skynewsus--2020-09-11--Trump: Deadline for TikTok sale won't be extended - and app could be banned

President Trump says he will not be extending the 20 September deadline for TikTok 's parent company ByteDance to sell the popular video-sharing app .
The sale has been forced by an executive order prohibiting US companies from engaging in any transactions with ByteDance as the US administration applies pressure on what it described as `` untrusted '' Chinese apps .
Speaking to reporters , the president said `` we 'll see what happens , it 'll either be closed up or they 'll sell it , '' as he confirmed there would not be any extension on the deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the executive order does not make clear exactly what kind of prohibition would be applied to TikTok if it remains in Chinese ownership , but it could be that US-based Google and Apple will be banned from hosting the app on their stores .
The allegations against the app include that it `` automatically captures vast swathes of information from its users , including internet and other network activity information such as location data and browsing and search histories '' .
Such data collection is standard for most social media apps , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This data collection threatens to allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans ' personal and proprietary information . ''
Despite the executive order claiming that the US had `` credible evidence '' that TikTok was being used to undermine US security , the company denied sharing data with the Chinese state .
ByteDance has stressed that its data on US users is stored in America , which is also where its biggest investors are located , and is currently suing the US administration to prevent the forced sale .
A number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchase of the US-based operations of the app , with Microsoft suggested to be interested in acquiring the company 's global business .
In August , the president said he would support the sale of TikTok 's US operations to Microsoft as long as the US government got a `` substantial proportion '' of the sale price .
`` I did say that if you buy it , whatever the price is that goes to whoever owns it , because I guess it 's China essentially … I said a very substantial portion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come into the Treasury of the United States because we 're making it possible for this deal to happen , '' he said .
ByteDance is reportedly opposed to selling its assets outside of those in the US , Canada , Australia and New Zealand , according to the Financial Times .
Other companies suggested to have an interest in the app include Twitter , and Oracle - an enterprise data management company whose chief executive Larry Ellison has been a prominent Silicon Valley supporter of the president .
Experts who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US security was principally theoretical , and say there is no evidence that `` personal and proprietary information '' has been acquired by the Chinese state .

President Trump says he will not be extending the 20 September deadline for TikTok's parent company ByteDance to sell the popular video-sharing app.
The sale has been forced by an executive order prohibiting US companies from engaging in any transactions with ByteDance as the US administration applies pressure on what it described as "untrusted" Chinese apps.
Speaking to reporters, the president said "we'll see what happens, it'll either be closed up or they'll sell it," as he confirmed there would not be any extension on the deadline his executive order imposed.
The wording of the executive order does not make clear exactly what kind of prohibition would be applied to TikTok if it remains in Chinese ownership, but it could be that US-based Google and Apple will be banned from hosting the app on their stores.
The allegations against the app include that it "automatically captures vast swathes of information from its users, including internet and other network activity information such as location data and browsing and search histories".
Such data collection is standard for most social media apps, but the executive order warns: "This data collection threatens to allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans' personal and proprietary information."
Despite the executive order claiming that the US had "credible evidence" that TikTok was being used to undermine US security, the company denied sharing data with the Chinese state.
ByteDance has stressed that its data on US users is stored in America, which is also where its biggest investors are located, and is currently suing the US administration to prevent the forced sale.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:23 August: 'I don't mind' if Microsoft buys TikTok, says Trump
A number of American companies have been linked with a purchase of the US-based operations of the app, with Microsoft suggested to be interested in acquiring the company's global business.
Advertisement
In August, the president said he would support the sale of TikTok's US operations to Microsoft as long as the US government got a "substantial proportion" of the sale price.
"I did say that if you buy it, whatever the price is that goes to whoever owns it, because I guess it's China essentially … I said a very substantial portion of that price is going to have to come into the Treasury of the United States because we're making it possible for this deal to happen," he said.
Image: TikTok has rapidly grown in popularity over the past year
ByteDance is reportedly opposed to selling its assets outside of those in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, according to the Financial Times.
Other companies suggested to have an interest in the app include Twitter, and Oracle - an enterprise data management company whose chief executive Larry Ellison has been a prominent Silicon Valley supporter of the president.
Experts who have analysed the app suggest its threat to US security was principally theoretical, and say there is no evidence that "personal and proprietary information" has been acquired by the Chinese state.


skynewsus--2020-09-11--Celebrity video game streamer Ninja returns to Twitch

Celebrity video game streamer Ninja has returned to Twitch , the platform owned by Amazon , little more than a year after his high-profile move to Microsoft 's rival service Mixer .
Ninja , also known as Tyler Blevins , had signed an exclusivity deal with Mixer last year after amassing more than 14.5 million followers on Twitch - but Microsoft announced in June that its live-streaming service would close down .
Mr Blevins , who has dyed-blue hair , has earned millions of dollars by playing Fortnite , courtesy of sponsorship deals as well as revenue from the millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitch and YouTube .
In a short promotional video he posted on Twitter , appearing to show him without dyed hair , the American star announced his return to Twitch .
The gamer was reportedly offered up to $ 30m ( £23m ) to make the move from Mixer to Twitch .
It is not clear how much he has earned in a new exclusivity deal .
In a statement , Mr Blevins said : `` In this next chapter , I 'm going to make it a point to elevate and bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am looking forward to working with Twitch to demonstrate how this amazing community of gamers can make a meaningful impact . ''
The move marks both the enormous revenues which online influencers can generate for platforms they share content on , as well as the oddities of how competition functions between online platforms .
Microsoft said it was not going to throw `` good money after bad '' when it shut Mixer which failed to take off despite the general growth across the gaming sector during the coronavirus pandemic .
Twitch remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite attempts at rivalling it using services available through YouTube and Facebook .
Across the video games industry , sales sharply rose by 26 % in June , according to research firm NPD , to a record $ 1.2bn ( £935m ) - the highest spend for the month in over a decade .
However , the coronavirus pandemic has proven to be a double-edged sword for the games industry .
Despite the potential availability of more players due to people staying at home because of COVID-19 social distancing measures , remote working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges .
The industry 's headline events , including the E3 games exhibition in Las Vegas , have also been cancelled leaving development studios without a major platform to debut new titles .
Even though the industry 's work is almost all digital , the collaborative nature of development is hampering productivity due to remote working .
Smaller studios often commissioned to build tailored games are finding these commissions are drying up - while for medium-sized firms , venture capital finance is becoming completely inaccessible , Sky News was told at the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which are dependent on advertising revenues are finding themselves hit by the economic downturn .
Despite an increase in players , businesses are simply cutting back on their advertising spend .

Celebrity video game streamer Ninja has returned to Twitch, the platform owned by Amazon, little more than a year after his high-profile move to Microsoft's rival service Mixer.
Ninja, also known as Tyler Blevins, had signed an exclusivity deal with Mixer last year after amassing more than 14.5 million followers on Twitch - but Microsoft announced in June that its live-streaming service would close down.
Mr Blevins, who has dyed-blue hair, has earned millions of dollars by playing Fortnite, courtesy of sponsorship deals as well as revenue from the millions of viewers who watch his videos on Twitch and YouTube.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
In a short promotional video he posted on Twitter, appearing to show him without dyed hair, the American star announced his return to Twitch.
The gamer was reportedly offered up to $30m (£23m) to make the move from Mixer to Twitch. It is not clear how much he has earned in a new exclusivity deal.
In a statement, Mr Blevins said: "In this next chapter, I'm going to make it a point to elevate and bring more eyes to underrepresented creators.
"I am looking forward to working with Twitch to demonstrate how this amazing community of gamers can make a meaningful impact."
The move marks both the enormous revenues which online influencers can generate for platforms they share content on, as well as the oddities of how competition functions between online platforms.
Microsoft said it was not going to throw "good money after bad" when it shut Mixer which failed to take off despite the general growth across the gaming sector during the coronavirus pandemic.
Advertisement
Twitch remains the dominant platform for games streaming, despite attempts at rivalling it using services available through YouTube and Facebook.
Image: Ninja developed his following playing Fortnite
Across the video games industry, sales sharply rose by 26% in June, according to research firm NPD, to a record $1.2bn (£935m) - the highest spend for the month in over a decade.
However, the coronavirus pandemic has proven to be a double-edged sword for the games industry.
Despite the potential availability of more players due to people staying at home because of COVID-19 social distancing measures, remote working and a looming recession are bringing significant challenges.
The industry's headline events, including the E3 games exhibition in Las Vegas, have also been cancelled leaving development studios without a major platform to debut new titles.
Even though the industry's work is almost all digital, the collaborative nature of development is hampering productivity due to remote working.
Smaller studios often commissioned to build tailored games are finding these commissions are drying up - while for medium-sized firms, venture capital finance is becoming completely inaccessible, Sky News was told at the beginning of the summer.
Mobile games developers which are dependent on advertising revenues are finding themselves hit by the economic downturn.
Despite an increase in players, businesses are simply cutting back on their advertising spend.


