upi--2020-12-03--Balloon firm plans test to later take tourists to edge of space

ORLANDO , Fla. , Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- A new space tourism company plans its first uncrewed test flight of a capsule suspended from a hydrogen balloon in late March from Florida .
Arizona-based Space Perspective has announced plans to launch the balloon from Kennedy Space Center 's former space shuttle landing strip , sending it on an hour 's long ascent to the edge of space , about 20 miles high .
The company 's ambitions are part of a nascent space tourism industry that includes such major firms as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos ' Blue Origin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest and signups for potential customers on the company 's website far outstripped anything the founders expected in June when it first announced its plan , said Jane Poynter , the Space Perspective founder and co-CEO with her husband , Taber MacCallum .
`` We did n't know what to expect announcing this during a pandemic , '' Taber said Wednesday .
`` We did n't know if people were going to think about going to space , and the resounding answer was , 'you betcha . '
'' She declined to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A prototype of Space Perspective 's 16-foot-wide observation capsule , Neptune , will be tested on the first flight , she said .
It will not have life support systems or a built-out interior .
But Neptune eventually will include up to nine people , large windows , a bar and restroom .
Space Perspective also announced Tuesday it has closed $ 7 million in new financing to support expansion and future flights .
Some of the new investors include Wyoming-based Prime Movers Lab , Silicon Valley tech fund Base Ventures and motivational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a press release that a flight on Neptune `` will deliver a life-changing experience to people across the world and help us all realize that we are ... sharing this remarkable planet . ''
Meanwhile , the company is searching for a permanent home for its operations base , Poynter said .
The launch site could remain in Florida or could relocate to spaceports in the planning and development phases in Georgia and Texas , Poynter said .
At 20 miles up , Space Perspective 's observation capsule would reach about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but passengers could see the blackness above and observe the curvature of the Earth .
Tickets would cost roughly $ 125,000 , Poynter said .
By comparison , tickets for Richard Branson 's Virgin Galactic are estimated to cost $ 250,000 for a brief rocket flight 50 miles high .
But no space tourism flights have left the ground yet .
Space Perspective is relying on a belief that many consumers may prefer a smooth , slow ascent -- about 12 mph -- and a longer experience than sudden launches and fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very soft , relaxed approach .
No crazy astronaut G-forces , '' said John Spencer , a space architect who is founder and president of the non-profit Space Tourism Society , which promotes private spaceflight .
`` Their approach is totally unique and I 'm sure the market is far larger than many would think , '' Spencer said .

1/3
A conceptual image shows the Spaceship Neptune, a project of aerospace firm Space Perspective, suspended from a hydrogen balloon in the stratosphere. Image courtesy of Space Perspective
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A new space tourism company plans its first uncrewed test flight of a capsule suspended from a hydrogen balloon in late March from Florida. Arizona-based Space Perspective has announced plans to launch the balloon from Kennedy Space Center's former space shuttle landing strip, sending it on an hour's long ascent to the edge of space, about 20 miles high. Advertisement
The company's ambitions are part of a nascent space tourism industry that includes such major firms as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Elon Musk's SpaceX.
Initial interest and signups for potential customers on the company's website far outstripped anything the founders expected in June when it first announced its plan, said Jane Poynter, the Space Perspective founder and co-CEO with her husband, Taber MacCallum.
"We didn't know what to expect announcing this during a pandemic," Taber said Wednesday. "We didn't know if people were going to think about going to space, and the resounding answer was, 'you betcha.'"
She declined to say how many people have signed up.
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A prototype of Space Perspective's 16-foot-wide observation capsule, Neptune, will be tested on the first flight, she said. It will not have life support systems or a built-out interior.
But Neptune eventually will include up to nine people, large windows, a bar and restroom.
Space Perspective also announced Tuesday it has closed $7 million in new financing to support expansion and future flights.
Some of the new investors include Wyoming-based Prime Movers Lab, Silicon Valley tech fund Base Ventures and motivational speaker and author Tony Robbins.
Robbins said in a press release that a flight on Neptune "will deliver a life-changing experience to people across the world and help us all realize that we are...sharing this remarkable planet."
Meanwhile, the company is searching for a permanent home for its operations base, Poynter said. The launch site could remain in Florida or could relocate to spaceports in the planning and development phases in Georgia and Texas, Poynter said.
At 20 miles up, Space Perspective's observation capsule would reach about one-third of the way to outer space, but passengers could see the blackness above and observe the curvature of the Earth.
Tickets would cost roughly $125,000, Poynter said. By comparison, tickets for Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic are estimated to cost $250,000 for a brief rocket flight 50 miles high. But no space tourism flights have left the ground yet.
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Space Perspective is relying on a belief that many consumers may prefer a smooth, slow ascent -- about 12 mph -- and a longer experience than sudden launches and fast trips on rockets.
"It's a very soft, relaxed approach. No crazy astronaut G-forces," said John Spencer, a space architect who is founder and president of the non-profit Space Tourism Society, which promotes private spaceflight.
"Their approach is totally unique and I'm sure the market is far larger than many would think," Spencer said.
Out-of-this-world images from space
The International Space Station is pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during a flyaround of the orbiting lab that took place following its undocking from the Harmony module’s space-facing port on November 8. Photo courtesy of NASA


upi--2020-12-03--Interview: Christian Serratos, Ricardo Chavira had a special feel for 'Selena'

LOS ANGELES , Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- For actors Christian Serratos and Ricardo Chavira , Selena : The Series was more than just a job .
They related to the story of Tejano artist Selena Quintanilla and her family because her music impacted their lives in the '90s .
Serratos was born in 1990 , the year Selena released her second Spanish-language album , Ven Conmigo .
Selena was hugely popular , and was named the `` Queen of Tejano '' music by Billboard .
Her final album , Dreaming of You , remains the No .
1-selling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed in 1995 by her business partner and president of her fan club , Yolanda Saldivar .
Serratos said she continued to explore Selena 's music while she was growing up .
`` We listened to her music in the house , '' Serratos told UPI in a recent Zoom interview .
`` I was very familiar with Selena and became a huge fan , and just learned more and more about her and her legacy as I grew up . ''
Chavira was born in 1971 , the same year Selena was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father , Abraham Quintanilla .
When Selena died , Chavira was a student at Incarnate Word College in San Antonio .
He said he would pass one of Selena 's fashion boutiques on the way to and from school .
`` I remember walking by that the day she died , '' Chavira said in a phone interview .
`` People were out there crying and lighting candles and setting out flowers .
The news cameras were out there . ''
The legendary performer was previously the subject of a 1997 movie , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Edward James Olmos portrayed her father .
While the movie encapsulated Selena 's life in two hours , the Netflix series has 18 episodes , 30 to 40 minutes each , that delve into details of Selena and the Quintanilla family 's rise in the music industry .
The series shows Selena discovering Tejano music at a fair when she was 8 years old .
Serratos was impressed to learn just how early in life Selena began her career .
`` I knew that she was young , but I did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was already having the ideas that she did that were going to make her a star , '' Serratos said .
`` She was such a creative and smart young person .
She was so business savvy at such a young age . ''
The series shows Abraham Quintanilla struggling to give his family opportunities .
The Quintanillas fish equipment out of dumpsters .
The family band , Selena y Los Dinos , plays at the Quintanilla family restaurant , until they lose the restaurant .
Researching Abraham Quintanilla , Chavira recognized the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anecdotes about from those close to him .
Chavira said the Quintanillas ' upbringing in Corpus Christi , Texas , near the Mexican border , reminded him of his family 's culture in San Antonio .
`` The descriptions and what I saw in the interviews was synonymous with the way my father carried himself , the way my tios acted and carried themselves , from their outward demeanor to their vocal cadences , '' Chavira said .
The whole Quintanilla family was involved with Selena y Los Dinos , with siblings Suzette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A.B .
( Gabriel Chavarria ) on bass .
Los Dinos still played with Selena when she signed with EMI Records in 1989 , but the label decided to drop the name `` y Los Dinos . ''
Suzette also is an executive producer of Selena : The Series .
Both Serratos and Chavira said they did not speak with Suzette until after filming began , and Chavira never met Abraham .
The 30-year-old Serratos portrays Selena from the time she was 16 until age 24 .
Serratos said she could still relate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 've also been 16 , so it was n't hard for me to tap back into that , '' Serratos said .
In the series , the Quintanilla family speaks both Spanish and English .
The bilingual dialogue accurately represented Mexican-American families living in South Texas , Chavira said .
`` We have a tendency to kind of go in and out of Spanish and English , sometimes even within one phrase or one sentence , '' Chavira said .
`` Not just within a household but even out in public when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among friends . ''
For Serratos , the show 's bilingual dialogue also spoke to Selena 's eventual crossover success .
Selena released both Spanish and English music and spoke both languages .
`` It was honest and it was truthful , '' Serratos said .
`` I think her fan base expects that . ''
The show uses recordings of Selena 's music .
Even though you hear Selena 's voice singing the songs , Serratos said she still gave it her all when she sang them on the set .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted it to look like I was really singing , '' Serratos said .

