thedenverpost--2020-10-26--Broncos no match (again) for Kansas City: “Nowhere near good enough”

For 10 months , the Broncos plotted their plan to be more competitive against the Kansas City Chiefs and not only break a nine-game losing streak in the series , but maybe , just maybe , make things interesting in the AFC West .
They felt offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur would boost a dormant attack .
They felt quarterback Drew Lock was ready for prime time .
They felt rookie receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler would add the speedy big-play ability the Chiefs have with Tyreek Hill and others .
The Broncos felt the gap between them and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing has changed .
Sunday showed that with an exclamation point .
The Chiefs are still the Chiefs , able to win in multiple ways , in part by not make back-breaking mistakes .
And the Broncos are still the Broncos , maddeningly inconsistent when their best is required .
“ We have to absorb the hurt and the disappointment and then by Wednesday , when we come back in and start our preparation of the next week , it has to be flushed out and we have to get rolling , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss hurt because of the aforementioned resources devoted to catching the Chiefs .
And it ’ s a disappointment because it ’ s one thing to lose a tight game , it ’ s another to be blown out of your home stadium .
Kansas City has won the last three meetings by 24 , 20 and 27 points .
Ouch again .
During a four-minute span of the second quarter , the Chiefs scored on an interception return ( 50 yards by safety Daniel Sorenson ) and kick return ( 102 yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tight game .
And the Broncos are nowhere near a good team .
“ Our whole team just got beat by them , ” Fangio said after his most lopsided loss with the Broncos .
“ They ’ re really good and we weren ’ t up to the challenge.
” What an opportunity the Broncos wasted by not answering the challenge .
They had won two consecutive games trying to climb out of their 0-3 hole .
They were getting healthier on defense with the return of cornerback A.J .
Bouye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And running back Phillip Lindsay was expected to continue his dynamic ways .
Find a way to beat Kansas City and it would have opened up the imagination about competing for a wild card berth .
Instead , the Broncos are 2-4 for the third consecutive year , have started 0-3 at Mile High for the first time in 26 years and have to be searching for the elusive answers .
Can Fangio lead a turnaround ?
He called a good defensive game ( the Chiefs were 0-of-8 on third down ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young players who could be lacking confidence and getting the veterans to follow his lead .
Is Lock equipped to bounce back from his first dose of adversity ?
Hooboy , what a stinker for No .
3 .
Going 4-1 last year remains a good memory but won ’ t help him get out of his current rut ( four interceptions since returning from injury ) .
“ I can play a whole lot better and I ’ m going to , ” Lock said .
Will Lindsay stay healthy and Gordon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 79 yards on nine carries before a hit by Sorenson sent him to the medical tent with a concussion .
Gordon was responsible for two turnovers , a fumble after a catch and an errant flip back to Lock on a flea flicker .
Will the locker room stay together ?
If Fangio ’ s first crisis point was after last year ’ s 0-4 start , this is a close second .
He exchanged words with defensive end Shelby Harris on the sideline late in the game following a penalty by Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Bouye said .
“ We have to remember this and let it motivate us for next week.
” Said left tackle Garett Bolles : “ We have to limit the little mistakes that keep hurting us .
It ’ s unacceptable .
But at the same time , I know we have a lot of dogs in this locker room and it ’ s time for leaders like myself to hold people accountable and get this turned around.
” The Broncos ’ four losses have been to teams that are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lost their last two home games by 18 ( to Tampa Bay ) and 27 points .
This roster should be good enough to never get blown out , right ?
Evidently not .
And now the Broncos are back in win-the-next-game-to-save-their-season mode .
“ We ’ ll be fine , ” Simmons said .
“ I know who we have in that room .
We ’ ll turn this thing around.
” Turn it around or more changes are in the offing .
Turn it around or it will be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Turn it around or there will be more games like Sunday .

For 10 months, the Broncos plotted their plan to be more competitive against the Kansas City Chiefs and not only break a nine-game losing streak in the series, but maybe, just maybe, make things interesting in the AFC West.
They felt offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur would boost a dormant attack. They felt quarterback Drew Lock was ready for prime time. They felt rookie receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler would add the speedy big-play ability the Chiefs have with Tyreek Hill and others.
The Broncos felt the gap between them and the Chiefs had narrowed.
In reality, nothing has changed. Sunday showed that with an exclamation point.
Chiefs 43, Broncos 16. Ouch.
The Chiefs are still the Chiefs, able to win in multiple ways, in part by not make back-breaking mistakes.
And the Broncos are still the Broncos, maddeningly inconsistent when their best is required.
“We have to absorb the hurt and the disappointment and then by Wednesday, when we come back in and start our preparation of the next week, it has to be flushed out and we have to get rolling,” head coach Vic Fangio said.
This loss hurt because of the aforementioned resources devoted to catching the Chiefs. And it’s a disappointment because it’s one thing to lose a tight game, it’s another to be blown out of your home stadium. Kansas City has won the last three meetings by 24, 20 and 27 points. Ouch again.
During a four-minute span of the second quarter, the Chiefs scored on an interception return (50 yards by safety Daniel Sorenson) and kick return (102 yards by Byron Pringle) to blow up a tight game.
“Nowhere near good enough,” Broncos safety Justin Simmons said.
And the Broncos are nowhere near a good team.
“Our whole team just got beat by them,” Fangio said after his most lopsided loss with the Broncos. “They’re really good and we weren’t up to the challenge.”
What an opportunity the Broncos wasted by not answering the challenge.
They had won two consecutive games trying to climb out of their 0-3 hole. They were getting healthier on defense with the return of cornerback A.J. Bouye and defensive end Dre’Mont Jones. And running back Phillip Lindsay was expected to continue his dynamic ways. Find a way to beat Kansas City and it would have opened up the imagination about competing for a wild card berth.
Instead, the Broncos are 2-4 for the third consecutive year, have started 0-3 at Mile High for the first time in 26 years and have to be searching for the elusive answers.
Can Fangio lead a turnaround? He called a good defensive game (the Chiefs were 0-of-8 on third down), but his new issue is rallying young players who could be lacking confidence and getting the veterans to follow his lead.
Is Lock equipped to bounce back from his first dose of adversity? Hooboy, what a stinker for No. 3. Going 4-1 last year remains a good memory but won’t help him get out of his current rut (four interceptions since returning from injury).
“I can play a whole lot better and I’m going to,” Lock said.
Will Lindsay stay healthy and Gordon stop fumbling? Lindsay started and gained 79 yards on nine carries before a hit by Sorenson sent him to the medical tent with a concussion. Gordon was responsible for two turnovers, a fumble after a catch and an errant flip back to Lock on a flea flicker.
Will the locker room stay together? If Fangio’s first crisis point was after last year’s 0-4 start, this is a close second. He exchanged words with defensive end Shelby Harris on the sideline late in the game following a penalty by Harris.
“We need to stay together,” Bouye said. “We have to remember this and let it motivate us for next week.”
Said left tackle Garett Bolles: “We have to limit the little mistakes that keep hurting us. It’s unacceptable. But at the same time, I know we have a lot of dogs in this locker room and it’s time for leaders like myself to hold people accountable and get this turned around.”
The Broncos’ four losses have been to teams that are a combined 21-4, but alarming is they have lost their last two home games by 18 (to Tampa Bay) and 27 points. This roster should be good enough to never get blown out, right?
Evidently not. And now the Broncos are back in win-the-next-game-to-save-their-season mode.
“We’ll be fine,” Simmons said. “I know who we have in that room. We’ll turn this thing around.”
Turn it around or more changes are in the offing. Turn it around or it will be a December focused on the 2021 NFL Draft. Turn it around or there will be more games like Sunday.


thedenverpost--2020-10-26--Melvin Gordon’s fumbles, Phillip Lindsay’s concussion hurt Broncos’ chance to beat Chiefs

Halloween is still six days away , but the Broncos ’ offense turned into a smashed pumpkin Sunday in a humbling 43-16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs .
High-priced running back Melvin Gordon , who signed a two-year , $ 16 million free-agent contract in March , committed two crucial turnovers that led to Denver ’ s 10th consecutive loss to K.C .
Compounding the misery on a frigid , snowy day was the loss of running back Phillip Lindsay to a concussion shortly before the end of the first half .
Lindsay had provided a ray of hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 79 yards on just nine carries .
Lindsay ’ s ability to follow his blocks and cut back was the best thing about Denver ’ s offense on a day when quarterback Drew Lock struggled .
“ I thought we ran the ball pretty consistently throughout the game , ” coach Vic Fangio said after the Broncos pounded out 177 yards on the ground .
“ We just didn ’ t convert enough on third down and we didn ’ t get the big , chunk plays to build off the runs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be well on his way to a 100-yard game when he took a hard shot to the head by Kansas City safety Daniel Sorenson .
It was a helmet-to-helmet hit , but Sorenson was not flagged on the play .
Lindsay was checked out by trainers on the sideline before being escorted to the locker room without his helmet .
He did not return .
Fangio did not provide an update after the game , but it was another setback for Lindsay , who missed three games earlier this season because of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single play that illustrated Denver ’ s ineptitude , it arrived early in the third quarter when Gordon turned a flea-flicker into a circus .
His wild pitch back flew over the head of quarterback Drew Lock and was recovered by Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark at the Denver 14 .
The mistake set up a field goal that gave Kansas City a 27-9 lead .
“ Turning the ball over is never good , ” said Fangio , who repeatedly stressed that Denver ’ s four miscues crippled its chance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m not sure exactly what happened on the flea-flicker , as far as where the breakdown was there , whether it was a bad pitch or not , but we can ’ t turn the ball over , obviously.
” Gordon , who rushed for 68 yards on 17 carries and scored on a 3-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter , also lost a fumble near the end of the first quarter .
Gordon has three fumbles in five games as a Bronco , while Lindsay still hasn ’ t fumbled in two-plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duo would provide a solid one-two punch , but they have played only four quarters together this season , in Week 1 vs. Tennessee and in Sunday ’ s first half .
Gordon declined a request to be one of the Broncos ’ players available via post-game Zoom video conference .
Left tackle Garett Bolles said he believes in Denver ’ s ability to run the ball .
“ We have to continue to run the ball , that ’ s flat out what we have to do , ” Bowles said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost 200 yards .
And most teams that run for almost 200 yards win the ballgame .
But we need to eliminate the turnovers .
If we eliminate the turnovers , we control the clock … and we can get this thing rolling.
” • Broncos game balls and gassers : Hey , at least Albert O caught everything thrown his way • Broncos up-down drill : Highs and lows for Denver against the Chiefs • Broncos ’ Phillip Lindsay suffers concussion , lost for rest of game vs. Chiefs

