usatoday--2020-12-23--Jordan, Osaka and more

Jordan, Osaka and more

Sports fans got a glimpse of what kind of year it was going to be in January with the death of an NBA legend , Kobe Bryant .
From there , the coronavirus pandemic and civil unrest that spread across the country could n't help but impact the sports world .
It was a year many of us would prefer to forget .
But that does n't mean there were n't memorable quotes that defined the way we thought and felt about sports in the year 2020 .
FROM LEBRON TO OSAKA : :20 sports figures who made the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WE NEEDED : Heartwarming sports moments of 2020 USA TODAY Sports looked back on the year that was and the quotes that have stuck with us .
Here are some of the highlights : 1 — “ He wanted to be the best basketball player he could be .
And as I got to know him , I wanted to be the best big brother I could be.
” – Michael Jordan at Kobe Bryant 's memorial service .
Jordan 's commemoration showcased a window into the hidden bond the two legends shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt me was all the stuff that I wanted to say , I had n't said it .
I never said it . ''
- NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal to USA TODAY 's Mark Medina on his up-and-down relationship with former teammate Kobe Bryant .
3 — `` I wish I would have taken this thing more seriously and I hope everyone else will do so because we can do it together .
Take care and stay safe . ''
– Utah Jazz forward Rudy Gobert , whose positive COVID test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jazz-Thunder game in March and the suspension of the NBA season .
Other sports leagues quickly followed suit as the virus quickly began to spread .
4 — “ The first four , five days I was honestly nervous .
I wouldn ’ t say that I thought I was going to die or anything like that , but it did cross my mind a little bit.
” – Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller on contracting and recovering from COVID-19 .
5 — `` It feels like 162 right now ... Actually , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortened season , for the mental grind everyone has had to go through and change . ''
– Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker in mid-September , on the rigors of playing a 60-game MLB season through COVID-19 .
6 — “ I know the NCAA is worried about the end game .
They ’ re not as worried about the game we ’ re playing right now.
” – Duke men 's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski , who vented about the NCAA 's decision to `` plow '' through the 2020-21 season early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have March Madness after the 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the virus .
7 — `` I learned early on that in fighting against systematic oppression , dehumanization and colonization , who controls the narrative shapes the reality of how the world views society .
It controls who ’ s loved , who ’ s hated , who ’ s degraded and who ’ s celebrated.
” – former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick told USA TODAY Sports about his plight to fight against injustice and what prompted him to originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — `` How can you hear the pain Black people are going through and dismiss it as nothing ?
How can you hear the pain and respond with anything other than ` I stand with you ' ? ''
-- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow following Jacob Blake shooting .
9 — '' It 's amazing why we keep loving this country , and this country does not love us back . ''
- Philadelphia 76ers coach and former L.A. Clippers coach Doc Rivers following the Jacob Blake shooting .
10 — `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ...
I feel like the point is to make people start talking . ''
– Naomi Osaka when she was asked about her pre- and post-match masks at the U.S. Open , each with the name of a different Black American killed by racial profiling or unnecessary police violence .
11 — “ We the National Football League admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest .
We the National Football League believe Black lives matter.
” – NFL commissioner Roger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group of NFL players challenged the NFL to join their fight against racism .
12 — “ I definitely want to extend some advice to all the kids out there : keep dreaming big .
These opportunities , they ’ re closer than you think.
” – Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Brett Phillips , after his walk-off hit made him a most unlikely hero in the Rays ' 7-6 victory in Game 4 of the World Series .
13 — “ That ’ s what ( Vanderbilt coaches ) have done the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on ) if I ’ m good enough to do it .
It wasn ’ t because I was a girl . ''
– Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller , who became the first woman to score in a Power Five college football game .
14 — `` How about these Fighting Rece Davises ? ''
– Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald after a comment by ESPN analyst Joey Galloway helped fuel a 17-7 victory over Wisconsin by comparing the athletic abilities of the Wildcats players to those of his ESPN colleague Rece Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can get it done on Sunday with the lead at a major , especially in tough conditions ... because I ’ m sure a lot of y ’ all think there were doubts in my mind , just because I had been there.
” -- golfer Dustin Johnson , on putting tragic near-misses and collapses in the final rounds of past majors behind him by winning The Masters in November , a little over a month after testing positive for COVID-19 .
16 — `` I want to see female commissioners , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see most is women reaping the benefits of the work that they 've sown . ''
- L.A. Sparks forward and WNBA players association president Nneka Ogwumike to USA TODAY 's Nancy Armour on the state of the league after ratifying its new collective bargaining agreement .
17— `` Listen , I can ’ t stop smoking .
I smoked during fights .
I just have to smoke , I ’ m sorry .
I ’ m a smoker .
… I smoke everyday .
I never stopped smoking . ''
– @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before fights .
The 54-year-old said he smoked marijuana right before he fought Roy Jones Jr. in late November in his celebrated return to the boxing ring .
18 — `` I thought it would be a big deal , but it 's beyond my expectations .
But it 's also a testament to where we are .
People are looking for hope .
People are looking for inspiration .
I 'm happy to be a part of it . ''
- the Miami Marlins ' Kim Ng , after being named the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American men 's sports franchise .
19 — `` I 'm pissed .
I 'm mad because people are trying to test my character and the person that I am and my integrity .
They 're not stealing that from me , but trying to test that . ''
– NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace after the FBI conducted an investigation into the noose that was found in his garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway on June 21 , and determined the incident was not a federal crime because the noose was found in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wallace did not find the noose himself and NASCAR initially condemned the incident as a hate crime .
20 — `` It became personal with me . ''
– Michael Jordan in `` The Last Dance , '' ( several times ) about his various opponents .
With no live sports on television for months , the ESPN docu-series on the Chicago Bulls ' NBA dynasty of the 1980s captivated fans .
Jordan 's chip-on-his-shoulder mentality spawned countless `` ... and I took that personally '' memes on social media – even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the documentary .

