washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Oklahoma City mayor: My gut would have picked later date for reopening

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt on Monday said he likely would have waited a bit longer for businesses to reopen and said he won ’ t be comfortable until there ’ s a proven vaccine for the new coronavirus .
A limited number of businesses in the state were allowed to reopen on Friday , with places like restaurants allowed to come back online starting May 1 with social distancing protocols in place .
“ Until there is a vaccine or a proven treatment , I ’ m not going to be comfortable about this transition , ” Mr. Holt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ New Day.
” “ I recognize , however , on the other hand , that we can ’ t shelter in place forever.
” “ So I know there ’ s a date out there , ” he said .
“ My gut would have picked a date a little farther out , but we ’ re trying to make the best of this.
” He said he ’ s gotten many messages from restaurant owners and hair salons who want more time and aren ’ t comfortable opening yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s July or August — maybe just a few more weeks , ” he said .
“ If cases spike , this experiment will have failed , and we ’ ll have to find a new path forward.
” Oklahoma is one of a handful of states that have started allowing some businesses to come back online amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Gov .
Kevin Stitt defended the plans over the weekend and said he ’ s generally giving leeway to local leaders .
“ We understand that COVID is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get it , ” Mr. Stitt said on “ Fox News Sunday.
” “ But Oklahomans are safe , and we ’ re ready for a measured reopening .
”

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt on Monday said he likely would have waited a bit longer for businesses to reopen and said he won’t be comfortable until there’s a proven vaccine for the new coronavirus.
A limited number of businesses in the state were allowed to reopen on Friday, with places like restaurants allowed to come back online starting May 1 with social distancing protocols in place.
“Until there is a vaccine or a proven treatment, I’m not going to be comfortable about this transition,” Mr. Holt, a Republican, said on CNN’s “New Day.” “I recognize, however, on the other hand, that we can’t shelter in place forever.”
“So I know there’s a date out there,” he said. “My gut would have picked a date a little farther out, but we’re trying to make the best of this.”
He said he’s gotten many messages from restaurant owners and hair salons who want more time and aren’t comfortable opening yet.
“I’m not saying it’s July or August — maybe just a few more weeks,” he said. “If cases spike, this experiment will have failed, and we’ll have to find a new path forward.”
Oklahoma is one of a handful of states that have started allowing some businesses to come back online amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Kevin Stitt defended the plans over the weekend and said he’s generally giving leeway to local leaders.
“We understand that COVID is still here … people are still going to get it,” Mr. Stitt said on “Fox News Sunday.” “But Oklahomans are safe, and we’re ready for a measured reopening.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Liz Weston: How to ask your bank or lender for help

Many banks , credit card issuers and other lenders have promised to help those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic .
They ’ re offering to defer or reduce payments and waive interest charges and rebate fees for those who have lost jobs , had their hours reduced or otherwise lost income to the COVID-19 crisis .
The help usually isn ’ t automatic , however .
You have to ask for it - and ask the right way .
“ In many cases , you only get the help if you contact your creditor and mention that you need relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Lauren Saunders , associate director of the National Consumer Law Center .
“ And that ’ s very frustrating because it ’ s very difficult to get through to your bank or lender.
” Many financial institutions are encouraging people to reach out digitally - through live chats or messaging on the companies ’ sites or in their mobile apps .
However you connect , there are important questions that need to be answered .
‘ WHAT STEPS DO I NEED TO TAKE TO QUALIFY ?
’ You can start your research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see what kinds of help may be available and how to apply .
Generally , you ’ ll want to confirm the details with a human being , including the steps you must take to apply , says Saunders , who advises keeping a record of the conversation and what you were told .
You can take written notes of phone calls , including the time , date and name of the company representative , or take screenshots of electronic communications .
“ Some people assume that ( a hardship program ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miss a payment , which is very dangerous to assume , ” says Bruce McClary , a spokesman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling .
Skipped payments can lead to credit score damage and collection calls , and could limit the hardship options available .
There ’ s one forbearance program that is automatic , but it pertains only to student loans held by the federal government .
Payments on those loans are suspended until Sept. 30 , and interest has been waived .
‘ EXACTLY HOW DOES IT WORK ?
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs .
One lender may allow you to skip payments but charge you late fees ; another may waive the fees but report skipped payments to the credit bureaus .
Most will continue to charge interest , and some will expect you to make a lump sum payment of the amount you skipped .
“ This is not free money , ” Saunders says .
“ It ’ s just putting off a debt that you ’ ll have to repay along with your other debts later.
” Even if your financial hardship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to cough up several months ’ worth of payments at once , McClary notes .
“ The last thing you want is to have to drop some big lump sum of money on somebody when you ’ re in a financially fragile state , ” McClary notes .
“ It ’ s important to try to negotiate different terms.
” Ask if the payments can be tacked on to the end of the loan or paid off over time , McClary suggests .
Also request that the account be reported “ paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid a potentially large hit to your credit scores .
‘ HOW LONG WILL THE HELP LAST , AND HOW CAN IT BE EXTENDED ?
’ A hardship program may last three to six months , but you may have the option to extend the relief if you ask .
If you can ’ t make the payments on your federally backed mortgage because of the coronavirus pandemic , for example , you have the right to skip payments for nearly a year .
The CARES Act requires lenders to give affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the option to request an additional 180 days after that .
Lenders may not make that clear , however .
Some borrowers who asked for mortgage forbearance in recent days were told they would owe a lump sum after three months , with no mention of the potential extensions .
These rules apply only to mortgages backed by federal entities , including Fannie Mae , Freddie Mac , the Federal Housing Administration ( FHA ) , the Veterans Administration ( VA ) , the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Agriculture ( USDA ) .
But most mortgage lenders have some type of hardship program or loan modification options .
Don ’ t put off asking for help if you ’ re struggling , since it ’ s not clear when coronavirus-related economic disruptions will end .
It ’ s better to have more help than you need than to need more help than you have .
This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet .
Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet , a certified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Credit Score.
” Email : [ email protected ] Twitter : @ lizweston .

Many banks, credit card issuers and other lenders have promised to help those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. They’re offering to defer or reduce payments and waive interest charges and rebate fees for those who have lost jobs, had their hours reduced or otherwise lost income to the COVID-19 crisis.
The help usually isn’t automatic, however. You have to ask for it - and ask the right way.
“In many cases, you only get the help if you contact your creditor and mention that you need relief due to the coronavirus situation,” says Lauren Saunders, associate director of the National Consumer Law Center. “And that’s very frustrating because it’s very difficult to get through to your bank or lender.”
Many financial institutions are encouraging people to reach out digitally - through live chats or messaging on the companies’ sites or in their mobile apps. However you connect, there are important questions that need to be answered.
Among them:
‘WHAT STEPS DO I NEED TO TAKE TO QUALIFY?’
You can start your research on the financial institution’s site to see what kinds of help may be available and how to apply. Generally, you’ll want to confirm the details with a human being, including the steps you must take to apply, says Saunders, who advises keeping a record of the conversation and what you were told. You can take written notes of phone calls, including the time, date and name of the company representative, or take screenshots of electronic communications.
“Some people assume that (a hardship program) will automatically kick in if they just miss a payment, which is very dangerous to assume,” says Bruce McClary, a spokesman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
Skipped payments can lead to credit score damage and collection calls, and could limit the hardship options available.
There’s one forbearance program that is automatic, but it pertains only to student loans held by the federal government. Payments on those loans are suspended until Sept. 30, and interest has been waived.
‘EXACTLY HOW DOES IT WORK?’
Companies take different approaches to their hardship programs. One lender may allow you to skip payments but charge you late fees; another may waive the fees but report skipped payments to the credit bureaus. Most will continue to charge interest, and some will expect you to make a lump sum payment of the amount you skipped.
“This is not free money,” Saunders says. “It’s just putting off a debt that you’ll have to repay along with your other debts later.”
Even if your financial hardship is over, you may not be able to cough up several months’ worth of payments at once, McClary notes.
“The last thing you want is to have to drop some big lump sum of money on somebody when you’re in a financially fragile state,” McClary notes. “It’s important to try to negotiate different terms.”
Ask if the payments can be tacked on to the end of the loan or paid off over time, McClary suggests. Also request that the account be reported “paid as agreed” to the credit bureaus to avoid a potentially large hit to your credit scores.
‘HOW LONG WILL THE HELP LAST, AND HOW CAN IT BE EXTENDED?’
A hardship program may last three to six months, but you may have the option to extend the relief if you ask.
If you can’t make the payments on your federally backed mortgage because of the coronavirus pandemic, for example, you have the right to skip payments for nearly a year. The CARES Act requires lenders to give affected borrowers forbearance of up to 180 days, with the option to request an additional 180 days after that.
Lenders may not make that clear, however. Some borrowers who asked for mortgage forbearance in recent days were told they would owe a lump sum after three months, with no mention of the potential extensions.
These rules apply only to mortgages backed by federal entities, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the Veterans Administration (VA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). But most mortgage lenders have some type of hardship program or loan modification options.
Don’t put off asking for help if you’re struggling, since it’s not clear when coronavirus-related economic disruptions will end. It’s better to have more help than you need than to need more help than you have.
____________________________
This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and author of “Your Credit Score.” Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lizweston.
RELATED LINK:
NerdWallet: Coronavirus stimulus checks, debt relief and your finances https://bit.ly/nerdwallet-coronavirus-guide