1/4
Christian Serratos performs on stage in "Selena: The Series." Viewers of the show will hear Selena's actual recordings. Photo courtesy of Netflix
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- For actors Christian Serratos and Ricardo Chavira, Selena: The Series was more than just a job. They related to the story of Tejano artist Selena Quintanilla and her family because her music impacted their lives in the '90s. Serratos was born in 1990, the year Selena released her second Spanish-language album, Ven Conmigo. Advertisement
Selena was hugely popular, and was named the "Queen of Tejano" music by Billboard. Her final album, Dreaming of You, remains the No. 1-selling Latin Album. She was shot and killed in 1995 by her business partner and president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldivar.
Serratos said she continued to explore Selena's music while she was growing up.
"We listened to her music in the house," Serratos told UPI in a recent Zoom interview. "I was very familiar with Selena and became a huge fan, and just learned more and more about her and her legacy as I grew up."
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Chavira was born in 1971, the same year Selena was born. Now, he plays her father, Abraham Quintanilla.
When Selena died, Chavira was a student at Incarnate Word College in San Antonio. He said he would pass one of Selena's fashion boutiques on the way to and from school.
"I remember walking by that the day she died," Chavira said in a phone interview. "People were out there crying and lighting candles and setting out flowers. The news cameras were out there."
The legendary performer was previously the subject of a 1997 movie, Selena. Jennifer Lopez played the singer and Edward James Olmos portrayed her father. While the movie encapsulated Selena's life in two hours, the Netflix series has 18 episodes, 30 to 40 minutes each, that delve into details of Selena and the Quintanilla family's rise in the music industry.
The series shows Selena discovering Tejano music at a fair when she was 8 years old. Serratos was impressed to learn just how early in life Selena began her career.
"I knew that she was young, but I didn't know how young she was when she was already having the ideas that she did that were going to make her a star," Serratos said. "She was such a creative and smart young person. She was so business savvy at such a young age."
Advertisement
The series shows Abraham Quintanilla struggling to give his family opportunities. The Quintanillas fish equipment out of dumpsters. The family band, Selena y Los Dinos, plays at the Quintanilla family restaurant, until they lose the restaurant.
Researching Abraham Quintanilla, Chavira recognized the man he saw in interviews and heard anecdotes about from those close to him. Chavira said the Quintanillas' upbringing in Corpus Christi, Texas, near the Mexican border, reminded him of his family's culture in San Antonio.
"The descriptions and what I saw in the interviews was synonymous with the way my father carried himself, the way my tios acted and carried themselves, from their outward demeanor to their vocal cadences," Chavira said.
The whole Quintanilla family was involved with Selena y Los Dinos, with siblings Suzette (Noemi Gonzalez) on drums and A.B. (Gabriel Chavarria) on bass. Los Dinos still played with Selena when she signed with EMI Records in 1989, but the label decided to drop the name "y Los Dinos."
Suzette also is an executive producer of Selena: The Series. Both Serratos and Chavira said they did not speak with Suzette until after filming began, and Chavira never met Abraham.
The 30-year-old Serratos portrays Selena from the time she was 16 until age 24. Serratos said she could still relate to Selena's younger years.
Advertisement
"I've also been 16, so it wasn't hard for me to tap back into that," Serratos said.
In the series, the Quintanilla family speaks both Spanish and English. The bilingual dialogue accurately represented Mexican-American families living in South Texas, Chavira said.
"We have a tendency to kind of go in and out of Spanish and English, sometimes even within one phrase or one sentence," Chavira said. "Not just within a household but even out in public when you're shopping, when you're among friends."
For Serratos, the show's bilingual dialogue also spoke to Selena's eventual crossover success. Selena released both Spanish and English music and spoke both languages.
"It was honest and it was truthful," Serratos said. "I think her fan base expects that."
The show uses recordings of Selena's music. Even though you hear Selena's voice singing the songs, Serratos said she still gave it her all when she sang them on the set.
"I performed them 100% because I wanted it to look like I was really singing," Serratos said.
Selena: The Series premieres Friday on Netflix.


upi--2020-12-03--Trump extends funding for National Guard COVID-19 assistance through March

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump on Thursday approved states ' requests to extend federal funding for @ @ @ @ @ relief efforts through the end of March .
The authorization was set to expire at @ @ @ @ @ as states have relied on National Guard members to run testing sites , deliver supplies @ @ @ @ @ sanitize facilities .
`` To date , activated National Guard forces around the country have @ @ @ @ @ , '' the memo stated .
`` The states and territories will need assistance in @ @ @ @ @ emerge . ''
The rate of federal funding for the National Guard will remain at @ @ @ @ @ state to pay the remaining cost .
Additionally , as of Dec. 31 the federal @ @ @ @ @ provision to pay 100 % of the cost share for National Guard forces in Florida @ @ @ @ @ will receive only 75 % moving forward .
The extension applies to all 50 states @ @ @ @ @ of Guam , Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands .

Members of the National Guard check on residents sitting in their cars waiting to obtain COVID-19 testing in Miami Beach, Fla. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Thursday approved states' requests to extend federal funding for the National Guard's COVID-19 relief efforts through the end of March. The authorization was set to expire at the end of the year as states have relied on National Guard members to run testing sites, deliver supplies, stock food banks and sanitize facilities. Advertisement
"To date, activated National Guard forces around the country have provided critical support to governors," the memo stated.
"The states and territories will need assistance in fighting hot spots as they emerge."
The rate of federal funding for the National Guard will remain at 75%, leaving each state to pay the remaining cost.
Additionally, as of Dec. 31 the federal government will end a special provision to pay 100% of the cost share for National Guard forces in Florida and Texas and both states will receive only 75% moving forward.
The extension applies to all 50 states as well as the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.


upi--2020-12-03--Bengals rookie QB Joe Burrow undergoes successful knee surgery

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had successful surgery on his left knee this week , the team announced Thursday .
Burrow underwent the reconstructive knee procedure Wednesday in Los Angeles , according to the team .
It took place 10 days after the rookie signal-caller suffered significant structural damage in his left knee during a Nov. 22 game against the Washington Football Team .
The 2019 Heisman Trophy winner reportedly sustained a torn ACL and MCL in the knee , along with other structural damage .
According to NFL Media , the Bengals anticipate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of recovery time .
`` Joe Burrow underwent successful surgery [ Wednesday ] .
The procedure went as planned and he is expected to make a complete recovery , '' the Bengals said in a statement Thursday .
`` Joe will begin the recovery process and we look forward to his return . ''
The Bengals selected Burrow with the No .
1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft .
He was in the midst of a strong rookie campaign before suffering the injury against Washington last month .
The former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passes for 2,688 yards , 13 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games this season .

Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow (9) suffered the major knee injury during a Nov. 22 game against the Washington Football Team. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had successful surgery on his left knee this week, the team announced Thursday. Burrow underwent the reconstructive knee procedure Wednesday in Los Angeles, according to the team. It took place 10 days after the rookie signal-caller suffered significant structural damage in his left knee during a Nov. 22 game against the Washington Football Team. Advertisement
The 2019 Heisman Trophy winner reportedly sustained a torn ACL and MCL in the knee, along with other structural damage. According to NFL Media, the Bengals anticipate Burrow will need between eight and nine months of recovery time.
"Joe Burrow underwent successful surgery [Wednesday]. The procedure went as planned and he is expected to make a complete recovery," the Bengals said in a statement Thursday. "Joe will begin the recovery process and we look forward to his return."
The Bengals selected Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was in the midst of a strong rookie campaign before suffering the injury against Washington last month.
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The former LSU star completed 65.3% of his passes for 2,688 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games this season.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-03--Pittsburgh Steelers' Bud Dupree out for season with torn ACL

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree will miss the remainder of the season because of a significant knee injury .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Thursday that Dupree suffered a torn left ACL during Wednesday 's game against the Baltimore Ravens .
He appeared to injure the knee on a non-contact play in the second half of the Steelers ' 19-14 win over the Ravens .
Later Thursday , the Steelers placed Dupree on injured reserve , signaling the end of his 2020-21 campaign .
The team signed safety Antoine Brooks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move .
`` You can characterize it as official that Bud is out for the year with a significant knee injury , '' Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said .
Dupree becomes the second Steelers defensive starter to suffer a season-ending ACL injury this season .
Middle linebacker Devin Bush tore his ACL in a game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 6 .
Rookie linebacker Alex Highsmith , the Steelers ' third-round pick in the 2020 draft , is expected to fill Dupree 's role moving forward .
Dupree , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will become a free agent after this season .
He recorded 31 total tackles , eight sacks , two forced fumbles and two passes defensed in 11 games this year .

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) recorded 31 total tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes defensed in 11 games this season. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree will miss the remainder of the season because of a significant knee injury. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Thursday that Dupree suffered a torn left ACL during Wednesday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. He appeared to injure the knee on a non-contact play in the second half of the Steelers' 19-14 win over the Ravens. Advertisement
Later Thursday, the Steelers placed Dupree on injured reserve, signaling the end of his 2020-21 campaign. The team signed safety Antoine Brooks Jr. to the roster in a corresponding move.
"You can characterize it as official that Bud is out for the year with a significant knee injury," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said.
Dupree becomes the second Steelers defensive starter to suffer a season-ending ACL injury this season. Middle linebacker Devin Bush tore his ACL in a game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 6.
Rookie linebacker Alex Highsmith, the Steelers' third-round pick in the 2020 draft, is expected to fill Dupree's role moving forward.
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Dupree, who was playing on the one-year franchise tag, will become a free agent after this season. He recorded 31 total tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes defensed in 11 games this year.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-03--Navy to rename U.S. Fleet Forces Command to U.S. Atlantic Fleet

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- The Navy plans to rename the U.S. Fleet Forces Command to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet , Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite said this week .
The is intended to address what defense officials describe as a rise in aggression in the region .
rather than the Global War on Terror , the secretary of the Navy told a Senate panel today .
`` As the world changes , we must be bold , evolve , and change with it .
Instead of perpetuating a structure designed to support yesterday 's Joint Forces Command , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Braithwaite told the Senate Armed Services Committee this week .
`` The Atlantic Fleet will confront the reassertive Russian Navy , which has been deployed closer and closer to our East Coast , with a tailored maritime presence capability and lethality , '' Braithwaite added .
The Atlantic Fleet existed from 1906 to 2006 and was based in Norfolk , Va. , and by 2006 was the naval component commander for U.S. Strategic Command as well as U.S. Northern Command .
In 2006 Adm. Mike Mullen , then Chief of Naval operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the LANTFLT title and creating U.S. Fleet Forces Command .
According to Braithwaite , the change will not have an impact on jobs in the Norfolk area .
The is intended to address what defense officials describe as a rise in aggression in the region .
rather than the Global War on Terror , the secretary of the Navy told a Senate panel today .
`` As the world changes , we must be bold , evolve , and change with it .
Instead of perpetuating a structure designed to support yesterday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to today 's threat , '' Braithwaite told the Senate Armed Services Committee this week .
`` The Atlantic Fleet will confront the reassertive Russian Navy , which has been deployed closer and closer to our East Coast , with a tailored maritime presence capability and lethality , '' Braithwaite added .
The Atlantic Fleet existed from 1906 to 2006 and was based in Norfolk , Va. , and by 2006 was the naval component commander for U.S. Strategic Command as well as U.S. Northern Command .
In 2006 Adm. Mike Mullen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization , getting rid of the LANTFLT title and creating U.S. Fleet Forces Command .
According to Braithwaite , the change will not have an impact on jobs in the Norfolk area .