Halloween is still six days away, but the Broncos’ offense turned into a smashed pumpkin Sunday in a humbling 43-16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
High-priced running back Melvin Gordon, who signed a two-year, $16 million free-agent contract in March, committed two crucial turnovers that led to Denver’s 10th consecutive loss to K.C.
Compounding the misery on a frigid, snowy day was the loss of running back Phillip Lindsay to a concussion shortly before the end of the first half.
Lindsay had provided a ray of hope, ball control and momentum by rushing for 79 yards on just nine carries. Lindsay’s ability to follow his blocks and cut back was the best thing about Denver’s offense on a day when quarterback Drew Lock struggled.
“I thought we ran the ball pretty consistently throughout the game,” coach Vic Fangio said after the Broncos pounded out 177 yards on the ground. “We just didn’t convert enough on third down and we didn’t get the big, chunk plays to build off the runs we were having.”
Lindsay looked to be well on his way to a 100-yard game when he took a hard shot to the head by Kansas City safety Daniel Sorenson. It was a helmet-to-helmet hit, but Sorenson was not flagged on the play. Lindsay was checked out by trainers on the sideline before being escorted to the locker room without his helmet. He did not return.
Fangio did not provide an update after the game, but it was another setback for Lindsay, who missed three games earlier this season because of a turf toe injury.
If there was a single play that illustrated Denver’s ineptitude, it arrived early in the third quarter when Gordon turned a flea-flicker into a circus. His wild pitch back flew over the head of quarterback Drew Lock and was recovered by Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark at the Denver 14. The mistake set up a field goal that gave Kansas City a 27-9 lead.
“Turning the ball over is never good,” said Fangio, who repeatedly stressed that Denver’s four miscues crippled its chance to beat the Chiefs. “I’m not sure exactly what happened on the flea-flicker, as far as where the breakdown was there, whether it was a bad pitch or not, but we can’t turn the ball over, obviously.”
Gordon, who rushed for 68 yards on 17 carries and scored on a 3-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, also lost a fumble near the end of the first quarter. Gordon has three fumbles in five games as a Bronco, while Lindsay still hasn’t fumbled in two-plus seasons.
The Broncos were hoping the duo would provide a solid one-two punch, but they have played only four quarters together this season, in Week 1 vs. Tennessee and in Sunday’s first half.
Gordon declined a request to be one of the Broncos’ players available via post-game Zoom video conference.
Left tackle Garett Bolles said he believes in Denver’s ability to run the ball.
“We have to continue to run the ball, that’s flat out what we have to do,” Bowles said. “I mean, we rushed for almost 200 yards. And most teams that run for almost 200 yards win the ballgame. But we need to eliminate the turnovers. If we eliminate the turnovers, we control the clock … and we can get this thing rolling.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-26--Tom Brady’s 4 TD passes lead Buccaneers past Raiders

LAS VEGAS — Tom Brady dropped back and lofted a pass that just got over the defender ’ s arms and fell into Scotty Miller ’ s hands right before he reached the sideline for a 33-yard TD pass .
The 43-year-old Brady is getting back to his Super Bowl-winning form following an early season adjustment to his new team in Tampa Bay .
Brady threw four touchdown passes to move past Drew Brees for the most in NFL history and ran for another to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 45-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in a decent place , not quite at the halfway point in the year , ” Brady said .
“ We ’ ve got a lot of football left .
We ’ re going to need everybody , and we ’ re going to need everybody ’ s best .
And we ’ re going to expect everybody ’ s best and we ’ re going to try to meet the challenge every week.
” Brady finished 33 for 45 for 369 yards , while also running for Tampa Bay ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first quarter .
He now has 15 TD passes and one interception the past four games as he has found his rhythm with his new team .
“ I think it ’ s knowing the guys better , knowing the system better , everything that we change each week , ” coach Bruce Arians said .
“ There ’ s such good communication of what we ’ re trying to get done , where the ball should be going versus each coverage .
It ’ s just total growth in the offense.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second quarter and then delivered his best pass of the day to Miller in the final minute of the first half .
He then helped seal the game with the throw to Chris Godwin that put the Bucs up 31-20 over the Raiders ( 3-3 ) midway through the fourth quarter .
Brady added a fourth to rookie Tyler Johnson with 3:08 to play to give him 559 in his career , passing Brees for the most ever .
Brees threw two earlier in the day for New Orleans .
Now Brady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antonio Brown joins the team following next week ’ s game .
“ He ’ s a tremendous football player , ” Brady said .
“ I played with him for a brief period of time .
I ’ m looking forward to working with him again and see what role he can come in ( and play ) .
” • Broncos no match ( again ) for Kansas City : “ Nowhere near good enough ” • PHOTOS : Denver Broncos host Kansas City Chiefs in NFL Week 7 action at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass to Godwin was part of a key stretch when it appeared the Raiders were in position for a comeback after cutting the deficit to 24-17 on Derek Carr ’ s second TD pass of the game .
The Raiders then got a stop and were driving for the potential tying score before coming up 1 yard short of a first down on a third-and-4 pass to Darren Waller .
Coach Jon Gruden opted for a field goal to make it 24-20 .
Brady then engineered another TD drive to make it an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) put it away when Carr threw an interception on Las Vegas ’ next play to set up Ronald Jones ’ 1-yard run .
Carr went 24 for 36 for 284 yards , two TDs and one interception as the Raiders were unable to build on a big win at Kansas City before the bye after being without their starting offensive line all week in practice .
Starting right tackle Trent Brown tested positive for COVID-19 and four other starting linemen were sent home Wednesday because they had “ high-risk ” contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team until Sunday morning .
“ I ’ m not going to use any excuses , we can ’ t , ” Carr said .
“ We ’ re in a production-oriented business .
The miscommunication , absolutely , it took place .
It ’ s a game of practice , it really is .
You got to be available , not just for Sundays , you got to be available all throughout the week cause there ’ s so much information that goes into it.
” The Raiders lost guard Gabe Jackson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Carr ’ s 1-yard TD pass to Waller that cut Tampa Bay ’ s lead to 24-17 .
The officials determined that Jackson stepped on an opponent ’ s shoulder during a scrum after the play and he was ejected .
Carr looked for his favorite target on the opening drive , connecting on a 28-yard pass to Agholor and then a 21-yard TD .
That made Carr 12 for 13 for 234 yards and four TDs with a perfect 158.3 passer rating when throwing to Agholor .
It also gave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Week 16 of last season vs. the Chargers .
Brady connected with Gronkowski for the second straight week with a 5-yard TD pass in the second quarter .
That ’ s the 92nd time those two teamed up on a TD pass in the regular season or playoffs , tying the duo of Steve Young and Jerry Rice for the second most ever .
Only Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison have more with 114 .
Buccaneers : CB Carlton Davis left in the second half with a chest injury , but returned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Young left with a knee injury in the second quarter and didn ’ t return .

