Storm douses Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical Storm Karen drenched the U.S. Virgin Islands on Tuesday as it bore down on an earthquake-shaken Puerto Rico still scarred by a hurricane two years ago.

Heavy squalls were expected to hit some areas of the U.S. territories overnight as the storm moved slowly over the region and headed to open waters.

Forecasters said the heaviest rains would affect Puerto Rico’s southern and eastern region from 8 p.m. Tuesday to about 2 a.m. on Wednesday.

“The worst is yet to come,” said Elmer Román, secretary of the island’s Department of Public Safety.

U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said late Tuesday evening that Karen had already caused some mudslides in the territory and warned people to remain inside.

“We’re not out of the woods yet,” he said, adding that an island-wide power outage occurred in St. Thomas early in the morning, followed by smaller outages throughout the day.

Schools and government offices remained closed in Puerto Rico as well as in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, with officials warning people to stay indoors.

Just hours before the storm approached, Puerto Ricans were shaken from their beds late Monday by a magnitude 6.0 earthquake that hit in the Atlantic near the island at a shallow depth of 6 miles (10 kilometers). Three aftershocks, of magnitude 4.7 and 4.6, followed within less than an hour.

No significant damage was reported, said Carlos Acevedo, director of Puerto Rico’s emergency management agency, adding that the concern now was how much rain Karen would drop on the region. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said it could bring 3 inches to 6 inches (8 to 15 centimeters) with isolated amounts of 10 inches (25 centimeters).

Up to 29,000 customers in Puerto Rico were left without power at one point, including those who live in the southeast coastal town of Yabucoa, where 69-year-old retiree Víctor Ortiz huddled inside his home with his wife.

“Every year the storms are stronger and more frequent,” he said, adding that he worried about landslides because he lives in a mountainous region.

The National Guard, which was activated by Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez on Monday, carried out a last-minute evacuation of a weeks-old baby from the neighboring island of Vieques, which has been without a hospital since Hurricane Maria hit in 2017. Lt. Col. Paul Dahlen said in a phone interview that the baby was sick and would be taken to a hospital before the storm hits.

Karen regained tropical storm strength Tuesday morning after slipping to a tropical depression. Its maximum sustained winds increased in the afternoon to 45 mph (70 kph), with additional strengthening expected in upcoming days. The storm was centered about 45 miles (75 kilometers) east of San Juan and was moving north at 10 mph (16 kph). Forecasters said it was expected to hit Puerto Rico’s southeast region by late afternoon.

It was expected to keep heading north after passing over Puerto Rico and stay well east of the Bahamas, the Hurricane Center said. A tropical storm warning remained in effect for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and forecasters said certain areas could experience stronger winds.

Roberto Garcia, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service’s San Juan office, said that some towns in the eastern part of Puerto Rico would likely be hit with moderate to serious flooding, especially those next to mountains.

Gov. Wanda Vázquez urged people in flood-prone areas to seek shelter, with more than 30 people reported in shelters by Tuesday morning.

The island is still recovering from Hurricane Maria, which hit as a Category 4 storm two years ago and is estimated to have caused more than $100 billion in damage. More than 25,000 homes still have blue tarps for roofs and the electric grid remains unstable.

Farther north, Tropical Storm Jerry was moving northward and was projected to pass near Bermuda by Wednesday morning. It was about 250 miles (405 kilometers) west-southwest of Bermuda and had sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph).

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Lorenzo formed over the far eastern Atlantic and was projected to become a major hurricane by the end of the week, though while curving out over open sea away from land. It was centered about 465 miles (745 kilometers) west-southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands and had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph). It was heading west-northwest at 17 mph (28 kph).

Letter to the editor

Dear editor,

The people of Humboldt might rather see their city streets improved than have a swimming pool. 

In Iola, the water plant, the hospital and the school system might rather have some assistance than a swimming pool.

Bonnie Johnson,

Iola, Kan.

Letter to the editor

Dear editor,

It’s no mystery why Kansas is having trouble keeping people in the medical field. It’s because the powers that be in Topeka won’t expand Medicaid  because they refuse to give the governor a victory on her campaign promise for its expansion.

It is a shame that so few have the power to refuse so many their right to health care and put rural hospitals in danger of closure. I hope people remember this when these people come up for reelection and send them packing. Wake up, Kansas!

Maude Burns,

Iola, Kan.

Monkey recovering after zoo break-in

DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) — A capuchin monkey at a western Kansas zoo is recovering after it was injured while apparently trying to stop an intruder from taking a younger monkey.

