Top Eight

Your Wednesday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News Top eight CNS stories for today including senators confronted Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett about several hot-button issues ; A federal judge extended Virginia ’ s voter registration deadline by two days following an outage caused by a severed cable ; September 2020 broke global records as the warmest such month in recorded history , and more .
Sign up for the CNS Top Eight , a roundup of the day ’ s top stories delivered directly to your inbox Monday through Friday .
1 . )
Picking back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heels of an 11-hour day of questioning , senators confronted the Supreme Court nominee on Wednesday about hot-button issues like abortion , health care , voting rights and the power of the presidency .
2 . )
The Trump administration ’ s decision to abruptly discontinue a 110-year-old survey that helps set minimum wage for immigrant farmworkers will lead to pay cuts for millions of U.S. and guest agricultural laborers across the country , a farmworkers union claims in a new lawsuit .
3 . )
Fighting to revive an excessive-force suit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court that the police shooting of a woman in the back amounted to a seizure .
4 . )
The Justice Department argued in a virtual Supreme Court hearing Wednesday that the burden of proof for a request to cancel an undocumented immigration ’ s removal lies with the person facing deportation , not the government .
5 . )
A federal judge extended Virginia ’ s voter registration deadline by two days Wednesday morning following an outage caused by a severed cable Tuesday , the final scheduled day to register ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Wisconsin officials opened a field hospital at the site of its previously canceled state fair on Wednesday , turning a contingency plan into a necessary reality as the Badger State struggles to rein in one of the worst coronavirus surges in the nation .
7 . )
The white woman who gained notoriety for falsely accusing a Black man of threatening her in Central Park actually called 911 twice that day .
8 . )
September 2020 broke global records as the warmest such month in recorded history , according to federal @ @

Top eight CNS stories for today including senators confronted Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett about several hot-button issues; A federal judge extended Virginia’s voter registration deadline by two days following an outage caused by a severed cable; September 2020 broke global records as the warmest such month in recorded history, and more.
Your Wednesday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News
Top eight CNS stories for today including senators confronted Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett about several hot-button issues; A federal judge extended Virginia’s voter registration deadline by two days following an outage caused by a severed cable; September 2020 broke global records as the warmest such month in recorded history, and more.
Sign up for the CNS Top Eight, a roundup of the day’s top stories delivered directly to your inbox Monday through Friday.
National
1.) Picking back up with Amy Coney Barrett on the heels of an 11-hour day of questioning, senators confronted the Supreme Court nominee on Wednesday about hot-button issues like abortion, health care, voting rights and the power of the presidency.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee during the third day of her confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Pool via AP)
2.) The Trump administration’s decision to abruptly discontinue a 110-year-old survey that helps set minimum wage for immigrant farmworkers will lead to pay cuts for millions of U.S. and guest agricultural laborers across the country, a farmworkers union claims in a new lawsuit.
Courthouse News photo via Pixabay)
3.) Fighting to revive an excessive-force suit, an attorney argued Wednesday before the Supreme Court that the police shooting of a woman in the back amounted to a seizure.
The U.S. Supreme Court. (Jack Rodgers/Courthouse News)
4.) The Justice Department argued in a virtual Supreme Court hearing Wednesday that the burden of proof for a request to cancel an undocumented immigration’s removal lies with the person facing deportation, not the government.
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer looks on during an operation in Escondido, Calif., in July 2019. (Gregory Bull/AP)
Regional
5.) A federal judge extended Virginia’s voter registration deadline by two days Wednesday morning following an outage caused by a severed cable Tuesday, the final scheduled day to register ahead of the 2020 general election.
Voters line up outside to cast ballots in the general election at the Henrico County general registrar's office in Henrico County, Va., Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, on the first day of the state's 45-day early voting period. (Bob Brown/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
6.) Wisconsin officials opened a field hospital at the site of its previously canceled state fair on Wednesday, turning a contingency plan into a necessary reality as the Badger State struggles to rein in one of the worst coronavirus surges in the nation.
An overhead view inside the Milwaukee Covid-19 field hospital. (Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Department of Administration)
7.) The white woman who gained notoriety for falsely accusing a Black man of threatening her in Central Park actually called 911 twice that day.
This image made from Monday, May 25, 2020, video provided by Christian Cooper shows Amy Cooper with her dog talking to Christian Cooper at Central Park in New York. A video of a verbal dispute between Amy Cooper, walking her dog off a leash and Christian Cooper, a black man bird watching in Central Park, is sparking accusations of racism. (Christian Cooper via AP)
International
8.) September 2020 broke global records as the warmest such month in recorded history, according to federal meteorologists.


courthousenews--2020-10-14--PG&E Plans Power Shutoffs As Hot, Dry Winds Invade Northern California

( CN ) — Tens of thousands of Californians could see their electricity shut off Wednesday evening as a dry storm brings dangerous winds to the north part of the state which has already seen record-breaking wildfires this year .
The San Francisco-based Pacific Gas and Electric said in a statement it would cut power to approximately 54,000 of its customers through Friday due to a “ strong and dry offshore wind event ” affecting residents in 24 northern counties and two tribal communities .
Gusty winds fuel intense wildfires but also often knock down trees and branches that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blazes .
Utility companies have used planned power blackouts in the past to avoid having their downed electricity lines sparking fires .
Planned power shutoffs have been utilized twice by PG & E already this wildfire season .
The company faced scrutiny during last year ’ s wildfire season when thousands of Californians went without power for days .
The region could see wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour in some areas and as high as 55 miles per hour at higher elevations and in some canyons through Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The communities PG & E says may be affected by Wednesday ’ s storm include mountainous , forested areas surrounding the San Francisco Bay region , the northern Sierra Nevada foothills , areas around the Calaveras Reservoir , and sections of the Santa Cruz and Big Sur mountains .
The utility began sending alerts to customers Monday , two days before the storm was forecast to begin , and said it is monitoring weather conditions and stands ready to adjust blackout plans if conditions change .
Customers who depend on electricity for critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & E ’ s Medical Baseline Program , officials said , adding that nearly 3,140 program participants would be impacted by shutoffs .
Affected residents can access bottled water , snacks , Wi-Fi and charging stations at one of over 35 PG & E resource centers .
The drop-in centers will follow strict public health guidelines to limit potential spread of Covid-19 .
PG & E claims shutoffs would only impact 1 % of its service range in a region that has experienced thousands of wildfires this year — many sparked by dry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in state history , the over 1 million-acre August Complex fire .
More than 8,400 wildfires have scorched over 4.1 million acres across the Golden State during this historic wildfire season , according to Cal Fire data .
Over 11,000 firefighters continue to battle 13 major and 7 large wildfires across the state , the agency said Wednesday .
The August Complex fire was listed at 76 % containment Wednesday , an indication firefighters have clamped down on fire spread .
The Creek Fire burning near Fresno has burned over 337,000 acres but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the blaze , according to Cal Fire .
The fire has destroyed 856 structures and 22 firefighters and residents have been injured .
The Glass Fire burning in Napa and Solana counties is at over 67,000 acres — up from 60,000 last week — but is now 97 % contained , up from 30 % containment Oct. 5 .
The statewide fire response agency issued a red flag warning Wednesday for Northern California , placing additional firefighters and fire engines on high alert .
“ A red flag warning is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website said .
“ During these times extreme caution is urged by all residents , because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire .
”

Tens of thousands of Californians could see their electricity shut off Wednesday evening as a dry storm brings dangerous winds to the north part of the state which has already seen record-breaking wildfires this year.
(CN) — Tens of thousands of Californians could see their electricity shut off Wednesday evening as a dry storm brings dangerous winds to the north part of the state which has already seen record-breaking wildfires this year.
The San Francisco-based Pacific Gas and Electric said in a statement it would cut power to approximately 54,000 of its customers through Friday due to a “strong and dry offshore wind event” affecting residents in 24 northern counties and two tribal communities.
Gusty winds fuel intense wildfires but also often knock down trees and branches that can collapse onto power lines and start more blazes. Utility companies have used planned power blackouts in the past to avoid having their downed electricity lines sparking fires.
Planned power shutoffs have been utilized twice by PG&E already this wildfire season. The company faced scrutiny during last year’s wildfire season when thousands of Californians went without power for days.
The region could see wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour in some areas and as high as 55 miles per hour at higher elevations and in some canyons through Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
The communities PG&E says may be affected by Wednesday’s storm include mountainous, forested areas surrounding the San Francisco Bay region, the northern Sierra Nevada foothills, areas around the Calaveras Reservoir, and sections of the Santa Cruz and Big Sur mountains.
Counties receiving power shutoff alerts include Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lake, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo and Yuba.
The utility began sending alerts to customers Monday, two days before the storm was forecast to begin, and said it is monitoring weather conditions and stands ready to adjust blackout plans if conditions change.
Customers who depend on electricity for critical life-sustaining equipment should register with the PG&E’s Medical Baseline Program, officials said, adding that nearly 3,140 program participants would be impacted by shutoffs.
Affected residents can access bottled water, snacks, Wi-Fi and charging stations at one of over 35 PG&E resource centers. The drop-in centers will follow strict public health guidelines to limit potential spread of Covid-19.
PG&E claims shutoffs would only impact 1% of its service range in a region that has experienced thousands of wildfires this year — many sparked by dry lightning strikes — including the largest fire in state history, the over 1 million-acre August Complex fire.
More than 8,400 wildfires have scorched over 4.1 million acres across the Golden State during this historic wildfire season, according to Cal Fire data.
Over 11,000 firefighters continue to battle 13 major and 7 large wildfires across the state, the agency said Wednesday.
The August Complex fire was listed at 76% containment Wednesday, an indication firefighters have clamped down on fire spread.
The Creek Fire burning near Fresno has burned over 337,000 acres but firefighters there have managed to contain 55% of the blaze, according to Cal Fire. The fire has destroyed 856 structures and 22 firefighters and residents have been injured.
The Glass Fire burning in Napa and Solana counties is at over 67,000 acres — up from 60,000 last week — but is now 97% contained, up from 30% containment Oct. 5.
The statewide fire response agency issued a red flag warning Wednesday for Northern California, placing additional firefighters and fire engines on high alert.
“A red flag warning is the highest alert,” the Cal Fire website said. “During these times extreme caution is urged by all residents, because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire.”


