dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-22--Trump pardons 15, including allies convicted in Russia probe like Papadopoulos

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned 15 people , including Republican allies , a 2016 campaign official ensnared in the Russia probe and former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad .
Trump also commuted the sentences of five others .
While it is not unusual for presidents to grant clemency on their way out the door , Trump has made clear that he has no qualms about intervening in the cases of friends and allies whom he believes have been treated unfairly .
Despite speculation , though , not on the list were members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney Rudy Giuliani and the president himself .
Among the pardons for allies ensnared in the Russia investigation was one for George Papadopoulos , his 2016 campaign adviser whose conversation unwittingly helped trigger the Russia investigation that shadowed Trump 's presidency for nearly two years .
He also pardoned Alex van der Zwaan , a Dutch lawyer who was sentenced to 30 days in prison for lying to investigators during special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation .
The pardons included former Republican Reps. Duncan Hunter of California and Chris Collins of New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Rep. Steve Stockman of Texas and pardoned a current state representative , Phil Lyman of Utah , who led an ATV protest through restricted native lands .
Collins , the first member of Congress to endorse Trump to be president , was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison after admitting he helped his son and others dodge $ 800,000 in stock market losses when he learned that a drug trial by a small pharmaceutical company had failed .
Hunter was sentenced to 11 months in prison after pleading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the money on everything from outings with friends to his daughter 's birthday party .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the pardons for Hunter and Collins were granted after `` the request of many members of Congress . ''
She noted that Hunter served the nation in the U.S. Marines and saw combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan .
Van der Zwaan and Papadopoulos are the third and fourth Russia investigation defendants granted clemency .
By pardoning them , Trump once again took aim at Mueller 's probe and pushed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigation that yielded criminal charges against a half-dozen associates .
Last month , Trump pardoned former national security adviser Michael Flynn , who had twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI , and months earlier commuted the sentence of another associate , Roger Stone , days before he was to report to prison .
Trump has granted about 2 % of requested pardons in his single term in office , and had done 27 before Tuesday 's announcement .
By comparison , Barack Obama granted 212 or 6 % , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or 189 .
George H. W. Bush , another one-term president , granted 10 % of requests .
In the group announced Tuesday night were four former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone .
Supporters of Nicholas Slatten , Paul Slough , Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard , the former contractors at Blackwater Worldwide , had lobbied for pardons , arguing that the men had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecution they said was tainted by problems and withheld exculpatory evidence .
All four were serving lengthy prison sentences .
The pardons reflected Trump 's apparent willingness to give the benefit of doubt to American servicemembers and contractors when it comes to acts of violence in warzones against civilians .
Last November , for instance , he pardoned a former U.S. Army commando who was set to stand trial next year in the killing of a suspected Afghan bomb-maker and a former Army lieutenant convicted of murder for ordering his men to fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phil Lyman was serving as a county commissioner in 2014 when he led a protest of about 50 ATV riders in a canyon home to Native American cliff dwellings that officials closed to motorized traffic .
The ride occurred amid a sputtering movement in the West pushing back against federal control of large swaths of land and came in the wake of an armed confrontation Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy had with Bureau of Land Management over grazing fees .
Lyman spent 10 days in prison and was ordered to pay nearly $ 96,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 lifted a ban on motorized vehicles in parts of the canyon but left restrictions in place through other areas where Lyman led his ride .
Others on the list included a Pittsburgh dentist who pleaded guilty to health care fraud , two women convicted of drug crimes , and Alfred Lee Crum , now 89 , who pleaded guilty in 1952 when he was 19 to helping his wife 's uncle illegally distill moonshine .
Crum served three years of probation and paid a $ 250 fine .
The White House said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strong marriage for nearly 70 years , attended the same church for 60 years , raised four children , and regularly participated in charity fundraising events .
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller Jill Colvin , Michael Balsamo in Washington and Michelle Price in Las Vegas contributed to this report .

Trump pardons 15, including allies convicted in Russia probe like Papadopoulos
FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, file photo, U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., speaks to reporters as he leaves the courthouse after a pretrial hearing in his insider-trading case, in New York. On Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, President Donald Trump pardoned 15 people, including Collins. Collins, the first member of Congress to endorse Trump to be president, was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison after admitting he helped his son and others dodge $800,000 in stock market losses when he learned that a drug trial by a small pharmaceutical company had failed. Associated press
FILE - In this Monday, July 1, 2019, file photo, U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter leaves federal court after a motions hearing in San Diego. On Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, President Donald Trump pardoned 15 people, including Hunter, who was sentenced to 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing campaign funds and spending the money on everything from outings with friends to his daughter's birthday party. Associated press
A Marine stands outside the entrance to the West Wing of the White House, signifying the President is in the Oval Office, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Washington. Associated press
FILE - In this Oct. 25, 2018, file photo, George Papadopoulos, the former Trump campaign adviser who triggered the Russia investigation, arrives for his first appearance before congressional investigators, on Capitol Hill in Washington. On Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, President Donald Trump pardoned 15 people, including Papadopoulos, his 2016 former campaign adviser whose conversation unwittingly helped trigger the Russia investigation that shadowed Trump's presidency for nearly two years. Associated press
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned 15 people, including Republican allies, a 2016 campaign official ensnared in the Russia probe and former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad.
Trump also commuted the sentences of five others. While it is not unusual for presidents to grant clemency on their way out the door, Trump has made clear that he has no qualms about intervening in the cases of friends and allies whom he believes have been treated unfairly. Despite speculation, though, not on the list were members of Trump's own family, his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and the president himself.
Among the pardons for allies ensnared in the Russia investigation was one for George Papadopoulos, his 2016 campaign adviser whose conversation unwittingly helped trigger the Russia investigation that shadowed Trump's presidency for nearly two years. He also pardoned Alex van der Zwaan, a Dutch lawyer who was sentenced to 30 days in prison for lying to investigators during special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.
The pardons included former Republican Reps. Duncan Hunter of California and Chris Collins of New York. Trump also commuted the sentence of former Rep. Steve Stockman of Texas and pardoned a current state representative, Phil Lyman of Utah, who led an ATV protest through restricted native lands.
Collins, the first member of Congress to endorse Trump to be president, was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison after admitting he helped his son and others dodge $800,000 in stock market losses when he learned that a drug trial by a small pharmaceutical company had failed.
Hunter was sentenced to 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing campaign funds and spending the money on everything from outings with friends to his daughter's birthday party.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the pardons for Hunter and Collins were granted after "the request of many members of Congress." She noted that Hunter served the nation in the U.S. Marines and saw combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Van der Zwaan and Papadopoulos are the third and fourth Russia investigation defendants granted clemency. By pardoning them, Trump once again took aim at Mueller's probe and pushed a broader effort to undo the results of the investigation that yielded criminal charges against a half-dozen associates.
Last month, Trump pardoned former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who had twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, and months earlier commuted the sentence of another associate, Roger Stone, days before he was to report to prison.
Trump has granted about 2% of requested pardons in his single term in office, and had done 27 before Tuesday's announcement. By comparison, Barack Obama granted 212 or 6%, and George W. Bush granted about 7%, or 189. George H. W. Bush, another one-term president, granted 10% of requests.
In the group announced Tuesday night were four former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone.
Supporters of Nicholas Slatten, Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard, the former contractors at Blackwater Worldwide, had lobbied for pardons, arguing that the men had been excessively punished in an investigation and prosecution they said was tainted by problems and withheld exculpatory evidence. All four were serving lengthy prison sentences.
The pardons reflected Trump's apparent willingness to give the benefit of doubt to American servicemembers and contractors when it comes to acts of violence in warzones against civilians. Last November, for instance, he pardoned a former U.S. Army commando who was set to stand trial next year in the killing of a suspected Afghan bomb-maker and a former Army lieutenant convicted of murder for ordering his men to fire upon three Afghans.
Utah state Rep. Phil Lyman was serving as a county commissioner in 2014 when he led a protest of about 50 ATV riders in a canyon home to Native American cliff dwellings that officials closed to motorized traffic. The ride occurred amid a sputtering movement in the West pushing back against federal control of large swaths of land and came in the wake of an armed confrontation Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy had with Bureau of Land Management over grazing fees.
Lyman spent 10 days in prison and was ordered to pay nearly $96,000 in restitution. The Trump administration in 2017 lifted a ban on motorized vehicles in parts of the canyon but left restrictions in place through other areas where Lyman led his ride.
Others on the list included a Pittsburgh dentist who pleaded guilty to health care fraud, two women convicted of drug crimes, and Alfred Lee Crum, now 89, who pleaded guilty in 1952 when he was 19 to helping his wife's uncle illegally distill moonshine.
Crum served three years of probation and paid a $250 fine. The White House said Crum has maintained a clean record and a strong marriage for nearly 70 years, attended the same church for 60 years, raised four children, and regularly participated in charity fundraising events.
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller Jill Colvin, Michael Balsamo in Washington and Michelle Price in Las Vegas contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-22--Bears offense is carrying them, and that's been a long time coming

