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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- California's confirmed coronavirus cases have topped 409,000, surpassing New York for most in the nation.John's Hopkins University data showed Wednesday that California now has about 1,200 more cases than New York.However, New York's 72,302 deaths are by far the highest total in the country and nine times more than California's tally.RELATED: SD County COVID-19 TrackerNew York's rate of confirmed infections of about 2,100 per 100,000 people is twice California's rate.U.S. government data published Tuesday found that reported and confirmed coronavirus cases vastly underestimate the true number of infections. 649

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — As the political battle to overturn California's gas tax increase intensified, the state transportation agency coordinated frequently with the public affairs firm working to block the repeal on behalf of unions, construction companies and local government groups, emails obtained by The Associated Press show.The California State Transportation Agency and Sacramento-based Bicker, Castillo & Fairbanks organized news conferences and other efforts to promote legislation to raise the tax to fund road and bridge repairs, which passed the Legislature in April 2017. After Gov. Jerry Brown signed it, the agency and firm continued planning events and coordinating social media posts as opponents gathered signatures for repeal.Three ethics experts interviewed by the AP said the emails raise concerns that the agency's relationship with the firm was too close, but none saw a clear violation of campaign laws, which prohibit the use of public resources for political campaigns.REPORT: Gas tax funds reportedly being used to campaign against Prop 6The repeal qualified for the November ballot in June. The firm, BCF, continues to work for the anti-repeal coalition, which includes the League of California Cities and the California Chamber of Commerce.Some communications between BCF and the state agency involved politics, according to more than 200 emails from 2017 and the first half of this year obtained by the AP through the California Public Records Act.Last fall, the agency and firm discussed opinion pieces "targeting" U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa and three other vulnerable Republicans in Congress. National Democratic leaders see those seats as key to winning control of the U.S. House.RELATED: Caltrans' gas tax freeway signs raise concerns with FedsIn January, a BCF partner, Kathy Fairbanks, communicated with the agency about designing a campaign logo for Proposition 69, a June ballot measure involving how gas tax proceeds are spent. And an undated memo shows the agency and firm also planned to coordinate efforts for several months through the primary.Loyola Law School Professor and government ethics expert Jessica Levinson said the relationship between the firm and agency appears too close, and the exchange about the congressmen crossed an ethical line.RELATED: California campaign watchdog investigates gas tax campaign"I mean way over the line," she said.BCF and agency officials said the communications were appropriate to educate the public about the law and that they ramped down coordination when the firm took an official campaign role."Clearly the agency was trying to coordinate with the campaign, and they shouldn't have," said Bob Stern, a government ethics expert who helped write California's campaign laws. But he added the actual amount of time government workers spent coordinating with the firm was likely minimal.Ann Ravel, who served on the Federal Election Commission and California's Fair Political Practices Commission, said the volume of emails raises questions about whether the agency aided one side.RELATED: Poll: Support strong for Proposition 6, which repeals California's gas tax"It seems like maybe it's a little too cozy, but I wouldn't say that it's clearly inappropriate," Ravel said.The legislation approved last year raised gas taxes by 12 cents per gallon and added diesel and vehicle fees to generate billion annually. Proposition 6 would repeal the increase and require voters approve gas and vehicle tax increases.The ballot measure is a centerpiece of California Republicans' efforts to boost turnout. GOP Congress members — including House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield and Orange County's Mimi Walters — are among the repeal's biggest financial backers.Leaders of the repeal campaign have asked the federal government to investigate their claims that public resources have been used against them, based on emails and other documents that show local government workers discussing the repeal effort. Those documents are different from the ones the AP obtained. Opponents also circulated a video of a Caltrans contractor passing out anti-Proposition 6 fliers to drivers.The California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, falls under the state transportation agency.Melissa Figueroa, the agency's deputy secretary for communications and strategic planning, said it's the agency's job to inform the public about the impact of laws, and it has done so in the past, including for California's "motor voter" registration law."We're trying to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars," Figueroa