usatoday--2020-09-20--Rare conjoined twins, born locked in embrace, successfully separated in Michigan

DETROIT – Sarabeth and Amelia Irwin were locked in an embrace when they were born at 11:06 a.m. June 11 , 2019 .
Conjoined from their chests to their bellies , the identical twins ' arms wrapped around one another as they were carefully lifted from their mother 's womb at Michigan Medicine 's Von Voigtlander Women ’ s Hospital in Ann Arbor , said Dr. Marcie Treadwell , director of Michigan Medicine ’ s Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center .
About 14 months later , the twins returned to Ann Arbor , where they underwent an 11-hour surgery Aug. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital , becoming the first known set of conjoined twins to be successfully separated in Michigan .
`` 'They 're so rare , '' said Treadwell , explaining that just 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 250,000 pregnancies involve conjoined twins .
Few survive delivery , and even fewer live long enough to be discharged from the hospital and go home , like Sarabeth and Amelia did .
Two teams of surgeons — one for each girl — and more than a dozen other medical staff spent months planning how they 'd safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance at independent lives .
Just a few weeks after the first-of-its-kind surgery , Sarabeth sucked on a pacifier , leaning against her father 's leg on a blanket in the grass outside their house in Petersburg , about 10 miles north of the Ohio state line in Monroe County .
Amelia spotted a cell phone on the ground and began to crawl for it .
She looked up at her big sister , Kennedy , who was running across the lawn , and said , `` Sissy . ''
`` Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you would almost never know that they were conjoined , '' said their father , Phil Irwin on a warm mid-September day .
Their mom , Alyson Irwin , smiled , and said , `` They 're doing great . ''
But neither Alyson nor Phil could ever have dreamed they 'd be able to say that about their twins when they fist discovered they were conjoined in late February 2019 .
Something about the pregnancy was different , but Alyson , 33 , who works in agricultural industry , selling feed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it was .
`` I thought we were going to have a boy , '' she said .
`` It felt different '' than her previous pregnancy , when she carried Kennedy , who 's now a spunky 3-year-old who loves animals and playing on her backyard jungle gym .
The Irwins looked forward to the 20-week prenatal appointment , set for Feb. 27 , 2019 .
They were eager to see ultrasound images of their growing baby .
They agreed they would n't find out the gender , and instead wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery .
Still , Alyson was pretty convinced her hunch was right .
`` I thought we were just pregnant with a big old boy , so that 's why I even bought a boy onesie and everything for a boy , '' Alyson said .
None of their previous prenatal doctor 's visits gave them any inkling that they were having twins or that they might be conjoined .
The ultrasound technician moved the wand around on Alyson 's belly , but then quickly excused herself to get the doctor .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it seemed like forever , '' before the doctor came into the room , Phil said .
`` That 's when we found out they were conjoined . ''
`` It kind of felt like the worst news you could receive , you know ? ''
Alyson said .
`` Especially because the statistics are not good .
`` They had never seen anything like that before .
So they said their hearts were breaking for us , ... but there was n't anything they could do . ''
Their doctor referred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within 24 hours the Irwins were in Ann Arbor , meeting with Treadwell at Michigan Medicine .
`` I tend to always try to be hopeful , but I also have to be realistic , '' said Treadwell , who also is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan .
`` Giving people false hope is not particularly helpful for anyone . ''
Another ultrasound and a later MRI showed that the twins each had their own arms and legs .
The girls were joined at the chest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place for conjoined twins to fuse because the heart and other vital organs can be affected , Treadwell said .
`` We had a long conversation that day , and then they knew that we have a multidisciplinary conference every week to discuss cases that are more challenging for things that have been found on ultrasound , '' she said .
`` They left with a very good understanding that we were n't sure what was going to happen and there was some evaluation that was going to need to take place that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there was always going to be just a little bit of uncertainty most likely until delivery . ''
Still , absorbing the news was hard for the Irwins , who learned the odds were incredibly slim that their babies would survive delivery , let alone make it home or live long enough to see an eventual separation surgery .
But soon after , glimmers of hope began to shine through .
Dr. George Mychaliska , a pediatric and fetal surgeon at Mott , said he first met the Irwins in March of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we had pretty good prenatal imaging , which indicated that they really had all separate organs , except a liver was fused in the midline , '' Mychaliska explained .
`` I told them separation of the two babies seemed possible but much more evaluation and planning would be required .
...
I remember it very well .
I did n't want to be too optimistic because this was ( going to be ) a really long journey for us .
We had never done it before .
But I do remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it 's something that certainly was possible . ''
It was hope the couple desperately needed .
`` We kind of went the whole time mentally prepared for the worst , '' Alyson said .
`` We had one meeting where we had a neonatalogist who asked , 'Have you talked about pediatricians or car seats ? '
And we both looked at each other and started laughing because that was the first time we 'd heard that '' they should prepare to bring their baby girls home .
They tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new baby sisters would be different from other babies .
The team at Michigan Medicine stitched together two dolls , connecting them in the middle just like Amelia and Sarabeth would be , so she could understand how her special sisters would look when they arrived .
`` They gave them to her so she could get used to seeing two dolls together , '' Alyson said .
`` She understood it before we had them , and then it was never a big deal to her at all . ''
'This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was to perform a cesarean section to deliver the twins between 35 and 36 weeks gestation , Treadwell said the babies were showing signs of distress at 34 weeks .
`` Because we were following them closely , we were following the blood supply to the girls from the placenta , '' Treadwell said .
Amelia and Sarabeth shared an umbilical cord , which Treadwell said , had `` a lot of different blood vessels in it , more than what you normally would see .
We started noticing that some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the umbilical cord .
And that 's why we decided to move the delivery up a little bit from what we initially planned . ''
A 3-D model of the twins was made to simulate the delivery , and a team of doctors nurses and other medical staff was assembled .
`` As you can imagine there 's challenges with taking care of two babies that are attached .
Where do you put IVs ?
And how do you help them breathe if they need help breathing ?
Those kinds of things , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treadwell and her team to accurately estimate how big the incision in Alyson 's abdomen would have to be to safely pull the twins from the womb .
Watch : Hero postal worker saves a boy from the side of a highway '' This is not an ordinary C-section because with an ordinary C-section , you just have to make an incision big enough to deliver one at a time , '' she said .
`` This surgery would require making an incision not only in her abdomen , but also in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of two kids simultaneously without pulling on those shared organs or causing any kind of disruption to them . ''
Mychaliska said the medical team planned for every possible outcome .
`` We practiced what resuscitation would be like right after they were delivered , '' he said .
`` We had to figure out a process for monitoring two separate patients that were conjoined and have electronic medical records that had to capture two separate babies .
`` We had to completely reconfigure a room in the neonatal ICU to not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but to also have separate data capture so that we would know what 's happening with Sarabeth and what 's happening with Amelia .
So at every stage of the journey , we had to modify what we normally do .
`` That took a huge collaborative effort by so many people . ''
June 11 , 2019 dawned , and the Irwins made a 45-minute drive to Ann Arbor to finally meet their baby girls , knowing that as many as 60 % of conjoined twins do n't survive delivery , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discharged from the hospital .
“ I remember them briefly putting the girls on my chest .
It was very sweet and special being able to hold them and see them for the first time , ” Alyson said .
“ It was just very surreal .
There was so much adrenaline from everything that led up to that point.
” Alyson 's sister stayed with her in the operating room while Phil followed the twins to the neonatal intensive care unit immediately after delivery .
The girls weighed a healthy 9 pounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 1/2 pounds apiece .
`` They were both vigorous when they came out , '' Treadwell said .
`` What I remember is the joy of seeing them , and the fact that they both looked good .
`` I went down and saw them in the NICU and they were doing amazingly well .
And I remember that much more than I remember the details of who was intubated or for how long . ''
Although the outlook was exceptionally good given the odds , being born prematurely and as conjoined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 85 days .
How do you put conjoined twins in a car seat ?
This was among the challenges Phil and Alyson faced in the months following Amelia and Sarabeth 's healthy delivery .
`` We had to do a car bed , '' said Alyson .
Phil explained that it looked like a big box .
`` It 's got a couple handles that you can run on the seat belts through , a couple attachment points to reach up to the mounting points on the front seats , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NLB in Wixom as a controls technician and electrical apprentice .
A manufacturing company created a custom swaddle sack for the girls that was built into the car bed .
`` It had some zippers and a buckle attachment .
And then there is a cummberbund that had super sticky Velcro that would reach across them .
And that was great . ''
A Michigan Medicine team made a special swing for Amelia and Sarabeth that the Irwins brought home , so the girls could sit upright together .
When they outgrew it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swing .
`` I looked at the girls and I looked at the swing and then I ended up just cutting the leg holes slightly bigger , and they loved that . ''
It 's taken that kind of creative thinking to make it all work .
`` When they were little , we were able to use just a regular baby carrier , too , '' Alyson said .
`` While were still in the NICU , one of the nurses was like , I think that would work .
And so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you put them sideways , you could put both legs of each girl through one of the leg holes '' in the carrier .
Both girls had nasogastric tubes that fed them , so Alyson and Phil had to quickly learn how to place the tubing back in the girls ' noses if one or the other pulled out her sister 's line .
`` They just never quite picked up how to bottle feed right from the get go , '' Alyson said .
`` We 've worked with it but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get nutrition right now . ''
`` Our car is a rolling medic supply , '' Phil said .
`` We 've got emergency respirators , extra oxygen and extra tape and tubes and everything you could need . ''
As the girls grew bigger and stronger , they began to talk more about how and when separation surgery might occur .
Dr. Steven Kasten , pediatric plastic surgeon at Mott , began working with the Irwin family soon after the twins were born to plan how they 'd create enough skin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of both girls once they were separated .
Amelia and Sarabeth were initially scheduled for surgery Feb. 13 to separate them .
Months before that — in September 2019 — the girls underwent an initial surgery to add tissue expanders on both sides of their bodies .
`` It is basically a silicone balloon , and we put one on each side of the twins , right along the area where they were joined , '' said Kasten said .
`` It gets put in with nothing in it .
And then we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks . ''
Phil and Alyson were taught how to inject saline into the expanders several times a week .
`` It slowly blows up the balloon and creates extra skin , '' Kasten said .
But a week before they were scheduled for separation surgery , Sarabeth and Amelia got sick , and ended up back in the intensive care unit at Mott .
The tissue expanders were deflated .
`` It was bad , '' Alyson said .
`` They ended up being in the PICU ( pediatric intensive care unit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID hit , and we canceled everything . ''
As the girls recovered in March from their illness — a cold that progressed to pneumonia — the global coronavirus pandemic made every decision more complex .
`` There were a lot of a lot of conversations about it , '' Phil said .
`` We asked , do we stay in the hospital ?
Is it safer for the girls to stay in the hospital to guarantee that they do have an ICU bed ?
Because if they were to get sick again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can get back in ?
`` The general consensus among the team was , 'Get out of here .
Go home .
Isolate . ''
Amelia and Sarabeth were discharged March 17 , just as the state entered a COVID-19 lockdown .
Back at home in Monroe County , the twins continued to grow and heal and Phil began to fill the tissue expanders again to prepare for separation surgery .
Just as they 'd been used to prepare for Sarabeth and Amelia 's delivery , the hospital 's radiology team worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the twins and their livers and other body structures to help the surgeons simulate what would happen in the operating room .
It was like orchestrating a complex medical ballet where every move , every step had to be choreographed and precise , Mychaliska explained .
Even the electrical capacity in the operating room had to be considered as two separate teams of experts would require duplicate medical equipment to work on each girl the moment they were separated .
Mychaliska led the surgical team on the morning of Aug. 5 , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard Ohye for a procedure that they estimated could take as long as 16 hours , Phil said .
The couple waited outside the hospital in the car , getting constant updates about their girls , who entered the operating room at 7:30 a.m .
Some good news , at last Sarabeth and Amelia shared a chest wall , but each twin had her own diaphragm muscles , said Mychaliska , who also is the co-director of the Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center and the Dr. Robert Bartlett collegiate professor of pediatric surgery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shared sternum bone that would have to be divided , and separate livers that were fused , he explained .
Although the twins had individual hearts , they shared an outer membrane or protective sack , called the pericardium .
Both girls needed an artificial sternum , which the cardiothoracic team built out of titanium bars to stabilize their chests , Kasten said .
Gore-Tex fabric was used to place a patch over the holes in the pericardium around each of their hearts .
`` One thing that we really did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathing tube came out was what their chest wall mechanics would be like , '' Mychaliska said .
`` Breathing is a complicated thing that involves your lungs , your diaphragm muscle and your chest wall , and it has to all kind of work in sync .
`` We really did n't know how well their chest wall would work , but it worked actually beautifully . ''
The team used an innovative intravenous fluorescent dye to guide them when they separated their livers , Mychaliska explained .
`` There were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one baby to another , '' he said `` ... An innovation that we observed on their CT scan is that when one baby received IV contrast in her vein , it outlined the edge of her own liver , and marked the middle .
We thought to ourselves , it would be great if during the operation , we would know exactly where that line was , so we could divide it . ''
The process worked during surgery just as they 'd hoped .
The first incision was made at 11:19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1:11 p.m. , they had been separated and placed at opposite ends of the same operating room table while surgeons began reconstructing their chests and abdomens .
Their teams were color-coded .
Amelia 's was pink .
Her fingernails were painted to matched her surgical hat .
Sarabeth 's was yellow .
`` I feel like my brain ran through every scenario forward and backwards , '' said Alyson as she contemplated what was happening in the operating room .
But Phil was very optimistic going into the procedure .
Sitting on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pit , he told her , `` I ca n't possibly begin understand what how terrible it could be ... but I can understand how great it 's going to feel if things go well .
So I 'd rather focus on how great it 's going to feel than be negative . ''
Because of COVID-19 , the couple waited in the car outside the hospital during their surgery , getting frequent updates .
They were thrilled when they got the news that it had gone so well , doctors even had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each of the girls .
Sarabeth came home from the hospital first , in late August .
Amelia followed soon after , joining her family , their dog and two cats at home on Sept. 5 .
Six weeks post surgery , Amelia and Sarabeth have matching scars that run down the center of their chests , forming a question-mark-like shape over their bellies that is likely to fade but might never completely disappear as they adjust to their newfound independence .
They may need additional surgeries as they grow and their bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sarabeth and Amelia will grow up to be just like any other kids .
`` Their outlook is really quite good , '' Mychaliska said , `` especially with their parents .
Their parents are really special people .
They got the perfect parents for being conjoined twins .
Not only because of their commitment , love and support , but because they 're just very innovative and optimistic people .
I think that really made a big difference . ''
Life for the Irwins is busier than ever now as they juggle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the twins along with diaper changes and feedings , Sarabeth 's oxygen tank and preschool for Kennedy .
But they would n't have it any other way .
`` For us it 's been a whirlwind , an absolute whirlwind , '' Phil said .
`` You look back at it , and it 's like man , remember what used to stress us out ?
It 's perspective . ''
As this pandemic continues , `` people are realizing how much positive we really need .
`` This has been a giant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the power of prayer .
You know , so positive news , people need that .
People live on that . ''

Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press

Rare conjoined twins, born locked in embrace, successfully separated in Michigan
Show Caption Hide Caption Doctors Separate Conjoined Twins at Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Doctors Separate Conjoined Twins at Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Michigan Medicine, Detroit Free Press
DETROIT – Sarabeth and Amelia Irwin were locked in an embrace when they were born at 11:06 a.m. on June 11, 2019.
Conjoined from their chests to their bellies, the identical twins' arms wrapped around each another as they were carefully lifted from their mother's womb at Michigan Medicine's Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, said Dr. Marcie Treadwell, director of Michigan Medicine’s Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center.
About 14 months later, the twins returned to Ann Arbor, where they underwent an 11-hour surgery Aug. 5 at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, becoming the first known set of conjoined twins to be successfully separated in Michigan.
"They're so rare," said Treadwell, explaining that just 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 250,000 pregnancies involve conjoined twins. Few survive delivery, and even fewer live long enough to be discharged from the hospital and go home, like Sarabeth and Amelia did.
Two teams of surgeons – one for each girl – and more than a dozen other medical staff spent months planning how they would safely separate Sarabeth and Amelia, giving them a chance at independent lives.
Just a few weeks after the first-of-its-kind surgery, Sarabeth sucked on a pacifier, leaning against her father's leg on a blanket in the grass outside their house in Petersburg, about 10 miles north of the Ohio state line in Monroe County.
Amelia spotted a cellphone on the ground and began to crawl for it. She looked up at her big sister, Kennedy, who was running across the lawn, and said, "Sissy."
"Other than taking our word for it, you would almost never know that they were conjoined," said their father, Phil Irwin on a warm mid-September day.
Their mom, Alyson Irwin, smiled, and said, "They're doing great."
But neither Alyson nor Phil could ever have dreamed they would be able to say that about their twins when they first discovered they were conjoined in late February 2019.
A concerning ultrasound
Something about the pregnancy was different, but Alyson, 33, who works in agricultural industry, selling feed and fertilizer to farmers, couldn't pinpoint what it was.
"I thought we were going to have a boy," she said. "It felt different" than her previous pregnancy, when she carried Kennedy, who's now a spunky 3-year-old who loves animals and playing on her backyard jungle gym.
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The Irwins looked forward to the 20-week prenatal appointment, set for Feb. 27, 2019. They were eager to see ultrasound images of their growing baby. They agreed they wouldn't find out the gender, and instead wanted to let it be a surprise at delivery.
Still, Alyson was pretty convinced her hunch was right.
"I thought we were just pregnant with a big old boy, so that's why I even bought a boy onesie and everything for a boy," Alyson said.
None of their previous prenatal doctor's visits gave them any inkling that they were having twins or that they might be conjoined.
The ultrasound technician moved the wand around on Alyson's belly, but then quickly excused herself to get the doctor.
"It may have been five minutes, but it seemed like forever," before the doctor came into the room, Phil said. "That's when we found out they were conjoined."
"It kind of felt like the worst news you could receive, you know?" Alyson said. "Especially because the statistics are not good.
"They had never seen anything like that before. So they said their hearts were breaking for us ... but there wasn't anything they could do."
Their doctor referred them to a high-risk obstetrician, and within 24 hours the Irwins were in Ann Arbor, meeting with Treadwell at Michigan Medicine.
"I tend to always try to be hopeful, but I also have to be realistic," said Treadwell, who also is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan. "Giving people false hope is not particularly helpful for anyone."
Another ultrasound and a later MRI showed that the twins each had their own arms and legs. The girls were joined at the chest and abdomen, which can be a dangerous place for conjoined twins to fuse because the heart and other vital organs can be affected, Treadwell said.
"We had a long conversation that day, and then they knew that we have a multidisciplinary conference every week to discuss cases that are more challenging for things that have been found on ultrasound," she said.
"They left with a very good understanding that we weren't sure what was going to happen and there was some evaluation that was going to need to take place that would hopefully give us more information but that there was always going to be just a little bit of uncertainty most likely until delivery."
Absorbing the news was hard for the Irwins, who learned the odds were incredibly slim that their babies would survive delivery, let alone make it home or live long enough to see an eventual separation surgery.
But soon after, glimmers of hope began to shine through.
Dr. George Mychaliska, a pediatric and fetal surgeon at Mott, met the Irwins in March 2019.
"Even at that time, we had pretty good prenatal imaging, which indicated that they really had all separate organs, except a liver was fused in the midline," Mychaliska explained.
"I told them separation of the two babies seemed possible but much more evaluation and planning would be required. ... I remember it very well. I didn't want to be too optimistic because this was (going to be) a really long journey for us. We had never done it before. But I do remember being very hopeful with the family, that it's something that certainly was possible."
It was hope the couple desperately needed.
"We kind of went the whole time mentally prepared for the worst," Alyson said.
"We had one meeting where we had a neonatalogist who asked, 'Have you talked about pediatricians or car seats?' And we both looked at each other and started laughing because that was the first time we'd heard that" they should prepare to bring their baby girls home.
They tried to explain to their daughter Kennedy that her new baby sisters would be different from other babies. The team at Michigan Medicine stitched together two dolls, connecting them in the middle just like Amelia and Sarabeth would be, so she could understand how her special sisters would look when they arrived.
"They gave them to her so she could get used to seeing two dolls together," Alyson said. "She understood it before we had them, and then it was never a big deal to her at all."
'Not an ordinary C-section'
Although the plan was to perform a cesarean section to deliver the twins between 35 and 36 weeks gestation, Treadwell said the babies were showing signs of distress at 34 weeks.
"Because we were following them closely, we were following the blood supply to the girls from the placenta," Treadwell said.
Amelia and Sarabeth shared an umbilical cord, which Treadwell said, had "a lot of different blood vessels in it, more than what you normally would see. We started noticing that some of the blood flow was no longer normal in the umbilical cord. And that's why we decided to move the delivery up a little bit from what we initially planned."
A 3D model of the twins was made to simulate the delivery, and a team of doctors, nurses and other staff was assembled.
"As you can imagine there's challenges with taking care of two babies that are attached. Where do you put IVs? And how do you help them breathe if they need help breathing? Those kinds of things," Treadwell said.
The models allowed Treadwell and her team to accurately estimate how big the incision in Alyson's abdomen would have to be to safely pull the twins from the womb.
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"This is not an ordinary C-section because with an ordinary C-section, you just have to make an incision big enough to deliver one at a time," she said. "This surgery would require making an incision not only in her abdomen, but also in her uterus, that can accommodate the delivery of two kids simultaneously without pulling on those shared organs or causing any kind of disruption to them."
Mychaliska said the medical team planned for every possible outcome.
"We practiced what resuscitation would be like right after they were delivered," he said. "We had to figure out a process for monitoring two separate patients that were conjoined and have electronic medical records that had to capture two separate babies.
"We had to completely reconfigure a room in the neonatal ICU to not only have two sets of monitoring equipment, but to also have separate data capture so that we would know what's happening with Sarabeth and what's happening with Amelia. So at every stage of the journey, we had to modify what we normally do," he said. "That took a huge collaborative effort by so many people."
Defying the odds
June 11, 2019, dawned, and the Irwins made a 45 minute drive to Ann Arbor to finally meet their baby girls, knowing that as many as 60% of conjoined twins don't survive delivery, and even fewer live long enough to be discharged from the hospital.
Amelia and Sarabeth defied those odds.
“I remember them briefly putting the girls on my chest. It was very sweet and special being able to hold them and see them for the first time,” Alyson said. “It was just very surreal. There was so much adrenaline from everything that led up to that point.”
Alyson's sister stayed with her in the operating room while Phil followed the twins to the neonatal intensive care unit immediately after delivery.
The girls weighed a healthy 9 pounds, 4.5 ounces together – more than 4.5 pounds apiece.
"They were both vigorous when they came out," Treadwell said. "What I remember is the joy of seeing them, and the fact that they both looked good.