What jumps off the tape of the Bears ' 33-27 win over the Vikings on Sunday is how well the offense is playing , and it was n't only because the Vikings defense is n't very good .
For four weeks now the offense has played well enough for the Bears to win but it was the defense that let them down versus the Packers and Lions .
Why has it taken this long for the offense to come around ?
Matt Nagy explained Monday , `` I 'll start off with just saying that again when somebody goes down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced into certain decisions and you see is a guy ready or not ready .
`` That happened with us with both Sam ( Mustipher ) and Alex ( Bars ) .
I mean , Alex played center for us and now he is playing right guard .
Sam played center and then he got hurt and then came back a few weeks later and ( Germain ) Ifedi switches over to tackle and Cody ( Whitehair is ) moving over to left guard .
`` We had a feeling coming out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , putting these guys in these spots is what 's best for this offense , '' Nagy continued .
`` When you watch tape you see these linemen , they 're running to the ball , they 're picking guys up off the ground , they 're celebrating .
`` Go check out the touchdown run and watch Sam Mustipher 's celebration after the touchdown .
It 's pretty neat , and that 's kind of where we 're at right now . ''
The offensive line 's improvement has been huge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play of Mitch Trubisky at quarterback .
Nagy told us , `` We do feel like it 's a good place with the identity of the offense with Mitchell playing the way he 's playing , with the scheme , with the consistency of O-line and with the growth of all these younger players . ''
Offense : During the win over the Vikings , the offense was spot on .
You ca n't get closer to perfect balance than 199 yards on the ground and 198 through the air .
David Montgomery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trubisky was near flawless at quarterback , particularly after Nagy confirmed his lone interception was the right read to Allen Robinson but the ball got away from him and you ca n't expect perfect on every throw .
Wideouts and tight ends were available to Trubisky all day in the passing game , and they are doing a really good job right now of blocking in the run game .
Pass protection still gets iffy too often across the front , and the offense lost its rhythm a couple times in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very good day .
Grade : A- Defense : Dalvin Cook was bound to make a few big plays against the Bears eventually and he did Sunday , but they did n't let him take over the game .
The pass rush was fierce at times but inconsistent at others , and you 'd like to see them play 60 minutes , and 27 points is n't horrible but it is n't good either .
Bilal Nichols , John Jenkins and Robert Quinn played their best games of the season , Khalil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Danny Trevathan was everywhere .
Kindle Vildor and Duke Shelley made a few of the mistakes you 'd expect but for the most part both were impressive .
Unfortunately Eddie Jackson still is not himself , and it 's allowing teams to make too many big plays on third down .
They can play much better , but they were good enough .
Grade : B- Special teams : The kicking game was perfect as Cairo Santos was 4-for-4 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points , Patrick O'Donnell 's one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside the 20 at the Vikings ' 12 and the return game and coverage were solid .
Grade : A- Coaching : Why Nagy and company had n't appeared to know what they had in players like Mustipher and Bars until they were forced to put them on the field , and why it 's taken this long to unleash Trubisky 's , Montgomery 's , Cole Kmet 's and others ' talent is an ongoing concern .
But the Bears were impressive against the Vikings on offense for 60 minutes , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big play , and Nagy and his staff appeared to have them in the right positions and schemes to make it happen all afternoon long .
Grade : B+

Bears offense is carrying them, and that's been a long time coming
Bears lineman Alex Bars has stepped up at a tackle position the past two weeks. ASSOCIATED PRESS
What jumps off the tape of the Bears' 33-27 win over the Vikings on Sunday is how well the offense is playing, and it wasn't only because the Vikings defense isn't very good.
For four weeks now the offense has played well enough for the Bears to win but it was the defense that let them down versus the Packers and Lions.
Why has it taken this long for the offense to come around?
Matt Nagy explained Monday, "I'll start off with just saying that again when somebody goes down with an injury and sometimes you're forced into certain decisions and you see is a guy ready or not ready.
"That happened with us with both Sam (Mustipher) and Alex (Bars). I mean, Alex played center for us and now he is playing right guard. Sam played center and then he got hurt and then came back a few weeks later and (Germain) Ifedi switches over to tackle and Cody (Whitehair is) moving over to left guard.
"We had a feeling coming out of the bye that health-wise and then position-wise, putting these guys in these spots is what's best for this offense," Nagy continued. "When you watch tape you see these linemen, they're running to the ball, they're picking guys up off the ground, they're celebrating.
"Go check out the touchdown run and watch Sam Mustipher's celebration after the touchdown. It's pretty neat, and that's kind of where we're at right now."
The offensive line's improvement has been huge, but not more so than the improved play of Mitch Trubisky at quarterback.
Nagy told us, "We do feel like it's a good place with the identity of the offense with Mitchell playing the way he's playing, with the scheme, with the consistency of O-line and with the growth of all these younger players."
Offense: During the win over the Vikings, the offense was spot on.
You can't get closer to perfect balance than 199 yards on the ground and 198 through the air.
David Montgomery had a career game at running back, Trubisky was near flawless at quarterback, particularly after Nagy confirmed his lone interception was the right read to Allen Robinson but the ball got away from him and you can't expect perfect on every throw.
Wideouts and tight ends were available to Trubisky all day in the passing game, and they are doing a really good job right now of blocking in the run game.
Pass protection still gets iffy too often across the front, and the offense lost its rhythm a couple times in the red zone, but overall it was a very good day. Grade: A-
Defense: Dalvin Cook was bound to make a few big plays against the Bears eventually and he did Sunday, but they didn't let him take over the game.
The pass rush was fierce at times but inconsistent at others, and you'd like to see them play 60 minutes, and 27 points isn't horrible but it isn't good either.
Bilal Nichols, John Jenkins and Robert Quinn played their best games of the season, Khalil Mack was his usual game-changing self, and Danny Trevathan was everywhere.
Kindle Vildor and Duke Shelley made a few of the mistakes you'd expect but for the most part both were impressive.
Unfortunately Eddie Jackson still is not himself, and it's allowing teams to make too many big plays on third down.
They can play much better, but they were good enough. Grade: B-
Special teams: The kicking game was perfect as Cairo Santos was 4-for-4 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points, Patrick O'Donnell's one punt went 44 yards and was downed inside the 20 at the Vikings' 12 and the return game and coverage were solid. Grade: A-
Coaching: Why Nagy and company hadn't appeared to know what they had in players like Mustipher and Bars until they were forced to put them on the field, and why it's taken this long to unleash Trubisky's, Montgomery's, Cole Kmet's and others' talent is an ongoing concern.
But the Bears were impressive against the Vikings on offense for 60 minutes, the defense was opportunistic and made almost every big play, and Nagy and his staff appeared to have them in the right positions and schemes to make it happen all afternoon long. Grade: B+
• Twitter: @Hub_Arkush


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-23--Pfizer to supply U.S. with additional 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine

WASHINGTON -- Pfizer and BioNTech will supply the U.S. with an additional 100 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine under a new agreement .
The drugmakers said Wednesday that they expect to deliver all the doses by July 31 in the nearly $ 2 billion deal .
Pfizer already has a contract to supply the government with 100 million doses of its vaccine .
Under the $ 2 billion deal announced Wednesday , the companies will deliver at least 70 million of the additional doses by June 30 , with the remaining 30 million doses to be delivered no later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the option to acquire up to an additional 400 million doses .
Pfizer 's vaccine was the first to gain approval from the Food and Drug Administration and initial shipments went to states last week .
It has now been joined by a vaccine from Moderna , which was developed in closer cooperation with scientists from the National Institutes of Health .
Moderna 's vaccine comes under the umbrella of the government 's own effort , which is called Operation Warp Speed .
That public-private endeavor was designed to have millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once a shot received FDA approval .
The deal with Pfizer moves the nation closer to the goal of vaccinating all Americans .
A law dating back to the Korean War gives the government authority to direct private companies to produce critical goods in times of national emergency .
Called the Defense Production Act , it 's expected to be invoked to help Pfizer secure some raw materials needed for its vaccine .
Pfizer already had a contract to supply the government with 100 million doses of its vaccine under Operation Warp Speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's more of an arms-length relationship with the company and they do n't have as much visibility into its operations .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said last week that the government was negotiating with Pfizer for more doses , but details provided Tuesday about the company 's desire for better access to supplies are new .
`` With these 100 million additional doses , the United States will be able to protect more individuals and hopefully end this devastating pandemic more quickly , '' said Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with the U.S. government and health care providers around the country . ''
The vaccine from Pfizer and German pharmaceutical BioNTech immediately raised hopes of taming a pandemic that has killed nearly 320,000 people in the U.S. and hobbled much of the national economy .
Health care workers and nursing home residents topped the list as local TV stations across the country began broadcasting scenes of the first vaccinations .
Some polls show skepticism about getting vaccinated may be easing .
After early failures with testing , Trump administration officials are hoping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines .
Operation Warp Speed has financed the development , manufacture and distribution of millions of doses , with the goal of providing a free vaccine to any American who wants one .
Operation Warp Speed is on track to have about 40 million doses of vaccine by the end of this month , of which about 20 million would be allocated for first vaccinations .
Distribution of those doses would span into the first week of January .
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two shots to be fully effective .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new details of negotiations between Pfizer and the Trump administration .

