washingtontimes--2020-10-04--Half-brother ID'd as suspect in killing of Maryland girl, 5

PASADENA , Md .
( AP ) - Police in Maryland announced a murder charge Sunday against a 17-year-old in @ @ @ @ @ half sister .
Stephen Jarrod Davis II was located by authorities in Springfield , Ohio @ @ @ @ @ been charged as an adult with first-degree murder , the Anne Arundel County Police Department @ @ @ @ @ .
The victim , identified Sunday as Anaya Jannah Abdul , was found Saturday morning @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said an autopsy had been completed and the cause of death was determined @ @ @ @ @ injuries .
“ Detectives are still looking into a motive in this case , ” @ @ @ @ @ The police department said its crisis intervention team was working with the responding officers and @ @ @ @ @ .
Davis , who was not facing any additional charges in Ohio , was awaiting @ @ @ @ @ police said .
Online court records did not immediately reflect the charge against him , @ @ @ @ @ if he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf .

PASADENA, Md. (AP) - Police in Maryland announced a murder charge Sunday against a 17-year-old in the death of his 5-year-old half sister.
Stephen Jarrod Davis II was located by authorities in Springfield, Ohio, Saturday morning and has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder, the Anne Arundel County Police Department said in a news release.
The victim, identified Sunday as Anaya Jannah Abdul, was found Saturday morning at a home in Pasadena. Police said an autopsy had been completed and the cause of death was determined to be multiple sharp force injuries.
“Detectives are still looking into a motive in this case,” the news release said.
The police department said its crisis intervention team was working with the responding officers and the victim’s family.
Davis, who was not facing any additional charges in Ohio, was awaiting extradition back to Maryland, police said. Online court records did not immediately reflect the charge against him, and it was not clear if he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Jury trials to resume in Delaware with next reopening phase

WILMINGTON , Del .
( AP ) - Jury trials are going to resume in Delaware as the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ The Wilmington News Journal reports that the change takes effect on Monday .
The number @ @ @ @ @ will rise to 75 % of capacity .
But the courts will continue conducting temperature @ @ @ @ @ will continue to be mandatory .
And social distancing signs and markers remain present throughout @ @ @ @ @ the public in late March because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Attorneys and a limited @ @ @ @ @ nearly three months later as part of a soft opening .
The courts then moved @ @ @ @ @ back the public for hearings and non-jury trials .
Buildings had been capped at half @ @ @ @ @ no more than 10 visitors were allowed in courtrooms .

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Jury trials are going to resume in Delaware as the state’s phased reopening continues.
The Wilmington News Journal reports that the change takes effect on Monday.
The number of people allowed in courthouses will rise to 75% of capacity. But the courts will continue conducting temperature checks at entrances. Masks will continue to be mandatory. And social distancing signs and markers remain present throughout.
Courthouses were closed to the public in late March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Attorneys and a limited number of others came back nearly three months later as part of a soft opening.
The courts then moved to phase two and welcomed back the public for hearings and non-jury trials. Buildings had been capped at half their normal capacity. And no more than 10 visitors were allowed in courtrooms.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Albania cancels friendly with war-troubled Armenia

TIRANA , Albania ( AP ) - The Albanian soccer federation canceled a friendly match at Armenia on Monday because @ @ @ @ @ the former Soviet republic .
The federation said the friendly in Yerevan on Wednesday was @ @ @ @ @ grave situation and the turmoil currently occurring in Armenia.
” Since late September , Armenia @ @ @ @ @ over the separatist territory of Nagorno-Karabakh , with both sides accusing each other of launching @ @ @ @ @ Armenia was planned ahead of Albania ’ s Nations League matches next week in Kazakhstan @ @ @ @ @ second in Group C after two matches with three points .
The group also incudes @ @

TIRANA, Albania (AP) - The Albanian soccer federation canceled a friendly match at Armenia on Monday because of the political upheaval in the former Soviet republic.
The federation said the friendly in Yerevan on Wednesday was canceled “due to the grave situation and the turmoil currently occurring in Armenia.”
Since late September, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been fighting over the separatist territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, with both sides accusing each other of launching attacks.
The friendly against Armenia was planned ahead of Albania’s Nations League matches next week in Kazakhstan and Lithuania.
Albania is second in Group C after two matches with three points. The group also incudes Belarus.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Murphy: No one should have gone to Trump fundraiser

TRENTON , N.J. ( AP ) - No one should have come in person last week to President Donald Trump ’ s fundraiser at his Bedminster golf club because of the risk of COVID-19 infection , New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy said Monday .
Murphy called the trip the “ wrong decision at every level , ” and said it should have been canceled .
Murphy , a Democrat , spoke during several television appearances , saying state and federal officials were still working on contact tracing .
He urged anyone at the club while the president was there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you think you ’ ve been in touch or in the midst of someone who is COVID positive you ’ ve got to take yourself off the field , ” he said .
“ This borders on reckless in terms of exposing people.
” The president attended a campaign fundraiser at his Trump National Golf Course Thursday , hours before he announced he had COVID-19 .
He had said earlier that a close aide was positive for the virus .
The White House sent Somerset County officials a list of 206 guests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the staff at the club are New Jersey residents .
It ’ s unclear whether they were accounted for on the president ’ s list .
White House spokesman Judd Deere said the president didn ’ t have any contact with donors or staff that would be considered close , based on the CDC guidelines of longer than 15 minutes and within 6 feet .

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - President Donald Trump’s fundraiser at his Bedminster golf club hours before he announced he had contracted the coronavirus was wrong and “put lives at risk,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday.
Murphy called the trip the “wrong decision at every level” and said it should have been canceled. He said the state is trying to keep tabs on the 206 attendees and 19 workers in an effort to thwart a potential outbreak stemming from the gathering Thursday.
Guests at that event said it included a photo opportunity with Trump and an indoor roundtable with him that one attendee said lasted 45 minutes or more.
“The actions leading up to and following this event have put lives at risk,” Murphy said at an afternoon news conference. “This is very much a race against the clock.”
Murphy, a Democrat, made several television appearances Monday, saying state and federal officials were still working on contact tracing and had reached most of the guests. He urged anyone at the club while the president was there to quarantine for two weeks.
“If you think you’ve been in touch or in the midst of someone who is COVID positive you’ve got to take yourself off the field,” he said. “This borders on reckless in terms of exposing people.”
The president attended a campaign fundraiser at his Trump National Golf Course on Thursday afternoon after disclosing that a close aide tested positive for the virus. Murphy said the gathering may have violated state rules on large gatherings during the pandemic.
However, White House spokesman Judd Deere said the president didn’t have any contact with donors or staff that would be considered close, based on the CDC guidelines of longer than 15 minutes and within 6 feet.
But Dr. Rich Roberts, a pharmaceutical executive from New Jersey who made a video describing the event, said he sat a seat away from Trump during the indoor roundtable.
Rich said the event involved about 19 people and lasted perhaps 45 minutes. Roberts did not return messages Sunday seeking comment about the video, which was posted on a local news site, The Lakewood Scoop.
John Sette, the former Republican chairman of Morris County, said he felt the event was safely run. Sette, 73, attended only the outdoor portion of the event, when the president spoke to supporters at a distance from a patio.
Sette feels fine, but saw his doctor and plans to be tested Wednesday “just for my own satisfaction.” He said he was happy to be contacted by tracers, because it shows the system is working.
“It was very well run, If I didn’t think it was safe, I wouldn’t have stayed,” said Sette, who said he wore a mask and has not seen many people, including his grandchildren in Florida, since February.
“Millions of people have it,” said Sette, noting the related hospitalization of former Gov. Chris Christie, a friend. “It’s a terrible, terrible thing. Hopefully, we’ll get through it.”
Of the 206 guests at the event, Murphy said, 184 have been contacted by health officials in New Jersey. Many people reacted positively to the outreach, but some questioned where the state got their contact information from and were “not so positive,” said Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli.
“We are overwhelmingly in need of more federal support,” Murphy said.


Editorial Roundup:

