washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Poland's top court confirms Duda's election for president

WARSAW , Poland ( AP ) - The Supreme Court of Poland on Monday upheld the reelection of President Andrzej Duda after deciding that complaints about the validity of the country ’ s presidential election were insufficient to void the results .
The ruling paves the way for Duda to take the oath of office before both chambers of parliament on Thursday .
The court evaluated some 6,000 election complaints from voters and from the team of the candidate Duda faced in a runoff , liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski .
Duda won 51.03 % of the vote and Trzaskowski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It found 92 of the alleged violations justified , but said the irregularities did not affect the election ’ s outcome .
The justices said the complaints from Trzaskowski team lacked necessary evidence about the time and location of the alleged breaches .
They said the Trzaskowski team ’ s complaint also touched on campaigning , which is beyond the bounds of an electoral protest .
Many voters also complained about being unable to vote from abroad because their ballots arrived too late .
Originally scheduled for May , the presidential election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to June 28 with a runoff two weeks later , due to the coronavirus pandemic .

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - The Supreme Court of Poland on Monday upheld the reelection of President Andrzej Duda after deciding that complaints about the validity of the country’s presidential election were insufficient to void the results.
The ruling paves the way for Duda to take the oath of office before both chambers of parliament on Thursday.
The court evaluated some 6,000 election complaints from voters and from the team of the candidate Duda faced in a runoff, liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski. Duda won 51.03% of the vote and Trzaskowski 48.97% in the July 12 election.
It found 92 of the alleged violations justified, but said the irregularities did not affect the election’s outcome. The justices said the complaints from Trzaskowski team lacked necessary evidence about the time and location of the alleged breaches.
They said the Trzaskowski team’s complaint also touched on campaigning, which is beyond the bounds of an electoral protest.
Many voters also complained about being unable to vote from abroad because their ballots arrived too late.
Originally scheduled for May, the presidential election was postponed by over a month, to June 28 with a runoff two weeks later, due to the coronavirus pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Officials: Delaware fire causes $400K of damage, displaces 6

WILMINGTON , Del .
( AP ) - Authorities are investigating a fire in Delaware that heavily damaged a home @ @ @ @ @ Five adults and one child fled from the home in Wilmington early Sunday morning when @ @ @ @ @ State Fire Marshal ’ s Office said in a news release .
They were not @ @ @ @ @ caused exposure damage to nearby homes , the release said .
Investigators are asking anyone @ @ @ @ @ State Fire Marshal ’ s Office .

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Authorities are investigating a fire in Delaware that heavily damaged a home and displaced six people.
Five adults and one child fled from the home in Wilmington early Sunday morning when the blaze erupted, the State Fire Marshal’s Office said in a news release. They were not injured.
The fire also caused exposure damage to nearby homes, the release said. Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Joe Biden leads Donald Trump in Ohio: Poll

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden leads President Trump by 4 points in Ohio , according to a poll @ @ @ @ @ Biden had a 4-point , 46 % to 42 % lead over Mr. Trump among @ @ @ @ @ the Center for Marketing and Opinion Research/University of Akron poll .
Unlike other surveys , @ @ @ @ @ an edge in terms of enthusiasm among his supporters .
Almost 31 % said they @ @ @ @ @ president , compared to 26 % who said they strongly support Mr. Trump .
Ohio @ @ @ @ @ in presidential elections , breaking for the ultimate winner in every race since 1964 .
@ @ @ @ @ relative backseat in 2016 , when Mr. Trump easily carried the state by about 8 @ @ @ @ @ Rob Portman cruised to reelection by more than 20 points .
The online poll of @ @ @ @ @ between June 24 and July 15 and has a margin of error of plus or @ @ @ @ @

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden leads President Trump by 4 points in Ohio, according to a poll released on Monday.
Mr. Biden had a 4-point, 46% to 42% lead over Mr. Trump among registered voters, according to the Center for Marketing and Opinion Research/University of Akron poll.
Unlike other surveys, the poll gave Mr. Biden an edge in terms of enthusiasm among his supporters.
Almost 31% said they strongly support the former vice president, compared to 26% who said they strongly support Mr. Trump.
Ohio has been a regular bellwether in presidential elections, breaking for the ultimate winner in every race since 1964.
The perennial battleground took a relative backseat in 2016, when Mr. Trump easily carried the state by about 8 points and GOP Sen. Rob Portman cruised to reelection by more than 20 points.
The online poll of 1,037 registered voters was conducted between June 24 and July 15 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Greece: 1 hurt as small plane hits shut village coffee shop

THESSALONIKI , Greece ( AP ) - A small training plane crashed into a village coffee shop in northern Greece @ @ @ @ @ pilot and causing minor damage , authorities said .
Police said the accident occurred during @ @ @ @ @ The 19-year-old pilot , who was flying solo , apparently lost control of the light @ @ @ @ @ tree in the main square of Proti , a village in the Serres area east @ @ @ @ @ broke the force of the crash and the plane proceeded to hit a first-floor balcony @ @ @ @ @ settling with its tail on the ground against the building ’ s facade , without @ @ @ @ @ shop was closed at the time .
The pilot was taken to hospital with non @ @ @ @ @ else was hurt .
Police said that the young man lived in a nearby village @ @ @ @ @ , who works in Proti , was at her work at the time of the @ @ @ @ @ the crash was not immediately clear .

THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) - A small training plane crashed into a village coffee shop in northern Greece Monday, injuring the teenage pilot and causing minor damage, authorities said.
Police said the accident occurred during a morning training flight. The 19-year-old pilot, who was flying solo, apparently lost control of the light aircraft and hit a large tree in the main square of Proti, a village in the Serres area east of Thessaloniki.
The tree broke the force of the crash and the plane proceeded to hit a first-floor balcony above the coffee shop before settling with its tail on the ground against the building’s facade, without catching fire. The coffee shop was closed at the time.
The pilot was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries, while nobody else was hurt.
Police said that the young man lived in a nearby village, and that his mother, who works in Proti, was at her work at the time of the crash.
The cause of the crash was not immediately clear.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Body of climber who died on Mount Jefferson recovered

BEND , Ore. ( AP ) - The body of a Kennewick , Washington , climber who died in a fall from Mount Jefferson in central Oregon has been recovered .
The Tri-City Herald reports David Freepons , 68 , was climbing July 25 with a group at the mountain that is about 50 miles from Bend , Ore. , when he slipped on a glacier and fell several hundred feet to his death .
He was a well-known climber in the Tri-Cities with decades of mountaineering and rock climbing experience .
He was part of the Inter-Mountain Alpine Club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classes .
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff ’ s Department , mountain rescue crews organized from four counties started hiking the 15 miles to the location of Freepons body on the east side of the mountain Friday morning .
The area falls within the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Indian Reservation .
After climbing until 10 p.m. and spending the night on the mountain , the rescue crews prepared the site for the helicopter at 3 a.m. Saturday .
Leading Edge Aviation retrieved his body and took it to the staging site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 miles from Mount Jefferson to be transferred to a vehicle .

BEND, Ore. (AP) - The body of a Kennewick, Washington, climber who died in a fall from Mount Jefferson in central Oregon has been recovered.
The Tri-City Herald reports David Freepons, 68, was climbing July 25 with a group at the mountain that is about 50 miles from Bend, Ore., when he slipped on a glacier and fell several hundred feet to his death.
He was a well-known climber in the Tri-Cities with decades of mountaineering and rock climbing experience. He was part of the Inter-Mountain Alpine Club in Richland where he had taught many classes.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, mountain rescue crews organized from four counties started hiking the 15 miles to the location of Freepons body on the east side of the mountain Friday morning.
The area falls within the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Indian Reservation.
After climbing until 10 p.m. and spending the night on the mountain, the rescue crews prepared the site for the helicopter at 3 a.m. Saturday.
Leading Edge Aviation retrieved his body and took it to the staging site at Metolius Meadows in Camp Sherman, 16 miles from Mount Jefferson to be transferred to a vehicle.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Thousands pack race track, despite rising COVID-19 cases

BRANDON , S.D .
( AP ) - Thousands of fans packed the stands a race track in southeastern South Dakota despite a rising number of coronavirus cases in the state .
The fans came to Huset ’ s Speedway in Brandon Sunday night for the reopening of the track that has been closed for several years .
The 9,000-seat speedway was at near capacity , with face masks nearly obsolete , the Argus Leader reported .
The popular All Star Circuit is owned by NASCAR legend Tony Stewart .
Minnesota businessman Tod Quiring purchased the track from Chuck Brennan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one race in 2017 .
Brennan said he spent north of $ 10 million in upgrades to the facility and opened it as Badlands Motor Speedway in 2016 .
“ We finally have this premiere facility back open that ’ s been sitting dormant for so long , ” said Tea resident and 2002 track champion Justin Henderson , who finished 15th Sunday night .
“ It ’ s really bringing that racing fever back into Sioux Falls.
” South Dakota health officials reported 88 newly confirmed cases of the coronavius and one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll from COVID-19 in South Dakota rose to 135 with the newly reported death .
The number of confirmed covornavirus infections has risen to 8,955 in the state .