Pfizer to supply U.S. with additional 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine
Surgeon General of the U.S. Jerome Adams, left, elbow-bumps Emergency Room technician Demetrius Mcalister Tuesday after Mcalister got the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination at Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Pfizer said Wednesday it will supply the U.S. government with an additional 100 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine under a new agreement between the pharmaceutical giant and the Trump administration.
Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech said that will bring their total current commitment to 200 million doses for the U.S. That should be enough to vaccinate 100 million people with the two-shot regimen. The government also has an option to purchase an additional 400 million doses.
"This new federal purchase can give Americans even more confidence that we will have enough supply to vaccinate every American who wants it by June 2021," said Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in a statement. The cost to taxpayers: $1.95 billion for the additional 100 million doses.
To aid vaccine production, the government said it is using its authority under a Cold War-era law that allows it to direct private manufacturing.
Pfizer's vaccine was the first to be approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration. It has now been joined by another two-shot vaccine from Moderna, developed in close collaboration with the National Institutes of Health. The government began shipping the Pfizer vaccine to states last week, and the one from Moderna this week.
The priority groups for first vaccination include health care workers and nursing home residents. Gradually more Americans will have access to the free vaccines, which have been shown to be highly effective in clinical studies undertaken so far.
Separately, HHS announced it has joined forces with another big pharma company -- Merck -- to support the large-scale manufacture of a promising treatment for patients suffering from severe COVID-19 illness.
The treatment, still under investigation and not yet approved by the FDA, is known as MK-7110. It has the potential to minimize the damaging effects of an overactive immune response to COVID-19. This immune overdrive unleashes a cascade of effects on the human body, complicating the lifesaving efforts of doctors and nurses.
The government is paying Merck about $356 million to fast-track production of its treatment under the auspices of Operation Warp Speed, a joint effort between HHS, the Pentagon, and drug companies to develop vaccines and treatments for COVID-19. It's the same collaboration that led to Moderna's vaccine. The money will allow Merck to deliver up to 100,000 doses by June 30, if the FDA clears the treatment for emergency use.
The current wave of COVID-19 is straining hospitals in a number of states, from California to Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma to Rhode Island. Having better treatments would help keep patients out of intensive care, improving their chances of survival and reducing the burden and stress on hospital staff.
Under the Pfizer deal announced Wednesday, the company will deliver at least 70 million of the additional vaccine doses by June 30, with the remaining 30 million to be delivered no later than July 31.
"With these 100 million additional doses, the United States will be able to protect more individuals and hopefully end this devastating pandemic more quickly," Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement. "We look forward to continuing our work with the U.S. government and health care providers around the country."
Pfizer initially had a contract through Operation Warp Speed to supply the government with 100 million doses of its vaccine. The drugmaker will receive nearly $2 billion for that deal as well.
The Associated Press previously reported that the government was close to reaching the just-announced deal with Pfizer in exchange for helping the company gain better access to manufacturing supplies.
A law dating back to the Korean War gives the government authority to direct private companies to produce critical goods in times of national emergency. Called the Defense Production Act, it's expected to help Pfizer secure some raw materials needed for its vaccine.
"Operation Warp Speed and the Department of Health and Human Services are using the Defense Production Act to support the production of the six OWS-related vaccines, including Pfizer," said HHS spokesman Michael Pratt. "Through the selective application of DPA authorities, OWS helps prioritize access to the critical materials and supplies necessary to expand vaccine production in support of U.S. government contracts."
The other four vaccines are undergoing trials to determine their effectiveness and better understand their overall safety.
Pfizer and BioNTech undertook their own vaccine development, maintaining a more arms-length relationship with the government. But approval of their vaccine won them immediate name recognition, raising hopes of taming a pandemic that has killed more than 320,000 Americans and hobbled much of the economy. Local TV stations across the country began broadcasting scenes of doctors and nurses garbed in hospital scrubs receiving the first vaccinations. Some polls showed easing skepticism about getting vaccinated.
After early failures with testing, Trump administration officials are hoping to write a very different ending with vaccines. Operation Warp Speed has financed the development, manufacture and distribution of millions of doses, with the goal of providing a free vaccine to any American who wants one.
Operation Warp Speed is on track to have about 40 million doses of vaccine by the end of this month, of which about 20 million would be allocated for first vaccinations. Distribution of those doses would span into the first week of January. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two shots to be fully effective.
Associated Press writer Jonathan Lemire contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-22--Police: Car with dog inside stolen from Elmhurst shopping center parking lot

Elmhurst police say a dog was inside a car that was stolen Tuesday morning from a shopping center parking lot @ @ @ @ @ Zu mix named Zoey was in the white 2004 Pontiac Vibe when the vehicle was @ @ @ @ @ the Elmhurst Crossing shopping center along Route 83 .
The vehicle was parked in front @ @ @ @ @ keys inside the car , officials said .
The vehicle , with Illinois license plate @ @ @ @ @ seen heading west on North Avenue from Route 83 .
Anyone who sees the dog @ @ @ @ @ Elmhurst police at ( 630 ) 530-3050 .

Police: Car with dog inside stolen from Elmhurst shopping center parking lot
A female terrier Shi Zu mix named Zoey was inside a white 2004 Pontiac Vibe when the car was stolen Tuesday from a shopping center in Elmhurst. Courtesy of Elmhurst police
Elmhurst police say a dog was inside a car that was stolen Tuesday morning from a shopping center parking lot.
The female terrier Shi Zu mix named Zoey was in the white 2004 Pontiac Vibe when the vehicle was stolen about 9:50 a.m. from the Elmhurst Crossing shopping center along Route 83. The vehicle was parked in front of a store with the keys inside the car, officials said.
The vehicle, with Illinois license plate 694 6860, was last seen heading west on North Avenue from Route 83.
Anyone who sees the dog or the car should call Elmhurst police at (630) 530-3050.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-22--$100 to single mom with two young boys

$100 to single mom with two young boys

Today 's recipient of a $ 100 bill through the Believe Project is Mary Ann Carlson of St. Charles .
@ @ @ @ @ money to a single mother with two children .
Here is an excerpt of her @ @ @ @ @ a waitress and , with restaurants closed , does not have an income .
She @ @ @ @ @ wishes her two young boys could have a nice Christmas .
One hundred dollars could @ @ @ @ @ things for her boys .
I 'd love for her to have a bit of @ @ @ @ @ . ''
• The Believe Project is awarding $ 100 each day to a different @ @ @ @ @ for how to use the money to do a good deed for someone else .
@ @ @ @ @ chance to help someone , submit your idea for consideration in 150 words or fewer @ @ @

$100 to single mom with two young boys
Today's recipient of a $100 bill through the Believe Project is Mary Ann Carlson of St. Charles.
Carlson wants to give the money to a single mother with two children. Here is an excerpt of her story:
"She is a waitress and, with restaurants closed, does not have an income. She is an awesome mother and wishes her two young boys could have a nice Christmas. One hundred dollars could really help buy a few things for her boys. I'd love for her to have a bit of relief during this hard time."
• The Believe Project is awarding $100 each day to a different person with a great idea for how to use the money to do a good deed for someone else. If you'd like the chance to help someone, submit your idea for consideration in 150 words or fewer at events.dailyherald.com/believe/.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-22--COVID-19 cases per county, ZIP code as of Dec. 22

There have been 390,606 COVID-19 cases in the suburbs as of Tuesday .
That 's 43 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 6,527 deaths in the suburbs , which is 42.3 % of all COVID-19 deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Tuesday , suburban Cook County had 179,378 cases and 3,519 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 195,982 cases and 3,966 fatalities .
• Top suburb case counts as of Tuesday from Cook County 's health department and the medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 162 deaths in Des Plaines , 4,495 cases and 47 deaths in Palatine , 4,168 cases and 96 deaths in Arlington Heights , 4,032 cases and 42 deaths in Schaumburg , 3,421 cases and 46 deaths in Streamwood , 3,226 cases and 32 deaths in Mount Prospect , 2,943 cases and 42 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 2,934 cases and 99 deaths in Wheeling , 2,842 cases and 73 deaths in Glenview , 2,054 cases and 91 deaths in Northbrook , 1,998 cases and 24 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Elk Grove Village , 1,817 cases and 37 deaths in Rolling Meadows , 1,011 cases and 12 deaths in Prospect Heights , 747 cases and 27 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • As of Tuesday , DuPage County had 58,402 cases and 898 deaths , according to the state .
• Top counts as of Tuesday , according to the county : 4,778 cases and 90 deaths in Naperville ( DuPage County portion ) , 3,571 cases and 26 deaths in Addison , 3,151 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,048 cases and 40 deaths in Carol Stream , 2,975 cases and 37 deaths in Wheaton , 2,898 cases and 37 deaths in Lombard , 2,882 cases and 19 deaths in Glendale Heights , 2,827 cases and 52 deaths in Elmhurst , 2,271 cases and 17 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 2,094 cases and 19 deaths in Glen Ellyn , 1,760 cases and 26 deaths in Bensenville , 1,740 cases and 12 deaths in Villa Park , and 1,465 cases and 13 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases with 715 deaths as of Tuesday 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 • 39,429 cases with 532 deaths as of Tuesday on the IDPH website .
• Most recent top counts posted on the county website as of Monday : 12,000 in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 7,764 in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 3,778 in St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in South Elgin , 1,655 in Geneva , 1,440 in Batavia , 653 in Hampshire , 608 in Sugar Grove , 516 in Gilberts , 444 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) .
McHenry County • 17,939 cases and 188 deaths as of Tuesday , according to the IDPH website .
Will County • 49,522 cases and 675 deaths reported , according to the IDPH website Tuesday .

COVID-19 cases per county, ZIP code as of Dec. 22
Interactive mapSuburbs' portion
There have been 390,606 COVID-19 cases in the suburbs as of Tuesday. That's 43% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. There have been 6,527 deaths in the suburbs, which is 42.3% of all COVID-19 deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Tuesday, suburban Cook County had 179,378 cases and 3,519 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 195,982 cases and 3,966 fatalities. • Top suburb case counts as of Tuesday from Cook County's health department and the medical examiner's office: 6,499 cases and 162 deaths in Des Plaines, 4,495 cases and 47 deaths in Palatine, 4,168 cases and 96 deaths in Arlington Heights, 4,032 cases and 42 deaths in Schaumburg, 3,421 cases and 46 deaths in Streamwood, 3,226 cases and 32 deaths in Mount Prospect, 2,943 cases and 42 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 2,934 cases and 99 deaths in Wheeling, 2,842 cases and 73 deaths in Glenview, 2,054 cases and 91 deaths in Northbrook, 1,998 cases and 24 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 2,007 cases and 55 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 1,817 cases and 37 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 1,011 cases and 12 deaths in Prospect Heights, 747 cases and 27 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion). DuPage County
• As of Tuesday, DuPage County had 58,402 cases and 898 deaths, according to the state.
• Top counts as of Tuesday, according to the county: 4,778 cases and 90 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 3,571 cases and 26 deaths in Addison, 3,151 cases and 29 deaths in West Chicago, 3,048 cases and 40 deaths in Carol Stream, 2,975 cases and 37 deaths in Wheaton, 2,898 cases and 37 deaths in Lombard, 2,882 cases and 19 deaths in Glendale Heights, 2,827 cases and 52 deaths in Elmhurst, 2,271 cases and 17 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 2,094 cases and 19 deaths in Glen Ellyn, 1,760 cases and 26 deaths in Bensenville, 1,740 cases and 12 deaths in Villa Park, and 1,465 cases and 13 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage County portion).
Lake County • 45,936 cases with 715 deaths as of Tuesday 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 • 39,429 cases with 532 deaths as of Tuesday on the IDPH website. • Most recent top counts posted on the county website as of Monday: 12,000 in Aurora (Kane County portion), 7,764 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 3,778 in St. Charles, 3,302 in Carpentersville, 1,819 in South Elgin, 1,655 in Geneva, 1,440 in Batavia, 653 in Hampshire, 608 in Sugar Grove, 516 in Gilberts, 444 in Algonquin (Kane County portion).
McHenry County• 17,939 cases and 188 deaths as of Tuesday, according to the IDPH website. Will County• 49,522 cases and 675 deaths reported, according to the IDPH website Tuesday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-22--McGraw: As Bulls open season. fans shouldn't lose sight of reality

