courthousenews--2020-08-05--Medicaid Expansion, Tight Races Bring Missouri Voters Out

( CN ) — Following the trend of eye-raising political upsets by Progressive Democrats , Cori Bush has ended Lacy Clay ’ s reign as Missouri ’ s U.S. House of Representatives District 1 delegate .
With 100 % of the votes in , Bush beat Clay 48.6-45.5 .
The final vote count was 72,812 votes for Bush to 68,201 for Clay .
In an acceptance speech , Bush thanked God , her family and her campaign .
“ You know I ’ m just the protester , ” Bush said .
“ I ’ m just an activist with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real money .
They said that .
But St. Louis showed up today.
” Clay , a Democrat , had held his post for 20 years and he took over after his father , Bill Clay , retired after holding the seat since 1968 .
Bush unsuccessfully ran against Clay in 2018 .
Though fellow progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed her , Clay still won by more than 28,000 votes ( a 57-37 split ) .
Bush attacked Clay ’ s leadership , claiming the region has become stagnant and mediocre , banking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will desire a change .
Bush doesn ’ t have Ocasio-Cortez ’ s endorsement this time around , but she has name recognition and a sizable war chest , reporting $ 562,000 raised with $ 127,000 cash in hand , according to Opensecrets.org .
Clay has raised more than $ 740,000 and has $ 389,000 cash in hand .
Bush has used her money on a TV ad campaign highlighting her efforts as an activist within the Black Lives Matter movement .
She hopes to get a boost from being featured in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House , ” which highlighted progressive Democrats challenging incumbents .
She has attacked Clay ’ s leadership , claiming the region has become stagnant and mediocre , banking that the area ’ s black voters will desire a change .
Clay ran on his own record .
He fills key roles on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Oversight Committee , and his campaign notes he has consistently backed the positions of progressive Democrats such as the Green New Deal , Medicare for All and Trump ’ s impeachment .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set for a highly anticipated showdown between incumbent Republican Governor Mike Parson and Democratic challenger Nicole Galloway .
Parson has declared victory with 75 % of the Republican ballots and Galloway was declared the winner with 86 % of the Democratic votes , setting up what could be the most competitive and expensive governor ’ s race in the country .
According to the most recent SLU/YouGov poll , Governor Mike Parson holds just a two-point lead over Galloway , who currently serves as the state auditor .
This represents a dramatic divergence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another poll in March .
Both sides have already raised considerable funds .
Galloway brought in more than $ 1.1 million in the second quarter of 2020 even without any in-person events , according to the Missouri Times .
Parson reported $ 1.4 million cash on hand .
But how the candidates respond – or don ’ t – to Covid-19 could ultimately decide this race .
Parson has been reluctant to issue a state-wide mask mandate despite surging new cases throughout Missouri .
Galloway has attacked Parson ’ s leadership during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask during public appearances .
Parson has sided with Trump in a pro-police “ law and order ” stance regarding the protests stemming from George Floyd ’ s death .
He also opposes state Medicaid expansion , a hot button topic on this primary ballot .
Galloway supports Medicaid expansion .
She also supports the Black Lives Matter movement and has a plan to invest in Missouri ’ s black communities and reform the state ’ s criminal justice system .
But perhaps more than the candidates , for many Missouri voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to the polls .
A measure known as Amendment 2 aims to expand Medicaid enrollment options for adults 19-65 with incomes at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty line .
With 98 % reporting , the measure appears to have passed with 51.7 % of the vote .
“ Heck no , I ’ m not paying for anybody else ’ s insurance , ” Angie Korty said while leaving a Jefferson County polling station .
“ I don ’ t have insurance .
When I had a hospital bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and paid it off.
” A voter named Kourtney in north St. Louis County had a different perspective .
“ We ’ re one of the few developed nations that doesn ’ t have universal health care and I feel like we ’ re doing our citizens a disservice , ” Kourtney said .
“ So , expanding it , well , it ’ s just a small step in the right direction.
” Covid-19 has changed the look of elections , but Missouri still expects to have results in by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foresee an increase in absentee voting after the legislature passed SB 631 , which expanded absentee voting in light of the Covid-19 pandemic .
But a state spokesperson said all absentee ballots are due to local election authorities by the close of polls on Tuesday and should not affect the tabulation of results .
At 5 p.m. , officials in both St. Louis County and City were reporting turnouts of over 30 percent .
So far there seem to be few problems .
“ I felt real safe , ” Christopher Cook said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County polling station .
“ I like how they had it set up in there .
Everybody was six feet apart , everybody in there was wearing masks .
There ’ s some people in there even wearing gloves .
It did calm my fears .
I was worried when I first came in how it was going to be.
” Bob Hahn , a stage four chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) patient , chose to vote in person in Jefferson County with an oxygen machine strapped to his waist .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases tripling in the county in the last month .
“ My health is my responsibility , not anyone else ’ s , ” Hahn said .

Medicaid Expansion, Tight Races Bring Missouri Voters Out
(CN) — Following the trend of eye-raising political upsets by Progressive Democrats, Cori Bush has ended Lacy Clay’s reign as Missouri’s U.S. House of Representatives District 1 delegate.
With 100% of the votes in, Bush beat Clay 48.6-45.5. The final vote count was 72,812 votes for Bush to 68,201 for Clay.
In an acceptance speech, Bush thanked God, her family and her campaign.
“You know I'm just the protester,” Bush said. “I’m just an activist with no name, no title and no real money. They said that. But St. Louis showed up today.”
Clay, a Democrat, had held his post for 20 years and he took over after his father, Bill Clay, retired after holding the seat since 1968. Bush unsuccessfully ran against Clay in 2018. Though fellow progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed her, Clay still won by more than 28,000 votes (a 57-37 split).
Bush attacked Clay’s leadership, claiming the region has become stagnant and mediocre, banking that the area’s black voters will desire a change.
Bush doesn’t have Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement this time around, but she has name recognition and a sizable war chest, reporting $562,000 raised with $127,000 cash in hand, according to Opensecrets.org. Clay has raised more than $740,000 and has $389,000 cash in hand.
Bush has used her money on a TV ad campaign highlighting her efforts as an activist within the Black Lives Matter movement. She hopes to get a boost from being featured in the Netflix film, “Knock Down the House,” which highlighted progressive Democrats challenging incumbents.
She has attacked Clay’s leadership, claiming the region has become stagnant and mediocre, banking that the area’s black voters will desire a change.
Clay ran on his own record. He fills key roles on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Oversight Committee, and his campaign notes he has consistently backed the positions of progressive Democrats such as the Green New Deal, Medicare for All and Trump’s impeachment.
In statewide races, the stage has been set for a highly anticipated showdown between incumbent Republican Governor Mike Parson and Democratic challenger Nicole Galloway.
Parson has declared victory with 75% of the Republican ballots and Galloway was declared the winner with 86% of the Democratic votes, setting up what could be the most competitive and expensive governor’s race in the country.
According to the most recent SLU/YouGov poll, Governor Mike Parson holds just a two-point lead over Galloway, who currently serves as the state auditor. This represents a dramatic divergence from the 13-point lead Parson enjoyed in another poll in March.
Both sides have already raised considerable funds. Galloway brought in more than $1.1 million in the second quarter of 2020 even without any in-person events, according to the Missouri Times. Parson reported $1.4 million cash on hand.
But how the candidates respond — or don’t — to Covid-19 could ultimately decide this race.
Parson has been reluctant to issue a state-wide mask mandate despite surging new cases throughout Missouri. Galloway has attacked Parson’s leadership during the pandemic and criticized him for not wearing a mask during public appearances.
Parson has sided with Trump in a pro-police “law and order” stance regarding the protests stemming from George Floyd’s death. He also opposes state Medicaid expansion, a hot button topic on this primary ballot.
Galloway supports Medicaid expansion. She also supports the Black Lives Matter movement and has a plan to invest in Missouri’s black communities and reform the state’s criminal justice system.
But perhaps more than the candidates, for many Missouri voters, the issue of Medicaid expansion drove them to the polls.
A measure known as Amendment 2 aims to expand Medicaid enrollment options for adults 19-65 with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty line. With 98% reporting, the measure appears to have passed with 51.7% of the vote.
“Heck no, I’m not paying for anybody else’s insurance,” Angie Korty said while leaving a Jefferson County polling station. “I don’t have insurance. When I had a hospital bill, I just went through Commerce Bank and paid it off.”
A voter named Kourtney in north St. Louis County had a different perspective.
“We’re one of the few developed nations that doesn’t have universal health care and I feel like we’re doing our citizens a disservice,” Kourtney said. “So, expanding it, well, it’s just a small step in the right direction.”
Covid-19 has changed the look of elections, but Missouri still expects to have results in by the end of Tuesday night.
The state does foresee an increase in absentee voting after the legislature passed SB 631, which expanded absentee voting in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. But a state spokesperson said all absentee ballots are due to local election authorities by the close of polls on Tuesday and should not affect the tabulation of results.
At 5 p.m., officials in both St. Louis County and City were reporting turnouts of over 30%. So far there seem to be few problems.
“I felt real safe,” Christopher Cook said as he left a north St. Louis County polling station. “I like how they had it set up in there. Everybody was six feet apart, everybody in there was wearing masks. There’s some people in there even wearing gloves. It did calm my fears. I was worried when I first came in how it was going to be.”
Bob Hahn, a stage four chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient, chose to vote in person in Jefferson County with an oxygen machine strapped to his waist.
He was undeterred, even with Covid-19 cases tripling in the county in the last month.
“My health is my responsibility, not anyone else’s,” Hahn said.