On Thursday , Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed October as Fire Prevention Month - an effort to help spread the message of fire safety , protect Michigan residents , and save lives .
Fatal fire data collected by MI Prevention - a statewide community risk reduction effort led by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in collaboration with the State Fire Marshal and Michigan ’ s fire safety organizations - shows most of Michigan ’ s fire deaths happen overnight , with 50 % of fire deaths resulting from fires that started in the living room , 17 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and 16 % of fires that started in bedrooms .
That ’ s why preparation is so key : Families need to know what to do if a fire breaks out in their home .
An important first step is installation of fire alarms .
And it ’ s imperative to check the smoke alarms of elderly family members to help identify fire hazards in their home and correct them .
It is also important to be cautious while smoking , as 51 % of the fire deaths in Michigan since 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make every home more fire-safe , MI Prevention offers the following tips : ≤ Install smoke alarms on every level of the home and inside every sleeping area .
≤ Check the alarm by pushing the test button every month .
≤ Never smoke in bed ; keep lighters and cigarettes away from children .
≤ Never leave lit candles unattended ; place them in sturdy holders on uncluttered surfaces , keeping them at least one foot away from anything that can burn , including curtains , bedding , furniture , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wood stoves , and coal stoves inspected annually by a professional – and cleaned if necessary .
≤ Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended .
≤ Use caution when using space heaters ; never leave them unattended , keep them at least three feet away from anything that can burn , and place them on a hard-nonflammable surface , like a ceramic tile floor .
≤ Never overload electrical outlets ; plug only one heat-producing appliance into an outlet at a time .
≤ Major appliances should not be plugged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; plug appliances and space heaters directly into the wall electrical outlet .
≤ Keep clothes and other items three feet away from gas water heaters .
≤ Clean the dryer lint screen after each load - lint is extremely flammable .
≤ Have fire extinguishers in the home and know how to use them .
≤ Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are not blocked by furniture or clutter .
≤ Sleep with your bedroom door closed with a smoke alarm in your bedroom ; this can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and slowing down the spread of fire and smoke into bedrooms .
≤ If you need to escape out a window , close the door between you and the fire before opening the window to escape as a closed door slows down the spread of fire and smoke as you escape .
LARA and its Bureau of Fire Services will also be joining the National Fire Protection Association in recognizing Fire Prevention week Oct. 4-11 .
Being aware and being prepared are two important steps in avoiding a tragic home fire .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure each member knows what to do if a fire breaks out in the home .
With precautions , Halloween can still be fun The number-one question on children ’ s minds right now is what trick-or-treating is going to look like in a few weeks .
Talking with my granddaughters last weekend , they shared their plans for the big night , including what they were dressing up like this year .
While they were plotting and planning for a night of candy bars and apples , their parents and grandparents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trick-or-treating .
And , if so , what kind of stipulations will there be regarding it ?
While nothing locally has yet been announced , this week , officials with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services did suggest some guidelines for Halloween activities .
Admittedly , “ the way we celebrate Halloween in Michigan will be different this year due to COVID-19 , ” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun , chief medical executive and chief deputy for health .
“ However , there are still many ways to celebrate safely.
” MDHHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not feeling well , maintaining social distancing from others while outside , wearing a mask , and either washing your hands or using a hand sanitizer with at least 60 % alcohol frequently .
Officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also offered ideas about the upcoming holiday .
They suggest : ∫ Share with your children that this year may be different than last , but let them know some of the new ways you plan to celebrate and still have lots of fun .
∫ Talk with children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expectations .
Keep a six-foot distance from others not in your group .
∫ Participate in one-way trick-or-treating and guide children to stay to the right to ensure social distancing .
∫ Trick or treat with people you live with .
∫ Wear a face mask covering both mouth and nose ( officials explained that a costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask . )
∫ Only go to houses with safety measures in place .
CDC officials also suggested homeowners who want to pass out treats also should take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pass out candy this year , rather than at the front door .
They also suggested using duct tape to mark off six foot lines in front of the candy station to space the little goblins apart from others .
Put a piece of furniture , such as a table , between you and the trick-or-treaters .
Halloween is a fun time for youth , and I would hate to see it curtailed or done away this year .
I would hope by now we all understand the importance of being respectful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other safety standards .
I would hope that , by all of us doing that , we can still make Halloween a fun and exciting time for all those little ghosts and goblins we love this year .
Now that the Michigan Supreme Court has ruled the state ’ s 1945 emergency powers law unconstitutional , Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer must do what she should have been doing throughout the COVID-19 crisis - work with the Legislature to devise a plan for protecting Michigan residents from the virus .
In the 4-3 decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Whitmer used to unilaterally extend her powers after the first , lawmaker-approved emergency declaration expired in late April .
The majority held the law delegated powers to the governor that rightly belong to the Legislature .
All of the executive orders issued by the governor since April 30 will go away once the ruling goes into effect , and will need legislative approval to be reinstated .
The federal lawsuit was filed by three Michigan medical centers and a patient claiming they were negatively impacted by the governor ’ s emergency orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing the case asked the Michigan justices to answer the question of the 1945 law ’ s constitutionality .
A second suit raising a similar challenge and filed by Republican legislative leaders is pending before the Michigan Supreme Court , and is now moot .
The governor cast the lawsuits as an effort to strip her of her powers to protect Michigan .
Rather , they were rightly intended to restore the authority she unilaterally stripped from the Legislature .
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey said of the ruling : “ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s time for us to prove , as we have been claiming all along , that we can move from being in fear of COVID to learning to live with and manage through it .
“ We stand ready to work with the governor to do what is necessary for Michigan to lead by example in transitioning our state by informing , inspiring , and enabling citizens to do what ’ s necessary and responsible.
” House Speaker Lee Chatfield tweeted , “ We will now continue our partnership with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this challenge as our Constitution requires and as we always have in times past - together.
” That ’ s the way it should work .
There ’ s no reason the governor and Legislature can ’ t collaborate to restore the executive orders that make sense , and issue new ones if needed .
All that changes is that the people ’ s representatives will have input into the decisions impacting their constituents , and oversight of how the governor exercises any powers they give her .
In her dissent , Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaging in judicial activism , striking a law the Legislature could have rewritten or repealed itself .
She noted that other judicial remedies were available , including challenging whether the current state of the pandemic qualifies as an emergency under the law .
That was the course we recommended .
Still , the outcome is welcome and overdue .
Representative democracy should not go away in a crisis - that ’ s exactly when it ’ s needed most .
In her statement , Whitmer decried the ruling and noted that it doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We hope she comes to the reality quickly that her dictatorial approach to governing is over and recognizes the Legislature ’ s legitimate role .
If the governor hasn ’ t already called Shirkey and Chatfield to begin working on a plan for cooperatively managing Michigan through the pandemic , she ’ s derelict in her duty to the people of this state .

Fort Dodge Messenger. October 2, 2020
Iowa farmers help fight dead zone in Gulf of Mexico
Conservation practices will pay off
The Gulf of Mexico is hundreds of miles south of Iowa, but actions now being taken by the state’s farmers will, over a period of years, help to improve that body of water.
The gulf is afflicted by hypoxia, which occurs when too much nitrogen and phosphorous gets into the water. That causes algae to grow like crazy, consuming all the oxygen in the water. The result is essentially a dead zone with no aquatic life in it.
On Thursday, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig gave the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force an update on what farmers here are doing to address the problem.
He talked about the creation of wetlands that will filter tons of nitrogen from water draining off surrounding fields.
Naig stressed the investment of private sector partners such as Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and Nestle Purina, which has a pet food plant in Fort Dodge.
He also described the Iowa Systems Approach to Conservation Drainage, a five-year $10 million demonstration project funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. It includes the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and 15 other partners. Its goal is to demonstrate the connection between in-field practices that improve soil health and nutrient use efficiency and edge of field practices that further improve water quality. When completed, the project is expected to reduce nitrogen losses by 1.2 million pounds a year and phosphorus losses by 40,000 pounds a year.
Iowa’s farmers have long been stewards of the land, implementing conservation practices that will enable their families to keep farming for generations to come. Now they are becoming stewards of the Gulf waters as well.
These latest developments are part of the proud tradition of Iowa farmers protecting the environment.
___
Sioux City Journal. October 3, 2020
Anyone can get the coronavirus. Anyone.
The coronavirus doesn’t discriminate.
We learned that Friday when President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump revealed they tested positive for the virus that has run roughshod over the country.
At Tuesday’s debate, the president was quick to chide his opponent, Joe Biden, for wearing masks “all the time” and “hiding out” instead of holding mass rallies.
As much as some don’t like wearing masks (and have filled social media with their rants), they do offer a level of protection. On a very basic level, they point up what an individual can do to be safe and protect others. That simple list – wash your hands thoroughly, avoid crowds, stay at least six feet away from others, wear masks – has proven effective for many, just as health care leaders have said.
Thinking “I won’t get it” isn’t enough. Assume you will and take precautions so you won’t.
Mass gatherings – like the Sturgis bike rally – are an invitation to be exposed. Political rallies and protests are, too.
As much as we don’t like sitting at home, we know take-out meals can give us a semblance of our former lives. We also can go to games and participate in activities – if we maintain boundaries. And we can avoid the dreaded “second” wave if we listen to health experts and play by the rules.
___
Quad-City Times: October 3, 2020
The task ahead
It’s been a dizzying week for the Davenport School District.
A little more than a week ago, the state board of education voted to take over management of the district. Dissatisfied with how Davenport was tackling a plan to deal with flaws in its finances, special education department and the disproportionate punishment of minority students, the state sidelined district superintendent, Robert Kobylski.
Last Thursday, the state board temporarily replaced him with T.J. Schneckloth, who will be the interim superintendent.
Schneckloth didn’t come out of nowhere. A district employee, he was the interim superintendent after Art Tate abruptly left two years ago.
Still, critics of the district were aghast. Even state board members questioned the idea of tasking an employee of a flawed district with fixing its problems, particularly one who works for the man who’d just been replaced. But state department of education officials don’t believe Schneckloth was part of the problem; they said they thought he did a good job previously and they need someone on the ground to effect change. The state acknowledged Schneckloth’s relative inexperience and appointed mentors from the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency, which itself has had problems with the state.
To say all this is a perplexing turn of events is an understatement. It is no less so for the lack of communication that has come from the state and the Davenport School Board on this matter. Anybody tuning into last Monday’s local school board meeting looking for an explanation or reassurance was sorely disappointed. One board member threw some unhelpful snark at the state, but any real discussion was lacking.
Some in this district believe Kobylski, who has been dealing with the chaos of a pandemic, was hung out to dry. Others wonder if the state is using Davenport to send a message to other districts that have bucked the governor’s office on returning to in-person classes.
In our discussions with the education department, however, it is clear that after three years of dealing with Davenport, officials there have lost patience. It wants the district to accomplish the goals set out in a mutually-agreed upon, multi-faceted action plan, and officials say the September progress report was significantly flawed.
State officials tell us the district has made progress on the underlying issues. It cut spending, and on Thursday, Amy Williamson, the education department’s point person on this, told us the latest figures show the district has made improvement in reducing the disproportionate suspension and expulsion of Black students. But it’s not yet where it needs to be.
The state has substantive expectations, and this management change will last at least six months.
Schneckloth has a big job ahead of him. But so does the state of Iowa; it now has a much bigger ownership stake in this problem. With control comes responsibility.
State school board members and the education department acknowledged last week a need to communicate with the community. That’s good. The sooner they come here and do it, the better.
The state’s takeover is an unprecedented development, and people here need to know why these specific steps are the right ones. They deserve the chance to ask questions and get answers.
We truly hope Schneckloth and his team are successful. Students and their families, along with taxpayers, deserve no less. All of us need to see a day when the Davenport Community School District resolves its problems, has the cloud of conditional accreditation lifted and finds a path to equity, normalcy and success.
___


