Published Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020 | 7:32 p.m.

Updated 1 hour, 37 minutes ago

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The Latest from the opening round of the PGA Championship in San Francisco:

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Brendon Todd is back in the PGA Championship for the first time in five years and is tied for the lead.

Todd, who recovered from a wicked case of the yips that dropped him out of the top 2,000 players in the world, won twice on the PGA Tour in the fall and now is among the top 50.

He made a 10-foot par putt on his final hole to join Jason Day at 5-under 65. They were one shot ahead of nine players, including two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka.

As the first round at Harding Park was winding down, it was shaping up as a low day for scoring. Nearly half of the field was at par or better, including Tiger Woods at 68.

Day is a former PGA champion and no stranger to be at the top of the board in a major. This is only the ninth major Todd has played, and the second time he has opened with a round in the 60s.

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Bryson DeChambeau released the Kraken, and the Kraken didn't come back.

The bulked-up golfer broke his driver, which he has nicknamed the Kraken, after teeing off on the seventh hole in the opening round of the PGA Championship on Thursday. A rules official said he would be allowed to replace the club during the round, and a member of DeChambeaus support team fetched another shaft for him.

That was weird, DeChambeau said as he walked toward the green, still holding the pieces. I guess its all those swings I put in.

DeChambeau gained as much as 40 pounds during the coronavirus shutdown, consuming up to 6,000 calories per day with the goal of getting huge. He is the longest-driving player on the tour.

But this time he was too strong for his own good.

DeChambeau hit what appeared to be a normal tee shot 296 yards into the rough on the par-4, 340-yard seventh hole at TPC Harding Park. But when he bent over to pick up his tee, the club snapped under him.

It was bound to break, DeChambeau said. Ive been using it for a long time.

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2015 PGA Champion Jason Day has the early lead in the first round of the year's first major.

Day shot a 5-under 65 over the 7,251-yard TPC Harding Park to head to the clubhouse in front. Two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka was in a group of nine one stroke behind at minus-4, with some of the morning tee times still on the course.

Day had a bogey-free round that included a birdie on the par-4 ninth hole.

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Scottie Scheffler is the first one in the clubhouse at 4-under in the opening round of the PGA Championship. Hes tied for fourth with three other players, including two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka.

Scheffler was up there at minus-5 with Martin Kaymer, Xander Schauffele and Zach Johnson before hitting his tee shot into the left rough and making bogey on his final hole of the day.

Scheffler was in the first group off the 10th tee in the morning.

Going first out was definitely an advantage, even though it was pretty cold when we started," he said. It warmed up fairly quick.

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Major champions are starting to populate the leaderboard at the PGA Championship, including some names that haven't been heard from in a while.

Martin Kaymer, a PGA champion in 2010 and a U.S. Open champion in 2014, was at 5 under through 14 holes at the TPC Harding Park. He was in a four-way tie that included Zach Johnson, whose last major was at St. Andrews five years ago.

Kaymer is No. 128 in the world. Johnson is at No. 210.

What they have in common aside from a good start is the last majors they won was the last tournaments they won.

Scottie Scheffler, a PGA Tour rookie from Texas, and Xander Schauffele also were at 5 under.

Another shot back was Jason Day, who won the PGA Championship five years ago. He wasn't won in two years.

Brooks Koepka was 3 under through 12 holes, just the start he needed. Tiger Woods, after a quick start, was back to even par through 12.

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Zach Johnson and Scottie Scheffler are off to an early lead at 4 under at the PGA Championship.

Starting on the back nine, Johnson was through eight holes after three straight birdies at TPC Harding Park. Scheffler was through 12 holes.

Dustin Johnson and Jason Day were at 3 under. Two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka was tied for fifth at minus-2 through eight holes in the first round on Thursday. Koepka would be the first golfer to win the tournament three times in a row since Walter Hagen won four in a row almost 100 years ago.

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Two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka has teed off a TPC Harding Park as he tries to become the first golfer to win three PGA Championships in a row since Walter Hagen.

Koepka teed off on the back nine on Thursday morning and parred his first hole.

Koepka would be the first player ever to win the PGA Championship three straight times in stroke play. Hagen won four in a row from 1924-27, when it was match play.

The threesome of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas also teed off from the back nine on Thursday morning.

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Brian Harman hit the opening shot at the PGA Championship on Thursday, and it was clear as he looked down the first fairway at TPC Harding Park that it was a historic moment.

The fairway was lined by trees, not people.

The COVID-19 pandemic that forced the PGA Championship to move from May to August also led to this being the first major championship without spectators. That includes family members of the 156 players in the field, and limited media.

A few volunteers took out mobile phones to capture the moment. The starter announced in a microphone, From Sea Island, Georgia, Brian Harman. And there was no applause. There was no need for a microphone, either, but old habits die hard.

Harman pulled his tee shot into the rough. At least he found it. There is only one marshal for each hole, down from 12.

This is the first major of the year, with the Masters moved to November, the U.S. Open moved ot September and the British Open moved to 2021.

Two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka and Tiger Woods were among those playing in the morning.

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More AP golf: apnews.com/tag/apf-Golf

Original post:

The Latest: Brendon Todd claims a share of PGA lead - Las Vegas Sun

Even during a pandemic, we here in the Las Vegas Valley remain lucky when it comes to eating. Anything our heartsand stomachsdesire is but a phone call away, ready to be taken home or (come on, weve all done it) consumed quickly in your car.

To help spice up your takeout game, the Weekly staff rounded up a few of our to-go favoritesdishes that not only taste great when theyre served, but hold up after. Its a great way to support the struggling restaurant industry, and you wont have to wash pots and pans when youre done. Remember to tip generously.

Old Chicago at Pizza Rock

Were all ordering a lot of pizza. Are you getting a perfectly thin and crispy pie that can last all week? Pizza Rocks Downtown and GVR joints have it. Its got meatballs, sausage and creamy ricotta, and its actually too good to last very long. $25. 201 N. 3rd St., 702-385-0838; Green Valley Ranch, 702-616-2996; pizzarock.com.

Al Pastor Torta at Pinches Taco

Al Pastor Torta at Pinches Tacos

You love the tacos and burritos at Pinches, which has three spots sprinkled around the Valley, but our takeout pick is this two-hand sandwich with broiled marinated pork, sour cream, guacamole, beans, onions and cilantro. $11, pinchestacos.com.

Spicy Garlic Chicken at 9th Island Grill

This hidden Village Square hot spot elevates your favorite comfort food with island-style flair. Crispy fried boneless chicken thighs are saturated with garlic and smoky, spicy habanero peppers and served with rice and mac salad for ultimate plate-lunch satisfaction. $9. 9410 W. Sahara Ave. #130, 702-483-3085, ninthislandgrill.com.

Chashu Pork Donburi at 8 Kitchen

Rice bowls make for easy takeout, but beware: The addictive version at this Henderson fusion spottopped with pork belly, veggies and a slow-cooked eggwill draw you back almost as soon as youre done. $13. 2560 St. Rose Parkway #150, 702-840-8066, 8kitchenlv.com.

Chicken Frank at Frank & Finas Cocina

The namesake dish of this local Mexican food stalwarts patriarch satisfies on every level: grilled boneless chicken breast topped with grilled onions and tomatoes, avocado and melted cheese with a chile relleno, rice, beans and tortilla on the side. $16. 4175 S. Grand Canyon Drive, 702-579-3017, frankandfinas.com.

Brisket Philly at Fox Smokehouse

Boulder Citys beloved barbecue joint recently moved to a new location, and it brought all its classics with it, including this smoky spin on the classic cheesesteak. If you havent experienced Foxs brisket, youve been missing out. $13. 930 Nevada Way, 702-489-2211, foxsmokehousebbq.com.

Chicken Kalamakia at Meraki Greek Grill

If this isnt the best chicken skewertender and intensely flavorful, even enjoyed cold the following dayavailable in this Valley, well eat the container it comes in which, by the way, also contains a garden-fresh Greek salad, delicious Greek rice (or fries), tzatziki and pita. $15. 4950 S. Rainbow Blvd., 702-202-1002, merakigreekgrill.com.

Cauliflower tacos and mushroom tacos at Bomb Tacos

Meatless Mexican food can be hit or miss, but Bomb serves super-flavorful veggie tacos. Cauliflower is given the same deep-fried treatment as shrimp, and the shrooms are prepared with the same spices as traditional carne, giving these meat-free tacos the flavor others lack. $2.50-$3 per taco. 3655 S. Durango Drive #27, 702-262-0141.

3 Amigos at Soho Sushi Burrito

3 Amigos at Soho Sushi Burrito

Takeout sushi can turn up a bit wilted, but sushi burritos were meant to move around. Soho loads this one up with salmon, tuna and yellowtail, then adds the right kick (onion, cilantro, wasabi aioli) and crunch (wonton strips) to keep you coming back. $11.50. 2600 W. Sahara Ave. #115, 702-778-2525; 6040 Badura Ave. #150, 702-906-1799; sohosushiburrito.com.

Avocado Toast at Founders Coffee

Avocado toast really is the perfect breakfast food, chock-full of good fats and creamy deliciousness. The version at Founders Coffee features a generous piece of multigrain bread, with sun-dried tomato, chive and garlic aioli. Dont forget the optional egg and bacon. Also great? The drive-thru. $7. 6410 S. Durango Drive #100, 702-916-4442, founderscoffeeco.com.

Papaya Salad With Thai Beef Jerky at Archis Thai

The Henderson location of the popular four-location local chain is the only one that serves this perfect summer meal: a spicy, sour, sweet and savory combination of green papaya, tomatoes, green beans, peanuts and dried shrimp in citrus dressing, plus crispy beef with sticky rice and addictive jaew sauce. $13. 9310 S. Eastern Ave. #101, 702-916-3949, archisthai.com.

Savage Dog at The Steamie Weenie

You havent done summer in Green Valley until youve hit the Weenie. This specialty dog will satisfy you until fall: a bacon-wrapped frank topped with brown mustard and ranch dressing, grilled onions and blue cheese crumbles. $7. 1500 N. Green Valley Parkway #130, 702-333-1383, steamieweenie.com.

Yellow Curry Lemongrass Chicken Sandwich at One Bite Sandwiches

Make this your first bite at the Henderson Vietnamese spot. The generous-size bahn mi-style sandwichpacked with pickled carrots, cucumbers and kicked-up curry chickencomes with soup, chips and a drink for one of the Valleys best combo deals. $11. 1550 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #Q, 702-522-8228.

