upi--2020-10-26--WWE Hell in a Cell: Randy Orton, Sasha Banks capture championships

Oct. 26 ( UPI ) -- Randy Orton and Sasha Banks won big at WWE 's Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event .
Orton faced off against WWE Champion Drew McIntyre inside the Hell in a Cell structure in the main event of the night on Sunday .
The Viper attempted to ambush McIntyre from behind while disguised as a cameraman , but the champ was ready and was able to fight off Orton as the match officially got underway .
Orton then focused on McIntyre 's previously injured jaw using a steel chair .
McIntyre was able to throw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up outside the ring .
Orton would recover and found a pair of bolt cutters which he used to escape the cell .
Orton climbed to the top of the structure and dared McIntyre to join him which he did .
Orton , at the top of the cage , tried to attack McIntyre with a steel pipe but missed .
The grapplers , moments later , battled each other while climbing down with Orton gaining the advantage .
McIntyre was unable to hold on and crashed down into the announcer 's table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mouth .
Orton got ready to end things with an RKO but McIntyre reversed it into a pinning attempt which Orton kicked out of .
McIntyre was able to land a last-ditch Claymore but Orton rolled out of the ring .
McIntyre later attempted a second Claymore but Orton dodged it and finally nailed his rival with an RKO to win the match and become WWE Champion once again .
Orton has now become a 14-time world champion , tying Triple H in second place for most world title reigns of all time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tied in first place with 16 world title reigns .
Banks faced off against her former best friend and tag team partner Bayley inside Hell in a Cell for Bayley 's SmackDown Women 's Championship .
Banks started the match by tossing out Bayley 's personal steel chair as the Hell in a Cell structure descended upon the ring .
The Boss wedged Bayley against the cell using a table and later used a table like a ramp to hit Bayley with a Meteora .
Bayley started using kendo sticks against Banks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other .
Banks would later use Bayley 's finishing move the Bayley to Belly to slam the champ onto a ladder .
Bayley eventually got a hold of her steel chair but Banks used it to to her advantage by clamping it onto Bayley 's head .
Banks then placed Bayley into the Bank Statement submission hold , causing her to tap out .
Banks is now the new SmackDown Women 's Champion after Bayley held it for an impressive 380 days .
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defended his title against his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match inside the Hell in a Cell .
This was the first I Quit match to happen inside the punishing structure .
A winner is declared after their opponent says `` I quit . ''
Reigns was able to strike his cousin down with two Spears and gained control of the contest until Jey Uso responded with two Uso Splashes .
The match increasingly got more violent as both men took turns whipping each other with a strap that Jey Uso brought into a ring .
Reigns made Jey Uso pass out by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's new submission hold .
Reigns ' special counselor Paul Heyman looked on in horror as the champ continued to punish Jey Uso with a Drive By and then later with steel steps .
WWE officials attempted to end the match and declare Reigns the winner but Reigns would not accept that outcome and wanted Jeu Uso to quit .
Jey Uso 's brother Jimmy Uso came to the ring and threw his body over his twin , begging Reigns to stop .
Reigns started to get emotional and cried as he listened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uso into the Guillotine .
Jey Uso , wanting to save his brother , finally said `` I quit '' to end the match .
Reigns was greeted at the top of the entrance ramp by Hall of Famers The Wild Samoans , which includes his father Sika and uncle Afa .
The Wild Samoans anointed Reigns as the leader of the family .
Other moments from Hell in a Cell included 24/7 Champion R-Truth successfully defending his title against Drew Gulak ; Elias defeating Jeff Hardy by disqualification after Hardy used Elias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Champion Bobby Lashley successfully defending his title against Slapjack of Retribution ; and The Miz defeating Otis to become the new Mr. Money in the Bank .
The Miz won the match after Otis ' partner Tucker shockingly betrayed him by hitting him in the head with the Money in the Bank briefcase .
The Miz can now use the Money in the Bank briefcase to have a world championship match at anytime of his choosing .

Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Randy Orton and Sasha Banks won big at WWE's Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event.
Orton faced off against WWE Champion Drew McIntyre inside the Hell in a Cell structure in the main event of the night on Sunday.
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The Viper attempted to ambush McIntyre from behind while disguised as a cameraman, but the champ was ready and was able to fight off Orton as the match officially got underway. Orton then focused on McIntyre's previously injured jaw using a steel chair.
McIntyre was able to throw Orton into a table that was set up outside the ring. Orton would recover and found a pair of bolt cutters which he used to escape the cell. Orton climbed to the top of the structure and dared McIntyre to join him which he did.
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Orton, at the top of the cage, tried to attack McIntyre with a steel pipe but missed. The grapplers, moments later, battled each other while climbing down with Orton gaining the advantage. McIntyre was unable to hold on and crashed down into the announcer's table, causing him to bleed from the mouth.
Orton got ready to end things with an RKO but McIntyre reversed it into a pinning attempt which Orton kicked out of. McIntyre was able to land a last-ditch Claymore but Orton rolled out of the ring. McIntyre later attempted a second Claymore but Orton dodged it and finally nailed his rival with an RKO to win the match and become WWE Champion once again.
Orton has now become a 14-time world champion, tying Triple H in second place for most world title reigns of all time. Ric Flair and John Cena are tied in first place with 16 world title reigns.
Banks faced off against her former best friend and tag team partner Bayley inside Hell in a Cell for Bayley's SmackDown Women's Championship.
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Banks started the match by tossing out Bayley's personal steel chair as the Hell in a Cell structure descended upon the ring. The Boss wedged Bayley against the cell using a table and later used a table like a ramp to hit Bayley with a Meteora.
Bayley started using kendo sticks against Banks and the pair exchanged Sunset Flip Powerbombs against each other. Banks would later use Bayley's finishing move the Bayley to Belly to slam the champ onto a ladder.
Bayley eventually got a hold of her steel chair but Banks used it to to her advantage by clamping it onto Bayley's head. Banks then placed Bayley into the Bank Statement submission hold, causing her to tap out. Banks is now the new SmackDown Women's Champion after Bayley held it for an impressive 380 days.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defended his title against his cousin Jey Uso in a I Quit match inside the Hell in a Cell. This was the first I Quit match to happen inside the punishing structure. A winner is declared after their opponent says "I quit."
Reigns was able to strike his cousin down with two Spears and gained control of the contest until Jey Uso responded with two Uso Splashes. The match increasingly got more violent as both men took turns whipping each other with a strap that Jey Uso brought into a ring.
Reigns made Jey Uso pass out by using the Guillotine, the Big Dog's new submission hold. Reigns' special counselor Paul Heyman looked on in horror as the champ continued to punish Jey Uso with a Drive By and then later with steel steps.
WWE officials attempted to end the match and declare Reigns the winner but Reigns would not accept that outcome and wanted Jeu Uso to quit. Jey Uso's brother Jimmy Uso came to the ring and threw his body over his twin, begging Reigns to stop.
Reigns started to get emotional and cried as he listened to Jimmy Uso until he placed Jimmy Uso into the Guillotine. Jey Uso, wanting to save his brother, finally said "I quit" to end the match.
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Reigns was greeted at the top of the entrance ramp by Hall of Famers The Wild Samoans, which includes his father Sika and uncle Afa. The Wild Samoans anointed Reigns as the leader of the family.
Other moments from Hell in a Cell included 24/7 Champion R-Truth successfully defending his title against Drew Gulak; Elias defeating Jeff Hardy by disqualification after Hardy used Elias guitar as a weapon; United States Champion Bobby Lashley successfully defending his title against Slapjack of Retribution; and The Miz defeating Otis to become the new Mr. Money in the Bank.
The Miz won the match after Otis' partner Tucker shockingly betrayed him by hitting him in the head with the Money in the Bank briefcase. The Miz can now use the Money in the Bank briefcase to have a world championship match at anytime of his choosing.


upi--2020-10-26--Cardinals' Kyler Murray outduels Seahawks' Russell Wilson in SNF thriller

Oct. 26 ( UPI ) -- Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray threw three touchdowns apiece before Zane Gonzalez made a 48-yard field goal to lead the Arizona Cardinals to an overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football .
Murray completed 34 of 48 passes for 360 yards , three scores and one interception in the 37-34 thriller at State Farm Stadium in Glendale , Ariz .
He also had a rushing touchdown in the overtime victory .
`` These are the games you dream about , '' Murray told reporters .
`` These are the games you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You have to win to be a part of them .
I 'm super proud of our team not giving up .
`` We kept battling .
That 's huge for us . ''
Wilson completed 33 of 50 passes for 388 yards , three scores and three interceptions .
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett went off for 200 yards and three touchdowns on 15 receptions .
The Seahawks and Cardinals combined for 1,091 total yards .
`` They are a great football team , '' Wilson said .
`` We knew it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It always is down here whenever we play .
Nothing really changes , we just have to tighten up some things and I have to be better . ''
Wilson connected with Lockett for a three-yard score on the first drive of the game before the Seahawks added on a Jason Myers field goal for an early 10-0 lead .
The Cardinals responded with a nine-play , 67-yard touchdown drive .
Murray threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins to end the drive with 2:45 remaining in the first quarter .
Myers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the second quarter to give Seattle a 13-7 lead .
The Seahawks then used a six-play , 97-yard drive to take a 20-7 lead .
Running back Carlos Hyde ran for a 24-yard score to end that drive .
Murray threw a seven-yard touchdown toss to Christian Kirk on the next possession to cut the Seahawks lead to 20-14 before Wilson responded with a 47-yard touchdown pass to Lockett to give momentum back to Seattle .
Gonzalez made a 49-yard field goal to make the score 27-17 at halftime .
The Seahawks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second half before Murray orchestrated a 12-play , 88-yard touchdown drive .
He ran for a five-yard score to cut Seattle 's lead to three .
Wilson threw his third touchdown pass to Lockett with 6:50 remaining to give the Seahawks a 10-point advantage before the Cardinals rallied to force overtime .
Murray threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Kirk with 2:33 remaining before the Cardinals defense forced a Seahawks punt on the next possession .
The Cardinals put together an eight-play drive and marched to the Seattle 26-yard line before Gonzalez split @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seahawks punted on the first drive of overtime before Gonzalez missed wide left on a game-winning field goal attempt .
Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons then intercepted Wilson on the Seahawks next drive .
Murray got the Cardinals to the Seattle 30-yard line to set up Gonzalez for his game-winner .
`` It was a great team win , '' Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson said .
`` To come from behind and face adversity throughout the whole game and continue to stick with it shows we are battle-tested . ''
Peterson , Simmons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory .
`` It 's about takeaways , because they are going to get their yards , '' Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said .
`` They made the [ turnovers ] at crucial points .
When the game was on the line , they showed up biggest .
`` That will build some confidence moving forward .
Their is a lot to clean up , but everybody came together in overtime and we found a way . ''
Hopkins had 10 catches for 103 yards and a score in the win .
Cardinals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from scrimmage on 12 touches .
The Seahawks ( 5-1 ) next host the San Francisco 49ers at 4:25 p.m. EDT on Sunday at CenturyLink Field and the Cardinals ( 5-2 ) have a Week 8 bye before they host the Miami Dolphins at 4:25 p.m. EDT on Nov. 8 .

