upi--2020-10-14--Marines fire commander after fatal training exercise

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Marine Corps said it has fired the commanding officer of the unit involved in a fatal training exercise in July that resulted in the deaths of nine members of the U.S. military .
The statement released by the Marine Corps late Tuesday said Lt. Col. Michael J. Regner was relieved of his duties `` due to a loss in trust and confidence in his ability to command as a result of the assault amphibious vehicle mishap that took place off the coast of Southern California July 30 , 2020 . ''
Lt. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ongoing investigation into the sinking of the amphibious assault vehicle involving 16 service members , killing eight Marines and a Sailor , the statement said , adding `` Command Investigation has compiled a substantial amount of information and data '' to support his decision .
Marine officials identified those who died in the incident as Pfc .
Bryan J. Baltierra , 19 ; Lance Cpl .
Marco A. Barranco , 21 ; Pfc .
Evan A. Bath , 19 ; U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem , 22 ; Pfc .
Jack Ryan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A. Rodd , 23 ; Lance Cpl .
Chase D. Sweetwood 19 ; and Cesar A. Villanueva , 21 ; and Lance Cp .
Guillermo S. Perez , 20 .
Only Perez 's body was found following the accident with the other bodies retrieved in early August when the Navy and Marin Corps located the sunken vehicle .
Of those who survived the incident , two were transported to the hospital with injuries .

Lt. Col. Michael J. Regner was relieved of his duties late Tuesday over July's fatal training exercise. Photo courtesy of U.S. Marines
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. Marine Corps said it has fired the commanding officer of the unit involved in a fatal training exercise in July that resulted in the deaths of nine members of the U.S. military. The statement released by the Marine Corps late Tuesday said Lt. Col. Michael J. Regner was relieved of his duties "due to a loss in trust and confidence in his ability to command as a result of the assault amphibious vehicle mishap that took place off the coast of Southern California July 30, 2020." Advertisement
Lt. Gen. Karsten S. Heckl fired Regner amid an ongoing investigation into the sinking of the amphibious assault vehicle involving 16 service members, killing eight Marines and a Sailor, the statement said, adding "Command Investigation has compiled a substantial amount of information and data" to support his decision.
Marine officials identified those who died in the incident as Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, 19; Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21; Pfc. Evan A. Bath, 19; U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem, 22; Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21; Cpl. Wesley A. Rodd, 23; Lance Cpl. Chase D. Sweetwood 19; and Cesar A. Villanueva, 21; and Lance Cp. Guillermo S. Perez, 20.
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Only Perez's body was found following the accident with the other bodies retrieved in early August when the Navy and Marin Corps located the sunken vehicle.
Of those who survived the incident, two were transported to the hospital with injuries.


upi--2020-10-14--Patriots' Cam Newton, Stephon Gilmore expected to return to practice Thursday

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- New England Patriots star quarterback Cam Newton and Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore are expected to return to practice Thursday after their coronavirus-related absences .
League sources told the Boston Globe , NFL Media and The Athletic on Wednesday that Newton was removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list , putting him on track to practice and start Sunday against the Denver Broncos .
According to the outlets , Gilmore also has a chance to practice this week and suit up for Sunday 's matchup at Gillette Stadium .
Newton was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gilmore 's positive test result was revealed last week .
Starting defensive tackle Byron Cowart and reserve defensive lineman Bill Murray are the other players the Patriots have put on the reserve/COVID-19 list .
Gilmore also still remains on the list .
In Newton 's absence , the Patriots started veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer in a 26-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 5 .
New England was scheduled to face the Broncos this past Monday , but that game was postponed to Sunday after Cowart tested positive for COVID-19 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gillette Stadium for workouts on a staggered schedule Wednesday .
The team is set to return to on-field work Thursday and Friday before a walkthrough Saturday in preparation for Sunday 's game against the Broncos .

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Oct. 3 after testing positive for the virus. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- New England Patriots star quarterback Cam Newton and Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore are expected to return to practice Thursday after their coronavirus-related absences. League sources told the Boston Globe, NFL Media and The Athletic on Wednesday that Newton was removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list, putting him on track to practice and start Sunday against the Denver Broncos. According to the outlets, Gilmore also has a chance to practice this week and suit up for Sunday's matchup at Gillette Stadium. Advertisement
Newton was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Oct. 3 after testing positive. Gilmore's positive test result was revealed last week.
Starting defensive tackle Byron Cowart and reserve defensive lineman Bill Murray are the other players the Patriots have put on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Gilmore also still remains on the list.
In Newton's absence, the Patriots started veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer in a 26-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 5. New England was scheduled to face the Broncos this past Monday, but that game was postponed to Sunday after Cowart tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 9.
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The Patriots returned to Gillette Stadium for workouts on a staggered schedule Wednesday. The team is set to return to on-field work Thursday and Friday before a walkthrough Saturday in preparation for Sunday's game against the Broncos.


upi--2020-10-14--Mark and Patricia McCloskey plead not guilty to grand jury charges for waving guns at protesters

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- A St. Louis couple who brandished guns at protesters walking by their home in June pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges in an indictment from a grand jury .
Mark McCloskey , 63 , and Patricia McCloskey , 61 , pleaded not guilty to felony charges of unlawful use of a weapon and evidence tampering after a hearing on Wednesday .
Joel Schwartz , an attorney for the couple , called the case against them `` a political prosecution , '' accusing Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner of wasting resources by pursuing it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Circuit Attorney 's Office have chosen to use their judicial resources to prosecute the McCloskeys , who are clearly innocent of any crime , committed no crime whatsoever , is sort of a travesty , '' said Schwartz .
The Circuit Attorney 's Office charged the couple in July with one count each of unlawful exhibiting of a weapon and the grand jury added the charge of evidence tampering earlier this month .
Protesters walked through the gated community of Portland Place on June 28 , as Mark McCloskey pointed an AR-15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a semiautomatic handgun , placing protesters in fear of injury , the July charging documents said .
The evidence tampering charge alleges that the couple altered the pistol held by Patricia McCloskey , which the couple 's lawyer said was inoperable when she wilded it during the protest .
The couple is set to return to court on Oct. 28 .
They have received national attention since the incident , including a speaking slot at the Republican National Convention and Schwartz on Wednesday said President Donald Trump contacts them `` semi-frequently . ''

Mark and Patricia McCloskey pleaded not guilty Wednesday to grand jury charges related to a June incident during which they brandished guns at protesters who walked by their St. Louis home. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- A St. Louis couple who brandished guns at protesters walking by their home in June pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges in an indictment from a grand jury. Mark McCloskey, 63, and Patricia McCloskey, 61, pleaded not guilty to felony charges of unlawful use of a weapon and evidence tampering after a hearing on Wednesday. Advertisement
Joel Schwartz, an attorney for the couple, called the case against them "a political prosecution," accusing Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner of wasting resources by pursuing it.
"The fact that Kim Gardner and the Circuit Attorney's Office have chosen to use their judicial resources to prosecute the McCloskeys, who are clearly innocent of any crime, committed no crime whatsoever, is sort of a travesty," said Schwartz.
The Circuit Attorney's Office charged the couple in July with one count each of unlawful exhibiting of a weapon and the grand jury added the charge of evidence tampering earlier this month.
Protesters walked through the gated community of Portland Place on June 28, as Mark McCloskey pointed an AR-15 rifle at them while his wife waved a semiautomatic handgun, placing protesters in fear of injury, the July charging documents said.
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The evidence tampering charge alleges that the couple altered the pistol held by Patricia McCloskey, which the couple's lawyer said was inoperable when she wilded it during the protest.
The couple is set to return to court on Oct. 28.
They have received national attention since the incident, including a speaking slot at the Republican National Convention and Schwartz on Wednesday said President Donald Trump contacts them "semi-frequently."


upi--2020-10-14--Billboard Music Awards: Killer Mike wins first Change Maker Award

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- Killer Mike was honored with the inaugural Billboard Change Maker Award at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards on Wednesday .
He received the award for being a leading champion of community activism , social justice and civil rights .
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms introduced Killer Mike and a video highlighting the rapper 's activism , which has included voter registration projects and speaking out against police brutality .
Killer Mike dedicated the win to his wife , Shana Render , who joined him from their home for his speech where he paid homage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone who has helped him along the way .
Earlier , John Legend gave an emotional performance of `` Never Break . ''
Legend , who was wearing a white suit , dedicated the performance to his wife Chrissy Teigen .
This was Legend 's first performance since Teigen suffered a pregnancy loss .
Post Malone , who leads all artists with 16 nominations , delivered a cinematic performance of his song `` Circles . ''
Malone came to viewers from an abandoned constriction site and was rocking a shaved head .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Tommy Lee . ''
The duo walked down to the ground level of the construction site and fireworks were launched into the sky .
Earlier in the show , Luke Combs won Top Country Artist and performed `` Better Together '' onstage .
Billie Eillish won two awards , first Top 200 Billboard Album for When We All Fall Asleep , Where Do We Go ?
and then Top Female Artist .
She told fans to please vote and wear a mask .
Alicia Keys took the stage for a performance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sporting bangs and a sparkling outfit as she sang in front of a red background .
Lil Nas X won Top 100 Hot Song for `` Old Town Road Remix , '' featuring Billy Ray Cyrus .
He teased a new album coming in 2021 .
Kelly Clarkson , who is hosting the event for the third year in a row , kicked off the ceremony with a cover of Steve Winwood 's `` Higher Love . ''
Clarkson was joined onstage by Pentatonix , Shelia E. and video screens of fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the power of music , all music , '' the singer said .
En Vogue , Demi Lovato , BTS , Bad Bunny and Garth Brooks and will also be performing .
Garth Brooks will also be receiving the Icon Award .