Sprouting Up Ramen at Jinya

This relatively new menu addition packs powerful flavors with pork chashu, spicy bean sprouts, seasoned egg, crispy Brussels sprouts and ginger, layered with thick noodles and pork and chicken brothand both local Jinyas (a third is coming to Henderson) separate the ingredients for an optimal takeout experience. $12. 4860 W. Flamingo Road, 702-868-8877; 7240 S. Rainbow Blvd. #A, 702-476-0583; jinya-ramenbar.com.

Prime Rib Hash at Eat

Heres a breakfast (or lunch) that will fuel your day: Chopped prime rib mingles with New Mexican green chilies in this hearty hash. Two pillowy poached eggs, pico de gallo and sourdough toast complete the dish. $16. 707 Carson St., 702-534-1515, eatdtlv.chefnatalieyoung.com.

Summer Kale Wellness Bowl at Fruits & Roots

In the summer, nothing beats fresh, organic produce. Available as a bowl or wrap, this dish offers a tasty mix of kale, berries, avocado, carrots and feta. Its finished with a Detox Vinaigrette and optional chicken. $9-$15. 7885 W. Sunset Road #180, 702-202-0922, fruitsnroots.com.

Lu Rou Fan at Every Grain

Lu Rou Fan at Every Grain

Theres something so comforting about a warm bowl of rice. This ones made with four different typesKoshihikari, black, brown and red riceand topped with braised pork, fried shallots and scallions. With soft-yolk soy egg, it might just be the perfect meal. $5-$9. 1430 E. Charleston Blvd., eateverygrain.com.

Settebello Pizza at Settebello

You dont need us to tell you pizza makes for great takeout, but you might not already be acquainted with Settebellos habit-forming Neapolitan pies, including this heavenly namesake featuring sausage, pancetta, pine nuts and more. $9-$15. 140 S. Green Valley Parkway, 702-222-3556; 9350 W. Sahara #170, 702-901-4877; settebello.net.

Spicy Wontons at Shang Artisan Noodle

Not all dumplings hold up during delivery or takeout. Shangs sublime pork wontons, doused in chili and soy, have the flavor and fortitude to get the job done. Consider an extra order for breakfast tomorrow. $6. 4983 W. Flamingo Road #B, 702-888-3292, shangartisannoodle.com.

Bagels & Bialys at Rooster Boy Cafe

Looking for a low-key morning nosh? Grab some bagels and bialys (order ahead for the latter), plus some schmear sold by the half pound, from the Desert Shores darling. Then take a leisurely stroll around Lake Jacqueline to atone for the well-worth-it carbs. $2 each, $10 for 6. 2620 Regatta Drive #113, 702-560-2453, roosterboycafe.com.

Smoked Tri-Tip at Big Bs Texas BBQ

Texas-style barbecue meets a Central California favorite when these folks toss tri-tip into the smoker. Get some brisket, chicken and ribs if you like, but dont miss this specialty dish when youre ordering from Big Bs Henderson or southwest spots. $18 per pound. 3019 St. Rose Parkway #130, 702-260-6327; 6115 S. Fort Apache Road #110, 702-844-8206; bigbztexasbbq.com.

Brisket Bahn Mi at 595 Craft and Kitchen

A well-made bahn mithe classic Vietnamese sandwichis a thing of beauty. All the elements must be just right: fresh baguette, well-seasoned meat, crunchy pickled vegetables. This brisket version checks all the boxes, with jalapeo to give it extra kick. $12. 4950 S. Rainbow Blvd. #100, 702-586-1050, 595craftandkitchen.com.

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich at Egg Sammie

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich at Egg Sammi

This ones worth getting up early for. Hickory-smoked bacon, cage-free eggs, smoked provolone and the aptly named yum yum sauce are swaddled in house-baked brioche. You wont even need an alarm. $7. 7379 S. Rainbow Blvd., 725-204-8881.

Pastrami on Rye at Weiss Deli

Some sandwiches are relatively easy to replicate at home. Pastrami isnt one of them. Let this longtime southeast Valley favorite do the work while you reap the rewards. Pro tip: Choose coleslaw for your side; it travels better than fries, and its great piled right on the meat. $16, 2744 N. Green Valley Parkway, 702-454-0565.

Chetinad Curry at Mint Indian Bistro

We dare you to try to make this dish, also known as madras curry, at home. Then let the professionals at Mint do it right, so you end up with a perfectly spicedand appropriately spicybowl of chicken, fish, shrimp or veggies. $16-$19. 730 E. Flamingo Road, 702-894-9334; 4246 S. Durango Drive #200, 702-247-4610.

Fried Chicken Sandwich at Mama Bird Southern Kitchen

This Southern-style sammy is served with creamy fry sauce on a potato roll, with a side of fries, coleslaw or watermelon. For extra flavor, add a fried egg or a M.M.A.D. Hot spice rub. $14-$16. 10550 Southern Highlands Parkway #140, 702-570-6135, mamabirdsk.com.

Cuban Nachos at Cubanidad

A trip to Cubanidad doesnt have to be a carnivorous extravaganza. This twist on traditional nachos loads malanga (taro root) chips and plantain chips up with black bean hummus and guacamole. Add protein if you like, but these are just as good sans meat. $8. 3585 S. Fort Apache Road #203, cubanidad1885.com.

Hearth Baked Lasagna at Sparrow + Wolf

Hearth Baked Lasagna at Sparrow + Wolf

Local foodies breathed a big sigh of relief when chef Brian Howard reopened Sparrow + Wolf with an all-new menu that included this old favorite, a tour de force made with lamb Bolognese and miso bchamel sauce. Make it the centerpiece of your next takeout feast. $25. 4480 Spring Mountain Road #100, 702-790-2147, sparrowandwolflv.com.

Thin crust pizza at Amore Taste of Chicago

So authentic, youll think youre back in the Windy City. Cut into squares and cooked with the cheese atop the toppingswe suggest mushrooms, olives and onionsits a slice of heaven (and for some of us, home) in every bite. $11 and up. 4330 E. Sunset Road, 702-463-9163, amoretasteofchicago.com.

Mun Pu Fried Rice at Lamaii

Everyone loves fried rice, but the dreamy rendition at this Chinatown Thai palace goes next-level: Its stir-fried in crab fat and served with a mound of jumbo crab lumps. Pro tip: Get an extra order, and reheat it for days. $14. 4480 Spring Mountain Road #700, 702-238-0567, lamaiilv.com.

Navratan Korma at Ashiana North India Cuisine

Whether or not youre vegetarian, a bowl of flavorful veggie korma from this delicious and dependable Henderson spot should satisfy your Indian cravings. Be sure to order lots of naan for maximum dippage. $15. 10960 S. Eastern Ave. #107, 724-1474, ashiananv.com.

TacoMan Breakfast Burrito at Taco Man Grill

If you have a big morning appetite, this one will serve you right: sausage, hash browns, a generous portion of egg, salsa fresca, cheese and sour cream, wrapped in a fresh tortilla for the ultimate breakfast of champions. $6. 10100 S. Eastern Ave., 702-202-2610.

Assorted Pastries at Le Cafe du Val

Traveling is tough right now, but dont let that stop you from pretending youre in the south of France enjoying a pastry and caf au lait. These treats are made in-house every morning, and the biggest decision youll have to make is which three youll be getting. Prices vary. 1550 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #G, 702-592-0880.

Chicken Pot Pie Gnocchi at Vegenation

Get your vegan comfort-food fix with this gnocchi dish. A house-made herb sauce flavors Gardein soy-based chicken and cozy veggies (peas, carrots and mushrooms). For the ultimate meal, its finished with pie crust crumbles. $13. 616 E. Carson Ave. #120, 702-366-8515; 10075 Eastern Ave., 702-527-7663; vegenationlv.com.

Brunch pizza at Esthers Kitchen

This pizza breaks all the rules: Boar sausage, crispy potato, garlic panna and quail eggs top a doughy crust. Itll make you rethink what a pie is all aboutand when you should eat it. $15. 1130 S. Casino Center Blvd., #110, 702-570-7864, estherslv.com.

Show your support Most businesses are struggling financially right now, and restaurants are among the hardest hit. Every order helps, but keep this in mind: Using third-party delivery apps can divert money from a family-owned business to some corporate tech giant (although we do like keeping their drivers employed). To keep your money as local as possible, pick upor use in-house delivery serviceswhenever possible, even if its a bit more complicated than firing up a phone app.

Fees add up Another reason to consider in-person pickup: the little fees for those third-party delivery services can take a big bite out of your budget if youre not careful.

Keep it safe The goal is as little physical interaction as possible. Opt for contactless pickup or delivery, if its available. If not, at least choose your order in advance, so youre not standing around breathing shared air while you decide what to eat. And always, wear a mask, wash your hands and socially distance when possible.

Always, always tip Moneys tight everywhere these days, but hardworking folks are risking their health to provide you with a crucial service. The Maralee McKee Etiquette School of America says 10%-15% is the tipping standard for takeout orders, but during these tough times, you ought to consider going 20% and more if you can afford it.

Excerpt from:

35 tasty takeout dishes in the Las Vegas Valley - Las Vegas Weekly

Know what the Sparks could really go for right now? A winning streak.

As in, two victories in succession.

The 3-2 Sparks have been playing hopscotch with their record thus far in the WNBA bubble, but thats not a roadmap for long-term success. Their next opportunity to stay on track comes Friday against the 3-2 Las Vegas Aces (6 p.m., ESPN), another talented team with title hopes.

L.A. will be without star forward Nneka Ogwumike, who suffered a slight hamstring injury against Wednesdays victory over Indiana, but they can welcome back Tea Cooper. The rookie point guard wasnt available against the Fever because of an inconclusive coronavirus test that forced her to quarantine for 48 hours while awaiting negative results of two subsequent tests and a physicians approval.

Sparks star Candace Parker was displeased with her teammates inconclusive result and its ramifications, protocol thats been revised in the NBAs bubble so players need not miss as much time if a test comes back inconclusive and they are, in fact, negative for coronavirus.

This has happened a couple times, so at some point we gotta get this together, Parker said, via Zoom. Tea is huge with what we do. Shes coming along great. Shes playing well. So, these are things that can hurt teams, you know?

