usatoday--2020-10-01--Official slams 'completely inaccurate' Trump claim about Philly voting as campaign threatens lawsuit

PHILADELPHIA – At a university sports arena in the heart of North Philadelphia , 67-year-old Sheila McCoy voted 34 days prior to Election Day .
And she didn ’ t vote for President Donald Trump .
This board of elections “ satellite office ” at the Temple University ’ s Liacouras Center is now the stuff of national intrigue .
At Tuesday ’ s debate , Trump said the city had denied access to the facility for his poll watchers .
A day later , Trump 's campaign threatened a lawsuit if it was n't granted access to the locations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out in Philadelphia should concern everyone who promotes election integrity , '' campaign attorney Linda Kern wrote in a letter to Philadelphia commissioners .
`` Philadelphians deserve better . ''
In the space of two hours Wednesday , about four people entered the satellite election office to apply for mail-in ballots .
No signs are posted outside the building to indicate that it is a satellite election office , and most who approached the Liacouras Center were unsure how to gain access to the building .
( Many of the doors were locked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labyrinth , a dozen poll workers sat idle at folding tables behind Plexiglass with election materials in hand .
“ Everything was aboveboard , ” said McCoy .
“ No one told me who to vote for.
” In fact , McCoy said she was unaware of Trump ’ s comment that “ bad things happen in Philadelphia.
” McCoy said she fell asleep about 30 minutes into the debate .
In the final moments of Tuesday 's debate with former Vice President Joe Biden , Trump claimed that poll watchers were `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offices in the city .
Trump is making `` completely inaccurate '' statements about these satellite election offices , said Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar .
More : 'Bad things happen in Philadelphia ' : How Pa. landed in the presidential debate 6 times More : Anti-Defamation League alarmed by increase in 'extremist activity ' around election On Twitter , the president 's son also claimed that poll watchers were `` blocked and kicked out '' of polling locations .
Boockvar noted several inaccuracies in those statements .
Among them , poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philadelphia or any county board of elections in Pennsylvania to watch the polls on Election Day .
`` There are no poll watchers yet , '' said Boockvar .
`` They literally do not exist right now . ''
Appointed poll watchers are assigned to watch the polling stations — not county election offices , Boockvar said .
At Philadelphia satellite election centers , citizens can to register to vote , if needed , request a mail-in ballot in-person , receive it , vote , and return it , all at the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also take their completed mail-in ballots to the satellite offices , and any voter can utilize any of the satellite offices throughout the city .
But Boockvar 's reassurances did little to slow down the Trump campaign , which threatened a lawsuit could be filed as early as Wednesday afternoon if it does not gain access soon .
`` No one questions that Philadelphians are voting at these locations , '' Kerns wrote .
`` Accordingly , the denial to the campaign of watchers lacks any rational basis and deprives the campaign of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' At the Liacouras Center Wednesday , voter Beverly Quintancy said she didn ’ t know about Trump 's remarks and “ didn ’ t care.
” “ I don ’ t listen to that man , ” Quintancy said .
She applied for a mail-in ballot that will be sent to her home , she said .
The process took about five minutes , she added .
Asked about Trump 's remarks , McCoy said the president was only interested in power .
“ Even if he gets reelected , I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to get elected again in four years , ” said McCoy .
“ All he cares about is power.
” Ten more satellite elections locations are planned in Philadelphia before the Nov. 3 election .

James McGinnis, Bucks County Courier Times

Official slams 'completely inaccurate' Trump claim about Philly voting as campaign threatens lawsuit
Show Caption Hide Caption PA Secretary of State Responds "Completely Inaccurate" Trump Claims PA Secretary of State Responds "Completely Inaccurate" Trump Claims Bucks County Courier Times
PHILADELPHIA – At a university sports arena in the heart of North Philadelphia, 67-year-old Sheila McCoy voted 34 days prior to Election Day. And she didn’t vote for President Donald Trump.
This board of elections “satellite office” at the Temple University’s Liacouras Center is now the stuff of national intrigue. At Tuesday’s debate, Trump said the city had denied access to the facility for his poll watchers.
A day later, Trump's campaign threatened a lawsuit if it wasn't granted access to the locations.
"The entire debacle that played out in Philadelphia should concern everyone who promotes election integrity," campaign attorney Linda Kern wrote in a letter to Philadelphia commissioners. "Philadelphians deserve better."
Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
In the space of two hours Wednesday, about four people entered the satellite election office to apply for mail-in ballots. No signs are posted outside the building to indicate that it is a satellite election office, and most who approached the Liacouras Center were unsure how to gain access to the building. (Many of the doors were locked.)
For those who panned the labyrinth, a dozen poll workers sat idle at folding tables behind Plexiglass with election materials in hand.
“Everything was aboveboard,” said McCoy. “No one told me who to vote for.”
In fact, McCoy said she was unaware of Trump’s comment that “bad things happen in Philadelphia.” McCoy said she fell asleep about 30 minutes into the debate.
In the final moments of Tuesday's debate with former Vice President Joe Biden, Trump claimed that poll watchers were "thrown out" of the seven satellite offices in the city.
Trump is making "completely inaccurate" statements about these satellite election offices, said Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar.
More: 'Bad things happen in Philadelphia': How Pa. landed in the presidential debate 6 times
More: Anti-Defamation League alarmed by increase in 'extremist activity' around election
On Twitter, the president's son also claimed that poll watchers were "blocked and kicked out" of polling locations.
Does it shock anyone that poll watchers are being blocked and kicked out of voting locations in Philly? We are in court right now! This corruption must end! https://t.co/94d90P7KTW — Eric Trump (@EricTrump) September 29, 2020
Boockvar noted several inaccuracies in those statements.
Among them, poll watchers have not yet been approved by Philadelphia or any county board of elections in Pennsylvania to watch the polls on Election Day.
"There are no poll watchers yet," said Boockvar. "They literally do not exist right now."
Appointed poll watchers are assigned to watch the polling stations — not county election offices, Boockvar said.
At Philadelphia satellite election centers, citizens can to register to vote, if needed, request a mail-in ballot in-person, receive it, vote, and return it, all at the same location, officials said.
Voters can also take their completed mail-in ballots to the satellite offices, and any voter can utilize any of the satellite offices throughout the city.
But Boockvar's reassurances did little to slow down the Trump campaign, which threatened a lawsuit could be filed as early as Wednesday afternoon if it does not gain access soon.
"No one questions that Philadelphians are voting at these locations," Kerns wrote. "Accordingly, the denial to the campaign of watchers lacks any rational basis and deprives the campaign of its right to monitor the process."
At the Liacouras Center Wednesday, voter Beverly Quintancy said she didn’t know about Trump's remarks and “didn’t care.”
“I don’t listen to that man,” Quintancy said. She applied for a mail-in ballot that will be sent to her home, she said. The process took about five minutes, she added.
Asked about Trump's remarks, McCoy said the president was only interested in power. “Even if he gets reelected, I think he’ll try to find a way to get elected again in four years,” said McCoy. “All he cares about is power.”
Ten more satellite elections locations are planned in Philadelphia before the Nov. 3 election.


usatoday--2020-10-02--Trump coronavirus: Dow set to fall as president, first lady test positive for COVID-19

