washingtontimes--2020-09-09--Zimbabwe government announces mining ban in national parks

HARARE , Zimbabwe ( AP ) - Zimbabwe ’ s government says it has banned mining in its national parks , but an environmental group that had taken court action to stop the development of a coal mine in an elephant-rich park said on Wednesday that it will insist on “ more than just words.
” Reports that a Chinese firm had started exploratory work to mine coal within Hwange National Park alarmed environmental and wildlife groups , who took legal action to stop it .
In an apparent response to the legal proceedings , Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national parks .
The Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association , which applied to the High Court to stop the planned mining , welcomed the government ’ s statement but said it would continue with the court process unless the government takes legal steps to enforce the announced ban .
“ The important thing for us is to get an interdict which is legally binding , ” Shamiso Mtisi , the association ’ s deputy director , told The Associated Press Wednesday .
Local environmental groups allege that mining in national parks has been going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pray that all these mining titles ( in Hwange ) and others which are unknown to the public will indeed be cancelled , ” the Center for Natural Resource Governance said in a statement Wednesday .
It described the prioritization of mining over “ a more stable and eco-friendly ” sector such as tourism as “ self-defeating.
” Mining in the wildlife-rich southern African country ’ s national parks “ is widespread , ” said Mtisi of the environmental lawyers association .
“ There is gold and diamond mining going on in several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not just in Hwange .
That ’ s a major threat to biodiversity and to tourism .
It ’ s an economic issue , you can not just rely on mining , you need to leverage on other sectors such as tourism , ” said Mtisi .
In its court application to stop development of the coal mine by a Chinese company , the association argued that mining in Hwange National Park may cause a decline in tourism and decrease the incomes of local residents who rely on it for income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wildlife could increase .
More than 45,000 elephants are estimated to live in Hwange park along with more than 100 mammal and 400 bird species , including buffalos , leopards , and lions , that are already struggling for food and water in the vast savannah due to a prolonged drought .
Mining would pollute remaining water sources in the park 14,500 square kilometers ( 5,600 square miles ) park , say the environmental groups .

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - Zimbabwe’s government says it has banned mining in its national parks, but an environmental group that had taken court action to stop the development of a coal mine in an elephant-rich park said on Wednesday that it will insist on “more than just words.”
Reports that a Chinese firm had started exploratory work to mine coal within Hwange National Park alarmed environmental and wildlife groups, who took legal action to stop it. In an apparent response to the legal proceedings, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa announced the government will not allow mining in national parks.
The Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association, which applied to the High Court to stop the planned mining, welcomed the government’s statement but said it would continue with the court process unless the government takes legal steps to enforce the announced ban.
“The important thing for us is to get an interdict which is legally binding,” Shamiso Mtisi, the association’s deputy director, told The Associated Press Wednesday.
Local environmental groups allege that mining in national parks has been going on for a while.
“We pray that all these mining titles (in Hwange) and others which are unknown to the public will indeed be cancelled,” the Center for Natural Resource Governance said in a statement Wednesday. It described the prioritization of mining over “a more stable and eco-friendly” sector such as tourism as “self-defeating.”
Mining in the wildlife-rich southern African country’s national parks “is widespread,” said Mtisi of the environmental lawyers association.
“There is gold and diamond mining going on in several national parks across the country, it’s not just in Hwange. That’s a major threat to biodiversity and to tourism. It’s an economic issue, you cannot just rely on mining, you need to leverage on other sectors such as tourism,” said Mtisi.
In its court application to stop development of the coal mine by a Chinese company, the association argued that mining in Hwange National Park may cause a decline in tourism and decrease the incomes of local residents who rely on it for income, while poaching and conflict between people and wildlife could increase.
More than 45,000 elephants are estimated to live in Hwange park along with more than 100 mammal and 400 bird species, including buffalos, leopards, and lions, that are already struggling for food and water in the vast savannah due to a prolonged drought. Mining would pollute remaining water sources in the park 14,500 square kilometers (5,600 square miles) park, say the environmental groups.
The government also announced that it has banned alluvial mining along riverbanks.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--LVMH cancels $14.5 billion deal for Tiffany, citing tariffs

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Luxury goods giant LVMH is ending its takeover deal of jewelry retailer Tiffany & Co. , saying the French government had requested a delay to assess the threat of proposed U.S. tariffs and amid wider industry troubles caused by the pandemic .
The Paris-based conglomerate said that both the French government and Tiffany had requested that the closing of the deal be postponed by a few months .
The French government , it said , wanted to assess the impact of the possible U.S. tariffs on French goods .
As a result , LVMH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was scheduled to close Nov. 24 will be canceled .
Tiffany replied that it ’ s suing to enforce the merger agreement , which was signed in November 2019 .
The New York company said LVMH ’ s argument has no basis in French law .
Tiffany also said that LVMH hasn ’ t even attempted to seek the required antitrust approval from three jurisdictions .
Shares in Tiffany slid 9 % in premarket trading in New York .
Those in LVMH , which owns 75 brands including Christian Dior , Fendi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stable .
The deal ’ s value came under strain during the coronavirus pandemic , which caused retail sales to plunge around the world .
Tiffany ’ s share price has been trading around $ 125 a share for weeks - below the $ 135 per share price that LVMH had agreed to pay last fall , before the pandemic .
Back then , industry experts had said the deal made sense .
Tiffany , known for its delicate jewelry , distinctive blue boxes and an Audrey Hepburn movie , had been trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ younger and more digital shoppers , and could have used an owner with deep pockets to help expand .
LVMH , led by billionaire Bernard Arnault , had thought the deal would strengthen its position in high-end jewelry and in the U.S. market .
LVMH was also making a bet on China ’ s economy , where Tiffany had been expanding its presence .
The pandemic threw all those assumptions and plans in doubt , and the threat of new tariffs between the U.S. and Europe was cited as a further complicating issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impose a tax on global tech giants including Google , Amazon and Facebook .
The French tech tax is aimed at “ establishing tax justice.
” France wants digital companies to pay their fair share of taxes in countries where they make money instead of using tax havens , and is pushing for an international agreement on the issue .
In response to the tech tax , the U.S. threatened to slap 100 % tariffs on $ 2.4 billion of French products .
The two sides are at a tense truce as France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the digital tax until December , parking the issue until after the next U.S. presidential election where Trump hopes to secure another four-year term .
The French government did not immediately respond to a request for comment .

NEW YORK (AP) - Luxury goods giant LVMH is ending its takeover deal of jewelry retailer Tiffany & Co., saying the French government had requested a delay to assess the threat of proposed U.S. tariffs.
Wednesday’s announcement came after the deal’s value had been eroded by wider industry troubles caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Paris-based conglomerate said that both the French government and Tiffany had requested that the closing of the deal be postponed by a few months. The French government, it said, wanted to assess the impact of the possible U.S. tariffs on French goods.
As a result, LVMH said, the $14.5 billion deal - which would have been biggest ever in the luxury market and was scheduled to close Nov. 24 - will be canceled.
Tiffany replied that it’s suing to enforce the merger agreement, which was signed in November 2019. The New York company said LVMH’s argument has no basis in French law. Tiffany also said that LVMH hasn’t even attempted to seek the required antitrust approval from three jurisdictions.
“We believe that LVMH will seek to use any available means in an attempt to avoid closing the transaction on the agreed terms,” said Roger Farah, chairman of Tiffany, in a statement.
Shares in Tiffany slid $7.85, or 6.4%, to close Wednesday at $113.96. Those in LVMH, which owns 75 brands including Christian Dior, Fendi, Givenchy and Tag Heuer, were stable.
The deal’s value came under strain during the pandemic, which has caused retail sales to plunge around the world. Tiffany’s share price has been trading around $125 a share for weeks - below the $135 per share price that LVMH had agreed to pay last fall, before the pandemic.
Back then, industry experts had said the deal made sense. Tiffany, known for its delicate jewelry, distinctive blue boxes and an Audrey Hepburn movie, had been trying to transform its brand to appeal to younger and more digital shoppers, and could have used an owner with deep pockets to help expand.
LVMH, led by billionaire Bernard Arnault, had thought the deal would strengthen its position in high-end jewelry and in the U.S. market. LVMH was also making a bet on China’s economy, where Tiffany had been expanding its presence.
The pandemic threw all those assumptions and plans in doubt, and the threat of new tariffs between the U.S. and Europe was cited as a further complicating issue.
Before COVID, the global market for personal luxury goods was solid, reaching a record high of $307.1 billion (260 billion euros) in 2018 - a 6% increase from the year before, according to consulting firm Bain & Co. That sector slipped by 2.1% to $331.9 (281 billion euros) last year, according to Bain estimates.
But given COVID’s financial fallout and the shutdown of tourism worldwide, those sales could drop by 20% to 35% in 2020, Bain estimates. Bain expects that personal luxury sales won’t recover to pre-COVID levels until 2022 and 2023.
Tiffany’s global sales declined 29% during the fiscal second quarter ended July 31, following a 45% drop in the fiscal first quarter.
Last year, France sought to impose a tax on global tech giants including Google, Amazon and Facebook. The French tech tax is aimed at “establishing tax justice.” France wants digital companies to pay their fair share of taxes in countries where they make money instead of using tax havens, and is pushing for an international agreement on the issue.
In response to the tech tax, the U.S. threatened to slap 100% tariffs on $2.4 billion of French products.
The two sides are at a tense truce as France has said it would delay collection of the digital tax until December, parking the issue until after the next U.S. presidential election where Trump hopes to secure another four-year term.
In a news conference on Wednesday, French government spokesman Gabriel Attal confirmed that a letter was sent by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to LVMH and referred to international talks about U.S. tariffs as a “very important issue.”
“The (French) government is neither naive nor passive. We have objectives that we want to reach,” he said. He wouldn’t further elaborate and said that Le Drian is expected to express his views on the issue in the coming hours.
CFO Jean Jacques Guiony of the LVMH insisted in a phone interview with reporters that the letter received Sept. 1 from the French government was legal and valid and left the group no choice.
“I don’t think their objective is to please or not to please LVMH. They don’t give a damn …,” he said. “The letter is legally valid, is legal. When you get such a legally binding and legally valid letter, you just apply it …. We will apply it.”
Asked about lowering the price to keep the deal alive, he said that had not even been considered as there is no article in the contract that would allow that.
“The deal cannot take place … we are prohibited from closing this transaction … we have no choice.”
As for the threatened lawsuit, the CFO said that he doesn’t “see a way in between” the arguments the two sides could put forth -– we don’t do the deal on Nov. 24 and they saying that you have to do it anyway, he said.
“We’ll see what happens.”
________
AP Writers Sylvie Corbet ad Elaine Ganley in Paris contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--Norwegian lawmaker nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