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Turk evacuated from Sweden for coronavirus treatment

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) - Turkey has dispatched an air ambulance and repatriated a Turkish citizen who tested positive for the coronavirus in Sweden but allegedly failed to receive any treatment there .
Emrullah Gulusken , 47 , was evacuated from his home in Malmo on Sunday after his daughter , Leyla , pleaded for help on social media .
She said her father was sent back home despite his worsening condition , the state-run Anadolu Agency reported .
Gulusken and his three of his children were flown to Ankara where they were hospitalized , the agency reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the case .
“ Dear Leyla , we have heard your voice… Our air ambulance is taking off at 6 am we are coming to Sweden , ” Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted on Sunday morning .
“ Our hospital , our doctors are ready waiting for your father.
” Turkey has repatriated around 40,000 nationals from 75 countries since the start of the outbreak in March , according to Foreign Ministry figures .
The country has reported a total of 2,805 and 110,130 confirmed infections .
It ranks seventh in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Johns Hopkins University , but experts believe the actual toll of the pandemic is higher than the tally .
Nearly 890,000 people have been tested in Turkey so far .
Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday his government is working on a detailed plan to ease coronavirus restrictions, but warned that weekend lockdowns would most likely continue until after the end of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan in May.
In a televised address following a weekly Cabinet meeting, Erdogan said this week’s curfew would start on Friday - May 1 Labor Day - a public holiday in Turkey.
The vice president would evaluate recommendations from the country’s COVID-19 advisory council to decide “which steps will be taken in which fields and on which date,” Erdogan said.
His remarks come amid a decline in the number of daily deaths and infections. On Monday, Turkish officials announced 95 deaths in the past 24 hours, the lowest since April 11. The total death toll now stands at 2,900, with 112,261 confirmed infections.
Erdogan also said Turkey will send personal protective equipment to the United States to help it combat the outbreak. Military planes, carrying N-95 masks, hazmat suits, goggles, facial shields and disinfectants, are due to leave for the U.S. on Tuesday.
Erdogan did not provide details on the quantities being sent, or say whether Turkey is selling or donating the equipment.
He said Turkey has already dispatched medical equipment to 55 countries “from the Balkans to Africa.”
The government has refrained from imposing a total lockdown, fearing its negative impact on the already fragile economy. It has opted for piecemeal measures instead, including weekend curfews and banning people aged over 65 or below 20 from leaving home.
Earlier, the Interior Ministry announced that authorities detained 402 people in the past 42 days for allegedly sharing “false and provocative” social media postings concerning the pandemic.
A ministry statement said officials have inspected more than 6,000 social media accounts and the 402 suspects were among 855 account-holders sought by authorities for sharing “provocative” posts.
A ministry official said the social media users were detained for allegedly attempting to “cause panic” with posts that, among other things, accuse the government of not doing enough to curb the outbreak or of lying about the numbers of deaths or infections.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations.
Meanwhile, Turkey dispatched an air ambulance and repatriated a Turkish citizen who tested positive for the coronavirus in Sweden but allegedly failed to receive any treatment there.
Emrullah Gulusken, 47, was evacuated from his home in Malmo on Sunday after his daughter pleaded for help on social media. She said her father was sent back home despite his worsening condition, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
Gulusken and his three of his children were flown to Ankara where they were hospitalized, the agency reported. Swedish authorities haven’t commented on the case.
Turkey has repatriated around 40,000 nationals from 75 countries since the start of the outbreak in March, according to Foreign Ministry figures.
___
Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--US grants Iraq another month's waiver for Iran gas imports

BAGHDAD ( AP ) - The U.S. has again granted Iraq only a month-long sanctions waiver enabling the government to continue importing gas and electricity from Iran , two Iraqi officials said , a sign of Washington ’ s growing impatience as a deadline looms for Iraq ’ s latest prime minister-designate to form a government .
The issuance of another 30-day waiver was communicated the Iraqi government in a phone call from the U.S. State Department , without a formal notification in writing , the two Iraqi officials said , speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The latest exemption is the second time the U.S. has issued a relatively small window of time for Iraq to prove it is making progress in becoming less reliant on Iranian imports , a key condition to qualify for the waiver .
Earlier , a 30-day waiver was granted for March and it expired on Sunday .
Previous waivers had lasted three to four months .
It comes as Prime Minister-designate Mustafa Kadhimi faces push back to his proposed lineup of ministers .
A constitutional deadline for him to present a Cabinet to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocs , including Fatah , which includes parties with links to Iran-linked militia groups , have opposed his choices .
Iraq depends on Iranian energy imports to meet one third of its energy needs , especially during the scorching summer months .
The last exemption in March was issued alongside sanctions against 20 individuals and entities that the State Department said had been taking advantage of the waivers to funnel money into Iran .
Iraq had recently announced it was looking into possibilities of importing gas from the northern , semi-autonomous Kurdish region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would take several months to implement , experts say .
The Kurdish region conducts an independent oil and gas policy , which has long caused friction with the federal government in Baghdad .
The region is planning to double production in the next two years , opening up the possibility to export to the federal government , said Hama Ameen Hawrami , a consultant at the Kurdish Electricity Ministry , but the lack of investment in infrastructure is bound to cause delays .
“ There is an agreement , but the implementation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding that there is no pipeline from the main gas field in the Kurdish north and Baghdad , and building one “ could take some years.
” The semi-autonomous Kurdish region is already providing a total of 400 Megawatts of electricity through private contracts to the Iraqi cities of Mosul and Kirkuk , which fall under the federal government ’ s jurisdiction .
Kadimi is the third premier-designate since Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi resigned under pressure from mass protests in December .
The other candidates had resigned , citing meddling by political @ @

BAGHDAD (AP) - The U.S. has again granted Iraq only a month-long sanctions waiver enabling the government to continue importing gas and electricity from Iran, two Iraqi officials said, a sign of Washington’s growing impatience as a deadline looms for Iraq’s latest prime minister-designate to form a government .
The issuance of another 30-day waiver was communicated the Iraqi government in a phone call from the U.S. State Department, without a formal notification in writing, the two Iraqi officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
The latest exemption is the second time the U.S. has issued a relatively small window of time for Iraq to prove it is making progress in becoming less reliant on Iranian imports, a key condition to qualify for the waiver. Earlier, a 30-day waiver was granted for March and it expired on Sunday. Previous waivers had lasted three to four months.
It comes as Prime Minister-designate Mustafa Kadhimi faces push back to his proposed lineup of ministers. A constitutional deadline for him to present a Cabinet to Parliament runs out next week. Key blocs, including Fatah, which includes parties with links to Iran-linked militia groups, have opposed his choices.
Iraq depends on Iranian energy imports to meet one third of its energy needs, especially during the scorching summer months.
The last exemption in March was issued alongside sanctions against 20 individuals and entities that the State Department said had been taking advantage of the waivers to funnel money into Iran.
Iraq had recently announced it was looking into possibilities of importing gas from the northern, semi-autonomous Kurdish region - an option Washington prefers but one that would take several months to implement, experts say.
The Kurdish region conducts an independent oil and gas policy, which has long caused friction with the federal government in Baghdad. The region is planning to double production in the next two years, opening up the possibility to export to the federal government, said Hama Ameen Hawrami, a consultant at the Kurdish Electricity Ministry, but the lack of investment in infrastructure is bound to cause delays.
“There is an agreement, but the implementation requires more talks,” he said, adding that there is no pipeline from the main gas field in the Kurdish north and Baghdad, and building one “could take some years.”
The semi-autonomous Kurdish region is already providing a total of 400 Megawatts of electricity through private contracts to the Iraqi cities of Mosul and Kirkuk, which fall under the federal government’s jurisdiction.
Kadimi is the third premier-designate since Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi resigned under pressure from mass protests in December. The other candidates had resigned, citing meddling by political blocs.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Nancy Pelosi endorses Joe Biden for president

