washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Study: City of Peru has thousands of flood-prone properties

PERU , Ind .
( AP ) - A northern Indiana city that sits along the Wabash River is home to thousands more flood-prone homes and properties than are listed on federal floodplain maps , new research shows .
The study by the First Street Foundation , a nonprofit research and technology group , found that 4,859 parcels of land in the city of Peru are at risk of flooding .
That ’ s nearly 600 % more Peru properties than the 712 listed on the Federal Emergency Management Agency ’ s current floodplain maps .
Those nearly 4,900 flood-prone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the properties in the Miami County seat , raising concerns about insurance rates and economic development in the city , located about 70 miles ( 112 kilometers ) north of Indianapolis .
The study ’ s findings mean that Peru has Indiana ’ s highest proportion of properties at risk of flooding , and that it ranks 8th in the state for overall total properties at risk , the Kokomo Tribune reported .
Jim Tidd , executive director of the Miami County Economic Development Authority , said county officials are seeking a proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the study ’ s finding are accurate .
“ We want to take it seriously , especially considering the percentage of land the study suggests should be reclassified in some way , ” Tidd said .
“ When you ’ re talking about that amount of homes , that ’ s a significant impact in Miami County , whether it ’ s in Peru or anywhere else.
” If the study ’ s numbers are valid , the expansion of flood-prone areas in Peru could create a serious hurdle for the construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance costs for some homeowners and businesses .
But Tidd said he questioned some of the study ’ s numbers because he said Peru hasn ’ t experienced any serious flooding since the Mississinewa Dam was built nearby in 1967 to control the Wabash River ’ s water level .

PERU, Ind. (AP) - A northern Indiana city that sits along the Wabash River is home to thousands more flood-prone homes and properties than are listed on federal floodplain maps, new research shows.
The study by the First Street Foundation, a nonprofit research and technology group, found that 4,859 parcels of land in the city of Peru are at risk of flooding. That’s nearly 600% more Peru properties than the 712 listed on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s current floodplain maps.
Those nearly 4,900 flood-prone properties represent about 81% of all the properties in the Miami County seat, raising concerns about insurance rates and economic development in the city, located about 70 miles (112 kilometers) north of Indianapolis.
The study’s findings mean that Peru has Indiana’s highest proportion of properties at risk of flooding, and that it ranks 8th in the state for overall total properties at risk, the Kokomo Tribune reported.
Jim Tidd, executive director of the Miami County Economic Development Authority, said county officials are seeking a proposal from a civil engineering firm to determine if the study’s finding are accurate.
“We want to take it seriously, especially considering the percentage of land the study suggests should be reclassified in some way,” Tidd said. “When you’re talking about that amount of homes, that’s a significant impact in Miami County, whether it’s in Peru or anywhere else.”
If the study’s numbers are valid, the expansion of flood-prone areas in Peru could create a serious hurdle for the construction of new houses and lead to higher insurance costs for some homeowners and businesses.
But Tidd said he questioned some of the study’s numbers because he said Peru hasn’t experienced any serious flooding since the Mississinewa Dam was built nearby in 1967 to control the Wabash River’s water level.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--St. Louis police say 29-year-old officer dies after being shot while responding to a shooting on cit

ST. LOUIS ( AP ) - St. Louis police say 29-year-old officer dies after being shot while responding to a @ @ @ @ @ south side .

ST. LOUIS (AP) - St. Louis police say 29-year-old officer dies after being shot while responding to a shooting on city’s south side.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Kate Brown, Oregon governor, surges police to quell Portland riots

Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown announced plans Sunday to surge police into Portland — including FBI agents — to get a handle on violence that has continued nightly over the last few months .
Ms. Brown , a Democrat , blamed the violence on right-wing groups she said were “ looking for a fight , ” though the vast majority of mayhem since late May has been Antifa or Black Lives Matter protesters who have engaged in near-nightly clashes with police .
She acknowledged those clashes have stretched the Portland Police Bureau to its limits and it needs assistance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Multnomah County Sheriff ’ s Office that encompasses Portland , and deputies from neighboring jurisdictions of Clackamas and Washington counties and the city of Gresham will all provide resources .
Ms. Brown also said the Multnomah County district attorney will prosecute “ serious criminal offenses.
” He had declined prosecution in a number of cases stemming from the riots , leaving police to complain that rioters were acting with impunity .
Even though her actions involved more police — the solution President Trump has called for — her statement took pains to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prayer organization that conducted a pro-Trump caravan through Portland on Saturday .
One member of the group was killed in the aftermath , and other Patriot Prayer members said he was “ executed ” by Antifa demonstrators .
“ The right-wing group Patriot Prayer and self-proclaimed militia members drove into downtown Portland last night , armed and looking for a fight , ” she said .
“ Every Oregonian has the right to freely express their views without fear of deadly violence .
I will not allow Patriot Prayer and armed white supremacists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Ms. Brown said .
The move to surge police is an about-face for Ms. Brown and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler , who spent months saying policing was not the solution to the near-nightly chaos .
They also both insisted things would calm down when federal agents and officers , deployed to protect the federal courthouse that had been the scene of nightly attacks throughout July , took a lower profile .
Instead , after the federal presences was cut back , rioters turned their attention on city and county offices , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hall last week .
“ We all must come together — elected officials , community leaders , all of us — to stop the cycle of violence , ” Ms. Brown said .
“ But this is only the first step .
Real change will come from the hard work to achieve racial justice .
And it starts with all of us listening to each other , and working together .

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced plans Sunday to surge police into Portland — including FBI agents — to get a handle on violence that has continued nightly over the last few months.
Ms. Brown, a Democrat, blamed the violence on right-wing groups she said were “looking for a fight,” though the vast majority of mayhem since late May has been Antifa or Black Lives Matter protesters who have engaged in near-nightly clashes with police.
She acknowledged those clashes have stretched the Portland Police Bureau to its limits and it needs assistance. So she said Oregon State Police, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office that encompasses Portland, and deputies from neighboring jurisdictions of Clackamas and Washington counties and the city of Gresham will all provide resources.
Ms. Brown also said the Multnomah County district attorney will prosecute “serious criminal offenses.”
He had declined prosecution in a number of cases stemming from the riots, leaving police to complain that rioters were acting with impunity.
Even though her actions involved more police — the solution President Trump has called for — her statement took pains to bash his supporters, including the Patriot Prayer organization that conducted a pro-Trump caravan through Portland on Saturday.
One member of the group was killed in the aftermath, and other Patriot Prayer members said he was “executed” by Antifa demonstrators.
Ms. Brown, though, blamed the pro-Trump groups.
“The right-wing group Patriot Prayer and self-proclaimed militia members drove into downtown Portland last night, armed and looking for a fight,” she said.
“Every Oregonian has the right to freely express their views without fear of deadly violence. I will not allow Patriot Prayer and armed white supremacists to bring more bloodshed to our streets,” Ms. Brown said.
The move to surge police is an about-face for Ms. Brown and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, who spent months saying policing was not the solution to the near-nightly chaos.
They also both insisted things would calm down when federal agents and officers, deployed to protect the federal courthouse that had been the scene of nightly attacks throughout July, took a lower profile.
Instead, after the federal presences was cut back, rioters turned their attention on city and county offices, including breaking into Portland’s city hall last week.
“We all must come together — elected officials, community leaders, all of us — to stop the cycle of violence,” Ms. Brown said. “But this is only the first step. Real change will come from the hard work to achieve racial justice. And it starts with all of us listening to each other, and working together.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Athletes sign letter of solidarity with Invest In Us

MADISON , Wis. ( AP ) - More than 40 professional athletes signed a letter in solidarity with the Invest @ @ @ @ @ accountability for the Wisconsin police officer who shot Jacob Blake .
The athletes - including @ @ @ @ @ New Orleans linebacker Demario Davis , soccer star Megan Rapinoe , the WNBA ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Donne , and former NFL players Doug Baldwin and Michael Bennett - also called for @ @ @ @ @ violence and gun violence in Black and brown communities .
Invest In Us is a @ @ @ @ @ advocacy organizations , including : 50 miles More , Wisconsin Urban League , Wisconsin Black @ @ @ @ @ Against Gun Violence , Color of Change , Community Justice Action Fund and March For @ @ @

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - More than 40 professional athletes signed a letter in solidarity with the Invest In Us coalition, demanding accountability for the Wisconsin police officer who shot Jacob Blake.
The athletes - including former boxer Laila Ali, New Orleans linebacker Demario Davis, soccer star Megan Rapinoe, the WNBA’s Diana Taurasi and Elena Delle Donne, and former NFL players Doug Baldwin and Michael Bennett - also called for real investments to end police violence and gun violence in Black and brown communities.
Invest In Us is a coalition of Wisconsin-based and national advocacy organizations, including: 50 miles More, Wisconsin Urban League, Wisconsin Black Caucus, Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Color of Change, Community Justice Action Fund and March For Our Lives.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--California Senate OKs state reviews for police shootings

