usatoday--2020-11-23--NBA players meet with Pope Francis at Vatican to discuss social justice, per reports

The NBA is extending its influence in social justice reform from the hardwood to the Holy See .
Five players — Kyle Korver , Jonathan Isaac , Marco Belinelli , Sterling Brown and Anthony Tolliver — along with Players ' Association executive director Michele Roberts traveled to the Vatican for a meeting Monday with Pope Francis , according to multiple reports .
Per ESPN , someone from the Vatican reached out to the NBPA last week to schedule the meeting , which had to be scheduled in short order with the 2020-21 season starting in a month .
The meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the players and union officials touring St. Peter 's Square afterward .
Plans of the meeting had not been leaked until early Monday .
Whether it was peaceful anthem protests , clear messaging on the courts and apparel or coordinating a wildcat strike in the aftermath of the Jacob Blake shooting , the NBA kept the spotlight on social justice and racial inequality throughout the summer from its Disney bubble — enough that the pope wanted to hear more about the efforts .
Brown , who signed with the Houston Rockets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the Milwaukee Police Department after eight members used excessive force on him outside of a Walgreens in 2018 .
Isaac , meanwhile , was one of the few players and coaches to stand during the anthem while nearly everybody else knelt .

NBA players, Michele Roberts meet with Pope Francis at Vatican to discuss social justice
Show Caption Hide Caption NBA world reacts to Breonna Taylor decision What I'm Hearing: Jeff Zillgitt is inside the NBA bubble and relays what the players and coaches are saying following the controversial decision made in the Breonna Taylor case. What I'm Hearing, USA TODAY
The NBA is extending its influence in social justice reform from the hardwood to the Holy See.
Five players — Kyle Korver, Jonathan Isaac, Marco Belinelli, Sterling Brown and Anthony Tolliver — along with National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts traveled to the Vatican for a meeting Monday with Pope Francis.
The meeting was held in the papal library of the Apostolic Palace and "provided the opportunity for the Players to discuss their individual and collective efforts addressing social and economic injustice and inequality occurring in their communities," according to a statement released by the NBPA.
“We are extremely honored to have had this opportunity to come to the Vatican and share our experiences with Pope Francis," Korver said in the release from the NBPA. “His openness and eagerness to discuss these issues was inspiring and a reminder that our work has had a global impact and must continue moving forward.”
Sherrie Deans, executive director of the NBPA Foundation and Matteo Zuretti, the NBPA’s chief of international relations, also attended the meeting.
Per ESPN, someone from the Vatican reached out to the NBPA last week to schedule the meeting, which had to be scheduled in short order with the 2020-21 season starting in a month.
The meeting was set to last about one hour, with the players and union officials touring St. Peter's Square afterward. Plans of the meeting had not been leaked until early Monday.
Whether it was peaceful anthem protests, clear messaging on the courts and apparel or coordinating a wildcat strike in the aftermath of the Jacob Blake shooting, the NBA kept the spotlight on social justice and racial inequality throughout the summer from its Disney bubble — enough that the pope wanted to hear more about the efforts.
Brown, who signed with the Houston Rockets recently, settled a lawsuit this month against the Milwaukee Police Department after eight members used excessive force on him outside of a Walgreens in 2018. Isaac, meanwhile, was one of the few players and coaches to stand during the anthem while nearly everybody else knelt.
“Today’s meeting was an incredible experience,” Tolliver said in the statement. “With the Pope’s support and blessing, we are excited to head into this next season reinvigorated to keep pushing for change and bringing our communities together.”
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.


usatoday--2020-11-23--From extended jobless benefits to student loan reprieve, COVID-19 relief set to fade at year's end

As coronavirus cases surge to records , dealing another blow to the nation ’ s health and economy , the federal safety net that propped up financially battered households is set to vanish unless a divided Congress can break a monthslong impasse .
At the end of the year , millions of unemployed Americans will lose jobless benefits .
Tenants can be evicted from their apartments .
People with student debt will have to resume payments .
Small businesses will lose a critical financial lifeline .
President-elect Joe Biden ’ s administration and a new Congress are likely to reinstate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , analysts said , but their interruption could disrupt lives and cause additional financial heartache during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression .
“ The economy will be operating without a safety net in January , ” Bank of America economists wrote in a research note Friday .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC Friday that he and GOP lawmakers will try to work with Democrats to draft targeted relief legislation in the coming weeks .
The parties have been deadlocked for months : The Democratic-controlled House passed a $ 2.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 500 billion package .
The federal assistance , which bolstered the recovery from an unprecedented pandemic-induced recession , was included in the $ 2 trillion Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act passed by Congress or authorized by President Donald Trump ’ s executive actions .
Here ’ s a look at the programs set to run out : About 12 million Americans will lose their unemployment insurance Dec. 26 when two coronavirus aid programs expire , according to estimates by the Century Foundation , a nonprofit think tank .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have exhausted their 26 weeks of state jobless benefits and received an additional 13 weeks under the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation ( PEUC ) program .
Those emergency benefits will end even for workers in the middle of their 13 weeks .
An additional 4.4 million workers will have exhausted their PEUC aid by late December .
Banks on the brink : Two small banks failed in October .
They wo n't be the last if COVID-19 leaves businesses struggling to pay loans .
About 3 million of those who lose PEUC checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ extended benefits ” for up to 20 weeks from 18 states whose unemployment rates are high enough to trigger the relief , according to the Century Foundation and Michele Evermore , senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project , a worker advocacy group .
An additional 7.3 million workers will lose their Pandemic Unemployment Assistance – benefits doled out to workers who traditionally aren ’ t covered by jobless aid , including the self-employed , independent contractors and workers caring for sick relatives .
“ Tens of millions of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in income ) in the dead of winter in the middle of a pandemic , ” Evermore said .
The evaporation of the assistance will hurt the economy as jobless Americans sharply rein in their spending , said Heidi Shierholz , senior economist at the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute .
That would reduce first-quarter economic growth by 1.2 percentage points , Bank of America estimated .
In September , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended a moratorium on evictions to Dec. 31 and expanded it to cover all tenants – not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a federally backed mortgage such as Fannie Mae , as the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act required .
The moratorium has been riddled with loopholes , said Shamus Roller , executive director of the National Housing Law Project .
Tenants had to declare that they couldn ’ t pay partial rent and first sought other assistance , and many landlords successfully challenged such claims in court , Roller said .
Still , he said , the moratorium shielded from eviction millions of tenants who lost their jobs in the crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be at risk of losing their homes at year 's end , according to Bank of America .
Although evictions have been banned during the moratorium , landlords could have started eviction proceedings in court , meaning millions of Americans could be removed from their homes in early January , Roller said .
Although the Biden administration could reinstate the moratorium later in the month , “ you ’ ll have three weeks of people being kicked out of their homes just as they ’ re losing unemployment benefits , ” Roller said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own eviction bans that stretch beyond year ’ s end , according to the Eviction Lab at Princeton University .
Homeowners could suspend their payments for up to a year for federally backed mortgages under a relief act provision that expires Dec. 31 .
Those who sought deferments may extend them for up to a year , even after that deadline , Roller said .
About 70 % of outstanding single-family mortgages are owned or backed by a federal agency , such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac , Roller said .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apply for forbearance in January , the Federal Housing Administration has not announced such a policy , Roller said .
Someone who loses a job in December and ca n't make the FHA mortgage payment in January may be delinquent .
A moratorium on home foreclosures for federally backed mortgages expires at year ’ s end .
Until a new Congress or administration renews the ban early next year , homeowners who have missed payments and have n't been granted forbearance could face foreclosure in January , Roller said .
Enough to retire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American has $ 920,400 in retirement savings .
Here 's how to get there yourself In March , Trump issued an executive order suspending student loan payments and waiving interest for at least 60 days .
He extended the reprieve until Dec. 31 .
In January , tens of millions of student loan borrowers will have to resume payments , assuming Trump doesn ’ t issue another extension .
During the pandemic , borrowers have saved about $ 7 billion a month , according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Relief and Economic Security Act provided two weeks of paid sick days to workers at companies with fewer than 500 employees who were stricken by the virus , quarantined or caring for relatives .
The provision is scheduled to expire Dec. 31 .
Thirteen states and Washington , D.C. , broadly guarantee paid sick days , said Pronita Gupta , director of job quality at the Center for Law and Social Policy .
About 32 million mostly low-paid hourly workers get no paid sick days from their employers .
People “ who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member who is sick will be forced to go to work , ” Gupta said .
“ That will spread the contagion.
” Similarly , 10 weeks of paid family leave was afforded workers at companies with fewer than 500 employees who needed to care for children whose schools are closed .
Ten states require businesses to provide paid family leave .
Expiration of the federal benefit at year-end “ is going to throw a lot of families into disarray , ” Gupta said .
They ’ ll “ have to figure out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vestiges of financial assistance for small businesses struggling to survive the crisis are running dry .
Small businesses seeking a low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loan of up to $ 150,000 for working capital must apply by Dec. 21 , the Small Business Administration said .
The popular Paycheck Protection Program – which offered forgivable SBA loans to cover two months of expenses for small businesses that kept or rehired employees – stopped taking applications Aug. 8 .
Most businesses have spent the money .
Those that chose to spend it over 24 weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of the year if they have n't already .
“ A lot of businesses are sort of left hanging without any relief at all , ” said Ami Kassar , CEO of MultiFunding , a small-business loan adviser .
“ There are businesses every day that are shutting down because they ’ re out of options.
” Yelp estimated that more than 160,000 businesses on its website have shuttered since the start of the pandemic .