skynewsus--2020-09-11--Dozens missing as wildfires ravage Oregon and cause 'world's worst pollution'

Dozens of people are missing in Oregon as two large fires threaten to merge and hundreds of thousands are ordered to evacuate .
The western US is reeling from a devastating wildfires season that has destroyed more than 2.6 million acres in California alone , killed at least 24 people , and given the area the world 's worst air quality .
Two fires in Oregon were in danger of coming together on Friday near the suburbs of the state 's biggest city , Portland .
Hundreds of firefighters backed up by water-dropping helicopters are fighting the flames in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were dozens of missing people in Jackson and Marion counties .
Some 500,000 people - more than 10 % of Oregon 's 4.4 million population - have been ordered to evacuate and hundreds of thousands more are under yellow `` Be Set '' warnings .
Firefighters have been helped by extra humidity and winds which changed direction over the last day as they tried to stop the fires threatening more populated areas .
`` Thank God , we got a wind shift .
The wind started coming from the west , pushing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's what kept it within its footprint and kept it from growing , '' said fire spokesperson Ashley Lertora , near Lincoln City .
However , the situation remains critical in many areas .
A police car rolled through the streets of Molalla , 30 miles ( 48km ) south of Portland , with a loudspeaker blaring `` evacuate now '' .
But for some it is already too late .
The small town of Phoenix near the California border was mostly destroyed - a mobile home park , houses and businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker on a vineyard told Associated Press he raced home after seeing smoke spreading through the valley .
He arrived just in time to save his children from their trailer park , but the family now just have the clothes on their back .
Four Oregon police departments have also warned of fake online messages , appearing to be from law enforcement , which blame both left-wing and right-wing activists for the fires .
Washington state , north of Oregon , is also affected .
Video from the highly populated Tacoma area showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from house to house yelling at residents to evacuate .
Seattle 's famous Space Needle was almost impossible to see from a distance due to the smoke from the fires .
Meanwhile in California , where 289 fire crews are still battling 28 fires , an eerie red hue has been hanging over cities such as San Francisco as light failed to penetrate the smog .
Air monitoring website IQAir listed Seattle , Portland and San Francisco as having the world 's dirtiest air on Friday - worse than notoriously polluted cities such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate change has contributed to greater extremes in wet and dry seasons , causing vegetation to flourish and dry out , leaving plenty of volatile fuel for fires .

Dozens of people are missing in Oregon as two large fires threaten to merge and hundreds of thousands are ordered to evacuate.
The western US is reeling from a devastating wildfires season that has destroyed more than 2.6 million acres in California alone, killed at least 24 people, and given the area the world's worst air quality.
Two fires in Oregon were in danger of coming together on Friday near the suburbs of the state's biggest city, Portland.
Hundreds of firefighters backed up by water-dropping helicopters are fighting the flames in the state.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Governor Kate Brown said there were dozens of missing people in Jackson and Marion counties.
Some 500,000 people - more than 10% of Oregon's 4.4 million population - have been ordered to evacuate and hundreds of thousands more are under yellow "Be Set" warnings.
Firefighters have been helped by extra humidity and winds which changed direction over the last day as they tried to stop the fires threatening more populated areas.
"Thank God, we got a wind shift. The wind started coming from the west, pushing the fire back towards the east, and that's what kept it within its footprint and kept it from growing," said fire spokesperson Ashley Lertora, near Lincoln City.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:22 Half a million evacuated in Oregon wildfires
However, the situation remains critical in many areas.
Advertisement
A police car rolled through the streets of Molalla, 30 miles (48km) south of Portland, with a loudspeaker blaring "evacuate now".
But for some it is already too late.
The small town of Phoenix near the California border was mostly destroyed - a mobile home park, houses and businesses reduced to charred remains.
One immigrant worker on a vineyard told Associated Press he raced home after seeing smoke spreading through the valley.
He arrived just in time to save his children from their trailer park, but the family now just have the clothes on their back.
Image: Authorities search for a missing person in Ashland, Oregon
Four Oregon police departments have also warned of fake online messages, appearing to be from law enforcement, which blame both left-wing and right-wing activists for the fires.
Washington state, north of Oregon, is also affected.
Video from the highly populated Tacoma area showed fires setting homes alight as people ran from house to house yelling at residents to evacuate.
Seattle's famous Space Needle was almost impossible to see from a distance due to the smoke from the fires.
Image: San Francisco has seen apocalyptic-looking skies
Image: Seattle's famous Space Needle was barely visible on Friday
Meanwhile in California, where 289 fire crews are still battling 28 fires, an eerie red hue has been hanging over cities such as San Francisco as light failed to penetrate the smog.
Air monitoring website IQAir listed Seattle, Portland and San Francisco as having the world's dirtiest air on Friday - worse than notoriously polluted cities such as Jakarta and Delhi.
Scientists say climate change has contributed to greater extremes in wet and dry seasons, causing vegetation to flourish and dry out, leaving plenty of volatile fuel for fires


skynewsus--2020-09-11--Bahrain set to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel in historic move

Bahrain is set to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel in an historic move that marks the latest dramatic shift in Middle East alliances .
Confirming the news , US President Donald Trump tweeted : `` Another HISTORIC breakthrough today !
Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain agree to a Peace Deal - the second Arab country to make peace with Israel in 30 days ! ''
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a `` new era of peace '' , adding : `` We have invested in peace for many years and now peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netanyahu said he envisaged `` very large investments in the Israeli economy '' and thanked `` our friend , President Trump '' for his `` important help '' .
However the Palestinian Authority said in a statement : `` The Palestinian leadership strongly rejects and denounces the US-Bahraini-Israeli tripartite declaration ... and considers it a betrayal ...
The ( Israeli ) occupation controls the Palestinian lands and annexed them by military force .
`` It works diligently to Judaize the city of Jerusalem , control the Islamic and Christian holy sites , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Bahrain follows its neighbour the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) , which announced last month that it would normalise ties with the Jewish state , marking a significant change in the region .
The UAE deal was brokered by Donald Trump 's administration , and a signing ceremony to be attended by Mr Netanyahu and the Emirati foreign minister is set to take place in Washington DC on Tuesday .
It is expected now that Bahrain 's Crown Prince , Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa , will attend the ceremony too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomatic ties with Israel , in 1979 and 1994 respectively , has any Arab country been prepared to recognise it .
The move by the UAE , and now Bahrain , upends a long-standing convention among Arab nations that they would not form any ties with Israel until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was resolved with the formation of a Palestinian state .
Last month , just weeks after announcing their accord , Israel and the UAE marked the new ties with the first commercial flight between the two countries .
Bahrain said last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the UAE to use its airspace , following the same decision by Saudi Arabia .
The Trump administration is framing the historic emerging alliances as proof that the American president is capable of forging a new pathway in the Middle East .
The developments are sure to feature as part of his re-election campaign .
The accords are motivated , in part , by the various countries ' common enemy , Iran .
The Trump administration is trying to persuade other Sunni Arab nations to follow Bahrain and the UAE .
Countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Israel 's concern over Iran , and what they see as its malign regional influence .
Saudi Arabia has signalled it is not yet ready to sign any deal with Israel , citing the Palestinian issue .
The Arab Peace Initiative of 2002 , led by Saudi Arabia , made clear that any normalisation of ties between Arab nations and Israel was conditional on a settlement with the Palestinians .
The initiative states that normalisation would only follow a full withdrawal by Israel from the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the formation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its capital .
Breaking that initiative , the UAE brokered its deal with Israel after Mr Netanyahu agreed to suspend his plans to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank .
However , the Palestinian Authority said in a statement : `` The Palestinian leadership strongly rejects and denounces the US-Bahraini-Israeli tripartite declaration ... and considers it a betrayal ...
The ( Israeli ) occupation controls the Palestinian lands and annexed them by military force . ''
While the new alliances will forge important new economic , trade and tourism ties between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet clear how they might further efforts to find peace between Israel and the Palestinians - the conflict at the core of the Middle East peace process .