For me, its about just making sure that were doing the testing the way that we need to, because weve had a couple of inconclusive tests. Obviously somethings gotta change for us to be able to go forward.

Some things have to change on the court as well, the two-time MVP said after Wednesdays less-than-suspenseful victory.

So far weve gone one, and then weve lost focus and lost, and then won and lost and won, said Parker, asked to evaluate her game as she might an NBA player in her role as TNT analyst. So, at some point, Candace has got to step up and lead and string two victories together.

Its worth noting that Candace, the 34-year-old forward, has strung together three consecutive double-doubles, including Wednesdays 18-point, 11-rebound, three-assist, two-block, one-steal effort in 23 minutes of the 86-75 victory.

Pan way back and see that Parkers strung together a feat even more substantial: Twelve-plus seasons as as a Sparks player. Wednesdays game was her 320th in a Sparks uniform, third-most in franchise history.

She surpassed Mwadi Mabika, who played 11 seasons in L.A., and trails only Lisa Leslie (363) and DeLisha Milton (344) for the most games with the franchise.

Boy, it goes fast, said Parker, who has played the entirety of her career for the Sparks, winning a championship in 2016 and averaging 17 points and 8.6 rebounds along the way.

Its an honor to play (in) one jersey my entire career so far, the two-time WNBA MVP said. Huge on loyalty and loyalty goes both ways, so I cant imagine playing for another team. Obviously theres two legends in front of me; Lisa and Delisha that have had a huge influence on my career, at the start and even now.

L.A. is a special place and I dont want to play anywhere else.

Aces (3-2) vs. Sparks (3-2)

When: 6 p.m. Friday

Where: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Florida

TV: ESPN2

Read this article:

Sparks hoping to build momentum against Las Vegas Aces on Friday - OCRegister

Published Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020 | 6:58 p.m.

Updated 2 hours, 11 minutes ago

MADISON, Wis. (AP) An oversight board demoted Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales on Thursday after questioning how he handled multiple incidents, including ordering officers to fire tear gas and pepper spray at protesters demonstrating over George Floyds death.

The citys Fire and Police Commission unanimously voted Thursday evening to demote Morales to captain after three-and-a-half years on the job.

The chiefs attorney, Franklyn Gimbel, says Morales relationship with the commission has been deteriorating since he refused the chairmans demand to fire an officer involved in the arrest of Milwaukee Bucks player Sterling Brown in January 2018. Most recently the commission criticized Morales for authorizing tear gas to disperse protesters. The board has also raised questions over how the department has policed Black communities.

Morales joined the Milwaukee department in 1993 and was appointed chief in February 2018.

His conduct is unbecoming, filled with ethical lapses and flawed decisions, making it inconsistent with someone who has the privilege of leading the Milwaukee Police Department, Commissioner Raymond Robakowski said.

The board named Assistant Police Chief Michael J. Brunson Sr. as acting chief.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said Thursday night he was angered by the commission's action and that Morales should have been given a chance to respond to directives the panel had issued.

The discussion surrounding this decision tonight was completely lacking in transparency. The action taken by the commission tonight was not good government, Barrett said.

The decision comes as Wisconsin's largest police department grapples with a surge in gun violence and plans security for a scaled-down Democratic National Convention.

A number of police chiefs across the country have left their jobs as pressure mounts to rethink American policing following Floyd's death, including Erika Shields in Atlanta, Jamie Resch in Portland, Oregon, and William Smith in Richmond, Virginia.

Milwaukee's mayor had urged the commission to slow down, but Morales' attorney, Franklyn Gimbel, said the odds appeared to be stacked against the chief.

Im unaware of him having any supporters (on the commission), Gimbel, said. There seems like a cumulative sense that they want to dump the guy.

Gimbel declined comment to The Associated Press after the meeting.

Morales is Latino and the majority of the commissioners are Black. His relationship with the board has deteriorated since it named him to the post in February 2018.

Gimbel said problems began when officers arrested Brown for parking illegally in January 2018. Officers swarmed the Bucks guard and used a stun gun on him when he didn't remove his hands from his pockets. The commission's chairman, Steven DeVougas, who is Black, told Morales to fire one of the officers involved but Morales refused, the attorney said.

From there it got stressful," Gimbel said. DeVougas viewed him as not being a team player."

In February, the Milwaukee Police Association, which represents rank-and-file officers, filed an ethics complaint against DeVougas alleging he accompanied a real estate developer during an interview with police who suspected the developer of sexual assault. DeVougas practices real estate law for the developer's business. The police association argued DeVougas' presence during the interview was a misuse of his position as commission chairman. A city ethics board is investigating.

Fast forward to May and June, when Milwaukee police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse protesters demonstrating over Floyd's death. Floyd, who was Black, died on Memorial Day in Minneapolis after a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck for nearly eight minutes.

The decision to use tear gas and pepper spray drew criticism from Democratic Mayor Tom Barrett. The commission in July banned the police department from using tear gas, prompting a number of departments from across the state slated to help with convention security to rescind their support.

The commission on July 20 ordered Morales to produce reams of records related to multiple incidents, including the decision to tear gas and pepper spray protesters, Brown's arrest and the June arrest of a Black activist on suspicion of burglary. The panel also demanded Morales draft community policing standards, develop a discipline matrix to clarify how officers are disciplined and draft a policy requiring officers to wear face masks during the pandemic.

We are in the midst of an urgent overdue reckoning on race and policing in this country," the commission said in a statement Monday. "Only with transparency, accountability and truth will we move on as a society. This discussion may make some uncomfortable, and may bluntly scare others.

None of the commissioners, including DeVougas, returned messages Thursday.

The commission gave Morales a week to respond to some of the requests and threatened to discipline or fire him if he didn't comply. Gimbel has said those expectations are ridiculous; he noted the commission gave Morales' predecessor, Ed Flynn, 50 days to respond to a similar request for information on the department's pursuit policy.

The police department Wednesday blasted the orders as vague, invalid and possibly illegal. The department noted the orders weren't approved during an open meeting and the requests seek information from still-open criminal and internal investigations.

The orders also could violate a 2018 settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union over stop-and-frisk policies because the department would have to release confidential information it has been sharing with a consultant group monitoring compliance with the settlement, the department said.

The (orders) attempt to paint a picture that MPD has been non-compliant or outright insubordinate with the FPC, the department said in a statement. The manner in which business is being conducted at the FPC causes alarm.

Barrett, the mayor, dove into the fray on Wednesday, sending a letter to the commission calling for an orderly review of the orders and the commission to remove DeVougas as chairman since he's under investigation.

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Follow Todd Richmond on Twitter: https://twitter.com/trichmond1

Read more:

Milwaukee chief demoted over tear-gas use, other concerns - Las Vegas Sun

Published Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020 | 3:32 p.m.

Updated 5 hours, 37 minutes ago

It seemed like any hope the Montreal Canadiens had of beating the Pittsburgh Penguins rested on the shoulders of goaltender Carey Price.

Price has shouldered a big load in net, but he's not the only reason the high-powered Penguins are on the brink of elimination, down 2-1 in the best-of-five qualifying round series. Montreal has held star Russian center Evgeni Malkin to zero even-strength points with one power-play assist through three games and can knock out Pittsburgh with one more victory in Game 4 Friday (4 p.m. EDT, NBC Sports Network).

Priceys been really solid: Hes making some key saves for us," center Phillip Danault said. But yeah, hes not alone in this and its important for him to know. We show some character, we go toe to toe. We embrace the challenge.

The Eastern Conference's 12th (and lowest) seed has shut down the NHL's best team that didn't get the luxury of a bye into the traditional first round of the playoffs. Beyond Price's 104 saves on 111 shots to match the lofty expectations for his game, the Canadiens have held the Penguins to three power-play goals in 15 chances and bottled up an opponent that won the Stanley Cup twice in the previous four seasons.

Two-time playoff MVP Sidney Crosby has scored twice and added an assist, though Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust are also tied with him for the most points on the Penguins with three. The team defense in front of Price has been suffocating and explains why the Canadiens are a win away from advancing.

Were definitely aware when Malkins on the ice or Crosbys on the ice and we try and limit their chances and take their space away as quick as possible, Montreal defenseman Ben Chiarot said. But theyre world-class players and theyre going to get their opportunities, and thats when Carey steps in and does what hes been doing for us. Its five of us out there working together, playing defense and were just trying to keep it as tight as possible when those guys are on the ice.

EYES ON NET

All eyes are on the goalies as the New York Islanders face the Florida Panthers and the Nashville Predators face the Arizona Coyotes on Friday.

The Islanders made $10 million Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky look vulnerable in going up 2-0, and the Panthers made some lineup and strategy adjustments to fight to see another day. New York might be able to close it out if they can crack Bobrovsky once again in Game 4 (noon EDT, NBCSN).

A focus for us offensively for sure is trying to create some chaos, take away his eyes, Islanders forward Brock Nelson said. You have to find ways to kind of create some confusion in front with defenders, guys crossing in front and different things.

Three-time Cup-winning coach Joel Quenneville got rewarded for not pulling the plug on Bob after allowing six goals in the first two games of the series and hopes vintage Bobrovsky is here to stay.

He did what he had to do to give us a chance and got us a win, Quenneville said. Hes been under some situations where hes played in a lot of big moments like that, and I think that can help us moving forward.

Arizona goaltender Darcy Kuemper hasn't been in a lot of of big moments like this. It's just his second playoff series as the starter and the first since 2014, but that didn't stop him from making 39 saves Wednesday to push Nashville to the brink.

One more like that in Game 4 (2:30 p.m. EDT, NHL Network) and the Coyotes could be on to the round of 16.

The next game is going to be the most important pressure game again for Kuemps," coach Rick Tocchet said. "Hes had to do this for us a lot in the last two years, and to me its his attitude and the way he approaches the game, for me unflappable.

OILERS vs. BLACKHAWKS, Chicago leads 2-1 (6:45 p.m. Friday, NBCSN)

Goaltending and team defense havent been the story in the Western Conferences 5 vs. 12 series that has the Edmonton Oilers one loss away from elimination by Chicago. The three goalies who have seen action have allowed 26 goals on 185 shots.

Edmonton coach Dave Tippett said his team has to focus on getting better for Game 4 but doesnt think its as big a focus as cutting down on penalties.

