usatoday--2020-11-14--60 years ago, Ruby Bridges integrated a New Orleans school. Here's what she tells kids today

INDIANAPOLIS — Ruby Bridges is a woman with a career , children , and grandchildren now , but the nation will always treasure her six-year-old self .
On Nov. 14 , 1960 , federal marshals escorted her past angry , threatening crowds and up the steps of the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans .
Bridges was one of the first Black students to integrate public schools after the Supreme Court 's landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education .
While many people worked against her , she formed a special bond with her teacher , Barbara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The image of Bridges ' tiny frame walking in front of hate speech scrawled on a wall became iconic in Norman Rockwell 's painting “ The Problem We All Live With . ''
Saturday marks the 60th anniversary of Bridges ' journey .
In honor of the occasion , The Children 's Museum of Indianapolis hosted her via a Zoom call Wednesday evening for her young fans .
Bridges ' New Orleans classroom is a section of the museum 's `` Power of Children '' exhibit .
It so closely resembles her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear the crowd chant `` two , four , six , eight , we do n't want to integrate '' when she walked in .
A cabinet holds replicas of sandwiches — a reminder that Bridges would bring her lunch but hid it because she did n't want to eat alone .
During the Zoom call , Bridges recalled her memories of that day in 1960 .
She also talked about her work to bring about racial healing and equity in schools and her new book , This is Your Time — a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to tell them about the similarities of what she saw in 1960 and 2020 's protests , and how change happens .
Here are highlights from what she said Wednesday .
Bridges did n't fully realize her place in history until later Bridges grew up in the South and was familiar with Mardi Gras — and on that day in 1960 , she thought the yelling crowds were part of the celebration .
Marshals spent the next six months walking her into class each day through a dangerous mob that threw things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tiny coffin with a Black doll inside .
It gave the little girl nightmares she was only able to overcome by kneeling beside her bed and praying .
By the time Bridges was in second grade , she said the protests had ended .
`` Pretty much , I think , people in the city were a little bit embarrassed about how they behaved because the whole world watched it .
And so no one talked about it , '' she said .
Not until Bridges was older did she see the Rockwell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was confined to her block was actually a major event .
Bridges says now that her innocence protected her .
Her mother , Lucille Bridges , had explained previously in interviews that she wanted her kids to have a better education than what she 'd had .
Ruby Bridges said her parents did n't explain what would happen before Nov. 14 , 1960 , because if they did , it would have scared their daughter .
`` What would you say to a 6-year-old when you 're about to go into school and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there are going to be lots of people outside throwing things and screaming at you ?
There 's no way you could explain that , '' Bridges said .
Before she spoke on the Zoom call , she shared on Instagram that Lucille Bridges had died Tuesday and honored her mom 's courage .
When the little girl walked through the school 's doors , she saw someone who looked like the protesters outside but who behaved quite differently .
While other teachers quit their jobs to avoid teaching Black children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city and welcomed her new student .
`` I remember that very first day when I walked up the stairs and into the classroom , she was standing there .
I have to say that I was a little bit apprehensive , even at 6 years old , because she looked exactly like the crowd outside the school .
She was white , and the crowd was white and screaming and yelling and throwing things .
But in a very soft-spoken voice , she said , 'Come in and take a seat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began to teach me .
But what I soon came to realize is that Mrs. Henry looked exactly like the people outside , but she was n't like them ... She showed me her heart .
And I knew very quickly that she was kind . ''
Bridges ' first memories of Henry reverberated again when she heard Martin Luther King Jr. say that he dreamed of a day when his children would live in a country where they `` will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It went right back to Mrs. Henry and the crowd outside , and I felt like , 'Well , I already know that lesson , '' she said .
Bridges reaches back to her experiences at age 6 to relate to kids she speaks to today and to not hold back the truth from them .
`` I believe history is sacred , and none of us have the right to change or alter history in any way ... [ But ] we are using obsolete textbooks , '' Bridges said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history happened . ''
She said she believes more good than evil exists but that it will take looking past differences to stand up together .
She gave kids examples of that from her own past and encouraged them to pick up the torch today through social justice and community service activism .
`` We have to judge each other by what 's in our heart , and that will bring us together and unite us .
That alone will defeat the evil or the bad that 's in the world .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will do that and that our kids will push us to do that , '' Bridges said .
`` I want to make sure that no kid goes through what I went through just to go to school .
When I 'm in schools talking to kids , I see their hearts .
I see their pain , I see sadness sometimes .
I see love , and it just brings me back to that classroom and being 6 .
It inspires me . ''

60 years ago, Ruby Bridges integrated a New Orleans school. Here's what she tells kids today
Show Caption Hide Caption Women of the Century: Ruby Bridges says civil rights work is a calling Six-year-old Ruby Bridges became a civil rights icon when she walked by angry white mobs as part of desegregating public schools in Louisiana in 1960. USA TODAY
INDIANAPOLIS — Ruby Bridges is a woman with a career, children, and grandchildren now, but the nation will always treasure her 6-year-old self.
On Nov. 14, 1960, federal marshals escorted her past angry, threatening crowds and up the steps of the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans.
Bridges was one of the first Black students to integrate public schools after the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. While many people worked against her, she formed a special bond with her teacher, Barbara Henry, and continued to attend school. The image of Bridges' tiny frame walking in front of hate speech scrawled on a wall became iconic in Norman Rockwell's painting “The Problem We All Live With."
Saturday marked the 60th anniversary of Bridges' journey. In honor of the occasion, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis hosted her via a Zoom call Wednesday evening for her young fans.
Bridges' New Orleans classroom is a section of the museum's "Power of Children" exhibit. It so closely resembles her experience that she said she could still hear the crowd chant "two, four, six, eight, we don't want to integrate" when she walked in. A cabinet holds replicas of sandwiches — a reminder that Bridges would bring her lunch but hid it because she didn't want to eat alone.
During the Zoom call, Bridges recalled her memories of that day in 1960. She also talked about her work to bring about racial healing and equity in schools and her new book, This is Your Time — a letter to young people today. She wanted to tell them about the similarities of what she saw in 1960 and 2020's protests, and how change happens. Here are highlights from what she said Wednesday.
Bridges didn't fully realize her place in history until later
Bridges grew up in the South and was familiar with Mardi Gras — and on that day in 1960, she thought the yelling crowds were part of the celebration. Marshals spent the next six months walking her into class each day through a dangerous mob that threw things and shouted.
Sometimes they carried a tiny coffin with a Black doll inside. It gave the little girl nightmares she was only able to overcome by kneeling beside her bed and praying. By the time Bridges was in second grade, she said the protests had ended.
"Pretty much, I think, people in the city were a little bit embarrassed about how they behaved because the whole world watched it. And so no one talked about it," she said.
Not until Bridges was older did she see the Rockwell painting and realize how what she thought was confined to her block was actually a major event. Bridges says now that her innocence protected her.
Her mother, Lucille Bridges, had explained previously in interviews that she wanted her kids to have a better education than what she'd had. Ruby Bridges said her parents didn't explain what would happen before Nov. 14, 1960, because if they did, it would have scared their daughter.
"What would you say to a 6-year-old when you're about to go into school and they don't want you there, and there are going to be lots of people outside throwing things and screaming at you? There's no way you could explain that," Bridges said.
Before she spoke on the Zoom call, she shared on Instagram that Lucille Bridges had died Tuesday and honored her mom's courage.
More: Lucille Bridges, mother of civil rights icon Ruby Bridges, dies at 86
Bridges' teacher showed her how character counts
When the little girl walked through the school's doors, she saw someone who looked like the protesters outside but who behaved quite differently. While other teachers quit their jobs to avoid teaching Black children, Henry had only just moved to the city and welcomed her new student.
"I remember that very first day when I walked up the stairs and into the classroom, she was standing there. I have to say that I was a little bit apprehensive, even at 6 years old, because she looked exactly like the crowd outside the school. She was white, and the crowd was white and screaming and yelling and throwing things. But in a very soft-spoken voice, she said, 'Come in and take a seat,'" Bridges said.
"She began to teach me. But what I soon came to realize is that Mrs. Henry looked exactly like the people outside, but she wasn't like them... She showed me her heart. And I knew very quickly that she was kind."
Bridges' first memories of Henry reverberated again when she heard Martin Luther King Jr. say that he dreamed of a day when his children would live in a country where they "will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
"It went right back to Mrs. Henry and the crowd outside, and I felt like, 'Well, I already know that lesson," she said.
What she tells kids today
Bridges reaches back to her experiences at age 6 to relate to kids she speaks to today and to not hold back the truth from them.
"I believe history is sacred, and none of us have the right to change or alter history in any way... [But] we are using obsolete textbooks," Bridges said. "History is not being taught the way history happened."
She said she believes more good than evil exists but that it will take looking past differences to stand up together. She gave kids examples of that from her own past and encouraged them to pick up the torch today through social justice and community service activism.
"We have to judge each other by what's in our heart, and that will bring us together and unite us. That alone will defeat the evil or the bad that's in the world. I think what keeps me hopeful is that we will do that and that our kids will push us to do that," Bridges said.
"I want to make sure that no kid goes through what I went through just to go to school. When I'm in schools talking to kids, I see their hearts. I see their pain, I see sadness sometimes. I see love, and it just brings me back to that classroom and being 6. It inspires me."
Follow Domenica Bongiovanni on Twitter: @domenicareports.


usatoday--2020-11-14--COVID-19 cases surged in Pennsylvania after Trump visits, Biden celebrations