courthousenews--2020-10-14--Union Challenges Trump Plan to Ditch Farmworker Wage Survey

( CN ) — The Trump administration ’ s decision to abruptly discontinue a 110-year-old survey that helps set minimum wage for immigrant farmworkers will lead to pay cuts for millions of U.S. and guest agricultural laborers across the country , a farmworkers union claims in a new lawsuit .
“ How can Donald Trump justify slashing pay for all farm workers in the U.S. , which means cutting wages by up to a quarter or a half in some states ?
” United Farm Workers president Teresa Romero said in a statement Wednesday .
Romero also claims the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppressing the wages of field workers at his vineyard in Charlottesville , Virginia .
The lawsuit filed in federal court in Fresno , California , on Tuesday night challenges the U.S. Department of Agriculture ’ s Sept. 30 decision to end data collection for the biannual Agricultural Labor Survey , also called the Farm Labor Survey , which first started in 1910 .
The most recent survey results , released in May , reported 688,000 farmworkers during one week in April were paid $ 15.07 hourly on average , a 9 % increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is used to calculate the U.S. Department of Labor ’ s Adverse Effect Wage Rates , a minimum wage that must be paid to guest farmworkers under the H-2A temporary agricultural workers program .
Without the Labor Department ’ s minimum wage for temporary workers , farms could pay state or federal minimum wage , resulting in pay cuts of over 5 % for workers in California , up to 27 % in Oregon and 46 % in Idaho , according to the lawsuit .
In its Sept. 30 decision , the USDA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be used to replace the information collected in the biannual survey .
It lists six other potential sources : the Agricultural Resources Management Survey , Census of Agriculture , American Community Survey , Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages , National Economic Accounts , and the National Agricultural Workers Survey .
The USDA said its National Agricultural Statistics Service would not be collecting farmworker wage data in October or publishing a report in November as previously planned .
In its 26-page lawsuit , United Farm Workers — the largest agricultural union in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide an adequate justification , consider all issues relevant to its decision or provide notice and an opportunity for public comment as required by the Administrative Procedure Act .
“ While the notice asserts that alternative data sources can substitute for [ Farm Labor Survey ] data , it provides no explanation for how these other surveys will replace the many unique attributes of FLS data , ” the union says in its complaint .
One source the USDA identified as a potential alternative — the National Agricultural Workers Survey – relies on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ input ” and is not as comprehensive as the FLS , according to the lawsuit .
The union says the USDA failed to address the impact its decision will have on the Labor Department ’ s ability to calculate minimum wage for guest farmworkers and the use of that survey data to guide policy decisions for other federal , state and local agencies .
In 2010 , the Labor Department found that relying on other sources instead of FLS data to calculate minimum wage for guest farmworkers in 2009 resulted in more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11.2 % cut compared to the $ 9.04 wage calculated based on FLS data .
The United States has approximately 2.5 million farmworkers , many of whom receive assistance from the government or the United Farm Workers Foundation , a charitable arm of the union which has distributed 189,000 meals and over 27,000 food boxes to California farmworkers in 2020 .
In a statement Wednesday , the union said “ already low-paid ” farmworkers are considered essential employees during the Covid-19 pandemic and required to toil in the fields .
Despite putting their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help feed America , the Trump administration is attempting to cut their pay , the union claims .
“ The Trump administration has corrupted a fundamental principle of the H-2A agricultural guest worker program by making it impossible for federal officials to protect American worker pay from being depressed by an influx of foreign guest workers who have fewer legal rights , ” UFW Foundation executive director Diana Tellefson Torres said in a statement Wednesday .
“ This is happening in the middle of a pandemic that is already devastating rural farmworker communities.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ permanent injunction to block USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue from discontinuing the biannual farm labor survey .
Attorney Joseph Taylor Gooch of the firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr in San Francisco represents the union .
The USDA did not immediately return an email request for comment Wednesday morning .

The Trump administration’s decision to abruptly discontinue a 110-year-old survey that helps set minimum wage for immigrant farmworkers will lead to pay cuts for millions of U.S. and guest agricultural laborers across the country, a farmworkers union claims in a new lawsuit.
(CN) — The Trump administration’s decision to abruptly discontinue a 110-year-old survey that helps set minimum wage for immigrant farmworkers will lead to pay cuts for millions of U.S. and guest agricultural laborers across the country, a farmworkers union claims in a new lawsuit.
“How can Donald Trump justify slashing pay for all farm workers in the U.S., which means cutting wages by up to a quarter or a half in some states?” United Farm Workers president Teresa Romero said in a statement Wednesday.
Romero also claims the president will personally benefit from the decision by suppressing the wages of field workers at his vineyard in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The lawsuit filed in federal court in Fresno, California, on Tuesday night challenges the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Sept. 30 decision to end data collection for the biannual Agricultural Labor Survey, also called the Farm Labor Survey, which first started in 1910.
The most recent survey results, released in May, reported 688,000 farmworkers during one week in April were paid $15.07 hourly on average, a 9% increase over the previous year. That data is used to calculate the U.S. Department of Labor’s Adverse Effect Wage Rates, a minimum wage that must be paid to guest farmworkers under the H-2A temporary agricultural workers program.
Without the Labor Department’s minimum wage for temporary workers, farms could pay state or federal minimum wage, resulting in pay cuts of over 5% for workers in California, up to 27% in Oregon and 46% in Idaho, according to the lawsuit.
In its Sept. 30 decision, the USDA said it found other data sources can be used to replace the information collected in the biannual survey. It lists six other potential sources: the Agricultural Resources Management Survey, Census of Agriculture, American Community Survey, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, National Economic Accounts, and the National Agricultural Workers Survey.
The USDA said its National Agricultural Statistics Service would not be collecting farmworker wage data in October or publishing a report in November as previously planned.
In its 26-page lawsuit, United Farm Workers — the largest agricultural union in the U.S. — claims the USDA failed to provide an adequate justification, consider all issues relevant to its decision or provide notice and an opportunity for public comment as required by the Administrative Procedure Act.
“While the notice asserts that alternative data sources can substitute for [Farm Labor Survey] data, it provides no explanation for how these other surveys will replace the many unique attributes of FLS data,” the union says in its complaint.
One source the USDA identified as a potential alternative — the National Agricultural Workers Survey – relies on FLS data as a “crucial methodological input” and is not as comprehensive as the FLS, according to the lawsuit.
The union says the USDA failed to address the impact its decision will have on the Labor Department’s ability to calculate minimum wage for guest farmworkers and the use of that survey data to guide policy decisions for other federal, state and local agencies.
In 2010, the Labor Department found that relying on other sources instead of FLS data to calculate minimum wage for guest farmworkers in 2009 resulted in more than one dollar less per hour, a 11.2% cut compared to the $9.04 wage calculated based on FLS data.
The United States has approximately 2.5 million farmworkers, many of whom receive assistance from the government or the United Farm Workers Foundation, a charitable arm of the union which has distributed 189,000 meals and over 27,000 food boxes to California farmworkers in 2020.
In a statement Wednesday, the union said “already low-paid” farmworkers are considered essential employees during the Covid-19 pandemic and required to toil in the fields. Despite putting their health and safety on the line to help feed America, the Trump administration is attempting to cut their pay, the union claims.
“The Trump administration has corrupted a fundamental principle of the H-2A agricultural guest worker program by making it impossible for federal officials to protect American worker pay from being depressed by an influx of foreign guest workers who have fewer legal rights,” UFW Foundation executive director Diana Tellefson Torres said in a statement Wednesday. “This is happening in the middle of a pandemic that is already devastating rural farmworker communities.”
The union seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction to block USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue from discontinuing the biannual farm labor survey.
Attorney Joseph Taylor Gooch of the firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr in San Francisco represents the union.
The USDA did not immediately return an email request for comment Wednesday morning.