"I went down and saw them in the NICU and they were doing amazingly well. And I remember that much more than I remember the details of who was intubated or for how long."
Although the outlook was exceptionally good given the odds, being born prematurely and as conjoined twins, Sarabeth and Amelia remained hospitalized for 85 days.
Everyday life accommodations
How do you put conjoined twins in a car seat? This was among the challenges Phil and Alyson faced in the months following Amelia and Sarabeth's healthy delivery.
"We had to do a car bed," said Alyson.
Phil explained that it looked like a big box.
"It's got a couple handles that you can run on the seat belts through, a couple attachment points to reach up to the mounting points on the front seats," said Phil, 32, who works for NLB in Wixom as a controls technician and electrical apprentice.
A manufacturing company created a custom swaddle sack for the girls that was built into the car bed.
"It had some zippers and a buckle attachment. And then there is a cummerbund that had super sticky Velcro that would reach across them. And that was great."
A Michigan Medicine team made a special swing for Amelia and Sarabeth that the Irwins brought home, so the girls could sit upright together. When they outgrew it, Phil modified a four-hole rubber bucket swing.
"I looked at the girls and I looked at the swing and then I ended up just cutting the leg holes slightly bigger, and they loved that."
It's taken that kind of creative thinking to make it all work.
"When they were little, we were able to use just a regular baby carrier, too," Alyson said. "While were still in the NICU, one of the nurses was like, I think that would work. And so we tried it at the hospital and if you put them sideways, you could put both legs of each girl through one of the leg holes" in the carrier.
Both girls had nasogastric tubes that fed them, so Alyson and Phil had to quickly learn how to place the tubing back in the girls' noses if one or the other pulled out her sister's line.
"They just never quite picked up how to bottle feed right from the get go," Alyson said. "We've worked with it but this is the best way for them to get nutrition right now."
Sarabeth also needed supplemental oxygen.
"Our car is a rolling medic supply," Phil said. "We've got emergency respirators, extra oxygen and extra tape and tubes and everything you could need."
As the girls grew bigger and stronger, the doctors began to talk to the parents more about how and when separation surgery might occur.
Planning for separation
Dr. Steven Kasten, pediatric plastic surgeon at Mott, began working with the Irwins soon after the twins were born to plan how they'd create enough skin to be able to cover the abdomens of both girls once they were separated.
Amelia and Sarabeth were initially scheduled for surgery Feb. 13 to separate them. Months before that – in September 2019 – the girls underwent an initial surgery to add tissue expanders on both sides of their bodies.
"It is basically a silicone balloon, and we put one on each side of the twins, right along the area where they were joined," said Kasten said. "It gets put in with nothing in it. And then we let it heal up for a few weeks."
Phil and Alyson were taught how to inject saline into the expanders several times a week.
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"It slowly blows up the balloon and creates extra skin," Kasten said.
But a week before they were scheduled for separation surgery, Sarabeth and Amelia got sick, and ended up back in the intensive care unit at Mott. The tissue expanders were deflated.
"It was bad," Alyson said. "They ended up being in the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) for 40 days. And then COVID hit, and we canceled everything."
As the girls recovered in March from their illness, a cold that progressed to pneumonia, the coronavirus pandemic made every decision more complex.
"There were a lot of a lot of conversations about it," Phil said. "We asked, do we stay in the hospital? Is it safer for the girls to stay in the hospital to guarantee that they do have an ICU bed? Because if they were to get sick again, how do we make sure that they can get back in?
"The general consensus among the team was, 'Get out of here. Go home. Isolate."
Amelia and Sarabeth were discharged March 17, just as the state entered a COVID-19 lockdown.
Back at home in Monroe County, the twins continued to grow and heal and Phil began to fill the tissue expanders again to prepare for separation surgery.
Just as they'd been used to prepare for Sarabeth and Amelia's delivery, the hospital's radiology team worked with bioengineers to create 3D models of the twins and their livers and other body structures to help the surgeons simulate what would happen in the operating room.
It was like orchestrating a complex medical ballet where every move, every step had to be choreographed and precise, Mychaliska explained.
Even the electrical capacity in the operating room had to be considered as two separate teams of experts would require duplicate medical equipment to work on each girl the moment they were separated.
Mychaliska led the surgical team on the morning of Aug. 5, along with Kasten and pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Richard Ohye for a procedure that they estimated could take as long as 16 hours, Phil said.
The couple waited outside the hospital in the car, getting constant updates about their girls, who entered the operating room at 7:30 a.m.
Some good news, at last
Sarabeth and Amelia shared a chest wall, but each twin had her own diaphragm muscles, said Mychaliska, who also is the co-director of the Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center and the Dr. Robert Bartlett collegiate professor of pediatric surgery at U-M.
They had one small, shared sternum bone that would have to be divided, and separate livers that were fused, he explained. Although the twins had individual hearts, they shared an outer membrane or protective sack, called the pericardium.
Both girls needed an artificial sternum, which the cardiothoracic team built out of titanium bars to stabilize their chests, Kasten said. Gore-Tex fabric was used to place a patch over the holes in the pericardium around each of their hearts.
"One thing that we really didn't know until they were separated and the breathing tube came out was what their chest wall mechanics would be like," Mychaliska said. "Breathing is a complicated thing that involves your lungs, your diaphragm muscle and your chest wall, and it has to all kind of work in sync.
"We really didn't know how well their chest wall would work, but it worked actually beautifully."
The team used an innovative intravenous fluorescent dye to guide them when they separated their livers, Mychaliska explained.
"There were not too many blood vessels that went from one baby to another," he said. "An innovation that we observed on their CT scan is that when one baby received IV contrast in her vein, it outlined the edge of her own liver, and marked the middle. We thought to ourselves, it would be great if during the operation, we would know exactly where that line was, so we could divide it."
The process worked during surgery just as they'd hoped.
The first incision was made at 11:19 a.m., Mychaliska said. And by 1:11 p.m., they had been separated and placed at opposite ends of the operating room table while surgeons began reconstructing their chests and abdomens.
Their teams were color-coded. Amelia's was pink. Her fingernails were painted to matched her surgical hat. Sarabeth's was yellow.
"I feel like my brain ran through every scenario forward and backwards," said Alyson as she contemplated what was happening in the operating room.
But Phil was very optimistic going into the procedure.
Sitting on the deck of their home by the fire pit, he told her, "I can't possibly begin understand what how terrible it could be ... but I can understand how great it's going to feel if things go well. So I'd rather focus on how great it's going to feel than be negative."
Because of COVID-19, the couple waited in the car outside the hospital during their surgery, getting frequent updates. They were thrilled when they got the news that it had gone so well, doctors even had time to construct a belly button for each of the girls.
Sarabeth came home from the hospital first, in late August. Amelia followed soon after, joining her family, their dog and two cats at home on Sept. 5.
Six weeks post surgery, Amelia and Sarabeth have matching scars that run down the center of their chests, forming a question-mark-like shape over their bellies that is likely to fade but might never completely disappear as they adjust to their newfound independence. They may need additional surgeries as they grow and their bodies developed, but doctors are optimistic that Sarabeth and Amelia will grow up to be just like any other kids.
"Their outlook is really quite good," Mychaliska said, "especially with their parents. Their parents are really special people. They got the perfect parents for being conjoined twins. Not only because of their commitment, love and support, but because they're just very innovative and optimistic people. I think that really made a big difference."
Life for the Irwins is busier than ever now as they juggle occupational therapy and physical therapy appointments for the twins along with diaper changes and feedings, Sarabeth's oxygen tank and preschool for Kennedy.
But they wouldn't have it any other way.
"For us it's been a whirlwind, an absolute whirlwind," Phil said. "You look back at it, and it's like man, remember what used to stress us out? It's perspective."
As this pandemic continues, "people are realizing how much positive we really need.
"This has been a giant experiment in the power of positive and the power of prayer. You know, so positive news, people need that. People live on that."
Follow Kristen Jordan Shamus on Twitter @kristenshamus.