LAS VEGAS — Tom Brady dropped back and lofted a pass that just got over the defender’s arms and fell into Scotty Miller’s hands right before he reached the sideline for a 33-yard TD pass.
The 43-year-old Brady is getting back to his Super Bowl-winning form following an early season adjustment to his new team in Tampa Bay.
Brady threw four touchdown passes to move past Drew Brees for the most in NFL history and ran for another to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 45-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
“We’re 5-2, in a decent place, not quite at the halfway point in the year,” Brady said. “We’ve got a lot of football left. We’re going to need everybody, and we’re going to need everybody’s best. And we’re going to expect everybody’s best and we’re going to try to meet the challenge every week.”
Brady finished 33 for 45 for 369 yards, while also running for Tampa Bay’s first score on a 1-yard sneak in the first quarter.
He now has 15 TD passes and one interception the past four games as he has found his rhythm with his new team.
“I think it’s knowing the guys better, knowing the system better, everything that we change each week,” coach Bruce Arians said. “There’s such good communication of what we’re trying to get done, where the ball should be going versus each coverage. It’s just total growth in the offense.”
Brady connected with Rob Gronkowski in the second quarter and then delivered his best pass of the day to Miller in the final minute of the first half. He then helped seal the game with the throw to Chris Godwin that put the Bucs up 31-20 over the Raiders (3-3) midway through the fourth quarter.
Brady added a fourth to rookie Tyler Johnson with 3:08 to play to give him 559 in his career, passing Brees for the most ever. Brees threw two earlier in the day for New Orleans.
Now Brady could be getting even more help when Antonio Brown joins the team following next week’s game.
“He’s a tremendous football player,” Brady said. “I played with him for a brief period of time. I’m looking forward to working with him again and see what role he can come in (and play).”
The 4-yard pass to Godwin was part of a key stretch when it appeared the Raiders were in position for a comeback after cutting the deficit to 24-17 on Derek Carr’s second TD pass of the game.
The Raiders then got a stop and were driving for the potential tying score before coming up 1 yard short of a first down on a third-and-4 pass to Darren Waller. Coach Jon Gruden opted for a field goal to make it 24-20.
Brady then engineered another TD drive to make it an 11-point game and the Bucs (5-2) put it away when Carr threw an interception on Las Vegas’ next play to set up Ronald Jones’ 1-yard run.
Carr went 24 for 36 for 284 yards, two TDs and one interception as the Raiders were unable to build on a big win at Kansas City before the bye after being without their starting offensive line all week in practice.
Starting right tackle Trent Brown tested positive for COVID-19 and four other starting linemen were sent home Wednesday because they had “high-risk” contact with Brown and didn’t rejoin the team until Sunday morning.
“I’m not going to use any excuses, we can’t,” Carr said. “We’re in a production-oriented business. The miscommunication, absolutely, it took place. It’s a game of practice, it really is. You got to be available, not just for Sundays, you got to be available all throughout the week cause there’s so much information that goes into it.”
EJECTED
The Raiders lost guard Gabe Jackson to an ejection in the third quarter after Carr’s 1-yard TD pass to Waller that cut Tampa Bay’s lead to 24-17. The officials determined that Jackson stepped on an opponent’s shoulder during a scrum after the play and he was ejected.
FAVORITE TARGET I
Carr looked for his favorite target on the opening drive, connecting on a 28-yard pass to Agholor and then a 21-yard TD. That made Carr 12 for 13 for 234 yards and four TDs with a perfect 158.3 passer rating when throwing to Agholor. It also gave the Raiders their first opening drive TD since Week 16 of last season vs. the Chargers.
FAVORITE TARGET II
Brady connected with Gronkowski for the second straight week with a 5-yard TD pass in the second quarter. That’s the 92nd time those two teamed up on a TD pass in the regular season or playoffs, tying the duo of Steve Young and Jerry Rice for the second most ever. Only Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison have more with 114.
INJURY REPORT
Buccaneers: CB Carlton Davis left in the second half with a chest injury, but returned to the game.
Raiders: T Sam Young left with a knee injury in the second quarter and didn’t return.
UP NEXT
Buccaneers: Visit the Giants on Monday, Nov. 2
Raiders: Visit Cleveland on Sunday.


thedenverpost--2020-10-26--FBI investigating fire set in Boston ballot drop box

A fire was set Sunday in a Boston ballot drop box holding more than 120 ballots in what Massachusetts election officials said appears to have been a “ deliberate attack , ” now under investigation by the FBI .
The fire that was set around 4 a.m. in a ballot drop box outside the Boston Public Library downtown , Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin ’ s office said .
There were 122 ballots inside the box when it was emptied Sunday morning , and 87 of them were still legible and able to be processed , Galvin ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last been emptied around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday .
In a joint statement , Galvin and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh called it a “ disgrace to democracy , a disrespect to the voters fulfilling their civic duty , and a crime.
” “ Our first and foremost priority is maintaining the integrity of our elections process and ensuring transparency and trust with our voters , and any effort to undermine or tamper with that process must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law , ” they said in the emailed statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be intimidated by this bad act , and remain committed to making their voices heard in this and every election.
” Boston Police said an arson investigation is underway and released surveillance images of a person near the ballot box at that time , urging the public to help identify the individual .
Officers called to the scene saw smoke coming out of the box before firefighters managed to extinguish the fire by filling the box with water , police said .
The FBI said in a statement announcing their investigation that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offices to help maintain the integrity of the election process in Massachusetts by aggressively enforcing federal election laws.
” Voters can go online to see whether their ballot was processed .
Those who used that dropbox between Saturday afternoon and 4 a.m. Sunday and can ’ t confirm the status of their ballot online should contact the Boston Elections Department immediately , officials said .
Voters whose ballots were affected can either vote in person or by a replacement ballot that will be mailed to them , officials said .
If those voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ their original ballot will be hand-counted to the extent possible , ” Galvin ’ s office said .

A fire was set Sunday in a Boston ballot drop box holding more than 120 ballots in what Massachusetts election officials said appears to have been a “deliberate attack,” now under investigation by the FBI.
The fire that was set around 4 a.m. in a ballot drop box outside the Boston Public Library downtown, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin’s office said.
There were 122 ballots inside the box when it was emptied Sunday morning, and 87 of them were still legible and able to be processed, Galvin’s office said. The box had last been emptied around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
In a joint statement, Galvin and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh called it a “disgrace to democracy, a disrespect to the voters fulfilling their civic duty, and a crime.”
“Our first and foremost priority is maintaining the integrity of our elections process and ensuring transparency and trust with our voters, and any effort to undermine or tamper with that process must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” they said in the emailed statement. “We ask voters not to be intimidated by this bad act, and remain committed to making their voices heard in this and every election.”
Boston Police said an arson investigation is underway and released surveillance images of a person near the ballot box at that time, urging the public to help identify the individual.
Officers called to the scene saw smoke coming out of the box before firefighters managed to extinguish the fire by filling the box with water, police said.
The FBI said in a statement announcing their investigation that “it is a top priority of our offices to help maintain the integrity of the election process in Massachusetts by aggressively enforcing federal election laws.”
Voters can go online to see whether their ballot was processed. Those who used that dropbox between Saturday afternoon and 4 a.m. Sunday and can’t confirm the status of their ballot online should contact the Boston Elections Department immediately, officials said.
Voters whose ballots were affected can either vote in person or by a replacement ballot that will be mailed to them, officials said. If those voters don’t submit a new ballot, “their original ballot will be hand-counted to the extent possible,” Galvin’s office said.


thedenverpost--2020-10-26--Broncos game balls and gassers: Hey, at least Albert O caught everything thrown his way

Phillip Lindsay — Stop us if you ’ ve heard this before : When given a chance to make plays Sunday , the Broncos back went atomic , gaining 79 yards on just nine carries .
The only thing to stop him ?
A blow to the head that left him concussed .
Some might knock the CU product for his lack of availability in the second half , but it ’ s really hard to blame a guy for that .
Albert Okwuegbunam — His debut last week dampened by a couple of drops , the rookie tight end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his way Sunday for 60 yards .
If you ’ re searching for a ray of hope after another dismal day vs .
K.C.
, let it be this : Between Albert O and Noah Fant ( three receptions , 44 yards ) Denver appears to have its tight end room squared away .
Broncos defense — Beset by poor field position and an offense that couldn ’ t stop giving the ball away , Denver ’ s defense did its part through three quarters , registering three sacks , forcing a fumble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wars offense ” to one touchdown .
That the unit finally broke in the fourth quarter is hardly its fault .
A man can only beat back the tide for so long .
Melvin Gordon — Give Gordon this much : The effort was there all the way to the final snap .
Unfortunately , the Broncos ’ big free-agent addition was otherwise forgettable in his return from a sore throat ( and other stuff ) .
A first-quarter fumble was his second in Broncos orange , and that failed flea-flicker pitch would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Drew Lock — Errant throws… poor decisions… even sliding was an issue for the Broncos ’ second-year signal caller on a snowy Sunday at Mile High .
Facing a Chiefs team that requires a quarterback ’ s “ A ” game , Lock delivered a dud with two interceptions and zero touchdowns .
Last year ’ s 4-1 finish feels like ages ago ( like everything else from last December ) .
Special teams — Brandon McManus missed an extra point .
Kickoff coverage allowed Byron Pringle to run 102 yards untouched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punt ( luckily recovered by Denver ) .
In a closer game , those mscues would likely by more magnified .
In Sunday ’ s blowout , it was just a few more logs on the ( dumpster ) fire .

Game Balls
Phillip Lindsay — Stop us if you’ve heard this before: When given a chance to make plays Sunday, the Broncos back went atomic, gaining 79 yards on just nine carries. The only thing to stop him? A blow to the head that left him concussed. Some might knock the CU product for his lack of availability in the second half, but it’s really hard to blame a guy for that.
Albert Okwuegbunam — His debut last week dampened by a couple of drops, the rookie tight end responded by catching all seven passes thrown his way Sunday for 60 yards. If you’re searching for a ray of hope after another dismal day vs. K.C., let it be this: Between Albert O and Noah Fant (three receptions, 44 yards) Denver appears to have its tight end room squared away.
Broncos defense — Beset by poor field position and an offense that couldn’t stop giving the ball away, Denver’s defense did its part through three quarters, registering three sacks, forcing a fumble and limiting the Chiefs’ “Star Wars offense” to one touchdown. That the unit finally broke in the fourth quarter is hardly its fault. A man can only beat back the tide for so long.
Gassers
Melvin Gordon — Give Gordon this much: The effort was there all the way to the final snap. Unfortunately, the Broncos’ big free-agent addition was otherwise forgettable in his return from a sore throat (and other stuff). A first-quarter fumble was his second in Broncos orange, and that failed flea-flicker pitch would get a 10-year-old sent home from recess.
Drew Lock — Errant throws… poor decisions… even sliding was an issue for the Broncos’ second-year signal caller on a snowy Sunday at Mile High. Facing a Chiefs team that requires a quarterback’s “A” game, Lock delivered a dud with two interceptions and zero touchdowns. Last year’s 4-1 finish feels like ages ago (like everything else from last December).
Special teams — Brandon McManus missed an extra point. Kickoff coverage allowed Byron Pringle to run 102 yards untouched. And KJ Hamler even muffed a punt (luckily recovered by Denver). In a closer game, those miscues would likely by more magnified. In Sunday’s blowout, it was just a few more logs on the (dumpster) fire.


thedenverpost--2020-10-25--Broncos up-down drill: Highs and lows for Denver against the Chiefs