courthousenews--2020-10-14--Earth Saw Warmest September on Record

Earth Saw Warmest September on Record

( CN ) — September 2020 broke global records as the warmest such month in recorded history , according to federal meteorologists .
The global surface and ocean temperatures exceeded the 20th century average for the month of September by a full 1.75 degrees Fahrenheit , outstripping the previous record by .04 degrees .
“ Warmer-than-average temperatures were present across much of the globe during September 2020 , ” the report by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information states .
Parts of the North Pacific Ocean , southwestern Canada , the western contiguous U.S. , South America , Europe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all experienced higher than average temperatures .
In Antarctica , temperatures were at least 2.7 degrees above average .
The month marked the 429th in a row where the average global temperatures exceeded the 20th-century average .
That means Earth has been hotter than average for just shy of 36 years .
What ’ s more , the hottest Septembers have all occurred since 2005 and the seven warmest have happened in the last seven years .
“ Overall , about 8.49 % of the world ’ s land and ocean surfaces had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency said .
“ This was the second-highest September percentage since records began in 1951 , behind September 2015.
” Nowhere was more affected by the hotter temperatures than Europe , where the average temperatures were 2.33 degrees higher than the 20th-century average — the largest departure from average of any of the continents .
“ Europe ’ s five warmest Septembers have occurred since 2006 , ” the report states .
The Netherlands set a record when it recorded a temperature of 95 degrees on Sept. 15 , recorded in the town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also hit North America hard , particularly the American West where the soaring mercury combined with high winds and dry conditions to spark a record-setting fire season .
In California , more than 4 million acres of land have been blackened by more than 30 major fires that began in August , September and continue to burn into October .
One fire in the northern portion of the state burned more than a million acres , easily becoming the largest wildland fire in Golden State history .
Washington state and Oregon also experienced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states in the Rocky Mountain region during the warm September .
Globally , the Kingdom of Bahrain experienced warmer than usual weather that underscores the atypical heat that many corners of the planet experienced last month .
The country weathered a 10-day stretch beginning in early September where the thermometer exceeded 104 degrees Fahrenheit at least once every day , and its mean temperature for September was the highest on record .
September was not an anomaly either , as the preceding months in the calendar also say soaring temps .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 ending as the warmest year on record and about 35 % chance of it being the second warmest year on record , ” the report states .
The agency has been keeping temperature records for 141 years .
All of this year ’ s heat has also affected the globe ’ s poles , with the Arctic recording the second-smallest sea ice extent in the 42-year satellite record .
“ On Sept. 15 , the Arctic sea ice extent reached its minimum annual extent of 1.44 million square miles , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind Sept. 17 , 2012 , ” the report states .
“ The 14 smallest minimum annual extents have occurred in the last 14 years .
”

September 2020 broke global records as the warmest such month in recorded history, according to federal meteorologists.
(CN) — September 2020 broke global records as the warmest such month in recorded history, according to federal meteorologists.
The global surface and ocean temperatures exceeded the 20th century average for the month of September by a full 1.75 degrees Fahrenheit, outstripping the previous record by .04 degrees.
“Warmer-than-average temperatures were present across much of the globe during September 2020,” the report by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information states.
Parts of the North Pacific Ocean, southwestern Canada, the western contiguous U.S., South America, Europe, northern and southeastern Asia, and Australia all experienced higher than average temperatures.
In Antarctica, temperatures were at least 2.7 degrees above average.
The month marked the 429th in a row where the average global temperatures exceeded the 20th-century average. That means Earth has been hotter than average for just shy of 36 years.
What’s more, the hottest Septembers have all occurred since 2005 and the seven warmest have happened in the last seven years.
“Overall, about 8.49% of the world's land and ocean surfaces had a record-warm September temperature,” the agency said. “This was the second-highest September percentage since records began in 1951, behind September 2015.”
Nowhere was more affected by the hotter temperatures than Europe, where the average temperatures were 2.33 degrees higher than the 20th-century average — the largest departure from average of any of the continents.
“Europe's five warmest Septembers have occurred since 2006,” the report states.
The Netherlands set a record when it recorded a temperature of 95 degrees on Sept. 15, recorded in the town of Gilze-Rijen.
The record warm temperatures also hit North America hard, particularly the American West where the soaring mercury combined with high winds and dry conditions to spark a record-setting fire season.
In California, more than 4 million acres of land have been blackened by more than 30 major fires that began in August, September and continue to burn into October. One fire in the northern portion of the state burned more than a million acres, easily becoming the largest wildland fire in Golden State history.
Washington state and Oregon also experienced record wildfires as did many of the states in the Rocky Mountain region during the warm September.
Globally, the Kingdom of Bahrain experienced warmer than usual weather that underscores the atypical heat that many corners of the planet experienced last month. The country weathered a 10-day stretch beginning in early September where the thermometer exceeded 104 degrees Fahrenheit at least once every day, and its mean temperature for September was the highest on record.
September was not an anomaly either, as the preceding months in the calendar also say soaring temps.
“There is nearly a 65% chance of 2020 ending as the warmest year on record and about 35% chance of it being the second warmest year on record,” the report states.
The agency has been keeping temperature records for 141 years.
All of this year’s heat has also affected the globe’s poles, with the Arctic recording the second-smallest sea ice extent in the 42-year satellite record.
“On Sept. 15, the Arctic sea ice extent reached its minimum annual extent of 1.44 million square miles, which is the second-smallest minimum extent on record, behind Sept. 17, 2012,” the report states. “The 14 smallest minimum annual extents have occurred in the last 14 years.”


courthousenews--2020-10-15--Biden Raises Record-Shattering $383 Million in September

( CN ) — Joe Biden announced Wednesday evening that his campaign along with the Democratic National Committee raised $ 383 million for the month of September , breaking their record of $ 364.5 million in August .
As the campaign enters the final three weeks before Election Day , Biden has managed to raise three-quarters-of-a-billion dollars in two months .
Biden campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillon said the campaign now has $ 432 million in the bank .
That number is slightly lower from the $ 466 the campaign started with at the beginning of September as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s campaign on advertising in several battleground states .
Dillon said a lot of the funds came from individuals who contributed an average $ 44 .
“ Our success has been driven by our grassroots supporters .
$ 203 million came from online donors .
We had 1.1 million new donors last month — bringing the total to 5.5 million donors throughout this campaign , ” she tweeted .
The fundraising vastly overshadowed the Hillary Clinton campaign when it raised $ 154 in September 2016 .
In a video posted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the donations .
“ That ’ s more money than I ’ ve ever raised in my whole life , ” he said .
“ I ’ m really humbled by it.
” Biden greatly benefitted from the Sept. 29 presidential debate when his campaign took in $ 10 million in just three hours .
Biden struggled in the money race early in the year before the Democratic primaries , but that quickly changed after grabbing resounding victories in South Carolina and on Super Tuesday .
His campaign raised just $ 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February .
By summer , Biden had closed the gap in fundraising between his campaign and Trump ’ s .
Biden and the Democrats led Trump ’ s campaign in fundraising in August , raising $ 364.5 million to $ 210 million for Trump and Republicans .
The Trump campaign and GOP have yet to release their fundraising numbers for September , though they are expected to by Oct. 20 , the deadline for filing campaign finance reports .

Joe Biden announced Wednesday evening that his campaign along with the Democratic National Committee raised $383 million for the month of September, breaking their record of $364.5 million in August.
(CN) — Joe Biden announced Wednesday evening that his campaign along with the Democratic National Committee raised $383 million for the month of September, breaking their record of $364.5 million in August.
As the campaign enters the final three weeks before Election Day, Biden has managed to raise three-quarters-of-a-billion dollars in two months.
Biden campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon said the campaign now has $432 million in the bank.
That number is slightly lower from the $466 the campaign started with at the beginning of September as the campaign has begun outspending President Donald Trump's campaign on advertising in several battleground states.
Dillon said a lot of the funds came from individuals who contributed an average $44.
"Our success has been driven by our grassroots supporters. $203 million came from online donors. We had 1.1 million new donors last month — bringing the total to 5.5 million donors throughout this campaign," she tweeted.
The fundraising vastly overshadowed the Hillary Clinton campaign when it raised $154 in September 2016.
In a video posted on Twitter, Biden said he was thankful for the donations.
"That's more money than I've ever raised in my whole life," he said. "I'm really humbled by it."
Biden greatly benefitted from the Sept. 29 presidential debate when his campaign took in $10 million in just three hours.
Biden struggled in the money race early in the year before the Democratic primaries, but that quickly changed after grabbing resounding victories in South Carolina and on Super Tuesday. His campaign raised just $26 million for the months of January and February.
By summer, Biden had closed the gap in fundraising between his campaign and Trump's. Biden and the Democrats led Trump's campaign in fundraising in August, raising $364.5 million to $210 million for Trump and Republicans.
The Trump campaign and GOP have yet to release their fundraising numbers for September, though they are expected to by Oct. 20, the deadline for filing campaign finance reports.


courthousenews--2020-10-15--Federal Judge Bars California’s Ban on Sale of Alligator and Crocodile Skins

