courthousenews--2020-11-11--Trump Campaign Says It Will Sue Michigan Again, Claiming Irregularities

DETROIT ( CN ) — President Donald Trump ’ s legal team announced plans for a federal lawsuit against the Michigan Secretary of State and Wayne County as it continues to deny that Democrat Joe Biden won the presidential election fair and square .
Campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh declared as much when he opened an evening press conference .
“ This election is not over , ” he said .
“ As we sit here tonight , a week after Election Day , Joe Biden has been certified as the winner in exactly zero states.
” Murtaugh claims there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people participating in the process .
“ In some cases , people registered to vote while dead .
Requested a ballot while dead , and then submitted that ballot while dead .
I know that modern medicine has come a long way , but I don ’ t think it has come quite that far , ” he said .
Matt Morgan , Trump 2020 general counsel , said the intent of the forthcoming lawsuit to be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan was to determine if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were violated and suggested it could be the catalyst to discover more issues .
“ These irregular activities could be the tip of the iceberg , ” he opined .
Morgan said the complaint is based on affidavits claiming Republican poll watchers were denied meaningful access to the counting process and were intimidated by election officials in downtown Detroit who cheered when they left the area .
“ Because these were Republican poll watchers who were pushed out , harassed , intimidated and denied their right to perform meaningful observation , there may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he warned .
Morgan wants state elections officials to hold off on certifying the election until a thorough review can be performed .
The campaign ’ s local attorney Thor Hearn said Wayne County had “ so many ” irregularities that he was able to gather 100 affidavits that detail violations of election law like ballots counted more than once .
“ That suggests that the canvassing boards in Michigan can not certify what was released as preliminary , unofficial results in Wayne County .
And that is what the lawsuit is asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
This is second legal action filed on behalf of the Trump campaign in Michigan .
When CNN called the presidential race for Biden on Nov. 6 , Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien announced a lawsuit filed in the Michigan Court of Claims by the campaign and election inspector Eric Ostergren .
They accused Michigan election officials of denying them access to inspect ballots and observe the count in progress .
“ President Trump ’ s campaign has not been provided with meaningful access to numerous counting locations to observe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as guaranteed by Michigan law , ” Stepien said at the time .
“ We have filed suit in the Michigan Court of Claims to halt counting until meaningful access has been granted .
We also demand to review those ballots which were opened and counted while we did not have meaningful access.
” The filing was quickly dismissed by Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Stephens , who said she was was highly skeptical of the allegations and repeatedly asked attorney Hearne how an affidavit filed by a Republican vote challenger was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an out of court statement , ” Stephens admonished .
“ You want me to find truth , at least a scintilla of truth in what she says the contents of that communication were , right ?
” Michigan Assistant Attorney General Heather Meingast argued at the hearing that the complaint was meritless since the vote count was complete .
“ There isn ’ t any relief that can be granted at this time .
The counting boards have completed their functions , so the ship has really sailed on the relief they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An affidavit by Director of Elections Jonathan Brater said election inspectors are appointed and present in each precinct and that no complaints about exclusion from the counting boards were received .

President Donald Trump’s legal team announced plans for a federal lawsuit against the Michigan Secretary of State and Wayne County as it continues to deny that Democrat Joe Biden won the presidential election fair and square.
DETROIT (CN) — President Donald Trump’s legal team announced plans for a federal lawsuit against the Michigan Secretary of State and Wayne County as it continues to deny that Democrat Joe Biden won the presidential election fair and square.
Campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh declared as much when he opened an evening press conference.
“This election is not over,” he said. “As we sit here tonight, a week after Election Day, Joe Biden has been certified as the winner in exactly zero states.”
Murtaugh claims there were rampant irregularities and confirmed reports of deceased people participating in the process.
“In some cases, people registered to vote while dead. Requested a ballot while dead, and then submitted that ballot while dead. I know that modern medicine has come a long way, but I don’t think it has come quite that far,” he said.
Matt Morgan, Trump 2020 general counsel, said the intent of the forthcoming lawsuit to be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan was to determine if constitutional rights of voters and poll watchers were violated and suggested it could be the catalyst to discover more issues.
“These irregular activities could be the tip of the iceberg,” he opined.
Morgan said the complaint is based on affidavits claiming Republican poll watchers were denied meaningful access to the counting process and were intimidated by election officials in downtown Detroit who cheered when they left the area.
“Because these were Republican poll watchers who were pushed out, harassed, intimidated and denied their right to perform meaningful observation, there may have been more unconstitutional practices,” he warned.
Morgan wants state elections officials to hold off on certifying the election until a thorough review can be performed.
The campaign’s local attorney Thor Hearn said Wayne County had “so many” irregularities that he was able to gather 100 affidavits that detail violations of election law like ballots counted more than once.
“That suggests that the canvassing boards in Michigan cannot certify what was released as preliminary, unofficial results in Wayne County. And that is what the lawsuit is asking the federal judge to enforce,” he said.
This is second legal action filed on behalf of the Trump campaign in Michigan. When CNN called the presidential race for Biden on Nov. 6, Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien announced a lawsuit filed in the Michigan Court of Claims by the campaign and election inspector Eric Ostergren. They accused Michigan election officials of denying them access to inspect ballots and observe the count in progress.
“President Trump’s campaign has not been provided with meaningful access to numerous counting locations to observe the opening of ballots and the counting process, as guaranteed by Michigan law,” Stepien said at the time. “We have filed suit in the Michigan Court of Claims to halt counting until meaningful access has been granted. We also demand to review those ballots which were opened and counted while we did not have meaningful access.”
The filing was quickly dismissed by Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Stephens, who said she was was highly skeptical of the allegations and repeatedly asked attorney Hearne how an affidavit filed by a Republican vote challenger was not hearsay.
“It’s an out of court statement,” Stephens admonished. “You want me to find truth, at least a scintilla of truth in what she says the contents of that communication were, right?”
Michigan Assistant Attorney General Heather Meingast argued at the hearing that the complaint was meritless since the vote count was complete.
“There isn’t any relief that can be granted at this time. The counting boards have completed their functions, so the ship has really sailed on the relief they are requesting,” she said.
An affidavit by Director of Elections Jonathan Brater said election inspectors are appointed and present in each precinct and that no complaints about exclusion from the counting boards were received.


courthousenews--2020-11-11--California Covid Progress Slides as Counties See Cases Spike

( CN ) — California officials have ordered nearly a dozen California counties , including one of the Golden State ’ s most populous , to impose stricter Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines amid growing statewide and national cases .
As states and local governments around the country grapple with fresh spikes in positive Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations , California Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mark Ghaly announced during a video conference Tuesday that 11 California counties would be moving to more restrictive Covid-19 tiers .
Two counties — Sacramento and San Diego — have been moved into California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tier , the state ’ s most restrictive .
This tier is reserved for counties with a positivity rate of 8 % or more countywide and involves the closure of most nonessential indoor business closures .
A handful of other counties including Amador , Contra Costa , Placer and Santa Cruz have fallen back into the red or “ substantial ” tier , California ’ s second-most restrictive that includes counites with a 5-8 % positivity rate .
Some nonessential indoor businesses that had been allowed to reopen must scale back under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trinity counites , meanwhile , were demoted to the orange or “ moderate ” tier , California ’ s second-least severe tier intended for counites with 2-4.9 % positivity rates that allows some indoor businesses to keep their doors open , albeit with some modifications .
Health officials also reported that Los Angeles County , California ’ s most populous county , remains in purple tier , a ranking that officials say is unlikely to change anytime soon .
None of California ’ s 58 counites moved in a positive direction .
Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday alone , inching the state closer to 1 million total cases .
Officials also reported the state is currently experiencing a 7-day test positivity of 4.2 % , a rate that has not been seen since August , and that hospitalization rates and patients being treated in the ICU increased 3.4 % and 4 % respectively just since Monday .
While Ghaly stopped short of saying California is experiencing new “ surge ” in cases , he nonetheless warned that the current trends for the state are troubling as they look to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if things stay the way they are , between this week and next week over half of counties will have moved to a more restrictive tier , ” Ghaly said during Tuesday ’ s conference .
“ So that ’ s certainly an indication that we ’ re concerned , and we have to keep a close eye on what ’ s happening.
” As of Tuesday , California ’ s new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people sits at 8.4 % , which puts the state squarely in the most restrictive purple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate — a 7-day average of all Covid test performed that came back positive — sits at 3.4 % .
Tuesday ’ s new county restrictions come a day after Governor Gavin Newsom told Californians that while the state ’ s tier system and response to new Covid-19 data is working , people should not abandon their sense of caution over recent reports of a potentially effective Covid-19 vaccine .
“ I am concerned that we may be over exuberant that we now have a safe vaccine and people may go back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
“ The availability to people like you and me is a long way off .
Do not take your guard down.
” The governor further noted that once such a vaccine does become available , California ’ s first responders will be first in line to receive it .
California health officials said during Tuesday ’ s announcement that on top of continuing to be mindful about maintaining social distancing , practicing good handwashing and wearing a mask while in public , people should also be making an effort to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help prevent the spread of another troubling virus as health care workers continue to fight against Covid-19 .

