washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Niecy Nash surprises with wedding to singer Jessica Betts

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Actor and comedian Niecy Nash surprised fans with her weekend wedding to singer Jessica @ @ @ @ @ posted Twitter and Instagramphotos Monday of their outdoor marriage ceremony in a lush garden setting @ @ @ @ @ first name is Carol , captioned the photo “ Mrs .
Carol Denise Betts , @ @ @ @ @ and the hashtag # LoveWins.
” “ I got a whole Wife , ” Betts @ @ @ @ @ .
The couple had kept their relationship under wraps , and the revelation of the @ @ @ @ @ coming out for Nash , who had not publicly been in a relationship with a @ @ @ @ @ PlotTwist , ” she wrote in another Instagram post with a photo of herself and @ @ @ @ @ rainbow emoji .
Nash ’ s divorce from husband Jayson Tucker was finalized in March @ @ @ @ @ is known for her roles on the television series “ Reno 911 , ” “ @ @ @ @ @ and “ Claws .
”

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor and comedian Niecy Nash surprised fans with her weekend wedding to singer Jessica Betts.
Nash and Betts posted Twitter and Instagramphotos Monday of their outdoor marriage ceremony in a lush garden setting.
Nash, whose legal first name is Carol, captioned the photo “Mrs. Carol Denise Betts,” adding a rainbow emoji and the hashtag #LoveWins.”
“I got a whole Wife,” Betts wrote in her own caption.
The couple had kept their relationship under wraps, and the revelation of the ceremony also served as a coming out for Nash, who had not publicly been in a relationship with a woman before.
“#PlotTwist,” she wrote in another Instagram post with a photo of herself and Betts, along with a rainbow emoji.
Nash’s divorce from husband Jayson Tucker was finalized in March.
Nash, 50, is known for her roles on the television series “Reno 911,” “Never Have I Ever” and “Claws.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Mexico City's 2nd oldest church burns amid homeless takeover

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Authorities promised Monday to erect a barricade around Mexico City ’ s second oldest @ @ @ @ @ damaged the tower , choir , an organ and stained glass .
One homeless person @ @ @ @ @ at the Santa Veracruz church and the Archdiocese of Mexico noted the church had been @ @ @ @ @ “ several times ” in the week before the Saturday night blaze .
City authorities @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be declared off-limits , but would have more protection and get a restoration @ @ @ @ @ to 1567 , though construction continued in the 1700s .
The first church on the @ @ @ @ @ by conquistador Hernán Cortes .
Church services had been cancelled there after it suffered damage @ @ @ @ @ earthquake , and parts are currently shored up by wooden supports that apparently helped feed @ @ @ @ @ a persistent problem in Mexico City ’ s historic downtown , and amid the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ lost food and cash handouts and temporary work they depended on .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Authorities promised Monday to erect a barricade around Mexico City’s second oldest church after a weekend fire damaged the tower, choir, an organ and stained glass.
One homeless person was rescued from the fire at the Santa Veracruz church and the Archdiocese of Mexico noted the church had been broken into by homeless people “several times” in the week before the Saturday night blaze.
City authorities said Monday the church wouldn’t be declared off-limits, but would have more protection and get a restoration.
The structure dates back to 1567, though construction continued in the 1700s. The first church on the same site was ordered built by conquistador Hernán Cortes.
Church services had been cancelled there after it suffered damage in the 7.1 magnitude 2017 earthquake, and parts are currently shored up by wooden supports that apparently helped feed the blaze.
Homelessness is a persistent problem in Mexico City’s historic downtown, and amid the coronavirus pandemic many homeless people have lost food and cash handouts and temporary work they depended on.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Teachers union negotiating with NYC; strike vote possible

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The executive board of the teachers union on Monday told union officials to continue negotiations with New York City over a school reopening plan , but that they could authorize a strike vote if no agreement had been reached by Tuesday afternoon .
New York City has issued a hybrid plan for the 1.1 million children in its schools for the academic year starting Sept. 10 .
The United Federation of Teachers union has said there are safety concerns that need to be addressed in any reopening plan , and that it was prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even though New York state bars teachers and other public employees from striking .
The union ’ s executive board said the union negotiators were to bring a successful agreement with the city to a union Delegate Assembly scheduled for Tuesday afternoon , or they were authorized to call for a strike vote .
“ We can ’ t afford to send students and staff back into any buildings until we have done everything possible - including a rigorous virus testing program - to see that they are safe , ” UFT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The members of the UFT know that public employee strikes are illegal , but we are determined to do what is necessary to protect our students and the families of New York City.
” Mayor Bill de Blasio downplayed any potential strike when asked about it earlier Monday , saying he had spoken to union leadership , and “ It ’ s clear to me that is not on the agenda for this meeting.
” Other big school systems in the country have decided to start remotely .
The union said @ @ @ @ @ @ @

NEW YORK (AP) - The executive board of the teachers union on Monday told union officials to continue negotiations with New York City over a school reopening plan, but that they could authorize a strike vote if no agreement had been reached by Tuesday afternoon.
New York City has issued a hybrid plan for the 1.1 million children in its schools for the academic year starting Sept. 10.
The United Federation of Teachers union has said there are safety concerns that need to be addressed in any reopening plan, and that it was prepared to go to court or on strike, even though New York state bars teachers and other public employees from striking.
The union’s executive board said the union negotiators were to bring a successful agreement with the city to a union Delegate Assembly scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, or they were authorized to call for a strike vote.
“We can’t afford to send students and staff back into any buildings until we have done everything possible - including a rigorous virus testing program - to see that they are safe,” UFT President Michael Mulgrew said in a statement. “The members of the UFT know that public employee strikes are illegal, but we are determined to do what is necessary to protect our students and the families of New York City.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio downplayed any potential strike when asked about it earlier Monday, saying he had spoken to union leadership, and “It’s clear to me that is not on the agenda for this meeting.”
Other big school systems in the country have decided to start remotely.
The union said the last strike was in 1975.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Women drawn to Trump's law-and-order message after violent protests

Increasing crime and violent protests in cities spanning the country have given President Trump a chance to make headway among women voters , who for years have cast a skeptical eye on the blustery billionaire .
Political pros say Mr. Trump ’ s law-and-order message could particularly reach the ranks of White suburban women , who largely rejected the president during the 2016 campaign and , until now , have not been swayed by his time in office .
Mr. Trump has taken to labeling the uptick in violent protests over the last three months “ Biden ’ s America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some city centers right now could spill into suburbia should Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden win in November .
“ When I talk to women — ‘ security moms ’ are what I am beginning to call them — because safety , security , law and order is becoming a number one issue in this election cycle , ” Sen. Marsha Blackburn , Tennessee Republican , said in an interview with Fox News ’ s Shannon Bream .
Kenneth Warren , a political science professor at St. Louis University , said Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to try to repair breaches with female voters , which were apparent not just in 2016 but also in the 2018 midterm congressional elections .
The suburbs — and suburban women in particular — were considered a key part of the coalition that boosted Democrats back into power in the House , flipping more than 40 seats from Republican control .
But they ’ re also primed for Mr. Trump ’ s security message , according to polling .
A Washington Post/ABC News survey in August found 42 % of White suburban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less safe .
Just 22 % said he would leave them safer .
Democrats have been trying to figure out how to approach the security message .
Most of the violence at demonstrations over the past three months has come at the hands of anti-police demonstrators marching as part of larger Black Lives Matter protests .
Democrats are eager to support and harness the energy of the BLM movement and have been struggling to do that while also condemning the violent fringes .
“ The Democrats — in many cases — are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are fearful of losing votes , ” said G. Terry Madonna , director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College .
Polling suggests Mr. Trump got a bounce out of last week ’ s nominating convention , which was dominated by his law-and-order message .
Democrats have taken notice , with Mr. Biden now forcefully condemning “ needless violence ” — though he blames it on Mr. Trump , saying the president had a chance to lower the temperature in the county but instead has inflamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the female vote in 2016 against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton .
Polling suggests he ’ s at about that same level now .
An Economist/YouGov survey last week showed 38 % backing Mr. Trump , against 53 % supporting Mr. Biden .
Black women are firmly in the Biden camp , but White women are more divided depending on education level .
Working-class women tend to be most supportive of Mr. Trump .
In addition to the protests against racial injustice and security , pollsters say women — and particularly mothers — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Pennsylvania , COVID-19 was the top issue for women in a poll Mr. Madonna released last week .
Mr. Warren said the pandemic could hurt Mr. Trump among women , given the grim views most Americans have of his handling of it .
“ It is difficult to see how it could help him unless he comes up with a reliable vaccine before the election , although early voting will probably hurt him since many people will have voted before the vaccine is out and found to be effective , ” Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much whether an effective vaccine will come out before the election.
” But Robert Cahaly , chief pollster at the Trafalgar Group , has been surveying several swing states and found mothers — and generally all voters — are tiring of COVID-19 restrictions .
He said more than 65 % of voters he has surveyed say they believe it is safe to send children back to school .
Republicans have been pushing to reopen schools , while Democratic leaders have largely been saying it ’ s not yet safe to do so .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in key states such as Wisconsin are tired of unrest .
“ It just started to move , and it is continuing to move , ” he said .
“ [ Trump ] is only going to do better in Wisconsin .
”