1/3
Garth Brooks holds his Icon Award at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards. Photo courtesy of NBC
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Killer Mike and Garth Brooks were the big winners at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards on Wednesday. Brooks, the No. 1 selling solo artist in U.S. history, was honored with the Icon Award, which was presented by fellow music legend Cher. Advertisement
The Icon Award was created a decade ago to honor outstanding artists who have achieved excellence in the recording studio and on the concert stage.
The country star took the stage wearing his signature cowboy hat and boots to perform some of his hit songs.
After that performance there's no question why you're our Icon Award Recipient, @garthbrooks #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/ZJUx3YQiQo— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) October 15, 2020
Earlier, Killer Mike was honored with the inaugural Billboard Change Maker Award. He was chosen for being a leading champion of community activism, social justice and civil rights.
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Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms introduced Killer Mike and a video highlighting the rapper's activism, which has included voter registration projects and speaking out against police brutality.
Killer Mike dedicated the win to his wife, Shana Render, who joined him from their home for his speech, in which he paid homage to young artists, his ancestors and everyone who has helped him along the way.
Throughout his 20-year music career, @KillerMike has been instrumental in social justice and civil rights movements and that is why he is our Billboard Change Maker! Congrats! #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/GIwiSUmdJM— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) October 15, 2020
Post Malone took the coveted Top Artist award after he earned Top Male Artist.
"I'm blown away, I'm floored," Malone said onstage as he accepted the award. The 25-year-old was followed by En Vogue, who rocked the stage with "Free Your Mind" to close out the ceremony. Earlier in the evening, Malone delivered a cinematic performance of his song "Circles" and joined Tyla Yaweh for his track "Tommy Lee."
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Additionally, South Korean boy band BTS gave viewers a performance of "Dynamite" from their home country.
The group, who won Top Social Artist during the ceremony, wore matching plum-colored suits on a big stage that had an airplane flying over it.
"Cause I-I-I'm in the stars tonight... so watch @BTS_twt bring the fire and set the night alight! #BTSxBBMAs pic.twitter.com/RQtUkNe5PL— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) October 15, 2020
Demi Lovato gave a world premiere performance of her newly released song "Commander in Chief."
The politically charged track is a message to President Donald Trump, which Lovato performed while playing piano.
"Commander in Chief, honestly/ If I did the things you do/ I couldn't sleep, seriously/ Do you even know the truth?/ We're in a state of crisis, people are dyin'/ While you line your pockets deep/ Commander in Chief, how does it feel to still/ Be able to breathe," Lovato sang.
Earlier, John Legend gave an emotional performance of "Never Break."
Legend, who was wearing a white suit, dedicated the performance to his wife, Chrissy Teigen. This was Legend's first performance since Teigen suffered a pregnancy loss two weeks ago.
Luke Combs won Top Country Artist and performed "Better Together" onstage. Billie Eilish won two awards, the Top 200 Billboard Album for When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? and Top Female Artist. She told fans to please vote and wear a mask.
Alicia Keys took the stage for a performance of "Love Looks Better." Keys was sporting bangs and a sparkling outfit as she sang in front of a red background.
Lil Nas X won Top 100 Hot Song for "Old Town Road Remix," featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. He teased a new album coming in 2021.
Kelly Clarkson, who hosted the event for the third year in a row, kicked off the ceremony with a cover of Steve Winwood's "Higher Love."
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Clarkson was joined onstage by Pentatonix, Shelia E. and video screens of fans watching virtually.
"We are celebrating the power of music, all music," the singer said.


upi--2020-10-14--NFL cancels 2021 Pro Bowl Game due to coronavirus

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- The NFL announced Wednesday that the 2021 Pro Bowl Game will be scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Pro Bowl was originally set to be played Jan. 31 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas .
According to the league , the 2022 Pro Bowl will be awarded to Las Vegas to make up for the cancellation .
The NFL also announced that it is collaborating with the players ' union and other league partners to create virtual activities to replace the annual All-Star game .
Fans will still be able to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting Nov. 17 , and the full rosters for the AFC and NFC will be unveiled in December .
The 2021 Pro Bowl is the latest event on the NFL calendar to be impacted by COVID-19 .
This year 's NFL Draft , which was set to take place in Las Vegas , was moved to a virtual format this spring due to the virus .
The coronavirus also forced the league to cancel all preseason games , and the NFL 's regular season has already seen multiple postponements and schedule changes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the NFL said it intends `` to play a full regular and postseason schedule , culminating at the Super Bowl . ''

Oct. 14 (UPI) -- The NFL announced Wednesday that the Pro Bowl game in January, which had been scheduled in Las Vegas, will be scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Pro Bowl was set to be played Jan. 31 at the new Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. According to the league, the 2022 Pro Bowl will be awarded to Las Vegas to make up for the cancellation.
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The NFL also announced that it is collaborating with the players' union and other league partners to create virtual activities to replace the annual All-Star game. Fans will still be able to vote for players to the Pro Bowl roster starting Nov. 17, and the full rosters for the AFC and NFC will be unveiled in December.
The 2021 Pro Bowl is the latest event on the NFL calendar to be impacted by COVID-19. This year's NFL Draft, which was set to take place in Las Vegas, was moved to a virtual format this spring due to the virus.
How it started: How it's going: pic.twitter.com/ihWmW6f1VH— Allegiant Stadium (@AllegiantStadm) October 13, 2020 Advertisement
The coronavirus also forced the league to cancel all preseason games, and the NFL's regular season has already seen multiple postponements and schedule changes.
Despite COVID-19's impact on the league, the NFL said it intends "to play a full regular and postseason schedule, culminating at the Super Bowl."


upi--2020-10-14--Mark Sanchez eliminated from 'Masked Singer'

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- Retired pro football player and sports commentator Mark Sanchez was eliminated from The Masked @ @ @ @ @ He was dressed as Baby Alien for the FOX competition .
`` Somebody get this @ @ @ @ @ !
WHO IS THIS GUY ?
?
Definitely not a football player , '' Sanchez @ @ @ @ @ .
Ken Jeong , Jenny McCarthy , Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke are the program @ @ @ @ @ Cannon is the host .
`` Maybe we can share custody of # BabyAlienMask , @ @ @ @ @ , '' Scherzinger said in a Twitter post .
Rapper Busta Rhymes was the first @ @ @ @ @ boot this season .
Actor Mickey Rourke later took himself out of the competition and @ @ @ @ @ was cut from the show last week .

Mark Sanchez got the boot on "The Masked Singer" Wednesday. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Retired pro football player and sports commentator Mark Sanchez was eliminated from The Masked Singer on Wednesday night. He was dressed as Baby Alien for the FOX competition. Advertisement
"Somebody get this Baby Alien a record deal! WHO IS THIS GUY?? Definitely not a football player," Sanchez tweeted after the show aired.
Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke are the program's judges, and Nick Cannon is the host.
"Maybe we can share custody of #BabyAlienMask, @JennyMcCarthy? #TheMaskedSinger," Scherzinger said in a Twitter post.
Rapper Busta Rhymes was the first disguised celebrity to get the boot this season.
Actor Mickey Rourke later took himself out of the competition and TV icon Brian Austin Green was cut from the show last week.


upi--2020-10-14--Phoenix endures 144 days of 100-degree heat, breaking long-standing record

A 31-year-old record melted away on Wednesday as relentless triple-digit heat continued to scorch Phoenix for the 144th day this year .
The previous record for the most 100-degree days in a year was set in 1989 with 143 days in total .
When the mercury reached 100 F on Wednesday afternoon , it also tied the record high for the date , which was last reached on Oct. 14 , 2015 .
The city could tack on a few more days to the already impressive record with high temperatures in the upper 90s to lower 100s in the forecast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desert Southwest into the weekend .
However , time is ticking for more 100-degree days in the city .
The latest that Phoenix has ever recorded a high of 100 F was on Oct. 27 .
In a given year , Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport , the official climate station for the city of Phoenix , typically averages about 102 days where the high temperature equals or exceeds 100 degrees .
The worst of the heat arrived for many across the desert Southwest as early as Tuesday , while the arrival of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco and Redding , Calif. , will be delayed until after midweek .
Unseasonably warm conditions are expected throughout most of the southwestern United States this week .
However , the desert Southwest will be in the crosshairs for the truly sizzling temperatures .
The hottest conditions through the rest of the week will bake portions of southern Arizona , southern Nevada and inland areas of Southern California .
In these areas , daytime high temperatures will generally climb 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit above normal levels for the middle of October .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ range from the lower 80s in cities such as Las Vegas to near 90 in cities such as Phoenix and Palm Springs , Calif. , to the middle 90s in Death Valley , Calif. Other cities where record high temperatures are in jeopardy of being tied or broken this week include , but are not limited to , Las Vegas and San Francisco .
In Las Vegas , temperatures will flirt with record levels through Wednesday , while records will not be in jeopardy in San Francisco until Thursday and Friday .
Heat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risk for heat-related illnesses , especially for the most vulnerable populations .
Residents across the Southwest should drink plenty of water and try to limit any outdoor activity to the morning or evening hours to avoid peak heating .
In addition to unrelenting heat , here is another serious threat for portions of the Southwest : high winds .
`` Tuesday night into Wednesday , surface high pressure quickly moved inland across the Northwest and strengthened , which created a textbook offshore wind setup , '' Sojda said .
`` The strongest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning , when the high over the Northwest will peak in strength . ''
`` The focus of the strongest winds will be in the northern Sierra Nevada and Sacramento Valley into the Bay Area , but the pressure gradient will be just robust enough to get slightly stronger wind gusts over a larger portion of the mountains in Southern California as well , '' Sojda added .
These strong winds will act in conjunction with other factors including very low humidity levels , no precipitation and extremely dry fuels to create an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of California through Friday .
Where firefighters have made progress toward full containment of large fires , these strong winds may considerably hinder further progress or even act to erase progress altogether .
Rapid fire growth is likely to occur in areas impacted by the strongest winds .
Unfortunately for residents across the Southwest waiting for prolonged relief after months of brutal weather , the wait will continue through at least the weekend , as little to no change in the overall weather pattern is anticipated .

