thedenverpost--2020-12-20--Republican officials say Colorado elections are fair. Some Republican voters doubt it

Several times this month , Republican election officials in Colorado , along with leaders in the Colorado Republican Party , have hailed the state ’ s election system , drawing passionate rebukes from party loyalists and conservative activists convinced of widespread election fraud , despite a lack of evidence .
The result is an intraparty rift over a core tenet of American democracy — trust in elections — that is without precedent in modern history .
“ We think the election process is being abused and we are not happy with it , ” said Holly Kasun , a member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was created in late November to push for investigations into election integrity .
This is not the first time that political parties have questioned election security or results , but it has reached a new level in this year ’ s presidential election .
It ’ s also the first time an incumbent president is making the claims , said Paul Teske , dean of the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver .
Donald Trump and his allies have filed dozens of election-related lawsuits , almost all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president has whipped up this whole frenzy of things that have no basis in reality , and he ’ s good at that , and his supporters believe a lot of what he says , whether it has basis in reality or not , ” Teske said .
The 2020 election is the first Ray Langston , chair of the Montrose County Republican Party , has not trusted .
So , on Nov. 24 , he voted against certifying the Western Slope county ’ s election results , despite having total faith in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican clerk and recorder , and seeing no evidence of fraud there .
The board of canvassers certified the results in a 2-1 vote .
“ This is a protest on my part , ” Langston told Guynes , a fellow member of the board .
His concerns , as spelled out in a one-page statement to the canvassing board , were fourfold : that Dominion voting software can be manipulated ( the company and county clerks say this isn ’ t true ) ; that Secretary of State Jena Griswold , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president-elect Joe Biden is possibly guilty of treason because of his son ’ s overseas dealings ; and that the media is biased .
The following week , Langston took issue with U.S. Rep. Ken Buck , a Windsor Republican who chairs the Colorado GOP , hosting a call on election integrity that ended with Buck and several Republican clerks stating emphatically that Colorado ’ s elections are safe and secure .
Guynes was one of the clerks .
“ Colorado ’ s system is the gold standard .
It is absolutely amazing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zoom video call was streamed live to conservative social media site CaucusRoom .
During and after the call , Trump ’ s Colorado supporters fired back at Buck and the clerks , calling them phony conservatives and anti-Trump .
“ Your orchestrated , coordinated , and manipulative narrative intended to gaslight and pacify the people of Colorado is wholly rejected , ” the Colorado Election Integrity Project wrote to Buck , a steadfast supporter of the president .
“ I ’ m praying that somebody primaries him next cycle , ” said Casper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who doesn ’ t believe the Colorado GOP is doing enough to support Trump .
“ The majority of Republican voters do not trust the outcome of the election in Colorado , ” he added , saying this is the first U.S. election he has doubted .
In an interview Thursday , Buck reiterated his support for county clerks and his belief that there is no significant election fraud in Colorado .
He said Coloradans watching cable news shows and hearing stories of election fraud elsewhere in the country have applied that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t surprise me at all that people are frustrated .
A lot of these people believe very strongly in President Trump and appreciate what he ’ s done and they don ’ t understand how others can not see the accomplishments of the Trump administration , ” the congressman said .
When asked if he trusts Dominion , Buck said , “ I trust the clerks and recorders to implement the system in a way that guarantees a credible election outcome.
” He will not join several other congressional conservatives in challenging certification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also will not seek a second two-year term as Colorado GOP chairman next year .
The disconnect between Republicans who defend Colorado elections and those who attack their credibility can make for odd moments .
George Brauchler , a Republican district attorney for the 18th Judicial District and unsuccessful candidate for attorney general in 2018 , defended Colorado elections as “ pretty darn safe ” on his radio show Dec. 5 .
But his guest , conservative activist Joe Oltmann , insisted “ ginormous ” corruption likely cost Brauchler his 2018 race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played out across the country .
In swing states , Republican secretaries of state , Republican clerks , and Republican-appointed judges have refused to nullify the presidential election or give credence to claims of widespread fraud , finding them to be baseless .
Kasun , with the Election Integrity Project , a loose group of several hundred Coloradans who met over social media , said she is just as doubtful of Republican-run elections as those monitored by Democrats and , for the first time in her life , doubts elections here in Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trusts , she cited social media accounts , Wall Street analysts , and statisticians casting doubt on the election .
“ I talked to plenty of county clerks and they keep saying , ‘ Yeah , Dominion has worked great for us for many years .
We ’ ve never had any problems.
’ Well , they don ’ t know what they don ’ t know .
That ’ s Republican and Democrat county clerks .
They just have no idea what ’ s going on , ” she said .
Kasun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year : She was an election judge in Boulder County .
Kasun says she did not see any evidence of fraud , and was impressed by the adjudication process , in which ballots flagged during the scanning stage are reviewed by members of both political parties before being approved .
But Kasun believes Dominion software could have switched votes , something the company and county clerks strongly deny .
Dominion was selected for use in Colorado elections by a bipartisan committee under former Republican Secretary of State Wayne Williams .
Still , members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protested weekly outside the state Capitol , most recently on Tuesday during a meeting of the Legislative Audit Committee on election integrity .
Williams , now a Colorado Springs councilman , has repeatedly lauded Colorado ’ s election and mail ballot system .
On Tuesday , he told committee members that in Colorado , the voting systems accurately record votes , and officials have proven it with Dominion 868 times .
“ So , there is no one in Moscow , nobody in Beijing , nobody in Antifa , nobody in the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state of Colorado because you physically can ’ t do that unless you broke into the clerk ’ s office , you bypass the cyber locks , you somehow circumvented the 24-7 video surveillance and the security protocols that are in place , ” Williams said .
The unsuccessful Republican-led effort to approve an audit of the Colorado Secretary of State ’ s Office turned into a more than eight-hour meeting that produced no evidence of widespread voter fraud .
Republicans after the meeting said there may be no proof of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beneficial to do an extensive audit of the election systems .
Democrats called the demands for a forensic audit trafficking in debunked conspiracy theories and harmful to all Coloradans .
Assurances that Colorado ’ s system is safe , the lack of evidence supporting allegations of theft of votes , the losing court battles won ’ t change the mind of voters like Jim Saunders , a member of the Election Integrity Project .
“ This has gone way beyond whether or not the incumbent Donald J. Trump or Joe Biden win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s whether or not the will of the American people is being heard .
”

Several times this month, Republican election officials in Colorado, along with leaders in the Colorado Republican Party, have hailed the state’s election system, drawing passionate rebukes from party loyalists and conservative activists convinced of widespread election fraud, despite a lack of evidence.
The result is an intraparty rift over a core tenet of American democracy — trust in elections — that is without precedent in modern history. “We think the election process is being abused and we are not happy with it,” said Holly Kasun, a member of the Colorado Election Integrity Project, which was created in late November to push for investigations into election integrity.
This is not the first time that political parties have questioned election security or results, but it has reached a new level in this year’s presidential election. It’s also the first time an incumbent president is making the claims, said Paul Teske, dean of the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver. Donald Trump and his allies have filed dozens of election-related lawsuits, almost all of which have been denied.
“The president has whipped up this whole frenzy of things that have no basis in reality, and he’s good at that, and his supporters believe a lot of what he says, whether it has basis in reality or not,” Teske said.
The 2020 election is the first Ray Langston, chair of the Montrose County Republican Party, has not trusted. So, on Nov. 24, he voted against certifying the Western Slope county’s election results, despite having total faith in Tressa Guynes, Montrose County’s Republican clerk and recorder, and seeing no evidence of fraud there. The board of canvassers certified the results in a 2-1 vote.
“This is a protest on my part,” Langston told Guynes, a fellow member of the board.
His concerns, as spelled out in a one-page statement to the canvassing board, were fourfold: that Dominion voting software can be manipulated (the company and county clerks say this isn’t true); that Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, is too partisan; that president-elect Joe Biden is possibly guilty of treason because of his son’s overseas dealings; and that the media is biased.
The following week, Langston took issue with U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, a Windsor Republican who chairs the Colorado GOP, hosting a call on election integrity that ended with Buck and several Republican clerks stating emphatically that Colorado’s elections are safe and secure. Guynes was one of the clerks.
“Colorado’s system is the gold standard. It is absolutely amazing,” she said then.
The Zoom video call was streamed live to conservative social media site CaucusRoom. During and after the call, Trump’s Colorado supporters fired back at Buck and the clerks, calling them phony conservatives and anti-Trump.
“Your orchestrated, coordinated, and manipulative narrative intended to gaslight and pacify the people of Colorado is wholly rejected,” the Colorado Election Integrity Project wrote to Buck, a steadfast supporter of the president.
“I’m praying that somebody primaries him next cycle,” said Casper Stockham, a former Republican congressional candidate, who doesn’t believe the Colorado GOP is doing enough to support Trump. “The majority of Republican voters do not trust the outcome of the election in Colorado,” he added, saying this is the first U.S. election he has doubted.
In an interview Thursday, Buck reiterated his support for county clerks and his belief that there is no significant election fraud in Colorado. He said Coloradans watching cable news shows and hearing stories of election fraud elsewhere in the country have applied that to Colorado.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all that people are frustrated. A lot of these people believe very strongly in President Trump and appreciate what he’s done and they don’t understand how others cannot see the accomplishments of the Trump administration,” the congressman said.
When asked if he trusts Dominion, Buck said, “I trust the clerks and recorders to implement the system in a way that guarantees a credible election outcome.” He will not join several other congressional conservatives in challenging certification of the presidential election Jan. 6. He also will not seek a second two-year term as Colorado GOP chairman next year.
The disconnect between Republicans who defend Colorado elections and those who attack their credibility can make for odd moments. George Brauchler, a Republican district attorney for the 18th Judicial District and unsuccessful candidate for attorney general in 2018, defended Colorado elections as “pretty darn safe” on his radio show Dec. 5. But his guest, conservative activist Joe Oltmann, insisted “ginormous” corruption likely cost Brauchler his 2018 race.
The current dynamic in Colorado has played out across the country. In swing states, Republican secretaries of state, Republican clerks, and Republican-appointed judges have refused to nullify the presidential election or give credence to claims of widespread fraud, finding them to be baseless.
Kasun, with the Election Integrity Project, a loose group of several hundred Coloradans who met over social media, said she is just as doubtful of Republican-run elections as those monitored by Democrats and, for the first time in her life, doubts elections here in Colorado are secure. When asked who she trusts, she cited social media accounts, Wall Street analysts, and statisticians casting doubt on the election.
“I talked to plenty of county clerks and they keep saying, ‘Yeah, Dominion has worked great for us for many years. We’ve never had any problems.’ Well, they don’t know what they don’t know. That’s Republican and Democrat county clerks. They just have no idea what’s going on,” she said.
Kasun played a role in overseeing elections this year: She was an election judge in Boulder County. Kasun says she did not see any evidence of fraud, and was impressed by the adjudication process, in which ballots flagged during the scanning stage are reviewed by members of both political parties before being approved. But Kasun believes Dominion software could have switched votes, something the company and county clerks strongly deny.
Dominion was selected for use in Colorado elections by a bipartisan committee under former Republican Secretary of State Wayne Williams. Still, members of the Colorado Election Integrity Project have protested weekly outside the state Capitol, most recently on Tuesday during a meeting of the Legislative Audit Committee on election integrity.
Williams, now a Colorado Springs councilman, has repeatedly lauded Colorado’s election and mail ballot system. On Tuesday, he told committee members that in Colorado, the voting systems accurately record votes, and officials have proven it with Dominion 868 times.
“So, there is no one in Moscow, nobody in Beijing, nobody in Antifa, nobody in the Trump campaign that has changed a single ballot in the state of Colorado because you physically can’t do that unless you broke into the clerk’s office, you bypass the cyber locks, you somehow circumvented the 24-7 video surveillance and the security protocols that are in place,” Williams said.
The unsuccessful Republican-led effort to approve an audit of the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office turned into a more than eight-hour meeting that produced no evidence of widespread voter fraud. Republicans after the meeting said there may be no proof of rampant fraud, but it would be beneficial to do an extensive audit of the election systems. Democrats called the demands for a forensic audit trafficking in debunked conspiracy theories and harmful to all Coloradans.
Assurances that Colorado’s system is safe, the lack of evidence supporting allegations of theft of votes, the losing court battles won’t change the mind of voters like Jim Saunders, a member of the Election Integrity Project.
“This has gone way beyond whether or not the incumbent Donald J. Trump or Joe Biden win the election,” the Erie resident said. “It’s whether or not the will of the American people is being heard.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-20--Why Facundo Campazzo left Spain for the Nuggets: “This kid just doesn’t belong here”