One thing that was difficult to understand about the Bulls last year was why they made a declaration of being playoff contenders before the season began .
That 's just setting yourself up to fail .
Moving from 22 to 40 wins is n't feasible unless your team happened to draft Tim Duncan or Shaquille O'Neal .
The Bulls took the floor 14 months ago with a very young team and lost some close games to below-average opponents , and right away the feelings of frustration set in .
I asked both Jim Boylen and John Paxson about it at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boylen said the atmosphere was so positive in September when the players were punching the clock at the Advocate Center , competing in one-on-one tournaments and passing out championship belts , they asked for expectations to be set high .
The one very slim chance the Bulls had of making the playoffs last season was if Otto Porter had an A+ season , the best of his career .
Of course , Porter ended up getting hurt and contributing next to nothing .
So now we 're back for the 2020-21 season and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in uniform ( rookie Patrick Williams and veteran guard Garrett Temple ) when the Bulls take on Atlanta at the United Center on Wednesday .
With last year 's experience in mind , it would help everyone from new boss Arturas Karnisovas to new coach Billy Donovan to the most casual fan watching on NBC Sports Chicago to follow this advice : Set expectations low .
The players have another year of experience , so the Bulls should be a little better right from the start .
But in some ways , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has joined the rotation and Porter has a more realistic role as a part-time scoring threat .
Donovan has n't revealed his starting lineup yet , but he might go with the same starters that finished preseason -- Williams , Coby White , Zach LaVine , Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. All five of those guys were one-and-done college players who have n't had a whiff of winning experience in the NBA .
LaVine is the oldest of the group at 25 and the best team he 's played on was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year LaVine tore his ACL .
That 's not how you win in the NBA .
Karnisovas was handcuffed by a couple of bad contracts , but he 's surely expecting to add at least one veteran next summer who will actually be on the floor , playing at the start and finish .
Karnisovas ' former team , the Denver Nuggets , were built mostly through the draft .
They signed a veteran free agent in Paul Millsap and got really lucky when second-round pick Nikola Jokic developed into an all-star .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ young guys needs to clear out so a player or two with winning experience can step in .
Obviously , it would help a lot if one of the recent draft picks develops into an all-star .
The Bulls added a couple of veterans last year with Tomas Satoransky and Thad Young .
They 're decent players , but are n't going to move the needle very far , and neither fits well into the starting lineup .
At 6-7 , Satoransky has a hard time defensively against opposing point guards and if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sit .
In preseason , the Bulls seemed to appreciate Donovan 's freewheeling offense .
A good goal for the Bulls this year is to actually look like a young .
energetic team that has a chance to pull an upset once in a while .
Keep in mind , teams that resided in the Bulls ' neighborhood made changes .
Atlanta has several new additions , Charlotte signed a veteran star in Gordon Hayward and the Knicks are now coached by Tom Thibodeau .
Then there 's a schedule that features @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Dec. 29 and Jan. 22 , and 20 out of 37 games against Western Conference opponents in the first half .
Maybe Donovan can work some magic with this group , but it 's probably in everyone 's best interest to set expectations low and go from there .

McGraw: As Bulls open season. fans shouldn't lose sight of reality
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan addresses his team after a preseason loss to the Rockets at the United Center. Courtesy of the Chicago Bulls
One thing that was difficult to understand about the Bulls last year was why they made a declaration of being playoff contenders before the season began.
That's just setting yourself up to fail. Moving from 22 to 40 wins isn't feasible unless your team happened to draft Tim Duncan or Shaquille O'Neal.
The Bulls took the floor 14 months ago with a very young team and lost some close games to below-average opponents, and right away the feelings of frustration set in.
I asked both Jim Boylen and John Paxson about it at midseason and neither expressed any regrets. Boylen said the atmosphere was so positive in September when the players were punching the clock at the Advocate Center, competing in one-on-one tournaments and passing out championship belts, they asked for expectations to be set high.
The one very slim chance the Bulls had of making the playoffs last season was if Otto Porter had an A+ season, the best of his career. Of course, Porter ended up getting hurt and contributing next to nothing.
So now we're back for the 2020-21 season and there will be just two new players in uniform (rookie Patrick Williams and veteran guard Garrett Temple) when the Bulls take on Atlanta at the United Center on Wednesday.
With last year's experience in mind, it would help everyone from new boss Arturas Karnisovas to new coach Billy Donovan to the most casual fan watching on NBC Sports Chicago to follow this advice: Set expectations low.
The players have another year of experience, so the Bulls should be a little better right from the start. But in some ways, they got even younger since the 19-year-old Williams has joined the rotation and Porter has a more realistic role as a part-time scoring threat.
Donovan hasn't revealed his starting lineup yet, but he might go with the same starters that finished preseason -- Williams, Coby White, Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr.
All five of those guys were one-and-done college players who haven't had a whiff of winning experience in the NBA. LaVine is the oldest of the group at 25 and the best team he's played on was the 2016-17 Timberwolves, who finished 31-51 the year LaVine tore his ACL.
That's not how you win in the NBA. Karnisovas was handcuffed by a couple of bad contracts, but he's surely expecting to add at least one veteran next summer who will actually be on the floor, playing at the start and finish.
Karnisovas' former team, the Denver Nuggets, were built mostly through the draft. They signed a veteran free agent in Paul Millsap and got really lucky when second-round pick Nikola Jokic developed into an all-star.
At least one of the Bulls' young guys needs to clear out so a player or two with winning experience can step in. Obviously, it would help a lot if one of the recent draft picks develops into an all-star.
The Bulls added a couple of veterans last year with Tomas Satoransky and Thad Young. They're decent players, but aren't going to move the needle very far, and neither fits well into the starting lineup. At 6-7, Satoransky has a hard time defensively against opposing point guards and if Young plays, Markkanen or Carter has to sit.
In preseason, the Bulls seemed to appreciate Donovan's freewheeling offense. A good goal for the Bulls this year is to actually look like a young. energetic team that has a chance to pull an upset once in a while.
Keep in mind, teams that resided in the Bulls' neighborhood made changes. Atlanta has several new additions, Charlotte signed a veteran star in Gordon Hayward and the Knicks are now coached by Tom Thibodeau.
Then there's a schedule that features 10 of 13 games on the road between Dec. 29 and Jan. 22, and 20 out of 37 games against Western Conference opponents in the first half.
Maybe Donovan can work some magic with this group, but it's probably in everyone's best interest to set expectations low and go from there.
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-22--McCann's gone, but White Sox have plenty of in-house options to back up Grandal

Even though they are loaded with promising starting pitcher prospects -- Michael Kopech , Dylan Cease , Garrett Crochet , Jonathan Stiever , Jimmy Lambert and Jared Kelley head the lengthy list -- the White Sox thought the time was right to get veteran Lance Lynn in a Dec. 8 trade with the Rangers .
`` We want to put ourselves in the best position to win come October , '' Sox general manager Rick Hahn said .
`` But at the same time , we know we need to get there .
When you look at a guy like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the course of the season , he 's an extremely strong , stalwart piece of a quality rotation . ''
There is little doubt the Lynn addition strengthens the White Sox on the mound , but they took a hit behind the plate when all-star catcher James McCann exited as a free agent and signed a four-year , $ 40 million contract with the Mets .
With Yasmani Grandal still under contract for three more seasons after signing a four-year , $ 73 million deal with the Sox , Hahn is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the organization .
`` We 're going to explore both , but we really do like the three options we have in-house , '' the GM said .
`` We 've talked a lot about this , they 're different animals in terms of the profiles they bring to the position , ( Zack ) Collins , ( Yermin ) Mercedes and ( Seby ) Zavala .
There 's a chance , should we not add someone from outside the organization , that we have to sort of adjust on the fly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how it plays out from among those three options .
`` But we feel those are three good options .
With anything , if there 's a chance we can get better we 're going to explore it . ''
It 's difficult to make an accurate judgment on Grandal 's first season with the Sox due to the shortened 60-game schedule due to COVID-19 .
On the plus side , he threw out 5 of 12 ( 42 % ) of attempted basestealers , led the White Sox with 30 walks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home runs in the playoffs .
On the negative side , Grandal hit .230 , went 9-for-52 ( .173 ) to close the regular season and Sox pitchers had a 4.74 ERA when he was catching .
The White Sox are confident Grandal will get back to being one of the top all-around catchers in baseball next season .
What they get from his new backup remains to be seen .
Collins , the No .
10 overall pick in the 2016 draft , figures to get first crack at the job after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hitting .063 ( 1-for-16 ) .
`` I 'm working every day to get better , '' Collins said during one of his brief stays on the major-league roster .
`` At-bats and in-game catching and experience is what it 's going to come down to , but we have a pretty stacked team right now .
I 'm working offensively and defensively every day , trying to catch bullpens . ''
No longer stacked after McCann 's departure , Mercedes gives the Sox an offensive option at catcher and Zavala is a @ @ @

