usatoday--2020-12-14--Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds Biden's win, rejects Trump lawsuit

MADISON - The Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld Democrat Joe Biden 's Wisconsin win Monday , handing President Donald Trump a defeat less than an hour before the Electoral College was to meet .
The 4-3 ruling was the latest in a string of dozens of losses for the president across the country as Republicans pursue last-gasp efforts to give Trump a second term .
In the majority , conservative Justice Brian Hagedorn joined the court 's three liberals to confirm Biden 's win .
They found one of Trump 's arguments was without merit and the others were brought far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin 's voting laws `` come long after the last play or even the last game ; the ( Trump ) Campaign is challenging the rulebook adopted before the season began , '' Hagedorn wrote .
The three other conservatives on the court dissented , writing they believed clerks violated the law with some election practices .
`` The majority does not bother addressing what the boards of canvassers did or should have done , and instead , four members of this court throw the cloak of ( timing ) over numerous problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , until this court has the courage to correct them , '' Chief Justice Patience Roggensack wrote for the dissenters .
Alongside Hagedorn in the majority were Justices Ann Walsh Bradley , Rebecca Dallet and Jill Karofsky .
In dissent were Roggensack and Justices Rebecca Bradley and Annette Ziegler .
( The Bradleys are not related . )
It marked the fourth time in a week and a half that the same coalition of justices ruled against Trump and his allies .
Biden edged out Trump in Wisconsin by 21,000 votes , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ margin of about the size Trump enjoyed four years ago .
Trump paid $ 3 million for a recount in Dane and Milwaukee counties , but the recount slightly widened Biden 's win .
He challenged the results directly with the state Supreme Court , but the justices rejected it on a 4-3 vote early this month , telling him state law required him to start in a lower court .
Trump brought a new lawsuit and Reserve Judge Stephen Simanek ruled against him Friday .
Trump appealed , the state Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , allowing the state 's 10 Electoral College votes to go to Biden .
Based on election results , Biden is in line to receive 306 electoral votes and Trump 232 .
Even if the state Supreme Court had reversed Wisconsin 's results , Biden would still be set to claim the presidency .
RELATED : The Wisconsin voting system Donald Trump is attacking was built by Republicans Trump sought to throw out more than 220,000 ballots cast in Milwaukee and Dane counties , the state 's most populous and most Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots that were cast the same way in the state 's 70 other counties .
During Saturday 's arguments , Karofsky said the approach `` smacks of racism '' because Trump targeted the most diverse parts of the state .
Trump attorney Jim Troupis denied that , saying Trump had limited his recount to the two counties to save money .
Troupis challenged several election practices , some of them long-standing .
He contended clerks had broken the law by filling in the addresses of witnesses on absentee ballot envelopes .
With the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commission four years ago told clerks they could do that if they were able to confirm the addresses .
In some cases , clerks filled in full addresses , but in many others they added only part of the addresses , such as the city or state .
The majority did not weigh in on that argument , saying it was among those Trump waited too long to raise .
But the dissenters contended that having clerks fill in the addresses violated the law .
RELATED : Here are the 4 voting issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election lawsuit Troupis also challenged `` Democracy in the Park '' events held this fall in Madison .
On two Saturdays , the city placed poll workers in more than 200 locations to collect absentee ballots from voters who had received them through the mail .
The poll workers also served as witnesses to those who needed them .
Election officials putting poll workers in parks amounted to having `` human drop boxes '' around the city .
The majority did n't wade into this issue because Trump could have raised objections to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the events improper .
In his most sweeping argument , Troupis claimed in-person early voting had been conducted illegally in much of the state for over a decade .
He contended state law requires voters to fill out two forms instead of one and maintained that his own ballot should be thrown out because he had filled out only one form , as directed by his clerk .
Troupis was also seeking to toss the votes of the state Republican Party 's executive director , members of the Milwaukee County Republican Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Darling of River Hills and Republican Rep. Jessie Rodriguez of Oak Creek .
State law requires voters to apply for absentee ballots , including ones cast in person , in writing .
They must also fill out a form certifying they filled out the ballots submitted in their name .
State election officials more than a decade ago created a single form that fulfills both requirements .
It is printed on the back of ballot envelopes and is widely used .
But Troupis argued the form was invalid and that separate documents were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the majority concluded Trump had waited too long with his challenge .
In Saturday 's arguments , Dallet noted the single form was in place in 2016 , when Trump won the state , but he did n't complain about it then .
In another far-reaching claim , Tropuis challenged the rules that allow voters to get absentee ballots without providing a photo ID if they say they are indefinitely confined because of age or disability .
The number of voters claiming that status increased this year and Troupis cast doubt on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said an increase is n't a surprise amid the coronavirus pandemic and noted many of those claiming to be indefinitely confined had a copy of their ID on file with clerks .
More than 215,000 voters claimed to be indefinitely confined for the Nov. 3 election — nearly four times as many as the 57,000 who identified themselves that way in 2016 .
The justices addressed this issue in a separate decision they released earlier in the morning Monday .
In that ruling — from a case brought this spring by the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was up to voters themselves to determine whether they are indefinitely confined .
That decision did not give Trump a way to throw out large numbers of ballots based on the theory that some people may have violated the indefinite confinement rules .
The ruling in the Trump case again put a spotlight on Hagedorn , who has cheered Democrats and frustrated Republicans by sometimes siding with the court 's liberals .
He joined the liberals in the three cases earlier this month that delivered setbacks to Trump and his allies .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to quickly take a case regarding the state 's voter rolls and refusing to allow the Green Party 's presidential ticket on the ballot this fall .
He also parted with conservatives by supporting Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers ' plan to fight the coronavirus pandemic this spring with a stay-at-home order .
In that case , the other Republican-backed justices were able to strike down the order because they had a larger majority then .
The most pointed criticism during Saturday 's arguments came from Karofsky , who won a seat on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview before her election , she expressed frustration with Trump , saying there were so many reasons she opposed him she did n't know where to start .
Monday 's ruling was the eighth one against Trump in 12 days in seven cases that challenged the results in Wisconsin .
The state Supreme Court ruled against him four times and the U.S. Supreme Court , Simanek and two federal judges in Milwaukee each ruled against him once .
Trump and his backers have appealed the rulings from the federal judges in Milwaukee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. Supreme Court 's recent ruling and the fast-approaching Electoral College meeting .
Some Republicans are considering challenging the results of the election when Congress counts the electoral votes on Jan. 6 .
Pulling off such an effort would be unprecedented .
Contact Patrick Marley at patrick.marley @ jrn.com .
Follow him on Twitter at @ patrickdmarley .

Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds Biden's win, rejects Trump lawsuit
Show Caption Hide Caption Electoral College vs. the popular vote, explained President Trump and President George W. Bush won the electoral vote during the election, but not the popular vote. How does the electoral college work? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
MADISON - The Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld Democrat Joe Biden's Wisconsin win Monday, handing President Donald Trump a defeat less than an hour before the Electoral College was to meet.
The 4-3 ruling was the latest in a string of dozens of losses for the president across the country as Republicans pursue last-gasp efforts to give Trump a second term.
In the majority, conservative Justice Brian Hagedorn joined the court's three liberals to confirm Biden's win. They found one of Trump's arguments was without merit and the others were brought far too late.
Trump's challenges to Wisconsin's voting laws "come long after the last play or even the last game; the (Trump) Campaign is challenging the rulebook adopted before the season began," Hagedorn wrote.
The three other conservatives on the court dissented, writing they believed clerks violated the law with some election practices.
"The majority does not bother addressing what the boards of canvassers did or should have done, and instead, four members of this court throw the cloak of (timing) over numerous problems that will be repeated again and again, until this court has the courage to correct them," Chief Justice Patience Roggensack wrote for the dissenters.
Alongside Hagedorn in the majority were Justices Ann Walsh Bradley, Rebecca Dallet and Jill Karofsky. In dissent were Roggensack and Justices Rebecca Bradley and Annette Ziegler. (The Bradleys are not related.)
It marked the fourth time in a week and a half that the same coalition of justices ruled against Trump and his allies.
Biden edged out Trump in Wisconsin by 21,000 votes, or 0.6%. It was a winning margin of about the size Trump enjoyed four years ago.
Trump paid $3 million for a recount in Dane and Milwaukee counties, but the recount slightly widened Biden's win.
He challenged the results directly with the state Supreme Court, but the justices rejected it on a 4-3 vote early this month, telling him state law required him to start in a lower court.
Trump brought a new lawsuit and Reserve Judge Stephen Simanek ruled against him Friday. Trump appealed, the state Supreme Court held arguments Saturday and ruled against him Monday, allowing the state's 10 Electoral College votes to go to Biden.
Based on election results, Biden is in line to receive 306 electoral votes and Trump 232. Even if the state Supreme Court had reversed Wisconsin's results, Biden would still be set to claim the presidency.
RELATED: The Wisconsin voting system Donald Trump is attacking was built by Republicans
Trump targets 220,000 votes
Trump sought to throw out more than 220,000 ballots cast in Milwaukee and Dane counties, the state's most populous and most Democratic areas. He wanted to let stand ballots that were cast the same way in the state's 70 other counties.
During Saturday's arguments, Karofsky said the approach "smacks of racism" because Trump targeted the most diverse parts of the state. Trump attorney Jim Troupis denied that, saying Trump had limited his recount to the two counties to save money.
Troupis challenged several election practices, some of them long-standing.
He contended clerks had broken the law by filling in the addresses of witnesses on absentee ballot envelopes. With the support of Republicans, the state Elections Commission four years ago told clerks they could do that if they were able to confirm the addresses.
In some cases, clerks filled in full addresses, but in many others they added only part of the addresses, such as the city or state.
The majority did not weigh in on that argument, saying it was among those Trump waited too long to raise. But the dissenters contended that having clerks fill in the addresses violated the law.
RELATED: Here are the 4 voting issues at the heart of Trump's Wisconsin election lawsuit
Troupis also challenged "Democracy in the Park" events held this fall in Madison. On two Saturdays, the city placed poll workers in more than 200 locations to collect absentee ballots from voters who had received them through the mail. The poll workers also served as witnesses to those who needed them.
Election officials putting poll workers in parks amounted to having "human drop boxes" around the city.
The majority didn't wade into this issue because Trump could have raised objections to it before the election. The dissenters called the events improper.
In his most sweeping argument, Troupis claimed in-person early voting had been conducted illegally in much of the state for over a decade. He contended state law requires voters to fill out two forms instead of one and maintained that his own ballot should be thrown out because he had filled out only one form, as directed by his clerk.
Troupis was also seeking to toss the votes of the state Republican Party's executive director, members of the Milwaukee County Republican Party's board, Republican state Sen. Alberta Darling of River Hills and Republican Rep. Jessie Rodriguez of Oak Creek.
State law requires voters to apply for absentee ballots, including ones cast in person, in writing. They must also fill out a form certifying they filled out the ballots submitted in their name.
State election officials more than a decade ago created a single form that fulfills both requirements. It is printed on the back of ballot envelopes and is widely used. But Troupis argued the form was invalid and that separate documents were needed.
On this issue, too, the majority concluded Trump had waited too long with his challenge.
In Saturday's arguments, Dallet noted the single form was in place in 2016, when Trump won the state, but he didn't complain about it then.
In another far-reaching claim, Tropuis challenged the rules that allow voters to get absentee ballots without providing a photo ID if they say they are indefinitely confined because of age or disability. The number of voters claiming that status increased this year and Troupis cast doubt on whether some met that criteria.
Others said an increase isn't a surprise amid the coronavirus pandemic and noted many of those claiming to be indefinitely confined had a copy of their ID on file with clerks. More than 215,000 voters claimed to be indefinitely confined for the Nov. 3 election — nearly four times as many as the 57,000 who identified themselves that way in 2016.
The justices addressed this issue in a separate decision they released earlier in the morning Monday. In that ruling — from a case brought this spring by the state Republican Party — the court found it was up to voters themselves to determine whether they are indefinitely confined.
That decision did not give Trump a way to throw out large numbers of ballots based on the theory that some people may have violated the indefinite confinement rules.
Hagedorn center stage again
The ruling in the Trump case again put a spotlight on Hagedorn, who has cheered Democrats and frustrated Republicans by sometimes siding with the court's liberals.
He joined the liberals in the three cases earlier this month that delivered setbacks to Trump and his allies. He also agreed with the liberals in declining to quickly take a case regarding the state's voter rolls and refusing to allow the Green Party's presidential ticket on the ballot this fall.
He also parted with conservatives by supporting Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' plan to fight the coronavirus pandemic this spring with a stay-at-home order. In that case, the other Republican-backed justices were able to strike down the order because they had a larger majority then.
The most pointed criticism during Saturday's arguments came from Karofsky, who won a seat on the high court this year. In an interview before her election, she expressed frustration with Trump, saying there were so many reasons she opposed him she didn't know where to start.
Other setbacks for Trump
Monday's ruling was the eighth one against Trump in 12 days in seven cases that challenged the results in Wisconsin. The state Supreme Court ruled against him four times and the U.S. Supreme Court, Simanek and two federal judges in Milwaukee each ruled against him once.
Trump and his backers have appealed the rulings from the federal judges in Milwaukee, but their chances appear bleak because of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling and the fast-approaching Electoral College meeting.
Some Republicans are considering challenging the results of the election when Congress counts the electoral votes on Jan. 6. Pulling off such an effort would be unprecedented.
Contact Patrick Marley at patrick.marley@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @patrickdmarley.


usatoday--2020-12-03--COVID-19 vaccine is here

COVID-19 vaccine is here

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized the first coronavirus vaccine for emergency use , and distribution of Pfizer 's vaccine was underway over the weekend .
Moderna has also applied for emergency use authorization for its two-shot vaccine candidate , and more companies are expected to apply in the coming months .
Meanwhile this week , Canada and the United Kingdom also authorized the widespread use of Pfizer 's vaccine .
As vaccines are being produced in record time , what do we know about these shots ?
What are the side effects ?
Will you be immune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine once or every year ?
We know you have questions , and we ’ re here to help .
Ask us your vaccine questions through this online form , and we 'll speak with public health experts to answer them below .
Here 's what we know : Is there a vaccine for the coronavirus ?
There are more than 200 vaccine candidates under development , with 52 in clinical trials , according to the World Health Organization .
As of late November , Phase 3 clinical trials were in progress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The U.S. , United Kingdom and Canada have authorized the use of a vaccine developed by drug companies Pfizer and BioNTech .
China and Russia began rolling out their own vaccines before completing late-stage clinical trials .
Pfizer ’ s COVID-19 vaccine : Key committee endorsement paves way for clearance by FDA and vaccinations in US to begin The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday released a 53-page report summarizing data from Pfizer and BioNTech 's COVID-19 candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ findings that the vaccine is safe and will prevent 95 % of people from becoming sick with COVID-19 .
Read more .
Will the vaccine be safe for children and pregnant women ?
Historically , major vaccines have not been tested during pregnancy because of concerns that both the pregnant person and fetus would be at risk for complications .
Pregnant and nursing people were not included in the Pfizer/BioNTech study , so there is no data to suggest whether they should avoid vaccination .
Dr. Peter Marks , who directs the Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FDA , said Saturday that pregnant people , children and those who are immunocompromised should discuss vaccination with their providers and `` will need to consider on an individual basis . ''
In a Dec. 1 meeting of a CDC group that determines how vaccines should be allocated , several expert members said they expected the vaccine would be safe for mothers who are nursing because the virus itself does not seem to pass through the mother ’ s milk .
The Pfizer trial data only included children ages 16 and up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to age 12 , and will include younger children as soon as the company decides what dose it wants to test in this group .
Read more .
Related : No , the COVID-19 vaccine doesn ’ t cause infertility in womenmen What about 16- and 17-year-olds ?
Although there 's not as much data for this age group as others , officials believe they know enough to conclude the benefits of getting vaccinated outweigh the risks , Marks said .
Sixteen and 17-year-olds rarely get severely ill with COVID-19 , but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing symptoms .
And some in that age group work jobs in which they interact with the public , such as check-out clerks .
What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine ?
Americans will likely experience at least one side effect from the COVID-19 vaccine , but doctors say that ’ s normal and you should still get vaccinated .
For the vaccine by Pfizer/BioNTech , many trial participants endured side effects for a day or two after getting their shots , particularly the second one .
The most commonly reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 55 was a sore arm , followed by fatigue ( 60 % after the second shot ) ; headache ( 52 % after the second shot ) ; other muscle aches ( 37 % ) ; and chills ( 35 % ) .
About 28 % took pain medication after the first shot and 45 % after the second shot .
Read more .
Can you get one dose from one vaccine and the second from another ?
The Pfizer/BioNTech and the Moderna vaccines both require two doses , given 21 and 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines differ in composition , storage and time between the two doses , experts say people must take the same vaccine for both doses .
What is the level of immunity after one shot ?
The vaccine by Pfizer/BioNTech was 52 % effective after the first dose , according to a recent FDA report .
However , because everyone received a second dose three weeks after the first , there ’ s no evidence of protection lasting longer than a few weeks after the first dose .
Read more .
How long will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no data on how long a vaccine will be protective .
FDA officials were expected to authorize Pfizer 's vaccine in the midst of the pandemic because it is safe and at least transiently effective , rather than withholding it for two years to await the typical long-term results required for a full approval .
Vaccine companies intend to follow trial participants for two years and submit a full application when they have that data .
Read more .
Once you get vaccinated , can you still get sick or spread the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The potential vaccines are not 100 % effective , so there ’ s a small chance you could encounter the virus and still get sick .
It also typically takes `` a few weeks '' for the body to build immunity after vaccination , meaning a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and get sick , according to the CDC .
Even after vaccination , it 's not clear whether someone could catch the virus that causes COVID-19 and pass it on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill .
The studies designed to test the candidate vaccines only examined symptomatic infections , not whether vaccinated people could still be contagious .
This means that people who are vaccinated can be pretty sure that they won ’ t develop COVID-19 themselves , but they could still pass it on to others without knowing they are infected .
Future studies will explore this .
Read more .
There has been concern that getting vaccinated against the coronavirus might cause a subsequent COVID-19 infection , as some dengue vaccines have been shown to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluded that use of the vaccine has not been widespread enough to know for certain , but that `` available data do not indicate a risk of vaccine-enhanced disease , and conversely suggest effectiveness against severe disease within the available follow-up period . ''
The risk does remain over time as immunity against the disease wanes , the FDA said , and `` needs to be evaluated further in ongoing clinical trials . ''
Read more .
Which vaccines will be only one shot ?
Johnson & Johnson is developing a single-dose vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month that the company expects to have all the data it needs to file for authorization by February or sooner .
If you already had COVID-19 , should you still get vaccinated ?
People who have had COVID-19 `` may be advised '' to get the vaccine , `` due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible , '' according to the CDC .
If you 've had COVID-19 and recovered , you have what 's called natural immunity .
Studies have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months to years .
Immunity from a vaccine is called vaccine-induced immunity , and it 's unclear how long that may last .
What are the COVID-19 vaccine 'ingredients ? '
Experts say the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech looks pretty standard for a vaccine .
They can be organized into four basic categories : the active ingredient ( messenger RNA , in this case ) , fats , sugars and salt .
Read more on ingredients .
None of the vaccines in development in the U.S. use the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the CDC .
Most of the vaccines under development introduce the `` spike '' protein found on the surface of the virus .
They train the immune system to recognize this protein and attack in case of infection .
But both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines depend on a technology never before used in a commercial vaccine : mRNA , or messenger ribonucleic acid .
Read more on mRNA .
What if I have had an allergic reaction in the past ?
About 1.6 % of the population has had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the environment , but they are eligible to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine , Marks said .
Only people who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or one of its components should not receive the vaccine .
Sites where the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine are administered will be able to treat allergic reactions , Marks said .
Two British people with severe allergies apparently had reactions to Pfizer/BioNTech 's vaccine this week .
Allergic reactions were not a significant problem in the U.S. trial , in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the vaccine .
The U.S. trials kept out subjects who have had severe allergic reactions .
Where are the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines made ?
Pfizer has two plants making its COVID-19 vaccine , one in Kalamazoo , Michigan , and one in Puurs , Belgium .
The company has a distribution site in Pleasant Prairie , Wisconsin , where its vaccine is being stored .
Moderna has started producing vaccine at its plant in Norwood , Massachusetts , and it will ramp up production in the next month with help from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a facility in Portsmouth , New Hampshire .
How will the vaccine be shipped ?
Shipment of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine involves Pfizer personnel taking five-dose glass vials of vaccine out of subzero freezers and packing them into specially designed shipping containers , Wes Wheeler , president of Global Healthcare at UPS , told USA TODAY .
Pfizer 's COVID-19 vaccine is being shipped in insulated containers that hold between 195 and 975 five-dose vials and are about the size of a carry-on suitcase .
The vials are stored in flat , pizza box-sized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vials .
A fully loaded thermal container , which is reusable , contains five of these and weighs about 70 pounds .
Pfizer will ship its vaccine using UPS and FedEx as its main distributors .
Moderna 's vaccine distribution is being coordinated by McKesson , the nation 's largest medical supply distributor .
Each carton will have a GPS tracker allowing it to be located in real-time anywhere in the world , as well as a Bluetooth tracker that can locate it within 10 feet inside a UPS facility , said Wheeler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is there ?
Approximately 2.9 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine will be distributed across the 50 states in the next few days , Gen. Gustave Perna , co-leader of Operation Warp Speed in charge of logistics , said Saturday .
Another 2.9 doses are being held back to distribute later for the second shot , plus reserves .
More vaccine will be rolled out in the weeks and months to come , with Pfizer and Moderna expected to deliver a combined 300 million doses of their vaccines by the middle of next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the population of the U.S. What is the vaccine delivery schedule ?
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine will be sent to to 636 hospitals , clinics and public health systems nationwide this week , with 145 sites receiving doses Monday , 425 on Tuesday and the final 66 on Wednesday , Perna said .
Once the initial doses have shipped , the system will begin regular deliveries .
Each Thursday , Operation Warp Speed , the White House 's coronavirus vaccine initiative , will ask vaccine producers how much vaccine they have made during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply , production and distribution for the federal government 's Operation Warp Speed , who walked USA TODAY through the process .
On Friday , staff will meet and decide how many doses can be allocated .
States will put in their orders on Saturday and deliveries will happen on Monday morning , he said .
UPS , FedEx and McKesson all have 24-hour hotlines sites can call if there are delivery troubles .
In addition , Operation Warp Speed officials said they will have staff available at two operations centers , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both with 24-hour hotlines .
Read more .
Operation Warp Speed created a software system called Tiberius that allows states and local jurisdictions to order and track vaccine .
It records all allocations of COVID-19 vaccines to states , territories , cities and federal entities , said Col. Deacon Maddox , OWS Chief of Plans , Operations and Analysis .
It works in conjunction with the CDC 's Vaccine Tracking System , known as VTrckS , which has been distributing vaccine for children for a decade .
Read more .
How much does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide the U.S. with 200 million doses and Pfizer at least 100 million by the middle of next year , have agreed to provide the U.S. with 100 million doses apiece , already funded through federal support of manufacturing and distribution .
Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost , according to the CDC .
`` However , vaccine providers will be able to charge administration fees for giving or administering the shot to someone .
Vaccine providers can get this fee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or private insurance company or , for uninsured patients , by the Health Resources and Services Administration ’ s Provider Relief Fund , '' the CDC says on its website .

