upi--2020-10-21--California AG seeks court order over unauthorized ballot boxes

Oct. 21 ( UPI ) -- California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has asked a Sacramento court to force the state 's Republican Party to hand over information concerning its use of unofficial ballot collection boxes .
The Democratic attorney general filed the petition Tuesday requesting the court order the California Republican Party to comply with its previous legal filings demanding it inform the state of the number and locations of unauthorized drop boxes it deployed as well as details of who used them .
In the filing , Becerra said the information is needed to ensure that all ballots placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to aid their election law compliance investigation .
Instead of responding to their inquiries , the California Republican Party has `` filed a litany of objections , none of which excuse their non-compliance , '' Becerra wrote in the petition .
`` Because the election date is quickly approaching , it is critical that the State ensure that any ballot that was deposited into a dop box is able to be confirmed as having reached a county elections official for counting , '' the petition states .
Hector Barajas , spokesman for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ petition as `` an abuse of power , '' stating they objected to Becerra 's subpoenas on several grounds , including the right to privacy .
`` We will stand up to this type of authoritarian bullying tactics , '' he said in a statement .
`` The California Republican Party will not provide the Secretary of State or Attorney General a list of Californians who attend religious services , frequent firearms retailers , participate in political events or engage in any other lawful activity . ''
Early last week , California Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the California GOP a cease and desist letter after learning over the weekend it had deployed numerous unauthorized ballot drop boxes , some of which were advertised as being official .
Padilla and Becerra said the boxes were illegal as state law says only county officials have the authority to designate the location , hours of operation and number of drop boxes .
On Friday , the pair announced at a press conference that the California Republican Party had agreed to concessions on how they collect ballots .
They added in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are issuing subpoenas to obtain additional information .
`` Despite their client 's rhetoric in the press , we 've been in communication with legal counsel for the California Republican Party and they have committed to a number of significant concessions , '' Padilla said in the statement .
Barajas responded that they made no concessions .
`` This is a thuggish voter intimidation and vote suppression tactic , '' Barajas said in a statement .
In a statement Tuesday , Becerra said they are continuing their investigation , calling on Californians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election activities .
`` If you see something , say something , '' he said .
`` It 's going to take all of us working together to stand up for our right to vote and ensure a free and fair election . ''

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said they are continuing their investigation into the state's Republican Party deploying unauthorized ballot collection boxes. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 21 (UPI) -- California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has asked a Sacramento court to force the state's Republican Party to hand over information concerning its use of unofficial ballot collection boxes. The Democratic attorney general filed the petition Tuesday requesting the court order the California Republican Party to comply with its previous legal filings demanding it inform the state of the number and locations of unauthorized drop boxes it deployed as well as details of who used them. Advertisement
In the filing, Becerra said the information is needed to ensure that all ballots placed into those unofficial collection boxes are counted and to aid their election law compliance investigation.
Instead of responding to their inquiries, the California Republican Party has "filed a litany of objections, none of which excuse their non-compliance," Becerra wrote in the petition.
"Because the election date is quickly approaching, it is critical that the State ensure that any ballot that was deposited into a dop box is able to be confirmed as having reached a county elections official for counting," the petition states.
Hector Barajas, spokesman for the California Republican Party, rejected the petition as "an abuse of power," stating they objected to Becerra's subpoenas on several grounds, including the right to privacy.
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"We will stand up to this type of authoritarian bullying tactics," he said in a statement. "The California Republican Party will not provide the Secretary of State or Attorney General a list of Californians who attend religious services, frequent firearms retailers, participate in political events or engage in any other lawful activity."
Early last week, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Becerra sent the California GOP a cease and desist letter after learning over the weekend it had deployed numerous unauthorized ballot drop boxes, some of which were advertised as being official.
Padilla and Becerra said the boxes were illegal as state law says only county officials have the authority to designate the location, hours of operation and number of drop boxes.
On Friday, the pair announced at a press conference that the California Republican Party had agreed to concessions on how they collect ballots. They added in a statement that they will be continuing their investigation and are issuing subpoenas to obtain additional information.
"Despite their client's rhetoric in the press, we've been in communication with legal counsel for the California Republican Party and they have committed to a number of significant concessions," Padilla said in the statement.
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Barajas responded that they made no concessions.
"This is a thuggish voter intimidation and vote suppression tactic," Barajas said in a statement.
In a statement Tuesday, Becerra said they are continuing their investigation, calling on Californians to report if they see any unauthorized election activities.
"If you see something, say something," he said. "It's going to take all of us working together to stand up for our right to vote and ensure a free and fair election."


upi--2020-10-21--Environmental groups sue DHS over use of tear gas in Portland

Oct. 21 ( UPI ) -- A coalition of environmental , public health and social justice groups in Oregon has sued the Department of Homeland Security over its use of tear gas and chemical weapons to quell protests in Portland , accusing the federal agency of creating `` potentially grave health and environmental hazards . ''
Filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon on Tuesday in an Oregon district court , the lawsuit accuses the DHS of breaking environmental law when its agents of Operation Diligent Valor deployed an `` unprecedented amount of dangerous chemical weapons '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequality .
The complaint accuses the federal agency of deploying the chemical munitions without preparing an environmental assessment and an environmental impact statement as mandated for major federal actions by the National Environmental Policy Act .
`` In short , NEPA required Defendants to consider the potentially severe environmental and human health impacts of Operation Diligent Valor , but they did not do so .
And they continue to abdicate that responsibility to Plaintiffs and the public , '' the lawsuit states .
Operation Diligent Valor was deployed July 4 to Portland in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months-long protests that erupted in response to the police-involved killing of George Floyd on Memorial Day .
The plaintiffs Neighbors for Clean Air , Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides , Cascadia Wildlands , 350PDX and Willamette Riverkeeper said in the lawsuit that the chemical weapons and tear gas used during the operation have `` infiltrated '' nearby residences , buildings and parks and may have permeated the city 's vegetation .
`` The manner and volume of tear gas and other munitions deployed in relation to Operation Diligent Valor in Portland has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ munitions residue and sediment have accumulated in and on Portland 's streets , sidewalks , curbs , bioswales , stormwater system , buildings and standing water , '' the lawsuit said .
Kelly Simon , interim legal director at ACLU Oregon , equated environmental justice with racial justice in a statement , saying that they both disproportionally deny minorities the right to a safe and healthy community .
`` The large volumes of tear gas and other chemical weapons that federal officers recklessly and thoughtlessly unleashed in Portland is yet more evidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health and a safe living environment , '' Simon said .
`` So , we will see them in court , again . ''
The coalition is seeking an injunction forcing the DHS to stop using chemical munitions , including tear gas , until the proper studies and analysis as mandated by the NEPA are completed .
The ACLU has already filed lawsuits against DHS and other federal agencies over its response to protests in Portland .
On July 22 , it filed a lawsuit accusing the federal agency of targeting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyers group was also awarded a court order prohibiting law enforcement from attacking journalists and legal observers in Portland amid the protests .
Protect Democracy later in July also filed a lawsuit against the DHS , its leaders and other federal agencies , accusing them of exceeding their authority in Portland with Operation Diligent Valor .
The lawsuit claims agents deployed in Operation Diligent Valor exceeded their authority to protect federal buildings by making arrests , injuring protesters and firing tear gas .

The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the Department of Homeland Security over its use of chemical munitions in Portland. Photo by Doug Brown/ACLU of Oregon
Oct. 21 (UPI) -- A coalition of environmental, public health and social justice groups in Oregon has sued the Department of Homeland Security over its use of tear gas and chemical weapons to quell protests in Portland, accusing the federal agency of creating "potentially grave health and environmental hazards." Filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon on Tuesday in an Oregon district court, the lawsuit accuses the DHS of breaking environmental law when its agents of Operation Diligent Valor deployed an "unprecedented amount of dangerous chemical weapons" to disperse protests against police brutality and racial inequality. Advertisement
The complaint accuses the federal agency of deploying the chemical munitions without preparing an environmental assessment and an environmental impact statement as mandated for major federal actions by the National Environmental Policy Act.
"In short, NEPA required Defendants to consider the potentially severe environmental and human health impacts of Operation Diligent Valor, but they did not do so. And they continue to abdicate that responsibility to Plaintiffs and the public," the lawsuit states.
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Operation Diligent Valor was deployed July 4 to Portland in a bid to protect federal buildings amid months-long protests that erupted in response to the police-involved killing of George Floyd on Memorial Day.
The plaintiffs Neighbors for Clean Air, Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, Cascadia Wildlands, 350PDX and Willamette Riverkeeper said in the lawsuit that the chemical weapons and tear gas used during the operation have "infiltrated" nearby residences, buildings and parks and may have permeated the city's vegetation.
"The manner and volume of tear gas and other munitions deployed in relation to Operation Diligent Valor in Portland has been so excessive and substantial that visible munitions residue and sediment have accumulated in and on Portland's streets, sidewalks, curbs, bioswales, stormwater system, buildings and standing water," the lawsuit said.
Kelly Simon, interim legal director at ACLU Oregon, equated environmental justice with racial justice in a statement, saying that they both disproportionally deny minorities the right to a safe and healthy community.
"The large volumes of tear gas and other chemical weapons that federal officers recklessly and thoughtlessly unleashed in Portland is yet more evidence of the Trump administration's racist disregard for public health and a safe living environment," Simon said. "So, we will see them in court, again."
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The coalition is seeking an injunction forcing the DHS to stop using chemical munitions, including tear gas, until the proper studies and analysis as mandated by the NEPA are completed.
The ACLU has already filed lawsuits against DHS and other federal agencies over its response to protests in Portland.
On July 22, it filed a lawsuit accusing the federal agency of targeting and attacking several volunteer street medics. The lawyers group was also awarded a court order prohibiting law enforcement from attacking journalists and legal observers in Portland amid the protests.
Protect Democracy later in July also filed a lawsuit against the DHS, its leaders and other federal agencies, accusing them of exceeding their authority in Portland with Operation Diligent Valor.
The lawsuit claims agents deployed in Operation Diligent Valor exceeded their authority to protect federal buildings by making arrests, injuring protesters and firing tear gas.