Its not as if were giving up a ton of chances, Tippett said. Theyre going in our net, and we have to find a way to overcome some of those mistakes that are allowing that and find a way to keep them off the board and get us more.

BACK TO BACK

The Minnesota Wild don't have much time to regroup facing elimination in Game 4 (10:45 p.m., NBCSN) after being shut out 3-0 by Jacob Markstrom and the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday afternoon. Markstrom stopped all 27 shots he faced, though his teammates also blocked 22.

"They did a good job with blocking shots," Minnesota's Kevin Fiala said. They were staying in the (shooting) lane. I feel like they blocked a lot of shots from everybody. Just have to make sure to get those through and get some rebounds and stuff.

That's a similar challenge for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are going back-to-back from Game 3 to Game 4 of their series against the Columbus Blue Jackets (8 p.m., NHL Network) and the Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild .

___

For more AP NHL coverage: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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Not just Price is right: Canadiens have Penguins on brink - Las Vegas Sun

Las Vegas resort workers want to see more companies mandate coronavirus testing.

But even at hotel-casinos where testing is required, employees are still contracting the virus.

Testing employees before their return to work has come into question as the states testing system becomes overwhelmed by a spike in cases, causing test results to come back after a week or more and hindering the effectiveness of testing.

In the weeks between (employees) getting the test taken and getting the results, (they) could be exposed to a lot of things, said Brian Labus, a UNLV epidemiologist and member of the governors medical advisory team. Testing all casino employees before their return to work really doesnt do much to protect anybody and would put a huge burden on our overwhelmed testing system. It would do more harm than good at this point.

Harmful or helpful?

Culinary Local 226 and Bartenders Local 165 had proposed state legislation that would mandate free testing for all workers before their return to work and free testing for those who have been exposed to the virus, in addition to a number of other policies. The Adolfo Fernandez bill was named after a Caesars Palace employee who died June 24 from COVID-19.

The bill is expected to be presented at the states second special session of 2020 as part of liability protection legislation.

Workers who make this city run deserve to be protected, Culinary union secretary-treasurer Geoconda Argello-Kline said in a July 20 news release.

Culinary union spokeswoman Bethany Khan said issues with the states testing system havent changed the unions position on employee testing.

COVID-19 testing protects workers, their families, our community, and visitors to Nevada, she said via email. (President Donald) Trump had said in early March that anyone who needs a COVID-19 test would be able get a test whats happening with that?

She also pointed to a July letter from travel leaders stating that the travel industrys recovery relies on more COVID-19 testing.

Greg Chase, founder and CEO of Las Vegas-based Experience Strategy Associates, said testing employees before their return to work, offering continuous testing and transparency from company leaders are all important steps in keeping employees and guests safe.

Its good to have a baseline of knowing workers coming back to work arent ill, he said.

No guarantee

But mandated testing doesnt guarantee workers wont get sick.

Station Casinos, for instance, tested all staffers for COVID-19 before properties June 4 reopening and now tests them regularly. As of July 9, the company had tested and retested more than 2,200 staff members and employees of partners and vendors since reopening.

One Station Casino employee, who was granted anonymity in order to avoid retaliation, received positive COVID-19 test results and shared them with the Review-Journal.

In between ragged breaths over the phone, the employee explained that the reason behind sending an email warning to co-workers was that is where the worker thinks the virus was contracted.

I dont want anyone to experience what I experienced, the employee said.

The Southern Nevada Health District, which has been overwhelmed with cases in Nevada in recent weeks, left a voicemail a few weeks ago instructing the employee to begin contact tracing, but the employee has yet to follow up.

A Station Casinos spokesman declined to provide additional comments.

Not enough tests

A high level of testing is good in theory, but Labus said there simply arent enough tests in Nevada anymore for this to be done efficiently.

In early May, tests were available for anyone in Nevada who wanted one, with results often coming back within a day or two.

That is no longer the case because of a significant uptick in COVID-19 cases in Nevada. Now, test results can take up to a week or longer to return.

Late last month, University Medical Center updated its testing guidance, asking members of the public without COVID-19 symptoms or exposure to a confirmed case of the disease not to make an appointment at its drive-thru testing sites.

UMCs guidance shift is meant to allow high-risk patients to obtain access to testing and results faster.

The Southern Nevada Health District also updated its guidance recently and no longer recommends that employees who tested positive for COVID-19 be tested again. Instead, infected workers who had symptoms can discontinue self-isolation after at least 10 days have passed since the symptoms began and at least 24 hours since their fever broke without the help of fever-reducing medication, and as long as there has been improvement in other symptoms.

The new guidance is in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions instructions, which are based on research that shows that infected people are often no longer infectious after 10 to 20 days, depending on the severity of their illness.

Labus doesnt recommend that all businesses test employees before they return to work, since they could get exposed in the time between taking the test and seeing the results.

It doesnt stop them from being exposed, he said. With weeklong delays, it more provides the illusion of safety than a measure of safety.

Worker safety

A number of hotel workers have told the Review-Journal they would like to see more testing among staff members.

One MGM employee, who works at a pool on the Strip and was granted anonymity for job security, said staffers were surprised when they learned employees wouldnt need to be tested for COVID-19 before returning to work.

The company has offered free testing since before casinos reopened but does not mandate it for the majority of its workforce.

It was pretty shaky going in, the employee said. We were all kind of on edge at the beginning.

Testing is required for MGM employees who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact 6 feet or closer for at least 15 minutes with someone who has tested positive. Tests are available both on site at properties and at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The largest private employer in the state, MGM says it is not opposed to return-to-work testing if the system can support it, but the company is trying to maintain a careful balance of not overwhelming the countrys testing resources. It asks employees who dont have reason to believe they have been exposed to the virus to be considerate about getting tested.

MGM spokesman Brian Ahern said the companys decisions, policies and operations have been based on expert guidance and the company continuously evaluates and updates its policies as new information is known, situations change and the needs of the community evolve.

The pool worker voluntarily gets tested about once a week and said results usually take anywhere from one to three days to receive.

MGMs employee testing is made available through a partnership with Community Ambulance and UMC, which allows results in less than 24 hours in many cases, according to the company.

As of Wednesday, the worker said they could confirm four COVID-19 cases among co-workers. MGM Resorts has confirmed that at least one employee has tested positive since casinos reopening.

Policies across the valley

Caesars Entertainment Inc. spokeswoman Chelsea Ryder said the company tested all its active employees in Clark County this month and provides ongoing testing. The company is also following contact tracing protocols, she said.

Testing remains an important component of our health and safety plan, she said. Our safety and testing plans will continue to evolve as the situation with coronavirus changes.

Wynn Resorts Ltd. tested all employees before their return to work and now has a program that randomly tests workers to ensure no department or work area experiences an outbreak, according spokesman Michael Weaver.

We believe our consistent testing program is important to continue to build guests confidence in visiting the resort, as well as support community health safety, he said.

Boyd Gaming Corp. also tested all its staff members before they returned to work. Spokesman David Strow said the company continues to offer no-cost testing as needed.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. spokesman Keith Salwoski said the company tested all employees for COVID-19 before its Las Vegas resorts reopened June 4 and offered complimentary testing to employees household members. Testing was also offered to many third parties, including gondoliers and partner restaurant employees.

The Venetian and Palazzo are also providing ongoing monthly COVID-19 tests for its employees in front-line positions and many third-party employees, and it is the only large resort in Las Vegas to do so, according to Salwoski.

All staff members are offered testing if they report having COVID-19 symptoms or are suspected of having exposure to the virus through contact tracing.

The Review-Journal is owned by the family of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson. Las Vegas Sands operates The Venetian and Palazzo.

Contact Bailey Schulz at bschulz@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0233. Follow @bailey_schulz on Twitter.

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Las Vegas Strip workers want mandated testing but it may not help - Las Vegas Review-Journal

Richard Brian / Special to the Sun

David Browne, left, and Dave Rooney of The Black Donnellys pose for a photo after a performance at Ri Ra Irish Pub at the shoppes at Mandalay Place in Las Vegas on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

The return of big Las Vegas entertainment at arenas, showrooms, theaters and clubs is still far from becoming reality. But there is plenty of smaller-scale live entertainment programmed every week in the citys tourism corridor along Las Vegas Boulevard.

Heres a resort-by-resort breakdown of all the live entertainment currently scheduled on or near the Strip. Keep in mind that anything and everything is subject to change and reservations are strongly encouraged if not required, so get in the habit of calling ahead.

ARIA

Aria has one of the most dramatic lobby areas on the Strip and its stylish Lobby Bar (702-590-8638), open around the clock, welcomes Vegas visitors with a pianist Friday and Saturday nights starting at 7 p.m.

BELLAGIO

The center Strip titan quickly emerged as one of the most entertaining destinations upon reopening thanks to the iconic fountain show and the equally magnetic conservatory, but the incredible musicians, singers and dancers that make the show go at Mayfair Supper Club (702-693-8876) have created plenty of buzz as well. Take it all in along with dinner and drinks Wednesday through Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m. Bellagio also has live DJs at Lily Bar & Lounge (702-692-5615) and the legendary pianists at the recently renovated Petrossian Bar (702-693-7111).

CIRCUS CIRCUS

The classic and free circus acts on the second-level Midway (702-734-0410) begin every day at 11:30 a.m.

COSMOPOLITAN

One of Cosmos newest venues, the Barbershop (702-698-7434) is serving up live bands from its intimate stage at 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Thats been a bit of a secret because of the places speakeasy-style of operations, but less under-the-radar is the modern supper club experience at Rose. Rabbit. Lie. (877-893-2001), which offers a variety of acts during dinner and operates Thursday through Saturday from 5:30 to 11 p.m. The resorts popular club Marquee (702-333-9000) has been booked solid for weekend day and night pool lounging with DJ music, drink service and a full food menu, and you can also catch DJ performances at the casino-level Clique Lounge at 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Courtesy

A general view at Mayfair Supper Club during its debut on New Years Eve at Bellagio Las Vegas on December 31, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for The Mayfair Supper Club at Bellagio Las Vegas)

ELLIS ISLAND

The new indoor-outdoor beer garden and restaurant known as the Front Yard (702-733-8901) at the friendly casino and hotel just east of the Strip is currently open Thursday through Saturday and bringing live music to the stage starting at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

FLAMINGO

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville (702-733-3302) offers music from a live soloist at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, some relaxing tunes to go with your margarita and cheeseburger in paradise. The Flamingo bar and restaurant also offers plenty of patio space.

