washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Report: Kingman aquifer to last longer, a century or more

KINGMAN , Ariz. ( AP ) - The U.S. Geological Survey has told Mohave County and the city of Kingman that the underground water supply will likely last longer than previously thought .
The agency said the Hualapai Valley Basin Aquifer hydrological model is expected to hold for another 100 years or more but still requires mitigation practices , the Kingman Daily Miner reported Tuesday .
The Arizona Department of Water Resources previously reported in December 2019 that there would be water supply problems by 2080 and that there is “ insufficient groundwater to provide a reasonably safe supply for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basin at the current and predicted rates of withdrawal.
” Now , officials have said that even in 2080 , the aquifer will be in acceptable shape .
Agency Supervisory Hydrologist Jamie Macy presented the model to the audience , county and city officials and Republican state Rep. Regina Cobb , and said it is the best available hydrologic tool to assess the groundwater conditions for most purposes and for all water users .
The difference between the current and older studies comes from working with different numbers , Macy said , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different crops .
The previous report worked on the assumption that water usage would be between 280,000 acre-feet and 340,000 acre-feet a year .
The USGS worked off the assumption that it was closer to 130,000 acre-feet a year .

KINGMAN, Ariz. (AP) - The U.S. Geological Survey has told Mohave County and the city of Kingman that the underground water supply will likely last longer than previously thought.
The agency said the Hualapai Valley Basin Aquifer hydrological model is expected to hold for another 100 years or more but still requires mitigation practices, the Kingman Daily Miner reported Tuesday.
The Arizona Department of Water Resources previously reported in December 2019 that there would be water supply problems by 2080 and that there is “insufficient groundwater to provide a reasonably safe supply for sustained irrigation of cultivated lands in the basin at the current and predicted rates of withdrawal.”
Now, officials have said that even in 2080, the aquifer will be in acceptable shape.
Agency Supervisory Hydrologist Jamie Macy presented the model to the audience, county and city officials and Republican state Rep. Regina Cobb, and said it is the best available hydrologic tool to assess the groundwater conditions for most purposes and for all water users.
The difference between the current and older studies comes from working with different numbers, Macy said, including different areas of maximum agricultural production and different crops.
The previous report worked on the assumption that water usage would be between 280,000 acre-feet and 340,000 acre-feet a year. The USGS worked off the assumption that it was closer to 130,000 acre-feet a year.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Snap, WD-40 rise; Netflix, Casella fall

Snap, WD-40 rise; Netflix, Casella fall

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Stocks that moved heavily or traded substantially Wednesday : The streaming service ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the summer months and its forecast disappointed investors .
The company behind Snapchat beat Wall @ @ @ @ @ forecast and reported solid user growth .
The provider of garbage-disposal and recycling services is @ @ @ @ @ 2.4 million shares of stock .
Avangrid is buying the regional electric utility company for @ @ @ @ @ maker of office products beat Wall Street ’ s third-quarter financial forecasts and raised its @ @ @ @ @ scientific instrument and laboratory supplies handily beat analysts ’ third-quarter profit forecasts .
The auto @ @ @ @ @ blew past Wall Street forecasts on sales of new and used vehicles .

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks that moved heavily or traded substantially Wednesday:
Netflix, down $36.37 to $489.05
The streaming service’s subscriber growth slowed dramatically during the summer months and its forecast disappointed investors.
Snap, up $8.05 to $36.50
The company behind Snapchat beat Wall Street’s third-quarter earnings forecast and reported solid user growth.
Casella Waste Systems, down $3.10 to $57.00
The provider of garbage-disposal and recycling services is publicly offering just just under 2.4 million shares of stock.
PNM Resources, up $4.16 to $49.90
Avangrid is buying the regional electric utility company for $4.3 billion.
Avery Dennison, up $8.22 to $142.56
The maker of office products beat Wall Street’s third-quarter financial forecasts and raised its dividend.
Thermo Fisher Scientific, up $3.50 to $468.76
The maker of scientific instrument and laboratory supplies handily beat analysts’ third-quarter profit forecasts.
WD-40, up $37.11 to $234.61
The maintenance and cleaning product company beat Wall Street’s fiscal fourth-quarter profit forecasts.
AutoNation, up $1.21 to $64.24
The auto retailer’s third-quarter profits blew past Wall Street forecasts on sales of new and used vehicles.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Election expert: It's likely too late to request a mail-in ballot even if it's legal

David Becker , founder of the Center for Election Innovation & Research , is encouraging voters to vote in-person if possible and put extra thought into when and how you vote .
Mr. Becker , a former senior trial attorney in the U.S. Justice Department ’ s voting section between 1998 and 2005 , said mail-in voting is as secure as in-person voting but late-deciding voters need to get prepared .
“ I think if a voter is thinking of voting by mail and they haven ’ t requested a mail ballot , I would advise that it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this point even if it ’ s legally allowed , ” Mr. Becker said on a call with reporters on Wednesday .
“ Secondly , I ’ d advise if you have requested a mail ballot and it hasn ’ t arrived yet , you ’ re probably at the point where you should go to plan B and go vote in-person , preferably early if you can.
” Mr. Becker said mail-in voting will not be the best option for everyone and voters who choose to vote early and in-person may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Election Day .
“ There are many things that happen in mail voting that become the responsibility of the voter alone , where if you go in-person it becomes a shared responsibility between voters and election officials , ” Mr. Becker told reporters .
“ For instance , checking in , validating your identity , making sure you haven ’ t mismarked the ballot .
There are various protections in place that occur in a polling location that don ’ t occur with mail voting .
And if there is a problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not physically there when that problem is discovered and so you ’ re reliant upon election officials to give you adequate notice.
” Mr. Becker noted that voters should know that if they have already received a mail ballot but wish to vote in person , they can vote in-person .
The best way for voters to do so , he added , was to bring the mail ballot to a voting site and surrender it to election officials who will count it .
More than 41 million people have already voted as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States Election Project that is operated by University of Florida political science professor Michael P. McDonald .

David Becker, founder of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, is encouraging voters to vote in-person if possible and put extra thought into when and how you vote.
Mr. Becker, a former senior trial attorney in the U.S. Justice Department’s voting section between 1998 and 2005, said mail-in voting is as secure as in-person voting but late-deciding voters need to get prepared.
“I think if a voter is thinking of voting by mail and they haven’t requested a mail ballot, I would advise that it’s too late to request a mail ballot at this point even if it’s legally allowed,” Mr. Becker said on a call with reporters on Wednesday. “Secondly, I’d advise if you have requested a mail ballot and it hasn’t arrived yet, you’re probably at the point where you should go to plan B and go vote in-person, preferably early if you can.”
Mr. Becker said mail-in voting will not be the best option for everyone and voters who choose to vote early and in-person may help alleviate the burden of poll workers on Election Day.
“There are many things that happen in mail voting that become the responsibility of the voter alone, where if you go in-person it becomes a shared responsibility between voters and election officials,” Mr. Becker told reporters. “For instance, checking in, validating your identity, making sure you haven’t mismarked the ballot. There are various protections in place that occur in a polling location that don’t occur with mail voting. And if there is a problem with your mail ballot, you are not physically there when that problem is discovered and so you’re reliant upon election officials to give you adequate notice.”
Mr. Becker noted that voters should know that if they have already received a mail ballot but wish to vote in person, they can vote in-person. The best way for voters to do so, he added, was to bring the mail ballot to a voting site and surrender it to election officials who will count it.
More than 41 million people have already voted as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the United States Election Project that is operated by University of Florida political science professor Michael P. McDonald.
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Wisconsin records record-high virus deaths with 48

MADISON , Wis. ( AP ) - Wisconsin recorded its highest one-day total of new COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday and the first patient was admitted to a field hospital near Milwaukee that opened last week to help hospitals coping with the influx of patients .
The surge that began in early September showed no signs of slowing with 48 new deaths reported Wednesday and a whopping 43 % of those tested coming back as positive .
There have been 1,681 deaths to date from the coronavirus pandemic while nearly 183,000 people have tested positive , the Wisconsin Department of Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4,205 from the day before , although department spokeswoman Jennifer Miller said there was still some backlog in the reporting of positive cases following a data upgrade over the weekend .
The seven-day average of new confirmed cases also reached a new record high of 3,444 , which is nearly double what it was a month ago and nearly five times what it was two months ago .
The 724.2 new cases per 100,000 people in Wisconsin over the past two weeks ranks the state fourth highest in the country for new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Wisconsin also hit a record high on Tuesday , at 1,192 , according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association .
That dropped to 1,190 on Wednesday , with 299 in intensive care .
On Wednesday , the state reported its first patient to the field hospital on the state fairgrounds in West Allis outside of Milwaukee .
The state health department declined to reveal any details about the patient , citing privacy concerns .
“ We are thankful to have this facility available to Wisconsinites and our hospitals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin is at today , ” Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers said in a statement .
“ Folks , please stay home .
Help us protect our communities from this highly-contagious virus and avoid further strain on our hospitals.
” Also Wednesday , Public Health Madison and Dane County said it was moving in a “ crisis model ” for contact tracing because it could no longer efficiently follow up with everyone who had tested positive .
Other counties around the state have taken similar steps amid a surge in the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ second largest , said contact tracers may no longer be able to follow up with everyone who has been in contact with a person who tests positive .
The health department is asking people who test positive to notify their close contacts that they may have been exposed .