Increasing crime and violent protests in cities spanning the country have given President Trump a chance to make headway among women voters, who for years have cast a skeptical eye on the blustery billionaire.
Political pros say Mr. Trump’s law-and-order message could particularly reach the ranks of White suburban women, who largely rejected the president during the 2016 campaign and, until now, have not been swayed by his time in office.
Mr. Trump has taken to labeling the uptick in violent protests over the last three months “Biden’s America,” suggesting that the unrest in some city centers right now could spill into suburbia should Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden win in November.
“When I talk to women — ‘security moms’ are what I am beginning to call them — because safety, security, law and order is becoming a number one issue in this election cycle,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Republican, said in an interview with Fox News’s Shannon Bream.
Kenneth Warren, a political science professor at St. Louis University, said Mr. Trump is using “a fear tactic” to try to repair breaches with female voters, which were apparent not just in 2016 but also in the 2018 midterm congressional elections.
The suburbs — and suburban women in particular — were considered a key part of the coalition that boosted Democrats back into power in the House, flipping more than 40 seats from Republican control.
But they’re also primed for Mr. Trump’s security message, according to polling.
A Washington Post/ABC News survey in August found 42% of White suburban voters believe Mr. Biden would make them less safe. Just 22% said he would leave them safer.
Democrats have been trying to figure out how to approach the security message.
Most of the violence at demonstrations over the past three months has come at the hands of anti-police demonstrators marching as part of larger Black Lives Matter protests. Democrats are eager to support and harness the energy of the BLM movement and have been struggling to do that while also condemning the violent fringes.
“The Democrats — in many cases — are going to do a turn on that because they are fearful of losing votes,” said G. Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College.
Polling suggests Mr. Trump got a bounce out of last week’s nominating convention, which was dominated by his law-and-order message.
Democrats have taken notice, with Mr. Biden now forcefully condemning “needless violence” — though he blames it on Mr. Trump, saying the president had a chance to lower the temperature in the county but instead has inflamed it.
Mr. Trump won 41% of the female vote in 2016 against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Polling suggests he’s at about that same level now. An Economist/YouGov survey last week showed 38% backing Mr. Trump, against 53% supporting Mr. Biden.
Black women are firmly in the Biden camp, but White women are more divided depending on education level. Working-class women tend to be most supportive of Mr. Trump.
In addition to the protests against racial injustice and security, pollsters say women — and particularly mothers — are closely watching the coronavirus pandemic.
In Pennsylvania, COVID-19 was the top issue for women in a poll Mr. Madonna released last week.
Mr. Warren said the pandemic could hurt Mr. Trump among women, given the grim views most Americans have of his handling of it.
“It is difficult to see how it could help him unless he comes up with a reliable vaccine before the election, although early voting will probably hurt him since many people will have voted before the vaccine is out and found to be effective,” Mr. Warren said. “I doubt very much whether an effective vaccine will come out before the election.”
But Robert Cahaly, chief pollster at the Trafalgar Group, has been surveying several swing states and found mothers — and generally all voters — are tiring of COVID-19 restrictions.
He said more than 65% of voters he has surveyed say they believe it is safe to send children back to school. Republicans have been pushing to reopen schools, while Democratic leaders have largely been saying it’s not yet safe to do so.
He also said his polling shows voters in key states such as Wisconsin are tired of unrest.
“It just started to move, and it is continuing to move,” he said. “[Trump] is only going to do better in Wisconsin.”
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--California may exempt more workers from landmark labor law

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California lawmakers on Monday were preparing to exempt about two-dozen more professions from a landmark labor law designed to treat more people like employees instead of contractors .
Among other things , the legislation would end what critics had said were unworkable limits on services provided by freelance still photographers , photojournalists , freelance writers , editors , and newspaper cartoonists , with certain restrictions to make sure they are not replacing current employees .
Lawmakers separately approved giving newspapers one more year before they have to start treating newspaper carriers as employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year was primarily aimed at ride-hailing giants Uber and Lyft , which are fighting the new requirements in court and with a measure on the November ballot .
Unlike contractors , workers who are deemed employees are entitled to the minimum wage and benefits including overtime , sick leave and expense reimbursement .
But numerous professions have objected , saying that they were ensnared in a definition they said could end their livelihood .
The author of what became widely known as AB5 , Democratic Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide what additional jobs should be exempted from a law that critics said puts the state in the position of picking winners and losers .
The measure cleared the Senate on a 39-0 vote .
Gonzalez predicted her bill would also clear the Assembly .
It would take effect immediately if Gov .
Gavin Newsom signs it into law .
Her bill would also exempt fine artists , freelance writers , translators , editors , content contributors , advisors , narrators , cartographers , producers , copy editors , illustrators , and newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It would add further exemptions for musicians with single-engagement live performances , those involved with sound recordings or musical compositions , insurance inspectors , real estate appraisers and inspectors , manufactured housing salespersons , youth sports coaches , people engaged by an international exchange visitor program , and competition judges .
She also added those engaged in consulting services or animal services , along with landscape architects and professional foresters .
The measure passed the state Senate without a dissenting vote after Democrats who control the Legislature rejected multiple amendments from Republicans that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law .
“ This is one of the most disastrous pieces of legislation we could have ever put forward and that the governor could have ever signed , ” said GOP Sen. Melissa Melendez .
“ It has ruined thousands of lives and livelihoods and I am just so disheartened and disappointed that we couldn ’ t come together on this particular issue and give people some relief.
” Meanwhile , Gonzalez opposed a separate bill extending a one-year exemption for newspaper companies that has let them continue to treat newspaper delivery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio of Baldwin Park would extend the exemption until January 1 , 2022 .
Newspaper companies have said treating carriers as employees would drive up costs and accelerate the decline of printed newspapers .
“ I can never condone or support an unsustainable business model that operates at the expense of low wage workers , ” Gonzalez said , her voice cracking .
“ They have no lobby , they have no union … They ’ re just trying to get by.
” Her fellow Democrats - Rubio and Assemblyman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small ethnic newspapers are among the hardest hit .
“ Their ad revenues have dropped dramatically ” because of the coronavirus pandemic , Muratsuchi said , citing examples from his district .
“ They ’ re struggling to survive.
” The Assembly sent the bill to Newsom on a 60-2 vote .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California lawmakers on Monday OK’d exemptions to about two-dozen more professions from a landmark labor law designed to treat more people like employees instead of contractors.
Among other things, the legislation would end what critics had said were unworkable limits on services provided by freelance still photographers, photojournalists, freelance writers, editors, and newspaper cartoonists, with certain restrictions to make sure they are not replacing current employees.
Lawmakers separately approved giving newspapers one more year before they have to start treating newspaper carriers as employees.
The law that took effect this year was primarily aimed at ride-hailing giants Uber and Lyft, which are fighting the new requirements in court and with a measure on the November ballot.
Unlike contractors, workers who are deemed employees are entitled to the minimum wage and benefits including overtime, sick leave and expense reimbursement.
But numerous professions have objected, saying that they were ensnared in a definition they said could end their livelihood.
The author of what became widely known as AB5, Democratic Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego, said she worked for the last year to decide what additional jobs should be exempted from a law that critics said puts the state in the position of picking winners and losers.
The measure cleared the Senate on a 39-0 vote and passed the Assembly on a 66-0 vote. It would take effect immediately if Gov. Gavin Newsom signs it into law.
Her bill would also exempt fine artists, freelance writers, translators, editors, content contributors, advisors, narrators, cartographers, producers, copy editors, illustrators, and newspaper cartoonists who work under written contracts.
It would add further exemptions for musicians with single-engagement live performances, those involved with sound recordings or musical compositions, insurance inspectors, real estate appraisers and inspectors, manufactured housing salespersons, youth sports coaches, people engaged by an international exchange visitor program, and competition judges.
She also added those engaged in consulting services or animal services, along with landscape architects and professional foresters.
The measure passed the state Senate without a dissenting vote after Democrats who control the Legislature rejected multiple amendments from Republicans that sought to provide even more exemptions to the law.
“This is one of the most disastrous pieces of legislation we could have ever put forward and that the governor could have ever signed,” said GOP Sen. Melissa Melendez. “It has ruined thousands of lives and livelihoods and I am just so disheartened and disappointed that we couldn’t come together on this particular issue and give people some relief.”
Meanwhile, Gonzalez opposed a separate bill extending a one-year exemption for newspaper companies that has let them continue to treat newspaper delivery people as contractors.
The bill by Democratic Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio of Baldwin Park would extend the exemption until January 1, 2022.
Newspaper companies have said treating carriers as employees would drive up costs and accelerate the decline of printed newspapers.
“I can never condone or support an unsustainable business model that operates at the expense of low wage workers,” Gonzalez said, her voice cracking. “They have no lobby, they have no union … They’re just trying to get by.”
Her fellow Democrats - Rubio and Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi of Torrance - countered that small ethnic newspapers are among the hardest hit.
“Their ad revenues have dropped dramatically” because of the coronavirus pandemic, Muratsuchi said, citing examples from his district. “They’re struggling to survive.”
The Assembly sent the bill to Newsom on a 60-2 vote.
___
Gonzalez’s bill is AB2257. Rubio’s bill is AB323.


