washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Zimbabwe bird sanctuary has 400 species, not enough tourists

HARARE , Zimbabwe ( AP ) - A fish eagle swoops over the water to grab a fish in its talons and then flies to its nest .
Nearby are a martial eagle , a black eagle , an Egyptian vulture and hundreds of other birds .
With an estimated 400 species of birds on an idyllic spot on Zimbabwe ’ s Lake Chivero , about 40 kilometers ( 25 miles ) south of Harare , the Kuimba Shiri bird sanctuary has been drawing tourists for more than 15 years .
The southern African country ’ s only bird park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land invasions and a devastating economic collapse but the outbreak of coronavirus is proving a stern test .
“ I thought I had survived the worst , but this coronavirus is something else , ” said owner Gary Strafford .
“ One-third of our visitors are from China .
They stopped coming in February … and when we were shut down in March , that was just unbelievable.
” A life-long bird enthusiast , Strafford , 62 , established the center for injured , orphaned and abandoned birds in 1992 and tourism has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s inflation rising to over 750 % , tourism establishments are battling a vicious economic downturn worsened by the new coronavirus travel restrictions .
Zimbabwe ’ s tourism was already facing problems .
The country recorded just over 2 million visitors in 2019 , an 11 % decline from the previous year , according to official figures .
However , tourism remained one of the country ’ s biggest foreign currency earners , along with minerals and tobacco .
Now tourism “ is dead because of coronavirus , ” said Tinashe Farawo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s national parks agency .
National parks and other animal sanctuaries such as Kuimba Shiri are battling to stay afloat , he said .
“ We are in trouble .
All along we have been relying on tourism to fund our conservation … now what do we do ?
” he asked .
Kuimba Shiri , which means singing bird in Zimbabwe ’ s Shona language , was closed for more than three months .
It ’ s the longest time the bird sanctuary , located in one of the global sites protected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been shut .
On a recent weekday , the only sound of life at the place usually teeming with children on school trips was that of singing birds perched on the edges of large enclosures .
Horses , zebras and sheep fed on grass and weeds on the lakeshore .
A parrot standing on a flower pot at the entrance repeatedly shouted “ Hello !
” “ He misses people , especially the children , ” said Strafford , who established Kuimba Shiri on the 30-acre spot on Chivero , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is home to many rare species including falcons , flamingos and vultures .
“ This place is a dream place for me , ” he said .
Things turned nightmarish however when then president , the late Robert Mugabe , launched an often-violent land redistribution program in which farms owned by whites were seized for redistribution to landless Blacks in 2000 .
Animal sanctuaries were not spared and Kuimba Shiri was targeted “ 30 to 40 times , ” said Strafford .
Eventually , the sanctuary was endorsed by Mugabe and returned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Zimbabwe ’ s economy collapsed as hyperinflation reached 500 billion percent , according to the International Monetary Fund .
The sanctuary struggled to make ends meet .
Many birds starved to death while those that could fend for themselves were released into the wild .
“ We sold our vehicles and a tractor to feed the birds .
When it really got desperate we had to kill our horses , ” he said .
Now , a decade later , Strafford is again being forced to sell some items as coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A land excavator , a boat , a truck , a tractor and sheep are among the items he hopes to urgently sell .
But there is some hope .
As Zimbabwe relaxes some of its restrictions , the sanctuary is now able to open to limited numbers of visitors .
On a recent weekend , Strafford displayed the talents of his trained falcons and other raptors to a small group for the first time since March .
Strafford enthusiastically described the various traits of the birds and supervised as a barn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s gloved hand .
“ Everything got to start afresh , ” he said after the show .
“ I have started training the birds again .
We are beginning to fly again !
”

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - A fish eagle swoops over the water to grab a fish in its talons and then flies to its nest.
Nearby are a martial eagle, a black eagle, an Egyptian vulture and hundreds of other birds. With an estimated 400 species of birds on an idyllic spot on Zimbabwe’s Lake Chivero, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Harare, the Kuimba Shiri bird sanctuary has been drawing tourists for more than 15 years.
The southern African country’s only bird park has survived tumultuous times, including violent land invasions and a devastating economic collapse but the outbreak of coronavirus is proving a stern test.
“I thought I had survived the worst, but this coronavirus is something else,” said owner Gary Strafford. “One-third of our visitors are from China. They stopped coming in February … and when we were shut down in March, that was just unbelievable.”
A life-long bird enthusiast, Strafford, 62, established the center for injured, orphaned and abandoned birds in 1992 and tourism has kept the park going.
With Zimbabwe’s inflation rising to over 750%, tourism establishments are battling a vicious economic downturn worsened by the new coronavirus travel restrictions.
Zimbabwe’s tourism was already facing problems. The country recorded just over 2 million visitors in 2019, an 11% decline from the previous year, according to official figures. However, tourism remained one of the country’s biggest foreign currency earners, along with minerals and tobacco.
Now tourism “is dead because of coronavirus,” said Tinashe Farawo, the spokesman for the country’s national parks agency. National parks and other animal sanctuaries such as Kuimba Shiri are battling to stay afloat, he said.
“We are in trouble. All along we have been relying on tourism to fund our conservation … now what do we do?” he asked.
Kuimba Shiri, which means singing bird in Zimbabwe’s Shona language, was closed for more than three months. It’s the longest time the bird sanctuary, located in one of the global sites protected under the United Nations Convention on Wetlands, has been shut.
On a recent weekday, the only sound of life at the place usually teeming with children on school trips was that of singing birds perched on the edges of large enclosures. Horses, zebras and sheep fed on grass and weeds on the lakeshore.
A parrot standing on a flower pot at the entrance repeatedly shouted “Hello!”
“He misses people, especially the children,” said Strafford, who established Kuimba Shiri on the 30-acre spot on Chivero, the main reservoir for Harare. Now it is home to many rare species including falcons, flamingos and vultures.
“This place is a dream place for me,” he said.
Things turned nightmarish however when then president, the late Robert Mugabe, launched an often-violent land redistribution program in which farms owned by whites were seized for redistribution to landless Blacks in 2000.
Animal sanctuaries were not spared and Kuimba Shiri was targeted “30 to 40 times,” said Strafford. Eventually, the sanctuary was endorsed by Mugabe and returned to a measure of stability.
In 2009, Zimbabwe’s economy collapsed as hyperinflation reached 500 billion percent, according to the International Monetary Fund. The sanctuary struggled to make ends meet. Many birds starved to death while those that could fend for themselves were released into the wild.
“We sold our vehicles and a tractor to feed the birds. When it really got desperate we had to kill our horses,” he said.
Now, a decade later, Strafford is again being forced to sell some items as coronavirus and a new economic crisis take their toll. A land excavator, a boat, a truck, a tractor and sheep are among the items he hopes to urgently sell.
But there is some hope. As Zimbabwe relaxes some of its restrictions, the sanctuary is now able to open to limited numbers of visitors.
On a recent weekend, Strafford displayed the talents of his trained falcons and other raptors to a small group for the first time since March.
Strafford enthusiastically described the various traits of the birds and supervised as a barn owl perched on a 5-year-old boy’s gloved hand.
“Everything got to start afresh,” he said after the show. “I have started training the birds again. We are beginning to fly again!”


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Asia Today: No masks on red carpet as Taiwan logs few cases