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--AP source: Pats-Chiefs all clear; no positives for Titans

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - The New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs returned all negative results , allowing their game rescheduled for Monday night to be played , and the Tennessee Titans have their first day clear of positive results in a week , a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press .
The NFL postponed the Patriots ’ game at Kansas City from Sunday after New England quarterback Cam Newton and Chiefs practice squad quarterback Jordan Ta ’ amu were added to the COVID-19 reserve list Saturday .
The Titans ’ outbreak reached 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth straight day of at least one positive with 18 returned since Tuesday .
But Tennessee had no positives back Monday morning .
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday because neither the NFL nor the Titans announced the latest results .
Tennessee will need continued negative results to host Buffalo ( 4-0 ) on Sunday , and Wednesday is the earliest the Titans can get back inside their facility as long as the franchise has back-to-back days of negative test results .
Minnesota , which lost to Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday following new protocols for teams exposed to a COVID-19 outbreak .
The Saints had a false positive before further tests came back negative , and they beat the Lions 35-29 in Detroit .
Tennessee ’ s outbreak appears to have started Sept. 24 when the team placed cornerback Greg Mabin from its practice squad on the reserve/COVID-19 list .
Then outside linebacker coach Shane Bowen ’ s test result came back positive Sept. 26 , and he did not travel with the Titans to Minnesota .
After the NFL postponed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pittsburgh , the league rescheduled the game a day later for Week 7 on Oct. 25 during Tennessee ’ s bye .
The league also moved Baltimore ’ s bye to Week 7 , so the Ravens now can play Pittsburgh on Nov. 1 .
Officials from the NFL and its players ’ union met with the Titans on Friday to review the situation .

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is warning the league’s 32 teams of penalties including potential forfeits of games for violations of COVID-19 protocols that force changes in the schedule.
In a memo sent to the teams Monday after a conference call involving NFL and club executives, Goodell reiterated the need to adhere fully to all of the league’s health and safety guidelines.
“Protocol violations that result in virus spread requiring adjustments to the schedule or otherwise impacting other teams will result in additional financial and competitive discipline, including the adjustment or loss of draft choices or even the forfeit of a game,” Goodell wrote in the memo obtained by The Associated Press.
“Simply put, compliance is mandatory. Now is the time to recommit ourselves to our protocols and best practices for the duration of the season.”
The NFL was forced to reschedule Sunday’s game between the Steelers and Titans when Tennessee had the league’s first coronavirus outbreak, which has affected 20 organization members, including 10 players. That game was moved to Week 7, causing adjustments that also impacted the Baltimore Ravens.
And New England’s game at Kansas City was moved from Sunday to Monday night after Patriots quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19, as did a Chiefs practice squad player.
Goodell noted that violators of the protocols have been disciplined. Several coaches have been fined $100,000 each and their clubs fined $250,000 for improper use of face coverings, the Las Vegas Raiders were fined $50,000 for allowing an unauthorized team employee into the locker room following a game and on Monday the Raiders had 10 players docked a total of $175,000 for appearing at a function where face coverings were not used, nor was social distancing.
“Complacency is our shared opponent,” Goodell wrote.
“The consequences of rescheduling or even missing games are obvious. Our fans will be deprived of games. Competitive inequities will be introduced into our season. Players will not be paid for games not played and clubs will similarly suffer financial consequences.”
The league and the players’ association are instituting ramped up health and safety procedures in the wake of the Titans’ outbreak, including:
- A longer onboarding process for free agent tryouts;
- Bans on gatherings outside of the club facility;
- Limitations on the number of tryouts permitted per week;
- Implementation of a league-wide video monitoring system to ensure compliance with the protocols - “particularly the mandate that all staff and players wear PPE while in a club facility and on travel at all times.”
The league also is considering holding all meetings virtually; requiring masks or shields during practices and walk-throughs; decreasing the size of the traveling party to games; reducing the time spent in lunchrooms and locker rooms; and daily consulting of proximity tracking device information now in use to identify areas where teams could eliminate close contacts.
“As we have said before,” Goodell wrote, “act as if every person you come in contact with has a COVID infection and take appropriate precautions.”
The Titans’ outbreak reached 20 cases on Sunday, the team’s sixth straight day of at least one positive, with 18 returned since Tuesday. But Tennessee got no positives back Monday morning, a person with direct knowledge of the test results said, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither the NFL nor the Titans announced the latest results.
Tennessee will need continued negative results to host Buffalo (4-0) on Sunday, and Wednesday is the earliest the Titans can get back inside their facility as long as they have back-to-back days of negative test results.
Titans linebacker Will Compton wrote on Twitter: “No positive tests. Victory Monday.”
The negative test results returned Sunday included New Orleans Saints fullback Michael Burton, who falsely tested positive on Saturday. The Saints learned of the positive test after leaving New Orleans for Sunday’s scheduled game in Detroit and ran another series of tests on players and staff overnight.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Teen killed, another critically wounded in Philly shooting

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) - Police on Monday were seeking a suspect after a double shooting left a 15-year-old dead @ @ @ @ @ .
The shooting took place Sunday night in the Girard Park section of the city @ @ @ @ @ in the head and the left thigh and died at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center , @ @ @ @ @ was shot in the back and was in critical condition at the medical center , @ @ @ @ @ ’ names have not been released .

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police on Monday were seeking a suspect after a double shooting left a 15-year-old dead and an 18-year-old critically wounded.
The shooting took place Sunday night in the Girard Park section of the city.
The 15-year-old was shot in the head and the left thigh and died at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, police said.
The 18-year-old was shot in the back and was in critical condition at the medical center, police said.
The victims’ names have not been released.
The investigation was ongoing.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Maine man dies after vehicle hits tree in Liberty

LIBERTY , Maine ( AP ) - The Waldo County Sheriff ’ s Department is investigating a crash that killed @ @ @ @ @ town of Liberty .
Deputies received the report of a vehicle off the road Sunday @ @ @ @ @ that a pickup truck had hit a tree .
Chris Spencer , of Liberty , @ @ @ @ @ scene ; he was the only occupant of the vehicle , deputies said .

LIBERTY, Maine (AP) - The Waldo County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a crash that killed a 57-year-old man in the town of Liberty.
Deputies received the report of a vehicle off the road Sunday morning. First responders found that a pickup truck had hit a tree.
Chris Spencer, of Liberty, was pronounced dead at the scene; he was the only occupant of the vehicle, deputies said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--In-person absentee balloting begins Monday in some locations

PORTLAND , Maine ( AP ) - In-person absentee balloting got underway Monday in Portland , Lewiston and several other @ @ @ @ @ been delivered .
In Maine , voters can request that an absentee ballot be mailed @ @ @ @ @ can complete the process in person in some locations .
Either way , the ballots @ @ @ @ @ until the polls close on Election Day .
Voters are being encouraged to utilize absentee @ @ @ @ @ , and Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap has said as many at 600,000 people @ @ @ @ @ As of last week , Maine voters had requested more than 260,000 absentee ballots for @ @ @ @ @ despite concerns about whether the U.S .
Postal Service will deliver ballots on time .
@ @ @ @ @ a path to easily break a record four years of more than 190,000 absentee ballots @ @

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - In-person absentee balloting got underway Monday in Portland, Lewiston and several other communities now that ballots have been delivered.
In Maine, voters can request that an absentee ballot be mailed to them, or they can complete the process in person in some locations. Either way, the ballots won’t be counted until the polls close on Election Day.
Voters are being encouraged to utilize absentee ballots because of the pandemic, and Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap has said as many at 600,000 people could vote that way.
As of last week, Maine voters had requested more than 260,000 absentee ballots for the Nov. 3 election, despite concerns about whether the U.S. Postal Service will deliver ballots on time.
That puts the state on a path to easily break a record four years of more than 190,000 absentee ballots cast.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Maine pols back designation of National Estuaries Week

PORTLAND , Maine ( AP ) - A week in September will be designated as National Estuaries Week to recognize @ @ @ @ @ the rivers meet the sea .
Maine Sens .
Susan Collins , a Republican , @ @ @ @ @ independent , cosponsored the designation of the week of Sept. 19 to 26 as estuary @ @ @ @ @ the legislation recognizes the importance of the coastal environment and reaffirms the U.S. Senate ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
The senators said Maine ’ s estuaries are especially important because they “ provide @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s fisheries and support a vigorous tourism industry , both of which sustain @ @ @ @ @ billions of dollars in revenue for our state each year .
”

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A week in September will be designated as National Estuaries Week to recognize the importance of ecosystems where the rivers meet the sea.
Maine Sens. Susan Collins, a Republican, and Angus King, an independent, cosponsored the designation of the week of Sept. 19 to 26 as estuary week. The senators said the legislation recognizes the importance of the coastal environment and reaffirms the U.S. Senate’s goal of protecting it.
The senators said Maine’s estuaries are especially important because they “provide a healthy ecosystem for our state’s fisheries and support a vigorous tourism industry, both of which sustain thousands of jobs and generate billions of dollars in revenue for our state each year.”
The Senate passed the resolution unanimously.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Mississippi man charged with threatening to kill US judges

MERIDIAN , Miss .
( AP ) - A Mississippi man has been indicted on charges he threatened to harm federal judges multiple times .
Donovan Evans , 39 , was indicted last month by a federal grand jury on three counts of making threats against the jurists , including threatening to fatally shoot judges , The Clarion-Ledger reported Monday .
Evans was accused of mailing a letter to the U.S. District Court clerk in Jackson in May asking for a new judge to represent him in a court case , and angrily disputing U.S. Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he filed , according to an affidavit written by Shelley Boone of the U.S .
Marshals Service .
Three months later , Evans allegedly called the clerk ’ s office again and said he “ just wanted to get a gun ” and shoot people at the courthouse , the affidavit said .
An additional threat allegedly made in August was not detailed in the U.S .
Marshals documents .
Records showed Evans filed several lawsuits in federal court against the Meridian Police Department , the Lauderdale County Detention Center and others .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $ 250,000 fine on each of the three counts .
A judge ruled Thursday he would remain in custody pending trial .
His public defender couldn ’ t be reached for comment , the Clarion-Ledger said .