Bahrain is set to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel in an historic move that marks the latest dramatic shift in Middle East alliances.
Confirming the news, US President Donald Trump tweeted: "Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain agree to a Peace Deal - the second Arab country to make peace with Israel in 30 days!"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a "new era of peace", adding: "We have invested in peace for many years and now peace will invest in us."
Image: Donald Trump in the Oval Office with his senior adviser Jared Kushner
Mr Netanyahu said he envisaged "very large investments in the Israeli economy" and thanked "our friend, President Trump" for his "important help".
However the Palestinian Authority said in a statement: "The Palestinian leadership strongly rejects and denounces the US-Bahraini-Israeli tripartite declaration... and considers it a betrayal... The (Israeli) occupation controls the Palestinian lands and annexed them by military force.
"It works diligently to Judaize the city of Jerusalem, control the Islamic and Christian holy sites, and commit crimes against the Palestinian people."
Bahrain follows its neighbour the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which announced last month that it would normalise ties with the Jewish state, marking a significant change in the region.
The UAE deal was brokered by Donald Trump's administration, and a signing ceremony to be attended by Mr Netanyahu and the Emirati foreign minister is set to take place in Washington DC on Tuesday.
It is expected now that Bahrain's Crown Prince, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, will attend the ceremony too.
Advertisement
Not since Egypt and Jordan formed diplomatic ties with Israel, in 1979 and 1994 respectively, has any Arab country been prepared to recognise it.
The move by the UAE, and now Bahrain, upends a long-standing convention among Arab nations that they would not form any ties with Israel until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was resolved with the formation of a Palestinian state.
Last month, just weeks after announcing their accord, Israel and the UAE marked the new ties with the first commercial flight between the two countries.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:06 Flight from Israel to UAE makes history
Bahrain said last week that it would allow flights between Israel and the UAE to use its airspace, following the same decision by Saudi Arabia.
The Trump administration is framing the historic emerging alliances as proof that the American president is capable of forging a new pathway in the Middle East. The developments are sure to feature as part of his re-election campaign.
The accords are motivated, in part, by the various countries' common enemy, Iran.
The Trump administration is trying to persuade other Sunni Arab nations to follow Bahrain and the UAE.
Countries including Kuwait and Saudi Arabia share America and Israel's concern over Iran, and what they see as its malign regional influence.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:25 'Win-win' deal for Israel and UAE
Saudi Arabia has signalled it is not yet ready to sign any deal with Israel, citing the Palestinian issue.
The Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, led by Saudi Arabia, made clear that any normalisation of ties between Arab nations and Israel was conditional on a settlement with the Palestinians.
The initiative states that normalisation would only follow a full withdrawal by Israel from the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the formation of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Breaking that initiative, the UAE brokered its deal with Israel after Mr Netanyahu agreed to suspend his plans to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank.
While the new alliances will forge important new economic, trade and tourism ties between the former foes, it is not yet clear how they might further efforts to find peace between Israel and the Palestinians - the conflict at the core of the Middle East peace process.


skynewsus--2020-09-12--Glee actor Naya Rivera 'put her arm up and yelled for help' before she drowned

Former Glee actor Naya Rivera raised her arm and called for help as she drowned while boating with her son , according to a post-mortem report .
Rivera , best known for playing Santana Lopez on TV musical-comedy Glee from 2009 to 2015 , had been with her four-year-old son , Josey Hollis Dorsey , on Lake Piru , northwest of Los Angeles , on 8 July .
The report by the Ventura County Medical Examiner said the 33-year-old had helped her son back into the boat after swimming and he had noticed her `` put her arm up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' '' before she `` disappeared in to the water '' .
The boy was found sleeping on the boat later that afternoon and Rivera 's body was found floating in the lake five days later .
Rivera `` knew how to swim well '' , according to the report , and the man who had rented her the boat said she declined a life jacket - he had put one on the boat anyway .
The report also revealed Rivera had previous problems with vertigo , a recent sinus infection and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system , but none of these were described as factors in her death .
She also had also taken small amounts of an anti-anxiety drug and an appetite suppressant .
After her body was found , Sheriff Bill Ayub had said Josey told detectives the pair went swimming and she boosted him onto the deck before he looked back to see her disappear under the water .
The sheriff said their theory was that the boat drifted as they swam and she `` mustered enough energy to get her son on board , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rivera 's body was found seven years after Glee co-star Cory Monteith died at 31 from alcohol and heroin .
Another Glee star , Mark Salling , killed himself in 2018 at age 35 after pleading guilty to child pornography charges .

Former Glee actor Naya Rivera raised her arm and called for help as she drowned while boating with her son, according to a post-mortem report.
Rivera, best known for playing Santana Lopez on TV musical-comedy Glee from 2009 to 2015, had been with her four-year-old son, Josey Hollis Dorsey, on Lake Piru, northwest of Los Angeles, on 8 July.
The report by the Ventura County Medical Examiner said the 33-year-old had helped her son back into the boat after swimming and he had noticed her "put her arm up in the air and [yell] 'help'" before she "disappeared in to the water".
Image: The pair were boating at Lake Piru in southern California
The boy was found sleeping on the boat later that afternoon and Rivera's body was found floating in the lake five days later.
Rivera "knew how to swim well", according to the report, and the man who had rented her the boat said she declined a life jacket - he had put one on the boat anyway.
The report also revealed Rivera had previous problems with vertigo, a recent sinus infection and a small amount of prescribed amphetamines in her system, but none of these were described as factors in her death.
She also had also taken small amounts of an anti-anxiety drug and an appetite suppressant.
After her body was found, Sheriff Bill Ayub had said Josey told detectives the pair went swimming and she boosted him onto the deck before he looked back to see her disappear under the water.
The sheriff said their theory was that the boat drifted as they swam and she "mustered enough energy to get her son on board, but not enough to save herself".
Advertisement
Rivera's body was found seven years after Glee co-star Cory Monteith died at 31 from alcohol and heroin.
Another Glee star, Mark Salling, killed himself in 2018 at age 35 after pleading guilty to child pornography charges.


skynewsus--2020-09-11--COVID-19 'may have spread in LA weeks before first official US case declared'

COVID-19 could have been spreading in Los Angeles in December last year , weeks before the first case on American soil was declared , researchers have found .
Experts at UCLA who analysed patient records found a significant spike in hospital patients with coughs and acute respiratory failure a month before the first official coronavirus infection in the US .
They searched through millions of records to find a 50 % rise in cases of coughs and lung failure which lasted until February 2020 .
Live coverage of the latest coronavirus news and updates The number of patients seen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients with acute respiratory failure was also higher .
COVID-19 has been suggested as the cause .
But UCLA researchers can not say for certain that coronavirus was behind the trends , as it is impossible to rule out other potential factors , like e-cigarette use , or the flu .
The first confirmed US case was recorded in a traveller who returned to Washington from Wuhan - the Chinese city thought to be the epicentre of the pandemic - on 15 January .
Then a month later , on 26 and 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread were detected , according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention .
The findings have added to mounting suspicions that China could have covered up the virus .
Beijing said the disease was first recorded in a Wuhan market just before Christmas .
But it has been hit by claims the government knew about it earlier .
The country reported it to the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) on 31 December .
On Wednesday , a British family released a coroner 's report which said their relative , 84-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 January .
It is thought Mr Attwood is the first known death from COVID-19 outside China , coming just 19 days after the first reported fatality from the disease in Wuhan .
The first coronavirus death in the UK was previously thought to have occurred on 5 March .
In the US , there have been 6.2 million recorded cases of COVID-19 and 192,000 deaths .
The authors of the UCLA study , which appeared in the peer-reviewed Journal of Medical Internet Research , said their work showed how vital it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lead author Dr Joann Elmore said : `` We may never truly know if these excess patients represented early and undetected COVID-19 cases in our area .
`` But the lessons learned from this pandemic , paired with health care analytics that enable real-time surveillance of disease and symptoms , can potentially help us identify and track emerging outbreaks and future epidemics . ''
Meanwhile , coronavirus cases are increasing in many countries across the world .
On Wednesday , the WHO said 106,000 new cases had been reported globally in the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single day since the pandemic began .
Weekly cases in the UK are at the highest levels since May .

