courthousenews--2020-09-30--Newsom Signs Ban on Police Chokehold, State Mandate to Investigate Killings by Police

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( CN ) — California will bar law enforcement from using strangleholds and require the state attorney general ’ s office to investigate fatal police shootings of unarmed people under a pair of bills signed Wednesday by Governor Gavin Newsom .
The reforms were introduced in wake of the death of George Floyd and survived a truncated legislative session in which several other high-profile policing proposals sputtered .
Newsom said the carotid hold ban and increased transparency over officer-involved shootings reflect the state ’ s commitment to transforming its broken criminal justice system .
“ I hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right direction , ” Newsom said during a virtual signing ceremony .
“ We are not walking away from that responsibility.
” In the weeks after a white Minneapolis police officer choked and smothered Floyd to death in broad daylight Memorial Day weekend , Newsom called on lawmakers to send him a ban on the use of the controversial technique .
The Democratic governor said the hold , designed to slow blood flow to the brain that can be deadly if executed improperly , no longer had a place in law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of law enforcement agencies across the state and country , Assemblyman Mike Gipson , D-Carson , responded with Assembly Bill 1196 .
“ This bill is in response to the murder , the execution of George Floyd by the people who took an oath of office to serve and protect their community , ” Gipson said of the motivation for his bill .
Newsom also put the finishing touches on a law requiring the state to investigate anytime an officer shoots and kills an unarmed civilian .
Assembly Bill 1506 creates a standardized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police killings from local prosecutors to the state attorney general ’ s office .
Critics have long resented the supreme role district attorneys play in such investigations and claim AB 1506 will remove conflicts of interest .
Previous versions of the bill were rejected in recent years , but the bill ’ s author says Newsom ’ s signature represents a clear win for accountability and transparency .
As with the carotid chokehold ban , Floyd ’ s death helped finally push AB 1506 across the finish line , said Assemblyman Kevin McCarty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , accountability , or oversight ; there ’ s just too much distrust , ” said McCarty , D-Sacramento .
McCarty says California will join five other states already mandating independent review of cases of deadly force .
California ’ s law requires the attorney general ’ s office to submit a report on each case and if necessary , initiate criminal proceedings .
The bill also allows local agencies to ask the California Department of Justice to officially review their deadly use of force guidelines and make suggestions .
Calls for independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer after a Vallejo police officer shot through his windshield with a rifle and killed an unarmed person of color .
The police department ’ s questionable handling of the shooting prompted the city to ask for an investigation by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra .
Supporters of AB 1506 included district attorneys from Los Angeles , San Diego and Sacramento , while the California Police Chiefs Association and California State Sheriffs Association were opposed .
California is also making major changes to its juvenile justice system , shifting responsibility for housing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the county level .
Newsom signed budget legislation that bars the Division of Juvenile Justice from taking in new offenders after July 1 , 2021 , and gives future oversight over youth rehabilitation practices to the Health and Human Services Agency .
Proponents say closing down juvenile halls and keeping minors in county facilities better suited to give trauma-informed care is a more humane approach to juvenile justice .
“ It is monumental for juvenile justice in California , ” said state Senator Nancy Skinner , D-Berkeley .
“ They need help that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlying mental and physical health issues.
” Newsom also approved a bill mandating that a minor consult with a lawyer before waiving their Miranda rights or consenting to an interrogation .
Hours before a constitutionally mandated deadline , Newsom also authorized a comprehensive study of the lingering effects of slavery and potential reparations for Black Californians .
Assembly Bill 3121 calls for the creation of a nine-member task force to examine ways to atone for the state ’ s racist policies and actions dating back to the abolition of slavery .
Supporters say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ shameful history ” and spur socioeconomic change in the Golden State .
“ This state has deeply rooted issues about race and slavery , ” said Assemblywoman Shirley Weber , D- San Diego .
Weber , whose parents were sharecroppers in Arkansas and moved her to California at the age of three , said it is critical for California to lead the way on racial justice .
One of 10 Black lawmakers in the 120-member Legislature , Weber noted AB 3121 is the first-of-its-kind and was approved with bipartisan support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of appointees from the governor and the leaders of the state Senate and Assembly , and will have one year from its first meeting to produce a report for the Legislature .
The new law requires the task force include at least four people from outside the Legislature and be comprised of a mixture of Democrats and Republicans .
Along with AB 3121 , Newsom signed another Weber proposal that requires attorneys seeking to remove a potential juror to offer evidence that the challenge isn ’ t tied to the person ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former professor also played a key role in the Legislature ’ s decision to place an initiative on the November ballot that tasks voters with deciding whether to reimplement affirmative action admissions and hiring practices at state colleges and agencies .
Weber said that while her bills were proposed prior to the pandemic and Floyd ’ s death , the pressing issues in the current climate only reinforce the importance of enacting the laws .
“ Some people think we ’ re just responding to the moment ; we ’ re responding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Black people in California and in this nation that has to be addressed every day , ” Weber said .
Newsom capped off the signing spree with Assembly Bill 979 , which requires publicly held corporations based in California to diversify their boards or face fines .
The measure mandates that by the end of 2021 , corporations have at least one director who identifies as Black , Hispanic , Asian , Pacific Islander , Native American , Native Hawaiian , Alaska Native or LGBT .

California will bar law enforcement from using strangleholds and require the state attorney general’s office to investigate fatal police shootings of unarmed people under a pair of bills signed Wednesday by Governor Gavin Newsom.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — California will bar law enforcement from using strangleholds and require the state attorney general’s office to investigate fatal police shootings of unarmed people under a pair of bills signed Wednesday by Governor Gavin Newsom.
The reforms were introduced in wake of the death of George Floyd and survived a truncated legislative session in which several other high-profile policing proposals sputtered.
Newsom said the carotid hold ban and increased transparency over officer-involved shootings reflect the state’s commitment to transforming its broken criminal justice system.
“I hope people recognize we’re moving in the right direction,” Newsom said during a virtual signing ceremony. “We are not walking away from that responsibility.”
In the weeks after a white Minneapolis police officer choked and smothered Floyd to death in broad daylight Memorial Day weekend, Newsom called on lawmakers to send him a ban on the use of the controversial technique. The Democratic governor said the hold, designed to slow blood flow to the brain that can be deadly if executed improperly, no longer had a place in law enforcement’s arsenal.
Following the lead of law enforcement agencies across the state and country, Assemblyman Mike Gipson, D-Carson, responded with Assembly Bill 1196.
“This bill is in response to the murder, the execution of George Floyd by the people who took an oath of office to serve and protect their community,” Gipson said of the motivation for his bill.
Newsom also put the finishing touches on a law requiring the state to investigate anytime an officer shoots and kills an unarmed civilian.
Assembly Bill 1506 creates a standardized process that shifts ultimate responsibility over investigating police killings from local prosecutors to the state attorney general’s office. Critics have long resented the supreme role district attorneys play in such investigations and claim AB 1506 will remove conflicts of interest.
Previous versions of the bill were rejected in recent years, but the bill’s author says Newsom’s signature represents a clear win for accountability and transparency. As with the carotid chokehold ban, Floyd’s death helped finally push AB 1506 across the finish line, said Assemblyman Kevin McCarty.
“No one trusts the transparency, accountability, or oversight; there’s just too much distrust,” said McCarty, D-Sacramento.
McCarty says California will join five other states already mandating independent review of cases of deadly force. California’s law requires the attorney general’s office to submit a report on each case and if necessary, initiate criminal proceedings. The bill also allows local agencies to ask the California Department of Justice to officially review their deadly use of force guidelines and make suggestions.
Calls for independent review over police killings spiked earlier this summer after a Vallejo police officer shot through his windshield with a rifle and killed an unarmed person of color. The police department’s questionable handling of the shooting prompted the city to ask for an investigation by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.
Supporters of AB 1506 included district attorneys from Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento, while the California Police Chiefs Association and California State Sheriffs Association were opposed.
California is also making major changes to its juvenile justice system, shifting responsibility for housing and rehabilitating minor offenders from the state to the county level.
Newsom signed budget legislation that bars the Division of Juvenile Justice from taking in new offenders after July 1, 2021, and gives future oversight over youth rehabilitation practices to the Health and Human Services Agency.
Proponents say closing down juvenile halls and keeping minors in county facilities better suited to give trauma-informed care is a more humane approach to juvenile justice.
“It is monumental for juvenile justice in California,” said state Senator Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley. “They need help that can diagnose a learning disability or other underlying mental and physical health issues.”
Newsom also approved a bill mandating that a minor consult with a lawyer before waiving their Miranda rights or consenting to an interrogation.
Hours before a constitutionally mandated deadline, Newsom also authorized a comprehensive study of the lingering effects of slavery and potential reparations for Black Californians.
Assembly Bill 3121 calls for the creation of a nine-member task force to examine ways to atone for the state’s racist policies and actions dating back to the abolition of slavery. Supporters say the goal is to illuminate the state’s “shameful history” and spur socioeconomic change in the Golden State.
“This state has deeply rooted issues about race and slavery,” said Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D- San Diego.
Weber, whose parents were sharecroppers in Arkansas and moved her to California at the age of three, said it is critical for California to lead the way on racial justice. One of 10 Black lawmakers in the 120-member Legislature, Weber noted AB 3121 is the first-of-its-kind and was approved with bipartisan support.
The task force will be composed of appointees from the governor and the leaders of the state Senate and Assembly, and will have one year from its first meeting to produce a report for the Legislature. The new law requires the task force include at least four people from outside the Legislature and be comprised of a mixture of Democrats and Republicans.
Along with AB 3121, Newsom signed another Weber proposal that requires attorneys seeking to remove a potential juror to offer evidence that the challenge isn’t tied to the person’s race, ethnicity or gender.
The former professor also played a key role in the Legislature’s decision to place an initiative on the November ballot that tasks voters with deciding whether to reimplement affirmative action admissions and hiring practices at state colleges and agencies.
Weber said that while her bills were proposed prior to the pandemic and Floyd’s death, the pressing issues in the current climate only reinforce the importance of enacting the laws.
“Some people think we’re just responding to the moment; we’re responding to the history of California and the life of Black people in California and in this nation that has to be addressed every day,” Weber said.
Newsom capped off the signing spree with Assembly Bill 979, which requires publicly held corporations based in California to diversify their boards or face fines. The measure mandates that by the end of 2021, corporations have at least one director who identifies as Black, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native or LGBT.


