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Volume 79, No. 55A ©SS 2020 CONTINGENCY EDITION SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020 stripes.com Free to Deployed Areas

VIRUS OUTBREAK Confirmed cases rising in 40 states The holiday weekend will test Americans’ discipline

BY JOHN SEEWER Associated Press The U.S. headed into the Fourth of July weekend with many parades and fireworks displays canceled, beaches and bars closed, and health authorities warning that this will be a crucial test of Americans’ self- control that could determine the trajectory of the surging coronavirus outbreak. With confirmed cases climbing in 40 states, governors have ordered the wear- ing of masks in public, and families were urged to celebrate their independence at home. Even then, they were told to keep their backyard cookouts small. Health experts agree this will be a pivotal moment in determining whether the nation slides into a deeper mess. The fear is that a weekend of crowded pool parties, picnics and parades will fuel the surge. “We’re not going to be arresting people for having gatherings, but we’re certain- ly going to discourage it,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, public health director for Seattle and King County. Those who decide they must gather with a small group of family members need to be careful, he said: “Don’t share utensils, don’t share objects, don’t pass them back and forth, because you’re passing that virus around as well.” ELISE AMENDOLA/AP SEE CASES ON PAGE 7 Nurse Tanya Markos administers a coronavirus test to Juan Ozoria at a mobile COVID-19 testing unit Thursday in Lawrence, Mass. White House to leave some troops in Afghanistan past election

BY DAVID S. CLOUD AND TRACY WILKINSON month, would represent an about-face for Presi- ‘ official said. The president, who has made clear Los Angeles Times dent Donald Trump. He has pushed for a com- The timetable that he cares little about conditions inside Af- pete withdrawal of the 8,600 troops now in ghanistan, could still order a full withdrawal by WASHINGTON — Top U.S. commanders be- is being driven Afghanistan by the election, seeing a pullout as a November if he decides it would help him in the lieve they have tentative White House approval by the election much-needed foreign policy achievement as his election, officials said. to leave just over 4,000 U.S. troops in Afghani- reelection prospects have deteriorated. clock, not the But Pentagon officials warned that a complete stan beyond November, delaying a full American Trump had only recently told advisers that a pullout until after the presidential election. full and rapid pullout could blunt the controver- Afghan clock. ’ withdrawal over the next five months could The plan, worked out at a meeting between sy over intelligence reports that Russia has paid Pentagon official who plunge Afghanistan into crisis, dooming peace Pentagon and White House officials late last militants to kill American service members, one requested anonymity SEE TROOPS ON PAGE 6 PAGE 2 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, July 4, 2020 BUSINESS/WEATHER EXCHANGE RATES

Military rates Switzerland (Franc)...... 0.9460 EEO complaint filed against Facebook Euro costs (July 6) ...... $1.10 Thailand (Baht) ...... 31.13 Dollar buys (July 6) ...... €0.8681 Turkey (Lira) ...... 6.8676 British pound (July 6) ...... $1.22 (Military exchange rates are those Associated Press Japanese yen (July 6)...... 105.00 available to customers at military banking Jr., who has worked as an opera- to provide all employees with a South Korean won (July 6) ...... 1,170.00 facilities in the country of issuance tions program manager at Face- respectful and safe working en- Commercial rates for Japan, South Korea, Germany, the OAKLAND, Calif. — A Black Bahrain (Dinar) ...... 0.3770 Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For book since 2017 and claims he vironment, ” said spokeswoman Facebook employee, joined by British pound ...... $1.2464 nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., has not been fairly evaluated or Pamela Austin. Canada (Dollar) ...... 1.3568 purchasing British pounds in Germany), two others who were denied jobs China (Yuan) ...... 7.0660 check with your local military banking promoted despite his “excellent Black workers account for 3.8% Denmark (Krone) ...... 6.6309 facility. Commercial rates are interbank at the social network, has filed a performance” at the company. of all U.S. Facebook employees Egypt (Pound) ...... 16.1203 rates provided for reference when buying complaint against the company, Euro ...... $1.1238/0.8899 currency. All figures are foreign currencies Two others joined Veneszee’s and 1.5% of all U.S. technical Hong Kong (Dollar) ...... 7.7501 to one dollar, except for the British pound, which is represented in dollars-to-pound, saying it discriminates against Hungary (Forint) ...... 313.87 complaint, saying they were un- workers at the company. and the euro, which is dollars-to-euro.) Black workers and applicants in lawfully denied jobs at the com- This isn’t the first criticism a Israel (Shekel) ...... 3.4337 Japan (Yen) ...... 107.52 hiring, evaluations, promotions pany despite being qualified. Black employee has leveled at Kuwait (Dinar) ...... 0.3078 INTEREST RATES and pay. Facebook said in a statement it Facebook. Mark Luckie, sent a Norway (Krone) ...... 9.4888 Philippines (Peso)...... 49.50 Prime rate ...... 3.25 The charge was filed with the takes discrimination allegations memo to his coworkers on his Poland (Zloty) ...... 3.98 Discount rate ...... 0.25 Equal Employment Opportunity seriously and investigates every last day in 2018 about Facebook’s Saudi Arabia (Riyal) ...... 3.7508 Federal funds market rate ...... 0.08 Singapore (Dollar) ...... 1.3941 3-month bill ...... 0.15 Commission by Oscar Veneszee, case : “We believe it is essential “black people problem. ” South Korea (Won) ...... 1199.36 30-year bond ...... 1.43 WEATHER OUTLOOK SATURDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST SATURDAY IN EUROPE SUNDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 66/59 Kabul 92/64 Seoul 82/67 Baghdad 117/84 Kandahar 108/71 Osan Tokyo Mildenhall/ Drawsko 82/66 86/70 Lakenheath Pomorskie Busan 72/61 73/63 78/67 Iwakuni 79/68 Kuwait Bahrain Zagan City Brussels 79/63 Sasebo Guam 117/93 104/92 70/62 Ramstein 79/73 89/81 Lajes, 76/61 Riyadh Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 112/85 112/91 76/66 77/62 81/56 Aviano/ Vicenza 81/66

Naples 91/80 Okinawa Morón 92/77 99/64 Sigonella Rota 90/67 The weather is provided by the Djibouti Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 105/89 85/67 94/74 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

T O D A Y IN STRIPES American Roundup ..... 16 Comics/Crossword ...... 18 Health & Fitness ...... 14 Opinion ...... 17 Sports ...... 19-24 Travel ...... 12 Video Games ...... 11 Saturday, July 4, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 3 MILITARY House committee approves defense bill

BY STEVE BEYNON for service members that keeps of Germany,” Smith said. “The of the fastest markup sessions in those military bases is unaccept- Stars and Stripes up with inflation and mirrors president has not yet been clear years. The final amendment ap- able, possibly putting congres- the Senate version. The military on what he’s doing.” proved was offered by Smith and sional Republicans on a collision WASHINGTON — A House gets a pay raise each year and has The amendment prevents the names the defense bill after Rep. course with the White House. committee Wednesday approved ranged from 2.2% in 2007 to 3.1% administration from reducing Mac Thornberry of Texas, the “I would hope the president a $740.5 billion defense spending this year. troops until 180 days after the top Republican on the committee, really wouldn’t veto the bill over bill that includes a pay raise for The committee voted 49-7 Defense Department presents who is retiring after serving in this issue,” Senate Majority troops, limits on the president’s to adopt an amendment to the a plan on Capitol Hill certifying Congress since 1995. Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky,. ability to withdraw troops from NDAA from Reps. Ruben Gal- the drawdown would not harm The panel passed an amend- said Wednesday on Fox News. “I Germany and renaming bases lego, D-Ariz., and Don Bacon, R- the United States or its allies. ment as part of the NDAA that hope the president would recon- that honor Confederate generals. Neb., to rebuke Trump’s plan to The House committee’s de- would kick off the process of re- sider vetoing the entire defense The House Armed Services remove thousands of troops out of fense spending bill also includes naming bases honoring Confed- bill, which includes pay raises Committee passed its 2021 Na- Germany, which can be used as a $1 billion to combat future pan- erates from the Civil War. The for our troops, over a provision in tional Defense Authorization quick-reaction force again Rus- demics, including $750 million Senate Armed Services Commit- there that could lead to changing Act, which sets yearly policy and sia and be deployed rapidly to the for military preparedness, and tee’s version of the NDAA con- the names of some of these mili- funding priorities for the Penta- Middle East and Africa. millions for rapid production of tains a similar provision. gon, by a 56-0 vote after 14 hours “Things should be thought medical gear. But President Donald Trump tary bases.” of debate on Capitol Hill. about before we announce we’re Voting came to a close shortly has said an NDAA arriving on his [email protected] The bill includes a 3% pay raise going to yank 10,000 troops out before midnight, making it one desk with measures to rename @StevenBeynon Senator to block promotions until getting assurances for Vindman

The Washington Post about protecting a merit-based system from politi- cal corruption and unlawful retaliation.” WASHINGTON — A Democratic senator is block- Duckworth’s office described her move as “un- ing promotions for 1,123 senior members of the precedented in modern times” and said it was a military until she gets assurances from Defense response to “numerous efforts by Donald Trump Secretary Mark Esper that he will not retaliate against an Army officer for his role in the past year’s to politicize the nation’s Armed Forces.” In recent impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. weeks, the president has threatened to send active- Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said Thursday duty troops to quell protests against police brutality that she wants confirmation in writing from Esper and has used top military officials “as props for a that he did not or will not block the promotion of Lt. photo op,” Duckworth’s office said. Col. Alexander Vindman. Until she gets that assur- The president posed for a photo with Gen. Mark ance, she will maintain a hold on Senate confirma- Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and tion of the hundreds of promotions. others near the White House in June after authori- Duckworth is a Purple Heart recipient and a for- ties forcibly removed peaceful protesters from the mer Army helicopter pilot who lost both her legs in area —an appearance for which Milley was roundly the Iraq War. criticized and later apologized. Vindman, who received a Purple Heart for his ac- Trump’s ouster of Vindman from the National tions in Iraq and later served as a White House aide Security Council in February was condemned as on European affairs, is among hundreds of officers vindictive and an attempt to intimidate government selected to be promoted to colonel this year. officials who speak out against Trump. Asked at the In February, the White House ousted Vindman time about Vindman’s future, the president said only from his post on the National Security Council. He that he was “not happy with him.” had testified to Congress in November that he was Duckworth is the latest senator to seek to hold the disturbed by Trump’s call for Ukraine to investigate president accountable by blocking promotions or the president’s political rivals. the consideration of Trump nominees. “Our military is supposed to be the ultimate meri- In June, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, a long- tocracy,” Duckworth said in a statement. “It is sim- time advocate for federal watchdogs, announced ply unprecedented and wrong for any Commander that he will block two of Trump’s nominees until the in Chief to meddle in routine military matters at all, White House provides an explanation for the recent whether or not he has a personal vendetta against a firings of intelligence community inspector general Soldier who did his patriotic duty and told the truth Michael Atkinson and State Department inspector JOE GROMELSKI/Stars and Stripes — a Soldier who has been recommended for promo- general Steve Linick. Grassley dropped his hold on tion by his superiors because of his performance. … the two nominees after receiving additional letters Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., listens to Mark Esper during his This goes far beyond any single military officer, it is from the administration explaining the firings. Secretary of Defense confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill last year. VA allows penalized for-profit schools to enroll GI Bill students again

BY STEVE BEYNON Veterans Education Success, a veterans’ tially ineligible programs were at for-profit marketing material, and refunding tuition Stars and Stripes advocacy group in Washington, says the schools. The report did not name any of the with prohibited practices. VA move violates a federal law that forbids schools it investigated. Two weeks later, on May 26, the depart- WASHINGTON — The Department of the agency from approving the enrollment In March, VA officials notified the five ment sent a follow-up letter to the schools, Veterans Affairs announced Thursday of GI Bill students at schools proven to use schools that the agency intended to suspend softening its approach and rescinding the that it will allow five for-profit schools to “advertising, sales, or enrollment practices approvals of new GI Bill enrollments. The previous guidance calling for reform, re- accept new GI Bill students, after warning of any type which are erroneous, deceptive move came after officials found “sufficient quiring only that schools cease prohibited to the schools in March that they could lose or misleading either by actual statement, evidence” that each school used “errone- practices and assure they are in compli- eligibility after targeting veterans with omission or intimation.” ous, deceptive, or misleading” enrollment ance with the law. misleading tactics. Veterans advocates are “The only winners today are the schools and advertising practices to recruit vet- Christina Noel, a VA spokeswoman, claiming the move is illegal. that used their money and political influ- eran students, according to a letter sent to said without specifics that after “care- New students using GI Bill benefits ence to evade the law and harm veterans,” veteran advocacy groups and congressio- ful review,” the department determined can enroll at the University of Phoenix, Carrie Wofford, president of Veterans Ed- nal lawmakers. the schools have “taken adequate correc- Colorado Technical University, Ameri- ucation Success, said in a statement. In a May 7 letter, the department re- tive actions to avoid suspension of new GI can InterContinental University, Bellevue In 2018, a VA Inspector General warned quired the schools to enact reforms to be- Bill student enrollments,” which include University and Temple University, a move the department could waste $2.3 billion in come eligible for GI Bill enrollees again. personnel changes, leadership changes, worth over $200 million a year total for the payments to “ineligible colleges” over the These reforms included changing staff restitution to impacted students, renewed schools, which were found to have used next five academic years. In its report, the associated with advertisements, hiring an annual training for school employees and questionable recruiting practices. IG found 29 of the 35 ineligible or poten- independent third-party auditor to analyze improved oversight. PAGE 4 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, July 4, 2020 MILITARY Complaint: Missing soldier killed on base

BY ACACIA CORONADO placed her body in a container Associated Press and wheeled her out to his car. After driving to pick up Aguilar, AUSTIN, Texas — Federal Khawam said, the pair drove to and military investigators said a nearby river and tried to burn Thursday a soldier missing since Guillen’s body, but later chopped April was killed by a fellow sol- it up with a machete. Then, they dier stationed at the same Texas base. The revelation followed de- put cement on the body and bur- mands for the Army to release ied the remains. details about its investigation of Tim Miller, of Texas Equuse- the disappearance. arch, who was assisting in the A criminal complaint released search for Guillen, told KHOU by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for that investigators found a lid last the Western District of Texas week that belonged to a container charges a civilian with helping consistent with one a witness saw hide the body of 20-year-old sol- loaded into a car at 8:30 the night ider Vanessa Guillen. The docu- Guillen disappeared. ment, prepared in conjunction Investigators were called back with the Army Criminal Inves- to the scene this week when a tigative Command and the FBI, man working in the area reported says the civilian helped the other a foul odor. soldier get rid of evidence after he Miller said it appeared the sus- bludgeoned pect “buried her, put lime on her, Guillen with mixed up concrete, put that over a hammer her, put dirt over her, rocks and at Fort Hood stuff.” in Central The family had said they believe Texas and /AP Guillen was sexually harassed by STEVE GONZALES, HOUSTON CHRONICLE later dis- the military suspect and is calling membered Dawn Gomez holds her 3-year-old granddaughter, Saryia Greer, who waves at Vanessa Guillen’s mural and dumped for a congressional investigation, painted by Alejandro “Donkeeboy” Roman Jr. on the side of Taqueria Del Sol on Thursday in Houston. the body. Khawam said Wednesday. Human Guillen’s older sister, Mayra remains Guillen, told The Associated Press Guillen were found on Thursday that her family was Sexual harassment program at Tuesday distraught after learning details near the Leon River in Bell Coun- about her sister’s disappearance. ty, about 20 miles east of Fort The family had previously said Fort Hood is under investigation Hood, in the search for Guillen. they believe the Army was cover- Her family said through attorney ing up details of Vanessa Guillen’s BY ROSE L. THAYER for the Guillen family. Natalie Khawam that they be- disappearance. Stars and Stripes The family has spoken out about those allegations lieve evidence shows the remains “There are a lot of horrifying to the media and the soldier’s unit, which prompted AUSTIN, Texas — The program at Fort Hood de- are Guillen, but authorities said things that happened that day,” a command inquiry by the regiment. The results of signed to help prevent and respond to sexual harass- they are still awaiting positive said Mayra Guillen, 22. “There that inquiry have not been released. ment and assault now faces an Army investigation identification. are just no words.’” Authorities identified two suspects in Guillen’s “The whole thing is devastat- following a high-profile case of a female soldier still disappearance. One suspect was identified by Kha- Mayra Guillen said her sister missing after more than two months. ing, gruesome, barbaric,” Kha- had spoken with their mother wam as Aaron David Robinson, another soldier in An investigation team from the Army Forces Guillen’s unit who she said was the person harass- wam said. about experiencing sexual ha- The Army said Wednesday that Command inspector general arrived Monday at the ing her. Robinson killed himself Wednesday as local rassment, but that her mother has the soldier suspected in Guil- central Texas base to conduct an inspection of the law enforcement in Killeen attempted to arrest him, been to devastated to talk about len’s disappearance had killed base’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and according to Army investigators. A second suspect, it. From their text conversations, himself. Prevention Program following the disappearance only identified as the wife of an estranged soldier, In a press conference Thursday, Mayra Guillen said she believed of Spc. Vanessa Guillen and her claims of sexual was in Bell County Jail awaiting charges from civil- the Army identified the soldier her sister was afraid during her harassment. ian authorities. suspected in Guillen’s disappear- time at Fort Hood. The command, known as FORSCOM, sent the The seven-member Army investigation team ance as Aaron David Robinson. Army investigators said Thurs- team from its headquarters at Fort Bragg, N.C., at began its review Tuesday and was to conclude its Army investigators declined to day that they had no credible the request of III Corps senior leaders, according to on-the-ground work Friday focusing on three objec- comment further on the details of evidence that Vanessa Guillen a news release from the command. The Fort Hood tives: examining the sexual harassment program’s Guillen’s case, saying they did not had been sexually harassed or program is designed as a place for soldiers to report implementation at Fort Hood, assessing whether want to compromise the ongoing assaulted. instances of sexual harassment and assault. Soldiers the command climate is supportive of soldiers’ re- investigation. “We are still investigating their have the option of just seeking counseling and sup- porting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual The criminal complaint re- interactions but at this time there port through the program or moving forward with assault, and identifying any potentially systemic is- leased later Thursday said the is no credible information for criminal proceedings against their perpetrator. sues with the program at Fort Hood, as well as any civilian arrested in connection to reports that specialist Robinson Most program coordinators designated to take re- resource constraints. the Guillen case is Cecily Agui- sexually harassed specialist Guil- ports are members of the unit that they support and The inspection team will brief Fort Hood and lar, 22, of Killeen, Texas, near len,” said Fort Hood CID Special are also responsible for providing training to pre- FORSCOM leaders upon completion of the in- Fort Hood. Aguilar faces one Agent Damon Phelps. vent incidents and teach bystanders how to identify spection, according to Paul Boyce, spokesman for count of conspiracy to tamper Guillen was last seen April 22 concerning behavior. FORSCOM. with evidence. in a parking lot at Fort Hood. She But questions have been raised about the program An Army report released in April on instances of Robinson enlisted Aguilar to was set to be promoted to spe- following the disappearance of 20-year-old Guillen sexual assault among soldiers for fiscal year 2019 from Fort Hood’s 3rd Cavalry Regiment on April 22. help him dispose of Guillen’s cialist this month. Her car keys, shows a “high rate” of reporting, with 5.5 reports of body, according to the complaint. Human remains found Tuesday about 30 miles from sexual assault per every 1,000 soldiers, which is the barracks room key, ID card and Aguilar later recognized Guillen, the base are believed to be her, according to Army same as the previous year. That was the highest rate wallet were found in the room the complaint says, and helped Criminal Investigation Command, which has over- ever reported, according to the Army. Robinson mutilate and hide her where she was working the day seen the search for Guillen. A positive identification While some credit for the high rate is given to body. she disappeared. is pending. victim confidence in reporting, results of the most Aguilar was arrested Wednes- Authorities said Wednesday Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt, deputy commander of recent Defense Department Workplace and Gender day and was being held Thursday that Robinson, 20, of Calumet III Corps and Fort Hood, is serving as the senior Relations Survey of Active Duty Members showed in the Bell County Jail in Belton, City, Ill., a Chicago suburb on the base commander and he was to hold a news confer- an increase in the estimated prevalence of sexual Texas, according to booking re- Indiana border, pulled a gun and ence at 3 p.m. EST to discuss Guillen’s case. He was assault to 6,500 Army soldiers in 2018, compared to cords. It was unclear whether she shot himself as police were trying likely to face questions about the review of the pro- 5,200 estimated in 2016, according to the report. had an attorney to speak on her to make contact with him. gram and the regiment’s own command inquiry into “This increase is very troubling and shows that behalf. The Army CID and the League sexual harassment within Guillen’s unit. the Army’s sexual assault prevention strategies Khawam said the U.S. Army of United Latin American Citi- Before Guillen went missing, the Houston native have not achieved their intended results,” the report Criminal Investigations Division zens offered a $50,000 reward for told family members that she was being sexually states. told her Robinson cleaned up the information leading to Guillen’s harassed on base, but she feared reporting it to her [email protected] area where Guillen was killed, whereabouts. chain of command, said Natalie Khawam, attorney Twitter: @Rose_Lori Saturday, July 4, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 5 MILITARY USAF chief: Milley: Bayonets Must make lasting push issued to troops on diversity

BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY Stars and Stripes for DC protest WASHINGTON — The Air Force’s top officer said Wednes- day that the service cannot be- Associated Press come distracted in its efforts to military district of Washington. bring about long-lasting change Milley’s letter, dated June 26, was CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The in improving the diversity of its sent to Democratic Reps. Raja chairman of the Joint Chiefs of personnel. Krishnamoorthi of Illinois and Staff has confirmed a report by “History is not on our side Rep. Ted Lieu of California, who /AP The Associated Press that some SARAH BLAKE MORGAN here. If we follow history, we’ll demanded an explanation after of the service members who were get a few things going. And then the AP first reported on the use An 82nd Airborne Division soldier prepares his rucksack earlier mobilized to Washington, D.C., September will arrive, and [the of bayonets on June 2. this year. Some of the division’s troops were issued bayonets while last month in response to civil coronavirus] will return and flu Roughly 700 members of the deployed to Washington during recent protests. unrest over the killing of George season will start...the election will 82nd Airborne Division were sent Floyd were issued bayonets. De- go into high gear and we will get on that day to two military bases unrest. They added: “We recognize fense documents obtained by the distracted. And we will put this near the District Capitol Area. The In a letter to Milley on June the necessity of the Joint Force AP show some were not trained on the back burner. Shame on us in riot response. AP previously reported soldiers 22, Krishnamoorthi and Lieu ex- preserving flexibility to respond if we let that happen,” Gen. David Members of the Army’s 82nd were armed with live rounds, pressed concern that the use of to varying circumstances, but Goldfein, the chief of staff of the Airborne Division from Fort bayonets, and riot gear. Bloom- bayonets could escalate any po- it is difficult for us to imagine a Air Force, said during an event Bragg, North Carolina, and the berg reported on June 11 that tential violence at protests. They circumstance which could neces- drew parallels to the 1970 Kent with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, sitate or justify the deployment State shootings in which four Brookings which is based in D.C. and typi- nicknamed “The Old Guard,“ was of bayonets against American students were killed by National Institution, cally guards the Tomb of the Un- also issued bayonets. civilians.” Guardsmen. a Washing- known Soldier, were mobilized Upon arrival, neither the 82nd The bayonet news broke at the “The escalation and violence ton-based last month to respond to massive nor The Old Guard were ever same time the AP first reported protests over the treatment of leading up to and following those that President Donald Trump think tank. called off base and into the city killings included those same Black Americans and systemic to respond to protests. Division ordered military aircraft to fly The pro- issues of police brutality. But the troops meeting peaceful demon- above demonstrators in a “show tests across paratroopers were sent back to strators with bayonets,” the rep- troops were never actually sent to of force.” That information came the country Fort Bragg on June 4. resentatives wrote. the protests after they arrived. from two Defense Department of- sparked by But the reports led to sharp In his response, Milley stopped The soldiers were issued bayo- ficials who insisted on anonymity the death condemnation and outrage on so- short of agreeing to bar service nets for their June 2 deployment because they were not authorized of George cial media platforms. members from deploying to do- — but told they were to remain in to discuss ongoing operations Floyd, a their scabbards and not attached An unclassified military docu- mestic protests with bayonets in publicly. Goldfein Black man to their service rifles, Joint Chiefs ment obtained by the AP also the future. He said each situa- shows that some of the soldiers Show-of-force missions within who was Chairman Army Gen. Mark A. tion would have to be dealt with killed while in police custody in Milley wrote to two U.S. repre- were not prepared to deal with the individually. the U.S. military are designed to protesters. Instead, commanders intimidate an opposing force and Minneapolis on May 25, has also sentatives in a letter that was In a joint statement to the AP given the Air Force an opportuni- planned to give them the proper on Thursday, the U.S. representa- to warn of potential military ac- obtained by the AP. The soldiers ty to “make long-term, meaning- were also told no weapons were to training within 96 hours of their tives wrote: “While we are grate- tion if provoked further. Army ful and lasting change that quite enter the capital without clear or- arrival in Washington. ful for General Milley’s responses Secretary Ryan McCarthy told frankly we should have been ders and only after nonlethal op- While some infantry soldiers to our questions concerning the reporters that the incident, in- tions were first reviewed, he said. are trained in crowd control, arming of troops with bayonets volving an Army National Guard doing before and I take that com- Milley said the order to mo- especially those preparing for for potential deployment against medical evacuation helicopter pletely on me,” Goldfein said. bilize the troops came from overseas deployment, they don’t protesters, we were disappointed that hovered low over protest- “We were doing a lot of work Army Maj. Gen. Omar Jones, typically undergo training for he was not willing to commit to ers in Washington, D.C., is under towards becoming a more diverse who serves as commander of the riot control and domestic civil banning the practice.” investigation. force. But I think we have the op- portunity in front of us right now to go — to put on the gas and re- ally move forward in ways that we need to move,” he said. Admiral: Navy needs to act quickly on diversity Goldfein is in his last month as the Air Force chief of staff before he retires. He will be replaced BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY and Inclusion in the Armed Services, which important ,” he said. in August by Gen. Charles “CQ” Stars and Stripes was inspired by the Defense Advisory Com- The task force will address the nine key Brown, the first African Ameri- mittee on Women in the Services. areas not on a ranked bases but in parallel, can to become a service chief. WASHINGTON — A Navy task force estab- “As a Navy — uniform and civilian, active Nowell said, and will fix things as they find lished to address biases, such as racism and Because of the diverse mis- and Reserve — we cannot tolerate discrimi- them. The first report from the task force will sion of the Air Force, the service sexism, is working to create “enduring and nation or racism of any kind. We must work be submitted to Gilday by the end of July, and needs to attract people from all meaningful change” within the ranks, Navy to identify and eliminate individual and sys- a final report by December, according to the walks of life, Goldfein said. While leaders said Thursday. temic racism within our force,” Adm. Mike task force’s charter. they should be the best a diver- “It’s not like we have not been committed to Gilday, the chief of naval operations, said in a Nowell discussed the lack of representation sity, “We’re not. But we can be,” inclusion and diversity in the Navy for many prepared statement. in the officer ranks in which African Ameri- he said. years and it’s not like we haven’t taken many Task Force One Navy was established Mon- cans only make up 9% of officers though 13% actions there. But I think it’s safe to say that day to recommend reforms in nine key areas of the U.S. population is African American, “So the measures that we put as we look at current events it’s really put a in the service, including recruiting, promo- he said. African Americans have greater in place that we’re working on light on the fact that we need to do more. We tions, health care, and military justice. The representation in the enlisted ranks of up to are long-term, aggressive mea- need to do it more quickly,” Vice Adm. John task force members are officers and enlisted 20%, Nowell said, but the Navy wants to make sures to change the demographic Nowell, chief of naval personnel, told report- personnel and civilians, and they will reach certain that officers reflect the American to ensure that we are building a ers Thursday. out to academics and industry members, ac- population. culture of inclusiveness at the The military is creating diversity and inclu- cording to Nowell. Rear Adm. Alvin Holsey, “So, as we look at the officer corps the issue squadron level, which is where it sion initiatives in response to the national dia- an African American man, will lead the task is if we don’t bring enough African American matters most,” he said. “And that logue that has erupted over systemic racism force and report its findings to Gilday through officers in the front door, then I don’t have any we’re arming command teams in the United States after the deaths of several Nowell. Force Master Chief Huben Phillips, hope of the person sitting here and talking to with the tools they need to shift African Americans this year involving law an African American man, will be the deputy you as [chief of naval personnel] being Afri- this.” enforcement. and the civilian adviser, Jane Roberts, is a can American,” he said. Goldfein did not specify what On June 18, Defense Secretary Mark Esper Hispanic woman, Nowell said. The task force will look at what barriers are measures the service has put in announced three initiatives to address diver- “I tell you that these are not figureheads, in place that need to be removed to allow more place to improve diversity. sity in the military, including the creation of that’s not why they’re there. But we think that diversity and inclusion in the force, according [email protected] a Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity diversity that we build into the task force is to Nowell. Twitter: @caitlinmkenney PAGE 6 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, July 4, 2020 WAR ON TERRORISM Troops: Officials see problems with earlier exit

FROM FRONT PAGE Afghan government officials talks U.S. officials have been say more than 400 Taliban at- seeking to jump-start between tacks this year have claimed the the Afghan government and Tal- lives of some 200 members of the iban militants and worsening al- Afghan security forces. Separate- ready surging violence. Officials ly, 42 civilians — including ba- also warned the White House bies in a hospital maternity ward that getting out completely by No- — were killed in a single week, vember would force them to leave although other Islamic militants substantial amounts of equipment were blamed. behind. Trump’s insistence on pulling “The timetable is being driven out all U.S. troops has drawn op- by the election clock, not the Af- position not only from the Penta- ghan clock,” said one official, gon but also from lawmakers of who agreed to discuss the admin- both parties. istration’s thinking in return for The House Armed Services anonymity. Committee on Wednesday moved Other administration officials to restrict his ability to order also believe that a sooner-than- steeper withdrawals, approving a planned exit would only worsen provision that would block fund- the perception that the U.S. and ing for reductions below 8,000 Trump were being driven out of the country after nearly two de- troops unless the administration cades of war. certifies that doing so would not Marine Gen. Kenneth McK- compromise counterterrorism enzie, the top commander in the goals and other conditions. The Middle East, said last month that amendment, attached to an an- he could not recommend a full nual defense bill, was approved withdrawal of American troops by a vote of 45-11. from Afghanistan until the Tal- Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, iban demonstrates it no longer a member of the House Republi- supports al-Qaida forces there. AP can leadership, said the provision “If conditions would allow, “lays out, in a very responsible we’re prepared to go to zero” by A U.S. soldier carries his working dog over a concertina wire fence during a 2009 patrol with the 10th level of specificity, what is going next May, McKenzie said in a Mountain Division in Afghanistan’s Wardak Province. In late June, the Pentagon and White House worked to be required if we are going to videoconference hosted by the out a plan to delay a full American pullout of troops until after the upcoming presidential election. in fact make decisions about troop Washington-based think tank levels based on conditions on the Middle East Institute. “If asked before the election, amid the pub- payments were made after three ther condition has been achieved. ground and based on what’s re- my opinion, those conditions have lic furor over the reports that he Marines were killed last year by The planned talks have been quired for our own security, not not been fully met.” was informed earlier this year a car bomb near Bagram Airfield, delayed by jockeying between based on political timelines.” It wouldn’t be the first time about the Russian bounties and north of Kabul, officials said. Kabul and Taliban officials over U.S. diplomats have consulted that the Pentagon had success- has done nothing in response. The U.S. troop level in Afghani- release of prisoners. And a Pen- numerous times with Taliban and fully lobbied a president to halt Trump has denounced the stan has already fallen steeply, to tagon report released Wednesday Afghan government leaders, with a planned withdrawal from Af- report of Russian bounties as a 8,600 last month from 12,000 as concludes that al-Qaida opera- the goal of pushing the sides to- ghanistan months before an elec- “hoax” and claimed that intel- recently as January. The initial tives still “routinely” work with ward enacting the Feb. 29 agree- tion. President Barack Obama ligence officials never told him drawdown was part of a Feb. 29 “low-level Taliban members” and ment. But they have made little also halted plans for a complete verbally about the payments. The agreement between the Trump maintain “an enduring interest in pullout in 2015, leaving the ques- bounties were mentioned, how- administration and Taliban mili- attacking U.S. forces.” progress. tion of whether the U.S. should ever, in intelligence summaries tants that calls for a complete Also, attacks by Taliban fight- “Giving the process a short leave for his successor. provided to him and other top American exit by next spring. ers against Afghan troops have shrift will undermine our inter- If Trump loses the election, the advisers at the White House. A Trump wanted to expedite that soared since the signing of the ests and our international repu- decision on a final withdrawal Taliban spokesman has denied even as U.S. officials insist that U.S.-Taliban deal. The agree- tation,” Earl Anthony Wayne, a would fall to Joe Biden, the pre- the reports. further withdrawals are contin- ment barred Taliban attacks on former senior U.S. diplomat in sumptive Democratic nominee, U.S. military commanders and gent on the Taliban denying sanc- U.S. troops but left out similar Afghanistan, told the Los Ange- who has long favored reducing intelligence officials say there is tuary to al-Qaida within Afghan protections for Afghan govern- les Times. “We would pay serious the U.S. presence in the country. strong evidence that Russia paid territory under its control and on ment forces, whose casualties costs in the short, medium and The president recently revived bounties to the Taliban, and they the power-sharing negotiations have reached levels unseen for a long term for a precipitous depar- his talk of a complete withdrawal have been investigating whether with the Afghan government. Nei- decade. ture this year.” Pelosi, Schumer rebuke Trump reaction to intel

Associated Press relics of the Confederacy, ” Pe- more answers about the intelli- levels, and leaders rarely speak losi and Schumer said in a joint gence assessment. The president about them. Pelosi and Schumer WASHINGTON — The two statement. has repeatedly tweeted about did not address the substance of top Democrats in Congress said Trump and the White House protesters tearing down monu- the meeting, and none of the other Thursday that any threats to have repeatedly insisted that ments to the Confederacy and on lawmakers leaving the meeting U.S. troops must be pursued “re- the president wasn’t originally Thursday held a news conference would comment on it. lentlessly,” rebuking President briefed because the information to tout newly released numbers In a news conference shortly af- Donald Trump after receiving a was unverified, even though it’s showing added jobs in the econo- terward, Pelosi called for tougher highly classified briefing about rare for intelligence to be con- my. He did not mention Russia. sanctions on Russia. She said the intelligence that Russia offered firmed without a shadow of doubt Top intelligence officials, in- White House has “put on a con” bounties for killing U.S. troops in before it is presented to senior cluding CIA Director Gina Has- that there has to be 100% consen- Afghanistan. government decision-makers. Of- pel and Director of National sus on intelligence for it to rise to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi /AP MANUEL BALCE CENETA ficials have told The Associated Intelligence John Ratcliffe, con- a presidential level. and Senate Democratic leader Press and other news organiza- ducted the closed-door brief- Without sharing details, Pelosi Chuck Schumer said Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tions that the information was ing for a group of lawmakers said “it was a consequential level who has downplayed the threat, of Calif., speaks during a news included in one of the president’s dubbed the “gang of eight” — Pe- that the intelligence community was “soft” on Russian President conference on Capitol Hill, written daily briefings last year losi, Schumer, Senate Majority should have brought it to us.” Vladimir Putin and distracted by Thursday in Washington. and again this year. Leader Mitch McConnell, House The House intelligence com- less important issues. Trump has The criticism comes as Trump Republican Leader Kevin Mc- mittee also received a briefing on called reports of the intelligence “Our armed forces would be is working to change the nar- Carthy and the top Republicans the matter Thursday afternoon, assessments a “hoax” and has so better served if President Trump rative but has faced increasing and Democrats on the two intel- according to a person familiar far declined to address whether spent more time reading his daily pressure from lawmakers in ligence committees. with that meeting who requested the U.S. has or will respond to briefing and less time planning Congress — including some Re- The group regularly receives anonymity because it was not Russia. military parades and defending publicans — who have demanded classified briefings at the highest publicly disclosed. Saturday, July 4, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 7 VIRUS OUTBREAK Military sees steep rise in number of virus cases

BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY Americans have died, according Defense Department’s criteria to Stars and Stripes to Johns Hopkins University. be a “green location,” which al- The Defense Department is lows for lifting restrictions. Six WASHINGTON— The number seeing increases in military cases host nations as well as Guam and of coronavirus cases in the mili- in locations where there has been Puerto Rico have also made the tary has nearly doubled in the a rise in civilian cases, Thomas list. Only Michigan, California, past month and the Army’s cases McCaffery, assistant secretary and Florida are not on the list. have now surpassed the Navy in of defense for health affairs, Included in that “green loca- EMILY JENNINGS/U.S. Army the total number of infected per- told reporters Wednesday at the tion” list are Arizona and Texas, sonnel, according to Pentagon Pentagon. where cases of the coronavirus A medical professional from the Wiesbaden Army Health Clinic data. “In Florida, Texas, and Ari- have risen in recent weeks after administers a COVID-19 test to a soldier Tuesday at the Mission The Pentagon reported June 3 zona, some parts of California, so the states rolled back restrictions. Command Center at U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden. that the military had 6,864 cases that wouldn’t be a surprise that States that have rising cases will of the virus. By Wednesday, the we’re a part of the community not be taken off the “green loca- going to do it installation by in- stallations, the Navy has 13 and number had risen to 12,521. The and so where there are some up- tions” list because once a state stallation,” he said. the Marine Corps has eight that Navy, which suffered outbreaks ticks, we’re seeing that as well,” reaches the criteria to lift travel Only 70 out of 231 major mili- have lifted restrictions. Eleven on two ships at sea, had the high- he said. restrictions, the decisions on how tary installations have met the of the 70 installations are in host est number of cases among the McCaffery also said the mili- to proceed move to the installa- criteria to lift travel restrictions nations. services for several weeks. The tary has increased testing includ- tion commanders, Lernes He- put in place by the Pentagon due “What we’re seeing is that [ser- Army recently surpassed the ing testing of personnel who are bert, deputy assistant secretary to the coronavirus pandemic, or vice members are] continuing Navy in cases with 3,836 as of 30% of major installations, ac- asymptomatic. of defense for military personnel to maintain very high standards Wednesday to the Navy’s 3,662 “So that information is some- policy, told reporters. cording to a Pentagon document with regard to the safety. So the cases. Three service members thing that the installation com- For example, in Texas, the se- published Thursday. have died since the pandemic manders have,” he said. “They verity of the outbreak in rural The list includes installations in health protection conditions for began. use that information to make de- areas is different than in met- the United States and in host na- the majority of the installations As of Thursday, the United cisions based upon their local cir- ropolitan areas, Herbert said. tions, with the Air Force having out there are still ramped up fair- States has had more than 2.7 mil- cumstance, their local mission.” “Because we don’t want to do the most installations that have ly high,” Herbert said. lion confirmed cases of the coro- As of Monday, 47 states and the wholesale closing down and lift- lifted travel restrictions at 35 as [email protected] navirus and more than 128,000 District of Columbia have met the ing of travel restrictions, we’re of Monday. The Army has 14 in- @caitlinmkenney Cases: US sets record as 52,300 new infections are reported on Friday

