washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Video shows jailed Georgia man on floor hours before death

BAXLEY , Ga. ( AP ) - A video that was part of an investigation into a man ’ s death in a south Georgia jail shows him lying on the floor of his cell for nearly five hours before he died .
Relatives tell WTOC-TV , which obtained the video , that it bolsters their case that Kelsey Rayner ’ s death in the Appling County jail in 2017 could have been prevented .
“ Shame on you for letting this man lay there on the floor and die and you watch him die , ” said Telly Rayner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rayner ’ s widow is pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit , claiming her husband would have survived with timely medical attention .
The man was arrested on two misdemeanor charges of harassing phone calls and disorderly conduct on July 15 , 2017 , with a bonding company revoking Rayner ’ s bond on previous charges .
Eleven days later , Rayner was found dead on the floor of his cell .
He died from sepsis , a deadly infection caused by a ruptured colon .
A Georgia Bureau of Investigation report obtained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stomach pains on July 20 .
Nurse Christi Turner ordered a lab for Rayner ’ s liver function to be done on July 22 .
The nurse told GBI agents that a physician was at the jail on July 25 , the day before Rayner died , but didn ’ t examine Rayner because that test hadn ’ t been completed .
Agents interviewed jailers who performed checks on Rayner in the days before his death .
Both Cpl .
Ernestina Merced and Officer Brandon Griffis said they thought little of Rayner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had done it previously while jailed .
“ We tried to get him in the bed and he wouldn ’ t get in the bed , but he ’ s been responsive and breathing , making…not talking , kind of making noises , not painful noises , ” Griffis told GBI agents .
Medical reports showed Rayner had been diagnosed with depression , schizophrenia and bipolar disorder .
“ When you schizophrenic , you know how they behave , I took it as if that ’ s behavior of a schizophrenic , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s jail policy , inmates who are mentally or emotionally disordered should receive in-person surveillance every 15 minutes .
However , the jail log shows Rayner was checked on every 30 minutes at best .
Merced checked on Rayner at 9:30 p.m. About 30 minutes later Griffis was sent to the cell because a guard in a control tower couldn ’ t hear anything from Rayner ’ s cell .
Griffis found Rayner wasn ’ t breathing and started CPR , which he and another jailer continued until paramedics arrived .
Family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to natural causes , because that is what the sheriff ’ s office told them .
They recently learned more and watched the video , and said they now believe District Attorney Jackie Johnson should have sought criminal charges .
Johnson sent a letter to the GBI investigator saying , “ I do not believe there is sufficient evidence to support the elements of a crime or any identifiable suspect to charge.
” Appling County Sheriff Mark Melton declined to comment , citing the pending lawsuit .
Johnson didn ’ t respond @ @ @ @ @ @

BAXLEY, Ga. (AP) - A video that was part of an investigation into a man’s death in a south Georgia jail shows him lying on the floor of his cell for nearly five hours before he died. Relatives tell WTOC-TV, which obtained the video, that it bolsters their case that Kelsey Rayner’s death in the Appling County jail in 2017 could have been prevented.
“Shame on you for letting this man lay there on the floor and die and you watch him die,” said Telly Rayner, the dead man’s brother.
Rayner’s widow is pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit, claiming her husband would have survived with timely medical attention.
The man was arrested on two misdemeanor charges of harassing phone calls and disorderly conduct on July 15, 2017, with a bonding company revoking Rayner’s bond on previous charges.
Eleven days later, Rayner was found dead on the floor of his cell. He died from sepsis, a deadly infection caused by a ruptured colon.
A Georgia Bureau of Investigation report obtained by WTOC-TV shows Rayner complained of back and stomach pains on July 20. Nurse Christi Turner ordered a lab for Rayner’s liver function to be done on July 22. The nurse told GBI agents that a physician was at the jail on July 25, the day before Rayner died, but didn’t examine Rayner because that test hadn’t been completed.
Agents interviewed jailers who performed checks on Rayner in the days before his death. Both Cpl. Ernestina Merced and Officer Brandon Griffis said they thought little of Rayner laying on the floor, saying it had done it previously while jailed.
“We tried to get him in the bed and he wouldn’t get in the bed, but he’s been responsive and breathing, making…not talking, kind of making noises, not painful noises,” Griffis told GBI agents.
Medical reports showed Rayner had been diagnosed with depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
“When you schizophrenic, you know how they behave, I took it as if that’s behavior of a schizophrenic,” Merced said.
According to the county’s jail policy, inmates who are mentally or emotionally disordered should receive in-person surveillance every 15 minutes. However, the jail log shows Rayner was checked on every 30 minutes at best.
Merced checked on Rayner at 9:30 p.m. About 30 minutes later Griffis was sent to the cell because a guard in a control tower couldn’t hear anything from Rayner’s cell.
Griffis found Rayner wasn’t breathing and started CPR, which he and another jailer continued until paramedics arrived.
Family members said they believed Rayner had died due to natural causes, because that is what the sheriff’s office told them.
They recently learned more and watched the video, and said they now believe District Attorney Jackie Johnson should have sought criminal charges.
Johnson sent a letter to the GBI investigator saying, “I do not believe there is sufficient evidence to support the elements of a crime or any identifiable suspect to charge.”
Appling County Sheriff Mark Melton declined to comment, citing the pending lawsuit. Johnson didn’t respond to a request for comment.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Virus could end snow days; olleges try to curtail outbreaks

RUTLAND , Vt. ( AP ) - Some Vermont educators are wondering if remote learning could mean the end of snow days , the unexpected days off when weather conditions make it too hard for staff and children to reach school .
Bryan Olkowski , the superintendent of the Washington Central Supervisory Union , recently floated the idea at a School Board meeting .
He said he brought it up lightheartedly , but it could be possible .
Many school districts are working to switch to at least part-time remote education this fall .
It ’ s unclear if those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day ’ s notice .
David Younce , of the Vermont Superintendents Association , said he hasn ’ t heard any formal conversations on the topic , but called the idea “ common sense commentary.
” “ The ability to work and learn from home is going to become more and more normalized , I suspect , ” Younce told the Rutland Herald .
“ I think that makes it much easier to make a decision.
” But he said any decisions to shift to remote learning for inclement weather should be made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day before , to provide time for teachers , students and families to plan accordingly .
More than 20 College of the Holy Cross students have tested positive for the virus after a party .
A spokesperson for the college said students who hold parties will be held accountable , The Republican reported .
The party was held off campus in mid-August .
Holy Cross is among dozens of New England colleges welcoming students back to school this month and next .
The school is hosting a remote fall semester , but some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Providence College students have been suspended for violating the school ’ s code of conduct about the pandemic .
Rev .
Kenneth Sicard , the college ’ s president , described the students ’ actions as “ selfish behavior.
” He added that more sanctions could be imposed by the college .
“ We have emphasized strongly that actions that endanger themselves and others during this pandemic will not be tolerated at Providence College , ” Sicard wrote .
There are nine active cases of COVID-19 at University of Maine System campuses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All of the individuals are in isolation , the spokesman said .
The cases involve students and employees .
The cases are at the main University of Maine campus in Orono as well as University of Maine Farmington , University of Southern Maine and University of Maine School of Law .
Community transmission of the virus is still happening in every county in the state , the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said Saturday .
There have been more than 7,200 reported cases of the virus in New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the three northern New England states .
About 10 % of the cases in the state have resulted in hospitalizations .

RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) - Some Vermont educators are wondering if remote learning could mean the end of snow days, the unexpected days off when weather conditions make it too hard for staff and children to reach school.
Bryan Olkowski, the superintendent of the Washington Central Supervisory Union, recently floated the idea at a school board meeting.
He said he brought it up lightheartedly, but it could be possible. Many school districts are working to switch to at least part-time remote education this fall.
It’s unclear if those systems could work with less than a day’s notice.
David Younce, of the Vermont Superintendents Association, said he hasn’t heard any formal conversations on the topic, but called the idea “common sense commentary.”
“The ability to work and learn from home is going to become more and more normalized, I suspect,” Younce told the Rutland Herald. “I think that makes it much easier to make a decision.”
But he said any decisions to shift to remote learning for inclement weather should be made in advance, such as noon the day before, to provide time for teachers, students and families to plan accordingly.
___
MASSACHUSETTS
Demonstrators, many not wearing masks, came to the Massachusetts State House on Sunday to oppose a new state rule that requires flu shots for school children.
Republican Gov. Charlie Baker announced what is believed to be the first such requirement in the country earlier this month. A Massachusetts Department of Public Health spokesperson released a statement on Sunday that said the flu shot requirement is especially important because flu season will overlap with the coronavirus pandemic.
“As students return to in-person learning in the classroom, this vaccine requirement provides an additional and necessary layer of protection and safety,” the statement said.
A speaker at Sunday’s demonstration called on the crowd to hug one another, The Boston Globe reported.
Officials in Vermont are considering a similar requirement.
___
The city of Quincy, Massachusetts, fined a wedding venue on Saturday for violating limits on gatherings. The rules are intended to cut down the spread of the coronavirus
The Neighborhood Club of Quincy received a $300 fine, The Patriot Ledger reported. A spokesperson for the club said it was hosting an outdoor wedding when rain and thunder motivated the general manager to move it indoors.
Quincy Health Department Commissioner Ruth Jones said she received a call there were more than 50 people at the venue. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker issued an order in early August limiting indoor gatherings to no more than 25 in a single, enclosed space.
___
More than 20 College of the Holy Cross students have tested positive for the virus after a party.
A spokesperson for the college said students who hold parties will be held accountable, The Republican reported. The party was held off campus in mid-August.
Holy Cross is among dozens of New England colleges welcoming students back to school this month and next. The school is hosting a remote fall semester, but some students are living on campus.
___
RHODE ISLAND
Seventeen Providence College students have been suspended for violating the school’s code of conduct about the pandemic.
Rev. Kenneth Sicard, the college’s president, described the students’ actions as “selfish behavior.” He added that more sanctions could be imposed by the college.
“We have emphasized strongly that actions that endanger themselves and others during this pandemic will not be tolerated at Providence College,” Sicard wrote.
___
MAINE
There are nine active cases of COVID-19 at University of Maine System campuses, a spokesperson for the system said Sunday. All of the individuals are in isolation, the spokesman said. The cases involve students and employees.
The cases are at the main University of Maine campus in Orono as well as University of Maine Farmington, University of Southern Maine and University of Maine School of Law.
___
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Community transmission of the virus is still happening in every county in the state, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said Saturday.
There have been more than 7,200 reported cases of the virus in New Hampshire. That’s the most of the three northern New England states. About 10% of the cases in the state have resulted in hospitalizations.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Democrats to choose candidates in 4 congressional races

