Top Eight

Your Friday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News Top eight CNS stories for today including the Supreme Court agreed to review the Trump administration ’ s effort to exclude undocumented immigrants from the census count used to divvy up congressional seats ; The risk of a chaotic no-deal divorce between the United Kingdom and the European Union is becoming ever more likely ; Five of six men accused of planning to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer must stand trial , and more .
Sign up for the CNS Top Eight , a roundup of the day ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday through Friday .
1 . )
The Supreme Court agreed Friday to review the Trump administration ’ s effort to exclude undocumented immigrants from the decennial census count used to divvy up seats in Congress .
2 . )
Twitter announced Friday that it will change its policy around hacked information after its decision to block users from sharing an unverified New York Post exposé about Hunter Biden sparked outrage among conservatives .
3 . )
Despite four straight days of losses , markets were able to close out the week with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small , as investors prepare for a potentially gruesome November .
4 . )
Just weeks after the president cast himself as a “ great environmentalist ” in a Florida rally , conservation groups condemned his administration Friday for undermining a court ’ s order to prevent water contamination with coal ash .
5 . )
Five of six men accused of planning to kidnap Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer must stand trial , a federal magistrate ruled Friday .
6 . )
Hours after the Trump administration said it would deny California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid a record-setting wildfire season that has blackened over 4 million acres across the state , the president reversed course and approved the funding .
7 . )
In a win for transparency and police watchdog groups , New Jersey ’ s appeals court on Friday paved the way for state police officer disciplinary records to be made public .
8 . )
The risk of a previously unthinkable disruptive and chaotic no-deal divorce between the United Kingdom and the European Union is becoming ever more likely after European and British leaders said @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Top eight CNS stories for today including the Supreme Court agreed to review the Trump administration’s effort to exclude undocumented immigrants from the census count used to divvy up congressional seats; The risk of a chaotic no-deal divorce between the United Kingdom and the European Union is becoming ever more likely; Five of six men accused of planning to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer must stand trial, and more.
Your Friday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News
Top eight CNS stories for today including the Supreme Court agreed to review the Trump administration’s effort to exclude undocumented immigrants from the census count used to divvy up congressional seats; The risk of a chaotic no-deal divorce between the United Kingdom and the European Union is becoming ever more likely; Five of six men accused of planning to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer must stand trial, 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.) The Supreme Court agreed Friday to review the Trump administration’s effort to exclude undocumented immigrants from the decennial census count used to divvy up seats in Congress.
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.) Twitter announced Friday that it will change its policy around hacked information after its decision to block users from sharing an unverified New York Post exposé about Hunter Biden sparked outrage among conservatives.
FILE - In this July 9, 2019, file photo a pedestrian walks across the street from the Twitter office building in San Francisco. A complaint unsealed in a federal court detailed a coordinated effort by Saudi officials to recruit employees at the social media giant who could tap into the Twitter accounts of political opponents and access their personal data, including internet protocol addresses that can give up a user's location. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
3.) Despite four straight days of losses, markets were able to close out the week with some winnings, even if they were small, as investors prepare for a potentially gruesome November.
Supporters of President Donald Trump cheer as he walks off stage after speaking at a campaign rally at Pitt-Greenville Airport, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in Greenville, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
4.) Just weeks after the president cast himself as a “great environmentalist” in a Florida rally, conservation groups condemned his administration Friday for undermining a court’s order to prevent water contamination with coal ash.
FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2017 file photo, heavy equipment is used at an ash storage site at Gallatin Fossil Plant in Gallatin, Tenn. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it plans to scrap an Obama-era measure limiting water pollution from coal-fired power plants. A letter from EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt released Monday, Aug. 14, 2017, as part of a legal appeal says he will seek to revise the 2015 guidelines mandating increased treatment for wastewater from steam electric power generating plants. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Regional
5.) Five of six men accused of planning to kidnap Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer must stand trial, a federal magistrate ruled Friday.
In a photo provided by the Michigan Office of the Governor, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the state during a speech in Lansing, Mich., Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. The governor delivered remarks addressing Michiganders after the Michigan Attorney General, Michigan State Police, U.S. Department of Justice, and FBI announced state and federal charges against 13 members of two militia groups who were preparing to kidnap and possibly kill the governor. (Michigan Office of the Governor via AP)
6.) Hours after the Trump administration said it would deny California’s request for federal disaster assistance amid a record-setting wildfire season that has blackened over 4 million acres across the state, the president reversed course and approved the funding.
The wind whips embers from the Joshua trees burned by the Bobcat Fire in Juniper Hills, Calif., Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
7.) In a win for transparency and police watchdog groups, New Jersey’s appeals court on Friday paved the way for state police officer disciplinary records to be made public.
Port Authority Police officers arrive at the scene following reports of gunfire in Jersey City, N.J., on Dec. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
International
8.) The risk of a previously unthinkable disruptive and chaotic no-deal divorce between the United Kingdom and the European Union is becoming ever more likely after European and British leaders said trade talks are making no progress.


courthousenews--2020-10-16--US Budget Deficit Hits New Record of $3.1 Trillion

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — The U.S. government ’ s budget deficit skyrocketed during the fiscal year 2020 with more than $ 3.1 trillion in the red , according to a report released Friday by the Treasury Department .
This fiscal year , which ended Sept. 30 , saw a record budget deficit more than three times that of the 2019 deficit , following a massive federal spending surge related to coronavirus-driven economic relief efforts .
Last year , the budget deficit – which is the gap between government spending and tax revenue – was $ 984 billion .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Treasury Department on Friday shows that government spending amounted to more than $ 6.5 trillion this year , which is up from $ 4.4 trillion in 2019 .
It also shows that the 2020 deficit represents 15.2 % of total gross domestic product , the highest percentage since World War II .
According to the Treasury Department , the record-breaking deficit for the 2020 fiscal year – surpassing the previous record of $ 1.4 trillion in 2009 – was mostly due to hefty spending on pandemic relief efforts aimed at bolstering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began to tank in March .
“ The increase in the deficit from FY 2019 reflects the effect of Covid-19 on the economy and legislation that created or enhanced programs to protect public health and support hard-hit industries , small businesses , and American individuals and families , ” the department said in a statement .
In particular , the deficit was driven by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act , Families First Coronavirus Response Act , CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act , all passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soaring deficit is also the result of a 1 % decrease in corporate and personal tax revenue , the Treasury Department said .
The government banked about $ 3.4 trillion in tax revenue this year , which is a narrow decrease compared to the revenue garnered in 2019 .
To coincide with Friday ’ s data , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Office of Management and Budget Secretary Russ Vought released a joint statement in which they expressed unrestrained praise for President Donald Trump and predicted an economic recovery without providing much evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ President Trump ’ s pro-growth policies ” are contributing to a “ strong economic rebound.
” When Trump took office in 2016 , he vowed to erase the federal government ’ s overall debt within two terms .
But the debt has since increased from about $ 14.4 trillion to around $ 21 trillion .
As the Trump administration officials pointed out on Friday , federal debt was on the rise before the virus struck the U.S. economy .
“ As the country continues to open up and this administration pursues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue its robust recovery , sending Americans back to work and improving our fiscal picture , ” Vought wrote in the statement .
Now , Congress is in the midst of contentious negotiations over a new coronavirus relief package .
Democrats are seeking more than $ 2 trillion for the next round of aid out of Washington , but Senate Republicans are increasingly reluctant .
It is unlikely a deal will get done before the Nov. 3 election .

The U.S. government’s budget deficit skyrocketed during the fiscal year 2020 with more than $3.1 trillion in the red, according to a report released Friday by the Treasury Department.
WASHINGTON (CN) — The U.S. government’s budget deficit skyrocketed during the fiscal year 2020 with more than $3.1 trillion in the red, according to a report released Friday by the Treasury Department.
This fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, saw a record budget deficit more than three times that of the 2019 deficit, following a massive federal spending surge related to coronavirus-driven economic relief efforts. Last year, the budget deficit – which is the gap between government spending and tax revenue – was $984 billion.
The report released jointly by the White House and the Treasury Department on Friday shows that government spending amounted to more than $6.5 trillion this year, which is up from $4.4 trillion in 2019. It also shows that the 2020 deficit represents 15.2% of total gross domestic product, the highest percentage since World War II.
According to the Treasury Department, the record-breaking deficit for the 2020 fiscal year – surpassing the previous record of $1.4 trillion in 2009 – was mostly due to hefty spending on pandemic relief efforts aimed at bolstering business and employment after the U.S. economy began to tank in March.
“The increase in the deficit from FY 2019 reflects the effect of Covid-19 on the economy and legislation that created or enhanced programs to protect public health and support hard-hit industries, small businesses, and American individuals and families,” the department said in a statement.
In particular, the deficit was driven by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, all passed by Congress earlier this year.
The soaring deficit is also the result of a 1% decrease in corporate and personal tax revenue, the Treasury Department said. The government banked about $3.4 trillion in tax revenue this year, which is a narrow decrease compared to the revenue garnered in 2019.
To coincide with Friday’s data, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Office of Management and Budget Secretary Russ Vought released a joint statement in which they expressed unrestrained praise for President Donald Trump and predicted an economic recovery without providing much evidence.
Mnuchin said the bipartisan CARES Act and “President Trump’s pro-growth policies” are contributing to a “strong economic rebound.”
When Trump took office in 2016, he vowed to erase the federal government’s overall debt within two terms. But the debt has since increased from about $14.4 trillion to around $21 trillion.
As the Trump administration officials pointed out on Friday, federal debt was on the rise before the virus struck the U.S. economy.
“As the country continues to open up and this administration pursues its pro-growth agenda, our economy will continue its robust recovery, sending Americans back to work and improving our fiscal picture,” Vought wrote in the statement.
Now, Congress is in the midst of contentious negotiations over a new coronavirus relief package. Democrats are seeking more than $2 trillion for the next round of aid out of Washington, but Senate Republicans are increasingly reluctant. It is unlikely a deal will get done before the Nov. 3 election.


