washingtontimes--2020-09-28--The Latest: Dubai to restrict nightlife amid virus increase

TOPEKA , Kan. - Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly has moved a Kansas Statehouse meditation room created by Republicans as a place for prayer and reflection to a less-visible space to create more room for her staff and enable them to follow social distancing .
The new meditation room is on the northwest side of the building ’ s basement floor , down an out-of-the-way hall .
The meditation space was until earlier this month on the Statehouse ’ s second floor , where Kelly and her staff have their offices .
Kelly spokeswoman Lauren Fitzgerald says the change ensures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff can follow social distancing .
But Senate President Susan Wagle , a Wichita Republican and frequent Kelly critic , suggested the governor “ increased government so much that staffers need to take over a long-standing room for prayer.
” HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK - Nearly 1 million who died of COVID-19 helped scientists better understand disease - Lockdowns are fading , but Republican outrage isn ’ t in U.S. campaigns - UN failures on coronavirus underscore the need for reforms - University students in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them feel like prisoners in their dorms , while politicians are debating whether students will be allowed to return home for Christmas .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : LONDON - British politicians will have to curb their late-night drinking after authorities in Parliament ordered alcohol sales restricted as part of anti-coronavirus measures .
Bars and restaurants in the U.K. have been ordered to shut at 10 p.m. under restrictions imposed last week to curb the spread of COVID-19 .
But catering facilities in Parliament were exempt under a loophole that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But after a backlash a parliamentary spokesman clarified Monday that “ alcohol will not be sold after 10 p.m. anywhere on the parliamentary estate , ” though food can be sold during late-night sessions of Parliament .
Some lawmakers had pointed out that the anomaly would do little for politicians ’ public image .
Health Minister Helen Whately said members of Parliament “ shouldn ’ t be sitting round late at night drinking .
We have got a job to do when we are there.
” Opposition Labour Party legislator Wes Streeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes parliament look ridiculous .
This has got to change immediately .
We can ’ t have one rule for parliament and one rule for everyone else.
” PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron has justified new restrictions in the country to limit the spread of the virus as restaurant and bar owners forced to shut down expressed anger at the measures .
The virus situation in French big cities is “ serious and worrying , ” Macron said in comments reported by government spokesperson Gabriel Attal on Monday .
New restrictions focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ rapid and significant ” spreading of the epidemic , Attal said .
Bars and restaurants in Marseille , France ’ s second-biggest city , closed on Sunday evening for at least one week , prompting demonstrations against the government order .
Milder restrictions have been ordered in 10 other cities including Paris , with gyms shut down , public gatherings of more than 10 people banned and bars ordered to close at 10 p.m. Finance minister Bruno Le Maire promised business owners “ we will stay by your side and we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overcome that extraordinarily difficult moment.
” French authorities have reported a steady increase in new infections and hospitalizations in recent weeks .
The country has reported a total of 31,727 virus-related deaths , one of Europe ’ s highest tolls .
BRUSSELS - The coronavirus has forced at least four senior EU officials into self-isolation in recent days .
EU council president Charles Michel went into quarantine last week and EU commission spokeswoman Dana Spinant said Monday that three members of the college of commissioners also went into self-isolation “ by prudence.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions on the EU ’ s executive arm ’ s policies .
Spinant did not identify the three commissioners .
ATHENS , Greece — Greek authorities say 12 crew members of a Maltese-flagged cruise ship on a Greek island tour with more than 1,500 people on board have tested positive to the coronavirus and have been isolated on board .
The Mein Schiff 6 , operated by TUI Cruises , began its trip in Heraklion on the southern Greek island of Crete on Sunday night with 922 passengers and 666 crew members on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sail to Piraeus , the country ’ s main port near the Greek capital Athens , and later to the western island of Corfu .
Greece ’ s Shipping Ministry says that sample tests for the coronavirus were carried out on 150 of the crew members and 12 of them were found to be positive .
The passengers had undergone coronavirus tests before boarding and were not part of the sample testing .
Those who tested positive for COVID-19 have been isolated on board , and the cruise ship was headed to Piraeus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would arrive .
YANGON , Myanmar — Myanmar health authorities have reported 743 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus , bringing the country ’ s total over the 10,000 mark .
The Health Ministry has announced a total of 10,734 coronavirus cases since March , including 226 deaths .
There were 28 new deaths recorded Sunday .
Myanmar ’ s biggest city , Yangon , tightened lockdown measures last week .
Residents can not travel outside their officially designated wards .
Police on Monday were manning checkpoints to ensure that vehicles driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons .
Most businesses must have their employees work from home and many factories are closed .
There are exemptions to the restrictions for services deemed essential , including banks , petrol stations and food production .
The authorities have said there is a pressing need for increasing the capacity of quarantine centers and hospitals and other COVID-19 treatment facilities , and upgrading hospital staffing and equipment .
MOSCOW - Russian health officials have reported over 8,000 new coronavirus cases for the first time since mid-June .
The 8,135 new confirmed cases brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.16 million , the fourth largest caseload in the world .
Almost 27 % of Monday ’ s new cases - 2,217 - were registered in Moscow .
The number of daily new cases started to rapidly grow this month in Russia , which had earlier lifted most of the virus-related restrictions and resumed air traffic with several countries .
Officials have repeatedly dismissed rumors of a second lockdown , saying the growth in the autumn was expected and Russia ’ s health care infrastructure was prepared for it .
Last week Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home starting from Monday , and employers to allow as many people as possible to work from home amid the surge of new cases .
Russia was the first country in the world to approve a vaccine against the virus last month .
The move elicited criticism from experts worldwide as the shots have only been tested on a few dozen people and further studies are needed to establish the vaccine ’ s safety and effectiveness .
BERLIN - The German government has expressed concern about the rising number of COVID-19 cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show almost 1,192 confirmed infections in the past 24 hours .
The actual number is likely to be higher due to reporting delays over the weekend .
Government spokesman Steffen Seiber says “ the development of the infection numbers is causing us great concern.
” He says that the number of cases in Germany has roughly tripled since June .
While some regions have seen few new cases , others have recorded a sharp jump .
Chancellor Angela Merkel is scheduled to meet Tuesday with the governors of Germany ’ s 16 states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cope with the pandemic going into the fall .
The country has managed better than many of its neighbors to contain the spread of the virus and keep the mortality rate low .
According to official figures , there have been 285,332 confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany since the start of the outbreak , and 9,460 deaths .
LONDON - People across England face tough new fines if they fail to self isolate after testing positive for COVID-19 .
Starting Monday , those who fail to follow the rules face a 1,000-pound ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 10,000 pounds for repeat offenders .
The Department of Health and Social Care says those who test positive also will be fined if they knowingly provide false information to contact tracers .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the government will “ not hesitate ” to introduce further measures to restrict the spread of the coronavirus .
The House of Commons on Wednesday may consider an amendment to existing legislation that would give Parliament the right to vote on any new restrictions .
Britain already has Europe ’ s worst death toll from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
But those who are calling for tighter restrictions are being challenged by critics who fear further damage to the economy .
In addition to national restrictions , about one-quarter of the U.K. ’ s 65 million people are living under tighter local restrictions to fight local outbreaks .
BRUSSELS , Belgium - Facing a surge of new coronavirus cases far higher than in other parts of Belgium , Brussels authorities are closing bars early in the EU institutions capital city .
From Monday night , all bars and cafes will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. while other businesses selling drinks or food will shut down at 10 p.m .
In addition , eating at street markets is now forbidden .
According to local media , authorities initially thought about starting the bar curfew at 10 p.m. but the proposal was rejected to support virus-ravaged businesses .
According to the Belgian cafes federation , half of the country ’ s 12,000 bars may not survive the coronavirus crisis .
Since the start of the pandemic , more than 114,000 coronavirus infections have been recorded in hard-hit Belgium - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9,980 deaths .
From Sept. 17-23 , 11,934 new cases were diagnosed , with the biggest spike in Brussels , where the positive rate now averages 9.7 % compared to 4.7 % in the whole of Belgium .
DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Dubai has announced new restrictions on nightlife to curb a rising tide of coronavirus infections .
Dubai ’ s tourism authorities have ordered all bars and restaurants in the city-state to stop serving and halt “ entertainment activities ” at 1 a.m. Hotels will be restricted by law to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 a.m .
Authorities urged dining and drinking establishments to adhere to anti-virus protocols or face “ consequential procedures and violations , ” including shutdowns and huge fines .
The new rules are the first since restaurants and bars were allowed to reopen in July as Dubai , a top travel destination known for its lively nightlife , emerged from lockdown .
The United Arab Emirates has recorded more than 90,600 infections since the pandemic began , including over 400 deaths .
Daily new infection rates are now climbing to heights last seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India ’ s confirmed coronavirus tally reached 6 million cases on Monday , keeping the country second to the United States in number of reported cases since the pandemic began .
The Health Ministry on Monday reported 82,170 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours , driving the overall tally to 6,074,703 .
At least 1,039 deaths were also recorded in the same period , taking total fatalities up to 95,542 since the pandemic began .
New infections are in India are currently being reported faster than anywhere else in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country is expected to become the pandemic ’ s worst-hit country in coming weeks , surpassing the U.S. , where more than 7 million infections have been reported .
Even as infections mount , India has the highest number of recovered patients in the world .
More than 5 million people have recovered from COVID-19 in India and the country ’ s recovery rate stands at 82 % , according to the Health Ministry .
MELBOURNE , Australia - Australia ’ s coronavirus hot spot Victoria state has recorded its lowest number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the nation ’ s second-largest city , Melbourne , further eases lockdown restrictions .
The easing of restrictions in Melbourne will allow most children to return to school from mid-October and send more than 125,000 people back to work .
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said only five new cases were recorded in the latest 24-hour period , the lowest case number since June 12 .
The state also recorded three deaths on Monday .
Melbourne and surrounding parts of rural Victoria were placed under strict lockdown measures on Aug. 2 , shuttering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nighttime curfew and prohibiting public gatherings .
The 9 p.m.- 5.a.m curfew was lifted from Monday , although residents still can not travel more than 5 kilometers ( 3 miles ) from home .
Public gatherings of up to five people from a maximum of two households will be allowed .
LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
- The Little Rock teachers union says its members won ’ t show up for in-person classes due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus in schools .
The Little Rock Education Association said Sunday its members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but accused district administrators of not doing enough to prevent the virus ’ s spread .
It was unclear how many teachers planned to participate in the action .
“ At this juncture , LREA members believe that our schools are not safe for in-person instruction and that the risk to our students , our staff members and our community is too great , ” the association said in a news release .
The superintendent of the state-controlled 21,000-student district said it was taking additional steps to ensure schools stay open for in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools to stay open for in-person classes five days a week , though they can also offer virtual or hybrid options .
Schools reopened Aug. 24 .