upi--2020-10-21--Nearly 8 in 10 report pandemic is causing mental health strain, poll shows

COVID-19 , health care , the economy , systemic racism and the presidential election are a threat to the nation 's mental health , according to an American Psychological Association poll .
Seventy-eight percent of adults polled said the pandemic is causing major stress and 60 % called the array of issues facing the country overwhelming .
And younger adults are really struggling , the poll revealed .
Respondents from Generation Z -- those born since 1996 -- pegged their stress level in the past month at a 6 on 10-point scale in which 1 represented `` little to no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great deal of stress . ''
That compared with an average stress level of 5 among all adults .
Nineteen percent of adults said their mental health is worse than it was a year ago .
That included 34 % of Gen Z adults , 19 % of millennials , who were born between 1977 and 1995 , 21 % of Gen Xers , who were born between 1965 and 1976 , 12 % of baby boomers , who were born between 1946 and 1964 , and 8 % of those born before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most likely to report common signs of depression .
More than 7 in 10 said that in the last two weeks they were so tired that they sat around and did nothing , felt very restless , found it hard to think or concentrate , felt lonely , or felt miserable or unhappy .
`` This survey confirms what many mental health experts have been saying since the start of the pandemic : Our mental health is suffering from the compounding stressors in our lives , '' said Arthur Evans Jr. , chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This compounding stress will have serious health and social consequences if we do n't act now to reduce it , '' he said in an association news release .
Evans noted that the youngest Americans are showing signs of serious mental health issues , including depression and anxiety .
The poll found that changes to school are a big stressor for Gen Zers .
More than 8 of 10 teens said they have had negative impacts of school closures , and 51 % said planning for the future seems impossible .
Among college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way about planning for the future .
And 87 % of Gen Z members in college said school is a significant source of stress .
`` Loneliness and uncertainly about the future are major stressors for adolescents and young adults , who are striving to find their places in the world , both socially , and in terms of education and work .
The pandemic and its economic consequences are upending youths ' social lives and their visions for their futures , '' said survey researcher Emma Adam , a professor of education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evanston , Ill. Adam said public policy must address this generation 's need for social , emotional and mental health supports as well as financial assistance and educational and work opportunities .
`` Both comfort now and hope for the future are essential for the long-term well-being of this generation , '' she said .
But most Americans are n't getting the support they need .
Among adults , 61 % said they could use more emotional support than they 've gotten over the last year , with more than 82 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` As a society , we must galvanize our resources to support teens and young adults , '' Evans said .
`` We need to stand with them to fight systemic injustices , which can be a source of stress relief while supporting them in building their resilience .
The pandemics of racism and COVID will not be overcome quickly .
We all need to learn skills to help us manage our stress while we fight for a society that is more equitable , resilient and innovative . ''
The nationwide poll of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4-26 in English and Spanish .
It also included a sample of more than 1,000 13- to 17-year-olds .
For more on stress , see the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health .

A pedestrian wears a face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on Wall Street in New York City on Oct. 15, as researchers report growing mental health issues linked to the pandemic. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
COVID-19, health care, the economy, systemic racism and the presidential election are a threat to the nation's mental health, according to an American Psychological Association poll. Seventy-eight percent of adults polled said the pandemic is causing major stress and 60% called the array of issues facing the country overwhelming. Advertisement
And younger adults are really struggling, the poll revealed. Respondents from Generation Z -- those born since 1996 -- pegged their stress level in the past month at a 6 on 10-point scale in which 1 represented "little to no stress" and 10 was "a great deal of stress." That compared with an average stress level of 5 among all adults.
Nineteen percent of adults said their mental health is worse than it was a year ago.
That included 34% of Gen Z adults, 19% of millennials, who were born between 1977 and 1995, 21% of Gen Xers, who were born between 1965 and 1976, 12% of baby boomers, who were born between 1946 and 1964, and 8% of those born before 1946.
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Gen Z adults were the most likely to report common signs of depression. More than 7 in 10 said that in the last two weeks they were so tired that they sat around and did nothing, felt very restless, found it hard to think or concentrate, felt lonely, or felt miserable or unhappy.
"This survey confirms what many mental health experts have been saying since the start of the pandemic: Our mental health is suffering from the compounding stressors in our lives," said Arthur Evans Jr., chief executive officer of the APA. "This compounding stress will have serious health and social consequences if we don't act now to reduce it," he said in an association news release.
Evans noted that the youngest Americans are showing signs of serious mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
The poll found that changes to school are a big stressor for Gen Zers. More than 8 of 10 teens said they have had negative impacts of school closures, and 51% said planning for the future seems impossible.
Among college students, 67% feel the same way about planning for the future. And 87% of Gen Z members in college said school is a significant source of stress.
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"Loneliness and uncertainly about the future are major stressors for adolescents and young adults, who are striving to find their places in the world, both socially, and in terms of education and work. The pandemic and its economic consequences are upending youths' social lives and their visions for their futures," said survey researcher Emma Adam, a professor of education and social policy at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
Adam said public policy must address this generation's need for social, emotional and mental health supports as well as financial assistance and educational and work opportunities. "Both comfort now and hope for the future are essential for the long-term well-being of this generation," she said.
But most Americans aren't getting the support they need. Among adults, 61% said they could use more emotional support than they've gotten over the last year, with more than 82% of Gen Z adults saying the same.
"As a society, we must galvanize our resources to support teens and young adults," Evans said. "We need to stand with them to fight systemic injustices, which can be a source of stress relief while supporting them in building their resilience. The pandemics of racism and COVID will not be overcome quickly. We all need to learn skills to help us manage our stress while we fight for a society that is more equitable, resilient and innovative."
Advertisement
The nationwide poll of more than 3,400 adults was conducted Aug. 4-26 in English and Spanish. It also included a sample of more than 1,000 13- to 17-year-olds.
More information
For more on stress, see the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-10-21--NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, two cosmonauts to depart space station

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NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner of Roscosmos landed in Kazakhstan Wednesday night after departing from a 196-day mission on the International Space Station. Screenshot courtesy NASA
Oct. 21 (UPI) -- NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner of Roscosmos landed on Earth Wednesday evening after departing from the International Space Station. The Soyuz MS-16 landed in the remote steppe of Kazakhstan at about 10:54 p.m. EDT, marking the end of a 196-day mission for Cassidy, Ivanishin and Vagner after having spent the last few days packing completed science experiments, personal items and other types of cargo onto the spacecraft. Advertisement
After boarding the craft, they closed the hatch at about 4:10 p.m. EDT Wednesday and the spacecraft undocked from the Poisk module's space-facing port at 7:32 p.m.
The trip back to Earth took a little over three hours, as the Soyuz began its deorbit burn at 10:01 p.m. and began its re-entry into Earth's atmosphere followed by a parachute-assisted descent that brought them back to Earth about 50 minutes later.
"After landing, the crew will return by Russian helicopters to the recovery staging city in Karaganda, Kazakhstan," according to NASA. "From there, Cassidy will board a NASA plane for a flight back to Houston, while Ivanishin and Vagner will board a Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center aircraft and return to their homes in Star City, Russia."
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During his time as Expedition 63 commander, Cassidy welcomed the arrival of NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, who traveled to ISS aboard NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission, the first crewed flight of a commercial spacecraft and the first time humans have launched from an American launchpad since NASA retired the Space Shuttle program in 2011.
Behnken and Hurley returned to Earth in August.
Last week, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins and cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov joined the space station crew. On Tuesday, in a change of command ceremony, Cassidy relinquished official control of the space station to Ryzhikov.
Once Cassidy, Ivanishin and Vagner depart, Expedition 64 will officially begin.
"The Expedition 64 crew will conduct research in technology development, Earth science, biology, human research and more," according to NASA.
Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil


upi--2020-10-21--'The Conners' cast addressed COVID-19 pandemic in Season 3

LOS ANGELES , Oct. 21 ( UPI ) -- The Conner family has represented the working class in America since the original Roseanne series aired in 1988 .
Season 3 of spinoff , The Conners , was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic , with storylines reflecting the struggles American families experienced this year .
This season shows the comedic ways Dan ( John Goodman ) , aunt Jackie ( Laurie Metcalf ) , and siblings Becky ( Lecy Goranson ) , Darlene ( Sara Gilbert ) and DJ ( Michael Fishman ) and their families are coping .
New pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as outside .
They maintain 6 feet of social distance in their own home and Darlene 's son , Mark ( Ames McNamara ) , takes everybody 's temperature when they return home from work .
The family also was hit with struggles with finances .
Dan is served with an eviction notice and Darlene 's magazine struggles to sell ads .
`` We also show the psychological toll , '' Goranson said on a recent Television Critics Association panel .
The second episode , which Fishman directed , deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to celebrate Halloween as the pandemic prevents them from trick-or-treating or having a costume party .
`` Halloween wo n't be the same this year , so the Conners are going to find a way to make it right , '' executive producer Bruce Helford said .
`` Maybe it will give families a way to figure out how to do it a little bit better at their own homes . ''
Fishman , unsure whether The Conners would resume production , said he also spent the pandemic worrying about money .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforced a strict budget , not knowing when or if I might work again , '' Fishman said of his family .
His character , DJ , lives in his own home with his wife Mary ( Jayden Rey ) and their children .
Fishman said he related to DJ 's experience , because he also spent the pandemic focusing on his wife of 20 years , Jennifer Briner , and their 17-year-old daughter , Isabella .
`` You love your family , and by now they 're driving you absolutely insane , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's a tough time for everybody . ''
For families that are confined together like The Conners , Fishman hopes the show can help them laugh about their frustrations .
Fishman said it helped having activities together , such as cooking with Isabella and filming a movie in their home .
`` You have to find your way of finding healthy ways to express yourself and to pass your time , '' Fishman said .
`` Find small breaks , ways to take a break , ways to connect with people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Goranson said she could empathize with families separated from each other by the pandemic .
Goranson was unable to visit her family on the East Coast due to travel restrictions .
`` I have been just totally by myself , '' Goranson said .
`` My thoughts are very much with those people who are still at home , working alone and who miss their colleagues . ''
The show will find humor in The Conners ' attempt to remain safe , and the frustrations the ongoing pandemic causes .
Goranson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel a sense of purpose .
`` To address some of the feelings and the things that we 've all been going through , I feel very , very blessed , '' Goranson said .
Cast members Metcalf and Gilbert struggled with real-life safety protocols .
Metcalf said the crew 's safety precautions reassured her .
`` I felt nervous coming in on the first day , '' Metcalf said .
`` When we finally did tape a scene , dropping our mask felt very naked . ''
Though the cast and crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to invite a live studio audience to tapings .
Gilbert , also an executive producer , said the production team decided that testing and socially distancing an audience was n't worth the risk .
However , Gilbert said she felt awkward performing comedy without an audience reacting to her .
`` As an actor , I can feel insecure or feel like it affects my performance , '' Gilbert said .
`` The producers swear it does n't , so you guys will have to judge . ''
Goodman said the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
In 2019 , he starred in both The Conners and The Righteous Gemstones .
The Conners ' patriarch says he has tried to enjoy the benefits of a forced break .
`` It was nice to have some time off and just appreciate the things that make up my life , '' Goodman said .
The Conners returns Wednesday at 9 p.m. on ABC .

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Mark (Ames McNamara) tries to take Jackie's (Laurie Metcalf) temperature. Photo courtesy of ABC
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- The Conner family has represented the working class in America since the original Roseanne series aired in 1988. Season 3 of its spinoff, The Conners, was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with storylines reflecting the struggles American families experienced this year. This season, premiering Wednesday on ABC, shows the comedic ways Dan (John Goodman), aunt Jackie (Laurie Metcalf), and siblings Becky (Lecy Goranson), Darlene (Sara Gilbert) and DJ (Michael Fishman) and their families are coping. Advertisement
New pandemic rules create stresses inside the Conner home, as well as outside. They maintain 6 feet of social distance in their own home and Darlene's son, Mark (Ames McNamara), takes everybody's temperature when they return home from work.
Advertisement
The family also was hit with financial struggles. Dan is served with an eviction notice and Darlene's magazine struggles to sell ads.
"We also show the psychological toll," Goranson said on a recent Television Critics Association panel.
The second episode, which Fishman directed, deals with the Conners trying to find a way to celebrate Halloween as the pandemic prevents them from trick-or-treating or having a costume party.
"Halloween won't be the same this year, so the Conners are going to find a way to make it right," executive producer Bruce Helford said. "Maybe it will give families a way to figure out how to do it a little bit better at their own homes."
Fishman, unsure whether The Conners would resume production, said he also spent the pandemic worrying about money.
"Much like the Conners, we enforced a strict budget, not knowing when or if I might work again," Fishman said of his family.
His character, DJ, lives in his own home with his wife, Mary (Jayden Rey), and their children. Fishman said he related to DJ's experience because he also spent the pandemic focusing on his wife of 20 years, Jennifer Briner, and their 17-year-old daughter, Isabella.
"You love your family, and by now they're driving you absolutely insane," Fishman said. "I think it's a tough time for everybody."
Advertisement
For families that are confined together like the Conners, Fishman hopes the show can help them laugh about their frustrations. Fishman said it helped having activities together, such as cooking with Isabella and filming a movie in their home.
"You have to find your way of finding healthy ways to express yourself and to pass your time," Fishman said. "Find small breaks, ways to take a break, ways to connect with people and focus."
On the other hand, Goranson said she could empathize with families separated from each other by the pandemic. Goranson was unable to visit her family on the East Coast due to travel restrictions.
"I have been just totally by myself," Goranson said. "My thoughts are very much with those people who are still at home, working alone and who miss their colleagues."
The show will find humor in the Conners' attempt to remain safe, and the frustrations the ongoing pandemic causes. Goranson said addressing these issues through work helped her feel a sense of purpose.
"To address some of the feelings and the things that we've all been going through, I feel very, very blessed," Goranson said.
Cast members Metcalf and Gilbert struggled with real-life safety protocols. Metcalf said the crew's safety precautions reassured her.
Advertisement
"I felt nervous coming in on the first day," Metcalf said. "When we finally did tape a scene, dropping our mask felt very naked."
Though the cast and crew returned to set, The Connors decided not to invite a live studio audience to tapings. Gilbert, who is also an executive producer, said the production team decided that testing and socially distancing an audience wasn't worth the risk. However, Gilbert said she felt awkward performing comedy without an audience reacting to her.
"As an actor, I can feel insecure or feel like it affects my performance," Gilbert said. "The producers swear it doesn't, so you guys will have to judge."
Goodman said the pandemic interrupted a lucrative period of work for him. In 2019, he starred in both The Conners and The Righteous Gemstones. The Conners' patriarch says he has tried to enjoy the benefits of a forced break.
"It was nice to have some time off and just appreciate the things that make up my life," Goodman said.
The Conners returns Wednesday at 9 p.m. on ABC.


upi--2020-10-21--On This Day, Oct. 21: Coal slag buries Welsh school, killing 148

Oct. 21 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1805 , in one of history 's greatest naval battles , the British fleet under Adm. Horatio Nelson defeated the combined French-Spanish fleet at Trafalgar off the coast of Spain .
In 1879 , after 14 months of experiments , Thomas Edison invented the first practical electric incandescent lamp .
In 1948 , Western Allies decided to withdraw their condemnation of Russia as a threat to peace on the condition that the Berlin blockade was lifted , accepting a small-nation formula as a `` hopeful basis '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1959 , rocket designer Wernher von Braun and his team were transferred from the U.S. Army to the newly created National Aeronautics and Space Administration .
In 1959 , the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum opened in New York City .
The building , designed by Frank Lloyd Wright , is considered one of the finest examples of architecture in the 20th century .
In 1966 , an avalanche of coal slag cascaded down a Welsh mountainside , burying a school in the town of Aberfan and killing 148 people , mostly young students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ installed military rulers sought to consolidate control as 1,900 Marines steamed toward the Cuban-backed island following a week-old coup that left as many as 15 people dead .
In 1991 , Beirut University professor Jesse Turner , a hostage since January 1987 , was released by his captors in Lebanon .
In 1994 , Rosario Ames , wife of confessed spy Aldrich Ames , was sentenced to 63 months in prison for collaborating with him .
In 2004 , the most senior soldier accused in the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal in Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Frederick , was sentenced to eight years in prison .
He was released on parole in 2007 .
In 2011 , U.S. President Barack Obama announced the United States would withdraw all troops from Iraq at the end of the year and engage in a `` normal relationship '' with the nation .
`` After nearly nine years , '' Obama said , `` America 's war in Iraq will be over . ''
In 2012 , Pope Benedict XVI canonized Kateri Tekakwitha as the first Native American to become a saint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vajirallongkorn stripped his consort , Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi , of her royal and military titles , saying she tried to undermine the queen .

