washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Fishing boat owner pleads guilty in shark finning case

HONOLULU ( AP ) - A business that owns a Japanese fishing boat pleaded guilty Thursday in a case involving Indonesian crew members who cut fins from sharks .
Hamada Suisan Co. Ltd. agreed to pay a $ 126,000 fine and forfeit another $ 119,000 because of an investigation that found shark fins in crewmembers ’ luggage in 2018 .
It ’ s against U.S. law to remove the fins of sharks at sea .
Prosecutors say the fishermen harvested fins from sharks that were still alive , then discarded their carcasses into the ocean .
Fins are a pricey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the fins were from oceanic whitetip sharks , which are listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act , prosecutors said .
Other fins were from silky sharks and bigeye thresher sharks , which are also protected .
In 2018 , 10 Indonesian fishermen working on the longline tuna-fishing vessel were arrested in Hawaii and charged with trying to smuggle nearly 1,000 shark fins from the U.S. to Indonesia .
The fishermen later pleaded guilty to a lesser , misdemeanor charge of knowingly attempting to export shark fins .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they already served in jail .
They were headed home via Honolulu when airport security workers found shark fins in their luggage , according to court documents .
Last month , Hamada Suisan agreed to plead guilty to aiding and abetting the attempted exporting of the shark fins , according to court records .
A lawyer representing the company entered the guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Honolulu Thursday .
Afterward , U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright imposed a sentence that included the agreed-upon fine and forfeiture amount .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kaisha , said in a court filing that it has started implementing requirements of a corporate compliance plan that includes new training and enhanced cooperation with regulators to prevent shark finning on its one remaining vessel .
“ HSKK is a relatively small Japanese fishing company and has suffered significant financial setbacks as a result of COVID-19 .
HSKK has sold all but one of its fishing vessels and has laid off its fishing employees , ” the company said .
“ HSKK is currently in the process of deciding whether to wind @ @ @ @ @ @ @

HONOLULU (AP) - A business that owns a Japanese fishing boat pleaded guilty Thursday in a case involving Indonesian crew members who cut fins from sharks.
Hamada Suisan Co. Ltd. agreed to pay a $126,000 fine and forfeit another $119,000 because of an investigation that found shark fins in crewmembers’ luggage in 2018.
It’s against U.S. law to remove the fins of sharks at sea. Prosecutors say the fishermen harvested fins from sharks that were still alive, then discarded their carcasses into the ocean. Fins are a pricey delicacy often used in soups.
Some of the fins were from oceanic whitetip sharks, which are listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, prosecutors said. Other fins were from silky sharks and bigeye thresher sharks, which are also protected.
In 2018, 10 Indonesian fishermen working on the longline tuna-fishing vessel were arrested in Hawaii and charged with trying to smuggle nearly 1,000 shark fins from the U.S. to Indonesia.
The fishermen later pleaded guilty to a lesser, misdemeanor charge of knowingly attempting to export shark fins. A judge sentenced them to the five days they already served in jail.
They were headed home via Honolulu when airport security workers found shark fins in their luggage, according to court documents.
Last month, Hamada Suisan agreed to plead guilty to aiding and abetting the attempted exporting of the shark fins, according to court records. A lawyer representing the company entered the guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Honolulu Thursday. Afterward, U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright imposed a sentence that included the agreed-upon fine and forfeiture amount.
It’s the largest criminal monetary penalty in a federal shark finning case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Wallenstein said.
The company, also known as Hamada Suisan Kabushiki Kaisha, said in a court filing that it has started implementing requirements of a corporate compliance plan that includes new training and enhanced cooperation with regulators to prevent shark finning on its one remaining vessel.
“HSKK is a relatively small Japanese fishing company and has suffered significant financial setbacks as a result of COVID-19. HSKK has sold all but one of its fishing vessels and has laid off its fishing employees,” the company said. “HSKK is currently in the process of deciding whether to wind down its fishing operations entirely.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Frank Fahrenkopf: Virtual debate decision will not be reversed

WASHINGTON — The chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates says it is not reconsidering shifting the second debate from virtual back to in-person , despite a request from President Donald Trump ’ s team .
Frank Fahrenkopf told The Associated Press late Thursday that the nonpartisan group ’ s decision was not going to be reversed .
That means the second debate is probably not going to happen at all .
The commission decided to make the Oct. 15 debate virtual after Trump tested positive for the coronavirus .
Fahrenkopf says the group wanted to “ protect the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the decision was guided by the advice of the Cleveland Clinic , its heath partner for the 2020 debates .
Trump ’ s doctor , Navy Cdr .
Sean Conley , said in a letter Thursday evening that Trump would be cleared to resume public activities Saturday , 10 days after his diagnosis .
Earlier Thursday , Trump balked at the virtual event and said he wouldn ’ t participate .
Biden ’ s campaign then said Biden would participate in a town hall hosted by ABC News on Oct. 15 instead @

WASHINGTON — The chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates says it is not reconsidering shifting the second debate from virtual back to in-person, despite a request from President Donald Trump’s team.
Frank Fahrenkopf told The Associated Press late Thursday that the nonpartisan group’s decision was not going to be reversed. That means the second debate is probably not going to happen at all.
The commission decided to make the Oct. 15 debate virtual after Trump tested positive for the coronavirus. Fahrenkopf says the group wanted to “protect the health and safety of all involved” and that the decision was guided by the advice of the Cleveland Clinic, its heath partner for the 2020 debates.
Trump’s doctor, Navy Cdr. Sean Conley, said in a letter Thursday evening that Trump would be cleared to resume public activities Saturday, 10 days after his diagnosis.
Earlier Thursday, Trump balked at the virtual event and said he wouldn’t participate. Biden’s campaign then said Biden would participate in a town hall hosted by ABC News on Oct. 15 instead.


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Man has fatal fall into Lake Powell; Authorities investigate

PAGE , Ariz. ( AP ) - Authorities are investigating the death of a man who reportedly fell into Lake @ @ @ @ @ at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area received a report about 9 a.m. that the man @ @ @ @ @ the Escalante Arm of the lake that ’ s on the Arizona-Utah border .
They @ @ @ @ @ boat witnessed the man ’ s fall and attempted to render aid .
A medical @ @ @ @ @ pronounced the man dead on recovery .
The National Park Service and Kane County Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ to retrieve the body .
Park Service officials said the man ’ s name is @ @ @ @ @ is notified .
They said it ’ s the 13th fatality at Glen Canyon National @ @ @ @ @

PAGE, Ariz. (AP) - Authorities are investigating the death of a man who reportedly fell into Lake Powell on Thursday.
Dispatchers at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area received a report about 9 a.m. that the man fell from Willow Gulch in the Escalante Arm of the lake that’s on the Arizona-Utah border.
They said people on a nearby boat witnessed the man’s fall and attempted to render aid.
A medical professional on board the vessel pronounced the man dead on recovery.
The National Park Service and Kane County Sheriff’s office worked together to retrieve the body.
Park Service officials said the man’s name is being withheld until his family is notified.
They said it’s the 13th fatality at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area this year.


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Oregon records largest yet one-day COVID-19 case count

SALEM , Ore. ( AP ) - The Oregon Health Authority reported 484 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Thursday , the state ’ s largest daily total since the the start of the pandemic .
In addition , a recent statewide survey found that while most Oregonians take proper COVID-19 precautions - including wearing a mask and washing their hands - a significant number of people continue to attend social gatherings .
“ These results show that nearly all Oregonians understand it ’ s important to wear a mask , ” said Patrick Allen , director of the authority .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ re at risk of getting sick and too many people are socializing indoors in bigger groups.
” A total of more than 36,100 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Oregon since the start of the pandemic .
The death toll , which includes 11 new deaths reported Thursday , is 594 .
For six weeks , Oregon ’ s COVID-19 cases and rate of transmission were in a downward trend .
However , lately those numbers have been increasing .
The Oregon Health Authority reported last week that the percentage of positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 6.3 % and that 25 Oregonians had died that week , compared to 18 the previous week .
“ We won ’ t be able to prevent more infections , and get more schools and businesses open in Oregon , until more people act with urgency and avoid the social super-spreader gatherings that have driven COVID-19 transmission and disease in Oregon , ” Allen said .
A recent poll administered to 1,000 Oregonians found that 20 % had gathered in groups of more than 10 people .
In addition 16 % said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social gatherings , which include events in a backyard , going to a restaurant , having friends over , attending a religious service or participating in a protest , in the previous two weeks .
However , health officials say Oregonians remain vigilant with other safety precautions .
Nearly 85 % of respondents said that they wear a face mask indoors in public nearly all the time , 75 % said they frequently wash their hands , and 89 % said that they are “ very willing ” to quarantine if infected with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the participants said that they are “ very worried ” about the COVID-19 situation in Oregon and about 25 % said they are “ very worried ” about getting sick .
Officials have attributed the rise in cases to Labor Day gatherings , the return of college students to campus , the interruption of testing during recent wildfires in Oregon and recent workplace outbreaks .
On Wednesday and Thursday the health authority reported five new workplace outbreaks , where at least 20 or more cases were reported .
These outbreaks include a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases at a correctional institution .
The most recent outbreak was 59 cases at Planasa Oregon Operations LLC in Klamath County , officials said .

