dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-04--Illinois' first Amazon Fresh store to open Thursday in Naperville

Technology and convenience are at the center of the state 's first Amazon Fresh grocery store , slated to open Thursday in Naperville , company leaders said .
The roughly 35,000-square-foot facility at 3116 S. Route 59 will offer new Alexa features to help patrons manage shopping lists and navigate the aisles , said Jeff Helbling , vice president of Amazon Fresh Stores .
A contactless shopping experience , called Dash Cart , will enable customers to skip the checkout line if they choose , he said , and free pickup and delivery options are available for Amazon Prime members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground up to be seamless , whether you 're shopping in-store or online , '' Helbling said .
`` We 've taken our decades of Amazon operations experience to ensure we can deliver consistently low prices for all customers . ''
Amazon rolled out its new grocery store concept this year at four Los Angeles-area locations , he said .
The Naperville store will be the company 's fifth to open overall and the first of four planned in the Chicago suburbs .
A timeline is not yet available for stores in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomingdale near Army Trail Road and Gary Avenue , or in Oak Lawn , Helbling said , though the employee recruitment and hiring process is ongoing .
The Naperville location has been operating as a `` dark store '' since July , offering online ordering and delivery of Amazon Fresh products , Helbling said .
That service will remain available when the store opens Thursday for curbside pickup and in-person shopping .
`` I 've been really proud and humbled by the work of that team serving the community during this ( COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 're all excited about opening our doors next week . ''
Safety protocols throughout the store include capacity limits , one-way aisles , floor markings , plexiglass barriers and masks provided upon entry , Helbling said .
Its technological components `` add an additional dimension of contactless shopping , '' he said .
With new Dash Cart , for example , shoppers scan a QR code from their Amazon app before perusing the store .
The smart cart identifies and calculates the cost of groceries or other items as they 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bypass the checkout line and leave through a special Dash Cart lane , at which point their account will be charged for the items in the cart .
A traditional checkout experience also will be available , he said .
`` Whenever you ask somebody why they pick any individual grocer , it always comes down to the fundamental combination of , 'There 's a product I like and prices that are good , and it 's convenient for me , ' '' Helbling said .
`` Essentially , what we aspire to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three of those ( areas ) . ''
The Naperville store is expected to offer produce , seafood , meat and prepared food made fresh daily , as well as an assortment of national , local and Amazon-exclusive brands .
Featured Chicago-area companies include Oberweis Dairy , Turano Baking Company and Revolution Brewing .
The store is creating `` a couple hundred '' jobs with a $ 15-per-hour starting wage and benefits , Helbling said .
To help those in need , Amazon Fresh is donating surplus food to local food banks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more than 135,000 meals since the Naperville store opened for online delivery , he said .
`` We look forward to doing more on this front as we grow in the Chicagoland area , '' Helbling said .
Amazon Fresh will be open daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m .
The first hour will be limited to customers who are 60 and older , those with disabilities or those considered high risk .

Illinois' first Amazon Fresh store to open Thursday in Naperville
Technology and convenience are at the center of the state's first Amazon Fresh grocery store, slated to open Thursday in Naperville, company leaders said.
The roughly 35,000-square-foot facility at 3116 S. Route 59 will offer new Alexa features to help patrons manage shopping lists and navigate the aisles, said Jeff Helbling, vice president of Amazon Fresh Stores. A contactless shopping experience, called Dash Cart, will enable customers to skip the checkout line if they choose, he said, and free pickup and delivery options are available for Amazon Prime members.
"The store is designed from the ground up to be seamless, whether you're shopping in-store or online," Helbling said. "We've taken our decades of Amazon operations experience to ensure we can deliver consistently low prices for all customers."
- Paul Valade | Staff Photographer The new Amazon Fresh grocery store in Naperville will offer a contactless smart cart shopping experience, new Alexa features and free pickup and delivery for Amazon Prime members, company officials said. The facility along Route 59 is slated to open Thursday.
Amazon rolled out its new grocery store concept this year at four Los Angeles-area locations, he said. The Naperville store will be the company's fifth to open overall and the first of four planned in the Chicago suburbs.
A timeline is not yet available for stores in Schaumburg at Golf and Roselle roads, Bloomingdale near Army Trail Road and Gary Avenue, or in Oak Lawn, Helbling said, though the employee recruitment and hiring process is ongoing.
The Naperville location has been operating as a "dark store" since July, offering online ordering and delivery of Amazon Fresh products, Helbling said. That service will remain available when the store opens Thursday for curbside pickup and in-person shopping.
"I've been really proud and humbled by the work of that team serving the community during this (COVID-19) crisis," he said. "We're all excited about opening our doors next week."
Safety protocols throughout the store include capacity limits, one-way aisles, floor markings, plexiglass barriers and masks provided upon entry, Helbling said. Its technological components "add an additional dimension of contactless shopping," he said.
With new Dash Cart, for example, shoppers scan a QR code from their Amazon app before perusing the store. The smart cart identifies and calculates the cost of groceries or other items as they're selected, Helbling said.
Customers can bypass the checkout line and leave through a special Dash Cart lane, at which point their account will be charged for the items in the cart.
A traditional checkout experience also will be available, he said.
"Whenever you ask somebody why they pick any individual grocer, it always comes down to the fundamental combination of, 'There's a product I like and prices that are good, and it's convenient for me,'" Helbling said. "Essentially, what we aspire to do is compete and win in all three of those (areas)."
The Naperville store is expected to offer produce, seafood, meat and prepared food made fresh daily, as well as an assortment of national, local and Amazon-exclusive brands. Featured Chicago-area companies include Oberweis Dairy, Turano Baking Company and Revolution Brewing.
The store is creating "a couple hundred" jobs with a $15-per-hour starting wage and benefits, Helbling said. To help those in need, Amazon Fresh is donating surplus food to local food banks, which have so far received the equivalent of more than 135,000 meals since the Naperville store opened for online delivery, he said.
"We look forward to doing more on this front as we grow in the Chicagoland area," Helbling said.
Amazon Fresh will be open daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The first hour will be limited to customers who are 60 and older, those with disabilities or those considered high risk.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-04--Would Haymarket overwhelm Itasca's 1 ambulance? Expert says no, group remains skeptical

