STURGIS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota authorities have released the names of three men who died in a crash near Sturgis earlier this week. 

The three men died when the Maserati Ghibli they were in rear-ended a semi-truck on Interstate 90. 

The South Dakota Department of Public Safety identified the men as 21-year-old Jaden Olson of Rapid City, who was driving, 55-year-old Titus Ironshield of Rapid City and 22-year-old Thomas Jackson of Spearfish. 

The driver and passenger of the semi were not injured. 

The Highway Patrol is still investigating.

STURGIS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota authorities have released the names of three men who died in a crash near Sturgis earlier this week. The three men died when the Maserati Ghibli they were in rear-ended a semi-truck on Interstate 90. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety identified the men as 21-year-old Jaden Olson of Rapid City, who was driving, 55-year-old Titus Ironshield of Rapid City and 22-year-old Thomas Jackson of Spearfish. All three were wearing seat belts. The driver and passenger of the semi were not injured. The Highway Patrol is still investigating.

Authorities release names of 3 killed in crash near Sturgis

WASHINGTON (AP) — Confirmation hearings for&nbsp;Supreme Court&nbsp;nominee Amy Coney Barrett are set to begin as a divided Senate charges ahead on President Donald Trump’s pick to replace the late&nbsp;Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg&nbsp;and cement a conservative court majority before&nbsp;Election Day.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?476315-1/supreme-court-nominee-amy-coney-barrett-confirmation-hearing-day-1">Click here</a>&nbsp;to watch day one of the confirmation hearing 8a.m.CDT

Barrett, a federal appeals court judge, will tell the Senate Judiciary Committee that she is “forever grateful” for Ginsburg’s trailblazing path as a woman. But she is resolved to maintain the perspective of her own mentor, the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia and “apply the law as written,” according to her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7224757-Barrett-Opening-Statement.html" target="_blank">prepared opening remarks</a>&nbsp;for the hearings, which start Monday as the country is in the grips of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/virus-outbreak">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>pandemic.

“Courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life,” Barrett says in the remarks, which The Associated Press obtained.

Republicans, who control the Senate, are moving at a breakneck pace to seat Barrett before the Nov. 3 election to secure Trump’s pick and hear a high-profile challenge to the Affordable Care Act and any election-related challenges.

Democrats are trying in vain to delay the fast-track confirmation by raising fresh concerns about the safety of meeting during the pandemic after two GOP senators on the panel tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., have not said if they will attend in person. Lee’s spokesman said the senator is symptom-free but would be making a decision on whether to attend Monday morning, per his doctor’s orders. A spokesman for Tillis did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Both tested positive 10 days ago.

Key Democrats are staying away. California Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential nominee and a committee member, plans to participate remotely from her Senate office due to coronavirus concerns, her spokesman said Sunday.

The committee released a letter from the Architect of the Capitol on Sunday that says the hearing room has been set up in consultation with the Office of Attending Physician with appropriate distance between seats and air ventilation systems that meet or exceed industry standards.

“We’re going to work safely,” said the committee’s chairman,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-donald-trump-confirmation-hearings-jaime-harrison-44d1f3004a4e98a12bb7b94ed3ecae66">Sen. Lindsey Graham</a>, R-S.C., on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures.” He said he took a coronavirus test last week and is “negative.”

Trump chose the 48-year-old judge after the death last month of Ginsburg, a liberal icon. It’s the opportunity to entrench a conservative majority on the court for years to come with his third justice.

Outside groups are pushing Democrats to make a strong case against what they call an illegitimate confirmation, when people are already voting in some states, saying the winner of the presidency should make the pick. No Supreme Court justice has ever been confirmed so close to a presidential contest.

“The public is with them that this shouldn’t happen before the election,” said Brian Fallon, executive director of Demand Justice, which advocates against right-leaning nominees.

The country will get an extended look at Barrett over the next three days in hearings like none other during the heated election environment and the pandemic limiting public access.

Faith and family punctuate her testimony, and she said would bring “a few new perspectives” as the first mother of school-age children on the nine-member court.

Barrett says she uses her children as a test when deciding cases, asking herself how she would view the decision if one of her children were the party she was ruling against.

“Even though I would not like the result, would I understand that the decision was fairly reasoned and grounded in the law?” she says in the prepared remarks.

A Catholic, she says she believes in the “power of prayer.” Barrett’s religious views and past leadership role in a Catholic faith community pose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ruth-bader-ginsburg-amy-coney-barrett-dianne-feinstein-judiciary-2aaf6821079ac0c5c6fe50699ad745ba">a challenge&nbsp;</a>for Democrats as they try to probe her judicial approach to abortion, gay marriage and other social issues without veering into inappropriate questions of her faith.

Ordinarily, Barrett would get to show off her family and seven children. But the White House event announcing her nomination, in which most of the audience did not wear masks, has been labeled a “superspreader” for the coronavirus.

More than two dozen people linked to the Sept. 26 Rose Garden event, including the two GOP senators, have contracted COVID-19 since then. Barrett and her family went maskless at the event. She and her husband, Jesse, tested positive for the virus earlier this year and recovered, two administration officials have said.

Democrats already were enraged that Republicans are moving so quickly having refused to consider President Barack Obama nominee in February 2016, well before that year’s election.

Barrett is the most openly anti-abortion Supreme Court nominee in decades and her vote could provide a majority to restrict if not overturn abortion rights. Democrats have made clear that they will press Barrett on health care, abortion and other issues where her vote could push the court further to the right.

