usatoday--2020-12-23--Murder hornets, infected mink, curious penguins: Times this year when nature was truly 2020

Unlimited access to all content on usatoday.com The Daily Briefing , delivered to your inbox daily

Murder hornets, infected mink, curious penguins: Times this year when nature was truly 2020
Show Caption Hide Caption Why you probably won't ever see the Asian giant 'murder' hornet A small number of Asian giant hornet sightings in the Pacific Northwest has raised alarm. USA TODAY, Wochit
It's no secret that 2020 was all kinds of unexpected – for humans and animals.
With less human activity amid the coronavirus pandemic, lions and penguins playfully roamed free. Farmed mink appeared to rise from the dead after contracting a mutated strain of COVID-19, and spotted lanterned flies prompted quarantines. "Murder hornets" flew into headlines, and a koala climbed into our hearts.
As we approach 2021, reflections on what may have seemed like a never-ending year have begun. Remember the ways nature and animals surprised us in these past 12 months? If not, don't worry – we have you covered.
Here were some of nature's top stories from around the world in 2020:
COVID vaccine wasn't the only discovery: A look at all the ways science thrived in 2020
'Murder hornets' in the US
Yes, 2020 brought increased fears around the spread of an invasive, potentially deadly, species: the "murder hornets."
Asian giant hornets, officially named Vespa mandarinia and nicknamed "murder hornets," are the world's largest hornet and can grow up to 2 inches long.
They are terrifying in appearance, and their stings can deliver a potentially deadly venom, said Sven-Erik Spichiger, an entomologist with the Washington Department of Agriculture. The stings can cause necrosis and lead to organ failure.
The hornets were first spotted in the U.S. in December 2019. So far, the hornets have been contained to one U.S. county and a border area in Canada. In Asian countries, the hornets kill more than a dozen people a year, but wildlife officials say the threat to Americans is low.
Can animal poop ward off 'murder' hornets? It helps these honey bees defend against their giant predator.
— Ryan Miller and John Bacon
Mink rise from graves
This year, mink became infected with a mutated strain of COVID-19 – and then appeared to rise from the dead.
In November, Denmark, which produces 40% of the world's mink fur, planned to cull its entire mink population after human cases were tied to mink infected with a mutated strain of the novel coronavirus.
The hurried nature of the burials, however, meant that the creatures were buried only in shallow graves – and later appeared to emerge from the dead, causing a national panic.
“The gases cause the animals to expand and in the worst cases, the mink get pushed out of the ground,” Jannike Elmegaard, a Danish Veterinary and Food Administration spokesman, told The Associated Press.
— Joshua Bote
Chicago penguins 'roam free'
In March, after Chicago's Shedd Aquarium was forced to close amid the pandemic, staff decided to let a few waddling residents out of their enclosures for a field trip.
The aquarium shared videos on Twitter of three penguins checking out exhibits from the other side of the glass.
"Without guests in the building, caretakers are getting creative in how they provide enrichment to animals," the aquarium said in a statement.
In November, a group of penguins also ventured from Shedd Aquarium to Chicago's Soldier Field for some exercise.
Video: Beluga whales can't stop staring at penguin roaming around closed aquarium
— N'dea Yancey-Bragg
Koala brings holiday cheer
Christmas came early for one family in Australia — thanks to a special furry ornament found in their tree: a koala.
The McCormick family found the creature tangled in lights and plastic branches in early December. They called the local Adelaide and Hills Koala Rescue, and at first, the hotline operator thought it was a prank call.
"But no, a koala desperate to get in the Christmas spirit had wandered into Amanda McCormick’s house and decided it wanted to be the fairy on the Christmas tree," Adelaide and Hills Koala Rescue wrote on Instagram.
"Tis the season to be jolly... Koalalalala Lalalala."
Sports' year in review: Heartwarming sports moments of 2020 provided some joy during dark year
Best books of 2020: These 13 titles scored perfect 4-star reviews from USA TODAY’s critics
Spotted lanternfly prompts quarantine
Quarantine wasn't only prompted because of COVID-19 this year. Meet the spotted lanternfly.
In August, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and Rutgers Cooperative Extension offices across New Jersey received reports of people seeing the spotted lanternfly.
While the spotted lanternfly is no threat to humans or animals, it is known to feed on 70 types of plants and trees. Multiple New Jersey counties went under quarantine, and residents across the state were asked to do their part in combating the spread of the invasive species by "eliminating" the bug whenever possible.
— Nicholas Polanin, Bridgewater Courier News contributor
Goats take over UK town
The streets of Llandudno, Wales, are usually filled with tourists and locals – but instead in March they saw a herd of mountain goats roam freely.
With people in the village and all of Britain told to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the goats were able to get a little closer than normal and explore.
Residents said their new neighbors were eating leaves and bushes in the town square.
— Ryan Miller
Lions take cat nap on South Africa road
Because of reduced human traffic, a pride of lions from South Africa’s Kruger National Park was caught napping on an empty road in April.
Typically, lions only roam paved roads at night, when the park is closed to guests. But Isaac Phaahla, a communications and marketing manager at the park, told USA TODAY that the "animals must have realized that there has not been traffic since the lockdown" and had taken advantage of the newfound space.
— Joshua Bote


usatoday--2020-12-23--Mayor of Ohio's largest city calls for officer's badge and gun after fatal shooting of unarmed Black

COLUMBUS , Ohio — An Ohio police officer shot and killed an unarmed Black man while responding to a non-emergency call early Tuesday in the state 's largest city , and hours later a furious Mayor Andrew J. Ginther ordered the police chief to take the officer 's badge and gun .
`` The community is exhausted , '' Ginther said .
The officers involved in the incident did not turn on their body cameras until immediately after the shooting , but it was recorded because the camera captures 60 seconds of footage before it is turned on .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rendering aid to the man , according to the city 's office of public safety .
The shooting comes less than three weeks after a Franklin County sheriff 's deputy shot Casey Goodson Jr. , a 23-year-old Black man , in the Northland area of Columbus .
That shooting has prompted protests and demands for justice .
The investigation into that shooting is being led by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio , David DeVillers .
Police spokesman Sgt .
James Fuqua said officers were dispatched at 1:37 a.m. to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northwest Side for a disturbance involving an SUV running on and off for an extended time .
Fuqua said the complaint came from a neighbor .
At an afternoon press conference , Ginther and city Department of Public Safety officials revealed more details about the shooting .
When officers arrived on the scene , they found a home 's garage door open and a man inside .
The man , who was visiting someone at the home , walked toward officers with a cellphone in his left hand and his right hand not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city officials of one of the responding officer ’ s body-worn camera footage .
'This has to stop ' : Faith leaders angry over Casey Goodson shooting , hot potato handling One officer fired his weapon , striking the 47-year-old Black man , who later died at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital .
A weapon was not recovered at the scene .
The man 's name has not been released , pending family notification .
Columbus police officers involved in shootings are not identified for at least 24 hours after the shooting , per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body-worn camera footage also documents a delay in rendering of first-aid to the man , '' according to a city Department of Public Safety release .
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave .
He will not return to work until he has been cleared by an independent psychologist , according to the release .
Ginther said he took the additional step of asking Police Chief Tom Quinlan to relieve the officer of duty — the equivalent of suspension — based on what he said he saw on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer relieved of duty , requiring the officer to turn in his badge and gun , according to the city .
This strips the officer in of all police powers pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation .
The officer will be paid during this time , per union contract .
`` Neither officer at the scene activated their body-worn cameras until immediately after the shooting .
Because of a 60-second 'look back ' function of the cameras , the shooting itself was captured on video , '' the city release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not record audio during that 60-second 'look-back ' window , so there is no audio of the communications ( between the victim and the officers ) immediately preceding or during the actual shooting . ''
Ginther said the fact that neither responding officer turned on his body camera until after the shooting `` disturbed him greatly . ''
`` It is unacceptable to me and the community that officers did not turn on their cameras , '' he said , citing the $ 5 million investment the city made in purchasing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn on your body camera , you can not work in our city . ''
The bodycam footage that was recorded is expected to be released publicly Wednesday , and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will conduct a `` thorough , independent investigation , '' Quinlan said in a statement .
`` We promise that we will provide as much transparency as possible on our part , both with investigators and the public , '' Quinlan said .
`` Our community deserves the facts .
If evidence determines that laws or policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountable .
”

Mayor of Ohio's largest city calls for officer's badge and gun after fatal shooting of unarmed Black man
COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Ohio police officer shot and killed an unarmed Black man while responding to a nonemergency call early Tuesday in the state's largest city, and hours later a furious Mayor Andrew J. Ginther ordered the police chief to take the officer's badge and gun.
"The community is exhausted," Ginther said.
The officers involved in the incident did not turn on their body cameras until immediately after the shooting, but it was recorded because the camera captures 60 seconds of footage before it is turned on. It also appears there was a delay in rendering aid to the man, according to the city's office of public safety.
The shooting comes less than three weeks after a Franklin County sheriff's deputy shot Casey Goodson Jr., a 23-year-old Black man, in the Northland area of Columbus. That shooting has prompted protests and demands for justice. The investigation into that shooting is being led by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, David DeVillers.
Police spokesman Sgt. James Fuqua said officers were dispatched at 1:37 a.m. to a nonemergency call on the city's Northwest Side for a disturbance involving an SUV running on and off for an extended time. Fuqua said the complaint came from a neighbor.
At an afternoon press conference, Ginther and city Department of Public Safety officials revealed more details about the shooting.
When officers arrived on the scene, they found a home's garage door open and a man inside.
The man, who was visiting someone at the home, walked toward officers with a cellphone in his left hand and his right hand not visible, according to a review by city officials of one of the responding officer’s body-worn camera footage.
'This has to stop': Faith leaders angry over Casey Goodson shooting, hot potato handling
One officer fired his weapon, striking the 47-year-old Black man, who later died at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital.
A weapon was not recovered at the scene.
The man's name has not been released, pending family notification. Columbus police officers involved in shootings are not identified for at least 24 hours after the shooting, per Division of Police policy.
"The body-worn camera footage also documents a delay in rendering of first-aid to the man," according to a city Department of Public Safety release.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave. He will not return to work until he has been cleared by an independent psychologist, according to the release.
Ginther said he took the additional step of asking Police Chief Tom Quinlan to relieve the officer of duty – the equivalent of suspension – based on what he said he saw on the footage.
Quinlan has ordered the officer relieved of duty, requiring the officer to turn in his badge and gun, according to the city. This strips the officer of all police powers pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation. The officer will be paid during this time, per union contract.
"Neither officer at the scene activated their body-worn cameras until immediately after the shooting. Because of a 60-second 'look back' function of the cameras, the shooting itself was captured on video," the city release states. "However, the function does not record audio during that 60-second 'look-back' window, so there is no audio of the communications (between the victim and the officers) immediately preceding or during the actual shooting."
Ginther said the fact that neither responding officer turned on his body camera until after the shooting "disturbed him greatly."
"It is unacceptable to me and the community that officers did not turn on their cameras," he said, citing the $5 million investment the city made in purchasing the cameras. "If you won't turn on your body camera, you cannot work in our city."
The bodycam footage that was recorded is expected to be released publicly Wednesday, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will conduct a "thorough, independent investigation," Quinlan said in a statement.
"We promise that we will provide as much transparency as possible on our part, both with investigators and the public," Quinlan said. "Our community deserves the facts. If evidence determines that laws or policies were violated, officers will be held accountable.”
bbruner@dispatch.com; @bethany_brunert


usatoday--2020-12-23--Alabama's Mac Jones, DeVonta Smith lead USA TODAY Sports' 2020 All-America teams