Down : Melvin Gordon .
Broncos fans didn ’ t miss his absence during that win at New England .
They didn ’ t miss him for much of Sunday , either .
Gordon ’ s fumble at midfield after a 10-yard reception was his second in five appearances with the Broncos .
Perspective : Gordon lost a fumble just three times in his last 40 games with the Chargers — all of them coming in 2019 .
Up : Get well , Phillip Lindsay .
The number of lost fumbles as a Bronco for Denver South ’ s finest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Pass protection .
After allowing only two sacks over the last two games — both road wins — the Broncos surrendered three to the Chiefs in the first half alone .
Up : Getting after Mahomes .
Bradley Chubb notched a sack in the first quarter .
Dre ’ Mont Jones added to the fun early in the second .
Malik Reed had two sacks on the day , and his takedown to open the second half was the Broncos ’ third .
Mahomes had been sacked just seven times coming into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
When they told us KJ Hamler was a free spirit , they weren ’ t kidding .
The Michigan native and Broncos rookie wideout celebrated his first NFL snow game by taking his shirt off to run routes during warmups .
Temperature at the time : 15 degrees .
Hey , compared to Detroit in January , that ’ s practically balmy .
Down : Tackling in the snow .
Chiefs tailback Clyde Edwards-Helaire broke at least three tackles on an 11-yard touchdown gallop to put Kansas City on the board , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him east-west .
The rookie broke out of the grasp of Kareem Jackson , Alexander Johnson and Michael Ojemudia before slamming into Justin Simmons in the end zone .
Up : Snow game .
Kickoff temperature was announced at the press box at 14 degrees , making it the coldest October game in Broncos history .
It was also the coldest Broncos home game , regular season or playoffs , since Jan. 12 , 2013 ( 13 degrees ) .
It was only the seventh home game that opened at 15 degrees or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Broncos were 5-1 in the first six .
Down : Cold weather town , not a cold weather team .
The Broncos are now 3-9 since 2000 in NFL regular-season games played at 20 degrees or cooler .
And 3-7 at home .
Up : The Force is With You , Drew .
When the Broncos quarterback took the field , the public address system played “ The Imperial March ” from the movie “ Star Wars.
” The selection was a reference to a comment Lock made last week about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now that the Denver quarterback , a Kansas City native , plays for the rival Broncos .
Down : Hi , Wade !
The Broncos opened a season 0-3 at home for the first time since 1994 .
They had a longtime NFL defensive whiz in charge that season , too — Wade Phillips .

Down: Melvin Gordon. Broncos fans didn’t miss his absence during that win at New England. They didn’t miss him for much of Sunday, either. Gordon’s fumble at midfield after a 10-yard reception was his second in five appearances with the Broncos. Perspective: Gordon lost a fumble just three times in his last 40 games with the Chargers — all of them coming in 2019.
Up: Get well, Phillip Lindsay. The number of lost fumbles as a Bronco for Denver South’s finest? Zero over 34 appearances.
Down: Pass protection. After allowing only two sacks over the last two games — both road wins — the Broncos surrendered three to the Chiefs in the first half alone.
Up: Getting after Mahomes. Bradley Chubb notched a sack in the first quarter. Dre’Mont Jones added to the fun early in the second. Malik Reed had two sacks on the day, and his takedown to open the second half was the Broncos’ third. Mahomes had been sacked just seven times coming into the game.
Up: Shirtless Hamler? When they told us KJ Hamler was a free spirit, they weren’t kidding. The Michigan native and Broncos rookie wideout celebrated his first NFL snow game by taking his shirt off to run routes during warmups. Temperature at the time: 15 degrees. Hey, compared to Detroit in January, that’s practically balmy.
Down: Tackling in the snow. Chiefs tailback Clyde Edwards-Helaire broke at least three tackles on an 11-yard touchdown gallop to put Kansas City on the board, running north-south while Broncos defenders flailed at him east-west. The rookie broke out of the grasp of Kareem Jackson, Alexander Johnson and Michael Ojemudia before slamming into Justin Simmons in the end zone.
Up: Snow game. Kickoff temperature was announced at the press box at 14 degrees, making it the coldest October game in Broncos history. It was also the coldest Broncos home game, regular season or playoffs, since Jan. 12, 2013 (13 degrees). It was only the seventh home game that opened at 15 degrees or colder since 1970, according to ProFootballReference.com. The Broncos were 5-1 in the first six.
Down: Cold weather town, not a cold weather team. The Broncos are now 3-9 since 2000 in NFL regular-season games played at 20 degrees or cooler. And 3-7 at home.
Up: The Force is With You, Drew. When the Broncos quarterback took the field, the public address system played “The Imperial March” from the movie “Star Wars.” The selection was a reference to a comment Lock made last week about being Darth Vader to Chiefs fans, now that the Denver quarterback, a Kansas City native, plays for the rival Broncos.
Down: Hi, Wade! The Broncos opened a season 0-3 at home for the first time since 1994. They had a longtime NFL defensive whiz in charge that season, too — Wade Phillips.
Down: Shelby Harris’ mood. And understandably.


thedenverpost--2020-10-25--Broncos Report Card: Denver fails its test against Kansas City

The Broncos started poorly with two three-and-outs … and then things got really bad .
Drew Lock played like a quarterback making his ninth career start ( indecisive and inaccurate ) .
The running game left at halftime when Phillip Lindsay was injured ( concussion ) .
Lock was 24-of-40 passing for 254 yards , but everything looked difficult .
The Broncos tried to force things to tight end Noah Fant early instead of working more to receiver Tim Patrick ( three catches ) and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam ( seven catches ) .
Lindsay was lights out ( nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , but Melvin Gordon lost the ball twice and his longest carry was 11 yards ( out of 17 attempts ) .
The offense just looks more energetic with Lindsay on the field .
Kansas City didn ’ t convert a third down and scored only one offensive touchdown in the first three quarters .
Translation : This loss can ’ t be hung totally on the Broncos ’ defense .
They created a first-quarter turnover .
They forced the poor work on third down .
And they had four sacks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of outside linebacker Bradley Chubb .
All of the Chiefs ’ star players were mostly held in check — Mahomes had only one completion of longer than 22 yards .
What ’ s left for the Broncos ’ defense ?
Scoring on their takeaways , like a pick-six or scoop-and-score , because that ’ s the only way they can truly help the offense .
An all-around debacle .
Kicker Brandon McManus missed an extra-point attempt that prevented the Broncos from reaching a 7-7 tie .
Byron Pringle ’ s 102-yard kick return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 24-9 with 5:35 left in the first half .
Pringle didn ’ t appear to be touched as the Chiefs ’ blockers funneled the Broncos ’ coverage players outside .
Later , rookie receiver KJ Hamler muffed a fair catch attempt that was recovered by teammate Essang Bassey .
On the next punt , cornerback Bryce Callahan was back for a fair catch .
The Broncos failed to recover an onside kick in garbage time .
A coaching staff that has been preparing for Kansas City the entire offseason and gets blown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grade lower than F. Vic Fangio the defensive play-caller didn ’ t have a bad game , but Vic Fangio the head coach has some explaining to do about how the Chiefs can still be so far ahead of the Broncos .
Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur tried a flea flicker early in the second half , but Melvin Gordon ’ s flip back to Lock was errant .
One nitpick for Shurmur : Trailing 27-9 , the game was over , but hear us out .
On third-and-5 , the Broncos passed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass .
Why not run on third down knowing you have two plays ?
And on fourth down , Lock can ’ t throw short of the first-down marker .

Offense: F
The Broncos started poorly with two three-and-outs … and then things got really bad. Drew Lock played like a quarterback making his ninth career start (indecisive and inaccurate). The running game left at halftime when Phillip Lindsay was injured (concussion). Lock was 24-of-40 passing for 254 yards, but everything looked difficult. The Broncos tried to force things to tight end Noah Fant early instead of working more to receiver Tim Patrick (three catches) and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (seven catches). Lindsay was lights out (nine rushes-79 yards) in his half of work, but Melvin Gordon lost the ball twice and his longest carry was 11 yards (out of 17 attempts). The offense just looks more energetic with Lindsay on the field.
Defense: C
Kansas City didn’t convert a third down and scored only one offensive touchdown in the first three quarters. Translation: This loss can’t be hung totally on the Broncos’ defense. They created a first-quarter turnover. They forced the poor work on third down. And they had four sacks. A good sign was the continued return-to-form of outside linebacker Bradley Chubb. All of the Chiefs’ star players were mostly held in check — Mahomes had only one completion of longer than 22 yards. What’s left for the Broncos’ defense? Scoring on their takeaways, like a pick-six or scoop-and-score, because that’s the only way they can truly help the offense.
Special teams: F
An all-around debacle. Kicker Brandon McManus missed an extra-point attempt that prevented the Broncos from reaching a 7-7 tie. Byron Pringle’s 102-yard kick return touchdown blew the game open, making it 24-9 with 5:35 left in the first half. Pringle didn’t appear to be touched as the Chiefs’ blockers funneled the Broncos’ coverage players outside. Later, rookie receiver KJ Hamler muffed a fair catch attempt that was recovered by teammate Essang Bassey. On the next punt, cornerback Bryce Callahan was back for a fair catch. The Broncos failed to recover an onside kick in garbage time.
Coaching: F
A coaching staff that has been preparing for Kansas City the entire offseason and gets blown out by 27 points probably deserves a grade lower than F. Vic Fangio the defensive play-caller didn’t have a bad game, but Vic Fangio the head coach has some explaining to do about how the Chiefs can still be so far ahead of the Broncos. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur tried a flea flicker early in the second half, but Melvin Gordon’s flip back to Lock was errant. One nitpick for Shurmur: Trailing 27-9, the game was over, but hear us out. On third-and-5, the Broncos passed. On fourth-and-5, Hamler caught a three-yard pass. Why not run on third down knowing you have two plays? And on fourth down, Lock can’t throw short of the first-down marker.