Republicans will highlight Barrett’s belief in sticking to the text of laws and the original meaning of constitutional provisions, both Scalia trademarks as well.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602507946003.png" alt="Judge Amy Coney Barrett listens to opening statements during day 1 of her confirmation hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Judge Amy Coney Barrett listens to opening statements during day 1 of her confirmation hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Confirmation hearings for&nbsp;Supreme Court&nbsp;nominee Amy Coney Barrett are set to begin as a divided Senate charges ahead on President Donald Trump’s pick to replace the late&nbsp;Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg&nbsp;and cement a conservative court majority before&nbsp;Election Day.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?476315-1/supreme-court-nominee-amy-coney-barrett-confirmation-hearing-day-1">Click here</a>&nbsp;to watch day one of the confirmation hearing 8a.m.CDTBarrett, a federal appeals court judge, will tell the Senate Judiciary Committee that she is “forever grateful” for Ginsburg’s trailblazing path as a woman. But she is resolved to maintain the perspective of her own mentor, the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia and “apply the law as written,” according to her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7224757-Barrett-Opening-Statement.html" target="_blank">prepared opening remarks</a>&nbsp;for the hearings, which start Monday as the country is in the grips of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/virus-outbreak">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>pandemic.“Courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life,” Barrett says in the remarks, which The Associated Press obtained.Republicans, who control the Senate, are moving at a breakneck pace to seat Barrett before the Nov. 3 election to secure Trump’s pick and hear a high-profile challenge to the Affordable Care Act and any election-related challenges.Democrats are trying in vain to delay the fast-track confirmation by raising fresh concerns about the safety of meeting during the pandemic after two GOP senators on the panel tested positive for the novel coronavirus.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602508448677.png" alt="Judge Barrett's husband and her children attending the confirmation hearing -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Judge Barrett's husband and her children attending the confirmation hearing -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., have not said if they will attend in person. Lee’s spokesman said the senator is symptom-free but would be making a decision on whether to attend Monday morning, per his doctor’s orders. A spokesman for Tillis did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Both tested positive 10 days ago.Key Democrats are staying away. California Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential nominee and a committee member, plans to participate remotely from her Senate office due to coronavirus concerns, her spokesman said Sunday.The committee released a letter from the Architect of the Capitol on Sunday that says the hearing room has been set up in consultation with the Office of Attending Physician with appropriate distance between seats and air ventilation systems that meet or exceed industry standards.“We’re going to work safely,” said the committee’s chairman,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-donald-trump-confirmation-hearings-jaime-harrison-44d1f3004a4e98a12bb7b94ed3ecae66">Sen. Lindsey Graham</a>, R-S.C., on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures.” He said he took a coronavirus test last week and is “negative.”Trump chose the 48-year-old judge after the death last month of Ginsburg, a liberal icon. It’s the opportunity to entrench a conservative majority on the court for years to come with his third justice.Outside groups are pushing Democrats to make a strong case against what they call an illegitimate confirmation, when people are already voting in some states, saying the winner of the presidency should make the pick. No Supreme Court justice has ever been confirmed so close to a presidential contest.“The public is with them that this shouldn’t happen before the election,” said Brian Fallon, executive director of Demand Justice, which advocates against right-leaning nominees.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601169417695.png" alt="Judge Amy Coney Barrett on the day President Trump introduced her during a Rose Garden Ceremony -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Judge Amy Coney Barrett on the day President Trump introduced her during a Rose Garden Ceremony -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>The country will get an extended look at Barrett over the next three days in hearings like none other during the heated election environment and the pandemic limiting public access.Faith and family punctuate her testimony, and she said would bring “a few new perspectives” as the first mother of school-age children on the nine-member court.Barrett says she uses her children as a test when deciding cases, asking herself how she would view the decision if one of her children were the party she was ruling against.“Even though I would not like the result, would I understand that the decision was fairly reasoned and grounded in the law?” she says in the prepared remarks.A Catholic, she says she believes in the “power of prayer.” Barrett’s religious views and past leadership role in a Catholic faith community pose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ruth-bader-ginsburg-amy-coney-barrett-dianne-feinstein-judiciary-2aaf6821079ac0c5c6fe50699ad745ba">a challenge&nbsp;</a>for Democrats as they try to probe her judicial approach to abortion, gay marriage and other social issues without veering into inappropriate questions of her faith.Ordinarily, Barrett would get to show off her family and seven children. But the White House event announcing her nomination, in which most of the audience did not wear masks, has been labeled a “superspreader” for the coronavirus.More than two dozen people linked to the Sept. 26 Rose Garden event, including the two GOP senators, have contracted COVID-19 since then. Barrett and her family went maskless at the event. She and her husband, Jesse, tested positive for the virus earlier this year and recovered, two administration officials have said.Democrats already were enraged that Republicans are moving so quickly having refused to consider President Barack Obama nominee in February 2016, well before that year’s election.Barrett is the most openly anti-abortion Supreme Court nominee in decades and her vote could provide a majority to restrict if not overturn abortion rights. Democrats have made clear that they will press Barrett on health care, abortion and other issues where her vote could push the court further to the right.Republicans will highlight Barrett’s belief in sticking to the text of laws and the original meaning of constitutional provisions, both Scalia trademarks as well.___

🎥 Supreme Court nominee Barrett faces Senate despite virus

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Authorities say the South Dakota National Guard used a Black Hawk helicopter to rescue a man trapped in a crevasse after falling about 100 feet in Badlands National Park. 

Volunteer firefighters had first attempted to reach the 33-year-old man with technical rope and other climbing techniques but were unsuccessful.

 The man was hoisted from the mountain about 8:45 p.m. Saturday. 

Officials say he was suffering from injuries to the head and lower legs. His condition is not known.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Authorities say the South Dakota National Guard used a Black Hawk helicopter to rescue a man trapped in a crevasse after falling about 100 feet in Badlands National Park. Volunteer firefighters had first attempted to reach the 33-year-old man with technical rope and other climbing techniques but were unsuccessful. The man was hoisted from the mountain about 8:45 p.m. Saturday. Officials say he was suffering from injuries to the head and lower legs. His condition is not known.

Man rescued by helicopter after fall in Badlands National Park 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House doctor said that President Donald Trump was no longer at risk of transmitting the coronavirus but did not say explicitly whether Trump had tested negative for it. The diagnosis came as the president prepared to resume campaign rallies and other activities.

In a memo released Saturday night by the White House, Navy Cmdr. Dr. Sean Conley said Trump met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for safely discontinuing isolation and that by “currently recognized standards” he was no longer considered a transmission risk.

The memo did not declare Trump had tested negative for the virus. But sensitive lab tests — like the PCR test cited in the doctor’s statements — detect virus in swab samples taken from the nose and throat. Dr. William Morice, who oversees laboratories at the Mayo Clinic, said earlier this week that using the PCR tests, the president’s medical team could hypothetically measure and track the amount of virus in samples over time and watch the viral load go down.

Some medical experts had been skeptical that Trump could be declared free of the risk of transmitting the virus so early in the course of his illness. Just 10 days since an initial diagnosis of infection, there was no way to know for certain that someone was no longer contagious, they said.

Dr. Albert Ko, an infectious disease specialist and department chairman at the Yale School of Public Health, said Saturday night that the White House appeared to be following CDC guidelines for when it is appropriate to end isolation after mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.

But Ko cautioned that those who have had severe cases of the diseases should isolate for 20 days. He noted that Trump was treated with the steroid dexamethasone, which is normally reserved for patients with severe COVID.

Ko added that White House had issued “convoluted” statements about Trump’s health that left many questions unanswered, including whether the president ever had pneumonia.

CDC guidelines note that most people do not require testing to decide when they can be around others. Ko said people who have had COVID-19 can continue to test positive for weeks or longer after they are no longer infectious.

The memo stated that Trump had reached day 10 from the onset of symptoms, had been free of fever for well over 24 hours, and that all symptoms had improved.

Saskia Popescu, an infectious disease epidemiologist at George Mason University, said the tight time frame laid out by the White House made it appear that “they’re really just pushing to get him out of isolation” and back to campaigning.

The memo followed Trump’s first public appearance since returning to the White House after being treated for the coronavirus at a military hospital. Hundreds of people gathered Saturday afternoon on the South Lawn for a Trump address on his support for law enforcement from a White House balcony.

Trump took off a mask moments after he emerged on the balcony to address the crowd on the lawn below, his first step back onto the public stage with just more than three weeks to go until Election Day. He flouted, once more, the safety recommendations of his own government just days after acknowledging that he was on the brink of “bad things" from the virus and claiming that his bout with the illness brought him a better understanding of it.

His return was a brief one. With bandages visible on his hands, likely from an intravenous injection, Trump spoke for 18 minutes, far less than his normal hour-plus rallies. He appeared healthy, if perhaps a little hoarse, as he delivered what was, for all intents and purposes, a short version of his campaign speech despite the executive mansion setting.

Though the gathering was billed as an official event, Trump offered no policy proposals and instead delivered the usual attacks on Democrat Joe Biden while praising law enforcement to supporters, most of whom wore masks while few adhered to social distancing guidelines.

“I’m feeling great,” said Trump, who said he was thankful for their good wishes and prayers as he recovered. He then declared that the pandemic, which has killed more than 210,000 Americans, was “disappearing” even though he is still recovering from the virus.

In either an act of defiance or simply tempting fate, officials organized the crowd just steps from the Rose Garden, where exactly two weeks ago the president held another large gathering to formally announce his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. That event is now being eyed as a possible COVID-19 superspreader as more than two dozen people in attendance have contracted the virus.

Trump had hoped to hold campaign rallies this weekend but settled for the White House event. But even as his health remained unclear, he planned to ramp up his travel with a rally in Florida on Monday, followed by trips to Pennsylvania and Iowa on subsequent days.

Security was stepped up around the White House before the event, which was called a “peaceful protest for law &amp; order” and predominantly attended by Black and Latino supporters. Police and the Secret Service closed surrounding streets to vehicles and shut down Lafayette Square, the park near the White House that has long been a gathering place for public protest.

As questions linger about his health — and Democratic opponent Joe Biden steps up his own campaigning — Trump has more frequently called into radio and TV programs to speak with conservative interviewers, hoping to make up for lost time.

Biden's campaign said he again tested negative on Saturday for COVID-19. Biden was potentially exposed to the coronavirus during his Sept. 29 debate with Trump, who announced his positive diagnosis barely 48 hours after the debate.