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( CN ) — California retailers won a temporary reprieve this week from a statewide ban on the sale of products made from alligator and crocodile skins .
A federal judge issued an injunction barring the state from enforcing a law that criminalizes sale and importation of alligator and crocodile parts in California .
Shopkeepers throughout the state joined forces with alligator farmers in a 2019 lawsuit , claiming the law will decimate the alligator skin trade and drive them out of business .
U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller issued a temporary restraining order in December , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its scheduled date of Jan. 1 , 2020 .
Mueller ’ s latest ruling issued Tuesday went a step further , finding the ban preempted by the federal Endangered Species Act .
“ The question is not which policy better protects animals , but whether state or federal law controls .
Although California has its own interest in protecting animals , the reach of that interest ends where the preemptive effect of federal law begins , ” Mueller wrote .
Mueller ’ s ruling is not the first of its kind .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocked then-Gov .
Jerry Brown from enforcing a prohibition on the American alligator trade in Fouke Co. v. Brown because of federal ESA preemption .
The California Legislature lifted the ban in 2006 , but added a sunset provision that would reinstate it in 2010 , once again making the importation and sale of alligator and crocodile parts illegal .
Several amendments deferred the sunset provision until Jan. 1 , 2020 .
According to court documents , California comprises 30 % of retail sales for luxury leather goods .
In declarations filed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the complete liquidation of their inventories and forced relocation out of California .
The effect of the ban extends beyond swanky boutiques .
Hard-hit alligator farmers implored Mueller to put a stop to the law , noting that the once-endangered American alligator has recovered due to Louisiana ’ s sustainable egg-harvesting program .
“ Alligators are a renewable natural resource .
By placing an economic value on alligators , landowners are offered incentives to not only conserve wetlands but also enhance them , and ultimately increase alligator populations , ” said Stephen Sagrera @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ranchers Association , in a declaration .
The state also participates in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora , a permit system that requires each harvested animal to be tagged with a special serial number to keep track of alligator and crocodile populations .
Farmers must also release 10 % of their farm-raised alligators and enter into strictly-regulated contracts with landowners to collect their eggs , further bolstering conservation efforts by providing an incentive to protect the Louisiana wetlands and ensuring a sustainable population .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs and good wages in rural areas where such opportunities are scarce , but many association members have said they will have to lay off workers should the California ban take effect .
Mueller said she weighed those hardships when making her ruling .
“ It appears there would be no way to remedy after the fact the harms plaintiff would suffer without an injunction , ” she wrote .
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra ’ s office did not respond for an email seeking comment Wednesday .
Mueller consolidated the retailers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge brought by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission .
In an email , commission president Bill Hogan said , “ We are encouraged by the court ’ s decision .
We know this is the first step and not the last .
But , it gives Louisiana ’ s vital alligator industry the ability to continue operating in California and beyond .
”

California retailers won a temporary reprieve this week from a statewide ban on the sale of products made from alligator and crocodile skins.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — California retailers won a temporary reprieve this week from a statewide ban on the sale of products made from alligator and crocodile skins.
A federal judge issued an injunction barring the state from enforcing a law that criminalizes sale and importation of alligator and crocodile parts in California.
Shopkeepers throughout the state joined forces with alligator farmers in a 2019 lawsuit, claiming the law will decimate the alligator skin trade and drive them out of business. U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller issued a temporary restraining order in December, preventing the ban from taking effect on its scheduled date of Jan. 1, 2020.
Mueller’s latest ruling issued Tuesday went a step further, finding the ban preempted by the federal Endangered Species Act.
"The question is not which policy better protects animals, but whether state or federal law controls. Although California has its own interest in protecting animals, the reach of that interest ends where the preemptive effect of federal law begins,” Mueller wrote.
Mueller’s ruling is not the first of its kind. In 1979, a federal judge in California blocked then-Gov. Jerry Brown from enforcing a prohibition on the American alligator trade in Fouke Co. v. Brown because of federal ESA preemption.
The California Legislature lifted the ban in 2006, but added a sunset provision that would reinstate it in 2010, once again making the importation and sale of alligator and crocodile parts illegal. Several amendments deferred the sunset provision until Jan. 1, 2020.
According to court documents, California comprises 30% of retail sales for luxury leather goods. In declarations filed with the court, Beverly Hills retailers bemoaned the complete liquidation of their inventories and forced relocation out of California.
The effect of the ban extends beyond swanky boutiques. Hard-hit alligator farmers implored Mueller to put a stop to the law, noting that the once-endangered American alligator has recovered due to Louisiana’s sustainable egg-harvesting program.
“Alligators are a renewable natural resource. By placing an economic value on alligators, landowners are offered incentives to not only conserve wetlands but also enhance them, and ultimately increase alligator populations,” said Stephen Sagrera, president of the Louisiana Alligator Farmers and Ranchers Association, in a declaration.
The state also participates in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, a permit system that requires each harvested animal to be tagged with a special serial number to keep track of alligator and crocodile populations.
Farmers must also release 10% of their farm-raised alligators and enter into strictly-regulated contracts with landowners to collect their eggs, further bolstering conservation efforts by providing an incentive to protect the Louisiana wetlands and ensuring a sustainable population.
Sagrera said alligator farmers also provide steady jobs and good wages in rural areas where such opportunities are scarce, but many association members have said they will have to lay off workers should the California ban take effect.
Mueller said she weighed those hardships when making her ruling.
“It appears there would be no way to remedy after the fact the harms plaintiff would suffer without an injunction,” she wrote.
In a phone interview, the plaintiffs' attorney David Frulla praised Mueller's ruling.
“I think we very much appreciate that the judge recognized the economic concerns involved and also that there is a sustainability regime built into trade for alligators and crocodiles,” Frulla said.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s office did not respond for an email seeking comment Wednesday.
Mueller consolidated the retailers’ and farmers’ lawsuit with a separate challenge brought by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
In an email, commission president Bill Hogan said, “We are encouraged by the court’s decision. We know this is the first step and not the last. But, it gives Louisiana’s vital alligator industry the ability to continue operating in California and beyond.”


courthousenews--2020-10-15--Plan to Reduce Australian Carp Numbers Using a Virus Bound to Fail, Study Shows

( CN ) — A multifaceted plan to reduce the numbers of invasive common carp in Australia by introducing a virus into the population is “ dead in the water ” and should be abandoned , according to an analysis of the strategy released Thursday by England-based researchers .
Carp now make up the vast majority of the biomass in Australian waterways after initially being introduced to the continent in the 1800s .
Since that introduction , carp have caused massive ecological damage in Australia , in part by uprooting vegetation at the base of rivers where their activity also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapid growth of carp populations worldwide is tied to the fish ’ s popularity in fish farming operations and recreational angling .
That growth has also undercut the health and productivity of other species worldwide .
Australian government scientists are seeking approval of their $ 15 million plan to release the koi herpesvirus into the continent ’ s largest freshwater supply in order to kill the non-native carp population .
British-based researchers from the University of Exeter and the University of East Anglia examined the plan and shared their findings Thursday in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the University of Exeter said in a statement released with the study that the plan to spark a KHV outbreak in waterways should be dropped .
Even if the plan succeeds in depleting a high percentage of the carp population , introducing a foreign pathogen into a fragile ecosystem could have negative effects on native species in waterways , Lighten said .
“ Viral biocontrol is highly questionable and , as our study shows , it is unlikely to reduce carp numbers in the long term , ” Lighten said .
Lighten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carp would eventually evolve resistance to the KHV virus and quickly recover from any population decline .
“ Releasing KHV carries significant risks to human and ecosystem health , which likely outweigh the benefits , and we have previously urged further detailed research to avoid an unnecessary ecological catastrophe , ” Lighten said .
“ Based on our findings , we believe the plan to control Australia ’ s carp with KHV is dead in the water.
” The KHV strain has been used to kill millions of carp worldwide and first appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the late 1990s , according to the study titled “ Genetic variation in resistance and high fecundity impede viral biocontrol of invasive fish.
” Computer simulation modelling was used in the study to determine the effectiveness of using KHV , with researchers noting the virus resistance that already resides in the global carp population .
Katie Mintram of the University of Exeter said in the statement modelling allowed researchers to assess the risks and likely outcomes of releasing KHV into the ecosystem .
“ We built a simulation model which allowed us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus and disease resistance , to estimate how long it would take carp populations to recover even if 95 % of them were wiped out , ” Mintram said .
“ We show that the biological characteristics of the carp , including their rapid breeding rates , allow infected populations to recover rapidly with individuals that are KHV resistant.
” Lighten previously presented at the Australian Senate arguing that the nation ’ s National Carp Control Program wasn ’ t rooted in a comprehensive examination of all conditions .
Cock van Oosterhout of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statement that NCCP officials failed to take into account researchers findings , which are rooted in the strongest disease projection models .
“ The modelling strategy that we took is a very powerful way to assess how disease can spread among individuals within a population , ” said Van Oosterhout .
“ It ’ s an ‘ individual based model , ’ which is similar to those used by scientists around the world to understand and prevent the spread of Covid-19 .
Also , they didn ’ t model the impact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understanding the epidemiology of infectious disease.
” Researchers recommend the Australian government invest in restoring native plant ecosystems , which would reduce habitat for carp .
Another recommendation is to invest in habitat restoration and reviving the health of Australian water systems , such as by reducing the volume of water extracted from the Murray-Darling Basin , researchers said .
“ We recommend that the Australian government takes bold steps to significantly improve the health of its waterways , rather than releasing a potentially catastrophic virus into its ecosystems , ” Lighten said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in large parts of Australia , so the first step must be to reduce the amount of water extracted for thirsty crops such as cotton .
”