1/3
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray had three passing scores and a rushing touchdown in a win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz. File Photo by Art Foxall/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray threw three touchdowns apiece before Zane Gonzalez made a 48-yard field goal to lead the Arizona Cardinals to an overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. Murray completed 34 of 48 passes for 360 yards, three scores and one interception in the 37-34 thriller at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. He also had a rushing touchdown in the overtime victory. Advertisement
"These are the games you dream about," Murray told reporters. "These are the games you want to be a part of. You have to win to be a part of them. I'm super proud of our team not giving up.
"We kept battling. That's huge for us."
Wilson completed 33 of 50 passes for 388 yards, three scores and three interceptions. Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett went off for 200 yards and three touchdowns on 15 receptions.
The Seahawks and Cardinals combined for 1,091 total yards.
"They are a great football team," Wilson said. "We knew it was going to be a battle. It always is down here whenever we play. Nothing really changes, we just have to tighten up some things and I have to be better."
Wilson connected with Lockett for a three-yard score on the first drive of the game before the Seahawks added on a Jason Myers field goal for an early 10-0 lead.
The Cardinals responded with a nine-play, 67-yard touchdown drive. Murray threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins to end the drive with 2:45 remaining in the first quarter.
Myers made another field goal at the start of the second quarter to give Seattle a 13-7 lead. The Seahawks then used a six-play, 97-yard drive to take a 20-7 lead. Running back Carlos Hyde ran for a 24-yard score to end that drive.
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Murray threw a seven-yard touchdown toss to Christian Kirk on the next possession to cut the Seahawks lead to 20-14 before Wilson responded with a 47-yard touchdown pass to Lockett to give momentum back to Seattle.
Gonzalez made a 49-yard field goal to make the score 27-17 at halftime.
The Seahawks and Cardinals exchanged punts to start the second half before Murray orchestrated a 12-play, 88-yard touchdown drive. He ran for a five-yard score to cut Seattle's lead to three.
Wilson threw his third touchdown pass to Lockett with 6:50 remaining to give the Seahawks a 10-point advantage before the Cardinals rallied to force overtime.
Murray threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Kirk with 2:33 remaining before the Cardinals defense forced a Seahawks punt on the next possession.
The Cardinals put together an eight-play drive and marched to the Seattle 26-yard line before Gonzalez split the uprights as time expired.
The Seahawks punted on the first drive of overtime before Gonzalez missed wide left on a game-winning field goal attempt. Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons then intercepted Wilson on the Seahawks next drive.
Murray got the Cardinals to the Seattle 30-yard line to set up Gonzalez for his game-winner.
"It was a great team win," Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson said. "To come from behind and face adversity throughout the whole game and continue to stick with it shows we are battle-tested."
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Peterson, Simmons and Budda Baker each intercepted Wilson in the victory.
"It's about takeaways, because they are going to get their yards," Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said. "They made the [turnovers] at crucial points. When the game was on the line, they showed up biggest.
"That will build some confidence moving forward. Their is a lot to clean up, but everybody came together in overtime and we found a way."
Hopkins had 10 catches for 103 yards and a score in the win. Cardinals running back Chase Edmunds had 145 yards from scrimmage on 12 touches.
The Seahawks (5-1) next host the San Francisco 49ers at 4:25 p.m. EDT on Sunday at CenturyLink Field and the Cardinals (5-2) have a Week 8 bye before they host the Miami Dolphins at 4:25 p.m. EDT on Nov. 8.


upi--2020-10-26--Watch live: Senate holds final confirmation vote for Amy Coney Barrett

Oct. 26 ( UPI ) -- The Senate is expected to make a final vote Monday on the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court after a rare weekend session .
The Senate voted 51-48 Sunday to break a Democratic filibuster of Barrett 's nomination , setting up the final vote that 's expected to confirm her to the high court .
Barrett needs a simple majority of 51 votes for confirmation .
Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins , who is in a race for re-election , has already said she will vote `` no '' on Barrett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could join the bench as soon as Tuesday and give conservatives a 6-3 majority on the court .
The final vote is expected later Monday and could occur as late as 8 p.m. EDT .
`` We made an important contribution to the future of this country , '' Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Sunday .
`` A lot of what we 've done over the last four years will be undone sooner or later by the next election .
They wo n't be able to do much about this for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , citing the Nov. 3 election , have assailed the process as illegitimate and rushed for political reasons .
They say Barrett 's confirmation will affect the court 's rulings on abortion , the Affordable Care Act and civil rights .
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer accused Republicans of employing `` raw political power '' to `` hold a confirmation vote tomorrow night , eight days before the election and after more than 50 million Americans have voted for president -- quite possibly a different president -- to pick justices on their behalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend that he will be in his seat as Senate president during Monday 's vote , even though several of his close aides have tested positive for COVID-19 .
`` The vice president is maintaining his campaign schedule and , inexplicably , intends to preside over the Senate chamber , '' Schumer said Sunday .
`` Their carelessness with the health and safety of their colleagues and Capitol employees mirrors their carelessness with the health and safety of Americans during this crisis . ''

Amy Coney Barrett is sworn in as a U.S. Supreme Court justice in a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday, October 26, 2020. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Amy Coney Barrett was sworn in as a U.S. Supreme Court justice on Monday night after the Senate voted to confirm her nomination. The Senate voted 52-48 to confirm Barrett to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died of cancer on Sept. 18, and she was sworn-in by Justice Clarence Thomas during a ceremony outside the White House. Advertisement
"It is a privilege to be asked to serve my country in this office and I stand here tonight truly honored and humbled," Barrett said.
Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the judicial oath Tuesday at the Supreme Court, allowing her to "begin to participate in the work of the court" and giving conservatives a 6-3 majority on the high court bench.
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During Monday night's ceremony, Barrett pledged that she will make her rulings free of political influence.
"The oath that I've solemnly taken tonight, means at its core that I will do my job without any fear or favor and that I will do so independently of both the political branches and of my own preferences," she said.
"I love the Constitution and the democratic republic that it establishes and I will devote myself to preserving it.
Barrett is the third Supreme Court justice appointed by President Donald Trump since he took office in 2017.
"The Constitution is the ultimate defense of American liberty. The faithful application of the law is the cornerstone of our republic. That is why as president I have no more solemn application and no greater honor than to appoint Supreme Court justices," Trump said.
Trump also honored Ginsburg as "a true pioneer for women" and said Barrett will be the fifth woman and first mother of school-age children to serve on the Supreme Court.
The White House implemented social distancing measures at Monday night's ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, placing about 200 chairs spaced a few feet apart and requiring all attendees to wear a mask, CNN reported.
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Following a September ceremony in the Rose Garden announcing Barrett's confirmation, dozens of attendees, including Trump, tested positive for COVID-19.
Monday's vote exceeded the simple majority needed to confirm Barrett, with just Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who is in a race for re-election, following through on her declaration that she would join Democrats and vote "no" on Barrett's confirmation.
"The Senate just confirmed Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States. One of the most impressive nominees for public office in a generation that will serve for life on the highest court," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell wrote on Twitter following the vote.
Ahead of the vote, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer described Monday as "one of the darkest days in the 231-year history of the United States Senate."
Democrats have assailed the confirmation process as illegitimate and rushed for political reasons. They say Barrett's confirmation will affect the court's rulings on abortion, the Affordable Care Act and civil rights.
"Let the records show that tonight the Republican Senate majority decided to thwart the will of the people and confirm a lifetime selection to the Supreme Court in the middle of an election after more than 60 million Americans have voted," Schumer said.
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Monday's vote followed a rare Sunday session where the Senate voted 51-48 to break a Democratic filibuster of Barrett's nomination.
Vice President Mike Pence was absent from his seat as Senate president during Monday's vote. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, the president pro tempore of the Senate, presided over the vote.