20 best sports quotes of 2020: Michael Jordan, Naomi Osaka and more
Sports fans got a glimpse of what kind of year it was going to be in January with the death of an NBA legend, Kobe Bryant. From there, the coronavirus pandemic and civil unrest that spread across the country couldn't help but impact the sports world.
It was a year many of us would prefer to forget. But that doesn't mean there weren't memorable quotes that defined the way we thought and felt about sports in the year 2020.
FROM LEBRON TO OSAKA:: 20 sports figures who made the world a better place in 2020
THE JOY WE NEEDED: Heartwarming sports moments of 2020
USA TODAY Sports looked back on the year that was and the quotes that have stuck with us. Here are some of the highlights:
KOBE BRYANT
1 — “He wanted to be the best basketball player he could be. And as I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother I could be.” – Michael Jordan at Kobe Bryant's memorial service. Jordan's commemoration showcased a window into the hidden bond the two legends shared.
2 — "The thing that hurt me was all the stuff that I wanted to say, I hadn't said it. I never said it." - NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal to USA TODAY's Mark Medina on his up-and-down relationship with former teammate Kobe Bryant.
COVID-19
3 — "I wish I would have taken this thing more seriously and I hope everyone else will do so because we can do it together. Take care and stay safe." – Utah Jazz forward Rudy Gobert, whose positive COVID test resulted in the immediate postponement of a Jazz-Thunder game in March and the suspension of the NBA season. Other sports leagues quickly followed suit as the virus quickly began to spread.
4 — “The first four, five days I was honestly nervous. I wouldn’t say that I thought I was going to die or anything like that, but it did cross my mind a little bit.” – Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller on contracting and recovering from COVID-19.
SPORTS POSTPONED
5 — "It feels like 162 right now ... Actually, it doesn’t feel like a shortened season, for the mental grind everyone has had to go through and change." – Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker in mid-September, on the rigors of playing a 60-game MLB season through COVID-19.
6 — “I know the NCAA is worried about the end game. They’re not as worried about the game we’re playing right now.” – Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, who vented about the NCAA's decision to "plow" through the 2020-21 season early on amid the coronavirus pandemic in order to have March Madness after the 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the virus.
SOCIAL UNREST
7 — "I learned early on that in fighting against systematic oppression, dehumanization and colonization, who controls the narrative shapes the reality of how the world views society. It controls who’s loved, who’s hated, who’s degraded and who’s celebrated.” – former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick told USA TODAY Sports about his plight to fight against injustice and what prompted him to originally kneel during the national anthem.
8 — "How can you hear the pain Black people are going through and dismiss it as nothing? How can you hear the pain and respond with anything other than `I stand with you'?" -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow following Jacob Blake shooting.
9 — "It's amazing why we keep loving this country, and this country does not love us back." - Philadelphia 76ers coach and former L.A. Clippers coach Doc Rivers following the Jacob Blake shooting.
10 — "What was the message you got? ... I feel like the point is to make people start talking." – Naomi Osaka when she was asked about her pre- and post-match masks at the U.S. Open, each with the name of a different Black American killed by racial profiling or unnecessary police violence.
Naomi Osaka replies to Tom Rinaldi’s question about the message behind wearing masks with names of Black people killed on them: “Well, what was the message that you got? ... I feel like the point is to make people start talking.” pic.twitter.com/SBWGaDJqaJ — Chris Bumbaca (@BOOMbaca) September 12, 2020
11 — “We the National Football League admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We the National Football League believe Black lives matter.” – NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in June, a day after a group of NFL players challenged the NFL to join their fight against racism.
UNDERDOGS
12 — “I definitely want to extend some advice to all the kids out there: keep dreaming big. These opportunities, they’re closer than you think.” – Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Brett Phillips, after his walk-off hit made him a most unlikely hero in the Rays' 7-6 victory in Game 4 of the World Series.
13 — “That’s what (Vanderbilt coaches) have done the entire time. It was (based on) if I’m good enough to do it. It wasn’t because I was a girl." – Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller, who became the first woman to score in a Power Five college football game.
14 — "How about these Fighting Rece Davises?" – Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald after a comment by ESPN analyst Joey Galloway helped fuel a 17-7 victory over Wisconsin by comparing the athletic abilities of the Wildcats players to those of his ESPN colleague Rece Davis.
WINNERS
15 — “I proved that I can get it done on Sunday with the lead at a major, especially in tough conditions ... because I’m sure a lot of y’all think there were doubts in my mind, just because I had been there.” -- golfer Dustin Johnson, on putting tragic near-misses and collapses in the final rounds of past majors behind him by winning The Masters in November, a little over a month after testing positive for COVID-19.
16 — "I want to see female commissioners, presidents, owners. What I want to see most is women reaping the benefits of the work that they've sown." - L.A. Sparks forward and WNBA players association president Nneka Ogwumike to USA TODAY's Nancy Armour on the state of the league after ratifying its new collective bargaining agreement.
ICONS
17— "Listen, I can’t stop smoking. I smoked during fights. I just have to smoke, I’m sorry. I’m a smoker. … I smoke everyday. I never stopped smoking." – Mike Tyson on his usage of marijuana before fights. The 54-year-old said he smoked marijuana right before he fought Roy Jones Jr. in late November in his celebrated return to the boxing ring.
18 — "I thought it would be a big deal, but it's beyond my expectations. But it's also a testament to where we are. People are looking for hope. People are looking for inspiration. I'm happy to be a part of it." - the Miami Marlins' Kim Ng, after being named the first female general manager for a major American men's sports franchise.
19 — "I'm pissed. I'm mad because people are trying to test my character and the person that I am and my integrity. They're not stealing that from me, but trying to test that." – NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace after the FBI conducted an investigation into the noose that was found in his garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway on June 21, and determined the incident was not a federal crime because the noose was found in the same garage as early as October 2019. Wallace did not find the noose himself and NASCAR initially condemned the incident as a hate crime.
20 — "It became personal with me." – Michael Jordan in "The Last Dance," (several times) about his various opponents. With no live sports on television for months, the ESPN docu-series on the Chicago Bulls' NBA dynasty of the 1980s captivated fans. Jordan's chip-on-his-shoulder mentality spawned countless "... and I took that personally" memes on social media – even though the reaction image never actually appeared in the documentary.


usatoday--2020-12-28--Capitals goalie Henrik Lundqvist to undergo open heart surgery

The heart condition that will cause Washington Capitals goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to miss the 2020-21 NHL season will also force him to undergo open heart surgery , he revealed Monday .
`` Last 3 weeks my focus has shifted from training camp and the upcoming season to my health and what I can and ca n't do , '' Lundqvist wrote in a social media message .
The open heart surgery will include aortic valve replacement , aortic root and ascending aortic replacement , Lundqvist said .
He did not offer a timetable for when the procedures would take place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to climb , '' he added .
`` Staying positive here and set on the road to recovery . ''
Lundqvist , 38 , had spent the last 15 seasons with the New York Rangers , who bought out the final year of his contract at the end of last season .
A free agent , Lundqvist signed a one-year deal with the division foe Capitals in October before announcing earlier this month he would be unable to play this season , which begins Jan. 13 .
Lundqvist , the 2012 Vezina trophy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 career games , including playoffs .
He has a career 2.43 goals-against average and .918 save percentage in the regular season and a 2.30 GAA and .921 mark in the postseason .

Capitals goalie Henrik Lundqvist to undergo open heart surgery
The heart condition that will cause Washington Capitals goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to miss the 2020-21 NHL season will also force him to undergo open heart surgery, he revealed Monday.
"Last 3 weeks my focus has shifted from training camp and the upcoming season to my health and what I can and can't do," Lundqvist wrote in a social media message.
The open heart surgery will include aortic valve replacement, aortic root and ascending aortic replacement, Lundqvist said. He did not offer a timetable for when the procedures would take place.
"We all have our mountains to climb," he added. "Staying positive here and set on the road to recovery."
Lundqvist, 38, had spent the last 15 seasons with the New York Rangers, who bought out the final year of his contract at the end of last season. A free agent, Lundqvist signed a one-year deal with the division foe Capitals in October before announcing earlier this month he would be unable to play this season, which begins Jan. 13.
Lundqvist, the 2012 Vezina trophy winner, has appeared in more than 1,000 career games, including playoffs. He has a career 2.43 goals-against average and .918 save percentage in the regular season and a 2.30 GAA and .921 mark in the postseason.
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.


usatoday--2020-12-29--Ohio police officer Adam Coy fired after fatal shooting of unarmed Black man Andre Hill, Fraternal O

COLUMBUS , Ohio — The white Columbus police officer who shot and killed an unarmed Black man last week has been terminated , according to leaders with the local Fraternal Order of Police .
A hearing on whether Officer Adam Coy should be fired concluded Monday morning , and city officials promised a `` prompt decision '' on the officer 's employment .
Brian Steel , vice president of FOP Capital City Lodge 9 , confirmed Coy 's termination to The Columbus Dispatch , part of the USA TODAY Network .
A preliminary report from the Franklin County Coroner 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a homicide .
The preliminary cause of death is multiple gunshot wounds , the coroner 's office said .
A full autopsy report is expected in 12 to 14 weeks .
The hearing before city Public Safety Director Ned Pettus was for Pettus to hear evidence supporting Coy 's termination as well as evidence in defense of the officer .
'It 's nothing but pain ' : The latest on the cases of violence against Black people that sparked America 's racial reckoning Coy was not in attendance at the hearing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a written statement Monday .
Members of the Fraternal Order of Police attended the hearing on his behalf .
The Columbus Department of Public Safety said earlier Monday it would issue an announcement with Pettus ' decision once it had been made .
The department had not issued a follow-up statement nor confirmed Coy 's firing as of late Monday afternoon .
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump , who is representing Hill 's family , released a joint statement with the family saying it was the `` correct decision to terminate '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviewing all the bodycam footage and determining everything that happened leading to Andre Hill ’ s death , '' the statement added .
`` We need to redefine a relationship between police and communities of color in which it doesn ’ t turn deadly for a Black person with a cell phone to encounter a law enforcement officer.
” Coy was served with paperwork last week documenting administrative charges against him in last Tuesday 's shooting of Hill , 47 .
There was also a recommendation that he be terminated .
The administrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of force '' by Coy , not turning on his body camera and not rendering aid to Hill , who was lying there for several minutes before he received assistance from other emergency responders .
Pettus is the only person within city government who has the authority to fire an officer .
'Officer Coy must be terminated ' : Officer who fatally shot unarmed Black man served with charges recommending his firing Coy , 44 , has worked in the department for 19 years .
He was one of two officers who responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parked SUV that had been running on and off for a period of time .
Coy and a female officer , who has not yet been identified , arrived around 1:50 a.m. last Tuesday .
About 10 seconds after encountering Hill , who was inside a garage and an expected guest at that home , Coy fired his service weapon multiple times .
Neither Coy nor the other officer turned their body cameras on until after the shooting .
Because of a `` look-back '' feature on the cameras that records the 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooting itself was captured on video , with no audio .
The video shows officers getting out of their cruisers and walking up the driveway to the open garage door at the home .
Hill has his back turned to police .
He turns around and takes four steps toward the officers with his cellphone up in his left hand and his right hand not visible .
Coy then shoots Hill and approaches him .
The audio now on , Coy tells Hill to roll over , saying he ca n't see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if a medic is coming .
According to the video , at least six minutes pass before aid was rendered to Hill .
Coy does not provide any initial aid and in the intervening minutes , crime scene tape is placed around the scene and more officers arrive .
Leading up to a decision from Pettus , Coy was relieved of duty , had surrendered his gun and badge and was stripped of all police powers .
The officer has a history of complaints and issues with excessive force during his time with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Andrew J. Ginther called for Coy 's firing , saying that inaction by Coy and other officers violated the police division 's core values that include compassion , respect and accountability .

