Thursday.
They say she will vote to strike down the health care law. Judge Barrett, in a 2017 book review, criticized Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.’s decision upholding the law.
Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Republican, was seen during the committee meeting taking a video of the empty seats with his smartphone.
He said the photographs made it look “like this is some sort of sporting event” instead of a Senate hearing for a Supreme Court nominee.
Sen. Mike Lee, Utah Republican, called it “performance art.”
“I suppose we should be grateful that a walkout is all the Democrats will do to Judge Barrett today. Not all nominees have been so lucky,” he said.
Two years ago, Democrats forced a second round of hearings after elevating unsubstantiated allegations of sexual assault against Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said Thursday that Democrats don’t have the votes to stop Judge Barrett’s confirmation but will continue to raise flags about what she might do once confirmed.
“Between now and then, Democrats on this committee and across this caucus will continue to make the case about what is at stake for the American people when Judge Barrett is confirmed,” she said at a press conference outside the Capitol.
Protesters chanted during the Democrats’ press conference, “Trump-Pence out now.”
Liberal activists have expressed frustration with committee Democrats for their handling of Judge Barrett’s confirmation hearings. They have been particularly angry at Ms. Feinstein, who capped off the hearings with a hug for Mr. Graham and praise for his stewardship.
Democrats said their questions exposed Judge Barrett’s judicial philosophy for Americans and gave voters a chance to weigh in on Mr. Trump and senators on Election Day.
U.S. Capitol Police arrested six people Thursday morning ahead of the committee’s vote on charges of unlawfully demonstrating.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Bar owners sue Honolulu over tiered virus reopening plan

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Some Honolulu bar owners have filed a lawsuit claiming the city ’ s tiered system for reopening businesses during the coronavirus pandemic is arbitrary .
Bars and nightclubs on Oahu remain closed under emergency orders to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and bar owners fear the closures could last into 2021 , Hawaii News Now reported Wednesday .
Bars have been placed in a high-risk category in the tiered system and are expected to be in the last round of businesses allowed to reopen .
The system requires Oahu ’ s seven-day average to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two consecutive weeks before the city will consider letting bars reopen .
“ They ’ re begging for the opportunity to comply with restrictions , ” said attorney James DiPasquale , who represents the owners .
“ These bars , some of which have been around for 30 years , are forced to close and they may not reopen.
” The plaintiffs include some bars that have closed permanently because of the economic impact resulting from the health restrictions .
The plaintiffs say it ’ s unfair for restaurants to be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite also selling alcohol as a part of their regular menus .
Representatives of Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell ’ s administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Hawaii News Now .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The number of infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .

HONOLULU (AP) - Some Honolulu bar owners have filed a lawsuit claiming the city’s tiered system for reopening businesses during the coronavirus pandemic is arbitrary.
Bars and nightclubs on Oahu remain closed under emergency orders to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and bar owners fear the closures could last into 2021, Hawaii News Now reported Wednesday.
Bars have been placed in a high-risk category in the tiered system and are expected to be in the last round of businesses allowed to reopen.
The system requires Oahu’s seven-day average to fall below 20 new coronavirus diagnoses for two consecutive weeks before the city will consider letting bars reopen.
“They’re begging for the opportunity to comply with restrictions,” said attorney James DiPasquale, who represents the owners. “These bars, some of which have been around for 30 years, are forced to close and they may not reopen.”
The plaintiffs include some bars that have closed permanently because of the economic impact resulting from the health restrictions.
The plaintiffs say it’s unfair for restaurants to be allowed to reopen as long as they serve food, despite also selling alcohol as a part of their regular menus.
Representatives of Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Hawaii News Now.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Virtual Boston Marathon raises more than $32M for charity

BOSTON ( AP ) - Boston Marathon runners raised $ 32.1 million for charity in the virtual edition of this @ @ @ @ @ pushing the event ’ s fundraising total since 1989 to more than $ 400 million @ @ @ @ @ .
The money will go to 242 different nonprofits through the charity programs of the @ @ @ @ @ Hancock , the race ’ s top sponsor .
Last year ’ s race raised @ @ @ @ @ for charities .
Organizers expected to surpass that before the marathon was shifted to a @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic .
Instead of 30,000 runners making the trek from Hopkinton to Boston in @ @ @ @ @ people from all 50 states and 83 countries covered the required 26.2 miles in their @ @ @ @ @ period in September , organizers said .
“ Although this year ’ s race was @ @ @ @ @ to cross their own finish lines and collectively lift up each other and the nonprofits @ @ @ @ @ Hancock President and CEO Marianne Harrison said in a statement .

BOSTON (AP) - Boston Marathon runners raised $32.1 million for charity in the virtual edition of this year’s race, pushing the event’s fundraising total since 1989 to more than $400 million, marathon organizers said Thursday.
The money will go to 242 different nonprofits through the charity programs of the Boston Athletic Association and John Hancock, the race’s top sponsor.
Last year’s race raised a record $38.7 million for charities. Organizers expected to surpass that before the marathon was shifted to a virtual event because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead of 30,000 runners making the trek from Hopkinton to Boston in April, more than 16,000 people from all 50 states and 83 countries covered the required 26.2 miles in their own neighborhoods during a 10-day period in September, organizers said.
“Although this year’s race was different, runners came together to cross their own finish lines and collectively lift up each other and the nonprofits they represent,” John Hancock President and CEO Marianne Harrison said in a statement.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Hawaii Micronesian community eager to fill consulate vacancy

