RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is reviewing the death of a man following an armed standoff and fire at a Rapid City house.

 Family members called police to the home Tuesday afternoon. 

Police Chief Don Hedrick says the man in his 30s had doused himself and the residence with gasoline and began firing a shotgun inside the house and then started shooting towards the outside. 

Eventually smoke could be seen coming from the house and a fire broke out. Hedrick says the man died in the house.

 Officials say state agents are investigating because someone died during a police response and a neutral party is needed to review the case.&nbsp;

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is reviewing the death of a man following an armed standoff and fire at a Rapid City house. Family members called police to the home Tuesday afternoon. Police Chief Don Hedrick says the man in his 30s had doused himself and the residence with gasoline and began firing a shotgun inside the house and then started shooting towards the outside. Eventually smoke could be seen coming from the house and a fire broke out. Hedrick says the man died in the house. Officials say state agents are investigating because someone died during a police response and a neutral party is needed to review the case.&nbsp;

State agents investigating death following Rapid City standoff, fire

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — As parents nationwide prepare to help their children with more distance learning, a small but quickly growing number are deciding to take matters entirely into their own hands and begin homeschooling. 

Some are worried their districts are unable to offer a strong virtual learning program.

 For others who may have been considering homeschooling, concerns for their family’s health amid the coronavirus and the on-again, off-again planning for in-person instruction are leading them to part ways with school systems. 

Homeschooling applications are surging in states including Nebraska, where they are up 21%, and Vermont, where they are up 75%.&nbsp;

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — As parents nationwide prepare to help their children with more distance learning, a small but quickly growing number are deciding to take matters entirely into their own hands and begin homeschooling. Some are worried their districts are unable to offer a strong virtual learning program. For others who may have been considering homeschooling, concerns for their family’s health amid the coronavirus and the on-again, off-again planning for in-person instruction are leading them to part ways with school systems. Homeschooling applications are surging in states including Nebraska, where they are up 21%, and Vermont, where they are up 75%.&nbsp;

Interest in homeschooling has 'exploded' amid pandemic

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/59c25efd4d325c4895f8ba85517f9bfd">Mail piling up</a>. Constant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a90a7a76c26c1fa3edfbb5664d4b2e91">attacks</a>&nbsp;from the president.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a291ebc31c5638aa5a9adafc2ff2b430">Cuts to overtime</a>&nbsp;as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9d38f27c9a8200f8befe91778f602c7c">record numbers of ballots</a>&nbsp;are expected to pass through post offices this fall.

The success of the 2020 presidential election could hinge on a most unlikely government agency:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/eecd34df92249d8218bda442f76d47f6">the U.S. Postal Service</a>. Current signs are not promising.

The Postal Service already was facing questions over how it would handle the expected spike of mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic, but several operational changes imposed by its new leader have led to mail backlogs across the United States as rumors of additional cutbacks swirl, fueling worries about the November vote.

“It seems like they’re just trying to turn customers away from the post office,” said Jim Sizemore, president of the American Postal Workers Union chapter in the Cincinnati region. He said his offices are behind on deliveries because of new rules specifying when mail can go out.

The pandemic has forced states to expand voting by mail as a safe alternative to in-person polling places. Some states are opting to send ballots to voters or allowing people to use fear of the virus as a reason to cast an absentee ballot. That’s led to predictions of an an unprecedented amount of mail voting in the presidential election.

Trailing in the polls, President Donald Trump has been sowing public distrust in the Postal Service’s ability to adequately deliver ballots and has, without evidence, said allowing more people to vote by mail will result in rampant corruption.

The agency’s new leader, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a former supply-chain CEO and a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Louis+DeJoy&amp;two_year_transaction_period=2020&amp;min_date=01%2F01%2F2019&amp;max_date=12%2F31%2F2020" target="_blank">major donor</a>&nbsp;to Trump and other Republicans, has pushed cost-cutting measures to eliminate overtime pay and hold mail until the next day if postal distribution centers are running late.

DeJoy, 63, of North Carolina, was tapped to head the service by a Trump-appointed board of governors and started in June. He is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades who is not a career postal employee.

DeJoy has said repeatedly that the Postal Service is in a financially untenable position and needs to rein in expenses. This past week, it reported $2.2 billion in losses during the three months that ended in June.

Postal leaders want at least a $10 billion infusion from Congress as well as regulatory changes that would end a costly mandate that they fund in advance billions of dollars in retiree health benefits.

“Without dramatic change, there is no end in sight, and we face an impending liquidity crisis,” DeJoy told the Postal Service’s governing board Friday.

Memos from post office leadership, obtained by The Associated Press, detailed an elimination of overtime and a halting of late delivery trips that are sometimes needed to make sure deliveries arrive on time. One document said if distribution centers are running behind, “they will keep the mail for the next day.” Another said: “One aspect of these changes that may be difficult for employees is that — temporarily — we may see mail left behind or mail on the workroom floor or docks.”

Additional records obtained by AP outline upcoming reductions of hours at post offices, including closures during lunch and on Saturdays. Rumors have also circulated about the potential for entire offices to shutter, after the Postal Service told Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., that regional managers there have identified 12 offices for “feasibility studies.” Postal employees have been recently instructed not to talk to news media while on duty, according to another memo obtained by AP.

The changes have taken their toll on the Postal Service’s 630,000 employees.

“As they risk their health each day along with other front-line essential workers, letter carriers have become angry, frustrated and embarrassed by various USPS management initiatives that are now resulting in delayed mail and undelivered routes in many areas of the country,” said Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, which represents nearly 300,000 carriers nationwide.

The new policies have angered lawmakers from both parties and drawn criticism from former President Barack Obama, who said the current administration is “undermining the Postal Service in an election that’s going to be dependent on mail-in ballots.”

DeJoy has been the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/200730_LettertoPMGDeJoy.pdf" target="_blank">target&nbsp;</a>of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/1/1/11cc422b-110d-4efd-8487-b2e31f4c3eb8/DF9F8C63E54797C5E21CB57825FA2FA3.080620usps.pdf" target="_blank">multiple&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.daines.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/USPS%20-%20Mail%20Delay.%202020.08.06.pdf" target="_blank">letters&nbsp;</a>from members of Congress who have called on the postmaster general to rescind his measures and have complained about a lack of transparency from the agency. Eighty-four House members, including four Republicans, signed a letter that said it is “vital that the Postal Service does not reduce mail delivery hours, which could harm rural communities, seniors, small businesses and millions of Americans who rely on the mail for critical letters and packages.″

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had a closed-door meeting with DeJoy this past week to discuss the agency’s worsening performance and need for emergency funding. Schumer later described it as “a heated discussion.″

Pelosi and Schumer followed up with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Schumer%20Pelosi%20DeJoy%20Letter%20v2%20FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">letter&nbsp;</a>to DeJoy that said the operational changes “threaten the timely delivery of mail — including medicines for seniors, paychecks for workers, and absentee ballots for voters — that is essential to millions of Americans.”

During a meeting Friday with the Postal Service governing board, DeJoy said the agency is not slowing down election mail and remains committed to fulfilling its role in elections.

“Although there will likely be an unprecedented increase in election mail volume due to the pandemic, the Postal Service has ample capacity to deliver all election mail securely and on-time in accordance with our delivery standards, and we will do so,” he said. “However, as discussed, we cannot correct the errors of the Election Boards if they fail to deploy processes that take our normal processing and delivery standards into account.”

In West Virginia, Sini Melvin, president of an American Postal Workers Union chapter in a northern part of the state, said she has serious concerns about the post office’s ability to deliver ballots on time this fall if current policies hold.

