courthousenews--2020-10-12--Activists Lose Bid to Replace Georgia Voting System

The judge pointed to warnings from the U.S. Supreme Court asking lower courts to use restraint in ordering procedural changes so close to an election .
ATLANTA ( CN ) — A federal judge on Sunday again rejected voting integrity activists ’ efforts to force Georgia election officials to abandon the state ’ s new touchscreen voting machines in favor of hand-marked paper ballots for the November election in light of security concerns .
For the fourth time since activists brought a 2017 lawsuit challenging the integrity of Georgia ’ s voting machines , U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touchscreen ballot-marking devices with hand-marked paper ballots despite concerns that the voting machines are vulnerable to security risks .
In a 147-page order issued the day before early voting began in the Peach State , Totenberg , a Barack Obama appointee , ruled that a “ fundamental modification in the election system ” so close to Election Day would overwhelm the secretary of state and county election offices .
“ The court has already seen in the record of this case enough election chaos , operational deficiencies , and challenges on all levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further by Covid-19 complications , that the court can not embrace a rosy view of the simplicity of moving to a total , comprehensive paper ballot system with so little time to prepare for such a major transition , ” the judge wrote .
However , Totenberg did order election officials to find a way to review ballot images to ensure that voting scanner software isn ’ t overlooking partially marked ballot ovals .
The judge ordered a resolution to be developed and implemented for elections after the January 2021 runoffs for U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Good Governance claim that the state ’ s new $ 107 million voting system places an unconstitutional burden on the right to vote because voters can not be sure their vote is accurately counted .
During a hearing in the case in September , state officials argued that Georgia has updated and secured its election infrastructure and claimed it was too late to make changes to the voting system .
The system uses touchscreen voting machines known as ballot-marking devices , or BMDs , to print a paper ballot with a non-encrypted QR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The system does not produce a voter-verifiable paper record of the votes cast , requiring voters to trust that the barcode accurately conveys their intended ballot selections .
Activists allege that the barcode recording of votes can be manipulated through hacking .
Georgia is the only state using the barcode-based BMD system statewide as the mandatory voting method for all in-person voters .
The activists ’ claims of insecurity were bolstered by the recent discovery that a voting machine software glitch caused a column of the ballot of the 20 candidates for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats to disappear .
State election officials say they fixed the problem by installing upgraded software on the state ’ s 34,000 touchscreens before early voting began .
The software fix was not approved by the Election Assistance Commission until Friday , after it had already been distributed to counties .
Totenberg warned Sunday that questions surrounding the security of Georgia ’ s voting machines are unlikely to abate , writing that “ the vital issues identified in this case will not disappear or be appropriately addressed without focused state attention , resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts , and open-mindedness.
” Although Totenberg acknowledged the activists demonstrated that equipment and voter registration database problems during this year ’ s June primary and August runoff elections “ caused severe breakdowns at the polls , severely burdening voters ’ exercise of the franchise , ” the judge noted the U.S. Supreme Court ’ s warnings asking lower courts to use restraint in ordering procedural changes so close to an election .
“ Despite the profound issues raised by the plaintiffs , the court can not jump off the legal edge and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ established state primary process governing the conduct of elections based on a preliminary evidentiary record , ” Totenberg wrote .
In a statement emailed to Courthouse News on Monday , Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ’ s office said the order “ does nothing except undermine voter and candidate confidence in the results of the election.
” “ Despite more than three years of litigation , the only thing these plaintiffs have accomplished is wasting taxpayer dollars by forcing them to defend state law against activists on a disinformation campaign , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ In 2018 , 2019 , and now 2020 , last-minute preliminary injunction motions filed by activists were decided without the benefit of the normal evidentiary process , and the views of ‘ experts ’ that were rejected as not credible by other courts have been accepted by this one as gospel even though they have yet to be cross-examined.
” The statement continued , “ The activists that want to sow discord and disinformation will use this order to further their disinformation campaigns.
” Sunday ’ s order follows a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring every polling place in Georgia ’ s 159 counties to have a paper backup of the list used to check voter eligibility in case electronic pollbooks malfunction on Election Day .
The secretary of state ’ s office has appealed that ruling to the 11th Circuit .
Reports surfaced Monday that electronic pollbooks malfunctioned at State Farm Arena , the largest early voting site in the state , during the first day of early in-person voting .
The pollbooks reportedly stopped working while hundreds of voters waited in line .
The issue @ @ @ @ @

A federal judge on Sunday again rejected voting integrity activists’ efforts to force Georgia election officials to abandon the state’s new touchscreen voting machines in favor of hand-marked paper ballots for the November election in light of security concerns.
ATLANTA (CN) — A federal judge on Sunday again rejected voting integrity activists’ efforts to force Georgia election officials to abandon the state’s new touchscreen voting machines in favor of hand-marked paper ballots for the November election in light of security concerns.
For the fourth time since activists brought a 2017 lawsuit challenging the integrity of Georgia’s voting machines, U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg refused to order top election officials to replace touchscreen ballot-marking devices with hand-marked paper ballots despite concerns that the voting machines are vulnerable to security risks.
In a 147-page order issued the day before early voting began in the Peach State, Totenberg, a Barack Obama appointee, ruled that a “fundamental modification in the election system” so close to Election Day would overwhelm the secretary of state and county election offices.
“The court has already seen in the record of this case enough election chaos, operational deficiencies, and challenges on all levels, plus stress in the system spiked further by Covid-19 complications, that the court cannot embrace a rosy view of the simplicity of moving to a total, comprehensive paper ballot system with so little time to prepare for such a major transition,” the judge wrote.
However, Totenberg did order election officials to find a way to review ballot images to ensure that voting scanner software isn’t overlooking partially marked ballot ovals. The judge ordered a resolution to be developed and implemented for elections after the January 2021 runoffs for U.S. Senate.
Activists from the Coalition for Good Governance claim that the state’s new $107 million voting system places an unconstitutional burden on the right to vote because voters cannot be sure their vote is accurately counted.
During a hearing in the case in September, state officials argued that Georgia has updated and secured its election infrastructure and claimed it was too late to make changes to the voting system.
The system uses touchscreen voting machines known as ballot-marking devices, or BMDs, to print a paper ballot with a non-encrypted QR code that is read by a scanner. The system does not produce a voter-verifiable paper record of the votes cast, requiring voters to trust that the barcode accurately conveys their intended ballot selections.
Activists allege that the barcode recording of votes can be manipulated through hacking.
Georgia is the only state using the barcode-based BMD system statewide as the mandatory voting method for all in-person voters.
The activists’ claims of insecurity were bolstered by the recent discovery that a voting machine software glitch caused a column of the ballot of the 20 candidates for one of Georgia’s U.S. Senate seats to disappear.
State election officials say they fixed the problem by installing upgraded software on the state’s 34,000 touchscreens before early voting began. The software fix was not approved by the Election Assistance Commission until Friday, after it had already been distributed to counties.
Totenberg warned Sunday that questions surrounding the security of Georgia’s voting machines are unlikely to abate, writing that “the vital issues identified in this case will not disappear or be appropriately addressed without focused state attention, resources, ongoing serious evaluation by independent cybersecurity experts, and open-mindedness.”
Although Totenberg acknowledged the activists demonstrated that equipment and voter registration database problems during this year’s June primary and August runoff elections “caused severe breakdowns at the polls, severely burdening voters’ exercise of the franchise,” the judge noted the U.S. Supreme Court’s warnings asking lower courts to use restraint in ordering procedural changes so close to an election.
“Despite the profound issues raised by the plaintiffs, the court cannot jump off the legal edge and potentially trigger major disruption in the legally established state primary process governing the conduct of elections based on a preliminary evidentiary record,” Totenberg wrote.
In a statement emailed to Courthouse News on Monday, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office said the order “does nothing except undermine voter and candidate confidence in the results of the election.”
“Despite more than three years of litigation, the only thing these plaintiffs have accomplished is wasting taxpayer dollars by forcing them to defend state law against activists on a disinformation campaign,” the secretary of state’s office said. “In 2018, 2019, and now 2020, last-minute preliminary injunction motions filed by activists were decided without the benefit of the normal evidentiary process, and the views of ‘experts’ that were rejected as not credible by other courts have been accepted by this one as gospel even though they have yet to be cross-examined.”
The statement continued, “The activists that want to sow discord and disinformation will use this order to further their disinformation campaigns.”
Sunday’s order follows a Sept. 28 ruling in the same case requiring every polling place in Georgia’s 159 counties to have a paper backup of the list used to check voter eligibility in case electronic pollbooks malfunction on Election Day.
The secretary of state’s office has appealed that ruling to the 11th Circuit.
Reports surfaced Monday that electronic pollbooks malfunctioned at State Farm Arena, the largest early voting site in the state, during the first day of early in-person voting. The pollbooks reportedly stopped working while hundreds of voters waited in line. The issue was resolved by mid-morning.