In its renewed push to open an addiction treatment facility in Itasca , Haymarket Center hired a new expert with a long list of credentials to analyze whether it would place a burden on police and the village 's fire protection district .
His conclusion ?
Itasca 's fire district would have the capacity to cover the most critical emergency calls from the treatment center .
But the findings did little to quell skepticism from an opposition group and a fire district attorney , who questioned the methodology behind the projections .
Ambulance use has dominated much of the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Holiday Inn into a 240-bed center for people with substance-use disorders .
The issue consumed a three-hour public hearing Wednesday when former Wilmette Fire Chief James Dominik gave testimony on his report for Haymarket .
The Itasca Fire Protection District has one ambulance .
Haymarket leaders say they have a contract with the state 's second-largest private ambulance provider to handle most calls .
Elite Ambulance would absorb basic life support calls , while Dominik recommended Itasca 's ambulance should respond to the advanced life support , or more life-threatening , calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment center would require 18 to 26 fire and EMS calls to Itasca each year , according to his analysis .
The district on average responds to 1,636 calls per year -- the second-lowest volume out of a dozen area departments .
`` Really , there is no adverse impact based on my findings from this study , '' Dominik said .
`` I feel that Itasca , both the police and the fire protection district , can clearly handle this without any additional resources . ''
Dominik based his analysis on calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes that `` provide similar licensed services to those proposed for Haymarket DuPage . ''
However , opponents said the comparable facilities in Dominik 's report have a total of 237 beds , or three less than the 240 proposed in Itasca , a community of 8,700 people .
`` That gives you a scope of what 's being presented in one of DuPage 's smallest villages , '' said James Diestel , a member of the Concerned Citizens of Itasca group .
Opponents also question why the study did n't use Haymarket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a basis for comparison .
`` When establishing an impact , the data is only as good as the ( comparables ) used , '' Diestel said .
`` Haymarket seemed to purposely stay away from an almost identical facility they have in the West Loop and concentrated on 11 facilities , seven of which do n't have treatment beds , to establish the impact on Itasca 's emergency services . ''
Dominik said he initially planned to use Haymarket Chicago as a comparable site .
But dispatch data acquired from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were flawed and unreliable , he said .
For instance , the data did n't eliminate duplicate calls for the same incident , Dominik wrote in his 120-page report .
Two different dispatchers may characterize the same call differently , resulting in `` many inconsistencies '' when analyzing the data , he wrote .
Village plan commissioners also asked if Haymarket Chicago keeps internal records of EMS calls .
`` The only record they have is contained inside each patient care report , '' Dominik said .
`` There 's no centralized database @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how many people went to the hospital or needed emergency transport or treatment . ''
Haymarket officials have said the larger Chicago center has a different patient population than the one planned in Itasca .
In many cases , the patients in the city are homeless , have not had access to health care for decades and tend to arrive with multiple medical conditions .
Haymarket leaders said they would supplement Elite Ambulance coverage by hiring more private ambulance companies if needed .
Dominik is expected to continue giving testimony when the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Would Haymarket overwhelm Itasca's 1 ambulance? Expert says no, group remains skeptical
In its renewed push to open an addiction treatment facility in Itasca, Haymarket Center hired a new expert with a long list of credentials to analyze whether it would place a burden on police and the village's fire protection district.
His conclusion? Itasca's fire district would have the capacity to cover the most critical emergency calls from the treatment center.
But the findings did little to quell skepticism from an opposition group and a fire district attorney, who questioned the methodology behind the projections.
Ambulance use has dominated much of the public debate around the proposal to turn a former Holiday Inn into a 240-bed center for people with substance-use disorders.
The issue consumed a three-hour public hearing Wednesday when former Wilmette Fire Chief James Dominik gave testimony on his report for Haymarket.
The Itasca Fire Protection District has one ambulance. Haymarket leaders say they have a contract with the state's second-largest private ambulance provider to handle most calls.
Elite Ambulance would absorb basic life support calls, while Dominik recommended Itasca's ambulance should respond to the advanced life support, or more life-threatening, calls.
As a result, the proposed treatment center would require 18 to 26 fire and EMS calls to Itasca each year, according to his analysis. The district on average responds to 1,636 calls per year -- the second-lowest volume out of a dozen area departments.
"Really, there is no adverse impact based on my findings from this study," Dominik said. "I feel that Itasca, both the police and the fire protection district, can clearly handle this without any additional resources."
Dominik based his analysis on calls generated by 11 treatment facilities and recovery homes that "provide similar licensed services to those proposed for Haymarket DuPage."
However, opponents said the comparable facilities in Dominik's report have a total of 237 beds, or three less than the 240 proposed in Itasca, a community of 8,700 people.
"That gives you a scope of what's being presented in one of DuPage's smallest villages," said James Diestel, a member of the Concerned Citizens of Itasca group.
Opponents also question why the study didn't use Haymarket's headquarters in Chicago's West Loop as a basis for comparison.
"When establishing an impact, the data is only as good as the (comparables) used," Diestel said. "Haymarket seemed to purposely stay away from an almost identical facility they have in the West Loop and concentrated on 11 facilities, seven of which don't have treatment beds, to establish the impact on Itasca's emergency services."
Dominik said he initially planned to use Haymarket Chicago as a comparable site. But dispatch data acquired from the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications were flawed and unreliable, he said.
For instance, the data didn't eliminate duplicate calls for the same incident, Dominik wrote in his 120-page report. Two different dispatchers may characterize the same call differently, resulting in "many inconsistencies" when analyzing the data, he wrote.
Village plan commissioners also asked if Haymarket Chicago keeps internal records of EMS calls.
"The only record they have is contained inside each patient care report," Dominik said. "There's no centralized database for how many people came in, how many people went to the hospital or needed emergency transport or treatment."
Haymarket officials have said the larger Chicago center has a different patient population than the one planned in Itasca. In many cases, the patients in the city are homeless, have not had access to health care for decades and tend to arrive with multiple medical conditions.
Haymarket leaders said they would supplement Elite Ambulance coverage by hiring more private ambulance companies if needed.
Dominik is expected to continue giving testimony when the public hearing on Haymarket's proposal resumes Wednesday.
Treatment: Public hearing resumes Wednesday


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-04--California attorney withdraws from Rittenhouse criminal case

KENOSHA , Wis. ( AP ) -- A California attorney for an Illinois 17-year-old accused of fatally shooting two people and wounding a third during a night of unrest in Wisconsin is extracting himself from his criminal defense after prosecutors raised ethical concerns about the lawyer .
Los Angeles civil lawyer John Pierce has been at the forefront of the case of Kyle Rittenhouse , who is accused in the shootings during protests in Kenosha this summer .
Pierce has also worked to help secure the $ 2 million bail for Rittenhouse , who was bound over Thursday for trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Binger cited public records and news reports in his motion alleging that Pierce has `` significant personal financial difficulties '' and should not be allowed to represent Rittenhouse because `` money that should be held in trust for the defendant may instead be used to repay attorney Pierce 's numerous creditors . ''
Shortly after the motion was filed Thursday , Pierce tweeted that he would take over all civil matters for Rittenhouse and would continue to raise funds for his defense .
He said that Wisconsin attorney Mark Richards will handle the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have portrayed Rittenhouse as a patriot and urged supporters to donate to # FightBack Foundation to bolster his legal defense .
`` Attorney Pierce 's personal financial difficulties raise significant ethical concerns , especially when he has close ties to a substantial yet unregulated and unreported 'slush fund ' that is intended solely for the benefit of the defendant , '' Binger wrote in reference to the foundation .
Binger argues that donations for Rittenhouse 's legal defense should be held in trust , as is required of Wisconsin attorneys taking retainers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shifts , the case against Rittenhouse is moving forward .
A Kenosha County court commissioner on Thursday found probable cause to proceed with the case and rejected a defense motion to dismiss a reckless endangerment and gun charge against Rittenhouse .
He 's also charged with homicide and attempted homicide for fatally shooting Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber , and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz on Aug. 25 .
The shooting happened during a night of unrest in Kenosha that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake , a local Black man who suffered paralyzing @ @

California attorney withdraws from Rittenhouse criminal case
This Oct. 30, 2020 photo provided by the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department shows Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha, Wis. Rittenhouse is accused of killing two protesters days after Jacob Blake was shot by police in Kenosha, Wis. earlier this year. (Kenosha County Sheriff's Department via AP)
In this screen grab from livestream video, Kyle Rittenhouse, left, appears with his attorney, Mark Richards during a hearing at Kenosha County Court in Kenosha, Wis., on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. California attorney John Pierce is extracting himself from Rittenhouse's criminal defense, which now will be handled by Richards. (Kenosha County Court via AP)
KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) -- A California attorney for an Illinois 17-year-old accused of fatally shooting two people and wounding a third during a night of unrest in Wisconsin is extracting himself from his criminal defense after prosecutors raised ethical concerns about the lawyer.
Los Angeles civil lawyer John Pierce has been at the forefront of the case of Kyle Rittenhouse, who is accused in the shootings during protests in Kenosha this summer. Pierce has also worked to help secure the $2 million bail for Rittenhouse, who was bound over Thursday for trial.
Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger cited public records and news reports in his motion alleging that Pierce has "significant personal financial difficulties" and should not be allowed to represent Rittenhouse because "money that should be held in trust for the defendant may instead be used to repay attorney Pierce's numerous creditors."
Shortly after the motion was filed Thursday, Pierce tweeted that he would take over all civil matters for Rittenhouse and would continue to raise funds for his defense. He said that Wisconsin attorney Mark Richards will handle the criminal case.
Pierce and other conservatives have portrayed Rittenhouse as a patriot and urged supporters to donate to #FightBack Foundation to bolster his legal defense.
"Attorney Pierce's personal financial difficulties raise significant ethical concerns, especially when he has close ties to a substantial yet unregulated and unreported 'slush fund' that is intended solely for the benefit of the defendant," Binger wrote in reference to the foundation.
Binger argues that donations for Rittenhouse's legal defense should be held in trust, as is required of Wisconsin attorneys taking retainers to represent clients.
As his legal representation shifts, the case against Rittenhouse is moving forward. A Kenosha County court commissioner on Thursday found probable cause to proceed with the case and rejected a defense motion to dismiss a reckless endangerment and gun charge against Rittenhouse.
He's also charged with homicide and attempted homicide for fatally shooting Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber, and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz on Aug. 25. The shooting happened during a night of unrest in Kenosha that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a local Black man who suffered paralyzing injuries.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-04--Don't you want to hug a  horse in a Santa hat right now? You can in St. Charles Township.