FROM FRONT PAGE Friday for a fireworks show at The warnings were sounded Mount Rushmore before return- after a Memorial Day weekend ing to the nation’s capital for that saw many people emerge military flyovers Saturday and from stay-at-home orders to go to a mile-long pyrotechnics display the beach, restaurants and fam- show on the National Mall that ily gatherings. Since then, con- his administration promises will firmed infections per day in the be the biggest in recent memory. U.S. have rocketed to an all-time Up to 300,000 face masks will be given away at the event but not high, more than doubling. required. The U.S. set another record on The big party will go on over Friday with 52,300 newly report- objections from Washington’s ed cases, according to the tally mayor. kept by Johns Hopkins Univer- “Ask yourself, do you need to be sity. Arizona, California, Florida there? Ask yourself, can you an- and Texas have been hit especial- ticipate or know who all is going ly hard. to be around you? If you go down- Despite it all, there will still be town, do you know if you’re going fireworks and community events to be able to social distance?“ scattered across the nation, with Mayor Muriel Bowser said. many taking social distancing Beaches that had been open into account. In Ohio, Upper Ar- for the traditional start of sum- lington’s July Fourth parade will mer over Memorial Day weekend take a much longer route through will be off-limits in many places its neighborhoods so residents this time, including South Flor- ROSS D. FRANKLIN/AP can watch without crowding the ida, Southern California and the streets. Texas Gulf Coast. A trainer at Life Time full service health club works with a client Thursday in Phoenix. The club remains “We’re calling it the front The Centers for Disease Control open even as Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has issued an executive order for all gyms to close due to the porch parade,” said organizer and Prevention advised Ameri- surge in coronavirus cases in the state. Sam Porter. “We can’t just not do cans who do go to the beach to something.” wear face coverings, though not and the Lake Erie resort village family canceled plans for a week- who didn’t comply with the or- Fireworks will be launched in the water. of Put-in-Bay in Ohio did the end outing on Lake Michigan. ders,” she said. from four spots across Albuquer- Delaware’s governor ordered same after health officials linked “We had some disappointed Dr. Don Williamson, head of que, New Mexico, so that people bars in some beach towns to a small number of coronavirus kids, but we knew as a family we the Alabama Hospital Associa- can ooh and aah from home in- close ahead of the holiday, saying cases to bars on the island. couldn’t do that,” she said. tion, said he is “really, really wor- stead of gathering in a single people were getting complacent After hearing Michigan’s gov- The problem, she said, is that ried about the Fourth of July.“ place. about masks and social distanc- ernor warn about the need to be too many people aren’t listening “I think that will likely deter- President Donald Trump was ing. The Jersey shore town of smart amid an uptick of cases, to the experts. “Even in my small, mine the trend for Alabama for set to travel to South Dakota on Wildwood canceled its fireworks, Mary Halley of Jonesville said her little town, there are lot of people the rest of the summer,” he said. PAGE 8 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, July 4, 2020 VIRUS OUTBREAK ROUNDUP Alabama students had COVID-catching contests

Associated Press COVID positive cases. The state’s health department on Thursday TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Sever- also tallied 325 new coronavirus al college students in an Alabama hospitalizations in Florida, one of city organized “COVID-19” par- the biggest 24-hour jumps since ties as a contest to see who would the pandemic began. get the virus first, an official The mayor’s order also tightens said. mask rules at restaurants, requir- Students hosted the parties to ing customers to wear facial cov- intentionally infect each other erings at all times unless eating with the new coronavirus, news or drinking. Under the previous outlets quoted Tuscaloosa City order, customers were allowed Councilor Sonya McKinstry as to remove masks when they sat saying. McKinstry said party or- down. ganizers purposely invited guests who tested positive for COVID-19. She said the students put money Georgia in a pot and whoever got COVID ATLANTA — Georgia added first would get the cash. close to 3,500 confirmed coro- “It makes no sense,” McKin- navirus cases to its total count stry said. “They’re intentionally on Thursday, the largest single- doing it.” day increase the state has expe- KEITH SRAKOCIC/AP Tuscaloosa Fire Chief Randy rienced, as infection rates rise Smith told the City Council on across the country. Staff members from Kosbar, a bar in Coraopolis, Pa. a town west of Pittsburgh, join with other service Tuesday that fire officials con- The state has seen a sharp in- industry workers and supporters to protest in front of Allegheny County offices, Thursday, in Pittsburgh. firmed some students had attend- crease in confirmed cases as well ed parties despite knowing they as people hospitalized in recent New York masks, the Knox County Health kima County — which has been were infected. The department weeks, after a short period of de- Department is providing free, among the areas hardest hit by thought the parties were rumors, cline that followed a since-lifted NEW YORK — A Manhattan state-issued cloth masks. Dr. Pat- the outbreak — faced liability if but Smith said after some re- stay-at-home order from Republi- federal lockup failed to imple- rick O’Brien, the board of health they did not prohibit allowing a search, officials discovered they can Gov. Brian Kemp. ment common-sense measures to member who proposed the mask customer to enter a business, or were real. “We are in exponential growth protect prisoners after a COVID- mandate, said Wednesday he conducted business with a cus- “Not only do the doctors’ offices with rapidly rising infections,” 19 outbreak infected dozens of in- has been in talks to “get a large tomer if they were not wearing confirm it but the state confirmed Dr. Carlos del Rio, an infectious mates at the facility, a judge said number of masks available” for a facial covering in any public they also had the same informa- disease expert at Emory Uni- Thursday. distribution. space, indoors or outdoors. Vio- tion,” Smith said. versity, tweeted Thursday. “I am U.S. District Judge Edgardo lations are a gross misdemeanor State Health Officer Scott Har- very concerned of our trajec- Ramos said four inmates who Vermont and businesses risk fines and los- ris said he had seen the news tory as we head into the 4th of sued over conditions at the Met- MONTPELIER — Vermont ing their business license if they story about the reported parties, July weekend,” del Rio said as he ropolitan Correctional Center on don’t comply. behalf of themselves and others Gov. Phil Scott said Thursday but could not officially confirm it. urged people to wear a mask and Now that requirement applies were unlikely to prove deliberate he’s allowing a bill to allow mail- McKinstry and Smith did not practice social distancing. to businesses statewide, though a indifference to their plight. Still, in voting during the November say which schools the students at- Some states, such as Florida, spokesman for Inslee said the focus tend. Tuscaloosa is home to The the Manhattan jurist allowed presidential to become law with- Arizona, Texas and California, will be on education and seeking University of Alabama and sev- their lawsuit to proceed in their out his signature. have paused reopening plans voluntary compliance first. eral other colleges. or implemented additional re- quest to improve conditions at the In a letter to members of the The University of Alabama is- strictions. But Kemp has so far jail and win release for vulner- Vermont Legislature, Scott said sued a statement saying they have declined to do so, saying the re- able inmates. there appeared to be a technical West Virginia Arlo Devlin-Brown, a lawyer problem with the law that creates heard rumors of such parties and strictions already in place are CHARLESTON — West Vir- for inmates, said in an email that an ambiguity in how the Secre- are working to educate students. enough. He has embarked on ginia Gov. Jim Justice on Thurs- “We have been aware for weeks it was notable that the judge cited tary of State deals with ballot a statewide tour to encourage day said residents should prepare of the rumors about COVID par- the fact that the facility’s warden returns. people to wear masks but says he for a mandatory face mask order ties. We conducted a thorough in- has promised to address short- “This is particularly concern- won’t mandate it. as the state’s new coronavirus vestigation, and although we have “We shouldn’t need a mask comings as he observed that “the ing in light of the concerns ex- cases rise to their highest level been unable to identify any stu- mandate for people to do the right MCC may fall short in its efforts to pressed by many regarding the since the pandemic began. dents who may have participated thing,” Kemp said Wednesday be- improve its pandemic response.” return process for ballots mailed The Republican governor said in these types of activities, we fore departing. “Time will tell whether the to all Vermonters,“ the Republi- will continue to follow up on any MCC practices what it preaches,” can governor wrote. he will decide early next week information we receive and edu- New Jersey Devlin-Brown said. “The lawsuit Scott said he hoped the Legisla- whether he will order that masks cate our students about essential is not over, and we’ll continue our ture would fix the problem when be worn inside buildings and precautions,” the university said TRENTON — New Jersey’s efforts to hold the MCC account- lawmakers return in August to when social distancing isn’t pos- in a statement. playgrounds, water and amuse- able should it fail to take neces- deal with economic issues. sible. Justice has previously re- ment parks, libraries and muse- sary measures to minimize the Under the new law, all voters sisted such a mandate but said he Florida ums reopened Thursday after a spread of this deadly virus within will receive ballots in the mail and wanted to give people notice that a monthslong pause because of the its walls and treat with proper care they can return them by mail, take mask mandate could be coming. MIAMI — Miami-Dade Mayor COVID-19 outbreak. those who are sickened by it.” them to their local town or city “If that is such a horrible, hor- Carlos Gimenez said he’s insti- Atlantic City’s casinos also re- clerk or bring the ballot to their rible inconvenience in your life, tuting an overnight curfew and opened, though without smoking, Tennessee polling place on Election Day. please just think of what it will do closing some businesses as the drinking and indoor dining. to save us and keep us to be able county’s number of COVID-19 New Jersey continues to re- KNOXVILLE — Knox County Washington to do all of the things that we’re cases and hospitalization rates open businesses from the near- on Friday joined Nashville and doing today in West Virginia,” he Memphis in requiring people to OLYMPIA — Washington Gov. continue to rise. total closure from the outbreak said. Gimenez said Thursday night wear face masks in many public Jay Inslee announced Thursday in March, currently in Stage 2 of The warning comes as West that the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. cur- three. settings to slow the spread of the that because of an increase in the Virginia’s virus cases have been few, which begins Friday, will be Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy new coronavirus. rate of COVID-19 infection, start- steadily rising. Health officials in place indefinitely. The order on Thursday reported there were The order from the Knox ing next week, bar seating will no reported the highest single-day closes casinos, strip clubs, movie about 500 more positive cases, County Board of Health specifi- longer be permitted for counties theaters and other entertainment putting the total at 172,000. He cally mandates that in most in- currently in Phase 3 of the state’s tally of new cases since the pan- venues a month after they were reported the death toll climbed door public places, every person four-stage reopening plan and demic began with 74 positives on allowed to reopen. by 27 overnight to 13,251. There aged 12 or older must wear a face businesses statewide will not be Wednesday. “This curfew is meant to stop are also 1,854 probable deaths covering when they are within 6 able to serve customers who don’t The governor has lifted most people from venturing out and from the virus. feet of another person who does wear facial coverings. virus restrictions implemented to hanging out with friends in The limit on gatherings out- not live in the same household, Inslee also announced he is prevent the spread of the virus at groups, which has shown to be doors is rising Friday from 250 the Knoxville News Sentinel re- ordering a two-week statewide the start of the pandemic. Clus- spreading the virus rapidly,” Gi- people to 500, Murphy said. ported. The order will remain in pause for counties looking to ad- ters have recently emerged after menez said in a statement. It comes in time for school grad- place until the board of health vance from their current stage of tourism travel to Myrtle Beach, On Thursday, Florida report- uations, which have been cleared votes to rescind or change it. reopening. South Carolina, and after church ed a new daily record of 10,109 to take place outside, Monday. For those who do not have Initially, only businesses in Ya- services. Saturday, July 4, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 9 NATION Trump starts July 4th party at Mount Rushmore

BY STEPHEN GROVES governor’s spokesperson, Mag- Associated Press gie Seidel, hadn’t said whether the South Dakota National Guard SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Presi- would be deployed, but had said dent Donald Trump was to begin organizers would make sure it his Independence Day weekend was a safe event. on Friday with a patriotic display But several people who once of fireworks at Mount Rushmore, oversaw fire danger at the na- an event that was expected to tional memorial had said setting draw thousands where masks off fireworks over the forest was a and social distancing weren’t to bad idea that could lead to a large be required as coronavirus cases wildfire. Fireworks were called spiked across the country. off after 2009 because a mountain Trump was expected to speak pine beetle infestation increased at the event, which had issued the fire risks. 7,500 tickets to watch fireworks Noem had pushed to get the that he had said would a “display fireworks resumed soon after like few people have seen.” she was elected and had enlist- Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, ed Trump’s help. The president a Trump ally, had said social distancing wasn’t to be required had brushed aside fire concerns during the event and masks were earlier this year, saying, “What to be optional. Event organizers can burn? It’s stone” and made were planning to provide masks no mention of the fire danger in to anyone who wanted them and fresh comments Thursday. to screen attendees for symptoms The National Park Service had of COVID-19. studied the potential effect of the The Republican mayor of the fireworks for this year and found largest city near the monument, they would be safe, though it had Rapid City, had said he would be noted that in a dry year, a large watching for a spike in cases after fire was a risk. It was to make the the event, the Rapid City Journal final call Friday. JEFF EASTON, RAPID CITY JOURNAL/AP had reported. Trump had presided over sev- “We’re going to have thousands Mount Rushmore fireworks event staff test the video displays for Level 2 ticket holders at Mount eral large-crowd events — in of people, shoulder to shoulder at Rushmore National Memorial, S.D., where President Donald Trump was scheduled to visit Friday. Tulsa, Okla. and at an Arizona these events — someone in line to megachurch — even as health of- see a president and being able to event could lead to coronavirus sites,” Harold Frazier, chairman Protests were expected in Key- ficials warned against large gath- see fireworks at Mount Rushmore outbreaks among their members, of the Cheyenne River Sioux stone, the small town near the erings and recommended face — they are probably not likely to who they say are particularly Tribe, had said. monument. Chase Iron Eyes, a masks and social distancing. He disqualify themself because they vulnerable to COVID-19 be- Some Native American groups spokesman for the Oglala Sioux was planning a July Fourth cel- developed a cough the day of or cause of an underfunded health were planning to use Trump’s president, had said protesters ebration on the National Mall de- the day before,” Rapid City Mayor care system and chronic health visit to protest the Mount Rush- were likely to make their voice spite health concerns from D.C.’s Steve Allender had said. conditions. more memorial itself, pointing out heard at the memorial itself. mayor. Trump and first lady Me- Leaders of several Native “The president is putting our that the Black Hills were taken Security was expected to be lania Trump were planning to American tribes in the region tribal members at risk to stage a from the Lakota people against tight, with the road leading up to host events from the White House also had raised concerns that the photo op at one of our most sacred treaty agreements. Mount Rushmore shut down. The south lawn and from the Ellipse. Jobs surge: Trump more optimistic than Biden

BY STEVE PEOPLES Two hours later, Biden offered states such as California, Texas, and you know things are grim,” Associated Press a darker assessment. Arizona and Florida to re-close he said. “The first, second and “There’s no victory to be cel- or otherwise clamp down again third most important things for NEW YORK — The U.S. ebrated,” the former vice presi- on bars, restaurants, movie the- the economy right now are the economy just posted its best dent said in a video recorded at aters, beaches and swimming progress of the disease.” single-month job gain in history. his home in Delaware. “We’re still pools, throwing some workers Michael Strain, director of eco- U.S. unemployment is at one of down nearly 15 million jobs, and out of jobs for a second time. nomic policy studies at the Amer- its worst points since the Great the pandemic is getting worse, Those losses will show up in next ican Enterprise Institute, said the Depression. not better.” month’s government unemploy- virus continues to pose a “major Both are true. “Today’s report is positive ment report. potential threat” to the nation’s As Republicans and Demo- news, and I’m thankful for it — The Trump campaign believes economic comeback, especially crats fought to spin Thursday’s for real, ” Biden continued. “But that nothing matters more to the in light of new reports that hos- jobs numbers to their advantage, PATRICK SEMANSKY/AP make no mistake, we’re still in a president’s reelection than the pital systems in some states are both sides face tremendous politi- deep, deep job hole because Don- state of the economy. With many reaching capacity. cal risks in navigating a delicate Democratic presidential ald Trump has so badly bungled Americans reporting that the Given the uncertainty, Strain and defining issue heading into candidate, former Vice President the response to coronavirus.” country is moving in the wrong said he’s confused by Trump’s the presidential campaign’s final Joe Biden removes his face Thursday’s data showed a surge direction under his leadership, he apparent resistance to plans from months. mask as he arrives to speak at of 4.8 million new jobs last month, has a lot of work to do. both Republicans and Democrats Democrats, led by presump- Alexis Dupont High School in a snapshot of the economy as of Still, the president’s strongest to inject another round of major tive nominee Joe Biden, seized on Wilmington, Del., Tuesday . three weeks ago. The U.S. un- ratings center on the economy, as economic stimulus into what he the growing threat presented by employment rate improved from has been the case throughout his called “a fragile economy.” the coronavirus after the better- only two more monthly jobs re- 13.3% in May to 11.1% in June as tenure. About half of Americans Trump highlighted his sup- than-expected numbers were re- ports expected before the Nov. many Americans thrown out of say they approve of Trump’s han- port for a Social Security tax cut leased, a stance the Republicans 3 election, the dueling visions of work by COVID-19 were called dling of the economy, according on Thursday, but Vice President called rooting against America’s America’s economy establish a back. to a poll released last month from Mike Pence, in an interview with recovery. President Donald new frame for the high-stakes de- But the jobs numbers were an- The Associated Press-NORC Cen- CNBC, reiterated the administra- Trump claimed a major econom- bate ahead. nounced just as the nation’s con- ter for Public Affairs Research. tion’s opposition to extending en- ic victory and played down the firmed coronavirus infections Justin Wolfers, a professor of hanced unemployment payments “Today’s announcement proves health threat, even as an explo- soared to an all-time daily high economics and public policy at to out-of-work Americans when sion of new infections threatened that our economy is roaring of 50,700, more than doubling the University of Michigan, said they expire at the end of July. to stall, or even reverse, the eco- back,” Trump exulted to report- over the past month, according to that Thursday’s numbers con- Biden, meanwhile, has yet to nomic gains. ers at the White House after the the count kept by Johns Hopkins firmed that the economy is in come out with a specific jobs Deep uncertainty lies ahead, June numbers were released. He University. “slightly less” of a “dreadful eco- plan, which his campaign said experts warn, despite two months later added, “The crisis is being The spike, centered primarily nomic hole.” Thursday would be released in a of record job growth. And with handled.” in the South and West, has led “You just look out the window matter of weeks. PAGE 10 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, July 4, 2020 NATION Supreme Court blocks Alabama curbside voting