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday endorsed former Vice President Joseph R. Biden for president , calling him a voice @ @ @ @ @ .
Mrs. Pelosi , California Democrat , touted Mr. Biden ’ s overseeing the post-2008 @ @ @ @ @ in helping pass Obamacare .
“ And as we face [ the ] coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ of reason and resilience , with a clear path to lead us out of this @ @ @ @ @ , calling Mr. Biden “ a leader who is the personification of hope and courage @ @ @ @ @ and integrity.
” Mr. Biden has also won endorsements in recent weeks from key Democrats @ @ @ @ @ President Obama and former 2020 rivals Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont and Sen. Elizabeth Warren @ @ @ @ @ the most recent high-profile endorsements have come after Mr. Sanders ended his own 2020 bid @ @ @ @ @ officially clearing the way for Mr. Biden to be Democrats ’ apparent nominee to take @ @ @ @ @ fall .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday endorsed former Vice President Joseph R. Biden for president, calling him a voice of reason during tumultuous times.
Mrs. Pelosi, California Democrat, touted Mr. Biden’s overseeing the post-2008 recovery act and his work in helping pass Obamacare.
“And as we face [the] coronavirus, Joe has been a voice of reason and resilience, with a clear path to lead us out of this crisis,” she said, calling Mr. Biden “a leader who is the personification of hope and courage, values, authenticity, and integrity.”
Mr. Biden has also won endorsements in recent weeks from key Democrats and leaders such as former President Obama and former 2020 rivals Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
All of the most recent high-profile endorsements have come after Mr. Sanders ended his own 2020 bid almost three weeks ago, officially clearing the way for Mr. Biden to be Democrats’ apparent nominee to take on President Trump in the fall.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Peter Navarro: Concerned about China exporting 'low-quality' antibody tests

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro on Monday said he ’ s concerned about China ’ s exporting “ low-quality ” antibody tests and accused the country of “ profiteering ” off the coronavirus pandemic .
“ One of the things that ’ s on my radar that ’ s really troublesome is there ’ s a lot of these antibody tests coming in from China now that are low-quality , false readings and things like that , and we got to be really careful , ” Mr. Navarro said on “ Fox & Friends.
” Experts agree that reliable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone is immune to the virus , will be key to reopening the U.S. economy .
But many analysts have cautioned that the tests circulating on the market have not been given a proper sign-off by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and can yield faulty results .
Echoing President Trump , Mr. Navarro also said China could have stopped the spread of the new coronavirus before it got out of control .
The virus was first discovered in Wuhan , China , late last year .
“ They hid it for six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wuhan , ” he said .
“ They vacuumed up the world for personal protective equipment — over 2 billion masks — depriving public health care workers around the world from the defenses they need , and today China ’ s profiteering , basically , from this situation.
” Several U.S. states are either suing or weighing lawsuits against China and the country ’ s Communist Party seeking monetary damages from the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic .

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro on Monday said he’s concerned about China’s exporting “low-quality” antibody tests and accused the country of “profiteering” off the coronavirus pandemic.
“One of the things that’s on my radar that’s really troublesome is there’s a lot of these antibody tests coming in from China now that are low-quality, false readings and things like that, and we got to be really careful,” Mr. Navarro said on “Fox & Friends.”
Experts agree that reliable antibody testing, which could determine whether someone is immune to the virus, will be key to reopening the U.S. economy. But many analysts have cautioned that the tests circulating on the market have not been given a proper sign-off by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and can yield faulty results.
Echoing President Trump, Mr. Navarro also said China could have stopped the spread of the new coronavirus before it got out of control. The virus was first discovered in Wuhan, China, late last year.
“They hid it for six weeks. They could have contained it in Wuhan,” he said. “They vacuumed up the world for personal protective equipment — over 2 billion masks — depriving public health care workers around the world from the defenses they need, and today China’s profiteering, basically, from this situation.”
Several U.S. states are either suing or weighing lawsuits against China and the country’s Communist Party seeking monetary damages from the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Missouri lawmakers head to Capitol to pass budget

COLUMBIA , Mo .
( AP ) - The Missouri House on Monday is expected to begin debate on the state ’ s budget for the upcoming fiscal year , a daunting task amid declining revenue because of the coronavirus .
House debate on the bill is expected to last two days .
Lawmakers are also on a tight schedule to send the budget to Republican Gov .
Mike Parson by their May 8 constitutional deadline .
Normally they spend months perfecting the budget , but they ’ ve been off work for weeks over concerns about spreading coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capitol days before Parson ’ s statewide stay-at-home order is set to expire May 3 , although the governor has said he ’ s OK with them meeting as long as they follow social distancing guidelines including staying 6 feet apart .
Only one lawmaker so far has reported testing positive for COVID-19 .
The Capitol underwent a deep cleaning after Kansas City-area Rep. Joe Runions was hospitalized for the virus in mid-May .
He ’ s recovering .
Visitors can go to the Capitol to watch lawmakers work in person , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will be asked questions to screen for recent exposure to coronavirus .

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - A top Missouri House lawmaker on Monday moved to trim $700 million from the state’s proposed budget as revenues drop because of the coronavirus.
Lawmakers returned to the Capitol Monday in a hurried attempt to pass a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins in July. They face a May 8 constitutional deadline, a tight turnaround as lawmakers have been off work for weeks over concerns about spreading COVID-19.
House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith during floor debate recommended $700 million in cuts to fellow Republican Gov. Mike Parson’s original $30 billion budget plan, which the governor crafted based on rosier revenue projections before the coronavirus hit the state.
State coffers have already felt the impact of the virus. Net general revenue collections for March, the latest month of available data, dropped 4.2% compared to March 2019.
Smith said most of the cuts he’s proposing, about $454 million, would be to new government programs and wouldn’t impact existing services. But he said another $146 million would be stripped from core agency budgets.
Smith’s plan includes a 10% cut in state funding for colleges and universities, as well as about $7 million less for K-12 school busing.
The budget proposal debated Monday also would give Parson’s administration the authority to spend billions of dollars in federal funding on public schools, colleges and other government agencies.
But it’s unclear exactly when, and how much, federal dollars Missouri will ultimately get over the next year to fight COVID-19 and restart the economy.
Even if lawmakers pass a budget by their deadline, Smith said it’s likely that they will have to return later this year to make adjustments as more information comes in about state revenue projections and federal aid.
Democrats raised concerns about rushing to pass the budget when they could return for a special session closer to the start of the next fiscal year, July 1. Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade said they might know more about state finances if they wait.
“I just can’t understand why we’re here,” Quade said. “Why don’t we just wait a few more weeks?”
Smith’s plan still needs approval from the full House before it can move to the Senate.
House members gathered to work on the budget days before the governor’s statewide stay-at-home is set to expire Sunday. Parson has said he’s OK with them meeting as long as they follow social distancing guidelines.
Many lawmakers wore face masks, but not all did. Some sat at desks next to each other or huddled for personal conversations on the floor, while others listened to debate from their offices rather than gathering in the 163-seat House chamber.
Only one lawmaker so far has reported testing positive for COVID-19: Kansas City-area Rep. Joe Runions. He was hospitalized for the virus in mid-May but is now recovering.
Visitors can go to the Capitol to watch lawmakers work in person, but they’ll have their temperatures checked and will be asked questions to screen for recent exposure to coronavirus.
House debate will also be livestreamed.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Police: Man killed after breaking into woman's home he dated

LEXINGTON , Ky. ( AP ) - Police said a Kentucky man was fatally shot after he broke into the @ @ @ @ @ was dating .
The woman said Jaymes Miller , 24 , entered her Lexington home @ @ @ @ @ house Friday night , the Lexington Police Department said in a news release .
Another @ @ @ @ @ shot Miller before police were called .
Police have not identified the woman and said @ @ @ @ @ file charges against the shooter .
Miller was wanted for an early April armed robbery @ @ @ @ @ police said he demanded cash and fled on foot .
He also had another arrest @ @ @ @ @ incident .

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Police said a Kentucky man was fatally shot after he broke into the house of a woman he was dating.
The woman said Jaymes Miller, 24, entered her Lexington home and began shooting inside the house Friday night, the Lexington Police Department said in a news release. Another person inside the home fatally shot Miller before police were called.
Police have not identified the woman and said they do not expect to file charges against the shooter.
Miller was wanted for an early April armed robbery at a Lexington motel where police said he demanded cash and fled on foot. He also had another arrest warrant for a domestic violence incident.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Attorney General: Man killed during confrontation with cops

WAYNE , N.J. ( AP ) - A man was shot and killed during an encounter with police in a @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
The shooting occurred Sunday afternoon at the interchange of Routes 80 , @ @ @ @ @ , according to the state Attorney General ’ s Office .
But they did not @ @ @ @ @ name or further details on the shooting , citing the ongoing investigation .
It did @ @ @ @ @ were injured in the confrontation .
However , officials did not say what department the @ @ @ @ @ many were involved in the shooting .