The president had not been seen in public — other than in White House-produced videos — since his return five days ago from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he received experimental treatments for the coronavirus.

On Saturday, all attendees were required to bring masks or were provided with them, and were given temperature checks and asked to fill out a brief questionnaire. Some in the crowd removed their mask to listen to Trump.

Trump's Monday event in Sanford, Florida, what he's described as a “BIG RALLY," was originally scheduled to be held on Oct. 2, the day after he tested positive. Ahead of his Saturday event, Trump used Twitter to share news articles about problems with mail-in ballots in New Jersey, Ohio and Texas. Trump has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims that universal mail-in voting is beset by widespread fraud.

Trump's return to public activity came as Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious-disease expert, cautioned the White House again to avoid large-scale gatherings of people without masks.

Fauci said of the Barrett event in an interview with The Associated Press, “I was not surprised to see a superspreader event given the circumstances." That means “crowded, congregate setting, not wearing masks. It is not surprising to see an outbreak," he said.

District of Columbia virus restrictions prohibit outdoor gatherings larger than 50 people, although that rule has not been strictly enforced. Masks are mandatory outdoors for most people, but the regulations don’t apply on federal land, and the Trump White House has openly flouted them for months.

Confined to the White House as he recovers, Trump spent sizable chunks of the past few days making the rounds of friendly conservative media, calling in to Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday night and spending two hours live on air with radio host Rush Limbaugh on Friday in what his campaign billed as a “radio rally.”

Holding court on his reelection battle, his fight against the coronavirus and revived negotiations with Democrats to pass an economic stimulus bill, Trump made a direct appeal to his base of loyal supporters, whom he needs to turn out to the polls in droves.

In a Friday night interview on Fox's Tucker Carlson's show, Trump was asked if he has been retested for COVID-19. “I have been retested, and I haven’t even found out numbers or anything yet. But I've been retested, and I know I’m at either the bottom of the scale or free," he said.

White House officials, however, have declined to answer when Trump last tested negative for the virus before his diagnosis or release detailed information about lung scans taken while Trump was hospitalized.

While reports of reinfection in COVID-19 victims are rare, the CDC recommends that even people who recover from the disease continue to wear masks, stay distanced and follow other precautions. It was unclear if Trump, who has refused mask wearing in most settings, would abide by that guidance as he resumes his campaign.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602428635792.png" alt="President Trump speaking Saturday from the White House&nbsp; balcony at a peaceful protest for law and order-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump speaking Saturday from the White House&nbsp; balcony at a peaceful protest for law and order-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House doctor said that President Donald Trump was no longer at risk of transmitting the coronavirus but did not say explicitly whether Trump had tested negative for it. The diagnosis came as the president prepared to resume campaign rallies and other activities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602428312557.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In a memo released Saturday night by the White House, Navy Cmdr. Dr. Sean Conley said Trump met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for safely discontinuing isolation and that by “currently recognized standards” he was no longer considered a transmission risk.The memo did not declare Trump had tested negative for the virus. But sensitive lab tests — like the PCR test cited in the doctor’s statements — detect virus in swab samples taken from the nose and throat. Dr. William Morice, who oversees laboratories at the Mayo Clinic, said earlier this week that using the PCR tests, the president’s medical team could hypothetically measure and track the amount of virus in samples over time and watch the viral load go down.Some medical experts had been skeptical that Trump could be declared free of the risk of transmitting the virus so early in the course of his illness. Just 10 days since an initial diagnosis of infection, there was no way to know for certain that someone was no longer contagious, they said.Dr. Albert Ko, an infectious disease specialist and department chairman at the Yale School of Public Health, said Saturday night that the White House appeared to be following CDC guidelines for when it is appropriate to end isolation after mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.But Ko cautioned that those who have had severe cases of the diseases should isolate for 20 days. He noted that Trump was treated with the steroid dexamethasone, which is normally reserved for patients with severe COVID.Ko added that White House had issued “convoluted” statements about Trump’s health that left many questions unanswered, including whether the president ever had pneumonia.CDC guidelines note that most people do not require testing to decide when they can be around others. Ko said people who have had COVID-19 can continue to test positive for weeks or longer after they are no longer infectious.The memo stated that Trump had reached day 10 from the onset of symptoms, had been free of fever for well over 24 hours, and that all symptoms had improved.Saskia Popescu, an infectious disease epidemiologist at George Mason University, said the tight time frame laid out by the White House made it appear that “they’re really just pushing to get him out of isolation” and back to campaigning.The memo followed Trump’s first public appearance since returning to the White House after being treated for the coronavirus at a military hospital. Hundreds of people gathered Saturday afternoon on the South Lawn for a Trump address on his support for law enforcement from a White House balcony.Trump took off a mask moments after he emerged on the balcony to address the crowd on the lawn below, his first step back onto the public stage with just more than three weeks to go until Election Day. He flouted, once more, the safety recommendations of his own government just days after acknowledging that he was on the brink of “bad things" from the virus and claiming that his bout with the illness brought him a better understanding of it.His return was a brief one. With bandages visible on his hands, likely from an intravenous injection, Trump spoke for 18 minutes, far less than his normal hour-plus rallies. He appeared healthy, if perhaps a little hoarse, as he delivered what was, for all intents and purposes, a short version of his campaign speech despite the executive mansion setting.Though the gathering was billed as an official event, Trump offered no policy proposals and instead delivered the usual attacks on Democrat Joe Biden while praising law enforcement to supporters, most of whom wore masks while few adhered to social distancing guidelines.“I’m feeling great,” said Trump, who said he was thankful for their good wishes and prayers as he recovered. He then declared that the pandemic, which has killed more than 210,000 Americans, was “disappearing” even though he is still recovering from the virus.In either an act of defiance or simply tempting fate, officials organized the crowd just steps from the Rose Garden, where exactly two weeks ago the president held another large gathering to formally announce his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. That event is now being eyed as a possible COVID-19 superspreader as more than two dozen people in attendance have contracted the virus.Trump had hoped to hold campaign rallies this weekend but settled for the White House event. But even as his health remained unclear, he planned to ramp up his travel with a rally in Florida on Monday, followed by trips to Pennsylvania and Iowa on subsequent days.Security was stepped up around the White House before the event, which was called a “peaceful protest for law &amp; order” and predominantly attended by Black and Latino supporters. Police and the Secret Service closed surrounding streets to vehicles and shut down Lafayette Square, the park near the White House that has long been a gathering place for public protest.As questions linger about his health — and Democratic opponent Joe Biden steps up his own campaigning — Trump has more frequently called into radio and TV programs to speak with conservative interviewers, hoping to make up for lost time.Biden's campaign said he again tested negative on Saturday for COVID-19. Biden was potentially exposed to the coronavirus during his Sept. 29 debate with Trump, who announced his positive diagnosis barely 48 hours after the debate.The president had not been seen in public — other than in White House-produced videos — since his return five days ago from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he received experimental treatments for the coronavirus.On Saturday, all attendees were required to bring masks or were provided with them, and were given temperature checks and asked to fill out a brief questionnaire. Some in the crowd removed their mask to listen to Trump.Trump's Monday event in Sanford, Florida, what he's described as a “BIG RALLY," was originally scheduled to be held on Oct. 2, the day after he tested positive. Ahead of his Saturday event, Trump used Twitter to share news articles about problems with mail-in ballots in New Jersey, Ohio and Texas. Trump has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims that universal mail-in voting is beset by widespread fraud.Trump's return to public activity came as Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious-disease expert, cautioned the White House again to avoid large-scale gatherings of people without masks.Fauci said of the Barrett event in an interview with The Associated Press, “I was not surprised to see a superspreader event given the circumstances." That means “crowded, congregate setting, not wearing masks. It is not surprising to see an outbreak," he said.District of Columbia virus restrictions prohibit outdoor gatherings larger than 50 people, although that rule has not been strictly enforced. Masks are mandatory outdoors for most people, but the regulations don’t apply on federal land, and the Trump White House has openly flouted them for months.Confined to the White House as he recovers, Trump spent sizable chunks of the past few days making the rounds of friendly conservative media, calling in to Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday night and spending two hours live on air with radio host Rush Limbaugh on Friday in what his campaign billed as a “radio rally.”Holding court on his reelection battle, his fight against the coronavirus and revived negotiations with Democrats to pass an economic stimulus bill, Trump made a direct appeal to his base of loyal supporters, whom he needs to turn out to the polls in droves.In a Friday night interview on Fox's Tucker Carlson's show, Trump was asked if he has been retested for COVID-19. “I have been retested, and I haven’t even found out numbers or anything yet. But I've been retested, and I know I’m at either the bottom of the scale or free," he said.White House officials, however, have declined to answer when Trump last tested negative for the virus before his diagnosis or release detailed information about lung scans taken while Trump was hospitalized.While reports of reinfection in COVID-19 victims are rare, the CDC recommends that even people who recover from the disease continue to wear masks, stay distanced and follow other precautions. It was unclear if Trump, who has refused mask wearing in most settings, would abide by that guidance as he resumes his campaign.