As Pennsylvania grapples with a record number of positive COVID-19 cases , concerns are mounting that some of the infections could be blamed on the 2020 presidential election .
President Donald Trump 's campaign rallies attracted tens of thousands of supporters in the waning days of his re-election bid in Pennsylvania .
President-elect Joe Biden 's supporters poured into the streets in Philadelphia , Pittsburgh , and other cities in Pennsylvania and across the country on Saturday to celebrate the Democratic challenger 's win .
But those mass gatherings exceeded state limits and public health recommendations .
How did those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the coronavirus is surging to record levels ?
What we know about events impacting COVID-19 cases When considering whether political events may have an impact on coronavirus case counts in the state , look to recent history .
A USA TODAY investigation last month determined COVID-19 cases grew at a faster rate in Lackawanna and Dauphin counties after Trump held rallies there .
That finding also held true in counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin .
In one of his first rallies after being released from the hospital with the coronavirus , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with thousands at the Johnstown-Cambria County Airport .
Trump continued to have a bevy of similar stops throughout Pennsylvania : Mark Meadows , Trump 's chief of staff , accompanied the president on those stops during the final days of the campaign .
In many photos from the campaign rallies , Meadows was seen without a mask while greeting Trump supporters , who also were not wearing masks .
Meadows frequently traveled with the president throughout the 2020 campaign and rarely wore a mask at campaign events .
He was photographed without one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in North Carolina during a late August campaign stop .
Meadows on Nov. 6 , just four days after visiting Scranton with Trump , tested positive for COVID-19 , according to the White House .
Since his diagnosis , at least five other top White House aides and campaign staff members have tested positive : Corey Lewandowski , David Bossie , Ben Carson , Brian Jack and Healy Baumgardner .
About 100 Secret Service members also tested positive after campaign stops this year .
Lewandowski tested positive on Thursday , some five days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rudy Giuliani , during a campaign event at a Philadelphia landscaping company .
That 's where Lewandowski believes he got infected , according to the Associated Press .
That same day , thousands of Biden supporters , and some Trump supporters , took to the Philadelphia streets to cheer or protest Biden 's win in Pennsylvania that propelled him to an Electoral College victory that matched his popular vote win .
Joe Biden wins Pennsylvania : Here 's how he reclaimed his home state and the 'blue wall' '' Any situation where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not wearing masks is an event where the virus can potentially spread significantly and could be considered a potential superspreader event , '' said Nate Wardle , spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Health .
As of noon Friday , Pennsylvania had more than 254,000 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 , and more than 9,200 deaths .
Hospitalizations have reached a high during the pandemic , with more than 2,300 people admitted to medical facilities across the state .
Of those , 480 are in intensive care units , and 226 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state releases statistics that show some details about where those infected had been in the preceding two weeks .
At least 18 percent of those infected said they had been part of a mass gathering , which would include a political rally or other large events .
`` We have seen a number of members of the Trump Administration test positive for the virus over the last several weeks , '' Wardle said .
`` While we certainly hope they recover and are not significantly affected by the virus , it serves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not discriminate . ''
He pointed out that their positive tests came after the individuals were in contact with large groups of people , including Pennsylvanians , while not wearing masks .
`` In order to protect the safety and well-being of our fellow Pennsylvanians , we hope with any gathering all individuals will wear a mask , wash their hands frequently , practice social distancing and respect the gathering limitations , '' Wardle said .
What we still do n't know Because of so much community spread , state officials ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When it comes to rallies , protests or celebrations in the streets , they only know it goes against public health recommendations for reducing the spread of COVID-19 .
For those who attend large gatherings , the state recommends downloading the COVID Alert PA app , which notifies users if they were in close contact with someone who later tested positive for COVID-19 .
As part of its contact tracing , the state health department asks those infected where they have been and with whom they have come in contact .
`` All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us with as much accurate information as possible , including if they attended a large event of any kind , '' Wardle said .
Pennsylvanians who attended large events are advised to contact their health care provider if they have questions about their health .
Testing is available , he said .
The incubation period for COVID-19 lasts about 14 days , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
On average , it takes about four to five days from exposure to the onset of symptoms .
A study in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that about 97 percent of those infected will develop symptoms in the first 11 days .
• New loss of taste or smell As cases continue to surge in Pennsylvania , state health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine on Thursday discouraged large and small gatherings .
Instead , she said it 's time to `` double down '' on mitigation efforts like masks and social distancing .
She and Michael Huff , state director of contact tracing and testing , said contact tracing efforts are becoming more difficult , after sharing concerns about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not following covid guidelines like wearing masks , social distancing , avoiding large gatherings and responding to the state 's questions about contact tracing , more restrictions could be put in place , they said .
“ If communities are unable to effectively isolate patients and ensure contacts can separate themselves from others , rapid spread of covid-19 is likely to increase , likely to the point that strict mitigation strategies will again be needed to contain the virus , ” Huff said .
Levine stressed the importance of cooperating with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life by being honest about who you were with and the places you had visited.
” Candy Woodall is a reporter for the USA Today Network .
She can be reached at 717-480-1783 or on Twitter at @ candynotcandace .
This coverage is only possible with support from our readers .
Sign up today for a digital subscription .

Candy Woodall, USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania Capitol Bureau

COVID-19 cases surged in Pennsylvania after Trump visits, Biden celebrations
Show Caption Hide Caption Watch: Biden backers and Trump supporters clash at Pennsylvania Capitol There were dueling rallies in favor of Biden and Trump in Harrisburg. Things got heated. Shane Bahn and Cameron Clark, York Daily Record
As Pennsylvania grapples with a record number of positive COVID-19 cases, concerns are mounting that some of the infections could be blamed on the 2020 presidential election.
President Donald Trump's campaign rallies attracted tens of thousands of supporters in the waning days of his re-election bid in Pennsylvania.
President-elect Joe Biden's supporters poured into the streets in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and other cities in Pennsylvania and across the country on Saturday to celebrate the Democratic challenger's win.
But those mass gatherings exceeded state limits and public health recommendations.
How did those events impact the state at a time when the coronavirus is surging to record levels?
What we know about events impacting COVID-19 cases
When considering whether political events may have an impact on coronavirus case counts in the state, look to recent history.
A USA TODAY investigation last month determined COVID-19 cases grew at a faster rate in Lackawanna and Dauphin counties after Trump held rallies there. That finding also held true in counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
In one of his first rallies after being released from the hospital with the coronavirus, Trump on Oct. 13 held a campaign stop with thousands at the Johnstown-Cambria County Airport.
Trump continued to have a bevy of similar stops throughout Pennsylvania:
Oct. 20 in Erie
Oct. 26 in Allentown, Lititz and Martinsburg
Oct. 31 in Newtown, Reading, Butler and Mountoursville
Nov. 2 in Scranton
Mark Meadows, Trump's chief of staff, accompanied the president on those stops during the final days of the campaign. In many photos from the campaign rallies, Meadows was seen without a mask while greeting Trump supporters, who also were not wearing masks.
Meadows frequently traveled with the president throughout the 2020 campaign and rarely wore a mask at campaign events. He was photographed without one while greeting guests numerous times, including in North Carolina during a late August campaign stop.
Meadows on Nov. 6, just four days after visiting Scranton with Trump, tested positive for COVID-19, according to the White House.
Since his diagnosis, at least five other top White House aides and campaign staff members have tested positive: Corey Lewandowski, David Bossie, Ben Carson, Brian Jack and Healy Baumgardner. About 100 Secret Service members also tested positive after campaign stops this year.
Lewandowski tested positive on Thursday, some five days after he joined Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, during a campaign event at a Philadelphia landscaping company. That's where Lewandowski believes he got infected, according to the Associated Press.
Biden celebrations, protests across Pa.
That same day, thousands of Biden supporters, and some Trump supporters, took to the Philadelphia streets to cheer or protest Biden's win in Pennsylvania that propelled him to an Electoral College victory that matched his popular vote win.
Joe Biden wins Pennsylvania: Here's how he reclaimed his home state and the 'blue wall'
"Any situation where there is a large gathering and individuals are not wearing masks is an event where the virus can potentially spread significantly and could be considered a potential superspreader event," said Nate Wardle, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
As of noon Friday, Pennsylvania had more than 254,000 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, and more than 9,200 deaths. Hospitalizations have reached a high during the pandemic, with more than 2,300 people admitted to medical facilities across the state. Of those, 480 are in intensive care units, and 226 are on ventilators.
Each Monday, the state releases statistics that show some details about where those infected had been in the preceding two weeks. At least 18 percent of those infected said they had been part of a mass gathering, which would include a political rally or other large events.
"We have seen a number of members of the Trump Administration test positive for the virus over the last several weeks," Wardle said. "While we certainly hope they recover and are not significantly affected by the virus, it serves as a reminder that this virus does not discriminate."
He pointed out that their positive tests came after the individuals were in contact with large groups of people, including Pennsylvanians, while not wearing masks.
"In order to protect the safety and well-being of our fellow Pennsylvanians, we hope with any gathering all individuals will wear a mask, wash their hands frequently, practice social distancing and respect the gathering limitations," Wardle said.
What we still don't know
Because of so much community spread, state officials can't specifically determine where someone gets infected.
When it comes to rallies, protests or celebrations in the streets, they only know it goes against public health recommendations for reducing the spread of COVID-19.
For those who attend large gatherings, the state recommends downloading the COVID Alert PA app, which notifies users if they were in close contact with someone who later tested positive for COVID-19.
As part of its contact tracing, the state health department asks those infected where they have been and with whom they have come in contact.
"All of this depends on the person providing us with as much accurate information as possible, including if they attended a large event of any kind," Wardle said.
Pennsylvanians who attended large events are advised to contact their health care provider if they have questions about their health. Testing is available, he said.
The incubation period for COVID-19 lasts about 14 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On average, it takes about four to five days from exposure to the onset of symptoms. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that about 97 percent of those infected will develop symptoms in the first 11 days.
Symptoms include:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
As cases continue to surge in Pennsylvania, state health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine on Thursday discouraged large and small gatherings.
Instead, she said it's time to "double down" on mitigation efforts like masks and social distancing.
She and Michael Huff, state director of contact tracing and testing, said contact tracing efforts are becoming more difficult, after sharing concerns about the same issue last week.
Because people are not following covid guidelines like wearing masks, social distancing, avoiding large gatherings and responding to the state's questions about contact tracing, more restrictions could be put in place, they said.
“If communities are unable to effectively isolate patients and ensure contacts can separate themselves from others, rapid spread of covid-19 is likely to increase, likely to the point that strict mitigation strategies will again be needed to contain the virus,” Huff said.
Levine stressed the importance of cooperating with COVID-19 investigators:
“You might save a life by being honest about who you were with and the places you had visited.”
Candy Woodall is a reporter for the USA Today Network. She can be reached at 717-480-1783 or on Twitter at @candynotcandace.
This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.


