thedenverpost--2020-01-07--Death of Iran general spurs anxiety over fate of U.S. hostages

WASHINGTON — The killing of a top Iranian general has ratcheted up the anxiety of families of Americans held in Iran , one month after the release of a New Jersey student had given them hope .
The Trump administration has made a priority of bringing home hostages held abroad , but the prospect of a resolution for the handful of captives in Iran seems to have dimmed with the two nations edging dangerously close to conflict and warning of retaliatory strikes and continued agitation .
“ He wasn ’ t safe before now , but now he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White , whose son , Navy veteran Michael White of Imperial Beach , California , has been imprisoned since July while visiting a girlfriend in Iran .
“ I don ’ t know if anyone is going to retaliate.
” Iran has vowed revenge for the airstrike that killed Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani — the U.S. accused him of plotting new attacks just before his death — and has abandoned the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers .
The Trump administration , while saying it remains committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s prepared to respond to any attacks from the Islamic Republic .
The tensions are the worst in 40 years and are in contrast to the diplomatic breakthrough that resulted in December ’ s release of Princeton University graduate student Xiyue Wang in exchange for the U.S. freeing a detained Iranian scientist .
Crushing U.S. sanctions on Iran remain in place , but the release suggested Tehran could be open to using American captives as bargaining chips for future negotiations .
Weeks earlier Iran had acknowledged in a filing to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missing person ” file on former FBI agent Robert Levinson , who vanished in the country in 2007 .
One of his daughters , Sarah Levinson Moriarty , told reporters last month that she considered the notice from Iran an acknowledgment that the country had her father and knew where he was .
Even so , there were already concerns about how recent protests in Iran tied to spiking gas prices might affect the fate of Western prisoners .
The new tensions have caused even greater uncertainty .
Babak Namazi said he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years that his brother , Siamak , has been imprisoned in Iran .
His father , Baquer , is in a highly restrictive medical furlough there .
Both are being held on what the family says are manufactured charges of collaborating with the United States .
“ From the lens that I look through of how things affect my family and getting them home safely and expeditiously , when we ’ re in a period of detente , I feel more hopeful , ” said Namazi , who is based in Dubai .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his loved ones are close to being released , he has also endured periods of escalating tension .
Those moments make him uneasy since the freedom of his father and brother is “ very much dependent on both sides being able to talk to each other.
” “ I ’ ve had to learn , very painfully , not to get my hopes up as much as I want to until something actually happens , ” Namazi said .
“ At the same time , I ’ ve had to teach myself not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t have hope , how can I go on ?
It ’ s my honest feeling now.
” He said he saw a silver lining in President Donald Trump ’ s statement on Twitter that “ Iran never won a war , but never lost a negotiation !
” and is hopeful that means the two sides are open to easing and even humanitarian gestures .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , who a month ago said the Wang swap could lead to a dialogue between Washington and Tehran over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press ” on Sunday that “ I love these families ” and that he knows they ’ re “ suffering greatly.
” “ We continue to work on that process , to get every American held anywhere in the world , including by the kleptocrats and theocrats in Iran , to get them to return American hostages .
We will never give up on that mission , ” Pompeo said .
Joanne White said she is particularly concerned about her son , who was convicted of insulting Iran ’ s supreme leader and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill with cancer and recently complained to her that he was starving in prison .
She said he has long been a Trump supporter and , when it came to the president ’ s impeachment , “ he told me to tell the Democrats to leave Trump alone.
” White , who lives in Arizona , said she personally doesn ’ t know what to make of the Trump administration ’ s assertion that Soleimani was planning imminent attacks at the time of his death .
“ It ’ s something he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said of Trump .
“ I know he ’ s going to have to answer to that .
”

WASHINGTON — The killing of a top Iranian general has ratcheted up the anxiety of families of Americans held in Iran, one month after the release of a New Jersey student had given them hope.
The Trump administration has made a priority of bringing home hostages held abroad, but the prospect of a resolution for the handful of captives in Iran seems to have dimmed with the two nations edging dangerously close to conflict and warning of retaliatory strikes and continued agitation.
“He wasn’t safe before now, but now he’s really not safe,” said Joanne White, whose son, Navy veteran Michael White of Imperial Beach, California, has been imprisoned since July while visiting a girlfriend in Iran. “I don’t know if anyone is going to retaliate.”
Iran has vowed revenge for the airstrike that killed Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani — the U.S. accused him of plotting new attacks just before his death — and has abandoned the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. The Trump administration, while saying it remains committed to freeing Americans from Iran, has said it’s prepared to respond to any attacks from the Islamic Republic.
The tensions are the worst in 40 years and are in contrast to the diplomatic breakthrough that resulted in December’s release of Princeton University graduate student Xiyue Wang in exchange for the U.S. freeing a detained Iranian scientist. Crushing U.S. sanctions on Iran remain in place, but the release suggested Tehran could be open to using American captives as bargaining chips for future negotiations.
Weeks earlier Iran had acknowledged in a filing to the United Nations that it had a “missing person” file on former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who vanished in the country in 2007. One of his daughters, Sarah Levinson Moriarty, told reporters last month that she considered the notice from Iran an acknowledgment that the country had her father and knew where he was.
Even so, there were already concerns about how recent protests in Iran tied to spiking gas prices might affect the fate of Western prisoners. The new tensions have caused even greater uncertainty.
Babak Namazi said he has tried to stay even-keeled in the four-and-a-half years that his brother, Siamak, has been imprisoned in Iran. His father, Baquer, is in a highly restrictive medical furlough there. Both are being held on what the family says are manufactured charges of collaborating with the United States.
“From the lens that I look through of how things affect my family and getting them home safely and expeditiously, when we’re in a period of detente, I feel more hopeful,” said Namazi, who is based in Dubai.
Though he has felt at times like his loved ones are close to being released, he has also endured periods of escalating tension. Those moments make him uneasy since the freedom of his father and brother is “very much dependent on both sides being able to talk to each other.”
“I’ve had to learn, very painfully, not to get my hopes up as much as I want to until something actually happens,” Namazi said. “At the same time, I’ve had to teach myself not to get too despondent because, if I don’t have hope, how can I go on? It’s my honest feeling now.”
He said he saw a silver lining in President Donald Trump’s statement on Twitter that “Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!” and is hopeful that means the two sides are open to easing and even humanitarian gestures.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who a month ago said the Wang swap could lead to a dialogue between Washington and Tehran over prisoners, said on “Meet the Press” on Sunday that “I love these families” and that he knows they’re “suffering greatly.”
“We continue to work on that process, to get every American held anywhere in the world, including by the kleptocrats and theocrats in Iran, to get them to return American hostages. We will never give up on that mission,” Pompeo said.
Joanne White said she is particularly concerned about her son, who was convicted of insulting Iran’s supreme leader and posting private information online. He is ill with cancer and recently complained to her that he was starving in prison. She said he has long been a Trump supporter and, when it came to the president’s impeachment, “he told me to tell the Democrats to leave Trump alone.”
White, who lives in Arizona, said she personally doesn’t know what to make of the Trump administration’s assertion that Soleimani was planning imminent attacks at the time of his death.
“It’s something he’s going to have to answer,” she said of Trump. “I know he’s going to have to answer to that.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-07--XFL to unveil rules innovations when it kicks off next month

NEW YORK — When the XFL debuts in February , it will take a “ Star Trek ” approach of going where no football league has gone before .
The eight-team league will have options for extra points worth one , two or three points .
It will allow double forward passes behind the line of scrimmage .
Kickoffs will look way different , in the name of both safety and excitement .
Overtime will look like the NHL ’ s version of settling matters with a “ shootout.
” No coin tosses here , with each team getting up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5-yard-line — similar to World Cup soccer shootouts .
Is it a catch at the sideline ?
Well , the officiating calls might be easier because the XFL will use the college rule of receivers needing only one foot in bounds rather than the NFL ’ s two-feet rule .
Speaking of officiating , there will be a dedicated ball spotter to ensure a faster tempo that comes with a 25-second play clock .
A running clock , too , except in the final two minutes of each half .
All replay reviews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with no coaches challenges .
To XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck , a former NFL quarterback and a longtime football executive , a speedier game means a more entertaining one .
“ From research we had done , fans think there ’ s too much downtime and dead time .
I suppose games have gotten longer , ” Luck says .
“ We wanted to take a step forward by going back to games under three hours based on all our fan research .
More action and more plays speed it up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of games .
This makes sense from a flow perspective , TV perspective and fan perspective .
And I am looking forward to as we launch , will our players be required to be in better shape ?
They ’ ll be moving fast and playing with tempo .
That is going to be neat ; conditioning may play more of a role in our game.
” The XFL kicks off on Feb. 8 , the weekend after the Super Bowl , seeking more success than its predecessor in 2001 ( one season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of American Football ( less than a season ) .
Its innovations could be a turn on for fans who never tire of football .
Or they could come off as gimmicks , though the XFL mantra is “ no gimmicks — ever.
” Luck and Fox analyst Dean Blandino , the former head of NFL officiating now in overseeing XFL officiating , believe these and other changes are worth a try .
Such as the double forward pass .
“ My thought as I watch the game develop , there are more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 yards back from the line , ” Luck explains .
“ You aren ’ t wanting to throw a lateral to a receiver who would have to be 7 yards or more behind the line of scrimmage .
I thought to myself that the traditional trick plays would be enhanced .
… We are excited to have that in the repertoire.
” The one-foot-in-bounds completions should ease the strain on pass catchers — and officials .
“ When you look at the college rule versus the NFL , ” Blandino says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play , but an easier play .
But I will say there will be less replay reviews ; it ’ s easier to officiate looking for that one body part .
I see less controversy in terms of catch/no catch.
” Adds Luck : “ As we went through this process , we had to keep in mind that players in our league will have played in college , and a vast majority spent time in the NFL , some in the CFL .
We had to be somewhat selective in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be teachable to our players to play fast .
We have had our coaches working with the players on all these innovations to make sure they don ’ t black out and think they are in a different league or back in college.
” Luck and Blandino also note that the one-foot catch is safer because the receiver is not dragging his second foot , so he can roll to the ground in a true football fall .
Where fans ( and bettors and fantasy players — yes , the XFL is likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be most intrigued is after touchdowns are scored .
There will be no PAT kicks in the XFL .
Rather , a scoring team can go for one point from the 2-yard line , two points from the 5 , and three points from 10 .
Yep , a nine-point lead can be a one-possession game .
• Broncos great Ed McCaffrey on Jim Harbaugh , Kyle Shanahan , and why Northern Colorado is his “ chance to prove ” doubters wrong “ I think it brings strategy into a play that historically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luck says .
“ Even with the NFL moving the extra point kick further away , it ’ s still a 93.6 percent success rate .
A fait accompli .
“ We think the tiered extra point brings an element of strategy that will be fascinating to watch .
Potential points on the board are exciting plays and will add an exciting element to our game .
“ One coach said he is thinking if his team scores on defense it is such a shift in momentum , and he would use those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if in the first quarter.
” Are all of the XFL ’ s changes going to be an enticement for fans ?
Luck , Blandino and company will begin finding out in a month .