MANDALAY BAY

With DJs spinning nightly at 10 p.m. on the 63rd floor Foundation Room lounge (702-632-7631) and on weekends at Daylight Beach Club (702-632-4700), plus regular live music in the restaurant space at the House of Blues (702-632-7600), Mandalay Bay has one of the busiest entertainment programs on the reopened Strip. Bonus pick: The rollicking Irish pub Ri Ra (702-632-7771) at the Shoppes at Mandalay Place continues to host beloved Celtic rock duo the Black Donnellys at 7 p.m. Thursday through Monday.

MGM GRAND

Sitting at the gateway from the casino to MGMs restaurant row is country music hot spot the Losers Bar (702-891-3003) and it continues to offer live music nightly at 6 p.m. in its comfy saloon environment.

NEW YORK-NEW YORK

Sadly, the iconic dueling pianos act at the Bar at Times Square has once again been shuttered, but until its return you can find live bands rocking out at 9 p.m. Thursday through Monday at another long-standing Strip music bar, Nine Fine Irishmen (702-740-3311).

ORLEANS

The off-Strip casino is set to bring the bands back to its live music haven, restaurant and bar Bailiwick (702-365-7111) starting this weekend on July 31. Bands and solo acts will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

TUSCANY

Just a few blocks east on Flamingo Road lies one of the liveliest lounges in Las Vegas. The staff and musicians that make up the Tuscanys Piazza Lounge (702-893-8933) have been working hard to maintain a robust weekly schedule of music that currently includes Laura Shaffer on Mondays, Ashley Fuller on Tuesdays, Kelly Clinton on Wednesdays, Michael Grimm on Thursdays, Kenny Davidsen on Fridays, Rita Lim on Sundays and a slate of rotating performers on Saturday nights.

VENETIAN/PALAZZO

There are singers and musicians entertaining during the day at St. Marks Square inside the Grand Canal Shoppes and the twin luxury resorts are amping up the atmosphere with live DJs at nightlife spots the Dorsey (702-414-1945) and Electra Cocktail Club (702-607-1950) during weekend evening hours.

WYNN/ENCORE

Though Wynn has reactivated its nightlife venues as lounges, including Encore Beach Club, XS and Intrigue, the only DJ music on property is at Encores Eastside Lounge on Friday and Saturday nights.

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Where to catch live entertainment right now on and near the Las Vegas Strip - Las Vegas Sun

It took less than a minute for Angel McCoughtry to announce her presence. In her Las Vegas Aces debut, she grabbed a defensive rebound, took the ball the length of the floor, and weaved her way around multiple Chicago Sky defenders to finish at the rim.

She went for 25 points and eight rebounds on the day, not bad for someone who missed all of last season recovering from knee surgery. The Aces lost, but the strong start was a confidence boost for the five-time All-Star, a reminder that she's still one of the top players in this league.

"It felt like unfinished business," McCoughtry told CBS Sports. "I could just go out there and go."

In the bubble, McCoughty's business goes beyond basketball. The WNBA has dedicated this season to social justice and honoring women who were victims of police and racial violence. In one of many statements the players have made, they are wearing Breonna Taylor's name on their jerseys -- McCoughtry's idea.

It took some time to get the league on board, but what started with just a tweet has blossomed into a relationship with Taylor's family. Seeing her plan come to fruition "meant a lot" to McCoughtry.

"We know that your jersey is so important, because it's basically your personal brand, your jersey is who you are," McCoughtry said. "People buy your jersey. They don't buy your shorts, they don't buy your headbands. I thought if we could put the names on there, that was a great way to advocate while we play."

McCoughtry said Taylor's family was "ecstatic" about the gesture, and she and other players are determined to make sure their partnership doesn't stop when the basketball does. They intend to continue supporting the Breonna Taylor Foundation once they leave the bubble and the spotlight goes away.

For now, though, McCoughtry and the Aces will have to balance their commitments. And so far, it hasn't been a problem for the veteran forward. She's second on the team in scoring at 14.8 points per game and shooting 53.5 percent, while chipping in 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and one steal per game.

To most outside observers, McCoughtry has been everything Las Vegas would have expected. A former scoring champ, she has no problem creating her own offense, something they desperately need with Liz Cambage and Kelsey Plum both out for the season. And she contributes in other areas as well, notably on the defensive end, where she's still a menace.

In the eyes of Aces head coach Bill Laimbeer, however, she's been even more.

"She's better than I thought she was," Laimbeer said. "I wish I had her when she was a youngster. Got a little bit of miles on her now, but she's very capable. Very smart basketball player, great team-oriented basketball player. Smart, leader in her own right, and I expect her to have a really solid year."

McCoughtry said her relationship with Laimbeer, which includes long chats over wine, is unlike any she's had with a coach in her long career. His philosophy and the way he approaches the game was one of the main reasons she chose to sign with the Aces over other interested teams this offseason.

"I like that he keeps it real," McCoughtry said during the Aces-Wings broadcast. "He tells you what you need to work on, and if you're not having a good day, he tells you 'hey, pick it up!' I love that about him."

Another deciding factor was the chance to play with Cambage, but that will have to wait until 2021. But even without the All-WNBA center, McCoughtry still believes the Aces can compete for a title, which was the most important reason she joined the franchise.

Now in her 11th season, McCoughtry has done just about everything besides get a ring. She won Rookie of the Year, two scoring titles, has been to five All-Star Games, was named to six All-WNBA teams and seven All-Defensive teams and captured two Olympic gold medals. She led the Dream to three Finals appearances, where they were always overmatched.

Through the first 12 days of the season, the Aces look strong. Their 2-2 record tells an incomplete story, as the those losses have come by a combined nine points and they're in the top six in the league in both offensive and defensive rating. A 22-game season is inherently unpredictable, but they have the starpower and defense to compete with anyone. If they can continue finding consistent offense despite a lack of outside shooting, contending for a title isn't out of the question.

On the latter point, much of that responsibility will fall to McCoughtry, and her impressive start has not only boosted her confidence, but her teammates' as well. It hasn't taken long for them to realize how much easier she can make the game for those around her.

"Oh Angel McCoughtry, she's nice on the court," Sugar Rodgers said. "She's a beast."

Nice on the court, and nice off of it, McCoughtry is already making a big impact for the Aces.

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Angel McCoughtry already making a big impact for the Las Vegas Aces, both on and off the court - CBS Sports

Published Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020 | 4:30 p.m.

Updated 2 hours, 47 minutes ago

BEIRUT (AP) Investigators probing the deadly blast that ripped across Beirut focused Wednesday on possible negligence in the storage of tons of a highly explosive fertilizer in a waterfront warehouse, while the government ordered the house arrest of several port officials.

International aid flights began to arrive as Lebanons leaders struggled to deal with the widespread damage and shocking aftermath of Tuesdays blast, which the Health Ministry said killed 135 people and injured about 5,000 others.

Public anger mounted against the ruling elite that is being blamed for the chronic mismanagement and carelessness that led to the disaster. The Port of Beirut and customs office is notorious for being one of the most corrupt and lucrative institutions in Lebanon where various factions and politicians, including Hezbollah, hold sway.

The investigation is focusing on how 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive chemical used in fertilizers, came to be stored at the facility for six years, and why nothing was done about it.

Losses from the blast are estimated to be between $10 billion to $15 billion, Beirut Gov. Marwan Abboud told Saudi-owned TV station Al-Hadath, adding that nearly 300,000 people are homeless.

Beirut as we know it is gone and people wont be able to rebuild their lives, said Amy, a woman who swept glass from a small alley beside by a tall building that served as a showroom for a famous Lebanese designer and was a neighborhood landmark.

This is hell. How are they (people) going to survive. What are they going to do? she said, blaming officials for lack of responsibility and stupidity.

Hospitals were overwhelmed by the injured. One that was damaged in the blast had to evacuate all its patients to a nearby field for treatment.

It was the worst single explosion to strike Lebanon, a country whose history is filled with destruction from a 1975-1990 civil war, conflicts with Israel and periodic terrorist attacks.

Lebanon already was on the brink of collapse amid a severe economic crisis and the coronavirus pandemic. Many have lost their jobs and seen their savings evaporate because of a currency crisis. Food security is a worry, since the country imports nearly all its vital goods and its main port is now devastated. The government is strapped for cash.

A senior U.S. Defense Department official and member of the U.S. intelligence community said there were no indications the explosion was the result of an attack by either a nation state or proxy forces. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss intelligence briefings publicly. They told AP that at the moment, the explosion seems to have been caused by improper storage of explosives.

Fueling speculation that negligence was to blame for the accident, an official letter circulating online showed the head of the customs department had warned repeatedly over the years that the huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored in the port was a danger and had asked judicial officials for a ruling on a way to remove it.

Ammonium nitrate is a component of fertilizer that is potentially explosive. The 2,750-ton cargo had been stored at the port since it was confiscated from a ship in 2013, and on Tuesday it is believed to have detonated after a fire broke out nearby.

The 2017 letter from the customs chief to a judge could not be immediately confirmed, but state prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat ordered security agencies to start an immediate investigation into all letters related to the materials stored at the port, as well as lists of those in charge of maintenance, storage and protection of the hangar.

In the letter, the customs chief warned of the dangers if the materials remain where they are, affecting the safety of (port) employees and asked the judge for guidance. He said five similar letters were sent in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The letter proposes the material be exported or sold to a Lebanese explosives company. It is not known if there was a response.

Badri Daher, the head of the customs department, confirmed to the local LBC TV channel that there were five or six such letters to the judiciary. He said his predecessor also pleaded with the judiciary to issue orders to export the explosive materials because of how dangerous they are to the port and staff there.

Daher said it was his duty to alert authorities of the dangers but that is the most he could do. I am not a technical expert.

President Michael Aoun vowed before a Cabinet meeting that the investigation would be transparent and that those responsible will be punished.

There are no words to describe the catastrophe that hit Beirut last night, he said.

After the meeting, the Cabinet ordered an unspecified number of Beirut port officials put under house arrest pending the investigation.

The government also said public schools and some hotels will be opened for the homeless and promised unspecified compensation for the victims.

With the Port of Beirut destroyed, the government said imports and exports will be secured elsewhere, mostly in the northern city of Tripoli and the southern port of Tyre.

