mercurynews--2020-10-30--Wallace family: Police who shot him were improperly trained

PHILADELPHIA — The footage from body-worn cameras that was taken as police responded to a call about Walter Wallace Jr. shows him emerging from a house with a knife as relatives shout at officers about his mental health condition , a lawyer for the man ’ s family said Thursday .
The video also shows Wallace became incapacitated after the first shot of 14 that two officers fired at him , said lawyer Shaka Johnson , describing footage he said police showed him and other members of Wallace ’ s family before a plan to release it and 911 calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a knife , but that does not give you carte blanche to execute a man , quite frankly , ” Johnson told reporters at a news conference outside Philadelphia City Hall .
“ What other than death did you intend when you shoot a man — each officer — seven times apiece ?
” The family does not want the officers , who have not yet been publicly identified , to be charged with murder , Johnson said , because they were improperly trained and didn ’ t have the right equipment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ instant panic ” from officers whose training taught them only how to open fire , he said , noting he saw no viable attempt from officers to deescalate the situation .
“ What you will not see is a man with a knife lunging at anyone that would qualify as a reason to assassinate him , ” Johnson said .
Police also faced rebuke from Philadelphia leaders as the anguished city bemoaned the department ’ s response to a year of extraordinary , and sometimes violent , civil unrest .
The City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , voted to block police from using tear gas , rubber bullets or pepper spray on peaceful protesters after hearing hours of testimony from people injured or traumatized by them , including a group hit with tear gas as they were corralled near a highway overpass .
“ It was undisciplined , it was indiscriminate and it hurt a lot of people , ” said Council Member Helen Gym , who introduced the bill .
The moves follow days of protests , store break-ins and ATM thefts after the death of Wallace , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor to lock down the city Wednesday night with an overnight curfew .
The family had called Monday for both medical services and police , but only the latter arrived , lawyer Shaka Johnson said .
Less than 30 seconds into the encounter , Wallace was dead , felled by a blast of 14 bullets , he said .
Police have said the two officers fired after Wallace ignored orders to drop a knife .
Wallace ’ s mother and wife were outside , shouting to police about his mental health problems , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , Outlaw lamented the lack of a behavioral health unit in a department she joined only this year .
She pledged to address that need and also told the council that she supports the goal of their bill , which she said aligns with current police policy .
Mayor Jim Kenney also supports the ban in principle but wants to review it before signing it into law , a spokesman said .
The city had a strong record of accommodating protesters in recent years , until the Black Lives Matter protests erupted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the death of George Floyd .
Chaos and violent clashes ensued , and broke out anew this week after Wallace ’ s death in a mostly Black section of west Philadelphia .
“ The unjustified shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. this week has our city both raging and grieving , but also extraordinarily purposeful about taking action , ” Gym said .
Several other cities across the U.S. have debated or enacted similar measures to limit the use of chemical sprays and rubber bullets against protesters .
• Philadelphia calls for National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East Bay police shoot driver they say pulled weapon during search for escaped suspect • Southern California : Man shot to death after firing on police , CHP says Meanwhile , U.S. Attorney William McSwain , who was appointed by President Donald Trump , announced charges Thursday against a Philadelphia social studies teacher and three others for their alleged roles in the torching of two police cruisers during the May 30 protests .
According to McSwain , 29-year-old teacher Anthony Smith and two others put “ combustible materials ” into a cruiser near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Another man was charged separately with setting fire to a second cruiser .
Smith helped organize the Philadelphia Coalition for Racial and Economic Legal Justice , known locally as Philly for REAL Justice .
Smith ’ s lawyer , Paul Hetznecker , noted the arrest came five months after the incident and five days before “ the most important presidential election of our time .
”