WAYNE, N.J. (AP) - A New York man was shot and killed by police officers in northern New Jersey following a pursuit through several communities authorities said.
Bradley G. Pullman, 48, of Beacon, N.Y., was shot shortly after 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the interchange of Routes 80, 23 and 46 in Wayne, according to the New Jersey attorney general’s Office.
The preliminary investigation indicates that Mountain Lakes police tried to stop a sedan that had performed an illegal U-turn, but the car didn’t stop and a pursuit ensued through multiple municipalities, authorities said.
Fairfield and Wayne police assisted in the pursuit, which ended in Wayne “when multiple police officers fired at the suspect, fatally wounding him,” authorities said. A .380-caliber pistol was recovered from the vehicle of the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene police said.
State law requires the attorney general’s office to investigate deaths during encounters with law enforcement officers.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Authorities: 16-year-old Georgia teen shot uncle inside home

ALAMO , Ga. ( AP ) - A 16-year-old Georgia teenager is accused of shooting his uncle with the man @ @ @ @ @ E.J .
Bess was shot by his nephew Saturday after the two had a confrontation @ @ @ @ @ missing from Bess ’ bedroom , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a press @ @ @ @ @ came to his Alamo home that day to discover that his bedroom was burglarized and @ @ @ @ @ .
He found the guns in his nephew ’ s bedroom , who lives in @ @ @ @ @ , before the shooting happened .
Wheeler County Sheriff ’ s deputies found Bess with @ @ @ @ @ his upper chest after being called to the home .
He was airlifted to a @ @ @ @ @ condition .
Investigators have not released the identity of the suspect .
They said the @ @ @ @ @ and charges are expected in the case .

ALAMO, Ga. (AP) - A 16-year-old Georgia teenager is accused of shooting his uncle with the man’s own gun.
E.J. Bess was shot by his nephew Saturday after the two had a confrontation about two guns that were missing from Bess’ bedroom, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a press release.
Investigators said Bess came to his Alamo home that day to discover that his bedroom was burglarized and his two guns were missing. He found the guns in his nephew’s bedroom, who lives in the same house as Bess, before the shooting happened.
Wheeler County Sheriff’s deputies found Bess with a single gunshot wound on his upper chest after being called to the home. He was airlifted to a hospital and remains in stable condition.
Investigators have not released the identity of the suspect. They said the teenager is now in custody and charges are expected in the case.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Notre Dame Cathedral worksite refitted for virus safety

PARIS ( AP ) - Workers are refitting the construction site at fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral to protect staff from the virus and allow cleanup efforts at the Paris landmark to resume .
More than a year after the blaze , workers still haven ’ t finished stabilizing the medieval cathedral , much less rebuilding it .
And the coronavirus outbreak caused a new setback : Work on the cathedral halted in mid-March , when France imposed strict confinement measures .
On Monday , workers began to re-arrange the construction site to make it virus-safe , according to an official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The site is hidden from the public by high barriers .
That includes re-arranging showers and cloakrooms to allow more distance between workers , and installing a place to eat because restaurants in France are currently closed , Notre Dame rector Monsignor Patrick Chauvet told reporters outside the site Monday .
He said most workers will stay in nearby vacant hotels so they won ’ t have to take public transportation .
The cleanup work itself is scheduled to start gradually resuming next week .
Chauvet said the priority will be taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been installed for a prior renovation project and was badly damaged in the blaze .
The unstable scaffolding now endangers the Gothic jewel .
“ It ’ s a difficult job .
It requires the climbers to be calm , ” Chauvet said .
“ We can ’ t have COVID there to cause them stress.
” Despite the delay , the general in charge of the reconstruction said he still wants to stick to ambitious plans to hand the cathedral back to the Catholic Church in 2024 , when Paris is set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

PARIS (AP) - Workers are refitting the construction site at fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral to protect staff from the virus and allow cleanup efforts at the Paris landmark to resume.
More than a year after the blaze, workers still haven’t finished stabilizing the medieval cathedral, much less rebuilding it. And the coronavirus outbreak caused a new setback: Work on the cathedral halted in mid-March, when France imposed strict confinement measures.
On Monday, workers began to re-arrange the construction site to make it virus-safe, according to an official with the state agency overseeing the project. The site is hidden from the public by high barriers.
That includes re-arranging showers and cloakrooms to allow more distance between workers, and installing a place to eat because restaurants in France are currently closed, Notre Dame rector Monsignor Patrick Chauvet told reporters outside the site Monday. He said most workers will stay in nearby vacant hotels so they won’t have to take public transportation.
The cleanup work itself is scheduled to start gradually resuming next week. Chauvet said the priority will be taking down 250 tons of scaffolding that had been installed for a prior renovation project and was badly damaged in the blaze. The unstable scaffolding now endangers the Gothic jewel.
“It’s a difficult job. It requires the climbers to be calm,” Chauvet said. “We can’t have COVID there to cause them stress.”
Despite the delay, the general in charge of the reconstruction said he still wants to stick to ambitious plans to hand the cathedral back to the Catholic Church in 2024, when Paris is set to host the Olympics.
___
Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Cuban doctors arrive to help South Africa fight coronavirus

JOHANNESBURG ( AP ) - More than 200 doctors from Cuba have arrived in South Africa to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic .
The doctors , including community health and infectious disease specialists , arrived early Monday morning and were welcomed by military and health authorities .
South Africa requested assistance from the Cuban government , which is sending more than 1,000 doctors to 22 countries , including Togo , Cap Verde and Angola in Africa .
South Africa has reported the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Africa , with at least 4,546 cases and 87 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ in the frontline of fighting other outbreaks in the world such as cholera in Haiti in 2010 , and Ebola in West Africa in 2013 , ” said South African health minister Zweli Mkhize , Cuba ’ s government supported the African National Congress in its fight against South Africa ’ s apartheid system of racist minority rule .
Now the ANC is South Africa ’ s ruling party and has good relations with Cuba .
South Africa ’ s first black president Nelson Mandela was known to be close to former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries cooperate in the health sector , with hundreds of South African medical students studying through scholarships in Cuba .
The Cuban medical personnel will stay in a two-week quarantine before starting work .
They have arrived as South Africa is increasing community testing , especially in poor , crowded neighborhoods .
In the economic hub of Gauteng province , which includes South Africa ’ s largest city Johannesburg and the capital Pretoria , mass screening and testing is scheduled to take place throughout the week .
The screening and testing will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which includes the city of Cape Town and which has largest number of COVID-19 cases .
South Africa has conducted nearly 170,000 tests .
The country has 28,000 experienced community health workers who track contacts of people who test positive to help contain the spread of the disease .

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - More than 200 doctors from Cuba have arrived in South Africa to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
The doctors, including community health and infectious disease specialists, arrived early Monday morning and were welcomed by military and health authorities.
South Africa requested assistance from the Cuban government, which is sending more than 1,000 doctors to 22 countries, including Togo, Cap Verde and Angola in Africa.
South Africa has reported the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Africa, with at least 4,546 cases and 87 deaths.
Some of the Cuban doctors have been “in the frontline of fighting other outbreaks in the world such as cholera in Haiti in 2010, and Ebola in West Africa in 2013,” said South African health minister Zweli Mkhize,
Cuba’s government supported the African National Congress in its fight against South Africa’s apartheid system of racist minority rule. Now the ANC is South Africa’s ruling party and has good relations with Cuba.
South Africa’s first black president Nelson Mandela was known to be close to former Cuban leader Fidel Castro. The two countries cooperate in the health sector, with hundreds of South African medical students studying through scholarships in Cuba.
The Cuban medical personnel will stay in a two-week quarantine before starting work. They have arrived as South Africa is increasing community testing, especially in poor, crowded neighborhoods.
In the economic hub of Gauteng province, which includes South Africa’s largest city Johannesburg and the capital Pretoria, mass screening and testing is scheduled to take place throughout the week.
The screening and testing will also concentrate on the Western Cape province, which includes the city of Cape Town and which has largest number of COVID-19 cases.
South Africa has conducted nearly 170,000 tests. The country has 28,000 experienced community health workers who track contacts of people who test positive to help contain the spread of the disease.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Police: Search continues for man who drowned saving child

BRANDON , Miss .
( AP ) - Authorities said they were continuing to search for the body of a @ @ @ @ @ helping his child out of the water .
Dixon said the man and his family @ @ @ @ @ while several children played in the water wearing flotation devices .
One of the children @ @ @ @ @ boat , so the man jumped into the water and brought the child back to @ @ @ @ @ under and never resurfaced , Dixon said .
The incident happened on the Rankin County @ @ @ @ @ Dixon said divers from several agencies were searching for the man Monday .
The man @ @ @ @ @ t immediately released by authorities .
“ We ’ re asking everyone to continue to @ @ @ @ @ family ) at this time , ” Dixon said .