washingtontimes--2020-09-01--Alaska community considers mining traffic to diversify port

SKAGWAY , Alaska ( AP ) - A southeast Alaska community is considering how to diversify its port traffic when a significant tourism contract ends , which has drawn the interest of the mining industry .
The Yukon Producers ’ Group industry , an industry organization for mining and mineral exploration companies , said Skagway is essential to mining in the Yukon , Alaska ’ s Energy Desk reported .
The port in the Municipality and Borough of Skagway has been dominated by tourism interests in recent decades , but a long-standing waterfront lease with tourist attraction White Pass and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2023 .
The Alaska port town was founded as a gateway to the mines of the Yukon region in western Canada from the Pacific Ocean .
Jonas Smith , co-project manager for the Yukon Producers ’ Group , said there is considerable mineral development in the Yukon that could benefit the municipality .
“ Skagway is a considerably shorter sailing from Asian markets than other Western North American ports , ” Smith said .
“ So it ’ s very strategic and useful for accessing those international markets.
” While most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 years from operation , Smith said his group hoped to build an early relationship with the community to “ make sure that we were speaking to everyone involved and let them know our perspectives and our projected needs for the port , ” Smith said .
As more mining projects begin in the coming decade , ore shipping could create year-round jobs for Skagway residents , he said .
Skagway Mayor Andrew Cremata said work that is not tied to the tourist industry is especially attractive in light of the economic impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ I see that as a really promising way to diversify our portfolio moving forward , ” Cremata said .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .

SKAGWAY, Alaska (AP) - A southeast Alaska community is considering how to diversify its port traffic when a significant tourism contract ends, which has drawn the interest of the mining industry.
The Yukon Producers’ Group industry, an industry organization for mining and mineral exploration companies, said Skagway is essential to mining in the Yukon, Alaska’s Energy Desk reported.
The port in the Municipality and Borough of Skagway has been dominated by tourism interests in recent decades, but a long-standing waterfront lease with tourist attraction White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad is scheduled to end in 2023.
The Alaska port town was founded as a gateway to the mines of the Yukon region in western Canada from the Pacific Ocean.
Jonas Smith, co-project manager for the Yukon Producers’ Group, said there is considerable mineral development in the Yukon that could benefit the municipality.
“Skagway is a considerably shorter sailing from Asian markets than other Western North American ports,” Smith said. “So it’s very strategic and useful for accessing those international markets.”
While most of the Yukon mine projects are five to 10 years from operation, Smith said his group hoped to build an early relationship with the community to “make sure that we were speaking to everyone involved and let them know our perspectives and our projected needs for the port,” Smith said.
As more mining projects begin in the coming decade, ore shipping could create year-round jobs for Skagway residents, he said.
Skagway Mayor Andrew Cremata said work that is not tied to the tourist industry is especially attractive in light of the economic impact of a summer without tourism as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I see that as a really promising way to diversify our portfolio moving forward,” Cremata said.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.


washingtontimes--2020-09-01--White House to resume limited public tours; masks required

Public tours of the White House will resume on Sept. 12 on a limited basis with face masks required , @ @ @ @ @ s office said Tuesday .
Tours will take place on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 @ @ @ @ @ of the normal five days per week .
The number of guests will be limited @ @ @ @ @ capacity .
All guests ages 2 years and older will be required to wear a @ @ @ @ @ social distancing .
The White House canceled tours in May due to precautions during the @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office said the National Park Service , Secret Service officers , and Visitors @ @ @ @ @ route will wear face coverings , gloves and encourage social distancing when engaging with guests @ @ @ @ @ available .
For information about tickets , contact your congressional office .

Public tours of the White House will resume on Sept. 12 on a limited basis with face masks required, first lady Melania Trump’s office said Tuesday.
Tours will take place on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 to 11 a.m., instead of the normal five days per week. The number of guests will be limited to 18% of normal capacity.
All guests ages 2 years and older will be required to wear a face covering and to practice social distancing.
The White House canceled tours in May due to precautions during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mrs. Trump’s office said the National Park Service, Secret Service officers, and Visitors Office staff working the tour route will wear face coverings, gloves and encourage social distancing when engaging with guests. Hand sanitizer will be available.
For information about tickets, contact your congressional office.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-01--Hawaii hospitals seek more nurses for coronavirus response

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Hawaii health care officials have issued an urgent call for nurses to assist the state ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic as hospitals experience an influx of patients .
Officials in the private , public and nonprofit health care sectors are collaborating to bring more nurses to Hawaii to address the increasing caseload resulting from the virus outbreak , The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported .
Hospitals trying to deal with the spread of the virus are already short-staffed , said Daniel Ross , president of the Hawaii Nurses Association OPEIU Local 50 , which represents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily new coronavirus case counts have remained in the triple digits for nearly a month .
“ It ’ s only going to get worse as time goes on , ” Ross said .
The Queen ’ s Medical Center in Honolulu , just one of the Hawaii hospitals in need of staff , is seeking an additional 40 to 60 nurses for critical care , telemetry , medical and surgical units , emergency care and inpatient dialysis .
Democratic Gov .
David Ige issued an emergency proclamation waiving licensing requirements to enable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as screening and administrative work .
The Healthcare Association of Hawaii , the Hawaii State Center for Nursing and the Hawaii Healthcare Emergency Management Coalition recently launched a recruiting campaign aimed at new graduates and experienced nurses .
Healthcare Association of Hawaii President Hilton Raethel said it also activated the part-time Hawaii Medical Reserve Corps in collaboration with the Hawaii Healthcare Emergency Management Coalition .
Director Laura Reichhardt said the Hawaii State Center for Nursing has had a large response from available nurses and graduates .
“ We need their support and work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have contacted staffing agencies in search of traveling nurses for temporary employment , but there is great demand nationwide , said Mimi Harris , vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer at The Queen ’ s Health Systems .
“ Everybody is competing for travel nurses right now , ” Harris said .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some - especially older adults and people with existing health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii health care officials have issued an urgent call for nurses to assist the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic as hospitals experience an influx of patients.
Officials in the private, public and nonprofit health care sectors are collaborating to bring more nurses to Hawaii to address the increasing caseload resulting from the virus outbreak, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.
Hospitals trying to deal with the spread of the virus are already short-staffed, said Daniel Ross, president of the Hawaii Nurses Association OPEIU Local 50, which represents about 4,000 members.
Hawaii’s daily new coronavirus case counts have remained in the triple digits for nearly a month.
“It’s only going to get worse as time goes on,” Ross said.
The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, just one of the Hawaii hospitals in need of staff, is seeking an additional 40 to 60 nurses for critical care, telemetry, medical and surgical units, emergency care and inpatient dialysis.
Democratic Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation waiving licensing requirements to enable recent graduates to provide support assistance such as screening and administrative work.
The Healthcare Association of Hawaii, the Hawaii State Center for Nursing and the Hawaii Healthcare Emergency Management Coalition recently launched a recruiting campaign aimed at new graduates and experienced nurses.
Healthcare Association of Hawaii President Hilton Raethel said it also activated the part-time Hawaii Medical Reserve Corps in collaboration with the Hawaii Healthcare Emergency Management Coalition.
Director Laura Reichhardt said the Hawaii State Center for Nursing has had a large response from available nurses and graduates.
“We need their support and work immediately,” Reichhardt said.
Officials have contacted staffing agencies in search of traveling nurses for temporary employment, but there is great demand nationwide, said Mimi Harris, vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer at The Queen’s Health Systems.
“Everybody is competing for travel nurses right now,” Harris said.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.


washingtontimes--2020-09-01--Man charged with attempted murder over knife attack

ALBANY , Ore. ( AP ) - An Albany man has been accused of stabbing and slashing another man repeatedly in the back , chest and face on Sunday , saying he was going to kill him , police said .
Jace Clifford , 31 , was charged in Linn County Circuit Court on Monday with attempted murder , assault , unlawful use of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence , the Albany Democrat Herald reported .
The man who was attacked drove Clifford ’ s estranged wife to Clifford ’ s apartment at 7:42 a.m. Sunday so she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The man told police that Clifford approached him at his vehicle and stabbed him in the torso and that Clifford continued to stab and slash him while the man tried to fight back , police said .
Clifford ’ s estranged wife called authorities , saying that after the attack Clifford had retreated back into his apartment .
At 8:05 a.m. Clifford came out of his apartment and was taken into custody , police said .
Clifford ’ s bail was set Monday at $ 300,000 .
Clifford told the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizen for the most part and was undergoing treatment for substance abuse .
Prosecutors said the man has severe injuries from the incident , including a lacerated liver .