The Nuggets value playmaking , no matter the shape or size it comes in .
So is it any wonder the same organization that staked its future to a selfless , ground-bound center would also be attracted to Facundo Campazzo ?
For years , the 5-foot-11 firecracker dissected defenses for Real Madrid and the Argentinian national team , awing onlookers with his devilish passes and inspired play .
The Nuggets were among those captivated .
“ Truth be told , Facu was not really a hidden gem , ” said Rafal Juc , the Nuggets ’ international scout .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for half a decade or so .
So basically , he ’ s been on our radar for a while.
” Juc had been tracking Campazzo since he began working for the Nuggets in 2013 .
He wasn ’ t alone .
Denver ’ s scouting roots , starting with president Tim Connelly , run deep into Europe .
Other members of the front office were aware of Campazzo , known for pouring every ounce of energy he had into each possession .
But the problem was , the pass-first point guard was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and held a hefty buyout with his club team .
To lure him stateside , the Nuggets needed something else .
Heading into the 2016- ’ 17 season , current Nuggets scout Marty Pocius knew he was nearing the end of his decorated international playing career , which spanned top teams in Lithuania ( BC Zalgiris ) , Turkey ( Galatasaray SK ) and Spain ( Real Madrid ) .
Before joining Murcia , also in Liga ACB , Pocius had already heard about Campazzo through the basketball grapevine .
Buried on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on loan to Murcia where he was expected to get significant playing time and develop his preternatural feel for the game .
“ I just came in , first couple preseason games I was like , ‘ Holy crap , this dude is amazing , ’ ” Pocius said .
Pocius vividly remembers one practice where he made a hard cut and momentarily turned his back to the play .
Campazzo rifled one of his patented rocket passes where he expected his teammate ’ s hands to be .
“ He nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Throughout their lone season together , Pocius operated as a mentor for Campazzo .
When Campazzo racked up technical fouls , it was Pocius who calmed him down .
Still , at 25 , Campazzo was already the engine of the team .
He led Murcia in points ( 13.2 ) and assists ( 6.7 ) playing over 30 minutes per game – far more than he ’ d seen with his former club .
“ Every day in practice I ’ d be either playing with him , against him or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sidelines just looking at this dude like , ‘ This kid just doesn ’ t belong here , ’ ” Pocius said .
“ ’ That ’ s not his level.
’ ” And every day of practice , Pocius found himself turning to anybody who ’ d listen .
“ You would see some wild plays and you ’ re like , ‘ Holy crap , how does he see that ?
’ ” he said .
It wasn ’ t long after Pocius ’ playing career was over that he landed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One of his first reports was on Campazzo .
“ I ’ ve played with him and I feel like he belongs on this level , ” Pocius wrote .
“ This guy ’ s good .
He can be in the NBA.
” Juc estimated he ’ d seen Campazzo play at least 100 times in person , a huge sample size when assessing a player ’ s chances at sticking in the NBA .
“ It must be noted he ’ s the shortest NBA player to sign a contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Juc said .
He had to be sure .
He saw him overachieve in the EuroLeague , the Olympics , the World Cup .
And despite his size , there was a level of comfort because he won everywhere he went .
“ Some may say that he doesn ’ t really pass the eye test , but someone told me , winners come in different shapes and forms , and I think there is no better example than Facu , ” Juc said .
“ Essentially what he does is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obviously in NBA , the size matters , ” Juc said .
“ Defensively it does .
When you get close to the basket , foes can shoot over him , but it ’ s so damn hard to get by him because he ’ s long , he ’ s active , he ’ s so energized .
In seeing him play against the best athletes in the world at World Cup , EuroLeague level , Olympics … I was never really concerned about his size , and lack of it.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14-year NBA veteran J.J. Barea an adequate comparison .
As every member of the front office saw Campazzo play live , the idea of him coming stateside – hatched a few years ago – became more realistic .
Last summer , the Nuggets became even more bullish on Campazzo ’ s NBA credentials .
In the quarterfinals of the FIBA World Cup against Serbia , Campazzo outplayed Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic .
His 18-point , 12-assist , six-rebound performance ousted Serbia , which had been a favorite entering the tournament .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needle from beyond the 3-point line , radiated the possibilities .
“ His highlight tape might be arguably the best highlight tape in the world , ” Juc said .
“ … I think that one pass was like , ‘ OK , we have a guy who is 5-foot-11 but the way he thinks about the game , the way he ’ s able to process things , is basically the same way as Joker.
’ So we thought ‘ OK , those two might click.
’ ” In terms of makeup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easiest projects .
“ It ’ s funny because you do all this background , and I feel like I ’ ve known Facu for many years but actually I haven ’ t spoken to him yet , ” Juc said .
“ I know so many people in his environment .
I remember when we drafted Juancho ( Hernangomez ) .
I approached him and I introduced myself and he said , ‘ You don ’ t really have to introduce yourself because you know all my friends , my teachers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nuggets also had Pocius to vouch for Campazzo ’ s competitive makeup and commitment .
“ You can look at guys like ( Milos ) Teodosic , who ’ s maybe as good of a passer , but they just have a totally different makeup , ” he said .
“ This kid is tough as ( crap ) , he ’ s a super high-level competitor , he doesn ’ t like to lose.
” During their time together , Pocius said Campazzo was a mainstay in the weight room , always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his athletic edge .
It was also during that time that Campazzo made a commitment to a gluten-free , sugar-free diet , which he maintains today .
Pocius nurtured the relationship .
They texted after EuroLeague games , and Pocius made a point to watch Real Madrid whenever he traveled to Europe , with dinner , as friends , to follow .
Pocius told Campazzo about the NBA , about assistant coach Jordi Fernandez from Spain , about the winning culture that had been established in Denver .
“ I always kept in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s still a chance that he ’ s going to come over one day , ” Pocius said .
Campazzo had other NBA suitors .
He had bigger roles awaiting him stateside , if he wanted them .
But coming off their Western Conference Finals run , a baked-in appreciation for European playmakers and Pocius , Denver liked its chances .
According to league sources , Campazzo made a significant financial commitment to aid his buyout from Real Madrid .
From Denver ’ s perspective , it only showed how steadfast he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-year deal worth $ 6 million for Campazzo , a league source told The Post .
“ Any other teams , he could ’ ve easily taken probably bigger money , much bigger role on a team that would not be in the playoffs , ” Pocius said .
“ I think for him the most important thing was to be in a winning culture and have a chance to win.
” Campazzo had money , status , role and comfort as a leading facilitator in Madrid .
With the Nuggets , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , he ’ ll need to scrap for whatever minutes he gets .
Pocius has been Campazzo ’ s lifeline .
After Pocius picked him up from DIA , he helped him with everything from settling into his new house , to installing TV and internet , teaching him to order food , to easing his transition into training camp .
“ He had a lot of questions about dynamics of the team , what to expect , the referees , the different rules , even the English language , ” Pocius @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with grammatical questions .
Even heading into training camp , Campazzo peppered him about the established depth chart in the backcourt , with mainstays Jamal Murray and Monte Morris .
“ These are the starters , ” Pocius told Campazzo .
“ Don ’ t try to take starters ’ spots , but get as close as you can to the team and be part of the team .
See what you can bring , whether it ’ s defense , energy … ” Early returns are positive .
Murray affectionately deemed him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of angles he ’ s discovered in passing lanes .
Jokic raved about his winning habits and Will Barton cited him as a training camp standout .
“ I don ’ t see how you can not fall in love with a young guy like Facu , ” Malone said at the start of camp .
“ He ’ s small in stature , but you can ’ t judge him by that .
You judge him by his heart .
”