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On October 21, 1966, an avalanche of coal slag cascaded down a Welsh mountainside, burying a school and killing 148 people, mostly young students, whose graves are marked with a series of arches. File Photo by Llywelyn2000/Wikimedia
Oct. 21 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1805, in one of history's greatest naval battles, the British fleet under Adm. Horatio Nelson defeated the combined French-Spanish fleet at Trafalgar off the coast of Spain. Advertisement
In 1879, after 14 months of experiments, Thomas Edison invented the first practical electric incandescent lamp.
In 1948, Western Allies decided to withdraw their condemnation of Russia as a threat to peace on the condition that the Berlin blockade was lifted, accepting a small-nation formula as a "hopeful basis" for solving the Berlin crisis.
In 1959, rocket designer Wernher von Braun and his team were transferred from the U.S. Army to the newly created National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
UPI File Photo
In 1959, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum opened in New York City. The building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is considered one of the finest examples of architecture in the 20th century.
In 1966, an avalanche of coal slag cascaded down a Welsh mountainside, burying a school in the town of Aberfan and killing 148 people, mostly young students.
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In 1983, Grenada's newly installed military rulers sought to consolidate control as 1,900 Marines steamed toward the Cuban-backed island following a week-old coup that left as many as 15 people dead.
In 1991, Beirut University professor Jesse Turner, a hostage since January 1987, was released by his captors in Lebanon.
In 1994, Rosario Ames, wife of confessed spy Aldrich Ames, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for collaborating with him.
In 2004, the most senior soldier accused in the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal in Iraq, Staff Sgt. Ivan "Chip" Frederick, was sentenced to eight years in prison. He was released on parole in 2007.
File photo by Hugo Infante/UPI
In 2011, U.S. President Barack Obama announced the United States would withdraw all troops from Iraq at the end of the year and engage in a "normal relationship" with the nation. "After nearly nine years," Obama said, "America's war in Iraq will be over."
In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI canonized Kateri Tekakwitha as the first Native American to become a saint.
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In 2019, Thai King Maha Vajirallongkorn stripped his consort, Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, of her royal and military titles, saying she tried to undermine the queen.


upi--2020-10-21--Moments from the Billboard Latin Music Awards red carpet

The Billboard Latin Music Awards took place at the BB & T Center in Sunrise , Fla. , on October @ @ @ @ @ show was postponed from April in Las Vegas due to the COVID-19 pandemic .

Luis Fonsi (L) and Águeda López walk the red carpet at the Latin Billboard Music Awards in Sunrise, Fla., on October 21, 2020. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI


upi--2020-10-21--Quibi announces it is shutting down

Quibi announces it is shutting down

Oct. 21 ( UPI ) -- Quibi , the short-form entertainment content streaming service , announced Wednesday it was shutting down some six months after it launched .
Founders film producer Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman , the former CEO of Hewlett Packard , announced in a statement the streaming service would start `` winding down , '' saying they were looking to sell its content and technology assets .
The service streamed content a maximum length of 10 minutes it called `` quick bites '' and launched in April after raising more than $ 1.5 billion that allowed it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as Chrissy Teigen , Anna Kendrick , Sam Raimi , Idris Elba , Jennifer Lopez and Steph Curry .
`` We opened the door to the most creative and imaginative minds in Hollywood to innovate from script to screen and the result was content that exceeded our expectations , '' they wrote .
`` We challenged engineers to build a mobile platform that enabled a new form of storytelling -- and they delivered a groundbreaking and delightful service . ''
The idea was to create a subscription-based mobile-first platform targeting young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 a month .
Katzenberg and Whitman said it failed in part because it launched amid the coronavirus pandemic , which forced people to stay home and in less need of using their phones to stream short yet polished content while on the go .
In part it may have failed because the idea was n't strong enough , they said .
`` Quibi was a big idea and there was no one who wanted to make a success of it more than we did , '' they wrote .
`` Our failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 've considered and exhausted every option available to us . ''
The remaining funds will be returned to shareholders , they said while apologizing in the open letter for `` disappointing you and , ultimately , for letting you down . ''

CEO Meg Whitman addresses members of the media during the Quibi Keynote at the 2020 International CES, at the Park MGM Theatre in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 8, 2020. Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Quibi, the short-form entertainment content streaming service, announced Wednesday it was shutting down some six months after it launched. Founders film producer Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman, the former CEO of Hewlett Packard, announced in a statement the streaming service would start "winding down," saying they were looking to sell its content and technology assets. Advertisement
The service streamed content a maximum length of 10 minutes it called "quick bites" and launched in April after raising more than $1.5 billion that allowed it to lure top talent to its service, such as Chrissy Teigen, Anna Kendrick, Sam Raimi, Idris Elba, Jennifer Lopez and Steph Curry.
"We opened the door to the most creative and imaginative minds in Hollywood to innovate from script to screen and the result was content that exceeded our expectations," they wrote. "We challenged engineers to build a mobile platform that enabled a new form of storytelling -- and they delivered a groundbreaking and delightful service."
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The idea was to create a subscription-based mobile-first platform targeting young adults costing between $5 and $7 a month.
Katzenberg and Whitman said it failed in part because it launched amid the coronavirus pandemic, which forced people to stay home and in less need of using their phones to stream short yet polished content while on the go. In part it may have failed because the idea wasn't strong enough, they said.
"Quibi was a big idea and there was no one who wanted to make a success of it more than we did," they wrote. "Our failure was not for lack of trying; we've considered and exhausted every option available to us."
The remaining funds will be returned to shareholders, they said while apologizing in the open letter for "disappointing you and, ultimately, for letting you down."


upi--2020-10-21--LSU football self-imposes sanctions, bans Odell Beckham Jr. for two years

Oct. 21 ( UPI ) -- LSU announced Wednesday that it is banning Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from the football program for two years as part of a series of self-imposed penalties over NCAA rules violations .
Sources told ESPN , Sports Illustrated and the Washington Post on Wednesday that LSU is losing eight scholarships over two years and reducing recruiting visits , evaluations and communication after an investigation revealed improper booster payments to its football players .
One of those violations involved Beckham -- a former star receiver for the Tigers from 2011-13 -- who gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LSU football players on the field after the team 's win over Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 13 .
The Level III violation led to Beckham 's two-year ban from the school 's football facilities .
LSU informed the NCAA about its self-imposed sanctions earlier this month in hopes that it will not be punished further .
`` LSU has worked proactively and in cooperation with the NCAA to identify and self-report any violations that occurred within our football program , '' Robert Munson , LSU 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement Wednesday .
`` We believe these self-imposed penalties are appropriate and we will continue to coordinate and cooperate with the NCAA on this matter . ''
The football allegations are part of a wider NCAA investigation into LSU , which has been ongoing for the past three years .
The NCAA is already investigating alleged violations by head coach Will Wade and the LSU men 's basketball program .

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was banned from LSU football facilities for two years after giving players cash on the field following the Tigers' win over Clemson in the title game earlier this year. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 21 (UPI) -- LSU announced Wednesday that it is banning Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from the football program for two years as part of a series of self-imposed penalties over NCAA rules violations. Sources told ESPN, Sports Illustrated and the Washington Post on Wednesday that LSU is losing eight scholarships over two years and reducing recruiting visits, evaluations and communication after an investigation revealed improper booster payments to its football players. Advertisement
One of those violations involved Beckham -- a former star receiver for the Tigers from 2011-13 -- who gave about $2,000 in cash to four LSU football players on the field after the team's win over Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 13. The Level III violation led to Beckham's two-year ban from the school's football facilities.
LSU informed the NCAA about its self-imposed sanctions earlier this month in hopes that it will not be punished further.
"LSU has worked proactively and in cooperation with the NCAA to identify and self-report any violations that occurred within our football program," Robert Munson, LSU's senior associate athletic director, said in a statement Wednesday.
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"We believe these self-imposed penalties are appropriate and we will continue to coordinate and cooperate with the NCAA on this matter."
The football allegations are part of a wider NCAA investigation into LSU, which has been ongoing for the past three years. The NCAA is already investigating alleged violations by head coach Will Wade and the LSU men's basketball program.


upi--2020-10-21--Carrie Underwood, Chris Young win big at CMT Awards

Oct. 21 ( UPI ) -- Carrie Underwood earned the top honors of Video of the Year and Female Video @ @ @ @ @ Drinking Alone '' at the CMT Awards show in Nashville Wednesday night .
Luke Bryan @ @ @ @ @ the Year for `` One Margarita '' and Chris Young won for Performance of the @ @ @ @ @ '' Dan + Shay scored the prize for Duo Video of the Year for `` @ @ @ @ @ Bed , '' Old Dominion 's `` One Man Band '' won for Group Video @ @ @ @ @ Barrett 's `` I Hope '' won for Breakthrough Video of the Year .
Blake @ @ @ @ @ the Collaborative Video of the Year award for `` Nobody But You . ''
Artists @ @ @ @ @ , Brooks & Dunn , Luke Combs , Sam Hunt , Maren Morris , Morgan @ @ @ @ @ Noah Cyrus , Kelsea Ballerini and Halsey performed outdoors around the city throughout the evening @ @ @ @ @ practices implemented during the coronavirus pandemic .

Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Carrie Underwood earned the top honors of Video of the Year and Female Video of the Year for "Drinking Alone" at the CMT Awards show in Nashville Wednesday night.
Luke Bryan won for Male Video of the Year for "One Margarita" and Chris Young won for Performance of the Year for "Drowning."
Advertisement Major congrats to @carrieunderwood on winning Female Video of the Year #CMTawards pic.twitter.com/XEW3MpUHyE— CMT (@CMT) October 22, 2020
Dan + Shay scored the prize for Duo Video of the Year for "I Should Probably Go to Bed," Old Dominion's "One Man Band" won for Group Video of the Year and Gabby Barrett's "I Hope" won for Breakthrough Video of the Year.
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani shared the Collaborative Video of the Year award for "Nobody But You."
Sarah Hyland, Kane Brown and Ashley McBryde hosted the fan-voted prize presentation.
Artists such as Brown, McBryde, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Combs, Sam Hunt, Maren Morris, Morgan Wallen, Jimmie Allen, Noah Cyrus, Kelsea Ballerini and Halsey performed outdoors around the city throughout the evening in keeping with social distancing practices implemented during the coronavirus pandemic.


upi--2020-10-21--Watch live: Spacecraft carrying NASA astronaut, two cosmonauts enters Earth's atmosphere


upi--2020-10-21--Penn State men's basketball coach Pat Chambers resigns after internal probe

Oct. 21 ( UPI ) -- Penn State men 's basketball coach Pat Chambers resigned Wednesday after an investigation by the school into allegations of inappropriate conduct by the longtime Nittany Lions coach .
Penn State said the new allegations surfaced after ESPN 's The Undefeated reported in July that Rasir Bolton -- who transferred from Penn State to Iowa State last summer -- made the decision to switch schools because Chambers referenced a noose around Bolton 's neck .
In The Undefeated 's report , Bolton -- who is Black -- said he recalled Chambers saying , `` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .
You can talk to me about anything .
I need to get some of this pressure off you .
I want to loosen the noose that 's around your neck . ''
`` The new allegations surfaced shortly after The Undefeated 's article and a review was conducted jointly by Penn State 's Affirmative Action and Athletics Integrity offices , '' Penn State said in a statement Wednesday .
Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour told reporters that accepting Chambers ' resignation is `` in the best interest of Penn State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Barbour said the university received the results of the internal probe within the last two weeks , and the new allegation was unrelated to the incident Bolton revealed to The Undefeated .
Although Barbour did n't provide any details about the new allegation , she said no NCAA rule violations occurred .
Chambers served as Penn State 's men 's basketball coach since 2011 .
He led the program to a 26-win season in 2018 and had the Nittany Lions close to an NCAA tournament appearance in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been the school 's first trip to the tournament since 2011 and fifth since 1965 .
`` I am so proud of all our program has accomplished these past nine years , and I will be forever grateful to the Penn State community for its ongoing support , '' Chambers said in a statement Wednesday .
`` Anyone who has ever coached -- especially at this level -- knows the exceptional amount of energy and focus it takes to deliver each and every day .
`` This has been an incredibly difficult year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are in need of a break to reset and chart our path forward .
So , I 'm taking a step back to prepare myself for the next 20 years . ''
Assistant coach Jim Ferry was named Penn State 's interim head coach for the 2020-21 season .
Barbour said the university will conduct a national search before naming a full-time successor .

Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Penn State men's basketball coach Pat Chambers resigned Wednesday after an investigation by the school into allegations of inappropriate conduct by the longtime Nittany Lions coach.
Penn State said the new allegations surfaced after ESPN's The Undefeated reported in July that Rasir Bolton -- who transferred from Penn State to Iowa State last summer -- made the decision to switch schools because Chambers referenced a noose around Bolton's neck.
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In The Undefeated's report, Bolton -- who is Black -- said he recalled Chambers saying, "I want to be a stress reliever for you. You can talk to me about anything. I need to get some of this pressure off you. I want to loosen the noose that's around your neck."
"The new allegations surfaced shortly after The Undefeated's article and a review was conducted jointly by Penn State's Affirmative Action and Athletics Integrity offices," Penn State said in a statement Wednesday.
Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour told reporters that accepting Chambers' resignation is "in the best interest of Penn State, our program and our student-athletes."
Barbour said the university received the results of the internal probe within the last two weeks, and the new allegation was unrelated to the incident Bolton revealed to The Undefeated.
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Although Barbour didn't provide any details about the new allegation, she said no NCAA rule violations occurred.
Chambers served as Penn State's men's basketball coach since 2011. He led the program to a 26-win season in 2018 and had the Nittany Lions close to an NCAA tournament appearance in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic canceled the event. It would have been the school's first trip to the tournament since 2011 and fifth since 1965.
"I am so proud of all our program has accomplished these past nine years, and I will be forever grateful to the Penn State community for its ongoing support," Chambers said in a statement Wednesday. "Anyone who has ever coached -- especially at this level -- knows the exceptional amount of energy and focus it takes to deliver each and every day.
"This has been an incredibly difficult year for me and my family, and we are in need of a break to reset and chart our path forward. So, I'm taking a step back to prepare myself for the next 20 years."
"Coach Chambers is the one that delivered the news to them, and as you can imagine it was difficult news for them to hear." Advertisement Sandy Barbour shares how @PennStateMBB players learned about Pat Chambers' resignation. pic.twitter.com/dr4jpJ5Al7— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) October 21, 2020
Assistant coach Jim Ferry was named Penn State's interim head coach for the 2020-21 season. Barbour said the university will conduct a national search before naming a full-time successor.


upi--2020-10-21--Epsilon upgraded to major hurricane strength

The Category 3 storm has maximum sustained winds of 115 mph , the National Hurricane Center said in an advisory at 8 p.m. EDT .
The eye of the storm was located about 315 miles southeast of Bermuda and was moving west-northwest at 10 mph .
The 26th storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season strengthened into a hurricane on Tuesday night and continued to rapidly intensify throughout the remainder of the night and early on Wednesday .
On Wednesday afternoon , it became just the fourth major hurricane of the season .
Hurricane-force winds extended outward from the storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but tropical-storm force winds extended even further at about 435 miles .
`` By definition , Epsilon has rapidly intensified , its intensity increasing more than 30 kt [ 35 mph ] during the past 24 hours , '' the NHC said in its 5 a.m. EDT Wednesday advisory when winds had picked up to 85 mph .
The hurricane 's well-defined eye was visible on satellite images on Wednesday as it churned 340 miles east-southeast of Bermuda .
The Bermuda Weather Service upgraded the tropical storm watch into a warning for Bermuda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 mph toward the island nation .
The latest indications are for the storm and the hurricane-force winds near its core to stay east of the islands with tropical-storm conditions anticipated .
However , a shift in the track farther to the west by as little as a few dozen miles could put the eye wall and its damaging winds and torrential rain over the islands .
For only the second time in recorded history , the Atlantic Basin spawned a storm named Epsilon on Monday , within 3 hours after it developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other Epsilon in history was an unusually late storm , and it formed just before the official end of hurricane season on Nov. 30 in the open Atlantic Ocean on Nov. 29 , 2005 .
It went on to strengthen into Hurricane Epsilon on Dec. 2 .
By the time winds subsided back below hurricane strength on Dec. 7 , it had become the longest-lived December hurricane on record .
The formation of Epsilon brought this season even closer to the record of 28 named storms set in 2005 -- the only other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name storms .
Epsilon is the 10th hurricane to develop in the basin this season .
Epsilon formed in 2020 over a month earlier than the previous record holder .
Now , only one Greek letter , Zeta , that has been used before to name a tropical system will remain on the list for the next tropical storm that brews .
After that , should storms continue to form through the end of the year , it would be uncharted territory .
AccuWeather is rating Epsilon less than one on the AccuWeather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The scale was created by the company in 2019 to offer a more comprehensive outlook for tropical storm and hurricane impacts than the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale .
The current forecast would bring a glancing blow to the nation , with tropical-storm-force winds ( 39-73 mph ) , gusts and occasional downpours from the outer bands of the system .
`` In this scenario , damage and adverse impacts would likely be isolated , but some downed tree limbs and power lines as well as localized street and poor drainage flooding would remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miller said .
However , AccuWeather meteorologists warn that residents should still prepare for the worst .
`` It 's still possible that the system tracks a little farther west and makes a direct hit on Bermuda as a hurricane , '' Miller warned .
Back in mid-September , Hurricane Paulette ended up making a direct hit on the island as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale .
Paulette became the first storm to make landfall in Bermuda since Hurricane Gonzalo on Oct.17 , 2014 .
Paulette ended up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to commerce and government that lasted for days .
`` For a small island like Bermuda out in the middle of the ocean , small changes in the track , size and intensity of a storm can all have a big effect on the impacts , '' Miller said .
`` The time to make preparations is now , before you realize a dangerous storm is in fact bearing down on you and it 's too late . ''
The fall of 2014 was also the last and only time that Bermuda endured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same season , when Hurricane Fay made landfall in Bermuda less than a week before Gonzalo .