usatoday--2020-09-20--Wolff, 21, overpowers rough, charges into U.S. Open lead

MAMARONECK , N.Y. — We knew these kids were going to be good .
Probably really good .
We just didn ’ t think they ’ d be this good , this fast .
Six weeks ago , Collin Morikawa made his PGA Championship debut at TPC Harding Park and won .
The 23-year-old held off veteran Paul Casey and a pair of former world No .
1s , Dustin Johnson and Jason Day .
Matthew Wolff , 21 , shot a Sunday 65 and tied for fourth that week while playing in his first career major .
Morikawa may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 U.S. Open , but Wolff has taken up the slack here at Winged Foot Golf Club .
After starting the day at even-par in his U.S. Open debut , the bearded Californian lit up the West Course on Saturday afternoon , shooting a front-nine 30 and finishing with a 65 on a day when the average score was 73.6 .
Wolff will start Sunday at 5 under ( 205 ) and begins the day with a two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau and a four-shot lead over Louis Oosthuizen .
Conventional wisdom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to win in his first U.S. Open .
After all , it has been 107 years since a golfer won a U.S. Open in his first appearance , and that golfer was Francis Ouimet , who triumphed as an amateur in 1913 at The Country Club in a playoff over Harry Vardon and Ted Ray .
But like Morikawa in August , Wolff is proving that he ’ s not your typical newcomer .
He is mature , maintains perspective and has experience playing in high-profile events , so the spotlight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Wolff won an NCAA Individual Championship while starring at Oklahoma State and already has a victory on the PGA Tour at the 2019 3M Open .
Asked if winning a U.S. Open was the natural next step in his career , Wolff thought for a moment .
“ I feel like I ’ m ready to win out here and win a major , ” he said .
“ I ’ ve been feeling really good , really confident , and with my mindset right now , how I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I really think that I can go out there and play really well.
” He certainly did that on Saturday .
He hit a glorious approach on the very first hole from 155 yards to 14 feet , then made the birdie putt to move to 1 under .
He made a 15-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole before going for the green on the 332-yard sixth .
That shot found a greenside bunker , but Wolff ’ s sand shot stopped 5 feet from the cup to set up another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ par-3 seventh stopped 13 feet from the flag to set up another birdie , and then on the par-5 ninth , he blasted a 377-yard drive for his fifth birdie of the day .
“ If he plays the way he played today , catching him is going to be almost impossible , ” said Xander Schauffele , who shot 70 and will begin Sunday at even par ( 210 ) .
The list of things that the U.S. Open winner receives is impressive , including an invitation to the next five Masters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tour Championships .
There ’ s also a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour and a spot in the next 10 U.S .
Opens .
Oh yeah , and a check for $ 2.25 million .
Wolff is not going to think about those things tonight , however .
He ’ s planning on dinner in his hotel room with his caddie , Nick Heinen , and wants to watch the Celtics play the Miami Heat .
“ It is a major .
It ’ s really important , and yes , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I feel like I have the game , like I said , to win , ” Wolff said .
“ Collin won at 23 , I ’ m 21 , and I ’ m not saying that it ’ s going to happen , but I mean , I put myself in a really good spot , and obviously I ’ m feeling really good with my game , so I ’ m just going to keep on doing what I ’ m doing and whatever happens , happens .
”