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Health Authority reported 484 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the state’s largest daily total since the the start of the pandemic.
In addition, a recent statewide survey found that while most Oregonians take proper COVID-19 precautions - including wearing a mask and washing their hands - a significant number of people continue to attend social gatherings.
“These results show that nearly all Oregonians understand it’s important to wear a mask,” said Patrick Allen, director of the authority. “But fewer Oregonians believe they’re at risk of getting sick and too many people are socializing indoors in bigger groups.”
A total of more than 36,100 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Oregon since the start of the pandemic. The death toll, which includes 11 new deaths reported Thursday, is 594.
For six weeks, Oregon’s COVID-19 cases and rate of transmission were in a downward trend. However, lately those numbers have been increasing.
The Oregon Health Authority reported last week that the percentage of positive tests had increased from the week before to 6.3% and that 25 Oregonians had died that week, compared to 18 the previous week.
“We won’t be able to prevent more infections, and get more schools and businesses open in Oregon, until more people act with urgency and avoid the social super-spreader gatherings that have driven COVID-19 transmission and disease in Oregon,” Allen said.
A recent poll administered to 1,000 Oregonians found that 20% had gathered in groups of more than 10 people. In addition 16% said they had participated in 11 or more social gatherings, which include events in a backyard, going to a restaurant, having friends over, attending a religious service or participating in a protest, in the previous two weeks.
However, health officials say Oregonians remain vigilant with other safety precautions.
Nearly 85% of respondents said that they wear a face mask indoors in public nearly all the time, 75% said they frequently wash their hands, and 89% said that they are “very willing” to quarantine if infected with COVID-19.
More than 40% of the participants said that they are “very worried” about the COVID-19 situation in Oregon and about 25% said they are “very worried” about getting sick.
Officials have attributed the rise in cases to Labor Day gatherings, the return of college students to campus, the interruption of testing during recent wildfires in Oregon and recent workplace outbreaks.
On Wednesday and Thursday the health authority reported five new workplace outbreaks, where at least 20 or more cases were reported. These outbreaks include a state hospital, McDonald’s and 41 cases at a correctional institution.
The most recent outbreak was 59 cases at Planasa Oregon Operations LLC in Klamath County, officials said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--AP Week in Pictures: Asia

AP Week in Pictures: Asia

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and @ @ @ @ @ curated by AP photo editor Masayo Yoshida in Tokyo .

Oct. 2-8, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and Pacific.
The gallery was curated by AP photo editor Masayo Yoshida in Tokyo.
Follow AP visual journalism:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews
AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Northern New Mexico district to pick its 1st congresswoman

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - The two major party candidates competing to become the first woman to represent a Democrat-dominated New Mexico district are scheduled to debate on local network television Thursday .
This first debate of the race pits Democratic attorney Teresa Leger Fernandez of Santa Fe against Republican Alexis Johnson to succeed U.S. Rep Ben Ray Luján in Congress .
Lujàn is running in an open U.S. Senate race as Sen. Tom Udall retires .
Democrats have monopolized the northern 3rd Congressional District since its creation in 1983 with the exception of one special election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first woman to hold the seat , which has been a political stepping stone for prominent Democrats including former Gov .
Bill Richardson .
Johnson , an environmental engineer to the oil sector , secured the GOP nomination with an unconventional campaign that emphasized both her Hispanic and indigenous family roots and her status as political outsider .
In a recent PBS interview , Johnson said she voted in 2016 for Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson and that she is inspired by the activist energy of liberal firebrands such as Congresswoman Alexandria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
At the same time , Johnson is running on an outspoken anti-abortion platform .
She was cited by police for not wearing a face mask in public on the central plaza of Santa Fe in July , but says her thinking has evolved and she now abides by the statewide requirement .
Leger Fernandez , a legal advocate for Native American communities and voter access initiatives , emerged from a crowded field of Democratic primary candidates that included former CIA operative Valerie Plame and Santa Fe-based District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s campaign is backed by a long list of advocacy groups for progressive causes and greater Latina representation in Congress , and gained early political endorsements from U.S. Rep. Debra Haaland of Albuquerque and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who ran for president .
The coronavirus pandemic has rampaged across swaths of the 3rd District that overlap the Navajo Nation , and Leger Fernandez has emphasized her dedication to corralling greater federal investment in rural infrastructure and reforms that untether insurance plans from employment status , including Medicare-for-all proposals .
Leger Fernandez has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority and pledged support for major investments in clean energy infrastructure - a so-called Green New Deal - that she says can offer new sources of income to ranchers and trim New Mexico ’ s economic dependence on oil .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The two major party candidates competing to become the first woman to represent a Democrat-dominated New Mexico district squared off in their last scheduled televised debate that touched on solutions to poverty, environmental degradation and improving health care.
The debate Thursday pitted Democratic attorney Teresa Leger Fernandez of Santa Fe against Republican Alexis Johnson, also of Santa Fe, to succeed U.S. Rep Ben Ray Luján in Congress. Luján is running in an open U.S. Senate race as Sen. Tom Udall retires.
Democrats have monopolized the northern 3rd Congressional District since its creation in 1983 with the exception of one special election.
“After 30 years of failed leadership, it’s time for a change,” Johnson said in a remote debate from separate locations. She criticized Democrats of failing to substantially expand infrastructure for water and broadband internet.
Johnson, an environmental engineer for oilfield clients, cast herself as a pragmatist on wildfire prevention, through better management of forests and dead wood, and on energy policies that don’t abandon fossil fuels. President Donald Trump has attributed catastrophic wildfires on the West Coast to poor forest management alone.
“My approach is a balanced, sensible approach,” Johnson said. “She (Leger Fernandez) promotes the Green New Deal. … You’re going to fuel New Mexico by only solar panels and only wind turbines. That is an extreme policy.”
Fernandez Leger warned that if New Mexico ignores climate change “the pain we will feel will be drastic.” She defended her support for the Green New Deal as a concept for promoting investments in clean-energy infrastructure.
“What that says is that while we are attacking our climate crisis, let’s also make sure that we invest in those communities that have helped power us, which means that we’re going to invest in Farmington,” Leger Fernandez said, alluding to the phase-out of coal-fired power plants in the northwest of the state.
Leger Fernandez accused her opponent of being invested in the future of the oil industry through a family business, which Johnson angrily refuted and said the business promotes “wastewater recycling” and geothermal energy.
On health care access, Johnson said she would focus her energies in Congress on increasing transparency in medical billing, reducing prescription drug prices and lowering insurance premiums for the middle class.
Leger Fernandez warned that health care consumer protections are under threat from Republican efforts to overturn the Affordable Care Act.
Leger Fernandez outlined her support for moving the country away from an employer-based health care system toward a single-payer insurance model run by the government.
“I do believe that there is a big difference in terms of what we are suggesting here,” Leger Fernandez said. “Democrats and myself, we are talking about making sure that health care is available to all. We are talking about maintaining the Affordable Care Act while the Republicans are trying to get rid of it.”
The winner in November will become the first woman to hold the seat, which has been a political stepping stone for prominent Democrats including former Gov. Bill Richardson.
Johnson secured the GOP nomination with an unconventional campaign that emphasized both her Hispanic and indigenous family roots and her status as a political outsider.
In a recent PBS interview, Johnson said she voted in 2016 for Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson and that she is inspired by the activist energy of liberal firebrands such as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and recently deceased U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, though she disagrees philosophically.
At the same time, Johnson is running on an outspoken anti-abortion platform. She was cited by police for not wearing a face mask in public on the central plaza of Santa Fe in July, but says her thinking has evolved and she now abides by the statewide health requirement.
Leger Fernandez, a legal advocate for Native American communities and voter access initiatives, emerged from a crowded field of Democratic primary candidates that included former CIA operative Valerie Plame.
Leger Fernandez’s campaign is backed by a long list of advocacy groups for progressive causes and greater Latina representation in Congress, and gained early political endorsements from U.S. Rep. Debra Haaland of Albuquerque and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who ran for president.
The coronavirus pandemic has rampaged across swaths of the 3rd District that overlap the Navajo Nation, highlighting the vulnerability of households that go without full indoor plumbing or electricity.
“Why don’t we have water or electricity in Navajo Nation,” Johnson said. “Ben Ray Luján hasn’t delivered, he endorsed my opponent and it’s going to be the status quo.”
Leger Fernandez has emphasized her dedication to corralling greater federal investment in rural infrastructure.