Ohio police officer Adam Coy fired after fatal shooting of unarmed Black man Andre Hill, Fraternal Order of Police says
Show Caption Hide Caption Black man shot after approaching Columbus police officer with phone Andre Hill was approaching a Columbus police officer with his phone in hand when he was fatally shot. USA TODAY
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The white Columbus police officer who shot and killed an unarmed Black man last week has been terminated, according to leaders with the local Fraternal Order of Police.
A hearing on whether Officer Adam Coy should be fired concluded Monday morning, and city officials promised a "prompt decision" on the officer's employment.
Brian Steel, vice president of FOP Capital City Lodge 9, confirmed Coy's termination to The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network.
A preliminary report from the Franklin County Coroner's Office determined Andre Hill's death to be a homicide. The preliminary cause of death is multiple gunshot wounds, the coroner's office said. A full autopsy report is expected in 12 to 14 weeks.
The hearing before city Public Safety Director Ned Pettus was for Pettus to hear evidence supporting Coy's termination as well as evidence in defense of the officer.
'It's nothing but pain': The latest on the cases of violence against Black people that sparked America's racial reckoning
Coy was not in attendance at the hearing, the Columbus Department of Public Safety said in a written statement Monday. Members of the Fraternal Order of Police attended the hearing on his behalf.
The Columbus Department of Public Safety said earlier Monday it would issue an announcement with Pettus' decision once it had been made. The department had not issued a follow-up statement nor confirmed Coy's firing as of late Monday afternoon.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Hill's family, released a joint statement with the family saying it was the "correct decision to terminate" Coy.
"We look forward to reviewing all the bodycam footage and determining everything that happened leading to Andre Hill’s death," the statement added. "We need to redefine a relationship between police and communities of color in which it doesn’t turn deadly for a Black person with a cell phone to encounter a law enforcement officer.”
Coy was served with paperwork last week documenting administrative charges against him in last Tuesday's shooting of Hill, 47. There was also a recommendation that he be terminated. The administrative charges pertain to the "unreasonable use of force" by Coy, not turning on his body camera and not rendering aid to Hill, who was lying there for several minutes before he received assistance from other emergency responders.
Pettus is the only person within city government who has the authority to fire an officer.
'Officer Coy must be terminated': Officer who fatally shot unarmed Black man served with charges recommending his firing
Coy, 44, has worked in the department for 19 years. He was one of two officers who responded to a nonemergency disturbance call about a parked SUV that had been running on and off for a period of time.
Coy and a female officer, who has not yet been identified, arrived around 1:50 a.m. last Tuesday. About 10 seconds after encountering Hill, who was inside a garage and an expected guest at that home, Coy fired his service weapon multiple times.
Neither Coy nor the other officer turned their body cameras on until after the shooting. Because of a "look-back" feature on the cameras that records the 60 seconds before they are turned on, the shooting itself was captured on video, with no audio.
The video shows officers getting out of their cruisers and walking up the driveway to the open garage door at the home. Hill has his back turned to police. He turns around and takes four steps toward the officers with his cellphone up in his left hand and his right hand not visible.
Coy then shoots Hill and approaches him. The audio now on, Coy tells Hill to roll over, saying he can't see his right hand. Coy then asks if a medic is coming.
According to the video, at least six minutes pass before aid was rendered to Hill. Coy does not provide any initial aid and in the intervening minutes, crime scene tape is placed around the scene and more officers arrive.
Leading up to a decision from Pettus, Coy was relieved of duty, had surrendered his gun and badge and was stripped of all police powers.
The officer has a history of complaints and issues with excessive force during his time with the police division.
Last week, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther called for Coy's firing, saying that inaction by Coy and other officers violated the police division's core values that include compassion, respect and accountability.
Contributing: Jordan Culver, USA TODAY; Bethany Bruner, Columbus Dispatch.
Follow Jennifer Smola on Twitter: @jennsmola.


usatoday--2020-12-28--Gonzaga still No. 1, while Duke falls out of USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll

Gonzaga will enter the 2021 portion of the season with the No .
1 ranking in the USA TODAY Sports men ’ s basketball coaches poll .
The Zags closed out another impressive week with a blowout of Virginia and easily retain the top position with 29 of 32 first-place votes .
Baylor remains No .
2 , claiming the other three first-place selections .
Villanova , Kansas and Houston round out the top five with the Cougars rising two places to join the group .
Tennessee moves up to No .
6 , with a key SEC showdown with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
West Virginia slips two places to No .
8 after a loss to Kansas .
It was the Big Ten ’ s busy week , however , that caused the most shifting in the poll .
Wisconsin now heads the group at No .
7 .
Iowa falls six places to No .
11 after an overtime loss to Minnesota , which enters the poll in a tie for 24th with Virginia .
The Cavaliers had the biggest fall among the Top 25 , falling nine places .
Michigan State , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes a seven-position drop to No .
18 .
Northwestern , among the season ’ s biggest early surprises , debuts at No .
22 , the first Top 25 appearance for the Wildcats since the preseason poll in 2017.Also rejoining the poll this week is No .
23 San Diego State .
North Carolina is out after a loss to rival North Carolina State .
Duke will also close the year unranked , the first poll since February of 2016 without the Blue Devils .
Richmond is the week ’ s other @ @

Gonzaga still No. 1, while Duke falls out of USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll
Gonzaga will enter the 2021 portion of the season with the No. 1 ranking in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll. The Zags closed out another impressive week with a blowout of Virginia and easily retain the top position with 29 of 32 first-place votes.
Baylor remains No. 2, claiming the other three first-place selections. Villanova, Kansas and Houston round out the top five with the Cougars rising two places to join the group.
Tennessee moves up to No. 6, with a key SEC showdown with No. 12 Missouri slated for Wednesday. West Virginia slips two places to No. 8 after a loss to Kansas.
It was the Big Ten’s busy week, however, that caused the most shifting in the poll. Wisconsin now heads the group at No. 7. Iowa falls six places to No. 11 after an overtime loss to Minnesota, which enters the poll in a tie for 24th with Virginia. The Cavaliers had the biggest fall among the Top 25, falling nine places.
TOP 25: Complete USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll
Michigan State, which fell to 0-2 in the conference, takes a seven-position drop to No. 18. Northwestern, among the season’s biggest early surprises, debuts at No. 22, the first Top 25 appearance for the Wildcats since the preseason poll in 2017.Also rejoining the poll this week is No. 23 San Diego State.
North Carolina is out after a loss to rival North Carolina State. Duke will also close the year unranked, the first poll since February of 2016 without the Blue Devils. Richmond is the week’s other dropout.


usatoday--2020-12-28--Record number of travelers passed through U.S. airports after Christmas

Record number of travelers passed through U.S. airports after Christmas Nearly 1.3 million people passed through U.S. airports the Sunday @ @ @ @ @ new COVID-19 travel record .