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin recorded its highest one-day total of new COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday and the first patient was admitted to a field hospital near Milwaukee that opened last week to help hospitals coping with the influx of patients.
The surge that began in early September showed no signs of slowing with 48 new deaths reported Wednesday and a whopping 43% of those tested coming back as positive.
There have been 1,681 deaths to date from the coronavirus pandemic while nearly 183,000 people have tested positive, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported. That is up by 4,205 from the day before, although department spokeswoman Jennifer Miller said there was still some backlog in the reporting of positive cases following a data upgrade over the weekend.
The seven-day average of new confirmed cases also reached a new record high of 3,444, which is nearly double what it was a month ago and nearly five times what it was two months ago. The 724.2 new cases per 100,000 people in Wisconsin over the past two weeks ranks the state fourth highest in the country for new cases per capita.
The number of people hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Wisconsin also hit a record high on Tuesday, at 1,192, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association. That dropped to 1,190 on Wednesday, with 299 in intensive care.
On Wednesday, the state reported its first patient to the field hospital on the state fairgrounds in West Allis outside of Milwaukee. The state health department declined to reveal any details about the patient, citing privacy concerns.
“We are thankful to have this facility available to Wisconsinites and our hospitals, but also saddened that this is where Wisconsin is at today,” Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement. “Folks, please stay home. Help us protect our communities from this highly-contagious virus and avoid further strain on our hospitals.”
Also Wednesday, Public Health Madison and Dane County said it was moving in a “crisis model” for contact tracing because it could no longer efficiently follow up with everyone who had tested positive. Other counties around the state have taken similar steps amid a surge in the virus.
Dane County, the state’s second largest, said contact tracers may no longer be able to follow up with everyone who has been in contact with a person who tests positive. The health department is asking people who test positive to notify their close contacts that they may have been exposed.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Rudy Giuliani-Maria Bakalova 'Borat' hotel bedroom scene details leak

NEW YORK — Rudy Giuliani is shown with his hand down his pants after flirting with an actress playing a young woman pretending to be a television journalist in a scene in Sacha Baron Cohen ’ s latest mockumentary , a sequel to his hit “ Borat ” film .
The scene shot in a New York hotel room in July - which resulted in Giuliani calling police - includes a moment when Giuliani is seen lying on a bed with his shirt untucked and his hand down his pants with the young woman nearby .
Giuliani went to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the Trump administration ’ s COVID-19 response .
The young woman is flirtatious with him and invites him to the bedroom , which is rigged with hidden cameras .
Giuliani then asks for her phone number and address .
He lies back on the bed and has his hands in his pants .
The hotel room scene ends when Baron Cohen , who was disguised as part of the crew , bursts into the room in an outlandish outfit screaming that the young woman is 15 years old .
Up to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is underage .
The character , Borat ’ s daughter , is played by actress Maria Bakalova , who is listed as 24 years old on the Internet Movie Database site , IMDb.com .
Giuliani had no immediate comment .
The former New York City mayor called police after that encounter , but there is no indication an investigation was launched .
Giuliani spoke to the New York Post ’ s Page Six column about the incident in July , but did not mention the bedroom aspect of the encounter .
New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baron Cohen ahead of the the film ’ s release , tweeted Wednesday about the scene : “ It ’ s even wilder than it sounds .
Beyond cringe.
” Trolling those close to President Donald Trump is a central theme of the new “ Borat ” film , a sequel to the 2006 mockumentary that saw Baron Cohen ’ s character travel the United States , espousing sexist , racist and anti-Semitic views , and eliciting similar responses from unwitting subjects .
For “ Borat Subsequent Moviefilm : Delivery of Prodigious Bribe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan , ” Baron Cohen returns as his alter-ego from Kazakhstan in a plot that involves trying to give his daughter as a gift to Vice President Mike Pence .
The closest Borat gets is the audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference , where he shouts to Pence that he ’ s brought a woman for him .
Dressed in a Donald Trump costume and with Borat ’ s daughter , played by Bakalova , slung over his shoulder , Baron Cohen is swiftly escorted out by security .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani that ends up in the hotel room scene .
Giuliani finalized his divorce from his wife of 15 years in December .
Baron Cohen has made a history of poking fun at conservative figures .
For his 2018 Showtime series “ Who Is America , ” the British comedian got former Vice President Dick Cheney to sign a waterboarding kit .
A sketch with former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore involved the comedian administering a “ pedophile test.
” Moore has sued over the encounter .

NEW YORK — Rudy Giuliani is shown with his hand down his pants after flirting with an actress playing a young woman pretending to be a television journalist in a scene in Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest mockumentary, a sequel to his hit “Borat” film.
The scene shot in a New York hotel room in July - which resulted in Giuliani calling police - includes a moment when Giuliani is seen lying on a bed with his shirt untucked and his hand down his pants with the young woman nearby.
Giuliani went to the hotel room thinking he was being interviewed about the Trump administration’s COVID-19 response. The young woman is flirtatious with him and invites him to the bedroom, which is rigged with hidden cameras.
Giuliani then asks for her phone number and address. He lies back on the bed and has his hands in his pants.
The hotel room scene ends when Baron Cohen, who was disguised as part of the crew, bursts into the room in an outlandish outfit screaming that the young woman is 15 years old. Up to that point, there is no indication she is underage. The character, Borat’s daughter, is played by actress Maria Bakalova, who is listed as 24 years old on the Internet Movie Database site, IMDb.com.
Giuliani had no immediate comment.
The former New York City mayor called police after that encounter, but there is no indication an investigation was launched. Giuliani spoke to the New York Post’s Page Six column about the incident in July, but did not mention the bedroom aspect of the encounter.
New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, who profiled Baron Cohen ahead of the the film’s release, tweeted Wednesday about the scene: “It’s even wilder than it sounds. Beyond cringe.”
Trolling those close to President Donald Trump is a central theme of the new “Borat” film, a sequel to the 2006 mockumentary that saw Baron Cohen’s character travel the United States, espousing sexist, racist and anti-Semitic views, and eliciting similar responses from unwitting subjects.
For “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” Baron Cohen returns as his alter-ego from Kazakhstan in a plot that involves trying to give his daughter as a gift to Vice President Mike Pence.
The closest Borat gets is the audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he shouts to Pence that he’s brought a woman for him. Dressed in a Donald Trump costume and with Borat’s daughter, played by Bakalova, slung over his shoulder, Baron Cohen is swiftly escorted out by security.
That leads to a second scheme involving Giuliani that ends up in the hotel room scene.
Giuliani finalized his divorce from his wife of 15 years in December.
Baron Cohen has made a history of poking fun at conservative figures. For his 2018 Showtime series “Who Is America,” the British comedian got former Vice President Dick Cheney to sign a waterboarding kit. A sketch with former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore involved the comedian administering a “pedophile test.” Moore has sued over the encounter.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Former city employee sentenced to prison on drug charges

BOSTON ( AP ) - A man who sold drugs while he was employed by the city of Boston has @ @ @ @ @ in prison , federal prosecutors said Wednesday .
In addition to the prison sentence , @ @ @ @ @ was sentenced to two years of probation , the U.S. attorney ’ s office in @ @ @ @ @ .
Prosecutors had sought a sentence of two years and six months behind bars .
@ @ @ @ @ and October 2016 made four purchases of cocaine and one purchase of fentanyl from Webster @ @ @ @ @ director of constituent services for a Boston city councilor , authorities said .
In total @ @ @ @ @ 300 grams of cocaine and 49 grams of fentanyl to the cooperating witness .
Webster @ @ @ @ @ four counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine , and several other @ @ @ @ @ part of Operation Landshark , a federal investigation that targeted repeat offenders and others in @ @ @ @ @ of whom had prior drug , gun and violence convictions .

BOSTON (AP) - A man who sold drugs while he was employed by the city of Boston has been sentenced to eight months in prison, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
In addition to the prison sentence, Gary Webster, 36, was sentenced to two years of probation, the U.S. attorney’s office in Boston said in a statement. Prosecutors had sought a sentence of two years and six months behind bars.
A cooperating witness in September and October 2016 made four purchases of cocaine and one purchase of fentanyl from Webster, who was then the director of constituent services for a Boston city councilor, authorities said.
In total, Webster sold more than 300 grams of cocaine and 49 grams of fentanyl to the cooperating witness.
Webster pleaded guilty last November to four counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, and several other charges.
This case was part of Operation Landshark, a federal investigation that targeted repeat offenders and others in Brockton and Boston, many of whom had prior drug, gun and violence convictions.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Ohio sets new record for virus cases, total hospitalizations