thedenverpost--2020-10-25--Chiefs continue dominance of Broncos with lopsided 43-16 win


thedenverpost--2020-10-25--Broncos’ Phillip Lindsay suffers concussion, lost for rest of game vs. Chiefs

Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay , who was having a very productive day in Sunday ’ s game vs. the @ @ @ @ @ a concussion shortly before the end of the first half .
He will not return @ @ @ @ @ to the Broncos .
Lindsay took a hard shot near the head by Kansas City @ @ @ @ @ was checked out by trainers on the sideline before being escorted to the locker room @ @ @ @ @ to the injury , Lindsay had rushed for 79 yards on nine carries .
Lindsay @ @ @ @ @ season because of a turf toe injury .
In addition , Broncos nose tackle Mike @ @ @ @ @ and outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka ( hamstring ) have been ruled out for the rest @ @ @ @

Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay, who was having a very productive day in Sunday’s game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, suffered a concussion shortly before the end of the first half. He will not return to the game, according to the Broncos.
Lindsay took a hard shot near the head by Kansas City safety Daniel Sorenson. Lindsay was checked out by trainers on the sideline before being escorted to the locker room without his helmet.
Prior to the injury, Lindsay had rushed for 79 yards on nine carries. Lindsay missed three games earlier this season because of a turf toe injury.
In addition, Broncos nose tackle Mike Purcell (foot injury) and outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka (hamstring) have been ruled out for the rest of the game.


thedenverpost--2020-10-25--PHOTOS: Denver Broncos host Kansas City Chiefs in NFL Week 7 action at Empower Field at Mile High

The East Troublesome Fire which had been estimated to be around 19,000 acres in size Wednesday -- burned into Rocky @ @ @ @ @ southwest , raising the possibility for a time that it could merge with the Cameron @ @ @ @ @ previously had burned into the park from the north .
The entire park was closed @ @ @ @

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
With 18 seconds left on the clock in the second quarter Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock tries to pass the ball before getting taken down by Kansas City Chiefs' defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon at Empower Field at Mile High on Oct. 25, 2020.


thedenverpost--2020-10-26--Coloradans hospitalized for COVID-19 in summer months were less likely to die than those hospitalize

Coloradans hospitalized for COVID-19 in summer months were less likely to die than those hospitalized in spring

Coloradans with more severe cases of COVID-19 were far less likely to die if they were hospitalized in July than in March , but there ’ s not one treatment or other factor that explains the decrease .
A report from the seven largest health systems in Colorado , which treated more than 90 % of patients hospitalized in the state , showed about 16 % of patients who were hospitalized in April didn ’ t survive long enough to leave .
By July , only about 9 % of those who went to the participating hospitals died there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one cause for the improvement , because it ’ s possible those hospitalized over the summer had fewer underlying conditions , and because hospitals tried out multiple drug treatments over those months , said Dr. William Neff , chief medical officer for four of UCHealth ’ s northern Colorado hospitals .
They also learned it was better to avoid putting patients on ventilators when they have low oxygen levels but are functioning well , and that patients who did need to be on a ventilator fared better when laid on their stomachs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible that patients in the summer had been exposed to lower concentrations of the virus , because we ’ d learned to avoid cramped conditions and wear masks , Neff said .
If fewer particles of the virus enter the body , it reduces the odds the virus will multiply out of control , he said .
“ We need to be careful about claiming that it ’ s all because we did one or two things , ” he said .
Studies found similar reductions in mortality nationwide , with about 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , compared to 8 % in August , according to NPR .
All age groups experienced some improvement , as did people with underlying conditions .
Most age groups saw improvement in Colorado between April and July .
The exception was the 50-59 group , whose members were about as likely to die in April and July , and saw a spike in mortality in May .
It ’ s not entirely clear why that group saw more deaths in May , but it may reflect random differences in who got sick that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Julie Lonborg , a spokesperson for the Colorado Hospital Association .
Patients were also more likely to go directly home in the summer than in the spring .
About 62 % of patients went home in April , but by July , 80 % did .
Those who didn ’ t go directly home or die in the hospital were discharged to other facilities , like rehabilitation centers or hospice houses .
The average length of hospitalization also decreased from about 12 days in March to about seven days in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed a ventilator stayed longer , on average .
Numbers from August and September haven ’ t been released yet , but it appears the rate of improvement may have plateaued , Neff said .
While steroids cut the risk a patient will die , there ’ s still no cure for the virus , so it ’ s important to continue wearing masks and practicing social distancing , he said .
“ We all wish there was a magic bullet , ” he said .
“ But for the individual patient that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of better ways to take care of them.
” Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

Coloradans with more severe cases of COVID-19 were far less likely to die if they were hospitalized in July than in March, but there’s not one treatment or other factor that explains the decrease.
A report from the seven largest health systems in Colorado, which treated more than 90% of patients hospitalized in the state, showed about 16% of patients who were hospitalized in April didn’t survive long enough to leave.
By July, only about 9% of those who went to the participating hospitals died there.
It’s impossible to point to one cause for the improvement, because it’s possible those hospitalized over the summer had fewer underlying conditions, and because hospitals tried out multiple drug treatments over those months, said Dr. William Neff, chief medical officer for four of UCHealth’s northern Colorado hospitals. They also learned it was better to avoid putting patients on ventilators when they have low oxygen levels but are functioning well, and that patients who did need to be on a ventilator fared better when laid on their stomachs, he said.
It’s also possible that patients in the summer had been exposed to lower concentrations of the virus, because we’d learned to avoid cramped conditions and wear masks, Neff said. If fewer particles of the virus enter the body, it reduces the odds the virus will multiply out of control, he said.
“We need to be careful about claiming that it’s all because we did one or two things,” he said.
Studies found similar reductions in mortality nationwide, with about 26% of hospitalized patients dying in March, compared to 8% in August, according to NPR. All age groups experienced some improvement, as did people with underlying conditions.
Most age groups saw improvement in Colorado between April and July. The exception was the 50-59 group, whose members were about as likely to die in April and July, and saw a spike in mortality in May. It’s not entirely clear why that group saw more deaths in May, but it may reflect random differences in who got sick that month and what underlying conditions they had, said Julie Lonborg, a spokesperson for the Colorado Hospital Association.
Patients were also more likely to go directly home in the summer than in the spring. About 62% of patients went home in April, but by July, 80% did. Those who didn’t go directly home or die in the hospital were discharged to other facilities, like rehabilitation centers or hospice houses.
The average length of hospitalization also decreased from about 12 days in March to about seven days in July, though older people and those who needed a ventilator stayed longer, on average.
Numbers from August and September haven’t been released yet, but it appears the rate of improvement may have plateaued, Neff said. While steroids cut the risk a patient will die, there’s still no cure for the virus, so it’s important to continue wearing masks and practicing social distancing, he said.
“We all wish there was a magic bullet,” he said. “But for the individual patient that gets sick, we’ve got a lot of better ways to take care of them.”
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-10-26--Denver weighs $25 million contract with security company involved in Union Station assault