usatoday--2020-11-14--10 days, 1 lawsuit, 5 million ballots and endless fights later, election leaves Georgia politically

It seems ages ago now that the outcome of the presidential race hinged in part on the unlikeliest of developments .
Solidly-red Georgia , where Donald Trump secured a sure victory in 2016 , was turning blue for Joe Biden .
With each report of absentee ballot tallies from Democratic strongholds , Biden ’ s lead grew larger and Trump ’ s disdain for this year ’ s election deepened .
The trend rippled throughout the country en route to President-elect Biden reaching the 270-electoral vote threshold Nov. 7 .
The nation , despite baseless allegations of fraud , multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the brutal fight to the finish in Georgia continues , leaving the state politically bruised .
Multiple media outlets – NBC , CNN and New York Times – have called the win for Biden .
The Associated Press has not yet done so .
Meanwhile , poll workers are back in the bunker wading through a 5-million-ballot hand recount that began Friday morning after it was ordered earlier in the week by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger .
Biden eclipsed a 14,000-vote margin mid-week , but the gap is under 0.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order .
The laborious and expensive work of a hand-recount – insisted upon by the Georgia Republican Party – was , however , optional .
The painstaking task , which doesn ’ t involve reviewing signatures and other ballot details , is expected to be completed by all 159 counties by midnight Wednesday .
The deadline for state certification is Nov. 20 .
Then it ’ s over , short of a court remedy with proof of widespread irregularities significant enough to reverse the outcome .
Raffensperger , a Republican , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own political party in choosing to use the presidential race alone for the state ’ s new risk-limiting audit procedure .
Republican senate runoff candidates Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue co-signed a statement calling for his resignation for the “ embarrassment ” his handling of the election has caused .
“ No , we ’ re doing this because it ’ s really what makes the most sense with the national significance of this race and the closeness of this race , ” Raffensperger said this week .
So Georgia , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a final vote total , an AP checkmark , and most of all , an end to one of the most ferocious elections in 2020 .
Post-Trump GOP : Donald Trump wants to run the Republican party even if he leaves office .
Can he ?
The evolution of the race Biden trailed Trump by more than 372,000 votes at the end of the Nov. 3 Election Day .
But in Georgia , nearly 3.9 million people chose to vote early , including about 1.2 million by absentee balloting .
So while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to diminish once absentee ballot-counting got underway – particularly in Democrat-heavy counties like Fulton , Clayton , Chatham , Richmond , DeKalb and Gwinnett .
Trump and the Republican Party challenged the veracity of the results before they were even done .
It started when the president , during a Nov. 5 news briefing loaded with false claims , said that the `` election apparatus in Georgia is run by Democrats . ''
In fact , Gov .
Brian Kemp , Raffensperger and Voting Implementation Manager Gabriel Sterling are all Republicans .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We believe when there are failures , they need to be called out — even when it ’ s in your own party , '' read the Loeffler-Perdue statement calling for Raffensperger to step down .
Raffensperger called the suggestion `` laughable . ''
Savannah Mayor Van Johnson on CNN described the infighting as `` manic cannibalism . ''
The next day Rep .
Buddy Carter and other members of the Georgia Republican Congressional Delegation joined in a `` demand for answers '' from the head elections official in the state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Georgia GOP recount effort led by former Rep. Doug Collins responded with multiple objections to the process .
The message became clear : Trump wasn ’ t going down without a fight , even if members of his own party would get bloodied in the process .
More : Donald Trump baselessly claims voter fraud in cities .
But suburbs actually lost him the election Kemp and others drew a proverbial red circle around the term “ legally-cast votes , ” urging that “ intentional fraud or violations of election law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Was there illegal voting ?
I ’ m sure there was , ” Raffensperger said .
“ And my office is investigating all of it .
Does it rise to the numbers or margin necessary to change the outcome to where President Trump is given Georgia ’ s electoral votes ?
That is unlikely . ''
The GOP camp lit the fires of skepticism – and outright fraud accusations – early on .
A lawsuit filed by the Georgia Republicans and Trump campaign against the Board of Elections in Chatham County was quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that late ballots had been mixed with absentee ballots could be provided .
Trump incorrectly suggested that ballots received after Election Day were being counted .
The only ballots counted after Election Day were military absentee ballots that could be tallied if received by 5 p.m. Nov. 6 .
More than 7,700 of those were never returned .
Counting errors could alter the final results throughout the state .
However , there has been no evidence presented suggesting the mass mismanagement described by some .
`` As a Republican , I am concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I recommend that Senators Loeffler and Perdue start focusing on that , '' Raffensperger said .
Biden Cabinet : Biden made his first administration hire this week , with others on the horizon .
Here are some top contenders .
Georgia once in play , but the country moves on Georgia in the end was not the state that got Biden over the finish line .
Still , a turning point was marked .
Voting rights advocate and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and the Fair Fight campaign worked tirelessly to register @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppression .
Their efforts galvanized the Democratic party statewide , and helped Biden also pick up votes in Republican footholds .
Now their attention turns to the Senate races .
Loeffler will face Raphael Warnock ; Perdue is challenged by Jon Ossoff .
Those races carry massive implications for control of the U.S. Senate .
The weight of that has attracted the nation ’ s attention and wallets .
As much as $ 100 million could be poured into the races from both sides .
With a 14,000-vote ground to make up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much speculation that the GOP uproar is more about motivating voters to stay engaged for the Jan. 5 vote than it is for actually changing the top of the ticket in the state .
Democrats historically have a lesser turnout in special elections than Republicans .
The heated rhetoric post-Election Day could energize Trump voters or infuriate Biden voters enough to again surprise Georgia .
Experts fear 'loss of democracy ' : Trump campaign 's challenge of election results push US toward disaster What to expect from a recount Odds are a recount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s presidential election numbers much .
Sterling said `` people will see that the outcome will stay essentially the same . ''
Electoral research conducted by The Associated Press found there have been at least 31 statewide recounts across the country since 2000 .
Three of those changed the outcome of the election .
The initial margins in those races were 137 votes , 215 votes and 261 votes .
Former Georgia Secretary of State Cathy Cox argues starting the grind of a hand recount was an unnecessary move by Raffensperger .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s getting a lot of political pressure from his own party leadership because they don ’ t like the outcome of the election .
I think he rightly pushed back on that , but this response suggests to me that he chose this race because of this pressure , '' Cox said .
`` In the end , I hope it will give everybody confidence and we can move on , but in the meantime , it ’ s going to be a nightmare for all 159 counties .
And hand-counting ballots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gold standard , they ’ re seriously kidding themselves . ''

