npr--2020-12-08--Biden Plans To Bring Vilsack Back To USDA, Despite Criticism From Reformers

Biden Plans To Bring Vilsack Back To USDA , Despite Criticism From Reformers President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate Obama cabinet veteran and former Iowa Gov .
Tom Vilsack as secretary of agriculture , a source familiar with transition discussions confirmed to NPR .
Vilsack returns to an agency he helmed for eight years as Obama 's agriculture secretary .
The United States Department of Agriculture is best known for supporting farmers , but actually has a much greater impact on the country through its funding of food aid programs , including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and school meals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four Americans takes advantage of at least one of these food programs during a typical year .
Vilsack became the safe , comfortable choice for Biden after competition for the USDA job set off a battle between two wings of the Democratic Party .
Traditional farm lobby groups had rallied behind former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota , while reformers , who want the USDA to spend its money fighting hunger and climate change , pushed for Rep. Marcia Fudge from Cleveland .
Biden has now named Fudge as secretary of Housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman to head the agency since the 1970s .
If Biden hoped that the warring camps both would welcome Vilsack 's return , he 's likely to be disappointed .
Vilsack is currently chief executive of the U.S .
Dairy Export Council , an organization backed by the dairy industry .
Advocates seeking to reform USDA to better assist low-income Americans criticized Vilsack for strengthening a status quo they say favors large corporate farm interests .
`` Vilsack has made a career of catering to the whims of corporate agriculture giants - some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for , '' said Mitch Jones , policy director for Food and Water Watch , an environmental advocacy group .
Ricardo Salvador , director of food and environment for the Union of Concerned Scientists , says Vilsack `` handled an impossible job well '' in his previous tenure at the USDA .
But Salvador says the situation now demands someone new .
`` If we measure what we need against what he accomplished , he falls short , '' Salvador says .
Vilsack grew up in Pittsburgh and was trained as a lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa 's governor from 1999 to 2007 .
He takes over a department that traditionally has been focused on the well-being of farmers .
Sonny Perdue , the current secretary , referred to farmers as the department 's `` customers , '' and told the department 's employees that `` our mission is to provide our farmers , ranchers , foresters and producers with what they need , when they need it . ''
Over the past two years , as farmers coped with the impact of the Trump administration 's trade war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent them a record-breaking flood of government aid .
In 2020 alone , direct federal payments to farmers are expected to reach $ 46 billion , far exceeding the amount of farm subsidies in any previous year .
Perdue was less enthusiastic about other parts of the USDA , including SNAP and school meals which feed millions of low-income Americans .
Perdue tried to restrict SNAP benefits to non-disabled adults without dependents , although that move was put on hold when the pandemic hit .
Perdue 's USDA also downplayed research devoted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's leading research groups were ordered to move from Washington , D.C. to new offices in Kansas City , ostensibly to promote closer contact with the department 's `` stakeholders . ''
Most of the staff of those agencies resigned , rather than accepting the move , which one White House official suggested was a welcome outcome .
Some are now calling for a U-turn in the department 's priorities , saying that the USDA could become a prime sponsor of action on climate change .
That 's partly because the agency has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes billions of dollars for programs that can be used to pay for solar and wind power in rural areas , or for agricultural practices that capture carbon dioxide from the air .
The USDA also has a multi-billion dollar pot of money , called the Commodity Credit Corporation , which the Trump administration used as a funding vehicle for its payments to farmers .
The head of Biden 's USDA transition team , Robert Bonnie , has called for converting the CCC into a `` carbon bank '' that would pay farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition , the USDA runs the U.S. Forest Service , which manages almost 200 million acres of land across the country .
The Forest Service often gets lost within the USDA , but that could change , as forests grow more vulnerable to a warming , fire-prone climate .
The Forest Service is facing calls to manage that land more aggressively , carrying out more frequent prescribed burns in order to reduce the chances of catastrophic wildfires .
It could also boost reforestation funding , in part to capture carbon dioxide from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cabinet officials rarely return to the same job in a different administration , but it 's happened before .
James `` Tama Jim '' Wilson , a Scottish immigrant who settled in Iowa , held the agriculture post for 16 years , from 1897 to 1913 , under Presidents William McKinley , Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft .

Biden Plans To Bring Vilsack Back To USDA Despite Criticism From Reformers
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Wong/Getty Images Alex Wong/Getty Images
President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate Obama Cabinet veteran and former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as secretary of agriculture, a source familiar with transition discussions confirmed to NPR.
Vilsack returns to an agency he helmed for eight years as Barack Obama's agriculture secretary.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is best known for supporting farmers but actually has a much greater impact on the country through its funding of food aid programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and school meals. The USDA estimates that 1 in 4 Americans takes advantage of at least one of these food programs during a typical year.
Vilsack became the safe, comfortable choice for Biden after competition for the USDA job set off a battle between two wings of the Democratic Party.
Traditional farm lobby groups had rallied behind former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, while reformers, who want the USDA to spend its money fighting hunger and climate change, pushed for Rep. Marcia Fudge from Cleveland. Biden has now named Fudge as secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the first Black woman to head the agency since the 1970s.
If Biden hoped that the two camps both would welcome Vilsack's return, he's likely to be disappointed. Vilsack is currently chief executive of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, an organization backed by the dairy industry.
Advocates seeking to reform USDA to better assist low-income Americans have said a Vilsack nomination would strengthen a status quo they say favors large corporate farm interests.
"Vilsack has made a career of catering to the whims of corporate agriculture giants — some of whom he has gone to work for," said Mitch Jones, policy director for Food and Water Watch, an environmental advocacy group.
Ricardo Salvador, director of food and environment for the Union of Concerned Scientists, says Vilsack "handled an impossible job well" in his previous tenure at the USDA. But Salvador says the situation now demands someone new. "If we measure what we need against what he accomplished, he falls short," Salvador says.
Vilsack grew up in Pittsburgh and was trained as a lawyer but became acquainted with agriculture as Iowa's governor from 1999 to 2007.
He takes over a department that traditionally has been focused on the well-being of farmers. Sonny Perdue, the current secretary, referred to farmers as the department's "customers" and told the department's employees that "our mission is to provide our farmers, ranchers, foresters and producers with what they need, when they need it."
Over the past two years, as farmers coped with the impact of the Trump administration's trade war and the coronavirus, Perdue's department sent them a record-breaking flood of government aid. In 2020 alone, direct federal payments to farmers are expected to reach $46 billion, far exceeding the amount of farm subsidies in any previous year.
Perdue was less enthusiastic about other parts of the USDA, including SNAP and school meals, which feed millions of low-income Americans. Perdue tried to restrict SNAP benefits to non-disabled adults without dependents, although that move was put on hold when the pandemic hit.
Perdue's USDA also downplayed research devoted to climate change. Two of the department's leading research groups were ordered to move from Washington, D.C., to new offices in Kansas City, ostensibly to promote closer contact with the department's "stakeholders." Most of the staff of those agencies resigned, rather than accepting the move, which one White House official suggested was a welcome outcome.
Some are now calling for a U-turn in the department's priorities, saying that the USDA could become a prime sponsor of action on climate change. That's partly because the agency has money to spend. Its budget already includes billions of dollars for programs that can be used to pay for solar and wind power in rural areas, or for agricultural practices that capture carbon dioxide from the air.
The USDA also has a multibillion-dollar pot of money, called the Commodity Credit Corp., which the Trump administration used as a funding vehicle for its payments to farmers. The head of Biden's USDA transition team, Robert Bonnie, has called for converting the CCC into a "carbon bank" that would pay farmers for practices that limit greenhouse emissions.
In addition, the USDA runs the U.S. Forest Service, which manages almost 200 million acres of land across the country. The Forest Service often gets lost within the USDA, but that could change as forests grow more vulnerable to a warming, fire-prone climate. The Forest Service is facing calls to manage that land more aggressively, carrying out more frequent prescribed burns to reduce the chances of catastrophic wildfires. It could also boost reforestation funding, in part to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and slow down climate change.
Cabinet officials rarely return to the same job in a different administration, but it's happened before. James "Tama Jim" Wilson, a Scottish immigrant who settled in Iowa, held the agriculture post for 16 years, from 1897 to 1913, under Presidents William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.


npr--2020-12-08--House Approves Defense Bill By Veto-Proof Margin, Despite President Trump's Threats