Air travel hits COVID-19 high despite CDC urging to stay home
Nearly 1.3 million people passed through U.S. airports the Sunday after Christmas, marking a new COVID-19 travel record.
Staff video, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-06--Money pours in to grant wish for boy with brain cancer

Money pours in to grant wish for boy with brain cancer Isaac Rodriguez , a North Carolina boy with brain @ @ @ @ @ not just for himself but his whole family .
It was granted thanks to the @ @ @ @

Money pours in to grant wish for boy with brain cancer
Isaac Rodriguez, a North Carolina boy with brain cancer, made a wish not just for himself but his whole family. It was granted thanks to the kindness of strangers.
Humankind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-28--President-elect Joe Biden calls out Trump administration for 'roadblocks' in transition

President-elect Joe Biden calls out Trump administration for 'roadblocks ' in transition President-elect Joe Biden called the lack of cooperation @ @ @ @ @ .

Joe Biden calls out 'irresponsibility,' 'roadblocks' in transition
President-elect Joe Biden called the lack of cooperation from the Trump administration irresponsible.
Staff video, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-29--Politics updates: Biden calls for 'continuing vigilance' against domestic attacks following Nashvill

This week , USA TODAY Politics focuses on the run-up to President-elect Joe Biden 's inauguration , his remaining Cabinet picks and the final week of the current Congress .
• Jan. 6 : Congress will count and certify the electoral results in a joint session .
• Jan. 20 : Inauguration of Biden , who will take the oath of office .
Be sure to refresh this page often to get the latest information on the transition .
Biden : Trump 's administration is not cooperating on national security issues President-elect Joe Biden went public Monday with protests of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump administration , saying it could undermine national security .
“ Right now , we just aren ’ t getting all the information that we need from the outgoing administration in key national security areas , '' Biden told reporters in Wilmington , Del .
`` It ’ s nothing short , in my view , of irresponsibility . ''
Speaking after a video conference with his national security and foreign policy teams , Biden was particularly critical of the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Defense .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our force posture around the world and our operations to deter our enemies , ” Biden said .
“ We need full visibility into the budget planning underway at the Defense Department and other agencies in order to avoid any window of confusion or catch-up that our adversaries may try to exploit.
” Trump administration officials have pledged cooperation with the Democratic team , even though Trump himself has yet to concede the election to Biden .
After the president-elect 's criticism , Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller said his department has worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We continue to schedule additional meetings for the remainder of the transition and answer any and all requests for information in our purview , '' Miller said in a statement .
That has n't happened yet , Biden said : “ We have encountered roadblocks . ''
President-elect Joe Biden said Monday an array of national security challenges includes protection against domestic attacks , and the nation needs to be alert in the wake of the Christmas Day bombing in Nashville , Tenn. Investigators in Nashville `` are working around the clock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intent , '' Biden said after a national security briefing with advisers , and there needs to be `` continuing vigilance across the board . ''
Speaking with reporters about his foreign policy and national security agendas , Biden again said he wants to rebuild alliances with other countries that have frayed during the Donald Trump presidency .
International cooperation is essential to meet challenges such the COVID-19 pandemic , climate change , Chinese `` trade abuses , '' Russian cyberattacks , and border security , Biden said during a short speech .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the transition from the Trump administration , citing irresponsible `` obstruction '' by the Pentagon in particular .
He cited a lack of information about budgeting and military planning .
Biden did not take formal questions from journalists .
As he left , one reporter shouted out if he supports $ 2,000 in direct payments as part of a COVID relief package ; Biden responded `` yes . ''
During his presidency , Trump and aides have clashed with leaders of other countries on issues ranging from free trade to immigration to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too many countries have `` ripped off '' the United States by making bad trade deals , failing to spend enough for mutual defense , and refusing to help block illegal border crossings into the U.S .
In his remarks , Biden said Trump has forfeited American global leadership '' We will reclaim our credibility to lead the free world , '' Biden said .
`` And we will , once again , lead not just by the example of our power , but by the power of our example . ''
President-elect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top foreign policy priorities is rebuilding alliances with other countries that became strained during the Donald Trump administration .
`` The truth is the challenges we face today ca n't be solved by any one country acting alone , '' Biden said before a virtual meeting with his national security and foreign policy review teams , citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a classic example .
Biden is scheduled to deliver a brief speech on national security and foreign policy after the meeting .
During his presidency , Trump and aides have clashed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from free trade to joint military defense .
Trump said too many countries have `` ripped off '' the United States with bad trade deals and low spending on their own national defenses .
In remarks before meeting with advisers , Biden said Trump 's aggressive approach has done more harm than good , and U.S. security has been `` jeopardized by the go-it-alone approach of this administration . ''
President Donald Trump tweeted Sunday that he would be traveling to Georgia in January to campaign for Republican Sens .
Kelly Loeffler and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensely completive reelection bids .
“ On behalf of two GREAT Senators , @ sendavidperdue & @ KLoeffler , I will be going to Georgia on Monday night , January 4th.
, to have a big and wonderful RALLY.
” Trump tweeted .
“ So important for our Country that they win !
” The Republican National Convention confirmed it will be hosting a “ Victory Rally ” in Dalton , Georgia , on Jan. 4 .
Loeffler and Perdue will join the president for the rally , which will take place at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m .
ET .
The fates of both senators will be determined on Jan. 5 , when Georgians will cast their ballots in a runoff that will not only determine the state ’ s representation in Congress but also the balance of power in the Senate .
Election watchers expect the bitterly contested race to be extremely close .
Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Rev .
Raphael Warnock are in statistical ties with the Republican incumbents , according to a FiveThirtyEight average .
Ossoff and Warnock have both raised over $ 100 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 64 million and $ 68.1 million , respectively .
The cash influx has enabled a barrage of political advertising just as the state sees early voting levels in the runoffs just shy of turnout in the general election , a near unprecedented rate .
Trump , who lost Georgia to President-elect Joe Biden , has continued to make unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud in the election .
The president has recently come under increased criticism from conservatives for attacking the legitimacy of the state ’ s electoral system ahead of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined the president ’ s condemnations of state election officials and the integrity of the vote itself , going so far as to call for the ouster of the Republican Secretary of State , Brad Raffesperger , and suing the state in federal court , arguing that more mail ballots should have been scrapped in November .
President Donald Trump continued to argue for direct payments of $ 2,000 to Americans after signing a coronavirus relief package that includes a provision for a lower amount .
“ As President , I have told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending and more money going to the American people in the form of $ 2,000 checks per adult and $ 600 per child , ” Trump said in a statement .
The president signed the relief package Sunday just after expanded unemployment benefits for workers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic expired Saturday .
The White House had originally agreed to much of the aid package until Trump unexpectedly threatened to veto the deal that congressional leadership had reached with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
The House of Representatives is set to vote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the $ 2,000 amount .
A voice vote to increase the direct payment amount failed last week after some Republican opposition .