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) - Virus cases in Ohio hit a new record again Wednesday as the state grapples with a concerning uptick in virus-related hospitalizations and deaths , a day after its largest school district announced it would stick to remote learning until mid-January .
Daily reported cases of COVID-19 reached 2,366 , surpassing the previous record of cases set Saturday by more than 130 , according to the Ohio Department of Health .
While the number of daily hospitalizations saw a slight decrease , with 135 , state data shows more than 1,250 Ohioans are currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in ICUs and 164 on ventilators .
The state had begun to see a significant decrease in daily cases up until the last two weeks when the cases increased by 67 % .
More than 5,100 Ohioans have reportedly died from virus-related complications , making the state ’ s death toll the 13th highest in the country overall , according to the COVID Tracking Project .
Gov .
Mike DeWine urged Ohioans to help curb the spread of the infection Tuesday by pleading with people to continue to wear masks so cases can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the classroom .
“ It concerns me that so many kids are going to school remotely .
Some of our poorest children don ’ t always thrive in those types of learning environments , ” DeWine said .
“ We owe it to these kids to fight back against this virus and reduce community spread .
”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Virus cases in Ohio hit a new record again Wednesday as the state grapples with a concerning uptick in virus-related hospitalizations and deaths, a day after its largest school district announced it would stick to remote learning until mid-January.
Daily reported cases of COVID-19 reached 2,366, surpassing the previous record of cases set Saturday by more than 130, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
While the number of daily hospitalizations saw a slight decrease, with 135, state data shows more than 1,250 Ohioans are currently hospitalized with the virus, including 345 in ICUs and 164 on ventilators.
The state had begun to see a significant decrease in daily cases up until the last two weeks when the cases increased by 67%. More than 5,100 Ohioans have reportedly died from virus-related complications, making the state’s death toll the 13th highest in the country overall, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
Gov. Mike DeWine urged Ohioans to help curb the spread of the infection Tuesday by pleading with people to continue to wear masks so cases can drop and students can get back in the classroom.
“It concerns me that so many kids are going to school remotely. Some of our poorest children don’t always thrive in those types of learning environments,” DeWine said. “We owe it to these kids to fight back against this virus and reduce community spread.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--AG wants reimbursements for poor response to power outage

HARTFORD , Conn. ( AP ) - Connecticut ’ s attorney general asked regulators Wednesday to order reimbursements for utility customers who lost food and medicine during August ’ s dayslong power outage in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias .
Attorney General William Tong spoke as the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority opened several days of hearings as it investigates how electric utilities Eversource and United Illuminating responded to the storm , which left hundreds of thousands of state residents in the dark , many for over a week .
“ Families were already struggling to pay for groceries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their food and prescriptions spoil .
Many lost water , creating unsanitary conditions and I think all of us can thank God that this did not happen in winter.
” Municipal officials criticized Eversource for failing to send crews to many affected cities and towns for days .
They said the power company did not answer or return calls needed to coordinate the restoration effort with local crews trying to clear roads and remove downed trees , most of which were entangled in power lines .
“ This is worse than irresponsible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Stamford Mayor David Martin , a Democrat .
“ Eversource made deliberate decisions that jeopardized the life-safety of Stamford residents.
” Only a handful of members of the public spoke during the Zoom call , including Barbara Geddis Wooten , of Wilton , who said her family was trapped without power and therefore a well pump for over a week , while their street was blocked by fallen trees .
“ We had no water for drinking .
We had no water for bathing .
We had no water for cooking , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to force Eversource to give customers three free months of electricity , reimburse them for lost food and revoke recent rate hikes .
Earlier this month , Gov .
Ned Lamont signed legislation designed to ensure that the power companies ’ earnings and profits are tied to good performance .
It also allows for customers to be reimbursed for spoiled food amid extensive service disruptions .
But Tong said that law likely can ’ t be applied retroactively .
Eversource CEO Jim Judge told state legislators in August that the the company was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eversource has made numerous improvements over the years that have resulted in improved service and reliability .
Company spokesperson Mitch Gross , said Wednesday that Eversource understands the hardships its customers endured during Isaias and welcomes the feedback .
“ Every major storm poses unique challenges for our customers and provides us with the invaluable opportunity to examine our emergency response processes and procedures , ” he said .
The public will be given another chance to speak when the hearing resumes Thursday morning .
Marissa Gillett , PURA ’ s chair , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testimony and have already heard from nearly 1,000 utility customers .

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut’s attorney general asked regulators Wednesday to order reimbursements for utility customers who lost food and medicine during August’s dayslong power outage in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias.
Attorney General William Tong spoke as the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority opened several days of hearings as it investigates how electric utilities Eversource and United Illuminating responded to the storm, which left hundreds of thousands of state residents in the dark, many for over a week.
“Families were already struggling to pay for groceries,” Tong said. “They watched their food and prescriptions spoil. Many lost water, creating unsanitary conditions and I think all of us can thank God that this did not happen in winter.”
Municipal officials criticized Eversource for failing to send crews to many affected cities and towns for days. They said the power company did not answer or return calls needed to coordinate the restoration effort with local crews trying to clear roads and remove downed trees, most of which were entangled in power lines.
“This is worse than irresponsible, this is worse than negligent,” said Stamford Mayor David Martin, a Democrat. “Eversource made deliberate decisions that jeopardized the life-safety of Stamford residents.”
Only a handful of members of the public spoke during the Zoom call, including Barbara Geddis Wooten, of Wilton, who said her family was trapped without power and therefore a well pump for over a week, while their street was blocked by fallen trees.
“We had no water for drinking. We had no water for bathing. We had no water for cooking,” she said.
She asked PURA to force Eversource to give customers three free months of electricity, reimburse them for lost food and revoke recent rate hikes.
Earlier this month, Gov. Ned Lamont signed legislation designed to ensure that the power companies’ earnings and profits are tied to good performance. It also allows for customers to be reimbursed for spoiled food amid extensive service disruptions. But Tong said that law likely can’t be applied retroactively.
Eversource CEO Jim Judge told state legislators in August that the the company was well-prepared for the storm. He said Eversource has made numerous improvements over the years that have resulted in improved service and reliability.
Company spokesperson Mitch Gross, said Wednesday that Eversource understands the hardships its customers endured during Isaias and welcomes the feedback.
“Every major storm poses unique challenges for our customers and provides us with the invaluable opportunity to examine our emergency response processes and procedures,” he said.
The public will be given another chance to speak when the hearing resumes Thursday morning. Marissa Gillett, PURA’s chair, said the regulators also are taking written testimony and have already heard from nearly 1,000 utility customers.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Honda, Arizona reach $5 million settlement over air bags

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Honda has agreed to a $ 5 million settlement with Arizona over allegations that it failed to disclose defects in air bags that led to two deaths there , the state ’ s top attorney said Wednesday .
Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced the settlement over the faulty airbag systems manufactured by Takata Corp. and used in certain Honda and Acura cars .
Under the agreement , roughly $ 1.7 million will go toward consumer restitution in Arizona .
Another $ 2.1 million will pay for a gift card program incentivizing owners to get their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 40,000 of these dangerous airbags are still on the roads in Arizona , and we are pleading with the owners to get their vehicles repaired immediately , ” Brnovich said in a statement .
Arizona had declined to be part of a joint $ 85 million settlement with multiple states awarded in August .
That settlement only made payments to the states but nothing for customer restitution , Brnovich ’ s office said .
Like with the multi-state settlement , Honda said it was not acknowledging any wrongdoing by agreeing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It asserts the now-bankrupt Takata deceived several automakers about the safety of its airbags .
Takata pleaded guilty in 2017 to federal criminal fraud charges .
“ The company has thus far replaced more than 16 million defective Takata airbag inflators in its vehicles and made more than 294 million individual attempts to contact owners and urge them to have their recalled Takata airbag inflators replaced , ” Honda said in a statement .
Takata used volatile ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposed to moisture in the air .
The explosion can blow apart a metal canister and hurl shrapnel into the passenger compartment .
The Arizona settlement comes after an Aug. 20 crash involving a 2002 Honda Civic in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa left one person dead .
Earlier this month , Honda said its team had inspected the Civic along with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration .
Investigators determined that the inflator in the driver ’ s side and passenger air bags had ruptured .
Honda said the Civic was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s side inflator and in November 2014 for the passenger side .
According to the automaker , it mailed more than 15 notices to the owners over eight years , but the free repairs were never done .
The company said it also made numerous phone calls and even visited the current registered owner ’ s home and left recall information .
The driver who was killed was not the registered owner of the car , Honda said .
Globally , the inflators have killed at least 26 people and injured more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s products touched off the largest string of automotive recalls in U.S. history with around 50 million inflators recalled .
About 100 million are being recalled worldwide .

PHOENIX (AP) - Honda has agreed to a $5 million settlement with Arizona over allegations that it failed to disclose defects in air bags that led to two deaths there, the state’s top attorney said Wednesday.
Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced the settlement over the faulty airbag systems manufactured by Takata Corp. and used in certain Honda and Acura cars. Under the agreement, roughly $1.7 million will go toward consumer restitution in Arizona. Another $2.1 million will pay for a gift card program incentivizing owners to get their air bags replaced.
“We estimate more than 40,000 of these dangerous airbags are still on the roads in Arizona, and we are pleading with the owners to get their vehicles repaired immediately,” Brnovich said in a statement.
Arizona had declined to be part of a joint $85 million settlement with multiple states awarded in August. That settlement only made payments to the states but nothing for customer restitution, Brnovich’s office said.
Like with the multi-state settlement, Honda said it was not acknowledging any wrongdoing by agreeing to the terms in the Arizona case. It asserts the now-bankrupt Takata deceived several automakers about the safety of its airbags. Takata pleaded guilty in 2017 to federal criminal fraud charges.
“The company has thus far replaced more than 16 million defective Takata airbag inflators in its vehicles and made more than 294 million individual attempts to contact owners and urge them to have their recalled Takata airbag inflators replaced,” Honda said in a statement.
Takata used volatile ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash. But the chemical can deteriorate over time when exposed to moisture in the air. The explosion can blow apart a metal canister and hurl shrapnel into the passenger compartment.
The Arizona settlement comes after an Aug. 20 crash involving a 2002 Honda Civic in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa left one person dead. Earlier this month, Honda said its team had inspected the Civic along with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Investigators determined that the inflator in the driver’s side and passenger air bags had ruptured.
Honda said the Civic was recalled in December 2011 for the driver’s side inflator and in November 2014 for the passenger side. According to the automaker, it mailed more than 15 notices to the owners over eight years, but the free repairs were never done. The company said it also made numerous phone calls and even visited the current registered owner’s home and left recall information.
The driver who was killed was not the registered owner of the car, Honda said.
Globally, the inflators have killed at least 26 people and injured more than 300. Problems with Takata’s products touched off the largest string of automotive recalls in U.S. history with around 50 million inflators recalled. About 100 million are being recalled worldwide.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Oakland approves contentious rules on homeless encampments