BOSTON ( AP ) - Democratic voters in four of the state ’ s nine congressional districts will have a chance to pick a new nominee to represent their party during Tuesday ’ s Massachusetts primary .
In three districts , challengers from within the party are hoping to bump incumbent Democratic U.S. House members out of the running .
In one - the state ’ s 4th Congressional District - voters will choose from seven Democrats hoping to fill the seat left vacant by Rep. Joe Kennedy III ’ s decision to challenge incumbent Sen. Edward Markey in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the 1st Congressional District , incumbent Rep. Richard Neal is trying to fend off a challenge from Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse .
Morse , 31 , has positioned himself as a progressive alternative to the 71-year-old Neal , who was first elected to represent the sprawling western Massachusetts district in 1988 .
Morse has the backing of New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , while Neal has the endorsement of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
The race has been marked by allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with students by Morse when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Massachusetts Amherst .
Morse has said his relationships with college students were consensual .
In the 4th Congressional District , the crush of Democratic candidates actively seeking Kennedy ’ s seat has whittled down to seven after two candidates pulled out of the running .
Those remaining are Jake Auchincloss , Becky Grossman , Alan Khazei , Natalia Linos , Isshane Lecky , Jesse Mermell and Ben Sigel .
They hail from a range of backgrounds including former members of the military , immigrants , political veterans and those with backgrounds in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a captain in the U.S. Marines and was elected to the Newton City Council in 2015 .
Grossman is also a member of the Newton City Council and served as an assistant district attorney in Middlesex County .
Khazei co-founded City Year , an educational nonprofit , with his roommate at Harvard Law School and went on to help create Americorps under the Clinton administration .
Linos is a social epidemiologist and executive director of the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University .
Lecky , a self-described democratic socialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the United States and became a Wall Street regulator .
Mermell is a former Brookline select board member and one-time aide to former Democratic Gov .
Deval Patrick .
Sigel has worked for the Democratic National Campaign Committee and describes himself as “ the proud Jewish son of a Puerto Rican mother.
” The campaign has been rambunctious , with candidates crisscrossing the district - sometimes virtually - to try to drum up votes .
The district winds from the Boston suburbs of Newton and Brookline south through Attleboro , Taunton and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running - Julie Hall and David Rosa .
Both are veterans and face a uphill challenge in a district that has historically supported Democrats .
In the 6th Congressional District , which includes Salem , Gloucester and Newburyport , two Democratic challengers - Jamie Belsito and Angus McQuilken - are hoping to oust incumbent Rep. Seth Moulton , a Marine Corps veteran who saw combat in Iraq and who mounted a brief campaign for president last year .
Belsito , a self-described progressive , founded the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She has pledged to address maternal health and infant mortality .
McQuilken co-founded the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence after the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut .
He has pledged to prioritize economic recovery , health care access , education and gun violence prevention .
In the state ’ s 8th Congressional District , which stretches from portions of Boston south to Bridgewater , Robbie Goldstein , a 36-year-old South Boston resident , is challenging longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch .
Goldstein , an infectious disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he ’ s had a front row seat to what he considers the federal government ’ s disastrous handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
He also sees himself as part of a wave of younger Democratic candidates trying to push the party toward a more progressive agenda .
Lynch , a former iron worker and labor leader who was born and raised in South Boston , is hoping to retain the seat he ’ s held since 2001 .
Lynch has pitched himself to voters as a fighter for working families .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of local election officials by 8 p.m. Tuesday , Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin , a Democrat , has urged voters who requested mail-in ballots to deliver them by hand to local election officials , their local polling location or local drop boxes .

BOSTON (AP) - Democratic voters in four of the state’s nine congressional districts will have a chance to pick a new nominee to represent their party during Tuesday’s Massachusetts primary.
In three districts, challengers from within the party are hoping to bump incumbent Democratic U.S. House members out of the running.
In one - the state’s 4th Congressional District - voters will choose from seven Democrats hoping to fill the seat left vacant by Rep. Joe Kennedy III’s decision to challenge incumbent Sen. Edward Markey in the state’s Democratic Senate primary.
In the 1st Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Richard Neal is trying to fend off a challenge from Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse.
Morse, 31, has positioned himself as a progressive alternative to the 71-year-old Neal, who was first elected to represent the sprawling western Massachusetts district in 1988. Morse has the backing of New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, while Neal has the endorsement of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The race has been marked by allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with students by Morse when he was an adjunct professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Morse has said his relationships with college students were consensual.
In the 4th Congressional District, the crush of Democratic candidates actively seeking Kennedy’s seat has whittled down to seven after two candidates pulled out of the running. Those remaining are Jake Auchincloss, Becky Grossman, Alan Khazei, Natalia Linos, Isshane Lecky, Jesse Mermell and Ben Sigel.
They hail from a range of backgrounds including former members of the military, immigrants, political veterans and those with backgrounds in the nonprofit sector.
Auchincloss served as a captain in the U.S. Marines and was elected to the Newton City Council in 2015. Grossman is also a member of the Newton City Council and served as an assistant district attorney in Middlesex County.
Khazei co-founded City Year, an educational nonprofit, with his roommate at Harvard Law School and went on to help create Americorps under the Clinton administration. Linos is a social epidemiologist and executive director of the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University.
Lecky, a self-described democratic socialist, was born in Morocco, immigrated to the United States and became a Wall Street regulator. Mermell is a former Brookline select board member and one-time aide to former Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick.
Sigel has worked for the Democratic National Campaign Committee and describes himself as “the proud Jewish son of a Puerto Rican mother.”
The campaign has been rambunctious, with candidates crisscrossing the district - sometimes virtually - to try to drum up votes. The district winds from the Boston suburbs of Newton and Brookline south through Attleboro, Taunton and Fall River.
Two Republicans are also running - Julie Hall and David Rosa. Both are veterans and face a uphill challenge in a district that has historically supported Democrats.
In the 6th Congressional District, which includes Salem, Gloucester and Newburyport, two Democratic challengers - Jamie Belsito and Angus McQuilken - are hoping to oust incumbent Rep. Seth Moulton, a Marine Corps veteran who saw combat in Iraq and who mounted a brief campaign for president last year.
Belsito, a self-described progressive, founded the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, which advocates nationally for better maternal health policies. She has pledged to address maternal health and infant mortality.
McQuilken co-founded the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence after the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. He has pledged to prioritize economic recovery, health care access, education and gun violence prevention.
In the state’s 8th Congressional District, which stretches from portions of Boston south to Bridgewater, Robbie Goldstein, a 36-year-old South Boston resident, is challenging longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch.
Goldstein, an infectious disease specialist and doctor at Massachusetts General, said he’s had a front row seat to what he considers the federal government’s disastrous handling of the coronavirus pandemic. He also sees himself as part of a wave of younger Democratic candidates trying to push the party toward a more progressive agenda.
Lynch, a former iron worker and labor leader who was born and raised in South Boston, is hoping to retain the seat he’s held since 2001. Lynch has pitched himself to voters as a fighter for working families.
Because ballots must be in the hands of local election officials by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, a Democrat, has urged voters who requested mail-in ballots to deliver them by hand to local election officials, their local polling location or local drop boxes.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Memorial remembers Beauregard tornado victims.