courthousenews--2020-10-12--Very Low Risk of Mother-to-Newborn Covid Transmission: Study

( CN ) — Scientists revealed Monday there is very low risk of mothers passing Covid-19 to their newborns , even during breastfeeding .
Researchers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center tracked 101 infants born to mothers who had tested positive for SARS-Cov-2 , the virus which causes Covid-19 .
Of those 101 infants , only two tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and they had no clinical evidence of illness .
The researchers noted they could not absolutely identify the vector of infection for the two infants .
When Covid-19 emerged , pediatric and health organizations initially recommended the separation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no direct breastfeeding , and bathing newborns as soon as possible .
Normally , newborns are bathed after a minimum of 24 hours of life because it interferes with bonding , breastfeeding and increases the risk of dangerously low temperatures and blood sugars .
But the study published today in JAMA Pediatrics tracked newborns and mothers at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children ’ s Hospital and New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital this past March and April , and found that direct transmission rates were much lower than feared .
“ Our findings should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection-control measures during and after childbirth — such as wearing a mask and engaging in breast and hand hygiene when holding or breastfeeding a baby — protected newborns from infection in this series , ” said Dr. Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman , the Ellen Jacobson Levine and Eugene Jacobson professor of women ’ s health in obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons .
To reduce the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to newborns after delivery , hospital staff practiced social distancing , wore masks , and placed Covid-positive moms in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roomed with their mothers , including during the first postpartum checkup .
Infants who roomed with their moms were placed in protective cribs six feet away from the mothers ’ beds , but direct breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact with babies were strongly encouraged as long as the moms wore masks and washed with soap and water before holding or feeding their babies .
Study author Dr. Dani Dumitriu , assistant professor of pediatrics in psychiatry at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and a pediatric newborn hospitalist , points out that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ were made in the absence of data on rates of mother-to-newborn SARS-CoV-2 transmission and are based on experience with mother-newborn transmission of other infectious diseases .
But some of the recommendations conflict with what we know about the developmental benefits of early breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact .
Our study shows that these measures may not be necessary for healthy newborns with Covid-positive moms.
” Gyamfi-Bannerman said the findings are good news because bonding and breastfeeding are so important for both mother and child .
“ We think it ’ s particularly important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to directly breastfeed their newborns , ” Gyamfi-Bannerman says .
“ Breast milk is known to protect newborns against numerous pathogens , and it may help protect newborns against infection with SARS-CoV-2 .
Most studies have not found SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk , and breast milk has been found to contain antibodies against the virus .
”

Scientists revealed Monday there is very low risk of mothers passing Covid-19 to their newborns, even during breastfeeding.
(CN) — Scientists revealed Monday there is very low risk of mothers passing Covid-19 to their newborns, even during breastfeeding.
Researchers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center tracked 101 infants born to mothers who had tested positive for SARS-Cov-2, the virus which causes Covid-19. Of those 101 infants, only two tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and they had no clinical evidence of illness. The researchers noted they could not absolutely identify the vector of infection for the two infants.
When Covid-19 emerged, pediatric and health organizations initially recommended the separation of mothers and newborns during their hospital stay, no direct breastfeeding, and bathing newborns as soon as possible. Normally, newborns are bathed after a minimum of 24 hours of life because it interferes with bonding, breastfeeding and increases the risk of dangerously low temperatures and blood sugars.
But the study published today in JAMA Pediatrics tracked newborns and mothers at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital and New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital this past March and April, and found that direct transmission rates were much lower than feared.
“Our findings should reassure expectant mothers with Covid-19 that basic infection-control measures during and after childbirth — such as wearing a mask and engaging in breast and hand hygiene when holding or breastfeeding a baby — protected newborns from infection in this series,” said Dr. Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, the Ellen Jacobson Levine and Eugene Jacobson professor of women’s health in obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
To reduce the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to newborns after delivery, hospital staff practiced social distancing, wore masks, and placed Covid-positive moms in private rooms.
Most of the newborns roomed with their mothers, including during the first postpartum checkup. Infants who roomed with their moms were placed in protective cribs six feet away from the mothers’ beds, but direct breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact with babies were strongly encouraged as long as the moms wore masks and washed with soap and water before holding or feeding their babies.
Study author Dr. Dani Dumitriu, assistant professor of pediatrics in psychiatry at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and a pediatric newborn hospitalist, points out that recommendations of distancing Covid-19-positive mothers from newborns “were made in the absence of data on rates of mother-to-newborn SARS-CoV-2 transmission and are based on experience with mother-newborn transmission of other infectious diseases. But some of the recommendations conflict with what we know about the developmental benefits of early breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact. Our study shows that these measures may not be necessary for healthy newborns with Covid-positive moms.”
Gyamfi-Bannerman said the findings are good news because bonding and breastfeeding are so important for both mother and child.
“We think it’s particularly important that mothers with Covid-19 have the opportunity to directly breastfeed their newborns,” Gyamfi-Bannerman says. “Breast milk is known to protect newborns against numerous pathogens, and it may help protect newborns against infection with SARS-CoV-2. Most studies have not found SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk, and breast milk has been found to contain antibodies against the virus.”


Life Support

HOUSTON — An appeals court in Texas ruled against the parents of a 10-month-old boy who sought to block the @ @ @ @ @ from removing their son from life support .
The child was hospitalized with hypothermia , @ @ @ @ @ neurological life , ” and was declared brain dead .

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


courthousenews--2020-10-13--McConnell, McGrath Spar Over Federal Response to Coronavirus

( AP ) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s opponent accused him of failing the country with the lack of another coronavirus relief package , while the Republican incumbent described himself as a powerful advocate for Kentucky in a hard-hitting televised debate Monday evening .
In their first , and potentially only debate of the campaign , McConnell and Democratic challenger Amy McGrath sparred over the federal response to the Covid-19 crisis , the Supreme Court nomination fight and the Republican incumbent ’ s decades-long record .
McGrath , a retired Marine combat pilot , was aggressive in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secure another round of federal relief for a pandemic-battered economy , calling it a “ dereliction of duty.
” McConnell blamed congressional Democrats for the stalemated negotiations .
McConnell touted his top Senate leadership post and his ability to deliver federal money as valuable assets for Kentucky that would be lost if he leaves the Senate .
McGrath said the Republican incumbent has failed to tackle the state ’ s chronic economic and health problems .
The exchange turned personal as McConnell responded to the barrage from McGrath and her repeated references @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a problem solver .
“ I think her entire campaign is : she ’ s a Marine , she ’ s a mom and I ’ ve been there ( the Senate ) too long , ” McConnell said .
McGrath responded : “ Senator , you ’ ve been there for 36 years .
How ’ s it looking , Kentucky ?
” She pointed to the state ’ s stubbornly high cancer and diabetes rates along with lack of broadband access and well-paying jobs in some parts of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s delivered billions of dollars in federal money that McGrath couldn ’ t replicate if she replaces him and takes her place as a freshman on the “ back bench ” in the Senate .
“ I allow Kentucky to punch above its weight , ” McConnell said .
“ What does it mean to Kentucky over the last term ?
My last term $ 17.5 billion for the commonwealth that would not have been there had I not been the majority leader of the Senate.
” The debate offered McGrath her best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has long dominated Kentucky ’ s political landscape and has consistently led in polling as he seeks a seventh term .
In-person early voting begins Tuesday , and many Kentuckians are filling out absentee ballots .
The debate comes at a crucial time for McConnell , who is running his own race while also focused on keeping his job as majority leader as the GOP struggles to retain control of the Senate .
When asked about the federal response to the coronavirus outbreak , McGrath gave President Donald Trump and Congress an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention to McConnell .
“ His one job is to help America through this crisis right now in passing legislation to keep our economy afloat so that people can make ends meet , ” she said .
“ And instead of doing that , he is trying to ram through a Supreme Court nominee right now , instead of negotiating , which is what he should have been doing all summer long to make that happen.
” For his part , McConnell said he offered another coronavirus relief bill about a month ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support in the Senate .
“ I think they don ’ t want a solution prior to the election , ” he said of congressional Democrats .
Trying to put the blame back on McConnell , McGrath said : “ If you want to call yourself a leader , you got to get things done .
Those of us who served in the Marines , we don ’ t just point fingers at the other side , we get the job done.
” McConnell noted that he shepherded an economic rescue package totaling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate early in the fight against the pandemic .
McGrath responded : “ That legislation was passed back in March , and here we are this coronavirus is still happening.
” The Kentucky rivals also delved into the Supreme Court nomination battle under way in Washington .
The nominee , Amy Coney Barrett , presented her approach to the law as conservative and fair on Monday at the start of the confirmation hearings , while angry Democrats , powerless to stop her , cast her as a threat to Americans ’ health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there should be no vote on filling a Supreme Court vacancy so close to the election , and criticized what she saw as McConnell ’ s inconsistency on the matter .
Four years ago , McConnell blocked then-President Barack Obama ’ s choice of Judge Merrick Garland to fill another Supreme Court vacancy in a presidential election year .
“ Look , four years ago , Senator McConnell said by the McConnell rule during an election year , ‘ We don ’ t vote on a nominee , let the people decide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , right now , with 22 days to an election , we should let the people decide.
” McConnell , who is leading the fast-track confirmation process for Barrett , called her an “ extraordinary nominee ” and an “ accomplished scholar.
” The hourlong debate was aired on Gray Television ’ s Kentucky-based stations .
It came near the end of a big-spending campaign that has been waged in distance , with the two sparring in hard-hitting TV ads .
The rivals debated at WKYT , and the Lexington station took a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Kentucky is in the midst of another spike of Covid-19 cases .
By BRUCE SCHREINER and PIPER HUDSPETH BLACKBURN Associated Press