Politics updates: Biden calls for 'continuing vigilance' against domestic attacks following Nashville bombing
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden calls out 'irresponsibility,' 'roadblocks' in transition President-elect Joe Biden called the lack of cooperation from the Trump administration irresponsible. Staff video, USA TODAY
This week, USA TODAY Politics focuses on the run-up to President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, his remaining Cabinet picks and the final week of the current Congress.
Dates to watch:
Jan. 6: Congress will count and certify the electoral results in a joint session.
Jan. 20: Inauguration of Biden, who will take the oath of office.
Be sure to refresh this page often to get the latest information on the transition.
President-elect Joe Biden went public Monday with protests of a lack of transition help from the Donald Trump administration, saying it could undermine national security.
“Right now, we just aren’t getting all the information that we need from the outgoing administration in key national security areas," Biden told reporters in Wilmington, Del. "It’s nothing short, in my view, of irresponsibility."
Speaking after a video conference with his national security and foreign policy teams, Biden was particularly critical of the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Defense.
"My team needs a clear picture of our force posture around the world and our operations to deter our enemies,” Biden said. “We need full visibility into the budget planning underway at the Defense Department and other agencies in order to avoid any window of confusion or catch-up that our adversaries may try to exploit.”
Trump administration officials have pledged cooperation with the Democratic team, even though Trump himself has yet to concede the election to Biden.
After the president-elect's criticism, Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller said his department has worked well with the Biden transition team.
"We continue to schedule additional meetings for the remainder of the transition and answer any and all requests for information in our purview," Miller said in a statement.
That hasn't happened yet, Biden said: “We have encountered roadblocks."
— David Jackson
President-elect Joe Biden said Monday an array of national security challenges includes protection against domestic attacks, and the nation needs to be alert in the wake of the Christmas Day bombing in Nashville, Tenn.
Investigators in Nashville "are working around the clock to gain more information on motive and intent," Biden said after a national security briefing with advisers, and there needs to be "continuing vigilance across the board."
Speaking with reporters about his foreign policy and national security agendas, Biden again said he wants to rebuild alliances with other countries that have frayed during the Donald Trump presidency.
International cooperation is essential to meet challenges such the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, Chinese "trade abuses," Russian cyberattacks, and border security, Biden said during a short speech.
Biden also knocked a lack of cooperation on the transition from the Trump administration, citing irresponsible "obstruction" by the Pentagon in particular. He cited a lack of information about budgeting and military planning.
“We have encountered roadblocks,” Biden said.
Biden did not take formal questions from journalists. As he left, one reporter shouted out if he supports $2,000 in direct payments as part of a COVID relief package; Biden responded "yes."
During his presidency, Trump and aides have clashed with leaders of other countries on issues ranging from free trade to immigration to joint military defense. Trump has said too many countries have "ripped off" the United States by making bad trade deals, failing to spend enough for mutual defense, and refusing to help block illegal border crossings into the U.S.
In his remarks, Biden said Trump has forfeited American global leadership
"We will reclaim our credibility to lead the free world," Biden said. "And we will, once again, lead not just by the example of our power, but by the power of our example."
— David Jackson
President-elect Joe Biden said Monday one of his top foreign policy priorities is rebuilding alliances with other countries that became strained during the Donald Trump administration.
"The truth is the challenges we face today can't be solved by any one country acting alone," Biden said before a virtual meeting with his national security and foreign policy review teams, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a classic example.
Biden is scheduled to deliver a brief speech on national security and foreign policy after the meeting.
During his presidency, Trump and aides have clashed with leaders of other countries on issues ranging from free trade to joint military defense. Trump said too many countries have "ripped off" the United States with bad trade deals and low spending on their own national defenses.
In remarks before meeting with advisers, Biden said Trump's aggressive approach has done more harm than good, and U.S. security has been "jeopardized by the go-it-alone approach of this administration."
— David Jackson
President Donald Trump tweeted Sunday that he would be traveling to Georgia in January to campaign for Republican Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, who are engaged in intensely completive reelection bids.
“On behalf of two GREAT Senators, @sendavidperdue & @KLoeffler, I will be going to Georgia on Monday night, January 4th., to have a big and wonderful RALLY.” Trump tweeted. “So important for our Country that they win!”
The Republican National Convention confirmed it will be hosting a “Victory Rally” in Dalton, Georgia, on Jan. 4. Loeffler and Perdue will join the president for the rally, which will take place at Dalton Regional Airport and begin at 7 p.m. ET.
The fates of both senators will be determined on Jan. 5, when Georgians will cast their ballots in a runoff that will not only determine the state’s representation in Congress but also the balance of power in the Senate.
Election watchers expect the bitterly contested race to be extremely close. Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock are in statistical ties with the Republican incumbents, according to a FiveThirtyEight average.
Ossoff and Warnock have both raised over $100 million each, while Loeffler and Perdue raised $64 million and $68.1 million, respectively. The cash influx has enabled a barrage of political advertising just as the state sees early voting levels in the runoffs just shy of turnout in the general election, a near unprecedented rate.
Trump, who lost Georgia to President-elect Joe Biden, has continued to make unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud in the election. The president has recently come under increased criticism from conservatives for attacking the legitimacy of the state’s electoral system ahead of a crucial election.
Loeffler and Perdue both joined the president’s condemnations of state election officials and the integrity of the vote itself, going so far as to call for the ouster of the Republican Secretary of State, Brad Raffesperger, and suing the state in federal court, arguing that more mail ballots should have been scrapped in November.
— Matthew Brown
Trump advocates for $2,000 stimulus checks after signing relief package
President Donald Trump continued to argue for direct payments of $2,000 to Americans after signing a coronavirus relief package that includes a provision for a lower amount.
“As President, I have told Congress that I want far less wasteful spending and more money going to the American people in the form of $2,000 checks per adult and $600 per child,” Trump said in a statement.
The president signed the relief package Sunday just after expanded unemployment benefits for workers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic expired Saturday.
The White House had originally agreed to much of the aid package until Trump unexpectedly threatened to veto the deal that congressional leadership had reached with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
The House of Representatives is set to vote on a bill that would expand direct payments to the $2,000 amount. A voice vote to increase the direct payment amount failed last week after some Republican opposition.
— Matthew Brown


usatoday--2020-12-28--What watchdogs? Trump leaves office with inspector general jobs vacant across government

As President-elect Joe Biden weighs critical Cabinet appointments , his new administration will confront widespread vacancies in watchdog offices across the government .
At least a dozen of the 38 presidentially appointed inspectors general will not be in place at the end of the Trump administration .
Allison Lerner , the incoming chairperson of the inspectors general council , said filling the jobs in some of the most crucial federal agencies , from the Department of Defense to Health and Human Services to the CIA , will require “ a heavy lift.
” '' There is no substitute for Senate-confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a professor of public service at New York University .
`` They are the coin of the realm when it comes to government oversight . ''
The vacancies follow one of the most contentious periods for inspectors general , several of whom were targeted for removal by President Donald Trump .
Among the Trump administration ousters was Inspector General of the Intelligence Community Michael Atkinson , who handled a whistleblower 's complaint about Trump 's dealings with Ukraine that triggered the president 's impeachment .
Atkinson 's firing was quickly followed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Department , and Glenn Fine , the acting inspector general at the Pentagon .
Linick , a former federal prosecutor , had investigated allegations of political retaliation by allies of the president against career diplomats labeled as `` disloyal . ''
Democratic leaders slammed the dismissals , some of which came in late Friday notices issued by the administration .
“ The President ’ s late-night , weekend firing of the State Department Inspector General has accelerated his dangerous pattern of retaliation against the patriotic public servants charged with conducting oversight on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif , said in a statement in May .
`` Inspector General Linick was punished for honorably performing his duty to protect the Constitution and our national security . ''
After the dismissals , a bipartisan group of lawmakers , led by Sen. Charles Grassley , R-Iowa , proposed legislation that would bolster watchdog independence .
The bill , which in part would require a more substantive rationale for removal , did not advance during the congressional session .
'Lapdog ' or watchdog ?
The State Department 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of interest , inexperience Lerner , inspector general at the National Science Foundation , said the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency has been in contact with the incoming Biden administration to address its needs , including the leadership gaps .
`` Something has to be done to move nominations more efficiently , '' she said .
The needs have become more urgent in the midst of a pandemic that 's killed more than 333,000 people in the USA .
Agencies directly involved in the health response ( the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery effort ( the Treasury Department ) are without permanent watchdog leaders .
This year , a Pandemic Response Accountability Committee and special inspector general were among the oversight entities established to track the massive virus recovery effort , which includes a $ 2 trillion aid package approved in March and the $ 900 billion relief strategy that awaits Trump 's signature .
That effort got off to a bumpy start when Trump removed Fine as the acting inspector general at the Defense Department .
The move effectively stripped Fine of his post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee ( PRAC ) .
Fine had been selected by the inspector general council chair to lead the panel charged with overseeing the initial $ 2 trillion measure meant to mitigate the economic damage caused by the pandemic .
The PRAC and its 21 affiliated inspectors general have since accelerated oversight on the flood of aid released by the government .
The panel – led by Michael Horowitz , inspector general at the Justice Department , and Paul Martin , the inspector general at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration – reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The new relief package adds to the work .
`` We 're going to keep doing the oversight , doing the work we have to do , '' Horowitz said .
`` We are not going to be dissuaded from that mission . ''
IG report : FBI wiretap of Carter Page riddled with errors but Russia probe justified Despite the adversarial actions , Lerner and Horowitz , the former chair of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency , said the watchdog community remains undeterred .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be done , '' Lerner said .
Horowitz , whose office produced last year 's highly critical report on the FBI 's surveillance of a former Trump campaign adviser as part of the Russia investigation , described the overall mission as akin to `` straddling a barbed wire fence . ''
`` Being an IG is a challenging job no matter the administration and no matter what party is in power , '' he said .
Horowitz and Lerner did not single out Trump for criticism , but Light said the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and avoid necessary oversight functions throughout Trump 's presidency .
`` I 'm surprised the inspectors general offices still have electricity , '' Light said .
`` This is a president who absolutely despises oversight . ''