10 days, 1 lawsuit, 5 million ballots and endless fights later, election leaves Georgia politically bruised
Show Caption Hide Caption Georgia runoffs will decide who controls U.S. Senate Millions in campaign contributions are rolling into Georgia as its Senate races have national implications. USA TODAY
It seems ages ago now that the outcome of the presidential race hinged in part on the unlikeliest of developments. Solidly-red Georgia, where Donald Trump secured a sure victory in 2016, was turning blue for Joe Biden.
With each report of absentee ballot tallies from Democratic strongholds, Biden’s lead grew larger and Trump’s disdain for this year’s election deepened. The trend rippled throughout the country en route to President-elect Biden reaching the 270-electoral vote threshold Nov. 7.
The nation, despite baseless allegations of fraud, multiple lawsuits and growing animosity, moved on.
But the brutal fight to the finish in Georgia continues, leaving the state politically bruised. Multiple media outlets – NBC, CNN and New York Times – have called the win for Biden. The Associated Press has not yet done so. Meanwhile, poll workers are back in the bunker wading through a 5-million-ballot hand recount that began Friday morning after it was ordered earlier in the week by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Biden eclipsed a 14,000-vote margin mid-week, but the gap is under 0.5%, so a scanned-ballot recount was in order. The laborious and expensive work of a hand-recount – insisted upon by the Georgia Republican Party – was, however, optional.
The painstaking task, which doesn’t involve reviewing signatures and other ballot details, is expected to be completed by all 159 counties by midnight Wednesday. The deadline for state certification is Nov. 20. Then it’s over, short of a court remedy with proof of widespread irregularities significant enough to reverse the outcome.
Raffensperger, a Republican, says he did not succumb to pressure from his own political party in choosing to use the presidential race alone for the state’s new risk-limiting audit procedure. Republican senate runoff candidates Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue co-signed a statement calling for his resignation for the “embarrassment” his handling of the election has caused.
“No, we’re doing this because it’s really what makes the most sense with the national significance of this race and the closeness of this race,” Raffensperger said this week.
So Georgia, with 16 electoral votes, watches and waits for a final vote total, an AP checkmark, and most of all, an end to one of the most ferocious elections in 2020.
Post-Trump GOP: Donald Trump wants to run the Republican party even if he leaves office. Can he?
The evolution of the race
Biden trailed Trump by more than 372,000 votes at the end of the Nov. 3 Election Day.
But in Georgia, nearly 3.9 million people chose to vote early, including about 1.2 million by absentee balloting. So while Trump dominated early, his advantage began to diminish once absentee ballot-counting got underway – particularly in Democrat-heavy counties like Fulton, Clayton, Chatham, Richmond, DeKalb and Gwinnett.
Trump and the Republican Party challenged the veracity of the results before they were even done.
It started when the president, during a Nov. 5 news briefing loaded with false claims, said that the "election apparatus in Georgia is run by Democrats." In fact, Gov. Brian Kemp, Raffensperger and Voting Implementation Manager Gabriel Sterling are all Republicans.
The allegations of mismanagement mushroomed from there.
"We believe when there are failures, they need to be called out — even when it’s in your own party," read the Loeffler-Perdue statement calling for Raffensperger to step down.
Raffensperger called the suggestion "laughable." Savannah Mayor Van Johnson on CNN described the infighting as "manic cannibalism."
The next day Rep. Buddy Carter and other members of the Georgia Republican Congressional Delegation joined in a "demand for answers" from the head elections official in the state. When instructions were issued for the recount, the Georgia GOP recount effort led by former Rep. Doug Collins responded with multiple objections to the process.
The message became clear: Trump wasn’t going down without a fight, even if members of his own party would get bloodied in the process.
More: Donald Trump baselessly claims voter fraud in cities. But suburbs actually lost him the election
The complaints
Kemp and others drew a proverbial red circle around the term “legally-cast votes,” urging that “intentional fraud or violations of election law be taken seriously and investigated.”
"Was there illegal voting? I’m sure there was,” Raffensperger said. “And my office is investigating all of it. Does it rise to the numbers or margin necessary to change the outcome to where President Trump is given Georgia’s electoral votes? That is unlikely."
The GOP camp lit the fires of skepticism – and outright fraud accusations – early on. A lawsuit filed by the Georgia Republicans and Trump campaign against the Board of Elections in Chatham County was quickly dismissed by a judge when no evidence that late ballots had been mixed with absentee ballots could be provided.
Trump incorrectly suggested that ballots received after Election Day were being counted. The only ballots counted after Election Day were military absentee ballots that could be tallied if received by 5 p.m. Nov. 6. More than 7,700 of those were never returned.
Counting errors could alter the final results throughout the state. However, there has been no evidence presented suggesting the mass mismanagement described by some.
"As a Republican, I am concerned about Republicans keeping the U.S. Senate ... I recommend that Senators Loeffler and Perdue start focusing on that," Raffensperger said.
Biden Cabinet: Biden made his first administration hire this week, with others on the horizon. Here are some top contenders.
Georgia once in play, but the country moves on
Georgia in the end was not the state that got Biden over the finish line. Still, a turning point was marked. Voting rights advocate and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and the Fair Fight campaign worked tirelessly to register around a million voters and address voter suppression.
Their efforts galvanized the Democratic party statewide, and helped Biden also pick up votes in Republican footholds.
Now their attention turns to the Senate races. Loeffler will face Raphael Warnock; Perdue is challenged by Jon Ossoff. Those races carry massive implications for control of the U.S. Senate.
The weight of that has attracted the nation’s attention and wallets. As much as $100 million could be poured into the races from both sides. With a 14,000-vote ground to make up to switch the presidential outcome, there is much speculation that the GOP uproar is more about motivating voters to stay engaged for the Jan. 5 vote than it is for actually changing the top of the ticket in the state.
Democrats historically have a lesser turnout in special elections than Republicans. The heated rhetoric post-Election Day could energize Trump voters or infuriate Biden voters enough to again surprise Georgia.
Experts fear 'loss of democracy': Trump campaign's challenge of election results push US toward disaster
What to expect from a recount
Odds are a recount won’t shift this year’s presidential election numbers much. Sterling said "people will see that the outcome will stay essentially the same."
Electoral research conducted by The Associated Press found there have been at least 31 statewide recounts across the country since 2000. Three of those changed the outcome of the election. The initial margins in those races were 137 votes, 215 votes and 261 votes.
Former Georgia Secretary of State Cathy Cox argues starting the grind of a hand recount was an unnecessary move by Raffensperger.
"It seems pretty obvious that he’s getting a lot of political pressure from his own party leadership because they don’t like the outcome of the election. I think he rightly pushed back on that, but this response suggests to me that he chose this race because of this pressure," Cox said.
"In the end, I hope it will give everybody confidence and we can move on, but in the meantime, it’s going to be a nightmare for all 159 counties. And hand-counting ballots, for anyone who thinks that is the gold standard, they’re seriously kidding themselves."


usatoday--2020-11-15--Opinion: Why Dustin Johnson's formidable Masters lead is no sure thing

AUGUSTA , Ga. — At its beginning , the third round of the 2020 Masters held such tantalizing promise .
For the first time ever , the top three players in the world were tied for the lead at the halfway point of this tournament .
And right behind them , so many more were lurking , including defending champion Tiger Woods and fan favorite Phil Mickelson ( if there were fans this year ) and sentimental pick Rory McIlroy , who was putting on an early birdie show and making his move up the leader board .
This wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the starting line of the Daytona 500 .
Everyone all bunched together , promising a massive dash to the finish .
Then world-ranked No .
1 Dustin Johnson teed off , and within an hour , he had killed all the suspense .
He eagled the par-5 second hole , then birdied No .
3 and No .
4 , and all of a sudden his 9-under par score through 36 holes stood at 13-under through 40 .
He added three more birdies to reach 16-under for 54 holes , four strokes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate chase : Sungjae Im , Abraham Ancer and Cameron Smith .
Falling by the wayside , just a bit anyway , were Justin Thomas , the world ’ s third-ranked player who wobbled home with a one-under 71 to fall six shots off Johnson ’ s pace , and No .
2 Jon Rahm , who lived every hacker ’ s worst nightmare on the eighth hole by smacking a shot straight into a tree , then watching the ball bounce off the tree and fly into nearby bushes for a double-bogey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rahm , playing in the group with Johnson , watching his mastery on every hole , finished with an even par 72 and was seven shots behind Johnson heading into Sunday ’ s final round .
Said the disconsolate Rahm after his round : “ I ’ m really far back to start tomorrow , that ’ s all I can say .
I ’ ve got to hope to shoot a miracle score to have a chance.
” LANGER STRONGER : Bernhard Langer , oldest player to make cut at Masters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have occurred before in the final round of the Masters .
Big leads have evaporated .
McIlroy knows all about that after his epic collapse at the 2011 Masters , shooting 80 in the final round to drop from first to 15th .
He finished Saturday with a fine 5-under 67 , but still stood eight shots behind Johnson , in a tie for 10th , when the day ended .
Asked if he was too far back , McIlroy said , “ Yeah , eight shots , being a realist here , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoot a good one tomorrow and see where it puts me , but I have zero thoughts about winning this golf tournament right now.
” Tommy Fleetwood is tied with McIlroy , and feels just about the same way about his chances .
“ Unfortunately , D.J.
’ s playing , but you never know what ’ s going to happen in a major , and you get sucked into looking at the leaderboard and all you can do is play your best.
” For Thomas , an unfortunate mix of four bogeys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left him with a sour outlook about his prospects for catching Johnson .
“ I put myself so far back that going as low as possible is the only thing I can do , ” Thomas said .
“ Unfortunately for all of us chasing D.J.
, there are no fans or nothing to make that moment even harder , to have the buzz , to have the adrenaline , to have a little bit more pressure put on him that won ’ t be there this year .
So it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me to have a chance tomorrow , but I know I can do it .
It ’ s just about doing it.
” The same goes for Smith .
“ He ’ s got a four-shot lead .
Anyone with a four-shot lead is expected to win .
You know , there ’ s going to be plenty of boys firing tomorrow.
” The game ’ s most popular elder statesmen will be firing too , but they are n't close enough to make much of a difference .
Mickelson shot a terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Woods ended with an even-par 72 on the day , tied for 20th , 11 shots back .
Johnson , 36 , has been in this position before , holding the third-round lead at a major four times before this week .
All four times , he has failed to close the deal .
“ If I can play like I did today , I think it will break that streak .
But there are a lot of really good players right around me , ” Johnson said , even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
But they are there , and they ’ re all doing one thing : chasing D.J .
“ As we all know , someone can get a good round going , ” Johnson warned .
“ There ’ s definitely a long way to go .
”