NEW YORK — When the XFL debuts in February, it will take a “Star Trek” approach of going where no football league has gone before.
The eight-team league will have options for extra points worth one, two or three points. It will allow double forward passes behind the line of scrimmage.
This is rules redesigned. See the XFL rules live when we kick off Sat, Feb. 8th. #ForTheLoveOfFootball MORE ➡ https://t.co/pThoNPvVAL pic.twitter.com/3HjBoMtcI5 — XFL (@xfl2020) January 7, 2020
Kickoffs will look way different, in the name of both safety and excitement. Overtime will look like the NHL’s version of settling matters with a “shootout.” No coin tosses here, with each team getting up to five shots to score from the 5-yard-line — similar to World Cup soccer shootouts.
Is it a catch at the sideline? Well, the officiating calls might be easier because the XFL will use the college rule of receivers needing only one foot in bounds rather than the NFL’s two-feet rule.
Speaking of officiating, there will be a dedicated ball spotter to ensure a faster tempo that comes with a 25-second play clock. A running clock, too, except in the final two minutes of each half. All replay reviews will be initiated by an officiating booth, with no coaches challenges.
To XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck, a former NFL quarterback and a longtime football executive, a speedier game means a more entertaining one.
“From research we had done, fans think there’s too much downtime and dead time. I suppose games have gotten longer,” Luck says. “We wanted to take a step forward by going back to games under three hours based on all our fan research. More action and more plays speed it up.
“Our data analysts looked at hundreds of games. This makes sense from a flow perspective, TV perspective and fan perspective. And I am looking forward to as we launch, will our players be required to be in better shape? They’ll be moving fast and playing with tempo. That is going to be neat; conditioning may play more of a role in our game.”
The XFL kicks off on Feb. 8, the weekend after the Super Bowl, seeking more success than its predecessor in 2001 (one season) and last year’s Alliance of American Football (less than a season). Its innovations could be a turn on for fans who never tire of football. Or they could come off as gimmicks, though the XFL mantra is “no gimmicks — ever.”
Luck and Fox analyst Dean Blandino, the former head of NFL officiating now in overseeing XFL officiating, believe these and other changes are worth a try.
Such as the double forward pass.
“My thought as I watch the game develop, there are more quarterbacks out of the shotgun and already 6 yards back from the line,” Luck explains. “You aren’t wanting to throw a lateral to a receiver who would have to be 7 yards or more behind the line of scrimmage. I thought to myself that the traditional trick plays would be enhanced. … We are excited to have that in the repertoire.”
The one-foot-in-bounds completions should ease the strain on pass catchers — and officials.
“When you look at the college rule versus the NFL,” Blandino says, “it definitely is still a skilled play, but an easier play. But I will say there will be less replay reviews; it’s easier to officiate looking for that one body part. I see less controversy in terms of catch/no catch.”
Adds Luck: “As we went through this process, we had to keep in mind that players in our league will have played in college, and a vast majority spent time in the NFL, some in the CFL. We had to be somewhat selective in terms of innovations to adopt. They need to be teachable to our players to play fast. We have had our coaches working with the players on all these innovations to make sure they don’t black out and think they are in a different league or back in college.”
Luck and Blandino also note that the one-foot catch is safer because the receiver is not dragging his second foot, so he can roll to the ground in a true football fall.
Where fans (and bettors and fantasy players — yes, the XFL is likely to have those, too) might be most intrigued is after touchdowns are scored. There will be no PAT kicks in the XFL. Rather, a scoring team can go for one point from the 2-yard line, two points from the 5, and three points from 10.
Yep, a nine-point lead can be a one-possession game.
“I think it brings strategy into a play that historically has been a simple decision,” Luck says. “Even with the NFL moving the extra point kick further away, it’s still a 93.6 percent success rate. A fait accompli.
“We think the tiered extra point brings an element of strategy that will be fascinating to watch. Potential points on the board are exciting plays and will add an exciting element to our game.
“One coach said he is thinking if his team scores on defense it is such a shift in momentum, and he would use those opportunities to go for three, even if in the first quarter.”
Are all of the XFL’s changes going to be an enticement for fans? Luck, Blandino and company will begin finding out in a month.


thedenverpost--2020-01-07--Shots fired into Arapahoe County apartment. Suspect remains at large.

Arapahoe County deputies are investigating after someone fired shots into an apartment at 1001 East Dry Creek Road early Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ water line , but there were no injuries in the incident at 3:02 a.m. , @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Office spokesperson said .
Deputies are “ still on the scene right now @ @ @ @ @ happened .
We don ’ t know whether that apartment was targeted or whether the @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said at 6:20 a.m .
This story will be updated when more @ @ @ @

Arapahoe County deputies are investigating after someone fired shots into an apartment at 1001 East Dry Creek Road early Tuesday.
One bullet hit a water line, but there were no injuries in the incident at 3:02 a.m., said Ginger Delgado, Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said.
Deputies are “still on the scene right now trying to figure out what happened. We don’t know whether that apartment was targeted or whether the bullet just ended up there,” she said at 6:20 a.m.
A couple of homes were evacuated.
The suspect remains at large.
This story will be updated when more information is available.


thedenverpost--2020-01-07--Rocky Mountain Rail proposes plan for completing RTD’s Northwest Rail line

Rocky Mountain Rail Inc. , which says it has a “ sustainable transportation plan ” for passenger rail service between Westminster and Longmont , has scheduled a series of public forums over the coming weeks to present its proposal .
The forums — starting with one in Broomfield on Thursday night and concluding with one in Longmont on Feb. 12 — will be in cities along the Northwest Rail corridor that long has been on Regional Transportation District maps as the eventual route for passenger trains between Denver and Longmont .
Rocky Mountain Rail is not affiliated with or funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or counties along that corridor , but stated in a news release that it has developed a proposal to complete the Northwest commuter rail line by 2025 .
The corporation submitted its proposal in November for RTD ’ s review and is awaiting the public transit agency ’ s response , Rocky Mountain Rail spokesman R. Paul Williamson said Monday .
“ We do have to get the blessing of RTD in order to operate within their jurisdiction , ” he said , as well as agreements from at least some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northwest Rail line is eventually supposed to be a 35-mile extension of RTD ’ s 6.2-mile B Line , which began providing passenger service between south Westminster and Denver ’ s Union Station in 2016 .
RTD officials in July estimated it could cost $ 1.5 billion to build that final passenger rail extension and said new funding — above what ’ s being collected throughout the transit agency district from the 0.4 % FasTracks sales tax voters approved in 2004 — would need to be found if the corridor has any hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mountain Rail CEO Bob Briggs said Monday the corporation estimates it could be completed for $ 1.1 billion .
Local government officials have been working with RTD on the possibility of providing limited “ peak service ” morning and evening commuter passenger train trips between Westminster and Longmont , something they ’ ve argued could be afforded and accomplished much earlier than 2050 before expanding to all-day train service .
Rocky Mountain Rail in its news release said its plan for northwest commuter rail “ sets its sights on the purchase of needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stations , and providing express , limited express and local service from Denver ’ s Union Station to/from all the communities — Westminster to Longmont.
” Briggs said a city might have more than one station and that full express service would be between that city ’ s main station and Union Station in Denver .
He said limited service might be just between the stations within a single community , while limited express would serve the participating cities ’ main stations .
Rocky Mountain Rail said its work on completing the Northwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s original FasTracks plan voters approved in 2004 , “ will be initiated upon completion of an agreement with RTD , establishing a regional Intergovernmental Agreement and issuing non-tax revenue bonds to finance the project.
” It said its proposal schedules a 2025 completion of the project .
Williamson said Monday the plan includes construction of new tracks alongside the BNSF tracks RTD had planned on improving and leasing for its passenger trains , with Rocky Mountain Rail running passenger service on the new tracks and BNSF using its existing tracks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Briggs said another option would be to move much of the existing freight train traffic to new and future tracks on Colorado ’ s eastern plains , with Rocky Mountain Rail buying the tracks from BNSF for passenger service .
Williamson said the revenue bonds to finance the project would be repaid by fares collected from passengers boarding trains at stations in communities participating in agreements with Rocky Mountain Rail .
Cities that don ’ t participate in the funding agreements wouldn ’ t have stations served by Rocky Mountain Rail , Briggs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greenwald said he met with Rocky Mountain Rail representatives about their proposal .
While Longmont has made no commitment to Rocky Mountain Rail , “ we ’ re open to ideas that would allow us to complete FasTracks , ” Greenwald said .
Briggs said , “ The time is right for implementing sustainable , safe and highly connective modern rail.
” Briggs , a former Westminster mayor pro tem and former RTD board member , in the Rocky Mountain Rail release said its approach to building and operating passenger rail service lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region the corporation has said could eventually include Wyoming , Utah , Arizona , New Mexico , Oklahoma , Kansas and Nebraska as well as Colorado — would be a “ cost-effective , high-efficiency , non-polluting , and battery-powered alternative ” and would use “ cutting edge solutions to transportation congestion ” by using a “ green-power-generated storage and transmission system.
” That could include electric-powered , rather than diesel-powered trains if Rocky Mountain Rail ends up building its own tracks or buying BNSF tracks , Briggs said .
If you go When @ @ @