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Fire in South Korean apartment high-rise hurts at least 88

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - A fire spread up a high-rise apartment building by strong winds in @ @ @ @ @ left scores of people with minor injuries , officials said Friday .
Footage from the @ @ @ @ @ huge ball of orange flame soaring up the 33-floor building and shooting through the roof @ @ @ @ @ put out the blaze from below .
There were no immediate reports of deaths or @ @ @ @ @ residents evacuated as the fire broke out while workers rescued another 77 who had escaped @ @ @ @ @ spaces .
South Korea ’ s Ministry of the Interior and Safety said at least @ @ @ @ @ minor injuries such as scratches or lightly inhaling smoke .
Officials are investigating the cause @ @ @ @ @ they said started at a balcony in one of the lower floors late Thursday and @ @ @ @ @ the building amid strong winds .
The fire was nearly put out as of 9 @ @ @

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - A fire spread up a high-rise apartment building by strong winds in a South Korean port city left scores of people with minor injuries, officials said Friday.
Footage from the scene in Ulsan showed a huge ball of orange flame soaring up the 33-floor building and shooting through the roof as firefighting crews tried to put out the blaze from below.
There were no immediate reports of deaths or serious injuries. Hundreds of residents evacuated as the fire broke out while workers rescued another 77 who had escaped to the roof or other spaces.
South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety said at least 88 people were treated for minor injuries such as scratches or lightly inhaling smoke.
Officials are investigating the cause of the fire, which they said started at a balcony in one of the lower floors late Thursday and spread up the exterior of the building amid strong winds. The fire was nearly put out as of 9 a.m. Friday.


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Amy Coney Barrett sees law 'impersonality' in deciding cases

First of two parts .
The black robe Judge Amy Coney Barrett dons to take the bench on the 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals is more than an accident of historical fashion .
It ’ s a symbol of the way she says she believes a judge should approach the law .
In a speech last year at Hillsdale College in the District , Judge Barrett said it wasn ’ t always that way .
At the country ’ s founding , some judges wore red robes , which was the custom in England .
Others wore robes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had studied law .
Then along came Chief Justice John Marshall , who showed up for his investiture wearing a simple black robe .
Soon his high court colleagues were also wearing black , and the rest of the judiciary followed .
The black robe , Judge Barrett said , is “ the symbol of the impersonality of the law.
” “ The focus should not be on who is deciding a case .
The focus shouldn ’ t be on the judge .
The judge shouldn ’ t be drawing attention to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be on the law , ” she said at the Hillsdale event .
As Judge Barrett prepares for her confirmation hearings to the Supreme Court next week , she likely will repeat that mantra often as senators from both sides of the aisle push her to reveal how she would approach a seat on the top court .
Sitting at the witness table wasn ’ t a lifelong dream .
It wasn ’ t even clear growing up that Judge Barrett would go into the law , according to family and childhood friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ever dreamed she would be on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and that she would be a Supreme Court potential , ” said Megan Edwards , Judge Barrett ’ s sister .
Yet Judge Barrett was checking off all the boxes along the way .
The daughter of a lawyer , she would earn a law degree from Notre Dame University , would marry a fellow lawyer , would clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia at the Supreme Court and then teach law at Notre Dame before being tapped in 2017 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court .
“ Amy was just a master at synthesizing all of the various principles of law , ” said Traci Lovitt , who clerked with Judge Barrett at the Supreme Court in 1988 .
“ She is a legal natural.
” Ms. Lovitt , who works at Jones Day , clerked for now-retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O ’ Connor while Judge Barrett clerked for Scalia .
The two became friends .
They would go on runs around the District of Columbia together in the evenings after long days of clerking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way she was analyzing cases , she came to an answer she thought was right .
She would advocate based on her analysis — not from her heart — from her head , ” Ms. Lovitt told The Washington Times .
“ You know she is not coming with an agenda.
” In her Hillsdale remarks last year , Judge Barrett repeatedly came back to that point .
“ I think you get into a dangerous place when you say you ’ re going to follow your heart and not your head in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She said compassion has no place to play in a legal decision , though it does come into play when she writes her opinions .
She said she even has a tactic to strike that balance .
When writing an opinion , she imagines that she or someone close to her is the losing party in the ruling she is issuing .
Judge Barrett said it helps her test her ruling and helps her explain her decisions .
“ Let ’ s imagine it ’ s a criminal case , so I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my children who ’ s on the losing side , to try to check and make sure am I deciding this case in the most honest way , ” she said .
“ Could I honestly say this reasoning is one I would apply to someone I love dearly ?
” She said she also ascribes to the philosophy of Scalia , who said a judge who liked the outcome of all of his rulings was probably failing as a judge .
“ You are not there to decide cases as you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to decide cases as the public or as the press may want you to .
You ’ re not there to win a popularity contest .
You are there to do your duty , ” Judge Barrett said .
If the job of judging meant imposing her own policy preferences , she said , she would have no interest in it .
Besides , she said , there would be no point .
The country already has legislators .
Judges , in their black robes , are supposed to be different .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share a dedication to the rule of law — that we are engaged in a common enterprise of applying the law , ” she said at Hillsdale .
Peers label Judge Barrett as an “ originalist ” and a “ textualist , ” much like Scalia , who had a professional and personal influence on Judge Barrett ’ s life .
“ She talked about his fairness and just how he was on the court and how thorough and also how filled with love he was .
He really treated everybody around him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was particularly struck with the relationship he maintained with Justice Ginsburg despite their differences , ” Ms. Edwards told The Washington Times .
“ For her , I can see that was something she admired because that is something she actively tries to do in her life now , is to be fair , not pass judgment .
She really tries to unify people despite their differences , ” Ms. Edwards said .
“ Out of love is formed unity , and that is how she lives her life.
” Judge Barrett said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who came before her if confirmed , honoring the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , whose seat she would fill .
“ She was a woman of enormous talent and consequence , and her life of public service serves as an example to us all .
Particularly poignant to me was her long and deep friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia , my own mentor , ” Judge Barrett said during her Sept. 26 speech at the White House accepting President Trump ’ s nomination .
She noted that Scalia and Ginsburg would disagree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face to face .
“ These two great Americans demonstrated that arguments , even about matters of great consequence , need not destroy affection .
In both my personal and professional relationships , I strive to meet that standard , ” she said .
Laura Wolk , who was one of Judge Barrett ’ s students at Notre Dame and graduated in 2016 , said she experienced Judge Barrett ’ s kindness personally .
Ms. Wolk is blind .
She was unable to complete classwork at the beginning of law school because she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I could depend on her and trust her , ” Ms. Wolk said during an event hosted by the conservative Heritage Foundation last week .
“ She told me , ‘ This is not your problem anymore .
This is my problem , and I will take care of this for you.
’ ” Carter Snead , a professor with Judge Barrett at Notre Dame , told the Heritage audience that his colleague distinguished herself through humility and generosity at the prestigious school , where she was named teacher of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was likely a record .
“ Judge Barrett is a human being like no one you ’ ve met in your life , ” he said .