TAIPEI , Taiwan ( AP ) - Taiwan wrapped up an annual film festival with an awards ceremony Saturday night as it holds more public events after keeping its coronavirus outbreak to a few hundred cases .
Actors and others lined up for photo shoots with no social distancing , and participants didn ’ t wear masks in historic Zhongshan Hall in Taipei .
Taiwan , with a population of about 23 million people , has had 451 confirmed cases and seven deaths .
A baseball game in the city of Taichung on Saturday drew more than 10,000 fans for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official Central News Agency said .
Health authorities said last week that fans would be allowed to sit in alternate seats and no longer would have to wear masks , except when leaving their seats .
The horror film “ Detention , ” set during martial law in Taiwan in the 1960s , was the biggest winner at the Taipei Film Festival , taking six awards including the Grand Prize and Best Actress for 22-year-old Gingle Wang .
Chang Jung-chi , the Best Director winner for “ We Are Champions , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow down his work .
“ This comes to me like a friend patting my shoulder and saying , ‘ Hang in there , ’ ” he said .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : - Australia ’ s worst-hit Victoria state reported 273 new cases on Sunday , the sixth straight-day of triple-digit increases .
State Premier Daniel Andrews said a man in his 70s died overnight , bringing Australia ’ s death toll to 108 , including 24 in Victoria , which currently has 1,484 active cases .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record 288 infections on Friday and 216 Saturday .
Australia ’ s most populous state New South Wales reported five new cases on Saturday .
Andrews warned Victorians “ this is a dangerous time.
” The major city of Melbourne is in virtual lockdown and Andrews said “ we simply have no choice but to acknowledge the reality that we face and to do what must be done .
That is to follow ( the ) rules , to only go out when you need to and to only go out for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight health care workers at Melbourne ’ s Alfred Hospital have tested positive for the virus .
Hospital authorities said five of the cases are not linked and are believed to have been acquired through the community .
Three workers deemed close contacts also tested positive .
Follow all of AP ’ s pandemic coverage at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - Taiwan wrapped up an annual film festival with an awards ceremony Saturday night, as the island holds more public events after keeping its coronavirus outbreak to a few hundred cases.
Actors and others lined up for photo shoots with no social distancing, and participants didn’t wear masks in historic Zhongshan Hall in Taipei. Taiwan, with a population of about 23 million people, has had 451 confirmed cases and seven deaths.
A baseball game in the city of Taichung on Saturday drew more than 10,000 fans for the first time this season, the official Central News Agency said. Health authorities said last month that fans would be allowed to sit in alternate seats and no longer would have to wear masks, except when leaving their seats. Authorities have been gradually allowing larger crowds since play began in April with no fans.
The horror film “Detention,” set during martial law in Taiwan in the 1960s, was the biggest winner at the Taipei Film Festival, taking six awards including the Grand Prize and Best Actress for 22-year-old Gingle Wang.
Chang Jung-chi, the Best Director winner for “We Are Champions,” said the virus outbreak had forced him to slow down his work. “This comes to me like a friend patting my shoulder and saying, ‘Hang in there,’ ” he said.
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:
- Australia’s worst-hit Victoria state reported 273 new cases on Sunday, the sixth straight day of triple-digit increases. State Premier Daniel Andrews said a man in his 70s died overnight, bringing Australia’s death toll to 108, including 24 in Victoria, which currently has 1,484 active cases. A sudden surge in COVID-19 saw Victoria report a record 288 infections on Friday and 216 Saturday. Australia’s most populous state New South Wales reported five new cases on Saturday. Andrews warned Victorians “this is a dangerous time.” The major city of Melbourne is in virtual lockdown and Andrews said “we simply have no choice but to acknowledge the reality that we face and to do what must be done. That is to follow (the) rules, to only go out when you need to and to only go out for purposes that are lawful.” Meanwhile, eight health care workers at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital have tested positive for the virus. Hospital authorities said five of the cases are not linked and are believed to have been acquired through the community. Three workers deemed close contacts also tested positive.
- India’s coronavirus caseload was nearing 850,000 with a record surge of 28,637 in the past 24 hours, prompting authorities to announce a weeklong lockdown in the key southern technology hub of Bangalore. The new confirmed cases took the national total to 849,553. The Health Ministry on Sunday also reported another 551 deaths for a total of 22,674. India has overtaken Russia in the number of cases and is currently behind the United States and Brazil, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Southern Karnataka state, whose IT hub Bangalore is home to Microsoft, Apple and Amazon offices, extended Sunday lockdowns to one week beginning Tuesday. New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Pune are among the key Indian cities witnessing a surge in infections. Several states also have announced stringent lockdowns in high-risk areas.
- South Korea reported 44 new cases, maintaining an uptick in new infections in the greater Seoul area and central cities. The additional figures released Sunday took the country’s total to 13,417 with 289 deaths. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 21 of the newly reported cases were local transmissions, all of them recorded either in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area or two central cities. The agency says the 23 other cases were linked to international arrivals. South Korea has been reporting roughly 30-60 cases every day since it eased social distancing rules in early May.
- Chinese health authorities on Sunday reported seven new coronavirus cases that they said came from abroad and said there were no additional domestic infections. Four of the confirmed cases reported in the 24 hours through midnight Saturday were in Tianjin, east of Beijing, two in Shanghai and one in the southeastern province of Zhejiang, the National Health Commission reported. That raised China’s total number of confirmed cases to 83,594, with 4,634 deaths, according to the NHC.
- The premier of Australia’s most populous state has called on staff and patrons of a popular Sydney pub to self-isolate for 14 days and test for COVID-19 after a staff member was confirmed on Sunday to be infected. More than 1,000 people visited the venue in the week between July 3 and 10 when the 18-year-old staff member was present. Six cases are now linked to the hotel - three who visited on July 3 and three contacts of one of those cases. Health officials fear the pub will become the source of a new outbreak in New South Wales, which had mostly suppressed community transmission of the coronavirus, recording only five new cases on Saturday. New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian said her state was “literally at a crossroads” in its effort to control spread. “We have literally the next few weeks to continue on the strong path we’ve been on, otherwise we will go down the path of Victoria,” Berejiklian said. She was referring to Victoria state, which recorded 273 new infections Sunday, its sixth-straight day of triple-digit increases.
___
Follow all of AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--US Navy welcomes 1st Black female Tactical Aircraft pilot

KINGSVILLE , Texas ( AP ) - The U.S. Navy has welcomed its first Black female Tactical Aircraft pilot .
@ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Navy tweeted Thursday in response to a post that Lt. j.g .
Madeline @ @ @ @ @ school and would later this month receive the flight officer insignia known as the “ @ @ @ @ @ Naval Air Training Command tweeted that Swegle is the Navy ’ s “ first known @ @ @ @ @ According to Stars and Stripes , Swegle is from Burke , Virginia , and graduated @ @ @ @ @ Academy in 2017 .
Officials said she is assigned to the Redhawks of Training Squadron @ @ @ @ @ .
Swegle ’ s milestone comes more than 45 years after Rosemary Mariner in 1974 @ @ @ @ @ fly a tactical fighter jet , according to news outlets .

KINGSVILLE, Texas (AP) - The U.S. Navy has welcomed its first Black female Tactical Aircraft pilot.
“MAKING HISTORY!” the U.S. Navy tweeted Thursday in response to a post that Lt. j.g. Madeline Swegle had completed naval flight school and would later this month receive the flight officer insignia known as the “Wings of Gold.”
The Naval Air Training Command tweeted that Swegle is the Navy’s “first known Black female TACAIR pilot.”
According to Stars and Stripes, Swegle is from Burke, Virginia, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2017.
Officials said she is assigned to the Redhawks of Training Squadron 21 in Kingsville, Texas.
Swegle’s milestone comes more than 45 years after Rosemary Mariner in 1974 became the first woman to fly a tactical fighter jet, according to news outlets.


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--National Weather Service confirms tornado touchdown in Maine

HIRAM , Maine ( AP ) - A tornado that touched down in Maine on Saturday afternoon caused tree damage @ @ @ @ @ off a building , the National Weather Service said .
No fatalities or injuries were @ @ @ @ @ by the NWS office in Gray , Maine .
The tornado touched down around 3:30 @ @ @ @ @ in southwestern Maine ’ s Oxford County , and continued to Sebago in Cumberland County @ @ @ @ @ an estimated maximum wind speed of 80 mph ( 130 kph ) and traveled along @ @ @ @ @ ) path .
Hiram is about 12 miles ( 20 kilometers ) east of the @ @ @ @ @ less than 40 miles ( 65 kilometers ) northwest of Portland .
That region of @ @ @ @ @ severe thunderstorm warnings at the time .

HIRAM, Maine (AP) - A tornado that touched down in Maine on Saturday afternoon caused tree damage and ripped a tin roof off a building, the National Weather Service said.
No fatalities or injuries were reported in the statement issued by the NWS office in Gray, Maine. The tornado touched down around 3:30 p.m. in Hiram, located in southwestern Maine’s Oxford County, and continued to Sebago in Cumberland County.
The EF0 tornado had an estimated maximum wind speed of 80 mph (130 kph) and traveled along a nearly 5-mile-long (8-kilometer-long) path.
Hiram is about 12 miles (20 kilometers) east of the New Hampshire state line and less than 40 miles (65 kilometers) northwest of Portland. That region of Maine was under tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings at the time.
The National Weather Service’s findings are preliminary.


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Judge: Petition to recall Seattle mayor can move forward

SEATTLE ( AP ) - A King County Superior Court judge has approved a petition for an election to recall Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan .
The Seattle Times reports the ruling Friday on charges filed by a group of five people last month comes after weeks of local protests against racism and police brutality - sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Once any recall petition is approved , signatures are needed to qualify for a special election ballot .
The petitioners must , within 180 days , collect valid signatures from a number of voters equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the last election .
In this case , signatures from more than 50,000 Seattle voters would be needed .
The Durkan petitioners ’ recall effort accuses the mayor of “ endanger ( ing ) the peace and safety of the community ” by allowing police to “ leak false information about fabricated crimes and threats to the media ” and issuing a citywide curfew without sufficient notice to the public .
The petitioners also accused Durkan of restricting certain property rights in downtown Seattle and Capitol Hill , the neighborhood where many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a response Saturday , Durkan ’ s chief of staff , Stephanie Formas , said the mayor “ consistently has acted to protect the City ’ s public health and safety and to respect the constitutional rights to peaceful protesters.
” In her ruling Friday , Judge Mary E. Roberts dismissed six of the seven charges put forward as “ insufficient , ” but allowed one - which accuses Durkan of allowing tear gas and other crowd control weapons to be used during the coronavirus pandemic - to proceed “ more narrowly than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on whether the allegation was true .
“ This court ’ s role in this case is limited , ” she wrote .
The mayor could appeal the ruling , but Formas did not say if she would .

SEATTLE (AP) - A King County Superior Court judge has approved a petition for an election to recall Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan.
The Seattle Times reports the ruling Friday on charges filed by a group of five people last month comes after weeks of local protests against racism and police brutality - sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Once any recall petition is approved, signatures are needed to qualify for a special election ballot. The petitioners must, within 180 days, collect valid signatures from a number of voters equal to 25% of the votes cast in the last election. In this case, signatures from more than 50,000 Seattle voters would be needed.
The Durkan petitioners’ recall effort accuses the mayor of “endanger(ing) the peace and safety of the community” by allowing police to “leak false information about fabricated crimes and threats to the media” and issuing a citywide curfew without sufficient notice to the public. The petitioners also accused Durkan of restricting certain property rights in downtown Seattle and Capitol Hill, the neighborhood where many of the protests took place.
In a response Saturday, Durkan’s chief of staff, Stephanie Formas, said the mayor “consistently has acted to protect the City’s public health and safety and to respect the constitutional rights to peaceful protesters.”
In her ruling Friday, Judge Mary E. Roberts dismissed six of the seven charges put forward as “insufficient,” but allowed one - which accuses Durkan of allowing tear gas and other crowd control weapons to be used during the coronavirus pandemic - to proceed “more narrowly than alleged.”
The judge did not rule on whether the allegation was true. “This court’s role in this case is limited,” she wrote.
The mayor could appeal the ruling, but Formas did not say if she would.