BRANDON, S.D. (AP) - Thousands of fans packed the stands a race track in southeastern South Dakota despite a rising number of coronavirus cases in the state.
The fans came to Huset’s Speedway in Brandon Sunday night for the reopening of the track that has been closed for several years. The 9,000-seat speedway was at near capacity, with face masks nearly obsolete, the Argus Leader reported.
The popular All Star Circuit is owned by NASCAR legend Tony Stewart.
Minnesota businessman Tod Quiring purchased the track from Chuck Brennan, who closed the facility after just one race in 2017. Brennan said he spent north of $10 million in upgrades to the facility and opened it as Badlands Motor Speedway in 2016.
“We finally have this premiere facility back open that’s been sitting dormant for so long,” said Tea resident and 2002 track champion Justin Henderson, who finished 15th Sunday night. “It’s really bringing that racing fever back into Sioux Falls.”
South Dakota health officials reported 88 newly confirmed cases of the coronavius and one new death on Sunday.
The death toll from COVID-19 in South Dakota rose to 135 with the newly reported death. The number of confirmed covornavirus infections has risen to 8,955 in the state.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Arrest made in shooting death of Iowa man at son's funeral

DAVENPORT , Iowa ( AP ) - A man accused of shooting another man in the parking lot of a Davenport funeral home , where he was attending his 8-year-old son ’ s funeral , has been arrested and charged , police said .
Jeramie Shorter , 26 , of Davenport , was shot Saturday morning outside Weerts Funeral Home and later died , the Quad-City Times reported .
Shorter was at there to attend the funeral of his son , Jermier Leon Shorter , 8 , of St. Paul , Minnesota , who died from cancer .
Police who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suspect in an Infiniti sedan without plates and attempted to pull the car over .
But the car sped off at high speeds , and police disengaged for fear that a high-speed chase through residential areas could injure bystanders .
Police later again found the suspect , who fled on foot , but was caught and arrested .
During the chase , the suspect - later identified as Nuemonei Tre Vonne Laster , 24 , of Davenport - threw a bag containing a gun over a fence , police said .
Laster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of felony convictions from 2018 .
Laster appeared in court Sunday on charges of first-degree murder , eluding , being felon in possession of a firearm and interference with a weapon .
He is being held on a $ 300,000 cash bond .

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) - A suspect has been arrested and charged after a man was fatally shot in the parking lot of an eastern Iowa funeral home where he was attending the funeral of his 8-year-old son, who died of cancer, police said.
Jeramie Shorter, 26, of Davenport, was shot Saturday morning outside Weerts Funeral Home in Davenport and later died, the Quad-City Times reported. Shorter was there for the funeral of Jermier Leon Shorter, of St. Paul, Minnesota.
A possible motive for the shooting wasn’t immediately known.
Police who responded to the shooting said officers spotted the suspect in an Infiniti sedan without plates and attempted to pull the car over. But the car sped off, and police disengaged for fear that a high-speed chase through residential areas could injure bystanders.
Police later found the suspect, who fled on foot, but was caught and arrested. During the chase, the suspect - later identified as Nuemonei Tre Vonne Laster, 24, of Davenport - threw a bag containing a gun over a fence, police said. Laster is prohibited from having a gun because of felony convictions from 2018.
Laster appeared in court Sunday on charges of first-degree murder, eluding, being felon in possession of a firearm and interference with a weapon. He is being held on a $300,000 cash bond.
The public defenders office has been appointed to represent Laster, but no public defender was listed Monday morning for him.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Hindus in India set to build temple at razed mosque site

LUCKNOW , India ( AP ) - As Hindus prepare to celebrate the groundbreaking of a long-awaited temple at a disputed ground in northern India , Muslims say they have no firm plans yet to build a new mosque at an alternative site they were granted to replace the one torn down by Hindu hard-liners decades ago .
Wednesday ’ s groundbreaking ceremony follows a ruling by India ’ s Supreme Court last November favoring the building of a Hindu temple on the disputed site in Uttar Pradesh state .
Hindus believe their god Ram was born at the site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built a mosque on top of a temple there .
The 16th century Babri Masjid mosque was destroyed by Hindu hard-liners in December 1992 , sparking massive Hindu-Muslim violence that left some 2,000 people dead .
The Supreme Court ’ s verdict paved the way for the building of a temple in place of the demolished mosque .
The court also ordered that Muslims be given 5 acres ( 2 hectares ) of land to build a new mosque at a nearby site .
But the ruling disappointed Muslims , who comprise around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.3 billion people .
On Wednesday , Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay five silver bricks as the temple foundation amid the chanting of Hindu religious hymns .
Houses and other buildings close to the temple site in the city of Ayodhya are being painted yellow to recreate the look when the Hindu god Ram ruled there for thousands of years , according to the Hindu epic Ramayana .
More than 100,000 oil lamps will light up the city in celebration , said chief priest Satyendra Das .
A security clampdown , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hindu devotees into the city because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Last week , a priest and 15 police officers in the area tested positive for the virus .
As ordered by the Supreme Court , the Uttar Pradesh state government set up a trust last week for the building of a new mosque at a nearby site , in a village 25 kilometers ( 15 miles ) from the spot where the Babri mosque was demolished by Hindu radicals .
But there is no allocation of funds yet for the project .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Board ’ s chairman , Zafur Ahmed Faruqi , said mosques are always built with public support .
“ Money is bound to pour in , ” he said .
“ We will open a bank account and ask people to donate for the construction of the mosque.
” Faruqi didn ’ t give a time frame for building the new mosque .
Muslim community groups have not yet come forward in support of the project .
Hindu hard-liners began preparing for the new temple in the 1990s , and prefabricated blocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hindu mythology are ready for once the construction work starts .
The construction is expected to take 3 1/2 years .
Zafaryab Jilani , who represents the All India Muslim Personal Law Board , said that while the Muslim community is not satisfied with the Supreme Court ’ s ruling , it will respect the decision and not protest the building of the temple .
Saeed Naqvi , a political analyst , said he didn ’ t expect any trouble between Hindus and Muslims over the issue .
“ Muslims by themselves have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oppose this issue , it only helps Hindutva ( Hindu ideology ) , ” he said .
Several prominent Muslim writers , academics and activists , who didn ’ t want to be identified , refused to discuss the issue , suggesting that the community was resigned to the new reality .
But some expressed fear that the new temple could embolden Hindu nationalists to target two other mosques in Uttar Pradesh .
“ The Modi government should assure Muslims that Hindu outfits will not ask for the construction of temples in Varanasi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Iqbal Ansari , the main litigant in the Supreme Court case .
The Gyanvapi mosque in the Uttar Pradesh city of Varanasi is in the complex of the Kashi Vishwanath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva .
In Mathura , another city in the state , the Shahi Idgah mosque stands adjacent to the temple complex that marks the birthplace of the Hindu god Krishna .
Hindu organizations say both structures were built by razing previously existing temples .

LUCKNOW, India (AP) - As Hindus prepare to celebrate the groundbreaking of a long-awaited temple at a disputed ground in northern India, Muslims say they have no firm plans yet to build a new mosque at an alternative site they were granted to replace the one torn down by Hindu hard-liners decades ago.
Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony follows a ruling by India’s Supreme Court last November favoring the building of a Hindu temple on the disputed site in Uttar Pradesh state. Hindus believe their god Ram was born at the site and claim that the Muslim Emperor Babur built a mosque on top of a temple there.
The 16th century Babri Masjid mosque was destroyed by Hindu hard-liners in December 1992, sparking massive Hindu-Muslim violence that left some 2,000 people dead. The Supreme Court’s verdict paved the way for the building of a temple in place of the demolished mosque.
The court also ordered that Muslims be given 5 acres (2 hectares) of land to build a new mosque at a nearby site. But the ruling disappointed Muslims, who comprise around 14% of Hindu-majority India’s 1.3 billion people.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay five silver bricks as the temple foundation amid the chanting of Hindu religious hymns. Houses and other buildings close to the temple site in the city of Ayodhya are being painted yellow to recreate the look when the Hindu god Ram ruled there for thousands of years, according to the Hindu epic Ramayana.
More than 100,000 oil lamps will light up the city in celebration, said chief priest Satyendra Das.
A security clampdown, however, will allow only limited entry to Hindu devotees into the city because of the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, a priest and 15 police officers in the area tested positive for the virus.
As ordered by the Supreme Court, the Uttar Pradesh state government set up a trust last week for the building of a new mosque at a nearby site, in a village 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the spot where the Babri mosque was demolished by Hindu radicals.
But there is no allocation of funds yet for the project. The government-run Sunni Central Waqf (Endowment) Board’s chairman, Zafur Ahmed Faruqi, said mosques are always built with public support. “Money is bound to pour in,” he said. “We will open a bank account and ask people to donate for the construction of the mosque.”
Faruqi didn’t give a time frame for building the new mosque. Muslim community groups have not yet come forward in support of the project.
Hindu hard-liners began preparing for the new temple in the 1990s, and prefabricated blocks of huge, ornately carved stones displaying Hindu mythology are ready for once the construction work starts. The construction is expected to take 3 1/2 years.
Zafaryab Jilani, who represents the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said that while the Muslim community is not satisfied with the Supreme Court’s ruling, it will respect the decision and not protest the building of the temple.
Saeed Naqvi, a political analyst, said he didn’t expect any trouble between Hindus and Muslims over the issue. “Muslims by themselves have learned the hard lesson that if they oppose this issue, it only helps Hindutva (Hindu ideology),” he said.
Several prominent Muslim writers, academics and activists, who didn’t want to be identified, refused to discuss the issue, suggesting that the community was resigned to the new reality.
But some expressed fear that the new temple could embolden Hindu nationalists to target two other mosques in Uttar Pradesh.
“The Modi government should assure Muslims that Hindu outfits will not ask for the construction of temples in Varanasi and Mathura after demolishing existing mosques there,” said Iqbal Ansari, the main litigant in the Supreme Court case.
The Gyanvapi mosque in the Uttar Pradesh city of Varanasi is in the complex of the Kashi Vishwanath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. In Mathura, another city in the state, the Shahi Idgah mosque stands adjacent to the temple complex that marks the birthplace of the Hindu god Krishna. Hindu organizations say both structures were built by razing previously existing temples.
___
Sharma reported from New Delhi.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Nearly 60 fish types in Chicago waters, up from about 10