Your vaccine questions, answered: I had COVID, should I still get vaccinated? What are the side effects? What are its 'ingredients?'
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19 vaccine concerns: You Asked, We Answered We asked you to tell us your biggest questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Here are some answers. USA TODAY
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized the first coronavirus vaccine for emergency use, and distribution of Pfizer's vaccine was underway over the weekend.
Moderna has also applied for emergency use authorization for its two-shot vaccine candidate, and more companies are expected to apply in the coming months. Meanwhile this week, Canada and the United Kingdom also authorized the widespread use of Pfizer's vaccine.
As vaccines are being produced in record time, what do we know about these shots? What are the side effects? Will you be immune? And will you have to take the vaccine once or every year?
We know you have questions, and we’re here to help. Ask us your vaccine questions through this online form, and we'll speak with public health experts to answer them below.
Here's what we know:
Is there a vaccine for the coronavirus?
There are more than 200 vaccine candidates under development, with 52 in clinical trials, according to the World Health Organization. As of late November, Phase 3 clinical trials were in progress or being planned for five vaccines in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The U.S., United Kingdom and Canada have authorized the use of a vaccine developed by drug companies Pfizer and BioNTech. China and Russia began rolling out their own vaccines before completing late-stage clinical trials.
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine: Key committee endorsement paves way for clearance by FDA and vaccinations in US to begin
Is the vaccine safe?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday released a 53-page report summarizing data from Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 candidate vaccine trial. The data supports earlier findings that the vaccine is safe and will prevent 95% of people from becoming sick with COVID-19. Read more.
If you already had COVID-19, should you still get vaccinated?
People who have had COVID-19 "may be advised" to get the vaccine, "due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible," according to the CDC.
If you've had COVID-19 and recovered, you have what's called natural immunity. Studies have shown natural immunity to COVID-19 may last months to years. Immunity from a vaccine is called vaccine-induced immunity, and it's unclear how long that may last.
How the new RNA technology is used to create the COVID-19 vaccines The COVID-19 vaccine is using new technology that has never been used before in traditional vaccines. Here's how an mRNA vaccine works. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Will the vaccine be safe for children and pregnant women?
Historically, major vaccines have not been tested during pregnancy because of concerns that both the pregnant person and fetus would be at risk for complications. Pregnant and nursing people were not included in the Pfizer/BioNTech study, so there is no data to suggest whether they should avoid vaccination.
Dr. Peter Marks, who directs the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the FDA, said Saturday that pregnant people, children and those who are immunocompromised should discuss vaccination with their providers and "will need to consider on an individual basis."
In a Dec. 1 meeting of a CDC group that determines how vaccines should be allocated, several expert members said they expected the vaccine would be safe for mothers who are nursing because the virus itself does not seem to pass through the mother’s milk.
The Pfizer trial data only included children ages 16 and up, though the study has since been extended to age 12, and will include younger children as soon as the company decides what dose it wants to test in this group. Read more.
Related: No, the COVID-19 vaccine doesn’t cause infertility in womenmen
What about 16- and 17-year-olds?
Although there's not as much data for this age group as others, officials believe they know enough to conclude the benefits of getting vaccinated outweigh the risks, Marks said.
Sixteen and 17-year-olds rarely get severely ill with COVID-19, but they do transmit it easily, often without showing symptoms. And some in that age group work jobs in which they interact with the public, such as check-out clerks.
What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Americans will likely experience at least one side effect from the COVID-19 vaccine, but doctors say that’s normal and you should still get vaccinated. For the vaccine by Pfizer/BioNTech, many trial participants endured side effects for a day or two after getting their shots, particularly the second one.
The most commonly reported side effect among vaccine recipients under age 55 was a sore arm, followed by fatigue (60% after the second shot); headache (52% after the second shot); other muscle aches (37%); and chills (35%). About 28% took pain medication after the first shot and 45% after the second shot. Read more.
Can you get one dose from one vaccine and the second from another?
The Pfizer/BioNTech and the Moderna vaccines both require two doses, given 21 and 28 days apart, respectively. Since the vaccines differ in composition, storage and time between the two doses, experts say people must take the same vaccine for both doses.
What is the level of immunity after one shot?
The vaccine by Pfizer/BioNTech was 52% effective after the first dose, according to a recent FDA report. However, because everyone received a second dose three weeks after the first, there’s no evidence of protection lasting longer than a few weeks after the first dose. Read more.
How long will a COVID-19 vaccine be protective?
There is no data on how long a vaccine will be protective. FDA officials were expected to authorize Pfizer's vaccine in the midst of the pandemic because it is safe and at least transiently effective, rather than withholding it for two years to await the typical long-term results required for a full approval. Vaccine companies intend to follow trial participants for two years and submit a full application when they have that data. Read more.
Once you get vaccinated, can you still get sick or spread the virus?
Yes, it's possible. The potential vaccines are not 100% effective, so there’s a small chance you could encounter the virus and still get sick. It also typically takes "a few weeks" for the body to build immunity after vaccination, meaning a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and get sick, according to the CDC.
Even after vaccination, it's not clear whether someone could catch the virus that causes COVID-19 and pass it on to someone else, even without becoming ill. The studies designed to test the candidate vaccines only examined symptomatic infections, not whether vaccinated people could still be contagious. This means that people who are vaccinated can be pretty sure that they won’t develop COVID-19 themselves, but they could still pass it on to others without knowing they are infected. Future studies will explore this. Read more.
Could the vaccine make subsequent infections worse?
There has been concern that getting vaccinated against the coronavirus might cause a subsequent COVID-19 infection, as some dengue vaccines have been shown to do for that disease.
The FDA concluded that use of the vaccine has not been widespread enough to know for certain, but that "available data do not indicate a risk of vaccine-enhanced disease, and conversely suggest effectiveness against severe disease within the available follow-up period." The risk does remain over time as immunity against the disease wanes, the FDA said, and "needs to be evaluated further in ongoing clinical trials." Read more.
Which vaccines will be only one shot?
Johnson & Johnson is developing a single-dose vaccine. The company's chief scientist said last month that the company expects to have all the data it needs to file for authorization by February or sooner.
What are the COVID-19 vaccine 'ingredients?'
Experts say the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech looks pretty standard for a vaccine. They can be organized into four basic categories: the active ingredient (messenger RNA, in this case), fats, sugars and salt. Read more on ingredients.
None of the vaccines in development in the U.S. use the "live" virus that causes COVID-19, according to the CDC. Most of the vaccines under development introduce the "spike" protein found on the surface of the virus. They train the immune system to recognize this protein and attack in case of infection. But both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines depend on a technology never before used in a commercial vaccine: mRNA, or messenger ribonucleic acid. Read more on mRNA.
What if I have had an allergic reaction in the past?
About 1.6% of the population has had a severe allergic reaction to food or something in the environment, but they are eligible to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Marks said. Only people who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or one of its components should not receive the vaccine. Sites where the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine are administered will be able to treat allergic reactions, Marks said.
Two British people with severe allergies apparently had reactions to Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine this week. Allergic reactions were not a significant problem in the U.S. trial, in which more than 20,000 people received two doses of the vaccine. The U.S. trials kept out subjects who have had severe allergic reactions.
Where are the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines made?
Pfizer has two plants making its COVID-19 vaccine, one in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and one in Puurs, Belgium. The company has a distribution site in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, where its vaccine is being stored.
Moderna has started producing vaccine at its plant in Norwood, Massachusetts, and it will ramp up production in the next month with help from contract manufacturer Lonza Biologics, which has a facility in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
How will the vaccine be shipped?
Shipment of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine involves Pfizer personnel taking five-dose glass vials of vaccine out of subzero freezers and packing them into specially designed shipping containers, Wes Wheeler, president of Global Healthcare at UPS, told USA TODAY.
Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is being shipped in insulated containers that hold between 195 and 975 five-dose vials and are about the size of a carry-on suitcase. The vials are stored in flat, pizza box-sized compartments, each of which holds 195 vials. A fully loaded thermal container, which is reusable, contains five of these and weighs about 70 pounds.
Pfizer will ship its vaccine using UPS and FedEx as its main distributors. Moderna's vaccine distribution is being coordinated by McKesson, the nation's largest medical supply distributor. Each carton will have a GPS tracker allowing it to be located in real-time anywhere in the world, as well as a Bluetooth tracker that can locate it within 10 feet inside a UPS facility, said Wheeler. Read more.
How much vaccine is there?
Approximately 2.9 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine will be distributed across the 50 states in the next few days, Gen. Gustave Perna, co-leader of Operation Warp Speed in charge of logistics, said Saturday. Another 2.9 doses are being held back to distribute later for the second shot, plus reserves.
More vaccine will be rolled out in the weeks and months to come, with Pfizer and Moderna expected to deliver a combined 300 million doses of their vaccines by the middle of next year, enough to vaccinate nearly half the population of the U.S.
What is the vaccine delivery schedule?
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine will be sent to to 636 hospitals, clinics and public health systems nationwide this week, with 145 sites receiving doses Monday, 425 on Tuesday and the final 66 on Wednesday, Perna said.
Once the initial doses have shipped, the system will begin regular deliveries. Each Thursday, Operation Warp Speed, the White House's coronavirus vaccine initiative, will ask vaccine producers how much vaccine they have made during the week, Paul Ostrowski, who leads supply, production and distribution for the federal government's Operation Warp Speed, who walked USA TODAY through the process. On Friday, staff will meet and decide how many doses can be allocated. States will put in their orders on Saturday and deliveries will happen on Monday morning, he said.
UPS, FedEx and McKesson all have 24-hour hotlines sites can call if there are delivery troubles. In addition, Operation Warp Speed officials said they will have staff available at two operations centers, one in Washington and one in Atlanta, both with 24-hour hotlines. Read more.
How does Operation Warp Speed track doses?
Operation Warp Speed created a software system called Tiberius that allows states and local jurisdictions to order and track vaccine. It records all allocations of COVID-19 vaccines to states, territories, cities and federal entities, said Col. Deacon Maddox, OWS Chief of Plans, Operations and Analysis. It works in conjunction with the CDC's Vaccine Tracking System, known as VTrckS, which has been distributing vaccine for children for a decade. Read more.
How much does the vaccine cost?
Moderna has agreed to provide the U.S. with 200 million doses and Pfizer at least 100 million by the middle of next year, have agreed to provide the U.S. with 100 million doses apiece, already funded through federal support of manufacturing and distribution. Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost, according to the CDC.
"However, vaccine providers will be able to charge administration fees for giving or administering the shot to someone. Vaccine providers can get this fee reimbursed by the patient’s public or private insurance company or, for uninsured patients, by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund," the CDC says on its website.