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - The California Senate voted Sunday to require the state ’ s top prosecutor to investigate all police shootings that kill an unarmed civilian , advancing one of the highest profile reforms introduced this year in response to the killing of George Floyd .
The Senate OK ’ d the bill despite opposition from Attorney General Xavier Becerra , who has called a previous version of the bill “ untenable and unreasonable ” because it would cost his office up to $ 80 million a year .
But the legislation easily got enough votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will soon head toward a final vote in the state Assembly .
“ I can assure you if white Americans were being killed at the same rate as African Americans and Latinos are being killed , not only in this state but across this country , you would be calling for the disbandment of police departments all across this state , ” said Sen. Steven Bradford , a Democrat from Gardena .
“ Because it is black and brown people , people that you have never ever truly valued their lives in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ Oh , they must have deserved it.
’ ” Becerra opposed an earlier version of the bill , which would have given local law enforcement agencies discretion to ask for an investigation .
Becerra ’ s office has said it is still reviewing the latest amendments .
Assemblyman Kevin McCarty , a Democrat from Sacramento , has tried for years to get the bill passed but has been unable to overcome objections from the Attorney General ’ s Office .
This year , Floyd ’ s killing in police custody has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed reforms to the forefront in state Legislatures .
That momentum also led the Senate on Sunday to approve legislation that would ban police officers from using choke holds and carotid holds .
A choke hold applies pressure to a person ’ s windpipe while a carotid hold applies pressure to a person ’ s carotid artery , which slows the flow of blood to the brain .
Most law enforcement agencies in California have already banned choke holds after state and federal courts have found departments that use them are liable for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injury .
But the carotid hold is more common .
Floyd died after a police officer put his knee on Floyd ’ s neck .
It wasn ’ t a carotid hold , but the incident - which was filmed and quickly spread on social media - prompted police departments to rethink their use of dangerous neck holds .
Police departments in Los Angeles , San Francisco and San Diego banned the use of carotid holds .
Newsom also ordered the Commission on Police Officer Standards to stop teaching officers how to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support similar bills and many of them abstained from voting on Sunday .
Sen. Jim Nielsen , a Republican from Red Bluff , voted against the bill requiring independent investigations of police shootings , calling it “ another overreaction.
” “ This is really headed towards open season on law enforcement professionals who sacrifice their lives every day for us , ” Nielsen said .
Sen. Holly Mitchell , a Democrat from Los Angeles , scoffed at those comments , calling the legislation an “ appropriate level of accountability.
” “ How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not honoring law enforcement ?
” Mitchell said .
The bill also faces objections from police reform groups that say it doesn ’ t go far enough to create an independent investigator .
They believe the attorney general ’ s office is too tied to law enforcement .
The legislation sets up an odd battle between Democratic lawmakers who control the Legislature and the state ’ s top law enforcement officer , also a progressive Democrat .
“ If he wanted to , he could prioritize independent investigations for police deadly force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sacramento .
“ He could join five other states , embrace this common sense reform and be on the right side of history.
” Becerra has said his office has often intervened to investigate killings by police , including the 2018 fatal shooting of vandalism suspect Stephon Clark in Sacramento .
His office currently is investigating allegations police in Vallejo in the San Francisco Bay Area acted improperly when they killed Sean Monterrosa while responding to a looting call during recent protests , then destroyed key evidence .
Clark was found with only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hammer .
McCarty ’ s bill would make those investigations mandatory by a department that already lacks sufficient resources , Becerra said in a letter of opposition even before the bill was amended .
“ We are not equipped or resourced to take on this work on a routine basis , ” Becerra said .
“ Our small team of investigators and prosecutors have not a fraction of the capacity possessed by our local partners .
”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California is close to requiring independent investigations any time police kill an unarmed civilian, a move that would strip authority from local prosecutors at a time of heightened distrust between law enforcement and communities of color.
But the proposal that easily passed the state Senate on Sunday with bipartisan support has faced opposition from a number of police groups, including the state’s top law enforcement officer who has called a previous version of the bill “untenable and unreasonable” because it would cost his office up to $80 million per year.
The vote potentially pits the state’s Democratic majority in the state Legislature against Attorney General Xavier Becerra, himself a progressive Democrat. Becerra opposed an earlier version of the bill, which would have required him to investigate anytime a local law enforcement agency asked.
The latest bill, which is headed for a final vote in the state Assembly, requires Becerra’s office to investigate anytime a police officer uses force and an unarmed civilian is killed. Becerra’s office has said it is still reviewing this latest change.
The proposal is one of the highest-profile reforms filed this year in response to the killing of George Floyd, who died in May after a police officer put his knee on his neck for several minutes. Floyd’s death, and others since, have prompted worldwide protests that have included professional sports teams canceling games and thousands of protesters taking to the streets.
The bill prompted emotional debate in the state Senate, with Sen. Steven Bradford, who is Black, saying if white Americans were being killed at the same rate as African Americans and Latinos “you would be calling for the disbandment of police departments all across this state.”
“Because it is black and brown people, people that you have never ever truly valued their lives in this country, it’s like, ‘Oh, they must have deserved it,’” Bradford said.
This is Assemblyman Kevin McCarty’s third try at passing this bill. But the momentum of this year’s protests have pushed reforms like this one to the forefront in state Legislatures.
That momentum also led the Senate on Sunday to approve legislation that would ban police officers from using choke holds and carotid holds. A choke hold applies pressure to a person’s windpipe while a carotid hold applies pressure to a person’s carotid artery, which slows the flow of blood to the brain.
Most law enforcement agencies in California have already banned choke holds after state and federal courts have found departments that use them are liable for damages in cases of death or serious injury. But the carotid hold is more common.
Floyd died after a police officer put his knee on Floyd’s neck. It wasn’t a carotid hold, but the incident - which was filmed and quickly spread on social media - prompted police departments to rethink their use of dangerous neck holds.
“We are turning the corner. Change is in the air,” said Assemblyman Mike Gipson, a Democrat from Carson and the author of the bill.
Sen. Jim Nielsen, a Republican from Red Bluff, voted against both bills on Sunday, saying mandated independent investigations of police shootings would be “another overreaction.”
“This is really headed towards open season on law enforcement professionals who sacrifice their lives every day for us,” Nielsen said.
Sen. Holly Mitchell, a Democrat from Los Angeles, scoffed at those comments, calling the legislation an “appropriate level of accountability.”
“How, pray tell, is that disrespecting and not honoring law enforcement?” Mitchell said.
McCarty has criticized the Attorney General for not supporting the bill, saying he could prioritize independent investigations for police deadly force “if he wanted to,” saying it would put him “on the right side of history.”
Becerra has said his office has often intervened to investigate killings by police, including the 2018 fatal shooting of vandalism suspect Stephon Clark in Sacramento. His office currently is investigating allegations police in Vallejo in the San Francisco Bay Area acted improperly when they killed Sean Monterrosa while responding to a looting call during recent protests, then destroyed key evidence.
Clark was found with only a cellphone; Monterrosa with only a hammer.
McCarty’s bill would make those investigations mandatory by a department that already lacks sufficient resources, Becerra said in a letter of opposition even before the bill was amended.
“We are not equipped or resourced to take on this work on a routine basis,” Becerra said. “Our small team of investigators and prosecutors have not a fraction of the capacity possessed by our local partners.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Donald Trump, Democrats trade blame for unrest