Officials at the Wright Park Zoo in Dodge City say the older monkey, named Vern, was hurt and his son, Pickett, was found on the outskirts of Dodge City Sept. 3. The younger monkey was not injured.

The Dodge City Daily Globe reports officials initially thought Vern’s injuries were minor but a veterinarian found injuries apparently caused by blunt force trauma. The monkey underwent surgery at Kansas State University Sept. 10 to repair broken bones.

Zoo spokeswoman Abbey Martin said Monday Pickett is doing well and is back on display. Vern remains in quarantine while he recovers.

Dodge City police are investigating the incident. Martin says there are no developments in the investigation.

Kansas reports 2nd death from vaping-related lung disease

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is reporting its second death from a vaping-related lung disease in less than two weeks.

Gov. Laura Kelly announced Monday that a man over 50 has died. The state health department said it is not releasing the names, hometowns or other details about people who’ve died or become sick to protect their privacy.

The state’s first reported death related to e-cigarette use was a woman over 50 and reported Sept. 10. Kelly’s office said both people who died had other underlying health issues.

Seven other Kansas residents have been sickened in an outbreak tied to more than 500 reported vaping-related illnesses nationwide. Five have been treated and released from a hospital, while two remained hospitalized Monday.

Kelly said the state is considering policy options, without being more specific.

E-cigarette CEO ousted; ads halted

Juul Labs will no longer promote its e-cigarettes in print, digital and TV advertisements and is replacing its CEO amid an escalating backlash against vaping nationwide.

The nation’s largest e-cigarette maker also pledged Wednesday not to lobby against a sweeping ban on vaping flavors proposed by the Trump administration earlier this month.

Juul announced its CEO, Kevin Burns, will step down and be replaced by a senior executive from Altria, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes. Altria took a 35% stake in Juul in December at a cost of $13 billion.

The shakeup comes amid growing public furor over vaping that has triggered calls for tighter restrictions at the federal and state levels. On Tuesday, Massachusetts proposed banning all vaping products for four months.

Juul and hundreds of smaller e-cigarette companies are fighting for their survival as they face two public health debacles linked to vaping: a mysterious lung illness and rising use of e-cigarettes by teenagers.

Public health officials are investigating hundreds of cases of the breathing ailment but have not yet identified any one product or ingredient. At the same time, underage vaping has reached epidemic levels, according to top government health officials, with more than 1 in 4 high school students using e-cigarettes in the last month.

Also on Wednesday, one month after announcing that they were in merger talks, the tobacco giants Altria and Philip Morris International said they were calling off those discussions.

Juul quickly propelled itself to the top of the e-cigarette market with a combination of high-nicotine pods, dessert and fruit flavors and viral marketing. Today the San Francisco company controls roughly 70% of the U.S. e-cigarette market.

Since 2018 Juul has tried to head off a crackdown with a series of voluntary steps, halting retail stores of several flavors and shutting down its social media presence. But parents, politicians and public health advocates have continued to push for a broader crackdown.

The company now faces multiple investigations from Congress, several federal agencies and state attorneys general.

Earlier this month President Donald Trump said that the federal government will act to ban thousands of flavors used in e-cigarettes in response to a recent surge in underage vaping that has alarmed parents, politicians and health authorities nationwide.

Altria Group Inc. said that K.C. Crosthwaite will become JUUL’s new CEO, replacing Kevin Burns. Crosthwaite served as Altria’s chief growth officer.

Crosthwaite said in a prepared statement that Juul has long focused on providing adult smokers with alternatives, but recognized that there’s currently “unacceptable levels of youth usage and eroding public confidence in our industry.”

“We must strive to work with regulators, policymakers and other stakeholders, and earn the trust of the societies in which we operate. That includes inviting an open dialogue, listening to others and being responsive to their concerns,” he said.

Altria and Philip Morris said last month that they were in discussions to become a single company, more than a decade after splitting into two as lawsuits mounted.

Altria has exclusively sold Marlboro cigarettes and other tobacco brands in the U.S., while Philip Morris has handled international sales.

Philip Morris International Inc. CEO André Calantzopoulos said Wednesday that the companies will instead focus on launching IQOS in the U.S. IQOS is a heat-not-burn cigarette alternative made by Philip Morris.

It was Crosthwaite, who will take over Juul, who headed the development of IQOS.

Shares of both companies rose in early trading, with Philip Morris’ stock jumping almost 7%.