Unpredictable Oscar season

A virtual Oscars via Zoom ?
Or an Academy Awards ceremony in person but with masks and social distancing ?
Who knows what Hollywood ’ s biggest night will look and feel like on April 25 but one thing ’ s for sure : While the contenders might not be as plentiful as they usually are in awards season , there are still enough high-end movies you 'll want to watch in preparation .
That in itself is a minor miracle , with studios punting so many of their big projects to next year in the wake of COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporarily closing their doors – many of which remain shuttered .
But the Academy made some bold but good choices , delaying Hollywood 's grandest night to spring , increasing the eligibility window ( through Feb. 28 ) and allowing streaming-only movies to be considered for Oscars without the usual theatrical run .
It 's a boon for services like Netflix , Amazon and others that have been in the hunt for best picture in recent years but now have a great shot at taking home the Oscars ' top prize .
'Mank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , farm life and having a baby during the pandemic It 's been a pretty nutty year , so we should n't assume the often-unpredictable Academy Awards will be any different .
Still , here are 10 films to check out now that will likely be in contention on Oscar night : Could Spike Lee 's Vietnam War movie ( streaming now on Netflix ) be the movie that finally earns the iconic filmmaker his best picture honor ?
`` Da 5 Bloods '' will probably at least garner a nomination for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as consideration in the director and original screenplay categories .
Delroy Lindo is poised to get his best actor nod as the President Trump-supporting member of a band of Black veterans who return to Southeast Asia to retrieve their squad leader 's remains and a trove of gold bars .
The late Chadwick Boseman could also garner a supporting actor nomination as the men 's beloved superior .
Twelve years after Heath Ledger was honored with a posthumous Oscar , it looks possible again : Boseman , who died Aug. 28 at age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best actor off his acclaimed performance as an egocentric cornet player in the August Wilson adaptation ( streaming Dec. 18 on Netflix ) .
`` Ma Rainey '' also could factor into the best picture race , and Glynn Turman may sneak into supporting actor , though it 's more likely Viola Davis scores her second best actress nomination as the fiery title blues singer .
While `` Citizen Kane '' has a reputation for being the greatest film ever made , Orson Welles ' masterpiece only took home one Oscar , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creation , David Fincher 's throwback drama ( streaming now on Netflix ) might snag more .
It 's a major contender for best picture and director , Gary Oldman ( as `` Kane '' writer Herman Mankiewicz ) is likely to nab a best actor nomination three years after winning for `` Darkest Hour , '' Amanda Seyfried is poised to get her first Oscar nod for supporting actress , and Charles Dance is a dark horse in supporting actor .
And `` Mank '' will be a force in the technical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do n't look now but Tom Hanks , America 's Dad himself , is back in another Oscar-ready role .
The post-Civil War Western drama ( in theaters Dec. 25 ) casts Hanks as a traveling Texas news reader who comes upon a feral girl ( Helena Zengel ) taken and raised by the Kiowa tribe and agrees to transport her back home .
Hanks is always a threat to make it into the best actor discussion , though the category is stacked this year , and nominations for best picture and director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Frances McDormand goes for Oscar No .
3 in Chloe Zhao 's road-trip drama ( in theaters February ) about a woman who works and travels across America as a nomad after her husband dies and her hometown collapses economically .
The first film to win the top prizes at both the Venice and Toronto film festivals in the same year , `` Nomadland '' is perhaps the one to beat for best picture at this point .
McDormand is a shoo-in to grab a best actress nod , David Strathairn is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zhao has a great shot at a best director nomination , which would make her the first woman of color in the category .
Actually , two female directors might make history , with Regina King a strong contender to get a nomination for her feature debut .
Kemp Powers ' adaptation of his stage play about a night spent in the company of Black icons Cassius Clay ( Eli Goree ) , Jim Brown ( Aldis Hodge ) , Malcolm X ( Kingsley Ben-Adir ) and Sam Cooke ( Leslie Odom Jr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Odom , a Tony Award winner for `` Hamilton , '' has a real shot at winning supporting actor – a category where Hodge also might get a mention – while Goree and especially Ben-Adir loom as possible best actor candidates .
The Academy loves wrenching family dramas ( see : `` Ordinary People , '' `` Marriage Story '' ) and this film ( in theaters Dec. 30 , streaming Jan. 7 on Netflix ) , about a woman dealing with the aftermath of a tragic home birth , is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first best actress Oscar nomination in a career-defining role is a no-brainer , and Ellen Burstyn also seems likely for supporting actress as the opinionated mother brutally butting heads with Kirby 's emotionally wrecked , increasingly isolated lead character .
As a medical-school dropout on a vicious , righteous and colorful path of vengeance , Carey Mulligan makes an exceedingly strong case for a second best actress nomination in the biting and dark thriller ( in theaters Dec. 25 ) – albeit in a busy category with other potential contenders like Amy Adams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sophia Loren ( `` The Life Ahead '' ) .
A best picture slot also is n't out of the question for the # MeToo-themed film , nor is an original screenplay nod for first-time director Emerald Fennell .
Pixar movies have become as much of an Oscar hallmark as swag bags and red carpets – though maybe not this year .
`` Soul '' ( streaming Dec. 25 on Disney+ ) , starring Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey , is a thought-provoking , feel-good film about life and the afterlife that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animated feature Oscar ( Pixar 's won it 10 times in 19 years ) and might even snag a best picture nod .
( If it happens , `` Soul '' would be the third Pixar movie to make that A-list mix . )
'The Trial of the Chicago 7' Writer/director Aaron Sorkin 's historical drama ( streaming now on Netflix ) re-creating the tumultuous riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago – and the notorious trial that followed – is chock-full of recognizable names and top-notch performances .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , director and original screenplay categories , `` Chicago 7 '' could place up to three actors in supporting actor from a cast including recent Emmy winner Yahya Abdul-Mateen II , Mark Rylance , Frank Langella , Eddie Redmayne , Michael Keaton and Sacha Baron Cohen ( who could also score a screenwriting nod for `` Borat Subsequent Moviefilm '' ) .