PERTH, Australia - Authorities are concerned by a COVID-19 outbreak aboard a cargo ship off Australia’s northwest coast that has infected most of the crew.
Eight more members of the Filipino crew tested positive for the new coronavirus on Monday, bringing the number of infections to 17 out of a crew of 21.
Seven of the infected sailors remained aboard the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Patricia Oldendorff, which is anchored off Port Hedland, a major iron ore export terminal, Western Australia State Health Minister Roger Cook said on Tuesday.
The seven are part of an essential skeleton crew of nine. The other 10 infected crew members were in hotel quarantine at Port Hedland. None required hospital treatment.
Cook said he wanted to bring the skeleton crew ashore, but the ship would need a replacement crew and to undergo a deep clean before that replacement crew boarded.
“It’s a tricky situation,” Cook told Australian Broadcasting Corp. “There is still a range of hurdles and challenges that we have to negotiate over the coming 24-to-48 hours.”
Health authorities have warned of potentially disastrous consequences if the virus spreads among the remote Port Hedland community, particularly if it reaches surrounding Indigenous populations.
___
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
- India’s confirmed coronavirus tally reaches 6 million cases
- Zimbabwe begins gradual reopening of schools amid virus
- For Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jews, coronavirus restrictions raise numerous questions about how to maintain their religious lifestyle during the outbreak
- Standoff over Madrid’s response to virus pandemic continues
- U.S. to ship millions of tests in push to reopen K-12 schools
___
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
___
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
MANILA, Philippines - Only one southern Philippine province and its war-battered capital will be placed under a mild lockdown and the rest of the country will be put under more relaxed quarantine restrictions next month to boost the battered economy despite the country having the most number of coronavirus infections in Southeast Asia.
President Rodrigo Duterte announced the quarantine restrictions for October in televised remarks Monday night. Lanao del Sur province and its capital, Marawi city, will fall under a lockdown starting Thursday due to infection spikes in recent weeks.
Most of Marawi’s commercial and downtown areas were destroyed after hundreds of Islamic State group-aligned militants laid siege to the mosque-studded city in May 2017 and the military launched a massive offensive and airstrikes to quell the five-month uprising. Many residents remain displaced.
Metropolitan Manila and five other cities will remain under general quarantine restrictions with more businesses and public transport allowed to partially operate on condition people wear face masks and shields and stay safely apart.
Classes in public schools are scheduled to resume online belatedly on Oct. 5 due to the pandemic.
___
SEOUL, South Korea __ South Korea’s new coronavirus tally has come below 50 for the first time in about 50 days amid a downward trend in new infections.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Tuesday the 38 cases added in the last 24 hours took the country’s total to 23,699 with 407 deaths.
South Korea had seen a viral resurgence, mostly in the densely populated Seoul area since early last month. But its caseload has recently begun slowing after authorities enforced stringent social distancing rules. The anti-disease agency says 17 of the new cases were reported in the Seoul area.
Many experts have warned the virus could spread again after this week’s traditional Chuseok autumn holidays.
___
FRANKFORT, Kentucky — Warning of a growing complacency in fighting the coronavirus, Kentucky’s governor said Monday the state is experiencing a surge in cases that needs to be met with a commitment to public mask wearing.
The Bluegrass State had nearly 5,000 coronavirus cases last week - the most in a single week since the pandemic began, Gov. Andy Beshear said at a news conference. After about seven months of efforts to contain the virus, he warned that some people are becoming casual in responding to the health crisis, which could lead to more cases and ultimately more deaths.
“The virus is here and it waits for us to get casual,” Beshear told reporters.
His warning of a renewed surge of COVID-19 cases came on a day many children returned to school across the state.
In recent weeks, Kentucky has repeatedly set record highs for weekly virus cases. The governor urged people to wear masks in public and follow other health guidelines to contain the virus. With colder weather approaching, more people will be inside, where the virus spreads faster, he said.
“Folks, we’ve been at this long enough to know what we can do to reduce the number of cases,” Beshear said. “We’ve done it several times. We’re having the largest number of cases right now. We’ve got to have urgency.”
___
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California’s governor says the state is showing signs of a potential new surge of coronavirus cases.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that could prompt another shutdown of businesses and further delay school reopenings.
A business industry expert says a slow-down of business reopenings could not come at a worse time, especially for retailers who depend on the holiday shopping season for a majority of their annual sales.
Rex Hime, president and CEO of the California Business Properties Association, which is a group representing owners of commercial properties, said the consequences of a third shutdown “will be devastating.”
Newsom said his message to the business community and parents of school-aged children is to “abide by these mask mandates.”
Newsom also received a flu shot during his news conference on Monday, and urged others to do the same.
___
MONTREAL - The premier of Quebec says the two biggest cities in the Canadian province are returning to the highest COVID-19 alert level.
Quebec reported 896 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, the province’s highest single-day tally in months.
Montreal and Quebec City are included in the “red zone” lockdown. The measures will last from Oct. 1 to Oct. 28.
Premier Francois Legault says there should be no guests in homes with a few exceptions for help. He says restaurants and bars will close except for delivery. He also says outdoor gatherings require two meters of spacing.
Legault says the objective is to protect schools.
___
TORONTO - The premier of Canada’s largest province says his government was looking at all options to combat an alarming surge in cases after the Ontario reported a record 700 new cases on Monday.
Premier Doug Ford called the daily number extremely troubling and called on the public to help fight the latest spike.
Ontario’s chief medical officer of health says the province must work to flatten the curve of the virus again to allow hospitals to respond without being overwhelmed. Dr. David Williams says people became too casual as virus numbers improved in late August, and urged them to now be more vigilant.
The latest figures prompted Ontario’s hospitals to call on the government to reinstate restrictions.
The Ontario Hospital Association said the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa should move back to Stage Two of the province’s pandemic response, which saw restrictions on non-essential businesses like restaurants, gyms, and movie theaters.
___
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice made an impassioned plea Monday for as many people as possible - healthy or otherwise - in the state’s most populous county to get tested for the coronavirus in an attempt to slow its spread.
In announcing plans for “massively, aggressively” testing people in Kanawha County, Justice said at a news conference that multiple testing sites will be available this week.
The county, whose seat includes the capital of Charleston, leads the state by far in active virus cases with at least 980 in a state with nearly 4,000 active cases. The county has at least 77, or 23%, of the state’s 337 virus-related deaths.
Four weeks into the public school year, classrooms have yet to open to students in Kanawha County because the rate of virus cases exceeds the state-mandated threshold for in-person classes.
___
ALBANY, N.Y. - Gov. Andrew Cuomo is raising alarm about the emergence of a handful of coronavirus hot spots in New York.
The Democratic governor said Monday that just 10 ZIP codes represent a quarter of the state’s new infections in recent testing. New York has reported just over 11,500 new coronavirus infections over the past two weeks. Cuomo says the state has 200 rapid testing machines available.
A disproportionate number of new cases have come from a handful of communities in and north of New York City that are home to many Orthodox Jews. Cuomo warned his administration could close schools where too many people are testing positive.
___
BOISE, Idaho - Officials say Idaho has more than 40,500 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and some health experts are warning that the state in the western U.S. is entering its third wave of new infections.
Former St. Luke’s Health System CEO Dr. David Pate is a a member of the state’s coronavirus task force and says Idaho is being hit with what could become its largest spike of cases so far as students return to school and colder weather limits outdoor activities.
Brigham Young University-Idaho officials warned students last week that that the school could close its campus if people flaunt social distancing and mask requirements and cases continue to rise.
___
CHICAGO - Restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus in Chicago’s restaurants and bars will ease slightly this week, letting more customers dine and drink indoors.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the decision Monday as Illinois officials said 1,709 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus have been reported statewide and 13 more people have died.
Since the start of the pandemic, Illinois has reported 289,639 confirmed cases and 8,614 deaths. According to state health data, 79,765 of those cases and 2,956 deaths have involved residents of Chicago, the third-largest city in the U.S.
Statewide, 3.7% of the tests performed during the last seven days have been positive. In Chicago, Lightfoot said that figure is at 4.5%.
The changes to Chicago’s rules will let restaurants increase capacity from 25% to 40% - with a cap at 50 people within one room. Bars without food service, which the city shut down this summer after a brief reopening, can resume indoor service at 25% capacity or a maximum of 50 people.
___
STILLWATER, Okla. - Stillwater Public Schools students and their families are suffering personal and financial hardships as a result of the district’s distance and remote learning plan enacted because of the coronavirus pandemic, a group of parents allege in a lawsuit filed Monday.
The lawsuit, filed in Payne County against the district, superintendent and board members, is demanding the district provide access to in-person classroom instruction and reopen all public school facilities.
The district is currently offering a mixed schedule, dubbed the A-B plan, with students reporting to in-person classes two days a week and distance learning three days a week. Payne County is among about two dozen Oklahoma counties in the Orange 2 designation, the second-highest level, with between 25 and 50 confirmed coronavirus cases per 100,000 population, according to State Health Department data.
A spokesman for the district, Barry Fuxa, declined to comment on the lawsuit specifically but noted the district is following Oklahoma State Department of Education guidelines for determining when to limit in-person instruction.
___
TOPEKA, Kan. - Kansas is reporting another seven-day record for new coronavirus cases, with 16% of tests for the virus during that period coming back positive.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Monday that the U.S. state had 2,037 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases since Friday, an increase of 3.6%, for a total of 58,629 since the pandemic reached the state in early March.
Kansas had an average of 667 new cases a day for the seven days ending Monday, or 7% higher than the previous record of 622 for the seven days ending Wednesday.
The state also reported five new COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the pandemic total to 637. Deaths continued to represent about 1.1% of the total cases.
___
ROME - More Italian regions are mulling outside mask mandates amid a steady increase in infections and indications that testing capacity can’t keep up with the demand.
Italy added 1,494 coronavirus infections and 16 deaths to its confirmed COVID toll Monday, in line with its daily increase for the past few weeks. While Italy has managed to test around 105,000 people a day during weekdays, processing slows down considerably over the weekend, and Italian labs managed only 51,109 tests in the past 24 hours.
The Lazio region around Rome is the latest to announce it is considering requiring residents to wear masks outdoors as its infections grow and testing capacities lag. Residents are reporting a weeklong wait for results, prompting officials to announce they’ll start using quicker but less accurate rapid tests in schools next week.
Sicily over the weekend joined southern Campania and the city of Genoa in announcing outdoor mask mandates. The Campania region around Naples led the country in adding the most new infections Monday, at 295; Sicily added 102 - almost as many as Europe’s original virus epicenter in Lombardy.
___
MADRID - After ending a meeting with Madrid regional officials without agreeing how to tackle a wave of coronavirus infections, Spain’s health minister has pleaded again for tougher measures in the capital.
Salvador Illa said that the Madrid region, home to 6.6 million, “has community transmission and the pandemic is not under control.”
“It’s already too late and we need to act with determination,” he said.
The national government wants to see existing restrictions against the spread of the virus extended to the entire city while regional officials say time is needed to see if the current limitations have an effect and that drastic measures would hurt further Spain’s economy.
The disagreement has played out publicly, raising concern among many in Madrid and the rest of Spain.
The country’s coronavirus tally on Monday reached 748,266 infections since the onset of the pandemic, 31,785 more since Friday, official data showed. There were 179 new fatalities for COVID-19, bringing the total death toll to 31,411, although experts think many more deaths have not been recorded due to limited testing.
With 290 cases per 100,000 people in two weeks, Spain is by far leading Europe’s infections during this second wave. The rate is particularly high in the capital, Madrid, with 775 new cases per 100,000 over the past 14 days.
Madrid has limited all social gatherings to a maximum of 6 people, reduced attendance in shops and restaurants, and restricted mobility from and to 45 neighborhoods of the region.