[jwplayer K3ORahqi-9JtFt04J]
MAMARONECK, N.Y. — We knew these kids were going to be good. Probably really good. We just didn’t think they’d be this good, this fast.
Six weeks ago, Collin Morikawa made his PGA Championship debut at TPC Harding Park and won. The 23-year-old held off veteran Paul Casey and a pair of former world No. 1s, Dustin Johnson and Jason Day.
Matthew Wolff, 21, shot a Sunday 65 and tied for fourth that week while playing in his first career major. Morikawa may have missed the cut this week at the 2020 U.S. Open, but Wolff has taken up the slack here at Winged Foot Golf Club.
After starting the day at even-par in his U.S. Open debut, the bearded Californian lit up the West Course on Saturday afternoon, shooting a front-nine 30 and finishing with a 65 on a day when the average score was 73.6.
Wolff will start Sunday at 5 under (205) and begins the day with a two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau and a four-shot lead over Louis Oosthuizen.
U.S. Open: Leaderboard | Tee times, TV | Best photos
Conventional wisdom holds that even a gifted player is not going to win in his first U.S. Open. After all, it has been 107 years since a golfer won a U.S. Open in his first appearance, and that golfer was Francis Ouimet, who triumphed as an amateur in 1913 at The Country Club in a playoff over Harry Vardon and Ted Ray.
But like Morikawa in August, Wolff is proving that he’s not your typical newcomer. He is mature, maintains perspective and has experience playing in high-profile events, so the spotlight doesn’t blind him or scare him. Wolff won an NCAA Individual Championship while starring at Oklahoma State and already has a victory on the PGA Tour at the 2019 3M Open.
Asked if winning a U.S. Open was the natural next step in his career, Wolff thought for a moment.
“I feel like I’m ready to win out here and win a major,” he said. “I’ve been feeling really good, really confident, and with my mindset right now, how I’m thinking about the game is really good. I really think that I can go out there and play really well.”
He certainly did that on Saturday. He hit a glorious approach on the very first hole from 155 yards to 14 feet, then made the birdie putt to move to 1 under. He made a 15-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole before going for the green on the 332-yard sixth. That shot found a greenside bunker, but Wolff’s sand shot stopped 5 feet from the cup to set up another birdie. His tee shot on the par-3 seventh stopped 13 feet from the flag to set up another birdie, and then on the par-5 ninth, he blasted a 377-yard drive for his fifth birdie of the day.
“If he plays the way he played today, catching him is going to be almost impossible,” said Xander Schauffele, who shot 70 and will begin Sunday at even par (210).
The list of things that the U.S. Open winner receives is impressive, including an invitation to the next five Masters, British Opens, PGA Championships and Tour Championships. There’s also a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour and a spot in the next 10 U.S. Opens. Oh yeah, and a check for $2.25 million.
This is @matthew_wolff5's first #USOpen appearance, but you wouldn't know it when you see how he earned the @Lexus Top Performance of the Day. pic.twitter.com/UoKWqkpPDR — U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) September 19, 2020
Wolff is not going to think about those things tonight, however. He’s planning on dinner in his hotel room with his caddie, Nick Heinen, and wants to watch the Celtics play the Miami Heat.
“It is a major. It’s really important, and yes, it is really early in my career, but I feel like I have the game, like I said, to win,” Wolff said. “Collin won at 23, I’m 21, and I’m not saying that it’s going to happen, but I mean, I put myself in a really good spot, and obviously I’m feeling really good with my game, so I’m just going to keep on doing what I’m doing and whatever happens, happens.”


usatoday--2020-09-20--Tropical Storm Beta expected to slowly drift toward Texas coast; recovery from Sally continues

With parts of the Alabama coast and Florida Panhandle still reeling from Hurricane Sally , a hurricane watch was in effect Saturday for a 300-mile stretch of Texas coast as Tropical Storm Beta slowly strengthens in the Gulf of Mexico and drifts toward the northeast .
At least two deaths were blamed on Sally , which roared ashore on Wednesday morning , and hundreds of thousands of people were still without power Saturday .
The chances that Beta could become a hurricane decreased Saturday , but it remains one of three active storms in an exceptionally busy Atlantic hurricane season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the center of Beta will slowly approach the Texas coast Sunday and Monday , '' according to the National Hurricane Center .
At 7 p.m. CDT , Beta was about 330 miles east-southeast of Corpus Christi , Texas , where it was standing still with sustained winds of 60 mph .
Both the city of Galveston and Galveston County on Saturday issued voluntary evacuation orders ahead of Tropical Storm Beta .
Mayor Pro Tem Craig Brown said in a statement that high tides and up to 10 inches of expected rainfall would leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s west end and low-lying areas .
County Judge Mark Henry said during a Saturday news conference that his concern is also based on rising waters creating a storm surge and that a mandatory evacuation is not expected .
“ If you can survive in your home for three or four days without power and electricity , which we ’ re not even sure that ’ s going to happen , you ’ re OK , ” Henry said .
“ If it ’ s uncomfortable or you need life support equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alpha and Beta form : Hurricane season 2020 has been so busy , we have to use Greek letters As the tropical storm pushed toward the Texas and Louisiana coast , the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch along a 285-mile stretch of coast from Port Aransas to High Island .
The center said hurricane conditions were possible in the watch area by Monday night .
A tropical storm warning was in effect from Port Aransas , Texas , to Intracoastal City , Louisiana , and a storm surge watch was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baffin Bay , Texas .
Wind , heavy rainfall and life-threatening surf and rip current conditions were also expected with the storm .
As storms rapidly formed in the Atlantic this season , forecasters quickly ran out of their list of names and had to begin using the Greek alphabet to designate storms for only the second time since the 1950s .
Alpha was a post-tropical cyclone Friday night after bringing rain to Portugal .
Tropical Storm Wilfred remained at sea but was 830 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands with maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hurricane Teddy remained a powerful hurricane into Saturday , with maximum sustained winds at 130 mph .
Teddy was centered 695 miles southeast of Bermuda less than a week after Hurricane Paulette made landfall in the wealthy British territory .
Large swells from Teddy were forecast to impact the Lesser Antilles , the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas , and later Saturday were to spread to Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast .
More : Florida deputy uses resident 's boat to save about 120 people trapped in Sally floodwaters Areas along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effects of Hurricane Sally .
In Escambia County , where Pensacola is located , county administrator Janice Gilley said Friday that power outages were causing accidents on the roadways as drivers ignored four-way stop rules .
`` Please , please , please , do not be on the roads if it 's not an emergency , and you do n't have to , '' she said .
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said people should only leave their homes to get fuel or food or if it is an emergency .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and devastation , you are part of our problem right now , '' Morgan said .
`` Stay at home unless you 're out getting food or gas for your generators and your vehicles .
Stay at home .
Do not leave unless it is an emergency situation , and in that case , call us .
All of our ambulances and those sorts of things are up and running . ''

Tropical Storm Beta expected to slowly drift toward Texas coast; recovery from Sally continues
Show Caption Hide Caption Numerous tropical threats spin throughout Atlantic and Gulf The chances of Beta becoming a hurricane is decreasing, but it could be near hurricane strength as it approaches the Texas coast. Accuweather
With parts of the Alabama coast and Florida Panhandle still reeling from Hurricane Sally, a hurricane watch was in effect Saturday for a 300-mile stretch of Texas coast as Tropical Storm Beta slowly strengthens in the Gulf of Mexico and drifts toward the northeast.
At least two deaths were blamed on Sally, which roared ashore on Wednesday morning, and hundreds of thousands of people were still without power Saturday.
The chances that Beta could become a hurricane decreased Saturday, but it remains one of three active storms in an exceptionally busy Atlantic hurricane season.
"On the forecast track, the center of Beta will slowly approach the Texas coast Sunday and Monday," according to the National Hurricane Center. At 7 p.m. CDT, Beta was about 330 miles east-southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas, where it was standing still with sustained winds of 60 mph.
Both the city of Galveston and Galveston County on Saturday issued voluntary evacuation orders ahead of Tropical Storm Beta.
Mayor Pro Tem Craig Brown said in a statement that high tides and up to 10 inches of expected rainfall would leave roads impassable, especially along the city’s west end and low-lying areas.
County Judge Mark Henry said during a Saturday news conference that his concern is also based on rising waters creating a storm surge and that a mandatory evacuation is not expected.
“If you can survive in your home for three or four days without power and electricity, which we’re not even sure that’s going to happen, you’re OK,” Henry said. “If it’s uncomfortable or you need life support equipment, maybe go somewhere else.”
Storms Alpha and Beta form: Hurricane season 2020 has been so busy, we have to use Greek letters
National Hurricane Center is nearly out of storm names, so now what? This year's Atlantic hurricane season has been so active, forecasters are almost out of names so now they will be moving on to the Greek alphabet. USA TODAY
As the tropical storm pushed toward the Texas and Louisiana coast, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch along a 285-mile stretch of coast from Port Aransas to High Island. The center said hurricane conditions were possible in the watch area by Monday night.
A tropical storm warning was in effect from Port Aransas, Texas, to Intracoastal City, Louisiana, and a storm surge watch was in effect from Port Mansfield, Texas to Baffin Bay, Texas.
Wind, heavy rainfall and life-threatening surf and rip current conditions were also expected with the storm.
As storms rapidly formed in the Atlantic this season, forecasters quickly ran out of their list of names and had to begin using the Greek alphabet to designate storms for only the second time since the 1950s.
Alpha was a post-tropical cyclone Friday night after bringing rain to Portugal. Tropical Storm Wilfred remained at sea but was 830 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds at 40 mph.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Teddy remained a powerful hurricane into Saturday, with maximum sustained winds at 130 mph. Teddy was centered 695 miles southeast of Bermuda less than a week after Hurricane Paulette made landfall in the wealthy British territory.
Large swells from Teddy were forecast to impact the Lesser Antilles, the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas, and later Saturday were to spread to Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast.
More: Florida deputy uses resident's boat to save about 120 people trapped in Sally floodwaters
Areas along the Florida panhandle were still coping with the effects of Hurricane Sally. In Escambia County, where Pensacola is located, county administrator Janice Gilley said Friday that power outages were causing accidents on the roadways as drivers ignored four-way stop rules. "Please, please, please, do not be on the roads if it's not an emergency, and you don't have to," she said.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said people should only leave their homes to get fuel or food or if it is an emergency.
"If you're out looking at damage and devastation, you are part of our problem right now," Morgan said. "Stay at home unless you're out getting food or gas for your generators and your vehicles. Stay at home. Do not leave unless it is an emergency situation, and in that case, call us. All of our ambulances and those sorts of things are up and running."
Contributing: Jim Little, Pensacola News Journal; Associated Press


usatoday--2020-09-19--Trump has approved a deal between Walmart, Oracle and TikTok so the app won't be banned