A multifaceted plan to reduce the numbers of invasive common carp in Australia by introducing a virus into the population is “dead in the water” and should be abandoned, according to an analysis of the strategy released Thursday by England-based researchers.
(CN) — A multifaceted plan to reduce the numbers of invasive common carp in Australia by introducing a virus into the population is “dead in the water” and should be abandoned, according to an analysis of the strategy released Thursday by England-based researchers.
Carp now make up the vast majority of the biomass in Australian waterways after initially being introduced to the continent in the 1800s.
Since that introduction, carp have caused massive ecological damage in Australia, in part by uprooting vegetation at the base of rivers where their activity also increases sediment in the water.
The rapid growth of carp populations worldwide is tied to the fish’s popularity in fish farming operations and recreational angling. That growth has also undercut the health and productivity of other species worldwide.
FILE - In this June 13, 2012, file photo, Asian carp, jolted by an electric current from a research boat, jump from the Illinois River near Havana, Ill. Outgoing Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has rejected Michigan's offer of $8 million to help support a project to keep invasive carp from establishing themselves in the Great Lakes. Rauner, a Republican, said in a letter in Dec. 2018 to term-limited Gov. Rick Snyder that Michigan's offer to support operations and maintenance at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Ill., "isn't of much use" until after the improvement project there is completed in 10 years. (AP Photo/John Flesher, File)
Australian government scientists are seeking approval of their $15 million plan to release the koi herpesvirus into the continent's largest freshwater supply in order to kill the non-native carp population.
British-based researchers from the University of Exeter and the University of East Anglia examined the plan and shared their findings Thursday in the Journal of Applied Ecology.
Jackie Lighten of the University of Exeter said in a statement released with the study that the plan to spark a KHV outbreak in waterways should be dropped.
Even if the plan succeeds in depleting a high percentage of the carp population, introducing a foreign pathogen into a fragile ecosystem could have negative effects on native species in waterways, Lighten said.
“Viral biocontrol is highly questionable and, as our study shows, it is unlikely to reduce carp numbers in the long term,” Lighten said.
Lighten and colleagues found that the Australian common carp would eventually evolve resistance to the KHV virus and quickly recover from any population decline.
“Releasing KHV carries significant risks to human and ecosystem health, which likely outweigh the benefits, and we have previously urged further detailed research to avoid an unnecessary ecological catastrophe,” Lighten said. “Based on our findings, we believe the plan to control Australia's carp with KHV is dead in the water.”
The KHV strain has been used to kill millions of carp worldwide and first appeared in European aquaculture and fish farming facilities in the late 1990s, according to the study titled "Genetic variation in resistance and high fecundity impede viral biocontrol of invasive fish."
Computer simulation modelling was used in the study to determine the effectiveness of using KHV, with researchers noting the virus resistance that already resides in the global carp population.
Katie Mintram of the University of Exeter said in the statement modelling allowed researchers to assess the risks and likely outcomes of releasing KHV into the ecosystem.
“We built a simulation model which allowed us to examine realistic interactions among carp, virus and disease resistance, to estimate how long it would take carp populations to recover even if 95% of them were wiped out,” Mintram said. “We show that the biological characteristics of the carp, including their rapid breeding rates, allow infected populations to recover rapidly with individuals that are KHV resistant.”
Lighten previously presented at the Australian Senate arguing that the nation’s National Carp Control Program wasn’t rooted in a comprehensive examination of all conditions.
Cock van Oosterhout of the University of East Anglia said in the statement that NCCP officials failed to take into account researchers findings, which are rooted in the strongest disease projection models.
“The modelling strategy that we took is a very powerful way to assess how disease can spread among individuals within a population,” said Van Oosterhout. “It's an ‘individual based model,’ which is similar to those used by scientists around the world to understand and prevent the spread of Covid-19. Also, they didn't model the impact of disease resistance, which is crucial in understanding the epidemiology of infectious disease.”
Researchers recommend the Australian government invest in restoring native plant ecosystems, which would reduce habitat for carp.
Another recommendation is to invest in habitat restoration and reviving the health of Australian water systems, such as by reducing the volume of water extracted from the Murray-Darling Basin, researchers said.
“We recommend that the Australian government takes bold steps to significantly improve the health of its waterways, rather than releasing a potentially catastrophic virus into its ecosystems,” Lighten said. “Freshwater is in desperate shortage in large parts of Australia, so the first step must be to reduce the amount of water extracted for thirsty crops such as cotton.”


Civics Education

PROVIDENCE , R.I. — A federal court in Rhode Island dismissed a putative class action brought by students who claimed @ @ @ @ @ an adequate civics education .
However , the court commended the plaintiffs for bringing the @ @ @ @ @ suit “ highlights a deep flaw in our national education priorities and policies .
”

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.


SeaWorld

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal court in California dismissed claims against SeaWorld brought by two women who claimed they would @ @ @ @ @ the theme park — one bought a ticket , the other a Shamu plush toy @ @ @ @ @ statements the park made about its orcas were false .


Mask Exemption

NEW ORLEANS — The Fifth Circuit revived part of a suit challenging certain voting procedures in Texas during the Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ mandating mask-wearing in public exempts poll workers , voters and others in polling places , @ @ @ @ @ excise that provision — if it violates the Voting Rights Act — without “ substantially @ @ @ @ @ , the circuit court ruled .


Curbside Voting

HOUSTON — An appeals court in Texas tossed the Texas Republican Party ’ s lawsuit seeking limitations on “ drive-thru @ @ @ @ @ Harris County because the election is already in progress and the party waited over a @ @ @ @ @ announced that any registered voter could participate in such voting programs .


Embezzlement

LOS ANGELES — Robin DiMaggio , the former musical director of “ the Arsenio Hall Show ” was sentenced to @ @ @ @ @ for embezzling close to $ 1 million from a charity show that was supposed to @ @ @ @ @ across the globe .


courthousenews--2020-10-15--State Bar Committee Votes to Expand Access to Licensing Program Amid Pandemic

SAN FRANCISCO ( CN ) — A State Bar committee voted Wednesday to extend a temporary licensing program to anyone who took the California bar exam in the last five years and earned a score that meets the new minimum standard .
The program essentially functions as an apprenticeship .
Participants must be employed by or have an offer from a law firm based in California , and must practice under the watch of a licensed supervising lawyer in good standing with the bar .
While candidates need not have taken or passed the bar exam to participate in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as provisionally-licensed .
The program will end in June 2022 , and for now , participants will still need to pass the bar exam to become fully licensed .
The State Bar ’ s provisional licensure working group created the program at the direction of the California Supreme Court , which lowered the passing score for the bar exam from 1440 to 1390 in July , but only for those taking the test in October 2020 and beyond .
Its decision prompted a flood of letters and petitions for retroactivity to past bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution asking the court to apply the lower passing score as far back as July 2015 .
The court declined to do so , and has no plans to revisit the matter .
The Bar ’ s board of trustees approved the program for 2020 law school graduates in September .
The California Supreme Court will still need to give its blessing and is expected to take it up next week .
On a video call Wednesday , working group member Dolores Heisinger said she felt compelled to express her frustration at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are astounding .
The moment the Supreme Court lowered the bar , that threw a whole new bunch of questions up in the air , ” Heisinger said .
“ For instance , a February 2020 graduate who scored 1390 must go through the provisional licensure program in order to receive licensure .
Nine months later , someone taking the October 2020 exam and getting a 1390 score will move directly to licensure .
That ’ s one of the many many questions of unfairness that this automatically raises.
” Her view was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the working group who also said he had heard no principled argument for why anyone who scored 1390 in the past shouldn ’ t be eligible for provisional licensing , regardless of when they sat for the exam .
Group chair Hailyn Chen said some have raised a concern about waning legal knowledge with the passage of time .
“ It ’ s been awhile since those folks were in law school or studied for the bar exam , so basic legal principles might be far out of their mind , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s one argument , I suppose.
” Representing the high court ’ s view , Supreme Court senior attorney Greg Fortescue , urged the group to consider the State Bar ’ s primary mission of protecting the public .
“ We want to make sure these people are competent to practice law , ” he said .
“ I would be hesitant to unleash those people into the legal practice without having some sense of whether they have maintained competency.
” No one seemed opposed to making eligibility retroactive to at least three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reference to a “ standard setting study ” from 2017 that it used to inform its decision to lower the passing score for the exam .
The group then went further , voting to open the program up to anyone who took the exam in July 2015 or later , a time period based on State Bar Rule 4.17 allowing admission to the bar up to five years after taking the exam .
Neil Gupta , the principal attorney to Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye , said the vote will render roughly 2,000 eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett said , “ I ’ m less concerned now about making room for these folks .
The numbers are not enormous.
” The group stopped short of recommending provisional licensure as an alternative pathway to becoming an attorney , vowing to revisit the issue at a meeting later this month .
The group will have to move quickly to have something for the Board of Trustees to vote on when they meet Nov. 19 .
Carol Langford , a group member and adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco School of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while to figure out how such a pathway to licensure will work without the bar exam .
“ The Supreme Court has spoken .
We know that they are worried .
We have to pay attention to that .
The Supreme Court has the ultimate authority to discipline lawyers to deal with licensing , to everything .
They ’ re saying they are concerned about lawyers who haven ’ t practiced in awhile.
” “ It ’ s going to take a little time , we may have to have another meeting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to look like , ” she added .
“ I ’ m sorry to tell you another meeting , I know you folks wan na tie it up.
” Some proposed rigorous supervision requirements for participating law firms to ensure that the program doesn ’ t amount to just “ gentle hazing with pay.
” But Chen cautioned against making it too burdensome for law firms to take part in .
“ It ’ s great to provide guidance as to best practices for supervision .
My concern is that level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or firm could provide but if we require it , it could be too onerous for small organizations , solo practitioners and small firms , ” she said .
The no-nonsense Langford agreed , saying the program could fail if it saddles employers with too much work .
Firms might only accept a select group of friends and relatives , or bypass participation altogether in favor of candidates who have passed the bar .
“ It ’ s going to be a lot of those smaller firm attorneys who do this because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they ’ re going to want to be a part of it , ” Langford said .
“ But if you put too much of a burden on small firms and solo practitioners who are already overwhelmed and get disciplined the most , they won ’ t hire them .
”