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones and wide receiver DeVonta Smith were the easiest picks for the USA TODAY Sports 2020 All-America teams , which include 14 players from the four teams selected for this year 's College Football Playoff .
No team had more selections than Alabama , which had seven players across the two teams after completing one of the program 's most dominant regular seasons under coach Nick Saban .
Settling on the second-team quarterback meant picking between Florida senior Kyle Trask and Clemson junior Trevor Lawrence .
Playing two additional games and leading Lawrence in yards , touchdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trask the edge .
The All-America honors included 13 players from the Group of Five .
Seven were on the first team , including Buffalo running back Jaret Patterson and Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins .
Jones leads the Bowl Subdivision in completion percentage ( 76.5 % ) and yards per attempt ( 11.4 ) and is on pace to set a single-season record in efficiency rating ( 202.3 ) .
Patterson leads the FBS in rushing yards per game ( 178.7 ) and had 409 yards and eight touchdowns in the Bulls ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,436 yards ) helped lead Iowa State to one of the best seasons in school history .
SEC coaches chose Smith as the league 's offensive player of the year over Jones and Trask , which might say something about his Heisman Trophy odds .
Darden led the FBS in touchdown receptions ( 19 ) and ranked third in yards per game .
Few tight ends in recent history impacted games quite like Pitts ( 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 scores ) .
Christensen was the largely unsung star of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play .
Madden did n't allow a sack for the Conference USA East division champs .
It 's hard to say what 's more impressive about Linderbaum : that he 's only a sophomore or that he was playing defensive tackle as recently as 2018 .
Banks is the representative from Notre Dame 's outstanding front , edging out teammate Liam Eichenberg ( a second-team pick ) .
Leatherwood is one of the Crimson Tide 's most decorated linemen of the Saban era .
Weaver bounced back from a knee injury that cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ACC in sacks per game .
Nixon ( 13.5 tackles for loss ) came off the radar and exploded onto the scene in the Big Ten as the league 's most disruptive down lineman .
With Stills up front , WVU allowed 100 fewer yards per game than in 2019 and had the best defense in the Big 12 .
A transfer from UCLA , Phillips ( 15.5 tackles for loss ) met his five-star potential in his one season with the Hurricanes .
You can make the case for Collins ( 53 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 interceptions , 4 sacks ) as the best player in the country in 2020 regardless of position .
Owusu-Koramoah is the third Notre Dame linebacker in nine years to win the Butkus Award .
A three-time all-league pick and this season 's defensive player of the year in the Big 12 , Rose ( 90 tackles ) is one of the best examples of Iowa State 's elite talent evaluation and development .
Most teams have a followed a simple rule : Do n't throw at Surtain .
( For good reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the game-changing talents in the Group of Five after somehow slipping through the recruiting cracks as a three-star prospect coming out of Detroit .
The only freshman on the first or second team , Joseph led the top-ranked pass defense in the FBS with six interceptions and had one of the top plays of the year in the Big Ten championship game .
Hufanga led USC in tackles ( 62 ) and interceptions ( four ) and became the eighth player in program history to be named Pac-12 defensive player of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goals and made one of the memorable plays of the year with his late kick to beat Florida .
Harvin leads the FBS and set the ACC single-season record in yards per punt ( 48.0 ) .
Williams had two kickoff return and two punt return touchdowns in just seven games and is tied for the FBS career record with nine punt return scores .

Alabama's Mac Jones, DeVonta Smith lead USA TODAY Sports' 2020 All-America teams
Show Caption Hide Caption Coaches Poll and CFP committee agree on top four teams The College Football Playoff selection committee chose Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Notre Dame to compete for the National Championship and the most recent Amway Coaches poll tells a similar story. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones and wide receiver DeVonta Smith were the easiest picks for the USA TODAY Sports 2020 All-America teams, which include 14 players from the four teams selected for this year's College Football Playoff.
No team had more selections than Alabama, which had seven players across the two teams after completing one of the program's most dominant regular seasons under coach Nick Saban.
Settling on the second-team quarterback meant picking between Florida senior Kyle Trask and Clemson junior Trevor Lawrence. Playing two additional games and leading Lawrence in yards, touchdowns, completion percentage and efficiency rating gave Trask the edge.
The All-America honors included 13 players from the Group of Five. Seven were on the first team, including Buffalo running back Jaret Patterson and Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins.
More: Heisman Watch: Alabama teammates Mac Jones, DeVonta Smith tied in final poll
More: College football bowl schedule for the 2020 season
FIRST TEAM
Offense
QB: Mac Jones, Alabama (Jr.)
Jones leads the Bowl Subdivision in completion percentage (76.5%) and yards per attempt (11.4) and is on pace to set a single-season record in efficiency rating (202.3).
RB: Jaret Patterson, Buffalo (Jr.)
RB: Breece Hall, Iowa State (So.)
Patterson leads the FBS in rushing yards per game (178.7) and had 409 yards and eight touchdowns in the Bulls' win against Kent State. Hall (1,436 yards) helped lead Iowa State to one of the best seasons in school history.
WR: DeVonta Smith, Alabama (Sr.)
WR: Jaelon Darden, North Texas (Sr.)
TE: Kyle Pitts, Florida (Jr.)
SEC coaches chose Smith as the league's offensive player of the year over Jones and Trask, which might say something about his Heisman Trophy odds. Darden led the FBS in touchdown receptions (19) and ranked third in yards per game. Few tight ends in recent history impacted games quite like Pitts (43 catches for 770 yards and 12 scores).
OL: Brady Christensen, Brigham Young (Jr.)
OL: Cain Madden, Marshall (Sr.)
OL: Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa (So.)
OL: Aaron Banks, Notre Dame (Sr.)
OL: Alex Leatherwood, Alabama (Sr.)
Christensen was the largely unsung star of the nation's fourth-best offense in yards per play. Madden didn't allow a sack for the Conference USA East division champs. It's hard to say what's more impressive about Linderbaum: that he's only a sophomore or that he was playing defensive tackle as recently as 2018. Banks is the representative from Notre Dame's outstanding front, edging out teammate Liam Eichenberg (a second-team pick). Leatherwood is one of the Crimson Tide's most decorated linemen of the Saban era.
Defense
DL: Rashad Weaver, Pittsburgh (Sr.)
DL: Daviyon Nixon, Iowa (Jr.)
DL: Darius Stills, West Virginia (Sr.)
DL: Jaelan Phillips, Miami (Jr.)
Weaver bounced back from a knee injury that cost him the 2019 season to lead the ACC in sacks per game. Nixon (13.5 tackles for loss) came off the radar and exploded onto the scene in the Big Ten as the league's most disruptive down lineman. With Stills up front, WVU allowed 100 fewer yards per game than in 2019 and had the best defense in the Big 12. A transfer from UCLA, Phillips (15.5 tackles for loss) met his five-star potential in his one season with the Hurricanes.
LB: Zaven Collins, Tulsa (Jr.)
LB: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame (Sr.)
LB: Mike Rose, Iowa State (Jr.)
You can make the case for Collins (53 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 4 sacks) as the best player in the country in 2020 regardless of position. Owusu-Koramoah is the third Notre Dame linebacker in nine years to win the Butkus Award. A three-time all-league pick and this season's defensive player of the year in the Big 12, Rose (90 tackles) is one of the best examples of Iowa State's elite talent evaluation and development.
CB: Patrick Surtain II, Alabama (Jr.)
CB: Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati (So).
S: Brandon Joseph, Northwestern (RS Fr.)
S: Talanoa Hufanga, Southern California (Jr.)
Most teams have a followed a simple rule: Don't throw at Surtain. (For good reason.) Gardner has developed into one of the game-changing talents in the Group of Five after somehow slipping through the recruiting cracks as a three-star prospect coming out of Detroit. The only freshman on the first or second team, Joseph led the top-ranked pass defense in the FBS with six interceptions and had one of the top plays of the year in the Big Ten championship game. Hufanga led USC in tackles (62) and interceptions (four) and became the eighth player in program history to be named Pac-12 defensive player of the year.
Special teams
K: Cade York, LSU (So.)
P: Pressley Harvin III, Georgia Tech (Sr.)
KR: Avery Williams, Boise State (Sr.)
York was 18-of-21 on field goals and made one of the memorable plays of the year with his late kick to beat Florida. Harvin leads the FBS and set the ACC single-season record in yards per punt (48.0). Williams had two kickoff return and two punt return touchdowns in just seven games and is tied for the FBS career record with nine punt return scores.
SECOND TEAM
Offense
QB: Kyle Trask, Florida (Sr.)
RB: Najee Harris, Alabama (Sr.)
RB: Travis Etienne, Clemson (Sr.)
WR: Elijah Moore, Mississippi (Jr.)
WR: Jonathan Adams, Jr., Arkansas State (Sr.)
TE: Charlie Kolar, Iowa State (Jr.)
OL: Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame (Sr.)
OL: Wyatt Davis, Ohio State (Jr.)
OL: Landon Dickerson, Alabama (Sr.)
OL: Kendrick Green, Illinois (Jr.)
OL: Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech (Jr.)
Defense
DL: Tarron Jackson, Coastal Carolina (Sr.)
DL: Alim McNeill, N.C. State (Jr.)
DL: Christian Barmore, Alabama (So.)
DL: Cade Hall, San Jose State (Jr.)
LB: Joseph Ossai, Texas (Jr.)
LB: Jon Rhattigan, Army (Sr.)
LB: Justin Rice, Arkansas State (Sr.)
CB: Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU (So.)
CB: Greg Newsome II, Northwestern (Jr.)
S: Trevon Moehrig, TCU (Jr.)
S: Nolan Turner, Clemson (Sr.)
Special teams
K: Jose Borregales, Miami (Sr.)
P: Lou Hedley, Miami (Jr.)
KR: Jeremiah Haydel, Texas State (Sr.)