Kenneth J. Braithwaite, shown here during a visit to Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana in Virginia Beach, Va., said this week that U.S. Fleet Forces Command will revert to its prior name, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Photo byAndrew Taylor/U.S. Navy
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The Navy plans to rename the U.S. Fleet Forces Command to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite said this week. The is intended to address what defense officials describe as a rise in aggression in the region. Advertisement
rather than the Global War on Terror, the secretary of the Navy told a Senate panel today.
"As the world changes, we must be bold, evolve, and change with it. Instead of perpetuating a structure designed to support yesterday's Joint Forces Command, we are aligning to today's threat," Braithwaite told the Senate Armed Services Committee this week.
"The Atlantic Fleet will confront the reassertive Russian Navy, which has been deployed closer and closer to our East Coast, with a tailored maritime presence capability and lethality," Braithwaite added.
The Atlantic Fleet existed from 1906 to 2006 and was based in Norfolk, Va., and by 2006 was the naval component commander for U.S. Strategic Command as well as U.S. Northern Command.
In 2006 Adm. Mike Mullen, then Chief of Naval operations overhauled the organization, getting rid of the LANTFLT title and creating U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
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According to Braithwaite, the change will not have an impact on jobs in the Norfolk area.
The is intended to address what defense officials describe as a rise in aggression in the region.
rather than the Global War on Terror, the secretary of the Navy told a Senate panel today.
"As the world changes, we must be bold, evolve, and change with it. Instead of perpetuating a structure designed to support yesterday's Joint Forces Command, we are aligning to today's threat," Braithwaite told the Senate Armed Services Committee this week.
"The Atlantic Fleet will confront the reassertive Russian Navy, which has been deployed closer and closer to our East Coast, with a tailored maritime presence capability and lethality," Braithwaite added.
The Atlantic Fleet existed from 1906 to 2006 and was based in Norfolk, Va., and by 2006 was the naval component commander for U.S. Strategic Command as well as U.S. Northern Command.
In 2006 Adm. Mike Mullen, then Chief of Naval operations overhauled the organization, getting rid of the LANTFLT title and creating U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
According to Braithwaite, the change will not have an impact on jobs in the Norfolk area.


upi--2020-12-03--Kyle Rittenhouse ordered to stand trial for Kenosha, Wis., protest shootings

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- A Wisconsin judge on Thursday ordered Kyle Rittenhouse , an Illinois teenager charged with fatally shooting two people at an August protest in Kenosha , to stand trial .
Rittenhouse is set to be arraigned Jan. 5 in Kenosha County Circuit Court after County Commissioner Loren Keating determined the state presented enough probable cause of felony actions for the case to proceed to trial .
Rittenhouse was released from jail in November after posting $ 2 million bail .
The 17-year-old faces two felony charges of homicide in the deaths of Anthony M. Huber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homicide for injuring Gaige Grosskreutz during protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake .
He also faces a misdemeanor charge of possession of a dangerous weapon while under the age of 18 .
During Thursday 's preliminary hearing , Rittenhouse 's attorney , Mark Richards , sought to argue that his client acted in self-defense , presenting screenshots and surveillance video he said showed Rittenhouse being chased by a protester with a gun and struck with a skateboard by Huber while on the ground .
He also presented a photo showing Rosenbaum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting that committing a crime while masked is a criminal act in Wisconsin '' The state is trying to put forth a one-sided , stilted view of what happened to protect someone who does not deserve the protection of the state , '' Richards said .
Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger accused Richards of attempting to introduce `` a cast of characters '' who were among `` hundreds of people '' present at the protest on the night of the shootings .
Binger also opposed Richards ' attempt to have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismissed , saying the 17-year-old `` went running around the streets of Kenosha after curfew with a very dangerous weapon . ''
`` We do n't trust [ minors ] with these weapons because of exactly what happened in this case , '' he said .
Keating ruled that the arguments brought up by Rittenhouse 's defense should be taken up at trial .

Kyle Rittenhouse was ordered to stand trial Thursday for felony homicide charges related to the fatal shooting of two people at a protest in Kenosha, Wis., in August. File Photo courtesy of the Kenosha County, Wis., Sheriff's Department
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A Wisconsin judge on Thursday ordered Kyle Rittenhouse, an Illinois teenager charged with fatally shooting two people at an August protest in Kenosha, to stand trial. Rittenhouse is set to be arraigned Jan. 5 in Kenosha County Circuit Court after County Commissioner Loren Keating determined the state presented enough probable cause of felony actions for the case to proceed to trial. Advertisement
Rittenhouse was released from jail in November after posting $2 million bail.
The 17-year-old faces two felony charges of homicide in the deaths of Anthony M. Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum, and felony attempted homicide for injuring Gaige Grosskreutz during protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
He also faces a misdemeanor charge of possession of a dangerous weapon while under the age of 18.
During Thursday's preliminary hearing, Rittenhouse's attorney, Mark Richards, sought to argue that his client acted in self-defense, presenting screenshots and surveillance video he said showed Rittenhouse being chased by a protester with a gun and struck with a skateboard by Huber while on the ground. He also presented a photo showing Rosenbaum with a shirt covering his face, noting that committing a crime while masked is a criminal act in Wisconsin
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"The state is trying to put forth a one-sided, stilted view of what happened to protect someone who does not deserve the protection of the state," Richards said.
Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger accused Richards of attempting to introduce "a cast of characters" who were among "hundreds of people" present at the protest on the night of the shootings.
Binger also opposed Richards' attempt to have the charge of possession of a dangerous weapon dismissed, saying the 17-year-old "went running around the streets of Kenosha after curfew with a very dangerous weapon."
"We don't trust [minors] with these weapons because of exactly what happened in this case," he said.
Keating ruled that the arguments brought up by Rittenhouse's defense should be taken up at trial.


upi--2020-12-03--Anthony Davis agrees to 5-year, $190M max contract with Lakers

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- All-Star big man Anthony Davis has agreed to re-sign with the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers , the team announced .
Davis ' agent , Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group , told ESPN and the Los Angeles Times that Davis reached an agreement on a five-year , $ 190 million maximum contract to remain with the Lakers .
According to the outlets , the deal includes an early-termination option before the fifth year of the deal in 2024-25 .
Davis , who became a free agent after opting out of the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contract Thursday .
According to ESPN , the All-NBA forward considered multiple short- and long-term contract options before accepting the five-year deal .
`` In the Orlando bubble , Anthony Davis proved he is one of the game 's most complete and dominant two-way players , '' Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said in a statement .
`` Now , Lakers fans get to watch A.D. continue to grow and lead our franchise for years to come .
This is truly a blessed moment for Lakers Nation . ''
Davis is scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , according to ESPN .
He will make about $ 35.4 million in 2021-22 , $ 37.9 million in 2022-23 , $ 40.6 million in 2023-24 and $ 43.2 million in the fifth year .
His deal comes in the wake of Lakers superstar LeBron James agreeing to a two-year , $ 85 million extension through the 2023-24 campaign .
The team confirmed James ' extension Thursday night .
The 27-year-old Davis averaged 26.1 points , 9.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game last season after leveraging a trade from the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27.7 points , 9.7 rebounds , 3.5 assists and 1.4 blocks in the playoffs .
Davis and James helped the Lakers win the franchise 's 17th NBA championship in the 2019-20 season .