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Hawaii ’ s Micronesian community has experienced a diplomatic leadership void throughout the coronavirus pandemic because of an ongoing vacancy at the nation ’ s Honolulu consulate .
The Federated States of Micronesia has been without a representative at its consulate in Honolulu since 2019 , Hawaii Public Radio reported Wednesday .
Hawaii ’ s Micronesian community leaders said they do not know why the seat has not been filled , especially as virus cases have recently increased among the state ’ s Pacific Islander residents .
Pacific Islanders in Hawaii , including Micronesians , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They represent 27 % of the state ’ s cases but only 4 % of the population .
Oahu resident and Kosraean native Shanty Sigrah Asher was nominated to fill the consulate position .
Asher has failed three times to gain the necessary votes in the Federated States of Micronesia Congress , while an online petition supporting her has gained more than 1,700 signatures .
“ At this point , whether it ’ s me or whether it ’ s someone who can run that office , we will be grateful and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to support that leader , ” Asher said .
Asher assists Honolulu as a temporary liaison to the Pacific Islander community .
“ Right now , with my work at the city and county , it ’ s really trying to build a solid communication channel , a systematic one , ” Asher said .
“ If there are resources to send to Pacific Islanders , then we know who to send it to , ” Asher said .
“ And then community can also voice their concerns they might have about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii’s Micronesian community has experienced a diplomatic leadership void throughout the coronavirus pandemic because of an ongoing vacancy at the nation’s Honolulu consulate.
The Federated States of Micronesia has been without a representative at its consulate in Honolulu since 2019, Hawaii Public Radio reported Wednesday.
Hawaii’s Micronesian community leaders said they do not know why the seat has not been filled, especially as virus cases have recently increased among the state’s Pacific Islander residents.
Pacific Islanders in Hawaii, including Micronesians, have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. They represent 27% of the state’s cases but only 4% of the population.
Oahu resident and Kosraean native Shanty Sigrah Asher was nominated to fill the consulate position.
Asher has failed three times to gain the necessary votes in the Federated States of Micronesia Congress, while an online petition supporting her has gained more than 1,700 signatures.
“At this point, whether it’s me or whether it’s someone who can run that office, we will be grateful and we’re gonna stand by ready to support that leader,” Asher said.
Asher assists Honolulu as a temporary liaison to the Pacific Islander community.
“Right now, with my work at the city and county, it’s really trying to build a solid communication channel, a systematic one,” Asher said.
“If there are resources to send to Pacific Islanders, then we know who to send it to,” Asher said. “And then community can also voice their concerns they might have about the lack of resources available to them.”
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Some Alaska phones beyond danger received tsunami warning

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - Some Alaska residents received tsunami warnings on their cellphones following an earthquake earlier this week , including customers in the Anchorage area who were outside the potential danger zone .
There was no concern over a tsunami reaching Anchorage , more than 500 miles ( 805 kilometers ) from the site where the magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit communities along the Alaska Peninsula coastline Monday , The Anchorage Daily News reported .
The cellphone warnings told people to move to high ground or inland away from coastal areas .
Overlapping boundaries within the chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warnings to show up on some Anchorage phones , said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Tsunami Warning Coordinator Dave Snider .
“ Basically , the wireless alert zones don ’ t necessarily match with the weather service alert zones , which don ’ t match with state and federal alert zones , ” Snider said .
“ And when you mash it all together , especially in that one spot , you get alerts going to many more people than are intended.
” The alert system pushing out emergency notifications to smartphones is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management .
The initial warning is generated by the National Weather Service and then passed to the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System platform operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency .
The information is then shared with cellphone providers .
Notifications are generated based on location and providers will ping users within a certain boundary or area in relation to a specific cellphone tower .
Some GCI customers likely received the emergency alert because the company has a cellphone tower near Anchorage that reaches customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heather Handyside said .
The alert Monday was intended to reach people on the Kenai Peninsula and any phones connecting to that tower would have received the warning .
The tsunami alert system is a “ constantly evolving process , ” Snider said .
“ Tsunamis don ’ t happen often enough , like winter weather , for us to practice and rehearse and know what we ’ re dealing with , like when we get our snow tires on , ” Snider said .

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Some Alaska residents received tsunami warnings on their cellphones following an earthquake earlier this week, including customers in the Anchorage area who were outside the potential danger zone.
There was no concern over a tsunami reaching Anchorage, more than 500 miles (805 kilometers) from the site where the magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit communities along the Alaska Peninsula coastline Monday, The Anchorage Daily News reported.
The cellphone warnings told people to move to high ground or inland away from coastal areas.
Overlapping boundaries within the chain of the emergency alert system caused the warnings to show up on some Anchorage phones, said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Tsunami Warning Coordinator Dave Snider.
“Basically, the wireless alert zones don’t necessarily match with the weather service alert zones, which don’t match with state and federal alert zones,” Snider said. “And when you mash it all together, especially in that one spot, you get alerts going to many more people than are intended.”
The alert system pushing out emergency notifications to smartphones is complicated, said Jeremy Zidek of the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
The initial warning is generated by the National Weather Service and then passed to the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System platform operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The information is then shared with cellphone providers. Notifications are generated based on location and providers will ping users within a certain boundary or area in relation to a specific cellphone tower.
Some GCI customers likely received the emergency alert because the company has a cellphone tower near Anchorage that reaches customers along the Kenai Peninsula, GCI spokeswoman Heather Handyside said.
The alert Monday was intended to reach people on the Kenai Peninsula and any phones connecting to that tower would have received the warning.
The tsunami alert system is a “constantly evolving process,” Snider said.
“Tsunamis don’t happen often enough, like winter weather, for us to practice and rehearse and know what we’re dealing with, like when we get our snow tires on,” Snider said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Man charged with bias crime in attack on neighbor

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - A Portland man is facing bias crime and assault charges after police say he slashed his neighbor ’ s knee with a machete .
Clayton Briggs , 24 , was arrested on Oct. 12 after police responded to a stabbing .
According to a probable cause affidavit , when police arrived , they saw Briggs inside an apartment holding a machete , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
Police told Briggs to drop the machete .
He initially complied , but fled while officers were picking up the knife .
Officers then arrested him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his pant leg soaked in blood as well as a gash on his arm .
He told officers he couldn ’ t feel anything below his knee .
Officers said they found slash marks on the screen door and broken glass .
The indictment alleges Briggs attacked his neighbor because of the man ’ s race or skin color .
The probable cause affidavit says Briggs and the victim got into a fight the previous day about money .
The document says on the day of the attack , Briggs became agitated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and blamed his neighbor for taking the pills .
The report says he destroyed things in his own apartment with a machete before going outside and slashing some outdoor furniture , and then turning to the neighbor ’ s apartment .
It wasn ’ t immediately known if Briggs has a lawyer .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A Portland man is facing bias crime and assault charges after police say he slashed his neighbor’s knee with a machete.
Clayton Briggs, 24, was arrested on Oct. 12 after police responded to a stabbing. According to a probable cause affidavit, when police arrived, they saw Briggs inside an apartment holding a machete, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
Police told Briggs to drop the machete. He initially complied, but fled while officers were picking up the knife. Officers then arrested him.
Police found a man inside the apartment with his pant leg soaked in blood as well as a gash on his arm. He told officers he couldn’t feel anything below his knee.
Officers said they found slash marks on the screen door and broken glass.
The indictment alleges Briggs attacked his neighbor because of the man’s race or skin color. The probable cause affidavit says Briggs and the victim got into a fight the previous day about money.
The document says on the day of the attack, Briggs became agitated over some pills he believed were missing, and blamed his neighbor for taking the pills. The report says he destroyed things in his own apartment with a machete before going outside and slashing some outdoor furniture, and then turning to the neighbor’s apartment.
It wasn’t immediately known if Briggs has a lawyer.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--More arrested in 2nd night of protests for injured man