MERIDIAN, Miss. (AP) - A Mississippi man has been indicted on charges he threatened to harm federal judges multiple times.
Donovan Evans, 39, was indicted last month by a federal grand jury on three counts of making threats against the jurists, including threatening to fatally shoot judges, The Clarion-Ledger reported Monday.
Evans was accused of mailing a letter to the U.S. District Court clerk in Jackson in May asking for a new judge to represent him in a court case, and angrily disputing U.S. Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit he filed, according to an affidavit written by Shelley Boone of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Three months later, Evans allegedly called the clerk’s office again and said he “just wanted to get a gun” and shoot people at the courthouse, the affidavit said.
An additional threat allegedly made in August was not detailed in the U.S. Marshals documents.
Records showed Evans filed several lawsuits in federal court against the Meridian Police Department, the Lauderdale County Detention Center and others. Those lawsuits were dismissed.
Evans faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the three counts. A judge ruled Thursday he would remain in custody pending trial.
His public defender couldn’t be reached for comment, the Clarion-Ledger said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Andrew McCabe's attorney: Senate hearing on FBI Russia probe canceled because of COVID-19 fears

The Senate Judiciary Committee has canceled this week ’ s hearing with former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe because of COVID-19 concerns , his attorney said late Sunday .
A new date has not been announced .
The delay could push the hearing back until after the election , dimming Republican hopes the hearing could produce an “ October Surprise ” about the Obama-era Justice Department ’ s investigation into President Trump ’ s 2016 campaign and alleged ties to Russia .
Mr. McCabe was scheduled to appear in front of the panel on Tuesday as part of its deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s handling of the Russia probe .
Mr. McCabe ’ s attorney , Michael Bromwich , on Saturday said his client would not be appearing because two committee members had tested positive for coronavirus .
But after Republican Sens .
Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina tested positive for COVID-19 , Mr. McCabe ’ s lawyer nixed the appearance .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , Kentucky Republican , last week canceled votes and hearings for the next two weeks after three Republican senators tested positive for coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Judiciary Committee to continue its work to confirm Mr. Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett .

The Senate Judiciary Committee canceled Tuesday’s hearing on the origins of the Trump-Russia probe after disgraced former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe cited the coronavirus outbreak in refusing to testify in person or remotely.
Mr. McCabe, who is now a paid CNN contributor, was expected to answer questions about the inaccuracies and omissions in court filings used to obtain warrants to surveil Trump campaign adviser Carter Page and the bureau’s reliance on British ex-spy Christopher Steele’s unverified dossier, which had been denounced by one of Mr. Steele’s sub-sources.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Republican and a member of the committee, said previous witness testimony, not COVID-19, likely scared off Mr. McCabe.
“I think Mr. McCabe may feel like a lot of things are beginning to point to him,” she told The Washington Times. “The circle is beginning to tighten, and Mr. McCabe would rather talk on CNN than be put under oath and answer questions.”
Mr. McCabe’s testimony is critical to the committee’s efforts to get to the bottom of the Russia probe’s origins.
“The people at the Obama [Department of Justice] and FBI used their power to spy on a private citizen who was running for president of the United States and people are demanding to know how in heaven’s name this happened,” Ms. Blackburn said.
The committee already has heard from several witnesses both in public and in private, including former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates and former FBI Director James B. Comey.
All three witnesses claimed ignorance of virtually every allegation of FBI wrongdoing discussed during their hearings. The trio also said they wouldn’t have signed off on the Page warrants if they knew then what they know today.
If Mr. McCabe continues to rebuff the committee, a subpoena may be issued, Ms. Blackburn said.
Mr. McCabe pulled out of the hearing after two Republicans on the panel, Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.
His lawyer sent a letter Saturday saying testifying in person would “put his family at risk” and testifying remotely would be unfair given the unpredictability of video conferencing technology and the complexity of lawmakers’ questions.
“Mr. McCabe is willing, able and eager to testify in person about Crossfire Hurricane at any time in the future when it is safe to do so,” the lawyer, Michael Bromwich, wrote in a letter to Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican.
Mr. Bromwich said his client was unwilling to testify remotely because such witnesses are at a “distinct disadvantage.”
The letter referenced the testimony of Ms. Yates and Mr. Comey, who both appeared via video conference, claiming they were interrupted by senators so much that their answers, at times, were not understandable.
A committee spokesperson said the hearing would be rescheduled but did not provide further details.
Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University Law School professor who has testified before Congress, including during the House impeachment proceedings against Mr. Trump, lambasted Mr. McCabe’s decision.
Calling Mr. McCabe’s reasoning “utterly and almost comically absurd,” he said the senators won’t let him get away with spinning his tenure at the FBI.
“He is now advancing a position that is absurd on its face but has received little press interest or criticism. He will continue to answer questions remotely at CNN of course — a hermetically sealed safe space for Andrew McCabe,” Mr. Turley wrote in a blog post.
Mr. McCabe last week raised questions about the likelihood of his testimony when he said the FBI was withholding critical documents.
He said the bureau had blocked his access to personal calendars and notes from the early days of the Russia probe, saying they might contain classified information.
Mr. Bromwich said the FBI has denied the request because Mr. McCabe has a lawsuit pending against the bureau and Justice Department. The lawsuit, filed last year, argues that he was fired in 2018 as an act of political retribution at the behest of Mr. Trump.
In early 2018, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired Mr. McCabe, citing an inspector general report that concluded he misled investigators about the leaks he had made to the press.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Lithuania foreign minister self-isolates after French visit

VILNIUS , Lithuania ( AP ) - Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius will spend a week in isolation after having been in contact with two infected people who were part of the French delegation during last week ’ s visit by French President Emmanuel Macron , an official said Monday .
Linkevicius has been tested for COVID-19 and authorities were waiting for the results to come back , said Rasa Jakilaitiene , a spokeswoman for the minister .
“ The minister feels perfectly OK .
He will remain in self-isolation and will work from home for the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press .
“ We are waiting for the test results ( and ) the ministry building was being disinfected.
” French Embassy spokesman Sami Fisek told the AP that two people with the diplomatic mission in Vilnius had tested positive .
He declined to identify them .
Both were part of the delegation that took part in the Sept. 28-29 visit .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear if Macron had contact with the two infected people or if he has been tested .
“ The whole delegation coming from Paris tested negative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities and all necessary precautions were respected during the visit , ” said Fisek , adding they kept their distance and wore face masks .
Fisek confirmed that the diplomatic mission in the Lithuanian capital was temporarily closed because of the COVID-19 cases as of Sunday .

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) - Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius will spend a week in isolation after having been in contact with two infected people who were part of the French delegation during last week’s visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, an official said Monday.
Linkevicius was tested for COVID-19 and authorities said later that he had tested negative, according to Rasa Jakilaitiene, a spokeswoman for the minister.
“The minister feels perfectly OK. He will remain in self-isolation and will work from home for the rest of the week,” Jakilaitiene told The Associated Press. “We are waiting for the test results (and) the ministry building was being disinfected.”
French Embassy spokesman Sami Fisek told the AP that two people with the diplomatic mission in Vilnius had tested positive. He declined to identify them. Both were part of the delegation that took part in the Sept. 28-29 visit. It wasn’t immediately clear if Macron had contact with the two infected people or if he has been tested.
“The whole delegation coming from Paris tested negative before leaving as requested by the Lithuanian authorities and all necessary precautions were respected during the visit,” said Fisek, adding they kept their distance and wore face masks.
Fisek confirmed that the diplomatic mission in the Lithuanian capital was temporarily closed because of the COVID-19 cases as of Sunday.
___
Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Police: Person struck by bullet at Halloween theme park

GREENSBORO , N.C. ( AP ) - A person has been shot at a Halloween theme park in North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ Record reports that the incident occurred at the Woods of Terror early Sunday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ s Office said the victim was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were @ @ @ @ @ is ongoing .
Woods of Terror owner Eddie McLaurin said in a statement that it @ @ @ @ @ fired into the air and that one of the bullets came down on a customer @ @ @ @ @ tended to the victim .
The person appeared to have a minor gunshot wound to @ @ @ @ @ pays for an armed Guilford County deputy to be on the property every night .
@ @ @ @ @ continue doing so for the rest of the season .