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--4 young Peoria women killed in 1-car crash, school mourns

PEORIA , Ill. ( AP ) - Teachers and staff at a central Illinois high school are mourning the weekend deaths of four young women who were killed when their vehicle left a roadway and slammed into a tree .
All four women killed in early Sunday ’ s crash in Peoria were Manual Academy graduates .
Authorities identified them as Jazzman Burns , 22 , a 2016 graduate ; Quanylan Thomas , 19 , a 2019 graduate ; and 18-year-olds Tyesha Thomas and Diamond Williams , both 2020 grads .
“ One life lost is tragic ; four from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaks for these families , ” said Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood .
Peoria police said the car carrying the women was traveling at a high speed about 3:45 a.m. Sunday when the driver lost control and struck a tree , the Journal Star reported .
All four were pronounced dead at the scene .
Police and the coroner ’ s office continue investigating the fatal crash .
Autopsies and toxicology tests were pending .
Manual Academy planned to provide support Monday on the front lawn of the school for current and former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Principal Devon Hawks said in a statement that “ these young ladies will be missed and our hearts go out to their families and everyone impacted .
”

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) - Teachers and staff at a central Illinois high school are mourning the weekend deaths of four young women who were killed when their vehicle left a roadway and slammed into a tree.
All four women killed in early Sunday’s crash in Peoria were Manual Academy graduates. Authorities identified them as Jazzman Burns, 22, a 2016 graduate; Quanylan Thomas, 19, a 2019 graduate; and 18-year-olds Tyesha Thomas and Diamond Williams, both 2020 grads.
“One life lost is tragic; four from one event is unconscionable. My heart breaks for these families,” said Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood.
Peoria police said the car carrying the women was traveling at a high speed about 3:45 a.m. Sunday when the driver lost control and struck a tree, the Journal Star reported.
All four were pronounced dead at the scene. Police and the coroner’s office continue investigating the fatal crash. Autopsies and toxicology tests were pending.
Manual Academy planned to provide support Monday on the front lawn of the school for current and former Manual students affected by the deaths.
Principal Devon Hawks said in a statement that “these young ladies will be missed and our hearts go out to their families and everyone impacted.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--Greensboro taking steps toward more transparency with police

GREENSBORO , N.C. ( AP ) - City officials in the North Carolina city of Greensboro say they plan to spend more time studying police interactions with the public and to regularly release information on police officers ’ job performance .
The News & Record reported Sunday that a memo from the city ’ s manager to council members outlines steps to better evaluate interactions between police and the public .
A member of a citizens review board will regularly review at random nine police interactions with citizens .
The city will also open an online portal for people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to file a formal complaint .
The city will also offer an online “ dashboard ” of data about police encounters with residents , ranging from traffic stops to use of force .
The information will be linked to a mapping system to show where these incidents occur in the city .
“ These are some really good changes which will provide greater transparency and hopefully allow the city to identify and resolve potential issues even where persons are unwilling or hesitant to file formal complaints , ” said Justin Outling , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) - City officials in the North Carolina city of Greensboro say they plan to spend more time studying police interactions with the public and to regularly release information on police officers’ job performance.
The News & Record reported Sunday that a memo from the city’s manager to council members outlines steps to better evaluate interactions between police and the public.
A member of a citizens review board will regularly review at random nine police interactions with citizens. The city will also open an online portal for people to give impressions of police actions without having to file a formal complaint.
The city will also offer an online “dashboard” of data about police encounters with residents, ranging from traffic stops to use of force. The information will be linked to a mapping system to show where these incidents occur in the city.
“These are some really good changes which will provide greater transparency and hopefully allow the city to identify and resolve potential issues even where persons are unwilling or hesitant to file formal complaints,” said Justin Outling, a member of Greensboro’s City Council.


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--Washington state man accused of shining laser at plane

EVERETT , Wash. ( AP ) - A Washington state man was arrested on a felony charge after police believe @ @ @ @ @ at a Washington State Patrol airplane , authorities said .
Patrol troopers responded Friday to @ @ @ @ @ where the airplane crew saw two people on the balcony of an apartment building , @ @ @ @ @ The plane crew followed one of the two people after they attempted to flee the @ @ @ @ @ The crew then gave directions to troopers on the ground .
The 41-year-old suspect , @ @ @ @ @ was arrested on suspicion of first-degree unlawful discharge of a laser , authorities said .
@ @ @ @ @ was found near the bushes where the suspect tried to hide before his arrest , @ @ @ @ @ suspect appeared to have trouble breathing during the arrest and was administered Narcan before being @ @ @ @ @ the Snohomish County Jail , troopers said .
The suspect was released Friday after posting @ @ @ @

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) - A Washington state man was arrested on a felony charge after police believe he shined a laser pointer at a Washington State Patrol airplane, authorities said.
Patrol troopers responded Friday to a home in Everett, where the airplane crew saw two people on the balcony of an apartment building, The Daily Herald reported.
The plane crew followed one of the two people after they attempted to flee the area, troopers said. The crew then gave directions to troopers on the ground.
The 41-year-old suspect, who was not identified, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree unlawful discharge of a laser, authorities said. A handheld green laser pointer was found near the bushes where the suspect tried to hide before his arrest, court documents said.
The suspect appeared to have trouble breathing during the arrest and was administered Narcan before being cleared to be booked into the Snohomish County Jail, troopers said.
The suspect was released Friday after posting $5,000 bond.


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--Kansas Capitol meditation room moved to create staff space

TOPEKA , Kan. ( AP ) - Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly has moved a Kansas Statehouse meditation room created by Republicans as a place for prayer and reflection to a less-visible space to create more room for her staff to social distance during the coronavirus pandemic .
The new meditation room is on the northwest side of the building ’ s basement floor , down an out-of-the-way hall in what used to be a room set aside but only occasionally used for shooting videos and television interviews .
A visitor must go through double doors marked as an exit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unused security scanning machines are stored in the hall .
Until earlier this month , the meditation space was on the Statehouse ’ s second floor , where Kelly and her staff have their offices .
It now houses the desks of three governor ’ s office constituent-services staffers .
“ Gov .
Kelly is repurposing space that belongs to her office for her administration ’ s growing constituent services team and to ensure her staff are able to follow recommended social distancing guidelines , ” Fitzgerald said in an email to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Wichita Republican and frequent Kelly critic , called the change “ sad ” and suggested the governor “ increased government so much that staffers need to take over a long-standing room for prayer.
” The old room ’ s chairs and couches migrated to the new space , along with a white flag featuring a picture of a pine tree under “ An appeal to heaven.
” The room also contains a large container with soil from each of the state ’ s counties , blessed in a “ holy convocation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unify God ’ s people , ” a sign says .
Republican Gov .
Sam Brownback created the meditation room on the second floor in 2012 , after GOP legislators suggested the Statehouse needed a place for prayer and reflection .
It was designated as a meditation room to keep it non-sectarian .
The Republican-controlled Legislature had included provisions in state budgets to ensure that the second-floor meditation space was protected , but the most recent one expired July 1 .