California officials have ordered nearly a dozen California counties, including one of the Golden State’s most populous, to impose stricter Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines amid growing statewide and national cases.
(CN) — California officials have ordered nearly a dozen California counties, including one of the Golden State’s most populous, to impose stricter Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines amid growing statewide and national cases.
As states and local governments around the country grapple with fresh spikes in positive Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations, California Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mark Ghaly announced during a video conference Tuesday that 11 California counties would be moving to more restrictive Covid-19 tiers.
Two counties — Sacramento and San Diego — have been moved into California’s purple or “widespread” tier, the state’s most restrictive. This tier is reserved for counties with a positivity rate of 8% or more countywide and involves the closure of most nonessential indoor business closures.
A handful of other counties including Amador, Contra Costa, Placer and Santa Cruz have fallen back into the red or “substantial” tier, California’s second-most restrictive that includes counites with a 5-8% positivity rate. Some nonessential indoor businesses that had been allowed to reopen must scale back under the red tier.
Modoc, Siskiyou and Trinity counites, meanwhile, were demoted to the orange or “moderate” tier, California’s second-least severe tier intended for counites with 2-4.9% positivity rates that allows some indoor businesses to keep their doors open, albeit with some modifications.
Health officials also reported that Los Angeles County, California’s most populous county, remains in purple tier, a ranking that officials say is unlikely to change anytime soon.
None of California’s 58 counites moved in a positive direction.
Health officials confirmed 5,367 new daily cases on Tuesday alone, inching the state closer to 1 million total cases.
Officials also reported the state is currently experiencing a 7-day test positivity of 4.2%, a rate that has not been seen since August, and that hospitalization rates and patients being treated in the ICU increased 3.4% and 4% respectively just since Monday.
While Ghaly stopped short of saying California is experiencing new “surge” in cases, he nonetheless warned that the current trends for the state are troubling as they look to the near future.
“We anticipate that if things stay the way they are, between this week and next week over half of counties will have moved to a more restrictive tier,” Ghaly said during Tuesday’s conference. “So that’s certainly an indication that we’re concerned, and we have to keep a close eye on what’s happening.”
As of Tuesday, California’s new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people sits at 8.4%, which puts the state squarely in the most restrictive purple tier under that metric. The positivity rate — a 7-day average of all Covid test performed that came back positive — sits at 3.4%.
Tuesday’s new county restrictions come a day after Governor Gavin Newsom told Californians that while the state’s tier system and response to new Covid-19 data is working, people should not abandon their sense of caution over recent reports of a potentially effective Covid-19 vaccine.
“I am concerned that we may be over exuberant that we now have a safe vaccine and people may go back to their usual form,” Newsom said Monday. “The availability to people like you and me is a long way off. Do not take your guard down.”
The governor further noted that once such a vaccine does become available, California’s first responders will be first in line to receive it.
California health officials said during Tuesday’s announcement that on top of continuing to be mindful about maintaining social distancing, practicing good handwashing and wearing a mask while in public, people should also be making an effort to get their flu shots for the year to help prevent the spread of another troubling virus as health care workers continue to fight against Covid-19.


courthousenews--2020-11-10--Minnesota Governor Orders Targeted Restrictions to Slow Virus Spread

ST. PAUL , Minn. ( CN ) — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced a scattering of new measures to slow the spread of Covid-19 on Tuesday , most of them targeted at bars and restaurants .
Rumblings about new antiviral measures started to circulate Monday .
On Tuesday morning ahead of an afternoon press conference , the Democratic governor announced plans to move the state ’ s 2 a.m. bar close time to 10 p.m. , cut restaurant and bar capacities to half and restrict the size of weddings , funerals and other gatherings .
Bars will also be required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like pool and darts .
The measures , Walz said , are meant to curb the virus ’ spread among young Minnesotans .
He cited data indicating a rise in bar-related outbreaks late in the evenings along with a spate of transmissions through small social gatherings .
Walz also put limits on those , asking that gatherings both indoors and outdoors include no more than 10 people from three or fewer households .
Walz and Steve Grove , commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development , encouraged Minnesotans to patronize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through take-out and internet business .
They also announced the addition of $ 10 million to Minnesota ’ s small-business relief fund , projecting that it would help about 1,000 businesses keep afloat through the pandemic .
“ This has never been about public health versus the economy .
Those things , as we ’ ve seen , are so tied at the hip , we can ’ t begin a real economic recovery until this pandemic is under control , ” Grove said .
He added that jobs had grown since an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic but warned the holiday season would likely make or break many local businesses .
“ We come today with a sense of urgency to continue to see that job growth , ” he said , encouraging safe shopping and dining .
Bars and restaurants have been linked to 117 outbreaks in Minnesota involving seven or more people , half of those in October .
Weddings have also been a problem area , with 851 infections linked to 96 weddings , 44 of them in October .
The new restrictions also took aim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curfew on weddings and receptions and limiting the events to 50 people , with another reduction to 25 people set for mid-December .
While he recognized the effect this could have on the lengthy process of wedding planning , Walz said , “ Our intention is not to make that difficult for you .
Our intention is to make that day special without an outbreak of Covid.
” “ I feel like the guy in ‘ Footloose.
’ No dancing , no fun , no whatever .
That is not my intention , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no fun .
I ’ m as frustrated as you are .
We should have broke the back of this thing months ago in this country , but we have not.
” Covid-19 case rates have been rising in Minnesota since September , with a dramatic spike starting in mid-October bringing new cases to thousands a day .
ICU beds in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul were at 98 % capacity last week , with Greater Minnesota not far behind at 92 % .
The state has seen a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
Over 106,000 of those cases have been in the seven-county metro area , and almost 15,000 people have been hospitalized with the respiratory disease .
Walz said that while such a spike was bad news , it was predictable .
“ I wish I could tell you that this was unexpected , but it was not , ” he said .
“ The fear is , once you lose control , once you go above 5 % positivity rate and you start to get to where we are today… you start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He added , “ That type of spread , and that type of spike , will continue unless we make mitigation efforts.
” After the conclusion of a 51-day stay-at-home order from March through mid-May , Minnesota maintained a positivity rate around 5 % for most of the summer , but last week that rate rose to around 10 % .
Walz also touted efforts to expand testing , including a new laboratory in Minneapolis ’ Civic Center and 11 more in armories across the state .
“ Almost all Minnesotans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to test , and this is barrier-free , pain-free , cost-free , ” the governor said .
Minnesota is one of several Upper Midwest states struggling to contain the virus .
Neighboring North Dakota , South Dakota , Iowa and Wisconsin are all seeing a thousand or more new cases a day , with Wisconsin leading all five with 4,536 new cases on Monday .
Minnesota takes third in that list , with 3,926 new cases that day .
Iowa landed between the Gopher and Badger states with 4,327 .