BY KIM CHANDLER a vote in upcoming elections.” Associated Press Kallon said Alabama can’t prevent local election officials MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The from offering curbside voting at U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 de- in-person polling locations in the cision Thursday blocked a lower July 14 runoff. Kallon also ruled court ruling allowing curbside Alabama can’t require some ab- voting in Alabama and waiving sentee ballot voters in three coun- LAURIE SKRIVAN, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH/AP some absentee ballot require- ties to submit photocopies of their ments during the pandemic. identification and witness signa- Armed homeowners Mark and Patricia McCloskey, standing in front their house along Portland Place Conservative justices granted tures if it is dangerous for them to confront protesters marching to St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson’s house, June 28, in the Central West Alabama’s request to stay a feder- get out during the pandemic be- End of St. Louis. al judge’s order that would allow cause of their age and underlying local officials to offer curbside health conditions. voting in the July runoff and loos- The three counties are where en absentee ballot requirements plaintiffs in the lawsuit live. Court record: St. Louis couple has in three of the state’s large coun- Alabama appealed the decision. ties. The order will remain stayed The state argued that it would be while the court decides whether confusing to change absentee bal- pulled out guns on people before to hear Alabama’s appeal. lot rules in three of Alabama’s 67 Alabama Attorney General counties and that curbside voting Associated Press she’s 61 — are both personal in- the neighborhood. Steve Marshall said he was would be a major change done jury lawyers and their home is A judge on Monday ruled O’FALLON, Mo. — The white pleased the court acted quickly so right before the election. on a private street called Port- against motions from both sides St. Louis couple who became in- that Alabama voting rules remain The state also argued that land Place in St. Louis’ well-to-do to end the case without a trial. ternationally famous for stand- in place for the July 14 runoff. Alabama’s rules are needed to Central West End. Their attorney, ing guard with guns outside their Mark McCloskey said in the “Alabama is again able to en- combat voter fraud and are not Albert Watkins, said the couple mansion during a protest have affidavit that he and his wife force laws that help ensure the unreasonable. are long-time civil rights advo- purchased the home in 1988 and fairness and integrity of our elec- “But this dichotomy between pulled a gun before in defense of cates and support the message their property, according to an af- have taken several measures to tions,” the Republican said. voting and safety is false, even of the Black Lives Matter move- improve the disputed piece of The court rulings stem from a during COVID-19. The individual fidavit in an ongoing case. ment. He said they grabbed their As demonstrators marched land. lawsuit filed by the NAACP Legal plaintiffs in this case regularly guns when two or three protest- The affidavit states they have Defense and Educational Fund, near the Renaissance palazzo- see at least one other person. Can ers — who were white — vio- “regularly prohibited all persons, the Southern Poverty Law Cen- style home of Mark and Patricia lently threatened the couple, and they really not find a safe way to including Portland Place resi- ter and the Alabama Disabilities have a second person watch them McCloskey on Sunday, video post- their property and that of their dents, from crossing the Parcel Advocacy Program. A group of sign a piece of paper?” lawyers ed online showed him wielding a neighbors. including at least at one point, voters had sought more voting op- for the state wrote in their peti- long-barreled gun and her with Circuit Attorney Kimberly tions because of health concerns. tion to the Supreme Court. a small handgun. No shots were Gardner said her office was work- challenging a resident at gun- U.S. District Judge Abdul K. “Unfortunately, this means that fired. ing with police to investigate, point who refused to heed the Kallon last month issued a pre- Alabama voters who are at great- The protesters, estimated at saying she was alarmed because McCloskeys’ warnings to stay off liminary injunction after find- er risk of severe illness or death around 500 racially mixed peo- “peaceful protesters were met by such property.” ing that Alabama’s election rules from COVID-19 will be required ple, were passing the house on the guns and a violent assault.” Watkins said in an inter- will cause sick or elderly voters to to risk their health and violate way to the nearby home of Mayor The McCloskeys and the trust- view that the McCloskeys have “likely face a painful and difficult CDC recommendations in order Lyda Krewson. The protest was ees of Portland Place are involved “touched their weapons” just choice between exercising their to vote on July 14,“ Deuel Ross, among dozens in St. Louis since in a three-year legal dispute over twice in their 32 years on Port- fundamental right to vote and senior counsel at the NAACP George Floyd’s death in Minne- a small piece of property. The land Place — during the incident safeguarding their health, which Legal Defense & Educational apolis on May 25. McCloskeys claim they own it, in 1988 or 1989 cited in the affida- could prevent them from casting Fund, Inc., said in a statement. The McCloskeys — he’s 63 and but the trustees say it belongs to vit, and on Sunday. Justices keep hold on secret Russia investigation testimony

Associated Press against congressional efforts to obtain Attorney General (William) Barr are con- argue that it needed access to the underly- his banking and other financial records. tinuing to try to run out the clock on any ing grand jury material to make its own de- WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court Those cases are expected to be decided in and all accountability. While I am confi- terminations about the president’s actions, is denying Congress access to secret grand the coming days or weeks. dent their legal arguments will fail, it is the court said. jury testimony from special counsel Rob- The court’s action also could mean the now all the more important for the Ameri- The materials initially were sought ert Mueller’s Russia investigation through justices never have to reach a definitive can people to hold the President account- last summer, but by the time the appeals the November election. ruling in a sensitive dispute between the able at the ballot box in November,” Nadler court ruled in March, Trump had been im- The justices agreed on Thursday to hear executive and legislative branches of gov- said in a statement. peached by the House and acquitted by the the Trump administration’s appeal of a ernment, if either Trump loses reelection The federal appeals court in Washington Senate. lower court order for the material to be or Republicans regain control of the House ruled in March that the documents should The Justice Department said in its Su- turned over to the Democratic-controlled next year. It’s hard to imagine an admin- be turned over because the House Judi- preme Court filings that the court’s action House of Representatives. The high court’s istration of Democrat Joe Biden would ob- ciary Committee’s need for the material in was needed in part because the House action will keep the documents out of con- ject to turning over the Mueller documents its investigation of Trump outweighed the hasn’t given any indication it “urgently gressional hands at least until the case is or House Republicans would continue to Justice Department’s interests in keeping needs these materials for any ongoing im- resolved, which is not likely to happen be- press for them. the testimony secret. peachment investigation.” fore 2021. The House wants previously undisclosed Mueller’s 448-page report, issued in The House had opposed the delay on the Arguments themselves might not even details from the investigation of Russian April 2019, “stopped short” of reaching grounds that its investigation of Trump take place before Americans decide interference in the 2016 election. conclusions about Trump’s conduct, in- was continuing and that time is of the es- whether to give President Donald Trump Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., chairman of cluding whether he obstructed justice, to sence because of the approaching election. a second term. the House Judiciary Committee, called the avoid stepping on the House’s impeach- The current session of the House will end The delay is a victory for Trump, who court’s decision disappointing. ment power, the appeals court said. Jan. 3, and lawmakers elected in Novem- also is mounting a Supreme Court fight “Unfortunately, President Trump and The committee was able to persuasively ber will take their seats. Saturday, July 4, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES•PAGE 11 VIDEO GAMES

Destructive Creations

Brutal Ancestors Legacy marks the return of strategy games to consoles

BY BRIAN BOWERS by the fog of war — or actually the fog of simplifi ed erable to using combinations of controller buttons and Stars and Stripes storytelling and a pinch of anachronism. Look to these a ponderous joystick to train and marshal your forces. missions for fun, not a history lesson. However, the game’s control system is pretty robust and hen considering where to start with Ances- Fans of strategy games will be familiar with the relatively agile by console standards. Ancestors Legacy tors Legacy, I thought about the results of my rock-paper-scissors combat style. For example, archers benefi ts from the fact that it’s more like Company of DNA test. If I wanted to dive into my ances- beat spearmen, spearmen Heroes than Warcraft or Age of Empires. You aren’t Wtors’ legacy, I fi gured I should start with the beat cavalry, and cavalry beat building and maintaining a sprawling settlement. You’re Anglo-Saxons. After all, they provided 48% of my genes. archers. Woe to you if you send equipping, training and leading an army. As a result, Instead, the medieval strategy game’s campaign forced three companies of archers everything is streamlined so the focus is on fi ghting. me into the role of a Scandinavian — only 2% of my to capture a village and are That dramatically cuts down the mechanics and menus genes. But it wasn’t long before I fi nished pillaging the met by a squadron of charging required to play the game. English countryside as a Viking and got down to pillaging cavalry. As a result, you’ll need My biggest complaint about Ancestors is still related the English countryside as an Englishman. All was as it to build your army with an eye to the control system. Many functions aren’t mentioned should be. toward mixing its capabilities — or at least aren’t described very well — in the game’s Ancestors Legacy was developed by Destructive and positioning your individual tutorials and info boxes. There are a number of shortcuts Creations, originally for computers and later ported to units where they can be most embedded in the control system that I discovered only by the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and most recently to the Nin- effective in your line of battle. tendo Switch. I was dying to test the game’s touch-screen accident or by trial and error. Once I learned these, my Once you’ve played through performance and enjoyment improved dramatically. controls on the Switch, but my wife’s ongoing obsession the campaigns, you’re well Graphics are a mixed bag. The battlefi elds are loaded with Animal Crossing: New Horizons made that impos- prepared to engage in a skir- with detail and are very appealing. The units also look sible. I opted for the Xbox One instead. mish, either against the game’s pretty good from a bird’s-eye view. You also have the It’s a pretty standard real-time strategy game that artifi cial intelligence or against features resource gathering, building construction, unit Overall grade: a human opponent. option of tapping the joystick and zooming in to watch the creation and combat. In the skirmish mode, you battle up close. In this view, however, it becomes appar- – ent that the character renderings are relatively rudimen- The game features four medieval European cultures: B can select your culture, battle- Anglo-Saxon, Viking, Germanic and Slavic. Each has two fi eld, technology level and num- tary — at least for the Xbox One — and that they quickly story-based campaigns, which add up to a hefty single- ber of players. If you’re playing get so covered with blood that all detail is obscured. player package. Each culture also has its own specialized against the game’s AI, you can even set the diffi culty and The game has a mature rating — presumably because warriors. Vikings have Berserkers and mounted scouts. pacing. However, be aware that even an easy AI opponent of the blood-covered warriors, unless I missed something Anglo-Saxons have slingers and longbows. Germans have is diffi cult to beat unless you’ve honed your tactics in the else. crossbows and armored cavalry. And Slavs have cavalry single-player campaigns. In the beginning, it seemed I haven’t played a strategy game on a console since and mounted archers. that AI opponents were always optimized to recruit and Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 — way back in 2008. The campaign missions are usually very engaging and upgrade units far faster than I ever could — unless I While Ancestors Legacy didn’t exactly make me yearn provide a surprising variety of challenges. You’ll guide he- stacked the deck by setting my opponents on easy and for a new crop of games in the genre, I found it a fun and roes as they skulk amid the brush or lead daring cavalry gave myself a more advanced ally. The game’s default satisfying diversion from the shooters, battles royale and charges. You fi ght through cities and defend against sieg- pacing seems to be set to accommodate PC gamers rather open-world sandboxes that dominate the game scene. es. The detailed battlefi elds and well-developed scenarios than the more limited controls offered by consoles. Bottom line: B- cause you to think and fi ght hard to secure your goal. The major concern with any strategy game that moves Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Switch The missions in each campaign also provide a glimpse from computer to consoles is the control system. Taps on Online: nintendo.com/games/detail/ancestors-legacy- of medieval history. Some of those glimpses are clouded a few keys and a quick bit of mousing are usually pref- switch PAGE 12 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, July 4, 2020 TRAVEL

COVID-19 inspires travel writer to create trip with minimal risk

BY NATALIE B. COMPTON Staring at my backpack, I remembered The Washington Post that an REI camping expert had told me a week ago that you should pack warm ontactless” is just about clothes even if you’re camping somewhere the last word I would use that’s hot during the day. I bundled layers to describe my travel style. into a packing cube that could also double “C Before the pandemic, some as a pillow at night. This would be my only of my favorite travel memories were made source of sleeping comfort, as I hadn’t possible thanks to contact. wanted to spend more money on a sleep- But that kind of travel can’t take place ing pad — another item that had been right now. The pandemic is continuing to strongly recommended. wreak havoc around the world, and the My other contactless travel essentials Centers for Disease Control and Pre- included: a bike tire pump, sunscreen, vention continues to tell us that “travel general toiletries, a notebook, reading increases your chances of getting and material (Anthony Bourdain’s “A Cook’s spreading COVID-19.” Tour”), my driver’s license, a credit card, And yet, my impulse to travel has been $20 cash, a foldout knife, aspirin, a lighter a constant throughout my hundred days of and some trash bags to haul out garbage. working at home in isolation. The morning of my contactless travel On a Wednesday night, after transi- experiment, I posted my plan on Insta- tioning from staring at my computer for gram so I’d be fueled by peer pressure work to staring at my computer for fun, I to complete the mission. Within a few started thinking about how I could pull off minutes, my mother called me (at about a trip with the lowest possible risk. 5 a.m. her time), and I knew she’d seen What if I cut out the parts of travel that I was up to no good. She was reasonably made it problematic during the pandemic? worried that her youngest, single daughter The parts like going through airports, was planning on biking 40 miles into the sitting on planes, interacting with hotel woods to camp alone. I didn’t blame her. guests, congregating at bus terminals or If you’re going to attempt contactless contaminating a gas station? travel, make sure you tell your mom Convinced I could make contactless ahead of your social media posts so you From top: Writer travel a thing, I booked a campsite, went can tell her how you’ve already sent your Natalie B. Compton to Target and bought the cheapest tent and campsite information to your best friends, bikes to the campsite sleeping bag I could fi nd. Then I hatched you packed a knife and will be reachable during her attempt at a minimal-risk, solo a plan to bike 42.8 miles to a national park by cell throughout the journey. overnight outing; an carrying all of my gear and supplies. When she asks why you’re doing it, do idyllic view outside When the pandemic started, I was sure not answer “why did people want to go to her tent despite a I’d keep up with my fi ve-day-a-week work- the moon?” because she will not fi nd that rough night of sleep; out routine at home. funny or helpful. among Compton’s Reader, that did not happen. The night I booked my campsite, I food supplies: Workouts turned into semiregular 15- pulled some fl our out of my pantry and Grapefruit, raisins, minute ab exercises, coupled with some started making bread dough. Like many peanut butter and biking and jogging on occasion. When I other Americans, I had started my foray Vietnamese coffee in looked on the internet for a campsite avail- into bread baking during the pandemic. a water bottle. able in the next two days, I had to keep in Now to put those new skills to use. mind that my endurance would be a fac- Except that my starter was hibernating in PHOTOS BY NATALIE B. COMPTON tor. That fi ltered out most of the options, the fridge. The Washington Post and I settled on Oak Ridge Campground Instead, I used a recipe for burger in Prince William Forest Park in Virginia. buns that I fi gured I could mold into a loaf Yes, it was 40 miles away. No, I had shape and use however I wanted. It turned never biked that far before. But I fi gured out fi ne. the energy of being out of my apartment Meal planning for the rest of the trip would help propel me. came down to considering what food could According to the CDC, the concern with stay edible unrefrigerated overnight, taking a trip by car is the risk of spread- what wouldn’t take up too much room ing or contracting the novel coronavirus and what was durable enough to survive while you’re at a rest stop or gas station. being smashed in my backpack. I went So I vowed not to visit any of these estab- with grapefruit, raisins, pistachios, peanut lishments on my ride. butter, a water bottle full of Vietnamese In addition to the sleeping bag and tent, coffee, salami and an avocado (which yes, other necessities that I purchased at Tar- smashed in transit). get included: DEET-heavy bug spray, food, If you were doing to do a contactless wine, a portable battery pack to charge trip that lasted more than a night or two, my phone and a gallon of water. you may might want to get into the world It’s impossible to count everything you of Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) foods. can buy to go camping. There is gear They’re backpack-friendly, dehydrated galore, and it’s all cool. There were 30 and compact. I’ve eaten some decent ones things I could have purchased at Target when traveling in remote destinations, alone that would have made for a better and while they’re not my fi rst pick for camping experience, but I was already standard wining and dining, they’ll do. anxious about spending nearly $150 on I’m not sure why, but when I pictured the tent and sleeping bag combo, plus I biking from a metropolitan area to a was going to be carrying it all by bike. So national park I imagined scenic pathways I kept the new gear to the bare minimum and leafy trails. and headed home to pack. CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 Saturday, July 4, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 13 ENTERTAINMENT