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has moved a Kansas Statehouse meditation room created by Republicans as a place for prayer and reflection to a less-visible space to create more room for her staff to social distance during the coronavirus pandemic.
The new meditation room is on the northwest side of the building’s basement floor, down an out-of-the-way hall in what used to be a room set aside but only occasionally used for shooting videos and television interviews. A visitor must go through double doors marked as an exit, and pieces of scaffolding and two unused security scanning machines are stored in the hall.
Until earlier this month, the meditation space was on the Statehouse’s second floor, where Kelly and her staff have their offices. It now houses the desks of three governor’s office constituent-services staffers.
“Gov. Kelly is repurposing space that belongs to her office for her administration’s growing constituent services team and to ensure her staff are able to follow recommended social distancing guidelines,” Fitzgerald said in an email to The Associated Press.
Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican and frequent Kelly critic, called the change “sad” and suggested the governor “increased government so much that staffers need to take over a long-standing room for prayer.”
The old room’s chairs and couches migrated to the new space, along with a white flag featuring a picture of a pine tree under “An appeal to heaven.” The room also contains a large container with soil from each of the state’s counties, blessed in a “holy convocation” in May 2015 to help “unify God’s people,” a sign says.
Republican Gov. Sam Brownback created the meditation room on the second floor in 2012, after GOP legislators suggested the Statehouse needed a place for prayer and reflection. It was designated as a meditation room to keep it non-sectarian.
The Republican-controlled Legislature had included provisions in state budgets to ensure that the second-floor meditation space was protected, but the most recent one expired July 1.
___
Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--Planned Parenthood demands presidential debate moderators 'fact-check' Trump on abortion

A coalition of liberal groups led by Planned Parenthood is concerned that Fox News ’ Chris Wallace will not fact-check President Trump on abortion issues during Tuesday ’ s presidential debate .
Planned Parenthood ’ s coalition wrote a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates and the upcoming debates ’ moderators pleading with them to show a contrast between Mr. Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden on abortion .
Planned Parenthood Executive Director Jenny Lawson wrote the letter with liberal groups UltraViolet , Women ’ s March , Media Matters Action Network , BlackPAC , and Color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have “ consistently and repeatedly lied ” about reproductive health care .
“ We are asking you two important things : One , moderators question the candidates about access to sexual and reproductive healthcare , including birth control and abortion .
Two , we demand that the questions be based on medically accurate information and that moderators be prepared to fact-check in real-time when candidates mislead or spread inaccurate , stigmatizing rhetoric , ” they wrote in the letter .
“ With so much at stake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the traps of promoting medical disinformation.
” Planned Parenthood noted in a press release that Mr. Wallace asked “ the only substantive question on abortion ” in any of the presidential and vice-presidential debates four years ago , but the liberal group is concerned because of his use of the “ stigmatizing rhetoric of the anti-abortion movement.
” “ Medical misinformation has been amplified amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
We can not afford to let it seep into our politics more than it already has , ” the liberal groups wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions from moderators about abortion and sexual and reproductive health during the presidential and vice-presidential debates , grounded in science .
Moderators must come prepared to push back at lies.
” Mr. Trump ’ s reelection campaign did not immediately respond to request for comment , but the president has taken recent action on issues related to abortion .
On Friday , Mr. Trump signed an executive order aimed at ensuring every infant born alive — including those born prematurely , are disabled or survive abortions — receive medical care .

A coalition of liberal groups led by Planned Parenthood is concerned that Fox News’ Chris Wallace will not fact-check President Trump on abortion issues during Tuesday’s presidential debate.
Planned Parenthood’s coalition wrote a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates and the upcoming debates’ moderators pleading with them to show a contrast between Mr. Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden on abortion.
Planned Parenthood Executive Director Jenny Lawson wrote the letter with liberal groups UltraViolet, Women’s March, Media Matters Action Network, BlackPAC, and Color of Change PAC. They argue that Mr. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have “consistently and repeatedly lied” about reproductive health care.
“We are asking you two important things: One, moderators question the candidates about access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, including birth control and abortion. Two, we demand that the questions be based on medically accurate information and that moderators be prepared to fact-check in real-time when candidates mislead or spread inaccurate, stigmatizing rhetoric,” they wrote in the letter. “With so much at stake, we cannot afford to fall into the traps of promoting medical disinformation.”
Planned Parenthood noted in a press release that Mr. Wallace asked “the only substantive question on abortion” in any of the presidential and vice-presidential debates four years ago, but the liberal group is concerned because of his use of the “stigmatizing rhetoric of the anti-abortion movement.”
“Medical misinformation has been amplified amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot afford to let it seep into our politics more than it already has,” the liberal groups wrote. “That is why we must hear questions from moderators about abortion and sexual and reproductive health during the presidential and vice-presidential debates, grounded in science. Moderators must come prepared to push back at lies.”
Mr. Trump’s reelection campaign did not immediately respond to request for comment, but the president has taken recent action on issues related to abortion. On Friday, Mr. Trump signed an executive order aimed at ensuring every infant born alive — including those born prematurely, are disabled or survive abortions — receive medical care.
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--Police: Motorcyclist dies after fleeing trooper, crashing

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - Police in Virginia say that a motorcyclist who was being pursued by a @ @ @ @ @ crashing into a pickup truck .
WRIC reported Monday that police said the motorcyclist was @ @ @ @ @ when he ran a read light outside of Richmond .
Virginia State Police said that @ @ @ @ @ to pursue the motorcyclist because the bike lacked a license plate .
The trooper tried @ @ @ @ @ on I-95 , but police said he sped off when the trooper activated his lights @ @ @ @ @ the motorcyclist was running a red light on Route 301 when he collided with a @ @ @ @ @ said the motorcyclist was ejected and died at the scene .
The man was wearing @ @ @ @ @ Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death .
State police are continuing their investigation @

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Police in Virginia say that a motorcyclist who was being pursued by a state trooper has died after crashing into a pickup truck.
WRIC reported Monday that police said the motorcyclist was driving more than 100 mph when he ran a red light outside of Richmond.
Virginia State Police said that one of its troopers began to pursue the motorcyclist because the bike lacked a license plate. The trooper tried to pull over the motorcyclist on I-95, but police said he sped off when the trooper activated his lights and sirens.
Police said the motorcyclist was running a red light on Route 301 when he collided with a Nissan pickup truck. Police said the motorcyclist was ejected and died at the scene.
The man was wearing a helmet. The Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. State police are continuing their investigation.