The House approved the defense bill by an overwhelming majority , despite a potential presidential veto threatening to derail the annual legislation 's enactment for the first time in 60 years .
House lawmakers passed the National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 335 to 78 .
Backers had hoped the plan would win by a supermajority in the House support to send a message to President Trump to not veto the plan as he has repeatedly threatened .
It also signals the House could have the votes to override the move should Trump follow through with his veto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their positions .
Sponsors of the bill had urged a strong bipartisan vote under the cloud of Trump 's threats , and as members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus fell in line with his demands .
`` If the six-decade legacy of having this bill signed ... into law ends with us after 59 years , then I 'm afraid that process of having hundreds of members contribute would end as well , '' said Texas Rep. Mac Thornberry , the House Armed Services committee 's top ranking Republican , for whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Texas Republican , who is retiring , added on the floor as some of his GOP colleagues announced they would not get cross wise with the president , `` A very strong vote will help prevent that .
The stronger the vote , the smoother the process from here on out . ''
He added , `` a strong vote will show the troops that we support them .
A strong vote will show adversaries that we can stand together to support this nation .
And that is what this bill is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now heads to the Senate , where it will face its final test before reaching Trump 's desk .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , told reporters he would vote for it .
The massive annual bill sets policy for the Pentagon and military service members — one that , because of its size and importance , passes with large bipartisan support nearly every year .
It includes everything from plans on boosting troop levels and equipment to pay increases .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. lauded several provisions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bases carrying Confederate names to directing new hazard pay for military servicemembers to new benefits for Vietnam War-era veterans exposed to Agent Orange .
The measure also addresses military housing improvements and $ 8.4 billion in construction projects .
`` And now the President has threatened to veto this legislation .
I hope not .
I hope not , '' Pelosi said on the floor before the vote .
`` This bipartisan policy bill has been signed into law for 59 consecutive years .
Let us urge the President to show respect for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress and for the sacrifice of our military . ''
A week ago , the president threatened to veto the policy bill if it did n't include a last-minute provision to end a legal protection for social media companies .
But a bipartisan group of lawmakers , including key Republicans , proceeded with the legislation even though it did n't have the provision Trump demanded .
`` I hope House Republicans will vote against the very weak National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) , which I will VETO , '' Trump tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act over his ongoing feud with social media companies .
Section 230 provides the legal protection for technology companies over content from third parties and users .
But lead Republicans , including Senate Majority Whip John Thune of South Dakota and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe , R-Okla. , joined Democrats in saying it was n't relevant to the bill .
`` There is no choice here where you can do both , so please make the right choice , '' Washington State Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House Armed Services Committee , pleaded on the House floor .
`` Please recognize all of the incredibly important bicameral , bi-policy provisions that are contained in this bill .
This is one thing , this is one thing , in a very tumultuous time that we ought to be able to agree on . ''
Earlier this year , when initial versions of the legislation was passed in both chambers , it drew broad support .
It passed the House by a vote of 295 to 125 , while the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite these efforts , a bloc of members of the House Freedom Caucus urged a vote against the measure , a reversal for Republicans traditionally on board for the annual defense legislation .
Arizona GOP Rep. Andy Biggs , chair of the group , said while they have traditionally supported the defense bill in the past , Trump 's concerns are among several for the group now .
`` This particular NDAA bill , however , is filled with flaws and problems .
And the president has indicated he would veto this bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biggs told reporters .
But despite Tuesday 's passage , there 's no guarantee Congress can override the move if there is a veto .
For example , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters while he would vote for the bill on Tuesday , he wo n't vote to override a Trump veto later .
`` I do n't believe Republicans , in our work with the president always , that you vote to override a veto , '' McCarthy said .
The move pits top House Republican leaders on opposing sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wyoming GOP Rep. Liz Cheney told a Capitol Hill pool reporter that the House should fend off the veto attempt .
`` We 've got to pass the NDAA and the president should not veto it , '' said Cheney , who is the House Republican Conference Chair and a member of the Armed Services Committee .
`` And we should override . ''
The fight over a liability shield for tech companies was n't Trump 's first veto threat of the bill .
In June , Trump said he would reject the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ installations named for figures from the Confederacy .
Trump had targeted Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who spearheaded the effort .
The final version of the legislation retains a provision authored Warren to create a commission to trigger such a plan .
`` There 's no room for celebrating the violent bigotry of men of the Confederacy in any place of honor across our country , whether in the hallowed halls of the United States Capitol or on our military bases , '' Pelosi said .
`` Changing the hateful names of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of the American people , by our active duty service men and women and by top military leaders . ''

House Approves Defense Bill By Veto-Proof Margin, Despite President Trump's Threats
toggle caption BONNIE CASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The House approved the defense bill by an overwhelming majority, despite a potential presidential veto threatening to derail the annual legislation's enactment for the first time in 60 years.
House lawmakers passed the National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 335 to 78. Backers had hoped the plan would win by a supermajority in the House support to send a message to President Trump to not veto the plan as he has repeatedly threatened.
It also signals the House could have the votes to override the move should Trump follow through with his veto threats, if lawmakers don't change their positions. Sponsors of the bill had urged a strong bipartisan vote under the cloud of Trump's threats, and as members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus fell in line with his demands.
"If the six-decade legacy of having this bill signed... into law ends with us after 59 years, then I'm afraid that process of having hundreds of members contribute would end as well," said Texas Rep. Mac Thornberry, the House Armed Services committee's top ranking Republican, for whom this year's legislation is named.
The Texas Republican, who is retiring, added on the floor as some of his GOP colleagues announced they would not get cross wise with the president, "A very strong vote will help prevent that. The stronger the vote, the smoother the process from here on out." He added, "a strong vote will show the troops that we support them. A strong vote will show adversaries that we can stand together to support this nation. And that is what this bill is really all about."
The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it will face its final test before reaching Trump's desk. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters he would vote for it.
The massive annual bill sets policy for the Pentagon and military service members — one that, because of its size and importance, passes with large bipartisan support nearly every year. It includes everything from plans on boosting troop levels and equipment to pay increases.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. lauded several provisions in the bill, from the renaming of bases carrying Confederate names to directing new hazard pay for military servicemembers to new benefits for Vietnam War-era veterans exposed to Agent Orange.
The measure also addresses military housing improvements and $8.4 billion in construction projects.
"And now the President has threatened to veto this legislation. I hope not. I hope not," Pelosi said on the floor before the vote. "This bipartisan policy bill has been signed into law for 59 consecutive years. Let us urge the President to show respect for the work of the bicameral, bipartisan Congress and for the sacrifice of our military."
A week ago, the president threatened to veto the policy bill if it didn't include a last-minute provision to end a legal protection for social media companies. But a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including key Republicans, proceeded with the legislation even though it didn't have the provision Trump demanded.
Trump reiterated his demands on Tuesday morning.
"I hope House Republicans will vote against the very weak National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which I will VETO," Trump tweeted.
Trump had wanted lawmakers to repeal Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act over his ongoing feud with social media companies. Section 230 provides the legal protection for technology companies over content from third parties and users.
But lead Republicans, including Senate Majority Whip John Thune of South Dakota and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., joined Democrats in saying it wasn't relevant to the bill.
"There is no choice here where you can do both, so please make the right choice," Washington State Democratic Rep. Adam Smith, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, pleaded on the House floor. "Please recognize all of the incredibly important bicameral, bi-policy provisions that are contained in this bill. This is one thing, this is one thing, in a very tumultuous time that we ought to be able to agree on."
Earlier this year, when initial versions of the legislation was passed in both chambers, it drew broad support. It passed the House by a vote of 295 to 125, while the Senate approved it by 86 to 14.
Despite these efforts, a bloc of members of the House Freedom Caucus urged a vote against the measure, a reversal for Republicans traditionally on board for the annual defense legislation.
Arizona GOP Rep. Andy Biggs, chair of the group, said while they have traditionally supported the defense bill in the past, Trump's concerns are among several for the group now.
"This particular NDAA bill, however, is filled with flaws and problems. And the president has indicated he would veto this bill and there are reasons why," Biggs told reporters.
But despite Tuesday's passage, there's no guarantee Congress can override the move if there is a veto. For example, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters while he would vote for the bill on Tuesday, he won't vote to override a Trump veto later.
"I don't believe Republicans, in our work with the president always, that you vote to override a veto," McCarthy said.
The move pits top House Republican leaders on opposing sides of the debate. On Monday, Wyoming GOP Rep. Liz Cheney told a Capitol Hill pool reporter that the House should fend off the veto attempt.
"We've got to pass the NDAA and the president should not veto it," said Cheney, who is the House Republican Conference Chair and a member of the Armed Services Committee. "And we should override."
The fight over a liability shield for tech companies wasn't Trump's first veto threat of the bill. In June, Trump said he would reject the bill if it moved to rename military installations named for figures from the Confederacy. Trump had targeted Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who spearheaded the effort.
The final version of the legislation retains a provision authored Warren to create a commission to trigger such a plan.
"There's no room for celebrating the violent bigotry of men of the Confederacy in any place of honor across our country, whether in the hallowed halls of the United States Capitol or on our military bases," Pelosi said. "Changing the hateful names of these bases is supported by an overwhelming majority of the American people, by our active duty service men and women and by top military leaders."