usatoday--2020-12-23--'Is it too late to add something to my Christmas list?': South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem wields flamet

Kristi Noem found herself again at the center of social media chatter Tuesday , this time after a photograph of her holding a flamethrower gained national attention .
The Republican governor of South Dakota posted a photo of herself holding the flamethrower on Monday night with the caption , `` Is it too late to add something to my Christmas list ? ''
The Instagram post had nearly 30,000 likes and more than 730 comments as of Tuesday night .
Another post from a RealClearPolitics showing the photo had more than 600 retweets .
Noem 's communications specialist , Ian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the post that the governor does not own the contraption .
`` To be clear , it 's not her flamethrower , '' he said , though not responding to inquiries about who it belonged to or where the photograph was taken .
The flamethrower photograph is the latest page in Noem 's rise to national prominence in the GOP while campaigning for President Donald Trump and taking a hands-off approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic .
That 's also brought an increasingly bright spotlight from the national media and attention and criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dakota while coronavirus cases surged across the country .
Among Noem 's latest out-of-state trips was a headlining appearance at a $ 2,000-per-plate gala hosted by the right-wing organization Turning Point at the president 's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida .
As far as the flamethrower goes , they 're not that uncommon .
They 're available online and are even stocked at local firearms and ammunition stores .

'Is it too late to add something to my Christmas list?': South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem wields flamethrower on Instagram
Show Caption Hide Caption S.D. Gov. Kristi Noem's COVID-19 plan: 'Less COVID, more hunting' South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem showed how social distancing is done in her state, while hunting. Tweeted by the governor's official account on Sept. 23. Storyful
Kristi Noem found herself again at the center of social media chatter Tuesday, this time after a photograph of her holding a flamethrower gained national attention.
The Republican governor of South Dakota posted a photo of herself holding the flamethrower on Monday night with the caption, "Is it too late to add something to my Christmas list?"
The Instagram post had nearly 30,000 likes and more than 730 comments as of Tuesday night. Another post from a RealClearPolitics showing the photo had more than 600 retweets.
Noem's communications specialist, Ian Fury, said in a response to the post that the governor does not own the contraption.
"To be clear, it's not her flamethrower," he said, though not responding to inquiries about who it belonged to or where the photograph was taken.
The flamethrower photograph is the latest page in Noem's rise to national prominence in the GOP while campaigning for President Donald Trump and taking a hands-off approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
That's also brought an increasingly bright spotlight from the national media and attention and criticism of her frequent travel outside of South Dakota while coronavirus cases surged across the country.
Among Noem's latest out-of-state trips was a headlining appearance at a $2,000-per-plate gala hosted by the right-wing organization Turning Point at the president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
As far as the flamethrower goes, they're not that uncommon. They're available online and are even stocked at local firearms and ammunition stores.


usatoday--2020-12-22--Men shot up a strip club after getting kicked out for not wearing masks, police say. They could face

Two California men could face life in prison after being accused of shooting into a strip club they got booted from for not wearing masks .
A Halloween trip to the Sahara Theatre , a strip club in Anaheim 4 miles east of Disneyland , was cut short after Edgar Nava-Ayala , Daniel Ocampo and Juan Acosta-Soto were kicked out by security guards for not complying with the venue 's mask requirements .
They returned to the Sahara in a red Toyota Camry .
Nava-Ayala allegedly fired about 15 rounds from an AK-47 semiautomatic rifle “ indiscriminately ” into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orange County District Attorney ’ s Office and the Anaheim Police Department .
“ The suspects were kicked out for refusing to wear masks , ” police Sgt .
Shane Carringer told USA TODAY .
“ They returned and fired on the club in retaliation of being kicked out.
” Contrary to some reports , Carringer said , they did not attack the strip club specifically for the mask regulations .
At least four people were injured , and one had to undergo surgery because of bullet wounds in the upper body , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office .
“ It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was killed , ” Carringer told The Washington Post .
Nava-Ayala , 34 , and Ocampo , 22 , were both charged with attempted murder and assault , among other felonies , on Monday after an arrest made last week led to the discovery of the AK-47 used in the attacks .
Both could face life sentences if convicted of all charges .
Acosta-Soto , 20 , could face a maximum of 17 years under a felony assault charge .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Jail on $ 5 million bail .

Men shot up a strip club after getting kicked out for not wearing masks, police say. They could face life in prison.
Two California men could face life in prison after being accused of shooting into a strip club they got booted from for not wearing masks.
A Halloween trip to the Sahara Theatre, a strip club in Anaheim 4 miles east of Disneyland, was cut short after Edgar Nava-Ayala, Daniel Ocampo and Juan Acosta-Soto were kicked out by security guards for not complying with the venue's mask requirements.
They returned to the Sahara in a red Toyota Camry. Nava-Ayala allegedly fired about 15 rounds from an AK-47 semiautomatic rifle “indiscriminately” into the club, according to statements from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Anaheim Police Department.
“The suspects were kicked out for refusing to wear masks,” police Sgt. Shane Carringer told USA TODAY. “They returned and fired on the club in retaliation of being kicked out.”
Contrary to some reports, Carringer said, they did not attack the strip club specifically for the mask regulations.
At least four people were injured, and one had to undergo surgery because of bullet wounds in the upper body, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
“It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was killed,” Carringer told The Washington Post.
Nava-Ayala, 34, and Ocampo, 22, were both charged with attempted murder and assault, among other felonies, on Monday after an arrest made last week led to the discovery of the AK-47 used in the attacks. Both could face life sentences if convicted of all charges.
Acosta-Soto, 20, could face a maximum of 17 years under a felony assault charge.
All three are held at the Orange County Jail on $5 million bail.
Follow Joshua Bote on Twitter: @joshua_bote.


usatoday--2020-12-22--Politics updates: Biden blasts Trump for lack of response to cyber hack

