washingtontimes--2020-05-27--House votes to reauthorize FISA provisions through proxy system

The House voted Wednesday on reauthorizing expired government surveillance tools , ignoring pleas from Republicans to hold off and a threat from President Trump to veto the bill .
Consideration of the bill was overshadowed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s use of a new proxy-vote system due to coronavirus .
It ’ s the first time in the chamber ’ s history that members cast votes remotely , which Republicans said was unconstitutional and would disqualify the tally .
Still , Democrats sought to put a stamp of approval , albeit tainted , on the renewal of three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that gives the government broad powers to spy on individuals , both foreign and domestic , suspected of terrorism or other crimes .
What had been anticipated to be a relatively easy vote on final passage was thrown into chaos after Mr. Trump weighed in late Tuesday and urged Republicans to vote against the bill .
The president is still fuming over the FBI ’ s use of the FISA process to spy on members of his 2016 campaign and advance discredited accusations of Trump-Russia collusion to rig the election .
He backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the bill .
Mr. Trump raised the volume Wednesday , making an explicit veto threat as House members prepared to cast votes .
“ If the FISA Bill is passed tonight on the House floor , I will quickly VETO it , ” he tweeted .
“ Our Country has just suffered through the greatest political crime in its history .
The massive abuse of FISA was a big part of it !
” Earlier , House Republicans leaders called on Democratic leadership to pull the bill from the floor .
House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , called for more debate saying there was no point in passing legislation that will be vetoed by the president .
“ In moving forward today , it won ’ t be signed into law .
The president has questions , the attorney general has questions , ” he said .
“ Since the time we had passed the bill in the House , there has been more information coming forward with the FISA Court being used in processes it shouldn ’ t have been.
” Mr. McCarthy said no vote on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged FISA abuses by the FBI aimed at the Trump campaign are completed .
“ I ’ m interested in making sure the FISA court has reform and is able to sustain itself , that it ’ s looking at foreigners and not Americans , ” he said .
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer , Maryland Democrat , accused his colleagues of playing politics , noting the broad , bipartisan support for the legislation the first time around .
“ It wasn ’ t a majority-minority bill , it was an American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The only thing that has changed , Madame Speaker , is that Donald Trump said to vote ‘ no.
’ ” The FISA update passed the House earlier this year with 152 Democrats and 126 Republicans voting “ yes ” in a rare show of bipartisan support .
The Senate then modified the House bill by adding stronger privacy protections .
Those changes sent the bill back to the House for final approval .
Attorney General William Barr also called for a veto of the bill Wednesday , though in the opposite direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes go too far and weaken national security .
It was a surprising turn of events because Mr. Barr helped negotiate the original House bill .
“ Given the cumulative negative effect of these legislative changes on the Department ’ s ability to identify and track terrorists and spies , the Department must oppose the legislation now under consideration in the House .
If passed , the Attorney General would recommend that the President veto the legislation , ” Assistant Attorney General Stephen E. Boyd said in a statement .
As pressure mounted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained steadfast the bill would proceed .
“ We ’ ll act upon it one way or another , ” she said .
Wednesday ’ s vote capped months of negotiating between House leadership including Mrs. Pelosi , and privacy hawks on the right and left .
Rep. Zoe Lofgren , California Democrat , pushed to include an amendment in the reauthorization that would ban the government from spying on Americans ’ internet history without a warrant .
The proposal was scuttled out of fear it would sink the entire package .
Mrs. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendment because that was “ where the votes were.
” The amendment was introduced with Rep. Warren Davidson , Ohio Republican .
The amendment closely mimicked a similar proposal that failed in the Senate by a single vote .
Sen. Ron Wyden , the sponsor of the amendment in the Senate , lashed out at House Judiciary Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff , who worked to block the amendment .
“ It is now clear that there is no agreement with the House Intelligence Committee to enact true protections for Americans ’ rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is why I must oppose this amendment , along with the underlying bill , and urge the House to vote on the original Wyden-Daines amendment , ” Mr. Wyden said .

The House voted Wednesday on reauthorizing expired government surveillance tools, ignoring pleas from Republicans to hold off and a threat from President Trump to veto the bill.
Consideration of the bill was overshadowed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s use of a new proxy-vote system due to coronavirus. It’s the first time in the chamber’s history that members cast votes remotely, which Republicans said was unconstitutional and would disqualify the tally.
Still, Democrats sought to put a stamp of approval, albeit tainted, on the renewal of three provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that gives the government broad powers to spy on individuals, both foreign and domestic, suspected of terrorism or other crimes.
What had been anticipated to be a relatively easy vote on final passage was thrown into chaos after Mr. Trump weighed in late Tuesday and urged Republicans to vote against the bill. The president is still fuming over the FBI’s use of the FISA process to spy on members of his 2016 campaign and advance discredited accusations of Trump-Russia collusion to rig the election.
He backed more dramatic reforms than what made it into the bill.
Mr. Trump raised the volume Wednesday, making an explicit veto threat as House members prepared to cast votes.
“If the FISA Bill is passed tonight on the House floor, I will quickly VETO it,” he tweeted. “Our Country has just suffered through the greatest political crime in its history. The massive abuse of FISA was a big part of it!”
Earlier, House Republicans leaders called on Democratic leadership to pull the bill from the floor.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, California Republican, called for more debate saying there was no point in passing legislation that will be vetoed by the president.
“In moving forward today, it won’t be signed into law. The president has questions, the attorney general has questions,” he said. “Since the time we had passed the bill in the House, there has been more information coming forward with the FISA Court being used in processes it shouldn’t have been.”
Mr. McCarthy said no vote on the legislation should take place until investigations into alleged FISA abuses by the FBI aimed at the Trump campaign are completed.
“I’m interested in making sure the FISA court has reform and is able to sustain itself, that it’s looking at foreigners and not Americans,” he said.
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, Maryland Democrat, accused his colleagues of playing politics, noting the broad, bipartisan support for the legislation the first time around.
“It wasn’t a majority-minority bill, it was an American bill,” he said. “The only thing that has changed, Madame Speaker, is that Donald Trump said to vote ‘no.’”
The FISA update passed the House earlier this year with 152 Democrats and 126 Republicans voting “yes” in a rare show of bipartisan support.
The Senate then modified the House bill by adding stronger privacy protections. Those changes sent the bill back to the House for final approval.
Attorney General William Barr also called for a veto of the bill Wednesday, though in the opposite direction from the president, saying the Senate changes go too far and weaken national security.
It was a surprising turn of events because Mr. Barr helped negotiate the original House bill.
“Given the cumulative negative effect of these legislative changes on the Department’s ability to identify and track terrorists and spies, the Department must oppose the legislation now under consideration in the House. If passed, the Attorney General would recommend that the President veto the legislation,” Assistant Attorney General Stephen E. Boyd said in a statement.
As pressure mounted, Mrs. Pelosi, California Democrat, remained steadfast the bill would proceed.
“We’ll act upon it one way or another,” she said.
Wednesday’s vote capped months of negotiating between House leadership including Mrs. Pelosi, and privacy hawks on the right and left.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, California Democrat, pushed to include an amendment in the reauthorization that would ban the government from spying on Americans’ internet history without a warrant.
The proposal was scuttled out of fear it would sink the entire package.
Mrs. Pelosi said the bill advanced without the amendment because that was “where the votes were.”
The amendment was introduced with Rep. Warren Davidson, Ohio Republican. The amendment closely mimicked a similar proposal that failed in the Senate by a single vote.
Sen. Ron Wyden, the sponsor of the amendment in the Senate, lashed out at House Judiciary Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff, who worked to block the amendment.
“It is now clear that there is no agreement with the House Intelligence Committee to enact true protections for Americans’ rights against dragnet collection of online activity, which is why I must oppose this amendment, along with the underlying bill, and urge the House to vote on the original Wyden-Daines amendment,” Mr. Wyden said.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Environmentalists lose bid to halt uranium mine in Arizona

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. ( AP ) - A federal judge has ruled against environmental groups and a tribe in their bid to keep a uranium mine south of the Grand Canyon from operating .
The Canyon Mine near the national park ’ s South Rim entrance has been on standby for nearly 20 years .
The company that owns it , Energy Fuels Resources , is waiting for uranium prices to rebound before opening it .
Still , environmental groups and the Havasupai Tribe sought to prevent that from happening .
They sued the U.S. Forest Service , arguing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cultural costs of extracting uranium ore when it reviewed the company ’ s mining claims .
U.S. District Judge David Campbell in Arizona said those costs would have been minimal , considering the Forest Service projected Canyon Mine ’ s profits at a conservative $ 29 million .
“ A drop in profits is not enough to defeat valid existing rights if the mine remains profitable , ” Campbell wrote in a ruling last week .
The environmental groups said Wednesday that they are reviewing the decision and evaluating whether to appeal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to go forward , ” said Sandy Bahr of the Sierra Club ’ s Grand Canyon Chapter .
“ We do know that .
The risks are significant and the benefits negligible.
” Energy Fuels is among the companies pushing for intervention from the federal government to rescue U.S. uranium mining in a tough global marketplace .
Company spokesman Curtis Moore said Wednesday that Energy Fuels is actively maintaining the site .
“ Energy Fuels will continue to operate the mine responsibly , and we are confident the court ’ s decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
A spokeswoman for Kaibab National Forest did not immediately return a request for comment .
The Canyon Mine lies within a roughly 1,562 square-mile area that was placed off-limits to new mining claims in the Obama administration .
The moratorium outside the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park runs until 2032 but doesn ’ t prevent uranium companies with grandfathered claims from developing them .
The Forest Service concluded in 2012 that Energy Fuels has a valid , existing right to mine near Tusayan .
The Grand Canyon Trust , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sierra Club and the Havasupai Tribe sued the following year .
The 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals revived a single claim from the lawsuit in 2018 and sent it back to the lower court for a decision on the merits .