said.The agency communicated much less frequently with the firm and stopped coordinating social media posts once the official anti-Proposition 6 campaign started, Figueroa said."Prior to that point, it was more of a collaborative effort because they were not in campaign mode," Figueroa said.BCF partner Brandon Castillo said the coalition registered as a fundraising committee in December and officially became a ballot measure campaign in March to support Proposition 69.BCF and other gas tax supporters routinely asked the agency for information, but they did not coordinate on creating campaign materials, Figueroa said. The agency also fulfilled numerous public records requests filed by gas tax opponents, she said.However, an undated memo outlining agency and coalition plans from March through the primary election shows the firm and the agency coordinated the timing of announcements and events. It details plans for the state to tout new construction projects while the coalition campaigned for Proposition 69.The agency and coalition coordinated their schedules, but the agency wasn't involved in campaigning for Proposition 69, Figueroa said.Castillo sent the email about op-eds focused on GOP candidates Sept. 20, 2017."Hey Melissa — We're penning opeds (sic) targeting the following congressional republicans," he wrote. He identified Reps. Jeff Denham, Steve Knight, Walters and Issa and asked Figueroa for information about projects funded by the gas tax increase in their districts.At the time, the coalition was working to persuade California's influential Republican congressional delegates to reject the repeal.Several days after Castillo's email, Figueroa suggested she or Brian Kelly, then the agency's leader, help find an author for the piece targeting Issa, considered the most vulnerable California incumbent before he decided against seeking re-election.Castillo responded saying coalition members were working on it and asked: "Do you have anyone in mind that could influence Republicans/Issa?"The documents obtained by the AP don't include further exchanges on the issue. In interviews, Castillo and Figueroa said the agency never suggested an author. Figueroa said she offered help because the op-ed would educate people in Issa's district.The piece ultimately was written by the mayor of Encinitas, a suburb north of San Diego, and ran the following month in the San Diego Union-Tribune. It touted projects in the district funded by the gas tax increase but didn't mention Issa.Levinson found the exchange surprising because it seemed to directly reference campaign activities."I don't want to say it's a smoking gun, but that is so much more explicit than I ever would have predicted they would be," she said.Prominent gas tax repeal supporters, including gubernatorial candidate John Cox and conservative activist Carl DeMaio, criticized the agency's activity."It's against the law, and it also shows that you can't trust them with money," DeMaio said. "I think that what you're seeing is just the tip of the iceberg." 7732

RICHMOND, Va. - RICHMOND, Va. -- The tools of learning vary widely from textbooks and laptops to pen and paper. But listen closely to Paul Reisler's music class, all you need is a smile and a wild imagination."I’m always surprised what comes out," said Paul. "When you’re creating a song with children it really is an incredible group process."The singer and educator is the founder of "Kid Pan Alley." Paul and partner Cheryl Toth immerse themselves in classrooms with students of all ages and abilities.The assignment in every class is songwriting no matter the talent level."There are no bad ideas in Kid Pan Alley," said Paul. "It is so important to impress upon them that every idea is a good idea.""For the children, they’ve written it, so it is their voice," said Cheryl. "So music has a way of capturing our emotion and voice together."The duo says sparking a child's creativity ranks as high as the three R's."I think it touches every aspect of their education," said Cheryl.For 20 years, Paul an accomplished composer has been taking his non-profit and guitar on the road."We’ve worked with about 65,000 kids and written about 2,700 songs," said Paul.In schools from coast to coast, every far-fetched lyric and theme are embraced.“They would say things an adult wouldn’t say. A kindergartner said the wind blew me a pony. I don’t have any adult co-writers that would say anything like that,” said Paul."All of a sudden they come to life because they have something to share and contribute," Cheryl explained.Lyrics written in this classroom go deeper than "Wheels on the Bus.""These songs are very complex and emotional because they reflect what the children are thinking of the time," said Cheryl.Some tunes strike a chord with professionals. Singer Amy Grant recorded one class' collaboration. Another song was even nominated for a Grammy.“We treat the kids to work at the highest professional level. We want them to know they’ve done something of real value,” said Paul.From titles like “Sister for Sale" to "My shadow leads a double life."“It is this beautiful Pandora's box that opens. And you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get,” said Cheryl.Paul and Cheryl lament that music and art have taken a backseat to standardized testing.