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) - City officials in Oakland , growing weary of a ballooning homeless population , approved a contentious new policy that will prohibit homeless people from setting up tents in parks or near homes , businesses , schools and some churches .
The Oakland City Council unanimously approved the measure Tuesday after more than 100 community members spoke mostly against the rules that also allow homeless encampments in certain areas of the city as long as they follow safety and sanitation rules .
Mayor Libby Schaaf said the policy , which will start being enforced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citywide rules on homeless encampments .
She called it “ a compassionate response to an unacceptable condition.
” “ I ’ m grateful to the City Council who voted unanimously for a new encampment policy that will help us improve the well-being of all our residents , housed and unhoused , ” she said in a statement .
“ Ending homelessness is a moral imperative.
” The homeless population has jumped by 63 % since 2017 in Oakland , where the median house sales price is about $ 750,000 .
There are about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living in at least 140 encampments of tents and RVs .
“ The problem has outgrown the City ’ s current policy environment , ” Joe DeVries , director of Interdepartmental Operations , said in a report .
Under the new rules , homeless people won ’ t be allowed to set up camp within 150 feet of a middle school , preschool or child care center , or within 100 feet of high schools , or within 50 feet from homes , businesses , public parks and places of worship , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Homeless encampments can be in a “ high-sensitivity ” area as long as they are managed by non-profit or faith-based organizations , according to the new rules .
The city defines such areas as places where an encampment can impact the health and safety of both homeless and housed populations .
They will be allowed to set up tents in “ low-sensitivity ” areas .
But they will be limited to one side of the street , and won ’ t be allowed to block sidewalks or bike lanes , store flammable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a 12-by-12-foot area per person .
Camps in the permitted areas that break the rules and are set for closure will be given a 72-hour notice and residents will be offered temporary shelter .
No one will be cited or arrested for camping in public spaces .
“ This isn ’ t to criminalize folks .
This is to say if you ’ re going to live here , let ’ s establish some basic standards to protect your own safety , ” Homelessness Administrator Daryel Dunston said during the virtual council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Critics of the rules said it will push the homeless population away from the city and into desolate industrial areas near the Oakland Airport and the Oakland Port where they will be cut off from public transportation and will be far away from the few resources they can access .
“ What this policy tries to do is actually make the homeless population invisible to give a cosmetic effect that homelessness has been solved , ” said Needa Bee , a homeless mother of two who was evicted from her home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her children in a camper .
Bee is the founder of a grassroots collective called The Village , which administers roughly 40 Oakland homeless encampments .
She said the policy is an effort by city officials to prepare for a wave of homelessness the city will see when the federal eviction moratorium ends by January 1 .
“ There is going to be a massive wave of evictions happening and when they do , these people will be made invisible instantly because they will be out of sight and out of mind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dunston said during Tuesday ’ s meeting that the city will work to double its outreach capacity and launch a second public works crew dedicated to clean trash from the encampments .
The city also will establish a database to track the status of each encampment , and develop a mobile app that outreach workers can use to report on camp conditions in real-time .
Oakland City Council members also added amendments to the policy to require city staff to identify land in all seven districts for sanctioned encampments , something Bee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago .
The new rules come as unsheltered communities mushroom throughout the San Francisco Bay Area with clusters of homeless people setting up tents along busy sidewalks , parks , under overpasses and in vacant lots .
In San Francisco , city officials launched emergency safe sleeping sites to respond to a ballooning homeless population , fencing off sites in public plazas or parking lots to allow homeless people to set up socially distant tents .
The sites , however , are intended only as a temporary solution during the pandemic .

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - City officials in Oakland, growing weary of a ballooning homeless population, approved a contentious new policy that will prohibit homeless people from setting up tents in parks or near homes, businesses, schools and some churches.
The Oakland City Council unanimously approved the measure Tuesday after more than 100 community members spoke mostly against the rules that also allow homeless encampments in certain areas of the city as long as they follow safety and sanitation rules.
Mayor Libby Schaaf said the policy, which will start being enforced in January, establishes Oakland’s first citywide rules on homeless encampments. She called it “a compassionate response to an unacceptable condition.”
“I’m grateful to the City Council who voted unanimously for a new encampment policy that will help us improve the well-being of all our residents, housed and unhoused,” she said in a statement. “Ending homelessness is a moral imperative.”
The homeless population has jumped by 63% since 2017 in Oakland, where the median house sales price is about $750,000. There are about 4,000 homeless people - many of them living in at least 140 encampments of tents and RVs.
“The problem has outgrown the City’s current policy environment,” Joe DeVries, director of Interdepartmental Operations, said in a report.
Under the new rules, homeless people won’t be allowed to set up camp within 150 feet of a middle school, preschool or child care center, or within 100 feet of high schools, or within 50 feet from homes, businesses, public parks and places of worship, or within 25 feet of a homeless shelter.
Homeless encampments can be in a “high-sensitivity” area as long as they are managed by non-profit or faith-based organizations, according to the new rules. The city defines such areas as places where an encampment can impact the health and safety of both homeless and housed populations.
They will be allowed to set up tents in “low-sensitivity” areas. But they will be limited to one side of the street, and won’t be allowed to block sidewalks or bike lanes, store flammable materials or tires or take up more than a 12-by-12-foot area per person.
Camps in the permitted areas that break the rules and are set for closure will be given a 72-hour notice and residents will be offered temporary shelter. No one will be cited or arrested for camping in public spaces.
“This isn’t to criminalize folks. This is to say if you’re going to live here, let’s establish some basic standards to protect your own safety,” Homelessness Administrator Daryel Dunston said during the virtual council meeting, the East Bay Times reported.
Critics of the rules said it will push the homeless population away from the city and into desolate industrial areas near the Oakland Airport and the Oakland Port where they will be cut off from public transportation and will be far away from the few resources they can access.
“What this policy tries to do is actually make the homeless population invisible to give a cosmetic effect that homelessness has been solved,” said Needa Bee, a homeless mother of two who was evicted from her home in Oakland two years ago and lives with her children in a camper.
Bee is the founder of a grassroots collective called The Village, which administers roughly 40 Oakland homeless encampments. She said the policy is an effort by city officials to prepare for a wave of homelessness the city will see when the federal eviction moratorium ends by January 1.
“There is going to be a massive wave of evictions happening and when they do, these people will be made invisible instantly because they will be out of sight and out of mind of the housed population,” Bee said.
Dunston said during Tuesday’s meeting that the city will work to double its outreach capacity and launch a second public works crew dedicated to clean trash from the encampments. The city also will establish a database to track the status of each encampment, and develop a mobile app that outreach workers can use to report on camp conditions in real-time.
Oakland City Council members also added amendments to the policy to require city staff to identify land in all seven districts for sanctioned encampments, something Bee said was promised by the city three years ago.
The new rules come as unsheltered communities mushroom throughout the San Francisco Bay Area with clusters of homeless people setting up tents along busy sidewalks, parks, under overpasses and in vacant lots.
In San Francisco, city officials launched emergency safe sleeping sites to respond to a ballooning homeless population, fencing off sites in public plazas or parking lots to allow homeless people to set up socially distant tents.
The sites, however, are intended only as a temporary solution during the pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Teófimo López win excites Honduran Americans amid pain

RIO RANCHO , N.M. ( AP ) - It would have been just another Saturday night until Faridd Sierra got a phone call from his brother : come over .
A fellow Honduran American is fighting for a unified boxing lightweight championship .
The 39-year-old from Dallas hadn ’ t heard of Brooklyn-born boxer Teófimo López until that phone call .
But by the 12th round of the fight between López and Ukrainian Vasiliy Lomachenko , Sierra and his brother were on their feet , cheering on the 23-year-old fighter to make history .
He did .
Across the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans took to social media to express pride , excitement , and emotion over the improbable victory by López over the best boxing technician in the world .
The son of Honduran immigrants walked into the ring to a Biggie Smalls hip hop sample with swagger and walked out with multiple championship belts .
Lopez ( 16-0 ) added the three titles held by Lomachenko ( 15-2 ) to the belt he won last year to become the undisputed 135-champion following a unanimous 12-round decision .
“ I had to dig deep , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win .
“ I ’ m thankful .
I ’ m grateful .
And each and every day I take that in … and now , it feels good.
” The victory came for Honduran Americans after years of watching Honduran and Central American migrants fleeing violence only to end up in detention centers in the U.S. and Mexico .
Images of migrant children in cages and hearing stories about migrant children being separated from family have only added to the anxieties and fears , according to Patricia Montes , a Honduran immigrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels sometimes people don ’ t even see us as human , ” Montes said .
“ But now we have a champion and it tells us we can do anything.
” Ceasar Avelar , a dairy factory worker who lives in Pomona , California , and whose mother is Honduran and father is from El Salvador , immediately texted relatives as soon as López won .
“ The dude looks like my brother , ” the 37-year-old Avelar said .
“ This is a jolt .
It ’ s kind of like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time , seeing ourselves for real.
” Avelar , an aspiring poet who is working with writer Matt Sedillo , said López inspired him to keep reaching for his dream .
“ This is a new beginning , man , ” he said .
Rudy Mondragón , a UCLA Chicana and Chicano Studies doctoral candidate who is studying boxing , said the sport has long served as a gateway for immigrants and marginalized communities in the U.S. Joe Louis served as an inspiration for African Americans during the 1930s and 1940s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oscar De La Hoya , and more recently , Andy Ruiz , sparked similar enthusiasm for Mexican Americans during their time , Mondragón said .
“ Like Johnny Tapia ( the former bantamweight champion from Albuquerque , New Mexico ) , Teófimo López is a disrupter , ” Mondragón said .
“ Except he ’ s breaking all the stereotypes about what Central American athletes , especially those from Honduras , can do .
He ’ s changing the status quo.
” Even the López social media hashtag , # TheTakeover , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. since it sends a message that there is a new population coming to fight for what they want , Mondragón said .
Only a handful of Central American athletes have generated such excitement as López in recent years .
San Francisco Giants shortstop Mauricio Dubón , who was born in Honduras , has a following and frequently pays homage to the land of his birth .
Former boxing champion Roberto Durán of Panama generated fans during a career that spanned into five decades .
And Salvadoran American boxer Carlos “ El @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Super Feather Title in 2003 , making his own history .
After the fight , López ’ s father said they intended to build boxing gyms in Honduras .
Sierra , who works at the substance abuse prevention nonprofit Youth180 , said he intends to share the López story with his students and believes it will also inspire them .
“ This didn ’ t hit me until I saw celebrities like Magic Johnson and Manny Pacquiao tweeting congratulations , ” Sierra said .
“ This is just the beginning.
” Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the AP ’ s Race and Ethnicity team .
Follow Contreras on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/russcontreras