Several more people were arrested when protesters demanding justice for a Rhode Island man injured when the moped he was @ @ @ @ @ being followed by a police cruiser clashed with police for a second night .
Several @ @ @ @ @ Providence streets on Wednesday night and threw bottles , smoke bombs and rocks at police @ @ @ @ @ about 10 p.m. , The Providence Journal reported .
Police in Providence and Cranston said @ @ @ @ @ taken into custody , mostly on disorderly conduct charges , WPRI-TV reported .
Police said @ @ @ @ @ night when a rally seeking justice for Jhamal Gonsalves , 24 , turned violent .
@ @ @ @ @ police responded to reports of hundreds of dirt bikes , ATVs and other street-illegal vehicles @ @ @ @ @ Family members say Gonsalves is in a coma .
The family has disavowed the violence @ @ @ @ @ to determine whether the police cruiser made contact with the moped .
Three videos made @ @ @ @ @ family is scheduled to meet with state Attorney General Peter Neronha on Thursday .

Several more people were arrested when protesters demanding justice for a Rhode Island man injured when the moped he was operating crashed as it was being followed by a police cruiser clashed with police for a second night.
Several dozen protesters marched through the Providence streets late Wednesday and threw bottles and rocks at police near the Cranston line at about 10 p.m., The Providence Journal reported.
Police in Providence and Cranston said up to eight people were taken into custody, mostly on disorderly conduct charges, WPRI-TV reported. Video from the scene showed vandalism to several police vehicles.
Twenty-one people were arrested Tuesday night when a rally seeking justice for Jhamal Gonsalves, 24, turned violent.
Gonsalves was injured Sunday as police responded to reports of hundreds of dirt bikes, ATVs and other street-illegal vehicles roaring around the streets. Family members say Gonsalves is in a coma.
The family has disavowed the violence.
An investigation is underway to determine whether the police cruiser made contact with the moped. Three videos made public are inconclusive.
An attorney for Gonsalves’ family, Jude Kerrison, asked anyone with information about the crash to come forward.
The family is scheduled to meet with state Attorney General Peter Neronha on Thursday.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--New Jersey Supreme Court dismisses minor juvenile warrants

TRENTON , N.J. ( AP ) - The New Jersey Supreme Court has cleaned the slate for some juveniles who were facing warrants and fines from more than five years ago under a plan “ to ensure equal justice in the courts.
” The court on Wednesday ordered the dismissal of up to 1,400 failure-to-appear warrants that are more than five years old for nonviolent minor offenses that were issued against juveniles .
County prosecutors can then determine whether to proceed with underlying complaints , the court said .
The court also vacated more than $ 140,000 in discretionary juveniles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 592 juveniles .
According to the court , the fines being dismissed “ are discretionary and non-mandatory county and state assessments.
” They do not include money owed to victims for restitution .
“ The young people who owe those fines – including disproportionate numbers of youth of color – overwhelmingly lack the capacity to make necessary payments , and the fines serve only to prolong involvement with the juvenile and criminal justice systems , ” the court wrote in an order signed by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner .
The actions follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July outlining a series of reforms that support juvenile rehabilitation .
The justices have instructed courts to periodically review and dismiss similar warrants .

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The New Jersey Supreme Court has cleaned the slate for some juveniles who were facing warrants and fines from more than five years ago under a plan “to ensure equal justice in the courts.”
The court on Wednesday ordered the dismissal of up to 1,400 failure-to-appear warrants that are more than five years old for nonviolent minor offenses that were issued against juveniles.
County prosecutors can then determine whether to proceed with underlying complaints, the court said.
The court also vacated more than $140,000 in discretionary juveniles fines that were imposed before July 1 on 592 juveniles.
According to the court, the fines being dismissed “are discretionary and non-mandatory county and state assessments.” They do not include money owed to victims for restitution.
“The young people who owe those fines – including disproportionate numbers of youth of color – overwhelmingly lack the capacity to make necessary payments, and the fines serve only to prolong involvement with the juvenile and criminal justice systems,” the court wrote in an order signed by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner.
The actions follow a plan that the court issued in July outlining a series of reforms that support juvenile rehabilitation.
The justices have instructed courts to periodically review and dismiss similar warrants.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Trump says he'll release 'unedited preview' of '60 Minutes' interview to show Stahl's hostility

President Trump vowed on Thursday to release an “ unedited preview ” of his interview with Lesley Stahl of “ @ @ @ @ @ he wants the public to see her “ constant interruptions and anger.
” “ I @ @ @ @ @ first in television history full , unedited preview of the vicious attempted ‘ takeout ’ @ @ @ @ @ Stahl of @ 60Minutes , ” Mr. Trump tweeted .
“ Watch her constant interruptions @ @ @ @ @ full , flowing and ‘ magnificently brilliant ” answers to their ‘ Q ’ s @ @ @ @ @ cut short his interview with Ms. Stahl at the White House when he reportedly grew @ @ @ @ @ He has been attacking her for three days on Twitter , suggesting he would release @ @ @ @ @ interview to ruin CBS ’ exclusive , which is set to air on Sunday night @

President Trump vowed on Thursday to release an “unedited preview” of his interview with Lesley Stahl of “60 Minutes,” saying he wants the public to see her “constant interruptions and anger.”
“I will soon be giving a first in television history full, unedited preview of the vicious attempted ‘takeout’ interview of me by Lesley Stahl of @60Minutes,” Mr. Trump tweeted. “Watch her constant interruptions & anger. Compare my full, flowing and ‘magnificently brilliant” answers to their ‘Q’s’.”
The president cut short his interview with Ms. Stahl at the White House when he reportedly grew frustrated with her questions. He has been attacking her for three days on Twitter, suggesting he would release his own video of the interview to ruin CBS’ exclusive, which is set to air on Sunday night.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Alaska transportation department impounding roadside signs