U.S. stocks opened sharply lower Friday after President Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the coronavirus .
The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 400 points while the S & P 500 sank 1.4 % .
Trump tweeted news of his test results just hours after the White House announced that senior aide Hope Hicks had come down with the virus after traveling with the president several times this week .
A statement issued by Trump ’ s doctor saying both he and his wife were well and that he would continue his duties appeared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ futures initially tumbled more than 500 points overnight on the news .
The positive test reading for the leader of the world ’ s largest economy heaps uncertainty onto a growing pile of unknowns investors are grappling with , first among them how it might affect the Nov. 3 election and American policies on trade , tariffs and many other issues beyond then .
Avoiding taxes : President Trump 's tax returns show he has company : How rich Americans avoid taxes '' The news came as a shock to investors , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at investment advisor Commonwealth Financial Network , said in a note .
`` It seems reasonable to assume that markets will be on shaky ground throughout October with the perfect storm of a highly contentious election and a pandemic that remains stubbornly at the forefront . ''
This surprise developments raises an already high degree of political uncertainty for financial markets as Election Day approaches .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is leading in the polls , though the race is close .
The Real Clear Politics average of major polls shows his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Markets appear to be increasingly pricing Joe Biden in as the favorite , and this news may not change that , but Trump could gain support from a quick recovery as U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson did during his battle with COVID-19 , ” Jeff Buchbinder , equity strategist at LPL Financial , said in a note .
U.S. employers , meanwhile , added a disappointing 661,000 million jobs in September as Sunbelt states resumed business reopenings that were disrupted by COVID-19 spikes over the summer , offsetting persistent layoffs by struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The unemployment rate fell to 7.9 % from 8.4 % in August , the Labor Department said Friday .
Investors are assessing chances of a deal on Capitol Hill to send more cash to Americans , restore jobless benefits for laid-off workers and deliver assistance to airlines and other industries hit particularly hard by the pandemic .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin continued their talks on Thursday , but no breakthrough has arrived yet .
“ Initial market reactions to the news that President Trump tested positive for COVID19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jamie Cox , managing partner at financial advisor Harris Financial Group , said in a note .
“ However , markets could have some unexpected reactions as this could break the log jam in current stimulus negotiations.
” Market volatility was expected this fall , analysts say , as the presidential election cycle kicks into full gear , while the country faces its first test of a possible resurgence of flu cases .
Still , markets weren ’ t likely pricing in the president getting infected , they added .
`` To the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets will be concerned , but not necessarily panic , '' Chris Zaccarelli , chief investment officer at investment advisor Independent Advisor Alliance , said in a note .
`` However , this incident highlights how COVID-19 continues to be a threat to the economy and markets . ''
The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 0.66 % from 0.67 % .
U.S. benchmark crude lost $ 1.39 to $ 37.33 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
It gave up $ 1.50 to $ 38.72 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international standard , lost $ 1.46 to $ 39.47 per barrel .

Trump coronavirus: Dow ends slightly lower after a whiplash day when president tests positive for COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption President Donald Trump, first lady test positive for coronavirus President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19 and "will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately." USA TODAY
U.S. stocks closed lower Friday in a whiplash session after President Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the coronavirus, leaving financial markets on edge one month before Election Day.
Following a more than 400-point drop in early trade, the Dow Jones industrial average regained some of that lost ground and ended the day down 134.09 points at 27,682.81. Stocks were bolstered by hopes that Congress is inching closer to passing a relief package to support the slowing economic recovery. On Friday, fresh data revealed that hiring slowed in September for the third straight month.
Investors are assessing chances of a deal on Capitol Hill to send more cash to Americans, restore jobless benefits for laid-off workers and deliver assistance to airlines and other industries hit particularly hard by the pandemic.
The S&P 500 fell 1% to end at 3,348.42, after sliding 1.7% shortly after the opening bell. Traders sold riskier investments like tech stocks and shifted money into less volatile assets, like U.S. government bonds. Big technology stocks remained weak. The broad index still managed to close out its first winning week in the past five.
Trump tweeted news of his test results just hours after the White House announced that senior aide Hope Hicks had come down with the virus after traveling with the president several times this week.
Avoiding taxes: President Trump's tax returns show he has company: How rich Americans avoid taxes
Trump's tax returns: 5 key takeaways from experts
A statement issued by Trump’s doctor saying both he and his wife were well and that he would continue his duties appeared to calm the markets’ reaction after Dow futures initially tumbled more than 500 points overnight on the news. White House officials said Trump was "feeling mild symptoms" on Friday morning.
The positive test reading for the leader of the world’s largest economy heaps uncertainty onto a growing pile of unknowns investors are grappling with, first among them how it might affect the Nov. 3 election and American policies on trade, tariffs and many other issues beyond then.
"The news came as a shock to investors," Peter Essele, head of portfolio management at investment advisor Commonwealth Financial Network, said in a note. "It seems reasonable to assume that markets will be on shaky ground throughout October with the perfect storm of a highly contentious election and a pandemic that remains stubbornly at the forefront."
This surprise developments add to an already high degree of political uncertainty for financial markets as Election Day approaches. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is leading in the polls, though the race is close. The Real Clear Politics average of major polls shows his national lead at 7.2 percentage points.
“Markets appear to be increasingly pricing Joe Biden in as the favorite, and this news may not change that, but Trump could gain support from a quick recovery as U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson did during his battle with COVID-19,” Jeff Buchbinder, equity strategist at LPL Financial, said in a note.
Analysts said some of the market’s movements could be explained by investors building up expectations for a Joe Biden victory of the White House, with Election Day a little more than a month away. That could mean higher tax rates and tighter regulations on companies, which would limit profits and hurt stock prices.
But analysts said a Democratic election sweep could also improve the odds for a big rescue package for the economy, one that investors call crucial and one that has been stymied so far by partisanship in Washington.
U.S. employers, meanwhile, added a disappointing 661,000 million jobs in September as Sunbelt states resumed business reopenings that were disrupted by COVID-19 spikes over the summer. That offset persistent layoffs by struggling firms that have exhausted federal aid. The unemployment rate fell to 7.9% from 8.4% in August, the Labor Department said Friday.
The U.S. economy has clawed back 11.4 million jobs following the shutdown, slightly more than half the total wiped out in the coronavirus recession.
Still, extra benefits for laid-off workers and other support for the economy that Congress approved in March has expired, and investors have been clamoring for more assistance.
Optimism rose that Washington may be able to get past its partisanship to deliver more support for the economy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told airlines in the afternoon to stop furloughing workers because aid for them is imminent. She said a wider rescue package for the economy, one that investors have long been agitating for, could also perhaps be on the way.
Talks between Democrats and Republicans on a compromise are continuing, but skepticism is high.
“Initial market reactions to the news that President Trump tested positive for COVID19 are as expected — negative,” Jamie Cox, managing partner at financial advisor Harris Financial Group, said in a note. “However, markets could have some unexpected reactions as this could break the log jam in current stimulus negotiations.”
Market volatility was expected this fall, analysts say, as the presidential election cycle kicks into full gear, while the country faces its first test of a possible resurgence of flu cases. Still, markets weren’t likely pricing in the president getting infected, they added.
"To the extent that government functions as normal, markets will be concerned, but not necessarily panic," Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer at investment advisor Independent Advisor Alliance, said in a note. "However, this incident highlights how COVID-19 continues to be a threat to the economy and markets."
The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 0.69% from 0.68% late Thursday, after pulling back from an earlier loss.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-10-02--Why this year's College Football Playoff will be most controversial and complicated in history