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced a scattering of new measures to slow the spread of Covid-19 on Tuesday, most of them targeted at bars and restaurants.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (CN) — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced a scattering of new measures to slow the spread of Covid-19 on Tuesday, most of them targeted at bars and restaurants.
Rumblings about new antiviral measures started to circulate Monday. On Tuesday morning ahead of an afternoon press conference, the Democratic governor announced plans to move the state’s 2 a.m. bar close time to 10 p.m., cut restaurant and bar capacities to half and restrict the size of weddings, funerals and other gatherings.
Bars will also be required to stop counter service and disallow games like pool and darts. The measures, Walz said, are meant to curb the virus’ spread among young Minnesotans. He cited data indicating a rise in bar-related outbreaks late in the evenings along with a spate of transmissions through small social gatherings. Walz also put limits on those, asking that gatherings both indoors and outdoors include no more than 10 people from three or fewer households.
Walz and Steve Grove, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, encouraged Minnesotans to patronize local restaurants and other businesses safely, through take-out and internet business. They also announced the addition of $10 million to Minnesota’s small-business relief fund, projecting that it would help about 1,000 businesses keep afloat through the pandemic.
“This has never been about public health versus the economy. Those things, as we’ve seen, are so tied at the hip, we can’t begin a real economic recovery until this pandemic is under control,” Grove said.
He added that jobs had grown since an initial collapse at the beginning of the pandemic but warned the holiday season would likely make or break many local businesses.
“We come today with a sense of urgency to continue to see that job growth,” he said, encouraging safe shopping and dining.
Bars and restaurants have been linked to 117 outbreaks in Minnesota involving seven or more people, half of those in October. Weddings have also been a problem area, with 851 infections linked to 96 weddings, 44 of them in October.
The new restrictions also took aim at those, setting a 10 p.m. curfew on weddings and receptions and limiting the events to 50 people, with another reduction to 25 people set for mid-December. While he recognized the effect this could have on the lengthy process of wedding planning, Walz said, “Our intention is not to make that difficult for you. Our intention is to make that day special without an outbreak of Covid.”
“I feel like the guy in ‘Footloose.’ No dancing, no fun, no whatever. That is not my intention,” Walz said. “It’s no fun. I’m as frustrated as you are. We should have broke the back of this thing months ago in this country, but we have not.”
Covid-19 case rates have been rising in Minnesota since September, with a dramatic spike starting in mid-October bringing new cases to thousands a day. ICU beds in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul were at 98% capacity last week, with Greater Minnesota not far behind at 92%.
The state has seen a total of 189,681 confirmed cases and 2,698 deaths. Over 106,000 of those cases have been in the seven-county metro area, and almost 15,000 people have been hospitalized with the respiratory disease.
Walz said that while such a spike was bad news, it was predictable.
“I wish I could tell you that this was unexpected, but it was not,” he said. “The fear is, once you lose control, once you go above 5% positivity rate and you start to get to where we are today… you start to see that line go absolutely vertical.”
He added, “That type of spread, and that type of spike, will continue unless we make mitigation efforts.”
After the conclusion of a 51-day stay-at-home order from March through mid-May, Minnesota maintained a positivity rate around 5% for most of the summer, but last week that rate rose to around 10%.
Walz also touted efforts to expand testing, including a new laboratory in Minneapolis’ Civic Center and 11 more in armories across the state.
“Almost all Minnesotans are now within 30 minutes of two options to test, and this is barrier-free, pain-free, cost-free,” the governor said.
Minnesota is one of several Upper Midwest states struggling to contain the virus. Neighboring North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin are all seeing a thousand or more new cases a day, with Wisconsin leading all five with 4,536 new cases on Monday. Minnesota takes third in that list, with 3,926 new cases that day. Iowa landed between the Gopher and Badger states with 4,327.


Police Disciplinary Records

NEWARK , N.J. — Union reps for Paterson , New Jersey , police officers asked a federal judge Monday to @ @ @ @ @ ’ disciplinary records , accusing the city of retaliating against those who file grievances .

The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.


courthousenews--2020-11-10--Blue Wave Washes Red as Democrats Falter in Orange County Races

( CN ) — The 2020 campaign season was a wash for President Donald Trump in California , but the state ’ s GOP candidates are poised to win back several House seats the party lost to the 2018 Democratic blue wave .
U.S. Representative Harley Rouda of the 48th Congressional District conceded his race against his Republican challenger , Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel .
Rouda spent just one term in office after beating longtime Republican incumbent Dana Rohrabacher , who represented the reliably conservative district since 2013 .
In a statement , Rouda listed his accomplishments while in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ worked with Republicans instead of demonizing them and refused to give in to partisan politics.
” “ I thought that was the right thing to do .
I still feel that way .
I will always feel that way .
Country comes first , ” said Rouda .
“ We did not win this election .
And while it isn ’ t the outcome we had hoped for , it ’ s never been more important for our leaders to hear the voice of the people , and to accept their judgment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Steel had a roughly 7,300-vote lead over Rouda .
In a video statement , she said voters who chose her were not backing “ a person but for the idea that the American dream is alive and well in Orange County .
That minorities who might not look like you , or talk like you , can come from humble beginnings and not only have a place in this Republican party , but can be elected to Congress in the best district , in the best state in the Union.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alive and well in Orange County and other parts of California , but that did not extend to Trump who won very few counties in the Golden State according to election results .
Biden led Trump by about 137,000 votes in Orange County as of Tuesday .
Steel is not an outlier in an area where Trump failed to win — several other Republican challengers are leading against their Democratic incumbents , including the 39th Congressional District held by Rep. Gil Cisneros , D-Yorba Linda .
Cisneros trails former Assemblywoman Young Kim by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that represents parts of Los Angeles , Orange and San Bernardino counties .
Kim narrowly lost the 2018 race for the same seat against Cisneros .
But that shifts a bit when looking at nearby Ventura and LA County , where Rep. Mike Garcia , R-Santa Clarita , leads Democratic challenger and Assemblywoman Christy Smith by just 159 votes according to the California Secretary of State .
Garcia won a special election earlier this year after former Democratic Rep. Katie Hill resigned following a report by a conservative news blog revealing she had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign staffer .
Still , it doesn ’ t surprise pundits that former Republican strongholds that were washed blue in 2018 could turn back to red .
“ Especially , with a loyal Orange County , it ’ s not all that astonishing to see Steel pull ahead of Rouda , ” said political analyst Sherry Bebitch Jeffe , co-host of the podcast “ Inside Golden State Politics.
” While Steel spoke to voters about jobs and how Rouda would raise their taxes , the incumbent took a different route , said Jeffe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat and other Democratic incumbents might follow is their very time in office and how they have voted .
“ They have a record that can be combed through .
I thought Kim ’ s ads were much more powerful than Cisnero ’ s , because she went right for the throat about corruption and that might have connected better with voters , ” said Jeffe .
“ There ’ s so much distrust of elected officials right now.
” Rouda went after Steel ’ s ties to the Trump administration .
Steel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shawn Steel , who was named in a Wall Street Journal report this past June that detailed influence-selling involving the Trump administration and Chinese nationals .
“ That maybe didn ’ t work all that well , ” said Jeffe .
“ There are some voters who just don ’ t love Trump , but have no problem with Trumpism.
” Trump may have lost in Orange County , but the energy he brought to the party definitely weathered the 2020 race and that got more Republican voters to the polls .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a repudiation of Trump and his erratic behavior , but not the way he got Trumpism out into parts of the country , ” said Jeffe .

The 2020 campaign season was a wash for President Donald Trump in California, but the state’s GOP candidates are poised to win back several House seats the party lost to the 2018 Democratic blue wave.
(CN) — The 2020 campaign season was a wash for President Donald Trump in California, but the state’s GOP candidates are poised to win back several House seats the party lost to the 2018 Democratic blue wave.
U.S. Representative Harley Rouda of the 48th Congressional District conceded his race against his Republican challenger, Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel. Rouda spent just one term in office after beating longtime Republican incumbent Dana Rohrabacher, who represented the reliably conservative district since 2013.
In a statement, Rouda listed his accomplishments while in office and said it was because Congress “worked with Republicans instead of demonizing them and refused to give in to partisan politics.”
“I thought that was the right thing to do. I still feel that way. I will always feel that way. Country comes first,” said Rouda. “We did not win this election. And while it isn’t the outcome we had hoped for, it’s never been more important for our leaders to hear the voice of the people, and to accept their judgment. I do.”
As of Tuesday, Steel had a roughly 7,300-vote lead over Rouda. In a video statement, she said voters who chose her were not backing “a person but for the idea that the American dream is alive and well in Orange County. That minorities who might not look like you, or talk like you, can come from humble beginnings and not only have a place in this Republican party, but can be elected to Congress in the best district, in the best state in the Union.”
The appetite for a conservative candidate might be alive and well in Orange County and other parts of California, but that did not extend to Trump who won very few counties in the Golden State according to election results. Biden led Trump by about 137,000 votes in Orange County as of Tuesday.
Steel is not an outlier in an area where Trump failed to win — several other Republican challengers are leading against their Democratic incumbents, including the 39th Congressional District held by Rep. Gil Cisneros, D-Yorba Linda.
Cisneros trails former Assemblywoman Young Kim by roughly 3,500 votes for the House seat that represents parts of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties. Kim narrowly lost the 2018 race for the same seat against Cisneros.
But that shifts a bit when looking at nearby Ventura and LA County, where Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, leads Democratic challenger and Assemblywoman Christy Smith by just 159 votes according to the California Secretary of State.
Garcia won a special election earlier this year after former Democratic Rep. Katie Hill resigned following a report by a conservative news blog revealing she had an “inappropriate” relationship with a campaign staffer.
Still, it doesn’t surprise pundits that former Republican strongholds that were washed blue in 2018 could turn back to red.
“Especially, with a loyal Orange County, it’s not all that astonishing to see Steel pull ahead of Rouda,” said political analyst Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, co-host of the podcast “Inside Golden State Politics.”
While Steel spoke to voters about jobs and how Rouda would raise their taxes, the incumbent took a different route, said Jeffe.
Another possible reason Rouda lost his seat and other Democratic incumbents might follow is their very time in office and how they have voted.
“They have a record that can be combed through. I thought Kim’s ads were much more powerful than Cisnero’s, because she went right for the throat about corruption and that might have connected better with voters,” said Jeffe. “There’s so much distrust of elected officials right now.”
Rouda went after Steel’s ties to the Trump administration. Steel is married to Republican National Committee member Shawn Steel, who was named in a Wall Street Journal report this past June that detailed influence-selling involving the Trump administration and Chinese nationals.
“That maybe didn’t work all that well,” said Jeffe. “There are some voters who just don’t love Trump, but have no problem with Trumpism.”
Trump may have lost in Orange County, but the energy he brought to the party definitely weathered the 2020 race and that got more Republican voters to the polls.
“We’re seeing that 2020 is a repudiation of Trump and his erratic behavior, but not the way he got Trumpism out into parts of the country,” said Jeffe.