courthousenews--2020-10-16--‘You Sell Cocaine, I Just File a Claim’

‘You Sell Cocaine, I Just File a Claim’

LOS ANGELES — A rapper who boasted in a music video about getting rich through a Covid-19 unemployment benefits scam @ @ @ @ @ video to YouTube — faces federal fraud charges in the $ 1.2 million scheme , @ @ @ @

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--2020-10-16--Judge Allows Exide to Abandon Polluted Battery Plant in LA County

( CN ) — A federal judge on Friday approved a bankruptcy plan by Exide Technologies that will allow the company to skirt costs and cleanup of a southern California battery-recycling plant that for decades poisoned surrounding neighborhoods .
The Chapter 11 plan was approved in federal bankruptcy court in Delaware despite outcry from California lawmakers , residents and environmental advocacy groups who argued the federal government should hold the company liable for the toxic mess it has left behind in the city of Vernon .
Residents in surrounding neighborhoods in Los Angeles County have for years complained over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead poisoning created by the plant .
UCLA law school student Idalmis Vaquero , 26 , has lived at the Estrada Courts housing project in Boyle Heights since she was 13 years old .
Residents , who live about 1.5 miles away from the plant , have complained about health issues and requested testing at the site for years .
Now plans for a cleanup are stalled despite Exide promising to clean up the site to avoid criminal prosecution for mishandling toxic chemicals .
Vaquero said she knew that the odds were stacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday morning bankruptcy hearing .
“ I wasn ’ t very optimistic , but I am still disappointed and frustrated that our community is left with the burden of contamination without a clear timeline when our homes are going to be cleaned up , ” said Vaquero , who is also a member of the advocacy group East Yard Communities For Environmental Justice .
“ And now we ’ re going to be left with the bill , ” she said with a long sigh .
Vaquero said an enclosure surrounds the plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but after Oct. 30 Exide is no longer legally required to maintain that process .
Chief Judge Christopher Sontchi from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Delaware said Friday that Exide ’ s contract would remain in place to maintain the enclosure until the end of the month and after that the abandonment would be in effect .
California can appeal the court ’ s decision , but there will be no stay in the legal proceedings .
In a statement , California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state intends to appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ outraged that the federal bankruptcy court let Exide and its creditors off the hook today and decided that lead exposure does not pose an imminent or immediate harm to the public.
” The California Department of Toxic Substances Control , the state regulator on toxic cleanup , did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
On Wednesday , during a telephone hearing with the Department of Justice , residents from communities surrounding the now-shuttered Exide plant expressed their anger and frustration that the company would leave behind a toxic mess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 50 million cleanup .
Exide entered into the agreement with regulators to avoid criminal prosecution and apologized for mishandling toxic chemicals at the site for years .
During the recent bankruptcy proceedings , the federal government did not oppose the Exide plan .
Exide says it will leave behind just $ 2.5 million for any cleanup costs .
The smelting plant has been a fixture in the city of Vernon since 1922 .
Exide took over the site in 2000 .
In 2014 , state regulators forced the plant to shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dust over residential neighborhoods up to 1.7 miles away .
In May , Exide Holdings filed for bankruptcy and moved ahead with a nonconsensual confirmation to skirt liability and abandon the site .
On Friday , California Assembly member Miguel Santiago , who represents LA County , said the court ’ s decision to allow the bankruptcy plan to move forward would “ allow corporate polluter Exide to abandon its responsibilities to clean up decades of contamination.
” Mayor of the city of Cudahy Elizabeth Alcantar said it ’ s clear that Exide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaking the 2015 agreement .
“ I think in all it ’ s an injustice that ’ s going to continue , ” said Alcantar .
“ They ’ re going to be allowed to abandon the site and … continue to hurt the people who are living in this community.
” The court proceeding made it clear that the state of California did not do enough over the years to hold Exide accountable said Alcantar and the company took advantage of that situation .
“ Essentially , in two weeks they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damages they caused , ” said Alcantar .
Cudahy is approximately four miles from the Vernon plant and environmental advocacy groups say it falls within a region of communities that should be tested for lead poisoning .
Exide ’ s legal counsel did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
Gloria Carillo , another resident of Estrada Courts , said she lives about a 10-minute drive from the Vernon site .
All four of her children have asthma , along with other children who live in the housing projects .
“ Older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has headaches all the time .
Everyone , ” said Carillo when reached by phone .
“ One of the concerns and worries we have about is when kids grow up : how ’ s their health going to be ?
We have to deal with so many other issues here , ” said Carillo who did not know about the court ’ s decision when asked by Courthouse News Service .
Carillo asked who will clean up the site if Exide won ’ t .
“ We don ’ t have hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because nobody wants to pay for that… it ’ s like we don ’ t have no hope .
”

A federal judge on Friday approved a bankruptcy plan by Exide Technologies that will allow the company to skirt costs and cleanup of a southern California battery-recycling plant that for decades poisoned surrounding neighborhoods.
(CN) — A federal judge on Friday approved a bankruptcy plan by Exide Technologies that will allow the company to skirt costs and cleanup of a southern California battery-recycling plant that for decades poisoned surrounding neighborhoods.
The Chapter 11 plan was approved in federal bankruptcy court in Delaware despite outcry from California lawmakers, residents and environmental advocacy groups who argued the federal government should hold the company liable for the toxic mess it has left behind in the city of Vernon.
Residents in surrounding neighborhoods in Los Angeles County have for years complained over the health issues they experienced related to the lead poisoning created by the plant.
UCLA law school student Idalmis Vaquero, 26, has lived at the Estrada Courts housing project in Boyle Heights since she was 13 years old. Residents, who live about 1.5 miles away from the plant, have complained about health issues and requested testing at the site for years.
Now plans for a cleanup are stalled despite Exide promising to clean up the site to avoid criminal prosecution for mishandling toxic chemicals.
Vaquero said she knew that the odds were stacked in Exide’s favor during the Friday morning bankruptcy hearing.
“I wasn’t very optimistic, but I am still disappointed and frustrated that our community is left with the burden of contamination without a clear timeline when our homes are going to be cleaned up,” said Vaquero, who is also a member of the advocacy group East Yard Communities For Environmental Justice.
“And now we’re going to be left with the bill,” she said with a long sigh.
Vaquero said an enclosure surrounds the plant to contain the escape of harmful substances, but after Oct. 30 Exide is no longer legally required to maintain that process.
Chief Judge Christopher Sontchi from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Delaware said Friday that Exide’s contract would remain in place to maintain the enclosure until the end of the month and after that the abandonment would be in effect.
California can appeal the court’s decision, but there will be no stay in the legal proceedings.
In a statement, California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state intends to appeal the court’s decision and he is “outraged that the federal bankruptcy court let Exide and its creditors off the hook today and decided that lead exposure does not pose an imminent or immediate harm to the public.”
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control, the state regulator on toxic cleanup, issued a comment Friday evening.
"DTSC strongly objected to Exide’s plan to abandon the Vernon property and walk away from its cleanup obligations. DTSC will continue to fight to hold Exide accountable by appealing this ruling," spokeswoman Barbara Zumwalt said in a statement.
On Wednesday, during a telephone hearing with the Department of Justice, residents from communities surrounding the now-shuttered Exide plant expressed their anger and frustration that the company would leave behind a toxic mess after promising several years before to commit a $50 million cleanup.
Exide entered into the agreement with regulators to avoid criminal prosecution and apologized for mishandling toxic chemicals at the site for years.
During the recent bankruptcy proceedings, the federal government did not oppose the Exide plan. Exide says it will leave behind just $2.5 million for any cleanup costs.
The smelting plant has been a fixture in the city of Vernon since 1922. Exide took over the site in 2000.
In 2014, state regulators forced the plant to shut down, finding the site spread lead dust over residential neighborhoods up to 1.7 miles away.
In May, Exide Holdings filed for bankruptcy and moved ahead with a nonconsensual confirmation to skirt liability and abandon the site.
On Friday, California Assembly member Miguel Santiago, who represents LA County, said the court’s decision to allow the bankruptcy plan to move forward would “allow corporate polluter Exide to abandon its responsibilities to clean up decades of contamination.”
Mayor of the city of Cudahy Elizabeth Alcantar said it’s clear that Exide executives should be held criminally accountable for breaking the 2015 agreement.
“I think in all it’s an injustice that’s going to continue,” said Alcantar. “They’re going to be allowed to abandon the site and … continue to hurt the people who are living in this community.”
The court proceeding made it clear that the state of California did not do enough over the years to hold Exide accountable said Alcantar and the company took advantage of that situation.
“Essentially, in two weeks they’re washing their hands free of the damages they caused,” said Alcantar.
Cudahy is approximately four miles from the Vernon plant and environmental advocacy groups say it falls within a region of communities that should be tested for lead poisoning.
Exide’s legal counsel did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Gloria Carillo, another resident of Estrada Courts, said she lives about a 10-minute drive from the Vernon site. All four of her children have asthma, along with other children who live in the housing projects.
“Older people die here from cancer and everyone has headaches all the time. Everyone,” said Carillo when reached by phone.
“One of the concerns and worries we have about is when kids grow up: how’s their health going to be? We have to deal with so many other issues here,” said Carillo who did not know about the court’s decision when asked by Courthouse News Service.
Carillo asked who will clean up the site if Exide won’t.
“We don’t have hope to have anyone to come and clean because nobody wants to pay for that… it’s like we don’t have no hope.”