Phoenix could add even more 100-degree days this year as soaring temperatures continue through October. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
A 31-year-old record melted away on Wednesday as relentless triple-digit heat continued to scorch Phoenix for the 144th day this year. The previous record for the most 100-degree days in a year was set in 1989 with 143 days in total. Advertisement
When the mercury reached 100 F on Wednesday afternoon, it also tied the record high for the date, which was last reached on Oct. 14, 2015.
The city could tack on a few more days to the already impressive record with high temperatures in the upper 90s to lower 100s in the forecast across the major metro areas of the desert Southwest into the weekend. However, time is ticking for more 100-degree days in the city. The latest that Phoenix has ever recorded a high of 100 F was on Oct. 27.
In a given year, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the official climate station for the city of Phoenix, typically averages about 102 days where the high temperature equals or exceeds 100 degrees.
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The worst of the heat arrived for many across the desert Southwest as early as Tuesday, while the arrival of the worst heat for cities like San Francisco and Redding, Calif., will be delayed until after midweek.
Unseasonably warm conditions are expected throughout most of the southwestern United States this week. However, the desert Southwest will be in the crosshairs for the truly sizzling temperatures.
The hottest conditions through the rest of the week will bake portions of southern Arizona, southern Nevada and inland areas of Southern California. In these areas, daytime high temperatures will generally climb 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit above normal levels for the middle of October.
Typical high temperatures across the desert Southwest range from the lower 80s in cities such as Las Vegas to near 90 in cities such as Phoenix and Palm Springs, Calif., to the middle 90s in Death Valley, Calif.
Other cities where record high temperatures are in jeopardy of being tied or broken this week include, but are not limited to, Las Vegas and San Francisco. In Las Vegas, temperatures will flirt with record levels through Wednesday, while records will not be in jeopardy in San Francisco until Thursday and Friday.
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Heat of this level will act to increase the risk for heat-related illnesses, especially for the most vulnerable populations. Residents across the Southwest should drink plenty of water and try to limit any outdoor activity to the morning or evening hours to avoid peak heating.
In addition to unrelenting heat, here is another serious threat for portions of the Southwest: high winds.
"Tuesday night into Wednesday, surface high pressure quickly moved inland across the Northwest and strengthened, which created a textbook offshore wind setup," Sojda said. "The strongest winds look to occur later into Thursday morning, when the high over the Northwest will peak in strength."
"The focus of the strongest winds will be in the northern Sierra Nevada and Sacramento Valley into the Bay Area, but the pressure gradient will be just robust enough to get slightly stronger wind gusts over a larger portion of the mountains in Southern California as well," Sojda added.
These strong winds will act in conjunction with other factors including very low humidity levels, no precipitation and extremely dry fuels to create an elevated to critical fire threat across portions of California through Friday.
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Where firefighters have made progress toward full containment of large fires, these strong winds may considerably hinder further progress or even act to erase progress altogether. Rapid fire growth is likely to occur in areas impacted by the strongest winds.
Unfortunately for residents across the Southwest waiting for prolonged relief after months of brutal weather, the wait will continue through at least the weekend, as little to no change in the overall weather pattern is anticipated.


upi--2020-10-14--Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Illinois report record early voting, mail-in ballot turnout

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- More than 1.6 million people took to the polls to vote early this week prompting four states to report record turnout with less than three weeks to go before Election Day .
Texas , Georgia , Ohio and Illinois have each outpaced voter turnout from the 2016 election , with voters in some areas facing long lines and other difficulties .
Elections officials and politicians have encouraged voters to vote early and/or by mail to avoid large crowds at the polls on Nov. 3 .
More than 1 million people cast ballots during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday as the state began voting about a week earlier than in 2016 , the state Democratic Party said .
On Tuesday , 425,028 ballots were cast in the state 's 10 largest counties , up from 340,006 in 2016 , the Texas Tribune reported .
Voters in those 10 counties also sent 224,122 ballots by mail , up from 157,277 in 2016 .
At least 241,706 people went to the polls in the first two days of early voting in Georgia as more than 120,000 cast ballots on the first day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's previous record of about 90,000 .
Voters in Georgia reported waiting as long as 4 hours to vote in the state , although some counties reduced vote times to about 90 minutes after some people were left waiting until as late as 10 p.m. to cast votes on Monday .
Fulton County election director Richard Barron , who said he expects the county to exceed 30,000 voters on the last day of early voting Oct. 30 , said people seeking to cancel their absentee ballots and vote in person was `` contributing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also reported that more than 473,000 absentee ballots had already been returned .
Ohio tripled its early voting numbers with 193,021 voters going to the polls in the first week , up from 64,321 during the same period in 2016 .
Requests for absentee ballots also nearly doubled as the state received 2.5 million requests this year , up from 1.25 million in 2016 .
Secretary of State Frank LaRose said the state `` could n't be happier '' about the high voter turnout while battling a state and federal lawsuit against county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot drop boxes in their counties .
Meanwhile , the Illinois State Board of Elections reported that more than 175,000 people have gone to the polls for early voting and more than 480,000 have returned their mail-in ballots .

Texas, Georgia, Ohio and Illinois have all outpaced early voting and mail-in ballot numbers in comparison to the 2016 presidential election after officials encouraged the methods due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- More than 1.6 million people took to the polls to vote early this week prompting four states to report record turnout with less than three weeks to go before Election Day. Texas, Georgia, Ohio and Illinois have each outpaced voter turnout from the 2016 election, with voters in some areas facing long lines and other difficulties. Elections officials and politicians have encouraged voters to vote early and/or by mail to avoid large crowds at the polls on Nov. 3. Advertisement
More than 1 million people cast ballots during the first day of early voting in Texas on Monday as the state began voting about a week earlier than in 2016, the state Democratic Party said. On Tuesday, 425,028 ballots were cast in the state's 10 largest counties, up from 340,006 in 2016, the Texas Tribune reported.
Voters in those 10 counties also sent 224,122 ballots by mail, up from 157,277 in 2016.
At least 241,706 people went to the polls in the first two days of early voting in Georgia as more than 120,000 cast ballots on the first day of early voting, shattering the state's previous record of about 90,000.
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Voters in Georgia reported waiting as long as 4 hours to vote in the state, although some counties reduced vote times to about 90 minutes after some people were left waiting until as late as 10 p.m. to cast votes on Monday.
Fulton County election director Richard Barron, who said he expects the county to exceed 30,000 voters on the last day of early voting Oct. 30, said people seeking to cancel their absentee ballots and vote in person was "contributing to extending the lines."
Georgia also reported that more than 473,000 absentee ballots had already been returned.
Ohio tripled its early voting numbers with 193,021 voters going to the polls in the first week, up from 64,321 during the same period in 2016.
Requests for absentee ballots also nearly doubled as the state received 2.5 million requests this year, up from 1.25 million in 2016.
Secretary of State Frank LaRose said the state "couldn't be happier" about the high voter turnout while battling a state and federal lawsuit against county boards of election seeking to add additional ballot drop boxes in their counties.
Meanwhile, the Illinois State Board of Elections reported that more than 175,000 people have gone to the polls for early voting and more than 480,000 have returned their mail-in ballots.


upi--2020-10-14--Barron Trump had COVID-19, has tested negative again: first lady

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- Barron Trump , the 14-year-old son of President Donald Trump , tested positive for COVID-19 , but has since tested negative , first lady Melania Trump revealed Wednesday .
The first lady announced her son 's infection with the virus in a statement detailing her personal experience with the illness .
The the president and first lady tested positive for the novel coronavirus Oct. 1 , and at the time , the family said Barron tested negative .
`` My fear came true when [ Barron ] was tested again and it came up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her statement .
`` Luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms .
In one way I was glad the three of us went through this at the same time so we could take care of one another and spend time together .
He has since tested negative . ''
President Trump , when asked by reporters on the South Lawn of the White House how Barron is doing , said his son is `` fine . ''
The first lady said she experienced a `` roller coaster '' of symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cough , headaches and fatigue .
She said she chose a `` more natural route '' in terms of her treatment , focusing on taking vitamins and eating healthy foods .
President Trump , meanwhile , was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda , Md.
, for three days after experiencing some breathing troubles .
Doctors treated him with an experimental antibody cocktail by Regeneron and remdesivir , an antiviral originally created to treat the Ebola virus .
When President Trump returned to the White House after his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made at the residence to protect workers , including housekeepers , butlers , chefs and florists .
In addition to installing sanitation and filtration systems at the residence and the homes of workers , the Trump family issued a mask mandate for workers in the executive mansion , implemented daily testing for those in direct contact with the family , hired additional medical support and hired a well-being consultant to focus on mental health concerns .
After the Trumps tested positive for the virus , workers were required to wear full personal protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump family are among several people linked to the White House who have tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days .
Many attended a Rose Garden event in which the president announced his nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .

Barron Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House after arriving on Marine One in Washington, D.C., on August 16. The 14-year-old tested positive for COVID-19 but didn't have any symptoms during his illness. File Photo by Stefani Reynolds/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Barron Trump, the 14-year-old son of President Donald Trump, tested positive for COVID-19, but has since tested negative, first lady Melania Trump revealed Wednesday. The first lady announced her son's infection with the virus in a statement detailing her personal experience with the illness. Advertisement
The the president and first lady tested positive for the novel coronavirus Oct. 1, and at the time, the family said Barron tested negative.
"My fear came true when [Barron] was tested again and it came up positive," Melania Trump wrote in her statement. "Luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms. In one way I was glad the three of us went through this at the same time so we could take care of one another and spend time together. He has since tested negative."
President Trump, when asked by reporters on the South Lawn of the White House how Barron is doing, said his son is "fine."
The first lady said she experienced a "roller coaster" of symptoms with the virus, including body aches, cough, headaches and fatigue. She said she chose a "more natural route" in terms of her treatment, focusing on taking vitamins and eating healthy foods.
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President Trump, meanwhile, was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., for three days after experiencing some breathing troubles. Doctors treated him with an experimental antibody cocktail by Regeneron and remdesivir, an antiviral originally created to treat the Ebola virus.
When President Trump returned to the White House after his hospitalization, the first lady revealed efforts made at the residence to protect workers, including housekeepers, butlers, chefs and florists.
In addition to installing sanitation and filtration systems at the residence and the homes of workers, the Trump family issued a mask mandate for workers in the executive mansion, implemented daily testing for those in direct contact with the family, hired additional medical support and hired a well-being consultant to focus on mental health concerns. After the Trumps tested positive for the virus, workers were required to wear full personal protective equipment.
The three members of the Trump family are among several people linked to the White House who have tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days. Many attended a Rose Garden event in which the president announced his nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
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Scenes from the White House as coronavirus hot spot


upi--2020-10-14--Titans trade disgruntled LB Kamalei Correa to Jaguars

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- The Tennessee Titans have traded outside linebacker Kamalei Correa to the Jacksonville Jaguars in a rare interdivisional trade , the teams announced Wednesday .
The Titans sent Correa and a 2021 seventh-round draft pick to the Jaguars in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round selection , the teams said .
According to Sports Illustrated , it marks the first trade between the Jaguars and Titans in the teams ' histories .
Correa , who became frustrated with his diminished role after playing only 38 snaps on defense in three games this season , asked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's game against the Buffalo Bills .
He was inactive for the matchup .
Earlier Tuesday , Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said the team would honor Correa 's trade request .
`` [ General manager ] Jon [ Robinson ] and I have spoken with him today and told him that he would be released , '' Vrabel said before the trade .
`` Now if things change , someone may reach out and that would be another situation that could happen .
As of now , we 'll plan on going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The Titans signed Correa -- a 2016 second-round draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens -- to a one-year , $ 2.5 million contract in April .
Tennessee initially acquired him from the Ravens in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft .
Correa notched career highs in total tackles ( 37 ) , sacks ( five ) and passes defensed ( two ) in 16 games with the Titans last season .
In 57 career contests , he has recorded 77 tackles , 8.5 sacks , two forced fumbles @ @ @ @ @

Oct. 14 (UPI) -- The Tennessee Titans have traded outside linebacker Kamalei Correa to the Jacksonville Jaguars in a rare interdivisional trade, the teams announced Wednesday.
The Titans sent Correa and a 2021 seventh-round draft pick to the Jaguars in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round selection, the teams said. According to Sports Illustrated, it marks the first trade between the Jaguars and Titans in the teams' histories.
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Correa, who became frustrated with his diminished role after playing only 38 snaps on defense in three games this season, asked the Titans to trade him following Tuesday night's game against the Buffalo Bills. He was inactive for the matchup.
Earlier Tuesday, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said the team would honor Correa's trade request.
"[General manager] Jon [Robinson] and I have spoken with him today and told him that he would be released," Vrabel said before the trade. "Now if things change, someone may reach out and that would be another situation that could happen. As of now, we'll plan on going in another direction and moving on."
Advertisement Titans trade OLB Kamalei Correa to Jaguars Details » https://t.co/xBqbQSzNGs— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 14, 2020
The Titans signed Correa -- a 2016 second-round draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens -- to a one-year, $2.5 million contract in April. Tennessee initially acquired him from the Ravens in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Correa notched career highs in total tackles (37), sacks (five) and passes defensed (two) in 16 games with the Titans last season. In 57 career contests, he has recorded 77 tackles, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.


upi--2020-10-14--Germany to give $664M in aid to Holocaust survivors amid economic uncertainty

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- The German government on Wednesday agreed to pay $ 664 million in aid to victims of the Holocaust as they deal with the economic hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Claims Conference , an organization that negotiates such payouts from the German government to survivors , said talks will result in `` significant '' increases in compensation .
About 240,000 survivors of the Holocaust living around the world will receive the payments over the next two years .
Most live in Israel , North America , the former Soviet Union and Western Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hard work of our negotiation 's delegation during these unprecedented times , will help our efforts to ensure dignity and stability in survivors ' final years , '' said Gideon Taylor , president of the Claims Conference .
`` We must meet the challenges of the increasing needs of survivors as they age , coupled with the new and urgent necessities caused by the global pandemic .
It will always remain our moral imperative to keep fighting for every survivor . ''
The survivors will each receive a payment of about $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , with the first slated to go out in December .
The funds will help the recipients with the added costs of dealing with the pandemic -- purchasing masks and other personal protective equipment , and paying extra fees for deliveries as they stay home .
The Claims Conference said many of the recipients are elderly , in poor health , face emotional trauma and live in poverty .
`` This new agreement will benefit tens of thousands of the poorest survivors alive , '' said the organization 's executive vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age their needs grow ever greater and our persistence does not diminish ; we continue to achieve increases in compensation and social welfare services at the same time .
Survivors deserve no less but sadly , their needs will soon wane as survivors pass away in even greater numbers making it an imperative that we continue to meet the challenges they face . ''

The entrance to the former German Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz I in Oswiecim, Poland, is seen August 1, 2019. On Wednesday, the Claims Conference organization said it negotiated payments from Germany to Holocaust survivors facing economic uncertainty due to the coronavirus. File Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- The German government on Wednesday agreed to pay $664 million in aid to victims of the Holocaust as they deal with the economic hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Claims Conference, an organization that negotiates such payouts from the German government to survivors, said talks will result in "significant" increases in compensation. Advertisement
About 240,000 survivors of the Holocaust living around the world will receive the payments over the next two years. Most live in Israel, North America, the former Soviet Union and Western Europe.
"These increased benefits achieved by the hard work of our negotiation's delegation during these unprecedented times, will help our efforts to ensure dignity and stability in survivors' final years," said Gideon Taylor, president of the Claims Conference.
"We must meet the challenges of the increasing needs of survivors as they age, coupled with the new and urgent necessities caused by the global pandemic. It will always remain our moral imperative to keep fighting for every survivor."
The survivors will each receive a payment of about $1,400 for each of the next two years, with the first slated to go out in December. The funds will help the recipients with the added costs of dealing with the pandemic -- purchasing masks and other personal protective equipment, and paying extra fees for deliveries as they stay home.
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The Claims Conference said many of the recipients are elderly, in poor health, face emotional trauma and live in poverty.
"This new agreement will benefit tens of thousands of the poorest survivors alive," said the organization's executive vice president, Greg Schneider.
"As survivors age their needs grow ever greater and our persistence does not diminish; we continue to achieve increases in compensation and social welfare services at the same time. Survivors deserve no less but sadly, their needs will soon wane as survivors pass away in even greater numbers making it an imperative that we continue to meet the challenges they face."


upi--2020-10-14--Showtime says 'Dexter' is returning for limited series

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- Showtime announced Wednesday it is reviving its serial-killer drama Dexter for a limited series @ @ @ @ @ . ]
He 's back .
# Dexter , '' the `` Dexter on Showtime @ @ @ @ @ The post included a video with a blood-spattered background , the show 's title and @ @ @ @ @ away has been murder .
Dexter returns . ''
The clip got 2 million views @ @ @ @ @ it was online .
Production on the 10 new episodes is slated to begin , @ @ @ @ @ to the title role , in early 2021 .
Showrunner Clyde Phillips is also back @ @ @ @ @ is expected to premiere in late 2021 .
The original series ran 2006-13 on the @ @ @

Actor Michael C. Hall is returning for a limited revival of "Dexter" on Showtime. File Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Showtime announced Wednesday it is reviving its serial-killer drama Dexter for a limited series. "Surprise [expletive.] He's back. #Dexter," the "Dexter on Showtime" Twitter feed said. Advertisement
The post included a video with a blood-spattered background, the show's title and the message: "Being away has been murder. Dexter returns."
The clip got 2 million views in the first 2 hours it was online.
Production on the 10 new episodes is slated to begin, with Michael C. Hall returning to the title role, in early 2021.
Showrunner Clyde Phillips is also back for the revival, which is expected to premiere in late 2021.
The original series ran 2006-13 on the cable network.


upi--2020-10-14--Nominee Amy Coney Barrett says Supreme Court can't enforce rulings