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - A federal judge has ruled against environmental groups and a tribe in their bid to keep a uranium mine south of the Grand Canyon from operating.
The Canyon Mine near the national park’s South Rim entrance has been on standby for nearly 20 years. The company that owns it, Energy Fuels Resources, is waiting for uranium prices to rebound before opening it.
Still, environmental groups and the Havasupai Tribe sought to prevent that from happening. They sued the U.S. Forest Service, arguing the agency failed to consider the environmental and cultural costs of extracting uranium ore when it reviewed the company’s mining claims.
U.S. District Judge David Campbell in Arizona said those costs would have been minimal, considering the Forest Service projected Canyon Mine’s profits at a conservative $29 million.
“A drop in profits is not enough to defeat valid existing rights if the mine remains profitable,” Campbell wrote in a ruling last week.
The environmental groups said Wednesday that they are reviewing the decision and evaluating whether to appeal.
“Canyon Mine should not have been allowed to go forward,” said Sandy Bahr of the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter. “We do know that. The risks are significant and the benefits negligible.”
Energy Fuels is among the companies pushing for intervention from the federal government to rescue U.S. uranium mining in a tough global marketplace. Company spokesman Curtis Moore said Wednesday that Energy Fuels is actively maintaining the site.
“Energy Fuels will continue to operate the mine responsibly, and we are confident the court’s decision will withstand any further appeals,” he said.
A spokeswoman for Kaibab National Forest did not immediately return a request for comment.
The Canyon Mine lies within a roughly 1,562 square-mile area that was placed off-limits to new mining claims in the Obama administration. The moratorium outside the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park runs until 2032 but doesn’t prevent uranium companies with grandfathered claims from developing them.
The Forest Service concluded in 2012 that Energy Fuels has a valid, existing right to mine near Tusayan. The Grand Canyon Trust, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Sierra Club and the Havasupai Tribe sued the following year.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revived a single claim from the lawsuit in 2018 and sent it back to the lower court for a decision on the merits.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--California GOP lawmaker loses duties after harassment found

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - Officials removed a lame-duck California state lawmaker from his committee assignments on Wednesday after investigators found that he twice sexually harassed women , including by insinuating that he could help one politically if she went home with him .
The state Assembly ’ s investigators found that Republican Assemblyman Bill Brough also inappropriately touched an unnamed woman on one of the two occasions .
Redacted letters to Brough and the accuser say he put his hand on the small of her back and told her he did not live far from the bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come hang out with him .
“ Come on , you know you need to party , ” the complaint says he told her .
The other accuser said Brough made her feel uncomfortable and insinuated that he could help her politically if she went to his apartment with him .
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon announced that he is removing Brough from his committee assignments .
He also ordered Brough to take harassment , discrimination and retaliation prevention training .
Brough did not immediately return telephone and emailed messages to his offices in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously called the accusations politically motivated .
He lost his bid for reelection when he finished fourth among five candidates in the March primary election after his own party sought to oust him over sexual harassment and campaign finance allegations .
Orange County and state Republican Party leaders endorsed Laguna Niguel Mayor Laurie Davies in the 73rd Assembly District .
She is headed to the November general election against Democratic candidate Scott Rhinehart for what is considered a safe Republican seat in south Orange County .
State Republican Party Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brough “ truly disheartening and distressing ” and said party leaders ’ thoughts are with the “ heroic ” women who made the difficult choice to come forward .
California ’ s campaign watchdog is still investigating allegations that Brough used campaign funds to fly his family to a Boston Red Sox baseball game , among other alleged extravagant spending .
“ The Brough case is still open , an investigation in progress , ” Fair Political Practices Commission spokesman Jay Wierenga said Wednesday .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Officials removed a lame-duck California state lawmaker from his committee assignments on Wednesday after investigators found that he twice sexually harassed women, including by insinuating that he could help one politically if she went home with him.
The state Assembly’s investigators found that Republican Assemblyman Bill Brough also inappropriately touched an unnamed woman on one of the two occasions.
Redacted letters to Brough and the accuser say he put his hand on the small of her back and told her he did not live far from the bar where they were and that she should come hang out with him.
“Come on, you know you need to party,” the complaint says he told her.
The other accuser said Brough made her feel uncomfortable and insinuated that he could help her politically if she went to his apartment with him.
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon announced that he is removing Brough from his committee assignments. He also ordered Brough to take harassment, discrimination and retaliation prevention training.
Brough did not immediately return telephone and emailed messages to his offices in Sacramento and San Juan Capistrano. He previously called the accusations politically motivated.
He lost his bid for reelection when he finished fourth among five candidates in the March primary election after his own party sought to oust him over sexual harassment and campaign finance allegations.
Orange County and state Republican Party leaders endorsed Laguna Niguel Mayor Laurie Davies in the 73rd Assembly District. She is headed to the November general election against Democratic candidate Scott Rhinehart for what is considered a safe Republican seat in south Orange County.
State Republican Party Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson in a statement called the findings against Brough “truly disheartening and distressing” and said party leaders’ thoughts are with the “heroic” women who made the difficult choice to come forward.
California’s campaign watchdog is still investigating allegations that Brough used campaign funds to fly his family to a Boston Red Sox baseball game, among other alleged extravagant spending.
“The Brough case is still open, an investigation in progress,” Fair Political Practices Commission spokesman Jay Wierenga said Wednesday.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Texas woman arrested for confronting couple with hammer

HOUSTON ( AP ) - A Texas woman accused of using a hammer to threaten a vacationing couple who she mistakenly referred to as Mexican during a profanity-laced tirade in southwest Houston has been arrested .
Police identified the woman as 60-year-old Constance Lynn Bono , KPRC-TV reported .
Bono has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon , a second-degree felony .
If convicted , she could serve up to 20 years in prison .
Arturo Cordovez and his wife , Dr. Lia Franco , said Bono mistaken ; y thought they were Mexican citizens .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Orleans .
The couple was vacationing in Houston when they noticed a woman following them in a car on Sunday .
Dr. Franco said they proceeded to stop their vehicle on the side of the road .
But Bono stopped too , Arturo Cordovez said .
“ After that , she started showing a hammer through the mirror .
She was shaking her arm … and cursing at us , I think .
I was thinking , what did I do ?
” The couple called 911 and stopped at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman pulled beside them and started screaming .
“ And we go ‘ what do you want ?
’ ” Dr. Franco said .
“ And she screamed ‘ You Mexicans , get out of my ( expletive ) country .
Go back to your ( expletive ) country.
’ ” Bono then exited her car and appeared to threaten the couple with the hammer .
“ I think she needs help , she needs treatment , but that doesn ’ t justify the fact she needs to follow the laws of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bono ’ s charge can be elevated to a first-degree felony , if prosecutors think this was a racially motivated attack .
The case is expected to go to a grand jury .
Bono remained jailed Wednesday , and court records do not list an attorney who could speak on her behalf .

HOUSTON (AP) - A Texas woman accused of using a hammer to threaten a vacationing couple who she mistakenly referred to as Mexican during a profanity-laced tirade in southwest Houston has been arrested.
Police identified the woman as 60-year-old Constance Lynn Bono, KPRC-TV reported. Bono has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. If convicted, she could serve up to 20 years in prison.
Arturo Cordovez and his wife, Dr. Lia Franco, said Bono mistaken;y thought they were Mexican citizens. Both are originally from Ecuador and currently live in New Orleans.
The couple was vacationing in Houston when they noticed a woman following them in a car on Sunday. Dr. Franco said they proceeded to stop their vehicle on the side of the road.
But Bono stopped too, Arturo Cordovez said. “After that, she started showing a hammer through the mirror. She was shaking her arm … and cursing at us, I think. I was thinking, what did I do?”
The couple called 911 and stopped at a gas station. Dr. Franco said the woman pulled beside them and started screaming.
“And we go ‘what do you want?’” Dr. Franco said. “And she screamed ‘You Mexicans, get out of my (expletive) country. Go back to your (expletive) country.’”
Bono then exited her car and appeared to threaten the couple with the hammer.
“I think she needs help, she needs treatment, but that doesn’t justify the fact she needs to follow the laws of her country,” Dr. Franco said.
Bono’s charge can be elevated to a first-degree felony, if prosecutors think this was a racially motivated attack. The case is expected to go to a grand jury.
Bono remained jailed Wednesday, and court records do not list an attorney who could speak on her behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--North Carolina man sentenced in 'gun pipeline' scheme

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - A North Carolina man accused of running a “ gun pipeline ” that furnished firearms to dozens of buyers in other states was sentenced to prison Tuesday , according to the U.S. Justice Department .
William John Shaw Jr. , 37 , was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on eight counts of making false statements while purchasing firearms , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced in a statement .
The Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives began investigating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C. , and Maryland , some of which had been used in crimes , officials said .
Federal agents traced the weapons back to Shaw and determined the former grocery store manager knowingly made false statements about who would own the weapons when he bought them at stores and pawn shops around Wake County and Johnston County , according to the statement .
Prosecutors alleged that Shaw sold a total of 30 to 40 guns to buyers in other states from 2013 to 2019 , after having written in federal documents that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other people .
They firearms were mostly handguns , and included multiple Glocks and at least one Ruger , The News & Observer reported , citing court documents .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A North Carolina man accused of running a “gun pipeline” that furnished firearms to dozens of buyers in other states was sentenced to prison Tuesday, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
William John Shaw Jr., 37, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on eight counts of making false statements while purchasing firearms, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced in a statement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began investigating after police recovered guns in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, some of which had been used in crimes, officials said.
Federal agents traced the weapons back to Shaw and determined the former grocery store manager knowingly made false statements about who would own the weapons when he bought them at stores and pawn shops around Wake County and Johnston County, according to the statement.
Prosecutors alleged that Shaw sold a total of 30 to 40 guns to buyers in other states from 2013 to 2019, after having written in federal documents that he was not acquiring the firearms on behalf other people.
They firearms were mostly handguns, and included multiple Glocks and at least one Ruger, The News & Observer reported, citing court documents.