courthousenews--2020-10-16--Obrador Slams Corruption After High-Ranking General Indicted

BROOKLYN , N.Y. ( CN ) — Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador pledged Friday to suspend or remove any active officials linked to the country ’ s former defense secretary after U.S. prosecutors unsealed drug-trafficking and money-laundering charges against General Salvador Cienfuegos .
“ All those who are involved in the General Cienfuegos affair , who are acting officials in the government or in the Ministry of Defense , will be suspended or presented to the competent authorities , ” López Obrador said , according to a translation of his remarks by the editor of Mexico Business .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general also known as “ Zepeda ” or “ El Padrino ” managed the country ’ s army and air force from 2012 to 2018 , reporting directly to the Mexican president .
Cienfuegos , 72 , was arrested Thursday night at Los Angeles International Airport after arriving with his family .
Alleging four counts of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute heroin , cocaine , methamphetamine and marijuana , as well as conspiracy to launder proceeds from selling narcotics , the indictment against him was filed in New York ’ s Eastern District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one where testimony against the Sinaloa cartel drug lord Joaquín “ El Chapo ” Guzmán tied the country ’ s organized crime problem to Nieto himself and the highest reaches of Mexico ’ s government .
After the December arrest of Genaro García Luna , who served as minister of public security under former Mexican President Felipe Calderón , Cienfuegos is the highest-ranking former cabinet official to be in U.S. custody .
Luna is awaiting trial in Brooklyn as well after pleading not guilty to drug-trafficking charges .
Guzman was given a life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sweeping stretch of corruption that such indictments indicate .
“ I have always said that it was not just one single crisis but a process of progressive degradation , ” the Mexican president said .
Acting U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme notes in a detention memo that Cienfuegos is said to have accepted bribes from the H-2 Cartel , which was led by Juan Francisco Patron Sanchez out of Nayarit and Sinaloa , Mexico .
“ In exchange for bribe payments , he permitted the H-2 Cartel — a cartel that routinely engaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder — to operate with impunity in Mexico , ” the memo says .
The general ’ s involvement is said to be documented in thousands of messages that law enforcement officials intercepted from his BlackBerry .
They show Cienfuegos making sure that the military did not go after H-2 , acting against rival drug-trafficking organizations , and even helping H-2 to transport drug shipments , expand its range , and introduce traffickers to other government officials willing to take cartel bribes .
The indictment also asserts that senior leaders of H-2 murdered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was helping authorities after Cienfuegos tipped the gang off about three ongoing U.S. law enforcement investigations .
Mike Vigil , former chief of international operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration , told the AP that he heard allegations that Cienfuegos was corrupt wile in Mexico in 2012 .
He suggested that recent arrests of cartel leaders and officials could lead to further prosecution of those at the top , since U.S. prosecutors are likely to “ trade up ” for evidence against individuals at equal or higher rank .
“ There were always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sink our teeth into .
That was kind of unheard of because Mexico has always put the military on a pedestal , ” Vigil said .
“ The corruption is just coming to roost , because individuals who were once untouchable are now getting arrested.
” The 8-page indictment specifies the amount of substances containing various illicit drugs included in the charge : At least one kilogram of a substance containing heroin ; five kilograms containing cocaine ; 500 grams containing methamphetamine ; and 1,000 kilograms containing marijuana .
Cienfuegos is scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. District Judge Carol Bagley Amon , a George H. W. Bush appointee .
The general is represented by attorney Duane Lyons .

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador pledged Friday to suspend or remove any active officials linked to the country’s former defense secretary after U.S. prosecutors unsealed drug-trafficking and money-laundering charges against General Salvador Cienfuegos.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CN) — Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador pledged Friday to suspend or remove any active officials linked to the country’s former defense secretary after U.S. prosecutors unsealed drug-trafficking and money-laundering charges against General Salvador Cienfuegos.
“All those who are involved in the General Cienfuegos affair, who are acting officials in the government or in the Ministry of Defense, will be suspended or presented to the competent authorities,” López Obrador said, according to a translation of his remarks by the editor of Mexico Business.
Under former President Enrique Peña Nieto, the general also known as “Zepeda” or “El Padrino” managed the country’s army and air force from 2012 to 2018, reporting directly to the Mexican president.
Cienfuegos, 72, was arrested Thursday night at Los Angeles International Airport after arriving with his family. Alleging four counts of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as conspiracy to launder proceeds from selling narcotics, the indictment against him was filed in New York’s Eastern District.
The Brooklyn courthouse is the same one where testimony against the Sinaloa cartel drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán tied the country’s organized crime problem to Nieto himself and the highest reaches of Mexico’s government.
After the December arrest of Genaro García Luna, who served as minister of public security under former Mexican President Felipe Calderón, Cienfuegos is the highest-ranking former cabinet official to be in U.S. custody. Luna is awaiting trial in Brooklyn as well after pleading not guilty to drug-trafficking charges. Guzman was given a life sentence.
López Obrador spoke Friday about the sweeping stretch of corruption that such indictments indicate. “I have always said that it was not just one single crisis but a process of progressive degradation,” the Mexican president said.
Acting U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme notes in a detention memo that Cienfuegos is said to have accepted bribes from the H-2 Cartel, which was led by Juan Francisco Patron Sanchez out of Nayarit and Sinaloa, Mexico.
“In exchange for bribe payments, he permitted the H-2 Cartel — a cartel that routinely engaged in wholesale violence, including torture and murder — to operate with impunity in Mexico,” the memo says.
The general’s involvement is said to be documented in thousands of messages that law enforcement officials intercepted from his BlackBerry. They show Cienfuegos making sure that the military did not go after H-2, acting against rival drug-trafficking organizations, and even helping H-2 to transport drug shipments, expand its range, and introduce traffickers to other government officials willing to take cartel bribes.
The indictment also asserts that senior leaders of H-2 murdered a cartel member whom they incorrectly believed was helping authorities after Cienfuegos tipped the gang off about three ongoing U.S. law enforcement investigations.
Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration, told the AP that he heard allegations that Cienfuegos was corrupt wile in Mexico in 2012. He suggested that recent arrests of cartel leaders and officials could lead to further prosecution of those at the top, since U.S. prosecutors are likely to “trade up” for evidence against individuals at equal or higher rank.
“There were always allegations of corruption, nothing we could sink our teeth into. That was kind of unheard of because Mexico has always put the military on a pedestal,” Vigil said. “The corruption is just coming to roost, because individuals who were once untouchable are now getting arrested.”
The 8-page indictment specifies the amount of substances containing various illicit drugs included in the charge: At least one kilogram of a substance containing heroin; five kilograms containing cocaine; 500 grams containing methamphetamine; and 1,000 kilograms containing marijuana.
Cienfuegos is scheduled to appear in Los Angeles on Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Carol Bagley Amon, a George H. W. Bush appointee. The general is represented by attorney Duane Lyons.


courthousenews--2020-10-16--California Courts Covid Update

California Courts Covid Update

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Absentee Ballots

GRAND RAPIDS , Mich. — The Michigan Court of Appeals blocked a 14-day extension for the date by which absentee @ @ @ @ @ finding the ballots must arrive by Election Day .


Life Support

AUSTIN , Texas — The Texas Supreme Court denied the Cook Children ’ s Medical Center ’ s emergency motion @ @ @ @ @ a fight over whether or not to take one-year-old Tinslee Lewis off of life support @ @ @ @ @ lung and heart issues and the hospital insists she ’ s in constant pain and @ @ @ @


San Francisco Bay

SAN FRANCISCO — Environmental advocacy organization San Francisco Baykeeper and the US Coast Guard reached a settlement in federal court @ @ @ @ @ agency to reduce pollutants from its Yerba Buena Island facility in San Francisco Bay .


Cartel Attacks

NEW YORK — American victims of “ horrific attacks ” by the Sinaloa , Juarez and Los Zetas drug cartels @ @ @ @ @ that , in their circumstances , HSBC materially supported international terrorism by laundering money for @ @ @ @ @ the fact ” that funds would be used to support cartels in their acts of @ @ @ @ @ ruled .