As the warm afternoon sun stretched across a small fenced pasture in St. Charles Township , 6-year-old Beau Stevens stretched out her arms , reached up and gave a giant hug to a horse wearing a blazing red Santa hat named Friday .
Jackie Vrchota and her neighbor Christa Stevens launched Hug a Horse in September to share their love of horses and give people a chance to get out of the house during quarantine and stretch their legs a bit .
For 45 minutes , people have the opportunity to spend time getting to know , groom , pet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the horses at Stevens ' stable at 6N655 Palomino Drive .
`` We start to teach them how to ride and do little commands with them , '' Stevens said .
`` We teach them how to walk the horse , stop the horse and then turn the horse .
Then they get to ride around and we take a picture with the horse .
We try to get at least one big family picture or group picture . ''
Vrchota said riders and clients of all ages are loving the interaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horses are very therapeutic and calming for people , she said .
`` We had an 84-year-old lady that came out for her birthday , '' Vrchota said .
`` She had the best time riding around .
She loved it . ''
The Hug a Horse experience runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday and costs $ 100 .
The event continues through Christmas .
Between each session , equipment is sanitized and wiped down in preparation for the next group .
For information , search Facebook for @ HugAHorseCamptonHills .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @

Don't you want to hug a horse in a Santa hat right now? You can in St. Charles Township.
As the warm afternoon sun stretched across a small fenced pasture in St. Charles Township, 6-year-old Beau Stevens stretched out her arms, reached up and gave a giant hug to a horse wearing a blazing red Santa hat named Friday.
Jackie Vrchota and her neighbor Christa Stevens launched Hug a Horse in September to share their love of horses and give people a chance to get out of the house during quarantine and stretch their legs a bit.
For 45 minutes, people have the opportunity to spend time getting to know, groom, pet, ride and yes, hug some of the horses at Stevens' stable at 6N655 Palomino Drive.
"We start to teach them how to ride and do little commands with them," Stevens said. "We teach them how to walk the horse, stop the horse and then turn the horse. Then they get to ride around and we take a picture with the horse. We try to get at least one big family picture or group picture."
Vrchota said riders and clients of all ages are loving the interaction they get with the horses. The horses are very therapeutic and calming for people, she said.
"We had an 84-year-old lady that came out for her birthday," Vrchota said. "She had the best time riding around. She loved it."
The Hug a Horse experience runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday and costs $100. The event continues through Christmas.
Between each session, equipment is sanitized and wiped down in preparation for the next group.
For information, search Facebook for @HugAHorseCamptonHills. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-05--After 4-3 vote, District 25 will stick with hybrid learning this month, except Thomas

In a vote that reflected a divided community , the Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 board chose Friday to continue with a hybrid learning model rather than go all-remote until Jan. 19 .
The exception is Thomas Middle School , which will remain closed through Dec. 14 because of an outbreak of COVID-19 there .
Superintendent Lori Bein informed parents in an email Wednesday that 11 positive cases of the disease were `` recently reported '' in the school .
`` The Cook County Department of Public Health stated that it would be ideal for me to move the school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time , '' Bein wrote .
Staff members were asked to work remotely , and `` we will further assess their return to the building as it is safe to do so . ''
The school board 's 4-3 vote Friday night against going all-remote in the remaining District 25 schools reflected dueling petitions that parents had been circulating and feedback school leaders had been receiving .
`` We 're a completely divided community , '' school board President Brian Cerniglia said .
`` For every email I have received from an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our kids back in school , I have received an equal number of emails from concerned parents who do n't want to risk the further spread of this deadly virus . ''
District 25 officials said they received 220 public comments against what 's called an adaptive pause , where in-person learning is suspended in whole or in part temporarily , with 254 encouraging the board to vote in favor of it .
Cerniglia said the district has received countless emails telling it to look at the science .
But , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking me to look at the science , my head is going to explode . ''
He said the science has not been consistent , saying the CDC rubric has supported taking an adaptive pause , while CDC officials in a news conference have suggested school is the safest place for children .
Voting against the pause were board members Scott Filipek , Chad Conley , Gina Faso and Rich Olejniczak .
Those in favor were Cerniglia , Erin Johannesen , and Anisha Ismail Patel .
Faso and Olejniczak cited the district 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Olejniczak called the measures `` something that we all should be proud of . ''
`` I personally am in awe of what the teachers do every day , and we continually need to ask those challenging questions of how can we help them , '' Olejniczak said .
Filipek said a visit to schools Friday confirmed for him the mitigation measures were working and students were complying .
`` We are trusting our kids , and they are doing a phenomenal job , '' he said .
`` What 's best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in those schools . ''
Cerniglia cited staffing constraints and teacher burnout in voting for the pause .
Under the hybrid program , students attend full-day , in-person classes twice a week , although families can choose all-remote learning .
Parent Melisa Whalen-Andrews said a pro-pause petition had garnered more than 500 signatures .
Her children have been doing all-remote learning , but she said she 's worried about the safety of teachers , staff members and students who are in classrooms .
`` We are the only district ... within a five- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adaptive pause , '' she said .
Parent Renee Simkus Schlenhardt said more than 300 people signed the petition to continue in-person learning .
Families should continue having a choice and shutting down the in-person option especially hurts kids with special needs and English language learners , she said .
The school board last month set Jan. 19 as the date to return to full in-person learning if the positivity rate in suburban Cook County drops below 8 % , or there are fewer than 70 new weekly cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 7-day positivity rate is at about 12 % now .

After 4-3 vote, District 25 will stick with hybrid learning this month, except Thomas
Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights is closed until Dec. 14 after 11 cases of COVID-19 were reported at the school. Daily Herald FILE PHOTO
In a vote that reflected a divided community, the Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 board chose Friday to continue with a hybrid learning model rather than go all-remote until Jan. 19.
The exception is Thomas Middle School, which will remain closed through Dec. 14 because of an outbreak of COVID-19 there.
Superintendent Lori Bein informed parents in an email Wednesday that 11 positive cases of the disease were "recently reported" in the school.
"The Cook County Department of Public Health stated that it would be ideal for me to move the school into a full remote learning model at this time," Bein wrote. Staff members were asked to work remotely, and "we will further assess their return to the building as it is safe to do so."
The school board's 4-3 vote Friday night against going all-remote in the remaining District 25 schools reflected dueling petitions that parents had been circulating and feedback school leaders had been receiving.
"We're a completely divided community," school board President Brian Cerniglia said. "For every email I have received from an angry parent demanding that District 25 put our kids back in school, I have received an equal number of emails from concerned parents who don't want to risk the further spread of this deadly virus."
District 25 officials said they received 220 public comments against what's called an adaptive pause, where in-person learning is suspended in whole or in part temporarily, with 254 encouraging the board to vote in favor of it.
Cerniglia said the district has received countless emails telling it to look at the science. But, he said, "if I get another email asking me to look at the science, my head is going to explode."
He said the science has not been consistent, saying the CDC rubric has supported taking an adaptive pause, while CDC officials in a news conference have suggested school is the safest place for children.
Voting against the pause were board members Scott Filipek, Chad Conley, Gina Faso and Rich Olejniczak. Those in favor were Cerniglia, Erin Johannesen, and Anisha Ismail Patel.
Faso and Olejniczak cited the district's improved overall metrics and its mitigation measures. Olejniczak called the measures "something that we all should be proud of."
"I personally am in awe of what the teachers do every day, and we continually need to ask those challenging questions of how can we help them," Olejniczak said.
Filipek said a visit to schools Friday confirmed for him the mitigation measures were working and students were complying.
"We are trusting our kids, and they are doing a phenomenal job," he said. "What's best for our kids is to keep them in those schools."
Cerniglia cited staffing constraints and teacher burnout in voting for the pause.
Under the hybrid program, students attend full-day, in-person classes twice a week, although families can choose all-remote learning.
Parent Melisa Whalen-Andrews said a pro-pause petition had garnered more than 500 signatures. Her children have been doing all-remote learning, but she said she's worried about the safety of teachers, staff members and students who are in classrooms.
"We are the only district ... within a five- to 10-mile radius that is not in adaptive pause," she said.
Parent Renee Simkus Schlenhardt said more than 300 people signed the petition to continue in-person learning. Families should continue having a choice and shutting down the in-person option especially hurts kids with special needs and English language learners, she said.
The school board last month set Jan. 19 as the date to return to full in-person learning if the positivity rate in suburban Cook County drops below 8%, or there are fewer than 70 new weekly cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people in the Arlington Heights area. The 7-day positivity rate is at about 12% now.


US-Pres-Sum,100

Needed to win : 270 of the 538 electoral votes ( ev ) from the 50 states and the District @ @ @

US-Pres-Sum,100
Trump 74,196,153 - 47 percent
Has won 25 states with 232 ev.
Leads in 0 states with 0 ev.
Others 2,702,997 - 2 percent
Has won 0 states with 0 ev.
Leads in 0 states with 0 ev.
Needed to win: 270 of the 538 electoral votes (ev) from
the 50 states and the District of Columbia.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-05--At least 18 Chinese coal miners killed by lethal gas

BEIJING -- China 's state TV says at least 18 coal miners have been killed by high levels of carbon @ @ @ @ @ southwest .
One miner was found alive following the disaster Friday in the Diaoshidong mine @ @ @ @ @ said .
Rescuers are looking for five others .
China 's coal mining industry used @ @ @ @ @ deadliest , suffering more than 5,000 fatalities a year .
Safety improved dramatically after authorities @ @ @ @ @ 15 years ago .