FROM PAGE 12 Instead, Google Maps took me down highway sidewalks and suburban sprawl (to no fault of the technology’s own, it just gave me the most direct bike route). The majority of my Into The Wild experience was spent grip- ping my bike handlebars for dear life as cars roared by me, the hot summer sun burning my skin through the weak Whole Foods sunscreen I kept reapplying to no help. Google Maps directed me along a hiking path, not a paved road, for the fi nal stretch of the journey through the national park to my campsite. I eventually made it to my little plot exhaust- ed. Not long after setting up my tent, eating dinner and drinking wine while convincing my mom I was safe, I crawled into my sleeping bag and fell asleep im- mediately. I set off on my contactless trip with the best intentions. I’d stop nowhere. I’d touch nothing. I’d hurt no one. My fi rst day of travel, I followed my own guidelines perfectly. I biked in my cloth face mask, went to the restroom in nature, resisted the siren song of convenience stores and fast food restaurants. There was even a quaint ice cream shop in a his- Martin Freeman, center, co-created the warts-and-all comedy “Breeders,” which premiered toric old town along a river. I still stateside on FX in March. Also pictured: Joanna Bacon (left) and Daisy Haggard. biked onward. FX/TNS On the way home, after my one solitary night of camping, was a different story. I woke up wrecked. Forgo- ing the sleeping pad had been a gargantuan mistake. When I’d gotten into my sleeping bag at More than just Mr. Nice Guy night, the ground felt fi rm yet not terribly so. Throughout the night, the ground seemed to become increasingly unyielding. At daybreak, my face was Martin Freeman shows different facets of acting in 2 new TV projects swollen. My lips had cracked. My body felt like I had been stamped BY MICHAEL ORDONA with your kids, when you actually do that. English telling of the story. There aren’t any in a metal press. My muscles Los Angeles Times When you do it for real, you don’t go, ‘I’ve big car chases or explosions; no one gets were blazingly sore from the told you a thousand times to stop that’ , at shot. The best American TV is the best in bike ride and carrying the he Everyman Card has been least not in my house, or in anybody’s house, the world, but you guys like a car chase,” he weight of my gear. nice to have in his back pocket; when you scratch away and get to the truth.” says, smiling. After breakfast in a stupor, I it afforded him entree to a solid He continued, “I was interested in how The series’ fi rst act, if you will, is a was too tired to hike out into the career. But British actor Martin far we could go down that line and for it to nail-biting hunt after Freeman’s Detective woods to pee. Instead, I went to Freeman has others to play, as still be funny and for the characters to still Superintendent Steve Fulcher learns of a Ttwo very different television projects show. the camp restroom, feeling guilty be people you root for. They’re not abusive; young woman’s kidnapping. From there, it for touching the door handles “I didn’t go to drama school just to be they’re not horrible people. They love their becomes an examination of the aftermath. and sink faucet. (I kicked the likable and funny,” he says over a Zoom chat kids and are ostensibly a pretty happy, func- The balance of the drama turns on a failure toilet handle into motion.) I had from his London home. “I like having that tional family. But within that, we’re showing to observe the equivalent of a suspect’s Mi- facility; it’s very useful. But like most actors, made contact on my contactless the underside. I haven’t seen this tone in this randa rights, with severe consequences. I’m greedy. I want to do as much as I can adventure. context on television before.” “Steve is a very good copper who believes do.” An hour and a half from my The show’s fi rst scene has Freeman’s Paul in” suspects’ rights and reining in police, apartment, I also spied a farmers The 48-year-old Freeman made his name losing it in front of his kids, and not in PG says Freeman, who got to know the real market stand advertising fresh as the nice young man in the original Brit- fashion. Freeman says that moment came to Fulcher in his research. “But he says, ‘If peaches and I cracked. ish “The Offi ce” (think the John Krasinski him in a dream. someone can tell me what I should have I rolled into the parking lot, role), the accidental cosmic tourist in “The “It’s pretty much verbatim. I woke up and done instead of the action I took, please tell ditched my bike, waited in a line Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and six feet from the patrons around the sensitive porn stand-in in “Love Actu- thought, ‘This is part of a very, very dark me.’ He didn’t kick the ... out of someone in me and bought some produce, ally.” Since then, his hits have included the comedy.’ The ridiculousness of people try- the back of the squad car or put words into a a root beer and a Thai iced tea Benedict Cumberbatch-starring “Sherlock” ing to talk themselves down from shouting suspect’s mouth. It was literally not crossing Popsicle to eat standing alone by (as Watson), the trilogy of “The Hobbit” (as at their kids, to be calm and chilled out, a T and dotting an I of procedure.” my bike. the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins), the FX series and you can’t fi ght it. By the time you open Freeman’s Fulcher is all business; he The guilt rushed through me “Fargo” (as Lester Nygaard) and “Captain the door, you’re screaming obscenities at almost never loses his cool. The actor shows stronger than the muscle sore- America: Civil War” and “Black Panther” children.” remarkable restraint, particularly when he ness. I biked the rest of the way in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (he says He says unapologetically depicting such must deliver terrible news to family mem- home without stopping, feeling “Panther” director Ryan Coogler has con- moments “was part of our conversations bers or when he gets devastating informa- like I’d failed my mission. fi rmed he’ll be in the sequel). from the start. ‘You have to show this, or tion from a suspect. The trip was neither contact- And this season, he’s got two television there’s really no point in doing it other- “The director and the writer both said, less, nor contact-ful. shows available in America: The warts-and- wise.’ ” don’t do that version — slap him around, the If you’re going to travel during all parenting comedy “Breeders,” which hit In its bones, “Breeders” is a comedy, but actor gets to look good. It’s not true; not in the coronavirus, it doesn’t have FX in March, and the true-crime minise- there’s serious drama in its marrow as well. this story, anyway. It’s more mundane than to be a wild-goose chase that ries “A Confession,” available through the Freeman cites some of those very dark that. It’s the mundanity of it that’s more af- ends in guilt and pain. Remem- BritBox streaming service. He’s not exactly turns as his favorite moments on the show, fecting ,” he said. “That said, there are some ber that the pandemic is still sweet or heroic in either. though to discuss them here would be tell- breakdowns — when I tell [costar] Imelda very much a problem, read the “There are lots of comedies about par- ing. In the same vein, “A Confession” is not Staunton her daughter’s died; you didn’t CDC travel guidelines thorough- enting and family, obviously,” he says of your father’s true-crime miniseries — espe- have to do anything but just be there in ly before you commit to a plan “Breeders,” which he co-created. “But there cially if your father is American. that scene. She’s making this animal noise. and keep your loved ones and weren’t any that I had seen that showed “That had occurred to me, the difference You have to be a stone to not be affected. It neighbors in mind along the way. what happens when you lose your temper between the U.S. and the U.K. — it’s a very makes your job easier. You have to do less.” PAGE 14 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, July 4, 2020 HEALTH & FITNESS CLOSE THE LID Researchers say infectious diseases like COVID-19 could go airborne when you fl ush

BY KARIN BRULLIARD er “could contribute to the global fi ght AND WILLIAM WAN against the virus.” The Washington Post The resulting study was published June 16 in the journal Physics of Fluids. It dd this to our list of worries in found that fl ushing of both single-inlet toi- these anxious times: corona- lets, which push water into the bowl from virus-containing clouds that one port, and annular-inlet toilets, which waft into the air when a toilet pour water into the bowl from the rim’s is fl ushed. surrounding edge with even greater en- AScientists who simulated toilet water ergy, result in “massive upward transport and air fl ow say in a new research paper of virus.” Particles can reach heights of that aerosol droplets forced upward more than three feet and fl oat in the by a fl ush appear to spread wide air for more than a minute, it found. enough and linger long enough to The paper recommends not just be inhaled. The novel corona- lid-closing and hand-washing virus has been found in the but urges manufacturers to feces of COVID-19 patients, produce toilets that close and but it remains unknown self-clean automatically. It whether such clouds could contain enough virus also suggests that toilet- to infect a person. The users wipe down the seat. authors say the pos- Gerba, however, said sibility of that mode seats shouldn’t be a of transmission calls major concern. Re- for action in the search has found that midst of a pandemic public and house- — fi rst and fore- hold toilet seats most, by closing are typically the the lid. cleanest surface in “Flushing will restrooms, he said, lift the virus up probably because from the toilet so many people bowl,” co-author already wipe them Ji-Xiang Wang, off before using who researches them. Also, he said fl uids at Yang- of SARS-CoV-2, the zhou University in virus that causes Yangzhou, China, COVID-19: “I don’t said in an email. think it’s butt-borne, Bathroom-users so I don’t think you “need to close the lid have to worry.” fi rst and then trigger Gerba has been the fl ushing process,” studying coronavirus Wang said, and wash transmission for two their hands thoroughly decades, and in 2003 if closure isn’t possible. he was sent by the World Toilets and modern san- Health Organization to itation systems have been Hong Kong to investigate iStock a huge boon to public health the role of toilet fl ushing in a and life expectancy since the SARS outbreak at an apartment 19th century. Even so, people complex called Amoy Gardens. have long been leery of germs in Investigators suspected cases were bathrooms, and that wariness has driven in part by the apartment’s only increased during the pandemic. sanitary system, because the outbreak But experts say most of us are focusing on seemed to begin after an index patient the wrong aspect. suffering from diarrhea used a toilet For all our paranoia about the surface of raises in the apartment complex. Gerba said toilet seats — the tissue paper we oh-so- Charles improper ventilation in the building, not carefully lay down, the thin covers often the pros- P. Gerba, fl ushing, seemed to be the culprit. offered in public stalls — germ transmis- a microbiologist pect of trans- mission via toilets, But Gerba does not rule out the possi- sion from skin contact is a relatively small at the University of because many COVID-19 bility that the novel coronavirus might be health risk compared with what happens Arizona. patients experience diarrhea or vomiting. spread by fl ushing. He said he once did an after you fl ush. That’s when bits of fecal “The risk is not zero, but how great A study of air samples in two hospitals experiment, never published, in which he matter swish around so violently that a risk it is, we don’t know,” Gerba, who in Wuhan, China, found that although placed six cages holding mice at differ- they can be propelled into the air, become has studied the intersection of toilets and aerosolized and then settle on the sur- coronavirus aerosols in isolation wards ent heights in a small bathroom and then infectious disease for 45 years, said of the and ventilated patient rooms was very low, fl ushed a mouse pneumonia known only roundings. potential for fl ushing to spread the coro- Experts call it the “toilet plume.” “it was higher in the toilet areas used by to transmit by inhalation. More than a navirus. “The big unknown is how much The potential for airborne transmission the patients.” quarter of the mice were infected, though virus is infectious in the toilet when you of infectious disease via sewage has been The Centers for Disease Control and none of those that had been placed at six fl ush it ... and how much virus does it take the subject of research for more than a Prevention says it remains “unclear feet above toilet level, he said. to cause an infection.” century, and the toilet plume’s role has whether the virus found in feces may be In the absence of clear evidence, Gerba been scrutinized since the 1950s. Scien- A study published in March in the jour- capable of causing COVID-19,” and “there said, his advice remains the same: “Flush tists who have seeded toilet bowls with nal Gastroenterology found signifi cant has not been any confi rmed report of the and run” when using a public toilet bacteria and viruses have found contami- amounts of the coronavirus in the stool of virus spreading from feces to a person.” without a lid. Wash hands well post-fl ush nation of seats, fl ush handles, bathroom patients and determined that viral RNA For now, the CDC characterizes the risk and use hand sanitizer after leaving the fl oors and nearby surfaces. This is one lasted in feces even after the virus cleared as low based on observations from previ- restroom. Choose well-ventilated bath- reason we are told to wash our hands after from the patients’ respiratory tracts. ous outbreaks of other coronaviruses, rooms if possible, and “don’t hang around visiting the john. Another study in the journal Lancet found such as severe acute respiratory syn- the restroom” in any case. Even though public bathrooms are the coronavirus in feces up to a month drome (SARS) and Middle East respira- But most important, Gerba said, is known to contribute to the spread of after the illness had passed. Scientists tory syndrome (MERS). closing the lid before fl ushing. He’s been viruses that transmit via ingestion, such around the world are now studying sew- Wang decided to use computer models doing it for decades, even at home. as the noroviruses that haunt cruise ships, age to track the spread of the virus. to simulate toilet plumes while isolating “I have my toothbrush too close to the their role in the transmission of respira- Researchers say the virus’ presence in at home, per Chinese government orders, toilet,” Gerba said. “I don’t want to brush tory viruses has not been established, said excrement and the gastrointestinal tract and thinking about how a fl uids research- my teeth with what’s in the toilet.” Saturday, July 4, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 15 ENTERTAINMENT Miranda, Kail on bringing The revolution comes again ‘Hamilton’ to the screen the Trump playbook.” Soon, the line “Immigrants, they BY JAKE COYLE But as a rhyming, hip-hop omnibus of national history get the job done” became a more pronounced rallying Associated Press and identity, slavery and immigration, its power has reso- cry. nated differently at different times. in-Manuel Miranda likes to picture the million- “I wrote it as kind of a throwaway line and in the Now, the “Rise up!” verses of “My Shot” will sound to Trump administration it gets this roar of approval,” says aire, Mr. Howell, from “Gilligan’s Island,” saying many like they’re channeling the protest spirit that has Miranda. “You almost feel the audience trying to say, the brag. You know the one. “Well, I saw it with swept across the country since the death of George Floyd. ‘This anti-immigrant sentiment embodied by the current the original cast.” “Hamilton” remains a story of revolution — a triumphant L administration is not who we in the audience are.’ Things On Friday, Miranda will steal that boast from anyone and tragic one told passionately by performers of color. hit differently than they did in the Obama administration. who ever saw “Hamilton” in its blistering fi rst year and Everyone who perishes in “Hamilton,” Miranda points a half on Broadway. A live capture taken from two of the out, dies from gun violence. And they’ll hit differently next year.” last performances with most of the original cast in June “Everything present at the founding is still present,” Kail can’t sit in the back of a theater to see how this 2016 will premiere on Disney Plus, opening a new chapter says Miranda. “When I am sitting still and listening right version of “Hamilton” plays. There were no test screen- in Miranda’s ever-evolving pop-culture phenomenon. In now, it’s to the young people who are leading these pro- ings except for one a few weeks ago for the cast, includ- just a weekend, over Independence Day, more people will tests who are saying: This is what we stand for and this ing original members Daveed Diggs, Leslie Odom Jr., see “Hamilton” than ever before. is what we won’t stand for. I’m struck by a section that Jonathan Groff and Renee Elise Goldsberry. But through Disney’s subscription streaming service, it will be out “There’s a part of me that just likes taking the brag was always treated as comic relief when the show fi rst there — somewhere, everywhere — to meet another mo- away from people,” says Miranda, speaking from his came out where there’s Samuel Seabury and he’s telling ment in American history. home in Manhattan’s Washington Heights. “I wanted the everyone to remain calm. And there’s Hamilton “Maybe it can be of use and of service in a way that was world to have that brag.” saying there’s nothing calm about what’s totally different than when we played our last perfor- “Hamilfi lm,” as it’s been nicknamed, will land in happening. ‘The revolution is coming,’ mance two months ago or opened four months ago,” homes just days after Broadway announced that its shut- Hamilton says.” says Kail. “Access was always the down will continue through at least the end of the year “Hamilton” has already been woven challenge for us. Access is due to the pandemic. Disney, which acquired the fi lm for into contemporary history. Miranda’s always the challenge $75 million, will sacrifi ce whatever the box-offi ce returns fi rst performance of a song from it for theater. Here was might have come for a major boost to its streaming ser- came at Barack Obama’s White House. a chance for us to vice and a rush of virtual togetherness. With the stage all Ever since, the history-making musical make the door to itself, “Hamilton” arrives as a godsend to theatergoers. has been indelibly linked to the Obama wider and lower “That was a big reason we pushed up the release,” says era. Michelle Obama called it “the best the barrier.” Miranda of the fi lm originally set to open in theaters in piece of art in any form that I have ever October 2021. “We need a reminder of how magical live seen in my life.” theater is.” But after the election of Donald Trump, “Hamilton” One of the fi rst things that hits you watching “Ham- “Hamilton” took on a more magnifi ed creator ilton” is the sensation of being in the midst of applause, aura of resistance. Just days after Lin-Manuel with a full house all around. Director Thomas Kail, who polls closed, Mike Pence, then the Miranda, left, also shepherded the stage show, dispersed nine cameras vice-president elect, attended and director and some 100 microphones around the Richard Rodgers a show. The cast, doubt- Thomas Kail. Theatre to document two performances: a Sunday mati- ing Trump and Pence’s INVISION/AP nee and a Tuesday night show. Tracking and close-up support for minorities, shots were done in between. read a letter from the For Kail, who spoke by Zoom alongside Miranda, it stage asking him means giving everyone the same seat — and a chance to to “uphold our dig even deeper into “Hamilton.” American values “There’s a level of inspection of the show that can be and to work on quite different than the endorphin rush of watching it behalf of all of knowing that might be your one chance,” says Kail. “In us.” some ways, this will allow it to settle because now it’s Trump’s yours.” angry response Since “Hamilton” was fi rst performed at the Public in a series of Theater in January 2015 and moved to Broadway that tweets, Miranda August, the words mostly haven’t changed (though two considers “a very expletives have been scrubbed to make the fi lm PG-13). early glimpse of ‘Hamilton’s’ leap from stage to Disney Plus shows how brilliant the show really is

BY PETER MARKS Rodgers; this is a movie in the pens.” Andy Blankenbuehler’s The Washington Post passionate thrall of the stage. choreography, an amalgam of The head of conductor-orches- military, martial arts, capoeira Let’s have another round trator Alex Lacamoire pops and break-dance gestures, aids tonight. And heck, why not out of the orchestra pit; Howell immeasurably in conveying the tomorrow night, too? Pour as Binkley’s lighting sprays beams fl uidity of the musical’s episodes. much “Hamilton” as your heart onto David Korins’ warehouse It culminates in a stunning stop- desires, now that Disney Plus set and the tasteful opulence of action staging of the Hamilton- is streaming a masterly fi lm of Paul Tazewell’s costumes. You Burr duel. the smash Broadway musical, can hear the reaction of the audi- The fi lm is at times deeply recorded on the stage of the ence, so that you’re spared the moving and, for a show that is Richard Rodgers Theatre, with hollow ring of performance into virtually all song and no dia- its peerless original cast. a theatrical void. You’re aware, logue, extraordinarily character- I’m not in the habit of hawking too, that actors are going all- rich. subscriptions to digital platforms. out, as on any given night at an “Hamilton” is a uniquely joy- But the movie version directed by ecstatic hit. You may even notice Thomas Kail is from an economic remarkable Renee Elise Golds- ful achievement. But escapism, DISNEY PLUS/AP as well as an aesthetic standpoint berry, the production’s Angelica it’s not. It’s a show that points well worth the outlay. One of the Daveed Diggs, center, portrays Thomas Jefferson in a filmed version Schuyler, wiping away tears at out, in this frightening time of few consistent knocks on Lin- of the original Broadway production of “Hamilton.” the tumultuous curtain call. pandemic and portentous mo- Manuel Miranda’s Tony- and The added advantage for a ment for democracy, how messy Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, something in the translation: that “Hamilton” experience, through viewer is a camera that can and fractious and chockablock an account of the rise and demise electric sense of human energy, close-ups and overhead shots stop and study Miranda’s face with volatile personalities is the of Alexander Hamilton in warm the ineffable appeal that actors and a camera moving through as Hamilton submits to the origin story of our shared Ameri- tones of rap, rock, jazz and tradi- make, as they reach out to you, ensemble numbers like a rush- anguished judgment of his can birthright. Even if you watch tional show tunes, has been outra- and seemingly only you, be- hour rider through a turnstile. betrayed wife, Eliza (Phillipa it with the shades pulled down geous ticket prices. The show seeching your eye and your ap- (Kail supplemented the live foot- Soo), or isolates the seductive and lights turned off, you won’t allows itself for $6.99 a month to proval. But Kail, who won a Tony age with onstage cameras when showmanship of Leslie Odom Jr. be able to shut history out. become, at last, a truly populist as Aaron Burr, romancing the for his direction of the Broadway there was no audience present.) “Hamilton” is rated PG-13 for language piece of entertainment. production, fi nds other means of The visual boundaries of the lens all through the sultry chords and some suggestive material. Filmed theater inevitably loses expressing the intensity of the fi lm are the dimensions of the of “The Room Where it Hap- Running time: 181 minutes. PAGE 16 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, July 4, 2020 AMERICAN ROUNDUP Police: Opossum shot because it was injured