From extended jobless benefits to student loan reprieve, COVID-19 relief set to fade at year's end
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID stimulus deal: What Democrats, Republicans and Trump want A new coronavirus stimulus deal is still in the works between Democrats and Republicans, bu they can't agree on a conclusion. USA TODAY
As coronavirus cases surge to records, dealing another blow to the nation’s health and economy, the federal safety net that propped up financially battered households is set to vanish unless a divided Congress can break a monthslong impasse.
At the end of the year, millions of unemployed Americans will lose jobless benefits. Tenants can be evicted from their apartments. People with student debt will have to resume payments. Small businesses will lose a critical financial lifeline.
President-elect Joe Biden’s administration and a new Congress are likely to reinstate most or all of the relief programs, analysts said, but their interruption could disrupt lives and cause additional financial heartache during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
“The economy will be operating without a safety net in January,” Bank of America economists wrote in a research note Friday.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC Friday that he and GOP lawmakers will try to work with Democrats to draft targeted relief legislation in the coming weeks. The parties have been deadlocked for months: The Democratic-controlled House passed a $2.2 trillion measure, but Senate Republicans favor a $500 billion package.
The federal assistance, which bolstered the recovery from an unprecedented pandemic-induced recession, was included in the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act passed by Congress or authorized by President Donald Trump’s executive actions.
Here’s a look at the programs set to run out:
Unemployment benefits
About 12 million Americans will lose their unemployment insurance Dec. 26 when two coronavirus aid programs expire, according to estimates by the Century Foundation, a nonprofit think tank. They include 4.6 million workers who will have exhausted their 26 weeks of state jobless benefits and received an additional 13 weeks under the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. Those emergency benefits will end even for workers in the middle of their 13 weeks. An additional 4.4 million workers will have exhausted their PEUC aid by late December.
Banks on the brink: Two small banks failed in October. They won't be the last if COVID-19 leaves businesses struggling to pay loans.
About 3 million of those who lose PEUC checks are eligible for an additional round of “extended benefits” for up to 20 weeks from 18 states whose unemployment rates are high enough to trigger the relief, according to the Century Foundation and Michele Evermore, senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project, a worker advocacy group.
An additional 7.3 million workers will lose their Pandemic Unemployment Assistance – benefits doled out to workers who traditionally aren’t covered by jobless aid, including the self-employed, independent contractors and workers caring for sick relatives.
“Tens of millions of people are going to go to zero (in income) in the dead of winter in the middle of a pandemic,” Evermore said.
The evaporation of the assistance will hurt the economy as jobless Americans sharply rein in their spending, said Heidi Shierholz, senior economist at the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute. That would reduce first-quarter economic growth by 1.2 percentage points, Bank of America estimated.
Eviction moratoriums
In September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended a moratorium on evictions to Dec. 31 and expanded it to cover all tenants – not just those in apartment buildings financed by a federally backed mortgage such as Fannie Mae, as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act required.
The moratorium has been riddled with loopholes, said Shamus Roller, executive director of the National Housing Law Project. Tenants had to declare that they couldn’t pay partial rent and first sought other assistance, and many landlords successfully challenged such claims in court, Roller said. Still, he said, the moratorium shielded from eviction millions of tenants who lost their jobs in the crisis.
About 30 million renter households will be at risk of losing their homes at year's end, according to Bank of America. Although evictions have been banned during the moratorium, landlords could have started eviction proceedings in court, meaning millions of Americans could be removed from their homes in early January, Roller said.
Although the Biden administration could reinstate the moratorium later in the month, “you’ll have three weeks of people being kicked out of their homes just as they’re losing unemployment benefits,” Roller said.
A handful of states have their own eviction bans that stretch beyond year’s end, according to the Eviction Lab at Princeton University.
Mortgage forbearance and foreclosure
Homeowners could suspend their payments for up to a year for federally backed mortgages under a relief act provision that expires Dec. 31. Those who sought deferments may extend them for up to a year, even after that deadline, Roller said.
About 70% of outstanding single-family mortgages are owned or backed by a federal agency, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, Roller said.
Though Fannie and Freddie will allow homeowners to apply for forbearance in January, the Federal Housing Administration has not announced such a policy, Roller said. Someone who loses a job in December and can't make the FHA mortgage payment in January may be delinquent.
A moratorium on home foreclosures for federally backed mortgages expires at year’s end. Until a new Congress or administration renews the ban early next year, homeowners who have missed payments and haven't been granted forbearance could face foreclosure in January, Roller said.
Enough to retire?: The average older, affluent American has $920,400 in retirement savings. Here's how to get there yourself
Student loan payment suspension
In March, Trump issued an executive order suspending student loan payments and waiving interest for at least 60 days. He extended the reprieve until Dec. 31. In January, tens of millions of student loan borrowers will have to resume payments, assuming Trump doesn’t issue another extension. During the pandemic, borrowers have saved about $7 billion a month, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Bank of America.
Paid sick days and family leave
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act provided two weeks of paid sick days to workers at companies with fewer than 500 employees who were stricken by the virus, quarantined or caring for relatives. The provision is scheduled to expire Dec. 31.
Thirteen states and Washington, D.C., broadly guarantee paid sick days, said Pronita Gupta, director of job quality at the Center for Law and Social Policy. About 32 million mostly low-paid hourly workers get no paid sick days from their employers.
People “who may be sick or have a family member who is sick will be forced to go to work,” Gupta said. “That will spread the contagion.”
Similarly, 10 weeks of paid family leave was afforded workers at companies with fewer than 500 employees who needed to care for children whose schools are closed. Ten states require businesses to provide paid family leave.
Expiration of the federal benefit at year-end “is going to throw a lot of families into disarray,” Gupta said. They’ll “have to figure out how to juggle that.”
Small-business loans
The last vestiges of financial assistance for small businesses struggling to survive the crisis are running dry. Small businesses seeking a low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loan of up to $150,000 for working capital must apply by Dec. 21, the Small Business Administration said.
The popular Paycheck Protection Program – which offered forgivable SBA loans to cover two months of expenses for small businesses that kept or rehired employees – stopped taking applications Aug. 8. Most businesses have spent the money. Those that chose to spend it over 24 weeks instead of eight weeks must do so by the end of the year if they haven't already.
“A lot of businesses are sort of left hanging without any relief at all,” said Ami Kassar, CEO of MultiFunding, a small-business loan adviser. “There are businesses every day that are shutting down because they’re out of options.”
Yelp estimated that more than 160,000 businesses on its website have shuttered since the start of the pandemic.