By Maryclaire Dale | Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA — The footage from body-worn cameras that was taken as police responded to a call about Walter Wallace Jr. shows him emerging from a house with a knife as relatives shout at officers about his mental health condition, a lawyer for the man’s family said Thursday.
The video also shows Wallace became incapacitated after the first shot of 14 that two officers fired at him, said lawyer Shaka Johnson, describing footage he said police showed him and other members of Wallace’s family before a plan to release it and 911 calls publicly.
“I understand he had a knife, but that does not give you carte blanche to execute a man, quite frankly,” Johnson told reporters at a news conference outside Philadelphia City Hall. “What other than death did you intend when you shoot a man — each officer — seven times apiece?”
The family does not want the officers, who have not yet been publicly identified, to be charged with murder, Johnson said, because they were improperly trained and didn’t have the right equipment to do their job.
The video shows “instant panic” from officers whose training taught them only how to open fire, he said, noting he saw no viable attempt from officers to deescalate the situation.
“What you will not see is a man with a knife lunging at anyone that would qualify as a reason to assassinate him,” Johnson said.
Police also faced rebuke from Philadelphia leaders as the anguished city bemoaned the department’s response to a year of extraordinary, and sometimes violent, civil unrest.
The City Council, joining leaders of other cities, voted to block police from using tear gas, rubber bullets or pepper spray on peaceful protesters after hearing hours of testimony from people injured or traumatized by them, including a group hit with tear gas as they were corralled near a highway overpass.
“It was undisciplined, it was indiscriminate and it hurt a lot of people,” said Council Member Helen Gym, who introduced the bill.
The moves follow days of protests, store break-ins and ATM thefts after the death of Wallace, a Black man, that led the mayor to lock down the city Wednesday night with an overnight curfew.
The family had called Monday for both medical services and police, but only the latter arrived, lawyer Shaka Johnson said. Less than 30 seconds into the encounter, Wallace was dead, felled by a blast of 14 bullets, he said.
Police have said the two officers fired after Wallace ignored orders to drop a knife. Wallace’s mother and wife were outside, shouting to police about his mental health problems, Johnson said.
In a news conference Wednesday, Outlaw lamented the lack of a behavioral health unit in a department she joined only this year.
She pledged to address that need and also told the council that she supports the goal of their bill, which she said aligns with current police policy. Mayor Jim Kenney also supports the ban in principle but wants to review it before signing it into law, a spokesman said.
The city had a strong record of accommodating protesters in recent years, until the Black Lives Matter protests erupted in the city on May 30, following the death of George Floyd. Chaos and violent clashes ensued, and broke out anew this week after Wallace’s death in a mostly Black section of west Philadelphia.
“The unjustified shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. this week has our city both raging and grieving, but also extraordinarily purposeful about taking action,” Gym said.
Several other cities across the U.S. have debated or enacted similar measures to limit the use of chemical sprays and rubber bullets against protesters.
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Utah man, suspected of threatening Biden, shot dead by FBI National News | Road rage leads to deaths of Tesla driver and police dog at San Diego campus Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney William McSwain, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, announced charges Thursday against a Philadelphia social studies teacher and three others for their alleged roles in the torching of two police cruisers during the May 30 protests.
According to McSwain, 29-year-old teacher Anthony Smith and two others put “combustible materials” into a cruiser near City Hall that was already on fire. Another man was charged separately with setting fire to a second cruiser. Smith helped organize the Philadelphia Coalition for Racial and Economic Legal Justice, known locally as Philly for REAL Justice.
Smith’s lawyer, Paul Hetznecker, noted the arrest came five months after the incident and five days before “the most important presidential election of our time.”


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Coronavirus: Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence tests positive for COVID-19

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence has tested positive for COVID-19 , putting into doubt whether the face of college football will @ @ @ @ @ top-ranked Tigers ’ biggest game of the season .
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said in @ @ @ @ @ school Thursday night that Lawrence is in isolation with mild symptoms .
Swinney said Lawrence @ @ @ @ @ game Saturday against Boston College .
The Tigers are scheduled to play No .
4 @ @ @ @ @ , Indiana , on Nov. 7 .
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate @ @ @ @ @ days .
The junior from Georgia is a leading contender for the Heisman Trophy and @ @ @ @ @ in next year ’ s NFL draft .
He led the Tigers ( 6-0 ) @ @ @ @ @ a freshman and back to the College Football playoff championship game last season .
Clemson @ @ @ @ @ in the title game was the first — and still only — game the Tigers @ @ @ @ @ s 32 career starts .