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--Cops: 3-year-old killed when pickup truck crashes into SUV

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) - A speeding pickup truck driver struck multiple vehicles in Philadelphia and then crashed into an SUV stopped at a traffic light , killing a 3-year-old girl in the SUV and injuring three of her relatives .
The crashes happened around 6 p.m. Wednesday , city police said .
The woman driving the pickup apparently was trying to flee the scene of the earlier crashes when she struck the SUV carrying the girl , her 7-year-old sister , mother and grandmother , authorities said .
Bystanders performed CPR on the 3-year-old and she was soon taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there a short time later .
The older child , mother and grandmother were all treated at a hospital for undisclosed injuries that were not considered life-threatening .
Their names and further details on their conditions were not disclosed .
The pickup truck driver appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol , police said , and a gun was found in her vehicle .
She was taken into custody , but her name has not been released and it ’ s not yet known what charges she will face .

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A speeding pickup truck driver struck multiple vehicles in Philadelphia and then crashed into an SUV stopped at a traffic light, killing a 3-year-old girl in the SUV and injuring three of her relatives.
The crashes happened around 6 p.m. Wednesday, city police said.
The woman driving the pickup was identified Thursday by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office as 28-year-old Brionna Wright of Montgomery County.
District attorney’s spokeswoman Jane Roh said in a news release that Wright will be charged with third degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, homicide while driving under the influence as well as reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, resisting arrest and other charges.
Philadelphia jail information did not show whether Wright had been booked as of Thursday afternoon. Several phone numbers listed under her name were out of service.
Police said Wright was trying to flee the scene of earlier crashes when she struck the SUV carrying the girl, her 7-year-old sister, mother and grandmother. Bystanders performed CPR on the 3-year-old before she was taken to a hospital, where she died a short time later.
“Just as we are wearing masks to protect others from COVID-19 infection, so should we consider the safety of others every time we get behind the wheel,” Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner wrote in the release. “I urge Philadelphians not to confuse emptier streets and fewer pedestrians with license to speed or drive while intoxicated.”
The older child, mother and grandmother were all treated at a hospital for undisclosed injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Their names and further details on their conditions were not disclosed. At least two people from the earlier crashes were also treated for minor injuries.
Wright appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, police said, and a gun was found in her vehicle. She was taken to the hospital for blood tests and for treatment of unknown injuries.


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--Longtime legislator Martha Fuller Clark to retire

PORTSMOUTH , N.H. ( AP ) - Longtime New Hampshire legislator Martha Fuller Clark said Thursday that she is retiring from office and won ’ t seek re-election this year .
saying it ’ s time for “ a new generation of political leaders ” to fill her seat .
Fuller Clark , a state senator , was first elected to that chamber in 2004 .
The Democrat lost to a Republican in 2010 .
She was elected in 2012 to a newly redrawn district representing Portsmouth and other Seacoast communities .
Before the Senate , she was a member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She said in a statement that the closing of Seacoast businesses because of the coronavirus has devastated the economy , and the education system has been disrupted .
“ It is clear that the next two years will be an extremely difficult but potentially exciting time in Concord as the legislature must struggle to come to terms with the challenge of finding new ways to address how we will all live , work and play as a result of the changes brought about by the Covid crisis and our weakened economy , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sudden decline in state revenues will certainly present real challenges over the next biennium.
” Earlier this year , Fuller Clark and her husband tested positive for the virus , but both recovered .

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) - Longtime New Hampshire legislator Martha Fuller Clark announced Thursday that she is retiring from office and won’t seek re-election this year, saying it’s time for “a new generation of political leaders” to fill her seat.
Fuller Clark, a state senator, was first elected to that chamber in 2004. The Democrat lost to a Republican in 2010. She was elected in 2012 to a newly redrawn district representing Portsmouth and other Seacoast communities. Before the Senate, she was a member of the House for 12 years.
She said in a statement that the closing of Seacoast businesses because of the coronavirus has devastated the economy, and the education system has been disrupted.
“It is clear that the next two years will be an extremely difficult but potentially exciting time in Concord as the legislature must struggle to come to terms with the challenge of finding new ways to address how we will all live, work and play as a result of the changes brought about by the Covid crisis and our weakened economy,” she said. “The dramatic and sudden decline in state revenues will certainly present real challenges over the next biennium.”
Earlier this year, Fuller Clark and her husband tested positive for the virus but both recovered.


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--Fourth child in Washington has coronavirus-related illness

PASCO , Wash. ( AP ) - A child in the Pasco , Washington , area has been diagnosed with @ @ @ @ @ children , an illness associated with COVID-19 , said the Benton Franklin Health District .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s one of four cases of the syndrome identified in Washington state and the @ @ @ @ @ .
The child is under 10 and is hospitalized .
No additional information has been @ @ @ @ @ ’ s privacy .
Children diagnosed with the illness are healthy before developing symptoms similar @ @ @ @ @ are advised to watch for symptoms such as fever or headache , abdominal pain with @ @ @ @ @ and respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath , said Dr. John McGuire , chief @ @ @ @ @ Critical Care Medicine at Seattle Children ’ s Hospital .

PASCO, Wash. (AP) - A child in the Pasco, Washington, area has been diagnosed with a multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children, an illness associated with COVID-19, said the Benton Franklin Health District.
The Tri-City Herald reports it’s one of four cases of the syndrome identified in Washington state and the first in the Tri-Cities area.
The child is under 10 and is hospitalized.
No additional information has been released to protect the family’s privacy.
Children diagnosed with the illness are healthy before developing symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease.
Parents are advised to watch for symptoms such as fever or headache, abdominal pain with or without diarrhea, fatigue and respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, said Dr. John McGuire, chief of the Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at Seattle Children’s Hospital.


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--Houston businessman gets probation for for illegal donations

HOUSTON ( AP ) - An 80-year-old Houston businessman has been sentenced to two years of probation after he pleaded @ @ @ @ @ contributions to U.S. congressional candidates .
Prosecutors had sought a two-year prison sentence for James @ @ @ @ @ opted for probation and a $ 100,000 fine .
“ This is a difficult case @ @ @ @ @ Lake , citing Dannenbaum ’ s health , his philanthropy , but also the fact @ @ @ @ @ his engineering firm to make more than $ 300,000 in illegal donations to 26 campaigns @ @ @ @ @ Houston Chronicle reported .
Prosecutors said Dannenbaum did not reveal to any of the federal @ @ @ @ @ the true source of the political contributions .
Dannenbaum , the former CEO of Houston-based @ @ @ @ @ guilty last year to violating the Federal Election Campaign Act .

HOUSTON (AP) - An 80-year-old Houston businessman has been sentenced to two years of probation after he pleaded guilty to making illegal political contributions to U.S. congressional candidates.
Prosecutors had sought a two-year prison sentence for James Dannenbaum but a judge Wednesday opted for probation and a $100,000 fine.
“This is a difficult case,” said Judge Sim Lake, citing Dannenbaum’s health, his philanthropy, but also the fact that he pushed employees of his engineering firm to make more than $300,000 in illegal donations to 26 campaigns over three years, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Prosecutors said Dannenbaum did not reveal to any of the federal candidates that the company was the true source of the political contributions.
Dannenbaum, the former CEO of Houston-based Dannenbaum Engineering Corp., pleaded guilty last year to violating the Federal Election Campaign Act.


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--Report: Woman shot by deputies was a U.S. Army veteran

ORLANDO , Fla. ( AP ) - A woman who deputies fatally shot after she pointed a gun at them following a confrontation with a neighbor was a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran , a newspaper reported .
Tracy Drowne pointed a gun at two deputies who came to her house while investigating a battery call on Tuesday afternoon , Orange County Sheriff John Mina said in a statement .
The deputies fired , striking her .
A neighbor called the sheriff ’ s office to report that Drowne hit him during an argument about his 16-year-old daughter , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputies , Nathan Henley and Joseph O ’ Neil , rendered aid until paramedics arrived , Mina said .
She later died at a hospital .
The sheriff ’ s office hasn ’ t said what caused the confrontation with the neighbor .
Drowne ’ s ex-husband , Salvador Perez , told the Orlando Sentinel that Drowne had been struggling recently .
Perez and the couple ’ s two daughters live in California .
“ There were issues that she was dealing with , ” Perez told the newspaper .
“ She thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she didn ’ t trust anybody.
” He said she served in the Army and had been deployed at least twice .
He said she worked in finance and on contracts for the military , but had since retired .
In 2013 , Drowne was honored with a U.S. Army Acquisition Award for contracting excellence , when she was listed as a sergeant first class , the Sentinel reported .
The two deputies are on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement .
The sheriff ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ @ @

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A woman who deputies fatally shot after she pointed a gun at them following a confrontation with a neighbor was a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran, a newspaper reported.
Tracy Drowne pointed a gun at two deputies who came to her house while investigating a battery call on Tuesday afternoon, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said in a statement. The deputies fired, striking her.
A neighbor called the sheriff’s office to report that Drowne hit him during an argument about his 16-year-old daughter, according to a sheriff’s statement.
The deputies, Nathan Henley and Joseph O’Neil, rendered aid until paramedics arrived, Mina said. She later died at a hospital.
The sheriff’s office hasn’t said what caused the confrontation with the neighbor.
Drowne’s ex-husband, Salvador Perez, told the Orlando Sentinel that Drowne had been struggling recently. Perez and the couple’s two daughters live in California.
“There were issues that she was dealing with,” Perez told the newspaper. “She thought everyone was out to get her and she didn’t trust anybody.”
He said she served in the Army and had been deployed at least twice. He said she worked in finance and on contracts for the military, but had since retired.
In 2013, Drowne was honored with a U.S. Army Acquisition Award for contracting excellence, when she was listed as a sergeant first class, the Sentinel reported.
The two deputies are on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The sheriff’s office is also completing an internal review.