What watchdogs? Trump leaves office with inspector general jobs vacant across government
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump in firing intel committee watchdog over whistleblower complaint President Trump defends decision to fire Micael Atkinson, the watchdog who followed protocol and forwarded the whistleblower complaint to Congress. USA TODAY
As President-elect Joe Biden weighs critical Cabinet appointments, his new administration will confront widespread vacancies in watchdog offices across the government. At least a dozen of the 38 presidentially appointed inspectors general will not be in place at the end of the Trump administration.
Allison Lerner, the incoming chairperson of the inspectors general council, said filling the jobs in some of the most crucial federal agencies, from the Department of Defense to Health and Human Services to the CIA, will require “a heavy lift.”
"There is no substitute for Senate-confirmed inspectors general," said Paul Light, a professor of public service at New York University. "They are the coin of the realm when it comes to government oversight."
Inspectors general targeted by Trump
The vacancies follow one of the most contentious periods for inspectors general, several of whom were targeted for removal by President Donald Trump.
Among the Trump administration ousters was Inspector General of the Intelligence Community Michael Atkinson, who handled a whistleblower's complaint about Trump's dealings with Ukraine that triggered the president's impeachment.
Atkinson's firing was quickly followed by the removals of Steve Linick at the State Department, and Glenn Fine, the acting inspector general at the Pentagon. Linick, a former federal prosecutor, had investigated allegations of political retaliation by allies of the president against career diplomats labeled as "disloyal."
Democratic leaders slammed the dismissals, some of which came in late Friday notices issued by the administration.
“The President’s late-night, weekend firing of the State Department Inspector General has accelerated his dangerous pattern of retaliation against the patriotic public servants charged with conducting oversight on behalf of the American people," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, said in a statement in May. "Inspector General Linick was punished for honorably performing his duty to protect the Constitution and our national security."
After the dismissals, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, proposed legislation that would bolster watchdog independence. The bill, which in part would require a more substantive rationale for removal, did not advance during the congressional session.
Intel ouster: Trump fires watchdog who handled Ukraine complaint
'Lapdog' or watchdog? The State Department's new inspector general under fire for conflicts of interest, inexperience
Rep. Eliot Engel: Fired inspector general was investigating 2019 Saudi Arabia arms deal
Biden without watchdogs amid massive COVID-19 response
Lerner, inspector general at the National Science Foundation, said the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency has been in contact with the incoming Biden administration to address its needs, including the leadership gaps.
"Something has to be done to move nominations more efficiently," she said.
The needs have become more urgent in the midst of a pandemic that's killed more than 333,000 people in the USA.
Agencies directly involved in the health response (the Department of Health and Human Services) and recovery effort (the Treasury Department) are without permanent watchdog leaders.
This year, a Pandemic Response Accountability Committee and special inspector general were among the oversight entities established to track the massive virus recovery effort, which includes a $2 trillion aid package approved in March and the $900 billion relief strategy that awaits Trump's signature.
That effort got off to a bumpy start when Trump removed Fine as the acting inspector general at the Defense Department. The move effectively stripped Fine of his post as chairman of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC).
Fine had been selected by the inspector general council chair to lead the panel charged with overseeing the initial $2 trillion measure meant to mitigate the economic damage caused by the pandemic.
The PRAC and its 21 affiliated inspectors general have since accelerated oversight on the flood of aid released by the government.
The panel – led by Michael Horowitz, inspector general at the Justice Department, and Paul Martin, the inspector general at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration – reported that there are at least 141 reviews underway.
The new relief package adds to the work.
"We're going to keep doing the oversight, doing the work we have to do," Horowitz said. "We are not going to be dissuaded from that mission."
IG report: FBI wiretap of Carter Page riddled with errors but Russia probe justified
'Straddling a barbed wire fence'
Despite the adversarial actions, Lerner and Horowitz, the former chair of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, said the watchdog community remains undeterred.
"We have not been shy about saying what needs to be done," Lerner said.
Horowitz, whose office produced last year's highly critical report on the FBI's surveillance of a former Trump campaign adviser as part of the Russia investigation, described the overall mission as akin to "straddling a barbed wire fence."
"Being an IG is a challenging job no matter the administration and no matter what party is in power," he said.
Horowitz and Lerner did not single out Trump for criticism, but Light said the White House has sought to harass inspectors general and avoid necessary oversight functions throughout Trump's presidency.
"I'm surprised the inspectors general offices still have electricity," Light said. "This is a president who absolutely despises oversight."


usatoday--2020-12-29--Post-presidency at Mar-a-Lago; What Donald Trump can expect when he leaves the White House

After he leaves office , President Donald Trump is expected to live at his Palm Beach club .
But those plans are being challenged .
Some of Trump 's neighbors , fed up with four years of road closures and security checkpoints , do not want Trump living at Mar-a-Lago .
They claim he forfeited that right when he converted Mar-a-Lago to a club in 1993 .
Photos : President Donald Trump and first lady Melania 's Christmas visits to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach Regardless , living at Mar-a-Lago as a former president who lost his re-election bid will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • A much smaller Secret Service detail will keep an eye on the ex-first family as well the club 's 500 members plus club guests attending numerous weddings , charity fundraisers , photo shoots and a car show that lease the facility .
Related : For Trump , being a Florida resident is easy .
But will N.Y. let go ?
• The family 's living quarters have reportedly been remodeled but will still be far smaller than the top three floors of Trump Tower in Manhattan where the Trumps lived before moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will likely be louder .
Mar-a-Lago is directly under the main flight path of Palm Beach International Airport .
Jets flying over the estate are so loud that Trump once sued PBIA .
While he served as president , air traffic was diverted away from Mar-a-Lago for security reasons .
Once Trump is a former president , planes are expected to once again fly directly over the club .
More : Mar-a-Lago neighbors say Trump forfeited right to live on estate once presidency ends • Some Trump supporters who line the presidential motorcade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vow to continue their vigils .
The motorcade for former President Trump will be much smaller and Trump 's schedule no longer public .
More : The Trump effect in Palm Beach County : His presidency altered business and politics ; his personality affected the people • Then there is the helipad , the only private helipad on the island .
The town council reluctantly gave Trump permission to build with two conditions : That it only be used for official presidential business ; and that it be removed when Trump leaves office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private , corporate helicopter has been spotted on the pad .
Plans to remove it have not yet been announced .
Photos : Trump 's Mar-a-Lago Through the Years , Inside and Out

Post-presidency at Mar-a-Lago; What Donald Trump can expect when he leaves the White House
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump at Mar-a-Lago for last presidential Christmas The Palm Beach Post's Antonio Fins and Christine Stapleton discuss Mar-a-Lago's role in President Trump's presidency and future. USA TODAY
After he leaves office, President Donald Trump is expected to live at his Palm Beach club.
But those plans are being challenged. Some of Trump's neighbors, fed up with four years of road closures and security checkpoints, do not want Trump living at Mar-a-Lago. They claim he forfeited that right when he converted Mar-a-Lago to a club in 1993.
Regardless, living at Mar-a-Lago as a former president who lost his re-election bid will be much different than visiting on weekends.
The differences include:
A much smaller Secret Service detail will keep an eye on the ex-first family as well the club's 500 members plus club guests attending numerous weddings, charity fundraisers, photo shoots and a car show that lease the facility.
Related: For Trump, being a Florida resident is easy. But will N.Y. let go?
The family's living quarters have reportedly been remodeled but will still be far smaller than the top three floors of Trump Tower in Manhattan where the Trumps lived before moving into the White House.
Life will likely be louder. Mar-a-Lago is directly under the main flight path of Palm Beach International Airport. Jets flying over the estate are so loud that Trump once sued PBIA. While he served as president, air traffic was diverted away from Mar-a-Lago for security reasons. Once Trump is a former president, planes are expected to once again fly directly over the club.
More: Mar-a-Lago neighbors say Trump forfeited right to live on estate once presidency ends
Some Trump supporters who line the presidential motorcade route, principally along Southern Boulevard, vow to continue their vigils. The motorcade for former President Trump will be much smaller and Trump's schedule no longer public.
More: The Trump effect in Palm Beach County: His presidency altered business and politics; his personality affected the people


usatoday--2020-12-29--Bills complete first season sweep of Patriots since 1999 with Monday Night Football blowout