Doctor: President won’t transmit virus, ready for active schedule

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Officials have opened the first national cemetery in Wyoming, a place where veterans can be laid to rest alongside fellow service members and honored with their families for their sacrifices. 

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that Cheyenne National Cemetery is designed to serve more than 55,000 veterans, their spouses and eligible children who live within a 75-mile radius of Cheyenne. 

Previously, Wyoming was one of a handful of states that did not have its own national cemetery. 

The Wyoming cemetery was created as part of the Veteran Affairs National Cemetery Administration’s Rural Initiative, which aims to provide burial benefits to those in underserved areas.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Officials have opened the first national cemetery in Wyoming, a place where veterans can be laid to rest alongside fellow service members and honored with their families for their sacrifices. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that Cheyenne National Cemetery is designed to serve more than 55,000 veterans, their spouses and eligible children who live within a 75-mile radius of Cheyenne. Previously, Wyoming was one of a handful of states that did not have its own national cemetery. The Wyoming cemetery was created as part of the Veteran Affairs National Cemetery Administration’s Rural Initiative, which aims to provide burial benefits to those in underserved areas.

Wyoming opens national cemetery to honor veterans, families

DENVER (AP) — A private security guard working for a TV station was in custody Saturday after a person died from a shooting that took place during dueling protests in downtown Denver, the Denver Post reported.

The shooting took place shortly before 3:50 p.m. in Civic Center Park after a man participating in what was billed a “Patriot Rally” sprayed mace at another man, the Post reported. That man then shot the other individual with a handgun near the courtyard outside the Denver Art Museum, according to a Denver Post journalist who witnessed the incident.

The man who was shot was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died an hour later, the KUSA TV station said.

The KUSA TV station said on its website that it had contracted the private security guard who was arrested in connection with the shooting. “It has been the practice of 9NEWS for a number of months to hire private security to accompany staff at protests,” the station said.

Denver Police Department Division Chief Joe Montoya told the Post that police could not confirm the shooter’s or the victim’s affiliations, but he said the incident started as a verbal altercation. Two guns were found at the scene, Montoya said, as well as a mace can.

The Patriot Rally was one of two rallies taking place about the same time in the park. A counter-protest called “BLM-Antifa Soup Drive” took place nearby.

DENVER (AP) — A private security guard working for a TV station was in custody Saturday after a person died from a shooting that took place during dueling protests in downtown Denver, the Denver Post reported.The shooting took place shortly before 3:50 p.m. in Civic Center Park after a man participating in what was billed a “Patriot Rally” sprayed mace at another man, the Post reported. That man then shot the other individual with a handgun near the courtyard outside the Denver Art Museum, according to a Denver Post journalist who witnessed the incident.The man who was shot was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died an hour later, the KUSA TV station said.The KUSA TV station said on its website that it had contracted the private security guard who was arrested in connection with the shooting. “It has been the practice of 9NEWS for a number of months to hire private security to accompany staff at protests,” the station said.Denver Police Department Division Chief Joe Montoya told the Post that police could not confirm the shooter’s or the victim’s affiliations, but he said the incident started as a verbal altercation. Two guns were found at the scene, Montoya said, as well as a mace can.The Patriot Rally was one of two rallies taking place about the same time in the park. A counter-protest called “BLM-Antifa Soup Drive” took place nearby.

Guard in custody after man dies in shooting at protests in Denver

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top public health official warned Friday that the state is “losing the battle” against the coronavirus as it reported another record increase in new cases.

The state Department of Health and Environment said Kansas reported 1,855 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases since Wednesday, an increase of 2.9%, to bring the total for the pandemic to 65,807. The state also reported another 40 COVID-19-related deaths, increasing the pandemic total to 763.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.snco.us/HD/document/media%20releases/10082020_Updates_to_COVID_Deaths_on_SCHD_Dashboard.pdf" target="_blank">Twenty-six of those</a>&nbsp;were reported Thursday in Shawnee County, where the local health department reviewed previous death certificates from the Topeka area.

“Other states are doing bad, and we’re doing worst than most,” Dr. Lee Norman, the head of the state health department, said during an interview. “We’re losing the battle right now.”

The state saw an average of 671 new cases a day for the seven days ending Friday, breaking the state’s previous record of 667 for the seven days ending Sept. 28. The state has seen that seven-day average hit or exceed 600 cases per day for five of the six reports it has issued in the past two weeks.

Norman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-hutchinson-prisons-kansas-wichita-6fde15e9983c7e7382be97b6f6a65aed">predicted last week&nbsp;</a>that the state’s reporting of new cases could increase to as many as 900 a day on average in the coming months. COVID-19-related deaths have for about a month hovered around 1.1% of reported cases, but with Friday’s report, the figure was 1.16%, the highest in almost two months.

The actual number of cases is thought to be much higher because people can be infected without feeling ill or they may have only minor symptoms, and because of a lack of testing, particularly early in the pandemic. Norman said earlier this week that between 4% and 4.5% of the state’s population probably has been infected since the pandemic reached Kansas in early March — between 116,000 and 131,000 cases.

Norman blamed the increases on residents’ refusal to consistently follow public health guidelines for mask-wearing, social distancing and avoiding large public gatherings. He said people need to do all of them in tandem to check the virus’ spread.

“One of the things that we just have to collectively as a state start working together with is what are the social and psychological underpinnings for the reasons why for we’re going the direction we’re going,” Norman said. “Our curve is going absolutely the wrong direction.”

By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top public health official warned Friday that the state is “losing the battle” against the coronavirus as it reported another record increase in new cases.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKDHEnews%2Fvideos%2F346905849722977%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The state Department of Health and Environment said Kansas reported 1,855 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases since Wednesday, an increase of 2.9%, to bring the total for the pandemic to 65,807. The state also reported another 40 COVID-19-related deaths, increasing the pandemic total to 763.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.snco.us/HD/document/media%20releases/10082020_Updates_to_COVID_Deaths_on_SCHD_Dashboard.pdf" target="_blank">Twenty-six of those</a>&nbsp;were reported Thursday in Shawnee County, where the local health department reviewed previous death certificates from the Topeka area.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602263997717.png" alt="October 9, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>October 9, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>“Other states are doing bad, and we’re doing worst than most,” Dr. Lee Norman, the head of the state health department, said during an interview. “We’re losing the battle right now.”The state saw an average of 671 new cases a day for the seven days ending Friday, breaking the state’s previous record of 667 for the seven days ending Sept. 28. The state has seen that seven-day average hit or exceed 600 cases per day for five of the six reports it has issued in the past two weeks.Norman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-hutchinson-prisons-kansas-wichita-6fde15e9983c7e7382be97b6f6a65aed">predicted last week&nbsp;</a>that the state’s reporting of new cases could increase to as many as 900 a day on average in the coming months. COVID-19-related deaths have for about a month hovered around 1.1% of reported cases, but with Friday’s report, the figure was 1.16%, the highest in almost two months.The actual number of cases is thought to be much higher because people can be infected without feeling ill or they may have only minor symptoms, and because of a lack of testing, particularly early in the pandemic. Norman said earlier this week that between 4% and 4.5% of the state’s population probably has been infected since the pandemic reached Kansas in early March — between 116,000 and 131,000 cases.Norman blamed the increases on residents’ refusal to consistently follow public health guidelines for mask-wearing, social distancing and avoiding large public gatherings. He said people need to do all of them in tandem to check the virus’ spread.“One of the things that we just have to collectively as a state start working together with is what are the social and psychological underpinnings for the reasons why for we’re going the direction we’re going,” Norman said. “Our curve is going absolutely the wrong direction.”