First of two parts.
The black robe Judge Amy Coney Barrett dons to take the bench on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is more than an accident of historical fashion. It’s a symbol of the way she says she believes a judge should approach the law.
In a speech last year at Hillsdale College in the District of Columbia, Judge Barrett said it wasn’t always that way. At the country’s founding, some judges wore red robes, which was the custom in England. Others wore robes with colors of the institutions where they had studied law.
Then along came Chief Justice John Marshall, who showed up for his investiture wearing a simple black robe. Soon his high court colleagues were also wearing black, and the rest of the judiciary followed.
The black robe, Judge Barrett said, is “the symbol of the impersonality of the law.”
“The focus should not be on who is deciding a case. The focus shouldn’t be on the judge. The judge shouldn’t be drawing attention to herself or himself. The focus should be on the law,” she said at the Hillsdale event.
As Judge Barrett prepares for her confirmation hearings to the Supreme Court next week, she likely will repeat that mantra often as senators from both sides of the aisle push her to reveal how she would approach a seat on the top court.
Checking off the boxes
Sitting at the witness table wasn’t a lifelong dream. It wasn’t even clear growing up that Judge Barrett would go into the law, according to family and childhood friends.
“I don’t think she ever dreamed she would be on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and that she would be a Supreme Court potential,” said Megan Edwards, Judge Barrett’s sister.
Yet Judge Barrett was checking off all the boxes along the way.
The daughter of a lawyer, she would earn a law degree from Notre Dame University, would marry a fellow lawyer, would clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia at the Supreme Court and then teach law at Notre Dame before being tapped in 2017 for a seat on the Chicago-based federal appeals court.
“Amy was just a master at synthesizing all of the various principles of law,” said Traci Lovitt, who clerked with Judge Barrett at the Supreme Court in 1988. “She is a legal natural.”
Ms. Lovitt, who works at Jones Day, clerked for now-retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor while Judge Barrett clerked for Scalia.
The two became friends. They would go on runs around D.C. together in the evenings after long days of clerking at the high court.
“The way she was analyzing cases, she came to an answer she thought was right. She would advocate based on her analysis — not from her heart — from her head,” Ms. Lovitt told The Washington Times. “You know she is not coming with an agenda.”
Striking a balance
In her Hillsdale remarks last year, Judge Barrett repeatedly came back to that point.
“I think you get into a dangerous place when you say you’re going to follow your heart and not your head in deciding a case,” she said.
She said compassion has no place to play in a legal decision, though it does come into play when she writes her opinions.
She said she even has a tactic to strike that balance.
When writing an opinion, she imagines that she or someone close to her is the losing party in the ruling she is issuing. Judge Barrett said it helps her test her ruling and helps her explain her decisions.
“Let’s imagine it’s a criminal case, so I try to imagine it’s one of my children who’s on the losing side, to try to check and make sure am I deciding this case in the most honest way,” she said. “Could I honestly say this reasoning is one I would apply to someone I love dearly?”
She said she also ascribes to the philosophy of Scalia, who said a judge who liked the outcome of all of his rulings was probably failing as a judge.
“You are not there to decide cases as you may prefer. You are not there to decide cases as the public or as the press may want you to. You’re not there to win a popularity contest. You are there to do your duty,” Judge Barrett said.
If the job of judging meant imposing her own policy preferences, she said, she would have no interest in it. Besides, she said, there would be no point. The country already has legislators.
Judges, in their black robes, are supposed to be different.
“The back robe symbolizes that all judges share a dedication to the rule of law — that we are engaged in a common enterprise of applying the law,” she said at Hillsdale.
Scalia’s influence
Peers label Judge Barrett as an “originalist” and a “textualist,” much like Scalia, who had a professional and personal influence on Judge Barrett’s life.
“She talked about his fairness and just how he was on the court and how thorough and also how filled with love he was. He really treated everybody around him with love and respect, and she was particularly struck with the relationship he maintained with Justice Ginsburg despite their differences,” Ms. Edwards told The Washington Times.
“For her, I can see that was something she admired because that is something she actively tries to do in her life now, is to be fair, not pass judgment. She really tries to unify people despite their differences,” Ms. Edwards said. “Out of love is formed unity, and that is how she lives her life.”
Judge Barrett said she would be mindful of the justice who came before her if confirmed, honoring the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose seat she would fill.
“She was a woman of enormous talent and consequence, and her life of public service serves as an example to us all. Particularly poignant to me was her long and deep friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia, my own mentor,” Judge Barrett said during her Sept. 26 speech at the White House accepting President Trump’s nomination.
She noted that Scalia and Ginsburg would disagree in legal writings “without rancor” face to face.
“These two great Americans demonstrated that arguments, even about matters of great consequence, need not destroy affection. In both my personal and professional relationships, I strive to meet that standard,” she said.
Laura Wolk, who was one of Judge Barrett’s students at Notre Dame and graduated in 2016, said she experienced Judge Barrett’s kindness personally.
Ms. Wolk is blind. She was unable to complete classwork at the beginning of law school because she was waiting for some technology to arrive.
“I could depend on her and trust her,” Ms. Wolk said during an event hosted by the conservative Heritage Foundation last week. “She told me, ‘This is not your problem anymore. This is my problem, and I will take care of this for you.’”
Carter Snead, a professor with Judge Barrett at Notre Dame, told the Heritage audience that his colleague distinguished herself through humility and generosity at the prestigious school, where she was named teacher of the year three times, which he noted was likely a record.
“Judge Barrett is a human being like no one you’ve met in your life,” he said.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Alabama man accused of shining laser at military aircraft

OZARK , Ala. ( AP ) - An Alabama man accused of shining a laser at a military aircraft was arrested following a foot chase in a wooded area near an airfield , authorities said .
The arrest happened Tuesday night after Dale County deputies were called to Cairns Army Airfield about a person shining the laser and a high-powered spotlight into the cockpit of the aircraft , news outlets reported .
The suspect pointed the laser as the aircraft was “ in the traffic pattern ” outside the airfield , said Dale County Chief Deputy Mason Bynum .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own helicopter to search for the suspect , a bright spotlight was also pointed at their aircraft .
The crew located the suspect , Jacob Moseley , by a house near the airfield and that ’ s when the chase ensued .
A tactical flight officer who jumped out of the helicopter was ultimately able to catch Moseley , who was charged with obstructing governmental operations and booked into the Dale County Jail .
It was not clear if Moseley has an attorney who could comment on his behalf .
The case has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation .
Cairns Army Airfield is in Fort Rucker , a U.S. Army post located about 93 miles ( 150 kilometers ) southeast of Montgomery .

OZARK, Ala. (AP) - An Alabama man accused of shining a laser at a military aircraft was arrested following a foot chase in a wooded area near an airfield, authorities said.
The arrest happened Tuesday night after Dale County deputies were called to Cairns Army Airfield about a person shining the laser and a high-powered spotlight into the cockpit of the aircraft, news outlets reported. The suspect pointed the laser as the aircraft was “in the traffic pattern” outside the airfield, said Dale County Chief Deputy Mason Bynum.
When the sheriff’s office brought their own helicopter to search for the suspect, a bright spotlight was also pointed at their aircraft. The crew located the suspect, Jacob Moseley, by a house near the airfield and that’s when the chase ensued.
A tactical flight officer who jumped out of the helicopter was ultimately able to catch Moseley, who was charged with obstructing governmental operations and booked into the Dale County Jail. It was not clear if Moseley has an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
The case has been referred to federal authorities for further investigation.
Cairns Army Airfield is in Fort Rucker, a U.S. Army post located about 93 miles (150 kilometers) southeast of Montgomery.


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Illinois man charged with price-gouging in mask sales

CHICAGO ( AP ) - A northern Illinois businessman was charged Thursday with price gouging customers seeking to purchase of protective masks at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic , the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Chicago announced Thursday .
Krikor Topouzian of Winnetka was charged Thursday in a criminal information with violating anti-price gouging laws .
The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum of one year in prison .
Topouzian , 60 , the owner of a Skokie-based medical supply company , is accused of accumulating in March and April about 80,000 respirator masks for roughly just over $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40,000 of the masks to customers for prices as high as $ 19.95 per mask .
Prosecutors allege nearly all of the sales were made to individual customers .
They also say he continued selling the masks at inflated prices despite being repeatedly warned of its illegality .
“ Amassing and reselling personal protective equipment at large markups during a global health crisis is not only greedy , it ’ s illegal under the Defense Production Act , ” U.S. Attorney John Lausch said in a written statement .
Defense attorney Thomas Leinenweber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfortunate Topouzian was charged “ with something that he absolutely did not do.
” An arraignment date for Topouzian had not been set as of Thursday .

CHICAGO (AP) - A northern Illinois businessman was charged Thursday with price gouging customers seeking to purchase of protective masks at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago announced Thursday.
Krikor Topouzian of Winnetka was charged Thursday in a criminal information with violating anti-price gouging laws. The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum of one year in prison.
Topouzian, 60, the owner of a Skokie-based medical supply company, is accused of accumulating in March and April about 80,000 respirator masks for roughly just over $5 each. He later sold nearly 40,000 of the masks to customers for prices as high as $19.95 per mask.
Prosecutors allege nearly all of the sales were made to individual customers. They also say he continued selling the masks at inflated prices despite being repeatedly warned of its illegality.
“Amassing and reselling personal protective equipment at large markups during a global health crisis is not only greedy, it’s illegal under the Defense Production Act,” U.S. Attorney John Lausch said in a written statement.
Defense attorney Thomas Leinenweber said in a statement that it was unfortunate Topouzian was charged “with something that he absolutely did not do.”
An arraignment date for Topouzian had not been set as of Thursday.


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Ex-Guantanamo commander sentenced for lying in man's death

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. ( AP ) - A former commander of the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison for interfering with an investigation into the death of a civilian with whom the commander had fought and argued over his affair with the man ’ s wife .
A federal judge in Jacksonville sentenced Navy Capt .
John R. Nettleton , news outlets reported .
He was convicted in January of obstruction of justice , concealing material facts , falsifying records and making false statements .
Nettleton , 54 , was removed from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found floating in waters off the base on the southeastern coast of Cuba in January 2015 .
Nettleton had commanded the base since June 2012 , but not the detention center where suspected terrorists are held .
Nettleton denied to his superior officer and others that he had an affair , but investigators later determined that it had happened , according to federal prosecutors in Jacksonville , where Nettleton had been on temporary duty .
Tur ’ s wife confirmed the affair during her testimony , authorities said .
Defense attorneys argued that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any of the charges merely for violating provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice or for violating any Navy regulations .
An autopsy found that Tur , 42 , died from drowning but that his ribs had been fractured before he went into the water , and he had a cut to his head .
Authorities said the investigation also turned up Tur ’ s blood inside the entryway of Nettleton ’ s residence on the base and on a paper towel in the backyard .
Tur came to Guantanamo in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and two children and worked as the loss prevention safety manager at the Navy Exchange , the main shopping complex on the base .
On the night of his disappearance , Tur confronted the commander and Tur ’ s wife in front of witnesses at a party at the on-base nightclub .
Each man had “ consumed several alcoholic drinks , ” according to the indictment .
Later that night , Tur went to Nettleton ’ s residence , where the two men fought .
Nettleton ’ s daughter heard the commotion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ground and Tur standing over him shortly before he left the area and wasn ’ t seen again , according to documents .
Around that time , a friend of Tur ’ s reported getting a call from Tur , who said he was at Nettleton ’ s house and had “ just knocked the skipper out , ” the documents said .
After Tur went missing , Nettleton failed to tell people leading the search for him that he was last seen at Nettleton ’ s house when they fought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to believe he was last seen at the nightclub , according to prosecutors .