The Denver City Council will vote on a three-year , $ 25 million contract with the country ’ s largest private security company , which is currently being sued by a Denver resident who was left with permanent brain damage after one of the firm ’ s guards beat him at Union Station .
The proposed contract with Allied Universal would shift the bulk of security detail for the city ’ s properties to the company .
A public hearing and a vote on the contract are scheduled for Monday ’ s City Council meeting .
Although the guards involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under a contract with the Regional Transportation District , the incident has caused several council members and community members concern when considering Denver ’ s proposed contract .
“ I am appalled that Allied is even a consideration at this point , ” Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca said during a September committee meeting on the proposed contract .
The proposed contract would become effective Jan. 1 and last until Dec. 31 , 2023 , with the option to renew the contract for two more years .
For a maximum of $ 25 million , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 11 armed guards for security at 19 city properties , including the animal shelter , the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building and the City and County Building .
The company employs hundreds of guards in the Denver area and works at 60 other sites in the city , including at the city ’ s temporary emergency homeless shelters .
Allied Universal representatives denounced the guard ’ s 2018 beating of the artist , Raverro Stinnett , during meetings with the City Council ’ s Finance and Governance Committee and tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company increased the amount of mandatory training before a guard can start from 24 to 40 hours , tacked on an additional 24 hours for armed guards and committed to conducting a quarterly performance evaluation .
The training standards are more than is required by the Denver Department of Excise and Licensing , which regulates security services in the city .
Three Allied Security guards were sentenced to prison time and fired in connection with the beating of Stinnett while he was waiting at Union Station for a train .
Stinnett , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permanent brain damage from the attack and in April sued Allie , alleging lax hiring standards and inadequate training from the company created a culture of unaccountability .
“ These were individuals who made an inexcusable crime against a fellow citizen of ours , ” Jeremy Lee , regional vice president for Allied Universal , told councilmembers during a Sept. 29 committee meeting .
But one of Stinnett ’ s attorneys questioned whether the company is committed to making amends , noting that the company sought a gag order to keep Stinnett and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A judge denied the company ’ s request , court records show .
“ It ’ s remarkable that Allied Universal would be promising Denver City Council transparency in their operations when they simultaneously attempted to prevent a citizen of the community of Denver to speak about the abuses they suffered , ” lawyer Qusair Mohamedbhai said .
An Allied Universal spokeswoman denied requests from The Denver Post for a copy of the company ’ s use-of-force policies and its training material .
The spokeswoman also did not answer a series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of force by its employees , how many times Allied security personnel working in Colorado used force over the past two years , how many complaints have been lodged with the company regarding Colorado personnel , who trains Allied personnel and whether guards who are not armed with guns carry other weapons like pepper spray or batons .
The proposed contract between the city and the company states “ the primary function of Agents is to observe and report .
Agents shall not use physical force against any person , except for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect oneself , or another person , and then only as a last resort.
” The spokeswoman also denied a request from The Post for an interview and instead emailed a written statement that said , in part , that the company always seeks improvement to its policies and practices .
“ We do not tolerate aggressive or inappropriate behavior or unprofessional conduct of any kind by our employees and we investigate the cause of all incidents and take appropriate action to limit the possibility of a similar situation occurring again , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pushback from Denver residents and councilmembers , Allied Universal executives announced they would work with Nita Mosby Tyler , a well-known Denver consultant who works on equity issues , to evaluate the company ’ s practices .
The city previously contracted with a different security company , HSS Security Systems , for its security needs .
HSS Security Systems and one other company bid for the new contract , but were not selected .
“ A cross-agency evaluation committee scored Allied as the highest of all the participants based on the evaluation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual interview , ” Kami Johle , director of administration for Denver General Services , said in an email to The Post .
Stinnett ’ s lawsuit is not the only recent litigation against Allied in the Denver area , however .
An employee of Allied who worked at Google locations in Thornton and Boulder in March 2019 sued both companies for alleged sex and race discrimination .
The woman was the only female Hispanic worker at the locations and in the lawsuit alleged that Allied ignored her complaints that a supervisor was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white , male colleagues .
The woman filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission , which granted her a right to sue .
Allied and the woman settled the case out of court in June 2019 , court records show .
Across the country , Allied has been involved in a series of recent high-profile incidents : • Four people experiencing homelessness in Boston sued Allied in 2017 alleging that Allied ’ s guards assaulted them multiple times at a transit station in 2016 .
• Allied Universal in 2018 paid $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EEOC for refusing to accommodate a Muslim worker ’ s request for an exception to the company ’ s grooming policy and firing the man two days after he made the request .
• The family of a man who was killed in 2019 after an Allied guard in Sacramento kneeled on his neck for more than four minutes filed a lawsuit in July against the company , alleging they used excessive force against the man , who was trespassing .
• The families of two Dallas police officers shot while responding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Depot sued the company in 2019 , alleging the Allied security guard who detained the shoplifter failed to find the gun used in the shooting because he did not perform a pat-down .
• The parents of a kindergarten student in Chicago sued the school district and Allied in February alleging that a guard slammed the child on a table and choked him .
• Victims and survivors of a mass shooting at a San Francisco UPS facility sued Allied Universal in 2017 , alleging the company ’ s security guards failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set off metal detectors .
When some of these incidents were addressed at an Oct. 6 City Council committee meeting , Johle said such lawsuits were not uncommon for large security companies .
“ We already know that any security contractor , any security company , that is able to serve the size and needs of the city is going to be a national company and they ’ re going to have previous and current litigation , ” she said .
If the City Council votes against the contract , “ the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and security in city facilities , ” Johle said in an email .

The Denver City Council will vote on a three-year, $25 million contract with the country’s largest private security company, which is currently being sued by a Denver resident who was left with permanent brain damage after one of the firm’s guards beat him at Union Station.
The proposed contract with Allied Universal would shift the bulk of security detail for the city’s properties to the company. A public hearing and a vote on the contract are scheduled for Monday’s City Council meeting.
Although the guards involved in the beating working for Allied Universal under a contract with the Regional Transportation District, the incident has caused several council members and community members concern when considering Denver’s proposed contract.
“I am appalled that Allied is even a consideration at this point,” Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca said during a September committee meeting on the proposed contract.
The proposed contract would become effective Jan. 1 and last until Dec. 31, 2023, with the option to renew the contract for two more years.
For a maximum of $25 million, Allied Universal would provide 98 unarmed guards and 11 armed guards for security at 19 city properties, including the animal shelter, the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building and the City and County Building. The company employs hundreds of guards in the Denver area and works at 60 other sites in the city, including at the city’s temporary emergency homeless shelters.
“An inexcusable crime”
Allied Universal representatives denounced the guard’s 2018 beating of the artist, Raverro Stinnett, during meetings with the City Council’s Finance and Governance Committee and tried to assuage concerns about the company.
The company increased the amount of mandatory training before a guard can start from 24 to 40 hours, tacked on an additional 24 hours for armed guards and committed to conducting a quarterly performance evaluation. The training standards are more than is required by the Denver Department of Excise and Licensing, which regulates security services in the city.
Three Allied Security guards were sentenced to prison time and fired in connection with the beating of Stinnett while he was waiting at Union Station for a train. Stinnett, who was suspected of no crime, suffered permanent brain damage from the attack and in April sued Allie, alleging lax hiring standards and inadequate training from the company created a culture of unaccountability.
“These were individuals who made an inexcusable crime against a fellow citizen of ours,” Jeremy Lee, regional vice president for Allied Universal, told councilmembers during a Sept. 29 committee meeting.
But one of Stinnett’s attorneys questioned whether the company is committed to making amends, noting that the company sought a gag order to keep Stinnett and his attorneys from discussing the case publicly. A judge denied the company’s request, court records show.
“It’s remarkable that Allied Universal would be promising Denver City Council transparency in their operations when they simultaneously attempted to prevent a citizen of the community of Denver to speak about the abuses they suffered,” lawyer Qusair Mohamedbhai said.
Unanswered questions
An Allied Universal spokeswoman denied requests from The Denver Post for a copy of the company’s use-of-force policies and its training material.
The spokeswoman also did not answer a series of questions, including how the company tracks use of force by its employees, how many times Allied security personnel working in Colorado used force over the past two years, how many complaints have been lodged with the company regarding Colorado personnel, who trains Allied personnel and whether guards who are not armed with guns carry other weapons like pepper spray or batons.
The proposed contract between the city and the company states “the primary function of Agents is to observe and report. Agents shall not use physical force against any person, except for the use of reasonable force only to protect oneself, or another person, and then only as a last resort.”
The spokeswoman also denied a request from The Post for an interview and instead emailed a written statement that said, in part, that the company always seeks improvement to its policies and practices.
“We do not tolerate aggressive or inappropriate behavior or unprofessional conduct of any kind by our employees and we investigate the cause of all incidents and take appropriate action to limit the possibility of a similar situation occurring again,” the statement said.
After facing questions and pushback from Denver residents and councilmembers, Allied Universal executives announced they would work with Nita Mosby Tyler, a well-known Denver consultant who works on equity issues, to evaluate the company’s practices.
The city previously contracted with a different security company, HSS Security Systems, for its security needs. HSS Security Systems and one other company bid for the new contract, but were not selected.
“A cross-agency evaluation committee scored Allied as the highest of all the participants based on the evaluation criteria contained in the written proposal and virtual interview,” Kami Johle, director of administration for Denver General Services, said in an email to The Post.
Litigation nationwide
Stinnett’s lawsuit is not the only recent litigation against Allied in the Denver area, however.
An employee of Allied who worked at Google locations in Thornton and Boulder in March 2019 sued both companies for alleged sex and race discrimination. The woman was the only female Hispanic worker at the locations and in the lawsuit alleged that Allied ignored her complaints that a supervisor was giving more hours and overtime to her white, male colleagues. The woman filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which granted her a right to sue.
Allied and the woman settled the case out of court in June 2019, court records show.
Across the country, Allied has been involved in a series of recent high-profile incidents:
When some of these incidents were addressed at an Oct. 6 City Council committee meeting, Johle said such lawsuits were not uncommon for large security companies.
“We already know that any security contractor, any security company, that is able to serve the size and needs of the city is going to be a national company and they’re going to have previous and current litigation,” she said.
If the City Council votes against the contract, “the city will evaluate all options to maintain safety and security in city facilities,” Johle said in an email.


thedenverpost--2020-10-26--Broncos Q-and-A: What happened on quarterback Drew Lock’s second-quarter pick-six?

Question : Did the Broncos ’ chances Sunday against Kansas City end with safety Daniel Sorenson ’ s 50-yard interception return touchdown ?
Answer : Yes .
Kansas City led 10-6 , but the Broncos had started their drive at the 1-yard line and moved to the 49 .
On first down , quarterback Drew Lock was sacked to set up second-and-13 from the 46 .
The Broncos emptied the backfield and had Lock in the shotgun .
At the snap , the Chiefs rushed six defenders against five blockers and linebacker Anthony Hitchens was the unaccounted blitzer .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who threw side-armed and off his back foot in 1.59 seconds .
The pass to tight end Noah Fant had little velocity and was semi off-target .
Sorenson read the play perfectly and cut in front of Fant for the score .
Q : Moments later , the Broncos gave up their first kickoff return touchdown since 2017 .
What happened ?
A : Either the Broncos had terrible pursuit or the Chiefs perfectly-blocked Byron Pringle ’ s 102-yard return .
Brandon McManus ’ hang time was 4.02 seconds so it wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s right , Royce Freeman and Essang Bassey weren ’ t in position to make the tackle and Derrek Tuszka was double-teamed .
To Pringle ’ s left , Duke Dawson and Tyrie Cleveland over-pursued and Pringle cut to the middle of the field to make them miss .
The only player to get a hand on Pringle was Nigel Bradham .
Q : The comedy of errors continued in the second half on the botched flea-flicker .
Ever seen the kind of toss Melvin Gordon tried to attempt ?
A : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive was in business after a 12-yard catch by receiver Tim Patrick and 10-yard end-around run by receiver KJ Hamler .
Gordon received the hand-off from Lock with no issues .
As he turned around , Gordon appeared to get tangled up with center Lloyd Cushenberry and right guard Graham Glasgow .
Whether that contact impacted Gordon ’ s flip back , we don ’ t know — he declined to meet with the media after the game .
The flip was high and Lock could only get a hand on it before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frank Clark got a perfect bounce and returned it the Broncos ’ 14-yard line .
Q : The Broncos aren ’ t used to losing at home by 27 points .
How rare was this kind of blowout ?
A : Pretty rare .
The 27-point margin of defeat was the 12th-biggest in franchise history and the largest since Detroit beat the Broncos 45-10 in November 2011 .
The Chiefs hold the record for two biggest blowout home losses by the Broncos — 59-7 in 1963 and 56-10 in 1966 .
Q : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow a third-down conversion and only one offensive touchdown in the first three quarters .
What more do they need to do ?
A : First up is takeaways .
The Broncos had a minus-3 differential on Sunday and they ’ re at minus-5 for the year ( tied for third-worst ) .
But the Broncos need to look at the big plays Kansas City made to get into scoring possession .
• Kiszla : Broncos quarterback Drew Lock keeps making the same infuriating childish mistakes in 43-16 loss to Kansas City • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos ’ “ family ” dysfunctions in public vs. Chiefs • Broncos no match ( again ) for Kansas City : “ Nowhere near good enough ” • Broncos game balls and gassers : Hey , at least Albert O caught everything thrown his way First quarter ( Kansas City touchdown ) : The Chiefs had plays of 13 , 11 , 19 and 11 yards .
Second quarter ( field goal ) : The Chiefs had plays of 16 and 38 yards .
Third quarter ( field goal ) : The Chiefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start the drive .
Fourth quarter ( touchdown ) : The Chiefs had plays of 17 , 22 and 10 yards .