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Albert Pujols heads into 20th big league season healthy

ANAHEIM , Calif. ( AP ) - Albert Pujols ‘ 20th season in the majors is about to begin with the Los Angeles Angels .
When it does , the 40-year-old slugger is likely to be the oldest player in the big leagues .
Although time has chipped away at Pujols ’ mountainous talent , he has never believed his advancing age will prevent him from putting up more big numbers on the diamond .
His recent years of diminishing overall production have been counterbalanced by still-steady power numbers , and they have done nothing to hurt his confidence - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season with big plans .
After struggling through injuries that slowed him earlier in his 10-year contract with the Angels , the three-time MVP is feeling better than he has in years as he heads into the ninth season of that mammoth $ 240 million deal .
He fervently hopes this will be the year when the Angels finally get their first playoff victories of his tenure .
“ When you don ’ t have that hunger and that joy and that passion coming to the ballpark and hanging out with your teammates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away , ” Pujols said Saturday .
“ The game will let you know .
But I still feel like I was in 2001 with the Cardinals , when I came to camp to make that ballclub .
I still have that hunger and that desire.
” Pujols is still a key component of the Angels ’ lineup even though his West Coast numbers have never reached his St. Louis prime .
He is eager to build on last season , when his 23 homers gave him 656 for his career , putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) for fifth place in baseball history .
Pujols believes he can do it because he ’ s healthy .
He is nearly two years removed from three surgeries that were necessary after the 2018 campaign .
“ Being healthy brought me more joy for the game , ” he said .
“ Talk to any athlete , and you start going through injuries and tough parts of your career , and you start doubting yourself .
When you stay healthy like I have , it ’ s like , ‘ Wow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 and in my 30s.
’ ” Pujols is likely to be the Angels ’ regular first baseman , according to new manager Joe Maddon , who understands both Pujols ‘ limitations and exceptional qualities .
“ He is definitely a Level 5 , ‘ All I want to do is win ’ guy , ” Maddon said .
“ He has been there , done that before .
I ’ m watching him hustle on and off the field , running to first base , ( and ) to say he gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gotten it for so many years.
” Pujols believes he can stay healthy while pushing himself to the limit in a shortened season , realizing the importance of every at-bat in this truncated time frame .
Although he has never been a particularly fast starter , with his career batting average in April ranking as the worst of any month in his career ( .280 ) , he doesn ’ t feel like he ’ s starting cold this season at the height of summer .
“ Right out of the gate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ You don ’ t have a lot of games to wake up .
It ’ s a short season .
… I think you need to take every day , every game like it ’ s the last game of your life , pretty much.
” Pujols received widespread praise earlier in the pandemic when he agreed to pay the salaries of the Angels ’ staffers in the Dominican Republic for five months .
The Angels have been particularly aggressive among major league clubs in cutting expenses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees .
Pujols said he didn ’ t write the check to earn praise , or because it was for his fellow Dominicans .
“ I felt in my heart that I was capable to help those people , ” Pujols said .
“ It ’ s something that I felt was needed .
”

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Albert Pujols’ 20th season in the majors is about to begin with the Los Angeles Angels. When it does, the 40-year-old slugger is likely to be the oldest player in the big leagues.
Although time has chipped away at Pujols’ mountainous talent, he has never believed his advancing age will prevent him from putting up more big numbers on the diamond. His recent years of diminishing overall production have been counterbalanced by still-steady power numbers, and they have done nothing to hurt his confidence - particularly as he heads into this short season with big plans.
After struggling through injuries that slowed him earlier in his 10-year contract with the Angels, the three-time MVP is feeling better than he has in years as he heads into the ninth season of that mammoth $240 million deal. He fervently hopes this will be the year when the Angels finally get their first playoff victories of his tenure.
“When you don’t have that hunger and that joy and that passion coming to the ballpark and hanging out with your teammates, that’s when you walk away,” Pujols said Saturday. “The game will let you know. But I still feel like I was in 2001 with the Cardinals, when I came to camp to make that ballclub. I still have that hunger and that desire.”
Pujols is still a key component of the Angels’ lineup even though his West Coast numbers have never reached his St. Louis prime. He is eager to build on last season, when his 23 homers gave him 656 for his career, putting him just behind Willie Mays (660) for fifth place in baseball history.
Pujols believes he can do it because he’s healthy. He is nearly two years removed from three surgeries that were necessary after the 2018 campaign.
“Being healthy brought me more joy for the game,” he said. “Talk to any athlete, and you start going through injuries and tough parts of your career, and you start doubting yourself. When you stay healthy like I have, it’s like, ‘Wow, this how it felt when I was 25 and in my 30s.’”
Pujols is likely to be the Angels’ regular first baseman, according to new manager Joe Maddon, who understands both Pujols’ limitations and exceptional qualities.
“He is definitely a Level 5, ‘All I want to do is win’ guy,” Maddon said. “He has been there, done that before. I’m watching him hustle on and off the field, running to first base, (and) to say he gets it is ridiculous. He’s gotten it for so many years.”
Pujols believes he can stay healthy while pushing himself to the limit in a shortened season, realizing the importance of every at-bat in this truncated time frame. Although he has never been a particularly fast starter, with his career batting average in April ranking as the worst of any month in his career (.280), he doesn’t feel like he’s starting cold this season at the height of summer.
“Right out of the gate, you need to be ready to go,” he said. “You don’t have a lot of games to wake up. It’s a short season. … I think you need to take every day, every game like it’s the last game of your life, pretty much.”
Pujols received widespread praise earlier in the pandemic when he agreed to pay the salaries of the Angels’ staffers in the Dominican Republic for five months. The Angels have been particularly aggressive among major league clubs in cutting expenses during the pandemic by furloughing or dropping employees.
Pujols said he didn’t write the check to earn praise, or because it was for his fellow Dominicans.
“I felt in my heart that I was capable to help those people,” Pujols said. “It’s something that I felt was needed.”
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Nevada Legislature pumps brakes after COVID-19 case reported

CARSON CITY , Nev. ( AP ) - Nevada lawmakers pumped the brakes on their emergency special session Saturday , a day after someone in the legislative building tested positive for COVID-19 .
After four days of interrogating finance officials , school districts and state agency leaders , both chambers decided to reconvene Monday morning to give individuals time to get tested and staff members time to answer a long list of questions that lawmakers have asked in hearings .
The Legislature enjoyed full attendance in the early days of Nevada ’ s special session , which Gov .
Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state budget amid a projected $ 1.2 billion shortfall stemming from the coronavirus pandemic .
A day after staff announced an asymptomatic individual who had been in the legislative building had tested positive , 13 Nevada lawmakers chose to participate remotely in the proceedings .
The group of lawmakers , which included 12 Democrats and one Republican , participated in hearings on bills to balance Nevada ’ s budget remotely , which they were able to do after both chambers suspended requirements for in-person voting at the start of the session amid Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard testimony about bills that would require state workers to accept salary freezes and routine furloughs and require mining businesses to submit taxes ahead of schedule .
It remains unclear the extent to which Democratic leaders in the Senate and Assembly are considering raising taxes to plug Nevada ’ s $ 1.2 billion budget hole .
Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson , D-Las Vegas , said Thursday he and Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro , D-Las Vegas , had discussed seeking new revenue with Gov .
Steve Sisolak and their Republican counterparts .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not include a tax increase .
Instead , lawmakers propose using a combination of reserve funds , federal relief dollars and targeted cuts to compensate for a projected $ 1.16 billion revenue shortfall .
Cuts proposed would reduce funding for K-12 education - including for programs that support literacy and career development - by $ 157 million and for higher education by $ 110 million .
They would cut $ 233 million from the Department of Health and Human Services through cutting funding for mental health programs , limiting services and reducing reimbursement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures .
In the state Senate , lawmakers heard testimony about collecting taxes from mining businesses early , much like they did after the Great Recession .
Left-leaning activists hoping to stave off cuts to healthcare and education have targeted the mining industry and pushed lawmakers to pursue policies more aggressive than accelerating tax schedules .
In the Assembly , lawmakers heard public comment from state workers opposed to a bill that would freeze their salaries and require them to take one-day-per-month furloughs .
The action would save a projected $ 66 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment on the bill said they and many of their colleagues were still reeling from cuts put in place after the Great Recession and shouldn ’ t bear the brunt of the state ’ s budget woes .
The Assembly questioned Clark County Education Association President John Vellardita over an amendment to an education funding bill .
The amendment would allow large districts like Clark County , home to Las Vegas , to carry over dollars to shore up reductions to programs that support students in underperforming schools .
Lawmakers were skeptical about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because Clark County Superintendent Jesus Jara said it wasn ’ t necessary .
Vellardita said if lawmakers can ’ t pass bills to provide additional revenue , schools should be able to carry over unspent funds from prior years and allocate them to compensate for program cuts .
“ This is not a bill about a clawback for the Clark County school district to secure money for schools , ” Vellardita said .
“ This is really about - given the circumstances , with no revenue , with these cuts that look like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - doing the right thing for the most disadvantaged kids.
” Assemblywoman Maggie Carlton , D-Las Vegas , said passing a bill specifically for Clark County amid a statewide budget crisis didn ’ t make sense .
“ If we can ’ t come up with a comprehensive solution to address everything in this state , then I don ’ t think it would be fair to the kids in the other 16 counties , ” she said .
Sam Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Nevada lawmakers pumped the brakes on their emergency special session Saturday, a day after someone in the legislative building tested positive for COVID-19.
After four days of interrogating finance officials, school districts and state agency leaders, both chambers decided to reconvene Monday morning to give individuals time to get tested and staff members time to answer a long list of questions that lawmakers have asked in hearings.
The Legislature enjoyed full attendance in the early days of Nevada’s special session, which Gov. Steve Sisolak convened so lawmakers could balance the state budget amid a projected $1.2 billion shortfall stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
A day after staff announced an asymptomatic individual who had been in the legislative building had tested positive, 13 Nevada lawmakers chose to participate remotely in the proceedings.
The group of lawmakers, which included 12 Democrats and one Republican, participated in hearings on bills to balance Nevada’s budget remotely, which they were able to do after both chambers suspended requirements for in-person voting at the start of the session amid Republican objections.
The state Senate and Assembly heard testimony about bills that would require state workers to accept salary freezes and routine furloughs and require mining businesses to submit taxes ahead of schedule.
It remains unclear the extent to which Democratic leaders in the Senate and Assembly are considering raising taxes to plug Nevada’s $1.2 billion budget hole.
Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson, D-Las Vegas, said Thursday he and Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, D-Las Vegas, had discussed seeking new revenue with Gov. Steve Sisolak and their Republican counterparts.
The budget bills put forth thus far do not include a tax increase. Instead, lawmakers propose using a combination of reserve funds, federal relief dollars and targeted cuts to compensate for a projected $1.16 billion revenue shortfall.
Cuts proposed would reduce funding for K-12 education - including for programs that support literacy and career development - by $157 million and for higher education by $110 million. They would cut $233 million from the Department of Health and Human Services through cutting funding for mental health programs, limiting services and reducing reimbursement rates for Medicaid recipients, and other measures.
In the state Senate, lawmakers heard testimony about collecting taxes from mining businesses early, much like they did after the Great Recession. Left-leaning activists hoping to stave off cuts to healthcare and education have targeted the mining industry and pushed lawmakers to pursue policies more aggressive than accelerating tax schedules.
In the Assembly, lawmakers heard public comment from state workers opposed to a bill that would freeze their salaries and require them to take one-day-per-month furloughs.
The action would save a projected $66 million. State workers who called in to comment on the bill said they and many of their colleagues were still reeling from cuts put in place after the Great Recession and shouldn’t bear the brunt of the state’s budget woes.
The Assembly questioned Clark County Education Association President John Vellardita over an amendment to an education funding bill. The amendment would allow large districts like Clark County, home to Las Vegas, to carry over dollars to shore up reductions to programs that support students in underperforming schools.
Lawmakers were skeptical about the union’s proposal, particularly because Clark County Superintendent Jesus Jara said it wasn’t necessary. Vellardita said if lawmakers can’t pass bills to provide additional revenue, schools should be able to carry over unspent funds from prior years and allocate them to compensate for program cuts.
“This is not a bill about a clawback for the Clark County school district to secure money for schools,” Vellardita said. “This is really about - given the circumstances, with no revenue, with these cuts that look like they’re going to be passed - doing the right thing for the most disadvantaged kids.”
Assemblywoman Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, said passing a bill specifically for Clark County amid a statewide budget crisis didn’t make sense. “If we can’t come up with a comprehensive solution to address everything in this state, then I don’t think it would be fair to the kids in the other 16 counties,” she 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.