Opinion: Why Dustin Johnson's formidable Masters lead is no sure thing
Show Caption Hide Caption The Masters may look different, but still amazing Sports Pulse: The Masters may look different, but can we still expect the same playing out of Tiger Woods SportsPulse, USA TODAY
AUGUSTA, Ga. — At its beginning, the third round of the 2020 Masters held such tantalizing promise. For the first time ever, the top three players in the world were tied for the lead at the halfway point of this tournament. And right behind them, so many more were lurking, including defending champion Tiger Woods and fan favorite Phil Mickelson (if there were fans this year) and sentimental pick Rory McIlroy, who was putting on an early birdie show and making his move up the leader board.
This wasn’t a golf tournament; this was the starting line of the Daytona 500. Everyone all bunched together, promising a massive dash to the finish.
Then world-ranked No. 1 Dustin Johnson teed off, and within an hour, he had killed all the suspense. He eagled the par-5 second hole, then birdied No. 3 and No. 4, and all of a sudden his 9-under par score through 36 holes stood at 13-under through 40. He added three more birdies to reach 16-under for 54 holes, four strokes better than a trio of golfers giving immediate chase: Sungjae Im, Abraham Ancer and Cameron Smith.
Falling by the wayside, just a bit anyway, were Justin Thomas, the world’s third-ranked player who wobbled home with a one-under 71 to fall six shots off Johnson’s pace, and No. 2 Jon Rahm, who lived every hacker’s worst nightmare on the eighth hole by smacking a shot straight into a tree, then watching the ball bounce off the tree and fly into nearby bushes for a double-bogey on a hole he should have birdied. Rahm, playing in the group with Johnson, watching his mastery on every hole, finished with an even par 72 and was seven shots behind Johnson heading into Sunday’s final round.
Said the disconsolate Rahm after his round: “I’m really far back to start tomorrow, that’s all I can say. I’ve got to hope to shoot a miracle score to have a chance.”
SUNDAY TEE TIMES: Dustin Johnson eyes first green jacket
LANGER STRONGER: Bernhard Langer, oldest player to make cut at Masters, keeps it going on Saturday
Miracles have occurred before in the final round of the Masters. Big leads have evaporated. McIlroy knows all about that after his epic collapse at the 2011 Masters, shooting 80 in the final round to drop from first to 15th.
He finished Saturday with a fine 5-under 67, but still stood eight shots behind Johnson, in a tie for 10th, when the day ended.
Asked if he was too far back, McIlroy said, “Yeah, eight shots, being a realist here, I just need to go out and shoot a good one tomorrow and see where it puts me, but I have zero thoughts about winning this golf tournament right now.”
Tommy Fleetwood is tied with McIlroy, and feels just about the same way about his chances.
“Unfortunately, D.J.’s playing, but you never know what’s going to happen in a major, and you get sucked into looking at the leaderboard and all you can do is play your best.”
For Thomas, an unfortunate mix of four bogeys and three birdies on the back nine left him with a sour outlook about his prospects for catching Johnson.
“I put myself so far back that going as low as possible is the only thing I can do,” Thomas said. “Unfortunately for all of us chasing D.J., there are no fans or nothing to make that moment even harder, to have the buzz, to have the adrenaline, to have a little bit more pressure put on him that won’t be there this year. So it’s going to take something pretty special for me to have a chance tomorrow, but I know I can do it. It’s just about doing it.”
The same goes for Smith. “He’s got a four-shot lead. Anyone with a four-shot lead is expected to win. You know, there’s going to be plenty of boys firing tomorrow.”
The game’s most popular elder statesmen will be firing too, but they aren't close enough to make much of a difference. Mickelson shot a terrible 79 to fall 18 shots behind Johnson, while Woods ended with an even-par 72 on the day, tied for 20th, 11 shots back.
Johnson, 36, has been in this position before, holding the third-round lead at a major four times before this week. All four times, he has failed to close the deal.
“If I can play like I did today, I think it will break that streak. But there are a lot of really good players right around me,” Johnson said, even if they really aren’t right around him.
But they are there, and they’re all doing one thing: chasing D.J.
“As we all know, someone can get a good round going,” Johnson warned. “There’s definitely a long way to go.”


usatoday--2020-11-14--Election 2020 updates: McEnany inflates MAGA crowd of thousands to 1M; GOP leaders in 4 key states r

Election 2020 updates: McEnany inflates MAGA crowd of thousands to 1M; GOP leaders in 4 key states reject elector flip

USA TODAY 'S coverage of the 2020 election continues this week after Joe Biden won a bitterly fought presidential election and states work to finish counting their remaining ballots .
Be sure to refresh this page often to get the latest information on how things are going .
USA TODAY will have live election information from across the country .
Sens .
Blumenthal and Murphy self-isolate after CT governor 's aide positive for COVID HARTFORD , Conn. — Connecticut ’ s two U.S. senators were self-isolating Saturday after a member of Democratic Gov .
Ned Lamont ’ s staff tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Murphy each tweeted Saturday that they had not had close contact with the staffer but were taking the step out of an abundance of caution .
Lamont ’ s chief spokesperson , Max Reiss , identified himself as the senior staff member who had tested positive in a release posted to Twitter on Friday .
Reiss wrote he wasn ’ t sure how or where he had contracted the virus .
Murphy tweeted Saturday that he had “ attended an event yesterday with the Governor but was not in close contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Out of an abundance of caution , though , I am isolating until I get tested and consult with the Office of Attending Physician Monday morning.
” Blumenthal tweeted Saturday afternoon that he had “ just returned from being tested myself and am currently self-isolating.
” Republican leaders in Michigan and three other critical states won by President-elect Joe Biden say they wo n't participate in a legally dubious scheme to flip their state 's electors to vote for President Donald Trump .
Their comments effectively shut down a half-baked plot some Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump in the White House .
State GOP lawmakers in Michigan , Arizona , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have all said they would not intervene in the selection of electors , who ultimately cast the votes that secure a candidate 's victory .
Such a move would violate state law and a vote of the people , several noted .
`` I do not see , short of finding some type of fraud — which I have n't heard of anything — I do n't see us in any serious way addressing a change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Arizona 's Republican House speaker .
Bowers said he 's been inundated with emails pleading for the legislature to intervene .
`` They are mandated by statute to choose according to the vote of the people , '' he said .
The idea loosely involves GOP-controlled legislatures dismissing Biden 's popular vote wins in their states and opting to select Trump electors .
While the endgame was unclear , it appeared to hinge on the expectation that a conservative-leaning Supreme Court would settle any dispute over the move .
Still , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis , and is an example of misleading information and false claims fueling skepticism among Trump supporters about the integrity of the vote .
– Bob Christie and Nicholas Riccardi , The Associated Press Former Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona , who has been a staunch critic of President Donald Trump including during his time in the Senate , tweeted Friday that the GOP has a bright future in Arizona , if they accept the election results and that move forward for the sake of the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bright future in Arizona if we accept that the election was not 'stolen . '
The President lost , '' Flake tweeted .
`` If we move beyond conspiracy theories and debate issues again , the country will benefit — and so will our party . ''
Arizona elected Democrat Mark Kelly to the U.S. Senate over Republican incumbent Martha McSally .
The historically red state also turned blue for the presidency , voting for President-elect Joe Biden .
Flake told Fox News on Saturday that “ all indications are '' Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when asked if he thinks the president will concede the election .
The former senator said is more concerned about the future of the Republican Party than Trump .
`` I think the rest of us need to realize that this , this now say more about us and how we handle it than it does about the president , '' Flake told host Neil Cavuto .
Flake announced his support for Biden in a video on Twitter in August .
WASHINGTON — Thousands of people clad in red , white and blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of outgoing President Donald Trump in Washington , D.C. , on Saturday , to support the president and to echo his baseless claims of `` voter fraud '' in the 2020 presidential election .
Trump has refused to concede and falsely claims the election was stolen from him .
The rallies – advertised by several names including Million MAGA March , Stop the Steal and March for Trump – were planned to protest purported `` voter fraud , '' to `` show support for our President '' and `` demand a free and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hinted Friday on Twitter that he might stop by , rolled through the crowd in the presidential motorcade down Pennsylvania Avenue when he left the White House for a round of golf .
His supporters cheered , waved and whistled , chanting `` USA !
USA !
`` , `` We want Trump !
We want Trump ! ''
and `` Four more years !
Four more years ! ''
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany misrepresented the crowd size by several factors of 10 in a tweet falsely claiming the thousands who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a million .
Trump also exaggerated the crowd size on Twitter , but he put the number in the `` hundreds of thousands . ''
Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida is current quarantining after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 Friday .
`` After arriving in Florida last night , I came into contact with someone who subsequently tested positive for COVID , '' Scott tweeted .
Although Scott tested negative for the virus Saturday and has no symptoms , he also said in his tweet that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will be immediately quarantining . ''
Scott was returning from Georgia , after attending a campaign event for two of his Republican colleagues : Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler .
Both face runoff elections for both Georgia ’ s U.S. Senate seats .
The event was held inside a restaurant , where `` hundreds of supporters '' gathered to hear Scott speak , according to the Georgia Recorder .
This is n't the first COVID scare for the Florida Senator .
He was tested after Sens .
Mike Lee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – both of whom he sits on a committee with – tested positive after the White House Rose Garden ceremony to announce the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
As Pennsylvania grapples with a record number of positive COVID-19 cases , concerns are mounting that some of the infections could be blamed on the 2020 presidential election .
President Donald Trump 's campaign rallies attracted tens of thousands of supporters in the waning days of his re-election bid in Pennsylvania .
President-elect Joe Biden 's supporters poured into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other cities in Pennsylvania and across the country on Saturday to celebrate the Democratic challenger 's win .
But those mass gatherings exceeded state limits and public health recommendations .
Lou Dobbs says GOP should refuse to accept election results Fox Business host Lou Dobbs , a staunch ally of President Donald Trump who has parrotted the president 's baseless claims the election was `` fraudulent , '' demanded Friday night that Republicans refuse to accept the results .
During his interview with Rep. Devin Nunes , R-Calif. , Dobbs called the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` take over the country and deny this president what is rightfully his : a second term . ''
A fiery Dobbs asked Nunes what the Republican Party is doing to defend the president from what he called the `` culmination of a four-year effort to overthrow his presidency , to block his candidacy . ''
`` What 'd I like to know is : What in the hell is the Republican Party doing ? ''
Dobbs demanded .
`` Why not just say , 'We 're not going to accept the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outrageous . '
'' Dobbs said Republican officials did not appear to be doing enough to somehow prevent states being called for President-elect Joe Biden .
`` What is the Party doing to make certain it is n't called ?
I see so little animation in the Republican Party on this .
It 's as if it 's just another day at the store , '' Dobbs said , `` In fact , I believe the fate of the Republic hangs in the balance here . ''
More : Trump campaign 's challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Arizona push US toward 'loss of democracy' Gov .
Steve Sisolak announced Friday he has tested positive for COVID-19 , saying he has no symptoms and will begin a 10-day quarantine at his home in Carson City .
`` Today as part of my regular COVID testing , I underwent a rapid test and returned a positive result , '' Sisolak told reporters during a call Friday afternoon .
`` I am not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms and I have returned to my residence to begin the quarantine process . ''
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also took a PCR test , which detects the virus 's genetic material .
Sisolak undergoes weekly coronavirus testing .
His last negative test was Nov. 6 .
He also tested negative on Nov. 2 .
`` It 's nearly impossible to pinpoint where I contracted the virus , '' Sisolak said .
His positive test comes as Nevada is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases .
The state marked a new daily record for new cases on Friday , reporting 1,857 infections .
Sisolak said he is cooperating with disease investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Services Department , who have recommended he remain isolated for 10 days .
An indoor dinner at the Capitol hosted by House Democrats for new members was changed to grab-and-go after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi faced criticism Friday that the event was unsafe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic .
A picture from NBC Congressional Correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell of the original set-up in Statutory Hall in the Capitol building started gathering attention on Twitter .
Pelosi , D-Calif. , told her it is safe and `` very spaced . ''
After some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drew Hammill , Deputy Chief of Staff for Pelosi , said , `` To be a further model for the nation , this event has been modified to allow Members-elect to pick up their meals to go in a socially-distanced manner . ''
`` Our office strictly follows the guidance of the Office of Attending Physician , including for this dinner , '' he said .
Hammill told USA TODAY the dinner will only be `` Grab and go '' and clarified no one will now be eating in the space .
Incoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ botched several basic historical facts during a recent interview — such as misidentifying the three branches of government .
Tuberville , the former Auburn football coach who won his Senate race on Nov. 3 by defeating incumbent Democratic Sen. Doug Jones , did an interview on Thursday with The Alabama Daily News after he attended orientation in D.C. for new senators .
He was asked whether he thought the GOP could utilize their potential majority in the Senate to pass legislation as Democrats will control the House of Representatives and the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't care `` if you ’ re a Republican or Democrat ” and that he 's been given a mandate to help people .
“ Our government wasn ’ t set up for one group to have all three branches of government — wasn ’ t set up that way , ” Tuberville continued , saying incorrectly : “ You know , the House , the Senate , and the executive.
” Those are not the three branches of government .
As laid out in the Constitution , the three branches of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which includes both the Senate and House ; the executive , which includes the presidency , and the judicial , which includes the Supreme Court .
That was n't the only historical flub in the interview .
Tuberville also misidentified what America fought against in World War II .
When asked about the biggest takeaways from the election , Tuberville stated he was concerned that President-elect Joe Biden had promoted a vision that Tuberville claimed “ leads more to a socialist type of government .
”