“It’s like they’re setting us up for failure,” she said,

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596998721849.png" alt="Postal worker in Lawrence, Kansas -google image" />
 <figcaption>Postal worker in Lawrence, Kansas -google image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/59c25efd4d325c4895f8ba85517f9bfd">Mail piling up</a>. Constant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a90a7a76c26c1fa3edfbb5664d4b2e91">attacks</a>&nbsp;from the president.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a291ebc31c5638aa5a9adafc2ff2b430">Cuts to overtime</a>&nbsp;as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9d38f27c9a8200f8befe91778f602c7c">record numbers of ballots</a>&nbsp;are expected to pass through post offices this fall.The success of the 2020 presidential election could hinge on a most unlikely government agency:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/eecd34df92249d8218bda442f76d47f6">the U.S. Postal Service</a>. Current signs are not promising.The Postal Service already was facing questions over how it would handle the expected spike of mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic, but several operational changes imposed by its new leader have led to mail backlogs across the United States as rumors of additional cutbacks swirl, fueling worries about the November vote.“It seems like they’re just trying to turn customers away from the post office,” said Jim Sizemore, president of the American Postal Workers Union chapter in the Cincinnati region. He said his offices are behind on deliveries because of new rules specifying when mail can go out.The pandemic has forced states to expand voting by mail as a safe alternative to in-person polling places. Some states are opting to send ballots to voters or allowing people to use fear of the virus as a reason to cast an absentee ballot. That’s led to predictions of an an unprecedented amount of mail voting in the presidential election.Trailing in the polls, President Donald Trump has been sowing public distrust in the Postal Service’s ability to adequately deliver ballots and has, without evidence, said allowing more people to vote by mail will result in rampant corruption.The agency’s new leader, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a former supply-chain CEO and a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Louis+DeJoy&amp;two_year_transaction_period=2020&amp;min_date=01%2F01%2F2019&amp;max_date=12%2F31%2F2020" target="_blank">major donor</a>&nbsp;to Trump and other Republicans, has pushed cost-cutting measures to eliminate overtime pay and hold mail until the next day if postal distribution centers are running late.DeJoy, 63, of North Carolina, was tapped to head the service by a Trump-appointed board of governors and started in June. He is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades who is not a career postal employee.DeJoy has said repeatedly that the Postal Service is in a financially untenable position and needs to rein in expenses. This past week, it reported $2.2 billion in losses during the three months that ended in June.Postal leaders want at least a $10 billion infusion from Congress as well as regulatory changes that would end a costly mandate that they fund in advance billions of dollars in retiree health benefits.“Without dramatic change, there is no end in sight, and we face an impending liquidity crisis,” DeJoy told the Postal Service’s governing board Friday.Memos from post office leadership, obtained by The Associated Press, detailed an elimination of overtime and a halting of late delivery trips that are sometimes needed to make sure deliveries arrive on time. One document said if distribution centers are running behind, “they will keep the mail for the next day.” Another said: “One aspect of these changes that may be difficult for employees is that — temporarily — we may see mail left behind or mail on the workroom floor or docks.”Additional records obtained by AP outline upcoming reductions of hours at post offices, including closures during lunch and on Saturdays. Rumors have also circulated about the potential for entire offices to shutter, after the Postal Service told Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., that regional managers there have identified 12 offices for “feasibility studies.” Postal employees have been recently instructed not to talk to news media while on duty, according to another memo obtained by AP.The changes have taken their toll on the Postal Service’s 630,000 employees.“As they risk their health each day along with other front-line essential workers, letter carriers have become angry, frustrated and embarrassed by various USPS management initiatives that are now resulting in delayed mail and undelivered routes in many areas of the country,” said Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, which represents nearly 300,000 carriers nationwide.The new policies have angered lawmakers from both parties and drawn criticism from former President Barack Obama, who said the current administration is “undermining the Postal Service in an election that’s going to be dependent on mail-in ballots.”DeJoy has been the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/200730_LettertoPMGDeJoy.pdf" target="_blank">target&nbsp;</a>of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/1/1/11cc422b-110d-4efd-8487-b2e31f4c3eb8/DF9F8C63E54797C5E21CB57825FA2FA3.080620usps.pdf" target="_blank">multiple&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.daines.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/USPS%20-%20Mail%20Delay.%202020.08.06.pdf" target="_blank">letters&nbsp;</a>from members of Congress who have called on the postmaster general to rescind his measures and have complained about a lack of transparency from the agency. Eighty-four House members, including four Republicans, signed a letter that said it is “vital that the Postal Service does not reduce mail delivery hours, which could harm rural communities, seniors, small businesses and millions of Americans who rely on the mail for critical letters and packages.″House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had a closed-door meeting with DeJoy this past week to discuss the agency’s worsening performance and need for emergency funding. Schumer later described it as “a heated discussion.″Pelosi and Schumer followed up with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Schumer%20Pelosi%20DeJoy%20Letter%20v2%20FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">letter&nbsp;</a>to DeJoy that said the operational changes “threaten the timely delivery of mail — including medicines for seniors, paychecks for workers, and absentee ballots for voters — that is essential to millions of Americans.”During a meeting Friday with the Postal Service governing board, DeJoy said the agency is not slowing down election mail and remains committed to fulfilling its role in elections.“Although there will likely be an unprecedented increase in election mail volume due to the pandemic, the Postal Service has ample capacity to deliver all election mail securely and on-time in accordance with our delivery standards, and we will do so,” he said. “However, as discussed, we cannot correct the errors of the Election Boards if they fail to deploy processes that take our normal processing and delivery standards into account.”In West Virginia, Sini Melvin, president of an American Postal Workers Union chapter in a northern part of the state, said she has serious concerns about the post office’s ability to deliver ballots on time this fall if current policies hold.“It’s like they’re setting us up for failure,” she said,

Postal Service emerges as flash point heading into election

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Omaha's city council on Tuesday approved an emergency mask mandate in indoor public places to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.

The measure passed 7-0 after four hours of testimony from a divided public. The proposal had received support from many of the city's biggest companies, including Union Pacific, TD Ameritrade, Mutual of Omaha and First National Bank.

The proposed ordinance would require masks in places such as schools, businesses and churches. Eating and drinking in restaurants and bars, exercising in gyms and visiting government offices would be excluded.

Douglas County, which includes Omaha, has confirmed 11,449 coronavirus cases and 138 deaths since the pandemic began, according to the county's online tracking portal. The number of new daily cases has trended down over the last week.

The number of cases in Lincoln has trended downward since the city began requiring masks on July 20.

Statewide, Nebraska officials have confirmed 28,696 coronavirus cases and 348 deaths, although the actual number is likely higher because some people haven't been tested. A total of 306,023 people have been tested so far, and state officials confirmed 264 new cases on Monday.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.

The state's online tracking portal says 39% of hospital beds in Nebraska are available and 80% of its ventilators.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Omaha's city council on Tuesday approved an emergency mask mandate in indoor public places to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.The measure passed 7-0 after four hours of testimony from a divided public. The proposal had received support from many of the city's biggest companies, including Union Pacific, TD Ameritrade, Mutual of Omaha and First National Bank.The proposed ordinance would require masks in places such as schools, businesses and churches. Eating and drinking in restaurants and bars, exercising in gyms and visiting government offices would be excluded.Douglas County, which includes Omaha, has confirmed 11,449 coronavirus cases and 138 deaths since the pandemic began, according to the county's online tracking portal. The number of new daily cases has trended down over the last week.The number of cases in Lincoln has trended downward since the city began requiring masks on July 20.Statewide, Nebraska officials have confirmed 28,696 coronavirus cases and 348 deaths, although the actual number is likely higher because some people haven't been tested. A total of 306,023 people have been tested so far, and state officials confirmed 264 new cases on Monday.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.The state's online tracking portal says 39% of hospital beds in Nebraska are available and 80% of its ventilators.