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--2 officers killed in shootout in south Texas border town

MCALLEN , Texas ( AP ) - Two police officers were shot and killed Saturday in a South Texas border town after reportedly responding to a disturbance call , authorities said .
The McAllen police officers were shot on the south side of the city and transported to an area hospital , said Lt. Christopher Olivarez , spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety .
A suspect in the shooting was also shot , though that person ’ s condition was not immediately available .
“ We have lost two brave public servants who sought only to keep peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Victor Rodriguez told The ( McAllen ) Monitor .
Olivarez said DPS sent troopers to secure the scene after the McAllen Police Department requested their assistance .
He said his agency received a call about the incident around 4:30 p.m. McAllen is located at the southern tip of Texas , about 70 miles ( 113 kilometers ) west of the Gulf of Mexico Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton tweeted that his office will provide the McAllen Police Department with any help needed .
“ Our prayers and full support are with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CityofMcAllen PD this evening , ” the tweet read .
“ We are grateful for police in McAllen and around this great state.
” U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen said in a statement that receiving news of the two officers ’ deaths was “ devastating.
” “ This is devastating news to our community .
My heart breaks for these fallen officers and their families , ” Gonzalez said .
“ They served McAllen bravely and honorably and I will keep them in my prayers.
” An investigation is ongoing .
No @ @ @ @ @ @

MCALLEN, Texas (AP) - Two police officers were shot and killed Saturday by a suspect who later fatally shot himself in a South Texas border town after responding to a domestic disturbance call, authorities said.
McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez identified the slain officers as Edelmiro Garza, 45, and Ismael Chavez, 39. Garza was an officer with the police department for more than eight years while Chavez had over two years of experience.
“We have lost two brave public servants who sought only to keep peace in our City,” Rodriguez, visibly distraught, told The (McAllen) Monitor.
The officers first met with two people who reported assaults that took place inside a nearby home on the south side of McAllen around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Rodriguez said. But the alleged shooter, whom police identified as 23-year-old Audon Ignacio Camarillo, opened fire when officers attempted to enter the home.
“They were doing their job. That is what they were supposed to do. The person was a suspect of the incident, met our officers at the door, and shot at both officers,” Rodriguez said. “Both officers suffered fatal wounds, they have both passed away as a result. The officers never had a chance to suspect deadly assault on them, much less death.”
Camarillo shot and killed himself shortly after opening fire on the officers, Rodriguez said, adding that the suspect hid behind a vehicle after other officers responded to the scene. Camarillo had a few run-ins with police beginning in 2016 to his most recent arrest last month on assault charges, according to public records.
More details surrounding the domestic disturbance Garza and Chavez responded to were not immediately known. Rodriguez said the attack happened suddenly and fellow police officers didn’t learn of the officers’ deaths until arriving to the area moments later.
Rodriguez said he doesn’t expect his department to get over the deaths of their fellow officers anytime soon.
“The next few days for us, moving forward as well, will be very, very difficult, for ourselves at the department and at the city of McAllen, but our strength will get us through,” the chief said. “We gather our strength from our police officers, and we gather our strengths from our colleagues, as you can see here.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who spoke with Rodriguez, offered the full backing of the state and expressed his support via social media.
“Two of our finest were killed in the line of duty while working to protect residents in their community,” Abbott wrote on Twitter. “We unite to #BackTheBlue.”
Lt. Christopher Olivarez, spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, said DPS was among the agencies assisting McAllen police on Saturday.
Olivarez noted that DPS sent troopers to secure the scene after the McAllen Police Department requested their assistance. He said his agency received a call about the incident around 4:30 p.m.
McAllen is located at the southern tip of Texas, about 70 miles (113 kilometers) west of the Gulf of Mexico.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton tweeted that his office will provide the McAllen Police Department with any help needed.
“Our prayers and full support are with the valiant men and women of the #CityofMcAllen PD this evening,” the tweet read. “We are grateful for police in McAllen and around this great state.”
U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen said in a statement that receiving news of the two officers’ deaths was “devastating.”
“This is devastating news to our community. My heart breaks for these fallen officers and their families,” Gonzalez said. “They served McAllen bravely and honorably and I will keep them in my prayers.”
Rodriguez said that while the police are “weakened for the moment,” he expects a resilient law enforcement community to stand tall and persevere through it.
“The strength and the resolve we have to serve our communities, all of us here, will allow us to do what we do every day,” Rodriguez said.
Law enforcement from several cities in Hidalgo County gathered Saturday evening at McAllen Medical to honor Garza and Chavez. More than 50 police cars were part of a procession that accompanied the bodies of the officers, who were taken to Hidalgo County pathology for an autopsy.


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Highly rated California nursing home hit hard by coronavirus

SAN RAFAEL , Calif. ( AP ) - A Northern California nursing home hit hard by a deadly coronavirus outbreak is a highly rated facility .
But even with a good track record , it wasn ’ t prepared to combat the coronavirus when it arrived .
At least 17 people died and dozens of staff members got infected after a housekeeping employee tested positive April 2 and was the first confirmed to have the virus at Stollwood Convalescent Hospital , a nonprofit nursing home in Woodland that received high marks from inspectors and a national accreditation bureau , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deadliest nursing home outbreak in Northern California and among the worst COVID-19 clusters in the state .
“ We put him there thinking he would be safe , ” said Donna Scully , whose 71-year-old father was the fifth person at the facility to have died from COVID-19 complications .
“ And he wasn ’ t. ” Interviews and emails reviewed by the newspaper reveal nursing home and county health officials struggled behind the scenes to curb the virus .
The documents detail a frantic , sometimes slapdash effort to ramp up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out ever-changing rules from California ’ s health department .
For most people , COVID-19 causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
Although the outbreak at Stollwood seems over - no one has died in more than a month - CEO Sean Beloud said he still struggles to understand how the virus found its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the staff followed every guideline that was put forth to prevent the spread of the disease .
“ This virus will find its way into the facilities , ” he said .
“ No matter what precautions you have.
” In other news related to the coronavirus outbreak in California : - The statewide death toll was approaching 7,000 .
As of Saturday , the California Department of Public Health reported 6,945 deaths .
Daily death totals have begun to increase after a month of spiking cases and hospitalizations .
- Five people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a San Rafael skilled nursing facility struck with a coronavirus outbreak , the department said .
Marin County ’ s health officer said during a Friday virtual town hall that most of the county ’ s nursing home outbreaks occurred because staff members who aren ’ t displaying symptoms brought the virus into the facility .
“ Because staff are bringing these infections in - many are asymptomatic - ultimately the solution is for all of us to do our part to limit transmission within our lives , ” he said .