COPENHAGEN , Denmark ( AP ) - A far-right Norwegian lawmaker said Wednesday that he has nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in the Middle East .
Christian Tybring-Gjedde , a member of the Norwegian Parliament for the far-right Progress Party , said Trump should be considered because of his work “ for a peace agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel which opens up for possible peace in the Middle East.
” “ No matter how Trump acts at home and what he says at press conferences , he has absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prize , ” Tybring-Gjedde , told The Associated Press .
He said he nominated Trump on Wednesday , adding that “ Donald Trump meets the criteria ” for the Nobel Peace Prize .
Tybring-Gjedde was also one of two Norwegian lawmakers who nominated Trump for the peace prize in 2018 for his efforts to bring reconciliation between North and South Korea .
Any national lawmaker can nominate someone for the Nobel Peace Prize .
The process of considering candidates and awarding the prize is done in Norway , in contrast to the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighboring Sweden .
Nominations must be sent to the Norwegian Nobel Committee by Feb. 1 .
The Norwegian Nobel Committee doesn ’ t publicly comment on nominees .
Under its rules , the information is required to be kept secret for 50 years .
“ It is now to hope that the Nobel Committee is able to consider what Trump has achieved internationally and that it does not stumble in established prejudice against the US President , ” Tybring-Gjedde said in a Facebook post .

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - An anti-immigrant Norwegian lawmaker said Wednesday that he has nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in the Middle East.
Christian Tybring-Gjedde, a member of the Norwegian parliament for the populist Progress Party, said Trump should be considered because of his work “for a peace agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel which opens up for possible peace in the Middle East.”
Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed last month to a historic deal normalizing relations and are scheduled to sign it at the White House on Sept. 15.
“No matter how Trump acts at home and what he says at press conferences, he has absolutely a chance at getting the Nobel Peace Prize,” Tybring-Gjedde, told The Associated Press.
He said he nominated Trump on Wednesday for the 2021 prize, adding that “Donald Trump meets the criteria.”
Nominations must be sent to the Norwegian Nobel Committee by Feb. 1, meaning the deadline to nominate people for this year’s peace prize has passed.
Nominations can be made by a select group of people and organizations, including national lawmakers, heads of state and certain international institutions. In 2020, the committee received 318 nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize, of which 211 are individuals and 107 are organizations.
Tybring-Gjedde was one of two Norwegian lawmakers who nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for efforts to bring reconciliation between North and South Korea. Any lawmaker serving in a national legislature can nominate someone for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama was awarded the prize in 2009 only months into his first term, a move many felt was premature. The Norwegian committee said it honored Obama for his commitment to “seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.”
Last year, Trump predicted he would win the Nobel Prize “for a lot of things if they gave it out fairly, which they don’t.”
The Norwegian Nobel Committee doesn’t publicly comment on nominees. Under its rules, the information is required to be kept secret for 50 years.
Tybring-Gjedde has been a member of the Storting, the Norwegian parliament, since 2005. He is known for being pro-Israel and for opposing immigration policies that he thinks have been too welcoming.
The lawmaker has often demanded that immigrants adjust to Norwegian society. He called Muslim headscarves an “Islamic uniform” and compared them to robes worn by members of the Ku Klux Klan.
In 2006, he nominated Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Dutch-American activist, writer and politician critical of Islam, for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The process of considering candidates and awarding the Nobel Peace Prize is done in Norway, in contrast to the other Nobel Prizes, which are awarded in neighboring Sweden.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--Egypt prosecutors probe young man's death while in detention

CAIRO ( AP ) - Prosecutors in Egypt are investigating the case of a young man who died in police detention following his arrest over clashes in a Cairo neighborhood last week .
The man ’ s family accuses the police of killing him , the prosecutors said .
According to a statement by the prosecutors ’ office late Tuesday , forensic experts were trying to determine the cause of death of the 26-year-old , identified in the statement only by a nickname , Islam el-Australy , which is Arabic for “ the Australian.
” The Interior Ministry said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Moneib neighborhood over financial disputes .
The ministry said police arrested those involved in the clashes .
The young man was wounded and died of heart failure at a hospital on Monday , it said .
No other details were immediately provided .
Following the death , dozens of people protested outside the local police station until security forces dispersed them and sealed off the area .
The protest was rare since Egypt has banned all unauthorized protests since 2013 as part of a sweeping crackdown on dissent .
The young man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among those arrested , was released late on Tuesday , according to two Moneib residents who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals .
They claimed the man ’ s family was pressured to not accuse police of involvement in his death .
One of the residents said the young man clashed with the police after they tried to dismantle his street stall .
His family could not immediately be reached for comment .
Anger at widespread police brutality helped spark the 2011 uprising that toppled Egypt ’ s longtime autocrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say mistreatment and torture are still widespread in Egyptian prisons , allegations denied by the government .
In January 2018 , dozens of protesters attacked a Cairo police station over reports that a detainee died in custody .
The protesters set a police car ablaze , hurled stones and tried to storm the station .

CAIRO (AP) - Prosecutors in Egypt are investigating the case of a young man who died in police detention following his arrest over clashes in a Cairo neighborhood last week.
The man’s family accuses the police of killing him, the prosecutors said.
According to a statement by the prosecutors’ office late Tuesday, forensic experts were trying to determine the cause of death of the 26-year-old, identified in the statement only by a nickname, Islam el-Australy, which is Arabic for “the Australian.”
The Interior Ministry said the clashes erupted on Friday in Cairo’s Moneib neighborhood over financial disputes. The ministry said police arrested those involved in the clashes. The young man was wounded and died of heart failure at a hospital on Monday, it said.
No other details were immediately provided.
Following the death, dozens of people protested outside the local police station until security forces dispersed them and sealed off the area. The protest was rare since Egypt has banned all unauthorized protests since 2013 as part of a sweeping crackdown on dissent.
The young man’s mother, who was also among those arrested, was released late on Tuesday, according to two Moneib residents who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. They claimed the man’s family was pressured to not accuse police of involvement in his death.
One of the residents said the young man clashed with the police after they tried to dismantle his street stall. His family could not immediately be reached for comment.
Anger at widespread police brutality helped spark the 2011 uprising that toppled Egypt’s longtime autocrat, President Hosni Mubarak. Rights groups say mistreatment and torture are still widespread in Egyptian prisons, allegations denied by the government.
In January 2018, dozens of protesters attacked a Cairo police station over reports that a detainee died in custody. The protesters set a police car ablaze, hurled stones and tried to storm the station.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--German officials: 1,000s of extremists joined virus protest

BERLIN ( AP ) - German security officials say thousands of extremists took part in a demonstration against the country ’ s coronavirus restrictions last month that culminated in attempts by some protesters to storm parliament .
The head of Berlin state ’ s intelligence service , Michael Fischer , told lawmakers Wednesday that a preliminary review of images from the Aug. 29 protest indicated that “ at least 2,500 to 3,000 right-wing extremists and Reich Citizens took part in the protests.
” The Reich Citizens movement disputes the legitimacy of the post-World War II German constitution ; the movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those counted so far were identified as right-wing extremists based on the clothing , flags , symbols and slogans they were carrying .
“ But beyond that there were doubtless also people participating in the events who couldn ’ t be identified as right-wing extremists or Reich Citizens based on their outer appearance , ” said Fischer .
He added that some of those protesters likely moved in the same circles as extremists deemed hostile to the German constitution .
Attempts by some of the protesters to storm the Reichstag parliament building in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But some lawmakers also criticized an apparent lack of preparation by police in the capital .
Only a handful of officers stood in the way of protesters on the Reichstag steps until reinforcements arrived .
Fischer acknowledged that authorities had received information in advance of the protest that some participants had called for the storming of the parliament building , and security officials had discussed the threat at a meeting two days before the event .
But he insisted officials hadn ’ t foreseen that protesters would actually go through with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost 40,000 people took part in the protests on Aug. 29 .