By RALPH D. RUSSO / AP College Football Writer
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence has tested positive for COVID-19, putting into doubt whether the face of college football will be available to play the top-ranked Tigers’ biggest game of the season.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said in a statement released by the school Thursday night that Lawrence is in isolation with mild symptoms.
Swinney said Lawrence would miss Clemson’s game Saturday against Boston College. The Tigers are scheduled to play No. 4 Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, on Nov. 7.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for a minimum of 10 days.
Lawrence said in a statement on Twitter that his symptoms have been “relatively mild” and he was following protocol from Clemson and the ACC about the virus.
“The only thing that hurts is missing an opportunity to be with my teammates this weekend and play the game I love,” he said.
Lawrence said he’d be watching and cheering for the Tigers from isolation.
The junior from Georgia is a leading contender for the Heisman Trophy and potentially the top overall pick in next year’s NFL draft. He led the Tigers (6-0) to a national championship as a freshman and back to the College Football playoff championship game last season. Clemson’s loss to LSU in the title game was the first — and still only — game the Tigers have lost in Lawrence’s 32 career starts.
Clemson is tested three times a week per Atlantic Coast Conference protocol.
Freshman D.J. Uiagalelei has been the first in after Lawrence this season when games get out of hand. Uiagalelei, at 6-4 and 250 pounds, was rated the country’s second-best college prospect by Rivals.com last season. He enrolled in January and went through spring drills until the coronavirus pandemic shut down college sports last March.
Uiagalelei has completed 12 of 19 passes for 102 yards. The Tigers also have used sophomore Taisun Phommachanh and Hunter Helms at quarterback this season.
Last Friday, when Clemson’s athletic department most recently released data about its testing for the virus, the South Carolina university said seven of its student-athletes had tested positive over the previous week. Now, given Lawrence’s result, at least 138 Clemson student-athletes have tested positive since June 1.


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Thankful for the fear during COVID-19 Halloween season

CLICK HERE if you can ’ t view the gallery in a mobile device .
Life during the coronavirus pandemic gets pretty boring for the Klamm sisters — 14-year-old Kyli and 11-year-old Khloe — of Morgan Hill .
Thus , it sounded like a spooky good idea to go to the Dead Time Dreams haunted attraction in San Jose during Halloween week with their father Ken .
“ There ’ s nothing really else to do , ” says Kyli , who is a freshman at Live Oak High School .
“ We thought it would be fun to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t the only ones with that idea .
Well before this open-air fright walk had opened its doors for business on Wednesday night , the parking lot outside was jammed with cars and there was a sizable amount of people already lined up to buy tickets .
It just goes to show that even during a plague people love surrounding themselves with scenes of death and carnage — the ickier the better .
Whether it addresses an existential angst or , more likely , boredom , the public ’ s desire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong or stronger during a Halloween season unlike any other , when most neighborhood trick-or-treating and Halloween costume parades are out of the question .
So families are getting their get the fright on at places like Dead Time Dreams and Pleasanton ’ s Pirates of Emerson .
All of the regular tickets for the Pirates of Emerson attraction , a drive-through haunt with live actors at the Alameda County Fairgrounds , are sold out for this run , which continues through Nov. 1 .
( There are still some Pirates tickets available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actors onsite . )
And business has also been good at Dead Time Dreams — “ a little too good for my liking , ” says owner Steve Darrough .
Darrough has been running Dead Time Dreams at this spot at the corner of Tully Road and Capitol Expressway for 11 years .
He and his team had to draw up a new game plan for the show this year to address seemingly competing demands : scare the bejesus out of people while making them feel safe at the same time .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buffers between guests and actors , turning the haunt into an open-air experience , implementing such precautions as temperature checks at the box office and introducing social distancing measures for guests while they are both in line and on the fright walk itself .
“ It ’ s no joke for me , ” Darrough says .
“ It ’ s deadly serious.
” He ’ s even had to turn away potential ticket buyers when the waiting line got too big for comfort .
“ We actually chase them off , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably pay a price for that this year.
” Alena Gold of Mountain View definitely didn ’ t want to be chased off , so she was in line and waiting with her 11-year-old daughter Valerie and 8-year-old son Dominic well before the doors opened for business .
“ We got here super early , so we made sure we got in the line , ” she says .
“ They said at a certain point they would just stop the line.
” Gold says that it ’ s been hard to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 — and that many events that are open often sell out well in advance due to limited capacities and high demand during the pandemic .
“ We didn ’ t want to come ( to the haunt ) and not get in — because we don ’ t have other options , ” she says .
As for Dead Time Dreams employee , work is a difficult balancing act between adhering to COVID-19 safety precautions and giving people a spooky good time .
“ I think the biggest challenge is – six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member Spyder , unrolling a tape measure to illustrate his point .
Another worker who usually goes by Guzzo , but on this evening is calling himself Captain America ( although he doesn ’ t , in the slightest , resemble the Marvel Comics character ) , says that most guests seem more than willing to go along with the safety precautions .
“ But the jerks really mess you up , ” he says .
“ You just have to stay on it and be diligent.
” Once they start the fright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horrifying sets and decorations , with blood , gore , skulls , chainsaws and other things that seem plucked right out of nightmares .
It ’ s what people have come to expect from these kinds of adult-oriented haunts .
The biggest difference this year is the distance that is kept between the actors and the guests at all times .
“ Most of the actors want to get up close — they want to get in your face , ” Darrough says .
“ But they have to think differently this year.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same as ever before .
Lot ’ s of shrieking and screaming from guests while in the haunt , followed by big smiles and laughter as they walk out .
Actually , perhaps the smiles might even be a bit bigger in 2020 , since people are just so glad to have something to do during this COVID-19 Halloween .
“ Most people are really grateful that we are running , ” Darrough says .
“ And they say so.
” 2501 Tully Road , San Jose ; www.deadtimedreams.com .
7:30-10 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 general admission and $ 30 VIP and available onsite beginning at 7:15 p.m. and ending at 9:30 p.m .
Parking available at the ABC pumpkin lot .
Note : Ticket sales might be suspended if crowd size gets too large .