The Nuggets value playmaking, no matter the shape or size it comes in.
So is it any wonder the same organization that staked its future to a selfless, ground-bound center would also be attracted to Facundo Campazzo?
For years, the 5-foot-11 firecracker dissected defenses for Real Madrid and the Argentinian national team, awing onlookers with his devilish passes and inspired play. The Nuggets were among those captivated.
“Truth be told, Facu was not really a hidden gem,” said Rafal Juc, the Nuggets’ international scout. “He was arguably a top-five European player for half a decade or so. So basically, he’s been on our radar for a while.”
Juc had been tracking Campazzo since he began working for the Nuggets in 2013. He wasn’t alone. Denver’s scouting roots, starting with president Tim Connelly, run deep into Europe. Other members of the front office were aware of Campazzo, known for pouring every ounce of energy he had into each possession.
But the problem was, the pass-first point guard was coveted by a handful of NBA teams and held a hefty buyout with his club team. To lure him stateside, the Nuggets needed something else.
***
Heading into the 2016-’17 season, current Nuggets scout Marty Pocius knew he was nearing the end of his decorated international playing career, which spanned top teams in Lithuania (BC Zalgiris), Turkey (Galatasaray SK) and Spain (Real Madrid). Before joining Murcia, also in Liga ACB, Pocius had already heard about Campazzo through the basketball grapevine.
Buried on the depth chart with Real Madrid, Campazzo was on loan to Murcia where he was expected to get significant playing time and develop his preternatural feel for the game.
“I just came in, first couple preseason games I was like, ‘Holy crap, this dude is amazing,’” Pocius said.
Pocius vividly remembers one practice where he made a hard cut and momentarily turned his back to the play. Campazzo rifled one of his patented rocket passes where he expected his teammate’s hands to be.
“He nearly broke my nose,” Pocius said.
Throughout their lone season together, Pocius operated as a mentor for Campazzo. When Campazzo racked up technical fouls, it was Pocius who calmed him down. Still, at 25, Campazzo was already the engine of the team. He led Murcia in points (13.2) and assists (6.7) playing over 30 minutes per game – far more than he’d seen with his former club.
“Every day in practice I’d be either playing with him, against him or let’s say sitting on the sidelines just looking at this dude like, ‘This kid just doesn’t belong here,’” Pocius said. “’That’s not his level.’”
And every day of practice, Pocius found himself turning to anybody who’d listen.
“You would see some wild plays and you’re like, ‘Holy crap, how does he see that?’” he said.
It wasn’t long after Pocius’ playing career was over that he landed a job as a scout in Denver. One of his first reports was on Campazzo.
“I’ve played with him and I feel like he belongs on this level,” Pocius wrote. “This guy’s good. He can be in the NBA.”
***
Juc estimated he’d seen Campazzo play at least 100 times in person, a huge sample size when assessing a player’s chances at sticking in the NBA.
“It must be noted he’s the shortest NBA player to sign a contract as an undrafted player without college experience,” Juc said. He had to be sure.
He saw him overachieve in the EuroLeague, the Olympics, the World Cup. And despite his size, there was a level of comfort because he won everywhere he went.
“Some may say that he doesn’t really pass the eye test, but someone told me, winners come in different shapes and forms, and I think there is no better example than Facu,” Juc said. “Essentially what he does is he just wins basketball games.
“Obviously in NBA, the size matters,” Juc said. “Defensively it does. When you get close to the basket, foes can shoot over him, but it’s so damn hard to get by him because he’s long, he’s active, he’s so energized. In seeing him play against the best athletes in the world at World Cup, EuroLeague level, Olympics … I was never really concerned about his size, and lack of it.”
The Nuggets considered former Mavericks pest and 14-year NBA veteran J.J. Barea an adequate comparison. As every member of the front office saw Campazzo play live, the idea of him coming stateside – hatched a few years ago – became more realistic.
Last summer, the Nuggets became even more bullish on Campazzo’s NBA credentials. In the quarterfinals of the FIBA World Cup against Serbia, Campazzo outplayed Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic. His 18-point, 12-assist, six-rebound performance ousted Serbia, which had been a favorite entering the tournament. One pass in particular, a swift behind-the-back needle from beyond the 3-point line, radiated the possibilities.
“His highlight tape might be arguably the best highlight tape in the world,” Juc said. “… I think that one pass was like, ‘OK, we have a guy who is 5-foot-11 but the way he thinks about the game, the way he’s able to process things, is basically the same way as Joker.’ So we thought ‘OK, those two might click.’”
In terms of makeup, Juc called Campazzo one of his easiest projects.
“It’s funny because you do all this background, and I feel like I’ve known Facu for many years but actually I haven’t spoken to him yet,” Juc said. “I know so many people in his environment. I remember when we drafted Juancho (Hernangomez). I approached him and I introduced myself and he said, ‘You don’t really have to introduce yourself because you know all my friends, my teachers, my coaches, everybody.’”
The Nuggets also had Pocius to vouch for Campazzo’s competitive makeup and commitment.
“You can look at guys like (Milos) Teodosic, who’s maybe as good of a passer, but they just have a totally different makeup,” he said. “This kid is tough as (crap), he’s a super high-level competitor, he doesn’t like to lose.”
During their time together, Pocius said Campazzo was a mainstay in the weight room, always squatting or sprinting or stretching to ensure his athletic edge. It was also during that time that Campazzo made a commitment to a gluten-free, sugar-free diet, which he maintains today.
Pocius nurtured the relationship. They texted after EuroLeague games, and Pocius made a point to watch Real Madrid whenever he traveled to Europe, with dinner, as friends, to follow. Pocius told Campazzo about the NBA, about assistant coach Jordi Fernandez from Spain, about the winning culture that had been established in Denver.
“I always kept in the back of my mind there’s still a chance that he’s going to come over one day,” Pocius said.
***
Campazzo had other NBA suitors. He had bigger roles awaiting him stateside, if he wanted them. But coming off their Western Conference Finals run, a baked-in appreciation for European playmakers and Pocius, Denver liked its chances.
According to league sources, Campazzo made a significant financial commitment to aid his buyout from Real Madrid. From Denver’s perspective, it only showed how steadfast he was. The Nuggets eventually agreed to a two-year deal worth $6 million for Campazzo, a league source told The Post.
“Any other teams, he could’ve easily taken probably bigger money, much bigger role on a team that would not be in the playoffs,” Pocius said. “I think for him the most important thing was to be in a winning culture and have a chance to win.”
Campazzo had money, status, role and comfort as a leading facilitator in Madrid. With the Nuggets, despite coach Michael Malone’s affinity for him, he’ll need to scrap for whatever minutes he gets.
Pocius has been Campazzo’s lifeline. After Pocius picked him up from DIA, he helped him with everything from settling into his new house, to installing TV and internet, teaching him to order food, to easing his transition into training camp.
“He had a lot of questions about dynamics of the team, what to expect, the referees, the different rules, even the English language,” Pocius said. Their WhatsApp chain is littered with grammatical questions.
Even heading into training camp, Campazzo peppered him about the established depth chart in the backcourt, with mainstays Jamal Murray and Monte Morris.
“These are the starters,” Pocius told Campazzo. “Don’t try to take starters’ spots, but get as close as you can to the team and be part of the team. See what you can bring, whether it’s defense, energy …”
Early returns are positive. Murray affectionately deemed him “Spider Man” for the dozens of angles he’s discovered in passing lanes. Jokic raved about his winning habits and Will Barton cited him as a training camp standout.
Most importantly, he’s made a believer of Malone.
“I don’t see how you cannot fall in love with a young guy like Facu,” Malone said at the start of camp. “He’s small in stature, but you can’t judge him by that. You judge him by his heart.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-20--Rockies’ Bud Black changes mind on designated hitter, other baseball rules

Bud Black is old-school .
He knows baseball ’ s history and holds the game ’ s traditions close to his heart .
And his baseball roots run deep .
The Rockies manager , 63 , made his big-league debut in 1981 .
He pitched in both leagues , coached in the minors and majors , and has managed in the National League for 13 seasons .
But Black says the game needs to change .
Baseball in the time of COVID convinced him of that .
“ Being the traditionalist that I am , I ’ ve been swayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said last week .
Specifically , Black would like to see the NL adopt the designated hitter full time , is in favor of beginning extra innings with a runner on second base , wants the expanded playoffs to continue and is open to rules governing infield shifts .
In a nutshell , the Rockies ’ manager wants more action and a more entertaining product .
This fall , outgoing Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein told reporters in his exit news conference that his front-office brethren should take some blame for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I take some responsibility for that because the executives , like me , who have spent a lot of time using analytics and other measures have unwittingly had a negative impact on the aesthetic value of the game and the entertainment value of the game , ” Epstein said .
Last week , Don Mattingly , who was named NL manager of the year for guiding the Miami Marlins into the playoffs , weighed in .
“ As far as rules go in general , we have to continue to be aggressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zoom call .
“ We have to continue to put a product out there that people want to see — that has action and continues to hold our attention .
We have to be open-minded.
” After his team was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs , Mattingly grew frustrated while watching baseball on television .
“ I watched a lot of the playoff games after we were eliminated and quite honestly it was a little hard to watch , ” he said .
“ There was nothing going on .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was hard to watch .
It tells me we have to find a way to make our game move.
” TV ratings for the 2020 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays reflected a lack of interest .
They took a big tumble .
The World Series was the lowest-rated in history , its average of 9.72 million viewers across six games on FOX falling 36 % from 2019 when Washington beat Houston .
Black used to dislike the idea of having a DH in the National League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind .
“ I thought it was needed this year , ” Black said .
“ And I ’ ve said recently that pitchers ’ stuff — the velocities and secondary pitches — are to the point now where it is really hard for a pitcher to contribute offensively to a degree that it impacts a team or helps a team .
“ Of 400 pitchers in the big leagues at one time — maybe 150 starting pitchers — there ’ s only maybe a couple , a handful , of hitters that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bat…I think maybe it ’ s time to think about the DH in the National League.
” Supporters of the universal DH also point out that the sacrifice bunt is fast disappearing from the game ( in large part because most pitchers are lousy bunters ) , and because pitchers are hitting around 160 points below the average position player .
Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association agreed to universally implement the DH for the pandemic-shortened , 60-game season , but MLB reportedly sent a memo to clubs earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2021 .
That decision , however , could still change .
Black was , initially , skeptical about the “ California tie-breaker ” in which a baserunner is placed on second base to begin each extra inning .
“ I ’ m more of a traditionalist , thinking , ‘ Let ’ s play this out ( with ) real baseball , ’ ” he said .
“ But I grew to like it .
I grew to like how that instant intensity grew when that guy went out to second base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not quite ‘ sudden-death ’ but ( it ’ s ) a pretty good start.
” “ Maybe play 10 or 11 innings of baseball as we know it and then maybe shift gears to putting the runner on second in the 11th , 12th , or 13th inning , ” Black said .
It remains to be seen if the extra-innings rule will be implemented in 2021 , but Commissioner Rob Manfred would like it to continue .
“ The players like it , ” Manfred said during the World Series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a safety-and-health perspective that keeps us from putting players in situations where they ’ re out there too long or in positions they ’ re not used to playing.
” The unique 2020 season featured a 16-team playoff format , meaning that more than half of the 30 teams qualified .
While it ’ s unlikely that MLB will return to the 10-team format that was instituted in 2012 , Manfred has said that the owners were pushing for an expanded postseason even before the 2020 season .
Manfred prefers a 14-team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league get a bye .
“ It lends itself to more teams , obviously , in a pennant race , ” he said .
“ And I like the two-out-of-three scenario as opposed to the one-game wild card .
There ’ s a lot of variables along with that , ( but ) if we have to knock the 162-game ( schedule ) down a little bit to make this work in October ( there can be ) a lot of discussions .
But I do like expanded playoffs.
” Just two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeff Bridich were both adamant that baseball should not ban infield shifts .
“ Let teams play their fielders where they want to play them , ” Black said at baseball ’ s 2018 winter meetings .
“ And it ’ s up to the other team , if they so choose , to make them pay ( for playing ) there .
Hit the ball where they ain ’ t .
Who said that ?
Wee Willie Keeler ?
That ’ s my theory .
Hit the ball where they ain ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have zero issues with shifting , personally .
I think it ’ s baseball strategy .
I think it ’ s based on baseball information and baseball data and information and statistics , which are generated by players that play the game .
“ I struggle with changing those elements just because we are in a phase of this game ( slow play ) .
I personally think that players need to adjust .
Players have adjusted to things for decades and decades.
” Black , however , has since changed his mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussions about it , ” he said .
“ There was one point , when these conversations first came up , that I was opposed to that .
My thought was , ‘ How can you tell a club to play defensive players in certain spots ?
’ “ Now I ’ m re-thinking that hard stance … I might be softening a little bit on that .
Maybe we can regulate it somewhat to maybe produce more balls in play , more action.
” Black said there should be discussions , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the dirt portion of the infield , as opposed to the second baseman being positioned on the grass in short right field .
Or , perhaps , not allowing the shortstop or second baseman to play on the other side of the second-base bag .
“ I think these things are up for discussion and I ’ m willing to be a part of that , ” Black said .
“ Before , I was pretty hardline — you should not tell us where to play our defenders .
But we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA and NFL ) .
So maybe it ’ s time for baseball to take a little bit deeper look at what shifting means .
”