 🎥 Top health official: Kansas 'losing the battle' on COVID-19

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Five boys - including a 7-year-old - have been cited on suspicion of burglary after a neighbor reported seeing the group kick in the door of a nearby apartment in Lincoln, police there said.

Two 16-year-olds, two 14-year-olds and the 7-year-old were cited Thursday, the Lincoln Journal Star reported. Police said one of the 14-year-old boys was sent to the juvenile detention center on an unrelated outstanding warrant.

The 7-year-old was apparently acting as a lookout for the other boys, Officer Luke Bonkiewicz said.

The apartment's resident reported that $100 from missing from a safe in his bedroom closet following the break-in.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Five boys - including a 7-year-old - have been cited on suspicion of burglary after a neighbor reported seeing the group kick in the door of a nearby apartment in Lincoln, police there said.Two 16-year-olds, two 14-year-olds and the 7-year-old were cited Thursday, the Lincoln Journal Star reported. Police said one of the 14-year-old boys was sent to the juvenile detention center on an unrelated outstanding warrant.The 7-year-old was apparently acting as a lookout for the other boys, Officer Luke Bonkiewicz said.The apartment's resident reported that $100 from missing from a safe in his bedroom closet following the break-in.

Police say 4 teens, 7-year-old broke into Lincoln apartment

By&nbsp;<a href="https://pagetwo.completecolorado.com/author/sherrie/">Sherrie Peif</a>&nbsp;from <a href="https://pagetwo.completecolorado.com/2020/10/08/greeley-nursing-home-residents-protest-pandemic-lockdown-id-rather-die-of-covid-than-loneliness/?fbclid=IwAR2NLy8vBAdsD9j0OMXQ77PZwvMEs8vYMgwiYALNEP3KhI6MxOddEQKSopA#.X4AdoXfYS8Y.facebook">Complete Colorado</a>

GREELEY (<a href="https://pagetwo.completecolorado.com/2020/10/08/greeley-nursing-home-residents-protest-pandemic-lockdown-id-rather-die-of-covid-than-loneliness/?fbclid=IwAR2NLy8vBAdsD9j0OMXQ77PZwvMEs8vYMgwiYALNEP3KhI6MxOddEQKSopA#.X4AdoXfYS8Y.facebook">Complete Colorado</a>)— Waving signs that read such things as “I’d rather die of COVID than loneliness,” and “We are prisoners in our home,” residents of one nursing facility staged their own anti-lockdown protest along one of the busiest streets in Greeley, directly across the street from the city’s largest and longest operating hospital.

“Freedom, freedom, freedom,” one lady chanted while waving a sign that read “we want our families back.”

The protest against the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Gov. Jared Polis’ mandates that do not allow nursing home residents to see their loved ones, was thought up, organized and carried out by the residents, with oversight from their nurses and other staff members, said the Assistant Administrator of Fairacres Manor Ben Gonzales.

Gonzales said the facility has a resident council that meets monthly to discuss things that are on residents’ minds. They usually discuss caregivers, things they’d like to do, or offer suggestions, among other things.

However, recently, they brought up the idea of protesting the lockdown as they enter their eighth month of no hugs, no smiles, no kisses from their loved ones.

“We are here to support our residents,” Gonzales said. “If they want to get their voices heard, they have rights just like we should have rights as well. We wanted to make sure that they were able to express those.”

Gonzales said the staff made sure the residents were all placed six feet apart on the grass across from the entrance to North Colorado Medical Center, along a busy 16th&nbsp;Street in the center of town. They were wearing masks and each one had their own member of the staff nearby. The nurses and other personnel were also in all the appropriate personal protective equipment required for their jobs.

Hospital administration who happened to hear of the protest, applauded their efforts and took time to go across the street as well.

One woman, who was not from Greeley, but happened to be at the hospital during the protest yelled across the street “tell them to let you out of jail.”

She identified herself only as a nursing home administrator in another community. She said has seen more deaths due to depression among her residents since the pandemic than she has COVID itself, blaming mandates and restrictions more than the virus.

“The isolation is what kills these people,” she said. “It’s just incredibly sad that they can’t live out the last part of their lives with their family surrounding them.”

Gonzales agreed. He said although the homes are now preparing for indoor visits as the weather gets colder, residents will still not be able to touch or hug their loved ones.

“But that’s what they need,” Gonzales said. “They need that physical contact, to hug their grandchildren.”

Gonzales agreed some of the signs they created were tough to read.

“We as staff members get to go see our family and our loved ones,” Gonzales said. “So, it’s tough when they don’t get to do that. We are held to standards by the government and the state health department. But it’s very understandable. I feel for them. I can’t imagine what they are going through. So, it’s nice to be able to support them in this way. We are here to come together and to support each other.”

Weld County Commissioner Scott James stopped by the facility to lend his support for the protest as well. He said his heart breaks for all the residents of Fairacres and every other facility like it in Colorado.

“They are members of the greatest generation,” James said. “The very generation who fought to overturn tyranny and protect our freedoms. Now these members of that generation have had their freedom taken away via a tyrannous act by unelected bureaucrats. The governor and the CDPHE should immediately work with these facilities to give them a way by which they may hug their loved ones.”

By&nbsp;<a href="https://pagetwo.completecolorado.com/author/sherrie/">Sherrie Peif</a>&nbsp;from <a href="https://pagetwo.completecolorado.com/2020/10/08/greeley-nursing-home-residents-protest-pandemic-lockdown-id-rather-die-of-covid-than-loneliness/?fbclid=IwAR2NLy8vBAdsD9j0OMXQ77PZwvMEs8vYMgwiYALNEP3KhI6MxOddEQKSopA#.X4AdoXfYS8Y.facebook">Complete Colorado</a>GREELEY (<a href="https://pagetwo.completecolorado.com/2020/10/08/greeley-nursing-home-residents-protest-pandemic-lockdown-id-rather-die-of-covid-than-loneliness/?fbclid=IwAR2NLy8vBAdsD9j0OMXQ77PZwvMEs8vYMgwiYALNEP3KhI6MxOddEQKSopA#.X4AdoXfYS8Y.facebook">Complete Colorado</a>)— Waving signs that read such things as “I’d rather die of COVID than loneliness,” and “We are prisoners in our home,” residents of one nursing facility staged their own anti-lockdown protest along one of the busiest streets in Greeley, directly across the street from the city’s largest and longest operating hospital.“Freedom, freedom, freedom,” one lady chanted while waving a sign that read “we want our families back.”The protest against the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Gov. Jared Polis’ mandates that do not allow nursing home residents to see their loved ones, was thought up, organized and carried out by the residents, with oversight from their nurses and other staff members, said the Assistant Administrator of Fairacres Manor Ben Gonzales.Gonzales said the facility has a resident council that meets monthly to discuss things that are on residents’ minds. They usually discuss caregivers, things they’d like to do, or offer suggestions, among other things.However, recently, they brought up the idea of protesting the lockdown as they enter their eighth month of no hugs, no smiles, no kisses from their loved ones.“We are here to support our residents,” Gonzales said. “If they want to get their voices heard, they have rights just like we should have rights as well. We wanted to make sure that they were able to express those.”Gonzales said the staff made sure the residents were all placed six feet apart on the grass across from the entrance to North Colorado Medical Center, along a busy 16th&nbsp;Street in the center of town. They were wearing masks and each one had their own member of the staff nearby. The nurses and other personnel were also in all the appropriate personal protective equipment required for their jobs.Hospital administration who happened to hear of the protest, applauded their efforts and took time to go across the street as well.One woman, who was not from Greeley, but happened to be at the hospital during the protest yelled across the street “tell them to let you out of jail.”She identified herself only as a nursing home administrator in another community. She said has seen more deaths due to depression among her residents since the pandemic than she has COVID itself, blaming mandates and restrictions more than the virus.“The isolation is what kills these people,” she said. “It’s just incredibly sad that they can’t live out the last part of their lives with their family surrounding them.”Gonzales agreed. He said although the homes are now preparing for indoor visits as the weather gets colder, residents will still not be able to touch or hug their loved ones.“But that’s what they need,” Gonzales said. “They need that physical contact, to hug their grandchildren.”Gonzales agreed some of the signs they created were tough to read.“We as staff members get to go see our family and our loved ones,” Gonzales said. “So, it’s tough when they don’t get to do that. We are held to standards by the government and the state health department. But it’s very understandable. I feel for them. I can’t imagine what they are going through. So, it’s nice to be able to support them in this way. We are here to come together and to support each other.”Weld County Commissioner Scott James stopped by the facility to lend his support for the protest as well. He said his heart breaks for all the residents of Fairacres and every other facility like it in Colorado.“They are members of the greatest generation,” James said. “The very generation who fought to overturn tyranny and protect our freedoms. Now these members of that generation have had their freedom taken away via a tyrannous act by unelected bureaucrats. The governor and the CDPHE should immediately work with these facilities to give them a way by which they may hug their loved ones.”