BERLIN (AP) - Thousands of far-right and anti-government extremists were among the crowds at demonstrations against Germany’s coronavirus restrictions last month that culminated in attempts by some protesters to storm parliament, German security officials said Wednesday.
The incident was condemned across much of the political spectrum in Germany, with the president and other senior officials describing the rush on parliament as an assault on the heart of democracy. But some lawmakers also criticized the police handling of the Aug. 29 demonstrations and that there were only a handful of officers to stand in the way of hundreds of protesters despite advance warnings that extremists might try to enter the Reichstag.
A preliminary review of images from the protests indicated that “at least 2,500 to 3,000 right-wing extremists and Reich Citizens took part in the protests,” the head of Berlin state’s intelligence service, Michael Fischer, told lawmakers in the capital’s regional assembly.
The so-called Reich Citizens movement, which disputes the legitimacy of the post-World War II German Constitution and by extension the current government, has caused growing concern among security officials in recent years, in part due to its ties to the far right.
Fischer said those counted so far were identified as right-wing extremists based on the clothing, flags, symbols and slogans they were carrying.
He said there were “doubtless” also people in the crowd with an affinity for extremist ideologies but “who couldn’t be identified as right-wing extremists or Reich Citizens based on their outer appearance.”
Following the main rally, which police estimated drew almost 40,000 participants, up to 500 people gathered in front of the parliament building, including “violence-prone neo-Nazis and conspiracy theorists from the so-called QAnon spectrum,” Fischer said.
Fischer acknowledged that authorities received information in advance of the protests about some people calling for the storming of the Reichstag and that security officials had discussed the threat at a meeting two days before the event.
He said officials hadn’t foreseen that protesters would actually go through with the plan and called it a “spontaneous” incident.
The events of Aug. 29 showed how compatible the positions of some of the anti-mask protesters are with those of anti-government extremists, Fischer said.
“Anybody who marches with right-wing extremists and Reich Citizens needs to realize that they are joining forces with persons and groups who want nothing less than the abolition of our liberal democratic order,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--Father fatally attacked with hammer, 2 others injured

RAPID CITY , S.D .
( AP ) - A man is accused of using a hammer to kill a father who was asleep with his young children and seriously injure two others in a Rapid City home .
Relatives said the victim , 39-year-old Rich Montanez , was letting the man , who was the friend of a friend , stay at his house because he was homeless .
Allac “ AJ ” Dismounts Thrice , 28 , is charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the Sept. 3 attack .
Family members say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , 3- and 7-year-old boys and a 6-year-old daughter .
The victim ’ s sister-in-law , Tiffany Dubray-Terzo , says the boys were sleeping with their dad when he was attacked .
Dubray-Terzo says the two women in the home , Montanez ’ s roommate and the roommate ’ s friend , were also attacked and are hospitalized in intensive care .
One of the women managed to escape the house with the children .
A magistrate judge on Tuesday set a $ 1 million cash bond for Dismounts Thrice .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on bond because Dismounts Thrice said he didn ’ t want his office to represent him .
State ’ s Attorney Mark Vargo said it ’ s too early to make a decision whether to pursue the death penalty , the Rapid City Journal reported .
Dismounts Thrice had been released from jail six days before the assault after a judge agreed to reduce his bond on charges of drug possession and receiving a stolen vehicle , court records show .

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - A man is accused of using a hammer to kill a father who was asleep with his young children and seriously injure two others in a Rapid City home.
Relatives said the victim, 39-year-old Rich Montanez, was letting the man, who was the friend of a friend, stay at his house because he was homeless. Allac “AJ” Dismounts Thrice, 28, is charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the Sept. 3 attack.
Family members say Montanez was a single father of three children, 3- and 7-year-old boys and a 6-year-old daughter. The victim’s sister-in-law, Tiffany Dubray-Terzo, says the boys were sleeping with their dad when he was attacked.
Dubray-Terzo says the two women in the home, Montanez’s roommate and the roommate’s friend, were also attacked and are hospitalized in intensive care. One of the women managed to escape the house with the children.
A magistrate judge on Tuesday set a $1 million cash bond for Dismounts Thrice. A public defender said he had no comment on bond because Dismounts Thrice said he didn’t want his office to represent him.
State’s Attorney Mark Vargo said it’s too early to make a decision whether to pursue the death penalty, the Rapid City Journal reported.
Dismounts Thrice had been released from jail six days before the assault after a judge agreed to reduce his bond on charges of drug possession and receiving a stolen vehicle, court records show.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--NY eases restrictions on visits at assisted living homes

ALBANY , N.Y. ( AP ) - New York is now allowing visitors to see loved ones at assisted living homes that are COVID-free for 14 days , up from 28 days under previous guidance .
Family members and friends of residents at the state ’ s nursing homes and assisted living homes have been urging the state for months to ease its March 13 ban on most visits .
The state ’ s guidance has allowed visits for medically necessary or end-of life services .
New York announced July 10 that it would begin allowing restricted visits at nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t had a COVID-19 case among residents or staffers for 28 days .
Visits are limited to outdoor areas with weather permitting , though visits of no more than 10 individuals in a well-ventilated space can be allowed in “ certain limited circumstances.
” But loved ones of residents at homes housing the state ’ s elderly that have yet to meet the benchmark have expressed frustration and questioned why the state ’ s threshold was above the federal 14-day incubation period for COVID-19 .
The 28-day threshold for restricted visits still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health spokesperson Jonah Bruno said the state is easing the policy just for assisted living homes because outbreaks are “ less common ” than at nursing homes .
“ We understand how difficult the pandemic-related lockdowns have been for all New Yorkers , especially for children in nursing homes and their families , ” Bruno said .
“ Outbreaks in pediatric nursing homes and adult care facilities have fortunately been less common and acute than at adult nursing homes , which has allowed us to expand visitation at these facilities.
” State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visitation policy as protecting a vulnerable population from the risk of infection by outside visitors .
Employees of nursing homes and adult care facilities must be tested once or twice a week under a May 10 executive order .
Nearly 6,500 residents have died or likely died of COVID-19 at nursing homes as of Tuesday , according to state Department of Health data .
The state ’ s data also includes at least 177 deaths among residents of adult care homes .
The state hasn ’ t reported how many nursing home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or how many residents tested positive for COVID-19 .
Bruno said the health department will keep monitoring assisted living homes “ to ensure this action does not lead to an increase in cases.
” The state ’ s move drew applause from Stephen Hanse , president and CEO of the New York State Health Facilities Association and the New York State Center for Assisted Living .
“ It has been since early March of this year that adult care residents have been unable to receive visitors in person because of the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said residents have become skilled at using digital tools like Skype to connect with loved ones , but added : “ digital interaction doesn ’ t compare to the joy of in-person interaction.
” “ We are hopeful that a similar plan will soon be implemented for skilled nursing facilities , ” Hanse said .
The state ’ s restricted visitation policy only allows visits of up to two people , and only 10 % of the residents can be allowed visitors at any time .
Visitors must also undergo temperature checks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gear .

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York is now allowing visitors to see loved ones at assisted living homes that are COVID-free for 14 days, up from 28 days under previous guidance.
Family members and friends of residents at the state’s nursing homes and assisted living homes have been urging the state for months to ease its March 13 ban on most visits. The state’s guidance has allowed visits for medically necessary or end-of life services.
New York announced July 10 that it would begin allowing restricted visits at nursing homes and assisted living facilities that haven’t had a COVID-19 case among residents or staffers for 28 days.
Visits are limited to outdoor areas with weather permitting, though visits of no more than 10 individuals in a well-ventilated space can be allowed in “certain limited circumstances.”
But loved ones of residents at homes housing the state’s elderly that have yet to meet the benchmark have expressed frustration and questioned why the state’s threshold was above the federal 14-day incubation period for COVID-19.
The 28-day threshold for restricted visits still applies to nursing homes.
State Department of Health spokesperson Jonah Bruno said the state is easing the policy just for assisted living homes because outbreaks are “less common” than at nursing homes.
“We understand how difficult the pandemic-related lockdowns have been for all New Yorkers, especially for children in nursing homes and their families,” Bruno said. “Outbreaks in pediatric nursing homes and adult care facilities have fortunately been less common and acute than at adult nursing homes, which has allowed us to expand visitation at these facilities.”
State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker has defended the visitation policy as protecting a vulnerable population from the risk of infection by outside visitors. Employees of nursing homes and adult care facilities must be tested once or twice a week under a May 10 executive order.
Nearly 6,500 residents have died or likely died of COVID-19 at nursing homes as of Tuesday, according to state Department of Health data. The state’s data also includes at least 177 deaths among residents of adult care homes.
The state hasn’t reported how many nursing home and assisted living residents have died at hospitals, or how many residents tested positive for COVID-19.
Bruno said the health department will keep monitoring assisted living homes “to ensure this action does not lead to an increase in cases.”
The state’s move drew applause from Stephen Hanse, president and CEO of the New York State Health Facilities Association and the New York State Center for Assisted Living.
“It has been since early March of this year that adult care residents have been unable to receive visitors in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hanse said.
He said residents have become skilled at using digital tools like Skype to connect with loved ones, but added: “digital interaction doesn’t compare to the joy of in-person interaction.”
“We are hopeful that a similar plan will soon be implemented for skilled nursing facilities,” Hanse said.
The state’s restricted visitation policy only allows visits of up to two people, and only 10% of the residents can be allowed visitors at any time. Visitors must also undergo temperature checks, follow social distancing rules and wear protective gear.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--Smoke from nearby wildfires creates eerie baseball scene