Bud Black is old-school. He knows baseball’s history and holds the game’s traditions close to his heart.
And his baseball roots run deep. The Rockies manager, 63, made his big-league debut in 1981. He pitched in both leagues, coached in the minors and majors, and has managed in the National League for 13 seasons.
But Black says the game needs to change. Baseball in the time of COVID convinced him of that.
“Being the traditionalist that I am, I’ve been swayed by what I saw this year,” he said last week.
Specifically, Black would like to see the NL adopt the designated hitter full time, is in favor of beginning extra innings with a runner on second base, wants the expanded playoffs to continue and is open to rules governing infield shifts. In a nutshell, the Rockies’ manager wants more action and a more entertaining product.
He’s not alone.
This fall, outgoing Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein told reporters in his exit news conference that his front-office brethren should take some blame for the current state of the game.
“I take some responsibility for that because the executives, like me, who have spent a lot of time using analytics and other measures have unwittingly had a negative impact on the aesthetic value of the game and the entertainment value of the game,” Epstein said.
Last week, Don Mattingly, who was named NL manager of the year for guiding the Miami Marlins into the playoffs, weighed in.
“As far as rules go in general, we have to continue to be aggressive,” Mattingly told reporters in a Zoom call. “We have to continue to put a product out there that people want to see — that has action and continues to hold our attention. We have to be open-minded.”
After his team was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, Mattingly grew frustrated while watching baseball on television.
“I watched a lot of the playoff games after we were eliminated and quite honestly it was a little hard to watch,” he said. “There was nothing going on. Strikeout, strikeout, home run. It was hard to watch. It tells me we have to find a way to make our game move.”
TV ratings for the 2020 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays reflected a lack of interest. They took a big tumble. The World Series was the lowest-rated in history, its average of 9.72 million viewers across six games on FOX falling 36% from 2019 when Washington beat Houston.
Black used to dislike the idea of having a DH in the National League. He’s now changed his mind.
“I thought it was needed this year,” Black said. “And I’ve said recently that pitchers’ stuff — the velocities and secondary pitches — are to the point now where it is really hard for a pitcher to contribute offensively to a degree that it impacts a team or helps a team.
“Of 400 pitchers in the big leagues at one time — maybe 150 starting pitchers — there’s only maybe a couple, a handful, of hitters that really can impact the game with their bat…I think maybe it’s time to think about the DH in the National League.”
Supporters of the universal DH also point out that the sacrifice bunt is fast disappearing from the game (in large part because most pitchers are lousy bunters), and because pitchers are hitting around 160 points below the average position player.
Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association agreed to universally implement the DH for the pandemic-shortened, 60-game season, but MLB reportedly sent a memo to clubs earlier this month suggesting the DH will not be universal in 2021. That decision, however, could still change.
Black was, initially, skeptical about the “California tie-breaker” in which a baserunner is placed on second base to begin each extra inning.
“I’m more of a traditionalist, thinking, ‘Let’s play this out (with) real baseball,’ ” he said. “But I grew to like it. I grew to like how that instant intensity grew when that guy went out to second base in the 10th inning. It’s not quite ‘sudden-death’ but (it’s) a pretty good start.”
Black, however, suggests tweaking the rule.
“Maybe play 10 or 11 innings of baseball as we know it and then maybe shift gears to putting the runner on second in the 11th, 12th, or 13th inning,” Black said.
It remains to be seen if the extra-innings rule will be implemented in 2021, but Commissioner Rob Manfred would like it to continue.
“The players like it,” Manfred said during the World Series. “It’s really good from a safety-and-health perspective that keeps us from putting players in situations where they’re out there too long or in positions they’re not used to playing.”
The unique 2020 season featured a 16-team playoff format, meaning that more than half of the 30 teams qualified. While it’s unlikely that MLB will return to the 10-team format that was instituted in 2012, Manfred has said that the owners were pushing for an expanded postseason even before the 2020 season. Manfred prefers a 14-team postseason where the top seeds in each league get a bye.
Black is on board.
“It lends itself to more teams, obviously, in a pennant race,” he said. “And I like the two-out-of-three scenario as opposed to the one-game wild card. There’s a lot of variables along with that, (but) if we have to knock the 162-game (schedule) down a little bit to make this work in October (there can be) a lot of discussions. But I do like expanded playoffs.”
Just two years ago, Black and Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich were both adamant that baseball should not ban infield shifts.
“Let teams play their fielders where they want to play them,” Black said at baseball’s 2018 winter meetings. “And it’s up to the other team, if they so choose, to make them pay (for playing) there. Hit the ball where they ain’t. Who said that? Wee Willie Keeler? That’s my theory. Hit the ball where they ain’t.”
Added Bridich: “I have zero issues with shifting, personally. I think it’s baseball strategy. I think it’s based on baseball information and baseball data and information and statistics, which are generated by players that play the game.
“I struggle with changing those elements just because we are in a phase of this game (slow play). I personally think that players need to adjust. Players have adjusted to things for decades and decades.”
Black, however, has since changed his mind.
“We should have some hard discussions about it,” he said. “There was one point, when these conversations first came up, that I was opposed to that. My thought was, ‘How can you tell a club to play defensive players in certain spots?’
“Now I’m re-thinking that hard stance … I might be softening a little bit on that. Maybe we can regulate it somewhat to maybe produce more balls in play, more action.”
Black said there should be discussions, for example, about requiring infielders to stay on the dirt portion of the infield, as opposed to the second baseman being positioned on the grass in short right field. Or, perhaps, not allowing the shortstop or second baseman to play on the other side of the second-base bag.
“I think these things are up for discussion and I’m willing to be a part of that,” Black said. “Before, I was pretty hardline — you should not tell us where to play our defenders. But we’ve seen rule changes (in the NBA and NFL). So maybe it’s time for baseball to take a little bit deeper look at what shifting means.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-20--Broncos Q-and-A: How did Bills score after facing first-and-goal from 30?

Question : How did Buffalo turn a first-and-goal from the Broncos ’ 30 into a touchdown in the second quarter ?
A 27-yard pass to tight end Dawson Knox plus a roughing the quarterback penalty on defensive end Shelby Harris ( five additional yards ) gave the Bills first-and-goal from the 5 .
On consecutive plays , left guard Ike Boettger ( holding ) , receiver Stefon Diggs ( pass interference ) and left tackle Dion Dawkins ( false start ) were called for penalties .
The Bills gained eight yards on first-and-goal catch by Isaiah McKenzie .
The 22-yard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-designed and well-executed .
The Broncos played split safeties downfield and Bills play-caller Brian Daboll lined up Diggs wide left to attract Kareem Jackson ’ s attention .
Allen then looked right to get Justin Simmons to hold his position .
That freed up Kumerow down the seam , who caught Allen ’ s rocket-of-a-throw for a 21-7 lead .
Q : The Broncos trailed 21-13 at halftime , but then allowed a 53-yard kick return by Andre Roberts to start the second half .
Where was the breakdown ?
A : Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the 3-yard line ) and lacked hang time ( 3.83 seconds ) .
Roberts started right , but then quickly changed direction to head left and found daylight when Broncos cover players Jeremiah Attaochu and Andrew Beck collapsed out of their lane .
The Bills made it 28-13 on Allen ’ s 1-yard touchdown scramble .
Q : On the first play after Allen ’ s touchdown , Buffalo blew the game open on Jerry Hughes ’ 21-yard fumble return touchdown .
What happened ?
A : Quarterback Drew Lock was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lindsay directly behind him ( “ Pistol ” formation ) and Beck on his left hip .
This was a shot play because the Broncos kept eight men in protection ( two-man route ) .
Buffalo rushed five , including cornerback Tre ’ Davious White from Lock ’ s blind-side .
White used his speed to take a wide route around left tackle Garett Bolles , who appeared to be in position to still wall him off .
But Bolles collided with Lindsay .
The issue is if Lindsay should have been responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fake .
Unblocked , White tracked down Lock in 4.07 seconds , forcing the fumble .
Hughes eventually scooped it up and wandered around the field before scoring the touchdown .
Q : Was Broncos cornerback Michael Ojemudia ’ s ejection late in the third quarter warranted ?
A : Absolutely .
Get caught throwing a punch and the ejection is pretty much automatic .
Ojemudia was matched against receiver Gabriel Davis well away from the play .
Davis had his hand in Ojemudia ’ s face-mask as the play ended and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ojemudia responded by throwing a right jab that connected with Davis ’ helmet , ending his game .
What a lack of awareness by Ojemudia .
If he knew about the Broncos ’ cornerback situation ( very few left ) , he didn ’ t show it .
He needed to stay on the field .
After he was ejected , the Broncos had to turn to Nate Hairston , acquired off Baltimore ’ s practice squad last week .