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--Fires, looting rock Minneapolis after man's death; 1 dead

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Fires burned and looters struck Thursday after violent protests over the death of a black man in police custody rocked Minneapolis for a second straight night , with damage stretching for miles across the city .
Amid the violence , a man was found fatally shot Wednesday night near a pawn shop .
Asked to confirm reports that he had been shot by a store owner , police spokesman John Elder said that was “ one of the theories.
” Protesters began gathering in the early afternoon Wednesday near the city ’ s 3rd Precinct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city where 46-year-old George Floyd died on Memorial Day after an officer knelt on his neck until he became unresponsive .
Protesters skirmished with officers , who fired rubber bullets and tear gas in a repeat of Tuesday night ’ s confrontation .
On Thursday morning , smoke hung over Minneapolis and looters carried merchandise from a damaged Target store with no interference by police .
Video of the store ’ s interior showed empty clothing racks and shelves and debris strewn about .
Obscenities were spray painted on the exterior of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. cities .
In California , hundreds of people protesting Floyd ’ s death blocked a Los Angeles freeway and shattered windows of California Highway Patrol cruisers on Wednesday .
It was the second night of violent protest in Minneapolis since the death of Floyd , whom police were seeking to arrest outside a Minneapolis grocery store on a report of a counterfeit bill being passed .
A bystander ’ s cellphone video showed an officer kneeling on Floyd ‘ s neck for almost eight minutes as he eventually became unresponsive .
Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Please , Minneapolis , we can not let tragedy beget more tragedy , ” he said on Twitter .
He also asked for the public ’ s help in keeping the peace .
The officer and three others were fired Tuesday , and on Wednesday , Frey called for him to be criminally charged .
Frey asked Gov .
Tim Walz to activate the National Guard , a spokesman confirmed Thursday .
The governor ’ s office didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment .
Walz tweeted for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ an extremely dangerous situation ” and urging people to leave the scene .
On Wednesday night , officers responding to a reported stabbing near the protests found a man lying on the sidewalk with what turned out to be a bullet wound , Elder said .
The man was pronounced dead at a local hospital .
Elder said a suspect was in custody but said the facts leading up to the shooting were “ still being sorted out .
”

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Cheering protesters torched a Minneapolis police station Thursday that the department was forced to abandon as three days of violent protests spread to nearby St. Paul and angry demonstrations flared across the U.S over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white police officer kneeled on his neck.
A police spokesman confirmed late Thursday that staff had evacuated the 3rd Precinct station, the focus of many of the protests, “in the interest of the safety of our personnel” shortly after 10 p.m. Livestream video showed the protesters entering the building, where fire alarms blared and sprinklers ran as blazes were set.
Protesters could be seen setting fire to a Minneapolis Police Department jacket and cheering.
Late Thursday, President Donald Trump blasted the “total lack of leadership” in Minneapolis. “Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts,” he said on Twitter.
Protests first erupted Tuesday, a day after Floyd’s death in a confrontation with police captured on widely seen citizen video. On the video, Floyd can be seen pleading as Officer Derek Chauvin presses his knee against him. As minutes pass, Floyd slowly stops talking and moving. The 3rd Precinct covers the portion of south Minneapolis where Floyd was arrested.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz earlier Thursday activated the National Guard at the Minneapolis mayor’s request, but it wasn’t immediately clear when and where the Guard was being deployed, and none could be seen during protests in Minneapolis or St. Paul. The Guard tweeted minutes after the precinct burned that it had activated more than 500 soldiers across the metro area.
The Guard said a “key objective” was to make sure fire departments could respond to calls, and said in a follow-up tweet it was “here with the Minneapolis Fire Department” to assist. But no move was made to put out the 3rd Precinct fire. Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner said fire crews could not safely respond to fires at the precinct station and some surrounding buildings.
Earlier Thursday, dozens of businesses across the Twin Cities boarded up their windows and doors in an effort to prevent looting, with Minneapolis-based Target announcing it was temporarily closing two dozen area stores. Minneapolis shut down nearly its entire light-rail system and all bus service through Sunday out of safety concerns.
In St. Paul, clouds of smoke hung in the air as police armed with batons and wearing gas masks and body armor kept a watchful eye on protesters along one of the city’s main commercial corridors, where firefighters also sprayed water onto a series of small fires. At one point, officers stood in line in front of a Target, trying to keep out looters, who were also smashing windows of other businesses.
Hundreds of demonstrators returned Thursday to the Minneapolis neighborhood at the center of the violence, where the nighttime scene veered between an angry protest and a street party. At one point, a band playing in a parking lot across from the 3rd Precinct broke into a punk version of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song.” Nearby, demonstrators carried clothing mannequins from a looted Target and threw them onto a burning car. Later, a building fire erupted nearby.
But elsewhere in Minneapolis, thousands of peaceful demonstrators marched through the streets calling for justice.
Floyd’s death has deeply shaken Minneapolis and sparked protests in cities across the U.S. Local leaders have repeatedly urged demonstrators to avoid violence.
“Please stay home. Please do not come here to protest. Please keep the focus on George Floyd, on advancing our movement and on preventing this from ever happening again,” tweeted St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, who is black.
Erika Atson, 20, was among thousands of people who gathered outside government offices in downtown Minneapolis, where organizers had called a peaceful protest. Many protesters wore masks because of the coronavirus pandemic, but there were few attempts at social distancing.
Atson, who is black, described seeing her 14- and 11-year-old brothers tackled by Minneapolis police years ago because officers mistakenly presumed the boys had guns. She said she had been at “every single protest” since Floyd’s death and worried about raising children who could be vulnerable in police encounters.
“We don’t want to be here fighting against anyone. We don’t want anyone to be hurt. We don’t want to cause any damages,” she said. “We just want the police officer to be held accountable.”
The group marched peacefully for three hours before another confrontation with police broke out, though details were scarce.
After calling in the Guard, Walz urged widespread changes in the wake of Floyd’s death.
“It is time to rebuild. Rebuild the city, rebuild our justice system and rebuild the relationship between law enforcement and those they’re charged to protect,” Walz said.
Much of the Minneapolis violence occurred in the Longfellow neighborhood, where protesters converged on the precinct station of the police who arrested Floyd. In a strip mall across the street from the 3rd Precinct station, the windows in nearly every business had been smashed, from the large Target department store at one end to the Planet Fitness gym at the other. Only the 24-hour laundromat appeared to have escaped unscathed.
“WHY US?” demanded a large expanse of red graffiti scrawled on the wall of the Target. A Wendy’s restaurant across the street was charred almost beyond recognition.
Among the casualties of the overnight fires: a six-story building under construction that was to provide nearly 200 apartments of affordable housing.
“We’re burning our own neighborhood,” said a distraught Deona Brown, a 24-year-old woman standing with a friend outside the precinct station, where a small group of protesters were shouting at a dozen or so stone-faced police officers in riot gear. “This is where we live, where we shop, and they destroyed it.” No officers could be seen beyond the station.
“What that cop did was wrong, but I’m scared now,” Brown said.
Others in the crowd saw something different in the wreckage.
Protesters destroyed property “because the system is broken,” said a young man who identified himself only by his nickname, Cash, and who said he had been in the streets during the violence. He dismissed the idea that the destruction would hurt residents of the largely black neighborhood.
“They’re making money off of us,” he said angrily of the owners of the destroyed stores. He laughed when asked if he had joined in the looting or violence. “I didn’t break anything.”
The protests that began Wednesday night and extended into Thursday were more violent than Tuesday’s, which included skirmishes between offices and protesters but no widespread property damage.
Mayor Jacob Frey appealed for calm but the city’s response to the protests was quickly questioned as things started spiraling into violence. “If the strategy was to keep residents safe - it failed,” City Council Member Jeremiah Ellison, who is black, tweeted. “Prevent property damage - it failed.” On Thursday, he urged police to leave the scene of the overnight violence, saying their presence brings people into the streets.
Protests have also spread to other U.S. cities. In New York City, protesters defied New York’s coronavirus prohibition on public gatherings Thursday, clashing with police, while demonstrators blocked traffic in downtown Denver. A day earlier, demonstrators had taken to the streets in Los Angeles and Memphis.
In Louisville, Kentucky, police confirmed that at least seven people had been shot Thursday night as protesters demanded justice for Breonna Taylor, a black woman who was fatally shot by police in her home in March.
Amid the violence in Minneapolis, a man was found fatally shot Wednesday night near a pawn shop, possibly by the owner, authorities said.
Fire crews responded to about 30 intentionally set blazes, and multiple fire trucks were damaged by rocks and other projectiles, the fire department said. No one was hurt by the blazes.
The city on Thursday released a transcript of the 911 call that brought police to the grocery store where Floyd was arrested. The caller described someone paying with a counterfeit bill, with workers rushing outside to find the man sitting on a van. The caller described the man as “awfully drunk and he’s not in control of himself.” Asked by the 911 operator whether the man was “under the influence of something,” the caller said: “Something like that, yes. He is not acting right.” Police said Floyd matched the caller’s description of the suspect.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI in Minneapolis said Thursday they were conducting “a robust criminal investigation” into the death. President Donald Trump has said he had asked an investigation to be expedited.
The FBI is also investigating whether Floyd’s civil rights were violated.
Chauvin, the officer who kneeled on Floyd’s neck, was fired Tuesday with three other officers involved in the arrest. The next day, the mayor called for Chauvin to be criminally charged. He also appealed for the activation of the National Guard.
___
Associated Press writers Steve Karnowski, Jeff Baenen and Doug Glass in Minneapolis, and Gretchen Ehlke in Milwaukee contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--Scott Gottlieb, former FDA chief: U.S. must improve coronavirus testing for asymptomatic patients