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) - A person has been shot at a Halloween theme park in North Carolina.
The Greensboro News & Record reports that the incident occurred at the Woods of Terror early Sunday morning.
The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office said the victim was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. The investigation is ongoing.
Woods of Terror owner Eddie McLaurin said in a statement that it appeared that two gunshots were fired into the air and that one of the bullets came down on a customer.
McLaurin said staff members tended to the victim. The person appeared to have a minor gunshot wound to the cheek.
The event pays for an armed Guilford County deputy to be on the property every night. And McLaurin said it will continue doing so for the rest of the season.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Top cop says first season of ATVs on city streets went well

NEWPORT , Vt. ( AP ) - The first season allowing all-terrain vehicles on the streets of the northern Vermont city went well , the police chief said .
Chief Travis Bingham made the comments Friday , the day after the region ’ s ATV trails closed for the season .
The Caledonian Record reports the season opened May 15 under a new ordinance that allowed access by ATVs to downtown and on main roads leading to trails in and out of the city .
“ Was it perfect ?
” Bingham said .
“ No .
Nothing is perfect.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ incidents handled by police involved ATV riders who were traveling on streets that are not open to ATVs .
Both Bingham and Newport Mayor Paul Monette said ATV tourists visited the area and spent money .
Monette said the new ATV season came “ at the right time ” with the pandemic affecting the economy in other ways .
The Newport Downtown Association reported local businesses saw a moderate to big increase in business on weekends from ATV riders .
“ When you see eight to 10 ATVs parked outside Hoagies , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Monette said , referring to a local restaurant .

NEWPORT, Vt. (AP) - The first season allowing all-terrain vehicles on the streets of the northern Vermont city went well, the police chief said.
Chief Travis Bingham made the comments Friday, the day after the region’s ATV trails closed for the season.
The Caledonian Record reports the season opened May 15 under a new ordinance that allowed access by ATVs to downtown and on main roads leading to trails in and out of the city.
“Was it perfect?” Bingham said. “No. Nothing is perfect.”
Bingham said almost all of the incidents handled by police involved ATV riders who were traveling on streets that are not open to ATVs.
Both Bingham and Newport Mayor Paul Monette said ATV tourists visited the area and spent money.
Monette said the new ATV season came “at the right time” with the pandemic affecting the economy in other ways.
The Newport Downtown Association reported local businesses saw a moderate to big increase in business on weekends from ATV riders.
“When you see eight to 10 ATVs parked outside Hoagies, you know they are probably eating there,” Monette said, referring to a local restaurant.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Election 2020 Today: Trump's drive-by, Pence hits trail

HOW TO VOTE : AP ’ s state-by-state interactive has details on how to vote in this election .
SUNDAY DRIVE : President Donald Trump left his hospital suite for a brief ride in a motorcade , ignoring his own status as a contagious carrier of the coronavirus .
Well-wishers outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland cheered as Trump ’ s black SUV passed .
The ride came even as Trump declared in a video a newfound appreciation for the seriousness of the virus , stating that “ I get it.
” Trump ’ s doctors say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
TRUMP ’ S DEFENDER : Vice President Mike Pence will take a leading role in campaigning around the country in the final stretch before the Nov. 3 election , aiming to keep the president ’ s supporters energized and deflecting criticism of his handling of a virus that has killed nearly 210,000 Americans .
The president ’ s COVID-19 diagnosis has intensified scrutiny of the administration ’ s cavalier approach to the pandemic .
VOTER FRAUD : In the run up to Election Day , Trump is seizing on small , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election is rigged .
But there is no evidence there is any widespread voter fraud as the president has suggested .
Nevertheless , his comments have been amplified by his campaign , supporters and allies , including Attorney General William Barr , adding heft to the claims .
NEW TERM : The Supreme Court opens a new term with Republicans on the cusp of realizing a dream 50 years in the making , a solid conservative majority that might roll back abortion rights , expand gun rights and shrink the power of government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmation would cement a 6-3 conservative majority and diminish Chief Justice John Roberts ’ ability to moderate the court ’ s decisions .
BALLOT DELAYS : Voters awaiting results in some of the key presidential battleground states on election night should be prepared to keep waiting , thanks to obstacles that will slow the count for what is expected to be a crush of mailed-in ballots amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Rules in some crucial states prevent or give clerks little time to begin sorting ballots and verifying signatures before the election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which results may come in days - or even weeks - later .
QUOTABLE : “ This is insanity .
Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary presidential ‘ drive-by ’ just now has to be quarantined for 14 days .
They might get sick .
They may die.
” - Dr. James P. Phillips , an attending physician at Walter Reed who is a critic of Trump and his handling of the pandemic .
One month out , battered Trump campaign faces big challenges AP EXPLAINS : What happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Here’s what’s happening Monday in Election 2020, 29 days until Election Day:
HOW TO VOTE: AP’s state-by-state interactive has details on how to vote in this election.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES:
SUNDAY DRIVE: President Donald Trump left his hospital suite for a brief ride in a motorcade, ignoring his own status as a contagious carrier of the coronavirus. Well-wishers outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland cheered as Trump’s black SUV passed. The ride came even as Trump declared in a video a newfound appreciation for the seriousness of the virus, stating that “I get it.” Trump’s doctors say he could be released as early as Monday.
TRUMP’S DEFENDER: Vice President Mike Pence will take a leading role in campaigning around the country in the final stretch before the Nov. 3 election, aiming to keep the president’s supporters energized and deflecting criticism of his handling of a virus that has killed nearly 210,000 Americans. The president’s COVID-19 diagnosis has intensified scrutiny of the administration’s cavalier approach to the pandemic.
VOTER FRAUD: In the run up to Election Day, Trump is seizing on small, potentially routine voting issues to suggest the election is rigged. But there is no evidence there is any widespread voter fraud as the president has suggested. Nevertheless, his comments have been amplified by his campaign, supporters and allies, including Attorney General William Barr, adding heft to the claims.
NEW TERM: The Supreme Court opens a new term with Republicans on the cusp of realizing a dream 50 years in the making, a solid conservative majority that might roll back abortion rights, expand gun rights and shrink the power of government. Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation would cement a 6-3 conservative majority and diminish Chief Justice John Roberts’ ability to moderate the court’s decisions.
BALLOT DELAYS: Voters awaiting results in some of the key presidential battleground states on election night should be prepared to keep waiting, thanks to obstacles that will slow the count for what is expected to be a crush of mailed-in ballots amid the coronavirus pandemic. Rules in some crucial states prevent or give clerks little time to begin sorting ballots and verifying signatures before the election. That’s priming a scenario in which results may come in days - or even weeks - later.
QUOTABLE: “This is insanity. Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary presidential ‘drive-by’ just now has to be quarantined for 14 days. They might get sick. They may die.” - Dr. James P. Phillips, an attending physician at Walter Reed who is a critic of Trump and his handling of the pandemic.
ICYMI:
One month out, battered Trump campaign faces big challenges
Analysis: Trump faces credibility crisis over health scare
AP EXPLAINS: What happens if a candidate for president dies?


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Maryland and Virginia drivers owe $373M in DC traffic fines

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Drivers in Maryland and Virginia owe more than $ 373 million in fines from outstanding @ @ @ @ @ the city of Washington .
The Washington Post reported Sunday that the fines are for @ @ @ @ @ were issued by the city ’ s Department of Motor Vehicles .
The information supports @ @ @ @ @ both states are evading the consequences of violating traffic laws .
The D.C. Council recently @ @ @ @ @ allows Mayor Muriel E. Bowser to negotiate reciprocity agreements with Virginia and Maryland .
The @ @ @ @ @ in those states face consequences when they violate D.C. traffic laws .
For example , @ @ @ @ @ the suspension of registrations and driver ’ s licenses of Maryland and Virginia drivers if @ @ @ @ @ Maryland and Virginia would get a percentage of the recovered fines .
It is unclear @ @ @ @ @ support such agreements .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Drivers in Maryland and Virginia owe more than $373 million in fines from outstanding parking and traffic citations in the city of Washington.
The Washington Post reported Sunday that the fines are for the past four years and were issued by the city’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
The information supports concerns that that drivers from both states are evading the consequences of violating traffic laws.
The D.C. Council recently passed a transportation bill that allows Mayor Muriel E. Bowser to negotiate reciprocity agreements with Virginia and Maryland. The agreements could ensure that drivers in those states face consequences when they violate D.C. traffic laws.
For example, an agreement could allow for the suspension of registrations and driver’s licenses of Maryland and Virginia drivers if they accrue enough fines. Maryland and Virginia would get a percentage of the recovered fines.
It is unclear whether the two states would support such agreements.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Floods that hit Italy, France leave 9 dead, several missing

PARIS ( AP ) — A woman ’ s body was discovered Monday in the Mediterranean Sea , bringing to at least nine the number of people killed in severe mountain flooding at the border between France and Italy .
Up to 20 others were feared missing in the devastation .
In Italy , rescuers recovered her body in the sea by the Ligurian province of Imperia .
Five other bodies , all men , were found Sunday in the sea near San Remo , on the beach in the Italian border town of Ventimiglia and along the Imperia coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the circumstances of their disappearances were not known .
Flooding has devastated mountainous areas in France ’ s southeastern region of Alpes-Maritimes and Italy ’ s northwestern regions of Liguria and Piedmont , after a storm swept through the two countries on Friday and Saturday .
In France , firefighters in the Alpes-Maritimes region were still searching Monday for at least eight people missing who witnesses described as possibly being carried off by floodwaters .
They include two firefighters whose vehicle fell into the water as the road collapsed .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 other people whose families have not heard of them since the storm , which blocked roads and cut off communications .
French rescuers on Sunday found the body of a man whose car had been washed away by a torrent in Saint-Martin-Vesubie , one of the hardest-hit villages , where several houses and a bridge were destroyed by raging water .
Authorities also found the body of a shepherd who had disappeared in the mountains between France and Italy .
A firefighter also died last week in the border region of Valle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put additional stress on regions coping with the coronavirus pandemic .
The governors of both Liguria and Piedmont have asked the Italian government for emergency aid .
Floods in Italy have often turned into emergencies in recent years due to the lack of routine maintenance in clearing rivers and waterways due to budget cuts .
Italy ’ s finance minister , Roberto Gualtieri , told RAI state television that recovery funds for economic damage from the pandemic should also go to the environment , adding ” there will be additional investments.
” Colleen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the story .