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett testified in the Senate Wednesday that while `` no one is above the law , '' the high court has no power to force a U.S. president to comply with its orders .
Asked by Sen. Patrick Leahy , D-Vt. , during the third day of her Senate confirmation hearing if a sitting president could defy the court 's will by simply refusing to obey its orders , she answered , `` the Supreme Court ca n't control what the president obeys . ''
The justices `` ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judgments , '' she added , noting that the court `` relies on the other branches to react to its judgments accordingly . ''
Queried by Leahy if a president can pardon himself for a crime , Barrett replied that the question was impossible to answer because it has never been litigated .
`` It 's not one in which I can offer a view , '' she said .
Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris , D-Calif. , asked whether she agreed with Chief Justice John Roberts ' writing in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voting Rights Act in which he said `` voting discrimination still exists , no one doubts that . ''
After initially declining to comment on what justices have said in an opinon , Barrett said she does `` think racial discrimination still exists '' in the United States .
`` I do n't mean to signal I disagree with the statement either , what I mean to say is I 'm not going to express an opinion because these are very charged issues , they have been litigated in the courts and so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Barrett said .
Barret also said she was n't able to recall a time when she had voted by mail , when questioned by Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , about the necessity of mail-in ballots amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` I ca n't recall a time that I voted by mail , '' Barrett said after initially declining to express a view on the issue as it is a matter of policy .
`` It may be in college that I did , when I was living away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm sitting here specifically recall a time I voted by mail . ''
When asked about Griswold vs. Connecticut , which established the right of married couples to obtain and use contraception in the privacy of their own home , Barret said it is `` very , very , very , very , very , very unlikely to be overturned '' but declined to express her views on the case .
Griswold vs. Connecticut helped to establish the `` right to privacy '' which is referenced in Roe vs. Wade and Barrett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth asking `` is to lay a predicate for whether Roe was rightly decided . ''
Her testimony came on the third overall day of confirmation hearings -- and second day of questioning -- for Barrett , President Donald Trump 's nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court .
Tuesday , she was questioned for 11 hours as Democrats tried to pin down her views on controversial issues including abortion and the Affordable Care Act , which Democrats fear will be struck down with Barrett as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charles Grassley , R-Iowa , on Wednesday called Democrats ' focus on the ACA `` a distraction , '' citing Barrett 's earlier testimony that she `` has no agenda '' to dismantle the healthcare law and has never made any commitments to anyone , including Trump , to eliminate it .
Each of the 22 committee members were again allotted 30 minutes Wednesday to question Barrett , as the hearings drew closer to the panel 's scheduled vote on her nomination Thursday .
Barrett was challenged repeatedly on Tuesday by Democrats to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion case , Roe vs. Wade , and whether she agreed with her late mentor , Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia , that it was `` decided wrongly . ''
Barrett was also asked multiple times about the ACA -- including her past criticisms of Chief Justice John Roberts ' 2012 ruling to uphold the law .
Democrats voiced fears that Barrett could be the pivotal vote in a case brought by Republican state officials seeking to dismantle the ACA , which they say could strip insurance coverage for 20 million Americans during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to answer questions on past or potential future rulings .
Monday , the first day of her confirmation process , Barrett and members of the panel gave opening statements .
Wednesday 's hearing opened with praise from committee chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , for her `` historic '' nomination .
`` This is the first time in American history that we have nominated a woman who is unashamedly pro-life and embraces her faith without apology , and she 's going to the court .
A seat at the table is waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for performing at Tuesday 's hearing under tough questioning from Democrats opposed to her nomination .
Senate Republicans have praised her devout Catholic faith and personal story as a mother of seven children who has carved out a high-powered legal career .
`` I 'm highly confident that you would judge every American based on their case , not the law of Amy , '' Graham said .
Barrett is expected to be confirmed along party lines in committee .
If approved , her nomination would move to the full Senate for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple majority to become a Supreme Court justice .

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Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett answers questions Wednesday on the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Pool photo by Bill Clark/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett testified in the Senate Wednesday that while "no one is above the law," the high court has no power to force a U.S. president to comply with its orders. Asked by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., during the third day of her Senate confirmation hearing if a sitting president could defy the court's will by simply refusing to obey its orders, she answered, "the Supreme Court can't control what the president obeys." Advertisement
The justices "can't do anything to enforce our own judgments," she added, noting that the court "relies on the other branches to react to its judgments accordingly."
Queried by Leahy if a president can pardon himself for a crime, Barrett replied that the question was impossible to answer because it has never been litigated.
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"It's not one in which I can offer a view," she said.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., asked whether she agreed with Chief Justice John Roberts' writing in the court's 2012 opinion on the 1965 Voting Rights Act in which he said "voting discrimination still exists, no one doubts that."
After initially declining to comment on what justices have said in an opinon, Barrett said she does "think racial discrimination still exists" in the United States.
"I don't mean to signal I disagree with the statement either, what I mean to say is I'm not going to express an opinion because these are very charged issues, they have been litigated in the courts and so I will not engage on that question," Barrett said.
Barret also said she wasn't able to recall a time when she had voted by mail, when questioned by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., about the necessity of mail-in ballots amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I can't recall a time that I voted by mail," Barrett said after initially declining to express a view on the issue as it is a matter of policy. "It may be in college that I did, when I was living away from home. But I can't as I'm sitting here specifically recall a time I voted by mail."
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When asked about Griswold vs. Connecticut, which established the right of married couples to obtain and use contraception in the privacy of their own home, Barret said it is "very, very, very, very, very, very unlikely to be overturned" but declined to express her views on the case.
Griswold vs. Connecticut helped to establish the "right to privacy" which is referenced in Roe vs. Wade and Barrett said the only reason the question is worth asking "is to lay a predicate for whether Roe was rightly decided."
Her testimony came on the third overall day of confirmation hearings -- and second day of questioning -- for Barrett, President Donald Trump's nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court.
Tuesday, she was questioned for 11 hours as Democrats tried to pin down her views on controversial issues including abortion and the Affordable Care Act, which Democrats fear will be struck down with Barrett as a justice of the high court.
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, on Wednesday called Democrats' focus on the ACA "a distraction," citing Barrett's earlier testimony that she "has no agenda" to dismantle the healthcare law and has never made any commitments to anyone, including Trump, to eliminate it.
Advertisement
Each of the 22 committee members were again allotted 30 minutes Wednesday to question Barrett, as the hearings drew closer to the panel's scheduled vote on her nomination Thursday.
Barrett was challenged repeatedly on Tuesday by Democrats to voice an opinion on the landmark 1973 abortion case, Roe vs. Wade, and whether she agreed with her late mentor, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, that it was "decided wrongly."
Barrett was also asked multiple times about the ACA -- including her past criticisms of Chief Justice John Roberts' 2012 ruling to uphold the law. Democrats voiced fears that Barrett could be the pivotal vote in a case brought by Republican state officials seeking to dismantle the ACA, which they say could strip insurance coverage for 20 million Americans during a pandemic.
Barrett on Tuesday declined to answer questions on past or potential future rulings.
Monday, the first day of her confirmation process, Barrett and members of the panel gave opening statements.
Wednesday's hearing opened with praise from committee chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., for her "historic" nomination.
"This is the first time in American history that we have nominated a woman who is unashamedly pro-life and embraces her faith without apology, and she's going to the court. A seat at the table is waiting on you."
Advertisement
Graham hailed Barrett for performing at Tuesday's hearing under tough questioning from Democrats opposed to her nomination.
Senate Republicans have praised her devout Catholic faith and personal story as a mother of seven children who has carved out a high-powered legal career.
"I'm highly confident that you would judge every American based on their case, not the law of Amy," Graham said.
Barrett is expected to be confirmed along party lines in committee. If approved, her nomination would move to the full Senate for a final vote, where she needs a simple majority to become a Supreme Court justice.
Judge Amy Coney Barrett sworn in to U.S. Supreme Court


upi--2020-10-14--Season 9 will be the last for 'Last Man Standing'

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- The FOX sitcom Last Man Standing will end with its upcoming ninth season , the show announced Wednesday.. '' Let 's make the final season GREAT - Baxters out .
# LastManStanding returns soon on @ FOXTV ! ''
the show 's Twitter page said .
Starring Tim Allen , Nancy Travis and Hector Elizondo , the series is expected to start airing its last episodes in January .
`` So hard to express how cool it 's been to be a part of this near decade long creation .
Our final year ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the what we are planning !
Shooting as I type , '' Allen added .
Last Man Standing is about Mike Baxter , the director of marketing for an outdoor sporting goods store chain where his daughter Kristin ( Amanda Fuller ) and son-in-law Kyle ( Christoph Sanders ) work .
Travis plays Mike 's wife Vanessa , a teacher , and Kaitlyn Dever and Molly Ephraim play their daughters , Eve and Mandy .
The comedy initially ran for six seasons on ABC .
It was canceled in 2017 , but picked @ @ @ @ @ @ @

1/3
Tim Allen's sitcom "Last Man Standing" will wrap up with its ninth season. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- The FOX sitcom Last Man Standing will end with its upcoming ninth season, the show announced Wednesday.. "Let's make the final season GREAT - Baxters out. #LastManStanding returns soon on @FOXTV!" the show's Twitter page said. Advertisement
Starring Tim Allen, Nancy Travis and Hector Elizondo, the series is expected to start airing its last episodes in January.
"Feeling very lucky and bitter sweet. #Grateful," Allen tweeted.
"So hard to express how cool it's been to be a part of this near decade long creation. Our final year...damn. You are going to love the what we are planning! Shooting as I type," Allen added.
Last Man Standing is about Mike Baxter, the director of marketing for an outdoor sporting goods store chain where his daughter Kristin (Amanda Fuller) and son-in-law Kyle (Christoph Sanders) work. Travis plays Mike's wife Vanessa, a teacher, and Kaitlyn Dever and Molly Ephraim play their daughters, Eve and Mandy.
The comedy initially ran for six seasons on ABC. It was canceled in 2017, but picked back up in 2018 by FOX.


upi--2020-10-14--Alabama football coach Nick Saban, AD Greg Byrne test positive for COVID-19

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne tested positive for the coronavirus , the school announced Wednesday .
The 68-year-old Saban was notified of the positive COVID-19 test Wednesday afternoon and began isolating at home .
In a statement , the longtime Alabama coach said he was n't experiencing any virus-related symptoms .
`` At this time , I do not have any symptoms relative to COVID , and I have taken another PCR test to confirm my diagnosis , '' Saban said .
`` I informed our team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today on a Zoom call and let them know offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will oversee preparations at the complex while I work from home . ''
Byrne also is in self-isolation and will remain at home , adding : `` We 've been diligent about mask wearing and social distancing from the start and want to continue to encourage you all to take the necessary precautions to help stop the spread of this virus for yourself and those around you . ''
Alabama team physicians Jimmy Robinson and Jeff Allen said Saban and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive `` at this point in time , '' and the university will follow the Southeastern Conference 's Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force Protocol for testing asymptomatic positives .
Alabama plans to test everybody within its football program Thursday .
The school went to daily testing for its players last month .
Saban , who became the Crimson Tide 's head coach in 2007 , has won six national championships in his college coaching career -- one with LSU and five with Alabama .
The Crimson Tide ( 3-0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bulldogs ( 3-0 ) on Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa , Ala .

Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach Nick Saban said he wasn't experiencing any coronavirus-related symptoms. File Photo by Kent Gidley/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne tested positive for the coronavirus, the school announced Wednesday. The 68-year-old Saban was notified of the positive COVID-19 test Wednesday afternoon and began isolating at home. In a statement, the longtime Alabama coach said he wasn't experiencing any virus-related symptoms. Advertisement
"At this time, I do not have any symptoms relative to COVID, and I have taken another PCR test to confirm my diagnosis," Saban said. "I informed our team of my positive test at 2 p.m. today on a Zoom call and let them know offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will oversee preparations at the complex while I work from home."
Byrne also is in self-isolation and will remain at home, adding: "We've been diligent about mask wearing and social distancing from the start and want to continue to encourage you all to take the necessary precautions to help stop the spread of this virus for yourself and those around you."
Alabama team physicians Jimmy Robinson and Jeff Allen said Saban and Byrne were the only two individuals who tested positive "at this point in time," and the university will follow the Southeastern Conference's Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force Protocol for testing asymptomatic positives.
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Alabama plans to test everybody within its football program Thursday. The school went to daily testing for its players last month.
Saban, who became the Crimson Tide's head coach in 2007, has won six national championships in his college coaching career -- one with LSU and five with Alabama.
The Crimson Tide (3-0) are set to host the Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) on Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.


upi--2020-10-14--Walmart splits Black Friday into three weeks of online, in-store sales

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- Walmart announced Wednesday that it will spread its traditional Black Friday deals across three weeks this November in light of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The retailer announced its `` Black Friday Deals for Days '' event which will take place online and in store over the course of three weeks beginning Nov. 4 and ending the Friday after Thanksgiving , Nov. 27 .
`` We 've been very thoughtful as we planned this year 's event , '' said Scott McCall , executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for Walmart U.S. said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ days and making our hottest deals available online , we expect the Black Friday experience in our stores will be safer and more manageable for both our customers and our associates . ''
The event will begin online on Nov. 4 with deals focused on toys , electronics and home products with deals becoming available in stores on Nov. 7 .
Deals on televisions , computers , tablets , movies and music will begin online Nov. 11 before moving to stores Nov. 14 .
Finally , Walmart says it will offer discounts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , apparel , home products and seasonal decor online beginning Nov. 25 and in stores on Nov. 27 , the traditional date for Black Friday .
Walmart said stores will open at 5 a.m. local time for all in-store Black Friday events and customers will be required to form a single , straight line to enter the store .
Employees will hand out sanitized shopping carts and `` Health Ambassadors '' at the entrance will remind customers to wear a mask .
The company previously announced it will also remain closed on Thanksgiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1980s , with fellow retailers Target and Best Buy following suit .

Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Walmart announced Wednesday that it will spread its traditional Black Friday deals across three weeks this November in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The retailer announced its "Black Friday Deals for Days" event which will take place online and in store over the course of three weeks beginning Nov. 4 and ending the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27.
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"We've been very thoughtful as we planned this year's event," said Scott McCall, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for Walmart U.S. said. "By spreading deals out across multiple days and making our hottest deals available online, we expect the Black Friday experience in our stores will be safer and more manageable for both our customers and our associates."
The event will begin online on Nov. 4 with deals focused on toys, electronics and home products with deals becoming available in stores on Nov. 7. Deals on televisions, computers, tablets, movies and music will begin online Nov. 11 before moving to stores Nov. 14.
Finally, Walmart says it will offer discounts on "even more" electronics, toys, apparel, home products and seasonal decor online beginning Nov. 25 and in stores on Nov. 27, the traditional date for Black Friday.
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Walmart said stores will open at 5 a.m. local time for all in-store Black Friday events and customers will be required to form a single, straight line to enter the store. Employees will hand out sanitized shopping carts and "Health Ambassadors" at the entrance will remind customers to wear a mask.
The company previously announced it will also remain closed on Thanksgiving day for the first time since the 1980s, with fellow retailers Target and Best Buy following suit.


upi--2020-10-14--France implements curfew to curb COVID-19 infections

Firefighters and red cross workers take a nose swab samples at a drive test station for COVID-19 in Montpellier, France, on Wednesday. French President Emmanuel Macron announced new curfews for large cities to stop the spread of the virus. Photo by Guillaume Horcajuelo/EPA-EFE
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- French President Emmanuel Macron announced a curfew for major cities in an effort to curb COVID-19 infections as part of a prime-time television interview Wednesday night. He said the curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. will begin midnight Saturday and last for four weeks. Essential trips during those times will still be allowed. Advertisement
"The situation is worrying but not out of control," Macron said. "We are in a second wave that is happening all across Europe."
The curfew applies to the greater Paris region, Marseille, Toulouse, Montpellier and several other large cities. Those who violate the curfew could be fined about $160.
The new measures won't affect public transportation nor people's ability to travel between regions in the country, Macron said.
France has been experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases since late July, hitting a peak of more than 17,000 daily cases in a rolling seven-day average Tuesday. That statistic hit a springtime peak of about 4,500 in April. There's been a 47% increase in daily cases and a 21% increase in daily deaths over the past two weeks, according to The New York Times.
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Since the start of the pandemic, France has had more than 779,000 confirmed cases and 33,000 deaths.
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19


upi--2020-10-14--Man wins $750,000 lottery jackpot on way to dentist

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- A man who made a quick stop at a store on his way to a dentist 's appointment ended up winning a $ 750,000 lottery jackpot .
Larry Hales , of North Myrtle Beach , S.C. , told North Carolina Education Lottery officials he was heading to the appointment in North Carolina when he decided to stop at the Han-Dee Hugo store in Garner to cash in a $ 20 winning scratch-off ticket .
Hales ended up buying scratch-offs , including a $ 10 Jumbo Bucks ticket , with his winnings , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I actually put the tickets in my truck and went in for my dental appointment , '' Hales said .
`` After , I had to go to the bank to deposit some other money I had and I scratched them off while I was waiting in line at the drive-thru . ''
The Jumbo Bucks ticket turned out to be a $ 750,000 winner .
Hales said he rushed home to show his wife .
`` I had to show the tickets to her and ask her , 'Please read this to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ' '' he said .
`` I 'll bet we look at those tickets a dozen times before we came up here . ''
Hales said he and his wife plan to use the winnings to make home repairs .
`` We might buy a new car , '' he said .
`` Maybe a new truck . ''

Larry Hales of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., won $750,000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket he bought on his way to a dental appointment in North Carolina. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Oct. 14 (UPI) -- A man who made a quick stop at a store on his way to a dentist's appointment ended up winning a $750,000 lottery jackpot. Larry Hales, of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., told North Carolina Education Lottery officials he was heading to the appointment in North Carolina when he decided to stop at the Han-Dee Hugo store in Garner to cash in a $20 winning scratch-off ticket. Advertisement
Hales ended up buying scratch-offs, including a $10 Jumbo Bucks ticket, with his winnings, and he continued on to his appointment.
"I actually put the tickets in my truck and went in for my dental appointment," Hales said. "After, I had to go to the bank to deposit some other money I had and I scratched them off while I was waiting in line at the drive-thru."
The Jumbo Bucks ticket turned out to be a $750,000 winner.
Hales said he rushed home to show his wife.
"I had to show the tickets to her and ask her, 'Please read this to make sure I'm seeing this right,'" he said. "I'll bet we look at those tickets a dozen times before we came up here."
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Hales said he and his wife plan to use the winnings to make home repairs.
"We might buy a new car," he said. "Maybe a new truck."


upi--2020-10-14--Scientists program robot swarms to create art

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- Computer scientists at Georgia Tech have programmed a swarm of robots to intuitively mix colors and decorate a canvas , expanding the technological toolkit available to artists .
Researchers did n't set out to program artists out of the creative process .
Instead , researchers envision their robotic system as a seamless extension of the artist .
`` We wanted to explore the potential of multi-robot systems for the purpose of artistic painting , providing artists with an intuitive way to interact with a multi-robot system that abstracts them from the control of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' lead study author María Santos , Georgia Tech computer engineer , told UPI in an email .
The robot swarm -- described Wednesday in the journal Frontiers in Robotics and AI -- is n't programmed to dream up new images , but it does problem solve with some level of autonomy .
`` The human user , the artist , specifies color concentrations over the canvas , for example , by pressing their fingers on a tablet-like interface , '' Santos said .
`` The color commands are then broadcasted to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what distribution of color is desired . ''
Cognizant of the available paints and the paints available to their nearest neighbors , the robots coordinate the most efficient strategy for mixing and applying pigments to different regions of canvas .
`` As they displace over the canvas , covering the different color density functions , they lay trails of paint by mixing color in the closest proportion to the densities they are tracking , '' Santos said .
`` Furthermore , the assignment of a robot to a particular density is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canvas to go after the closest densities at each point in time or those densities they can contribute the most . ''
As the artist alters their creative demands , the robots adjust their strategy and execution , accordingly .
So far , researchers have relied on projected light trails to demonstrate the robot swarm 's potential .
Scientists are currently developing bots that can actually apply paint .
`` This step involves not only developing the hardware necessary to manage paint , but also studying the painting release mechanism needed to achieve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Once researchers have bots than can actually paint , they hope to get their technology in the hands of actual artists and see what they can create .
`` Testing it with artists would be ideal , as it would let us see which features in the system are most interesting and potentially unlock new directions for the creative expansion of the system , '' Santos said .