Colorado nursing home residents protest pandemic lockdown orders

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday said it would for now continue to allow women to obtain an abortion pill by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The action came over the dissent of two conservative justices who would have immediately granted a Trump administration request to reinstate the requirement that women must visit a hospital, clinic or medical office to obtain a pill.

The court did little more than defer its first action on an abortion-related issue since the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last month. The court called for a lower-court judge to take a new look at the issue and rule within 40 days. That would put any further high court action after the Nov. 3 election.

The court said in an unsigned opinion that it was holding the administration’s appeal “in abeyance.”

The administration is asking to be allowed to enforce a U.S. Food and Drug Administration rule. The administration has suspended similar in-person visits for other drugs, including opioids in some cases, but refused to relax the rules for getting the abortion pill.

A federal judge in Maryland ruled in July that, during the public health emergency declared by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, health care providers can arrange for mifepristone to be mailed or delivered to patients. The FDA has approved mifepristone to be used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol, to end an early pregnancy or manage a miscarriage.

Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas said they would have granted the administration’s request. “Six weeks have passed since the application was submitted, but the Court refuses to rule,” Alito wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582813176978.jpeg" alt=" Mifepristone, commonly called the abortion pill, is the most common form of abortion in Kansas. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Mifepristone, commonly called the abortion pill, is the most common form of abortion in Kansas. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday said it would for now continue to allow women to obtain an abortion pill by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic.The action came over the dissent of two conservative justices who would have immediately granted a Trump administration request to reinstate the requirement that women must visit a hospital, clinic or medical office to obtain a pill.The court did little more than defer its first action on an abortion-related issue since the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last month. The court called for a lower-court judge to take a new look at the issue and rule within 40 days. That would put any further high court action after the Nov. 3 election.The court said in an unsigned opinion that it was holding the administration’s appeal “in abeyance.”The administration is asking to be allowed to enforce a U.S. Food and Drug Administration rule. The administration has suspended similar in-person visits for other drugs, including opioids in some cases, but refused to relax the rules for getting the abortion pill.A federal judge in Maryland ruled in July that, during the public health emergency declared by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, health care providers can arrange for mifepristone to be mailed or delivered to patients. The FDA has approved mifepristone to be used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol, to end an early pregnancy or manage a miscarriage.Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas said they would have granted the administration’s request. “Six weeks have passed since the application was submitted, but the Court refuses to rule,” Alito wrote.

Supreme Court: Women can get abortion pill by mail, for now

LINCOLN&nbsp; — Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) and the U.S. Marshals Service Metro Fugitive Task Force have arrested the suspect involved in an incident in Eagle earlier this week.

This morning, investigators located Richard Carr, 65, at his residence in Eagle. The residence had been the scene of a law enforcement operation Monday night. That evening, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting that Carr had made threats with a gun against a family member.

The caller reported that Carr had traveled to his residence at 355 Highway 34 in Eagle at approximately 6:20 p.m. Monday. Investigators believe that Carr left the home as the first officers were arriving on scene at approximately 6:30 p.m. Monday. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the home Monday evening and located Carr’s cell phone and a handgun.

A warrant for Carr’s arrest was issued Tuesday. This morning, investigators with NSP and the U.S. Marshals Service Metro Fugitive Task Force determined that Carr had returned to his residence. Carr was arrested at 355 Highway 34 in Eagle without further incident.

Carr has been lodged in Cass County Jail on charges of making terroristic threats and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.&nbsp;

LINCOLN&nbsp; — Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) and the U.S. Marshals Service Metro Fugitive Task Force have arrested the suspect involved in an incident in Eagle earlier this week.This morning, investigators located Richard Carr, 65, at his residence in Eagle. The residence had been the scene of a law enforcement operation Monday night. That evening, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting that Carr had made threats with a gun against a family member.The caller reported that Carr had traveled to his residence at 355 Highway 34 in Eagle at approximately 6:20 p.m. Monday. Investigators believe that Carr left the home as the first officers were arriving on scene at approximately 6:30 p.m. Monday. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the home Monday evening and located Carr’s cell phone and a handgun.A warrant for Carr’s arrest was issued Tuesday. This morning, investigators with NSP and the U.S. Marshals Service Metro Fugitive Task Force determined that Carr had returned to his residence. Carr was arrested at 355 Highway 34 in Eagle without further incident.Carr has been lodged in Cass County Jail on charges of making terroristic threats and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.&nbsp;

Suspect of terroristic threats investigation arrested in Eagle

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) — U.S. Sen. John Hoeven says a new federal law enforcement training center for Native American officers in northeastern North Dakota should be starting classes in the next month.

 The U.S. Indian Police Academy Advanced Training Center is located at Camp Grafton, the North Dakota National Guard facility near Devils Lake.

 It includes classroom space, dorms, and a cafeteria that will be used by Bureau of Indian Affairs trainees. 

The center will receive recruits from tribes throughout the Great Plains. 

Most tribes currently send their officers to the federal site in Artesia, New Mexico. The Navajo Nation has its own police academy.

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) — U.S. Sen. John Hoeven says a new federal law enforcement training center for Native American officers in northeastern North Dakota should be starting classes in the next month. The U.S. Indian Police Academy Advanced Training Center is located at Camp Grafton, the North Dakota National Guard facility near Devils Lake. It includes classroom space, dorms, and a cafeteria that will be used by Bureau of Indian Affairs trainees. The center will receive recruits from tribes throughout the Great Plains. Most tribes currently send their officers to the federal site in Artesia, New Mexico. The Navajo Nation has its own police academy.

Training center for Native American officers ready to open

GRETNA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities in eastern Nebraska say the driver of a cement-mixing truck has died in a two-vehicle crash at Gretna.

 The Sarpy County Sheriff's Office says the crash happened Thursday before noon at the intersection of Highway 370 and Wickersham Boulevard.

 Investigators say a car driven by an 18-year-old Murdock man turned left in front of the cement truck, which hit the car. 

The crash sent the truck into a ditch, where it overturned, killing its driver, 58-year-old Gregory Brennan of Omaha. 

The driver of the car and his 68-year-old grandmother, who was his passenger, were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries.