Rocky Mountain Rail Inc., which says it has a “sustainable transportation plan” for passenger rail service between Westminster and Longmont, has scheduled a series of public forums over the coming weeks to present its proposal.
The forums — starting with one in Broomfield on Thursday night and concluding with one in Longmont on Feb. 12 — will be in cities along the Northwest Rail corridor that long has been on Regional Transportation District maps as the eventual route for passenger trains between Denver and Longmont.
Rocky Mountain Rail is not affiliated with or funded by RTD or any of the cities or counties along that corridor, but stated in a news release that it has developed a proposal to complete the Northwest commuter rail line by 2025.
The corporation submitted its proposal in November for RTD’s review and is awaiting the public transit agency’s response, Rocky Mountain Rail spokesman R. Paul Williamson said Monday.
“We do have to get the blessing of RTD in order to operate within their jurisdiction,” he said, as well as agreements from at least some of the cities along the proposed route.
The Northwest Rail line is eventually supposed to be a 35-mile extension of RTD’s 6.2-mile B Line, which began providing passenger service between south Westminster and Denver’s Union Station in 2016.
RTD officials in July estimated it could cost $1.5 billion to build that final passenger rail extension and said new funding — above what’s being collected throughout the transit agency district from the 0.4% FasTracks sales tax voters approved in 2004 — would need to be found if the corridor has any hope of being completed before 2050.
Rocky Mountain Rail CEO Bob Briggs said Monday the corporation estimates it could be completed for $1.1 billion.
Local government officials have been working with RTD on the possibility of providing limited “peak service” morning and evening commuter passenger train trips between Westminster and Longmont, something they’ve argued could be afforded and accomplished much earlier than 2050 before expanding to all-day train service.
Rocky Mountain Rail in its news release said its plan for northwest commuter rail “sets its sights on the purchase of needed right-of-ways, installing 16 Community Opportunity Center Stations, and providing express, limited express and local service from Denver’s Union Station to/from all the communities — Westminster to Longmont.”
Briggs said a city might have more than one station and that full express service would be between that city’s main station and Union Station in Denver. He said limited service might be just between the stations within a single community, while limited express would serve the participating cities’ main stations.
Rocky Mountain Rail said its work on completing the Northwest Rail line that was in the RTD’s original FasTracks plan voters approved in 2004, “will be initiated upon completion of an agreement with RTD, establishing a regional Intergovernmental Agreement and issuing non-tax revenue bonds to finance the project.”
It said its proposal schedules a 2025 completion of the project.
Williamson said Monday the plan includes construction of new tracks alongside the BNSF tracks RTD had planned on improving and leasing for its passenger trains, with Rocky Mountain Rail running passenger service on the new tracks and BNSF using its existing tracks to continue to haul freight and coal.
Briggs said another option would be to move much of the existing freight train traffic to new and future tracks on Colorado’s eastern plains, with Rocky Mountain Rail buying the tracks from BNSF for passenger service.
Williamson said the revenue bonds to finance the project would be repaid by fares collected from passengers boarding trains at stations in communities participating in agreements with Rocky Mountain Rail.
Cities that don’t participate in the funding agreements wouldn’t have stations served by Rocky Mountain Rail, Briggs said.
Longmont Transportation Planning Manager Phil Greenwald said he met with Rocky Mountain Rail representatives about their proposal.
While Longmont has made no commitment to Rocky Mountain Rail, “we’re open to ideas that would allow us to complete FasTracks,” Greenwald said.
Briggs said, “The time is right for implementing sustainable, safe and highly connective modern rail.”
Briggs, a former Westminster mayor pro tem and former RTD board member, in the Rocky Mountain Rail release said its approach to building and operating passenger rail service lines in Colorado and other states — a region the corporation has said could eventually include Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska as well as Colorado — would be a “cost-effective, high-efficiency, non-polluting, and battery-powered alternative” and would use “cutting edge solutions to transportation congestion” by using a “green-power-generated storage and transmission system.”
That could include electric-powered, rather than diesel-powered trains if Rocky Mountain Rail ends up building its own tracks or buying BNSF tracks, Briggs said.
If you go
What: Rocky Mountain Rail Inc. community forums
When and Where:


thedenverpost--2020-01-07--The other fake meat: Impossible Foods unveils pork, sausage

After a big year for its plant-based burger , Impossible Foods has something new on its plate .
The California-based company unveiled Impossible Pork and Impossible Sausage on Monday evening at the CES gadget show in Las Vegas .
It ’ s Impossible Food ’ s first foray beyond fake beef .
The Impossible Burger , which went on sale in 2016 , has been a key player in the growing category of vegan meats .
Like the burger , Impossible Food ’ s pork and sausage are made from soy but mimic the taste and texture of ground meat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to restaurants first .
The company isn ’ t yet saying when it will come to groceries .
Impossible Foods only recently began selling its burgers in grocery stores , although they ’ re available at more than 17,000 restaurants in the U.S. , Singapore , Hong Kong and Macau .
Burger King will give consumers their first taste of Impossible Sausage .
Later this month , 139 Burger King restaurants in five U.S. cities will offer the Impossible Croissan ’ wich , made with plant-based sausage coupled with the traditional egg and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test of the Impossible Whopper last year before expanding sales nationwide .
The pork products and the Impossible Burger are made in a similar way .
Impossible Foods gets heme — the protein that gives meat its flavor and texture — from soy leghemoglobin , which is found in the roots of soy plants .
To make heme in high volume , it inserts the DNA from soy into yeast and ferments it .
That mixture is then combined with other ingredients , like coconut oil .
The company tweaked the ingredients to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mild flavor .
For the sausage it added spices .
Impossible Pork has 220 calories in a four-ounce serving .
That ’ s not much less than a serving of Smithfield 80 % lean ground pork , which has 260 calories .
Smithfield ’ s animal-derived pork has more total fat , at 20 grams , than Impossible Pork , which has 13 grams .
But Impossible Pork has far more sodium , at 420 milligrams .
Smithfield has 70 milligrams .
But health concerns are only part of the reason consumers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and environmental concerns are also a factor .
Nearly 1.5 billion pigs are killed for food each year , a number that has tripled in the last 50 years , according to the World Economic Forum .
Raising those pigs depletes natural resources and increases greenhouse gas emissions .
“ Everything that we ’ re doing is trying to avert the biggest threat that the world is facing , ” Impossible Foods CEO Pat Brown told The Associated Press .
Brown said the company decided pork should be its next product because customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started working on the new products about 18 months ago and accelerated development in the second half of 2019 .
Brown said ground pork is also critical to meeting the company ’ s international expansion goals .
While Americans eat more beef and chicken , pork is the most widely consumed meat worldwide , according to the National Pork Board .
Chinese consumers eat more than 88 pounds ( 40 kilograms ) of pork per year , compared to 65 pounds ( 30 kilograms ) for Americans .
Brown said he believes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , which has limited arable land and relies heavily on imported meat .
Last year , Chinese pork prices surged after African swine fever wiped out millions of pigs .
Brown said Impossible Foods is talking to Chinese regulators and potential partners that could make Impossible Pork — as well as plant-based burgers — in China .
“ This is a huge opportunity for China in terms of its food security , ” Brown said .
Impossible Foods is also waiting for approval from European regulators to sell its products there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ breakout year for plant-based meat .
U.S. sales jumped 10 % last year to nearly $ 1 billion ; traditional meat sales rose 2 % to $ 95 billion in that same time , according to Nielsen .
Impossible Foods rival Beyond Meat — which already sells plant-based sausage links — had a successful public stock offering in the spring .
Impossible Foods ran short of burgers in the first half of the year thanks to the buzz from Burger King .
After partnering with OSI Group , a food service company , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of its plant-based meat in the last quarter of 2019 as it sold in all of 2018 .
“ We have to keep scaling up as fast as we possibly can , ” Brown said .
Brown said he welcomes new competitors in the space , including deep-pocketed rivals like Nestle and Tyson Foods .
The meat industry is vast , he said , and plant-based meats are still only around 1 % of sales .
His only concern is that plant-based products taste good enough to convince meat eaters to switch @