ALBANY, Ore. (AP) - An Albany man has been accused of stabbing and slashing another man repeatedly in the back, chest and face on Sunday, saying he was going to kill him, police said.
Jace Clifford, 31, was charged in Linn County Circuit Court on Monday with attempted murder, assault, unlawful use of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence, the Albany Democrat Herald reported.
The man who was attacked drove Clifford’s estranged wife to Clifford’s apartment at 7:42 a.m. Sunday so she could pick up her car, police said. The man told police that Clifford approached him at his vehicle and stabbed him in the torso and that Clifford continued to stab and slash him while the man tried to fight back, police said.
Clifford’s estranged wife called authorities, saying that after the attack Clifford had retreated back into his apartment. At 8:05 a.m. Clifford came out of his apartment and was taken into custody, police said.
Clifford’s bail was set Monday at $300,000. Clifford told the court Monday that he had been a good citizen for the most part and was undergoing treatment for substance abuse.
Prosecutors said the man has severe injuries from the incident, including a lacerated liver.


Recent Kansas editorials

Hello there , Mike Pompeo .
It ’ s time for us to talk again , because once again it seems like you can ’ t keep your private political ambitions separate from your public duties as Secretary of State .
We talked to you about this back in May .
That was when we heard mutterings about your possible use of government employees to do personal chores , and about the exclusive dinner parties you threw with your wife .
Apparently you hired a harpist , Mike .
Remember ?
But now you ’ ve gone and done something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you gave a speech at the Republican National Convention .
That ’ s a partisan political event , you know , and your job as secretary of state is to represent the entire United States of America - not just the Grand Old Party .
Politico put it this way ( we expect you ’ ve seen the article , but we ’ ll repeat part of it here ) : “ Pompeo ’ s pre-recorded appearance at the partly virtual convention is a break with decades of norms in which the chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partisan events .
The argument for avoiding such gatherings has been that the United States needs to speak with one voice overseas , and that the Secretary of State needs to be seen as representing the country , not a political party.
” Yet , get this , Mike .
Your own State Department issued guidance earlier this year saying that “ Senate-confirmed Presidential appointees may not even attend a political party convention or convention-related event.
” Does that mean there ’ s one set of rules for you and another set of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yes , we know .
Your aides have told the news media that you ’ re appearing as an individual , not in your official capacity .
And the fact you delivered your remarks from Israel ?
We guess that was just a lucky coincidence , then .
Let ’ s get down to brass tacks , Mike .
We ’ ve known you here in Kansas for quite a few years now .
Folks here elected you as a congressman , and you always struck us as a straightforward kind of guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us these days .
The harpist was bad enough , but trading on your office for the president ’ s re-election campaign ?
You can do better .
Think of it this way .
How would you have reacted if Hillary Clinton appeared at the Democratic National Convention hailing Barack Obama when she was serving as Secretary of State ?
But guess what ?
She didn ’ t do it .
Shouldn ’ t you at least try to match the ethical example of Hillary Clinton ?
Despite what he says , horridly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t changed all that much since he bullied and blackmailed girls in middle school some five years ago .
That ’ s according to ex-girlfriend Taylor Passow , who told The Star that the 19-year-old Coleman choked her , slapped her three times and encouraged her to commit suicide only last December .
That would definitively indicate that the Kansas House District 37 Democratic nominee ’ s admitted bad behavior toward girls in middle school - including revenge porn and blackmail - isn ’ t completely confined to years past , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clip into your head , ” is the inducement to suicide Passow says Coleman texted her last New Year ’ s Eve after having choked and slapped her in a hot tub a few days prior .
“ Mag dump yourself .
Do that midnight tonight .
If I never hear from you again then I ’ ll know what happened.
” Voters in Wyandotte County have to be asking themselves what happened Aug. 4 , when Coleman won the Democratic primary by 14 votes against respected incumbent Rep. Stan Frownfelter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Legislature ?
Really ?
Will he be the people ’ s choice in November , now that all this is known about him ?
Since Coleman first offered to withdraw , then withdrew his withdrawal , it appears his name will be the only one on the November ballot .
No Republican filed in the primary .
It now comes down to Coleman vs. Frownfelter again , with the latter planning a write-in campaign , as well as Republican Kristina Smith waging her own write-in effort in the heavily Democratic district .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ even one informed voter would back Coleman in the general election .
But he has one win under his belt , and his is the only name on the ballot .
And Americans are a forgiving lot , even when it ’ s utterly unwarranted .
Oddly enough , that makes Coleman the one to beat in November .
This is a ton to forgive , however .
And Passow ’ s allegations are fairly recent , therefore certainly inexcusable by the mere passage of time .
Moreover , one can forgive someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power .
Coleman ’ s acknowledged and alleged behaviors are abominable .
Should he be so easily absolved for his admitted middle school abuses , which drove one girl to attempted suicide ?
We sure don ’ t think so , and neither does the Democratic Party , which has pledged its support to Frownfelter .
In addition , Coleman ’ s odd and arguably manipulative about-face to stay in the race this week , despite mounting testimony against his character , shows a bizarre and troubling lack of self-awareness .
It might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek help rather than stature .
Moreover , his alleged battery of Passow in December involves criminal conduct - conduct unbecoming a public servant of any kind , much less one who writes laws .
Forces rightly continue to rally against Coleman .
Despite his left-wing views , groups such as Our Revolution Kansas and the Kansas City Democratic Socialists of America have disavowed him , joining Kansas House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer , a Democrat from Wichita .
The Kansas House Democratic Caucus tweeted late Wednesday , “ KS House Dems have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even more horrific details prove him to be a disturbed , dangerous person , a threat to women everywhere , and should be barred from ANY position of power .
He is absolutely unfit for office.
” Meanwhile , the girl who says she attempted suicide after Coleman ’ s middle-school bullying says of Passow , “ I ’ m glad she has spoken out , and is now sharing her truth.
” It ’ s up to the district ’ s voters in November .
What say you ?
Will you reward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insult girls and women in the process ?
America basically has turned into an outrage machine , which makes it odd to say that there is one topic that is not producing enough outrage in American discourse .
It is Facebook .
The enormously profitable company has evolved from a dumpster fire to an all-out blaze with flames that are creeping up the country ’ s foundations .
This should be a sentiment that both Republicans and Democrats can agree upon .
Take , for instance , what has happened in the small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 miles west of Dallas .
President Donald Trump won Weatherford ’ s home county of Parker with more than 80 % of the vote in 2016 , so it seems unlikely that the police chief of Weatherford is a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party .
That town ’ s police chief , Lance Arnold , recently told the Washington Post that Facebook was helping create real violence in his community of about 25,000 people .
Heavily armed groups are showing up in the community to confront protesters .
The groups have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s police force .
“ It ’ s extremely worrisome , because it creates a level of fear , ” Arnold told the Post .
“ And it creates an environment that is rife for violence between various groups.
” Arnold said it was clear what was stoking the fear .
He said there have been numerous “ fake social media accounts.
” They spread false reports about how a particular community is facing imminent danger , complete with false photos showing such violence .
Some falsely claim that the police are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Arnold told the newspaper .
If a police chief in one of the reddest counties in America can see the recklessness of Facebook and its cohorts , why can ’ t more of us ?
Friends , this is the equivalent of a print newspaper publishing an anonymous letter to the editor advocating lynchings or destroying people ’ s property .
Why aren ’ t we as mad as hell about this ?
The fact it shows up on a computer screen rather than on a piece of pulp makes some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t raise your anger enough , perhaps Facebook ’ s most recent statement on the unrest in Kenosha , Wis. , will .
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg publicly acknowledged on Friday that his company should have removed a page for the “ Kenosha Guard , ” which had been promoting an event listing for “ Armed Citizens to Protect our Lives and Property.
” Come to find out , that page promoted violence .
Facebook ultimately recognized that and took the page down , but by the time that happened two protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Facebook ’ s failure to remove the page earlier an “ operational mistake.
” That is one way to describe a system that monitors content for violent and hateful material after the content already has been published .
There is a reason in the newspaper business we edit our articles and letters before we publish them .
Yes , you would be correct in noting that many newspapers , however , take the same backward approach with their online comment sections .
There certainly have been hateful and violent statements published in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change as well .
The reasons it doesn ’ t are varied , but can be summarized by stating that companies and individuals often find it difficult to change , even when such change would be good for the country .
That ’ s where government can help .
Let ’ s not overthink this .
We simply need to pass a law that makes Facebook and its ilk - including online comment sections of newspapers - legally responsible for any content that shows up on their sites .
Newspapers have lived with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generations .
Whether Facebook could remains to be seen .
Its business model is based on a high volume of garbage .
It makes its money off of numbers , not quality , and such a new standard would reduce the amount of content on its site .
Facebook ’ s actual financial value would decline .
That could be financially painful for the entire U.S. economy .
Facebook and similar entities make up a very large part of the stock market ’ s success .
But that financial pain likely only gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this issue .
It would have been better to address this problem yesterday .
It will be worse to address it tomorrow .
It would be a radical change for the internet .
But letting monetized rumor machines operate unregulated seems a bit radical too .
Some might even say it is an “ operational mistake .
”