Forecasters warned that large swells generated by Hurricane Epsilon will affect the eastern coast of the United States over the next few days. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Oct. 25 -- Hurricane Epsilon headed northeast away from the U.S. mainland and was projected to become a powerful post-tropical cyclone by Sunday night. In its 9 p.m. GMT update Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said Epsilon had 70 mph maximum sustained winds. The storm was 420 miles east of Cape Race, Newfoundland, and was moving east-northeast at 46 mph. Advertisement
No coastal watches or warnings are in effect.
A faster east-northeastward to northeastward motion is expected later Sunday through Monday.
The 26th storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season strengthened into a hurricane on Tuesday night and continued to rapidly intensify throughout the remainder of the night and early on Wednesday.
On Wednesday afternoon, it became the fourth major hurricane of the season when its maximum sustained winds peaked at 115 mph. Hurricane-force winds extended outward from the storm's center by about 25 miles, but tropical-storm force winds extended even farther out from the center at about 310 miles.
For the second time in recorded history, the Atlantic Basin spawned a storm named Epsilon on Monday, within 3 hours after it developed into a tropical depression.
The only other Epsilon in history was an unusually late storm, and it formed just before the official end of hurricane season on Nov. 30 in the open Atlantic Ocean on Nov. 29, 2005. It went on to strengthen into Hurricane Epsilon on Dec. 2. By the time winds subsided back below hurricane strength on Dec. 7, it had become the longest-lived December hurricane on record.
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The formation of Epsilon brought this season even closer to the record of 28 named storms set in 2005 -- the only other year to use the Greek alphabet to name storms. Epsilon is the 10th hurricane to develop in the basin this season.
Epsilon formed in 2020 over a month earlier than the previous record holder. Now, only one Greek letter, Zeta, that has been used before to name a tropical system will remain on the list for the next tropical storm that brews. After that, should storms continue to form through the end of the year, it would be uncharted territory.
AccuWeather is rating Epsilon less than one on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes for Bermuda. The scale was created by the company in 2019 to offer a more comprehensive outlook for tropical storm and hurricane impacts than the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
The fall of 2014 was also the last and only time that Bermuda endured two direct hits from hurricanes in the same season, when Hurricane Fay made landfall in Bermuda less than a week before Gonzalo.


upi--2020-10-21--U.S. intelligence blames Iran for emails threatening Democratic voters

Oct. 21 ( UPI ) -- Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe announced Wednesday that Iran and Russia obtained voter information ahead of the U.S. presidential election and blamed Tehran for an an email campaign to intimidate Democratic voters .
Ratcliffe appeared with FBI Director Chris Wray in a last-minute primetime event to reveal the attempts to interference in the 2020 election .
`` Iran and Russia have taken specific actions to influence public opinion related to our elections , '' Ratcliffe said .
`` First , we have confirmed that some voter registered information has been obtained by Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be used by foreign actors to attempt to communicate false information to registered voters that they hope will sow confusion chaos and undermine your confidence in American democracy . ''
Wray said that despite the efforts , it 's not possible for either country to change Americans ' votes .
`` You should be confident that your vote counts , '' he said .
Ratcliffe said Iranian intelligence sent `` spoof emails designed to intimidate voters , incite unrest and damage '' President Donald Trump .
He did n't elaborate on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emails were sent to Democratic voters , threatening them against voting for former Vice President Joe Biden .
The emails were first identified by law enforcement and elections officials in Florida and Alaska before being turned over to federal authorities , U.S. officials told The Washington Post earlier Wednesday .
`` You will vote for Trump on Election Day or we will come after you , '' the emails warned .
The emails also said they were sent by the Proud Boys , which were `` in possession of all your information , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registration and cast a vote for Trump .
`` Change your party affiliation to Republican to let us know you received our message and will comply , '' the emails state .
`` We will know which candidate you voted for .
I would take it seriously if I were you . ''
The Proud Boys are a far-right , male-only organization that supports Trump .
The group also has ties to white supremacy .
The emails show a sender with the address info @ officialproudboys.com but Google Cloud spokesman Ted Ladd and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the domain was recently dropped from Google Cloud Services , leaving it without a secure host and potentially vulnerable to outside exploitation .
`` There is no reason for us to send an email like that .
To whoever did this , I condemn these people , '' Tarrio said , adding he believes the email address was `` spoofed . ''
Officials in Florida 's Alachua County and the Alaska Democratic Party said they were made aware of the emails on Tuesday morning and that the FBI had since become involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported instances of individual voters in Pennsylvania and Arizona receiving the emails , seemingly targeting Democrats using digital databases .
`` The email appears to be a scam and we will be initiating an investigation into the source of the email along with assistance from our partners on the federal level , '' Alachua County Sheriff 's Office officials said .
Cristopher C. Krebs , director of the Department of Homeland Security 's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency , said his office was aware of the emails while tweeting a warning on election-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is guaranteed by law in all states , '' Krebs wrote .
`` These emails are meant to intimidate and undermine American voters ' confidence in our elections . ''

Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said Iranian intelligence attempted to harm President Donald Trump with an email campaign threatening Democrats. Pool Photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe announced Wednesday that Iran and Russia have obtained voter information ahead of the U.S. presidential election and blamed Tehran for an email campaign to intimidate Democratic voters. Ratcliffe appeared with FBI Director Chris Wray in a last-minute primetime event to reveal the attempts to interfere in the 2020 election. Advertisement
"Iran and Russia have taken specific actions to influence public opinion related to our elections," Ratcliffe said.
"First, we have confirmed that some voter registered information has been obtained by Iran and separately by Russia," he said. "This data can be used by foreign actors to attempt to communicate false information to registered voters that they hope will sow confusion chaos and undermine your confidence in American democracy."
Wray said that despite the efforts, it's not possible for either country to change Americans' votes.
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"You should be confident that your vote counts," he said.
Ratcliffe said Iranian intelligence sent "spoof emails designed to intimidate voters, incite unrest and damage" President Donald Trump. He didn't elaborate on how the effort would harm Trump since the emails were sent to Democratic voters, threatening them against voting for former Vice President Joe Biden.
The emails were first identified by law enforcement and elections officials in Florida and Alaska before being turned over to federal authorities, U.S. officials told The Washington Post earlier Wednesday.
"You will vote for Trump on Election Day or we will come after you," the emails warned
The emails were purportedly sent by the Proud Boys, which were "in possession of all your information," instructing voters to change their party registration and cast a vote for Trump.
"Change your party affiliation to Republican to let us know you received our message and will comply," the emails state. "We will know which candidate you voted for. I would take it seriously if I were you."
The Proud Boys are a far-right, male-only organization that supports Trump. The group also has ties to White supremacy.
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The emails show a sender with the address [email protected] but Google Cloud spokesman Ted Ladd and Proud Boys Chairman Enrique Tarrio both said the domain was recently dropped from Google Cloud Services, leaving it without a secure host and potentially vulnerable to outside exploitation.
"There is no reason for us to send an email like that. To whoever did this, I condemn these people," Tarrio said, adding he believes the email address was "spoofed."
Officials in Florida's Alachua County and the Alaska Democratic Party said they were made aware of the emails on Tuesday morning and that the FBI had since become involved in the investigation. The Washington Post also reported instances of individual voters in Pennsylvania and Arizona receiving the emails, seemingly targeting Democrats using digital databases.
"The email appears to be a scam and we will be initiating an investigation into the source of the email along with assistance from our partners on the federal level," Alachua County Sheriff's Office officials said.
Cristopher C. Krebs, director of the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said his office was aware of the emails while tweeting a warning on election-related rumors.
"FACT: Ballot secrecy is guaranteed by law in all states," Krebs wrote. "These emails are meant to intimidate and undermine American voters' confidence in our elections."
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Following the news conference, Democrats were quick to refute Ratcliffe's assertion about the emails' target, questioning whether his assessment that they were intended to harm Trump was founded in facts or just partisan spin.
"DO NOT listen to Ratcliffe. Partisan hack," Democrats of the House homeland security committee said in a now-deleted tweet, which was followed up with, "TO CLARIFY: These election interference operations are clearly not meant to harm President Trump."
"Ratcliffe has TOO OFTEN politicized the Intelligence community to carry water for the President," it said.
Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, told MSNBC that the intention by Iran in the two examples Ratcliffe gave concerning Tehran's election interference were unclear, especially since fears over mail-in ballots is a "Trump talking point."
"So, we don't know whether this is Ratcliffe's spin or whether it's the assessment of the analysts," he said.
In early August, the National Cyber Security Center issued a statement that it assessed Iran and China were attempting to influence the election, stating Russia's goal was primarily to "denigrate" Trump's Democratic challenger, former Vice President Joe Biden, while Iran "seeks to undermine U.S. democratic institutions, President Trump and to divide the country in advance of the 2020 elections."
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The analysis said Tehran's motivations were driven by worry that Trump's re-election could see a call for regime change in the Middle Eastern country.


upi--2020-10-21--Stan Van Gundy agrees to become head coach of New Orleans Pelicans

Oct. 21 ( UPI ) -- Stan Van Gundy has agreed to a deal to become the next head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans , the coach confirmed Wednesday .
`` I 'm excited to join a talented New Orleans Pelicans team , '' Van Gundy wrote Wednesday on social media .
`` It will be an honor to work with our players and to work for Mrs. [ Gayle ] Benson and David Griffin , Trajan Langdon , their staff and the great people of New Orleans .
I ca n't wait to talk to our players and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources told ESPN that Van Gundy and the Pelicans agreed to terms on the multiyear contract Wednesday morning .
According to The Athletic , the agreement is for four years .
Van Gundy , who previously coached the Miami Heat , Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons , becomes the seventh head coach in Pelicans history .
He replaces former coach Alvin Gentry , who was fired in August after the team 's disappointing finish inside the NBA bubble near Orlando , Fla .
The 61-year-old Van Gundy has posted a 523-384 record in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the playoffs .
He also guided the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals .
Van Gundy inherits a Pelicans roster that includes young stars Zion Williamson -- last year 's No .
1 overall pick -- and the 2019-20 NBA Most Improved Player , Brandon Ingram .
New Orleans also has 2019 lottery pick Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker on its roster .
Along with the Pelicans ' young talent , the team can lean on veteran guards Jrue Holiday and J.J. Redick .
New Orleans has the No .
13 overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Former Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy has posted a 523-384 record in the regular season and a 48-43 mark in the postseason. File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Stan Van Gundy has agreed to a deal to become the next head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, the coach confirmed Wednesday. "I'm excited to join a talented New Orleans Pelicans team," Van Gundy wrote Wednesday on social media. "It will be an honor to work with our players and to work for Mrs. [Gayle] Benson and David Griffin, Trajan Langdon, their staff and the great people of New Orleans. I can't wait to talk to our players and get the process started." Advertisement
League sources told ESPN that Van Gundy and the Pelicans agreed to terms on the multiyear contract Wednesday morning. According to The Athletic, the agreement is for four years.
Van Gundy, who previously coached the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons, becomes the seventh head coach in Pelicans history. He replaces former coach Alvin Gentry, who was fired in August after the team's disappointing finish inside the NBA bubble near Orlando, Fla.
The 61-year-old Van Gundy has posted a 523-384 record in the regular season and a 48-43 mark in the playoffs. He also guided the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals.
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Van Gundy inherits a Pelicans roster that includes young stars Zion Williamson -- last year's No. 1 overall pick -- and the 2019-20 NBA Most Improved Player, Brandon Ingram. New Orleans also has 2019 lottery pick Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker on its roster.
Along with the Pelicans' young talent, the team can lean on veteran guards Jrue Holiday and J.J. Redick. New Orleans has the No. 13 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.