PARIS (AP) — A woman’s body was discovered Monday in the Mediterranean Sea, bringing to at least nine the number of people killed in severe mountain flooding at the border between France and Italy. Up to 20 others were feared missing in the devastation.
In Italy, rescuers recovered her body in the sea by the Ligurian province of Imperia. Five other bodies, all men, were found Sunday in the sea near San Remo, on the beach in the Italian border town of Ventimiglia and along the Imperia coast.
The identities of the latest victims and the circumstances of their disappearances were not known.
Flooding has devastated mountainous areas in France’s southeastern region of Alpes-Maritimes and Italy’s northwestern regions of Liguria and Piedmont, after a storm swept through the two countries on Friday and Saturday.
In France, firefighters in the Alpes-Maritimes region were still searching Monday for at least eight people missing who witnesses described as possibly being carried off by floodwaters. They include two firefighters whose vehicle fell into the water as the road collapsed.
In addition, French rescuers are seeking to locate 12 other people whose families have not heard of them since the storm, which blocked roads and cut off communications.
French rescuers on Sunday found the body of a man whose car had been washed away by a torrent in Saint-Martin-Vesubie, one of the hardest-hit villages, where several houses and a bridge were destroyed by raging water.
Authorities also found the body of a shepherd who had disappeared in the mountains between France and Italy. A firefighter also died last week in the border region of Valle d’Aosta.
The flooding has put additional stress on regions coping with the coronavirus pandemic. The governors of both Liguria and Piedmont have asked the Italian government for emergency aid.
Floods in Italy have often turned into emergencies in recent years due to the lack of routine maintenance in clearing rivers and waterways due to budget cuts.
Italy’s finance minister, Roberto Gualtieri, told RAI state television that recovery funds for economic damage from the pandemic should also go to the environment, adding ”there will be additional investments.”
___
Colleen Barry in Milan, Italy, contributed to the story.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Tropical Storm Delta joins Gamma in busy hurricane season

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - As deadly Tropical Storm Gamma stalled just north of Mexico ’ s Yucatan Peninsula on Monday , a potentially more threatening Tropical Storm Delta formed in the Caribbean , aiming to hit western Cuba and eventually the U.S. Gulf Coast , likely as a hurricane .
Gamma lashed Mexico ’ s resort-studded coast with near-hurricane force winds , and drenched Tabasco and Chiapas states with a deluge that killed at least 6 people and forced thousands from their homes .
Delta , meanwhile , was forecast to become a hurricane before hitting Cuba , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mph before making landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast around Friday .
And while there is a large uncertainty in track and strengthening five days out , “ there is a risk of dangerous storm surge , wind , and rainfall hazards along the coast from Louisiana to the western Florida Panhandle , ” the hurricane center said .
Mexico ’ s civil defense agency said in a statement that four of the deaths blamed on Gamma , including two children , were in Chiapas , where a landslide on a mountainous slope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths were in Tabasco state , where one person was dragged away by the water and another drowned.. Gamma , along with cold fronts , combined over the weekend to cause extreme rains in parts of the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas , affecting more than half a million people .
The hardest-hit state was Tabasco , where more than 3,400 were evacuated to shelters .
The storm came ashore Saturday near Tulum with maximum sustained winds of nearly 70 mph ( 110 kph ) - 4 mph ( 9 kph short of hurricane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Hurricane Center in Miami .
Thousands of tourists were affected in a resort area that only recently reopened after a pandemic shutdown : The state ’ s tourism department reported Friday on Twitter that more than 41,000 tourists were present in Quintana Roo , with hotels in Cancun and Cozumel already at more than 30 % occupancy .
Mexican authorities continued to warn people in the Yucatan on Monday as Gamma stalled offshore .
The hurricane center said early Monday that Gamma was about 170 miles ( 275 kms ) northeast of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustained winds of 50 mph ( 95 kph ) .
Forecasters predicted up to 8 more inches of rain in the states of Yucatan , Campeche and Tabasco , producing significant flash flooding .
Delta is the earliest 25th named storm to form in the Atlantic , beating the old record of Nov. 15 , 2005 , according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach .
Delta had top winds of 40 mph ( 65 kmh ) early Monday and was about 270 miles ( 440 km ) southeast of Grand Cayman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 15 kmh ) , on track to hit the Cayman Islands Monday night and approach western Cuba Tuesday afternoon or evening before moving into the Gulf on Wednesday .
A tropical storm warning was issued for the Cayman Islands and a hurricane watch was in effect for western Cuba and its Isle of Youth .
Forecasters warned of heavy rainfall , flash flooding and mudslides in parts of Jamaica , the Cayman Islands and western Cuba .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Tropical Storm Delta rapidly strengthened into a hurricane in the Caribbean Monday, aiming to hit Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula potentially as a major storm before continuing on to strike the U.S. Gulf coast later in the week.
That part of Mexico is still soaked from Tropical Storm Gamma which hit its popular coastal resorts over the weekend and forced thousands from their homes in Tabasco and Chiapas. Gamma weakened to a tropical depression Monday after leaving seven dead in southeastern Mexico. It continued to break up just north of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Delta had been forecast to strike western Cuba, but shifted to the west Monday putting it on a path to hit the northeast tip of the Yucatan early Wednesday morning with hurricane conditions starting to affect the resort-studded area late Tuesday.
The hurricane was moving into an area with very warm water and nearly calm high winds that forecasters at the hurricane center called “a very conducive environment for strengthening.”
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Monday evening that a hurricane warning was in effect in Mexico, from Tulum to Rio Lagartos, as well as Cozumel. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Cayman Islands and the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio.
Jorge Zavala, head of Mexico’s meteorological service, said in a press conference late Monday that Delta “presents an important danger for the coastal regions” because the sea could see 2 or 3 meters of surge in the lower parts of Quintana Roo, such as the resorts of Cancun, Holbox island or Isla Mujeres. He said preventative evacuations would begin Tuesday morning.
Delta was forecast to be southwest of the Cayman Islands early Tuesday, and the hurricane center said it is expected to continue strengthening rapidly over the next day or so, and be a major hurricane when it nears the Yucatan Peninsula. It is forecast to make landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast around Friday.
Delta is the earliest 25th named storm to form in the Atlantic, beating the old record of Nov. 15, 2005, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.
It had top winds of 80 mph (130 kph) Monday night and was about 180 miles (295 kilometers) south-southeast of Grand Cayman. It was moving west-northwest near 7 mph (11 kph).
Delta is expected to hammer parts of southeastern Mexico already drenched by Tropical Storm Gamma.
Gamma, along with cold fronts, combined over the weekend to cause extreme rains in parts of the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas, affecting more than half a million people. The hardest-hit state was Tabasco, where more than 3,400 were evacuated to shelters.
___
AP writer Seth Borenstein in Washington contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Paris on maximum virus alert, closing bars, not restaurants

PARIS ( AP ) - French authorities placed the Paris region on maximum virus alert on Monday , banning festive gatherings and requiring all bars to close but allowing restaurants to remain open , as numbers of infections increased rapidly .
Paris police prefect Didier Lallement announced the new restrictions would apply at least for the next two weeks .
“ We are continuously adapting to the reality of the virus .
We are taking measures to slow down ( its spread ) , ” he said .
Starting on Tuesday , bars will be closed in Paris and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ festive and family events in establishments open to the public will be banned .
Restaurants will remain open under strict conditions , to be detailed later on Monday .
They are expected to include distance between each table , a limitation of the number of people and a request to register customers ’ names and phone numbers .
Indoor sport facilities , including swimming pools , will only be open to children aged under 18 .
Gyms are already closed .
Cinemas , theaters and museums will remain open with strict sanitary rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be allowed .
Authorities have maintained the limit of 1,000 spectators per day at big sports events , allowing the Roland-Garros tennis tournament to continue as planned this week .
The director of the Regional Health Authority , Aurelien Rousseau , said about 3,500 new cases of infection are confirmed on average each day in the Paris region , and 36 % of ICU beds in the area are occupied by COVID-19 patients .
The alert has already been raised to the maximum level for 12 days in the southern city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe , in the Caribbean .
Authorities ordered the shutdown of all public venues , including bars and restaurants in these areas , which prompted several demonstrations from angry business owners in Marseille .
On Monday , local authorities announced restaurants in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence would reopen on condition they respect the same restrictions as in Paris .
French health authorities reported on Saturday 16,972 new cases of infection , the highest daily number since the country began widespread testing .
The country , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported 32,230 virus-related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic .