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is enforcing a law preventing signs from being posted along state roads , including many campaign signs .
The department said impounding signs that have been posted is not politically motivated , but rather an attempt to follow the statute against allowing signs in any area designated a right of way , KTOO Public Media reported Tuesday .
Right of way refers to land along state roads controlled by the transportation department , although often owned by someone else .
Right of way is reserved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines , drainage ditches and stop signs .
State law allows signs to be posted on private property , but bans most signs within 660 feet ( 201 meters ) of a state right of way .
The transportation department was previously obligated to give a written notice of 30 days to owners before removing signs .
An Anchorage Superior Court judge ordered the department in 2018 to stop enforcing certain parts of the law over free speech concerns .
The revision also gave the department the power to remove signs without notice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaigns were pretty sharp in that they would put the big signs up 30 days before the election , ” said Michael Schuler , a regional transportation department manager .
The state is “ completely equal opportunity ” and remains nonpolitical in its sign removal decisions , Schuler said .
“ If there are signs that say , you know , ‘ Welcome home grandma from the hospital , you survived stage 4 cancer , ’ and it ’ s on a mailbox ?
It ’ s coming off , ’ cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schuler said .
Schuler shared photos of recently impounded signs for the campaigns of Republicans , Democrats and independents in local , state and national races .
The state could lose federal funding for failing to enforce the sign law , Schuler said .
Transportation officials understand members of the public can be confused about the location of right-of-way areas and where signs are allowed because “ it ’ s not always so straightforward , ” Schuler said .
“ There are very few places that we can just say , ‘ Yeah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 15 meters ) , you know , each side of centerline , all the way to the end of the road , ’ ” Schuler said .

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is enforcing a law preventing signs from being posted along state roads, including many campaign signs.
The department said impounding signs that have been posted is not politically motivated, but rather an attempt to follow the statute against allowing signs in any area designated a right of way, KTOO Public Media reported Tuesday.
Right of way refers to land along state roads controlled by the transportation department, although often owned by someone else. Right of way is reserved for public uses including sidewalks, power lines, drainage ditches and stop signs.
State law allows signs to be posted on private property, but bans most signs within 660 feet (201 meters) of a state right of way. The transportation department was previously obligated to give a written notice of 30 days to owners before removing signs.
An Anchorage Superior Court judge ordered the department in 2018 to stop enforcing certain parts of the law over free speech concerns. The revision also gave the department the power to remove signs without notice.
“Before 2018, most of the campaigns were pretty sharp in that they would put the big signs up 30 days before the election,” said Michael Schuler, a regional transportation department manager.
The state is “completely equal opportunity” and remains nonpolitical in its sign removal decisions, Schuler said.
“If there are signs that say, you know, ‘Welcome home grandma from the hospital, you survived stage 4 cancer,’ and it’s on a mailbox? It’s coming off, ’cause that’s the law,” Schuler said.
Schuler shared photos of recently impounded signs for the campaigns of Republicans, Democrats and independents in local, state and national races.
The state could lose federal funding for failing to enforce the sign law, Schuler said.
Transportation officials understand members of the public can be confused about the location of right-of-way areas and where signs are allowed because “it’s not always so straightforward,” Schuler said.
“There are very few places that we can just say, ‘Yeah, we’ve got 50 feet (15 meters), you know, each side of centerline, all the way to the end of the road,’” Schuler said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Plot thickens over origins of pope's civil union endorsement

VATICAN CITY ( AP ) - Question swirled Thursday about the origins of Pope Francis ’ bombshell comments endorsing same-sex civil unions , with all evidence suggesting he made them in a 2019 interview that was never broadcast in its entirety .
The Vatican refused to comment on whether it cut the remarks from its own broadcast or pressured the Mexican broadcaster that conducted the interview to follow suit .
And it didn ’ t respond to questions about why it allowed the comments to be aired now in the documentary “ Francesco , ” which premiered Wednesday .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Rome Film Festival , Francis said gay people have the right to be in a family since they are “ children of God.
” “ You can ’ t kick someone out of a family , nor make their life miserable for this , ” the pope said .
“ What we have to have is a civil union law ; that way they are legally covered.
” Those comments caused a firestorm , thrilling progressives and alarming conservatives , given official Vatican teaching prohibits any such endorsement of homosexual unions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Francis endorsed civil unions for gay couples as an alternative to same-sex marriages .
However , he had never come out publicly in favor of legal protections for civil unions as pope , and no pontiff before him had , either .
One of Francis ’ top communications advisers , the Rev .
Antonio Spadaro , insisted the pope ’ s comments were old news , saying they were made during a May 2019 interview with Mexican broadcaster Televisa .
“ There ’ s nothing new because it ’ s a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press as he exited the premiere .
“ It seems strange that you don ’ t remember.
” But Televisa didn ’ t air those comments when it broadcast the interview - nor did the Vatican when it put out its recordings of it .
The broadcaster has not commented on the intrigue .
The Vatican frequently edits the pope in official transcripts and videos , especially when he speaks on sensitive issues .
It wasn ’ t clear if the Vatican also insisted on having the final cut as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also remains unclear is why the explosive comment was never aired - and if the Vatican forgot that it remained available on a recording in the Vatican archives , which were opened to filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky .
Televisa has not confirmed that the comments were made during its interview , but the scene of the documentary is identical to the Televisa interview , including the yellow background , a chair in the corner and slightly off-center placement of the chain of Francis ’ pectoral cross .
The official 2019 Vatican News transcript of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official Vatican edit , contains no such comment on the need for legal protections for civil unions .
The official edit does include his comments on the need for gay people to feel they are part of a family , as he has said previously .
Further muddying the waters is the fact that Afineevsky , when pressed by reporters late Wednesday , insisted the pope made the comments to him directly , through a translator , but declined to say when .
When The Associated Press interviewed Afineevsky on Oct. 14 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time that Francis ’ comments were going to grab headlines .
Afineevsky dodged the question about the origin of the quote and seemed to not appreciate its significance .
But he said that he hoped journalists would take more away from the film .
“ If journalists will be focusing on this movie only on that , then it will be a pity , ” he said .
“ But I think that ’ s one of the issues that our world needs to understand , that we ’ re all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communications branch , Paolo Ruffini , refused to speak to reporters who attended an award ceremony Thursday in the Vatican gardens for Afineevsky , and the director himself kept his distance .
The Catholic Church teaches that gay people must be treated with dignity and respect but that homosexual acts are “ intrinsically disordered.
” A 2003 document from the Vatican ’ s doctrine office stated the church ’ s respect for gay people “ can not lead in any way to approval of homosexual behavior or to legal recognition of homosexual unions.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , would not only condone “ deviant behavior , ” but create an equivalence to marriage , which the church holds is an indissoluble union between man and woman .
That document was signed by the then-prefect of the office , Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger , the future Pope Benedict XVI and Francis ’ predecessor .
Afineevsky , who is gay , had expressed surprise after the premiere that the pope ’ s comments had created such a stir , saying Francis wasn ’ t trying to change doctrine but was merely expressing his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights as heterosexuals .
On Thursday , he declined to take any further questions and sought to put attention on the main issues dealt with in the film : climate change , refugees and poverty .
“ I am so proud that finally ‘ Francesco ’ is on its way to the road to change hearts and minds , ” he said at the prize ceremony in the Vatican gardens .
“ Finally , I am happy that I can bring voices from the Rohingya refugees , refugees from Syria , the voices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from different points from different corners of the world .
”