usatoday--2020-11-23--Nebraska nurse posts emotional PSA as COVID-19 cases pass 100,000 in her state

Nebraska nurse posts emotional PSA as COVID-19 cases pass 100,000 in her state A nurse fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in @ @ @ @ @ as positive cases passed 100,000 in her state .

COVID-19: Nebraska nurse makes emotional plea
A nurse fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska sent an urgent message as positive cases passed 100,000 in her state.
USA TODAY, Storyful


usatoday--2020-11-19--Chicago's Shedd Aquarium closes, launches online encounters amid COVID-19 restrictions

Chicago ’ s Shedd Aquarium will stay closed through the new year but will continue to produce virtual content as @ @ @ @

Chicago aquarium launches virtual experiences amid COVID restrictions
Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium will stay closed through the new year but will continue to produce virtual content as COVID-19 restrictions increase.
USA TODAY, Storyful


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usatoday--2020-11-24--'Jeopardy!' resumes filming Nov. 30 following Alex Trebek's death; interim host Ken Jennings 'honore

'Jeopardy!' resumes filming Nov. 30 following Alex Trebek's death; interim host Ken Jennings 'honored'

Ken Jennings will be the first interim `` Jeopardy ! ''
host when the TV game show resumes production Nov. 30 , less than a month after longtime , beloved host Alex Trebek died .
Jennings will be one of several interim hosts before the show decides on a permanent replacement , `` Jeopardy ! ''
announced in a statement .
“ Alex believed in the importance of 'Jeopardy ! '
and always said that he wanted the show to go on after him , ” executive producer Mike Richards said in a statement announcing the resumption of production .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ legacy by continuing to produce the game he loved . ''
`` By bringing in familiar guest hosts for the foreseeable future , our goal is to create a sense of community and continuity for our viewers , '' said Richards .
Jennings responded to the hosting news with a respectful Twitter bow to Trebek , who was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March 2019 and died at age 80 on Nov. 8 .
More : Alex Trebek of 'Jeopardy ! '
dies at 80 after pancreatic cancer battle '' There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I 'm honored to be helping 'Jeopardy ! '
out with this in January , '' Jennings wrote .
Earlier this year , Jennings , 46 , claimed the title of `` Jeopardy !
Greatest of All Time '' in a prime-time event .
He also holds the all-time records for most consecutive games won ( 74 ) and highest winnings in regular-season play ( $ 2,520,700 ) .
`` Jeopardy ! ''
will air 10 of Trebek 's best episodes the weeks of Dec. 21 and Dec. 28 .
Trebek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air the week of Jan. 4 , in order `` to give his millions of fans a chance to see his final appearances , '' the show announced .
The first week of guest-hosted shows will air the week of Jan. 11 starting with Jennings .
Jennings has been the subject of discussion for a potential permanent hosts given his popularity and long-standing success on the show .
Internet fans posted an online Change.org petition to have LeVar Burton appointed host , with more than 100,000 people signing .
Trebek himself weighed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It ’ s probably going to be a woman , somebody younger , somebody bright , somebody personable , somebody with a great sense of humor , so I nominated Betty White , '' he joked .
He then mentioned some more serious candidates , including CNN 's Laura Coates , LA Kings announcer Alex Faust and TCM ’ s Ben Mankiewicz .

‘Jeopardy!' resumes filming Nov. 30 after Alex Trebek's death; interim host is Ken Jennings
Show Caption Hide Caption 'Jeopardy!' names Ken Jennings interim host after Alex Trebek's death Ken Jennings claimed the "Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time" title in a prime-time event. USA TODAY
Ken Jennings will be the first interim "Jeopardy!" host when the TV game show resumes production Nov. 30, less than a month after longtime, beloved host Alex Trebek died.
Jennings will be one of several interim hosts before the show decides on a permanent replacement, "Jeopardy!" announced in a statement.
“Alex believed in the importance of 'Jeopardy!' and always said that he wanted the show to go on after him,” executive producer Mike Richards said in a statement announcing the resumption of production. “We will honor Alex’s legacy by continuing to produce the game he loved."
"By bringing in familiar guest hosts for the foreseeable future, our goal is to create a sense of community and continuity for our viewers," said Richards.
Jennings responded to the hosting news with a respectful Twitter bow to Trebek, who was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March 2019 and died at age 80 on Nov. 8.
More: Alex Trebek of 'Jeopardy!' dies at 80 after pancreatic cancer battle
"There will only ever be one Alex Trebek, but I'm honored to be helping 'Jeopardy!' out with this in January," Jennings wrote.
There will only ever be one Alex Trebek, but I'm honored to be helping Jeopardy! out with this in January. https://t.co/2m2b5IQnkw — Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) November 23, 2020
Earlier this year, Jennings, 46, claimed the title of "Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time" in a prime-time event. He also holds the all-time records for most consecutive games won (74) and highest winnings in regular-season play ($2,520,700).
"Jeopardy!" will air 10 of Trebek's best episodes the weeks of Dec. 21 and Dec. 28. Trebek's final week of episodes will now air the week of Jan. 4, in order "to give his millions of fans a chance to see his final appearances," the show announced.
The first week of guest-hosted shows will air the week of Jan. 11 starting with Jennings.
Alex Trebek: 'Jeopardy!' contestants remember late game show host Alex Trebek, the longtime "Jeopardy!" host, died after a battle with pancreatic cancer. USA TODAY
Jennings has been the subject of discussion for a potential permanent hosts given his popularity and long-standing success on the show. Internet fans posted an online Change.org petition to have LeVar Burton appointed host, with more than 100,000 people signing.
Trebek himself weighed in on a possible future replacement in 2019.
"It’s probably going to be a woman, somebody younger, somebody bright, somebody personable, somebody with a great sense of humor, so I nominated Betty White," he joked.
He then mentioned some more serious candidates, including CNN's Laura Coates, LA Kings announcer Alex Faust and TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz.


usatoday--2020-11-23--GM dumps Trump in his attempt to bar California from setting emissions