npr--2020-12-08--George Gascón Implements Sweeping Changes To Los Angeles District Attorney's Office

Newly sworn-in Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón used his inaugural address to introduce himself as a transformational agent and unveil sweeping changes to the criminal justice system of California 's most populous county .
Gascón is a former officer with the Los Angeles Police Department who now leads the nation 's largest district attorney 's office .
In a series of tweets he said the experiences he faced as a young officer 40 years ago stayed with him .
They also shaped his approach to criminal justice reform .
Among the changes , many of which went into effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalty , stopping most uses of cash bail for misdemeanor nonserious or nonviolent felony offenses and prioritizing cases for resentencing inmates who are serving excessive prison terms .
`` I recognize those are big changes , '' said Gascón , a Democrat .
`` But they are changes that will enable us to actually protect the truly vulnerable . ''
He also called for a Use of Force Review Board .
Gascón said the review board would comprise civil rights attorneys , members of the community and policing experts , to review law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2012 .
During his remarks Monday , which were delivered via video link amid the surge of coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County and throughout the state , Gascón said the Memorial Day killing of a Black man by Minneapolis police laid bare the inequities of what he called the `` two-tiered system of justice . ''
`` The murder of George Floyd this summer was a horrific reminder that too often our profession has failed to hold its own to the same standards we impose on the communities that we are sworn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` It galvanized a generation to stand up , and speak out against a system that the public largely views as a two-tiered system : one for police officers and prosecutors , and one for everyone else . ''
As the Los Angeles Times points out , Gascón 's policies are seen by many as a departure from his predecessor Jackie Lacey who critics said was `` an overly punitive district attorney.
`` Gascón is one of several newly elected district attorneys across the country who are attempting to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes to the local justice systems .
The LAist reports that Gascón faces both opposition to much of his agenda , namely from his own prosecutors and law enforcement officers he must work with , as well as an uptick in violent crime in LA County .
In what the publication describes as `` perhaps his boldest move , '' he calls for the banning of sentencing enhancements , a step which could lead to the release of thousands of inmates .
Seeking longer prison terms for criminal defendants with past felony convictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gang had become a common practice among LA prosecutors .
On cash bail , Gascón said by Jan. 1 his office will unveil detailed plans to end the system of money bail `` in its entirety . ''
According to a special directive effective Tuesday , prosecutors will now be instructed to ask the court for the criminal defendant 's release .
Bail can still be considered at arraignment if the defendant is accused of a violent felony or sexual assaults .
He said cash bail disproportionately impacts minorities and low-income criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] will reinvigorate the presumption of innocence in Los Angeles County , '' he said .
On Election Day last month , California voters rejected Proposition 25 , which was an effort to end the state 's system of cash bail .
The district attorney 's office will also no longer seek the death penalty in Los Angeles County and current cases with a judgment of death will be reviewed , with the ultimate goal of getting the capital punishment removed .
`` The reality is the death penalty does not make us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's morally untenable , it 's irreversible and expensive and beginning today it 's off the table in LA County , '' Gascón said .
`` And it 's not just off the table going forward , I am committed to resentencing those currently on death row to life in prison . ''

George Gascón Implements Sweeping Changes To Los Angeles District Attorney's Office
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bryan Chan/AP Bryan Chan/AP
Newly sworn-in Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón used his inaugural address to introduce himself as a transformational agent and unveil sweeping changes to the criminal justice system of California's most populous county.
Gascón is a former officer with the Los Angeles Police Department who now leads the nation's largest district attorney's office. In a series of tweets he said the experiences he faced as a young officer 40 years ago stayed with him. They also shaped his approach to criminal justice reform.
Among the changes, many of which went into effect Tuesday, call for ending the death penalty, stopping most uses of cash bail for misdemeanor nonserious or nonviolent felony offenses and prioritizing cases for resentencing inmates who are serving excessive prison terms.
"I recognize those are big changes," said Gascón, a Democrat. "But they are changes that will enable us to actually protect the truly vulnerable."
He also called for a Use of Force Review Board. Gascón said the review board would comprise civil rights attorneys, members of the community and policing experts, to review law enforcement fatal use-of-force cases going back to 2012.
During his remarks Monday, which were delivered via video link amid the surge of coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County and throughout the state, Gascón said the Memorial Day killing of a Black man by Minneapolis police laid bare the inequities of what he called the "two-tiered system of justice."
"The murder of George Floyd this summer was a horrific reminder that too often our profession has failed to hold its own to the same standards we impose on the communities that we are sworn to protect and to serve," he said.
"It galvanized a generation to stand up, and speak out against a system that the public largely views as a two-tiered system: one for police officers and prosecutors, and one for everyone else."
As the Los Angeles Times points out, Gascón's policies are seen by many as a departure from his predecessor Jackie Lacey who critics said was "an overly punitive district attorney. "
Gascón is one of several newly elected district attorneys across the country who are attempting to make good on campaign pledges to make radical changes to the local justice systems.
The LAist reports that Gascón faces both opposition to much of his agenda, namely from his own prosecutors and law enforcement officers he must work with, as well as an uptick in violent crime in LA County.
In what the publication describes as "perhaps his boldest move," he calls for the banning of sentencing enhancements, a step which could lead to the release of thousands of inmates.
Seeking longer prison terms for criminal defendants with past felony convictions or for those suspected of being in a gang had become a common practice among LA prosecutors.
On cash bail, Gascón said by Jan. 1 his office will unveil detailed plans to end the system of money bail "in its entirety."
According to a special directive effective Tuesday, prosecutors will now be instructed to ask the court for the criminal defendant's release. Bail can still be considered at arraignment if the defendant is accused of a violent felony or sexual assaults.
He said cash bail disproportionately impacts minorities and low-income criminal defendants.
"[The new policy] will reinvigorate the presumption of innocence in Los Angeles County," he said.
On Election Day last month, California voters rejected Proposition 25, which was an effort to end the state's system of cash bail.
The district attorney's office will also no longer seek the death penalty in Los Angeles County and current cases with a judgment of death will be reviewed, with the ultimate goal of getting the capital punishment removed.
"The reality is the death penalty does not make us safer, it is racist, it's morally untenable, it's irreversible and expensive and beginning today it's off the table in LA County," Gascón said.
"And it's not just off the table going forward, I am committed to resentencing those currently on death row to life in prison."


npr--2020-12-08--Biden Plans To Tap Rep. Marcia Fudge As Housing Secretary, Tom Vilsack For USDA

Biden Plans To Tap Rep. Marcia Fudge As Housing Secretary , Tom Vilsack For USDA President-elect Joe Biden is expected to name Rep. Marcia Fudge , D-Ohio , to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development and former Iowa Gov .
Tom Vilsack to the U.S. Department of Agriculture , a source familiar with the transition discussions said Tuesday .
The source spoke on condition of anonymity about private conversations .
The two departments have a key role in supporting American households .
HUD has responsibility for affordable housing , while USDA oversees food assistance programs as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fudge because of her track record as both a mayor of a Cleveland suburb and a lawmaker championing affordable housing and urban revitalization , and her ideas for addressing poverty and issues of inequality through the department 's programs , a second source familiar with the president-elect 's decision said .
Fudge , a staunch defender of USDA 's anti-hunger programs , had publicly expressed interest in leading that department .
The USDA estimates that 1 in 4 Americans uses at least one of the food aid programs in a typical year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and anti-hunger advocates as well as Rep. James Clyburn , D-S.C. , a close ally of Biden 's .
Vilsack — who held the top job at USDA for the entire length of the Obama administration — emerged as a leading candidate in recent days .
Biden wanted to bring him back because of his experience at a time when farmers and rural communities are reeling from the coronavirus pandemic and need immediate relief , said the source familiar with the president-elect 's thinking .
Vilsack is one of many former Obama administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He currently is the CEO of the U.S .
Dairy Export Council , an organization backed by the dairy industry .
Advocates pushing for changes to USDA 's role were not pleased at the prospect of Vilsack becoming the nominee .
`` Vilsack has made a career of catering to the whims of corporate agriculture giants — some of whom he has gone to work for , '' said Mitch Jones , policy director for Food and Water Watch , an environmental advocacy group .
The news of the selections was first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be the fourth African American Biden plans to nominate to his Cabinet .
He has been under pressure to ensure his Cabinet and team of advisers are diverse .
Her selection drew praise Tuesday from civil rights leaders who met with Biden earlier in the day .
`` HUD , like ( the Department of ) Justice , needs to be risen from a deep sleep , '' said Marc Morial , CEO of the National Urban League , telling reporters that the housing crisis needs urgent attention .
Morial called Fudge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress who knows how to lead , who has courage and passion for the work of HUD and who has the gravitas to be a policymaker at the highest levels . ''
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill , Fudge said she had not at that point been offered the HUD job , but had spoken with Biden and his team and said , `` If I can help this president in any way possible , I am more than happy to do it . ''
NPR 's Claudia Grisales and Ayesha Rascoe @ @ @ @ @