Election 2020 updates: Connecticut senators self-isolate after governor's aide tests positive for COVID; McEnany inflates MAGA crowd
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump rules out a COVID-19 lockdown for his administration President Trump said his administration would not go to a national COVID-19 lockdown while speaking from the Rose Garden. USA TODAY
USA TODAY'S coverage of the 2020 election continues this week after Joe Biden won a bitterly fought presidential election and states work to finish counting their remaining ballots.
Be sure to refresh this page often to get the latest information on how things are going.
USA TODAY will have live election information from across the country.
Sens. Blumenthal and Murphy self-isolate after CT governor's aide positive for COVID
HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut’s two U.S. senators were self-isolating Saturday after a member of Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont’s staff tested positive for COVID-19.
Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy each tweeted Saturday that they had not had close contact with the staffer but were taking the step out of an abundance of caution.
Lamont’s chief spokesperson, Max Reiss, identified himself as the senior staff member who had tested positive in a release posted to Twitter on Friday. Reiss wrote he wasn’t sure how or where he had contracted the virus.
Murphy tweeted Saturday that he had “attended an event yesterday with the Governor but was not in close contact with the staff member who tested positive. Out of an abundance of caution, though, I am isolating until I get tested and consult with the Office of Attending Physician Monday morning.”
Blumenthal tweeted Saturday afternoon that he had “just returned from being tested myself and am currently self-isolating.”
– The Associated Press
GOP lawmakers reject elector plot
Republican leaders in Michigan and three other critical states won by President-elect Joe Biden say they won't participate in a legally dubious scheme to flip their state's electors to vote for President Donald Trump. Their comments effectively shut down a half-baked plot some Republicans floated as a last chance to keep Trump in the White House.
State GOP lawmakers in Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have all said they would not intervene in the selection of electors, who ultimately cast the votes that secure a candidate's victory. Such a move would violate state law and a vote of the people, several noted.
"I do not see, short of finding some type of fraud — which I haven't heard of anything — I don't see us in any serious way addressing a change in electors," said Rusty Bowers, Arizona's Republican House speaker.
Bowers said he's been inundated with emails pleading for the legislature to intervene. "They are mandated by statute to choose according to the vote of the people," he said.
The idea loosely involves GOP-controlled legislatures dismissing Biden's popular vote wins in their states and opting to select Trump electors. While the endgame was unclear, it appeared to hinge on the expectation that a conservative-leaning Supreme Court would settle any dispute over the move.
Still, it has been promoted by Trump allies, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and is an example of misleading information and false claims fueling skepticism among Trump supporters about the integrity of the vote.
– Bob Christie and Nicholas Riccardi, The Associated Press
Ex-GOP Sen. Jeff Flake tweets reality, says 'the president lost'
Former Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, who has been a staunch critic of President Donald Trump including during his time in the Senate, tweeted Friday that the GOP has a bright future in Arizona, if they accept the election results and that move forward for the sake of the country.
"The Republican Party can have a bright future in Arizona if we accept that the election was not 'stolen.' The President lost," Flake tweeted. "If we move beyond conspiracy theories and debate issues again, the country will benefit — and so will our party."
Arizona elected Democrat Mark Kelly to the U.S. Senate over Republican incumbent Martha McSally. The historically red state also turned blue for the presidency, voting for President-elect Joe Biden.
Flake told Fox News on Saturday that “all indications are" Trump is "going to ride this out" when asked if he thinks the president will concede the election. The former senator said is more concerned about the future of the Republican Party than Trump.
"I think the rest of us need to realize that this, this now say more about us and how we handle it than it does about the president," Flake told host Neil Cavuto.
Flake announced his support for Biden in a video on Twitter in August.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
MAGA goes to Washington
WASHINGTON — Thousands of people clad in red, white and blue were gathering at a rally in support of outgoing President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, to support the president and to echo his baseless claims of "voter fraud" in the 2020 presidential election.
Trump has refused to concede and falsely claims the election was stolen from him.
The rallies – advertised by several names including Million MAGA March, Stop the Steal and March for Trump – were planned to protest purported "voter fraud," to "show support for our President" and "demand a free and fair election."
Trump, who hinted Friday on Twitter that he might stop by, rolled through the crowd in the presidential motorcade down Pennsylvania Avenue when he left the White House for a round of golf. His supporters cheered, waved and whistled, chanting "USA! USA!", "We want Trump! We want Trump!" and "Four more years! Four more years!"
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany misrepresented the crowd size by several factors of 10 in a tweet falsely claiming the thousands who gathered to support Trump numbered more than a million. Trump also exaggerated the crowd size on Twitter, but he put the number in the "hundreds of thousands."
– Christal Hayes N'dea Yancey-Bragg and Grace Hauck
AMAZING!
More than one MILLION marchers for President @realDonaldTrump descend on the swamp in support.
Best base in political history — we LOVE you guys!!! ❤🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/vU65nqCSns — Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) November 14, 2020
Sen. Rick Scott quarantines despite testing negative for COVID-19
Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida is current quarantining after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 Friday.
"After arriving in Florida last night, I came into contact with someone who subsequently tested positive for COVID," Scott tweeted.
Although Scott tested negative for the virus Saturday and has no symptoms, he also said in his tweet that "out of an abundance of caution, I will be immediately quarantining."
After arriving in Florida last night, I came into contact with someone who subsequently tested positive for COVID.
I was tested this morning and the result was negative. I have no symptoms, but out of an abundance of caution, I will be immediately quarantining. — Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) November 14, 2020
Scott was returning from Georgia, after attending a campaign event for two of his Republican colleagues: Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. Both face runoff elections for both Georgia’s U.S. Senate seats.
The event was held inside a restaurant, where "hundreds of supporters" gathered to hear Scott speak, according to the Georgia Recorder.
This isn't the first COVID scare for the Florida Senator. He was tested after Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C. – both of whom he sits on a committee with – tested positive after the White House Rose Garden ceremony to announce the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
COVID-19 cases surged in Pennsylvania after Trump visits, Biden celebrations
As Pennsylvania grapples with a record number of positive COVID-19 cases, concerns are mounting that some of the infections could be blamed on the 2020 presidential election.
President Donald Trump's campaign rallies attracted tens of thousands of supporters in the waning days of his re-election bid in Pennsylvania.
President-elect Joe Biden's supporters poured into the streets in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and other cities in Pennsylvania and across the country on Saturday to celebrate the Democratic challenger's win.
But those mass gatherings exceeded state limits and public health recommendations.
— Candy Woodall, USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania Capitol Bureau
Lou Dobbs says GOP should refuse to accept election results
Fox Business host Lou Dobbs, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump who has parrotted the president's baseless claims the election was "fraudulent," demanded Friday night that Republicans refuse to accept the results.
During his interview with Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., Dobbs called the election an attempt by "radical" Democrats to "take over the country and deny this president what is rightfully his: a second term."
A fiery Dobbs asked Nunes what the Republican Party is doing to defend the president from what he called the "culmination of a four-year effort to overthrow his presidency, to block his candidacy."
"What'd I like to know is: What in the hell is the Republican Party doing?" Dobbs demanded. "Why not just say, 'We're not going to accept the results of this election? It's outrageous.'"
Dobbs said Republican officials did not appear to be doing enough to somehow prevent states being called for President-elect Joe Biden.
"What is the Party doing to make certain it isn't called? I see so little animation in the Republican Party on this. It's as if it's just another day at the store," Dobbs said, "In fact, I believe the fate of the Republic hangs in the balance here."
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
More: Trump campaign's challenge of election results in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Arizona push US toward 'loss of democracy'
Nevada Gov. Sisolak tests positive for COVID-19
Gov. Steve Sisolak announced Friday he has tested positive for COVID-19, saying he has no symptoms and will begin a 10-day quarantine at his home in Carson City.
"Today as part of my regular COVID testing, I underwent a rapid test and returned a positive result," Sisolak told reporters during a call Friday afternoon. "I am not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms and I have returned to my residence to begin the quarantine process."
Nevada first lady Kathy Sisolak tested negative on Friday.
To confirm the diagnosis, Sisolak, 66, also took a PCR test, which detects the virus's genetic material.
Sisolak undergoes weekly coronavirus testing. His last negative test was Nov. 6. He also tested negative on Nov. 2.
"It's nearly impossible to pinpoint where I contracted the virus," Sisolak said.
His positive test comes as Nevada is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases. The state marked a new daily record for new cases on Friday, reporting 1,857 infections.
Sisolak said he is cooperating with disease investigators from the Carson City Health and Human Services Department, who have recommended he remain isolated for 10 days.
– Anjeanette Damon, Reno Gazette Journal
House Dems change new-member dinner to grab-and-go after criticism
An indoor dinner at the Capitol hosted by House Democrats for new members was changed to grab-and-go after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi faced criticism Friday that the event was unsafe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
A picture from NBC Congressional Correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell of the original set-up in Statutory Hall in the Capitol building started gathering attention on Twitter. Pelosi, D-Calif., told her it is safe and "very spaced."
After some of the criticism to the indoor event, Drew Hammill, Deputy Chief of Staff for Pelosi, said, "To be a further model for the nation, this event has been modified to allow Members-elect to pick up their meals to go in a socially-distanced manner."
"Our office strictly follows the guidance of the Office of Attending Physician, including for this dinner," he said.
Hammill told USA TODAY the dinner will only be "Grab and go" and clarified no one will now be eating in the space.
– Savannah Behrmann
Sen.-elect Tommy Tuberville botches history facts
Incoming Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R- Ala., botched several basic historical facts during a recent interview — such as misidentifying the three branches of government.
Tuberville, the former Auburn football coach who won his Senate race on Nov. 3 by defeating incumbent Democratic Sen. Doug Jones, did an interview on Thursday with The Alabama Daily News after he attended orientation in D.C. for new senators.
He was asked whether he thought the GOP could utilize their potential majority in the Senate to pass legislation as Democrats will control the House of Representatives and the White House. This prompted Tuberville to answer he doesn't care "if you’re a Republican or Democrat” and that he's been given a mandate to help people.
“Our government wasn’t set up for one group to have all three branches of government — wasn’t set up that way,” Tuberville continued, saying incorrectly: “You know, the House, the Senate, and the executive.”
Those are not the three branches of government. As laid out in the Constitution, the three branches of the federal government are: the legislative, which includes both the Senate and House; the executive, which includes the presidency, and the judicial, which includes the Supreme Court.
That wasn't the only historical flub in the interview.
Tuberville also misidentified what America fought against in World War II. When asked about the biggest takeaways from the election, Tuberville stated he was concerned that President-elect Joe Biden had promoted a vision that Tuberville claimed “leads more to a socialist type of government.”
– Savannah Behrmann