CLICK HERE if you can’t view the gallery in a mobile device.
Life during the coronavirus pandemic gets pretty boring for the Klamm sisters — 14-year-old Kyli and 11-year-old Khloe — of Morgan Hill. So it sounded like a spooky good idea to go to the Dead Time Dreams haunted attraction in San Jose during Halloween week with their father Ken.
“There’s nothing really else to do,” says Kyli, a freshman at Live Oak High School. “We thought it would be fun to do a haunted house.”
They weren’t the only ones with that idea. Well before this open-air fright walk had opened its doors for business on Wednesday night, the parking lot outside was jammed with cars, and there was a sizable amount of people already lined up to buy tickets.
It just goes to show that even during a plague people love surrounding themselves with scenes of death and carnage — the ickier the better. Whether it addresses an existential angst or, more likely, boredom, the public’s desire for a ghoulish good time is as strong or stronger during a Halloween season unlike any other, when most neighborhood trick-or-treating and Halloween costume parades are out of the question.
So families are getting their fright on at places like Dead Time Dreams and Pleasanton’s Pirates of Emerson. Regular tickets for Pirates of Emerson, a drive-through haunt with live actors at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, are sold out for this run, which continues through Nov. 1. (There are still some Pirates tickets available for those who wish to drive-through without actors onsite.)
And business has also been good at Dead Time Dreams — “a little too good for my liking,” says owner Steve Darrough.
Darrough has run Dead Time Dreams at the corner of Tully Road and Capitol Expressway for 11 years. But he and his team had to draw up a new game plan this year to address seemingly competing demands: Scare the bejesus out of people while making them feel safe at the same time.
That meant creating COVID-comfortable buffers between guests and actors, turning the haunt into an open-air experience, implementing temperature checks at the box office and introducing social distancing measures for guests, both in line and on the fright walk itself.
“It’s no joke for me,” Darrough says. “It’s deadly serious.”
He’s even had to turn away potential ticket buyers when the waiting line got too big for comfort.
“We actually chase them off,” he says. “And I will probably pay a price for that this year.”
Alena Gold of Mountain View definitely didn’t want to be chased off, so she was in line with her 11-year-old daughter Valerie and 8-year-old son Dominic well before the doors opened for business.
“We got here super early, so we made sure we got in the line,” she says. “They said at a certain point, they would just stop the line.”
Gold says it’s been hard to find things to do with the kids during COVID-19 — and that many of the events that are open sell out well in advance, due to limited capacities and high demand.
“We didn’t want to come (to the haunt) and not get in, because we don’t have other options,” she says.
As for Dead Time Dreams employee, work is a difficult balancing act between adhering to COVID-19 safety precautions and giving people a spooky good time.
“I think the biggest challenge is — six feet!” says ghoulishly garbed staff member Spyder, unrolling a tape measure to illustrate his point.
Another worker who usually goes by Guzzo, but on this evening is Captain America (although he doesn’t, in the slightest, resemble the Marvel Comics character), says that most guests seem more than willing to go along with the safety precautions.
“But the jerks really mess you up,” he says. “You just have to stay on it and be diligent.”
Once they start the fright walk, guests see an assortment of horrifying sets and decorations with blood, gore, skulls, chainsaws and other sights that seem plucked from nightmares. It’s what people have come to expect from these kinds of adult-oriented haunts.
The biggest difference this year is the distance maintained between actors and guests at all times.
“Most of the actors want to get up close — they want to get in your face,” Darrough says. “But they have to think differently this year.”
Still, the end result is the same as ever: lots of shrieking and screaming from guests during the haunt, followed by big smiles and laughter as they walk out. The smiles may even be a bit bigger in 2020. People are just so glad to have something to do during this COVID-19 Halloween.
“Most people are really grateful that we are running,” Darrough says. “And they say so.”
Dead Time Dreams Haunted Attraction
2501 Tully Road, San Jose; www.deadtimedreams.com. 7:30-10 p.m. through Oct. 31. Tickets are $20-$30, available onsite from 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Parking is available at the ABC pumpkin lot. Note: Ticket sales might be suspended if crowd size gets too large.