courthousenews--2020-09-30--France to Test ‘Flying Taxis’ as Soon as Next Year

CORMEILLES-EN-VEXIN , France ( AFP ) — “ Flying taxis ” will start taking off from an aerodrome north of Paris as soon as next June , operators said , in a trial ahead of a vast tourist influx for the 2024 Olympics .
The experiment will take place at the Pontoise-Cormeilles-en-Vexin aerodrome some 90 minutes northwest of the capital by car , according to a joint announcement by the Ile-de-France region , airports operator Groupe ADP and the RATP public transport agency .
A drone-like , fully-electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle ( VTOL ) dubbed VoloCity , produced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the innovative trial with flying taxis in a peri-urban area , they said .
The partners said in a statement they had “ decided to bring together all the conditions to make the emergence of this new mode of transport possible to complement the existing modes , whether for the public or for goods .
“ Furthermore , the prospect of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games provides an exceptional opportunity to involve an entire industry in order to make Paris Region a leader in the global market of urban air mobility.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval of residents , security protocols and air traffic regulations , said the companies .
In the first half of 2021 , arrangements will be made for parking areas , recharging stations and ground markings for the demonstration .
Working with aviation safety agencies , the partners said “ parking , takeoff and landing operations as well as operations around the vehicle , whether maintenance or electrical recharging , will be tested in a real aeronautical environment in June 2021.
” VoloCity is equipped with 18 rotors and nine battery packs .
Each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for a maximum payload of 200 kilogrammes ( 440 pounds ) .
It flies at 110 kilometres ( 68 miles ) per hour , at an altitude of 400 to 500 metres ( 1,312-1,640 feet ) , with a range of 35 kilometres ( 22 miles ) .
Volocopter executive Fabien Nestmann said the craft ’ s makers hoped for full certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency within two to three years .
“ We want a demo for the 2024 Olympic Games , ” Valerie Pecresse , president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch news conference .
But it could take a decade for the project to be rolled out at scale .
“ The day that you can buy a ticket ( for a flying taxi ) on the internet and take one , is more towards 2030 , RATP CEO Catherine Guillouard told journalists .
In the long term , “ we will be able to integrate mini take-off and landing zones into the urban fabric , which will require ( public ) acceptance , and the issue of noise will be key , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to limit traffic pollution and ease congestion , the idea of flying taxis has taken route worldwide .
Volocopter has already tested its airborne taxi in different parts of the world , and last October chose Singapore for the first test in the heart of a city .
Several other companies are working on similar projects , including Boeing , Airbus , Toyota and Hyundai .
Earlier this month , Japanese firm SkyDrive showed its eight-propeller , manned compact vehicle flying around a test field .

"Flying taxis" will start taking off from an aerodrome north of Paris as soon as next June, operators said, in a trial ahead of a vast tourist influx for the 2024 Olympics.
CORMEILLES-EN-VEXIN, France (AFP) — "Flying taxis" will start taking off from an aerodrome north of Paris as soon as next June, operators said, in a trial ahead of a vast tourist influx for the 2024 Olympics.
The experiment will take place at the Pontoise-Cormeilles-en-Vexin aerodrome some 90 minutes northwest of the capital by car, according to a joint announcement by the Ile-de-France region, airports operator Groupe ADP and the RATP public transport agency.
A drone-like, fully-electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle (VTOL) dubbed VoloCity, produced by German company Volocopter, was chosen for the innovative trial with flying taxis in a peri-urban area, they said.
The partners said in a statement they had "decided to bring together all the conditions to make the emergence of this new mode of transport possible to complement the existing modes, whether for the public or for goods.
"Furthermore, the prospect of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games provides an exceptional opportunity to involve an entire industry in order to make Paris Region a leader in the global market of urban air mobility."
The experiment will depend on the approval of residents, security protocols and air traffic regulations, said the companies.
In the first half of 2021, arrangements will be made for parking areas, recharging stations and ground markings for the demonstration.
Working with aviation safety agencies, the partners said "parking, takeoff and landing operations as well as operations around the vehicle, whether maintenance or electrical recharging, will be tested in a real aeronautical environment in June 2021."
VoloCity is equipped with 18 rotors and nine battery packs. Each can carry two passengers with hand luggage, for a maximum payload of 200 kilogrammes (440 pounds).
- 2030 rollout -
It flies at 110 kilometres (68 miles) per hour, at an altitude of 400 to 500 metres (1,312-1,640 feet), with a range of 35 kilometres (22 miles).
Volocopter executive Fabien Nestmann said the craft's makers hoped for full certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency within two to three years.
"We want a demo for the 2024 Olympic Games," Valerie Pecresse, president of the Ile-de-France region, added at the launch news conference.
But it could take a decade for the project to be rolled out at scale.
"The day that you can buy a ticket (for a flying taxi) on the internet and take one, is more towards 2030, RATP CEO Catherine Guillouard told journalists.
In the long term, "we will be able to integrate mini take-off and landing zones into the urban fabric, which will require (public) acceptance, and the issue of noise will be key," she added.
In the quest to limit traffic pollution and ease congestion, the idea of flying taxis has taken route worldwide.
Volocopter has already tested its airborne taxi in different parts of the world, and last October chose Singapore for the first test in the heart of a city.
Several other companies are working on similar projects, including Boeing, Airbus, Toyota and Hyundai.
Earlier this month, Japanese firm SkyDrive showed its eight-propeller, manned compact vehicle flying around a test field.
by Sonia Wolf
© Agence France-Presse


courthousenews--2020-09-30--Mild to Severe: Immune System Holds Clues to Virus Reaction

( AP ) — One of Covid-19 ’ s scariest mysteries is why some people are mildly ill or have no symptoms and others rapidly die — and scientists are starting to unravel why .
An international team of researchers found that in some people with severe Covid-19 , the body goes rogue and attacks one of its own key immune defenses instead of fighting the coronavirus .
Most were men , helping to explain why the virus is hitting men harder than women .
And separate research suggests that children fare better than adults thanks to robust “ first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age .
They ’ re the latest in a list of studies uncovering multiple features of the immune system ’ s intricate cascade that can tip the scales between a good or bad outcome .
Next up : Figuring out if all these new clues might offer much-needed ways to intervene .
“ We have the knowledge and capability of really boosting many aspects of the immune system .
But we need to not use the sledge hammer , ” cautioned Dr. Betsy Herold of New York ’ s Albert Einstein College of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Adding to the complexity , people ’ s wildly varying reactions also reflect other factors , such as how healthy they were to begin with and how much of the virus — the “ dose ” — they were exposed to .
“ Infection and what happens after infection is a very dynamic thing , ” said Alessandro Sette , a researcher at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in San Diego , who is studying yet another piece of the immune response .
There are two main arms of the immune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s first line of defense .
As soon as the body detects a foreign intruder , key molecules , such as interferons and inflammation-causing cytokines , launch a wide-ranging attack .
Innate immune cells also alert the slower-acting “ adaptive ” arm of the immune system , the germ-specific sharpshooters , to gear up .
B cells start producing virus-fighting antibodies , the proteins getting so much attention in the vaccine hunt .
But antibodies aren ’ t the whole story .
Adaptive immunity ’ s many other ingredients include “ killer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and “ memory ” T and B cells that remember an infection so they spring into action quicker if they encounter that germ again .
Usually when a virus invades a cell , proteins called Type I interferons spring into action , defending the cell by interfering with viral growth .
But new research shows those crucial molecules were essentially absent in a subset of people with severe Covid-19 .
An international project uncovered two reasons .
In blood from nearly 1,000 severe Covid-19 patients , researchers found 1 in 10 had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mistakenly attack those needed virus fighters .
Especially surprising , autoimmune disorders tend to be more common in women — but 95 % of these Covid-19 patients were men .
The researchers didn ’ t find the damaging molecules in patients with mild or asymptomatic Covid-19 .
In another 660 severely ill patients , the same team found 3.5 % had gene mutations that didn ’ t produce Type I interferons .
Each of those silent vulnerabilities was enough to tip the balance in favor of the virus early on , said Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Rockefeller University in New York , who co-leads the Covid Human Genetic Effort .
He is paid by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute , which also helps fund The Associated Press Health and Science Department .
Certain interferons are used as medicines and are under study as a possible Covid-19 treatment ; the auto-antibody discovery adds another factor to consider .
It ’ s not clear why children appear less at risk from Covid-19 .
But occasionally they ’ re sick enough for hospitalization , giving Herold ’ s team the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and teens at New York ’ s Montefiore Health System .
The children produced much higher levels of certain cytokines that are among the innate immune system ’ s first responders .
When the immune system ’ s next stage kicked in , both adults and children made antibodies targeting the coronavirus .
Here ’ s the rub : The adults ’ adaptive immune response was more the type that can trigger an inflammatory overreaction .
The findings suggest kids ’ early robust reaction lets their immune system get ahead of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that ’ s protecting them , ” Herold said .
The coronavirus that causes Covid-19 is new to humans .
But Sette ’ s team studied blood samples that were stored in freezers before the pandemic and found some harbored memory T cells that recognized a tiny portion of the new virus in laboratory tests .
“ You can actually tell that this is an experienced T cell .
This has seen combat before , ” Sette said .
Researchers in Germany , Britain and other countries have made similar findings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many as 30 % of common colds , so researchers believe those T cells could be remnants from past colds .
But despite the speculation , “ we don ’ t know yet ” that having those T cells makes any difference in who gets seriously sick with COVID-19 , noted Rory de Vries , co-author of a study in the Netherlands that also found such T cells in old blood .
All these findings beg for a deeper understanding of the myriad ways some people can be more susceptible than others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadly and not jump into premature conclusions about any one particular facet of the immune system , ” said Stanford University immunologist Bali Pulendran .
He also has found some innate immune cells “ in a state of hibernation ” in seriously ill adults and next is looking for differences before and after people get sick .
But , “ it ’ s not just all about the immune system , ” cautioned Dr. Anita McElroy , a viral immunity expert at the University of Pittsburgh who ’ s closely watching the research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who ’ s most at risk ?
“ We ’ re a long , long way from that.
” By LAURAN NEERGAARD and CANDICE CHOI Associated Press