Biden Plans To Tap Rep. Marcia Fudge As Housing Secretary, Tom Vilsack For USDA
Enlarge this image toggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Updated at 7:30 p.m. ET
President-elect Joe Biden is expected to name Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development and former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a source familiar with the transition discussions said Tuesday. The source spoke on condition of anonymity about private conversations.
The two departments have a key role in supporting American households. HUD has responsibility for affordable housing, while USDA oversees food assistance programs as well as traditional farm support programs.
Biden chose Fudge because of her track record as both a mayor of a Cleveland suburb and a lawmaker championing affordable housing and urban revitalization, and her ideas for addressing poverty and issues of inequality through the department's programs, a second source familiar with the president-elect's decision said.
Fudge, a staunch defender of USDA's anti-hunger programs, had publicly expressed interest in leading that department. The USDA estimates that 1 in 4 Americans uses at least one of the food aid programs in a typical year. Her candidacy was promoted by environmental activists and anti-hunger advocates as well as Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., a close ally of Biden's.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Wong/Getty Images Alex Wong/Getty Images
Vilsack — who held the top job at USDA for the entire length of the Obama administration — emerged as a leading candidate in recent days. Biden wanted to bring him back because of his experience at a time when farmers and rural communities are reeling from the coronavirus pandemic and need immediate relief, said the source familiar with the president-elect's thinking.
Vilsack is one of many former Obama administration officials who would be returning to office. He currently is the CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, an organization backed by the dairy industry. Advocates pushing for changes to USDA's role were not pleased at the prospect of Vilsack becoming the nominee.
"Vilsack has made a career of catering to the whims of corporate agriculture giants — some of whom he has gone to work for," said Mitch Jones, policy director for Food and Water Watch, an environmental advocacy group.
The news of the selections was first reported by Politico and Axios.
Fudge would be the fourth African American Biden plans to nominate to his Cabinet. He has been under pressure to ensure his Cabinet and team of advisers are diverse.
Her selection drew praise Tuesday from civil rights leaders who met with Biden earlier in the day. "HUD, like (the Department of) Justice, needs to be risen from a deep sleep," said Marc Morial, CEO of the National Urban League, telling reporters that the housing crisis needs urgent attention.
Morial called Fudge "a dynamic, experienced member of Congress who knows how to lead, who has courage and passion for the work of HUD and who has the gravitas to be a policymaker at the highest levels."
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Fudge said she had not at that point been offered the HUD job, but had spoken with Biden and his team and said, "If I can help this president in any way possible, I am more than happy to do it."
NPR's Claudia Grisales and Ayesha Rascoe contributed to this report.


npr--2020-12-08--Lloyd Austin: A Man 'Of The Highest Integrity,' But Still Unknown To Many

Lloyd Austin : A Man 'Of The Highest Integrity , ' But Still Unknown To Many By choosing Lloyd Austin to be his defense secretary , President-elect Joe Biden is making history .
Austin , a retired four-star Army general and West Point graduate , would be the first African-American to lead the Pentagon , the world 's largest employer with more than 2.2 million servicemembers and a civilian work force that numbers more than 700,000 .
`` He is a man of the highest integrity , '' said retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton , who served with Austin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10th Mountain Division .
`` Steady in the saddle .
Great command climate .
General Austin is a great pick to lead our military in a dangerous world . ''
Sources tell NPR that Biden came to know Austin during briefings in the White House Situation Room during the Obama administration , when Austin was leading U.S. Central Command .
He was the first Black officer to lead the command overseeing Middle East operations , a job that included putting together a plan to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden said of Austin , `` He was the first African-American general officer to lead an Army corps in combat and the first African-American to command an entire theater of war ; if confirmed , he will be the first African-American to helm the Defense Department — another milestone in a barrier-breaking career dedicated to keeping the American people secure . ''
Biden said it was important to him that the next Pentagon head personally know the human costs of war .
That view seemingly ruled out the two other candidates for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but were seen as far more likely until recent days to become defense secretary .
One was Michelle Flournoy , a former top Pentagon official in the Obama administration , who would have been the first woman to hold the post .
The other was Jeh Johnson , another African-American who was the Pentagon 's general counsel and went on to lead the Department of Homeland Security .
Flournoy in particular came under intense opposition from progressive groups .
They charged that she was too likely to turn to military solutions , citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops in Iraq during the Obama administration , an increase then-Vice President Biden opposed .
And those groups also said Flournoy was too close to corporations as head of the consulting group WestExec .
But others came to her defense .
Flournoy also got support from members of the House Armed Services Committee as well as defense analysts , including Rosa Brooks , a Georgetown University law professor who worked for Flournoy in Obama 's Defense Department .
`` The Defense Department has long been viewed as singularly inhospitable to women , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times ' opinion piece .
`` Over the last two decades , an impressive new generation of female defense experts have emerged . ''
At the same time , the military has also seen relatively few African-Americans in the top ranks .
Of the 41 most senior military leaders – those with four-star ranks – only two are Black .
And just recently , one of them , Air Force Gen. Charles Q .
Brown became the top general in that service , meaning he will be the first African-American on the Joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the early 1990s .
Brown is credited with coming up with a new strategy to defeat the Islamic State .
Rather than go after the fighting groups , Brown decided in 2015 to focus airstrikes on the group 's key strengths : its command and control , and its bank in Mosul , Iraq , which it used to pay its fighters .
That was the beginning of the end for the Islamic State .
Around the same time Austin was criticized for not doing enough to defeat the Islamic State on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The late Sen. John McCain , then head of the Armed Services Committee , lashed out at Austin in September , 2015 , saying the general 's testimony was `` divorced from the insight of every outside expert . ''
Austin stumbled during his testimony and told the committee that a plan to train more than 5,000 local Syrians a year was only able to train `` four or five . ''
`` The program has gotten off to a slow start , '' Austin said .
It would take several more years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airstrikes under other commanders , before the Islamic State was defeated .
Austin was termed by one retired general as an `` extraordinary leader , '' though Austin was rarely seen at press conferences or think-tank events like some other generals .
His name was not seen in newspaper op-eds or in professional journals .
He has rarely been in the spotlight .
In his Atlantic op-ed , Biden wrote , `` The next secretary of defense will need to immediately quarterback an enormous logistics operation to help distribute COVID-19 vaccines widely and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation undertaken by the Army in six decades — the Iraq drawdown . ''
To that end , in a rare interview with talk show host Roland Martin back in March of this year , just as the pandemic was taking hold , Austin talked about the military assisting in the Covid-19 response .
Still , it 's not clear what Austin 's priorities would be .
There are a range of tough issues awaiting the next defense secretary .
Some analysts say that all U.S. troops should leave Afghanistan , though Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on militant groups like al-Qaida and the Islamic State .
Austin has not publicly expressed his views .
Austin spent a good part of his military career focused on the Middle East , and does not have deep experience when it comes to U.S. rivals in other regions , like Russia and China .
After retiring four years ago , Austin opened a consulting firm and also joined the board of directors of Raytheon Technologies .
Austin will need a waiver from Congress to become defense secretary , since he has not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
Only twice has Congress granted such a waiver : once in the 1950s for George Marshall and another just three years ago for James Mattis .
When Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island agreed to a Mattis waiver , he said he was reluctant to do so again .
`` Waiving the law should happen no more than once in a generation , '' Reed said at the time .
`` Therefore I will not support a waiver for future nominees . ''
Biden , in his Atlantic op-ed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` I hope that Congress will grant a waiver to Secretary-designate Austin , just as Congress did for Secretary Jim Mattis .
Given the immense and urgent threats and challenges our nation faces , he should be confirmed swiftly . ''
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine ( D-Virginia ) released a statement saying , `` Regarding the legal barrier for this nomination , I intend to closely evaluate the implications for waiving the National Security Act requirement twice in just four years . ''
There are also an increasing number of voices among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want another retired general running the Pentagon , viewing it as unhealthy for civilian-military relations .
The Pentagon , they say , must be run by a civilian , and not a recently retired officer .