Antifa protesters and pro-Trump demonstrators clashed in Portland , Oregon , this weekend , leaving one man dead and sparking a round of finger-pointing at the national level as President Trump blamed local officials for allowing violence to surge .
Members of the Patriot Prayer group , a right-wing outfit , said the man who died was one of theirs , and they blamed Black Lives Matter protesters and Antifa for his death .
Portland police did not confirm the man ’ s identity or affiliation .
“ The only way you will stop the violence in the high crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr. Trump said in a Twitter post , taking a particular swipe at Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler , who he called “ a fool for a mayor.
” The president has said riots and violence in Portland , Seattle and Wisconsin will spread to the rest of the country if Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden wins November ’ s election .
Mr. Biden said the violence is happening under Mr. Trump .
“ The job of a president is to lower the temperature , ” he said .
“ Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The temperature in the country is higher , tensions run stronger , divisions run deeper .
And all of us are less safe because Donald Trump can ’ t do the job of the American president.
” Mr. Wheeler , meanwhile , held a press conference to take accountability for the city ’ s three months of unrest , but he also blamed Mr. Trump for stoking it .
He said the president has been “ perpetrating divisive and hateful language for four years.
” “ It ’ s you who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Mr. Wheeler , directly addressing the president .
“ You have tried to divide us more than any other figure in modern history , and now you want me to stop the violence that you helped to create.
” He said the violence from the left is the result of “ systematic injustices ” that Mr. Trump has an obligation to resolve at the national level .
Saturday marked three months since the first Portland riots after the death of George Floyd , a Black man , in Minneapolis .
Vandalism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as BLM protesters march through city streets , though police say the mayhem is conducted by a smaller contingent .
For a second weekend in a row , Trump supporters conducted a demonstration in Portland .
This Saturday , it consisted of a caravan of hundreds of vehicles stretching miles and clogging city streets .
They were confronted by left-wing protesters .
Police said insults were exchanged and some fights broke out .
The caravan had ended and most of the cars had departed when the shots rang out .
Members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media to say the man killed was one of them .
A GoFundMe campaign identified him as Aaron “ Jay ” Danielson , though others said he also went by Jay Bishop .
The campaign raised thousands of dollars for the man ’ s family in just an hour Sunday evening .
“ BLM/antifa murdered my friend , ” Haley Adams , one of the Patriot Prayer members , said on Twitter .
The Portland Police Bureau said the shooting was likely captured on video , which has been ubiquitous throughout the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come forward and detail what happened .
“ It is still early in this investigation , and I ask everyone to give the detectives time to do their important work before drawing conclusions about what took place , ” said Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell .
“ If anyone can provide information about this case , I ask them to please reach out to our detectives .
This violence is completely unacceptable , and we are working diligently to find and apprehend the individual or individuals responsible.
” He appeared at Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the two men said they tried to monitor the competing demonstrations but the number of potential flashpoints was overwhelming .
Chief Lovell also pointed out that his forces have been stretched thin because of the nightly mayhem that has accompanied the racial justice protests .
Mr. Wheeler and Chief Lovell said peaceful marches are the way to demand change , and they condemned violence .
So did Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown — though in her statement , while acknowledging that she didn ’ t know the details of the killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
“ For the last several years , and escalating in recent months , President Trump has encouraged division and stoked violence .
It happened in Charlottesville .
It happened in Kenosha .
And now , unfortunately , it is happening in Portland , Oregon , ” she said .
“ But despite the president ’ s jeers and tweets , this is a matter of life and death , ” she said .
“ Whether it ’ s his completely incompetent response to the pandemic , where nearly 200,000 have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our streets : it should be clear to everyone by now that no one is truly safe with Donald Trump as president.
” In addition to the death in Oregon , two men were fatally shot in Kenosha , Wisconsin , during rioting last week .
A 17-year-old pro-police demonstrator , Kyle Rittenhouse , has been charged .
The Kenosha riots followed a police shooting of Jacob Blake , a 29-year-old Black man .
Mr. Blake is in a hospital and has been left paralyzed by the shooting .
Rioters last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House after Mr. Trump ’ s speech accepting the Republican Party ’ s presidential nomination .
Mr. Trump will head to Kenosha on Tuesday to meet with law enforcement and review the damage from rioting .
Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers , a Democrat , wrote a letter Sunday evening urging him not to come .
He said a visit would add pressure to already stretched local law enforcement .
Mr. Biden , meanwhile , has scheduled a speech for Monday to address the violent incidents and connect them to the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Are you safe in Donald Trump ’ s America ?
” The administration has said unrest after the Memorial Day killing of Floyd has occurred in Democrat-run cities that have let the protests erupt into looting , violence and arson .
If governors had taken action early , using law enforcement to stop the unrest and help from the federal government , the deaths could have been avoided , said Chad Wolf , acting secretary of Homeland Security .
“ If you take early action , you can address this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want , ” he told ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” “ We need to bring some normalcy back to Portland , ” Mr. Wolf said .
Mr. Evers asked for the National Guard to deploy , and violence quickly quelled .
Mr. Trump has urged Ms. Brown in Oregon to request the Guard there too .
Mr. Wheeler said Sunday that he has asked twice for the Guard , but the governor has rebuffed him .
Mr. Wheeler said he now thinks city police , county sheriff ’ s deputies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Stephen Dinan, Alex Swoyer and Alex Swoyer, Stephen Dinan

Antifa protesters and pro-Trump demonstrators clashed in Portland, Oregon, this weekend, leaving one man dead and sparking a round of finger-pointing at the national level as President Trump blamed local officials for allowing violence to surge.
Members of the Patriot Prayer group, a right-wing outfit, said the man who died was one of theirs, and they blamed Black Lives Matter protesters and Antifa for his death. Portland police did not confirm the man’s identity or affiliation.
“The only way you will stop the violence in the high crime Democrat run cities is through strength!” Mr. Trump said in a Twitter post, taking a particular swipe at Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, who he called “a fool for a mayor.”
The president has said riots and violence in Portland, Seattle and Wisconsin will spread to the rest of the country if Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden wins November’s election.
Mr. Biden said the violence is happening under Mr. Trump.
“The job of a president is to lower the temperature,” he said. “Donald Trump has been president for almost four years. The temperature in the country is higher, tensions run stronger, divisions run deeper. And all of us are less safe because Donald Trump can’t do the job of the American president.”
Mr. Wheeler, meanwhile, held a press conference to take accountability for the city’s three months of unrest, but he also blamed Mr. Trump for stoking it. He said the president has been “perpetrating divisive and hateful language for four years.”
“It’s you who have created the hate and division,” said Mr. Wheeler, directly addressing the president. “You have tried to divide us more than any other figure in modern history, and now you want me to stop the violence that you helped to create.”
He said the violence from the left is the result of “systematic injustices” that Mr. Trump has an obligation to resolve at the national level.
Saturday marked three months since the first Portland riots after the death of George Floyd, a Black man, in Minneapolis. Vandalism and fires have erupted nearly every night since as BLM protesters march through city streets, though police say the mayhem is conducted by a smaller contingent.
For a second weekend in a row, Trump supporters conducted a demonstration in Portland. This Saturday, it consisted of a caravan of hundreds of vehicles stretching miles and clogging city streets.
They were confronted by left-wing protesters. Police said insults were exchanged and some fights broke out.
The caravan had ended and most of the cars had departed when the shots rang out.
Members of the pro-Trump Patriot Prayer organization took to social media to say the man killed was one of them. A GoFundMe campaign identified him as Aaron “Jay” Danielson, though others said he also went by Jay Bishop. The campaign raised thousands of dollars for the man’s family in just an hour Sunday evening.
“BLM/antifa murdered my friend,” Haley Adams, one of the Patriot Prayer members, said on Twitter.
The Portland Police Bureau said the shooting was likely captured on video, which has been ubiquitous throughout the three months of mayhem. Investigators begged people to come forward and detail what happened.
“It is still early in this investigation, and I ask everyone to give the detectives time to do their important work before drawing conclusions about what took place,” said Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell. “If anyone can provide information about this case, I ask them to please reach out to our detectives. This violence is completely unacceptable, and we are working diligently to find and apprehend the individual or individuals responsible.”
He appeared at Sunday’s press conference with Mr. Wheeler, and the two men said they tried to monitor the competing demonstrations but the number of potential flashpoints was overwhelming.
Chief Lovell also pointed out that his forces have been stretched thin because of the nightly mayhem that has accompanied the racial justice protests.
Mr. Wheeler and Chief Lovell said peaceful marches are the way to demand change, and they condemned violence.
So did Oregon Gov. Kate Brown — though in her statement, while acknowledging that she didn’t know the details of the killing, she praised BLM and blamed Mr. Trump.
“For the last several years, and escalating in recent months, President Trump has encouraged division and stoked violence. It happened in Charlottesville. It happened in Kenosha. And now, unfortunately, it is happening in Portland, Oregon,” she said.
“But despite the president’s jeers and tweets, this is a matter of life and death,” she said. “Whether it’s his completely incompetent response to the pandemic, where nearly 200,000 have died, or his outright encouragement of violence in our streets: it should be clear to everyone by now that no one is truly safe with Donald Trump as president.”
Still, Ms. Brown announced plans to surge more police to deal with the mayhem, adopting the very position Mr. Trump had urged.
She said the nightly clashes between protesters and officers have stretched the Portland Police Bureau to its limits and it needs assistance.
The governor said Oregon State Police, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office that encompasses Portland, and deputies from neighboring jurisdictions of Clackamas and Washington counties and the city of Gresham will all provide resources.
Ms. Brown also said the Multnomah County district attorney will prosecute “serious criminal offenses.”
He had declined prosecution in a number of cases stemming from the riots, leaving police to complain that rioters were acting with impunity.
In addition to Saturday’s death in Oregon, two men were fatally shot in Kenosha, Wisconsin, during rioting last week. A 17-year-old pro-police demonstrator, Kyle Rittenhouse, has been charged.
The Kenosha riots followed a police shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man. Mr. Blake is in a hospital and has been left paralyzed by the shooting.
Rioters last week also mobbed guests as they departed the White House after Mr. Trump’s speech accepting the Republican Party’s presidential nomination.
Mr. Trump will head to Kenosha on Tuesday to meet with law enforcement and review the damage from rioting.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, wrote a letter Sunday evening urging him not to come. He said a visit would add pressure to already stretched local law enforcement.
Mr. Biden, meanwhile, has scheduled a speech for Monday to address the violent incidents and connect them to the COVID-19 pandemic. He will pose the question: “Are you safe in Donald Trump’s America?”
The administration has said unrest after the Memorial Day killing of Floyd has occurred in Democrat-run cities that have let the protests erupt into looting, violence and arson.
If governors had taken action early, using law enforcement to stop the unrest and help from the federal government, the deaths could have been avoided, said Chad Wolf, acting secretary of Homeland Security.
“If you take early action, you can address this, and this is what most reasonable Americans want,” he told ABC’s “This Week.”
“We need to bring some normalcy back to Portland,” Mr. Wolf said.
Mr. Evers asked for the National Guard to deploy, and violence quickly quelled. Mr. Trump has urged Ms. Brown in Oregon to request the Guard there too.
Mr. Wheeler said Sunday that he has asked twice for the Guard, but the governor has rebuffed him. Mr. Wheeler said he now thinks city police, county sheriff’s deputies and state police are “sufficient.”
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com. • Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--MTV VMAs honor Chadwick Boseman: ‘His impact lives forever’