courthousenews--2020-08-05--Trump Allies Trail Behind in Kansas Primary

( CN ) — Two Republican candidates who have tied themselves to President Donald Trump find themselves trailing establishment candidates in early returns from the Kansas primary .
According to results released by the state , Representative Roger Marshall has 37 % of support to former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach ’ s 27 % in a contest to replace retiring Senator Pat Roberts .
The Associated Press called Marshall as the winner at 9:07 p.m. Outsider candidate Bob Hamilton , a plumbing entrepreneur who has never held elected office , received 20 % .
Fifty-three percent of precincts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barbara Bollier , who has 88 % of the vote in a contest against perennial candidate Robert Tillman .
The general election contest has looked like a toss-up in recent polls , regardless of who Republicans pick to face Bollier , who herself was a Republican until she switched parties in 2018 .
In the most anticipated House race , incumbent Steve Watkins faces a serious deficit to State Treasurer Jake LaTurner , with LaTurner having a 49 % to 34 % lead with 57 % of precincts reporting .
Watkins made national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with three felonies for voter fraud after it was revealed that he used a UPS Store as his home address on voter registration forms .
To make the matter worse for him , the charges were announced just minutes before he took the stage for a televised debate .
Both Kobach and Watkins have tied themselves closely to President Trump for years .
Kobach served on Trump ’ s Commission on Election Integrity as vice chair in 2017 , a group that was intended to bolster claims of rampant voter fraud that disbanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As for Watkins , last week Bob Beatty , a professor of political science at Washburn University , told Courthouse News that Watkins “ allied his campaign with Trump ’ s like a hand in a glove.
” These two races were expected to be too close to call after a somewhat bizarre primary campaign that saw an incumbent representative claiming that his own party engaged in dirty tricks against him and a liberal political action committee advertising on behalf of one of the nation ’ s most notorious liberal foils .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ might not get what they wished for in facing Kobach .
Marshall currently represents the 3rd Kansas Congressional District , a seat formerly held by the state ’ s two current senators , Jerry Moran and the retiring Pat Roberts .
Two House incumbents , Sharice Davids , D-KS3 , and Ron Estes , R-D4 , were unopposed .
Polls closed at 7 p.m. , though the state will accept all valid mail-in ballots that are postmarked by Tuesday and arrive in election offices before 5 p.m. on Friday .
“ With the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we anticipate the results in close elections could fluctuate more than in previous years , ” Katie Koupal , Deputy Assistant Secretary of State , told Courthouse News .
Andrew Howell , the Election Commissioner of Shawnee County , echoed that sentiment , predicting that there will be a “ fair number ” of ballots dropped into mailboxes on election night .
“ If I would guess , we ’ re not going to know who some of those winners are if there ’ s a close race .
There are so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law allows us to count every ballot that comes in Wednesday , Thursday and Friday , ” Howell said in an interview .
All voters in Kansas can request absentee ballots without having to provide an excuse .
Earlier this year , Kansas received $ 4.6 million in CARES Act funding for the 2020 election .
According to Koupal , $ 2.6 million of that has been used to reimburse county election expenses caused by Covid-19 and $ 1 million was spent on masks , gloves , hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that voters were being encouraged to follow recommended safety protocols about social distancing and wearing masks .
“ No voter will be turned away for wearing , or not wearing , a mask , ” Koupal said .

Two Republican candidates who have tied themselves to President Donald Trump find themselves trailing establishment candidates in early returns from the Kansas primary.
(CN) — Two Republican candidates who have tied themselves to President Donald Trump find themselves trailing establishment candidates in early returns from the Kansas primary.
According to results released by the state, Representative Roger Marshall has 37% of support to former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s 27% in a contest to replace retiring Senator Pat Roberts. The Associated Press called Marshall as the winner at 9:07 p.m. Outsider candidate Bob Hamilton, a plumbing entrepreneur who has never held elected office, received 20%. Fifty-three percent of precincts have reported.
Marshall will face Democrat Barbara Bollier, who has 88% of the vote in a contest against perennial candidate Robert Tillman. The general election contest has looked like a toss-up in recent polls, regardless of who Republicans pick to face Bollier, who herself was a Republican until she switched parties in 2018.
In the most anticipated House race, incumbent Steve Watkins faces a serious deficit to State Treasurer Jake LaTurner, with LaTurner having a 49% to 34% lead with 57% of precincts reporting.
Watkins made national headlines last month when he was charged with three felonies for voter fraud after it was revealed that he used a UPS Store as his home address on voter registration forms. To make the matter worse for him, the charges were announced just minutes before he took the stage for a televised debate.
Both Kobach and Watkins have tied themselves closely to President Trump for years. Kobach served on Trump’s Commission on Election Integrity as vice chair in 2017, a group that was intended to bolster claims of rampant voter fraud that disbanded after a year without issuing a report.
As for Watkins, last week Bob Beatty, a professor of political science at Washburn University, told Courthouse News that Watkins “allied his campaign with Trump’s like a hand in a glove.”
These two races were expected to be too close to call after a somewhat bizarre primary campaign that saw an incumbent representative claiming that his own party engaged in dirty tricks against him and a liberal political action committee advertising on behalf of one of the nation’s most notorious liberal foils.
According to these early results, Democrats might not get what they wished for in facing Kobach.
Marshall currently represents the 3rd Kansas Congressional District, a seat formerly held by the state’s two current senators, Jerry Moran and the retiring Pat Roberts.
Two House incumbents, Sharice Davids, D-KS3, and Ron Estes, R-D4, were unopposed.
Polls closed at 7 p.m., though the state will accept all valid mail-in ballots that are postmarked by Tuesday and arrive in election offices before 5 p.m. on Friday.
“With the high number of advance by-mail ballots, we anticipate the results in close elections could fluctuate more than in previous years,” Katie Koupal, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, told Courthouse News.
Andrew Howell, the Election Commissioner of Shawnee County, echoed that sentiment, predicting that there will be a “fair number” of ballots dropped into mailboxes on election night.
“If I would guess, we’re not going to know who some of those winners are if there’s a close race. There are so many advanced ballots in the system and the law allows us to count every ballot that comes in Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,” Howell said in an interview.
All voters in Kansas can request absentee ballots without having to provide an excuse.
Earlier this year, Kansas received $4.6 million in CARES Act funding for the 2020 election. According to Koupal, $2.6 million of that has been used to reimburse county election expenses caused by Covid-19 and $1 million was spent on masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray for polling places.
Koupal said last week that voters were being encouraged to follow recommended safety protocols about social distancing and wearing masks.
“No voter will be turned away for wearing, or not wearing, a mask,” Koupal said.


courthousenews--2020-08-06--Minneapolis Plan to Overhaul Police Delayed to 2021

MINNEAPOLIS ( CN ) — Any attempts to amend the Minneapolis City Charter to dismantle its police department will have to wait for 2021 .
The Minneapolis Charter Commission opted to take 90 days to review a proposed amendment which would have replaced the police department with a city council-overseen Community Safety and Violence Prevention Department , effectively tabling the idea until after the 2020 election .
At the Wednesday evening meeting , charter commissioners debated what role they ought to play in considering the amendment , but almost universally decried it as hurried and ill-conceived .
Most complaints were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ municipal apocalypse of crime and falling property values should the amendment be allowed to go to a vote .
Five of the 15 commissioners objected to the decision to delay , citing concerns that citizens would perceive such a move as political gamesmanship .
While none suggested that the commission offer support for the amendment , all acknowledged that the city council would likely send the question to voters even if commissioners recommended against it .
“ It sounds like we ’ re going to delay , and take ninety days .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there that ’ s going to get us to either approving , rejecting or offering an alternative .
Because our role here is not to safeguard the city council amendment from the charter .
That ’ s not our role , the way I see it .
Our role is to make a recommendation to the city council , ” Commissioner Al Giraud-Isaacson said .
“ “ It sounds to me that everybody on the commission has an opinion of yes or no on the charter amendment .
So taking an additional 90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do what ?
” The Commission signaled its intent on July 29 when it voted down a proposed amendment by Giraud-Isaacson which would only have eliminated the charter ’ s minimum-staffing requirement for the police department .
Minneapolis ’ charter currently requires that the department employ 0.0017 employees per city resident , totaling about 725 employees by 2018 population estimates .
The 90-day delay was one of four options available to the commission at the Wednesday night meeting .
It could either reject or accept the amendment , making a recommendation either way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote , or substitute its own recommended election .
The delay is the only option that would definitively keep the question off the ballot this year .
The process of getting the proposed amendment to the ballot has brought the Charter Commission to many Minneapolitans ’ attention for the first time .
Commissioners are appointed by the chief judge of Hennepin County District Court rather than elected , and that status has led some to ask why their approval is needed at all .
“ There have been signs that the unelected and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people and squelch racial and community justice , ” activist group Black Visions Collective tweeted earlier this week .
The Charter Commission is indeed mostly white , with only two members of color on the 15-member commission .
“ A lot has been made of the fact that charter commissioners are appointed by judges and not elected .
That ’ s not a legislative accident .
It ’ s in the state constitution .
Charter commissioners are appointed by judges to preserve their independence , ” he said .
“ The real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I can understand the reason for confusion around that , because there ’ s no statutory or case law guidance on it .
Charter commissioners are left to their own devices , ” he added .
Clegg put forth his personal list of criteria : whether the amendment was germane to the charter , which he said it was ; whether it was well considered or specific , which he said it was not ; and whether it took away rights from the public , which he argued it did by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department in the hands of the city council .
City Council president Lisa Bender , whose council unanimously approved the proposed charter amendment , emphasized that the council was not done working toward reimagining policing .
“ The Charter Commission ’ s vote is disappointing and creates barriers to change but it will not stop our work to re-imagine public safety in Mpls , ” she wrote in a tweet .
“ Our work always was and remains multi-pronged , including a 911 workgroup , MPD staffing study , investment in violence prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commission was not as isolated from politics as they claimed , citing the failed 2013 campaign of one member for city council and another member ’ s involvement in a political action committee that donated to some sitting council members ’ opponents .
The decision is a win for the city ’ s embattled police force , which has been the subject of protests and calls for abolishment since the death of George Floyd on May 25 .
The force has faced still more public outcry this week after a black man suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care after paramedics allegedly dosed him with 500 milligrams of ketamine while they and Minneapolis police repeatedly pressed his girlfriend with questions about whether he was on drugs .
Police response times have also climbed across the city as the department faces a staffing shortage , and crime has seen an uptick since Floyd ’ s death .
Many officers have taken sick time , citing post-traumatic stress from the riots that followed it .
But according to a poll taken earlier this week on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that hasn ’ t been enough to change the minds of those who would defund the department .
The poll found that 56 % of Minneapolis residents supported the charter amendment as proposed by the city council , and 79 % believed the department ’ s budget was too large .