GRETNA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities in eastern Nebraska say the driver of a cement-mixing truck has died in a two-vehicle crash at Gretna. The Sarpy County Sheriff's Office says the crash happened Thursday before noon at the intersection of Highway 370 and Wickersham Boulevard. Investigators say a car driven by an 18-year-old Murdock man turned left in front of the cement truck, which hit the car. The crash sent the truck into a ditch, where it overturned, killing its driver, 58-year-old Gregory Brennan of Omaha. The driver of the car and his 68-year-old grandmother, who was his passenger, were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries.

Cement truck driver dies in eastern Nebraska crash

AP -&nbsp;Federal agriculture officials are awarding $22 million in grants to gas stations, convenience stores and fuel distribution sites in 14 states to upgrade pumps, fuel lines and storage tanks as part of a program designed to increase the use of higher blends of ethanol fuel and biodiesel.

 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the grants in several stops on Thursday including two locations in Iowa. 

In May the government announced it would allocate $100 million for a program to help businesses upgrade gas pumps, fuel lines and storage tanks to sell gas and diesel fuels with higher ethanol content such as E15. 

Critics called the announcement a Donald Trump administration election year stunt.

AP -&nbsp;Federal agriculture officials are awarding $22 million in grants to gas stations, convenience stores and fuel distribution sites in 14 states to upgrade pumps, fuel lines and storage tanks as part of a program designed to increase the use of higher blends of ethanol fuel and biodiesel. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the grants in several stops on Thursday including two locations in Iowa. In May the government announced it would allocate $100 million for a program to help businesses upgrade gas pumps, fuel lines and storage tanks to sell gas and diesel fuels with higher ethanol content such as E15. Critics called the announcement a Donald Trump administration election year stunt.

Ag officials release gas station upgrade grants for biofuels

WASHINGTON (AP) — The fate of final debates between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden was thrown into uncertainty Thursday as the campaigns offered dueling proposals for moving forward with faceoffs that have been upended by the president’s coronavirus infection.

It was unclear when or how the next debates would proceed, or whether voters would even get to see the two men running for the White House on the same stage again before Election Day.

The whipsaw day began with an announcement from the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, which said the next debate, a town hall-style affair set for Oct. 15 in Miami, would be held virtually. The commission cited health concerns following Trump’s infection as the reason for the change.

Trump, who is eager to return to the campaign trail&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-technology-pandemics-archive-1c1c70af9e41a17c7902ff54de7c79fc">despite uncertainty about his health</a>, said he wouldn’t participate if the debate wasn’t in person. Biden’s campaign then suggested the event be delayed a week until Oct. 22, which is when the third and final debate is already scheduled.

Next, Trump countered again, agreeing to a debate on Oct. 22 — but only if face to face — and asking that a third contest be added on Oct. 29, just before the election. But Biden’s advisors rejected squaring off that late in the campaign.

The debate commission, which has the unenviable task of finding common ground between the competing campaigns, did not weigh in on any of the new proposals. The organization has come under scrutiny already after the first debate between Trump and Biden deteriorated, with the president frequently interrupting his opponent and the moderator unable to take control.

With the debate schedule unclear, Biden moved quickly to make sure he would still appear in front of a television audience next week. Instead of debating Trump on Thursday, he will take part in a town hall sponsored by ABC News.

As he campaigned in Arizona on Thursday, Biden said he would also attend the Oct. 22 debate regardless of Trump’s plans.

“We agreed to three debates back in the summer,” Biden said. “I’m showing up. I’ll be there. And if, in fact, he shows up, fine. If he doesn’t, fine.”

For Trump, who is recovering from COVID-19 at the White House after spending three days in the hospital, the health-induced changes are an unwelcome disruption to his effort to shift focus away from a virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans this year.

In an interview with Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo shortly after the commission’s announcement, Trump insisted he was in “great shape” and called the idea of a virtual debate a “joke.”

“I’m not going to do a virtual debate,” he declared.

The president’s campaign manager, Bill Stepien, said Trump would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-technology-pandemics-archive-1c1c70af9e41a17c7902ff54de7c79fc">stage a rally</a>&nbsp;rather than debate next Thursday, though it’s not yet clear if he will be well enough to do that.

With less than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2020">four weeks until Election Day</a>&nbsp;and with millions of voters casting early ballots, pressure is building on Trump to turn around a campaign that is trailing Biden nationally and in most battlegrounds, where the margin is narrower. A debate before an audience of tens of millions of television viewers could provide that reset.

But another debate could also expose Trump to political risks. GOP strategists say the party’s support began eroding after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-virus-outbreak-donald-trump-health-aeab14ec95426d4161f1cff966a26a1f">his seething performance against Biden last week when he didn’t clearly denounce a white supremacist group</a>.

Trump’s apparent unwillingness to change his style to win back voters he needs — particularly women — was on display again Thursday during his Fox Business interview when he referred to Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris as a “monster.”

Campaigning with Harris in Arizona, Biden called Trump’s characterization of the first Black woman on a major party’s presidential ticket “despicable” and added that it was “so beneath the office of the presidency.”

This would not be the first time Trump has skipped a debate. During the 2016 Republican primary, he boycotted the last debate before Iowa’s first-in-the nation’s caucuses, holding a fundraiser for veterans instead — a move he later speculated may have contributed to his loss in the state.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-joe-biden-donald-trump-health-7c04d4ec06666f3d5c725d09054c1940">Trump fell ill with the virus</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 1, just 48 hours after sharing a stage with Biden in person during the first presidential debate in Cleveland. While the two candidates remained a dozen feet apart, Trump’s infection sparked health concerns for Biden and sent him to undergo multiple COVID-19 tests before returning to the campaign trail. His campaign announced Thursday that Biden had undergone his fifth such test and was found to be negative.

Trump was still contagious with the virus when he was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday, but his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-amy-coney-barrett-hope-hicks-archive-1d48efc6d80a91430d060106749aca07">doctors have not provided any detailed update on his status.</a>&nbsp;According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 can be contagious for as many as — and should isolate for at least — 10 days.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he won't participate in next week’s debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden if it's virtual. Debate organizers announced Thursday that the debate would be virtual because of Trump's diagnosis of COVID-19. 

The Commission on Presidential Debates made the announcement a week before Trump and Biden were scheduled to face off in Miami. It said the candidates will “participate from separate remote locations,” while the participants and moderator remain in Miami. But Trump told Fox News that he's “not going to do a virtual debate.” He was diagnosed with the coronavirus a week ago and said he looked forward to debating Biden on stage in Miami.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The second presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will take place virtually amid the fallout from the president's diagnosis of COVID-19.

The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates debates made the announcement Thursday morning, a week before the two were scheduled to face off in Miami, “in order to protect the health and safety of all involved with the second presidential debate."

Shortly after the announcement, President Trump said "I'm not going to do a virtual debate' with Biden.

According to the Commission, the candidates will “participate from separate remote locations,” while the participants and moderator remain in Miami, the commission said.

Trump was diagnosed with the coronavirus a week ago and but in a Tuesday tweet said he looked forward to debating Biden on stage in Miami, “It will be great!” he tweeted.

Biden, for his part, said he and Trump “shouldn’t have a debate” as long as the president remains COVID positive.

Biden told reporters in Pennsylvania that he was “looking forward to being able to debate him” but said “we’re going to have to follow very strict guidelines.”

Trump fell ill with the virus last Thursday, just 48 hours after debating Biden in person for the first time in Cleveland. While the two candidates remained a dozen feet apart during the debate, Trump's infection sparked health concerns for Biden and sent him to undergo multiple COVID-19 tests before returning to the campaign trail.