One of Covid-19's scariest mysteries is why some people are mildly ill or have no symptoms and others rapidly die — and scientists are starting to unravel why.
(AP) — One of Covid-19's scariest mysteries is why some people are mildly ill or have no symptoms and others rapidly die — and scientists are starting to unravel why.
An international team of researchers found that in some people with severe Covid-19, the body goes rogue and attacks one of its own key immune defenses instead of fighting the coronavirus. Most were men, helping to explain why the virus is hitting men harder than women.
And separate research suggests that children fare better than adults thanks to robust "first responder" immune cells that wane with age.
They're the latest in a list of studies uncovering multiple features of the immune system's intricate cascade that can tip the scales between a good or bad outcome. Next up: Figuring out if all these new clues might offer much-needed ways to intervene.
"We have the knowledge and capability of really boosting many aspects of the immune system. But we need to not use the sledge hammer," cautioned Dr. Betsy Herold of New York's Albert Einstein College of Medicine, who co-authored the child study.
Adding to the complexity, people's wildly varying reactions also reflect other factors, such as how healthy they were to begin with and how much of the virus — the "dose" — they were exposed to.
"Infection and what happens after infection is a very dynamic thing," said Alessandro Sette, a researcher at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in San Diego, who is studying yet another piece of the immune response.
IMMUNE PRIMER
There are two main arms of the immune system. Innate immunity is the body's first line of defense. As soon as the body detects a foreign intruder, key molecules, such as interferons and inflammation-causing cytokines, launch a wide-ranging attack.
Innate immune cells also alert the slower-acting "adaptive" arm of the immune system, the germ-specific sharpshooters, to gear up. B cells start producing virus-fighting antibodies, the proteins getting so much attention in the vaccine hunt.
But antibodies aren't the whole story. Adaptive immunity's many other ingredients include "killer" T cells that destroy virus-infected cells — and "memory" T and B cells that remember an infection so they spring into action quicker if they encounter that germ again.
A MISSING PIECE
Usually when a virus invades a cell, proteins called Type I interferons spring into action, defending the cell by interfering with viral growth. But new research shows those crucial molecules were essentially absent in a subset of people with severe Covid-19.
An international project uncovered two reasons. In blood from nearly 1,000 severe Covid-19 patients, researchers found 1 in 10 had what are called auto-antibodies — antibodies that mistakenly attack those needed virus fighters. Especially surprising, autoimmune disorders tend to be more common in women — but 95% of these Covid-19 patients were men.
The researchers didn't find the damaging molecules in patients with mild or asymptomatic Covid-19.
In another 660 severely ill patients, the same team found 3.5% had gene mutations that didn't produce Type I interferons.
Each of those silent vulnerabilities was enough to tip the balance in favor of the virus early on, said Dr. Jean-Laurent Casanova, an infectious disease geneticist at Rockefeller University in New York, who co-leads the Covid Human Genetic Effort. He is paid by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which also helps fund The Associated Press Health and Science Department.
Certain interferons are used as medicines and are under study as a possible Covid-19 treatment; the auto-antibody discovery adds another factor to consider.
KIDS' IMMUNITY REVS FAST
It's not clear why children appear less at risk from Covid-19. But occasionally they're sick enough for hospitalization, giving Herold's team the opportunity to compare 60 adults and 65 children and teens at New York's Montefiore Health System.
The children produced much higher levels of certain cytokines that are among the innate immune system's first responders. When the immune system's next stage kicked in, both adults and children made antibodies targeting the coronavirus. Here's the rub: The adults' adaptive immune response was more the type that can trigger an inflammatory overreaction.
The findings suggest kids' early robust reaction lets their immune system get ahead of the virus, making an overreaction less likely "and that's protecting them," Herold said.
ANY PREEXISTING IMMUNITY?
The coronavirus that causes Covid-19 is new to humans. But Sette's team studied blood samples that were stored in freezers before the pandemic and found some harbored memory T cells that recognized a tiny portion of the new virus in laboratory tests.
"You can actually tell that this is an experienced T cell. This has seen combat before," Sette said. Researchers in Germany, Britain and other countries have made similar findings.
The new coronavirus has cousins that cause as many as 30% of common colds, so researchers believe those T cells could be remnants from past colds.
But despite the speculation, "we don't know yet" that having those T cells makes any difference in who gets seriously sick with COVID-19, noted Rory de Vries, co-author of a study in the Netherlands that also found such T cells in old blood.
All these findings beg for a deeper understanding of the myriad ways some people can be more susceptible than others.
"We need to look quite broadly and not jump into premature conclusions about any one particular facet of the immune system," said Stanford University immunologist Bali Pulendran. He also has found some innate immune cells "in a state of hibernation" in seriously ill adults and next is looking for differences before and after people get sick.
But, "it's not just all about the immune system," cautioned Dr. Anita McElroy, a viral immunity expert at the University of Pittsburgh who's closely watching the research. A way to tell in advance who's most at risk? "We're a long, long way from that."
By LAURAN NEERGAARD and CANDICE CHOI Associated Press


courthousenews--2020-09-30--House Passes Trimmed Down Coronavirus Relief Bill

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — The House voted Wednesday to approve a scaled-down version of the Heroes Act , sending the coronavirus stimulus measure to the Republican-controlled Senate by a 225-188 vote .
While Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin could not broker a deal after meeting Wednesday morning to discuss a bipartisan relief measure , Pelosi indicated in the early afternoon that the House would go ahead with a vote on a $ 2.2 trillion stimulus bill .
In a statement , she also said conversations with the Treasury Department would continue .
Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act in July , introducing their own $ 1 trillion version that also provided for the reconstruction of the FBI ’ s Washington headquarters .
Democrats would block a vote on that bill , with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling it , “ completely inadequate.
” Pelosi maintained throughout August that the plan didn ’ t come close to meeting the needs of Americans , asserting the House would not recess without passing additional legislation .
The House passed a more than $ 3 trillion relief bill in May , which would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and $ 375 billion for local governments confronting the pandemic .
The full Heroes Act would have included a $ 600 weekly enhanced unemployment benefit and a resupply of $ 1,200 stimulus checks .
Congressman Jim McGovern , a Massachusetts Democrat who chairs the House ’ s rules committee , said Wednesday ’ s rule provided for the substitution of a rules committee print in a Senate amendment .
The substituted text , he said , was identical to the Heroes Act .
Wednesday ’ s measure will provide $ 75 billion for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 225 billion for education and child care .
$ 436 billion is set aside for state , local , territorial and tribal governments with a continuation of $ 1,200 relief checks to Americans .
“ More than 205,000 Americans have lost their lives due to coronavirus and more than 7 million more have been affected , ” McGovern said .
“ Millions of people are out of work ; small businesses are struggling , and some have had to shut their doors forever .
Our economy hasn ’ t taken a hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congressman Tom Cole , an Oklahoma Republican , called the bill a “ partisan wish list under the guise of coronavirus relief bill.
” House Democrats should be focusing on creating a bill where both sides can agree on the text , Cole said , as the bill presented a “ plethora of provisions completely unrelated to coronavirus relief.
” “ Indeed , just like in May , today ’ s bill is more akin to a Democratic policy wish list than to an actual relief bill , ” Cole said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all know what the end result will be .
The Senate will not pass this bill and the president will not sign it into law.
” Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee , a Texas Democrat , said the stress of dealing with a world embroiled in Covid-19 had prompted Houston-area lawmakers to create a mental health hotline for Americans affected by the virus .
“ And so , I rise today to say the American people can not take it anymore .
The stress is enormous , ” Jackson Lee said .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very merciful response to the bill we already passed , that our friends conflicted with each other and the White House can not seem to get a grip on.
” She added : “ What don ’ t my good friends understand ; that people are desperate and they are in need ?
”