Bomb Plot

DENVER , Colo. — Richard Holzer pleaded guilty in federal court in Colorado to plotting to blow up the Temple @ @ @ @ @ The government agreed that it would not recommend a sentence of more than 20 years @ @ @


courthousenews--2020-10-17--Baseball Star Aroldis Chapman Sues Money Manager for Alleged Embezzlement

( CN ) — Yankees ace pitcher Aroldis Chapman sued his former money manager , claiming millions of dollars were siphoned from his savings to fund the manager ’ s luxury purchases and escapades with an exotic dancer .
Chapman ’ s lawsuit , filed in Florida state court , alleges that an agent at Pro Management Resources used unfettered access to the pitcher ’ s accounts to embezzle money from him for years .
The Coral Springs , Florida company served as Chapman ’ s financial handler for nearly a decade and had power of attorney in managing Chapman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ virtually every component ” of his finances and in some instances provided Spanish translations for the pitcher , who defected from Cuba in 2009 to play ball in the United States .
Attorneys and accountants for Chapman , who holds the world record for the fastest baseball pitch , are still unraveling how much money was allegedly misappropriated .
The rough estimate stands at $ 3 million as of the Oct. 14 filing date .
The lawsuit claims that unauthorized transactions by Benito Zavala Jr. date back at least four years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims , the money manager diverted the pitcher ’ s funds in part through Western Union wire transfers totaling $ 560,000 .
The money was allegedly transferred to Zavala and two of his associates , a Florida exotic dancer and her brother .
Chapman ’ s money was used to fund the purchase of an $ 836,000 residence , a $ 91,000 Cadillac Escalade , Saks Fifth Avenue shopping outings and plane tickets , the lawsuit alleges .
The home and vehicle are purportedly held in the exotic dancer ’ s name .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s name without his permission and used to pay for Zavala ’ s personal items and expenses , according to the lawsuit .
Pro Management Resources did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The case lists counts for breach of fiduciary duty , negligence , conversion and unjust enrichment .
A negligent supervision count is brought against the company , alleging that it failed to question Zavala about large transfers being executed from Chapman ’ s accounts .
The company ’ s owner “ approved and facilitated the transfers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” confirming whether Chapman had given permission for the transactions , the pleading states .
According to the lawsuit , Zavala had justified the transfers by claiming they were being used to acquire a property for the benefit of Chapman .
The pitcher is represented by John Rosenberg of Rosenberg Giger in New York City , alongside Michael Kean of Loren & Kean in Palm Beach Gardens , Florida .
Though Pro Management has responded to some of the records requests submitted by Chapman ’ s counsel , the lawsuit makes a demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is needed for Chapman to further investigate the alleged theft .
Included in the lawsuit is a request that the judge issue an injunction to prevent any disgorgement of assets allegedly purchased with Chapman ’ s funds .
Chapman filed the case in Broward County Circuit Court in South Florida .
The 32-year-old , six-time Major League Baseball all-star has a home in Davie , Florida , according to a report in the Sun Sentinel .
He has garnered the nickname “ The Missile ” and the “ Cuban Flame Thrower ” for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clocked at 105.1 mph , a Guinness World Record .
According to MLB.com , his $ 86 million contract with the New York Yankees was “ the largest deal ever issued ” to a relief pitcher .

Yankees ace pitcher Aroldis Chapman sued his former money manager, claiming millions of dollars were siphoned from his savings to fund the manager's luxury purchases and escapades with an exotic dancer.
(CN) — Yankees ace pitcher Aroldis Chapman sued his former money manager, claiming millions of dollars were siphoned from his savings to fund the manager's luxury purchases and escapades with an exotic dancer.
Chapman's lawsuit, filed in Florida state court, alleges that an agent at Pro Management Resources used unfettered access to the pitcher's accounts to embezzle money from him for years.
The Coral Springs, Florida company served as Chapman's financial handler for nearly a decade and had power of attorney in managing Chapman's affairs.
The company managed "virtually every component" of his finances and in some instances provided Spanish translations for the pitcher, who defected from Cuba in 2009 to play ball in the United States.
Attorneys and accountants for Chapman, who holds the world record for the fastest baseball pitch, are still unraveling how much money was allegedly misappropriated. The rough estimate stands at $3 million as of the Oct. 14 filing date.
The lawsuit claims that unauthorized transactions by Benito Zavala Jr. date back at least four years. From 2016 to 2020, the lawsuit claims, the money manager diverted the pitcher's funds in part through Western Union wire transfers totaling $560,000. The money was allegedly transferred to Zavala and two of his associates, a Florida exotic dancer and her brother.
Chapman's money was used to fund the purchase of an $836,000 residence, a $91,000 Cadillac Escalade, Saks Fifth Avenue shopping outings and plane tickets, the lawsuit alleges. The home and vehicle are purportedly held in the exotic dancer's name.
Credit lines were taken out in Chapman's name without his permission and used to pay for Zavala’s personal items and expenses, according to the lawsuit.
Pro Management Resources did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The case lists counts for breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, conversion and unjust enrichment.
A negligent supervision count is brought against the company, alleging that it failed to question Zavala about large transfers being executed from Chapman's accounts. The company's owner "approved and facilitated the transfers of these substantial amounts without first independently" confirming whether Chapman had given permission for the transactions, the pleading states.
According to the lawsuit, Zavala had justified the transfers by claiming they were being used to acquire a property for the benefit of Chapman.
The pitcher is represented by John Rosenberg of Rosenberg Giger in New York City, alongside Michael Kean of Loren & Kean in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Though Pro Management has responded to some of the records requests submitted by Chapman's counsel, the lawsuit makes a demand for accounting, saying that additional documentation is needed for Chapman to further investigate the alleged theft.
Included in the lawsuit is a request that the judge issue an injunction to prevent the transfer of assets allegedly purchased with Chapman’s funds.
Chapman filed the case in Broward County Circuit Court in South Florida.
The 32-year-old, six-time Major League Baseball all-star has a home in Davie, Florida, according to a report in the Sun Sentinel.
He has garnered the nickname "The Missile" and the "Cuban Flame Thrower" for his high-powered fastball, which was once clocked at 105.1 mph, a Guinness World Record. According to MLB.com, his $86 million contract with the New York Yankees was "the largest deal ever issued" to a relief pitcher.


courthousenews--2020-10-18--Lindsey Graham Focuses on Reelection in Expensive Bid to Keep His Senate Seat