These are the numbers that will decide the College Football Playoff : 11 , 10 , nine and seven .
Eleven games for teams in the ACC .
Ten for the Big 12 and SEC .
Nine for the Big Ten , seven for the Pac-12 .
And that 's only if things go according to plan .
In any odd year , the final challenge for the playoff selection committee is to gather a couple dozen data points , punch them through the protocols , make any relevant head-to-head comparisons and settle on the top four .
But this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — it ’ s the oddest regular season in college football history .
As a result , this year 's playoff debate promises to be the most complicated in the history of the postseason format .
The basic concern centers on the key comparisons committee members will make between contenders : How will the panel decide who is worthy of reaching the national semifinals when it may be unable to evenly weigh the merits of teams and conferences ?
`` The committee ’ s job is to select the best four teams based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference .
This is why we have this committee of 13 experts , '' playoff executive director Bill Hancock told USA TODAY Sports .
`` Clearly there will be challenges this year .
We will see what those challenges are and work through them .
But the committee ’ s fundamental mission has not changed .
Whatever the season looks like , the committee will select the best four teams based on the protocol . ''
OPINION : It 's time for Jimbo Fisher to start winning the big games , writes Dan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team ranked ?
The process was already strained by the widespread removal of non-conference games , which typically help inform the early pecking order of the Power Five leagues .
The few intersectional games that remained did n't include two conferences from the Power Five .
More importantly , dropping non-conference play eliminated two key selection committee protocols : head-to-head results and results against common opponents .
Losing those non-league matchups removes the ability to gauge the relative strength of one league against another .
Analysis may be replaced by conjecture .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the season started , '' Hancock said .
`` They ’ ll be ready . ''
But there 's no bigger issue facing the committee than the varying number and sort of games being played by each Power Five league .
Those 10 games for teams from the Big 12 include one intersectional matchup against an opponent from the Group of Five or Football Championship Subdivision .
( Not that the easier schedules helped the Big 12 , which has lost three games to the Sun Belt . )
The same number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Teams in the SEC and ACC will play the same number of league opponents , but the ACC will have one non-conference game .
As with the Big 12 , teams in the ACC will only face intersectional opponents from the Group of Five or FCS .
Beginning this month , teams in the Big Ten will play nine conference games .
The Pac-12 will play a seven-game schedule starting in early November .
In all , there will be no scheduling uniformity across the Power Five — leagues are scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the same number of league games , but no two conferences play the same number of total games and conference games .
During a 12-game regular season , the ACC and SEC play the same number of league games , eight , while the Big Ten , Big 12 and Pac-12 play nine .
Again , this is only if teams are able to complete a full schedule .
Already in September , several teams in the ACC and Big 12 had one or more games postponed or canceled due to COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks to allow games to be rescheduled , however .
The Big Ten and Pac-12 wo n't have the same luxury : Big Ten teams will have no off weeks between Oct. 24 and Dec. 19 , when the league will conduct its championship weekend , while the Pac-12 will proceed with no open dates beginning Nov. 6 .
`` If you ’ ve got two undefeated teams and one of them played eight games and one of them played five games , then I think you ’ ve got to give the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said former Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer , a committee member from 2017-20 .
Even the best-case scenario — where every team plays its full number of games , even if that total varies across the FBS — complicates the normal selection process .
The worst-case scenario , where teams play even fewer games than already scheduled , might turn the selection procedure into a guessing game as committee members extrapolate results from abbreviated seasons .
`` Since there aren ’ t as many non-conference games as normal , certain tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head-to-head results and results against common opponents , will have limitations this year .
Evaluating strength of schedule will also be different , '' Hancock said .
`` As for the difference in the number of games teams play , well , the committee has dealt successfully with that nearly every season .
Those were one- or two-game differences ; this year could be more .
We ’ ll have to see about that , but the committee will be prepared . ''
The difference in games played could muddy the waters enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a team from the Group of Five , even if the deck is pretty well stacked against programs from outside the major conferences .
If still a long shot , if Central Florida goes unbeaten on a 10-game schedule the Knights would argue for having achieved more than a Power Five champion on a six- or seven-game schedule .
The strangeness of this year 's playoff chase has already fueled calls to expand the postseason bracket to six or eight teams .
( The 12-year playoff contract runs through the 2025-2026 season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea of expanding this year 's field during a meeting Wednesday with the playoff management committee but his proposal was not approved , Hancock said .
The argument for immediate expansion in time for this coming postseason is that casting a wider net is the only way to ensure that teams are not penalized or promoted for playing fewer or more games as a result of COVID-19 .
`` That ’ s the only thing that makes sense now because you ’ ll have some teams who have a 12-game schedule , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Stanford coach David Shaw .
`` Some that have an eight-game schedule , they may play six .
We may have some in our conference that have a six-game schedule or a seven-game schedule , technically , and they may play five or four .
`` The playoff committee is going to have a difficult job ahead .
I don ’ t envy them .
I know they are conscientious human beings and I know they ’ ll do the best job they can .
But eventually , we ’ re just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the only thing that makes sense . ''
It would n't be the playoff without the debate .
But it 's possible to go through the week-to-week debate over the rankings without ending the process in controversy — there 's been little to no controversy over the top four in each of the past two years .
During the 2020 playoff race , the controversy will be nearly impossible to avoid .
`` I think there ’ s going to be a difference of opinion regardless , '' Beamer said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever happens that everybody in the country says , ‘ That ’ s the right four teams that should be there .
That ’ s the perfect four.
’ I don ’ t believe that ’ s going to happen . ''