Omaha officials approve mask requirement in indoor spaces

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Police in south-central Nebraska say officers fatally shot a man who charged at them with a knife. 

Grand Island police say in a news release that the shooting happened near midnight Monday, when officers were called to a house by those seeking to have a family member removed. 

Arriving officers say the man — identified as 40-year-old Americo Reyes Jr. — began barricading the home's doors and turning out the lights before he met officers at the back door holding a large knife. 

Police say two different less lethal options were deployed with no adverse affects on Reyes, and that police shot him when he charged at the officers with the knife.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Police in south-central Nebraska say officers fatally shot a man who charged at them with a knife. Grand Island police say in a news release that the shooting happened near midnight Monday, when officers were called to a house by those seeking to have a family member removed. Arriving officers say the man — identified as 40-year-old Americo Reyes Jr. — began barricading the home's doors and turning out the lights before he met officers at the back door holding a large knife. Police say two different less lethal options were deployed with no adverse affects on Reyes, and that police shot him when he charged at the officers with the knife.

Nebraska police fatally shoot man accused of having knife

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Joe Biden named California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate on Tuesday, making history by selecting the first Black woman to compete on a major party’s presidential ticket and acknowledging the vital role Black voters will play in his bid to defeat President Donald Trump.

“I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked @KamalaHarris — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate,” Biden tweeted. In a text message to supporters, Biden said, “Together, with you, we’re going to beat Trump.”

Harris and Biden plan to deliver remarks Wednesday in Wilmington.

In choosing Harris, Biden is embracing a former rival from the Democratic primary who is familiar with the unique rigor of a national campaign. Harris, a 55-year-old first-term senator, is also one of the party’s most prominent figures and quickly became a top contender for the No. 2 spot after her own White House campaign ended.

Harris, who is also Indian American, joins Biden in the 2020 race at a moment of unprecedented national crisis. The coronavirus pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 150,000 people in the U.S., far more than the toll experienced in other countries. Business closures and disruptions resulting from the pandemic have caused an economic collapse. Unrest, meanwhile, has emerged across the country as Americans protest racism and police brutality.

Trump’s uneven handling of the crises has given Biden an opening, and he enters the fall campaign in strong position against the president. In adding Harris to the ticket, he can point to her relatively centrist record on issues such as health care and her background in law enforcement in the nation’s largest state.

Harris’ record as California attorney general and district attorney in San Francisco was heavily scrutinized during the Democratic primary and turned off some liberals and younger Black voters who saw her as out of step on issues of systemic racism in the legal system and police brutality. She tried to strike a balance on these issues, declaring herself a “progressive prosecutor” who backs law enforcement reforms.

Biden, who spent eight years as President Barack Obama’s vice president, has spent months weighing who would fill that same role in his White House. He pledged in March to select a woman as his vice president, easing frustration among Democrats that the presidential race would center on two white men in their 70s.

Biden’s search was expansive, including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a leading progressive, Florida Rep. Val Demings, whose impeachment prosecution of Trump won plaudits, California Rep. Karen Bass, who leads the Congressional Black Caucus, former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, whose passionate response to unrest in her city garnered national attention.

Rice congratulated Harris on her selection, calling her a “tenacious and trailblazing leader.” Rice said she would support Biden and Harris “with all my energy and commitment.”

Bass tweeted, “@KamalaHarris is a great choice for Vice President. Her tenacious pursuit of justice and relentless advocacy for the people is what is needed right now.”

A woman has never served as president or vice president in the United States. Two women have been nominated as running mates on major party tickets: Democrat Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and Republican Sarah Palin in 2008. Their party lost in the general election.

The vice presidential pick carries increased significance this year. If elected, Biden would be 78 when he’s inaugurated in January, the oldest man to ever assume the presidency. He’s spoken of himself as a transitional figure and hasn’t fully committed to seeking a second term in 2024. If he declines to do so, his running mate would likely become a front-runner for the nomination that year.

Born in Oakland to a Jamaican father and Indian mother, Harris won her first election in 2003 when she became San Francisco’s district attorney. In the role, she created a reentry program for low-level drug offenders and cracked down on student truancy.

She was elected California’s attorney general in 2010, the first woman and Black person to hold the job, and focused on issues including the foreclosure crisis. She declined to defend the state’s Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage and was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

As her national profile grew, Harris built a reputation around her work as a prosecutor. After being elected to the Senate in 2016, she quickly gained attention for her assertive questioning of Trump administration officials during congressional hearings. In one memorable moment last year, Harris tripped up Attorney General William Barr when she repeatedly pressed him on whether Trump or other White House officials pressured him to investigate certain people.

Harris launched her presidential campaign in early 2019 with the slogan “Kamala Harris For the People,” a reference to her courtroom work. She was one of the highest-profile contenders in a crowded Democratic primary and attracted 20,000 people to her first campaign rally in Oakland.

But the early promise of her campaign eventually faded. Her law enforcement background prompted skepticism from some progressives, and she struggled to land on a consistent message that resonated with voters. Facing fundraising problems, Harris abruptly withdrew from the race in December 2019, two months before the first votes of the primary were cast.

One of Harris’ standout moments of her presidential campaign came at the expense of Biden. During a debate, Harris said Biden made “very hurtful” comments about his past work with segregationist senators and slammed his opposition to busing as schools began to integrate in the 1970s.

“There was a little girl in California who was a part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bused to school every day,” she said. “And that little girl was me.”

Shaken by the attack, Biden called her comments “a mischaracterization of my position.”

The exchange resurfaced recently one of Biden’s closest friends and a co-chair of his vice presidential vetting committee, former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, still harbors concerns about the debate and that Harris hadn’t expressed regret. The comments attributed to Dodd and first reported by Politico drew condemnation, especially from influential Democratic women who said Harris was being held to a standard that wouldn’t apply to a man running for president.

Some Biden confidants said Harris’ campaign attack did irritate the former vice president, who had a friendly relationship with her. Harris was also close with Biden’s late son, Beau, who served as Delaware attorney general while she held the same post in California.

But Biden and Harris have since returned to a warm relationship.

“Joe has empathy, he has a proven track record of leadership and more than ever before we need a president of the United States who understands who the people are, sees them where they are, and has a genuine desire to help and knows how to fight to get us where we need to be,” Harris said at an event for Biden earlier this summer.

At the same event, she bluntly attacked Trump, labeling him a “drug pusher” for his promotion of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus, which has not been proved to be an effective treatment and may even be more harmful. After Trump tweeted “when the looting starts, the shooting starts” in response to protests about the death of George Floyd, a Black man, in police custody, Harris said his remarks “

Harris has taken a tougher stand on policing since Floyd’s killing. She co-sponsored legislation in June that would ban police from using chokeholds and no-knock warrants, set a national use-of-force standard and create a national police misconduct registry, among other things. It would also reform the qualified immunity system that shields officers from liability.

The list included practices Harris did not vocally fight to reform while leading California’s Department of Justice. Although she required DOJ officers to wear body cameras, she did not support legislation mandating it statewide. And while she now wants independent investigations of police shootings, she didn’t support a 2015 California bill that would have required her office to take on such cases.