upi--2020-10-21--CDC updates definition of 'close contact' to individuals with COVID-19

Oct. 21 ( UPI ) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday altered the definition of what constitutes `` close contact '' to a person infected with COVID-19 .
The CDC updated the guidance to define close contact as being `` within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more '' over a 24-hour period .
The agency previously defined close contact as being within 6 feet of a confirmed case for 15 consecutive minutes .
Wednesday 's update follows a report by the CDC stating that Vermont health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee contracted the coronavirus after 22 brief interactions over 17 minutes with six individuals who later tested positive for COVID-19 .
`` Available data suggests that at least one of the asymptomatic [ incarcerated or detained persons ] transmitted SARS-CoV-2 during these brief encounters , '' the report stated .
The report said the correctional officer wore a microfiber cloth mask at all times but the people he interacted with did not wear masks `` during several encounters in a cell doorway or in the recreation room . ''
The correctional officer also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The article adds to the scientific knowledge of the risk to contacts of those with COVID-19 and highlights again the importance of wearing face masks to prevent transmission , '' the CDC said .
In a press conference Wednesday , Jay Butler , the CDC 's deputy director for infectious diseases , said the United States is `` unfortunately seeing a distressing trend , with cases increasing in nearly 75 % of the country . ''
He noted that wearing a mask takes on increased importance this fall and winter as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raising the risk of transmission .
The United States reported 60,300 new COVID-19 cases nationwide on Wednesday for a total of more than 8.28 million cases and about 221,100 deaths nationwide , according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University .

Pedestrians wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on Wall Street in New York City on Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 21 (UPI) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday altered the definition of what constitutes "close contact" to a person infected with COVID-19. The CDC updated the guidance to define close contact as being "within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more" over a 24-hour period. The agency previously defined close contact as being within 6 feet of a confirmed case for 15 consecutive minutes. Advertisement
Wednesday's update follows a report by the CDC stating that Vermont health officials discovered that a 20-year-old male correctional facility employee contracted the coronavirus after 22 brief interactions over 17 minutes with six individuals who later tested positive for COVID-19.
"Available data suggests that at least one of the asymptomatic [incarcerated or detained persons] transmitted SARS-CoV-2 during these brief encounters," the report stated.
The report said the correctional officer wore a microfiber cloth mask at all times but the people he interacted with did not wear masks "during several encounters in a cell doorway or in the recreation room."
The correctional officer also wore gloves, a gown and goggles.
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"The article adds to the scientific knowledge of the risk to contacts of those with COVID-19 and highlights again the importance of wearing face masks to prevent transmission," the CDC said.
In a press conference Wednesday, Jay Butler, the CDC's deputy director for infectious diseases, said the United States is "unfortunately seeing a distressing trend, with cases increasing in nearly 75% of the country."
He noted that wearing a mask takes on increased importance this fall and winter as Americans will spend more time indoors, raising the risk of transmission.
The United States reported 60,300 new COVID-19 cases nationwide on Wednesday for a total of more than 8.28 million cases and about 221,100 deaths nationwide, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University.


upi--2020-10-21--Obama: 2020 is 'most important election of our entire lifetime'

Oct. 21 ( UPI ) -- Speaking Wednesday at his first in-person campaign event supporting Joe Biden , former President Barack Obama called 2020 `` the most important election of our entire lifetime . ''
Obama drew a sharp contrast between the Democratic presidential nominee and President Donald Trump during the drive-in rally outside Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia .
He said Trump has harmed U.S. politics with his rhetoric and policies .
`` It affects how our children see things , and it affects the way our families get along .
It affects how the world looks at America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Obama said .
He said Biden has the experience to lead the country after eight years as his second-in-command .
`` For eight years , Joe was the last one in the room when I faced a big decision .
He made me a better president .
And he 's got the character and experience to make us a better country .
`` Philadelphia , we got 13 days .
That 's our lucky number -- 13 days until the most important election of our entire lifetime . ''
Obama has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden and vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris .
But the Philadelphia rally was his first in-person event for the 2020 election .
`` He knows what motivates Joe , what inspires him , why he 's running for office , to bring our country together , to make sure we build back better than we were before , and I do n't think there 's anybody in a better position to view his point and to speak on behalf of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris than President Obama , '' Obama 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told CBS .
David Axelrod , a longtime Obama adviser , said the former president initially did n't intend to campaign during this election .
`` Former presidents tend not to delve too deeply into politics and certainly not the politics of their successors , '' Axelrod told CNN .
`` I think that was his plan , but Trump changed that plan .
`` He does n't view it as a personal grudge match with Trump .
He views it as an existential matter for the country and for democracy . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ election -- considered a battleground state , it carries 20 electoral votes .

Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Speaking Wednesday at his first in-person campaign event supporting Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama called 2020 "the most important election of our entire lifetime."
Obama drew a sharp contrast between the Democratic presidential nominee and President Donald Trump during the drive-in rally outside Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
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He said Trump has harmed U.S. politics with his rhetoric and policies.
"It affects how our children see things, and it affects the way our families get along. It affects how the world looks at America. That behavior matters. Character matters," Obama said.
He said Biden has the experience to lead the country after eight years as his second-in-command.
"For eight years, Joe was the last one in the room when I faced a big decision. He made me a better president. And he's got the character and experience to make us a better country.
"Philadelphia, we got 13 days. That's our lucky number -- 13 days until the most important election of our entire lifetime."
Obama has previously participated in virtual campaign events supporting Biden and vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris. But the Philadelphia rally was his first in-person event for the 2020 election.
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"He knows what motivates Joe, what inspires him, why he's running for office, to bring our country together, to make sure we build back better than we were before, and I don't think there's anybody in a better position to view his point and to speak on behalf of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris than President Obama," Obama's former senior adviser, Valerie Jarrett, told CBS.
David Axelrod, a longtime Obama adviser, said the former president initially didn't intend to campaign during this election.
"Former presidents tend not to delve too deeply into politics and certainly not the politics of their successors," Axelrod told CNN. "I think that was his plan, but Trump changed that plan.
"He doesn't view it as a personal grudge match with Trump. He views it as an existential matter for the country and for democracy."
Pennsylvania is crucial in the 2020 presidential election -- considered a battleground state, it carries 20 electoral votes.


upi--2020-10-21--NASA images suggest OSIRIS-REx collection arm grabbed rocks from Bennu

Oct. 21 ( UPI ) -- Images released Wednesday by NASA suggest the OSIRIS-REx mission 's Touch-And-Go sample collection event was a success .
Preliminary data collected during Tuesday 's touchdown -- and analyzed by scientists shortly afterwards -- suggested the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft had performed as expected .
The latest images have offered scientists added confidence that the craft 's sampling tool , the so-called Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism , or TAGSAM , captured rocks and dust from Bennu 's surface .
`` A lot of us were up really late last night , watching the images come down one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OSIRIS-REx principal investigator and researcher at the University of Arizona , said Wednesday during a press conference .
What Lauretta called `` the money shot , '' the image showing the arm 's contact with the asteroid 's regolith , did n't reach Earth until the wee hours of Wednesday morning .
NASA scientists strung together still images snapped by the SamCam during the sample collection to create a video and animate the mission breakthrough .
In describing the images-turned-video , Lauretta said the evidence of rock fragmentation -- created by the force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement in the surrounding regolith during the touchdown bodes well for the mission 's success .
`` Bottom line is that from the analysis that we 've gotten from the images so far , is that the sampling event went really well , way better than we could have ever imagined , '' Lauretta said .
`` I think that the chances that there is material inside the TAGSAM head have gone way up based on the analysis from these images . ''
Prior to the touchdown event , OSIRIS-REx spacecraft had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the asteroid 's surface .
But because the spacecraft created a significant debris field during its touchdown , OSIRIS-REx aggressively fired its thrusters to propel quickly away from the asteroid and avoid potential collisions with rock fragments .
Like the touchdown , researchers suggest the spacecraft 's escape maneuver was a success .
OSIRIS-REx will continue backing away from the asteroid until Friday , when it will hit the brakes at a distance of roughly 50 miles .
`` The spacecraft performance was phenomenal all throughout the TAG event , performing just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OSIRIS-REx mission operations manager and systems engineer at Lockheed Martin Space , said during Wednesday 's press conference .
Moving forward , OSIRIS-REx will perform several spacecraft activities that will give mission scientists and engineers a better sense of how much regolith the craft 's TAGSAM head captured .
To start , the craft 's sampling arm will angle the TAGSAM so that OSIRIS-REx 's camera can take images of its sampling pads and inside the sampling head .
Scientists hope the images will reveal bits of trapped rock fragments and compacted dust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its arm and TAGSAM and spin around .
Instruments will measure the moment of inertia and compare the data to measurements made before the sampling event .
The experiment will help scientists calculate how much mass is captured inside the sampling head .
Mission engineers will also run a full spacecraft systems checkup next week to gather more TAG event performance data .