( CN ) — After spending much of the week leading the confirmation hearings of Judge Amy Coney Barrett , Senate Judiciary chairman Lindsey Graham turned his attention to South Carolina and the bitter neck-and-neck race for his reelection .
In a video posted to his Facebook page Thursday , Graham touted the nomination of Barrett , calling it a “ big historic moment for the young , conservative women of the world.
” In a state who has not elected a Democrat to any statewide office in decades , polling indicates Jaime Harrison , former head of the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tight race against Graham .
To get to this point , to get to the nomination , Graham had to go against the criticisms he leveled against President Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential race .
He had to go against the statement he made when Republicans were fighting against then-President Barack Obama ’ s 2016 nomination of Merrick Garland .
“ Use my words against me , ” Graham urged in 2016 .
“ If there ’ s a Republican president in 2016 and a vacancy occurs in the last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , Lindsey Graham said , ‘ Let ’ s let the next president , whoever it might be , make the nomination , ’ ” It is at the end of the first term of the Republican president elected in 2016 .
The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has left a vacancy in the final weeks of the election .
And in a reelection bid that has turned into a fight for his political survival , the senator has been pulled off the campaign trail and onto Capitol Hill where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accomplishments in Washington .
Yet that comes with its own perils .
Gibbs Knotts , political science professor at The College of Charleston , said it ’ s a “ big lift ” for a Democratic candidate to win a state-wide election in a state where every other position chosen by state-wide elections are filled with Republicans , it has been that way for decades , and the Republican Party is strong .
Before the pandemic , Graham was running ahead comfortably in his reelection bid , Knotts said .
But Harrison has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an election year “ that could be a little challenging for Republicans.
” Generally , the confirmation hearings could ultimately be beneficial for Graham , Knotts said .
“ It ’ s kept him in the spotlight and I think reminded people in South Carolina this is a conservative state , ” Knotts said .
As the first day of hearings kicked off Monday , Graham , presiding over them , predicted a long , politically bitter week but said the Republican-dominated Senate was only following the Constitution closely .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on her originalist judicial philosophy .
On Wednesday , Graham defended Barrett ’ s answers to questions regarding Roe v. Wade , the Supreme Court case that legalized abortion .
And by Thursday , Graham quickly set Oct. 22 as the day the full Senate would decide the nomination of Barrett , which is all but certain to pass .
Yet some of Graham ’ s comments have given ammunition to Harrison , whose campaign can cut moments from this week ’ s nomination process , use Graham ’ s words against him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s support among suburban , college-educated voters and independents , according to Knotts .
On Oct. 11 , the day before the confirmation hearings began , the Harrison campaign announced it had broken the fundraising record for the most amount of money a senate candidate raised in a quarter — $ 57 million .
As the hearings kicked off , Harrison sought to reframe the focus on the pandemic and Graham ’ s resistance to extending Covid-19 relief benefits .
“ Rather than pushing for immediate COVID relief for millions of South Carolinians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court nominee , ” Harrison said in a statement .
Harrison told the Charleston-based Post and Courier he disagreed with the idea of packing the Supreme Court .
When Graham had asked Barrett if she knew of “ any effort to go back to the good old days of segregation by a legislative body , ” the Harrison campaign seized on the statement Graham later said was a sarcastic reference to the Jim Crow South and said it was proof the senator was out of touch with his state .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is reflective of the New South , that is bold , inclusive and diverse .
Lindsey Graham has lost his moral compass , ” Guy King , Harrison ’ s spokesperson said in a statement .
In a Friday tweet , Harrison ’ s campaign accused Graham of ethics violations when he solicited donations and directed people to his campaign website during an interview on Capitol Hill .
Neither the Graham nor Harrison campaigns returned Courthouse News ’ requests for comment .
However , a poll released Thursday by the New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefitting from the confirmation hearings .
It showed Graham with 46 % support edging out to Harrison ’ s 40 % .
Furthermore , 52 % of the poll ’ s respondents supported Barrett ’ s nomination .
Bruce Ransom , political science professor at Clemson University , said South Carolina has traditionally taken pride in its representatives holding senior positions in Congress and by Friday , Graham was back in the state touting the confirmation hearings .
“ Conservative judge being appointed to the Supreme Court — it can ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Now that doesn ’ t include all South Carolinians , but if you ’ re voting for a Republican it ’ s a big deal.
” In the race Ransom said “ truly is a toss-up , ” the result will come down to turnout , whether Black voters show up to back the Democratic challenger , if Harrison can woo voters who typically vote Republican and if he can gather support among college-educated white females .
Brendan Payne has not been following the Senate race as much as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history teacher who lives outside Greenville in the state ’ s Dark Corner historically known for its moonshine stills and is now the “ reddest part of a red state.
” Payne lived in Texas when Beto O ’ Rourke ran a cash-heavy campaign against Senator Ted Cruz but South Carolina is a smaller state and the race is intense , he said .
Already , the Graham campaign has sent him two mailers touting Barrett ’ s confirmation hearings .
But the hearings have not changed his thoughts on the race .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we already knew : that Graham is a conservative , Harrison ’ s a liberal , that Graham ’ s hypocritical , ” Payne said .
In order to mitigate a possible pile-up of absentee ballots , Payne is planning to vote Nov. 3 .
But Payne , who supported Republicans in the past , is leaning towards Harrison because he said Graham and other Republicans turned from pledging to reign in Trump to licking his boots .
“ What the Republican Party needs to do is reset , ” Payne said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nastiness that Trump and others have been injecting into the party and we need to get people with backbone , with real principals , who care about what they say they care about.
” Robin Halewood , a retired special education teacher who lives in the Charleston area , said Graham ’ s conduct in the hearings have not been the focus over the last few days .
“ It ’ s not front-page news here , ” Halewood said of the liberal area that runs largely along South Carolina ’ s coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the first day of early voting on Oct. 5 and she knows of a handful of people in their 50s , 60s and 70s who registered to vote in this election for the first time .
“ You feel his humanity , ” she said of Harrison .
Halewood said Graham ’ s decision to oppose stimulus money in response to the pandemic has affected the Charleston area , with a good portion of its economy reliant on the hospitality of hotels , restaurants and attractions .
“ It ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it ’ s all about Jaime Harrison , ” she said .
Matthew Dunlap , who is in car sales in the Columbia area , plans on voting Nov. 3 , mask on , “ social distancing as all get out.
” In the meantime , he ’ s watching a “ mudslingin ’ mess ” of a race , where political ads fill up the advertisement breaks during television shows .
“ I have seen three political ads back-to-back-to-back in the same commercial set , ” he said .
Even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparing him to the Pokémon characters called Dittos who mimic other Pokémon — Dunlap said Graham better aligns with his values .
“ I ’ m adopted and my birth mother was given the option , the choice , to abort .
My birth father was not part of the story but she chose life , ” Dunlap said .
“ So for me , it ’ s very difficult.
” According to Dunlap and Halewood , Harrison faces one last hurdle after voters enter their polling location and receive their ballot : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can fill out their ballots within seconds based on party .
Dunlap said , “ That will be the saving grace for Graham — not his policies , not what he says , not what he does , just because he puts in front of his name , or the end of his name , Lindsay Graham : R .
”

Harrison told the Charleston-based Post and Courier he disagreed with the idea of packing the Supreme Court.
When Graham had asked Barrett if she knew of “any effort to go back to the good old days of segregation by a legislative body,” the Harrison campaign seized on the statement Graham later said was a sarcastic reference to the Jim Crow South and said it was proof the senator was out of touch with his state.
“It’s time for new leadership that is reflective of the New South, that is bold, inclusive and diverse. Lindsey Graham has lost his moral compass,” Guy King, Harrison’s spokesperson said in a statement.
In a Friday tweet, Harrison’s campaign accused Graham of ethics violations when he solicited donations and directed people to his campaign website during an interview on Capitol Hill.
Neither the Graham nor Harrison campaigns returned Courthouse News’ requests for comment.
However, a poll released Thursday by the New York Times and Siena College suggested Graham was largely benefitting from the confirmation hearings. It showed Graham with 46% support edging out to Harrison’s 40%. Furthermore, 52% of the poll’s respondents supported Barrett’s nomination.
Bruce Ransom, political science professor at Clemson University, said South Carolina has traditionally taken pride in its representatives holding senior positions in Congress and by Friday, Graham was back in the state touting the confirmation hearings.
“Conservative judge being appointed to the Supreme Court — it can't get any better than that,” Ransom said. “Now that doesn't include all South Carolinians, but if you're voting for a Republican it's a big deal.”
In the race Ransom said “truly is a toss-up,” the result will come down to turnout, whether Black voters show up to back the Democratic challenger, if Harrison can woo voters who typically vote Republican and if he can gather support among college-educated white females.
Brendan Payne has not been following the Senate race as much as it has been following him, said the history teacher who lives outside Greenville in the state’s Dark Corner historically known for its moonshine stills and is now the “reddest part of a red state.”
Payne lived in Texas when Beto O’Rourke ran a cash-heavy campaign against Senator Ted Cruz but South Carolina is a smaller state and the race is intense, he said. Already, the Graham campaign has sent him two mailers touting Barrett’s confirmation hearings.
But the hearings have not changed his thoughts on the race.
"For me, it solidifies what we already knew: that Graham is a conservative, Harrison's a liberal, that Graham's hypocritical,” Payne said.
In order to mitigate a possible pile-up of absentee ballots, Payne is planning to vote Nov. 3. But Payne, who supported Republicans in the past, is leaning towards Harrison because he said Graham and other Republicans turned from pledging to reign in Trump to licking his boots.
“What the Republican Party needs to do is reset,” Payne said. “We need to purge all this nastiness that Trump and others have been injecting into the party and we need to get people with backbone, with real principals, who care about what they say they care about.”
Robin Halewood, a retired special education teacher who lives in the Charleston area, said Graham’s conduct in the hearings have not been the focus over the last few days. “It's not front-page news here,” Halewood said of the liberal area that runs largely along South Carolina’s coast.
She cast her ballot for Harrison on the first day of early voting on Oct. 5 and she knows of a handful of people in their 50s, 60s and 70s who registered to vote in this election for the first time.
“You feel his humanity,” she said of Harrison.
Halewood said Graham’s decision to oppose stimulus money in response to the pandemic has affected the Charleston area, with a good portion of its economy reliant on the hospitality of hotels, restaurants and attractions.
“It's just amazing ... I walk all around downtown and it's all about Jaime Harrison," she said.
Matthew Dunlap, who is in car sales in the Columbia area, plans on voting Nov. 3, mask on, “social distancing as all get out.” In the meantime, he’s watching a "mudslingin' mess" of a race, where political ads fill up the advertisement breaks during television shows.
“I have seen three political ads back-to-back-to-back in the same commercial set,” he said.
Even though he despises Graham’s flip-flopping — comparing him to the Pokémon characters called Dittos who mimic other Pokémon — Dunlap said Graham better aligns with his values.
“I'm adopted and my birth mother was given the option, the choice, to abort. My birth father was not part of the story but she chose life,” Dunlap said. “So for me, it's very difficult.”
According to Dunlap and Halewood, Harrison faces one last hurdle after voters enter their polling location and receive their ballot: South Carolina has straight-party voting where voters can fill out their ballots within seconds based on party.
Dunlap said, “That will be the saving grace for Graham — not his policies, not what he says, not what he does, just because he puts in front of his name, or the end of his name, Lindsey Graham: R."


courthousenews--2020-10-17--The 2020 Presidential Election is Likely in the Hands of Pennsylvania Voters