At least 18 Chinese coal miners killed by lethal gas
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a rescue worker gauges the density of carbon monoxide in the smog at the entrance of the coal mine in Yongchuan District of Chongqing, southwestern China, Dec. 4, 2020. China's state TV says more than a dozen coal miners have been killed by high levels of carbon monoxide in the country's southwest. (Huang Wei/Xinhua via AP) Associated Press
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, rescue vehicles lines up near the entrance to a coal mine in Yongchuan District of Chongqing, southwest China, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. China's state TV says more than a dozen coal miners have been killed by high levels of carbon monoxide in the country's southwest. (Huang Wei/Xinhua via AP) Associated Press
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, rescue workers gauge the density of carbon monoxide in the smog at the entrance of the coal mine in Yongchuan District of Chongqing, southwestern China, Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. China's state TV says more than a dozen coal miners have been killed by high levels of carbon monoxide in the country's southwest. (Huang Wei/Xinhua via AP) Associated Press
BEIJING -- China's state TV says at least 18 coal miners have been killed by high levels of carbon monoxide in the country's southwest.
One miner was found alive following the disaster Friday in the Diaoshidong mine in Chongqing, the report said. Rescuers are looking for five others.
China's coal mining industry used to be the world's deadliest, suffering more than 5,000 fatalities a year. Safety improved dramatically after authorities overhauled the industry starting about 15 years ago.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-04--No. 5 Louisville women break school scoring record

UNCASVILLE , Conn. -- Hailey Van Lith and Kianna Smith each scored 21 points in the highest-scoring game in Louisville history , a 116-75 romp over No .
20 DePaul on Friday night in the Jimmy V Classic .
The No .
5 Cardinals ( 3-0 ) surpassed the 115 points they scored against Murray State in 2017 , reaching that point total with 3:53 left in the game that was n't finalized until earlier this week .
Louisville was supposed to play UConn at Mohegan Sun in this game , but the Huskies have been on pause because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ originally going to open its Big East season Friday against Villanova .
The Wildcats agreed to move that game .
The Cardinals extended the advantage to 101-50 after three quarters , crossing the century mark in the final seconds of the third .
TUCSON , Ariz. -- Trinity Baptiste had 18 points and 11 rebounds , Aari McDonald added 17 points and Arizona held off UCLA in the Pac-12 opener for both teams .
The Bruins rallied after Arizona went up eight , pulling to 67-65 on Charisma Osborne 's 3-pointer with 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made 1 of 2 free throws to give UCLA a last chance , but Osborne 's 3-pointer with 5 seconds left hit the back of the rim .
Arizona ( 2-0 ) labored early against the physical Bruins and shot 6 of 25 from 3-point range .
The Wildcats made up for it with stifling defense in the third quarter and some big shots late to win the first meeting with both teams in the top-10 since 1998 .
UCLA ( 1-1 ) used an 18-4 run spanning the first and second quarters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 of 18 shots in the third quarter as Arizona surged into the lead .
Osborne led UCLA with 15 points .
The Bruins went cold again in the third quarter , missing 16 straight shots during a scoreless drought of nearly 6 1/2 minutes .
Arizona took advantage , going on a 9-0 run to go up 48-42 .
EUGENE , Ore. -- Nyara Sabally had 20 points and 10 rebounds and No .
10 Oregon set a school record for consecutive victories with 22 , beating Colorado in the Pac-12 opener @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mark set in 1978-79 .
The Ducks also set a school record with their 21st straight home victory , topping the mark set from 1998-2000 .
Sabally - a 6-foot-5 sophomore whose sister , Satou , was an All-American last season for the Ducks - made all nine of her shots from the field , including one 3-pointer .
Peanut Tuitele and Charlotte Whittaker each scored 10 points for Colorado ( 2-1 ) .

No. 5 Louisville women break school scoring record
UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Hailey Van Lith and Kianna Smith each scored 21 points in the highest-scoring game in Louisville history, a 116-75 romp over No. 20 DePaul on Friday night in the Jimmy V Classic.
The No. 5 Cardinals (3-0) surpassed the 115 points they scored against Murray State in 2017, reaching that point total with 3:53 left in the game that wasn't finalized until earlier this week.
Louisville was supposed to play UConn at Mohegan Sun in this game, but the Huskies have been on pause because of a positive COVID-19 test. DePaul was originally going to open its Big East season Friday against Villanova. The Wildcats agreed to move that game.
The Cardinals extended the advantage to 101-50 after three quarters, crossing the century mark in the final seconds of the third.
Darrione Rogers scored 25 points for DePaul (1-2).
NO. 7 ARIZONA 68, NO. 9 UCLA 65
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Trinity Baptiste had 18 points and 11 rebounds, Aari McDonald added 17 points and Arizona held off UCLA in the Pac-12 opener for both teams.
The Bruins rallied after Arizona went up eight, pulling to 67-65 on Charisma Osborne's 3-pointer with 12 seconds left. Arizona's Cate Reese made 1 of 2 free throws to give UCLA a last chance, but Osborne's 3-pointer with 5 seconds left hit the back of the rim.
Arizona (2-0) labored early against the physical Bruins and shot 6 of 25 from 3-point range. The Wildcats made up for it with stifling defense in the third quarter and some big shots late to win the first meeting with both teams in the top-10 since 1998.
UCLA (1-1) used an 18-4 run spanning the first and second quarters to go up nine, but missed 17 of 18 shots in the third quarter as Arizona surged into the lead. Osborne led UCLA with 15 points.
The Bruins went cold again in the third quarter, missing 16 straight shots during a scoreless drought of nearly 6 1/2 minutes. Arizona took advantage, going on a 9-0 run to go up 48-42.
NO. 10 OREGON 82, COLORADO 53
EUGENE, Ore. -- Nyara Sabally had 20 points and 10 rebounds and No. 10 Oregon set a school record for consecutive victories with 22, beating Colorado in the Pac-12 opener.
Oregon (3-0) broke the mark set in 1978-79. The Ducks also set a school record with their 21st straight home victory, topping the mark set from 1998-2000.
Sabally - a 6-foot-5 sophomore whose sister, Satou, was an All-American last season for the Ducks - made all nine of her shots from the field, including one 3-pointer.
Peanut Tuitele and Charlotte Whittaker each scored 10 points for Colorado (2-1).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-05--Suburban election officials expect voting by mail will stay popular post-pandemic

With more than 2 million Illinoisans voting by mail or using special drop boxes for those ballots in last month 's presidential election , there 's no question the service -- expanded because of the COVID-19 crisis -- was a hit .
Not only did that total shatter the previous state record for ballots cast by mail -- approximately 427,000 , in 2018 -- but it represented one-third of all the ballots cast statewide , newly finalized election results show .
The 2018 total represented only about 9 % of total votes cast .
Suburban officials predict the practice will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local election .
`` A large number of voters became familiar and comfortable with the process , '' Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry said .
`` I expect the number of people who choose ( to ) vote by mail will continue to grow . ''
Voter turnout in local elections -- for seats on village and school boards , among others -- historically is much lower than contests for county , state and national seats like those on last month 's ballot , so the number of people voting by mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 6 general election likely will be smaller than this fall 's total .
But election officials expect more people will vote by mail in the spring than did in the last local election in April 2019 .
`` Voters who appreciate mail voting will continue to use it , and the curve will trend up , '' said Edmund Michalowski , Cook County 's deputy clerk of elections .
People long have been able to vote by mail in Illinois under the banner of absentee voting .
Any registered voter can request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to be given .
The program exploded this year because of the pandemic .
COVID-19 reached Illinois in January , less than two months before the March 17 primary .
Because it requires people to gather indoors and possibly stand in lines , in-person voting was seen as a potential hazard by health experts and many politicians .
All officials did for the primary was request people give each other space when waiting to vote .
In June , however , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker signed a law expanding voting by mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the law resulted in applications for mail-in voting automatically being mailed to anyone who voted in 2018 , 2019 or this year 's primary .
Applications also were sent to voters who registered or changed addresses after the March primary .
Under the law , completed ballots could be returned via the mail or deposited in special , secure boxes .
The law made other changes , too , including allowing curbside voting and widening early voting hours .
Many political activists , organizations and candidates -- especially Democrats -- actively promoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , letters and even phone calls to voters .
In Will County , nearly 110,000 people returned ballots by mail or via drop boxes -- more than four times the number who did in the 2018 general election .
In DuPage County , nearly 180,000 people used the vote-by-mail system -- more than five times the number who did in 2018 .
In Kane County , nearly 85,000 people used the vote-by-mail system -- nearly six times as many who did in 2018 .
Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham was n't surprised voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a national association of county clerks and other officials , Cunningham had researched voting by mail for some time as some states moved to all-mail elections .
As he expected , voters here discovered it was easy to apply for mail-in ballots , vote and then use tracking programs to confirm their ballots were received .
Cunningham believes more people will vote by mail in 2021 than did in 2019 .
Other election officials agree .
`` Now that many more voters have tried mail voting for the first time in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we anticipate that choice to increase in 2021 , '' DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek said .
Additionally , COVID-19 may still be a problem when it 's time to vote next year .
`` If there is still a rise in COVID-19 cases and restrictions are still in place , voters may opt to vote by mail to limit their risk and potential exposure , '' said Todd Govain , Lake County 's chief deputy clerk .
Unless new legislation is enacted , voting by mail will be a little different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to last month 's election .
For starters , the drop boxes that were popular depositories for ballots wo n't be available .
All ballots mailed to voters will have to be mailed back .
Additionally , election authorities wo n't be legally required to mail applications to voters as they did this year .
Whether they do or not will be decided locally .
`` We need to evaluate where we 'll stand on ballot postage costs , '' DuPage 's Kaczmarek said .
On the up side , because fewer people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local elections than did last month , it should take less time for election judges to process mail-in ballots -- which could result in a cost decrease from this year .
`` Many election judges worked days , nights and weekends to process returned VBM ballots for this election , '' Govain said .
The drop-off in total ballots cast could be significant .
For example , only about 11 % of Lake County 's registered voters voted in April 2019 , compared with more than 69 % last month .
Likewise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turnout was more than 71 % for last month 's election but only 14 % in April 2019 .
State Sen. Julie Morrison of Lake Forest intends to introduce a bill after the General Assembly reconvenes in January that would reinstate the expired vote-by-mail provisions .
Morrison was the lead Senate sponsor of the original legislation , and she remains a big proponent of the service .
New election legislation likely would n't happen in time for February 's primary , Morrison said , but it could be ready for April 's general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too , such as allowing voters to bring mail-in ballots to polling places on Election Day .
Morrison also favors allowing people to register to automatically receive mail-in ballots every election .
`` That 's something we should look at , '' she said .