General Motors is changing course and will no longer back President Donald Trump 's effort to stop California from setting its own emissions rules in an ongoing court fight .
GM CEO Mary Barra said Monday that GM is withdrawing from preemption litigation between California , the Trump Administration and other non-government groups .
In reaction to the move , President-elect Joe Biden said innovation and manufacturing will be priorities in his administration .
The move comes days after GM said it is increasing the number of electric vehicles it will bring to market .
GM will offer 30 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous goal to offer 20 by 2023 .
Barra said GM 's EV goals align with Biden 's endorsement of EVs .
Thanksgiving : Walmart , Target , Best Buy are closed amid COVID-19 , while CVS and Walgreens are open In a letter from Barra to 11 environmental leaders , she wrote , `` We are confident that the Biden Administration , California , and the U.S. auto industry , which supports 10.3 million jobs , can collaboratively find the pathway that will deliver an all-electric future .
To better foster the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the preemption litigation and inviting other automakers to join us . ''
Barra said GM is `` inspired '' by Biden ’ s Build Back Better plan , which looks to expand EV adoption , create one million jobs , install 550,000 charging stations , and `` position American autoworkers and manufacturers to win the race for electrification . ''
Biden , California and GM `` are aligned to address climate change '' by reducing emissions , Barra also wrote .
Biden said the automaker 's decision is good for the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of autoworkers .
`` GM ’ s decision reinforces how shortsighted the Trump Administration ’ s efforts to erode American ingenuity and America ’ s defenses against the climate threat truly are , '' Biden said in a statement .
`` In addition to advancing our ambitious climate goals , this decision will have a positive ripple effect as our nation strives to outcompete our global competitors , create good-paying union jobs here at home , and reclaim our place as leaders in innovation and manufacturing — all of which will be priorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s choice to work with Biden and California is central to Biden 's Build Back Better plan , he said , noting that he discussed it with Barra and UAW President Rory Gamble last week along with other business and labor leaders .
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell , D-Dearborn , said GM did the right thing by dropping out of `` this misguided lawsuit . ''
Dingell said other automakers should follow GM 's lead .
`` We need all stakeholders to come to the table and work on a path forward , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The need for one national program for fuel economy , which increases targets year-over-year and delivers on the twin goals of giving the industry certainty while reducing greenhouse gas emissions , remains as urgent as ever . ''
Likewise , U.S. Sen. Gary Peters , D-Michigan , said it is critical that the American auto industry `` wins the global race to own the 21st century car market , '' and GM 's announcement is a step toward ensuring that the country can address climate change , `` while putting our auto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Cars and their collectors : Some of the most outrageous car collections in the world GM unveiled its ambitious EV plan last week for Wall Street .
Of the 30 new EVs GM brings to market by 2025 , two-thirds of them will be sold in the United States .
GM also said it will invest $ 27 billion in electric vehicle and self-driving car development , which exceeds GM ’ s combined gas and diesel planned investments for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GM also moved up the launch dates for the all-electric Cadillac Lyriq SUV and the GMC Hummer pickup .
It is hiring 3,000 people to help speed up its electric vehicle production .
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles , along with Toyota Motor Corp. , also backed the Trump administration 's effort to bar California from setting its own fuel efficiency rules or zero-emission requirements .
FCA did not respond to a request for a comment .
California , 22 other states and environmental groups had challenged the Trump administration ’ s claim that federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards and zero-emission mandates .
In September , California said all new passenger cars sold in the state must be all-electric by 2035 , and no new internal combustion engine vehicles will be permitted to be sold there .
Ford Motor Co. , Honda Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG did not back the administration ’ s side .
Volkswagen announced a voluntary deal with California in 2019 on emissions rules .
Contact Jamie L. LaReau at jlareau @ freepress.com and on Twitter @ jlareauan .

GM dumps Trump in his attempt to bar California from setting emissions
Show Caption Hide Caption New electric vehicle batteries may last over a million miles The first million-mile electric car battery may not be far away from hitting the road and it's likely in a Tesla. Buzz60
General Motors is changing course and will no longer back President Donald Trump's effort to stop California from setting its own emissions rules in an ongoing court fight.
GM CEO Mary Barra said Monday that GM is withdrawing from preemption litigation between California, the Trump Administration and other non-government groups. In reaction to the move, President-elect Joe Biden said innovation and manufacturing will be priorities in his administration.
The move comes days after GM said it is increasing the number of electric vehicles it will bring to market. GM will offer 30 new EVs by 2025, up from its previous goal to offer 20 by 2023.
Barra said GM's EV goals align with Biden's endorsement of EVs.
Break winter for eateries: Millions may lose their jobs in restaurants and hospitality
'Big, scary mess':12M Americans to lose jobless aid after Xmas if Congress fails to act
In a letter from Barra to 11 environmental leaders, she wrote, "We are confident that the Biden Administration, California, and the U.S. auto industry, which supports 10.3 million jobs, can collaboratively find the pathway that will deliver an all-electric future. To better foster the necessary dialogue, we are immediately withdrawing from the preemption litigation and inviting other automakers to join us."
Barra said GM is "inspired" by Biden’s Build Back Better plan, which looks to expand EV adoption, create one million jobs, install 550,000 charging stations, and "position American autoworkers and manufacturers to win the race for electrification."
Biden, California and GM "are aligned to address climate change" by reducing emissions, Barra also wrote.
Political praise
Biden said the automaker's decision is good for the economy, the planet and the long-term success of autoworkers.
"GM’s decision reinforces how shortsighted the Trump Administration’s efforts to erode American ingenuity and America’s defenses against the climate threat truly are," Biden said in a statement. "In addition to advancing our ambitious climate goals, this decision will have a positive ripple effect as our nation strives to outcompete our global competitors, create good-paying union jobs here at home, and reclaim our place as leaders in innovation and manufacturing — all of which will be priorities in my administration."
GM’s choice to work with Biden and California is central to Biden's Build Back Better plan, he said, noting that he discussed it with Barra and UAW President Rory Gamble last week along with other business and labor leaders.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, said GM did the right thing by dropping out of "this misguided lawsuit." Dingell said other automakers should follow GM's lead.
"We need all stakeholders to come to the table and work on a path forward," Dingell said in a statement. "The need for one national program for fuel economy, which increases targets year-over-year and delivers on the twin goals of giving the industry certainty while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, remains as urgent as ever."
Likewise, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, said it is critical that the American auto industry "wins the global race to own the 21st century car market," and GM's announcement is a step toward ensuring that the country can address climate change, "while putting our auto industry on a path to success."
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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2021 Lincoln Nautilus: Big screen, colors, connectivity for feature updates
GM's electric future
GM unveiled its ambitious EV plan last week for Wall Street. Of the 30 new EVs GM brings to market by 2025, two-thirds of them will be sold in the United States. GM also said it will invest $27 billion in electric vehicle and self-driving car development, which exceeds GM’s combined gas and diesel planned investments for the first time in its history.
GM also moved up the launch dates for the all-electric Cadillac Lyriq SUV and the GMC Hummer pickup. It is hiring 3,000 people to help speed up its electric vehicle production.
Is the car owner's manual history?: 2021 Ford F-150 ditches traditional paper copy
Thanksgiving: Walmart, Target, Best Buy are closed amid COVID-19, while CVS and Walgreens are open
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, along with Toyota Motor Corp., also backed the Trump administration's effort to bar California from setting its own fuel efficiency rules or zero-emission requirements. FCA did not respond to a request for a comment.
California, 22 other states and environmental groups had challenged the Trump administration’s claim that federal law forbids California from setting harsh emission standards and zero-emission mandates.
In September, California said all new passenger cars sold in the state must be all-electric by 2035, and no new internal combustion engine vehicles will be permitted to be sold there.
Ford Motor Co., Honda Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG did not back the administration’s side. Volkswagen announced a voluntary deal with California in 2019 on emissions rules.
Contact Jamie L. LaReau at jlareau@freepress.com and on Twitter @jlareauan.


usatoday--2020-11-23--There are now three promising COVID vaccine candidates. This is what we know about them.