upi--2020-10-26--Vote-counting process could extend way beyond election night

Oct. 26 ( UPI ) -- The results of the Nov. 3 presidential election may not be known until days -- or even weeks -- later as states work to accommodate changes in voter behavior due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
With early voting underway , many states are reporting record numbers of votes cast in person and by mail as voters look to maintain social distancing and avoid crowds and long lines at the polls on Election Day .
Experts advise that these changes in voting patterns could bring delays in tallying results .
`` It 's always been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certified election results on Election Day , that always takes time , but I think there will be some increase in what we call late-arriving ballots -- ballots that were actually postmarked by the deadline and they , by law , are allowed to be received , '' Matthew Weil , director of the Elections Project at the Bipartisan Policy Center , told UPI .
While about half of states require mail-in ballots to be received by election officials by Election Day , 24 states and Washington , D.C. -- including the battleground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and North Carolina -- will accept ballots that are postmarked by Nov. 3 .
These states represent 344 of the 538 Electoral College votes to choose the president .
It takes 270 electoral votes to win .
Many of the states that accept ballots after Election Day allow at least up to a week for them to arrive .
Ohio takes ballots arriving as late as Nov. 13 and Washington state up to Nov. 23 .
These deadlines have been the center of legal challenges , as the Supreme Court allowed Pennsylvania to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 6 , while an appeals court in Michigan , also a swing state , rejected a bid to extend the state 's grace period two weeks beyond Election Day .
`` If you do n't have the absentee ballots to report out , then what you 're going to have on election night is mostly going to be whatever happened on Election Day , '' Weil said .
`` And because we 're going to see this somewhat historic bifurcation of who votes when , that could mean some shifting results throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Also at issue is when states are allowed to begin processing ballots , as many do not permit election officials to begin handling mail-in ballots until the polls have closed .
A total of 31 states do not permit absentee ballots to be counted before Election Day , with most not allowing counting before 8 p.m. that day and North Dakota and New Hampshire specifically stating counting may not begin until polls close .
`` The concern is that if the election officials have to start tallying all the last day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tally these mail-in ballots all together , then it 's going to take them days , '' Chad Dunn , co-founder and co-director of the UCLA Voting Rights Project , told UPI .
Dunn said , however , that many states have taken steps to adapt to the influx of mail-in ballots .
Arizona and Florida , he noted , are prepared to tabulate most of their ballots by the time polls close .
`` If we get into a circumstance where it 's down to one or two states , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tabulate their votes , then there 's opportunities for mischief there .
But it 's got to be sort of a parade of things that go wrong to end up in that spot , '' he said .
Mail-in voting has been encouraged by health officials , due to COVID-19 , and some states have relaxed laws around absentee voting to allow more people to vote by mail .
President Donald Trump , who votes absentee in Florida , has regularly sought to undermine the legitimacy of mail-in ballots by alleging widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wray , as well as numerous studies on the issue , have said there is no evidence .
Another potential cause for delay are the provisional ballots given to voters at the polls .
That 's done if their eligibility can not be confirmed or , in some states , if they choose to vote in person after requesting a mail-in ballot .
Weil said many who registered to vote by mail earlier in the pandemic but changed their minds , shaken by Trump 's rhetoric , may be given provisional ballots .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , increased lines at in-person polling places and delay the overall timeline for election results as provisional ballots are counted last .
`` They 're counted after all of the election night , early voting and absentee voting is done .
So a sizable increase in provisional ballots could also slow down the process , '' Weil said .
`` Hopefully , these things are n't going to be massive increases .
But on the margins and in close races , where you have to wait for everything to come in , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time we have after Election Day for challenges and recounts . ''
2020 has seen a surge in early voting .
While the official numbers from those votes will not be available until Election Day , candidates can infer information about how votes are being cast based on voter registrations .
Amy Dacey , executive director of the Sine Institute of Policy and Politics at American University and former CEO of the Democratic National Committee , said this information can guide candidates on how to spend their time during the days leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and polling can be an indicator of if you need to move resources around in the final weeks to different states to boost some of the turnout or to help you in places where you need it , '' she said .
`` Also , there 's no guarantee of knowing who 's going to show up on Election Day .
You have to take in a lot of factors in these final weeks to see what battleground states are essential to getting to the 270 electoral vote number . ''
No matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges or other issues in the following days , Dacey highlighted two days for voters to watch when it comes to determining the presidential race : Dec. 14 , when the Electoral College meets to vote , and Jan. 6 , when Congress votes to certify the election .
`` Somebody giving a victory speech or not willing to concede does not make that decision , '' she said .
`` Those two dates are very important in this process and certainly archives , the Federal Register , individual states are all involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward . ''

Palm Beach County residents are given this sticker after they vote in the 2020 presidential election, pictured at the West Boca Branch library in Boca Raton, Fla., on October 19. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 26 (UPI) -- The results of the Nov. 3 presidential election may not be known until days -- or even weeks -- later as states work to accommodate changes in voter behavior due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With early voting underway, many states are reporting record numbers of votes cast in person and by mail as voters look to maintain social distancing and avoid crowds and long lines at the polls on Election Day. Advertisement
Experts advise that these changes in voting patterns could bring delays in tallying results.
"It's always been the case that we don't have certified election results on Election Day, that always takes time, but I think there will be some increase in what we call late-arriving ballots -- ballots that were actually postmarked by the deadline and they, by law, are allowed to be received," Matthew Weil, director of the Elections Project at the Bipartisan Policy Center, told UPI.
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While about half of states require mail-in ballots to be received by election officials by Election Day, 24 states and Washington, D.C. -- including the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and North Carolina -- will accept ballots that are postmarked by Nov. 3. These states represent 344 of the 538 Electoral College votes to choose the president. It takes 270 electoral votes to win.
Many of the states that accept ballots after Election Day allow at least up to a week for them to arrive. Ohio takes ballots arriving as late as Nov. 13 and Washington state up to Nov. 23.
These deadlines have been the center of legal challenges, as the Supreme Court allowed Pennsylvania to extend the counting of mail-in ballots to Nov. 6, while an appeals court in Michigan, also a swing state, rejected a bid to extend the state's grace period two weeks beyond Election Day.
"If you don't have the absentee ballots to report out, then what you're going to have on election night is mostly going to be whatever happened on Election Day," Weil said. "And because we're going to see this somewhat historic bifurcation of who votes when, that could mean some shifting results throughout the night and the days that follow."
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Also at issue is when states are allowed to begin processing ballots, as many do not permit election officials to begin handling mail-in ballots until the polls have closed.
A total of 31 states do not permit absentee ballots to be counted before Election Day, with most not allowing counting before 8 p.m. that day and North Dakota and New Hampshire specifically stating counting may not begin until polls close.
"The concern is that if the election officials have to start tallying all the last day of voting ballots and then also have to tally these mail-in ballots all together, then it's going to take them days," Chad Dunn, co-founder and co-director of the UCLA Voting Rights Project, told UPI.
Dunn said, however, that many states have taken steps to adapt to the influx of mail-in ballots. Arizona and Florida, he noted, are prepared to tabulate most of their ballots by the time polls close.
"If we get into a circumstance where it's down to one or two states, and those states are taking days and days to tabulate their votes, then there's opportunities for mischief there. But it's got to be sort of a parade of things that go wrong to end up in that spot," he said.
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Mail-in voting has been encouraged by health officials, due to COVID-19, and some states have relaxed laws around absentee voting to allow more people to vote by mail. President Donald Trump, who votes absentee in Florida, has regularly sought to undermine the legitimacy of mail-in ballots by alleging widespread voter fraud. But FBI Director Christopher Wray, as well as numerous studies on the issue, have said there is no evidence.
Another potential cause for delay are the provisional ballots given to voters at the polls. That's done if their eligibility cannot be confirmed or, in some states, if they choose to vote in person after requesting a mail-in ballot.
Weil said many who registered to vote by mail earlier in the pandemic but changed their minds, shaken by Trump's rhetoric, may be given provisional ballots.
Those can place strain on election workers, increased lines at in-person polling places and delay the overall timeline for election results as provisional ballots are counted last.
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"They're counted after all of the election night, early voting and absentee voting is done. So a sizable increase in provisional ballots could also slow down the process," Weil said. "Hopefully, these things aren't going to be massive increases. But on the margins and in close races, where you have to wait for everything to come in, it is certainly going to condense the amount of time we have after Election Day for challenges and recounts."
2020 has seen a surge in early voting. While the official numbers from those votes will not be available until Election Day, candidates can infer information about how votes are being cast based on voter registrations.
Amy Dacey, executive director of the Sine Institute of Policy and Politics at American University and former CEO of the Democratic National Committee, said this information can guide candidates on how to spend their time during the days leading up to Nov. 3.
"That and polling can be an indicator of if you need to move resources around in the final weeks to different states to boost some of the turnout or to help you in places where you need it," she said. "Also, there's no guarantee of knowing who's going to show up on Election Day. You have to take in a lot of factors in these final weeks to see what battleground states are essential to getting to the 270 electoral vote number."
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No matter the results on election night and any challenges or other issues in the following days, Dacey highlighted two days for voters to watch when it comes to determining the presidential race: Dec. 14, when the Electoral College meets to vote, and Jan. 6, when Congress votes to certify the election.
"Somebody giving a victory speech or not willing to concede does not make that decision," she said. "Those two dates are very important in this process and certainly archives, the Federal Register, individual states are all involved in that process and certainly Congress moving forward."
2020 election: scenes from final stretch of presidential campaign


upi--2020-10-26--Famous birthdays for Oct. 26: Hillary Clinton, Keith Urban

Oct. 26 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Scorpio .
-- Mohammad @ @ @ @ @ shah of Iran , in 1919 -- Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 1947 @ @ @ @