Voting by mail is here to stay. What will change in suburbs in 2021?
With more than 2 million Illinoisans voting by mail or using special drop boxes for those ballots in last month's presidential election, there's no question the service -- expanded because of the COVID-19 crisis -- was a hit.
Not only did that total shatter the previous state record for ballots cast by mail -- approximately 427,000, in 2018 -- but it represented one-third of all the ballots cast statewide, newly finalized election results show. The 2018 total represented only about 9% of total votes cast.
Suburban officials predict the practice will remain popular in next year's consolidated local election.
"A large number of voters became familiar and comfortable with the process," Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry said. "I expect the number of people who choose (to) vote by mail will continue to grow."
Voter turnout in local elections -- for seats on village and school boards, among others -- historically is much lower than contests for county, state and national seats like those on last month's ballot, so the number of people voting by mail in February's few primaries or the April 6 general election likely will be smaller than this fall's total.
But election officials expect more people will vote by mail in the spring than did in the last local election in April 2019.
"Voters who appreciate mail voting will continue to use it, and the curve will trend up," said Edmund Michalowski, Cook County's deputy clerk of elections.
Why voting changed
People long have been able to vote by mail in Illinois under the banner of absentee voting. Any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot, and no reason has to be given.
The program exploded this year because of the pandemic.
COVID-19 reached Illinois in January, less than two months before the March 17 primary. Because it requires people to gather indoors and possibly stand in lines, in-person voting was seen as a potential hazard by health experts and many politicians.
All officials did for the primary was request people give each other space when waiting to vote.
In June, however, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law expanding voting by mail.
Good only for the November election, the law resulted in applications for mail-in voting automatically being mailed to anyone who voted in 2018, 2019 or this year's primary. Applications also were sent to voters who registered or changed addresses after the March primary.
Under the law, completed ballots could be returned via the mail or deposited in special, secure boxes.
The law made other changes, too, including allowing curbside voting and widening early voting hours.
Many political activists, organizations and candidates -- especially Democrats -- actively promoted voting by mail with social media posts, letters and even phone calls to voters.
And it worked.
Huge response
- Rick West | Staff Photographer This machine in the Kane County clerk's office verified signatures and sorted envelopes ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
In Will County, nearly 110,000 people returned ballots by mail or via drop boxes -- more than four times the number who did in the 2018 general election.
In DuPage County, nearly 180,000 people used the vote-by-mail system -- more than five times the number who did in 2018.
In Kane County, nearly 85,000 people used the vote-by-mail system -- nearly six times as many who did in 2018.
Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham wasn't surprised voters embraced the service. A former president of a national association of county clerks and other officials, Cunningham had researched voting by mail for some time as some states moved to all-mail elections.
As he expected, voters here discovered it was easy to apply for mail-in ballots, vote and then use tracking programs to confirm their ballots were received.
Cunningham believes more people will vote by mail in 2021 than did in 2019. Other election officials agree.
"Now that many more voters have tried mail voting for the first time in this past election and had a positive experience, we anticipate that choice to increase in 2021," DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek said.
Additionally, COVID-19 may still be a problem when it's time to vote next year.
"If there is still a rise in COVID-19 cases and restrictions are still in place, voters may opt to vote by mail to limit their risk and potential exposure," said Todd Govain, Lake County's chief deputy clerk.
It'll be different
Unless new legislation is enacted, voting by mail will be a little different in 2021 because the law applied only to last month's election.
For starters, the drop boxes that were popular depositories for ballots won't be available. All ballots mailed to voters will have to be mailed back.
Additionally, election authorities won't be legally required to mail applications to voters as they did this year. Whether they do or not will be decided locally.
"We need to evaluate where we'll stand on ballot postage costs," DuPage's Kaczmarek said.
On the up side, because fewer people are expected to vote in the 2021 local elections than did last month, it should take less time for election judges to process mail-in ballots -- which could result in a cost decrease from this year.
"Many election judges worked days, nights and weekends to process returned VBM ballots for this election," Govain said.
The drop-off in total ballots cast could be significant.
For example, only about 11% of Lake County's registered voters voted in April 2019, compared with more than 69% last month. Likewise, in suburban Cook County, total voter turnout was more than 71% for last month's election but only 14% in April 2019.
State Sen. Julie Morrison of Lake Forest intends to introduce a bill after the General Assembly reconvenes in January that would reinstate the expired vote-by-mail provisions. Morrison was the lead Senate sponsor of the original legislation, and she remains a big proponent of the service.
New election legislation likely wouldn't happen in time for February's primary, Morrison said, but it could be ready for April's general.
Some adjustments could be made, too, such as allowing voters to bring mail-in ballots to polling places on Election Day. Morrison also favors allowing people to register to automatically receive mail-in ballots every election.
"That's something we should look at," she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-05--Illinois COVID-19 death toll reported Saturday close to Wednesday record

The Illinois Department of Public Health Saturday reported another 208 deaths , the most since Wednesday 's record of 238 deaths , which officials said reflected slower reporting over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend .
The state also reported 9,887 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease , roughly on par with numbers seen in the last 10 days .
Of the deaths , 64 were in Cook County , 11 in DuPage County , 6 in Kane County , 5 in Lake County , 4 in McHenry County and 13 in Will County .
The state is reporting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
Within the past 24 hours , laboratories have reported 102,678 specimens for a total 11,021,676 .
As of Friday , 5,331 were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19 , a drop of more than 400 from a week earlier .
Of those , 1,134 patients were in the ICU and 694 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators , numbers about the same as a week earlier .
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total tests from Nov. 28 to Dec. 4 is 10.3 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .

Illinois COVID-19 death toll reported Saturday close to Wednesday record
The Illinois Department of Public Health Saturday reported another 208 deaths, the most since Wednesday's record of 238 deaths, which officials said reflected slower reporting over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
The state also reported 9,887 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease, roughly on par with numbers seen in the last 10 days.
and another 208 deaths.
Of the deaths, 64 were in Cook County, 11 in DuPage County, 6 in Kane County, 5 in Lake County, 4 in McHenry County and 13 in Will County.
The state is reporting a total of 779,975 cases, including 13,179 deaths. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 102,678 specimens for a total 11,021,676.
As of Friday, 5,331 were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19, a drop of more than 400 from a week earlier. Of those, 1,134 patients were in the ICU and 694 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators, numbers about the same as a week earlier.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total tests from Nov. 28 to Dec. 4 is 10.3%, down from 11.9 percent the week before.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-05--Constable: Mom and 7-year-old spin a bedtime tale, then see it published as a book