MEXICO CITY (AP) - A Mexican television broadcaster confirmed Thursday that Pope Francis’ bombshell comments endorsing same-sex civil unions were made during a May 2019 interview that was never broadcast in its entirety.
Broadcaster Televisa said Thursday that the emphasis of its interview was on clergy sexual abuse and suggested it didn’t consider the comments on civil unions as newsworthy because Francis had previously indicated support for them.
The Vatican, which had the full interview in its archives, apparently allowed the comments to be aired now in the documentary “Francesco,” which premiered Wednesday.
In the movie, which was shown at the Rome Film Festival, Francis said gays shouldn’t be kicked out of families or made miserable. “What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered,” Francis said.
But a source in Mexico familiar with the interview said the original raw footage the Vatican provided to Televisa from the interview did not include the quote on civil unions. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
The Vatican did not respond to requests for comment.
When the pope consents to such interviews, the Vatican television unit films them and provides the full footage to the correspondent in question to edit and choose what to use. The Vatican takes that edit and the final product goes out simultaneously via the broadcaster and Vatican media.
The civil union comments caused a firestorm, thrilling progressives and alarming conservatives, given that official Vatican teaching prohibits any such endorsement of homosexual unions.
While serving as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio endorsed extending civil union protections to gay couples as an alternative to moves by the country to approve same-sex marriage, which he firmly opposed. However, he had never come out publicly in favor of legal protections for civil unions as pope, and no pontiff before him had, either.
One of Francis’ top communications advisers, the Rev. Antonio Spadaro, insisted Wednesday the pope’s comments were old news, saying they were made during the May 2019 interview with Televisa.
“There’s nothing new because it’s a part of that interview,” Spadaro told The Associated Press as he exited the premiere. “It seems strange that you don’t remember.”
But Televisa didn’t air those comments when it broadcast the interview - nor did the Vatican when it put out its own recordings and a transcript of it.
The broadcaster, in a statement to AP, said it chose to highlight the pope’s more “journalistically relevant” comments on sexual abuse in the comments it did air, which came just months after Francis hosted bishops from around the world for a child protection summit at the Vatican.
“The mention of unions between people of the same sex was something that the pope had already mentioned on other occasions prior to our interview in 2019,” Televisa’s statement said.
The Vatican frequently edits the pope in official transcripts and videos, especially when he speaks on sensitive issues. Yet a version of the full footage was apparently still available in the Vatican archives, which were opened to filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky.
Apparently referring to Francis’ position in Argentina, the documentary used the previously unbroadcast quote about Francis’ support for a law governing same-sex civil unions, or “a law of civil cohabitation” as it was referred to in Argentina.
Further muddying the waters was the fact that Afineevsky, when pressed by reporters late Wednesday, said the pope made the comments to him directly, through a translator, but declined to say when.
The AP was provided with a preview of the documentary under condition it not report on the film until Wednesday’s premiere. In an interivew Oct. 14 with the director, AP asked if he realized that Francis’ comments were going to grab headlines.
Afineevsky dodged the question about the origin of the quote and seemed to not appreciate its significance. But he said he hoped journalists would take more away from the film.
“If journalists will be focusing on this movie only on that, then it will be a pity,” he said. “But I think that’s one of the issues that our world needs to understand, that we’re all equal.”
The head of the Vatican communications branch, Paolo Ruffini, refused to speak to reporters who attended an award ceremony Thursday in the Vatican gardens for Afineevsky, and the director himself kept his distance.
The Catholic Church teaches that gay people must be treated with dignity and respect but that homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered.” A 2003 document from the Vatican’s doctrine office stated the church’s respect for gay people “cannot lead in any way to approval of homosexual behavior or to legal recognition of homosexual unions.”
Doing so, the Vatican reasoned, would not only condone “deviant behavior,” but create an equivalence to marriage, which the church holds is an indissoluble union between man and woman.
Afineevsky, who is gay, had expressed surprise after the premiere that the pope’s comments had created such a stir, saying Francis wasn’t trying to change doctrine but was merely expressing his belief gay people should enjoy the same rights as heterosexuals.
On Thursday, he declined to take any further questions and sought to put attention on the main issues dealt with in the film: climate change, refugees and poverty.
“I am so proud that finally ‘Francesco’ is on its way to the road to change hearts and minds,” he said at the prize ceremony in the Vatican gardens. “Finally, I am happy that I can bring voices from the Rohingya refugees, refugees from Syria, the voices of victims of sexual abuse, voices from different points from different corners of the world.”
___
Associated Press writer Nicole Winfield reported this story from Vatican City and AP writer Maria Verza reported in Mexico City.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Study: TV industry falls short of off-camera inclusivity