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton waves as she exits Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City on July 25, 2019 after her grandson's birth. The former first lady turns 72 on October 25. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Scorpio. They include: Advertisement
-- Cereal foods entrepreneur C. W. Post in 1854
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Judy Johnson in 1900
-- Boxing champion Primo Carnera in 1906
-- Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last shah of Iran, in 1919
-- Actor Bob Hoskins in 1942
-- Author Pat Conroy in 1945
-- Actor Jaclyn Smith in 1945 (age 75)
-- TV personality Pat Sajak in 1946 (age 74)
-- Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 1947 (age 73)
-- Rock musician Keith Strickland in 1953 (age 67)
-- Actor James Pickens Jr. in 1954 (age 66)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Actor Rita Wilson in 1956 (age 64)
-- Bolivian President Evo Morales in 1959 (age 61)
-- Actor Dylan McDermott in 1961 (age 59)
-- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in 1961 (age 59)
-- Actor Cary Elwes in 1962 (age 58)
-- Actor Tom Cavanagh in 1963 (age 57)
-- Singer Natalie Merchant in 1963 (age 57)
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-- Country singer Keith Urban in 1967 (age 53)
File Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
-- Actor Seth MacFarlane in 1973 (age 47)
-- Actor Jon Heder in 1977 (age 43)
-- Wrestler CM Punk, born Phillip Jack Brooks, in 1978 (age 42)
-- Actor Julian Dennison in 2002 (age 18)


upi--2020-10-26--On This Day, Oct. 26: Allied troops take 1,450 Axis prisoners in Egypt

Oct. 26 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1825 , the Erie Canal , America 's first man-made waterway , was opened , linking the Great Lakes and Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River .
In 1881 , the storied gunfight at the O.K .
Corral occurred in Tombstone , Ariz .
In 1920 , the lord mayor of Cork , Ireland , Terence McSwiney , demanding independence for Ireland , died after a 2 1/2-month hunger strike in a British prison cell .
In 1942 , Allied troops moving through the Egyptian front captured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the armored clash and pulverized the enemy line .
In 1944 , after four days of furious fighting , the World War II battle of Leyte Gulf , largest air-naval clash in history , ended with a decisive U.S. victory over the Japanese .
In 1951 , British voters placed Winston Churchill 's Conservative Party at the helm of government today after six years of socialism .
In 1979 , South Korean President Park Chung-hee was assassinated by the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency .
In 1984 , doctors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a 14-day-old girl , known as Baby Fae .
The baby died of heart failure Nov. 15 .
In 1990 , District of Columbia Mayor Marion Barry was sentenced to six months in prison and fined $ 5,000 for his conviction on misdemeanor drug charges .
Barry became mayor again in 1995 .
In 1994 , Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty at a desert site along the Israeli-Jordanian border .
In 1995 , Islamic Jihad leader co-founder , Fathi Shaqaqi ( Fathi ash-Shiqaqi ) , was assassinated by Mossad agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1998 , the presidents of Ecuador and Peru signed a peace treaty , ending a decades-long border dispute .
In 2002 , a four-day Moscow hostage crisis came to a bloody end after Russian soldiers stormed a theater where Chechen rebels had held 700 people for ransom .
Ninety hostages and 50 rebels were killed .
In 2010 , GlaxoSmithKline , the British drug manufacturer , agreed to settle criminal and civil complaints for $ 750 million , stemming from accusations of knowingly selling drugs with questionable safety standards .
In 2015 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing nearly 400 people there and in India and Pakistan .
In 2018 , the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers began what would become the longest World Series game both in time ( 7 hours , 20 minutes ) and number of innings ( 18 ) .
The Angeles won 3-2 to put the series at 2-1 , but the Red Sox won the series two days later .

1/3
Italian prisoners of war captured in the El Alamein area entering the "cage" preceeded by their guard. Picture taken ca. Nov. 1942. File Photo by OWI/UPI
Oct. 26 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1825, the Erie Canal, America's first man-made waterway, was opened, linking the Great Lakes and Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River. Advertisement
In 1881, the storied gunfight at the O.K. Corral occurred in Tombstone, Ariz.
In 1920, the lord mayor of Cork, Ireland, Terence McSwiney, demanding independence for Ireland, died after a 2 1/2-month hunger strike in a British prison cell.
In 1942, Allied troops moving through the Egyptian front captured 1,450 Axis prisoners, routed Nazi tanks in the armored clash and pulverized the enemy line.
In 1944, after four days of furious fighting, the World War II battle of Leyte Gulf, largest air-naval clash in history, ended with a decisive U.S. victory over the Japanese.
File Photo by US Navy/UPI
In 1951, British voters placed Winston Churchill's Conservative Party at the helm of government today after six years of socialism.
In 1979, South Korean President Park Chung-hee was assassinated by the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency.
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In 1984, doctors in California performed the first baboon-to-human heart transplant in a 14-day-old girl, known as Baby Fae. The baby died of heart failure Nov. 15.
In 1990, District of Columbia Mayor Marion Barry was sentenced to six months in prison and fined $5,000 for his conviction on misdemeanor drug charges. Barry became mayor again in 1995.
File Photo by Bruce Young/UPI
In 1994, Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty at a desert site along the Israeli-Jordanian border.
In 1995, Islamic Jihad leader co-founder, Fathi Shaqaqi (Fathi ash-Shiqaqi), was assassinated by Mossad agents at his hotel in Malta.
In 1998, the presidents of Ecuador and Peru signed a peace treaty, ending a decades-long border dispute.
In 2002, a four-day Moscow hostage crisis came to a bloody end after Russian soldiers stormed a theater where Chechen rebels had held 700 people for ransom. Ninety hostages and 50 rebels were killed.
In 2010, GlaxoSmithKline, the British drug manufacturer, agreed to settle criminal and civil complaints for $750 million, stemming from accusations of knowingly selling drugs with questionable safety standards.
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In 2015, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Afghanistan, killing nearly 400 people there and in India and Pakistan.
In 2017, President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency.
In 2018, the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers began what would become the longest World Series game both in time (7 hours, 20 minutes) and number of innings (18). The Angeles won 3-2 to put the series at 2-1, but the Red Sox won the series two days later.


upi--2020-10-26--World Series: Dodgers top Rays in Game 5, take 3-2 lead

Oct. 25 ( UPI ) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers grabbed an early three-run lead and held on for a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington , Texas .
With the victory , the Dodgers took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series and sit one win away from their first championship since 1988 .
Game 6 of the series is Tuesday night .
On the heels of a shocking loss to the Rays in the ninth inning of Game 4 on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dodgers with a strong pitching performance , plus an exceptional defensive play that prevented a run from scoring .
Kershaw , who beat the Rays for the second time in six days , escaped a fourth-inning jam when Manuel Margot nearly circled the bases .
Margot drew a walk and reached third after stealing second and advancing again on an error .
Margot then tried for a rare steal of home , but was cut down by Kershaw at the plate to prevent the tying run .
`` Well , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one other time that I can remember , '' Kershaw said .
`` Carlos Gomez tried it against me in Houston one time .
You know , I work on that with the first basemen . ''
Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy was ready for the steal attempt .
`` I was fortunate enough to see one or two guys break hard , so I knew what to expect when he broke , '' Muncy said .
`` I sprinted toward Kersh and said , 'Home !
Home !
Home ! '
'' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Series MVP , continued his red-hot hitting this postseason with a single that scored Mookie Betts in the first inning .
A few at-bats later , Cody Bellinger pushed the Dodgers ' lead to 2-0 with an infield single .
Dodgers slugger Joc Pederson led off the second inning with a solo homer to deep center field , giving Los Angeles its early 3-0 advantage .
The Rays ' offense finally got going in the third when Yandy Diaz tripled to right , scoring Kevin Kiermaier .
Rookie sensation Randy Arozarena then singled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third base to cut the Rays ' deficit to 3-2 .
Arozarena 's run-scoring single was his 27th hit in the 2020 playoffs , setting a MLB record for most hits in a single postseason .
The 25-year-old star already set the record for most home runs in one postseason ( nine ) during Game 4 of the series .
In the fifth inning , the Dodgers got a much-needed insurance run when Muncy blasted a 434-foot home run to right .
The Rays stranded two runners in the eighth and another in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miraculous comeback they had in the ninth inning of Game 4 .
Kershaw allowed only two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings .
He recorded six strikeouts to become the all-time postseason strikeout king with 207 , breaking the record of 205 set last year by the Houston Astros ' Justin Verlander .
Blake Treinen shut the door in the ninth for his first career postseason save .
He gave up a leadoff single , but settled down with two strikeouts to seal the Dodgers ' win .
`` Kersh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for what we 've been able to do in this World Series , '' Treinen said .
`` There 's a tough narrative on him .
He 's a phenomenal pitcher on the biggest stage . ''
Tyler Glasnow gave up all four runs on six hits in five innings for the Rays .
He struck out seven batters , but issued three walks .
The Rays ' bullpen did n't allow any hits after Glasnow departed .
The Rays are expected to send ace Blake Snell to the mound in Game 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reveal their starter .