The bedtime story is a tradition played out nightly between kids and parents across the suburbs , the nation and the globe .
In the Woodridge home of Hafsa Naz Mahmood , her husband , Haroon Sheikh , and their sons Ayaan , 7 , and Azeem , 2 , that tradition includes stories the mom and her first-grader make up on the spot .
`` Every family has their bedtime stories , so we just sort of created our own , '' Mahmood says , explaining how she and Ayaan concocted a whimsical tale titled `` Little Birdies Lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a valuable lesson .
`` This one was especially fun to write . ''
It was such a good story , Ayaan had a question .
`` Why is n't my story in the library ? ''
the boy asked .
`` Oh , ours is just in our heads , '' his mom explained .
But Ayaan was n't happy with that answer .
`` His dream is to have it in his library , '' Mahmood says .
Mission accomplished .
The boy and his mom wrote the story , created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , worked to get it published , set up the little-birdies.com website and @ littlebirdiesstories sites on Facebook and Instagram , recorded a YouTube video , and recently got the book on the shelf at the Woodridge Public Library .
The story starts with a flock of many colors -- black , brown , gray , orange , yellow , red , blue , white , pink , purple and green .
The birds are good friends and always play together in spite of their differences .
`` It talks about diversity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone .
It 's a really good message to drive home with kids , '' Mahmood says .
As the bird 's adventures evolved , Mahmood had them fly into a cloud , where they lost their colors .
Ayaan was stunned .
`` He gave the biggest gasp ever , '' the mom says .
`` So I basically had until the next night to figure out what happens . ''
At first the birds loved looking all the same .
But it was difficult to play games when they could n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realized that they loved being different and unique .
Since Ayaan has always been a healthy eater who loves his vegetables and fruits , he had the green bird , also named Ayaan , come up with an idea .
`` They get their colors back from the fruits and vegetables , '' Ayaan says .
`` Green is my favorite color .
Grass is green .
I eat so much stuff that 's green , like lettuce and cucumbers . ''
So the bird named Ayaan did the same .
`` Maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one green vegetable , I 'll get my color back ! ''
the bird says .
He ate a pear and a cucumber , which restored his green color .
The blue bird , named after Ayaan 's brother , Azeem , could n't find a blue vegetable but was able to restore his color by eating two blueberries .
All the other birds followed their lead .
The gray bird could n't find any gray foods .
`` How sad is that ? ''
Ayaan says .
But they figured out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flying into a tiny , gray cloud .
`` Finally , all the little birdies were back to their original colors , '' the book concludes .
`` They were more proud and appreciative than ever of their very own -- and each other 's -- bright , vibrant , beautiful and different colors . ''
Even with the story written , the pair needed to illustrate it .
`` I had the most fun when we were at the library and home making the artwork , '' says Ayaan , who spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , glitter , glue and all sorts of construction paper .
`` We got to make the fluffy clouds , apple , pear , cucumber and other fruits and vegetables . ''
Much of the work was done together at their kitchen table .
`` Here 's my tomato , '' Ayaan says of the red cutout he drew and colored .
Mahmood , who grew up in Naperville and once was a reporter at the Daily Herald , now works as the director of communications and diversity , equity and inclusion for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been attending the DuPage Montessori School in Naperville since he was 2 years old .
The book proves that `` nothing is impossible , '' Mahmood says .
`` Make your dreams happen .
Always . ''
The diversity celebrated in the book is evident in the suburbs , where people observed the Islamic holiday of Ramadan in the spring , celebrated the Hindu holiday of Diwali in November , and are preparing for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and the Christian holiday of Christmas this month .
Proceeds from the book will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that advocate for children 's literacy and gender equity , and UNICEF USA , which supports healthy eating and children 's health .
`` Their colorful words provide us with a proactive example of how we can honor and celebrate equally what we have in common and what makes us unique , '' writes Michigan State University professor Teresa Mastin in the forward to the book .
`` Be proud of who you are .
Be happy with what you are , '' says Mahmood , who says she hopes people get that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's a gentle way to do it .
It 's a soft way to educate .
I think it 's important to show kids and not just tell them . ''

Constable: Mom and 7-year-old spin a bedtime tale, then see it published as a book
Making good on his dream to get their bedtime story made into a library book, author Ayaan Sheikh and his mom, Hafsa Naz Mahmood, celebrate at the Woodridge Public Library. Courtesy of Hafsa Naz Mahmood
The bedtime story is a tradition played out nightly between kids and parents across the suburbs, the nation and the globe.
In the Woodridge home of Hafsa Naz Mahmood, her husband, Haroon Sheikh, and their sons Ayaan, 7, and Azeem, 2, that tradition includes stories the mom and her second-grader make up on the spot.
"Every family has their bedtime stories, so we just sort of created our own," Mahmood says, explaining how she and Ayaan concocted a whimsical tale titled "Little Birdies Lose Their Colors," which also teaches a valuable lesson. "This one was especially fun to write."
It was such a good story, Ayaan had a question.
"Why isn't my story in the library?" the boy asked.
"Oh, ours is just in our heads," his mom explained.
But Ayaan wasn't happy with that answer. "His dream is to have it in his library," Mahmood says.
Mission accomplished. The boy and his mom wrote the story, created the artwork for the birds and clouds, worked to get it published, set up the little-birdies.com website and @littlebirdiesstories sites on Facebook and Instagram, recorded a YouTube video, and recently got the book on the shelf at the Woodridge Public Library.
The story starts with a flock of many colors -- black, brown, gray, orange, yellow, red, blue, white, pink, purple and green. The birds are good friends and always play together in spite of their differences.
"It talks about diversity and self-identity and pride and being inclusive of everyone. It's a really good message to drive home with kids," Mahmood says.
As the bird's adventures evolved, Mahmood had them fly into a cloud, where they lost their colors. Ayaan was stunned.
"He gave the biggest gasp ever," the mom says. "So I basically had until the next night to figure out what happens."
At first the birds loved looking all the same. But it was difficult to play games when they couldn't figure out who was who. They realized that they loved being different and unique.
Since Ayaan has always been a healthy eater who loves his vegetables and fruits, he had the green bird, also named Ayaan, come up with an idea.
"They get their colors back from the fruits and vegetables," Ayaan says. "Green is my favorite color. Grass is green. I eat so much stuff that's green, like lettuce and cucumbers."
So the bird named Ayaan did the same.
"Maybe if I eat one green fruit and one green vegetable, I'll get my color back!" the bird says. He ate a pear and a cucumber, which restored his green color. The blue bird, named after Ayaan's brother, Azeem, couldn't find a blue vegetable but was able to restore his color by eating two blueberries. All the other birds followed their lead.
The gray bird couldn't find any gray foods. "How sad is that?" Ayaan says. But they figured out the gray bird could restore his color by flying into a tiny, gray cloud.
"Finally, all the little birdies were back to their original colors," the book concludes. "They were more proud and appreciative than ever of their very own -- and each other's -- bright, vibrant, beautiful and different colors."
Even with the story written, the pair needed to illustrate it.
"I had the most fun when we were at the library and home making the artwork," says Ayaan, who spent hours with his mom buried in felt, glitter, glue and all sorts of construction paper. "We got to make the fluffy clouds, apple, pear, cucumber and other fruits and vegetables."
Much of the work was done together at their kitchen table.
"Here's my tomato," Ayaan says of the red cutout he drew and colored.
Mahmood, who grew up in Naperville and once was a reporter at the Daily Herald, now works as the director of communications and diversity, equity and inclusion for a global management firm. Ayaan has been attending the DuPage Montessori School in Naperville since he was 2 years old.
The book proves that "nothing is impossible," Mahmood says. "Make your dreams happen. Always."
The diversity celebrated in the book is evident in the suburbs, where people observed the Islamic holiday of Ramadan in the spring, celebrated the Hindu holiday of Diwali in November, and are preparing for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and the Christian holiday of Christmas this month.
Proceeds from the book will support First Book and LitWorld, charities that advocate for children's literacy and gender equity, and UNICEF USA, which supports healthy eating and children's health.
"Their colorful words provide us with a proactive example of how we can honor and celebrate equally what we have in common and what makes us unique," writes Michigan State University professor Teresa Mastin in the forward to the book.
"Be proud of who you are. Be happy with what you are," says Mahmood, who says she hopes people get that message from reading their book. "It's a gentle way to do it. It's a soft way to educate. I think it's important to show kids and not just tell them."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-05--Former state Sen. Sandoval dies of COVID-19 complications

Former state Sen. Martin Sandoval , who was facing prison after pleading guilty to political corruption , has died from COVID-19 complications , his attorney said Saturday .
Now , legal experts say Sandoval 's death has the potential to complicate the feds ' aggressive probe of Illinois politics , the Chicago Sun-Times reports -- more on that angle is at chicago.suntimes.com .
Attorney Dylan Smith confirmed the death based on his conversations with Sandoval 's family .
`` I was proud to have represented Martin Sandoval , '' Smith said .
`` He was someone of considerable ability who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his life and someone who was working very hard to make amends for his mistakes and , in his own way , doing what he could through his cooperation with the government to contribute to their efforts to clean up things in Springfield .
`` And I know he was sincerely remorseful for having strayed from his own standards , '' Smith said .
Sandoval , the former Senate Transportation Committee chairman , pleaded guilty in January to taking thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the red-light camera company SafeSpeed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Sandoval agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors in their ongoing corruption probe as part of his plea agreement .
Last week , prosecutors told a judge that Sandoval had `` provided valuable cooperation that is expected to last at least several more months . ''
`` I apologize to the people of Illinois and most importantly the constituents that I 've served over the last 17 years , '' he said .
`` ...
I intend to fully cooperate with the government , and because of that , I can no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sandoval , who resigned Jan. 1 , 2020 , faced up to about 12½ years in federal prison , but in exchange for his continued cooperation in the probe , prosecutors agreed to recommend a reduced sentence of unspecified length .