After a big year for its plant-based burger, Impossible Foods has something new on its plate.
The California-based company unveiled Impossible Pork and Impossible Sausage on Monday evening at the CES gadget show in Las Vegas.
It’s Impossible Food’s first foray beyond fake beef. The Impossible Burger, which went on sale in 2016, has been a key player in the growing category of vegan meats. Like the burger, Impossible Food’s pork and sausage are made from soy but mimic the taste and texture of ground meat.
Impossible Pork will be rolled out to restaurants first. The company isn’t yet saying when it will come to groceries. Impossible Foods only recently began selling its burgers in grocery stores, although they’re available at more than 17,000 restaurants in the U.S., Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau.
Burger King will give consumers their first taste of Impossible Sausage. Later this month, 139 Burger King restaurants in five U.S. cities will offer the Impossible Croissan’wich, made with plant-based sausage coupled with the traditional egg and cheese. Burger King did a similar test of the Impossible Whopper last year before expanding sales nationwide.
The pork products and the Impossible Burger are made in a similar way. Impossible Foods gets heme — the protein that gives meat its flavor and texture — from soy leghemoglobin, which is found in the roots of soy plants. To make heme in high volume, it inserts the DNA from soy into yeast and ferments it. That mixture is then combined with other ingredients, like coconut oil.
The company tweaked the ingredients to mimic pork’s springy texture and mild flavor. For the sausage it added spices.
Impossible Pork has 220 calories in a four-ounce serving. That’s not much less than a serving of Smithfield 80% lean ground pork, which has 260 calories. Smithfield’s animal-derived pork has more total fat, at 20 grams, than Impossible Pork, which has 13 grams. But Impossible Pork has far more sodium, at 420 milligrams. Smithfield has 70 milligrams.
But health concerns are only part of the reason consumers are eating more plant-based meats. Animal welfare and environmental concerns are also a factor. Nearly 1.5 billion pigs are killed for food each year, a number that has tripled in the last 50 years, according to the World Economic Forum. Raising those pigs depletes natural resources and increases greenhouse gas emissions.
“Everything that we’re doing is trying to avert the biggest threat that the world is facing,” Impossible Foods CEO Pat Brown told The Associated Press.
Brown said the company decided pork should be its next product because customers were frequently requesting it. Impossible Foods started working on the new products about 18 months ago and accelerated development in the second half of 2019.
Brown said ground pork is also critical to meeting the company’s international expansion goals. While Americans eat more beef and chicken, pork is the most widely consumed meat worldwide, according to the National Pork Board. Chinese consumers eat more than 88 pounds (40 kilograms) of pork per year, compared to 65 pounds (30 kilograms) for Americans.
Brown said he believes a product like Impossible Pork is critical in China, which has limited arable land and relies heavily on imported meat. Last year, Chinese pork prices surged after African swine fever wiped out millions of pigs.
Brown said Impossible Foods is talking to Chinese regulators and potential partners that could make Impossible Pork — as well as plant-based burgers — in China.
“This is a huge opportunity for China in terms of its food security,” Brown said.
Impossible Foods is also waiting for approval from European regulators to sell its products there.
In the U.S., 2019 was a breakout year for plant-based meat. U.S. sales jumped 10% last year to nearly $1 billion; traditional meat sales rose 2% to $95 billion in that same time, according to Nielsen.
Impossible Foods rival Beyond Meat — which already sells plant-based sausage links — had a successful public stock offering in the spring. Impossible Foods ran short of burgers in the first half of the year thanks to the buzz from Burger King. After partnering with OSI Group, a food service company, Brown said Impossible Foods produced twice as much of its plant-based meat in the last quarter of 2019 as it sold in all of 2018.
“We have to keep scaling up as fast as we possibly can,” Brown said.
Brown said he welcomes new competitors in the space, including deep-pocketed rivals like Nestle and Tyson Foods. The meat industry is vast, he said, and plant-based meats are still only around 1% of sales.
His only concern is that plant-based products taste good enough to convince meat eaters to switch.
“A crappy product won’t win over meat lovers,” Brown said.


thedenverpost--2020-01-07--Tom Brady, Broncos quarterback? Oddsmaker gives Denver a shot at landing him.

The Broncos have had two of the best quarterbacks in NFL history in the orange and blue .
Now a third might be heading to Denver .
With all the recent hubbub on the future of Tom Brady , Betonline.ag on Monday released its odds of which non-Patriots team the quarterback would play for in Week 1 of 2020 .
The Broncos were the eighth favorites at 12-to-1 odds .
The Chargers were at the top of the list at 4/1 , followed by the Panthers ( 6/1 ) , Raiders ( 6/1 ) , Browns ( 7/1 ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8/1 ) and Buccaneers ( 9/1 ) .
In total , 21 teams had odds .
The ones that didn ’ t include the Bills , Chiefs , Falcons , 49ers , Lions , Packers , Ravens , Seahawks , Texans and Titans .
The Patriots had 4/7 odds for Brady to stay .
Brady led New England to a 12-4 record before losing to the Titans in the wild-card round of the playoffs .
He finished the season completing 60.8 % of his passes ( his lowest since 2013 ) for 4,057 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette , tell a friend it ’ s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup .
If you have any questions or suggestions , hit me up on Twitter @ joenguyen or by email .
A special offer for Sports Omelette readers !
Subscribe to The Denver Post ’ s sports coverage for just 99¢ for the first month and only $ 6.99/month thereafter .
Cancel anytime .
Check out our new and improved stats page .
Keeler : Ex-Rockies star Larry Walker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overdue Yes , the Baseball Hall of Fame candidate , who ’ s on his 10th and final year on the ballot , missed games .
Yes , he was helped by Coors Field .
But to say he ducked the Tom Glavines and Randy Johnsons is a lazy narrative .
Read more… Some nine hours before Nikola Jokic would put the finishing touches on one of the most dominant performances of his career , Nuggets coach Michael Malone was at shootaround and in no mood to hear any ounce of criticism of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Would Marcus Mariota be a fit at back-up quarterback ?
The back-up quarterback situation is worth monitoring .
If the Broncos feel Brandon Allen can be a capable No .
2 , then that ’ s an easy solution and an inexpensive one , too .
But how about Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota ?
Read more… + All Elite Wrestling is bringing “ Dynamite ” pro wrestling to Denver .
+ Colorado hunting , fishing licenses bring in 20 % more revenue , plus more key 2019 numbers .
+ Alabama QB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NFL draft .
+ Broncos Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Ryan O ’ Halloran here .
+ Nuggets Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Mike Singer here .
+ Avs Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Mike Chambers here .
+ Rockies Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Patrick Saunders here .
How many points Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon scored last week in three games , earning the NHL ’ s No .
1 star of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chambers : Can anybody beat out Nathan MacKinnon for the Hart Trophy ?
If you see something that ’ s cause for question or have a comment , thought or suggestion , email me at dboniface @ denverpost.com or tweet me @ danielboniface .

The Broncos have had two of the best quarterbacks in NFL history in the orange and blue. Now a third might be heading to Denver.
Emphasis on “might.”
With all the recent hubbub on the future of Tom Brady, Betonline.ag on Monday released its odds of which non-Patriots team the quarterback would play for in Week 1 of 2020. The Broncos were the eighth favorites at 12-to-1 odds.
The Chargers were at the top of the list at 4/1, followed by the Panthers (6/1), Raiders (6/1), Browns (7/1), Cowboys (7/1), Colts (8/1) and Buccaneers (9/1). In total, 21 teams had odds. The ones that didn’t include the Bills, Chiefs, Falcons, 49ers, Lions, Packers, Ravens, Seahawks, Texans and Titans. The Patriots had 4/7 odds for Brady to stay.
Brady led New England to a 12-4 record before losing to the Titans in the wild-card round of the playoffs. He finished the season completing 60.8% of his passes (his lowest since 2013) for 4,057 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette, tell a friend it’s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup. If you have any questions or suggestions, hit me up on Twitter @joenguyen or by email.
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
A special offer for Sports Omelette readers! Subscribe to The Denver Post’s sports coverage for just 99¢ for the first month and only $6.99/month thereafter. Cancel anytime.
What’s on Tap?
Avalanche: At New York Rangers, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, NBCSN
At New York Rangers, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, NBCSN Nuggets: At Dallas Mavericks, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, ESPN and ALT
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scoreboard
NHL: Islanders 1, Avalanche 0
Story | Box score
NBA: Nuggets 123, Hawks 115
Story | Box score
Check out our new and improved stats page.
Must-Read
Yes, the Baseball Hall of Fame candidate, who’s on his 10th and final year on the ballot, missed games. Yes, he was helped by Coors Field. But to say he ducked the Tom Glavines and Randy Johnsons is a lazy narrative. Read more…
Some nine hours before Nikola Jokic would put the finishing touches on one of the most dominant performances of his career, Nuggets coach Michael Malone was at shootaround and in no mood to hear any ounce of criticism of his superstar. Read more…
The back-up quarterback situation is worth monitoring. If the Broncos feel Brandon Allen can be a capable No. 2, then that’s an easy solution and an inexpensive one, too. But how about Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota? Read more…
Quick Hits
+ AP college basketball poll: CU Buffs re-enter Top 25, Gonzaga, Duke, Kansas stay atop ranking.
+ Wade Phillips, veteran defensive coordinator, fired by Los Angeles Rams.
+ Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon earns NHL No. 1 star of week
+ Rockies sign catcher Elias Díaz, infielder Kelby Tomlinson to minor-league deals
+ All Elite Wrestling is bringing “Dynamite” pro wrestling to Denver.
+ Colorado hunting, fishing licenses bring in 20% more revenue, plus more key 2019 numbers.
+ Avant-garde posters unveiled as Tokyo Olympics near.
+ Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa says he is entering 2020 NFL draft.
Ask The Experts
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Ryan O’Halloran here.
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Singer here.
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Chambers here.
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Patrick Saunders here.
By The Numbers
8
How many points Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon scored last week in three games, earning the NHL’s No. 1 star of the week. Read more…
Parting Shot
Denver Post sports columnist Mark Kiszla and Avalanche beat writer Mike Chambers hash out Nathan MacKinnon’s Hart Trophy chances. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.


thedenverpost--2020-01-07--Colorado would repay first 2 years of student loans for grads who stay in state under “Get On Your F

Colorado would repay first 2 years of student loans for grads who stay in state under “Get On Your Feet” bill