The House voted Wednesday to approve a scaled-down version of the Heroes Act, sending the coronavirus stimulus measure to the Republican-controlled Senate by a 225-188 vote.
WASHINGTON (CN) — The House voted Wednesday to approve a scaled-down version of the Heroes Act, sending the coronavirus stimulus measure to the Republican-controlled Senate by a 225-188 vote.
While Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin could not broker a deal after meeting Wednesday morning to discuss a bipartisan relief measure, Pelosi indicated in the early afternoon that the House would go ahead with a vote on a $2.2 trillion stimulus bill. In a statement, she also said conversations with the Treasury Department would continue.
Senate Republicans pushed back against the full Heroes Act in July, introducing their own $1 trillion version that also provided for the reconstruction of the FBI’s Washington headquarters. Democrats would block a vote on that bill, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling it, “completely inadequate.”
Pelosi maintained throughout August that the plan didn’t come close to meeting the needs of Americans, asserting the House would not recess without passing additional legislation.
The House passed a more than $3 trillion relief bill in May, which would have provided $500 billion to states and $375 billion for local governments confronting the pandemic. The full Heroes Act would have included a $600 weekly enhanced unemployment benefit and a resupply of $1,200 stimulus checks.
Congressman Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat who chairs the House’s rules committee, said Wednesday’s rule provided for the substitution of a rules committee print in a Senate amendment. The substituted text, he said, was identical to the Heroes Act.
Wednesday’s measure will provide $75 billion for Covid-19 testing and contact tracing while providing $225 billion for education and child care. $436 billion is set aside for state, local, territorial and tribal governments with a continuation of $1,200 relief checks to Americans.
“More than 205,000 Americans have lost their lives due to coronavirus and more than 7 million more have been affected,” McGovern said. “Millions of people are out of work; small businesses are struggling, and some have had to shut their doors forever. Our economy hasn’t taken a hit like this since the Great Depression.”
Congressman Tom Cole, an Oklahoma Republican, called the bill a “partisan wish list under the guise of coronavirus relief bill.”
House Democrats should be focusing on creating a bill where both sides can agree on the text, Cole said, as the bill presented a “plethora of provisions completely unrelated to coronavirus relief.”
“Indeed, just like in May, today’s bill is more akin to a Democratic policy wish list than to an actual relief bill,” Cole said. “And just like in May, we all know what the end result will be. The Senate will not pass this bill and the president will not sign it into law.”
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat, said the stress of dealing with a world embroiled in Covid-19 had prompted Houston-area lawmakers to create a mental health hotline for Americans affected by the virus.
“And so, I rise today to say the American people cannot take it anymore. The stress is enormous,” Jackson Lee said. “And what we have done here is a very merciful response to the bill we already passed, that our friends conflicted with each other and the White House cannot seem to get a grip on.”
She added: “What don’t my good friends understand; that people are desperate and they are in need?”


Top Eight

Your Wednesday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News Top eight CNS stories for today including the presidential debate commission announced it would make changes to the format of the remaining debates after a chaotic event with shouting and frequent interruptions ; A divided Ninth Circuit panel ruled the 2020 U.S. Census count will continue ; Crimes and mass killings committed by the Franco dictatorship after the Spanish Civil War are slowly coming to light inside a walled municipal cemetery , and more .
Sign up for CNS Top Eight , a roundup of the day ’ s top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Friday .
1 . )
Following a chaotic debate with shouting and frequent interruptions , the presidential debate commission announced Wednesday it would make changes to the format of the remaining debates .
2 . )
The 2020 U.S. Census count will continue , a divided Ninth Circuit panel ruled Wednesday , denying a stay of a lower court order barring the Trump administration from ending the decennial population count one month early .
3 . )
Seagram ’ s liquor heiress Clare Bronfman was sentenced to six years and nine months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the longtime financier of purported self-help group NXIVM , which was essentially a pyramid scheme with sex slaves .
4 . )
Texas county clerks ’ authority to manage early voting is limited to things like setting the air conditioning at a comfortable level at polling sites , not mailing unsolicited absentee voting applications , the state argued before the Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday .
5 . )
The Seventh Circuit heard oral arguments Wednesday in a case that seeks to expand access to absentee voting to all Indiana residents who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the November election .
6 . )
Day by day and bone by bone , crimes and mass killings committed by the Franco dictatorship against its left-wing enemies after the Spanish Civil War are slowly coming to the light inside the walled municipal cemetery of a small city outside Valencia .
7 . )
Lawyers for Canada ’ s attorney general claim Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou ’ s lawyers are relying on inadmissible and irrelevant evidence to wrongfully turn her Canadian extradition proceedings into a “ U.S .
trial.
” 8 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be turned over to a United Nations tribunal to face charges of genocide , France ’ s high court ruled Wednesday .

Top eight CNS stories for today including the presidential debate commission announced it would make changes to the format of the remaining debates after a chaotic event with shouting and frequent interruptions; A divided Ninth Circuit panel ruled the 2020 U.S. Census count will continue; Crimes and mass killings committed by the Franco dictatorship after the Spanish Civil War are slowly coming to light inside a walled municipal cemetery, and more.
Your Wednesday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News
Top eight CNS stories for today including the presidential debate commission announced it would make changes to the format of the remaining debates after a chaotic event with shouting and frequent interruptions; A divided Ninth Circuit panel ruled the 2020 U.S. Census count will continue; Crimes and mass killings committed by the Franco dictatorship after the Spanish Civil War are slowly coming to light inside a walled municipal cemetery, and more.
Sign up for CNS Top Eight, a roundup of the day’s top stories delivered directly to your email Monday through Friday.
National
1.) Following a chaotic debate with shouting and frequent interruptions, the presidential debate commission announced Wednesday it would make changes to the format of the remaining debates.
President Donald Trump gestures while speaking during the first presidential debate Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, at Case Western University and Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
2.) The 2020 U.S. Census count will continue, a divided Ninth Circuit panel ruled Wednesday, denying a stay of a lower court order barring the Trump administration from ending the decennial population count one month early.
In this June 25, 2020, file photo, two young children hold signs through the car window that make reference to the 2020 U.S. Census as they wait in the car with their family at an outreach event in Dallas. Thousands of census takers are about to begin the most labor-intensive part of America’s once-a-decade headcount (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
3.) Seagram’s liquor heiress Clare Bronfman was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison on Wednesday for her role as the longtime financier of purported self-help group NXIVM, which was essentially a pyramid scheme with sex slaves.
Clare Bronfman arrives at federal court, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Bronfman, the Seagram's liquor fortune heir and a wealthy benefactor of Keith Raniere, the disgraced leader of self-improvement group NXIVM in upstate New York convicted of turning women into sex slaves who were branded with his initials, faces sentencing Wednesday in the federal conspiracy case. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Regional
4.) Texas county clerks’ authority to manage early voting is limited to things like setting the air conditioning at a comfortable level at polling sites, not mailing unsolicited absentee voting applications, the state argued before the Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday.
The Texas Supreme Court building in Austin, which is also home to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. (Kelsey Jukam/Courthouse News)
5.) The Seventh Circuit heard oral arguments Wednesday in a case that seeks to expand access to absentee voting to all Indiana residents who want to cast their ballots by mail in the November election.
Box of absentee ballots waiting to be counted at the Albany County Board of Elections, Tuesday, June 30, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)
International
6.) Day by day and bone by bone, crimes and mass killings committed by the Franco dictatorship against its left-wing enemies after the Spanish Civil War are slowly coming to the light inside the walled municipal cemetery of a small city outside Valencia.
Headstones are gathered together in the municipal cemetery in Paterna, Spain, after being moved to make way for exhumation work. The headstones show executed men peering from portraits. The exhumation work in Paterna is among many sites in Spain where mass graves are being dug up in order to identify victims of Gen. Francisco Franco's repression. (Courthouse News photo/Cain Burdeau)
7.) Lawyers for Canada’s attorney general claim Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou’s lawyers are relying on inadmissible and irrelevant evidence to wrongfully turn her Canadian extradition proceedings into a “U.S. trial.”
Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou leaves the British Columbia Supreme Court following a Sept. 30, 2020, hearing on motions in the U.S. extradition case against her. (Courthouse News photo / Darryl Greer)
8.) Rwanda’s former richest man can be turned over to a United Nations tribunal to face charges of genocide, France’s high court ruled Wednesday.


courthousenews--2020-09-30--California Courts Covid Update

California Courts Covid Update

Sept. 29 , 2020 : Order extends emergency use of video and telephonic conference technology for some criminal proceedings Sept. @ @ @ @ @ assignment , and changes of location

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--2020-09-30--More LA County Businesses Approved for Reopening