Question: How did Buffalo turn a first-and-goal from the Broncos’ 30 into a touchdown in the second quarter?
Answer: Josh Allen’s arm, that’s how.
A 27-yard pass to tight end Dawson Knox plus a roughing the quarterback penalty on defensive end Shelby Harris (five additional yards) gave the Bills first-and-goal from the 5.
On consecutive plays, left guard Ike Boettger (holding), receiver Stefon Diggs (pass interference) and left tackle Dion Dawkins (false start) were called for penalties. The Bills gained eight yards on first-and-goal catch by Isaiah McKenzie.
The 22-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jake Kumerow was well-designed and well-executed.
The Broncos played split safeties downfield and Bills play-caller Brian Daboll lined up Diggs wide left to attract Kareem Jackson’s attention. Allen then looked right to get Justin Simmons to hold his position. That freed up Kumerow down the seam, who caught Allen’s rocket-of-a-throw for a 21-7 lead.
Q: The Broncos trailed 21-13 at halftime, but then allowed a 53-yard kick return by Andre Roberts to start the second half. Where was the breakdown?
A: Taylor Russolino’s kick was short (to the 3-yard line) and lacked hang time (3.83 seconds).
Roberts started right, but then quickly changed direction to head left and found daylight when Broncos cover players Jeremiah Attaochu and Andrew Beck collapsed out of their lane.
The Bills made it 28-13 on Allen’s 1-yard touchdown scramble.
Q: On the first play after Allen’s touchdown, Buffalo blew the game open on Jerry Hughes’ 21-yard fumble return touchdown. What happened?
A: Quarterback Drew Lock was in the shotgun and had running back Phillip Lindsay directly behind him (“Pistol” formation) and Beck on his left hip.
This was a shot play because the Broncos kept eight men in protection (two-man route). Buffalo rushed five, including cornerback Tre’Davious White from Lock’s blind-side.
White used his speed to take a wide route around left tackle Garett Bolles, who appeared to be in position to still wall him off. But Bolles collided with Lindsay. The issue is if Lindsay should have been responsible for double-teaming White after completing his play-action fake.
Unblocked, White tracked down Lock in 4.07 seconds, forcing the fumble. Hughes eventually scooped it up and wandered around the field before scoring the touchdown.
Q: Was Broncos cornerback Michael Ojemudia’s ejection late in the third quarter warranted?
A: Absolutely. Get caught throwing a punch and the ejection is pretty much automatic.
Ojemudia was matched against receiver Gabriel Davis well away from the play. Davis had his hand in Ojemudia’s face-mask as the play ended and then pushed Ojemudia’s helmet back.
Ojemudia responded by throwing a right jab that connected with Davis’ helmet, ending his game.
What a lack of awareness by Ojemudia. If he knew about the Broncos’ cornerback situation (very few left), he didn’t show it. He needed to stay on the field. After he was ejected, the Broncos had to turn to Nate Hairston, acquired off Baltimore’s practice squad last week.


thedenverpost--2020-12-21--Lockheed Martin strikes $4.4B deal to buy Aerojet Rocketdyne

BETHESDA , Md .
— Lockheed Martin is buying rocket engine manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings for $ 4.4 billion in @ @ @ @ @ companies that already had been working together in the aeronautics industry .
The acquisition announced @ @ @ @ @ Lockheed Martin ’ s attempt to gird for competition from recent industry entrants , Space @ @ @ @ @ which are backed by two of the world ’ s richest men , Elon Musk @ @ @ @ @ Acquiring Aerojet Rocketdyne will preserve and strengthen an essential component of the domestic defense industrial @ @ @ @ @ our customers and the American taxpayer , ” Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet said in @ @ @ @ @ Maryland-based Lockheed is paying $ 56 per share , 33 % above the Friday closing @ @ @ @ @ s stock .
The final price will be reduced to $ 51 per share after @ @ @ @ @ of $ 5 per share that will be paid just before the deal closes .
@ @ @ @ @ have the deal wrapped up during the second half of next year .

BETHESDA, Md. — Lockheed Martin is buying rocket engine manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings for $4.4 billion in a deal that brings together companies that already had been working together in the aeronautics industry.
The acquisition announced late Sunday is part of Lockheed Martin’s attempt to gird for competition from recent industry entrants, Space X and Blue Origin, which are backed by two of the world’s richest men, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
“Acquiring Aerojet Rocketdyne will preserve and strengthen an essential component of the domestic defense industrial base and reduce costs for our customers and the American taxpayer,” Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet said in a statement.
Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed is paying $56 per share, 33% above the Friday closing price of Aerojet Rocketdyne’s stock. The final price will be reduced to $51 per share after accounting for a special dividend of $5 per share that will be paid just before the deal closes. The companies are aiming to have the deal wrapped up during the second half of next year.


thedenverpost--2020-12-21--Greeley homicide victim identified

Greeley homicide victim identified

The Weld County Coroner ’ s Office has identified the woman killed Friday morning in a Greeley home .
About @ @ @ @ @ responded to a report of suspicious activity at a home in the 2100 block of @ @ @ @ @ , police found 27-year-old Blaire Evan McQueen .
No one else was present when police @ @ @ @ @ they hadn ’ t yet identified nor located any suspects in the case .
The @ @ @ @ @ any further information about the case .
Police continue to investigate .
Anyone with information @ @ @ @ @ police Detective Elizabeth Finch at ( 970 ) 350-9682 .

The Weld County Coroner’s Office has identified the woman killed Friday morning in a Greeley home.
About 8:10 a.m. Friday, police responded to a report of suspicious activity at a home in the 2100 block of 18th Avenue Court. Inside, police found 27-year-old Blaire Evan McQueen. No one else was present when police arrived.
Police said Friday they hadn’t yet identified nor located any suspects in the case. The department has yet to release any further information about the case.
Police continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call Greeley police Detective Elizabeth Finch at (970) 350-9682.


thedenverpost--2020-12-21--Broncos’ receivers mostly spectators in blowout loss to Buffalo

In last week ’ s win over Carolina , Broncos quarterback Drew Lock was 4-of-4 passing for 140 yards and two touchdowns on downfield attempts .
Buffalo took notice and planned accordingly : Don ’ t let Jerry Jeudy , Tim Patrick and KJ Hamler get behind the safeties .
Only one of Lock ’ s 32 attempts traveled at least 16 “ air ” yards ; he entered Saturday with 67 such attempts in his nine full games ( 7.4 average ) .
The only downfield attempt — if it can be called that — was a 19-yard catch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Noah Fant ’ s six-yard touchdown catch late in the first half .
Job well done , Bills .
Job not well done , Broncos .
“ They were playing a lot of big zones ( and ) didn ’ t give us any 1-on-1 opportunities as far as playing man ( coverage ) , ” Lock said .
“ We kind of expected it .
We had a good game plan going , we just didn ’ t execute it.
” If the plan focused on getting Fant involved , that part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 times ( six more than any teammate ) and had eight catches ( four more ) for 68 yards ( 48 more ) .
The receivers were visible ( on the field ) but invisible ( not involved ) .
Jeudy ( 56 snaps ) had one catch in five targets to continue his skid — four catches in the last four games and no touchdowns in the last six .
Patrick ( 57 snaps ) had three catches and his 14 receiving yards were his second-fewest of the year , behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orleans loss .
And Hamler ( 49 snaps ) had one catch for four yards and a drop .
It represented a big departure from the Carolina win , when Lock had completions of 31 ( Jeudy ) , 32 ( Patrick ) , and 37 and 49 ( two Hamler touchdowns ) on downfield attempts .
Still , the Broncos trailed Buffalo 21-13 at halftime and Lock was 12-of-20 passing for 99 yards and one touchdown .
“ I thought the first half was pretty good , ” coach Vic Fangio said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 164 yards ) and we had some first downs ( 12 ) .
In the second half , we just couldn ’ t get anything going until late.
” The second half was a debacle .
First drive : Sack/turnover returned 21 yards for a touchdown by defensive end Jerry Hughes .
Second drive : Three-and-out — a screen pass to Phillip Lindsay lost six yards on second down .
Third drive : Three-and-out — a first-down false start penalty on right guard Graham Glasgow and Hamler ’ s drop behind the line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : An initial second-half first down followed by a Patrick catch that lost two yards and a 10-yard sack .
Even the Broncos ’ only second-half sustained drive was a slough .
Even though they were operating with urgency , it took 12 plays and nearly four minutes to move 75 yards ( long play of 10 yards ) .
The Broncos failed to have a 20-yard play for the first time this year .
In playing the final two games , at the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday and vs. Las Vegas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be made to send the receivers in general and Jeudy in particular out on a productive note .
“ It was definitely a bad day , ” Lock said .
“ I wouldn ’ t say that any of us are feeling in a way that we ’ re taking a step back , but that was not good by any means and our job is to figure out why it wasn ’ t , what we did wrong , what we could have done better and go from there .
”