Any attempts to amend the Minneapolis City Charter to dismantle its police department will have to wait for 2021.
MINNEAPOLIS (CN) — Any attempts to amend the Minneapolis City Charter to dismantle its police department will have to wait for 2021.
The Minneapolis Charter Commission opted to take 90 days to review a proposed amendment which would have replaced the police department with a city council-overseen Community Safety and Violence Prevention Department, effectively tabling the idea until after the 2020 election.
At the Wednesday evening meeting, charter commissioners debated what role they ought to play in considering the amendment, but almost universally decried it as hurried and ill-conceived. Most complaints were procedural, although one commissioner foretold a municipal apocalypse of crime and falling property values should the amendment be allowed to go to a vote.
Five of the 15 commissioners objected to the decision to delay, citing concerns that citizens would perceive such a move as political gamesmanship. While none suggested that the commission offer support for the amendment, all acknowledged that the city council would likely send the question to voters even if commissioners recommended against it.
“It sounds like we’re going to delay, and take ninety days. I hope there’s a plan out there that’s going to get us to either approving, rejecting or offering an alternative. Because our role here is not to safeguard the city council amendment from the charter. That’s not our role, the way I see it. Our role is to make a recommendation to the city council,” Commissioner Al Giraud-Isaacson said. ““It sounds to me that everybody on the commission has an opinion of yes or no on the charter amendment. So taking an additional 90 days to include studies is going to do what?”
The Commission signaled its intent on July 29 when it voted down a proposed amendment by Giraud-Isaacson which would only have eliminated the charter’s minimum-staffing requirement for the police department. Minneapolis’ charter currently requires that the department employ 0.0017 employees per city resident, totaling about 725 employees by 2018 population estimates.
The 90-day delay was one of four options available to the commission at the Wednesday night meeting. It could either reject or accept the amendment, making a recommendation either way on whether voters should be allowed to vote, or substitute its own recommended election. The delay is the only option that would definitively keep the question off the ballot this year.
The process of getting the proposed amendment to the ballot has brought the Charter Commission to many Minneapolitans’ attention for the first time. Commissioners are appointed by the chief judge of Hennepin County District Court rather than elected, and that status has led some to ask why their approval is needed at all.
“There have been signs that the unelected and mostly-white commission may stifle the voices of the people and squelch racial and community justice,” activist group Black Visions Collective tweeted earlier this week. The Charter Commission is indeed mostly white, with only two members of color on the 15-member commission.
Commission chair Barry Clegg pushed back on that idea.
“A lot has been made of the fact that charter commissioners are appointed by judges and not elected. That’s not a legislative accident. It’s in the state constitution. Charter commissioners are appointed by judges to preserve their independence,” he said.
“The real question is what constitutes an appropriate amendment, and I can understand the reason for confusion around that, because there’s no statutory or case law guidance on it. Charter commissioners are left to their own devices,” he added.
Clegg put forth his personal list of criteria: whether the amendment was germane to the charter, which he said it was; whether it was well considered or specific, which he said it was not; and whether it took away rights from the public, which he argued it did by placing the future of the charter-mandated police department in the hands of the city council.
City Council president Lisa Bender, whose council unanimously approved the proposed charter amendment, emphasized that the council was not done working toward reimagining policing.
“The Charter Commission's vote is disappointing and creates barriers to change but it will not stop our work to re-imagine public safety in Mpls,” she tweeted. “Our work always was and remains multi-pronged, including a 911 workgroup, MPD staffing study, investment in violence prevention & more.”
She also said the commission was not as isolated from politics as they claimed, citing the failed 2013 campaign of one member for city council and another member’s involvement in a political action committee that donated to some sitting council members’ opponents.
The decision is a win for the city’s embattled police force, which has been the subject of protests and calls for abolishment since the death of George Floyd on May 25. The force has faced still more public outcry this week after a black man suffering a diabetic seizure wound up in intensive care after paramedics allegedly dosed him with 500 milligrams of ketamine while they and Minneapolis police repeatedly pressed his girlfriend with questions about whether he was on drugs.
Police response times have also climbed across the city as the department faces a staffing shortage, and crime has seen an uptick since Floyd’s death. Many officers have taken sick time, citing post-traumatic stress from the riots that followed it.
But according to a poll taken earlier this week on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union and workers’ rights nonprofit The Fairness Project, that hasn’t been enough to change the minds of those who would defund the department. The poll found that 56% of Minneapolis residents supported the charter amendment as proposed by the city council, and 79% believed the department’s budget was too large.


courthousenews--2020-08-06--Twin YouTubers Charged After Faking Bank Robberies

( CN ) — Two California men who tried to film a fake bank robbery with an unsuspecting Uber driver this past October got a warning from responding police .
They tried it again a few hours later and now face charges of felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor swatting .
The Orange County District Attorney ’ s Office says twin brothers Alan and Alex Stokes , known online as the Stokes Twins and have built a YouTube following with their staged pranks , went too far with back-to-back fake bank robberies in Irvine , California , on Oct. 15 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uber , dressed in black and wearing ski masks .
They were carrying bags full of cash and acted as though they had just robbed a bank while someone else filmed them getting into the Uber , according Orange County DA Todd Spitzer .
Their Uber driver refused to drive them and someone who witnessed the exchange thought it was a carjacking and called police , according to the charging document .
Police ordered the driver out of the car at gunpoint , but then released the person after they figured out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got off easy with a warning .
Four hours later , they tried to do the same thing again .
This time , the Stokes brothers tried to carry out their prank at the University of California , Irvine , and again , police responded to reports of a bank robbery .
Spitzer did not find the situation funny and said the brothers ’ actions could have resulted in someone “ getting seriously injured or even killed.
” He noted officers that respond to reports of a bank robbery are going to act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found was some kind of twisted attempt to gain more popularity on the internet by unnecessarily putting members of the public and police officers in danger , ” said Spitzer .
The Stokes Twins have 4 million YouTube subscribers and 25.4 million followers on the TikTok app .
If convicted of both charges , they face a maximum four years in state prison .

Two California men who tried to film a fake bank robbery with an unsuspecting Uber driver this past October got a warning from responding police. They tried it again a few hours later and now face charges of felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor swatting.
(CN) — Two California men who tried to film a fake bank robbery with an unsuspecting Uber driver this past October got a warning from responding police. They tried it again a few hours later and now face charges of felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor swatting.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office says twin brothers Alan and Alex Stokes, known online as the Stokes Twins and have built a YouTube following with their staged pranks, went too far with back-to-back fake bank robberies in Irvine, California, on Oct. 15, 2019.
The 23-year-old twins ordered an Uber, dressed in black and wearing ski masks. They were carrying bags full of cash and acted as though they had just robbed a bank while someone else filmed them getting into the Uber, according Orange County DA Todd Spitzer.
Their Uber driver refused to drive them, and someone who witnessed the exchange thought it was a carjacking and called police, according to the charging document.
Police ordered the driver out of the car at gunpoint, but then released the person after they figured out the driver was not involved. The twins got off easy with a warning.
Four hours later, they tried to do the same thing again.
This time, the Stokes brothers tried to carry out their prank at the University of California, Irvine, and again, police responded to reports of a bank robbery.
Spitzer did not find the situation funny and said the brothers’ actions could have resulted in someone “getting seriously injured or even killed.” He noted officers that respond to reports of a bank robbery are going to act accordingly.
“Instead, what they found was some kind of twisted attempt to gain more popularity on the internet by unnecessarily putting members of the public and police officers in danger,” said Spitzer.
The Stokes Twins have 4 million YouTube subscribers and 25.4 million followers on the TikTok app.
If convicted of both charges, they face a maximum four years in state prison.


Football Fans

SANTA CLARA , Calif. — A class action was filed Wednesday in Santa Clara County against the Santa Clara Stadium @ @ @ @ @ offer refunds to those who purchased stadium builders licenses , a required purchase for those @ @ @ @ @ tickets to the NFL ’ s 49ers home games .
The lawsuit claims no refunds @ @ @ @ @ likelihood of reduced or eliminated seating amid the coronavirus epidemic .