OAKLAND , Calif. ( AP ) - The Oakland Coliseum lights shone brightly for miles through a sunless , smoky sky in the middle of the afternoon - hours before they usually would be on for a night baseball game .
By mid-morning across San Francisco Bay , the Giants ’ Oracle Park resembled a black-and-orange horror scene .
A number of Northern California wildfires sent a thick , sometimes orange-glowing haze over the area Wednesday that left the Bay Area in an eerie darkness all day .
The sun was blocked by the smoke .
“ The lights were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s like we ’ re in a dome .
It has been dark out there all day .
I don ’ t have any sunglasses to go out there with today , ” Athletics manager Bob Melvin said , later adding , “ I have a white hat on today , see what color it is when I come in afterward .
Little experiment on my behalf today.
” Still , the air quality was below 100 about two hours before first pitch .
The A ’ s played games last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 150-160 , what is considered the upper end of unhealthy , and games aren ’ t typically considered for cancellation until it reaches the 200 range , according to Melvin .
It made for a strange baseball scene to say the least .
AL West-leading Oakland was set to face the Houston Astros , while across San Francisco Bay the Giants were hosting the Seattle Mariners .
The sky around Oracle Park matched the Giants ’ black and orange colors , while the smell of smoke permeated the air leading up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Certainly a strange look when we all woke up this morning and found kind of the orangeish-red hue to the sky , ” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said .
“ Walking onto the field today was certainly different , in the middle of the afternoon and having the sky look a little bit dark .
But my understanding is that the air quality is OK. Of course we ’ ll keep tabs on it and if anything changes we ’ ll make the best decisions for the health and well being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baker said there were discussions with the players union about the air quality and safety of playing in such thick smoke .
“ We don ’ t know if it ’ s going to have impact or not , ” said Baker , who still owns homes in Northern California .
“ I ’ ve seen it before and I ’ ve talked to everybody at home and they said they ’ ve never seen it this bad this long .
There are fires all over the West Coast here and I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Sky is Crying.
’ The sky was crying today .
I thought I was going to go outside and see Marlon Brando in ‘ Apocalypse Now.
’ It ’ s just a strange and eerie feeling.
” Small particles of ash sprinkled down during the Astros-A ’ s doubleheader Tuesday night and by Wednesday cars were covered in gray dust that required windshield wipers to remove it for visibility .
The NFL ’ s San Francisco 49ers practiced in similar conditions at their Santa Clara facility in the South Bay on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m in the Book of Eli , it ’ s like an apocalyptic state out there , but surprisingly the air quality doesn ’ t seem as bad as it looks , ” coach Kyle Shanahan said .
AP Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow and AP freelance writer Gideon Rubin contributed to this report .

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - The Oakland Coliseum lights shone brightly for miles through a sunless, smoky sky in the middle of the afternoon - hours before they usually would be on for a night baseball game. By mid-morning across San Francisco Bay, the Giants’ Oracle Park resembled a black-and-orange horror scene.
A number of Northern California wildfires sent a thick, sometimes orange-glowing haze over the area Wednesday that left the Bay Area in an eerie darkness all day. The sun was blocked by the smoke.
“The lights were on when I first got here. It’s like we’re in a dome. It has been dark out there all day. I don’t have any sunglasses to go out there with today,” Athletics manager Bob Melvin said, later adding, “I have a white hat on today, see what color it is when I come in afterward. Little experiment on my behalf today.”
Still, the air quality was below 100 about two hours before first pitch. The A’s played games last month with the air quality index up to 150-160, what is considered the upper end of unhealthy, and games aren’t typically considered for cancellation until it reaches the 200 range, according to Melvin.
It made for a strange baseball scene to say the least. AL West-leading Oakland was set to face the Houston Astros, while across San Francisco Bay the Giants were hosting the Seattle Mariners.
The sky around Oracle Park matched the Giants’ black and orange colors, while the smell of smoke permeated the air leading up to first pitch with chunks of ash falling.
“Certainly a strange look when we all woke up this morning and found kind of the orangeish-red hue to the sky,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “Walking onto the field today was certainly different, in the middle of the afternoon and having the sky look a little bit dark. But my understanding is that the air quality is OK. Of course we’ll keep tabs on it and if anything changes we’ll make the best decisions for the health and well being of our players.”
Astros manager Dusty Baker said there were discussions with the players union about the air quality and safety of playing in such thick smoke.
“We don’t know if it’s going to have impact or not,” said Baker, who still owns homes in Northern California. “I’ve seen it before and I’ve talked to everybody at home and they said they’ve never seen it this bad this long. There are fires all over the West Coast here and I was actually playing Jimi Hendrix today, ‘The Sky is Crying.’ The sky was crying today. I thought I was going to go outside and see Marlon Brando in ‘Apocalypse Now.’ It’s just a strange and eerie feeling.”
Small particles of ash sprinkled down during the Astros-A’s doubleheader Tuesday night and by Wednesday cars were covered in gray dust that required windshield wipers to remove it for visibility.
The NFL’s San Francisco 49ers practiced in similar conditions at their Santa Clara facility in the South Bay on Wednesday.
“I feel like I’m in the Book of Eli, it’s like an apocalyptic state out there, but surprisingly the air quality doesn’t seem as bad as it looks,” coach Kyle Shanahan said.
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AP Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow and AP freelance writer Gideon Rubin contributed to this report.
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More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--Catholic priests, bishops rebuke Joe Biden for his pro-choice views

Some Roman Catholic priests and bishops have taken to social media to chide parishioners considering voting for Democrats , in general , and presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden , in particular , by reminding them of the church ’ s opposition to abortion .
Over Labor Day weekend , Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville , Tennessee , reanimated suggestions that Mr. Biden is not a faithful Catholic because the former vice president supports legal abortion .
“ It really confuses me that both Joe Biden and [ House Speaker ] Nancy Pelosi time and time again state that they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as deny so many of the teachings of our faith , ” Bishop Stika tweeted .
Last week in a YouTube video , Father James Altman of St. James the Less Catholic Church in La Crosse , Wisconsin , denounced Mr. Biden over his pro-choice voting record when he represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate .
“ Here is a memo to clueless baptized Catholics out there : You can not be Catholic and be a Democrat .
Period , ” Father Altman said .
And last month , Bishop Thomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , observed on Twitter that 2020 marks the “ [ f ] irst time in awhile that the Democratic ticket hasn ’ t had a Catholic on it ” — a jab at Mr. Biden , an avowed Catholic who supports abortion rights .
Canon law forbids priests and members of religious orders from endorsing political candidates without the permission of their superiors .
But the 2020 election season has lured clergy to their digital pulpits .
In a recent statement on church views and politics , the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are each called to evaluate candidates for public office by how closely their policies align with Gospel principles , as expressed by the U.S. bishops in Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.
” “ Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship : A Call to Political Responsibility ” is the conference ’ s 2015 guide for church leaders to teach parishioners how they can and should participate in politics and civil discourse .
It does not advocate for any particular political party or movement .
Last month , Cardinal Sen Patrick O ’ Malley of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ may not endorse or oppose candidates for election or political parties ” after Msgr .
Paul Garrity , a priest in Lexington , Massachusetts , declared himself “ pro-life ” but in support of Mr. Biden ’ s candidacy .
In a statement to The Washington Times , La Crosse Bishop William Patrick Callahan said he had applied a “ fraternal correction ” to Father Altman , whose video message “ comes off as angry and judgmental , lacking any charity and in a way that causes scandal both in the Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect a decisive move from me , one way or another .
Many suggest immediate penalties that will utterly silence him ; others call for complete and unwavering support of his views , ” Bishop Callahan said .
“ Canonical penalties are not far away if my attempts at fraternal correction do not work.
” Some Catholic leaders have expressed concern that clerical criticism of Democratic platform priorities extends too far , piercing the veil of individual conscience enjoyed by many Catholics in the voting booth .
In an online discussion Tuesday moderated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Public Life at Georgetown University , Stephen White said Catholics are often “ looking for a silver bullet ” to divine for them whom to support at the polls .
“ Our bishops have wisely but also frustratingly refrained from answering that question , ” said Mr. White , executive director of The Catholic Project at The Catholic University of America .
“ They ’ ve made us do the hard work that doesn ’ t boil down to some kind of political algorithm.
” Other Catholics have been more stinging in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last month , Bishop John Stowe of Lexington , Kentucky , called the president “ so much anti-life because he is only concerned about himself.
” John Gehring , Catholic program director at Faith in Public Life , called out church leaders Wednesday for “ distort [ ing ] centuries of Catholic teaching ” by an over-emphasis on abortion .
“ This partisan theology is being used to help re-elect a white nationalist who deploys fear to divide voters and puts his own power before the common good , ” Mr. Gehring @ @ @ @ @ @