In last week’s win over Carolina, Broncos quarterback Drew Lock was 4-of-4 passing for 140 yards and two touchdowns on downfield attempts.
Buffalo took notice and planned accordingly: Don’t let Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick and KJ Hamler get behind the safeties.
Only one of Lock’s 32 attempts traveled at least 16 “air” yards; he entered Saturday with 67 such attempts in his nine full games (7.4 average).
The only downfield attempt — if it can be called that — was a 19-yard catch by Jeudy to set up tight end Noah Fant’s six-yard touchdown catch late in the first half.
Job well done, Bills. Job not well done, Broncos.
“They were playing a lot of big zones (and) didn’t give us any 1-on-1 opportunities as far as playing man (coverage),” Lock said. “We kind of expected it. We had a good game plan going, we just didn’t execute it.”
If the plan focused on getting Fant involved, that part was a success. He was targeted 11 times (six more than any teammate) and had eight catches (four more) for 68 yards (48 more).
The receivers were visible (on the field) but invisible (not involved).
Jeudy (56 snaps) had one catch in five targets to continue his skid — four catches in the last four games and no touchdowns in the last six.
Patrick (57 snaps) had three catches and his 14 receiving yards were his second-fewest of the year, behind only zero yards in the non-quarterback New Orleans loss.
And Hamler (49 snaps) had one catch for four yards and a drop.
It represented a big departure from the Carolina win, when Lock had completions of 31 (Jeudy), 32 (Patrick), and 37 and 49 (two Hamler touchdowns) on downfield attempts.
Still, the Broncos trailed Buffalo 21-13 at halftime and Lock was 12-of-20 passing for 99 yards and one touchdown.
“I thought the first half was pretty good,” coach Vic Fangio said. “We moved the ball (164 yards) and we had some first downs (12). In the second half, we just couldn’t get anything going until late.”
The second half was a debacle.
First drive: Sack/turnover returned 21 yards for a touchdown by defensive end Jerry Hughes.
Second drive: Three-and-out — a screen pass to Phillip Lindsay lost six yards on second down.
Third drive: Three-and-out — a first-down false start penalty on right guard Graham Glasgow and Hamler’s drop behind the line of scrimmage on second-and-12.
Fourth drive: An initial second-half first down followed by a Patrick catch that lost two yards and a 10-yard sack.
Even the Broncos’ only second-half sustained drive was a slough. Even though they were operating with urgency, it took 12 plays and nearly four minutes to move 75 yards (long play of 10 yards).
The Broncos failed to have a 20-yard play for the first time this year.
In playing the final two games, at the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday and vs. Las Vegas on Jan. 3, a priority should be made to send the receivers in general and Jeudy in particular out on a productive note.
“It was definitely a bad day,” Lock said. “I wouldn’t say that any of us are feeling in a way that we’re taking a step back, but that was not good by any means and our job is to figure out why it wasn’t, what we did wrong, what we could have done better and go from there.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-21--DU Pioneers close out Omaha pod play with 3-1 loss to St. Cloud State

The University of Denver concluded its 10-game National College Hockey Conference pod play Sunday with a 3-1 loss to St .
Cloud State at Baxter Arena in Omaha , Neb .
The Pioneers finished a disappointing 3-6-1 at the pod .
They began 0-3 and finished 0-2-1 .
They went a combined 0-4 against Minnesota-Duluth and St .
Cloud State .
Freshman Carter Savoie gave DU a 1-0 lead with his NCAA-high seventh goal midway through the second period .
But the Huskies tied it a little more than four minutes later and the teams entered the third period tied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hanson , from Boise , Idaho , is where he dreamed he ’ d be St.
Cloud ’ s Veeti Miettinen beat goalie Magnus Chrona with a wrist shot from between the circles midway through the third period and the Huskies added a late empty-net goal .
The Pioneers next play Jan. 1 at Colorado College to begin a home-and-home series as the NCHC schedule returns to playing in home buildings .
The Tigers are the only NCHC opponent DU has yet to play .
The teams are scheduled to play six times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Denver .

The University of Denver concluded its 10-game National College Hockey Conference pod play Sunday with a 3-1 loss to St. Cloud State at Baxter Arena in Omaha, Neb.
The Pioneers finished a disappointing 3-6-1 at the pod. They began 0-3 and finished 0-2-1. They went a combined 0-4 against Minnesota-Duluth and St. Cloud State.
Freshman Carter Savoie gave DU a 1-0 lead with his NCAA-high seventh goal midway through the second period. But the Huskies tied it a little more than four minutes later and the teams entered the third period tied 1-1.
St. Cloud’s Veeti Miettinen beat goalie Magnus Chrona with a wrist shot from between the circles midway through the third period and the Huskies added a late empty-net goal.
The Pioneers next play Jan. 1 at Colorado College to begin a home-and-home series as the NCHC schedule returns to playing in home buildings. The Tigers are the only NCHC opponent DU has yet to play. The teams are scheduled to play six times, including the regular-season finale March 6 at Denver.


thedenverpost--2020-12-21--Jets edge Rams 23-20, avoid winless season

INGLEWOOD , Calif. — Sam Darnold passed for 207 yards and the New York Jets finally earned the first victory of their miserable season Sunday , holding on for a 23-20 win that erased the possibility of the third winless 16-game season in NFL history .
Frank Gore rushed for an early touchdown and made a decisive third-down reception with 2:05 left for the Jets ( 1-13 ) , who also ended the longest losing streak in franchise history with a strong start and a gritty finish at SoFi Stadium .
Embattled coach Adam Gase got his first win of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of a 17-point lead in the second half .
The Jets ’ defense stopped the Rams on downs at midfield with 3:54 to play before Darnold hit Gore with a short pass over the middle to convert a third down that allowed the Jets to run out the clock .
New York might have ruined its chances at the No .
1 overall pick in the draft because Jacksonville ( 1-13 ) is likely to win a tiebreaker based on strength of schedule .
But possibly missing the chance to draft Trevor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who were thrilled to avoid the ignominy of a winless year .
Darnold , the Jets ’ embattled third-year quarterback , looked right at home in his first pro game in his native Southern California .
The former USC Trojans star went 22 of 31 with a touchdown pass and no interceptions .
New York had a 13-3 lead at halftime after holding the Rams to 97 yards , and the Jets led 20-3 midway through the third quarter .
Los Angeles chipped the deficit down to three points .
Sam Ficken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whose 32nd-ranked offense put up only 289 yards against the NFL ’ s No .
1 defense — but scored enough points to win .
Of the nine teams in NFL history to start 0-13 , the Jets were the fourth to win in Week 15 .
Robert Woods and Tyler Higbee caught TD passes for the Rams ( 9-5 ) in the most humiliating loss of coach Sean McVay ’ s largely successful four seasons in charge .
Jared Goff passed for 209 yards for Los Angeles , which could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the NFL ’ s worst team after an extra-long week of rest .
The Rams had won four of five to surge to the top of the NFC West , but their inconsistent offense was inept , while their elite defense wasn ’ t sharp , allowing the Jets to convert seven third downs .
The Rams still can win the division if they can beat the Seahawks in Seattle next week , but their task got exponentially harder .
The Jets started out just as impressively as they usually do , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consecutive opening possession .
New York went 74 yards capped by an 18-yard catch-and-run by Ty Johnson for his first career receiving TD .
New York tacked on two field goals after a blocked punt and an interception by Bryce Hall , who made an exceptional play to fool Goff into the quarterback ’ s 12th interception .
The Rams ’ offense was largely ineffective for the entire first half , managing just 63 yards until a drive shortly before halftime led to Matt Gay ’ s 45-yard field goal at the gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while his offensive line struggled to protect him or to create holes for the running game .
New York opened the second half with a clock-consuming drive capped by a TD push on fourth down from the 1 by Gore , who scored the 16th TD of his career against the Rams .
Los Angeles ’ offense finally awoke with a long drive culminating in Woods ’ 15-yard TD catch .
New York added its third field goal , but Higbee caught a 3-yard TD pass with 13:47 to play .
Cam Akers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7:35 to play was wiped out by a holding penalty , and former Rams lineman John Franklin-Myers got a key sack that forced the Rams to kick another field goal with 6:35 left .
• Broncos After Further Review : Defensive play ( 534 yards allowed ) among worst in Vic Fangio ’ s play-calling career • Kiszla : If Broncos can ’ t find way to get Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence , it ’ s time for John Elway to take his ball and go home • In a clear mismatch , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Bills ’ blowout win over Broncos Nsimba Webster ’ s huge punt return put the Rams in Jets territory moments later , but the New York defense held with help from penalties .
Safety Marcus Maye made a beautiful deflection of a pass intended for Gerald Everett on fourth down when the Rams elected to go for it instead of trying a long tying field goal .
Jets : DL Quinnen Williams left in the second half to be evaluated for a head injury .
… WR Jeff Smith injured his shoulder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Akers injured his ankle in the first half , but returned .
… Everett was evaluated for a concussion late in the first half .

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Sam Darnold passed for 207 yards and the New York Jets finally earned the first victory of their miserable season Sunday, holding on for a 23-20 win that erased the possibility of the third winless 16-game season in NFL history.
Frank Gore rushed for an early touchdown and made a decisive third-down reception with 2:05 left for the Jets (1-13), who also ended the longest losing streak in franchise history with a strong start and a gritty finish at SoFi Stadium.
Embattled coach Adam Gase got his first win of the year only after New York blew most of a 17-point lead in the second half. The Jets’ defense stopped the Rams on downs at midfield with 3:54 to play before Darnold hit Gore with a short pass over the middle to convert a third down that allowed the Jets to run out the clock.
New York might have ruined its chances at the No. 1 overall pick in the draft because Jacksonville (1-13) is likely to win a tiebreaker based on strength of schedule. But possibly missing the chance to draft Trevor Lawrence meant nothing to the celebrating Jets, who were thrilled to avoid the ignominy of a winless year.
Darnold, the Jets’ embattled third-year quarterback, looked right at home in his first pro game in his native Southern California. The former USC Trojans star went 22 of 31 with a touchdown pass and no interceptions.
New York had a 13-3 lead at halftime after holding the Rams to 97 yards, and the Jets led 20-3 midway through the third quarter. Los Angeles chipped the deficit down to three points.
Sam Ficken kicked three field goals for the Jets, whose 32nd-ranked offense put up only 289 yards against the NFL’s No. 1 defense — but scored enough points to win.
Of the nine teams in NFL history to start 0-13, the Jets were the fourth to win in Week 15.
Robert Woods and Tyler Higbee caught TD passes for the Rams (9-5) in the most humiliating loss of coach Sean McVay’s largely successful four seasons in charge.
Jared Goff passed for 209 yards for Los Angeles, which could have clinched a playoff berth with a victory over the NFL’s worst team after an extra-long week of rest. The Rams had won four of five to surge to the top of the NFC West, but their inconsistent offense was inept, while their elite defense wasn’t sharp, allowing the Jets to convert seven third downs.
The Rams still can win the division if they can beat the Seahawks in Seattle next week, but their task got exponentially harder.
The Jets started out just as impressively as they usually do, marching for a score on their eighth consecutive opening possession. New York went 74 yards capped by an 18-yard catch-and-run by Ty Johnson for his first career receiving TD.
New York tacked on two field goals after a blocked punt and an interception by Bryce Hall, who made an exceptional play to fool Goff into the quarterback’s 12th interception.
The Rams’ offense was largely ineffective for the entire first half, managing just 63 yards until a drive shortly before halftime led to Matt Gay’s 45-yard field goal at the gun. Goff was tentative and inaccurate, while his offensive line struggled to protect him or to create holes for the running game.
New York opened the second half with a clock-consuming drive capped by a TD push on fourth down from the 1 by Gore, who scored the 16th TD of his career against the Rams.
Los Angeles’ offense finally awoke with a long drive culminating in Woods’ 15-yard TD catch. New York added its third field goal, but Higbee caught a 3-yard TD pass with 13:47 to play.
Cam Akers’ 18-yard rush for a TD with 7:35 to play was wiped out by a holding penalty, and former Rams lineman John Franklin-Myers got a key sack that forced the Rams to kick another field goal with 6:35 left.
Nsimba Webster’s huge punt return put the Rams in Jets territory moments later, but the New York defense held with help from penalties. Safety Marcus Maye made a beautiful deflection of a pass intended for Gerald Everett on fourth down when the Rams elected to go for it instead of trying a long tying field goal.
INJURIES
Jets: DL Quinnen Williams left in the second half to be evaluated for a head injury. … WR Jeff Smith injured his shoulder in the second half.
Rams: Akers injured his ankle in the first half, but returned. … Everett was evaluated for a concussion late in the first half.
UP NEXT
Jets: Host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Rams: Visit the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.