COVID-19 could have been spreading in Los Angeles in December last year, weeks before the first case on American soil was declared, researchers have found.
Experts at UCLA who analysed patient records found a significant spike in hospital patients with coughs and acute respiratory failure a month before the first official coronavirus infection in the US.
They searched through millions of records to find a 50% rise in cases of coughs and lung failure which lasted until February 2020.
Live coverage of the latest coronavirus news and updates
Image: The Chinese city of Wuhan where the pandemic is thought to have started
The number of patients seen in emergency departments for severe coughs and of patients with acute respiratory failure was also higher.
COVID-19 has been suggested as the cause. But UCLA researchers cannot say for certain that coronavirus was behind the trends, as it is impossible to rule out other potential factors, like e-cigarette use, or the flu.
The first confirmed US case was recorded in a traveller who returned to Washington from Wuhan - the Chinese city thought to be the epicentre of the pandemic - on 15 January.
Then a month later, on 26 and 28 February, the first cases of community spread were detected, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
The findings have added to mounting suspicions that China could have covered up the virus.
Advertisement
Beijing said the disease was first recorded in a Wuhan market just before Christmas. But it has been hit by claims the government knew about it earlier.
The country reported it to the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 31 December.
On Wednesday, a British family released a coroner's report which said their relative, 84-year-old Peter Attwood, died of coronavirus on 30 January.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:46 COVID-19 cases in England increase by 43%
It is thought Mr Attwood is the first known death from COVID-19 outside China, coming just 19 days after the first reported fatality from the disease in Wuhan.
The first coronavirus death in the UK was previously thought to have occurred on 5 March.
In the US, there have been 6.2 million recorded cases of COVID-19 and 192,000 deaths.
The authors of the UCLA study, which appeared in the peer-reviewed Journal of Medical Internet Research, said their work showed how vital it is to monitor health records for trends.
Lead author Dr Joann Elmore said: "We may never truly know if these excess patients represented early and undetected COVID-19 cases in our area.
"But the lessons learned from this pandemic, paired with health care analytics that enable real-time surveillance of disease and symptoms, can potentially help us identify and track emerging outbreaks and future epidemics."
Meanwhile, coronavirus cases are increasing in many countries across the world.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
On Wednesday, the WHO said 106,000 new cases had been reported globally in the last 24 hours - the highest number in a single day since the pandemic began.
Weekly cases in the UK are at the highest levels since May.


skynewsus--2020-09-11--British maths genius scoops $3m prize from Mark Zuckerberg

Professor Sir Martin Hairer from Imperial College London has been awarded $ 3m ( £2.3m ) from Mark Zuckerberg 's science foundation for developing equations related to stirring a cup of tea .
Professor Hairer , who is a dual British-Austrian national , won the 2021 Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics .
The 44-year-old will receive his money and a trophy at a live awards ceremony to be held next year .
The Breakthrough Prizes were initiated by Google co-founder Sergey Brin , Facebook founder Mr Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan , as well as Russian entrepreneur Yuri Milner and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wojcicki , the co-founder of 23andMe .
Professor Hairer said : `` I was surprised but obviously very honoured .
I 'm very happy it I can inspire some people to study mathematics or even just understand a little bit better what maths is all about .
`` Maths is truth .
Once you discover something in maths , it applies to all eternity . ''
He had previously won the Fields Medal in 2014 - often described as the equivalent to a Nobel Prize in mathematics - and was knighted in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equations to accurately describe seemingly random motion in time and space , such as how droplets of water spread across the surface of a napkin , the growth of bacteria on a Petri dish , or the chaotic activity of millions of individuals making stock trades , '' according to Imperial College London .
Known as stochastic partial differential equations ( PDEs ) , Professor Hairer drove forward the understanding of regularity structures which model random effects on physical systems , `` effectively creating an analytical tool kit for studying stochastic PDEs '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker '' While the exact details of the fluctuation of the stock market and the movement of water atoms are very different , their probabilistic outcome is the same , '' explained Professor Hairer .
He and his mathematician wife , Professor Xue-Mei Li , moved to London three years ago , where they current rent - although they said they plan to use the £2.3m prize to purchase a home .

Professor Sir Martin Hairer from Imperial College London has been awarded $3m (£2.3m) from Mark Zuckerberg's science foundation for developing equations related to stirring a cup of tea.
Professor Hairer, who is a dual British-Austrian national, won the 2021 Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics.
The 44-year-old will receive his money and a trophy at a live awards ceremony to be held next year.
The Breakthrough Prizes were initiated by Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Facebook founder Mr Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, as well as Israeli-Russian entrepreneur Yuri Milner and his wife Julie Milner, and Anne Wojcicki, the co-founder of 23andMe.
Image: Mark Zuckerberg is one of the founders of the Breakthrough Prize
Professor Hairer said: "I was surprised but obviously very honoured. I'm very happy it I can inspire some people to study mathematics or even just understand a little bit better what maths is all about.
"Maths is truth. Once you discover something in maths, it applies to all eternity."
He had previously won the Fields Medal in 2014 - often described as the equivalent to a Nobel Prize in mathematics - and was knighted in 2016.
His work "focuses on generating equations to accurately describe seemingly random motion in time and space, such as how droplets of water spread across the surface of a napkin, the growth of bacteria on a Petri dish, or the chaotic activity of millions of individuals making stock trades," according to Imperial College London.
Known as stochastic partial differential equations (PDEs), Professor Hairer drove forward the understanding of regularity structures which model random effects on physical systems, "effectively creating an analytical tool kit for studying stochastic PDEs".
Advertisement
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
"While the exact details of the fluctuation of the stock market and the movement of water atoms are very different, their probabilistic outcome is the same," explained Professor Hairer.
He and his mathematician wife, Professor Xue-Mei Li, moved to London three years ago, where they current rent - although they said they plan to use the £2.3m prize to purchase a home.


skynewsus--2020-09-11--Boy, 14, drives family through flames to escape California wildfires

A 14-year-old boy drove through flames to get his family to safety as wildfires continue to rage across California .
Ruben Navarrete was forced to learn how to drive in two days as the fires grew ever closer to his home on the Cold Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians , a Native American reservation in Fresno County .
The Creek Fire , which has been burning in the Sierra National Forest since last Friday , has razed 176,000 acres , according to fire officials .
Ruben - who lives with his aunt , uncle , three younger cousins and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a safety precaution as the family prepared for a last-minute evacuation .
On Monday , they were forced to leave the reservation and Ruben had to take the wheel to help evacuate the family-of-seven .
His aunt Jamie drove the family 's Kia SUV , while Ruben drove his brother in a Chevrolet and his Uncle Josh drove the family pickup truck .
Ruben said driving while surrounded by flames was `` like a video game '' .
`` When it came down to when I had to drive , I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told AFP .
It was n't until he had been driving for 20 miles that he felt relaxed .
The family are now temporarily staying in a hotel in Clovis thanks to the help of the Red Cross .
More than 1,200 rooms have been prepared for fire evacuees at hotels , a Red Cross official told AFP .
Ruben 's family have no idea if their home was damaged by the flames , or the fate of the two dogs they had to leave behind .
His aunt Jamie Smith said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all he had ever driven was about a quarter mile from our home .
`` It was really nerve-racking for all of us . ''
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in five Californian counties - Fresno , Madera , Mariposa , San Bernardino and San Diego .
At least 10 people in California are known to have died and around 16 people are missing .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker This year 's wildfire season has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's history after the first significant fires began as early as 3 May .
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ( CAL FIRE ) , wildfire season now lasts 75 days longer than in the past .
Fires are also blazing in Oregon and Washington thanks to hot dry winds .
More than half a million have been forced to evacuate .