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s opponent accused him of failing the country with the lack of another coronavirus relief package, while the Republican incumbent described himself as a powerful advocate for Kentucky in a hard-hitting televised debate Monday evening.
(AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s opponent accused him of failing the country with the lack of another coronavirus relief package, while the Republican incumbent described himself as a powerful advocate for Kentucky in a hard-hitting televised debate Monday evening.
In their first, and potentially only debate of the campaign, McConnell and Democratic challenger Amy McGrath sparred over the federal response to the Covid-19 crisis, the Supreme Court nomination fight and the Republican incumbent’s decades-long record.
McGrath, a retired Marine combat pilot, was aggressive in blaming the senator for Congress’ inability to secure another round of federal relief for a pandemic-battered economy, calling it a “dereliction of duty.” McConnell blamed congressional Democrats for the stalemated negotiations.
McConnell touted his top Senate leadership post and his ability to deliver federal money as valuable assets for Kentucky that would be lost if he leaves the Senate. McGrath said the Republican incumbent has failed to tackle the state’s chronic economic and health problems.
The exchange turned personal as McConnell responded to the barrage from McGrath and her repeated references crediting her Marine career for training her to be a problem solver.
“I think her entire campaign is: she’s a Marine, she’s a mom and I’ve been there (the Senate) too long,” McConnell said.
McGrath responded: “Senator, you’ve been there for 36 years. How’s it looking, Kentucky?” She pointed to the state’s stubbornly high cancer and diabetes rates along with lack of broadband access and well-paying jobs in some parts of the state.
US Senate candidate Amy McGrath speaks during a debate with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in Lexington, Ky., Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. (Michael Clubb, The Kentucky Kernel via AP Pool)
McConnell countered that he’s delivered billions of dollars in federal money that McGrath couldn’t replicate if she replaces him and takes her place as a freshman on the “back bench” in the Senate.
“I allow Kentucky to punch above its weight,” McConnell said. “What does it mean to Kentucky over the last term? My last term $17.5 billion for the commonwealth that would not have been there had I not been the majority leader of the Senate.”
The debate offered McGrath her best chance for a breakthrough against McConnell, who has long dominated Kentucky’s political landscape and has consistently led in polling as he seeks a seventh term. In-person early voting begins Tuesday, and many Kentuckians are filling out absentee ballots.
The debate comes at a crucial time for McConnell, who is running his own race while also focused on keeping his job as majority leader as the GOP struggles to retain control of the Senate.
When asked about the federal response to the coronavirus outbreak, McGrath gave President Donald Trump and Congress an “F,” before turning her attention to McConnell.
“His one job is to help America through this crisis right now in passing legislation to keep our economy afloat so that people can make ends meet,” she said. “And instead of doing that, he is trying to ram through a Supreme Court nominee right now, instead of negotiating, which is what he should have been doing all summer long to make that happen.”
For his part, McConnell said he offered another coronavirus relief bill about a month ago that stalled when it drew no Democratic support in the Senate.
“I think they don’t want a solution prior to the election,” he said of congressional Democrats.
Trying to put the blame back on McConnell, McGrath said: “If you want to call yourself a leader, you got to get things done. Those of us who served in the Marines, we don’t just point fingers at the other side, we get the job done.”
McConnell noted that he shepherded an economic rescue package totaling more than $2 trillion through the Senate early in the fight against the pandemic. McGrath responded: “That legislation was passed back in March, and here we are this coronavirus is still happening.”
The Kentucky rivals also delved into the Supreme Court nomination battle under way in Washington. The nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, presented her approach to the law as conservative and fair on Monday at the start of the confirmation hearings, while angry Democrats, powerless to stop her, cast her as a threat to Americans’ health care coverage during the pandemic.
McGrath said there should be no vote on filling a Supreme Court vacancy so close to the election, and criticized what she saw as McConnell’s inconsistency on the matter. Four years ago, McConnell blocked then-President Barack Obama’s choice of Judge Merrick Garland to fill another Supreme Court vacancy in a presidential election year.
“Look, four years ago, Senator McConnell said by the McConnell rule during an election year, ‘We don’t vote on a nominee, let the people decide,’” McGrath said. “Well, right now, with 22 days to an election, we should let the people decide.”
McConnell, who is leading the fast-track confirmation process for Barrett, called her an “extraordinary nominee” and an “accomplished scholar.”
The hourlong debate was aired on Gray Television’s Kentucky-based stations. It came near the end of a big-spending campaign that has been waged in distance, with the two sparring in hard-hitting TV ads.
The rivals debated at WKYT, and the Lexington station took a number of precautions in response to the coronavirus. Kentucky is in the midst of another spike of Covid-19 cases.
By BRUCE SCHREINER and PIPER HUDSPETH BLACKBURN Associated Press


courthousenews--2020-10-13--2nd Covid-19 Vaccine Trial Paused Over Unexplained Illness

NEW BRUNSWICK , N.J. ( AP ) — A late-stage study of Johnson & Johnson ’ s Covid-19 vaccine candidate has been paused while the company investigates whether a study participant ’ s “ unexplained illness ” is related to the shot .
The company said in a statement Monday evening that illnesses , accidents and other so-called adverse events “ are an expected part of any clinical study , especially large studies , ” but that its physicians and a safety monitoring panel would try to determine what might have caused the illness .
The pause is at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several vaccines that have reached large-scale final tests in the U.S .
The company declined to reveal any more details about the illness , citing the participant ’ s privacy .
Temporary stoppages of large medical studies are relatively common .
Few are made public in typical drug trials , but the work to make a coronavirus vaccine has raised the stakes on these kinds of complications .
Companies are required to investigate any serious or unexpected reaction that occurs during drug testing .
Given that such tests are done on tens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a coincidence .
In fact , one of the first steps the company said it will take is to determine if the person received the vaccine or a placebo .
The halt was first reported by the health news site STAT .
Final-stage testing of a vaccine made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University remains on hold in the U.S. as officials examine whether an illness in its trial poses a safety risk .
That trial was stopped when a woman developed severe neurological symptoms consistent with transverse myelitis , a rare inflammation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said .
That company ’ s testing has restarted elsewhere .
Johnson & Johnson was aiming to enroll 60,000 volunteers to prove if its single-dose approach is safe and protects against the coronavirus .
Other vaccine candidates in the U.S. require two shots .

A late-stage study of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate has been paused while the company investigates whether a study participant’s “unexplained illness” is related to the shot.
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — A late-stage study of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine candidate has been paused while the company investigates whether a study participant’s “unexplained illness” is related to the shot.
The company said in a statement Monday evening that illnesses, accidents and other so-called adverse events “are an expected part of any clinical study, especially large studies,” but that its physicians and a safety monitoring panel would try to determine what might have caused the illness.
The pause is at least the second such hold to occur among several vaccines that have reached large-scale final tests in the U.S.
The company declined to reveal any more details about the illness, citing the participant’s privacy.
Temporary stoppages of large medical studies are relatively common. Few are made public in typical drug trials, but the work to make a coronavirus vaccine has raised the stakes on these kinds of complications.
Companies are required to investigate any serious or unexpected reaction that occurs during drug testing. Given that such tests are done on tens of thousands of people, some medical problems are a coincidence. In fact, one of the first steps the company said it will take is to determine if the person received the vaccine or a placebo.
The halt was first reported by the health news site STAT.
Final-stage testing of a vaccine made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University remains on hold in the U.S. as officials examine whether an illness in its trial poses a safety risk. That trial was stopped when a woman developed severe neurological symptoms consistent with transverse myelitis, a rare inflammation of the spinal cord, the company has said. That company's testing has restarted elsewhere.
Johnson & Johnson was aiming to enroll 60,000 volunteers to prove if its single-dose approach is safe and protects against the coronavirus. Other vaccine candidates in the U.S. require two shots.