Lloyd Austin: A Man 'Of The Highest Integrity,' But Still Unknown To Many
Enlarge this image toggle caption Rod Lamkey Jr./AFP via Getty Images Rod Lamkey Jr./AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 10:15 p.m. ET
By choosing Lloyd Austin to be his defense secretary, President-elect Joe Biden is making history.
Austin, a retired four-star Army general and West Point graduate, would be the first African-American to lead the Pentagon, the world's largest employer with more than 2.2 million servicemembers and a civilian work force that numbers more than 700,000.
"He is a man of the highest integrity," said retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, who served with Austin when they were young officers in the 10th Mountain Division. "Steady in the saddle. Great command climate. General Austin is a great pick to lead our military in a dangerous world."
Sources tell NPR that Biden came to know Austin during briefings in the White House Situation Room during the Obama administration, when Austin was leading U.S. Central Command. He was the first Black officer to lead the command overseeing Middle East operations, a job that included putting together a plan to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
'Barrier-breaking career'
In an op-ed in The Atlantic, Biden said of Austin, "He was the first African-American general officer to lead an Army corps in combat and the first African-American to command an entire theater of war; if confirmed, he will be the first African-American to helm the Defense Department — another milestone in a barrier-breaking career dedicated to keeping the American people secure."
Biden said it was important to him that the next Pentagon head personally know the human costs of war.
That view seemingly ruled out the two other candidates for the job, who are without military experience but were seen as far more likely until recent days to become defense secretary.
One was Michelle Flournoy, a former top Pentagon official in the Obama administration, who would have been the first woman to hold the post. The other was Jeh Johnson, another African-American who was the Pentagon's general counsel and went on to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
Flournoy in particular came under intense opposition from progressive groups. They charged that she was too likely to turn to military solutions, citing her support for the surge of 30,000 troops in Iraq during the Obama administration, an increase then-Vice President Biden opposed. And those groups also said Flournoy was too close to corporations as head of the consulting group WestExec.
But others came to her defense. Flournoy also got support from members of the House Armed Services Committee as well as defense analysts, including Rosa Brooks, a Georgetown University law professor who worked for Flournoy in Obama's Defense Department.
"The Defense Department has long been viewed as singularly inhospitable to women," Brooks wrote in a recent New York Times' opinion piece. "Over the last two decades, an impressive new generation of female defense experts have emerged."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chris Hondros/Getty Images Chris Hondros/Getty Images
Few black leaders
At the same time, the military has also seen relatively few African-Americans in the top ranks.
Of the 41 most senior military leaders – those with four-star ranks – only two are Black. And just recently, one of them, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown became the top general in that service, meaning he will be the first African-American on the Joint Chiefs of Staff since Colin Powell in the early 1990s.
Brown is credited with coming up with a new strategy to defeat the Islamic State. Rather than go after the fighting groups, Brown decided in 2015 to focus airstrikes on the group's key strengths: its command and control, and its bank in Mosul, Iraq, which it used to pay its fighters. That was the beginning of the end for the Islamic State.
Around the same time Austin was criticized for not doing enough to defeat the Islamic State on the ground, by training local militias.
The late Sen. John McCain, then head of the Armed Services Committee, lashed out at Austin in September, 2015, saying the general's testimony was "divorced from the insight of every outside expert."
Austin stumbled during his testimony and told the committee that a plan to train more than 5,000 local Syrians a year was only able to train "four or five."
"The program has gotten off to a slow start," Austin said. It would take several more years of training local Syrians, and U.S. airstrikes under other commanders, before the Islamic State was defeated.
Rarely in the spotlight
Austin was termed by one retired general as an "extraordinary leader," though Austin was rarely seen at press conferences or think-tank events like some other generals. His name was not seen in newspaper op-eds or in professional journals. He has rarely been in the spotlight.
In his Atlantic op-ed, Biden wrote, "The next secretary of defense will need to immediately quarterback an enormous logistics operation to help distribute COVID-19 vaccines widely and equitably. Austin oversaw the largest logistical operation undertaken by the Army in six decades — the Iraq drawdown."
To that end, in a rare interview with talk show host Roland Martin back in March of this year, just as the pandemic was taking hold, Austin talked about the military assisting in the Covid-19 response.
Still, it's not clear what Austin's priorities would be. There are a range of tough issues awaiting the next defense secretary.
Some analysts say that all U.S. troops should leave Afghanistan, though Biden supports keeping several thousand to keep pressure on militant groups like al-Qaida and the Islamic State. Austin has not publicly expressed his views.
Austin spent a good part of his military career focused on the Middle East, and does not have deep experience when it comes to U.S. rivals in other regions, like Russia and China.
After retiring four years ago, Austin opened a consulting firm and also joined the board of directors of Raytheon Technologies.
Austin will need a waiver from Congress to become defense secretary, since he has not been out of uniform for the required seven years. Only twice has Congress granted such a waiver: once in the 1950s for George Marshall and another just three years ago for James Mattis.
When Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island agreed to a Mattis waiver, he said he was reluctant to do so again.
"Waiving the law should happen no more than once in a generation," Reed said at the time. "Therefore I will not support a waiver for future nominees."
However Reed on Tuesday signaled openness to a waiver. "I will carefully review this nomination and look forward to meeting with General Austin to hear his views on the national security challenges we face and the exemption request being made in order for him to be considered to lead the Pentagon," he said in a statement.
Biden, in his Atlantic op-ed, seemed to predict concerns like Reed's earlier one, writing, "I hope that Congress will grant a waiver to Secretary-designate Austin, just as Congress did for Secretary Jim Mattis. Given the immense and urgent threats and challenges our nation faces, he should be confirmed swiftly."
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., released a statement saying, "Regarding the legal barrier for this nomination, I intend to closely evaluate the implications for waiving the National Security Act requirement twice in just four years."
There are also an increasing number of voices among lawmakers and defense analysts who don't want another retired general running the Pentagon, viewing it as unhealthy for civilian-military relations. The Pentagon, they say, must be run by a civilian, and not a recently retired officer.


npr--2020-12-08--Supreme Court Rejects GOP Bid To Reverse Pennsylvania Election Results

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an effort to overturn the results of the presidential election in Pennsylvania , signaling the high court would not go along with President Trump 's unprecedented efforts to win another term despite a decisive defeat in the popular vote and Electoral College .
The lawsuit was brought by Republican Rep. Mike Kelly , who argued a 2019 state law authorizing universal mail-in voting is unconstitutional and that all ballots cast by mail in the general election in Pennsylvania should be thrown out .
`` The application for injunctive relief presented to Justice [ Samuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Court is denied , '' said the court 's one-sentence order , which did not suggest any dissent among the nine justices .
Kelly , along with several others , filed the lawsuit on Nov. 21 and requested Pennsylvania either reject the more than 2.5 million ballots cast by mail or allow state lawmakers to select presidential electors .
Republicans control Pennsylvania 's Legislature .
The state Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the lawsuit on Nov. 28 , saying the GOP had waited too long to challenge the law .
`` Unsatisfied with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would now flip over the table , scattering to the shadows the votes of millions of Pennsylvanians , '' Justice David Wecht wrote .
`` It is not our role to lend legitimacy to such transparent and untimely efforts to subvert the will of Pennsylvania voters . ''
Alito , the justice who oversees emergency matters for the court coming from Pennsylvania , had previously given election administrators until Wednesday to file their response to Kelly 's appeal .
But Alito moved up that deadline on Sunday , shifting it to Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe harbor '' deadline , which acts as a cutoff date by which states must settle any remaining election disputes and certify their results .
Kelly argued that Act 77 , which enables voters to cast ballots by mail for any reason , is unconstitutional .
But lawyers representing Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf 's administration have said his claims are baseless .
`` After waiting over a year to challenge Act 77 , and engaging in procedural gamesmanship along the way , they come to this Court with unclean hands and ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' they wrote .
`` They make that request without any acknowledgment of the staggering upheaval , turmoil , and acrimony it would unleash . ''
The law was passed in 2019 with widespread support from Pennsylvania Republicans , who control both chambers of the state 's Legislature .
Pennsylvania certified its election results on Nov. 24 , with Biden winning by more than 80,000 votes .
Pennsylvania has 20 electoral votes .
Kristen Clarke , president of the Lawyers ' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law , called the court 's order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` This decision is also a key victory for Black Americans , who were the targets of this effort and many others .
Black votes matter , Black voices matter , and Black Americans will not be treated as second-class citizens , '' she said in a statement .
The Supreme Court 's refusal to overturn Pennsylvania 's election results is a blow to Trump , who has refused to concede and has spoken openly about his desire for the highest court in the land to step in and help his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Georgia , Trump repeated his false and unfounded claims that the election was rigged and filled with `` fraud , deception , and deceit . ''
`` Hopefully , our legislatures and the United States Supreme Court will step forward and save our country , '' Trump said to cheers .
His remarks echoed a sentiment he expressed three days earlier in what he said may be `` the most important speech I 've ever made . ''
`` What a disaster this election was , a total catastrophe , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show it , and hopefully the courts , in particular the Supreme Court of the United States will see it and respectfully , hopefully , they will do what 's right for our country . ''
Trump 's campaign has filed numerous lawsuits in states where it did not win in the Nov. 3 election , legal moves that have not gotten very far in places such as Arizona , Michigan , Nevada and Pennsylvania .
In many cases , judges have offered scathing remarks in their decisions to dismiss various lawsuits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Friday , the legal teams of Trump and his allies lost challenges in courts in six states within a matter of hours .
The Associated Press reported Monday that a federal judge threw out a lawsuit that challenged the presidential election results in Michigan , bluntly using the phrase , `` This ship has sailed . ''
But that has n't stopped Trump allies from continuing to test the legal waters .
On Tuesday , Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , claiming that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the pandemic violated federal law .
He is asking the Supreme Court to block the states from voting in the Electoral College .
Electoral College electors are scheduled to meet in states across the country on Dec. 14 to cast their votes .
Biden is expected to receive 306 electoral votes , 36 more than the 270 he needed to become the next president .