Dr. Scott Gottlieb , a former head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration , on Thursday said the U.S. still has a ways to go on coronavirus testing for asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic people .
“ We ’ re not doing a good job yet of putting in place the mechanisms for asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic testing , ” Dr. Gottlieb said on CNBC .
“ The people who are generally presenting for testing are symptomatic people.
” “ We still need to figure out ways to get testing into sites and encourage asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic screening , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a difficult situation heading into the fall , ” he said .
It ’ s estimated that more than 15 million tests have been performed in the U.S. , which crossed the somber threshold of 100,000 coronavirus-related deaths this week .
Dr. Gottlieb has said an ideal target is to have roughly 1 % of the U.S. population , or about 3 million people , tested every week .
Some experts have said that target needs to be far higher .
He said there ’ s also a “ patchwork ” system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dr. Gottlieb has been advising Maryland , Massachusetts and Connecticut on their coronavirus responses and said those states and California are examples of those that are doing a good job .
“ Some states aren ’ t and so that ’ s going to be a problem in the fall if we have this patchwork approach , and we don ’ t have a uniform system for trying to do case-based interventions heading into the fall , ” he said .

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, on Thursday said the U.S. still has a ways to go on coronavirus testing for asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic people.
“We’re not doing a good job yet of putting in place the mechanisms for asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic testing,” Dr. Gottlieb said on CNBC. “The people who are generally presenting for testing are symptomatic people.”
“We still need to figure out ways to get testing into sites and encourage asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic screening, or we’re going to be in a difficult situation heading into the fall,” he said.
It’s estimated that more than 15 million tests have been performed in the U.S., which crossed the somber threshold of 100,000 coronavirus-related deaths this week.
Dr. Gottlieb has said an ideal target is to have roughly 1% of the U.S. population, or about 3 million people, tested every week. Some experts have said that target needs to be far higher.
He said there’s also a “patchwork” system of tracking and tracing among the states.
Dr. Gottlieb has been advising Maryland, Massachusetts and Connecticut on their coronavirus responses and said those states and California are examples of those that are doing a good job.
“Some states aren’t and so that’s going to be a problem in the fall if we have this patchwork approach, and we don’t have a uniform system for trying to do case-based interventions heading into the fall,” he said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--Top spellers prepare to crown national champion, from home

Like dozens of other veteran spellers in their final year of eligibility , Anson Cook had big plans for this year ’ s Scripps National Spelling Bee , which was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The 13-year-old eighth-grader from Potomac , Maryland , was a two-time participant in the bee , and last year he finished in a tie for 41st .
His objective was to make it into the top 12 or so who participate in the prime-time , ESPN-televised finals .
“ My goal for 2020 was to make it to the finals of Scripps .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ What do I do now ?
’ And now I ’ ve achieved that goal , ” Anson said .
He reached his goal by becoming one of the 16 finalists in the SpellPundit National Online Spelling Bee , a new event created by two teenage ex-spellers to fill the void left by the cancellation and give eighth-graders one last chance to compete .
The National Spelling Bee has always been limited to kids in middle and elementary school , and Scripps has said it will not extend eligibility to allow ninth-graders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bee , with spellers competing from their homes over Zoom , concludes Thursday night , the same time the Scripps winner would have been decided .
The champion receives $ 2,500 , a pittance compared to the National Spelling Bee ’ s first prize of $ 50,000 , but worth a middle-schooler ’ s time and effort all the same .
Most of the spellers who would have been favorites at the national bee quickly signed up , including the top three still-eligible finishers from last year .
The bee pronouncers and judges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Modi , the 2018 Scripps runner-up , and Sohum Sukhantankar , one of last year ’ s eight champions .
Yes , eight : Last year ’ s Scripps bee ended in an eight-way tie when organizers ran out of words difficult enough to challenge the best spellers .
SpellPundit co-founder Shourav Dasari pledged that would not happen with his bee , and so far the words have been plenty tough .
In a semifinal round on Wednesday night , six out of seven competitors spelled their words incorrectly , forcing a tiebreaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three spots in the finals .
Scott Remer , a private spelling coach and author of the book “ Words of Wisdom : Keys to Success in the Scripps National Spelling Bee , ” said he was impressed with the SpellPundit word list because it has been consistently tough enough to knock out some , but not all , spellers in a round .
“ Every year as I tutor kids I ’ m constantly finding new words , not just new words but new words that are difficult , have interesting definitions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are perfect spelling bee words , ” said Remer said .
“ I don ’ t think the problem is that those sorts of spelling bee words don ’ t exist.
” The semifinal rounds of the SpellPundit bee ran relatively smoothly on Tuesday and Wednesday , aside from the occasional audio glitch .
And the organizers were accountable for their shortcomings - when they failed to give one of two languages of origin to Atman Balakrishnan , he appealed , and was granted a new word .
He misspelled that word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to guarantee spellers aren ’ t cheating , the bee is operating on an honor system .
Spellers are instructed to be alone in a room with only a laptop or desktop computer , and to keep their hands in view of the camera while spelling .
That requirement led to some odd body language , with many spellers adopting a pose of surrender with hands up and palms forward .
Anson said spellers are accustomed to being ill at ease .
“ It is uncomfortable , ” he said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s any more uncomfortable than standing on a stage in National Harbor with hundreds of people in the audience.
” Some eighth-graders , their parents and other supporters are not giving up on the dream of competing in the real National Spelling Bee , which is held at the National Harbor complex just outside Washington .
They have tried to pressure Scripps to extend their eligibility or host an alternative bee with an online petition , an op-ed published in The Guardian and television appearances .
Scripps has been noting the achievements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bee website and heralding them on social media and YouTube .
The gestures hardly filled the void of Bee Week , an immersive , exhilarating experience for spellers and their families that many describe as a highlight of their young lives .
Kimmie Collins , an ex-speller who had planned to volunteer at the bee this year , summed up the feelings of loss in a letter to spellers she posted on social media .
“ I couldn ’ t wait to meet you all , to be amazed at how brilliant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are , ” Collins wrote .
“ For the last four years , I ’ ve been yearning to feel that same electricity as the Maryland Ballroom during the Championship Finals because nothing can compare to the camaraderie felt on that night .
”

Like dozens of other veteran spellers in their final year of eligibility, Anson Cook had big plans for this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee, which was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 13-year-old eighth-grader from Potomac, Maryland, was a two-time participant in the bee, and last year he finished in a tie for 41st. His objective was to make it into the top 12 or so who participate in the prime-time, ESPN-televised finals.
“My goal for 2020 was to make it to the finals of Scripps. After the cancellation I was like, ‘What do I do now?’ And now I’ve achieved that goal,” Anson said.
He reached his goal by becoming one of the 16 finalists in the SpellPundit National Online Spelling Bee, a new event created by two teenage ex-spellers to fill the void left by the cancellation and give eighth-graders one last chance to compete. The National Spelling Bee has always been limited to kids in middle and elementary school, and Scripps has said it will not extend eligibility to allow ninth-graders to participate next year.
The SpellPundit bee, with spellers competing from their homes over Zoom, concludes Thursday night, the same time the Scripps winner would have been decided. The champion receives $2,500, a pittance compared to the National Spelling Bee’s first prize of $50,000, but worth a middle-schooler’s time and effort all the same.
Most of the spellers who would have been favorites at the national bee quickly signed up, including the top three still-eligible finishers from last year. The bee pronouncers and judges are all recent ex-spellers, including Naysa Modi, the 2018 Scripps runner-up, and Sohum Sukhantankar, one of last year’s eight champions.
Yes, eight: Last year’s Scripps bee ended in an eight-way tie when organizers ran out of words difficult enough to challenge the best spellers. SpellPundit co-founder Shourav Dasari pledged that would not happen with his bee, and so far the words have been plenty tough. In a semifinal round on Wednesday night, six out of seven competitors spelled their words incorrectly, forcing a tiebreaker among the six who missed to fill three spots in the finals.
Scott Remer, a private spelling coach and author of the book “Words of Wisdom: Keys to Success in the Scripps National Spelling Bee,” said he was impressed with the SpellPundit word list because it has been consistently tough enough to knock out some, but not all, spellers in a round.
“Every year as I tutor kids I’m constantly finding new words, not just new words but new words that are difficult, have interesting definitions, are an appropriate length - words that are perfect spelling bee words,” said Remer said. “I don’t think the problem is that those sorts of spelling bee words don’t exist.”
The semifinal rounds of the SpellPundit bee ran relatively smoothly on Tuesday and Wednesday, aside from the occasional audio glitch. And the organizers were accountable for their shortcomings - when they failed to give one of two languages of origin to Atman Balakrishnan, he appealed, and was granted a new word. He misspelled that word, too.
Because there is no way to guarantee spellers aren’t cheating, the bee is operating on an honor system. Spellers are instructed to be alone in a room with only a laptop or desktop computer, and to keep their hands in view of the camera while spelling. That requirement led to some odd body language, with many spellers adopting a pose of surrender with hands up and palms forward.
Anson said spellers are accustomed to being ill at ease.
“It is uncomfortable,” he said, “but I don’t think it’s any more uncomfortable than standing on a stage in National Harbor with hundreds of people in the audience.”
Some eighth-graders, their parents and other supporters are not giving up on the dream of competing in the real National Spelling Bee, which is held at the National Harbor complex just outside Washington. They have tried to pressure Scripps to extend their eligibility or host an alternative bee with an online petition, an op-ed published in The Guardian and television appearances.
Scripps has been noting the achievements of eighth-graders by posting their accomplishments on the bee website and heralding them on social media and YouTube. The gestures hardly filled the void of Bee Week, an immersive, exhilarating experience for spellers and their families that many describe as a highlight of their young lives.
Kimmie Collins, an ex-speller who had planned to volunteer at the bee this year, summed up the feelings of loss in a letter to spellers she posted on social media.
“I couldn’t wait to meet you all, to be amazed at how brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous you are,” Collins wrote. “For the last four years, I’ve been yearning to feel that same electricity as the Maryland Ballroom during the Championship Finals because nothing can compare to the camaraderie felt on that night.”
___
Follow Ben Nuckols on Twitter at https://twitter.com/APBenNuckols.