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy (L) celebrates with teammates Joc Pederson (C) and Justin Turner after hitting a solo home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning in Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Tannen Maury/EPA-EFE
Oct. 25 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers grabbed an early three-run lead and held on for a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. With the victory, the Dodgers took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series and sit one win away from their first championship since 1988. Game 6 of the series is Tuesday night. Advertisement
On the heels of a shocking loss to the Rays in the ninth inning of Game 4 on Saturday night, starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw steadied the Dodgers with a strong pitching performance, plus an exceptional defensive play that prevented a run from scoring.
Kershaw, who beat the Rays for the second time in six days, escaped a fourth-inning jam when Manuel Margot nearly circled the bases. Margot drew a walk and reached third after stealing second and advancing again on an error.
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Margot then tried for a rare steal of home, but was cut down by Kershaw at the plate to prevent the tying run.
"Well, it's happened to me before, at least one other time that I can remember," Kershaw said. "Carlos Gomez tried it against me in Houston one time. You know, I work on that with the first basemen."
Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy was ready for the steal attempt.
"I was fortunate enough to see one or two guys break hard, so I knew what to expect when he broke," Muncy said. "I sprinted toward Kersh and said, 'Home! Home! Home!'"
Corey Seager, the National League Championship Series MVP, continued his red-hot hitting this postseason with a single that scored Mookie Betts in the first inning. A few at-bats later, Cody Bellinger pushed the Dodgers' lead to 2-0 with an infield single.
Dodgers slugger Joc Pederson led off the second inning with a solo homer to deep center field, giving Los Angeles its early 3-0 advantage.
The Rays' offense finally got going in the third when Yandy Diaz tripled to right, scoring Kevin Kiermaier. Rookie sensation Randy Arozarena then singled to shallow left to score Diaz from third base to cut the Rays' deficit to 3-2.
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Arozarena's run-scoring single was his 27th hit in the 2020 playoffs, setting a MLB record for most hits in a single postseason. The 25-year-old star already set the record for most home runs in one postseason (nine) during Game 4 of the series.
In the fifth inning, the Dodgers got a much-needed insurance run when Muncy blasted a 434-foot home run to right. The Rays stranded two runners in the eighth and another in the ninth, failing to replicate the miraculous comeback they had in the ninth inning of Game 4.
Kershaw allowed only two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. He recorded six strikeouts to become the all-time postseason strikeout king with 207, breaking the record of 205 set last year by the Houston Astros' Justin Verlander.
Blake Treinen shut the door in the ninth for his first career postseason save. He gave up a leadoff single, but settled down with two strikeouts to seal the Dodgers' win.
"Kersh, a lot of credit goes to him for what we've been able to do in this World Series," Treinen said. "There's a tough narrative on him. He's a phenomenal pitcher on the biggest stage."
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Tyler Glasnow gave up all four runs on six hits in five innings for the Rays. He struck out seven batters, but issued three walks. The Rays' bullpen didn't allow any hits after Glasnow departed.
The Rays are expected to send ace Blake Snell to the mound in Game 6, while the Dodgers have yet to reveal their starter.


upi--2020-10-26--Cam Newton benched in Patriots' blowout loss to 49ers

Oct. 25 ( UPI ) -- The New England Patriots benched starting quarterback Cam Newton early in the fourth quarter of their 33-6 blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday .
Newton continued his trend of turning the ball over , throwing three interceptions and looking uncomfortable throughout the game .
The Patriots replaced him with Jarrett Stidham with 13:20 left in the final quarter .
Newton completed 9 of 15 pass attempts for 98 yards before being pulled .
The 33-6 defeat marked the worst home loss in Bill Belichick 's 21-year tenure as head coach of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues , Belichick said that Newton `` absolutely '' remains the team 's starter moving forward .
The longtime Patriots coach said he decided to put Stidham in the game to get him more experience .
Entering Sunday 's game against the 49ers , the Patriots had lost by 20 or more points at home only three times under Belichick -- with two of those defeats coming in 2008 .
Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was out for the season because of a torn ACL that year .
`` I 've just been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off for me , and at times it 's not rewarding when you 're just going out there with this aura about yourself that 's not you , '' Newton said .
`` I love playing this game , I have fun playing this game , but the performances here have n't been delightful for me .
`` ... A lot of things start and stop at that position , and I have put this team in a rut with the performances here . ''
In the team 's 2-4 start , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- the fewest in the NFL -- and 11 interceptions , the most in the league .
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo completed 20 of his 25 pass attempts for 277 yards and two interceptions .
He connected with rookie Brandon Aiyuk six times for 115 yards .
Jeff Wilson Jr. had 112 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries for the Niners .
George Kittle , who received praise from Belichick earlier in the week , notched five receptions for 55 yards .
In place of Newton , Stidham was 6 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick .
Damien Harris led the team with 58 rushing yards on 10 carries .
The Patriots will play the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills ( 5-2 ) next week , while the 49ers will take on the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks ( 5-1 ) .

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New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton looks up toward the empty stands while on the sideline in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 25 (UPI) -- The New England Patriots benched starting quarterback Cam Newton early in the fourth quarter of their 33-6 blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Newton continued his trend of turning the ball over, throwing three interceptions and looking uncomfortable throughout the game. The Patriots replaced him with Jarrett Stidham with 13:20 left in the final quarter. Advertisement
Newton completed 9 of 15 pass attempts for 98 yards before being pulled. The 33-6 defeat marked the worst home loss in Bill Belichick's 21-year tenure as head coach of the Patriots.
Despite Newton's turnover issues, Belichick said that Newton "absolutely" remains the team's starter moving forward. The longtime Patriots coach said he decided to put Stidham in the game to get him more experience.
Entering Sunday's game against the 49ers, the Patriots had lost by 20 or more points at home only three times under Belichick -- with two of those defeats coming in 2008. Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was out for the season because of a torn ACL that year.
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"I've just been pressing. The energy has definitely been off for me, and at times it's not rewarding when you're just going out there with this aura about yourself that's not you," Newton said. "I love playing this game, I have fun playing this game, but the performances here haven't been delightful for me.
"... A lot of things start and stop at that position, and I have put this team in a rut with the performances here."
In the team's 2-4 start, the Patriots have thrown only three touchdown passes -- the fewest in the NFL -- and 11 interceptions, the most in the league.
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo completed 20 of his 25 pass attempts for 277 yards and two interceptions. He connected with rookie Brandon Aiyuk six times for 115 yards.
Jeff Wilson Jr. had 112 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries for the Niners. George Kittle, who received praise from Belichick earlier in the week, notched five receptions for 55 yards.
In place of Newton, Stidham was 6 of 10 passing for 64 yards and one pick. Damien Harris led the team with 58 rushing yards on 10 carries.
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The Patriots will play the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills (5-2) next week, while the 49ers will take on the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks (5-1).


upi--2020-10-26--Santa actors were offered early vaccine as part of scrapped federal PSA campaign: HHS

Oct. 25 ( UPI ) -- Federal health officials in a scrapped $ 250 million promotional campaign offered professional Santa Claus actors early access to a vaccine for COVID-19 in exchange for participating in pro-vaccine public service announcements , the Department of Health and Human Services said Sunday .
Santa Claus actors , as well as those playing Mrs. Claus and Christmas elves , were to be hired as part of a cancelled celebrity campaign to promote getting vaccinated , an HHS official told the New York Times .
The campaign was envisioned by President Donald Trump 's then-appointee Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has been on medical leave since September after being diagnosed with cancer and posting conspiracy theories on his Facebook page , including a video accusing the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention of harboring a `` resistance unit '' seeking to undermine Trump .
The office of HHS Secretary Alex M. Azar said this week that the program had been cancelled .
The Santa `` collaboration will not be happening , '' a spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal .
In late August , as the coronavirus pandemic peaked across parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency approached Ric Erwin , chairman of the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas , to ask if members would participate in TV , radio , social media and podcast ads and live events in 35 cities .
The campaign was titled `` Covid 19 Public Health and Reopening America Public Service Announcements and Advertising Campaign '' designed to `` defeat despair , inspire hope and achieve national recovery , '' the Wall Street Journal reported .
The Santa group agreed to participate and asked to be given the vaccine early , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2009 for H1N1 .
The actors who play Santa are in an `` at risk '' category because of their `` advanced age '' and `` underlying health issues , '' Erwin wrote in a newsletter for Santa actors .
`` Furthermore , health care officials all concurred that our high rate of interpersonal contact with young children ( who are notorious vectors for disease dissemination ) further highlighted our need for the vaccine , '' he added .
Christmas seasonal workers are watching their livelihoods disappear as stores like Macy 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mrs. Claus and their elves .
Some tech-savvy Santas have offered a Zoom alternative or pre-recorded video messages .
Caputo told Erwin in August that the vaccine was likely to be approved in the late fall and that Santas and other seasonal workers would have it by Thanksgiving , the Wall Street Journal reported .
`` If you and your colleagues are not essential workers , I do n't know what is , '' Caputo said on a call , which was recorded by Erwin .
`` I can not wait to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He 's going to love this . ''

Santa Claus actors were offered early access to a future COVID-19 vaccine as part of a scrapped $250 million PSA campaign by federal health officials. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Federal health officials in a scrapped $250 million promotional campaign offered professional Santa Claus actors early access to a vaccine for COVID-19 in exchange for participating in pro-vaccine public service announcements, the Department of Health and Human Services said Sunday. Santa Claus actors, as well as those playing Mrs. Claus and Christmas elves, were to be hired as part of a cancelled celebrity campaign to promote getting vaccinated, an HHS official told the New York Times. Advertisement
The campaign was envisioned by President Donald Trump's then-appointee Michael Caputo, a former HHS assistant secretary, who has been on medical leave since September after being diagnosed with cancer and posting conspiracy theories on his Facebook page, including a video accusing the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention of harboring a "resistance unit" seeking to undermine Trump.
The office of HHS Secretary Alex M. Azar said this week that the program had been cancelled. The Santa "collaboration will not be happening," a spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal.
In late August, as the coronavirus pandemic peaked across parts of the United States, Caputo and the agency approached Ric Erwin, chairman of the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas, to ask if members would participate in TV, radio, social media and podcast ads and live events in 35 cities.
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The campaign was titled "Covid 19 Public Health and Reopening America Public Service Announcements and Advertising Campaign" designed to "defeat despair, inspire hope and achieve national recovery," the Wall Street Journal reported.
The Santa group agreed to participate and asked to be given the vaccine early, as Santa actors had been vaccinated early in 2009 for H1N1.
The actors who play Santa are in an "at risk" category because of their "advanced age" and "underlying health issues," Erwin wrote in a newsletter for Santa actors.
"Furthermore, health care officials all concurred that our high rate of interpersonal contact with young children (who are notorious vectors for disease dissemination) further highlighted our need for the vaccine," he added.
Christmas seasonal workers are watching their livelihoods disappear as stores like Macy's have cancelled in-person visits with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their elves. Some tech-savvy Santas have offered a Zoom alternative or pre-recorded video messages.
Caputo told Erwin in August that the vaccine was likely to be approved in the late fall and that Santas and other seasonal workers would have it by Thanksgiving, the Wall Street Journal reported.
"If you and your colleagues are not essential workers, I don't know what is," Caputo said on a call, which was recorded by Erwin. "I cannot wait to tell the president," Caputo added. "He's going to love this."