Supreme Court Rejects GOP Bid To Reverse Pennsylvania Election Results
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Updated 6:30 p.m. ET
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an effort to overturn the results of the presidential election in Pennsylvania, signaling the high court would not go along with President Trump's unprecedented efforts to win another term despite a decisive defeat in the popular vote and Electoral College.
The lawsuit was brought by Republican Rep. Mike Kelly, who argued a 2019 state law authorizing universal mail-in voting is unconstitutional and that all ballots cast by mail in the general election in Pennsylvania should be thrown out.
"The application for injunctive relief presented to Justice [Samuel] Alito and by him referred to the Court is denied," said the court's one-sentence order, which did not suggest any dissent among the nine justices.
Kelly, along with several others, filed the lawsuit on Nov. 21 and requested Pennsylvania either reject the more than 2.5 million ballots cast by mail or allow state lawmakers to select presidential electors. Republicans control Pennsylvania's Legislature.
The state Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the lawsuit on Nov. 28, saying the GOP had waited too long to challenge the law.
"Unsatisfied with the results of that wager, they would now flip over the table, scattering to the shadows the votes of millions of Pennsylvanians," Justice David Wecht wrote. "It is not our role to lend legitimacy to such transparent and untimely efforts to subvert the will of Pennsylvania voters."
Alito, the justice who oversees emergency matters for the court coming from Pennsylvania, had previously given election administrators until Wednesday to file their response to Kelly's appeal.
But Alito moved up that deadline on Sunday, shifting it to Tuesday, the same day that marks the "safe harbor" deadline, which acts as a cutoff date by which states must settle any remaining election disputes and certify their results.
Kelly argued that Act 77, which enables voters to cast ballots by mail for any reason, is unconstitutional. But lawyers representing Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf's administration have said his claims are baseless.
"After waiting over a year to challenge Act 77, and engaging in procedural gamesmanship along the way, they come to this Court with unclean hands and ask it to disenfranchise an entire state," they wrote. "They make that request without any acknowledgment of the staggering upheaval, turmoil, and acrimony it would unleash."
The law was passed in 2019 with widespread support from Pennsylvania Republicans, who control both chambers of the state's Legislature.
Pennsylvania certified its election results on Nov. 24, with Biden winning by more than 80,000 votes. Pennsylvania has 20 electoral votes.
Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, called the court's order a "key victory for our democracy."
"This decision is also a key victory for Black Americans, who were the targets of this effort and many others. Black votes matter, Black voices matter, and Black Americans will not be treated as second-class citizens," she said in a statement.
Legal blows for Trump campaign
The Supreme Court's refusal to overturn Pennsylvania's election results is a blow to Trump, who has refused to concede and has spoken openly about his desire for the highest court in the land to step in and help his campaign.
At a political rally Saturday in Georgia, Trump repeated his false and unfounded claims that the election was rigged and filled with "fraud, deception, and deceit."
"Hopefully, our legislatures and the United States Supreme Court will step forward and save our country," Trump said to cheers.
His remarks echoed a sentiment he expressed three days earlier in what he said may be "the most important speech I've ever made."
"What a disaster this election was, a total catastrophe," he said. "But we're going to show it, and hopefully the courts, in particular the Supreme Court of the United States will see it and respectfully, hopefully, they will do what's right for our country."
Trump's campaign has filed numerous lawsuits in states where it did not win in the Nov. 3 election, legal moves that have not gotten very far in places such as Arizona, Michigan, Nevada and Pennsylvania.
In many cases, judges have offered scathing remarks in their decisions to dismiss various lawsuits from the Trump campaign and its allies.
On Friday, the legal teams of Trump and his allies lost challenges in courts in six states within a matter of hours.
The Associated Press reported Monday that a federal judge threw out a lawsuit that challenged the presidential election results in Michigan, bluntly using the phrase, "This ship has sailed."
But that hasn't stopped Trump allies from continuing to test the legal waters.
On Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, claiming that changes in these states to election procedures due to the pandemic violated federal law. He is asking the Supreme Court to block the states from voting in the Electoral College.
Electoral College electors are scheduled to meet in states across the country on Dec. 14 to cast their votes. Biden is expected to receive 306 electoral votes, 36 more than the 270 he needed to become the next president.


npr--2020-12-08--FDA Head Stephen Hahn On What's Next For Pfizer Vaccine In Fast-Moving Process

FDA Head Stephen Hahn On What 's Next For Pfizer Vaccine In Fast-Moving Process The Food and Drug Administration has found that there are `` no specific safety concerns '' that would stop the agency from approving the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech for emergency use .
Career scientists at the FDA analyzed the data from the ongoing Pfizer trial to form their own conclusions about its safety and efficacy .
Stephen Hahn , who heads the FDA , says the public analysis is a `` very , very important part of our promise to the American people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how we assess the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine . ''
Polling from November shows about 40 % of Americans are hesitant to take one .
The FDA 's findings come in documents posted Tuesday .
Independent experts are meeting Thursday to advise the FDA on whether to approve the vaccine , which the FDA 's analysis says is 95 % effective — affirming Pfizer 's findings .
Hahn talked with NPR 's All Things Considered about where the vaccine approval process goes from here .
Here are excerpts : How much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make an assessment about emergency use authorization ?
So this will then go to the vaccine advisory committee .
And we 're expecting a good discussion there of the data that we 're presenting to them .
And then we believe shortly after that meeting we 'll be able to make a decision .
A lot of what this depends upon is what the discussion is like [ with ] these outside experts from the vaccine advisory committee .
If they have substantial questions or additional analyses that they think are relevant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether that 's important to do .
That may need to be done and that may contribute to some additional time needed .
But again , I ca n't prejudge what that conversation is going to be like .
You have made adjustments to the review process to try to guarantee safety , but ultimately you only have a few months of data .
Does that shortened timeline concern you in any way ?
So two months ' follow-up data was required from a safety perspective .
Remember also that we have data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical trials that were performed in the spring and the summer that gives us additional information about the vaccine , particularly with respect to safety .
But one of the reasons that we chose the two-month period was because our data and others ' data in the literature suggests that that time period captures the overwhelming a number of side effects that might be seen .
But really important for the American public to know , regardless of the medical product , whether it 's this vaccine or any other medical product , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurs after an authorization so that if there are additional data that come in that we need to know about , particularly around side effects but also efficacy , we can incorporate that into our decision-making .
How can you be sure that there are no long-term side effects from this vaccine with only several months of data ?
So even if you look at other vaccine approvals , the normal approval process , we can , as with any medical product , never 100 % predict long0term side effects .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for assessing both safety and effectiveness .
So I want to be really clear with the American people .
This is expedited .
We 're not cutting corners in terms of our assessment .
But we know that the work is n't done .
If there 's an authorization that 's upcoming , we have to continue to monitor and to have surveillance .
We also need to balance .
This is an important balance .
We know that people are dying of COVID-19 and that prevention of COVID-19 , if the data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important measure that needs to be instituted and the vaccine can help us with that potentially if it 's authorized .
Sam Gringlas and Courtney Dorning produced and edited the audio interview .
James Doubek produced for the Web .