A 14-year-old boy drove through flames to get his family to safety as wildfires continue to rage across California.
Ruben Navarrete was forced to learn how to drive in two days as the fires grew ever closer to his home on the Cold Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians, a Native American reservation in Fresno County.
The Creek Fire, which has been burning in the Sierra National Forest since last Friday, has razed 176,000 acres, according to fire officials.
Ruben - who lives with his aunt, uncle, three younger cousins and his disabled brother - was taught to drive as a safety precaution as the family prepared for a last-minute evacuation.
Image: Ruben and his family are staying in a hotel provided by the Red Cross
On Monday, they were forced to leave the reservation and Ruben had to take the wheel to help evacuate the family-of-seven.
His aunt Jamie drove the family's Kia SUV, while Ruben drove his brother in a Chevrolet and his Uncle Josh drove the family pickup truck.
Ruben said driving while surrounded by flames was "like a video game".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:20 Firefighters battle inferno in California
"When it came down to when I had to drive, I was really nervous, scared," he told AFP.
It wasn't until he had been driving for 20 miles that he felt relaxed.
Advertisement
The family are now temporarily staying in a hotel in Clovis thanks to the help of the Red Cross.
More than 1,200 rooms have been prepared for fire evacuees at hotels, a Red Cross official told AFP.
Ruben's family have no idea if their home was damaged by the flames, or the fate of the two dogs they had to leave behind.
His aunt Jamie Smith said: "It was a crash course because all he had ever driven was about a quarter mile from our home.
"It was really nerve-racking for all of us."
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in five Californian counties - Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, San Bernardino and San Diego.
At least 10 people in California are known to have died and around 16 people are missing.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
This year's wildfire season has been recognised as the largest in California's history after the first significant fires began as early as 3 May.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), wildfire season now lasts 75 days longer than in the past.
Climate change has been blamed.
Fires are also blazing in Oregon and Washington thanks to hot dry winds. More than half a million have been forced to evacuate.


skynewsus--2020-09-12--Student confronted after holding party where everyone tested positive for COVID-19

Bodycam footage has captured the moment a police officer confronted a student who was hosting a `` COVID-19 '' party where everyone who attended had tested positive for the virus .
The video shows an officer in Oxford , Ohio , talking to one of 20 people at a home near Miami University last Saturday - double the number allowed to meet up in the state under coronavirus restrictions .
The officer orders the group , who were not wearing face masks , to disperse as he asks the man : `` So you probably know why I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too many people ? ''
replied the student , who revealed that eight people lived in the property .
The officer is then heard saying `` I 've never seen this before , '' as he checks the resident 's ID .
`` There 's an input on the computer that you tested positive for COVID ? ''
.
He goes on to admit that he tested positive a week before , and that every single person at the party also has the virus , including two people from the house across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is what we 're trying to prevent , '' the officer responds in horror .
`` We want to keep this town open . ''
He then questions why the students were not quarantining for 14 days , as recommended by state and federal health officials .
More than 1,000 Miami University students have tested positive for coronavirus since classes started this term , according to the WKRC news channel .
Governor Mike DeWine said in a briefing that cases at Miami are the reason why Butler County remains at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health advisory system .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The university still plans to start in-person classes on 21 September .
However , officials have warned that students who refuse to take a test will be denied access to campus services and will have to return to remote learning .
Oxford police cited six men who attended the party , for violating the state 's mass gathering and quarantine ordinance .
They could face a $ 500 fine ( £390 ) @

Bodycam footage has captured the moment a police officer confronted a student who was hosting a "COVID-19" party where everyone who attended had tested positive for the virus.
The video shows an officer in Oxford, Ohio, talking to one of 20 people at a home near Miami University last Saturday - double the number allowed to meet up in the state under coronavirus restrictions.
The officer orders the group, who were not wearing face masks, to disperse as he asks the man: "So you probably know why I want to talk to you?"
Image: 20 people were at the house party and all had COVID-19. Pic: Oxford Police Department
Image: One student said eight people lived at the house, but 20 were at the party. Pic: Oxford Police Department
"Just, too many people?" replied the student, who revealed that eight people lived in the property.
The officer is then heard saying "I've never seen this before," as he checks the resident's ID.
"There's an input on the computer that you tested positive for COVID?".
"Yes," the student answers.
He goes on to admit that he tested positive a week before, and that every single person at the party also has the virus, including two people from the house across the street.
"Oh, God. This is what we're trying to prevent," the officer responds in horror.
Advertisement
"We want to keep this town open."
He then questions why the students were not quarantining for 14 days, as recommended by state and federal health officials.
More than 1,000 Miami University students have tested positive for coronavirus since classes started this term, according to the WKRC news channel.
Governor Mike DeWine said in a briefing that cases at Miami are the reason why Butler County remains at a level three on the state's public health advisory system.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The university still plans to start in-person classes on 21 September.
However, officials have warned that students who refuse to take a test will be denied access to campus services and will have to return to remote learning.
Oxford police cited six men who attended the party, for violating the state's mass gathering and quarantine ordinance. They could face a $500 fine (£390).


skynewsus--2020-09-12--'The city has become unbearable': Why are so many people leaving Los Angeles?

The pandemic has laid bare deep-rooted problems and many Angelenos are cutting their losses and leaving the city .
Homelessness has long been a problem in US cities such as Los Angeles .
Since the pandemic hit , the number of people living in tents in the city has grown visibly .
In the wealthy neighbourhood of Venice Beach , rows of tents now dominate the sidewalks in affluent residential streets .
One realtor , who did n't want to be identified , told Sky News one of his clients returned to her Venice Beach home to find a homeless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was at that point she said ' I 'm out ' and put her house on the market , '' he said .
`` As a woman living on her own , she did n't feel safe living there anymore . ''
You hear this time and time again from people .
The city feels more dangerous , the homelessness is out of control - on top of high taxes and eye-watering rents , many are considering moving out if they have n't already .
Comedian Joe Rogan is one high-profile resident who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overcrowding , traffic and homelessness as the driving factors .
He is not alone .
Kerstin , a British expat , posted online : `` We 've just left LA and moved to Ojai because things in the city became unbearable for us . ''
When contacted she told Sky News : `` We have quite a few people in our circle of friends who are either leaving LA because of COVID or planning on it .
`` It 's caused a seismic shift in many people 's lives and priorities .
LA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of control and the inequality that exists in the city is more visible than ever . ''
You ca n't mistake the growing gulf between the rich and poor here .
In Venice Beach , sandwiched between Gold 's gym where Arnold Schwarzenegger trains and a Google corporate office , are rows of tents where people are now living .
It really is a tale of two cities .
As tents pile up on LA sidewalks , you see the For Sale and For Lease signs appearing too .
Homes are now empty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets .
Removal companies are working flat out too - and some have seen a huge increase in demand from people moving out of Los Angeles and San Francisco .
Danny O'Brian , who recently sold his business Watson 's Removals , said : `` We ca n't get enough trucks in to get the stuff out . ''
Despite having a booming trade , he has made the decision to leave LA too .
The cost of living was the driving reason in his decision to move to Nashville for a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deteriorating conditions are a big factor too .
`` You ca n't even walk on the street for tents in some places .
People passed out on the street - these are the images your kids are seeing now .
And now we 're encouraging people to be there by putting in bathroom facilities . ''
The city has seen a 16.1 % rise in homelessness this year to 41,290 , according the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority .
This data is from January , before coronavirus hit .
Since then unemployment has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is estimated another 36,000 households in LA could end up homeless due to the pandemic .
Scott Campbell has lived in his tent in Venice Beach for two months .
He said : `` I 've owned two homes .
Had the mortgage , the insurance , the responsibility .
`` There 's going to be a lot of people out of homes with rents not being paid , mortgages not being paid so I would like to show people how to do this , '' he says gesturing to his tent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a steady migration out of cities like LA , New York , Chicago and San Francisco .
Coronavirus has just exacerbated the exodus .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Bulldog Realtors in Venice Beach maintain the market is buoyant .
But selling multimillion-dollar houses next to homeless encampments is undoubtedly a growing challenge .
The company 's director Bob Friday said : `` Maybe we need to get away from the attitude of , 'oh do n't put that housing project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to go somewhere . ''
He continued : `` These things wo n't go away by us putting the blinders on and pretending they 're not there .
We can see that now . ''
LA has long been an expensive place to live , but for people with dreams it felt worth the price .
This may not be a permanent shift , but for now LA 's allure has been greatly dimmed by its growing social and economic issues .