upi--2020-10-25--UFC 254: Khabib Nurmagomedov beats Justin Gaethje, announces retirement

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- Khabib Nurmagomedov , while fighting with a broken foot , submitted Justin Gaethje via triangle choke during the second round in the main event of UFC 254 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates .
It was Nurmagomedov 's first bout since his father and head coach , Abdulmanap , died in July from COVID-19 complications .
After the fight , an emotional Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from mixed martial arts .
The 32-year-old Nurmagomedov said his mother did n't want him to continue competing without his father .
He told her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final .
`` I want to say this was my last fight , '' Nurmagomedov said .
`` ...
I promised her this was going to be my last fight .
If I give my word , I have to follow this .
...
It was my father 's dream . ''
Nurmagomedov put the final touches on his MMA career as he took Gaethje down and locked in the triangle choke to make him go unconscious at one minute , 34 seconds of the second round .
According to ESPN Stats & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only the third ever in UFC title history .
Nurmagomedov 's win unified the UFC lightweight title .
Nurmagomedov entered as the UFC lightweight champion , and Gaethje was the interim titleholder .
`` I know he made his father so proud , '' Gaethje said .
Nurmagomedov ( 29-0 ) went into the fight undefeated .
The victory ties him with B.J .
Penn and Benson Henderson for the most title defenses in UFC lightweight history ( three ) .
Nurmagomedov , a native of Dagestan in Russia , also improved his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becoming only the second fighter after Anderson Silva to begin a UFC career with 13 consecutive wins .
`` What this guy has been through , we 're all lucky that we got to see him fight [ Saturday ] , '' UFC president Dana White said .
`` ...
Apparently , he was in the hospital and he broke his foot three weeks ago .
So he has two broken toes and a bone in his foot that 's broken .
That 's what his corner told me .
`` He 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He 's the No .
1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world . ''
Gaethje ( 22-3 ) was on a four-fight winning streak going into the bout against Nurmagomedov .
He beat Tony Ferguson to win the UFC interim lightweight belt at UFC 249 in May .
The fight between Gaethje and Nurmagomedov took place without fans at the Flash Forum on Yas Island , which the UFC has dubbed `` Fight Island . ''

The fight against Justin Gaethje was Khabib Nurmagomedov's (R) first bout since his father and head coach, Abdulmanap (L), died in July from COVID-19 complications. File Photo by Maxim Shipenkov/EPA-EFE
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Khabib Nurmagomedov, while fighting with a broken foot, submitted Justin Gaethje via triangle choke during the second round in the main event of UFC 254 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It was Nurmagomedov's first bout since his father and head coach, Abdulmanap, died in July from COVID-19 complications. After the fight, an emotional Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from mixed martial arts. Advertisement
The 32-year-old Nurmagomedov said his mother didn't want him to continue competing without his father. He told her his fight against Gaethje would be his final.
"I want to say this was my last fight," Nurmagomedov said. "... I promised her this was going to be my last fight. If I give my word, I have to follow this. ... It was my father's dream."
Nurmagomedov put the final touches on his MMA career as he took Gaethje down and locked in the triangle choke to make him go unconscious at one minute, 34 seconds of the second round. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Nurmagomedov's submission finish was only the third ever in UFC title history.
Nurmagomedov's win unified the UFC lightweight title. Nurmagomedov entered as the UFC lightweight champion, and Gaethje was the interim titleholder.
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"I know he made his father so proud," Gaethje said.
Nurmagomedov (29-0) went into the fight undefeated. The victory ties him with B.J. Penn and Benson Henderson for the most title defenses in UFC lightweight history (three).
Nurmagomedov, a native of Dagestan in Russia, also improved his record to 13-0 in the UFC, becoming only the second fighter after Anderson Silva to begin a UFC career with 13 consecutive wins.
"What this guy has been through, we're all lucky that we got to see him fight [Saturday]," UFC president Dana White said. "... Apparently, he was in the hospital and he broke his foot three weeks ago. So he has two broken toes and a bone in his foot that's broken. That's what his corner told me.
"He's the toughest human being on the planet. He's the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world."
Gaethje (22-3) was on a four-fight winning streak going into the bout against Nurmagomedov. He beat Tony Ferguson to win the UFC interim lightweight belt at UFC 249 in May.
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The fight between Gaethje and Nurmagomedov took place without fans at the Flash Forum on Yas Island, which the UFC has dubbed "Fight Island."


upi--2020-10-25--Trumps celebrate Halloween at the White House

Oct. 25 ( UPI ) -- President and first lady Donald and Melania Trump hosted a Halloween celebration at the White House Sunday for a group of invited children and their families .
The Trumps , maskless , watched as a parade of children dressed in costumes filed past the South Portico , where hundreds of pumpkins of varying sizes were displayed on the stairways under a `` Halloween 2020 '' sign .
Dry ice fog poured out into the lawn as members of the Marine Band , wearing dark uniforms performed the theme song from `` Game of Thrones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jackson .
In previous years , the president and the first lady handed out candy to children at the Halloween event .
But this year because of the coronavirus , families picked up bags of goodies from tables .
Invite-only visitors were largely front-line workers , military members and their families , the White House said .
Although most visitors were wearing masks , Kayleigh McEnany , White House press secretary , was observed not wearing a face covering as she posed for a photo with the president and the first lady carrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mouse .
McEnany was infected with COVID-19 earlier in the month and had to temporarily work from home .

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet children in costume during a Halloween event on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 25 (UPI) -- President and first lady Donald and Melania Trump hosted a Halloween celebration at the White House Sunday for a group of invited children and their families. The Trumps, maskless, watched as a parade of children dressed in costumes filed past the South Portico, where hundreds of pumpkins of varying sizes were displayed on the stairways under a "Halloween 2020" sign. Dry ice fog poured out into the lawn as members of the Marine Band, wearing dark uniforms performed the theme song from "Game of Thrones" and "Thriller" by Michael Jackson. Advertisement
In previous years, the president and the first lady handed out candy to children at the Halloween event. But this year because of the coronavirus, families picked up bags of goodies from tables.
Invite-only visitors were largely front-line workers, military members and their families, the White House said.
Although most visitors were wearing masks, Kayleigh McEnany, White House press secretary, was observed not wearing a face covering as she posed for a photo with the president and the first lady carrying her 11-month old daughter dressed as a mouse.
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McEnany was infected with COVID-19 earlier in the month and had to temporarily work from home.
Halloween at the White House


upi--2020-10-26--David Braley, owner of three Canadian Football League teams, dies at 79

Oct. 26 ( UPI ) -- David Braley , who was the owner of three Canadian Football League franchises and once served as the league 's interim commissioner , died Monday .
He was 79 .
Braley died at his home in Burlington , Ontario , according to the B.C .
Lions -- one of his teams .
A cause of death was n't given .
`` We share this news with the heaviest of hearts , '' Rick LeLacheur , president of the B.C .
Lions Football Club , said in a statement Monday .
`` David has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our team , a champion of the Canadian Football League , and a leader for whom his love of our game and our country went hand in hand and spanned decades .
`` We share our deepest condolences with his family , friends and admirers .
One of his final acts of devotion to Canadian football was a clear expression of his desire that the stability of our club be maintained through a smooth transition following his passing .
We will work closely with David 's estate to follow that plan . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wealthy businessman in Hamilton , Ontario .
He entered the CFL in 1987 as owner of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats , who later became community-owned in 1990 .
He also owned the Toronto Argonauts from 2010-15 .
In 1997 , he purchased the Lions .
Braley , who was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2012 , served as chairman of the CFL 's board of governors and was interim commissioner of the league for most of the 2002 season .
Last year , he received the Order of Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community leadership .
Current CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement Monday that Braley will `` forever be remembered as a CFL legend . ''
He added that Braley was `` our champion in every sense of the word . ''
Braley 's teams won four combined CFL titles , most notably the Argonauts ' championship in the 100th Grey Cup in 2012 .