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A former commander of the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison for interfering with an investigation into the death of a civilian with whom the commander had fought and argued over his affair with the man’s wife.
A federal judge in Jacksonville sentenced Navy Capt. John R. Nettleton, news outlets reported. He was convicted in January of obstruction of justice, concealing material facts, falsifying records and making false statements.
Nettleton, 54, was removed from command shortly after civilian Christopher Tur was found floating in waters off the base on the southeastern coast of Cuba in January 2015. Nettleton had commanded the base since June 2012, but not the detention center where suspected terrorists are held.
Nettleton wasn’t charged with Tur’s death.
Nettleton denied to his superior officer and others that he had an affair, but investigators later determined that it had happened, according to federal prosecutors in Jacksonville, where Nettleton had been on temporary duty. Tur’s wife confirmed the affair during her testimony, authorities said.
Defense attorneys argued that Nettleton couldn’t be found guilty of any of the charges merely for violating provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice or for violating any Navy regulations.
An autopsy found that Tur, 42, died from drowning but that his ribs had been fractured before he went into the water, and he had a cut to his head. Authorities said the investigation also turned up Tur’s blood inside the entryway of Nettleton’s residence on the base and on a paper towel in the backyard.
Tur came to Guantanamo in May 2011 with his wife, Lara, and two children and worked as the loss prevention safety manager at the Navy Exchange, the main shopping complex on the base.
On the night of his disappearance, Tur confronted the commander and Tur’s wife in front of witnesses at a party at the on-base nightclub. Each man had “consumed several alcoholic drinks,” according to the indictment.
Later that night, Tur went to Nettleton’s residence, where the two men fought. Nettleton’s daughter heard the commotion and came down to see her father on the ground and Tur standing over him shortly before he left the area and wasn’t seen again, according to documents.
Around that time, a friend of Tur’s reported getting a call from Tur, who said he was at Nettleton’s house and had “just knocked the skipper out,” the documents said.
After Tur went missing, Nettleton failed to tell people leading the search for him that he was last seen at Nettleton’s house when they fought, and the commander instead led them to believe he was last seen at the nightclub, according to prosecutors.


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Kentucky reports 11 more coronavirus-related deaths

FRANKFORT , Ky. ( AP ) - Kentucky reported 11 more coronavirus-related deaths and nearly 900 new cases Thursday as the governor kept urging people to wear masks to help stop the state ’ s escalating outbreak .
Gov .
Andy Beshear offered more details to efforts to enforce his statewide mask mandate , which was extended for another 30 days .
The state Labor Cabinet previously issued citations , fines or closure orders to dozens of organizations for non-compliance and is now stepping up enforcement , he said .
The governor also urged Kentuckians to call a hotline to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers who aren ’ t wearing masks .
“ It is important that we get this right , ” Beshear said at a news conference .
“ The escalation that we and our country are dealing with right now can be defeated .
And can be defeated without making new steps that are difficult on small businesses or impact schools or other parts of our lives .
But we have to have you doing the right thing .
Do it for your values .
Do it for your faith.
” Beshear said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record high for weekly COVID-19 cases .
The governor reported 884 more coronavirus cases Thursday , as the total statewide number surpassed 77,450 cases since the start of the pandemic .
The 11 new virus-related deaths raised Kentucky ’ s death toll to at least 1,234 .
“ Again , with the high number of cases , we ’ re going to have high numbers of deaths , even with the mortality rate decreasing , ” the governor said .
Meanwhile , the governor reported that 33 veterans and 10 staff members at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting the coronavirus .
Ten of the veterans are hospitalized .
“ We are marshaling all of our resources to be there for them , ” Beshear said .
The state ’ s closely watched positivity rate - a seven-day rolling figure reflecting the average number of tests coming back positive for the virus - was 4.1 % , he said .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be fatal .
The vast majority of people recover .

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky reported 11 more coronavirus-related deaths and nearly 900 new cases Thursday as the governor kept urging people to wear masks to help stop the state’s escalating outbreak.
Gov. Andy Beshear offered more details to efforts to enforce his statewide mask mandate, which was extended for another 30 days. The state Labor Cabinet previously issued citations, fines or closure orders to dozens of organizations for non-compliance and is now stepping up enforcement, he said. The governor also urged Kentuckians to call a hotline to report violations of businesses that check out customers who aren’t wearing masks.
“It is important that we get this right,” Beshear said at a news conference. “The escalation that we and our country are dealing with right now can be defeated. And can be defeated without making new steps that are difficult on small businesses or impact schools or other parts of our lives. But we have to have you doing the right thing. Do it for your values. Do it for your faith.”
Beshear said the state remains on pace to set another record high for weekly COVID-19 cases.
The governor reported 884 more coronavirus cases Thursday, as the total statewide number surpassed 77,450 cases since the start of the pandemic. The 11 new virus-related deaths raised Kentucky’s death toll to at least 1,234.
“Again, with the high number of cases, we’re going to have high numbers of deaths, even with the mortality rate decreasing,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, the governor reported that 33 veterans and 10 staff members at a veterans center in Wilmore are currently fighting the coronavirus. Ten of the veterans are hospitalized.
“We are marshaling all of our resources to be there for them,” Beshear said.
The state’s closely watched positivity rate - a seven-day rolling figure reflecting the average number of tests coming back positive for the virus - was 4.1%, he said.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.
___
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Breonna Taylor case: Dispute arises over grand jury secrecy

LOUISVILLE , Ky ( AP ) - A lawyer for a grand juror involved in weighing charges in the case of Breonna Taylor , the Black woman killed in a police raid gone wrong , urged a judge to let the anonymous juror to speak out publicly , accusing Kentucky ’ s attorney general of throwing the panel “ under the bus ” in his public comments .
Kevin Glogower , the lawyer for the anonymous grand juror who sued to speak out publicly , told Jefferson County Circuit Judge Annie O ’ Connell on Thursday that the goal was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t become public or “ to be part of a global discussion in race relations.
” “ It ’ s more about the discussions that were held directly with the prosecutors , ” Glogower said .
“ That is not contained in the recording.
” Glogower warned that future grand jurors wouldn ’ t want to serve if the prosecutor can “ throw them under the bus , as happened here.
” He did not elaborate .
The dispute over grand jury secrecy arose Wednesday , the same day police files were released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she dated previously who was suspected of drug dealing .
The release of those files raised new questions about what led narcotics investigators to raid Taylor ’ s home in March , resulting in the woman ’ s death in a burst of police gunfire .
None of the white officers was directly charged with Taylor ’ s death by the grand jury last month , triggering renewed street protests .
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron filed a motion Wednesday asking the judge to dismiss the request by the grand juror .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceedings are kept confidential by legal precedent to protect the safety and anonymity of all involved - grand jurors , witnesses and others .
Cameron had previously said he had no concerns with grand jurors speaking publicly , and he agreed to the release of audiotapes of testimony presented to the grand jury last week .
But those recordings did not include any discussion of potential criminal action on the part of the officers who shot Taylor .
Ben Crump , a lawyer for Taylor ’ s family , issued a statement late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s motion a “ slap in the face ” and “ yet another attempt to conceal the corruption of his office.
” “ If he has nothing to hide , and he did everything right as he claims , then he should have no problem letting the grand jurors speak to the public , ” Crump said .
“ They deserve to have that voice , and Breonna ’ s family deserves answers.
” Victor Maddox , an attorney who represented the state in court proceedings , warned “ nothing would undermine the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to throw out the entire body of law of grand jury secrecy ” by allowing the anonymous juror to speak out .
As the 90-minute oral arguments continued , Glogower repeated that his client wishes to remain anonymous and hoped “ there could be a way that maybe everybody is a little bit more happy with how it gets handled.
” He asked for permission for the juror to release an anonymous written statement that “ takes care of some of the concerns the attorney general ’ s office has.
” The grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ using the grand jury to deflect accountability and responsibility for ( the indictment ) decisions , ” and seeks permission to speak out publicly about the case .
Under Kentucky law , grand jurors can be held in contempt of court for discussing a case .
Cameron determined before the grand jury proceedings that the officers had acted in self-defense .
He has acknowledged that he did not recommend murder charges to the grand jury .
This is not the first time a grand juror has sued for the right to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court ruled against a grand juror who was seeking to discuss details of the investigation into the 2014 fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson , Missouri .
At the conclusion of the hearing , Judge Annie O ’ Connell vowed to rule on the case “ as soon as possible .
”