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (R) helped guide the team to an NBA championship last season. File Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- All-Star big man Anthony Davis has agreed to re-sign with the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, the team announced. Davis' agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, told ESPN and the Los Angeles Times that Davis reached an agreement on a five-year, $190 million maximum contract to remain with the Lakers. According to the outlets, the deal includes an early-termination option before the fifth year of the deal in 2024-25. Advertisement
Davis, who became a free agent after opting out of the final year of his previous deal, signed the contract Thursday. According to ESPN, the All-NBA forward considered multiple short- and long-term contract options before accepting the five-year deal.
"In the Orlando bubble, Anthony Davis proved he is one of the game's most complete and dominant two-way players," Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said in a statement. "Now, Lakers fans get to watch A.D. continue to grow and lead our franchise for years to come. This is truly a blessed moment for Lakers Nation."
OFFICIAL: AD is staying in Purple and Gold pic.twitter.com/jHqsBEwlk5— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 4, 2020
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Davis is scheduled to earn about $32.7 million this season, according to ESPN. He will make about $35.4 million in 2021-22, $37.9 million in 2022-23, $40.6 million in 2023-24 and $43.2 million in the fifth year.
His deal comes in the wake of Lakers superstar LeBron James agreeing to a two-year, $85 million extension through the 2023-24 campaign. The team confirmed James' extension Thursday night.
The 27-year-old Davis averaged 26.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game last season after leveraging a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans. He had averages of 27.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 blocks in the playoffs.
Davis and James helped the Lakers win the franchise's 17th NBA championship in the 2019-20 season.


upi--2020-12-03--Low flight hours, waived training requirements causing more military crashes

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- Flight hours are down and training waivers are on the rise among military pilots , making military flights riskier , according to a new report from a commission convened to investigate the cases of military aviation crashes .
The report , released Thursday , said pilots are spending more time on assignments away from the cockpit and that the lack of flight hours is `` increasing risk . ''
Maintenance staff are also saddled with `` voluminous additional duties '' unrelated to their primary job descriptions that take away from training opportunities , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Safety .
`` The net result is a shortage of mid-grade maintainers and aviators across the Services , and an overall decline in experience levels , '' said a press release announcing the report 's publication .
The commission also found that the military 's sustainment system was ineffective across services , with struggles keeping parts supplied and depots maintained , causing maintenance delays .
`` We came away from our visits impressed with the patriotism , dedication , and level of effort we observed throughout the ranks of America 's military , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Commission , said.. `` But we also came away deeply concerned and troubled by the decline in experience , crushing OPTEMPO and lack of resources . ''
The commission was convened to investigate what it describes as `` the rising rates '' of military aviation mishaps between Fiscal Year 2013 and Fiscal Year 2018 .
The report compares that period to the years between Fiscal Year 2007 and 2012 .
While the mean rate of Class A and Class B mishaps -- which cause $ 2.5 million or more in property damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in property damage respectively -- was lower in the second time period than the first , the rate of Class C mishaps was higher .
Class C mishaps cause between $ 60,000 and $ 599,999 in damage .
Between 2007 and 2012 , the mean rate of Class C mishaps was 19.45 per year and the in between 2013 and 2018 it was 23.37 per year .
In all , between 2013 and 2018 there were 6,079 non-combat mishaps that killed 198 people , destroyed 167 aircraft and caused $ 9.41 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military increase flight hours , provide better training and career opportunities for maintainers , prioritize safety at senior levels in the Department , provide reliable and consistent funding -- and better manage the environmental factors that lead to chronic fatigue and unsafe conditions .

The USAF Thunderbirds perform at the first Lockheed Martin Space and Air Show in Sanford, Fla., Saturday. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Flight hours are down and training waivers are on the rise among military pilots, making military flights riskier, according to a new report from a commission convened to investigate the cases of military aviation crashes. The report, released Thursday, said pilots are spending more time on assignments away from the cockpit and that the lack of flight hours is "increasing risk." Advertisement
Maintenance staff are also saddled with "voluminous additional duties" unrelated to their primary job descriptions that take away from training opportunities, according to the National Commission on Military Aviation Safety.
"The net result is a shortage of mid-grade maintainers and aviators across the Services, and an overall decline in experience levels," said a press release announcing the report's publication.
The commission also found that the military's sustainment system was ineffective across services, with struggles keeping parts supplied and depots maintained, causing maintenance delays.
"We came away from our visits impressed with the patriotism, dedication, and level of effort we observed throughout the ranks of America's military," Gen. Dick Cody, chairman of the Commission, said.. "But we also came away deeply concerned and troubled by the decline in experience, crushing OPTEMPO and lack of resources."
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The commission was convened to investigate what it describes as "the rising rates" of military aviation mishaps between Fiscal Year 2013 and Fiscal Year 2018.
The report compares that period to the years between Fiscal Year 2007 and 2012.
While the mean rate of Class A and Class B mishaps -- which cause $2.5 million or more in property damage or between $600,000 and $4.9 million in property damage respectively -- was lower in the second time period than the first, the rate of Class C mishaps was higher.
Class C mishaps cause between $60,000 and $599,999 in damage.
Between 2007 and 2012, the mean rate of Class C mishaps was 19.45 per year and the in between 2013 and 2018 it was 23.37 per year.
In all, between 2013 and 2018 there were 6,079 non-combat mishaps that killed 198 people, destroyed 167 aircraft and caused $9.41 billion in damages.
The commission recommends the military increase flight hours, provide better training and career opportunities for maintainers, prioritize safety at senior levels in the Department, provide reliable and consistent funding -- and better manage the environmental factors that lead to chronic fatigue and unsafe conditions.


upi--2020-12-03--Alyssa Farah resigns as White House communications director

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- White House Communications Director Alyssa Farah resigned from her post on Thursday after more @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration .
Farah , 31 , announced her resignation in a letter obtained by @ @ @ @ @ her time in the administration as `` the honor of a lifetime .
She said @ @ @ @ @ of the incredible things we were able to accomplish to make our country stronger , @ @ @ @ @ '' During her time in the Trump administration , Farah served as press secretary for @ @ @ @ @ then press secretary for the Defense Department , before returning to the White House in @ @ @ @ @ .
She previously served in communications roles for White House chief of staff Mark Meadows @ @ @ @ @ House of Representatives .
Farah 's resignation comes as President Donald Trump and his legal @ @ @ @ @ to the result of November 's election after President-elect Joe Biden was declared the winner @

White House communications director Alyssa Farah announced that she will resign from her role after Friday. File Photo by Erin Scott/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- White House Communications Director Alyssa Farah resigned from her post on Thursday after more than three years in the Trump administration. Farah, 31, announced her resignation in a letter obtained by The Washington Post, describing her time in the administration as "the honor of a lifetime. She said she was "deeply proud of the incredible things we were able to accomplish to make our country stronger, safer and more secure." Advertisement
During her time in the Trump administration, Farah served as press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence, then press secretary for the Defense Department, before returning to the White House in her current role in April.
She previously served in communications roles for White House chief of staff Mark Meadows during his time in the House of Representatives.
Farah's resignation comes as President Donald Trump and his legal team have continued legal challenges to the result of November's election after President-elect Joe Biden was declared the winner.


upi--2020-12-03--Navy to prioritize health care workers in COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- The Navy will prioritize health care workers , base first responders and safety personnel when the Department of Defense receives COVID-19 vaccines later this month .
The military is expected to receive both the Pfizer and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines within the next three weeks and the services are working to prioritize their distribution .
Speaking at a Senate Armed Services subcommittee Wednesday , Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday said the Navy will prioritize `` people likely to come in contact with people who are infected '' for the vaccine rollout .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vaccinate sailors in strategic forces as well as those set to deploy within the next three months .
Gilday also said the Navy will adapt what it learned from having to prioritize COVID testing this year and apply the same principles to the vaccine rollout .
`` We have a good count of what those numbers are , and if there 's anything we are really good at , it 's mass immunization in the U.S. military , '' Gilday said .
Other services have not announced their prioritization plans .
DoD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to distribute the first shots to health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities , and Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said the DoD is likely to provide an update on the department 's vaccine plans in the next few days .
Vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna are being reviewed for emergency-use authorization and could start being administered this month , with 10 locations across the DoD set to receive the vaccine once it 's approved .
As of Wednesday the Department of Defense had recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of the pandemic , up from 117,736 Monday .
Of those , 80,592 have been among military members , 20,453 among DoD civilian employees , 11,954 among dependents and 7,399 among contractors .
The Army has recorded the highest number of cases , with 29,094 .

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael M. Gilday speaks at a Pentagon press briefing, Washington, D.C., in April. Photo by Lisa Ferdinando/U.S. Navy
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The Navy will prioritize health care workers, base first responders and safety personnel when the Department of Defense receives COVID-19 vaccines later this month. The military is expected to receive both the Pfizer and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines within the next three weeks and the services are working to prioritize their distribution. Advertisement
Speaking at a Senate Armed Services subcommittee Wednesday, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday said the Navy will prioritize "people likely to come in contact with people who are infected" for the vaccine rollout.
After that, the Navy will work to vaccinate sailors in strategic forces as well as those set to deploy within the next three months.
Gilday also said the Navy will adapt what it learned from having to prioritize COVID testing this year and apply the same principles to the vaccine rollout.
"We have a good count of what those numbers are, and if there's anything we are really good at, it's mass immunization in the U.S. military," Gilday said.
Other services have not announced their prioritization plans.
DoD officials have said they will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to distribute the first shots to health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities, and Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said the DoD is likely to provide an update on the department's vaccine plans in the next few days.
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Vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna are being reviewed for emergency-use authorization and could start being administered this month, with 10 locations across the DoD set to receive the vaccine once it's approved.
As of Wednesday the Department of Defense had recorded a total of 120,398 coronavirus cases since the beginning of the pandemic, up from 117,736 Monday.
Of those, 80,592 have been among military members, 20,453 among DoD civilian employees, 11,954 among dependents and 7,399 among contractors.
The Army has recorded the highest number of cases, with 29,094.


upi--2020-12-03--Florida Supreme Court upholds death sentence for Waffle House murders