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--Mark Zuckerberg: Facebook shouldn't be 'arbiter of truth' of online content

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in an interview airing Thursday he doesn ’ t think his company should be the “ arbiter of truth ” of what ’ s said online after Twitter attached fact-checking links to a few of President Trump ’ s posts for the first time this week .
“ We have a different policy I think than Twitter on this , ” Mr. Zuckerberg told Fox News .
“ You know , I just believe strongly that Facebook shouldn ’ t be the arbiter of truth of everything that people say online.
” “ I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouldn ’ t be , or especially these platform companies , shouldn ’ t be in the position of doing that , ” he said .
Mr. Trump is set to sign an executive order dealing with social media after he and other Republicans roundly criticized Twitter for the move .
“ I ’ d have to understand what they actually would intend to do , ” he said .
“ But in general , I think a government choosing to censor a platform because they ’ re worried about censorship doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflex there.
” Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said on Wednesday their new policy doesn ’ t make the company an “ arbiter of truth.
” “ Our intention is to connect the dots of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves , ” he said .
“ More transparency from us is critical so folks can clearly see the why behind our actions .
”

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in an interview airing Thursday he doesn’t think his company should be the “arbiter of truth” of what’s said online after Twitter attached fact-checking links to a few of President Trump’s posts for the first time this week.
“We have a different policy I think than Twitter on this,” Mr. Zuckerberg told Fox News. “You know, I just believe strongly that Facebook shouldn’t be the arbiter of truth of everything that people say online.”
“I think, in general, private companies probably shouldn’t be, or especially these platform companies, shouldn’t be in the position of doing that,” he said.
Mr. Trump is set to sign an executive order dealing with social media after he and other Republicans roundly criticized Twitter for the move.
Mr. Zuckerberg said additional regulations aren’t necessarily the answer.
“I’d have to understand what they actually would intend to do,” he said. “But in general, I think a government choosing to censor a platform because they’re worried about censorship doesn’t exactly strike me as the right reflex there.”
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said on Wednesday their new policy doesn’t make the company an “arbiter of truth.”
“Our intention is to connect the dots of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves,” he said. “More transparency from us is critical so folks can clearly see the why behind our actions.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--Tennessee suit seeking vote-by-mail for all heading to court

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - A Tennessee lawsuit that seeks to let all voters cast ballots by mail @ @ @ @ @ is headed to court Thursday .
During the video conferencing hearing , a Davidson County @ @ @ @ @ order a temporary injunction of more than a dozen excuses to qualify to vote absentee @ @ @ @ @ primary .
Those range from being sick to being 60 or older .
The lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ eliminates risk of catching COVID-19 at the polls or unknowingly spreading it .
State officials @ @ @ @ @ feasibly implement ” the quick and costly shift .
Memphis-based voting rights group # UpTheVote901 @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit .
Two other lawsuits similarly seek the expansion of absentee voting in Tennessee for @ @ @ @ @ American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee , which is leading the other state court lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ in Thursday ’ s hearing .
The Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law @ @ @ @ @ have sued in federal court .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A Tennessee judge expects to rule next Thursday on whether to order a temporary injunction to let all voters cast ballots by mail in the August primary due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle set the deadline during a video conference hearing Thursday that she rescheduled for next Wednesday.
The lawsuit argues universal vote by mail eliminates risk of catching COVID-19 at the polls or unknowingly spreading it. State officials say they “cannot feasibly implement” a quick shift to let all voters cast their ballots by mail in the 2020 elections.
Lyle will weigh whether to order the temporary injunction of more than a dozen excuses to qualify to vote absentee in Tennessee in the August primary. Those range from being sick to being 60 or older.
The hearing will include discussion on two similar state court lawsuits that seek vote by mail for all in the August and November elections: One filed by Memphis-based voting rights group #UpTheVote901 and several voters, and another led by the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee.
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Campaign Legal Center have also sued in federal court seeking absentee voting for all voters this year.


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--Many more likely sought US jobless aid even as layoffs slow

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - The U.S. government is set to sketch its latest picture Thursday of the layoffs that @ @ @ @ @ of people unemployed but have slowed as states increasingly allow businesses to reopen .
Even @ @ @ @ @ employees back to work , millions more likely filed for unemployment benefits last week after @ @ @ @ @ in the previous nine weeks as the coronavirus paralyzed the economy .
The pace of @ @ @ @ @ straight weeks , a sign that the cratering of the job market may have bottomed @ @ @ @ @ , though , the number of weekly applications remains enormous .
The job cuts reflect @ @ @ @ @ by the worst downturn since the Great Depression after the virus forced the widespread shutdown @ @ @ @ @ is thought to be shrinking in the April-June quarter at an annual rate approaching 40 @ @ @ @ @ , by far , the worst quarterly contraction on record .

WASHINGTON (AP) - A debate in Congress over whether to extend $600 a week in federally provided benefits to the unemployed looks sure to intensify with the number of people receiving the aid now topping 30 million - one in five workers.
The money, included in a government relief package enacted in March, is set to expire July 31. Yet with the unemployment rate widely expected to still be in the mid-teens by then, members of both parties will face pressure to compromise on some form of renewed benefits for the jobless.
Democrats have proposed keeping the $600-a-week payments through January in a $3 trillion relief package that the House approved this month along party lines. Senate Republicans oppose that measure. They have expressed concern that the federal payments - which come on top of whatever unemployment aid a state provides - would discourage laid-off people from returning to jobs that pay less than their combined state and federal unemployment aid now does.
So far there are no formal negotiations on another relief package. But analysts say the need to address the fate of the $600 weekly benefits could force a resolution of the issue this summer.
Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, are promoting a plan that would provide $450 a week for laid-off workers who return to their jobs, as a “back to work” bonus. This payment would also expire by July 31, though.
Larry Kudlow, the top White House economic adviser, said earlier this week that the proposal is “something we’re looking at very carefully.”
Separately, Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., vice chair of the Joint Economic Committee, has proposed reducing the $600 benefit to $300 in stages by the end of the year. This plan, Beyer suggested in an interview, would sharply reduce the number of people who are receiving more money from jobless aid than they would from working.
“If you solve that problem, there’s a good chance of extending unemployment,” Beyer said.
Typically, state unemployment aid replaces only about one-third to one-half a laid-off worker’s pay to encourage the recipients to seek new work. The $600 in federal benefits was added as a way to replace all of an average worker’s lost income. But because those who have lost jobs since the virus hit are disproportionately low-wage workers, most of them are receiving more in unemployment aid than they did from their old jobs, economists estimate.
Shannon Conway, director of operations at R&L Hospitality Group in Richmond, which owns five restaurants and a catering company, said she and other restaurant operators have encountered reluctance from some of their laid-off workers to return.
That’s partly because of the $600-a-week in federal unemployment aid, she said. But another factor is the uncertainty about what the restaurant business will look like in the coming weeks and months, Conway added. It’s unlikely that servers will earn anything close to what they used to, she said.
“Recalling staff is definitely an issue,” Conway said. “Why would they give up a sure thing when they know we don’t know what’s going to happen through these early stages of reopening? I can’t guarantee them their same shifts.”
Madelyn Figgers, 26, lost her job as a server in March at one of the restaurants Conway operates, Lunch and Supper. Figgers said the extra $600 in unemployment benefits has allowed her to keep up with all her bills and rent.
“I don’t think I would be able to stay afloat without the $600,” she said.
Figgers acknowledged that the extra money would make her hesitant to return to her old job, particularly if it was for fewer hours than she had before. But she also knows that legally she is required to accept an offer for work, or risk losing all her benefits.
So far, Figgers hasn’t been asked to return. But she doubts that the restaurant industry will return to what it was, when she could earn $300 in tips on a busy weekend night. She is considering leaving the industry and is looking for administrative jobs that she could do from home.
Research by University of Chicago economist Peter Ganong and two of his colleagues has found that, because of the extra $600, two-thirds of laid-off workers are receiving benefits that exceed the paychecks they previously earned from working. One-fifth could receive at least twice their previous pay.
Ganong says that such large payments could delay some laid-off workers from switching to new careers that might be more in demand in the future.
But he also thinks that Congress should keep an enhanced benefit in place because more jobless aid is crucial in the midst of a deep recession. Jobless benefits enable recipients to pay for necessities and cover more bills, including, crucially, their rent or a mortgage, Ganong said.
He proposes replacing the flat $600-a-week payments with a percentage increase to each recipient’s benefit check, with the goal of matching the worker’s previous earnings but not going much higher. Congress did not initially take this route, in part because of doubts that states’ antiquated unemployment systems could handle such a change, but that could be addressed by the end of July, Ganong said.
Andrew Stettner, senior fellow at The Century Foundation, said that unemployment benefit payments are on track to top $70 billion in May, a significant stimulus for the economy.
“The job market has not made a big comeback, and the enhanced unemployment aid is one of the most important fiscal boosts that the federal government can provide to families and the economy,” he said.
___
AP staff writers Sarah Rankin in Richmond and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--'Master Thief' burglar hopes to catch break on sentence