courthousenews--2020-11-10--Competing Prosecutions and Covid Bring Delays to Avenatti’s Next NY Trial

MANHATTAN ( CN ) — Celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti will head to trial come April on charges that he defrauded adult film actress Stormy Daniels .
Avenatti is accused of trying to rip off Daniels , whom he represented in a 2018 lawsuit against President Donald Trump , by stealing the advance on her book deal , which he helped to secure .
Prosecutors say Avenatti used the money , totaling about $ 300,000 , on lavish expenses like hotels , airfare and a Ferrari , as well as to pay employees of his law firm and a coffee business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was filed in New York ’ s Southern District .
It alleges that Avenatti lied to Daniels repeatedly , telling her he was working on getting book fees from her publisher , when in fact Avenatti had already received the money and was putting it toward expenses from luxury car payments to dry cleaning .
Avenatti pleaded not guilty and was released on bail of $ 300,000 — the same amount he is accused of taking from Daniels .
Since August , Avenatti has been represented by Robert Baum from the Federal Defenders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Avenatti ’ s former legal team said he could no longer pay them .
The Daniels fraud case is just one of several ongoing legal matters against Los Angeles-based Avenatti .
Here in February , the celebrity attorney was convicted of extorting Nike for tens of millions of dollars , for which he will be sentenced in December .
Avenatti also faces prosecution in California on charges that include stealing millions of dollars from clients ’ settlement money , lying on income taxes and deceiving investigators during bankruptcy proceedings .
Apart from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Covid-19 guidelines have complicated scheduling for the Daniels fraud trial , originally set to begin last month .
During a pretrial conference Tuesday , U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman set a start date of April 26 , 2021 , sandwiching the trial between two matters to be heard in California .
The date , all agreed , would give Avenatti ’ s lawyers enough time to prepare after the first California case , scheduled to begin Feb. 23 , 2021 , wraps up .
Given the delays the pandemic has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date may need to be revisited in the future .
“ I don ’ t have a crystal ball , none of you does , ” Furman said , regarding the possibility of pandemic delays into the spring .
In parts of the United States including New York City , coronavirus cases are on the rise .
On Monday , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio warned that the city is “ dangerously close ” to a second wave , which could lead to increased restrictions .
Furman noted that , given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need for a larger jury pool , the fraud case against Avenatti is “ more complicated than your average trial.
” Baum agreed , noting that “ getting a courtroom with 150 jurors in it is going to be an issue if we ’ re still in the midst of the [ corona ] virus.
” Still , for now , the date is set .
“ Covid aside , everybody should understand and view that as a firm date , ” Furman said .

Celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti will head to trial come April on charges that he defrauded adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
MANHATTAN (CN) — Celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti will head to trial come April on charges that he defrauded adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Avenatti is accused of trying to rip off Daniels, whom he represented in a 2018 lawsuit against President Donald Trump, by stealing the advance on her book deal, which he helped to secure.
Prosecutors say Avenatti used the money, totaling about $300,000, on lavish expenses like hotels, airfare and a Ferrari, as well as to pay employees of his law firm and a coffee business he owned.
The May 2019 indictment was filed in New York’s Southern District. It alleges that Avenatti lied to Daniels repeatedly, telling her he was working on getting book fees from her publisher, when in fact Avenatti had already received the money and was putting it toward expenses from luxury car payments to dry cleaning.
“It’s a straightforward fraud,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky told a federal magistrate last year.
Avenatti pleaded not guilty and was released on bail of $300,000 — the same amount he is accused of taking from Daniels.
Since August, Avenatti has been represented by Robert Baum from the Federal Defenders of New York, who stepped in after Avenatti’s former legal team said he could no longer pay them.
The Daniels fraud case is just one of several ongoing legal matters against Los Angeles-based Avenatti. Here in February, the celebrity attorney was convicted of extorting Nike for tens of millions of dollars, for which he will be sentenced in December.
Avenatti also faces prosecution in California on charges that include stealing millions of dollars from clients’ settlement money, lying on income taxes and deceiving investigators during bankruptcy proceedings.
Apart from navigating the series of charges against Avenatti, Covid-19 guidelines have complicated scheduling for the Daniels fraud trial, originally set to begin last month.
During a pretrial conference Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman set a start date of April 26, 2021, sandwiching the trial between two matters to be heard in California. The date, all agreed, would give Avenatti’s lawyers enough time to prepare after the first California case, scheduled to begin Feb. 23, 2021, wraps up.
Given the delays the pandemic has already caused, the judge noted that the date may need to be revisited in the future.
“I don’t have a crystal ball, none of you does,” Furman said, regarding the possibility of pandemic delays into the spring. In parts of the United States including New York City, coronavirus cases are on the rise.
On Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio warned that the city is “dangerously close” to a second wave, which could lead to increased restrictions.
Furman noted that, given public interest in the Avenatti trial and need for a larger jury pool, the fraud case against Avenatti is “more complicated than your average trial.”
Baum agreed, noting that “getting a courtroom with 150 jurors in it is going to be an issue if we’re still in the midst of the [corona]virus.”
Still, for now, the date is set. “Covid aside, everybody should understand and view that as a firm date,” Furman said.


courthousenews--2020-11-10--Former FBI No. 2 Defends Trump-Russia Probe

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe testified Tuesday investigators believed in 2016 that Donald Trump might pose a national security threat , denying the agency tried to interfere politically in that election .
“ We knew that the Russians had been targeting us , ” McCabe said during a three-hour Senate hearing held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
He said the FBI had reason to believe the Trump campaign might be coordinating with Russia because campaign member George Papadopoulos said that Russians had damaging material on 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Crossfire [ Hurricane ] investigation , ” McCabe said .
McCabe , who worked at the FBI for more than 20 years , served as a director under both the Obama and Trump administrations .
He is the latest to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee , chaired by Senator Lindsey Graham , in Republicans ’ review of the FBI ’ s probe into allegations of collusion between Trump and Russia .
McCabe noted Tuesday that as the FBI proceeded with the investigation , Trump took office and began to take adverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firing former FBI Director James Comey .
“ We had many reasons at that point to believe that the president might himself pose a danger to national security and that he might have engaged in obstruction of justice if the firing of the director and those other things were geared towards eliminating or stopping our investigation of Russian activity , ” McCabe said .
The former deputy , who was fired by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions on the same night he planned to retire , maintained in his testimony that Special Counsel Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to interfere in the 2016 election “ provided pretty solid results , that verified that our concerns were valid.
” “ We opened a case to investigate and try to mitigate that threat and to find out what the Russians might have done .
Let me be very clear : we did not open a case because we liked one candidate or didn ’ t like the other one , ” McCabe said .
“ We did not open a case because we intended to stage a coup or overthrow the government .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we thought it might be interesting .
Or because we wanted to drag the FBI into a heated political contest.
” Graham repeated several times during Tuesday ’ s hearing that his concern was why FBI officials did not investigate a CIA tip alleging that Clinton had endorsed a plan to link Trump to Russia with the goal of deflecting media attention away from her use of a private email server while she was secretary of State .
The South Carolina Republican claimed the task was handed off to FBI agent Peter Strzok @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
“ Nobody took allegations from the CIA seriously about Hillary Clinton ’ s effort to sign off on a plan .
It may not be true , but somebody should have looked at it .
Nobody cared over there , ” Graham said .
Democratic senators bashed their GOP colleagues for reinvestigating Crossfire Hurricane for the fourth time instead of investigating more pressing issues .
“ More than four years have passed since the FBI opened Crossfire Hurricane , and multiple investigations have confirmed that the FBI was correct to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman , it ’ s time to turn the page on Crossfire Hurricane , ” said Senator Dianne Feinstein of California .
Senator Amy Klobuchar , a Minnesota Democrat , called attention to the 2020 election and how Republicans have backed Trump ’ s refusal to concede to President-elect Joe Biden .
Senator Dick Durbin also slammed Republicans ’ focus on the 2016 election .
“ For this Senate Judiciary Committee , it ’ s all about Hillary .
It ’ s all about outgoing President Trump ’ s bizarre theories of justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undertaking to deal with President Trump ’ s grievances about that election , ” the Illinois Democrat said .
Senator Josh Hawley , a Republican from Missouri , defended the committee ’ s investigation and said it was “ looking at maybe the biggest scandal in the history of the FBI.
” Republicans on the committee also claimed their examination of McCabe was a search for someone to take responsibility for the approval of a warrant for the surveillance of Trump campaign foreign policy adviser Carter Page .
Page was named repeatedly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interactions between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin .
Senator John Cornyn , a Texas Republican , asked McCabe who should be held accountable for the submission of a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act application that contained misinformation about Page .
“ Senator , I think all of the people involved in this work should be and have been held accountable , ” McCabe said .
Durbin agreed that Page ’ s surveillance was in poor taste but said the issue had been examined already .
“ We ’ ve all conceded the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , both sides of the aisle said as much .
How many more times do we need to say it ?
” he said .
“ Meanwhile , the Senate Judiciary Committee that we sit on here hasn ’ t held a single oversight hearing on the Trump administration ’ s Justice Department in this Congress , any issues we might want to raise .
I can think of a few.
” McCabe emphasized to senators that Russia is still a threat to U.S. elections .
“ The Russians were successful beyond their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
Their successes serve as an encouragement to other hostile nations intent on undermining our security , safety and stability , ” he said .
“ The Russians and others will be back .
Please do not let the recent calm of the 2020 election lower the nation into a false sense of security.
” Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted in June to approve more than 50 subpoenas as part of a broad inquiry into the origins of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation over objections from Democrats who called the probe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also questioned other top officials involved in the investigation , most notably Comey , who in September took responsibility during his testimony for some errors the investigation while maintaining the probe was overall done “ by the book.
” Graham ’ s is one of two GOP-led Senate committees investigating Crossfire Hurricane .
The other is the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee , led by Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin .

Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe testified Tuesday that investigators believed in 2016 that Donald Trump might pose a national security threat, denying the agency tried to interfere politically in that election.
WASHINGTON (CN) — Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe testified Tuesday investigators believed in 2016 that Donald Trump might pose a national security threat, denying the agency tried to interfere politically in that election.
“We knew that the Russians had been targeting us,” McCabe said during a three-hour Senate hearing held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the FBI had reason to believe the Trump campaign might be coordinating with Russia because campaign member George Papadopoulos said that Russians had damaging material on 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
“That's why we initiated the Crossfire [Hurricane] investigation,” McCabe said.
McCabe, who worked at the FBI for more than 20 years, served as a director under both the Obama and Trump administrations. He is the latest to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Lindsey Graham, in Republicans’ review of the FBI’s probe into allegations of collusion between Trump and Russia.
McCabe noted Tuesday that as the FBI proceeded with the investigation, Trump took office and began to take adverse actions against its top agents, like firing former FBI Director James Comey.
“We had many reasons at that point to believe that the president might himself pose a danger to national security and that he might have engaged in obstruction of justice if the firing of the director and those other things were geared towards eliminating or stopping our investigation of Russian activity,” McCabe said.
The former deputy, who was fired by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions on the same night he planned to retire, maintained in his testimony that Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 election “provided pretty solid results, that verified that our concerns were valid.”
“We opened a case to investigate and try to mitigate that threat and to find out what the Russians might have done. Let me be very clear: we did not open a case because we liked one candidate or didn't like the other one,” McCabe said. “We did not open a case because we intended to stage a coup or overthrow the government. We did not open a case because we thought it might be interesting. Or because we wanted to drag the FBI into a heated political contest.”
Graham repeated several times during Tuesday’s hearing that his concern was why FBI officials did not investigate a CIA tip alleging that Clinton had endorsed a plan to link Trump to Russia with the goal of deflecting media attention away from her use of a private email server while she was secretary of State.
The South Carolina Republican claimed the task was handed off to FBI agent Peter Strzok, who had sent personal texts criticizing Trump.
“Nobody took allegations from the CIA seriously about Hillary Clinton's effort to sign off on a plan. It may not be true, but somebody should have looked at it. Nobody cared over there,” Graham said.
Democratic senators bashed their GOP colleagues for reinvestigating Crossfire Hurricane for the fourth time instead of investigating more pressing issues.
“More than four years have passed since the FBI opened Crossfire Hurricane, and multiple investigations have confirmed that the FBI was correct to do so. So I think, Mr. Chairman, it's time to turn the page on Crossfire Hurricane,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein of California.
Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, called attention to the 2020 election and how Republicans have backed Trump’s refusal to concede to President-elect Joe Biden.
Senator Dick Durbin also slammed Republicans’ focus on the 2016 election.
“For this Senate Judiciary Committee, it's all about Hillary. It's all about outgoing President Trump's bizarre theories of justice. This is a last-ditch, desperate undertaking to deal with President Trump's grievances about that election,” the Illinois Democrat said.
Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, defended the committee’s investigation and said it was “looking at maybe the biggest scandal in the history of the FBI.”
Republicans on the committee also claimed their examination of McCabe was a search for someone to take responsibility for the approval of a warrant for the surveillance of Trump campaign foreign policy adviser Carter Page. Page was named repeatedly in the so-called Steele dossier that alleged close interactions between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin.
Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, asked McCabe who should be held accountable for the submission of a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act application that contained misinformation about Page.
“Senator, I think all of the people involved in this work should be and have been held accountable,” McCabe said.
Durbin agreed that Page’s surveillance was in poor taste but said the issue had been examined already.
“We've all conceded the point. Carter Page was not treated properly, both sides of the aisle said as much. How many more times do we need to say it?” he said. “Meanwhile, the Senate Judiciary Committee that we sit on here hasn't held a single oversight hearing on the Trump administration's Justice Department in this Congress, any issues we might want to raise. I can think of a few.”
McCabe emphasized to senators that Russia is still a threat to U.S. elections.
“The Russians were successful beyond their wildest imagination in accomplishing their goals in 2016. Their successes serve as an encouragement to other hostile nations intent on undermining our security, safety and stability,” he said. “The Russians and others will be back. Please do not let the recent calm of the 2020 election lower the nation into a false sense of security.”
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted in June to approve more than 50 subpoenas as part of a broad inquiry into the origins of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation over objections from Democrats who called the probe a political stunt.
The committee has also questioned other top officials involved in the investigation, most notably Comey, who in September took responsibility during his testimony for some errors the investigation while maintaining the probe was overall done “by the book.”
Graham's is one of two GOP-led Senate committees investigating Crossfire Hurricane. The other is the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, led by Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.


courthousenews--2020-11-10--Nebraska Governor, Mask Naysayer, in Quarantine After Covid Exposure

LINCOLN , Neb .
( CN ) — As Covid-19 surges in Nebraska , the state ’ s Republican governor — who has resisted mask mandates and safety restrictions — has been forced into quarantine after he and his wife were exposed to the virus at a Sunday dinner party .
Governor Pete Ricketts went into quarantine Tuesday morning as a press release revealed that he and first lady Susanne Shore were exposed while dining al fresco , but in close contact to an infected person .
“ On Sunday night , Governor Ricketts and the first lady joined three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor Gage , a spokesperson for the governor , in the statement .
“ One of the people they joined tested positive for coronavirus on Monday .
Neither the governor or first lady are showing any symptoms , and they will get tested at the appropriate time.
” Both will quarantine for 14 days at home in Omaha .
The news broke at an embarrassing time for Ricketts , who has been a staunch opponent of stay-at-home orders and mask mandates .
His state has seen a dangerous rise in Covid-19 infections and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top 10 among states for Covid-19 cases per capita , a dubious distinction .
The contiguous block of largely rural Plains states is suffering from the worst outbreaks in the country .
According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data , these include North Dakota ( 155 new cases per 100,000 residents ) ; South Dakota ( 130 ) ; Iowa ( 101 ) ; Wisconsin ( 99 ) ; Nebraska ( 91 ) ; and Wyoming ( 88 ) .
According to numbers provided by the state , Nebraska @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7.3 % on Oct. 3 to 17.3 % on Nov. 7 .
Its largest county , home to Omaha , posted a worrisome positivity rate of 31.3 % at the end of last week .
The state has consistently announced over 1,000 new infections per day this autumn , with a high of 2,681 new infections on Nov. 6 being the latest in a string of exponentially rising record numbers .
The previous high before the autumn surge was 677 new cases on May 7 .
To date , 710 people have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial wave this spring mainly hit cities like Omaha and Lincoln and centered around the meatpacking industry , this latest wave includes outbreaks in rural counties where people believed they were largely safe from exposure .
All but two of Nebraska ’ s 93 counties is currently dealing with Covid-19 infections .
With 794 Nebraskans hospitalized with Covid-19 symptoms , the state currently has 31 % of ICU and total hospital beds available .
While the availability numbers look OK , medical experts in the state worry that the rapidly rising number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly with Thanksgiving and traditional holiday season gatherings only weeks away .
“ Gov .
Ricketts , like Trump , has failed in his duty to — first and foremost — protect Nebraskans from this pandemic , ” Nebraska Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb told Courthouse News .
“ Nebraska Covid-19 cases are soaring and our hospitals are dangerously close to reaching capacity .
This is failed leadership.
” Dr. John J. Lowe , an assistant vice chancellor for health security training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center , issued a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ deaths are set to overwhelm our health care system ” if these trends continue .
Just yesterday , Ricketts announced new directed health measures that limit the capacity at indoor gatherings to 25 % of capacity , and require masks at salons , barbershops , tattoo parlors and similar establishments where maintaining six feet of separation is difficult .
However , at that same press conference , the bare-faced governor refused to observe social distancing standards while presenting a certificate to honor adoption advocates .
That Ricketts chose to not wear a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he had unwittingly been exposed to the virus , has not escaped the notice of his critics .
State Senator Megan Hunt , a Democrat from Omaha and frequent foil to Ricketts , posted this message on Twitter : “ Sending the Gov , his family , and all who have been around him my best wishes for their health and safety .
”