USA TODAY continues its coverage of the run-up to President-elect Joe Biden 's inauguration and year-end legislation taken up by Congress , including the $ 900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package that passed Monday .
Jan. 6 : Congress will count and certify the electoral results in a joint session .
Jan. 20 : Inauguration of Biden who will take the oath of office .
Be sure to refresh this page often to get the latest information on the transition .
Biden lays out additional detail on next stimulus WILMINGTON , Del .
— President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he hopes to see in another round of economic stimulus next year , pushing back on pessimism about whether Congress will be able to repeat the kind of bipartisan agreement that resulted in the $ 900 billion deal brokered this week .
Biden praised the agreement , which will soon head to the White House for President Donald Trump ’ s signature , but he repeated a long-held assertion that the measure it only a “ down payment ” and that he would be asking lawmakers for billions more next year .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Biden told reporters .
“ I can and I must ask them to do it again next year.
” Biden offered several specific policies he expects the next stimulus bill to include , such as direct payments – an idea that was supported by Trump and some Democrats but that was left out of first drafts of the latest stimulus -- spending for vaccine distribution and aid to local governments , a sticking point between Democrats and Republicans that was ultimately jettisoned from the measure approved Monday .
Biden also mentioned an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as extended unemployment benefits , which under the new legislation will expire in March .
Biden brushed aside skepticism about lawmakers ’ ability to pass another stimulus next year given that the latest measure took eight months to work its way through Congress and was only after Congress dropped some of the most controversial provisions in play , including aid to state and local government and liability protection for businesses , sought by Republicans .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s a honeymoon at all .
I think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , arguing that Republicans would hear from their constituents facing economic turmoil as well as Democrats .
“ They ’ re not doing me a favor.
” Though he has not offered specifics Biden has repeatedly said the next round of stimulus would have to include a sizable investment in vaccine distribution .
`` We ’ ll need more help to fully distribute the vaccine .
We ’ re going to need more testing , in order to be able to open our schools , ” he told reporters Tuesday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help firefighters and police , many of whom are being laid off as I speak .
The same with nurses risking their lives on the front lines . ''
The $ 900 billion package will provide up to $ 600 payments to individuals , phasing out for people earning more than $ 87,000 per year ; extend $ 300 weekly unemployment insurance by 11 weeks , through mid-March ; extend the eviction moratorium to Jan. 31 ; extend a loan program for small businesses , and provide $ 13 million in benefits for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for lack of response to cyber hack WILMINGTON , Del .
– President-elect Joe Biden blasted President Donald Trump ’ s response to the cyber hack of government agencies and U.S. businesses , saying the administration must publicly identify the culprit of the sophisticated attack and take action in response .
“ This assault happened on Donald Trump ’ s watch , when he wasn ’ t watching , ” Biden told reporters at The Queen theater .
“ It ’ s still his responsibility as president to defend American interests for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if he doesn ’ t take it seriously , I will.
” The White House didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment .
Biden acknowledged that much remains unknown about the attack .
But he said it began in late 2019 and that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Attorney General William Barr have each suggested Russia is responsible .
“ It certainly fits Russia ’ s long history of reckless , disruptive cyber activities , ” Biden said .
Biden welcomed congressional leaders of both parties criticizing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he criticized Trump for failing to prioritize cybersecurity by eliminating or downgrading cybersecurity officers and “ President Trump ’ s irrational downplaying of the seriousness of the attack .
Enough is enough.
” Biden said the Pentagon has delayed briefing members of his transition team about the hack and other issues .
“ I see no evidence that it ’ s under control , ” Biden said responding to Trump ’ s assertion shortly after the attack came to light .
Biden said his administration and Congress must warn adversaries that such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is prepared to impose , to prevent future attacks .
“ Our adversaries are highly capable , ” Biden said .
“ Cyber threats are among the greatest threats to our security in the 21st Century.
” Trump must wait to sign COVID-19 spending bill – it is being “ enrolled ” WASHINGTON – It may be a few days before President Donald Trump actually signs the COVID-19 relief bill into law .
For one thing , it hasn ’ t reached the White House yet .
The $ 900 billion rescue package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process by which the final bill “ is printed on parchment paper , signed by appropriate House and Senate officials , and submitted to the president for signature , ” according to the U.S. Senate website .
Enrollment of this new law will take some time .
The full bill - which is attached to a $ 1.4 trillion spending plan to fund the federal government through Sept. 30 , the end of the fiscal year - runs nearly 5,600 pages long .
It took several hours just to print out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , eventually - just as soon as it gets to his desk .
The Senate passed a $ 900 billion COVID-19 relief package Monday , sending the bill to President Donald Trump to sign Tuesday .
It will send millions of Americans direct payments and rescue thousands of small businesses nationwide struggling to stay open in the COVID-19 pandemic after a months-long stalemate that was ended with the help of a special dinner at Alaska GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski 's house .
The measure was attached to a $ 1.4 trillion spending bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 , 2021 ( the end of the fiscal year ) to form a nearly 5,600 page-bill that is one of the largest pieces of legislation Congress has ever tackled .
Its passage leaves some hoping this signals cooperation with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may be possible in 2021 .
Earlier in the evening , the House passed the measure 359-53 .
Hours later , the Senate approved it by a 92-6 vote .
Trump is expected to sign it today .
Whether he 'll sign the National Defense act is another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , McConnell says the Senate would return Dec. 29 regarding a congressional override .
Out with Betsy DeVos , in with Miguel Cardona ?
President-elect Joe Biden is poised to nominate Miguel Cardona as secretary of the Department of Education , multiple media outlets reported , choosing a major proponent of reopening schools during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ In-person education is too important for our children to disrupt their education further , '' Cardona wrote in a letter to Connecticut school superintendents in November , `` unless and until local conditions specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Cardona would lead Biden 's goal to reopen all public schools in the first 100 days of his administration if confirmed by the U.S. Senate .
His pick would also add another Latino to Biden 's increasingly diverse Cabinet .
Cardona has served as Connecticut 's education chief for 16 months after working as a public school educator for two decades .
More than 70 cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point were accused of cheating on a math exam , the worst academic scandal since the 1970s at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fifty-eight cadets admitted cheating on the exam , which was administered remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Most of them have been enrolled in a rehabilitation program and will be on probation for the remainder of their time at the academy .
Others resigned , and some face hearings that could result in their expulsion .
Rep. Jackie Speier , D-Calif. , who leads the personnel panel of the House Armed Services Committee , said she found the scandal deeply troubling and West Point must provide more transparency to determine the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Point cadets are the cream of the crop and are expected to demonstrate unimpeachable character and integrity , '' Speier said .
`` They must be held to the same high standard during remote learning as in-person . ''
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris campaigned Monday in Georgia for two Democratic Senate candidates whose races will determine control of the chamber .
She campaigned for Jon Ossoff and the Rev .
Raphael Warnock , who are challenging Republican Sens .
David Perdue and Kelley Loeffler , respectively .
The Senate now has 50 Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats .
If both challengers win , Harris could break Senate ties in favor of Biden ’ s priorities .
Harris recited President-elect Joe Biden ’ s priorities for expanding Medicare and Medicaid , tripling Title I funding for schools and providing assistance to first-time homebuyers .
“ Everything is at stake , ” Harris said .
Warnock had said earlier that the Democrats would better provide health care and distribute the vaccine for COVID-19 before rebuilding the country with an infrastructure program .
“ We ’ ve got to get the vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ We ’ ve got to make sure that communities of color and other marginalized communities don ’ t find themselves at the back of the line.
” A small group of protesters assembled outside the event , with several carrying signs .
“ Kamala is a socialist , ” a sign said .
Georgia has reliably supported Republicans statewide for decades , but Biden beat President Donald Trump this year .
Harris had planned two campaign events Monday , but had to return to Washington to vote on the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You did what nobody thought could be done , ” Harris told Georgia voters .
“ You know , no good comes without asking for a little bit more.
” Biden campaigned in Atlanta on Dec. 15 .
Trump visited the state Dec. 5 and said he would return Jan. 4 .
Vice President Mike Pence has also campaigned in Georgia .
More than 1.4 million people have voted in the runoffs already , and voting ends Jan. 5 .

Anne Godlasky, Bart Jansen, Nicholas Wu, Ledyard King, Tom Vanden Brook and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY

Politics updates: Biden blasts Trump for lack of response to cyber hack
Show Caption Hide Caption President-elect Biden blames Trump Administration for cyber attack President-elect Biden told reporters that the cyber attack on private and federal offices was a failure of the Trump Administration. Staff Video, USA TODAY
USA TODAY continues its coverage of the run-up to President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration and year-end legislation taken up by Congress, including the $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package that passed Monday.
Dates to watch:
Jan. 6: Congress will count and certify the electoral results in a joint session.
Jan. 20: Inauguration of Biden who will take the oath of office.
Be sure to refresh this page often to get the latest information on the transition.
WILMINGTON, Del. — President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday offered his most detailed assessment yet for what he hopes to see in another round of economic stimulus next year, pushing back on pessimism about whether Congress will be able to repeat the kind of bipartisan agreement that resulted in the $900 billion deal brokered this week.
Biden praised the agreement, which will soon head to the White House for President Donald Trump’s signature, but he repeated a long-held assertion that the measure it only a “down payment” and that he would be asking lawmakers for billions more next year.
“Congress did its job this week,” Biden told reporters. “I can and I must ask them to do it again next year.”
Biden offered several specific policies he expects the next stimulus bill to include, such as direct payments – an idea that was supported by Trump and some Democrats but that was left out of first drafts of the latest stimulus -- spending for vaccine distribution and aid to local governments, a sticking point between Democrats and Republicans that was ultimately jettisoned from the measure approved Monday. Biden also mentioned an extended moratorium on evictions and foreclosures as well as extended unemployment benefits, which under the new legislation will expire in March.
Biden brushed aside skepticism about lawmakers’ ability to pass another stimulus next year given that the latest measure took eight months to work its way through Congress and was only after Congress dropped some of the most controversial provisions in play, including aid to state and local government and liability protection for businesses, sought by Republicans.
“I don’t think it’s a honeymoon at all. I think it’s a nightmare,” Biden said, arguing that Republicans would hear from their constituents facing economic turmoil as well as Democrats. “They’re not doing me a favor.”
Though he has not offered specifics Biden has repeatedly said the next round of stimulus would have to include a sizable investment in vaccine distribution.
"We’ll need more help to fully distribute the vaccine. We’re going to need more testing, in order to be able to open our schools,” he told reporters Tuesday. “We’ll need more funding to help firefighters and police, many of whom are being laid off as I speak. The same with nurses risking their lives on the front lines."
The $900 billion package will provide up to $600 payments to individuals, phasing out for people earning more than $87,000 per year; extend $300 weekly unemployment insurance by 11 weeks, through mid-March; extend the eviction moratorium to Jan. 31; extend a loan program for small businesses, and provide $13 million in benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
– John Fritze and Bart Jansen
WILMINGTON, Del. – President-elect Joe Biden blasted President Donald Trump’s response to the cyber hack of government agencies and U.S. businesses, saying the administration must publicly identify the culprit of the sophisticated attack and take action in response.
“This assault happened on Donald Trump’s watch, when he wasn’t watching,” Biden told reporters at The Queen theater. “It’s still his responsibility as president to defend American interests for the next four weeks. Rest assured, even if he doesn’t take it seriously, I will.”
The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Biden acknowledged that much remains unknown about the attack. But he said it began in late 2019 and that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Attorney General William Barr have each suggested Russia is responsible.
“It certainly fits Russia’s long history of reckless, disruptive cyber activities,” Biden said.
Biden welcomed congressional leaders of both parties criticizing the attack and preparing to take action. But he criticized Trump for failing to prioritize cybersecurity by eliminating or downgrading cybersecurity officers and “President Trump’s irrational downplaying of the seriousness of the attack. Enough is enough.”
Biden said the Pentagon has delayed briefing members of his transition team about the hack and other issues.
“I see no evidence that it’s under control,” Biden said responding to Trump’s assertion shortly after the attack came to light.
Biden said his administration and Congress must warn adversaries that such attacks will carry costs, which he is prepared to impose, to prevent future attacks.
“Our adversaries are highly capable,” Biden said. “Cyber threats are among the greatest threats to our security in the 21st Century.”
– Bart Jansen and John Fritze
New COVID-19 relief: More stimulus checks and unemployment benefits Lawmakers struck a nearly $900 billion COVID-19 relief deal including another round of stimulus checks and jobless benefits for struggling Americans. Staff video, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – It may be a few days before President Donald Trump actually signs the COVID-19 relief bill into law.
For one thing, it hasn’t reached the White House yet.
The $900 billion rescue package is going through “enrollment,” the process by which the final bill “is printed on parchment paper, signed by appropriate House and Senate officials, and submitted to the president for signature,” according to the U.S. Senate website.
Enrollment of this new law will take some time.
The full bill - which is attached to a $1.4 trillion spending plan to fund the federal government through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year - runs nearly 5,600 pages long. It took several hours just to print out.
Trump is expected to sign the bill, eventually - just as soon as it gets to his desk.
— David Jackson
The Senate passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package Monday, sending the bill to President Donald Trump to sign Tuesday. It will send millions of Americans direct payments and rescue thousands of small businesses nationwide struggling to stay open in the COVID-19 pandemic after a months-long stalemate that was ended with the help of a special dinner at Alaska GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski's house.
The measure was attached to a $1.4 trillion spending bill to fund the federal government through Sept. 30, 2021 (the end of the fiscal year) to form a nearly 5,600 page-bill that is one of the largest pieces of legislation Congress has ever tackled. Its passage leaves some hoping this signals cooperation with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may be possible in 2021.
Earlier in the evening, the House passed the measure 359-53. Hours later, the Senate approved it by a 92-6 vote. Trump is expected to sign it today. Whether he'll sign the National Defense act is another matter. If Trump vetoes the NDAA, McConnell says the Senate would return Dec. 29 regarding a congressional override.
President-elect Joe Biden is poised to nominate Miguel Cardona as secretary of the Department of Education, multiple media outlets reported, choosing a major proponent of reopening schools during the coronavirus pandemic.
“In-person education is too important for our children to disrupt their education further," Cardona wrote in a letter to Connecticut school superintendents in November, "unless and until local conditions specifically dictate the need to do so."
Cardona would lead Biden's goal to reopen all public schools in the first 100 days of his administration if confirmed by the U.S. Senate. His pick would also add another Latino to Biden's increasingly diverse Cabinet.
Cardona has served as Connecticut's education chief for 16 months after working as a public school educator for two decades.
—Joey Garrison
More than 70 cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point were accused of cheating on a math exam, the worst academic scandal since the 1970s at the Army's premier training ground for officers.
Fifty-eight cadets admitted cheating on the exam, which was administered remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of them have been enrolled in a rehabilitation program and will be on probation for the remainder of their time at the academy. Others resigned, and some face hearings that could result in their expulsion.
Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., who leads the personnel panel of the House Armed Services Committee, said she found the scandal deeply troubling and West Point must provide more transparency to determine the scope of cheating.
"Our West Point cadets are the cream of the crop and are expected to demonstrate unimpeachable character and integrity," Speier said. "They must be held to the same high standard during remote learning as in-person."
–Tom Vanden Brook
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris campaigned Monday in Georgia for two Democratic Senate candidates whose races will determine control of the chamber.
She campaigned for Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, who are challenging Republican Sens. David Perdue and Kelley Loeffler, respectively. The Senate now has 50 Republican senators and 48 members who caucus with Democrats. If both challengers win, Harris could break Senate ties in favor of Biden’s priorities.
Harris recited President-elect Joe Biden’s priorities for expanding Medicare and Medicaid, tripling Title I funding for schools and providing assistance to first-time homebuyers.
“Everything is at stake,” Harris said.
Warnock had said earlier that the Democrats would better provide health care and distribute the vaccine for COVID-19 before rebuilding the country with an infrastructure program.
“We’ve got to get the vaccine distributed safely and efficiently,” Warnock said. “We’ve got to make sure that communities of color and other marginalized communities don’t find themselves at the back of the line.”
A small group of protesters assembled outside the event, with several carrying signs. “Kamala is a socialist,” a sign said.
Georgia has reliably supported Republicans statewide for decades, but Biden beat President Donald Trump this year. Harris had planned two campaign events Monday, but had to return to Washington to vote on the COVID-19 stimulus package and federal spending legislation.
“You did what nobody thought could be done,” Harris told Georgia voters. “You know, no good comes without asking for a little bit more.”
Biden campaigned in Atlanta on Dec. 15. Trump visited the state Dec. 5 and said he would return Jan. 4. Vice President Mike Pence has also campaigned in Georgia.
More than 1.4 million people have voted in the runoffs already, and voting ends Jan. 5.
– Bart Jansen