usatoday--2020-11-15--Opinion: College Football Playoff committee foolish to meet in person

Nobody has ever accused the powers that be in college football of being ahead of the curve on big issues , but here ’ s a little suggestion for the College Football Playoff committee as it begins its arduous and very important work of ranking teams for a television show on ESPN .
There ’ s this thing called Zoom that a lot of us have been using to do business for the past eight months .
If you haven ’ t heard of it , it ’ s a great product that allows us to hold important meetings virtually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the place of in-person interaction , but there is a pandemic going on .
In fact , as all the experts predicted , it ’ s getting worse as we head into the cold weather months .
This isn ’ t the time to be doing a lot of unnecessary moving around .
And if there ’ s anything that falls in the category of unnecessary , it ’ s the CFP committee ’ s meetings until Dec. 20 when it will release the only rankings that matter .
As ESPN reported Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talked to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because they aren ’ t authorized to speak for the CFP , the selection committee still hopes to meet in the Dallas area prior to the release of the first rankings on Nov. 24 .
Following through on those plans as COVID-19 rages would be ridiculous , insane , tone deaf and completely irresponsible —and that ’ s putting it kindly .
There ’ s no way it should happen .
Sorry , but COVID-19 doesn ’ t care how seriously the CFP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care about the fancy catered breakfasts or the dessert carts outside their vaunted committee room at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine .
It doesn ’ t care about the importance of a detailed discussion over whether Alabama or Notre Dame has the better résumé .
The bottom line is , as this virus surges toward 200,000 new cases per day in this country with hospitalizations and deaths also spiking , what is the logic behind asking 13 committee members to travel in from all over the country and sit in a room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Especially when six of the members are over 60 years old .
And for what ?
To be clear , the importance of the CFP selection committee meeting in person every week has always been pretty superficial .
The week-by-week rankings provide good content for ESPN on a Tuesday night and fodder for the rest of us , but they don ’ t mean anything .
In the end , it ’ s a lot of busy work for already busy people , and by the time they need to make real decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out with very little controversy .
Lots of college sports administrators want to be on the CFP selection committee because it is prestigious and comes with perks , but many of the former members have acknowledged both that it is a significant time suck for them during football season .
Depending on what part of the country they ’ re coming from , it can take up the better part of two days of the week including travel .
Everyone involved knows that ’ s unnecessary to do the work .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has held firm to the idea that in-person meetings give committee members more familiarity with the process they ’ ll use to actually select the teams and more comfort with each other debating the various data points .
Of course , none of those other years have taken place during a pandemic , where every step of that process potentially exposes committee members to a highly contagious and potentially dangerous virus .
Part of the duty of high-profile institutions like the College Football Playoff is to model good behavior and prioritize safety .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ live with the threat of COVID-19 until a vaccine is widely distributed , but there ’ s a simple rule of thumb here to determine whether something ’ s a good idea .
If you don ’ t need to do it in person , don ’ t do it .
Under what scenario or responsible corporate culture would be it considered necessary to get 13 people from all over the country into a room in Texas to rank football teams for a TV show ?
Zoom , or any number of video-conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year .
Being obstinate about the realities of a pandemic that is getting worse by the day does absolutely nothing to help the CFP function .
In fact , it only makes their brand look foolish .

Opinion: College Football Playoff committee foolish to meet in person
Nobody has ever accused the powers that be in college football of being ahead of the curve on big issues, but here’s a little suggestion for the College Football Playoff committee as it begins its arduous and very important work of ranking teams for a television show on ESPN.
There’s this thing called Zoom that a lot of us have been using to do business for the past eight months. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a great product that allows us to hold important meetings virtually. Sure, nothing will ever take the place of in-person interaction, but there is a pandemic going on. In fact, as all the experts predicted, it’s getting worse as we head into the cold weather months. This isn’t the time to be doing a lot of unnecessary moving around.
And if there’s anything that falls in the category of unnecessary, it’s the CFP committee’s meetings until Dec. 20 when it will release the only rankings that matter.
As ESPN reported Saturday, and confirmed by a person who talked to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to speak for the CFP, the selection committee still hopes to meet in the Dallas area prior to the release of the first rankings on Nov. 24.
Following through on those plans as COVID-19 rages would be ridiculous, insane, tone deaf and completely irresponsible —and that’s putting it kindly. There’s no way it should happen.
Sorry, but COVID-19 doesn’t care how seriously the CFP takes itself. It doesn’t care about the fancy catered breakfasts or the dessert carts outside their vaunted committee room at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine. It doesn’t care about the importance of a detailed discussion over whether Alabama or Notre Dame has the better résumé.
The bottom line is, as this virus surges toward 200,000 new cases per day in this country with hospitalizations and deaths also spiking, what is the logic behind asking 13 committee members to travel in from all over the country and sit in a room talking to each other for hours? Especially when six of the members are over 60 years old.
WEEK 11 WINNERS, LOSERS: Penn State drops to 0-4 while Hoosiers stay hot
And for what?
To be clear, the importance of the CFP selection committee meeting in person every week has always been pretty superficial. The week-by-week rankings provide good content for ESPN on a Tuesday night and fodder for the rest of us, but they don’t mean anything. In the end, it’s a lot of busy work for already busy people, and by the time they need to make real decisions, the top four generally sorts itself out with very little controversy.
Lots of college sports administrators want to be on the CFP selection committee because it is prestigious and comes with perks, but many of the former members have acknowledged both that it is a significant time suck for them during football season. Depending on what part of the country they’re coming from, it can take up the better part of two days of the week including travel.
Everyone involved knows that’s unnecessary to do the work. But the CFP, for better or worse, has held firm to the idea that in-person meetings give committee members more familiarity with the process they’ll use to actually select the teams and more comfort with each other debating the various data points.
Of course, none of those other years have taken place during a pandemic, where every step of that process potentially exposes committee members to a highly contagious and potentially dangerous virus.
Part of the duty of high-profile institutions like the College Football Playoff is to model good behavior and prioritize safety. We all need to learn how to live with the threat of COVID-19 until a vaccine is widely distributed, but there’s a simple rule of thumb here to determine whether something’s a good idea. If you don’t need to do it in person, don’t do it.
Under what scenario or responsible corporate culture would be it considered necessary to get 13 people from all over the country into a room in Texas to rank football teams for a TV show?
Zoom, or any number of video-conference platforms, would work just fine for this year. Being obstinate about the realities of a pandemic that is getting worse by the day does absolutely nothing to help the CFP function. In fact, it only makes their brand look foolish.


usatoday--2020-11-15--College football winners and losers from Week 11: Penn State drops to 0-4 while Hoosiers stay hot