BRANDON, Miss. (AP) - Authorities said they were continuing to search for the body of a Mississippi man who drowned after helping his child out of the water.
Ross Barnett Reservoir police Lt. Trevell Dixon said the man drowned Sunday afternoon, news outlets reported.
Dixon said the man and his family were on a boat Sunday while several children played in the water wearing flotation devices.
One of the children started floating away from the boat, so the man jumped into the water and brought the child back to safety but the man went under and never resurfaced, Dixon said.
The incident happened on the Rankin County side of the reservoir. Dixon said divers from several agencies were searching for the man Monday.
The man’s name wasn’t immediately released by authorities.
“We’re asking everyone to continue to pray for them (the family) at this time,” Dixon said.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--US seeks return of wetlands permit nixed in pipeline case

BILLINGS , Mont .
( AP ) - U.S. government attorneys on Monday sought to put on hold a recent court ruling that canceled a permitting program used to approve oil and gas pipelines and other utility work through wetlands and streams across the nation .
The attorneys said letting the April 15 ruling stand would hamper thousands of construction projects overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers .
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Great Falls declared the permitting program , known as Nationwide Permit 12 , had been reauthorized in 2017 without sufficient consideration of its potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials last week to suspend the program .
The case before Morris involved the disputed Keystone XL crude oil pipeline from Canada .
But pipeline and electric utility industry representatives said it could affect both construction and maintenance on potentially thousands of projects .
That includes major pipelines like the Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline in Virginia and power lines from wind turbines and generating stations in many parts of the U.S .
The Army Corps has broad jurisdiction over U.S. waterways .
It uses the blanket permit to approve qualifying pipelines and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review .
Environmentalists say that allows projects to skirt water protection laws and ignores the cumulative harm caused by thousands of stream and wetlands crossings .
U.S. Justice Department attorneys argued in a court filing that Morris had overstepped by applying his ruling not just to Keystone but to the entire program .
“ The Court has eliminated Nationwide Permit 12 for use by any utility line project anywhere in the country , which has extraordinary and immediate implications for numerous projects , ” the attorneys wrote .
Since the blanket permit was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used more than 37,000 times , according to federal officials .

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - U.S. government attorneys on Monday sought to put on hold a recent court ruling that canceled a permitting program used to approve oil and gas pipelines and other utility work through wetlands and streams across the nation.
The attorneys said letting the April 15 ruling stand would hamper thousands of construction projects overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Great Falls declared the permitting program, known as Nationwide Permit 12, had been reauthorized in 2017 without sufficient consideration of its potential environmental harm.
That prompted Army Corps officials last week to suspend the program.
The case before Morris involved the disputed Keystone XL crude oil pipeline from Canada. But pipeline and electric utility industry representatives said it could affect both construction and maintenance on potentially thousands of projects.
That includes major pipelines like the Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline in Virginia and power lines from wind turbines and generating stations in many parts of the U.S.
The Army Corps has broad jurisdiction over U.S. waterways. It uses the blanket permit to approve qualifying pipelines and other utility projects after only minimal environmental review. Environmentalists say that allows projects to skirt water protection laws and ignores the cumulative harm caused by thousands of stream and wetlands crossings.
U.S. Justice Department attorneys argued in a court filing that Morris had overstepped by applying his ruling not just to Keystone but to the entire program.
“The Court has eliminated Nationwide Permit 12 for use by any utility line project anywhere in the country, which has extraordinary and immediate implications for numerous projects,” the attorneys wrote.
Since the blanket permit was renewed three years ago it has been used more than 37,000 times, according to federal officials.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Minnesota senior facility evacuated due to virus to close

WAYZATA , Minn. ( AP ) - A Minneapolis-area senior living facility that was evacuated earlier this month after an outbreak of COVID-19 announced Monday it won ’ t reopen .
The nonprofit organization Transforming Age said it has made “ the difficult decision ” not to reopen Meridian Manor in Wayzata “ as a result of multiple negative impacts of COVID-19.
” Nearly 50 residents were moved from Meridian Manor on April 18 after the Minnesota Department of Health said a majority of staff members and administrators at the facility became sick and were unable to care for residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have tested positive for COVID-19 out of 59 residents .
Two residents have died due to complications from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
In addition , 13 employees also have tested positive and are quarantining at home , Transforming Age said .
“ Our mission is first and foremost to serve seniors , and the multiple impacts of COVID-19 has made it impossible for our team at Meridian Manor to continue our mission at the community , ” Transforming Age president and CEO Torsten Hirche said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services to all residents , at no cost .
Residents also are being offered complimentary rent at other Transforming Age communities that have no known cases of COVID-19 .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .

WAYZATA, Minn. (AP) - A Minneapolis-area senior living facility that was evacuated earlier this month after an outbreak of COVID-19 announced Monday it won’t reopen.
The nonprofit organization Transforming Age said it has made “the difficult decision” not to reopen Meridian Manor in Wayzata “as a result of multiple negative impacts of COVID-19.”
Nearly 50 residents were moved from Meridian Manor on April 18 after the Minnesota Department of Health said a majority of staff members and administrators at the facility became sick and were unable to care for residents.
As of Monday, 21 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 out of 59 residents. Two residents have died due to complications from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. In addition, 13 employees also have tested positive and are quarantining at home, Transforming Age said.
“Our mission is first and foremost to serve seniors, and the multiple impacts of COVID-19 has made it impossible for our team at Meridian Manor to continue our mission at the community,” Transforming Age president and CEO Torsten Hirche said in a statement.
Meridian Manor is providing professional moving services to all residents, at no cost. Residents also are being offered complimentary rent at other Transforming Age communities that have no known cases of COVID-19.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Illegal immigrant 'Dreamers' must get coronavirus college aid, Democrats say

Senate Democrats demanded Monday that the Trump administration grant illegal immigrant “ Dreamers ” in college the same access to federal coronavirus assistance that citizens are entitled to .
The senators said Dreamers , who are here in tentative legal status under the Obama-era DACA deportation amnesty , have made “ extraordinary contributions ” to the U.S. during the coronavirus outbreak and deserve the benefits .
“ DACA recipients attending institutions of higher education across the country face challenges like other students , many with the added burden of supporting their parents and siblings or being the first in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than two dozen senators in a letter to the Education Department .
“ These students should not be excluded from critical emergency financial aid .
Indeed , those who are especially vulnerable to economic hardship are exactly whom these funds were designed to help.
” They asked Secretary Betsy DeVos to rule that DACA recipients are entitled to some of the billions of dollars earmarked for college students from the $ 2.2 trillion stimulus bill that cleared Congress a month ago .
Ms. DeVos has said schools can decide how to allocate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to every student or by targeting it to those in the most need — but she said most international students are excluded .
DACA recipients , despite having lived in the U.S. for years , are not legal immigrants .
The Education Department says it ’ s following sections of the Higher Education Act that generally bar non-citizens from federal financial aid .
Indeed , under the law DACA students can not apply for federal financial aid , though some states have sought to offer their own benefits .
The Senate Democrats argue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside of the restrictions in the Higher Education Act .
And they point out that while some sections of the stimulus did specifically bar illegal immigrants from aid , that ’ s not the case for the college money .
“ The Department can not project a specific prohibition from one section of the law to an unrelated and independent section of the law where Congress made no such prohibition , ” wrote the senators , led by Sens .
Michael Bennet of Colorado and Bob Menendez of New Jersey .

Senate Democrats demanded Monday that the Trump administration grant illegal immigrant “Dreamers” in college the same access to federal coronavirus assistance that citizens are entitled to.
The senators said Dreamers, who are here in tentative legal status under the Obama-era DACA deportation amnesty, have made “extraordinary contributions” to the U.S. during the coronavirus outbreak and deserve the benefits.
“DACA recipients attending institutions of higher education across the country face challenges like other students, many with the added burden of supporting their parents and siblings or being the first in their families to attend college,” wrote more than two dozen senators in a letter to the Education Department. “These students should not be excluded from critical emergency financial aid. Indeed, those who are especially vulnerable to economic hardship are exactly whom these funds were designed to help.”
They asked Secretary Betsy DeVos to rule that DACA recipients are entitled to some of the billions of dollars earmarked for college students from the $2.2 trillion stimulus bill that cleared Congress a month ago.
Ms. DeVos has said schools can decide how to allocate the money, either by giving some to every student or by targeting it to those in the most need — but she said most international students are excluded.
DACA recipients, despite having lived in the U.S. for years, are not legal immigrants.
The Education Department says it’s following sections of the Higher Education Act that generally bar non-citizens from federal financial aid. Indeed, under the law DACA students cannot apply for federal financial aid, though some states have sought to offer their own benefits.
The Senate Democrats argue the $2.2 trillion stimulus money falls outside of the restrictions in the Higher Education Act.
And they point out that while some sections of the stimulus did specifically bar illegal immigrants from aid, that’s not the case for the college money.
“The Department cannot project a specific prohibition from one section of the law to an unrelated and independent section of the law where Congress made no such prohibition,” wrote the senators, led by Sens. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Bob Menendez of New Jersey.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Jesse Ventura eyes Green Party 2020 run for president

Jesse the Body is looking to become Jesse the Green .
Former Minnesota Gov .
Jesse Ventura said Monday he has taken steps to “ test the waters ” on running for the presidential nomination of the Green Party .
“ I authorized a letter of interest that was sent on my behalf to the Greens and I ’ m testing the waters for Green Party nomination , ” he said .
He emphasized during his two-tweet thread that things were still developing and that he hadn ’ t filed anything that officially commits him to run .
“ IF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the GREEN party would be my first choice .
I ’ ve endorsed the party and I ’ m testing the waters , ” he wrote .
Mr. Ventura , a former professional wrestler who ran in 1998 for governor of Minnesota on the Reform Party ticket and pulled off a shocking upset , said that his run would continue that criticism of the two major parties .
“ I ’ m an independent .
I ’ m not a Democrat or a Republican because I know they ’ re not the @ @ @ @ @ @