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the death sentence for a man convicted of killing two Waffle House employees 18 years ago .
Gerhard Hojan , 45 , was sentenced to death in 2003 for the murders of Christina De La Rosa and Willy Absolu .
He was also convicted of attempted murder for shooting a third employee at the Davie , Fla. , restaurant , Barbara Nunn .
Prosecutors said Hojan and accomplice Jimmy Mickel held the three employees in the restaurant 's freezer so they could steal cash in 2002 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ around and kneel , at which point he shot each .
Nunn survived a gunshot wound to the head and identified the two men , who had regularly eaten at the restaurant and knew the employees .
Hojan confessed to the murders after his arrest .
The state 's highest court declined to change Hojan 's punishment as part of a re-sentencing hearing .
Defense lawyers challenged the sentence , saying the trial court `` abused its discretion '' by not allowing Hojan 's lawyers to pose a hypothetical question about the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court said it did n't find that the trial court improperly limited the defense team 's questioning .
`` Hojan does not allege that his jury was partial , and he has not demonstrated that the trial court abused its discretion by prohibiting adequate questioning on the topic that was the subject of defense counsel 's proposed hypothetical , '' the ruling said .
`` To the contrary , the record shows that the trial court permitted an alternate inquiry by defense counsel that was sufficient to allow counsel to assess any juror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to impartially decide the case based upon the evidence presented at trial and the law . ''

Gerhard Hojan was sentenced to death for killing two Waffle House employees in Davie, Fla. File Photo courtesy of the Florida Department of Corrections
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the death sentence for a man convicted of killing two Waffle House employees 18 years ago. Gerhard Hojan, 45, was sentenced to death in 2003 for the murders of Christina De La Rosa and Willy Absolu. He was also convicted of attempted murder for shooting a third employee at the Davie, Fla., restaurant, Barbara Nunn. Advertisement
Prosecutors said Hojan and accomplice Jimmy Mickel held the three employees in the restaurant's freezer so they could steal cash in 2002. Hojan ordered the three employees to turn around and kneel, at which point he shot each.
Nunn survived a gunshot wound to the head and identified the two men, who had regularly eaten at the restaurant and knew the employees.
Hojan confessed to the murders after his arrest.
The state's highest court declined to change Hojan's punishment as part of a re-sentencing hearing. Defense lawyers challenged the sentence, saying the trial court "abused its discretion" by not allowing Hojan's lawyers to pose a hypothetical question about the death penalty to jurors.
The Florida Supreme Court said it didn't find that the trial court improperly limited the defense team's questioning.
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"Hojan does not allege that his jury was partial, and he has not demonstrated that the trial court abused its discretion by prohibiting adequate questioning on the topic that was the subject of defense counsel's proposed hypothetical," the ruling said.
"To the contrary, the record shows that the trial court permitted an alternate inquiry by defense counsel that was sufficient to allow counsel to assess any juror bias that would affect the jurors' ability to impartially decide the case based upon the evidence presented at trial and the law."


upi--2020-12-03--NFL reinstates Seattle Seahawks WR Josh Gordon for final two weeks

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- The NFL announced Thursday that Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Josh Gordon has been conditionally reinstated for the last two weeks of the 2020-21 season .
Gordon will be allowed to begin COVID-19 testing Friday , according to the league .
If he tests negative for the coronavirus , he could join the Seahawks on Dec. 9 .
Gordon can then take part in team meetings , individual workouts and strength and conditioning drills , but he will not be permitted to practice , travel with the club or attend games until Dec. 21 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weeks 16 and 17 .
In a post on social media , Gordon said he was `` thankful '' for his conditional reinstatement .
The NFL announced Gordon 's previous suspension the day after the Seahawks ' Week 15 game last season , meaning he will have effectively served a one-year ban .
He was suspended indefinitely last December for violating the league 's policies on performance-enhancing substances and substances of abuse .
It was Gordon 's sixth suspension since the 2013 campaign and his fifth for some form of substance abuse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Seahawks ' wide receiver group .
D.K .
Metcalf currently leads the league in receiving yards ( 1,039 ) , while Tyler Lockett and David Moore have held prominent roles in Seattle 's offense .
`` He 's an amazing receiver , a guy who was great last year for us , made some great plays , '' Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said of Gordon on Thursday .
`` Obviously , he 's been a great player over his years and all that .
But I think more than anything else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his growth in life .
`` You always want to see people overcome challenges and everything else . ''
Gordon caught seven passes for 139 yards in five games last season with the Seahawks , who claimed the former Pro Bowl and All-Pro wideout after he was released off injured reserve by the New England Patriots in November 2019 .
He re-signed with the Seahawks on a one-year deal in September .
Gordon has played only 63 games since the Cleveland Browns selected him in the 2012 supplemental draft .
He has recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touchdowns in his NFL career .

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks on a one-year deal in September. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The NFL announced Thursday that Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Josh Gordon has been conditionally reinstated for the last two weeks of the 2020-21 season. Gordon will be allowed to begin COVID-19 testing Friday, according to the league. If he tests negative for the coronavirus, he could join the Seahawks on Dec. 9. Advertisement
Gordon can then take part in team meetings, individual workouts and strength and conditioning drills, but he will not be permitted to practice, travel with the club or attend games until Dec. 21. He will be eligible to play in Weeks 16 and 17.
In a post on social media, Gordon said he was "thankful" for his conditional reinstatement.
Thankful — Flash (@JOSH_GORDONXII) December 3, 2020
The NFL announced Gordon's previous suspension the day after the Seahawks' Week 15 game last season, meaning he will have effectively served a one-year ban.
He was suspended indefinitely last December for violating the league's policies on performance-enhancing substances and substances of abuse. It was Gordon's sixth suspension since the 2013 campaign and his fifth for some form of substance abuse.
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The 29-year-old Gordon will add more firepower to the Seahawks' wide receiver group. D.K. Metcalf currently leads the league in receiving yards (1,039), while Tyler Lockett and David Moore have held prominent roles in Seattle's offense.
"He's an amazing receiver, a guy who was great last year for us, made some great plays," Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said of Gordon on Thursday. "Obviously, he's been a great player over his years and all that. But I think more than anything else, it's a testament hopefully to his growth in life.
"You always want to see people overcome challenges and everything else."
Gordon caught seven passes for 139 yards in five games last season with the Seahawks, who claimed the former Pro Bowl and All-Pro wideout after he was released off injured reserve by the New England Patriots in November 2019. He re-signed with the Seahawks on a one-year deal in September.
Gordon has played only 63 games since the Cleveland Browns selected him in the 2012 supplemental draft. He has recorded 247 receptions for 4,252 yards and 20 touchdowns in his NFL career.
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This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-03--Volunteer injured by tiger at sanctuary owned by 'Tiger King' star

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- A volunteer was seriously injured by a tiger at a Florida animal sanctuary run by Tiger King star Carole Baskin on Thursday .
In a Facebook post , Big Cat Rescue wrote that a tiger named Kimba grabbed volunteer Candy Couser 's arm and `` nearly tore it off at the shoulder '' after she reached into an area where the tiger was being held .
The sanctuary said Couser noticed Kimba was locked in a section away from where he was usually fed and radioed to a coordinator to find out why .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guillotine tunnel door and saw a second door was clipped shut , which the sanctuary described as `` a universal signal NOT to open a gate without the coordinator coming up to assist . ''
Upon attempting to unclip the door , Kimba grabbed Crouser 's arm , which Big Cat Rescue said was normal behavior `` due to the presence of food and the opportunity . ''
`` It is against our protocols for anyone to stick any part of their body into a cage with a cat in it , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the staff arrived in the area and Kimba dropped his grip.Staff members attempted to stop Crouser 's bleeding and used a belt as a tourniquet while calling for an ambulance .
Crouser was taken to St. Joseph 's Hospital and Kimba was placed in quarantine for 30 days as a precaution , although the sanctuary said Crouser requested that no harm come to the tiger due to the incident .
Big Cat Rescue said volunteers and staff met to discuss the incident , adding grief counseling is available for those impacted by the @ @

A tiger at Big Cat rescue grabbed the arm of volunteer Candy Couser, pictured here, after she reached into an area where the animal was being held. Photo courtesy Big Cat Rescue/Facebook
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A volunteer was seriously injured by a tiger at a Florida animal sanctuary run by Tiger King star Carole Baskin on Thursday. In a Facebook post, Big Cat Rescue wrote that a tiger named Kimba grabbed volunteer Candy Couser's arm and "nearly tore it off at the shoulder" after she reached into an area where the tiger was being held. Advertisement
The sanctuary said Couser noticed Kimba was locked in a section away from where he was usually fed and radioed to a coordinator to find out why. Before help arrived, she opened a guillotine tunnel door and saw a second door was clipped shut, which the sanctuary described as "a universal signal NOT to open a gate without the coordinator coming up to assist."
Upon attempting to unclip the door, Kimba grabbed Crouser's arm, which Big Cat Rescue said was normal behavior "due to the presence of food and the opportunity."
"It is against our protocols for anyone to stick any part of their body into a cage with a cat in it," the sanctuary said.
Another member of the staff arrived in the area and Kimba dropped his grip.Staff members attempted to stop Crouser's bleeding and used a belt as a tourniquet while calling for an ambulance.
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Crouser was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital and Kimba was placed in quarantine for 30 days as a precaution, although the sanctuary said Crouser requested that no harm come to the tiger due to the incident.
Big Cat Rescue said volunteers and staff met to discuss the incident, adding grief counseling is available for those impacted by the event.


upi--2020-12-03--Justice Department accuses Facebook of favoring visa workers for some positions

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- The Justice Department on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Facebook , alleging the company discriminated against U.S. workers by creating a separate recruiting process favoring temporary visa holders .
In a statement , the Department of Justice accuses Facebook of refusing to recruit , consider or hire U.S. workers for more than 2,600 positions with an average salary of about $ 156,000 .
The suit said the company instead reserved the jobs for temporary visa holders , such as those with H-1B visas .
`` The Department of Justice 's lawsuit alleges that Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law , by setting aside positions for temporary visa holders instead of considering interested and qualified U.S. workers , '' said Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division said .
The suit is based on an investigation spanning from Jan. 1 , 2018 to Sept. 18 , 2019 .
During this time , the Justice Department said Facebook sought to channel jobs to visa holders by failing to advertise those vacancies on its career websites , requiring applicants to apply by mail and refusing to consider U.S. workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrast , Facebook 's usual hiring process relies on recruitment methods designed to encourage applications by advertising positions on its careers website , accepting electronic applications and not pre-selecting candidates to be hired based on a candidate 's immigration status , '' the lawsuit states .
The Justice Department 's investigation found that Facebook 's practices resulted in the company receiving zero or one worker application for 99.7 % of the positions related to its permanent labor certification process .
A Facebook representative told The Hill the company disputes the allegations in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department in its review .