BEAUREGARD , Ala. ( AP ) - A new memorial in Beauregard remembers the nearly two dozen people killed when a deadly tornado swept through the east Alabama county last year .
The names and images of the 23 victims who died during the storm are etched into main layer of the stone monument , WSFA reports .
The second layer is dedicated to the first responders and volunteers .
At the top is a cross and the saying , Beauregard Strong , an expression that the community used to rally together as they rebuilt from the storm .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hart , who lost her 8-year-old daughter Mykhayla , told the station .
“ It gives me peace and solace.
” The monument was constructed at Providence Baptist Church “ The original thought here was to create something that would first of all be a memorial to those victims who were killed in the tornado , said Tom Smith from Providence Baptist Church .
The second thing was to honor basically those people who came as first responders .
And then the third aspect was to honor those who volunteered and gave of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandson AJ is the youngest victim on the memorial “ Seeing the picture , the name , the date will be hard because it brings back so much memories and so much emotion .
But it ’ s positive to know he hasn ’ t been forgotten , ” Kidd said .
Some families lost multiple members to the deadly EF4 tornado .
Cora Jones has nine family members honored , including her brother , father and mother .
“ Me and my brother , we were just in tears because it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Additionally , a new decal on Lee County sheriff ’ s department vehicles will also remember the 23 victims .
The decal simply bears the number “ 23 ” and will be displayed on the back of marked patrol units .
“ We offer our respect to the families and are humbled to honor loved ones lost , ” the sheriff ’ s department said in a Facebook post .
“ If you are not sure what this image means then just ask anyone from Beauregard .
They know .
”

BEAUREGARD, Ala. (AP) - A new memorial in Beauregard remembers the nearly two dozen people killed when a deadly tornado swept through the east Alabama county last year.
The names and images of the 23 victims who died during the storm are etched into main layer of the stone monument, WSFA reports. The second layer is dedicated to the first responders and volunteers. At the top is a cross and the saying, Beauregard Strong, an expression that the community used to rally together as they rebuilt from the storm.
“It’s so beautiful, Tyesha Hart, who lost her 8-year-old daughter Mykhayla, told the station. “It gives me peace and solace.”
The monument was constructed at Providence Baptist Church
“The original thought here was to create something that would first of all be a memorial to those victims who were killed in the tornado, said Tom Smith from Providence Baptist Church. The second thing was to honor basically those people who came as first responders. And then the third aspect was to honor those who volunteered and gave of their time.”
Bobby Kidd’s grandson AJ is the youngest victim on the memorial
“Seeing the picture, the name, the date will be hard because it brings back so much memories and so much emotion. But it’s positive to know he hasn’t been forgotten,” Kidd said.
Some families lost multiple members to the deadly EF4 tornado.
Cora Jones has nine family members honored, including her brother, father and mother.
“Me and my brother, we were just in tears because it is so pretty,” she said.
Additionally, a new decal on Lee County sheriff’s department vehicles will also remember the 23 victims. The decal simply bears the number “23” and will be displayed on the back of marked patrol units.
“We offer our respect to the families and are humbled to honor loved ones lost,” the sheriff’s department said in a Facebook post. “If you are not sure what this image means then just ask anyone from Beauregard. They know.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Suspect arrested in Louisiana death of transgender woman

GREENSBURG , La .
( AP ) - A suspect is in custody in Louisiana for the slaying of a @ @ @ @ @ month in a rural part of St. Helena Parish , the sheriff ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ Muse on Friday on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Shakie Peters @ @ @ @ @ No motive has been released .
It ’ s unknown if Muse has an attorney @ @ @ @ @ behalf .
Peters , 31 , was found near Amite .
She is one of @ @ @ @ @ the area in July .
Authorities said more arrests are pending .

GREENSBURG, La. (AP) - A suspect is in custody in Louisiana for the slaying of a transgender woman found dead last month in a rural part of St. Helena Parish, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies arrested Lynette Muse on Friday on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Shakie Peters, The Advocate reported. No motive has been released. It’s unknown if Muse has an attorney who can speak on her behalf.
Peters, 31, was found near Amite. She is one of two transgender women killed in the area in July.
Authorities said more arrests are pending.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Return after 9-week strike going smoothly at Bath Iron Works

BATH , Maine ( AP ) - The return of shipbuilders after a nine-week strike is going smoothly at Bath Iron Works and the union and company already have begun meeting to get back on track .
The mediated discussions are aimed at both restoring trust and promoting efficiency to get caught up on the production of warships .
The General Dynamics subsidiary was already six months behind schedule on ship construction before the double whammy of the pandemic and strike , which officially ended Aug. 23 .
Tim Suitter , spokesperson for Machinists Local S6 , said the initial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shipyard President Dirk Lesko seemed to go well on Friday .
The committee will meet again in the coming week , Suitter said .
“ We ’ ve got a road ahead of us , but both sides are committed to working toward progress together , ” Suitter said .
“ With the initial meeting , things look good.
” The company has expressed a hope that the discussions in which a federal mediator is present will improve performance and ensure a smooth transition of the new contract .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the U.S. Navy with a renewed focus and commitment to doing so together , on time , every time , ” company spokesperson David Hench said .
Workers began returning to their jobs after approving a three-year contract that they said addressed concerns in the previous proposal over subcontractors , work rules and seniority .
Workers are receiving 3 % raises each year , along with a signing bonus .
One of the sticking points is use of masks , which managers are required to wear at work .
The company is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they won ’ t be required to do so until Oct. 5 .
The mask issue has been a tricky one .
Some workers have pushed back , saying masks impeded their work .
Some even argued that a mask could pose a fire hazard in areas where welding takes place .
The 63-day strike was the first in two decades at the shipyard .
The shipyard on the Kennebec River is one of the Navy ’ s largest shipbuilder , and it ’ s also a major employer in the state with @ @ @ @

BATH, Maine (AP) - The return of shipbuilders after a nine-week strike is going smoothly at Bath Iron Works and the union and company already have begun meeting to get back on track.
The mediated discussions are aimed at both restoring trust and promoting efficiency to get caught up on the production of warships.
The General Dynamics subsidiary was already six months behind schedule on ship construction before the double whammy of the pandemic and strike, which officially ended Aug. 23.
Tim Suitter, spokesperson for Machinists Local S6, said the initial meeting that included union President Chris Wiers and shipyard President Dirk Lesko seemed to go well on Friday. The committee will meet again in the coming week, Suitter said.
“We’ve got a road ahead of us, but both sides are committed to working toward progress together,” Suitter said. “With the initial meeting, things look good.”
The company has expressed a hope that the discussions in which a federal mediator is present will improve performance and ensure a smooth transition of the new contract.
“We are glad to be back to building ships for the U.S. Navy with a renewed focus and commitment to doing so together, on time, every time,” company spokesperson David Hench said.
Workers began returning to their jobs after approving a three-year contract that they said addressed concerns in the previous proposal over subcontractors, work rules and seniority. Workers are receiving 3% raises each year, along with a signing bonus.
One of the sticking points is use of masks, which managers are required to wear at work. The company is recommending that production workers wear masks but they won’t be required to do so until Oct. 5.
The mask issue has been a tricky one. Some workers have pushed back, saying masks impeded their work. Some even argued that a mask could pose a fire hazard in areas where welding takes place.
The 63-day strike was the first in two decades at the shipyard.
The shipyard on the Kennebec River is one of the Navy’s largest shipbuilder, and it’s also a major employer in the state with with 6,800 workers.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Insider Q&A: Quidel CEO talks rapid testing for coronavirus