Former state Sen. Sandoval dies of COVID-19 complications
State Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, who pleaded guilty in January to political corruption, has died from COVID-19 complications, his attorney said Saturday. Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP, 2019
Former state Sen. Martin Sandoval, who was facing prison after pleading guilty to political corruption, has died from COVID-19 complications, his attorney said Saturday.
Now, legal experts say Sandoval's death has the potential to complicate the feds' aggressive probe of Illinois politics, the Chicago Sun-Times reports -- more on that angle is at chicago.suntimes.com.
Attorney Dylan Smith confirmed the death based on his conversations with Sandoval's family.
"I was proud to have represented Martin Sandoval," Smith said. "He was someone of considerable ability who had done a great deal of good in his life and someone who was working very hard to make amends for his mistakes and, in his own way, doing what he could through his cooperation with the government to contribute to their efforts to clean up things in Springfield.
"And I know he was sincerely remorseful for having strayed from his own standards," Smith said.
Sandoval, the former Senate Transportation Committee chairman, pleaded guilty in January to taking thousands of dollars in campaign contributions in exchange for blocking legislation that would hurt the red-light camera industry.
Sandoval agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors in their ongoing corruption probe as part of his plea agreement. Last week, prosecutors told a judge that Sandoval had "provided valuable cooperation that is expected to last at least several more months."
"I apologize to the people of Illinois and most importantly the constituents that I've served over the last 17 years," he said. "... I intend to fully cooperate with the government, and because of that, I can no longer provide any further comments."
Sandoval, who resigned Jan. 1, 2020, faced up to about 12½ years in federal prison, but in exchange for his continued cooperation in the probe, prosecutors agreed to recommend a reduced sentence of unspecified length.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-05--Illinois Republican Party Chairman Schneider plans to step down

Tim Schneider announced Saturday he plans to begin transitioning out of his role as chairman of the Illinois Republican Party , saying the GOP is in a `` great position '' to build upon its successes of this past year and gear up for the next election .
The Bartlett politician and former Cook County commissioner was unanimously chosen as head of the state party in May 2014 and reelected to a 4-year term in 2018 .
He has appointed a committee tasked with creating a process and timeline for selecting the next chairman .
Schneider intends to remain in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the full State Central Committee .
`` It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead this party for the past six years .
The Illinois Republican Party is an important force for change in a state that so desperately needs it , '' Schneider said in a news release .
`` During my tenure , the ILGOP has stood for reform -- term limits , fair maps and the end to the rampant corruption plaguing our state .
And we were united around our conservative values of smaller government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He pointed to the GOP 's role in the 2020 election cycle , saying the party netted a seat in the state House , avoided the retention of state Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride , and contributed to the defeat of Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's proposed graduated income tax plan .
Looking ahead , Schneider said , he believes the Republican Party could put up a `` strong fight '' in races across the ballot in 2022 , including regaining the governor 's mansion and winning majority control of the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2020 and with plenty of time to gear up for the next election , I have decided it 's the right time to begin the transition to a new chairman early next year , '' he said .
`` The entire State Central Committee is committed to an open and transparent process to select the best person for the job . ''
The committee that will develop a selection process includes Mike Bigger , Char Foss-Eggemann , Fred Floreth and Judy Diekelman .
The group is expected to recommend a process and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Schneider plans to step down
Tim Schneider announced Saturday he plans to begin transitioning out of his role as chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, saying the GOP is in a "great position" to build upon its successes of this past year and gear up for the next election.
The Bartlett politician and former Cook County commissioner was unanimously chosen as head of the state party in May 2014 and reelected to a 4-year term in 2018. He has appointed a committee tasked with creating a process and timeline for selecting the next chairman.
Schneider intends to remain in the role until his successor is chosen by the full State Central Committee.
"It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead this party for the past six years. The Illinois Republican Party is an important force for change in a state that so desperately needs it," Schneider said in a news release. "During my tenure, the ILGOP has stood for reform -- term limits, fair maps and the end to the rampant corruption plaguing our state. And we were united around our conservative values of smaller government, lower taxes and personal responsibility."
He pointed to the GOP's role in the 2020 election cycle, saying the party netted a seat in the state House, avoided the retention of state Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride, and contributed to the defeat of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's proposed graduated income tax plan.
Looking ahead, Schneider said, he believes the Republican Party could put up a "strong fight" in races across the ballot in 2022, including regaining the governor's mansion and winning majority control of the Supreme Court.
"So, after the successes in 2020 and with plenty of time to gear up for the next election, I have decided it's the right time to begin the transition to a new chairman early next year," he said. "The entire State Central Committee is committed to an open and transparent process to select the best person for the job."
The committee that will develop a selection process includes Mike Bigger, Char Foss-Eggemann, Fred Floreth and Judy Diekelman. The group is expected to recommend a process and timeline at its next meeting Jan. 9.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-05--COVID-19 case counts per county, ZIP code as of Dec. 4

Interactive mapFind an interactive map where you can search counts by ZIP code at dailyherald.com .
There have been 332,511 COVID-19 cases in the suburbs as of Friday .
That 's 43 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 5,644 deaths in the suburbs , which is 43.5 % of all COVID-19 deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Friday , suburban Cook County had 152,956 cases and 3,038 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 169,166 cases and 3,559 fatalities .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Cook County 's health department and the medical examiner 's office : 5,413 cases and 136 deaths in Des Plaines , 3,777 cases and 40 deaths in Palatine , 3,404 cases and 69 deaths in Arlington Heights , 3,264 cases and 32 deaths in Schaumburg , 2,852 cases and 39 deaths in Streamwood , 2,690 cases and 24 deaths in Mount Prospect , 2,445 cases and 37 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 2,425 cases and 90 deaths in Wheeling , 2,389 cases and 61 deaths in Glenview , 1,732 cases and 75 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 1,674 cases and 53 deaths in Elk Grove Village , 1,515 cases and 31 deaths in Rolling Meadows , 854 cases and 11 deaths in Prospect Heights , 627 cases and 26 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
• As of Friday , DuPage County had 49,311 cases and 786 deaths , according to the state .
The DuPage County Health Department has slowed its daily reporting , blaming a data processing issue on the state .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the county : 4,012 cases and 72 deaths in Naperville ( DuPage County portion ) , 3,022 cases and 24 deaths in Addison , 2,707 cases and 24 deaths in West Chicago , 2,533 cases and 36 deaths in Carol Stream , 2,513 cases and 30 deaths in Wheaton , 2,412 cases and 17 deaths in Glendale Heights , 2,388 cases and 51 deaths in Elmhurst , 2,448 cases and 34 deaths in Lombard , 1,934 cases and 15 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 1,781 cases and 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 25 deaths in Bensenville , 1,422 cases and 11 deaths in Villa Park , and 1,200 cases and 12 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage County portion ) .
Lake County • 39,563 cases with 639 deaths as of Friday on the IDPH website .
The Lake County Health Department has slowed its daily reporting , blaming a data processing issue on the state .
The county is no longer reporting total case counts by municipality.Kane County • 33,695 cases with 452 deaths as of Friday on the IDPH website .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily reporting , blaming a data processing issue on the state .
• Most recent top counts posted on the county website as of Thursday : 10,269 in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 6,666 in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 3,237 in St. Charles , 2,843 in Carpentersville , 1,685 in South Elgin , 1,479 in Geneva , 1,281 in Batavia , 545 in Hampshire , 504 in Sugar Grove , 410 in Gilberts , 387 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) .
McHenry County • 15,160 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the state health department 's website .
Will County • 41,826 cases and 565 deaths reported , according to the IDPH website Friday .

COVID-19 case counts per county, ZIP code as of Dec. 4
This undated electron microscope image from February shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. NIAID-RML via AP
Interactive mapFind an interactive map where you can search counts by ZIP code at dailyherald.com.
Suburbs' portion
There have been 332,511 COVID-19 cases in the suburbs as of Friday. That's 43% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. There have been 5,644 deaths in the suburbs, which is 43.5% of all COVID-19 deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Friday, suburban Cook County had 152,956 cases and 3,038 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 169,166 cases and 3,559 fatalities.
• Top suburb case counts as of Friday from Cook County's health department and the medical examiner's office: 5,413 cases and 136 deaths in Des Plaines, 3,777 cases and 40 deaths in Palatine, 3,404 cases and 69 deaths in Arlington Heights, 3,264 cases and 32 deaths in Schaumburg, 2,852 cases and 39 deaths in Streamwood, 2,690 cases and 24 deaths in Mount Prospect, 2,445 cases and 37 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 2,425 cases and 90 deaths in Wheeling, 2,389 cases and 61 deaths in Glenview, 1,732 cases and 75 deaths in Northbrook, 1,671 cases and 21 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 1,674 cases and 53 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 1,515 cases and 31 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 854 cases and 11 deaths in Prospect Heights, 627 cases and 26 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County
• As of Friday, DuPage County had 49,311 cases and 786 deaths, according to the state. The DuPage County Health Department has slowed its daily reporting, blaming a data processing issue on the state.
• Top counts as of Thursday, according to the county: 4,012 cases and 72 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 3,022 cases and 24 deaths in Addison, 2,707 cases and 24 deaths in West Chicago, 2,533 cases and 36 deaths in Carol Stream, 2,513 cases and 30 deaths in Wheaton, 2,412 cases and 17 deaths in Glendale Heights, 2,388 cases and 51 deaths in Elmhurst, 2,448 cases and 34 deaths in Lombard, 1,934 cases and 15 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 1,781 cases and 11 deaths in Glen Ellyn, 1,607 cases and 25 deaths in Bensenville, 1,422 cases and 11 deaths in Villa Park, and 1,200 cases and 12 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage County portion).
Lake County • 39,563 cases with 639 deaths as of Friday on the IDPH website. The Lake County Health Department has slowed its daily reporting, blaming a data processing issue on the state. The county is no longer reporting total case counts by municipality.Kane County • 33,695 cases with 452 deaths as of Friday on the IDPH website. The Kane County Health Department has slowed its daily reporting, blaming a data processing issue on the state. • Most recent top counts posted on the county website as of Thursday: 10,269 in Aurora (Kane County portion), 6,666 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 3,237 in St. Charles, 2,843 in Carpentersville, 1,685 in South Elgin, 1,479 in Geneva, 1,281 in Batavia, 545 in Hampshire, 504 in Sugar Grove, 410 in Gilberts, 387 in Algonquin (Kane County portion).
McHenry County• 15,160 cases and 164 deaths as of Friday, according to the state health department's website. Will County• 41,826 cases and 565 deaths reported, according to the IDPH website Friday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-05--Facts Matter: How a note about medical workers' struggles was turned into a lie about a COVID-19 hoa