McCann's gone, but White Sox have plenty of in-house options to back up Grandal
Even though they are loaded with promising starting pitcher prospects -- Michael Kopech, Dylan Cease, Garrett Crochet, Jonathan Stiever, Jimmy Lambert and Jared Kelley head the lengthy list -- the White Sox thought the time was right to get veteran Lance Lynn in a Dec. 8 trade with the Rangers.
"We want to put ourselves in the best position to win come October," Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "But at the same time, we know we need to get there. When you look at a guy like Lynn and his track record and durability over the course of the season, he's an extremely strong, stalwart piece of a quality rotation."
There is little doubt the Lynn addition strengthens the White Sox on the mound, but they took a hit behind the plate when all-star catcher James McCann exited as a free agent and signed a four-year, $40 million contract with the Mets.
With Yasmani Grandal still under contract for three more seasons after signing a four-year, $73 million deal with the Sox, Hahn is not likely to get a replacement for McCann outside the organization.
"We're going to explore both, but we really do like the three options we have in-house," the GM said. "We've talked a lot about this, they're different animals in terms of the profiles they bring to the position, (Zack) Collins, (Yermin) Mercedes and (Seby) Zavala. There's a chance, should we not add someone from outside the organization, that we have to sort of adjust on the fly during the course of the season based on how it plays out from among those three options.
"But we feel those are three good options. With anything, if there's a chance we can get better we're going to explore it."
It's difficult to make an accurate judgment on Grandal's first season with the Sox due to the shortened 60-game schedule due to COVID-19.
On the plus side, he threw out 5 of 12 (42%) of attempted basestealers, led the White Sox with 30 walks during the regular season and hit 2 home runs in the playoffs.
On the negative side, Grandal hit .230, went 9-for-52 (.173) to close the regular season and Sox pitchers had a 4.74 ERA when he was catching.
The White Sox are confident Grandal will get back to being one of the top all-around catchers in baseball next season. What they get from his new backup remains to be seen.
Collins, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2016 draft, figures to get first crack at the job after playing only 9 games last season and hitting .063 (1-for-16).
"I'm working every day to get better," Collins said during one of his brief stays on the major-league roster. "At-bats and in-game catching and experience is what it's going to come down to, but we have a pretty stacked team right now. I'm working offensively and defensively every day, trying to catch bullpens."
No longer stacked after McCann's departure, Mercedes gives the Sox an offensive option at catcher and Zavala is a skilled defender.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-22--UConn remains unbeaten with rout of Villanova

VILLANOVA , Pa. -- Paige Bueckers and Olivia Nelson-Ododa had 19 points apiece to lead UConn to a 90-52 victory over Villanova on Tuesday night .
Christyn Williams added 18 points , eight rebounds and seven assists for the Huskies ( 5-0 , 4-0 Big East ) , who are returning to the Big East this season after playing in the American Athletic Conference for the last seven seasons .
The Huskies are the lone remaining undefeated team in the conference .
The Huskies , who last played Villanova on Jan. 29 , 2013 , had gotten little resistance in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an average of 40.8 points .
Sydney Wood added 15 points for the Wildcats ( 4-0 ) , who overcame poor shooting by forcing the Colonels ( 3-3 ) into 33 turnovers they turned into 40 points .
Northwestern was 3 of 20 from 3-point range and shot 40 % ( 29 of 73 ) .
Dafne Gianesini scored 14 points for Eastern Kentucky on 5-of-7 shooting , including 3 of 4 behind the arc .
The Colonels were 6 of 15 from distance ( 40 % ) but just 9 of 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved up two spots to a tie for seventh on the career scoring list ( 1,693 points ) .
The Blue Demons ( 5-2 , 2-0 Big East ) used a 10-0 run to start the last quarter and turned a 63-60 deficit into a seven-point lead in a less than three-minute span .
Despite the fact Creighton ( 2-6 , 1-3 ) made half its 14 field goals in the fourth quarter , DePaul went 14-for-16 shooting ( 87.5 % ) .
The Blue Demons shot 38 for 63 ( 60.3 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range .
Deja Church scored 15 points , Jorie Allen 14 , and Lexi Held and Darrione Rogers 10 apiece for DePaul .
Creighton true freshman Emma Ronsiek registered career highs with 28 points and 10 rebounds .
Ronsiek missed just two of 15 attempts ( 86.6 % ) .
Morgan Maly scored 13 points and Payton Brotzki and Temi Carda each scored 10 for the Bluejays .
CINCINNATI -- Sydni Harvey scored 21 points , Bethy Mununga had 13 points and 14 rebounds and South Florida pulled away late to beat Cincinnati @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' I Thomas .
Harvey 's fifth 3-pointer gave the Bulls a 55-53 lead and they would not trail again , despite 13 fourth-quarter points from Thomas .
Cincinnati 's only other double-digit scorer , Arame Niang , fouled out with 3:50 left and USF scored seven of the next nine points for a 10-point lead .
Kristyna Brabencova added 10 points and six rebounds , and Elisa Pinzan had a career-high 11 assists for South Florida ( 5-1 , 2-0 American Athletic Conference ) .
Thomas , who entered fourth in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scored 32 points with six rebounds , five assists and four steals for Cincinnati ( 1-5 , 0-2 ) EAST LANSING , Mich. -- Nia Clouden led a balanced attack with 15 points and Michigan State celebrated its first Top 25 ranking this season with red-hot shooting in a win over Oakland .
The Spartans ( 7-0 ) made 39 of 60 shots from the field ( 65 % ) in continuing their best start since opening 8-0 eight years ago .
Julia Ayrault added 14 points , Moira Joiner 13 and Alyza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four double-figure scorers combined to make 21 of 30 shots .
Janai Crooms grabbed 10 rebounds and Ayrault had nine to help the Spartans dominate the boards 43-25 and score 48 points in the paint .

UConn remains unbeaten with rout of Villanova
Connecticut forward Aubrey Griffin (44) gets the ball away from Villanova forward Sarah Mortensen (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Villanova, Pa. Associated Press
VILLANOVA, Pa. -- Paige Bueckers and Olivia Nelson-Ododa had 19 points apiece to lead UConn to a 90-52 victory over Villanova on Tuesday night.
Christyn Williams added 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Huskies (5-0, 4-0 Big East), who are returning to the Big East this season after playing in the American Athletic Conference for the last seven seasons. The Huskies are the lone remaining undefeated team in the conference.
Sarah Mortensen scored 17 points and Maddy Siegrist added 15 for Villanova (7-1, 2-1).
The Huskies, who last played Villanova on Jan. 29, 2013, had gotten little resistance in their first four games, winning by an average of 40.8 points.
No. 15 NORTHWESTERN 79, EASTERN KENTUCKY 50
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Veronica Burton scored 17 points, Lindsey Pulliam added 15 and Northwestern beat Eastern Kentucky.
Sydney Wood added 15 points for the Wildcats (4-0), who overcame poor shooting by forcing the Colonels (3-3) into 33 turnovers they turned into 40 points. Northwestern was 3 of 20 from 3-point range and shot 40% (29 of 73).
Dafne Gianesini scored 14 points for Eastern Kentucky on 5-of-7 shooting, including 3 of 4 behind the arc. The Colonels were 6 of 15 from distance (40%) but just 9 of 24 inside (38.5%).
Pulliam moved up two spots to a tie for seventh on the career scoring list (1,693 points).
No. 18 DEPAUL 90, CREIGHTON 81
OMAHA, Neb. -- Sonya Morris scored 22 points and Dee Bekelja scored 16 to lead DePaul past Creighton.
The Blue Demons (5-2, 2-0 Big East) used a 10-0 run to start the last quarter and turned a 63-60 deficit into a seven-point lead in a less than three-minute span.
Despite the fact Creighton (2-6, 1-3) made half its 14 field goals in the fourth quarter, DePaul went 14-for-16 shooting (87.5%). The Blue Demons shot 38 for 63 (60.3%) including 12 of 25 from 3-point range.
Deja Church scored 15 points, Jorie Allen 14, and Lexi Held and Darrione Rogers 10 apiece for DePaul.
Creighton true freshman Emma Ronsiek registered career highs with 28 points and 10 rebounds. Ronsiek missed just two of 15 attempts (86.6%).
Morgan Maly scored 13 points and Payton Brotzki and Temi Carda each scored 10 for the Bluejays.
No. 20 SOUTH FLORIDA 73, CINCINNATI 61
CINCINNATI -- Sydni Harvey scored 21 points, Bethy Mununga had 13 points and 14 rebounds and South Florida pulled away late to beat Cincinnati, spoiling another 30-plus-point performance by IImar'I Thomas.
Harvey's fifth 3-pointer gave the Bulls a 55-53 lead and they would not trail again, despite 13 fourth-quarter points from Thomas. Cincinnati's only other double-digit scorer, Arame Niang, fouled out with 3:50 left and USF scored seven of the next nine points for a 10-point lead.
Kristyna Brabencova added 10 points and six rebounds, and Elisa Pinzan had a career-high 11 assists for South Florida (5-1, 2-0 American Athletic Conference).
Thomas, who entered fourth in the nation at 27.4 points per game, scored 32 points with six rebounds, five assists and four steals for Cincinnati (1-5, 0-2)
No. 25 MICHIGAN STATE 94, OAKLAND 56
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Nia Clouden led a balanced attack with 15 points and Michigan State celebrated its first Top 25 ranking this season with red-hot shooting in a win over Oakland.
The Spartans (7-0) made 39 of 60 shots from the field (65%) in continuing their best start since opening 8-0 eight years ago.
Julia Ayrault added 14 points, Moira Joiner 13 and Alyza Winston 12 for Michigan State as the four double-figure scorers combined to make 21 of 30 shots. Janai Crooms grabbed 10 rebounds and Ayrault had nine to help the Spartans dominate the boards 43-25 and score 48 points in the paint.
Kahlaijah Dean scored 15 points to lead Oakland (3-4),
___
More AP women's basketball: https://apnews.com/womens-college-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-23--Pritzker: More than 100,000 health care workers have gotten vaccine so far