Editorial Roundup: Michigan

Ten candidates are vying for two seats on the University of Michigan ’ s Board of Regents .
But despite strong challengers , Michigan voters should return MARK BERNSTEIN and SHAUNA RYDER DIGGS to the board .
Bernstein and Diggs , both Democrats , were elected to the board in 2012 .
Each offers a unique perspective necessary to guide the university through this challenging time .
Bernstein came to the board steeped in policy research , and that has paid off .
A consistent voice for equity and access , he has made it easier for university employees to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions to the problem of sexual assault on campus , brought into the spotlight as U-M faces allegations that a former doctor in its athletic department sexually assaulted student athletes for years .
Diggs , a physician , is a valuable asset as the university continues to contend with the COVID-19 pandemic .
Diggs understands the connection between minority representation on faculty and staff , and student success .
Both incumbents supported the Go Blue Guarantee , a promise of free tuition to Michigan students with family incomes below $ 65,000 a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position that university ’ s efforts to make tuition affordable should be aimed at students who struggle to pay , even if that means increasing tuition for students who can afford tuition .
Both Republican nominees , Sarah Hubbard and Carl Meyers , are accomplished professionals .
Hubbard has won respect around the state from members of both parties for her political and policy pragmatism ; Meyers , a longtime Dearborn resident , believes the university should invest in and promote its satellite campuses in that city and in Flint , noting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and inclusion .
But Bernstein and Diggs are the best choices and should retain their seats .
Ten candidates are seeking seats on the Michigan State University Board of Trustees .
Trustee Brian Mosallam is running for re-election , but board member Joel Ferguson opted not to run again , leaving an open seat .
Voters should cast ballots for Democrats BRIAN MOSALLAM and first-time candidate REMA ELLA VASSAR .
As the university grappled with painful revelations about former sports medicine doctor Larry Nassar , who sexually assaulted hundreds of young women during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mosallam was a consistent voice for transparency and change .
Mosallam proposed reforms that change the way the university handles sexual assault complaints , and led the charge to oust former Gov .
John Engler , whose tenure as the school ’ s interim president was dotted with missteps and serial insensitivity to Nassar survivors .
Mossallam continues to push to make records related to the scandal public Mosallam has earned the trust of Nassar ’ s survivors , and deserves another term to see through the work he has started .
Vassar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats , isn ’ t a MSU alum .
But she he ’ s the wife of one MSU graduate and mother to another , and that , she says , makes her the member MSU ’ s board needs .
During the worst days of the Nassar crisis , the board of trustees often seemed insular , concerned more with preserving the reputations and careers of longtime university allies than in promoting the transparency justice required .
Vassar , an assistant professor in Eastern Michigan University ’ s College of Education , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties to the school can ’ t muster .
As a former k-12 educator with serious policy credentials - she holds a doctorate in urban schooling policy from the University of California - Los Angeles - Vassar says she wants to improve access to and equity within the university , and her academic and professional background suggests that she understands how to get there .
She says the university must improve its outreach to Michigan ’ s native communities , Black populations and working-class white towns alike .
For more than a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wayne State University ’ s Board of Governors has been higher education ’ s worst-kept secret .
Rival members of the elected board fought at meetings and in the press for months as students , faculty and staff voiced growing concern that the board ’ s bickering put the university ’ s stability and success in peril .
After one board member resigned last year , Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer appointed Detroiter Shirley Stancato , the former president and CEO of New Detroit , a civic organization that advocates for racial equity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for two spots on the university board .
Stancato is an experienced civic leader who excels in conducting difficult conversations with grace , and that ’ s exactly what this board needs .
Voters should elect SHIRLEY STANCATO to a full term on the WSU board .
A first-generation college graduate , Stancato is focused on ensuring that Wayne State not only admits first-generation students but offers the support they need to complete their degrees .
Voters should elect EVA GARZA DEWAELSCHE to the open seat .
Dewaelsche , president and CEO of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dewaelsche has served on the Wayne State University Alumni Board of Directors , and has been an active participant in the university community .
She believes Wayne State must diversify both its student body and its faculty and staff , offer more substantial mental health care services , and a comprehensive set of wraparound services for vulnerable students .
She supports the school ’ s promise of free tuition to Detroit students , but believes the university should do more to ensure entering freshmen can meet its entrance requirements .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Library in the city of Marquette is soon opening to the public .
Closed to customer foot traffic since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the venerable institution will open its doors on a limited basis starting Monday .
“ We are definitely excited to have people back in the library … to have people on site and in the building , ” PWPL director Andrea Ingmire said for a Mining Journal story on the issue .
“ It is going to look different .
That is the biggest thing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have available is going to be reduced because there are areas of the building that we just can ’ t open logistically .
But we are going to do the best we can to meet all of the service needs that people have.
” Starting Monday , what ’ s being termed express walk-in hours will be 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays .
Not unreasonably , officials ask that visitors observe the standard social distancing of six feet while inside .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to want to enter the premises .
“ If masks can not be tolerated , we ask that you consider wearing a bandana or buff instead , ” a PWPL press release states .
“ Those who are medically unable to tolerate a face covering of any kind are welcome to continue utilizing curbside library services.
” Although it ’ s presently unclear how long the limited hours and access will be in place , we applaud Ingmire and her crew for getting the facility up and running in any form .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for small towns , the Peter White Public Library in Marquette is central to so much that happens around here .
Start with basic library functions and services but then add in arts , culture , community gatherings , learning , music and so much more .
We ’ re pleased it ’ s back , even in this limited form .
Kudos to Mike Netzky , leader of the Flying Clovers Racing Pigeon group , for organizing a national youth race on Saturday , Sept. 26 .
During the race , birds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to Pickerel Lake .
The birds came to Netzky from 12 different states , as well as 14 entries from Michigan .
Each bird was bred by children ages 5-18 and came to Netzky as untrained youngsters 7-9 weeks old .
Each pigeon had to be vaccinated , quarantined and then acclimated to their new loft .
The Flying Clovers Racing Pigeon Club has been slowly training the young birds to fly up to 130 miles in preparation for the Grand Rapids release .
Kudos to Rev .
Linda McCarty for embarking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mackinaw City and Petoskey to raise funds for Guatemala .
McCarty is the president and CEO of Houston-based Faith In Practice , a national nonprofit that provides medical care to the poor of Guatemala .
COVID-19 has been especially devastating to the country .
McCarty is dedicating her ride to Faith In Practice ’ s U.S. volunteers who travel thousands of miles , and commit thousand of hours , to prepare , travel and serve in Guatemala .
Kudos to communities that are offering creative alternatives to traditional fall activities in an effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One example is Boyne City , which canceled its annual Harvest Festival , but will offer several fall activities in its place .
A pumpkin giveaway will take place on Saturday , Sept. 26 , with 300 pumpkins available on a first-come , first-serve basis .
The Friends of the Boyne District Library have also provided painting kits for children to take home to paint their pumpkin .
The 12th annual Breezeway Fall Color Cruises , organized by the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce , has also announced the cruises will take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Oct. 10 .
Color tour participants will have the opportunity to pick up “ goodie bags ” filled with trip tips , color tour maps , coupons and other surprises at Royal Farms Winery in Atwood from 10-noon on those days .
Kudos to Dave Kring Chevrolet Cadillac for continuing its annual tradition of donating meat to area nonprofits .
The donation is now in its 33rd year .
A total of 652 pounds of beef and pork were distributed between Manna Food Project , Petoskey Church of Christ , Brother Dan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Resource Center of Northern Michigan and The Nehemiah Project .
The donation comes from livestock purchased by Kring during the local 4-H livestock auction , which took place virtually this year amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Congratulations to the eight cyclists from West Michigan who broke a World Ultra Cycling record by riding from Sturgis to Sault Ste .
Marie .
The ride from the state ’ s southern to northern border , 367.6 miles in total , was accomplished in 15 hours and 56 minutes .
That time shattered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes .
The “ Epic Ride ” group includes Ben Blake , Ralph Buckingham , Nick DeHaan , Joseph Lampen , Sean Murphy , Jon Ornée , Jeremy Sall and Justin Van Beek .
They averaged 23.1 mph during the ride , and the clock did not stop except for the crossing of the Mackinac Bridge .
A solo attempt at the record in the reverse direction fell just short .
Former Olympic runner Paul McMullen attempted his own cycling ride of the same distance , starting in Sault Ste .
Marie near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his planned route just south of Marion at about the 200-mile mark , and halted his ride near his hometown of Cadillac .