Oct. 26 (UPI) -- David Braley, who was the owner of three Canadian Football League franchises and once served as the league's interim commissioner, died Monday. He was 79.
Braley died at his home in Burlington, Ontario, according to the B.C. Lions -- one of his teams. A cause of death wasn't given.
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"We share this news with the heaviest of hearts," Rick LeLacheur, president of the B.C. Lions Football Club, said in a statement Monday. "David has been a proud and fiercely loyal owner of our team, a champion of the Canadian Football League, and a leader for whom his love of our game and our country went hand in hand and spanned decades.
"We share our deepest condolences with his family, friends and admirers. One of his final acts of devotion to Canadian football was a clear expression of his desire that the stability of our club be maintained through a smooth transition following his passing. We will work closely with David's estate to follow that plan."
The BC Lions Football Club is very saddened to announce that our owner and champion David Braley passed away peacefully this morning at his home in Burlington, Ontario. Advertisement Read More: https://t.co/NgWKJuovuI pic.twitter.com/Q0c71b8C6f— BC LIONS (@BCLions) October 26, 2020
Braley was born in Montreal and became a wealthy businessman in Hamilton, Ontario. He entered the CFL in 1987 as owner of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who later became community-owned in 1990. He also owned the Toronto Argonauts from 2010-15. In 1997, he purchased the Lions.
Braley, who was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2012, served as chairman of the CFL's board of governors and was interim commissioner of the league for most of the 2002 season. Last year, he received the Order of Canada for his contributions to the CFL and community leadership.
Current CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement Monday that Braley will "forever be remembered as a CFL legend." He added that Braley was "our champion in every sense of the word."
Braley's teams won four combined CFL titles, most notably the Argonauts' championship in the 100th Grey Cup in 2012.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-10-26--In photos: Judge Amy Coney Barrett sworn in to U.S. Supreme Court

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , speaks on the steps of the U.S. Capitol at a news conference @ @ @ @ @ Judiciary Committee vote on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme @ @ @ @ @ Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI

Barrett will take the official oath tomorrow at the Supreme Court on Tuesday, allowing her to begin work on the court and establishing a 6-3 conservative majority. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI


upi--2020-10-26--Monica Aldama gets the boot on 'Dancing with the Stars'

Oct. 26 ( UPI ) -- Cheer coach Monica Aldama got the boot from Season 29 of Dancing with the @ @ @ @ @ Monday night .
Aldama was partnered with professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy for the ABC competition @ @ @ @ @ Carole Baskin , Anne Heche , Jesse Metcalfe and Vernon Davis were previously eliminated this @ @ @ @ @ running for the coveted mirror-ball trophy are The Bachelorette alum Kaitlyn Bristowe , Selling Sunset @ @ @ @ @ Skai Jackson and Justina Machado , reality TV stars Jeannie Mai and Nev Schulman , @ @ @ @ @ McLean , rapper Nelly and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir .
Carrie Ann Inaba , @ @ @ @ @ are the judges this season .
The Bachelorette 's Hannah Brown and her pro partner @ @ @ @ @ in November .

1/2
Monica Aldama was eliminated from "Dancing with the Stars" on Monday night. Photo courtesy of ABC
Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Cheer coach Monica Aldama got the boot from Season 29 of Dancing with the Stars in Los Angeles on Monday night. Aldama was partnered with professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy for the ABC competition series. Advertisement
Charles Oakley, Carole Baskin, Anne Heche, Jesse Metcalfe and Vernon Davis were previously eliminated this season.
Still in the running for the coveted mirror-ball trophy are The Bachelorette alum Kaitlyn Bristowe, Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause, actresses Skai Jackson and Justina Machado, reality TV stars Jeannie Mai and Nev Schulman, Backstreet Boys singer A.J. McLean, rapper Nelly and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir.
Tyra Banks is the show's host.
Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough are the judges this season.
The Bachelorette's Hannah Brown and her pro partner Alan Bersten won Season 28 in November.


upi--2020-10-26--Biden in Pennsylvania says Trump has ‘flown the white flag’ with COVID-19

Oct. 26 ( UPI ) -- Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden made a campaign stop Monday at an early polling location in the Philadelphia suburb of Chester , Penn.
, where he said President Donald Trump had given up on the war on COVID-19 .
`` [ White House chief of staff ] Mark Meadows went on television to admit to the country that the administration was n't even trying to deal with the pandemic , '' Biden said .
`` Trump called himself a wartime president in a war against an invisible enemy ... well , he waved the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden went on to allege that Trump , `` either does n't have any idea what to do , or he just does n't care . ''
The number of U.S. COVID-19 cases has spiked in the last two weeks to more than 300,000 new cases reported in the past four days .
The United States leads the world with 225,300 deaths and 8.64 million cases since the virus was first reported .
Biden criticized Trump 's assertion at campaign rallies that doctors were `` being paid more '' if they characterized fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What the hell is the matter with this man ? ''
Biden asked , noting the medical staff had `` given their lives trying to save lives . ''
Biden criticized Trump for continuing to hold `` super spreader '' public events during the pandemic and said billions of dollars of federal aid already passed by Congress should be approved for rapid testing and safety measures that would allow schools and businesses to re-open .
Trump stumped elsewhere in the state Monday , telling crowds at three different rallies that Biden would `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden countered Monday by saying , `` Let me make it clear , I 'm not shutting down oil fields and I 'm not eliminating fracking .
I 'm investing in clean energy and we 'll make sure we do n't continue to subsidize pollution . ''
Pennsylvania , and its 20 electoral votes , are essential in the path to victory for either the Democrats or Republicans this election .
The state went for Trump in 2016 by about 44,000 votes , less than 1 % of the 6 million ballots cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted for Barack Obama .
Obama campaigned for Biden in Pennsylvania last week .
Biden , who was born and spent his boyhood in Scranton , Penn.
, said winning the state would `` mean a lot to me personally . ''
Early voting in Pennsylvania is favoring the Democrats more than 3 to 1 as of this week , with Democrats returning 1,193,887 ballots , Republicans returning 355,317 and Independents returning 152,057 , according to the U.S. Election Project website .
With eight days to go until the election , Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Georgia and Florida in the next week .
`` You know me , I am not overconfident about anything .
I just want to make sure we can earn every vote possible , '' Biden said .

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden criticized President Trump's handling of the coronavirus Monday in an informal campaign stop in Chester, Penn. File Photo by Oliver Doulier/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden made a campaign stop Monday at an early polling location in the Philadelphia suburb of Chester, Penn., where he said President Donald Trump had given up on the war on COVID-19. "[White House chief of staff] Mark Meadows went on television to admit to the country that the administration wasn't even trying to deal with the pandemic," Biden said. "Trump called himself a wartime president in a war against an invisible enemy... well, he waved the white flag," Biden said. Advertisement
Biden went on to allege that Trump, "either doesn't have any idea what to do, or he just doesn't care."
The number of U.S. COVID-19 cases has spiked in the last two weeks to more than 300,000 new cases reported in the past four days. The United States leads the world with 225,300 deaths and 8.64 million cases since the virus was first reported.
Biden criticized Trump's assertion at campaign rallies that doctors were "being paid more" if they characterized fatalities as resulting from the coronavirus.
"What the hell is the matter with this man?" Biden asked, noting the medical staff had "given their lives trying to save lives."
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Biden criticized Trump for continuing to hold "super spreader" public events during the pandemic and said billions of dollars of federal aid already passed by Congress should be approved for rapid testing and safety measures that would allow schools and businesses to re-open.
Trump stumped elsewhere in the state Monday, telling crowds at three different rallies that Biden would "abolish" the fossil fuel industry.
Biden countered Monday by saying, "Let me make it clear, I'm not shutting down oil fields and I'm not eliminating fracking. I'm investing in clean energy and we'll make sure we don't continue to subsidize pollution."
Pennsylvania, and its 20 electoral votes, are essential in the path to victory for either the Democrats or Republicans this election.
The state went for Trump in 2016 by about 44,000 votes, less than 1% of the 6 million ballots cast. In 2008 and 2012, Pennsylvania voted for Barack Obama. Obama campaigned for Biden in Pennsylvania last week.
Biden, who was born and spent his boyhood in Scranton, Penn., said winning the state would "mean a lot to me personally."
Early voting in Pennsylvania is favoring the Democrats more than 3 to 1 as of this week, with Democrats returning 1,193,887 ballots, Republicans returning 355,317 and Independents returning 152,057, according to the U.S. Election Project website.
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With eight days to go until the election, Biden said he would be visiting Iowa, Wisconsin, Georgia and Florida in the next week.
"You know me, I am not overconfident about anything. I just want to make sure we can earn every vote possible," Biden said.
Watch Joe Biden in Pennsylvania:


upi--2020-10-26--Trump attacks Biden on oil and gas policy in 3 Pennsylvania rallies

Oct. 26 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump attacked his rival Joe Biden 's stance on the oil industry in three appearances in Pennsylvania Monday at regional airports .
The rallies drew thousands of attendees , with few wearing masks , in Allentown , Lititz and Martinsburg .
In roughly 80-minutes of stump speeches , Trump hammered on what he called Biden 's plan to `` abolish '' the oil industry .
In Allentown , Trump called Biden 's plan `` an economic death sentence on Pennsylvania 's energy sector , '' adding that Biden would `` eradicate your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depression . ''
In Thursday 's debate , Biden said he wanted the United States to `` transition '' from dependence on the oil industry , ban oil drilling on federal lands and cease subsidies for oil and gas .
At a campaign stop Monday in Chester , Penn.
, Biden said , `` Let me make it clear , I 'm not shutting down oil fields and I 'm not eliminating fracking .
I 'm investing in clean energy and we 'll make sure we do n't continue to subsidize pollution .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tom Wolf in Allentown where he said the governor 's pandemic gathering rules had made finding a venue difficult .
Wolf and the state health department have worked to limit inside gatherings to 25 people and outdoor events to 250 , which the Trump rallies , with thousands of participants , far exceeded .
Trump told the crowd Wolf would be among governors asking for emergency aid at some point .
`` And I 'll remember it , Tom .
I 'm going to remember it , Tom , '' Trump said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. President , this is Gov .
Wolf , I need help , I need help . '
'' Trump added , `` You know what ?
These people are bad . ''
As for the coronavirus , Trump again repeated his claim that the United States was `` rounding the turn '' in the fight against the virus .
`` I got it , and I 'm here , '' he said .
Trump 's chief of staff Mark Meadows said Sunday that the United States `` is not going to control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely on therapeutics and a vaccine .
In rural Lancaster County , Trump praised the work ethic of the `` Pennsylvania Dutch '' and four bearded men behind him wearing Amish-style hats gave the president the thumbs up .
The men wore jackets with zippers , and one had an earbud , both sartorially unusual for Amish citizens .
The battleground state of Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral votes carry weight in the path to victory for either the Democrats or Republicans this election .
Trump won Pennsylvania in 2016 by 44,292 votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 6 million votes cast .
The state went for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 .
According to the U.S .
Elections Project website , early voting in Pennsylvania is favoring the Democrats more than 3 to 1 as of this week , with Democrats returning 1,193,887 ballots , Republicans returning 355,317 and Independents returning 152,057 .