usatoday--2020-12-22--Truck with 300 propane tanks flipped over and burst into flames in Queens, New York

Truck with 300 propane tanks flipped over and burst into flames in Queens , New York A truck carrying roughly @ @ @ @ @ burst into flames on the Long Island Expressway in Queens , New York .

Truck carrying 300 propane tanks flipped and burst into flames in NY
A truck carrying roughly 300 propane tanks flipped and burst into flames on the Long Island Expressway in Queens, New York.
USA TODAY, Storyful


usatoday--2020-12-22--This dog can't contain her excitement as she tackles and destroys a snowman

This dog ca n't contain her excitement as she tackles and destroys a snowman This pup couldn ’ t contain @ @ @ @ @ snow in Allentown , Pennsylvania .

Dog can't contain her excitement as she tackles snowman
This pup couldn’t contain her excitement when she saw snow in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
USA TODAY, Storyful


usatoday--2020-12-22--Ranked! The 10 best movies of 2020, from 'One Night in Miami' to 'The Invisible Man'

This is how crazy 2020 has been at the movies : The best film of the year doesn ’ t even really come out for most audiences until 2021 .
And somehow , it seems fitting after COVID-19 sent actors , filmmakers and pretty much all of Hollywood into chaos .
Movie theaters shut down after the coronavirus hit America in March , and ready-made blockbusters like “ Black Widow ” and “ Fast & Furious 9 ” were sent packing to next year .
In 2020 , Zoom interviews with stars became the norm , film festivals went virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a pandemic ( no , really ) , and streaming services , video-on-demand platforms and drive-in theaters became the go-to for movie lovers needing a socially distanced fix .
10 best songs of 2020 : Hits from Billie Eilish , The Weeknd and Cardi B The best books of 2020 : What USA TODAY 's critics loved reading Even with all that going on , plenty of great stuff still came out in 2020 .
From an inclusive musical about gay teens to modern # MeToo takes on classic thriller tropes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories and diverse storytellers were there for audiences to find .
So here are the best films of 2020 , ranked ( and where to watch them ) : An unseen home invader follows Cecilia Kass ( Elisabeth Moss ) in `` The Invisible Man . ''
This isn ’ t your grandparents ’ Invisible Man , but thank goodness : Director Leigh Whannell creates a thoroughly modern monster in this thriller starring Elisabeth Moss as a young woman controlled by her wealthy sociopath boyfriend ( Oliver Jackson-Cohen ) .
After he dies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims of him haunting her from beyond the grave .
“ Invisible Man ” is effective with scares as well as exploring abuse and gaslighting .
• None Copy this url to your clipboard Where to watch : In theaters ( Dec. 25 ) Cassie ( Carey Mulligan ) is a woman on a quest of vengeance in the darkly comic thriller `` Promising Young Woman . ''
In a year with none of Marvel ’ s Avengers , at least we have a real avenger in Carey Mulligan .
In debut writer/director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dark comedy , Mulligan plays an enigmatic med-school dropout who plagues creepy men taking advantage of women and exacts vengeance to right some past wrongs .
The film is cutting , often funny but also deeply moving and thought-provoking .
• None Copy this url to your clipboard Wunmi Mosaku and Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù are Sudanese refugees who find horrors after they arrive in England in `` His House . ''
Timely with its immigration themes and ready to scare your pants off , the masterful chiller stars Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù and Wunmi Mosaku as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and seek asylum in England .
After they move into decent digs , a wicked evil makes itself known as they face hard decisions made in the past .
Writer/director Remi Weekes crafts a signature spin on the haunted-house film with frightening moments that stick with you .
• None Copy this url to your clipboard