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--2020-08-05--California Courts Covid Update

California Courts Covid Update

July 28 , 2020 : Order regarding recommended counseling for child custody matters within past year July 29 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ court operations


courthousenews--2020-08-05--Southern District of California Prepares for Jury Trials

SAN DIEGO ( CN ) — After going for months without criminal or civil jury trials , the Southern District of California Wednesday live streamed a mock trial where witnesses wore face shields , courtrooms were flip-flopped and trial spectators were relegated to overflow courtrooms .
U.S. District Judge Anthony Battaglia , who chairs the Southern District ’ s committee making plans to revive jury trials during the pandemic , said during a Zoom meeting Wednesday hosted by the San Diego chapter of the Federal Bar Association , “ I ’ m going to state the obvious : the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our lives , an impact on the court and the practice of law.
” Jury trials have been suspended in the Southern District of California since Chief Judge Larry Alan Burns issued an executive order March 17 .
Burns ’ order has since been extended several times and the current iteration extending the judicial emergency is set to expire Aug. 14 .
Battaglia said Wednesday the court is expected to reveal its final jury trial plans within two weeks , though it isn ’ t yet clear when the first trial in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in San Diego .
He said the committee consulted with a public health doctor who reviewed the court ’ s plans to resume jury trials and gave the scientific seal of approval .
“ He was able to tell us our plans were square on for meeting the CDC ’ s guidelines and if they were followed , the chances of transmission between people in the building was virtually nil , ” Battaglia said .
But Battaglia acknowledged “ people don ’ t always follow instructions , ” noting it was a problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
Virtual trials will not be held despite those concerns , Battaglia said , as judges are concerned about having a fair cross-section of the community represented in the jury pool and technological gaps could prevent that .
He also noted problems with at-home distractions were jurors to serve virtually , pointing out the average five to seven-minute attention span of people would be hindered during a two-dimensional trial viewed over a computer screen .
Battaglia said “ health and safety will be paramount ” when jury trials are held again and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases are in high-risk groups for contracting Covid-19 , that will be a factor in trial scheduling .
“ We are not setting aspirational dates anymore , ” Battaglia said .
“ Hopefully when you get a trial date in the weeks ahead , it will be for real , ” he added .
A video played during Battaglia ’ s address Wednesday gave an idea of what is to come .
The pre-recorded video showed jurors lined up outside the courthouse , maintaining six feet distance before being screened by court security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside , jurors will be greeted by jury staff in the lobby , with arrival times for jurors staggered to avoid any lines from forming and to maintain physical distancing .
Jurors will be given a plastic bag containing a face shield , sanitizing wipes , jury questionnaire and sterilized pen and notepad .
The jury assembly room can safely seat up to 60 jurors at a distance , Battaglia said , while smaller groups of jurors will be ushered to rooms where voir dire can accommodate up to 40 jurors .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their face masks , but will wear a face shield so attorneys and the judge can see their demeanor when answering questions .
Attorneys won ’ t be able to hold traditional sidebars and will be discouraged from passing notes , Battaglia added .
“ Does this jury selection take more time ?
Absolutely , ” Battaglia said .
“ We recognize things will move slower , but in the interest of safety , they must.
” Jurors not selected to serve on a trial won ’ t be asked to come back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emphasizing new jury panels will be brought in daily .
Those serving on a jury will be sequestered to the courthouse during the day , with the court providing snacks and lunch .
Once in the courtroom , judges will have a couple different options for how they can run trials while maintaining physical distancing .
Battaglia said in his courtroom he ’ ll employ the flip-flopped option where jurors will sit in the gallery , rather than the jury box , and attorneys will sit on the opposite side of the counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually reserved for spectators .
Witnesses will be seated at the podium in the middle of the courtroom traditionally used by attorneys during questioning and opening and closing trial statements .
The stand will be cleaned between witnesses .
Family and members of the press wishing watch trials will have to do so via livestream in overflow courtrooms .
“ It ’ s regrettable , but we have to take function over form at this point , ” Battaglia said .

After going for months without criminal or civil jury trials, the Southern District of California Wednesday live streamed a mock trial where witnesses wore face shields, courtrooms were flip-flopped and trial spectators were relegated to overflow courtrooms.
SAN DIEGO (CN) — After going for months without criminal or civil jury trials, the Southern District of California Wednesday live streamed a mock trial where witnesses wore face shields, courtrooms were flip-flopped and trial spectators were relegated to overflow courtrooms.
U.S. District Judge Anthony Battaglia, who chairs the Southern District’s committee making plans to revive jury trials during the pandemic, said during a Zoom meeting Wednesday hosted by the San Diego chapter of the Federal Bar Association, “I’m going to state the obvious: the coronavirus has had a huge impact on all of our lives, an impact on the court and the practice of law.”
Jury trials have been suspended in the Southern District of California since Chief Judge Larry Alan Burns issued an executive order March 17.
Burns’ order has since been extended several times and the current iteration extending the judicial emergency is set to expire Aug. 14.
Battaglia said Wednesday the court is expected to reveal its final jury trial plans within two weeks, though it isn’t yet clear when the first trial in months will be held in federal court in San Diego.
He said the committee consulted with a public health doctor who reviewed the court’s plans to resume jury trials and gave the scientific seal of approval.
“He was able to tell us our plans were square on for meeting the CDC’s guidelines and if they were followed, the chances of transmission between people in the building was virtually nil,” Battaglia said.
But Battaglia acknowledged “people don’t always follow instructions,” noting it was a problem during the mock trial experiment filmed last week.
Virtual trials will not be held despite those concerns, Battaglia said, as judges are concerned about having a fair cross-section of the community represented in the jury pool and technological gaps could prevent that.
He also noted problems with at-home distractions were jurors to serve virtually, pointing out the average five to seven-minute attention span of people would be hindered during a two-dimensional trial viewed over a computer screen.
Battaglia said “health and safety will be paramount” when jury trials are held again and if witnesses, attorneys or parties to cases are in high-risk groups for contracting Covid-19, that will be a factor in trial scheduling.
“We are not setting aspirational dates anymore,” Battaglia said.
“Hopefully when you get a trial date in the weeks ahead, it will be for real,” he added.
A video played during Battaglia’s address Wednesday gave an idea of what is to come.
The pre-recorded video showed jurors lined up outside the courthouse, maintaining six feet distance before being screened by court security and allowed inside the courthouse.
Once inside, jurors will be greeted by jury staff in the lobby, with arrival times for jurors staggered to avoid any lines from forming and to maintain physical distancing.
Jurors will be given a plastic bag containing a face shield, sanitizing wipes, jury questionnaire and sterilized pen and notepad.
The jury assembly room can safely seat up to 60 jurors at a distance, Battaglia said, while smaller groups of jurors will be ushered to rooms where voir dire can accommodate up to 40 jurors.
During jury questioning, jurors will take off their face masks, but will wear a face shield so attorneys and the judge can see their demeanor when answering questions.
Attorneys won’t be able to hold traditional sidebars and will be discouraged from passing notes, Battaglia added.
“Does this jury selection take more time? Absolutely,” Battaglia said. “We recognize things will move slower, but in the interest of safety, they must.”
Jurors not selected to serve on a trial won’t be asked to come back the following day, Battaglia added, emphasizing new jury panels will be brought in daily. Those serving on a jury will be sequestered to the courthouse during the day, with the court providing snacks and lunch.
Once in the courtroom, judges will have a couple different options for how they can run trials while maintaining physical distancing.
Battaglia said in his courtroom he’ll employ the flip-flopped option where jurors will sit in the gallery, rather than the jury box, and attorneys will sit on the opposite side of the counsel tables’ facing jurors in the space usually reserved for spectators.
Witnesses will be seated at the podium in the middle of the courtroom traditionally used by attorneys during questioning and opening and closing trial statements. The stand will be cleaned between witnesses.
Family and members of the press wishing watch trials will have to do so via livestream in overflow courtrooms.
“It’s regrettable, but we have to take function over form at this point,” Battaglia said.


courthousenews--2020-08-05--Pence Courts Christian Voters at Florida Campaign Stop

CLEARWATER , Fla. ( CN ) — Vice President Mike Pence touted President Donald Trump ’ s evangelical bona fides during a visit to Florida on Wednesday , courting faith-based voters in the crucial swing state .
“ For all he ’ s done for people of faith all across American , we need four more years of President Trump , ” Pence told a crowd of a few hundred supporters inside a Hilton hotel ballroom on Clearwater Beach .
Pence ’ s visit to Florida – his second in nine days – comes as polls show presumptive Democratic nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .
Florida is a must-win battleground state for Trump , who changed his residency from New York to the Sunshine State late last year .
The president narrowly won Florida in 2016 by less than 1 % of the vote .
White evangelicals represent a vital voting bloc for Trump .
Pence , a self-described born-again Christian , has been key in the campaign ’ s efforts to get them out to vote .
In January , Trump held an “ Evangelicals for Trump ” rally at a Miami megachurch .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his “ Faith in America ” multi-state tour .
Unlike Trump ’ s frenzied rallies where he often speaks off-the-cuff , Pence ’ s restrained , more measured style fit the small ballroom ’ s atmosphere , which the audience filled with hoots and hollers of “ four more years !
” The vice president stuck to red-meat messages popular with the Republican base like support for police , Trump ’ s success in nominating hundreds of conservative federal judges and the Second Amendment .
But the largest applause came when the devout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is the most pro-life president in American history , ” Pence declared before accusing Biden of wanting “ abortion on demand.
” Pence continued to list Trump ’ s faith-based accomplishments : appointing 200 conservative judges , defunding Planned Parenthood and being the first president to address the March for Life rally .
“ The foundation of America is freedom , but the foundation of freedom is faith , ” the vice president said .
“ Our Constitution was designed for a moral and holy people.
” Pence , who heads up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force , briefly addressed the pandemic ravaging Florida and other battleground states .
“ We ’ re encouraged by the progress we ’ re making in the Sunshine State and all across the country , ” Pence told the mask-wearing crowd .
“ Cases are coming down , positive tests are going down and the economy is coming back.
” Florida ’ s total number of coronavirus cases topped half a million on Wednesday with over 5,400 new cases reported by state health officials .
More than 7,600 Floridians have succumbed to Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Hours before Pence ’ s visit , Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez called the vice president ’ s campaign stop a “ photo-op.
” “ Pence should be listening to the voices of Floridians who are still suffering as Covid spikes , or the Floridians of faith who are repulsed by Trump ’ s efforts to strip away health care coverage from millions in the midst of a pandemic , ” Perez said .
“ In November , Floridians of every faith and political persuasion will hold this administration accountable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office.
” A Mason-Dixon poll released last week shows Biden with a slight 4 % lead over Trump in Florida with another 4 % undecided .
A survey released by Redfield & Wilton Strategies gave Biden a 7 point lead .
In a poll conducted in June , the Pew Research Center found Trump ’ s approval rating dipped across most Christian groups , including Catholics of which Biden identifies , though white evangelicals remained largely supportive .
Clearwater , known for its sugar sand beaches and the spiritual headquarters of Scientology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a major media market and bellwether for how the rest of the state votes .
The Trump campaign is clearly targeting the area .
Last week , the president visited a nearby golf course for a fundraiser .
Holding a Trump campaign sign after the event , Don Poidevin said the vice president was “ inspirational.
” “ It was a positive message across the board , ” the 55-year-old said .
Poidevin said the faith-based issues are not the main reason he supports the president .
“ I want law and @ @ @ @ @ @