Question: Did the Broncos’ chances Sunday against Kansas City end with safety Daniel Sorenson’s 50-yard interception return touchdown?
Answer: Yes. Kansas City led 10-6, but the Broncos had started their drive at the 1-yard line and moved to the 49.
On first down, quarterback Drew Lock was sacked to set up second-and-13 from the 46. The Broncos emptied the backfield and had Lock in the shotgun.
At the snap, the Chiefs rushed six defenders against five blockers and linebacker Anthony Hitchens was the unaccounted blitzer. He had a free run at Lock, who threw side-armed and off his back foot in 1.59 seconds.
The pass to tight end Noah Fant had little velocity and was semi off-target. Sorenson read the play perfectly and cut in front of Fant for the score.
Q: Moments later, the Broncos gave up their first kickoff return touchdown since 2017. What happened?
A: Either the Broncos had terrible pursuit or the Chiefs perfectly-blocked Byron Pringle’s 102-yard return.
Brandon McManus’ hang time was 4.02 seconds so it wasn’t a line drive. To Pringle’s right, Royce Freeman and Essang Bassey weren’t in position to make the tackle and Derrek Tuszka was double-teamed. To Pringle’s left, Duke Dawson and Tyrie Cleveland over-pursued and Pringle cut to the middle of the field to make them miss. The only player to get a hand on Pringle was Nigel Bradham.
Pringle’s touchdown made it 24-9 Chiefs.
Q: The comedy of errors continued in the second half on the botched flea-flicker. Ever seen the kind of toss Melvin Gordon tried to attempt?
A: Nope. The Broncos’ initial second-half drive was in business after a 12-yard catch by receiver Tim Patrick and 10-yard end-around run by receiver KJ Hamler.
Gordon received the hand-off from Lock with no issues. As he turned around, Gordon appeared to get tangled up with center Lloyd Cushenberry and right guard Graham Glasgow.
Whether that contact impacted Gordon’s flip back, we don’t know — he declined to meet with the media after the game. The flip was high and Lock could only get a hand on it before it bounded backward. The Chiefs’ Frank Clark got a perfect bounce and returned it the Broncos’ 14-yard line.
Q: The Broncos aren’t used to losing at home by 27 points. How rare was this kind of blowout?
A: Pretty rare. The 27-point margin of defeat was the 12th-biggest in franchise history and the largest since Detroit beat the Broncos 45-10 in November 2011.
The Chiefs hold the record for two biggest blowout home losses by the Broncos — 59-7 in 1963 and 56-10 in 1966.
Q: The Broncos’ defense didn’t allow a third-down conversion and only one offensive touchdown in the first three quarters. What more do they need to do?
A: First up is takeaways. The Broncos had a minus-3 differential on Sunday and they’re at minus-5 for the year (tied for third-worst).
But the Broncos need to look at the big plays Kansas City made to get into scoring position.
First quarter (Kansas City touchdown): The Chiefs had plays of 13, 11, 19 and 11 yards.
Second quarter (field goal): The Chiefs had plays of 16 and 38 yards.
Third quarter (field goal): The Chiefs had plays of 16 and 17 yards to start the drive.
Fourth quarter (touchdown): The Chiefs had plays of 17, 22 and 10 yards.


thedenverpost--2020-10-26--Guest commentary: Metro Denver should consider proposal for E-470 toll road lease

A private company is once again pitching a plan to pay billions for a long-term lease of the E-470 toll road .
While the E-470 is a well-managed highway , the region should seriously consider crafting a partnership agreement that would give local governments billions to invest in other needed infrastructure projects , lock the private company into contractual commitments on road improvements and maintenance , and set limits on toll rate increases .
The proposed deal from ROADIS , a company wholly-owned by one of Canada ’ s largest public-employee pensions funds , would give $ 4.2 billion upfront @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aurora , Brighton , Commerce City , Parker , and Thornton , along with the counties of Adams , Arapahoe , and Douglas .
ROADIS says it would also pay off the toll road ’ s $ 1.9 billion debt , spend nearly $ 2 billion on capital improvements to the highway , and implement a program to lower toll rates for E-470 ’ s most frequent users .
Leasing a toll road for 50 years sounds like a strange idea to many .
But , in recent years , five U.S. toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Denver ’ s Northwest Parkway .
Long-term toll road partnerships like this are far more common in Europe , Australia , and Asia , where governments select world-class toll road companies to operate , manage , and improve their existing toll roads and use the money from the leases on other public purposes , typically other transportation projects .
My recent Reason Foundation study reviewed the results from those roads and analyzed nine large U.S. toll road systems as potential candidates for these types of leases .
The total estimated market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was $ 127 billion .
The net value , after paying off debt , was $ 77 billion–putting the average value at $ 8.5 billion per toll road .
Thus , ROADIS setting the net value it would pay for an E-470 lease at $ 7.1 billion seems quite plausible .
Some critics , however , say the proposal seems too good to be true and that local governments would be falling for snake oil salesmen .
But there are some key points to consider .
First , the proposal would not sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a long-term , 50-year lease .
Taxpayers would still own the highway .
Second , as with investor-owned utilities , like Public Service Co. of Colorado , both the toll road ’ s performance and toll rates would be regulated .
That would be the job of the E-470 Authority , which would remain in place and take on an oversight role holding the private provider accountable for meeting the terms of the contract .
Such agreements typically include numerous performance metrics that the company must meet , with fines and penalties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lease , the E-470 Authority would have the right to terminate the contract for convenience or for cause ( typically , for continued violation of the terms of the agreement ) .
In the latter case , the company would lose its equity investment .
A major concern that drivers have with these types of deals concerns the potential for toll rate increases .
But ROADIS has already said it would contractually agree to limit annual toll rate increases to an inflation index–something not provided for today .
The proposed E-470 deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it seems too good to be true , opening up the process to other bidders would be a good way to test the market .
If the ROADIS offer turns out to be an extreme outlier , no harm is done .
But there are about a dozen world-class toll road companies and by investigating its options the region might find that this offer is legitimate–or that an even more financially attractive offer exists .
Amidst the coronavirus pandemic and recession , local governments are going to be experiencing severe budget problems , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public-private partnership that sets strict standards for road conditions and toll rates , and gives local governments billions of dollars for transportation projects that probably can ’ t be completed or paid for otherwise , is worth looking into .
Robert Poole is director of transportation studies at Reason Foundation and author of the book Rethinking America ’ s Highways : A 21st-Century Vision for Better Infrastructure .
He can be reached at robert.poole @ reason.org .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email or mail .

A private company is once again pitching a plan to pay billions for a long-term lease of the E-470 toll road. While the E-470 is a well-managed highway, the region should seriously consider crafting a partnership agreement that would give local governments billions to invest in other needed infrastructure projects, lock the private company into contractual commitments on road improvements and maintenance, and set limits on toll rate increases.
The proposed deal from ROADIS, a company wholly-owned by one of Canada’s largest public-employee pensions funds, would give $4.2 billion upfront, spread across eight local governments–the cities Aurora, Brighton, Commerce City, Parker, and Thornton, along with the counties of Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas. ROADIS says it would also pay off the toll road’s $1.9 billion debt, spend nearly $2 billion on capital improvements to the highway, and implement a program to lower toll rates for E-470’s most frequent users.
Leasing a toll road for 50 years sounds like a strange idea to many. But, in recent years, five U.S. toll roads have been converted to private management, including Denver’s Northwest Parkway. Long-term toll road partnerships like this are far more common in Europe, Australia, and Asia, where governments select world-class toll road companies to operate, manage, and improve their existing toll roads and use the money from the leases on other public purposes, typically other transportation projects.
My recent Reason Foundation study reviewed the results from those roads and analyzed nine large U.S. toll road systems as potential candidates for these types of leases. The total estimated market value of the nine US toll roads was $127 billion. The net value, after paying off debt, was $77 billion–putting the average value at $8.5 billion per toll road. Thus, ROADIS setting the net value it would pay for an E-470 lease at $7.1 billion seems quite plausible.
Some critics, however, say the proposal seems too good to be true and that local governments would be falling for snake oil salesmen. But there are some key points to consider. First, the proposal would not sell the E-470 toll road. It would be a long-term, 50-year lease. Taxpayers would still own the highway. Second, as with investor-owned utilities, like Public Service Co. of Colorado, both the toll road’s performance and toll rates would be regulated. That would be the job of the E-470 Authority, which would remain in place and take on an oversight role holding the private provider accountable for meeting the terms of the contract.
Such agreements typically include numerous performance metrics that the company must meet, with fines and penalties for non-compliance. At any time during the lease, the E-470 Authority would have the right to terminate the contract for convenience or for cause (typically, for continued violation of the terms of the agreement). In the latter case, the company would lose its equity investment.
A major concern that drivers have with these types of deals concerns the potential for toll rate increases. But ROADIS has already said it would contractually agree to limit annual toll rate increases to an inflation index–something not provided for today.
The proposed E-470 deal is at least worth considering. If it seems too good to be true, opening up the process to other bidders would be a good way to test the market. If the ROADIS offer turns out to be an extreme outlier, no harm is done. But there are about a dozen world-class toll road companies and by investigating its options the region might find that this offer is legitimate–or that an even more financially attractive offer exists.
Amidst the coronavirus pandemic and recession, local governments are going to be experiencing severe budget problems, perhaps for years to come. A public-private partnership that sets strict standards for road conditions and toll rates, and gives local governments billions of dollars for transportation projects that probably can’t be completed or paid for otherwise, is worth looking into.
Robert Poole is director of transportation studies at Reason Foundation and author of the book Rethinking America’s Highways: A 21st-Century Vision for Better Infrastructure. He can be reached at robert.poole@reason.org.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-10-26--Denver weather: Snow tapers off, but cold temperatures remain in metro area