NEW YORK ( AP ) - “ Black Panther ” star Chadwick Boseman , whose death from colon cancer shocked @ @ @ @ @ the MTV Video Music Awards as a hero in real life , not just on @ @ @ @ @ Keke Palmer said the Sunday night awards show was dedicated to Boseman , who died @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
Boseman had previously been honored by the MTV Movie & TV Awards @ @ @ @ @ as the Marvel Comics superhero .
Palmer said Boseman was “ a true hero , @ @ @ @ @ in everything he did.
” On screen , Boseman played Black icons like Jackie Robinson @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall .
It ’ s was the second channel to recognize @ @ @ @ @ that night .
ABC aired “ Black Panther ” commercial-free Sunday as a prime-time tribute @ @ @ @ @ by an ABC News Special , “ Chadwick Boseman : A Tribute for a King @ @

NEW YORK (AP) - “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman, whose death from colon cancer shocked fans, was honored at the MTV Video Music Awards as a hero in real life, not just on the big screen.
Host Keke Palmer said the Sunday night awards show was dedicated to Boseman, who died at the age of 43 on Friday .
Boseman had previously been honored by the MTV Movie & TV Awards in 2018 for his role as the Marvel Comics superhero.
Palmer said Boseman was “a true hero, not just on screen but in everything he did.” On screen, Boseman played Black icons like Jackie Robinson, James Brown and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
“His impact lives forever,” Palmer noted.
Later on Boseman was included during an in memoriam segment alongside other artists like Juice WRLD and Little Richard who died in the past year. And after Black Eyed Peas wrapped the show with their performance of “I Gotta Feeling,” singer Will.I.Am shouted out “Wakanda Forever,” a reference to the fictional kingdom the Black Panther rules in the film and comic series.
It’s was the second channel to recognize the impact of the actor that night. ABC aired “Black Panther” commercial-free Sunday as a prime-time tribute to the actor, followed by an ABC News Special, “Chadwick Boseman: A Tribute for a King.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--North Macedonia government wins confidence vote

The Social Democrat-led government is to eventually be headed by the country ’ s first ethnic Albanian prime minister , according to its coalition agreement .
After two days of heated debate , lawmakers voted 62-51 in favor of the new government led by Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev , 46 .
Seven members were absent .
Zaev and his coalition partners won 62 of the Parliament ’ s 120 seats in the July election .
Zaev , who led the previous government from 2017 to 2020 , formed a more streamlined Cabinet with 19 members , seven fewer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions or were moved to new ones .
Seven posts went to ethnic Albanians .
Zaev told lawmakers his new Cabinet will focus on reviving the economy , dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and fighting corruption .
He announced 1 billion euros ( $ 1.19 billion ) in new foreign investments , a 40 % increase in the minimum wage and pensions and a planned judiciary reform .
According to the power-sharing deal with the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration party , Zaev will hand the prime minister ’ s office over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his junior partner 100 days before the end of the government ’ s four-year term , in 2024 .
It would be the first time a representative of the largest minority ethnic community have held that position since North Macedonia split from the former Yugoslav federation in 1991 .
The conservative opposition fiercely criticized the new Cabinet , claiming it is “ incapable ” of dealing with the pandemic and fulfilling its promises .
During parliamentary debate , a few hundred people held a rally in front of the European Union ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Skopje , protesting the change of the country ’ s name to North Macedonia and “ disparagement ” of the Macedonian national identity and dignity in a push for the country ’ s Euro-Atlantic integration .

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) - North Macedonia’s parliament approved a new left-wing coalition government late on Sunday.
The Social Democrat-led government is to eventually be headed by the country’s first ethnic Albanian prime minister, according to its coalition agreement.
After two days of heated debate, lawmakers voted 62-51 in favor of the new government led by Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev, 46. Seven members were absent.
Zaev and his coalition partners won 62 of the Parliament’s 120 seats in the July election.
Zaev, who led the previous government from 2017 to 2020, formed a more streamlined Cabinet with 19 members, seven fewer than before. Nine ministers either kept their positions or were moved to new ones. Seven posts went to ethnic Albanians.
Zaev told lawmakers his new Cabinet will focus on reviving the economy, dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and fighting corruption. He announced 1 billion euros ($1.19 billion) in new foreign investments, a 40% increase in the minimum wage and pensions and a planned judiciary reform.
According to the power-sharing deal with the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration party, Zaev will hand the prime minister’s office over to an ethnic Albanian politician proposed by his junior partner 100 days before the end of the government’s four-year term, in 2024.
It would be the first time a representative of the largest minority ethnic community have held that position since North Macedonia split from the former Yugoslav federation in 1991.
The conservative opposition fiercely criticized the new Cabinet, claiming it is “incapable” of dealing with the pandemic and fulfilling its promises.
During parliamentary debate, a few hundred people held a rally in front of the European Union’s offices and the parliament building in downtown Skopje, protesting the change of the country’s name to North Macedonia and “disparagement” of the Macedonian national identity and dignity in a push for the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Steamboat Institute holds in-person conference, speakers blast shutdowns over coronavirus

Plucky conservatives gathered here over the weekend to spread a message proving increasingly contagious : That the economic and social shutdowns aimed at slowing the novel coronavirus have become more harmful than the disease .
At the Steamboat Institute Freedom Conference , Dr. Scott Atlas pointed to the economic devastation and its correlation with human life expectancy , as well as the 25 % surge in suicidal ideation in June among young adults 18-24 , which he attributed to the lockdown , not the virus .
“ The first two months of the lockdown lost more years of life by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a life-years-loss equation , ” said Dr. Atlas , a member of the White House coronavirus task force .
“ In other words , the lockdown itself was more harmful than the virus .
And I think that is clearly happening now , despite the fact that the virus is very serious , no one ’ s minimizing that.
” Manhattan Institute fellow Heather MacDonald said the “ lockdowns are based on what now can only be regarded as a deliberate disregard of science.
” “ Since March , we have known there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risk of death from the coronavirus is confined to a small and isolatable segment of the population , and for everyone else , yes , this really does represent a severe case of the flu , ” she said .
“ Yet millions of Americans are still huddled at home , scared to death.
” Even as other summer conservative conferences were canceled or postponed , Steamboat Institute CEO Jennifer Schubert-Akin was determined to carry on , drawing about 200 in-person attendees to the 12th annual gathering and a bevy of high-profile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event was held in the ski-resort town of Beaver Creek instead of Steamboat Springs , which has tighter coronavirus restrictions , and the audience was spread over three conference rooms to maximize social distancing .
“ It can be done if the event organizer is willing to do what we did , and we ’ ve had to spend a lot of extra money to make this thing work , ” Ms. Schubert-Akin said .
“ But somebody ’ s got to do it .
I hope we ’ ve set a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Atlas and special presidential envoy Richard Grenell , spoke via Zoom , but most speakers were on site , including Sen. Cory Gardner , Colorado Republican , who said it was “ great to see everyone in person , and not just on Zoom.
” He took aim at the apparent political double-standard that saw crackdowns on certain businesses and gatherings while protests proceeded with the blessing of public health officials .
“ When you ’ re trying to base things on science , and the same scientists come up and say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this political belief , you ’ d be OK , ” said Mr. Gardner .
“ Because to me , and to many Americans , that ’ s what the message seemed to be for a very long time.
” He said that in Colorado , “ we lose a person to suicide every seven hours , ” and that calls to the suicide hotlines have increased 50 % to 60 % , with more than half related to the coronavirus .
“ This country has shown the world that we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when you lift people up and out of poverty , people ’ s lives improve , their life spans increase , their life expectancy increases , their quality of life increases , ” said Mr. Gardner .
The shutdown ’ s constitutional violations have been extensive , according to Chapman University law school professor John Eastman , who cited clampdowns on churches and gun shops as well as some of the emergency orders by governors and public health administrators .
“ At some point , you have to question when the emergency response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obliteration of our notions of separation of powers , ” said Mr. Eastman .
Gubernatorial emergency authority should last only until state legislatures can reconvene , he said , and “ that ’ s not what ’ s been happening , ” he said .
“ We instead have government on auto pilot by a governor and executive doing lawmaking , or worse , unelected officials in the health agencies doing lawmaking , ” Mr. Eastman said .
Dr. Atlas ticked off the medical harms during the shutdown : About 650,000 Americans missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organ donation surgeries from living donors were postponed , as were two-thirds of cancer screenings , and about half of those experiencing heart attacks and strokes didn ’ t call emergency rooms .
“ It turned out that everyone was not only stopping intentionally some of the medical care to keep beds free , but they also instilled a lot of fear into the public , ” said Dr. Atlas .
The virus has claimed 183,000 U.S. lives , but since its peak in April , the case fatality rate has plunged by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said at least 16 states and territories still have travel warnings and quarantine requirements , 18 still have closed bars , and 42 have restaurant capacity limits of 25 % or 50 % .
The mean U.S. fatality age is 78 ; 99.8 % of U.S. deaths are in people 25 or older , and 80 % are over 65 .
For those under 70 , the infection fatality rate is 0.04 % , “ which is less than or equal to seasonal influenza , ” said Dr. Atlas .
“ However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 70 and particularly with certain comorbidities or underlying conditions , ” said Dr. Atlas .
“ We know the virus will not be eliminated by a lockdown or by isolating healthy people , and the harms from continuing those lockdowns are enormous.
” He said that case numbers will likely increase as social interaction increases , “ but the overwhelming majority are now younger , low-risk people , on average decades younger than in the spring .
The vast majority do well.
” Ms. MacDonald said that a “ mature civilization understands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs.
” “ If saving just one life , as New York Gov .
[ Andrew ] Cuomo said , is worth every single public policy , the speed limit would be set universally on every road at 25 , ” she said .
“ Because we are happy to put up with at least 40,000 highway deaths every year knowing those deaths will happen because we value our convenience at getting places faster more.
” Dr. Atlas disagreed with the emphasis on case numbers , saying the focus should be on “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have serious harms.
” “ The fear is the contagion , ” he said .
“ We are really going to be OK here .
I don ’ t think it ’ s going to be going on for years .
We ’ ll have cases , but not in pandemic mode .
”