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (AP) - A Northern California nursing home hit hard by a deadly coronavirus outbreak is a highly rated facility. But even with a good track record, it wasn’t prepared to combat the coronavirus when it arrived.
At least 17 people died and dozens of staff members got infected after a housekeeping employee tested positive April 2 and was the first confirmed to have the virus at Stollwood Convalescent Hospital, a nonprofit nursing home in Woodland that received high marks from inspectors and a national accreditation bureau, the Sacramento Bee reported Saturday.
It is the deadliest nursing home outbreak in Northern California and among the worst COVID-19 clusters in the state.
“We put him there thinking he would be safe,” said Donna Scully, whose 71-year-old father was the fifth person at the facility to have died from COVID-19 complications. “And he wasn’t.”
Interviews and emails reviewed by the newspaper reveal nursing home and county health officials struggled behind the scenes to curb the virus. The documents detail a frantic, sometimes slapdash effort to ramp up testing at the nursing home and roll out ever-changing rules from California’s health department.
For most people, COVID-19 causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
Although the outbreak at Stollwood seems over - no one has died in more than a month - CEO Sean Beloud said he still struggles to understand how the virus found its way into the facility. He said the staff followed every guideline that was put forth to prevent the spread of the disease.
“This virus will find its way into the facilities,” he said. “No matter what precautions you have.”
In other news related to the coronavirus outbreak in California:
- The statewide death toll was approaching 7,000. As of Saturday, the California Department of Public Health reported 6,945 deaths. Daily death totals have begun to increase after a month of spiking cases and hospitalizations.
- Five people died and 66 have tested positive at a San Rafael skilled nursing facility struck with a coronavirus outbreak, the department said. Marin County’s health officer said during a Friday virtual town hall that most of the county’s nursing home outbreaks occurred because staff members who aren’t displaying symptoms brought the virus into the facility. “Because staff are bringing these infections in - many are asymptomatic - ultimately the solution is for all of us to do our part to limit transmission within our lives,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Protesters demand reopening of Delaware police shooting

WILMINGTON , Del .
( AP ) - Dozens of people marched Saturday in Wilmington to demand the reopening of the case in the 2015 fatal police shooting of a Black man in a wheelchair .
The demonstration for Jeremy McDole moved through the city , making stops at the Wilmington Police headquarters and a state office building , the News Journal of Wilmington reported .
The march was led by the man ’ s sister .
McDole , 28 , was sitting in his wheelchair when he was shot and killed in September 2015 in Wilmington , after police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a gun .
A bystander ’ s cellphone footage showed officers repeatedly telling McDole to drop his weapon and raise his hands , with McDole reaching for his waist area before shots erupted .
A federal judge in 2017 approved the city ’ s $ 1.5 million settlement with McDole ’ s family .
The protesters Saturday shouted , “ Justice for Jeremy McDole ” and “ Shotgun Joe has got to go , ” referring to Senior Cpl .
Joseph Dellose , who shot McDole .
A report from then-Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dellose discharging his firearm created uncertainty among other responding officers who , not knowing where the gunfire came from , also opened fire on McDole .
Denn ’ s office criticized Dellose for “ extraordinarily poor police work ” and said he should not carry a firearm .
None of the four officers who were involved are still with the Wilmington Police Department .

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Dozens of people marched Saturday in Wilmington to demand the reopening of the case in the 2015 fatal police shooting of a Black man in a wheelchair.
The demonstration for Jeremy McDole moved through the city, making stops at the Wilmington Police headquarters and a state office building, the News Journal of Wilmington reported. The march was led by the man’s sister.
McDole, 28, was sitting in his wheelchair when he was shot and killed in September 2015 in Wilmington, after police received a 911 call about a man with a gun. A bystander’s cellphone footage showed officers repeatedly telling McDole to drop his weapon and raise his hands, with McDole reaching for his waist area before shots erupted.
A federal judge in 2017 approved the city’s $1.5 million settlement with McDole’s family.
The protesters Saturday shouted, “Justice for Jeremy McDole” and “Shotgun Joe has got to go,” referring to Senior Cpl. Joseph Dellose, who shot McDole.
A report from then-Attorney General Matt Denn’s office concluded that Dellose discharging his firearm created uncertainty among other responding officers who, not knowing where the gunfire came from, also opened fire on McDole. Denn’s office criticized Dellose for “extraordinarily poor police work” and said he should not carry a firearm.
None of the four officers who were involved are still with the Wilmington Police Department.


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--2 shot outside Tuscaloosa mall

2 shot outside Tuscaloosa mall

TUSCALOOSA , Ala. ( AP ) - Two people were shot late Saturday afternoon outside an Alabama mall , police @ @ @ @ @ that the shooting occurred in a parking lot outside University Mall .
A police spokesman @ @ @ @ @ a 24-year-old man were both hospitalized .
Authorities did not immediately say what prompted the @ @ @ @ @ Maddox said one of the victims was an innocent bystander .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ , there ’ s no doubt , ” Maddox said during a news conference .
@ @ @ @ @ soul-crushing anytime anyone is involved in a shooting.
” The shooting came eight days after @ @ @ @ @ three others injured in a shooting inside the Riverchase Galleria mall in Hoover , about @ @ @ @ @ ) northeast of Tuscaloosa .

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Two people were shot late Saturday afternoon outside an Alabama mall, police said.
Tuscaloosa police tweeted that the shooting occurred in a parking lot outside University Mall.
A police spokesman said a 15-year-old girl and a 24-year-old man were both hospitalized. Authorities did not immediately say what prompted the shooting.
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said one of the victims was an innocent bystander.
“It’s a soul-crushing day for Tuscaloosa, there’s no doubt,” Maddox said during a news conference. “But it’s soul-crushing anytime anyone is involved in a shooting.”
The shooting came eight days after an 8-year-old was killed and three others injured in a shooting inside the Riverchase Galleria mall in Hoover, about 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Tuscaloosa.


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Child recovering after being shot 4 times during drive-by

ATLANTA ( AP ) - A 9-year-old who was shot four times Wednesday night in Atlanta has undergone surgery and is recovering , his mother said Saturday .
Keyona Carson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that her son Javonni Carson was filming TikTok videos in East Atlanta when someone drove by and fired into a crowd , injuring Javonni and two adults .
She said Javonni was shot four times in his left leg and his father rushed him to a hospital .
“ My other two kids were there , too , and they saw everything , ” Keyona Carson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and started shooting.
” Police said all three victims were expected to survive .
Police believe an argument led to the shooting .
Authorities said officers recovered 42 shell casings from the scene .
No arrests have been made .
The shooting came days after 8-year-old Secoriea Turner was shot and killed over the Fourth of July weekend in Atlanta .
Carson said she was heartbroken when she heard about Turner ’ s death and felt fortunate her son survived .
“ I just thank God that he ’ s still here , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They don ’ t even have their baby any more .
I can ’ t imagine .
”

ATLANTA (AP) - A 9-year-old who was shot four times Wednesday night in Atlanta has undergone surgery and is recovering, his mother said Saturday.
Keyona Carson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that her son Javonni Carson was filming TikTok videos in East Atlanta when someone drove by and fired into a crowd, injuring Javonni and two adults. She said Javonni was shot four times in his left leg and his father rushed him to a hospital.
“My other two kids were there, too, and they saw everything,” Keyona Carson said. “Someone just drove by and started shooting.”
Police said all three victims were expected to survive. Police believe an argument led to the shooting.
Authorities said officers recovered 42 shell casings from the scene. No arrests have been made.
The shooting came days after 8-year-old Secoriea Turner was shot and killed over the Fourth of July weekend in Atlanta.
Carson said she was heartbroken when she heard about Turner’s death and felt fortunate her son survived.
“I just thank God that he’s still here,” she said of Javonni. “They don’t even have their baby any more. I can’t imagine.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--MATCHDAY: Gattuso faces AC Milan as opponent for first time

A look at what ’ s happening around European soccer on Sunday : Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso revisits his past when he faces AC Milan as an opponent for the first time .
Milan , of course , is the team with which Gattuso won two Serie As and two Champions Leagues as a player .
Milan was also the team that Gattuso coached from 2017 to 2019 before he left by mutual consent at the end of last season .
Both Napoli and Milan have performed well lately , with Napoli having won the Italian Cup and Milan coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In other games , it ’ s : Genoa vs. Spal ; Cagliari vs. Lecce ; Fiorentina vs. Hellas Verona ; Parma vs. Bologna ; and Udinese vs. Sampdoria .
Leicester can move back into third place in the Premier League with a win at Bournemouth , which is looking increasingly likely to be relegated .
Chelsea ’ s loss at Sheffield United has given Leicester the opportunity to reclaim third spot with three matches remaining in the race for Champions League qualification .
Bournemouth is six points adrift of safety after Watford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tottenham hosts Arsenal in a north London derby with consequences for Europa League qualification .
One point separates the rivals who are realistically out of the running for the Champions League places .
Wolverhampton hosts Everton and second-to-last Aston Villa desperately needs to beat Crystal Palace at home if it is to stay up .
Julen Lopetegui ’ s Sevilla hosts a relegation-threatened Mallorca seeking a win to clinch Spain ’ s last Champions League berth for next season .
Sevilla is undefeated in 12 straight Spanish league games and is finishing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ row .
It will be without injured goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik , meaning Yassine Bounou will defend the net .
Athletic Bilbao and Valencia are trying to stay in the fight for a Europa League berth in their respective matches at Levante and relegation-threatened Leganés .
Eibar faces the already-relegated Espanyol trying not to slip into the drop zone .