PHILADELPHIA ( CN ) — Searching for indicators of the direction of a deeply divided country , political experts across the United States have set their sights on Pennsylvania in the weeks leading up to the presidential election .
The state will be an important bellwether for the 2020 presidential election between Joe Biden and President Donald Trump , according to Kristen Coopie , a political science professor at Duquesne University .
“ It ’ s really representative in its own way of so much of the country , ” she said .
Counties along Pennsylvania ’ s coast tend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties , mostly rural areas , usually lean Republican .
Drawing on the words of political consultant James Carville , Coopie reiterated that “ Pennsylvania is Philadelphia in the east , Pittsburgh in the west , and Alabama in the middle.
” William Rosenberg , a politics professor at Drexel University , noticed this himself during the 2016 election when he was driving through the upper part of the state .
You would virtually never see a Hillary Clinton sign , he recalled .
“ Once you get out of areas like Philadelphia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little bit of Scranton , you notice that it ’ s really Trump country , ” Rosenberg said .
Coopie , who is based on the western side of the state in Allegheny County , which surrounds Pittsburgh , explained further : “ Demographically , we have a lot of blue-collar , white , non-college educated voters in more central parts of the state.
” Allison Sponic , a 25-year-old Democrat , remembered coming home from college to vote in a central Pennsylvania county that swung for Trump in 2016 .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philadelphia this year , she said there are still about as many Biden signs as there are Trump signs in her hometown .
“ I have no idea if the county will go blue this year , ” Sponic said .
According to the Pennsylvania Department of State , as of mid-October , the state has achieved a record high of roughly 9 million total registered voters this year .
Of those , 4.2 million are Democrats , 3.5 million are Republicans and 1.3 million have no affiliation or are registered with another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicated for presidential candidates is this split layout of voters , which has been further complicated by the unique campaign issues of 2020 , including the Covid-19 pandemic and national civil unrest that began to unfold this spring in reaction to taped incidents of police brutality against Black Americans .
A September poll indicated the most important factors to Pennsylvanians in deciding who to vote for in the presidential race are the economy , Covid-19 , “ law and order ” and racial inequality , respectively .
“ Something that both campaigns are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figuring out how to be a servant to many masters in some ways , ” Coopie said .
“ It ’ ll be a close race.
” In the last 12 presidential elections , Pennsylvania has voted with the winning candidate in 10 .
It leaned blue , out of sync with national results , in both elections won by George W. Bush .
“ Pennsylvania is classified as a swing state , ” explained Rosenberg .
“ Sometimes it goes with the Republican candidate , sometimes it goes with the Democratic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 race between Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and President Trump , Pennsylvania was one of six purple states — along with Iowa , Wisconsin , Michigan , Ohio , and Florida — that tipped to Trump , Rosenberg said .
“ A significant reason why Hillary Clinton lost in 2016 is because she lost the state of Pennsylvania , ” he explained , noting that Trump won by “ a small number of votes , ” around 40,000 .
“ But since we use the Electoral College to choose the president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote , he would get the entire delegation of electors to the Electoral College.
” Coming in behind Florida , which has 29 votes , Pennsylvania , at 20 , has the second-highest number of electoral votes of the swing states that fell to Trump in 2016 .
To win the presidency , a candidate needs 270 or more out of 538 total .
In 2016 , Trump took 304 to Clinton ’ s 227 .
“ In the 2020 election early on , it looked like Pennsylvania was going to continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Rosenberg said .
“ But recent poll numbers show that Joe Biden is now pulling away a little bit at the state level.
” An Oct. 7 Quinnipiac Poll estimated Biden leads Trump in the state 54 to 41 percent — a gap that has widened since September .
“ The president ’ s hopes for re-election are growing dimmer by the day , ” Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy , commented on the trend in the university ’ s report .
Political experts have speculated that one reason Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue — as it has in every presidential election since 1992 — is that Democrats have fallen out of touch with the state ’ s working class voters .
“ The traditional numbers of the Democratic Party — especially union members and blue-collar , white workers — have trended to the Republican Party in more recent years .
Especially in 2016 , because of dissatisfaction with things like trade and environmental policies , ” Coopie explained , noting some working class voters think Democratic-led policies have hurt industries where jobs used to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , manufacturing , coal mining and steel production .
“ These industries suffered greatly in recent years , partly from foreign competition , partly from the automation , and partly from a shift in the energy production of Americans from coal to natural gas , ” Micahael Hagen , an associate professor at Temple University explained .
When fighting for voters on the campaign trail in 2016 , Trump pledged to put miners back to work and bring back manufacturing jobs from overseas .
Now , Biden has an advantage that Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running against an opponent with a record , an uphill battle , according to Coopie .
“ Trump made all of these promises to voters in western Pennsylvania and across the state , and across the country for that matter , saying that he would revitalize these industries , ” Coopie explained , noting Trump has indeed repealed a number of Obama-era environmental regulations on the coal and oil industries , but these rollbacks haven ’ t necessarily revitalized them .
“ He has tried .
He ’ s been reducing a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not coming back , ” she said .
“ I think a lot of the blue-collar workers that were dissatisfied with the trade and environmental policies of the Obama Era are just as dissatisfied with what President Trump has done.
” One way he ’ s trying to appeal to these same Pennsylvania voters this time around is by talking about fracking .
“ The Trump campaign argues that Joe Biden is opposed to fracking and is going to end fracking .
Joe Biden has not said that he is ever going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a certain degree of mistruth in some of the campaign rhetoric by Donald Trump on the issue of fracking in Pennsylvania , ” Rosenberg explained , adding that fracking “ is not just an issue in Pennsylvania , but in many states around the country.
” Compared to Trump ’ s former adversary Clinton , Rosenberg pointed out that Biden has a bit of an advantage with Pennsylvania voters : He was born in Scranton and has blue-collar roots .
“ He also takes the position that he ’ s kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Rosenberg said .
“ His father was a worker .
He grew up in a household that was designed to instill worker values in him .
He often refers to the lessons that his father taught him as a young child.
” By contrast , Trump ’ s appeal to blue-collar workers is the same he made in 2016 .
His main connection to the state is the time he spent at University of Pennsylvania ’ s Wharton Business School .
He can hope to appeal to voters by “ trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Rosenberg said , a term frequently associated with Christian beliefs .
According to a Pew Research poll , roughly 75 % of people in the state identify as Christian .
However , Biden ’ s lifelong Catholic faith could also appeal to this same subset of voters .
Where Biden particularly appears to be gaining on Trump , however , is with women .
According to an Oct. 10 poll by the Washington Post and ABC , Biden nationally holds a 23-point lead over Trump with women who are likely voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The same poll , notably , showed each candidate is likely to get roughly 48 % of men ’ s votes .
Trump has been courting Pennsylvania women for his reelection bid since 2019 .
His campaign launched its national “ Women for Trump ” campaign at the Valley Forge Casino just outside of Philadelphia .
While attendees credited Trump for the national increase when it comes to women ’ s employment and the number of women on the White House staff , some indicated that they didn ’ t agree with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re still supporting , but we don ’ t necessarily agree with everything he does , ” a female supporter at the time said , speaking for herself and a friend .
At a rally in Pennsylvania last week , Trump indicated that he ’ s heard that suburban women don ’ t like how he talks , but that he doesn ’ t have time to change his decorum .
“ They want me to be politically correct , ” Trump said , indicating that because his administration repealed an Obama-era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should like me more than anybody here tonight.
” “ I ended deregulation that destroyed your neighborhood .
I ended the regulation that brought crime to the suburbs , ” he told the crowd .
Diane , a 56-year-old voter who lives in a suburb of Scranton , is one suburban voter who does not like Trump .
She said that she ’ s always voted for the person and not the party since she cast her first vote for Ronald Reagan in 1985 — but that she intends to vote straight down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party members have lost her trust .
“ Sadly , it ’ s going to be a very long time before I ever vote for a Republican again at this point , ” she said .
“ The one thing that gives me hope for this election is knowing the overwhelming majority of my friends and family who voted for Trump in 2016 are refusing to vote for him again in 2020.
” The Green Party being thrown off of Pennsylvania ’ s ballot this year by the state ’ s Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
It leaves one less third-party option for voters , which Coopie indicated could mean more voters for Biden .
“ This isn ’ t the first time that this has happened , ” Coopie said .
“ The procedures for getting onto a ballot as a third party for an election are very rigorous , and you have to do certain things and meet certain deadlines , and according to the PA Supreme Court , the Green Party candidate did not abide by those procedures.
” This result could be more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone Green .
“ The Democrats have a history of trying to keep third party or Green Party or Libertarian candidates off ballots when they think that it could be detrimental to their party , ” she said .
As hallmark issues of the 2020 election , two matters on Pennsylvania voters ’ minds are presidential candidates ’ plans to handle the evolving Covid-19 pandemic and national outrage about police brutality against Black Americans .
According to Hagen , when protests over George Floyd ’ s death and several subsequent lootings broke out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity to pull a phrase from the headlines that they could work to their advantage : ‘ Law and Order.
’ A phrase that indicates he isn ’ t afraid to use force to control chaos and crime .
“ The Trump campaign is using that as an opening to appeal to folks who might not otherwise be on board with Trump , ” Hagen said .
He added that he thinks the Biden campaign has struggled to address the issue of racial inequality and discrimination in a way that will garner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left .
“ Racial inequality and racism are issues that are important to lots of people , ” Hagen said .
“ For example , in the Philadelphia region where the Biden campaign is able to draw enormous numbers of votes , there ’ s a large African American population that will be paying attention to what Biden has to say about those issues.
” The former vice president has shown a much more cautious reaction to Covid-19 , wearing a mask at campaign events and taking recommended precautions on the trail — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus at the beginning of the month and has repeatedly held packed campaign rallies in which masks were not mandatory .
“ 2020 definitely feels like one of those years that we are going to put an asterisk on whenever we speak about it in the future , ” Coopie said .
“ It ’ s the first time that we ’ ve had two candidates and parties run virtually essential campaigns , trying to figure out how to utilize social media and not having the rigor of a 50-state strategy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or in a bus , and having these personal interactions with voters .
“ I think it has been very hard for both candidates , ” she added , particularly so for Trump who thrives in a crowd environment .
For Cindy , a voter located in the suburbs of Reading , the Trump campaign ’ s actions when it comes to Covid-19 have disappointed her .
“ I have interstitial lung disease , which is what you get after a Covid-19 pneumonia scars your lungs , ” she explained , a condition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia 30 years ago .
As someone with a preexisting condition , she has spent the last seven months indoors and is not satisfied with the president ’ s coronavirus-related actions .
“ Trump handled it by mishandling it in every conceivable way , ” she said .
“ We had nurses wearing garbage bags for goodness sake.
” In addition to seeding fear and doubt in national leadership , Rosenberg noted the pandemic ’ s presence has also affected one of Trump ’ s biggest campaign promises : a strong economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened , perhaps at a worse time for Donald Trump , ” Rosenberg explained .
“ Because essentially , it has impacted the economy .
The economy has largely had to retrench .
It ’ s had to get smaller .
A lot of places had to close and as a result , our economic numbers are nowhere near what they were a year-and-a-half ago.
” Covid-19 has also changed how many Pennsylvania voters are participating in the election .
They now have the option to vote remotely without an excuse and can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail or in-person .
Perhaps because Democrats are planning to vote by mail in large numbers , the Trump campaign has actively fought against the placement of mail-in ballot drop boxes within the state , filing a lawsuit over the security of the sites in June , which has since been dismissed .
Pennsylvania was also one of several Democratic-led states that took the United States Post Office to federal court , seeking injunctions that would help election mail get to polls in a timely manner after the Trump administration made sweeping policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
County officials said this past Wednesday that offices have thus far mailed out 97 % of ballots to voters , one of which was Edward Raso .
A voter in the Philadelphia suburbs and registered Democrat , Raso said he decided to vote by mail early because of the pandemic .
“ I filled it out within five minutes , ” he said , and plans to drive his ballot to a drop box early next week .
While the process was easy , he said he does worry for voters who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If something goes wrong , there ’ s not much time to correct it , ” he said .
Another voter , Matt , a registered independent who lives outside of Reading , also opted to vote by mail , along with his wife and both of their mothers .
“ We brought them to the only currently available ballot drop box in the county in downtown Reading , ” he said .
“ It was not convenient to get to , but we didn ’ t trust the postal service , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Unthwarted by the virus , Howard Miller , an 80-year-old Republican in central Pennsylvania , is part of the estimated 67 % of Pennsylvania voters who still plan to vote in person on Election Day .
“ I don ’ t believe in mail-in voting unless you ’ re out of the country or somewhere else , ” he said .
Noting that he ’ s been impressed by President Trump ’ s commitment to trying to get people back to work , Miller affirmed he plans to vote for him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrogant at times.
” “ They blame him for this virus , but it ’ s not his fault .
It ’ s China ’ s fault , ” Miller said , adding that he ’ s always been a Republican but votes for the person he thinks is best for the job , and even once cast his ballot for Democrat John F. Kennedy .
Overnight election results for Pennsylvania aren ’ t a sure thing this in 2020 .
In 2016 , state poll workers received just over 265,000 mail-in ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re expecting this November .
In accordance with state law , poll workers can ’ t open the envelopes until 7 a.m Election Day .
Pennsylvania is one of four states where election officials have such a restriction .
Department of State Secretary Kathy Boockvar has said this puts the state in a position where it could take days to get a final count , although the state ’ s 67 county election offices have been hiring additional staff and bringing in new equipment to help speed the process .
It remains to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican-led Legislature will move to vote next week on a measure , pushed by the state ’ s Democratic Governor Tom Wolf , that would allow counties to open ballots earlier .
For voters who plan to vote in-person , Hagen said it ’ s possible some could face confusion due to consolidation of polling places .
“ There could be people who are trying to vote in-person and struggle to find their polling place , ” he said .
Others may face longer or more stretched out lines than usual , due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing restrictions designed to keep voters safe .
“ Long lines will surely frustrate some voters , ” Hagen said .
“ No question about it .
”