Researchers designed a swarm of bots to strategically apply paint to a canvas under direction from an artist. Photo by Maria Santos/Georgia Tech
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Computer scientists at Georgia Tech have programmed a swarm of robots to intuitively mix colors and decorate a canvas, expanding the technological toolkit available to artists. Researchers didn't set out to program artists out of the creative process. Instead, researchers envision their robotic system as a seamless extension of the artist. Advertisement
"We wanted to explore the potential of multi-robot systems for the purpose of artistic painting, providing artists with an intuitive way to interact with a multi-robot system that abstracts them from the control of the robots or the management of resources," lead study author María Santos, Georgia Tech computer engineer, told UPI in an email.
The robot swarm -- described Wednesday in the journal Frontiers in Robotics and AI -- isn't programmed to dream up new images, but it does problem solve with some level of autonomy.
"The human user, the artist, specifies color concentrations over the canvas, for example, by pressing their fingers on a tablet-like interface," Santos said. "The color commands are then broadcasted to the multi-robot team, which therefore has information about what distribution of color is desired."
Cognizant of the available paints and the paints available to their nearest neighbors, the robots coordinate the most efficient strategy for mixing and applying pigments to different regions of canvas.
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"As they displace over the canvas, covering the different color density functions, they lay trails of paint by mixing color in the closest proportion to the densities they are tracking," Santos said. "Furthermore, the assignment of a robot to a particular density is not fixed: robots reassign themselves over the canvas to go after the closest densities at each point in time or those densities they can contribute the most."
As the artist alters their creative demands, the robots adjust their strategy and execution, accordingly.
So far, researchers have relied on projected light trails to demonstrate the robot swarm's potential. Scientists are currently developing bots that can actually apply paint.
"This step involves not only developing the hardware necessary to manage paint, but also studying the painting release mechanism needed to achieve appropriate color mixing," Santos said.
Once researchers have bots than can actually paint, they hope to get their technology in the hands of actual artists and see what they can create.
"Testing it with artists would be ideal, as it would let us see which features in the system are most interesting and potentially unlock new directions for the creative expansion of the system," Santos said.


upi--2020-10-14--U.S. markets fall as Steven Mnuchin douses hopes of pre-election stimulus deal

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- U.S. markets fell for the second straight day on Wednesday after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin cast doubt on the likelihood of another round of COVID-19 stimulus before November 's election .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 165.8 points , or 0.58 % , while the S & P 500 dropped 0.66 % and the Nasdaq Composite closed the day down 0.8 % .
Stocks had traded higher earlier in the day but fell after Mnuchin said that it would be difficult for Congress to pass a measure before the election as Senate Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chamber will hold a vote on the issue this week .
The White House most recently introduced a $ 1.8 trillion plan that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said `` falls significantly short '' of what is needed .
Eli Lilly stock fell 1.08 % and Johnson and Johnson stock dropped 0.18 % -- the second consecutive day of declines after both companies paused the development of treatments and vaccines to combat COVID-19 .
Wednesday also saw the release of quarterly earnings reports from major banks .
Wells Fargo stock dropped 6.02 % after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bank of America stock fell 5.33 % as it beat expectations for earnings but fell short on revenue and Goldman Sachs gained 0.2 % after greatly exceeding expectations .
Tech stocks further contributed to Wednesday 's decline as Amazon stock fell 2.32 % , Netflix dropped 2.28 % , Facebook declined 1.56 % and Microsoft closed down 0.9 % .

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 165 points on Wednesday as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said it would be difficult to reach a deal on a new COVID-19 stimulus bill before November's election. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. markets fell for the second straight day on Wednesday after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin cast doubt on the likelihood of another round of COVID-19 stimulus before November's election. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 165.8 points, or 0.58%, while the S&P 500 dropped 0.66% and the Nasdaq Composite closed the day down 0.8%. Advertisement
Stocks had traded higher earlier in the day but fell after Mnuchin said that it would be difficult for Congress to pass a measure before the election as Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that the chamber will hold a vote on the issue this week.
The White House most recently introduced a $1.8 trillion plan that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said "falls significantly short" of what is needed.
Eli Lilly stock fell 1.08% and Johnson and Johnson stock dropped 0.18% -- the second consecutive day of declines after both companies paused the development of treatments and vaccines to combat COVID-19.
Wednesday also saw the release of quarterly earnings reports from major banks. Wells Fargo stock dropped 6.02% after its third-quarter earnings fell short of expectations, Bank of America stock fell 5.33% as it beat expectations for earnings but fell short on revenue and Goldman Sachs gained 0.2% after greatly exceeding expectations.
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Tech stocks further contributed to Wednesday's decline as Amazon stock fell 2.32%, Netflix dropped 2.28%, Facebook declined 1.56% and Microsoft closed down 0.9%.


upi--2020-10-14--Watch: Bear steals pumpkin from New Jersey family's porch

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- A New Jersey woman captured video of her Halloween decorations being raided by an @ @ @ @ @ bear .
Kelly Stephens said she initially screamed when she saw the bear approaching the @ @ @ @ @ County home .
`` I guess my screaming scared him off , so I ran @ @ @ @ @ then when I came back , he slowly proceeded to come back to capture the @ @ @ @ @ WCBS-TV .
Stephens ' video shows the bear creeping up to the house , grabbing @ @ @ @ @ and fleeing .
The footage shows the bear drop the pumpkin at one point and @ @ @ @ @ away down the road .
Stephens said the bear eventually settled down across the street @ @ @ @ @ the pumpkin .
Police elsewhere in New Jersey reported an unusual bear sighting earlier in @ @ @ @ @ Harrison Police Department shared a photo snapped of a black bear that climbed onto the @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said the bear eventually climbed down and fled the area .

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Oct. 14 (UPI) -- A New Jersey woman captured video of her Halloween decorations being raided by an unusual thief -- a pumpkin-loving bear.
Kelly Stephens said she initially screamed when she saw the bear approaching the front porch of her Morris County home.
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"I guess my screaming scared him off, so I ran to get my phone and then when I came back, he slowly proceeded to come back to capture the pumpkin," Stephens told WCBS-TV.
Stephens' video shows the bear creeping up to the house, grabbing a pumpkin in its mouth and fleeing.
The footage shows the bear drop the pumpkin at one point and chase it as it rolls away down the road. Stephens said the bear eventually settled down across the street from her house to eat the pumpkin.
Police elsewhere in New Jersey reported an unusual bear sighting earlier in the same week. The Harrison Police Department shared a photo snapped of a black bear that climbed onto the roof of a local business. Police said the bear eventually climbed down and fled the area.


upi--2020-10-14--New scoring system identifies patients at risk for severe COVID-19, researchers say

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- Irish researchers say they have developed a scoring system that can accurately predict which patients will suffer from severe COVID-19 , they announced Wednesday .
Researchers at Royal College of Surgeons Ireland University of Medicine and Health Sciences reported the findings in EBioMedicine .
The scoring system , called the Dublin-Boston score , is designed to enable clinicians to make more informed decisions when identifying patients who may benefit from steroids and other treatments after being infected .
The Dublin-Boston score can accurately predict how severe the infection will be on day seven after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first four days , the researchers said .
`` The score is easily calculated and can be applied to all hospitalized COVID-19 patients , '' study co-author Dr. Gerry McElvaney said in a statement .
`` More informed prognosis could help determine when to escalate or de-escalate care , a key component of the efficient allocation of resources during the current pandemic , '' said McElvaney , a consultant at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin and a professor of medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland .
Developed in conjunction with researchers at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital in Boston , the scoring system works by checking patients ' blood for levels of two molecules that `` send messages '' to the body 's immune system and help it control inflammation .
One of these molecules , interleukin-6 , is pro-inflammatory , and the other , interleukin-10 , is anti-inflammatory -- and the levels of both are altered in severe COVID-19 patients .
Based on changes in the ratio of these two molecules over time , the researchers developed a point system in which each one-point increase is associated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the researchers said .
`` The score may also have a role in evaluating whether new therapies designed to decrease inflammation in COVID-19 actually provide benefit , '' McElvaney said .