A State Bar committee voted Wednesday to extend a temporary licensing program to anyone who took the California bar exam in the last five years and earned a score that meets the new minimum standard.
SAN FRANCISCO (CN) — A State Bar committee voted Wednesday to extend a temporary licensing program to anyone who took the California bar exam in the last five years and earned a score that meets the new minimum standard.
The program essentially functions as an apprenticeship. Participants must be employed by or have an offer from a law firm based in California, and must practice under the watch of a licensed supervising lawyer in good standing with the bar.
While candidates need not have taken or passed the bar exam to participate in the program, they must refer to themselves as provisionally-licensed. The program will end in June 2022, and for now, participants will still need to pass the bar exam to become fully licensed.
The State Bar’s provisional licensure working group created the program at the direction of the California Supreme Court, which lowered the passing score for the bar exam from 1440 to 1390 in July, but only for those taking the test in October 2020 and beyond.
Its decision prompted a flood of letters and petitions for retroactivity to past bar exams, culminating in a state Assembly resolution asking the court to apply the lower passing score as far back as July 2015. The court declined to do so, and has no plans to revisit the matter.
The Bar’s board of trustees approved the program for 2020 law school graduates in September. The California Supreme Court will still need to give its blessing and is expected to take it up next week.
On a video call Wednesday, working group member Dolores Heisinger said she felt compelled to express her frustration at the circumstances.
“The levels of unfairness are astounding. The moment the Supreme Court lowered the bar, that threw a whole new bunch of questions up in the air,” Heisinger said. “For instance, a February 2020 graduate who scored 1390 must go through the provisional licensure program in order to receive licensure. Nine months later, someone taking the October 2020 exam and getting a 1390 score will move directly to licensure. That's one of the many many questions of unfairness that this automatically raises.”
Her view was shared by Robert Barrett, another member of the working group who also said he had heard no principled argument for why anyone who scored 1390 in the past shouldn’t be eligible for provisional licensing, regardless of when they sat for the exam.
Group chair Hailyn Chen said some have raised a concern about waning legal knowledge with the passage of time.
“It's been awhile since those folks were in law school or studied for the bar exam, so basic legal principles might be far out of their mind,” Chen said. “So that’s one argument, I suppose.”
Representing the high court’s view, Supreme Court senior attorney Greg Fortescue, urged the group to consider the State Bar’s primary mission of protecting the public.
“We want to make sure these people are competent to practice law,” he said. “I would be hesitant to unleash those people into the legal practice without having some sense of whether they have maintained competency.”
No one seemed opposed to making eligibility retroactive to at least three years,
based on a Supreme Court reference to a “standard setting study” from 2017 that it used to inform its decision to lower the passing score for the exam.
The group then went further, voting to open the program up to anyone who took the exam in July 2015 or later, a time period based on State Bar Rule 4.17 allowing admission to the bar up to five years after taking the exam.
Neil Gupta, the principal attorney to Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, said the vote will render roughly 2,000 eligible to participate.
On hearing this, Barrett said, “I’m less concerned now about making room for these folks. The numbers are not enormous."
The group stopped short of recommending provisional licensure as an alternative pathway to becoming an attorney, vowing to revisit the issue at a meeting later this month. The group will have to move quickly to have something for the Board of Trustees to vote on when they meet Nov. 19.
Carol Langford, a group member and adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, said it will take a while to figure out how such a pathway to licensure will work without the bar exam.
“The Supreme Court has spoken. We know that they are worried. We have to pay attention to that. The Supreme Court has the ultimate authority to discipline lawyers to deal with licensing, to everything. They’re saying they are concerned about lawyers who haven’t practiced in awhile.”
“It’s going to take a little time, we may have to have another meeting to figure out what that program’s going to look like,” she added. "I'm sorry to tell you another meeting, I know you folks wanna tie it up.”
Some proposed rigorous supervision requirements for participating law firms to ensure that the program doesn’t amount to just “gentle hazing with pay.”
But Chen cautioned against making it too burdensome for law firms to take part in.
“It’s great to provide guidance as to best practices for supervision. My concern is that level of supervision is something that a robust agency or firm could provide but if we require it, it could be too onerous for small organizations, solo practitioners and small firms,” she said.
The no-nonsense Langford agreed, saying the program could fail if it saddles employers with too much work. Firms might only accept a select group of friends and relatives, or bypass participation altogether in favor of candidates who have passed the bar.
“It’s going to be a lot of those smaller firm attorneys who do this because they’re going to want the help and they’re going to want to be a part of it,” Langford said. “But if you put too much of a burden on small firms and solo practitioners who are already overwhelmed and get disciplined the most, they won't hire them.”


courthousenews--2020-10-15--California GOP Refuses to Take Down Unofficial Ballot Drop Boxes

( CN ) — The California GOP announced Wednesday they will ignore any legal demands from the state to remove unofficial ballot drop boxes that sprung up in multiple counties in the last week , gearing up for a potential legal showdown .
California ’ s Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Attorney General Xavier Becerra sent a joint cease and desist letter to the California GOP and county party chairs on Monday , demanding that any ballots dropped into the unofficial boxes be recorded and returned to county election officials .
The unofficial vote-by-mail drop boxes were reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend .
News broke of the unofficial boxes when a southern California Republican Party field employee tweeted a picture with a ballot next to one of the boxes .
But late on Wednesday , an attorney for the California Republican Party and party chairs in Fresno and Orange counties said similar ballot collection programs were conducted in the 2020 primaries , citing state law that says voters can return their vote-by-mail ballot to anyone they most trust .
“ In this case , voters have decided , for themselves , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their local political Party headquarters , or their church , or a business that they patronize , to securely deliver their completed VBM ballot to the appropriate election official , ” writes attorney Thomas Hiltachk with the Sacramento-based law firm Bell McAndrews Hiltachk .
The letter says the unofficial drop boxes are not unattended , are not placed on the street , the ballots are placed in a secure box and delivered to election officials and the California GOP did not promote these boxes as official .
The California GOP said when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boxes as official they corrected the error “ immediately and within hours.
” Republican officials claim that a 2016 law does not define or restrict how ballots , once they ’ re collected , should be returned to the county registrar ’ s office within three days .
The letter said that Democratic Representative Harley Rouda in his re-election campaign describes using hubs to collect ballots as well .
During a Monday press conference Becerra said , “ It is illegal , more than illegal , it is irresponsible to tamper with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the California Republican Party said everything they have done is entirely legal .
“ The Attorney General ’ s arguments are partisan fear-mongering and blatant voter suppression ” said co-chair of the Republican National Lawyers Association Harmeet Dhillon in a statement that accompanied the GOP ’ s response letter to California officials .
Dhillon is also the RNC Committeewoman from California .
“ What Democrats don ’ t like , is that Republicans are utilizing the very same techniques they do , and they are willing to suppress Republican votes and try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into stopping our programs so that voters can continue to give their ballots to door-to-door union operatives with no safety or security measures in place , while our locked boxes are banned.
” Padilla and Becerra did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday evening .
The cease and desist letter provided the California GOP until Thursday to comply with the legal demand , but both offices said they were “ prepared to take action to enforce state law , should it become necessary.
” Padilla ’ s office said anyone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could face felony charges as only county election officials can designate ballot drop-off locations , the office said .

