washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Holiday shopping to start early, despite coronavirus pandemic, at 'significantly higher' rates

Public uneasiness over the coronavirus pandemic , social unrest and the presidential election has not put a dent in America ’ s holiday spending plans .
Consumers are predicted to spend $ 997.79 on gifts , holiday items such as decorations and food , and additional purchases for themselves and their families this year , according to a new survey and comparative research conducted by the National Retail Federation .
That ’ s down by a mere $ 8 from a similar poll conducted last year .
Shopping itself is a way to shift focus from the “ uncertainty and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a “ our return to a better tomorrow , ” the survey analysis said .
“ Consumers have demonstrated their resilience and adaptability throughout these extraordinary times , ” said Matthew Shay , president and CEO of the retail organization .
Expected spending remains “ significantly higher ” than the five-year average — and the shopping frenzy should begin shortly : 42 % of U.S. consumers say they plan to start their holiday shopping by the end of October , another 41 % in November , according to the organization ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopper motivation : • 53 % of U.S. adults would be prompted to start holiday shopping earlier than usual by a sale or promotion .
• 37 % would go early to avoid crowds , 31 % to avoid stress of last-minute shopping .
• 26 % would go if their preferred items likely sell out ; 20 would to get holiday items early .
• 19 % would shop early if they had extra money from a government stimulus .
• 13 % say “ nothing ” would prompt them to shop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federation/Prosper Insights survey of 7,660 U.S. adults was conducted Oct. 1-9 and released Thursday .
The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.1 percentage points .

Public uneasiness over the coronavirus pandemic, social unrest and the presidential election has not put a dent in America’s holiday spending plans.
Consumers are predicted to spend $997.79 on gifts, holiday items such as decorations and food, and additional purchases for themselves and their families this year, according to a new survey and comparative research conducted by the National Retail Federation.
That’s down by a mere $8 from a similar poll conducted last year. Shopping itself is a way to shift focus from the “uncertainty and stress” of current times and look to a “our return to a better tomorrow,” the survey analysis said.
“Consumers have demonstrated their resilience and adaptability throughout these extraordinary times,” said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the retail organization.
Expected spending remains “significantly higher” than the five-year average — and the shopping frenzy should begin shortly: 42% of U.S. consumers say they plan to start their holiday shopping by the end of October, another 41% in November, according to the organization’s annual poll.
It also delves into shopper motivation:
• 53% of U.S. adults would be prompted to start holiday shopping earlier than usual by a sale or promotion.
• 37% would go early to avoid crowds, 31% to avoid stress of last-minute shopping.
• 26% would go if their preferred items likely sell out; 20 would to get holiday items early.
• 19% would shop early if they had extra money from a government stimulus.
• 13% say “nothing” would prompt them to shop early.
Source: A National Retail Federation/Prosper Insights survey of 7,660 U.S. adults was conducted Oct. 1-9 and released Thursday. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.1 percentage points.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Philippines recalls ambassador who allegedly mistreated maid

MANILA , Philippines ( AP ) - The Philippines ‘ ambassador to Brazil has been ordered to return home to face investigation after video surfaced allegedly showing her physically mistreating her Filipino house helper , officials said Monday .
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a tweet that the diplomat , who was identified by his department as Ambassador Marichu Mauro , was recalled rapidly “ to explain the maltreatment of her service staff.
” The video footage , reportedly taken from security cameras in the ambassador ’ s residence in Brasilia and shown by a Brazilian news agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to be a house worker , including by pulling her hair and ear .
There was no immediate comment from Mauro and it was unclear where she was on Monday .
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila said in a statement that the unidentified worker left Brasilia , Brazil ’ s capital , on Oct. 21 and has returned to the Philippines .
“ The DFA is reaching out to her to ensure her well-being and cooperation in the investigation , ” the department said .
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ language , has vowed to protect the welfare of Filipino workers abroad , especially domestic helpers .
Still , reports of abuses remain rampant , especially in Middle Eastern countries .
In past speeches , Duterte has asked returning workers to slap airport customs personnel who would try to extort money or gifts from them and vowed to punish such abusive government personnel harshly .
The Philippines is a leading source of global labor .
The huge amount of income sent home by the workers - who comprise roughly 10 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - has helped keep the country ’ s economy afloat for decades .
Many of the workers have been forced to abandon their families in search of better opportunities abroad and to escape crushing poverty at home .
But the abuses some have suffered have been horrific .
In 2018 , a Filipino housemaid ’ s body was found stuffed in a freezer in a house in Kuwait , sparking an uproar in the Philippines and prompting the Duterte administration to temporarily halt the deployment of Filipino workers to the oil-rich nation .

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - The Philippines’ ambassador to Brazil has been ordered to return home to face investigation after video surfaced allegedly showing her physically mistreating her Filipino house helper, officials said Monday.
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a tweet that the diplomat, who was identified by his department as Ambassador Marichu Mauro, was recalled rapidly “to explain the maltreatment of her service staff.”
The video footage, reportedly taken from security cameras in the ambassador’s residence in Brasilia and shown by a Brazilian news agency, showed a woman mistreating somebody who appeared to be a house worker, including by pulling her hair and ear.
There was no immediate comment from Mauro and it was unclear where she was on Monday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila said in a statement that the unidentified worker left Brasilia, Brazil’s capital, on Oct. 21 and has returned to the Philippines.
“The DFA is reaching out to her to ensure her well-being and cooperation in the investigation,” the department said.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a populist leader known for his brash language, has vowed to protect the welfare of Filipino workers abroad, especially domestic helpers. Still, reports of abuses remain rampant, especially in Middle Eastern countries. In past speeches, Duterte has asked returning workers to slap airport customs personnel who would try to extort money or gifts from them and vowed to punish such abusive government personnel harshly.
The Philippines is a leading source of global labor. The huge amount of income sent home by the workers - who comprise roughly 10% of the Philippines’ more than 100 million people - has helped keep the country’s economy afloat for decades.
Many of the workers have been forced to abandon their families in search of better opportunities abroad and to escape crushing poverty at home. But the abuses some have suffered have been horrific.
In 2018, a Filipino housemaid’s body was found stuffed in a freezer in a house in Kuwait, sparking an uproar in the Philippines and prompting the Duterte administration to temporarily halt the deployment of Filipino workers to the oil-rich nation.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Women's groups plan more protests over Poland abortion law

WARSAW , Poland ( AP ) - Women ’ s rights activists are planning more protests in Poland after a top court tightened the predominantly Catholic nation ’ s already strict abortion law .
Angry street protests have been held since the court ruling Thursday , with protesters defying a “ red zone ” ban on gatherings intended to halt a spike in new coronavirus infections in Poland , and especially in Warsaw and Krakow .
The Constitutional Tribunal ruled it was unconstitutional to terminate a pregnancy due to fetal congenital defects .
The ruling effectively banned almost all abortions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1993 law that still was one of Europe ’ s strictest abortion regulations .
After the ruling , abortion is allowed in Poland only when the pregnancy threatens the woman ’ s health or is the result of rape or incest .
One leader of a women ’ s rights group , Marta Lempart , said there will be street blockades on Monday , a strike on Wednesday and a protest march in Warsaw , the seat of the constitutional court and of the right-wing ruling Law and Justice party that is behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 1,110 legal abortions were carried out in Poland in 2019 , mostly because of fetal defects .

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Women’s rights activists and many thousands of supporters held a fifth day of protests across Poland on Monday, defying pandemic restrictions to express their fury at a top court decision that tightens the predominantly Catholic nation’s already strict abortion law.
In Warsaw, mostly young demonstrators - women and men - with drums, horns and firecrackers blocked rush-hour traffic for hours at a number of major roundabouts. Some of them took off their shirts and stood topless on top of cars. Many held banners with an obscenity calling on the right-wing government to step down.
A group of far-right supporters held a counter-protest in front of a church and police in riot gear kept the two groups apart, using pepper spray at one point. Some of the people protesting the court ruling were detained and others sat down in the street to stop the police van taking away the detainees.
A protesting woman was taken to hospital with slight injuries after she and another woman were hit by a car. The other woman was not injured.
Organizers said people joined their protests in more than 150 cities in Poland, including Poznan, Lodz and Katowice. It was one of the biggest protests against the government in recent years.
In Krakow protesters chanted “This is War!” - a slogan that demonstrators have repeated often in recent days. They also shouted obscenities against the country’s traditionally respected Roman Catholic bishops.
Krakow archbishop Marek Jedraszewski said the protests were marked by “aggression unknown so far in Poland, when the sanctity of churches, of sacred places is being violated.”
Protesters defied a nationwide ban on gatherings intended to halt a spike in new coronavirus infections.
They have taken to the streets each day since the Constitutional Tribunal ruled Thursday that it was unconstitutional to terminate a pregnancy due to fetal congenital defects. The ruling effectively bans almost all abortions in the country.
The ruling has not taken effect yet, because it has not been officially published, which is a requirement of a law’s validity.
The head of a doctors’ group, Dr. Andrzej Matyja, speaking on Radio Zet, criticized the ruling’s timing during the pandemic, saying it amounted to an “irresponsible provoking of people to rallies” where social distancing cannot be maintained.
Poland’s conservative leaders have also come under criticism from professors at Krakow’s reputed Jagiellonian University who said that announcing such a ruling during a pandemic was an “extreme proof of a lack of responsibility for people’s lives.”
In a letter to Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and to President Andrzej Duda, who is infected with the coronavirus, the professors appealed for a “way out of the situation … to be urgently found.”
Many gynecologists have also criticized the ruling. Dr. Maciej Jedrzejko said the ban will result in a rise in the number of dangerous, illegal abortions, arguing that sex education and access to contraceptives are the best ways to limit abortions.
The ruling by the government-controlled court overturned a provision of the 1993 law forged by the country’s political authorities and church leaders after the fall of communism. That law permitted abortion in only limited cases, becoming one of Europe’s strictest abortion regulations.
When the ruling takes effect, the only permitted abortions will be if a pregnancy threatens the woman’s health or is the result of rape or incest.
Among those who support the ruling is European Parliament lawmaker for the conservative ruling party, Patryk Jaki, who is the father of a child with Down syndrome. He warned on Twitter that abortions can also eliminate healthy children “because you rarely are 100% sure.”
Jaki also argued that abortions contribute to the nation’s low birthrate and said that they could be a “threat to Poland’s state.”
Health Ministry figures show that 1,110 legal abortions were carried out in Poland in 2019, mostly because of fetal defects. The non-governmental Federation For Women and Family Planning estimates that Polish women undergo some 100,000 to 150,000 abortions a year, some illegally in Poland and others abroad.
Women’s Strike, the key organizers of the past day’s protests, says that forcing women to carry through pregnancies involving fetuses with severe defects will result in unnecessary physical and mental suffering for the women.
Group leader Marta Lempart said there will also be a nation-wide strike Wednesday and a protest march Friday in Warsaw, the seat of the government, the constitutional court and the right-wing ruling Law and Justice party behind the court’s decision.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Senate Democrats oppose Mike Pence at Amy Coney Barrett vote