Voting Plan

PITTSBURGH , Pa. — A federal court in Pennsylvania tossed the Trump campaign ’ s lawsuit challenging the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ for mail-in ballots without guards , its ballot signature guidance , and its restriction that @ @ @ @ @ the county to which they are assigned , finding the campaign failed to present a @ @ @ @ @ campaign has speculated the state ’ s voting plans would lead to voter fraud .


Church Shooting

CHARLESTON , S.C. — Family members of the victims of the 2015 Charleston church shooting sufficiently alleged that the government @ @ @ @ @ Dylann Roof to purchase the weapon he used during the shooting , a federal court @ @ @ @ @ denying the government ’ s motion to dismiss .


Ballot Signatures

JEFFERSON CITY , Mo .
— The Missouri Supreme Court ruled against the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP , @ @ @ @ @ of Missouri and voters in their challenge against the state ’ s requirement that signatures @ @ @ @ @ ballots be acknowledged by a notary .


Church Services

WASHINGTON — The Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington , D.C. , is likely to succeed on its claims that @ @ @ @ @ restrictions that prevent it from holding socially-distanced outdoor worship services for more than 100 people @ @ @ @ @ of religion , a federal court ruled .
The church won an injunction allowing it @ @ @ @ @ its 850 members .


courthousenews--2020-10-13--Netflix Co-CEO Says ‘Cuties’ Misunderstood in the US

WOODVILLE , Texas ( CN ) — Netflix ’ s co-chief executive officer defended the streaming of controversial French film “ Cuties ” on its service Monday , three weeks after the company was indicted by an East Texas grand jury for allegedly promoting lewd visual material of minors .
Ted Sarandos made the comments at the Mipcom television industry trade show in Cannes , France , after accepting Variety magazine ’ s Vanguard Award .
The four-day event is held virtually this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
During the question and answer session , Sarandos expressed surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Originally titled “ Mignonnes ” in France , “ Cuties ” tells the autobiographical story of director Maimouna Doucoure as a pre-pubescent Senegalese-French girl who hangs out with her same-aged dance group friends while living with her conservative Muslim family .
“ It is a very personal coming of age film , it ’ s the director ’ s story and the film has obviously played very well at Sundance without any of this controversy and played in theaters throughout Europe without any of this controversy , ” he said .
Sarandos said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the film and expressed free speech concerns with the backlash against the film .
“ It is a film that is very misunderstood with some audiences , uniquely within the United States .
The film speaks for itself , ” Sarandos said .
“ It ’ s a little surprising that in 2020 America we ’ re having a discussion about censoring storytelling.
” Texas state Representative Matt Schaefer , a Republican , announced on Oct. 6 the indictment in Taylor County accusing Netflix of promoting “ visual material which depicts the lewd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a clothed or partially clothed child ” younger than 18 years of age .
Filed on Sept. 23 , the one-page indictment claims the film “ appeals to the prurient interest in sex , and has no serious literary , artistic , political , or scientific value.
” The filing specifically called out Sarandos and co-CEO Reed Hastings for authorizing or “ recklessly ” tolerating the service ’ s promotion of the film .
Netflix was served with the lawsuit on Oct. 1 , according to Schaefer .
Sarandos was not asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apology after backlash against the streaming service ’ s more-provocative American marketing artwork for the film compared to marketing materials for France .
When the indictment was announced , Tyler County District Attorney Lucas Babin pointed out the growing backlash against the film .
“ The legislators of this state believe promoting certain lewd material of children has destructive consequences , ” he said in a statement at the time .
“ If such material is distributed on a grand scale , isn ’ t the need to prosecute more , not less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found probable cause for this felony , and my job is to uphold the laws of this state and see that justice is done.
” Babin ’ s father is U.S. Representative Brian Babin , R-Woodville , who signed a Sept. 17 letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr that described “ Cuties ” as containing child pornography .
Thirty-four lawmakers signed the letter , asking Barr to prosecute Netflix for depicting child pornography instead of criticizing it as the film ’ s defenders claim .
“ According to IMDB ’ s parental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scene where an 11-year-old girl dressed in a tank and panties is splashed with water and begins twerking in a frenzied kind of way , ’ and numerous other , equally distressing depictions of minors including a display of an 11-year-old child ’ s bare breast , ” the letter stated .
“ One reviewer recently said , ‘ What the Avengers movies are to comic-book geeks , Cuties is to pedophiles .
’ ”

Netflix’s co-chief executive officer defended the streaming of controversial French film “Cuties” on its service Monday, three weeks after the company was indicted by an East Texas grand jury for allegedly promoting lewd visual material of minors.
WOODVILLE, Texas (CN) — Netflix’s co-chief executive officer defended the streaming of controversial French film “Cuties” on its service Monday, three weeks after the company was indicted by an East Texas grand jury for allegedly promoting lewd visual material of minors.
Ted Sarandos made the comments at the Mipcom television industry trade show in Cannes, France, after accepting Variety magazine’s Vanguard Award. The four-day event is held virtually this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the question and answer session, Sarandos expressed surprise at the controversy over the film. Originally titled “Mignonnes” in France, “Cuties” tells the autobiographical story of director Maimouna Doucoure as a pre-pubescent Senegalese-French girl who hangs out with her same-aged dance group friends while living with her conservative Muslim family.
“It is a very personal coming of age film, it’s the director’s story and the film has obviously played very well at Sundance without any of this controversy and played in theaters throughout Europe without any of this controversy,” he said.
Sarandos said Netflix will not make any changes to the film and expressed free speech concerns with the backlash against the film.
“It is a film that is very misunderstood with some audiences, uniquely within the United States. The film speaks for itself,” Sarandos said. “It’s a little surprising that in 2020 America we’re having a discussion about censoring storytelling.”
Texas state Representative Matt Schaefer, a Republican, announced on Oct. 6 the indictment in Taylor County accusing Netflix of promoting “visual material which depicts the lewd exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of a clothed or partially clothed child” younger than 18 years of age. Filed on Sept. 23, the one-page indictment claims the film “appeals to the prurient interest in sex, and has no serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.”
The filing specifically called out Sarandos and co-CEO Reed Hastings for authorizing or “recklessly” tolerating the service’s promotion of the film.
Netflix was served with the lawsuit on Oct. 1, according to Schaefer.
Sarandos was not asked Monday about Netflix’s Aug. 20 apology after backlash against the streaming service’s more-provocative American marketing artwork for the film compared to marketing materials for France.
When the indictment was announced, Tyler County District Attorney Lucas Babin pointed out the growing backlash against the film.
“The legislators of this state believe promoting certain lewd material of children has destructive consequences,” he said in a statement at the time. “If such material is distributed on a grand scale, isn’t the need to prosecute more, not less? A grand jury in Tyler County found probable cause for this felony, and my job is to uphold the laws of this state and see that justice is done.”
Babin’s father is U.S. Representative Brian Babin, R-Woodville, who signed a Sept. 17 letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr that described “Cuties” as containing child pornography. Thirty-four lawmakers signed the letter, asking Barr to prosecute Netflix for depicting child pornography instead of criticizing it as the film’s defenders claim.
“According to IMDB’s parental guide, Cuties contains, ‘a scene where an 11-year-old girl dressed in a tank and panties is splashed with water and begins twerking in a frenzied kind of way,’ and numerous other, equally distressing depictions of minors including a display of an 11-year-old child’s bare breast,” the letter stated. “One reviewer recently said, ‘What the Avengers movies are to comic-book geeks, Cuties is to pedophiles.’”


courthousenews--2020-10-13--Trump Holds Rally in Florida After Testing Negative for Covid-19