Some Roman Catholic priests and bishops have taken to social media to chide parishioners considering voting for Democrats, in general, and presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden, in particular, by reminding them of the church’s opposition to abortion.
Over Labor Day weekend, Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville, Tennessee, reanimated suggestions that Mr. Biden is not a faithful Catholic because the former vice president supports legal abortion.
“It really confuses me that both Joe Biden and [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi time and time again state that they are faithful Catholics and yet promote unlimited abortion as well as deny so many of the teachings of our faith,” Bishop Stika tweeted.
Last week in a YouTube video, Father James Altman of St. James the Less Catholic Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin, denounced Mr. Biden over his pro-choice voting record when he represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate.
“Here is a memo to clueless baptized Catholics out there: You cannot be Catholic and be a Democrat. Period,” Father Altman said.
And last month, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island, observed on Twitter that 2020 marks the “[f]irst time in awhile that the Democratic ticket hasn’t had a Catholic on it” — a jab at Mr. Biden, an avowed Catholic who supports abortion rights.
Canon law forbids priests and members of religious orders from endorsing political candidates without the permission of their superiors. But the 2020 election season has lured clergy to their digital pulpits.
In a recent statement on church views and politics, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said: “As Catholics, we are each called to evaluate candidates for public office by how closely their policies align with Gospel principles, as expressed by the U.S. bishops in Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.”
“Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility” is the conference’s 2015 guide for church leaders to teach parishioners how they can and should participate in politics and civil discourse. It does not advocate for any particular political party or movement.
Last month, Cardinal Sen Patrick O’Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston reminded parishioners that priests “may not endorse or oppose candidates for election or political parties” after Msgr. Paul Garrity, a priest in Lexington, Massachusetts, declared himself “pro-life” but in support of Mr. Biden’s candidacy.
In a statement to The Washington Times, La Crosse Bishop William Patrick Callahan said he had applied a “fraternal correction” to Father Altman, whose video message “comes off as angry and judgmental, lacking any charity and in a way that causes scandal both in the Church and in society.”
“Most people expect a decisive move from me, one way or another. Many suggest immediate penalties that will utterly silence him; others call for complete and unwavering support of his views,” Bishop Callahan said. “Canonical penalties are not far away if my attempts at fraternal correction do not work.”
Some Catholic leaders have expressed concern that clerical criticism of Democratic platform priorities extends too far, piercing the veil of individual conscience enjoyed by many Catholics in the voting booth.
In an online discussion Tuesday moderated by the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University, Stephen White said Catholics are often “looking for a silver bullet” to divine for them whom to support at the polls.
“Our bishops have wisely but also frustratingly refrained from answering that question,” said Mr. White, executive director of The Catholic Project at The Catholic University of America. “They’ve made us do the hard work that doesn’t boil down to some kind of political algorithm.”
Other Catholics have been more stinging in their criticism of support for President Trump. Last month, Bishop John Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky, called the president “so much anti-life because he is only concerned about himself.”
John Gehring, Catholic program director at Faith in Public Life, called out church leaders Wednesday for “distort[ing] centuries of Catholic teaching” by an over-emphasis on abortion.
“This partisan theology is being used to help re-elect a white nationalist who deploys fear to divide voters and puts his own power before the common good,” Mr. Gehring said in a written statement.
• Christopher Vondracek can be reached at cvondracek@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--Green Party can stay on Pennsylvania's ballot, judge says

HARRISBURG , Pa. ( AP ) - A judge on Wednesday night ordered election officials to put the Green Party ’ s candidate for president on Pennsylvania ’ s ballot , turning back a court challenge by Democrats just eight weeks before an election in the battleground state that could be tilted by votes flowing to a third party .
Democrats had contended that the Green Party ’ s presidential and vice presidential nominees did not properly submit candidate affidavits in August to go with paperwork containing voter signatures to get on the ballot .
As a result , Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballot .
Commonwealth Court Judge Drew Crompton , a Republican , disagreed , and dismissed arguments that the presidential nominee , Howie Hawkins , should be barred from the ballot .
But Green Party ’ s vice presidential nominee should be barred , he said .
An appeal to the state Supreme Court is possible .
A Democratic Party lawyer didn ’ t respond to messages Wednesday night , but Pennsylvania ’ s Democratic Party chairwoman , Nancy Patton Mills , said Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden has legal options in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she did not know enough about Hawkins to say whether him being on the ballot could hurt Biden ’ s chances of winning Pennsylvania in the Nov. 3 contest against President Donald Trump , a Republican .
In 2016 , Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton by 44,292 votes in Pennsylvania .
The Green Party ’ s nominee that year , Jill Stein , drew slightly more votes than that , 49,941 .

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A judge on Wednesday night ordered election officials to put the Green Party’s candidate for president on Pennsylvania’s ballot, turning back a court challenge by Democrats just eight weeks before an election in the battleground state that could be tilted by votes flowing to a third party.
Democrats had contended that the Green Party’s presidential and vice presidential nominees did not properly submit candidate affidavits in August to go with paperwork containing voter signatures to get on the ballot.
As a result, Democrats argued, both must be barred from the ballot. Commonwealth Court Judge Drew Crompton, a Republican, disagreed, and dismissed arguments that the presidential nominee, Howie Hawkins, should be barred from the ballot. But Green Party’s vice presidential nominee should be barred, he said.
An appeal to the state Supreme Court is possible. A Democratic Party lawyer didn’t respond to messages Wednesday night, but Pennsylvania’s Democratic Party chairwoman, Nancy Patton Mills, said Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden has legal options in the matter.
Still, Mills said that she did not know enough about Hawkins to say whether him being on the ballot could hurt Biden’s chances of winning Pennsylvania in the Nov. 3 contest against President Donald Trump, a Republican.
In 2016, Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton by 44,292 votes in Pennsylvania. The Green Party’s nominee that year, Jill Stein, drew slightly more votes than that, 49,941.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--Whitmer clarifies order: Masks not required for all sports

LANSING , Mich. ( AP ) - Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer late Wednesday clarified her order requiring masks in organized sports , saying they must be worn in training and competition only when athletes can not consistently keep 6 feet apart .
The measure explicitly mentions football , soccer and volleyball as sports where face coverings are a must due to the coronavirus pandemic .
But it also now exempts sports in which athletes can keep distance “ except for occasional and fleeting moments ” - such as tennis , golf , cross country , baseball and softball .
Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional organized sports resume , issued last week , required all athletes - “ while on the field of play ” - to wear a mask except when swimming .
The Michigan High School Athletic Association , which quickly reinstated the postponed football season , said in a memo to schools that it was seeking further interpretations and guidance on the mask mandate .
One question , for instance , had been about fall sports that had been underway for weeks without face coverings - golf , tennis and cross country statewide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MHSAA declined to comment on the latest order , saying it would say more Thursday once “ we know the full extent of what this requires.
” Whitmer ’ s order continues to say that sports organizers must ensure that athletes comply with the mask requirement .
Earlier this week , state House Speaker Lee Chatfield , a Republican , criticized requiring children participating in outdoor sports to wear face coverings .
“ Tennis .
Cross country .
Soccer .
Golf .
( You get this point . )
Let me be clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he tweeted .
The governor , a Democrat whose state has seen nearly 6,900 deaths related to COVID-19 , allowed athletic competitions to resume in regions where they had been restricted .
Her administration released guidance , however , recommending against - but not prohibiting - contact sports .
Those are defined as involving more than occasional and fleeting contact .
They include football , basketball , soccer , lacrosse , hockey , wrestling , field hockey , boxing and martial arts with opponents .
Whitmer , in a statement , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airborne particles and can affect everyone differently .
By wearing a face covering when proper distancing is not possible , athletes will be better protected from contracting the virus and spreading it to family members , frontline workers and vulnerable populations .
”