A bill in the works for Colorado ’ s upcoming legislative session would mandate the state pay for the first two years of student loans for new graduates of the state ’ s public colleges who commit to stay in Colorado and enroll in an income-based repayment program .
Students who qualify would have their monthly payment — determined by an income-based repayment program — paid in full by the state for their first two years out of college , relieving them of the financial responsibility as they get introduced to the workforce .
Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zenzinger , a Democrat representing District 19 , plan to sponsor the “ Get On Your Feet ” bill , modeled after a program established a few years ago in New York .
“ Students are graduating with so much debt that it ’ s , frankly , overwhelming , ” Fenberg said .
“ People are going down a path or a career that isn ’ t what they even went to college for to start paying these off .
They don ’ t have a chance to take a breath and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The concept is to give them two years of breathing room to actually be able to pursue the career they want to pursue.
” More than 761,000 Coloradans are repaying $ 27.7 billion in student loan debt , according to household debt statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York .
In 2018 , 56 % of Colorado graduates with a certificate or associate degree left school with debt — the average debt amounting to $ 13,300 .
For a bachelor ’ s degree during the same time frame , 69 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with debt , averaging $ 25,500 , according to statistics from the Colorado Department of Higher Education .
Gov .
Jared Polis ’ budget earmarked $ 14 million to advance-fund the program for three years , “ serving approximately 5,300 Coloradans who graduate from a state institution of higher education , live in Colorado and participate in a federal income-based repayment plan.
” Charley Olena , an advocacy consultant with the left-leaning organization New Era Colorado , is helping with the “ Get On Your Feet ” bill this session .
“ One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exciting for Colorado and the reason why the governor ’ s office has been so enthusiastic is because students ’ loans are depressing entrepreneurship , ” Olena said .
“ The total percentage of people under 30 who own their businesses has fallen about 65 % since the 1980s .
Millennials were overwhelmingly citing student loan debt as the thing holding them back from starting their own business .
As Colorado ’ s economy continues to grow , entrepreneurship is something we want to be able to foster.
” Guillermo Linares , president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Services Corporation , called his state ’ s “ Get On Your Feet ” program a success since its 2015 launch .
The New York program has grown in participants each academic year , starting at 644 people in the 2015-2016 school year and growing to 2,209 in the 2017-2018 school year , according to data from New York ’ s Higher Education Services Corporation .
Linares said the program has saved students more than $ 2 million in its third year .
“ This is beneficial for everyone , ” Linares said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can see for stepping up to help someone who just obtained a degree and is just starting off .
This is a lifeline to help them take firm steps in the workforce , and the benefits are tremendous .
”

A bill in the works for Colorado’s upcoming legislative session would mandate the state pay for the first two years of student loans for new graduates of the state’s public colleges who commit to stay in Colorado and enroll in an income-based repayment program.
Students who qualify would have their monthly payment — determined by an income-based repayment program — paid in full by the state for their first two years out of college, relieving them of the financial responsibility as they get introduced to the workforce.
Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, a Boulder Democrat, Rep. Leslie Herod, a Democrat representing District 8, and Rep. Julie McCluskie, a Democrat representing District 61, plan to sponsor the “Get On Your Feet” bill, modeled after a program established a few years ago in New York.
“Students are graduating with so much debt that it’s, frankly, overwhelming,” Fenberg said. “People are going down a path or a career that isn’t what they even went to college for to start paying these off. They don’t have a chance to take a breath and figure out what they want to do. The concept is to give them two years of breathing room to actually be able to pursue the career they want to pursue.”
More than 761,000 Coloradans are repaying $27.7 billion in student loan debt, according to household debt statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
In 2018, 56% of Colorado graduates with a certificate or associate degree left school with debt — the average debt amounting to $13,300. For a bachelor’s degree during the same time frame, 69% of graduates ended their academic career with debt, averaging $25,500, according to statistics from the Colorado Department of Higher Education.
Gov. Jared Polis’ budget earmarked $14 million to advance-fund the program for three years, “serving approximately 5,300 Coloradans who graduate from a state institution of higher education, live in Colorado and participate in a federal income-based repayment plan.”
Charley Olena, an advocacy consultant with the left-leaning organization New Era Colorado, is helping with the “Get On Your Feet” bill this session.
“One of the reasons why this is so exciting for Colorado and the reason why the governor’s office has been so enthusiastic is because students’ loans are depressing entrepreneurship,” Olena said. “The total percentage of people under 30 who own their businesses has fallen about 65% since the 1980s. Millennials were overwhelmingly citing student loan debt as the thing holding them back from starting their own business. As Colorado’s economy continues to grow, entrepreneurship is something we want to be able to foster.”
Guillermo Linares, president of New York’s Higher Education Services Corporation, called his state’s “Get On Your Feet” program a success since its 2015 launch.
The New York program has grown in participants each academic year, starting at 644 people in the 2015-2016 school year and growing to 2,209 in the 2017-2018 school year, according to data from New York’s Higher Education Services Corporation.
Linares said the program has saved students more than $2 million in its third year.
“This is beneficial for everyone,” Linares said. “There is no downside that I can see for stepping up to help someone who just obtained a degree and is just starting off. This is a lifeline to help them take firm steps in the workforce, and the benefits are tremendous.”
Updated 5:20 p.m. Jan. 29, 2019 Due to a reporting error, this story originally misidentified state Sen. Rachel Zenzinger as a planned co-sponsor of the “Get On Your Feet” bill. The story also originally misreported which district Rep. Leslie Herod represents.


thedenverpost--2020-01-08--Red Sox respond to report they stole signs in 2018

The Red Sox responded Monday to a report from The Athletic alleging they illegally stole signs using the team ’ s video room during the 2018 regular season .
“ We were recently made aware of allegations suggesting the inappropriate use of our video replay room , ” the Sox said in a statement .
“ We take these allegations seriously and will fully cooperate with MLB as they investigate the matter.
” After the report came out earlier Monday , Major League Baseball also issued a statement : “ The Commissioner made clear in a September 15 , 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take any future violation of the regulations regarding use of electronic equipment or the inappropriate use of the video replay room , ” the MLB statement read .
“ Given these allegations , MLB will commence an investigation into this matter.
” In the report , three people who spoke to The Athletic under the condition of anonymity and were with the Red Sox in 2018 said that “ during that regular season , at least some players visited the video replay room during games to learn the sign sequence opponents were using.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only used during the regular season , in which the Red Sox won a franchise record 108 games , but “ did not appear to be effective or viable ” during the postseason , when opponents were wary enough to change their sign sequences .
These illegal sign-stealing allegations are the second case against a recent World Series champion , as MLB continues to investigate the Astros ’ operation in 2017 , and both implicate Red Sox manager Alex Cora , who was a bench coach with the Astros in ‘ 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Athletic had previously reported that Cora played a “ key role ” in devising the Astros ’ system in 2017 .
The Athletic ’ s report detailed the Red Sox ’ system , in which a staff member in the team ’ s video replay room would tell a player a certain sign sequence , and then that player would return to the dugout and deliver the message on foot .
That information would be relayed to a baserunner , who would watch the catcher ’ s signs and tell the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movements .
“ It ’ s cheating , ” a member of the 2018 Red Sox told The Athletic .
“ Because if you ’ re using a camera to zoom in on the crotch of the catcher , to break down the sign system , and then take that information and give it out to the runner , then he doesn ’ t have to steal it .
”

The Red Sox responded Monday to a report from The Athletic alleging they illegally stole signs using the team’s video room during the 2018 regular season.
“We were recently made aware of allegations suggesting the inappropriate use of our video replay room,” the Sox said in a statement. “We take these allegations seriously and will fully cooperate with MLB as they investigate the matter.”
After the report came out earlier Monday, Major League Baseball also issued a statement:
“The Commissioner made clear in a September 15, 2017 memorandum to clubs how seriously he would take any future violation of the regulations regarding use of electronic equipment or the inappropriate use of the video replay room,” the MLB statement read. “Given these allegations, MLB will commence an investigation into this matter.”
In the report, three people who spoke to The Athletic under the condition of anonymity and were with the Red Sox in 2018 said that “during that regular season, at least some players visited the video replay room during games to learn the sign sequence opponents were using.”
The report says that the system was only used during the regular season, in which the Red Sox won a franchise record 108 games, but “did not appear to be effective or viable” during the postseason, when opponents were wary enough to change their sign sequences.
These illegal sign-stealing allegations are the second case against a recent World Series champion, as MLB continues to investigate the Astros’ operation in 2017, and both implicate Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who was a bench coach with the Astros in ‘17 before joining the Sox in ‘18. The Athletic had previously reported that Cora played a “key role” in devising the Astros’ system in 2017.
The Athletic’s report detailed the Red Sox’ system, in which a staff member in the team’s video replay room would tell a player a certain sign sequence, and then that player would return to the dugout and deliver the message on foot. That information would be relayed to a baserunner, who would watch the catcher’s signs and tell the hitter what’s coming with body movements.
“It’s cheating,” a member of the 2018 Red Sox told The Athletic. “Because if you’re using a camera to zoom in on the crotch of the catcher, to break down the sign system, and then take that information and give it out to the runner, then he doesn’t have to steal it.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-07--Poor visibility in the metro area triggers indoor burning restrictions, voluntary driving reductions

A poor visibility forecast for the metro area is triggering indoor burning restrictions and a plea to limit driving if possible .
An “ Action Day for Visibility ” goes into effect at 4 p.m. Tuesday and runs through 4 p.m. Wednesday , according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Air Pollution Control Division .
“ Poor visibility and an exceedance of the state visibility standard are expected on Wednesday , ” health officials said in a news release .
“ Otherwise , good or moderate air quality conditions are expected .
No other air quality advisories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to be moderate to poor .
Mandatory restrictions on indoor burning and voluntary driving reductions are for the seven-county , Denver-Boulder metropolitan area only .
Ozone standards and anticipated carbon monoxide concentrations indicate good air quality for the Front Range on Tuesday and Wednesday .
Concentrations of fine particulates were in the good category Tuesday , but will likely increase to the moderate category on Wednesday in the Denver metro area and northward along the Platte River into southern and central Weld County , including Greeley .
Unusually sensitive people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce prolonged or heavy activities on Wednesday , the CDPHE said .
Nitrogen dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the good to moderate range on Tuesday and Wednesday .
Moderate concentrations will be likely in the metro area along busy roads and highways .
Sensitive people should limit prolonged outdoor activities from 6 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. , health officials said .
The Winter High Pollution Advisory Program is coordinated by the Air Pollution Control Division of the CDPHE .
Winter season air pollution forecasts are issued daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 p.m .