“We made progress, but clearly we are not at the place yet as a country where we need to be and California is no exception,” she told The Associated Press recently. But the national focus on racial injustice now shows “there’s no reason that we have to continue to wait.”

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Joe Biden named California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate on Tuesday, making history by selecting the first Black woman to compete on a major party’s presidential ticket and acknowledging the vital role Black voters will play in his bid to defeat President Donald Trump.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a> — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate.&mdash; Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1293280411150217219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked @KamalaHarris — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate,” Biden tweeted. In a text message to supporters, Biden said, “Together, with you, we’re going to beat Trump.”Harris and Biden plan to deliver remarks Wednesday in Wilmington.In choosing Harris, Biden is embracing a former rival from the Democratic primary who is familiar with the unique rigor of a national campaign. Harris, a 55-year-old first-term senator, is also one of the party’s most prominent figures and quickly became a top contender for the No. 2 spot after her own White House campaign ended.Harris, who is also Indian American, joins Biden in the 2020 race at a moment of unprecedented national crisis. The coronavirus pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 150,000 people in the U.S., far more than the toll experienced in other countries. Business closures and disruptions resulting from the pandemic have caused an economic collapse. Unrest, meanwhile, has emerged across the country as Americans protest racism and police brutality.Trump’s uneven handling of the crises has given Biden an opening, and he enters the fall campaign in strong position against the president. In adding Harris to the ticket, he can point to her relatively centrist record on issues such as health care and her background in law enforcement in the nation’s largest state.Harris’ record as California attorney general and district attorney in San Francisco was heavily scrutinized during the Democratic primary and turned off some liberals and younger Black voters who saw her as out of step on issues of systemic racism in the legal system and police brutality. She tried to strike a balance on these issues, declaring herself a “progressive prosecutor” who backs law enforcement reforms.Biden, who spent eight years as President Barack Obama’s vice president, has spent months weighing who would fill that same role in his White House. He pledged in March to select a woman as his vice president, easing frustration among Democrats that the presidential race would center on two white men in their 70s.Biden’s search was expansive, including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a leading progressive, Florida Rep. Val Demings, whose impeachment prosecution of Trump won plaudits, California Rep. Karen Bass, who leads the Congressional Black Caucus, former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, whose passionate response to unrest in her city garnered national attention.Rice congratulated Harris on her selection, calling her a “tenacious and trailblazing leader.” Rice said she would support Biden and Harris “with all my energy and commitment.”Bass tweeted, “@KamalaHarris is a great choice for Vice President. Her tenacious pursuit of justice and relentless advocacy for the people is what is needed right now.”A woman has never served as president or vice president in the United States. Two women have been nominated as running mates on major party tickets: Democrat Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and Republican Sarah Palin in 2008. Their party lost in the general election.The vice presidential pick carries increased significance this year. If elected, Biden would be 78 when he’s inaugurated in January, the oldest man to ever assume the presidency. He’s spoken of himself as a transitional figure and hasn’t fully committed to seeking a second term in 2024. If he declines to do so, his running mate would likely become a front-runner for the nomination that year.Born in Oakland to a Jamaican father and Indian mother, Harris won her first election in 2003 when she became San Francisco’s district attorney. In the role, she created a reentry program for low-level drug offenders and cracked down on student truancy.She was elected California’s attorney general in 2010, the first woman and Black person to hold the job, and focused on issues including the foreclosure crisis. She declined to defend the state’s Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage and was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.As her national profile grew, Harris built a reputation around her work as a prosecutor. After being elected to the Senate in 2016, she quickly gained attention for her assertive questioning of Trump administration officials during congressional hearings. In one memorable moment last year, Harris tripped up Attorney General William Barr when she repeatedly pressed him on whether Trump or other White House officials pressured him to investigate certain people.Harris launched her presidential campaign in early 2019 with the slogan “Kamala Harris For the People,” a reference to her courtroom work. She was one of the highest-profile contenders in a crowded Democratic primary and attracted 20,000 people to her first campaign rally in Oakland.But the early promise of her campaign eventually faded. Her law enforcement background prompted skepticism from some progressives, and she struggled to land on a consistent message that resonated with voters. Facing fundraising problems, Harris abruptly withdrew from the race in December 2019, two months before the first votes of the primary were cast.One of Harris’ standout moments of her presidential campaign came at the expense of Biden. During a debate, Harris said Biden made “very hurtful” comments about his past work with segregationist senators and slammed his opposition to busing as schools began to integrate in the 1970s.“There was a little girl in California who was a part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bused to school every day,” she said. “And that little girl was me.”Shaken by the attack, Biden called her comments “a mischaracterization of my position.”The exchange resurfaced recently one of Biden’s closest friends and a co-chair of his vice presidential vetting committee, former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, still harbors concerns about the debate and that Harris hadn’t expressed regret. The comments attributed to Dodd and first reported by Politico drew condemnation, especially from influential Democratic women who said Harris was being held to a standard that wouldn’t apply to a man running for president.Some Biden confidants said Harris’ campaign attack did irritate the former vice president, who had a friendly relationship with her. Harris was also close with Biden’s late son, Beau, who served as Delaware attorney general while she held the same post in California.But Biden and Harris have since returned to a warm relationship.“Joe has empathy, he has a proven track record of leadership and more than ever before we need a president of the United States who understands who the people are, sees them where they are, and has a genuine desire to help and knows how to fight to get us where we need to be,” Harris said at an event for Biden earlier this summer.At the same event, she bluntly attacked Trump, labeling him a “drug pusher” for his promotion of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus, which has not been proved to be an effective treatment and may even be more harmful. After Trump tweeted “when the looting starts, the shooting starts” in response to protests about the death of George Floyd, a Black man, in police custody, Harris said his remarks “Harris has taken a tougher stand on policing since Floyd’s killing. She co-sponsored legislation in June that would ban police from using chokeholds and no-knock warrants, set a national use-of-force standard and create a national police misconduct registry, among other things. It would also reform the qualified immunity system that shields officers from liability.The list included practices Harris did not vocally fight to reform while leading California’s Department of Justice. Although she required DOJ officers to wear body cameras, she did not support legislation mandating it statewide. And while she now wants independent investigations of police shootings, she didn’t support a 2015 California bill that would have required her office to take on such cases.“We made progress, but clearly we are not at the place yet as a country where we need to be and California is no exception,” she told The Associated Press recently. But the national focus on racial injustice now shows “there’s no reason that we have to continue to wait.”___

Biden selects California Sen. Kamala Harris as running mate

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. (AP) — A 9-year-old boy found walking alone alongside Interstate 80 in southwestern Wyoming is reunited with his parents.

 The Wyoming Highway Patrol got word about the boy Saturday afternoon. 

Troopers were headed to find the boy when a driver picked him up and took him to the Green River Police Department.

 Patrol officials say troopers worked with police to find the boy’s family in Rock Springs.

 The parents said they were driving two separate vehicles when one had a flat tire. 

They repaired the tire and drove off without realizing the boy wasn’t in either vehicle. 

Troopers concluded that the incident wasn’t suspicious.

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. (AP) — A 9-year-old boy found walking alone alongside Interstate 80 in southwestern Wyoming is reunited with his parents. The Wyoming Highway Patrol got word about the boy Saturday afternoon. Troopers were headed to find the boy when a driver picked him up and took him to the Green River Police Department. Patrol officials say troopers worked with police to find the boy’s family in Rock Springs. The parents said they were driving two separate vehicles when one had a flat tire. They repaired the tire and drove off without realizing the boy wasn’t in either vehicle. Troopers concluded that the incident wasn’t suspicious.