Nothing will ever make up for all the misery the New England Patriots inflicted upon the Buffalo Bills for nearly two decades .
Nothing .
But a 38-9 blowout win of Bill Belichick on Monday night sure had to feel good for a franchise and a fan base that has dreamed of the day when the fortunes of these two teams finally turned .
“ It feels great , ” Bills coach Sean McDermott said .
“ It ’ s hard enough to win in the NFL regardless of who you ’ re playing .
This is an organization , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bills fits over the years .
It ’ s a win in both games against the Patriots and then to win the way we did tonight , I think it just speaks volumes about our players and coaches and the team that Brandon ( Beane ) has put on the field.
” The Bills completed their first season sweep of the Patriots since 1999 , the year before Belichick arrived in New England , and they did it the way they ’ ve been beating everyone lately – their offense was virtually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improved play , something that will be imperative once the playoffs begin .
“ I think when you ’ re executing and scoring points , it ’ s hard to do in this league , ” said center Mitch Morse .
“ It ’ s extremely gratifying to see your hard work put to the test .
And our defense put us in some great situations .
I thought they played red hot today .
… It was just a total team win.
” If you wanted to pick one moment that stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you could choose any of the four touchdown passes Josh Allen threw .
But perhaps it was of Belichick slamming down a phone on the sideline after his replay challenge early in the third quarter failed as badly as most of Cam Newton ’ s passes .
Imagine the Buffalo Bills making the greatest coach in the history of the NFL that frustrated .
Things were so bad for Newton – 5 of 10 for 34 yards – that rather than try to score in the final two minutes of the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white flag and just ran out the clock .
Midway through the third quarter , he yanked Newton and turned to Jarrett Stidham to close out the game .
On Stidham ’ s first possession , faced with fourth-and-4 at the Bills 47 , Belichick white-flagged again and punted .
Yeah , it was that kind of night , just a total beatdown for the Bills .
“ Listen , I ’ ve been on the other side of it before , ” McDermott said when asked about his post-game handshake with Belichick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I certainly appreciate that .
A lot of respect for what he ’ s been able to do .
I just think it says a lot about the way we ’ re doing things as an organization.
” Patriots at a crossroads : Cam Newton not the answer at quarterback for Patriots .
They must find young successor for Tom Brady .
The Bills improved to 12-3 , their first 12-win season 1993 , which was the last of their four Super Bowl teams .
It also vaults the Bills back into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AFC playoff bracket , and it will be interesting to see what coach Sean McDermott does for the finale against Miami .
Will he play his starters and try to win the game , because if that happens , the Bills lock up the second seed over Pittsburgh , or will he rest them and hope for the best against the Dolphins , or perhaps a Cleveland win over the Steelers ?
When the Bills and Pats played back in Week 8 , when you looked at the game as a whole , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the play of the two quarterbacks , and if not for his fumble in the final minute , Newton may very well have beaten Allen that day at Bills Stadium .
Monday night – the first time in the 18-year history of Gillette Stadium where the Patriots were playing a game officially eliminated from the playoff chase , a string of 318 games – the difference was wider than the Grand Canyon .
Allen picked the Patriots apart even though they played defense much the same way they did in the first game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He didn ’ t even play the final 12 minutes but still completed 27 of 36 passes for 320 yards .
In the first game , offensive coordinator Brian Daboll attacked by running and Allen threw only 18 passes .
In this game , Allen attempted 21 passes in the first half alone and completed 15 , including touchdowns to Lee Smith and Stefon Diggs as the Bills opened a 24-9 lead .
Bright future ?
: Trevor Lawrence among factors that could make Jaguars most attractive NFL job of the offseason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goff nursing thumb injury , who is Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback John Wolford ?
“ Dabes called a great game , ” said Allen .
“ Our guys executed , got open , caught the ball , blocked up front .
It ’ s just guys making plays .
That ’ s really what it comes down to.
” After each team settled for a field goal on its opening possession , Buffalo took the lead for good when Allen directed a 12-play , 70-yard drive that ended with Zack Moss blasting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run .
The Bills converted two fourth downs along the way , one on a fake punt when Jaquan Johnson threw a 13-yard pass to fellow defensive back Siran Neal , the other on a 22-yard QB keeper by Allen .
New England answered right back as the Bills defense looked much like it played early in the season .
It was a brutal series as the Patriots ran it right down their collective throat before Newton scrambled in for a 9-yard TD with Tremaine Edmunds whiffing in the open field .
Nick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bills in front 10-9 .
Unfazed , Allen put together a 75-yard drive that ended with him flipping a four-yard TD pass to wide open Lee Smith .
And then three plays after the Patriots went three-and-out , Allen fired a laser on a crossing route to Diggs who turned it into a 50-yard TD that bumped the count to 24-9 .
Coming out of halftime the Bills just kept rolling as they needed only three-and-a-half minutes to make it 31-9 as Allen threw an 18-yard TD pass to Diggs , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on that possession alone .
From there , the clock couldn ’ t have ticked fast enough for the Patriots , but not for the Bills .
They just kept piling it on as Allen threw his third TD of the night to Diggs from eight yards out , capping a 95-yard drive during which Allen surpassed 300 yards for the eighth time this season .
That TD was also Allen ’ s 34th through the air which broke Jim Kelly ’ s record set in 1991 , and at that point McDermott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matt Barkley with 11:56 still left in the game .
“ It ’ s another check off the list of getting what we worked all week for and that ’ s a victory , ” said safety Jordan Poyer .
“ I wouldn ’ t say this win is bigger than any other win we ’ ve had , it ’ s just the next one .
We ’ re continuing to get better.
” Sal Maiorana can be reached at maiorana @ gannett.com .
Follow him on Twitter @ salmaiorana .