SANFORD , Fla. ( CN ) — President Donald Trump boasted about his health and attacked his Democratic rival in front of thousands of supporters in Florida Monday during his first campaign rally since he was released from the hospital where he received treatment for the coronavirus .
“ I feel so powerful , ” Trump told the largely maskless crowd on the tarmac of the Orlando Sanford International Airport .
“ I ’ ll walk into that audience .
I ’ ll walk in there .
I ’ ll kiss everyone in that audience .
I ’ ll the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Everybody .
I ’ ll just give you a big fat kiss.
” Before Trump boarded Air Force One Monday , his doctor announced the president tested negative for Covid-19 using an antigen test .
Trump declared in Florida that he was now immune from the coronavirus and the audience chanted , “ We love you !
” The president spoke forcefully for an hour and did not seem to be suffering from shortness of breath — one of the known complications from the respiratory disease .
“ Fortunately I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m very young and in great shape , ” said Trump , who is 74 .
“ We are going to take whatever the hell they gave me and we ’ re going to distribute it out to all the hospitals.
” Trump canceled a rally in Sanford on Oct. 2 after his coronavirus diagnosis .
Sanford is located on the important I-4 corridor between Orlando and Daytona Beach , which covers one of the state ’ s largest media markets and typically has more undecided voters than any part of Florida .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ few days after Vice President Mike Pence visited the Villages , a large retirement community in Central Florida , and held a roundtable with Latinos in Orlando .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , the Democratic presidential nominee , also visited the state last week .
Florida is a must-win battleground state for Trump , who changed his residency from New York to the Sunshine State late last year .
The president narrowly won Florida in 2016 by less than 1 % of the vote .
According to a USA Today analysis of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential race by four points in Florida .
A poll conducted by University of North Florida ’ s Public Opinion Research Lab released last week found Biden up by six points in the Sunshine State .
“ Florida loves us , ” Trump told the crowd on Monday .
“ We have the fake news saying we are tied in Florida , I don ’ t understand it.
” Some of his supporters agreed .
“ They said the same thing in 2016 , ” said Robert Aldridge , a 42-year-old from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting for Trump.
” Trump largely stuck to red meat messages popular with his base during the hour-long speech , tackling illegal immigration , rebuilding the economy , and criticizing protesters in Portland , Oregon .
“ Next year is going to be the best year yet , economically , ” Trump boasted .
The thousands of rally goers did not seem worried about being packed onto the small tarmac with very little social distancing where the majority of attendees were not wearing masks .
“ I ’ m not really worried about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 53 .
“ We ’ re outside .
The cases are coming down .
Those who are worried can stay home.
” Florida ’ s cases of coronavirus have come down over the last two months after a huge spike in July and August .
The Florida Department of Health ’ s latest update reported 2,208 new coronavirus cases statewide on Monday .
The positivity rate of new cases is just over 4 % .
Last month , Republican Governor Ron DeSantis lifted many of his executive orders that had limited capacity in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Trump on Monday .
“ You ’ re open and open for business , ” Trump said about Florida .
“ It ’ s risky , but you got to get out sometimes , ” he added later .
On Saturday , three Floridians filed a lawsuit against Trump and the airport seeking to cancel the rally .
“ His attendance at a [ Make America Great Again ] event while infected with the deadly virus , accompanied by a huge entourage of infected and/or exposed individuals , along with the likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals emboldened by his disregard for safety precautions at the debate represents an extreme danger to the Seminole County community and plaintiffs , ” the complaint states .
In a statement released Monday , Biden also attacked Trump ’ s decision to hold the rally .
“ President Trump comes to Sanford today bringing nothing but reckless behavior , divisive rhetoric , and fear mongering , ” Biden said .
“ But , equally dangerous is what he fails to bring : no plan to get this virus that has taken the lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no plan to protect Floridians ’ health care amid his attacks against the ACA , and certainly no plan to mitigate the economic impact the pandemic is having on families across Central Florida.
” Florida ’ s early voting sites open next week .
Already , supervisors of elections have sent out more than 5.5 million mail-in ballots — 2.5 million to registered Democrats and 1.7 million to Republicans .
Of those , 1.6 million Floridians have already voted by mail with almost twice the number of Democrats as Republicans returning the ballots @

President Donald Trump boasted about his health and attacked his Democratic rival in front of thousands of supporters in Florida Monday during his first campaign rally since he was released from the hospital where he received treatment for the coronavirus.
SANFORD, Fla. (CN) — President Donald Trump boasted about his health and attacked his Democratic rival in front of thousands of supporters in Florida Monday during his first campaign rally since he was released from the hospital where he received treatment for the coronavirus.
“I feel so powerful,” Trump told the largely maskless crowd on the tarmac of the Orlando Sanford International Airport. “I’ll walk into that audience. I’ll walk in there. I’ll kiss everyone in that audience. I’ll the kiss the guys and the beautiful women. Everybody. I’ll just give you a big fat kiss.”
Before Trump boarded Air Force One Monday, his doctor announced the president tested negative for Covid-19 using an antigen test. Trump declared in Florida that he was now immune from the coronavirus and the audience chanted, “We love you!”
The president spoke forcefully for an hour and did not seem to be suffering from shortness of breath — one of the known complications from the respiratory disease.
“Fortunately I’m not an old person. I’m very young and in great shape,” said Trump, who is 74. “We are going to take whatever the hell they gave me and we’re going to distribute it out to all the hospitals.”
Trump canceled a rally in Sanford on Oct. 2 after his coronavirus diagnosis.
Sanford is located on the important I-4 corridor between Orlando and Daytona Beach, which covers one of the state’s largest media markets and typically has more undecided voters than any part of Florida.
Trump’s visit comes just a few days after Vice President Mike Pence visited the Villages, a large retirement community in Central Florida, and held a roundtable with Latinos in Orlando.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, also visited the state last week.
Florida is a must-win battleground state for Trump, who changed his residency from New York to the Sunshine State late last year. The president narrowly won Florida in 2016 by less than 1% of the vote.
According to a USA Today analysis of the latest polls, Biden is leading the presidential race by four points in Florida. A poll conducted by University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab released last week found Biden up by six points in the Sunshine State.
Trump dismissed the polling.
“Florida loves us,” Trump told the crowd on Monday. “We have the fake news saying we are tied in Florida, I don’t understand it.”
Some of his supporters agreed.
“They said the same thing in 2016,” said Robert Aldridge, a 42-year-old from Orlando. “Everyone I know is voting for Trump.”
Trump largely stuck to red meat messages popular with his base during the hour-long speech, tackling illegal immigration, rebuilding the economy, and criticizing protesters in Portland, Oregon.
“Next year is going to be the best year yet, economically,” Trump boasted.
The thousands of rally goers did not seem worried about being packed onto the small tarmac with very little social distancing where the majority of attendees were not wearing masks.
“I’m not really worried about it,” said Mary Littles, 53. “We’re outside. The cases are coming down. Those who are worried can stay home.”
Florida’s cases of coronavirus have come down over the last two months after a huge spike in July and August.
The Florida Department of Health’s latest update reported 2,208 new coronavirus cases statewide on Monday. The positivity rate of new cases is just over 4%.
Last month, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis lifted many of his executive orders that had limited capacity in restaurants and bars, a move praised by Trump on Monday.
“You’re open and open for business,” Trump said about Florida.
“It’s risky, but you got to get out sometimes,” he added later.
On Saturday, three Floridians filed a lawsuit against Trump and the airport seeking to cancel the rally.
“His attendance at a [Make America Great Again] event while infected with the deadly virus, accompanied by a huge entourage of infected and/or exposed individuals, along with the likely huge mass of unmasked exposed and infected individuals emboldened by his disregard for safety precautions at the debate represents an extreme danger to the Seminole County community and plaintiffs,” the complaint states.
In a statement released Monday, Biden also attacked Trump’s decision to hold the rally.
“President Trump comes to Sanford today bringing nothing but reckless behavior, divisive rhetoric, and fear mongering,” Biden said. “But, equally dangerous is what he fails to bring: no plan to get this virus that has taken the lives of over 15,000 Floridians under control, no plan to protect Floridians’ health care amid his attacks against the ACA, and certainly no plan to mitigate the economic impact the pandemic is having on families across Central Florida.”
Florida’s early voting sites open next week. Already, supervisors of elections have sent out more than 5.5 million mail-in ballots — 2.5 million to registered Democrats and 1.7 million to Republicans.
Of those, 1.6 million Floridians have already voted by mail with almost twice the number of Democrats as Republicans returning the ballots.


courthousenews--2020-10-14--San Diego Superior Looks to Boost Juror Attendance as Trials Resume