LOS ANGELES ( CN ) — Shopping malls and nail salons are the latest businesses in Los Angeles County approved for reopening under limited capacity over the coming days , after action late Tuesday by state health officials .
The move comes a day after officials said LA County would remain in the state ’ s most restrictive category of mandated health restrictions for at least two more weeks .
Under state guidelines , counties must show two successive weeks of improvement in stemming viral spread before progressing in the state ’ s four-tiered reopening framework , meaning the county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until at least mid-October .
After the state ’ s most populous county experienced an increase in the number of infections per 100,000 residents , health officials said LA County would also be barred from reopening with reduced capacity any indoor services at places of worship , movie theaters , gyms and schools .
The county ’ s positivity rate is 2.9 % , but its new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents is just above the 7.0 % required to move to a less restrictive tier .
Los Angeles and 18 other counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 30 counties two weeks ago .
Counties in the lowest tier include Ventura , San Bernardino , Kern and Stanislaus .
But under new guidance issued Tuesday by health officials , malls and nail salons in LA County may reopen at 25 % indoor capacity , though mall food courts and common areas must remain closed .
Playgrounds across LA County can also reopen , according to officials , though individual jurisdictions will ultimately decide whether to reopen parks .
The changes come after California Health and Human Services chief Mark Ghaly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 89 % surge in hospitalizations statewide by the end of October .
But Ghaly said Tuesday that LA County can reopen certain sectors even further if residents continue to practice social distancing and wear masks and businesses comply with health guidelines .
The county inched closer to its full reopening goal after the Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to allow some public school districts and private schools to apply for a waiver to reopen transitional kindergarten through second-grade classrooms Most of the state ’ s more than 6 million students have been learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and large sectors of the economy closed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic .
But under more recent state guidelines , schools were allowed to apply with local health officials for a waiver to reopen classrooms .
After pressure to revisit its anti-waiver stance , LA County supervisors said Tuesday offering limited in-person instruction will help students who are performing poorly in the current distance learning setup or those who have special needs .
Also on Tuesday , the board approved by a 3-2 vote a motion by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Kathryn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers outdoors in one week and in compliance with public health orders .
California has allowed breweries and wineries to reopen for outdoor service if they collaborate with a third-party vendor that serves food .
LA County officials have not permitted breweries and wineries to reopen if they don ’ t have restaurant licenses , which is difficult for the businesses since many don ’ t have the permits or kitchens .
Hahn said in a statement the reopened establishments will have to take reservations and enforce social distancing .
“ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus and we did not see the spike in cases after Labor Day that I know many of us had been dreading , ” Hahn said .
“ The action we are taking puts us in line with the state ’ s health orders.
” During the board meeting Tuesday , supervisors expressed concern about a repeat of events earlier this year when Covid-19 cases surged after businesses in the county such as gyms were allowed to reopen .
“ I think some of us still have sticker shock from May when some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hahn said Tuesday .
“ But I do feel we ’ re at a tipping point regarding people ’ s jobs and livelihoods .
Every week we don ’ t allow businesses to open , we move closer to putting the last nail in their coffin in terms of their business and for employees not having a business to go back to.
” LA County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer told supervisors she ’ s certain the county will enforce business compliance with health orders if any future reopening occurs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ compliance among businesses and said it ’ s functioning as intended .
Public health workers conduct weekly inspections of restaurants and hotels and a public hotline to anonymously report business non-compliance receives more than 2,000 a week , Ferrer said .
Still , the public health official said she understands supervisors ’ concerns .
“ I think it ’ s appropriate to be worried because with this virus there are always unknowns and always opportunities to transmit the virus to each other , ” Ferrer said .

Shopping malls and nail salons are the latest businesses in Los Angeles County approved for reopening under limited capacity over the coming days, after action late Tuesday by state health officials.
LOS ANGELES (CN) — Shopping malls and nail salons are the latest businesses in Los Angeles County approved for reopening under limited capacity over the coming days, after action late Tuesday by state health officials.
The move comes a day after officials said LA County would remain in the state’s most restrictive category of mandated health restrictions for at least two more weeks.
Under state guidelines, counties must show two successive weeks of improvement in stemming viral spread before progressing in the state’s four-tiered reopening framework, meaning the county’s indoor dining ban will remain until at least mid-October.
After the state’s most populous county experienced an increase in the number of infections per 100,000 residents, health officials said LA County would also be barred from reopening with reduced capacity any indoor services at places of worship, movie theaters, gyms and schools.
The county’s positivity rate is 2.9%, but its new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents is just above the 7.0% required to move to a less restrictive tier.
Los Angeles and 18 other counties remain in the purple tier, compared to 30 counties two weeks ago. Counties in the lowest tier include Ventura, San Bernardino, Kern and Stanislaus.
But under new guidance issued Tuesday by health officials, malls and nail salons in LA County may reopen at 25% indoor capacity, though mall food courts and common areas must remain closed.
Playgrounds across LA County can also reopen, according to officials, though individual jurisdictions will ultimately decide whether to reopen parks.
The changes come after California Health and Human Services chief Mark Ghaly announced this week his projections of a 89% surge in hospitalizations statewide by the end of October.
But Ghaly said Tuesday that LA County can reopen certain sectors even further if residents continue to practice social distancing and wear masks and businesses comply with health guidelines.
The county inched closer to its full reopening goal after the Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to allow some public school districts and private schools to apply for a waiver to reopen transitional kindergarten through second-grade classrooms
Most of the state’s more than 6 million students have been learning from home since March, when schools and large sectors of the economy closed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
But under more recent state guidelines, schools were allowed to apply with local health officials for a waiver to reopen classrooms.
After pressure to revisit its anti-waiver stance, LA County supervisors said Tuesday offering limited in-person instruction will help students who are performing poorly in the current distance learning setup or those who have special needs.
Also on Tuesday, the board approved by a 3-2 vote a motion by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger allowing breweries and wineries to serve customers outdoors in one week and in compliance with public health orders.
California has allowed breweries and wineries to reopen for outdoor service if they collaborate with a third-party vendor that serves food.
LA County officials have not permitted breweries and wineries to reopen if they don’t have restaurant licenses, which is difficult for the businesses since many don’t have the permits or kitchens.
Hahn said in a statement the reopened establishments will have to take reservations and enforce social distancing.
"We have made progress slowing the spread of this virus and we did not see the spike in cases after Labor Day that I know many of us had been dreading,” Hahn said. “The action we are taking puts us in line with the state's health orders."
During the board meeting Tuesday, supervisors expressed concern about a repeat of events earlier this year when Covid-19 cases surged after businesses in the county such as gyms were allowed to reopen.
“I think some of us still have sticker shock from May when some said we reopened too soon,” Hahn said Tuesday. “But I do feel we're at a tipping point regarding people’s jobs and livelihoods. Every week we don't allow businesses to open, we move closer to putting the last nail in their coffin in terms of their business and for employees not having a business to go back to.”
LA County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer told supervisors she’s certain the county will enforce business compliance with health orders if any future reopening occurs.
Ferrer noted the existing county program enforcing compliance among businesses and said it’s functioning as intended.
Public health workers conduct weekly inspections of restaurants and hotels and a public hotline to anonymously report business non-compliance receives more than 2,000 a week, Ferrer said.
Still, the public health official said she understands supervisors’ concerns.
“I think it's appropriate to be worried because with this virus there are always unknowns and always opportunities to transmit the virus to each other,” Ferrer said.


courthousenews--2020-09-30--Judge Dismisses St. Louis Prosecutor’s Claim of Racist Conspiracy

ST. LOUIS ( CN ) — In a tersely worded order , a federal judge on Wednesday tossed a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner asserting a conspiracy to force her out .
“ Her 32-page complaint can best be described as a conglomeration of unrelated claims and conclusory statements supported by very few facts , which do not plead any recognizable cause of action , ” U.S. District Judge John Ross , a Barack Obama appointee , wrote in his 19-page order dismissing the case .
Gardner , the city ’ s first Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she filed the lawsuit in January , claiming the city ’ s police union and others engaged in a racist conspiracy to throw her out of office in retaliation for her attempts at criminal justice reform .
Gardner named as defendants the city of St. Louis , the St. Louis Police Officers ’ Association , its business manager Jeff Roorda , and attorneys Gerard Carmody , Patrick Carmody and Ryann Carmody .
A spokeswoman and attorney for Gardner each did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday .
Jonathan Bruntrager , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police union and Roorda , said he wasn ’ t surprised by the ruling .
“ The dismissal took a lot longer than we expected to come through , but obviously with Covid we understand the delay , ” Bruntrager said in an interview .
“ But ultimately it confirms what we ’ ve been saying from day one , is that she was unable to plead any facts here.
” City attorney J. Brent Dulle said he had no comment on the dismissal .
Attorneys for the Carmody defendants did not immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The suit alleges violations of the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 by the defendants , who are all white .
The law is designed to prevent a racially motivated conspiracy to deny the civil rights of racial minorities by obstructing a government official ’ s efforts to ensure equal justice under law .
“ It seemed to have been a political move on her part to file this kind of a lawsuit under this KKK statute that ultimately she couldn ’ t prove any facts of , ” Bruntrager said .
Gardner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since taking office in January 2017 .
Soon after being sworn in , she announced she would cease prosecutions of low-level marijuana crimes .
In 2018 , she developed an “ exclusion list ” of more than two dozen police officers who were barred from serving as primary witnesses in criminal cases over what Gardner called credibility concerns .
The exclusion list angered many in the law enforcement community , including Roorda , who called Gardner the worst prosecutor in the country the day after her lawsuit was filed .
Gardner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tisaby , a former FBI agent , rather than working with police to investigate claims that former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens took a compromising photo of a woman during an extramarital affair .
Greitens , a Republican , was charged with felony invasion of privacy , which was eventually dropped .
But the charged forced him to resign in June 2018 .
Greitens ’ attorneys , however , accused Tisaby of lying during a deposition .
Gerard Carmody , who was appointed as a special prosecutor , indicted Tisaby last June for perjury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The indictment raised concerns about Gardner ’ s role in Tisaby ’ s alleged perjury .
It claimed she failed to correct his inaccuracies or report them and that she made incorrect statements to defense lawyers and a judge .
Gardner claims she did nothing illegal or unethical .
Her lawsuit said her efforts to raise conflict of interest concerns about Gerard Carmody ’ s appointment as special prosecutor were ignored .
She says he went to school with Greitens and the two served in the same law practice .
But Ross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday ’ s ruling .
“ Gardner presents no specific material facts , circumstantial or otherwise , to show that defendants acted with each other for the purpose of depriving her – or anyone else – of a constitutional right to equal protection , ” the judge wrote .
“ Her complaint is nothing more than a compilation of personal slights – none of which rise to a legal cause of action.
” Ross also tossed counts claiming unreasonable search and seizure and abuse of power against the Carmody defendants and the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city and the Carmodys instituted a baseless criminal investigation of her to harass and intimidate her and obstruct her agenda , ” he wrote .
“ This court has previously found these alleged ends are neither unlawful nor collateral.
” Despite the controversy , Gardner , a Democrat , won more the 60 % of the vote in the primary election in August .
She is virtually guaranteed to beat her Republican challenger in November due to the city ’ s liberal voting base .
On Saturday , Gardner added another 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No reason was given for their inclusion and the list has not been released publicly .