There were signs that public anger went beyond port officials to Lebanon's long-entrenched ruling class. Political factions have divided control of public institutions, including the port, using them to benefit their supporters, with little actual development. That has translated into crumbling infrastructure, power outages and poor services.

May the Virgin Mary destroy them and their families, Joseph Qiyameh, a 79-year-old grocery store owner, said of the leadership. The blast damaged his store, his wife was hospitalized with injuries she suffered at home next door, and his arm was hurt. He doesnt have the money to fix his business, with his savings locked up in banks by controls imposed during the financial crisis.

The Hospital of the Sisters of Rosaries was knocked out of service by the blast, with one of the nuns killed and three others badly injured.

In a moment, there was no longer a hospital. It is all gone," said one of the nuns, who suffered a leg injury.

Residents confronted a scene of utter devastation Wednesday, with smoke still rising from the port. The blast tore out a crater 200 meters (yards) across that filled with seawater, as if the Mediterranean had taken a bite out of the port and swallowed buildings with it. Much of downtown was littered with damaged cars and debris.

Drone footage shot by the AP showed the blast tore open a silo structure, dumping its contents into the debris. Estimates suggested about 85% of the countrys grain was stored there.

Economy and Trade Minister Raoul Nehme said all the wheat was contaminated and unusable. But he insisted Lebanon had enough for its immediate needs and would import more, according to the state news agency.

Two planeloads of French rescue workers and aid headed to Beirut and French President Emmanuel Macron was to arrive Thursday to offer support for the former protectorate. The countries retain close political and economic ties.

Several planes of medical equipment and supplies from Greece, Kuwait, Qatar and elsewhere arrived at Beiruts international airport. Turkey sent search-and-rescue teams, humanitarian aid, medical equipment and a field hospital, its Foreign Ministry said. The EU planned to send firefighters with vehicles, dogs and equipment designed to find people trapped in debris.

-

Associated Press writers Sarah El Deeb and Hassan Ammar in Beirut, Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem contributed.

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Negligence probed in deadly Beirut blast amid public anger - Las Vegas Sun

The CEO of MGM Growth Properties which acts as landlord for a number of MGM hotel-casinos said the company sits in a very enviable position.

On Tuesday, the real estate investment trust reported access to nearly $2 billion worth of liquidity and said its tenant, MGM Resorts International, was paying rent in full and on time, despite the economic challenges brought on by the pandemic.

Its portfolio includes 15 Las Vegas and regional assets, including the MGM Grand and New York-New York on the Strip.

CEO James Stewart said the company continued to return value to shareholders in the second quarter by redeeming and retiring 30.3 million operating partnership units with MGM Resorts for $700 million in May. The deal brought the casino operators stake in the company down from 61 percent to nearly 57 percent.

MGM Resorts has until February 2022 to cash out on another $700 million worth of units.

The affiliated casino operator is currently the companys sole tenant, but MGM Growth CEO James Stewart said the REIT is in discussions with various gaming operators about potential sale-leaseback transactions.

(These deals) would help them generate liquidity and provide them with an opportunity to replace financial debt with predictable, long-term leases, Stewart said. Benefits of long-term leases with no maturities are more apparent than ever, were confident in our ability to grow over the long term.

Most discussions are focused on either a large asset or more than one asset, Stewart said, but moving forward with deals has proven to be tricky in the midst of a global pandemic, since share volatility makes it difficult to determine an assets underlying cash flow and value.

Changing protocols, the ebbs and flows of the impacts of the pandemic, the impact on property openings, etc. all of that made deal-making much harder, Stewart said.

Nevertheless, Chief Financial Officer Andy Chien remained confident that transactions will come and said integrated resort operators are finding sale leasebacks more and more attractive.

Stewart added that MGM Growth continues to focus on tenants within the gaming industry.

Theres not been a single industry I can think of thats been more responsive to changing customer tastes than the integrated resort business, he said. If theres any industry that can figure out how you reposition space and drive profitability through that space as needed, its the gaming business.

MGM Growth reported $97 million in net income for the second quarter, a 43 percent bump compared with the same period last year, showing once more that real estate investment trusts are some of the strongest-performing gaming-affiliated businesses in the age of COVID-19.

Revenue from rent was $188.3 million for the quarter. Total revenue was down 14 percent to $194.3 million.

MGM Growths shares were up 1.3 percent to $27.71 late Tuesday morning on the New York Stock Exchange.

Contact Bailey Schulz at bschulz@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0233. Follow @bailey_schulz on Twitter.

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MGM Growth says hotel-casino tenants paying rent in full and on time - Las Vegas Review-Journal

T

he voicemails became more desperate as the weeks dragged on.

Maria Alimusa, a 70-year old resident at The Heights of Summerlin skilled nursing home, was recovering from a stroke when she left a voicemail for her son in California on Feb. 21. Her voice quavered as she predicted her impending death.

I just want to say Ive been thinking about you, and I feel like Im going to be passing soon, she told him.

Alimusa, a nurse for 30 years, wasnt worried about the new coronavirus then, as it had not yet reached the U.S. But she told her son, Roderick, she feared she would suffer another stroke because the quality of care at the facility was so poor. She begged him to transfer her to a different nursing home.

Before he could, it was too late.

In one of her last messages, on April 5, she whispered in a raspy voice that she felt she had a cold, though she chalked it up to allergies. But then she developed a phlegm-filled cough.

The symptoms worsened until April 12, when she was transferred from The Heights to Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, where she had once worked.

Alimusa died there two days later.

Only after her death did Roderick Alimusa learn his mother had died of COVID-19, which she apparently contracted in the nursing home.

Though The Heights of Summerlin is licensed by the state as a skilled care nursing home, a newly released, 26-page investigative report from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services and Review-Journal interviews with current and former staff and patients paint a picture of a facility where the most basic safety precautions were ignored both before and after the coronavirus invaded.

As some patients were discharged without being tested for the illness, families were also left with unanswered questions as to whether their loved ones were counted among the facilitys 28 patient deaths the most of any other state-run or regulated facility.

Maria Alimusa

One other facility, Lakeside Health & Wellness Suites in Reno, has lost 27 residents and one staff member.

To date, The Heights, which has 190 beds, has logged 150 cases of COVID-19 among 87 patients and 63 staff, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services nvhealthresponse.nv.gov website.

Its sister property, St. Joseph Transitional Rehabilitation Center in Las Vegas, also has seen a surge of the disease, recording 57 new cases and five deaths over the past month. It has the second-highest case total among nursing homes at 101 and also is under investigation by the state.

Summit Care LLC is listed as the owner of both properties. Its parent company is Pennsylvania-based Genesis Healthcare Inc., which says on its website that it operates different types of senior facilities in 25 states.

Genesis Healthcare announced in late May that it had received more than $300 million in government grants and loans to help it grapple with the coronavirus pandemic that at the time had killed about 1,500 of its residents.

Its unclear how much of that if any went to its Las Vegas Valley facilities.

The administrator of both nursing homes, Andrew Reese, said in a statement Friday that The Heights is a larger-than-average facility, with more than 300 employees and a significant volume of hospital admissions, which increases the risk of transmission. Patients are also still leaving the facility for lifesaving treatment, like dialysis and chemotherapy.

Despite all of the preventive steps nursing homes are taking, the virus is still making its way into nursing homes across the nation. This is a complex virus that is hard to detect, he said.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted by COVID-19 during this difficult time, especially the families of the three patients that passed away at our facility.

One of the most alarming deficiencies state investigators found at The Heights was a lack of timely, accurate reporting of COVID-19 cases and related deaths to the state.

Some cases were not reported until the state found an undisclosed positive test associated with The Heights in the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System and ordered the facility to correct any similar omissions, the investigation found.

The same problem occurred with deaths, as The Heights death case count jumped from eight to 18 when the recheck of records occurred, investigators said.

These additional deaths were already in the COVID death database, but were not known to be associated with the facility until the facility later reported them, investigators wrote.

Reese, The Heights administrator, disputed that, saying an independent review found the facility had not violated record keeping or reporting regulations.

The result was that we successfully disputed the findings and the tag (complaint) was deleted, he said.

Shannon Litz, a spokeswoman for the state Health and Human Services Department, clarified that the complaint was dismissed in reporting to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services National Healthcare Safety Network, but not on the state level.

The state of Nevada inspection and the (statement of deficiencies) provided still stands, and the Division of Public and Behavioral Health is working with the facility, she said.

Among other findings of the state investigation:

Staff assigned to the quarantine area of the facility were not fit tested or medically cleared for use of the N95 face masks.

Staff improperly wore isolation gowns and jumpsuits and did not follow the procedure for disinfecting them before leaving the isolation areas.

Workers were observed failing to change out of their protective gear after visiting patients.

One symptomatic resident was spotted in the quarantine area without a mask.

Patients often went outside their rooms without wearing masks.

Those familiar with The Heights operations wonder if management bears the blame.

Employees who were present at the time say that news that the coronavirus had been confirmed in the facility came only via whispers, as Reese kept them in the dark and hoarded protective gear in his office.

It wasnt until people spoke up that they stopped doing that and started implementing another plan, according to one worker who was furloughed and asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation.

A former nurse supervisor, who left in mid-April out of concern over unsafe working conditions and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the nursing home was not compliant with safety guidelines for health care workers.

I said, COVID is going around, so we do need to have that to protect the nurses and foremost the patients, said the nurse, who did not wish to be identified by name as she is looking for work.

They told me that the (personal protective equipment) supply is in his office, and I said why is it in the office? I dont need to ask him. Hes supposed to provide us with masks, she said.

Nurse

They were not smart enough to get one step ahead. The invisible enemy got there before we could even think. And learning that several of (my patients) died was heartbreaking for me, it really was.

Reese said that workers have been wearing full gear since March 31 and that there has been no shortage of personal protective equipment since then. The supply is secured to make sure that it is not stolen, he said, and he or the supervisor on duty is responsible for distributing it to employees and patients.

Other workers said that the facility also was so desperate for certified nursing assistants that supervisors had other staff members help out on the floors and answer call lights for patients.

At times, the ex-supervisor said, she alone would work a floor with 30 patients.

Reese denied any manpower shortage, saying, At no time during the outbreak have we had any material staffing issues as (the number of patients in the facility) was also impacted.

The facility is advertising job openings for four nurses and two certified nursing assistants on its website.