Senate Democrats asked Vice President Mike Pence to stay out of the chamber Monday due to his exposure to a @ @ @ @ @ appearing with lawmakers at the confirmation vote of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett .
@ @ @ @ @ the vice president by top Senate Democrats Sunday , they note his vote as a @ @ @ @ @ , so they asked him to stay away .
“ With five of your closest @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , it is not a risk worth taking .
We ask you to reconsider @ @ @ @ @ .
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told reporters Monday morning the schedule was @ @ @ @ @ if Mr. Pence would be presiding over the confirmation vote , which is slated for @ @ @ @ @ a majority of votes to confirm Judge Barrett without Mr. Pence needing to cast a @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Pence ’ s office has had several aides contract the coronavirus , including his @ @ @ @

Senate Democrats asked Vice President Mike Pence to stay out of the chamber Monday due to his exposure to a staffer with COVID-19 instead of appearing with lawmakers at the confirmation vote of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
In a letter sent to the vice president by top Senate Democrats Sunday, they note his vote as a tie-breaker isn’t needed, so they asked him to stay away.
“With five of your closest aides recently testing positive for COVID-19, it is not a risk worth taking. We ask you to reconsider,” the letter said.
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told reporters Monday morning the schedule was still in flux as to if Mr. Pence would be presiding over the confirmation vote, which is slated for Monday night.
Republicans have a majority of votes to confirm Judge Barrett without Mr. Pence needing to cast a tie-breaking vote.
Recently, Mr. Pence’s office has had several aides contract the coronavirus, including his chief of staff.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--DOJ boosts Maine efforts to tackle addiction crisis

PORTLAND , Maine ( AP ) - Public agencies in Maine have received more than $ 1 million in federal @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s addiction crisis .
Almost $ 900,000 of the money is slated for @ @ @ @ @ rest is going to the Maine Department of Public Safety .
The money is from @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Office of Justice Programs .
The justice department said the grants are part @ @ @ @ @ million nationwide .
The Office of the Maine Attorney General reported 127 overdose deaths during @ @ @ @ @ .
That was an increase of 23 percent over the last quarter of 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ in the second quarter .
U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank said the state had 380 overdose @ @ @ @ @ increase from the previous year .
Frank said the state “ has been particularly hard @ @ @ @ @ .
”

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Public agencies in Maine have received more than $1 million in federal money to help fight the state’s addiction crisis.
Almost $900,000 of the money is slated for Cumberland County, while the rest is going to the Maine Department of Public Safety. The money is from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs.
The justice department said the grants are part of more than $341 million nationwide.
The Office of the Maine Attorney General reported 127 overdose deaths during the first quarter of 2020. That was an increase of 23 percent over the last quarter of 2019. Overdose deaths continued to grow in the second quarter.
U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank said the state had 380 overdose deaths, a 7% increase from the previous year. Frank said the state “has been particularly hard hit by the opioid crisis.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Vermont's Brattleboro Retreat to lay off 85 workers

BRATTLEBORO , Vt. ( AP ) - The Brattleboro Retreat , Vermont ’ s largest private psychiatric hospital , is laying 85 employees , about 15 % of its workforce , as part of its effort to contain costs .
In addition to the layoffs , the Retreat is eliminating a number of programs .
The facility has reduced its workforce by more than 100 jobs through attrition .
The retreat currently employs 550 people .
Retreat President Louis Josephson said the financial problems pre-date the pandemic , but admissions since the pandemic hit have dropped 30 % .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it a lean organization .
That is what this all came down to - to make ourselves sustainable , ” he said .
The Retreat received $ 13 million in funding through the federal COVID-19 relief money , but it wasn ’ t enough .
The Retreat will eliminate several of its out-patient addiction treatment programs , including one in which people can come to the facility to get medications to help treat opioid addiction challenges .
It is also is closing its 35-child day care center and a school for young and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost money , Josephson said .

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (AP) - The Brattleboro Retreat, Vermont’s largest private psychiatric hospital, is laying 85 employees, about 15% of its workforce, as part of its effort to contain costs.
In addition to the layoffs, the Retreat is eliminating a number of programs.
The facility has reduced its workforce by more than 100 jobs through attrition. The retreat currently employs 550 people.
Retreat President Louis Josephson said the financial problems pre-date the pandemic, but admissions since the pandemic hit have dropped 30%.
“We are restructuring the Retreat to make it a lean organization. That is what this all came down to - to make ourselves sustainable,” he said.
The Retreat received $13 million in funding through the federal COVID-19 relief money, but it wasn’t enough.
The Retreat will eliminate several of its out-patient addiction treatment programs, including one in which people can come to the facility to get medications to help treat opioid addiction challenges. It is also is closing its 35-child day care center and a school for young and adolescent patients.
The programs have always lost money, Josephson said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Donald Trump: Media are 'losers' for talking about COVID-19 nonstop

President Trump on Monday complained the media is keeping the coronavirus pandemic front-and-center to make him look bad in the runup to the election .
He said news channels will lose interest the day after the contest , even as trend lines suggest the crisis won ’ t dissipate but worsen into the colder months , as states report a high baseline of transmission and increasing hospital stays for the disease .
“ The Fake News Media is riding COVID , COVID , COVID , all the way to the Election .
Losers !
” the president said on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are due to rampant testing in the U.S. and pointed to “ many young people who heal very fast .
99.9 % .
” Still , more than 900 people were reported dead from COVID-19 in the U.S. on Friday and again on Saturday , followed by 340 deaths on Sunday , according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker .
Mr. Trump says his administration is doing its best to protect the vulnerable while others get on with their lives and revive the economy .
He points to groundbreaking therapies and a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although the immunization push is still weeks away for frontline workers and likely months away for much of the general public .
“ We have made tremendous progress with the China Virus , but the Fake News refuses to talk about it this close to the Election , ” Mr. Trump tweeted .
“ COVID , COVID , COVID is being used by them , in total coordination , in order to change our great early election numbers .
Should be an election law violation !
” Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ white flag ” on a virus it can not keep out of its own house , as Vice President Mike Pence — the head of the coronavirus task force — decides if it is prudent to preside over a Senate vote to confirm a Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett late Monday , given his possible exposure after five aides tested positive .
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on Monday said Mr. Pence ’ s attendance at the vote is “ in flux.
” He also tried to explain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts to control the virus .
“ We ’ re going to defeat the virus , we ’ re not going to control it , ” Mr. Meadows told reporters .
“ We will try to contain it as best we can , but if you look at the full context of what I was talking about , we need to make sure that we have therapeutics and vaccines , we may need to make sure that when people get sick , that , that they have the kind of therapies that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then we can provide those emergency using authorizations .
Hopefully , they ’ ll be coming in very short order .
”