As Covid-19 surges in Nebraska, the state’s Republican governor — who has resisted mask mandates and safety restrictions — has been forced into quarantine after he and his wife were exposed to the virus at a Sunday dinner party.
LINCOLN, Neb. (CN) — As Covid-19 surges in Nebraska, the state’s Republican governor — who has resisted mask mandates and safety restrictions — has been forced into quarantine after he and his wife were exposed to the virus at a Sunday dinner party.
Governor Pete Ricketts went into quarantine Tuesday morning as a press release revealed that he and first lady Susanne Shore were exposed while dining al fresco, but in close contact to an infected person.
“On Sunday night, Governor Ricketts and the first lady joined three people for dinner outside,” said Taylor Gage, a spokesperson for the governor, in the statement. “One of the people they joined tested positive for coronavirus on Monday. Neither the governor or first lady are showing any symptoms, and they will get tested at the appropriate time.”
Both will quarantine for 14 days at home in Omaha.
The news broke at an embarrassing time for Ricketts, who has been a staunch opponent of stay-at-home orders and mask mandates. His state has seen a dangerous rise in Covid-19 infections and hospitalizations in recent weeks, ranking in the top 10 among states for Covid-19 cases per capita, a dubious distinction.
FILE - In this Aug. 20, 2020 file photo, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts addresses Republican supporters during the opening of the Nebraska Trump Victory Office in Omaha, Neb. Ricketts will end nearly all of his state's social-distancing restrictions on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, even as the number of new coronavirus cases has trended upward over the last few months. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik File)
The contiguous block of largely rural Plains states is suffering from the worst outbreaks in the country. According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, these include North Dakota (155 new cases per 100,000 residents); South Dakota (130); Iowa (101); Wisconsin (99); Nebraska (91); and Wyoming (88).
According to numbers provided by the state, Nebraska’s positivity rate has risen from 7.3% on Oct. 3 to 17.3% on Nov. 7. Its largest county, home to Omaha, posted a worrisome positivity rate of 31.3% at the end of last week.
The state has consistently announced over 1,000 new infections per day this autumn, with a high of 2,681 new infections on Nov. 6 being the latest in a string of exponentially rising record numbers. The previous high before the autumn surge was 677 new cases on May 7. To date, 710 people have died of Covid-19 in Nebraska.
While the initial wave this spring mainly hit cities like Omaha and Lincoln and centered around the meatpacking industry, this latest wave includes outbreaks in rural counties where people believed they were largely safe from exposure. All but two of Nebraska’s 93 counties is currently dealing with Covid-19 infections.
With 794 Nebraskans hospitalized with Covid-19 symptoms, the state currently has 31% of ICU and total hospital beds available. While the availability numbers look OK, medical experts in the state worry that the rapidly rising number of infections could quickly overwhelm health care systems, particularly with Thanksgiving and traditional holiday season gatherings only weeks away.
“Gov. Ricketts, like Trump, has failed in his duty to — first and foremost — protect Nebraskans from this pandemic,” Nebraska Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb told Courthouse News. “Nebraska Covid-19 cases are soaring and our hospitals are dangerously close to reaching capacity. This is failed leadership.”
Dr. John J. Lowe, an assistant vice chancellor for health security training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, issued a similar warning on Twitter, stating that “deaths are set to overwhelm our health care system” if these trends continue.
Just yesterday, Ricketts announced new directed health measures that limit the capacity at indoor gatherings to 25% of capacity, and require masks at salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors and similar establishments where maintaining six feet of separation is difficult. However, at that same press conference, the bare-faced governor refused to observe social distancing standards while presenting a certificate to honor adoption advocates.
That Ricketts chose to not wear a mask during the press conference Monday, when he had unwittingly been exposed to the virus, has not escaped the notice of his critics.
State Senator Megan Hunt, a Democrat from Omaha and frequent foil to Ricketts, posted this message on Twitter: “Sending the Gov, his family, and all who have been around him my best wishes for their health and safety.”


Campaign Finance

TACOMA , Wash. — An appeals court in Washington affirmed an $ 18 million penalty imposed against the Grocery Manufacturers @ @ @ @ @ laws during a 2013 battle over a ballot initiative that would have required labeling ingredients @ @ @ @ @ all packaged food products .


Fitness Ads

NEW YORK — A federal court in New York refused to dismiss a man ’ s suit alleging Peloton falsely @ @ @ @ @ class library was “ ever-growing ” because it knew it contained copyrighted material and removal @ @ @ @ @ .


Hustlers

NEW YORK — A federal court in New York dismissed a defamation suit brought by a woman who inspired Jennifer @ @ @ @ @ movie Hustlers , which is about a group of strippers who drugged their customers and @ @ @ @ @ from them .
The woman only alleges the movie used her likeness — not her @ @ @ @ @ — without her consent and she did not establish actual malice .


Domestic Battery

ELGIN , Ill. — An appeals court in Illinois ruled against a man who challenged his domestic battery conviction by @ @ @ @ @ primarily sexual and not “ romantic.
” The victim testified the two had been dating @ @ @ @ @ eight months and regularly watched movies at his house , which was sufficient evidence to @ @ @ @ @ “ dating relationship .
”


Asylum Seekers

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal court in California , writing that it “ takes no pleasure in this holding , @ @ @ @ @ to review the claims of 128 asylum seekers who were denied the right to apply @ @ @ @ @ administration policy of denying asylum to anyone who did not first seek it in Mexico @ @ @ @ @ they traveled .


courthousenews--2020-11-11--Biden Poised to Reset Country’s Course on Climate Change