In a tersely worded order, a federal judge on Wednesday tossed a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner asserting a conspiracy to force her out.
ST. LOUIS (CN) — In a tersely worded order, a federal judge on Wednesday tossed a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner asserting a conspiracy to force her out.
“Her 32-page complaint can best be described as a conglomeration of unrelated claims and conclusory statements supported by very few facts, which do not plead any recognizable cause of action,” U.S. District Judge John Ross, a Barack Obama appointee, wrote in his 19-page order dismissing the case.
Gardner, the city’s first Black circuit attorney, made national headlines when she filed the lawsuit in January, claiming the city’s police union and others engaged in a racist conspiracy to throw her out of office in retaliation for her attempts at criminal justice reform.
Gardner named as defendants the city of St. Louis, the St. Louis Police Officers’ Association, its business manager Jeff Roorda, and attorneys Gerard Carmody, Patrick Carmody and Ryann Carmody.
A spokeswoman and attorney for Gardner each did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Jonathan Bruntrager, of Bruntrager & Billings who represented the police union and Roorda, said he wasn’t surprised by the ruling.
“The dismissal took a lot longer than we expected to come through, but obviously with Covid we understand the delay,” Bruntrager said in an interview. “But ultimately it confirms what we've been saying from day one, is that she was unable to plead any facts here.”
City attorney J. Brent Dulle said he had no comment on the dismissal. Attorneys for the Carmody defendants did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The suit alleges violations of the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 by the defendants, who are all white. The law is designed to prevent a racially motivated conspiracy to deny the civil rights of racial minorities by obstructing a government official’s efforts to ensure equal justice under law.
“It seemed to have been a political move on her part to file this kind of a lawsuit under this KKK statute that ultimately she couldn't prove any facts of,” Bruntrager said.
Gardner has been a lightning rod of controversy since taking office in January 2017. Soon after being sworn in, she announced she would cease prosecutions of low-level marijuana crimes. In 2018, she developed an “exclusion list” of more than two dozen police officers who were barred from serving as primary witnesses in criminal cases over what Gardner called credibility concerns.
The exclusion list angered many in the law enforcement community, including Roorda, who called Gardner the worst prosecutor in the country the day after her lawsuit was filed.
Gardner’s troubles grew when she hired William Don Tisaby, a former FBI agent, rather than working with police to investigate claims that former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens took a compromising photo of a woman during an extramarital affair. Greitens, a Republican, was charged with felony invasion of privacy, which was eventually dropped. But the charged forced him to resign in June 2018.
Greitens’ attorneys, however, accused Tisaby of lying during a deposition. Gerard Carmody, who was appointed as a special prosecutor, indicted Tisaby last June for perjury in a case that is still pending.
The indictment raised concerns about Gardner’s role in Tisaby’s alleged perjury. It claimed she failed to correct his inaccuracies or report them and that she made incorrect statements to defense lawyers and a judge.
Gardner claims she did nothing illegal or unethical. Her lawsuit said her efforts to raise conflict of interest concerns about Gerard Carmody’s appointment as special prosecutor were ignored. She says he went to school with Greitens and the two served in the same law practice.
But Ross found no evidence of a conspiracy in Wednesday’s ruling.
“Gardner presents no specific material facts, circumstantial or otherwise, to show that defendants acted with each other for the purpose of depriving her – or anyone else – of a constitutional right to equal protection,” the judge wrote. “Her complaint is nothing more than a compilation of personal slights – none of which rise to a legal cause of action.”
Ross also tossed counts claiming unreasonable search and seizure and abuse of power against the Carmody defendants and the city of St. Louis.
“Gardner alleges the city and the Carmodys instituted a baseless criminal investigation of her to harass and intimidate her and obstruct her agenda,” he wrote. “This court has previously found these alleged ends are neither unlawful nor collateral.”
Despite the controversy, Gardner, a Democrat, won more the 60% of the vote in the primary election in August. She is virtually guaranteed to beat her Republican challenger in November due to the city’s liberal voting base.
On Saturday, Gardner added another 15 officers to her infamous exclusion list. No reason was given for their inclusion and the list has not been released publicly.


courthousenews--2020-10-02--House Passes $2.2 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Bill

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — House Democrats formerly passed an updated version of the Heroes Act Thursday , which would send another round of $ 1,200 economic relief payments to American families if signed into law by the president .
The bill passed by a 214-207 vote .
Congressman Jim McGovern , a Massachusetts Democrat who chairs the House ’ s rules committee , said Wednesday the House would substitute a rules committee print in a Senate amendment and vote on the measure .
The substituted text , he said , was identical to the Heroes Act .
That measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
On Thursday however , more than a dozen Democrats voted against the measure .
Congresswoman Nita Lowey said Thursday ’ s $ 2.2 trillion version of the Heroes Act would provide $ 436 billion for state local and territorial governments , along with $ 75 billion for testing and contact tracing of those infected or possibly infected with coronavirus .
An additional $ 28 billion would go to procurement , education and distribution campaigns for a Covid-19 vaccine , she said , along with $ 120 billion for stimulus for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the full Heroes Act in July , introducing their own $ 1 trillion version that also provided for the reconstruction of the FBI ’ s Washington headquarters .
Democrats would block a vote on that bill , with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling it , “ completely inadequate.
” Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi maintained throughout August that the plan didn ’ t come close to meeting the needs of Americans , asserting the House would not recess without passing additional legislation .
The House passed a more than $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which would have provided $ 500 billion to states and $ 375 billion for local governments confronting the pandemic .
The full Heroes Act would have included a $ 600 weekly enhanced unemployment benefit and a resupply of $ 1,200 stimulus checks .
Increased protections for workplace standards during the pandemic would be included in Thursday ’ s bill , Lowey said , along with protections of healthcare for Americans unemployed in light of record national unemployment .
Unemployment benefits also would be extended , along with providing for rental and mortgage insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represented a “ compromise , ” although negotiations for a bipartisan measure between Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin , continued into Thursday evening .
Lowey said she “ ardently hoped ” the House could return to the floor with a bipartisan agreement .
“ In the meantime , a strong vote tonight will show our will to act and bring us closer to delivering much needed relief to American families , ” Lowey said .
From the House floor , Pelosi said no other bill forwarded by Republicans included any provisions aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refundable child tax credit .
Later , Pelsoi told reporters there would not be a resolution on ongoing stimulus talks with Mnuchin .
Congresswoman Maxine Waters , a California Democrat , said housing assistance was one of the most-important measures within the bill .
Half a million Americans before the pandemic were experiencing homelessness before the pandemic , she said , noting the “ catastrophic eviction crisis , ” with families struggling to pay rent .
An estimated 14.2 million renter households are currently at risk for evictions .
“ Mr .
Speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is needed , but it is a good faith effort to bridge the gap in negotiations with our Republican colleagues , ” Waters said .
“ It ’ s time for Republicans to stop blocking coronavirus relief and support this legislation.
” Congresswoman Kay Granger , a Texas Republican , said her caucus would oppose the legislation as it was not drafted in a bipartisan fashion .
Some of the included provisions , she said , she could not support ; which included “ partisan provisions unrelated to the pandemic , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct payments.
” “ Including so many unnecessary items just to cater to the demands of a few , could result in gridlock in a time where compromise and real results are still in reach , ” Granger said .
“ After all the good work we ’ ve done together to provide relief and hope to the American people , I ’ m very disappointed that this is the bill that the majority has chosen to bring to the floor .
”