The Justice Department on Thursday sued Facebook alleging the company discriminated against U.S. workers for more than 2,600 jobs by creating a separate recruiting process favoring temporary visa workers. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The Justice Department on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Facebook, alleging the company discriminated against U.S. workers by creating a separate recruiting process favoring temporary visa holders. In a statement, the Department of Justice accuses Facebook of refusing to recruit, consider or hire U.S. workers for more than 2,600 positions with an average salary of about $156,000. The suit said the company instead reserved the jobs for temporary visa holders, such as those with H-1B visas. Advertisement
"The Department of Justice's lawsuit alleges that Facebook engaged in intentional and widespread violations of the law, by setting aside positions for temporary visa holders instead of considering interested and qualified U.S. workers," said Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division said.
The suit is based on an investigation spanning from Jan. 1, 2018 to Sept. 18, 2019.
During this time, the Justice Department said Facebook sought to channel jobs to visa holders by failing to advertise those vacancies on its career websites, requiring applicants to apply by mail and refusing to consider U.S. workers applying for those positions.
"In contrast, Facebook's usual hiring process relies on recruitment methods designed to encourage applications by advertising positions on its careers website, accepting electronic applications and not pre-selecting candidates to be hired based on a candidate's immigration status," the lawsuit states.
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The Justice Department's investigation found that Facebook's practices resulted in the company receiving zero or one worker application for 99.7% of the positions related to its permanent labor certification process.
A Facebook representative told The Hill the company disputes the allegations in the complaint and has been cooperating with the Justice Department in its review.


upi--2020-12-03--Brain prosthesis that may restore some vision shows promise in monkeys

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- Scientists have for the first time used a high-definition brain prosthesis to stimulate shape perception in monkeys , demonstrating the technology 's potential as an aid for the blind .
Researchers hope the the breakthrough technology , detailed Thursday in the journal Science , can eventually be used to restore the vision of the more than 40 million people globally who are visually impaired .
It 's not the first time scientists have used micro-stimulation of the visual cortex to trigger artificial vision .
Experiments in both animals and humans have proven electrical stimulation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perception of a fleeting flash of light , called a phosphene .
Scientists have previously developed cortical visual prostheses , or CVPs , to trigger specific neurons and generate phosphene perceptions of different proportions and in different locations .
However , these devices have been limited by the position of their electrodes and their power demands , allowing only the stimulation of rather crude visuals .
To design a CVP capable of generating higher definition images , researchers fabricated arrays of silicon micro-electrodes arranged in a matrix-like pattern .
`` [ Our CVP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electrodes each so that the total number of electrodes is 1,024 , '' study co-author Pieter Roelfsema , researcher at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience , told UPI in a news release .
`` These arrays are 'shot ' into the cortex with a pneumatic device . ''
For the study , researchers installed the novel brain implants in a pair of macaque monkeys trained to recognize shapes .
`` We trained the monkeys to recognize letters .
They made an eye movement to the right for an A , an eye movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they saw these letters , '' Roelfsema said .
`` At some point , we directly stimulated patterns in the cortex without presenting any letters visually and were excited that they could recognize them . ''
Subsequent tests showed their implants were capable of stimulating perception of orientation and motion .
Now , Roelfsema and his colleagues and working to ensure the technology is ready for use in visually impaired humans .
`` We will need to make sure that the electrodes keep working for many years , which will take hopefully one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Then we need to make the entire system wireless .
We hope to test it in humans in 2023 . ''
In the near future , Roelfsema expects CVP technology to return rudimentary vision to the blind -- with definition between 5,000 and 10,000 pixels .
`` We expect that this might be enough to navigate through traffic , '' he said .
Though cortical visual prostheses could soon make daily life a bit easier for the visually impaired , Roelfsema said it could be a while before the technology can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head .
`` That will take many years , '' he said .
`` We are now producing 1,000 pixels in perception and hope to scale it up to 10,000 .
The human eye has 1,000,000 pixels , so we are not even close to this . ''

Researchers attached 16 arrays featured dozens of micro-electrodes to stimulate the perception of letters and shapes in macaque monkeys. Photo by Xing Chen, et al./Science
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Scientists have for the first time used a high-definition brain prosthesis to stimulate shape perception in monkeys, demonstrating the technology's potential as an aid for the blind. Researchers hope the the breakthrough technology, detailed Thursday in the journal Science, can eventually be used to restore the vision of the more than 40 million people globally who are visually impaired. Advertisement
It's not the first time scientists have used micro-stimulation of the visual cortex to trigger artificial vision. Experiments in both animals and humans have proven electrical stimulation of the visual cortex can produce the perception of a fleeting flash of light, called a phosphene.
Scientists have previously developed cortical visual prostheses, or CVPs, to trigger specific neurons and generate phosphene perceptions of different proportions and in different locations.
However, these devices have been limited by the position of their electrodes and their power demands, allowing only the stimulation of rather crude visuals.
To design a CVP capable of generating higher definition images, researchers fabricated arrays of silicon micro-electrodes arranged in a matrix-like pattern.
"[Our CVP] consists of 16 arrays with 64 electrodes each so that the total number of electrodes is 1,024," study co-author Pieter Roelfsema, researcher at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, told UPI in a news release. "These arrays are 'shot' into the cortex with a pneumatic device."
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For the study, researchers installed the novel brain implants in a pair of macaque monkeys trained to recognize shapes.
"We trained the monkeys to recognize letters. They made an eye movement to the right for an A, an eye movement to the left for a B when they saw these letters," Roelfsema said. "At some point, we directly stimulated patterns in the cortex without presenting any letters visually and were excited that they could recognize them."
Subsequent tests showed their implants were capable of stimulating perception of orientation and motion.
Now, Roelfsema and his colleagues and working to ensure the technology is ready for use in visually impaired humans.
"We will need to make sure that the electrodes keep working for many years, which will take hopefully one or two years," he said. "Then we need to make the entire system wireless. We hope to test it in humans in 2023."
In the near future, Roelfsema expects CVP technology to return rudimentary vision to the blind -- with definition between 5,000 and 10,000 pixels.
"We expect that this might be enough to navigate through traffic," he said.
Though cortical visual prostheses could soon make daily life a bit easier for the visually impaired, Roelfsema said it could be a while before the technology can help the blind stream movies inside their head.
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"That will take many years," he said. "We are now producing 1,000 pixels in perception and hope to scale it up to 10,000. The human eye has 1,000,000 pixels, so we are not even close to this."


upi--2020-12-03--Toxic tire additive blamed for massive coho salmon die-offs

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- Almost all Pacific salmon die shortly after spawning , with the nutrients from their decaying carcasses offering nourishment to the next generation .
In many urban waterways , however , hundreds of salmon die before spawning , never getting the chance to deposit their eggs on the riverbed .
`` Mortality rates in pristine streams are less than 1 percent , while urban creeks can have over 90 percent mortality prior to spawning , '' Edward Kolodziej , an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Washington , told UPI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the work of Kolodziej his research partners , scientists know what 's killing salmon who venture too close to urban centers -- 6PPD-quinone , the derivative of a chemical additive that keeps rubber tires from breaking down too quickly .
Kolodziej is one of several co-authors of a new paper , published Thursday in the journal Science , describing the toxin 's role in coho salmon die-offs .
Scientists have been documenting what 's known as urban runoff mortality syndrome for nearly 40 years .
Not long after efforts to revive coho @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers began noticing coho salmon making their way upstream in creeks surrounding Seattle would start behaving strangely after heavy rains .
The fish , bound for spawning grounds , would list sideways and swim in circles .
Eventually , the fish would roll over and die in large numbers .
`` Documented reports that urban stormwater killed coho salmon have existed in Washington State since the 1980s , '' Kolodziej said .
`` In Seattle , documentation began with mortality observations in urban creeks in the 1990s , and for the last 20-plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jen McIntyre have worked to document and understand coho mortality arising from stormwater exposure . ''
As part of their work , researchers -- including Scholz , Davis and McIntyre , all co-authors of the new study -- began testing the stormwater runoff near streams where coho salmon were turning up dead .
In the lab , researchers divided the stormwater based on different chemical properties .
For example , scientists divided the water into metal and non-metal solutions .
This allowed researchers to eliminate large numbers of toxins when a mixture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runoff mortality syndrome .
`` This is called 'effects directed analysis , '' Kolodziej said .
Researchers were able to eliminate flame retardants , plasticizers and other groups from their list of suspects .
Eventually , the scientists narrowed their search to just a few chemicals , including one unknown compound that appeared to dominate the mixture .
Researchers were able to identify the likely culprit 's chemical composition -- they knew it had 18 carbons , 22 hydrogens , two nitrogens and two oxygens -- but they did n't have a name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to match anything in the database of known chemicals .
Finally , Zhenyu Tian , a research scientist at the University of Washington 's Center for Urban Waters , realized the compound may not be a chemical used in the direct construction of rubber tires , but one added post-production .
He also guessed their culprit was likely to derivative of a tire additive , not the additive itself .
Tian 's hunch was right .
A common preservative used to protect tires from degradation via ground level ozone , a chemical called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their compound 's composition -- with the same ratio of carbon and nitrogen molecules .
When 6PPD hits the road and reacts with ozone , it forms 6PPD-quinone -- the unnamed compound scientists isolated in the lab .
Followup experiments showed that , even in tiny quantities , 6PPD-quinone is extremely deadly to juvenile coho salmon .
Since identifying the likely cause of urban runoff mortality syndrome , scientists have documented dangerously high concentrations of 6PPD-quinone in streams surrounding Seattle , San Francisco and Los Angeles .
The findings add to a growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just negatively impacting air quality , but also degrading water quality and harming freshwater ecosystems .
Scientists regularly monitor temperature and oxygen levels -- as well as infamous industrial toxins like mercury and lead -- in streams and rivers important to aquatic species , but the latest research is a reminder that a variety of little-understood chemicals are regularly washed into local waterways .
According to Kolodziej , followup studies to determine the prevalence of 6PPD-quinone in the environment -- and its implications for fish and other -- are underway .