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) - A self-described “ master thief ” career criminal is hoping to catch a break on his prison sentence from burglarizing a Brink ’ s warehouse during which he accidentally set millions of dollars on fire .
Sean Murphy and two other men were convicted of breaking into the Brink ’ s facility in Columbus in January 2009 .
Murphy received a 20-year sentence in that case , eventually reduced to 13 years on appeal .
Before that sentence began , however , he spent a decade in jail awaiting trial for a 2008 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Giants Super Bowl rings , along with jewels and precious metals .
Murphy believes he ’ s already served the bulk of his federal time and should be out by next year .
He notes he was arrested on Jan. 23 , 2009 , for the Super Bowl ring theft , and finally sentenced for that more than 10 years later , on Dec. 5 , 2019 .
“ Everything in between goes toward the federal sentence , ” Murphy said in a letter to The Associated Press .
Federal prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who oversaw the Brink ’ s case said that Murphy ’ s federal sentence is to run on top of any unserved Massachusetts prison term , said Sal Dominguez , an assistant U.S. attorney in Columbus .
Murphy , who has yet to formally argue for his release on time served , is awaiting transfer to a Massachusetts prison to serve his time for the Super Bowl ring theft .
The 2008 break-in at E.A .
Dion Co. in Attleboro , Massachusetts , attracted attention beyond the theft of the Super Bowl rings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other goods taken .
Murphy and his accomplices ’ trademark garb of all-black outfits and their access through the roof earned them media mentions as “ Ocean ’ s Eleven ” -style burglars after the 2001 heist movie .
Murphy was in authorities ’ cross hairs long before that burglary , however .
A member of what investigators termed the “ Lynn Breakers , ” a burglary ring in his hometown of Lynn , Massachusetts , he was prosecuted and pursued for burglaries big and small over the years .
Murphy was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to commercial burglaries , said Alan Zani , a retired Massachusetts State Police investigator .
Murphy ’ s many jobs included a break-in at a Berkshire armored car facility in Massachusetts in 1991 and at a Costco warehouse in Pennsylvania in 2004 .
He was also implicated in the theft of 1.8 million prescription drug pills from an AmerisourceBergen warehouse in 2006 .
Murphy also attempted fraud at times , including a bogus priest abuse claim in the late 1990s against the Archdiocese of Boston seeking $ 850,000 , which landed him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than once , Murphy also offered his expertise as a security consultant to companies he ’ d targeted , including a 2006 letter to Costco - an offer the company declined .
Murphy ’ s January 2009 burglary of a Brink ’ s warehouse on the north side of Columbus could have been his biggest score ever , and one of the biggest robberies in U.S. history .
At the time , the facility regularly held millions of dollars for transfer to banks and even more during the holiday season .
Murphy studied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accomplice to track employees ’ comings and goings and even visiting himself to hand out water bottles and cigarettes at a nearby homeless shelter in hopes of providing DNA evidence that would lead authorities away from him and his gang .
The scheme almost worked .
Murphy and two others successfully entered the warehouse by cutting a hole in the roof and foiled the security system by setting up a “ celluar jammer ” that blocked back-up calls from the alarm system after its wires were cut .
“ Murphing ” the building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the burglary collapsed when Murphy accidentally set money in the vault on fire after he burned a hole through it with a thermal lance , a giant cutting tool whose oxygen-powered sparks can reach 5,000 degrees .
Instead of what could have been more than $ 90 million , Murphy had to settle for a few million in burned bills and about $ 800,000 in coins .
Authorities arrested Murphy a couple of weeks later on suspicion of carrying out the E.A .
Dion case after a Super Bowl ring was found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Months later , he was identified as the chief suspect in the Brink ’ s robbery .
One of the key pieces against him at his 2011 trial in Columbus : a 37-page document he typed in jail in Massachusetts titled “ Master Thief , ” a tutorial on carrying out major burglaries that bore a great deal of resemblance to the Brink ’ s break-in .
Murphy represented himself , and while a jury convicted him and a judge sentenced him to 20 years in prison , he later appealed his sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After 10 years successfully suppressing evidence in the E.A .
Dion case , Murphy lost his final appeals last year and on Dec. 5 pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison .
Murphy represented himself , but a message was left with an attorney who served as his back-up .
Court records show he didn ’ t receive credit for jail time .
In a second guilty plea on Dec. 5 in an unrelated case , Murphy admitted to filing a bogus insurance claim against Trader Joe ’ s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the grocery store ’ s peanut butter , The Sun Chronicle reported .
Retired Columbus FBI Agent Harry Trombitas helped lead the investigation that ended with Murphy ’ s arrest for the Brink ’ s break-in , and sat through Murphy ’ s eight-day trial .
He called him one of the best commercial burglars around , whose downfall is “ he thinks he ’ s smarter than everyone else.
” Murphy declined a plea deal that would have had him back on the streets by now , Trombitas said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting to win , and in reality he ’ s lost , ” Trombitas said .

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A self-described “master thief” career criminal is hoping to catch a break on his prison sentence from burglarizing a Brink’s warehouse during which he accidentally set millions of dollars on fire.
Sean Murphy and two other men were convicted of breaking into the Brink’s facility in Columbus in January 2009. Murphy received a 20-year sentence in that case, eventually reduced to 13 years on appeal.
Before that sentence began, however, he spent a decade in jail awaiting trial for a 2008 Massachusetts burglary during which he stole several New York Giants Super Bowl rings, along with jewels and precious metals. Murphy believes he’s already served the bulk of his federal time and should be out by next year.
He notes he was arrested on Jan. 23, 2009, for the Super Bowl ring theft, and finally sentenced for that more than 10 years later, on Dec. 5, 2019.
“Everything in between goes toward the federal sentence,” Murphy said in a letter to The Associated Press.
Federal prosecutors take a different view. The judge who oversaw the Brink’s case said that Murphy’s federal sentence is to run on top of any unserved Massachusetts prison term, said Sal Dominguez, an assistant U.S. attorney in Columbus.
Murphy, who has yet to formally argue for his release on time served, is awaiting transfer to a Massachusetts prison to serve his time for the Super Bowl ring theft.
The 2008 break-in at E.A. Dion Co. in Attleboro, Massachusetts, attracted attention beyond the theft of the Super Bowl rings and the approximately $2.5 million in other goods taken. Murphy and his accomplices’ trademark garb of all-black outfits and their access through the roof earned them media mentions as “Ocean’s Eleven”-style burglars after the 2001 heist movie.
Murphy was in authorities’ cross hairs long before that burglary, however. A member of what investigators termed the “Lynn Breakers,” a burglary ring in his hometown of Lynn, Massachusetts, he was prosecuted and pursued for burglaries big and small over the years.
Murphy was “king of the hill” when it came to commercial burglaries, said Alan Zani, a retired Massachusetts State Police investigator.
Murphy’s many jobs included a break-in at a Berkshire armored car facility in Massachusetts in 1991 and at a Costco warehouse in Pennsylvania in 2004. He was also implicated in the theft of 1.8 million prescription drug pills from an AmerisourceBergen warehouse in 2006.
Murphy also attempted fraud at times, including a bogus priest abuse claim in the late 1990s against the Archdiocese of Boston seeking $850,000, which landed him in prison for two years.
More than once, Murphy also offered his expertise as a security consultant to companies he’d targeted, including a 2006 letter to Costco - an offer the company declined.
Murphy’s January 2009 burglary of a Brink’s warehouse on the north side of Columbus could have been his biggest score ever, and one of the biggest robberies in U.S. history. At the time, the facility regularly held millions of dollars for transfer to banks and even more during the holiday season.
Murphy studied the facility for months, sending an accomplice to track employees’ comings and goings and even visiting himself to hand out water bottles and cigarettes at a nearby homeless shelter in hopes of providing DNA evidence that would lead authorities away from him and his gang.
The scheme almost worked. Murphy and two others successfully entered the warehouse by cutting a hole in the roof and foiled the security system by setting up a “celluar jammer” that blocked back-up calls from the alarm system after its wires were cut. “Murphing” the building, the burglar dubbed the move.
But the burglary collapsed when Murphy accidentally set money in the vault on fire after he burned a hole through it with a thermal lance, a giant cutting tool whose oxygen-powered sparks can reach 5,000 degrees. Instead of what could have been more than $90 million, Murphy had to settle for a few million in burned bills and about $800,000 in coins.
Authorities arrested Murphy a couple of weeks later on suspicion of carrying out the E.A. Dion case after a Super Bowl ring was found in his girlfriend’s purse. Months later, he was identified as the chief suspect in the Brink’s robbery.
One of the key pieces against him at his 2011 trial in Columbus: a 37-page document he typed in jail in Massachusetts titled “Master Thief,” a tutorial on carrying out major burglaries that bore a great deal of resemblance to the Brink’s break-in.
Murphy represented himself, and while a jury convicted him and a judge sentenced him to 20 years in prison, he later appealed his sentence and was resentenced to 13 years.
After 10 years successfully suppressing evidence in the E.A. Dion case, Murphy lost his final appeals last year and on Dec. 5 pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison. Murphy represented himself, but a message was left with an attorney who served as his back-up. Court records show he didn’t receive credit for jail time.
In a second guilty plea on Dec. 5 in an unrelated case, Murphy admitted to filing a bogus insurance claim against Trader Joe’s, claiming he and his wife got sick from the grocery store’s peanut butter, The Sun Chronicle reported.
Retired Columbus FBI Agent Harry Trombitas helped lead the investigation that ended with Murphy’s arrest for the Brink’s break-in, and sat through Murphy’s eight-day trial. He called him one of the best commercial burglars around, whose downfall is “he thinks he’s smarter than everyone else.”
Murphy declined a plea deal that would have had him back on the streets by now, Trombitas said.
“He chose to spend all this time fighting to win, and in reality he’s lost,” Trombitas said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--Stolen car recovered with 1-year-old in back seat