Plucky conservatives gathered here over the weekend to spread a message proving increasingly contagious: That the economic and social shutdowns aimed at slowing the novel coronavirus have become more harmful than the disease.
At the Steamboat Institute Freedom Conference, Dr. Scott Atlas pointed to the economic devastation and its correlation with human life expectancy, as well as the 25% surge in suicidal ideation in June among young adults 18-24, which he attributed to the lockdown, not the virus.
“The first two months of the lockdown lost more years of life by far than the virus itself caused as a life-years-loss equation,” said Dr. Atlas, a member of the White House coronavirus task force. “In other words, the lockdown itself was more harmful than the virus. And I think that is clearly happening now, despite the fact that the virus is very serious, no one’s minimizing that.”
Manhattan Institute fellow Heather MacDonald said the “lockdowns are based on what now can only be regarded as a deliberate disregard of science.”
“Since March, we have known there is virtually no outdoor transmission, that the risk of death from the coronavirus is confined to a small and isolatable segment of the population, and for everyone else, yes, this really does represent a severe case of the flu,” she said. “Yet millions of Americans are still huddled at home, scared to death.”
Even as other summer conservative conferences were canceled or postponed, Steamboat Institute CEO Jennifer Schubert-Akin was determined to carry on, drawing about 200 in-person attendees to the 12th annual gathering and a bevy of high-profile speakers.
There were compromises. The event was held in the ski-resort town of Beaver Creek instead of Steamboat Springs, which has tighter coronavirus restrictions, and the audience was spread over three conference rooms to maximize social distancing.
“It can be done if the event organizer is willing to do what we did, and we’ve had to spend a lot of extra money to make this thing work,” Ms. Schubert-Akin said. “But somebody’s got to do it. I hope we’ve set a good example.”
Hearty congratulations to my friend @jschubertakin on her successful @Steamboat_Inst Freedom Conference. My first, won’t be my last! Great job! — Jeff Hunt (@jeffhunt) August 29, 2020
A few speakers, including Dr. Atlas and special presidential envoy Richard Grenell, spoke via Zoom, but most speakers were on site, including Sen. Cory Gardner, Colorado Republican, who said it was “great to see everyone in person, and not just on Zoom.”
He took aim at the apparent political double-standard that saw crackdowns on certain businesses and gatherings while protests proceeded with the blessing of public health officials.
“When you’re trying to base things on science, and the same scientists come up and say, well, if you were just of this political belief, you’d be OK,” said Mr. Gardner. “Because to me, and to many Americans, that’s what the message seemed to be for a very long time.”
He said that in Colorado, “we lose a person to suicide every seven hours,” and that calls to the suicide hotlines have increased 50% to 60%, with more than half related to the coronavirus.
“This country has shown the world that we have a strong and thriving economy, and when you lift people up and out of poverty, people’s lives improve, their life spans increase, their life expectancy increases, their quality of life increases,” said Mr. Gardner.
The shutdown’s constitutional violations have been extensive, according to Chapman University law school professor John Eastman, who cited clampdowns on churches and gun shops as well as some of the emergency orders by governors and public health administrators.
“At some point, you have to question when the emergency response all of a sudden becomes a complete obliteration of our notions of separation of powers,” said Mr. Eastman.
Gubernatorial emergency authority should last only until state legislatures can reconvene, he said, and “that’s not what’s been happening,” he said.
“We instead have government on auto pilot by a governor and executive doing lawmaking, or worse, unelected officials in the health agencies doing lawmaking,” Mr. Eastman said.
Dr. Atlas ticked off the medical harms during the shutdown: About 650,000 Americans missed their chemotherapy appointments; 85% of organ donation surgeries from living donors were postponed, as were two-thirds of cancer screenings, and about half of those experiencing heart attacks and strokes didn’t call emergency rooms.
“It turned out that everyone was not only stopping intentionally some of the medical care to keep beds free, but they also instilled a lot of fear into the public,” said Dr. Atlas.
The virus has claimed 183,000 U.S. lives, but since its peak in April, the case fatality rate has plunged by 85%. Even so, he said at least 16 states and territories still have travel warnings and quarantine requirements, 18 still have closed bars, and 42 have restaurant capacity limits of 25% or 50%.
The mean U.S. fatality age is 78; 99.8% of U.S. deaths are in people 25 or older, and 80% are over 65. For those under 70, the infection fatality rate is 0.04%, “which is less than or equal to seasonal influenza,” said Dr. Atlas.
“However, the disease is extremely dangerous for those over 70 and particularly with certain comorbidities or underlying conditions,” said Dr. Atlas. “We know the virus will not be eliminated by a lockdown or by isolating healthy people, and the harms from continuing those lockdowns are enormous.”
He said that case numbers will likely increase as social interaction increases, “but the overwhelming majority are now younger, low-risk people, on average decades younger than in the spring. The vast majority do well.”
Ms. MacDonald said that a “mature civilization understands that life is about balancing risks and costs.”
“If saving just one life, as New York Gov. [Andrew] Cuomo said, is worth every single public policy, the speed limit would be set universally on every road at 25,” she said. “Because we are happy to put up with at least 40,000 highway deaths every year knowing those deaths will happen because we value our convenience at getting places faster more.”
Dr. Atlas disagreed with the emphasis on case numbers, saying the focus should be on “protecting the people who are going to have serious harms.”
“The fear is the contagion,” he said. “We are really going to be OK here. I don’t think it’s going to be going on for years. We’ll have cases, but not in pandemic mode.”
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Nebraska prison quarantined after 29 inmates have virus

LINCOLN , Neb .
( AP ) - The Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln has been placed under quarantine after 29 inmates tested positive for the coronavirus , officials said Sunday .
The positive cases were identified by tests that were done Friday .
Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes said the positive cases included inmates in four different housing units , so the entire prison was placed under quarantine .
“ We are acting out of an abundance of caution , ” Frakes said in a news release .
“ This move will allow us to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officials said roughly 600 inmates were initially offered tests under the voluntary program , and 332 inmates agreed to be tested .
The remaining inmates will be offered tests starting Sunday .
Frakes said most of the inmates who tested positive have not had any symptoms .
Warden Michele Wilhelm said the entire facility will be under quarantine for at least two weeks .
Frakes said prisoner visits will remain on hold across the agency while the penitentiary is in quarantine .
There have also been 64 corrections department employees who have tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of those , 54 have recovered from the illness .

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln has been placed under quarantine after 29 inmates tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said Sunday.
The positive cases were identified by tests that were done Friday. Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes said the positive cases included inmates in four different housing units, so the entire prison was placed under quarantine.
“We are acting out of an abundance of caution,” Frakes said in a news release. “This move will allow us to continue testing the remainder of the population.”
Officials said roughly 600 inmates were initially offered tests under the voluntary program, and 332 inmates agreed to be tested. The remaining inmates will be offered tests starting Sunday.
Frakes said most of the inmates who tested positive have not had any symptoms.
Warden Michele Wilhelm said the entire facility will be under quarantine for at least two weeks.
Frakes said prisoner visits will remain on hold across the agency while the penitentiary is in quarantine.
There have also been 64 corrections department employees who have tested positive since the virus outbreak began. Of those, 54 have recovered from the illness.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Browns speak out about social justice at stadium practice