Researcher Zhenyu Tian holds a sampling pole used to collect creek water from streams where migrating coho salmon sometimes turn up dead after heavy rains. Photo by Mark Stone/University of Washington
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Almost all Pacific salmon die shortly after spawning, with the nutrients from their decaying carcasses offering nourishment to the next generation. In many urban waterways, however, hundreds of salmon die before spawning, never getting the chance to deposit their eggs on the riverbed. Advertisement
"Mortality rates in pristine streams are less than 1 percent, while urban creeks can have over 90 percent mortality prior to spawning," Edward Kolodziej, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Washington, told UPI in an email.
Now, thanks to the work of Kolodziej his research partners, scientists know what's killing salmon who venture too close to urban centers -- 6PPD-quinone, the derivative of a chemical additive that keeps rubber tires from breaking down too quickly.
Kolodziej is one of several co-authors of a new paper, published Thursday in the journal Science, describing the toxin's role in coho salmon die-offs.
Advertisement
Scientists have been documenting what's known as urban runoff mortality syndrome for nearly 40 years.
Not long after efforts to revive coho salmon spawn runs began paying dividends, researchers began noticing coho salmon making their way upstream in creeks surrounding Seattle would start behaving strangely after heavy rains.
The fish, bound for spawning grounds, would list sideways and swim in circles. Eventually, the fish would roll over and die in large numbers.
"Documented reports that urban stormwater killed coho salmon have existed in Washington State since the 1980s," Kolodziej said. "In Seattle, documentation began with mortality observations in urban creeks in the 1990s, and for the last 20-plus years, Nat Scholz, Jay Davis and Jen McIntyre have worked to document and understand coho mortality arising from stormwater exposure."
As part of their work, researchers -- including Scholz, Davis and McIntyre, all co-authors of the new study -- began testing the stormwater runoff near streams where coho salmon were turning up dead. In the lab, researchers divided the stormwater based on different chemical properties.
For example, scientists divided the water into metal and non-metal solutions. This allowed researchers to eliminate large numbers of toxins when a mixture failed to trigger symptoms consistent with urban runoff mortality syndrome.
Advertisement
"This is called 'effects directed analysis," Kolodziej said.
Researchers were able to eliminate flame retardants, plasticizers and other groups from their list of suspects. Eventually, the scientists narrowed their search to just a few chemicals, including one unknown compound that appeared to dominate the mixture.
Researchers were able to identify the likely culprit's chemical composition -- they knew it had 18 carbons, 22 hydrogens, two nitrogens and two oxygens -- but they didn't have a name for it. The chemical fingerprint failed to match anything in the database of known chemicals.
Finally, Zhenyu Tian, a research scientist at the University of Washington's Center for Urban Waters, realized the compound may not be a chemical used in the direct construction of rubber tires, but one added post-production. He also guessed their culprit was likely to derivative of a tire additive, not the additive itself.
Tian's hunch was right. A common preservative used to protect tires from degradation via ground level ozone, a chemical called 6PPD, was a near match for their compound's composition -- with the same ratio of carbon and nitrogen molecules. When 6PPD hits the road and reacts with ozone, it forms 6PPD-quinone -- the unnamed compound scientists isolated in the lab.
Advertisement
Followup experiments showed that, even in tiny quantities, 6PPD-quinone is extremely deadly to juvenile coho salmon.
Since identifying the likely cause of urban runoff mortality syndrome, scientists have documented dangerously high concentrations of 6PPD-quinone in streams surrounding Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The findings add to a growing body of evidence that cars aren't just negatively impacting air quality, but also degrading water quality and harming freshwater ecosystems.
Scientists regularly monitor temperature and oxygen levels -- as well as infamous industrial toxins like mercury and lead -- in streams and rivers important to aquatic species, but the latest research is a reminder that a variety of little-understood chemicals are regularly washed into local waterways.
According to Kolodziej, followup studies to determine the prevalence of 6PPD-quinone in the environment -- and its implications for fish and other -- are underway.


upi--2020-12-03--COVID-19 vaccine efficacy depends on distribution, public confidence, experts say

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- The effectiveness of new vaccines developed to prevent COVID-19 likely depends on how well they are distributed and the degree to which the public is willing to take them , public health experts from Johns Hopkins University and Duke University said Thursday .
The comments came on the same day the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices published its recommendations on who should receive the initial doses of vaccine .
The new guidelines suggest that the nation 's 21 million healthcare workers -- as well as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which have seen disproportionate numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths -- should receive priority .
`` Any vaccine is not going to be a silver bullet that brings us back to the pre-pandemic period , '' Dr. William Moss said during a conference call with reporters on Thursday .
While potential vaccines against the virus existing `` just about a year after the pandemic was first identified is a truly remarkable achievement , [ we ] face numerous challenges in rolling out these vaccines , '' said Moss , executive director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health .
To date , two companies -- Pfizer and Moderna -- have applied for emergency use authorization for their vaccines to prevent COVID-19 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
Officials expect doses of one or both vaccines to become available in the United States before the end of this month .
However , just how many doses will be ready for use over the next few months remains to be seen .
Although both companies have already begun manufacturing the vaccine -- and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anticipation of receiving the FDA approval , their products must be stored at extremely cold temperatures and require two doses to be effective .
Getting the freezers needed to maintain an inventory of these vaccines will be challenging , particularly in low-income and rural areas across the country , Moss said .
In addition , just as concerns exist that people who live in low-income countries globally wo n't have access to the vaccines , so too are there worries that poorer communities in the United States will have trouble getting them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ part , to `` deep-seated inequities '' in access to quality healthcare services in low-income communities , particularly among people of color , that have become `` more exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic , '' according to Dr. Gavin Yamey .
More than 80 % of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine doses `` have already been purchased by rich nations , '' Yamey , professor of practice , global health and public policy at Duke , said during a call with reporters Thursday .
`` We 're really not going to really bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viral transmission everywhere [ and ] the same inequities we 've been talking about globally could happen here if we 're not careful , '' he said .
The National Academy of Medicine recently called for vulnerable populations , including people of color , the homeless and incarcerated populations , among others , to be `` vaccinated early , '' Yamey added .
Still , even if these communities can receive the shots , it does n't mean they will , he said .
Because of the `` legacy of medical experimentation '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States -- the syphilis studies in Tuskegee , for example -- people may be reluctant to accept a new , rapidly developed vaccine , he said .
The key will be taking steps to work with community leaders and health officials to build trust and educate the public on what to expect in terms of vaccine safety and effectiveness , Yamey and others said .
In a statement issued Thursday , CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said he supports the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ' recommendations .
He added that he `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on vaccine availability , demonstrate that we as a nation also prioritize the elderly who reside in multi-generation households . ''
`` Often our Hispanic , Black and Tribal Nations families care for their elderly in multi-generational households and they are also at significant risk , '' Redfield said .
Although clinical trials to date indicate both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are up to 95 % effective at preventing new COVID-19 infections , with few side effects , questions remain about how long the immunity will last .
It 's also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission of the virus , and those who receive them could also develop side effects many months later , Moss said .
`` The ideal vaccine would n't have cold [ storage ] requirements and would provide long-term immunity in a single dose , and we may have that at some point , '' he said .
Until then , the public is still going to need to wear masks , social distance and avoid large gatherings well into 2021 -- if not longer -- to continue to limit spread of COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing record numbers of cases , hospitalizations and deaths and seeing our hospital systems overwhelmed , '' he said .
`` This is really at a critical juncture in this pandemic in the United States , and it 's not the ideal time to introduce a new vaccine , '' Moss added .