Patients who stayed at The Heights in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak said they also were not surprised that the disease ran rampant.

Geraldine Garcia, 74, was admitted April 4 for a broken ankle and checked herself out after 10 days.

She said she was not given a mask until April 12, and she alleged that on multiple occasions a nursing assistant changed her diaper with his mask below his chin.

Other times she was left in a wet diaper, sometimes for four hours, she said. Once, she held herself up in a bedpan for 40 minutes before somebody came to help.

She overheard workers say that a man living at a nursing home had died from the coronavirus.

I thank God that I yelled and told them I wanted out of there. I just couldnt take it no more, Garcia said. I could have been one of those that was stuck in there and maybe died.

Other families were not so fortunate.

Phyllis Wyant, who had a small stress fracture in her back, needed six weeks of rehabilitation. But instead the 80-year-old was discharged with a cough after just four days.

The facility never responded to questions from her family on why she was discharged early, they said.

The day after she returned home, Wyant called her daughter, Tracy LaMonica, and told her, I dont feel right.

Wyant was taken to Summerlin Hospital, where she became very weak. The coronavirus claimed her life on April 18.

It went from a cough to pneumonia to COVID to dead in five days, LaMonica recalled later. I definitely feel like they gave it to her and withheld (that information) from us.

Another former Heights resident, 98-year-old Faye Brown, also died at a hospital the same day. Her daughter-in-law, Shelly Robinson, said they were never, not once told that there had been COVID-19 in The Heights.

Robinson said her family received a call from staff at 4:30 a.m. and were told that Browns oxygen levels were low and she was unconscious and couldnt be revived. She was pronounced dead shortly thereafter at the hospital.

Later that day, the family stopped by the nursing home and were told that there wasnt staff available to help pack up her belongings.

Instead, they invited family members in, gave them masks, took their temperatures and gave them three hours to pack stuff up, Robinson said.

That all changed when they returned the next day. They wouldnt let us in because it wasnt safe, she said.

Reese, The Heights administrator, disputed the account, saying that family members were not allowed to enter the building and that when a patient or resident is discharged or has died, staff members pack up any belongings and contact the family to arrange a pickup.

As far as Robinson knows, Brown was never tested for COVID-19. Her death certificate lists cardiopulmonary arrest and essential hypertension as the immediate cause of death.

Robinson said that throughout the ordeal, she experienced a complete lack of accountability in the culture at The Heights.

Everybody wanted to pass the buck, she said. Just because a person is 98 years old, you cant discount their death. You cant say, Oh, they just died.

Contact Briana Erickson at berickson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5244. Follow @ByBrianaE on Twitter. Review-Journal staff writer Michael Scott Davidson contributed to this report.

Originally posted here:

Its really getting bad here: Summerlin nursing home deadliest in Nevada - Las Vegas Review-Journal

metro police

Abdul RashidYoung

By Ricardo Torres-Cortez (contact)

Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020 | 8:10 p.m.

A man accused of fatally stabbing a man during a fight a week ago told detectives it wasn't his intention but things just went bad, according to his arrest report.

Abdul Rashid Young, 44, was booked Thursday on a count of murder in the slaying of Anthony Donnell, jail and court records show.

At 9:04 p.m. July 28, Metro Police responded to a dilapidated apartment complex at 6009 Clark Street, near Boulder Highway and Nevada Avenue, and found a gravely wounded Donnell.

Donnell died at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center from a stab wound to the chest, police said.

Donnells wife told officers she saw a man she only knew as Gemini stab the victim, and that hed fled on foot, police said.

Police said they reviewed surveillance video that appeared to show the argument and the physical altercation, police said.

When the woman was shown a photo of Young, she confirmed he was the man who allegedly stabbed her husband, noting that shed known the suspect about a year, police said.

Shortly before noon Thursday, Metros fugitive task force took Young into custody near Boulder Highway and Desert Inn, police said.

In an interview with detectives, he said he had stabbed Tony and that he knew it was caught on video, police said.

Police said that before Young requested an attorney, ending the interview, he said he was not thinking of killing Tony, but stated things just went bad, according to the arrest report.

Young, who is jailed without the opportunity of bailing out, is next due in court on Aug. 18, logs show.

Read more:

Suspect in fatal Las Vegas stabbing: 'Things just went bad' - Las Vegas Sun

Most Las Vegas resorts and restaurants, including pools and the citys most popular chill spots, are open for business. Bars, however, will remain closed indefinitely to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Though they wont be serving alcohol, Minus5 bars at the skywalk linking Luxor and Mandalay Bay, Venetian and the Linq Promenade offer a quick reprieve from outside temperatures expected to hit 113 this week. The bars will still be ice cold, but will put the freeze on alcohol for now in keeping with current mandates.

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Also, fans of the high-tech CES show need to rethink their plans. Organizers of the January event, which draws about 170,000 people, on Tuesday decided to host a four-day digital convention rather than a usual massive in-person gathering.

If youre planning to visit Las Vegas, you need to know:

Vdara reopened in mid-July. The resorts Market Cafe is open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Vdara Pool & Cabanas, along with the pool bar, are open Fridays through Sundays. On other days, guests may use the pool at nearby Aria. Vdaras spa remains closed.

Ballys has reopened, along with a variety of restaurants and the resorts pool, Blu.

Aria, Delano and Mandalay Bay welcomed guests July 1. At Aria, Catch, Jean Georges Steakhouse and Salt & Ivy are open. At Mandalay Bay, Shark Reef Aquarium and several restaurants have reopened. Nobu, the hotel-within-a-hotel at Caesars Palace, reopened July 2.

The Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas and the Fly Linq at Linq Promenade started sending visitors soaring on July 2.

Two popular day clubs Liquid Pool Lounge at Aria and Wet Republic Ultra Pool at MGM Grand are open Thursdays to Sundays, and reservations are required.

Luxor and the adjoining Shoppes at Mandalay Place are open. At Luxor, the HyperX Esports Arena for high-tech gamers is open, along with a handful of restaurants, including Diablos Cantina and Pyramid Cafe.

At the Shoppes, the popular Minus5 Ice Experience provides the chill as Vegas temperatures rise to triple digits. Its located on a skywalk linking Luxor and Mandalay Bay. Several other restaurants also have reopened.

Paris and Westgate hotel-casinos reopened in mid-June. Paris opened its hotel, casino and pool as well as dining options such as Gordon Ramsay Steak and the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, with stunning views of the Fountains of Bellagio across the street.

The Buffet at Wynn returned, but can you still call it a buffet? Diners are seated in the same pre-pandemic elegant dining area, but the long steam tables full of food have disappeared. Instead of standing in line, plate in hand, diners never have to leave their tables to savor dozens of dishes. They simply order from a menu featuring photos and descriptions of roughly 90 offerings. Its still all you can eat, but theres a two-hour time limit. The Buffet, the first to reopen on the Strip, is open daily. Prices range from $36.99 for a weekday brunch to $65.99 for weekend dinner. Reservations are required.

The new restaurant Elio at Wynn opened for a summer preview starting 5:30 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays. Guests choose from contemporary Mexican dishes by executive chef Sarah Thompson.

Wolfgang Pucks Spago, located lakeside at Bellagio, serves dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays to Tuesdays.

The Sahara introduced reservations for its baccarat, blackjack and roulette games. With space at gaming tables limited because of social distancing, guests can book a seat up to 72 hours in advance. Otherwise, they may wind up standing around waiting for a seat to open up.

Oscars Steakhouse, named for Vegas former mayor, reopened for dinner from Thursday to Sunday. The restaurant, under a glass dome at downtowns Plaza Hotel & Casino, provides great views of the Fremont Street Experience.

Topgolf, a popular attraction themed around golf and other sports at MGM Grand, opened its doors too.

The Cosmopolitans adults-only Marquee pool is open 11 a.m. until sunset Fridays to Sundays, with resident DJs and plenty of food and drink. Reservations are required.

Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood: About half of the milelong malls 200 shops, restaurants and attractions have partly reopened with limited hours (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.). The adjoining Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino remains closed.

Excalibur: Inside the castle walls, guests can enjoy gaming, a limited number of restaurants, the pool complex, fitness center and Fun Dungeon Arcade.

Caesars Palace: The hotel-casino as well as the sprawling Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis, complete with a swim-up gaming area, has reopened. The pool complex is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The resorts race and sports book, and Restaurant Guy Savoy, are open too.

The Linq remains closed, but the casino will be up and running, as well as its restaurants.

For dining options, Hash House A Go Go is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, and celebrity chef Guy Fieris Vegas Kitchen & Bar is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday to Sunday. Influence, the resorts pool, welcomes guests 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. The High Roller observation wheel at the Linq Promenade is open with a limit of 10 passengers per cabin to allow for social distancing. (Before the mid-March shutdown, it was 40.)

Big Elvis, a.k.a. Pete Vallee, was the first performer to return to Harrahs. The act that has been a Vegas stalwart for years returns at 2, 3:30 and 5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays at Harrahs Piano Bar and its free.

Kenny Davidsens Celebrity Piano Bar a few blocks east of the Strip along Flamingo Road has relaunched at the Tuscany hotel-casino. In this pandemic era, the lounge has a wall of plexiglass that separates audience members from the stage. Shows start at 8:45 p.m. on Fridays.

Caesars Palace, the Flamingo and Harrahs Las Vegas are open. So are (from north to south on the Strip): the Strat, Sahara, Circus Circus, Wynn-Encore, Treasure Island, the Venetian, Harrahs, Caesars Palace, Bellagio, the Cosmopolitan, MGM Grand, the Signature at MGM Grand and New York-New York.

Downtown, the hotels along Fremont Street that are welcoming guests are, from east to west, El Cortez, The D, Fremont, Four Queens, Hotel Apache, Golden Nugget, Golden Gate and Plaza.

The Neon Museum reopened in late May. Even though much of the site is outdoors, the number of visitors is limited at any one time. Visitors are encouraged to book timed tickets in advance.

The Mob Museum in downtown has also reopened, with temperature checks for visitors at the entrance. The museum encourages people to buy timed tickets in advance.

See original here:

Las Vegas: What's open and closed amid coronavirus - Los Angeles Times

A massive wildfire burning in the San Bernardino Mountains has sent plumes of smoke as far as Nevada and Arizona, prompting officials to extend an air quality warning for parts of the Inland Empire for the third day in a row Monday.