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - When Zendaya won last month ’ s Emmy Award for top drama series actress , her triumph seemed to underscore the TV industry ’ s progress toward inclusivity .
The “ Euphoria ” star became the second Black winner in the category in five years , following Viola Davis ’ drought-ending win for “ How to Get Away with Murder ” in 2015 .
But such success contrasts with the lag in diversity in behind-the-camera jobs and among TV executives as measured by the yardsticks of race and gender , according to a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study released Thursday .
“ There has been a lot of progress for women and people of color in front of the camera , ” Darnell Hunt , dean of the school ’ s social sciences division and the study ’ s co-author , said in a statement .
“ Unfortunately , there has not been the same level of progress behind the camera.
” That ’ s most notable in Hollywood ’ s executive suites , where little has changed since the UCLA study tallied the numbers five years ago , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the study found that whites held 92 % of chair and CEO positions at TV networks and studios , with men filling 68 % of those posts .
Among senior executives , 84 % were white and 60 % were male .
In 2015 , the executive suites were 96 % white and 71 % male , which represents what Hunt calls “ minimal change.
” That ’ s especially telling given the racial reckoning fanned by the police-connected deaths of George Floyd and other African Americans , according to Hunt .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Lives Matter movement , their actions have failed to match their words , Hunt said in an interview .
This is despite the growing market share represented by consumers of color as they edge toward replacing whites as America ’ s majority , Hunt said Wednesday .
According to the U.S. Census , the country in 2019 was 60 % white and 40 % people of color , with the latter figure projected to reach 53 % by 2050 .
“ Hollywood has been trying to figure out how to acknowledge the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without fundamentally changing the way they do business , ” he said .
“ If they were serious about reading the way the wind is blowing and where the market is going , ” more executives reflecting that would be hired .
“ But they haven ’ t done that , ” he said , acknowledging a notable exception in Channing Dungey , who at ABC became the president of a major broadcast network , jumped to Netflix and this week was named chairman of the Warner Bros. Television Group .
Dungey is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in offices outside the C-suite .
In the 2018-19 season , people of color were , on average , 24 % of credited writers and 22 % of directors for all broadcast , cable and streaming episodes .
The underrepresentation of people of color in decision-making and creative positions means that ethnic characters ’ storylines “ may lack authenticity or will be written stereotypically or even ‘ raceless , ’ ” Ana-Christina Ramon , a co-author of the report , said in a statement .
Women , at slightly more than half the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series creators , 28.1 % in broadcast and 22.4 % in cable .
While they made gains in those and most other on- and off-camera jobs , they remain underrepresented in nearly all .
The study , which examined 453 scripted broadcast , cable and online TV shows from the 2017-18 season and 463 such shows from 2018-19 , found that people of color on-screen are collectively approaching proportional representation .
“ We ’ ve come a long way in that regard ” from UCLA ’ s first study of the 2011-12 season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are lopsided when examined by ethnicity .
African American actors have led the way in inclusion for more than a decade , Hunt said , while Latinos are consistently underrepresented , Native Americans have been “ virtually invisible ” and Asian American numbers ebb and flow .
Middle Eastern and North African inclusiveness has been on the rise .
“ But we ’ re not saying anything about the quality of the images , because in some cases inclusion can be a bad thing for those groups because we ’ re taking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That ’ s another topic.
” Lynn Elber can be reached at lelber @ ap.org and is on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/lynnelber .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - When Zendaya won last month’s Emmy Award for top drama series actress, her triumph seemed to underscore the TV industry’s progress toward inclusivity.
The “Euphoria” star became the second Black winner in the category in five years, following Viola Davis’ drought-ending win for “How to Get Away with Murder” in 2015.
But such success contrasts with the lag in diversity in behind-the-camera jobs and among TV executives as measured by the yardsticks of race and gender, according to a new University of California, Los Angeles, study released Thursday.
“There has been a lot of progress for women and people of color in front of the camera,” Darnell Hunt, dean of the school’s social sciences division and the study’s co-author, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, there has not been the same level of progress behind the camera.”
That’s most notable in Hollywood’s executive suites, where little has changed since the UCLA study tallied the numbers five years ago, he said.
As of September 2020, the study found that whites held 92% of chair and CEO positions at TV networks and studios, with men filling 68% of those posts. Among senior executives, 84% were white and 60% were male. In 2015, the executive suites were 96% white and 71% male, which represents what Hunt calls “minimal change.”
That’s especially telling given the racial reckoning fanned by the police-connected deaths of George Floyd and other African Americans, according to Hunt. While media corporations have voiced support for the Black Lives Matter movement, their actions have failed to match their words, Hunt said in an interview.
This is despite the growing market share represented by consumers of color as they edge toward replacing whites as America’s majority, Hunt said Wednesday. According to the U.S. Census, the country in 2019 was 60% white and 40% people of color, with the latter figure projected to reach 53% by 2050.
“Hollywood has been trying to figure out how to acknowledge the relationship between diversity and the bottom line without fundamentally changing the way they do business,” he said. “If they were serious about reading the way the wind is blowing and where the market is going,” more executives reflecting that would be hired.
“But they haven’t done that,” he said, acknowledging a notable exception in Channing Dungey, who at ABC became the president of a major broadcast network, jumped to Netflix and this week was named chairman of the Warner Bros. Television Group. Dungey is Black.
Inclusivity also lags for those in offices outside the C-suite. In the 2018-19 season, people of color were, on average, 24% of credited writers and 22% of directors for all broadcast, cable and streaming episodes.
The underrepresentation of people of color in decision-making and creative positions means that ethnic characters’ storylines “may lack authenticity or will be written stereotypically or even ‘raceless,’” Ana-Christina Ramon, a co-author of the report, said in a statement.
Women, at slightly more than half the population, represented 28.6% of online series creators, 28.1% in broadcast and 22.4% in cable. While they made gains in those and most other on- and off-camera jobs, they remain underrepresented in nearly all.
The study, which examined 453 scripted broadcast, cable and online TV shows from the 2017-18 season and 463 such shows from 2018-19, found that people of color on-screen are collectively approaching proportional representation.
“We’ve come a long way in that regard” from UCLA’s first study of the 2011-12 season, Hunt said.
But the advances are lopsided when examined by ethnicity. African American actors have led the way in inclusion for more than a decade, Hunt said, while Latinos are consistently underrepresented, Native Americans have been “virtually invisible” and Asian American numbers ebb and flow.
Middle Eastern and North African inclusiveness has been on the rise.
“But we’re not saying anything about the quality of the images, because in some cases inclusion can be a bad thing for those groups because we’re taking about stereotypical images,” he said. “That’s another topic.”
___
Lynn Elber can be reached at lelber@ap.org and is on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lynnelber.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Donald Trump quickly moves to fill Amy Coney Barrett's 7th Circuit seat

President Trump announced his intent to nominate Thomas L. Kirsch II for the 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals @ @ @ @ @ left open after Judge Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed to the Supreme Court .
Her @ @ @ @ @ expected to occur Monday .
Mr. Kirsch currently serves as the U.S. attorney for the @ @ @ @ @ He is the only federal circuit court nominee pending , as the GOP-led Senate has @ @ @ @ @ court vacancies under Mr. Trump .