House Democrats formally passed an updated version of the Heroes Act Thursday, which would send another round of $1,200 economic relief payments to American families if signed into law by the president. The bill passed by a 214-207 vote.
WASHINGTON (CN) — House Democrats formally passed an updated version of the Heroes Act Thursday, which would send another round of $1,200 economic relief payments to American families if signed into law by the president. The bill passed by a 214-207 vote.
Congressman Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat who chairs the House’s rules committee, said Wednesday the House would substitute a rules committee print in a Senate amendment and vote on the measure. The substituted text, he said, was identical to the Heroes Act.
That measure would pass convincingly, by a 225-188 vote. On Thursday however, more than a dozen Democrats voted against the measure.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey said Thursday’s $2.2 trillion version of the Heroes Act would provide $436 billion for state local and territorial governments, along with $75 billion for testing and contact tracing of those infected or possibly infected with coronavirus.
An additional $28 billion would go to procurement, education and distribution campaigns for a Covid-19 vaccine, she said, along with $120 billion for stimulus for the restaurant industry.
Senate Republicans pushed back against the full Heroes Act in July, introducing their own $1 trillion version that also provided for the reconstruction of the FBI’s Washington headquarters. Democrats would block a vote on that bill, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling it, “completely inadequate.”
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi maintained throughout August that the plan didn’t come close to meeting the needs of Americans, asserting the House would not recess without passing additional legislation.
The House passed a more than $3 trillion relief bill in May, which would have provided $500 billion to states and $375 billion for local governments confronting the pandemic. The full Heroes Act would have included a $600 weekly enhanced unemployment benefit and a resupply of $1,200 stimulus checks.
Increased protections for workplace standards during the pandemic would be included in Thursday’s bill, Lowey said, along with protections of healthcare for Americans unemployed in light of record national unemployment. Unemployment benefits also would be extended, along with providing for rental and mortgage insurance for Americans.
Lowey said the bill represented a “compromise,” although negotiations for a bipartisan measure between Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, continued into Thursday evening. Lowey said she “ardently hoped” the House could return to the floor with a bipartisan agreement.
“In the meantime, a strong vote tonight will show our will to act and bring us closer to delivering much needed relief to American families,” Lowey said.
From the House floor, Pelosi said no other bill forwarded by Republicans included any provisions aimed at helping working families, like a refundable child tax credit. Later, Pelsoi told reporters there would not be a resolution on ongoing stimulus talks with Mnuchin.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, a California Democrat, said housing assistance was one of the most-important measures within the bill. Half a million Americans before the pandemic were experiencing homelessness before the pandemic, she said, noting the “catastrophic eviction crisis,” with families struggling to pay rent. An estimated 14.2 million renter households are currently at risk for evictions.
“Mr. Speaker, this bill isn’t everything that is needed, but it is a good faith effort to bridge the gap in negotiations with our Republican colleagues,” Waters said. “It’s time for Republicans to stop blocking coronavirus relief and support this legislation.”
Congresswoman Kay Granger, a Texas Republican, said her caucus would oppose the legislation as it was not drafted in a bipartisan fashion. Some of the included provisions, she said, she could not support; which included “partisan provisions unrelated to the pandemic,” and enabling “illegal immigrants to receive direct payments.”
“Including so many unnecessary items just to cater to the demands of a few, could result in gridlock in a time where compromise and real results are still in reach,” Granger said. “After all the good work we’ve done together to provide relief and hope to the American people, I’m very disappointed that this is the bill that the majority has chosen to bring to the floor.”


courthousenews--2020-10-02--California Wildfire Ravaging Picturesque Wine Country Towns

( CN ) — The Glass Fire continues to burn out of control in the heart of California ’ s wine country , razing wineries , destroying houses and prompting mass evacuations .
Fire officials said Thursday that the fight will only get more difficult as high winds are expected to ramp up in the evening and continue throughout much of the day on Friday .
“ There is a lot of fire activity toward Angwin in Napa County , ” said Tyree Zander , a firefighter with Cal Fire .
Angwin is a small town of about 3,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is not located in the famed Napa Valley draped with vineyards but is a small college town , home to Pacific Union College .
“ The fire is impinging on the outskirts of that community , ” said Mark Burton , a fire chief with Cal Fire .
The fire has already ripped through several legacy wineries in the Up Valley area of the Napa Valley near Calistoga .
At least 19 wineries , resorts and restaurants have been destroyed by the Glass Fire which started last weekend and has grown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperatures , low humidity and wind activity .
Meadowbrook restaurant , located near the Howell Mountain Road on the eastern flank of Napa Valley burned to the ground .
A security guard working the property confirmed the restaurant is gone , along with several other buildings on the property .
The Chateau Boswell , another famed winery , was one of the first to burn during the Glass Fire .
Firefighters are now concentrating their fight on the outskirts of Angwin and Calistoga , which is at the northern end of Napa Valley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locals .
Mark Burton , a chief with Cal Fire , said the fire is not threatening downtown Calistoga at this point , but some structure in the outer laying parts of the town remain under imminent threat .
Calistoga is a small but picturesque city of about 5,000 and remains a ghost town , with mandatory evacuations continuing to remain in place .
The Calistoga Ranch , a luxury resort in the area , has been badly damaged already , with pictures emerging of charred picnic tables and crumbling rubble where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gavin Newsom toured some of the destruction Thursday , meeting with Cal Fire Director Thom Porter at the blackened remains of the Foothills Elementary School near St. Helena , in the middle of Napa Valley .
“ I ’ ve got four young kids in elementary school , and I can ’ t imagine for the parents what ’ s going on in their minds , with all the anxiety going into the school year , to see their precious school burned down , ” Newsom said .
Newsom met with fire officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vegetation work aimed at preventing massive wildfires like the Glass Fire or any of the more than 30 major fires that have burned up and down the state during California ’ s historic wildfire season .
“ We ’ ll continue our aggressive , without precedent , historic forest and vegetation management efforts ( that ) we ’ ve substantially increased in the last two years and we will increase them more into the coming years , ” Newsom said .
So far , more than 4 million acres of land have burned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The previous record was about 1.4 million acres .
California has also summoned about 20,000 firefighters to fight the spate of wildfires throughout the state , calling in firefighters from Texas , Montana and Israel .
The Glass Fire is currently at about 56,000 acres and is 5 % contained .
While much of the activity is in Napa , fire officials are also concerned about communities in neighboring Sonoma County , where the Glass Fire threatens Kenwood and Glen Allen .
Cal Fire conducted a firing operation , where they purposefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple of days when the wind was down hoping to stop the march of the fire when the wind picks up Thursday evening .
“ I have about a 50 percent confidence the line on top of the ridge will hold , ” Burton said .
If it doesn ’ t Kenwood and Glen Allen will burn .
However , the communities of Oakmont and Santa Rosa — the large North Bay city that was devastated by the Wine Country Fires in 2017— look to be safe from any immediate fire danger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farther north in Tehama County , is also burning at about 55,000 acres , but firefighters have made significant inroads at containment as it is currently listed at 25 % .
“ Firefighters had a very successful night that increased containment of the fire with minimal growth , ” Cal Fire said in its morning update .
Other fires like the Creek Fire , the August Complex and the North Complex continue to burn but do not present an immediate danger to houses and businesses at present .
The red flag warning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high wind gusts , will remain in effect in Sonoma and Napa Counties until Friday at 6 p.m .

The Glass Fire continues to burn out of control in the heart of California’s wine country, razing wineries, destroying houses and prompting mass evacuations.
(CN) — The Glass Fire continues to burn out of control in the heart of California’s wine country, razing wineries, destroying houses and prompting mass evacuations.
Fire officials said Thursday that the fight will only get more difficult as high winds are expected to ramp up in the evening and continue throughout much of the day on Friday.
“There is a lot of fire activity toward Angwin in Napa County,” said Tyree Zander, a firefighter with Cal Fire.
Angwin is a small town of about 3,000 people in the northeastern part of Napa County. It is not located in the famed Napa Valley draped with vineyards but is a small college town, home to Pacific Union College.
“The fire is impinging on the outskirts of that community,” said Mark Burton, a fire chief with Cal Fire.
The fire has already ripped through several legacy wineries in the Up Valley area of the Napa Valley near Calistoga.
Napa Valley's famous wine grapes sit unharvested and charred on the vine after the Glass Fire tore through the region. (Matthew Renda/Courthouse News)
At least 19 wineries, resorts and restaurants have been destroyed by the Glass Fire which started last weekend and has grown steadily due to the combination of higher temperatures, low humidity and wind activity.
Meadowbrook restaurant, located near the Howell Mountain Road on the eastern flank of Napa Valley burned to the ground. A security guard working the property confirmed the restaurant is gone, along with several other buildings on the property.
The Chateau Boswell, another famed winery, was one of the first to burn during the Glass Fire. Firefighters are now concentrating their fight on the outskirts of Angwin and Calistoga, which is at the northern end of Napa Valley, referred to as Up Valley by locals.
Mark Burton, a chief with Cal Fire, said the fire is not threatening downtown Calistoga at this point, but some structure in the outer laying parts of the town remain under imminent threat.
Calistoga is a small but picturesque city of about 5,000 and remains a ghost town, with mandatory evacuations continuing to remain in place.
The Calistoga Ranch, a luxury resort in the area, has been badly damaged already, with pictures emerging of charred picnic tables and crumbling rubble where the five-star resort once stood.
California Governor Gavin Newsom toured some of the destruction Thursday, meeting with Cal Fire Director Thom Porter at the blackened remains of the Foothills Elementary School near St. Helena, in the middle of Napa Valley.
“I’ve got four young kids in elementary school, and I can’t imagine for the parents what’s going on in their minds, with all the anxiety going into the school year, to see their precious school burned down,” Newsom said.
The charred remains of a home in California Wine Country. (Courthouse News photo / Matthew Renda)
Newsom met with fire officials and lawmakers to discuss the importance of vegetation work aimed at preventing massive wildfires like the Glass Fire or any of the more than 30 major fires that have burned up and down the state during California’s historic wildfire season.
“We’ll continue our aggressive, without precedent, historic forest and vegetation management efforts (that) we’ve substantially increased in the last two years and we will increase them more into the coming years,” Newsom said.
So far, more than 4 million acres of land have burned in the summer and fall of 2020. The previous record was about 1.4 million acres.
California has also summoned about 20,000 firefighters to fight the spate of wildfires throughout the state, calling in firefighters from Texas, Montana and Israel.
The Glass Fire is currently at about 56,000 acres and is 5% contained.
While much of the activity is in Napa, fire officials are also concerned about communities in neighboring Sonoma County, where the Glass Fire threatens Kenwood and Glen Allen.
Cal Fire conducted a firing operation, where they purposefully set fire to undergrowth in the past couple of days when the wind was down hoping to stop the march of the fire when the wind picks up Thursday evening.
“I have about a 50 percent confidence the line on top of the ridge will hold,” Burton said.
If it doesn’t Kenwood and Glen Allen will burn.
However, the communities of Oakmont and Santa Rosa — the large North Bay city that was devastated by the Wine Country Fires in 2017— look to be safe from any immediate fire danger, Burton said.
The Zogg Fire, farther north in Tehama County, is also burning at about 55,000 acres, but firefighters have made significant inroads at containment as it is currently listed at 25%.
“Firefighters had a very successful night that increased containment of the fire with minimal growth,” Cal Fire said in its morning update.
Other fires like the Creek Fire, the August Complex and the North Complex continue to burn but do not present an immediate danger to houses and businesses at present.
The red flag warning, meaning high temperatures, low humidity and high wind gusts, will remain in effect in Sonoma and Napa Counties until Friday at 6 p.m.