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Speed and accuracy are key features when screening for coronavirus .
Quidel Corp. is one of a handful of U.S. companies authorized to sell a rapid test for COVID-19 , yielding results in about 15 minutes .
The test is run on a small machine that is used in clinics and doctor offices .
Unlike some other quick tests , U.S. regulators have ruled that Quidel ’ s test is nearly as accurate as older tests that take hours to run in a laboratory , known as the PCR test .
The Associated Press spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the company ’ s technology and the prospects for boosting U.S. testing in coming months .
The interview has been edited for length and clarity .
Q : When does it make the most sense to use a rapid test like Quidel ’ s ?
A : If you ’ re at an urgent care clinic where you present with symptoms and you ’ re within five days of the onset of symptoms , then this product is going to agree with that PCR test 96.7 % of the time .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s really good .
If you ’ re actually in the hospital and you ’ re sick and time is not an issue - why not do the more sensitive product and run the PCR test ?
Because you ’ re not going anywhere .
You ’ re in the hospital .
So the advantage is speed and cost .
The disadvantage , relative to other technologies , is it relies on a certain concentration of the virus being present .
So it ’ s not as sensitive as a molecular test .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Q : What ’ s the demand like for the rapid tests right now ?
A : The demand right now , in terms of just the orders from our traditional market , is about four times what we ’ re able to supply .
We ’ re making about 1.9 million of these tests per week .
I should be at 3.8 million tests per week early in the first quarter of next year .
And then the funding that we got from the ( National Institutes of Health ) is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines .
So theoretically we would have just under 6 million tests per week by the middle of next year .
Q : How much more testing is the country going to need to do going forward ?
A : We ’ ve got the testing we ’ re doing now and that ’ s quite large .
We ’ re still not meeting the demand from the traditional segment .
These are people who come in contact with somebody and now they want to be tested or they actually have symptoms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have 76 million school kids .
Are we going to need to test them frequently ?
Is it weekly or is it every other week ?
And then you ’ ve got various industries like cruise lines .
There are 26 million people that ordinarily would be on a cruise during a year .
Nobody ’ s doing it now .
And frankly , I don ’ t know that I would go on one unless I felt safe .
And the only way I ’ m going to feel safe is if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been tested and tested negative .
You start adding up all the people that need to be tested frequently : nuclear plant employees , food handlers of any sort , people working in restaurants .
The numbers are staggering if you think about it .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Speed and accuracy are key features when screening for coronavirus.
Quidel Corp. is one of a handful of U.S. companies authorized to sell a rapid test for COVID-19, yielding results in about 15 minutes. The test is run on a small machine that is used in clinics and doctor offices. Unlike some other quick tests, U.S. regulators have ruled that Quidel’s test is nearly as accurate as older tests that take hours to run in a laboratory, known as the PCR test.
The Associated Press spoke with Quidel’s CEO Douglas Bryant about the company’s technology and the prospects for boosting U.S. testing in coming months. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: When does it make the most sense to use a rapid test like Quidel’s?
A: If you’re at an urgent care clinic where you present with symptoms and you’re within five days of the onset of symptoms, then this product is going to agree with that PCR test 96.7% of the time. So in that particular case, it’s really good.
If you’re actually in the hospital and you’re sick and time is not an issue - why not do the more sensitive product and run the PCR test? Because you’re not going anywhere. You’re in the hospital.
So the advantage is speed and cost. The disadvantage, relative to other technologies, is it relies on a certain concentration of the virus being present. So it’s not as sensitive as a molecular test. We make both, by the way.
Q: What’s the demand like for the rapid tests right now?
A: The demand right now, in terms of just the orders from our traditional market, is about four times what we’re able to supply. We’re making about 1.9 million of these tests per week. I should be at 3.8 million tests per week early in the first quarter of next year. And then the funding that we got from the (National Institutes of Health) is meant to bring forward another two manufacturing lines. So theoretically we would have just under 6 million tests per week by the middle of next year.
Q: How much more testing is the country going to need to do going forward?
A: We’ve got the testing we’re doing now and that’s quite large. We’re still not meeting the demand from the traditional segment. These are people who come in contact with somebody and now they want to be tested or they actually have symptoms.
But on top of that, we have 76 million school kids. Are we going to need to test them frequently? Is it weekly or is it every other week? And then you’ve got various industries like cruise lines. There are 26 million people that ordinarily would be on a cruise during a year. Nobody’s doing it now. And frankly, I don’t know that I would go on one unless I felt safe. And the only way I’m going to feel safe is if I know everybody on the ship has been tested and tested negative.
You start adding up all the people that need to be tested frequently: nuclear plant employees, food handlers of any sort, people working in restaurants. The numbers are staggering if you think about it.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Panel: Bold changes needed to help shrinking Great Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - Bold water conservation strategies and changes in long-standing law and water policies are needed to slow the alarming shrinking of the Great Salt Lake , according to recommendation released Tuesday by an advisory panel .
Upstream diversions have long prevented vast quantities from replenishing the lake , reducing the lake by half its normal size with further declines predicted .
The Great Salt Lake Advisory Council , empaneled by the Utah Legislature in 2010 , fears the lake ’ s steady contraction is putting at risk a singular ecosystem that supports $ 1.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shrimp , mineral extraction and recreation and provides an essential resting and nesting refuge for millions of migrating birds .
The council ’ s latest report describes 12 “ actionable ” measures that could keep the Great Salt Lake from evaporating into a dusty playa , a fate that has befallen many terminal lakes around the world , including Utah ’ s Sevier Lake .
“ With Great Salt Lake water level declines of up to 11 feet due to Utahns ’ use of water , we all need to take action , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , chairman of the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council .
“ The strategies listed in the report provide opportunities at both a community and legislative level to effect change.
” The recommendations include changing water law to recognize a legal right to conserved water , ensuring sufficient stream flows to the lake and improved coordination among stakeholders .
The 11-member council prepared the 137-page report in response to a 2019 legislative resolution acknowledging the importance of adequate flows into the lake .
HCR10 called for the creation of “ an overall policy that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great Salt Lake to maintain or increase lake levels , while appropriately balancing economic , social , and environmental needs , including the need to sustain working agricultural land.
” At the time , state environmental protection officials warned that the lake ’ s ecological collapse could lead to economic losses ranging from $ 1.7 billion to $ 2.2 billion a year and 6,500 jobs , much of that associated with extraction of magnesium , potash , salts and other minerals from the lake ’ s brines .
Key drivers in the declines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water from reaching the lake through the Bear , Weber and Jordan rivers .
The council ’ s recommendations are geared toward keeping minimal flows on those rivers to ensure enough water reaches the Great Salt Lake to prevent an ecological catastrophe .
The report was compiled by the Salt Lake City law firm Clyde Snow , which solicited strategies submitted anonymously by the public .
Of 70 strategies identified through this process , the council selected 12 to embrace with the hope of stopping and perhaps reversing the lake ’ s decline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is always hope .
Measures taken so far show people are willing and able to conserve .
We have barely scratched the surface of conservation opportunities , ” said Leonard , president of the Utah Artemia Association which represents the brine shrimpers .
“ It would also be nice to have help from Mother Nature.
” Not making the cut were steps long urged by environmental activists , such as scaling back the proposed Bear River water project and eliminating subsidies that keep water prices artificially low .
The stakes are huge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the lake , but also for the lake ’ s biological integrity and the quality of life it supports , according to Westminster College professor Bonnie Baxter .
She co-edited the forthcoming book , titled “ Great Salt Lake Biology : a terminal lake in a time of change , ” whose 16 chapters are all framed around the question of the lake ’ s dropping levels .
As the lake shrinks , its salt concentrations rise , affecting the lake ’ s chemistry and altering the communities of organisms that inhabit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birds .
“ Salinity is the major driver of the ecosystem , ” she said .
“ The biology would be significantly disrupted because as less water reaches the lake , the salinity goes up and that means different microbes will grow.
” The invertebrates will in turn be displaced and the effects will ripple up the food chain .
“ The brine shrimp and brine flies depend on the microbial community , they provide food for the next layer of the food web , the birds , ” Baxter continued .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could lead to the decimation of this entire ecosystem .
Less water for shorebirds means their habitat moves based on their leg lengths.
” Modeling suggest that even with “ extreme ” conservation measures , the Great Salt Lake could still drop another 1.5 feet .
“ If things don ’ t change , the level could drop 11 feet , ” she said .
“ It is such a shallow lake , one foot is a big deal , much less 11 feet.
” Topping the advisory council ’ s list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ rights to water they save through conservation .
Under Western water law , water users lose the rights to water they don ’ t put to “ beneficial use , ” creating a huge disincentive to conserve .
“ Water conservation efforts will be a cornerstone strategy to meeting the realities of the future and ‘ stretching ’ Utah ’ s limited water supply , ” the report ’ s summary states .
“ Establishing a legal right to conserved water provides the incentive to engage in these efforts.
” The report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are conserving and requiring meters on secondary water , the untreated water many northern Utah residents use on landscaping with almost no restriction .
One pilot program found a 25 % decrease in consumption by residences once their use was metered .
Also encouraged was the use of “ split season ” water rights where a portion of a right that is not used during irrigation season can be made available for instream flows .
The council is likewise pushing for more efficient use of water by agriculture , which accounts for about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall consumption .
But water saved by farmers won ’ t do much to help the lake without significant changes in Utah water law , which the report urges lawmakers to consider .
“ To ensure water rights intended for Great Salt Lake uses get to the lake , they must be first recognized as a legitimate beneficial use of water and then shepherded through the local water system , ” it states .
“ To ensure other water users along the way do not take instream flows intended for lake uses to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a legal recognition of an instream flow that sits in a similar standing with other appropriated water rights.
” The report went on to urge changes in the law that would allow state agencies and nonprofits to acquire rights , through donation , purchase or lease , to water that would remain in streams , ultimately reaching the Great Salt Lake , whose value to Utah is finally being recognized by policymakers after decades of neglect .

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Bold water conservation strategies and changes in long-standing law and water policies are needed to slow the alarming shrinking of the Great Salt Lake, according to recommendation released Tuesday by an advisory panel.
Upstream diversions have long prevented vast quantities from replenishing the lake, reducing the lake by half its normal size with further declines predicted.
The Great Salt Lake Advisory Council, empaneled by the Utah Legislature in 2010, fears the lake’s steady contraction is putting at risk a singular ecosystem that supports $1.3 billion in economic activity associated with brine shrimp, mineral extraction and recreation and provides an essential resting and nesting refuge for millions of migrating birds.
The council’s latest report describes 12 “actionable” measures that could keep the Great Salt Lake from evaporating into a dusty playa, a fate that has befallen many terminal lakes around the world, including Utah’s Sevier Lake.
“With Great Salt Lake water level declines of up to 11 feet due to Utahns’ use of water, we all need to take action, and quickly,” said Don Leonard, chairman of the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council. “The strategies listed in the report provide opportunities at both a community and legislative level to effect change.”
The recommendations include changing water law to recognize a legal right to conserved water, ensuring sufficient stream flows to the lake and improved coordination among stakeholders.
The 11-member council prepared the 137-page report in response to a 2019 legislative resolution acknowledging the importance of adequate flows into the lake. HCR10 called for the creation of “an overall policy that supports effective administration of water flow to Great Salt Lake to maintain or increase lake levels, while appropriately balancing economic, social, and environmental needs, including the need to sustain working agricultural land.”
At the time, state environmental protection officials warned that the lake’s ecological collapse could lead to economic losses ranging from $1.7 billion to $2.2 billion a year and 6,500 jobs, much of that associated with extraction of magnesium, potash, salts and other minerals from the lake’s brines.
Key drivers in the declines are drought and upstream diversions that keep water from reaching the lake through the Bear, Weber and Jordan rivers. The council’s recommendations are geared toward keeping minimal flows on those rivers to ensure enough water reaches the Great Salt Lake to prevent an ecological catastrophe.
The report was compiled by the Salt Lake City law firm Clyde Snow, which solicited strategies submitted anonymously by the public. Of 70 strategies identified through this process, the council selected 12 to embrace with the hope of stopping and perhaps reversing the lake’s decline, according to Leonard.
“There is always hope. Measures taken so far show people are willing and able to conserve. We have barely scratched the surface of conservation opportunities,” said Leonard, president of the Utah Artemia Association which represents the brine shrimpers. “It would also be nice to have help from Mother Nature.”
Not making the cut were steps long urged by environmental activists, such as scaling back the proposed Bear River water project and eliminating subsidies that keep water prices artificially low.
The stakes are huge, not just for the industries that rely on the lake, but also for the lake’s biological integrity and the quality of life it supports, according to Westminster College professor Bonnie Baxter. She co-edited the forthcoming book, titled “Great Salt Lake Biology: a terminal lake in a time of change,” whose 16 chapters are all framed around the question of the lake’s dropping levels.
As the lake shrinks, its salt concentrations rise, affecting the lake’s chemistry and altering the communities of organisms that inhabit its waters, from microbes to migratory birds.
“Salinity is the major driver of the ecosystem,” she said. “The biology would be significantly disrupted because as less water reaches the lake, the salinity goes up and that means different microbes will grow.”
The invertebrates will in turn be displaced and the effects will ripple up the food chain.
“The brine shrimp and brine flies depend on the microbial community, they provide food for the next layer of the food web, the birds,” Baxter continued. “It is indeed a cascading effect that could lead to the decimation of this entire ecosystem. Less water for shorebirds means their habitat moves based on their leg lengths.”
Modeling suggest that even with “extreme” conservation measures, the Great Salt Lake could still drop another 1.5 feet.
“If things don’t change, the level could drop 11 feet,” she said. “It is such a shallow lake, one foot is a big deal, much less 11 feet.”
Topping the advisory council’s list of recommendations is a proposal to recognize irrigators’ rights to water they save through conservation. Under Western water law, water users lose the rights to water they don’t put to “beneficial use,” creating a huge disincentive to conserve.
“Water conservation efforts will be a cornerstone strategy to meeting the realities of the future and ‘stretching’ Utah’s limited water supply,” the report’s summary states. “Establishing a legal right to conserved water provides the incentive to engage in these efforts.”
The report also urges quantifying how much water users are conserving and requiring meters on secondary water, the untreated water many northern Utah residents use on landscaping with almost no restriction. One pilot program found a 25% decrease in consumption by residences once their use was metered. Also encouraged was the use of “split season” water rights where a portion of a right that is not used during irrigation season can be made available for instream flows.
The council is likewise pushing for more efficient use of water by agriculture, which accounts for about 80% of the state’s overall consumption. But water saved by farmers won’t do much to help the lake without significant changes in Utah water law, which the report urges lawmakers to consider.
“To ensure water rights intended for Great Salt Lake uses get to the lake, they must be first recognized as a legitimate beneficial use of water and then shepherded through the local water system,” it states. “To ensure other water users along the way do not take instream flows intended for lake uses to satisfy their own rights, there must be a legal recognition of an instream flow that sits in a similar standing with other appropriated water rights.”
The report went on to urge changes in the law that would allow state agencies and nonprofits to acquire rights, through donation, purchase or lease, to water that would remain in streams, ultimately reaching the Great Salt Lake, whose value to Utah is finally being recognized by policymakers after decades of neglect.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Highway to the danger zone: China taunts U.S. with 'carrier-killer' missile test