President Trump announced his intent to nominate Thomas L. Kirsch II for the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday to fill the seat left open after Judge Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed to the Supreme Court.
Her confirmation by the Senate is expected to occur Monday.
Mr. Kirsch currently serves as the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana.
He is the only federal circuit court nominee pending, as the GOP-led Senate has quickly moved to fill federal court vacancies under Mr. Trump.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Augusta Commission agrees to settlement in reverse bias case

AUGUSTA , Ga. ( AP ) - The Augusta Commission agreed to pay $ 110,000 to settle the reverse discrimination complaints of a white worker who claimed she was mistreated after a Black man was elected as probate judge for the first time .
Commissioners agreed to approve a settlement of Angela Rice ’ s suit over her treatment by Richmond County Probate Judge Harry James on Tuesday , The Augusta Chronicle reported .
Rice filed suit in 2014 against James and the city of Augusta after James demoted and then fired her from the office where she had worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with James ’ request to dismiss claims of discrimination and hostile work environment , but the court didn ’ t drop Rice ’ s claim that she had been the subject of retaliation for seeking an investigation of possible discrimination .
The two sides agreed to settle the remaining claim earlier this month .
Rice contended James , who was elected Richmond County ’ s first Black probate judge in 2012 , demoted her and cut her pay by $ 15,000 as he promoted two less-qualified employees to two top positions .
Rice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her first letter of reprimand in 16 years in January 2014 .
She was fired and escorted off the courthouse grounds a few weeks later .

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) - The Augusta Commission agreed to pay $110,000 to settle the reverse discrimination complaints of a white worker who claimed she was mistreated after a Black man was elected as probate judge for the first time.
Commissioners agreed to approve a settlement of Angela Rice’s suit over her treatment by Richmond County Probate Judge Harry James on Tuesday, The Augusta Chronicle reported.
Rice filed suit in 2014 against James and the city of Augusta after James demoted and then fired her from the office where she had worked since 1998.
A federal judge agreed with James’ request to dismiss claims of discrimination and hostile work environment, but the court didn’t drop Rice’s claim that she had been the subject of retaliation for seeking an investigation of possible discrimination.
The two sides agreed to settle the remaining claim earlier this month.
Rice contended James, who was elected Richmond County’s first Black probate judge in 2012, demoted her and cut her pay by $15,000 as he promoted two less-qualified employees to two top positions.
Rice filed complaints in late 2013 and received her first letter of reprimand in 16 years in January 2014. She was fired and escorted off the courthouse grounds a few weeks later.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--St. Louis police officers to be wearing body cameras soon

ST. LOUIS ( AP ) - Police officers in St. Louis will soon be wearing body cameras .
The police department expects to begin using the cameras by the end of November , Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards told the city ’ s Board of Estimate and Apportionment on Wednesday .
St. Louis has been the site of several shootings involving officers and suspects in recent years , and critics have questioned why police in Missouri ’ s second largest city didn ’ t wear cameras .
The department in June signed a $ 5.8 million contract with the body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported .
Edwards said it takes time to implement the program because the process is far more complicated than simply purchasing the cameras and handing them to the 800 officers who will use them .
He said the cameras are part of a “ very complex and sophisticated ” computer system requiring technical adaptations to work with department equipment .
One element still being implemented will allow cameras to be automatically activated when an officer draws a gun or turns on a police car ’ s emergency lights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and last week , 654 officers and sergeants were trained on the body cameras and on new cameras being installed in many patrol cars , Edwards said .
Due to coronavirus pandemic ’ s social distancing requirements , he said , only 20 people could take part in each session .
Training for commanders and detectives began this week .
Comptroller Darlene Green , who asked for the briefing , said it showed “ steady progress toward the final goal.
” The Board of Estimate and Apportionment is made up of Mayor Lyda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Green .

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Police officers in St. Louis will soon be wearing body cameras.
The police department expects to begin using the cameras by the end of November, Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards told the city’s Board of Estimate and Apportionment on Wednesday.
St. Louis has been the site of several shootings involving officers and suspects in recent years, and critics have questioned why police in Missouri’s second largest city didn’t wear cameras.
The department in June signed a $5.8 million contract with the body camera vendor, Georgia-based Utility Associates Inc., the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Edwards said it takes time to implement the program because the process is far more complicated than simply purchasing the cameras and handing them to the 800 officers who will use them.
He said the cameras are part of a “very complex and sophisticated” computer system requiring technical adaptations to work with department equipment.
One element still being implemented will allow cameras to be automatically activated when an officer draws a gun or turns on a police car’s emergency lights, Edwards said.
Between Sept. 7 and last week, 654 officers and sergeants were trained on the body cameras and on new cameras being installed in many patrol cars, Edwards said. Due to coronavirus pandemic’s social distancing requirements, he said, only 20 people could take part in each session.
Training for commanders and detectives began this week.
Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, who asked for the briefing, said it showed “steady progress toward the final goal.” The Board of Estimate and Apportionment is made up of Mayor Lyda Krewson, Comptroller Darlene Green and Reed.
___
This story has been corrected to attribute the request for a briefing and partial quote to Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, not Comptroller Darlene Green.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--University of Delaware will increase on-campus residencies

NEWARK , Del .
( AP ) - The University of Delaware will increase the number of students living on campus from 1,300 to 4,000 for the spring semester , school officials announced Wednesday .
The university will start its spring semester on Feb. 15 , a week later then scheduled , to “ reduce campus activities during the flu season , ” news outlets reported .
School President Dennis Assanis said first-year students and seniors will be given the chance to take advantage of the extended capacity first .
The school will also eliminate spring break to minimize out-of-state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring the return of some sports .
Winter sports begin Nov. 25 and fall sports will begin Jan. 23 .
The university has suffered a large budget deficit due to the coronavirus pandemic , Assanis said .
A drop in first-year and out-of-state students contributed to a tuition deficit of more than $ 80 million .
In late September , the school said it will perform cost-saving measures , such as layoffs , voluntary staff hour reductions and unpaid leave programs .
All of these plans are subject to change .
“ Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with certainty what will happen in the weeks and months ahead , so our plans must remain flexible to accommodate the evolving nature of the pandemic , ” Assanis said .
As of Oct. 18 , 406 students and staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 , according to the school ’ s COVID-19 dashboard .