SAN DIEGO ( CN ) — Only 41 prospective jurors out of 800 San Diegans summoned for jury duty showed up for service Tuesday as San Diego Superior Court held its first jury trial since initially suspending court operations in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
San Diego Superior Court Presiding Judge Lorna Alksne told Courthouse News around 350 of the jurors who received summons in September asked the court to postpone their service .
The other 400 jurors were apparently no-shows Tuesday .
“ I think people are afraid , ” Alksne said .
She added , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be here that doesn ’ t feel comfortable .
Some people haven ’ t even been to the grocery store .
But if you ’ re willing to go to the grocery store , you ’ re willing to have your hair done , you ’ re willing to go to church — those people are the ones I want.
” Alksne , who took over presiding judge duties this past January , said the court has never had trouble getting jurors to respond to their summons .
While she doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contempt of court , she said “ we ’ d have to look at everything that ’ s provided in the code.
” Even though the court has U.S. Centers for Disease Control social distancing measures in place and has outfitted four courtrooms — two of which are being used exclusively for jury selection interviews — with Plexiglas panels separating the judge , court staff , attorneys and jurors , Alksne said she wasn ’ t surprised the turnout was low .
“ We can only have two trials going on in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we start getting regular jurors that ’ s more than enough , ” Alksne said .
“ If we don ’ t get enough jurors it doesn ’ t matter how many courtrooms we get set up.
” Alksne said San Diego County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten toured the new courthouse setup last month and approved the Plexiglas barriers and social distancing protocols .
As of right now , San Diego Superior Court is poised to hold 10 criminal trials through the end of year , starting with one trial a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
The county ’ s three other criminal courthouses aren ’ t yet decked out in Plexiglas dividers necessary to hold jury trials — the last court service to resume operations since the court reopened in May .
Alksne said the San Diego County Public Defender ’ s Office and District Attorney ’ s Office compiled a list for the court of which criminal trials should be prioritized first .
Out of 20,000 pending criminal cases , San Diego Superior Court has a backlog of about 2,000 cases ready for trial , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was for 61-year-old John Scarborough , who is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse .
Voir dire questioning in Judge Frederick Link ’ s courtroom Tuesday mimicked the “ Can You Hear Me Now ” Verizon commercial , with Judge Link , attorneys and jurors all checking in with one another to ensure their responses were heard clearly .
Alksne said ensuring jurors are focused on the legal cases they are being asked to decide is a top concern as trials resume .
“ Somebody ’ s civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I need people who are focused .
I can ’ t have people who are stressed and worried about their personal health .
It ’ s a difficult time to ask people to serve and that ’ s why we ’ ve waited so long , ” Alksne said .
Next week , the court will also hold the first civil bench trial heard before a judge rather than a jury , Alksne said .
But “ civil jury trials will be put on the back burner , ” the judge added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of certain age and health conditions have been approved by judges , Alksne said .
For the preference motions that have been granted , the litigants are entitled to a trial within 180 days , she added .
But not all changes to court operations due to the pandemic have been negative .
Alksne said “ access to justice is the silver lining of Covid , ” noting family court has seen a higher number of appearances by litigants in virtual domestic violence hearings .
“ Being able to appear remotely and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re stating is an abuser is very empowering and not as scary , ” Alksne said .
“ More people are able to appear because it ’ s just on their telephone , they don ’ t have to take a day off work , get a babysitter or pay for parking .
I think that is a worthwhile service we should continue , ” she added .

Only 41 prospective jurors out of 800 San Diegans summoned for jury duty showed up for service Tuesday as San Diego Superior Court held its first jury trial since initially suspending court operations in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
SAN DIEGO (CN) — Only 41 prospective jurors out of 800 San Diegans summoned for jury duty showed up for service Tuesday as San Diego Superior Court held its first jury trial since initially suspending court operations in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
San Diego Superior Court Presiding Judge Lorna Alksne told Courthouse News around 350 of the jurors who received summons in September asked the court to postpone their service.
The other 400 jurors were apparently no-shows Tuesday.
“I think people are afraid,” Alksne said.
She added, “I don’t want anyone to be here that doesn’t feel comfortable. Some people haven’t even been to the grocery store. But if you’re willing to go to the grocery store, you’re willing to have your hair done, you’re willing to go to church — those people are the ones I want.”
Alksne, who took over presiding judge duties this past January, said the court has never had trouble getting jurors to respond to their summons.
While she doesn’t expect no-show jurors will be found in contempt of court, she said “we’d have to look at everything that’s provided in the code.”
Even though the court has U.S. Centers for Disease Control social distancing measures in place and has outfitted four courtrooms — two of which are being used exclusively for jury selection interviews — with Plexiglas panels separating the judge, court staff, attorneys and jurors, Alksne said she wasn’t surprised the turnout was low.
“We can only have two trials going on in the county at a time, but until we start getting regular jurors that’s more than enough,” Alksne said.
“If we don’t get enough jurors it doesn’t matter how many courtrooms we get set up.”
Alksne said San Diego County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten toured the new courthouse setup last month and approved the Plexiglas barriers and social distancing protocols.
As of right now, San Diego Superior Court is poised to hold 10 criminal trials through the end of year, starting with one trial a week before eventually holding two trials a week.
The county’s three other criminal courthouses aren’t yet decked out in Plexiglas dividers necessary to hold jury trials — the last court service to resume operations since the court reopened in May.
Alksne said the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office and District Attorney’s Office compiled a list for the court of which criminal trials should be prioritized first.
Out of 20,000 pending criminal cases, San Diego Superior Court has a backlog of about 2,000 cases ready for trial, Alksne said.
Tuesday’s trial was for 61-year-old John Scarborough, who is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse.
Voir dire questioning in Judge Frederick Link’s courtroom Tuesday mimicked the “Can You Hear Me Now” Verizon commercial, with Judge Link, attorneys and jurors all checking in with one another to ensure their responses were heard clearly.
Alksne said ensuring jurors are focused on the legal cases they are being asked to decide is a top concern as trials resume.
“Somebody’s civil rights are in balance and on the line and I need people who are focused. I can’t have people who are stressed and worried about their personal health. It’s a difficult time to ask people to serve and that’s why we’ve waited so long,” Alksne said.
Next week, the court will also hold the first civil bench trial heard before a judge rather than a jury, Alksne said. But “civil jury trials will be put on the back burner,” the judge added.
Some civil preference motions by litigants of certain age and health conditions have been approved by judges, Alksne said. For the preference motions that have been granted, the litigants are entitled to a trial within 180 days, she added.
But not all changes to court operations due to the pandemic have been negative.
Alksne said “access to justice is the silver lining of Covid,” noting family court has seen a higher number of appearances by litigants in virtual domestic violence hearings.
“Being able to appear remotely and not have to face someone in public you’re stating is an abuser is very empowering and not as scary,” Alksne said.
“More people are able to appear because it’s just on their telephone, they don’t have to take a day off work, get a babysitter or pay for parking. I think that is a worthwhile service we should continue,” she added.


courthousenews--2020-10-13--Biden Woos Seniors, Black Voters in Return Trip to Battleground Florida