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) - Police were searching for a suspect Thursday after recovering a car that was stolen with a 1-year-old in the back seat .
The child ’ s mother had put her son in a child seat with the vehicle running when she ran back into the house to get a item that she had forgotten .
The car was driven off down Cobbs Creek Parkway .
“ We believe that since the vehicle ’ s engine was running , someone saw an opportunity to steal the car , didn ’ t realize that there was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Chief Inspector Scott Small .
Officers recovered the vehicle about 40 minutes later about three blocks away in a secluded area .
The child was still in his car seat .
“ We ’ re lucky that 1-year-old child is OK and reunited with the mother , so it ’ s actually a happy ending , ” Small said .
“ The lesson learned here is don ’ t leave your engine running especially if you have your child in the back seat.
” Police were investigating the case as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -
While a mother briefly turned her back to the 1-year-old son she had just put in a child seat, someone hopped into the running car and took off with it Thursday, police in Philadelphia said.
The car with the unharmed child was found a few blocks away about 40 minutes later. Police are searching for a suspect and are investigating it as a kidnapping.
The mother put her son in the back seat but had to run back to the house to get something she had forgotten. The car was driven off.
“We believe that since the vehicle’s engine was running, someone saw an opportunity to steal the car, didn’t realize that there was a 1-year-old child in the back seat,” said Chief Inspector Scott Small.
“We’re lucky that 1-year-old child is OK and reunited with the mother, so it’s actually a happy ending,” Small said. “The lesson learned here is don’t leave your engine running, especially if you have your child in the back seat.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-28--Hungary to commemorate victims of Danube boat catastrophe

BUDAPEST , Hungary ( AP ) - Commemorations will be held Friday on the anniversary of the Danube River tragedy in which a sightseeing boat carrying mostly tourists from South Korea sank after a collision with a river cruise ship that killed at least 27 people .
At least 25 out of 33 South Korean tourists died when the Hableany ( Mermaid ) boat capsized at the foot of Budapest ’ s Margit Bridge near the neo-Gothic Hungarian parliament building on the night of May 29 , 2019 .
The boat ’ s two-man Hungarian crew also died , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missing .
Some of the victims ’ bodies were found weeks after the crash more than 100 kilometers ( 60 miles ) downstream .
The Ukrainian captain of the Viking Sigyn cruise ship , Yuriy Chaplinsky , is facing charges including the negligent endangerment of water traffic leading to a fatal mass catastrophe and 35 counts of failing to give assistance .
His trial began with a preliminary hearing on March 11 , but court sessions set for April and May were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
If conditions allow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September .
Friday ’ s memorial events will include the placement of a wreath on the water at the site of the crash by the company which operated the Hableany , as well as a tribute with the participation of officials from the Hungarian government and the city of Budapest .
The Hableany was raised out of the Danube by a huge floating crane on June 11 , 2019 , with divers from South Korea assisting their Hungarian colleagues in recovering several bodies that were still aboard the sunken tour boat .
Dive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an eight-member team which descended in the murky Danube to help recover the bodies and worked to secure a harness on the vessel lying about nine meters ( 30 feet ) beneath the surface so it could be lifted out of the river .
Recovery and salvage operations were greatly hampered by the Danube ’ s high springtime water levels , its fast flow and near-zero underwater visibility .
“ The circumstances of the submersion were very difficult , ” Vigh said in an interview .
“ Water was flowing at four meters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is like having to stay upright in hurricane winds of 200 kilometers per hour ( 125 mph ) .
Which is impossible.
” With underwater visibility of less than six inches ( around 15 centimeters ) , and carrying more than 60 kilograms ( 130 pounds ) of equipment and weights - “ without them we ’ d be swept away life a leaf ” - divers memorized blueprints of the tour boat and felt their way around it to complete their tasks .
South Korean divers attempted a couple of early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s powerful flow , they gave way to Vigh ’ s team .
Still , the first body found at the wreck was recovered by Korean divers , “ mainly for religious reasons , ” Vigh said .
“ In practice , the Koreans were very friendly and kind , ” Vigh noted .
“ Once they established that this isn ’ t the sea , that it ’ s not still water , that it ’ s not a walk in the park , from then on they helped our work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do our jobs.
” As several of the divers had a military background , including tours in Kosovo and other war zones , having to bring up the bodies “ didn ’ t cause a large break in them.
” “ Naturally , it wasn ’ t easy , ” Vigh said , who also talked about the unusual circumstances of being at the center of an operation that was being closely followed by both Hungarian and South Korean authorities .
Proud to be involved in operations that included around 1,000 people led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or TEK , Vigh had a moment of apprehension when the TEK commander asked if they needed anything and one of the sweet-toothed divers said he wanted some chocolate .
“ Fortunately , the major general asked if we wanted dark or milk chocolate , and a box of it was soon delivered , ” Vigh concluded .

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - Commemorations will be held Friday on the anniversary of the Danube River tragedy in which a sightseeing boat carrying mostly tourists from South Korea sank after a collision with a river cruise ship that killed at least 27 people.
At least 25 out of 33 South Korean tourists died when the Hableany (Mermaid) boat capsized at the foot of Budapest’s Margit Bridge near the neo-Gothic Hungarian parliament building on the night of May 29, 2019. The boat’s two-man Hungarian crew also died, while a female South Korean tourist is still missing.
Some of the victims’ bodies were found weeks after the crash more than 100 kilometers (60 miles) downstream.
The Ukrainian captain of the Viking Sigyn cruise ship, Yuriy Chaplinsky, is facing charges including the negligent endangerment of water traffic leading to a fatal mass catastrophe and 35 counts of failing to give assistance.
His trial began with a preliminary hearing on March 11, but court sessions set for April and May were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. If conditions allow, the trial is set to resume in September.
Friday’s memorial events will include the placement of a wreath on the water at the site of the crash by the company which operated the Hableany, as well as a tribute with the participation of officials from the Hungarian government and the city of Budapest.
The Hableany was raised out of the Danube by a huge floating crane on June 11, 2019, with divers from South Korea assisting their Hungarian colleagues in recovering several bodies that were still aboard the sunken tour boat.
Dive supervisor Janos Vigh, 60, led an eight-member team which descended in the murky Danube to help recover the bodies and worked to secure a harness on the vessel lying about nine meters (30 feet) beneath the surface so it could be lifted out of the river.
Recovery and salvage operations were greatly hampered by the Danube’s high springtime water levels, its fast flow and near-zero underwater visibility.
“The circumstances of the submersion were very difficult,” Vigh said in an interview. “Water was flowing at four meters (13 feet) per second, which is like having to stay upright in hurricane winds of 200 kilometers per hour (125 mph). Which is impossible.”
With underwater visibility of less than six inches (around 15 centimeters), and carrying more than 60 kilograms (130 pounds) of equipment and weights - “without them we’d be swept away life a leaf” - divers memorized blueprints of the tour boat and felt their way around it to complete their tasks.
South Korean divers attempted a couple of early dives but after experiencing the Danube’s powerful flow, they gave way to Vigh’s team. Still, the first body found at the wreck was recovered by Korean divers, “mainly for religious reasons,” Vigh said.
“In practice, the Koreans were very friendly and kind,” Vigh noted. “Once they established that this isn’t the sea, that it’s not still water, that it’s not a walk in the park, from then on they helped our work, observed our work but they let us do our jobs.”
As several of the divers had a military background, including tours in Kosovo and other war zones, having to bring up the bodies “didn’t cause a large break in them.”
“Naturally, it wasn’t easy,” Vigh said, who also talked about the unusual circumstances of being at the center of an operation that was being closely followed by both Hungarian and South Korean authorities.
Proud to be involved in operations that included around 1,000 people led by Hungary’s Counter Terrorism Center, or TEK, Vigh had a moment of apprehension when the TEK commander asked if they needed anything and one of the sweet-toothed divers said he wanted some chocolate.
“Fortunately, the major general asked if we wanted dark or milk chocolate, and a box of it was soon delivered,” Vigh concluded.