Why this year's College Football Playoff will be most controversial and complicated in history
Show Caption Hide Caption Florida Gators rise in the latest Amway Coaches Poll USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg breaks down the latest Amway Coaches Poll. USA TODAY
These are the numbers that will decide the College Football Playoff: 11, 10, nine and seven.
Eleven games for teams in the ACC. Ten for the Big 12 and SEC. Nine for the Big Ten, seven for the Pac-12. And that's only if things go according to plan.
In any odd year, the final challenge for the playoff selection committee is to gather a couple dozen data points, punch them through the protocols, make any relevant head-to-head comparisons and settle on the top four. But this isn’t just any odd year — it’s the oddest regular season in college football history.
As a result, this year's playoff debate promises to be the most complicated in the history of the postseason format. The basic concern centers on the key comparisons committee members will make between contenders: How will the panel decide who is worthy of reaching the national semifinals when it may be unable to evenly weigh the merits of teams and conferences?
"The committee’s job is to select the best four teams based on the schedules as established by each conference. This is why we have this committee of 13 experts," playoff executive director Bill Hancock told USA TODAY Sports.
"Clearly there will be challenges this year. We will see what those challenges are and work through them. But the committee’s fundamental mission has not changed. Whatever the season looks like, the committee will select the best four teams based on the protocol."
OPINION: It's time for Jimbo Fisher to start winning the big games, writes Dan Wolken
WEEK 5: USA TODAY Sports staff picks
TOP 25: Where is your team ranked?
The process was already strained by the widespread removal of non-conference games, which typically help inform the early pecking order of the Power Five leagues. The few intersectional games that remained didn't include two conferences from the Power Five.
More importantly, dropping non-conference play eliminated two key selection committee protocols: head-to-head results and results against common opponents. Losing those non-league matchups removes the ability to gauge the relative strength of one league against another. Analysis may be replaced by conjecture.
"The committee members have been watching games since the season started," Hancock said. "They’ll be ready."
But there's no bigger issue facing the committee than the varying number and sort of games being played by each Power Five league.
Those 10 games for teams from the Big 12 include one intersectional matchup against an opponent from the Group of Five or Football Championship Subdivision. (Not that the easier schedules helped the Big 12, which has lost three games to the Sun Belt.) The same number in the SEC is only conference games.
Teams in the SEC and ACC will play the same number of league opponents, but the ACC will have one non-conference game. As with the Big 12, teams in the ACC will only face intersectional opponents from the Group of Five or FCS.
Beginning this month, teams in the Big Ten will play nine conference games. The Pac-12 will play a seven-game schedule starting in early November.
In all, there will be no scheduling uniformity across the Power Five — leagues are scheduled to play the same number of games overall or the same number of league games, but no two conferences play the same number of total games and conference games. During a 12-game regular season, the ACC and SEC play the same number of league games, eight, while the Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 play nine.
Again, this is only if teams are able to complete a full schedule. Already in September, several teams in the ACC and Big 12 had one or more games postponed or canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
Those leagues built in extra weeks to allow games to be rescheduled, however. The Big Ten and Pac-12 won't have the same luxury: Big Ten teams will have no off weeks between Oct. 24 and Dec. 19, when the league will conduct its championship weekend, while the Pac-12 will proceed with no open dates beginning Nov. 6.
"If you’ve got two undefeated teams and one of them played eight games and one of them played five games, then I think you’ve got to give the team that played more games more consideration," said former Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer, a committee member from 2017-20.
Even the best-case scenario — where every team plays its full number of games, even if that total varies across the FBS — complicates the normal selection process. The worst-case scenario, where teams play even fewer games than already scheduled, might turn the selection procedure into a guessing game as committee members extrapolate results from abbreviated seasons.
"Since there aren’t as many non-conference games as normal, certain tools used by the committee, such as head-to-head results and results against common opponents, will have limitations this year. Evaluating strength of schedule will also be different," Hancock said.
"As for the difference in the number of games teams play, well, the committee has dealt successfully with that nearly every season. Those were one- or two-game differences; this year could be more. We’ll have to see about that, but the committee will be prepared."
The difference in games played could muddy the waters enough to create an avenue to the semifinals for a team from the Group of Five, even if the deck is pretty well stacked against programs from outside the major conferences. If still a long shot, if Central Florida goes unbeaten on a 10-game schedule the Knights would argue for having achieved more than a Power Five champion on a six- or seven-game schedule.
The strangeness of this year's playoff chase has already fueled calls to expand the postseason bracket to six or eight teams. (The 12-year playoff contract runs through the 2025-2026 season.) Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott broached the idea of expanding this year's field during a meeting Wednesday with the playoff management committee but his proposal was not approved, Hancock said.
The argument for immediate expansion in time for this coming postseason is that casting a wider net is the only way to ensure that teams are not penalized or promoted for playing fewer or more games as a result of COVID-19.
"That’s the only thing that makes sense now because you’ll have some teams who have a 12-game schedule, that they may play 10," said Stanford coach David Shaw. "Some that have an eight-game schedule, they may play six. We may have some in our conference that have a six-game schedule or a seven-game schedule, technically, and they may play five or four.
"The playoff committee is going to have a difficult job ahead. I don’t envy them. I know they are conscientious human beings and I know they’ll do the best job they can. But eventually, we’re just going to have to expand because it’s the only thing that makes sense."
It wouldn't be the playoff without the debate. But it's possible to go through the week-to-week debate over the rankings without ending the process in controversy — there's been little to no controversy over the top four in each of the past two years. During the 2020 playoff race, the controversy will be nearly impossible to avoid.
"I think there’s going to be a difference of opinion regardless," Beamer said. "I don’t think it ever happens that everybody in the country says, ‘That’s the right four teams that should be there. That’s the perfect four.’ I don’t believe that’s going to happen."
Follow USA TODAY Sports colleges reporter Paul Myerberg on Twitter @PaulMyerberg


usatoday--2020-10-02--How USA TODAY is measuring swing state mail leading up to the election, and beyond

The slow-but-steady rise in the popularity of vote-by-mail that has played out in federal elections for the past 20-plus years is about to get a major boost , even as the U.S .
Postal Service struggles with deliveries .
The promise of skipping long lines and crowded polling places looks pretty appealing in the midst of a pandemic .
Some 39 % of voters say they would like to vote by mail , according to a Pew Research Center survey over the summer .
That would be nearly twice the rate of voting by mail as in 2016 , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mail ballots would come at a time when mail delays , legislative inquiries and court decisions have plagued the Postal Service since early summer .
In the context of an election , on-time delivery matters : Missed deadlines are a major reason mail-in ballots are rejected , studies have found .
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , has accused President Donald Trump of attempting to “ sabotage the election by manipulating the Postal Service to disenfranchise voters.
” With the stakes so high , USA TODAY and the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Investigative Journalism have been examining how slow mail service could alter the election .
We talked to experts , ran some experiments and cooked up a plan to see how mail is delivered as we careen toward the Nov. 3 election .
Starting Sept. 21 , reporters in six swing states and one swing congressional district began sending packages to addresses close to their local election offices .
Some contained GPS units that show the path taken , while others were sent certified mail , with barcodes that postal workers scan along the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as much as we can , how mailed ballots will move in the lead-up to Election Day .
Each week , we ’ ll rerun the experiment to see if delivery times stay the same , improve or get worse .
The effort follows a summer when the Postal Service changed its operations on numerous fronts .
Louis DeJoy , who became postmaster general in June , ordered the dismantling and deactivation of mail sorting machines , barred overtime and required carriers and trucks to start routes at certain times , regardless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawsuits brought by state attorneys general argued that DeJoy and Trump sought to kneecap the postal agency before the election .
House and Senate committees held hearings to press DeJoy on why he implemented the policy changes .
By late summer , court injunctions had halted many of them .
Existing data sources give us some idea of how all this affected mail delivery .
The Associated Press , drawing on the Postal Service 's internal weekly performance data , found that many of the nation ’ s 68 postal districts missed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery in huge numbers .
On-time mail deliveries in the democratic areas of Michigan fell to as low as 61 % at the beginning of August , the AP found , and rose to around 80 % by the end of the month , after many of DeJoy ’ s new policies were reversed .
Meanwhile , a part of the state that leans more Republican overall performed at just over 90 % .
A USA TODAY analysis of data from Shippo , which serves online retailers , supports the Associated Press ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traveling 50 miles or fewer that were delayed rose from around 6 % at the end of June to 8 % at the end of July .
Local First-Class delays increased by a percentage point or more for packages sent from half of Shippo ’ s 10 largest markets .
Daily statistics for all locations combined started showing a reduction in delays in late August , just as the AP ’ s Postal Service data showed an increase in on-time deliveries .
Another vendor , SnailWorks , provided data to The New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in long-distance and local mail in four U.S. cities ; theirs showed it persisting into September .
All of these data sources point to a summer slowdown in mail generally and e-commerce shipments specifically , in some cases even recently .
We set out to build on this knowledge .
We wanted to capture what ’ s happening right now , with deliveries from residential senders to destinations just across town — a route taken by mail-in ballots — and across an array of states expected to decide the election .
While our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a scientific sample , it is designed to give a consistent cross-section of mail in key neighborhoods , week by week .
We started by identifying reliably Democratic areas and reliably Republican areas in Arizona , Florida , Michigan , Ohio , Pennsylvania , Wisconsin and Nebraska ’ s 2nd Congressional District , a competitive seat in a state that apportions electoral votes based on district-level balloting .
These states and Nebraska ’ s 2nd are considered key to the presidential outcome .
A reporter will visit the same mailbox in these neighborhoods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressed to a location near the local election office .
We ’ ll measure the time it takes for it to get where it ’ s going using two methods .
We are sending 14 packages a week with GPS tracking units provided by the Howard Center at the University of Maryland .
Those devices automatically report their location whenever a connection is available during their travels .
One drawback is that the GPS units , at 2.5 inches long and roughly 0.75 inches thick , make the packages heavier than a ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For that reason , we are also sending 36 ordinary letters by certified mail each week .
That approach creates a bar code that gets scanned during major steps of a letter 's voyage through the mail system .
The post office logs the information , which we can access .
Experts interviewed by USA TODAY said three types of slowdown could tip the election 's outcome : an across-the-board slowdown , one that strikes close to Election Day or delays that disproportionately hit areas that lean for one party or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficiency would have a bigger impact on votes for Democrat Joe Biden than for Trump because Biden voters are far more likely to vote by mail , said Philip Rubio , a former letter carrier who is now a professor of history at North Carolina A & T State University .
`` If someone wanted to skew the system against Democrats , they would n't have to target it with laser-like precision , ” he said .
“ Just slow the mail down , do it that way . ''
A Pew survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote by mail , compared to 19 % of Trump voters .
A slowdown as Election Day nears would also disproportionately cut into mail-in votes for Biden , research suggests .
`` The people who are less likely to send it in right away tend to be younger people , or for whatever reason , people who lean more Democratic , ” said Anthony Fowler , associate professor in the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago .
While the USA TODAY/Howard Center experiment will look for any slowdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broad slowdown of a day or two wouldn ’ t be clear evidence of “ sabotage.
” In fact , he said , it could be a natural outcome of an election with an unprecedented number of mailed ballots .
`` Some amount of delay could easily be attributable to the post office being overwhelmed .
If it 's a modest delay that was n't correlated to any political variable , that is not necessarily a major concern for democracy , ” he said .
Both Rubio and Fowler agreed that a change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only in Republican areas would be troubling .
The best outcome would be no change at all in mail speeds .
It ’ s a little soon to share findings .
Our first week of shipments turned up some issues that needed to be addressed first .
We ran into problems with two GPS devices , which track their movements via cell towers or satellite connections , not reporting data .
We moved one unit from Wausau , Wisconsin , to Milwaukee , where we hope service will be more abundant .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its location since Sept. 17 , despite being moved between multiple reporters .
Some shipments were successful , of course .
These merit mention .
Of the 10 GPS devices that were mailed the week of Sept. 21 , five arrived the next day .
That ’ s faster than the two-day service that ’ s now standard for first-class mail .
Four other units were delivered in three days .
One unit , in Bradenton , Florida , took a full week to arrive .
Ditto for certified mail sent along the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extreme , it ’ s not yet clear whether that ’ s the norm for that area .
Over the coming weeks , we ’ ll find out .
Contributing , from the USA TODAY Network : Danielle Delfin , Gary White , Dak Le , Wade Tatengelo , Erin Mansfield , Carrie Seidman , Mike Stucka , Mark Wert , Kim Bui , Josh Susong , Craig Harris , Teresa Boeckel , Jessica Boehm , Karina Bland , Michael Squires , Wyatt Buchanan , Carrie Waters , Doug Schneider , Renee Hickman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steven Pepple , Kristen Shamus , Christina Hall , Elissa Robinson , Elisha Anderson , Frank Witsil , Chris Ullery , Kevin Dittman , Laura Schulte , Scott Fisher , Alison Dirr , Sarah Hauer .
From the Howard Center : Krishnan Vasudevan and Sean Mussenden .