Vaccines against COVID-19 are coming soon, but challenges remain. Photo by huntlh/ Pixabay
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The effectiveness of new vaccines developed to prevent COVID-19 likely depends on how well they are distributed and the degree to which the public is willing to take them, public health experts from Johns Hopkins University and Duke University said Thursday. The comments came on the same day the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices published its recommendations on who should receive the initial doses of vaccine. Advertisement
The new guidelines suggest that the nation's 21 million healthcare workers -- as well as the 3 million residents of long-term care facilities, which have seen disproportionate numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths -- should receive priority.
"Any vaccine is not going to be a silver bullet that brings us back to the pre-pandemic period," Dr. William Moss said during a conference call with reporters on Thursday.
Advertisement
While potential vaccines against the virus existing "just about a year after the pandemic was first identified is a truly remarkable achievement, [we] face numerous challenges in rolling out these vaccines," said Moss, executive director of the International Vaccine Access Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
To date, two companies -- Pfizer and Moderna -- have applied for emergency use authorization for their vaccines to prevent COVID-19 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Officials expect doses of one or both vaccines to become available in the United States before the end of this month. However, just how many doses will be ready for use over the next few months remains to be seen.
Although both companies have already begun manufacturing the vaccine -- and the vials needed to deliver them -- in anticipation of receiving the FDA approval, their products must be stored at extremely cold temperatures and require two doses to be effective.
Getting the freezers needed to maintain an inventory of these vaccines will be challenging, particularly in low-income and rural areas across the country, Moss said.
In addition, just as concerns exist that people who live in low-income countries globally won't have access to the vaccines, so too are there worries that poorer communities in the United States will have trouble getting them.
Advertisement
This is due, at least in part, to "deep-seated inequities" in access to quality healthcare services in low-income communities, particularly among people of color, that have become "more exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic," according to Dr. Gavin Yamey.
More than 80% of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine doses "have already been purchased by rich nations," Yamey, professor of practice, global health and public policy at Duke, said during a call with reporters Thursday.
"We're really not going to really bring this pandemic under control until we control viral transmission everywhere [and] the same inequities we've been talking about globally could happen here if we're not careful," he said.
The National Academy of Medicine recently called for vulnerable populations, including people of color, the homeless and incarcerated populations, among others, to be "vaccinated early," Yamey added.
Still, even if these communities can receive the shots, it doesn't mean they will, he said.
Because of the "legacy of medical experimentation" in some vulnerable communities in the United States -- the syphilis studies in Tuskegee, for example -- people may be reluctant to accept a new, rapidly developed vaccine, he said.
The key will be taking steps to work with community leaders and health officials to build trust and educate the public on what to expect in terms of vaccine safety and effectiveness, Yamey and others said.
Advertisement
In a statement issued Thursday, CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said he supports the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' recommendations.
He added that he "looks forward to future recommendations that, based on vaccine availability, demonstrate that we as a nation also prioritize the elderly who reside in multi-generation households."
"Often our Hispanic, Black and Tribal Nations families care for their elderly in multi-generational households and they are also at significant risk," Redfield said.
Although clinical trials to date indicate both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are up to 95% effective at preventing new COVID-19 infections, with few side effects, questions remain about how long the immunity will last.
It's also unclear how well the vaccines will reduce transmission of the virus, and those who receive them could also develop side effects many months later, Moss said.
"The ideal vaccine wouldn't have cold [storage] requirements and would provide long-term immunity in a single dose, and we may have that at some point," he said.
Until then, the public is still going to need to wear masks, social distance and avoid large gatherings well into 2021 -- if not longer -- to continue to limit spread of COVID-19, according to Moss.
Advertisement
"We are seeing record numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths and seeing our hospital systems overwhelmed," he said.
"This is really at a critical juncture in this pandemic in the United States, and it's not the ideal time to introduce a new vaccine," Moss added.


upi--2020-12-03--S&P 500 falls after Pfizer announces vaccine supply chain issues

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- The S & P 500 turned negative in the final hour of trading on Thursday as Pfizer announced it was facing supply chain issues .
The S & P 500 ended the day down 2.29 points , or 0.062 % , after hitting an intraday high earlier in the day .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 85.73 points , or 0.29 % , after gaining more than 200 points earlier in the session and the Nasdaq Composed dropped 27.82 points , or 0.23 % .
Markets reversed their gains from earlier in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that Pfizer only expected to ship half of the vaccines it originally planned to release this year , saying that `` scaling up the raw material supply chain took longer than expected . ''
The drugmaker , however , said it still planned to ship more than a billion doses of the vaccine in 2021 .
Markets also reacted to the latest report from the Labor Department stating that 712,000 additional workers filed new unemployment claims for the week ending Nov. 28 , a decline of 75,000 .
Further , House Speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell spoke on the phone Thursday to discuss a bipartisan $ 908 billion pandemic relief bill backed by Democratic leaders on Wednesday .

The S&P 500 dropped 0.062% after rising to an intraday high earlier in trading as Pfizer announced it plans to cut the number of vaccines it plans to ship this year due to supply chain issues. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The S&P 500 turned negative in the final hour of trading on Thursday as Pfizer announced it was facing supply chain issues. The S&P 500 ended the day down 2.29 points, or 0.062%, after hitting an intraday high earlier in the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 85.73 points, or 0.29%, after gaining more than 200 points earlier in the session and the Nasdaq Composed dropped 27.82 points, or 0.23%. Advertisement
Markets reversed their gains from earlier in the day after The Wall Street Journal reported that Pfizer only expected to ship half of the vaccines it originally planned to release this year, saying that "scaling up the raw material supply chain took longer than expected."
The drugmaker, however, said it still planned to ship more than a billion doses of the vaccine in 2021.
Markets also reacted to the latest report from the Labor Department stating that 712,000 additional workers filed new unemployment claims for the week ending Nov. 28, a decline of 75,000.
Further, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell spoke on the phone Thursday to discuss a bipartisan $908 billion pandemic relief bill backed by Democratic leaders on Wednesday.


upi--2020-12-03--Watch: California monolith becomes the third to appear and disappear

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- A silver-colored metal monolith has been discovered in California , shortly after similar monoliths in Utah and Romania were discovered and subsequently removed .
The first metal monolith was discovered by a Utah Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau helicopter crew in a rural area in the southwestern part of the state in late November .
The mysterious landmark became a tourist attraction before being removed days later by a group of men who said they were seeking to stop the influx of visitors from ruining the natural landscape and leaving behind trash .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hill near the Petrodava Dacian Fortress in Romania a few days after the Utah monolith first appeared , and it was removed by an unknown party shortly after the initial sightings .
The California monolith was photographed Wednesday at the top of Pine Mountain in Atascadero .
Deputy City Manager Terrie Banish confirmed the object was removed by unknown means Thursday morning .
She said the city did not remove the monolith and does not intend to investigate the matter .
Witnesses to the California monolith 's removal said the culprits were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the structure with a wooden cross .
The origins of all three objects remain unknown .

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Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A silver-colored metal monolith has been discovered in California, shortly after similar monoliths in Utah and Romania were discovered and subsequently removed.
The first metal monolith was discovered by a Utah Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau helicopter crew in a rural area in the southwestern part of the state in late November.
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The mysterious landmark became a tourist attraction before being removed days later by a group of men who said they were seeking to stop the influx of visitors from ruining the natural landscape and leaving behind trash.
A very similar structure was spotted on a hill near the Petrodava Dacian Fortress in Romania a few days after the Utah monolith first appeared, and it was removed by an unknown party shortly after the initial sightings.
The California monolith was photographed Wednesday at the top of Pine Mountain in Atascadero. Deputy City Manager Terrie Banish confirmed the object was removed by unknown means Thursday morning. She said the city did not remove the monolith and does not intend to investigate the matter.
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Witnesses to the California monolith's removal said the culprits were vandals from out of town who replaced the structure with a wooden cross.
The origins of all three objects remain unknown.


upi--2020-12-03--Wisconsin Supreme Court refuses to hear Trump election challenge

Dec. 3 ( UPI ) -- The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday declined the Trump campaign 's lawsuit requesting a revocation of the state 's certification of election results .
Wisconsin certified the results of the Nov. 3 election Monday , giving President-elect Joe Biden the state 's 10 electoral votes .
The state 's high court voted 4-3 to refuse to hear President Donald Trump 's case seeking to overturn the results of the election .
The justices said the case should have been filed in circuit court .
It 's one of dozens of suits filed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the polls this year .
The campaign wanted more than 200,000 ballots in Wisconsin 's largest Democratic counties to be disqualified .
The lawsuit said the ballots in Dane and Milwaukee counties were improperly counted , though the vote-counting process was the same as elsewhere in the state , the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported .
Trump campaign counsel Jim Troupis told CNBC his team will refile the lawsuit in the lower courts as suggested by the state Supreme Court .
`` It was clear from their writings that the court recognizes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look forward to taking the next step , '' he said .
`` We fully expect to be back in front of the Supreme Court very soon . ''
The ruling comes after the Trump campaign filed a separate lawsuit late Wednesday challenging Wisconsin 's absentee voting process .
It called on a federal judge to allow the state 's legislature to determine how the state 's electors should be allocated .

President Donald Trump sought to have more than 200,000 votes in two Wisconsin counties tossed. Pool photo by Doug Mills/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday declined the Trump campaign's lawsuit requesting a revocation of the state's certification of election results. Wisconsin certified the results of the Nov. 3 election Monday, giving President-elect Joe Biden the state's 10 electoral votes. Advertisement
The state's high court voted 4-3 to refuse to hear President Donald Trump's case seeking to overturn the results of the election. The justices said the case should have been filed in circuit court.
It's one of dozens of suits filed by the Trump campaign alleging fraud or illegal action at the polls this year.
The campaign wanted more than 200,000 ballots in Wisconsin's largest Democratic counties to be disqualified. The lawsuit said the ballots in Dane and Milwaukee counties were improperly counted, though the vote-counting process was the same as elsewhere in the state, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
Trump campaign counsel Jim Troupis told CNBC his team will refile the lawsuit in the lower courts as suggested by the state Supreme Court.
"It was clear from their writings that the court recognizes the seriousness of these issues, and we look forward to taking the next step," he said. "We fully expect to be back in front of the Supreme Court very soon."
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The ruling comes after the Trump campaign filed a separate lawsuit late Wednesday challenging Wisconsin's absentee voting process. It called on a federal judge to allow the state's legislature to determine how the state's electors should be allocated.