There was no College Football Playoff impact when Penn State met Nebraska , but do n't underestimate the stakes at play : One of these two winless teams had the chance to remake its season .
That team would be Nebraska , which went into halftime up 27-6 and then held on to beat Penn State 30-23 and drop the Nittany Lions to a shocking 0-4 .
After being blown out by Ohio State and losing to Northwestern , Nebraska is now 1-2 with the chance to even its record in next Saturday 's matchup against Illinois .
Part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Big Ten is due to opt-outs and injuries .
Star linebacker Micah Parsons decided this summer to sit out this season and prepare for the upcoming NFL draft .
Running back Journey Brown was forced to retire from football entirely after being diagnosed with a heart condition .
Another issue was the inability this offseason to build an offense under new coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca .
The lack of timing and comfort in this offensive scheme has been obvious through four games .
Ranked seventh in the preseason Amway Coaches Poll , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher than fourth in the Big Ten 's East division .
There 's even the potential to finish as low as sixth or seventh , though that would entail losing to Rutgers and Michigan State — unlikely , you 'd think , except nothing about the Nittany Lions ' season has gone according to plan .
Here are the rest of Saturday 's winners and losers : Led by quarterback Ian Book 's 368 yards of total offense and four touchdowns , the Fighting Irish experienced no hangover from last week 's thrilling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45-31 .
While the Eagles hung around early , Notre Dame scored 21 points in the second quarter to head into halftime ahead 31-16 .
After an off week , the Irish close with North Carolina , Syracuse and Wake Forest before a projected rematch with Clemson to determine the ACC champion .
Trailing 24-13 late in the third quarter , Miami rallied to beat Virginia Tech 25-24 and remain in contention for the playoff .
For the Hokies , the meltdown comes one week after a painful loss to Liberty and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fuente .
Now 7-1 , the Hurricanes have already exceeded last season 's win total under second-year coach Manny Diaz .
The Hoosiers avoided an upset against Michigan State to start 4-0 in Big Ten play for the first time since 1987 .
The 24-0 win included another good showing from quarterback Michael Penix Jr. , who finished with 320 yards and two scores .
Indiana 's defense held Michigan State to 191 yards of offense and forced four turnovers , giving the Spartans 14 on the season .
One issue : With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hoosiers ' running game continues to sputter .
Miami was n't the only ACC contender to pull off a second-half comeback .
Down 21 points to Wake Forest with five minutes left in the third quarter , the Tar Heels scored the next 35 points and beat the Demon Deacons 59-53 .
After falling behind 45-24 , UNC scored on drives of 75 , 74 , 89 and 81 yards to take the lead .
Sophomore quarterback Sam Howell threw for 550 yards and six touchdowns , while the two offenses combined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Army has feasted on no-name opponents for two months and been pushed around by legitimate Group of Five competition .
Case in point : Tulane forced three turnovers and rode a balanced offense to a 38-12 win against the Black Knights , who will fall out of this week 's Amway Coaches Poll .
Army 's six wins have come against Middle Tennessee State , Louisiana-Monroe , Abilene Christian , The Citadel , Texas-San Antonio and Mercer .
The two losses , to unbeaten Cincinnati and the Green Wave , have come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaking through in 2019 under current Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule , the Bears have reversed course under Rhule 's replacement , Dave Aranda , and seem headed to finish ahead of only Kansas in the Big 12 standings .
Baylor allowed the game 's final 12 points , including a field goal as time expired , to lose to Texas Tech 24-23 .
Now 1-5 , the Bears ' only win came against the Jayhawks .
After falling behind 35-16 , a late charge came up just short against Colorado in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Cardinal have given up 35 or more points in two straight games against Pac-12 competition for the first time since 2016 .
On the flip side , Colorado is now 2-0 under Karl Dorrell , erasing many of the misgivings over the school 's decision to hire the former UCLA coach in February .

College football winners and losers from Week 11: Penn State drops to 0-4, Michigan continues to flounder, Hoosiers stay hot
There was no College Football Playoff impact when Penn State met Nebraska, but don't underestimate the stakes at play: One of these two winless teams had the chance to remake its season.
That team would be Nebraska, which went into halftime up 27-6 and then held on to beat Penn State 30-23 and drop the Nittany Lions to a shocking 0-4.
After being blown out by Ohio State and losing to Northwestern, Nebraska is now 1-2 with the chance to even its record in next Saturday's matchup against Illinois.
Part of Penn State's plummet to the bottom of the Big Ten is due to opt-outs and injuries. Star linebacker Micah Parsons decided this summer to sit out this season and prepare for the upcoming NFL draft. Running back Journey Brown was forced to retire from football entirely after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
Another issue was the inability this offseason to build an offense under new coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca. The lack of timing and comfort in this offensive scheme has been obvious through four games.
Ranked seventh in the preseason Amway Coaches Poll, the Nittany Lions will likely finish no higher than fourth in the Big Ten's East division. There's even the potential to finish as low as sixth or seventh, though that would entail losing to Rutgers and Michigan State — unlikely, you'd think, except nothing about the Nittany Lions' season has gone according to plan.
Here are the rest of Saturday's winners and losers:
WINNERS
Notre Dame
Led by quarterback Ian Book's 368 yards of total offense and four touchdowns, the Fighting Irish experienced no hangover from last week's thrilling win against Clemson and beat Boston College 45-31. While the Eagles hung around early, Notre Dame scored 21 points in the second quarter to head into halftime ahead 31-16. After an off week, the Irish close with North Carolina, Syracuse and Wake Forest before a projected rematch with Clemson to determine the ACC champion.
Miami (Fla.)
Trailing 24-13 late in the third quarter, Miami rallied to beat Virginia Tech 25-24 and remain in contention for the playoff. For the Hokies, the meltdown comes one week after a painful loss to Liberty and will only increase the scrutiny on coach Justin Fuente. Now 7-1, the Hurricanes have already exceeded last season's win total under second-year coach Manny Diaz.
Indiana
The Hoosiers avoided an upset against Michigan State to start 4-0 in Big Ten play for the first time since 1987. The 24-0 win included another good showing from quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who finished with 320 yards and two scores. Indiana's defense held Michigan State to 191 yards of offense and forced four turnovers, giving the Spartans 14 on the season. One issue: With just 113 yards on 39 carries, the Hoosiers' running game continues to sputter.
North Carolina
Miami wasn't the only ACC contender to pull off a second-half comeback. Down 21 points to Wake Forest with five minutes left in the third quarter, the Tar Heels scored the next 35 points and beat the Demon Deacons 59-53. After falling behind 45-24, UNC scored on drives of 75, 74, 89 and 81 yards to take the lead. Sophomore quarterback Sam Howell threw for 550 yards and six touchdowns, while the two offenses combined for 1,348 yards and 60 first downs.
Kyle Trask's Heisman campaign
Florida's senior quarterback made up ground in the Heisman race by tossing six touchdowns in the Gators' 63-35 win against Arkansas, giving him at least four scores in every game this season. Trask now has 28 touchdowns, the most in the country, and barring injury will break the program's single-season record held by Danny Wuerffel, who threw for 39 scores in winning the Heisman and leading the Gators to the national championship in 1996.
Northwestern
Purdue did something no team had done to Northwestern this season: score points in the second half. (Ten points, in fact.) It still wasn't enough. The Wildcats beat the Boilermakers 27-20 to join Indiana as the only 4-0 teams in the Big Ten — a strange sentence fit for 2020 — heading into next week's game against Wisconsin, which has the potential to decide the West division. Despite giving up points in the second half for the first time, this defense delivered once again: Northwestern has now allowed three passing touchdowns against eight interceptions and held opponents to 3.6 yards per carry.
LOSERS
Michigan
You think it can't get any worse for Michigan, and then Saturday comes along. The latest disaster, a 49-11 loss to Wisconsin, saw the Wolverines gain one yard of offense in the first quarter and fall behind 28-0 by halftime. In the end, Michigan allowed 341 yards on the ground and made a change at quarterback, with redshirt freshman Cade McNamara replacing an ineffective Joe Milton. From Wisconsin's perspective, the easy win reinforces the Badgers' reputation as a legitimate contender for the New Year's Six and potentially Ohio State's greatest threat in the Big Ten. For Michigan, it'll be another week spent questioning the program's direction under Jim Harbaugh.
SMU
SMU coughed up a significant halftime lead against Tulsa and lost 28-24, dramatically decreasing the Mustangs' odds of reaching the American championship game and competing for a New Year's Six bowl. Ahead 24-7 after 30 minutes, the Mustangs' normally reliable offense disappeared, allowing Tulsa room to make up ground and move ahead with just over two minutes left. With the win, the Golden Hurricane are the favorite to meet Cincinnati for the conference title.
Army
Army has feasted on no-name opponents for two months and been pushed around by legitimate Group of Five competition. Case in point: Tulane forced three turnovers and rode a balanced offense to a 38-12 win against the Black Knights, who will fall out of this week's Amway Coaches Poll. Army's six wins have come against Middle Tennessee State, Louisiana-Monroe, Abilene Christian, The Citadel, Texas-San Antonio and Mercer. The two losses, to unbeaten Cincinnati and the Green Wave, have come by a combined 40 points.
Baylor
After breaking through in 2019 under current Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule, the Bears have reversed course under Rhule's replacement, Dave Aranda, and seem headed to finish ahead of only Kansas in the Big 12 standings. Baylor allowed the game's final 12 points, including a field goal as time expired, to lose to Texas Tech 24-23. Now 1-5, the Bears' only win came against the Jayhawks.
Stanford
After falling behind 35-16, a late charge came up just short against Colorado in a 35-32 loss, dropping Stanford to 0-2. The Cardinal have given up 35 or more points in two straight games against Pac-12 competition for the first time since 2016. On the flip side, Colorado is now 2-0 under Karl Dorrell, erasing many of the misgivings over the school's decision to hire the former UCLA coach in February.