“They say we live in a creative economy. But there is precious little training for children being creative,” says Paul.The singers from Rappahannock County say their goal isn't to encourage students to pursue a career in music. “That is not the important part. The important part is that they take what they’re doing and doing it in a creative way,” said Paul.During these days of remote learning, "Kid Pan Alley" is adapting to the new norm.“This is a time they need it the most. They really need connection,” said Paul.Paul, Cheryl, and other artists write and perform with students virtually.“It is very joyful especially when I see these kids calling their parents in to listen to my song. Such great pride. (tighten) It is wonderful,” said Cheryl.“That is what I feel we do. When we go work with the kids we make a whole bunch of new best friends,” Paul added.Paul Reisler, a teacher helping his students write their way to a Grade "A" education with a lot of rhythms that touches the soul.“Because music brings people together. It brings community together. It brings children together. I think it creates a better world.”Paul will hold a virtual concert with his adult singer/songwriters on September 27. Kid Pan Alley’s next virtual concert for children will be October 4. For more information, click here.This story was first reported by Greg McQuade at WTVR in Richmond, Virginia. 3673

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a longtime member of the United States Supreme Court, has died at the age of 87, the Supreme Court confirmed in a statement. Ginsburg has been a justice on the nation's highest court since being appointed by President Bill Clinton. She was just the second woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court. “Our Nation has lost a jurist of historic stature. We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague," Chief Justice John Roberts said. "Today we mourn, but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her -- a tireless and resolute champion of justice.”Ginsburg has been in and out of the hospital for the last several months as she battled metastatic pancreas cancer. Despite her multiple battles with cancers, Ginsburg remained active on the bench, and participated in a number of important rulings over the summer.Ginsburg died in her home surrounded by family, the Supreme Court said in a statement. Just yesterday, Ginsburg was honored by the National Constitution Center, receiving the Liberty Medal. President Donald Trump learned of her death from reporters after leaving a rally in Minnesota. "She just died? Wow. I didn't know that," Trump said."She led an amazing life. What else can you say? She was an amazing woman, whether you agree or not. She was an amazing woman who led an amazing life. I'm actually sad to hear that."Trump's opponent in the November election, Joe Biden, also reacted to her death. "Ruth Bader Ginsburg stood for all of us," Biden said. "She fought for all of us. As a young attorney, she persisted through every challenge that an unequal system placed in her way to change the laws of our land and lead the legal charge to advance equal rights for women. It was my honor to preside over her confirmation hearings, and to strongly support her accession to the Supreme Court. In the decades since, she was consistently and reliably the voice that pierced to the heart of every issue, protected the constitutional rights of every American, and never failed in the fierce and unflinching defense of liberty and freedom. Her opinions, and her dissents, will continue to shape the basis of our law for future generations."Several former presidents reacted to Ginsburg's death on Friday. "Rosalynn and I are saddened by the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg," President Jimmy Carter said. "A powerful legal mind and a staunch advocate for gender equality, she has been a beacon of justice during her long and remarkable career. I was proud to have appointed her to the U.S. Court of Appeals in 1980. We join countless Americans in mourning the loss of a truly great woman. We will keep her family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.""Laura and I join our fellow Americans in mourning the loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg," President George W. Bush said. "She dedicated many of her 87 remarkable years to the pursuit of justice and equality, and she inspired more than one generation of women and girls. Justice Ginsburg loved our country and the law. Laura and I are fortunate to have known this smart and humorous trailblazer, and we send our condolences to the Ginsburg family."Ginsburg's death and what becomes of her seat will certainly become a political battle, much like what happened in the weeks and months following the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016. Scalia's death, which came nine months before the presidential election, became a focal point of that year's election. President Barack Obama attempted to fill the seat, but Republicans in the Senate blocked the appointment. 3643

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s unemployment rate fell to a new record low of 3.9% in October.The California Employment Development Department says the state added 23,600 nonfarm payroll jobs during the month.The previous record low was 4% set in September.The department says October’s gains extend California’s record jobs expansion to 116 months. 364