Detroit Free Press. Sept. 27, 2020
Endorsement: Elect these candidates to state’s university boards
University of Michigan Board of Regents
Ten candidates are vying for two seats on the University of Michigan’s Board of Regents. But despite strong challengers, Michigan voters should return MARK BERNSTEIN and SHAUNA RYDER DIGGS to the board.
Bernstein and Diggs, both Democrats, were elected to the board in 2012. Each offers a unique perspective necessary to guide the university through this challenging time.
Bernstein came to the board steeped in policy research, and that has paid off. A consistent voice for equity and access, he has made it easier for university employees to unionize. He has also offered thoughtful solutions to the problem of sexual assault on campus, brought into the spotlight as U-M faces allegations that a former doctor in its athletic department sexually assaulted student athletes for years.
Diggs, a physician, is a valuable asset as the university continues to contend with the COVID-19 pandemic . Diggs understands the connection between minority representation on faculty and staff, and student success.
Both incumbents supported the Go Blue Guarantee, a promise of free tuition to Michigan students with family incomes below $65,000 a year.
Bernstein has taken the sometimes unpopular position that university’s efforts to make tuition affordable should be aimed at students who struggle to pay, even if that means increasing tuition for students who can afford tuition.
Both Republican nominees, Sarah Hubbard and Carl Meyers, are accomplished professionals. Hubbard has won respect around the state from members of both parties for her political and policy pragmatism; Meyers, a longtime Dearborn resident, believes the university should invest in and promote its satellite campuses in that city and in Flint, noting that those schools are important tools for diversity and inclusion.
But Bernstein and Diggs are the best choices and should retain their seats.
Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Ten candidates are seeking seats on the Michigan State University Board of Trustees.
Trustee Brian Mosallam is running for re-election, but board member Joel Ferguson opted not to run again, leaving an open seat.
Voters should cast ballots for Democrats BRIAN MOSALLAM and first-time candidate REMA ELLA VASSAR.
As the university grappled with painful revelations about former sports medicine doctor Larry Nassar, who sexually assaulted hundreds of young women during his tenure with U.S.A. Gymnastics, Mosallam was a consistent voice for transparency and change. Mosallam proposed reforms that change the way the university handles sexual assault complaints, and led the charge to oust former Gov. John Engler, whose tenure as the school’s interim president was dotted with missteps and serial insensitivity to Nassar survivors. Mossallam continues to push to make records related to the scandal public
Mosallam has earned the trust of Nassar’s survivors, and deserves another term to see through the work he has started.
Vassar, unlike most candidates for university board seats, isn’t a MSU alum. But she he’s the wife of one MSU graduate and mother to another, and that, she says, makes her the member MSU’s board needs.
During the worst days of the Nassar crisis, the board of trustees often seemed insular, concerned more with preserving the reputations and careers of longtime university allies than in promoting the transparency justice required.
Vassar, an assistant professor in Eastern Michigan University’s College of Education, offers an objectivity those with more intimate ties to the school can’t muster.
As a former k-12 educator with serious policy credentials - she holds a doctorate in urban schooling policy from the University of California - Los Angeles - Vassar says she wants to improve access to and equity within the university, and her academic and professional background suggests that she understands how to get there. She says the university must improve its outreach to Michigan’s native communities, Black populations and working-class white towns alike.
Wayne State University Board of Governors
For more than a year, the bitter contention among members of Wayne State University’s Board of Governors has been higher education’s worst-kept secret. Rival members of the elected board fought at meetings and in the press for months as students, faculty and staff voiced growing concern that the board’s bickering put the university’s stability and success in peril.
After one board member resigned last year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Detroiter Shirley Stancato, the former president and CEO of New Detroit, a civic organization that advocates for racial equity. She is one of seven candidates competing for two spots on the university board.
Stancato is an experienced civic leader who excels in conducting difficult conversations with grace, and that’s exactly what this board needs. Voters should elect SHIRLEY STANCATO to a full term on the WSU board.
A first-generation college graduate, Stancato is focused on ensuring that Wayne State not only admits first-generation students but offers the support they need to complete their degrees.
Voters should elect EVA GARZA DEWAELSCHE to the open seat. Dewaelsche, president and CEO of SER-Metro, a regional workforce development agency. Dewaelsche has served on the Wayne State University Alumni Board of Directors, and has been an active participant in the university community. She believes Wayne State must diversify both its student body and its faculty and staff, offer more substantial mental health care services, and a comprehensive set of wraparound services for vulnerable students. She supports the school’s promise of free tuition to Detroit students, but believes the university should do more to ensure entering freshmen can meet its entrance requirements.
___
The Mining Journal. Sept. 26, 2020
PWPL opening doors to limited customer traffic starting Monday
It’s taken awhile but the Peter White Public Library in the city of Marquette is soon opening to the public.
Closed to customer foot traffic since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the venerable institution will open its doors on a limited basis starting Monday.
“We are definitely excited to have people back in the library … to have people on site and in the building,” PWPL director Andrea Ingmire said for a Mining Journal story on the issue. “It is going to look different. That is the biggest thing. What we are going to be able to have available is going to be reduced because there are areas of the building that we just can’t open logistically. But we are going to do the best we can to meet all of the service needs that people have.”
Starting Monday, what’s being termed express walk-in hours will be 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.
Not unreasonably, officials ask that visitors observe the standard social distancing of six feet while inside. And masks will be required for people to want to enter the premises.
“If masks cannot be tolerated, we ask that you consider wearing a bandana or buff instead,” a PWPL press release states. “Those who are medically unable to tolerate a face covering of any kind are welcome to continue utilizing curbside library services.”
Although it’s presently unclear how long the limited hours and access will be in place, we applaud Ingmire and her crew for getting the facility up and running in any form.
In a way that’s rare even for small towns, the Peter White Public Library in Marquette is central to so much that happens around here. Start with basic library functions and services but then add in arts, culture, community gatherings, learning, music and so much more.
We’re pleased it’s back, even in this limited form.
___
Petoskey News-Review. Sept. 26, 2020
Racing pigeons
Kudos to Mike Netzky, leader of the Flying Clovers Racing Pigeon group, for organizing a national youth race on Saturday, Sept. 26.
During the race, birds will fly from the Grand Rapids area back to Pickerel Lake. The birds came to Netzky from 12 different states, as well as 14 entries from Michigan. Each bird was bred by children ages 5-18 and came to Netzky as untrained youngsters 7-9 weeks old. Each pigeon had to be vaccinated, quarantined and then acclimated to their new loft.
The Flying Clovers Racing Pigeon Club has been slowly training the young birds to fly up to 130 miles in preparation for the Grand Rapids release.
500-mile ride
Kudos to Rev. Linda McCarty for embarking on a 500-mile bike ride cycling between Mackinaw City and Petoskey to raise funds for Guatemala.
McCarty is the president and CEO of Houston-based Faith In Practice, a national nonprofit that provides medical care to the poor of Guatemala. COVID-19 has been especially devastating to the country.
McCarty is dedicating her ride to Faith In Practice’s U.S. volunteers who travel thousands of miles, and commit thousand of hours, to prepare, travel and serve in Guatemala.
Fall festivities
Kudos to communities that are offering creative alternatives to traditional fall activities in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
One example is Boyne City, which canceled its annual Harvest Festival, but will offer several fall activities in its place.
A pumpkin giveaway will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26, with 300 pumpkins available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Friends of the Boyne District Library have also provided painting kits for children to take home to paint their pumpkin.
The 12th annual Breezeway Fall Color Cruises, organized by the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce, has also announced the cruises will take place on Sept. 26, Oct. 3 and Oct. 10. Color tour participants will have the opportunity to pick up “goodie bags” filled with trip tips, color tour maps, coupons and other surprises at Royal Farms Winery in Atwood from 10-noon on those days.
Food donation
Kudos to Dave Kring Chevrolet Cadillac for continuing its annual tradition of donating meat to area nonprofits.
The donation is now in its 33rd year. A total of 652 pounds of beef and pork were distributed between Manna Food Project, Petoskey Church of Christ, Brother Dan’s Food Pantry, Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan and The Nehemiah Project.
The donation comes from livestock purchased by Kring during the local 4-H livestock auction, which took place virtually this year amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Cycling record
Congratulations to the eight cyclists from West Michigan who broke a World Ultra Cycling record by riding from Sturgis to Sault Ste. Marie.
The ride from the state’s southern to northern border, 367.6 miles in total, was accomplished in 15 hours and 56 minutes. That time shattered the previous record by 3 hours and 52 minutes.
The “Epic Ride” group includes Ben Blake, Ralph Buckingham, Nick DeHaan, Joseph Lampen, Sean Murphy, Jon Ornée, Jeremy Sall and Justin Van Beek. They averaged 23.1 mph during the ride, and the clock did not stop except for the crossing of the Mackinac Bridge.
A solo attempt at the record in the reverse direction fell just short. Former Olympic runner Paul McMullen attempted his own cycling ride of the same distance, starting in Sault Ste. Marie near the International Bridge. McMullen deviated from his planned route just south of Marion at about the 200-mile mark, and halted his ride near his hometown of Cadillac.


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--Dems to Facebook: Get serious about misinformation, hate

Two influential Democrats on Capitol Hill have urged Facebook to take stronger action against misinformation , voter suppression and incitements to violence ahead of the 2020 election .
In a letter sent to the company on Sunday , U.S .
Representatives Pramila Jayapal and David Cicilline accused Facebook of failing to enforce its own rules when it comes to false claims about the election , and not doing enough to stop right-wing militias and white supremacist groups from using the platform to organize potentially violent events .
“ With the election less than 50 days away , the lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat to our democracy is a grave concern , ” the two lawmakers wrote .
“ We are at the precipice of a democratic crisis , and Facebook must take all immediate steps within Facebook ’ s power to avert this crisis.
” Congress has done little to increase oversight of social media companies , so the letter amounts to little more than a public scolding .
Federal officials have largely let the companies set their own policies on hate speech and misinformation .
Facebook did not immediately respond to the letter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lawmakers from both parties .
While Republicans have accused Facebook of stifling conservative opinions , Democrats say it has failed to fully address misinformation and the exploitation of the platform by foreign and domestic groups looking to divide the country .
Specifically , the lawmakers asked Facebook to remove any post , group or page that promotes racial violence , voter suppression or election-related misinformation .
They also urged Facebook to hire more experts on racial hate groups and to improve enforcement of an existing ban on posts encouraging people to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finally , Jayapal and Cicilline call on Facebook to enforce its rules equally on President Donald Trump , who has repeatedly posted baseless claims about voting and election integrity .
Facebook has announced several changes intended to curb voting misinformation , and has also removed hundreds of accounts tied to hate groups or individuals who encouraged followers to show up armed at protests against racist policing .
But Cicilline and Jayapal say the efforts haven ’ t gone far enough .
Cicilline , of Rhode Island , and Jayapal , of Washington state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company ’ s fiercest critics in the nation ’ s capital .
Both grilled Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg over his company ’ s policies during a hearing this summer by the House antitrust subcommittee , which Cicilline leads .

Two influential Democrats on Capitol Hill have urged Facebook to take stronger action against misinformation, voter suppression and incitements to violence ahead of the 2020 election.
In a letter sent to the company on Sunday, U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal and David Cicilline accused Facebook of failing to enforce its own rules when it comes to false claims about the election, and not doing enough to stop right-wing militias and white supremacist groups from using the platform to organize potentially violent events.
“With the election less than 50 days away, the lack of concerted action by Facebook to address this threat to our democracy is a grave concern,” the two lawmakers wrote. “We are at the precipice of a democratic crisis, and Facebook must take all immediate steps within Facebook’s power to avert this crisis.”
Congress has done little to increase oversight of social media companies, so the letter amounts to little more than a public scolding. Federal officials have largely let the companies set their own policies on hate speech and misinformation.
In its response to the letter, Facebook noted that it faces pressure from both parties.
“We’ve faced criticism from Republicans for being biased against conservatives and Democrats for not taking more steps to restrict the exact same content,” company spokesman Andy Stone said in an email. “Our job is to create one consistent set of rules that applies equally to everyone.”
Specifically, the lawmakers asked Facebook to remove any post, group or page that promotes racial violence, voter suppression or election-related misinformation.
They also urged Facebook to hire more experts on racial hate groups and to improve enforcement of an existing ban on posts encouraging people to take weapons to polls or election offices. Finally, Jayapal and Cicilline call on Facebook to enforce its rules equally on President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly posted baseless claims about voting and election integrity.
Facebook has announced several changes intended to curb voting misinformation, and has also removed hundreds of accounts tied to hate groups or individuals who encouraged followers to show up armed at protests against racist policing. But Cicilline and Jayapal say the efforts haven’t gone far enough.
Cicilline, of Rhode Island, and Jayapal, of Washington state, have emerged as two of the company’s fiercest critics in the nation’s capital. Both grilled Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg over his company’s policies during a hearing this summer by the House antitrust subcommittee, which Cicilline leads.


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--Alabama superintendent drawing $15K monthly salary on leave

DECATUR , Ala. ( AP ) - An Alabama school superintendent placed on leave after FBI agents showed up at his home during a probe is making about $ 15,500 a month in salary while not working .
The Decatur Daily reported that Trey Holladay , superintendent of Athens city schools , remains on paid leave weeks after investigators visited his house during what an FBI spokesman called a “ law enforcement action.
” School board members voted unanimously to place Holladay on leave afterward , and he is being paid his annual salary of $ 186,134 in monthly installments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken over his duties .
“ Nothing has changed , ” the board president , Russell Johnson , told the newspaper .
“ He ’ s on paid administrative leave .
We ’ re waiting for whatever the next step will be .
We ’ re hoping this gets resolved soon.
” Johnson said the investigation was confidential at the request of federal officials .
“ We have provided everything they ’ ve asked for , ” Johnson said last week .
“ We ’ re just trying to get through this.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying the superintendent was proud of his work for the system and hasn ’ t been charged .