CLEVELAND ( AP ) - Kevin Stefanski waited years to conduct his first full practice as a head coach in an NFL stadium .
Some things , however , are more important to him than football .
Stefanski gathered his players , staff and Browns owner Jimmy Haslam near the west end zone at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday before beginning the session .
He felt compelled to speak about the importance of social justice in his new community .
“ It ’ s very appropriate that we have our families here with us because this is our Browns family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of family and friends in the stands .
“ This family has some things that are weighing very heavily on their hearts and I want our players , who are so mindful and so intentional about their thoughts , to share those with this city , this community , Northeast Ohio and the football world.
” Quarterback Baker Mayfield , defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and wide receiver Jarvis Landry followed the first-year coach to the microphone , reading statements on behalf of their teammates .
“ You will see a specific focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our organization , players , staff and ownership in these areas within Cleveland and Northeast Ohio to spur positive change , necessary change , ” Landry said .
When they finished , the assembled group broke into applause and Stefanski blew his whistle to start the 90-minute practice , which was spirited , much like the messages that preceded it .
“ We don ’ t want to make a statement just to make a statement - it ’ s not a PR stunt - we want to make a difference , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a unique approach and we have a bunch of people who are passionate about it.
” Across the NFL , several other teams have had similar conversations in the aftermath of the police shooting of Jacob Blake , a Black man , in Wisconsin last weekend .
Mayfield ’ s words carry significant weight because he ’ s the face of the franchise .
And as a white man , he understands how important those words are to people who don ’ t have personal experience with racial injustice .
The 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Browns ’ social justice committee has identified four areas to focus on : education , police reform and accountability , economic advancement and nonpartisan voter registration , education and turnout .
The focus on education was about closing the “ digital divide ” and addressing resource equity , and improving economic advancement by supporting Black-owned businesses .
“ ( Me ) being involved shows it ’ s not a one-sided movement , ” said Mayfield , who is entering his third NFL season .
“ I can ’ t put myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I can hear their stories and try and understand , so I can push forward with them.
” Haslam was one of the first pro sports owners to begin a dialog with players on community issues , dating back to a 2016 controversy when then-Cleveland running back Isaiah Crowell posted a graphic image of a police officer getting his throat cut .
Former Vikings offensive coordinator Stefanski , who was hired by the Browns on Jan. 13 , said he recognized the depth of his new team ’ s commitment upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of team meetings Thursday at the suburban training facility but wanted to take the message to a broader audience when the team practiced downtown for the initial time .
“ Here at the Cleveland Browns , that ’ s what we do , being active in the social justice arena , ” Stefanski said .
“ It was great to be out on the field here and to have some people in the stands , but we really want to shine a spotlight on our players and how they started practice with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proud of them.
” NOTES : Standout DE Myles Garrett ( wrist ) was on the field and fiddled with a football in the end zone , but he was not in uniform for the last official practice of training camp .
“ It was acting out of an abundance of caution , ” Stefanski said .
… CB Greedy Williams ( shoulder ) has not practiced since leaving the field early Monday .
… Center JC Tretter ( knee ) , LB Mack Wilson ( knee ) , LB B.J .
Goodson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( ankle ) , CB Kevin Johnson ( liver ) and CB M.J. Stewart ( hamstring ) also did not participate .
… The Browns ’ game operations staff treated the event as a dress rehearsal , producing an in-house broadcast on the large video boards while airing advertisements and graphics on smaller screens throughout the stadium .

CLEVELAND (AP) - Kevin Stefanski waited years to conduct his first full practice as a head coach in an NFL stadium.
Some things, however, are more important to him than football.
Stefanski gathered his players, staff and Browns owner Jimmy Haslam near the west end zone at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday before beginning the session. He felt compelled to speak about the importance of social justice in his new community.
“It’s very appropriate that we have our families here with us because this is our Browns family,” Stefanski said, addressing the small number of family and friends in the stands.
“This family has some things that are weighing very heavily on their hearts and I want our players, who are so mindful and so intentional about their thoughts, to share those with this city, this community, Northeast Ohio and the football world.”
Quarterback Baker Mayfield, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and wide receiver Jarvis Landry followed the first-year coach to the microphone, reading statements on behalf of their teammates.
“You will see a specific focus in the form of concrete action by our organization, players, staff and ownership in these areas within Cleveland and Northeast Ohio to spur positive change, necessary change,” Landry said.
When they finished, the assembled group broke into applause and Stefanski blew his whistle to start the 90-minute practice, which was spirited, much like the messages that preceded it.
“We don’t want to make a statement just to make a statement - it’s not a PR stunt - we want to make a difference,” Mayfield said. “We want to take a unique approach and we have a bunch of people who are passionate about it.”
Across the NFL, several other teams have had similar conversations in the aftermath of the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Wisconsin last weekend.
Mayfield’s words carry significant weight because he’s the face of the franchise. And as a white man, he understands how important those words are to people who don’t have personal experience with racial injustice.
The 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick noted that the Browns’ social justice committee has identified four areas to focus on: education, police reform and accountability, economic advancement and nonpartisan voter registration, education and turnout.
The focus on education was about closing the “digital divide” and addressing resource equity, and improving economic advancement by supporting Black-owned businesses.
“(Me) being involved shows it’s not a one-sided movement,” said Mayfield, who is entering his third NFL season. “I can’t put myself in some of my teammates’ shoes, but I can hear their stories and try and understand, so I can push forward with them.”
Haslam was one of the first pro sports owners to begin a dialog with players on community issues, dating back to a 2016 controversy when then-Cleveland running back Isaiah Crowell posted a graphic image of a police officer getting his throat cut.
Former Vikings offensive coordinator Stefanski, who was hired by the Browns on Jan. 13, said he recognized the depth of his new team’s commitment upon moving to Cleveland. He held a series of team meetings Thursday at the suburban training facility but wanted to take the message to a broader audience when the team practiced downtown for the initial time.
“Here at the Cleveland Browns, that’s what we do, being active in the social justice arena,” Stefanski said.
“It was great to be out on the field here and to have some people in the stands, but we really want to shine a spotlight on our players and how they started practice with this statement. I’m very proud of them.”
NOTES: Standout DE Myles Garrett (wrist) was on the field and fiddled with a football in the end zone, but he was not in uniform for the last official practice of training camp. “It was acting out of an abundance of caution,” Stefanski said. … CB Greedy Williams (shoulder) has not practiced since leaving the field early Monday. … Center JC Tretter (knee), LB Mack Wilson (knee), LB B.J. Goodson (personal), T Chris Hubbard (ankle), CB Kevin Johnson (liver) and CB M.J. Stewart (hamstring) also did not participate. … The Browns’ game operations staff treated the event as a dress rehearsal, producing an in-house broadcast on the large video boards while airing advertisements and graphics on smaller screens throughout the stadium.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Clash with Russians in Syria renews debate on U.S. mission

It has been nearly two years since President Trump first announced a full military withdrawal from Syria .
Instead , U.S. troops , first sent to battle the now-defunct Islamic State group ’ s “ caliphate , ” are still there and last week found themselves in a dangerous confrontation with Russian forces that left at least four Americans injured after a vehicle collision in a disputed part of the country .
The stunning incident — video footage of which took social media by storm and left the White House and Pentagon scrambling to explain what happened — has raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces in Syria , exactly what the administration hopes to achieve , and what metrics U.S. commanders will use to finally declare victory and follow through on the president ’ s repeatedly expressed determination to bring all American troops home .
Administration officials stress that the roughly 500 U.S. troops still in Syria are desperately needed to continue the fight against ISIS remnants , protect oil fields , train and assist Kurdish-led allies and act as something of a buffer between the host of actors involved in Syria ’ s decade of civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critics say , is exactly how a continued presence there benefits U.S. national security , particularly when tensions between Washington and Moscow are escalating rapidly and could spiral out of control .
“ Playing bumper cars with Russians in the Levant serves no vital U.S. national interest .
As in numerous past incidents , America was lucky not to lose a soldier in a wholly unnecessary confrontation , ” said Gil Barndollar , a senior fellow at the Washington think tank Defense Priorities , a group broadly skeptical of U.S. military missions abroad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their Syrian partners and NATO allies , destroyed the Islamic State ’ s last stronghold in Syria nearly 18 months ago , ” said Mr. Barndollar , who served for seven years as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps .
“ Neither counterterrorism raids nor confiscating Syrian oil is a valid reason to maintain this mission .
There is no remaining strategic or legal rationale for U.S. forces to remain in Syria .
They are long overdue to come home.
” Throughout his term , Mr. Trump has shown that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late 2018 , the president first announced plans to bring home the roughly 2,000 troops stationed in Syria to battle the Islamic State .
By that time , the terrorist group had lost nearly all of its physical territory and was a shell of the powerful pseudo army that years earlier controlled huge swaths of land in Syria and Iraq .
Mr. Trump ’ s decision led to the resignation of Defense Secretary James Mattis , who argued that a pullout would leave America ’ s Kurdish allies at the mercy of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to routinely criticize the president ’ s policy choices in Syria .
Military leaders and conservative members of Congress ultimately persuaded the president to keep some forces in the country .
In October , Mr. Trump again tried to hasten a U.S. exit from Syria when he ordered American troops to pull back from the Turkish-Syrian border .
That decision allowed Turkey to launch its own invasion in order to wage attacks on Syrian resistance groups allied with the U.S. but elements of which Ankara considers to be terrorists .
The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the abandonment of the Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) , which have been loyal American allies in the yearslong fight against ISIS .
The pullback and repositioning of American personnel also paved the way for Russian troops , who have been backing the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad , to seize suddenly unoccupied U.S. military bases in Syria .
Critics say the developments have only emboldened Moscow ’ s forces inside the country .
“ None of this was possible before Trump ordered U.S. forces to abandon their facilities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Brett McGurk tweeted last week after the incident between U.S. and Russian forces .
Mr. McGurk served as the State Department ’ s envoy for the global coalition to defeat ISIS from 2015 to 2018 .
“ Reminder : these incidents have been ongoing for months .
Trump has apparently never raised the issue in multiple calls with Putin .
He leaves our troops to fend for themselves , ” he said .
Syria ’ s state-controlled media reported over the weekend that new U.S. convoys of military vehicles and tanker trucks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Syria to resupply American posts there .
The incident Tuesday was the latest close encounter between U.S. and Russian forces in Syria , which operate in close proximity to each other but are expected to adhere to “ deconfliction ” protocols meant to keep them apart and keep both nations ’ troops out of harm ’ s way .
Pentagon officials said Russian forces violated those protocols and sent vehicles across the established boundaries .
One of the Russian vehicles then collided with an American vehicle , as Russian helicopters flew low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in harshly worded statements that suggest neither Washington nor Moscow wants to be seen as backing down .
“ The U.S. troops attempted to block the Russian patrol , ” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement last week .
“ In response to that , the Russian military police took the necessary measures to prevent an incident and to continue the fulfillment of their task.
” Last week , Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had another message for the U.S .
He said at the military forum in Moscow that Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if effective , would be deployed in Syria .
The Pentagon quickly shot back with its own version of events and stressed that American forces won ’ t sit idly by if they are put in danger .
“ We commend our personnel on the ground for de-escalating this unfortunate encounter through professionalism and restraint , which are hallmarks of the U.S. military , ” Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said .
“ We have advised the Russians that their behavior was dangerous and unacceptable .
We expect a return to routine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to defend our forces vigorously whenever their safety is put at risk.
” The administration has argued that it has several tangible objectives in Syria , though there does not appear to be a clear time frame to achieve them .
The “ enduring defeat ” of ISIS , officials have said , is the top priority and necessitates at least a small troop presence inside Syria to train and assist allies such as the Syrian Democratic Forces .
In addition , U.S. forces provide security for oil fields in northeastern Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kurdish-led SDF .
The administration also wants to have leverage in talks on a lasting political settlement that ends a decade of civil war and brings at least some semblance of stability to the country .
Another of its tangible goals is to rid Syria of all proxy forces backed by the Iranian government , which has allied itself with Russia and Mr. Assad .
Top administration officials note that the messy situation inside Syria — with numerous militaries , terrorist groups and proxy forces operating in close proximity — can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is an extremely volatile , extremely dangerous situation , ” Ambassador James Jeffrey , the administration ’ s special representative for Syria and envoy to the global anti-ISIS coalition , told reporters this month .
He argued that a Geneva meeting last week of the Syrian Constitutional Committee , a group formed to amend the country ’ s constitution , is a key step forward .
The group includes representatives from the Assad regime , civil society and opposition forces .
“ We will urge all sides , including the regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Jeffrey said .
“ This is the way out of the terrible predicament — economic , military , diplomatic — that they find themselves in .
”