A third candidate vaccine is also extremely effective against COVID-19 , confirming that previous results were not a fluke and that vaccination offers a way out of the pandemic .
AstraZeneca and Oxford University 's vaccine , which uses a different technology but the same target as two other candidates , is clearly as effective , according to a press release from the collaborators on Monday .
Using a lower-dose first shot , which conserves the vaccine , and then a full-dose second shot provided protection about 90 % of the time , the company and university found .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moderna showed earlier this month that their candidate vaccines can protect against COVID-19 symptoms 95 % of the time .
`` November 2020 looks set to be the month that humanity developed the tools to turn the tide against this devastating virus , '' Professor Peter Piot , Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , said Monday in a prepared statement .
These three are among six candidate vaccines being supported by more than $ 10 billion in U.S taxpayer dollars .
The government is also supporting an experimental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Novavax , which are expected to begin large trials in the U.S. in the coming weeks .
Merck , which has received far less funding , is a few months further behind .
Here ’ s what we know about all three vaccine trials and what they might mean for the future of the pandemic .
What are the leading COVID-19 candidate vaccines ?
Pfizer and the German biotechnology company BioNTechdeveloped one of the candidate vaccines , BNT162b2 , and showed it was 95 % effective in protecting against symptomatic COVID-19 .
Moderna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , released data early Monday on its candidate vaccine , mRNA-1273 , which was developed in collaboration with the U.S. government .
Moderna 's 95 % effectiveness results are considered interim , with final results expected any day .
AstraZeneca collaborated with Oxford University to produce its vaccine , called AZD1222 .
On Monday , the pair released interim results from trials in the U.K. and Brazil , showing the vaccine could be 90 % effective if delivered in a specific way .
How effective are the candidate vaccines and what does that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials include at least 30,000 volunteers , half of whom receive the active vaccine and half the placebo .
Most of the vaccines at this stage require two doses to become maximally effective .
The Pfizer/BioNTech shots are being given 21 days apart , Moderna 's are given 28 days apart , and AstraZeneca/Oxford 's about a month apart .
Beginning a week after the second dose , participants are watched to see whether they come down with COVID-19 .
In each of the studies , after about 150 participants have developed COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine 's effectiveness .
In the Moderna trial , 90 of the first 95 participants to develop COVID-19 had received the placebo and only five the active vaccine , so it was 94.5 % effective .
Results from another 56 participants are expected shortly .
Pfizer/BioNTech , whose trial is about a week ahead of Moderna 's , reported on Nov. 18 that of 170 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among its trial participants , 162 were in the placebo group versus eight in the vaccine group .
On Monday , AstraZeneca/Oxford reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 70 % overall were protected .
But when they examined two different ways of delivering the vaccine , they found that one regimen was substantially more effective .
In a trial in Brazil with 10,300 , participants were given two equal doses of the vaccine and were about 60 % protected , while in a U.K. trial of 12,400 , participants were given a low-dose first shot and a regular-dose second shot and were shown to be 90 % protected .
Are there any side effects to the vaccines ?
Most people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side effects , particularly after a second dose .
All three candidate vaccines reported mild or moderate side effects , mostly pain at the injection site , fatigue and aching muscles and joints for a day or two .
“ A sore arm and feeling crummy for a day or two is a lot better than COVID , ” said Dr. William Schaffner , professor of health policy and of preventive medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine .
What difference are there between the candidate vaccines ?
Most of the U.S.-backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19 , which allows the virus to attach itself to host cells and infect them .
All three of these candidate vaccines work by presenting this spike protein to the immune system .
The spike proteins aren ’ t dangerous because the rest of the virus isn ’ t present , however , the body now sees the protein and designs immune soldiers to fight it upon future exposure .
The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines deliver strands of genetic material known as mRNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into spike protein factories .
What a vaccine volunteer has to say : I volunteered for Moderna 's COVID vaccine trial .
Here 's why I think I got the vaccine , not a placebo This technology has never been used before in an approved vaccine , though it has been tested against other diseases .
The mRNA technology was chosen this time because scientists knew it could be developed quickly .
The AstraZeneca vaccine uses a modified cold virus found in chimpanzees and weakened , so it can not cause illness in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protein 's genetic material .
Other COVID-19 vaccine candidates being supported by the U.S. government target the spike protein via a different carrier virus or tiny particle .
The three most advanced vaccines all require different types of storage .
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine must be kept super-cold – at the temperature of dry ice – until shortly before it is used , while the Moderna vaccine needs to be frozen if stored for a long time , but it can be refrigerated for up to a month before being used .
The AstraZeneca/Oxford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which should make it easier to deliver to areas that do not have easy access to freezers .
When can I get a COVID-19 vaccine ?
Before the companies can apply to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for authorization to provide their vaccine to the public , they must clear several hurdles .
All three have made it past the first : showing that they are at least 50 % effective .
The second hurdle concerns safety .
About half the trial participants must be two months past their second shot to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If someone were to develop a severe vaccine reaction , that would likely to happen within six weeks of getting the shot .
So far , no one in the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna trials has suffered a severe reaction .
Pfizer has passed the half-way point , while Moderna , which slowed down its recruitment to ensure a diverse pool of participants , is expected to pass it within days .
Two people in an AstraZeneca/Oxford trial did have severe reactions after being vaccinated , and trials were stopped for several weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were then allowed to resume .
AstraZeneca/Oxford said Monday that they have a safety database from over 24,000 participants in clinical trials in the U.K. , Brazil and South Africa , with follow-up since April .
It 's not clear whether the FDA would require safety data solely from the pair 's U.S. trial .
The final hurdle concerns production .
All companies have to show that they can safely produce their vaccine at scale .
Pfizer , which already submitted an application to the FDA for authorization , has completed this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so shortly .
Finally , the FDA will take some time to review each application , as will an independent committee , which is scheduled to meet on Dec. 10 .
President Donald Trump has promised that vaccine would be distributed within 24 hours of an FDA authorization .
It would first go to front-line health care workers .
Moderna said recently it will have 20 million doses available by the end of this calendar year and another 500 million to 1 billion next year .
Pfizer has said it will have as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine manufactured by the end of this year , and another 1.3 billion next year .
Both companies have agreed to provide Americans with 100 million doses apiece , already funded through federal support of manufacturing and distribution .
Moderna has received nearly $ 2.5 billion from U.S. taxpayers to develop , manufacture and distribute its vaccine ; while Pfizer/BioNTech has been promised just under $ 2 billion for manufacturing and distribution of the first 100 million doses , with an option to buy an additional 500 million doses .
AstraZeneca/Oxford , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 10 countries to support equitable global access , has been promised $ 1.3 billion in U.S. funding to provide 300 million doses of its vaccine .
The pair have agreed to supply their vaccine on a not-for-profit basis for the duration of the pandemic and in perpetuity to low- and middle-income countries .
While the companies are expected to start delivering vaccine as soon as they win FDA authorization , the vaccines will be rolled out first to front-line health care workers , then nursing home residents and first responders and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will probably get its first access to a vaccine in April or May of 2021 .
Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics , Innovation and Competition in Healthcare .
The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input .