A look at what’s happening around European soccer on Sunday:
ITALY
Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso revisits his past when he faces AC Milan as an opponent for the first time. Milan, of course, is the team with which Gattuso won two Serie As and two Champions Leagues as a player. Milan was also the team that Gattuso coached from 2017 to 2019 before he left by mutual consent at the end of last season. Both Napoli and Milan have performed well lately, with Napoli having won the Italian Cup and Milan coming off a comeback win over Juventus. In other games, it’s: Genoa vs. Spal; Cagliari vs. Lecce; Fiorentina vs. Hellas Verona; Parma vs. Bologna; and Udinese vs. Sampdoria.
ENGLAND
Leicester can move back into third place in the Premier League with a win at Bournemouth, which is looking increasingly likely to be relegated. Chelsea’s loss at Sheffield United has given Leicester the opportunity to reclaim third spot with three matches remaining in the race for Champions League qualification. Bournemouth is six points adrift of safety after Watford and West Ham won on Saturday. Tottenham hosts Arsenal in a north London derby with consequences for Europa League qualification. One point separates the rivals who are realistically out of the running for the Champions League places. Wolverhampton hosts Everton and second-to-last Aston Villa desperately needs to beat Crystal Palace at home if it is to stay up.
SPAIN
Julen Lopetegui’s Sevilla hosts a relegation-threatened Mallorca seeking a win to clinch Spain’s last Champions League berth for next season. Sevilla is undefeated in 12 straight Spanish league games and is finishing the season strong with three wins in a row. It will be without injured goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik, meaning Yassine Bounou will defend the net. Athletic Bilbao and Valencia are trying to stay in the fight for a Europa League berth in their respective matches at Levante and relegation-threatened Leganés. Eibar faces the already-relegated Espanyol trying not to slip into the drop zone.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Alabama man to finish 1,000-mile walk at Floyd memorial

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - An Alabama man plans to complete a 1,000-mile protest walk at the site where George @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday .
Terry Willis , who is from Huntsville , Alabama , started walking @ @ @ @ @ after seeing a video of Floyd ’ s death .
Floyd died after a white @ @ @ @ @ knee against the handcuffed Black man ’ s neck for nearly eight minutes .
Four @ @ @ @ @ in the case .
Willis said he is completing the walk to honor Floyd , @ @ @ @ @ , Black people who were killed this year .
Willis said that as a 35-year-old @ @ @ @ @ he was overwhelmed by their deaths and wanted to protest police violence and racial injustice @

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - An Alabama man plans to complete a 1,000-mile protest walk at the site where George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis on Sunday.
Terry Willis, who is from Huntsville, Alabama, started walking towards Minneapolis on June 2 after seeing a video of Floyd’s death. Floyd died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee against the handcuffed Black man’s neck for nearly eight minutes. Four since-fired officers have been charged in the case.
Willis said he is completing the walk to honor Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, Black people who were killed this year. Willis said that as a 35-year-old Black man and father, he was overwhelmed by their deaths and wanted to protest police violence and racial injustice.


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Body of woman found in burning dumpster in Virginia Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH , Va. ( AP ) - Law enforcement authorities in Virginia Beach say firefighters on Saturday found the @ @ @ @ @ a burning dumpster .
Police in a statement said officers responded to a report of @ @ @ @ @ p.m .
Firefighters discovered the body after they extinguished the fire .
The Virginia Beach @ @ @ @ @ department ’ s homicide unit are jointly investigating the case .
Authorities did not provide @ @ @ @

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) - Law enforcement authorities in Virginia Beach say firefighters on Saturday found the body of a woman in a burning dumpster.
Police in a statement said officers responded to a report of a dumpster fire around 12:40 p.m. Firefighters discovered the body after they extinguished the fire.
The Virginia Beach Fire Department and the police department’s homicide unit are jointly investigating the case.
Authorities did not provide any additional information.


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--LeBron won't wear social justice message on Lakers jersey

LeBron James says his thoughts on social justice can ’ t be contained on the back of a basketball jersey .
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar won ’ t wear one of the NBA-approved social justice messages on the back of his jersey when the NBA resumes competition later this month in the Orlando bubble .
“ It was no disrespect to the list that was handed down to all the players , ” James said Saturday in a confernece call from Florida .
“ I commend anyone that decides to put something on the back of their jersey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t seriously resonate with my mission , with my goal.
” As part of the NBA ’ s recognition of the nationwide invigoration of the social justice movement sparked by the death of George Floyd , NBA players are allowed to choose from a lengthy list of possible messages for their jerseys during the league ’ s restart .
James is among just a few who declined to choose one of the messages , he said .
“ I would have loved to have a say-so on what would have went on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James said .
“ I had a couple of things in mind , but I wasn ’ t part of that process , which is OK. … Everything that I do has a purpose , has a meaning .
I don ’ t need to have something on the back of my jersey for people to understand my mission or know what I ’ m about and what I ’ m here to do.
” The 35-year-old superstar has a long history of social involvement and advocacy for progressive causes .
James speaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility to campaign for positive social change from his powerful position in sports and pop culture .
“ This is the mission I ’ ve been on for a long time now , ” James said .
“ It ’ s great that a lot of people ’ s ears are opening .
A lot of people are understanding , a lot of people are recognizing .
A lot of people still don ’ t get it , and a lot of people are still afraid to talk about the racism that goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
… But we have some ears , and we will continue to push the envelope and let everyone know that we are human as well .
We don ’ t want to be just be used for our God-given abilities.
” JaVale McGee , the Lakers ’ veteran center , said he will wear “ Respect Us ” on his jersey in Orlando .
“ It ’ s a blessing to have this platform , ” said McGee , whose asthma has him being particularly cautious during the pandemic .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing basketball … Our fans are basketball fans over anything .
This is the biggest platform we can speak about social injustices .
That ’ s the best time to talk about it.
” James also said he didn ’ t consider not playing in the NBA ’ s restart , believing the league can be a positive force through its visibility and competition .
He expressed no concerns for his health inside the bubble .
“ I believe the NBA and ( Commissioner ) Adam Silver , they took all precautionary measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league are as safe as we can be , ” James said .
“ Obviously , in anything that you do , there can be things that can happen , so we will cross that line if it happens .
But we ’ re doing everything to make sure everyone stays safe during this pandemic .
Adam Silver has given me no reason to not believe him since he took over .
I have no concerns .
I ’ m here 100 % and in great health .
”

LeBron James says his thoughts on social justice can’t be contained on the back of a basketball jersey.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar won’t wear one of the NBA-approved social justice messages on the back of his jersey when the NBA resumes competition later this month in the Orlando bubble.
“It was no disrespect to the list that was handed down to all the players,” James said Saturday in a confernece call from Florida. “I commend anyone that decides to put something on the back of their jersey. It’s just something that didn’t seriously resonate with my mission, with my goal.”
As part of the NBA’s recognition of the nationwide invigoration of the social justice movement sparked by the death of George Floyd, NBA players are allowed to choose from a lengthy list of possible messages for their jerseys during the league’s restart. James is among just a few who declined to choose one of the messages, he said.
“I would have loved to have a say-so on what would have went on the back of my jersey,” James said. “I had a couple of things in mind, but I wasn’t part of that process, which is OK. … Everything that I do has a purpose, has a meaning. I don’t need to have something on the back of my jersey for people to understand my mission or know what I’m about and what I’m here to do.”
The 35-year-old superstar has a long history of social involvement and advocacy for progressive causes. James speaks frequently of what he feels is a responsibility to campaign for positive social change from his powerful position in sports and pop culture.
“This is the mission I’ve been on for a long time now,” James said. “It’s great that a lot of people’s ears are opening. A lot of people are understanding, a lot of people are recognizing. A lot of people still don’t get it, and a lot of people are still afraid to talk about the racism that goes on in America, especially for our people. … But we have some ears, and we will continue to push the envelope and let everyone know that we are human as well. We don’t want to be just be used for our God-given abilities.”
JaVale McGee, the Lakers’ veteran center, said he will wear “Respect Us” on his jersey in Orlando.
“It’s a blessing to have this platform,” said McGee, whose asthma has him being particularly cautious during the pandemic. “We have way more of a voice playing basketball … Our fans are basketball fans over anything. This is the biggest platform we can speak about social injustices. That’s the best time to talk about it.”
James also said he didn’t consider not playing in the NBA’s restart, believing the league can be a positive force through its visibility and competition. He expressed no concerns for his health inside the bubble.
“I believe the NBA and (Commissioner) Adam Silver, they took all precautionary measure to make sure that we as a league are as safe as we can be,” James said. “Obviously, in anything that you do, there can be things that can happen, so we will cross that line if it happens. But we’re doing everything to make sure everyone stays safe during this pandemic. Adam Silver has given me no reason to not believe him since he took over. I have no concerns. I’m here 100% and in great health.”
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Walmart ordered to close after 4 workers test positive