FDA Head Stephen Hahn On What's Next For Pfizer Vaccine In Fast-Moving Process
Enlarge this image toggle caption Al Drago/AFP via Getty Images Al Drago/AFP via Getty Images
The Food and Drug Administration has found that there are "no specific safety concerns" that would stop the agency from approving the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech for emergency use.
Career scientists at the FDA analyzed the data from the ongoing Pfizer trial to form their own conclusions about its safety and efficacy.
Stephen Hahn, who heads the FDA, says the public analysis is a "very, very important part of our promise to the American people that we won't cut corners in how we assess the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine."
Polling from November shows about 40% of Americans are hesitant to take one.
The FDA's findings come in documents posted Tuesday. Independent experts are meeting Thursday to advise the FDA on whether to approve the vaccine, which the FDA's analysis says is 95% effective — affirming Pfizer's findings.
Hahn talked with NPR's All Things Considered about where the vaccine approval process goes from here. Here are excerpts:
How much time do you think it would take to make an assessment about emergency use authorization?
So this will then go to the vaccine advisory committee. And we're expecting a good discussion there of the data that we're presenting to them. And then we believe shortly after that meeting we'll be able to make a decision.
A lot of what this depends upon is what the discussion is like [with] these outside experts from the vaccine advisory committee. If they have substantial questions or additional analyses that they think are relevant to our decision-making, we will judge whether that's important to do. That may need to be done and that may contribute to some additional time needed. But again, I can't prejudge what that conversation is going to be like.
You have made adjustments to the review process to try to guarantee safety, but ultimately you only have a few months of data. Does that shortened timeline concern you in any way?
So two months' follow-up data was required from a safety perspective. Remember also that we have data from the phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials that were performed in the spring and the summer that gives us additional information about the vaccine, particularly with respect to safety. But one of the reasons that we chose the two-month period was because our data and others' data in the literature suggests that that time period captures the overwhelming a number of side effects that might be seen.
But really important for the American public to know, regardless of the medical product, whether it's this vaccine or any other medical product, we will always have a monitoring that occurs after an authorization so that if there are additional data that come in that we need to know about, particularly around side effects but also efficacy, we can incorporate that into our decision-making.
How can you be sure that there are no long-term side effects from this vaccine with only several months of data?
So even if you look at other vaccine approvals, the normal approval process, we can, as with any medical product, never 100% predict long-term side effects. That's why we have a vigorous post-authorization process for assessing both safety and effectiveness.
So I want to be really clear with the American people. This is expedited. We're not cutting corners in terms of our assessment. But we know that the work isn't done. If there's an authorization that's upcoming, we have to continue to monitor and to have surveillance.
We also need to balance. This is an important balance. We know that people are dying of COVID-19 and that prevention of COVID-19, if the data support it, is likewise a very important measure that needs to be instituted and the vaccine can help us with that potentially if it's authorized.
Sam Gringlas and Courtney Dorning produced and edited the audio interview. James Doubek produced for the Web.


npr--2020-12-08--Biden Administration: Here's Who Has Been Named So Far

Biden Administration : Here 's Who Has Been Named So Far Updated on Dec. 8 at 4:30 p.m .
ET President-elect Joe Biden is assembling his inner circle of advisers and Cabinet officials as Inauguration Day on Jan. 20 draws closer .
In his latest selection , Biden said he will nominate retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin to be U.S. Secretary of Defense .
Austin served in the U.S. military for more than four decades and led U.S. Central Command from 2013 to 2016 .
If confirmed , Austin will make history as the first African American secretary of defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal law states that the secretary of defense must be retired from military service for at least seven years before taking the position .
Biden is advocating that Austin receive a waiver , mirroring the process used four years earlier when President Trump chose retired Marines Gen. Jim Mattis for the role .
`` I hope that Congress will grant a waiver to Secretary-designate Austin , just as Congress did for Secretary Jim Mattis .
Given the immense and urgent threats and challenges our nation faces , he should be confirmed swiftly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in The Atlantic .
Biden also named the team he wants to have lead his response to the COVID-19 pandemic after he takes office in January , including California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to lead the Health and Human Services department and Dr. Rochelle Walensky as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Biden nominated Dr. Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General , which if confirmed would be Murthy 's second time in that job ; he also served as President Obama 's Surgeon General .
Biden also selected Jeff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other levels of government as the White House 'czar ' for the coronavirus response .
NPR is providing information on the members of the Biden team as they are announced for the White House , national security , economic policy and additional Cabinet positions .
As Biden begins to act on some of his early promises , he is naming close advisers and aides to work with him in the White House — people who will run operations and brief him on top matters of national security , the economy and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not need U.S. Senate confirmation .
The vice president-elect and soon-to-be first lady Jill Biden also are naming their top aides .
As the U.S. continues to fight through a recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic , increased focus will be on whom Biden picks to lead his economic , financial and trade policies .
Many of these nominees will play crucial roles in determining further coronavirus relief aid .
These positions must be confirmed by the Senate .
Biden will also nominate officials to lead the federal government 's domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will oversee U.S. intelligence and defense as well as spearhead relations with world leaders and international coalitions .
All of these officials must also be confirmed by the Senate , with the exception of the new climate position in the National Security Council .
Biden will overhaul departments to remove Trump appointees and nominate officials who will carry out his policy agenda .
These officials require Senate confirmation .
This page was originally published on Nov. 17 at 11:49 a.m .
ET .

Biden Administration: Here Are His Cabinet Members And Key Advisers
Enlarge this image Caroline Amenabar/NPR, Stephen Melkisethian/Flickr Caroline Amenabar/NPR, Stephen Melkisethian/Flickr
The U.S. Senate continues to take up President Biden's nominees for key roles.
The top figures in an administration are made up of a combination of Cabinet and high-ranking nominees who require Senate confirmation, and senior advisers tapped by the president, who don't require congressional approval.
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Below, see who Biden's chosen for:
Note that Biden's original nominee to head the Office of Management and Budget, Neera Tanden, withdrew from consideration on March 2.
National security: These officials oversee U.S. intelligence and defense, and spearhead relations with world leaders and international coalitions.
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Economic policy: These picks direct Biden's economic and trade policies, and the government's financial oversight.
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Additional members of Biden's Cabinet: These nominees, who all require Senate confirmation, help carry out Biden's policy agenda on issues ranging from health care to climate change.
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Other key positions: These top roles include officials who help in the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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White House: These are the top aides Biden counts on to run his White House and advise him on top policy initiatives. Most did not need confirmation by the Senate.
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NPR's Roberta Rampton contributed reporting.


npr--2020-12-08--After Giuliani Hearing Last Week, Michigan House Is Accused Of COVID-19 Violations

After Giuliani Hearing Last Week , Michigan House Is Accused Of COVID-19 Violations In Michigan , the House of Representatives is being investigated by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration over violations to COVID-19 workplace regulations following an employee complaint .
Since the start of the pandemic , 11 Michigan state legislators have publicly confirmed they tested positive for the coronavirus , yet the Republican-dominated Legislature has continued to meet in person , holding meetings with limited precautions .
A spokesman for the House speaker declined to reveal how many members or staffers have tested positive — leaving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Business Office .
But this week , after President Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani tested positive for the coronavirus , the state House has canceled three days of the lame-duck session .
The state Senate will continue to meet .
Giuliani appeared before the House Oversight Committee for more than four hours on Wednesday alongside Trump campaign attorney Jenna Ellis in a House office building .
Both were unmasked for the duration of the hearing — along with some lawmakers and several members of the 50-person audience .
At one point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there to testify , `` Would you be comfortable taking your mask off so that other people can hear you more clearly ? ''
Jacob declined .
Mask-wearing and enforcement is sparse in committee hearings and the galleries above both legislative chambers in the state Capitol building .
Multiple Republicans have declined to wear masks to their hearings throughout the pandemic , prompting a chorus of concern from their Democratic counterparts and Linda Vail , the health officer for Ingham County in Lansing , the capital .
Vail has written a letter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the use of face coverings at their hearings , but there 's been little compliance .
At both House and Senate Oversight Committee hearings chaired by Republicans last week , several members of the crowd did n't wear masks , and many wore them improperly .
Some lawmakers in both parties removed their masks when asking questions .
In the wake of the hearings , Vail has recommended that anyone who did not wear a face covering to Giuliani 's testimony should quarantine through Dec. 12 .
Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Everyone needs to follow the science and do what the experts recommend , '' accusing others of `` simply trying to use Mayor Giuliani 's diagnosis for political ends . ''
Chatfield took Giuliani 's word that `` he was COVID-negative while in Michigan and no one in Michigan is being considered for contact tracing , per CDC guidelines '' despite advice from the state 's chief medical executive and Vail , who said it 's likely Giuliani was contagious during his testimony .
On Tuesday , Chatfield released a third statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with multiple committees had tested positive for the coronavirus .
`` This staffer had nothing to do with the Oversight Committee hearing last week , and his or her positive result is unrelated to the hearing , '' Chatfield said .
It is the second time that lawmakers have admitted to canceling a session because a legislator or staffer tested positive for the coronavirus .
At the beginning of the pandemic , the Legislature met three weeks after Rep. Tyrone Carter tested positive , two weeks after Rep. Isaac Robinson died of suspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karen Whitsett tested positive — all three Detroit Democrats .
The Democratic Caucus called for temporary rules for emergency operation back in April , which would have permitted remote participation in committees and session , but Republicans in the chamber demurred , and the resolution has been sitting in committee since the day it was introduced .