Boy, 9, found on I-80 in Wyoming reunited with parents

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha’s city council is set to vote on an emergency mask mandate in indoor public places to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. 

The measure has received support from many of the city’s biggest companies, including Union Pacific, TD Ameritrade, Mutual of Omaha and First National Bank. 

The proposed ordinance would require masks in places such as schools, businesses and churches. 

Eating and drinking in restaurants and bars, exercising in gyms and visiting government offices would be excluded. 

Douglas County, which includes Omaha, has reported 11,449 coronavirus cases and 138 deaths.

 The number of new daily cases has trended down over the last week.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha’s city council is set to vote on an emergency mask mandate in indoor public places to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. The measure has received support from many of the city’s biggest companies, including Union Pacific, TD Ameritrade, Mutual of Omaha and First National Bank. The proposed ordinance would require masks in places such as schools, businesses and churches. Eating and drinking in restaurants and bars, exercising in gyms and visiting government offices would be excluded. Douglas County, which includes Omaha, has reported 11,449 coronavirus cases and 138 deaths. The number of new daily cases has trended down over the last week.

Omaha officials to vote on mask requirement in indoor spaces

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A school district was wrong when it forced a transgender high school student to either use the girls bathroom or a single-stall gender neutral bathroom, a federal appeals court ruled.

The ruling sides with Drew Adams, who sued the St. Johns County Florida School District because he wasn’t allowed to use the boys restroom. 

It could have a wide-ranging impact on how schools treat transgender students. Though his assigned gender was female at birth, Adams began the transition to become a male before he enrolled in Allen D. Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach.

The school district, however, pointed to forms filled out when Adams was in fourth grade that listed him as a girl, and said he couldn’t use the boys bathroom. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that in a 2-1 decision.

“A public school may not punish its students for gender nonconformity. Neither may a public school harm transgender students by establishing arbitrary, separate rules for their restroom use. The evidence at trial confirms that Mr. Adams suffered both these indignities,” the court wrote in its opinion.

Adams has since graduated from the high school and attends the University of Central Florida.

“I’m really grateful the court agreed that trans rights are human rights,” Adams said in a phone interview Monday.

The ruling would cover schools in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, and could carry the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court. But the victory is considered a milestone for transgender rights that will resonate beyond high school bathroom use.

“I definitely hope that seeing me, an actual trans person, and seeing me just as a normal person, I hope that has a lasting impact,” Adams said. “I really think that ignorance and misunderstanding is really the root of a lot of transphobia in this country.”

The ruling noted that Adams had already undergone physical transitions, including a removal of breast tissue and hormones that promoted secondary male characteristics and a deepening of his voice.

The ruling dismissed school board claims that male students’ privacy would be compromised if he used the boys restroom and that some boys might claim to be “gender fluid” in order to be voyeurs in the girls restroom. The court said there was no evidence that either was the case.

“Were Mr. Adams to use the school’s restroom for girls, as the School Board maintains he could, his masculine physiology would present many of the same anatomical differences the School Board fears if non-transgender boys used the girls’ restroom,” the ruling said.

Paul Castillo, a lawyer for Lambda Legal, an organization that fights for LGBTQ rights, said the ruling, though immediately affecting a few states, could have a national impact.

“I could not be more impressed with his resolve over the years and his steadfast commitment for LGBTQ equality, particularly for transgender youth,” Castillo said. “Even though he’s graduated, he continues to put himself, through his case, in a position to help thousands of transgender youth across the country.”

Calls to the St. Johns School County School District seeking comment went unanswered.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A school district was wrong when it forced a transgender high school student to either use the girls bathroom or a single-stall gender neutral bathroom, a federal appeals court ruled.The ruling sides with Drew Adams, who sued the St. Johns County Florida School District because he wasn’t allowed to use the boys restroom. It could have a wide-ranging impact on how schools treat transgender students. Though his assigned gender was female at birth, Adams began the transition to become a male before he enrolled in Allen D. Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach.The school district, however, pointed to forms filled out when Adams was in fourth grade that listed him as a girl, and said he couldn’t use the boys bathroom. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that in a 2-1 decision.“A public school may not punish its students for gender nonconformity. Neither may a public school harm transgender students by establishing arbitrary, separate rules for their restroom use. The evidence at trial confirms that Mr. Adams suffered both these indignities,” the court wrote in its opinion.Adams has since graduated from the high school and attends the University of Central Florida.“I’m really grateful the court agreed that trans rights are human rights,” Adams said in a phone interview Monday.The ruling would cover schools in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, and could carry the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court. But the victory is considered a milestone for transgender rights that will resonate beyond high school bathroom use.“I definitely hope that seeing me, an actual trans person, and seeing me just as a normal person, I hope that has a lasting impact,” Adams said. “I really think that ignorance and misunderstanding is really the root of a lot of transphobia in this country.”The ruling noted that Adams had already undergone physical transitions, including a removal of breast tissue and hormones that promoted secondary male characteristics and a deepening of his voice.The ruling dismissed school board claims that male students’ privacy would be compromised if he used the boys restroom and that some boys might claim to be “gender fluid” in order to be voyeurs in the girls restroom. The court said there was no evidence that either was the case.“Were Mr. Adams to use the school’s restroom for girls, as the School Board maintains he could, his masculine physiology would present many of the same anatomical differences the School Board fears if non-transgender boys used the girls’ restroom,” the ruling said.Paul Castillo, a lawyer for Lambda Legal, an organization that fights for LGBTQ rights, said the ruling, though immediately affecting a few states, could have a national impact.“I could not be more impressed with his resolve over the years and his steadfast commitment for LGBTQ equality, particularly for transgender youth,” Castillo said. “Even though he’s graduated, he continues to put himself, through his case, in a position to help thousands of transgender youth across the country.”Calls to the St. Johns School County School District seeking comment went unanswered.

Federal court rules for transgender man in bathroom case

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Students and staff at Rapid City Area Schools will be required to wear masks when classes resume next month. 

The school board voted Monday night in favor of the requirement. 

Superintendent Lori Simon says teachers will have to wear a mask when six feet of physical distance isn’t possible. 

School board member Kate Thomas abstained from voting on the matter saying if there are no repercussions for failing to wear a mask, the mandate looks like a joke. 

The Rapid City Education Association held a demonstration outside of the building before the board meeting where more than a dozen teachers held signs in support of masks for students and staff.

 Students return to the classrooms Sept. 8.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Students and staff at Rapid City Area Schools will be required to wear masks when classes resume next month. The school board voted Monday night in favor of the requirement. Superintendent Lori Simon says teachers will have to wear a mask when six feet of physical distance isn’t possible. School board member Kate Thomas abstained from voting on the matter saying if there are no repercussions for failing to wear a mask, the mandate looks like a joke. The Rapid City Education Association held a demonstration outside of the building before the board meeting where more than a dozen teachers held signs in support of masks for students and staff. Students return to the classrooms Sept. 8.

Masks required for students, staff in Rapid City schools

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Hundreds of thousands across the Midwest remained without power after a powerful storm packing 100 mph winds battered the region. 

Monday's storms caused damage linked to the death of a woman found clutching a young boy in her storm-battered mobile home in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

 Officials say she died at a hospital after firefighters pulled her from debris, but the boy believed to be her grandson wasn't injured. 

A powerful storm known as a derecho tore from eastern Nebraska across Iowa and parts of Wisconsin and Illinois, blowing over trees, flipping vehicles and causing widespread property and crop damage. 