Vice President Mike Pence touted President Donald Trump’s evangelical bona fides during a visit to Florida on Wednesday, courting faith-based voters in the crucial swing state.
CLEARWATER, Fla. (CN) — Vice President Mike Pence touted President Donald Trump’s evangelical bona fides during a visit to Florida on Wednesday, courting faith-based voters in the crucial swing state.
“For all he’s done for people of faith all across American, we need four more years of President Trump,” Pence told a crowd of a few hundred supporters inside a Hilton hotel ballroom on Clearwater Beach.
Pence’s visit to Florida — his second in nine days — comes as polls show presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden narrowly leading in the presidential race.
Florida is a must-win battleground state for Trump, who changed his residency from New York to the Sunshine State late last year. The president narrowly won Florida in 2016 by less than 1% of the vote.
White evangelicals represent a vital voting bloc for Trump. Pence, a self-described born-again Christian, has been key in the campaign’s efforts to get them out to vote.
In January, Trump held an “Evangelicals for Trump” rally at a Miami megachurch. Then, earlier this summer, Pence began his “Faith in America” multi-state tour.
Unlike Trump’s frenzied rallies where he often speaks off-the-cuff, Pence’s restrained, more measured style fit the small ballroom’s atmosphere, which the audience filled with hoots and hollers of “four more years!”
The vice president stuck to red-meat messages popular with the Republican base like support for police, Trump’s success in nominating hundreds of conservative federal judges and the Second Amendment.
But the largest applause came when the devout Christian addressed faith-based issues.
“Donald Trump is the most pro-life president in American history,” Pence declared before accusing Biden of wanting “abortion on demand.”
Pence continued to list Trump’s faith-based accomplishments: appointing 200 conservative judges, defunding Planned Parenthood and being the first president to address the March for Life rally.
“The foundation of America is freedom, but the foundation of freedom is faith,” the vice president said. “Our Constitution was designed for a moral and holy people.”
Pence, who heads up the White House’s coronavirus task force, briefly addressed the pandemic ravaging Florida and other battleground states.
“We’re encouraged by the progress we’re making in the Sunshine State and all across the country,” Pence told the mask-wearing crowd. “Cases are coming down, positive tests are going down and the economy is coming back.”
Florida’s total number of coronavirus cases topped half a million on Wednesday with over 5,400 new cases reported by state health officials. More than 7,600 Floridians have succumbed to Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.
Hours before Pence’s visit, Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez called the vice president’s campaign stop a “photo-op.”
“Pence should be listening to the voices of Floridians who are still suffering as Covid spikes, or the Floridians of faith who are repulsed by Trump’s efforts to strip away health care coverage from millions in the midst of a pandemic,” Perez said. “In November, Floridians of every faith and political persuasion will hold this administration accountable by voting Trump and Pence out of office.”
A Mason-Dixon poll released last week shows Biden with a slight 4% lead over Trump in Florida with another 4% undecided. A survey released by Redfield & Wilton Strategies gave Biden a 7-point lead.
In a poll conducted in June, the Pew Research Center found Trump’s approval rating dipped across most Christian groups, including Catholics of which Biden identifies, though white evangelicals remained largely supportive.
Clearwater, known for its sugar sand beaches and the spiritual headquarters of Scientology, is part of the Tampa Bay area, a major media market and bellwether for how the rest of the state votes. The Trump campaign is clearly targeting the area. Last week, the president visited a nearby golf course for a fundraiser.
Holding a Trump campaign sign after the event, Don Poidevin said the vice president was “inspirational.”
“It was a positive message across the board,” the 55-year-old said.
Poidevin said the faith-based issues are not the main reason he supports the president.
“I want law and order,” he said.


courthousenews--2020-08-05--Panel Vacates Injunction Against Public Charge Immigration Rule

RICHMOND , Va. ( CN ) — At odds with a slew of other federal courts , a Fourth Circuit panel ruled 2-1 Wednesday in favor of a Trump administration policy that makes it harder for immigrants to receive green cards if they rely on public benefits programs like food stamps .
The ruling from the Richmond , Virginia-based appeals court does not , however , influence an injunction issued last week by a federal judge in New York barring enforcement of the so-called public charge rule .
The judge found there is ample evidence that the rule deters immigrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Tuesday , the Second Circuit backed the injunction but limited its scope to New York , Connecticut and Vermont rather than nationwide .
The Manhattan-based appeals court found the government ’ s justification for the rule is “ unmoored from the nuanced views of Congress.
” But on Wednesday , the Fourth Circuit added to the tangled web of legal battles over the rule by siding with the Trump administration and reversing a nationwide injunction issued by a federal judge in Maryland .
The lead plaintiff in the Maryland case , CASA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representing over 100,000 people , sued President Donald Trump and Department of Homeland Security officials last September .
The group claimed the rule was ambiguous since it hinged on defining people as “ primarily dependent on the federal government for subsistence , ” violating the Fifth Amendment ’ s due process and equal protection clauses as well as the Administrative Procedure Act for faulty rulemaking .
After a challenge to its standing by Homeland Security in Maryland federal court , CASA de Maryland won out : U.S. District Judge Paul Grimm , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group was forced “ to divert resources that otherwise would have been expended to improve the lives of its members ” to challenge the rule and found it was likely to succeed on the merits of its claims .
Once the district court issued a preliminary injunction on the rule , the government appealed to the Fourth Circuit and won a stay of the injunction in the meantime .
Writing for the appeals court ’ s majority Wednesday , U.S .
Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III , a Ronald Reagan appointee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was mostly off base and founded on positions that would produce “ virtually limitless ” interpretation of injury that goes against the separation of powers .
Pointing to the Fourth Circuit ’ s 2012 ruling in Lane v. Holder , Wilkinson noted how a gun rights organization lost its challenge to a federal firearm statute in that case .
The group argued that it too was forced to divert resources from its usual advocacy efforts to court fights triggered by the new statute .
The district court ’ s position on standing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court precedent in Havens Realty Corp. v. Coleman , the Fourth Circuit majority found .
In that case , while the high court ultimately found that a fair housing advocacy group was forced to divert resources because of discrimination , the group did not lose its ability to function as a whole .
“ Quite simply , nothing in the [ public charge ] rule impairs CASA ’ s ability to provide counseling , referral , or other services to immigrants , ” Wilkinson wrote .
“ Of course , we respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it must reallocate resources to best serve its members amidst a changing legal landscape and that it would prefer to operate in an environment where the rule does not exist .
But untold numbers of organizations regularly voice dissatisfaction with public laws and actions that may affect their ordering of priorities in some way.
” The two individual plaintiffs in the case , Angel Aguiluz and Monica Camacho Perez , are DACA recipients and their ability to stay in the U.S. legally hinges on the enforcement of the rule itself .
But Wilkinson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never been clearly defined by Congress and when it is used in the context of the Immigration and Nationality Act , it “ expressly entrusts the decision of who is a public charge to the Department of Homeland Security Secretary.
” “ Giving ‘ public charge ’ its ordinary meaning brings that provision into line with this surrounding program and its stated goal that ‘ aliens within the nation ’ s borders not depend on public resources to meet their needs , ’ ” the 71-page majority ruling states .
“ Adopting plaintiffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand , would give the public charge provision a notably more limited scope , distinct from similar provisions in related laws .
We do not see anything in the text of these statutes to indicate that Congress understood the public charge provision to be such a circumscribed outlier.
” Fully acknowledging the majority ’ s position might be controversial , Wilkinson wrote the judges ’ position was not based on the “ wisdom of the rule but its legality.
” The Immigration and Nationality Act is clear on public charge and there shouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the majority held .
“ To hold otherwise is a serious error in statutory interpretation .
More fundamentally , though , it is also a broadside against separation of powers and the role of Article III courts , ” the ruling states .
Wilkinson was joined in the majority by U.S .
Circuit Judge Paul Niemeyer , a George H. W. Bush appointee .
In a dissenting opinion , U.S .
Circuit Judge Robert Bruce King , appointed by Bill Clinton , called the rule a narrowing of rights afforded in the existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority ’ s opinion as an attempt to minimize injuries to CASA and the individual plaintiffs .
“ At the end of the day , DHS contends that it has an overriding interest in immediately implementing its preferred policy and that such an interest tips the balance of equities and the public interest in its favor .
Although the majority dutifully accepts that contention , I do not , ” King wrote .
The judge added , “ If immediate implementation of a preferred policy were sufficient to tilt the balance of equities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , every plaintiff seeking a preliminary injunction against governmental action would be on a fool ’ s errand .
Accordingly , the harm CASA will suffer absent a preliminary injunction far outweighs any interest DHS may have in immediately implementing its preferred policy .
The majority errs in concluding otherwise .
”