CHICAGO ( AP ) - The variety of fish swimming in Chicago ’ s rivers have increased in recent decades , which authorities attribute to a decline in pollution , according to a sampling study released Monday by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District .
The report claims there are nearly 60 different types of fish swimming in the Chicago and Calumet rivers .
There were fewer than 10 types of fish in the waterways in the 1980s , according to the Chicago Tribune .
Carp is the most frequently found species in the rivers .
Among other species netted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largemouth bass and yellow perch .
Those fish are less tolerant of pollution than carp .
Shedd Aquarium research biologist Austin Happel says the more robust and diverse population of fish is an example of how the fight to cleaning rivers is paying off after decades when they were turned into industrialized sewage canals .
“ We ’ re already seeing that if you can increase fish diversity , you ’ re also able to increase how people use waterways , ” said Happel , the chief author of the study .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after 1984 , when the district stopped releasing sewage treated with germ-killing chlorine into local waterways .
Unlike most other cities , Chicago didn ’ t remove the chemical before pumping treated sewage into rivers and lakes because it was exempt from some provisions of the 1972 Clean Water Act .
However , the city obtained billions of dollars from the federal government to build tunnels and reservoirs , which by the mid-1980s to prevent flooding and keep pollution out of the rivers and Lake Michigan .
“ Improvements definitely were more dramatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came online and they stopped chlorinating , ” said Dustin Gallagher , a district biologist and co-author of the study .
“ Over the years we are seeing more bluegill and more largemouth bass and steadily larger game fish - all good signs.
” Gallagher says providing suitable places for fish to reproduce and thrive remains a problem because stretched of local rivers were dredged and lined with sheet metal a century ago .
And billions of gallons of sewage and runoff still pour into the rivers during and after storms .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its connected channels are safe to eat , though the state advises people to limit consumption to avoid toxic chemicals known as PCBs , a legacy from a century of industrial pollution .

CHICAGO (AP) - The variety of fish swimming in Chicago’s rivers have increased in recent decades, which authorities attribute to a decline in pollution, according to a sampling study released Monday by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.
The report claims there are nearly 60 different types of fish swimming in the Chicago and Calumet rivers. There were fewer than 10 types of fish in the waterways in the 1980s, according to the Chicago Tribune. Carp is the most frequently found species in the rivers. Among other species netted by district biologists were bluegill, catfish, largemouth bass and yellow perch. Those fish are less tolerant of pollution than carp.
Shedd Aquarium research biologist Austin Happel says the more robust and diverse population of fish is an example of how the fight to cleaning rivers is paying off after decades when they were turned into industrialized sewage canals.
“We’re already seeing that if you can increase fish diversity, you’re also able to increase how people use waterways,” said Happel, the chief author of the study.
The most dramatic improvements in fish populations occurred after 1984, when the district stopped releasing sewage treated with germ-killing chlorine into local waterways. Unlike most other cities, Chicago didn’t remove the chemical before pumping treated sewage into rivers and lakes because it was exempt from some provisions of the 1972 Clean Water Act. However, the city obtained billions of dollars from the federal government to build tunnels and reservoirs, which by the mid-1980s to prevent flooding and keep pollution out of the rivers and Lake Michigan.
“Improvements definitely were more dramatic in those earlier years after the tunnels came online and they stopped chlorinating,” said Dustin Gallagher, a district biologist and co-author of the study. “Over the years we are seeing more bluegill and more largemouth bass and steadily larger game fish - all good signs.”
Gallagher says providing suitable places for fish to reproduce and thrive remains a problem because stretched of local rivers were dredged and lined with sheet metal a century ago. And billions of gallons of sewage and runoff still pour into the rivers during and after storms.
Most of the fish in the Chicago River and its connected channels are safe to eat, though the state advises people to limit consumption to avoid toxic chemicals known as PCBs, a legacy from a century of industrial pollution.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--2020 Census to offer bonuses, speed hiring to finish count this year

The Census Bureau announced Monday that it will hire more employees and offer bonuses to those who put in extra time in order to speed up the count and finish this year .
“ We will improve the speed of our count without sacrificing completeness , ” Director Steven Dillingham said in a statement .
He and his agency have been under fire from Democrats who say they fear the 2020 count is spiraling out of control with the pressures of coronavirus and demands from President Trump .
Mr. Trump last month signed an executive order directing the bureau , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all persons residing in the U.S. , to produce a count without illegal immigrants .
The president wants that latter count to be used to dole out seats in the House of Representatives .
Mr. Dillingham said his agency is still trying to figure out how to do that , but vowed “ a team of experts ” is on the case .
He insisted , though , that the bureau is “ committed to a complete and accurate 2020 census.
” Nearly 63 % of households have responded to initial overtures for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five that have not self-reported yet .
Many of those will require an in-person visit .
Mr. Dillingham said speeding up operations will allow them to complete the field collection by Sept. 30 , and to have the final count by Dec. 31 .

The Census Bureau announced Monday that it will hire more employees and offer bonuses to those who put in extra time in order to speed up the count and finish this year.
“We will improve the speed of our count without sacrificing completeness,” Director Steven Dillingham said in a statement.
He and his agency have been under fire from Democrats who say they fear the 2020 count is spiraling out of control with the pressures of coronavirus and demands from President Trump.
Mr. Trump last month signed an executive order directing the bureau, in addition to the full count of all persons residing in the U.S., to produce a count without illegal immigrants. The president wants that latter count to be used to dole out seats in the House of Representatives.
Mr. Dillingham said his agency is still trying to figure out how to do that, but vowed “a team of experts” is on the case.
He insisted, though, that the bureau is “committed to a complete and accurate 2020 census.”
Nearly 63% of households have responded to initial overtures for the census, leaving nearly two in five that have not self-reported yet. Many of those will require an in-person visit.
Mr. Dillingham said speeding up operations will allow them to complete the field collection by Sept. 30, and to have the final count by Dec. 31.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Stranded by virus, honeymooners hitch home on Antarctic boat

WELLINGTON , New Zealand ( AP ) - A New Zealand honeymoon couple stranded on the remote Falkland Islands in March because of the coronavirus has managed to return home by hitching a ride of more than 5,000 nautical miles ( 9,200 kilometers ) on an Antarctic fishing boat .
Feeonaa Clifton said she had never spent even a single night on a boat before she and her husband Neville embarked on the monthlong voyage through some of the world ’ s most forbidding seas .
After weeks spent watching albatrosses and learning how to don survival suits , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land again Tuesday .
Their adventure began on Leap Day , Feb. 29th , when they were married at their Auckland home .
They had been together for 25 years and raised three children but Feeonaa , 48 , an artist , said they hadn ’ t believed in the idea of marriage .
“ We realized , at some point , we hadn ’ t actually appreciated or celebrated one another , at least not in front of family and friends , ” she said .
“ It was just something we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt right.
” The plan was to spend two weeks of their honeymoon on the Falkland Islands , where Neville , 59 , a communications engineer , was born but left as a young child , and then a month in South America .
They arrived on the Falklands on March 7 , just as the pandemic was worsening .
Their flight back to Brazil was canceled , and they ended up spending 12 weeks in lockdown with an elderly aunt .
With a population of about 3,000 , the Falklands are about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Argentina in the south Atlantic Ocean .
The islands have reported 13 cases of the virus , all now recovered .
With not much to do , the newlyweds took long walks , climbing every hill they could find .
They admired the rugged landscapes that were devoid of trees .
But with limited human contact , they began to feel that they were living in an eerie alternate reality .
Few of their options for getting home were realistic .
The only possible flights were convoluted routes through Britain or Africa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way .
Then they heard a New Zealand fishing boat was planning to make the journey with the crew and catch from a sister boat .
Run by the company Sanford , the sister boat had spent months at sea catching Patagonian toothfish , which are often sold in the U.S. as Chilean sea bass .
Skipper Shane Cottle said he was a bit nervous at first about taking the couple on his 38-meter ( 125-foot ) vessel San Aotea II , along with the crew of 14 .
“ I wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that sort of thing , ” Cottle said .
“ We go south around Cape Horn and across a part of the ocean we call Middle Earth .
There ’ s nothing there and nowhere to get medical assistance.
” Cottle said the couple turned out to be lovely and , after a couple of days of queasiness , perfect sailors .
He said the crew managed to get an excellent run home , without the huge storms and icebergs they sometimes encounter .
Clifton said the seas still seemed big enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed on deck because it was too dangerous .
“ Walking around without getting injured was our main objective , ” she said .
The couple gradually fell into a routine .
They used their body weight to do resistance workouts each day in the confined space .
They did some research and work .
They played cards .
They watched films on shared hard drives and chatted with the crew .
They tried to help with some light duties but mostly tried to stay out of the way .
They saw dolphins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard some of the crew had spotted whales spouting in the distance .
Meals were generous portions of lamb , pork and steak for the hard-working crew , and Clifton said she was excited to finally get some fresh fruit , some New Zealand bread , and the yeast spread Marmite .
She said they slept in bunks , rather than the romantic notion of hammocks .
“ The mattresses were surprisingly comfortable , ” she said .
“ I ’ m going to miss that feeling of being on an ocean , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baby.
” Their honeymoon wasn ’ t what they expected but she said it was wonderful in many ways .
“ We spent an unheard of amount of time together , ” she said .
“ It was frustrating with the restrictions at times , but it also opened up new possibilities in our lives.
” They landed in the port of Timaru and expect to be back in Auckland within a few days .
Clifton said the first things she wants to do are to hug her kids and have a glass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - A New Zealand honeymoon couple stranded on the remote Falkland Islands in March because of the coronavirus has managed to return home by hitching a ride of more than 5,000 nautical miles (9,200 kilometers) on an Antarctic fishing boat.
Feeonaa Clifton said she had never spent even a single night on a boat before she and her husband Neville embarked on the monthlong voyage through some of the world’s most forbidding seas. After weeks spent watching albatrosses and learning how to don survival suits, they were finally able to set foot on land again Tuesday.
Their adventure began on Leap Day, Feb. 29th, when they were married at their Auckland home. They had been together for 25 years and raised three children but Feeonaa, 48, an artist, said they hadn’t believed in the idea of marriage.
“We realized, at some point, we hadn’t actually appreciated or celebrated one another, at least not in front of family and friends,” she said. “It was just something we wanted to do, and the time felt right.”
The plan was to spend two weeks of their honeymoon on the Falkland Islands, where Neville, 59, a communications engineer, was born but left as a young child, and then a month in South America.
They arrived on the Falklands on March 7, just as the pandemic was worsening. Their flight back to Brazil was canceled, and they ended up spending 12 weeks in lockdown with an elderly aunt.
With a population of about 3,000, the Falklands are about 500 kilometers (300 miles) east of Argentina in the south Atlantic Ocean. The islands have reported 13 cases of the virus, all now recovered.
With not much to do, the newlyweds took long walks, climbing every hill they could find. They admired the rugged landscapes that were devoid of trees. But with limited human contact, they began to feel that they were living in an eerie alternate reality.
Few of their options for getting home were realistic. The only possible flights were convoluted routes through Britain or Africa and the prospect of lengthy quarantines along the way.
Then they heard a New Zealand fishing boat was planning to make the journey with the crew and catch from a sister boat. Run by the company Sanford, the sister boat had spent months at sea catching Patagonian toothfish, which are often sold in the U.S. as Chilean sea bass.
Skipper Shane Cottle said he was a bit nervous at first about taking the couple on his 38-meter (125-foot) vessel San Aotea II, along with the crew of 14.
“I wasn’t sure about their sea legs and that sort of thing,” Cottle said. “We go south around Cape Horn and across a part of the ocean we call Middle Earth. There’s nothing there and nowhere to get medical assistance.”
Cottle said the couple turned out to be lovely and, after a couple of days of queasiness, perfect sailors. He said the crew managed to get an excellent run home, without the huge storms and icebergs they sometimes encounter.
Clifton said the seas still seemed big enough, and they often weren’t allowed on deck because it was too dangerous.
“Walking around without getting injured was our main objective,” she said.
The couple gradually fell into a routine. They used their body weight to do resistance workouts each day in the confined space. They did some research and work. They played cards. They watched films on shared hard drives and chatted with the crew. They tried to help with some light duties but mostly tried to stay out of the way.
They saw dolphins, watched albatrosses follow them, and heard some of the crew had spotted whales spouting in the distance. Meals were generous portions of lamb, pork and steak for the hard-working crew, and Clifton said she was excited to finally get some fresh fruit, some New Zealand bread, and the yeast spread Marmite.
She said they slept in bunks, rather than the romantic notion of hammocks.
“The mattresses were surprisingly comfortable,” she said. “I’m going to miss that feeling of being on an ocean, of being swung to sleep like a baby.”
Their honeymoon wasn’t what they expected but she said it was wonderful in many ways.
“We spent an unheard of amount of time together,” she said. “It was frustrating with the restrictions at times, but it also opened up new possibilities in our lives.”
They landed in the port of Timaru and expect to be back in Auckland within a few days. Clifton said the first things she wants to do are to hug her kids and have a glass of sparkling wine to celebrate being home.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Big 12 to allow teams to play 1 nonconference football game