DECATUR, Ala. (AP) - An Alabama school superintendent placed on leave after FBI agents showed up at his home during a probe is making about $15,500 a month in salary while not working.
The Decatur Daily reported that Trey Holladay, superintendent of Athens city schools, remains on paid leave weeks after investigators visited his house during what an FBI spokesman called a “law enforcement action.”
School board members voted unanimously to place Holladay on leave afterward, and he is being paid his annual salary of $186,134 in monthly installments. Meanwhile, an interim superintendent has taken over his duties.
“Nothing has changed,” the board president, Russell Johnson, told the newspaper. “He’s on paid administrative leave. We’re waiting for whatever the next step will be. We’re hoping this gets resolved soon.”
Johnson said the investigation was confidential at the request of federal officials.
“We have provided everything they’ve asked for,” Johnson said last week. “We’re just trying to get through this.”
An attorney for Holladay released a statement saying the superintendent was proud of his work for the system and hasn’t been charged.


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--COVID-19 legislative session starts Monday in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE , La .
( AP ) - Only three months removed from their last gathering , Louisiana legislators return Monday for a special session focused on the coronavirus outbreak , with deepening rifts between Gov .
John Bel Edwards and Republican lawmakers over the appropriate response to the pandemic .
The month-long special session was called by Republican lawmakers without consultation from the Democratic governor , who had no sway over the 70-item agenda .
On the agenda are everything from Hurricane Laura response and changes to coronavirus regulations to budget discussions and issues specific to individual parishes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expansive .
“ It ’ s like a regular session .
I think the call is way too ambitious , ” said Baton Rouge Rep. Ted James , one of the few Democrats to sign the petition convening the session .
“ I think that there ’ s no way that we can adequately address all of those issues in 30 days.
” The House and Senate convene Monday evening , with little action expected on the opening day besides procedural moves of reading in bills and assigning them to committee .
Top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP legislators , particularly in the House , to try to scale back the governor ’ s emergency powers and require more review from the Legislature for emergencies that last beyond a few weeks .
Though lawmakers are proposing a permanent change for all governors , the immediate effect would limit Edwards ’ ability to keep coronavirus-related business and activity restrictions in place without agreement from lawmakers - many of whom complain they ’ ve been sidelined .
“ I think there ’ s a large segment of the Legislature that wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ table to discuss how the state operates , ” said Senate President Page Cortez , a Lafayette Republican .
Democrats are rallying against efforts to curb the governor ’ s authority , and if they hold together as a bloc in the House , they could keep Republicans from being able to override an Edwards veto of such legislation .
“ The governor is doing a good job of managing the pandemic , ” said Shreveport Rep. Sam Jenkins , the leader of House Democrats .
Nearly 5,300 people in Louisiana have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus since mid-March , according to the state health department .
Some Republican lawmakers say Edwards ’ continued regulations have been an overreaction , damaging the state ’ s economy .
The governor says his rules - which were loosened earlier this month - are less restrictive than many other states with lower rates of virus infections .
The White House coronavirus task force and Trump administration officials have repeatedly applauded Edwards ’ handling of the outbreak .
Cortez said one of his main priorities for the session involves finding a way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankrupt unemployment trust fund .
Jobless benefits will keep flowing to workers through loans from the federal government , but in 2021 those benefits will shrink and businesses will have to pay higher taxes if lawmakers can ’ t find a state financing stream to refill the trust fund .
Sen. Cameron Henry , a Metairie Republican , wants to start looking at ways to cut state spending to account for lower tax collections because of the coronavirus outbreak .
While federal dollars have filled budget gaps this year , those dollars will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepare for that loss - and he ’ s suggesting lawmakers curtail future automatic salary hikes for state workers .
“ To be borrowing money for unemployment while giving out pay raises is not the best use of taxpayer dollars , ” he said .
Henry and other Republicans lawmakers also want to take a deep dive into the government contracts that have been awarded during the pandemic and after Laura struck in August , as public bid laws have been suspended because of the governor ’ s emergency orders .
Edwards has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and too unwieldy in topics .
Special sessions traditionally have cost Louisiana about $ 50,000 a day , meaning this latest gathering could cost as much as $ 1.5 million if it lasts until it must end Oct. 27 .

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Only three months removed from their last gathering, Louisiana legislators returned Monday for a special session focused on the coronavirus outbreak, with deepening rifts between Gov. John Bel Edwards and Republican lawmakers over the appropriate response to the pandemic.
The monthlong special session was called by Republican lawmakers without consultation from the Democratic governor on the 70-item agenda.
The list includes everything from Hurricane Laura response and changes to coronavirus regulations to budget discussions and issues specific to individual parishes. Though the list is broad, Senate President Page Cortez and House Speaker Clay Schexnayder said their focus will be on recovery from the coronavirus and Laura.
“Everything we do will be about getting our people back on their feet,” said Schexnayder, a Republican from Gonzales.
Others, including Edwards, criticize the agenda as too expansive.
“It’s like a regular session. I think the call is way too ambitious,” said Baton Rouge Rep. Ted James, one of the few Democrats to sign the petition convening the session. “I think that there’s no way that we can adequately address all of those issues in 30 days.”
The House and Senate convened Monday evening with several members not following the statewide mask mandate. There was little action on opening day besides the procedural introduction and committee assignment of bills.
Top of the agenda is a push by GOP legislators to try to scale back the governor’s emergency powers and require more review from the Legislature for emergencies that last beyond a few weeks - as many lawmakers complain they’ve been sidelined in coronavirus decision-making.
Cortez and Schexnayder are each introducing bills on the topic, and they’ll likely become the main measures for debate.
“I think there’s a large segment of the Legislature that wants to at least have a seat at the table to discuss how the state operates,” said Cortez, a Lafayette Republican.
Democrats are rallying against efforts to curb the governor’s authority, and if they hold together as a bloc in the House, they could keep Republicans from being able to override an Edwards veto of such legislation.
“The governor is doing a good job of managing the pandemic,” said Shreveport Rep. Sam Jenkins, leader of House Democrats.
Nearly 5,300 people in Louisiana have died from the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavirus since mid-March, according to the health department.
Some Republican lawmakers say Edwards’ continued regulations have been an overreaction, damaging the state’s economy.
Rep. Mark Wright, a Covington Republican, is one of many House members to propose legislation for curbing executive power over emergencies.
“The impact on lives, livelihoods and our economy has been devastating in ways that have not yet been felt. It’s imperative that we open again soon, and that no single person has the unrestricted authority to shut down commerce and travel,” Wright said in a statement.
The governor says his rules - which were loosened earlier this month - are less restrictive than many other states with lower rates of virus infections. The White House coronavirus task force and Trump administration officials have repeatedly applauded Edwards’ handling of the outbreak.
Cortez said one of his main priorities for the session involves finding a way to shore up the state’s nearly bankrupt unemployment trust fund. Jobless benefits will keep flowing to workers through loans from the federal government, but in 2021 those benefits will shrink and businesses will have to pay higher taxes if lawmakers can’t find a state financing stream to refill the trust fund.
Sen. Cameron Henry, a Metairie Republican, wants to start looking at ways to cut spending to account for lower tax collections because of the coronavirus outbreak. While federal dollars have filled budget gaps, those dollars will disappear next year. Henry wants to prepare for that loss - and he’s suggesting lawmakers curtail future automatic salary hikes for state workers.
“To be borrowing money for unemployment while giving out pay raises is not the best use of taxpayer dollars,” he said.
Henry and other Republicans lawmakers also want to take a deep dive into government contracts awarded during the pandemic and after Laura struck in August, as public bid laws have been suspended because of the governor’s emergency orders.
Special sessions traditionally have cost Louisiana about $50,000 a day, meaning this latest gathering could cost as much as $1.5 million if it lasts until it must end Oct. 27.
___
Follow Melinda Deslatte on Twitter at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte.


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--Rhode Island extend current virus restrictions another month

PROVIDENCE , R.I. ( AP ) - Rhode Island will stay under its current coronavirus restrictions for another month .
@ @ @ @ @ has extended the restrictions under Phase 3 of the state ’ s reopening plan , @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
Now the restrictions will remain in place until Oct. 28 .
Under @ @ @ @ @ events are limited to 50 people and outdoor events are limited to 100 people .
@ @ @ @ @ 66 % of workers on site at once as long as other virus guidance , @ @ @ @ @ is followed .

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island will stay under its current coronavirus restrictions for another month.
Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo has extended the restrictions under Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan, which were supposed to expire on Monday. Now the restrictions will remain in place until Oct. 28.
Under Phase 3, indoor catered events are limited to 50 people and outdoor events are limited to 100 people. Businesses can have up to 66% of workers on site at once as long as other virus guidance, such as physical distancing, is followed.
Raimondo signed the executive order extending Phase 3 on Friday.
___
FIELD HOSPITALS TO BE DISMANTLED
Rhode Island plans to dismantle two of three field hospitals the state had set up early in the pandemic in case COVID-19 infections surged beyond what normal hospitals could handle.
The Providence Journal reports the field clinics include one that had been set up at the Rhode Island Convention Center.
Although confirmed cases have ticked upward in recent days, the surges that officials had worried about last spring haven’t materialized. Rhode Island has reported 1,110 deaths and more than 24,000 cases.
___
LATEST NUMBERS
The state Department of Health on Monday reported three additional coronavirus-related deaths and more than 240 additional cases.
Officials said just over 250 people had tested positive for the first time over the last three days. They didn’t specify how many were hospitalized.