China this past week conducted a flight test of an anti-ship ballistic missile into the South China Sea , just as the Trump administration was unveiling new sanctions on Chinese officials over militarization in the disputed waterway .
The test of two missiles , a DF-26 and a DF-21D — road-mobile missiles with enough precision to strike a ship at sea — landed in the sea near Hainan Island and the Paracels , according to Chinese press reports .
Disclosure of the missile firing followed the earlier announcement by the State Department that the Commerce Department had imposed economic sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in militarizing disputed islands in the South China Sea .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also announced sanctions against Chinese executives of companies involved in building up the disputed islands and deploying military weapons and facilities on them .
China has built up some 3,200 acres of disputed islands in the past eight years and in 2018 began deploying anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles on some of the islands .
“ The United States , China ’ s neighbors , and the international community have rebuked [ China ’ s ] sovereignty claims to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building of artificial islands for the Chinese military , ” said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross .
“ The entities designated today have played a significant role in China ’ s provocative construction of these artificial islands and must be held accountable.
” The South China Morning Post reported that the DF-26 was launched from Qinghai on Tuesday , citing a source close to the Chinese military .
A U.S. official confirmed that missile test was carried out and said it was provocative but provided no details .
Two U.S. aircraft carriers recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , challenging China ’ s claims to maritime sovereignty over some 90 % of the sea .
The Trump administration has been pushing back hard against Chinese claims to own the South China Sea through both diplomatic efforts , economic sanctions and stepped up military and naval operations .
The missile firing took place after China ’ s government protested the overflight of a U-2 reconnaissance aircraft that Beijing claimed violated a no-fly zone during naval exercises in the Bohai Sea in northern China .
The DF-26 was launched from a missile base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DF-21D was fired from Zhejiang province in the eastern part of the country .
Both missiles are believed to be able to carry both nuclear and conventional warheads .
The DF-26 has a range of around 2,485 miles , while the DF-21 has a range of around 1,116 miles .
The South China Morning Post quoted the military source as saying the missile firings were intended to improve the People ’ s Liberation Army ’ s ability to deny access to the sea .
“ This is China ’ s response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incoming U.S. warplanes and military vessels in the South China Sea , ” the source told the newspaper .
“ China doesn ’ t want the neighboring countries to misunderstand Beijing ’ s goals .
”

China this past week conducted a flight test of an anti-ship ballistic missile into the South China Sea, just as the Trump administration was unveiling new sanctions on Chinese officials over militarization in the disputed waterway.
The test of two missiles, a DF-26 and a DF-21D — road-mobile missiles with enough precision to strike a ship at sea — landed in the sea near Hainan Island and the Paracels, according to Chinese press reports.
Disclosure of the missile firing followed the earlier announcement by the State Department that the Commerce Department had imposed economic sanctions on 24 Chinese companies for their role in militarizing disputed islands in the South China Sea. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also announced sanctions against Chinese executives of companies involved in building up the disputed islands and deploying military weapons and facilities on them.
China has built up some 3,200 acres of disputed islands in the past eight years and in 2018 began deploying anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles on some of the islands.
“The United States, China’s neighbors, and the international community have rebuked [China’s] sovereignty claims to the South China Sea and have condemned the building of artificial islands for the Chinese military,” said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. “The entities designated today have played a significant role in China’s provocative construction of these artificial islands and must be held accountable.”
The South China Morning Post reported that the DF-26 was launched from Qinghai on Tuesday, citing a source close to the Chinese military. A U.S. official confirmed that missile test was carried out and said it was provocative but provided no details.
Two U.S. aircraft carriers recently conducted exercises in the South China Sea, challenging China’s claims to maritime sovereignty over some 90% of the sea. The Trump administration has been pushing back hard against Chinese claims to own the South China Sea through both diplomatic efforts, economic sanctions and stepped up military and naval operations.
The missile firing took place after China’s government protested the overflight of a U-2 reconnaissance aircraft that Beijing claimed violated a no-fly zone during naval exercises in the Bohai Sea in northern China.
The DF-26 was launched from a missile base in Qinghai in northwestern China and the DF-21D was fired from Zhejiang province in the eastern part of the country. Both missiles are believed to be able to carry both nuclear and conventional warheads. The DF-26 has a range of around 2,485 miles, while the DF-21 has a range of around 1,116 miles.
The South China Morning Post quoted the military source as saying the missile firings were intended to improve the People’s Liberation Army’s ability to deny access to the sea.
“This is China’s response to the potential risks brought by the increasingly frequent incoming U.S. warplanes and military vessels in the South China Sea,” the source told the newspaper. “China doesn’t want the neighboring countries to misunderstand Beijing’s goals.”
• Bill Gertz can be reached at bgertz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--DA says Middletown officer and gunman both shot, wounded

MIDDLETOWN , N.Y. ( AP ) - A police officer in New York ’ s Hudson Valley region was shot and wounded while responding to a domestic dispute and then returned fire and shot the gunman , officials said Sunday .
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said the officer was in a marked patrol car when he was flagged down by residents of a Middletown home shortly after 7:30 p.m. Saturday .
Officials believe the officer was shot by someone at the home and then returned fire , injuring the initial shooter , said Hoovler , who went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer and the other man were being treated at hospitals Sunday .
Their names and conditions were not released .
Hoovler said state Attorney General Letitia James was notified of the shooting pursuant to an executive order signed by Gov .
Andrew Cuomo directing that certain police shootings be investigated by the attorney general ’ s office .
Hoovler said he spoke to an assistant attorney general , who agreed that the Orange County district attorney ’ s office should continue its investigation .
“ The Orange County district attorney ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation is conducted into this matter , ” Hoovler said in a statement .
“ Now , more than ever , it is essential that those who illegally use weapons are held accountable and it is equally important that the public has confidence in the integrity of the investigation and the prosecutorial process.
” The Middletown Police Department is cooperating with the investigation , Hoovler said .