( CN ) — The Trump administration has slashed U.S. environmental regulations to ease industry ’ s burdens .
President-elect Joe Biden , meanwhile , has laid out an ambitious plan to protect the environment .
The only question is where he should start .
Within his first 100 days in the White House , Biden says , his Office of Science Technology and Policy will publish a report identifying the most effective ways to improve air and water quality for as many people as possible .
He wants the U.S. to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal investment in clean energy and green jobs over the next 10 years to achieve that goal .
If Republicans retain control of the U.S. Senate , Biden won ’ t get anywhere near that much funding .
But experts say there is bipartisan support for infrastructure improvements that would bring immediate environmental benefits .
“ We know that to get to 100 % clean energy we ’ re going to need charging stations , we ’ re going to have to modernize the grid , ” said John Rumpler , a senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grow more severe , runoff from leaky and overburdened sewage systems is becoming a major problem across the country .
“ We need to invest in repairing our sewage systems and preventing runoff pollution through green infrastructure that absorbs stormwater on site , ” Rumpler said .
And sewage pipes aren ’ t the only ones that need to be replaced .
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , several years after Michigan declared a state of emergency in Flint due to lead contaminating the city ’ s drinking water , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America supplying water to homes and buildings .
“ This is the health and safety of our kids and the drinking water coming out of kitchen sinks , ” Rumpler said .
“ And if we can safeguard our children ’ s future by removing these toxic lead pipes , that ’ s just a terrific thing that Congress and the Biden administration can do together in the first 100 days.
” Biden has vowed to update the nation ’ s environmental justice policies and establish an Environmental and Climate Justice Division within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporate polluters .
He claims such prosecutions have fallen to the lowest numbers in decades under the Trump administration .
Focusing on minorities living near refineries and chemical plants , Biden says his administration will create a data-crunching tool identifying communities struggling with the effects of industrial pollution , economic and racial inequalities , with plans to release annual maps of these places .
“ The science is clear that air pollution like particulate matter and sulfur dioxide lead to increases in mortality and sickness , especially in communities of color , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s senior director of federal campaigns and a former EPA official .
“ Requiring large polluters to use modern pollution control technologies , like scrubbers to reduce sulfur dioxide pollution and baghouse filters to eliminate particulate matter emissions , will have immediate positive benefits to public health , ” he added .
In just four years in office , the Trump administration has eliminated or rolled back more than 70 environmental regulations and rules .
Though Trump officially withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord on Nov. 4 , Biden says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as February 2021 , the U.S. will rejoin the group of nearly 200 countries in their efforts to reduce planet-warming emissions .
Environmentalists say Biden ’ s Environmental Protection Agency should also implement long-delayed clean air regulations , especially in Texas , home to Vistra Energy ’ s Martin Lake Power Plant , the nation ’ s worst emitter of sulfur dioxide and mercury pollution , according to the Sierra Club .
Rumper , the Environment America attorney , said for the health of the nation Biden must immediately move to reinstate two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barack Obama , for whom Biden served eight years as vice president .
Within weeks of taking office , Trump announced he planned to rescind or change the Clean Water Rule of 2015 .
“ The Clean Water Rule restored protections of the Clean Water Act to thousands of streams across the country that provide drinking water for more than 117 million Americans , ” Rumpler said , “ and for wetlands that are vital to filter out pollution , prevent flooding in communities and provide wildlife habitat.
” Following challenges of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Trump administration replaced it with one that more narrowly defines waters that fall under federal jurisdiction .
In addition to the Clean Water Rule , Rumpler said , Biden should reinstate a 2012 rule mandating new vehicles average 54 miles per gallon by 2025 , implemented to encourage automakers to produce more electric cars .
Under the Trump administration ’ s revamp , finalized in March , the required benchmark for automakers is projected to be 40.5 miles per gallon for model year 2030 vehicles .
Environmental groups have widely praised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan to address climate change .
Armendariz , with the Sierra Club , is confident Biden will deliver on his climate goals regardless of any roadblocks in Congress , building on the progress he made alongside Obama .
“ He delivered a mandate for executive action no matter what happens in Congress — or who is in control .
It ’ s time to advance new policies , not just repeat old ones , ” Armendariz said .

The Trump administration has slashed U.S. environmental regulations to ease industry’s burdens but President-elect Joe Biden wants to reverse that course.
(CN) — The Trump administration has slashed U.S. environmental regulations to ease industry’s burdens. President-elect Joe Biden, meanwhile, has laid out an ambitious plan to protect the environment. The only question is where he should start.
Within his first 100 days in the White House, Biden says, his Office of Science Technology and Policy will publish a report identifying the most effective ways to improve air and water quality for as many people as possible.
He wants the U.S. to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and is calling for a $1.7 trillion federal investment in clean energy and green jobs over the next 10 years to achieve that goal.
If Republicans retain control of the U.S. Senate, Biden won’t get anywhere near that much funding. But experts say there is bipartisan support for infrastructure improvements that would bring immediate environmental benefits.
“We know that to get to 100% clean energy we’re going to need charging stations, we’re going to have to modernize the grid,” said John Rumpler, a senior attorney with Environment America.
As storms grow more severe, runoff from leaky and overburdened sewage systems is becoming a major problem across the country.
“We need to invest in repairing our sewage systems and preventing runoff pollution through green infrastructure that absorbs stormwater on site,” Rumpler said.
And sewage pipes aren’t the only ones that need to be replaced.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, several years after Michigan declared a state of emergency in Flint due to lead contaminating the city’s drinking water, there are still millions of lead pipes in America supplying water to homes and buildings.
“This is the health and safety of our kids and the drinking water coming out of kitchen sinks,” Rumpler said. “And if we can safeguard our children’s future by removing these toxic lead pipes, that’s just a terrific thing that Congress and the Biden administration can do together in the first 100 days.”
Biden has vowed to update the nation’s environmental justice policies and establish an Environmental and Climate Justice Division within the Justice Department to bring charges against corporate polluters.
He claims such prosecutions have fallen to the lowest numbers in decades under the Trump administration.
Focusing on minorities living near refineries and chemical plants, Biden says his administration will create a data-crunching tool identifying communities struggling with the effects of industrial pollution, economic and racial inequalities, with plans to release annual maps of these places.
“The science is clear that air pollution like particulate matter and sulfur dioxide lead to increases in mortality and sickness, especially in communities of color,” said Al Armendariz, the Sierra Club’s senior director of federal campaigns and a former EPA official.
“Requiring large polluters to use modern pollution control technologies, like scrubbers to reduce sulfur dioxide pollution and baghouse filters to eliminate particulate matter emissions, will have immediate positive benefits to public health,” he added.
In just four years in office, the Trump administration has eliminated or rolled back more than 70 environmental regulations and rules.
Though Trump officially withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord on Nov. 4, Biden says that under his watch, as early as February 2021, the U.S. will rejoin the group of nearly 200 countries in their efforts to reduce planet-warming emissions.
Environmentalists say Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency should also implement long-delayed clean air regulations, especially in Texas, home to Vistra Energy’s Martin Lake Power Plant, the nation’s worst emitter of sulfur dioxide and mercury pollution, according to the Sierra Club.
Rumper, the Environment America attorney, said for the health of the nation Biden must immediately move to reinstate two rules implemented by the EPA under President Barack Obama, for whom Biden served eight years as vice president.
Within weeks of taking office, Trump announced he planned to rescind or change the Clean Water Rule of 2015.
“The Clean Water Rule restored protections of the Clean Water Act to thousands of streams across the country that provide drinking water for more than 117 million Americans,” Rumpler said, “and for wetlands that are vital to filter out pollution, prevent flooding in communities and provide wildlife habitat.”
Following challenges of the rule that reached the U.S. Supreme Court, the Trump administration replaced it with one that more narrowly defines waters that fall under federal jurisdiction.
In addition to the Clean Water Rule, Rumpler said, Biden should reinstate a 2012 rule mandating new vehicles average 54 miles per gallon by 2025, implemented to encourage automakers to produce more electric cars.
Under the Trump administration’s revamp, finalized in March, the required benchmark for automakers is projected to be 40.5 miles per gallon for model year 2030 vehicles.
Environmental groups have widely praised Biden for developing the strongest ever presidential plan to address climate change.
Armendariz, with the Sierra Club, is confident Biden will deliver on his climate goals regardless of any roadblocks in Congress, building on the progress he made alongside Obama.
“He delivered a mandate for executive action no matter what happens in Congress — or who is in control. It’s time to advance new policies, not just repeat old ones,” Armendariz said.


courthousenews--2020-11-11--Sudan Braces for up to 200,000 Fleeing Ethiopia Fighting

NAIROBI , Kenya ( AP ) — Up to 200,000 refugees could pour into Sudan while fleeing the deadly conflict in Ethiopia ’ s northern Tigray region , officials say , while the first details are emerging of largely cut-off civilians under growing strain .
Long lines have appeared outside bread shops in the Tigray region , and supply-laden trucks are stranded at its borders , the United Nations humanitarian chief in the country told The Associated Press in an interview .
“ We want to have humanitarian access as soon as possible , ” Sajjad Mohammad Sajid said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Up to 2 million people in Tigray have a “ very , very difficult time , ” he said late Tuesday , including hundreds of thousands of displaced people .
Communications remain almost completely severed with the Tigray region a week after Ethiopia ’ s Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced a military offensive in response to an alleged attack by regional forces .
He insists there will be no negotiations with a regional government he considers illegal until its ruling “ clique ” is arrested and its well-stocked arsenal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 900 aid workers in the Tigray region from the U.N. and other groups struggling to contact the outside world with pleas for help .
“ Nine U.N. agencies , almost 20 NGOs , all depending on two offices ” with the means to communicate , Sajid said .
In addition , more than 1,000 people of different nationalities are stuck in the region , he said .
That includes tourists .
Countries urgently are seeking their evacuation .
With airports in Tigray closed , roads blocked , internet service cut off and even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes our life very difficult in terms of ensuring almost 2 million people receive humanitarian assistance , ” Sajid said .
There is no sign of a lull in the fighting that has included multiple airstrikes by federal forces and hundreds of people reported dead on each side .
Ethiopia ’ s federal government and Tigray ’ s regional government blame each other for starting the conflict .
Each regards the other as illegal .
It remains difficult for diplomats , experts and others to very either side ’ s claims .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refugees have crossed the now-closed border into Sudan , the state-run SUNA news agency there reported late Tuesday .
The agency , citing unidentified officials , said that over 200,000 Ethiopians were expected to cross into Sudan in the coming days .