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--Slave sale block set to be displayed in museum, with context

FREDERICKSBURG , Va. ( AP ) - A 176-year-old stone block that was used for slave auctions in Virginia will go on display at the Fredericksburg Area Museum , with signs explaining the context of recent protests against racial injustice that left it covered in graffiti .
The knee-high stone block sat for nearly two centuries in downtown Fredericksburg until the city removed it recently .
Now it ’ s on loan to the museum , which will put in on display by mid-November , with the graffiti still intact , The Free Lance-Star reported Sunday .
Sara Poore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said visitors will have the option to see the actual stone or just an image of it , and there will be “ clear signage that indicates the tone of the graffiti.
” “ We will also discuss the recent events and the impact the stone has/had on the conversation , ” Poore said .
“ It is our goal to use the stone as a springboard for community conversations.
” The city pulled the 800-pound ( 363-kilogram ) marker from the ground in June after its removal was delayed for months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The weathered stone was sprayed with graffiti and chants of “ move the block ” erupted during local demonstrations over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , city officials said .
A local chapter of the NAACP called for the stone ’ s removal in 2017 , saying it was a relic of “ a time of hatred and degradation ” that should not be displayed along a main thoroughfare .

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) - A 176-year-old stone block that was used for slave auctions in Virginia will go on display at the Fredericksburg Area Museum, with signs explaining the context of recent protests against racial injustice that left it covered in graffiti.
The knee-high stone block sat for nearly two centuries in downtown Fredericksburg until the city removed it recently. Now it’s on loan to the museum, which will put in on display by mid-November, with the graffiti still intact, The Free Lance-Star reported Sunday.
Sara Poore, the museum’s president and CEO, said visitors will have the option to see the actual stone or just an image of it, and there will be “clear signage that indicates the tone of the graffiti.”
“We will also discuss the recent events and the impact the stone has/had on the conversation,” Poore said. “It is our goal to use the stone as a springboard for community conversations.”
The city pulled the 800-pound (363-kilogram) marker from the ground in June after its removal was delayed for months by lawsuits and the coronavirus pandemic.
The weathered stone was sprayed with graffiti and chants of “move the block” erupted during local demonstrations over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, city officials said.
A local chapter of the NAACP called for the stone’s removal in 2017, saying it was a relic of “a time of hatred and degradation” that should not be displayed along a main thoroughfare.


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--Vermont Statehouse to have portrait of Black lawmaker

BROWNINGTON , Vt. ( AP ) - The Vermont Statehouse is going to be getting a portrait of the man who is thought to have been the first Black state lawmaker in the country .
On Sunday , the non-profit group Friends of the Vermont State House announced it was commissioning a portrait of Alexander Twilight .
Last week marked the 225th birthday of Twilight in Corinth .
Earlier this year lawmakers supported a resolution to make his birthday “ Alexander Twilight Day.
” Twilight graduated from Middlebury College in 1823 and later moved to Brownington to serve as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 1836 he was elected to represent Brownington in the Legislature .
The Caledonian Record reports the Friends of the Vermont State House committed to the Twilight portrait idea this summer and they were ready to launch a fundraising drive , but the National Life Group offered to pay for the portrait .
“ The friends were getting ready for a full-blown capital campaign , and it was wonderful to get that donor now , ” said Schutz .
The portrait is expected to be ready to hang in the Statehouse in @ @

BROWNINGTON, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont Statehouse is going to be getting a portrait of the man who is thought to have been the first Black state lawmaker in the country.
On Sunday, the non-profit group Friends of the Vermont State House announced it was commissioning a portrait of Alexander Twilight.
Last week marked the 225th birthday of Twilight in Corinth. Earlier this year lawmakers supported a resolution to make his birthday “Alexander Twilight Day.”
Twilight graduated from Middlebury College in 1823 and later moved to Brownington to serve as the principal of the Orleans County Grammar School. In 1836 he was elected to represent Brownington in the Legislature.
A death notice published in the Caledonian Record on July 11, 1857, following his June 19 death at age 61 highlighted Twilight’s significance as an educator and leader.
“Mr. Twilight was for many years Principal of the Orleans County Grammar School, well-known as an efficient teacher, and one long to be remembered,” the paper reported.
The Friends of the Vermont State House committed to the Twilight portrait idea this summer and they were ready to launch a fundraising drive, but the National Life Group offered to pay for the portrait.
“The friends were getting ready for a full-blown capital campaign, and it was wonderful to get that donor now,” said Schutz.
Schutz said a Statehouse portrait typically costs $30,000 to $40,000.
Schutz said the Friends have discussed for several years the need to feature Twilight among the State House portraits and the need for a broader effort to showcase a more inclusive environment.
The organization is now beginning the search for an artist to paint Twilight’s portrait.
“We will probably keep it a Vermont process, but we do want any and all portrait artists to respond,” Schutz said.
The portrait is expected to be ready to hang in the Statehouse in 2022.


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--Norway's aging king leaves Oslo hospital

Norway ’ s 83-year-old King Harald V left the main hospital in Oslo on Monday , four days after he @ @ @ @ @ , the Norwegian palace said .
In brief statement , the royal household said Rikshospitalet @ @ @ @ @ ” and that the monarch is on sick leave until Oct. 4 .
Doctors have @ @ @ @ @ Prince Haakon has stepped in and taken over his father ’ s duties .
Harald @ @ @ @ @ death of his father King Olav on Jan. 17 , 1991 .
The country ’ @ @ @ @ @ the 14th century , he married a commoner as a prince and won hearts in @ @ @ @ @ the mourning in 2011 for the victims of mass killer Anders Behring Breivik .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ briefly admitted to Rikshospitalet , the capital ’ s university hospital , after experiencing dizziness @ @ @ @ @ found , but the monarch was on sick leave for two weeks .

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) -
Norway’s 83-year-old King Harald V left the main hospital in Oslo on Monday, four days after he was admitted with breathing difficulties, the Norwegian palace said.
In brief statement, the royal household said Rikshospitalet was “continuing the investigation” and that the monarch is on sick leave until Oct. 4. Doctors have ruled out COVID-19.
Crown Prince Haakon has stepped in and taken over his father’s duties.
Harald ascended the throne upon the death of his father King Olav on Jan. 17, 1991.
The country’s first native-born king since the 14th century, he married a commoner as a prince and won hearts in his egalitarian country by leading the mourning in 2011 for the victims of mass killer Anders Behring Breivik.
Earlier this year, Harald was briefly admitted to Rikshospitalet, the capital’s university hospital, after experiencing dizziness. No serious illness was found, but the monarch was on sick leave for two weeks.


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--Edwards supports Adrian Perkins in Louisiana US Senate race

BATON ROUGE , La .
( AP ) - Gov .
John Bel Edwards announced Monday that he ’ s backing Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins in Louisiana ’ s U.S. Senate race .
The idea of Edwards , the Deep South ’ s only Democratic governor , endorsing a fellow Democrat for the seat isn ’ t surprising .
But Louisiana ’ s governor has had a solid working relationship with the Republican incumbent Perkins is trying to unseat , Bill Cassidy .
Edwards said Perkins , a fellow West Point graduate , would be an “ independent voice for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is paralyzed with partisan politics.
” “ Now more than ever , we need steady leadership at all levels of government that will commit to put politics aside and work in a bipartisan way for all Louisianans , ” Edwards said in a statement .
Cassidy , a doctor from Baton Rouge , remains favored to win a second six-year term .
He has a hefty campaign account and high name recognition in a red state where Edwards is the only Democrat to hold statewide office .
President Donald Trump endorsed Cassidy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cassidy on the Nov. 3 ballot , including five Democratic contenders .
Perkins is consolidating much of the high-profile Democratic support , including an endorsement from former President Barack Obama .

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Monday that he’s backing Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins in Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race.
The idea of Edwards, the Deep South’s only Democratic governor, endorsing a fellow Democrat for the seat isn’t surprising. But Louisiana’s governor has had a solid working relationship with the Republican incumbent Perkins is trying to unseat, Bill Cassidy.
Edwards said Perkins, a fellow West Point graduate, would be an “independent voice for our state at a time when Washington is paralyzed with partisan politics.”
“Now more than ever, we need steady leadership at all levels of government that will commit to put politics aside and work in a bipartisan way for all Louisianans,” Edwards said in a statement.
Cassidy, a doctor from Baton Rouge, remains favored to win a second six-year term. He has a hefty campaign account and high name recognition in a red state where Edwards is the only Democrat to hold statewide office. President Donald Trump endorsed Cassidy for reelection.
Fourteen opponents are vying against Cassidy on the Nov. 3 ballot, including five Democratic contenders. Perkins is consolidating much of the high-profile Democratic support, including an endorsement from former President Barack Obama.


washingtontimes--2020-09-28--Number of coronavirus cases in Delaware is now more than 20K

DOVER , Del .
( AP ) - Delaware ’ s Division of Public Health has reported more than 100 @ @ @ @ @ .
The Delaware State News reported Sunday that the total number of cases is now @ @ @ @ @ is that there were no new deaths reported .
The state ’ s total number @ @ @ @ @ 633 .
The number reflect data that was current as of 6 p.m. Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ to 34-year-olds age still had the most coronavirus cases .
The total number of people @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus is 60 .
Sixteen of those cases are considered critical .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the previous day .
The Division of Public Health also said that 10,557 individuals are @ @ @ @ @ .
There have been 261,764 individuals who have tested negative .

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Delaware’s Division of Public Health has reported more than 100 new coronavirus in the state.
The Delaware State News reported Sunday that the total number of cases is now 20,260.
The good news is that there were no new deaths reported. The state’s total number of coronavirus-related deaths remained at 633.
The number reflect data that was current as of 6 p.m. Saturday.
The age bracket of 18-year-olds to 34-year-olds age still had the most coronavirus cases.
The total number of people who are hospitalized with the coronavirus is 60. Sixteen of those cases are considered critical. That’s an increase of six from the previous day.
The Division of Public Health also said that 10,557 individuals are considered recovered from the virus. There have been 261,764 individuals who have tested negative.