How USA TODAY is measuring swing state mail leading up to the election, and beyond
Show Caption Hide Caption Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The slow-but-steady rise in the popularity of vote-by-mail that has played out in federal elections for the past 20-plus years is about to get a major boost, even as the U.S. Postal Service struggles with deliveries.
The promise of skipping long lines and crowded polling places looks pretty appealing in the midst of a pandemic. Some 39% of voters say they would like to vote by mail, according to a Pew Research Center survey over the summer.
That would be nearly twice the rate of voting by mail as in 2016, according to the Census Bureau.
The crush of mail ballots would come at a time when mail delays, legislative inquiries and court decisions have plagued the Postal Service since early summer.
In the context of an election, on-time delivery matters: Missed deadlines are a major reason mail-in ballots are rejected, studies have found.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has accused President Donald Trump of attempting to “sabotage the election by manipulating the Postal Service to disenfranchise voters.”
With the stakes so high, USA TODAY and the University of Maryland’s Howard Center for Investigative Journalism have been examining how slow mail service could alter the election. We talked to experts, ran some experiments and cooked up a plan to see how mail is delivered as we careen toward the Nov. 3 election.
Starting Sept. 21, reporters in six swing states and one swing congressional district began sending packages to addresses close to their local election offices. Some contained GPS units that show the path taken, while others were sent certified mail, with barcodes that postal workers scan along the way.
The plan is to mimic, as much as we can, how mailed ballots will move in the lead-up to Election Day.
Each week, we’ll rerun the experiment to see if delivery times stay the same, improve or get worse.
DeJoy urges voters to return ballots early Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is urging voters to request mail-in ballots early. In written testimony provided to a House panel, he recommended requesting ballots at least 15 days before the Nov. 3 election to ensure they mail it back on time. (Aug. 24) AP
A summer slowdown
The effort follows a summer when the Postal Service changed its operations on numerous fronts.
Louis DeJoy, who became postmaster general in June, ordered the dismantling and deactivation of mail sorting machines, barred overtime and required carriers and trucks to start routes at certain times, regardless of whether the mail was ready.
Lawsuits brought by state attorneys general argued that DeJoy and Trump sought to kneecap the postal agency before the election. House and Senate committees held hearings to press DeJoy on why he implemented the policy changes.
By late summer, court injunctions had halted many of them.
Existing data sources give us some idea of how all this affected mail delivery.
The Associated Press, drawing on the Postal Service's internal weekly performance data, found that many of the nation’s 68 postal districts missed the agency’s own goals for on-time delivery in huge numbers.
On-time mail deliveries in the democratic areas of Michigan fell to as low as 61% at the beginning of August, the AP found, and rose to around 80% by the end of the month, after many of DeJoy’s new policies were reversed. Meanwhile, a part of the state that leans more Republican overall performed at just over 90%.
A USA TODAY analysis of data from Shippo, which serves online retailers, supports the Associated Press' findings. The percentage of First-Class packages traveling 50 miles or fewer that were delayed rose from around 6% at the end of June to 8% at the end of July.
Local First-Class delays increased by a percentage point or more for packages sent from half of Shippo’s 10 largest markets. Daily statistics for all locations combined started showing a reduction in delays in late August, just as the AP’s Postal Service data showed an increase in on-time deliveries.
Another vendor, SnailWorks, provided data to The New York Times that also showed a summer slowdown in long-distance and local mail in four U.S. cities; theirs showed it persisting into September.
All of these data sources point to a summer slowdown in mail generally and e-commerce shipments specifically, in some cases even recently.
We set out to build on this knowledge. We wanted to capture what’s happening right now, with deliveries from residential senders to destinations just across town — a route taken by mail-in ballots — and across an array of states expected to decide the election.
While our experiment is not large enough to be a scientific sample, it is designed to give a consistent cross-section of mail in key neighborhoods, week by week.
The game plan
We started by identifying reliably Democratic areas and reliably Republican areas in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, a competitive seat in a state that apportions electoral votes based on district-level balloting. These states and Nebraska’s 2nd are considered key to the presidential outcome.
A reporter will visit the same mailbox in these neighborhoods each week, dropping off a package addressed to a location near the local election office.
We’ll measure the time it takes for it to get where it’s going using two methods.
We are sending 14 packages a week with GPS tracking units provided by the Howard Center at the University of Maryland. Those devices automatically report their location whenever a connection is available during their travels.
One drawback is that the GPS units, at 2.5 inches long and roughly 0.75 inches thick, make the packages heavier than a ballot. Post offices may handle them differently.
For that reason, we are also sending 36 ordinary letters by certified mail each week. That approach creates a bar code that gets scanned during major steps of a letter's voyage through the mail system. The post office logs the information, which we can access.
Scouting for slowdowns
Experts interviewed by USA TODAY said three types of slowdown could tip the election's outcome: an across-the-board slowdown, one that strikes close to Election Day or delays that disproportionately hit areas that lean for one party or the other.
A general slowdown in mail efficiency would have a bigger impact on votes for Democrat Joe Biden than for Trump because Biden voters are far more likely to vote by mail, said Philip Rubio, a former letter carrier who is now a professor of history at North Carolina A&T State University.
"If someone wanted to skew the system against Democrats, they wouldn't have to target it with laser-like precision,” he said. “Just slow the mail down, do it that way."
A Pew survey shows 58% of Biden voters plan to vote by mail, compared to 19% of Trump voters.
A slowdown as Election Day nears would also disproportionately cut into mail-in votes for Biden, research suggests.
"The people who are less likely to send it in right away tend to be younger people, or for whatever reason, people who lean more Democratic,” said Anthony Fowler, associate professor in the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.
While the USA TODAY/Howard Center experiment will look for any slowdown in mail delivery, Fowler said a broad slowdown of a day or two wouldn’t be clear evidence of “sabotage.” In fact, he said, it could be a natural outcome of an election with an unprecedented number of mailed ballots.
"Some amount of delay could easily be attributable to the post office being overwhelmed. If it's a modest delay that wasn't correlated to any political variable, that is not necessarily a major concern for democracy,” he said.
Both Rubio and Fowler agreed that a change in mail speed only in Democratic or only in Republican areas would be troubling.
The best outcome would be no change at all in mail speeds.
Shakeout week
It’s a little soon to share findings. Our first week of shipments turned up some issues that needed to be addressed first.
We ran into problems with two GPS devices, which track their movements via cell towers or satellite connections, not reporting data. We moved one unit from Wausau, Wisconsin, to Milwaukee, where we hope service will be more abundant. Another unit in Arizona hasn’t reported its location since Sept. 17, despite being moved between multiple reporters.
Some shipments were successful, of course. These merit mention.
Of the 10 GPS devices that were mailed the week of Sept. 21, five arrived the next day. That’s faster than the two-day service that’s now standard for first-class mail.
Four other units were delivered in three days.
One unit, in Bradenton, Florida, took a full week to arrive. Ditto for certified mail sent along the same path.
While that’s extreme, it’s not yet clear whether that’s the norm for that area.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll find out.
Contributing, from the USA TODAY Network: Danielle Delfin, Gary White, Dak Le, Wade Tatengelo, Erin Mansfield, Carrie Seidman, Mike Stucka, Mark Wert, Kim Bui, Josh Susong, Craig Harris, Teresa Boeckel, Jessica Boehm, Karina Bland, Michael Squires, Wyatt Buchanan, Carrie Waters, Doug Schneider, Renee Hickman, Patrick Marley, Brian Dickerson, Steven Pepple, Kristen Shamus, Christina Hall, Elissa Robinson, Elisha Anderson, Frank Witsil, Chris Ullery, Kevin Dittman, Laura Schulte, Scott Fisher, Alison Dirr, Sarah Hauer. From the Howard Center: Krishnan Vasudevan and Sean Mussenden.