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Appeals court rejects Minnesota ballot counting extension

The 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that mailed-in ballots in Minnesota must be received by elections officials no later than Election Day .
The 2-1 ruling — a win for the Republican challengers to the state ’ s plans — cuts off a weeklong window after Election Day where state officials had planned to receive ballots that had lingered in the mail .
The court found the Minnesota secretary of state ’ s accommodation went against a state law that said ballots delivered by mail to elections officials after 8 p.m. on Election Day should be marked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instructions to count mail-in ballots received up to seven days after Election Day stand in direct contradiction to Minnesota election law governing presidential elections , ” the ruling stated .
The decision tackles absentee ballot deadlines in a battleground state a day after the US Supreme Court declined to wade into plans in Pennsylvania and North Carolina to continue to accept ballots after Election Day .
The Trump campaign had sided with cutting off the receipt of ballots by Election Day .
The decision on Thursday night potentially throws into chaos the plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mailed their absentee ballots .
It sets up the possibility those votes may not be counted if they are postmarked in the coming days .
But the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals urged voters to consider voting in other ways , because the court has not yet decided if votes that come in via mail after Election Day are legal .
“ Better to put those voters on notice now while they still have at least some time to adjust their plans and cast their votes in an unquestionably lawful way , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The appeals court said that the ballots received by officials after Election Day should be set aside separately from ballots that were received on time , and not counted .
“ The consequences of this order are not lost on us , ” the court ’ s opinion said .
“ We acknowledge and understand the concerns over voter confusion , election administration issues , and public confidence in the election .
… With that said , we conclude the challenges that will stem from this ruling are preferable to a postelection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statutory deadline , are either intermingled with ballots received on time or invalidated without prior warning.
” The appeals court sided with two of the Republican Party ’ s nominees for its Electoral College slate in Minnesota .
The two electors challenged the Minnesota secretary of state ’ s decision to add a week for the state to receive ballots after Election Day .
US Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minnesota , told voters to not mail in their ballots after the ruling .
“ Because of LAST MINUTE ruling , Minnesota DO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Klobuchar said on Twitter .
“ In the middle of a pandemic , the Republican Party is doing everything to make it hard for you to vote .
Stand up for YOUR rights : Vote in-person or take mail-in ballot directly to ballot box .
”

By Katelyn Polantz | CNN
The 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that mailed-in ballots in Minnesota must be received by elections officials no later than Election Day.
The 2-1 ruling — a win for the Republican challengers to the state’s plans — cuts off a weeklong window after Election Day where state officials had planned to receive ballots that had lingered in the mail. The court found the Minnesota secretary of state’s accommodation went against a state law that said ballots delivered by mail to elections officials after 8 p.m. on Election Day should be marked late.
“The Secretary’s instructions to count mail-in ballots received up to seven days after Election Day stand in direct contradiction to Minnesota election law governing presidential elections,” the ruling stated.
The decision tackles absentee ballot deadlines in a battleground state a day after the US Supreme Court declined to wade into plans in Pennsylvania and North Carolina to continue to accept ballots after Election Day.
The Trump campaign had sided with cutting off the receipt of ballots by Election Day.
The decision on Thursday night potentially throws into chaos the plans of Minnesota voters who have not yet mailed their absentee ballots. It sets up the possibility those votes may not be counted if they are postmarked in the coming days.
But the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals urged voters to consider voting in other ways, because the court has not yet decided if votes that come in via mail after Election Day are legal.
“Better to put those voters on notice now while they still have at least some time to adjust their plans and cast their votes in an unquestionably lawful way,” the appeals court said in its ruling.
The appeals court said that the ballots received by officials after Election Day should be set aside separately from ballots that were received on time, and not counted.
“The consequences of this order are not lost on us,” the court’s opinion said. “We acknowledge and understand the concerns over voter confusion, election administration issues, and public confidence in the election. … With that said, we conclude the challenges that will stem from this ruling are preferable to a postelection scenario where mail-in votes, received after the statutory deadline, are either intermingled with ballots received on time or invalidated without prior warning.”
The appeals court sided with two of the Republican Party’s nominees for its Electoral College slate in Minnesota. The two electors challenged the Minnesota secretary of state’s decision to add a week for the state to receive ballots after Election Day.
US Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, told voters to not mail in their ballots after the ruling.
“Because of LAST MINUTE ruling, Minnesota DO NOT put ballots in mail any more,” Klobuchar said on Twitter. “In the middle of a pandemic, the Republican Party is doing everything to make it hard for you to vote. Stand up for YOUR rights: Vote in-person or take mail-in ballot directly to ballot box.”