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) - It would have been just another Saturday night until Faridd Sierra got a phone call from his brother: come over. A fellow Honduran American is fighting for a unified boxing lightweight championship.
The 39-year-old from Dallas hadn’t heard of Brooklyn-born boxer Teófimo López until that phone call.
But by the 12th round of the fight between López and Ukrainian Vasiliy Lomachenko, Sierra and his brother were on their feet, cheering on the 23-year-old fighter to make history. He did.
Across the U.S. and Central America, Hondurans and Honduran Americans took to social media to express pride, excitement, and emotion over the improbable victory by López over the best boxing technician in the world.
The son of Honduran immigrants walked into the ring to a Biggie Smalls hip hop sample with swagger and walked out with multiple championship belts. Lopez (16-0) added the three titles held by Lomachenko (15-2) to the belt he won last year to become the undisputed 135-champion following a unanimous 12-round decision.
“I had to dig deep, man,” López said after his win. “I’m thankful. I’m grateful. And each and every day I take that in … and now, it feels good.”
The victory came for Honduran Americans after years of watching Honduran and Central American migrants fleeing violence only to end up in detention centers in the U.S. and Mexico. Images of migrant children in cages and hearing stories about migrant children being separated from family have only added to the anxieties and fears, according to Patricia Montes, a Honduran immigrant activist living in Boston.
“It feels sometimes people don’t even see us as human,” Montes said. “But now we have a champion and it tells us we can do anything.”
Ceasar Avelar, a dairy factory worker who lives in Pomona, California, and whose mother is Honduran and father is from El Salvador, immediately texted relatives as soon as López won. “The dude looks like my brother,” the 37-year-old Avelar said. “This is a jolt. It’s kind of like looking in the mirror, and for the first time, seeing ourselves for real.”
Avelar, an aspiring poet who is working with writer Matt Sedillo, said López inspired him to keep reaching for his dream. “This is a new beginning, man,” he said.
Rudy Mondragón, a UCLA Chicana and Chicano Studies doctoral candidate who is studying boxing, said the sport has long served as a gateway for immigrants and marginalized communities in the U.S.
Joe Louis served as an inspiration for African Americans during the 1930s and 1940s. Mexican American fighters Raul Rojas, Oscar De La Hoya, and more recently, Andy Ruiz, sparked similar enthusiasm for Mexican Americans during their time, Mondragón said.
“Like Johnny Tapia (the former bantamweight champion from Albuquerque, New Mexico), Teófimo López is a disrupter,” Mondragón said. “Except he’s breaking all the stereotypes about what Central American athletes, especially those from Honduras, can do. He’s changing the status quo.”
Even the López social media hashtag, #TheTakeover, is a source of Central American pride in the U.S. since it sends a message that there is a new population coming to fight for what they want, Mondragón said.
Only a handful of Central American athletes have generated such excitement as López in recent years. San Francisco Giants shortstop Mauricio Dubón, who was born in Honduras, has a following and frequently pays homage to the land of his birth. Former boxing champion Roberto Durán of Panama generated fans during a career that spanned into five decades. And Salvadoran American boxer Carlos “El Famoso” Hernández won the IBF World Super Feather Title in 2003, making his own history.
After the fight, López’s father said they intended to build boxing gyms in Honduras.
Sierra, who works at the substance abuse prevention nonprofit Youth180, said he intends to share the López story with his students and believes it will also inspire them. “This didn’t hit me until I saw celebrities like Magic Johnson and Manny Pacquiao tweeting congratulations,” Sierra said. “This is just the beginning.”
___
Associated Press Writer Russell Contreras is a member of the AP’s Race and Ethnicity team. Follow Contreras on Twitter at http://twitter.com/russcontreras


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Donald Trump, Henry Kissinger clash on China

The Pentagon ’ s Defense Policy Board , an influential advisory panel of former officials , is dominated by experts who do not reflect the hard-line policies toward China put into place under President Trump , according to analysts .
Chief among those on the board with views that clash with Mr. Trump is former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger , architect of the conciliatory U.S. policies that argued in favor of unfettered economic and diplomatic engagement with the communist regime .
The Kissinger policy has been rejected by the Trump administration , which regards China as the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Kissinger , 97 , did not take part in two recent meetings of the policy board , but his influence is said to remain strong among Pentagon leaders and others in the Trump administration .
William C. Triplett II , former chief Republican counsel for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , said at least two-thirds of the board ’ s members should support the vision of the administration in power , with one-third reflecting from previous administrations .
“ But the one-third should be distinguished persons who are not known for high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ The present composition of the board does not appear to meet that standard , ” he said .
“ For example , certainly Dr. Kissinger is entitled to his opinions on China , but they are the antithesis of the Trump administration , and former Secretary of State [ Madeleine ] Albright is an active Democratic partisan.
” The board was briefed recently on China by David Helvey , principal deputy assistant defense secretary for Indo-Pacific security affairs .
Mr. Helvey is viewed by critics as favoring past polices of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were curbed by Congress over concerns that Beijing was gaining valuable war-fighting data from the exchanges .
One policy board member is David McCormick , CEO of Bridgewater Associates , a hedge fund with extensive ties to China .
Bridgewater China Investment Management is a unit of the hedge fund based in Shanghai .
Mrs. Albright is a partisan Democrat who during the Clinton administration helped push through Chinese entry into the World Trade Organization , based on promises of reforms in Beijing that critic say never took place .
Another Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a liberal deputy attorney general during the Clinton administration who was responsible for erecting the disastrous bureaucratic “ wall ” between intelligence and law enforcement agencies .
Critics say the wall hindered federal agencies from sharing information that could have prevented the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks .
Ms. Gorelick recently circulated a legal analysis for the board on the idea of “ decoupling ” the United States from the close economic integration with China .
No details of the paper could be learned .
Clinton administration Deputy Defense Secretary Rudy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. deLeon is currently an Asia analyst with the liberal Center for American Progress .
Former Rep. Jane Harman , a California Democrat , also is on the policy board .
Ms. Harman was a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton ’ s 2016 presidential campaign and was widely expected to be given a senior post had Mrs. Clinton won .
Former Adm. Gary Roughead , who also is on the board , was in China for a military exchange program with the People ’ s Liberation Army in 2006 when The Washington Time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to surface undetected within torpedo range of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk .
The incident was widely seen as an embarrassment to the Navy and a sign of hostility from the PLA .
As reported earlier in this space , Adm. Roughead , Mrs. Albright , Ms. Gorelick and Ms. Harman were added to the policy board in 2011 during the Obama administration as part of an effort to slant it in a Democratic direction .
Conservatives currently on the board include J.D .
Crouch , a Pentagon and White House official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reagan and Bush administration official Paula Dobriansky ; and Robert Joseph , a State Department official in the Bush administration .
Moderate Republicans on the board include former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia and former Sen. Jim Talent of Missouri .
“ While the current membership of the Defense Policy Board is comprised of very well-known names , the board ’ s current overall membership , save for a few exceptions , fundamentally represents the ‘ engagement ’ policy ’ that is largely responsible for ignoring , even abetting , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s militaristic and aggressive expansion in Asia over the past decade , ” said retired Navy Capt .
Jim Fanell , a former Pacific Fleet intelligence chief .
“ It seems clear the membership of the board does represent the U.S. government ’ s policy towards the PRC as espoused in the 2017 National Security Strategy and the 2018 National Defense Strategy.
” A spokesman for Defense Secretary Mark Esper had no immediate comment .
The National Security Agency this week issued a warning about Chinese state-run cyberattacks against defense networks .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security systems , the U.S. defense industrial base , and Department of Defense information networks is Chinese state-sponsored malicious cyber activity , ” NSA said in a technical notice to network administrators .
“ These networks often undergo a full array of tactics and techniques used by Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors to exploit computer networks of interest that hold sensitive intellectual property , economic , political and military information.
” The Chinese hacking targets known vulnerabilities in software .
The NSA has warned computer operators to take steps to apply security patches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow well-known attack procedures used by other sophisticated cyberoperatives .
“ They often first identify a target , gather technical information on the target , identify any vulnerabilities associated with the target , develop or re-use an exploit for those vulnerabilities , and then launch their exploitation operation , ” the NSA said .
The advisory did not identify the Chinese state-run actors involved in the cyberattacks .
China ’ s main cyberunits include hacking units of the Ministry of State Security , the civilian spy service and the PLA military cyberunits .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ updated as soon as possible after patches are released .
But the NSA also noted that after a system has been hacked , a patch will not protect compromised systems .
“ Expect that data stolen or modified ( including credentials , accounts and software ) before the device was patched will not be alleviated by patching , making password changes and reviews of accounts a good practice , ” the advisory said .
Chinese hackers have used at least 26 vulnerabilities to penetrate defense networks .
“ NSA is aware that national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Department of Defense networks are consistently scanned , targeted and exploited by Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors , ” the advisory said .
“ NSA recommends that critical system owners consider these actions a priority , in order to mitigate the loss of sensitive information that could impact U.S. policies , strategies , plans and competitive advantage.
” China has deployed a new hypersonic missile that state media reports say would be used against the United States in a future conflict over Taiwan .
The Communist Party newspaper Global Times reported Monday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against “ foreign military intervention ” in a battle for the island state 100 miles off the southern Chinese coast .
The South China Morning Post , owned by Chinese interests , reported that DF-17s were deployed to the southeast coast for use in a possible invasion of Taiwan .
The Global Times quoted Chinese military experts as correcting the Morning Post report , noting that the ultra-high-speed maneuvering missile will not be used against targets in Taiwan because of the proximity to the mainland .
“ The military targets on Taiwan are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s rocket launchers and air-launched missiles carried by military aircraft , so using advanced missiles to strike against Taiwan would be a waste , ” a Beijing-based military academy official told the Global Times .
“ If the PLA deploys missile like the DF-17 , that would be a weapon for striking foreign military force ’ s military bases or fleets in the West Pacific region if those ‘ foreign forces ’ dare to intervene in the PLA operation to reunify the island.
” Tensions have been raised over Taiwan in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights near the island .
The Navy sent the guided-missile destroyer USS Barry through the Taiwan Strait on Oct. 14 , said Cmdr .
J. Myers Vasquez , a Pacific Fleet spokesman .
“ The ship ’ s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific , ” he said .
“ The U.S. Navy will continue to fly , sail and operate anywhere international law allows .
”