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer late Wednesday clarified her order requiring masks in organized sports, saying they must be worn in training and competition only when athletes cannot consistently keep 6 feet apart.
The measure explicitly mentions football, soccer and volleyball as sports where face coverings are a must due to the coronavirus pandemic. But it also now exempts sports in which athletes can keep distance “except for occasional and fleeting moments” - such as tennis, golf, cross country, baseball and softball.
Her initial order to reopen gyms and let additional organized sports resume, issued last week, required all athletes - “while on the field of play” - to wear a mask except when swimming. The Michigan High School Athletic Association, which quickly reinstated the postponed football season, said in a memo to schools that it was seeking further interpretations and guidance on the mask mandate.
One question, for instance, had been about fall sports that had been underway for weeks without face coverings - golf, tennis and cross country statewide, and soccer in northern counties. The MHSAA declined to comment on the latest order, saying it would say more Thursday once “we know the full extent of what this requires.”
Whitmer’s order continues to say that sports organizers must ensure that athletes comply with the mask requirement.
Earlier this week, state House Speaker Lee Chatfield, a Republican, criticized requiring children participating in outdoor sports to wear face coverings. “Tennis. Cross country. Soccer. Golf. (You get this point.) Let me be clear: this absolutely crazy. Wild!” he tweeted.
The governor, a Democrat whose state has seen nearly 6,900 deaths related to COVID-19, allowed athletic competitions to resume in regions where they had been restricted. Her administration released guidance, however, recommending against - but not prohibiting - contact sports. Those are defined as involving more than occasional and fleeting contact. They include football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, hockey, wrestling, field hockey, boxing and martial arts with opponents.
Whitmer, in a statement, said the virus “is easily spread through airborne particles and can affect everyone differently. By wearing a face covering when proper distancing is not possible, athletes will be better protected from contracting the virus and spreading it to family members, frontline workers and vulnerable populations.”
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Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--8 deaths, 125 coronavirus cases reported in Oregon

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - The Oregon Health Authority on Wednesday reported 125 additional cases of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ The daily case count is Oregon ’ s lowest since June 25 , when the @ @ @ @ @ The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
However , Wednesday ’ s tally of new cases is partly @ @ @ @ @ of total tests reported over 24 hours when the state disclosed results for fewer than @ @ @ @ @ number of identified cases drops , deaths continue to climb .
More Oregonians with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ , than at any point since the pandemic began .
September is on a slightly @ @ @ @ @ fatalities .
The state also on Wednesday reported 106 Oregonians with confirmed COVID-19 infections are @ @ @ @ @ up one from Tuesday .
Oregon has reported 28,471 infections and 494 deaths , among @ @ @ @ @ country .
To date , 592,700 Oregonians have been tested .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Health Authority on Wednesday reported 125 additional cases of the coronavirus and eight more deaths.
The daily case count is Oregon’s lowest since June 25, when the state reported 124 infections, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
However, Wednesday’s tally of new cases is partly because of a paltry number of total tests reported over 24 hours when the state disclosed results for fewer than 2,600 people.
As the number of identified cases drops, deaths continue to climb. More Oregonians with COVID-19 died in August, 130, than at any point since the pandemic began. September is on a slightly slower pace, with 18 fatalities.
The state also on Wednesday reported 106 Oregonians with confirmed COVID-19 infections are currently in the hospital, up one from Tuesday.
Oregon has reported 28,471 infections and 494 deaths, among the lowest totals in the country. To date, 592,700 Oregonians have been tested.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--DeSean Jackson educating himself after anti-semitic posts

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) - Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson says he ’ s been educating himself after facing backlash for sharing anti-Semitic posts on social media in July .
“ The aftermath of everything has been a long process , ” Jackson said Wednesday , speaking to reporters for the first time since the incident .
“ I ’ ve been just using the time to educate myself and really just man up to the actions I took and just educate and learn from it.
” Jackson initially posted a screenshot of a quote widely attributed to Adolf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jews will blackmail America.
” In another post , Jackson showed support for Louis Farrakhan , the Nation of Islam leader who is known for anti-Semitic rhetoric .
He apologized in a video on Instagram .
“ Over the past few months I kind of had to reflect on just life , ” Jackson said four days before the Eagles visit the Washington Football Team .
“ People make mistakes in life , and it was a mistake I made and I had to own up to it as a man , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m taking the proper steps to educate and I ’ m learning from something I didn ’ t really know too much about.
” Jackson has agreed to join New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman on a trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington , D.C. Edelman promised he ’ d go with Jackson to the nearby National Museum of African American History and Culture .
Jackson also accepted an offer from a Holocaust survivor to visit the site of a concentration camp in Poland .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and appalling , ” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said last week .
“ I ’ ve known DeSean for a long time .
He has , I think , really understood the ramifications of that appalling post .
So far , everything that we ’ ve asked him to do to both educate himself and to learn and take action , he ’ s done completely .
So , I would hope that would continue.
” Jackson , a three-time Pro Bowl pick , is in his second stint in Philadelphia , returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him in the second round of the 2008 draft .

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson says he’s been educating himself after facing backlash for sharing anti-Semitic posts on social media in July.
“The aftermath of everything has been a long process,” Jackson said Wednesday, speaking to reporters for the first time since the incident. “I’ve been just using the time to educate myself and really just man up to the actions I took and just educate and learn from it.”
Jackson initially posted a screenshot of a quote widely attributed to Adolf Hitler, saying in part: “Jews will blackmail America.” In another post, Jackson showed support for Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam leader who is known for anti-Semitic rhetoric.
He apologized in a video on Instagram.
“Over the past few months I kind of had to reflect on just life,” Jackson said four days before the Eagles visit the Washington Football Team. “People make mistakes in life, and it was a mistake I made and I had to own up to it as a man, which I did, but I think I’m taking the proper steps to educate and I’m learning from something I didn’t really know too much about.”
Jackson has agreed to join New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman on a trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Edelman promised he’d go with Jackson to the nearby National Museum of African American History and Culture. Jackson also accepted an offer from a Holocaust survivor to visit the site of a concentration camp in Poland.
“I thought the social media posts were disgusting and appalling,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said last week. “I’ve known DeSean for a long time. He has, I think, really understood the ramifications of that appalling post. So far, everything that we’ve asked him to do to both educate himself and to learn and take action, he’s done completely. So, I would hope that would continue.”
Jackson, a three-time Pro Bowl pick, is in his second stint in Philadelphia, returning last season to the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2008 draft.
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More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--No COVID-19 deaths on Navajo Nation for 2nd time in 3 days

WINDOW ROCK , Ariz. ( AP ) - Navajo Nation health officials on Wednesday reported 12 new confirmed cases of @ @ @ @ @ for the second time in three days .
The latest numbers increase the total number @ @ @ @ @ with the known death toll remaining at 527 .
Tribal health officials reported one new @ @ @ @ @ additional deaths for the first time since March .
They said 98,068 people have been @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday and 7,167 have recovered .
Much of the Navajo Nation has been closed since @ @ @ @ @ through the vast reservation that extends into New Mexico , Utah and Arizona .
Tribal @ @ @ @ @ lockdowns and daily curfews through September to help control the spread of the coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ are diagnosed with COVID-19 recover .
For some people it causes mild or moderate symptoms @ @ @ @ @ .
But for others who contract the virus , especially those who are older or @ @ @ @ @ it can cause more severe illness and death .

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) - Navajo Nation health officials on Wednesday reported 12 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, but no deaths for the second time in three days.
The latest numbers increase the total number of people infected to 9,915 with the known death toll remaining at 527.
Tribal health officials reported one new coronavirus case Monday and no additional deaths for the first time since March.
They said 98,068 people have been tested for COVID-19 as of Wednesday and 7,167 have recovered.
Much of the Navajo Nation has been closed since March as the coronavirus swept through the vast reservation that extends into New Mexico, Utah and Arizona.
Tribal officials are extending partial weekend lockdowns and daily curfews through September to help control the spread of the coronavirus.
The majority of people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 recover. For some people it causes mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough.
But for others who contract the virus, especially those who are older or have underlying health conditions, it can cause more severe illness and death.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--Judge blocks Tennessee law that limits new voter mail voting