President Trump is pleading with Americans to focus on things besides COVID-19 in the final week of the campaign but Wall Street and his White House are making it difficult, with stocks tumbling on pandemic fears and a case-cluster forcing Vice President Mike Pence to scrap plans to attend a Supreme Court confirmation vote.
Mr. Trump kicked off a critical week by saying the “fake news media” is keeping the coronavirus pandemic front-and-center to make him look bad in the run-up to the election.
“On Nov. 4, you won’t be hearing so much about it. COVID, COVID, COVID,” Mr. Trump told supporters in Allentown, Pennsylvania. “We’re rounding the turn and we have the vaccines coming out very soon.”
Mr. Trump, crisscrossing Pennsylvania, drew contrasts with Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden on energy and trade and said he deserved more credit for his early pandemic moves, from restricting travel out of China to supporting rapid vaccine development.
“It’s going to be a great winter, it’s going to be a great spring,” Mr. Trump told supporters at a rally in Lititz, Pennsylvania.
But the nation’s battle with the virus is tilting in a bad direction, with cases hitting record highs, hospitals filling up in rural areas and hundreds of Americans still dying per day.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 650 points — its worst day since early September — amid fears that surging transmission in the U.S. and Europe will impact key sectors and signs that stimulus talks remain stalled.
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said the administration is “going to defeat the virus, we’re not going to control it.
“We will try to contain it as best we can, but if you look at the full context of what I was talking about, we need to make sure that we have therapeutics and vaccines, we may need to make sure that when people get sick, that, that they have the kind of therapies that the president of the United States had,” he said. “Then we can provide those emergency use authorizations. Hopefully, they’ll be coming in very short order.”
Mr. Biden says Mr. Trump is waving the “white flag” while the world waits for a vaccine.
“The bottom line is Donald Trump is the worst possible president and the worst possible person to try to lead us through this pandemic,” Mr. Biden told reporters in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. “He just doesn’t have any idea what to do or just doesn’t care.”
Mr. Biden said it is appalling that Mr. Trump has suggested doctors are inflating the number of coronavirus cases because they can cash in.
“What in the hell is the matter with this man?” Mr. Biden said. “Mr. President, more than 1,000 health care workers have lost their lives fighting COVID — doctors, nurses — they are not profiting, they’re dying.”
The Biden campaign over the weekend poked the administration for being unable to keep the virus out of its own house, after Mr. Pence’s chief of staff and four other aides tested positive.
Mr. Pence, the head of the U.S. coronavirus task force, had planned to attend the Senate roll call to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett late Monday, but his possible exposure upended his plans.
Top Democrats sent Mr. Pence a letter on Sunday asking him to stay away, especially since the GOP majority didn’t need his tie-breaking vote.
“With five of your closest aides recently testing positive for COVID-19, it is not a risk worth taking. We ask you to reconsider,” the letter said.
The seven-day rolling average of daily coronavirus cases in the U.S. is nearing 70,000, putting recorded infections on par with the daily highs recorded during the midsummer surge across the South and West.
Mr. Trump said record case totals are due to rampant testing in the U.S. and the “many young people who heal very fast. 99.9%.”
Still, about 800 people are dying in the U.S. each day, on average, from the virus, a 12% increase from two weeks ago, according to a New York Times tracker.
Mr. Trump says his administration is doing its best to protect the vulnerable while others try to get on with their lives and revive the economy.
“We must keep our people safe,” he told Allentown supporters. “But we must not give in to panic and fear.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--2 killed in shooting at Meadowlands Racetrack parking lot

EAST RUTHERFORD , N.J. ( AP ) - Two people were killed and four people were take into custody following @ @ @ @ @ lot of the Meadowlands Racetrack , New Jersey State Police said .
The shooting took @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
One person was pronounced dead at the scene and the other died at @ @ @ @ @ Flynn said .
Flynn did not have any additional information about the victims or the @ @ @ @ @ into custody .

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Three men and a 16-year-old boy have been charged with murder in the shooting deaths of two men killed in the Meadowlands Racetrack parking lot, state police said.
The shooting occurred just before 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
A trooper who happened to be patrolling nearby heard the gunfire and saw three people running from the area. They got into a SUV and sped off.
The trooper followed the SUV and was soon notified by a dispatcher that the SUV had been reported stolen out of Tenafly. The trooper tried to stop the SUV, but the driver fled onto Route 120 North before crashing into a cement divider, which disabled the vehicle.
Four people who were in the SUV got out and ran off, but they were soon captured by troopers.
Tariq Gathers, 24; Victor Geslicki, 19; Nyshun Morris, 19, and the juvenile, whose name was not released, were charged with murder, receiving stolen property and weapons offenses. All four are from Jersey City. It wasn’t known Monday whether any have lawyers to speak for them, and phone numbers for them could not be found.
Troopers who responded to the racetrack lot found the two shooting victims in a vehicle. A 22-year-old man sitting in the passenger seat was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 21-year-old man who was in the driver’s seat was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Their names have not been released.
A motive for the shootings has not been disclosed.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Mayor: Video will be released in Black motorists' shooting

Police video of a suburban Chicago police officer ’ s fatal shooting of a Black man and the wounding of a Black woman as the couple were inside a vehicle is expected to be released once relatives view that video , the mayor of the city where the shooting occurred said .
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham said during a Sunday prayer vigil for Marcellis Stinnette , 19 , who died in last Tuesday ’ s shooting , that the city intends to publicly release the bodycam and dashcam video recordings , but only after Stinnette ’ s family views them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear , this situation requires their approval before we move on , ” Cunningham said .
He also urged the public to let justice take its due course in the case , which on Friday led to the firing of the officer who shot the couple .
Cunningham called for the community to “ respect the process ” in the city about 40 miles ( 64 kilometers ) north of Chicago .
Activists and relatives of Stinnette and Tafara Williams , 20 , who was wounded in the shooting and remains hospitalized , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video , which authorities say has been turned over to investigators .
On Saturday , Williams spoke from her hospital bed to a crowd at a rally in Waukegan , saying she “ won ’ t sleep until Marcellis gets justice.
” Activist Chris Blanks said last week that the video is particularly important because the police version of events and the version Williams ’ mother has shared appear to contradict each other .
Clifftina Johnson has said her daughter told her that she and Stinnette - who was Williams ’ boyfriend - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Waukegan police have said Williams was driving and Stinnette was a passenger in a vehicle that fled a traffic stop conducted by a white officer late Tuesday and that the vehicle was later spotted by another officer , who is Hispanic .
Police said that as the second officer approached , the vehicle started moving in reverse and the officer - fearing for his safety - opened fire .
No weapon was found in the vehicle .
The officer who shot the couple , who have a child , was fired late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said in a brief statement that the male officer , a five-year department veteran , had committed “ multiple policy and procedure violations.
” Walles offered his condolences to Stinnette and Williams ’ families during Sunday ’ s vigil , which attracted a large crowd , the ( Arlington Heights ) Daily Herald reported .
“ There is power in prayer , and the more of us that are together and praying , and praying for each other and everybody involved in this terrible incident , will help us heal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williams ’ sister , Sasha Williams , said at Sunday ’ s vigil that her sister is working to recover her strength so she can return to caring for her children .
“ We shouldn ’ t have to say , ‘ Don ’ t shoot us , ’ ” Williams said .
“ We shouldn ’ t have to come outside and fear for our lives .
We shouldn ’ t be afraid of the police.
” Lake County State ’ s Attorney Mike Nerheim also attended Sunday ’ s vigil .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Justice Department to review the circumstances surrounding the shooting , and said the federal agency had agreed to do so .
He has urged calm while the investigation takes place and pledged transparency .

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) - Police videos showing a suburban Chicago police officer fatally shooting a Black man and wounding a Black woman are expected to be released once relatives have seen the footage, the city’s mayor has said.
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham said during a Sunday prayer vigil for Marcellis Stinnette, 19, who died in the shooting last Tuesday, that the city intends to publicly release the bodycam and dashcam videos, but only after Stinnette’s family has seen them.
“Let’s be clear: This situation requires their approval before we move on,” Cunningham said.
He also urged the public to let justice take its course in the case and asked the community to “respect the process.” On Friday, the police department fired the officer who shot the couple.
Activists and relatives of Stinnette and Tafara Williams, 20 - who was wounded in the shooting and remains hospitalized - have demanded the release of the police video, which authorities say has been turned over to investigators. On Saturday, Williams spoke from her hospital bed to a crowd at a rally in Waukegan, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Chicago, saying she “won’t sleep until Marcellis gets justice.” The couple were dating and had a child together.
Activist Chris Blanks said last week that the video is particularly important because the police version of events and the version Williams’ mother has shared appear to contradict each other. Clifftina Johnson has said her daughter told her that she and Stinnette did nothing to provoke the officer.
Waukegan police have said Williams was driving and Stinnette was a passenger in a vehicle that fled a traffic stop conducted by a white officer late Tuesday and that the vehicle was later spotted by another officer, who is Hispanic. Police said that as the second officer approached, the vehicle started moving in reverse and the officer - fearing for his safety - opened fire. No weapon was found in the vehicle.
The officer who shot the couple was fired late Friday by Waukegan Police Chief Wayne Walles. He said in a brief statement that the male officer, a five-year department veteran, had committed “multiple policy and procedure violations.”
Walles offered his condolences to Stinnette and Williams’ families during Sunday’s vigil, which attracted a large crowd, the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reported.
“There is power in prayer, and the more of us that are together and praying, and praying for each other and everybody involved in this terrible incident, will help us heal and move forward,” he said.
Williams’ sister, Sasha Williams, said at Sunday’s vigil that her sister is working to recover her strength so she can return to caring for her children.
“We shouldn’t have to say, ‘Don’t shoot us,’” Williams said. “We shouldn’t have to come outside and fear for our lives. We shouldn’t be afraid of the police.”
Lake County State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim also attended Sunday’s vigil. He said Friday that he had asked the U.S. Justice Department to review the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and said the federal agency had agreed to do so. He has urged calm while the investigation takes place and pledged transparency.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Government grant seeks to help small-scale meat processors

MOUNT VERNON , Wash. ( AP ) - The Washington state Department of Agriculture is offering COVID-19 relief grants to @ @ @ @ @ them cover costs of boosting capacity during the pandemic .
The Skagit Valley Herald reports @ @ @ @ @ available to processors with 250 employees or less to help them meet the rising demand @ @ @ @ @ Applications for grants of up to $ 150,000 are due by Nov. 16 .
Small @ @ @ @ @ have reported being busier than ever this year following slowdowns or shutdowns in national meat @ @ @ @ @ .
Grant funds can be used for equipment , physical improvements , additional labor , @ @ @ @ @ and other expenses incurred between March 1 and Dec. 30 , according to the grant @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Department of Agriculture-inspected facilities - including mobile units - or custom operations licensed by @ @ @ @ @ .
Both new and existing operations are eligible .