MORGANTOWN — A WV West Virginia police officer will not be disciplined after a video emerged of him shooting a opossum on a residential street because the animal was injured, a spokesman said Thursday. A resident reported that the opossum had been hit by a car Wednesday evening and an of- ficer arrived to find it severely hurt, said Morgantown Police Department spokesman Andrew Stacy. A video of the incident posted on social media shows the officer using a long piece of wood to move the animal onto a grassy area be- fore shooting it from a distance with a handgun, which drew crit- icism from Twitter users. Stacy said the officer was putting the opossum out of its misery. “You see the video without any context behind it and say, ‘What is going on?’ but the reality is that he was trying to help the animal and not have it suffer anymore,” he said. Waves expose portion of lighthouse complex JULIO CORTEZ/AP CHARLOTTE — A NC portion of a 150- year-old brick fence that once Bird’s-eye view surrounded the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has been exposed by Cam Norman Sr., left, drives against his son, Cam Norman Jr., while playing basketball Wednesday at Padonia International Elementary ocean waves that carved a cliff School in Cockeysville, Md. into the sand, the National Park Service said. takeout restaurant while their tisements and discount coupons The once-elaborate fence was THE CENSUS mother was inside the business, to Massachusetts addresses and finished in 1871 when the light- highlighting the proximity of its house was a year old and it was authorities said. The minimum fine for violating South Dakota’s New Hampshire stores. left behind when the lighthouse The mother was picking up food new “move over” driving law — an increase from “Phantom Fireworks knows was moved inland in 1990 to pro- and had left the vehicle running $122.50. If a driver fails to move over on the road- its products are illegal in Massa- tect it from sea level rise, The as the children — a toddler and $270 way and causes a crash with an emergency ve- chusetts, yet we are hearing that Charlotte Observer reported infant — slept in the backseat. A hicle, the offense is now a Class 1 misdemeanor, residents are getting their adver- Wednesday. 25-year-old man then entered according to the Department of Public Safety. tisements in the mail,” Healey Park spokesman Michael Bar- the vehicle around 1:30 a.m. and said in a statement. ber said the fence foundation was drove away. The mother gave police a de- Complaints about illegal fire- buried at the time of the light- The information comes from the scription of the vehicle and it was Kayakers rescue 2 works being used in Massachu- house move, and part of it was re- Chesapeake Bay Program’s an- spotted minutes later by an offi- setts have soared during the moved to make room for a path to from crashed seaplane nual Blue Crab Advisory Report. cer. The man driving the car was coronavirus pandemic. relocate the lighthouse. It was released on Wednesday. soon captured following a brief Ohio-based Phantom Fire- SEATTLE — Two peo- The report said that crab num- struggle, police said. works has three stores in New Police investigating WA ple were rescued by bers declined from 594 million Hampshire, all close to the Mas- The two children apparently nearby kayakers in Lake Wash- last year to 405 million this year. sachusetts border. hate graffiti on dam slept through the whole incident ington after a seaplane crashed But the drop is in line with natu- Chief Executive Bruce Zoldan and were not injured. No one else Wednesday, authorities said. ral variation. told The Boston Globe the compa- WATERBURY — State was in the vehicle when the theft VT troopers are investi- The Seattle Fire Department The most important issue for ny would review Healey’s letter occurred, authorities said. responded to the crash about 200 regulators is the female crab and adjust its marketing strategy gating after graffiti from what The theft suspect’s name was is being described as a white su- feet from shore near Lakeside Av- population. It fell by 26% last if necessary. not released. premacist hate group was paint- enue South, KOMO-TV reported. year. But it remains above the 70 ed on a portion of the Waterbury All of the people inside the million minimum that scientists Volunteers to paint Teen charged for plane were safely rescued and dam, the Vermont State Police say is needed to maintain the mural of slain woman said. online school threat are being evaluated by emergen- population. cy crews. Police reported minor At the same time, the region’s Police say the graffiti, identi- ANNAPOLIS — A injuries. crab industry has been hit hard fied as coming from a known hate ROSWELL — The mural of a Black Alex Flaco was on his sailboat by the coronavirus, which closed MD group, was reported to police NM FBI says a teenager woman who was killed by police Wednesday after it was discov- who made online threats that led when he heard the plane crash. restaurants for several weeks. He was going to jump in and in Louisville, Ky., will be painted ered by a state worker. to the lockdown of Roswell High in a historically Black neighbor- The graffiti was applied quick- School is facing a federal charge. help but two kayakers came and Fireworks seller told pulled two people out of the plane, hood in Annapolis. ly with the help of a stencil. FBI officials said in a news The Capital Gazette reported he said. to stop ads in state There are no known witnesses release Wednesday that the 18- that artists and volunteers will or suspects. State police reported year-old has been charged with BOSTON — The Mas- paint a 7,000-square-foot mural the incident to the attorney gener- interstate communications con- Report: Crab population sachusetts attorney of Breonna Taylor on Saturday. al’s office under the Bias Incident MA taining a threat to injure the per- remains healthy in bay general is demanding that a fire- Taylor was shot and killed by Reporting System. State workers son of another. works retailer with stores in New police in her Louisville apart- painted over the graffiti. According to authorities, the NEWPORT NEWS — A Hampshire stop targeting its ment in March. She was sleep- teen went on the social media app VA new report says that advertising to residents of Mas- ing when officers executive a 2 children unharmed Snapchat on Nov. 12. He allegedly blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay sachusetts, where fireworks are no-knock warrant. Her death when man steals car posted a message with an image are not being overharvested. illegal. sparked protests and calls for the of a semi-automatic weapon and The Daily Press in Newport Attorney General Maura officers involved to be arrested PHILADELPHIA a threat specifically targeted at News reported Thursday that the Healey in a cease-and-desist let- and charged. PA — Two young children Roswell High School. bay’s blue crab population isn’t ter sent Wednesday to Phantom Muralist Jeff Huntington said were unharmed when the car The message led to the high depleted and that there’s no need Fireworks alleges the company the mural will be painted on a they were in was stolen early school being shut down. for any big changes in how many is violating state consumer pro- basketball court. Thursday from a Philadelphia The teen remains in custody. crabs watermen can catch. tection law by mailing adver- From wire reports Saturday, July 4, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES•PAGE 17 OPINION Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Face facts: Trump lost the mask wars Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations Joshua M. Lashbrook, Pacific Chief of Staff BY MOLLY ROBERTS the enduring willingness of his allies to The Washington Post land on the wrong side of those facts has allowed him to survive. Think of the in- EDITORIAL his is how you lose a culture war. famous quid pro quo transcript on which Terry Leonard, Editor President Donald Trump has the impeachment inquiry hinged: “Do us [email protected] waved the white flag by wearing a a favor, though.” The words are what the black mask to ward off the corona- Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor T words are, yet congressional Republicans virus — and it’s fitting that even in defeat, [email protected] were at the ready to twist their meaning he makes himself out to be a hero: “Looked into impossible shapes. Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content like the Lone Ranger,” he told Fox Busi- Experts didn’t all prescribe masks from [email protected] ness on Wednesday about his own experi- the start, but the evidence has become ence donning a face covering. ever clearer that they help slow the spread Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation The analogy suggests Trump needs a les- [email protected] of the virus. Which you would think, given son in mask-placement protocol. But still, how intuitive that seems, wouldn’t be all Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital the guy who instigated an incomprehen- that hard to sell: We shouldn’t have needed ROSS D. FRANKLIN/AP [email protected] sible cross-aisle clash over the utility of a scientists to tell us a barrier between dan- piece of cloth now says he’s “all for masks” Vice President Mike Pence wears a mask gerous droplets and the air everyone else is BUREAU STAFF indoors where distancing isn’t possible. So as he arrives in Phoenix to meet with breathing is better than no barrier at all. what gives? The right-wing retreat sug- Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to discuss the The jelling of expert opinion left Trump Europe/Mideast gests there’s only so much reality-warping surge in coronavirus cases Wednesday . with no choice but to manufacture facts Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief this administration can get away with. (one of his special talents). “Masks are a [email protected] The president’s concession to basic sci- double-edged sword,” he insisted, because +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 election rally in Tulsa, Okla., where a man ence came after a cascade of allies offered arrived clad in an adult diaper that read, “I “people touch them.” Even this, however, Pacific olive branches of their own, following COVID my ass to stop the spread!” proved too difficult to sustain. Because Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief weeks of scoffing at the need for CDC The combination of mask-loathing with while climate change may play out over [email protected] compliance: “Everyone should just wear conservative trope about liberal babyism the course of hundreds of years, the con- +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 a damn mask,” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is clarifying: This was supposed to be an sequences of masklessness are playing Washington cued in a chorus of semi-moderates. Oth- ideological split in the mode of so many out over the course of days: disease, death Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief ers soon followed. before it, yet the nifty trick of picking a and, for the purely politically minded, a [email protected] “We must have no stigma, none,” Senate rallying point for the country to polarize forestalled economic recovery that would (+1)(202)886-0033 Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., around hasn’t worked this time. These di- promise a catastrophic Nov. 3. Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News exhorted on the chamber’s floor earlier this vides depend on a measure of subjectivity, Trump wanted to make masks a symbol, [email protected] week, pushing his caucus to fall in line. and here’s what happens when the objec- a marker of political identity, much as the CIRCULATION “I went to my grocery store every week, tive truth is too obvious and too immediate Lone Ranger’s signature non-disguise tells guess what? They wore masks,” Sean Han- to ignore. everyone who he is and what he stands for. Mideast nity said on Fox News. “Nobody at my gro- Americans have been living in what look But symbols have to exist at a distance for Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager cery store, thank God, got coronavirus. I like different worlds for years now. Some- us to abstract them, as many do with the [email protected] think they work.” times, a difference in opinion really is statues or with the flag. They have to stay [email protected] And then there really were none — ex- untethered from actual everyday life. The DSN (314)583-9111 just a difference in opinion even when the cept the one who started it all. right answer seems abundantly obvious, decision of whether to wear a mask is as Europe Of course, the anti-mask army never and abundantly opposite, to the two sides: tethered as can be to how we live every one Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager really had an argument for its obstinance whether Confederate statues ought to come of these monotonous, epidemic-defined [email protected] except that the president said so — and the down, say, or whether Starbucks’ nonde- days. Masks are right here, right now, in [email protected] president said so, it seems, to try to down- front of our noses. Or not. +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 nominational holiday cups are an attack on play the epidemic out of existence, even Christianity. Sometimes, what’s marketed The president attempted, as he has so Pacific though he has ended up downplaying the as a difference in opinion really is a differ- many times before, to bend reality, but Mari Mori, [email protected] worst of it back into existence instead. ence in ability to accept the facts. Is human this time reality refused to yield. There is +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 The naked-cheeked were trying to proj- behavior causing the globe to warm? The a limit to what we will go to war for, even ect toughness, but the point of personal only right answer there is “yes.” when our tribe’s leader calls us to arms. CONTACT US protective equipment was never really per- Trump lies — a lot. So as many differ- This might even be a happy lesson if people had not had to die to teach it. Washington sonal protection so much as the protection ences of opinion as there are between his tel: (+1)202.886.0003 of other people. This contempt reached its supporters and his opposers, there are at Molly Roberts writes about technology and soci- 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 peak of embarrassing absurdity at the re- least as many differences of facts — and ety for The Washington Post’s Opinions section. Reader letters [email protected] Additional contacts Good-news job numbers are likely to get better stripes.com/contactus

OMBUDSMAN BY HENRY OLSEN in February, but the rate of change is dra- bars will surely keep employment in those The Washington Post matic and in the right direction. sectors below February levels for the fore- Ernie Gates We should also expect more good news seeable future. As long as facilities for mass hursday’s jobs report was another next month. Twenty states have announced gatherings and indoor recreation remain The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow jolt of good news for a nation sorely of news and information, reporting any attempts by the significant reopening moves since the mid- closed, employment in movies, sports, mu- military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s in need of one. There’s also reason dle of June when the employment survey seums and the like will remain depressed. independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns to believe next month’s report will was taken. This includes large states such We can’t get back to pre-pandemic employ- and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fair- T be nearly as good despite the recent rise in ness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman as New York, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, ment until we get back to pre-pandemic welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted coronavirus cases. Massachusetts and Virginia. These moves life, and that’s still a long way off. by email at [email protected], or by phone at Let’s recap the report’s highlights. The mean that more restaurant workers and It does, however, suggest that the unem- 202.886.0003. unemployment rate dropped from 13.3% other employees idled by shutdowns will be ployment rate is likely to drop below 10% by to 11.1% as the economy added 4.8 mil- eligible to return to work, and this should Labor Day unless states start to shut down lion jobs in June. The rate dropped even some of the recently reopened businesses. Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- more than outweigh the employment ef- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday though the labor force participation rate fect from pauses in reopening announced States reeling from the loss of revenue that through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and — the share of adults looking for a job in states such as Texas and California. comes from the economic morass will be Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals — rose by 0.7 points to 61.5%. That means loath to do that absent a significant rise in postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send Good news is also likely to come later in address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, enough jobs were added to draw more than the year as schools reopen. Nearly 850,000 COVID-19 deaths or significant shortages APO AP 96301-5002. a million people back into the labor force fewer people are currently employed by of hospital beds dedicated to treating the This newspaper is authorized by the Department of seriously ill. So far, that has not happened Defense for members of the military services overseas. at the same time as re-employing millions state and local government in education However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, of people. That’s stunning news that should than were employed a year ago, based on even in states that have experienced sig- and are not to be considered as the official views of, or not be played down. seasonally adjusted figures. As schools nificant increases in the number of cases. endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspaper, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official chan- The good news was also spread across and universities reopen for in-person in- Those statistics, not the rise in cases, are nels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote nearly all sectors of the economy. Con- struction, even at reduced levels, most of what people should be looking at to assess locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. struction and manufacturing employment these people will return to work. That will whether the economy will continue to re- The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense are nearly back to the pre-pandemic levels. be a significant boost to the August jobs open this summer. or Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. Retail trade employment jumped by nearly report, which will be released right before The U.S. economy is not yet healthy, but Products or services advertised shall be made available for 750,000 as stores started to reopen nation- Labor Day. it is no longer in critical condition. The jobs purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical wide. Employment in health care leaped This doesn’t mean that we will be back to report suggests that it will continue to gain handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor by nearly 400,000 as doctor and dentist full employment even if the positive trends strength if permitted. Federal and state of the purchaser, user or patron. offices came back. Even the hard-hit res- continue. Employment is still way down in policymakers should keep that in mind as © Stars and Stripes 2020 taurant industry sprung back to life, add- sectors associated with travel, such as air they navigate the difficult times ahead. ing nearly 1.5 million jobs. Employment transport, transit and accommodations. Henry Olsen is a Washington Post columnist and a stripes.com levels remain down from the record highs Capacity limitations on restaurants and senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. PAGE 18 • S TARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, July 4, 2020 Saturday, July 4, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES•PAGE 19 SCOREBOARD/GOLF/SPORTS BRIEFS