Up to 200,000 refugees could pour into Sudan while fleeing the deadly conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, officials say, while the first details are emerging of largely cut-off civilians under growing strain.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Up to 200,000 refugees could pour into Sudan while fleeing the deadly conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, officials say, while the first details are emerging of largely cut-off civilians under growing strain.
Long lines have appeared outside bread shops in the Tigray region, and supply-laden trucks are stranded at its borders, the United Nations humanitarian chief in the country told The Associated Press in an interview.
“We want to have humanitarian access as soon as possible,” Sajjad Mohammad Sajid said. “Fuel and food are needed urgently.” Up to 2 million people in Tigray have a “very, very difficult time,” he said late Tuesday, including hundreds of thousands of displaced people.
Communications remain almost completely severed with the Tigray region a week after Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced a military offensive in response to an alleged attack by regional forces. He insists there will be no negotiations with a regional government he considers illegal until its ruling “clique” is arrested and its well-stocked arsenal is destroyed.
The standoff leaves nearly 900 aid workers in the Tigray region from the U.N. and other groups struggling to contact the outside world with pleas for help. “Nine U.N. agencies, almost 20 NGOs, all depending on two offices” with the means to communicate, Sajid said.
In addition, more than 1,000 people of different nationalities are stuck in the region, he said. That includes tourists. Countries urgently are seeking their evacuation.
With airports in Tigray closed, roads blocked, internet service cut off and even banks no longer operating, it “makes our life very difficult in terms of ensuring almost 2 million people receive humanitarian assistance,” Sajid said.
There is no sign of a lull in the fighting that has included multiple airstrikes by federal forces and hundreds of people reported dead on each side.
Ethiopia’s federal government and Tigray’s regional government blame each other for starting the conflict. Each regards the other as illegal. It remains difficult for diplomats, experts and others to very either side’s claims.
Under growing pressure, at least 6,000 Ethiopian refugees have crossed the now-closed border into Sudan, the state-run SUNA news agency there reported late Tuesday. The agency, citing unidentified officials, said that over 200,000 Ethiopians were expected to cross into Sudan in the coming days.
By CARA ANNA Associated Press


courthousenews--2020-11-11--Report Sounds an Alarm on Ongoing Decline of US Coral Reefs

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. ( AP ) — A first of its kind assessment of coral reefs in U.S. waters is again sounding the alarm over the continued decline of these sensitive underwater ecosystems , which scientists deem essential to the health of the world ’ s oceans amid the environmental effects posed by human activity and climate change .
The report , released Tuesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Maryland , took stock of the health of coral reefs under U.S. jurisdiction , from Guam and Hawaii in the Pacific to Florida and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our work in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans shows a dire outlook for coral reef ecosystem health , from warming ocean waters , fishing , disease , and pollution from the land , ” said Heath Kelsey , director of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science .
The reefs off the Florida coast are the country ’ s most degraded , with perhaps as little as 2 % remaining , officials said .
When healthy , coral constitute breathtaking underwater colonies of tiny organisms , known as polyps , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underwater rock known as reefs .
The profusion of life they support , including fish and other aquatic creatures , is an important component of the marine ecosystem .
The reefs are natural barriers to storm surges , particularly in regions susceptible to hurricanes .
And they also are important to coastal economies that depend on tourism , marine aquaculture and commercial fishing — the so-called blue economy that depends on the conservation of ocean resources to help sustain livelihoods from the sea .
“ The economic impacts of coral reefs in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annually .
So this is really of great importance to our nation , ” said retired Navy Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet , an assistant secretary at NOAA .
Officials said it was the first time that a nationwide assessment was conducted , despite years of concern over the health of coral reefs , not just in the U.S. but around the world .
Some studies say more than half of the world ’ s reefs have been lost , and that more are in danger .
The status report used data collected between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ very good , ” “ good , ” “ fair , ” “ impaired , ” and “ critical.
” While the report says the condition of most coral reef regions in the United States was “ fair , ” it added that sewage , lawn chemicals and other pollutants that flow into the oceans pose potentially catastrophic threats to their survival .
That threat is most pronounced in waters off South Florida , from the Keys to north of Palm Beach .
The regions is one of the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 9 million .
“ It shouldn ’ t be surprising .
There ’ s an immense population of people living in close proximity to those reefs , ” said Jennifer Koss , the director of NOAA ’ s coral reef conservation program .
But even in more remote oceans where human interaction is limited , coral reefs remain under threat because of climate change , which has caused oceans to warm and make some coastal areas inhospitable to delicate coral .
“ Climate change is the single biggest threat to shallow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worldwide , ” said Kelsey of the University of Maryland .
The report , its authors signaled , is meant to be a call to arms .
“ This report represents a snapshot of reef condition and is a great resource for communities and decision-makers throughout the nation .
We hope the report starts a dialogue about the various factors and potential solutions to the threats affecting coral reefs , ” Koss said .
Most U.S. territories were designated as “ fair , ” including those in Hawaii and Puerto Rico .
Reefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remote areas of the Pacific were in “ good condition.
” Florida reefs were said to be in “ impaired ” condition .
Officials in the state of Florida have become more mindful of the streams of pollution flowing into its coastal waters and the harm they can do to coral .
The pollutants also have been blamed for red tides and other ecologically devastating algae blooms .
A bipartisan federal bill cosponsored by lawmakers from Hawaii and Florida — two of the states with the highest stakes on the matter — would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manage the nation ’ s reefs

A first of its kind assessment of coral reefs in U.S. waters is again sounding the alarm over the continued decline of these sensitive underwater ecosystems, which scientists deem essential to the health of the world's oceans amid the environmental effects posed by human activity and climate change.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A first of its kind assessment of coral reefs in U.S. waters is again sounding the alarm over the continued decline of these sensitive underwater ecosystems, which scientists deem essential to the health of the world's oceans amid the environmental effects posed by human activity and climate change.
The report, released Tuesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Maryland, took stock of the health of coral reefs under U.S. jurisdiction, from Guam and Hawaii in the Pacific to Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Atlantic.
“Our work in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans shows a dire outlook for coral reef ecosystem health, from warming ocean waters, fishing, disease, and pollution from the land," said Heath Kelsey, director of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.
The reefs off the Florida coast are the country’s most degraded, with perhaps as little as 2% remaining, officials said.
When healthy, coral constitute breathtaking underwater colonies of tiny organisms, known as polyps, whose hardened skeletons form clumps or fingerlings of underwater rock known as reefs. The profusion of life they support, including fish and other aquatic creatures, is an important component of the marine ecosystem.
The reefs are natural barriers to storm surges, particularly in regions susceptible to hurricanes.
And they also are important to coastal economies that depend on tourism, marine aquaculture and commercial fishing — the so-called blue economy that depends on the conservation of ocean resources to help sustain livelihoods from the sea.
“The economic impacts of coral reefs in the United States are around $3.4 billion annually. So this is really of great importance to our nation,” said retired Navy Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet, an assistant secretary at NOAA.
Officials said it was the first time that a nationwide assessment was conducted, despite years of concern over the health of coral reefs, not just in the U.S. but around the world. Some studies say more than half of the world’s reefs have been lost, and that more are in danger.
The status report used data collected between 2012 and 2018 and classified regions as “very good,” “good,” “fair,” “impaired,” and “critical.”
While the report says the condition of most coral reef regions in the United States was “fair,” it added that sewage, lawn chemicals and other pollutants that flow into the oceans pose potentially catastrophic threats to their survival.
That threat is most pronounced in waters off South Florida, from the Keys to north of Palm Beach. The regions is one of the country's densest population centers with a population of more than 9 million.
“It shouldn't be surprising. There's an immense population of people living in close proximity to those reefs," said Jennifer Koss, the director of NOAA’s coral reef conservation program.
But even in more remote oceans where human interaction is limited, coral reefs remain under threat because of climate change, which has caused oceans to warm and make some coastal areas inhospitable to delicate coral.
“Climate change is the single biggest threat to shallow water coral reefs in the U.S. and worldwide," said Kelsey of the University of Maryland.
The report, its authors signaled, is meant to be a call to arms.
“This report represents a snapshot of reef condition and is a great resource for communities and decision-makers throughout the nation. We hope the report starts a dialogue about the various factors and potential solutions to the threats affecting coral reefs,” Koss said.
Most U.S. territories were designated as “fair,” including those in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Reefs were in American Samoa and the most remote areas of the Pacific were in “good condition.” Florida reefs were said to be in “impaired" condition.
Officials in the state of Florida have become more mindful of the streams of pollution flowing into its coastal waters and the harm they can do to coral. The pollutants also have been blamed for red tides and other ecologically devastating algae blooms.
A bipartisan federal bill cosponsored by lawmakers from Hawaii and Florida — two of the states with the highest stakes on the matter — would provide federal funding to help restore and manage the nation’s reefs
By BOBBY CAINA CALVAN Associated Press