Adrianna Rodriguez and Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY

There are now three promising COVID vaccine candidates. This is what we know about them.
Show Caption Hide Caption AstraZeneca: New COVID-19 vaccine candidate up to 90% effective AZD1222 is AstraZeneca's newest COVID-19 vaccine candidate, but here is how it differs from the previous two. USA TODAY
A third candidate vaccine is also extremely effective against COVID-19, confirming that previous results were not a fluke and that vaccination offers a way out of the pandemic.
AstraZeneca and Oxford University's vaccine, which uses a different technology but the same target as two other candidates, is clearly as effective, according to a press release from the collaborators on Monday.
Using a lower-dose first shot, which conserves the vaccine, and then a full-dose second shot provided protection about 90% of the time, the company and university found.
Both Pfizer and its German collaborator BioNTech and Moderna showed earlier this month that their candidate vaccines can protect against COVID-19 symptoms 95% of the time.
"November 2020 looks set to be the month that humanity developed the tools to turn the tide against this devastating virus," Professor Peter Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said Monday in a prepared statement.
These three are among six candidate vaccines being supported by more than $10 billion in U.S taxpayer dollars. The government is also supporting an experimental vaccine from Sanofi/GSK and one from startup Novavax, which are expected to begin large trials in the U.S. in the coming weeks. Merck, which has received far less funding, is a few months further behind.
Here’s what we know about all three vaccine trials and what they might mean for the future of the pandemic.
COVID-19: How Herd Immunity works, why you still need to wear a mask Without masks and a vaccine, we could reach Herd Immunity from COVID-19, but deaths would skyrocket. We break down the science of it. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
What are the leading COVID-19 candidate vaccines?
Pfizer and the German biotechnology company BioNTech developed one of the candidate vaccines, BNT162b2, and showed it was 95% effective in protecting against symptomatic COVID-19.
Moderna, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company, released data early Monday on its candidate vaccine, mRNA-1273, which was developed in collaboration with the U.S. government. Moderna's 95% effectiveness results are considered interim, with final results expected any day.
AstraZeneca collaborated with Oxford University to produce its vaccine, called AZD1222. On Monday, the pair released interim results from trials in the U.K. and Brazil, showing the vaccine could be 90% effective if delivered in a specific way.
How effective are the candidate vaccines and what does that mean?
All of the late-stage vaccine trials include at least 30,000 volunteers, half of whom receive the active vaccine and half the placebo.
Most of the vaccines at this stage require two doses to become maximally effective. The Pfizer/BioNTech shots are being given 21 days apart, Moderna's are given 28 days apart, and AstraZeneca/Oxford's about a month apart.
Beginning a week after the second dose, participants are watched to see whether they come down with COVID-19.
In each of the studies, after about 150 participants have developed COVID-19, it is statistically possible to determine the vaccine's effectiveness.
In the Moderna trial, 90 of the first 95 participants to develop COVID-19 had received the placebo and only five the active vaccine, so it was 94.5% effective. Results from another 56 participants are expected shortly.
Pfizer/BioNTech, whose trial is about a week ahead of Moderna's, reported on Nov. 18 that of 170 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among its trial participants, 162 were in the placebo group versus eight in the vaccine group.
On Monday, AstraZeneca/Oxford reported that of 131 participants who developed COVID-19, 70% overall were protected.
But when they examined two different ways of delivering the vaccine, they found that one regimen was substantially more effective. In a trial in Brazil with 10,300, participants were given two equal doses of the vaccine and were about 60% protected, while in a U.K. trial of 12,400, participants were given a low-dose first shot and a regular-dose second shot and were shown to be 90% protected.
Coronavirus: How vaccines are developed and tested Pressure to create a coronavirus vaccine is increasing by the day, but for a safe vaccine to enter the market, it takes time. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Are there any side effects to the vaccines?
Most people who get a COVID-19 vaccine will endure side effects, particularly after a second dose. All three candidate vaccines reported mild or moderate side effects, mostly pain at the injection site, fatigue and aching muscles and joints for a day or two.
“A sore arm and feeling crummy for a day or two is a lot better than COVID,” said Dr. William Schaffner, professor of health policy and of preventive medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
What difference are there between the candidate vaccines?
Most of the U.S.-backed vaccines target the so-called "spike protein" found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19, which allows the virus to attach itself to host cells and infect them.
All three of these candidate vaccines work by presenting this spike protein to the immune system. The spike proteins aren’t dangerous because the rest of the virus isn’t present, however, the body now sees the protein and designs immune soldiers to fight it upon future exposure.
The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines deliver strands of genetic material known as mRNA, which turns people’s cells into spike protein factories.
What a vaccine volunteer has to say: I volunteered for Moderna's COVID vaccine trial. Here's why I think I got the vaccine, not a placebo
This technology has never been used before in an approved vaccine, though it has been tested against other diseases. The mRNA technology was chosen this time because scientists knew it could be developed quickly.
The AstraZeneca vaccine uses a modified cold virus found in chimpanzees and weakened, so it cannot cause illness in people. This virus delivers the spike protein's genetic material.
Other COVID-19 vaccine candidates being supported by the U.S. government target the spike protein via a different carrier virus or tiny particle.
The three most advanced vaccines all require different types of storage.
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine must be kept super-cold – at the temperature of dry ice – until shortly before it is used, while the Moderna vaccine needs to be frozen if stored for a long time, but it can be refrigerated for up to a month before being used. The AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine can be kept refrigerated throughout, which should make it easier to deliver to areas that do not have easy access to freezers.
When can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Before the companies can apply to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for authorization to provide their vaccine to the public, they must clear several hurdles.
All three have made it past the first: showing that they are at least 50% effective.
The second hurdle concerns safety. About half the trial participants must be two months past their second shot to prove that the candidate vaccines are safe. If someone were to develop a severe vaccine reaction, that would likely to happen within six weeks of getting the shot.
So far, no one in the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna trials has suffered a severe reaction. Pfizer has passed the half-way point, while Moderna, which slowed down its recruitment to ensure a diverse pool of participants, is expected to pass it within days.
Two people in an AstraZeneca/Oxford trial did have severe reactions after being vaccinated, and trials were stopped for several weeks while those cases were investigated, but they were then allowed to resume.
AstraZeneca/Oxford said Monday that they have a safety database from over 24,000 participants in clinical trials in the U.K., Brazil and South Africa, with follow-up since April. It's not clear whether the FDA would require safety data solely from the pair's U.S. trial.
The final hurdle concerns production. All companies have to show that they can safely produce their vaccine at scale. Pfizer, which already submitted an application to the FDA for authorization, has completed this work and Moderna is expected to do so shortly.
Finally, the FDA will take some time to review each application, as will an independent committee, which is scheduled to meet on Dec. 10.
President Donald Trump has promised that vaccine would be distributed within 24 hours of an FDA authorization. It would first go to front-line health care workers.
Moderna said recently it will have 20 million doses available by the end of this calendar year and another 500 million to 1 billion next year. Pfizer has said it will have as much as 50 million doses of its vaccine manufactured by the end of this year, and another 1.3 billion next year.
Both companies have agreed to provide Americans with 100 million doses apiece, already funded through federal support of manufacturing and distribution.
Moderna has received nearly $2.5 billion from U.S. taxpayers to develop, manufacture and distribute its vaccine; while Pfizer/BioNTech has been promised just under $2 billion for manufacturing and distribution of the first 100 million doses, with an option to buy an additional 500 million doses.
AstraZeneca/Oxford, which said it has ongoing large-scale manufacturing in over 10 countries to support equitable global access, has been promised $1.3 billion in U.S. funding to provide 300 million doses of its vaccine.
The pair have agreed to supply their vaccine on a not-for-profit basis for the duration of the pandemic and in perpetuity to low- and middle-income countries.
While the companies are expected to start delivering vaccine as soon as they win FDA authorization, the vaccines will be rolled out first to front-line health care workers, then nursing home residents and first responders and then other vulnerable people. The general public will probably get its first access to a vaccine in April or May of 2021.
Follow Adrianna Rodriguez and Karen Weintraub on Twitter: @AdriannaUSAT @kweintraub
Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.