Sal Maiorana, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Bills complete first season sweep of Patriots since 1999 with Monday Night Football blowout
Show Caption Hide Caption AFC overreactions: Chiefs clinch top seed, but is there room for concern? SportsPulse: The playoffs in the AFC will go through Kansas City, but that doesn't seem as daunting as it once did. USA TODAY Sports' Mackenzie Salmon breaks down the biggest story lines from Week 16 in the AFC. USA TODAY
Nothing will ever make up for all the misery the New England Patriots inflicted upon the Buffalo Bills for nearly two decades. Nothing.
But a 38-9 blowout win of Bill Belichick on Monday night sure had to feel good for a franchise and a fan base that has dreamed of the day when the fortunes of these two teams finally turned.
“It feels great,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “It’s hard enough to win in the NFL regardless of who you’re playing. This is an organization, being the Patriots, that have given the Bills fits over the years. It’s a win in both games against the Patriots and then to win the way we did tonight, I think it just speaks volumes about our players and coaches and the team that Brandon (Beane) has put on the field.”
The Bills completed their first season sweep of the Patriots since 1999, the year before Belichick arrived in New England, and they did it the way they’ve been beating everyone lately – their offense was virtually unstoppable, and their defense continued its improved play, something that will be imperative once the playoffs begin.
“I think when you’re executing and scoring points, it’s hard to do in this league,” said center Mitch Morse. “It’s extremely gratifying to see your hard work put to the test. And our defense put us in some great situations. I thought they played red hot today. … It was just a total team win.”
If you wanted to pick one moment that stood out more than any other, sure, you could choose any of the four touchdown passes Josh Allen threw. But perhaps it was of Belichick slamming down a phone on the sideline after his replay challenge early in the third quarter failed as badly as most of Cam Newton’s passes.
Imagine the Buffalo Bills making the greatest coach in the history of the NFL that frustrated.
Things were so bad for Newton – 5 of 10 for 34 yards – that rather than try to score in the final two minutes of the first half down 24-9, Belichick waved the white flag and just ran out the clock. Midway through the third quarter, he yanked Newton and turned to Jarrett Stidham to close out the game. On Stidham’s first possession, faced with fourth-and-4 at the Bills 47, Belichick white-flagged again and punted.
Yeah, it was that kind of night, just a total beatdown for the Bills.
“Listen, I’ve been on the other side of it before,” McDermott said when asked about his post-game handshake with Belichick. “He was very complimentary, and I certainly appreciate that. A lot of respect for what he’s been able to do. I just think it says a lot about the way we’re doing things as an organization.”
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The Bills improved to 12-3, their first 12-win season 1993, which was the last of their four Super Bowl teams. It also vaults the Bills back into the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff bracket, and it will be interesting to see what coach Sean McDermott does for the finale against Miami.
Will he play his starters and try to win the game, because if that happens, the Bills lock up the second seed over Pittsburgh, or will he rest them and hope for the best against the Dolphins, or perhaps a Cleveland win over the Steelers?
When the Bills and Pats played back in Week 8, when you looked at the game as a whole, there wasn’t much difference in the play of the two quarterbacks, and if not for his fumble in the final minute, Newton may very well have beaten Allen that day at Bills Stadium.
Monday night – the first time in the 18-year history of Gillette Stadium where the Patriots were playing a game officially eliminated from the playoff chase, a string of 318 games – the difference was wider than the Grand Canyon.
Allen picked the Patriots apart even though they played defense much the same way they did in the first game, covering with seven and sometimes eight. He didn’t even play the final 12 minutes but still completed 27 of 36 passes for 320 yards.
In the first game, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll attacked by running and Allen threw only 18 passes. In this game, Allen attempted 21 passes in the first half alone and completed 15, including touchdowns to Lee Smith and Stefon Diggs as the Bills opened a 24-9 lead.
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“Dabes called a great game,” said Allen. “Our guys executed, got open, caught the ball, blocked up front. It’s just guys making plays. That’s really what it comes down to.”
After each team settled for a field goal on its opening possession, Buffalo took the lead for good when Allen directed a 12-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Zack Moss blasting up the middle for a 5-yard touchdown run. The Bills converted two fourth downs along the way, one on a fake punt when Jaquan Johnson threw a 13-yard pass to fellow defensive back Siran Neal, the other on a 22-yard QB keeper by Allen.
New England answered right back as the Bills defense looked much like it played early in the season. It was a brutal series as the Patriots ran it right down their collective throat before Newton scrambled in for a 9-yard TD with Tremaine Edmunds whiffing in the open field. Nick Folk’s missed extra point kept the Bills in front 10-9.
Unfazed, Allen put together a 75-yard drive that ended with him flipping a four-yard TD pass to wide open Lee Smith. And then three plays after the Patriots went three-and-out, Allen fired a laser on a crossing route to Diggs who turned it into a 50-yard TD that bumped the count to 24-9.
Coming out of halftime the Bills just kept rolling as they needed only three-and-a-half minutes to make it 31-9 as Allen threw an 18-yard TD pass to Diggs, the fifth play of at least 10 yards on that possession alone.
From there, the clock couldn’t have ticked fast enough for the Patriots, but not for the Bills. They just kept piling it on as Allen threw his third TD of the night to Diggs from eight yards out, capping a 95-yard drive during which Allen surpassed 300 yards for the eighth time this season.
That TD was also Allen’s 34th through the air which broke Jim Kelly’s record set in 1991, and at that point McDermott called off the dogs and sent in Matt Barkley with 11:56 still left in the game.
“It’s another check off the list of getting what we worked all week for and that’s a victory,” said safety Jordan Poyer. “I wouldn’t say this win is bigger than any other win we’ve had, it’s just the next one. We’re continuing to get better.”
Sal Maiorana can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salmaiorana.


usatoday--2020-12-29--A ceramic bust of Breonna Taylor was vandalized in California. The sculptor calls it a 'racist attac

California authorities are investigating vandalism to a bust honoring Breonna Taylor that the sculptor is calling `` a racist attack on the Black Lives Matter movement . ''
Leo Carson installed the ceramic bust on Dec. 12 at Latham Square in downtown Oakland .
The words `` Say Her Name Breonna Taylor '' are written below the bust to honor Taylor , 26 , a Black woman whose death in March by Kentucky police spurred national protests against racial inequality and police brutality .
The vandalism was first reported by local news outlet The Oaklandside on Saturday .
Oakland police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of vandalism , spokesman Paul Chambers told USA TODAY on Monday .
Carson told USA TODAY he was inspired by the summer protests and wanted to use his art to support the movement .
`` I think it was an attempt to add intimidation and to silence people who are trying to support Black lives and grow the movement for racial justice , '' said Carson of the damage to his artwork .
`` The reality is that they had the opposite effect that they were intending , where the community has now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sculpture and make it more durable and more lasting than it ever was , and to make Breonna 's name more alive . ''
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf on Twitter called the incident `` a vicious attack against the light + justice sought in Breonna Taylor 's name . ''
Carson created a GoFundMe page to raise money to rebuild the bust , this time in bronze .
As of Monday evening , the campaign had surpassed its $ 5,000 goal with more than $ 10,700 .
Carson said he plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to repair the sculpture to Taylor 's family .
`` What racists fear is working-class people uniting and fighting together against racism and I think that 's what we really need to be demonstrating in response to this , '' said Carson , who lost his job as a restaurant server amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` Solidarity and coming together . ''
Louisville released its Breonna Taylor investigation : Here 's what the massive file contains Taylor was fatally shot March 13 by Louisville Metro Police officers as they attempted to serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a larger narcotics investigation .
A Jefferson County grand jury charged one of the officers connected to Taylor 's shooting with three counts of wanton endangerment .
But no officers have been charged in her death .

A ceramic bust of Breonna Taylor was vandalized in California. The sculptor calls it a 'racist attack,' vows to rebuild in bronze.
Show Caption Hide Caption Breonna Taylor remembered as 'good girl' by family, friends Breonna Taylor was shot to death by police. Update from Oct. 12: Breonna Taylor’s occupation was as an emergency room technician. USA TODAY
California authorities are investigating vandalism to a bust honoring Breonna Taylor that the sculptor is calling "a racist attack on the Black Lives Matter movement."
Leo Carson installed the ceramic bust on Dec. 12 at Latham Square in downtown Oakland. The words "Say Her Name Breonna Taylor" are written below the bust to honor Taylor, 26, a Black woman whose death in March by Kentucky police spurred national protests against racial inequality and police brutality.
The vandalism was first reported by local news outlet The Oaklandside on Saturday. Oakland police are investigating the incident as an act of vandalism, spokesman Paul Chambers told USA TODAY on Monday.
Carson told USA TODAY he was inspired by the summer protests and wanted to use his art to support the movement.
"I think it was an attempt to add intimidation and to silence people who are trying to support Black lives and grow the movement for racial justice," said Carson of the damage to his artwork. "The reality is that they had the opposite effect that they were intending, where the community has now come together to [help] repair the sculpture and make it more durable and more lasting than it ever was, and to make Breonna's name more alive."
On Monday, December 21st there was a newly erected #SayHerName bust of Breonna Taylor in Downtown Oakland.
Today, the day after Christmas, it’s now destroyed.
Credit for the art is listed as Leo Carson / leo_carson_art on Instagram pic.twitter.com/jwu2H5A65s — Amir Aziz (@aziaticblack) December 26, 2020
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf on Twitter called the incident "a vicious attack against the light + justice sought in Breonna Taylor's name."
Carson created a GoFundMe page to raise money to rebuild the bust, this time in bronze. As of Monday evening, the campaign had surpassed its $5,000 goal with more than $10,700.
Carson said he plans to donate any funds that aren't needed to repair the sculpture to Taylor's family.
"What racists fear is working-class people uniting and fighting together against racism and I think that's what we really need to be demonstrating in response to this," said Carson, who lost his job as a restaurant server amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "Solidarity and coming together."
Louisville released its Breonna Taylor investigation: Here's what the massive file contains
Taylor was fatally shot March 13 by Louisville Metro Police officers as they attempted to serve a search warrant at her apartment as part of a larger narcotics investigation. A Jefferson County grand jury charged one of the officers connected to Taylor's shooting with three counts of wanton endangerment. But no officers have been charged in her death.
Contributing: Darcy Costello and Tessa Duvall, Louisville Courier-Journal