NEWS AND ANALYSIS:
The Pentagon’s Defense Policy Board, an influential advisory panel of former officials, is dominated by experts who do not reflect the hard-line policies toward China put into place under President Trump, according to analysts.
Chief among those on the board with views that clash with Mr. Trump is former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, architect of the conciliatory U.S. policies that argued in favor of unfettered economic and diplomatic engagement with the communist regime.
The Kissinger policy has been rejected by the Trump administration, which regards China as the United States’ chief strategic competitor and rival.
Mr. Kissinger, 97, did not take part in two recent meetings of the policy board, but his influence is said to remain strong among Pentagon leaders and others in the Trump administration.
William C. Triplett II, former chief Republican counsel for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said at least two-thirds of the board’s members should support the vision of the administration in power, with one-third reflecting from previous administrations.
“But the one-third should be distinguished persons who are not known for high and active partisanship,” Mr. Triplett said.
“The present composition of the board does not appear to meet that standard,” he said. “For example, certainly Dr. Kissinger is entitled to his opinions on China, but they are the antithesis of the Trump administration, and former Secretary of State [Madeleine] Albright is an active Democratic partisan.”
The board was briefed recently on China by David Helvey, principal deputy assistant defense secretary for Indo-Pacific security affairs. Mr. Helvey is viewed by critics as favoring past polices of engagement with China, especially military-to-military exchanges that were curbed by Congress over concerns that Beijing was gaining valuable war-fighting data from the exchanges.
One policy board member is David McCormick, CEO of Bridgewater Associates, a hedge fund with extensive ties to China. Bridgewater China Investment Management is a unit of the hedge fund based in Shanghai.
Mrs. Albright is a partisan Democrat who during the Clinton administration helped push through Chinese entry into the World Trade Organization, based on promises of reforms in Beijing that critic say never took place.
Another Democrat on the board is Jamie Gorelick, a liberal deputy attorney general during the Clinton administration who was responsible for erecting the disastrous bureaucratic “wall” between intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Critics say the wall hindered federal agencies from sharing information that could have prevented the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Ms. Gorelick recently circulated a legal analysis for the board on the idea of “decoupling” the United States from the close economic integration with China. No details of the paper could be learned.
Clinton administration Deputy Defense Secretary Rudy deLeon is also on the board. Mr. deLeon is currently an Asia analyst with the liberal Center for American Progress.
Former Rep. Jane Harman, a California Democrat, also is on the policy board. Ms. Harman was a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton‘s 2016 presidential campaign and was widely expected to be given a senior post had Mrs. Clinton won.
Former Adm. Gary Roughead, who also is on the board, was in China for a military exchange program with the People’s Liberation Army in 2006 when The Washington Times reported how a Chinese submarine was able to surface undetected within torpedo range of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk.
The incident was widely seen as an embarrassment to the Navy and a sign of hostility from the PLA.
As reported earlier in this space, Adm. Roughead, Mrs. Albright, Ms. Gorelick and Ms. Harman were added to the policy board in 2011 during the Obama administration as part of an effort to slant it in a Democratic direction.
Conservatives currently on the board include J.D. Crouch, a Pentagon and White House official in the George W. Bush administration; Reagan and Bush administration official Paula Dobriansky; and Robert Joseph, a State Department official in the Bush administration.
Moderate Republicans on the board include former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia and former Sen. Jim Talent of Missouri.
“While the current membership of the Defense Policy Board is comprised of very well-known names, the board’s current overall membership, save for a few exceptions, fundamentally represents the ‘engagement’ policy’ that is largely responsible for ignoring, even abetting, the People’s Republic of China’s militaristic and aggressive expansion in Asia over the past decade,” said retired Navy Capt. Jim Fanell, a former Pacific Fleet intelligence chief.
“It seems clear the membership of the board does not represent the U.S. government’s policy towards the PRC as espoused in the 2017 National Security Strategy and the 2018 National Defense Strategy.”
A spokesman for Defense Secretary Mark Esper had no immediate comment.
NSA WARNS ON CHINESE CYBERATTACKS
The National Security Agency this week issued a warning about Chinese state-run cyberattacks against defense networks.
“One of the greatest threats to U.S. national security systems, the U.S. defense industrial base, and Department of Defense information networks is Chinese state-sponsored malicious cyber activity,” NSA said in a technical notice to network administrators.
“These networks often undergo a full array of tactics and techniques used by Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors to exploit computer networks of interest that hold sensitive intellectual property, economic, political and military information.”
The Chinese hacking targets known vulnerabilities in software. The NSA has warned computer operators to take steps to apply security patches and other mitigation efforts.
Chinese hackers follow well-known attack procedures used by other sophisticated cyberoperatives.
“They often first identify a target, gather technical information on the target, identify any vulnerabilities associated with the target, develop or re-use an exploit for those vulnerabilities, and then launch their exploitation operation,” the NSA said.
The advisory did not identify the Chinese state-run actors involved in the cyberattacks. China’s main cyberunits include hacking units of the Ministry of State Security, the civilian spy service and the PLA military cyberunits.
The agency said computer systems should be updated as soon as possible after patches are released. But the NSA also noted that after a system has been hacked, a patch will not protect compromised systems.
“Expect that data stolen or modified (including credentials, accounts and software) before the device was patched will not be alleviated by patching, making password changes and reviews of accounts a good practice,” the advisory said.
Chinese hackers have used at least 26 vulnerabilities to penetrate defense networks.
“NSA is aware that national security systems, defense industrial bases, and Department of Defense networks are consistently scanned, targeted and exploited by Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors,” the advisory said.
“NSA recommends that critical system owners consider these actions a priority, in order to mitigate the loss of sensitive information that could impact U.S. policies, strategies, plans and competitive advantage.”
CHINA DEPLOYS HYPERSONIC MISSILES
China has deployed a new hypersonic missile that state media reports say would be used against the United States in a future conflict over Taiwan.
The Communist Party newspaper Global Times reported Monday that the DF-17 hypersonic missile would be used against “foreign military intervention” in a battle for the island state 100 miles off the southern Chinese coast.
The South China Morning Post, owned by Chinese interests, reported that DF-17s were deployed to the southeast coast for use in a possible invasion of Taiwan.
The Global Times quoted Chinese military experts as correcting the Morning Post report, noting that the ultra-high-speed maneuvering missile will not be used against targets in Taiwan because of the proximity to the mainland.
“The military targets on Taiwan are totally within the reach of the PLA’s rocket launchers and air-launched missiles carried by military aircraft, so using advanced missiles to strike against Taiwan would be a waste,” a Beijing-based military academy official told the Global Times.
“If the PLA deploys missile like the DF-17, that would be a weapon for striking foreign military force’s military bases or fleets in the West Pacific region if those ‘foreign forces’ dare to intervene in the PLA operation to reunify the island.”
Tensions have been raised over Taiwan in recent weeks as Chinese warplanes have stepped up flights near the island.
The Navy sent the guided-missile destroyer USS Barry through the Taiwan Strait on Oct. 14, said Cmdr. J. Myers Vasquez, a Pacific Fleet spokesman.
“The ship’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said. “The U.S. Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows.”
• Contact Bill Gertz on Twitter at @BillGertz.
• Bill Gertz can be reached at bgertz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Closing prices for crude oil, gold and other commodities

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for December delivery fell $ 1.67 cents to $ 40.03 a barrel Wednesday .
Brent crude @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.43 to $ 41.73 a barrel .
Wholesale gasoline for November delivery fell 5 @ @ @ @ @ gallon .
November heating oil fell 3 cents to $ 1.14 a gallon .
November @ @ @ @ @ to $ 3.02 per 1,000 cubic feet .
Gold for December delivery rose $ 14.10 @ @ @ @ @ .
Silver for December delivery rose 26 cents to $ 25.24 an ounce and December @ @ @ @ @ $ 3.20 a pound .
The dollar rose to 105.55 Japanese yen from 105.46 yen @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.1862 from $ 1.1828 .