Searching for indicators of the direction of a deeply divided country, political experts across the United States have set their sights on Pennsylvania in the weeks leading up to the presidential election.
PHILADELPHIA (CN) — Searching for indicators of the direction of a deeply divided country, political experts across the United States have set their sights on Pennsylvania in the weeks leading up to the presidential election.
The state will be an important bellwether for the 2020 presidential election between Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, according to Kristen Coopie, a political science professor at Duquesne University.
“It’s really representative in its own way of so much of the country,” she said.
Counties along Pennsylvania’s coast tend to lean more Democratic while the center counties, mostly rural areas, usually lean Republican.
Drawing on the words of political consultant James Carville, Coopie reiterated that "Pennsylvania is Philadelphia in the east, Pittsburgh in the west, and Alabama in the middle."
William Rosenberg, a politics professor at Drexel University, noticed this himself during the 2016 election when he was driving through the upper part of the state. You would virtually never see a Hillary Clinton sign, he recalled.
“Once you get out of areas like Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and maybe a little bit of Scranton, you notice that it's really Trump country,” Rosenberg said.
Coopie, who is based on the western side of the state in Allegheny County, which surrounds Pittsburgh, explained further: “Demographically, we have a lot of blue-collar, white, non-college educated voters in more central parts of the state.”
Allison Sponic, a 25-year-old Democrat, remembered coming home from college to vote in a central Pennsylvania county that swung for Trump in 2016. Although she’s registered to vote in Philadelphia this year, she said there are still about as many Biden signs as there are Trump signs in her hometown.
“I have no idea if the county will go blue this year,” Sponic said.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, as of mid-October, the state has achieved a record high of roughly 9 million total registered voters this year. Of those, 4.2 million are Democrats, 3.5 million are Republicans and 1.3 million have no affiliation or are registered with another party.
What makes taking the state complicated for presidential candidates is this split layout of voters, which has been further complicated by the unique campaign issues of 2020, including the Covid-19 pandemic and national civil unrest that began to unfold this spring in reaction to taped incidents of police brutality against Black Americans.
A September poll indicated the most important factors to Pennsylvanians in deciding who to vote for in the presidential race are the economy, Covid-19, “law and order” and racial inequality, respectively.
“Something that both campaigns are going to have to struggle with is figuring out how to be a servant to many masters in some ways,” Coopie said. “It'll be a close race.”
Recent History
In the last 12 presidential elections, Pennsylvania has voted with the winning candidate in 10. It leaned blue, out of sync with national results, in both elections won by George W. Bush.
A line weaves around a Philadelphia polling place during Pennsylvania’s 2020 primary. (Courthouse News photo / Alexandra Jones)
“Pennsylvania is classified as a swing state,” explained Rosenberg. “Sometimes it goes with the Republican candidate, sometimes it goes with the Democratic, in terms of the presidency.”
In the 2016 race between Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and President Trump, Pennsylvania was one of six purple states — along with Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Florida — that tipped to Trump, Rosenberg said.
“A significant reason why Hillary Clinton lost in 2016 is because she lost the state of Pennsylvania,” he explained, noting that Trump won by “a small number of votes,” around 40,000. “But since we use the Electoral College to choose the president, if he’d won by one vote, he would get the entire delegation of electors to the Electoral College.”


courthousenews--2020-10-17--Berlin Ad Flips Off Anti-Maskers Before Getting Shelved

( CN ) — It ’ s the middle finger seen around Europe .
This middle finger belongs to a well-dressed , grey-haired elderly Berliner woman looking at you alertly , even angrily .
Her mouth and nose are covered with a floral-patterned mask and she ’ s flipping you off for not wearing a mask .
This week , Berlin ’ s city government caused a stir by using this in-your-face , rude and unconventional image for an advertising campaign telling people to wear a mask and obey coronavirus rules .
Masks became mandatory in Berlin at the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irreverent city , is becoming a coronavirus hot spot in Europe and it has also been the scene of anti-mask protests , including one in September that saw far-right groups storm the Reichstag parliament building .
“ The raised index finger for everyone without a mask , ” the ad reads , delicately misdescribing the digit the woman is holding up in the photo .
Underneath in smaller letters it reads : “ We adhere to the corona rules.
” The ad showed up in German newspapers on Tuesday and immediately caused controversy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order and accused the city ’ s left-wing government of insulting Berliners .
By Thursday , the ad had been pulled , though not before it had garnered a lot of press in Europe and spread across social media drawing both praise and criticism .
“ This is how our authorities inform about using a mask .
Typical Berlin .
I love it , ” said one Twitter user .
Another said : “ As a person in high risk group , I fully agree.
” Another Twitter user called it an offensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bully people into wearing a mask : “ If you ask me – someone who ’ s written his PhD on the topic – this is the worst example of science communication and public understanding of science-based policy.
” This isn ’ t the first time city agencies have tried to get a message across to Berlin ’ s citizens with sardonic messages .
But this time apparently the PR message went too far .
Berlin ’ s mayor , Michael Müller , said the campaign was embarrassing and he laid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The tourism authority , Visit Berlin , came up with the ad to highlight that older people are more vulnerable to Covid-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
Christian Tänzler , a spokesman for Visit Berlin , told Deutsche Welle , a German broadcaster , that the “ provocative image ” was meant to be a way to connect to Berlin ’ s dry sense of humor .
He said the campaign would continue but that the image would be dropped .
A prior campaign ad read : “ Mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going off.
” Marcel Luthe , a member of the Berlin Senate , the city ’ s executive body , made a formal complaint to the police and accused the tourism agency of inciting hatred against people who can ’ t wear masks such as children and people with health problems that prevent them from wearing masks , DW reported .
Courthouse News reporter Cain Burdeau is based in the European Union .