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) - The Washington state Department of Agriculture is offering COVID-19 relief grants to small-scale meat processors to help them cover costs of boosting capacity during the pandemic.
The Skagit Valley Herald reports meat processing relief grants are available to processors with 250 employees or less to help them meet the rising demand for locally produced meats.
Applications for grants of up to $150,000 are due by Nov. 16.
Small meat processors in Skagit County have reported being busier than ever this year following slowdowns or shutdowns in national meat packing plants this past spring.
Grant funds can be used for equipment, physical improvements, additional labor, worker and customer safety, and other expenses incurred between March 1 and Dec. 30, according to the grant application.
Applicants must be U.S. Department of Agriculture-inspected facilities - including mobile units - or custom operations licensed by the state Department of Agriculture. Both new and existing operations are eligible.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Crews continue cleanup after oil washes ashore in Delaware

DOVER , Del .
( AP ) - Authorities in Delaware say they ’ re continuing to cleanup after an @ @ @ @ @ ’ s coast .
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said in @ @ @ @ @ more than 100 people were involved in the response .
The state said that small @ @ @ @ @ debris have been found scattered on the Delaware Bay Beaches as well as beaches along @ @ @ @ @ the north side of Indian River Inlet .
Officials said last week that the source @ @ @ @ @ been determined .
The oil was described as “ heavy fuel oil ” likely leaking @ @ @ @ @ not crude oil from the hold of a tanker .
As of last week , @ @ @ @ @ 21 tons of oily sand and debris from coastal areas .
An oil skimming vessel @ @ @ @ @ oily debris floating in the Delaware Bay .
State environmental officials have said the oil @ @ @ @ @ week at Broadkill Beach and has been spread by tidal action .

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Authorities in Delaware say they’re continuing to cleanup after an oil spill along the state’s coast.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said in a statement on Sunday that more than 100 people were involved in the response.
The state said that small globs of oil and oily debris have been found scattered on the Delaware Bay Beaches as well as beaches along the Atlantic coast and on the north side of Indian River Inlet.
Officials said last week that the source of the spill has not been determined. The oil was described as “heavy fuel oil” likely leaking from an operating vessel, not crude oil from the hold of a tanker.
As of last week, crews had removed an estimated 21 tons of oily sand and debris from coastal areas. An oil skimming vessel was dispatched Thursday to remove oily debris floating in the Delaware Bay.
State environmental officials have said the oil spill came ashore early last week at Broadkill Beach and has been spread by tidal action.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Police say woman shot to death in southeastern St. Louis

ST. LOUIS ( AP ) - A woman has been shot to death in south St. Louis in the LaSalle @ @ @ @ @ said .
The 28-year-old woman was shot just before 10 p.m. Sunday , the St. @ @ @ @ @ said the victim was taken to a nearby hospital , where she died .
Police @ @ @ @ @ or provided details about what led to the shooting .
Police also have not said @ @ @ @ @ in the case .
Homicide detectives are investigating , the Post-Dispatch reported .

ST. LOUIS (AP) - A woman has been shot to death in south St. Louis in the LaSalle Park neighborhood, police there said.
The 28-year-old woman was shot just before 10 p.m. Sunday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Police said the victim was taken to a nearby hospital, where she died.
Police have not released her name or provided details about what led to the shooting. Police also have not said whether they have any suspects in the case. Homicide detectives are investigating, the Post-Dispatch reported.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Kamala Harris dodges on whether Amy Coney Barrett is qualified for the Supreme Court

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala D. Harris took a pass when given multiple opportunities to say whether she believes Judge Amy Coney Barrett is qualified to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court .
“ I believe that this whole process has been absolutely illegitimate , ” Ms. Harris told WXYZ-TV in Michigan over the weekend when asked if she believes Judge Barrett is qualified .
“ I will be voting against her.
” Asked again if she believes Judge Barrett is qualified , Ms. Harris said : “ I believe this is an absolutely illegitimate process.
” Judge Barrett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday over protests from Ms. Harris and other Democrats who say the vote in the U.S. Senate is taking place too close to Election Day .
Sen. Lisa Murkowski , Alaska Republican , had initially indicated she would not support moving forward with a nomination this close to the election but said over the weekend she would vote yes on the question of confirming Judge Barrett .
“ It is clear that she is qualified by any objective standard and has received the highest possible rating from the American Bar Association , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Maine Republican , said Sunday that her planned “ no ” vote does not reflect any conclusions she reached about Judge Barrett ’ s qualifications .
Ms. Collins said the Senate should follow the precedent it set in 2016 with the election-year blockade of Judge Merrick Garland , former President Barack Obama ’ s Supreme Court pick .

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala D. Harris took a pass when given multiple opportunities to say whether she believes Judge Amy Coney Barrett is qualified to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court.
“I believe that this whole process has been absolutely illegitimate,” Ms. Harris told WXYZ-TV in Michigan over the weekend when asked if she believes Judge Barrett is qualified. “I will be voting against her.”
Asked again if she believes Judge Barrett is qualified, Ms. Harris said: “I believe this is an absolutely illegitimate process.”
Judge Barrett is on track to win confirmation on Monday over protests from Ms. Harris and other Democrats who say the vote in the U.S. Senate is taking place too close to Election Day.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Republican, had initially indicated she would not support moving forward with a nomination this close to the election but said over the weekend she would vote yes on the question of confirming Judge Barrett.
“It is clear that she is qualified by any objective standard and has received the highest possible rating from the American Bar Association,” Ms. Murkowski said.
Sen. Susan Collins, Maine Republican, said Sunday that her planned “no” vote does not reflect any conclusions she reached about Judge Barrett’s qualifications.
Ms. Collins said the Senate should follow the precedent it set in 2016 with the election-year blockade of Judge Merrick Garland, former President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court pick.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Police: Florida man stole bulldozer, ran down Biden signs

HAINES CITY , Fla. ( AP ) - A 26-year-old man has been accused of stealing a bulldozer from a Florida construction site , driving it into a neighborhood and knocking down campaign signs for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , according to authorities and homeowners .
The man took the bulldozer in Haines City on Saturday and repeatedly destroyed Biden signs in full view of people who live in the neighborhood , witnesses said .
James Blight was charged with grand theft auto and trespassing , according to the Haines City Police Department .
Former Vice Mayor Adam Burgess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he said is predominantly Black .
He called it a hate crime .
“ This man came onto my property , took the two Joe Biden signs I had in my yard and then came back with a bulldozer to run down my fence , ” Burgess told Bay News 9 .
Video taken by the news outlet showed the damaged fences .
Blight was also accused of bulldozing down a city speed limit sign , among other signs .
Police said Blight claimed he was too drunk at the time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately clear whether he has an attorney who could comment on his behalf .

HAINES CITY, Fla. (AP) - A 26-year-old man has been accused of stealing a bulldozer from a Florida construction site, driving it into a neighborhood and knocking down campaign signs for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, according to authorities and homeowners.
The man took the bulldozer in Haines City on Saturday and repeatedly destroyed Biden signs in full view of people who live in the neighborhood, witnesses said. James Blight was charged with grand theft auto and trespassing, according to the Haines City Police Department.
Former Vice Mayor Adam Burgess lives in the central Florida neighborhood, which he said is predominantly Black. He called it a hate crime.
“This man came onto my property, took the two Joe Biden signs I had in my yard and then came back with a bulldozer to run down my fence,” Burgess told Bay News 9.
Video taken by the news outlet showed the damaged fences. Blight was also accused of bulldozing down a city speed limit sign, among other signs.
Police said Blight claimed he was too drunk at the time to remember what happened. It was not immediately clear whether he has an attorney who could comment on his behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Monday deadline for registering to vote online

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - Voters in Washington state will have until the end of the day on @ @ @ @ @ online or by mail and to update existing voter registration .
KING-TV reports voters who @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 26 deadline can still do so in person up until Election Day , Nov. @ @ @ @ @ have absentee ballots , the deadline to return them in person is by 8 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ must be postmarked by Nov. 3 if voters plan to send those ballots by mail @

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Voters in Washington state will have until the end of the day on Monday to register to vote online or by mail and to update existing voter registration.
KING-TV reports voters who have not registered by the Oct. 26 deadline can still do so in person up until Election Day, Nov. 3.
For those who have absentee ballots, the deadline to return them in person is by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. They must be postmarked by Nov. 3 if voters plan to send those ballots by mail.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Guard's mobilization ceremony largely virtual in Bismarck

BISMARCK , N.D. ( AP ) - A send-off ceremony for dozens of North Dakota National Guard members looks very different in light of the coronavirus pandemic .
Families weren ’ t invited to the ceremony Sunday in Bismarck where 72 guard members of an assault helicopter company were preparing for a nine-month deployment to Washington D.C .
They are mobilizing in support of a mission that stands ready to evacuate the Pentagon ’ s command if needed .
Rows of soldiers wearing masks sat 6 feet ( 1.8 meters ) apart in the guard hangar for a ceremony that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This ceremony is part of the new normal .
But one thing that is not part of the new normal , something that we continue to do day-in and day-out is that we remain always ready and always there , ” said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann .
Guard specialist Kyle Gensburger wished his family had been present , KFYR-TV reported .
“ I would love to have my family down here , my boys especially , they see and they play with the little model Black Hawks that I have at home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them down here , ” said Gensburger .
The guard members are expected to leave in November .