It has been nearly two years since President Trump first announced a full military withdrawal from Syria.
Instead, U.S. troops, first sent to battle the now-defunct Islamic State group’s “caliphate,” are still there and last week found themselves in a dangerous confrontation with Russian forces that left at least four Americans injured after a vehicle collision in a disputed part of the country.
The stunning incident — video footage of which took social media by storm and left the White House and Pentagon scrambling to explain what happened — has raised fresh questions about the role of U.S. forces in Syria, exactly what the administration hopes to achieve, and what metrics U.S. commanders will use to finally declare victory and follow through on the president’s repeatedly expressed determination to bring all American troops home.
Administration officials stress that the roughly 500 U.S. troops still in Syria are desperately needed to continue the fight against ISIS remnants, protect oil fields, train and assist Kurdish-led allies and act as something of a buffer between the host of actors involved in Syria’s decade of civil war.
What’s unclear, critics say, is exactly how a continued presence there benefits U.S. national security, particularly when tensions between Washington and Moscow are escalating rapidly and could spiral out of control.
“Playing bumper cars with Russians in the Levant serves no vital U.S. national interest. As in numerous past incidents, America was lucky not to lose a soldier in a wholly unnecessary confrontation,” said Gil Barndollar, a senior fellow at the Washington think tank Defense Priorities, a group broadly skeptical of U.S. military missions abroad.
SEE ALSO: U.S., Russia trade blame for military vehicle collision in Syria
“U.S. troops, together with their Syrian partners and NATO allies, destroyed the Islamic State’s last stronghold in Syria nearly 18 months ago,” said Mr. Barndollar, who served for seven years as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps. “Neither counterterrorism raids nor confiscating Syrian oil is a valid reason to maintain this mission. There is no remaining strategic or legal rationale for U.S. forces to remain in Syria. They are long overdue to come home.”
Throughout his term, Mr. Trump has shown that he largely agrees with that view. In late 2018, the president first announced plans to bring home the roughly 2,000 troops stationed in Syria to battle the Islamic State. By that time, the terrorist group had lost nearly all of its physical territory and was a shell of the powerful pseudo army that years earlier controlled huge swaths of land in Syria and Iraq.
Mr. Trump’s decision led to the resignation of Defense Secretary James Mattis, who argued that a pullout would leave America’s Kurdish allies at the mercy of a hostile Turkey. Mr. Mattis has gone on to routinely criticize the president’s policy choices in Syria.
Military leaders and conservative members of Congress ultimately persuaded the president to keep some forces in the country.
In October, Mr. Trump again tried to hasten a U.S. exit from Syria when he ordered American troops to pull back from the Turkish-Syrian border. That decision allowed Turkey to launch its own invasion in order to wage attacks on Syrian resistance groups allied with the U.S. but elements of which Ankara considers to be terrorists.
The president faced widespread criticism for what critics said was the abandonment of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which have been loyal American allies in the yearslong fight against ISIS. The pullback and repositioning of American personnel also paved the way for Russian troops, who have been backing the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad, to seize suddenly unoccupied U.S. military bases in Syria. Critics say the developments have only emboldened Moscow’s forces inside the country.
“None of this was possible before Trump ordered U.S. forces to abandon their facilities, leaving them for the Russian military,” Brett McGurk tweeted last week after the incident between U.S. and Russian forces. Mr. McGurk served as the State Department’s envoy for the global coalition to defeat ISIS from 2015 to 2018.
“Reminder: these incidents have been ongoing for months. Trump has apparently never raised the issue in multiple calls with Putin. He leaves our troops to fend for themselves,” he said.
Syria’s state-controlled media reported over the weekend that new U.S. convoys of military vehicles and tanker trucks from Iraq had reportedly been seen crossing into Syria to resupply American posts there.
‘Dangerous and unacceptable’
The incident Tuesday was the latest close encounter between U.S. and Russian forces in Syria, which operate in close proximity to each other but are expected to adhere to “deconfliction” protocols meant to keep them apart and keep both nations’ troops out of harm’s way.
Pentagon officials said Russian forces violated those protocols and sent vehicles across the established boundaries. One of the Russian vehicles then collided with an American vehicle, as Russian helicopters flew low overhead.
The two countries traded blame in harshly worded statements that suggest neither Washington nor Moscow wants to be seen as backing down.
“The U.S. troops attempted to block the Russian patrol,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement last week. “In response to that, the Russian military police took the necessary measures to prevent an incident and to continue the fulfillment of their task.”
Last week, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had another message for the U.S. He said at the military forum in Moscow that Russia was testing a new anti-drone system that, if effective, would be deployed in Syria.
The Pentagon quickly shot back with its own version of events and stressed that American forces won’t sit idly by if they are put in danger.
“We commend our personnel on the ground for de-escalating this unfortunate encounter through professionalism and restraint, which are hallmarks of the U.S. military,” Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said. “We have advised the Russians that their behavior was dangerous and unacceptable. We expect a return to routine and professional deconfliction in Syria and reserve the right to defend our forces vigorously whenever their safety is put at risk.”
The administration has argued that it has several tangible objectives in Syria, though there does not appear to be a clear time frame to achieve them. The “enduring defeat” of ISIS, officials have said, is the top priority and necessitates at least a small troop presence inside Syria to train and assist allies such as the Syrian Democratic Forces.
In addition, U.S. forces provide security for oil fields in northeastern Syria that are now sources of revenue for the Kurdish-led SDF.
The administration also wants to have leverage in talks on a lasting political settlement that ends a decade of civil war and brings at least some semblance of stability to the country. Another of its tangible goals is to rid Syria of all proxy forces backed by the Iranian government, which has allied itself with Russia and Mr. Assad.
Top administration officials note that the messy situation inside Syria — with numerous militaries, terrorist groups and proxy forces operating in close proximity — can be resolved only through peaceful political processes.
“This is an extremely volatile, extremely dangerous situation,” Ambassador James Jeffrey, the administration’s special representative for Syria and envoy to the global anti-ISIS coalition, told reporters this month. He argued that a Geneva meeting last week of the Syrian Constitutional Committee, a group formed to amend the country’s constitution, is a key step forward. The group includes representatives from the Assad regime, civil society and opposition forces.
“We will urge all sides, including the regime, to continue this process,” Mr. Jeffrey said. “This is the way out of the terrible predicament — economic, military, diplomatic — that they find themselves in.”
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Video of attempted rape on NY subway platform yields arrest

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A 31-year-old man was charged Sunday with attempted rape in an attack on a Manhattan subway platform that was recorded by a bystander as a crowd intervened .
The man , Jose Reyes , has a prior arrest history , including incidents in the transit system , police said .
He was identified from a prior mug shot through facial recognition software , Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said at a news conference Sunday afternoon .
The attack happened around 11 a.m. Saturday on the Upper East Side .
Harrison said the victim told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subway train smoking a hookah , making strange noises and laughing to himself .
He followed her when she got off , knocked her down and climbed on her .
“ This heinous and horrendous act was interrupted by a good Samaritan ” who took video while he and other commuters yelled at the attacker to stop , Harrison said .
After police circulated the video through the media , tips from the public led to Reyes arrest , he said .
The woman suffered minor injuries but refused medical attention , police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a lawyer Sunday .