10 movies you need to see before the most unpredictable Oscars night ever
Show Caption Hide Caption Oscars 2021: Shocking snubs and how diverse this year's nominees are USA TODAY Film Critic Brian Truitt explains which films were snubbed for the 2021 Oscar nominations and the diversity of this year's field of films. Entertain This!, USA TODAY
Who knows what Hollywood’s biggest night will exactly look and feel like on April 25, but one thing’s for sure about the upcoming Oscars: There are still enough high-end movies you'll want to watch in preparation.
That in itself is a minor miracle, with studios delaying so many of their big projects in the wake of COVID-19 and movie theaters temporarily closing their doors. But the Academy came through with some bold but good choices with its nominations this year, like Thomas Vinterberg breaking into best director for his under-the-radar Mads Mikkelsen raucous drama "Another Round" and Argentinian film "The Mole Agent" getting into best documentary.
Oscars 2021: Who's up, who's down, and where you can watch this year's contenders
Save a seat for Frances McDormand: 'Nomadland' is Oscar-ready
Here are 10 films to check out now that will be in contention on Oscar night:
'The Father'
Anthony Hopkins powered one Oscar best picture contender to a win with 1991's "The Silence of the Lambs" – could lightning strike twice? Up for best actor, Hopkins turns in one of his greatest performances in years playing a man with dementia trying to make sense of time and reality around him as his memory fades. And Olivia Colman, who plays his daughter making hard decisions when it comes to her dad's health, is up for supporting actress.
Where to watch: In theaters now, on video-on-demand platforms March 26
'Judas and the Black Messiah'
With Golden Globe and Critics Choice hardware already, Daniel Kaluuya is so far ruling the best supporting actor race with his powerful portrayal of Illinois' Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton in Shaka King's 1960s-set thriller. However, he now has some competition in the Oscar race from his co-star LaKeith Stanfield, who plays the FBI informant tasked to undermine Hampton's efforts.
Where to watch: In theaters
'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'
Twelve years after Heath Ledger was honored with a posthumous Oscar, it looks possible again: Chadwick Boseman, who died Aug. 28 at age 43, has already won Globe and Critics Choice honors and is a favorite to win best actor off his acclaimed performance as an egocentric cornet player in the August Wilson adaptation. And as the fiery title blues singer, Viola Davis made Oscar history when her second best-actress nomination made her the most-nominated Black actress ever.
Where to watch: Netflix
More: Female directors triumph in Oscar nominations, but why is 'Judas' the only Black-led film in the best picture race?
'Promising Young Woman'
As a medical-school dropout on a vicious, righteous and colorful path of vengeance, Carey Mulligan makes an exceedingly strong case for a best actress win in the biting and dark thriller. Thanks to precursor awards recognition, a best picture victory is also not out of the realm of possibility for the #MeToo-themed film, which also scored directing and original screenplay honors for first-time director Emerald Fennell.
Where to watch: Apple TV and other video-on-demand platforms
'Minari'
Lee Isaac Chung's acclaimed heartfelt drama about a Korean family seeking the American dream is coming on like a freight train. A Globe winner for best foreign-language film, "Minari" was a no-brainer for a best picture slot and Chung also nabbed a spot in Oscar's best director category. As the stubborn, hard-working farmer who moves his loved ones to rural Arkansas, Steven Yeun is in best actor contention, while Yuh-jung Youn, playing the clan's mischievous grandmother, is one to beat for supporting actress.
Where to watch: Apple TV and other video-on-demand platforms
'Nomadland'
Newly minted best actress nominee Frances McDormand could win Oscar No. 3 in Chloé Zhao's road-trip drama about a woman who works and travels across America as a nomad after her husband dies and her hometown collapses economically. And not only is she the first woman of color to earn a best director nomination, Zhao is the first woman in Oscar history to receive four nominations (directing, writing, editing and best picture) in a single year.
Where to watch: Hulu
'One Night in Miami'
While Regina King was snubbed for best director and "Miami" didn't make the best picture cut, Kemp Powers' excellent cinematic revamp of his stage play about a night spent in the company of Black icons Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge), Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir) and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.) didn't come up totally empty. Odom Jr., a Tony award winner for "Hamilton," scored a supporting actor nomination, and Powers earned a nod for adapted screenplay.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
'Mank'
Orson Welles' masterpiece "Citizen Kane memorably took home only one Oscar, for best original screenplay. Ironically, that's one of the few categories that skipped David Fincher's throwback drama about the classic's creation. With the most nominations of any film going into the Oscars, "Mank" is a contender in best picture and director categories, Gary Oldman (as "Kane" writer Herman Mankiewicz) secured a best actor nomination three years after winning for "Darkest Hour," and Amanda Seyfried nabbed her first Oscar nod for supporting actress.
Where to watch: Netflix
'Sound of Metal'
The most innovative and groundbreaking film of last year is poised to make some noise. Riz Ahmed grabbed his first best actor Oscar nod for his stunning portrayal of a hard-rock drummer who experiences a sudden loss of hearing and struggles to figure out his new life as a deaf person. "Sound of Metal" is also a legit contender up for best picture, and the film's a no-brainer to win the best sound category.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
'The Trial of the Chicago 7'
Writer/director Aaron Sorkin's historical drama re-creating the tumultuous riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago – and the notorious trial that followed – is chock-full of top-notch performances. Sorkin missed out on a director nomination but got one for original screenplay, and Sacha Baron Cohen (also an Oscar screenwriting nominee or "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm") was the lone member of an A-list cast to get a supporting actor nomination.
Where to watch: Netflix


usatoday--2020-12-15--Joe Biden won the Electoral College. Here's what happens next in the election process

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

Joe Biden won the Electoral College. Here's what happens next in the election process
Show Caption Hide Caption Electoral College vote hands Trump loss he won't accept Facing a loss in the Electoral College, Trump's allies have shifted their focus to Jan. 6, when Congress will count the electoral votes. Staff video, USA TODAY
President-elect Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 general election was confirmed Monday after members of the Electoral College cast their votes.
The 538 members of the Electoral College met in person or virtually to make the results in their states official. Biden won 306 electoral votes, and President Donald Trump won 232.
The majority of the meetings went smoothly with little fanfare.
“In this battle for the soul of America, democracy prevailed,” Biden said after the Electoral College met Monday. “We the people voted. Faith in our institutions held. The integrity of our elections remains intact. And so now, it is time to turn the page. To unite. To heal.”
But the election process isn’t done just yet.
Here’s what happens next.
Next up, Congress
The electoral votes cast Monday will be submitted to a special joint session of Congress that will convene Jan. 6, when votes will be counted.
Though Congress is expected to certify the votes, some Republican allies of Trump are likely to contest some states' election outcomes. But nearly all states resolved election disputes before the "safe harbor" deadline, guaranteeing their electors will be counted under federal law.
Electoral College vs. the popular vote, explained President Trump and President George W. Bush won the electoral vote during the election, but not the popular vote. How does the electoral college work? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
More: Joe Biden officially passes 270-vote threshold to win Electoral College on California's vote
Stephen Miller, a Trump senior adviser, said Monday that Republicans in battleground states where Trump lost plan to meet to appoint their own slates of electors whose votes will be submitted to Congress. Several groups gathered in Michigan, Georgia, New Mexico and elsewhere.
“We have more than enough time to right the wrong from this fraudulent election result and certify Donald Trump as the winner of the election,” Miller said during an appearance on "Fox and Friends" on Monday morning. “As we speak today, an alternate slate of electors in the contested states is going to vote, and we’re going to send those votes up to Congress. This will ensure all of our legal remedies will remain open.”
Rally at Michigan Capitol during electoral vote About a dozen people rally outside the Michigan Capitol as electors inside cast 16 votes for President-elect Joe Biden (Dec. 14) AP
What about the lawsuits?
The Trump campaign filed lawsuits in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, Nevada and Georgia. Republican allies also filed lawsuits, including in Texas and New Mexico, challenging the results.
The majority of lawsuits have been dismissed or denied, though a couple are pending.
The filings are “small-scale lawsuits that do not appear to affect many votes,” according to The Associated Press.
A quick guide: Trump’s lawsuits dispute election results as presidency is called for Biden
Inauguration to happen in January
Despite Trump and his allies' repeated attempts to challenge the election results, Biden and his team are preparing for the president-elect’s inauguration Jan. 20.
Biden’s biggest challenge surrounding the inauguration isn’t election results being questioned. It’s COVID-19.
The inauguration is likely to be scaled back because of the coronavirus pandemic. Precautions such as social distancing and required face masks will be part of this year’s event. People on stage with Biden will probably be required to take a COVID-19 test.
Now that Monday’s electoral vote is over, Biden is one step closer to being inaugurated as the United States' 46th president.
Contributing: Joey Garrison, Michael Collins and George Petras


usatoday--2020-12-15--Worried about another recession? Here's what the stock market is predicting for 2021