Sports Auto racing Big Machine Hand Sanitizer Redman in three-way tie on AFN 400 lineup Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race Sunday At Indianapolis Motor Speedway Go to the American Forces Indianapolis, Ind. BY LARRY LAGE internally.” Network website for the most Lap length: 2.5 miles Associated Press Stallings, who tied for sixth last (Car number in parentheses) up-to-date TV schedules. 1. (22) Joey Logano, Ford. week, birdied his last two holes 2. (1) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet. DETROIT — Doc Redman is myafn.net 3. (88) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet. and three of four. Players with 4. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet. playing his best golf, priming afternoon tee times didn’t fare as 5. (10) Aric Almirola, Ford. him to perhaps earn his first PGA 6. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota. well, but Kisner was an exception Deals 7. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota. Tour victory. with a bogey-free round. 8. (19) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota. 9. (2) Brad Keselowski, Ford. Redman shot a 7-under 65 on DeChambeau surged up the 10. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet. Thursday to share the first-round leaderboard with four birdies and Thursday’s transactions 11. (4) Kevin Harvick, Ford. BASEBALL 12. (12) Ryan Blane, Ford. lead with Scott Stallings and an eagle over an eight-hole stretch Major League Baseball 13. (8) Tyler Reddick, Chevrolet. Kevin Kisner in the Rocket Mort- 14. (6) Ryan Newman, Ford. on the back nine. He gave a stroke American League gage Classic. TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Claimed INF 15. (21) Matt DiBenedetto, Ford. /AP back, though, with a bogey at the Breyvic Valera off waivers from the San 16. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet. Bryson DeChambeau, the only CARLOS OSORIO Diego Padres. Placed RHP’s Elvis Luciano 17. (43) Bubba Wallace, Chevrolet. 18th after pushing an 8-foot putt and Hector Perez, 3B Brandon Drury and 18. (24) William Byron, Chevrolet. player with top-10 finishes in each Doc Redman shot a 7-under just to the right. CF Jonathon Davis on the 10-day IL retro- 19. (38) John H. Nemechek, Ford. of the last three tournaments, active to June 30. 20. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford. 65 on Thursday at the Rocket “That really got me a little agi- National League 21. (42) Matt Kenseth, Chevrolet. topped the group a stroke back. Mortgage Classic in Detroit. tated,” DeChambeau said. “It’s LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Signed RHP 22. (14) Clint Bowyer, Ford. A.J. Ramos to a minor league contract. 23. (20) Erik Jones, Toyota. The 22-year-old Redman closed He’s tied for the lead with Scott going to put a little fire in my PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Placed LHP 24. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet. with four straight birdies and Stallings and Kevin Kisner. belly.” Ranger Suarez, RHP’s Hector Neris and 25. (51) Joye Gase, Ford. Tommy Hunter and 3B Scott Kingery on 26. (15) Brennan Poole, Chevrolet. seven over the last eight holes at Peter Malnati, Emiliano Gril- the 10-day IL retroactive to June 30. 27. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford. the Detroit Golf Club. Last year, formance this season — after lo, Chase Seiffert, J.J. Spaun, PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Signed RHP 28. (78) Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet. Carmen Mlodzinski to a minor league 29. (13) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet. he went from being a Monday tying for 21st the RBC Heritage. Matt Wallace and Chris Stroud contract. Signed C Joe Jimenez to a mi- 30. (41) Cole Custer, Ford. qualifier to finishing second at “I’ve come off two good fin- matched DeChambeau at 66. nor league contract. 31. (32) Corey LaJoie, Ford. 32. (77) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet. the inaugural Rocket Mortgage ishes and a really good finish Rickie Fowler, who has missed SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Signed 33. (00) Quin Houff, Chevrolet. INF’s Casey Schmitt and Jimmy Glowen- 34. (27) JJ Yeley, Chevrolet. Classic. last year at this event, which has the cut in the two tournaments he ke and RHP Ryan Murphy to minor league 35. (95) Christopher Bell, Toyota. contracts. 36. (37) Ryan Preece, Chevrolet. At last week’s Travelers Cham- never really happened to me,” he has played since the restart, was FOOTBALL 37. (96) Daile Suarez, Toyota. pionship, Redman closed with a said. “So, I’ve never had this kind among the many players another National Football League 38. (66) Timmy Hill, Toyota. CLEVELAND BROWNS — Signed DT Jor- 39. (7) Josh Bilicki, Chevrolet. 63 to tie for 11th — his best per- of expectation externally or even shot back. dan Elliott. 40. (78) BJ McLeod, Chevrolet. SOCCER Major League Soccer ATLANTA UNITED — Signed F Tyler Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard Wolff. NASCAR Xfinity Series COLORADO RAPIDS — Agreed to ter- Race Saturday Briefl y minate the contract of F Sam Nicholson. At Indianapolis Motor Speedway FC CINCINNATI — Loaned F Rashawn Indianapolis Dally to the Las Vegas Lights FC for the Lap length: 2.5 miles 2020 USL Championshp season. (Car number in parentheses) U.S. SOCCER 1. (8) Jeb Burton, Chevrolet. U.S. SOCCER — Named Francis Faber- 2. (1) Michael Annett, Chevrolet. Texas A&M put on probation off as the new head coach of the U.S. 3. (19) Brandon Jones, Toyota. Men’s and Women’s Beach Soccer Na- 4. (39) Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet. tional teams. 5. (7) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet. COLLEGE 6. (20) Harrison Burton, Toyota. Associated Press LOUISIANA COLLEGE — Announced 7. (21) Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet. uncovered no signs or indication the addition of Ross Rix to the men’s 8. (9) Noah Gragson, Chevrolet. of racism.” basketball coaching staff. 9. (10) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet. COLLEGE STATION, Texas 10. (22) Austin Cindric, Ford. 11. (11) Justin Haley, Chevrolet. — Texas A&M’s football program 12. (98) Chase Brisco, Ford. was placed on probation and Redskins: ‘Thorough Golf 13. (4) Jesse Little, Chevrolet. 14. (0) Mike Wallace, Chevrolet. coach Jimbo Fisher given a six- review’ of team name 15. (6) BJ McLeod, Chevrolet. month show cause order by the Rocket Mortgage Classic 16. (02) Brett Moffitt, Chevrolet. 17. (07) Jade Buford, Chevrolet. NCAA on Thursday after the Ag- WASHINGTON — The Wash- PGA Tour 18. (15) Jeffrey Earnhardt, Chevrolet. ington Redskins are undergo- Thursday 19. (36) Preston Pardus, Chevrolet. gies were found to have violated At Detroit Golf Club 20. (92) Josh Williams, Chevrolet. recruiting and other rules begin- ing a “thorough review” of their Detroit, Mich. 21. (51) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet. nickname. Purse: $7,500,000 22. (90) Alex Labbe, Chevrolet. ning in January 2018. Yardage: 7,340; Par 72 23. (18) Riley Herbst, Toyota. Fisher, who had just been hired The team said Friday it has First Round 24. (68) Brandon Brown, Chevrolet. been talking to the NFL for weeks Doc Redman 35-30—65 -7 25. (44) Tommy Joe Martins, Chevrolet. by Texas A&M, and an assistant Scott Stallings 33-32—65 -7 26. (93) Myatt Snider, Chevrolet. coach had impermissible contact about the subject. In a statement, Kevin Kisner 31-34—65 -7 27. (47) Kyle Weatherman, Chevrolet. Peter Malnati 34-32—66 -6 28. (61) Stephen Leicht, Toyota. with a recruit, the NCAA said the team said recent events Emiliano Grillo 31-35—66 -6 29. (08) Joe Graff Jr., Chevrolet. around the U.S. and feedback Chase Seiffert 32-34—66 -6 30. (16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet. without identifying the coaches J.J. Spaun 31-35—66 -6 31. (52) Kody Vanderwal, Chevrolet. by name. The assistant, Jay Gra- from the community prompted Matt Wallace 32-34—66 -6 32. (74) Bayley Currey, Chevrolet. the formal review. Bryson DeChambeau 35-31—66 -6 33. (5) Matt Mills, Chevrolet. ham, is now a member of Jeremy Chris Stroud 31-35—66 -6 34. (13) Timmy Hill, Toyota. “This process allows the team Pruitt’s staff at Tennessee. /AP James Hahn 34-33—67 -5 35. (78) Vinnie Miller, Chevrolet. RON JENKINS to take into account not only the Chris Kirk 34-33—67 -5 36. (99) Stefan Parsons, Toyota. “While I am disappointed in Rickie Fowler 33-34—67 -5 37. (66) Chad Finchum, Toyota. the violations, including an un- Texas A&M head coach Jimbo proud tradition and history of Lucas Glover 34-33—67 -5 38. (26) Brandon Gdovic, Toyota. Richy Werenski 36-31—67 -5 intended one that resulted from Fisher was given a six-month the franchise but also input from Adam Hadwin 34-33—67 -5 a conversation with a high school show cause order by the NCAA our alumni, the organization, Henrik Norlander 32-35—67 -5 Seamus Power 32-35—67 -5 Pro soccer athlete, it is still my responsibility on Thursday after the Aggies sponsors, the National Football Hudson Swafford 34-33—67 -5 were found to have violated League and the local community Mark Hubbard 32-35—67 -5 to ensure we are adhering to each George McNeill 35-32—67 -5 NWSL Challenge Cup and every rule,” Fisher said in a recruiting rules beginning in it is proud to represent on and Johnson Wagner 33-34—67 -5 At Herriman Utah statement issued by the school. January 2018. off the field,” owner Dan Snyder Brandon Hagy 34-33—67 -5 Saturday, June 27 Rhein Gibson 33-34—67 -5 North Carolina Courage 2, Portland “I am pleased to have this matter said. Maverick McNealy 33-35—68 -4 Thorns 1 campus buildings currently NFL Commissioner Roger Bill Haas 33-35—68 -4 Washington Spirit 2, Chicago Red completely behind our program Adam Schenk 35-33—68 -4 Stars 1 and look forward to continuing named after former Texas offi- Goodell said, “In the last few Jamie Lovemark 35-33—68 -4 Tuesday, June 30 cials with ties to the Confederacy Sam Burns 33-35—68 -4 Houston Dash 3, Utah Royals 3 our efforts to make every aspect weeks, we have had ongoing Tyler Duncan 33-35—68 -4 OL Reign 0, Sky Blue 0 of our program one all Aggies can and segregation, and a call to discussions with Dan, and we Pat Perez 34-34—68 -4 Wednesday, July 1 Troy Merritt 34-34—68 -4 Portland Thorns 0, Chicago Red Stars 0 continue to be proud of.” drop the school song “The Eyes are supportive of this important Tyrrell Hatton 33-35—68 -4 North Carolina Courage 2, Washington of Texas.” step.” Webb Simpson 34-34—68 -4 Spirit 0 Fisher is 17-9 with two bowl Cameron Tringale 36-32—68 -4 Saturday, July 4 victories in his first two seasons  Oklahoma State’s athletic The recent national debate Brian Stuard 35-33—68 -4 Utah Royals vs. Sky Blue director said late Thursday an Scott Brown 34-34—68 -4 Houston Dash vs. OL Reign in College Station. Texas A&M over racism renewed calls for the Seung-Yul Noh 35-33—68 -4 Sunday, July 5 signed Fisher to a 10-year, $75 internal review had found “no franchise to change the name, Sam Ryder 36-32—68 -4 North Carolina Courage vs. Chicago Brendon Todd 35-33—68 -4 Red Stars million contract after he won a sign or indication of racism” in and sponsors this week started Ted Potter, Jr. 37-31—68 -4 Portland Thorns vs. Washington Spirit national title and three Atlantic the football program under coach mounting their own pressure. In- Sepp Straka 33-35—68 -4 Wednesday, July 8 Mark Anderson 35-33—68 -4 Utah Royals vs. OL Reign Coast Conference championships Mike Gundy after a number of vestors this week wrote to FedEx, Tom Lewis 32-36—68 -4 Sky Blue vs. Houston Dash players raised concerns. PepsiCo and other sponsors ask- Michael Gellerman 32-36—68 -4 Sunday, July 12 in eight seasons at Florida State. Washington Spirit vs. Houston Dash “We have spent the past couple ing them to request a change. Kyoung-Hoon Lee 35-34—69 -3 Chicago Red Stars vs. Utah Royals In other college football news: Keegan Bradley 33-36—69 -3 Monday, July 13  Texas junior linebacker De- of weeks reviewing our program FedEx, the title sponsor of the Ryan Armour 35-34—69 -3 OL Reign vs. Portland Thorns Austin Cook 34-35—69 -3 Sky Blue vs. North Carolina Courage Marvion Overshown said Thurs- and talking with current and for- Redskins’ stadium in Lando- Tony Finau 37-32—69 -3 Quarterfinals day he will sit out from all team mer players,” AD Mike Holder ver, Md., said Thursday, “We Lucas Bjerregaard 32-37—69 -3 Friday, July 17 Dominic Bozzelli 34-35—69 -3 Teams TBD activities until the school starts said in a statement posted on- have communicated to the team Kristoffer Ventura 34-35—69 -3 Saturday, July 18 Harry Higgs 33-36—69 -3 Teams TBD meeting demands for campus line. “Our internal review found in Washington our request that Viktor Hovland 36-33—69 -3 Semifinals changes sought by dozens of that Coach Gundy needs to invest they change the team name.” On Wesley Bryan 33-36—69 -3 Wednesday, July 22 J.T. Poston 34-35—69 -3 Quarterfinal winners Longhorns athletes. more time in building stronger Thursday night, Nike appeared to Matthew Wolff 34-35—69 -3 Championship The demands made in early relationships with his student- remove all Redskins gear from its Kevin Chappell 34-35—69 -3 Sunday, July 26 Luke Donald 35-34—69 -3 Semifinal winners June include renaming several athletes. However, our review has online store. PAGE 20 • S TARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, July 4, 2020 TRACK AND FIELD Difficult few making a mess out of tests Most athletes are true to word in confirming dates with drug testers

BY PAT GRAHAM abouts sanctions out of 175,000 AND EDDIE PELLS completed tests. That’s 0.00012%. Associated Press USADA said it finds athletes 88% of the time on the first try. t’s almost as easy as send- Global numbers tell the same ing a text. Open an app on story. In 2018, for instance, there the cell phone, type in a few were a total of 34 whereabouts vi- Iwords, click a box or two. olations among a worldwide pool To really make the system work, of between 20,000 and 30,000 though, athletes have to be where athletes (the number changes they say they’ll be at the time they from season to season), virtually say they’ll be there. all of whom are tested multiple Lately, some high-profile names times during a single year. in track and field have been mak- “Just respect the hour slot, be ing a mess of what’s supposed where you need to be,” British to be a simple process of letting race walker Tom Bosworth told drug testers know where they The Associated Press in an email, will be for one hour each day. referencing a time he interrupted World champions Christian his beach vacation to wait in a Coleman and Salwa Eid Naser hotel for testers. “If athletes are could miss the Olympics for missing more than three (tests), what are known in the antidop- then simply for respect and in- ing world as whereabouts failures tegrity of sport, they shouldn’t — the failure to be where they be anywhere near the top level of JEFF CHIU/AP said they’d be when testers came sport.” calling, unannounced, to collect a Coleman is face-to-face with United States sprinter Christian Coleman, the world champion in the 100 meters, could miss the Tokyo urine or blood sample. It’s part of that possibility. Games for what are known in the anti-doping world as whereabouts failures. a system of no-notice, out-of-com- The 100-meter world champion petition testing that is considered has been battling the whereabouts Hire someone to call you every- agencies that enforce them. the best deterrent to illicit drug system for more than a year now. day before your window. You’re On the one hand, the curious in- use in sports. His latest incident, made public welcome,” Goucher wrote. stance of Scottish hammer throw- Other recent cases — one in- this month, came Dec. 9, when he Many athletes meticulously er Mark Dry has drawn attention volving a British hammer throw- said he was out Christmas shop- plan their itinerary weeks in ad- because of the UK Anti-Doping er who said he was fishing when ping when testers arrived at his vance. Since her kids get up early, Agency’s dogged pursuit of a case he really went to see his mom, residence. It marked his third U.S. distance runner Stephanie that seemed an example of noth- another involving a Russian infraction in a 12-month period, Bruce makes sure she’s avail- ing more than a slight mistake. high jumper whose whereabouts which drew a provisional suspen- able at 6 a.m. If she has an early The UKAD sought a tamper- forms were forged by team of- sion that threatens his eligibility morning workout, she changes ing charge, which brought with ficials — have only heightened for next year’s rescheduled Tokyo the time. it a four-year doping ban. Most the feeling that a routine piece of Games. Athletes can also be tested out- whereabouts violations result in bookkeeping can be anything but side their primary window, which two-year bans or less. Coleman’s latest case brought a /AP that. They’ve also placed the taint flurry of Monday morning quar- is why they give detailed accounts MARK SCHIEFELBEIN On the other hand, the Rus- of doping on athletes who haven’t terbacking from the track world, for the day (5 a.m. to 11 p.m.). If, Hammer thrower Mark Dry of sian track federation, already tested positive, but are accused of much of it on social media. for example, Bruce goes on a long Scotland is serving a four-year suspended for a cheating scheme breaking the rules, nonetheless. American distance runner training run, she will record that doping suspension in a case that ensnared the country’s en- The cluster of recent cases runs Kara Goucher, long an outspoken so everyone knows she will be dif- that came out of a whereabouts tire Olympic program, acknowl- contrary to the reality that most advocate for clean sport, posted ficult to reach during that block. violation. edged this year that it had forged athletes have very little problem on Twitter her “ Top 3 tips on how Bruce said she was tested 10 whereabouts documents for top keeping their whereabouts infor- to not miss a doping test: “ times in 2019. is not required. And, Kemp says, high jumper Danil Lysenko. The mation current, then being where “1. YOU pick your guaranteed “And I haven’t won a medal. I the calls are not designed to give revelation led to the resignation they say they’ll be. Since early window. Pick an hour you KNOW haven’t made an Olympic team,” athletes a last chance. of the federation’s president and 2001, when the U.S. Anti-Doping you’ll be home. (Ex: 6AM). 2. Set she said. “It shows they’re doing “It’s more about validating that penalties for other leaders, along Agency’s whereabouts system a recurring daily alarm 15 min- their job.” they’re really not where they said with a $5 million fine. began, there have been 21 where- utes before your hour window. 3. The whereabouts system came they were going to be,” he said. In a different twist on the where- under a uniform global protocol Coleman isn’t the only ath- abouts issue in Russia, a WADA in 2009. Since then, it has become lete whose Olympic hopes are in report in 2016 said foreign testers, more streamlined with each pass- limbo. who ran the country’s anti-doping ing year. These days, virtually all Naser won the 400 meters at program while Russia’s agency athletes have access to an online world championships last year, was under suspension, were un- portal or an app on their cell running the fastest time since able to reach athletes training in phone that allows them to input 1985, but more recently was sus- “closed” cities where outsiders and update their whereabouts pended for a series of whereabouts aren’t allowed. It contributed to data. The phone apps allow ath- failures, three of which occurred 23 missed tests, 111 whereabouts letes to opt in for daily remind- before the championships. failures and 736 tests that were ers about the information they’ve It led some to wonder why, with declined or canceled. provided. three strikes already on her re- The latest headlines haven’t “The expectation is that if an cord, she was allowed to race at involved any allegations of state- athlete has a first strike, he or she worlds. The Athletics Integrity sponsored corruption. Still, with will be doing more than what’s Unit, which is prosecuting the the cases piling up, the obvious necessary to make sure they don’t case on behalf of World Athletics, question — one Coleman seems have a second one,” said Stuart has offered little insight, other to be asking as his Olympic hopes Kemp, the World Anti-Doping than to say the investigation was have become imperiled — is Agency’s expert on whereabouts. ongoing when worlds began and whether there could be a better “And if they get a second one, that that after a fourth whereabouts way. should be a real wake-up call.” failure in January, she was provi- Answer: At this point, no. After his latest missed test, Cole- sionally suspended. “It’s a necessary part of ensur- DAVID J. PHILLIP/AP man lashed out on social media, In many respects, whereabouts ing a level playing field,” USADA Salwa Eid Naser, of Bahrain, celebrates after winning gold in the arguing the situation could have issues aren’t unlike other aspects CEO Travis Tygart said. “If there women’s 400-meter final at the World Athletics Championships in been avoided had testers simply of the anti-doping world: The ap- were any other way, we certain- Doha, Qatar, in 2019. She had three whereabouts failures prior to called him, as they had done in plication of the rules are often ly would be pushing for it. But the event, but was not suspended until recently. the past. But calling an athlete only as good as the anti-doping there’s not.” Saturday, July 4, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES•PAGE 21 MLB/NFL Zooming in to summer camp Players start workouts as baseball begins unprecedented season