LOUISVILLE, Ky (AP) - A lawyer for a grand juror involved in weighing charges in the case of Breonna Taylor, the Black woman killed in a police raid gone wrong, urged a judge to let the anonymous juror to speak out publicly, accusing Kentucky’s attorney general of throwing the panel “under the bus” in his public comments.
Kevin Glogower, the lawyer for the anonymous grand juror who sued to speak out publicly, told Jefferson County Circuit Judge Annie O’Connell on Thursday that the goal was not to publicize evidence that hasn’t become public or “to be part of a global discussion in race relations.”
“It’s more about the discussions that were held directly with the prosecutors,” Glogower said. “That is not contained in the recording.”
Glogower warned that future grand jurors wouldn’t want to serve if the prosecutor can “throw them under the bus, as happened here.” He did not elaborate.
The dispute over grand jury secrecy arose Wednesday, the same day police files were released showing contacts between Taylor and a man she dated previously who was suspected of drug dealing. The release of those files raised new questions about what led narcotics investigators to raid Taylor’s home in March, resulting in the woman’s death in a burst of police gunfire. None of the white officers was directly charged with Taylor’s death by the grand jury last month, triggering renewed street protests.
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron filed a motion Wednesday asking the judge to dismiss the request by the grand juror. He said in a statement that grand jury proceedings are kept confidential by legal precedent to protect the safety and anonymity of all involved - grand jurors, witnesses and others.
Cameron had previously said he had no concerns with grand jurors speaking publicly, and he agreed to the release of audiotapes of testimony presented to the grand jury last week. But those recordings did not include any discussion of potential criminal action on the part of the officers who shot Taylor.
Ben Crump, a lawyer for Taylor’s family, issued a statement late Thursday in which he called Cameron’s motion a “slap in the face” and “yet another attempt to conceal the corruption of his office.”
“If he has nothing to hide, and he did everything right as he claims, then he should have no problem letting the grand jurors speak to the public,” Crump said. “They deserve to have that voice, and Breonna’s family deserves answers.”
Victor Maddox, an attorney who represented the state in court proceedings, warned “nothing would undermine the public interest more than for this Court to throw out the entire body of law of grand jury secrecy” by allowing the anonymous juror to speak out.
As the 90-minute oral arguments continued, Glogower repeated that his client wishes to remain anonymous and hoped “there could be a way that maybe everybody is a little bit more happy with how it gets handled.” He asked for permission for the juror to release an anonymous written statement that “takes care of some of the concerns the attorney general’s office has.”
The grand juror’s lawsuit accuses Cameron of “using the grand jury to deflect accountability and responsibility for (the indictment) decisions,” and seeks permission to speak out publicly about the case. Under Kentucky law, grand jurors can be held in contempt of court for discussing a case.
Cameron determined before the grand jury proceedings that the officers had acted in self-defense. He has acknowledged that he did not recommend murder charges to the grand jury.
This is not the first time a grand juror has sued for the right to speak publicly. In August, a federal court ruled against a grand juror who was seeking to discuss details of the investigation into the 2014 fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Annie O’Connell vowed to rule on the case “as soon as possible.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Arizona lawmaker off ventilator amid coronavirus fight

PHOENIX ( AP ) - An Arizona lawmaker who was on a ventilator at a Maryland hospital ’ s intensive care unit ill with COVID-19 is now breathing on his own , his wife announced Thursday .
The developments came after Democratic Rep. Lorenzo Sierra of Avondale spent several days unable to breathe without the mechanical device .
“ Miracles do happen , ” his wife , Rhonda Cagle , tweeted Thursday .
“ Still critical , but crossed a milestone .
Told him I love him .
“ I love you more , ” he replied ; his usual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for continued prayers .
Sierra and Cagle were visiting family in Washington when they both fell ill .
He went to a Washington hospital on Sunday and was transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on Monday .
Cagle and Sierra tested negative before leaving for Washington and took extensive precautions but still got sick , Cagle wrote on Facebook .
Most people experience mild or moderate symptoms with the coronavirus , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
Sierra is the third Arizona lawmaker to be diagnosed with COVID-19 .

PHOENIX (AP) - An Arizona lawmaker who was on a ventilator at a Maryland hospital’s intensive care unit ill with COVID-19 is now breathing on his own, his wife announced Thursday.
The developments came after Democratic Rep. Lorenzo Sierra of Avondale spent several days unable to breathe without the mechanical device.
“Miracles do happen,” his wife, Rhonda Cagle, tweeted Thursday. “Still critical, but crossed a milestone. Told him I love him. “I love you more,” he replied; his usual response.”
She thanked God and asked for continued prayers.
Sierra and Cagle were visiting family in Washington when they both fell ill. He went to a Washington hospital on Sunday and was transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on Monday.
Cagle and Sierra tested negative before leaving for Washington and took extensive precautions but still got sick, Cagle wrote on Facebook.
Most people experience mild or moderate symptoms with the coronavirus, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
Sierra is the third Arizona lawmaker to be diagnosed with COVID-19.


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Democrats express fears over voting by mail

Ann Mintz and Clifford Wagner have been struggling with indecision about the election for weeks .
Their angst isn ’ t over whom to vote for – the Philadelphia couple are Democrats who support Joe Biden .
It ’ s about how , precisely , they should cast their ballots .
They voted by mail without hesitation in the state ’ s June primary .
But now there are new stresses .
Will a slowdown at the U.S .
Postal Service make ballots arrive too late ?
Will technical mishaps filling out ballots lead to the vote not getting counted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicated but possible scenario , would their mail votes be tallied later than in-person ballots , and will the in-person ballots be largely Republican , and will that allow Trump to prematurely declare victory on election night ?
“ The stakes are so high .
We ’ re putting a lot of thought into it , ” the 65-year-old Wagner said .
Many voters who decided early in the coronavirus pandemic to cast their votes by mail have been rethinking their options as Election Day approaches .
Nervousness about whether and when their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters to increasingly strategize and analyze a decision that was once a no-brainer .
All the worry is spreading rapidly to election officials , who warn it might contribute to more chaos at the polls on Election Day .
If voters who requested absentee ballots change their minds and try to vote on Election Day , they may run afoul of a thicket of rules that vary from state to state .
In many states , switching from absentee to in-person requires a series of steps to cancel the absentee ballot .
Voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that take longer to process .
All these last-minute changes take more resources and more time and introduce the possibility for errors .
“ It puts a whole lot of pressure on already overburdened election officials , ” said Wendy Weiser of the Brennan Center for Justice .
Still , some Democratic groups trying to turn out voters have shifted their messaging from voting by mail to voting in person .
In Philadelphia , the result is an unhelpful “ whiplash , ” said Al Schmidt , an elections commissioner in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It adds to lines and has more people in polling places longer , which is what we ’ re trying to avoid , ” he said .
Republicans have a parallel risk of disruption .
Trump has sown baseless distrust of mail voting among GOP voters , frustrating his party ’ s strategists who worry the message could depress turnout .
Trump tried to shift his message last month in North Carolina , urging supporters to vote by mail and then also cast ballots on Election Day to check whether the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warnings from state officials that voting twice is a felony .
Trump shifted to tell supporters to simply check on Election Day to ensure their mail ballots arrived .
But it ’ s some Democrats who are now looking at a shift .
It achieved widespread popularity in the party ’ s rank and file during the initial outbreak of coronavirus this spring , which coincided with primary season .
The party stressed it wanted voters to cast their ballots in whichever way made sense for them , even going so far as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state to ensure there were more in-person voting options for that state ’ s June primary .
Reports about Postal Service changes and delivery slowdowns triggered a new set of concerns .
Starting at the party ’ s virtual convention in August , some prominent Democrats began tweaking their recommendations .
Barack and Michelle Obama urged supporters to , if possible , vote in-person at early voting locations .
Some groups organizing Democratic-leaning voters followed suit .
“ We ’ ve been letting voters know you can request absentee ballots and still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marcus Bass of Advance Carolina , which organizes Black voters in battleground North Carolina .
“ You just can ’ t vote twice.
” The Collective PAC , which focuses on turning out Black voters , has moved its $ 7 million campaign to push early , in-person voting rather than mail voting .
Founder Quentin James said that while older , reliable Black voters have happily switched to mail voting , it ’ s been harder to persuade less frequent , younger ones .
“ They don ’ t trust government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to go vote and punch the ballot in person.
” The change comes as coronavirus cases have begun to rise again in the fall , climbing rapidly in some battleground states like Wisconsin and potentially making in-person voting riskier on Election Day .
Jamie Perrapato of the activist group Turn PA Blue says she feels “ like a therapist ” because so many people call her to discuss their voting worries and option .
Perrapato ’ s advice : “ Don ’ t think you can game the system .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ) .
” Many states don ’ t make changing your mind easy .
In North Carolina , voters who have requested an absentee ballot need to have a witness signature with it if they want their ballot counted .
Pam Winton , a 73-year-old retired professor in Durham , plans to vote for Biden during the state ’ s early , in-person voting .
But she also requested a mail ballot in case those lines are too long – unaware she ’ d need to get a witness before sending that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studied it that carefully , ” Winton said .
“ I ’ m still waiting to see what the options are and what seems to be the safest and most reliable way to go about it.
” In Pennsylvania , voters who have requested an absentee ballot can only vote on Election Day if they bring the entire ballot package to return at the polls .
Otherwise , their votes will be provisional .
John Fetterman , Pennsylvania ’ s Democratic lieutenant governor , says he worries about whether some of the 2.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absentee ballot for the election – three times as many Democrats as Republicans – will remember to bring the correct documents should they try to vote in person instead .
“ All of this is predicated on absolute propaganda that they know has no basis in reality , ” Fetterman said of Democrats ’ concerns about mail voting .