This is how crazy 2020 has been at the movies: The best film of the year doesn’t even really come out for most audiences until 2021.
And somehow, it seems fitting after COVID-19 sent actors, filmmakers and pretty much all of Hollywood into chaos. Movie theaters shut down after the coronavirus hit America in March, and ready-made blockbusters like “Black Widow” and “Fast & Furious 9” were sent packing to next year. In 2020, Zoom interviews with stars became the norm, film festivals went virtual, Michael Bay made a pandemic movie during a pandemic (no, really), and streaming services, video-on-demand platforms and drive-in theaters became the go-to for movie lovers needing a socially distanced fix.
10 best songs of 2020: Hits from Billie Eilish, The Weeknd and Cardi B
The best books of 2020: What USA TODAY's critics loved reading
Even with all that going on, plenty of great stuff still came out in 2020. From an inclusive musical about gay teens to modern #MeToo takes on classic thriller tropes to movies about the Black experience, exceptional stories and diverse storytellers were there for audiences to find. So here are the best films of 2020, ranked (and where to watch them):
What the 10 best movies of 2020 say about diversity in Hollywood, streaming and more USA TODAY’s Brian Truitt looks back on his 10 best films of 2020. Some weren’t released until December because of the pandemic's effect on Hollywood. Entertain This!, USA TODAY
10. ‘The Vast of Night’ Where to watch: Amazon Prime Everett (Jake Horowitz) and Fay (Sierra McCormick) are teenagers who investigate a strange audio frequency in their small New Mexico town in the 1950s-set sci-fi film "The Vast of Night." AMAZON There’s a Spielbergian vibe, Cold War-era paranoia and a “Twilight Zone”-esque framing device with this throwback sci-film, yet Andrew Patterson’s directorial debut feels exceedingly fresh and never anachronistic as it takes a spunky young radio operator (Sierra McCormick) and local radio DJ (Jake Horowitz) through one freaky night spent investigating a weird radio frequency in small-town 1950s New Mexico. Share this story
Share this story on Twitter
Share this story on Facebook
Email this story
Copy this url to your clipboard Link copied to clipboard Share this movie
9. ‘The Invisible Man’ Where to watch: On-demand platforms An unseen home invader follows Cecilia Kass (Elisabeth Moss) in "The Invisible Man." UNIVERSAL PICTURES This isn’t your grandparents’ Invisible Man, but thank goodness: Director Leigh Whannell creates a thoroughly modern monster in this thriller starring Elisabeth Moss as a young woman controlled by her wealthy sociopath boyfriend (Oliver Jackson-Cohen). After he dies by suicide, no one believes her claims of him haunting her from beyond the grave. “Invisible Man” is effective with scares as well as exploring abuse and gaslighting. Share this story
Share this story on Twitter
Share this story on Facebook
Email this story
Copy this url to your clipboard Link copied to clipboard Share this movie
8. ‘Promising Young Woman’ Where to watch: In theaters (Dec. 25) Cassie (Carey Mulligan) is a woman on a quest of vengeance in the darkly comic thriller "Promising Young Woman." FOCUS FEATURES In a year with none of Marvel’s Avengers, at least we have a real avenger in Carey Mulligan. In debut writer/director Emerald Fennell’s satisfying and surprising dark comedy, Mulligan plays an enigmatic med-school dropout who plagues creepy men taking advantage of women and exacts vengeance to right some past wrongs. The film is cutting, often funny but also deeply moving and thought-provoking. Share this story
Share this story on Twitter
Share this story on Facebook
Email this story
Copy this url to your clipboard Link copied to clipboard Share this movie
7. ‘His House’ Where to watch: Netflix Wunmi Mosaku and Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù are Sudanese refugees who find horrors after they arrive in England in "His House." AIDAN MONAGHAN/NETFLIX Timely with its immigration themes and ready to scare your pants off, the masterful chiller stars Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù and Wunmi Mosaku as a couple who escape war-torn South Sudan and seek asylum in England. After they move into decent digs, a wicked evil makes itself known as they face hard decisions made in the past. Writer/director Remi Weekes crafts a signature spin on the haunted-house film with frightening moments that stick with you. Share this story
Share this story on Twitter
Share this story on Facebook
Email this story
Copy this url to your clipboard Link copied to clipboard Share this movie
6. ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ Where to watch: Netflix Chadwick Boseman plays a self-centered cornet player who has designs for having his own band in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." DAVID LEE/NETFLIX George C. Wolfe's excellent adaptation of the August Wilson play takes audiences back to 1920s Chicago for a tense and dysfunctional recording session with blues singer Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) and her band. Davis is great as the gold-toothed, larger-than-life title character, and the late Chadwick Boseman, in his final performance, shines brightest as Ma's self-centered cornet player with grand musical ambitions of his own. Share this story
Share this story on Twitter
Share this story on Facebook
Email this story
Copy this url to your clipboard Link copied to clipboard Share this movie
5. ‘Sound of Metal’ Where to watch: Amazon Prime Riz Ahmed stars as a drummer who experiences a sudden loss of hearing in "Sound of Metal." TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Riz Ahmed's performance is superb as a rock drummer who loses his hearing and learns to lean on members of the tight-knit deaf community to cope. What's just as stunning in director Darius Marder's innovative and immersive drama is the sound design and use of open captions so that hearing audiences can experience a deaf person’s world, creating a sense of empathy in outstanding fashion. Share this story
Share this story on Twitter
Share this story on Facebook
Email this story
Copy this url to your clipboard Link copied to clipboard Share this movie
4. ‘Da 5 Bloods’ Where to watch: Netflix Isiah Whitlock Jr. (from left), Norm Lewis, Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters and Jonathan Majors star in Spike Lee's war film "Da 5 Bloods." NETFLIX Spike Lee tackles the complicated history of Black Americans' wartime service with a trippy drama that follows four veterans (including a fantastic Delroy Lindo) returning to Vietnam to find the remains of their squad leader (Chadwick Boseman) as well as the gold they hid from a crashed CIA plane. Part slow-burn mystery, part old-guy comedy, "Bloods" reminds of past and present struggles with themes of modern civil unrest and activism. Share this story
Share this story on Twitter
Share this story on Facebook
Email this story
Copy this url to your clipboard Link copied to clipboard Share this movie
3. ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ Where to watch: Netflix Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (from left), Ben Shenkman, Mark Rylance, Eddie Redmayne and Alex Sharp star in Aaron Sorkin's drama "The Trial of the Chicago 7," about organizers charged with inciting a riot after a 1968 protest at the Democratic National Convention. NICO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX Aaron Sorkin, who crafts a courtroom film like no other, rounds up a ridiculously stellar cast for an exciting historical epic examining the violent riots – and their legal aftermath – at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Everybody will have their own favorites, though Yahya Abdul-Mateen II impresses the most as Black Panther leader Bobby Seale and Michael Keaton drops in to steal a couple of scenes as Ramsey Clark. Share this story
Share this story on Twitter
Share this story on Facebook
Email this story
Copy this url to your clipboard Link copied to clipboard Share this movie
2. ‘The Prom’ Where to watch: Netflix Youngsters fight to have an inclusive prom in Ryan Murphy's Netflix musical comedy "The Prom," based on the Broadway show. MELINDA SUE GORDON/NETFLIX Ryan Murphy's infectious and joyous adaptation of the Broadway musical comedy hits our hearts differently at the end of a year like this when we could use some cathartic showstoppers. The movie also just happens to be a really good time, with Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman and Andrew Rannells as stage stars who, needing a PR boost, help a young lesbian (Jo Ellen Pellman) put together a prom for everyone. Share this story
Share this story on Twitter
Share this story on Facebook
Email this story
Copy this url to your clipboard Link copied to clipboard Share this movie
1. ‘One Night in Miami’ Where to watch: In theaters nationwide (Jan. 8) and Amazon Prime (Jan. 15) Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir, from left) takes a picture of his friends Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge), Cassius Clay (Eli Goree) and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.) in "One Night in Miami." PATTI PERRET Lucky folks in Miami can see Regina King's magnificent and moving directorial debut in theaters Christmas Day, though everyone else will have to wait until January. Don't worry, it's well worth it: The drama takes a real-life night in the life of some famous friends – boxer Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), football star Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge), activist Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir) and soul singer Sam Cooke – and imagines a fascinating discussion about race, religion, power and their own insecurities that humanizes and illuminates these Black icons. Share this story
Share this story on Twitter
Share this story on Facebook
Email this story
Copy this url to your clipboard Link copied to clipboard Share this movie
Best movies of 2020


usatoday--2020-12-23--President Trump denounces new COVID-19 relief bill and seeks multiple changes

President Trump denounces new COVID-19 relief bill and seeks multiple changes President Trump denounced the new COVID-19 relief package he @ @ @ @ @ urged congressional leaders to make several changes to the bill .

COVID-19: President Trump denounces new relief bill, demands changes
President Trump denounced the new COVID-19 relief package he's expected to sign and urged congressional leaders to make several changes to the bill.
Staff video, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-23--Walmart accused of fueling opioid epidemic in Justice Department lawsuit

The Justice Department accused Walmart Tuesday of contributing to the deadly opioid epidemic by filling thousands of invalid prescriptions and failing to report suspicious orders of opioids and other drugs placed by its pharmacies .
In its civil complaint , federal authorities allege `` hundreds of thousands of violations '' of the Controlled Substances Act , and are seeking billions of dollars in penalties .
`` As one of the largest pharmacy chains and wholesale drug distributors in the country , Walmart had the responsibility and the means to help prevent the diversion of prescription opioids , ” said Jeffrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice 's Civil Division .
“ Instead , for years , it did the opposite ...
This unlawful conduct contributed to the epidemic of opioid abuse throughout the United States . ''
Timothy Shea , acting head of the Drug Enforcement Administration , said the retail giant 's pharmacies routinely filled `` illegitimate '' prescriptions .
`` Too many lives have been lost because of oversight failures and those entrusted with responsibility turning a blind eye , '' Shea said .
Justice action was the result of a years-long investigation by its Prescription @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` As the operator of its pharmacies , Walmart knowingly filled thousands of controlled substance prescriptions that were not issued for legitimate medical purposes or in the usual course of medical practice , and that it filled prescriptions outside the ordinary course of pharmacy practice , '' federal officials said .
Anticipating the lawsuit , Walmart filed a legal action of its own in October , claiming that Justice officials were `` more focused on chasing headlines than fixing the ( opioid ) crisis .
`` Walmart and our pharmacists are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has affected so many , '' the company said then .
`` We are proud of our pharmacists , who help patients understand the risks about opioid prescriptions , and who have refused to fill hundreds of thousands of opioid prescriptions they thought could be problematic . ''
On Tuesday , Walmart sought to blame the government for not monitoring suspicious doctors closely enough .
`` This lawsuit invents a legal theory that unlawfully forces pharmacists to come between patients and their doctors , and is riddled with factual inaccuracies and cherry-picked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company said .
`` Blaming pharmacists for not second-guessing the very doctors the Drug Enforcement Administration approved to prescribe opioids is a transparent attempt to shift blame from DEA ’ s well-documented failures in keeping bad doctors from prescribing opioids in the first place . ''
But federal authorities offered a sharply different account .
`` Walmart managers put enormous pressure on pharmacists to fill prescriptions—requiring pharmacists to process a high volume of prescriptions as fast as possible , while at the same time denying them the authority to categorically refuse to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew were continually issuing invalid prescriptions , '' according to court documents .
`` And while Walmart ’ s compliance unit collected voluminous information indicating that Walmart was routinely being asked to fill invalid controlled-substance prescriptions , that unit for years withheld that information from pharmacists and allowed them to continue dispensing opioids based on invalid prescriptions . ''
Federal officials also said Walmart continued to fill orders issued by the same prescribers that pharmacists had flagged as `` pill mills . ''
`` In fact , some of those pill-mill prescribers specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Walmart , '' the lawsuit stated .
`` Walmart also filled prescriptions with glaringly obvious red flags , such as prescriptions for 'trinities ' and other well-known and highly dangerous drug 'cocktails ' that Walmart pharmacists knew were predominantly sought by individuals engaging in drug abuse . ''