President Donald Trump said he has approved a bid by Oracle and Walmart to take over TikTok 's U.S. operations in a move that would mean the app beloved by American teens wo n't be banned after all .
Trump told reporters the news Saturday as he left the White House , saying that the combined company is `` conceptually '' a great deal for the U.S .
The new company will continue to go by the name TikTok , Trump said .
And it would be headquartered in Texas and employ at least 25,000 people , he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ blessing , if they get it done that ’ s great , if they don ’ t that ’ s OK too , '' Trump said .
`` We 'll see whether or not it all happens but conceptually I think it 's a great deal for America .
In an emailed statement , TikTok said it 's pleased that the proposed deal between the three companies settles questions around the app 's future in the states .
`` We are pleased that the proposal by TikTok , Oracle , and Walmart will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Administration , '' TikTok said .
USA TODAY reached out to Oracle for comment .
Epic Games vs. Apple : Fortnite creator files new court documents against iPhone giant The approved deal is a major step in the Trump versus TikTok saga , which Trump says is over security concerns .
The Trump administration has warned that TikTok , which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance , might share user data with the Chinese government .
TikTok has said it does n't share U.S. user data with China nor send that information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new U.S.-based version of TikTok would use `` a lot of very , very powerful security , '' Trump said .
`` It will have nothing to do with any outside land and the outside country .
It will have nothing to do with China . ''
Oracle , a software giant , has taken the lead in the proposal and would be responsible for hosting user data in the U.S. and ensuring national security requirements are met , according to TikTok .
The deal could give Walmart access to an active , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequent TikTok .
Trump 's announcement comes ahead of what was a pressing deadline for TikTok .
The President issued an executive order giving the app until Sunday to reach a deal with an American company , otherwise , it 'd be pulled from app stores in the U.S. WeChat , which is owned by a Chinese company , is also a target of the executive order .
Effective Sept. 20 , the government is blocking WeChat 's ability to facilitate fund transfers and payment processing .
It 's also barring ther companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app and supporting the app ’ s code in other software or services .

Trump has approved a deal between Walmart, Oracle and TikTok so the app won't be banned
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump: Justice Ginsburg was 'an amazing woman' President Donald Trump says the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was “an amazing woman” who led an “amazing life.” (Sept. 18) AP
President Donald Trump said he has approved a bid by Oracle and Walmart to take over TikTok's U.S. operations in a move that would mean the app beloved by American teens won't be banned after all.
Trump told reporters the news Saturday as he left the White House, saying that the combined company is "conceptually" a great deal for the U.S. The new company will continue to go by the name TikTok, Trump said. And it would be headquartered in Texas and employ at least 25,000 people, he added.
"I have given the deal my blessing, if they get it done that’s great, if they don’t that’s OK too," Trump said. "We'll see whether or not it all happens but conceptually I think it's a great deal for America.
In an emailed statement, TikTok said it's pleased that the proposed deal between the three companies settles questions around the app's future in the states.
"We are pleased that the proposal by TikTok, Oracle, and Walmart will resolve the security concerns of the U.S. Administration," TikTok said.
USA TODAY reached out to Oracle for comment.
Epic Games vs. Apple: Fortnite creator files new court documents against iPhone giant
The approved deal is a major step in the Trump versus TikTok saga, which Trump says is over security concerns. The Trump administration has warned that TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, might share user data with the Chinese government.
TikTok has said it doesn't share U.S. user data with China nor send that information to its hub in Beijing.
The new U.S.-based version of TikTok would use "a lot of very, very powerful security," Trump said. "It will have nothing to do with any outside land and the outside country. It will have nothing to do with China."
Oracle, a software giant, has taken the lead in the proposal and would be responsible for hosting user data in the U.S. and ensuring national security requirements are met, according to TikTok.
The deal could give Walmart access to an active, young consumer base that's known to frequent TikTok.
Trump's announcement comes ahead of what was a pressing deadline for TikTok. The President issued an executive order giving the app until Sunday to reach a deal with an American company, otherwise, it'd be pulled from app stores in the U.S.
WeChat, which is owned by a Chinese company, is also a target of the executive order. Effective Sept. 20, the government is blocking WeChat's ability to facilitate fund transfers and payment processing. It's also barring ther companies from updating the app, maintaining the app and supporting the app’s code in other software or services.
Follow Dalvin Brown on Twitter: @Dalvin_Brown.


usatoday--2020-09-20--Winners and losers from Week 3 in college football are led by Central Florida, Clemson

No .
13 Central Florida 's 49-21 win at Georgia Tech cements the Knights ' status as the team to beat in the Group of Five and maintains the program 's underdog hopes of crashing the College Football Playoff , which took a hit this week with the Big Ten 's decision to return to play in October .
First , the good news : UCF 's convincing win comes one week after Georgia Tech 's upset of Florida State put the Yellow Jackets right on the verge of the Amway Coaches Poll , as the first team outside of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not viewed as a major ACC contender , meaning the win might look weaker in November than on Saturday , the Knights can lean on a 28-point road victory to rise in the polls while turning to games against American competition .
Sophomore quarterback Dillon Gabriel is quickly becoming a player to watch from a national perspective .
After tossing 29 touchdowns and averaging 9.2 yards per attempt as a rookie , Gabriel began his second season with 417 yards passing and four scores against a Georgia Tech defense that held FSU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three sacks in the opener .
Will it be enough for UCF ?
The current playoff format does n't save room for the Group of Five , making it hard to envision a realistic scenario where the Knights finish in the top four — it 's possible , just not probable .
But the only way the Knights could 've even factored into that conversation was by cruising against Georgia Tech .
Saturday was a definite success .
Here are the rest of Saturday 's winners and losers : Clemson beat The Citadel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprised .
But no one was injured .
Trevor Lawrence tossed three touchdowns and was pulled long before the end of the second quarter .
Travis Etienne had a few touches , broke some tackles and then took the rest of the night off .
Ahead 49-0 at halftime , the Tigers were able to play backups and newcomers extensive minutes as Dabo Swinney looks to build depth on the second tier for a team that looks set for a title run .
Notre Dame transfer Phil Jurkovec threw for 300 yards and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26-6 in a very positive start for first-year coach Jeff Hafley .
Whether Duke is any good is up for debate , though the Blue Devils were competitive with the Notre Dame in losing 27-13 last Saturday .
This is the sort of opponent Boston College needs to beat to win more than four games during the regular season .
After that uneven performance against Duke , the Irish rolled to a 52-0 win against South Florida that saw a much stronger game from quarterback Ian Book , who ran for three touchdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left in the third quarter .
While the shutout on defense and increased balance on offense comes against the Bulls , a program in a rebuild under new coach Jeff Scott , the Irish look prepared for an ACC slate that heats up in October .
One week after winning three games against Big 12 competition to be one of the big stories in college football , the Sun Belt 's reputation tumbled after No .
21 Louisiana-Lafayette needed overtime to beat Georgia State and No .
23 Appalachian State lost 17-7 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a top-three team in Conference USA , the loss does significant damage to Appalachian State 's quest to reach a New Year 's Six bowl .
The No .
12 Cowboys ' 16-7 win against Tulsa was a sluggish debut for a team with preseason hype as a dark-horse playoff contender .
The lack of effectiveness and efficiency on offense can be attributed to an injury to quarterback Spencer Sanders and the below-average play of the offensive line , which gave up six sacks .
Tulsa held star running back Chuba Hubbard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ending his run of 11 consecutive 100-yard games .
Now the Green Wave know how it feels .
One week after reversing a 24-6 deficit to beat South Alabama 27-24 , Tulane coughed up a 24-0 lead to Navy in losing by the same score .
Obvious credit goes to Navy and coach Ken Niumatalolo for crawling out of a major hole after losing 55-3 to Brigham Young in the opener .
Blown opportunities will haunt Tulane : Navy ran only two plays in Green Wave territory during the first half and Tulane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when looking to build on the 24-0 lead .
This has n't been good : Middle Tennessee has opened with losses to Army and Troy by a combined score of 89-14 .
Saturday 's 47-14 loss to the Trojans came as the Blue Raiders ' defense allowed 496 yards and 30 first downs while the offense committed another three turnovers , giving the team seven through two games .