A poor visibility forecast for the metro area is triggering indoor burning restrictions and a plea to limit driving if possible.
An “Action Day for Visibility” goes into effect at 4 p.m. Tuesday and runs through 4 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Air Pollution Control Division.
“Poor visibility and an exceedance of the state visibility standard are expected on Wednesday,” health officials said in a news release. “Otherwise, good or moderate air quality conditions are expected. No other air quality advisories are in effect.”
Visibility on Wednesday is expected to be moderate to poor. Mandatory restrictions on indoor burning and voluntary driving reductions are for the seven-county, Denver-Boulder metropolitan area only.
Ozone standards and anticipated carbon monoxide concentrations indicate good air quality for the Front Range on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Concentrations of fine particulates were in the good category Tuesday, but will likely increase to the moderate category on Wednesday in the Denver metro area and northward along the Platte River into southern and central Weld County, including Greeley. Unusually sensitive people, including people with respiratory illness, should reduce prolonged or heavy activities on Wednesday, the CDPHE said.
Nitrogen dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the good to moderate range on Tuesday and Wednesday. Moderate concentrations will be likely in the metro area along busy roads and highways. Sensitive people should limit prolonged outdoor activities from 6 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m., health officials said.
The Winter High Pollution Advisory Program is coordinated by the Air Pollution Control Division of the CDPHE. Winter season air pollution forecasts are issued daily from Oct. 31 through March 31 at 4 p.m.


thedenverpost--2020-01-07--Delay of game: National title on hold amidst 2-week wait

CLEMSON , S.C. — Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence was ready to get right back on the field to play for another College Football Playoff title after the Tigers ’ hard-fought semifinal win over Ohio State last month .
That changed once he woke up the next day .
“ I was really sore so I was glad to get some extra time , ” he said .
But there have been questions whether the longest break in the CFP ’ s six seasons has been good for the sport , especially in the shadows of the NFL playoffs .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 14-0 ; No .
1 CFP ) and No .
3 Clemson ( 14-0 ; No .
3 CFP ) last played by the time the teams meet in New Orleans on Jan. 13 .
But like Lawrence , it seems most everyone from the coaches and players to Superdome officials and fans seem to have rolled with the break as they wait for the showdown — of course , they didn ’ t have much of a choice .
CFP executive director Bill Hancock said the game is a sellout — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And even with the ongoing NFL playoffs , Hancock believes the buildup and excitement for the college title is as strong as ever despite the lengthy layoff .
Hancock said the proximity of LSU ’ s campus ( about 80 miles northwest of New Orleans in Baton Rouge ) guarantees an intensity and excitement for the event .
“ I think this buzz is because of the popularity of college football , plus the match up of two great teams , ” Hancock said in a text to The Associated Press .
Clemson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the last five CFP championships , winning in 2016 after a nine-day break and last season when the Tigers again had nine days to get back to campus after the Cotton Bowl in Dallas before flying cross-country to California .
The quick turn didn ’ t seem to bother Clemson during its 44-16 title game victory over Alabama .
“ You know , I ’ d prefer to just go play , to be honest with you , if I was writing the schedule out , ” Swinney said .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re supposed to , and in this particular case I ’ m really glad that we ’ ve got a couple extra days.
” This is LSU ’ s first time in the CFP title game , but the Tigers are not letting the wait get to them .
It was three weeks between LSU winning the Southeastern Conference championship over Georgia before defeating Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl to reach the championship .
“ A game like this you just have to stay in your routine and don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Burrow , the Heisman Trophy winner .
“ You can really pump yourself up and get a little too excited , but I ’ m just going to stay in my routine , do what I ’ ve been doing , and treat it like any other week.
” The break has made it easier for some fans to make arrangements , said Ted King , a lifelong Clemson fan who has been to the team ’ s three previous trips to the CFP ’ s final game .
He remembers a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hotel in California — the game was played in Santa Clara , NFL home for the San Francisco 49ers — for he and wife , Chris , before Clemson ’ s semifinal game with Notre Dame was over .
“ I am so glad for that extra week , ” said King , a retired executive with a utility company .
This time , the Kings will drive South , stopping to see family in Alabama before arriving in New Orleans on Sunday .
On the way back , they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visits before returning to Irmo , just north of South Carolina ’ s capital of Columbia .
“ We get to have some family time and get to see the Tigers play for a title , ” King said .
ESPN announcer Chris Fowler said the delay was simply a quirk of this year .
Teams had two bye weeks this season , something that ’ s not normal to the game .
“ Ideally , for momentum and fan interest , you don ’ t want to wait 16 days , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared because that ’ s a lot of time to get ready for teams that we already know.
” LSU coach Ed Orgeron , a Louisiana native who has his team on the verge of its first national title since 2007 , understands some of his down time will be fielding calls from hometown people desperate for tickets .
“ Obviously , we can ’ t let it be a distraction , ” he said .
“ Obviously , it can be a distraction for me.
” Where the break might most affect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit .
The teams ’ coordinators Dave Aranda of LSU and Brent Venables of Clemson — two of the highest paid assistants at more than $ 2 million a year — will have extra study time to find flaws in the opposing defense .
“ They ’ ve got the same amount of time as well , “ Clemson linebacker Chad Smith , “ so it ’ s going to be interesting to see how all these weeks come into play Monday .
”

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence was ready to get right back on the field to play for another College Football Playoff title after the Tigers’hard-fought semifinal win over Ohio State last month.
That changed once he woke up the next day.
“I was really sore so I was glad to get some extra time,” he said.
But there have been questions whether the longest break in the CFP’s six seasons has been good for the sport, especially in the shadows of the NFL playoffs.
It will be 16 days since top-ranked LSU (14-0; No. 1 CFP) and No. 3 Clemson (14-0; No. 3 CFP) last played by the time the teams meet in New Orleans on Jan. 13.
But like Lawrence, it seems most everyone from the coaches and players to Superdome officials and fans seem to have rolled with the break as they wait for the showdown — of course, they didn’t have much of a choice.
It apparently didn’t hurt ticket sales.
CFP executive director Bill Hancock said the game is a sellout — just like the first five CFP championships And even with the ongoing NFL playoffs, Hancock believes the buildup and excitement for the college title is as strong as ever despite the lengthy layoff.
Hancock said the proximity of LSU’s campus (about 80 miles northwest of New Orleans in Baton Rouge) guarantees an intensity and excitement for the event.
“I think this buzz is because of the popularity of college football, plus the match up of two great teams,” Hancock said in a text to The Associated Press.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has been in four of the last five CFP championships, winning in 2016 after a nine-day break and last season when the Tigers again had nine days to get back to campus after the Cotton Bowl in Dallas before flying cross-country to California.
The quick turn didn’t seem to bother Clemson during its 44-16 title game victory over Alabama.
“You know, I’d prefer to just go play, to be honest with you, if I was writing the schedule out,” Swinney said. “But hey, things always happen the way they’re supposed to, and in this particular case I’m really glad that we’ve got a couple extra days.”
This is LSU’s first time in the CFP title game, but the Tigers are not letting the wait get to them. It was three weeks between LSU winning the Southeastern Conference championship over Georgia before defeating Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl to reach the championship.
“A game like this you just have to stay in your routine and don’t stray from it,” said quarterback Joe Burrow, the Heisman Trophy winner. “You can really pump yourself up and get a little too excited, but I’m just going to stay in my routine, do what I’ve been doing, and treat it like any other week.”
The break has made it easier for some fans to make arrangements, said Ted King, a lifelong Clemson fan who has been to the team’s three previous trips to the CFP’s final game.
He remembers a year ago trying to book flights and a hotel in California — the game was played in Santa Clara, NFL home for the San Francisco 49ers — for he and wife, Chris, before Clemson’s semifinal game with Notre Dame was over.
“I am so glad for that extra week,” said King, a retired executive with a utility company.
This time, the Kings will drive South, stopping to see family in Alabama before arriving in New Orleans on Sunday. On the way back, they’ll stop in Alabama and Georgia for more visits before returning to Irmo, just north of South Carolina’s capital of Columbia.
“We get to have some family time and get to see the Tigers play for a title,” King said.
ESPN announcer Chris Fowler said the delay was simply a quirk of this year. Teams had two bye weeks this season, something that’s not normal to the game.
“Ideally, for momentum and fan interest, you don’t want to wait 16 days,” he said. “We will be prepared because that’s a lot of time to get ready for teams that we already know.”
LSU coach Ed Orgeron, a Louisiana native who has his team on the verge of its first national title since 2007, understands some of his down time will be fielding calls from hometown people desperate for tickets.
“Obviously, we can’t let it be a distraction,” he said. “Obviously, it can be a distraction for me.”
Where the break might most affect the game is on defense, said ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. The teams’ coordinators Dave Aranda of LSU and Brent Venables of Clemson — two of the highest paid assistants at more than $2 million a year — will have extra study time to find flaws in the opposing defense.
“They’ve got the same amount of time as well,“ Clemson linebacker Chad Smith, “so it’s going to be interesting to see how all these weeks come into play Monday.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-07--Iran strikes back at U.S. with missile attack at air base