Walmart accused of fueling opioid epidemic in Justice Department lawsuit
Show Caption Hide Caption Family behind OxyContin maker offers 'sadness' Two of the owners of the company that makes OxyContin acknowledged to a congressional committee on Thursday that the powerful prescription painkiller has played a role in the national opioid crisis, but stopped short of apologizing. (Dec. 17) AP
The Justice Department accused Walmart Tuesday of contributing to the deadly opioid epidemic by filling thousands of invalid prescriptions and failing to report suspicious orders of opioids and other drugs placed by its pharmacies.
In its civil complaint, federal authorities allege "hundreds of thousands of violations" of the Controlled Substances Act, and are seeking billions of dollars in penalties.
"As one of the largest pharmacy chains and wholesale drug distributors in the country, Walmart had the responsibility and the means to help prevent the diversion of prescription opioids,” said Jeffrey Bossert Clark, the acting chief of Justice's Civil Division. “Instead, for years, it did the opposite ... This unlawful conduct contributed to the epidemic of opioid abuse throughout the United States."
Timothy Shea, acting head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, said the retail giant's pharmacies routinely filled "illegitimate" prescriptions.
"Too many lives have been lost because of oversight failures and those entrusted with responsibility turning a blind eye," Shea said.
Justice action was the result of a years-long investigation by its Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force, officials said.
"As the operator of its pharmacies, Walmart knowingly filled thousands of controlled substance prescriptions that were not issued for legitimate medical purposes or in the usual course of medical practice, and that it filled prescriptions outside the ordinary course of pharmacy practice," federal officials said.
Anticipating the lawsuit, Walmart filed a legal action of its own in October, claiming that Justice officials were "more focused on chasing headlines than fixing the (opioid) crisis.
"Walmart and our pharmacists are committed to helping address the opioid crisis that has affected so many," the company said then. "We are proud of our pharmacists, who help patients understand the risks about opioid prescriptions, and who have refused to fill hundreds of thousands of opioid prescriptions they thought could be problematic."
On Tuesday, Walmart sought to blame the government for not monitoring suspicious doctors closely enough.
"This lawsuit invents a legal theory that unlawfully forces pharmacists to come between patients and their doctors, and is riddled with factual inaccuracies and cherry-picked documents taken out of context," the company said. "Blaming pharmacists for not second-guessing the very doctors the Drug Enforcement Administration approved to prescribe opioids is a transparent attempt to shift blame from DEA’s well-documented failures in keeping bad doctors from prescribing opioids in the first place."
But federal authorities offered a sharply different account.
"Walmart managers put enormous pressure on pharmacists to fill prescriptions—requiring pharmacists to process a high volume of prescriptions as fast as possible, while at the same time denying them the authority to categorically refuse to fill prescriptions issued by prescribers the pharmacists knew were continually issuing invalid prescriptions," according to court documents. "And while Walmart’s compliance unit collected voluminous information indicating that Walmart was routinely being asked to fill invalid controlled-substance prescriptions, that unit for years withheld that information from pharmacists and allowed them to continue dispensing opioids based on invalid prescriptions."
Federal officials also said Walmart continued to fill orders issued by the same prescribers that pharmacists had flagged as "pill mills."
"In fact, some of those pill-mill prescribers specifically told their patients to fill their prescriptions at Walmart," the lawsuit stated. "Walmart also filled prescriptions with glaringly obvious red flags, such as prescriptions for 'trinities' and other well-known and highly dangerous drug 'cocktails' that Walmart pharmacists knew were predominantly sought by individuals engaging in drug abuse."


usatoday--2020-12-22--California's first Latino senator: Alex Padilla picked to fill Kamala Harris' Senate seat

SACRAMENTO , Calif. — California Gov .
Gavin Newsom selected Secretary of State Alex Padilla on Tuesday as the state 's next U.S. senator , a historic pick that sends a Latino to the Senate for the first time in the state 's history .
While Padilla had been the favorite , a video released by Newsom 's office shows him getting emotional after Newsom offered him the job , reflecting on the hard work of his parents , who came to the United States from Mexico and worked as a cook and a housekeeper .
“ It 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Washington , '' he told Newsom .
Padilla , 47 , was appointed to fill out the remainder of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris ' term .
She plans to step down from the seat in January ahead of Inauguration Day , on Jan. 20 .
Padilla will need to run for a full term in 2022 .
The appointment gives him an advantage , but he 's still likely to face challengers ; California 's top-two primary system allows two Democrats to face off in a general election .
“ I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in me by Governor Newsom , and I intend to work each and every day to honor that trust and deliver for all Californians , ” Padilla said in a statement .
Padilla 's appointment gives a new level of representation to Latinos , who make up the state 's single largest demographic group at nearly 40 % of the population .
But Newsom 's choice of Padilla also means there will be no Black women in the 100-member Senate .
Harris , who is Black and Indian , was the only Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders had been lobbying Newsom to appoint either Reps. Karen Bass or Barbara Lee to replace her .
“ Secretary Padilla has a track record as a skilled legislator and a steadfast advocate for justice , and I believe he will be a powerful voice in the Senate for those who continue to be denied our country ’ s promise of equality , '' Lee said in a statement .
Politics updates : It could be days before Trump signs COVID stimulus bill Newsom faced competing pressures to appoint a Latino to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Harris , before making history as the first African American and Asian American woman to be elected vice president , was California 's first African American senator and the second Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate .
The U.S. Senate currently has four Latino members : Sens .
Catherine Cortez Masto , D-Nev. ; Ted Cruz , R-Texas ; Marco Rubio , R-Fla. ; and Robert Menendez , D-N.J. Padilla was first elected as California ’ s top elections official in 2014 and won a second term four years later .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseen California ’ s vast elections apparatus , including the rollout of a more robust vote-by-mail system .
In the November election , California mailed a ballot to every registered voter .
Prior to that , he oversaw the implementation of the Voter ’ s Choice Act , a 2016 law that allowed counties to mail all registered voters a ballot .
The state now has 22 million voters .
Padilla lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three sons , ages 5 , 7 and 13 .
His appointment will bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington .
Dianne Feinstein , California ’ s other senator , is from San Francisco , and politicians from Northern California have held some of the state ’ s highest political offices for decades .
Harris built her political career in San Francisco before moving to Los Angeles .
Feinstein , whom Padilla once worked for , announced her support for his nomination in early December .
He and Newsom have a long relationship .
When Newsom first ran for governor in 2009 , Padilla chaired his campaign .
Newsom dropped out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race and instead ran for lieutenant governor , a job he held for eight years .
When he ran again for governor in 2018 in a competitive primary , Padilla endorsed him over other prominent Democrats , including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa .
The campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Latino Victory Fund were among the groups advocating for Newsom to select Padilla .
“ This marks a long-overdue milestone for the Latino community , and it ’ s a bold step towards having a Senate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Nathalie Rayes , Latino Victory Fund president & chief executive officer , said in a statement .
Padilla has been on the state ’ s political scene for more than two decades .
He was first elected to serve on the Los Angeles City Council in 1999 , at age 26 .
He represented a Los Angeles-area district in the California state Senate from 2006 to 2014 , where he chaired the Committee on Energy , Utilities and Communication .
He authored a wide range of legislation , including a law to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another to create California ’ s earthquake early warning system .
He has an engineering degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , and he previously served on the school ’ s governing board .
Padilla , having won twice statewide , starts with an advantage going into the 2022 campaign .
In 2018 , he won reelection with 7.9 million votes , more than Newsom and the second highest total for any statewide officer behind Controller Betty Yee .
But a generation of California politicians are hitting term limits in their current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s political pecking order .
Underscoring the quick pivot to a reelection campaign , Padilla released a nearly two-minute video Tuesday doubling as a bio spot and a campaign ad , paid for by “ Alex Padilla for Senate.
” “ Through the looking glass of California politics , our state ’ s top elections official will now become a U.S Senator without an election , ” Republican state Assemblyman Kevin Kiley , a frequent critic , tweeted .
Padilla also faced criticism this year for awarding a $ 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education campaign ahead of the November election .
SKDKnickerbocker had ties to Joe Biden 's presidential campaign , prompting criticism that Padilla was using taxpayer dollars with a political agenda .
Then Yee , the state 's controller and a fellow Democrat , refused to authorize payment of the contract , saying her office did n't have authority .
In choosing Padilla , Newsom gives himself yet another appointment .
He ’ ll be able to select California ’ s next secretary of state .
He ’ s also weighing his choice for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as President-elect Joe Biden has named California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .

California's first Latino senator: Alex Padilla picked to fill Kamala Harris' Senate seat
Show Caption Hide Caption Newsom taps Padilla as next California US Senator California Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Secretary of State Alex Padilla as the state’s next U.S. senator. He will fill the seat being vacated by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Padilla will be California’s first Latino senator. (Dec. 22) AP
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom selected Secretary of State Alex Padilla on Tuesday as the state's next U.S. senator, a historic pick that sends a Latino to the Senate for the first time in the state's history.
While Padilla had been the favorite, a video released by Newsom's office shows him getting emotional after Newsom offered him the job, reflecting on the hard work of his parents, who came to the United States from Mexico and worked as a cook and a housekeeper.
“It's a hell of an important perspective to bring to Washington," he told Newsom.
Padilla, 47, was appointed to fill out the remainder of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris' term. She plans to step down from the seat in January ahead of Inauguration Day, on Jan. 20. Padilla will need to run for a full term in 2022. The appointment gives him an advantage, but he's still likely to face challengers; California's top-two primary system allows two Democrats to face off in a general election.
“I am honored and humbled by the trust placed in me by Governor Newsom, and I intend to work each and every day to honor that trust and deliver for all Californians,” Padilla said in a statement.
Padilla's appointment gives a new level of representation to Latinos, who make up the state's single largest demographic group at nearly 40% of the population. But Newsom's choice of Padilla also means there will be no Black women in the 100-member Senate. Harris, who is Black and Indian, was the only Black woman in the Senate, and Black leaders had been lobbying Newsom to appoint either Reps. Karen Bass or Barbara Lee to replace her.
“Secretary Padilla has a track record as a skilled legislator and a steadfast advocate for justice, and I believe he will be a powerful voice in the Senate for those who continue to be denied our country’s promise of equality," Lee said in a statement.
Politics updates: It could be days before Trump signs COVID stimulus bill
Newsom faced competing pressures to appoint a Latino to the seat and to appoint a Black woman. Harris, before making history as the first African American and Asian American woman to be elected vice president, was California's first African American senator and the second Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
The U.S. Senate currently has four Latino members: Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev.; Ted Cruz, R-Texas; Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; and Robert Menendez, D-N.J.
Who is Alex Padilla?
Padilla was first elected as California’s top elections official in 2014 and won a second term four years later. In that position, he’s overseen California’s vast elections apparatus, including the rollout of a more robust vote-by-mail system. In the November election, California mailed a ballot to every registered voter. Prior to that, he oversaw the implementation of the Voter’s Choice Act, a 2016 law that allowed counties to mail all registered voters a ballot. The state now has 22 million voters.
Padilla lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three sons, ages 5, 7 and 13.
His appointment will bring geographic diversity to California’s representation in Washington. Dianne Feinstein, California’s other senator, is from San Francisco, and politicians from Northern California have held some of the state’s highest political offices for decades. Harris built her political career in San Francisco before moving to Los Angeles.
Feinstein, whom Padilla once worked for, announced her support for his nomination in early December.
Biden Cabinet picks: Biden to select Miguel Cardona as education secretary
He and Newsom have a long relationship. When Newsom first ran for governor in 2009, Padilla chaired his campaign. Newsom dropped out when former Gov. Jerry Brown entered the race and instead ran for lieutenant governor, a job he held for eight years. When he ran again for governor in 2018 in a competitive primary, Padilla endorsed him over other prominent Democrats, including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Latino Victory Fund were among the groups advocating for Newsom to select Padilla.
“This marks a long-overdue milestone for the Latino community, and it’s a bold step towards having a Senate that looks like the communities it serves,” Nathalie Rayes, Latino Victory Fund president & chief executive officer, said in a statement.
Padilla has been on the state’s political scene for more than two decades. He was first elected to serve on the Los Angeles City Council in 1999, at age 26.
He represented a Los Angeles-area district in the California state Senate from 2006 to 2014, where he chaired the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communication. He authored a wide range of legislation, including a law to make restaurants list their calorie counts and another to create California’s earthquake early warning system. He has an engineering degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and he previously served on the school’s governing board.
Coronavirus legislation: How a pasta dinner and Zoom chats rescued COVID relief bill
Padilla, having won twice statewide, starts with an advantage going into the 2022 campaign. In 2018, he won reelection with 7.9 million votes, more than Newsom and the second highest total for any statewide officer behind Controller Betty Yee.
But a generation of California politicians are hitting term limits in their current jobs or seeking to move up in the state’s political pecking order. Underscoring the quick pivot to a reelection campaign, Padilla released a nearly two-minute video Tuesday doubling as a bio spot and a campaign ad, paid for by “Alex Padilla for Senate.”
Republicans quickly criticized Newsom's announcement.
“Through the looking glass of California politics, our state’s top elections official will now become a U.S Senator without an election,” Republican state Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, a frequent critic, tweeted.
Padilla also faced criticism this year for awarding a $35 million contract to SKDKnickerbocker for a voter education campaign ahead of the November election. SKDKnickerbocker had ties to Joe Biden's presidential campaign, prompting criticism that Padilla was using taxpayer dollars with a political agenda. Then Yee, the state's controller and a fellow Democrat, refused to authorize payment of the contract, saying her office didn't have authority.
In choosing Padilla, Newsom gives himself yet another appointment. He’ll be able to select California’s next secretary of state. He’s also weighing his choice for California’s next attorney general, as President-elect Joe Biden has named California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
USA TODAY's Mabinty Quarshie contributed.