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A send-off ceremony for dozens of North Dakota National Guard members looks very different in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Families weren’t invited to the ceremony Sunday in Bismarck where 72 guard members of an assault helicopter company were preparing for a nine-month deployment to Washington D.C. They are mobilizing in support of a mission that stands ready to evacuate the Pentagon’s command if needed.
Rows of soldiers wearing masks sat 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart in the guard hangar for a ceremony that was streamed live on Facebook.
“This ceremony is part of the new normal. But one thing that is not part of the new normal, something that we continue to do day-in and day-out is that we remain always ready and always there,” said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann.
Guard specialist Kyle Gensburger wished his family had been present, KFYR-TV reported.
“I would love to have my family down here, my boys especially, they see and they play with the little model Black Hawks that I have at home and I’ve always wanted to bring them down here,” said Gensburger.
The guard members are expected to leave in November.


Editorial Roundup:

The biggest crime involved in drunk driving is that , too often , it is not just the inebriated person behind the wheel who gets punished .
Drunk drivers cause crashes .
And those crashes too often have deadly consequences to innocent people unlucky enough to be on the same road at the same time .
Judge Thomas LaCross of the 88th District Court is hoping to drive home that lesson to drunk drivers who appear before him .
For months , LaCross has asked drunk drivers to read a 2019 news story about three little girls killed by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essay about what the story made them feel .
The essays , chronicled in a recent News story by reporter Julie Riddle , show drunk drivers dripping with remorse , ashamed of the things they ’ ve done and the hurt they have caused their loved ones , the hurt they could have caused the loved ones of others .
The essays , according to LaCross , are working , with a smaller share of probation violations among those who completed the assignment .
LaCross ’ s approach is an interesting one , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having some effect .
We hope the lessons he aims to impart hit home for those essay writers , and we see safer roadways as a result .
It likely was a slip of the tongue when Joe Biden declared America would rid itself of fossil fuels by 2025 during Thursday ’ s presidential debate .
But it was not far off the radical energy agenda Democrats hope to impose should they win total control of Washington .
For proof , take a look at the bill dropped this week by West Coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half gasoline powered vehicle production by 2025 , and ban it completely by 2035 .
That ’ s not quite as drastic a timeline as suggested by the former vice-president ’ s apparent gaffe , but it ’ s close .
And it ’ s equally impossible a deadline to meet .
The self-described party of science is poor at math , engineering and technology .
Electric and hybrid vehicles accounted for just 5 % of automobile sales last year .
Total sales are falling annually rather than increasing .
To meet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have to completely transform itself in less than a decade-and-a-half .
And not just in terms of consumer demand , which is showing no signs of warming to electric vehicles despite a fleet of new EV options to choose from .
The automobile industry would also have to drive down the cost of EVs and vastly improve their range , particularly for the commercial fleet .
In addition , the nation would need a network of public charging stations and charging time would have to be reduced from hours to minutes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Increased demand for electric power would work against the net zero carbon emissions goal .
“ Today , oil , natural gas and coal provide 80 % of our electricity production , ” U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette told The Detroit News .
“ If we ’ re going to move away from fossil fuels , we better figure out what we ’ re going to replace them with .
While windmills and solar are important components , they aren ’ t going to be able to provide the amount of electricity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full-on transition to EVs.
” Brouillette also cautioned that an all electric fleet would require a massive investment in upgrading and expanding the power grid , a process currently being slowed by lawsuits from environmental activists .
The zero emissions mandate works against the more practical solution of powering the future fleet with gasoline/electric hybrids that don ’ t require new infrastructure .
Despite the obstacles , the auto industry is pushing full speed ahead to eventually make the transition .
Ford is spending $ 11 billion over the next two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed $ 20 billion over five years , and Fiat Chrysler is investing $ 10.5 billion on electrification through 2022 .
Those tremendous investments should lead to vehicles that customers want to by and that are supported by technology that make them practical .
But they are more likely to arrive in a matter of decades , rather than a few years .
Fortunately , in the meantime gas and oil are cheap and plentiful in America , and continue to be the major engine of economic growth .
Market forces are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from politicians who have no clue about what it takes to build and sustain an industrial economy .
That ’ s precisely the realization we confronted as our hands began to meet in applause for the fourth township in Leelanau County to choose to enact its own septic testing ordinance .
Centerville Township trustees ’ decision to enact rules that require septic system inspections before a home can be sold just makes sense .
The new rules require a seller to prove a home ’ s sewage treatment mechanism is in good working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a new owner .
It ’ s the kind of move that helps protect our precious water resources from aging and failing home sewage systems that are prevalent in communities across Michigan .
It ’ s a win for the natural resources that in some way or another enticed each of us to make this place our home - or home away from home .
What doesn ’ t make sense is the underlying caveat in the news of Centerville Township ’ s rules change .
The fact is , the township @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year developing and debating its new septic inspection rules if our state lawmakers would show a little initiative and enact statewide regulations to help ensure failing septic systems don ’ t contaminate our lakes , streams and underground drinking water .
In fact , it ’ s one of the most embarrassing and perplexing gaps in our state ’ s legal volumes .
If we think for a moment , we can find a state regulation for just about every part of our lives .
So how can Michigan , the Great Lakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation without a regulation for home septic systems ?
The above question sounds absurd because it is .
But it ’ s also the reality highlighted in the subtext surrounding Centerville and other townships ’ efforts to strike their own rules to ensure decades old , dilapidated home sewage treatment infrastructure doesn ’ t destroy our water .
In a state where experts estimate there are nearly 1.5 million septic systems , a little oversight seems like a pretty important bar to rise above .
Instead , we are left to rely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments ’ decisions to provide oversight where the state has failed .
We appreciate forward-thinking efforts undertaken by many elected officials across northern Michigan , important decisions to protect our natural places .
We just wish our state leaders would step up and make such efforts unnecessary .