Worried about another recession? Here's what the stock market is predicting for 2021
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19: Who is unemployed? The unemployment rate explained Job loss numbers skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but not everyone was counted as unemployed. Here's how the unemployment rate is measured. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
It’s been a year of fear for many Americans: The worst global pandemic in a century has taken more than 300,000 lives, battered the U.S. economy and propelled the stock market into the fastest crash in history.
But markets have since staged a stunning turnaround and reclaimed record highs, defying the doomsayers despite a backdrop of historic job losses, bankruptcies and shrinking corporate profits. The market was driven higher by Big Tech stocks as trillions of dollars in stimulus from the Federal Reserve and Congress propped up an economy gripped by recession.
So while the COVID-19 death toll is staggering, the stock market is telling Americans to be optimistic about 2021, experts say.
Why? The economy is expected to continue recovering with a vaccine on its way. And Wall Street professionals expect another good year for investors.
Cannibal sandwiches: Wisconsin officials urge families to stop holiday tradition of eating raw meat
Hottest classic cars for 2021: These 10 vehicles are the hottest
That sort of optimism was hard to imagine after trillions of dollars in market value was wiped out in March, when stocks plunged 34% a month after hitting record highs. But the head-spinning crash also left investors with beaten-down stocks at bargain prices.
“The stock market is the only place where things go on sale and people leave screaming,” says Ryan Detrick, chief market strategist at LPL Financial, an independent broker-dealer. “Now that we’re back at records, it’s a harsh reminder to people that the stock market is a forward-looking mechanism and sees better times ahead.”
Bargain hunting
Jimmy J. Tran, 40, is one of those Americans who jumped at the opportunity to scoop up stocks in the downturn after learning from past mistakes.
Following the aftermath of the Great Recession, he was saddled with student debt from his MBA program. It was a scary time for him, he says, because he was worried about making ends meet after his job offer got pushed back for five months.
After that experience, he was on a mission to become financially independent. Over the past decade, he started chipping away at his student loans and began investing more in real estate to grow his personal wealth.
When the pandemic hit in the spring, he was laid off from his job at a commercial real estate firm. He decided to pursue other passions. Now, Tran is a full-time investor and small business owner at Code Ninjas in Dallas, a coding franchise set to open in early 2021 where children learn STEM skills.
“My advice for anyone working in corporate America is to always have other interests or side hustles that they can pursue if they suddenly don't have a job,” says Tran, who used the market drop earlier this year as an opportunity to max out his IRA contributions for himself and his wife for 2019 and 2020.
“I was preparing, saving, investing for years to accumulate a nest egg,” Tran says. “The key is to keep your personal balance sheet strong so that you’ll be in a position to invest when the market implodes. When prices are low, buy more.”
Unloved bull markets
Not everyone was able to take advantage of the market drop during the economic recovery, which has widened the divide between the haves and have-nots. Some remain fearful about the trajectory of the economy as unemployment remains historically elevated and COVID-19 cases spike heading into the winter, threatening further business closures.
Still, the economic expansion that began in the summer may have years to run, experts say, and that typically fuels further stock gains, helped in part by strong corporate profit growth. The length of expansions has averaged 5.3 years, according to LPL Financial, which anticipates a more gradual recovery ahead after stocks snapped back this year following the sharp sell-off in March.
Early stages of a bull market
The first phase of this bull market, which typically delivers the strongest returns, is likely over, experts say. In the next phase, SunTrust Private Wealth Management expects positive but moderating returns, sustained by the improved economy and a rebound in corporate earnings. The average bull market has gained a cumulative 179% and lasted almost six years, versus the current rise of about 65% over the past nine months, according to the firm.
The recovery’s current phase in some ways mirrors the pessimistic attitude of investors in 2009 and 2010 following the aftermath of the Great Recession, according to Michael Antonelli, market strategist at Baird, a financial services company. In the short run, it’s hard for people to grasp that the market is influenced by whether things are getting better over the next six to 12 months, not by daily negative headlines, he said.
“After you experience a financial trauma like a stock-market crash, a recession or high unemployment, a lot of people get stuck in the mindset that things aren’t as good as the stock market thinks, so they wait for the all-clear before investing,” Antonelli says. “I worry that people are falling back into that mindset now.”
Health and wellness ahead of finances
The pandemic has put increased attention on Americans’ health at the expense of their financial stability, according to a new study. That threatens to prevent households from building their nest eggs in the early stages of a new bull market, a critical period for long-term investors seeking to boost retirement funds.
Only 13% of Americans are including financial planning as a resolution in 2021 – an 11-year low, according to the annual New Year’s Resolutions Study conducted by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. Over half of Americans say health and wellness is their top focus, while less than one-quarter say financial stability.
It's a troubling sign because it means that Americans are more likely to put together a financial plan after a market crash, rather than before one, says Aimee Johnson, vice president of Advanced Markets and Solutions, Allianz Life.
“There’s no doubt that there is great value in improving one’s health and wellness, but now more than ever, financial health needs to remain top of mind,” Johnson says. “Poor money management can negatively affect your health because of the stress that can be caused by fretting over impacted financial plans.”
Americans stressed about finances
When asked about the stock market, nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents said they are “terrified the market will crash and we’ll have another recession,” up from only 16% in 2019, according to Allianz Life. Another 25% said they are pessimistic about the markets and believe they will probably lose money in the near future.
Still, wealth managers have advised clients to plow money into the stock market if they have the financial means.
One reason why, they say, is that optimism for the economic rebound in 2021 has grown, with expectations for further stimulus and the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. Investors have also gained confidence from a strong housing market, improved consumer spending and better-than-expected corporate profits.
Detrick has advice for those who are worried about investing: don’t panic.
“One of the best ways to create long-term wealth is through stocks, and the best way to do it is to buy when there are pullbacks in the market,” Detrick says. “If you’re holding this money for the next few decades in a retirement fund, the best thing that could happen is to use this as an opportunity to grow your nest egg.”
Vaccine hopes, further stimulus bets
The return to all-time highs comes after stocks suffered steep losses following a downturn in which the S&P 500 tumbled about 34% to a low on March 23, ending an 11-year bull market run – the longest ever.
Since the March lows, stocks have rebounded roughly 65% after the Fed and Congress stepped in and provided an unprecedented amount of financial aid to shore up the economy, which has helped rejuvenate optimism around growth in 2021.
“As another COVID-19 wave subsides next year, that stimulus could help the economy recover even faster,” says Brad McMillan, chief investment officer at Commonwealth Financial Network, an investment adviser. “The economy has kept improving despite the risks in recent months. If those issues fade, we should see an even faster recovery.”
Stocks have also typically thrived under legislative gridlock in Washington. A split Congress has historically been the best scenario for Wall Street, which would bode well for investors if Republicans keep control of the Senate.
“This COVID-19 crisis was a one-off event due to a shock to our health and well-being. It wasn’t a banking crisis,” Antonelli says. “People are underestimating how quickly that we could get back to a strong economy and a healthy labor market next year.”
The S&P 500 has rallied nearly 15% this year, and is currently trading around 3,700 after falling to a low of 2,237.40 on March 23. In a recent client note, Goldman Sachs expects a 17% surge in the S&P 500 to 4,300 by the end of 2021. U.S. GDP growth is expected to hit 5.3% in 2021, Goldman said, above consensus estimates of 3.8%.
The firm anticipates that the unemployment rate will drop to 5.3% at the end of next year, down from 6.7% in November and a record 14.7% in April, the highest level since the Great Depression.
Risks for stocks and economy remain
To be sure, there are challenges ahead that could threaten the stock market’s latest rally, including another coronavirus wave, experts say. Job gains have slowed for five straight months since peaking at 4.8 million in June. The U.S. economy has recovered just 56% of the 22 million jobs lost to the pandemic-induced recession, according to the Labor Department.
Some market professionals worry that a stalling U.S. economic recovery could slow the stock market gains without further fiscal aid. Investors hope for another rescue package from Congress to help sustain the recovery, but talks among Republicans and Democrats hit another stalemate this month as 12 million Americans could lose their unemployment benefits the day after Christmas.
The U.S. economy could slip back into a downturn if Congress doesn't pass new stimulus, some economists say. Such a relapse just months into recovery is known as a double-dip recession.
The progress in developing a vaccine raises the odds of a stronger rebound in economic activity over the second half of next year, according to Bob Schwartz, senior economist at Oxford Economics. But the economy will be navigating a rough patch over the next six months, he added.
“The timing of fiscal support as well as how badly the health crisis deteriorates will determine if a double-dip recession can be avoided,” Schwartz said in a note. “Barring the worst-case health scenario, the economy should survive the current wave of COVID-19 cases if cushioned by more fiscal stimulus.”
Although optimism is high among investors, experts like Detrick and Antonelli worry that stocks could be more vulnerable to a pullback if there is any bad news, including unexpected setbacks in a vaccine.
Sky-high sentiment and pricier stocks could lead to a mild drop in the market around the corner.
Thomas Lee, managing partner and head of research at Fundstrat Global Advisors, who called this year's market rebound before most others, predicts that 2021 will be another strong year for the stock market. But he expects a correction, or a drop of 10% from records, in the first half of the year.
"I'm nervous, but I'm still investing," Tran says. "Stocks are more expensive now than earlier this year, and it's tough to find good buying opportunities. I'm not sure we're out of the woods yet."
A survey by the American Association of Individual Investors, a weekly barometer of retail investor sentiment, found that bullish sentiment, or expectations that stock prices will rise over the next six months, stood at 48.1% for the week that ended Dec. 9, remaining above its historical average of 38% for a fifth straight week.
"When you have elevated sentiment and high expectations, it leaves market more vulnerable to bad news," says Keith Lerner, chief market strategist at SunTrust Private Wealth Management. "There will be bumps along the way."
But there will always be a carousel of concerns for investors even after the pandemic ends, Lerner added.
"You have to remember the purpose and goal for your retirement money," Lerner says. "Not doing anything leaves you more at risk."
Room for improvement
Despite so few people saying they will include financial planning in their resolutions for 2021, not all of the financial planning news is doom and gloom. More Americans (88%) expect their financial situation to improve or stay the same next year rather than get worse (12%), and more than one-third (37%) said they reduced their overall spending since the start of the pandemic, according to Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.
There is still room for improvement. Only about one-quarter (27%) of Americans said they were more likely to work with a financial professional in 2021, the same amount who were looking for more financial planning help heading into 2020.
“This won’t be the only time Americans experience financial hardship,” Johnson says. “We work our whole lives to save this money to retire. To needlessly set it aside as a non-priority is scary. If you can do something about it, do it.”