Ann Mintz and Clifford Wagner have been struggling with indecision about the election for weeks. Their angst isn’t over whom to vote for – the Philadelphia couple are Democrats who support Joe Biden. It’s about how, precisely, they should cast their ballots.
They voted by mail without hesitation in the state’s June primary. But now there are new stresses. Will a slowdown at the U.S. Postal Service make ballots arrive too late? Will technical mishaps filling out ballots lead to the vote not getting counted? Or, in one even more complicated but possible scenario, would their mail votes be tallied later than in-person ballots, and will the in-person ballots be largely Republican, and will that allow Trump to prematurely declare victory on election night?
“The stakes are so high. We’re putting a lot of thought into it,” the 65-year-old Wagner said.
Many voters who decided early in the coronavirus pandemic to cast their votes by mail have been rethinking their options as Election Day approaches. Nervousness about whether and when their ballots will be counted is leading some voters to increasingly strategize and analyze a decision that was once a no-brainer. All the worry is spreading rapidly to election officials, who warn it might contribute to more chaos at the polls on Election Day.
If voters who requested absentee ballots change their minds and try to vote on Election Day, they may run afoul of a thicket of rules that vary from state to state. In many states, switching from absentee to in-person requires a series of steps to cancel the absentee ballot. Voters may be asked to cast provisional ballots that take longer to process. All these last-minute changes take more resources and more time and introduce the possibility for errors.
“It puts a whole lot of pressure on already overburdened election officials,” said Wendy Weiser of the Brennan Center for Justice.
Still, some Democratic groups trying to turn out voters have shifted their messaging from voting by mail to voting in person. In Philadelphia, the result is an unhelpful “whiplash,” said Al Schmidt, an elections commissioner in the city who worries about the unexpected impact.
“It adds to lines and has more people in polling places longer, which is what we’re trying to avoid,” he said.
Republicans have a parallel risk of disruption. Trump has sown baseless distrust of mail voting among GOP voters, frustrating his party’s strategists who worry the message could depress turnout. Trump tried to shift his message last month in North Carolina, urging supporters to vote by mail and then also cast ballots on Election Day to check whether the election was really secure.
That earned stern warnings from state officials that voting twice is a felony. Trump shifted to tell supporters to simply check on Election Day to ensure their mail ballots arrived.
But it’s some Democrats who are now looking at a shift. It achieved widespread popularity in the party’s rank and file during the initial outbreak of coronavirus this spring, which coincided with primary season. The party stressed it wanted voters to cast their ballots in whichever way made sense for them, even going so far as to sue Nevada’s Republican secretary of state to ensure there were more in-person voting options for that state’s June primary.
Reports about Postal Service changes and delivery slowdowns triggered a new set of concerns. Starting at the party’s virtual convention in August, some prominent Democrats began tweaking their recommendations. Barack and Michelle Obama urged supporters to, if possible, vote in-person at early voting locations. Some groups organizing Democratic-leaning voters followed suit.
“We’ve been letting voters know you can request absentee ballots and still go to the polls,” said Marcus Bass of Advance Carolina, which organizes Black voters in battleground North Carolina. “You just can’t vote twice.”
The Collective PAC, which focuses on turning out Black voters, has moved its $7 million campaign to push early, in-person voting rather than mail voting. Founder Quentin James said that while older, reliable Black voters have happily switched to mail voting, it’s been harder to persuade less frequent, younger ones.
“They don’t trust government,” James said. “They just want to go vote and punch the ballot in person.”
The change comes as coronavirus cases have begun to rise again in the fall, climbing rapidly in some battleground states like Wisconsin and potentially making in-person voting riskier on Election Day.
Jamie Perrapato of the activist group Turn PA Blue says she feels “like a therapist” because so many people call her to discuss their voting worries and option.
Perrapato’s advice: “Don’t think you can game the system. You can’t try to outgame him (Trump).”
Many states don’t make changing your mind easy. In North Carolina, voters who have requested an absentee ballot need to have a witness signature with it if they want their ballot counted. Pam Winton, a 73-year-old retired professor in Durham, plans to vote for Biden during the state’s early, in-person voting. But she also requested a mail ballot in case those lines are too long – unaware she’d need to get a witness before sending that in.
“I haven’t studied it that carefully,” Winton said. “I’m still waiting to see what the options are and what seems to be the safest and most reliable way to go about it.”
In Pennsylvania, voters who have requested an absentee ballot can only vote on Election Day if they bring the entire ballot package to return at the polls. Otherwise, their votes will be provisional.
John Fetterman, Pennsylvania’s Democratic lieutenant governor, says he worries about whether some of the 2.5 million Pennsylvanians who have already requested an absentee ballot for the election – three times as many Democrats as Republicans – will remember to bring the correct documents should they try to vote in person instead.
“All of this is predicated on absolute propaganda that they know has no basis in reality,” Fetterman said of Democrats’ concerns about mail voting.


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--State Supreme Court rejects effort to recall Seattle mayor

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - Washington ’ s Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously rejected an effort to recall Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan .
The justices issued an order saying that even if true , the allegations brought against her would not amount to “ misfeasance , malfeasance or violation of the oath of office.
” The recall effort , led by six Seattle residents , blames Durkan for the Seattle Police Department ’ s indiscriminate use of tear gas during recent antiracism and anti-police protests .
They said the use of tear gas during a respiratory pandemic was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear that officers were violating the rights of protesters and others by using tear gas , the mayor was obligated to make the department stop .
“ The allegations in this case are deeply troubling and our review requires that we treat the factual allegations as true , ” the order said .
“ Nevertheless , after carefully considering the issues presented , the court concludes that the recall charges presented in this case are factually and legally insufficient.
” Durkan had argued that the allegations amounted to a policy disagreement , not @ @ @ @ @

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington’s Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously rejected an effort to recall Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan.
The justices issued an order saying that even if true, the allegations brought against her would not amount to “misfeasance, malfeasance or violation of the oath of office.”
The recall effort, led by six Seattle residents, blames Durkan for the Seattle Police Department’s indiscriminate use of tear gas during recent antiracism and anti-police protests. They said the use of tear gas during a respiratory pandemic was dangerous, and that once it became clear that officers were violating the rights of protesters and others by using tear gas, the mayor was obligated to make the department stop.
“The allegations in this case are deeply troubling and our review requires that we treat the factual allegations as true,” the order said. “Nevertheless, after carefully considering the issues presented, the court concludes that the recall charges presented in this case are factually and legally insufficient.”
Durkan had argued that the allegations amounted to a policy disagreement, not grounds for her removal.


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Pixar's 'Soul' bypasses theaters, will stream on Christmas

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The Pixar film “ Soul ” will skip theaters and instead premiere on Disney+ on Christmas , the Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday , sending one of the fall ’ s last big movies straight to streaming .
The move , widely expected after the recent exodus of most major upcoming releases , marks one of the final dominos to fall in Hollywood ’ s disastrous autumn .
Following the exit of the James Bond film “ No Time to Die ” from November , the next big movie on the calendar is Warner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” currently set for Dec. 25 .
The successive delays of the film industry ’ s would-be blockbusters has only made the dire circumstances of movie theaters more acute .
Earlier this week , Cinemark said it would again shutter the U.S. and U.K. locations of its Regal cinemas , the country ’ s second-largest theater chain .
On Thursday , the National Association of Theatre Owners , the trade group of exhibitors , said its # SaveYourCinema campaign has flooded Congress with more than 300,000 letters .
Filmmakers including Steven Spielberg , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director Patty Jenkins have joined the campaign lobbying Congress to bring financial relief to theater owners .
Without aid , the organization said , 69 % of small and mid-sized movie theater companies will close or go bankrupt .
“ The stark reality is that many movie theaters will not be able to open again if they don ’ t receive government help , ” says Esther Baruh , director of government relations for the association .
“ This is as urgent as it gets.
” “ Soul ” will be available for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Disney last month steered “ Mulan ” to its streaming service of 60 million-plus subscribers but charged $ 30 for early access .
Disney has been hit hard by the pandemic .
It recently announced that it would lay off 28,000 workers , most of them at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim , California , and Walt Disney World in Orlando , Florida .
On Wednesday , the activist investor Daniel Loeb , founder of hedge fund Third Point , urged the company to more than double its budget for streaming content in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chapek .
Expectation had been high for “ Soul , ” directed by Pete Docter , Pixar ’ s chief creative officer and the filmmaker behind “ Up ” and “ Inside Out.
” The film , about a middle school teacher ( Jamie Foxx ) with dreams of becoming a jazz musician , was originally to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival .
Its theatrical release had been scheduled for Nov. 20 .
“ The world can be an exhausting and frustrating place – but it ’ s also full of unexpected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Docter in a statement .
“ ‘ Soul ’ investigates what ’ s really important in our lives , a question we ’ re all asking these days .
I hope it will bring some humor and fun to people at a time when everyone can surely use that .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - The Pixar film “Soul” will skip theaters and instead premiere on Disney+ on Christmas, the Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday, sending one of the fall’s last big movies straight to streaming.
The move, widely expected after the recent exodus of most major upcoming releases, marks one of the final dominos to fall in Hollywood’s disastrous autumn. Following the exit of the James Bond film “No Time to Die” from November, the next big movie on the calendar is Warner Bros.’ “Wonder Woman 1984,” currently set for Dec. 25.
The successive delays of the film industry’s would-be blockbusters has only made the dire circumstances of movie theaters more acute. Earlier this week, Cinemark said it would again shutter the U.S. and U.K. locations of its Regal cinemas, the country’s second-largest theater chain.
On Thursday, the National Association of Theatre Owners, the trade group of exhibitors, said its #SaveYourCinema campaign has flooded Congress with more than 300,000 letters. Filmmakers including Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins have joined the campaign lobbying Congress to bring financial relief to theater owners. Without aid, the organization said, 69% of small and mid-sized movie theater companies will close or go bankrupt.
“The stark reality is that many movie theaters will not be able to open again if they don’t receive government help,” says Esther Baruh, director of government relations for the association. “This is as urgent as it gets.”
“Soul” will be available for Disney+ to subscribers at no further charge. Disney last month steered “Mulan” to its streaming service of 60 million-plus subscribers but charged $30 for early access.
Disney has been hit hard by the pandemic. It recently announced that it would lay off 28,000 workers, most of them at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. On Wednesday, the activist investor Daniel Loeb, founder of hedge fund Third Point, urged the company to more than double its budget for streaming content in a letter to Disney Chief Executive Bob Chapek.
Expectation had been high for “Soul,” directed by Pete Docter, Pixar’s chief creative officer and the filmmaker behind “Up” and “Inside Out.” The film, about a middle school teacher (Jamie Foxx) with dreams of becoming a jazz musician, was originally to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Its theatrical release had been scheduled for Nov. 20.
“The world can be an exhausting and frustrating place – but it’s also full of unexpected joys, even in seemingly mundane things,” said Docter in a statement. “‘Soul’ investigates what’s really important in our lives, a question we’re all asking these days. I hope it will bring some humor and fun to people at a time when everyone can surely use that.”
___
Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyle


washingtontimes--2020-10-08--Nevada loosens 'elevated risk' definition for counties

CARSON CITY , Nev. ( AP ) - A state coronavirus task force voted Thursday to relax criteria for testing and positivity rates that counties must achieve to avoid being flagged as “ elevated risk.
” Officials acknowledged that progress in containing the coronavirus pandemic has reversed course in recent weeks , but they stressed the importance of balancing the need to gradually reopen business to avert economic disaster while preventing further spread of the virus .
“ As we open things up , we do expect numbers to go up a little bit .
We do expect there to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we were saying when there were more restrictions .
So it ’ s not entirely surprising that we ’ re seeing a small increase , ” state biostatistician Kyra Morgan said .
Since Nevada replaced its phased reopening plan with a strategy that allows local officials to submit reopening plans for approval by the task force , the state has used three criteria to flag counties for additional scrutiny .
Counties with high positivity rates , many active cases or not enough testing must present mitigation plans for approval .
The revised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 individuals per every 100,000 residents daily and maintain positivity rates less than 8 % to avoid flagging .
Previously , counties had to test 150 individuals per every 100,000 residents daily and maintain positivity rates less than 7 % .
The new criteria comes a week after Gov .
Steve Sisolak issued a directive to remove the 50-person cap on gatherings and replace it with caps based on venue size to allow concerts , conventions and churches to operate more freely .
That move prompted pushback from health officials working in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a letter wrote that the governor had excluded them from decision making and given little notice that he intended to loosen gathering restrictions .
After Washoe County , home to Reno , questioned the timing of the rule change , state officials reiterated that counties can choose to add restrictions on top of statewide minimum guidelines .
The task force flagged Washoe and Humboldt County for elevated risk on Thursday .
Washoe County Health District Officer Kevin Dick said the recent uptick in new cases reported daily coincided with the reopening of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate had grown in the 10-19 and 20-29 age brackets .
Washoe County would not approve large gatherings now allowed under state guidelines , Dick said , because it doesn ’ t have the resources to review plans and wants to see how gatherings of up to 250 people affects virus trends .
“ I understand the desire to get back to normal , but we ’ re clearly not there yet and our health infrastructure is strained , ” he said in a statement .
In Nevada , 83,827 individuals have tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic and 1,649 have died .
The state ’ s seven-day moving average for its daily positivity rate has climbed to from 6.6 % to 8.1 % since Sept. 18 .
Changed criteria did not satisfy business owners and officials from Storey and Nye County .
Brothel owners and county commissioners from both counties demanded the task force allow brothels to reopen while following statewide guidelines .
Deanna L. Forbush , an attorney representing Pahrump ’ s Chicken Ranch brothel , said preventing legal brothels from reopening was prejudicial and unconstitutional .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to skin ” businesses that have reopened , mentioning massage parlors , spas , and dentists ’ offices .
“ Just like dental professionals , our customers , employees and contractors are required to wear masks and other PPE at all times , ” she said .
She said the state wasn ’ t following through on its pledge to follow the science and claimed , if they were , brothels would open .
“ Decision-makers can not allow their own individual prejudices or moral judgments to discriminate against businesses by applying different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Storey County Commissioner Lance Gilman , who owns Mustang Ranch brothel , said there was no evidence brothel activity spread the virus more quickly than other businesses that have reopened .
He said continued closures threatened the livelihoods of brothel workers and contractors and punished an important pillar of the Storey County community .
“ We have received no feedback of any kind on why this business continues to remain closed .
It is not a business that encourages congregation or large crowds , ” he said .
Sam Metz is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - A state coronavirus task force voted Thursday to relax criteria for testing and positivity rates that counties must achieve to avoid being flagged as “elevated risk.”
Officials acknowledged that progress in containing the coronavirus pandemic has reversed course in recent weeks, but they stressed the importance of balancing the need to gradually reopen business to avert economic disaster while preventing further spread of the virus.
“As we open things up, we do expect numbers to go up a little bit. We do expect there to be a little bit more spread than what we were saying when there were more restrictions. So it’s not entirely surprising that we’re seeing a small increase,” state biostatistician Kyra Morgan said.
Since Nevada replaced its phased reopening plan with a strategy that allows local officials to submit reopening plans for approval by the task force, the state has used three criteria to flag counties for additional scrutiny. Counties with high positivity rates, many active cases or not enough testing must present mitigation plans for approval.
The revised thresholds require counties to test more than 100 individuals per every 100,000 residents daily and maintain positivity rates less than 8% to avoid flagging. Previously, counties had to test 150 individuals per every 100,000 residents daily and maintain positivity rates less than 7%.
The new criteria comes a week after Gov. Steve Sisolak issued a directive to remove the 50-person cap on gatherings and replace it with caps based on venue size to allow concerts, conventions and churches to operate more freely.
That move prompted pushback from health officials working in the state’s largest counties, who in a letter wrote that the governor had excluded them from decision making and given little notice that he intended to loosen gathering restrictions.
After Washoe County, home to Reno, questioned the timing of the rule change, state officials reiterated that counties can choose to add restrictions on top of statewide minimum guidelines.
The task force flagged Washoe and Humboldt County for elevated risk on Thursday. Washoe County Health District Officer Kevin Dick said the recent uptick in new cases reported daily coincided with the reopening of schools and universities, noting the positivity rate had grown in the 10-19 and 20-29 age brackets.
Washoe County would not approve large gatherings now allowed under state guidelines, Dick said, because it doesn’t have the resources to review plans and wants to see how gatherings of up to 250 people affects virus trends.
“I understand the desire to get back to normal, but we’re clearly not there yet and our health infrastructure is strained,” he said in a statement.
In Nevada, 83,827 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic and 1,649 have died. The state’s seven-day moving average for its daily positivity rate has climbed to from 6.6% to 8.1% since Sept. 18.
Changed criteria did not satisfy business owners and officials from Storey and Nye County. Brothel owners and county commissioners from both counties demanded the task force allow brothels to reopen while following statewide guidelines.
Deanna L. Forbush, an attorney representing Pahrump’s Chicken Ranch brothel, said preventing legal brothels from reopening was prejudicial and unconstitutional. She compared them to other “skin to skin” businesses that have reopened, mentioning massage parlors, spas, and dentists’ offices.
“Just like dental professionals, our customers, employees and contractors are required to wear masks and other PPE at all times,” she said.
She said the state wasn’t following through on its pledge to follow the science and claimed, if they were, brothels would open.
“Decision-makers cannot allow their own individual prejudices or moral judgments to discriminate against businesses by applying different standards to similar industries,” she said.
Storey County Commissioner Lance Gilman, who owns Mustang Ranch brothel, said there was no evidence brothel activity spread the virus more quickly than other businesses that have reopened. He said continued closures threatened the livelihoods of brothel workers and contractors and punished an important pillar of the Storey County community.
“We have received no feedback of any kind on why this business continues to remain closed. It is not a business that encourages congregation or large crowds,” he said.
___
Sam Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.