Winds blowing from the west in the area of the so-called Apple Fire will persist at least for the next several days, the South Coast Air Quality Management District said Sunday.

Since the start of the fire on Friday afternoon, most of the smoke has either remained well above the surface or has been transported to the northeast through the Morongo Valley and Yucca Valley, reads an advisory from SCAQMD.

Smoke could also affect the Coachella Valley, eastern Riverside County, Joshua Tree National Park and the elevated areas of the San Gorgonio Pass, the agency said.

SCAQMD urged residents who smell smoke or see ash from the wildfire to avoid vigorous physical activity and remain indoors with the windows and doors closed.

The SCAQMD website has an updated map indicating the air quality across Southern California. As of 11:25 a.m. Monday, officials described the air quality in Riverside and San Bernardino counties as unhealthy for sensitive groups.

A satellite image shows smoke being blown as far as Las Vegas and Phoenix.

The Apple Fire ignited around 5 p.m. Friday along a road in the Cherry Valley community and has since exploded to at least 41 square miles, forcing some 7,800 residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties to evacuate.

The blaze was moving through dry brush toward the northeast, according to fire officials. While authorities have not reported any injuries, the blaze has destroyed at least three structures.

Originally posted here:

Smoke from Apple Fire reaches Las Vegas and Phoenix, prompts air quality warning for Inland Empire - KTLA Los Angeles

By Mike Catalini, Associated Press

Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020 | 8:56 a.m.

TRENTON, N.J. Kanye West withdrew his petition to appear as a presidential candidate on New Jersey's ballot, according to an email chain between a judge and what appears to be the rapper's campaign email address.

In email correspondence obtained by The Associated Press, an unidentified person writing from a Kanye 2020 address tells Administrative Law Judge Gail Cookson that West is dropping his effort to appear on New Jersey's ballot.

At this time, Kanye 2020 has no further option than to regrettably withdraw from New Jersey and cease further efforts to place Mr. Wests name on the New Jersey ballot," the Kanye 2020 email said late Monday.

Cookson replied Tuesday, accepting the withdrawal.

I will consider this email as a request for a withdrawal of your petition to be placed in nomination for the President of the United States in the State of New Jersey," Cookson wrote.

Election law attorney Scott Salmon objected to West's petition last month, arguing that itfailed to pass legal musterbecause signatures were incomplete and in some cases appeared written in very similar handwriting.

Salmon, who is a registered Democrat but brought the complaint on his own behalf, reacted positively to the news that West had withdrawn.

I am glad that the Kanye campaign has realized that their petition was so deficient that it wasnt even worth defending," Salmon said in a phone interview. It sort of highlights the fact that it shouldn't have been submitted in the first place."

The New Jersey petition showed a number of signatures looked nearly identical, including lower-case is dotted with a small circle. Some signatures lacked complete addresses.

Questions about why West withdrew and whether the campaign disputed Salmon's objection were sent to the Kanye 2020 email address.

New Jersey is a reliably Democratic state in presidential elections, siding with the Democrat since 1988.

The status of West's presidential campaign and whether he is truly seeking the White House remains unclear.

Kim Kardashian West last month asked for empathy for her husband and said he is bipolar.

Last month in South Carolina, Kanye West delivered an unconventional campaign introduction speech during which he proposed a $1 million payout to mothers and decried Harriet Tubman for her work on the Underground Railroad.

The Kanye 2020 website invites visitors to sign a petition so he can appear on the South Carolina ballot and uses a shorthand name that West uses as his Twitter handle as a slogan: Ye for President.

Read this article:

Kanye West withdraws petition to get on NJ's 2020 ballot - Las Vegas Sun

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) Police in the Las Vegas area are asking for the public's help in locating the following individuals. Anyone with information is asked to contact the appropriate police department or Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.

**********

A robbery occurred near the intersection of Rainbow Boulevard and Flamingo Road on June 3. Two women entered a business and selected items, according to a July 30 police news release. As they exited the business without paying for the items, one of them pepper-sprayed the employees who attempted to stop them.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

**********

Anyone with information is urged to call the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Commercial Robbery Section at (702) 828-3591.

To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555 or visit crimestoppersofnv.com. Tips directly leading to an arrest or an indictment processed through Crime Stoppers may result in a cash reward.

**********

Read this article:

Most Wanted in Las Vegas for the week of July 26, 2020 - KTNV Las Vegas

Two restaurant companies with locations in Las Vegas filed for bankruptcy protection on Thursday, both citing the coronavirus pandemic as one of the main causes.

The parent company of Il Mulino, the Italian restaurant with a location at the Forum Shops at Caesars, filed for bankruptcy protection for seven of its locations outside of New York City, including Las Vegas. The Wall Street Journal reports that K.G. LM LLC, the restaurants manager, filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan to prevent lenders from taking over seven locations. The company defaulted on a loan in June, and owes about $36.3 million.

California Pizza Kitchen, which operates about 200 locations nationwide, including six in Las Vegas, also declared bankruptcy on Thursday. The Playa Vista, California-based chain plans to close unprofitable locations, Restaurant Business reports. The chain did not pay rent at the majority of its locations during the coronavirus pandemic and owes more than $400 million. CPKs locations in Las Vegas include one at McCarran International Airport, Downtown Summerlin, Fashion Show mall, and Town Square. The locations at the Park and the Mirage remain closed for now.

Il Mulino Owner Puts Some Restaurants Outside New York City Into Bankruptcy [WSJ]

California Pizza Kitchen declares bankruptcy [Restaurant Business]

How Coronavirus Is Affecting Las Vegas Food and Restaurants [ELV]

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Excerpt from:

Il Mulino and California Pizza Kitchen on the Las Vegas Strip File for Bankruptcy - Eater Vegas

The Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday formally revoked the gaming license of a Las Vegas bar that the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said had become a hangout for gang activity and was the site of a June 2019 homicide.

Luca Bertolini, owner of the Stateside Lounge on Las Vegas Boulevard North, didnt contest the revocation in a short hearing by the commission that ended in a unanimous vote to revoke the restricted license, the type generally held by bars and taverns with 15 or fewer slot machines.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Ed Magaw told commissioners that, in the investigation by Metro and Control Board agents, the Stateside Lounge had become a hangout for gang members after another nearby bar had closed.

Between Jan. 1, 2018, and June 25, 2019, Metro received 72 calls to quell disturbances, including nine calls involving violent crimes and three for property crimes.

Bertolini said at first he didnt realize that there were gang-affiliated customers in the bar, but once he did, he failed to take the advice of Metro officers on how to monitor them.

Metro was called to several gang confrontations, including motorcycle gang parties and a gang-affiliated funeral event.

30 to 40 gunshots

On June 22, 2019, Metro was called to investigate the shooting death of 48-year-old Michael Johnson outside the bar.

Bartolini lied to police that he wasnt at the bar at time of the shooting, which involved 30 to 40 gunshots.

Shortly after the homicide, the city of Las Vegas moved to revoke the Stateside Lounges business license.

The Gaming Control Board signed a complaint against the bar in February and Bertolini offered to give up his gaming license, signing the stipulation to surrender the license in late May.

Bertolini participated in the hearing online and told commissioners he was embarrassed by the proceedings and apologized for being a part of the incidents.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter.

Read this article:

Gaming Commission revokes license of bar that was homicide site - Las Vegas Review-Journal

By Saha Salahi

Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020 | 2 a.m.

At a time of crushing financial strain on schools, businesses, families and individuals, the need for a well-functioning government could not be greater. Nor could the need for citizens to understand how the government should function.

The July special session of the Nevada Legislature and the decision to initiate massive cuts in government spending proved particularly damaging to public higher education. However, now is not the time drain education funding.

Nevadas K-12 and higher education institutions train the next generation of responsible and participant citizens. For example, the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement (NCCE) at UNLV is designed to promote and support the study of history, law and civics for the development of responsible and informed citizens who are committed to democratic principles and active engagement in representative government.

The center strives to create an informed, engaged citizenry that both understands government and its role in our society not only in higher education but in K-12 schools across the Silver State. With programs like We the People and ProjectCitizen, center staff expose students to relevant content and establish a solid knowledge base for ambitious youths.

Knowledge like this is critical in the current environment.

Throughout these difficult times, citizens of the community have turned to their local and state government more than ever to resolve their concerns. But clearly, the infrastructure of both state and local government is bending if not breaking under the public health and economic challenges before us.

Members of the community deserve answers and explanations from the local and state government, and they can see the lack of effective leadership. In recent weeks, the federal government has been unabile to manage an unparalleled public health crisis created by COVID-19, which has led to a crippling economy prompted by the closure of nonessential business operations.

But recent events in the Legislature reinforce the idea that ignorance of government role in society leaves citizens without a viable option, because too few constituents participate in these processes.

UNLV remains a popular university for first-generation, lower- and middle-income students. Now is the time to instill the value of civics instruction and study.

Instructors devoted to civics are not brainwashing students, as some allege. Rather, students who experience a robust civics curriculum are better able to understand society and government, which encourages young people to participate in the immense role they play within our democracy.

Saha Salahi is a UNLV sophomore and an intern with Brookings Mountain West and the Lincy Institute. She also is the 3rd Congressional District coordinator for the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement.

Originally posted here:

Pandemic highlights the need to invest in civic education - Las Vegas Sun

A 67-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder early Friday after he allegedly killed his father, Las Vegas police said.

Police were called about 12:35 a.m. Friday after report of a domestic dispute between an elderly father and his son at a home on the 4800 block of Van Carol Drive, near West Tropicana Avenue and South Durango Drive, according to a Metropolitan Police Department news release.

While officers were on their way to the home, dispatchers received a call from the son saying his father was taken to Spring Valley Hospital and had died, police said.

Metro identified the son as 67-year-old Oris Jones. Detectives believe Jones and his father had an argument inside the home, and Jones struck his father.

The man suffered facial and chest injuries, police said. The Clark County coroners office will identify the victim and determine his cause and manner of death.

Jones was booked into the Clark County Detention Center without bail, jail records show. He faces a charge of murder of an older person, according to court records.

Further information was not immediately available.

Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240. Follow @k_newberg on Twitter. Review-Journal staff writer Glenn Puit contributed to this report.

See the original post here:

Las Vegas man, 67, accused of slaying father in domestic dispute - Las Vegas Review-Journal