BY STEPHEN HAWKINS Associated Press Texas Rangers manager Chris Wood- ward was going to address his entire team before the start of MLB’s unprecedented summer training camp, just like he did when spring training opened about 4 ½ months ago. It was on a Zoom call instead of in person this time. DARREN CALABRESE, THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP When the New York Mets resume prac- tice, 60-year-old hitting coach Chili Davis The Toronto Blue Jays will be able to work out at their home stadium after will be working with hitters remotely and receiving a Canadian federal government not initially at Citi Field with players and exemption on Thursday. other staff members. The Seattle Mariners have three assistant coaches who fall into the high-risk category for the coronavirus and will work remotely all season. At Fenway Park, weights and other ex- Jays given ercise equipment were set up Thursday in the concourse under the seats that Red Sox fans won’t be allowed to occupy when the season finally starts. exemption Things certainly are different for base- ball’s resumption amid the pandemic, BY ROB GILLIES three weeks before the start of a 60-game regular season. The Rangers, Mets, Mari- Associated Press JEFF ROBERSON/AP ners and Red Sox were among the teams TORONTO — All 30 Major League set for their first official summer workouts Chili Davis, the Mets’ 60-year-old hitting coach, will work with hitters remotely. Baseball teams will train at their regular- Friday, along with the defending World season ballparks for the pandemic-short- Series champion Washington Nationals sprint of a season that will be 102 games ent ideas, and we’re going to stagger the ened season after the Toronto Blue Jays minus first baseman Ryan Zimmerman shorter than usual. guys. I mean, we’re going to come in in received a Canadian federal government and pitcher Joe Ross after they opted out “This is a little different. Following pro- groups.” exemption on Thursday to work out at Rog- of the season. tocols, being safe, making sure we’re on Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker ers Centre. After the Toronto Blue Jays received a time, sticking to schedules, those are things signed an order Thursday allowing the Red Toronto will move camp from its spring Canadian government exemption Thurs- that are critical for our success this year,” Sox to open Fenway Park without fans. The training complex in Dunedin, Fla., where day to work out at Rogers Centre, every he said. “If we can limit the amount of ex- weights and exercise equipment in the con- players reported for intake testing. The team will be at its home ballpark to restart posure we have, or the risk factor in getting course will allow players to work out with Blue Jays will create a quarantine environ- preseason workouts that abruptly came to this virus, the team that keeps their people more social distancing than would be pos- ment at Rogers Centre and the adjoining a halt March 12 in Arizona and Florida. on the field, their players on the field, is sible in the usual cramped facilities. Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel, which The Rangers will hold the first official probably going to have an advantage.” Mariners bullpen coach Brian De Lunas overlooks the field. team activity in their new retractable-roof While the home ballparks are bigger won’t be on the field in Seattle because of This exemption does not cover the regu- stadium, even though some players have than those at spring training, teams have long-term kidney issues. The team said hit- lar season and player travel between the been working out there for several weeks. to adjust to making a camp environment ting coach Tim Laker (colitis) and 68-year- U.S. and Canada. Blue Jays President Players will be in different groups and without having several extra fields next to old first base coach Perry Hill, who is also Mark Shapiro said the team hopes to know times for workouts after Woodward’s re- each other, and the absence of some addi- the infield coach, will also work remotely within 10 days where it will play regular- marks by video conference. tional workout-specific spaces. all season. season games. Along with some similarity to what he “It’s a great challenge. I mean, last week The Mets will be at Citi Field without MLB required an exemption to a re- said in February when the team initially I think I grew a few more grey hairs just Davis, and Rojas said the timeline for quirement that anyone entering Canada gathered at its spring training complex brainstorming through this,” first-year the hitting coach to join the team there is for nonessential reasons must self-isolate in Surprise, Arizona, Woodward is focus- Mets manager Luis Rojas said. “But we’ve uncertain. for 14 days. The U.S.-Canada border re- ing on the protocols and safeguards put had fun definitely with the excitement of AP baseball writers Ronald Blum and Mike mains closed to nonessential travel until at in place by MLB in response to COVID- getting baseball back and going through Fitzpatrick, and AP sports writer Jimmy Golen least July 21 . 19, and the urgency of being ready for the this path. But we did come up with differ- contributed to this report. Source: NFL to play Black anthem before national anthem in Week 1 BY ROB MAADDI mercial on Corey Jones featuring his cousin, former Associated Press NFL star Anquan Boldin. “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” is traditionally known “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” will be performed live as the Black anthem. It’ll be played first when the or played before “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs host the to each NFL game during Week 1 and the league is Houston Texans to kick off the NFL regular season considering putting names of victims of police bru- on Sept. 10. tality on helmet decals or jersey patches, a person It’s uncertain whether fans will be in attendance familiar with the discussions told The Associated Week 1 or at all this season because of the corona- Press. virus pandemic. The league is considering asking The person said the league is working collabora- fans to sign a waiver and wear masks, according to a tively with players to recognize victims of systemic person familiar with those conversations. racism throughout the season in a variety of ways. The NFL announced last month it is committing The person spoke to the AP on Thursday on con- $250 million over 10 years to social justice initia- JOSH REYNOLDS/AP dition of anonymity because discussions between tives, targeting what it calls “systemic racism” and the league and the NFL Players Association are supporting “the battle against the ongoing and his- Former NFL player Anquan Boldin, right, speaks about the death of ongoing. toric injustices faced by African Americans.” his cousin as the New Orleans Saints’ Malcolm Jenkins listens during Additional plans include the use of educational Following the nationwide protests sparked by the a session to discuss criminal justice issues with other current and programs and storytelling about the victims and death of George Floyd, NFL Commissioner Roger former NFL football players at Harvard Law School on March 23 in their families similar to the league’s PSA on Botham Goodell denounced racism in a video prompted Cambridge, Mass. Boldin’s cousin, Corey Jones, died after being Jean released in January and the Super Bowl com- greatly by a players’ video seeking NFL action. shot by police in 2015 while sitting in a disabled car. PAGE 22 • S TARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, July 4, 2020 MLB Short season, no minors may hurt prospects

Rebuilding teams have complicated choices

BY TIM BOOTH Associated Press TOP MLB PROSPECTS SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners Rank/Player Pos. Team general manager Jerry Dipoto 1. Wander Franco SS Rays had at one point expected former 2. Gavin Lux SS/2B Dodgers first-round pick Logan Gilbert to 3. Luis Robert OF ChiSox be pitching at T-Mobile Park by 4. Adley Rutschman C Orioles DAVID SANTIAGO, MIAMI HERALD/AP the time June rolled around. 5. MacKenzie Gore LHP Padres He also believed Jarred Kele- 6. Jo Adell OF Angels Miami Marlins pitcher Sixto Sanchez run drills during spring training in Jupiter, Fla. For a number of nic, one of the top prospects in all 7. Casey Mize RHP Tigers rebuilding teams, the 2020 baseball season was supposed to be another step in the progression of of baseball, would likely soon fol- 8. Nate Pearson RHP Jays their top prospects eventually reaching the big leagues. With a truncated 60-game season in the majors low him to the big leagues, set to 9. Royce Lewis SS Twins and no minor league season, some clubs are concerned the development of prospects may be stunted. join a group of prospects expected 10 Bobby Witt Jr. SS Royals to be at the core of the Mariners’ 11. Jarred Kelenic OF Mariners “We obviously have a young rebuilding project. 12. Jesus Lazardo LHP Athletics club, a team that’s only going to “Eventually, our players are 13. Cristian Pache OF Braves grow and benefit from playing still going to hit the ground run- 14. Joey Bart C Giants experience during the regular ning and achieve whatever ceil- 15. Brendan McCay LHP/DH Rays season and hopefully the postsea- ing they were able to achieve,” SOURCE: MLB.com son, so getting a taste of that this Dipoto said. “It may just take a season was of the utmost impor- little bit longer.” health and safety concerns allow tance,” he said. From Seattle to Kansas City, For the White Sox and others on Baltimore to Miami, rebuilding for that? the fringe of contention, it could teams that were hoping to see All key questions. None with mean taking a different approach their young prospects play in the straightforward answers. to a 60-man group that includes majors this season are reevaluat- “It is affecting all 30 clubs,” ing their plans. White Sox GM Rick Hahn said. the taxi squad. As in, would it be The challenge: figure out how “And it is something that as we better to have players with big to get a substantive season in head into the fall, winter, the 2021 league experience available im- for some of the top talent in the season we’re going to have to ad- mediately if need be, or prepare minor leagues that these clubs are just our expectations in terms of prospects for the future? banking on to eventually become guys’ pacing, in terms of guys’ In Seattle’s case, Dipoto said contributors if they ever want to likelihood and timing at making he’s now viewing the develop- climb out of division basements. an impact at the next level.” ment of their prospects in a 17- And do it amid the coronavirus The list of teams facing a sig- month window. Whether it’s on pandemic, which is knocking out nificant rebuild is short. Seattle is the taxi squad or in some sort of all minor league play this year. there. So, too, are the Royals, Ori- fall league, what can they get ac- Is it worth starting the clock oles and Tigers in the American complished this year? And how on the career of a top prospect League. In the National League, does that alter the time frame for for a truncated 60-game season? it’s more muddled outside of the where they should be in their de- What about the taxi squad each Marlins, with a mix of teams good velopment come 2021? team will keep? Is there enough enough to stay in the race for 60 For a club that expected to start of an opportunity for meaningful games but also looking ahead to turning the corner next year, the at-bats or innings to pitch? Could the future. developmental loss this season there be an expanded fall league The Marlins thought top pros- DARRON CUMMINGS/AP could be significant. option in Arizona, presuming pect Sixto Sanchez might pitch Outfielder Jarred Kelenic hits during the MLB All-Star Futures game “We are viewing this as almost in Cleveland. He’s considered one of the prime prospects in the the beginning of an onboarding Seattle Mariners’ rebuilding efforts. for the next 17 months and mes- saging it to the players like that,” in the majors this year. Now, is are those who expected 2020 to Dipoto said. “We have your best it worth it? Same for their top be a springboard. They may have interests in mind. We are going draft pick, Max Meyer out of had key players who had a taste of to preserve your health and well- Minnesota. the big leagues in 2019 and were being above all other things, and Will the Royals bring up hoping this season would be the along the way we’re going to com- Bobby Witt Jr.? What about Adley transition into becoming contend- pete our butts off and try to win Rutschman in Baltimore or Kele- ers in 2021. as many of these 60 games as we nic in Seattle? A prime example is Hahn and can win. “You want to be 100% sure a the White Sox. “And who knows what can hap- player is ready to help you at the “I’m of the mindset, and have pen in a season like that, when it’s major league level before you been of the mindset, is what we’re 60 games? Anybody can get hot add them. ... There’s no minor building here is a multiyear proj- and make a run. And I guess to leagues to send them down to if ect. It’s a multiyear endeavor,” that extent we have as good a shot they struggle at the major league Hahn said. “This was going to as anybody, but we’re also highly level,” Royals GM Dayton Moore be sort of that first year of tran- focused on the big picture and it said. “So it’s a unique situation, a sitioning from the rebuild into will stay that way.” MATT YORK/AP unique challenge that we’re look- that competitive stage, so it’s AP sports writers Steven Wine in Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn, center, is charged ing forward to, but we also have to extremely important from our Miami, Dave Skretta in Kansas City, Missouri, Andrew Seligman in Chicago with the team’s rebuilding efforts. He said teams will have to adjust think big picture as well.” perspective to get these guys out and Pat Graham in Denver contributed expectations of when their prospects will be ready for the majors. The teams caught in the middle there and competing.” to this report. Saturday, July 4, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES•PAGE 23 AUTO RACING NASCAR meets with minister pushing for racial equality

BY DAN GELSTON photo opportunities to show that Associated Press there were African-Americans in the stands that are willing to sup- As the Rev. Greg Drumwright port Bubba and we want to know watched members of his ministry that NASCAR is going to support crowd the fence at Talladega Su- us.” perspeedway to cheer for Black The group found that some fans driver Bubba Wallace, he real- at Talladgea were happy to see ized his first NASCAR race was Black fans at the track. the start of his immersion into “We had a hard time getting stock car racing. back to our cars that day because Less than three weeks later, there were some very good white Drumwright has a seat at NAS- folks who stopped us and just CAR’s leadership table and he wanted to say thank you for being said he is ready to disrupt the in- here,” Drumwright said. “There dustry’s social hierarchy and get were about two dozen white fami- more Blacks involved, from the lies who felt like our presence sent board room to the grandstands to a message that change is going to the track. come.” “We want to see that the call for He added: “But let me be diversification and true equity in clear about the other side of that. the sport extends beyond the ban- There was more than a thousand ning of the Confederate flag,” folks who ignored us, looked at Drumwright said. “It extends us, stared us down, avoided us, into partnering with the minor- wouldn’t speak to us, refused to ity community, specifically the engage us.” millennial minority community. Drumwright is just getting These are the organizers, these started; he even showed up to talk are the demonstrators, these are to the owner of a North Carolina the collegiates that could be ma- dirt track that advertised “Bubba joring and accepting internships. Ropes” for sale. The track owner

We know that those opportuni- JULIO CORTEZ/AP teared up and shook hands with ties exist. But they don’t exist in Drumwright and other coalition large numbers. We want to see The Reverend Greg Drumwright, right, greets people at the memorial site for Greg Floyd in Minneapolis members. that NASCAR is true to the mes- last month. Drumwright, a minister at the Citadel Church & Campus Ministries, helped organize a group NASCAR has been down this sage that they’re saying, that this of Black fans to attend the NASCAR race at Talladega and support driver Bubba Wallace. Drumwright road before of rallying behind is a new day in NASCAR and they now hopes he can become an advocate of change for NASCAR. Black advocacy groups, notably understand what it means to the making contributions to Jesse African-American community.” is advancing diversity in our sport Drive for Diversity pit crew de- the flag and the words “Defund Jackson’s Rainbow/PUSH Coali- NASCAR seems willing to in an impactful way.” velopment program. NASCAR.” tion in the early 2000s. NASCAR listen. NASCAR has been swept up in “I said, ‘Son, should we come, “This not something that’s has continued to engage with Drumwright, a senior min- the reckoning over the nation’s or should we stay home?’ He said, going to be easily dismantled, other diversity groups and heard ister at the Citadel of Praise racist past. Wallace — the lone ‘We need you,’ ” Drumwright told the stigma that’s attached to the a speech this week from Diahann Church and Campus Ministries Black driver in the Cup Series — The Associated Press. “The only sport,” Drumwright said. Billings-Burford, the CEO of Ross in Greensboro, N.C., met with two helped prod NASCAR to ban the concern was, will we be safe? They got to their seats late and Initiative in Sports for Equality. NASCAR officials for what he Confederate flag just a few weeks We all came to a unanimous de- missed one of the most poignant “There’s a willingness to listen hoped was a serious discussion ago. The 26-year-old Wallace cision that we needed to be in and important moments in mem- and engage that NASCAR has that about the industry’s push for ra- emerged as social activist but two Talladega.” ory when NASCAR stood and I don’t believe they were sincere cial diversity. weeks later a member of his race The group checked out of their marched together in solidarity about earlier,” said Bill Lester, He said he was denied a chance team found a garage door pull- hotels and made the drive to Ala- with Wallace. one of at least seven other Black to talk with NASCAR President down rope fashioned as a noose bama. The group was about two When the race ended, the fans NASCAR drivers before Wallace. Steve Phelps about the issues that in their garage at Talladega. dozen strong but only one had — several in “Black Lives Matter” NASCAR finally seems poised mattered most to his group. The 40-year-old Drumwright been to a NASCAR race before. T-shirts — rushed the fence and to make the Confederate flag “We are concerned about the had finished protesting in Atlanta The Confederate flag was still shouted for Wallace, who walked ban the anchor of a series of tan- commitment that’s been stated to with members of his Greensboro- easy to see around the track, over and slapped their hands and gible changes. Drumwright said furthering this dialogue and this based coalition, “Justice for the though not inside and attendance thanked them on national televi- he was ready to help hold NAS- call from the social justice com- Next Generation,” when he got was capped at 5,000 because of sion for coming. CAR accountable and that likely munity for change,” Drumwright word of the noose. He organized the pandemic. There were infor- “We were there to stand with includes a July 15 trip to Bristol said after the meeting. a call with members of his coali- mal protests, with cars and pickup Bubba but what we learned Motor Speedway in Tennessee for In a statement, NASCAR said tion that included a Black pit crew trucks driving along nearby roads through the media coverage is the All-Star race. “we had a good conversation with member at the track, Keiston flying the flag and parading past that it seems as if we’re stand- “I’d like to see what possibilities Rev. Drumwright this afternoon. France, a collegiate tennis player the entrance. A small plane flew ing with NASCAR,” Drumwright exist of us working hand-in-hand We share the same goal, and that who joined NASCAR as part of its overhead pulling a banner with said. “NASCAR got the video and at Bristol,” Drumwright said. Track: IndyCar, NASCAR will race at same venue on same weekend for first time

FROM BACK PAGE work from different garages. move away from head-to-head scheduling five-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon’s IndyCar. Steve Phelps, just the fifth presi- The inability to open the gates to spec- that forced viewers to choose which race car in a test on the road course next week. dent in NASCAR history, has never held a tators is the one downside to what is an to watch. Both IndyCar and the Cup Series will longstanding vendetta against the series. otherwise monumental moment for both “We think it’s a really important cross- work from the garages once used by For- Most important, though, is that mo- series. over to have people watch racing ... to get mula One, and the NASCAR group can’t torsports titan Roger Penske now owns “To me, that’s the unfortunate part, we people to sample different series, and even enter the facility until IndyCar has IndyCar and the speedway and has the don’t get to have fans in here,” Penske you shouldn’t just be a NASCAR fan, you cleared out. It means drivers can’t social- juice to broker such a weekend. When the said. “But I went to Jim France and Steve should be a racing fan,” Flood said. “I ize the way initially imagined on a week- coronavirus pandemic blew holes in both Phelps and said, ‘Look, the Brickyard has think this is a great celebration of motors- end such as this, and they’ll have to watch series’ schedules, Penske plopped the In- not been able to be what you have hoped, ports. The interest in motorsports is high. the other series on television. dyCar road course race originally sched- and now that we run the series and the We just need people to watch each other’s “I don’t think I’ll be able to watch the uled for May on the shared weekend with speedway, we can make the decisions and forms of racing and grow the overall pool race. I wish I could have. It’s the situation NASCAR. we can get this done and it will be good for of racing fans. we’re in,” said Simon Pagenaud, winner of IndyCar will open the spectacle on Sat- everyone.’” “And that’s why this is so valuable, and both the road course race and the India- urday with its second event of the season, This new pairing could ultimately that’s why we’re so lucky Roger stepped in napolis 500 last year. He indicated Indy- then NASCAR’s second-tier Xfinity Series smooth the road ahead for an entire in- here.” Car will be exiting the speedway grounds will make its debut later that day on the dustry battling for attendance, television There are no drivers scheduled to com- before the Xfinity Series goes green. same road course. The Cup Series races ratings and sponsorship. NBC Sports is pete in both series, but NBC Sports analyst “At the end of the day, it’s a historical mo- Sunday on the 2.5-mile oval. COVID-19 IndyCar’s broadcast partner and begins Townsend Bell will call the IndyCar race ment, I think not just for American racing restrictions mean IndyCar and NASCAR its portion of the NASCAR season this and then fly to Daytona to race in the IMSA but for worldwide racing. I look forward teams and drivers will not mingle, use dif- weekend. Sam Flood, executive producer sports car event. Seven-time NASCAR to the weekend and seeing the reaction ferent entry points at the speedway and and president of production, has tried to champion Jimmie Johnson plans to drive afterward.” S TARS AND STRIPES Saturday, July 4, 2020 Symbolic action Source: ‘Black anthem’ may be SPORTS played prior to games » NFL, Page 21

AUTO RACING

On the same track NASCAR, IndyCar put aside differences for unprecedented weekend in Indianapolis

BY JENNA FRYER ‘ Associated Press We’re all racers. We want racing to be successful. ’ INDIANAPOLIS Kevin Harvick he once-frosty schism between the NASCAR points leader two biggest racing series in the United States has finally thawed and the result is a blockbuster event at Indianapolis a number of years there’s the IndyCar guys and called CART in its heyday, dwarfed the Southern- Motor Speedway — even without fans. there’s the NASCAR guys ... racers are racers. based stock car series. But the open-wheel racing T Everybody wants to see a good race and be part split in the mid 1990s in which Tony George cre- NASCAR’s elite Cup Series will share a venue with IndyCar on the same weekend for the first of a cool event.” ated his own series gave NASCAR an opening to time, a doubleheader conveniently forced by the The fracture between the two leagues dates to capitalize, as CART and the Indy Racing League frantic rescheduling required by by the corona- at least 1954 when NASCAR founder Bill France fractured their base. NASCAR exploded in popu- virus pandemic. Even so, it is an important step Sr. was allegedly told by IMS security he’d been larity and blew past its bitter rival as the place to in putting forth a united front for the sake of ordered to leave the speedway. France was al- race. As years passed and NASCAR became an annu- motorsports. ready working on his own big race track, Daytona al staple at Indianapolis, the relationship between “We’re all racers. We want racing to be suc- International Speedway, and he vowed it would the two series has improved. Jay Frye, who spent cessful,” said Kevin Harvick, the current NAS- give Indianapolis a run for its money. decades working in NASCAR, is now president of CAR points leader and a winner at the Brickyard The battle was on and neither side had any last year. “I know it’s kind of had that stigma for desire to build a working relationship. IndyCar, SEE TRACK ON PAGE 23

Above: IndyCar and NASCAR cars are seen together racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a composite image. The once frosty schism between the two biggest racing series in the United States has thawed and NASCAR’s elite Cup Series will share a venue with IndyCar on the same weekend for the first time in history. AP/Stars and Stripes illustration

Rebuilding teams face challenges scouting prospects » MLB, Page 22