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Witnesses grilled in misconduct trial against Contra Costa assessor

MARTINEZ — Attorneys representing Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer on Thursday grilled some of his employees who have accused him of making sexist and racist comments by questioning their motives .
Their cross-examination of the witnesses came in the second day of the trial against Kramer , who could be removed from office if the jury finds him guilty of “ willful or corrupt ” misconduct and creating a hostile work environment .
Kramer meanwhile is running for a seat on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and wouldn ’ t be precluded from taking it if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal Glover , regardless of what a jury decides .
Kramer ’ s defense counsels , Michael Rains and Nicole Pifari , questioned the witnesses who prosecutor Chris Walpole brought to the stand .
Rains stated in his opening arguments Wednesday that Kramer ’ s alleged sexual and racist comments to staff were either misinterpreted or simply fabricated by those with a political agenda .
In their cross-examination of Margaret Eychner , a former assessor ’ s office employee who had alleged Kramer sent her inappropriate text messages and told her he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her a rose , they tried to portray her as ambitiously manipulative in trying to move up in the office and possibly run for the assessor ’ s position .
Kramer has maintained since the accusations were filed last year that certain employees brought forward the allegations against him in retaliation for not being promoted .
To that end , Pifari questioned Eychner over her conflicts with the person who did get the promotion .
Other employees who testified Thursday confirmed other instances of Kramer ’ s behavior .
One employee said Kramer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a wedding dress after seeing a photo of her wearing it and in one instance squatted next to her , very close , and asked her to print out some documents from the computer .
The close contact made her “ uncomfortable , ” she testified .
Another employee , Traci Benton , who had not testified in front of the grand jury said Kramer told her he liked her blouse in what she deemed a “ sexual ” tone while staring at her breasts .
She said he later told her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him of wallpaper in his girlfriend ’ s home .
She overhead him tell another employee that a shirt she was wearing was “ provocative ” and that he should “ turn ” her in for that .
Asked why she withdrew a complaint she had filed about the situation , Benton testified she did not want to lose her job or make workplace interactions difficult .
She has since moved on from the office , she said .
Also on the stand Thursday was a longtime employee of the assessor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Kramer made racial slurs against him and told crude stories .
One one occasion , Kramer walked into Rivara ’ s office and upon seeing a newspaper headline about an endorsement of former state Senator Kevin DeLeon , told him that white men “ would never f****** vote for a Mexican.
” On another instance , Kramer used a racial slur to ask about Rivara ’ s ethnicity , he said .
Kramer also told him the same story on multiple instances about a couple having anal sex , which made Rivara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rivara why he didn ’ t include those allegations in an interview with a county-contracted investigator after lodging a complaint when Kramer threatened to fire him without cause , then demoted him just before his retirement .
Rivara said the investigation was about the threat of termination and what he viewed as age discrimination when Kramer told him “ you ’ re old enough to go to the retirement board ” after giving him the date of his last day in office .
He had not lodged the complaint about the sexual and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later testified to those points in front of the civil grand jury .
Testimony from witnesses is expected to continue on Friday .