Winners and losers from Week 3 in college football are led by Central Florida, Clemson
Show Caption Hide Caption Why the Big Ten's return needed to happen to legitimize CFP and 2020 champion SportsPulse: Paul Myerberg breaks down what the Big Ten's restart means for the college football landscape and why a playoff and title game without the conference involved was always going to be questioned. USA TODAY
No. 13 Central Florida's 49-21 win at Georgia Tech cements the Knights' status as the team to beat in the Group of Five and maintains the program's underdog hopes of crashing the College Football Playoff, which took a hit this week with the Big Ten's decision to return to play in October.
First, the good news: UCF's convincing win comes one week after Georgia Tech's upset of Florida State put the Yellow Jackets right on the verge of the Amway Coaches Poll, as the first team outside of the Top 25.
While the Jackets are not viewed as a major ACC contender, meaning the win might look weaker in November than on Saturday, the Knights can lean on a 28-point road victory to rise in the polls while turning to games against American competition.
Sophomore quarterback Dillon Gabriel is quickly becoming a player to watch from a national perspective. After tossing 29 touchdowns and averaging 9.2 yards per attempt as a rookie, Gabriel began his second season with 417 yards passing and four scores against a Georgia Tech defense that held FSU to 4.4 yards per throw and had three sacks in the opener.
Will it be enough for UCF? The current playoff format doesn't save room for the Group of Five, making it hard to envision a realistic scenario where the Knights finish in the top four — it's possible, just not probable. But the only way the Knights could've even factored into that conversation was by cruising against Georgia Tech. Saturday was a definite success.
Here are the rest of Saturday's winners and losers:
WINNERS
Miami (Fla.)
Miami has a case for being seen as the third-best team in the ACC (behind Clemson and Notre Dame) after a 47-34 win at Louisville. This is the Hurricanes' second notable win in a row to start the season, following Alabama-Birmingham, and will help erase any of the concerns that came out of a 6-7 finish in 2019, the program's first season under coach Manny Diaz. During a normal offseason, Miami's addition of transfers D'Eriq King (quarterback) and Quincy Roche (edge rusher) would've been one of the biggest stories of the offseason in the ACC. As it is, the Hurricanes' positive moves since the end of last season were largely ignored heading into September.
Clemson
Clemson beat The Citadel, obviously. Don't look so surprised. But no one was injured. Trevor Lawrence tossed three touchdowns and was pulled long before the end of the second quarter. Travis Etienne had a few touches, broke some tackles and then took the rest of the night off. Ahead 49-0 at halftime, the Tigers were able to play backups and newcomers extensive minutes as Dabo Swinney looks to build depth on the second tier for a team that looks set for a title run.
Boston College
Notre Dame transfer Phil Jurkovec threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles beat Duke 26-6 in a very positive start for first-year coach Jeff Hafley. Whether Duke is any good is up for debate, though the Blue Devils were competitive with the Notre Dame in losing 27-13 last Saturday. This is the sort of opponent Boston College needs to beat to win more than four games during the regular season.
Notre Dame
After that uneven performance against Duke, the Irish rolled to a 52-0 win against South Florida that saw a much stronger game from quarterback Ian Book, who ran for three touchdowns before backups entered with a few minutes left in the third quarter. While the shutout on defense and increased balance on offense comes against the Bulls, a program in a rebuild under new coach Jeff Scott, the Irish look prepared for an ACC slate that heats up in October.
SMU
The Mustangs' 65-35 win at North Texas included 710 yards of offense pretty evenly split between the run and the pass: 366 yards came on the ground and 344 in the air. It's this offense that makes SMU an underrated threat in the American.
Loser
Sun Belt
One week after winning three games against Big 12 competition to be one of the big stories in college football, the Sun Belt's reputation tumbled after No. 21 Louisiana-Lafayette needed overtime to beat Georgia State and No. 23 Appalachian State lost 17-7 at Marshall. While the Thundering Herd should be a top-three team in Conference USA, the loss does significant damage to Appalachian State's quest to reach a New Year's Six bowl.
Oklahoma State
The No. 12 Cowboys' 16-7 win against Tulsa was a sluggish debut for a team with preseason hype as a dark-horse playoff contender. The lack of effectiveness and efficiency on offense can be attributed to an injury to quarterback Spencer Sanders and the below-average play of the offensive line, which gave up six sacks. Tulsa held star running back Chuba Hubbard to 93 yards on 27 carries, ending his run of 11 consecutive 100-yard games.
Tulane
Now the Green Wave know how it feels. One week after reversing a 24-6 deficit to beat South Alabama 27-24, Tulane coughed up a 24-0 lead to Navy in losing by the same score. Obvious credit goes to Navy and coach Ken Niumatalolo for crawling out of a major hole after losing 55-3 to Brigham Young in the opener. Blown opportunities will haunt Tulane: Navy ran only two plays in Green Wave territory during the first half and Tulane tossed an interception near the goal line when looking to build on the 24-0 lead.
Middle Tennessee
This hasn't been good: Middle Tennessee has opened with losses to Army and Troy by a combined score of 89-14. Saturday's 47-14 loss to the Trojans came as the Blue Raiders' defense allowed 496 yards and 30 first downs while the offense committed another three turnovers, giving the team seven through two games.


usatoday--2020-09-19--Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire retiring immediately after nearly three seasons in Detroit

The Detroit Tigers announced on Saturday that manager Ron Gardenhire is retiring effective immediately and will not return for a fourth season .
Gardenhire , who turns 63 next month , is 132-241 ( .354 winning percentage ) in two-plus seasons with the Tigers .
He signed a three-year deal when he was hired before the 2018 season , the first full year the team embraced the rebuild .
Lloyd McClendon will manage the team the remainder of the season .
`` This afternoon , when I got here to the office , I went to Gardy 's office to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager Al Avila said .
`` At that point , we started talking , and he mentioned to me he was going to retire .
He was n't feeling well from a health perspective . ''
Gardenhire , a cancer survivor , said he originally thought about retiring at the end of the season .
But as he talked to Avila , he said , `` I 'll step out right now . ''
He said he has n't felt well since dealing with a stomach virus earlier this month in Minnesota .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I need to take care of and my wife , '' Gardenhire said .
`` Very tough decision .
...
But I had to do what 's right for me . ''
His .354 winning percentage makes Gardenhire the least successful manager in Tigers history , one point behind Luis Pujols , who was 55-100 ( .355 ) in one season ( 2002 ) .
The team flirted with a postseason bid this year , with an expanded field and a shortened season , but have all but been eliminated from contention .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years of the transition , '' Avila said .
`` ... His leadership has gotten through us and ... has put us in a position to bring winning baseball back to Detroit . ''

Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire retiring immediately after nearly three seasons in Detroit
Show Caption Hide Caption MLB storylines to watch: Who are the hottest pitchers in baseball? USA TODAY Sports' Steve Gardner breaks down the top storylines in MLB thus far. USA TODAY
The Detroit Tigers announced on Saturday that manager Ron Gardenhire is retiring effective immediately and will not return for a fourth season.
Gardenhire, who turns 63 next month, is 132-241 (.354 winning percentage) in two-plus seasons with the Tigers. He signed a three-year deal when he was hired before the 2018 season, the first full year the team embraced the rebuild.
Lloyd McClendon will manage the team the remainder of the season.
"This afternoon, when I got here to the office, I went to Gardy's office to talk baseball stuff," Tigers general manager Al Avila said. "At that point, we started talking, and he mentioned to me he was going to retire. He wasn't feeling well from a health perspective."
Gardenhire, a cancer survivor, said he originally thought about retiring at the end of the season. But as he talked to Avila, he said, "I'll step out right now." He said he hasn't felt well since dealing with a stomach virus earlier this month in Minnesota.
"I've got grandbabies and kids I need to take care of and my wife," Gardenhire said. "Very tough decision. ... But I had to do what's right for me."
Tigers CEO Christopher Ilitch released a statement roughly 30 minutes after Gardenhire's retirement became official to thank him for his time leading the ballclub through the rebuilding process.
"On behalf of all of us with the Detroit Tigers, congratulations to Ron Gardenhire on a tremendous managerial career," Ilitch said. "One of the best baseball men around, we're fortunate to have had Gardy lead our team for the past three seasons, and during this rebuilding period. He has done a great job in shaping the future successes I know our organization will see."
Gardenhire said his favorite memory with the Tigers was watching Victor Martinez get an infield single in September 2018 in his final at-bat in a Tigers uniform.
"I'll never forget that," Gardenhire said.
His .354 winning percentage makes Gardenhire the least successful manager in Tigers history, one point behind Luis Pujols, who was 55-100 (.355) in one season (2002).
The team flirted with a postseason bid this year, with an expanded field and a shortened season, but have all but been eliminated from contention.
"He took us through the toughest two years of the transition," Avila said, adding, "His leadership has gotten through us and ... has put us in a position to bring winning baseball back to Detroit."


usatoday--2020-09-19--Demonstrators protest outside Mitch McConnell's Louisville, Kentucky home

Demonstrators gather outside Sen. Mitch McConnell 's home on Saturday , September 19 .
McConnell plans to fill Ruth Bader @ @ @ @ @

Demonstrators protest outside Mitch McConnell's Louisville, Kentucky home
Demonstrators gather outside Sen. Mitch McConnell's home on Saturday, September 19. McConnell plans to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg Supreme Court seat.
Storyful


usatoday--2020-09-19--The Republican race to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg - States of America

The Republican race to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg - States of America The GOP held up hearings for President Obama @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
But it 's a different story for President Trump 's nominee in 2020 @

The Republican race to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The GOP held up hearings for President Obama's Supreme Court nominee in 2016. But it's a different story for President Trump's nominee in 2020.
States of America, Wochit


usatoday--2020-09-19--Who are the female frontrunners to replace Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg?