At odds with a slew of other federal courts, a Fourth Circuit panel ruled 2-1 Wednesday in favor of a Trump administration policy that makes it harder for immigrants to receive green cards if they rely on public benefits programs like food stamps.
RICHMOND, Va. (CN) — At odds with a slew of other federal courts, a Fourth Circuit panel ruled 2-1 Wednesday in favor of a Trump administration policy that makes it harder for immigrants to receive green cards if they rely on public benefits programs like food stamps.
The ruling from the Richmond, Virginia-based appeals court does not, however, influence an injunction issued last week by a federal judge in New York barring enforcement of the so-called public charge rule. The judge found there is ample evidence that the rule deters immigrants from seeking Covid-19 tests and treatment.
On Tuesday, the Second Circuit backed the injunction but limited its scope to New York, Connecticut and Vermont rather than nationwide. The Manhattan-based appeals court found the government’s justification for the rule is “unmoored from the nuanced views of Congress.”
But on Wednesday, the Fourth Circuit added to the tangled web of legal battles over the rule by siding with the Trump administration and reversing a nationwide injunction issued by a federal judge in Maryland.
The lead plaintiff in the Maryland case, CASA de Maryland, an immigrant rights organization representing over 100,000 people, sued President Donald Trump and Department of Homeland Security officials last September.
The group claimed the rule was ambiguous since it hinged on defining people as “primarily dependent on the federal government for subsistence,” violating the Fifth Amendment’s due process and equal protection clauses as well as the Administrative Procedure Act for faulty rulemaking.
After a challenge to its standing by Homeland Security in Maryland federal court, CASA de Maryland won out: U.S. District Judge Paul Grimm, a Barack Obama appointee, held that the group was forced “to divert resources that otherwise would have been expended to improve the lives of its members” to challenge the rule and found it was likely to succeed on the merits of its claims.
Once the district court issued a preliminary injunction on the rule, the government appealed to the Fourth Circuit and won a stay of the injunction in the meantime.
Writing for the appeals court’s majority Wednesday, U.S. Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III, a Ronald Reagan appointee, said the lower court’s reasoning was mostly off base and founded on positions that would produce “virtually limitless” interpretation of injury that goes against the separation of powers.
Pointing to the Fourth Circuit’s 2012 ruling in Lane v. Holder, Wilkinson noted how a gun rights organization lost its challenge to a federal firearm statute in that case. The group argued that it too was forced to divert resources from its usual advocacy efforts to court fights triggered by the new statute.
The district court’s position on standing is also “fundamentally at odds” with Supreme Court precedent in Havens Realty Corp. v. Coleman, the Fourth Circuit majority found. In that case, while the high court ultimately found that a fair housing advocacy group was forced to divert resources because of discrimination, the group did not lose its ability to function as a whole.
“Quite simply, nothing in the [public charge] rule impairs CASA’s ability to provide counseling, referral, or other services to immigrants,” Wilkinson wrote. “Of course, we respect the fact that CASA feels strongly that it must reallocate resources to best serve its members amidst a changing legal landscape and that it would prefer to operate in an environment where the rule does not exist. But untold numbers of organizations regularly voice dissatisfaction with public laws and actions that may affect their ordering of priorities in some way.”
The two individual plaintiffs in the case, Angel Aguiluz and Monica Camacho Perez, are DACA recipients and their ability to stay in the U.S. legally hinges on the enforcement of the rule itself.
But Wilkinson wrote that “public charge” has never been clearly defined by Congress and when it is used in the context of the Immigration and Nationality Act, it “expressly entrusts the decision of who is a public charge to the Department of Homeland Security Secretary.”
“Giving ‘public charge’ its ordinary meaning brings that provision into line with this surrounding program and its stated goal that ‘aliens within the nation’s borders not depend on public resources to meet their needs,’” the 71-page majority ruling states. “Adopting plaintiffs’ proposed definition, on the other hand, would give the public charge provision a notably more limited scope, distinct from similar provisions in related laws. We do not see anything in the text of these statutes to indicate that Congress understood the public charge provision to be such a circumscribed outlier.”
Fully acknowledging the majority’s position might be controversial, Wilkinson wrote the judges’ position was not based on the “wisdom of the rule but its legality.”
The Immigration and Nationality Act is clear on public charge and there shouldn’t be a different reading, the majority held.
“To hold otherwise is a serious error in statutory interpretation. More fundamentally, though, it is also a broadside against separation of powers and the role of Article III courts,” the ruling states.
Wilkinson was joined in the majority by U.S. Circuit Judge Paul Niemeyer, a George H. W. Bush appointee.
In a dissenting opinion, U.S. Circuit Judge Robert Bruce King, appointed by Bill Clinton, called the rule a narrowing of rights afforded in the existing immigration system.
King also described the majority’s opinion as an attempt to minimize injuries to CASA and the individual plaintiffs.
“At the end of the day, DHS contends that it has an overriding interest in immediately implementing its preferred policy and that such an interest tips the balance of equities and the public interest in its favor. Although the majority dutifully accepts that contention, I do not,” King wrote.
The judge added: “If immediate implementation of a preferred policy were sufficient to tilt the balance of equities and public interest in favor of DHS, every plaintiff seeking a preliminary injunction against governmental action would be on a fool’s errand. Accordingly, the harm CASA will suffer absent a preliminary injunction far outweighs any interest DHS may have in immediately implementing its preferred policy. The majority errs in concluding otherwise.”


courthousenews--2020-08-05--Oakland A’s Sue California Regulator Over Toxins Near Planned Stadium Site

OAKLAND , Calif. ( CN ) — The Oakland A ’ s baseball team sued California ’ s toxic waste department Wednesday , claiming it has failed to rein in pollution generated by Schnitzer Steel — a multinational company operating the largest metal-shredding facility in the state next to the team ’ s proposed future waterfront home .
The Schnitzer facility at 1101 Embarcadero West , where old cars and appliances are turned into scrap by its “ mega-shredder , ” poses a serious risk to the 23,000 people who live within a mile of the facility , the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Superior Court .
Schnitzer ’ s hazardous waste management practices landed it in hot water with the Legislature years ago , leading to the passage of Senate Bill 1249 .
The bill requires the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to regulate the facility and ensure that it properly disposes of shredder waste more thoroughly .
The legislation was prompted by a department study that found shredder residue contained toxic levels of lead , zinc and cadmium .
Since the 1980s , the A ’ s petition says , Schnizter and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dispose of this metal residue as hazardous waste by receiving a classification as nonhazardous waste under subdivision ( f ) of Title 22 of California ’ s code of regulations .
SB 1249 was supposed to rescind the historical “ f letter ” exemption by Jan. 1 , 2018 , but it remains in place to this day , and Schnitzer continues to store residue in uncovered outdoor piles that leach into the soil and groundwater , according to the petition .
The piles can also erupt in flames , which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 and most recently in June 2020 .
Exposure to the chemicals from the metal residue and black smoke plumes can cause liver and kidney damage and exacerbate respiratory conditions according to the team .
The petition notes that emergency room trips for asthma in the West Oakland neighborhoods near the facility are almost double Alameda County ’ s rate , and that rates of heart failure , stroke and deaths from cardiovascular disease are also much higher .
“ In fact , an African American child born in West Oakland has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shorter than a white child living in the more affluent Oakland Hills , ” the petition says .
“ DTSC ’ s failure to obey the Legislature has let down the West Oakland community , its residents , students , and the thousands of people who access its services and businesses.
” The petition adds that with an average of $ 2 billion in total revenue and $ 85 million in net income over the last three years , Schnitzer can well afford to manage its waste in a way that protects public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Schnitzer and the trucking industry over a sprawling mixed-use project — a 34,000-seat stadium and event venue that includes 3,000 new residences , restaurants and a hotel on land currently used for maritime and trucking purposes .
This past March , Schnitzer Steel , Pacific Merchant Shipping Association , the Harbor Trucking Association , and the California Trucking Association sued the Oakland A ’ s , City of Oakland , and Governor Gavin Newsom for trying to fast-track the new ballpark project without a thorough environmental review .
In an email , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Schnitzer Steel , said the team ’ s petition “ is nothing more than an acceleration of the A ’ s efforts to dismantle the Port of Oakland to make room for their waterfront stadium and luxury housing development.
” “ The men and women that work at the port have been clear that the A ’ s plan is incompatible with their work and will put at risk many of the last high-paying , blue collar jobs held by local Black residents in Oakland , ” Kelly added .
“ Suing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an attempt by the A ’ s to distract from the lack of information and accountability they have demonstrated in their planning for a commercial real estate development at the working waterfront.
” The Department of Toxic Substances Control did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment .
Oakland Athletics president Dave Kaval took to Twitter on Wednesday to say that the lawsuit is not about the ballpark , but environmental justice for West Oakland .
“ This is bigger than baseball , ” he said .
The team wants the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rescind Schnitzer ’ s “ f letter ” exemption “ and regulate its Oakland metal shredding facility pursuant to the California Hazardous Waste Control Law.
” William Sloan with Venable LLP and R. James Slaughter with Keker , Van Nest & Peters LLP represent the A ’ s .