This week, Berlin's city government caused a stir by using this in-your-face, rude and unconventional image for an advertising campaign telling people to wear a mask and obey coronavirus rules.
(CN) — It's the middle finger seen around Europe.
This middle finger belongs to a well-dressed, grey-haired elderly Berliner woman looking at you alertly, even angrily. Her mouth and nose are covered with a floral-patterned mask and she's flipping you off for not wearing a mask.
This week, Berlin's city government caused a stir by using this in-your-face, rude and unconventional image for an advertising campaign telling people to wear a mask and obey coronavirus rules. Masks became mandatory in Berlin at the beginning of October.
Berlin, a famously irreverent city, is becoming a coronavirus hot spot in Europe and it has also been the scene of anti-mask protests, including one in September that saw far-right groups storm the Reichstag parliament building.
“The raised index finger for everyone without a mask,” the ad reads, delicately misdescribing the digit the woman is holding up in the photo. Underneath in smaller letters it reads: “We adhere to the corona rules.”
The ad showed up in German newspapers on Tuesday and immediately caused controversy. Conservative politicians called it out of order and accused the city's left-wing government of insulting Berliners.
By Thursday, the ad had been pulled, though not before it had garnered a lot of press in Europe and spread across social media drawing both praise and criticism.
“This is how our authorities inform about using a mask. Typical Berlin. I love it,” said one Twitter user. Another said: “As a person in high risk group, I fully agree.”
Another Twitter user called it an offensive wrong-headed message that will backfire by trying to bully people into wearing a mask: “If you ask me – someone who’s written his PhD on the topic – this is the worst example of science communication and public understanding of science-based policy.”
This isn't the first time city agencies have tried to get a message across to Berlin's citizens with sardonic messages.
But this time apparently the PR message went too far. Berlin's mayor, Michael Müller, said the campaign was embarrassing and he laid the blame for it on the tourism agency.
The tourism authority, Visit Berlin, came up with the ad to highlight that older people are more vulnerable to Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Christian Tänzler, a spokesman for Visit Berlin, told Deutsche Welle, a German broadcaster, that the “provocative image” was meant to be a way to connect to Berlin's dry sense of humor. He said the campaign would continue but that the image would be dropped. A prior campaign ad read: “Mask on. To keep the lights from going off.”
Marcel Luthe, a member of the Berlin Senate, the city's executive body, made a formal complaint to the police and accused the tourism agency of inciting hatred against people who can't wear masks such as children and people with health problems that prevent them from wearing masks, DW reported.
Courthouse News reporter Cain Burdeau is based in the European Union.


courthousenews--2020-10-17--New Zealand’s Ardern Wins Second Term in Election Landslide

AUCKLAND , New Zealand ( AP ) — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won a second term in office Saturday in an election landslide of historic proportions .
With most votes counted , Ardern ’ s liberal Labour Party was winning 49 % of the vote compared to 27 % for its main challenger , the conservative National Party .
Labour was on target to win an outright majority of the seats in Parliament , something that hasn ’ t happened since New Zealand implemented a proportional voting system 24 years ago .
Typically , parties must form alliances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Labour can go it alone .
In a victory speech in front of hundreds of cheering supporters in Auckland , Ardern said her party had gotten more support from New Zealanders that at any time in at least 50 years .
“ This has not been an ordinary election , and it ’ s not an ordinary time , ” she said .
“ It ’ s been full of uncertainty and anxiety , and we set out to be an antidote to that.
” Ardern promised not to take her new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all New Zealanders .
“ We are living in an increasingly polarized world , a place where , more and more , people have lost the ability to see one another ’ s point of view , ” she said .
“ I think in this election , New Zealanders have shown that this is not who we are.
” A record number of voters cast early ballots in the two weeks leading up to the election .
On the campaign trail , Ardern was greeted like a rock star by people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cheer her on and get selfies with her .
Her popularity soared earlier this year after she led a successful effort to stamp out the coronavirus .
There is currently no community spread of the virus in the nation of 5 million and people are no longer required to wear masks or social distance .
Ardern , 40 , won the top job after the 2017 election when Labour formed an alliance with two other parties .
The following year , she became only the second world leader to give birth while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model for working mothers around the world , many of whom saw her as a counterpoint to President Donald Trump .
And she was praised for her handling of last year ’ s attack on two Christchurch mosques , when a white supremacist gunned down 51 Muslim worshippers .
She moved quickly to pass new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons .
In late March this year , when only about 100 people had tested positive for COVID-19 , Ardern and her health officials put New Zealand into a strict lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and go early.
” She shut the borders and outlined an ambitious goal of eliminating the virus entirely rather than just trying to control its spread .
With New Zealand having the advantage of being an isolated island nation , the strategy worked .
The country eliminated community transmission for 102 days before a new cluster was discovered in August in Auckland .
Ardern swiftly imposed a second lockdown in Auckland and the new outbreak faded away .
The only new cases found recently have been among returning travelers , who are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ardern to postpone the election by a month and helped increase the early voter turnout .
The National Party ’ s leader , Judith Collins , is a former lawyer .
She served as a minister when National was in power and prides herself on a blunt , no-nonsense approach , a contrast to Ardern ’ s empathetic style .
Collins , 61 , was promising sweeping tax cuts in response to the economic downturn caused by the virus .
In a speech to her supporters in Auckland , Collins said she ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It is an outstanding result for the Labour Party , ” Collins said .
“ It has been a tough campaign.
” Collins promised that the party would be back to fight another day .
The election also saw Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and his small New Zealand First party voted out .
The libertarian ACT Party increased its support to 8 % and the Green Party won 7.5 % of the votes .
Labour Minister David Parker said it was a landslide win for his party .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the prime minister , but also to the wider Labour team and the Labour movement , ” he said .
In the election , voters also had a say on two contentious social issues — whether to legalize marijuana and euthanasia .
Polls taken before the election indicated the euthanasia referendum was likely to pass while the outcome of the marijuana vote remained uncertain .
The results of both referendums will be announced Oct. 30 .

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won a second term in office Saturday in an election landslide of historic proportions.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won a second term in office Saturday in an election landslide of historic proportions.
With most votes counted, Ardern's liberal Labour Party was winning 49% of the vote compared to 27% for its main challenger, the conservative National Party.
Labour was on target to win an outright majority of the seats in Parliament, something that hasn't happened since New Zealand implemented a proportional voting system 24 years ago. Typically, parties must form alliances to govern, but this time Ardern and Labour can go it alone.
In a victory speech in front of hundreds of cheering supporters in Auckland, Ardern said her party had gotten more support from New Zealanders that at any time in at least 50 years.
"This has not been an ordinary election, and it's not an ordinary time," she said. "It's been full of uncertainty and anxiety, and we set out to be an antidote to that."
Ardern promised not to take her new supporters for granted and to govern for all New Zealanders.
"We are living in an increasingly polarized world, a place where, more and more, people have lost the ability to see one another's point of view," she said. "I think in this election, New Zealanders have shown that this is not who we are."
A record number of voters cast early ballots in the two weeks leading up to the election.
On the campaign trail, Ardern was greeted like a rock star by people who crammed into malls and spilled onto streets to cheer her on and get selfies with her.
Her popularity soared earlier this year after she led a successful effort to stamp out the coronavirus. There is currently no community spread of the virus in the nation of 5 million and people are no longer required to wear masks or social distance.
Ardern, 40, won the top job after the 2017 election when Labour formed an alliance with two other parties. The following year, she became only the second world leader to give birth while in office.
She became a role model for working mothers around the world, many of whom saw her as a counterpoint to President Donald Trump. And she was praised for her handling of last year's attack on two Christchurch mosques, when a white supremacist gunned down 51 Muslim worshippers.
She moved quickly to pass new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons.
In late March this year, when only about 100 people had tested positive for COVID-19, Ardern and her health officials put New Zealand into a strict lockdown with a motto of "Go hard and go early." She shut the borders and outlined an ambitious goal of eliminating the virus entirely rather than just trying to control its spread.
With New Zealand having the advantage of being an isolated island nation, the strategy worked. The country eliminated community transmission for 102 days before a new cluster was discovered in August in Auckland. Ardern swiftly imposed a second lockdown in Auckland and the new outbreak faded away. The only new cases found recently have been among returning travelers, who are in quarantine.
The Auckland outbreak also prompted Ardern to postpone the election by a month and helped increase the early voter turnout.
The National Party's leader, Judith Collins, is a former lawyer. She served as a minister when National was in power and prides herself on a blunt, no-nonsense approach, a contrast to Ardern's empathetic style. Collins, 61, was promising sweeping tax cuts in response to the economic downturn caused by the virus.
In a speech to her supporters in Auckland, Collins said she'd called Ardern to congratulate her.
"It is an outstanding result for the Labour Party," Collins said. "It has been a tough campaign."
Collins promised that the party would be back to fight another day.
The election also saw Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and his small New Zealand First party voted out. The libertarian ACT Party increased its support to 8% and the Green Party won 7.5% of the votes.
Labour Minister David Parker said it was a landslide win for his party. "It's a tremendous accolade first and foremost to the prime minister, but also to the wider Labour team and the Labour movement," he said.
In the election, voters also had a say on two contentious social issues — whether to legalize marijuana and euthanasia. Polls taken before the election indicated the euthanasia referendum was likely to pass while the outcome of the marijuana vote remained uncertain. The results of both referendums will be announced Oct. 30.
By NICK PERRY Associated Press