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - A federal judge on Wednesday blocked a Tennessee law for the November election that bars first-time voters from casting ballots by mail unless they show identification at an election office beforehand .
U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson in Nashville ordered the preliminary injunction in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic , assuring that he did so without concern “ about how his decisions could aid one side or the other on the political front.
” The judge wrote that the state argued for its law , which plaintiffs say affected an estimated 128,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through “ a non-existent ” congressional requirement and congressional intent .
Tennessee has about 4.1 million registered voters .
“ The Court concludes that the requested injunction would favorably impact the public interest because as discussed above , it would serve to prevent what , based on the current record , likely would be a violation of the First Amendment right to vote enjoyed by the American citizenry , ” Richardson wrote .
The ruling deals another twist in court for Tennessee ’ s vote-by-mail laws during a pandemic .
A state court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters should have an absentee voting option during the health crisis , and that ruling was carried out during the Aug. 6 primary .
However , the state kept enforcing the first-time voter requirement , which the state judge said the plaintiffs failed to bring up before her ruling .
Then the state Supreme Court overturned the absentee expansion last month , restoring the excuse-based absentee voting system and citing the state ’ s promise - made for the first time in front of the high court - that people can vote by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their care face a higher risk of COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions .
Republican Secretary of State Tre Hargett ’ s office declined to comment on Wednesday ’ s ruling , citing the pending litigation .
Under the order , Hargett ’ s office has to publicize the change , including on his office ’ s website .
Richardson , a Trump appointee , had already ruled against two other requests from plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit : To change the state ’ s signature-matching requirement for absentee voting and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for distribution of certain absentee voting forms by anyone but election officials .
The plaintiffs are having a second try at getting the absentee form penalties blocked after disagreement over which of two similar laws was actually in question .
One of the groups that led the lawsuit , the Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law , said the “ court recognized that forcing voters to choose between voting and their health violates the Constitution ” with the first-time voter ruling .
“ This decision means that first-time voters in Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there are tens of thousands of them , many of whom are young – can vote in November by mail , without risking their health , ” said Kristen Clarke , the committee ’ s president and executive director .
In terms of the first-time voting requirement , the state has argued it aligns with federal law that addresses how first-time voters who register to vote by mail must provide identification .
Richardson , in turn , wrote that the state “ offered nothing to show that Congress required or even intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” with two federal voting laws the state cited .
The intent of Congress , Richardson wrote , was “ that first-time , mail-registered voters generally provide identification the first time they vote in the state of registration.
” Absentee ballot applications are already being accepted in Tennessee for the Nov. 3 election .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A federal judge on Wednesday blocked a Tennessee law for the November election that bars first-time voters from casting ballots by mail unless they show identification at an election office beforehand.
U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson in Nashville ordered the preliminary injunction in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, assuring that he did so without concern “about how his decisions could aid one side or the other on the political front.”
The judge wrote that the state argued for its law, which plaintiffs say affected an estimated 128,000 newly registered voters last election cycle, through “a non-existent” congressional requirement and congressional intent. Tennessee has about 4.1 million registered voters.
“The Court concludes that the requested injunction would favorably impact the public interest because as discussed above, it would serve to prevent what, based on the current record, likely would be a violation of the First Amendment right to vote enjoyed by the American citizenry,” Richardson wrote.
The ruling deals another twist in court for Tennessee’s vote-by-mail laws during a pandemic.
A state court judge in June ordered that all eligible voters should have an absentee voting option during the health crisis, and that ruling was carried out during the Aug. 6 primary. However, the state kept enforcing the first-time voter requirement, which the state judge said the plaintiffs failed to bring up before her ruling.
Then the state Supreme Court overturned the absentee expansion last month, restoring the excuse-based absentee voting system and citing the state’s promise - made for the first time in front of the high court - that people can vote by mail if they believe they or someone in their care face a higher risk of COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions.
Republican Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office declined to comment on Wednesday’s ruling, citing the pending litigation. Under the order, Hargett’s office has to publicize the change, including on his office’s website.
Richardson, a Trump appointee, had already ruled against two other requests from plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit: To change the state’s signature-matching requirement for absentee voting and to block a law that includes criminal penalties for distribution of certain absentee voting forms by anyone but election officials. The plaintiffs are having a second try at getting the absentee form penalties blocked after disagreement over which of two similar laws was actually in question.
One of the groups that led the lawsuit, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said the “court recognized that forcing voters to choose between voting and their health violates the Constitution” with the first-time voter ruling.
“This decision means that first-time voters in Tennessee who registered by mail or online – and there are tens of thousands of them, many of whom are young – can vote in November by mail, without risking their health,” said Kristen Clarke, the committee’s president and executive director.
In terms of the first-time voting requirement, the state has argued it aligns with federal law that addresses how first-time voters who register to vote by mail must provide identification.
Richardson, in turn, wrote that the state “offered nothing to show that Congress required or even intended that states impose a first-time voter restriction” with two federal voting laws the state cited. The intent of Congress, Richardson wrote, was “that first-time, mail-registered voters generally provide identification the first time they vote in the state of registration.”
Absentee ballot applications are already being accepted in Tennessee for the Nov. 3 election.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--Nevada school board settles lawsuit with ex-superintendent

RENO , Nev. ( AP ) - The Washoe County School Board has agreed to pay a former superintendent up to $ 70,000 for a year of payment into her state retirement after she was fired .
The board voted 5-1 to settle with ousted Superintendent Traci Davis after she filed a wrongful termination lawsuit claiming she was entitled to a year ’ s salary plus damages following her firing .
Trustee Andrew Caudill was the only one to vote against the settlement , arguing that “ Miss Davis committed a treasonous act against the district.
” Under the agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disparage the other in remarks and must release a joint statement .
“ I did not want the district to have to make any settlement , but I also know I don ’ t want this to keep going on for a year , ” Trustee Katy Simon Holland said .
Davis was fired in July 2019 after being accused of leaking confidential information about a workplace investigation .
The case was set to go to trial in October .
Davis maintained she was fired without cause .
Attorney Rob Dotson was hired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said the trial could cost the district more than $ 130,000 in legal fees .
The Reno Gazette Journal reported that it would file a public records request on Wednesday to determine how much the district has spent to date to defend itself .

RENO, Nev. (AP) - The Washoe County School Board has agreed to pay a former superintendent up to $70,000 for a year of payment into her state retirement after she was fired.
The board voted 5-1 to settle with ousted Superintendent Traci Davis after she filed a wrongful termination lawsuit claiming she was entitled to a year’s salary plus damages following her firing.
Trustee Andrew Caudill was the only one to vote against the settlement, arguing that “Miss Davis committed a treasonous act against the district.”
Under the agreement, the district and Davis cannot disparage the other in remarks and must release a joint statement.
“I did not want the district to have to make any settlement, but I also know I don’t want this to keep going on for a year,” Trustee Katy Simon Holland said.
Davis was fired in July 2019 after being accused of leaking confidential information about a workplace investigation. The case was set to go to trial in October. Davis maintained she was fired without cause.
Attorney Rob Dotson was hired to represent the district against the lawsuit and said the trial could cost the district more than $130,000 in legal fees.
The Reno Gazette Journal reported that it would file a public records request on Wednesday to determine how much the district has spent to date to defend itself.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--Recall against Vegas councilwoman fails to gather signatures

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - A recall effort launched against a Las Vegas city councilwoman after she was accused of making racially divisive comments at a Republican convention has failed .
A group called “ Expel Michele ” filed a notice that it intended to circulate a recall petition in June against Councilwoman Michele Fiore but the group failed to collect and submit more than 1,900 signatures due Wednesday , t he Las Vegas Review-Journal reported .
Molly Taylor , the group ’ s founder said the coronavirus made it difficult to hire people to collect signatures .
Fiore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor pro tem but said it wasn ’ t because of the allegations .
Fiore , who is white , declined to describe what she said at the convention , which took place amid nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice .
The Clark County Republican Party condemned what it called “ racially charged ” and “ irresponsible ” comments from Fiore .
The party ’ s chief of staff said attendees described the councilwoman making comments supportive of law enforcement and using an expletive while criticizing affirmative action as she described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job to a black person .
Recall organizers also cited Fiore ’ s effort to convert a historic hay barn at a park into an event center as a reason for the recall .
Fiore ’ s office released a statement Wednesday describing the recall group as “ partisan antagonizers ” whose “ baseless claims against her fall deaf upon the ears of the voters.
” Under the recall process , Fiore was allowed to contact voters who signed the petition and ask them to remove their name .
Her office says her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who signed but did not release details on how many signatures were removed .

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A recall effort launched against a Las Vegas city councilwoman after she was accused of making racially divisive comments at a Republican convention has failed.
A group called “Expel Michele” filed a notice that it intended to circulate a recall petition in June against Councilwoman Michele Fiore but the group failed to collect and submit more than 1,900 signatures due Wednesday, t he Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
Molly Taylor, the group’s founder said the coronavirus made it difficult to hire people to collect signatures.
Fiore has stepped down from her role as mayor pro tem but said it wasn’t because of the allegations. Fiore, who is white, declined to describe what she said at the convention, which took place amid nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice.
The Clark County Republican Party condemned what it called “racially charged” and “irresponsible” comments from Fiore. The party’s chief of staff said attendees described the councilwoman making comments supportive of law enforcement and using an expletive while criticizing affirmative action as she described a scenario in which she lost a job to a black person.
Recall organizers also cited Fiore’s effort to convert a historic hay barn at a park into an event center as a reason for the recall.
Fiore’s office released a statement Wednesday describing the recall group as “partisan antagonizers” whose “baseless claims against her fall deaf upon the ears of the voters.”
Under the recall process, Fiore was allowed to contact voters who signed the petition and ask them to remove their name. Her office says her campaign team did reach out to those who signed but did not release details on how many signatures were removed.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--Forecast calls for Hawaii tax revenue to drop 11%

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Hawaii tax revenue - severely depleted because of the coronavirus pandemic - will likely decline 11 % this fiscal year if tourists begin to return to the islands by mid-November , an advisory panel for the governor and lawmakers said Wednesday .
The estimate from the Council on Revenues assumes a 14-day quarantine requirement for travelers will be lifted in time for the Thanksgiving and year-end holidays .
Instead , travelers could be required to take a COVID-19 test before boarding flights to the islands .
Carl Bonham , a University of Hawaii economics professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s predicting about 1.8 million tourists will come to the islands this fiscal year , which runs July 1 to June 30 , 2021 .
That ’ s sharply lower than the 10 million travelers a year before the pandemic .
Travel dropped to near-zero when Hawaii imposed the 14-day quarantine rule in late March .
The state planned to eliminate the quarantine and institute a pretravel testing program in August , but it ’ s repeatedly delayed the change , blaming a surge in community spread of the virus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ islands and other states .
The council ’ s revenue forecast was a slight improvement over its previous prediction of a revenue decline of 12 % .
The estimate would have been worse if the state hadn ’ t shifted its income tax filing deadline from April to July because of the pandemic .
The new deadline moved some $ 300 million in income tax payments from last fiscal year into the current year .
Income tax collections have been relatively strong , partly because of generous unemployment insurance benefits provided by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and loans given to help small businesses keep employees on their payrolls .
The council predicted revenue will rebound 8.5 % next fiscal year , which is lower than the 12 % increase it predicted in May .
Council member Kristi Maynard said one reason for the smaller gain was the state only having one income tax collection bump , in contrast to the unusual situation this fiscal year .
Council vice chairwoman Marilyn Niwao said she expected growth to be held back next year because the state ’ s economy is unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief funding .
She ’ s also heard predictions that airlines and hotels don ’ t expect tourism to recover until 2023 .
Hawaii law requires policymakers to consider the council ’ s estimates when drafting state budgets and doling out funds .
Its seven members are appointed by the governor , House speaker and Senate president .