The Oakland A’s baseball team sued California’s toxic waste department Wednesday, claiming it has failed to rein in pollution generated by Schnitzer Steel — a multinational company operating the largest metal-shredding facility in the state next to the team’s proposed future waterfront home.
OAKLAND, Calif. (CN) — The Oakland A’s baseball team sued California’s toxic waste department Wednesday, claiming it has failed to rein in pollution generated by Schnitzer Steel — a multinational company operating the largest metal-shredding facility in the state next to the team’s proposed future waterfront home.
The Schnitzer facility at 1101 Embarcadero West, where old cars and appliances are turned into scrap by its “mega-shredder,” poses a serious risk to the 23,000 people who live within a mile of the facility, the team says in a petition filed in Alameda County Superior Court.
Schnitzer’s hazardous waste management practices landed it in hot water with the Legislature years ago, leading to the passage of Senate Bill 1249. The bill requires the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to regulate the facility and ensure that it properly disposes of shredder waste more thoroughly.
The legislation was prompted by a department study that found shredder residue contained toxic levels of lead, zinc and cadmium.
Since the 1980s, the A’s petition says, Schnizter and other metal shredders have been exempted from having to dispose of this metal residue as hazardous waste by receiving a classification as nonhazardous waste under subdivision (f) of Title 22 of California’s code of regulations.
SB 1249 was supposed to rescind the historical “f letter” exemption by Jan. 1, 2018, but it remains in place to this day, and Schnitzer continues to store residue in uncovered outdoor piles that leach into the soil and groundwater, according to the petition.
The piles can also erupt in flames, which the petition notes happened at least four times in 2018 and most recently in June 2020.
Exposure to the chemicals from the metal residue and black smoke plumes can cause liver and kidney damage and exacerbate respiratory conditions according to the team.
The petition notes that emergency room trips for asthma in the West Oakland neighborhoods near the facility are almost double Alameda County’s rate, and that rates of heart failure, stroke and deaths from cardiovascular disease are also much higher.
“In fact, an African American child born in West Oakland has a life expectancy that is 12.4 years shorter than a white child living in the more affluent Oakland Hills,” the petition says. “DTSC’s failure to obey the Legislature has let down the West Oakland community, its residents, students, and the thousands of people who access its services and businesses."
The petition adds that with an average of $2 billion in total revenue and $85 million in net income over the last three years, Schnitzer can well afford to manage its waste in a way that protects public health.
The team is currently fighting with Schnitzer and the trucking industry over a sprawling mixed-use project — a 34,000-seat stadium and event venue that includes 3,000 new residences, restaurants and a hotel on land currently used for maritime and trucking purposes. This past March, Schnitzer Steel, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, the Harbor Trucking Association, and the California Trucking Association sued the Oakland A’s, City of Oakland, and Governor Gavin Newsom for trying to fast-track the new ballpark project without a thorough environmental review.
In an email, Colin Kelly, director of public affairs at Schnitzer Steel, said the team’s petition “is nothing more than an acceleration of the A’s efforts to dismantle the Port of Oakland to make room for their waterfront stadium and luxury housing development.”
“The men and women that work at the port have been clear that the A’s plan is incompatible with their work and will put at risk many of the last high-paying, blue collar jobs held by local Black residents in Oakland,” Kelly added. “Suing the state agency that regulates industrial businesses is an attempt by the A’s to distract from the lack of information and accountability they have demonstrated in their planning for a commercial real estate development at the working waterfront.”
The Department of Toxic Substances Control did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Oakland Athletics president Dave Kaval took to Twitter on Wednesday to say that the lawsuit is not about the ballpark, but environmental justice for West Oakland. “This is bigger than baseball,” he said.
The team wants the court to order the toxic substances agency to rescind Schnitzer’s “f letter” exemption “and regulate its Oakland metal shredding facility pursuant to the California Hazardous Waste Control Law.”
William Sloan with Venable LLP and R. James Slaughter with Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP represent the A’s.


courthousenews--2020-08-05--California Labor Commissioner Sues Uber & Lyft for Wage Theft

OAKLAND , Calif. ( CN ) — Already facing pressure to start classifying drivers as employees in litigation brought by the California attorney general , Uber and Lyft were hit with two more lawsuits from state labor officials Wednesday seeking back wages for drivers .
The California Labor Commissioner filed wage theft lawsuits against the ride-hail technology giants in Alameda County Superior Court .
“ The goal of the lawsuits is to enforce California labor laws and to ensure that drivers are not misclassified as independent contractors , ” the Labor Commissioner ’ s Office said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wages and other amounts due to all of Uber and Lyft ’ s California drivers , ” including unpaid minimum wage , overtime , rest breaks , reimbursement of car and gas expenses and damages and penalties for violations of state labor laws , according to a letter written by the assistant chief of the Wage Theft Adjudication Unit for the California Department of Industrial Relations .
Any back wages , damages or penalties recovered through the litigation will be distributed to nearly 5,000 drivers who filed wage complaints with the state going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Labor Commissioner ’ s Office .
The lawsuits also seek to force Uber and Lyft to start classifying their more than 100,000 California drivers as employees as required by the game-changing state labor law that took effect this year – Assembly Bill 5 .
Another lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra in May seeks the same relief .
However , the Labor Commissioner ’ s lawsuit goes one step further in also seeking back wages , reimbursements , penalties and damages for drivers .
In an emailed statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been served with the lawsuit , but the company insisted that most of its drivers prefer being independent contractors .
“ The vast majority of California drivers want to work independently , and we ’ ve already made significant changes to our app to ensure that remains the case under state law , ” Uber said .
“ When 3 million Californians are without a job , our leaders should be focused on creating work , not trying to shut down an entire industry.
” Lyft did not immediately respond to a request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California passed Assembly Bill 5 , which requires companies to classify workers as employees unless they perform work that is “ outside the usual course of the hiring entity ’ s business.
” Uber , Lyft , and other gig companies are supporting a ballot measure , Prop 22 , to overturn the new state law this November .
Thus far the companies have poured $ 110 million into the campaign , dwarfing the $ 1.15 million raised by their opponents .
Assembly Bill 5 , signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to codify the labor standard established by the California Supreme Court in its 2018 ruling in Dynamex v. Superior Court .
To consider workers contractors under that standard , companies must show : they do not directly control the worker , the work done falls outside the company ’ s usual course of business and the worker is “ customarily engaged in an independently established trade.
” During a federal court hearing in April , Uber previewed its new legal strategy for fighting to keep drivers classified as contractors in the face of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uber attorney Theane Evangelis of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher said Uber is not the “ hiring entity ” that employs drivers .
“ Who would be the hiring entity ?
” U.S. District Judge Edward Chen asked .
“ The individual consumer who asks for a ride , ” Evangelis replied .
“ It is not Uber who is hiring drivers to perform services for Uber .
”

Already facing pressure to start classifying drivers as employees in litigation brought by the California attorney general, Uber and Lyft were hit with two more lawsuits from state labor officials Wednesday seeking back wages for drivers.
OAKLAND, Calif. (CN) — Already facing pressure to start classifying drivers as employees in litigation brought by the California attorney general, Uber and Lyft were hit with two more lawsuits from state labor officials Wednesday seeking back wages for drivers.
The California Labor Commissioner filed wage-theft lawsuits against the ride-hail technology giants in Alameda County Superior Court.
“The goal of the lawsuits is to enforce California labor laws and to ensure that drivers are not misclassified as independent contractors,” the Labor Commissioner’s Office said in a statement.
The lawsuits “seek recovery of unpaid wages and other amounts due to all of Uber and Lyft’s California drivers,” including unpaid minimum wage, overtime, rest breaks, reimbursement of car and gas expenses and damages and penalties for violations of state labor laws, according to a letter written by the assistant chief of the Wage Theft Adjudication Unit for the California Department of Industrial Relations.
Any back wages, damages or penalties recovered through the litigation will be distributed to nearly 5,000 drivers who filed wage complaints with the state going back to April 16, 2017, according to the Labor Commissioner’s Office.
The lawsuits also seek to force Uber and Lyft to start classifying their more than 100,000 California drivers as employees as required by the game-changing state labor law that took effect this year - Assembly Bill 5. Another lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra in May seeks the same relief.
However, the Labor Commissioner’s lawsuit goes one step further in also seeking back wages, reimbursements, penalties and damages for drivers.
In an emailed statement, Uber said it had not yet been served with the lawsuit, but the company insisted that most of its drivers prefer being independent contractors.
“The vast majority of California drivers want to work independently, and we’ve already made significant changes to our app to ensure that remains the case under state law,” Uber said. “When 3 million Californians are without a job, our leaders should be focused on creating work, not trying to shut down an entire industry.”
Lyft did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.
Last year, California passed Assembly Bill 5, which requires companies to classify workers as employees unless they perform work that is “outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business.”
Uber, Lyft, and other gig companies are supporting a ballot measure, Prop 22, to overturn the new state law this November. Thus far the companies have poured $110 million into the campaign, dwarfing the $1.15 million raised by their opponents.
Assembly Bill 5, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on Sept. 19, 2019, sought to codify the labor standard established by the California Supreme Court in its 2018 ruling in Dynamex v. Superior Court.
To consider workers contractors under that standard, companies must show: they do not directly control the worker, the work done falls outside the company’s usual course of business and the worker is “customarily engaged in an independently established trade.”
During a federal court hearing in April, Uber previewed its new legal strategy for fighting to keep drivers classified as contractors in the face of a much stricter state labor standard. Uber attorney Theane Evangelis of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher said Uber is not the “hiring entity” that employs drivers.
“Who would be the hiring entity?” U.S. District Judge Edward Chen asked.
“The individual consumer who asks for a ride,” Evangelis replied. “It is not Uber who is hiring drivers to perform services for Uber.”