Illinois has given a COVID-19 vaccine to 100,991 health care workers so far , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday , as the state prepares for a second inoculation rollout in nursing homes next week .
The tally of doses is more than any other state 's , Pritzker said , ticking off more populous states like California .
`` The vaccine team in Illinois sprinted past them all , '' he said .
New cases of COVID-19 totaled 6,762 Wednesday with 135 additional deaths from the respiratory disease , the Illinois Department of Public Health reported .
This week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved vaccine `` will arrive directly to ( hospitals ) and local health departments across the state , '' Pritkzer said , with Chicago receiving a separate allotment of 48,000 .
And 76,050 Pfizer vaccines are shipping this week , too , with 15,600 reserved for health care workers in Chicago and 23,400 for the rest of the state .
An additional 37,050 will be set aside for residents and staffs at nursing homes with shots expected to start Monday .
The Moderna vaccine does n't require ultra cold storage as Pfizer Inc. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deployed Dec. 15 in Illinois , and that will assist CVS and Walgreens pharmacies as they start inoculating seniors at long-term care facilities Monday .
`` We 're really excited to be a part of this and help bring the pandemic to an end , '' said pharmacist Purvish Patel , CVS Health regional director .
CVS pharmacists , pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians will be administering shots at nearly 900 nursing homes across Illinois , reaching about 150,000 patients .
The company is already inoculating long-term care residents in other U.S. states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Patel , noting recent stops included veterans ' homes .
`` They were super excited to have us there and provide the first dose , '' Patel said , noting both vaccines require two doses weeks apart .
CVS is taking advantage of its network of stores to store vaccines , which are then taken by teams to nearby long-term care locations .
The number of patients in Illinois hospitals with COVID-19 came to 4,593 as of Tuesday night , compared to the seven-day average of 4,583 .
Hospitalizations dipped to 4,389 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 , and they 've crept up since .
That 's one reason Pritzker said he wo n't ease restrictions in health regions despite the fact some like Will and Kankakee counties ( Region 7 ) meet IDPH standards for hospital bed availability and positivity rates .
Heading into Christmas and New Year 's celebrations , `` my concern is we 're going to see some uptick in hospitalizations as well as cases , '' the governor said .
The positivity rate for COVID-19 cases is 7.5 % based on a seven-day average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to 918,070 and 15.547 Illinoisans have died of the virus .
Labs processed 82,328 tests in the last 24 hours .

Pritzker: More than 100,000 health care workers have gotten vaccine so far
Jazmine Scott, a registered nurse, administers the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Dan Nash, a veteran and patient at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center on Wednesday. Courtesy of U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Caylen J. McCutcheon
Gov. J.B. Pritzker gives a vaccine update during a news conference on Wednesday. Courtesy of state of Illinois
Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in Illinois this week. Associated Press
Illinois has given a COVID-19 vaccine to 100,991 health care workers so far, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday, as the state prepares for a second inoculation rollout in nursing homes next week.
The tally of doses is more than any other state's, Pritzker said, ticking off more populous states like California.
"The vaccine team in Illinois sprinted past them all," he said.
New cases of COVID-19 totaled 6,762 Wednesday with 135 additional deaths from the respiratory disease, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported.
This week 174,600 doses of Moderna Inc.'s recently approved vaccine "will arrive directly to (hospitals) and local health departments across the state," Pritkzer said, with Chicago receiving a separate allotment of 48,000.
And 76,050 Pfizer vaccines are shipping this week, too, with 15,600 reserved for health care workers in Chicago and 23,400 for the rest of the state.
An additional 37,050 will be set aside for residents and staffs at nursing homes with shots expected to start Monday.
The Moderna vaccine doesn't require ultra cold storage as Pfizer Inc.'s version does, which was first deployed Dec. 15 in Illinois, and that will assist CVS and Walgreens pharmacies as they start inoculating seniors at long-term care facilities Monday.
"We're really excited to be a part of this and help bring the pandemic to an end," said pharmacist Purvish Patel, CVS Health regional director.
CVS pharmacists, pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians will be administering shots at nearly 900 nursing homes across Illinois, reaching about 150,000 patients.
The company is already inoculating long-term care residents in other U.S. states and have received a positive response, said Patel, noting recent stops included veterans' homes.
"They were super excited to have us there and provide the first dose," Patel said, noting both vaccines require two doses weeks apart.
CVS is taking advantage of its network of stores to store vaccines, which are then taken by teams to nearby long-term care locations.
The number of patients in Illinois hospitals with COVID-19 came to 4,593 as of Tuesday night, compared to the seven-day average of 4,583. Hospitalizations dipped to 4,389 Sunday, the lowest tally since Nov. 7, and they've crept up since.
That's one reason Pritzker said he won't ease restrictions in health regions despite the fact some like Will and Kankakee counties (Region 7) meet IDPH standards for hospital bed availability and positivity rates.
Heading into Christmas and New Year's celebrations, "my concern is we're going to see some uptick in hospitalizations as well as cases," the governor said.
The positivity rate for COVID-19 cases is 7.5% based on a seven-day average.
Total cases since the pandemic began came to 918,070 and 15.547 Illinoisans have died of the virus.
Labs processed 82,328 tests in the last 24 hours.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-23--Rozner: The story behind Len Kasper's bold decision