TEHRAN , Iran — Iran struck back at the United States for the killing of a top Iranian general early Wednesday , firing a series of surface-to-surface missiles at an Iraqi air base housing U.S. troops and warning the United States and its allies in the region not to retaliate .
U.S. officials confirmed airstrikes at the air base .
There was no immediate word on injuries .
Iranian state TV said the attack was in revenge for the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani , whose funeral Tuesday in his hometown of Kerman prompted angry calls to avenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Middle East .
Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard warned the U.S. and its regional allies against retaliating over the missile attack against the Ain Assad air base in Iraq ’ s western Anbar province .
The Guard issued the warning via a statement carried by Iran ’ s state-run IRNA news agency .
“ We are warning all American allies , who gave their bases to its terrorist army , that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted , ” The Guard said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assad air base is in Iraq ’ s western Anbar province .
It was first used by American forces after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein .
It later saw American troops stationed there amid the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria .
State TV said the operation ’ s name was “ Martyr Soleimani.
” It said the Guard ’ s aerospace division that controls Iran ’ s missile program launched the attack .
Iran said it would release more information later .
Wednesday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours after crowds in Iran mourned Soleimani and as the U.S. continued to reinforce its own positions in the region and warned of an unspecified threat to shipping from Iran in the region ’ s waterways , crucial routes for global energy supplies .
U.S. embassies and consulates from Asia to Africa and Europe issued security alerts for Americans .
The U.S. Air Force launched a drill with 52 fighter jets in Utah , just days after President Donald Trump threatened to hit 52 sites in Iran .
A stampede broke out Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top Iranian general slain in a U.S. airstrike , and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession , Iranian news reports said .
Tuesday ’ s deadly stampede took place in Soleimani ’ s hometown of Kerman as his coffin was being borne through the city in southeastern Iran , said Pirhossein Koulivand , head of Iran ’ s emergency medical services .
There was no information about what set off the crush in the packed streets , and online videos showed only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their faces covered by clothing , emergency crews performing CPR on the fallen , and onlookers wailing and crying out to God .
“ Unfortunately as a result of the stampede , some of our compatriots have been injured and some have been killed during the funeral processions , ” Koulivand said , and state TV quoted him as saying that 56 had died and 213 had been injured .
Soleimani ’ s burial was delayed , with no new time given , because of concerns about the huge crowd at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
A procession in Tehran on Monday drew over 1 million people in the Iranian capital , crowding both main avenues and side streets in Tehran .
Such mass crowds can prove dangerous .
A smaller stampede at the 1989 funeral for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini killed at least eight people and injured hundreds .
Hossein Salami , Soleimani ’ s successor as leader of the Revolutionary Guard , addressed a crowd of supporters gathered at the coffin in a central square in Kernan .
He vowed to avenge Soleimani , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Baghdad ’ s airport .
“ We tell our enemies that we will retaliate but if they take another action we will set ablaze the places that they like and are passionate about , ” Salami said .
“ Death to Israel !
” the crowd shouted in response , referring to one of Iran ’ s longtime regional foes .
Salami praised Soleimani ’ s work , describing him as essential to backing Palestinian groups , Yemen ’ s Houthi rebels and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria .
As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat to Iran ’ s enemies , Salami said .
Soleimani will ultimately be laid to rest between the graves of Enayatollah Talebizadeh and Mohammad Hossein Yousef Elahi , two former Guard comrades killed in Iran ’ s 1980s war with Iraq .
They died in Operation Dawn 8 , in which Soleimani also took part .
It was a 1986 amphibious assault that cut Iraq off from the Persian Gulf and led to the end of the war that killed 1 million .
The funeral processions in major cities over three days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , seen by Iranians as a national hero for his work leading the Guard ’ s expeditionary Quds Force .
The U.S. blames him for killing U.S. troops in Iraq and accused him of plotting new attacks just before he was killed .
Soleimani also led forces supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad in that country ’ s civil war , and he also served as the point man for Iranian proxies in countries like Iraq , Lebanon and Yemen .
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Assad in Syria on Tuesday amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s slaying already has led Tehran to abandon the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers as his successor and others vow to take revenge .
In Iraq , pro-Iranian factions in parliament have pushed to oust American troops from Iraqi soil following Soleimani ’ s killing .
Germany and Canada announced plans to move some of their soldiers in Iraq to neighboring countries .
According to a report on Tuesday by the semi-official Tasnim news agency , Iran has worked up 13 sets of plans to avenge Soleimani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ali Shamkhani , the secretary of Iran ’ s Supreme National Security Council , as saying that even the weakest among them would be a “ historic nightmare ” for the U.S .
He declined to elaborate , “ If the U.S. troops do not leave our region voluntarily and upright , we will do something to carry their bodies horizontally out , ” Shamkhani said .
The state-run IRNA news agency later published a statement from the Supreme National Security Council denying Shamkhani made the comment .
The U.S. Maritime Administration warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising threats .
“ The Iranian response to this action , if any , is unknown , but there remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region , ” it said .
Oil tankers were targeted in mine attacks last year that the U.S. blamed on Iran .
Tehran denied responsibility , although it did seize oil tankers around the crucial Strait of Hormuz , the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20 % of the world ’ s crude oil travels .
The U.S. Navy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would work with shippers in the region to minimize any possible threat .
The 5th Fleet “ has and will continue to provide advice to merchant shipping as appropriate regarding recommended security precautions in light of the heightened tensions and threats in the region , ” 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr .
Joshua Frey told The Associated Press .
Meanwhile , Iranian Gen. Alireza Tabgsiri , the chief of the Guard ’ s navy , issued his own warning .
“ Our message to the enemies is to leave the region , ” Tabgsiri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guard routinely has tense encounters with the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf .
Separately , Iran summoned the British ambassador over comments by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the British defense minister about Soleimani ’ s killing , the semi-official Mehr news agency reported .
Iran ’ s parliament , meanwhile , has passed an urgent bill declaring the U.S. military ’ s command at the Pentagon and those acting on its behalf in Soleimani ’ s killing as “ terrorists , ” subject to Iranian sanctions .
The measure appears to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump in April to declare the Revolutionary Guard a “ terrorist organization.
” The U.S. Defense Department used that terror designation to support the strike that killed Soleimani .
The action by Iran ’ s parliament was done by a special procedure to speed it into law and also saw the lawmakers approve funding for the Quds Force with an additional 200 million euros , or about $ 224 million .
Also Tuesday , Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the U.S. had declined to issue him a visa to travel to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations .
As the host of the U.N. headquarters , the U.S. is supposed to allow foreign officials to attend such meetings .
“ This is because they fear someone will go there and tell the truth to the American people , ” Zarif said .
“ But they are mistaken .
The world is not limited to New York .
You can speak with American people from Tehran too and we will do that.
” Asked about Zarif , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told journalists America would comply with its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He then referred to the Iranian diplomat as “ a propagandist of the first order.
” A U.S. official who wasn ’ t authorized to speak on the record said the application couldn ’ t be processed in time for Zarif ’ s travel although it wasn ’ t clear if his request had been formally denied .
A formal rejection would trigger legal technicalities that could affect future visa applications and could violate the host country agreement the U.S. has with the U.N. Gambrell reported from Dubai , United Arab Emirates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington contributed .