usatoday--2020-12-15--Georgia Senators Kelly Loeffler, David Perdue 'adamantly oppose' any effort to rename Atlanta Braves

In wake of reports the Cleveland Indians will change their team name , Georgia U.S .
Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler released a statement Monday in opposition of a similar change for the Atlanta Braves .
The Braves indicated in July the organization had no intention of changing the name , though there were discussions about potentially ending encouragement of tomahawk chants and motions by fans during games .
“ We adamantly oppose any effort to rename the Atlanta Braves , one of our state ’ s most storied and successful sports franchises , '' Perdue and Loeffler said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the Braves a Georgia institution — with a history spanning 54 years in Atlanta — they ’ re an American institution .
The Braves ’ name honors our nation ’ s Native American heritage , which should not be erased — and under no circumstances should one of the most celebrated teams in sports cave to the demands of the cancel culture and the radical left.
” Perdue and Loeffler are both incumbent Republican candidates in Georgia 's twin runoff elections on Jan. 5 .
The Indians follow the NFL 's Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team name that for decades was scrutinized as a racial slur .
The Braves , and other professional sports teams including the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Blackhawks , have long-since been a part of those discussions , notably during the 2019 MLB playoffs .
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley , a member of the Cherokee Nation , said the tomahawk chop , `` depicts ( Native Americans ) in this kind of caveman-type people way who aren ’ t intellectual .
“ They are a lot more than that .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole mascot thing .
It ’ s not .
It ’ s about the misconception of us , the Native Americans , and it devalues us and how we ’ re perceived in that way , or used as mascots .
The Redskins and stuff like that.
” The Braves have not released a decision on the chop 's presence for future home games and say the organization is focused on establishing relationships with the Native American community for education and support .
“ The Atlanta Braves honor , respect and value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team 's July statement said .
“ As an organization , we have always drawn strength from our diversity and respect for all .
That will never change .
”

Georgia Senators Kelly Loeffler, David Perdue 'adamantly oppose' any effort to rename Atlanta Braves
Show Caption Hide Caption Assessing the potential new names for Cleveland's baseball team SportsPulse: Cleveland Rocks? How about the Naps? Maybe it's time to go European? Mackenzie Salmon assess the top candidates for the new nickname for Cleveland's baseball team. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
In wake of reports the Cleveland Indians will change their team name, Georgia U.S. Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler released a statement Monday in opposition of a similar change for the Atlanta Braves.
The Braves indicated in July the organization had no intention of changing the name, though there were discussions about potentially ending encouragement of tomahawk chants and motions by fans during games.
“We adamantly oppose any effort to rename the Atlanta Braves, one of our state’s most storied and successful sports franchises," Perdue and Loeffler said in the statement. "Not only are the Braves a Georgia institution — with a history spanning 54 years in Atlanta — they’re an American institution. The Braves’ name honors our nation’s Native American heritage, which should not be erased — and under no circumstances should one of the most celebrated teams in sports cave to the demands of the cancel culture and the radical left.”
Perdue and Loeffler are both incumbent Republican candidates in Georgia's twin runoff elections on Jan. 5.
The Indians follow the NFL's Washington Football Team in moving to change a team name that for decades was scrutinized as a racial slur. The Braves, and other professional sports teams including the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Blackhawks, have long-since been a part of those discussions, notably during the 2019 MLB playoffs.
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley, a member of the Cherokee Nation, said the tomahawk chop, "depicts (Native Americans) in this kind of caveman-type people way who aren’t intellectual. “They are a lot more than that. It’s not me being offended by the whole mascot thing. It’s not. It’s about the misconception of us, the Native Americans, and it devalues us and how we’re perceived in that way, or used as mascots. The Redskins and stuff like that.”
The Braves have not released a decision on the chop's presence for future home games and say the organization is focused on establishing relationships with the Native American community for education and support.
“The Atlanta Braves honor, respect and value the Native American community,” the team's July statement said. “As an organization, we have always drawn strength from our diversity and respect for all. That will never change.”


usatoday--2020-12-15--NFL power rankings: Packers, Bills continue ascent as Saints, Steelers drop

1 .
Chiefs ( 1 ) : They 've taken over top spot in AFC field ... not that it matters .
With a club record 10-game winning streak on road , not like champs need to be tethered to Arrowhead next month to pull off a repeat .
2 .
Packers ( 4 ) : You 'd have to say QB Aaron Rodgers is now front runner to win his third MVP award in a season every bit as good as his seminal 2011 performance .
3 .
Saints ( 2 ) : Loss in Philly is n't as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ QB Drew Brees into the fold before postseason – which gives New Orleans enough problems – begins .
4 .
Bills ( 5 ) : What a year from WR Stefon Diggs , who leads league with 100 grabs and will set Buffalo record for one season – he currently shares it with Eric Moulds – with his next reception .
5 .
Rams ( 6 ) : Looks like RB Cam Akers has claimed position , his 171 rushing yards in Week 14 more than double his next-best game and most a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 32 things we learned : From Week 14 of the 2020 NFL season 6 .
Steelers ( 3 ) : Given QB Ben Roethlisberger has already beaten Bengals 24 times , Pittsburgh has to feel pretty good about getting back on track Monday .
7 .
Titans ( 8 ) : Average 156 rushing yards over his final three games ( Detroit , Green Bay and Houston ) , and RB Derrick Henry reaches 2,000 .
8 .
Buccaneers ( 10 ) : How good are they ?
Ask coach Bruce Arians , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think we just showed our identity .
We can do any damn thing we want to do . ''
9 .
Seahawks ( 11 ) : Nice weekend for Russell Wilson , who set a Seattle single-season record with his 36th TD pass while becoming first quarterback in the Super Bowl era ( since 1966 ) to win at least nine games in each of his first nine seasons .
10 .
Ravens ( 12 ) : QB Lamar Jackson has started 34 games , and Baltimore has rushed for 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is on verge of being playoff entry in all three of his NFL campaigns .
11 .
Browns ( 7 ) : Bitter loss to Ravens on Monday night , but silver lining is a two-game swing through New Jersey swamps for a pair of likely victories .
12 .
Colts ( 13 ) : Hopefully America now understands why Kenny Moore is one of the league 's preeminent slot corners .
You wo n't see a prettier interception .
13 .
Dolphins ( 9 ) : Rookie seasons are all about firsts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his maiden NFL INT Sunday .
Now , he must serve his first defeat to New England if Miami is to maintain playoff course .
14 .
Cardinals ( 16 ) : Haason Reddick has finally found a home on the edge , racking up 10 sacks this year after tallying 7½ in his first three combined .
He and Chandler Jones might make quite a tandem ... if Reddick returns after having his fifth-year option declined .
15 .
Washington ( 17 ) : They 've won four in row for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also have their first 1,000-yard receiver ( Terry McLaurin ) since 2016 .
16 .
49ers ( 18 ) : After they dropped two games in Arizona , NFL teams playing `` home '' games at alternate sites are now 1-6 since the 1970 merger .
As former Niners coach Steve Mariucci would say , `` Bummer . ''
17 .
Patriots ( 14 ) : Though they 're still mathematically alive for a wild-card spot , their record 11-year rule over the AFC East came to an end Sunday night .
18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ryan may have bypassed Peyton Manning for most pass yards ( 54,846 ) through 13 seasons ... but WR Russell Gage was nevertheless Atlanta 's best quarterback Sunday .
19 .
Vikings ( 20 ) : Let 's summarize their pass rush – Minnesota 's leading sack man remains Yannick Ngakoue ( 5 ) , who last played for Vikes in Week 6 .
20 .
Raiders ( 21 ) : Quite a four-game stretch – Vegas surrendering 150 points , while QB Derek Carr has uncharacteristically turned ball over eight times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rookie QB Jalen Hurts certainly provided a spark , perhaps most notably igniting a run game that exploded for a season-high 246 yards .
22 .
Giants ( 15 ) : QB Daniel Jones returned just in time to pilot offense to season-low 159 yards .
Hard to see this team rebounding against Browns or Ravens .
23 .
Bears ( 25 ) : No idea why they do n't switch to the Michigan-esque throwbacks full time given Chicago is 3-0 in 1936-era uniforms since reviving them in 2019 .
24 .
Broncos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have now cost them five cornerbacks – great news with Josh Allen and the Bills headed to the Mile High City .
25 .
Panthers ( 22 ) : LB/S Jeremy Chinn continues to bolster case for defensive rookie of the year award with copious splash plays while leading all incoming players with 95 tackles .
26 .
Chargers ( 27 ) : QB Justin Herbert needs three TD passes over next three weeks to break the rookie record ( 27 , Baker Mayfield ) for most in a season .
27 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watt 's 0.38 sacks per game are easily the lowest of his career when he 's played at least half the season .
28 .
Cowboys ( 29 ) : They showed a heartbeat against a Cincy squad in worse straits than Dallas , but America 's Team is cooked with one more Washington win .
29 .
Lions ( 24 ) : Hard to envision Detroit keeping it close Sunday in Nashville if QB Matthew Stafford is out or even partially hampered by his rib issues .
30 .
Bengals ( 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some time , but Sunday was first instance Cincinnati seemed non-competitive while being blown out by Dallas .
31 .
Jaguars ( 31 ) : There 's a rich history of terrible J-A-G-S football , but this is the first JAX team to lose 12 in a row in one season ... so , at least they 're historic .
32 .
Jets ( 32 ) : There 's a rich history of terrible J-E-T-S football , but this is the first NYJ team to lose 13 in a row ... so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you love talking football , we have the perfect spot for you .
Join our Facebook Group , The Ruling Off the Field , to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders .
Do the right thing , sign up now !