Supreme Court ruling clear; but Brexit future still murky

LONDON (AP) — The landmark British Supreme Court ruling that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of Parliament was unlawful did not deal directly with plans for Britain’s anticipated departure from the European Union. Brexit will however be top of the agenda in Parliament now that lawmakers have returned.

Questions abound over how all this affects Brexit.

WHAT IS THE LEGAL SITUATION?

As things stand, Britain is scheduled to leave the EU on Oct. 31 unless the British government requests an extension and the other 27 EU countries agree to a further delay.

However, Parliament passed a bill earlier this month before Johnson suspended Parliament requiring the prime minister to seek a three-month extension if no withdrawal agreement has been reached with the EU by Oct. 19.

Johnson insists that he is pursuing a deal with the EU, but has repeatedly said that if there is no deal, he will take Britain out of the EU on the scheduled Brexit date rather than request an extension.

For most economists, including those in government and the Bank of England, a no-deal Brexit would trigger a recession as trade barriers, including tariffs, are put up between Britain and the EU. There’s also a widespread expectation that there will be gridlock at Britain’s ports, and shortages of some food and medicine.

DOES THE SUPREME COURT RULING CHANGE THIS?

No. Supreme Court President Brenda Hale went out of her way to make clear that the ruling would not have any impact on Britain’s departure. The ruling does mean that the legislature has more time to challenge the government and take concrete legislative steps to try to prevent a no-deal split with the EU.

WHAT MORE CAN PARLIAMENT DO TO STOP A NO-DEAL BREXIT?

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said Wednesday that opposition parties will now seek to find further legal ways to make sure Johnson complies with the legislation preventing no-deal that is already on the statute book. Backers of the bill that has already passed fear Johnson is looking for loopholes that might allow him to sidestep the law.

Johnson has emphasized repeatedly that there are no circumstances under which he would seek an extension. If that is the case, his options are somewhat limited. To make good on that assertion, he would either have to reach a deal with the EU — and have that passed by Parliament — resign and let another prime minister deal with the matter, or find a way he believes he can avoid seeking an extension despite the legislation.

WILL PARLIAMENT TRY TO BRING JOHNSON DOWN?

It doesn’t look like anything is imminent. Labour Party leader Corbyn says the opposition’s top priority is to halt a no-deal Brexit on Oct. 31. He and other opposition figures say they will only call a vote of no confidence in the government and seek a new election once an extension has been agreed.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS NO DEAL AND NO EXTENSION REQUEST?

It’s not clear. Parliament would likely try to force the issue on an urgent basis, but by law, the EU has to negotiate with the British government, not with legislators. It is likely that legislators would immediately rush to the courts seeking to force Johnson’s hand and prevent a no-deal Brexit. The fact that the 11 Supreme Court judges ruled against the government in the suspension case suggests a willingness to intervene to assert Parliament’s important constitutional role, so it is entirely possible an epic court battle would ensue, all taking place against the ticking clock of the Oct. 31 deadline.

WOULD AN ELECTION BREAK THE IMPASSE?

Corbyn’s Labour Party opposes a no-deal Brexit. It wants to come to power, negotiate a new deal with the EU then have a nationwide referendum on whether to endorse the new deal or remain inside the bloc. The party has not said which option it would back, though the vast majority of members in the party appear to prefer to remain in the EU.

The much smaller Liberal Democrats say they would end the Brexit process immediately if they win the next election by revoking the Article 50 process that governs a country’s withdrawal from the EU.

The Scottish National Party and some smaller parties also favor staying in the EU and back another referendum.

The Brexit Party headed by Nigel Farage would favor leaving without a deal over the deal negotiated by former Prime Minister Theresa May that was rejected three times by Parliament.

ANYTHING ELSE TO BREAK THE IMPASSE?

It’s clear Johnson and Parliament remain on a collision course. The pressure would ease if there is real, substantial progress in the negotiations between British and European officials, particularly over the Irish border. The two sides are holding regular meetings at a relatively low level and hopes for a breakthrough are muted. If there is a new deal that wins parliamentary support, the no-deal threat would be lifted and Britain could move toward an orderly departure.

UN chief warns of a world divided between US, China

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned global leaders Tuesday of the looming risk of the world splitting in two, with the United States and China creating rival internets, currency, trade, financial rules “and their own zero sum geopolitical and military strategies.”

In his annual “state of the world address” to the General Assembly’s gathering of heads of state and government, Guterres said the risk “may not yet be large, but it is real.”