Jesse the Body is looking to become Jesse the Green.
Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura said Monday he has taken steps to “test the waters” on running for the presidential nomination of the Green Party.
“I authorized a letter of interest that was sent on my behalf to the Greens and I’m testing the waters for Green Party nomination,” he said.
He emphasized during his two-tweet thread that things were still developing and that he hadn’t filed anything that officially commits him to run.
“IF I were going to run for president, the GREEN party would be my first choice. I’ve endorsed the party and I’m testing the waters,” he wrote.
To be clear: I haven’t filed anything. I authorized a letter of interest that was sent on my behalf to the Greens and I’m testing the waters for Green Party nomination. I’m an independent. I’m not a Democrat or a Republican because I know they’re not the solution. — Jesse Ventura (@GovJVentura) April 27, 2020
Mr. Ventura, a former professional wrestler who ran in 1998 for governor of Minnesota on the Reform Party ticket and pulled off a shocking upset, said that his run would continue that criticism of the two major parties.
“I’m an independent. I’m not a Democrat or a Republican because I know they’re not the solution,” he said.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Border wall plans reduced as costs exceed $15 billion

President Trump ’ s wall is the most aggressive border construction project in U.S. history — but it just got 22 miles shorter .
The latest calculations for how much wall can be built with the $ 15 billion Mr. Trump has won from Congress or siphoned from other Pentagon accounts works out to 731 miles , which would be more border fence than every previous president combined has built .
But it ’ s also 22 miles shorter than the Department of Homeland Security and the Army Corps of Engineers were projecting at the beginning of April .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money can ’ t stretch as far as they originally thought .
John B. Mennell , assistant chief at Customs and Border Protection headquarters , said the earlier , larger assessment was made based on rough order of magnitude estimates for one $ 3.8 billion chunk of money in the Defense Department ’ s drug interdiction account , projected to cover 177 miles of wall in segments from San Diego to Del Rio , Texas .
Once specific projects were finalized , though , they had to recalculate how far the $ 3.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimates based on averages and not actual locations , which can vary from one mile to the next .
Once planning efforts began and cost estimates were finalized , based on the final approved project list , the total mileage was updated to approximately 155 miles , ” Chief Mennell said .
While much of the country has been shuttered by stay-at-home orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic , wall planning and construction have continued uninterrupted .
Since early February , a total of 51 miles have been built — 42 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in places where no fencing existed before .
Only one of those new miles is up against the border .
The other eight are secondary fencing set back from the primary barrier to create a corridor to nab illegal immigrants .
When Mr. Trump took office , about 354 miles of border were protected by a pedestrian fence and another 300 miles with vehicle barriers , which are easy to walk over but can deter kamikaze drive-throughs , for a total of 654 miles .
With the projects currently planned , that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 731 will be upgraded or added through Mr. Trump ’ s orders .
The new wall design can reach 30 feet high , with 6-inch square steel bollards spaced 4 inches apart .
That is enough to allow small wildlife , but not people , to squeeze through .
Anti-climb plates are intended to deter attempts to go over the wall .
The Border Patrol is in charge of selecting wall locations , and the Army Corps of Engineers is handling the contracts .
Homeland Security last week introduced a website that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California ’ s El Centro sector .
The website also includes an interactive map to see where the wall improvements are planned .
Since taking office , Mr. Trump has won about $ 4.5 billion from Congress for wall funding , and he has siphoned about $ 600 million from a Treasury Department account and $ 10 billion from Pentagon accounts .
Of that Defense Department money , $ 3.6 billion went into an emergency military construction account and another $ 6.3 billion topped off a counternarcotics fund that allows border barrier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of money that caused the 22-mile cut .
Earlier this month , the Army Corps projected that 177 miles could be built with $ 3.8 billion .
That worked out to about $ 21.5 million per mile .
But after matching the money to specific projects , it now looks like it will cover only 155 miles , at $ 24.5 million per mile .
A spokesman for the Corps did not comment in time for publication .
Border officials have said from the beginning that they expect costs to fluctuate .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ segments that ranged in price from about $ 20 million per mile up to $ 105 million for a stretch near Yuma , Arizona , that could be as short as 1 mile of new and replacement wall .
That project includes $ 50 million for fiber-optic cables and a power distribution system , according to the court filing .
“ Our border communities need resources to fight the coronavirus and protect people and front-line workers , but the Trump administration is instead subjecting us to a destructive wall without regard for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans , ” said Dan Millis , the borderlands program manager for the Sierra Club ’ s Grand Canyon Chapter .
The Sierra Club is one of a number of plaintiffs challenging wall construction , Mr. Trump ’ s ability to siphon money out of Pentagon accounts , and the waivers the homeland security secretary has issued to exempt wall construction from dozens of laws such as the Endangered Species Act , the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act .
The Supreme Court has allowed wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being heard .
Some of the wall contracts have drawn scrutiny .
A $ 569 million award to build 17.7 miles of fencing in San Diego , which works out to $ 32.1 million per mile , went to BFBC , a company run by a man who gives frequently to Republican campaigns .
The Government Accountability Office is investigating that contract , according to the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee .
The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee has asked the Defense Department ’ s inspector general to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not part of the project that was reduced by 22 miles .

President Trump’s wall is the most aggressive border construction project in U.S. history — but it just got 22 miles shorter.
The latest calculations for how much wall can be built with the $15 billion Mr. Trump has won from Congress or siphoned from other Pentagon accounts works out to 731 miles, which would be more border fence than every previous president combined has built.
But it’s also 22 miles shorter than the Department of Homeland Security and the Army Corps of Engineers were projecting at the beginning of April. Officials said a certain pot of Defense Department money can’t stretch as far as they originally thought.
John B. Mennell, assistant chief at Customs and Border Protection headquarters, said the earlier, larger assessment was made based on rough order of magnitude estimates for one $3.8 billion chunk of money in the Defense Department’s drug interdiction account, projected to cover 177 miles of wall in segments from San Diego to Del Rio, Texas.
Once specific projects were finalized, though, they had to recalculate how far the $3.8 billion would stretch.
“ROMs are estimates based on averages and not actual locations, which can vary from one mile to the next. Once planning efforts began and cost estimates were finalized, based on the final approved project list, the total mileage was updated to approximately 155 miles,” Chief Mennell said.
While much of the country has been shuttered by stay-at-home orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, wall planning and construction have continued uninterrupted.
Since early February, a total of 51 miles have been built — 42 of them replacing outdated designs and 9 miles in places where no fencing existed before. Only one of those new miles is up against the border. The other eight are secondary fencing set back from the primary barrier to create a corridor to nab illegal immigrants.
When Mr. Trump took office, about 354 miles of border were protected by a pedestrian fence and another 300 miles with vehicle barriers, which are easy to walk over but can deter kamikaze drive-throughs, for a total of 654 miles.
With the projects currently planned, that will rise to 945 miles. Of those, 731 will be upgraded or added through Mr. Trump’s orders.
The new wall design can reach 30 feet high, with 6-inch square steel bollards spaced 4 inches apart. That is enough to allow small wildlife, but not people, to squeeze through. Anti-climb plates are intended to deter attempts to go over the wall.
The Border Patrol is in charge of selecting wall locations, and the Army Corps of Engineers is handling the contracts.
Homeland Security last week introduced a website that shows a video of wall being built in California’s El Centro sector. The website also includes an interactive map to see where the wall improvements are planned.
Since taking office, Mr. Trump has won about $4.5 billion from Congress for wall funding, and he has siphoned about $600 million from a Treasury Department account and $10 billion from Pentagon accounts. Of that Defense Department money, $3.6 billion went into an emergency military construction account and another $6.3 billion topped off a counternarcotics fund that allows border barrier construction.
It was that last pot of money that caused the 22-mile cut.
Earlier this month, the Army Corps projected that 177 miles could be built with $3.8 billion. That worked out to about $21.5 million per mile. But after matching the money to specific projects, it now looks like it will cover only 155 miles, at $24.5 million per mile.
A spokesman for the Corps did not comment in time for publication.
Border officials have said from the beginning that they expect costs to fluctuate.
A court filing last week detailed four wall segments that ranged in price from about $20 million per mile up to $105 million for a stretch near Yuma, Arizona, that could be as short as 1 mile of new and replacement wall. That project includes $50 million for fiber-optic cables and a power distribution system, according to the court filing.
“Our border communities need resources to fight the coronavirus and protect people and front-line workers, but the Trump administration is instead subjecting us to a destructive wall without regard for the law, the landscape or costs to Americans,” said Dan Millis, the borderlands program manager for the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter.
The Sierra Club is one of a number of plaintiffs challenging wall construction, Mr. Trump’s ability to siphon money out of Pentagon accounts, and the waivers the homeland security secretary has issued to exempt wall construction from dozens of laws such as the Endangered Species Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
The Supreme Court has allowed wall construction to proceed while those lawsuits are being heard.
Some of the wall contracts have drawn scrutiny.
A $569 million award to build 17.7 miles of fencing in San Diego, which works out to $32.1 million per mile, went to BFBC, a company run by a man who gives frequently to Republican campaigns.
The Government Accountability Office is investigating that contract, according to the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee has asked the Defense Department’s inspector general to investigate.
Mr. Mennell said that contract was not part of the project that was reduced by 22 miles.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Congress set to reopen, but new virus aid faces divisions