PARIS (AP) - French authorities placed the Paris region on maximum virus alert on Monday, banning festive gatherings and requiring all bars to close but allowing restaurants to remain open, as numbers of infections increased rapidly.
Paris police prefect Didier Lallement announced the new restrictions would apply at least for the next two weeks.
“We are continuously adapting to the reality of the virus. We are taking measures to slow down (its spread),” he said.
French authorities consider bars to be major infection hot spots because patrons don’t respect social distancing rules as much as they do at restaurants.
Starting on Tuesday, bars will be closed in Paris and its suburbs. Student parties and all other festive and family events in establishments open to the public will be banned.
Restaurants will remain open under strict conditions. They include a minimum one-meter (three-foot) distance between each table, groups limited to six people instead of 10 previously, and a request to register customers’ names and phone numbers to help alert those who may have been exposed to someone with the coronavirus .
Indoor sport facilities, including swimming pools, will only be open to children aged under 18. Gyms are already closed.
Cinemas, theaters and museums will remain open with strict sanitary rules, but fairs and professional shows won’t be allowed.
Authorities have maintained the limit of 1,000 spectators per day at big sports events, allowing the Roland-Garros tennis tournament to continue as planned this week.
The director of the Regional Health Authority, Aurelien Rousseau, said about 3,500 new cases of infection are confirmed on average each day in the Paris region, and 36% of ICU beds in the area are occupied by COVID-19 patients.
The owner of one Paris eatery north of the Bastille felt relief that the measures mean only reasonable constraints for restaurants. He even saw a silver lining.
“I’m relieved that I don’t have to close and that the rules are not more stringent,” said Virgil Grunberg, who owns Le Square Gardette.
“It’s even worse for bars, because they are going to be closed, so people are going to need places to have a drink and hang out,” Grunberg said. “So I think (customers) are not going to be scared by the new restrictions.”
For Adele Fardoux, 26, a client at Cafe des Anges around the corner from the Place de la Bastille, there is some logic to what sometimes feels “like it’s a mess.”
“I think it’s an unprecedented situation for everybody - citizens, companies, government - and I think collectively we’re all trying to do our best.”
The alert has already been raised to the maximum level for 12 days in the southern city of Marseille and nearby Aix-en-Provence, as well as the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean.
Authorities ordered the shutdown of all public venues, including bars and restaurants in these areas, which prompted several demonstrations from angry business owners in Marseille.
On Monday, local authorities announced restaurants in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence would reopen on condition they respect the same restrictions as in Paris.
French health authorities reported on Saturday 16,972 new cases of infection, the highest daily number since the country began widespread testing. The number of new daily cases dipped on Monday to 5,084.
France, one of the hardest hit in Europe, has reported 32,299 virus-related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
___
Alex Turnbull in Paris contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Texas family seeks answers after officer killed unarmed man

WOLFE CITY , Texas ( AP ) - A family demanded answers Monday after an unarmed man was shot and killed by a police officer at a convenience store in a small East Texas town .
The incident happened Saturday in Wolfe City , a town of about 1,500 residents about 70 miles ( 113 kilometers ) northeast of Dallas .
City officials will only confirm that an officer-involved shooting had occurred and the officer involved had been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Texas Rangers .
They did not identify the officer or the person shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Texas Rangers and the Hunt County Sheriff ’ s Office , which is assisting in the investigation , were not immediately returned .
Family and friends of Jonathan Price , 31 , said Monday that the one-time college football player was intervening in a domestic disturbance at the convenience store when he was shot dead .
“ When police arrived , I ’ m told , he raised his hands and attempted to explain what was going on , ” said civil rights attorney Lee Merritt in a Facebook posting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when his body convulsed from the electrical current , they ‘ perceived a threat ’ and shot him to death.
” Standing with Price ’ s family Monday as they addressed reporters near the shooting scene , Merritt called on the Hunt County District Attorney ’ s Office to issue an arrest warrant for the officer involved .
“ He deserves justice because he ( Price ) was a human citizen who was not breaking the law and he was gunned down by police officers , ” Merritt said .
He said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what happened , and they need to know it immediately.
” Price ’ s relatives and friends said Price , a Wolfe City employee , was a figure well-known about the closely-knit community .
Junior Price , Jonathan Price ’ s father , was among those who rushed to the scene after hearing of the shooting .
He said he spoke to the officer who shot his son and why he had .
The officer told him to get back and he would get back to him .
“ Later hadn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father said .
Price played football in 2008 for Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene , Texas .
Hardin-Simmons football coach Jesse Burleson tweeted that the university “ lost one of our own in a terrible situation .
Jonathan Price was an awesome young man during his time with Cowboy football.
” Former Texas Rangers third baseman Will Middlebrooks , who grew up with Price , started a GoFundMe page to cover his friend ’ s funeral expenses .
“ We just surpassed $ 50,000 in less than 24 hours , ” Middlebrooks tweeted .

WOLFE CITY, Texas (AP) - A family demanded answers Monday after an unarmed man was shot and killed by a police officer at a convenience store in a small East Texas town.
The incident happened Saturday in Wolfe City, a town of about 1,500 residents about 70 miles (113 kilometers) northeast of Dallas.
City officials will only confirm that an officer-involved shooting had occurred and the officer involved had been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Texas Rangers. They did not identify the officer or the person shot. Messages left by The Associated Press with the Texas Rangers and the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office, which is assisting in the investigation, were not immediately returned.
Family and friends of Jonathan Price, 31, said Monday that the one-time college football player was intervening in a domestic disturbance at the convenience store when he was shot dead.
“When police arrived, I’m told, he raised his hands and attempted to explain what was going on,” said civil rights attorney Lee Merritt in a Facebook posting. “Police fired Tasers at him and when his body convulsed from the electrical current, they ‘perceived a threat’ and shot him to death.”
Standing with Price’s family Monday as they addressed reporters near the shooting scene, Merritt called on the Hunt County District Attorney’s Office to issue an arrest warrant for the officer involved.
“He deserves justice because he (Price) was a human citizen who was not breaking the law and he was gunned down by police officers,” Merritt said. He said the family deserves “to know every detail of what happened, and they need to know it immediately.”
Price’s relatives and friends said Price, a Wolfe City employee, was a figure well-known about the closely-knit community.
Junior Price, Jonathan Price’s father, was among those who rushed to the scene after hearing of the shooting. He said he spoke to the officer who shot his son and why he had. The officer told him to get back and he would get back to him.
“Later hadn’t gotten here yet,” the father said.
Price played football in 2008 for Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Hardin-Simmons football coach Jesse Burleson tweeted that the university “lost one of our own in a terrible situation. Jonathan Price was an awesome young man during his time with Cowboy football.”
Former Texas Rangers third baseman Will Middlebrooks, who grew up with Price, started a GoFundMe page to cover his friend’s funeral expenses. “We just surpassed $50,000 in less than 24 hours,” Middlebrooks tweeted.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Brother of airman charged with Arizona murder gets probation

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. ( AP ) - The brother of a U.S. Air Force airman charged with murder in northern Arizona has been sentenced to three years of probation in a separate but related case .
Samuel Gooch was sentenced Monday in Coconino County Superior Court .
He had pleaded guilty in August to a reduced charge of facilitation to commit hindering prosecution .
“ I realize I made a mistake and I take responsibility for my actions , ” Gooch told the court .
Joshua Davidson , the attorney for Gooch , asked the court for one year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior criminal history .
Judge Cathleen Brown Nichols said she believed probation was “ appropriate and warranted ” but not for one year .
She will allow Gooch to serve his probation in his home state of Wisconsin .
Authorities accused Gooch of flying to Arizona from Wisconsin in early May to pick up what he thought was the rifle used in the shooting of 27-year-old Sasha Krause .
Gooch ’ s younger brother , Mark Gooch , has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in the death of Krause .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ community where she lived near Farmington , New Mexico , and taught Sunday school in mid-January .
Her body later was found in the forest outside Flagstaff .
The Coconino County Attorney ’ s Office has said it does not anticipate entering into plea negotiations in Mark Gooch ’ s case .

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - The brother of a U.S. Air Force airman charged with murder in northern Arizona has been sentenced to three years of probation in a separate but related case.
Samuel Gooch was sentenced Monday in Coconino County Superior Court. He had pleaded guilty in August to a reduced charge of facilitation to commit hindering prosecution.
“I realize I made a mistake and I take responsibility for my actions,” Gooch told the court.
Joshua Davidson, the attorney for Gooch, asked the court for one year’s probation because his client had no prior criminal history.
Judge Cathleen Brown Nichols said she believed probation was “appropriate and warranted” but not for one year. She will allow Gooch to serve his probation in his home state of Wisconsin.
Authorities accused Gooch of flying to Arizona from Wisconsin in early May to pick up what he thought was the rifle used in the shooting of 27-year-old Sasha Krause.
Gooch’s younger brother, Mark Gooch, has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in the death of Krause. The 27-year-old woman disappeared from a Mennonite community where she lived near Farmington, New Mexico, and taught Sunday school in mid-January. Her body later was found in the forest outside Flagstaff.
The Coconino County Attorney’s Office has said it does not anticipate entering into plea negotiations in Mark Gooch’s case.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--California pastor who was at Rose Garden event has COVID-19

RIVERSIDE , Calif. ( AP ) - The head of a Southern California megachurch said Monday he has tested positive for COVID-19 , joining a list that includes President Donald Trump and key White House contacts who attended a ceremony at the White House Rose Garden last month .
Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside said in a Facebook post that he tested positive last Friday and has been in quarantine , although his wife and other family members tested negative for the virus .
“ My symptoms have been mild so far , and I expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have always taken the coronavirus seriously , and it has tragically taken many lives , ” Laurie said in a Facebook post .
“ At a time like this , we need to pray for those that have it and avoid politicizing it .
If our President and First Lady can get COVID-19 , clearly anyone can.
” In an accompanying video message , Laurie said his symptoms included fatigue , aches and pains .
He also said he has lost a couple of pounds because “ things don ’ t taste right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing with boredom .
Laurie attended the Sept. 26 Prayer March on the National Mall with Vice President Mike Pence and later that day was at a Rose Garden ceremony where Trump formally announced the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
That event is now regarded as a potential infection nexus because there was little social distancing and many attendees - including Laurie - didn ’ t wear masks .
A COVID-19 outbreak has sickened over a dozen close contacts of the president over the last week .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Utah Sen. Mike Lee ; Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina ; Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway , former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie and press secretary Kayleigh McEneny .