The Topeka Capital-Journal, Aug. 26
Hello there, Mike Pompeo. It’s time for us to talk again, because once again it seems like you can’t keep your private political ambitions separate from your public duties as Secretary of State.
We talked to you about this back in May. That was when we heard mutterings about your possible use of government employees to do personal chores, and about the exclusive dinner parties you threw with your wife. Apparently you hired a harpist, Mike. Remember?
But now you’ve gone and done something even more problematic. On Tuesday, you gave a speech at the Republican National Convention. That’s a partisan political event, you know, and your job as secretary of state is to represent the entire United States of America - not just the Grand Old Party.
Politico put it this way (we expect you’ve seen the article, but we’ll repeat part of it here): “Pompeo’s pre-recorded appearance at the partly virtual convention is a break with decades of norms in which the chief U.S. diplomat has avoided participating in explicitly partisan events. The argument for avoiding such gatherings has been that the United States needs to speak with one voice overseas, and that the Secretary of State needs to be seen as representing the country, not a political party.”
Yet, get this, Mike. Your own State Department issued guidance earlier this year saying that “Senate-confirmed Presidential appointees may not even attend a political party convention or convention-related event.”
Does that mean there’s one set of rules for you and another set of rules for everyone else?
Yes, yes, we know. Your aides have told the news media that you’re appearing as an individual, not in your official capacity. And the fact you delivered your remarks from Israel? We guess that was just a lucky coincidence, then.
Let’s get down to brass tacks, Mike. We’ve known you here in Kansas for quite a few years now. Folks here elected you as a congressman, and you always struck us as a straightforward kind of guy. But you’re really disappointing us these days. The harpist was bad enough, but trading on your office for the president’s re-election campaign? You can do better.
Think of it this way. How would you have reacted if Hillary Clinton appeared at the Democratic National Convention hailing Barack Obama when she was serving as Secretary of State? But guess what? She didn’t do it.
Shouldn’t you at least try to match the ethical example of Hillary Clinton?
____
The Kansas City Star, Aug. 28
Despite what he says, horridly marred Kansas legislative candidate Aaron Coleman hasn’t changed all that much since he bullied and blackmailed girls in middle school some five years ago.
That’s according to ex-girlfriend Taylor Passow, who told The Star that the 19-year-old Coleman choked her, slapped her three times and encouraged her to commit suicide only last December.
That would definitively indicate that the Kansas House District 37 Democratic nominee’s admitted bad behavior toward girls in middle school - including revenge porn and blackmail - isn’t completely confined to years past, as he has maintained.
“Air out the clip into your head,” is the inducement to suicide Passow says Coleman texted her last New Year’s Eve after having choked and slapped her in a hot tub a few days prior. “Mag dump yourself. Do that midnight tonight. If I never hear from you again then I’ll know what happened.”
Voters in Wyandotte County have to be asking themselves what happened Aug. 4, when Coleman won the Democratic primary by 14 votes against respected incumbent Rep. Stan Frownfelter. Coleman is Democratic voters’ choice for the Legislature? Really? Will he be the people’s choice in November, now that all this is known about him?
Since Coleman first offered to withdraw, then withdrew his withdrawal, it appears his name will be the only one on the November ballot. No Republican filed in the primary.
It now comes down to Coleman vs. Frownfelter again, with the latter planning a write-in campaign, as well as Republican Kristina Smith waging her own write-in effort in the heavily Democratic district.
It’s difficult to understand why even one informed voter would back Coleman in the general election. But he has one win under his belt, and his is the only name on the ballot. And Americans are a forgiving lot, even when it’s utterly unwarranted. Oddly enough, that makes Coleman the one to beat in November.
This is a ton to forgive, however. And Passow’s allegations are fairly recent, therefore certainly inexcusable by the mere passage of time. Moreover, one can forgive someone without elevating him to a position of power.
Coleman’s acknowledged and alleged behaviors are abominable. Should he be so easily absolved for his admitted middle school abuses, which drove one girl to attempted suicide? We sure don’t think so, and neither does the Democratic Party, which has pledged its support to Frownfelter.
In addition, Coleman’s odd and arguably manipulative about-face to stay in the race this week, despite mounting testimony against his character, shows a bizarre and troubling lack of self-awareness. It might be in his own best interest to seek help rather than stature.
Moreover, his alleged battery of Passow in December involves criminal conduct - conduct unbecoming a public servant of any kind, much less one who writes laws.
Forces rightly continue to rally against Coleman. Despite his left-wing views, groups such as Our Revolution Kansas and the Kansas City Democratic Socialists of America have disavowed him, joining Kansas House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, a Democrat from Wichita.
The Kansas House Democratic Caucus tweeted late Wednesday, “KS House Dems have repeatedly condemned Coleman. These further, even more horrific details prove him to be a disturbed, dangerous person, a threat to women everywhere, and should be barred from ANY position of power. He is absolutely unfit for office.”
Meanwhile, the girl who says she attempted suicide after Coleman’s middle-school bullying says of Passow, “I’m glad she has spoken out, and is now sharing her truth.”
Will it matter?
It’s up to the district’s voters in November. What say you? Will you reward this kind of hideous behavior - and insult girls and women in the process?
_____
The Lawrence Journal-World, Aug. 30
America basically has turned into an outrage machine, which makes it odd to say that there is one topic that is not producing enough outrage in American discourse.
It is Facebook. The enormously profitable company has evolved from a dumpster fire to an all-out blaze with flames that are creeping up the country’s foundations.
This should be a sentiment that both Republicans and Democrats can agree upon. Take, for instance, what has happened in the small city of Weatherford, Texas, about 60 miles west of Dallas. President Donald Trump won Weatherford’s home county of Parker with more than 80% of the vote in 2016, so it seems unlikely that the police chief of Weatherford is a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party.
That town’s police chief, Lance Arnold, recently told the Washington Post that Facebook was helping create real violence in his community of about 25,000 people. Heavily armed groups are showing up in the community to confront protesters. The groups have been larger and better armed than the town’s police force.
“It’s extremely worrisome, because it creates a level of fear,” Arnold told the Post. “And it creates an environment that is rife for violence between various groups.”
Arnold said it was clear what was stoking the fear. He said there have been numerous “fake social media accounts.” They spread false reports about how a particular community is facing imminent danger, complete with false photos showing such violence. Some falsely claim that the police are asking residents to “come assist us,” Arnold told the newspaper.
If a police chief in one of the reddest counties in America can see the recklessness of Facebook and its cohorts, why can’t more of us?
Friends, this is the equivalent of a print newspaper publishing an anonymous letter to the editor advocating lynchings or destroying people’s property. Why aren’t we as mad as hell about this? The fact it shows up on a computer screen rather than on a piece of pulp makes some sort of difference?
If that doesn’t raise your anger enough, perhaps Facebook’s most recent statement on the unrest in Kenosha, Wis., will. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg publicly acknowledged on Friday that his company should have removed a page for the “Kenosha Guard,” which had been promoting an event listing for “Armed Citizens to Protect our Lives and Property.”
Come to find out, that page promoted violence. Facebook ultimately recognized that and took the page down, but by the time that happened two protesters had been killed in Kenosha. Zuckerberg called Facebook’s failure to remove the page earlier an “operational mistake.”
That is one way to describe a system that monitors content for violent and hateful material after the content already has been published. There is a reason in the newspaper business we edit our articles and letters before we publish them.
Yes, you would be correct in noting that many newspapers, however, take the same backward approach with their online comment sections. There certainly have been hateful and violent statements published in those comment sections too. That should change as well.
The reasons it doesn’t are varied, but can be summarized by stating that companies and individuals often find it difficult to change, even when such change would be good for the country.
That’s where government can help. Let’s not overthink this. We simply need to pass a law that makes Facebook and its ilk - including online comment sections of newspapers - legally responsible for any content that shows up on their sites. Newspapers have lived with that law for their print editions for generations.
Whether Facebook could remains to be seen. Its business model is based on a high volume of garbage. It makes its money off of numbers, not quality, and such a new standard would reduce the amount of content on its site. Facebook’s actual financial value would decline.
That could be financially painful for the entire U.S. economy. Facebook and similar entities make up a very large part of the stock market’s success. But that financial pain likely only gets larger the longer we wait to address this issue. It would have been better to address this problem yesterday. It will be worse to address it tomorrow.
It would be a radical change for the internet. But letting monetized rumor machines operate unregulated seems a bit radical too. Some might even say it is an “operational mistake.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-01--Kenosha unrest causes $2M in damage to city-owned property

KENOSHA , Wis. ( AP ) - Damage to city-owned property from violence that erupted over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha is estimated at nearly $ 2 million so far , a city official said .
The city ’ s public works director , Shelly Billingsley , provided the estimate to local leaders Monday night on what it would cost to replace garbage trucks , street lights and traffic signals , among other things that were destroyed or damaged in the unrest over the last week .
The estimate was made as some Kenosha residents fear Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump may stir more emotions and cause more violence and destruction in the southeastern Wisconsin city after several days of peace .
Others , however , welcomed the president ’ s trip .
Trump ’ s visit comes as demonstrators are calling for the Kenosha officer who shot Blake seven times in the back Aug. 23 to be fired and face attempted murder charges , and more than a week after authorities say a 17-year-old from northern Illinois shot and killed two protesters .
Blake , a 29-year-old Black man , was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a domestic dispute .
His family on Tuesday plans to hold a community gathering at the site where he was shot that is to include a community clean-up , food drive and voter registration effort .
Mayor John Antaramian has said the city will request $ 30 million in aid from the state to help rebuild in the aftermath of the unrest .
Some of the city ’ s garbage trucks , which were parked downtown to provide security and limit movement by protesters , were set on fire during the demonstrations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ city staff is working with the insurance company to log damage information , the Kenosha News reported .
Some of the trucks , which had functioned as snow-plow vehicles in the winter , were also destroyed .
Billingsley said she hoped that the setback would not affect snow plow operations this winter .
She told the Public Works Committee the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors could affect the timeline in obtaining the new trucks .
City staff continues to compile numbers from the damage , Billingsley said .