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Congress is plunging ahead on a new coronavirus relief package , but deepening partisan divide and uncertainty in the schedule could stall the federal response to the health crisis and deteriorating U.S. economy .
Leaders of both parties announced the House and Senate will return on May 4 .
But senior lawmakers were told in a briefing by the Capitol physician Monday that they may not be able to convene full House sessions , with staffing , for at least a year amid the ongoing crisis .
Negotiations are set to resume Tuesday on proxy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Monday it might be time to consider a “ guaranteed income ” as 26 million Americans are suddenly jobless .
She insists the next bill must provide “ heroes ” aid to state and local governments to pay police , fire and other front-line workers .
“ We may have to think in terms of some different ways to put money in people ’ s pockets , ” Pelosi said on MSNBC .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell countered that his priority is to shield health providers and business owners during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest trial lawyer bonanza in history.
” He has suggested changing the laws to let states declare bankruptcy .
“ The American people do not need tangential left-wing daydreams , ” McConnell said .
While the coronavirus pandemic did the unthinkable in Washington , sparking a rare bipartisanship accord between Democrats and Republicans on the biggest rescue package in history - a $ 2 trillion effort last month , followed by $ 500 billion last week - it may not extend to the new effort .
In announcing the Senate ’ s return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential for doctors , nurses and grocery workers “ to keep carefully manning their own duty stations , then it is essential for Senators to carefully man ours.
” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced on a caucus call with Democrats that the House also would be in session next week .
Questions quickly broke out from lawmakers on the call about the safety of returning to the crowded Capitol complex and reconvening staff amid the pandemic .
While lawmakers say they want to work , many are older and in high-risk categories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for children and families .
Most have to commute from their home states .
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz , D-Fla. , warned Democratic colleagues it would be dangerous to return , according to a person who wasn ’ t authorized to discuss the private call Monday and who spoke on condition of anonymity .
Another lawmaker asked if they or their staffs would be tested for the virus , the person said .
Answers were uncertain .
Capitol officials have announced few new protocols for social distancing and other public health precautions as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders until mid-May .
The House is weighing options for remote legislating and proxy voting , so lawmakers can keep working while away .
A bipartisan House task force is set to meet Tuesday to consider proposals .
Pelosi wants an agreement to be reached in time for a vote next Monday when Congress returns .
Lawmakers are particularly eager to hold hearings remotely so they can conduct oversight of coronavirus spending and start preparing the next legislative package .
“ We must move forward , ” wrote members of the New Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a letter to party leaders .
In the Senate , McConnell has said his top priority remains confirming President Donald Trump ’ s judicial nominees to the courts .
“ We need to confirm judges , ” McConnell said in a recent radio interview .
His motto , he reminded , is to “ leave no nominee behind.
” He said , “ The pandemic will not prevent us from achieving that goal.
” McConnell ’ s GOP majority in the Senate is divided over the coronavirus response , with many Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big spending , now approaching $ 3 trillion , even as Trump wants more .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is seeking a broad package that could include infrastructure and broadband investment as part of Trump ’ s long-running campaign promises .
For the states , Pelosi has said she wants to see as much allocated as the more than $ 500 billion that Congress has provided for small-business relief .
McConnell has said he ’ s not inclined to funnel federal dollars to the states and said Monday he ’ s focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggles to assert itself from home , Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said there must be public hearings to “ immediately begin vigorous and desperately needed oversight of the Trump administration ’ s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
” On Monday , the administration announced Robert A. Westbrooks as executive director of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee , the new panel tasked with overseeing the $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief bill passed by Congress last month .
Westbrooks , a former inspector general for the federal agency tasked with protecting benefits for workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position by Michael Horowitz , the Justice Department inspector general and the chair of a council of government agency watchdogs .
When Trump signed the bill into law , he noted his objection to the oversight provisions .
Associated Press writers Andrew Taylor and Eric Tucker contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress is plunging ahead on a new coronavirus relief package, but deepening partisan divide and uncertainty in the schedule could stall the federal response to the health crisis and deteriorating U.S. economy.
Leaders of both parties announced the House and Senate will return May 4, despite objections from their ranks. Senior lawmakers were told in a briefing by the Capitol physician Monday that they may not be able to convene full House sessions, with staffing, for at least a year amid the ongoing crisis. Negotiations are set to resume Tuesday on proxy voting proposals.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday it might be time to consider a “guaranteed income” as 26 million Americans are suddenly jobless. She insists the next bill must provide “heroes” aid to state and local governments to pay police, fire and other front-line workers.
“We may have to think in terms of some different ways to put money in people’s pockets,” Pelosi said on MSNBC.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell countered that his priority is to shield health providers and business owners during the pandemic from what could be “the biggest trial lawyer bonanza in history.” He has suggested changing the laws to let states declare bankruptcy.
“The American people do not need tangential left-wing daydreams,” McConnell said.
While the coronavirus pandemic did the unthinkable in Washington, sparking a rare bipartisanship accord between Democrats and Republicans on the biggest rescue package in history - a $2 trillion effort last month, followed by $500 billion last week - it may not extend to the new effort.
In announcing the Senate’s return, McConnell said that if it is essential for doctors, nurses and grocery workers “to keep carefully manning their own duty stations, then it is essential for Senators to carefully man ours.”
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced on a caucus call with Democrats that the House also would be in session next week.
Questions quickly broke out from lawmakers on the call about the safety of returning to the crowded Capitol complex and reconvening staff amid the pandemic.
While lawmakers say they want to work, many are older and in high-risk categories for contracting the virus. Others care for children and families. Most have to commute from their home states.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., warned Democratic colleagues it would be dangerous to return, according to a person who wasn’t authorized to discuss the private call Monday and who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Another lawmaker asked if they or their staffs would be tested for the virus, the person said. Answers were uncertain.
Capitol officials have announced few new protocols for social distancing and other public health precautions as Washington, D.C., remains under stay-home orders until mid-May.
The House is weighing options for remote legislating and proxy voting, so lawmakers can keep working while away. A bipartisan House task force is set to meet Tuesday to consider proposals.
Pelosi signaled on Monday’s private call that she is prepared to hold a vote to allow proxy voting when Congress returns next week whether or not the talks produce a bipartisan agreement with Republicans, according to an aide unauthorized to discuss it and granted anonymity.
Lawmakers are particularly eager to hold hearings remotely so they can conduct oversight of coronavirus spending and start preparing the next legislative package.
“We must move forward,” wrote members of the New Democrat Coalition, a caucus of House moderates in a letter to party leaders.
In the Senate, McConnell has said his top priority remains confirming President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees to the courts.
“We need to confirm judges,” McConnell said in a recent radio interview. His motto, he reminded, is to “leave no nominee behind.”
He said, “The pandemic will not prevent us from achieving that goal.”
McConnell’s GOP majority in the Senate is divided over the coronavirus response, with many Republican senators frustrated by what they view as big spending, now approaching $3 trillion, even as Trump wants more.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is seeking a broad package that could include infrastructure and broadband investment as part of Trump’s long-running campaign promises.
For the states, Pelosi has said she wants to see as much allocated as the more than $500 billion that Congress has provided for small-business relief.
McConnell has said he’s not inclined to funnel federal dollars to the states and said Monday he’s focused on “commonsense” steps.
As Congress struggles to assert itself from home, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said there must be public hearings to “immediately begin vigorous and desperately needed oversight of the Trump administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
On Monday, the administration announced Robert A. Westbrooks as executive director of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, the new panel tasked with overseeing the $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill passed by Congress last month.
Westbrooks, a former inspector general for the federal agency tasked with protecting benefits for workers and retirees, was named to the position by Michael Horowitz, the Justice Department inspector general and the chair of a council of government agency watchdogs.
When Trump signed the bill into law, he noted his objection to the oversight provisions.
___
Associated Press writers Andrew Taylor and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--13-year-old arrested in fatal shooting of man in Burien

BURIEN , Wash. ( AP ) - A 13-year-old was arrested in the fatal shooting of a 35-year-old man as he was walking in the suburb of Burien last week , according to court documents .
Hassan Ali Hassan was shot in the back of the head Tuesday and died two days later at Harboview Medical Center , according to court documents .
A 9 mm shell casing was found nearby , KING-TV reported .
After the shooting , the teen ran to a friend ’ s home , showed the gun and asked to be let in , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his family , according to court documents .
The teen had been living at his ex-girlfriend ’ s house and the girl ’ s mother told police the teen had not been seen since Tuesday , court documents said .
She also discovered that her 9 mm handgun was missing .
The teen was arrested on April 24 in Renton .
According to court documents , he admitted to the shooting and did it because “ he was depressed and felt like if he didn ’ t kill someone he would kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like doing it .
’ ”

BURIEN, Wash. (AP) - A 13-year-old was arrested in the fatal shooting of a 35-year-old man as he was walking in the suburb of Burien last week, according to court documents.
Hassan Ali Hassan was shot in the back of the head Tuesday and died two days later at Harboview Medical Center, according to court documents. A 9 mm shell casing was found nearby, KING-TV reported.
After the shooting, the teen ran to a friend’s home, showed the gun and asked to be let in, but fled when his friend went to talk to his family, according to court documents.
The teen had been living at his ex-girlfriend’s house and the girl’s mother told police the teen had not been seen since Tuesday, court documents said. She also discovered that her 9 mm handgun was missing.
The teen was arrested on April 24 in Renton. According to court documents, he admitted to the shooting and did it because “he was depressed and felt like if he didn’t kill someone he would kill himself and because he ‘just felt like doing it.’”