“We must do everything possible to avert the great fracture and maintain a universal system,  a universal economy with universal respect for international law; a multipolar world with strong multilateral institutions,” he told presidents, prime ministers, monarchs and ministers from the U.N.’s 193 member states.

Guterres painted a grim picture of a deeply divided and anxious planet facing a climate crisis, “the alarming possibility of armed conflict in the Gulf,” spreading terrorism, rising populism and “exploding” inequality.

His speech was followed by the traditional first speaker — Brazil, represented by its new president, Jair Bolsonaro — and the United States, represented by President Donald Trump.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is scheduled to speak later, said he was returning to London immediately afterward, where he will face the fallout of a court ruling against his decision to shut down Parliament over the is debating the U.K. in the crucial countdown to the country’s withdrawal from the European Union.

The United Nations, designed to promote a multilateral world, has struggled in the face of increasing unilateralism by the U.S. and other nations that favor going it alone.

“We are living in a world of disquiet,” Guterres said. “A great many people fear getting trampled, thwarted, left behind. Machines take their jobs. Traffickers take their dignity. Demagogues take their rights. Warlords take their lives. Fossil fuels take their future.”

Yet, the secretary-general said people still believe in “the spirit and ideas” of the United Nations and its foundation of multilateralism, of all countries working together.

But he asked the VIP crowd in the horseshoe-shaped assembly chamber: “Do they believe leaders will put people first?”

“We, the leaders must deliver for we, the peoples,” Guterres said.

The global meeting unfolds against the backdrop of flaring tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, backed by its longtime ally, the United States. The Saudis say Iran was responsible for an attack earlier this month on two oil facilities in the kingdom, which Iran denies.

The Trump administration has been engaged in an escalating series of harsh words and threats with Tehran. The U.S. has imposed increasingly crippling sanctions.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is scheduled to address world leaders on Wednesday.

Guterres gave a dire warning about the situation in the Gulf.

“Above all, we are facing the alarming possibility of armed conflict in the Gulf, the consequences of which the world cannot afford,” he said. “In a context where a minor miscalculation can lead to a major confrontation, we must do everything possible to push for reason and restraint.”

He also warned that “outside interference” is making peace processes more difficult. And he pointed to unresolved conflicts from Yemen to Libya, Afghanistan and beyond.

“A succession of unilateral actions threatens to torpedo a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine,” Guterres said. “In Venezuela, 4 million people have fled the country — one of the largest displacements in the world. Tensions are elevated in South Asia, where differences need to be addressed through dialogue.”

This year’s General Assembly session, which ends Sept. 30, has attracted world leaders from 136 of the 193 U.N. member nations, according to figures it released Friday. That large turnout reflects a growing global focus on addressing climate change and the perilous state of peace and security.

Other countries will be represented by ministers and vice presidents — except Afghanistan, whose leaders are in a hotly contested presidential campaign ahead of Sept. 28 elections, and North Korea, which downgraded its representation from a minister to, likely, its U.N. ambassador. Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled plans to attend and are sending ministers.

KU receives notice of allegations from NCAA

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas received a notice of allegations from the NCAA on Monday that alleges significant violations within its storied men’s basketball program, including a responsibility charge leveled against Hall of Fame coach Bill Self.

The notice includes three Level 1 violations tied primarily to recruiting and cites a lack of institutional control. It also includes notice of a secondary violation in football tied to then-coach David Beaty that involved the use of an extra coach during practice.

While the document does not go into detail about what the basketball program is accused of doing, Kansas was among the most prominent programs swept up in an NCAA probe into a pay-for-play scheme that began with an FBI investigation into apparel company Adidas. A former Adidas employee testified that he made payments to the family of one Kansas recruit and the guardian of a current player. Text messages presented in court revealed a close relationship between Self and the Adidas employee.

The school said in a statement that it “strongly disagrees with the assertion that it ‘lacks institutional control.’ In fact, the university believes the record will demonstrate just the opposite.”

“The University of Kansas has high standards of ethical conduct for all our employees, and we take seriously any conduct that is antithetical to our values and missions,” Kansas chancellor Doug Girod said. “While we will accept responsibility for proven violations of NCAA bylaws, we will not shy from forcefully pushing back on allegations that the facts simply do not substantiate.”

Girod also said that the school would “stand firmly behind coach Self,” who delivered its fifth national championship in 2008 and has a team that could contend for another title this season.

The NCAA’s Stacey Osburn declined to comment on “current, pending or ongoing investigations.”