The storm left downed trees and power lines that blocked roadways in Chicago and its suburbs.&nbsp;

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Hundreds of thousands across the Midwest remained without power after a powerful storm packing 100 mph winds battered the region. Monday's storms caused damage linked to the death of a woman found clutching a young boy in her storm-battered mobile home in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Officials say she died at a hospital after firefighters pulled her from debris, but the boy believed to be her grandson wasn't injured. A powerful storm known as a derecho tore from eastern Nebraska across Iowa and parts of Wisconsin and Illinois, blowing over trees, flipping vehicles and causing widespread property and crop damage. The storm left downed trees and power lines that blocked roadways in Chicago and its suburbs.&nbsp;

1 dead after powerful storm leaves devastation in Midwest

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump was abruptly escorted by a U.S. Secret Service agent out of the White House briefing room as he was beginning a coronavirus briefing Monday afternoon. He returned minutes later, saying there was a “shooting” outside the White House that was “under control.”

“There was an actual shooting and somebody’s been taken to the hospital,” Trump said. The president said the shots were fired by law enforcement, saying he believed the individual who was shot was armed. “It was the suspect who was shot,” Trump said.

Trump said he was escorted to the Oval Office by the agent. The White House was placed on lockdown following the incident.

The shooting took place near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue just blocks from the White House, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly about it. Law enforcement officials were still trying to determine the suspect’s motive.

The suspect was transferred to a local hospital, and the District of Columbia fire department said the man suffered serious or possibly critical injuries. Authorities were investigating whether the individual has a history of mental illness.

Trump praised the work of Secret Service personnel for their work in keeping him safe. Asked if he was shaken by the incident, Trump asked reporters: “I don’t know. Do I seem rattled?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597098216508.png" alt="Secret Service agent interrupts President Trump's press briefing Monday afternoon -image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Secret Service agent interrupts President Trump's press briefing Monday afternoon -image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump was abruptly escorted by a U.S. Secret Service agent out of the White House briefing room as he was beginning a coronavirus briefing Monday afternoon. He returned minutes later, saying there was a “shooting” outside the White House that was “under control.”“There was an actual shooting and somebody’s been taken to the hospital,” Trump said. The president said the shots were fired by law enforcement, saying he believed the individual who was shot was armed. “It was the suspect who was shot,” Trump said.Trump said he was escorted to the Oval Office by the agent. The White House was placed on lockdown following the incident.The shooting took place near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue just blocks from the White House, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly about it. Law enforcement officials were still trying to determine the suspect’s motive.The suspect was transferred to a local hospital, and the District of Columbia fire department said the man suffered serious or possibly critical injuries. Authorities were investigating whether the individual has a history of mental illness.Trump praised the work of Secret Service personnel for their work in keeping him safe. Asked if he was shaken by the incident, Trump asked reporters: “I don’t know. Do I seem rattled?”

Trump escorted from briefing after shooting near White House

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - A rare storm packing 100 mph winds and with power similar to an inland hurricane swept across the Midwest on Monday, blowing over trees, flipping vehicles, causing widespread property damage and leaving hundreds of thousands without power as it turned toward Chicago.

The storm known as a derecho lasted several hours as it tore across eastern Nebraska, Iowa and parts of Wisconsin, had the wind speed of a major hurricane, and likely caused more widespread damage than a normal tornado, said Patrick Marsh, science support chief at the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma.

It's not quite a hurricane. It has no eye and its winds come across in a line. But the damage it is likely to do spread over such a large area is more like an inland hurricane than a quick more powerful tornado, Marsh said. He compared it to a devastating Super Derecho of 2009, which was one of the strongest on record traveled more than 1,000 miles in 24 hours, causing $500 million in damage, widespread power outages and killing a handful of people.

"This is our version of a hurricane," Northern Illinois University meteorology professor Victor Gensini said in an interview from his home about 15 minutes before the storm was about to hit. Minutes later he headed to his basement for safety as the storm took aim at Chicago, starting with its suburbs.

Gensini said this derecho will go down as one of the strongest in recent history and be one of the nation's worst weather events of 2020.

"It ramped up pretty quick" around 7 a.m. Central time in Eastern Nebraska. I don't think anybody expected widespread winds approaching 100, 110 mph," Marsh said.

Several people were injured and widespread property damage was reported in Marshall County in central Iowa after 100 mph winds swept through the area, said its homeland security coordinator Kim Elder.

She said the winds blew over trees, ripped road signs out of the ground and tore roofs off of buildings.

"We had quite a few people trapped in buildings and cars," she said. She said the extent of injuries is unknown and that no fatalities have been reported.

Elder said some people reported their cars flipping over from the wind, having power lines fall on them and getting injured when hit by flying debris. Dozens of cars at one factory had their windshields blown out. Buildings have also caught on fire, she said.

"We're in life-saving mode right now," Elder said.

Marshalltown Mayor Joel Greer declared a civil emergency, telling residents to stay home and off the streets so that first responders can respond to calls.

MidAmerican Energy said nearly 101,000 customers in the Des Moines area were without power after the storm moved through the area. Reports from spotters filed with the National Weather Service in Des Moines had winds in excess of 70 mph.

Roof damage to homes and buildings were reported in several Iowa cities, including the roof of a hockey arena in Des Moines.

Across the state, large trees fell on cars and houses. Some semi-trailers flipped over or were blown off highways.

Farmers reported that some grain bins were destroyed and fields were flattened, but the extent of damage to Iowa's agriculture industry wasn't immediately clear.

MidAmerican spokeswoman Tina Hoffman said downed trees are making it difficult in some locations for workers to get to the power lines. In some cases power line poles were snapped off.

"It's a lot of tree damage. Very high winds. It will be a significant effort to get through it all and get everybody back on," she said. "It was a big front that went all the way through the state."

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has "both significant and widespread damage throughout the city," said public safety spokesman Greg Buelow.

"We have damage to homes and businesses, including siding and roofs damaged," he said. "Trees and power lines are down throughout the entire city."

Buelow said residents should stay home so crews can respond to "potentially life-threatening calls." Tens of thousands of people in the metro area were without power.

What makes a derecho worse than a tornado is how long it can hover one place and how large an area the high winds hit, Marsh said. He said winds of 80 mph or even 100 mph can stretch for "20, 30, 40 or God forbid 100 miles."

"Right now, it's making a beeline for Chicago," Marsh said Monday mid-afternoon. "Whether or not it will hold its intensity as it reaches Chicago remains to be seen."

But the environmental conditions between the storm and Chicago are the type that won't likely diminish the storm, Marsh said. It will likely dissipate over central or eastern Indiana, he said.

What happened is unstable super moist air has parked over the northern plains for days on end and it finally ramped up Monday morning into a derecho.

"They are basically self-sustaining amoebas of thunderstorms," Gensini said. "Once they get going like they did across Iowa, it's really hard to stop these suckers."

Derechoes, with winds of at least 58 mph, occur about once a year in the Midwest. Rarer than tornadoes but with weaker winds, derechoes produce damage over a much wider area.

The storms raced over parts of eastern Nebraska before 9 a.m. Monday, dropping heavy rains and high winds. Strong straight-line winds pushed south into areas that include Lincoln and Omaha, National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Barjenbruch said.

"Once that rain-cooled air hit the ground, it surged over 100 miles, sending incredibly strong winds over the area," Barjenbruch said.

Omaha Public Power District reported more than 55,500 customers without power in Omaha and surrounding communities.