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii tax revenue - severely depleted because of the coronavirus pandemic - will likely decline 11% this fiscal year if tourists begin to return to the islands by mid-November, an advisory panel for the governor and lawmakers said Wednesday.
The estimate from the Council on Revenues assumes a 14-day quarantine requirement for travelers will be lifted in time for the Thanksgiving and year-end holidays. Instead, travelers could be required to take a COVID-19 test before boarding flights to the islands.
Carl Bonham, a University of Hawaii economics professor who sits on the council, said he’s predicting about 1.8 million tourists will come to the islands this fiscal year, which runs July 1 to June 30, 2021. That’s sharply lower than the 10 million travelers a year before the pandemic.
Travel dropped to near-zero when Hawaii imposed the 14-day quarantine rule in late March.
The state planned to eliminate the quarantine and institute a pretravel testing program in August, but it’s repeatedly delayed the change, blaming a surge in community spread of the virus and a shortage of COVID-19 tests in the islands and other states.
The council’s revenue forecast was a slight improvement over its previous prediction of a revenue decline of 12%.
The estimate would have been worse if the state hadn’t shifted its income tax filing deadline from April to July because of the pandemic. The new deadline moved some $300 million in income tax payments from last fiscal year into the current year.
Income tax collections have been relatively strong, partly because of generous unemployment insurance benefits provided by the federal government through the end of July and loans given to help small businesses keep employees on their payrolls.
The council predicted revenue will rebound 8.5% next fiscal year, which is lower than the 12% increase it predicted in May.
Council member Kristi Maynard said one reason for the smaller gain was the state only having one income tax collection bump, in contrast to the unusual situation this fiscal year.
Council vice chairwoman Marilyn Niwao said she expected growth to be held back next year because the state’s economy is unlikely to have a boost from federal coronavirus relief funding. She’s also heard predictions that airlines and hotels don’t expect tourism to recover until 2023.
Hawaii law requires policymakers to consider the council’s estimates when drafting state budgets and doling out funds. Its seven members are appointed by the governor, House speaker and Senate president.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--Houston easing attendance limits at some live events, sports

HOUSTON ( AP ) - Houston officials on Wednesday announced new rules that would allow some live events like concerts and attendance by fans at some sporting events to resume as the positivity rate for the coronavirus in the city continued to drop .
Events will be limited to small audiences of up to 25 % of a venue ’ s capacity .
People will have to wear masks , practice social distancing , have their temperatures checked and answer a health questionnaire after entering a venue .
Mayor Sylvester Turner said such events could expand as the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to drop to 5 % .
The city ’ s positivity rate has steadily dropped in recent weeks and was at 7 % as of Wednesday .
The city ’ s positivity rate got as high asreache 26 % in July .
The downward positivity rate trend is statewide as the rolling , seven-day average reached 8 % Tuesday , the most recent day for which the average is available .
That ’ s down from 16 % on Aug. 22 and a peak of 25 % on Aug. 11 , the Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Even though we have a desire to re-socialize , so does the virus , ” Turner said .
“ We would rather be cautious rather than aggressive.
” Some of the events the city has already approved include a drive-in tailgate party the Houston Texans plan to hold on Thursday .
Up to 100 cars and 400 people will be allowed at the party in the NRG Stadium parking lot as the Texans open their season in Kansas City .
Also , the Houston Symphony will host a series of concerts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its 3,000-seat hall .
Fan attendance at games by the Houston Dynamo and Dash , the city ’ s professional soccer teams , also received city approval .
Some events like parades , festivals and fun runs are on hold for the rest of the year because officials say they would attract uncontrollable crowds .
“ There would literally have to be a very major , major change , major change , like a vaccine - a credible one , let me add that - before that could happen , ” Turner said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Statewide , Texas health officials said 4,285 new cases of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 were reported Wednesday , bringing the total to 645,791 for the outbreak that ’ s been tracked since March .
The true number of cases in Texas is likely higher because many people haven ’ t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
Of those cases , state officials estimated 73,205 cases are currently active and 3,604 required hospitalization .
The 139 COVID-19 deaths reported Wednesday brought the Texas death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County , where Houston is located , has reported the most cases with 112,039 since March , with 2,363 of those cases proving fatal .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
Associated Press writer Terry Wallace in Dallas contributed to this report .

HOUSTON (AP) - Houston officials on Wednesday announced new rules that would allow some live events like concerts and attendance by fans at some sporting events to resume as the positivity rate for the coronavirus in the city continued to drop.
Events will be limited to small audiences of up to 25% of a venue’s capacity. People will have to wear masks, practice social distancing, have their temperatures checked and answer a health questionnaire after entering a venue.
Mayor Sylvester Turner said such events could expand as the city’s positivity rate for coronavirus infections continues to drop to 5%. The city’s positivity rate has steadily dropped in recent weeks and was at 7% as of Wednesday. The city’s positivity rate got as high asreache 26% in July.
The downward positivity rate trend is statewide as the rolling, seven-day average reached 8% Tuesday, the most recent day for which the average is available. That’s down from 16% on Aug. 22 and a peak of 25% on Aug. 11, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported Wednesday.
“Even though we have a desire to re-socialize, so does the virus,” Turner said. “We would rather be cautious rather than aggressive.”
Some of the events the city has already approved include a drive-in tailgate party the Houston Texans plan to hold on Thursday. Up to 100 cars and 400 people will be allowed at the party in the NRG Stadium parking lot as the Texans open their season in Kansas City. Also, the Houston Symphony will host a series of concerts, allowing up to 150 guests at its 3,000-seat hall.
Fan attendance at games by the Houston Dynamo and Dash, the city’s professional soccer teams, also received city approval.
Some events like parades, festivals and fun runs are on hold for the rest of the year because officials say they would attract uncontrollable crowds.
“There would literally have to be a very major, major change, major change, like a vaccine - a credible one, let me add that - before that could happen,” Turner said for events like parades to resume.
Statewide, Texas health officials said 4,285 new cases of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 were reported Wednesday, bringing the total to 645,791 for the outbreak that’s been tracked since March. The true number of cases in Texas is likely higher because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
Of those cases, state officials estimated 73,205 cases are currently active and 3,604 required hospitalization. The 139 COVID-19 deaths reported Wednesday brought the Texas death toll for the outbreak to 13,692. Harris County, where Houston is located, has reported the most cases with 112,039 since March, with 2,363 of those cases proving fatal.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
___
Associated Press writer Terry Wallace in Dallas contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-09-09--Ohio man charged with pepper-spraying police during protest

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) - An Ohio man accused of pepper-spraying 11 police officers during a San Diego protest @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday to felony charges .
Denzel Draughn , 28 , entered pleas to 13 charges @ @ @ @ @ 11 years in jail if convicted , the San Diego County district attorney ’ s @ @ @ @ @ taking part in an Aug. 28 downtown protest against police brutality and the police shooting @ @ @ @ @ when officers stopped a driver who apparently was part of the protest and had been @ @ @ @ @ said .
Protesters confronted officers , and one officer used pepper spray , authorities said @ @ @ @ @ another protester and police , Draughn picked up an officer ’ s dropped cannister of @ @ @ @ @ it on a line of officers , hitting 11 officers and leaving one blinded for @ @ @ @ @ DA ’ s office said in a statement .

SAN DIEGO (AP) - An Ohio man accused of pepper-spraying 11 police officers during a San Diego protest last month pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony charges.
Denzel Draughn, 28, entered pleas to 13 charges and could face up to 11 years in jail if convicted, the San Diego County district attorney’s office said.
Draughn was taking part in an Aug. 28 downtown protest against police brutality and the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin when officers stopped a driver who apparently was part of the protest and had been running red lights, prosecutors said.
Protesters confronted officers, and one officer used pepper spray, authorities said.
During a fight between another protester and police, Draughn picked up an officer’s dropped cannister of pepper spray and twice used it on a line of officers, hitting 11 officers and leaving one blinded for about 40 minutes, the DA’s office said in a statement.