usatoday--2020-10-02--Raking leaves again this fall? Stop right now

It 's fall and that means leaves are littering lawns around the country .
Time to take out the rake and bag up them up , right ?
Wrong .
Environmental experts say raking leaves and removing them from your property is bad not only for your lawn but for the planet as a whole .
Although people often rake fallen leaves and send them to a landfill to prevent their lawns from being smothered and to make yards look better , in most cases , you 're fine not moving them .
`` Just leave them where they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Sorochan , a professor of turfgrass science at University of Tennessee .
However , if you have a lot of trees dumping leaves or the piles begin to mound up , Dan Sandor , a postdoctoral researcher of turfgrass science at University of Minnesota , advises mowing over the leaves with a mulching blade about once a week .
'Abrupt , punctuated and spectacular ' : Foliage forecast shows leaves may change early this year Here are a few reasons why you should n't rake your leaves and other tips to care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and yard waste take up space in landfills According to EPA data , yard trimmings , which include leaves , created about 35.2 million tons of waste in 2017 , which is about 13 % of all municipal waste generation .
The majority of that – 24.4 million tons – was composted or mulched , the EPA says , yet still , 8.7 million tons went to landfills , accounting for 6.2 % of allmunicipal waste in landfills .
`` The worst thing you can do is put ( leaves ) in bags @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said David Mizejewski , a naturalist at the National Wildlife Federation .
Leaves take up space and they also can break down with other organic waste to create methane , a potent greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change , he added .
Where to see the leaves:10 beautiful places in the US to see fall foliage Leaving your leaves could make your lawn healthier – and save you money Think you need to spend money on expensive fertilizers to keep your grass healthy ?
Think again , Mizejewski said .
`` Leaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moisture , suppress weeds and other plants .
They also slowly break down and ... return ( essential ) nutrients to plants , '' Mizejewski said .
`` It 's a perfect system .
Nothing is wasted in nature . ''
Do n't rake grass clippings , either : Why you should avoid raking grass clippings after mowing the lawn , and more mower taboos Some leaves , including maples , do a great job of reducing weed seed germination while other species like honey locust add a lot of nitrogen to lawns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you depends on your leaves Butterflies and songbirds alike depend on leaf litter , according to Mizejewski .
`` Over winter months , a lot of butterflies and moths as pupa or caterpillar are in the leaf litter , and when you rake it up you are removing the whole population of butterflies you would otherwise see in your yard , '' he said .
Without the insects in the leaf litter , you also risk driving away birds that might have come to your yard looking for food to feed their offspring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerning given a September 2019 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Science which found that North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970 , Mizejewski said .
`` Keeping some leaf litter can really benefit these kinds of declining wildlife , '' Mizejewski said .
`` This is wildlife conservation on the scale of your lawn . ''
Sorochan , at University of Tennessee , said keeping leaves on your lawn also has the added benefit of reducing fertilizer runoff .
Algal blooms can kill wildlife and harm human health , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runs into waterways .
Because leaving leaves on your lawn serves as a fertilizer , if no other fertilizers are added , it will reduce runoff , Sorochan said .
Blowing leaves into the street is also bad , said Minnesota 's Sandor .
Because leaves have so many nutrients in them , they can break down when they get into sewers and also cause algal blooms in waterways , he said .
But you still might need to do some raking While in most cases , your lawn will benefit if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some raking may be necessary , the experts agree .
Sandor said leaves and lawns are different shapes and sizes , so there is no one-size-fits-all approach .
If it looks like your mower wo n't be able to handle all the leaves or like your lawn is being smothered , that 's when you may need to rake them to thin it out , he says .
If you do remove your leaves , the best thing to do is cut them up and drop them in a plant or flower bed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't get leaf cover , Mizejewski said .
That will provide a natural fertilizer and mulch for those parts of your yard .
If you 're worried the leaves will blow away ( though they should be fine ) , lightly water them , Mizejewski said .
If you do n't have a plant or flower bed or have too many leaves , start a compost bin , he and Sandor advise .
Some municipalities also have compost programs , which allow you to send your leaves off and get mulch back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your house is better so you do n't have the added pollution of trucks and off-site machines taking and processing the leaves .
`` This is about taking baby steps for most people and getting to a maintenance on your yard and garden that is a little bit more environmentally friendly and wildlife friendly , '' Mizejewski said .
Editor 's note : A version of this story originally published in 2019

Raking leaves this fall? If you leave them be, you're doing the planet a favor
Show Caption Hide Caption Raking leaves again this fall? Stop right now Environmental experts say raking leaves and removing them from your property is bad not only for your lawn but for the planet as a whole. USA TODAY, Wochit
It's fall and that means leaves are littering lawns around the country.
Time to take out the rake and bag up them up, right? Wrong.
Environmental experts say raking leaves and removing them from your property is bad not only for your lawn but for the planet as a whole.
Although people often rake fallen leaves and send them to a landfill to prevent their lawns from being smothered and to make yards look better, in most cases, you're fine not moving them.
"Just leave them where they are and grind them up," said John Sorochan, a professor of turfgrass science at University of Tennessee.
However, if you have a lot of trees dumping leaves or the piles begin to mount, Dan Sandor, a postdoctoral researcher of turfgrass science at University of Minnesota, advises mowing over the leaves with a mulching blade about once a week.
'Abrupt, punctuated and spectacular': Foliage forecast shows leaves may change early this year
Here are a few reasons why you shouldn't rake your leaves and other tips to care for your lawn this fall:
Leaves and yard waste take up space in landfills
According to EPA data, yard trimmings, which include leaves, created about 35.2 million tons of waste in 2017, which is about 13% of all municipal waste generation.
The majority of that – 24.4 million tons – was composted or mulched, the EPA says, yet still, 8.7 million tons went to landfills, accounting for 6.2% of all municipal waste in landfills.
"The worst thing you can do is put (leaves) in bags and send them to landfills," said David Mizejewski, a naturalist at the National Wildlife Federation.
Leaves take up space, and they can break down with other organic waste to create methane, a potent greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change, he added.
Where to see the leaves: 10 beautiful places in the US to see fall foliage
Fall leaves burst with color in breathtaking drone video These fall leaves in Vermont will make you want to put on a sweater and sprinkle pumpkin spice everywhere. USA TODAY, Storyful
Leaving your leaves could make your lawn healthier – and save you money
Think you need to spend money on expensive fertilizers to keep your grass healthy? Think again, Mizejewski said.
"Leaves cover up root systems, preserve soil moisture, suppress weeds and other plants. They also slowly break down and ... return (essential) nutrients to plants," Mizejewski said. "It's a perfect system. Nothing is wasted in nature."
Don't rake grass clippings, either: Why you should avoid raking grass clippings after mowing the lawn, and more mower taboos
"It's free fertilizer," Sandor said.
Some leaves, including maples, do a great job of reducing weed seed germination while other species like honey locust add a lot of nitrogen to lawns, Sandor said.
The environment around you depends on your leaves
Butterflies and songbirds alike depend on leaf litter, according to Mizejewski.
"Over winter months, a lot of butterflies and moths as pupa or caterpillar are in the leaf litter, and when you rake it up you are removing the whole population of butterflies you would otherwise see in your yard," he said.
Without the insects in the leaf litter, you also risk driving away birds that might have come to your yard looking for food to feed their offspring in the spring.
That's especially concerning given a September 2019 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Science that found North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970, Mizejewski said.
"Keeping some leaf litter can really benefit these kinds of declining wildlife," Mizejewski said. "This is wildlife conservation on the scale of your lawn."
The University of Tennessee's Sorochan said keeping leaves on your lawn also has the added benefit of reducing fertilizer runoff.
Algal blooms can kill wildlife and harm human health, and they often form when excess fertilizer runs into waterways. Because leaving leaves on your lawn serves as a fertilizer, if no other fertilizers are added it will reduce runoff, Sorochan said.
Blowing leaves into the street is also bad, said Minnesota's Sandor. Because leaves have so many nutrients in them, they can break down when they get into sewers and cause algal blooms in waterways, he said.
This is why leaves change color each fall The fall foliage we see each autumn is thanks to a lot of science. Buzz60
But you still might need to do some raking
While in most cases your lawn will benefit if you keep the leaves where they fall, some raking may be necessary, experts agree.
Sandor said leaves and lawns are different shapes and sizes, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach. If it looks as if your mower won't be able to handle all the leaves or your lawn is being smothered, that's when you may need to rake them to thin it out, he says.
If you do remove your leaves, the best thing to do is cut them up and drop them in a plant or flower bed or another part of your lawn that doesn't get leaf cover, Mizejewski said.
That will provide a natural fertilizer and mulch for those parts of your yard. If you're worried the leaves will blow away (though they should be fine), lightly water them, Mizejewski said.
If you don't have a plant or flower bed or have too many leaves, start a compost bin, he and Sandor advise.
Some municipalities also have compost programs, which allow you to send your leaves off and get mulch back, Mizejewski said, but composting at your house is better so you don't have the added pollution of trucks and off-site machines taking and processing the leaves.
"This is about taking baby steps for most people and getting to a maintenance on your yard and garden that is a little bit more environmentally friendly and wildlife friendly," Mizejewski said.
Editor's note: A version of this story originally published in 2019
Contributing: Mary Bowerman, USA TODAY. Follow USA TODAY's Ryan Miller on Twitter @RyanW_Miller


usatoday--2020-10-01--11-month-old baby can't hide his excitement meeting his newborn brother for first time

11-month-old baby ca n't hide his excitement meeting his newborn brother for first time 11-month-old Roman could n't his his @ @ @ @ @ newborn brother for the first time .

Baby meets newborn brother for first time
11-month-old Roman couldn't his his smile when he met his newborn brother for the first time.
Associated Press, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-10-02--Texas Republican governor orders counties to close multiple ballot drop-off sites

AUSTIN – Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott issued an order Thursday requiring counties to close multiple locations where voters can drop off completed mail-in ballots .
As an election security measure , counties will be limited to one dropoff site where poll watchers — designated by political parties and candidates — must be allowed to observe ballot deliveries by voters , Abbott said .
The new order takes effect Friday and modified Abbott ’ s July 27 order that acknowledged the pandemic ’ s danger by adding six days of early voting and waiving a state law that limits mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats blasted the change as a thinly veiled effort to suppress votes in a tight election .
“ Republicans are on the verge of losing , so Gov .
Abbott is trying to adjust the rules last minute , ” said Gilberto Hinojosa , chairman of the Texas Democratic Party .
“ Courts all over the country , including the 5th Circuit yesterday , have held that it is too late to change election rules , but our failed Republican leadership will try anyway , ” Hinojosa said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scared .
We are creating a movement that will beat them at the ballot box on Nov. 3 , and there ’ s nothing these cheaters can do about it.
” Abbott ’ s order came the same day Travis County , home to Austin , opened four drop-off locations as election officials worked to meet unprecedented demand for mail-in voting during the pandemic .
Harris County , home to Houston , opened 12 locations Monday .
In addition to being a convenience , the multiple drop-off sites were intended to alleviate concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Postal Service .
At Travis County ’ s drive-thru sites , including three downtown , voters must deliver their own mail-in ballots after showing a photo ID and signing a roster .
Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir said she is looking into a legal challenge of Abbott ’ s order , which she said arrived without warning and appeared “ intended to be disruptive — and it is.
” “ This is a deliberate attempt to manipulate the election , ” said DeBeauvoir , a Democrat .
Thus far , 71,000 Travis County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a figure that could approach 100,000 , easily dwarfing the 27,000 absentee ballots cast in the last presidential election , she said .
At one of the county dropoff sites on Airport Boulevard , Dora Hernandez , 71 , was among a half-dozen voters who submitted a ballot during a 30-minute period in the late morning Thursday .
Hernandez said she was worried that her ballot would get lost in mail .
“ I actually considered voting in person , and even though I ’ m a healthy person and I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m still an older woman and that worried me , ” she said .
“ That ’ s the only reason I did it this way.
” Limiting the number of drop-off sites will affect large urban counties that are strongly Democratic or trending in that direction , and the Texas Democratic Party said Abbott ’ s new order appeared targeted at a “ rising Texas electorate.
” “ It ’ s a miscalculation on Abbott ’ s part , ” party spokesman Abhi Rahman said .
“ Texas Democrats will crawl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of office.
” U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett , D-Austin , also predicted that the move will backfire .
“ This sabotage is not about election security , it is about Republican political insecurity , ” he said .
But Abbott said he had a duty to voters and the state to take action to protect election integrity .
“ As we work to preserve Texans ’ ability to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic , we must take extra care to strengthen ballot security protocols throughout the state .
These enhanced security protocols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop attempts at illegal voting , ” Abbott said .
State Sen. Paul Bettencourt , R-Houston , said requiring poll watchers to observe ballot delivery was an important step .
“ It is essential that the public be able to trust in the integrity of the election system , and as a former elections official it is bewildering to me that any county clerk would resist having poll watchers present to watch election officials do their job under the Texas Election Code , ” Bettencourt said .
But Chris Hollins , Harris County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Travis County said poll watchers were welcome at all drop-off locations .
Hollins said Abbott ’ s change of heart will upend weeks of advertising that touted multiple drop-off locations in the state ’ s most populous county .
“ Going back on his word at this point harms voters and will result in widespread confusion and voter suppression , ” Hollins said via Twitter .
“ To force hundreds of thousands of seniors and voters with disabilities to use a single drop-off location in a county that stretches over nearly 2,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abbott modified his order amid discontent from the right wing of his party over the way he has handled the pandemic with orders closing businesses , requiring face masks in many parts of Texas and expanding early voting ahead of the Nov. 3 election .
Several GOP leaders — including Agriculture Secretary Sid Miller , Texas Republican Party Chairman Allen West , two state senators and four state House members — have asked the Texas Supreme Court to void Abbott ’ s order that added six days of early voting and allowed mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day .
The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the challenge , which argued that Abbott ’ s order violates state law and the Texas Constitution and must be struck down .

Chuck Lindell and Nicole Cobler, Austin American-Statesman

Texas Republican governor orders counties to close multiple ballot drop-off sites
Show Caption Hide Caption County clerk: Texas gov.'s order suppresses voters The clerk for the Texas county that includes Houston says Gov. Greg Abbott's move to restrict the number of drop-off sites for mail-in ballots is an intentional move to suppress the vote. Abbott says he's trying to stop illegal voting. (Oct. 2) AP
AUSTIN – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order Thursday requiring counties to close multiple locations where voters can drop off completed mail-in ballots.
As an election security measure, counties will be limited to one dropoff site where poll watchers — designated by political parties and candidates — must be allowed to observe ballot deliveries by voters, Abbott said.
The new order takes effect Friday and modified Abbott’s July 27 order that acknowledged the pandemic’s danger by adding six days of early voting and waiving a state law that limits mail-in ballot drop-off to Election Day only.
Democrats blasted the change as a thinly veiled effort to suppress votes in a tight election.
“Republicans are on the verge of losing, so Gov. Abbott is trying to adjust the rules last minute,” said Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party.
“Courts all over the country, including the 5th Circuit yesterday, have held that it is too late to change election rules, but our failed Republican leadership will try anyway,” Hinojosa said in a statement. “Gov. Abbott and Texas Republicans are scared. We are creating a movement that will beat them at the ballot box on Nov. 3, and there’s nothing these cheaters can do about it.”
Trump blames ballots, won't commit to peaceful transfer of power President Donald Trump, who uses mail-in voting himself, has baselessly claimed widespread mail voting will lead to election fraud. USA TODAY
Abbott’s order came the same day Travis County, home to Austin, opened four drop-off locations as election officials worked to meet unprecedented demand for mail-in voting during the pandemic. Harris County, home to Houston, opened 12 locations Monday. In addition to being a convenience, the multiple drop-off sites were intended to alleviate concerns about the efficiency of the U.S. Postal Service.
At Travis County’s drive-thru sites, including three downtown, voters must deliver their own mail-in ballots after showing a photo ID and signing a roster.
Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir said she is looking into a legal challenge of Abbott’s order, which she said arrived without warning and appeared “intended to be disruptive — and it is.”
“This is a deliberate attempt to manipulate the election,” said DeBeauvoir, a Democrat.
Thus far, 71,000 Travis County voters have requested a mail-in ballot, a figure that could approach 100,000, easily dwarfing the 27,000 absentee ballots cast in the last presidential election, she said.
At one of the county dropoff sites on Airport Boulevard, Dora Hernandez, 71, was among a half-dozen voters who submitted a ballot during a 30-minute period in the late morning Thursday.
Hernandez said she was worried that her ballot would get lost in mail.
“I actually considered voting in person, and even though I’m a healthy person and I don’t have any underlying issues, I’m still an older woman and that worried me,” she said. “That’s the only reason I did it this way.”
Democrats targeted?
Limiting the number of drop-off sites will affect large urban counties that are strongly Democratic or trending in that direction, and the Texas Democratic Party said Abbott’s new order appeared targeted at a “rising Texas electorate.”
“It’s a miscalculation on Abbott’s part,” party spokesman Abhi Rahman said. “Texas Democrats will crawl through broken glass to vote these cheaters out of office.”
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, also predicted that the move will backfire. “This sabotage is not about election security, it is about Republican political insecurity,” he said.
But Abbott said he had a duty to voters and the state to take action to protect election integrity.
McEnany, reporter clash over mail-in ballot claims White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany got in a testy exchange with a reporter Thursday over President Donald Trump's claims that a number of mail-in ballots were recently found in a river. (Oct. 1) AP
“As we work to preserve Texans’ ability to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic, we must take extra care to strengthen ballot security protocols throughout the state. These enhanced security protocols will ensure greater transparency and will help stop attempts at illegal voting,” Abbott said.
State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, said requiring poll watchers to observe ballot delivery was an important step.
“It is essential that the public be able to trust in the integrity of the election system, and as a former elections official it is bewildering to me that any county clerk would resist having poll watchers present to watch election officials do their job under the Texas Election Code,” Bettencourt said.
But Chris Hollins, Harris County’s Democratic clerk, and DeBeauvoir of Travis County said poll watchers were welcome at all drop-off locations.
Hollins said Abbott’s change of heart will upend weeks of advertising that touted multiple drop-off locations in the state’s most populous county.
“Going back on his word at this point harms voters and will result in widespread confusion and voter suppression,” Hollins said via Twitter. “To force hundreds of thousands of seniors and voters with disabilities to use a single drop-off location in a county that stretches over nearly 2,000 square miles is prejudicial and dangerous.”
Republican pushback
Abbott modified his order amid discontent from the right wing of his party over the way he has handled the pandemic with orders closing businesses, requiring face masks in many parts of Texas and expanding early voting ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Several GOP leaders — including Agriculture Secretary Sid Miller, Texas Republican Party Chairman Allen West, two state senators and four state House members — have asked the Texas Supreme Court to void Abbott’s order that added six days of early voting and allowed mail-in ballots to be hand delivered before Election Day.
The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the challenge, which argued that Abbott’s order violates state law and the Texas Constitution and must be struck down.


Measuring vote-by-mail