PEMBROKE PINES , Fla. ( CN ) — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden courted seniors and Black voters in South Florida on Tuesday , the former vice president ’ s second stop to the nation ’ s largest battleground state in just over a week .
During his remarks at the Southwest Focal Point Senior Center in Pembroke Pines , Biden laid out his policy proposals for older Americans while criticizing President Donald Trump ’ s response to the Covid-19 pandemic .
“ It ’ s harder than ever to spend time with the people you love , ” Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ ve all felt that interruption .
Things didn ’ t have to be this bad .
His handling of this virus has been erratic , just like his presidency.
” Throughout the 45-minute speech , Biden promised to shore up Medicare and Social Security while tugging at the audience ’ s heartstrings .
“ How many of you have not been able to hug your grandkids for the last seven months ?
” Biden asked the crowd .
“ It ’ s become painfully clear — as his careless , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the worst tragedies in American history — the only senior that Donald Trump cares about , the only senior that Donald Trump will do anything for , is Donald Trump , ” Biden said .
Later Tuesday afternoon , Biden addressed a drive-in “ voter mobilization ” event in Miramar .
The majority-black South Florida city has one of the largest concentrations of Jamaican Americans in the country .
The father of California Sen. Kamala Harris , Biden ’ s running mate , is Jamaican .
Biden made many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and added calls for racial justice .
“ Our communities of color in South Florida and across the country , how do we break the cycle ?
” Biden said .
“ The answer is simple : justice.
” “ We should have no tolerance for extremist white supremacists marching through our streets , ” Biden said to a chorus of honks from those in attendance .
Biden came back to Florida for the third time since becoming the Democratic nominee just a day after President Donald Trump held a large rally in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of supporters .
Trump and Vice President Mike Pence plan to make separate visits to the state later in the week — a sign of just how important the battleground state is for both campaigns .
Florida is a must-win for Trump , who changed his residency from New York to the Sunshine State late last year .
The president won Florida by less than 1 % of the vote in 2016 .
Biden has maintained a slight lead over Trump in Florida polls over the last several weeks .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University Business and Economics Polling Initiative found Biden leading Trump 51 % to 47 % .
The margin of error is 3.8 points .
The poll showed the economy and coronavirus pandemic are key issues among the electorate and Trump ’ s support may be waning among seniors .
“ Joe Biden continues to be competing better for senior voters than Hillary Clinton did in 2016 , and that could be the difference in Florida , ” said Kevin Wagner , a professor of political science at FAU .
Biden ’ s low-key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s rally on Monday , where he boasted about his coronavirus immunity just days after his release from Walter Reed Hospital .
“ I feel so powerful , ” Trump told the largely maskless crowd on the tarmac of the Orlando Sanford International Airport .
“ I ’ ll walk into that audience .
I ’ ll walk in there .
I ’ ll kiss everyone in that audience .
I ’ ll the kiss the guys and the beautiful women .
Everybody .
I ’ ll just give you a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed back against Biden ’ s criticisms late Tuesday .
“ As Joe Biden visited Broward County , a place Hillary Clinton won with 66 % of the vote , he was clearly struggling to excite core Democrat voters who remain hugely unenthusiastic about his campaign , ” Tim Murtaugh , Trump ’ s communication director , said in a statement .
“ Biden resorted to his worn tactic of lying about President Trump , who has steadfastly protected Social Security and Medicare and who has pledged to always do so .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also hollow , as Biden still can not name a single thing he would do differently than President Trump , ” Murtaugh added .
The Trump campaign also attacked Biden in an ad released Tuesday criticizing the Democratic nominee for avoiding about “ packing ” the Supreme Court if he is elected .
According to The Associated Press , Biden told WKRC in Cincinnati on Monday that he is “ not a fan ” of adding seats to the Supreme Court .
“ I ’ ve already spoken on — I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I don ’ t want to get off on that whole issue .
I want to keep focused , ” Biden said .
Florida ’ s early voting sites open next week .
Already , supervisors of elections have sent out more than 5.6 million mail-in ballots — 2.5 million to registered Democrats and 1.7 million to Republicans .
Of those , 1.7 million Floridians have already voted by mail with more Democrats than Republicans returning the ballots .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden courted seniors and Black voters in South Florida on Tuesday, the former vice president’s second stop to the nation’s largest battleground state in just over a week.
PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. (CN) — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden courted seniors and Black voters in South Florida on Tuesday, the former vice president’s second stop to the nation’s largest battleground state in just over a week.
During his remarks at the Southwest Focal Point Senior Center in Pembroke Pines, Biden laid out his policy proposals for older Americans while criticizing President Donald Trump’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It’s harder than ever to spend time with the people you love,” Biden told a small group of invitees. “We’ve all felt that interruption. Things didn’t have to be this bad. His handling of this virus has been erratic, just like his presidency.”
Throughout the 45-minute speech, Biden promised to shore up Medicare and Social Security while tugging at the audience’s heartstrings.
“How many of you have not been able to hug your grandkids for the last seven months?” Biden asked the crowd.
“It’s become painfully clear — as his careless, arrogant, reckless Covid response has caused one of the worst tragedies in American history — the only senior that Donald Trump cares about, the only senior that Donald Trump will do anything for, is Donald Trump,” Biden said.
Later Tuesday afternoon, Biden addressed a drive-in “voter mobilization” event in Miramar. The majority-black South Florida city has one of the largest concentrations of Jamaican Americans in the country. The father of California Sen. Kamala Harris, Biden’s running mate, is Jamaican.
Biden made many of the same remarks as earlier in the day and added calls for racial justice.
“Our communities of color in South Florida and across the country, how do we break the cycle?” Biden said. “The answer is simple: justice.”
“We should have no tolerance for extremist white supremacists marching through our streets,” Biden said to a chorus of honks from those in attendance.
Biden came back to Florida for the third time since becoming the Democratic nominee just a day after President Donald Trump held a large rally in Sanford, near Orlando, that attracted thousands of supporters. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence plan to make separate visits to the state later in the week — a sign of just how important the battleground state is for both campaigns.
Florida is a must-win for Trump, who changed his residency from New York to the Sunshine State late last year. The president won Florida by less than 1% of the vote in 2016.
Biden has maintained a slight lead over Trump in Florida polls over the last several weeks. In a survey released Tuesday, the Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Polling Initiative found Biden leading Trump 51% to 47%. The margin of error is 3.8 points.
The poll showed the economy and coronavirus pandemic are key issues among the electorate and Trump’s support may be waning among seniors.
“Joe Biden continues to be competing better for senior voters than Hillary Clinton did in 2016, and that could be the difference in Florida,” said Kevin Wagner, a professor of political science at FAU.
Biden’s low-key events were was in stark contrast to Trump’s rally on Monday, where he boasted about his coronavirus immunity just days after his release from Walter Reed Hospital.
“I feel so powerful,” Trump told the largely maskless crowd on the tarmac of the Orlando Sanford International Airport. “I’ll walk into that audience. I’ll walk in there. I’ll kiss everyone in that audience. I’ll the kiss the guys and the beautiful women. Everybody. I’ll just give you a big fat kiss.”
The Trump campaign pushed back against Biden’s criticisms late Tuesday.
“As Joe Biden visited Broward County, a place Hillary Clinton won with 66% of the vote, he was clearly struggling to excite core Democrat voters who remain hugely unenthusiastic about his campaign,” Tim Murtaugh, Trump’s communication director, said in a statement. “Biden resorted to his worn tactic of lying about President Trump, who has steadfastly protected Social Security and Medicare and who has pledged to always do so.
“His attacks on the federal coronavirus response are also hollow, as Biden still cannot name a single thing he would do differently than President Trump,” Murtaugh added.
The Trump campaign also attacked Biden in an ad released Tuesday criticizing the Democratic nominee for avoiding about “packing” the Supreme Court if he is elected.
According to The Associated Press, Biden told WKRC in Cincinnati on Monday that he is “not a fan” of adding seats to the Supreme Court.
"I've already spoken on — I'm not a fan of court packing, but I don't want to get off on that whole issue. I want to keep focused," Biden said.
Florida’s early voting sites open next week. Already, supervisors of elections have sent out more than 5.6 million mail-in ballots — 2.5 million to registered Democrats and 1.7 million to Republicans.
Of those, 1.7 million Floridians have already voted by mail with more Democrats than Republicans returning the ballots.


Absentee Ballots

CHICAGO — The Seventh Circuit stayed an injunction that had required Indiana to count all absentee ballots received by Nov. @ @ @ @ @ ’ s law requiring all ballots to be received by noon on Election Day is @ @ @ @ @ court added that the Supreme Court “ insists the federal judges not change electoral rules @ @ @ @ @ ”


courthousenews--2020-10-13--Great Barrier Reef Has Lost Half Its Corals

( CN ) — The iconic Great Barrier Reef , the world ’ s largest collection of coral reefs and a critical habitat for diverse ocean life , has lost at least half of its corals in the past three decades , according to a study released Tuesday .
Researcher Andy Dietzel of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and his colleagues assessed changes in the health of coral communities and their colony size across the massive reef system between 1995 and 2017 .
Compared to other ecosystems , the health of the coral populations has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is needed , according to Dietzel .
“ We measured changes in colony sizes because population studies are important for understanding demography and the corals ’ capacity to breed , ” Dietzel , who is the lead author of the study , said in a statement .
Study co-author Terry Hughes of ARC Centre said the team of researchers found high levels of coral depletion across the system .
“ We found the number of small , medium and large corals on the Great Barrier Reef has declined by more than 50 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding that decline was seen in all species of coral in both shallow and deep water .
“ We used to think the Great Barrier Reef is protected by its sheer size — but our results show that even the world ’ s largest and relatively well-protected reef system is increasingly compromised and in decline , ” Hughes added .
Branching and table-shaped corals , which saw the largest declines in size , provide critical habitat infrastructure for ocean life , according to the study .
“ Declines in the abundance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reef ecosystems , and fisheries , both directly , through declines in the availability of coral gametes , larvae and recruits , which constitute important sources of food for fish and other reef organisms including corals , and indirectly , through the loss of structural complexity and habitat , ” the study authors wrote .
The coral system , which sits off the northeast coast of Australia , hosts abundant and productive fisheries that could also see declines as the reef diminishes in size , according to the study published Tuesday in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Breeding activity will be disrupted as coral size fluctuates , according to Dietzel .
“ A vibrant coral population has millions of small , baby corals , as well as many large ones — the big mamas who produce most of the larvae , ” Dietzel said .
“ Our results show the ability of the Great Barrier Reef to recover — its resilience — is compromised compared to the past , because there are fewer babies , and fewer large breeding adults.
” According to the study , more research is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in populations within the coral habitats , for example whether population declines are a result of low recruitment from species or high mortality after species settle in .
Researchers said more studies are needed examining changes in demography within the coral habitats .
“ If we want to understand how coral populations are changing and whether or not they can recover between disturbances , we need more detailed demographic data : on recruitment , on reproduction and on colony size structure , ” Dietzel said .
Coral colonies in the northern and central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heat waves in 2016 and 2017 , which triggered mass bleaching across the reef system , according to the study .
The southern section of the reef system was impacted by a marine heat wave in early 2020 .
Study authors said climate change is frequently the main driver of disturbances , such as marine heat waves , in the reef system .
“ There is no time to lose — we must sharply decrease greenhouse gas emissions ASAP , ” the study authors said in a joint statement .