“I have always taken pride in my commitment to rules compliance and led programs that operate with integrity,” Self said, “and I am proud of the success that we have achieved at each program along the way. Every student-athlete who has ever played for me and their families know we follow the rules.

“These allegations are serious and damaging to the university and to myself,” he added, “and I hate that KU has to go through this process. With our staff’s full cooperation, these allegations will be addressed within NCAA procedures with urgency and resolve.”

Kansas had been in the NCAA’s crosshairs since early this summer, when Vice President Stan Wilcox said at least six schools were likely to receive notices of allegations for Level 1 infractions.

North Carolina State was the first of them, getting a notice July 10 of two violations, including a failure-to-monitor charge leveled against former coach Mark Gottfried.

Arizona, Auburn, Creighton, Louisville, LSU and USC have also been under the microscope.

Level 1 infractions are considered the most severe by the NCAA, and often include postseason bans, the forfeiture of wins and championships and the loss of scholarships. But the notice itself is only the beginning of a process that can often take more than a year — the school typically sends a response to the NCAA enforcement committee, setting off an exchange of information.

Ultimately, a hearing will be scheduled and Kansas will be allowed to present its case. The NCAA will then issue its ruling, often within several months, and the school retains the right to appeal.

The former Adidas employee, T.J. Gassnola, testified in October that he made a a $90,000 payment to the family of then-Kansas recruit Billy Preston and $2,500 to the guardian of current forward Silvio De Sousa.

Gassnola, who avoided prison time by cooperating with the investigation, said he also paid $20,000 to Fenny Falmagne, De Sousa’s guardian, to pry the prospect loose from an agreement with Maryland.

Self said last October that “when recruiting potential student-athletes, my staff and I have not and do not offer improper inducements to them, or their families, to influence their college decisions, nor are we aware of any third-party involvement to do so.”

Gassnola testified that Self was unaware of the payments, but text messages and phone records indicate a close relationship with the national championship-winning coach. And an attorney for former Adidas executive James Gatto told a jury that his client approved the payment to Falmagne only after Self and his longtime assistant, Kurtis Townsend, requested Gassnola to provide it.

“The evidence, I submit, shows that Kansas’ head coach knew of and asked for a payment to be made to Silvio De Sousa’s handler,” the attorney, Michael Schachter, said at the time. “More than that, coach Self requested just the kind of help that Mr. Gassnola arranged as a condition for coach Self to permit Adidas to continue their sponsorship agreement with the University of Kansas.”

In April, the school signed a 14-year, $196 million extension of its apparel and sponsorship deal with Adidas. The deal, which is worth $14 million annually, runs through the 2030-31 school year.

Gatto, former Adidas consultant Merl Code and handler Chris Dawkins have been found guilty of felony charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the case. Gassnola was given probation as part of his cooperation agreement with federal prosecutors.

While Gassnola appeared to try to shield Self from the FBI probe, their relationship came out in text messages presented by defense attorneys at his trial. In one exchange, Gassnola texted Self that “I talked to Fenny,” and the coach replied, “We good?” Gassnola said, “Always. That’s light work.”

Later, Gassnola texted about keeping Self and Kansas happy with lottery picks. Self responded: “That’s how (it) works. At UNC and Duke.”

De Sousa was declared ineligible for two full seasons by the NCAA, and sat out last season before declaring for the draft. He withdrew from the draft when the NCAA approved his appeal to play this season.

The Jayhawks had their run of 14 consecutive Big 12 championships end this past season, when Kansas State and Texas Tech tied for the crown. But with several returning stars and another elite recruiting class, the Jayhawks were expected to be a top-five team in the AP preseason poll.

“We strongly disagree with the allegations regarding men’s basketball,” Kansas athletic director Jeff Long said. “We fully support coach Self and his staff, and we will vigorously defend the allegations against him and our university.

“As for the football violations,” Long said, “we fully met the requirements and our responsibility to the NCAA by self-reporting the violations when our compliance procedures uncovered the issues. I am confident in our process to respond to the allegations and look forward to resolving this matter.”

Iola Mustangs JV football

Freshman quarterback Carter Hutton runs with the ball on a quarterback keeper. The JV Mustangs were unable to put any points on the scoreboard, falling to Chanute 33-0. Like the varsity team, the JV Mustangs are now 0-3 on the season. 

HUMBOLDT: The JV Cubs are  now 3-0, after they stomped Eureka 26-6 at home on Monday.