The grand fallacy of those who feel self-important is that they rarely are what they believe , almost always poisoned by a lethal dose of egomania , acutely self-unaware and therefore unable to see themselves as the world does .
That 's what makes Len Kasper so unusual -- and it 's why he does n't expect you to understand his decision .
A certain Hall of Famer and one of the very best to ever broadcast a baseball game , held by his peers to be at the very top of his profession , Kasper is nevertheless bathed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he not only refuses to take himself seriously , but such humility has allowed him to see his life and career for what it has been -- and what he wants it to be .
`` It 's easy -- especially when things are good in your career and your life -- to go with the flow and not really think about the big picture or the future , as much as holding onto the things that you have , which is a very natural thing to do , '' Kasper explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for White Sox radio .
`` I always tried to tell myself that as great a job as I 've had the last 16 years , I never wanted the job to define me as a person .
`` When I see people outside the ballpark , I 'm 'Len the Cubs announcer . '
It 's a great feeling , but over the course of time , those things become all-encompassing if you let them .
`` The pandemic and everything that people have dealt with , and turning 50 ( in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reflect on what I 've accomplished , and also on what the final chapter -- hopefully a very long chapter -- will look like . ''
Stepping outside their comfort zone is not something most people are willing to do , especially those making big money and in a glamour job .
Yet , being at the top of his game and enormously popular -- both with the fan base and his bosses -- gave Kasper a once-in-a-career opportunity , to choose his next job while his employer was imploring him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they do n't want .
In my case it was 100 percent about what I did want , '' Kasper said .
`` People ask me , 'Why ? '
My answer is , 'Why not ? '
`` My dad is pretty wise in that way , and I scoffed at him a bit when he said this , but he said , 'You were Al Kaline . '
`` I said , 'What does that mean ? '
`` He said , 'You got to the top at a very young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from high school to the majors at 18 years old , made the first of his 18 All-Star Games in his second full season for Detroit , and was a first-ballot Hall of Famer after becoming the 12th member of the 3,000-hit club .
He followed Hank Aaron , Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente and preceded Pete Rose to 3,000 .
`` My dad 's point was that I kind of reached the mountain top at an early age , in the big leagues at 31 and with the Cubs at 34 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , 'You 're a young 50 .
It 's almost like you 're 70 for a lot of people in terms of what you 've accomplished , so why not try this now ? '
`` He said any choice I made differently would probably not be understood for that reason .
I had never considered , like a lot of people in my business , that I was so focused on doing my job when I was young that I never really stopped to consider where I was so young .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I probably would n't understand it , but when you get to middle age your priorities -- and what has deep meaning to you -- changes . ''
There 's always a Detroit theme lurking behind Kasper 's easygoing and likable demeanor , and he has never strayed far in his mind from listening to games on the radio with his parents , Joe and Sharon .
`` When you strip away the prestige , the money , the stage , the adulation , there 's 13-year-old Len listening to Ernie Harwell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on baseball and broadcasting , '' Kasper said .
`` I 've had a taste of everything at a high level , and those are all great things , but I never wanted that to be the overriding factor in determining how to round out my career .
`` That 's how the seeds of getting back into radio were born .
Going to Tiger games and listening to radio resonates very deeply with me .
`` So , at the end of the day , I banked all of those other memories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that right now , where I am in my life , I wanted to create some unique memories .
I guess that sums up where my head and heart have been during this process . ''
Over the last 16 years , there have been many conversations with Kasper about his true professional desires , and he has always been honest about who he is and what he really needs out of life .
Ego has never been Kasper 's problem .
If anything , he 's self-deprecating to a fault , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me -- in confidence -- about his move from the Cubs to White Sox , from North to South and from television to radio , before announcing it .
There has been much speculation as to why , but it 's extraordinarily simple .
Radio is what he wanted to do , to get back to his broadcasting roots .
That 's it .
That 's all of it , but we do not live in a world where the simple explanation is accepted , where Twitter and its ugly social media brethren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What is so admirable about this man is he does n't care what anyone thinks about his decision .
He does n't need all that someone of his stature usually needs , which is the constant stroking of his image and his resume .
He 's already universally beloved inside and outside the business , adored by one fan base and soon to be adored by another , but you 'll not hear the man concerned about any of it .
He does n't need worship .
He just wants to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want to be really clear about the way the Cubs and Marquee treated me , '' Kasper said .
`` They treated me like a king .
They had the proper dose of total respect and support for me as a friend , while also making sure they did everything they could to keep me right there .
`` If they had made it too easy for me to leave , I would have wondered , and if they had made it too difficult , I would have wondered .
They helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very grateful .
`` In your career you tend to make bad choices when at a bad place , but I was in a good place and because those relationships with the Cubs and Marquee -- and before that WGN -- were so good , I was able to ask them to let me go .
They did not have to let me out of my deal .
`` The way you go about it has to matter , but I would not have asked if I had thought the Cubs would say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had built up enough equity by never asking for anything .
`` It 's about the way you treat people and the way you behave .
You have to be in a good place with everyone in order to ask for something like this . ''
For all the inability of those on the outside to understand or accept this career choice , Kasper 's friends in the business not only grasped the concept , but some were jealous .
Some of them being very big , network names .
`` One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends in the business is it has made them a bit anxious about things , I hope in a good way , '' Kasper said .
`` These jobs are highly-coveted and incredibly comfortable in terms of the material side of it , and when you have one of these jobs you tend to focus on keeping the job .
`` When someone close to you leaves what I would describe as the best job in sports , I think that scares some people .
And it is scary .
I 'm not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it 's a process that 's important to go through . ''
If you ca n't appreciate this level of introspection from someone as supremely talented as Kasper , you are truly missing one of life 's great lessons .
The list of people who do n't own a mirror , but presume to know all about -- and criticize -- someone else , is infinite .
`` Comfort matters in a lot of ways , but intellectual discomfort is really good for the soul , '' Kasper said .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dreamed about as a kid , and having very deep conversations with close friends , I have found that some of them are thinking differently about it , even envious about it .
`` Not necessarily doing something like I did , but getting out of that bubble , out of that comfort zone .
Life is about experiences .
`` I 've had some TV guys who love radio say they wish they could do it .
My answer is , 'Why the ( heck ) not ? '
At first , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes total sense .
`` Whether it makes sense to others does n't matter .
I did it for myself .
I 'm not looking back and I 'm really excited .
People say , 'You might regret it . '
I have n't yet , but the mystery and the unknown of that is the fun of it . ''
Do n't think , however , that he has escaped scot-free .
`` My parents have almost never missed a game I broadcast and they 're already figuring out ways to listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` But when I told them over Zoom about my decision , my dad said , 'Can I still root for the Cubs ? '
I said , 'Of course . '
He can still watch the Cubs , but he has to listen to the Sox . ''
Ultimately , along this journey you only have to answer to yourself , you only have to listen to your heart .
Len Kasper did precisely that .
Understand his resolve .
Or do n't .
But either way , you do @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Rozner: The story behind Len Kasper's bold decision
Len Kasper interviews manager Joe Maddon on the field for the Cubs' radio flagship (WSCR 670-AM) after the 2015 National League Division Series clincher. Courtesy of the Chicago Cubs
The grand fallacy of those who feel self-important is that they rarely are what they believe, almost always poisoned by a lethal dose of egomania, acutely self-unaware and therefore unable to see themselves as the world does.
That's what makes Len Kasper so unusual -- and it's why he doesn't expect you to understand his decision.
A certain Hall of Famer and one of the very best to ever broadcast a baseball game, held by his peers to be at the very top of his profession, Kasper is nevertheless bathed in self-awareness.
Rare as that may be, he not only refuses to take himself seriously, but such humility has allowed him to see his life and career for what it has been -- and what he wants it to be.
"It's easy -- especially when things are good in your career and your life -- to go with the flow and not really think about the big picture or the future, as much as holding onto the things that you have, which is a very natural thing to do," Kasper explained of his decision to leave Cubs TV for White Sox radio. "I always tried to tell myself that as great a job as I've had the last 16 years, I never wanted the job to define me as a person.
"When I see people outside the ballpark, I'm 'Len the Cubs announcer.' It's a great feeling, but over the course of time, those things become all-encompassing if you let them.
"The pandemic and everything that people have dealt with, and turning 50 (in a month), has caused me to reflect on what I've accomplished, and also on what the final chapter -- hopefully a very long chapter -- will look like."
Advice from above
Stepping outside their comfort zone is not something most people are willing to do, especially those making big money and in a glamour job. Yet, being at the top of his game and enormously popular -- both with the fan base and his bosses -- gave Kasper a once-in-a-career opportunity, to choose his next job while his employer was imploring him to stay.
"Some people know what they don't want. In my case it was 100 percent about what I did want," Kasper said. "People ask me, 'Why?' My answer is, 'Why not?'
"My dad is pretty wise in that way, and I scoffed at him a bit when he said this, but he said, 'You were Al Kaline.'
"I said, 'What does that mean?'
"He said, 'You got to the top at a very young age.'"
Kaline went straight from high school to the majors at 18 years old, made the first of his 18 All-Star Games in his second full season for Detroit, and was a first-ballot Hall of Famer after becoming the 12th member of the 3,000-hit club. He followed Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente and preceded Pete Rose to 3,000.
"My dad's point was that I kind of reached the mountain top at an early age, in the big leagues at 31 and with the Cubs at 34," Kasper said. "My dad said, 'You're a young 50. It's almost like you're 70 for a lot of people in terms of what you've accomplished, so why not try this now?'
"He said any choice I made differently would probably not be understood for that reason. I had never considered, like a lot of people in my business, that I was so focused on doing my job when I was young that I never really stopped to consider where I was so young.
"If I were 20 years younger, I probably wouldn't understand it, but when you get to middle age your priorities -- and what has deep meaning to you -- changes."
There's always a Detroit theme lurking behind Kasper's easygoing and likable demeanor, and he has never strayed far in his mind from listening to games on the radio with his parents, Joe and Sharon.
"When you strip away the prestige, the money, the stage, the adulation, there's 13-year-old Len listening to Ernie Harwell. That's what got me hooked on baseball and broadcasting," Kasper said. "I've had a taste of everything at a high level, and those are all great things, but I never wanted that to be the overriding factor in determining how to round out my career.
"That's how the seeds of getting back into radio were born. Going to Tiger games and listening to radio resonates very deeply with me.
"So, at the end of the day, I banked all of those other memories (with the Cubs) and decided that right now, where I am in my life, I wanted to create some unique memories. I guess that sums up where my head and heart have been during this process."
A simple answer
Over the last 16 years, there have been many conversations with Kasper about his true professional desires, and he has always been honest about who he is and what he really needs out of life.
Ego has never been Kasper's problem. If anything, he's self-deprecating to a fault, so there was no shock when he told me -- in confidence -- about his move from the Cubs to White Sox, from North to South and from television to radio, before announcing it.
There has been much speculation as to why, but it's extraordinarily simple. Radio is what he wanted to do, to get back to his broadcasting roots. That's it. That's all of it, but we do not live in a world where the simple explanation is accepted, where Twitter and its ugly social media brethren decide the fate of others for them.
What is so admirable about this man is he doesn't care what anyone thinks about his decision. He doesn't need all that someone of his stature usually needs, which is the constant stroking of his image and his resume.
He's already universally beloved inside and outside the business, adored by one fan base and soon to be adored by another, but you'll not hear the man concerned about any of it.
He doesn't need worship. He just wants to do what he wants to do.
"I want to be really clear about the way the Cubs and Marquee treated me," Kasper said. "They treated me like a king. They had the proper dose of total respect and support for me as a friend, while also making sure they did everything they could to keep me right there.
"If they had made it too easy for me to leave, I would have wondered, and if they had made it too difficult, I would have wondered. They helped me thread a needle and I am very grateful.
"In your career you tend to make bad choices when at a bad place, but I was in a good place and because those relationships with the Cubs and Marquee -- and before that WGN -- were so good, I was able to ask them to let me go. They did not have to let me out of my deal.
"The way you go about it has to matter, but I would not have asked if I had thought the Cubs would say, 'No.' I had hoped I had built up enough equity by never asking for anything.
"It's about the way you treat people and the way you behave. You have to be in a good place with everyone in order to ask for something like this."
For all the inability of those on the outside to understand or accept this career choice, Kasper's friends in the business not only grasped the concept, but some were jealous.
Some of them being very big, network names.
"One thing in talking to a lot of friends in the business is it has made them a bit anxious about things, I hope in a good way," Kasper said. "These jobs are highly-coveted and incredibly comfortable in terms of the material side of it, and when you have one of these jobs you tend to focus on keeping the job.
"When someone close to you leaves what I would describe as the best job in sports, I think that scares some people. And it is scary. I'm not claiming that it wasn't scary, but it's a process that's important to go through."
Taking stock
If you can't appreciate this level of introspection from someone as supremely talented as Kasper, you are truly missing one of life's great lessons. The list of people who don't own a mirror, but presume to know all about -- and criticize -- someone else, is infinite.
"Comfort matters in a lot of ways, but intellectual discomfort is really good for the soul," Kasper said. "I'm challenging myself to do something I dreamed about as a kid, and having very deep conversations with close friends, I have found that some of them are thinking differently about it, even envious about it.
"Not necessarily doing something like I did, but getting out of that bubble, out of that comfort zone. Life is about experiences.
"I've had some TV guys who love radio say they wish they could do it. My answer is, 'Why the (heck) not?' At first, what made no sense to them now makes total sense.
"Whether it makes sense to others doesn't matter. I did it for myself. I'm not looking back and I'm really excited. People say, 'You might regret it.' I haven't yet, but the mystery and the unknown of that is the fun of it."
Don't think, however, that he has escaped scot-free.
"My parents have almost never missed a game I broadcast and they're already figuring out ways to listen to White Sox games," Kasper said. "But when I told them over Zoom about my decision, my dad said, 'Can I still root for the Cubs?' I said, 'Of course.' He can still watch the Cubs, but he has to listen to the Sox."
Ultimately, along this journey you only have to answer to yourself, you only have to listen to your heart. Len Kasper did precisely that. Understand his resolve. Or don't.
But either way, you do have to admire him for it.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-23--Trump pardons Paul Manafort, Jared Kushner's father, others

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued pardons and sentence commutations for 29 people , including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Charles Kushner , the father of his son-in-law , in the latest burst of clemency in his final weeks at the White House .
The actions bring to nearly 50 the number of people whom Trump in the last two days has granted clemency either by pardoning them or by commuting their sentences .
The pardons of Manafort and Roger Stone , who months earlier had his sentence commuted by Trump , underscore the president 's determination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he final weeks to unravel the results of special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation and to come to the aid of associates he feels were wrongly pursued .
Trump has now pardoned four people convicted in that investigation , including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and campaign adviser George Papadopoulos , who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI .
Manafort had been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for financial crimes related to his work in Ukraine and was among the first people charged as part of Mueller 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Russia .
He was released to home confinement last May because of coronavirus concerns in the federal prison system .
Manafort , in a tweet , thanked Trump and lavished praise on the outgoing president , declaring that history would show he had accomplished more than any of his predecessors .
Kushner is the father of Trump 's son-in-law , Jared Kushner , and a wealthy real estate executive who pleaded guilty years ago to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations .
Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ married in 2009 .