The Dallas Morning News. October 24, 2020
The policy of separating families was a tragic mistake
Border security can be achieved without callous strategies that destroy families.
It is hard to believe that anyone could have thought that separating children from their parents at the border wouldn’t lead to a tragedy.
Yet, the Trump administration ignored warnings that nothing good could come from this policy, and now, after much chaos, the deported parents of 545 children, including about 60 under the age of 5, still have not been found.
That’s a clinical way of saying that parents and children may never again see each other, and that U.S. immigration policy has effectively broken apart families. Former first lady Laura Bush called it “cruel” and “immoral,” and others called it child abuse and torture.
Begun unofficially in 2017 as a pilot program in El Paso to deter families from entering the country illegally at the U.S.-Mexico border, this zero tolerance policy quickly became the most toxic aspect of the administration’s strategy to curb illegal immigration. The policy called for charging parents with immigration crimes, which would then lead to separating them from their children (who would be sent to shelters).
The policy of separating families became even more tragic when the administration failed to enact an adequate process to reunite them. Neither the Department of Health and Human Services nor Immigration and Customs Enforcement kept effective records. Only after court orders required disclosure did the nation learn that over 5,500 families had been separated.
The administration now says that while most of the children have been reunited with their families, some children have been moved out of shelters and into the care of relatives, family friends or foster families. In other words, the policy of forced family separation policy predictably produced a cruelty that may never be set right.
During Thursday’s debate, we found it depressing that President Donald Trump showed no regret for this failed policy and falsely claimed that the children were brought to the United States by smugglers, cartels, gangs and “lots of bad people.” While smugglers are a reality on the border, the truth is that many parents arrived with their children and his policy created trauma for thousands of families.
It is important that this nation secure its borders. However, security can and must be achieved without Machiavellian strategies that rip children from parents. The separation policy has ended; its impact is a great stain on this nation.
America has long needed to reform its immigration system to address those who are here and those who wish to be here. The nation has failed repeatedly to even address the easiest and least controversial part - the granting of legal status to the young adults whose parents illegally brought them to this country as children.
Words cannot adequately express how excruciating and shameful the separation policy had been. Our toxic immigration politics continue to erode the decency, common sense and respect needed to forthrightly deal with those who seek this nation for a better life.
___
Houston Chronicle. October 23, 2020
Texas plan would worsen homelessness
Supportive housing reduces homelessness, improves public safety and saves taxpayer money. It’s the kind of successful program that brings together the public and private sector, nonprofits and faith-based groups - even Democrats and Republicans.
So, why is it suddenly under attack by the state of Texas?
“This doesn’t make any sense. We are shaking our heads over here,” said Mike Nichols, head of the nonprofit Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County. “I believe good government can help, and this is just the opposite.”
A proposal by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs would block people with criminal records from accessing the effective combination of affordable housing and wraparound supportive services that has helped reduce Houston’s homeless population by more than 50 percent over the past eight years, according to Houston officials.
The draft rule change is part of the state’s qualified action plan for 2021, which outlines how Texas spends federal funds earmarked for developing affordable housing. Barring those with criminal convictions would severely limit the main intervention used to successfully house the homeless, said Marc Eichenbaum, special assistant to the mayor for homeless initiatives.
“By doing this, we’re creating this huge class of untouchables who are stuck on the streets,” he told the editorial board. “We’re creating modern day lepers without giving them even a colony.”
Most chronically homeless people have criminal records. Nearly 50 percent self-identity as having been convicted of a felony, officials said. The real number is likely to be higher and is probably around 75 percent once you include misdemeanors, Eichenbaum said.
This comes with the territory, as many suffer from substance abuse issues or mental illness that led to their homelessness in the first place. Being on the street itself increases the chance of being arrested.
“If you’re homeless, you are 10 times more likely to have a negative experience with the police,” Nichols said. “If you drink a beer in your house, nothing happens. They drink a beer; they’re going to have a problem.”
The state’s proposal would keep applicants out of affordable housing for two years if they have been convicted of nonviolent felonies. Even Class A misdemeanors, such as possession of 2 ounces of marijuana or criminal trespass, would ban someone for at least a year.
This blanket prohibition is likely to become a never-ending circle, as the longer someone spends on the street, the longer they’re exposed to trauma and the likelier they are to suffer from substance abuse and mental illness.
Speaking to the Texas Tribune, a TDHCA spokesperson said the proposed rule change stems from safety complaints about a now-canceled supportive housing project in the West Campus neighborhood near the University of Texas at Austin.
The state’s argument about keeping dangerous people out of communities makes sense, but putting NIMBYism aside, would you rather have someone with a criminal record roaming the streets or housed and getting the help they need?
There are also rules already in place. The federal government prohibits subsidized housing for certain sex offenders and those convicted of arson or of manufacturing meth. Affordable housing developers can create their own screening policies, but they are flexible and can address issues on a case-by-case basis.
Even the development of tax-supported affordable housing projects is subject to community input and minor opposition can scuttle plans.
The rule change doesn’t make much sense fiscally, either. A recent Harris County study found that it costs local taxpayers an average of $91,000 a year for a person to remain on the street, mostly in emergency health care, criminal enforcement and clean up. Compare that to the $17,000 a year, mostly in federal funds and divided almost evenly between rent and services, spent on supportive housing.
With little to warrant the rule change, it’s no wonder that Republican and Democratic lawmakers are speaking out. A bipartisan letter - signed by 17 legislators, including Republican state Reps. Sarah Davis and Dan Huberty and Democratic Reps. Harold Dutton and Senfronia Thompson - urges the state to reconsider the “misguided plan.”
Texas state Rep. James White, R-Hillister, head of the House Corrections Committee and far from a bleeding heart, is a little more blunt, calling the proposal “absolutely unproductive” in a recent Twitter post.
“This housing program is funded through federal tax credits and federal policy has addressed this issue since 2016 and I have not heard of any concerns. TDHCA needs to pull the damn rule. This is bureaucracy on top of bureaucracy,” White wrote.
We agree.
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs must drop the proposed rule before it votes on its plan next month. If it fails to do so, then it will be up to Gov. Greg Abbott to reject the change.
In the past, Abbott has railed against Austin’s homeless policies. It would be hypocritical and foolish for the state to take away one of the best ways to fight the problem.
___
Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 23, 2020
Our Editorial Board’s recommendation for voters in Arlington-area battle for Congress
Fewer things are less fun in politics than being in the minority in the U.S. House.
The majority controls all the committees, the most powerful positions and the flow of legislation. It’s even harder if you’re a first-term lawmaker; without either seniority or party power, it’s hard to be effective.
Rep. Ron Wright, a Republican finishing up his two-year term under those circumstances, has nonetheless found ways to be effective, often in a bipartisan way. He’s earned a second term representing the 6th District, which covers much of Arlington and Mansfield and counties southeast of Tarrant.
Wright, 67, is capping a career of service. He worked for his predecessor, Rep. Joe Barton, in North Texas and in Washington, giving him extensive knowledge of the district and a leg up on how Congress operates. Before winning the seat in 2018, he was also Tarrant County tax assessor-collector and Arlington mayor pro tem.
He’s a rock-solid conservative, to the point of joining the House Freedom Caucus. That group has often created headaches for GOP leadership by drawing a hard line on tax and spending compromises. Wright, however, lacks the rough edges of many of his colleagues, and his views reflect much of his district.
If any Democrat were to win the district, it would be one such as Wright’s opponent this year, Stephen Daniel. The 44-year-old lawyer and small business owner is largely a political neophyte. He’s running as a moderate focused on health care, favoring a public option that allows Americans to access Medicare-style coverage, rather than a single-payer system.
While Democrats are expressing some hope that Wright could be vulnerable if a major Democratic sweep materializes, Daniel needs a little more seasoning before he’s ready for Congress.
Wright, however, hit the ground running. He’s worked with Democratic colleagues, including Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth, on issues such as improving internet access in developing countries and infrastructure security.
The Wright-Daniel race has been a relatively sleepy contest. The pandemic, of course, has dampened campaigns, and Wright’s ongoing battle with lung cancer, including a recent hospitalization for pneumonia, has limited his activity. The incumbent says he’s feeling well and that his trial has given him perspective on the importance of good health coverage and the danger of a single-payer system.
Wright is advocating for protections against surprise bills, mandatory coverage of pre-existing conditions and efforts to curb drug prices. Too often, the health care debate is reduced to the fate of the Affordable Care Act or another attempt to completely overhaul the system. It’ll be more useful for lawmakers to try to tackle specific problems in a bipartisan way, though of course the details will determine the merit of such proposals.
In a joint interview with the Editorial Board, both candidates also emphasized the need to tackle the pandemic through expanded testing, economic relief and vaccine development. Wright might be a step too far on the “open everything now” side of the debate for our comfort, but he understands that no serious economic recovery is possible until the coronavirus is under control.
Wright’s experience and even temperament have served the 6th District and Tarrant County well for decades. There’s no reason for voters to fire him now.
___


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--St. Michael's College outbreak grows to 26

COLCHESTER , Vt. ( AP ) - An outbreak of the coronavirus at St. Michael ’ s College in Colchester @ @ @ @ @ on campus .
College leaders met with the Health Department on Sunday to discuss the @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 outbreak , WCAX-TV reported .
President Lorraine Sterritt sent a letter to students saying @ @ @ @ @ has a good chance to contain and manage the cases but only if everyone strictly @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus policies .
The 26 people are in isolation and 137 students who have been @ @ @ @ @ now in quarantine , Sterritt said .
The Health Department is continuing to do contact @ @ @ @ @ college to expect more positive cases .
Through Nov. 1 , all classes are now @ @ @ @ @ is take-out only and there will be no in-person activities .
All students are asked @ @ @ @ @ those who commute are asked not to come to the school .
All students on @ @ @ @ @ Saturday and those who are ending their quarantine will be tested this week .

The president of the University of Vermont said Monday that he will recommend to the board a freeze on tuition and room and board costs and a reduction in a student fee for next year.
He also wants to launch a fundraising campaign to raise $150 million in financial support for students as the school faces budget challenges exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Families are struggling,” said UVM President Suresh Garimella at a news briefing. He noted that UVM had the fourth highest tuition of any public university when the administration last looked.
“So it is critical that we do all we can to keep our tuition in check so that students are able to attend. So our hope is that more students see that UVM is a good bet not only because we’re making it financially feasible but because, as you know, we are probably among the top universities in the country in terms of handling COVID.”
A total of 27 UVM students have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Oct. 25, and the school has a cumulative test positivity rate of 0.03% going back to Aug. 7, a spokesman said.
UVM’s undergraduate enrollment this academic year is projected to be 9,939 students, down about 455 students from last year, a spokesman said.
Garimella said he believed that freezing tuition for a third year in a row will help to keep enrollment up, while raising tuition threatens to decrease it and is not the way to address the budget challenges that colleges and universities face, he said.
If approved, it would be the first time in more than 30 years that the school had not raised room and board.
“Universities throughout the nation are struggling. The economic impact of COVID-19 has been enormous, but it has also laid bare a financial model that must adapt to current realities and serve the best interests of our students,” he said.
In June, UVM announced budget cuts, and Garimella said a majority of the staff have taken cuts of up to 5% while all senior leaders have taken that 5% cut plus an additional 3.3% reduction. “So we’re all contributing,” he said, adding that he hopes that the faculty who are represented by the union will do the same. “Because I know we all care about our students and we want our students an education that is high quality but also affordable,” he said.
The fundraising for financial aid brings in other sources of revenue, he said, adding that he believed that over 80% of UVM students get some sort of scholarship support and 45% of Vermont students attend tuition-free.
“Of course it costs a lot of money and as the university faces more financial challenges we would like to keep up that support and to the extent possible enhance it,” he said.
In other developments related to the coronavirus in Vermont:
___
COLLEGE OUTBREAK
An outbreak of the coronavirus at St. Michael’s College in Colchester has grown to 28 cases on campus.
College leaders met with the Health Department on Sunday to discuss the next steps to control the outbreak on the 1,500-student campus, WCAX-TV reported.
President Lorraine Sterritt sent a letter to students saying health officials indicate the college has a good chance of containing and managing the cases, but only if everyone strictly follows the college’s policies.
The 28 people are in isolation, and about 140 students who have been identified as contacts and are now in quarantine, the news station said. The Health Department is continuing to do contact tracing and has told the college to expect more positive cases.
Through Nov. 1, all classes are now being held online, dining is takeout only and there will be no in-person activities. All students are asked to stay on campus, and those who commute are asked not to come to the school. All students on campus will be tested on Saturday, and those who are ending their quarantine will be tested this week.
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NUMBERS
The Vermont Health Department on Monday reported nine new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the statewide total since the pandemic began to more than 2,080.
Three people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19.
The number of deaths remains at 58. Vermont has not reported a COVID-19 fatality since July 28.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Police: 2 killed, 2 injured in suburban St. Louis house fire