Images captured by OSIRIS-REx showed the spacecraft's arm and asteroid sampling head successfully made contact with Bennu's surface. Photo by Goddard/University of Arizon/NASA
Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Images released Wednesday by NASA suggest the OSIRIS-REx mission's Touch-And-Go sample collection event was a success. Preliminary data collected during Tuesday's touchdown -- and analyzed by scientists shortly afterwards -- suggested the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft had performed as expected. Advertisement
The latest images have offered scientists added confidence that the craft's sampling tool, the so-called Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism, or TAGSAM, captured rocks and dust from Bennu's surface.
"A lot of us were up really late last night, watching the images come down one by one," Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator and researcher at the University of Arizona, said Wednesday during a press conference.
What Lauretta called "the money shot," the image showing the arm's contact with the asteroid's regolith, didn't reach Earth until the wee hours of Wednesday morning.
NASA scientists strung together still images snapped by the SamCam during the sample collection to create a video and animate the mission breakthrough.
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In describing the images-turned-video, Lauretta said the evidence of rock fragmentation -- created by the force of the arm's touchdown -- and movement in the surrounding regolith during the touchdown bodes well for the mission's success.
"Bottom line is that from the analysis that we've gotten from the images so far, is that the sampling event went really well, way better than we could have ever imagined," Lauretta said. "I think that the chances that there is material inside the TAGSAM head have gone way up based on the analysis from these images."
Prior to the touchdown event, OSIRIS-REx spacecraft had been tightly orbiting Bennu, capturing high-definition images of the asteroid's surface. But because the spacecraft created a significant debris field during its touchdown, OSIRIS-REx aggressively fired its thrusters to propel quickly away from the asteroid and avoid potential collisions with rock fragments.
Like the touchdown, researchers suggest the spacecraft's escape maneuver was a success. OSIRIS-REx will continue backing away from the asteroid until Friday, when it will hit the brakes at a distance of roughly 50 miles.
"The spacecraft performance was phenomenal all throughout the TAG event, performing just as planned," Sandra Freund, OSIRIS-REx mission operations manager and systems engineer at Lockheed Martin Space, said during Wednesday's press conference.
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Moving forward, OSIRIS-REx will perform several spacecraft activities that will give mission scientists and engineers a better sense of how much regolith the craft's TAGSAM head captured.
To start, the craft's sampling arm will angle the TAGSAM so that OSIRIS-REx's camera can take images of its sampling pads and inside the sampling head. Scientists hope the images will reveal bits of trapped rock fragments and compacted dust.
Next, the spacecraft will extend its arm and TAGSAM and spin around. Instruments will measure the moment of inertia and compare the data to measurements made before the sampling event. The experiment will help scientists calculate how much mass is captured inside the sampling head.
Mission engineers will also run a full spacecraft systems checkup next week to gather more TAG event performance data.


upi--2020-10-21--Alex Azar: 'One or two' COVID-19 vaccines could be available by December

Oct. 21 ( UPI ) -- Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar said Wednesday that he expects `` one or two safe and effective '' COVID-19 vaccines to be available by the end of the year .
At least two of the six vaccine products -- those being evaluated by drug makers Pfizer and Moderna -- under development as part of the Trump administration 's `` Operation Warp Speed '' have produced promising results in clinical trials so far , he said .
Janssen , a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson producing another of the vaccines currently in testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pause trials of its vaccine after a participant fell ill , according to Azar .
However , production of vaccine doses , and the vials they will be stored in , for all six products contracted under Operation Warp Speed has begun , he said .
`` There is hope on the way in the form of safe and reliable vaccines in a matter of weeks or months , '' Azar said during a press briefing Wednesday at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta .
If or when a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Drug Administration for distribution and use , enough will have been manufactured to administer to `` our most vulnerable individuals '' -- those at highest risk for serious illness from COVID-19 -- by the end of December , he said .
Supplies will be sufficient to vaccinate all seniors , front-line health workers and first responders by the end of January , and the vaccine will be available to the public by the end of March , Azar said .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same timeline in recent weeks , and other experts have also said a vaccine could be widely available by mid-2021 .
All of this assumes that the candidate vaccines continue to produce positive results during clinical trials , particularly with regard to safety , Azar said .
Despite the significant progress , some infectious disease experts are not as optimistic with regard to availability -- and whether people will want it .
`` I know we are all hoping for a COVID vaccine to become widely available before the end of the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to happen , '' Dr. David A. Nace , chief medical officer at UPMC Senior Communities , told CBS News in Pittsburgh in late September .
`` Recent polls have indicated that many Americans , if not more than half , may actually decline the first generation COVID-19 vaccine , making it much more problematic in protecting the elderly and the rest of us , '' he said .
In addition to the pause in the Janssen vaccine trials , officials in Brazil announced earlier Wednesday that studies of AstraZeneca 's COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participant died , reportedly after being injected with a placebo , according to the Washington Post .
That trial study was suspended in England and the United States in September after a participant in England contracted an unexplained illness .
The trial has restarted in England , and researchers said it may restart in the United States as soon as this week .
`` Patient safety is at the center '' of the vaccine development process , Azar said , adding that all products will undergo several levels of independent safety review by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarks come at a time when U.S. public health officials are `` seeing a distressing trend '' in rising numbers of COVID-19 cases across the country , with nearly 60,000 new cases being reported nationally per day , on average , according to Dr. Jay Butler , the CDC 's deputy director for infectious diseases .
Operation Warp Speed is a public-private program , established by the Trump administration under the auspices of HHS , the CDC , the FDA and the Department of Defense to support development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 10 billion , primarily to fund research and development at private companies , according to HHS .

HHS secretary Alex Azar said that a COVID-19 vaccine could be available by the end of the year. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar said Wednesday that he expects "one or two safe and effective" COVID-19 vaccines to be available by the end of the year. At least two of the six vaccine products -- those being evaluated by drug makers Pfizer and Moderna -- under development as part of the Trump administration's "Operation Warp Speed" have produced promising results in clinical trials so far, he said. Advertisement
Janssen, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson producing another of the vaccines currently in testing, said Oct. 12 it had to pause trials of its vaccine after a participant fell ill, according to Azar.
However, production of vaccine doses, and the vials they will be stored in, for all six products contracted under Operation Warp Speed has begun, he said.
"There is hope on the way in the form of safe and reliable vaccines in a matter of weeks or months," Azar said during a press briefing Wednesday at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
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If or when a vaccine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for distribution and use, enough will have been manufactured to administer to "our most vulnerable individuals" -- those at highest risk for serious illness from COVID-19 -- by the end of December, he said.
Supplies will be sufficient to vaccinate all seniors, front-line health workers and first responders by the end of January, and the vaccine will be available to the public by the end of March, Azar said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has endorsed roughly the same timeline in recent weeks, and other experts have also said a vaccine could be widely available by mid-2021.
All of this assumes that the candidate vaccines continue to produce positive results during clinical trials, particularly with regard to safety, Azar said.
Despite the significant progress, some infectious disease experts are not as optimistic with regard to availability -- and whether people will want it.
"I know we are all hoping for a COVID vaccine to become widely available before the end of the year [but] this is simply not going to happen," Dr. David A. Nace, chief medical officer at UPMC Senior Communities, told CBS News in Pittsburgh in late September.
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"Recent polls have indicated that many Americans, if not more than half, may actually decline the first generation COVID-19 vaccine, making it much more problematic in protecting the elderly and the rest of us," he said.
In addition to the pause in the Janssen vaccine trials, officials in Brazil announced earlier Wednesday that studies of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 product were halted there after a volunteer participant died, reportedly after being injected with a placebo, according to the Washington Post.
That trial study was suspended in England and the United States in September after a participant in England contracted an unexplained illness. The trial has restarted in England, and researchers said it may restart in the United States as soon as this week.
"Patient safety is at the center" of the vaccine development process, Azar said, adding that all products will undergo several levels of independent safety review by the FDA before distribution.
Azar's remarks come at a time when U.S. public health officials are "seeing a distressing trend" in rising numbers of COVID-19 cases across the country, with nearly 60,000 new cases being reported nationally per day, on average, according to Dr. Jay Butler, the CDC's deputy director for infectious diseases.
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Operation Warp Speed is a public-private program, established by the Trump administration under the auspices of HHS, the CDC, the FDA and the Department of Defense to support development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
The initiative has spent more than $10 billion, primarily to fund research and development at private companies, according to HHS.