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - New Mexico work safety regulators Saturday ordered Walmart to close a store in Las Cruces , after four employees tested positive for COVID-19 in the past three weeks , the New Mexico Environment Department said .
A “ notice of imminent endangerment ” issued by the Occupational and Safety Bureau also requires Walmart to test the store ’ s workers for COVID-19 and to thoroughly disinfect the building , the department said in a statement .
“ Walmart stated they do not require employees who test positive to self-quarantine for 14 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came into close personal contact with such employees to get tested , ” the statement said .
The department urged customers who visited the Las Cruces location on Rinconada Boulevard since June 22 to seek COVID-19 testing .
The New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to provide safe and healthful workplaces for their employees , the department said .
Walmart spokesman Pedro Mucciolo responded to a request for comment on the state ’ s action with a statement that did not specifically address the New Mexico order but said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to safeguard the well-being of those inside our stores , fulfillment centers and distribution centers.
” “ Walmart is working to to ensure that its stores are cleaned and sanitized regularly , the statement said .
“ We are focused on serving our customers and keeping our associates safe during this unprecedented time and we ’ ve implemented several measures in consideration of guidance by the CDC and health experts intended to help bring peace of mind.
” - State health officials on Saturday reported four additional COVID-19 deaths and 230 additional confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statewide death toll to 543 while the number of confirmed cases rose to 14,773 The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , Studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .
- The San Juan County Fair , a summertime event held annually since 1884 , won ’ t be held in 2020 because of the virus outbreak , officials announced .
The event featuring concerts , a carnival , livestock shows and exhibitions was scheduled for August 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was necessary because of guidelines set in Lujan Grisham ’ s public health orders and the uncertainty of the situation .
“ It has become clear that there is no way to continue to plan for an event which draws crowds numbering in the tens of thousands , ” Fair Board President Kim Martinez said in a statement Thursday .
- The owner of a Carlsbad hotel and restaurant said she won ’ t obey Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham ’ s orders shutting down indoor restaurant service and will keep the business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their families , the Carlsbad Curent-Argus reported .
“ This would shut us down for good .
We are going to be staying open , ” said Janie Balzano , owner of the Trinity Hotel and Restaurant .
Lujan Grisham on Thursday rolled back some re-openings , banning indoor seating at restaurants and cautioning residents that further upticks could endanger plans to reopen more of the economy .
Contact sports and film shoots are also on hold for the foreseeable future .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico work safety regulators Saturday ordered Walmart to close a store in Las Cruces, after four employees tested positive for COVID-19 in the past three weeks, the New Mexico Environment Department said.
A “notice of imminent endangerment” issued by the Occupational and Safety Bureau also requires Walmart to test the store’s workers for COVID-19 and to thoroughly disinfect the building, the department said in a statement.
“Walmart stated they do not require employees who test positive to self-quarantine for 14 days, nor do they notify individuals who came into close personal contact with such employees to get tested,” the statement said.
The department urged customers who visited the Las Cruces location on Rinconada Boulevard since June 22 to seek COVID-19 testing.
The New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to provide safe and healthful workplaces for their employees, the department said.
Walmart spokesman Pedro Mucciolo responded to a request for comment on the state’s action with a statement that did not specifically address the New Mexico order but said the company was “taking all measures necessary to safeguard the well-being of those inside our stores, fulfillment centers and distribution centers.”“
Walmart is working to to ensure that its stores are cleaned and sanitized regularly, the statement said. “We are focused on serving our customers and keeping our associates safe during this unprecedented time and we’ve implemented several measures in consideration of guidance by the CDC and health experts intended to help bring peace of mind.”
In other developments:
- State health officials on Saturday reported four additional COVID-19 deaths and 230 additional confirmed cases. The additional deaths increased the statewide death toll to 543 while the number of confirmed cases rose to 14,773
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, Studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
- The San Juan County Fair, a summertime event held annually since 1884, won’t be held in 2020 because of the virus outbreak, officials announced.
The event featuring concerts, a carnival, livestock shows and exhibitions was scheduled for August 2017. But board members said the decision was necessary because of guidelines set in Lujan Grisham’s public health orders and the uncertainty of the situation.
“It has become clear that there is no way to continue to plan for an event which draws crowds numbering in the tens of thousands,” Fair Board President Kim Martinez said in a statement Thursday.
- The owner of a Carlsbad hotel and restaurant said she won’t obey Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s orders shutting down indoor restaurant service and will keep the business open to support her 41 employees and their families, the Carlsbad Curent-Argus reported.
“This would shut us down for good. We are going to be staying open,” said Janie Balzano, owner of the Trinity Hotel and Restaurant.
Lujan Grisham on Thursday rolled back some re-openings, banning indoor seating at restaurants and cautioning residents that further upticks could endanger plans to reopen more of the economy. Contact sports and film shoots are also on hold for the foreseeable future.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-07-11--Arkansas reports state-record 1,061 new COVID-19 cases

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - Arkansas reported a state-record 1,061 new cases of the new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ related to the virus .
State health officials reported the total cases of COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus , climbed to 27,864 .
The state said the death toll remained at @ @ @ @ @ which tracking began in early March .
The true number of cases in Arkansas though @ @ @ @ @ people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not @ @ @ @ @ virus cases have dramatically risen since May , when the state began allowing businesses to @ @ @ @ @ , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough @ @ @ @ @ to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health @ @ @ @ @ more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas reported a state-record 1,061 new cases of the new coronavirus Saturday but no new deaths related to the virus.
State health officials reported the total cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, climbed to 27,864. The state said the death toll remained at 313 for the outbreak for which tracking began in early March.
The true number of cases in Arkansas though is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
Arkansas’ virus cases have dramatically risen since May, when the state began allowing businesses to reopen.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-07-12--Illinois launches campaign to prevent abuse of seniors

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - Illinois is launching a $ 2.1 million campaign to prevent abuse , neglect and exploitation of seniors and adults with disabilities , a problem officials fear has worsened during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Illinois Department on Aging ’ s Office of Adult Protective Services received federal funds for the three-year Engage2Change campaign .
It will include ads on television , online and via email that will encourage people to report suspected abuse of people age 60 and older and of disabled adults .
Some funds also will be used for training caseworkers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responded to over 21,000 reports of suspected neglect , abuse and financial exploitation of adults in 2019 .
The cases included financial exploitation , physical and sexual abuse , neglect and confinement , with victims often being abused by family members .
Illinois Department of Aging Director Paul Basta said abuse directly coincides with social isolation .
He said the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people to stay in dangerous situations because they have nowhere else to go .
The new campaign provides information on how to spot signs of abuse , how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of help available .
“ Victims of abuse or neglect may not be able to call for help because they are not alone or are likely to be overheard , ” Basta said .
“ We can not assume that someone else will report it .
”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois is launching a $2.1 million campaign to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of seniors and adults with disabilities, a problem officials fear has worsened during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Illinois Department on Aging’s Office of Adult Protective Services received federal funds for the three-year Engage2Change campaign. It will include ads on television, online and via email that will encourage people to report suspected abuse of people age 60 and older and of disabled adults. Some funds also will be used for training caseworkers and legal professionals.
Adult Protective Services responded to over 21,000 reports of suspected neglect, abuse and financial exploitation of adults in 2019. The cases included financial exploitation, physical and sexual abuse, neglect and confinement, with victims often being abused by family members.
Illinois Department of Aging Director Paula Basta said abuse directly coincides with social isolation. She said the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people to stay in dangerous situations because they have nowhere else to go. The new campaign provides information on how to spot signs of abuse, how to report suspected cases and the type of help available.
“Victims of abuse or neglect may not be able to call for help because they are not alone or are likely to be overheard,” Basta said. “We cannot assume that someone else will report it.”
___
This story has been corrected to show that the director of the Illinois Department of Aging is Paula Basta, not Paul Basta.


washingtontimes--2020-07-12--Cook County residents can report police misconduct online

CHICAGO ( AP ) - The Cook County state ’ s attorney ’ s office is launching a new online @ @ @ @ @ criminal police misconduct including excessive form and intimidation .
Cook County State ’ s Attorney @ @ @ @ @ complaint form Thursday .
Members of the public will be able to directly upload photo @ @ @ @ @ for review by prosecutors who ’ ll determine whether it should be referred to an @ @ @ @ @ “ As we see an increase in allegations of police criminal misconduct , it is @ @ @ @ @ outlet where these serious concerns can be acknowledged and addressed in a timely way , @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
“ This tool will allow direct access to the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ offer an immediate resource as we work to increase accountability and equity in our justice @ @ @ @ @ complaints will get email responses .

CHICAGO (AP) - The Cook County state’s attorney’s office is launching a new online process to report allegations of criminal police misconduct including excessive form and intimidation.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced the new complaint form Thursday. Members of the public will be able to directly upload photo and video evidence to submit for review by prosecutors who’ll determine whether it should be referred to an investigative agency or closed.
“As we see an increase in allegations of police criminal misconduct, it is our obligation to provide an outlet where these serious concerns can be acknowledged and addressed in a timely way,” said Foxx said in a statement. “This tool will allow direct access to the state’s attorney’s office and offer an immediate resource as we work to increase accountability and equity in our justice system.”
People who file complaints will get email responses.


washingtontimes--2020-07-12--'Moving target': Schools deal with new plans, Trump demands