The California GOP will ignore any legal demands from the state to remove unofficial ballot drop boxes that sprung up in multiple counties in the last week, gearing up for a potential legal showdown.
(CN) — The California GOP announced Wednesday they will ignore any legal demands from the state to remove unofficial ballot drop boxes that sprung up in multiple counties in the last week, gearing up for a potential legal showdown.
California’s Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Attorney General Xavier Becerra sent a joint cease and desist letter to the California GOP and county party chairs on Monday, demanding that any ballots dropped into the unofficial boxes be recorded and returned to county election officials.
The unofficial vote-by-mail drop boxes were reported in Los Angeles, Orange and Fresno counties over the weekend. News broke of the unofficial boxes when a southern California Republican Party field employee tweeted a picture with a ballot next to one of the boxes.
But late on Wednesday, an attorney for the California Republican Party and party chairs in Fresno and Orange counties said similar ballot collection programs were conducted in the 2020 primaries, citing state law that says voters can return their vote-by-mail ballot to anyone they most trust.
“In this case, voters have decided, for themselves, that they trust the staff and volunteers at their local political Party headquarters, or their church, or a business that they patronize, to securely deliver their completed VBM ballot to the appropriate election official,” writes attorney Thomas Hiltachk with the Sacramento-based law firm Bell McAndrews Hiltachk.
The letter says the unofficial drop boxes are not unattended, are not placed on the street, the ballots are placed in a secure box and delivered to election officials and the California GOP did not promote these boxes as official.
The California GOP said when they found out there were labels that identified the boxes as official they corrected the error “immediately and within hours.”
Republican officials claim that a 2016 law does not define or restrict how ballots, once they’re collected, should be returned to the county registrar’s office within three days.
The letter said that Democratic Representative Harley Rouda in his re-election campaign describes using hubs to collect ballots as well.
During a Monday press conference Becerra said, “It is illegal, more than illegal, it is irresponsible to tamper with a citizen’s vote.”
But the California Republican Party said everything they have done is entirely legal.
"The Attorney General's arguments are partisan fear-mongering and blatant voter suppression" said co-chair of the Republican National Lawyers Association Harmeet Dhillon in a statement that accompanied the GOP’s response letter to California officials. Dhillon is also the RNC Committeewoman from California.
“What Democrats don’t like, is that Republicans are utilizing the very same techniques they do, and they are willing to suppress Republican votes and try to bully, threaten, and intimidate us into stopping our programs so that voters can continue to give their ballots to door-to-door union operatives with no safety or security measures in place, while our locked boxes are banned.”
Padilla and Becerra did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday evening. The cease and desist letter provided the California GOP until Thursday to comply with the legal demand, but both offices said they were “prepared to take action to enforce state law, should it become necessary.”
Padilla’s office said anyone who sets up a vote-by-mail ballot drop box could face felony charges as only county election officials can designate ballot drop-off locations, the office said.
In an email, Padilla noted the California GOP has until the end of Thursday to comply with the cease and desist letter.
“We are continuing to explore all of our options and reserve the right to take any action to ensure that state law is followed. I will keep you posted should something change,” Padilla said.


courthousenews--2020-10-16--Biden Hits Out at Trump During His Town Hall

( CN ) — Joe Biden hit President Donald Trump on his response to the coronavirus and said his economic plans will bring a higher level of prosperity for a greater number of Americans during a televised town hall event Thursday night .
“ It ’ s the president ’ s job to lead and he didn ’ t do that , ” Biden said of Trump ’ s handling of the pandemic .
“ He kept worrying about the stock market instead of taking the pandemic seriously.
” Biden also said Trump ’ s refusal to promote social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health measures directly led to a worsening outbreak .
He also hit Trump for failing to provide businesses and schools with the guidance and funding necessary to allow them to open up early and effectively , making the case that by failing to address the public health element , Trump has caused undue economic harm .
He also defended his tax plan , saying he would not raise taxes on the middle class or the working class , focusing instead on rolling back tax breaks for high-income earners and corporations .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , which is fair , we could create $ 1.3 trillion in funding , ” Biden told a voter who asked him about taxes .
The current corporate tax rate is 21 % .
Trump wants to reduce it further to 20 % .
It was closer to 35 % before Trump ’ s large tax-cut package made it through Congress early in his term , representing the president ’ s most significant legislative accomplishment .
Aside from the specific policy arguments , Biden ’ s main goal was to demonstrate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly asserted he lacks .
But Thursday night , he deftly answered questions from attendees and dealt nimbly with interruptions by moderator George Stephanopoulos , who pressed him on a number of his assertions .
Even without the comfort of his normal teleprompter , Biden seemed well in command of the fact and able to articulate the specifics of his diverse policy proposals , setting to rest any serious claims about a steep cognitive decline .
Biden has a huge lead in the national polls and in key battleground states and is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the clock .
If the goal was to avoid significant gaffes and demonstrate a basic competence to the American people , the first part of the event was a smashing success for the former vice president .

Joe Biden hit President Donald Trump on his response to the coronavirus and said his economic plans will bring a higher level of prosperity for a greater number of Americans during a televised town hall event Thursday night.
(CN) — Joe Biden hit President Donald Trump on his response to the coronavirus and said his economic plans will bring a higher level of prosperity for a greater number of Americans during a televised town hall event Thursday night.
“It’s the president’s job to lead and he didn’t do that,” Biden said of Trump’s handling of the pandemic. “He kept worrying about the stock market instead of taking the pandemic seriously.”
Biden also said Trump’s refusal to promote social distancing, wearing masks and other basic public health measures directly led to a worsening outbreak.
“A president’s words matter,” Biden said.
He also hit Trump for failing to provide businesses and schools with the guidance and funding necessary to allow them to open up early and effectively, making the case that by failing to address the public health element, Trump has caused undue economic harm.
Biden did not take a position on packing the court but did not rule it out. He criticized Amy Coney Barrett, Trump’s recent nominee who has appeared before the U.S. Senate in recent days, saying her refusal to answer questions or reveal her judicial philosophy was troubling.
“My reading is that she didn’t answer any questions at all,” Biden said.
He also defended his tax plan, saying he would not raise taxes on the middle class or the working class, focusing instead on rolling back tax breaks for high-income earners and corporations.
“If we put the tax rate at 28%, which is fair, we could create $1.3 trillion in funding,” Biden told a voter who asked him about taxes. The current corporate tax rate is 21%. Trump wants to reduce it further to 20%. It was closer to 35% before Trump’s large tax-cut package made it through Congress early in his term, representing the president’s most significant legislative accomplishment.
Aside from the specific policy arguments, Biden’s main goal was to demonstrate the mental acuity that his Republican counterparts have repeatedly asserted he lacks.
But Thursday night, he deftly answered questions from attendees and dealt nimbly with interruptions by moderator George Stephanopoulos, who pressed him on a number of his assertions.
Even without the comfort of his normal teleprompter, Biden seemed well in command of the fact and able to articulate the specifics of his diverse policy proposals, setting to rest any serious claims about a steep cognitive decline.
Biden has a huge lead in the national polls and in key battleground states and is in a position to be able to run out the clock. If the goal was to avoid significant gaffes and demonstrate a basic competence to the American people, the first part of the event was a smashing success for the former vice president.
The town hall was at the Constitutional Center in Philadelphia, Penn. and featured several voters asking Biden questions about his policies. At one point, a young college-aged Black man asked Biden why Black people should vote for him.
Biden said he was committed to addressing criminal justice issues that affect the Black community while instituting programs aimed at bridging the wealth gap between the Black community and other demographic groups.
“In addition to dealing with criminal justice to make it more fair and decent, we have to allow Black Americans to generate wealth,” he said.
He admitted the crime bill was largely a mistake, but said its central problem was funding for states to build prisons, a part of the bill that he opposed at the time and still opposes.
Biden said that police can be a part of the solution as it relates to criminal justice issues and that quality policing is critical to restore public trust in the institution.
“We shouldn’t be defunding the cops but mandating things we do in police departments and mandating total transparency,” he said.
Biden also contrasted sharply with Trump in that he called for unity in America and vowed to work with Republicans on the issues of the day.
“Grudges don’t work in politics,” he said. “You can question your opponent’s judgment but not his motives.”
Biden was widely viewed as having to reassure voters already predisposed to vote for him that they were making the right choice. With a calm performance and a sharp command of the various issues and his own policy prescriptions, Biden may have convinced the few remaining undecided voters, to the extent they exist, that he is worthy of their vote as well.


courthousenews--2020-10-16--Ninth Circuit Upholds California’s Law Governing Meat Production Standards

( CN ) — A Ninth Circuit panel on Thursday upheld a district court ’ s ruling that says meat producers who want to sell their products in California need to abide by the state ’ s animal cruelty law .
The three-judge panel reaffirmed a federal judge ’ s ruling that denied the North American Meat Institute ’ s fight to keep the law from applying to businesses from outside the Golden State .
The North American Meat Institute is a trade group that boasts members from Tyson Foods , Butterball and many other meat suppliers .
California voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act , that bans the sale of eggs and meat not produced to the state ’ s standards .
To abide by California ’ s confinement standards , farmers must provide 43 square feet of floor space for calves , 24 square feet for pigs and more than a foot for hens .
In its complaint filed in federal court in Los Angeles , NAMI argued the ban violated the commerce clause by essentially erecting a “ trade barrier ” and claimed the state ’ s law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder denied the group ’ s request to block the law in November 2019 , finding the law does not force out-of-state farmers to move to California to sell their goods .
Attorneys for NAMI claimed the law forced producers to a standard they had no say in and took away an advantage from those producers outside California .
During a June oral argument , U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo , sitting with the Ninth Circuit panel by designation from the Southern District of California , asked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they voted to ensure their meat was not raised in a cruel manner .
NAMI attorney Paul Zidlicky of Sidley Austin said California can dictate animal welfare in the Golden State but not outside its borders .
The panel did not agree with the trade group ’ s assessment of the law and on Thursday affirmed Snyder ’ s ruling .
“ The district court did not abuse its discretion in holding that NAMI was unlikely to succeed on the merits of its dormant Commerce Clause claim , ” the panel wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district court did not abuse its discretion in concluding that Proposition 12 does not have a discriminatory purpose given the lack of evidence that the state had a protectionist intent.
” The panel upheld that Prop 12 does not burden interstate commerce or impact a national industry or requires a uniform regulation system .
They added that the district court was correct in denying a preliminary injunction because NAMI was unlikely to succeed on the merits of the case .
The panel also agreed that Prop 12 “ does not directly regulate extraterritorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control or price affirmation statute.
” Attorney Bruce Wagman with Riley Safer represented intervenors The Humane Society of the United States , and when reached by phone on Thursday said the law is not an economic protectionist statute , but one based on health and safety and animal cruelty .
Wagman said Prop 12 is a law based on the morals of California and the state has the right to reject products that are raised through animal cruelty .
“ The district court was pretty clear that Prop 12 does not regulate other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wagman said .
“ Rather than continuing to squander their members ’ money on losing frivolous lawsuits , the meat industry trade groups should instead invest in improving animal welfare and complying with animal cruelty laws , ” said Rebecca Cary , senior staff attorney for the Humane Society , in a statement .
“ We are disappointed in the ruling and are reviewing our options , ” a spokesperson for NAMI said .
“ California should not be able to dictate farming practices across the nation.
” California Attorney General Xavier Becerra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a request for comment .
This past July , a district judge ruled that California ’ s ban on foie gras – fattened goose liver that is achieved through force-feeding — could be sold again in the state after a lengthy legal dispute .
U.S .
Circuit Judge Sandra Segal Ikuta and U.S .
Circuit Judge Consuelo Callahan , both George W. Bush appointees , rounded out the panel .