The weather service's Marsh said there's a huge concern about power outages that will be widespread across several states and long lasting. Add high heat, people with medical conditions that require power and the pandemic, "it becomes dire pretty quickly."

By RYAN J. FOLEY-Associated Press IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - A rare storm packing 100 mph winds and with power similar to an inland hurricane swept across the Midwest on Monday, blowing over trees, flipping vehicles, causing widespread property damage and leaving hundreds of thousands without power as it turned toward Chicago.The storm known as a derecho lasted several hours as it tore across eastern Nebraska, Iowa and parts of Wisconsin, had the wind speed of a major hurricane, and likely caused more widespread damage than a normal tornado, said Patrick Marsh, science support chief at the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma.It's not quite a hurricane. It has no eye and its winds come across in a line. But the damage it is likely to do spread over such a large area is more like an inland hurricane than a quick more powerful tornado, Marsh said. He compared it to a devastating Super Derecho of 2009, which was one of the strongest on record traveled more than 1,000 miles in 24 hours, causing $500 million in damage, widespread power outages and killing a handful of people."This is our version of a hurricane," Northern Illinois University meteorology professor Victor Gensini said in an interview from his home about 15 minutes before the storm was about to hit. Minutes later he headed to his basement for safety as the storm took aim at Chicago, starting with its suburbs.Gensini said this derecho will go down as one of the strongest in recent history and be one of the nation's worst weather events of 2020."It ramped up pretty quick" around 7 a.m. Central time in Eastern Nebraska. I don't think anybody expected widespread winds approaching 100, 110 mph," Marsh said.Several people were injured and widespread property damage was reported in Marshall County in central Iowa after 100 mph winds swept through the area, said its homeland security coordinator Kim Elder.She said the winds blew over trees, ripped road signs out of the ground and tore roofs off of buildings."We had quite a few people trapped in buildings and cars," she said. She said the extent of injuries is unknown and that no fatalities have been reported.Elder said some people reported their cars flipping over from the wind, having power lines fall on them and getting injured when hit by flying debris. Dozens of cars at one factory had their windshields blown out. Buildings have also caught on fire, she said."We're in life-saving mode right now," Elder said.Marshalltown Mayor Joel Greer declared a civil emergency, telling residents to stay home and off the streets so that first responders can respond to calls.MidAmerican Energy said nearly 101,000 customers in the Des Moines area were without power after the storm moved through the area. Reports from spotters filed with the National Weather Service in Des Moines had winds in excess of 70 mph.Roof damage to homes and buildings were reported in several Iowa cities, including the roof of a hockey arena in Des Moines.Across the state, large trees fell on cars and houses. Some semi-trailers flipped over or were blown off highways.Farmers reported that some grain bins were destroyed and fields were flattened, but the extent of damage to Iowa's agriculture industry wasn't immediately clear.MidAmerican spokeswoman Tina Hoffman said downed trees are making it difficult in some locations for workers to get to the power lines. In some cases power line poles were snapped off."It's a lot of tree damage. Very high winds. It will be a significant effort to get through it all and get everybody back on," she said. "It was a big front that went all the way through the state."Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has "both significant and widespread damage throughout the city," said public safety spokesman Greg Buelow."We have damage to homes and businesses, including siding and roofs damaged," he said. "Trees and power lines are down throughout the entire city."Buelow said residents should stay home so crews can respond to "potentially life-threatening calls." Tens of thousands of people in the metro area were without power.What makes a derecho worse than a tornado is how long it can hover one place and how large an area the high winds hit, Marsh said. He said winds of 80 mph or even 100 mph can stretch for "20, 30, 40 or God forbid 100 miles.""Right now, it's making a beeline for Chicago," Marsh said Monday mid-afternoon. "Whether or not it will hold its intensity as it reaches Chicago remains to be seen."But the environmental conditions between the storm and Chicago are the type that won't likely diminish the storm, Marsh said. It will likely dissipate over central or eastern Indiana, he said.What happened is unstable super moist air has parked over the northern plains for days on end and it finally ramped up Monday morning into a derecho."They are basically self-sustaining amoebas of thunderstorms," Gensini said. "Once they get going like they did across Iowa, it's really hard to stop these suckers."Derechoes, with winds of at least 58 mph, occur about once a year in the Midwest. Rarer than tornadoes but with weaker winds, derechoes produce damage over a much wider area.The storms raced over parts of eastern Nebraska before 9 a.m. Monday, dropping heavy rains and high winds. Strong straight-line winds pushed south into areas that include Lincoln and Omaha, National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Barjenbruch said."Once that rain-cooled air hit the ground, it surged over 100 miles, sending incredibly strong winds over the area," Barjenbruch said.Omaha Public Power District reported more than 55,500 customers without power in Omaha and surrounding communities.The weather service's Marsh said there's a huge concern about power outages that will be widespread across several states and long lasting. Add high heat, people with medical conditions that require power and the pandemic, "it becomes dire pretty quickly."

Powerful derecho leaves path of devastation across Midwest

AP - Marijuana use could hurt the heart and blood vessels, according to a report that found no cardiovascular benefits to cannabis use and called for more research of the drug that is growing in popularity.

Cannabis studies have been limited because it is listed as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, defined by the U.S. Controlled Substances Act as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published Wednesday in its journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000883">Circulation</a>, suggests the federal Drug Enforcement Agency remove cannabis from the Schedule I category so it can be widely studied by scientists.

Its use has risen over the past decade, especially among people 18-25. In all, 47 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 4 of 5 U.S. territories allow some form of cannabis use. Although many states have legalized medical and/or recreational use, cannabis growing, sales and use are illegal at the federal level, further complicating scientific research.

"We urgently need carefully designed, prospective short- and long-term studies regarding cannabis use and cardiovascular safety as it becomes increasingly available and more widely used," Robert L. Page II, chair of the writing group for the statement, said in a news release. "The public needs fact-based, valid scientific information about cannabis's effect on the heart and blood vessels. Research funding at federal and state levels must be increased to match the expansion of cannabis use – to clarify the potential therapeutic properties and to help us better understand the cardiovascular and public health implications of frequent cannabis use."

Observational studies have linked the chemicals in marijuana to an increased risk of heart attacks, heart failure and a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation, according to the report.

A recent study cited in the statement suggests 6% of heart attack patients under age 50 use cannabis. Other research found users ages 18-44 had a significantly higher risk of having a stroke compared to nonusers.

"Unfortunately, most of the available data are short-term, observational and retrospective studies, which identify trends but do not prove cause and effect," said Page, who also is professor in the department of clinical pharmacy and the department of physical medicine/rehabilitation at the University of Colorado in Aurora.

"Health care professionals need a greater understanding of the health implications of cannabis, which has the potential to interfere with prescribed medications and/or trigger cardiovascular conditions or events, such as heart attacks and strokes," he said.

Although cannabis may be helpful for conditions such as muscle stiffness associated with multiple sclerosis, the new statement said cannabis does not appear to have any well-documented benefits for the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Some studies suggest cannabis – which contains the "high"-inducing THC (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) and CBD (cannabidiol) – may be safe and effective for older populations. Though they are the least likely to use cannabis, older adults have used it to reduce neuropathic pain, common among people with Type 2 diabetes.

Researchers also have reported benefits for people with age-related diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, but there is a dearth of research on the long-term effects of cannabis use among this population. One concern is the potential of interactions with other medications, including blood thinners, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiarrhythmics for heart rhythm abnormalities, and statin drugs, which reduce cholesterol levels.