Monday won ’ t be as snowy as Sunday , but it will still be pretty darn cold .
Temperatures @ @ @ @ @ 17 with wind chill values as low as minus-4 , according to the National Weather @ @ @ @ @ snow is likely but most will fall before noon with less than a half-inch of @ @ @ @ @ temperatures not expected to climb out of the teens on Monday , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the record for its coldest high temperature on this date .
The current record for @ @ @ @ @ for a high .
In the evening , it will drop to a low of @ @ @ @ @ as low as minus-4 .
The weather warms up Tuesday with sunny skies and a @ @ @ @ @ will stay mostly clear with a low of 19 at night .
Sunny skies continue @ @ @ @ @ rise into the high 40s and 50s through Friday .
Lows will hover around 30 @ @ @ @

Monday won’t be as snowy as Sunday, but it will still be pretty darn cold.
Temperatures will reach a high of 17 with wind chill values as low as minus-4, according to the National Weather Service. A bit of snow is likely but most will fall before noon with less than a half-inch of new accumulation expected.
With temperatures not expected to climb out of the teens on Monday, it’s likely that Denver will shatter the record for its coldest high temperature on this date. The current record for Oct. 26 is 31 degrees for a high.
In the evening, it will drop to a low of 5 with wind chill values as low as minus-4.
The weather warms up Tuesday with sunny skies and a high of 39. It will stay mostly clear with a low of 19 at night.
Sunny skies continue through the week as temperatures rise into the high 40s and 50s through Friday. Lows will hover around 30 through the week.


thedenverpost--2020-10-26--Ask Amy: Long-ago cheating leaves wife ruminating

Dear Amy : Almost 20 years ago when my husband and I were just 19 years old , he cheated on me .
Twenty years on , I ’ m still having a hard time trusting him .
Will I ever be able to trust him — or will I always feel this way ?
What can I do to start trusting him ?
I feel like I have some form of PTSD from it .
He says he was young and made a mistake , but is that even a legitimate excuse ?
He has apologized so many times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what to do .
I want to live free .
It is so time consuming worrying about him and trying to track him .
I am constantly accusing him of things that turn out to be nothing .
We have five children together , and he is a wonderful dad and husband .
I know I ’ ll regret it later if I don ’ t get it together now .
How should I handle this ?
Dear Suspicious : Twenty years is an extremely long time for you to live in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for your husband to tolerate your ongoing and very disruptive and baseless accusations .
It is a testament to your mutual commitment to each other – and a marvel — that your marriage has survived .
Constant rumination paralyzes your problem-solving skills , distracts you from the positive tending of your relationships , can affect your physical health , and is overall very time consuming .
Your husband has been forced to react to your compulsions and accusations .
And I assume you are exhausted from this .
A psychologist might diagnose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be triggered by PTSD .
You might be introduced to mindfulness training , which is basically a technique where you purposefully and consciously yank your mind back to the present whenever you find yourself obsessing .
You will be retraining your brain to refocus , and eventually your brain will refocus without your prompting .
Additionally , I am certain that you would benefit from “ talk ” therapy .
Why were you so traumatized by an event that many others process and recover from ?
Insight into this will be life-changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring you into a new relationship with yourself , your husband , and your children .
Dear Amy : I ’ ve been divorced for four years , and I share custody of my 10-year-old daughter with my ex-wife .
There is zero likelihood of me getting back together with my former wife .
My ex and I co-parent , and of course it is not entirely smooth , but it works out .
I have been dating my girlfriend for one year now , and she is saying that I should unfriend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use Facebook , and I have nothing to hide from my girlfriend , or anyone else .
I feel like “ unfollowing ” my ex-wife on Facebook is fine , as it removes her from my Facebook feed .
If I “ unfriend ” my ex-wife , then will my girlfriend insist that I also unfriend her family members ?
I feel like if I were to post a picture of our child on Facebook , there is no reason for her mother or mother ’ s family NOT to be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to navigate this post-divorce social media issue ?
Dear Challenged : You don ’ t need my help navigating on social media , because you ’ re doing it .
I wonder , however , why your girlfriend is so threatened by this social media contact .
You should ask her .
There are many completely valid reasons to unfollow , unfriend , or block someone across social media platforms .
Aside from the generally commonsense reasons to maintain a separation on social media , many people also choose to use platforms as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaking up , or simply want to punish someone with a “ block ” or “ unfriending.
” You and your ex seem to have a fairly amiable relationship .
You successfully co-parent your child .
You are transparent and have adopted a rational approach to social media .
In short , your girlfriend does not get to control how you conduct your ( successful ) relationship with your ex-wife and her family .
Dear Amy : “ Hopeful ” did not want her fiance ’ s friend to come to their wedding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past .
She does not have to invite , nor should she be expected to invite , someone who has shown such contempt .
And a man who would invite someone who referred to his fiance as “ sloppy seconds ” has no respect for his partner or himself .
Dear Dalal : One wonders why the fiancé was so eager to invite him .

Dear Amy: Almost 20 years ago when my husband and I were just 19 years old, he cheated on me.
Twenty years on, I’m still having a hard time trusting him.
Will I ever be able to trust him — or will I always feel this way?
What can I do to start trusting him?
I feel like I have some form of PTSD from it. He says he was young and made a mistake, but is that even a legitimate excuse? He has apologized so many times.
I just don’t know what to do. I want to live free. It is so time consuming worrying about him and trying to track him.
I am constantly accusing him of things that turn out to be nothing.
We have five children together, and he is a wonderful dad and husband.
I know I’ll regret it later if I don’t get it together now.
How should I handle this?
— Suspicious
Dear Suspicious: Twenty years is an extremely long time for you to live in a state of “high alert,” and for your husband to tolerate your ongoing and very disruptive and baseless accusations.
It is a testament to your mutual commitment to each other – and a marvel — that your marriage has survived.
Constant rumination paralyzes your problem-solving skills, distracts you from the positive tending of your relationships, can affect your physical health, and is overall very time consuming. Your husband has been forced to react to your compulsions and accusations. And I assume you are exhausted from this.
A psychologist might diagnose you with obsessive rumination disorder, which can be triggered by PTSD. You might be introduced to mindfulness training, which is basically a technique where you purposefully and consciously yank your mind back to the present whenever you find yourself obsessing. You will be retraining your brain to refocus, and eventually your brain will refocus without your prompting.
Additionally, I am certain that you would benefit from “talk” therapy.
Why were you so traumatized by an event that many others process and recover from? Insight into this will be life-changing for you. Insight and self-knowledge will bring you into a new relationship with yourself, your husband, and your children.
Dear Amy: I’ve been divorced for four years, and I share custody of my 10-year-old daughter with my ex-wife.
There is zero likelihood of me getting back together with my former wife.
My ex and I co-parent, and of course it is not entirely smooth, but it works out.
I have been dating my girlfriend for one year now, and she is saying that I should unfriend my ex-wife on Facebook. I rarely use Facebook, and I have nothing to hide from my girlfriend, or anyone else.
I feel like “unfollowing” my ex-wife on Facebook is fine, as it removes her from my Facebook feed.
If I “unfriend” my ex-wife, then will my girlfriend insist that I also unfriend her family members?
I feel like if I were to post a picture of our child on Facebook, there is no reason for her mother or mother’s family NOT to be able to see it.
Can you help me to navigate this post-divorce social media issue?
— Socially Challenged
Dear Challenged: You don’t need my help navigating on social media, because you’re doing it. I wonder, however, why your girlfriend is so threatened by this social media contact. You should ask her.
There are many completely valid reasons to unfollow, unfriend, or block someone across social media platforms.
Aside from the generally commonsense reasons to maintain a separation on social media, many people also choose to use platforms as a cudgel when they are angry, breaking up, or simply want to punish someone with a “block” or “unfriending.”
You and your ex seem to have a fairly amiable relationship. You successfully co-parent your child. You are transparent and have adopted a rational approach to social media.
In short, your girlfriend does not get to control how you conduct your (successful) relationship with your ex-wife and her family.
Dear Amy: “Hopeful” did not want her fiance’s friend to come to their wedding because he had disrespected her in the past.
She does not have to invite, nor should she be expected to invite, someone who has shown such contempt. And a man who would invite someone who referred to his fiance as “sloppy seconds” has no respect for his partner or himself.
— Dalal
Dear Dalal: One wonders why the fiancé was so eager to invite him.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)