thedenverpost--2020-12-20--Ariana Grande announces engagement, shows ring on Instagram

LOS ANGELES — Ariana Grande has announced she is engaged in a series of photos of her and her fiance @ @ @ @ @ The “ Rain on Me ” singer posted the photos of her cuddling with Dalton @ @ @ @ @ estate agent , on Instagram on Sunday .
Grande included a close-up shot of the @ @ @ @ @ which was captioned “ forever n then some.
” The singer ’ s mother congratulated @ @ @ @ @ saying she was excited to welcome Gomez to the family .
Grande released her latest @ @ @ @ @ , ” in November .
On Monday , Netflix will release a behind-the-scenes movie on @ @ @ @ @ tour , titled “ excuse me , i love you.
” She was previously engaged @ @ @ @ @ ” cast member Pete Davidson in 2018 , but they ended their relationship later that @ @

LOS ANGELES — Ariana Grande has announced she is engaged in a series of photos of her and her fiance and her engagement ring.
The “Rain on Me” singer posted the photos of her cuddling with Dalton Gomez, a luxury real estate agent, on Instagram on Sunday. Grande included a close-up shot of the ring in the post, which was captioned “forever n then some.”
The singer’s mother congratulated the couple on Twitter, saying she was excited to welcome Gomez to the family.
People magazine reported Grande and Gomez started dating earlier this year.
Grande released her latest studio album, “Positions,” in November. On Monday, Netflix will release a behind-the-scenes movie on her “Sweetener” world tour, titled “excuse me, i love you.”
She was previously engaged to “Saturday Night Live” cast member Pete Davidson in 2018, but they ended their relationship later that year.


thedenverpost--2020-12-20--Panel: People over 75, essential workers next for vaccines

NEW YORK — A federal advisory panel recommended Sunday that people 75 and older and essential workers like firefighters , teachers and grocery store workers should be next in line for COVID-19 shots , while a second vaccine began rolling out to hospitals as the nation works to get the coronavirus pandemic under control .
The two developments came amid a vaccination program that began only in the last week and has given initial shots to about 556,000 Americans , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc. and Germany ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and regulators last week gave approval to the one from Moderna Inc. that began shipping Sunday .
Earlier this month , the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said health care workers and nursing home residents — about 24 million people — should be at the very front of the line for the vaccines .
Sunday ’ s vote by the panel was who should be next in line , and by a vote of 13-1 , it decided that it should be people 75 and older , who number about 20 million , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who total about 30 million .
The essential workers include firefighters and police ; teachers and school staff ; those working in food , agricultural and manufacturing sectors ; corrections workers ; U.S .
Postal Service employees ; public transit workers ; and grocery store workers .
They are considered at very high risk of infection because their jobs are critical and require them to be in regular contact with other people .
It ’ s not clear how long it will take to vaccinate those groups .
Vaccine doses have come out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time , some experts noted that not everyone who is recommended to get vaccinated may choose to get a shot .
The committee also voted that behind those groups should be people aged 65 to 74 , numbering about 30 million ; those aged 16 to 64 with medical conditions like obesity and cancer who are at higher risk if they get COVID-19 , numbering as many as 110 million ; and a tier of other essential workers .
This group of as many as 57 million includes a wide category @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also those in legal and financial jobs and the media .
The expert panel ’ s recommendation next goes to the CDC director and to states as guidance to put together vaccination programs .
CDC directors have almost always signed off on committee recommendations .
No matter what the CDC says , there will be differences from state to state , because various health departments have different ideas about who should be closer to the front of the line .
Federal officials expect that vaccine doses will be limited for several months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are projected to start getting shots this month , another 30 million next month , and 50 million in February .
That ’ s 100 million out of a population of more than 330 million .
Pfizer ’ s shots were first shipped out a week ago and started being used the next day , kicking off the nation ’ s biggest vaccination drive .
Public health experts say the shots — and others in the pipeline — are the only way to stop a virus that has been spreading wildly .
Nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on average test positive for the virus , which has killed over 316,000 in the U.S. and nearly 1.7 million worldwide .
Earlier Sunday , trucks left the Olive Branch , Mississippi , factory , near Memphis , Tennessee , with the vaccine developed by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health .
The much-needed shots are expected to be given starting Monday , just three days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized their emergency rollout .
In Louisville , Kentucky , UPS driver Todd Elble said his vaccine shipment was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve hauled ” in a 37-year career .
His parents contracted COVID-19 in November , and his 78-year-old father died .
He said the family speculates that his father got infected while traveling on a hunting trip with four other relatives to Wyoming , and some are still sick .
“ I ’ m going to take the vaccine myself .
I ’ m going to be first in line for my father — I ’ ll tell you that much — and any others that should follow , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody should , to help get this stopped.
” He added : “ To bring this back , I feel Dad was in the truck with me today.
” Dr. Moncef Slaoui , the chief science adviser to the federal government ’ s vaccine distribution effort , said on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union ” that nearly 8 million doses will be distributed Monday , about 5.9 million of the Moderna vaccine and 2 million of the Pfizer vaccine .
Slaoui also predicted the U.S. will experience “ a continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases possible from gatherings for Christmas .
“ I think , unfortunately , it will get worse , ” he said .
There won ’ t be enough shots for the general population until spring , so doses will be rationed at least for the next several months .
President-elect Joe Biden pledged earlier this month to have 100 million doses distributed in his first 100 days in office , and his surgeon general nominee said Sunday that it ’ s still a realistic goal .
But Vivek Murthy told NBC ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s more realistic to think it may be midsummer or early fall before vaccines are available to the general public , rather than late spring .
Murthy said Biden ’ s team is working toward having the shots available to lower-risk individuals by late spring but doing so requires “ everything to go exactly on schedule.
” Meanwhile , Trump ’ s surgeon general , Jerome Adams , defended the administration ’ s handling of the Pfizer vaccine Sunday , a day after the Army general charge of getting COVID-19 vaccines across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” with states over the number of doses to be delivered in the early stages of distribution .
At least a dozen states reported they would receive a smaller second shipment of the Pfizer vaccine than they had been told previously .
Gen. Gustave Perna told reporters in a telephone briefing that he made mistakes by citing numbers of doses that he believed would be ready .
Slaoui said the mistake was assuming vaccines that had been produced were ready for shipment when there was a two-day delay .
“ And unless it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not release vaccine doses for usage , ” he said .
“ And , sometimes , there could be small hiccups .
There have been none , actually , in manufacturing now .
The hiccup was more into the planning.
” But Adams told CBS ’ “ Face the Nation ” that “ the numbers are going to go up and down.
” “ It absolutely was not poor planning , ” he said .
“ There ’ s what we plan .
There ’ s what we actually allocate .
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then there ’ s what ’ s actually put in people ’ s arms.
” Adams , who is Black , said he understands that mistrust of the medical community and the vaccine among Blacks “ comes from a real place , ” the mistreatment of communities of color .
He cited the decades-long Tuskegee experiment in Alabama , where Black men with syphilis were not treated so the disease could be studied .
He also said immigrants in the U.S. illegally should not be denied the vaccine because of their legal status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to deny those individuals.
” “ I want to reassure people that your information when collected to get your second shot , if you get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine , will not be used in any way , shape or form to harm you legally , ” Adams said .
“ That is something that I have been assured of.
” Both the Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech shot require two doses several weeks apart .
The second dose must be from the same company as the first .
Both vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , still unfinished studies .
Hanna reported from Topeka , Kansas .
Also contributing was AP Radio correspondent Julie Walker in New York .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