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) - Damage to city-owned property from violence that erupted over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha is estimated at nearly $2 million so far, a city official said.
The city’s public works director, Shelly Billingsley, provided the estimate to local leaders Monday night on what it would cost to replace garbage trucks, street lights and traffic signals, among other things that were destroyed or damaged in the unrest last week.
The estimate was made as some Kenosha residents feared Tuesday’s visit by President Donald Trump might lead to more destruction in the southeastern Wisconsin city after several days of peace. Others, however, welcomed the president’s trip.
Demonstrators have been calling for the Kenosha officer who shot Blake seven times in the back Aug. 23 to be fired and face attempted murder charges. A 17-year-old from northern Illinois is accused of killing two protesters on Aug. 25.
Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot while police responded to a call about a domestic dispute. His family held a community gathering at the shooting site Tuesday, about 2 miles (3.22 kilometers) from the area Trump toured.
The Blake family gathering had a community block party feel to it. Tables were set up where attendees could register to vote, get a haircut, or even get tested for the COVID-19 virus. One table was labeled as a craft table where people could write messages to put in Blake’s hospital room. A DJ played music nearby.
Blake’s uncle, Justin Blake, said the event was focused on getting justice for “Little Jake” - not on Trump’s visit. He also said it was designed to heal the city, and he urged supporters to press for change, but remain nonviolent.
Near the area Trump toured, a few hundred of the president’s supporters and detractors engaged in shouting matches at times. Tensions temporarily rose as Trump’s motorcade rolled by, with his supporters clapping and others booing and cursing. But crowd sizes were modest and passions were mostly tempered.
At least two people were carrying pistols in holsters, telling those around them they were Trump supporters and had open-carry permits. By mid-afternoon much of the crowd dispersed.
Mayor John Antaramian has said the city will request $30 million in aid from the state to help rebuild in the aftermath of the unrest. Some of the city’s garbage trucks, which were parked downtown to provide security and limit movement by protesters, were set on fire during the demonstrations.
Billingsley said they were insured and that city staff is working with the insurance company to log damage information, the Kenosha News reported. Some of the trucks, which had functioned as snow-plow vehicles in the winter, were also destroyed.
Billingsley said she hoped that the setback would not affect snow plow operations this winter. She told the Public Works Committee the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors could affect the timeline in obtaining the new trucks.
City staff continues to compile numbers from the damage, Billingsley said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-01--Supervisors in North Carolina prisons are getting Tasers

CHARLOTTE , N.C. ( AP ) - Supervisors at North Carolina ’ s maximum security prisons are being armed with Tasers to break up fights .
The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday that the devices have been given to hundreds of supervisors at seven maximum-security prisons and will be issued to those in five more .
Tasers are designed to immobilize attackers with high-voltage shocks .
Critics worry that stun guns could be fatal for inmates with heart problems .
The American Heart Association ’ s journal Circulation has found that Tasers can cause cardiac arrest .
And an investigation by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisons and jails .
State Department of Public Safety spokesman John Bull said that a pilot program in several North Carolina prisons began last year .
He said the stun guns have been used “ sparingly , and judiciously ” to stop serious assaults , predominantly those involving a weapon .
Tasers “ provide safety and security in the close custody prisons , ” Bull said .
“ They have shown to be effective in stopping serious , in-progress assaults and provide a measure of deterrence.
” But Elizabeth Forbes of North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates , questioned whether officers would know which inmates had heart conditions that could make them vulnerable to death or serious injury .

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Supervisors at North Carolina’s maximum security prisons are being armed with Tasers to break up fights.
The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday that the devices have been given to hundreds of supervisors at seven maximum-security prisons and will be issued to those in five more.
Tasers are designed to immobilize attackers with high-voltage shocks. Critics worry that stun guns could be fatal for inmates with heart problems.
The American Heart Association’s journal Circulation has found that Tasers can cause cardiac arrest. And an investigation by Reuters identified 104 deaths involving Tasers in prisons and jails.
State Department of Public Safety spokesman John Bull said that a pilot program in several North Carolina prisons began last year. He said the stun guns have been used “sparingly, and judiciously” to stop serious assaults, predominantly those involving a weapon.
Tasers “provide safety and security in the close custody prisons,” Bull said. “They have shown to be effective in stopping serious, in-progress assaults and provide a measure of deterrence.”
But Elizabeth Forbes of North Carolina CURE, a group that advocates for inmates, questioned whether officers would know which inmates had heart conditions that could make them vulnerable to death or serious injury.


Recent Missouri editorials

Add the University of Missouri in Columbia to the list of colleges making dangerous decisions during the COVID-19 crisis .
On Friday , Boone County-Columbia officials said that 44.6 % of the people tested from Aug. 21 to Aug. 27 were positive for coronavirus - an absolutely shocking and alarming rate .
Think about that : Nearly one of every two people tested in or near Columbia during the past week had COVID-19 .
The goal is to have a positivity rate of 5 % or below .
The national positivity rate is about 6 % .
Anything higher than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone , with cancellations , closings and remote learning requirements .
So how is Missouri reacting ?
“ I didn ’ t expect this rise this fast , ” Columbia-Boone County Public Health Director Stephanie Browning said Friday .
She announced a series of steps designed to curb the spread of the virus , including a ban on alcohol sales in bars after 9 p.m .
Gatherings are limited to 20 people , although exemptions are available .
Not everyone is surprised by the numbers .
Columbia is largely a college community , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where 30,000 students and 10,000 staff and faculty have recently returned to work .
The steps taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus on campus - masks and social distancing - aren ’ t working off campus .
And we know why : Students go to bars and restaurants and homes late into the evening , without masks and without distancing .
Voila - pandemic .
“ That certainly is increasing our numbers , ” Browning said .
In the last week , COVID-19 cases for those between ages 18 and 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cases have doubled , then doubled again .
Mun Choi , MU chancellor and University of Missouri system president , seems unperturbed by these facts .
“ Students and young people in that age group do recover at a very high rate , ” he said Friday .
What ?
The issue isn ’ t just how long it will take students to recover .
COVID-19 can cause lasting damage to some patients and could result in a lifetime of health problems .
No one should pass off the coronavirus as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And students who catch COVID-19 can spread it to others - in Boone County , certainly , but to parents and relatives across the region .
Note to Dr. Choi : Some students go home on weekends .
Perhaps you ’ ve noticed .
Friday ’ s Boone County-Columbia coronavirus order caps attendance at sporting events at 100 people .
Except for MU , of course , “ which is an instrumentality of the state of Missouri , ” the declaration says .
Can ’ t forget football .
We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kansas State University to continue on-campus teaching and living .
Several fraternity and sorority houses at KU are under quarantine .
At K-State , athletes and students have tested positive , and the overall positive rate is nearly 10 % .
The University of Missouri is not exempt from these concerns .
It should transition to remote learning only , and consider closing dormitories and restricting off-campus fraternity and sorority housing .
Football games should be postponed , and certainly crowds should be banned .
Other colleges and universities have already taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should show leadership at this moment .
He should publicly ask the school to shut its doors to in-person instruction until the virus is more under control .
He won ’ t , of course , because it would be politically difficult .
University officials may not act because it would be financially difficult .
As a result of that timidity , the health and safety of students , and every person they meet , are at risk .
“ I understand that everyone is tired .
We all want to go back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Friday .
“ But we can ’ t do that unless everyone is doing all they can do to slow the spread of this virus.
” The University of Missouri , and the state of Missouri , are not close to meeting that minimum standard .
Missourians will be sicker for it , and the damage will last for years .
Somewhere in the deep-red part of Missouri , someone is stacking ammo boxes next to MREs .
In a dark-blue part , someone else is tweeting the need for riots in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been more than 200 years since the end of the Civil War , but recently the country ’ s been on edge .
Police shootings , riots , a pandemic and a flailing economy have brought us to each other ’ s throats .
There can be no middle ground when fascism or socialism is at hand , some claim .
Internet freakouts are used to depict ideological opponents as vicious and unhinged .
And therein lies the problem : opponents .
In these trying times , it ’ s easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same decade Americans landed on the moon , we also reckoned with our segregated schools and Jim Crow laws .
In those trying times , a Black man had a dream and was killed for it .
To claim we haven ’ t made strides toward that dream is equally incorrect as claiming we ’ ve achieved it .
Perhaps now , we need the advice of another Black man .
In a time where we define ourselves by our divisions , Daryl Davis stands as a boon of civility .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scout troop , only to be pelted with objects .
As a man , Davis meets with Klansman to have a dialogue .
In a recent Reddit Ask Me Anything thread , he consistently downplayed the media ’ s portrayal of him as someone who converts racists away from the error of their ways .
He simply sets out to answer a question he ’ s had as a kid : “ How can you hate me when you don ’ t even know me ?
” Throughout the thread , Davis maintained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is by trying to understand it , and to do as much as possible to garner the respect of those who adhere to harmful ideologies .
In the Reddit thread , Davis goes on to talk about how his own preconceptions about Klansman were incorrect , and how meeting with them demonstrated their own diversity and willingness to change .
While Davis ’ work is focused on racists , this concept can be applied to anyone with different views than our own .
Rather than look at our ideological opponent as such , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our fellow countrymen arrived at those conclusions .
“ Learn as much as you can about the person whose views are so virulently different from your own .
Even sit in the privacy of your room and take that person ’ s position and argue in his favor with yourself , ” Davis said .
This is no small task .
This presidential election is filled with intense emotion on both sides .
Either way , large swaths of our fellow citizens will wake up on Nov. 4 disappointed but that line of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to remain civil and intact .
“ It is when the talking ceases , that the ground becomes fertile for violence , ” Davis wrote .
Your primary goal is to get across your message to the people in power - those who have the ability to enact change .
But you have to capture their attention while not breaking rules , laws or offending the same people you hope to influence .
Protesters have been inside the House and Senate galleries during the current special session to address violent crime .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ re protesting in the same chamber where lawmaking is occurring .
As we reported Wednesday , protesters remained mostly quiet during discussions on the House floor , only showing approval of several comments by snapping their fingers .
However , after representatives passed the last of their bills , Ohun Ashe , an ExpectUS organizer , started a chant of “ Criminal justice reform - not rhetoric.
” Other members of the group unfurled a banner that said , “ We see you.
” Security staff in the Capitol rolled up the banner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they left the chamber .
ExpectUS , the group that was protesting , did the right thing by mostly remaining quiet .
They wore white T-shirts with red handprints .
At one point , they raised their hands , painted red apparently to convey blood .
It was a good attention-getter , and there ’ s nothing wrong with that .
( And we give them bonus points for all wearing protective masks . )
When they started chanting and unfurled a banner , however , that could have crossed the line .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the House was finished with their business , so they didn ’ t disrupt lawmakers ’ work .
Protests outside the Capitol are often boisterous rallies that include chanting , speeches , signs , etc .
And that ’ s fine .
But inside the building , especially in the House and Senate chambers where lawmaking is taking place , decorum is essential .
Lawmakers must be allowed to perform their jobs , without distraction , whether you agree or disagree with their attempts to better our state .
The minute protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crossing the line and should be removed from the galleries .
Depending on the situation , charges should be brought .
Their political persuasion doesn ’ t matter .
In this situation , it appears the protesters approached the line of proper protesting but didn ’ t cross it .