A Ninth Circuit panel on Thursday upheld a district court’s ruling that says meat producers who want to sell their products in California need to abide by the state’s animal cruelty law.
(CN) — A Ninth Circuit panel on Thursday upheld a district court’s ruling that says meat producers who want to sell their products in California need to abide by the state’s animal cruelty law.
The three-judge panel reaffirmed a federal judge’s ruling that denied the North American Meat Institute’s fight to keep the law from applying to businesses from outside the Golden State.
The North American Meat Institute is a trade group that boasts members from Tyson Foods, Butterball and many other meat suppliers.
California voters in 2018 approved Proposition 12, the Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act, that bans the sale of eggs and meat not produced to the state’s standards.
To abide by California’s confinement standards, farmers must provide 43 square feet of floor space for calves, 24 square feet for pigs and more than a foot for hens.
In its complaint filed in federal court in Los Angeles, NAMI argued the ban violated the commerce clause by essentially erecting a “trade barrier” and claimed the state’s law should not extend beyond its borders.
U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder denied the group’s request to block the law in November 2019, finding the law does not force out-of-state farmers to move to California to sell their goods.
Attorneys for NAMI claimed the law forced producers to a standard they had no say in and took away an advantage from those producers outside California.
During a June oral argument, U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo, sitting with the Ninth Circuit panel by designation from the Southern District of California, asked the trade group why California voters were wrong when they voted to ensure their meat was not raised in a cruel manner.
NAMI attorney Paul Zidlicky of Sidley Austin said California can dictate animal welfare in the Golden State but not outside its borders.
The panel did not agree with the trade group’s assessment of the law and on Thursday affirmed Snyder’s ruling.
“The district court did not abuse its discretion in holding that NAMI was unlikely to succeed on the merits of its dormant Commerce Clause claim,” the panel wrote in a 3-page memorandum. “The district court did not abuse its discretion in concluding that Proposition 12 does not have a discriminatory purpose given the lack of evidence that the state had a protectionist intent.”
The panel upheld that Proposition 12 does not burden interstate commerce or impact a national industry or requires a uniform regulation system. They added that the district court was correct in denying a preliminary injunction because NAMI was unlikely to succeed on the merits of the case.
The panel also agreed that Proposition 12 “does not directly regulate extraterritorial conduct because it is not a price control or price affirmation statute.”
Attorney Bruce Wagman with Riley Safer represented intervenors The Humane Society of the United States, and when reached by phone on Thursday said the law is not an economic protectionist statute, but one based on health and safety and animal cruelty.
Wagman said Proposition 12 is a law based on the morals of California and the state has the right to reject products that are raised through animal cruelty.
“The district court was pretty clear that Prop 12 does not regulate other state’s activities wholly,” Wagman said.
“Rather than continuing to squander their members’ money on losing frivolous lawsuits, the meat industry trade groups should instead invest in improving animal welfare and complying with animal cruelty laws,” said Rebecca Cary, senior staff attorney for the Humane Society, in a statement.
“We are disappointed in the ruling and are reviewing our options,” a spokesperson for NAMI said. “California should not be able to dictate farming practices across the nation.”
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s office said it is "pleased with the Ninth Circuit's decision."
This past July, a district judge ruled that Californians could import foie gras – fattened goose liver that is achieved through force-feeding — despite a statewide ban and a lengthy legal dispute.
U.S. Circuit Judge Sandra Segal Ikuta and U.S. Circuit Judge Consuelo Callahan, both George W. Bush appointees, rounded out the panel.


courthousenews--2020-10-16--YouTube Cracks Down on QAnon, Conspiracy Theory Videos

( CN ) — Google-owned YouTube became the latest media company Thursday to take steps to curb violence-stoking conspiracy theories from proliferating on its platform .
“ Today we ’ re further expanding both our hate and harassment policies to prohibit content that targets an individual or group with conspiracy theories that have been used to justify real-world violence , ” the company said in an announcement aimed at QAnon , a discredited conspiracy theory born on the internet that claims the world is run by a group of devil-worshiping pedophiles operating a global sex-trafficking ring while actively scheming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s origins have been traced to 2017 , when a user of the online message board website 4chan claiming to have high-level military clearance and calling himself “ Q Clearance Patriot ” posted he had information about Trump ’ s war against a secret cabal of liberal “ deep state ” pedophiles .
YouTube said it would ban videos harassing or threatening people by suggesting their involvement or complicity with “ harmful conspiracies ” like QAnon and Pizzagate , an online hoax about a Washington , D.C. pizzeria falsely identified as the headquarters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hilary Clinton .
Its Thursday announcement also cited earlier efforts to stem misinformation by tinkering with its video recommendation algorithm to downgrade “ clickbait ” videos with misleading titles .
This measure supposedly resulted in a 70 % drop in views coming from YouTube ’ s recommendations .
YouTube said views of prominent QAnon channels coming from recommendations fell by 80 % after the company reduced their visibility .
The company also removed tens of thousands of QAnon videos , “ particularly those that explicitly threaten violence or deny the existence of major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theory crackdown follows on the heels of other social media giants .
Facebook last week banned all QAnon groups , pages and Instagram accounts — even those that do not promote violence — and compared it to a “ militarized social movement.
” Twitter also clamped down on QAnon this summer by purging thousands of related accounts .

Google-owned YouTube became the latest media company Thursday to take steps to curb violence-stoking conspiracy theories from proliferating on its platform.
(CN) — Google-owned YouTube became the latest media company Thursday to take steps to curb violence-stoking conspiracy theories from proliferating on its platform.
"Today we're further expanding both our hate and harassment policies to prohibit content that targets an individual or group with conspiracy theories that have been used to justify real-world violence,” the company said in an announcement aimed at QAnon, a discredited conspiracy theory born on the internet that claims the world is run by a group of devil-worshiping pedophiles operating a global sex-trafficking ring while actively scheming to undermine President Donald Trump.
QAnon’s origins have been traced to 2017, when a user of the online message board website 4chan claiming to have high-level military clearance and calling himself “Q Clearance Patriot” posted he had information about Trump’s war against a secret cabal of liberal “deep state” pedophiles.
YouTube said it would ban videos harassing or threatening people by suggesting their involvement or complicity with “harmful conspiracies” like QAnon and Pizzagate, an online hoax about a Washington, D.C. pizzeria falsely identified as the headquarters of a child sex-trafficking ring led by Hilary Clinton.
Its Thursday announcement also cited earlier efforts to stem misinformation by tinkering with its video recommendation algorithm to downgrade “clickbait” videos with misleading titles. This measure supposedly resulted in a 70% drop in views coming from YouTube’s recommendations. YouTube said views of prominent QAnon channels coming from recommendations fell by 80% after the company reduced their visibility.
The company also removed tens of thousands of QAnon videos, “particularly those that explicitly threaten violence or deny the existence of major violent events.”
YouTube’s conspiracy theory crackdown follows on the heels of other social media giants.
Facebook last week banned all QAnon groups, pages and Instagram accounts — even those that do not promote violence — and compared it to a “militarized social movement."
Twitter also clamped down on QAnon this summer by purging thousands of related accounts.


Protest Death

DENVER — The Denver district attorney said Thursday she will charge a security guard hired by Denver 9 News with @ @ @ @ @ death of a protester during a confrontation this past weekend .


Data Harvest

SAN FRANCISCO — Facebook sued Israel-based Brandtotal and Unimania , claiming they sold a browser extension through Google ’ s @ @ @ @ @ to harvest and collect data from Facebook users .


courthousenews--2020-10-15--California Courts Covid Update

California Courts Covid Update

Oct. 15 , 2020 : All jurors for the week of Oct. 19 have been excused Oct. 15 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ Family Law changes Oct. 14 , 2020 : Order from presiding judge regarding pandemic and @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 : Order prioritizes Criminal jury trails , some Civil trials can go forward @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 : Order regarding appointment of counsel in out-of-custody pre-arraignment criminal cases