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for December delivery fell $1.67 cents to $40.03 a barrel Wednesday. Brent crude oil for December delivery fell $1.43 to $41.73 a barrel.
Wholesale gasoline for November delivery fell 5 cents to $1.14 a gallon. November heating oil fell 3 cents to $1.14 a gallon. November natural gas rose 11 cents to $3.02 per 1,000 cubic feet.
Gold for December delivery rose $14.10 to $1,929.50 an ounce. Silver for December delivery rose 26 cents to $25.24 an ounce and December copper rose 5 cents to $3.20 a pound.
The dollar rose to 105.55 Japanese yen from 105.46 yen. The euro rose to $1.1862 from $1.1828.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Army: Slain Texas soldier's family entitled to compensation

KILLEEN , Texas ( AP ) - The family of a Texas soldier whose on-base killing sparked calls in Congress for changes in the way the military handles sexual abuse and harassment is entitled to benefits , including compensation , because her death happened “ in the line of duty , ” U.S. Army officials announced .
Spc .
Vanessa Guillén , 20 , was conducting her assigned duties at Fort Hood when a fellow soldier killed her in April , according to results of a report the Army announced Tuesday .
Guillén was listed as missing for six weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her death led to a hashtag # IAMVANESSAGUILLEN , used by military sexual assault survivors to denounce their experiences on social media , after Guillén ’ s family said the soldier who killed Guillén had sexually harassed her .
U.S. Army officials said in July that they had found no evidence that soldier had sexually harassed Guillén and that she did not formally file a report on the harassment .
Officials said they had evidence that Guillén did face other kinds of harassment by other people at the Texas base .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all soldier deaths , the Army said in a statement .
The determination in the Guillén slaying gives her family access to money to help pay expenses , a life insurance payout and a funeral with full military honors .
Army officials said they will continue to keep Guillén ’ s family informed , including on policy revisions “ to ensure Army culture continues to put people first and honors Vanessa ’ s life.
” “ We appreciate all the information we can get and hope we learn everything about Vanessa ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Natalie Khawam , who represents the Guillén family .
Separate investigations into Guillén ’ s death continue , including a criminal probe and an independent review of into the command ’ s response when Guillén disappeared .
According to the Army ’ s report , Guillén “ died by homicide ” at 11 a.m. on April 22 .
Her remains were found July 1 , when police confronted Spc .
Aaron Robinson , who killed himself .
A civilian is accused of helping Robinson dispose of Guillén ’ s body and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence .
She is awaiting trial .
The “ I Am Vanessa Guillen Act , ” introduced in Congress in September , would remove decisions on whether to prosecute members of the military for sexual assault or sexual harassment from the military chain of command .

KILLEEN, Texas (AP) - The family of a Texas soldier whose on-base killing sparked calls in Congress for changes in the way the military handles sexual abuse and harassment is entitled to benefits, including compensation, because her death happened “in the line of duty,” U.S. Army officials announced.
Spc. Vanessa Guillén, 20, was conducting her assigned duties at Fort Hood when a fellow soldier killed her in April, according to results of a report the Army announced Tuesday.
Guillén was listed as missing for six weeks before her remains were found in July. Her death led to a hashtag #IAMVANESSAGUILLEN, used by military sexual assault survivors to denounce their experiences on social media, after Guillén’s family said the soldier who killed Guillén had sexually harassed her.
U.S. Army officials said in July that they had found no evidence that soldier had sexually harassed Guillén and that she did not formally file a report on the harassment. Officials said they had evidence that Guillén did face other kinds of harassment by other people at the Texas base.
Officials determine whether someone died on duty for all soldier deaths, the Army said in a statement. The determination in the Guillén slaying gives her family access to money to help pay expenses, a life insurance payout and a funeral with full military honors.
Army officials said they will continue to keep Guillén’s family informed, including on policy revisions “to ensure Army culture continues to put people first and honors Vanessa’s life.”
“We appreciate all the information we can get and hope we learn everything about Vanessa’s murder so this never happens again,” said Natalie Khawam, who represents the Guillén family.
Separate investigations into Guillén’s death continue, including a criminal probe and an independent review of into the command’s response when Guillén disappeared.
According to the Army’s report, Guillén “died by homicide” at 11 a.m. on April 22. Her remains were found July 1, when police confronted Spc. Aaron Robinson, who killed himself. A civilian is accused of helping Robinson dispose of Guillén’s body and has pleaded not guilty to destruction of evidence. She is awaiting trial.
The “I Am Vanessa Guillen Act,” introduced in Congress in September, would remove decisions on whether to prosecute members of the military for sexual assault or sexual harassment from the military chain of command.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--James Dale Reed faces federal charges for threatening to kill Biden, rape Kamala Harris

A Maryland man threatening to kill Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden and rape his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris , was charged with a federal crime Wednesday .
James Dale Reed , 42 , of Frederick , Md.
, dropped a letter on the doorstep of a home with Biden/Harris campaign signs earlier this month , Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur said .
In court documents , prosecutors revealed the contents of Mr. Reed ’ s letter .
It described in graphic detail how he intended to kill Mr. Biden and sexually assault Ms. Harris .
Prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden supporters .
“ If you are a Biden/Harris supporter you will be targeted , ” he allegedly wrote .
“ We have a list of homes and addresses by your election signs .
We are the ones with the scary guns , We are the ones your children have nightmares about… The Boogeymen coming in the night.
” The letter was left on the doorstep of a Frederick home on Oct. 4 , around 4:30 a.m. , according to court documents .
A person dropping off the letter was caught on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police he didn ’ t know the man .
Court documents note that Mr. Reed was already known to the U.S. Secret Service for making a threatening statement against someone already under Secret Service protection in 2014 .
Mr. Reed admitted to writing the letter after he was interviewed by local police .
He currently remains in state custody and a federal warrant has been issued to ensure his appearance in court .
Mr. Reed is charged with threats against a major candidate for president or vice president .
If convicted , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prosecutors say Mr. Reed didn ’ t know the homeowner and intended to leave the letter at the first house he came across with campaign signs for Mr. Biden .
He told prosecutors that he was “ upset at the political situation , ” adding people making threats “ will happen ” due to “ the political climate.
” Mr. Hur said his office took the threat “ extremely seriously.
” “ Conduct like this that threatens major candidates and fellow citizens only undermines our democracy and the principles upon which America was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct that seeks to intimidate , harass or dissuade Americans from exercising their right to vote , ” he said in a statement .

A Maryland man threatening to kill Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden and rape his running mate, Sen. Kamala D. Harris, was charged with a federal crime Wednesday.
James Dale Reed, 42, of Frederick, Maryland, dropped a letter on the doorstep of a home with Biden/Harris campaign signs earlier this month, Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur said.
In court documents, prosecutors revealed the contents of Mr. Reed’s letter. It described in graphic detail how he intended to kill Mr. Biden and sexually assault Ms. Harris.
Prosecutors say Mr. Reed also threatened to kill Biden supporters.
“If you are a Biden/Harris supporter you will be targeted,” he allegedly wrote. “We have a list of homes and addresses by your election signs. We are the ones with the scary guns, We are the ones your children have nightmares about… The Boogeymen coming in the night.”
The letter was left on the doorstep of a Frederick home on Oct. 4, around 4:30 a.m., according to court documents.
A person dropping off the letter was caught on a Ring door camera. The resident told police he didn’t know the man.
Court documents note that Mr. Reed was already known to the U.S. Secret Service for making a threatening statement against someone already under Secret Service protection in 2014.
Mr. Reed admitted to writing the letter after he was interviewed by local police. He currently remains in state custody and a federal warrant has been issued to ensure his appearance in court.
Mr. Reed is charged with threats against a major candidate for president or vice president. If convicted, he could face five years in jail.
Prosecutors say Mr. Reed didn’t know the homeowner and intended to leave the letter at the first house he came across with campaign signs for Mr. Biden.
He told prosecutors that he was “upset at the political situation,” adding people making threats “will happen” due to “the political climate.”
Mr. Hur said his office took the threat “extremely seriously.”
“Conduct like this that threatens major candidates and fellow citizens only undermines our democracy and the principles upon which America was founded. We will not tolerate threatening conduct that seeks to intimidate, harass or dissuade Americans from exercising their right to vote,” he said in a statement.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