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. (AP) - A police officer in New York’s Hudson Valley region was shot and wounded while responding to a domestic dispute and then returned fire and shot the gunman, officials said Sunday.
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said the officer was in a marked patrol car when he was flagged down by residents of a Middletown home shortly after 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Officials believe the officer was shot by someone at the home and then returned fire, injuring the initial shooter, said Hoovler, who went to the shooting scene himself. Both the officer and the other man were being treated at hospitals Sunday. Their names and conditions were not released.
Hoovler said state Attorney General Letitia James was notified of the shooting pursuant to an executive order signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo directing that certain police shootings be investigated by the attorney general’s office.
Hoovler said he spoke to an assistant attorney general, who agreed that the Orange County district attorney’s office should continue its investigation.
“The Orange County district attorney’s office is committed to ensuring that a transparent investigation is conducted into this matter,” Hoovler said in a statement. “Now, more than ever, it is essential that those who illegally use weapons are held accountable and it is equally important that the public has confidence in the integrity of the investigation and the prosecutorial process.”
The Middletown Police Department is cooperating with the investigation, Hoovler said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--In Israel, Kushner says 'stage is set' for Mideast progress

JERUSALEM ( AP ) - White House adviser Jared Kushner on Sunday trumpeted the recent agreement by Israel and the United Arab Emirates to establish diplomatic relations as a historic breakthrough and said “ the stage is set ” for other Arab states to follow suit , but he gave no indication that any new deals were imminent .
Appearing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O ’ Brien , Kushner spoke a day before he is to join a senior Israeli delegation on the first commercial flight from Israel to the UAE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is a key step in what is expected to be full normalization between Israel and the UAE .
The Aug. 13 announcement makes the UAE just the third Arab country to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel , and the first to do so in over 25 years .
It reflects a shifting Middle East in which shared concerns over Iran have overtaken traditional wall-to-wall Arab support for the Palestinians .
“ Today obviously we celebrate a historic breakthrough for peace , ” Kushner said , adding that the deal will create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and religious cooperation .
“ While this peace agreement was thought by many to be impossible , the stage is now set for even more , ” he said , claiming he has heard optimism throughout the region since the deal was announced .
“ We must seize that optimism and we must continue to push to make this region achieve the potential that it truly has , ” said Kushner , President Donald Trump ’ s son-in-law and chief Mideast adviser .
Israel and the UAE have moved quickly to cement their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Almost immediately , they opened direct phone lines , and Cabinet ministers have held friendly phone conversations .
On Saturday , the UAE formally ended its commercial boycott of Israel , although the two countries have quietly conducted business for years .
Monday ’ s flight of an El Al plane from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi will be the first known flight of an Israeli commercial airliner from Israel to the Emirates .
The two Mideast countries are expected to sign a formal agreement at the White House in the coming weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israeli and American officials , including Kushner , that other Arab countries would follow the UAE have not yet materialized .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo toured the region last week , stopping in Sudan , Bahrain and Oman - three countries widely seen as candidates to establish ties with Israel - but appeared to leave empty-handed .
The flurry of U.S. diplomatic activity comes as the Trump administration presses ahead with ambitious plans to promote Arab-Israeli rapprochement even in the absence of a settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , which had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel to reach peace deals with all of its Arab neighbors .
Gulf Arab countries , which like Israel share deep animosity toward Iran , have shown an increasing willingness to make back-channel ties with Israel public .
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the agreement with the UAE would bring “ unbridled ” trade and opportunities .
“ You will see how the sparks fly , ” he said .
Trump unveiled a Mideast plan in January that has been rejected by the Palestinians , who say it unfairly favors Israel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip - areas captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war - for an independent state .
The Trump plan offers them limited autonomy in 70 % of the West Bank , leaving Israel in overall control of the territory , and a symbolic presence on the outskirts of Jerusalem , while handing Israel control of the city ’ s sensitive holy sites .
Netanyahu said the deal with the UAE proves the Palestinians no longer have a “ veto ” over regional peace .
The Palestinians have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we have to wait for the Palestinians , we will have to wait forever , ” Netanyahu said .
“ As more Arab and Muslim countries join the circle of peace , the Palestinians will eventually understand their veto has dissipated and they will be hard pressed to stay outside the community of peace .
”

JERUSALEM (AP) - White House adviser Jared Kushner on Sunday trumpeted the recent agreement by Israel and the United Arab Emirates to establish diplomatic relations as a historic breakthrough and said “the stage is now set” for other Arab states to follow suit, but he gave no indication that any new deals were imminent.
Appearing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien, Kushner spoke a day before he is to join a senior Israeli delegation on the first commercial flight from Israel to the UAE. The flight holds great symbolic value and is a key step in what is expected to be full normalization between Israel and the UAE.
The Aug. 13 announcement makes the UAE just the third Arab country to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel, and the first to do so in over 25 years. It reflects a shifting Middle East in which shared concerns over Iran have overtaken traditional wall-to-wall Arab support for the Palestinians.
“Today obviously we celebrate a historic breakthrough for peace,” Kushner said, adding that the deal will create “previously unthinkable” economic, security and religious cooperation.
“While this peace agreement was thought by many to be impossible, the stage is now set for even more,” he said, claiming he has heard optimism throughout the region since the deal was announced.
“We must seize that optimism and we must continue to push to make this region achieve the potential that it truly has,” said Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and chief Mideast adviser.
Israel and the UAE have moved quickly to cement their ties over the past two weeks. Almost immediately, they opened direct phone lines, and Cabinet ministers have held friendly phone conversations.
On Saturday, the UAE formally ended its commercial boycott of Israel, although the two countries have quietly conducted business for years. Monday’s flight of an El Al plane from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi will be the first known flight of an Israeli commercial airliner from Israel to the Emirates. The two Mideast countries are expected to sign a formal agreement at the White House in the coming weeks.
But so far, predictions by Israeli and American officials, including Kushner, that other Arab countries would follow the UAE have not yet materialized.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo toured the region last week, stopping in Sudan, Bahrain and Oman - three countries widely seen as candidates to establish ties with Israel - but appeared to leave empty-handed.
The flurry of U.S. diplomatic activity comes as the Trump administration presses ahead with ambitious plans to promote Arab-Israeli rapprochement even in the absence of a settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which had long been seen as a prerequisite for Israel to reach peace deals with all of its Arab neighbors.
The UAE deal gave the Trump administration a welcome foreign-policy victory ahead of November’s presidential election. Facing a tough reelection battle, the White House is eager to build on that momentum.
Gulf Arab countries, which like Israel share deep animosity toward Iran, have shown an increasing willingness to make back-channel ties with Israel public.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the agreement with the UAE would bring “unbridled” trade and opportunities.
“You will see how the sparks fly,” he said.
Trump unveiled a Mideast plan in January that has been rejected by the Palestinians, who say it unfairly favors Israel.
The Palestinians seek the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip - areas captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war - for an independent state. The Trump plan offers them limited autonomy in 70% of the West Bank, leaving Israel in overall control of the territory, and a symbolic presence on the outskirts of Jerusalem, while handing Israel control of the city’s sensitive holy sites.
Netanyahu said the deal with the UAE proves the Palestinians no longer have a “veto” over regional peace. The Palestinians have accused the UAE of treason.
“If we have to wait for the Palestinians, we will have to wait forever,” Netanyahu said. “As more Arab and Muslim countries join the circle of peace, the Palestinians will eventually understand their veto has dissipated and they will be hard pressed to stay outside the community of peace.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Joe Biden's convention drew more TV viewers than Trump

Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden drew more viewers for his convention than President Trump got for his , according to Nielsen Media Research data .
Viewership numbers can indicate which party has a higher level of enthusiasm heading into November , especially given the lack of typical campaign events due to the coronavirus pandemic .
That would appear to give the edge to Mr. Biden , who has been leading in the polls but also has seen Mr. Trump begin to close the gap in some surveys .
Pollster Robert Cahaly said that despite the TV ratings , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is about equal to the level of support for the president .
“ The silent Trump voters are afraid to say anything at the office .
They are afraid of posting anything on social media .
They are really afraid to talk about it .
The only way they can cope is they got to vote , ” said Mr. Cahaly , chief pollster for the Trafalgar Group , a political and corporate research firm .
“ It doesn ’ t matter what the national media says , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only night where the GOP had more television viewers than the Democrats was on Tuesday when First Lady Melania Trump delivered her speech , touting her husband ’ s record over the past four years .
According to Nielsen , 21.7 million viewers watched Mr. Biden ’ s speech while 19.9 watched Mr. Trump ’ s .
“ Crowd size is a mark of intensity , ” said Chris Haynes , a political science professor at the University of New Haven .
“ I guess , especially in the COVID era , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way that is so different [ … ] to be drawn to this , you really have to want to see the candidate.
” The Republican Party has pushed back against the TV numbers , saying it doesn ’ t factor in online views — and if it did , the president ’ s convention blew the Democrats ’ away .
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said on Twitter that the GOP convention had 147.9 million views on both digital and TV , which she said was 25 million more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News doesn ’ t want to report these numbers , ” the president tweeted Saturday , sharing Ms. McDaniel ’ s tweet .
It ’ s more important to look at the results of a convention , not the ratings , said G. Terry Madonna , director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College , told The Washington Times .
“ Biden did not get a bounce , ” he said , of the polling after the Democratic National Convention .
Mr. Madonna noted that historically incumbents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President George H.W .
Bush and President Jimmy Carter — don ’ t have a bounce in the polls following their conventions .
“ For Trump , a lot of political analysts that I read said a bounce out of the convention is essential , ” he said .

Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden drew more viewers for his convention than President Trump got for his, according to Nielsen Media Research data.
According to Nielsen, 21.7 million viewers watched Mr. Biden’s speech while 19.9 watched Mr. Trump’s.
Viewership numbers can indicate which party has a higher level of enthusiasm heading into November, especially given the lack of typical campaign events due to the coronavirus pandemic.
That would appear to give the edge to Mr. Biden, who has been leading in the polls but also has seen Mr. Trump begin to close the gap in some surveys.
Pollster Robert Cahaly said that despite the TV ratings, the surveys he is seeing show anti-Trump intensity is about equal to the level of support for the president.
“The silent Trump voters are afraid to say anything at the office. They are afraid of posting anything on social media. They are really afraid to talk about it. The only way they can cope is they got to vote,” said Mr. Cahaly, chief pollster for the Trafalgar Group, a political and corporate research firm.
“It doesn’t matter what the national media says,” he said. “They are going to vote.”
The only night where the GOP had more television viewers than the Democrats was on Tuesday when First Lady Melania Trump delivered her speech, touting her husband’s record over the past four years.
“Crowd size is a mark of intensity,” said Chris Haynes, a political science professor at the University of New Haven. “I guess, especially in the COVID era, when you’re broadcasting this in such a way that is so different […] to be drawn to this, you really have to want to see the candidate.”
The Republican Party has pushed back against the TV numbers, saying it doesn’t factor in online views — and if it did, the president’s convention blew the Democrats’ away.
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said on Twitter that the GOP convention had 147.9 million views on both digital and TV, which she said was 25 million more than the Democratic convention.
“The Fake News doesn’t want to report these numbers,” the president tweeted Saturday, sharing Ms. McDaniel’s tweet.
It’s more important to look at the results of a convention, not the ratings, said G. Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College, told The Washington Times.
“Biden did not get a bounce,” he said, of the polling after the Democratic National Convention.
Mr. Madonna noted that historically incumbents who lose the White House — like President George H.W. Bush and President Jimmy Carter — don’t have a bounce in the polls following their conventions.
“For Trump, a lot of political analysts that I read said a bounce out of the convention is essential,” he said.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Suspect arrested in slaying of Ohio teen in early August

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) - Police have announced the arrest of a man being sought in the death @ @ @ @ @ while riding in a car in Columbus earlier this month .
Police said 17-year-old Perniel @ @ @ @ @ a car Aug. 7 when an armed man began following the vehicle in east Columbus @ @ @ @ @ driver tried to flee but the man started shooting , critically wounding the teenager , @ @ @ @ @ called for help and stopped near an intersection where officers found them .
Hook was @ @ @ @ @ where police said he was pronounced dead the following night , police said Five days @ @ @ @ @ was issued for 22-year-old Kaishawn Watts , who has been charged with murder .
Police @ @ @ @ @ been taken into custody .
A listed number for Watts couldn ’ t be found @ @ @ @ @ whether he had an attorney .

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Police have announced the arrest of a man being sought in the death of an Ohio teenager shot while riding in a car in Columbus earlier this month.
Police said 17-year-old Perniel Hook was a passenger in a car Aug. 7 when an armed man began following the vehicle in east Columbus, police said.
The driver tried to flee but the man started shooting, critically wounding the teenager, police said. The driver called for help and stopped near an intersection where officers found them.
Hook was taken to Grant Hospital, where police said he was pronounced dead the following night, police said
Five days later, an arrest warrant was issued for 22-year-old Kaishawn Watts, who has been charged with murder. Police said Saturday that Watts had been taken into custody. A listed number for Watts couldn’t be found Sunday and it was unclear whether he had an attorney.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Adam Schiff says Russia is helping Trump's campaign again

House Intelligence Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff accused President Trump of halting in-person intelligence briefings to members of Congress so he can conceal that Russia is helping his reelection campaign .
“ Russians are again interfering to help the president in his reelection , ” the California Democrat told CNN ’ s State of the Union on Sunday .
“ He doesn ’ t want the American people to know about it.
” His comments come after the administration ’ s top intelligence chief announced members of Congress would get written briefings on election security issues — not in-person briefings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not subject officials to questioning .
“ It lets you conceal the truth , ” he said .
But the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee , Sen. Ron Johnson , pushed back , saying the decision was made to stop leaks to the media that created a false narrative that Mr. Trump ’ s 2016 campaign conspired with Russia to win the election .
Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller had probed the Trump campaign for roughly two years and did not find any wrongdoing on behalf of the president , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the issue over written versus in-person briefings was being blown out of proportion because members of Congress known foreign countries try to influence elections and destabilize politics .
He also said the U.S. has done the destabilizing to itself with the leaks from Democrats and false media narratives .
“ We can ’ t play into Putin ’ s hands , ” he told CNN .
“ We have done it to ourselves .
”

Democrats accused President Trump of concealing help from Russia in his reelection bid after the Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe notified Congress over the weekend that his office primarily will provide written briefings on foreign election interference, instead of in-person briefings.
“Russians are again interfering to help the president in his reelection,” Rep. Adam B. Schiff of California, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “He doesn’t want the American people to know about it.”
Mr. Ratcliffe sent letters to congressional leaders Saturday, apprising them that he has decided to rely on written briefings “to ensure clarity and consistency.”
He said the move will “better protect our sources and methods” from unauthorized disclosures, canceling briefings scheduled for mid-September.
He defended his decision Sunday, telling Fox News’s Maria Bartiromo on “Sunday Morning Futures” that a number of Congress members have leaked classified information for what he called the political purpose of creating a false narrative that Russia is a greater national security threat than China.
“We’ve had a pandemic of information being leaked out of the intelligence community,” he said. “I’m going to take measures to make sure that stops.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, and Mr. Schiff said the move leaves lawmakers and the American people in the dark about security problems mere weeks before the November elections.
Mr. Schiff said written briefings do not subject administration officials to questioning and oversight.
“It lets you conceal the truth,” he said.
Calling the move “crazy,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota Democrat, told ABC News that it will require the House to subpoena Mr. Ratcliffe.
“We are going to have to demand the information to protect our elections,” Ms. Klobuchar said.
Andrew Bates, a spokesman for Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden’s campaign, called the decision “deeply alarming.”
“This should be reversed immediately,” Mr. Bates said.
On Sunday, allies of the president pushed back against criticism from Democrats over Mr. Ratcliffe’s move.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad F. Wolf told ABC that his department focuses on preventing cyberattacks on election infrastructure and that Mr. Ratcliffe was concerned about classified information being leaked.
Mr. Wolf said his Homeland Security has briefed lawmakers on security issues and will do so in-person ahead of the election, saying his agency’s information is different from the election interference issues the DNI analyzes.
But he noted that the director of national intelligence issued an assessment earlier this month about Russia, China and Iran having put out disinformation to sow discourse.
“This is nothing new that we are looking at. The department is on top of this,” Mr. Wolf said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.”
Sen. Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republican and chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, emphasized the issue of leaking, saying the decision was made to stop the type of misinformation that allowed the media to create the false narrative that Mr. Trump’s 2016 campaign conspired with Russia to win the election.
Former special counsel Robert Mueller probed the Trump campaign for roughly two years and did not find any wrongdoing on behalf of the president or collusion with Russians.
Mr. Johnson said the issue over written versus in-person briefings was being blown out of proportion because members of Congress already know that foreign countries are trying to influence elections and destabilize politics.
He also said the U.S. has destabilized itself with leaks from Democrats and false media narratives.
“We can’t play into [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s hands,” Mr. Johnson told CNN. “We have done it to ourselves.”
⦁ Mike Glenn contributed to this report.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com. • Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--DNR: Black bear in north Kentucky may cross into Indiana

UTICA , Ind .
( AP ) - A black bear that ’ s been spotted in northern Kentucky may venture into Indiana by taking a swim across the Ohio River , state wildlife officials say .
The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife has confirmed that the bear has been spotted north of Prospect , Kentucky .
That ’ s just south of Clark County , Indiana , along the Ohio River and because bears are strong swimmers officials said it may cross the river into Indiana , the News and Tribune reported .
The bear ’ s sighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but a time for residents to prepare to avoid negative interactions with the animal if it does cross into Indiana , said Brad Westrich , a nongame mammalogist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources .
“ This sighting provides an opportunity for Hoosiers in the area to secure outdoor grills , trashcans , or pet and bird food , ” he said .
“ Black bears prefer to avoid humans , and removing potential food sources goes a long way to prevent negative interactions.
” Black bears are rarely seen in Indiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entered the state from Michigan , becoming the first black bear confirmed in Indiana since the 1870s , DNR said .
Since 2015 , the state agency has confirmed three black bears in the Hoosier state .
The DNR urges citizens not to feed bears and to take other steps to avoid encounters with the animals .
An online guide called BearWise lists that people can minimize the chances of such run-ins .
Indiana residents who spot a bear in the state are encouraged to report those sightings using the DNR ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNR Law Enforcement at 812-837-9536 .

UTICA, Ind. (AP) - A black bear that’s been spotted in northern Kentucky may venture into Indiana by taking a swim across the Ohio River, state wildlife officials say.
The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife has confirmed that the bear has been spotted north of Prospect, Kentucky. That’s just south of Clark County, Indiana, along the Ohio River and because bears are strong swimmers officials said it may cross the river into Indiana, the News and Tribune reported.
The bear’s sighting isn’t a cause for alarm but a time for residents to prepare to avoid negative interactions with the animal if it does cross into Indiana, said Brad Westrich, a nongame mammalogist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
“This sighting provides an opportunity for Hoosiers in the area to secure outdoor grills, trashcans, or pet and bird food,” he said. “Black bears prefer to avoid humans, and removing potential food sources goes a long way to prevent negative interactions.”
Black bears are rarely seen in Indiana. In 2015, a black bear entered the state from Michigan, becoming the first black bear confirmed in Indiana since the 1870s, DNR said.
Since 2015, the state agency has confirmed three black bears in the Hoosier state.
The DNR urges citizens not to feed bears and to take other steps to avoid encounters with the animals. An online guide called BearWise lists that people can minimize the chances of such run-ins.
Indiana residents who spot a bear in the state are encouraged to report those sightings using the DNR’s large mammal report form or by calling DNR Law Enforcement at 812-837-9536.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Work started on mural for 9-story Detroit building

DETROIT ( AP ) - A new mural has been started on a building that ’ s being developed in Detroit ’ s New Center area .
Real estate developer The Platform said Detroit artist Sydney G. James ’ “ The Girl with the D Earring ” will adorn the western wall of the Chroma building in Milwaukee Junction .
The mural is expected to be completed by mid-September .
It will portray a Detroit woman wearing a quilted garment featuring signage and logos of historic North End/Paradise Valley businesses .
A glowing Old English “ D ” that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Detroit and its residents .
“ Sydney ’ s stunning mural is the perfect celebration of our city and its people , ” said Peter Cummings , executive chair of The Platform .
The mural will replace another that has been on the building since 2009 .
Extensive repairs to the long-vacant building damaged the older mural .
The $ 16 million renovation of the 107-year-old storage building started in 2019 .
Work is expected to be completed in November .
The nine-story Chroma will offer office space and is planned as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community engagement .