NEW YORK (AP) - A 31-year-old man was charged Sunday with attempted rape in an attack on a Manhattan subway platform that was recorded by a bystander as a crowd intervened.
The man, Jose Reyes, has a prior arrest history, including incidents in the transit system, police said. He was identified from a prior mug shot through facial recognition software, Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said at a news conference Sunday afternoon.
The attack happened around 11 a.m. Saturday on the Upper East Side. Harrison said the victim told officers her attacker had been on the subway train smoking a hookah, making strange noises and laughing to himself. He followed her when she got off, knocked her down and climbed on her.
“This heinous and horrendous act was interrupted by a good Samaritan” who took video while he and other commuters yelled at the attacker to stop, Harrison said. After police circulated the video through the media, tips from the public led to Reyes arrest, he said.
The woman suffered minor injuries but refused medical attention, police said.
It was unclear whether Reyes had a lawyer Sunday.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--New Mexico reports 107 new coronavirus cases, 1 more death

ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. ( AP ) - Health officials in New Mexico reported 17 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and one @ @ @ @ @ .
The latest numbers from the New Mexico Department of Health increase the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ and 770 deaths .
Officials said 28 of the new cases were reported in Chaves @ @ @ @ @ Bernalillo County .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many @ @ @ @ @ , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .
@ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , @ @ @ @ @ illness , including pneumonia and death .

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Health officials in New Mexico reported 17 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and one additional death as of Sunday.
The latest numbers from the New Mexico Department of Health increase the state’s totals to 25,283 cases and 770 deaths.
Officials said 28 of the new cases were reported in Chaves County with 22 others in Bernalillo County.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.
For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Trump to visit Wilmington to declare it WWII Heritage City

WILMINGTON , N.C. ( AP ) - President Donald Trump will visit Wilmington Wednesday to declare it a World War @ @ @ @ @ News outlets report that the visit is timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of @ @ @ @ @ .
Legislation enacted last year requires the Secretary of the Interior to declare at least @ @ @ @ @ be a World War II Heritage City .
Wilmington would be the first .
Wilmington @ @ @ @ @ Battleship North Carolina since 1962 .
The ship was active in the Pacific theater during @ @ @ @ @ now a floating museum .
North Carolina is also a battleground state in the November @ @ @

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) - President Donald Trump will visit Wilmington Wednesday to declare it a World War II “Heritage City.”
News outlets report that the visit is timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the end of the war.
Legislation enacted last year requires the Secretary of the Interior to declare at least one city a year to be a World War II Heritage City. Wilmington would be the first.
Wilmington has been home to the Battleship North Carolina since 1962. The ship was active in the Pacific theater during World War II and is now a floating museum.
North Carolina is also a battleground state in the November presidential election.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Iowa virus numbers vary widely because of website problem

DES MOINES , Iowa ( AP ) - The numbers on Iowa ’ s online coronavirus tracker varied widely this weekend because of a maintenance problem with the site .
The Iowa Department of Public Health reported Saturday morning that 1,108 Iowans had died from COVID-19 .
Later in the day , the number of deaths fell to 894 before rebounding Saturday evening to 1,109 .
Several other key statistics also fluctuated on the state website Saturday .
For instance , the number of cases of coronavirus dropped from 63,122 to 51,183 before being restored after 9 p.m. Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Des Moines Registe r by email late Saturday that the problem appeared to be fixed .
“ A maintenance upgrade to the state ’ s website caused the numbers to fluctuate temporarily , ” McCoy said .
The state health department has been criticized recently for other problems with its coronavirus statistics .
Gov .
Kim Reynolds said on Aug. 20 that the state had been incorrectly attributing many recent coronvirus test results to several months ago .
The error affected the positivity rates the state reported , which school districts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to send children back to schools .
On Sunday , the state ’ s online virus tracker said there had been 64,208 coronavirus cases and 1,113 deaths linked to the virus in Iowa since the pandemic began .
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Iowa has risen over the past two weeks from 501.43 new cases per day on Aug. 15 to 859.14 new cases per day on Aug. 29 .

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The numbers on Iowa’s online coronavirus tracker varied widely this weekend because of a maintenance problem with the site.
The Iowa Department of Public Health reported Saturday morning that 1,108 Iowans had died from COVID-19. Later in the day, the number of deaths fell to 894 before rebounding Saturday evening to 1,109.
Several other key statistics also fluctuated on the state website Saturday. For instance, the number of cases of coronavirus dropped from 63,122 to 51,183 before being restored after 9 p.m. Saturday.
Department of Public Health spokeswoman Amy McCoy told the Des Moines Registe r by email late Saturday that the problem appeared to be fixed.
“A maintenance upgrade to the state’s website caused the numbers to fluctuate temporarily,” McCoy said.
The state health department has been criticized recently for other problems with its coronavirus statistics. Gov. Kim Reynolds said on Aug. 20 that the state had been incorrectly attributing many recent coronvirus test results to several months ago.
The error affected the positivity rates the state reported, which school districts are relying on as they decide whether to send children back to schools.
On Sunday, the state’s online virus tracker said there had been 64,208 coronavirus cases and 1,113 deaths linked to the virus in Iowa since the pandemic began.
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Iowa has risen over the past two weeks from 501.43 new cases per day on Aug. 15 to 859.14 new cases per day on Aug. 29.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Study: Fewer wildlife deaths as traffic dips during pandemic

VENTURA , Calif. ( AP ) - A study shows California ’ s stay-at-home order in response to the coronavirus seems to have saved some wildlife , as decreased traffic resulted in fewer collisions with mountain lions , deer and other large animals .
A study by the Road Ecology Center at the University of California , Davis found traffic declined by about 75 % after the emergency health regulation went into effect in March , The Ventura County Star reports .
The number of animals struck and killed by vehicles also fell , including a 58 % decrease in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 weeks before and 10 weeks after the order was in place .
The report was one of four released by the center concerning traffic-related impacts of the state ’ s stay-at-home order , including two studies of vehicle accidents and another of fuel use and climate change .
Using carcass and crash reports , researchers found California ’ s count of 8.4 large wild animals per day killed by vehicles decreased 21 % to 6.6 animals .
Researchers studied data from the past five years and did not find a similar decline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatality figures normally increase in the spring , Shilling said .

VENTURA, Calif. (AP) - A study shows California’s stay-at-home order in response to the coronavirus seems to have saved some wildlife, as decreased traffic resulted in fewer collisions with mountain lions, deer and other large animals.
A study by the Road Ecology Center at the University of California, Davis found traffic declined by about 75% after the emergency health regulation went into effect in March, The Ventura County Star reports.
The number of animals struck and killed by vehicles also fell, including a 58% decrease in fatal crashes involving mountain lions between the 10 weeks before and 10 weeks after the order was in place.
The report was one of four released by the center concerning traffic-related impacts of the state’s stay-at-home order, including two studies of vehicle accidents and another of fuel use and climate change.
Using carcass and crash reports, researchers found California’s count of 8.4 large wild animals per day killed by vehicles decreased 21% to 6.6 animals.
Researchers studied data from the past five years and did not find a similar decline in wildlife and vehicle collisions. Wildlife fatality figures normally increase in the spring, Shilling said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--1 dead, 1 wounded in shooting near Long Prairie

LONG PRAIRIE , Minn. ( AP ) - Authorities in central Minnesota are searching for whoever fatally shot one person @ @ @ @ @ Prairie .
The Todd County Sheriff ’ s Office was called to the shooting just @ @ @ @ @ A deputy later stopped the victims ’ car near the intersection of U.S. 71 and @ @ @ @ @ the driver had been shot and wounded and was taken to a Long Prairie hospital @ @ @ @ @ apparent gunshot wound and was declared dead at the scene .
Investigators said the victims @ @ @ @ @ in rural Long Prairie , and the meeting apparently related to a drug deal .
@ @ @ @ @ known to whoever shot them , and that the shooting was an isolated incident .

LONG PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) - Authorities in central Minnesota are searching for whoever fatally shot one person and wounded another near Long Prairie.
The Todd County Sheriff’s Office was called to the shooting just after 9 p.m. Saturday. A deputy later stopped the victims’ car near the intersection of U.S. 71 and Riverside Drive. Authorities said the driver had been shot and wounded and was taken to a Long Prairie hospital. The passenger suffered an apparent gunshot wound and was declared dead at the scene.
Investigators said the victims had arranged to meet acquaintances in rural Long Prairie, and the meeting apparently related to a drug deal. Authorities believe the victims were known to whoever shot them, and that the shooting was an isolated incident.