The pandemic has laid bare deep-rooted problems and many Angelenos are cutting their losses and leaving the city.
Homelessness has long been a problem in US cities such as Los Angeles.
Since the pandemic hit, the number of people living in tents in the city has grown visibly.
Image: Homelessness has increased in the Californian city over the past year
In the wealthy neighbourhood of Venice Beach, rows of tents now dominate the sidewalks in affluent residential streets.
One realtor, who didn't want to be identified, told Sky News one of his clients returned to her Venice Beach home to find a homeless man in her kitchen.
"It was at that point she said 'I'm out' and put her house on the market," he said.
"As a woman living on her own, she didn't feel safe living there anymore."
You hear this time and time again from people.
The city feels more dangerous, the homelessness is out of control - on top of high taxes and eye-watering rents, many are considering moving out if they haven't already.
Advertisement
Image: Tents line the streets in affluent neighbourhoods of Los Angelese
Comedian Joe Rogan is one high-profile resident who has left LA for Texas - citing overcrowding, traffic and homelessness as the driving factors. He is not alone.
One member of the "Brits in LA" Facebook group posted: "We've just left LA and moved to Ojai because things in the city became unbearable for us."
When contacted, they told Sky News: "We have quite a few people in our circle of friends who are either leaving LA because of COVID or planning on it.
"It's caused a seismic shift in many people's lives and priorities. LA is going downhill. Homelessness is out of control and the inequality that exists in the city is more visible than ever."
You can't mistake the growing gulf between the rich and poor here.
In Venice Beach, sandwiched between Gold's gym where Arnold Schwarzenegger trains and a Google corporate office, are rows of tents where people are now living.
It really is a tale of two cities.
As tents pile up on LA sidewalks, you see the For Sale and For Lease signs appearing too.
Homes are now empty on some of Hollywood's most sought-after streets.
Removal companies are working flat out too - and some have seen a huge increase in demand from people moving out of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Image: Unemployment has reached nearly 20% in Los Angeles
Danny O'Brian, who recently sold his business Watson's Removals, said: "We can't get enough trucks in to get the stuff out."
Despite having a booming trade, he has made the decision to leave LA too.
The cost of living was the driving reason in his decision to move to Nashville for a more affordable life, but the city's deteriorating conditions are a big factor too.
"You can't even walk on the street for tents in some places. People passed out on the street - these are the images your kids are seeing now. And now we're encouraging people to be there by putting in bathroom facilities."
The city has seen a 16.1% rise in homelessness this year to 41,290, according the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
This data is from January, before coronavirus hit.
Since then unemployment has reached nearly 20% here.
It is estimated another 36,000 households in LA could end up homeless due to the pandemic.
Image: Scott Campbell used to have a mortgage but now lives in a tent
Scott Campbell has lived in his tent in Venice Beach for two months.
He said: "I've owned two homes. Had the mortgage, the insurance, the responsibility.
"There's going to be a lot of people out of homes with rents not being paid, mortgages not being paid so I would like to show people how to do this," he says gesturing to his tent.
Even before the pandemic hit there was a steady migration out of cities like LA, New York, Chicago and San Francisco.
Coronavirus has just exacerbated the exodus.
:: Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Bulldog Realtors in Venice Beach maintain the market is buoyant.
But selling multimillion-dollar houses next to homeless encampments is undoubtedly a growing challenge.
The company's director Bob Friday said: "Maybe we need to get away from the attitude of, 'oh don't put that housing project in my backyard'. It's got to go somewhere."
He continued: "These things won't go away by us putting the blinders on and pretending they're not there. We can see that now."
LA has long been an expensive place to live, but for people with dreams it felt worth the price.
This may not be a permanent shift, but for now LA's allure has been greatly dimmed by its growing social and economic issues.


skynewsus--2020-09-12--Student holds party where everyone had tested positive for COVID-19


skynewsus--2020-09-13--'Everybody is scared but we're hopeful': Oregon town tries to stay positive in the face of fires

The pall hanging over Oregon is literally breathtaking .
The wildfire smoke is a choking shroud hundreds of miles long and it is impossible to escape .
It pervades in a remarkable way - even , alarmingly , into the cabin of planes descending into Portland airport .
It is a reminder of just how unprecedented these fires are in the Pacific North West .
One of the states most blessed by nature , now suffering nature 's wrath .
Tens of thousands of Oregonians have been driven from their homes .
Hundreds will find those homes gone when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unaccounted for .
Thirty-one people across three states - Oregon , Washington and California - are confirmed to have died .
The landscape is eerie .
A yellow fog blanketing everything .
Ghostly figures emerge and fade .
It is a spooky backdrop for communities now on edge .
The stories are beginning to emerge of heartbreaking loss in Oregon , of those who could n't outrun the flames .
Tragically there will be many more of those stories in the days to come .
In Molalla , a town under evacuation orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some hardy locals have stayed behind .
Ashley Bentley marshals volunteers to distribute supplies to those in need .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker '' We 're a little bit rebellious , '' she said .
`` We just ca n't sit around doing nothing so we got to get our hands dirty .
`` I think everybody is scared , fire scares people , but I think we 're hopeful . ''
Just down the road , a row @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding a surreal touch to the feel of Molalla as a ghost town .
Police have urged people to stop spreading rumours of looting and arson .
But while we were in Molalla a man was arrested on suspicion of burglary at a building that had been evacuated .
A man is also in custody charged with starting one of the biggest fires in the south of the state .
The president will be over the border in hard-hit California on Monday .
He has always dismissed the role of climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puts him at odds with many who are dealing with the reality .
Better weather and a forecast of rain is bringing some comfort to Oregon but it will take a massive recovery operation to put lives back together .
And until the smoke lifts no one will feel at ease .

The pall hanging over Oregon is literally breathtaking.
The wildfire smoke is a choking shroud hundreds of miles long and it is impossible to escape.
It pervades in a remarkable way - even, alarmingly, into the cabin of planes descending into Portland airport.
Image: Molalla in Oregon is a ghost town because of the fires
It is a reminder of just how unprecedented these fires are in the Pacific North West. One of the states most blessed by nature, now suffering nature's wrath.
Tens of thousands of Oregonians have been driven from their homes. Hundreds will find those homes gone when they return. Dozens are still posted as unaccounted for. At least 33 people across three states - Oregon, Washington and California - are confirmed to have died.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:36 Drone footage has captured the eeriness of California's wildfires.
The landscape is eerie. A yellow fog blanketing everything. Ghostly figures emerge and fade. It is a spooky backdrop for communities now on edge.
The stories are beginning to emerge of heartbreaking loss in Oregon, of those who couldn't outrun the flames. Tragically there will be many more of those stories in the days to come.
In Molalla, a town under evacuation orders with a huge fire on its doorstep, some hardy locals have stayed behind. Ashley Bentley marshals volunteers to distribute supplies to those in need.
:: Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Advertisement
"We're a little bit rebellious," she said. "We just can't sit around doing nothing so we got to get our hands dirty.
"I think everybody is scared, fire scares people, but I think we're hopeful."
Just down the road, a row of broken pianos sits on the pavement, adding a surreal touch to the feel of Molalla as a ghost town.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:22 Half a million evacuated in Oregon wildfires
Police have urged people to stop spreading rumours of looting and arson. But while we were in Molalla a man was arrested on suspicion of burglary at a building that had been evacuated. A man is also in custody charged with starting one of the biggest fires in the south of the state.
The president will be over the border in hard-hit California on Monday. He has always dismissed the role of climate change in these intensifying wildfire seasons. It puts him at odds with many who are dealing with the reality.
Better weather and a forecast of rain is bringing some comfort to Oregon but it will take a massive recovery operation to put lives back together.
And until the smoke lifts no one will feel at ease.


skynewsus--2020-09-13--Video captures 'ambush' shooting of two sheriff's deputies

Two Los Angeles County sheriff 's deputies are fighting for their lives after they were shot in an apparent ambush that was captured on video .
The pair , a man and a woman , were sitting in their patrol car in Compton when a gunman approached from the side and opened fire before fleeing the scene .
Officials said both were in a critical condition after suffering multiple gunshot wounds and were currently undergoing surgery .
A hunt is now underway for the attacker .
Los Angeles County Sheriff 's Department released surveillance footage of the shooting , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walked up on the deputies and opened fire without warning or provocation . ''
Captain Gisselle Espinoza , of Los Angeles Police Department , joined a number of law enforcement officials in voicing her shock over the attack .
`` I hope this monster is caught soon , '' she said .
`` I 'm sick to my stomach .
The deputies are in my prayers . ''
It was unclear whether a particular suspect was being sought .
It comes after LA sheriff 's detectives shot and killed a man in Compton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he opened fire on them as they served a search warrant .
There is no suggestion the two incidents are linked .