President Donald Trump stumped at three rallies in Pennsylvania Monday. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 26 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump attacked his rival Joe Biden's stance on the oil industry in three appearances in Pennsylvania Monday at regional airports. The rallies drew thousands of attendees, with few wearing masks, in Allentown, Lititz and Martinsburg. Advertisement
In roughly 80-minutes of stump speeches, Trump hammered on what he called Biden's plan to "abolish" the oil industry. In Allentown, Trump called Biden's plan "an economic death sentence on Pennsylvania's energy sector," adding that Biden would "eradicate your energy and send Pennsylvania into a crippling depression."
In Thursday's debate, Biden said he wanted the United States to "transition" from dependence on the oil industry, ban oil drilling on federal lands and cease subsidies for oil and gas. At a campaign stop Monday in Chester, Penn., Biden said, "Let me make it clear, I'm not shutting down oil fields and I'm not eliminating fracking. I'm investing in clean energy and we'll make sure we don't continue to subsidize pollution."
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Trump also attacked Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf in Allentown where he said the governor's pandemic gathering rules had made finding a venue difficult. Wolf and the state health department have worked to limit inside gatherings to 25 people and outdoor events to 250, which the Trump rallies, with thousands of participants, far exceeded.
Trump told the crowd Wolf would be among governors asking for emergency aid at some point.
"And I'll remember it, Tom. I'm going to remember it, Tom," Trump said, imitating a call. "'Hello, Mr. President, this is Gov. Wolf, I need help, I need help.'" Trump added, "You know what? These people are bad."
As for the coronavirus, Trump again repeated his claim that the United States was "rounding the turn" in the fight against the virus.
"I got it, and I'm here," he said. Trump's chief of staff Mark Meadows said Sunday that the United States "is not going to control" the virus and would have to rely on therapeutics and a vaccine.
In rural Lancaster County, Trump praised the work ethic of the "Pennsylvania Dutch" and four bearded men behind him wearing Amish-style hats gave the president the thumbs up. The men wore jackets with zippers, and one had an earbud, both sartorially unusual for Amish citizens.
Advertisement
The battleground state of Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral votes carry weight in the path to victory for either the Democrats or Republicans this election.
Trump won Pennsylvania in 2016 by 44,292 votes, or less than 1 % of the 6 million votes cast. The state went for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.
According to the U.S. Elections Project website, early voting in Pennsylvania is favoring the Democrats more than 3 to 1 as of this week, with Democrats returning 1,193,887 ballots, Republicans returning 355,317 and Independents returning 152,057.
Watch Live:


upi--2020-10-26--Amy Coney Barrett sworn in to the U.S. Supreme Court

Oct. 26 ( UPI ) -- Amy Coney Barrett was sworn in as a U.S. Supreme Court justice on Monday night after the Senate voted to confirm her nomination .
The Senate voted 52-48 to confirm Barrett , to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died of cancer on Sept. 18 , and she was sworn-in by Justice Clarence Thomas during a ceremony outside the White House .
`` It is a privilege to be asked to serve my country in this office and I stand here tonight truly honored and humbled , '' Barrett said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ judicial oath tomorrow at the U.S. Supreme court allowing her to `` begin to participate in the work of the court , '' giving conservatives a 6-3 majority .
During Monday night 's ceremony , Barrett pledged that she will make her rulings free of political influence .
`` The oath that I 've solemnly taken tonight , means at its core that I will do my job without any fear or favor and that I will do so independently of both the political branches and of my own preferences , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the democratic republic that it establishes and I will devote myself to preserving it .
Barrett is the third Supreme Court justice appointed by President Donald Trump since he was elected in 2016 .
`` The Constitution is the ultimate defense of American liberty .
The faithful application of the law is the cornerstone of our republic .
That is why as president I have no more solemn application and no greater honor than to appoint Supreme Court justices , '' Trump said .
Trump also honored Ginsburg as `` a true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett will be the fifth woman and the first mother of school-age children to serve on the Supreme Court .
The White House implemented social distancing measures at Monday night 's ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House , placing about 200 chairs spaced a few feet apart and requiring all attendees to wear a mask , CNN reported .
Following a September ceremony in the Rose Garden announcing Barrett 's confirmation , dozens of attendees , including Trump , tested positive for COVID-19 .
Monday 's vote exceeded the simple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins , who is in a race for re-election , following through on her declaration that she would join Democrats and vote `` no '' on Barrett 's confirmation .
`` The Senate just confirmed Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States .
One of the most impressive nominees for public office in a generation that will serve for life on the highest court , '' Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell wrote on Twitter following the vote .
Ahead of the vote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` one of the darkest days in the 231-year history of the United States Senate . ''
Democrats , citing the Nov. 3 election , have assailed the process as illegitimate and rushed for political reasons .
They say Barrett 's confirmation will affect the court 's rulings on abortion , the Affordable Care Act and civil rights .
`` Let the records show that tonight the Republican Senate majority decided to thwart the will of the people and confirm a lifetime selection to the Supreme Court in the middle of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have voted , '' he said .
Monday 's vote followed a rare Sunday session where the Senate voted 51-48 to break a Democratic filibuster of Barrett 's nomination .
`` We made an important contribution to the future of this country , '' McConnell said Sunday .
`` A lot of what we 've done over the last four years will be undone sooner or later by the next election .
They wo n't be able to do much about this for a long time to come . ''
Vice President Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate president during Monday 's vote .
Sen. Charles Grassley , R-Iowa , the president pro tempore of the Senate , presided over the vote .


upi--2020-10-26--Patriots QB Cam Newton admits starting job may be in jeopardy after benching

Oct. 26 ( UPI ) -- New England Patriots star quarterback Cam Newton believes his starting job could be in jeopardy after he was pulled early in the fourth quarter of Sunday 's blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers .
`` The first thing I said to myself coming home was , 'You keep playing games like that , bro , and it 's going to be a permanent change , ' '' Newton said Monday on Boston sports radio WEEI .
`` You do n't need to tell me that for me to understand that .
I get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said he took Newton out of the game -- with New England trailing by 27 points -- to give second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham additional experience .
Belichick also said he 's `` absolutely '' sticking with Newton as his starting signal-caller .
`` For any type of competitor , do you feel embarrassed ?
Yeah , '' Newton said Monday .
`` I do n't feel offended by what was done .
I do n't feel offended having this type of conversation .
I 'm a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my position stability more so than controlling the locker room .
Performances like [ Sunday ] jeopardizes [ that ] .
It 's like , 'Oh my God ! '
Players talk , and that 's what 's most important to me .
Knowing you have your coaches ' belief [ is good ] , but my belief is that I want to have the whole facility .
...
It does n't start with no miraculous play .
It 's a whole body of work that goes into performing on Sunday . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49ers with 98 passing yards and three interceptions .
In place of Newton , Stidham completed 6 of his 10 pass attempts for 64 yards and a pick .
Later Monday , Belichick -- also speaking with WEEI -- reiterated that he will stick with Newton as the Patriots ' starter .
`` I think he 's our best player there , so again there are other problems offensively , '' Belichick said .
`` There are things we need to do better and that is what we 're going to work on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players out there .
We just have to find a way to be more productive .
`` We have been at times , but we certainly were n't [ Sunday ] , and we need to see if we can improve that . ''
In five games this season , Newton has completed 67.2 % of his throws for 969 yards , two touchdowns and seven interceptions .
He has added 50 carries for 244 yards and five rushing scores .
The Patriots ( 2-4 ) will travel to play the AFC East-leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) has completed 67.2% of his throws for 969 yards, two touchdowns and seven interceptions in five games this season. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 26 (UPI) -- New England Patriots star quarterback Cam Newton believes his starting job could be in jeopardy after he was pulled early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers. "The first thing I said to myself coming home was, 'You keep playing games like that, bro, and it's going to be a permanent change,'" Newton said Monday on Boston sports radio WEEI. "You don't need to tell me that for me to understand that. I get it loud and clear." Advertisement
On Sunday, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said he took Newton out of the game -- with New England trailing by 27 points -- to give second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham additional experience. Belichick also said he's "absolutely" sticking with Newton as his starting signal-caller.
"For any type of competitor, do you feel embarrassed? Yeah," Newton said Monday. "I don't feel offended by what was done. I don't feel offended having this type of conversation. I'm a realist.
"I don't fear my position stability more so than controlling the locker room. Performances like [Sunday] jeopardizes [that]. It's like, 'Oh my God!' Players talk, and that's what's most important to me. Knowing you have your coaches' belief [is good], but my belief is that I want to have the whole facility. ... It doesn't start with no miraculous play. It's a whole body of work that goes into performing on Sunday."
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Newton finished Sunday's game against the 49ers with 98 passing yards and three interceptions. In place of Newton, Stidham completed 6 of his 10 pass attempts for 64 yards and a pick.
Later Monday, Belichick -- also speaking with WEEI -- reiterated that he will stick with Newton as the Patriots' starter.
"I think he's our best player there, so again there are other problems offensively," Belichick said. "There are things we need to do better and that is what we're going to work on. I think we have our best players out there. We just have to find a way to be more productive.
"We have been at times, but we certainly weren't [Sunday], and we need to see if we can improve that."
In five games this season, Newton has completed 67.2% of his throws for 969 yards, two touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has added 50 carries for 244 yards and five rushing scores.
The Patriots (2-4) will travel to play the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills (5-2) on Sunday.
This week in the National Football League