Big 12 schools agreed Monday night to play one nonconference football game this year to go along with their nine league contests as plans for the pandemic-altered 2020 season continued to fall into place .
The Big 12 ’ s university presidents signed off on a 10-game schedule , adjusted to deal with potential disruptions from COVID-19 that lets schools play one nonconference opponent at home .
A specific start date for conference play was not determined .
The conference said in a news release it will likely begin mid-to-late September and the expectation is nonconference games will be completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe this change provides the best opportunity going forward , ” Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said in a statement .
“ However , we will undoubtedly need to be flexible as we progress through the season in order to combat the challenges that lie ahead.
” The Big 12 championship game at AT & T ; Stadium in Arlington , Texas , is scheduled for Dec. 5 , but could be moved back to Dec. 12 or 19 , the league announced .
Dec. 19 could pose a scheduling conflict with high school football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and force the Big 12 to relocate .
The 10-team Big 12 already plays a nine-game , round-robin conference schedule .
Unlike other Power Five conference that have switched to either exclusively ( Big Ten , Pac-12 and SEC ) or mostly ( ACC ) league games , the Big 12 could not add more conference games without teams playing each other more than once .
Several Big 12 teams have already started preseason practice , with Kansas and Oklahoma slated to play FCS teams on Aug. 29 .
Whether those games remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conferences take steps toward a football season that seems to be in precarious shape because of the pandemic , the NCAA is expected to weigh in Tuesday on fall sports other than major-college football .
The association ’ s Board of Governors is scheduled to meet and whether to cancel or postpone NCAA championship events in fall sports such as soccer , volleyball and lower-level football is expected to be a topic .
Less than two weeks ago , conference commissioners across Division I encouraged the the board to delay any decision on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control regular season competition in any sport - and it has no say at all in major college football - but canceling or postponing fall events could send a conflicting message as member schools try to move forward with a fall season , despite concerns about the number of COVID-19 cases around much of the country .
The Power Five conferences have billions in television revenue at stake in their ability to stage a football season , and they have decided independently the best way forward is to focus on conference play .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work out .
Only the Pac-12 has a full football schedule with matchups and dates in place among Power Five conferences .
The Pac-12 will begin Sept. 26 , along with the Southeastern Conference , which is still working on its new 10-game slate .
The Atlantic Coast Conference has opponents set for its 10-game conference schedule and will start the weekend of Sept. 12 , but no specific game dates are set .
The ACC has also said it will permit its teams to play one nonconference game in its home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to announce intentions to go conference-only this season , has yet to release a new schedule , but that could come later this week .
Now that the Power Five has declared its intentions the Group of Five conferences can start making plans and filling holes on their schedules - maybe with Big 12 or ACC teams .
American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco has said the AAC could stick with its eight-game conference schedule and let its members plays as many of their four nonconference games as they can salvage or replace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mid-American and Sun Belt conferences are likely to take a similar approach .
Early Monday , Texas State from the Sun Belt announced it was moving a nonconference game against SMU up from Sept. 5 to Aug. 29 .
Follow Ralph D. Russo at https : //twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http : //www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/

Big 12 schools agreed Monday night to play one nonconference football game this year to go along with their nine league contests as plans for the pandemic-altered 2020 season continued to fall into place.
The Big 12’s university presidents signed off on a 10-game schedule, adjusted to deal with potential disruptions from COVID-19 that lets schools play one nonconference opponent at home. A specific start date for conference play was not determined. The conference said in a news release it will likely begin mid-to-late September and the expectation is nonconference games will be completed before league play starts.
“We believe this change provides the best opportunity going forward,” Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said in a statement. “However, we will undoubtedly need to be flexible as we progress through the season in order to combat the challenges that lie ahead.”
The Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is scheduled for Dec. 5, but could be moved back to Dec. 12 or 19, the league announced. Dec. 19 could pose a scheduling conflict with high school football championships at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium and force the Big 12 to relocate.
The 10-team Big 12 already plays a nine-game, round-robin conference schedule. Unlike other Power Five conference that have switched to either exclusively (Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC) or mostly (ACC) league games, the Big 12 could not add more conference games without teams playing each other more than once.
Several Big 12 teams have already started preseason practice, with Kansas and Oklahoma slated to play FCS teams on Aug. 29. Whether those games remain on that date is unclear.
As conferences take steps toward a football season that seems to be in precarious shape because of the pandemic, the NCAA is expected to weigh in Tuesday on fall sports other than major-college football.
The association’s Board of Governors is scheduled to meet and whether to cancel or postpone NCAA championship events in fall sports such as soccer, volleyball and lower-level football is expected to be a topic.
Less than two weeks ago, conference commissioners across Division I encouraged the the board to delay any decision on fall championships. The NCAA does not control regular season competition in any sport - and it has no say at all in major college football - but canceling or postponing fall events could send a conflicting message as member schools try to move forward with a fall season, despite concerns about the number of COVID-19 cases around much of the country.
The Power Five conferences have billions in television revenue at stake in their ability to stage a football season, and they have decided independently the best way forward is to focus on conference play.
Though there are still plenty of details to work out.
Only the Pac-12 has a full football schedule with matchups and dates in place among Power Five conferences. The Pac-12 will begin Sept. 26, along with the Southeastern Conference, which is still working on its new 10-game slate.
The Atlantic Coast Conference has opponents set for its 10-game conference schedule and will start the weekend of Sept. 12, but no specific game dates are set. The ACC has also said it will permit its teams to play one nonconference game in its home state.
The Big Ten, first to announce intentions to go conference-only this season, has yet to release a new schedule, but that could come later this week.
Now that the Power Five has declared its intentions the Group of Five conferences can start making plans and filling holes on their schedules - maybe with Big 12 or ACC teams.
American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco has said the AAC could stick with its eight-game conference schedule and let its members plays as many of their four nonconference games as they can salvage or replace.
The Mountain West, Conference USA, Mid-American and Sun Belt conferences are likely to take a similar approach.
Early Monday, Texas State from the Sun Belt announced it was moving a nonconference game against SMU up from Sept. 5 to Aug. 29.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Appeals court: NOAA can't make rules for offshore fish farms

NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) - A federal appeals court in New Orleans has upheld a decision that throws out rules regulating fish farms in the Gulf of Mexico .
The law granting authority over fisheries to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration does not also let the agency set rules for offshore fish farms , the 5th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals said in its 2-1 decision on Monday .
The farms use enormous open-topped nets or submersible pens to raise huge numbers of fish , including tuna , salmon , seabass and cobia , out in open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including that on the open sea , is vital to seafood production and can both provide jobs and protect species and habitats .
Opponents say huge numbers of fish confined in nets out in the ocean could hurt ocean health and native fish stocks , and the farms would drive down prices and devastate commercial fishing communities .
“ I think this is the final nail in the coffin for industrial aquaculture in federal waters unless Congress gives authority , ” said George Kimbrell , who represented opponents of the plan as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Safety .
NOAA Fisheries is reviewing the decision , spokeswoman Kate Goggin said in an email .
She did not respond to questions about whether NOAA plans to appeal the ruling or whether it is likely to affect plans to expand offshore aquaculture outside the Gulf .
It won ’ t stop anything - it just means one less permit is needed to set up shop , said Neil Anthony Sims , chief executive of Ocean Era , which ran two demonstration projects off of Hawaii raising Almaco jack , and plans a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sarasota , Florida .
The Coast Guard and state of Florida have approved permits , and Ocean Era has applied for permits from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers , Sims said .
“ But we don ’ t need any permit from NOAA for that project now , ” he said .
Cufone and Kimbrell said NOAA and other offshore fish farming advocates went the regulation route after trying fruitlessly for a decade to get Congress to pass a law saying how the offshore fish farms should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ to start in the Gulf of Mexico and expand in the Atlantic and Pacific .
Now the court has rejected their entire authority for how they could do this.
” He acknowledged that the 5th Circuit ruling is controlling only in federal courts in Louisiana , Mississippi and Texas .
“ Certainly they can try other places but we can sue them and we will win , ” he said .
It ’ s an important decision , especially in light of President Donald Trump ’ s executive order in May to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , director of the Center for Environmental Law at Loyola University New Orleans .
She and Kimbrell were among attorneys for nine groups representing commercial and recreational fishing interests , food safety advocates and conservationists .
The Magnuson-Stevens Act , which empowers NOAA to regulate fisheries in all U.S. waters , doesn ’ t mention aquaculture at all , Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan wrote for himself and Judge Patrick Higginbotham .
Attorneys for NOAA said the fact that the law doesn ’ t mention aquaculture is just a gap to be filled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This nothing-equals-something argument is barred ” by an earlier 5th Circuit ruling , he said .
Duncan said NOAA ’ s arguments hinged on the law ’ s definition of fishing as “ catching , taking , or harvesting of fish.
” “ ‘ Harvesting , ’ we are told , implies gathering crops , and in aquaculture the fish are the crop .
That is a slippery basis for empowering an agency to create an entire industry the statute does not even mention , ” he wrote .
“ We will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He wrote that it ’ s reasonable to interpret the law as including aquaculture among “ all fish and … fishery resources ” in federal waters .

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A federal appeals court in New Orleans has upheld a decision that throws out rules regulating fish farms in the Gulf of Mexico.
The law granting authority over fisheries to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration does not also let the agency set rules for offshore fish farms, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in its 2-1 decision on Monday.
The farms use enormous open-topped nets or submersible pens to raise huge numbers of fish, including tuna, salmon, seabass and cobia, out in open water.
The government says fish farming, including that on the open sea, is vital to seafood production and can both provide jobs and protect species and habitats. Opponents say huge numbers of fish confined in nets out in the ocean could hurt ocean health and native fish stocks, and the farms would drive down prices and devastate commercial fishing communities.
“I think this is the final nail in the coffin for industrial aquaculture in federal waters unless Congress gives authority,” said George Kimbrell, who represented opponents of the plan as legal director for the Center For Food Safety.
NOAA Fisheries is reviewing the decision, spokeswoman Kate Goggin said in an email. She did not respond to questions about whether NOAA plans to appeal the ruling or whether it is likely to affect plans to expand offshore aquaculture outside the Gulf.
It won’t stop anything - it just means one less permit is needed to set up shop, said Neil Anthony Sims, chief executive of Ocean Era, which ran two demonstration projects off of Hawaii raising Almaco jack, and plans a third in the Gulf of Mexico off of Sarasota, Florida.
The Coast Guard and state of Florida have approved permits, and Ocean Era has applied for permits from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers, Sims said.
“But we don’t need any permit from NOAA for that project now,” he said.
Cufone and Kimbrell said NOAA and other offshore fish farming advocates went the regulation route after trying fruitlessly for a decade to get Congress to pass a law saying how the offshore fish farms should be governed.
Kimbrell said NOAA planned “to start in the Gulf of Mexico and expand in the Atlantic and Pacific. Now the court has rejected their entire authority for how they could do this.”
He acknowledged that the 5th Circuit ruling is controlling only in federal courts in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. “Certainly they can try other places but we can sue them and we will win,” he said.
It’s an important decision, especially in light of President Donald Trump’s executive order in May to streamline aquaculture permits, said Marianne Cufone, director of the Center for Environmental Law at Loyola University New Orleans.
She and Kimbrell were among attorneys for nine groups representing commercial and recreational fishing interests, food safety advocates and conservationists.
Monday’s ruling upholds a ruling in 2018 by Judge Jane Triche Milazzo.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act, which empowers NOAA to regulate fisheries in all U.S. waters, doesn’t mention aquaculture at all, Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan wrote for himself and Judge Patrick Higginbotham.
Attorneys for NOAA said the fact that the law doesn’t mention aquaculture is just a gap to be filled by the regulations, Duncan wrote.
“This nothing-equals-something argument is barred” by an earlier 5th Circuit ruling, he said.
Duncan said NOAA’s arguments hinged on the law’s definition of fishing as “catching, taking, or harvesting of fish.”
“‘Harvesting,’ we are told, implies gathering crops, and in aquaculture the fish are the crop. That is a slippery basis for empowering an agency to create an entire industry the statute does not even mention,” he wrote. “We will not bite.”
Judge Stephen Higginson dissented. He wrote that it’s reasonable to interpret the law as including aquaculture among “all fish and … fishery resources” in federal waters.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--LEADING OFF: Marlins back in action, Ohtani on the shelf

A look at what ’ s happening around the majors Tuesday : The Miami Marlins are set to resume play in Baltimore following an outbreak that left 21 members of their traveling party infected with the coronavirus , including 18 players .
The team has not played since July 26 .
Miami is replacing sidelined players with prospects , along with veterans the organization scrambled to acquire .
Manager Don Mattingly said he has never spoken with some of the players joining the team .
Right-hander Pablo Lopez will start against the Orioles .
The pitching staff was especially hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily on newcomers .
Angels star Shohei Ohtani will be shut down from throwing for four to six weeks with a right forearm strain near his surgically repaired elbow .
With only about eight weeks left in the season , Ohtani might not pitch again until 2021 .
Ohtani reported discomfort in his arm Sunday after struggling through his second start since having Tommy John surgery in 2018 .
The two-way sensation is traveling with the team to Seattle and is day-to-day as a hitter .
Cleveland ’ s Shane Bieber has 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big league record , and he ’ ll face Cincinnati in his third start of the year .
Bieber tied the mark set by Karl Spooner of the Brooklyn Dodgers in September 1954 , fanning 13 Twins last Thursday after punching out 14 Royals on opening day .
Kansas City right-hander Brady Singer makes his third major league start on his 24th birthday at Wrigley Field .
Singer , who was selected by the Royals in the first round of the 2018 amateur draft , is still looking for his first big league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of no-decisions this year .
“ He ’ s very professional on how he prepares , and the stuff is , it ’ s obvious that it ’ s going to play here , ” manager Mike Matheny said .
“ He just needs to continue to work.
” Kyle Hendricks gets the ball for the Chicago Cubs .
WELCOME TO THE ROTATION Oakland left-hander Jesus Luzardo will make his long-awaited first turn in the A ’ s rotation when they open up a three-game series against Texas .
Just shy of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youngest starter for the A ’ s since Brett Anderson in 2010 .
Luzardo made six appearances as a September callup last season and made two appearances out of the bullpen this season .

A look at what’s happening around the majors Tuesday:
___
FRESH FISH
The Miami Marlins are set to resume play in Baltimore following an outbreak that left 21 members of their traveling party infected with the coronavirus, including 18 players. The team has not played since July 26. Miami is replacing sidelined players with prospects, along with veterans the organization scrambled to acquire. Manager Don Mattingly said he has never spoken with some of the players joining the team.
Right-hander Pablo Lopez will start against the Orioles. The pitching staff was especially hard hit by the outbreak and will rely heavily on newcomers.
NO SHO
Angels star Shohei Ohtani will be shut down from throwing for four to six weeks with a right forearm strain near his surgically repaired elbow. With only about eight weeks left in the season, Ohtani might not pitch again until 2021.
Ohtani reported discomfort in his arm Sunday after struggling through his second start since having Tommy John surgery in 2018. The two-way sensation is traveling with the team to Seattle and is day-to-day as a hitter.
BETTER BELIEB IT
Cleveland’s Shane Bieber has 27 strikeouts through two starts, matching a big league record, and he’ll face Cincinnati in his third start of the year. Bieber tied the mark set by Karl Spooner of the Brooklyn Dodgers in September 1954, fanning 13 Twins last Thursday after punching out 14 Royals on opening day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Kansas City right-hander Brady Singer makes his third major league start on his 24th birthday at Wrigley Field. Singer, who was selected by the Royals in the first round of the 2018 amateur draft, is still looking for his first big league win after pitching well in a pair of no-decisions this year.
“He’s very professional on how he prepares, and the stuff is, it’s obvious that it’s going to play here,” manager Mike Matheny said. “He just needs to continue to work.”
Kyle Hendricks gets the ball for the Chicago Cubs.
WELCOME TO THE ROTATION
Oakland left-hander Jesus Luzardo will make his long-awaited first turn in the A’s rotation when they open up a three-game series against Texas. Just shy of his 23rd birthday, Luzardo will be the youngest starter for the A’s since Brett Anderson in 2010. Luzardo made six appearances as a September callup last season and made two appearances out of the bullpen this season.
___
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washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Judge extends Minnesota vote-by-mail changes to November

ST. PAUL , Minn. ( AP ) - A judge on Monday extended changes in Minnesota ’ s absentee ballot rules to the November general election .
Ramsey County Judge Sara Grewing approved the agreement allowing Minnesota voters to submit their mail-in or absentee ballots in the Nov. 3 general election without witness signatures , the Star Tribune reported .
Election officials also will count ballots that arrive within seven days of the election , as long as they are postmarked by Nov. 3 .
Last month DFL Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon approved similar election rules for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were prompted by a lawsuit sparked by the health risks of in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic .
Citizen groups including the Minnesota Alliance for Retired Americans brought the lawsuit .
“ All voters should be able to vote by mail and know that their ballot will be counted , ” Richard Fiesta , executive director of the national Alliance for Retired Americans , said in a statement .
“ This is especially critical for seniors , who are the most at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic , and need to be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health.
” Republican lawmakers have criticized the changes and have accused Simon of overstepping his authority .
Rep. Jim Nash of Waconia , a top-ranking House Republican on election issues , said he would not rule out a legal challenge to block the changes .