Two Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies are fighting for their lives after they were shot in an apparent ambush that was captured on video.
The pair, a man and a woman, were sitting in their patrol car in Compton when a gunman approached from the side and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
Officials said both were in a critical condition after suffering multiple gunshot wounds and were currently undergoing surgery.
A hunt is now underway for the attacker.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department released surveillance footage of the shooting, saying in a statement: "The gunman walked up on the deputies and opened fire without warning or provocation."
Donald Trump tweeted: "If they die, fast trial death penalty for the killer. Only way to stop this!"
The US president made the comments in a retweet of his son Donald Trump Jr's post, which read: "Please pray for these two Sheriff Deputies. Their lives matter!!!"
Captain Gisselle Espinoza, of Los Angeles Police Department, joined a number of law enforcement officials in voicing her shock over the attack.
"I hope this monster is caught soon," she said.
Advertisement
"I'm sick to my stomach. The deputies are in my prayers."
It was unclear whether a particular suspect was being sought.
It comes after LA sheriff's detectives shot and killed a man in Compton on Thursday after, they say, he opened fire on them as they served a search warrant.
There is no suggestion the two incidents are linked.


skynewsus--2020-09-13--Donald Trump again blames deadly US wildfires on 'forest management'

Donald Trump has blamed wildfires - which have killed at least 31 people across the US west coast - on `` forest management '' .
The president made the comments during an election rally in Nevada ahead of a visit to California on Monday , where 22 people have died since the fires broke out in mid-August .
Speaking to supporters in Minden - many of whom were not wearing face masks , or practising social distancing - he said : `` Tonight our hearts are with all of the communities in the west battling devastating wildfires .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Spoke to the folks in Oregon , Washington .
They never had anything like this .
`` But you know , it is about forest management .
`` Please remember the words , '' he told a cheering crowd , adding : `` Very simple .
Forest management . ''
In November 2019 , Mr Trump made similar comments when he threatened to cut federal aid to California for fighting wildfires , saying its governor had done a `` terrible job of forest management '' and should `` get his act together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Joe Biden , and the governors of California , Oregon and Washington state - all Democrats - have said the fires are a consequence of global warming .
Mr Biden said : `` We absolutely must act now to avoid a future defined by an unending barrage of tragedies like the one American families are enduring across the west today . ''
In Oregon , around 500,000 residents have been warned to evacuate due to historic high levels of air pollution .
In San Francisco , the fires blanketed the city 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an orange glow .
Around 16,000 firefighters in California were battling 28 major wildfires across the state , although most were ignited on Thursday and quickly contained .
Oregon 's emergency management director said officials there were preparing for a possible `` mass fatality event '' .
The deadly blazes have also destroyed some towns and displaced tens of thousands of people .
In Washington state , the land burned in the past five days amounted to its second-worst fire season - after 2015 - according to Governor Jay Inslee .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` This has happened because we have changed the climate . ''
The air quality index reading on Saturday morning in Oregon 's capital , Salem , was 512 - the scale normally goes from 0 to 500 .
`` Above 500 is literally off the charts , '' said Laura Gleim , a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality .
Ms Gleim also said that because past air quality was rarely so poor , the government 's yardstick for measuring it was capped at 500 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fires and fuelled the flames were likely a once-in-a-generation event , according to Greg Jones , a professor and research climatologist at Linfield University in McMinnville , Oregon .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker He has suggested that a large high-pressure area , stretching from the desert southwest to Alaska , brought strong winds from the east toward the west coast , reducing relative humidity to as low as 8 % and bringing desert-like conditions even along the Pacific Ocean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pacific Northwest normally enjoys , the strong easterly winds pushed fires down the western slopes of the Cascade Range .
It is not clear if global warming caused the conditions , Mr Jones said , but added that a warmer world can increase the likelihood of extreme events and contribute to their severity .

Donald Trump has blamed wildfires - which have killed at least 31 people across the US west coast - on "forest management".
The president made the comments during an election rally in Nevada ahead of a visit to California on Monday, where 22 people have died since the fires broke out in mid-August.
Speaking to supporters in Minden - many of whom were not wearing face masks, or practising social distancing - he said: "Tonight our hearts are with all of the communities in the west battling devastating wildfires.
Image: Donald Trump is due to visit California on Monday
Image: The president made the comments during an election rally in Nevada
"I'm going to be going to California. Spoke to the folks in Oregon, Washington. They never had anything like this.
"But you know, it is about forest management.
"Please remember the words," he told a cheering crowd, adding: "Very simple. Forest management."
In November 2019, Mr Trump made similar comments when he threatened to cut federal aid to California for fighting wildfires, saying its governor had done a "terrible job of forest management" and should "get his act together".
Image: A couple in Oregon find their home destroyed by wildfires
Mr Trump's Democratic rival, Joe Biden, and the governors of California, Oregon and Washington state - all Democrats - have said the fires are a consequence of global warming.
Mr Biden said: "We absolutely must act now to avoid a future defined by an unending barrage of tragedies like the one American families are enduring across the west today."
Advertisement
In Oregon, around 500,000 residents have been warned to evacuate due to historic high levels of air pollution.
In San Francisco, the fires blanketed the city's iconic Golden Gate Bridge in darkness and an orange glow.
Image: Wildfires blanket San Francisco in darkness and an orange glow
Around 16,000 firefighters in California were battling 28 major wildfires across the state, although most were ignited on Thursday and quickly contained.
Oregon's emergency management director said officials there were preparing for a possible "mass fatality event".
The deadly blazes have also destroyed some towns and displaced tens of thousands of people.
In Washington state, the land burned in the past five days amounted to its second-worst fire season - after 2015 - according to Governor Jay Inslee.
"This is not an act of God," he said.
"This has happened because we have changed the climate."
The air quality index reading on Saturday morning in Oregon's capital, Salem, was 512 - the scale normally goes from 0 to 500.
"Above 500 is literally off the charts," said Laura Gleim, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
Ms Gleim also said that because past air quality was rarely so poor, the government's yardstick for measuring it was capped at 500.
The weather conditions that led up to the fires and fuelled the flames were likely a once-in-a-generation event, according to Greg Jones, a professor and research climatologist at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon.
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
He has suggested that a large high-pressure area, stretching from the desert southwest to Alaska, brought strong winds from the east toward the west coast, reducing relative humidity to as low as 8% and bringing desert-like conditions even along the Pacific Ocean.
Instead of the offshore flows that the Pacific Northwest normally enjoys, the strong easterly winds pushed fires down the western slopes of the Cascade Range.
It is not clear if global warming caused the conditions, Mr Jones said, but added that a warmer world can increase the likelihood of extreme events and contribute to their severity.


skynewsus--2020-09-13--Bermuda warned to 'protect life and property' ahead of hurricane

Bermuda residents are being urged to prepare to `` protect life and property '' ahead of the expected arrival of Hurricane Paulette on Sunday evening .
Carrying top sustained winds of 75mph ( 120kph ) , it is due to grow into a dangerous storm as it approaches the British island territory in the north Atlantic Ocean , according to the US National Hurricane Center ( NHC ) .
Experts say swells produced by Paulette are also affecting parts of the Bahamas and the east coast of America , which could cause `` life-threatening surf and rip current conditions '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Storm Sally , which it says strengthened off the west coast of Florida on Sunday .
It is expected to bring hurricane conditions by early Tuesday , with the threat of an `` extremely dangerous and life-threatening storm surge '' - when the ocean rises at the coast over normal tide levels - of up to 11ft ( 3.35m ) , and rainfall of up to 12in ( 30cm ) .
Sally is due to hit Grand Isle , Louisiana , to Ocean Springs , Mississippi , including New Orleans .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southern and central Florida .
As of 5am ET ( 0900 GMT ) on Sunday , Sally was around 115 miles ( 190 km ) west of Port Charlotte , and heading west-northwest with top sustained winds of 50mph ( 85kph ) .
Oil companies evacuated staff from some offshore platforms on Saturday as Sally reached warm Gulf of Mexico waters .
The storm follows Laura , which killed at least six people after rampaging across the Gulf of Mexico last month .
It grew into a Category 4 hurricane , with 150mph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , triggering a wall of sea water .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker It shut hundreds of offshore oil facilities and left residents of Louisiana and Texas without power for weeks .
Tall buildings also had their windows smashed , while glass and debris were thrown around the city of Lake Charles .