The iconic Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest collection of coral reefs and a critical habitat for diverse ocean life, has lost at least half of its corals in the past three decades, according to a study released Tuesday.
(CN) — The iconic Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest collection of coral reefs and a critical habitat for diverse ocean life, has lost at least half of its corals in the past three decades, according to a study released Tuesday.
Researcher Andy Dietzel of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and his colleagues assessed changes in the health of coral communities and their colony size across the massive reef system between 1995 and 2017.
Compared to other ecosystems, the health of the coral populations has not been studied as extensively over time as is needed, according to Dietzel.
"We measured changes in colony sizes because population studies are important for understanding demography and the corals' capacity to breed," Dietzel, who is the lead author of the study, said in a statement.
Study co-author Terry Hughes of ARC Centre said the team of researchers found high levels of coral depletion across the system.
“We found the number of small, medium and large corals on the Great Barrier Reef has declined by more than 50% since the 1990s," Hughes said, adding that decline was seen in all species of coral in both shallow and deep water.
“We used to think the Great Barrier Reef is protected by its sheer size — but our results show that even the world's largest and relatively well-protected reef system is increasingly compromised and in decline,” Hughes added.
Branching and table-shaped corals, which saw the largest declines in size, provide critical habitat infrastructure for ocean life, according to the study.
“Declines in the abundance of large colonies thus reduce the productivity of reef ecosystems, and fisheries, both directly, through declines in the availability of coral gametes, larvae and recruits, which constitute important sources of food for fish and other reef organisms including corals, and indirectly, through the loss of structural complexity and habitat,” the study authors wrote.
The coral system, which sits off the northeast coast of Australia, hosts abundant and productive fisheries that could also see declines as the reef diminishes in size, according to the study published Tuesday in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Breeding activity will be disrupted as coral size fluctuates, according to Dietzel.
"A vibrant coral population has millions of small, baby corals, as well as many large ones — the big mamas who produce most of the larvae," Dietzel said. "Our results show the ability of the Great Barrier Reef to recover — its resilience — is compromised compared to the past, because there are fewer babies, and fewer large breeding adults."
According to the study, more research is needed to determine the cause of changes in populations within the coral habitats, for example whether population declines are a result of low recruitment from species or high mortality after species settle in.
Researchers said more studies are needed examining changes in demography within the coral habitats.
"If we want to understand how coral populations are changing and whether or not they can recover between disturbances, we need more detailed demographic data: on recruitment, on reproduction and on colony size structure," Dietzel said.
Coral colonies in the northern and central Great Barrier Reef were affected by record-breaking heat waves in 2016 and 2017, which triggered mass bleaching across the reef system, according to the study.
The southern section of the reef system was impacted by a marine heat wave in early 2020.
Study authors said climate change is frequently the main driver of disturbances, such as marine heat waves, in the reef system.
"There is no time to lose — we must sharply decrease greenhouse gas emissions ASAP," the study authors said in a joint statement.
In an email, Dietzel said the study doesn’t directly link disturbances such as cyclones and mass bleaching to changes in coral colony size but they are “likely drivers” of change in coral populations.


Top Eight

Your Monday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News Top eight CNS stories for today including the U.S. Supreme Court granted the Trump administration ’ s request to halt the 2020 census count ; White Christians still back President Trump in large numbers but that support has slipped in recent weeks ; California officials argued before the Ninth Circuit that a highway construction project running through an old-growth grove of magnificent redwood trees would not harm the forest , and more .
Sign up for CNS Top Eight , a roundup of the day ’ s top stories delivered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
1 . )
The U.S. Supreme Court granted the Trump administration ’ s request to halt the 2020 census count on Tuesday evening while litigation unfolds in the Ninth Circuit .
2 . )
White Christians , a backbone of President Donald Trump ’ s support in the electorate , still back the Republican incumbent in large numbers but that support has slipped in recent weeks , the Pew Research Center reported Tuesday .
3 . )
In a case that plunged more than a hundred U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed Tuesday to decide how that body ’ s judges can be appointed .
4 . )
Justice Clarence Thomas on Tuesday urged his colleagues to soon tackle the issue of immunity for internet platforms after the Supreme Court decided not to hear a dispute over a cybersecurity software company blocking its rival .
5 . )
The partisan divide over climate change is closing as more people say global warming is an issue they are seeing play out in their lifetimes .
6 . )
Democrats drilling Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Republicans are commandeering the high court to overturn the landmark health care legislation that protects those with preexisting conditions , among the 7 million Americans who contracted Covid-19 this year .
7 . )
For decades , battles over voting rights have essentially been part of the curriculum for students at Prairie View A & M University , a historically Black college in Texas .
They are receiving another lesson now in a trial fighting for early voting to be made a fixture on campus .
8 . )
California officials appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ninth Circuit on Tuesday to argue a highway construction project running through an old-growth grove of magnificent redwood trees would not harm the forest .

Top eight CNS stories for today including the U.S. Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s request to halt the 2020 census count; White Christians still back President Trump in large numbers but that support has slipped in recent weeks; California officials argued before the Ninth Circuit that a highway construction project running through an old-growth grove of magnificent redwood trees would not harm the forest, and more.
Your Tuesday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News
Top eight CNS stories for today including the U.S. Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s request to halt the 2020 census count; White Christians still back President Trump in large numbers but that support has slipped in recent weeks; California officials argued before the Ninth Circuit that a highway construction project running through an old-growth grove of magnificent redwood trees would not harm the forest, and more.
Sign up for CNS Top Eight, a roundup of the day’s top stories delivered directly to your email Monday through Friday.
National
1.) The U.S. Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s request to halt the 2020 census count on Tuesday evening while litigation unfolds in the Ninth Circuit.
A briefcase of a census taker is seen as she knocks on the door of a residence Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Winter Park, Fla. A half-million census takers head out en mass this week to knock on the doors of households that haven't yet responded to the 2020 census. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
2.) White Christians, a backbone of President Donald Trump’s support in the electorate, still back the Republican incumbent in large numbers but that support has slipped in recent weeks, the Pew Research Center reported Tuesday.
President Donald Trump holds a Bible as he visits outside St. John's Church across Lafayette Park from the White House on June 1, 2020, in Washington. Park of the church was set on fire during protests the night prior. (Patrick Semansky/AP)
3.) In a case that plunged more than a hundred U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board cases into uncertainty, the Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to decide how that body’s judges can be appointed.
The empty courtroom is seen at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington as the justices prepare final decisions of the high court's term, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
4.) Justice Clarence Thomas on Tuesday urged his colleagues to soon tackle the issue of immunity for internet platforms after the Supreme Court decided not to hear a dispute over a cybersecurity software company blocking its rival.
The U.S. Supreme Court. (Jack Rodgers/Courthouse News)
5.) The partisan divide over climate change is closing as more people say global warming is an issue they are seeing play out in their lifetimes.
Protesters gather outside the White House in Washington on June 1, 2017, opposing President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the Unites States from the Paris climate change accord. (SUSAN WALSH/AP)
6.) Democrats drilling Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett buckled down Tuesday on their warnings that Republicans are commandeering the high court to overturn the landmark health care legislation that protects those with preexisting conditions, among the 7 million Americans who contracted Covid-19 this year.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett speaks during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Regional
7.) For decades, battles over voting rights have essentially been part of the curriculum for students at Prairie View A&M University, a historically Black college in Texas. They are receiving another lesson now in a trial fighting for early voting to be made a fixture on campus.
Panther Stadium at Prairie View A&M University. (Photo by Maureen Allen via Wikimedia Commons)
8.) California officials appeared in front of a three-judge panel at the Ninth Circuit on Tuesday to argue a highway construction project running through an old-growth grove of magnificent redwood trees would not harm the forest.


Rowdy Meetings

BROOKLYN , N.Y. — The editor of the blog “ Town of Oyster Bay News ” sued Oyster Bay , @ @ @ @ @ passage of a resolution giving the town leader the authority to have anyone who makes @ @ @ @ @ threatening , insolent , slanderous or obscene remarks or gestures ” during town meetings charged @ @ @ @


Pandemic in Prison

NEW ORLEANS — The Fifth Circuit ruled against two Texas inmates at a prison for elderly and medically compromised individuals @ @ @ @ @ facility be ordered to implement more measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 .
More @ @ @ @ @ unit have been infected with the virus , and 20 have died .
The circuit @ @ @ @ @ that had required the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to institute a cleaning schedule for @ @ @ @ @ common areas , give prisoners hand sanitizer and other hard-to-come-by items , and develop a @ @ @ @

The Fifth Circuit ruled against two Texas inmates at a prison for elderly and medically compromised individuals who had asked that the facility be ordered to implement more measures to stop the spread of Covid-19. More than 500 inmates at the unit have been infected with the virus, and 20 have died.
NEW ORLEANS — The Fifth Circuit ruled against two Texas inmates at a prison for elderly and medically compromised individuals who had asked that the facility be ordered to implement more measures to stop the spread of Covid-19. More than 500 inmates at the unit have been infected with the virus, and 20 have died.
The circuit court stayed a permanent injunction that had required the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to institute a cleaning schedule for the Pack Unit’s common areas, give prisoners hand sanitizer and other hard-to-come-by items, and develop a Covid-19 testing plan.