NFL power rankings: Packers, Bills continue ascent as Saints, Steelers drop
Show Caption Hide Caption NFL power rankings 15.0: Ravens rise after winning 'Game of the Year' SportsPulse: The Baltimore Ravens won in an instant classic and 'Game of the Year' over the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. See how far they rose our weekly risers and fallers. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
NFL power rankings, 2020 post-Week 14 edition (previous rank in parentheses):
1. Chiefs (1): They've taken over top spot in AFC field ... not that it matters. With a club record 10-game winning streak on road, not like champs need to be tethered to Arrowhead next month to pull off a repeat.
2. Packers (4): You'd have to say QB Aaron Rodgers is now front runner to win his third MVP award in a season every bit as good as his seminal 2011 performance.
3. Saints (2): Loss in Philly isn't as worrisome as diminishing window to reintegrate 41-year-old QB Drew Brees into the fold before postseason – which gives New Orleans enough problems – begins.
4. Bills (5): What a year from WR Stefon Diggs, who leads league with 100 grabs and will set Buffalo record for one season – he currently shares it with Eric Moulds – with his next reception.
5. Rams (6): Looks like RB Cam Akers has claimed position, his 171 rushing yards in Week 14 more than double his next-best game and most a rookie had ever put on Patriots.
32 things we learned: From Week 14 of the 2020 NFL season
6. Steelers (3): Given QB Ben Roethlisberger has already beaten Bengals 24 times, Pittsburgh has to feel pretty good about getting back on track Monday.
7. Titans (8): Average 156 rushing yards over his final three games (Detroit, Green Bay and Houston), and RB Derrick Henry reaches 2,000.
8. Buccaneers (10): How good are they? Ask coach Bruce Arians, who said after Sunday's win, "I think we just showed our identity. We can do any damn thing we want to do."
9. Seahawks (11): Nice weekend for Russell Wilson, who set a Seattle single-season record with his 36th TD pass while becoming first quarterback in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to win at least nine games in each of his first nine seasons.
10. Ravens (12): QB Lamar Jackson has started 34 games, and Baltimore has rushed for 100 yards in every single one ... and is on verge of being playoff entry in all three of his NFL campaigns.
11. Browns (7): Bitter loss to Ravens on Monday night, but silver lining is a two-game swing through New Jersey swamps for a pair of likely victories.
12. Colts (13): Hopefully America now understands why Kenny Moore is one of the league's preeminent slot corners. You won't see a prettier interception.
13. Dolphins (9): Rookie seasons are all about firsts, and QB Tua Tagovailoa served up his maiden NFL INT Sunday. Now, he must serve his first defeat to New England if Miami is to maintain playoff course.
14. Cardinals (16): Haason Reddick has finally found a home on the edge, racking up 10 sacks this year after tallying 7½ in his first three combined. He and Chandler Jones might make quite a tandem ... if Reddick returns after having his fifth-year option declined.
15. Washington (17): They've won four in row for the first time in four years. They also have their first 1,000-yard receiver (Terry McLaurin) since 2016.
16. 49ers (18): After they dropped two games in Arizona, NFL teams playing "home" games at alternate sites are now 1-6 since the 1970 merger. As former Niners coach Steve Mariucci would say, "Bummer."
17. Patriots (14): Though they're still mathematically alive for a wild-card spot, their record 11-year rule over the AFC East came to an end Sunday night.
18. Falcons (19): Matt Ryan may have bypassed Peyton Manning for most pass yards (54,846) through 13 seasons ... but WR Russell Gage was nevertheless Atlanta's best quarterback Sunday.
19. Vikings (20): Let's summarize their pass rush – Minnesota's leading sack man remains Yannick Ngakoue (5), who last played for Vikes in Week 6.
20. Raiders (21): Quite a four-game stretch – Vegas surrendering 150 points, while QB Derek Carr has uncharacteristically turned ball over eight times.
21. Eagles (28): Rookie QB Jalen Hurts certainly provided a spark, perhaps most notably igniting a run game that exploded for a season-high 246 yards.
22. Giants (15): QB Daniel Jones returned just in time to pilot offense to season-low 159 yards. Hard to see this team rebounding against Browns or Ravens.
23. Bears (25): No idea why they don't switch to the Michigan-esque throwbacks full time given Chicago is 3-0 in 1936-era uniforms since reviving them in 2019.
The classic unis stay undefeated. pic.twitter.com/BVvQieze3z — Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 13, 2020
24. Broncos (26): Suspensions and injuries have now cost them five cornerbacks – great news with Josh Allen and the Bills headed to the Mile High City.
25. Panthers (22): LB/S Jeremy Chinn continues to bolster case for defensive rookie of the year award with copious splash plays while leading all incoming players with 95 tackles.
26. Chargers (27): QB Justin Herbert needs three TD passes over next three weeks to break the rookie record (27, Baker Mayfield) for most in a season.
27. Texans (23): DE J.J. Watt's 0.38 sacks per game are easily the lowest of his career when he's played at least half the season.
28. Cowboys (29): They showed a heartbeat against a Cincy squad in worse straits than Dallas, but America's Team is cooked with one more Washington win.
29. Lions (24): Hard to envision Detroit keeping it close Sunday in Nashville if QB Matthew Stafford is out or even partially hampered by his rib issues.
30. Bengals (30): Their season has seemed over for some time, but Sunday was first instance Cincinnati seemed non-competitive while being blown out by Dallas.
31. Jaguars (31): There's a rich history of terrible J-A-G-S football, but this is the first JAX team to lose 12 in a row in one season ... so, at least they're historic.
32. Jets (32): There's a rich history of terrible J-E-T-S football, but this is the first NYJ team to lose 13 in a row ... so, at least they're historic.
***
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis
If you love talking football, we have the perfect spot for you. Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders. Do the right thing, sign up now!


usatoday--2020-12-15--Tyler Perry contributes $100,000 to legal defense fund of Breonna Taylor's boyfriend

A fundraiser for the legal defense of Breonna Taylor 's boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , received a significant contribution Sunday afternoon : $ 100,000 from actor and producer Tyler Perry .
The funds will go toward Walker 's defense against a lawsuit by Louisville Metro Police Sgt .
Jonathan Mattingly , who was shot in the leg by Walker during the March 13 police search at Taylor 's apartment before the 26-year-old Black woman was shot and killed by police .
Mattingly filed a counterclaim against Taylor 's boyfriend in October alleging battery , assault and emotional distress .
Walker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he got a call from Perry on Sunday afternoon after the famous entertainer donated to the GoFundMe set up for Walker .
`` He saw that Kenny had been sued , and he felt like that was a miscarriage of justice , '' Romines said .
Mattingly 's counterclaim is a response to Walker 's lawsuit filed over the summer against several LMPD officers , Mayor Greg Fischer , Attorney General Daniel Cameron , Commonwealth 's Attorney Tom Wine and others .
The GoFundMe , which was created last month , had raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Perry 's contribution .
After hearing from Perry , Romines called Walker , who he said was thankful for the generosity .
`` Generally , when somebody gets sued , an insurance company provides the defense , or in Mattingly 's case , the city provides the defense , '' Romines said .
`` Kenny was going to have to pay for his defense out of his own pocket . ''
Reach Emma Austin at eaustin @ gannett.com or on Twitter at @ emmacaustin .

Tyler Perry contributes $100,000 to legal defense fund of Breonna Taylor's boyfriend
Show Caption Hide Caption Breonna Taylor's boyfriend says he can 'never have a normal life' Walker talked about protests in Breonna Taylor's name, and how his life has changed since her death. ABC NEWS/The Courier Journal
A fundraiser for the legal defense of Breonna Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, received a significant contribution Sunday afternoon: $100,000 from actor and producer Tyler Perry.
The funds will go toward Walker's defense against a lawsuit by Louisville Metro Police Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, who was shot in the leg by Walker during the March 13 police search at Taylor's apartment before the 26-year-old Black woman was shot and killed by police. Mattingly filed a counterclaim against Taylor's boyfriend in October alleging battery, assault and emotional distress.
Mattingly is seeking a jury trial, damages and attorney fees.
Walker's attorney, Steve Romines, said he got a call from Perry on Sunday afternoon after the famous entertainer donated to the GoFundMe set up for Walker.
"He saw that Kenny had been sued, and he felt like that was a miscarriage of justice," Romines said.
Mattingly's counterclaim is a response to Walker's lawsuit filed over the summer against several LMPD officers, Mayor Greg Fischer, Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Wine and others.
The GoFundMe, which was created last month, had raised $600 of its $100,000 goal before Perry's contribution.
After hearing from Perry, Romines called Walker, who he said was thankful for the generosity.
"Generally, when somebody gets sued, an insurance company provides the defense, or in Mattingly's case, the city provides the defense," Romines said. "Kenny was going to have to pay for his defense out of his own pocket."
Reach Emma Austin at eaustin@gannett.com or on Twitter at @emmacaustin.


usatoday--2020-12-15--Chile landscape goes dark during total solar eclipse

Cloudy skies and rainfall reduced visibility in parts of Chile as people gathered to witness a total solar eclipse over @ @ @ @ @ .

Chile landscape goes dark during total solar eclipse
Cloudy skies and rainfall reduced visibility in parts of Chile as people gathered to witness a total solar eclipse over the country on December 14.
@jaimestoneroses


usatoday--2020-12-14--8 tips to keep your Christmas tree alive

8 tips to keep your Christmas tree alive Keep your Christmas tree alive with these 8 tips .

Keep your Christmas tree alive by watering it often
Keep your Christmas tree alive with these 8 tips.
ProblemSolved, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-14--Camel spotted early holiday shopping at Bath & Body Works with its owner in Nevada

Camel spotted early holiday shopping at Bath & Body Works with its owner in Nevada A camel was spotted doing @ @ @ @ @ Bath & Body Works with its owner in Henderson , Nevada .

Camel spotted shopping at Bath & Body Works with its owner in Nevada
A camel was spotted doing some holiday shopping at a Bath & Body Works with its owner in Henderson, Nevada.
USA TODAY, Storyful