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A judge on Monday extended changes in Minnesota’s absentee ballot rules to the November general election.
Ramsey County Judge Sara Grewing approved the agreement allowing Minnesota voters to submit their mail-in or absentee ballots in the Nov. 3 general election without witness signatures, the Star Tribune reported.
Election officials also will count ballots that arrive within seven days of the election, as long as they are postmarked by Nov. 3.
Last month DFL Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon approved similar election rules for the Aug. 11 primary. The rule changes were prompted by a lawsuit sparked by the health risks of in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic.
Citizen groups including the Minnesota Alliance for Retired Americans brought the lawsuit.
“All voters should be able to vote by mail and know that their ballot will be counted,” Richard Fiesta, executive director of the national Alliance for Retired Americans, said in a statement. “This is especially critical for seniors, who are the most at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, and need to be able to vote by mail to protect their health.”
Republican lawmakers have criticized the changes and have accused Simon of overstepping his authority.
Rep. Jim Nash of Waconia, a top-ranking House Republican on election issues, said he would not rule out a legal challenge to block the changes.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Gyms will need to triple distance for exercising indoors

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee released updated guidance Monday for gyms and fitness facilities that nearly triples the minimum distance required for patrons exercising indoors , except for those practicing certain team sports .
Starting Aug. 10 , instead of the current requirement of six feet of distance between patrons , gyms and facilities in counties in Phase 2 and 3 of the state ’ s COVID-19 economic reopening plan will now be required to provide 300 square feet - about 17 feet - of distance .
The number of people allowed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be limited by the size of their space under this guidance , and occupancy in facilities and gyms that are larger than 12,000 square feet will be capped at 25 percent .
In addition , showers , hot tubs , saunas , and tanning beds will be closed , as will steam rooms , squash courts , and racquetball courts .
And indoor team sport facilities will be limited for practice and limited competition with no spectators .
Last month , Inslee had initially called for counties in phase two , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five people , not including staff , for indoor fitness services at a time .
Gyms in phase three counties initially were directed to reduce occupancy to 25 % and limit group fitness classes to 10 participants .
Those rules were set to take effect last Thursday , but Inslee delayed that implementation in order to work with the fitness industry for clearer guidelines based on the size of the facilities .
Basketball courts , volleyball courts , pickle ball , tennis courts , and other indoor sports facilities at multi-use fitness facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five , and a minimum of six feet of physical distance between individuals must be maintained at all times .
Patrons won ’ t have to wear facial coverings while engaged in strenuous exercise , though they must wear them immediately before and immediately after exercise and at all other times while inside fitness facilities .
The guidance encourages outdoor locations for fitness training and team sports .
The updated guidance comes a week after Inslee announced the statewide pause for counties looking to advance from their current stage of COVID-19 economic reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second time the pause has been extended since first implemented earlier this month .
The extension comes days after Inslee tightened restrictions throughout the state for indoor activities in a further effort to stem a surge in COVID-19 cases .
Seventeen counties are in phase three of a four-part reopening process , 17 counties are currently in phase two and five counties are in a modified phase one of reopening .
As of Monday , there have been more than 58,000 confirmed cases since the pandemic began .
Nearly 1,600 people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For most , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
But for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington Gov. Jay Inslee released updated guidance Monday for gyms and fitness facilities that nearly triples the minimum distance required for patrons exercising indoors, except for those practicing certain team sports.
Starting Aug. 10, instead of the current requirement of six feet of distance between patrons, gyms and facilities in counties in Phase 2 and 3 of the state’s COVID-19 economic reopening plan will now be required to provide 300 square feet - about 17 feet - of distance. The number of people allowed in gyms, fitness facilities and fitness classes will be limited by the size of their space under this guidance, and occupancy in facilities and gyms that are larger than 12,000 square feet will be capped at 25 percent.
In addition, showers, hot tubs, saunas, and tanning beds will be closed, as will steam rooms, squash courts, and racquetball courts. And indoor team sport facilities will be limited for practice and limited competition with no spectators.
Last month, Inslee had initially called for counties in phase two, such as King County, to allow only five people, not including staff, for indoor fitness services at a time. Gyms in phase three counties initially were directed to reduce occupancy to 25% and limit group fitness classes to 10 participants. Those rules were set to take effect last Thursday, but Inslee delayed that implementation in order to work with the fitness industry for clearer guidelines based on the size of the facilities.
Basketball courts, volleyball courts, pickle ball, tennis courts, and other indoor sports facilities at multi-use fitness facilities will be limited to small groups of five, and a minimum of six feet of physical distance between individuals must be maintained at all times.
Patrons won’t have to wear facial coverings while engaged in strenuous exercise, though they must wear them immediately before and immediately after exercise and at all other times while inside fitness facilities. The guidance encourages outdoor locations for fitness training and team sports.
The updated guidance comes a week after Inslee announced the statewide pause for counties looking to advance from their current stage of COVID-19 economic reopening will continue indefinitely.
It’s the second time the pause has been extended since first implemented earlier this month. The extension comes days after Inslee tightened restrictions throughout the state for indoor activities in a further effort to stem a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Seventeen counties are in phase three of a four-part reopening process, 17 counties are currently in phase two and five counties are in a modified phase one of reopening.
As of Monday, there have been more than 58,000 confirmed cases since the pandemic began. Nearly 1,600 people in Washington have died of complications from COVID-19.
For most, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Typhoon brings heavy rain, winds to Shanghai, coastal China

BEIJING ( AP ) - A typhoon brought high winds and heavy rains to China ’ s eastern coastal areas including the financial hub of Shanghai early Tuesday .
China ’ s National Meteorological Center said Typhoon Hagiput made landfall in Zhejiang province around 3:30 a.m. , with winds blowing up to 136.8 kilometers ( 85 miles ) per hour at its center .
It was moving north at around 25 kilometers ( 16 miles ) per hour and was expected gradually turn in a northeasterly direction , heading out to sea again on Wednesday morning and moving toward the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of vulnerable coastal areas in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces to the south , recalled fishing boats and suspended ferry service and some trains .
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries resulting from the storm .
State broadcaster CCTV showed trees toppled in the Zhejiang city of Yuhuan , but there were no indications of serious damage .
This year ’ s typhoon season has been relatively mild in China , although flooding since June along its major river systems has caused scores of deaths , forced around 2 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49 billion yuan ( $ 7 billion ) in damage .

BEIJING (AP) - Heavy rains and high winds were hitting China’s eastern coastal region Tuesday from a tropical storm weakening as it neared Shanghai.
Hagiput was a typhoon with winds blowing up to 137 kilometers (85 miles) per hour at its center when it made landfall in Zhejiang province in the early morning. At noon, the tropical storm had winds of up to 108 kph (67 mph) and was moving north at around 25 kph (16 mph), China’s National Meteorological Center said.
No major destruction or injuries have been reported. State broadcaster CCTV showed trees toppled in the Zhejiang city of Yuhuan and the fire service said a panel truck had been blown on its side by high winds early Tuesday and its driver rescued.
As of Tuesday evening, the storm center was located near the city of Shaoxing, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Shanghai, according to the meteorological center’s website. Shanghai was hot and windy in the evening with sporadic showers.
Forecaster Zhang Ling told state broadcaster CCTV that the storm was continuing to weaken as it moved.
“The effects will be felt (in China) through Wednesday,” Zhang said. However, rainfall will have peaked by the end of Tuesday, she said.
China had ordered evacuations of vulnerable coastal areas in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces to the south, recalled fishing boats and suspended ferry service and some trains.
In the major Zhejiang manufacturing center of Wenzhou, south of Shanghai, authorities reported evacuating 200,000 people to shelters and recalling more than 6,000 fishing boats to port. Waves along the coast were reported at heights of 4.2 meters (14 feet).
This year’s typhoon season has been relatively mild in China, although flooding since June along its major river systems has caused scores of deaths, forced around 2 million people to be evacuated and caused more than 49 billion yuan ($7 billion) in damage.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Man accused in officer's death pleads not guilty