TOLEDO , Ohio ( AP ) - With little more than a month before millions of U.S. schoolchildren go back to class , much is still up in the air - and not just because of the surging number of coronavirus cases nationwide .
Last week , President Donald Trump and his administration demanded schools fully reopen right away , calling for new guidance from federal health officials and slamming schools that want to bring students back for only a few days a week .
At the same time , some states are just now issuing their own directives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those guidelines to be revised again before the classroom bells ring .
While there ’ s no indication school administrators are changing their plans yet because of the latest word from the White House , they are working on multiple reopening scenarios .
Those cover everything from where students will eat lunch to navigating online learning .
Here is a look at what several school districts are planning and discussing .
Like many schools , the Forth Worth Independent School District in Texas will give parents a choice between in-person and remote learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have opted for virtual school , said Clint Bond , district spokesman .
The district is designing its plan with guidance released by the Texas Education Agency on Tuesday , but administrators are paying attention to the debate in Washington and waiting to see whether any new rules or clarified guidance comes from the Centers for Disease Control , Bond said .
“ It hasn ’ t caused us to do anything right now , ” he said .
Schools will adjust to allow for social distancing depending on the number of students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considerations : Plexiglas separators for multi-student desks , separating individual desks and even using gyms , cafeterias and auditoriums as spaces distancing students .
“ This is a dance we ’ re learning as we go , ” Bond said .
In suburban Cincinnati , the Lakota School District ’ s reopening framework has four different outlines , from nearly all students returning to their classrooms to entirely online instruction .
While the intent now is for classrooms to reopen fully next month , Superintendent Matthew Miller ’ s message to parents has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m telling you now could change in an hour.
” The district ’ s decisions , he said , are being based on advice from education and health experts , not politicians .
A lot of what ’ s coming out of Washington and the state capital isn ’ t helping , he said .
“ It just puts us in a bad situation because we know how polarizing this can be , ” Miller said .
For now , the district is “ in a holding pattern ” while it waits to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
“ This is probably going to change two or three times before school starts.
” All students in Tennessee ’ s second-biggest district will start the year virtually , an announcement made Thursday on the heels of Trump ’ s threat to hold back federal money if districts don ’ t open their buildings .
Metro Nashville Public Schools Director Adrienne Battle said students won ’ t return to classrooms until at least after Labor Day .
“ This will allow social distancing , mask mandates and other measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 before tens of thousands of students and staff return to our schools , ” she said .
Nashville has seen some of its worst daily totals for COVID-19 confirmed cases in the past week .
In northeastern Tennessee , schools in Sullivan County are on schedule to fully open as long as the coronavirus cases don ’ t rise , said David Cox , the director of schools .
The district is working off a plan it devised with local health officials and is modeled after the Nashville district ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t think any plan is rigid , ” he said .
Davis School District , just outside Salt Lake City , is working to reconfigure its classrooms to allow more space between students , but that ’ s proving to be a challenge .
“ You know , we don ’ t have the ability , unfortunately , to move our classroom walls , ” said spokesman Chris Williams .
There will be no salad bars at lunch and students will no longer be able to spoon out their own food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be “ grab-and-go , ” eaten during multiple periods so fewer students are mingling in the cafeteria .
The district , he said , hasn ’ t altered its plans because of the Trump administration ’ s recent statements , but it now will require masks after Utah Gov .
Gary Herbert announced a mandate .
“ It ’ s an ever-moving target , ” Superintendent Chris Knutsen said about the reopening framework for the Florence Unified School District , southeast of Phoenix .
He , too , said Trump ’ s comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s intentions , but he does want more guidance from state officials , especially on wearing masks when social distancing isn ’ t possible in classrooms or on buses , he said .
The district , which has students coming from across 1,000 square miles , can ’ t reduce capacity on its buses .
“ We would have to run our buses 24 hours a day to try to get our kids back to school , ” he said .
Classrooms pose a similar problem , trying to space desks six feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you put masks on everybody on the bus and in the classroom and you try to go back to school as normal , ” he said .
“ So , I don ’ t know .
I mean , it ’ s a mess.
” Kelleher reported from Honolulu .
Associated Press writers Carolyn Thompson in Buffalo , New York , and Jonathan Mattise in Nashville , Tennessee , contributed .

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - With little more than a month before millions of U.S. schoolchildren go back to class, much is still up in the air - and not just because of the surging number of coronavirus cases nationwide.
Last week, President Donald Trump and his administration demanded schools fully reopen right away, calling for new guidance from federal health officials and slamming schools that want to bring students back for only a few days a week.
At the same time, some states are just now issuing their own directives, and school district leaders say they expect those guidelines to be revised again before the classroom bells ring.
While there’s no indication school administrators are changing their plans yet because of the latest word from the White House, they are working on multiple reopening scenarios. Those cover everything from where students will eat lunch to navigating online learning.
Here is a look at what several school districts are planning and discussing.
—
NEW DANCE
Like many schools, the Forth Worth Independent School District in Texas will give parents a choice between in-person and remote learning. So far, about 40% have opted for virtual school, said Clint Bond, district spokesman.
The district is designing its plan with guidance released by the Texas Education Agency on Tuesday, but administrators are paying attention to the debate in Washington and waiting to see whether any new rules or clarified guidance comes from the Centers for Disease Control, Bond said.
“It hasn’t caused us to do anything right now,” he said.
Schools will adjust to allow for social distancing depending on the number of students who opt to attend. Among the considerations: Plexiglas separators for multi-student desks, separating individual desks and even using gyms, cafeterias and auditoriums as spaces distancing students.
“This is a dance we’re learning as we go,” Bond said.
—
HOLDING PATTERN
In suburban Cincinnati, the Lakota School District’s reopening framework has four different outlines, from nearly all students returning to their classrooms to entirely online instruction.
While the intent now is for classrooms to reopen fully next month, Superintendent Matthew Miller’s message to parents has been this: “What I’m telling you now could change in an hour.”
The district’s decisions, he said, are being based on advice from education and health experts, not politicians. A lot of what’s coming out of Washington and the state capital isn’t helping, he said.
“It just puts us in a bad situation because we know how polarizing this can be,” Miller said.
For now, the district is “in a holding pattern” while it waits to see if there is any new guidance, he said. “This is probably going to change two or three times before school starts.”
—
TWO APPROACHES
All students in Tennessee’s second-biggest district will start the year virtually, an announcement made Thursday on the heels of Trump’s threat to hold back federal money if districts don’t open their buildings.
Metro Nashville Public Schools Director Adrienne Battle said students won’t return to classrooms until at least after Labor Day.
“This will allow social distancing, mask mandates and other measures to take effect and reduce the spread of COVID-19 before tens of thousands of students and staff return to our schools,” she said.
Nashville has seen some of its worst daily totals for COVID-19 confirmed cases in the past week.
In northeastern Tennessee, schools in Sullivan County are on schedule to fully open as long as the coronavirus cases don’t rise, said David Cox, the director of schools.
The district is working off a plan it devised with local health officials and is modeled after the Nashville district’s plan, he said. “I don’t think any plan is rigid,” he said.
—
LUNCH LIMITS
Davis School District, just outside Salt Lake City, is working to reconfigure its classrooms to allow more space between students, but that’s proving to be a challenge.
“You know, we don’t have the ability, unfortunately, to move our classroom walls,” said spokesman Chris Williams.
There will be no salad bars at lunch and students will no longer be able to spoon out their own food servings in the cafeteria. Lunches will be “grab-and-go,” eaten during multiple periods so fewer students are mingling in the cafeteria.
The district, he said, hasn’t altered its plans because of the Trump administration’s recent statements, but it now will require masks after Utah Gov. Gary Herbert announced a mandate.
—
MOVING TARGET
“It’s an ever-moving target,” Superintendent Chris Knutsen said about the reopening framework for the Florence Unified School District, southeast of Phoenix.
He, too, said Trump’s comments haven’t affected the district’s intentions, but he does want more guidance from state officials, especially on wearing masks when social distancing isn’t possible in classrooms or on buses, he said.
The district, which has students coming from across 1,000 square miles, can’t reduce capacity on its buses. “We would have to run our buses 24 hours a day to try to get our kids back to school,” he said.
Classrooms pose a similar problem, trying to space desks six feet apart, Knutsen said.
“So you put masks on everybody on the bus and in the classroom and you try to go back to school as normal,” he said. “So, I don’t know. I mean, it’s a mess.”
—
Kelleher reported from Honolulu. Associated Press writers Carolyn Thompson in Buffalo, New York, and Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-07-12--Donald Trump: 'Automatic' 10 years in prison for toppling monuments

President Trump on Sunday said agitators shouldn ’ t even think about trying to topple several of Washington , D.C. ’ s highest-profile monuments and statues .
“ No , Radical Left anarchists , agitators , looters or protesters will not be knocking down or harming the Washington Monument , the Lincoln or Jefferson Memorials , or just about any other Federal Monumrnt or Statue , ” the president said on Twitter .
“ If they even try , an automatic 10 years in prison .
Sorry !
” Mr. Trump has vocally defended statues and monuments that have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by protesters .
Some protesters have targeted statues honoring former Confederate leaders like Robert E. Lee , but others have demanded that monuments dedicated to historical figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson be taken down as well because of the former presidents ’ ties to slavery .
The president has cited the Veterans ’ Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act as one possible legal avenue to pursue to punish people who try to tear down or deface the monuments .
The 2003 law includes a punishment of up to 10 years in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on public property that commemorate the service of someone in the U.S. armed forces .

President Trump on Sunday said agitators shouldn’t even think about trying to topple several of Washington, D.C.’s highest-profile monuments and statues.
“No, Radical Left anarchists, agitators, looters or protesters will not be knocking down or harming the Washington Monument, the Lincoln or Jefferson Memorials, or just about any other Federal Monument or Statue,” the president said on Twitter. “If they even try, an automatic 10 years in prison. Sorry!”
Mr. Trump has vocally defended statues and monuments that have been torn down or vandalized in recent weeks by protesters.
Some protesters have targeted statues honoring former Confederate leaders like Robert E. Lee, but others have demanded that monuments dedicated to historical figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson be taken down as well because of the former presidents’ ties to slavery.
The Justice Department last month announced that four men were charged with destruction of federal property after allegedly trying to tear down a statue of Andrew Jackson near the White House.
The president has cited the Veterans’ Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act as one possible legal avenue to pursue to punish people who try to tear down or deface the monuments.
The 2003 law includes a punishment of up to 10 years in prison for people who try to destroy monuments on public property that commemorate the service of someone in the U.S. armed forces.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.