Bermuda residents are being urged to prepare to "protect life and property" ahead of the expected arrival of Hurricane Paulette on Sunday evening.
Carrying top sustained winds of 75mph (120kph), it is due to grow into a dangerous storm as it approaches the British island territory in the north Atlantic Ocean, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Experts say swells produced by Paulette are also affecting parts of the Bahamas and the east coast of America, which could cause "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions".
Image: Hurricane Paulette is due to hit Bermuda on Sunday night. Pic: National Hurricane Center
The NHC is also tracking Tropical Storm Sally, which it says strengthened off the west coast of Florida on Sunday.
It is expected to bring hurricane conditions by early Tuesday, with the threat of an "extremely dangerous and life-threatening storm surge" - when the ocean rises at the coast over normal tide levels - of up to 11ft (3.35m), and rainfall of up to 12in (30cm).
Sally is due to hit Grand Isle, Louisiana, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, including New Orleans.
Image: This couple's mobile home in Lake Charles was destroyed by hurricane Laura
It is also expected to produce flash flooding across southern and central Florida.
More on Bermuda 'Extremely dangerous' Hurricane Nicole approaches Bermuda
As of 5am ET (0900 GMT) on Sunday, Sally was around 115 miles (190 km) west of Port Charlotte, and heading west-northwest with top sustained winds of 50mph (85kph).
Oil companies evacuated staff from some offshore platforms on Saturday as Sally reached warm Gulf of Mexico waters.
Advertisement
The storm follows Laura, which killed at least six people after rampaging across the Gulf of Mexico last month.
It grew into a Category 4 hurricane, with 150mph (240kph) winds and heavy rain, triggering a wall of sea water.
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
It shut hundreds of offshore oil facilities and left residents of Louisiana and Texas without power for weeks.
Tall buildings also had their windows smashed, while glass and debris were thrown around the city of Lake Charles.


skynewsus--2020-09-13--Grandson of US president Warren G. Harding requests to exhume his remains

The grandson of the US president Warren G. Harding has asked for permission to dig up the Republican 's remains to `` establish with a scientific certainty '' they are related .
James Blaesing and his partner made the request to a court in May .
They say they have already accepted DNA evidence that Mr Blaesing 's mother , Elizabeth Ann Blaesing , was the daughter of the 29th US president and Nan Britton .
Mr Harding 's extramarital affair with Ms Britton came to light after his death while in office in 1923 .
The dispute looms as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Harding 's 1920 election with site upgrades and a new presidential centre in his hometown of Marion , Ohio .
Mr Blaesing has reportedly said he deserves to `` have his story , his mother 's story and his grandmother 's story included within the hallowed halls and museums in this town '' .
He is not the first person to request the exhumation of a well-known figure with the hope of proving they are related .
María Pilar Abel Martínez , a Spanish tarot card reader , claimed she was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her mother had an affair with him .
A judge reportedly agreed Dali 's body could be exhumed and DNA tests later proved she was not the artist 's daughter .
In January this year , relatives of the US gangster John Dillinger are said to have called off their efforts to exhume the Depression-era criminal 's body .
The gangster 's nephew , Michael C Thompson , had reportedly requested to have Dillinger 's remains exhumed as part of a History Channel documentary The permit did n't give a reason for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have answered a conspiracy theory that claims Dillinger is n't buried in his marked grave .

The grandson of the US president Warren G. Harding has asked for permission to dig up the Republican's remains to "establish with a scientific certainty" they are related.
James Blaesing and his partner made the request to a court in May.
Mr Harding's legal heirs oppose the move.
They say they have already accepted DNA evidence that Mr Blaesing's mother, Elizabeth Ann Blaesing, was the daughter of the 29th US president and Nan Britton.
Image: Nan Britton is seen with her daughter Elizabeth Ann Blaesing
Mr Harding's extramarital affair with Ms Britton came to light after his death while in office in 1923.
The dispute looms as benefactors prepare to mark the centennial of Mr Harding's 1920 election with site upgrades and a new presidential centre in his hometown of Marion, Ohio.
Mr Blaesing has reportedly said he deserves to "have his story, his mother's story and his grandmother's story included within the hallowed halls and museums in this town".
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
He is not the first person to request the exhumation of a well-known figure with the hope of proving they are related.
Advertisement
María Pilar Abel Martínez, a Spanish tarot card reader, claimed she was the child of the artist Salvador Dali after her mother had an affair with him.
Image: Salvador Dali was exhumed after a tarot card reader claimed she was his daughter
A judge reportedly agreed Dali's body could be exhumed and DNA tests later proved she was not the artist's daughter.
In January this year, relatives of the US gangster John Dillinger are said to have called off their efforts to exhume the Depression-era criminal's body.
The gangster's nephew, Michael C Thompson, had reportedly requested to have Dillinger's remains exhumed as part of a History Channel documentary
The permit didn't give a reason for the request, but exhuming the remains could have answered a conspiracy theory that claims Dillinger isn't buried in his marked grave.


skynewsus--2020-09-13--Florida city to lift ban on 'saggy pants'  - 13 years after it was put in place

A ban on `` saggy pants '' that reveal a person 's underwear is set to be lifted in a South Florida city - 13 years after it was put in place .
The city commission in Opa-locka , northeast of Miami , has voted 4 to 1 to repeal both the original 2007 legislation and a 2013 ordinance that said men and women could receive civil citations if they breached the ban .
Signs are in place around the city to warn people not to get caught with their pants down .
One shows an image of two young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ features the words : `` No ifs , ands or butts ... it 's the city law ! ''
Wednesday 's vote was a first reading of the repeal , meaning it will need to be approved again at a subsequent commission meeting before it 's official , the Miami Herald reports .
However , the item was co-sponsored by four of the five commissioners .
Vice Mayor Chris Davis , who sponsored the repeal , told the Miami Herald : `` I was never in support of it , even as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disproportionately affected a certain segment of our population , which is young , African-American men . ''
The American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) called the ban a `` ridiculous waste of public resources '' , saying it would it would `` impose overly harsh penalties for victimless behaviour '' and disproportionately affect black young people .

A ban on "saggy pants" that reveal a person's underwear is set to be lifted in a South Florida city - 13 years after it was put in place.
The city commission in Opa-locka, northeast of Miami, has voted 4 to 1 to repeal both the original 2007 legislation and a 2013 ordinance that said men and women could receive civil citations if they breached the ban.
Signs are in place around the city to warn people not to get caught with their pants down.
One shows an image of two young men wearing pants below their waists and features the words: "No ifs, ands or butts... it's the city law!"
Wednesday's vote was a first reading of the repeal, meaning it will need to be approved again at a subsequent commission meeting before it's official, the Miami Herald reports.
However, the item was co-sponsored by four of the five commissioners.
Vice Mayor Chris Davis, who sponsored the repeal, told the Miami Herald: "I was never in support of it, even as a resident."
"I felt it disproportionately affected a certain segment of our population, which is young, African-American men."
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) called the ban a "ridiculous waste of public resources", saying it would it would "impose overly harsh penalties for victimless behaviour" and disproportionately affect black young people.