Trump was still contagious with the virus when he was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday but his doctors have not provided any detailed update on his status. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 can be contagious for as many as — and should isolate for at least — 10 days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602157911509.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The fate of final debates between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden was thrown into uncertainty Thursday as the campaigns offered dueling proposals for moving forward with faceoffs that have been upended by the president’s coronavirus infection.It was unclear when or how the next debates would proceed, or whether voters would even get to see the two men running for the White House on the same stage again before Election Day.The whipsaw day began with an announcement from the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, which said the next debate, a town hall-style affair set for Oct. 15 in Miami, would be held virtually. The commission cited health concerns following Trump’s infection as the reason for the change.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A Thursday evening update from President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>’s physician: <a href="https://t.co/vVxCYq9jwr">pic.twitter.com/vVxCYq9jwr</a>&mdash; Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1314340347334537217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump, who is eager to return to the campaign trail&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-technology-pandemics-archive-1c1c70af9e41a17c7902ff54de7c79fc">despite uncertainty about his health</a>, said he wouldn’t participate if the debate wasn’t in person. Biden’s campaign then suggested the event be delayed a week until Oct. 22, which is when the third and final debate is already scheduled.Next, Trump countered again, agreeing to a debate on Oct. 22 — but only if face to face — and asking that a third contest be added on Oct. 29, just before the election. But Biden’s advisors rejected squaring off that late in the campaign.The debate commission, which has the unenviable task of finding common ground between the competing campaigns, did not weigh in on any of the new proposals. The organization has come under scrutiny already after the first debate between Trump and Biden deteriorated, with the president frequently interrupting his opponent and the moderator unable to take control.With the debate schedule unclear, Biden moved quickly to make sure he would still appear in front of a television audience next week. Instead of debating Trump on Thursday, he will take part in a town hall sponsored by ABC News.As he campaigned in Arizona on Thursday, Biden said he would also attend the Oct. 22 debate regardless of Trump’s plans.“We agreed to three debates back in the summer,” Biden said. “I’m showing up. I’ll be there. And if, in fact, he shows up, fine. If he doesn’t, fine.”For Trump, who is recovering from COVID-19 at the White House after spending three days in the hospital, the health-induced changes are an unwelcome disruption to his effort to shift focus away from a virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans this year.In an interview with Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo shortly after the commission’s announcement, Trump insisted he was in “great shape” and called the idea of a virtual debate a “joke.”“I’m not going to do a virtual debate,” he declared.The president’s campaign manager, Bill Stepien, said Trump would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-technology-pandemics-archive-1c1c70af9e41a17c7902ff54de7c79fc">stage a rally</a>&nbsp;rather than debate next Thursday, though it’s not yet clear if he will be well enough to do that.With less than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2020">four weeks until Election Day</a>&nbsp;and with millions of voters casting early ballots, pressure is building on Trump to turn around a campaign that is trailing Biden nationally and in most battlegrounds, where the margin is narrower. A debate before an audience of tens of millions of television viewers could provide that reset.But another debate could also expose Trump to political risks. GOP strategists say the party’s support began eroding after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-virus-outbreak-donald-trump-health-aeab14ec95426d4161f1cff966a26a1f">his seething performance against Biden last week when he didn’t clearly denounce a white supremacist group</a>.Trump’s apparent unwillingness to change his style to win back voters he needs — particularly women — was on display again Thursday during his Fox Business interview when he referred to Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris as a “monster.”Campaigning with Harris in Arizona, Biden called Trump’s characterization of the first Black woman on a major party’s presidential ticket “despicable” and added that it was “so beneath the office of the presidency.”This would not be the first time Trump has skipped a debate. During the 2016 Republican primary, he boycotted the last debate before Iowa’s first-in-the nation’s caucuses, holding a fundraiser for veterans instead — a move he later speculated may have contributed to his loss in the state.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-joe-biden-donald-trump-health-7c04d4ec06666f3d5c725d09054c1940">Trump fell ill with the virus</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 1, just 48 hours after sharing a stage with Biden in person during the first presidential debate in Cleveland. While the two candidates remained a dozen feet apart, Trump’s infection sparked health concerns for Biden and sent him to undergo multiple COVID-19 tests before returning to the campaign trail. His campaign announced Thursday that Biden had undergone his fifth such test and was found to be negative.Trump was still contagious with the virus when he was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday, but his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-amy-coney-barrett-hope-hicks-archive-1d48efc6d80a91430d060106749aca07">doctors have not provided any detailed update on his status.</a>&nbsp;According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 can be contagious for as many as — and should isolate for at least — 10 days.___WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he won't participate in next week’s debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden if it's virtual. Debate organizers announced Thursday that the debate would be virtual because of Trump's diagnosis of COVID-19. The Commission on Presidential Debates made the announcement a week before Trump and Biden were scheduled to face off in Miami. It said the candidates will “participate from separate remote locations,” while the participants and moderator remain in Miami. But Trump told Fox News that he's “not going to do a virtual debate.” He was diagnosed with the coronavirus a week ago and said he looked forward to debating Biden on stage in Miami.----------WASHINGTON (AP) — The second presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will take place virtually amid the fallout from the president's diagnosis of COVID-19.The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates debates made the announcement Thursday morning, a week before the two were scheduled to face off in Miami, “in order to protect the health and safety of all involved with the second presidential debate."Shortly after the announcement, President Trump said "I'm not going to do a virtual debate' with Biden.According to the Commission, the candidates will “participate from separate remote locations,” while the participants and moderator remain in Miami, the commission said.Trump was diagnosed with the coronavirus a week ago and but in a Tuesday tweet said he looked forward to debating Biden on stage in Miami, “It will be great!” he tweeted.Biden, for his part, said he and Trump “shouldn’t have a debate” as long as the president remains COVID positive.Biden told reporters in Pennsylvania that he was “looking forward to being able to debate him” but said “we’re going to have to follow very strict guidelines.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601490394424.png" alt="President Trump during the Sept. 29 debate in Cleveland-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Trump during the Sept. 29 debate in Cleveland-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump fell ill with the virus last Thursday, just 48 hours after debating Biden in person for the first time in Cleveland. While the two candidates remained a dozen feet apart during the debate, Trump's infection sparked health concerns for Biden and sent him to undergo multiple COVID-19 tests before returning to the campaign trail.Trump was still contagious with the virus when he was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday but his doctors have not provided any detailed update on his status. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 can be contagious for as many as — and should isolate for at least — 10 days.

Next Trump-Biden debate now uncertain as rival camps argue

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A surge of coronavirus cases in Wisconsin and the Dakotas is forcing a scramble for hospital beds and raising political tensions, as the Upper Midwest and Plains emerge as one of the nation’s most troubling hotspots.

 The three states now lead all others in new cases per capita, after months in which many residents and politicians shunned mask requirements while downplaying the risks of the disease. 

It is increasingly apparent that those choices have come with costs.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A surge of coronavirus cases in Wisconsin and the Dakotas is forcing a scramble for hospital beds and raising political tensions, as the Upper Midwest and Plains emerge as one of the nation’s most troubling hotspots. The three states now lead all others in new cases per capita, after months in which many residents and politicians shunned mask requirements while downplaying the risks of the disease. It is increasingly apparent that those choices have come with costs.

Tensions rise as virus cases surge in Wisconsin, Dakotas

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Public schools in Grand Island are having a hard time finding substitute teachers to fill vacancies in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Television station KSNB reports that Grand Island Public Schools is experiencing a rapid rise in teachers and staff having to quarantine after testing positive or being exposed to the virus.

 District personnel chief Wayne Stelk says about a quarter of the district's certified teaching staff have been sidelined “due to COVID-related situations.”

 Stelk says the district could have to move some schools to remote learning if the staffing shortage worsens. 

Officials with Northwest Public Schools in Grand Island say they also have had trouble finding substitute teachers this year.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Public schools in Grand Island are having a hard time finding substitute teachers to fill vacancies in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Television station KSNB reports that Grand Island Public Schools is experiencing a rapid rise in teachers and staff having to quarantine after testing positive or being exposed to the virus. District personnel chief Wayne Stelk says about a quarter of the district's certified teaching staff have been sidelined “due to COVID-related situations.” Stelk says the district could have to move some schools to remote learning if the staffing shortage worsens. Officials with Northwest Public Schools in Grand Island say they also have had trouble finding substitute teachers this year.