After Giuliani Hearing Last Week, Michigan House Is Accused Of COVID-19 Violations
Enlarge this image toggle caption Rey Del Rio/Getty Images Rey Del Rio/Getty Images
Updated Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. ET
In Michigan, the House of Representatives is being investigated by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration over violations to COVID-19 workplace regulations following an employee complaint.
Since the start of the pandemic, 11 Michigan state legislators and more than 30 legislative staffers have tested positive for coronavirus. Those numbers do not include Democratic Rep. Isaac Robinson who died of suspected COVID-19 on March 29.
Yet, the Republican-dominated Legislature has continued to meet in person, holding meetings with limited precautions.
But this week, after President Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani tested positive for the coronavirus, the state House has canceled three days of the lame-duck session. The state Senate will continue to meet.
Giuliani appeared before the House Oversight Committee for more than four hours on Wednesday alongside Trump campaign attorney Jenna Ellis in a House office building. Both were unmasked for the duration of the hearing — along with some lawmakers and several members of the 50-person audience.
At one point Giuliani asked Jessy Jacob, who was there to testify, "Would you be comfortable taking your mask off so that other people can hear you more clearly?" Jacob declined.
Mask-wearing and enforcement is sparse in committee hearings and the galleries above both legislative chambers in the state Capitol building. Multiple Republicans have declined to wear masks to their hearings throughout the pandemic, prompting a chorus of concern from their Democratic counterparts and Linda Vail, the health officer for Ingham County in Lansing, the capital.
Vail has written a letter to legislators asking them to enforce social distancing and the use of face coverings at their hearings, but there's been little compliance. At both House and Senate Oversight Committee hearings chaired by Republicans last week, several members of the crowd didn't wear masks, and many wore them improperly. Some lawmakers in both parties removed their masks when asking questions.
In the wake of the hearings, Vail has recommended that anyone who did not wear a face covering to Giuliani's testimony should quarantine through Dec. 12.
Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield issued a statement Monday, saying, "Everyone needs to follow the science and do what the experts recommend," accusing others of "simply trying to use Mayor Giuliani's diagnosis for political ends."
Chatfield took Giuliani's word that "he was COVID-negative while in Michigan and no one in Michigan is being considered for contact tracing, per CDC guidelines" despite advice from the state's chief medical executive and Vail, who said it's likely Giuliani was contagious during his testimony.
On Tuesday, Chatfield released a third statement, saying a staff member who works with multiple committees had tested positive for the coronavirus.
"This staffer had nothing to do with the Oversight Committee hearing last week, and his or her positive result is unrelated to the hearing," Chatfield said.
It is the second time that lawmakers have admitted to canceling a session because a legislator or staffer tested positive for the coronavirus.
At the beginning of the pandemic, the Legislature met three weeks after Rep. Tyrone Carter tested positive, two weeks after Rep. Robinson died of suspected COVID-19, and one day after Rep. Karen Whitsett tested positive — all three Detroit Democrats.
The Democratic Caucus called for temporary rules for emergency operation back in April, which would have permitted remote participation in committees and session, but Republicans in the chamber demurred, and the resolution has been sitting in committee since the day it was introduced.


npr--2020-12-08--Federal Investigators Join Probe Into Casey Goodson Shooting Death

The Department of Justice announced Tuesday it is joining the investigation into the death of 23-year-old Casey Goodson , a Black man who was shot and killed by law enforcement in Columbus , Ohio , on Friday .
U.S. Attorney David DeVillers of the Southern District of Ohio said the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department and the FBI , along with the Columbus Division of Police , are all investigating the case .
The agencies `` will review the facts and circumstances surrounding the Dec. 4 , 2020 shooting of Casey Goodson and take appropriate action if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were violated , '' according to a press release .
The Franklin County Sheriff 's Office identified Jason Meade , a 17-year veteran of the force , as the deputy who opened fire during the encounter with Goodson .
The sheriff 's office said Meade was assigned full-time to a U.S .
Marshals Service fugitive task force at the time of the shooting .
Meade was part of a team that had just finished a search for `` violent suspects '' when he shot Goodson , according to police investigators , which resulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the object of the search , according to police , nor was he wanted by law enforcement .
Family and activists are calling for justice in the case , saying Goodson was shot in the back three times .
Goodson 's family described him as a family man and one who had no criminal history .
His family said at the time of the shooting that he was carrying a sandwich .
The Sheriff 's Office said deputies do not wear body cameras and investigators said no other law enforcement officers witnessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member station WOSU reported Monday that Goodson 's concealed-carry license was current , according to documentation provided by family attorneys .
DeVillers , of the Justice Department , said there was enough evidence uncovered thus far open a probe .
`` After being briefed about the circumstances surrounding the incident by CPD , I believe a federal investigation is warranted , '' DeVillers said , according to Columbus member station WOSU .
`` I have contacted the FBI and have requested that they work in conjunction with CPD to investigate this case through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Columbus Police Chief said he welcomes the probe from federal officials .

Federal Investigators Join Probe Into Casey Goodson Shooting Death
Enlarge this image toggle caption Family Photo/Courtesy of Attorney Sean Walton /AP Family Photo/Courtesy of Attorney Sean Walton /AP
The Department of Justice announced Tuesday it is joining the investigation into the death of 23-year-old Casey Goodson, a Black man who was shot and killed by law enforcement in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday.
U.S. Attorney David DeVillers of the Southern District of Ohio said the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department and the FBI, along with the Columbus Division of Police, are all investigating the case.
The agencies "will review the facts and circumstances surrounding the Dec. 4, 2020 shooting of Casey Goodson and take appropriate action if the evidence indicates any federal civil rights laws were violated," according to a press release.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office identified Jason Meade, a 17-year veteran of the force, as the deputy who opened fire during the encounter with Goodson. The sheriff's office said Meade was assigned full-time to a U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force at the time of the shooting.
Meade was part of a team that had just finished a search for "violent suspects" when he shot Goodson, according to police investigators, which resulted in Goodson's death.
Goodson was not the object of the search, according to police, nor was he wanted by law enforcement.
Family and activists are calling for justice in the case, saying Goodson was shot in the back three times. Goodson's family described him as a family man and one who had no criminal history.
His family said at the time of the shooting that he was carrying a bag of sandwiches outside his house.
Law enforcement said Goodson was earlier seen waving a gun while driving, but officials have not said he was armed at the time he was shot.
The Sheriff's Office said deputies do not wear body cameras and investigators said no other law enforcement officers witnessed the shooting.
Reporter Paige Pfleger of member station WOSU reported Monday that Goodson's concealed-carry license was current, according to documentation provided by family attorneys.
DeVillers, of the Justice Department, said there was enough evidence uncovered thus far open a probe.
"After being briefed about the circumstances surrounding the incident by CPD, I believe a federal investigation is warranted," DeVillers said, according to Columbus member station WOSU.
"I have contacted the FBI and have requested that they work in conjunction with CPD to investigate this case through our office."
The station notes that the Columbus Police Chief said he welcomes the probe from federal officials.


npr--2020-12-08--Massachusetts Reimposes Coronavirus Restrictions

Massachusetts Gov .
Charlie Baker is reimposing statewide coronavirus restrictions following an increase in infections and hospitalizations .
Starting Sunday , residents will revert to Step 1 of Phase 3 of the reopening plan , a news release from Baker 's office said .
The rollback will require indoor performance venues and certain `` high-contact indoor recreational businesses '' to shut down .
Most others will operate at 40 % capacity .
This includes retail shops , arcades , museums , offices and places of worship .
Outdoor gatherings are getting the chop as well , from 100 to 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathering of 25 people or more outside will be required to notify their local health board in advance .
Residents hoping to dine out will face additional restrictions .
Restaurant goers will be required to wear a mask whenever they are n't eating or drinking .
Tables will be capped at six people and restricted to 90 minutes of service .
Food court seating in malls will be shut down entirely .
Gyms will remain open , but guests will be required to wear a mask at all times .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state has recorded over 250,000 cases and nearly 11,000 people have died .
Over 58,000 cases are active .

Massachusetts Reimposes Coronavirus Restrictions
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nancy Lane/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Nancy Lane/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is reimposing statewide coronavirus restrictions following an increase in infections and hospitalizations. Starting Sunday, residents will revert to Step 1 of Phase 3 of the reopening plan, a news release from Baker's office said.
The rollback will require indoor performance venues and certain "high-contact indoor recreational businesses" to shut down. Most others will operate at 40% capacity. This includes retail shops, arcades, museums, offices and places of worship.
Outdoor gatherings are getting the chop as well, from 100 to 50 people. Anyone planning to host a gathering of 25 people or more outside will be required to notify their local health board in advance.
Residents hoping to dine out will face additional restrictions. Restaurant goers will be required to wear a mask whenever they aren't eating or drinking. Tables will be capped at six people and restricted to 90 minutes of service. Food court seating in malls will be shut down entirely.
Gyms will remain open, but guests will be required to wear a mask at all times. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the state has recorded over 250,000 cases and nearly 11,000 people have died. Over 58,000 cases are active.