SEATTLE ( AP ) - The man accused of causing the death of a Bothell police officer during a gunfight in July pleaded not guilty Monday to aggravated first-degree murder , attempted first-degree murder and vehicular assault .
Henry Eugene Washington , 37 , was charged in King County Superior Court on July 17 , four days after a traffic stop in Bothell turned into a shootout that killed Officer Jonathan Shoop , 32 , and wounded police Officer Mustafa Kumcur .
Washington is being held without bail .
The Seattle Times reports that Washington is accused of firing shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SUV following a brief car chase on the night of July 13 .
As both Shoop and Kumcur returned fire , Shoop was caught in the crossfire and struck by one of Kumcur ’ s bullets .
Prosecutors say that although Washington didn ’ t fire the fatal shot , he was intent on killing the officers and is responsible for Shoop ’ s death .
“ Mr .
Washington ’ s actions in the present offense show by clear and convincing evidence that he has a propensity for violence that creates a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Senior Deputy Prosecutor Mary Barboza wrote in an earlier request that Washington be held without bail .
Washington ’ s attorneys wrote in a motion that the case comes “ during a unique time of civil unrest ” as demonstrations continue across the U.S. in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer .
“ While many of the facts are still unknown , this case appears to involve a white officer and a black defendant , ” Washington ’ s attorneys wrote .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at play at this point of the case , however it is a clear question to be considered and one which will certainly face media scrutiny .
”

SEATTLE (AP) - The man accused of causing the death of a Bothell police officer during a gunfight in July pleaded not guilty Monday to aggravated first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and vehicular assault.
Henry Eugene Washington, 37, was charged in King County Superior Court on July 17, four days after a traffic stop in Bothell turned into a shootout that killed Officer Jonathan Shoop, 32, and wounded police Officer Mustafa Kumcur. Washington is being held without bail.
The Seattle Times reports that Washington is accused of firing shots into Shoop and Kumcur’s patrol SUV following a brief car chase on the night of July 13. As both Shoop and Kumcur returned fire, Shoop was caught in the crossfire and struck by one of Kumcur’s bullets.
Prosecutors say that although Washington didn’t fire the fatal shot, he was intent on killing the officers and is responsible for Shoop’s death.
“Mr. Washington’s actions in the present offense show by clear and convincing evidence that he has a propensity for violence that creates a substantial likelihood of danger to the community,” Senior Deputy Prosecutor Mary Barboza wrote in an earlier request that Washington be held without bail.
Washington’s attorneys wrote in a motion that the case comes “during a unique time of civil unrest” as demonstrations continue across the U.S. in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.
“While many of the facts are still unknown, this case appears to involve a white officer and a black defendant,” Washington’s attorneys wrote. “We cannot know if racial issues were at play at this point of the case, however it is a clear question to be considered and one which will certainly face media scrutiny.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Rashida Tlaib-Brenda Jones primary an anti-establishment referendum

Rep. Rashida Tlaib ’ s hard-charging tenure as a headline-snatching member of “ The Squad ” has showcased her calling President Trump a “ motherf–-r , ” publicly belittling Hillary Clinton and embracing an anti-establishment message that has transformed her into a liberal folk hero who is a curse on both parties .
She also has refused to endorse presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden .
But the splashiest Tlaib headline could come at her own expense in the Michigan primary Tuesday if her campaign goes down in flames against former Rep. Brenda Jones , the president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tlaib ’ s political stardom against her .
“ The thing that gives Brenda Jones a chance is the fact that she is well-known in Detroit , she has served on the City Council , and that would in many cases typically be something that is really valuable for a campaign like this , where voters are familiar with that person , they have seen them around town quite a bit , ” said David A. Dulio , a political science professor at Oakland University in Michigan .
Ms. Tlaib isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacked her rival for living outside of the 13th Congressional District , which includes parts of Detroit and the suburbs to the west , and has an electorate that is over 50 % Black .
“ It raises a question about carpetbagging , ” Mr. Dulio said .
“ For Rashida Tlaib to level that attack tells me she is at least taking her challenger a little bit seriously.
” Voters on Tuesday also will be participating in primaries in Arizona , Kansas , Missouri and Washington .
Rep. William “ Lacy ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term and is facing off in the Democratic primary against Cori Bush , another far-left favorite , for the second consecutive time in Missouri ’ s 1st Congressional District .
Republicans , meanwhile , are keeping a close eye on the Senate primary race in Kansas , where Rep. Roger Marshall is locked in a tight battle with Kris Kobach for the party ’ s nomination and the chance to run for retiring Sen. Pat Roberts ’ seat in November .
Mr. Marshall has the support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , Kentucky Republican .
Mr. Kobach is a former Kansas secretary of state who lost his 2018 bid for governor after gaining national notoriety as a staunch opponent of voter fraud and illegal immigration .
He has long been a favorite of grassroots conservative activists and a vocal supporter of Mr. Trump .
Ms. Tlaib and the three other far-left freshman congresswomen who comprise The Squad — Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York , Ilhan Omar of Minnesota , and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is like to run as an incumbent after crashing onto the scene as high-profile insurgents in the 2018 midterms .
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez cruised to victory in her June primary .
Ms. Omar is favored to win her primary next week , and Ms. Pressley appears to have sidestepped a primary challenge altogether .
Ms. Jones , on paper , appears formidable .
After all , she has defeated Ms. Tlaib before .
Ms. Jones , who is Black , and Ms. Tlaib , who was born in Detroit to Palestinian immigrants , faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won the special election to fill out the remainder of John Conyers ’ term after he resigned over sexual misconduct allegations .
But Ms. Tlaib won the race to represent the Democratic Party in the general election and won the seat in the 116th Congress , which gaveled in on Jan. 3 , 2019 .
The rubber match Tuesday will play out under dramatically different circumstances .
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional campaigning and made it more difficult for challengers to connect with voters and raise their profiles .
It has caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entered the race in March and tested positive for COVID-19 in April .
She has tried to make up for lost time by arguing that Ms. Tlaib is more interested in chasing political stardom than standing up for her constituents .
“ As Michigan ’ s 13th Congressional District Representative , Tlaib has worked hard to become an international rock star , ” Ms. Jones said in a recent Twitter post .
“ Representative Tlaib has a huge war chest of nearly $ 2 million .
The money in Rashida Tlaib ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
“ This means Tlaib is beholding to her money people , & not focused on the citizens of the 13th Congressional District , ” she said .
Ms. Tlaib has developed a strong fundraising network of well-heeled donors , including in Southern California , and liberal activists who have rallied behind her fiery and combative style .
She raised over $ 3 million , compared with $ 165,000 for Ms. Jones .
Ms. Tlaib made nationwide news shortly after winning her seat when she targeted Mr. Trump , vowing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House ended up fulfilling that promise after Democrats impeached Mr. Trump on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , though he was acquitted by the Senate .
Ms. Tlaib drew criticism from within her party during the primary race this year after she “ booed ” the mention of Mrs. Clinton on stage during a campaign event on behalf of Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont .
Mr. Trump boosted her national profile by casting the “ Squad ” as the face of the Democratic Party .
He was hoping their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rile up his base for his reelection .
It has all turned Ms. Tlaib into must-see television .
It helps explain why there is so much interest in the mere prospect of the 44-year-old losing her seat and so much at stake for the liberal movement .
“ Rashida Tlaib has successfully changed the national debate on many fronts , from challenging corporate power to a more just foreign policy to fighting systemic racism in places like Flint , Michigan , ” said Adam Green , co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others who have zero interest in change oppose her , but she has a grassroots army on her side and will be more powerful after defeating these attacks.
” Edward Sarpolus , a Michigan pollster , said Ms. Tlaib is beatable but Ms. Jones ‘ has her work cut out for her because she got off to a late start .
“ Rashida has been established in Detroit , ” said Mr. Sarpolus , noting that Ms. Tlaib served in the Michigan Legislature before winning her House seat and cut her teeth as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus has helped put an emphasis on grassroots organizing , which plays to Ms. Tliab ’ s experience as an activist , Mr. Sarpolus said .
“ Brenda Jones does not have the team or the funds in place to take on a strong candidate like Rashida Tlaib , ” he said .
“ So whoever takes on Rashida has to be a known quantity has to build the connection with the voters , and they can ’ t do it the day before the election.
” Mr. Sarpolus released a survey late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 % lead over Ms. Jones and showing that nearly 4 in 10 voters didn ’ t know who Ms. Jones is or didn ’ t have an opinion .
A possible bright spot for Ms. Jones is that close to a quarter of primary voters remained on the fence .
If they all swing toward Ms. Jones , she has a chance , he said .

Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s hard-charging tenure as a headline-snatching member of “The Squad” has showcased her calling President Trump a “motherf——r,” publicly belittling Hillary Clinton and embracing an anti-establishment message that has transformed her into a liberal folk hero who is a curse on both parties.
She also has refused to endorse presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden.
But the splashiest Tlaib headline could come at her own expense in the Michigan primary Tuesday if her campaign goes down in flames against former Rep. Brenda Jones, the president of the Detroit City Council who has turned Ms. Tlaib’s political stardom against her.
“The thing that gives Brenda Jones a chance is the fact that she is well-known in Detroit, she has served on the City Council, and that would in many cases typically be something that is really valuable for a campaign like this, where voters are familiar with that person, they have seen them around town quite a bit,” said David A. Dulio, a political science professor at Oakland University in Michigan.
Ms. Tlaib isn’t taking Ms. Jones lightly. She has attacked her rival for living outside of the 13th Congressional District, which includes parts of Detroit and the suburbs to the west, and has an electorate that is over 50% Black.
“It raises a question about carpetbagging,” Mr. Dulio said. “For Rashida Tlaib to level that attack tells me she is at least taking her challenger a little bit seriously.”
Voters on Tuesday also will be participating in primaries in Arizona, Kansas, Missouri and Washington.
Rep. William “Lacy” Clay Jr. is running for an 11th term and is facing off in the Democratic primary against Cori Bush, another far-left favorite, for the second consecutive time in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District.
Republicans, meanwhile, are keeping a close eye on the Senate primary race in Kansas, where Rep. Roger Marshall is locked in a tight battle with Kris Kobach for the party’s nomination and the chance to run for retiring Sen. Pat Roberts’ seat in November.
Mr. Marshall has the support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican.
Mr. Kobach is a former Kansas secretary of state who lost his 2018 bid for governor after gaining national notoriety as a staunch opponent of voter fraud and illegal immigration.
He has long been a favorite of grassroots conservative activists and a vocal supporter of Mr. Trump.
Ms. Tlaib and the three other far-left freshman congresswomen who comprise The Squad — Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts — are getting a taste of what it is like to run as an incumbent after crashing onto the scene as high-profile insurgents in the 2018 midterms.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez cruised to victory in her June primary. Ms. Omar is favored to win her primary next week, and Ms. Pressley appears to have sidestepped a primary challenge altogether.
Ms. Tlaib likely faces the stiffest challenge.
Ms. Jones, on paper, appears formidable. After all, she has defeated Ms. Tlaib before.
Ms. Jones, who is Black, and Ms. Tlaib, who was born in Detroit to Palestinian immigrants, faced off twice in 2018.
Ms. Jones won the special election to fill out the remainder of John Conyers’ term after he resigned over sexual misconduct allegations. But Ms. Tlaib won the race to represent the Democratic Party in the general election and won the seat in the 116th Congress, which gaveled in on Jan. 3, 2019.
The rubber match Tuesday will play out under dramatically different circumstances.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional campaigning and made it more difficult for challengers to connect with voters and raise their profiles.
It has caused real problems for Ms. Jones.
She entered the race in March and tested positive for COVID-19 in April.
She has tried to make up for lost time by arguing that Ms. Tlaib is more interested in chasing political stardom than standing up for her constituents.
“As Michigan’s 13th Congressional District Representative, Tlaib has worked hard to become an international rock star,” Ms. Jones said in a recent Twitter post. “Representative Tlaib has a huge war chest of nearly $2 million. The money in Rashida Tlaib’s war chest is mostly from people around the world.
“This means Tlaib is beholding to her money people, & not focused on the citizens of the 13th Congressional District,” she said.
Ms. Tlaib has developed a strong fundraising network of well-heeled donors, including in Southern California, and liberal activists who have rallied behind her fiery and combative style.
She raised over $3 million, compared with $165,000 for Ms. Jones.
Ms. Tlaib made nationwide news shortly after winning her seat when she targeted Mr. Trump, vowing to “impeach the motherf——r!”
The House ended up fulfilling that promise after Democrats impeached Mr. Trump on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, though he was acquitted by the Senate.
Ms. Tlaib drew criticism from within her party during the primary race this year after she “booed” the mention of Mrs. Clinton on stage during a campaign event on behalf of Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont.
Mr. Trump boosted her national profile by casting the “Squad” as the face of the Democratic Party. He was hoping their brand of liberal politics could hurt Democrats and rile up his base for his reelection.
It has all turned Ms. Tlaib into must-see television. It helps explain why there is so much interest in the mere prospect of the 44-year-old losing her seat and so much at stake for the liberal movement.
“Rashida Tlaib has successfully changed the national debate on many fronts, from challenging corporate power to a more just foreign policy to fighting systemic racism in places like Flint, Michigan,” said Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. “The corporate establishment and others who have zero interest in change oppose her, but she has a grassroots army on her side and will be more powerful after defeating these attacks.”
Edward Sarpolus, a Michigan pollster, said Ms. Tlaib is beatable but Ms. Jones’ has her work cut out for her because she got off to a late start.
“Rashida has been established in Detroit,” said Mr. Sarpolus, noting that Ms. Tlaib served in the Michigan Legislature before winning her House seat and cut her teeth as a grassroots activist for years.
The coronavirus has helped put an emphasis on grassroots organizing, which plays to Ms. Tliab’s experience as an activist, Mr. Sarpolus said.
“Brenda Jones does not have the team or the funds in place to take on a strong candidate like Rashida Tlaib,” he said. “So whoever takes on Rashida has to be a known quantity has to build the connection with the voters, and they can’t do it the day before the election.”
Mr. Sarpolus released a survey late last month showing Ms. Tlaib with a 28% lead over Ms. Jones and showing that nearly 4 in 10 voters didn’t know who Ms. Jones is or didn’t have an opinion.
A possible bright spot for Ms. Jones is that close to a quarter of primary voters remained on the fence.
If they all swing toward Ms. Jones, she has a chance, he said.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com. • Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Culver City officer shot, man with knife killed during chase

CULVER CITY , Calif. ( AP ) - A Culver City police officer was shot in the leg by friendly @ @ @ @ @ man with a knife was killed Monday during a chase , authorities said .
The @ @ @ @ @ p.m. as police were chasing the man on the roof of a parking garage on @ @ @ @ @ information officer at the scene told KCBS-TV .
Officers had tried to use less-lethal devices @ @ @ @ @ opening fire , authorities said .
Other details of the shooting weren ’ t immediately @ @ @ @ @ was struck in the leg by police gunfire was taken to a hospital in fair @ @

CULVER CITY, Calif. (AP) - A Culver City police officer was shot in the leg by friendly fire and an apparently homeless man with a knife was killed Monday during a chase, authorities said.
The man was shot after charging at Culver City police in the stairwell of a parking garage on Washington Boulevard at around 2:30 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Police were called after the man pulled a knife on a maintenance worker and officers found the man - with a knife in his hand - in the stairwell between the fifth and sixth floors and tried to get him to drop the knife and surrender, sheriff’s Lt. Derrick Alfred told KNX-AM.
The officers used non-lethal weapons on the man but he refused to surrender, he said.
“He tried to run toward the officers,” Alfred said. “It seems like he may have run between two officers, which caused the friendly fire which resulted in one of the officers being struck by gunfire from another officer.”
The man died at a hospital. His name wasn’t immediately released.
The wounded officer was shot in the leg and was taken to a hospital in fair condition, KCBS-TV reported.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Reporter sues Golden Globes organization over member rules

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - A Norwegian entertainment reporter on Monday sued the Hollywood Foreign Press Association , the organization that gives out the Golden Globe Awards , alleging that it acts as a cartel that stifles competition for its members .
Reporter Kjersti Flaa , filed the lawsuit in federal court in Los Angeles , saying that despite reporting on Hollywood for many prominent Norwegian outlets , she has been repeatedly denied membership in the organization .
Her suit contends the HFPA consistently rejects qualified new applicants like herself whose work competes with that of existing members .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets among its members , requires new applicants to pledge not to write for any publication claimed by a member or a rival of that publication , and denies applications that might compete in a market claimed by one of its members .
“ Qualified applicants for admission to the HFPA are virtually always rejected because the majority of its 87 members are unwilling to share or dilute the enormous economic benefits they receive as members , ” the suit says .
The HFPA did not immediately reply to a request for comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s members enjoy huge perks over their colleagues who do the same but are not members , especially during Hollywood ’ s awards season , whose early months are dominated by the Globes as the most prominent forerunner to the Academy Awards .
The suit says “ studios go far out of their way to accommodate HFPA members by inviting them to attend every industry function , event , and screening , and , most importantly , making their top producers , directors , actors , and other talent available for exclusive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says the HFPA ’ s status as a tax-exempt California mutual benefit corporation requires it to benefit all members of the class of workers it represents .
“ But it does no such thing because its members are unwilling to share the enormous economic benefits membership provides , the suit states.
” Flaa is seeking to have the California enforce the right of fair procedure it applies to a tax-exempt mutual benefit corporation like the HFPA , to have the group ’ s bylaws declared unlawful and to recover economic damages she may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Norwegian entertainment reporter on Monday sued the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization that gives out the Golden Globe Awards, alleging that it acts as a cartel that stifles competition for its members.
Reporter Kjersti Flaa filed the lawsuit in federal court in Los Angeles, saying that despite reporting on Hollywood for many prominent Norwegian outlets, she has been repeatedly denied membership in the organization. Her suit contends the HFPA consistently rejects qualified new applicants like herself whose work competes with that of existing members.
The suit alleges the organization allocates foreign markets among its members, requires new applicants to pledge not to write for any publication claimed by a member or a rival of that publication, and denies applications that might compete in a market claimed by one of its members.
“Qualified applicants for admission to the HFPA are virtually always rejected because the majority of its 87 members are unwilling to share or dilute the enormous economic benefits they receive as members,” the suit says.
The HFPA responded in a statement, saying the suit “seems consistent with Ms. Flaa’s ongoing attempts to shake down the HFPA, demanding that the HFPA pay her off and immediately admit her prior to the conclusion of the usual annual election process applied to every other HFPA applicant. The HFPA has refused to pay ransom, telling Ms. Flaa that membership was not gained through intimidation.”
The suit says that the group’s members enjoy huge perks over their colleagues who do the same work but are not members, especially during Hollywood’s awards season, whose early months are dominated by the Globes as the most prominent forerunner to the Academy Awards.
The suit says “studios go far out of their way to accommodate HFPA members by inviting them to attend every industry function, event, and screening, and, most importantly, making their top producers, directors, actors, and other talent available for exclusive interviews with HFPA members.”
The suit says the HFPA’s status as a tax-exempt California mutual benefit corporation requires it to benefit all members of the class of workers it represents.
“But it does no such thing because its members are unwilling to share the enormous economic benefits membership provides,” the suit states.
Flaa is seeking to have the California enforce the right of fair procedure it applies to a tax-exempt mutual benefit corporation like the HFPA, to have the group’s bylaws declared unlawful and to recover economic damages she may have suffered by her lack of membership.
The HFPA said in its statement that it “takes seriously its obligations as an organization and its dedication to foreign journalism and philanthropy, and it will vigorously defend against these baseless claims.”
___
Follow AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton.