usatoday--2020-12-09--Opinion: Playing college basketball is madness with COVID-19 raging. Just ask the coaches

Why are we playing college basketball right now ?
The college football season is limping to an uncertain conclusion , with COVID-19 emerging as the clear winner in locker rooms around the nation .
The pandemic is raging across the country , killing thousands of Americans and filling hospitals to capacity .
And our colleges and universities , the places where people go to learn , are playing men ’ s and women ’ s basketball ?
What is wrong with them ?
What is wrong with us ?
There ’ s one fellow in particular who would like to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Tuesday , he said this : “ I don ’ t think it feels right to anybody .
I mean , everyone is concerned.
” This man doesn ’ t hate basketball .
He ’ s not known as a coward , nor is he someone who is afraid to leave his house , which are some of the taunts that will be hurled by ridiculous sports fans at him or anyone else showing the least bit of caution about unpaid 18-22-year-olds playing an indoor sport in the middle of a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I would just like for the safety , the mental and physical health of players and staff , to assess where we ’ re at.
” And this : `` You have 2,000 deaths a day .
You have 200,000 cases .
People are saying the next six weeks are going to be the worst .
To me , it 's already pretty bad .
On the other side of it , there are these vaccines that are coming out .
By the end of the month , 20 million vaccine shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of January or in February , another 100 million .
Should we not reassess that ?
And see just what would be best ? ''
That is the voice of Duke men ’ s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski .
And because of the fraught times we ’ re in , he made a point of saying his words have nothing to do with Duke ’ s 83-68 loss to Illinois Tuesday night .
“ I know somebody will take what I ’ m saying tonight and make it like I ’ m making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excuses.
” Krzyzewski is not alone in his concern about continuing to play a sport during these incredibly trying times .
One of his former players and assistants , Pittsburgh men ’ s coach Jeff Capel , was asked Monday at his news conference if the season should have been delayed until sometime in January .
“ If you look at the numbers , yes , ” he said .
“ It ’ s interesting to me , if you look at the numbers back in March when the season was canceled , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were back in March .
I don ’ t know who the leadership is , but maybe they would think about a little bit of a pause just so kids can be with their families for Christmas , coaches can be with their families .
But most importantly , what ’ s going on in our country right now as far as these numbers is staggering.
” Nearly a month ago , Iona men ’ s coach Rick Pitino tweeted , “ Save the Season .
Move the start back .
Play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spiking and protocols make it impossible to play right now.
” That ’ s three well-known coaches , all of them calling for a delay in the season , or at least a serious look at pausing for a month or so .
This is different from what we saw with college football , where so many tough-guy coaches thought they could pummel the coronavirus , when in fact it has been the other way around .
So why aren ’ t we listening to them and doing something about it ?
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analyst Dick Vitale said Wednesday afternoon in a phone interview .
“ We need a czar for college basketball .
We need it badly .
We need it in recruiting .
We need it in situations like this .
Right now , there ’ s no uniformity .
People don ’ t realize the mental frustration for the players , the coaches , everyone .
It ’ s just chaos , but I want to make it clear that what we ’ re dealing with in basketball has absolutely no comparison to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on ventilators , to the people dying.
” The solution is simple .
Stop the season .
Stop the games , men ’ s and women ’ s , right now .
There ’ s no shame in this .
It ’ s the smart thing to do .
Every college and pro league in every sport has had to adjust their plans , not only for 2020 , but also for 2021 .
And while the college basketball season officially began in late November , 33 men ’ s teams still have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interruptions , so the season hasn ’ t even begun for them .
“ Why can ’ t we move this season to March 1 and play the tournament in May ?
” Vitale said .
“ I think they should sit back and reevaluate everything because , with the pandemic , it ’ s just going to get worse.
” March Madness ?
May Madness ?
Right now , it ’ s just plain old madness .

Opinion: Playing college basketball is madness with COVID-19 raging. Just ask the coaches
Why are we playing college basketball right now?
The college football season is limping to an uncertain conclusion, with COVID-19 emerging as the clear winner in locker rooms around the nation. The pandemic is raging across the country, killing thousands of Americans and filling hospitals to capacity.
And our colleges and universities, the places where people go to learn, are playing men’s and women’s basketball?
What is wrong with them? What is wrong with us?
There’s one fellow in particular who would like to know what’s going on. On Tuesday, he said this: “I don’t think it feels right to anybody. I mean, everyone is concerned.”
This man doesn’t hate basketball. He’s not known as a coward, nor is he someone who is afraid to leave his house, which are some of the taunts that will be hurled by ridiculous sports fans at him or anyone else showing the least bit of caution about unpaid 18-22-year-olds playing an indoor sport in the middle of a pandemic.
The man also said this: “I would just like for the safety, the mental and physical health of players and staff, to assess where we’re at.”
BUTLER DID IT: Butler again postpones men's Big East opener
And this: "You have 2,000 deaths a day. You have 200,000 cases. People are saying the next six weeks are going to be the worst. To me, it's already pretty bad. On the other side of it, there are these vaccines that are coming out. By the end of the month, 20 million vaccine shots will be given. By the end of January or in February, another 100 million. Should we not reassess that? And see just what would be best?"
That is the voice of Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. And because of the fraught times we’re in, he made a point of saying his words have nothing to do with Duke’s 83-68 loss to Illinois Tuesday night.
“I know somebody will take what I’m saying tonight and make it like I’m making excuses. I don’t make excuses.”
Krzyzewski is not alone in his concern about continuing to play a sport during these incredibly trying times. One of his former players and assistants, Pittsburgh men’s coach Jeff Capel, was asked Monday at his news conference if the season should have been delayed until sometime in January.
“If you look at the numbers, yes,” he said. “It’s interesting to me, if you look at the numbers back in March when the season was canceled, the numbers are worse right now than they were back in March. I don’t know who the leadership is, but maybe they would think about a little bit of a pause just so kids can be with their families for Christmas, coaches can be with their families. But most importantly, what’s going on in our country right now as far as these numbers is staggering.”
Nearly a month ago, Iona men’s coach Rick Pitino tweeted, “Save the Season. Move the start back. Play league schedule and have May Madness. Spiking and protocols make it impossible to play right now.”
That’s three well-known coaches, all of them calling for a delay in the season, or at least a serious look at pausing for a month or so. This is different from what we saw with college football, where so many tough-guy coaches thought they could pummel the coronavirus, when in fact it has been the other way around.
So why aren’t we listening to them and doing something about it?
“It’s chaos,” ESPN analyst Dick Vitale said Wednesday afternoon in a phone interview. “We need a czar for college basketball. We need it badly. We need it in recruiting. We need it in situations like this. Right now, there’s no uniformity. People don’t realize the mental frustration for the players, the coaches, everyone. It’s just chaos, but I want to make it clear that what we’re dealing with in basketball has absolutely no comparison to those suffering from COVID, to the people on ventilators, to the people dying.”
The solution is simple. Stop the season. Stop the games, men’s and women’s, right now. There’s no shame in this. It’s the smart thing to do. Every college and pro league in every sport has had to adjust their plans, not only for 2020, but also for 2021. And while the college basketball season officially began in late November, 33 men’s teams still have not played one game because of COVID-19 interruptions, so the season hasn’t even begun for them.
“Why can’t we move this season to March 1 and play the tournament in May?” Vitale said. “I think they should sit back and reevaluate everything because, with the pandemic, it’s just going to get worse.”
March Madness? May Madness? Right now, it’s just plain old madness.


usatoday--2020-12-09--High tide causes flooding in Venice as tidal barrier fails to deploy

High tide causes flooding in Venice as tidal barrier fails to deploy Venice was flooded on December 8 after a @ @ @ @ @ not deployed .
Officials are reviewing the procedures for necessary changes .

High tide causes flooding in Venice as tidal barrier fails to deploy
Venice was flooded on December 8 after a new flood defense system was not deployed. Officials are reviewing the procedures for necessary changes.
Storyful


usatoday--2020-12-09--4 winter tips to prepare for snow

4 winter tips to prepare for snow

Make sure to do these four tips before it gets cold .

Winter tips to prepare for snow
Make sure to do these four tips before it gets cold.
ProblemSolved, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-09--Tiny kittens rescued from storm drain

Tiny kittens rescued from storm drain

Multiple police and fire departments joined forces in Utah to rescue two tiny kittens from a storm drain .

Tiny kittens rescued from storm drain
Multiple police and fire departments joined forces in Utah to rescue two tiny kittens from a storm drain.
Animalkind, USA Today


usatoday--2020-12-10--Hunter Biden's taxes are under investigation by the US attorney's office in Delaware

Hunter Biden 's taxes are under investigation by the US attorney 's office in Delaware President-elect Joe Biden 's son @ @ @ @ @ the presidential campaign for his business dealings with Ukraine and China .

Hunter Biden's taxes under investigation by US attorney's office
President-elect Joe Biden's son was in the spotlight during the presidential campaign for his business dealings with Ukraine and China.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-09--Ex-FBI lawyer who altered email in Russia investigation seeks probation; prosecutors want imprisonme

WASHINGTON – Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith , who altered an email used to justify wiretapping a former Trump campaign aide , is asking to be spared from a prison sentence , acknowledging he had committed a crime but did not mean to mislead investigators .
`` Kevin Clinesmith made a grievous mistake .
By altering a colleague 's email , he cut a corner in a job that required far better of him .
He failed to live up to the FBI 's and his own high standards of conduct , '' his attorneys said in a 48-page sentencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are asking a federal judge to sentence him to probation .
Prosecutors , however , said Clinesmith deserves some prison time .
They argue that his `` political or personal bias '' against President Donald Trump may have motivated him to alter the email , and his actions led to an unjustified FBI surveillance of former Trump campaign aide Carter Page .
`` This Court 's sentence should send a message that people like the defendant – an attorney in a position of trust who others relied upon – will face serious consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ material misstatements or missions to a court , '' prosecutors said in court papers .
Clinesmith , who worked for the FBI for four years , pleaded guilty last summer to falsifying an email used to support an application to renew surveillance of Page .
The FBI at the time was in the early stages of its investigation on Russia 's interference in the 2016 election and possible ties to the Trump campaign .
The bureau was looking into Page 's ties to Russia as part of the investigation .
The altered email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source '' for the Central Intelligence Agency , even though the original email from the CIA indicated otherwise .
The CIA had earlier told investigators in a memo that Page was an `` operational contact '' for the agency from 2008 to 2013 and provided information about his contacts with Russian intelligence officers .
FBI surveillance : Ex-FBI lawyer Clinesmith pleads guilty to falsifying email in Russia probe in Durham 's first case An FBI agent then used the altered email to convince a judge to grant surveillance of Page .
Prosecutors said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermined investigators ' belief that he was acting as an agent of a foreign power and should 've been disclosed to the judge .
Clinesmith 's attorneys said he did not knowingly lie about Page 's relationship with the CIA .
`` When Kevin informed the agent ( and others ) that ( Page ) was not a source , he genuinely believed he was conveying accurate information , '' the attorneys said .
But prosecutors seemed skeptical , saying there 's no evidence that would 've led Clinesmith to believe Page was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which made clear that Page provided information to the agency .
Clinesmith 's attorneys also said that despite 's Clinesmith 's regrettable lapse in judgment , he has otherwise led a law-abiding life .
The criminal case has left his reputation and professional career `` in shambles , '' and he 's been unable to support his family , the attorneys said .
The case against Clinesmith is the first to be brought by federal prosecutor John Durham , appointed last year by Attorney General William Barr to review the origins of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the waning weeks of the Trump administration , named Durham special counsel , a move that ensures the politically charged probe will continue during the Biden administration .
Last year , a report by the Justice Department 's inspector general revealed several errors and misstatements that effectively inflated the justification to monitor Page in 2016 and 2017 .
The inspector general 's office revealed in its report that Clinesmith doctored the email and referred the matter to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation .
FBI surveillance : DOJ acknowledges 'insufficient ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Page as suspected Russian agent President Donald Trump and his allies in Congress seized on the inspector general 's findings to cast the Russia investigation as an attempt by the Obama administration to undermine Trump .
The inspector general 's investigation , however , found that the FBI was justified in launching the Russia probe .
Last month , Page filed a $ 75 million federal lawsuit against the Justice Department and the FBI , saying the FBI targeted him for his work for the Trump campaign .
Page also accused the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Christopher Steele , a former British spy , to justify its continued surveillance of him .

Ex-FBI lawyer who altered email in Russia investigation seeks probation; prosecutors want imprisonment
Show Caption Hide Caption Former Trump adviser Carter Page says he never met the president Former Trump campaign adviser, Carter Page told Good Morning America hosts that he’s never communicated with the president. Carter is the focus of a Republican memo alleging the FBI abused surveillance rules to spy on him. Buzz60
WASHINGTON – Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith, who altered an email used to justify wiretapping a former Trump campaign aide, is asking to be spared from a prison sentence, acknowledging he had committed a crime but did not mean to mislead investigators.
"Kevin Clinesmith made a grievous mistake. By altering a colleague's email, he cut a corner in a job that required far better of him. He failed to live up to the FBI's and his own high standards of conduct," his attorneys said in a 48-page sentencing memorandum filed Thursday.
Clinesmith's attorneys are asking a federal judge to sentence him to probation. Prosecutors, however, said Clinesmith deserves some prison time.
They argue that his "political or personal bias" against President Donald Trump may have motivated him to alter the email, and his actions led to an unjustified FBI surveillance of former Trump campaign aide Carter Page.
"This Court's sentence should send a message that people like the defendant – an attorney in a position of trust who others relied upon – will face serious consequences if they commit crimes that result in material misstatements or missions to a court," prosecutors said in court papers.
Clinesmith, who worked for the FBI for four years, pleaded guilty last summer to falsifying an email used to support an application to renew surveillance of Page. The FBI at the time was in the early stages of its investigation on Russia's interference in the 2016 election and possible ties to the Trump campaign. The bureau was looking into Page's ties to Russia as part of the investigation.
The altered email indicated that Page was "not a source" for the Central Intelligence Agency, even though the original email from the CIA indicated otherwise. The CIA had earlier told investigators in a memo that Page was an "operational contact" for the agency from 2008 to 2013 and provided information about his contacts with Russian intelligence officers.
FBI surveillance: Ex-FBI lawyer Clinesmith pleads guilty to falsifying email in Russia probe in Durham's first case
An FBI agent then used the altered email to convince a judge to grant surveillance of Page.
Prosecutors said Page's status as a CIA source undermined investigators' belief that he was acting as an agent of a foreign power and should've been disclosed to the judge. Clinesmith's attorneys said he did not knowingly lie about Page's relationship with the CIA.
"When Kevin informed the agent (and others) that (Page) was not a source, he genuinely believed he was conveying accurate information," the attorneys said.
But prosecutors seemed skeptical, saying there's no evidence that would've led Clinesmith to believe Page was not a source for the CIA, which made clear that Page provided information to the agency.
Clinesmith's attorneys also said that despite's Clinesmith's regrettable lapse in judgment, he has otherwise led a law-abiding life. The criminal case has left his reputation and professional career "in shambles," and he's been unable to support his family, the attorneys said.
The case against Clinesmith is the first to be brought by federal prosecutor John Durham, appointed last year by Attorney General William Barr to review the origins of the FBI's Russia investigation. Barr, in the waning weeks of the Trump administration, named Durham special counsel, a move that ensures the politically charged probe will continue during the Biden administration.
Last year, a report by the Justice Department's inspector general revealed several errors and misstatements that effectively inflated the justification to monitor Page in 2016 and 2017. The inspector general's office revealed in its report that Clinesmith doctored the email and referred the matter to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation.
FBI surveillance: DOJ acknowledges 'insufficient' cause to monitor former Trump aide Carter Page as suspected Russian agent
President Donald Trump and his allies in Congress seized on the inspector general's findings to cast the Russia investigation as an attempt by the Obama administration to undermine Trump. The inspector general's investigation, however, found that the FBI was justified in launching the Russia probe.
Last month, Page filed a $75 million federal lawsuit against the Justice Department and the FBI, saying the FBI targeted him for his work for the Trump campaign. Page also accused the FBI of extensively relying on information and documents from Christopher Steele, a former British spy, to justify its continued surveillance of him.
Contributing: Kevin Johnson


usatoday--2020-12-09--New York's Electoral College will meet in person, as Gov. Cuomo says his hands are tied.

ALBANY – Eight words in state law could force Bill and Hillary Clinton , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo and other members of New York 's Democratic political elite to gather indoors in the middle of a global pandemic .
Each state 's Electoral College delegation will meet Monday to formally elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris the nation 's next president and vice president , fulfilling a constitutional duty even as incumbent President Donald Trump continues his long-shot bid to overturn the election in court .
The meetings come as COVID-19 infections continue to rise at a rapid rate across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York at one point to explore whether it could allow its 29 electors to vote remotely for safety 's sake .
A virtual vote wo n't happen , however .
Cuomo is not on board , having adopted a strict interpretation of a section of state Election Law that says in part : `` The electors shall convene at the state capitol . ''
If New York were to allow remote votes from outside the Capitol building , it could open the state to a legal challenge from Trump and his supporters who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo argued Tuesday .
`` We 're actually going to have to convene people in the Capitol in the midst of this ( COVID-19 ) situation , '' he said on WAMC-FM .
`` It 's not a large group but you ca n't do it virtually , or we do n't believe , legally , you can do it virtually . ''
New York 's electoral meeting is organized every four years by the state Department of State , which is part of the governor 's administration .
The state agency has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting , though it is expected to be held in the Assembly chamber , which regularly houses 150 lawmakers and is the largest room in the Capitol .
State law says the meeting is to start at noon .
New York 's decision to meet in person amid the pandemic is likely to draw more scrutiny than most states because its Electoral College delegation is particularly high profile .
Among the elected officials , political chairs and union leaders that make up New York 's slate are two of the country 's most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , who live in Westchester .
Bill Clinton has traveled to the Capitol to participate in the Electoral College process before , casting a ballot four years ago for his wife , who won the state of New York as the Democratic presidential nominee .
`` I 've never cast a vote I was prouder of , '' Bill Clinton told reporters after the 2016 vote .
Both Clintons are listed as electors with the state Board of Elections , but state law allows fellow electors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they decide not to travel to the Capitol in person .
Rich Azzopardi , Cuomo 's senior adviser , said the state will soon release details on safety protocols for the meeting .
It 's not clear , for example , whether all 29 electors will be in a room at once or if they will enter and exit one by one .
`` We 're discussing the event and how it can be conducted as safely as possible , '' he said .
The vote is expected to be held in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest space in the historic building and has room for 150 lawmakers under normal , non-social-distancing circumstances .
The Capitol has been off limits to the general public since March , when Cuomo shut down public access during the state 's first wave of coronavirus infections .
The Assembly wing of the Capitol 's third floor has not been immune to positive COVID-19 tests .
On Monday , a staffer for Assembly Democrats tested positive for the virus after attending an orientation session with newly elected lawmakers , according to Speaker Carl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jacobs , the state Democratic chairman , said each elector will be required to take a rapid COVID-19 test before entering the room .
Masks and social distancing will be required .
Alternates will be on hand in case anyone tests positive or otherwise ca n't make it , said Jacobs , who is also an elector .
`` I 'm confident that the protocols we 've set up will ensure everybody will be safe , '' he said .
Like Cuomo , Jacobs said an in-person vote is necessary to ensure the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to challenge New York 's process .
Biden defeated Trump by about 2 million votes in New York , easily winning the state 's electoral slate .
`` This would not be the year to mess around with the Electoral College , '' Jacobs said .
`` Given the year , given the time , given the circumstance and who we 're dealing with , I think we should do it just as it was originally thought of to be done . ''
Judith Hunter , who chairs the Livingston County Democratic Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said there is `` no good solution '' given the dangers of the pandemic and the threat of a Trump lawsuit .
`` For our electoral votes to be indisputable , it 's probably worth going the extra mile , '' said Hunter , who also is an elector .
New York 's electoral delegation includes a variety of Democratic officials and political allies from across the state .
Among them are statewide elected officials ( Cuomo , Lt. Gov .
Kathy Hochul , Attorney General Letitia James and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins , D-Yonkers ) .
Also included are Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan , as well as longtime NAACP New York State President Hazel Dukes and a number of labor leaders .
Stuart Appelbaum , an elector and president of the Retail , Wholesale and Department Store Union , said he trusts the governor 's judgment .
`` I feel comfortable doing it in person if Governor Cuomo feels it 's appropriate , '' he said .
Cuomo , a longtime Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be mad with his decision to convene in person .
With New York in the midst of a state of emergency because of COVID-19 , the governor has broad power to suspend or change laws via an executive order .
Cuomo , however , said he 's inclined to follow the law as written to ward off potential lawsuits .
Cuomo said he understands he will be blamed if an elector later tests positive for COVID-19 .
But the law is the law , he said .
`` By law , the electors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said on WAMC .
`` It does n't say , 'except if you have a global pandemic . '
'' More : Hillary Clinton joins Electoral College 4 years after it cost her the presidency : 'Pretty sure I 'll get to vote for Joe' Jon Campbell is a New York state government reporter for the USA TODAY Network .
He can be reached at JCAMPBELL1 @ Gannett.com or on Twitter at @ JonCampbellGAN .
We cover the stories from the New York State Capitol and across New York that matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription to the New York publication nearest you .

New York's Electoral College will meet in person, as Gov. Cuomo says his hands are tied.
Show Caption Hide Caption Video: Bill Clinton says Hillary "couldn't prevail" over Russian hackers, FBI Video: Bill Clinton says Hillary "couldn't prevail" over Russian hackers, FBI Jon Campbell, Albany Bureau
ALBANY – Eight words in state law could force Bill and Hillary Clinton, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other members of New York's Democratic political elite to gather indoors in the middle of a global pandemic.
Each state's Electoral College delegation will meet Monday to formally elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris the nation's next president and vice president, fulfilling a constitutional duty even as incumbent President Donald Trump continues his long-shot bid to overturn the election in court.
The meetings come as COVID-19 infections continue to rise at a rapid rate across the state and country, leading New York at one point to explore whether it could allow its 29 electors to vote remotely for safety's sake.
A virtual vote won't happen, however. Cuomo is not on board, having adopted a strict interpretation of a section of state Election Law that says in part: "The electors shall convene at the state capitol."
If New York were to allow remote votes from outside the Capitol building, it could open the state to a legal challenge from Trump and his supporters who have already proven to be litigious, Cuomo argued Tuesday.
"We're actually going to have to convene people in the Capitol in the midst of this (COVID-19) situation," he said on WAMC-FM. "It's not a large group but you can't do it virtually, or we don't believe, legally, you can do it virtually."
Bill, Hillary Clinton are NY electors
New York's electoral meeting is organized every four years by the state Department of State, which is part of the governor's administration.
The state agency has not yet announced details for Monday's meeting, though it is expected to be held in the Assembly chamber, which regularly houses 150 lawmakers and is the largest room in the Capitol. State law says the meeting is to start at noon.
New York's decision to meet in person amid the pandemic is likely to draw more scrutiny than most states because its Electoral College delegation is particularly high profile.
Among the elected officials, political chairs and union leaders that make up New York's slate are two of the country's most recognizable figures: President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who live in Westchester.
Bill Clinton has traveled to the Capitol to participate in the Electoral College process before, casting a ballot four years ago for his wife, who won the state of New York as the Democratic presidential nominee.
"I've never cast a vote I was prouder of," Bill Clinton told reporters after the 2016 vote.
Both Clintons are listed as electors with the state Board of Elections, but state law allows fellow electors to easily swap them out with alternates should they decide not to travel to the Capitol in person.
Nick Merrill, a spokesperson for Hillary Clinton, declined comment Tuesday.
Cuomo's office promises details soon
Rich Azzopardi, Cuomo's senior adviser, said the state will soon release details on safety protocols for the meeting. It's not clear, for example, whether all 29 electors will be in a room at once or if they will enter and exit one by one.
"We're discussing the event and how it can be conducted as safely as possible," he said.
The vote is expected to be held in the Capitol's Assembly chamber, which is the largest space in the historic building and has room for 150 lawmakers under normal, non-social-distancing circumstances.
The Capitol has been off limits to the general public since March, when Cuomo shut down public access during the state's first wave of coronavirus infections.
The Assembly wing of the Capitol's third floor has not been immune to positive COVID-19 tests. On Monday, a staffer for Assembly Democrats tested positive for the virus after attending an orientation session with newly elected lawmakers, according to Speaker Carl Heastie, himself an elector.
Jay Jacobs, the state Democratic chairman, said each elector will be required to take a rapid COVID-19 test before entering the room. Masks and social distancing will be required.
Alternates will be on hand in case anyone tests positive or otherwise can't make it, said Jacobs, who is also an elector.
"I'm confident that the protocols we've set up will ensure everybody will be safe," he said.
Like Cuomo, Jacobs said an in-person vote is necessary to ensure the Trump campaign doesn't have any ground to challenge New York's process.
Biden defeated Trump by about 2 million votes in New York, easily winning the state's electoral slate.
"This would not be the year to mess around with the Electoral College," Jacobs said. "Given the year, given the time, given the circumstance and who we're dealing with, I think we should do it just as it was originally thought of to be done."
Judith Hunter, who chairs the Livingston County Democratic Committee and the state Democratic Rural Conference, said there is "no good solution" given the dangers of the pandemic and the threat of a Trump lawsuit.
"For our electoral votes to be indisputable, it's probably worth going the extra mile," said Hunter, who also is an elector.
Mayors, labor officials among NY electors
New York's electoral delegation includes a variety of Democratic officials and political allies from across the state.
Among them are statewide elected officials (Cuomo, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli) as well as both state legislative leaders (Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers).
Also included are Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, as well as longtime NAACP New York State President Hazel Dukes and a number of labor leaders.
Stuart Appelbaum, an elector and president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, said he trusts the governor's judgment.
"I feel comfortable doing it in person if Governor Cuomo feels it's appropriate," he said.
Cuomo, a longtime Biden supporter, acknowledged some electors will likely be mad with his decision to convene in person.
With New York in the midst of a state of emergency because of COVID-19, the governor has broad power to suspend or change laws via an executive order. Cuomo, however, said he's inclined to follow the law as written to ward off potential lawsuits.
Cuomo said he understands he will be blamed if an elector later tests positive for COVID-19. But the law is the law, he said.
"By law, the electors must convene in the state Capitol," he said on WAMC. "It doesn't say, 'except if you have a global pandemic.'"
More: Video: Bill Clinton says Hillary "couldn't prevail" over Russian hackers, FBI
More: Hillary Clinton joins Electoral College 4 years after it cost her the presidency: 'Pretty sure I'll get to vote for Joe'
Jon Campbell is a New York state government reporter for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at JCAMPBELL1@Gannett.com or on Twitter at @JonCampbellGAN.
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We cover the stories from the New York State Capitol and across New York that matter most to you and your family. Please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription to the New York publication nearest you.


usatoday--2020-12-10--Joe Biden's centrist dilemma: Police groups say he's gone too far  left; activists say he hasn't gon

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Joe Biden's centrist dilemma: Police groups say he's gone too far left; activists say he hasn't gone far enough
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden delivers heartfelt message at George Floyd funeral Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden sent a message to George Floyd's family during his funeral in Houston. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – As President-elect Joe Biden nears inauguration, he faces pressure from opposing factions: One group believes he has shifted too far to the left; the other believes he's not progressive enough.
On one side are the more conservative-leaning law enforcement groups and unions – Biden's longtime allies after three decades in Washington – that now say the former vice president has and will continue to abandon the pro-police policies he championed as a senator.
"We're expecting to see a hard lurch to the left from the incoming administration," said Bill Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations, which backed President Donald Trump.
On the other side are social justice activists who are skeptical of an establishment politician like Biden, are uncompromising in their call to defund the police and have already amped up pressure on the incoming administration.
"We want something for our vote," Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors said in a letter last month asking to meet with Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
Biden seeks a diverse Cabinet: Here's who will join his administration and who might be top contenders
The conflicting interests will test Biden's reputation as a centrist politician and a negotiator at a critical time for law enforcement and policing in the United States. The deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police and the prolonged civil unrest that followed exposed a deepening distrust in law enforcement and led to calls for significant reforms. Biden, as a candidate, drew from their deaths to call for meaningful change.
Yet social justice activists believe any reform from the Biden administration will not go far enough. Police groups, meanwhile, believe Biden has already gone too far.
During a townhall in Miami in early October, Biden promised to bring together stakeholders – "peaceful protesters, police chiefs, police officers, police unions as well as civil rights groups" – for conversations at the White House.
"I do not believe we have to choose between law and order and racial justice in America. We can have both," Biden said in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Those who have known and worked with Biden on criminal justice issues are optimistic that he will be able to leverage his longstanding ties with law enforcement to chart some kind of middle ground.
"That's what he's done historically. He's brought people to the table," said Chuck Wexler, executive director of the think-tank Police Executive Research Forum. "They don't always agree with each other, (but) he's been very good at letting them express themselves."
Still, whatever Biden does, he's bound to disappoint people from both sides, said Jason Johnson, president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund.
"If he approaches crime reducing using policing as a center point, that will upset people on the left," Johnson said. "By the same token, if he goes and implements certain reforms, there are going to be people on the policing side and pro-law-enforcement side who will be disappointed."
More: Liberals push for bold Biden agenda. They might have to work around Congress to get it
From center-right to center-left
After the mass shooting that killed more than two dozen students and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012, the Obama administration convened a task force of cabinet members and law enforcement leaders to weigh gun control reform.
Biden, then the Obama administration's point person on criminal justice, led the task force.
"I remember thinking that there's only one person in the room that knows everybody," said Wexler, who was one of the several law enforcement leaders who met with Biden and other administration officials at the White House. "You can't have been in Washington and worked on criminal justice issues for the last 20, 25 years and not know … Biden. He may be the first president that's had as much experience on policing issues as any incoming president ever has."
But Biden's relationships with police groups have since fractured as his rhetoric and policies on criminal justice and policing have moved further to the left.
"I think that he has … moved from a center-right position over time to center-left position. At the same time, police officers, by and large, have tended to move from a more center-right position to a right position," said Jim Pasco executive director of the Fraternal Order of Police, which also endorsed Trump. "Our respect for President-elect Biden has not flagged, but our disagreement in some policy areas is a new ingredient in the stew."
Jockeying for jobs: Tensions simmer inside Biden transition as new administration takes shape
As a senator, Biden's policies added more police officers on the streets and built more prisons.
As a presidential candidate, Biden called for more mental health services and substance abuse treatment as an alternative to imprisonment. He championed policies that would rein in legal protections for police and ban chokeholds. He promised to create a national oversight commission that would examine police departments' hiring and de-escalation practices.
"Most cops meet the highest standards of their profession. All the more reason that bad cops should be dealt with severely and swiftly," Biden said last summer in Philadelphia.
And he vowed to restore federal investigations of possible civil rights abuses at police departments – power that Biden's 1994 crime bill gave the Justice Department, but which the Trump administration significantly curtailed.
But beefing up such investigations is bound to further alienate law enforcement groups that see them as too costly and burdensome.
Most pressing for law enforcement – and an issue the Biden administration will have to face – is rising violent crime in several cities this year, said Wexler, the think-tank executive director whose group surveyed law enforcement agencies and found that the majority of the country's largest largest police departments are seeing an increase in homicides and shootings.
‘We know who he is’
On the campaign trail, Biden aligned himself with progressive causes. He talked about the need to weed out systemic racism in policing. He acknowledged that too many Black Americans die after their lives intersect with the criminal justice system. He drew from his own personal loss, telling George Floyd’s family during his funeral that he knows what it’s like to bury a loved one.
Yet, Black activists remain skeptical.
Biden was not their first choice in the Democratic presidential primary. They're relieved that Trump lost, but they're also not enthusiastic about a Biden presidency. And his role in the 1994 crime bill that critics say led to the incarceration of a disproportionate number of Black Americans remains an indelible stain on his record.
“We know who he is. We know that he hasn’t been a strong advocate for Black people,” said Melina Abdullah, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter. “Even though there’s individual relationships that he can point to, that’s not the same thing as setting policies that make a difference on the lives of Black people.”
Biden’s campaign website, which has a page dedicated to policies for Black America, points to his sponsorships of bills that fought employment discrimination and protected Black Americans’ right to vote. In his victory speech, Biden said: “The African American community stood up again for me. You’ve always had my back, and I’ll have yours.”
But his relationship with some of the loudest voices in the Black community, specifically those who are calling for significant police reforms, seems to be off to a rough start.
Abdullah said "it's disappointing" that Black Lives Matter has not heard from Biden's team about its request for a meeting with Biden and Harris.
"President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris both understand the need for criminal justice and police reform so all people are protected and treated fairly under the law. Maintaining open lines of communication with groups committed to reform and law enforcement is paramount in achieving meaningful outcomes that make a difference in so many lives," Biden transition spokesman Cameron French said in a statement.
'Changing the tone' is key: Civil rights groups urge Biden to make COVID-19, racial justice top priorities
'Feeling of abandonment'
Bill Johnson, the National Association of Police Organizations executive director, said there's some disappointment and a "feeling of abandonment" among law enforcement leaders after hearing Biden's policy proposals and rhetoric on the campaign trail.
He notes Biden's suggestion during a meeting with church leaders in Delaware this summer, when he said officers should be trained to shoot suspects in the leg instead of in the chest or abdomen. He said the comment disregards the difficulty of hitting a much smaller, moving target at a moment of extreme stress for a police officer.
"I think that he knows better," said Bill Johnson, who also has known Biden and worked with him for years. "He made it look like officers are trained to kill."
Still, police groups are confident they will be heard. Pasco said he expects, "at a minimum," to have a dialogue with the Biden administration.
"The underlying affection and respect (for Biden) is there to be rekindled," Pasco said. "He's been in town a long time. He knows that in Washington, some of the best results that have ever come out of Washington have come as a result of compromise."
Some were also heartened by Biden's assurance that he does not support defunding the police.
"I think the president-elect … is generally a pro-law enforcement person, (but) he is going to have to respond to elements within his own party that are going to be asking him to be very focused on police accountability," said Jason Johnson, the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund president.
Where there may be some wariness is around what kind of reform the Biden administration will pursue and what it means for police.
'Strongly and loudly, defund the police'
Equally wary are social justice activists, who see Biden's longstanding ties with law enforcement and his proclivity to compromise as a cause for concern.
"Compromise happens at the expense of progressive ideals," said Devren Washington, an organizer for Black Lives Matter in Philadelphia. "That's exactly what my worry is. It's that compromise … is going to cut out anything that is actually transformative or would represent systemic change."
Ideally, Washington wants to see a world that has shifted from policing in favor of social services that address the root causes of crime and targets programs to those who are at most risk of becoming victims or criminals.
Realistically, under the Biden administration, "what we're going to get is a bunch of reforms that are going to be sold as the answer to police misconduct, but, again, are not going to go far enough," Washington said.
Biden has proposed $300 million to reinvigorate a community policing program that was enacted as part of his 1994 crime bill. The money would fund hiring and training for officers on the condition that police departments mirror the racial diversity of their communities.
His transition team pointed to widespread support from civil rights groups and leaders for the program, which the Trump administration had not sufficiently funded.
Still, the increase in funding for police departments is a problem for a group like Black Lives Matter.
"We want to make sure that Biden understands that we're in a new era, and this era understands public safety as much more broadly than policing and sometimes in contrast to policing," Abdullah said. "We say, strongly and loudly, defund the police. Joe Biden doesn't have to like it."
She added: "You can’t utter the name George Floyd, as he has done, you can’t speak the name Breonna Taylor as he has done … and still stand by a system of policing that stole their lives."


usatoday--2020-12-10--Four NFL teams that currently hold playoff spots could be in danger of December collapse

With the 2020 NFL season crossing the quarter pole , the playoff picture – it will include 14 teams for the first time in a non-strike season – is quickly coalescing .
Even with a month left in the regular season , the postseason field is already filling up .
The Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints are in , while the Green Bay Packers , Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills all have clinching scenarios in Week 14 .
The Cleveland Browns , Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are near-virtual locks to reach January .
However several other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bowl LV tournament will have to navigate a minefield of tough opponents and their own flaws .
These four may have the hardest time averting a December collapse that lands them on the playoff sideline : NFL POWER RANKINGS : Chiefs reclaim No .
1 spot , Steelers drop to third after suffering first loss DIVERSITY : NFL gets 'D+ ' grade for head coach hires , ' F ' for general managers in troubling new racial report card They possess the AFC 's third and final wild-card position – for now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vegas to face the Raiders ( 7-5 ) , who have been wildly inconsistent but can catch the Colts and pick up the head-to-head tiebreaker with a win .
Indianapolis must also still deal with the typically dangerous Texans and a Steelers team fighting for home-field advantage .
A Colts defense ranked No .
1 earlier this season has been regressing , burned for 96 points over the past three weeks .
But the biggest red flag could be QB Philip Rivers ' mangled foot , one that will need to be surgically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NFL Network .
And when you have a gimpy 39-year-old lording over a middling offense , things could go south in a hurry – especially if the more advantageous schedule of the Titans ( 8-4 ) vaults them to the AFC South crown .
They 're coming off a huge upset of the Seahawks , Big Blue 's fourth consecutive victory , and could get starting QB Daniel Jones back from a hamstring injury for this weekend 's home date with the spiraling Cardinals .
A 10th-ranked defense has surrendered just 46 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least two sacks in every game this season .
But there 's little margin for error .
The Giants ' next three foes ( Arizona , Cleveland and Baltimore ) are all fighting for playoff berths , too , and New York is trying to hold off a surging Washington squad , also 5-7 , that draws three sub-.500 teams over the final month .
But the Giants have a sweep of Washington in hand , meaning they 'll take the NFC East title if the clubs wind up tied .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Fins own the sixth seed due to a slightly better record in conference games .
But a brutal gauntlet awaits Miami , which must play the Chiefs ( 11-1 ) , Patriots ( 6-6 ) , Raiders ( 7-5 ) and Bills ( 9-3 ) – all vying for spots in the bracket or , in Kansas City 's case , that coveted first-round bye .
The Dolphins do n't have a glaring weakness , nor do they do anything especially well .
However a group which has allowed the second-fewest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beat themselves , which is why they 've won seven of their last eight .
But this stretch drive should be quite a crucible for a rookie quarterback , Tua Tagovailoa , who 's only got five starts under his belt and will likely begin seeing new wrinkles as defenses adapt to his tendencies .
No team has a more precarious spot on the pretender/contender fence line .
Credit the Vikes for batting back to break even in the aftermath of a disastrous 1-5 start .
QB Kirk Cousins has been highly efficient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last six games , and RB Dalvin Cook would be getting serious MVP consideration if he were performing for a better team .
Scalding WR Justin Jefferson , who 's already hit the 1,000-yard receiving plateau , may yet capture offensive rookie of the year accolades .
Still , the Vikings have been barely squeaking past clubs like the Bears , Panthers and Jaguars , and Minnesota is the only team to fall to the Cowboys since QB Dak Prescott went down .
Decimated up front and inexperienced on the corners , Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to clubs that pass effectively .
With three of their final four games on the road , including visits to the Buccaneers and Saints , the Vikes could have a very hard time holding off the Cardinals , Bears , Lions , 49ers and even Washington .
Arizona ( 6-6 ) is just a tiebreaker from taking the final wild-card spot back from Minnesota , and the other four teams all lurk just a game behind .
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Join our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Field , to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders .
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Four NFL teams that currently hold playoff spots could be in danger of December collapse
Show Caption Hide Caption NFL Power Rankings 14.0: Are the Browns real Super Bowl contenders? USA TODAY Sports' Ralphie Aversa breaks down the latest NFL power rankings. USA TODAY
With the 2020 NFL season crossing the quarter pole, the playoff picture – it will include 14 teams for the first time in a non-strike season – is quickly coalescing.
Even with a month left in the regular season, the postseason field is already filling up. The Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints are in, while the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills all have clinching scenarios in Week 14. The Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are near-virtual locks to reach January.
However several other clubs currently projected to make the Super Bowl LV tournament will have to navigate a minefield of tough opponents and their own flaws. These four may have the hardest time averting a December collapse that lands them on the playoff sideline:
NFL POWER RANKINGS: Chiefs reclaim No. 1 spot, Steelers drop to third after suffering first loss
DIVERSITY:NFL gets 'D+' grade for head coach hires, 'F' for general managers in troubling new racial report card
Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
They possess the AFC's third and final wild-card position – for now. Sunday, they'll be in Las Vegas to face the Raiders (7-5), who have been wildly inconsistent but can catch the Colts and pick up the head-to-head tiebreaker with a win. Indianapolis must also still deal with the typically dangerous Texans and a Steelers team fighting for home-field advantage.
A Colts defense ranked No. 1 earlier this season has been regressing, burned for 96 points over the past three weeks. But the biggest red flag could be QB Philip Rivers' mangled foot, one that will need to be surgically repaired following the season, according to NFL Network. And when you have a gimpy 39-year-old lording over a middling offense, things could go south in a hurry – especially if the more advantageous schedule of the Titans (8-4) vaults them to the AFC South crown.
New York Giants (5-7)
They're coming off a huge upset of the Seahawks, Big Blue's fourth consecutive victory, and could get starting QB Daniel Jones back from a hamstring injury for this weekend's home date with the spiraling Cardinals. A 10th-ranked defense has surrendered just 46 points over the last three games and has at least two sacks in every game this season.
But there's little margin for error. The Giants' next three foes (Arizona, Cleveland and Baltimore) are all fighting for playoff berths, too, and New York is trying to hold off a surging Washington squad, also 5-7, that draws three sub-.500 teams over the final month. But the Giants have a sweep of Washington in hand, meaning they'll take the NFC East title if the clubs wind up tied.
Miami Dolphins (8-4)
Though tied with Indianapolis in the AFC field, the Fins own the sixth seed due to a slightly better record in conference games. But a brutal gantlet awaits Miami, which must play the Chiefs (11-1), Patriots (6-6), Raiders (7-5) and Bills (9-3) – all vying for spots in the bracket or, in Kansas City's case, that coveted first-round bye.
The Dolphins don't have a glaring weakness, nor do they do anything especially well. However a group which has allowed the second-fewest points in the league won't typically beat themselves, which is why they've won seven of their last eight. But this stretch drive should be quite a crucible for a rookie quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, who's only got five starts under his belt and will likely begin seeing new wrinkles as defenses adapt to his tendencies.
Minnesota Vikings (6-6)
No team has a more precarious spot on the pretender/contender fence line. Credit the Vikes for batting back to break even in the aftermath of a disastrous 1-5 start. QB Kirk Cousins has been highly efficient (118.6 passer rating) over the last six games, and RB Dalvin Cook would be getting serious MVP consideration if he were performing for a better team. Scalding WR Justin Jefferson, who's already hit the 1,000-yard receiving plateau, may yet capture offensive rookie of the year accolades.
Still, the Vikings have been barely squeaking past clubs like the Bears, Panthers and Jaguars, and Minnesota is the only team to fall to the Cowboys since QB Dak Prescott went down. Decimated up front and inexperienced on the corners, Mike Zimmer's defense has been uncharacteristically susceptible to clubs that pass effectively.
With three of their final four games on the road, including visits to the Buccaneers and Saints, the Vikes could have a very hard time holding off the Cardinals, Bears, Lions, 49ers and even Washington. Arizona (6-6) is just a tiebreaker from taking the final wild-card spot back from Minnesota, and the other four teams all lurk just a game behind.
***
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis
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usatoday--2020-12-10--Grammys exec apologizes to Tiffany Haddish after star reveals why she turned down hosting gig

The Recording Academy has apologized to Tiffany Haddish after the comedian called out the Grammys for inviting her to host a ceremony but refusing to pay for her time , hair , makeup or wardrobe .
Haddish , nominated for 2021 best comedy album , spoke out in a Variety interview published Wednesday revealing she turned down an offer to host the Grammys pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony because she was told she would have to pay for all expenses related to the three-hour livestream event herself without compensation .
“ All of that would have to come out of my pocket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t know if this might mean I might not get nominated ever again , but I think it ’ s disrespectful.
” “ I was like , ‘ The exposure is amazing but I think I have enough .
I appreciate you guys asking .
And as much as I appreciate the honor of being nominated , that ’ s not OK , '' Haddish added , likening the ordeal to being asked on a date and then being told you have to pay for it yourself .
Harvey Mason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and CEO , posted a video to Instagram early Thursday morning apologizing to Haddish .
Unbeknownst to Mason , a talent booker for the academy told Haddish they would n't cover the costs , he said .
`` To me , that was wrong , '' Mason said .
`` I 'm frustrated by that decision .
It was a lapse in judgement , it was in poor taste and it was disrespectful to the creative community .
I 'm part of the creative community .
I know what that feels like , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The two had a conversation , which Mason thanked Haddish for being `` gracious enough to allow . ''
USA TODAY has reached out to Haddish 's representatives for further comment .
`` I apologized to her personally and I apologized to her from the academy , I expressed to her my regret and my displeasure about how this went down and about how this was handled , '' Mason said .
`` Again , I want to say Tiffany , we are sorry and thank you for allowing me to speak on @ @ @

Grammys exec apologizes to Tiffany Haddish after star reveals why she turned down hosting gig
Show Caption Hide Caption India.Arie is 'relieved' that the Grammys are being called out Singer-songwriter India.Arie believes ousted Recording Academy CEO Deborah Dugan and the alleged corruption involving the Grammy voting process. Sandy Hooper, USA TODAY
The Recording Academy has apologized to Tiffany Haddish after the comedian called out the Grammys for inviting her to host a ceremony but refusing to pay for her time, hair, makeup or wardrobe.
Haddish, nominated for 2021 best comedy album, spoke out in a Variety interview published Wednesday revealing she turned down an offer to host the Grammys pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony because she was told she would have to pay for all expenses related to the three-hour livestream event herself without compensation.
“All of that would have to come out of my pocket,” she told Variety. “I don’t know if this might mean I might not get nominated ever again, but I think it’s disrespectful.”
“I was like, ‘The exposure is amazing but I think I have enough. I appreciate you guys asking. And as much as I appreciate the honor of being nominated, that’s not OK," Haddish added, likening the ordeal to being asked on a date and then being told you have to pay for it yourself.
Harvey Mason Jr., the Recording Academy Interim President and CEO, posted a video to Instagram early Thursday morning apologizing to Haddish. Unbeknownst to Mason, a talent booker for the academy told Haddish they wouldn't cover the costs, he said.
"To me, that was wrong," Mason said. "I'm frustrated by that decision. It was a lapse in judgement, it was in poor taste and it was disrespectful to the creative community. I'm part of the creative community. I know what that feels like, and it's not right."
The two had a conversation, which Mason thanked Haddish for being "gracious enough to allow." USA TODAY has reached out to Haddish's representatives for further comment.
"I apologized to her personally and I apologized to her from the academy, I expressed to her my regret and my displeasure about how this went down and about how this was handled," Mason said. "Again, I want to say Tiffany, we are sorry and thank you for allowing me to speak on it."


usatoday--2020-12-10--'It looked like a big flame ball': Home explosion rocks Gates, New York, neighborhood

ROCHESTER , N.Y. — Police and firefighters in New York were on scene of a fire late Wednesday following a house explosion in the town of Gates , outside of Rochester .
The fire was reported shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday .
Video of the blaze posted on social media showed an explosion and flames surpassing a nearby two-story house .
Gates Police Lt. Robert Long said the homeowner was not at home at the time of the explosion .
No injuries or causalities have been reported .
There was no immediate danger to neighbors or the community , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Road Fire District .
The fire spread to two adjacent houses , Gebo said .
Those fires were under control , though the garage of one home was destroyed .
It took about 45 minutes to control the blaze .
Gebo said it remained unclear what sparked the explosion , and if anyone was home at that time .
`` It looked like a big flame ball , '' he said .
`` The house is no longer standing , '' Gebo said , adding that the explosion created a large debris field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the house , he said .
Neighbors reported on social media that they felt vibrations at the time of the explosion .
Vicki Shrontz of Gates said she was in her basement when she saw a flash through the window and heard a boom on Wednesday evening .
`` It was the biggest , loudest boom that you 've ever heard in your life , '' she said .
`` I came outside and the house was just an inferno ... terrible ... like a gas explosion or something .
Its just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes were evacuated , and firefighters asked motorists to avoid the area .
More than 120 firefighters from 30 different fire departments were at the scene , Gebo added .
Gates police and firefighters were investigating the incident

Victoria E. Freile, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

'It looked like a big flame ball': Home explosion rocks Gates, New York, neighborhood
Show Caption Hide Caption House explosion in Gates: Video shows huge fire A house exploded in Gates near Lechase Drive and Lyell Road. Scott Peters, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Police and firefighters in New York were on scene of a fire late Wednesday following a house explosion in the town of Gates, outside of Rochester.
The fire was reported shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday. Video of the blaze posted on social media showed an explosion and flames surpassing a nearby two-story house.
Gates Police Lt. Robert Long said the homeowner was not at home at the time of the explosion. No injuries or causalities have been reported.
There was no immediate danger to neighbors or the community, said Capt. Brian Gebo of the Ridge Road Fire District.
The fire spread to two adjacent houses, Gebo said. Those fires were under control, though the garage of one home was destroyed. It took about 45 minutes to control the blaze.
Gebo said it remained unclear what sparked the explosion, and if anyone was home at that time.
"It looked like a big flame ball," he said.
"The house is no longer standing," Gebo said, adding that the explosion created a large debris field. Gas and electricity were turned off at the house, he said.
Neighbors reported on social media that they felt vibrations at the time of the explosion.
Vicki Shrontz of Gates said she was in her basement when she saw a flash through the window and heard a boom on Wednesday evening.
Eyewitness to Gates house explosion: 'The house was just an inferno' Vicki Shrontz of Gates said she was in her basement when she saw a flash through the window and heard a boom on Wednesday evening. Tina MacIntyre-Yee, @tyee23
"It was the biggest, loudest boom that you've ever heard in your life," she said. "I came outside and the house was just an inferno ... terrible ... like a gas explosion or something. Its just unbelievable."
Several residents of nearby homes were evacuated, and firefighters asked motorists to avoid the area.
More than 120 firefighters from 30 different fire departments were at the scene, Gebo added. Gates police and firefighters were investigating the incident
Unreal...the house on the street across from us just blew up! pic.twitter.com/YSbOgTapKK — RocNY PD Ops(Ret.) (@RocPDNYOps) December 9, 2020
Terrifying to watch it blow up... was like a mushroom explosion @mcfw pic.twitter.com/HgCmtzqEvE — abby (@abbyrose_01) December 9, 2020
Saw this explosion tonight on drive home from 490- huge mushroom cloud. Scary https://t.co/nvnamTuqYV — Gene Battaglia (@GeneBattaglia) December 9, 2020
Our house shook like an earthquake, about a mile away. — Christina (@clpatters) December 9, 2020
Husband saw the explosion said he didn’t know where it came from but it’s massive almost like a mushroom cloud whole sky lit up orange — shelby💋 (@michelle6f27) December 9, 2020
Follow reporter Victoria Freile on Twitter @vfreile.


usatoday--2020-12-10--NBC's Steve Kornacki thrilled with 'new beat': Analyzing NFL playoff scenarios instead of elections

It was in the aftermath of the 2020 election that a few NBC Sports executives , discussing their network 's 2020 election coverage , centered their dialogue around the spectacled , khaki-wearing analyst who used the telestrator over electoral maps and numbers like a magician : Steve Kornacki .
`` Hey , I heard he likes football , '' somebody said .
The lightbulb went off .
Fast-forward to last Sunday , when the NBC News & MSNBC national political correspondent debuted on `` Football Night In America , '' the program that precedes Sunday Night Football .
The 41-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for each conference in a style that viewers became familiar with – and captivated ( obsessed ? )
with – while the election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump took days to play out in early November .
`` For me , ( Sunday ) was one of those pinch-yourself moments , '' Kornacki told USA TODAY Sports by phone Wednesday .
The Massachusetts-bred Kornacki received a phone call from his boss about a week after the election was called on Nov. 7 .
Producers at NBC Sports wanted to discuss ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a fan of the game ( he is partial to the New England Patriots ) , `` I was like , ‘ Uh , yeah , absolutely.
’ I was really excited to get that call . ''
For two weeks , executives and Kornacki determined the best way to incorporate his expertise of statistical forecasting , geographical breakdowns and data analysis .
NBC had a built-in advantage through their partnership with Pro Football Focus , the data-based football analysis website .
Quickly , the team realized Kornacki would provide value to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Tirico , who 's joined by Rodney Harrison , Tony Dungy and others – by highlighting the playoff picture and probabilities attached to each postseason race for every contender .
`` You think about the NFL season , and once you get past that Thanksgiving game , the playoff picture becomes the centerpiece of everyone ’ s show , '' NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood told USA TODAY Sports .
`` And how do you do it differently ?
Here ’ s an opportunity to do it with a person who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does it quickly , efficiently , and you don ’ t get scared of numbers . ''
The way Kornacki sees it : more quantifiable data means more comparison points , which leads to greater context .
Take Kornacki 's analysis of the NFC wild card race , with the Minnesota Vikings currently holding the seven seed over the Arizona Cardinals based on the tiebreaker .
Kornacki pointed out that Arizona 's playoff probability remained higher because the model favored their remaining path – not all that dissimilar from how he had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in several key swing states could evaporate after mail-in ballots were counted .
The challenge is that none of the games occur in isolation .
On Sunday , he spent the entire 1 p.m .
ET window of games plugging in all of the possibilities happening on the screens in front of him , and then connecting the result from one game to another matchup .
`` I can look at the Raiders and the Colts , and say 'if the Raiders win their numbers go up , but what if Baltimore ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s winning ? '
Then they actually take a hit , '' he explained .
`` There ’ s a real complexity in how these games are linked to each other probability-wise that I ’ m still trying to get a handle on . ''
As a Patriots fan , Kornacki told Rodney Harrison he admired him during his Super Bowl-winning days in New England .
Harrison used that information to play a joke on his desk partner , Dungy .
`` They were sitting on the set and I was standing 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told Dungy to ask me who my favorite team was and I think he had made Dungy think I was going to say the Colts or something , and I said the Patriots , '' Kornacki recalled .
`` ( Dungy 's ) reaction was kind of horrified . ''
Flood says Kornacki 's relatability while explaining intricate machinations takes the fear out of it for the viewer .
He 's using his big board to tell the story of football during the pregame show and at halftime , rather than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to use Kornacki in this role until the end of the season .
He calls it his `` new beat '' and wants viewers to know that he has something important to say .
`` It ’ s absorbing information in a different way without being intimidated , '' Flood said .
`` And in no way does he scare you about the numbers – embrace them , lean in .
A math-phobic society can lean in and engage with this guy because of the way he delivers . ''
In November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as networks balked at calling the race as several key swing states , such as Pennsylvania , counted outstanding votes .
`` You can get overtime in the NFL , but OK , it ’ s 10 minutes and if it ’ s still tied , we ’ ll call it a tie , '' he joked .
`` I ’ m standing there watching these results in Pennsylvania a month ago and I ’ m not sure if it ’ s going to be called on Thursday or Saturday or the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go on days or even weeks . ''
That 's not the only difference Kornacki has encountered , aside from the content itself .
`` I felt a different kind of stress coming into the last Sunday night , '' he admitted .
`` I ’ ve been watching NFL all my life , just as a fan , as a spectator , watching Sunday Night Football .
But the audience doesn ’ t know that .
I don ’ t have any built-in credibility when it comes to the NFL playoff picture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kornacki has practically achieved media celebrity status .
Flood said rival executives at other networks conveyed their jealousy of the idea to him .
Do n't be shocked if Kornacki makes an appearance during the network 's horse racing coverage next spring .
In the short term , maybe NBC will bring back the popular `` Kornacki Cam '' by Week 16 or 17 .
`` They just got to make sure they tell me when that thing turns on , '' he said , `` because sometimes that catches me off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

NBC's Steve Kornacki thrilled with 'new beat': Analyzing NFL playoff scenarios instead of elections
Show Caption Hide Caption 'He work's his you know what off': ESPN's Sage Steele defends Stephen A. Smith after Twitter rant SportsPulse: Ralphie Aversa connected with ESPN's Sage Steele and got her thoughts on Stephen A. Smith's back and forth on Twitter with those who were calling out his salary after the company had massive layoffs. USA TODAY
It was in the aftermath of the 2020 election that a few NBC Sports executives, discussing their network's 2020 election coverage, centered their dialogue around the spectacled, khaki-wearing analyst who used the telestrator over electoral maps and numbers like a magician: Steve Kornacki.
"Hey, I heard he likes football," somebody said.
The lightbulb went off.
Fast-forward to last Sunday, when the NBC News & MSNBC national political correspondent debuted on "Football Night In America," the program that precedes Sunday Night Football. The 41-year-old Kornacki broke down the NFL playoff picture for each conference in a style that viewers became familiar with – and captivated (obsessed?) with – while the election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump took days to play out in early November.
"For me, (Sunday) was one of those pinch-yourself moments," Kornacki told USA TODAY Sports by phone Wednesday.
The Massachusetts-bred Kornacki received a phone call from his boss about a week after the election was called on Nov. 7. Producers at NBC Sports wanted to discuss ways to include him in their football coverage. As a fan of the game (he is partial to the New England Patriots), "I was like, ‘Uh, yeah, absolutely.’ I was really excited to get that call."
For two weeks, executives and Kornacki determined the best way to incorporate his expertise of statistical forecasting, geographical breakdowns and data analysis. NBC had a built-in advantage through their partnership with Pro Football Focus, the data-based football analysis website.
Quickly, the team realized Kornacki would provide value to "Football Night" – hosted by Mike Tirico, who's joined by Rodney Harrison, Tony Dungy and others – by highlighting the playoff picture and probabilities attached to each postseason race for every contender.
"You think about the NFL season, and once you get past that Thanksgiving game, the playoff picture becomes the centerpiece of everyone’s show," NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood told USA TODAY Sports. "And how do you do it differently? Here’s an opportunity to do it with a person who has an incredible way to communicate and does it quickly, efficiently, and you don’t get scared of numbers."
The way Kornacki sees it: more quantifiable data means more comparison points, which leads to greater context.
How have playoff probabilities changed after today's games?
We've got @NBCNews' @SteveKornacki here to break it down for us on the big board! pic.twitter.com/5I4G2jbRTG — Sunday Night Football (@SNFonNBC) December 7, 2020
Take Kornacki's analysis of the NFC wild card race, with the Minnesota Vikings currently holding the seven seed over the Arizona Cardinals based on the tiebreaker. Kornacki pointed out that Arizona's playoff probability remained higher because the model favored their remaining path – not all that dissimilar from how he had to explain that President Trump's early lead in several key swing states could evaporate after mail-in ballots were counted.
The challenge is that none of the games occur in isolation. On Sunday, he spent the entire 1 p.m. ET window of games plugging in all of the possibilities happening on the screens in front of him, and then connecting the result from one game to another matchup.
"I can look at the Raiders and the Colts, and say 'if the Raiders win their numbers go up, but what if Baltimore’s winning? What if Miami’s winning?' Then they actually take a hit," he explained. "There’s a real complexity in how these games are linked to each other probability-wise that I’m still trying to get a handle on."
As a Patriots fan, Kornacki told Rodney Harrison he admired him during his Super Bowl-winning days in New England. Harrison used that information to play a joke on his desk partner, Dungy.
"They were sitting on the set and I was standing 15 feet away at the board – and he told Dungy to ask me who my favorite team was and I think he had made Dungy think I was going to say the Colts or something, and I said the Patriots," Kornacki recalled. "(Dungy's) reaction was kind of horrified."
Flood says Kornacki's relatability while explaining intricate machinations takes the fear out of it for the viewer. He's using his big board to tell the story of football during the pregame show and at halftime, rather than the dramas of an election.
The plan is to use Kornacki in this role until the end of the season. He calls it his "new beat" and wants viewers to know that he has something important to say.
"It’s absorbing information in a different way without being intimidated," Flood said. "And in no way does he scare you about the numbers – embrace them, lean in. A math-phobic society can lean in and engage with this guy because of the way he delivers."
In November, Kornacki delivered for practically a week as networks balked at calling the race as several key swing states, such as Pennsylvania, counted outstanding votes.
"You can get overtime in the NFL, but OK, it’s 10 minutes and if it’s still tied, we’ll call it a tie," he joked. "I’m standing there watching these results in Pennsylvania a month ago and I’m not sure if it’s going to be called on Thursday or Saturday or the next Thursday. That had the potential to go on days or even weeks."
That's not the only difference Kornacki has encountered, aside from the content itself.
"I felt a different kind of stress coming into the last Sunday night," he admitted. "I’ve been watching NFL all my life, just as a fan, as a spectator, watching Sunday Night Football. But the audience doesn’t know that. I don’t have any built-in credibility when it comes to the NFL playoff picture."
But over the last month, Kornacki has practically achieved media celebrity status. Flood said rival executives at other networks conveyed their jealousy of the idea to him. Don't be shocked if Kornacki makes an appearance during the network's horse racing coverage next spring.
In the short term, maybe NBC will bring back the popular "Kornacki Cam" by Week 16 or 17.
"They just got to make sure they tell me when that thing turns on," he said, "because sometimes that catches me off guard."
Not much else can.
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.


usatoday--2020-12-10--'I'm just going to focus on basketball': Everyone wants to talk contract – except Giannis Antetokoun

'I'm just going to focus on basketball': Everyone wants to talk contract – except Giannis Antetokounmpo

Look forward .
Move ahead .
Get better .
Giannis Antetokounmpo has tended to keep things simple in his career , trying his best to put a spotlight on teammates and downplay his own accomplishments with the caveat he can always improve .
Yet on Wednesday afternoon , the two-time reigning league MVP couldn ’ t help but talk about himself .
He is the center of the NBA universe and will continue to be as the city of Milwaukee , the Bucks and every other NBA team with designs on No .
34 jersey sales in their colors await @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player exemption ( commonly known as a supermax extension ) by Dec. 21 or not .
“ Right now I ’ m not focusing on that , ” the 26-year-old said of his thought process .
“ I know my agent , Alex ( Saratsis ) , and ( general manager ) Jon Horst and the Bucks ownership are focusing on those discussions .
I ’ m just trying to focus on myself and how I can get better , how I can help my teammates be better , how I can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game.
” In his first appearance speaking with American media since accepting his second consecutive MVP award in mid-September , Antetokounmpo acknowledged the interest in his decision and the ripple effects it will cause , but he largely pushed off the topic during his 15-minute session .
“ I trust my agent , I trust Jon Horst and the ownership and they ’ re taking care of those discussions , ” he said .
“ I ’ m just going to focus on basketball .
I know this is really , really big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the NBA world and the media world and all that , but I ’ ve been a private person .
Whenever ...
I decide something or I sign a contract you guys probably gon na know before I know .
So , yeah , I ’ ll appreciate that from now on we try not to talk as much about that and just focus on basketball .
Because the answer is still going to be the same.
” When asked if he would take the entire time up until the Dec. 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again deferred to his agent and the Bucks front office coming together .
Antetokounmpo had a meeting with Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry in September about the team ’ s dedication to building a championship roster , and Horst swung hard this offseason to do so by acquiring guard Jrue Holiday from New Orleans for Eric Bledsoe , George Hill and a bevy of first-round draft picks .
The team also bolstered its bench with shooter Bryn Forbes , point guard D.J Augustin and versatile defenders in Torrey Craig and Bobby Portis .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league ’ s hard cap , but Antetokounmpo disputed any idea that such moves were a mandate on his part .
“ First of all , I do n't know where you guys are getting this information from that I had a conversation with Marc and talked to him about the team getting better , ” Antetokounmpo said .
“ I never said that .
“ At the end of the day , the team is going to take care of what they 're going to do off the court and trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because that ’ s what they ’ ve been doing since day one , since the day I go there .
We started from 15 wins .
We had the best regular season team the past two years so that shows you that the team and the front office care about improving the team every single year and they ’ ve been doing it so far .
“ Me , on the court , I 'm going to try to improve myself individually and then try to help my teammates improve , also.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Milwaukee is swingman Bogdan Bogdanović , as a reported sign-and-trade fell through , leading to a league investigation for tampering and the 28-year-old scorer signing in Atlanta .
“ The Bogdanović situation , that slipped , ” Antetokounmpo said .
“ I 'm just being honest .
I woke up with the trade , read about like you guys and after that , obviously , I tried not to focus on that much and focusing on how I can get better and welcome every new teammate that comes to Milwaukee .
As you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( go ) through .
Now we have ... Holiday , Bobby Portis , Torrey Craig , Bryn Forbes , all these guys who came to the team .
These are the guys we have .
These are great basketball players we ’ re going to play with and I 'm happy to move forward with these guys.
” The preseason begins on Saturday at Fiserv Forum against the Dallas Mavericks , and the Bucks open the regular season Dec. 23 in Boston .
There is much for Antetokounmpo to look forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is of the essence as the deadline to sign the extension is in less than two weeks .
For a player who always looks for what ’ s next , even he knows he can ’ t escape the decision that sits in front of him .
“ What ’ s on my mind is playing basketball and improving every day , ” he said .
“ That ’ s what ’ s going to always be on my mind .
That ’ s what I ’ ve been doing since Day 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change .
I can guarantee you that .
Year 8 or Year 25 it ’ s not going to change .
”

Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

‘I’m just going to focus on basketball’: Everyone wants to talk contract – except Giannis Antetokounmpo
Show Caption Hide Caption Dates to circle on the NBA's first-half schedule SportsPulse: In a blink of the eye, a new NBA season is upon us and we're here to provide you with a users guide to the most anticipated matchups in the first half. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
Look forward. Move ahead. Get better.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has tended to keep things simple in his career, trying his best to put a spotlight on teammates and downplay his own accomplishments with the caveat he can always improve. Yet on Wednesday afternoon, the two-time reigning league MVP couldn’t help but talk about himself.
He is the center of the NBA universe and will continue to be as the city of Milwaukee, the Bucks and every other NBA team with designs on No. 34 jersey sales in their colors await his decision to sign the designated veteran player exemption (commonly known as a supermax extension) by Dec. 21 or not.
And yet …
“Right now I’m not focusing on that,” the 26-year-old said of his thought process. “I know my agent, Alex (Saratsis), and (general manager) Jon Horst and the Bucks ownership are focusing on those discussions. I’m just trying to focus on myself and how I can get better, how I can help my teammates be better, how I can be ready Saturday to play our first preseason game.”
In his first appearance speaking with American media since accepting his second consecutive MVP award in mid-September, Antetokounmpo acknowledged the interest in his decision and the ripple effects it will cause, but he largely pushed off the topic during his 15-minute session.
“I trust my agent, I trust Jon Horst and the ownership and they’re taking care of those discussions,” he said. “I’m just going to focus on basketball. I know this is really, really big for the city of the Milwaukee and for the NBA world and the media world and all that, but I’ve been a private person. Whenever... I decide something or I sign a contract you guys probably gonna know before I know. So, yeah, I’ll appreciate that from now on we try not to talk as much about that and just focus on basketball. Because the answer is still going to be the same.”
When asked if he would take the entire time up until the Dec. 21 deadline to make a decision, Antetokounmpo again deferred to his agent and the Bucks front office coming together.
Antetokounmpo had a meeting with Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry in September about the team’s dedication to building a championship roster, and Horst swung hard this offseason to do so by acquiring guard Jrue Holiday from New Orleans for Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and a bevy of first-round draft picks.
The team also bolstered its bench with shooter Bryn Forbes, point guard D.J Augustin and versatile defenders in Torrey Craig and Bobby Portis. The efforts pushed the Bucks to into the league’s hard cap, but Antetokounmpo disputed any idea that such moves were a mandate on his part.
“First of all, I don't know where you guys are getting this information from that I had a conversation with Marc and talked to him about the team getting better,” Antetokounmpo said. “I never said that.
“At the end of the day, the team is going to take care of what they're going to do off the court and trying to improve this team as much as possible because that’s what they’ve been doing since day one, since the day I go there. We started from 15 wins. We had the best regular season team the past two years so that shows you that the team and the front office care about improving the team every single year and they’ve been doing it so far.
“Me, on the court, I'm going to try to improve myself individually and then try to help my teammates improve, also.”
One player that is not is Milwaukee is swingman Bogdan Bogdanović, as a reported sign-and-trade fell through, leading to a league investigation for tampering and the 28-year-old scorer signing in Atlanta.
“The Bogdanović situation, that slipped,” Antetokounmpo said. “I'm just being honest. I woke up with the trade, read about like you guys and after that, obviously, I tried not to focus on that much and focusing on how I can get better and welcome every new teammate that comes to Milwaukee. As you guys know, it didn’t (go) through. Now we have... Holiday, Bobby Portis, Torrey Craig, Bryn Forbes, all these guys who came to the team. These are the guys we have. These are great basketball players we’re going to play with and I'm happy to move forward with these guys.”
The preseason begins on Saturday at Fiserv Forum against the Dallas Mavericks, and the Bucks open the regular season Dec. 23 in Boston. There is much for Antetokounmpo to look forward to, and decide on, but time is of the essence as the deadline to sign the extension is in less than two weeks.
For a player who always looks for what’s next, even he knows he can’t escape the decision that sits in front of him.
“What’s on my mind is playing basketball and improving every day,” he said. “That’s what’s going to always be on my mind. That’s what I’ve been doing since Day 1 and it’s never going to change. I can guarantee you that. Year 8 or Year 25 it’s not going to change.”


usatoday--2020-12-10--Is that a big goldfish or a small koi? The fish in this Facebook photo remains a mystery.

Is a goldfish the `` Loch Ness '' of a small South Carolina lake ?
Or is a small koi on the loose ?
The identity of this fish remains a mystery .
Parks and recreation workers in South Carolina found what they 're calling a nine-pound goldfish while electrofishing to gauge the health of a lake in Greenville .
One fish did n't simply float to the top .
Instead , it jumped out of the lake .
`` It reminded me of when I was a little kid , my mom was a teacher and she brought a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
We put it in a bigger aquarium and we both were surprised ( at ) how big it grew , '' Ty Houck , director of greenways , natural and historic resources for Greenville County 's Department of Parks , Recreation and Tourism , told USA TODAY .
This goldfish is n't native to the area , but they are n't invasive , Houck said .
He and Scott Robinson , who was working with him , put the fish back in the water after they took a couple of photos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bass , crappies , redear sunfish and warmouths , he said .
`` I said , 'All lakes need their own Loch Ness , ' '' Houck said .
The two — along with Houck 's son and his son 's friend — found the fish in mid-November in Oak Grove Lake , Houck said .
The county 's parks and recreation department posted the photo to Facebook on Monday with the caption , `` Anyone missing their goldfish ? ''
But is it really a goldfish ?
Adam Cohen , ichthyology collection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biodiversity Center , looked at the photo of the fish and told USA TODAY he believes it 's a koi .
Ichthyology is the study of fish .
Cohen pointed to what he called barbels coming out of the fish 's mouth .
If the fish is an adult koi , it 's a relatively small one , Cohen said .
Koi can grow to be up to three feet , according to the Smithsonian 's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute .
These large-eyed nocturnal predators snag food out of the air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 'hear ' their prey , study finds .
It 's not impossible for a goldfish to grow to nine pounds , but it 's unlikely , Cohen said .
`` For me , looking at the photo , I can tell that 's not a goldfish , '' Cohen said with a laugh .
`` It 's actually a koi . ''
He added , `` It 's very common for us to see those missed IDs in our line of work .
That individual actually has a standard goldfish color .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their shape and size .
That particular individual looks a lot like a typical feeder goldfish . ''
Houck said he received verification that the fish was in fact a goldfish , and added the fish that was found `` only has fins . ''

Is that a big goldfish or a small koi? The fish in this Facebook photo remains a mystery.
Show Caption Hide Caption Man snags 20-pound 'goldfish' with a biscuit as bait All it took was a hook and a biscuit to reel in this massive fish in a pond in Danville, Kentucky. USA TODAY
Is a goldfish the "Loch Ness" of a small South Carolina lake? Or is a small koi on the loose?
The identity of this fish remains a mystery.
Parks and recreation workers in South Carolina found what they're calling a nine-pound goldfish while electrofishing to gauge the health of a lake in Greenville. One fish didn't simply float to the top. Instead, it jumped out of the lake.
"It reminded me of when I was a little kid, my mom was a teacher and she brought a goldfish that was in a small fishbowl home. We put it in a bigger aquarium and we both were surprised (at) how big it grew," Ty Houck, director of greenways, natural and historic resources for Greenville County's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, told USA TODAY.
This goldfish isn't native to the area, but they aren't invasive, Houck said. He and Scott Robinson, who was working with him, put the fish back in the water after they took a couple of photos. Typically, they'll find largemouth bass, crappies, redear sunfish and warmouths, he said.
"I said, 'All lakes need their own Loch Ness,'" Houck said.
'Uplifting news': Critically endangered North Atlantic right whale population gets a boost
The two — along with Houck's son and his son's friend — found the fish in mid-November in Oak Grove Lake, Houck said. The county's parks and recreation department posted the photo to Facebook on Monday with the caption, "Anyone missing their goldfish?"
But is it really a goldfish?
Adam Cohen, ichthyology collection manager at the University of Texas' Biodiversity Center, looked at the photo of the fish and told USA TODAY he believes it's a koi. Ichthyology is the study of fish.
Cohen pointed to what he called barbels coming out of the fish's mouth.
If the fish is an adult koi, it's a relatively small one, Cohen said. Koi can grow to be up to three feet, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
These large-eyed nocturnal predators snag food out of the air: Ogre-faced spiders don't need ears to 'hear' their prey, study finds.
It's not impossible for a goldfish to grow to nine pounds, but it's unlikely, Cohen said.
"For me, looking at the photo, I can tell that's not a goldfish," Cohen said with a laugh. "It's actually a koi."
He added, "It's very common for us to see those missed IDs in our line of work. That individual actually has a standard goldfish color. Koi are extremely variable in their colors and their shape and size. That particular individual looks a lot like a typical feeder goldfish."
Houck said he received verification that the fish was in fact a goldfish, and added the fish that was found "only has fins."