DETROIT (AP) - A new mural has been started on a building that’s being developed in Detroit’s New Center area.
Real estate developer The Platform said Detroit artist Sydney G. James’ “The Girl with the D Earring” will adorn the western wall of the Chroma building in Milwaukee Junction.
The mural is expected to be completed by mid-September. It will portray a Detroit woman wearing a quilted garment featuring signage and logos of historic North End/Paradise Valley businesses. A glowing Old English “D” that will dangle from her ear is a symbol of Detroit and its residents.
“Sydney’s stunning mural is the perfect celebration of our city and its people,” said Peter Cummings, executive chair of The Platform.
The mural will replace another that has been on the building since 2009. Extensive repairs to the long-vacant building damaged the older mural.
The $16 million renovation of the 107-year-old storage building started in 2019. Work is expected to be completed in November.
The nine-story Chroma will offer office space and is planned as a hub for creativity, design and community engagement.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Consumer advocate: Plan won't credit solar customers enough

EVANSVILLE , Ind .
( AP ) - The Indiana office that represents the interests of utility customers is recommending that state regulators deny a utility ’ s request to compensate customers with solar panels less for extra energy they send back into the power grid .
Vectren , a CenterPoint Energy Company , had a proposal that would not adequately compensate customers with solar power as state law requires , the Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor said in testimony filed with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission .
Customers currently are financially credited at retail rates for the extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grid , the Evansville Courier & Press reported .
The arrangement to credit customers , called net metering , will be phased out beginning in 2022 under an Indiana law signed by Gov .
Eric Holcomb in 2017 .
Vectren is seeking to end the arrangement earlier following guidelines in that same law .
Opponents of Vectren ’ s proposal argue that it will discourage solar investments .
“ We are simply aligning our rate with the intent of the policy passed by the General Assembly , ” said Natalie Hedde , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regulatory Commission approves the request , Vectren customers who install solar power after Dec. 31 would no longer be credited at a retail rate for the excess power they generate .
Instead , they would receive credit at a lower wholesale price plus 25 % .
Customers now being credited up to 15 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity would instead be credited about 3-4 cents per kilowatt-hour , according to the utility .
Testimony filed by the Citizens Action Coalition showed a typical customer using solar power would pay nearly $ 1,000 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under net metering .
The nonprofit is not asking regulators to necessarily reject Vectren ’ s request , but suggests they could instead approve a different , more equitable billing arrangement .
The utility has not yet filed its own testimony and rebuttals .
A hearing on the request is scheduled for Oct. 6 .

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - The Indiana office that represents the interests of utility customers is recommending that state regulators deny a utility’s request to compensate customers with solar panels less for extra energy they send back into the power grid.
Vectren, a CenterPoint Energy Company, had a proposal that would not adequately compensate customers with solar power as state law requires, the Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor said in testimony filed with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
Customers currently are financially credited at retail rates for the extra electricity they send back to the power grid, the Evansville Courier & Press reported. The arrangement to credit customers, called net metering, will be phased out beginning in 2022 under an Indiana law signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb in 2017.
Vectren is seeking to end the arrangement earlier following guidelines in that same law. Opponents of Vectren’s proposal argue that it will discourage solar investments.
“We are simply aligning our rate with the intent of the policy passed by the General Assembly,” said Natalie Hedde, a company spokeswoman.
If the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approves the request, Vectren customers who install solar power after Dec. 31 would no longer be credited at a retail rate for the excess power they generate. Instead, they would receive credit at a lower wholesale price plus 25%.
Customers now being credited up to 15 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity would instead be credited about 3-4 cents per kilowatt-hour, according to the utility.
Testimony filed by the Citizens Action Coalition showed a typical customer using solar power would pay nearly $1,000 per year more on their electricity bill than under net metering. The nonprofit is not asking regulators to necessarily reject Vectren’s request, but suggests they could instead approve a different, more equitable billing arrangement.
The utility has not yet filed its own testimony and rebuttals. A hearing on the request is scheduled for Oct. 6.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Gunmen kill 9 motorcycle riders in southern Philippines

MANILA , Philippines ( AP ) - Gunmen stopped a group of motorcycle riders then opened fire with assault rifles in a busy downtown area in the southern Philippines , killing nine people , police said Sunday , in the latest violence to roil the volatile region .
Police officials said the attack on the victims , who were mostly farmers , at noon Saturday in Kabacan town in Cotabato province may have been sparked by a local feud and was likely not an act of terrorism .
Cotabato lies in a poverty-wracked region where a decades-long Muslim separatist insurgency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace deal between the Philippines ’ largest Muslim rebel group and the government , although small armed groups aligned with the Islamic State group still pose a threat .
Most of the victims apparently did not know each other and were traveling on six motorcycles , some in tandems , when they were blocked by six to eight gunmen and ordered to alight .
After getting off their motorcycles in the middle of the road , they were shot 39 times with rifles and pistols , police investigator Delir Parcon said by phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instantly and another died in a hospital , a police report said .
The gunmen fled in a van .
Police have interviewed witnesses and were looking for possible security camera footage that could help identify the attackers , police officials said .
“ This isn ’ t likely terrorism , ” Parcon said .
“ We ’ re looking at the angle of a local feud , a personal grudge.
” Former Muslim guerrillas who forged an autonomy deal with the government and are now overseeing a nearby Muslim autonomy region said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the men , who were all Muslims .
“ Such senseless violent acts have no place in a progressive society , especially at a time when people are in the grip of a pandemic , ” they said in a statement .
The proliferation of large number of unlicensed firearms and other weapons , weak law enforcement in many rural areas and the presence of insurgent groups and powerful clans with private armies have combined to foster violence in the heartland of the south and outlying island provinces .
The region is homeland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic nation .
Last Monday , two militant women detonated powerful bombs in separate suicide attacks that killed 15 people , including many soldiers , and wounded more than 70 others in southern Jolo town in Sulu province in the worst extremist attack in the country so far this year .
The military blamed an Abu Sayyaf extremist commander , Mundi Sawadjaan , for plotting the midday suicide attacks , which also killed the two attackers , who the military said were Filipino widows of Abu Sayyaf militants .
Government forces have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militants ’ jungle encampments in Sulu .

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Gunmen blocked a group of motorcycle riders then opened fire with assault rifles in a busy downtown area in the southern Philippines, killing nine people, police said Sunday, in the latest violence to roil the volatile region.
Police officials said the attack on the victims, who were mostly farmers, at noon Saturday in Kabacan town in Cotabato province may have been sparked by a local feud and was likely not an act of terrorism.
Cotabato lies in a poverty-wracked region where a decades-long Muslim separatist insurgency has eased largely due to a 2014 peace deal between the Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group and the government, although small armed groups aligned with the Islamic State group still pose a threat.
Most of the victims in Saturday’s attack apparently did not know each other and were traveling on six motorcycles, some in tandems, when they were blocked by six to eight gunmen and ordered to alight. After getting off their motorcycles in the middle of the road, they were shot at least 39 times with rifles and pistols, police investigator Delir Parcon said by phone.
Eight of the victims were killed instantly and another died in a hospital, a police report said. The gunmen fled in a van. Police have interviewed witnesses and were looking for possible security camera footage that could help identify the attackers, police officials said.
“This isn’t likely terrorism,” Parcon said. “We’re looking at the angle of a local feud, a personal grudge.”
Former Muslim guerrillas who forged an autonomy deal with the government and are now overseeing a nearby Muslim autonomy region said they would help investigate the killings of the men, who were all Muslims.
“Such senseless violent acts have no place in a progressive society, especially at a time when people are in the grip of a pandemic,” they said in a statement.
The proliferation of large numbers of unlicensed firearms and other weapons, weak law enforcement in many rural areas and the presence of insurgent groups and powerful clans with private armies have combined to foster violence in the heartland of the southern Philippines and outlying island provinces. The region is the homeland of minority Muslims in the largely Roman Catholic nation.
Last Monday, two militant women detonated powerful bombs in separate suicide attacks that killed 15 people, including eight soldiers and a police commando, and wounded more than 70 others in southern Jolo town in Sulu province in the worst extremist attack in the country so far this year.
President Rodrigo Duterte flew to Jolo on Sunday under heavy security to meet the blast victims and their families.
The military blamed an Abu Sayyaf extremist commander, Mundi Sawadjaan, for plotting the midday suicide bombings, which also killed the two attackers. The attackers were local widows of Abu Sayyaf militants, according to the military, in what could be the first known suicide attacks by Filipino women extremists if their identities can be confirmed.
Army scout rangers battled about 30 Abu Sayyaf militants Saturday in the mountain jungles off Sulu’s Patikul town in clashes that killed a soldier and wounded seven others. Sawadjaan was believed to be with the militants but was not among the two who were killed in the fighting, regional military commander Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan told reporters.