usatoday--2020-12-22--Lawmakers squabble over whether to get the coronavirus vaccine ahead of front-line workers

WASHINGTON – Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle squabbled over whether to immediately get the COVID-19 vaccine , potentially before health care professionals and others .
Rep. Ilhan Omar , D-Minn. , criticized fellow lawmakers for getting the vaccine ahead of vulnerable populations .
Omar wrote on Twitter on Sunday night : `` It would makes sense if it was age , but unfortunately it ’ s of importance and its shameful . ''
Lawmakers are n't more important than front-line workers , teachers and others who are making sacrifices every day , she wrote .
`` Which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
People who need it most , should get it .
Full stop . ''
Omar announced in June that her father died of complications related to the coronavirus .
Experts say it is important for top government officials to be among the first to receive doses of the vaccine in order to boost confidence among the American people .
In a USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll Wednesday through Sunday , 46 % say they will take the vaccine as soon as they can .
That 's nearly double the 26 % who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as possible in a USA TODAY poll in late October .
In the new poll , 32 % say they will wait for others to get the shots before they do so themselves .
Exclusive : Americans ' readiness to take the COVID-19 vaccine spikes after the start of shots Many members of Congress have been vaccinated , including older lawmakers such as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , who are 80 and 78 years old , respectively , and thus at higher risk for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some younger lawmakers have also been vaccinated .
Senator Rand Paul , R-Ky. , slammed those who are younger and have received the vaccine , naming Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y. , who is 31 .
More : Here are the top US government officials who have received the coronavirus vaccine '' It is inappropriate for me - who has already gotten the virus/has immunity - to get in front of elderly/healthcare workers , '' Paul tweeted on Monday regarding his decision not to immediately receive the vaccine .
`` Same goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They should be among last , not first . ''
Ocasio-Cortez , who 's close with Omar and who videoed herself getting the vaccine last week , shot back that she felt obligated to receive it to fight misinformation .
She also insisted lawmakers should set an example for the public .
`` Maybe if the GOP had n't spent so much time undermining public faith in science , masks , & COVID itself , I would n't have to weigh the potential misinfo consequences of what [ would ] happen if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new vaccine that we were n't taking ourselves ! ''
she tweeted , replying to Paul 's message .
She added , `` Our job is to make sure the vaccine is n't politicized the way masks were politicized . ''
Paul was the first senator to test positive for COVID-19 in March , at the beginning of the pandemic .
Running list : Which members of Congress have tested positive for COVID-19 ?
Since his recovery , Paul , who is a doctor , has rejected public health guidelines and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
Research on immunity from the virus is limited , and it is not clear how long it lasts .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , `` While individuals who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection might develop some protective immunity , the duration and extent of such immunity are not known . ''
More : Infected again or endless COVID-19 ?
How the 'reinfection phenomenon ' could impact vaccines , herd immunity and human behavior South Carolina Rep.-elect Nancy Mace , a Republican , wrote that “ Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in line for the COVID-19 vaccination when the average American can ’ t get it.
” '' For as long as the vaccines are limited , we should prioritize healthcare and frontline workers , and every person at greater risk , especially the elderly , '' she continued .
Outside of the Capitol , other prominent politicians and figures have been vaccinated , often publicly , to shore up confidence in the vaccines .

Lawmakers squabble over whether to get the coronavirus vaccine ahead of front-line workers
Show Caption Hide Caption Moderna COVID-19 vaccine authorized by FDA for emergency use in US The FDA has authorized Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in the U.S. The first shots of the vaccine are expected to be given Monday. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle squabbled over whether to immediately get the COVID-19 vaccine, potentially before health care professionals and others.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., criticized fellow lawmakers for getting the vaccine ahead of vulnerable populations.
Omar wrote on Twitter on Sunday night: "It would makes sense if it was age, but unfortunately it’s of importance and its shameful."
Lawmakers aren't more important than front-line workers, teachers and others who are making sacrifices every day, she wrote. "Which is why I won’t take it. People who need it most, should get it. Full stop."
It would makes sense if it was age, but unfortunately it’s of importance and its shameful.
We are not more important then frontline workers, teachers etc. who are making sacrifices everyday.
Which is why I won’t take it.
People who need it most, should get it.
Full stop. https://t.co/JQgMftm5wX — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 20, 2020
Omar announced in June that her father died of complications related to the coronavirus.
Experts say it is important for top government officials to be among the first to receive doses of the vaccine in order to boost confidence among the American people.
In a USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll Wednesday through Sunday, 46% say they will take the vaccine as soon as they can.
That's nearly double the 26% who were ready to get the shot as soon as possible in a USA TODAY poll in late October. In the new poll, 32% say they will wait for others to get the shots before they do so themselves.
Exclusive: Americans' readiness to take the COVID-19 vaccine spikes after the start of shots
Many members of Congress have been vaccinated, including older lawmakers such as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who are 80 and 78 years old, respectively, and thus at higher risk for complications related to the virus.
However, some younger lawmakers have also been vaccinated.
Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., slammed those who are younger and have received the vaccine, naming Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who is 31.
More: Here are the top US government officials who have received the coronavirus vaccine
"It is inappropriate for me - who has already gotten the virus/has immunity - to get in front of elderly/healthcare workers," Paul tweeted on Monday regarding his decision not to immediately receive the vaccine. "Same goes for AOC or any young healthy person. They should be among last, not first."
Ocasio-Cortez, who's close with Omar and who videoed herself getting the vaccine last week, shot back that she felt obligated to receive it to fight misinformation. She also insisted lawmakers should set an example for the public.
"Maybe if the GOP hadn't spent so much time undermining public faith in science, masks, & COVID itself, I wouldn't have to weigh the potential misinfo consequences of what [would] happen if leaders urged [people] to take a new vaccine that we weren't taking ourselves!" she tweeted, replying to Paul's message.
She added, "Our job is to make sure the vaccine isn't politicized the way masks were politicized."
Gee, maybe if the GOP hadn’t spent so much time undermining public faith in science, masks,& COVID itself, I wouldn’t have to weigh the potential misinfo consequences of what wld happen if leaders urged ppl to take a new vaccine that we weren’t taking ourselves!
& @ me next time https://t.co/roMnvkyvoT — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 21, 2020
Paul was the first senator to test positive for COVID-19 in March, at the beginning of the pandemic.
Running list: Which members of Congress have tested positive for COVID-19?
Since his recovery, Paul, who is a doctor, has rejected public health guidelines and has misleadingly claimed that he is immune to COVID-19.
Research on immunity from the virus is limited, and it is not clear how long it lasts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "While individuals who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection might develop some protective immunity, the duration and extent of such immunity are not known."
More: Infected again or endless COVID-19? How the 'reinfection phenomenon' could impact vaccines, herd immunity and human behavior
South Carolina Rep.-elect Nancy Mace, a Republican, wrote that “Congress shouldn’t be putting themselves first in line for the COVID-19 vaccination when the average American can’t get it.”
"For as long as the vaccines are limited, we should prioritize healthcare and frontline workers, and every person at greater risk, especially the elderly," she continued.
Congress shouldn’t be putting themselves first in line for the COVID-19 vaccination when the average American can’t get it. For as long as the vaccines are limited, we should prioritize healthcare and frontline workers, and every person at greater risk, especially the elderly. — Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) December 21, 2020
Outside of the Capitol, other prominent politicians and figures have been vaccinated, often publicly, to shore up confidence in the vaccines.
This includes Vice President Mike Pence, President-elect Joe Biden, and Dr. Anthony Fauci.