Trump pardons Paul Manafort, Jared Kushner's father, others
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday in Washington. Associated press
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump on Wednesday pardoned more than two dozen people, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law, in the latest wave of clemency to benefit longtime associates and supporters.
The actions, in Trump's final weeks at the White House, bring to nearly 50 the number of people whom the president has granted clemency in the last week. The list from the last two days includes not only multiple people convicted in the investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia but also allies from Congress and other felons whose causes were championed by friends.
Pardons are common in the final stretch of a president's tenure, the recipients largely dependent on the individual whims of the nation's chief executive. Trump throughout his administration has shucked aside the conventions of the Obama administration, when pardons were largely reserved for drug offenders not known to the general public, and instead bestowed clemency on high-profile contacts and associates who were key figures in an investigation that directly concerned him.
Even members of the president's own party raised eyebrows, with Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska issuing a brief statement that said: "This is rotten to the core."
The pardons Wednesday of Manafort and Roger Stone, who months earlier had his sentence commuted by Trump, were particularly notable, underscoring the president's desire to chip away at the results and legacy of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. He has now pardoned four people convicted in that investigation, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.
"The pardons from this President are what you would expect to get if you gave the pardon power to a mob boss," tweeted Andrew Weissmann, a Mueller team member who helped prosecute Manafort.
Manafort, who led Trump's campaign during a pivotal period in 2016 before being ousted over his ties to Ukraine, was among the first people charged as part of Mueller's investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. He was later sentenced to more than seven years in prison for financial crimes related to his political consulting work in Ukraine, but was released to home confinement last spring because of coronavirus concerns in the federal prison system.
Though the charges against Manafort did not concern the central thrust of Mueller's mandate -- whether the Trump campaign and Russia colluded to tip the election -- he was nonetheless a pivotal figure in the investigation.
His close relationship to a man U.S. officials have linked to Russian intelligence, and with whom he shared internal campaign polling data, attracted particular scrutiny during the investigation, though Mueller never charged Manafort or any other Trump associate with conspiring with Russia.
Manafort, in a series of tweets, thanked Trump and lavished praise on the outgoing president, declaring that history would show he had accomplished more than any of his predecessors.
Trump did not pardon Manafort's deputy, Rick Gates, who was sentenced last year to 45 days in prison after extensively cooperating with prosecutors, or former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, who pleaded guilty to campaign finance crimes related to his efforts to buy the silence of women who said they had sexual relationships with Trump. Both were also convicted in the Mueller probe.
New York City prosecutors, meanwhile, have been seeking to have the state's highest court revive state mortgage fraud charges against Manafort after a lower court dismissed them on double jeopardy grounds. A spokesman for District Attorney Cy Vance said the pardon "underscores the urgent need to hold Mr. Manafort accountable for his crimes against the People of New York."
Manafort and Stone are hardly conventional pardon recipients, in part because both were scolded by judges for effectively thumbing their nose at the criminal justice system as their cases were pending. Manafort was accused of witness tampering even after he was indicted and was accused by prosecutors of lying while trying to earn credit for cooperation.
Stone, who was convicted of lying to Congress about his efforts to gain inside information about the release by WikiLeaks of Russia-hacked Democratic emails during the 2016 campaign, was similarly censured by a judge because of his social media posts.
In a statement Wednesday, Stone thanked Trump and alleged that he had been subjected to a "Soviet-style show trial on politically-motivated charges"
Kushner is the father of Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and a wealthy real estate executive who pleaded guilty years ago to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in 2009.
Prosecutors allege that after Kushner discovered that his brother-in-law was cooperating with authorities, he hatched a revenge and intimidation scheme. They say he hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have a secret recording of the encounter in a New Jersey motel room sent to his own sister, the man's wife.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has called it "one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes" he ever prosecuted as U.S. attorney.
Trump's legally troubled allies were not the only recipients of clemency. The list of 29 recipients included people whose pleas for forgiveness have been promoted by people supporting the president throughout his term in office, among them former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.
One recipient was Topeka Sam, whose case was promoted by Alice Johnson, a criminal justice advocate whom Trump pardoned and who appeared in a Super Bowl ad for him and at the Republican National Convention.
"Ms. Sam's life is a story of redemption," the White House said in its release, praising her for helping other women in need.
Others granted clemency included a former county commissioner in Florida who was convicted of taking gifts from people doing business with the county and a community leader in Kentucky who was convicted of federal drug offenses.
Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in Palm Beach, Florida, and Michael Balsamo in Washington contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-23--Cross-shaped solar array at Mundelein seminary a first for Archdiocese of Chicago

A solar array that eventually will provide more than 20 % of the power to St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary is ready to be activated .
More than a year in the making , the solar farm on the sprawling campus east of Route 45 and north of Route 176 is said to be the first on a Catholic seminary campus and the first installed in the Archdiocese of Chicago .
The array is expected to produce significant savings and represents a commitment to clean energy , according to Matt Paolelli , university spokesman .
It 's configured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be visible from 20,000 feet above .
`` Most ( arrays ) are designed on a rectangle , '' said David Brochu , CEO of PureGen Power LLC , which helped the university develop , build and operate the system .
`` All the contractors said , 'We 'll do it in the shape of a cross at no extra cost , ' '' he said .
The solar array is being tested and could go live Christmas Day , Brochu said .
A ceremonial switch flipping planned for Tuesday was canceled due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was noted by those involved .
`` As we approach the centennial of Mundelein Seminary , it is exciting to complete a project that will both help the institution financially and provide sustainable energy for years to come , '' the Rev .
John Kartje , rector/president , said in a news release .
`` This solar facility will also serve as a physical reminder of our biblical responsibility to be good stewards of the earth and its resources , '' he said .
The initiative began after a conversation between Kartje and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longtime supporter of the seminary .
The project kicked off in September 2019 .
It took about two months to install the panels and related equipment .
St. Mary of the Lake was accepted into a program to support solar energy projects across Illinois and will receive funding for about a third of the construction cost .
That made it feasible for the university to pursue , Brochu said .
The facility is owned and operated by a limited liability company called USML Laudato Si Solar LLC , formed by investors who lease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's a very standard way of doing it , especially for larger systems like this , '' Brochu said .
`` It allows the university to get the benefit of the lower electricity price but they do n't make the capital investment . ''
According to Paolelli , the company name references Pope Francis ' 2015 letter that addressed the Catholic Church 's commitment to environmental issues and sustainability .
Power will be sold back to the university at a discounted rate , saving more than $ 1 million over 35 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ownership and maintain the system .
`` I ca n't give them $ 1 million , but I can help them save $ 1 million , '' Brochu said .

Cross-shaped solar array at Mundelein seminary a first for Archdiocese of Chicago
The University of St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein seminary has installed a solar array in the shape of a cross that is said to be visible from 20,000 feet above. Courtesy of Mundelein Seminary
The University of St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein seminary has activated its new cross-shaped solar array. The new system will provide significant savings and represents a commitment to clean energy, according to university officials. Courtesy of Mundelein Seminary
The new cross-shaped solar array at the University of St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein seminary can be seen from up to 20,000 feet above. Courtesy of Mundelein Seminary
A cross-shaped solar array that eventually will provide more than 20% of the power to St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary is up and running on the college's sprawling campus.
More than a year in the making, the solar farm east of Route 45 and north of Route 176 is said to be the first on a Catholic seminary campus and the first installed in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
The array is expected to produce significant savings and represents a commitment to clean energy, said university spokesman Matt Paolelli. The symbolically arranged cross of solar panels is visible from 20,000 feet above.
"Most (arrays) are designed on a rectangle," said David Brochu, CEO of PureGen Power LLC, which helped the university develop, build and operate the system. "All the contractors said, 'We'll do it in the shape of a cross at no extra cost.'"
A ceremonial switch flipping planned for Dec. 22 was canceled due to scheduling conflicts, but the significance of the array -- which went active Christmas Day -- has been noted by those involved.
"As we approach the centennial of Mundelein Seminary, it is exciting to complete a project that will both help the institution financially and provide sustainable energy for years to come," said the Rev. John Kartje, the university's rector/president. "This solar facility will also serve as a physical reminder of our biblical responsibility to be good stewards of the earth and its resources."
The initiative began after a conversation between Kartje and Brochu, a Deer Park resident and longtime supporter of the seminary. The project kicked off in September 2019. It took about two months to install the panels and related equipment.
St. Mary of the Lake was accepted into a program to support solar energy projects across Illinois and will receive funding for about a third of the construction cost. That made it feasible for the university to pursue, Brochu said.
The facility is owned and operated by a limited liability company called USML Laudato Si Solar LLC, formed by investors who lease the land from the university. Paolelli said the company name references Pope Francis' 2015 letter that addressed the Catholic Church's commitment to environmental issues and sustainability.
"It's a very standard way of doing it, especially for larger systems like this," Brochu added. "It allows the university to get the benefit of the lower electricity price but they don't make the capital investment."
Power will be sold back to the university at a discounted rate, saving more than $1 million over 35 years. Eventually, the university will take ownership and maintain the system.
"I can't give them $1 million, but I can help them save $1 million," Brochu said.