Who are the female frontrunners to replace Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ?
Here 's President Trump 's shortlist @ @ @ @ @ likely replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .

RBG: Who are the frontrunners to replace her now?
Here's President Trump's shortlist of women that will most likely replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
USA TODAY, Wochit


usatoday--2020-09-19--Arizona Senate candidate Mark Kelly could take office early if he wins, putting him in place for a c

If Democrat Mark Kelly defeats incumbent Sen. Martha McSally in Arizona 's high-stakes U.S. Senate race , he may not have to wait long to start work in Washington , D.C. Two Republican and Democratic election attorneys agree that state law and Senate practices would make Kelly eligible to take over the seat once held by Sen. John McCain as soon as Nov. 30 , when the state election results are expected to be canvassed .
If that happens , Kelly would help to narrow Republicans ’ 53-47 majority in the chamber in a post-election , lame-duck session when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s nominee to succeed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who passed away Friday .
“ Everything in statute suggests it happens very quickly after the election results are finalized , ” Mary O ’ Grady , an attorney specializing in election law and a Democrat , said .
Who might succeed Justice Ginsburg ?
Trump 's short list begins with these five women ( and one man ) Thomas Basile , a Republican who also specializes in election law , added , `` In the ordinary course , in an ordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election would begin his or her term until January .
But in this context , a special election to fill a vacancy in a pending term ... the winner could be sworn in and seated earlier than he or she otherwise would be if this were a regular election . ''
Barring litigation contesting the results of the election , state law requires the canvassing of election results on the fourth Monday after the election .
This cycle , that would fall on Nov. 30 .
Under this scenario , which is possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kelly would get another advantage .
He would take office well before the crop of freshman senators are traditionally sworn in on at the opening of the new congressional session , which is typically in early January .
That would give him a seniority advantage on several fronts , including the selection of committee assignments .
Kelly ’ s presence wouldn ’ t upend the GOP majority before a new Congress is seated , but it has the potential to complicate things for Republicans , said Jessica Taylor , Senate editor for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects that the Arizona Senate race leans in Kelly 's favor .
Cook , along with Kaiser Family Foundation , released new polling Thursday that showed Kelly leading by 8 percentage points .
“ Certainly there are things that a Republican-controlled Senate that has just lost their majority , with perhaps a lame-duck president , can try to push through in that final month , and that would be one less vote that they have , ” she said .
“ And then if you have , you know , moderate defections … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now and Republicans still very much need every vote.
” The winner of the special election can begin his or her term of office after the Senate receives “ credentials ” from the state , and by taking the constitutionally-required oath of office in open Senate session , according to a 2010 report by the Congressional Research Service .
The Senate could also waive its long-standing rule requiring proper certification from a state via unanimous consent , the report said .
The Senate has waived the rule on some rare occasions when , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay of transmitting paperwork affirming a win .
More : McConnell says Senate will vote on Trump 's nominee to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's Supreme Court seat If the Senate is n't in session , there are other procedures that would allow the seating of senators-elect , said Don Ritchie , the Senate ’ s former historian .
“ Usually , the Secretary of the Senate ’ s office goes out of its way to accommodate the new senators coming in , ” he said .
“ The old senator is out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they actually literally put a lock on the door so their staff can ’ t go in .
… Even if the Senate isn ’ t in session , there is a mechanism for swearing in a senator and taking care of things .
… They don ’ t have to wait for the Senate to be formally in session.
” The Senate is in session until Oct. 9 and they are scheduled to return Nov. 9 , after Election Day .
After a one-week break for Thanksgiving , the Senate is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same day Arizona ’ s election results would be canvassed .
The Senate is scheduled to work through Dec. 18 .
Spokespeople for both Kelly and McSally 's campaigns declined to comment .
Senate Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated he will remain focused on confirming conservative judges to federal courts , pushing his party to , in McConnell 's words , “ leave no vacancy behind.
” Controversial judicial appointments that could be considered include Toby Crouse , who was nominated months ago to serve on the U.S. District Court for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who the American Bar Association deemed “ not qualified ” to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida .
“ Kelly would make a difference : it would be 52-48 on any kind of nominee either to the executive branch or especially for judges , ” said Carl Tobias , the Williams Chair in Law at the University of Richmond School of Law and who specializes in federal judicial selection .
“ There likely will be some judicial nominees up , for sure .
That makes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , I think , would be important.
” There ’ s a financial element , as well , Basile and O ’ Grady said : once the election is decided , the senator-elect would begin drawing a salary .

Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Arizona Republic

Arizona Senate candidate Mark Kelly could take office early if he wins, putting him in place for a court vote
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump: Justice Ginsburg was 'an amazing woman' President Donald Trump says the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was “an amazing woman” who led an “amazing life.” (Sept. 18) AP
If Democrat Mark Kelly defeats incumbent Sen. Martha McSally in Arizona's high-stakes U.S. Senate race, he may not have to wait long to start work in Washington, D.C.
Two Republican and Democratic election attorneys agree that state law and Senate practices would make Kelly eligible to take over the seat once held by Sen. John McCain as soon as Nov. 30, when the state election results are expected to be canvassed.
If that happens, Kelly would help to narrow Republicans’ 53-47 majority in the chamber in a post-election, lame-duck session when the GOP could seek to confirm President Donald Trump’s nominee to succeed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away Friday.
“Everything in statute suggests it happens very quickly after the election results are finalized,” Mary O’Grady, an attorney specializing in election law and a Democrat, said.
Who might succeed Justice Ginsburg? Trump's short list begins with these five women (and one man)
Thomas Basile, a Republican who also specializes in election law, added, "In the ordinary course, in an ordinary Senate election, the winner of the election would begin his or her term until January. But in this context, a special election to fill a vacancy in a pending term ... the winner could be sworn in and seated earlier than he or she otherwise would be if this were a regular election."
Barring litigation contesting the results of the election, state law requires the canvassing of election results on the fourth Monday after the election. This cycle, that would fall on Nov. 30.
Under this scenario, which is possible because McSally was appointed to the seat, Kelly would get another advantage. He would take office well before the crop of freshman senators are traditionally sworn in on at the opening of the new congressional session, which is typically in early January. That would give him a seniority advantage on several fronts, including the selection of committee assignments.
'Republicans ... need every vote'
Kelly’s presence wouldn’t upend the GOP majority before a new Congress is seated, but it has the potential to complicate things for Republicans, said Jessica Taylor, Senate editor for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which projects that the Arizona Senate race leans in Kelly's favor. Cook, along with Kaiser Family Foundation, released new polling Thursday that showed Kelly leading by 8 percentage points.
“Certainly there are things that a Republican-controlled Senate that has just lost their majority, with perhaps a lame-duck president, can try to push through in that final month, and that would be one less vote that they have,” she said. “And then if you have, you know, moderate defections … the Senate is still very close right now and Republicans still very much need every vote.”
The winner of the special election can begin his or her term of office after the Senate receives “credentials” from the state, and by taking the constitutionally-required oath of office in open Senate session, according to a 2010 report by the Congressional Research Service.
The Senate could also waive its long-standing rule requiring proper certification from a state via unanimous consent, the report said. The Senate has waived the rule on some rare occasions when, for example, there was an inadvertent delay of transmitting paperwork affirming a win.
More: McConnell says Senate will vote on Trump's nominee to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Supreme Court seat
If the Senate isn't in session, there are other procedures that would allow the seating of senators-elect, said Don Ritchie, the Senate’s former historian.
“Usually, the Secretary of the Senate’s office goes out of its way to accommodate the new senators coming in,” he said. “The old senator is out of their office there. I mean, they actually literally put a lock on the door so their staff can’t go in. … Even if the Senate isn’t in session, there is a mechanism for swearing in a senator and taking care of things. … They don’t have to wait for the Senate to be formally in session.”
The Senate is in session until Oct. 9 and they are scheduled to return Nov. 9, after Election Day. After a one-week break for Thanksgiving, the Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Nov. 30, the same day Arizona’s election results would be canvassed.
The Senate is scheduled to work through Dec. 18.
Spokespeople for both Kelly and McSally's campaigns declined to comment.
Senate Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated he will remain focused on confirming conservative judges to federal courts, pushing his party to, in McConnell's words, “leave no vacancy behind.”
Controversial judicial appointments still outstanding
Controversial judicial appointments that could be considered include Toby Crouse, who was nominated months ago to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas and Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, who the American Bar Association deemed “not qualified” to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
“Kelly would make a difference: it would be 52-48 on any kind of nominee either to the executive branch or especially for judges,” said Carl Tobias, the Williams Chair in Law at the University of Richmond School of Law and who specializes in federal judicial selection.
“There likely will be some judicial nominees up, for sure. That makes it tighter and tougher, and Kelly being there, I think, would be important.”
There’s a financial element, as well, Basile and O’Grady said: once the election is decided, the senator-elect would begin drawing a salary.