JENNINGS , Mo .
( AP ) - Two people have been killed and two others injured in a house @ @ @ @ @ , police there said .
An 86-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man died in the @ @ @ @ @ , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported .
St. Louis County police had not released their @ @ @ @ @ Another man and woman were able to escape , police said , but the woman @ @ @ @ @ jumped from a second-floor window .
Officials have said the fire was accidental , but @ @ @ @ @ what is suspected to have caused the blaze .
Police did say that the cause @ @ @ @ @ St. Louis Regional Bomb and Arson Unit .
The county police Bureau of Crimes Against @ @ @ @ @ Jennings is about 7 miles ( 11.3 kilometers ) north of St. Louis .

JENNINGS, Mo. (AP) - A woman and her grandson were killed and two others injured in a house fire in suburban St. Louis, police there said.
Annie Simms, 86, and Michael Simms, 39, died in the Sunday afternoon fire in Jennings, St. Louis County police said Monday.
Another man and woman were able to escape, police said, but the woman broke a leg when she jumped from a second-floor window.
The fire was started by a cigarette, police said, and the St. Louis Regional Bomb and Arson Unit determined it was accidental.
Jennings is about 7 miles (11.3 kilometers) north of St. Louis.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Ant Group could raise nearly $35B in record share offering

HONG KONG ( AP ) - China ’ s Ant Group will try to raise nearly $ 35 billion in its initial public offering in Shanghai and Hong Kong , which would make it the largest share offering in history .
Alibaba-affiliated Ant Group , which operates a suite of financial products including the widely-used Alipay digital wallet in China and one of the world ’ s largest money market funds , will hold dual listings in Shanghai and Hong Kong .
Its Shanghai stock was priced at 68.8 yuan ( $ 10.26 ) each , while its Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars apiece ( $ 10.32 ) , according to filings on Monday .
The company will raise about $ 34.5 billion from the share offering , which is expected to surpass oil company Saudi Aramco ’ s $ 29 billion share sale last year , making Ant Group ’ s offering the biggest in the world .
Ant Group would be valued at about $ 280 billion .
If the company exercises its greenshoe option , which would allow it to sell more shares than initially planned , it could raise another $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about $ 320 billion .

HONG KONG (AP) — China’s Ant Group will try to raise nearly $35 billion in its initial public offering in Shanghai and Hong Kong, which would make it the largest share offering in history.
Alibaba-affiliated Ant Group, which operates a suite of financial products including the widely-used Alipay digital wallet in China and one of the world’s largest money market funds, will hold dual listings in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Its Shanghai stock was priced at 68.8 yuan ($10.26) each, while its Hong Kong stock is priced at 80 Hong Kong dollars apiece ($10.32), according to filings on Monday.
The company will raise about $34.5 billion from the share offering, which is expected to surpass oil company Saudi Aramco’s $29 billion share sale last year, making Ant Group’s offering the biggest in the world.
Ant Group would be valued at about $280 billion. If the company exercises its greenshoe option, which would allow it to sell more shares than initially planned, it could raise another $5.17 billion, taking its valuation to about $320 billion.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Merkel's party puts off choice of new leader for 2nd time

BERLIN ( AP ) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s party on Monday delayed for the second time a decision on who will become its new leader , putting off a convention planned for December in a coronavirus-prompted move that irked one of the top contenders .
Whoever wins the Christian Democratic Union ’ s leadership will be in pole position to become the center-right candidate to succeed Merkel as chancellor in a German election expected next fall , though that isn ’ t guaranteed .
Current leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer , Merkel ’ s immediate successor as party chairwoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She struggled to impose her authority before announcing in February that she wouldn ’ t run for chancellor in the 2021 election and would relinquish the party leadership .
A special April convention for about 1,000 delegates to choose the new CDU leader fell victim to the the first phase of the COVID-19 crisis .
The party put off the decision until a regular convention in Stuttgart on Dec. 4 .
With new virus infections rebounding in Germany as they are across Europe , and gatherings again being restricted in many places , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t go ahead either .
The party ’ s general secretary , Paul Ziemiak , said the leadership still hopes to hold a convention with delegates present .
It hopes to decide Dec. 14 on when the choice will be made ; and if not then , at a meeting scheduled for Jan. 15-16 .
Deciding the issue with an online vote isn ’ t currently legally possible , though the party is pushing for that to change .
If nothing else is possible , the party could hold an online convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
There are three main contenders for the CDU leadership : Friedrich Merz , a conservative former leader of its parliamentary group who spent years away from front-line politics ; Armin Laschet , the more liberal governor of North Rhine-Westphalia state ; and Norbert Roettgen , who chairs parliament ’ s foreign affairs committee .
The CDU ’ s poll ratings have been bolstered by the Merkel government ’ s management so far of the pandemic , and it has a strong lead .
But Merkel , 66 , has vowed not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Surveys suggest that Merz , who narrowly lost to Kramp-Karrenbauer in 2018 , is a favorite with the party ’ s grassroots , but he holds no government or other formal political post to bolster his profile .
Merz had pushed for a vote in December .
He criticized the delay before it was even officially announced , tweeting that it was “ a decision against the CDU rank and file.
” Earlier Wednesday , Merz - a one-time rival of Merkel , who ousted him as the party ’ s parliamentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ there are parts of the party establishment … that want to prevent me from becoming party chairman.
” Ziemiak said that “ there is no reason to assume that.
” “ We stand together as a party , and that goes for everyone , ” he said .
A decision on who runs for chancellor will have to be taken jointly with the Christian Social Union , the CDU ’ s Bavaria-only sister party .
The CSU leader , Bavarian governor Markus Soeder , is also widely considered a potential candidate .

BERLIN (AP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party on Monday delayed for the second time a decision on who will become its new leader, putting off a convention planned for December in a coronavirus-prompted move that irked one of the top contenders.
Whoever wins the Christian Democratic Union’s leadership will be in pole position to become the center-right candidate to succeed Merkel as chancellor in a German election expected next fall, though that isn’t guaranteed.
Current leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Merkel’s immediate successor as party chairwoman, took over in late 2018. She struggled to impose her authority before announcing in February that she wouldn’t run for chancellor in the 2021 election and would relinquish the party leadership.
A special April convention for about 1,000 delegates to choose the new CDU leader fell victim to the the first phase of the COVID-19 crisis. The party put off the decision until a regular convention in Stuttgart on Dec. 4.
With new virus infections rebounding in Germany as they are across Europe, and gatherings again being restricted in many places, officials concluded that the Stuttgart convention couldn’t go ahead either.
The party’s general secretary, Paul Ziemiak, said the leadership still hopes to hold a convention with delegates present. It hopes to decide Dec. 14 on when the choice will be made; and if not then, at a meeting scheduled for Jan. 15-16.
Deciding the issue with an online vote isn’t currently legally possible, though the party is pushing for that to change. If nothing else is possible, the party could hold an online convention followed by a mail-in vote, Ziemiak said.
There are three main contenders for the CDU leadership: Friedrich Merz, 64, a conservative former leader of its parliamentary group who spent years away from front-line politics; Armin Laschet, 59, the more liberal governor of North Rhine-Westphalia state; and Norbert Roettgen, 55, who chairs parliament’s foreign affairs committee.
The CDU’s poll ratings have been bolstered by the Merkel government’s management so far of the pandemic, and it has a strong lead. But Merkel, 66, has vowed not to seek a fifth term as chancellor.
Surveys suggest that Merz, who narrowly lost to Kramp-Karrenbauer in 2018, is a favorite with the party’s grassroots, but he holds no government or other formal political post to bolster his profile.
Merz had pushed for a vote in December. He criticized the delay before it was even officially announced, tweeting that it was “a decision against the CDU rank and file.”
Earlier Wednesday, Merz - a one-time rival of Merkel, who ousted him as the party’s parliamentary leader in 2002 - told ARD television “there are parts of the party establishment … that want to prevent me from becoming party chairman.”
Ziemiak said that “there is no reason to assume that.”
“We stand together as a party, and that goes for everyone,” he said.
A decision on who runs for chancellor will have to be taken jointly with the Christian Social Union, the CDU’s Bavaria-only sister party. The CSU leader, Bavarian governor Markus Soeder, 53, is also widely considered a potential candidate.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Power shut off in California as winds, fire danger increase