A new scoring system can be used to identify patients at risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Photo by Enric Fontcuberta/EPA-EFE
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Irish researchers say they have developed a scoring system that can accurately predict which patients will suffer from severe COVID-19, they announced Wednesday. Researchers at Royal College of Surgeons Ireland University of Medicine and Health Sciences reported the findings in EBioMedicine. Advertisement
The scoring system, called the Dublin-Boston score, is designed to enable clinicians to make more informed decisions when identifying patients who may benefit from steroids and other treatments after being infected.
The Dublin-Boston score can accurately predict how severe the infection will be on day seven after measuring the patient's blood for the first four days, the researchers said.
"The score is easily calculated and can be applied to all hospitalized COVID-19 patients," study co-author Dr. Gerry McElvaney said in a statement.
"More informed prognosis could help determine when to escalate or de-escalate care, a key component of the efficient allocation of resources during the current pandemic," said McElvaney, a consultant at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin and a professor of medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland.
Developed in conjunction with researchers at Harvard University and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, the scoring system works by checking patients' blood for levels of two molecules that "send messages" to the body's immune system and help it control inflammation.
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One of these molecules, interleukin-6, is pro-inflammatory, and the other, interleukin-10, is anti-inflammatory -- and the levels of both are altered in severe COVID-19 patients.
Based on changes in the ratio of these two molecules over time, the researchers developed a point system in which each one-point increase is associated with a 5.6-fold increased risk for serious illness, the researchers said.
"The score may also have a role in evaluating whether new therapies designed to decrease inflammation in COVID-19 actually provide benefit," McElvaney said.


upi--2020-10-14--Finnish airline bringing its in-flight meals to stores

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- A Finnish airline is offering would-be travelers who miss the taste of airline food amid the COVID-19 pandemic the chance to bring in-flight meals home .
Finnair announced the airline-inspired Taste of Finnair meals will be available Thursday at the K-Citymarket store in Vantaa Tammisto before being rolled out to the chain 's other stores across Finland .
The airline said the meals are based on Finnair 's business-class offerings , and will feature a rotating selection of entrees on different days of the week , with the entire menu designed to change every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspired by Nordic and Japanese flavors and seasonal ingredients , '' said Juha Stenholm , head of product development at Finnair Kitchen .
`` The menus include , for example , Finnish smoke and reindeer , as well as a serving of beef and teriyaki radish sauce , which draws on Tokyo 's street food culture . ''
Marika Nieminen , Finnair Kitchen 's director of operations , said the move was inspired by the slowdown in airline travel during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` We want to offer the opportunity for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , now that travel has been restricted in many ways , '' Nieminen said .
`` At the same time , this is a new business opening for us and employs our chefs in Vantaa .
It is especially great that at a time when most of Finnair Kitchen 's employees have been laid off , we can bring work and employment to our employees through a new experiment . ''

Finnish airline Finnair announced it is bringing its laid-off kitchen staff back to work to create in-flight-inspired Taste of Finnair meals to be sold in the country's grocery stores. Photo courtesy of Finnair Kitchen
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Oct. 14 (UPI) -- A Finnish airline is offering would-be travelers who miss the taste of airline food amid the COVID-19 pandemic the chance to bring in-flight meals home. Finnair announced the airline-inspired Taste of Finnair meals will be available Thursday at the K-Citymarket store in Vantaa Tammisto before being rolled out to the chain's other stores across Finland. Advertisement
The airline said the meals are based on Finnair's business-class offerings, and will feature a rotating selection of entrees on different days of the week, with the entire menu designed to change every two weeks.
"The meals are inspired by Nordic and Japanese flavors and seasonal ingredients," said Juha Stenholm, head of product development at Finnair Kitchen. "The menus include, for example, Finnish smoke and reindeer, as well as a serving of beef and teriyaki radish sauce, which draws on Tokyo's street food culture."
Marika Nieminen, Finnair Kitchen's director of operations, said the move was inspired by the slowdown in airline travel during the coronavirus pandemic.
"We want to offer the opportunity for a Finnair experience and everyday luxury at home, now that travel has been restricted in many ways," Nieminen said. "At the same time, this is a new business opening for us and employs our chefs in Vantaa. It is especially great that at a time when most of Finnair Kitchen's employees have been laid off, we can bring work and employment to our employees through a new experiment."
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upi--2020-10-14--Personality traits govern success of workplace wellness programs, study finds

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- The personality traits of individual employees play a strong role in determining the success of workplace wellness programs designed to boost physical activity , a study published Wednesday by the journal PLOS ONE found .
Those identified as extroverted and motivated significantly improved their daily step counts by an average of 945 steps after participating in a competitive gamification program -- which uses elements of game playing to encourage engagement -- but did not sustain these gains over a 12-week period , the data showed .
Conversely , gamification programs generated 1,100- to 1,200-step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participants that they sustained over the 12 weeks they were monitored , the researchers said .
`` This suggests that ongoing incentives and reminders may be necessary to sustain motivation for some groups of people , '' study co-author Dr. Shirley Chen , an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai Health System , said in a statement .
Workplace wellness programs have become increasingly popular as employers seek to improve staff health and well-being .
However , recent studies have suggested that they offer limited benefits .
The study by Chen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 analysis of the STEP UP program , which aimed to increase the step counts of roughly 600 Deloitte professionals classified as being either obese or overweight over a period of six months .
In the STEP UP program , personalized daily step counts were established for each participant , but they were then randomly funneled into four different groups : one that just gave the participants their goals and a step tracker , and three others that mixed in different forms of nudges that were `` gamified '' using a point system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new analysis , they divided participants into different classifications of certain psychological and behavioral characteristics that the researchers called `` phenotypes . ''
Study participants completed surveys to help researchers identify personality types and social support needs , according to Chen .
The phenotypes that emerged were `` more extroverted and more motivated , '' which made up 54 % of study participants and `` less active and less social , '' which was 20 % , the researchers said .
The remaining participants -- 25 % -- were classified as `` less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then were assigned to one of three gamification programs -- supportive , collaborative or competitive .
In the supportive program , participants were asked to identify a friend or family member who encouraged them and received weekly reports on their progress .
Participants in the collaborative program were placed into teams of three and a designated member was selected each day to represent them in their step activity .
Participants in the competitive program were assigned into teams of three and received a weekly `` leader-board '' email to foster competition .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitive program saw an uptick in step counts , these same gains were not seen among those in the collaborative or supportive programs , the researchers said .
In addition , gains were not sustained over 12 weeks of follow-up , they said .
However , participants classified as `` less active and less social '' saw step count improvements ranging from 1,000 to 1,200 in all three programs -- and these increases were maintained over the 12-week follow-up period , according to the researchers .
Conversely , those in the `` less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvement during the study , the researchers said .
`` A one-size-fits-all approach to nudging new behaviors within wellness programs can have limited success , '' study co-author Dr. Mitesh Patel , director of the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit , said in a statement .
`` We 've shown that different forms of nudging can be effective , and in this latest study ... we 've now demonstrated that matching nudges to the right behavior profiles can unlock their full potential , '' Patel said .

Oct. 14 (UPI) -- The personality traits of individual employees play a strong role in determining the success of workplace wellness programs designed to boost physical activity, a study published Wednesday by the journal PLOS ONE found.
Those identified as extroverted and motivated significantly improved their daily step counts by an average of 945 steps after participating in a competitive gamification program -- which uses elements of game playing to encourage engagement -- but did not sustain these gains over a 12-week period, the data showed.
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Conversely, gamification programs generated 1,100- to 1,200-step improvements in introverted and less motivated study participants that they sustained over the 12 weeks they were monitored, the researchers said.
"This suggests that ongoing incentives and reminders may be necessary to sustain motivation for some groups of people," study co-author Dr. Shirley Chen, an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai Health System, said in a statement.
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Workplace wellness programs have become increasingly popular as employers seek to improve staff health and well-being. However, recent studies have suggested that they offer limited benefits.
The study by Chen and her colleagues is a follow-up to the 2019 analysis of the STEP UP program, which aimed to increase the step counts of roughly 600 Deloitte professionals classified as being either obese or overweight over a period of six months.
In the STEP UP program, personalized daily step counts were established for each participant, but they were then randomly funneled into four different groups: one that just gave the participants their goals and a step tracker, and three others that mixed in different forms of nudges that were "gamified" using a point system, the researchers said.
For the new analysis, they divided participants into different classifications of certain psychological and behavioral characteristics that the researchers called "phenotypes."
Study participants completed surveys to help researchers identify personality types and social support needs, according to Chen.
The phenotypes that emerged were "more extroverted and more motivated," which made up 54% of study participants and "less active and less social," which was 20%, the researchers said. The remaining participants -- 25% -- were classified as "less motivated and at-risk."
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The participants then were assigned to one of three gamification programs -- supportive, collaborative or competitive.
In the supportive program, participants were asked to identify a friend or family member who encouraged them and received weekly reports on their progress.
Participants in the collaborative program were placed into teams of three and a designated member was selected each day to represent them in their step activity.
Participants in the competitive program were assigned into teams of three and received a weekly "leader-board" email to foster competition.
Although more extroverted and motivated participants in the competitive program saw an uptick in step counts, these same gains were not seen among those in the collaborative or supportive programs, the researchers said.
In addition, gains were not sustained over 12 weeks of follow-up, they said.
However, participants classified as "less active and less social" saw step count improvements ranging from 1,000 to 1,200 in all three programs -- and these increases were maintained over the 12-week follow-up period, according to the researchers.
Conversely, those in the "less motivated and at-risk" group had no improvement during the study, the researchers said.
"A one-size-fits-all approach to nudging new behaviors within wellness programs can have limited success," study co-author Dr. Mitesh Patel, director of the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit, said in a statement.
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"We've shown that different forms of nudging can be effective, and in this latest study ... we've now demonstrated that matching nudges to the right behavior profiles can unlock their full potential," Patel said.