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--J.B. Pritzker, Illinois governor, exceeded authority with stay-at-home order, judge rules

CHICAGO — A judge in southern Illinois ruled Monday that Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s stay-at-home order to stem the spread of the coronavirus exceeds his emergency authority and violates individual civil rights .
Clay County Circuit Judge Michael McHaney sided with Republican Rep. Darren Bailey , who sought a temporary restraining order against the Democratic governor ’ s far-reaching executive order .
Pritzker has relied on an April 2 statewide disaster declaration as authority to close schools , shut down nonessential businesses and limit movement by individuals from their homes because of the potentially deadly COVID-19 .
Given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing in Chicago on the state ’ s response to COVID-19 , Pritzker accused Bailey , a Xenia resident , of being “ blindly devoted to ideology and the pursuit of personal celebrity.
” “ It ’ s insulting .
It ’ s dangerous and people ’ s safety and health have now been put at risk , ” Pritzker said .
“ There may be people who contract coronavirus as a result of what Darren Bailey has done.
” Bailey did not immediately return a call seeking comment , but told reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberties can be infringed when citizens don ’ t challenge government power .
“ We continue now to do what we do best : Live safely , respectfully and … to take certain precautions , but not to be limited by government , ” Bailey said .
Pritzker promised “ swift ” action to overturn the judge ’ s order , which applies only to Bailey but allows other individuals and groups to challenge the movement restrictions while the highly contagious illness circulates .
The ruling came the same day House Republicans attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for details on state prison inmates released early because of COVID-19 fears .
Pritzker signed an order earlier this month allowing furloughs for elderly inmates or those with health conditions , who are considered “ medically vulnerable ” to contracting and spreading COVID-19 .
Roughly 36,000 people are incarcerated in Illinois facilities and civil rights advocates have raised concerns about inmate welfare .
House Republicans hosted a video news conference Monday , saying their requests for information have been ignored , including details on how many have been freed and how the Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Our concern is that the governor and IDOC are using this pandemic as a way to push their political agenda of releasing inmates , rather than actually looking out for the public safety , ” said Rep. Avery Bourne of Morrisonville .
State officials have not been specific on the numbers .
Illinois ’ prison population has been reduced by about 1,300 inmates , Pritzker said Monday during his daily coronavirus news conference .
He said that includes commutations and those included in his order but didn ’ t specify a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he would gladly provide the necessary numbers and his spokeswoman suggested contacting IDOC for the information .
But in response to an Associated Press public records request for the names of inmates released because of the pandemic , IDOC provided a link to an online document showing all inmates released since March 1 .
The list of roughly 3,900 inmates doesn ’ t include the reasons for their release .
There have been coronavirus outbreaks at the state ’ s correctional facilities .
State data show 153 inmates have tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stateville Correction Center in Crest Hill , where there have been 10 deaths .
Overall , 147 corrections employees have also tested positive , with 74 at Stateville .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or modest symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe life-threatening illness , including pneumonia .
Illinois officials reported 50 new deaths related to COVID-19 Monday , bringing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Illinois Department of Public Health also reported 1,980 new cases , for a total of 45,883 in Illinois .

CHICAGO — A judge in southern Illinois ruled Monday that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order to stem the spread of the coronavirus exceeds his emergency authority and violates individual civil rights.
Clay County Circuit Judge Michael McHaney sided with Republican Rep. Darren Bailey, who sought a temporary restraining order against the Democratic governor’s far-reaching executive order. Pritzker has relied on an April 2 statewide disaster declaration as authority to close schools, shut down nonessential businesses and limit movement by individuals from their homes because of the potentially deadly COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Given word of the ruling during his daily briefing in Chicago on the state’s response to COVID-19, Pritzker accused Bailey, a Xenia resident, of being “blindly devoted to ideology and the pursuit of personal celebrity.”
“It’s insulting. It’s dangerous and people’s safety and health have now been put at risk,” Pritzker said. “There may be people who contract coronavirus as a result of what Darren Bailey has done.”
Bailey did not immediately return a call seeking comment, but told reporters outside the courthouse in Louisville that civil liberties can be infringed when citizens don’t challenge government power.
“We continue now to do what we do best: Live safely, respectfully and … to take certain precautions, but not to be limited by government,” Bailey said.
Pritzker promised “swift” action to overturn the judge’s order, which applies only to Bailey but allows other individuals and groups to challenge the movement restrictions while the highly contagious illness circulates.
The ruling came the same day House Republicans attacked Pritzker on another front, renewing demands for details on state prison inmates released early because of COVID-19 fears.
Pritzker signed an order earlier this month allowing furloughs for elderly inmates or those with health conditions, who are considered “medically vulnerable” to contracting and spreading COVID-19. Roughly 36,000 people are incarcerated in Illinois facilities and civil rights advocates have raised concerns about inmate welfare.
House Republicans hosted a video news conference Monday, saying their requests for information have been ignored, including details on how many have been freed and how the Illinois Department of Corrections determines who gets released.
“Our concern is that the governor and IDOC are using this pandemic as a way to push their political agenda of releasing inmates, rather than actually looking out for the public safety,” said Rep. Avery Bourne of Morrisonville.
State officials have not been specific on the numbers.
Illinois’ prison population has been reduced by about 1,300 inmates, Pritzker said Monday during his daily coronavirus news conference. He said that includes commutations and those included in his order but didn’t specify a timeline or a detailed breakdown. He said he would gladly provide the necessary numbers and his spokeswoman suggested contacting IDOC for the information.
But in response to an Associated Press public records request for the names of inmates released because of the pandemic, IDOC provided a link to an online document showing all inmates released since March 1. The list of roughly 3,900 inmates doesn’t include the reasons for their release.
An IDOC spokeswoman didn’t return a message seeking comment Monday.
There have been coronavirus outbreaks at the state’s correctional facilities. State data show 153 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19, with the vast majority at Stateville Correction Center in Crest Hill, where there have been 10 deaths. Overall, 147 corrections employees have also tested positive, with 74 at Stateville.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or modest symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe life-threatening illness, including pneumonia.
Illinois officials reported 50 new deaths related to COVID-19 Monday, bringing the total statewide death toll to 1,983. The Illinois Department of Public Health also reported 1,980 new cases, for a total of 45,883 in Illinois.
___
O’Connor reported from Springfield, Illinois.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Mississippi approved for federal aid from Pearl River flood

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - President Donald Trump has approved federal aid for Mississippi counties affected by @ @ @ @ @ .
The money is to help rebuild or repair public buildings , highways and roads @ @ @ @ @ two months ago that our state experienced historic flooding , and Mississippians are still struggling @ @ @ @ @ lives , ” Gov .
Tate Reeves said in a news release Monday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ we can show people that they are not alone in this.
” The flooding occurred @ @ @ @ @ central Mississippi .
The federal disaster declaration is for 11 counties : Attala , Carroll @ @ @ @ @ Copiah , Grenada , Hinds , Holmes , Leflore , Warren and Yazoo .
The @ @ @ @ @ assistance also covers the reimbursement to local governments for emergency work during the disaster .

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - President Donald Trump has approved federal aid for Mississippi counties affected by Pearl River flooding in February.
The money is to help rebuild or repair public buildings, highways and roads.
“It was just two months ago that our state experienced historic flooding, and Mississippians are still struggling to recover and rebuild their lives,” Gov. Tate Reeves said in a news release Monday. “With this federal assistance, we can show people that they are not alone in this.”
The flooding occurred Feb. 10-18, mostly in central Mississippi. The federal disaster declaration is for 11 counties: Attala, Carroll, Claiborne, Clay, Copiah, Grenada, Hinds, Holmes, Leflore, Warren and Yazoo.
The news release said the federal assistance also covers the reimbursement to local governments for emergency work during the disaster.