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) — Large swaths of California were without power Monday as utilities sought to prevent the chance of their equipment sparking wildfires while the fire-weary state was buffeted by powerful winds and dangerously dry weather conditions .
More than 1 million people were expected to be in the dark during what officials have said could be the strongest wind event in California this year .
North of San Francisco , a weather station on Mount St. Helena recorded a hurricane-force gust of 89 mph ( 143 kph ) late Sunday and sustained winds of 76 mph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday winds had calmed slightly , while still topping 60 mph ( 97 kph ) , the National Weather Service said .
“ While this is less than what we saw earlier , these winds are still strong and dry conditions prevail , ” the agency said on Twitter .
At lower elevations , gusts reached 50 mph ( 80 kph ) early Monday across the San Francisco Bay Area , where tens of thousands had their electricity turned off .
Officials extended a red flag warning through 5 p.m. Tuesday for East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the fifth time this year that Pacific Gas & Electric , the nation ’ s largest utility , has cut power to customers in a bid to reduce the risk that downed or fouled power lines or other equipment could ignite a blaze during bone-dry weather conditions and gusty winds .
On Sunday , the utility shut off power to 225,000 customers in Northern California and later did the same for another 136,000 customers in a total of 36 counties .
“ This event is by far the largest we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extreme weather , ” said Aaron Johnson , the utility ’ s vice president of wildfire safety and public engagement .
“ We ’ re trying to find ways to make the events less difficult.
” Crews were able to quickly contain small fires that broke out Sunday in Sonoma and Shasta counties .
The causes were under investigation .
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for much of the state , predicting winds of up to 35 mph ( 56 kph ) in lower elevations and more than 70 mph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Southern California .
The concern is that any spark could be blown into flames sweeping through tinder-dry brush and forestland .
The conditions could equal those during devastating fires in California ’ s wine country in 2017 and last year ’ s Kincade Fire , the National Weather Service said .
Fire officials said PG & E transmission lines sparked that Sonoma County fire last October , which destroyed hundreds of homes and caused nearly 100,000 people to flee .
Weather conditions shifted in Northern California on Sunday , with humidity dropping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scott Strenfel , senior meteorologist for PG & E .
He said another round of winds is expected Monday night .
Southern California , which saw cooler temperatures and patchy drizzle over the weekend , saw extreme fire weather move in late Sunday .
Southern California Edison said it was considering safety outages for 71,000 customers in six counties starting Monday , with San Bernardino County potentially the most affected .
Los Angeles County urged residents to sign up for emergency notifications and prepare to evacuate , preferably arranging to stay with family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t suspected to have the coronavirus .
Local fire officials boosted staffing as a precaution .
“ The reality is come midnight and through Tuesday we ’ re going to be in the most significant red flag conditions we ’ ve had this year , ” said Kevin McGowan , director of the county ’ s Office of Emergency Management .
Scientists say climate change has made California much drier , meaning trees and other plants are more flammable .
Traditionally October and November are the worst months for fires , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen more than 8,600 wildfires that have scorched a record 6,400 square miles ( 16,576 square kilometers ) and destroyed about 9,200 homes , businesses and other structures .
There have been 31 deaths .
Many of this year ’ s devastating fires were started by thousands of dry lightning strikes , but some remain under investigation for potential electrical causes .
While the biggest fires in California have been fully or significantly contained , more than 5,000 firefighters remain committed to 20 blazes , including a dozen major incidents , state fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the planned outages are a safety measure and understood they burden residents , especially with many working from home and their children taking classes online because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Sheriff Kory Honea of Butte County said he ’ s concerned about residents in foothill communities during the blackouts because cellular service can be spotty and it ’ s the only way many can stay informed when the power is out .
“ It is quite a strain on them to have to go through these over and over and over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported from Orange County , California .
Associated Press writer Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report .

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Large swaths of California were without power Monday as utilities sought to prevent the chance of their equipment sparking wildfires while the fire-weary state was buffeted by powerful winds and dangerously dry weather conditions.
More than 1 million people were expected to be in the dark during what officials have said could be the strongest wind event in California this year.
North of San Francisco, a weather station on Mount St. Helena recorded a hurricane-force gust of 89 mph (143 kph) late Sunday and sustained winds of 76 mph (122 kph). By early Monday winds had calmed slightly, while still topping 60 mph (97 kph), the National Weather Service said.
“While this is less than what we saw earlier, these winds are still strong and dry conditions prevail,” the agency said on Twitter.
At lower elevations, gusts reached 50 mph (80 kph) early Monday across the San Francisco Bay Area, where tens of thousands had their electricity turned off. Officials extended a red flag warning through 5 p.m. Tuesday for East and North Bay mountain areas.
It’s the fifth time this year that Pacific Gas & Electric, the nation’s largest utility, has cut power to customers in a bid to reduce the risk that downed or fouled power lines or other equipment could ignite a blaze during bone-dry weather conditions and gusty winds. On Sunday, the utility shut off power to 225,000 customers in Northern California and later did the same for another 136,000 customers in a total of 36 counties.
“This event is by far the largest we’ve experienced this year, the most extreme weather,” said Aaron Johnson, the utility’s vice president of wildfire safety and public engagement. “We’re trying to find ways to make the events less difficult.”
Crews were able to quickly contain small fires that broke out Sunday in Sonoma and Shasta counties. The causes were under investigation.
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for much of the state, predicting winds of up to 35 mph (56 kph) in lower elevations and more than 70 mph (113 kph) in mountainous areas of Southern California. The concern is that any spark could be blown into flames sweeping through tinder-dry brush and forestland.
The conditions could equal those during devastating fires in California’s wine country in 2017 and last year’s Kincade Fire, the National Weather Service said. Fire officials said PG&E transmission lines sparked that Sonoma County fire last October, which destroyed hundreds of homes and caused nearly 100,000 people to flee.
Weather conditions shifted in Northern California on Sunday, with humidity dropping and winds picking up speed, said Scott Strenfel, senior meteorologist for PG&E. He said another round of winds is expected Monday night.
Southern California, which saw cooler temperatures and patchy drizzle over the weekend, saw extreme fire weather move in late Sunday. Southern California Edison said it was considering safety outages for 71,000 customers in six counties starting Monday, with San Bernardino County potentially the most affected.
Los Angeles County urged residents to sign up for emergency notifications and prepare to evacuate, preferably arranging to stay with family or friends in less risky areas who aren’t suspected to have the coronavirus. Local fire officials boosted staffing as a precaution.
“The reality is come midnight and through Tuesday we’re going to be in the most significant red flag conditions we’ve had this year,” said Kevin McGowan, director of the county’s Office of Emergency Management.
Scientists say climate change has made California much drier, meaning trees and other plants are more flammable. Traditionally October and November are the worst months for fires, but already this year the state has seen more than 8,600 wildfires that have scorched a record 6,400 square miles (16,576 square kilometers) and destroyed about 9,200 homes, businesses and other structures. There have been 31 deaths.
Many of this year’s devastating fires were started by thousands of dry lightning strikes, but some remain under investigation for potential electrical causes. While the biggest fires in California have been fully or significantly contained, more than 5,000 firefighters remain committed to 20 blazes, including a dozen major incidents, state fire officials said.
PG&E officials said the planned outages are a safety measure and understood they burden residents, especially with many working from home and their children taking classes online because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sheriff Kory Honea of Butte County said he’s concerned about residents in foothill communities during the blackouts because cellular service can be spotty and it’s the only way many can stay informed when the power is out.
“It is quite a strain on them to have to go through these over and over and over again,” he said.
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Taxin reported from Orange County, California. Associated Press writer Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--1 killed when small plane crashes in Lubbock neighborhood

LUBBOCK , Texas ( AP ) - The lone occupant of a small plane was killed Monday when the aircraft @ @ @ @ @ in a Lubbock neighborhood and burst into flames , officials said .
The single-engine Cessna @ @ @ @ @ New Mexico , crashed about 4 p.m. Monday while heading toward the Lubbock Preston Smith @ @ @ @ @ Aviation Administration said in a statement .
The crash site was about seven miles ( @ @ @ @ @ the airport in a mixed residential , commercial and industrial neighborhood .
The burning wreckage @ @ @ @ @ a fence and into a back yard , according to Lubbock fire Lt. Philip Grandon @ @ @ @ @ dead at the scene , he said , adding that no surrounding structures were damaged @ @ @ @ @ identity was withheld and no cause for the crash has been determined .
The National @ @ @ @ @ FAA will investigate .

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - The lone occupant of a small plane was killed Monday when the aircraft crashed into a back alley in a Lubbock neighborhood and burst into flames, officials said.
The single-engine Cessna Centurion out of Belen, New Mexico, crashed about 4 p.m. Monday while heading toward the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. The crash site was about seven miles (11 kilometers) south of the airport in a mixed residential, commercial and industrial neighborhood.
The burning wreckage slid from the alley through a fence and into a back yard, according to Lubbock fire Lt. Philip Grandon. The occupant inside was dead at the scene, he said, adding that no surrounding structures were damaged.
The pilot’s identity was withheld and no cause for the crash has been determined. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA will investigate.