The Kansas City Star, Aug. 28
Add the University of Missouri in Columbia to the list of colleges making dangerous decisions during the COVID-19 crisis.
On Friday, Boone County-Columbia officials said that 44.6% of the people tested from Aug. 21 to Aug. 27 were positive for coronavirus - an absolutely shocking and alarming rate. Think about that: Nearly one of every two people tested in or near Columbia during the past week had COVID-19.
The goal is to have a positivity rate of 5% or below. The national positivity rate is about 6%.
Anything higher than 15% is considered a serious hot zone, with cancellations, closings and remote learning requirements.
So how is Missouri reacting?
“I didn’t expect this rise this fast,” Columbia-Boone County Public Health Director Stephanie Browning said Friday. She announced a series of steps designed to curb the spread of the virus, including a ban on alcohol sales in bars after 9 p.m.
Gatherings are limited to 20 people, although exemptions are available.
Not everyone is surprised by the numbers. Columbia is largely a college community, centered around the University of Missouri, where 30,000 students and 10,000 staff and faculty have recently returned to work.
The steps taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus on campus - masks and social distancing - aren’t working off campus. And we know why: Students go to bars and restaurants and homes late into the evening, without masks and without distancing. Voila - pandemic.
“That certainly is increasing our numbers,” Browning said. In the last week, COVID-19 cases for those between ages 18 and 22 have jumped 220%, she said. Cases have doubled, then doubled again.
Mun Choi, MU chancellor and University of Missouri system president, seems unperturbed by these facts. “Students and young people in that age group do recover at a very high rate,” he said Friday.
What? The issue isn’t just how long it will take students to recover. COVID-19 can cause lasting damage to some patients and could result in a lifetime of health problems. No one should pass off the coronavirus as a minor inconvenience, even for the young.
And students who catch COVID-19 can spread it to others - in Boone County, certainly, but to parents and relatives across the region. Note to Dr. Choi: Some students go home on weekends. Perhaps you’ve noticed.
Friday’s Boone County-Columbia coronavirus order caps attendance at sporting events at 100 people. Except for MU, of course, “which is an instrumentality of the state of Missouri,” the declaration says. Can’t forget football.
We’ve criticized decisions at the University of Kansas and Kansas State University to continue on-campus teaching and living. Several fraternity and sorority houses at KU are under quarantine. At K-State, athletes and students have tested positive, and the overall positive rate is nearly 10%.
The University of Missouri is not exempt from these concerns. It should transition to remote learning only, and consider closing dormitories and restricting off-campus fraternity and sorority housing. Football games should be postponed, and certainly crowds should be banned.
Other colleges and universities have already taken similar steps.
Gov. Mike Parson should show leadership at this moment. He should publicly ask the school to shut its doors to in-person instruction until the virus is more under control.
He won’t, of course, because it would be politically difficult. University officials may not act because it would be financially difficult. As a result of that timidity, the health and safety of students, and every person they meet, are at risk.
“I understand that everyone is tired. We all want to go back to life as normal,” Browning said Friday. “But we can’t do that unless everyone is doing all they can do to slow the spread of this virus.”
The University of Missouri, and the state of Missouri, are not close to meeting that minimum standard. Missourians will be sicker for it, and the damage will last for years.
_______
St. Joseph News-Press, Aug. 29
Somewhere in the deep-red part of Missouri, someone is stacking ammo boxes next to MREs. In a dark-blue part, someone else is tweeting the need for riots in the face of systemic racism.
It’s been more than 200 years since the end of the Civil War, but recently the country’s been on edge. Police shootings, riots, a pandemic and a flailing economy have brought us to each other’s throats. There can be no middle ground when fascism or socialism is at hand, some claim. Internet freakouts are used to depict ideological opponents as vicious and unhinged.
And therein lies the problem: opponents.
In these trying times, it’s easy to forget our collective accomplishments. In the same decade Americans landed on the moon, we also reckoned with our segregated schools and Jim Crow laws. In those trying times, a Black man had a dream and was killed for it. To claim we haven’t made strides toward that dream is equally incorrect as claiming we’ve achieved it.
Perhaps now, we need the advice of another Black man. In a time where we define ourselves by our divisions, Daryl Davis stands as a boon of civility. As a boy, Davis joined an all-white Scout troop, only to be pelted with objects. As a man, Davis meets with Klansman to have a dialogue.
In a recent Reddit Ask Me Anything thread, he consistently downplayed the media’s portrayal of him as someone who converts racists away from the error of their ways. He simply sets out to answer a question he’s had as a kid: “How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?”
Throughout the thread, Davis maintained that the best way to combat bigotry is by trying to understand it, and to do as much as possible to garner the respect of those who adhere to harmful ideologies.
In the Reddit thread, Davis goes on to talk about how his own preconceptions about Klansman were incorrect, and how meeting with them demonstrated their own diversity and willingness to change.
While Davis’ work is focused on racists, this concept can be applied to anyone with different views than our own. Rather than look at our ideological opponent as such, we need to endeavor to understand how our fellow countrymen arrived at those conclusions.
“Learn as much as you can about the person whose views are so virulently different from your own. Even sit in the privacy of your room and take that person’s position and argue in his favor with yourself,” Davis said.
This is no small task. This presidential election is filled with intense emotion on both sides. Either way, large swaths of our fellow citizens will wake up on Nov. 4 disappointed but that line of communication must remain open if our union is to remain civil and intact.
“It is when the talking ceases, that the ground becomes fertile for violence,” Davis wrote.
——
Jefferson City News-Tribune, Aug. 28
Protesting can be a tricky thing.
Your primary goal is to get across your message to the people in power - those who have the ability to enact change. But you have to capture their attention while not breaking rules, laws or offending the same people you hope to influence.
Protesters have been inside the House and Senate galleries during the current special session to address violent crime.
Protesting gets even trickier when you’re protesting in the same chamber where lawmaking is occurring.
As we reported Wednesday, protesters remained mostly quiet during discussions on the House floor, only showing approval of several comments by snapping their fingers. However, after representatives passed the last of their bills, Ohun Ashe, an ExpectUS organizer, started a chant of “Criminal justice reform - not rhetoric.”
Other members of the group unfurled a banner that said, “We see you.” Security staff in the Capitol rolled up the banner but returned it to the group after they left the chamber.
ExpectUS, the group that was protesting, did the right thing by mostly remaining quiet. They wore white T-shirts with red handprints. At one point, they raised their hands, painted red apparently to convey blood.
It was a good attention-getter, and there’s nothing wrong with that. (And we give them bonus points for all wearing protective masks.)
When they started chanting and unfurled a banner, however, that could have crossed the line. In this case, our understanding is that the House was finished with their business, so they didn’t disrupt lawmakers’ work.
Protests outside the Capitol are often boisterous rallies that include chanting, speeches, signs, etc. And that’s fine. But inside the building, especially in the House and Senate chambers where lawmaking is taking place, decorum is essential.
Lawmakers must be allowed to perform their jobs, without distraction, whether you agree or disagree with their attempts to better our state.
The minute protesters disrupt the legislative process, are clearly crossing the line and should be removed from the galleries. Depending on the situation, charges should be brought. Their political persuasion doesn’t matter.
In this situation, it appears the protesters approached the line of proper protesting but didn’t cross it.