Nasser Karimi, Amir Vahdat, Jon Gambrell

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran struck back at the United States for the killing of a top Iranian general early Wednesday, firing a series of ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops in a major escalation that brought the two longtime foes closer to war.
Iranian state TV said it was in revenge for the U.S. killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, whose death last week in an American drone strike near Baghdad prompted angry calls to avenge his slaying. A U.S. official said there were no immediate reports of American casualties, though buildings were still being searched.
‘All is well!’ President Donald Trump tweeted shortly after the missile attacks, adding, ‘So far, so good’ regarding casualties.
Soleimani’s killing and the strikes by Iran came as tensions have been rising steadily across the Mideast after President Donald Trump’s decision to unilaterally withdraw America from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers. They also marked the first time in recent years that Washington and Tehran have attacked each other directly rather than through proxies in the region. It raised the chances of open conflict erupting between the two enemies, which have been at odds since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
But in a tweet shortly after the missile launches, Iran’s foreign minister called a ballistic missile attack a “proportionate measures in self-defense” and said it was not seeking to escalate the situation but would defend itself against any aggression.
Iran initially announced only one strike, but U.S. officials confirmed both. U.S. defense officials were at the White House, likely to discuss options with Trump, who launched the strike on Soleimani while facing an upcoming impeachment trial in the Senate,
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned the U.S. and its regional allies against retaliating over the missile attack against the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq’s western Anbar province. The Guard issued the warning via a statement carried by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.
“We are warning all American allies, who gave their bases to its terrorist army, that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted,” The Guard said. It also threatened Israel.
After the strikes, a former Iranian nuclear negotiator posted a picture of the Islamic Republic’s flag on Twitter, appearing to mimic Trump who posted an American flag following the killing of Soleimani and others Friday in a drone strike in Baghdad.
Ain al-Asad air base was first used by American forces after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, and later saw American troops stationed there amid the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. It houses about 1,500 U.S. and coalition forces.
Two Iraqi security officials said at least one of the missiles appeared to have struck a plane at the base, igniting a fire. It was not immediately clear whether it was an Iraqi or U.S. jet. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the attacks, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they had no permission to brief journalists.
About 70 Norwegian troops also were on the air base but no injuries were reported, Brynjar Stordal, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Armed Forces told The Associated Press.
Trump visited the sprawling Ain al-Asad air base, about 100 miles or 60 kilometers west of Baghdad, in December 2018, making his first presidential visit to troops in the region. He did not meet with any Iraqi officials at the time, and his visit inflamed sensitivities about the continued presence of U.S. forces in Iraq. Vice President Mike Pence also has visited the base.
Iranian state TV said the Guard’s aerospace division that controls Iran’s missile program launched the attack, which it said was part of an operation dubbed “Martyr Soleimani.” Iran said it would release more information later.
The U.S. also acknowledged another missile attack on a base in Irbil in Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region.
“As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners and allies in the region,” said Jonathan Hoffman, an assistant to the U.S. defense secretary.
Wednesday’s revenge attack happened a mere few hours after crowds in Iran mourned Soleimani at his funeral. It also came the U.S. continued to reinforce its own positions in the region and warned of an unspecified threat to shipping from Iran in the region’s waterways, crucial routes for global energy supplies. U.S. embassies and consulates from Asia to Africa and Europe issued security alerts for Americans. The FAA also warned of a “potential for miscalculation or mis-identification” for civilian aircraft in the Persian Gulf amid in an emergency flight restriction.
A stampede broke out Tuesday at Soleimani’s funeral, and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession, Iranian news reports said. Shortly after Iran’s revenge missile launches early Wednesday, Soleimani’s shroud-wrapped remains were lowered into the ground as mourners wailed at the grave site.
Tuesday’s deadly stampede took place in Soleimani’s hometown of Kerman as his coffin was being borne through the city in southeastern Iran, said Pirhossein Koulivand, head of Iran’s emergency medical services.
There was no information about what set off the crush in the packed streets, and online videos showed only its aftermath: people lying apparently lifeless, their faces covered by clothing, emergency crews performing CPR on the fallen, and onlookers wailing and crying out to God.
“Unfortunately as a result of the stampede, some of our compatriots have been injured and some have been killed during the funeral processions,” Koulivand said, and state TV quoted him as saying that 56 had died and 213 had been injured.
Soleimani’s burial was delayed, with no new time given, because of concerns about the huge crowd at the cemetery, the semi-official ISNA news agency said.
A procession in Tehran on Monday drew over 1 million people in the Iranian capital, crowding both main avenues and side streets in Tehran. Such mass crowds can prove dangerous. A smaller stampede at the 1989 funeral for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini killed at least eight people and injured hundreds.
Hossein Salami, Soleimani’s successor as leader of the Revolutionary Guard, addressed a crowd of supporters gathered at the coffin in a central square in Kernan. He vowed to avenge Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike Friday near Baghdad’s airport.
“We tell our enemies that we will retaliate but if they take another action we will set ablaze the places that they like and are passionate about,” Salami said.
“Death to Israel!” the crowd shouted in response, referring to one of Iran’s longtime regional foes.
Salami praised Soleimani’s work, describing him as essential to backing Palestinian groups, Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria. As a martyr, Soleimani represented an even greater threat to Iran’s enemies, Salami said.
Soleimani will ultimately be laid to rest between the graves of Enayatollah Talebizadeh and Mohammad Hossein Yousef Elahi, two former Guard comrades killed in Iran’s 1980s war with Iraq. They died in Operation Dawn 8, in which Soleimani also took part. It was a 1986 amphibious assault that cut Iraq off from the Persian Gulf and led to the end of the war that killed 1 million.
The funeral processions in major cities over three days have been an unprecedented honor for Soleimani, seen by Iranians as a national hero for his work leading the Guard’s expeditionary Quds Force.
The U.S. blames him for killing U.S. troops in Iraq and accused him of plotting new attacks just before he was killed. Soleimani also led forces supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad in that country’s civil war, and he also served as the point man for Iranian proxies in countries like Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Assad in Syria on Tuesday amid the tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Soleimani’s slaying already has led Tehran to abandon the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers as his successor and others vow to take revenge.
In Iraq, pro-Iranian factions in parliament have pushed to oust American troops from Iraqi soil following Soleimani’s killing. Germany and Canada announced plans to move some of their soldiers in Iraq to neighboring countries.
The FAA warning barred U.S. pilots and carriers from flying over areas of Iraqi, Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace. The region is a major East-West travel hub and home to Emirates airline and Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel. It earlier issued warnings after Iran shot down a U.S. military surveillance drone last year that saw airlines plan new routes to avoid the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Maritime Administration warned ships across the Mideast, citing the rising threats. “The Iranian response to this action, if any, is unknown, but there remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region,” it said.
Oil tankers were targeted in mine attacks last year that the U.S. blamed on Iran. Tehran denied responsibility, although it did seize oil tankers around the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of the world’s crude oil travels.
The U.S. Navy’s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said it would work with shippers in the region to minimize any possible threat.
The 5th Fleet “has and will continue to provide advice to merchant shipping as appropriate regarding recommended security precautions in light of the heightened tensions and threats in the region,” 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Joshua Frey told The Associated Press.
Iran’s parliament, meanwhile, has passed an urgent bill declaring the U.S. military’s command at the Pentagon and those acting on its behalf in Soleimani’s killing as “terrorists,” subject to Iranian sanctions. The measure appears to be in response to a decision by Trump in April to declare the Revolutionary Guard a “terrorist organization.”
The U.S. Defense Department used that terror designation to support the strike that killed Soleimani.
Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Lolita C. Baldor and Zeke Miller in Washington, Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad and Zeina Karam in Beirut contributed.


thedenverpost--2020-01-07--CNN settles lawsuit with Kentucky teen from March for Life demonstration

NEW YORK — CNN has settled a lawsuit with a Kentucky teen who claimed media organizations falsely labeled him as a racist following a well-publicized encounter with a Native American last year at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington .
The network confirmed the settlement Tuesday , as did Todd McMurtry , a lawyer for Nicholas Sandmann , a student at Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky .
Neither side would give details of the settlement .
Sandmann had sued CNN , the Washington Post and NBC Universal for how he was characterized in the incident .
Cases against the Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classmates entered the national spotlight after video and photos appeared of him wearing a “ Make America Great Again ” hat in support of President Donald Trump near a Native American man , Nathan Phillips .
Sandmann and his fellow students were in the city for an anti-abortion March for Life , while Phillips was with an Indigenous People ’ s March .
Media commentary in the aftermath depicted Sandmann and his classmates as racially insensitive .
Sandmann and Phillips later said they were both trying to defuse tensions among conflicting groups converging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encounter showed Sandmann and Phillips standing close to each other , with the young student staring and at times smiling at Phillips as he sang and played a drum .

NEW YORK — CNN has settled a lawsuit with a Kentucky teen who claimed media organizations falsely labeled him as a racist following a well-publicized encounter with a Native American last year at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.
The network confirmed the settlement Tuesday, as did Todd McMurtry, a lawyer for Nicholas Sandmann, a student at Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky. Neither side would give details of the settlement.
Sandmann had sued CNN, the Washington Post and NBC Universal for how he was characterized in the incident. Cases against the Post and NBC continue.
Sandmann and his classmates entered the national spotlight after video and photos appeared of him wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat in support of President Donald Trump near a Native American man, Nathan Phillips. Sandmann and his fellow students were in the city for an anti-abortion March for Life, while Phillips was with an Indigenous People’s March.
Media commentary in the aftermath depicted Sandmann and his classmates as racially insensitive. Sandmann and Phillips later said they were both trying to defuse tensions among conflicting groups converging at the Memorial.
Video of the encounter showed Sandmann and Phillips standing close to each other, with the young student staring and at times smiling at Phillips as he sang and played a drum.


thedenverpost--2020-01-07--Rehab center owner in Colorado and California pleads no contest in $175M billing scam

LOS ANGELES — The founder of a Los Angeles sober-living facility is facing 20 years in prison for running a $ 175 million phony health care billing scheme .
Christopher Bathum pleaded no contest Monday to 14 felony counts of grand theft , insurance fraud , identity theft and money laundering , the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office announced .
Bathum , who once described himself as “ the rehab mogul , ” ran 13 Community Recovery drug and alcohol treatment centers in Los Angeles and Orange counties and six in Colorado .
He used patient information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names without their knowledge , then billed insurance companies for services that were never provided , including services for former clients after their treatment ended , prosecutors said .
He and his co-defendant billed insurers for $ 175 million and received about $ 44 million .
The co-defendant , Kirsten Wallace , was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2018 after pleading no contest to 46 felony counts .
The 58-year-old Bathum is scheduled for sentencing in February and under the plea agreement faces 20 years in prison , the county DA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awaits sentencing after being convicted last year of sexually assaulting seven women patients at his facilities .
Prosecutors said Bathum provided patients with drugs as they battled addiction and then assaulted them while they were under the influence .

LOS ANGELES — The founder of a Los Angeles sober-living facility is facing 20 years in prison for running a $175 million phony health care billing scheme.
Christopher Bathum pleaded no contest Monday to 14 felony counts of grand theft, insurance fraud, identity theft and money laundering, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office announced.
Bathum, who once described himself as “the rehab mogul,” ran 13 Community Recovery drug and alcohol treatment centers in Los Angeles and Orange counties and six in Colorado.
He used patient information to obtain health insurance policies in their names without their knowledge, then billed insurance companies for services that were never provided, including services for former clients after their treatment ended, prosecutors said.
He and his co-defendant billed insurers for $175 million and received about $44 million.
The co-defendant, Kirsten Wallace, was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2018 after pleading no contest to 46 felony counts.
The 58-year-old Bathum is scheduled for sentencing in February and under the plea agreement faces 20 years in prison, the county DA’s office said.
He also awaits sentencing after being convicted last year of sexually assaulting seven women patients at his facilities. Prosecutors said Bathum provided patients with drugs as they battled addiction and then assaulted them while they were under the influence.