Some research has found that within an hour of smoking cannabis, THC may induce heart rhythm abnormalities. THC also appears to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, resulting in a higher heart rate, a greater demand for oxygen by the heart, higher blood pressure while lying down and dysfunction within the walls of the arteries.

In contrast, studies on CBD, which does not produce intoxication, have found associations with reduced heart rate, lower blood pressure, increased ability of the arteries to open and potentially reduced inflammation. Inflammation is linked to atherosclerosis, the slow narrowing of the arteries.

The way cannabis is consumed may influence how it affects the heart and blood vessels.

"Many consumers and health care professionals don't realize that cannabis smoke contains components similar to tobacco smoke," Page said. Smoking and inhaling cannabis, regardless of THC content, has been shown to increase the concentrations of carbon monoxide fivefold, and a threefold increase in tar, similar to the effects of inhaling a tobacco cigarette.

Marijuana use, and its potential health risks, should be discussed in detail with a health care professional, the report said.

"If people choose to use cannabis for its medicinal or recreational effects, the oral and topical forms, for which doses can be measured, may reduce some of the potential harms. It is also vitally important that people only use legal cannabis products because there are no controls on the quality or the contents of cannabis products sold on the street," Page said.

In addition to the poisonous compounds in cannabis smoke, vaping cannabis may result in serious health outcomes, especially when mixed with vitamin E acetate oils, which are linked to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/vaping-and-medical-emergencies">EVALI</a>&nbsp;(e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), the potentially fatal illness that emerged among e-cigarette users last year.

The AHA recommends people not smoke or vape any substance, including cannabis products, because of the potential harm to the heart, lungs and blood vessels.

Cannabis that is legal for medical purposes should align with patient safety and efficacy, according to the statement, which calls on the federal government to create and require standardized labeling about THC and CBD amounts on all legalized products.

The statement advocates folding cannabis into comprehensive tobacco control and prevention efforts, including age restrictions for purchasing; excise taxes; comprehensive smoke-free air laws; coverage of cessation treatment programs by insurers, Medicare and Medicaid; and medical screening, such as when a patient is admitted to the hospital and routinely screened to avoid medication interactions. These efforts should be adequately funded, and at least some portion of the revenue from cannabis taxation should be directed toward programs and services that improve public health.

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:editor@heart.org">editor@heart.org</a>.

American Heart Association News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in American Heart Association News stories reflect the official position of the American Heart Association.

Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, to link to, quote, excerpt or reprint from these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to the American Heart Association News.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/statements-and-policies/copyright-permission-guidelines">See full terms of use</a>.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.

AP - Marijuana use could hurt the heart and blood vessels, according to a report that found no cardiovascular benefits to cannabis use and called for more research of the drug that is growing in popularity.Cannabis studies have been limited because it is listed as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, defined by the U.S. Controlled Substances Act as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published Wednesday in its journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000883">Circulation</a>, suggests the federal Drug Enforcement Agency remove cannabis from the Schedule I category so it can be widely studied by scientists.Its use has risen over the past decade, especially among people 18-25. In all, 47 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 4 of 5 U.S. territories allow some form of cannabis use. Although many states have legalized medical and/or recreational use, cannabis growing, sales and use are illegal at the federal level, further complicating scientific research."We urgently need carefully designed, prospective short- and long-term studies regarding cannabis use and cardiovascular safety as it becomes increasingly available and more widely used," Robert L. Page II, chair of the writing group for the statement, said in a news release. "The public needs fact-based, valid scientific information about cannabis's effect on the heart and blood vessels. Research funding at federal and state levels must be increased to match the expansion of cannabis use – to clarify the potential therapeutic properties and to help us better understand the cardiovascular and public health implications of frequent cannabis use."Observational studies have linked the chemicals in marijuana to an increased risk of heart attacks, heart failure and a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation, according to the report.A recent study cited in the statement suggests 6% of heart attack patients under age 50 use cannabis. Other research found users ages 18-44 had a significantly higher risk of having a stroke compared to nonusers."Unfortunately, most of the available data are short-term, observational and retrospective studies, which identify trends but do not prove cause and effect," said Page, who also is professor in the department of clinical pharmacy and the department of physical medicine/rehabilitation at the University of Colorado in Aurora."Health care professionals need a greater understanding of the health implications of cannabis, which has the potential to interfere with prescribed medications and/or trigger cardiovascular conditions or events, such as heart attacks and strokes," he said.Although cannabis may be helpful for conditions such as muscle stiffness associated with multiple sclerosis, the new statement said cannabis does not appear to have any well-documented benefits for the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases.Some studies suggest cannabis – which contains the "high"-inducing THC (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) and CBD (cannabidiol) – may be safe and effective for older populations. Though they are the least likely to use cannabis, older adults have used it to reduce neuropathic pain, common among people with Type 2 diabetes.Researchers also have reported benefits for people with age-related diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, but there is a dearth of research on the long-term effects of cannabis use among this population. One concern is the potential of interactions with other medications, including blood thinners, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiarrhythmics for heart rhythm abnormalities, and statin drugs, which reduce cholesterol levels.Some research has found that within an hour of smoking cannabis, THC may induce heart rhythm abnormalities. THC also appears to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, resulting in a higher heart rate, a greater demand for oxygen by the heart, higher blood pressure while lying down and dysfunction within the walls of the arteries.In contrast, studies on CBD, which does not produce intoxication, have found associations with reduced heart rate, lower blood pressure, increased ability of the arteries to open and potentially reduced inflammation. Inflammation is linked to atherosclerosis, the slow narrowing of the arteries.The way cannabis is consumed may influence how it affects the heart and blood vessels."Many consumers and health care professionals don't realize that cannabis smoke contains components similar to tobacco smoke," Page said. Smoking and inhaling cannabis, regardless of THC content, has been shown to increase the concentrations of carbon monoxide fivefold, and a threefold increase in tar, similar to the effects of inhaling a tobacco cigarette.Marijuana use, and its potential health risks, should be discussed in detail with a health care professional, the report said."If people choose to use cannabis for its medicinal or recreational effects, the oral and topical forms, for which doses can be measured, may reduce some of the potential harms. It is also vitally important that people only use legal cannabis products because there are no controls on the quality or the contents of cannabis products sold on the street," Page said.In addition to the poisonous compounds in cannabis smoke, vaping cannabis may result in serious health outcomes, especially when mixed with vitamin E acetate oils, which are linked to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/vaping-and-medical-emergencies">EVALI</a>&nbsp;(e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), the potentially fatal illness that emerged among e-cigarette users last year.The AHA recommends people not smoke or vape any substance, including cannabis products, because of the potential harm to the heart, lungs and blood vessels.Cannabis that is legal for medical purposes should align with patient safety and efficacy, according to the statement, which calls on the federal government to create and require standardized labeling about THC and CBD amounts on all legalized products.The statement advocates folding cannabis into comprehensive tobacco control and prevention efforts, including age restrictions for purchasing; excise taxes; comprehensive smoke-free air laws; coverage of cessation treatment programs by insurers, Medicare and Medicaid; and medical screening, such as when a patient is admitted to the hospital and routinely screened to avoid medication interactions. These efforts should be adequately funded, and at least some portion of the revenue from cannabis taxation should be directed toward programs and services that improve public health.If you have questions or comments about this story, please email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:editor@heart.org">editor@heart.org</a>.American Heart Association News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in American Heart Association News stories reflect the official position of the American Heart Association.Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, to link to, quote, excerpt or reprint from these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to the American Heart Association News.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/statements-and-policies/copyright-permission-guidelines">See full terms of use</a>.HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.