washingtontimes--2020-09-01--Police: 2 men killed in separate shootings in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS ( AP ) - Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting deaths of two men in separate shootings a @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
The first shooting occurred Sunday evening in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood , @ @ @ @ @ .
Officers called to the scene found Deonta Landrum , 38 , with several gunshot @ @ @ @ @ He was taken to a hospital , where he was later pronounced dead .
About @ @ @ @ @ were called to another shooting outside an apartment complex in the city ’ s Old @ @ @ @ @ police said , and found a man who had been shot several times .
No @ @ @ @ @ on the Monday evening shooting .
Police had not announced arrests in either case by @ @ @ @

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting deaths of two men in separate shootings a day apart in St. Louis, police said.
The first shooting occurred Sunday evening in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Officers called to the scene found Deonta Landrum, 38, with several gunshot wounds, police said. He was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
About 24 hours later, officers were called to another shooting outside an apartment complex in the city’s Old North St. Louis neighborhood, police said, and found a man who had been shot several times. No other details were immediately released on the Monday evening shooting.
Police had not announced arrests in either case by early Tuesday morning.


washingtontimes--2020-09-01--Review: 'Perilous Bounty' argues U.S. farmlands are in peril

“ Perilous Bounty : The Looming Collapse of American Farming and How We Can Prevent It , ” by Tom Philpott ( Bloomsbury Publishing ) Americans long have taken abundant and cheap food for granted , blessed as we are by millions of acres of fertile farmland , particularly in California and the central states .
Those farmlands , and our food supply , are tipping toward grave risk unless we modify our farming habits , author Tom Philpott says in “ Perilous Bounty : The Looming Collapse of American Farming and How We Can Prevent It.
” He makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industrial farm practices are draining California aquifers and causing severe fertile soil erosion in the Plains states .
Both practices ultimately will be catastrophic , he writes .
- Between December 2004 and November 2013 , the Colorado River basin lost almost 53 million acre feet of underground water .
- Iowa farmland in losing topsoil to runoff faster than it can be replenished .
- The water table in many parts of California ’ s vast and productive central valley has sunken to 100 feet .
- 200 million pounds of pesticides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The book acknowledges a body of news reporting on this issue but deftly pulls together the whole crisis .
Philpott is a veteran reporter for Mother Jones magazine and he has himself been a farmer , so he knows the language of agriculture .
“ Perilous Bounty ” presents several farmers in California and Iowa who have figured out how to grow crops profitably without either draining the aquifers or allowing annual top soil runoff , but fellow farmers tend to see these growers are curiosities at best .
Moreover , the book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can maintain high-crop yields while reducing fertilizer use by restoring biodiversity ; for example , planting oats , alfalfa or clover rather than leaving bare Iowa soil open in winter to rainwater runoff .
However , as Philpott notes , the agribusiness industry as it has evolved in the United States is controlled by a few giant corporations and the flow of billions of dollars in government payouts and crop insurance programs that keep central states ’ farmers locked into corn and soybean-producing programs year after year .
Meantime , the evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear : Not only must we significantly alter our farming practices but we also must address the causes of climate change if we are to avoid ruining our farm land and turning from a nation of vast agricultural bounty to a land unable to produce enough food for its people .
Will we have the political will to demand a revolution in American agriculture to systems that will preserve aquifers and topsoil ?
Don ’ t bet on it .
As Philpott points out , agribusiness interests spend $ 100 million each two-year @ @ @ @

“Perilous Bounty: The Looming Collapse of American Farming and How We Can Prevent It,” by Tom Philpott (Bloomsbury Publishing)
Americans long have taken abundant and cheap food for granted, blessed as we are by millions of acres of fertile farmland, particularly in California and the central states.
Those farmlands, and our food supply, are tipping toward grave risk unless we modify our farming habits, author Tom Philpott says in “Perilous Bounty: The Looming Collapse of American Farming and How We Can Prevent It.”
He makes a solid case that our intensive, industrial farm practices are draining California aquifers and causing severe fertile soil erosion in the Plains states.
Both practices ultimately will be catastrophic, he writes.
Some arithmetic:
- Between December 2004 and November 2013, the Colorado River basin lost almost 53 million acre feet of underground water.
- Iowa farmland in losing topsoil to runoff faster than it can be replenished.
- The water table in many parts of California’s vast and productive central valley has sunken to 100 feet.
- 200 million pounds of pesticides are used annually in California alone.
The book acknowledges a body of news reporting on this issue but deftly pulls together the whole crisis. Philpott is a veteran reporter for Mother Jones magazine and he has himself been a farmer, so he knows the language of agriculture.
“Perilous Bounty” presents several farmers in California and Iowa who have figured out how to grow crops profitably without either draining the aquifers or allowing annual top soil runoff, but fellow farmers tend to see these growers are curiosities at best.
Moreover, the book cites university researchers who have shown that we can maintain high-crop yields while reducing fertilizer use by restoring biodiversity; for example, planting oats, alfalfa or clover rather than leaving bare Iowa soil open in winter to rainwater runoff.
However, as Philpott notes, the agribusiness industry as it has evolved in the United States is controlled by a few giant corporations and the flow of billions of dollars in government payouts and crop insurance programs that keep central states’ farmers locked into corn and soybean-producing programs year after year.
Meantime, the evidence Philpott and others before him present is clear: Not only must we significantly alter our farming practices but we also must address the causes of climate change if we are to avoid ruining our farm land and turning from a nation of vast agricultural bounty to a land unable to produce enough food for its people.
Will we have the political will to demand a revolution in American agriculture to systems that will preserve aquifers and topsoil?
Don’t bet on it. As Philpott points out, agribusiness interests spend $100 million each two-year federal election cycle.


washingtontimes--2020-09-01--The number of COVID deaths in Delaware rises to 605

DOVER , Del .
( AP ) - The number of people who ’ ve died in Delaware from the @ @ @ @ @ The Delaware State News reports that the latest death was announced Monday by the Delaware @ @ @ @ @ The 94-year-old Kent County woman who died was the resident of a nursing home and @ @ @ @ @ .
Kent County has had 110 deaths .
New Castle County has had 300 .
@ @ @ @ @ .
The state ’ s total number of virus cases is 17,429 .
There are @ @ @ @ @ with COVID-19 in Delaware .
Of those , 16 are considered critical .
The percentage @ @ @ @ @ % .

DOVER, Del. (AP) - The number of people who’ve died in Delaware from the coronavirus is now 605.
The Delaware State News reports that the latest death was announced Monday by the Delaware Division of Public Health.
The 94-year-old Kent County woman who died was the resident of a nursing home and had no underlying health conditions.
Kent County has had 110 deaths. New Castle County has had 300. Sussex County has had 195.
The state’s total number of virus cases is 17,429.
There are 58 people who are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Delaware. Of those, 16 are considered critical.
The percentage of positive tests is 4.3%.


washingtontimes--2020-09-01--8 years in prison for man who struck and killed dog walker

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
( AP ) - A Hartford man accused of driving drunk and killing a woman @ @ @ @ @ sentenced to eight years in prison .
Micah Ryan Giebler earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree @ @ @ @ @ influence .
The 31-year-old Giebler was sentenced Monday afternoon in Second Circuit Court .
Giebler @ @ @ @ @ behind the wheel last February and struck and killed 42-year-old Nichole Anderson , who was @ @ @ @ @ , the Argus Leader reported .
According to police , Giebler left the scene of @ @ @ @ @ house less than a mile away and told his roommate he thought he had hit @ @ @ @ @ back to the scene where Giebler called police .
Anderson ’ s mother , Loretta @ @ @ @ @ her daughter would have forgiven Giebler .
Swanson says she prays for Giebler every day @

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A Hartford man accused of driving drunk and killing a woman walking her dog has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
Micah Ryan Giebler earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and driving under the influence. The 31-year-old Giebler was sentenced Monday afternoon in Second Circuit Court.
Giebler was intoxicated when he got behind the wheel last February and struck and killed 42-year-old Nichole Anderson, who was walking her dog in Hartford, the Argus Leader reported.
According to police, Giebler left the scene of the crash drove to his house less than a mile away and told his roommate he thought he had hit someone. The two went back to the scene where Giebler called police.
Anderson’s mother, Loretta Swanson, told the judge her daughter would have forgiven Giebler. Swanson says she prays for Giebler every day.
.