courthousenews--2020-08-05--Quit With the Parties, LA Health Officials Warn Young People

LOS ANGELES ( CN ) — Los Angeles County public health officials said young people are driving the spread of Covid-19 in the county , even as a blatant trend of large gatherings , house parties and private shindigs grab national headlines .
There is a pandemic and that does not seem to get through to some people , county health officials said during their coronavirus briefing Wednesday .
Despite a county health order prohibiting parties and other gatherings with people not part of their household , people must begin to police themselves .
“ There is no single enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the place where we ’ re going to be able to shut down activities people continue to do in defiance — forget about the order — what I think is logical and sensible , ” said LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer .
Health officials were asked about a supposed private party for first responders held at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood last week and a large party in a mansion on Mulholland Drive that ended in a shooting early Tuesday that left one person dead and four others injured .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are such a bad idea at this time , ” said Ferrer .
“ These parties and gatherings with people from outside your home hurt all of us.
” LA County ’ s coronavirus infections continue to climb even as deaths have leveled off and even begun declining .
But that silver lining is also tainted with the warning that young people are not immune to catching the virus or a fatal turn after infection .
Ferrer said since June , infections among people ages 30-48 have nearly tripled .
People between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quadruple from June to the last days of July , according to the daily average rate per 100,000 people .
On Wednesday , LA County reported 2,347 new infections and 68 new deaths .
So far 4,825 Angelenos have died since the onset of the pandemic and 197,912 have been infected according to health officials .
Infection numbers over the last two weeks are in question , said Ferrer , after it was reported Tuesday that electronic results from a state reporting system have been delayed and the total infections in LA County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could also delay contact tracing and tracking where infected persons may have spread the virus .
Hospitalizations are on a downward trend in LA , with just 1,700 patients who need hospital care .
In July , the daily average for hospitalizations was a little over 2,000 .
The balance shows that changes made in the last few weeks made a difference , and Ferrer said she ’ s “ cautiously optimistic.
” “ One thing for certain : We will not be able to arrest our way out of the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second-highest daily death toll since the pandemic began , reporting Wednesday that 202 residents died from Covid-19 complications in the last 24 hours .
So far , the novel coronavirus has killed 9,703 Californians .
On the bright side , state officials said hospitalizations and intensive care unit cases continue to drop across the Golden State .
As of Wednesday , 524,722 Californians have tested positive for the virus that causes Covid-19 , up 5,295 since Tuesday .

Los Angeles County public health officials said young people are driving the spread of Covid-19 in the county, even as a blatant trend of large gatherings, house parties and private shindigs grab national headlines.
LOS ANGELES (CN) — Los Angeles County public health officials said young people are driving the spread of Covid-19 in the county, even as a blatant trend of large gatherings, house parties and private shindigs grab national headlines.
There is a pandemic and that does not seem to get through to some people, county health officials said during their coronavirus briefing Wednesday. Despite a county health order prohibiting parties and other gatherings with people not part of their household, people must begin to police themselves.
“There is no single enforcement strategy that is going to get us to the place where we’re going to be able to shut down activities people continue to do in defiance — forget about the order — what I think is logical and sensible,” said LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.
Health officials were asked about a supposed private party for first responders held at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood last week and a large party in a mansion on Mulholland Drive that ended in a shooting early Tuesday that left one person dead and four others injured.
“Gatherings of people from different households are such a bad idea at this time,” said Ferrer. “These parties and gatherings with people from outside your home hurt all of us.”
During a press conference on Wednesday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the city will shut off the water and power for properties that repeatedly break health rules and throw large parties, a directive that will kick in on Friday.
The mayor noted that while the city has already shut down nightclubs and bars, large house parties and gatherings like the one on Mulholland Drive earlier this week “have essentially become nightclubs.” These health violations, according to Garcetti, have made the water and power shutoff penalties necessary.
Garcetti stressed that these shutoffs will be largely centered only on frequent and regular offenders of the city’s health orders. The mayor said the Water and Power Department will be asked to shut off a property’s utilities only after the Los Angeles Police Department can confirm that a property has egregiously offended time and time again by holding large gatherings.
The mayor said that while he encourages people to avoid gatherings of any size as the nation continues to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, he said that these efforts will not be focused on small or ordinary gatherings in people’s homes. These restrictions, according to the mayor, will be focused only on the “people that are determined to break the rules.”
LA County’s coronavirus infections continue to climb even as deaths have leveled off and even begun declining. But that silver lining is also tainted with the warning that young people are not immune to catching the virus or a fatal turn after infection.
Ferrer said since June, infections among people ages 30-48 have nearly tripled. People between the ages of 18 and 29 saw infections quadruple from June to the last days of July, according to the daily average rate per 100,000 people.
On Wednesday, LA County reported 2,347 new infections and 68 new deaths. So far 4,825 Angelenos have died since the onset of the pandemic and 197,912 have been infected according to health officials.
Infection numbers over the last two weeks are in question, said Ferrer, after it was reported Tuesday that electronic results from a state reporting system have been delayed and the total infections in LA County may have been undercounted. The glitch could also delay contact tracing and tracking where infected persons may have spread the virus.
Hospitalizations are on a downward trend in LA, with just 1,700 patients who need hospital care. In July, the daily average for hospitalizations was a little over 2,000. The balance shows that changes made in the last few weeks made a difference, and Ferrer said she’s “cautiously optimistic.”
“One thing for certain: We will not be able to arrest our way out of the pandemic,” she said.
California saw its second-highest daily death toll since the pandemic began, reporting Wednesday that 202 residents died from Covid-19 complications in the last 24 hours. So far, the novel coronavirus has killed 9,703 Californians.
On the bright side, state officials said hospitalizations and intensive care unit cases continue to drop across the Golden State.
As of Wednesday, 524,722 Californians have tested positive for the virus that causes Covid-19, up 5,295 since Tuesday.


courthousenews--2020-08-06--Trump and Biden Campaigns Haul in Millions in July Fundraising

( CN ) — President Donald Trump ’ s campaign announced Tuesday that it raised $ 165 million in July , a record for Republican fund-raising , pushing the campaign and its associated committees past the $ 1 billion mark .
“ With 90 days until victory , our teams and supporters are in overdrive working to re-elect President Trump and Republicans up and down the ballot , ” Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a Trump campaign statement .
“ From Maine to Nevada , the enthusiasm we are seeing from voters only continues to grow as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November – a lawless cancel culture under Joe Biden , or a great American comeback under President Trump.
” Also on Tuesday , the Biden campaign announced in a statement that its associated committees , including the Democratic National Committee , raised $ 140 million in July , leaving the former vice-president with $ 294 million cash on hand .
Trump has $ 300 million cash , his campaign said .
Most of Biden ’ s money , 97 % , came from “ grassroots ” donors with an average online donation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Biden campaign is on the march , building off the incredible momentum from this summer with another lights-out fundraising month , banking another $ 50 million for the final stretch to election day , ” said campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillion .
Trump has already raised almost three times what Republicans spent on his 2016 campaign , according to the Center for Responsive Politics , a non-profit that tracks campaign spending .
The president ’ s 2016 campaign , in which former Secretary of State and New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cost Trump and the Republican Party $ 433 million .
More than $ 2.2 billion was spent in 2016 among all candidates , including political action committees , the center said on its website .
The center ’ s tally shows that current candidate campaigns and associated political action committees have raised $ 757 million .
That number does not include money raised by the Democratic and Republican national committees .
By comparison , this year communications magnate and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg alone spent almost $ 1 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic nomination .
Trump also announced that the RNC is hiring 300 field staffers , bringing the total to more than 1,500 .
The campaign is on a pace to exceed the 2.2 million volunteers who helped President Barack Obama ’ s campaign in 2012 , the campaign news release said .

President Donald Trump’s campaign announced Tuesday that it raised $165 million in July, a record for Republican fund-raising, pushing the campaign and its associated committees past the $1 billion mark.
(CN) — President Donald Trump’s campaign announced Tuesday that it raised $165 million in July, a record for Republican fundraising, pushing the campaign and its associated committees past the $1 billion mark.
“With 90 days until victory, our teams and supporters are in overdrive working to re-elect President Trump and Republicans up and down the ballot,” Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a Trump campaign statement.
“From Maine to Nevada, the enthusiasm we are seeing from voters only continues to grow as Americans know the critical choice they face in November — a lawless cancel culture under Joe Biden, or a great American comeback under President Trump.”
Also on Tuesday, the Biden campaign announced in a statement that its associated committees, including the Democratic National Committee, raised $140 million in July, leaving the former vice-president with $294 million cash on hand. Trump has $300 million cash, his campaign said.
Most of Biden’s money, 97%, came from “grassroots” donors with an average online donation of $34.77, the campaign said.
“The Biden campaign is on the march, building off the incredible momentum from this summer with another lights-out fundraising month, banking another $50 million for the final stretch to election day,” said campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillion.
Trump has already raised almost three times what Republicans spent on his 2016 campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit that tracks campaign spending.
The president’s 2016 campaign, in which former Secretary of State and New York Senator Hillary Clinton spent $770 million, cost Trump and the Republican Party $433 million. More than $2.2 billion was spent in 2016 among all candidates, including political action committees, the center said on its website.
The center’s tally shows that current candidate campaigns and associated political action committees have raised $757 million. That number does not include money raised by the Democratic and Republican national committees.
By comparison, this year communications magnate and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg alone spent almost $1 billion on his failed three-month effort to gain the Democratic nomination.
Trump also announced that the RNC is hiring 300 field staffers, bringing the total to more than 1,500. The campaign is on a pace to exceed the 2.2 million volunteers who helped President Barack Obama’s campaign in 2012, the campaign news release said.