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) - The head of a Southern California megachurch said Monday he has tested positive for COVID-19, joining a list that includes President Donald Trump and key White House contacts who attended a ceremony at the White House Rose Garden last month.
Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside said in a Facebook post that he tested positive last Friday and has been in quarantine, although his wife and other family members tested negative for the virus.
“My symptoms have been mild so far, and I expect to make a full recovery. I have always taken the coronavirus seriously, and it has tragically taken many lives,” Laurie said in a Facebook post. “At a time like this, we need to pray for those that have it and avoid politicizing it. If our President and First Lady can get COVID-19, clearly anyone can.”
In an accompanying video message, Laurie said his symptoms included fatigue, aches and pains. He also said he has lost a couple of pounds because “things don’t taste right to me,” and has been dealing with boredom.
Laurie attended the Sept. 26 Prayer March on the National Mall with Vice President Mike Pence and later that day was at a Rose Garden ceremony where Trump formally announced the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. That event is now regarded as a potential infection nexus because there was little social distancing and many attendees - including Laurie - didn’t wear masks.
A COVID-19 outbreak has sickened over a dozen close contacts of the president over the last week. Most also attended the Rose Garden ceremony, including Utah Sen. Mike Lee; Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina; Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and press secretary Kayleigh McEneny.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Judge dismisses request to send Spanish ballot applications

ATLANTA ( AP ) - A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit on Monday that sought to require Georgia officials to send absentee ballot applications in Spanish to residents of one county .
The lawsuit brought by several civil rights groups in April stems from a decision by Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to send absentee ballot applications printed in English to all Georgia voters in March due to the coronavirus , The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported .
The Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials and other groups then filed their lawsuit , saying Spanish voting materials should also be sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the only one in Georgia required to print election materials in both English and Spanish under federal law because of its large Spanish-speaking population .
Judge William M. Ray II wrote in his order Monday that the Georgia secretary of state ’ s office and the Gwinnett County elections board did not violate the federal Voting Rights Act , as the groups claimed , since people who did not receive the Spanish ballot applications still were able to get them from the county .
Ray also said the civil rights groups lacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gonzalez , executive director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials , told the newspaper that his group is considering an appeal .

ATLANTA (AP) - A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit on Monday that sought to require Georgia officials to send absentee ballot applications in Spanish to residents of one county.
The lawsuit brought by several civil rights groups in April stems from a decision by Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to send absentee ballot applications printed in English to all Georgia voters in March due to the coronavirus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
The Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials and other groups then filed their lawsuit, saying Spanish voting materials should also be sent to Gwinnett County residents. The county is the only one in Georgia required to print election materials in both English and Spanish under federal law because of its large Spanish-speaking population.
Judge William M. Ray II wrote in his order Monday that the Georgia secretary of state’s office and the Gwinnett County elections board did not violate the federal Voting Rights Act, as the groups claimed, since people who did not receive the Spanish ballot applications still were able to get them from the county.
Ray also said the civil rights groups lacked standing to bring the case.
Jerry Gonzalez, executive director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, told the newspaper that his group is considering an appeal.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Man escorted off flight after physical fight over masks

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - A man who refused to wear a face mask on a Utah-bound flight was escorted off the plane in Arizona after he and another man who asked him to follow the rules got into a physical altercation , police said Monday .
Rylie Lansford of Lehigh , Utah , boarded the Allegiant flight in Mesa , Arizona , on Saturday and was sitting near both passengers .
As soon as the two men started fighting on the Provo-bound flight , Lansford said , she ran to the front of the plane and started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that something was going to go down and so really all I was thinking about was getting out of the way , ” she said Monday .
Lansford said the fight began when a man sitting behind her started arguing with a flight attendant after she asked him to wear a mask .
He was wearing a face shield , but “ face shields must be worn in addition to a face covering , but not as an alternative , ” according to Allegiant ’ s policy .
Another passenger sitting in Lansford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started yelling at the man to wear a mask and began shouting obscenities and other threats , she said .
Police said the first man told him to mind his own business .
A gate supervisor came to remove the man wearing a face shield who then elbowed the man in front of him and said he was the reason why he had to leave , Mesa police said in a statement .
Lansford ’ s video shows the man in front choking the passenger who refused to wear a mask , pulling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back .
An off-duty police officer stopped the fight and escorted the man who wouldn ’ t wear a mask off the flight , police said .
The second man was allowed to stay on the plane , Lansford said .
“ I was just annoyed that it was just one simple thing that one person had to do , ” she said .
“ If you buy a plane ticket , wear a mask.
” Allegiant Air said in a statement that passengers are required to wear a mask that covers their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traveling .
Authorities identified the man who was removed from the flight as 52-year-old Rio Honaker .
An officer cited Honaker with one count of disorderly conduct .
It was not clear if Honaker had an attorney , and no listed phone number could be found .

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A man who refused to wear a face mask on a Utah-bound flight was escorted off the plane in Arizona after he and another man who asked him to follow the rules got into a physical altercation, police said Monday.
Rylie Lansford of Lehigh, Utah, boarded the Allegiant flight in Mesa, Arizona, on Saturday and was sitting near both passengers. As soon as the two men started fighting on the Provo-bound flight, Lansford said, she ran to the front of the plane and started recording video.
“I just knew that something was going to go down and so really all I was thinking about was getting out of the way,” she said Monday.
Lansford said the fight began when a man sitting behind her started arguing with a flight attendant after she asked him to wear a mask. He was wearing a face shield, but “face shields must be worn in addition to a face covering, but not as an alternative,” according to Allegiant’s policy.
Another passenger sitting in Lansford’s row then turned around, started yelling at the man to wear a mask and began shouting obscenities and other threats, she said. Police said the first man told him to mind his own business.
A gate supervisor came to remove the man wearing a face shield who then elbowed the man in front of him and said he was the reason why he had to leave, Mesa police said in a statement.
Lansford’s video shows the man in front choking the passenger who refused to wear a mask, pulling his hair and hitting him in the back.
An off-duty police officer stopped the fight and escorted the man who wouldn’t wear a mask off the flight, police said.
The second man was allowed to stay on the plane, Lansford said.
“I was just annoyed that it was just one simple thing that one person had to do,” she said. “If you buy a plane ticket, wear a mask.”
Allegiant Air said in a statement that passengers are required to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth at all times when traveling.
Authorities identified the man who was removed from the flight as 52-year-old Rio Honaker. An officer cited Honaker with one count of disorderly conduct.
It was not clear if Honaker had an attorney, and no listed phone number could be found.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Biden 'wasn't surprised' Trump got coronavirus

Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden said Monday he was not surprised President Trump contracted the coronavirus .
Mr. Biden blasted Mr. Trump ’ s approach to the coronavirus fewer than two hours after the president returned to the White House after his hospitalization at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center because of the coronavirus .
“ You have built your campaign around the coronavirus , has been your number one issue — so when you hear that this president was infected with COVID-19 , were you surprised ?
” asked NBC personality Lester Holt at a town hall in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I wasn ’ t surprised , ” Mr. Biden answered .
“ I , look , every , for the last three months , three times a week I ’ m on the telephone and on Zoom with some of the leading immunologists in the nation and they go through everything that ’ s happening and so the idea that COVID does not spread in proximity when you don ’ t have a mask on , when you ’ re not socially distancing , when there ’ s large groups of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but even when you ’ re outside .
That ’ s not surprising.
” Mr. Biden continued to say people are neglecting to acknowledge the number of coronavirus-attributed deaths in the United States , which he described as “ 205 to 210,000 ” people have died already .
Earlier in the town hall , Mr. Biden said 210 million people had died before correcting himself and citing 210,000 dead instead .
Mr. Biden then suggested Mr. Trump was responsible for his becoming infected with the coronavirus .
“ Anybody who contracts the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t matter , social distancing doesn ’ t matter , ’ I think is responsible for what happens to them , ” Mr. Biden said .
The evening town hall in Miami , Florida , presented a late day for Mr. Biden , who spent the afternoon at the Little Haiti Cultural Center , where he urged Haitian Americans to register to vote as the final deadline to do so before the November election approaches .

Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden said Monday he was not surprised President Trump contracted the coronavirus.
Mr. Biden blasted Mr. Trump’s approach to the coronavirus fewer than two hours after the president returned to the White House after his hospitalization at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center because of the coronavirus.
“You have built your campaign around the coronavirus, has been your number one issue — so when you hear that this president was infected with COVID-19, were you surprised?” asked NBC personality Lester Holt at a town hall in Miami, Florida.
“Quite frankly, I wasn’t surprised,” Mr. Biden answered. “I, look, every, for the last three months, three times a week I’m on the telephone and on Zoom with some of the leading immunologists in the nation and they go through everything that’s happening and so the idea that COVID does not spread in proximity when you don’t have a mask on, when you’re not socially distancing, when there’s large groups of people, when you’re inside particularly but even when you’re outside. That’s not surprising.”
Mr. Biden continued to say people are neglecting to acknowledge the number of coronavirus-attributed deaths in the United States, which he described as “205 to 210,000” people have died already. Earlier in the town hall, Mr. Biden said 210 million people had died before correcting himself and citing 210,000 dead instead.
Mr. Biden then suggested Mr. Trump was responsible for his becoming infected with the coronavirus.
“Anybody who contracts the virus by essentially saying, ‘masks don’t matter, social distancing doesn’t matter,’ I think is responsible for what happens to them,” Mr. Biden said.
The evening town hall in Miami, Florida, presented a late day for Mr. Biden, who spent the afternoon at the Little Haiti Cultural Center, where he urged Haitian Americans to register to vote as the final deadline to do so before the November election approaches.
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.