Editorial Roundup: Idaho

The courts have already been packed Former Vice President Joe Biden is asked , over and over , whether he will pack the U.S. Supreme Court if he is elected president .
The better question is why Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , has been allowed to spend the last six years packing the lower courts .
With Republicans feeling no shame about the hypocrisy of filling a Supreme Court vacancy at warp speed in the middle of an election after righteously blocking even a vote on former President Barack Obama ’ s nominee for almost a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of Supreme Court justices should they win the election .
The idea was immediately labeled “ court packing.
” Packing the Supreme Court is not even possible under today ’ s laws .
No one person , not even the president , can change the makeup of the court .
In 1937 , a frustrated President Franklin Roosevelt introduced a proposal to increase the number of justices .
Republican and Democratic senators voted “ no.
” McConnell , on the other hand , has succeeded in packing lower courts .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015-16 session , he required Obama to leave office with nearly 100 judicial vacancies unfilled .
According to the Brookings Institute , that Senate session saw fewer and slower confirmations than for any president , Democrat or Republican , for decades before .
Since 2016 , McConnell has sidelined nearly all other Senate business to push through 218 judges , including two Supreme Court justices .
There are another 35 nominees , including one Supreme Court justice , on deck .
In a world-class example of gaslighting , President Trump blames Obama for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nor was the confirmation circus in the Senate last week a comment on the competence or suitability of Amy Coney Barrett as an associate justice .
This is about the functioning of the courts in America ’ s system of check and balances .
Judges fast-tracked into court openings created by the political maneuverings of one political party and one man in particular warp that system .
The assumption of bias gets baked in even if future rulings aren ’ t assured .
Political parties can choose to name justices who reflect their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will make decisions on the bench based on their role as the neutral arbiters they were intended to be .
When both parties play fair by the spirit of the Constitution , the makeup of the judiciary should balance out over time .
Court packing can interrupt that balance or restore it .
What ’ s important is the difference .
How did Soto get in front of Fulcher ?
A fundraising report can serve as a barometer of a political campaign .
Not the only one , of course , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it last week , “ Money is not only a fuel for campaigns , it is also a sign of political health.
” So how do you explain what ’ s going on in Idaho ’ s 1st Congressional District ?
You won ’ t find a more Republican patch of turf anywhere .
From the Canadian border to the Ada County line , the region has a dearth of Democrats in the state Legislature .
Is there a more isolated figure than Sen. David Nelson , D-Moscow ?
Two years ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with nearly 63 percent of the vote .
He ’ s supposed to be coasting toward reelection against Democratic challenger Rudy Soto .
Yet it ’ s Fulcher who ’ s come up short in the recent fundraising sweepstakes .
In the preelection quarterly report covering the period between July 1 and Sept. 30 : - Soto raised $ 120,864 compared to $ 95,273 for the incumbent .
That ’ s no fluke .
For the previous six weeks between May 14 and June 30 , the two virtually tied - Soto raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fulcher .
- During the two-year cycle , Fulcher has taken in more money - $ 474,801 compared to $ 240,051 for Soto .
But going into the final stretch , they ’ re comparatively equal .
Fulcher has about $ 101,000 cash on hand while Soto has $ 58,500 .
- In the final quarter , Fulcher drew more than half of his money from political action committees , such as House Freedom Fund , the national credit union PAC and Micron Technology PAC .
Less than 7 percent of Soto ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from political action committees , the bulk of them from Indian tribes , including the Coeur d ’ Alene , the Nez Perce and the Shoshone Bannock .
- Soto collected nearly 93 percent of his money from individuals , who wrote checks as small as $ 10 .
About 46 percent of Fulcher ’ s money came from individuals .
The smallest check he collected was $ 250 .
And Soto reported nearly four times as many individuals who gave him money .
Regardless of whether they handed over $ 10 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribution is sufficiently committed to follow through at the ballot box .
However counter-intuitive this headline is , it remains an indisputable signal of momentum .
Soto is not another Democratic placeholder who raises a miniscule amount of money , shows up for a debate and fails to register name recognition with voters .
This is a robust campaign being waged by a candidate who has assembled a network of supporters nationally coupled with an organization on the ground that has raised money and may be capable of operating an effective get-out-the-vote effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national Democratic cash machine , which is swamping the GOP from the top of the ticket to such national hot spots as Senate contests in South Carolina or even Montana .
Some of that money is finding its way to Idaho .
And what about Fulcher ?
The most vulnerable time for any member of Congress is his first reelection campaign .
The point is not only to prevail , but to win so convincingly that any future challengers will be dissuaded .
Did Fulcher not anticipate a Democrat capable of raising money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught napping , nothing short of a Democratic tsunami the likes of which no one has seen since the 1930s is going to dislodge him .
Just the same , this is something you don ’ t see every day in Idaho - a Democrat who has exploited a Republican ’ s complacency .

Recent editorials from Idaho newspapers:
The courts have already been packed
Idaho Mountain Express
Oct. 21
Former Vice President Joe Biden is asked, over and over, whether he will pack the U.S. Supreme Court if he is elected president. The better question is why Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has been allowed to spend the last six years packing the lower courts.
With Republicans feeling no shame about the hypocrisy of filling a Supreme Court vacancy at warp speed in the middle of an election after righteously blocking even a vote on former President Barack Obama’s nominee for almost a year, fuming Democrats said they might increase the number of Supreme Court justices should they win the election. The idea was immediately labeled “court packing.”
Packing the Supreme Court is not even possible under today’s laws. No one person, not even the president, can change the makeup of the court. In 1937, a frustrated President Franklin Roosevelt introduced a proposal to increase the number of justices. Republican and Democratic senators voted “no.”
McConnell, on the other hand, has succeeded in packing lower courts. By blocking and slow-walking judicial nominees during the 2015-16 session, he required Obama to leave office with nearly 100 judicial vacancies unfilled.
According to the Brookings Institute, that Senate session saw fewer and slower confirmations than for any president, Democrat or Republican, for decades before. Since 2016, McConnell has sidelined nearly all other Senate business to push through 218 judges, including two Supreme Court justices. There are another 35 nominees, including one Supreme Court justice, on deck.
In a world-class example of gaslighting, President Trump blames Obama for not filling vacancies during his term. Nor was the confirmation circus in the Senate last week a comment on the competence or suitability of Amy Coney Barrett as an associate justice. This is about the functioning of the courts in America’s system of check and balances.
Judges fast-tracked into court openings created by the political maneuverings of one political party and one man in particular warp that system. The assumption of bias gets baked in even if future rulings aren’t assured.
Political parties can choose to name justices who reflect their political leanings, but lifetime appointments assume they will make decisions on the bench based on their role as the neutral arbiters they were intended to be. When both parties play fair by the spirit of the Constitution, the makeup of the judiciary should balance out over time.
Court packing can interrupt that balance or restore it. What’s important is the difference.
Online: Idaho Mountain Express
___
How did Soto get in front of Fulcher?
Lewiston Tribune
Oct. 21
A fundraising report can serve as a barometer of a political campaign.
Not the only one, of course, but, as political forecaster Charlie Cook put it last week, “Money is not only a fuel for campaigns, it is also a sign of political health.”
So how do you explain what’s going on in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District?
You won’t find a more Republican patch of turf anywhere. From the Canadian border to the Ada County line, the region has a dearth of Democrats in the state Legislature. Is there a more isolated figure than Sen. David Nelson, D-Moscow?
Two years ago, the congressional district elected Republican Russ Fulcher with nearly 63 percent of the vote. He’s supposed to be coasting toward reelection against Democratic challenger Rudy Soto.
Yet it’s Fulcher who’s come up short in the recent fundraising sweepstakes. In the preelection quarterly report covering the period between July 1 and Sept. 30:
- Soto raised $120,864 compared to $95,273 for the incumbent. That’s no fluke. For the previous six weeks between May 14 and June 30, the two virtually tied - Soto raised $44,183 compared to $46,505 for Fulcher.
- During the two-year cycle, Fulcher has taken in more money - $474,801 compared to $240,051 for Soto. But going into the final stretch, they’re comparatively equal. Fulcher has about $101,000 cash on hand while Soto has $58,500.
- In the final quarter, Fulcher drew more than half of his money from political action committees, such as House Freedom Fund, the national credit union PAC and Micron Technology PAC. Less than 7 percent of Soto’s reported collecting in this period came from political action committees, the bulk of them from Indian tribes, including the Coeur d’Alene, the Nez Perce and the Shoshone Bannock.
- Soto collected nearly 93 percent of his money from individuals, who wrote checks as small as $10. About 46 percent of Fulcher’s money came from individuals. The smallest check he collected was $250.
PACS don’t vote.
And Soto reported nearly four times as many individuals who gave him money. Regardless of whether they handed over $10 or $250, anyone who makes a contribution is sufficiently committed to follow through at the ballot box.
However counter-intuitive this headline is, it remains an indisputable signal of momentum. Soto is not another Democratic placeholder who raises a miniscule amount of money, shows up for a debate and fails to register name recognition with voters.
This is a robust campaign being waged by a candidate who has assembled a network of supporters nationally coupled with an organization on the ground that has raised money and may be capable of operating an effective get-out-the-vote effort.
It is also evidence of the national Democratic cash machine, which is swamping the GOP from the top of the ticket to such national hot spots as Senate contests in South Carolina or even Montana. Some of that money is finding its way to Idaho.
And what about Fulcher?
The most vulnerable time for any member of Congress is his first reelection campaign. The point is not only to prevail, but to win so convincingly that any future challengers will be dissuaded.
Did Fulcher not anticipate a Democrat capable of raising money against him?
Even if Fulcher was caught napping, nothing short of a Democratic tsunami the likes of which no one has seen since the 1930s is going to dislodge him.
Just the same, this is something you don’t see every day in Idaho - a Democrat who has exploited a Republican’s complacency.
Online: The Lewiston Tribune