Demand a Recount

LINCOLN , Neb .
— Two Nebraska taxpayers accuse the Nebraska Environmental Trust Board of incorrectly recording — and refusing @ @ @ @ @ that shifted funding to a large ethanol project , which was 78th on the board @ @ @ @ @ priorities .


courthousenews--2020-10-01--Giant Black Hole Discovered at Center of Cosmic ‘Spider’s Web’

PARIS ( AFP ) — Astronomers have discovered six galaxies ensnared in the cosmic “ spider ’ s web ” of a supermassive black hole soon after the Big Bang , according to research published Thursday that could help explain the development of these enigmatic monsters .
Black holes that emerged early in the history of the Universe are thought to have formed from the collapse of the first stars , but astronomers have puzzled over how they expanded into giants .
The newly discovered black hole — which dates from when the Universe was not even a billion years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times the mass of our Sun and was spotted by the European Southern Observatory ( ESO ) .
Scientists said the finding helps provide an explanation for how supermassive black holes such as the one at the center of our Milky Way may have developed .
This is because astronomers believe the filaments trapping the cluster of galaxies are carrying enough gas to “ feed ” the black hole , enabling it to grow .
“ The cosmic web filaments are like spider ’ s web threads , ” said Marco Mignoli , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Astrophysics ( INAF ) in Bologna who led the research , which was published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics .
“ The galaxies stand and grow where the filaments cross , and streams of gas — available to fuel both the galaxies and the central supermassive black hole — can flow along the filaments.
” Mignoli said that until now there had been “ no good explanation ” for the existence of such huge early black holes .
Researchers said the web structure may have formed with the help of dark matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas in the early Universe .
“ Our finding lends support to the idea that the most distant and massive black holes form and grow within massive dark matter halos in large-scale structures , and that the absence of earlier detections of such structures was likely due to observational limitations , ” said co-author Colin Norman of Johns Hopkins University .
The entire web is over 300 times the size of the Milky Way , according to a statement from ESO .
But it said the galaxies are also some of the faintest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the discovery was only possible using the largest optical telescopes available , including ESO ’ s Very Large Telescope in Chile ’ s Atacama Desert .
“ We believe we have just seen the tip of the iceberg , and that the few galaxies discovered so far around this supermassive black hole are only the brightest ones , ” said co-author Barbara Balmaverde , an astronomer at INAF in Torino , Italy .
The research is the latest to try and illuminate the mysterious formation of these cosmic monsters , which are so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their gravitational pull .
In September , two consortiums of some 1,500 scientists reported the discovery of GW190521 , formed by the collision of two smaller black holes .
What scientists observed were gravitational waves produced more than seven billion years ago when they smashed together , releasing eight solar masses worth of energy and creating one of the most powerful events in the Universe since the Big Bang .
At 142 solar masses , GW190521 was the first “ intermediate mass ” black hole ever observed .
Scientists said the finding challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black holes , suggesting it could be through the repeated merger of these mid-sized bodies .

Astronomers have discovered six galaxies ensnared in the cosmic "spider's web" of a supermassive black hole soon after the Big Bang, according to research published Thursday that could help explain the development of these enigmatic monsters.
PARIS (AFP) — Astronomers have discovered six galaxies ensnared in the cosmic "spider's web" of a supermassive black hole soon after the Big Bang, according to research published Thursday that could help explain the development of these enigmatic monsters.
Black holes that emerged early in the history of the Universe are thought to have formed from the collapse of the first stars, but astronomers have puzzled over how they expanded into giants.
The newly discovered black hole -- which dates from when the Universe was not even a billion years old -- weighs in at one billion times the mass of our Sun and was spotted by the European Southern Observatory (ESO).
Scientists said the finding helps provide an explanation for how supermassive black holes such as the one at the center of our Milky Way may have developed.
This is because astronomers believe the filaments trapping the cluster of galaxies are carrying enough gas to "feed" the black hole, enabling it to grow.
"The cosmic web filaments are like spider's web threads," said Marco Mignoli, an astronomer at the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) in Bologna who led the research, which was published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
"The galaxies stand and grow where the filaments cross, and streams of gas -- available to fuel both the galaxies and the central supermassive black hole -- can flow along the filaments."
Mignoli said that until now there had been "no good explanation" for the existence of such huge early black holes.
- 'Tip of the iceberg' -
Researchers said the web structure may have formed with the help of dark matter -- thought to attract huge amounts of gas in the early Universe.
"Our finding lends support to the idea that the most distant and massive black holes form and grow within massive dark matter halos in large-scale structures, and that the absence of earlier detections of such structures was likely due to observational limitations," said co-author Colin Norman of Johns Hopkins University.
The entire web is over 300 times the size of the Milky Way, according to a statement from ESO.
But it said the galaxies are also some of the faintest that current telescopes can spot, adding the discovery was only possible using the largest optical telescopes available, including ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile's Atacama Desert.
"We believe we have just seen the tip of the iceberg, and that the few galaxies discovered so far around this supermassive black hole are only the brightest ones," said co-author Barbara Balmaverde, an astronomer at INAF in Torino, Italy.
The research is the latest to try and illuminate the mysterious formation of these cosmic monsters, which are so dense that not even light can escape their gravitational pull.
In September, two consortiums of some 1,500 scientists reported the discovery of GW190521, formed by the collision of two smaller black holes.
What scientists observed were gravitational waves produced more than seven billion years ago when they smashed together, releasing eight solar masses worth of energy and creating one of the most powerful events in the Universe since the Big Bang.
At 142 solar masses, GW190521 was the first "intermediate mass" black hole ever observed.
Scientists said the finding challenges current theories on the formation of supermassive black holes, suggesting it could be through the repeated merger of these mid-sized bodies.
by Kelly MacNamara
© Agence France-Presse


courthousenews--2020-10-01--California Courts Covid Update

California Courts Covid Update

Sept. 30 , 2020 : Implementation of emergency relief , time extension for holding criminal trials due to pandemic Oct. @ @ @ @ @ for attorneys , new and repealed forms Sept. 24 , 2020 : Expansion of eFiling @ @ @ @ @ Filing Service Providers


courthousenews--2020-10-01--England Bans Plastic Straws After Pandemic-Linked Delay

LONDON ( AP ) — A ban on plastic straws , drink stirrers and cotton buds took effect Thursday in England after a six-month delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Retailers are barred from selling or supplying the disposable items as part of efforts to cut down on pollution from single-use plastics .
There are exemptions for people with disabilities or medical conditions .
The ban was supposed to take effect in April but was put on hold when the country went into a lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
The government has estimated that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 316 million plastic stirrers and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds a year .
Environmental activists welcomed the move but said it did not go far enough .
Tatiana Lujan , plastics lawyer at environmental law charity ClientEarth , said “ these items form only a tiny fraction of single-use plastics , which litter our environment and release toxic substances and greenhouse gas emissions when incinerated — and even when they ’ re made.
” “ Other countries like Ireland and France have shown far more ambition than the U.K. , with targets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
Scotland has already outlawed the plastic items , and Wales and Northern Ireland have promised to ban them .

A ban on plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds took effect Thursday in England after a six-month delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
LONDON (AP) — A ban on plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds took effect Thursday in England after a six-month delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Retailers are barred from selling or supplying the disposable items as part of efforts to cut down on pollution from single-use plastics. There are exemptions for people with disabilities or medical conditions.
The ban was supposed to take effect in April but was put on hold when the country went into a lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The government has estimated that people in England use 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds a year.
Environmental activists welcomed the move but said it did not go far enough.
Tatiana Lujan, plastics lawyer at environmental law charity ClientEarth, said "these items form only a tiny fraction of single-use plastics, which litter our environment and release toxic substances and greenhouse gas emissions when incinerated — and even when they're made."
"Other countries like Ireland and France have shown far more ambition than the U.K., with targets on reusable packaging and deposit return schemes," she said.
Scotland has already outlawed the plastic items, and Wales and Northern Ireland have promised to ban them.