NEW YORK — A federal advisory panel recommended Sunday that people 75 and older and essential workers like firefighters, teachers and grocery store workers should be next in line for COVID-19 shots, while a second vaccine began rolling out to hospitals as the nation works to get the coronavirus pandemic under control.
The two developments came amid a vaccination program that began only in the last week and has given initial shots to about 556,000 Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc. and Germany’s BioNTech already is being distributed, and regulators last week gave approval to the one from Moderna Inc. that began shipping Sunday.
Earlier this month, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said health care workers and nursing home residents — about 24 million people — should be at the very front of the line for the vaccines.
Sunday’s vote by the panel was who should be next in line, and by a vote of 13-1, it decided that it should be people 75 and older, who number about 20 million, as well as certain front-line workers, who total about 30 million.
The essential workers include firefighters and police; teachers and school staff; those working in food, agricultural and manufacturing sectors; corrections workers; U.S. Postal Service employees; public transit workers; and grocery store workers. They are considered at very high risk of infection because their jobs are critical and require them to be in regular contact with other people.
It’s not clear how long it will take to vaccinate those groups. Vaccine doses have come out slower than earlier projections. But at the same time, some experts noted that not everyone who is recommended to get vaccinated may choose to get a shot.
The committee also voted that behind those groups should be people aged 65 to 74, numbering about 30 million; those aged 16 to 64 with medical conditions like obesity and cancer who are at higher risk if they get COVID-19, numbering as many as 110 million; and a tier of other essential workers. This group of as many as 57 million includes a wide category of food service and utility workers but also those in legal and financial jobs and the media.
The expert panel’s recommendation next goes to the CDC director and to states as guidance to put together vaccination programs. CDC directors have almost always signed off on committee recommendations. No matter what the CDC says, there will be differences from state to state, because various health departments have different ideas about who should be closer to the front of the line.
Federal officials expect that vaccine doses will be limited for several months. CDC officials say up to 20 million are projected to start getting shots this month, another 30 million next month, and 50 million in February. That’s 100 million out of a population of more than 330 million.
Pfizer’s shots were first shipped out a week ago and started being used the next day, kicking off the nation’s biggest vaccination drive.
Public health experts say the shots — and others in the pipeline — are the only way to stop a virus that has been spreading wildly. Nationwide, more than 219,000 people per day on average test positive for the virus, which has killed over 316,000 in the U.S. and nearly 1.7 million worldwide.
Earlier Sunday, trucks left the Olive Branch, Mississippi, factory, near Memphis, Tennessee, with the vaccine developed by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health. The much-needed shots are expected to be given starting Monday, just three days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized their emergency rollout.
In Louisville, Kentucky, UPS driver Todd Elble said his vaccine shipment was the “most important load that I’ve hauled” in a 37-year career. His parents contracted COVID-19 in November, and his 78-year-old father died. He said the family speculates that his father got infected while traveling on a hunting trip with four other relatives to Wyoming, and some are still sick.
“I’m going to take the vaccine myself. I’m going to be first in line for my father — I’ll tell you that much — and any others that should follow,” he said. “I feel in my heart that everybody should, to help get this stopped.”
He added: “To bring this back, I feel Dad was in the truck with me today.”
Dr. Moncef Slaoui, the chief science adviser to the federal government’s vaccine distribution effort, said on CNN’s “State of the Union” that nearly 8 million doses will be distributed Monday, about 5.9 million of the Moderna vaccine and 2 million of the Pfizer vaccine.
Slaoui also predicted the U.S. will experience “a continuing surge,” with larger numbers of coronavirus cases possible from gatherings for Christmas.
“I think, unfortunately, it will get worse,” he said.
There won’t be enough shots for the general population until spring, so doses will be rationed at least for the next several months. President-elect Joe Biden pledged earlier this month to have 100 million doses distributed in his first 100 days in office, and his surgeon general nominee said Sunday that it’s still a realistic goal.
But Vivek Murthy told NBC’s “Meet the Press” it’s more realistic to think it may be midsummer or early fall before vaccines are available to the general public, rather than late spring. Murthy said Biden’s team is working toward having the shots available to lower-risk individuals by late spring but doing so requires “everything to go exactly on schedule.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s surgeon general, Jerome Adams, defended the administration’s handling of the Pfizer vaccine Sunday, a day after the Army general charge of getting COVID-19 vaccines across the U.S. apologized Saturday for “miscommunication” with states over the number of doses to be delivered in the early stages of distribution. At least a dozen states reported they would receive a smaller second shipment of the Pfizer vaccine than they had been told previously.
Gen. Gustave Perna told reporters in a telephone briefing that he made mistakes by citing numbers of doses that he believed would be ready. Slaoui said the mistake was assuming vaccines that had been produced were ready for shipment when there was a two-day delay.
“And unless it’s perfectly right, we will not release vaccine doses for usage,” he said. “And, sometimes, there could be small hiccups. There have been none, actually, in manufacturing now. The hiccup was more into the planning.”
But Adams told CBS’ “Face the Nation” that “the numbers are going to go up and down.”
“It absolutely was not poor planning,” he said. “There’s what we plan. There’s what we actually allocate. There’s what’s delivered, and then there’s what’s actually put in people’s arms.”
Adams, who is Black, said he understands that mistrust of the medical community and the vaccine among Blacks “comes from a real place,” the mistreatment of communities of color. He cited the decades-long Tuskegee experiment in Alabama, where Black men with syphilis were not treated so the disease could be studied.
He also said immigrants in the U.S. illegally should not be denied the vaccine because of their legal status because “it’s not ethically right to deny those individuals.”
“I want to reassure people that your information when collected to get your second shot, if you get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, will not be used in any way, shape or form to harm you legally,” Adams said. “That is something that I have been assured of.”
Both the Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech shot require two doses several weeks apart. The second dose must be from the same company as the first. Both vaccines appeared safe and strongly protective in large, still unfinished studies.
Hanna reported from Topeka, Kansas. Also contributing was AP Radio correspondent Julie Walker in New York.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-12-20--PHOTOS: Regis University holiday meal giveaway helps feed more than 400 families

Regis University food pantry organizers helped feed more than 400 families this week thanks to a $ 10,000 grant from @ @ @ @ @ Health and Environment .
On Sunday , Regis handed out holiday meal fixings and food @ @ @ @ @ lot 3 of its Northwest Denver Campus .
The University ’ s Military and Veteran @ @ @ @ @ campus Cupboard food pantry for students who need assistance , received the grant with only @ @ @ @ @ by Dec. 31 .
The food donation was in conjunction with Porter-Billups Leadership Academy , @ @ @ @ @ need during the holiday season .

Regis University food pantry organizers helped feed more than 400 families this week thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment. On Sunday, Regis handed out holiday meal fixings and food staples to 200 families in lot 3 of its Northwest Denver Campus. The University’s Military and Veteran Services, which runs the campus Cupboard food pantry for students who need assistance, received the grant with only one caveat: Spend it by Dec. 31. The food donation was in conjunction with Porter-Billups Leadership Academy, helping hundreds of families in need during the holiday season.


thedenverpost--2020-12-20--Team Thomas wins PNC; Jin Young Ko takes LPGA Tour finale

ORLANDO , Fla. — Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods traded text messages on the eve of the final round at the PNC Championship , their teams tied for the lead and in contention .
Neither mentioned winning .
This was about Woods getting to play alongside 11-year-old son Charlie , watching him twirl the club after a good drive and yes , even deliver a fist pump in his red shirt Sunday .
For Thomas , it was about competing with his father , Mike , a longtime club professional in Kentucky and the only coach he ’ s ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven holes and the father delivered a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that gave them a 15-under 57 in the scramble format and a one-shot victory over Vijay Singh and son Qass .
They won the Willie Park Trophy .
It only felt like the other 19 teams won a participation trophy .
Team Woods posted another 62 to finish seventh .
Woods and his son dressed in his traditional Sunday red with black trousers .
Charlie ’ s mother , Elin Nordegren , walked the final round at The Ritz-Carlton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time at a golf tournament since the 2009 Presidents Cup at Harding Park .
NAPLES , Fla. — Jin Young Ko missed most of the LPGA Tour season and still won the yearlong money title .
The top-ranked Ko put an emphatic capper on her truncated year Sunday by shooting a 6-under 66 and winning the CME Group Tour Championship by five strokes over Hannah Green and Sei Young Kim .
With a birdie on the final hole , the LPGA Tour ’ s final putt of the season , Ko finished at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career LPGA Tour title .
Kim , who took a one-shot lead into the final round , shot a 72 and that was good enough for her to win Rolex Player of the Year honors .
Danielle Kang won the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average .
Green had a 67 on her 24th birthday , The win wrapped up a wire-to-wire year in the No .
1 spot for Ko , who has held the ranking since July 29 , 2019 .
Ko played only four LPGA Tour events in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korean LPGA while riding out the coronavirus pandemic at home — but the win Sunday and a check for $ 487,286 for finishing second last week in the U.S. Women ’ s Open helped push her season earnings to $ 1,667,925 .
PUERTO PLATA , Dominican Republic — Brandon Matthews won the Puerta Plata Open for his second PGA Tour Latinoamerica title , closing with a 6-under 65 for a five-stroke victory .
Matthews finished at 26-under 258 at Playa Dorada , opening with rounds of 65 , 65 and 63 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 2017 Molino Canuelas Championship .
Fellow American Jacob Bergeron was second after a 63 .

ORLANDO, Fla. — Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods traded text messages on the eve of the final round at the PNC Championship, their teams tied for the lead and in contention. Neither mentioned winning.
This was about Woods getting to play alongside 11-year-old son Charlie, watching him twirl the club after a good drive and yes, even deliver a fist pump in his red shirt Sunday. For Thomas, it was about competing with his father, Mike, a longtime club professional in Kentucky and the only coach he’s ever had.
Team Thomas birdied the opening seven holes and the father delivered a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that gave them a 15-under 57 in the scramble format and a one-shot victory over Vijay Singh and son Qass.
They won the Willie Park Trophy. It only felt like the other 19 teams won a participation trophy.
Team Woods posted another 62 to finish seventh. Woods and his son dressed in his traditional Sunday red with black trousers. Charlie’s mother, Elin Nordegren, walked the final round at The Ritz-Carlton Club at Grande Lakes, her first time at a golf tournament since the 2009 Presidents Cup at Harding Park.
LPGA TOUR
NAPLES, Fla. — Jin Young Ko missed most of the LPGA Tour season and still won the yearlong money title.
That’s what a $1.1 million check does.
The top-ranked Ko put an emphatic capper on her truncated year Sunday by shooting a 6-under 66 and winning the CME Group Tour Championship by five strokes over Hannah Green and Sei Young Kim.
With a birdie on the final hole, the LPGA Tour’s final putt of the season, Ko finished at 18 under at Tiburon for her seventh career LPGA Tour title.
Kim, who took a one-shot lead into the final round, shot a 72 and that was good enough for her to win Rolex Player of the Year honors. Danielle Kang won the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average.
Green had a 67 on her 24th birthday,
The win wrapped up a wire-to-wire year in the No. 1 spot for Ko, who has held the ranking since July 29, 2019.
Ko played only four LPGA Tour events in 2020 — she competed six times on the Korean LPGA while riding out the coronavirus pandemic at home — but the win Sunday and a check for $487,286 for finishing second last week in the U.S. Women’s Open helped push her season earnings to $1,667,925.
PGA TOUR LATINOAMERICA
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic — Brandon Matthews won the Puerta Plata Open for his second PGA Tour Latinoamerica title, closing with a 6-under 65 for a five-stroke victory.
Matthews finished at 26-under 258 at Playa Dorada, opening with rounds of 65, 65 and 63. The former Temple player also won the tour’s 2017 Molino Canuelas Championship.
Fellow American Jacob Bergeron was second after a 63.