NEWARK, Del. (AP) - The University of Delaware will increase the number of students living on campus from 1,300 to 4,000 for the spring semester, school officials announced Wednesday.
The university will start its spring semester on Feb. 15, a week later then scheduled, to “reduce campus activities during the flu season,” news outlets reported.
School President Dennis Assanis said first-year students and seniors will be given the chance to take advantage of the extended capacity first.
The school will also eliminate spring break to minimize out-of-state travel.
The spring semester will also bring the return of some sports. Winter sports begin Nov. 25 and fall sports will begin Jan. 23.
The university has suffered a large budget deficit due to the coronavirus pandemic, Assanis said. A drop in first-year and out-of-state students contributed to a tuition deficit of more than $80 million.
In late September, the school said it will perform cost-saving measures, such as layoffs, voluntary staff hour reductions and unpaid leave programs.
All of these plans are subject to change.
“Of course, it is difficult to say with certainty what will happen in the weeks and months ahead, so our plans must remain flexible to accommodate the evolving nature of the pandemic,” Assanis said.
As of Oct. 18, 406 students and staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the school’s COVID-19 dashboard.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Joe Biden plans to set up blue-ribbon commission on court changes

Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden says that if elected , he plans to set up a bipartisan commission of scholars and experts to talk about overhauls to the U.S. court system and report back to him in six months .
“ It ’ s getting out of whack — the way in which it ’ s being handled , and it ’ s not about court-packing , ” Mr. Biden said on CBS ’ “ 60 Minutes ” in a clip released Thursday .
“ There ’ s a number of other things that our constitutional scholars have debated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see what recommendations that commission might make.
” Asked whether he would study the issue of packing the court , or adding seats to the U.S. Supreme Court , he said there are a number of alternatives that go “ well beyond packing.
” “ The last thing we need to do is turn the Supreme Court into just a political football , whoever has the most votes gets whatever they want , ” he said .
“ Presidents come and go .
Supreme Court justices stay for generations.
” Mr. Biden has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support an effort , pushed by liberals , to add seats to the Supreme Court if Republicans confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett before the election and Democrats control Washington next year .
The former vice president has allowed that he ’ s “ not a fan ” of court-packing and suggested he could make his position known in the coming days depending on how Judge Barrett ’ s confirmation goes .

Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden drew immediate fire from both the right and the left Thursday after he said that, if elected president, he would set up a blue-ribbon commission on overhauling the court system.
After weeks of dodging questions about Democrats’ plan to pack the courts, Mr. Biden said he would impanel a bipartisan group to study it, falling back on the standard government practice of deferring to an outside panel to temporarily sideline issues deemed too hot to handle.
“It’s getting out of whack, the way in which it’s being handled and it’s not about court packing,” Mr. Biden told CBS’s “60 Minutes” in a clip released Thursday. “There’s a number of other things that our constitutional scholars have debated and I’ve looked to see what recommendations that commission might make.”
Asked whether he would study the issue of packing the court, or adding seats to the Supreme Court, he said there are several alternatives that go “well beyond packing.”
“The last thing we need to do is turn the Supreme Court into just a political football, whoever has the most votes gets whatever they want,” he said. “Presidents come and go. Supreme Court justices stay for generations.”
Mr. Biden has repeatedly declined to say whether he would support an effort pushed by liberals to add seats to the Supreme Court if Republicans confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett before the election.
Democrats would have the power to alter the Supreme Court if the party controls Washington next year.
Mr. Biden has allowed that he’s “not a fan” of court-packing and suggested he could make his position known in the coming days depending on how Judge Barrett’s confirmation goes.
Sen. John Kennedy, Louisiana Republican, said establishing a committee is, at the very least, a better option than packing the court.
“He’s just trying to buy time,” Mr. Kennedy said. “I mean, that’s what politicians do when they don’t want to commit to something one way or the other: They appoint a committee.”
Liberal groups said Mr. Biden at least appears open to evolving on the issue but that a commission would likely be a dead-end for major changes.
“We don’t need to be promised a nice report about reform delivered to the White House,” said Yvette Simpson, CEO of the group Democracy for America. “We need Vice President Biden to assure Americans that he will take bold action to ensure our courts don’t remain dominated by a right-wing fringe installed by Mitch McConnell to attack abortion rights, destroy health care reform, and dismantle our democracy.”
Brian Fallon, executive director of the group Demand Justice, said setting up a commission to report back in six months would likely end up in a “punt.”
“The Republicans’ decision to plow forward with Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination in the midst of a national election requires a more urgent response than a study that will take 180 days to complete,” Mr. Fallon said.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance Judge Barrett’s nomination on Thursday despite a Democratic boycott.
Liberals are demanding that Congress move to add seats to the Supreme Court as payback for Republicans’ “stealing” a seat so close to the election.
Conservatives said Mr. Biden’s statement means he likely wants to pack the court, which polling has shown is not a popular position among the overall electorate.
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who is chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said it is anyone’s guess as to where the former vice president actually stands.
“I had no idea what he was trying to say. I don’t know what this commission would do,” Mr. Graham said outside Thursday’s hearing. “But here’s what I can tell you: If you’re a Democrat, the people who want to pack the court will come after you if you say no.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, one of Mr. Biden’s primary rivals, immediately pivoted to attacking Republicans for their Supreme Court push when asked about the idea.
“All options are on the table, and a commission can certainly look at everything,” she said.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer reiterated his position that everything is on the table if Democrats control the House, Senate and White House next year.
“First job, get the majority,” the New York Democrat said when asked about Mr. Biden’s idea.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.