A selfie taken by a Nevada doctor showing an alternative care facility before it opened has been reposted by social media users falsely claiming the empty site is proof the coronavirus is a hoax , according to The Associated Press .
`` No patients , folded up beds , wrapped up equipment that 's never been used ! ''
one Twitter user wrote .
`` They spent millions on this scam and never seen a single patient in this fake hospital ! ''
But the Reno , Nevada , care site , set up in the Renown Regional Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus patients since it was opened last month , hospital officials told the AP .
The alternate space , which can accommodate more than 1,400 patients , is planned for a potential overflow of COVID-19 patients who do n't require long-term care .
Dr. Jacob Keeperman , who works at the hospital , posted the selfie on Twitter Nov. 29 , showing the site before any patients had arrived .
His message disputed the idea that the virus is a hoax .
`` I want to thank all the incredible staff who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those suffering from COVID-19 , '' Keeperman wrote .
`` With 5 deaths in the last 32 hours , everyone is struggling to keep their head up . ''
President Donald Trump retweeted the false claim of a scam , along with the comment , `` Fake election results in Nevada , also ! ''
Nevada saw a surge in coronavirus cases last month with a record-high 1,590 people hospitalized on Dec. 1 , the AP said .
President Donald Trump has continually claimed he won the presidential election that has been called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 25 call into a news conference , Trump said poll watchers were not allowed to do their jobs .
`` We have poll watcher affidavits piled up to the ceiling , '' he said .
`` The poll watchers were n't allowed to watch .
They were , in many cases , whisked out of the room , not only in pens that were 20 , 30 , 40 , 60 , 100 feet away where you could n't even see . ''
Affidavits submitted as evidence are not established as fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to The Washington Post .
And nearly all the affidavits from poll watchers presented by Trump 's campaign were dismissed by judges because they failed to show serious fraud .
Many affidavits merely contained complaints about rude behavior or unpleasant looks from poll workers or other watchers .
Pennsylvania 's Supreme Court ruled Nov. 17 that a waist-high barrier was legally set up 15-18 feet from election workers , which allowed poll watchers `` to observe the board conducting its activities as prescribed under the Election Code . ''
A recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows news network CNN reversing a Nov. 7 report that Joe Biden won the presidential election .
`` Watch the same CNN that projected Biden a winner the same CNN is now saying that Trump will win ! ''
the post reads .
CNN , along with other networks , called the election for Biden on Nov. 7 , according to PolitiFact.com .
And there has been no reversal of that call .
The video clip accompanying the false information is actually from Sept. 27 , more than a month before Election Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how President Trump could win reelection without winning the popular vote .
`` The Constitution calls for states to choose the presidential electors who in turn gather to vote for the president , '' Zakaria said .
He went on to explain `` how Trump could lose and still win . ''
PolitiFact notes nothing on CNN 's website suggests doubt about Biden 's victory .
Recent headlines include , `` Arizona certifies Biden 's victory , '' `` Georgia Republican officials reject Trump 's calls to overturn election results '' and `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Trump-requested recount . ''
It 's the Christmas season , so , of course , the internet is filling up with false information about reindeer .
A recent meme claims reindeer are the only mammals that can see ultraviolet , or UV , light .
Not true , according to Snopes.com .
This is an example of social media users posting `` fun memes with purported wintry arctic facts . ''
In 2011 , researchers found that arctic reindeers ' visual range extended into ultraviolet light , Snopes said .
UV light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They concluded that reindeer had evolved protection against UV light to provide a visual advantage in the arctic winter .
However , 20 years earlier , scientists had determined that rodents could see UV light .
This was the first mammal discovered with this capability .
Therefore , reindeer are not the only mammal with the ability to see UV light .

Facts Matter: How a note about medical workers' struggles was turned into a lie about a COVID-19 hoax
A construction worker walks past beds readied for use if needed in a Renown Hospital parking structure in Reno, Nevada. The alternative care site opened last month as COVID-19 cases surged. A photo of the once empty site was used to claim COVID-19 is a hoax, a claim retweeted Dec. 1 by President Donald Trump. Andy Barron/The Reno Gazette-Journal via Associated Press/April 14
A selfie taken by a Nevada doctor showing an alternative care facility before it opened has been reposted by social media users falsely claiming the empty site is proof the coronavirus is a hoax, according to The Associated Press.
"No patients, folded up beds, wrapped up equipment that's never been used!" one Twitter user wrote. "They spent millions on this scam and never seen a single patient in this fake hospital!"
But the Reno, Nevada, care site, set up in the Renown Regional Medical Center's parking garage, has treated 243 coronavirus patients since it was opened last month, hospital officials told the AP. The alternate space, which can accommodate more than 1,400 patients, is planned for a potential overflow of COVID-19 patients who don't require long-term care.
Dr. Jacob Keeperman, who works at the hospital, posted the selfie on Twitter Nov. 29, showing the site before any patients had arrived. His message disputed the idea that the virus is a hoax.
"I want to thank all the incredible staff who are Fighting the Good Fight to help all those suffering from COVID-19," Keeperman wrote. "With 5 deaths in the last 32 hours, everyone is struggling to keep their head up."
President Donald Trump retweeted the false claim of a scam, along with the comment, "Fake election results in Nevada, also!"
Nevada saw a surge in coronavirus cases last month with a record-high 1,590 people hospitalized on Dec. 1, the AP said.
Legal restrictions set for poll watchers
President Donald Trump has continually claimed he won the presidential election that has been called for President-elect Joe Biden.
During a Nov. 25 call into a news conference, Trump said poll watchers were not allowed to do their jobs.
"We have poll watcher affidavits piled up to the ceiling," he said. "The poll watchers weren't allowed to watch. They were, in many cases, whisked out of the room, not only in pens that were 20, 30, 40, 60, 100 feet away where you couldn't even see."
Affidavits submitted as evidence are not established as fact until a judge or jury decides that, according to The Washington Post. And nearly all the affidavits from poll watchers presented by Trump's campaign were dismissed by judges because they failed to show serious fraud.
Many affidavits merely contained complaints about rude behavior or unpleasant looks from poll workers or other watchers.
Pennsylvania's Supreme Court ruled Nov. 17 that a waist-high barrier was legally set up 15-18 feet from election workers, which allowed poll watchers "to observe the board conducting its activities as prescribed under the Election Code."
CNN didn't flip on election call
A recent Facebook post includes a video that supposedly shows news network CNN reversing a Nov. 7 report that Joe Biden won the presidential election.
"Watch the same CNN that projected Biden a winner the same CNN is now saying that Trump will win!" the post reads.
CNN, along with other networks, called the election for Biden on Nov. 7, according to PolitiFact.com. And there has been no reversal of that call.
The video clip accompanying the false information is actually from Sept. 27, more than a month before Election Day. CNN host Fareed Zakaria was explaining how President Trump could win reelection without winning the popular vote.
"The Constitution calls for states to choose the presidential electors who in turn gather to vote for the president," Zakaria said. He went on to explain "how Trump could lose and still win."
PolitiFact notes nothing on CNN's website suggests doubt about Biden's victory.
Recent headlines include, "Arizona certifies Biden's victory," "Georgia Republican officials reject Trump's calls to overturn election results" and "Biden picks up votes in Milwaukee County after Trump-requested recount."
Fake news about reindeer
It's the Christmas season, so, of course, the internet is filling up with false information about reindeer.
A recent meme claims reindeer are the only mammals that can see ultraviolet, or UV, light.
Not true, according to Snopes.com. This is an example of social media users posting "fun memes with purported wintry arctic facts."
In 2011, researchers found that arctic reindeers' visual range extended into ultraviolet light, Snopes said. UV light would normally damage the eyes of mammals. They concluded that reindeer had evolved protection against UV light to provide a visual advantage in the arctic winter.
However, 20 years earlier, scientists had determined that rodents could see UV light. This was the first mammal discovered with this capability. Therefore, reindeer are not the only mammal with the ability to see UV light.