usatoday--2020-11-24--'These guys were very experienced': Coast Guard searches for crew of sunken fishing boat off Massach

The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for four fishermen after their boat sank early Monday along the Massachusetts coast .
The 82-foot fishing vessel , named Emmy Rose , disappeared about 20 miles northeast of Provincetown , the Coast Guard in Boston said on Twitter .
So far , crews have found debris and an empty life raft .
The search team , hindered by 35 mph winds and 6- to 8-foot seas , includes three Coast Guard vessels and two aircraft .
Authorities received a notification from the boat 's emergency beacon at 1 a.m. , but the crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The boat 's owner said no one was answering the vessel 's satellite phone , the Coast Guard said .
Rink Varian , the ship 's owner , told the Bangor Daily News on Monday that the group of men are experienced professionals .
“ This is a horrific accident , ” he told the newspaper .
“ I hope to God they find them .
I just want to go on record saying this wasn ’ t because they weren ’ t an experienced crew .
That wasn ’ t it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were the best .
”

'These guys were very experienced': Coast Guard searches for crew of sunken fishing boat off Massachusetts coast
Show Caption Hide Caption Today in History for November 23rd Highlights of this day in history: UN war crimes panel to try Slobodan Milosevic for genocide in Bosnia; Ukraine's Viktor Yushchenko declares win in disputed vote; 'Life' first hits newsstands; Singer Enrico Caruso makes American debut. (Nov. 23) AP
The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for four fishermen after their boat sank early Monday along the Massachusetts coast.
The 82-foot fishing vessel, named Emmy Rose, disappeared about 20 miles northeast of Provincetown, the Coast Guard in Boston said on Twitter. So far, crews have found debris and an empty life raft.
The search team, hindered by 35 mph winds and 6- to 8-foot seas, includes three Coast Guard vessels and two aircraft.
Authorities received a notification from the boat's emergency beacon at 1 a.m., but the crew did not send a distress call. The boat's owner said no one was answering the vessel's satellite phone, the Coast Guard said.
Rink Varian, the ship's owner, told the Bangor Daily News on Monday that the group of men are experienced professionals.
“This is a horrific accident,” he told the newspaper. “I hope to God they find them. I just want to go on record saying this wasn’t because they weren’t an experienced crew. That wasn’t it. These guys were very experienced. They were the best.”
Emmy Rose is based in Portland, Maine.


usatoday--2020-11-23--'He's irreplaceable': 21-year-old leader of Breonna Taylor protests killed in shooting, family says

LOUISVILLE , Ky. – A young protest leader known for his energy and optimism amid Louisville 's movement for racial justice became a new symbol of gun violence when he was shot and killed early Monday .
Hamza `` Travis '' Nagdy , 21 , has been identified as the victim of a shooting just before 12:30 a.m. EST on Crittenden Drive in Louisville , according to social media posts by several family members , including his mother and stepmother .
Few details about Nagdy 's death have been released .
But Louisville Metro Police spokesman Matt Sanders said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transported to University of Louisville Hospital , where he later died as a result of his injuries .
LMPD 's homicide unit is investigating , and no suspects have been identified .
In separate Facebook posts , Nagdy 's mother and stepmother both wrote that he had been killed .
Nagdy was a regular at Jefferson Square Park , where protesters have gathered to demand justice for Breonna Taylor since late May .
A candlelight vigil is scheduled to take place there at 6 p.m. Monday in his honor .
More : After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America ready to learn the truth about Thanksgiving ?
'He believed he could be a big part of that change' An organizer who was easily spotted by his bullhorn and big hair , Nagdy was frequently seen leading chants and marches , including one from Jefferson Square to the KFC Yum Center , where dozens cast their ballots ahead of the 2020 presidential election .
Antonio T-Made Taylor , an independent reporter and youth mentor , recalled the joy of watching Nagdy cast his first ballot and said his death is a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He 's irreplaceable , '' Taylor said .
`` Travis really believed he could help change systemic racism .
He believed he could be a big part of that change .
`` What I 'm hoping is he will become a symbol of the violence that 's going on , and people will finally give it the attention that we need to be giving to this record number of homicides in our city .
... We 're just hoping that he will become a symbol of what great lives we are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a movement around what 's going on . ''
Maxwell Mitchell , a Louisville livestreamer and fellow mainstay at this summer 's protests , described Nagdy as a man with `` a strong sense of strength , a sense of willingness to spend and give everything he had toward this '' during a live video early Monday morning from Jefferson Square Park .
`` I can only assume that that energy is going to waft over all of us like a wildfire , '' Mitchell said .
Follow reporters Bailey Loosemore , Hayes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bloosemore , @ HayesGardner and @ LucasAulbach . '
A diplomatic powerhouse ' : Biden will nominate Linda Thomas-Greenfield as UN ambassador , reports say Election 2020 live updates : Trump legal team distances itself from lawyer Sidney Powell , Biden taps Blinken as secretary of state

Bailey Loosemore, Hayes Gardner and Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal

'He's irreplaceable': 21-year-old leader of Breonna Taylor protests killed in shooting, family says
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A young protest leader known for his energy and optimism amid Louisville's movement for racial justice became a new symbol of gun violence when he was shot and killed early Monday.
Hamza "Travis" Nagdy, 21, has been identified as the victim of a shooting just before 12:30 a.m. EST on Crittenden Drive in Louisville, according to social media posts by several family members, including his mother and stepmother.
Few details about Nagdy's death have been released. But Louisville Metro Police spokesman Matt Sanders said the victim of the Crittenden Drive shooting was transported to University of Louisville Hospital, where he later died as a result of his injuries.
LMPD's homicide unit is investigating, and no suspects have been identified.
In separate Facebook posts, Nagdy's mother and stepmother both wrote that he had been killed.
Nagdy was a regular at Jefferson Square Park, where protesters have gathered to demand justice for Breonna Taylor since late May.
A candlelight vigil is scheduled to take place there at 6 p.m. Monday in his honor.
More: After a summer of racial reckoning, is America ready to learn the truth about Thanksgiving?
'He believed he could be a big part of that change'
An organizer who was easily spotted by his bullhorn and big hair, Nagdy was frequently seen leading chants and marches, including one from Jefferson Square to the KFC Yum Center, where dozens cast their ballots ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
Antonio T-Made Taylor, an independent reporter and youth mentor, recalled the joy of watching Nagdy cast his first ballot and said his death is a "huge loss" for the community.
"He's irreplaceable," Taylor said. "Travis really believed he could help change systemic racism. He believed he could be a big part of that change.
"What I'm hoping is he will become a symbol of the violence that's going on, and people will finally give it the attention that we need to be giving to this record number of homicides in our city. ...We're just hoping that he will become a symbol of what great lives we are going to lose if we don't wrap a movement around what's going on."
Maxwell Mitchell, a Louisville livestreamer and fellow mainstay at this summer's protests, described Nagdy as a man with "a strong sense of strength, a sense of willingness to spend and give everything he had toward this" during a live video early Monday morning from Jefferson Square Park.
"I can only assume that that energy is going to waft over all of us like a wildfire," Mitchell said.
Follow reporters Bailey Loosemore, Hayes Gardner and Lucas Aulbach on Twitter: @bloosemore, @HayesGardner and @LucasAulbach.
'A diplomatic powerhouse': Biden will nominate Linda Thomas-Greenfield as UN ambassador, reports say
Election 2020 live updates: Trump legal team distances itself from lawyer Sidney Powell, Biden taps Blinken as secretary of state


usatoday--2020-11-24--Grandma celebrates 5th Thanksgiving with man accidentally invited to dinner after losing husband to

An Arizona grandmother and the stranger she accidentally invited to dinner in 2016 have celebrated their fifth Thanksgiving together , their first without her husband who died of COVID-19 .
Like many Americans , Wanda Dench , 63 , and stranger-turned-friend Jamal Hinton , 21 , decided not to hold a large Thanksgiving event this year because of the coronavirus pandemic , The New York Times reported .
Instead , they had a small dinner together on Friday next to a lit candle and portrait of Dench 's husband .
“ I always remember Lonnie looking at the bright side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times .
“ He would want us to celebrate his life instead of hating COVID and hating everything.
” Dench told CNN that she was n't looking forward to celebrating without her husband of 43 years at first , but decided it was important to do so .
`` I ca n't even explain how much joy I had , having good food with my favorite company .
We laughed , we had a great time , we reminisced about the past .
It was so good for all of us , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dench : Viral story of teen accidentally invited to wrong Thanksgiving by 'grandma ' text takes a sad twist From 2019 : He was accidentally invited to Thanksgiving by 'grandma . '
Four years later , he 's still going The pair had dinner with Hinton 's girlfriend and Dench 's daughter and grandson and plan to get tested for COVID-19 before celebrating with their own families on Thursday , CNN reported .
Hinton shared on social media in April that Dench died after suffering from COVID-19 and pneumonia and Dench confirmed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Office of the Medical Examiner confirmed to USA TODAY that Lonnie Dench died on April 5 , but could not confirm the cause of death .
`` As some of you may have already found out tonight Lonnie did not make it , '' Hinton wrote on Twitter .
`` He passed away Sunday morning but Wanda told me all the love and support he was receiving put a huge smile on his face so I thank every single one of you guys for that ! ''
Their story began in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Wanda Dench inviting him to a Thanksgiving dinner with a family that was n't his .
The unlikely pair 's interaction went viral when Hinton , then 17 , shared a screenshot of their texts on Twitter .
Dench , thinking she had texted her grandson who had recently changed his phone number , invited Hinton to Thanksgiving dinner at her home in Mesa , Arizona .
Hinton was confused and asked for a photo of the person who had texted him .
`` I actually did think it was my grandma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 .
When he saw the photo of a woman he had never met , he responded she was n't his grandmother but jokingly asked , `` Can I still get a plate tho ? ''
Dench , doing `` what grandmas do , '' responded : `` Of course . ''
So Hinton went in 2016 .
Then in 2017 , after getting another invite ( this time intentionally ) .
Then again in 2018 .
And yet again in 2019 .
`` For him to continue with the relationship , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Dench told the Republic in 2017 .
`` We 're more of extended family and , best of all , friends . ''
In 2019 , Hinton tweeted photos from the four previous years of Thanksgivings together .

Grandma celebrates 5th Thanksgiving with man accidentally invited to dinner after losing husband to COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: Lonnie Dench dies after battling deadly virus Lonnie Dench's wife famously invited a stranger to Thanksgiving dinner. A previous version of this video misspelled their last name. USA TODAY
An Arizona grandmother and the stranger she accidentally invited to dinner in 2016 have celebrated their fifth Thanksgiving together, their first without her husband who died of COVID-19.
Like many Americans, Wanda Dench, 63, and stranger-turned-friend Jamal Hinton, 21, decided not to hold a large Thanksgiving event this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, The New York Times reported. Instead, they had a small dinner together on Friday next to a lit candle and portrait of Dench's husband.
“I always remember Lonnie looking at the bright side of things,” Hinton told the Times. “He would want us to celebrate his life instead of hating COVID and hating everything.”
Dench told CNN that she wasn't looking forward to celebrating without her husband of 43 years at first, but decided it was important to do so.
"I can't even explain how much joy I had, having good food with my favorite company. We laughed, we had a great time, we reminisced about the past. It was so good for all of us," she told the outlet.
Remembering Lonnie Dench: Viral story of teen accidentally invited to wrong Thanksgiving by 'grandma' text takes a sad twist
From 2019: He was accidentally invited to Thanksgiving by 'grandma.' Four years later, he's still going
The pair had dinner with Hinton's girlfriend and Dench's daughter and grandson and plan to get tested for COVID-19 before celebrating with their own families on Thursday, CNN reported.
Hinton shared on social media in April that Dench died after suffering from COVID-19 and pneumonia and Dench confirmed his death to local media. The Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner confirmed to USA TODAY that Lonnie Dench died on April 5, but could not confirm the cause of death.
"As some of you may have already found out tonight Lonnie did not make it," Hinton wrote on Twitter. "He passed away Sunday morning but Wanda told me all the love and support he was receiving put a huge smile on his face so I thank every single one of you guys for that!"
Their story began in 2016, when Hinton received a random text from Wanda Dench inviting him to a Thanksgiving dinner with a family that wasn't his. The unlikely pair's interaction went viral when Hinton, then 17, shared a screenshot of their texts on Twitter.
Dench, thinking she had texted her grandson who had recently changed his phone number, invited Hinton to Thanksgiving dinner at her home in Mesa, Arizona.
Hinton was confused and asked for a photo of the person who had texted him.
Somebody grandma is coming in clutch this year!! Ayee!!! pic.twitter.com/QGrx83nHLl — Jamal Hinton (@Jamalhinton12) November 15, 2016
"I actually did think it was my grandma," Hinton told The Arizona Republic in 2016.
When he saw the photo of a woman he had never met, he responded she wasn't his grandmother but jokingly asked, "Can I still get a plate tho?"
Dench, doing "what grandmas do," responded: "Of course."
So Hinton went in 2016. Then in 2017, after getting another invite (this time intentionally). Then again in 2018. And yet again in 2019.
"For him to continue with the relationship, I'm just really pleasantly surprised," Dench told the Republic in 2017. "We're more of extended family and, best of all, friends."
In 2019, Hinton tweeted photos from the four previous years of Thanksgivings together.
Follow N'dea Yancey-Bragg on Twitter: @NdeaYanceyBragg