MARTINEZ — Attorneys representing Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer on Thursday grilled some of his employees who have accused him of making sexist and racist comments by questioning their motives.
Their cross-examination of the witnesses came in the second day of the trial against Kramer, who could be removed from office if the jury finds him guilty of “willful or corrupt” misconduct and creating a hostile work environment.
Kramer meanwhile is running for a seat on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and wouldn’t be precluded from taking it if he wins Tuesday’s election against incumbent Federal Glover, regardless of what a jury decides.
Kramer’s defense counsels, Michael Rains and Nicole Pifari, questioned the witnesses who prosecutor Chris Walpole brought to the stand. Rains stated in his opening arguments Wednesday that Kramer’s alleged sexual and racist comments to staff were either misinterpreted or simply fabricated by those with a political agenda.
In their cross-examination of Margaret Eychner, a former assessor’s office employee who had alleged Kramer sent her inappropriate text messages and told her he was “smitten” with her while giving her a rose, they tried to portray her as ambitiously manipulative in trying to move up in the office and possibly run for the assessor’s position.
Kramer has maintained since the accusations were filed last year that certain employees brought forward the allegations against him in retaliation for not being promoted.
To that end, Pifari questioned Eychner over her conflicts with the person who did get the promotion.
Other employees who testified Thursday confirmed other instances of Kramer’s behavior. One employee said Kramer told her she looked “hot” in a wedding dress after seeing a photo of her wearing it and in one instance squatted next to her, very close, and asked her to print out some documents from the computer. The close contact made her “uncomfortable,” she testified.
Another employee, Traci Benton, who had not testified in front of the grand jury said Kramer told her he liked her blouse in what she deemed a “sexual” tone while staring at her breasts. She said he later told her he complimented the blouse because it reminded him of wallpaper in his girlfriend’s home.
She overhead him tell another employee that a shirt she was wearing was “provocative” and that he should “turn” her in for that.
Asked why she withdrew a complaint she had filed about the situation, Benton testified she did not want to lose her job or make workplace interactions difficult. She has since moved on from the office, she said.
Also on the stand Thursday was a longtime employee of the assessor’s office, Louis Rivara, who testified that Kramer made racial slurs against him and told crude stories.
One one occasion, Kramer walked into Rivara’s office and upon seeing a newspaper headline about an endorsement of former state Senator Kevin DeLeon, told him that white men “would never f****** vote for a Mexican.” On another instance, Kramer used a racial slur to ask about Rivara’s ethnicity, he said. Kramer also told him the same story on multiple instances about a couple having anal sex, which made Rivara uncomfortable, he testified.
Rains asked Rivara why he didn’t include those allegations in an interview with a county-contracted investigator after lodging a complaint when Kramer threatened to fire him without cause, then demoted him just before his retirement.
Rivara said the investigation was about the threat of termination and what he viewed as age discrimination when Kramer told him “you’re old enough to go to the retirement board” after giving him the date of his last day in office.
He had not lodged the complaint about the sexual and racial harassment, he said, but later testified to those points in front of the civil grand jury.
Testimony from witnesses is expected to continue on Friday.


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Perdue says he’ll skip last debate after clash with Ossoff

Georgia Republican Sen. David Perdue will not attend the final debate with Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff before Election Day , both campaigns confirmed , after the two traded barbs in unusually personal terms during their debate Wednesday night .
Perdue will instead attend an event with President Donald Trump , his campaign announced , on the heels of a debate that saw Ossoff label Perdue a “ crook ” and Perdue accuse Ossoff of profiting off China .
The stakes in the close race are high .
Georgia has not one but two US Senate seats up for grabs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s strong challenge in a reliably red state , coupled with a splintered GOP fight for current Sen. Kelly Loeffler ’ s seat , puts both seats at play as the party looks to avoid losing the US Senate .
“ As lovely as another debate listening to Jon Ossoff lie to the people of Georgia sounds , Senator Perdue will not be participating in the WSB-TV debate but will instead join the 45th president , Donald J. Trump , for a huge Get-Out-The-Vote rally in Northwest Georgia , ” Perdue spokesman John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Shame on you , Senator , ” Ossoff tweeted Thursday in response to the news .
“ At last night ’ s debate , millions saw that Perdue had no answers when I called him out on his record of blatant corruption , widespread disease , and economic devastation.
” Wednesday night in Savannah , Perdue at one point attacked Ossoff for raising large sums of cash from out-of-state donors who want a “ radical socialist agenda.
” Ossoff replied by hammering Perdue for being one of several Republican senators who faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of the economic downturn sparked by the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Perhaps Sen. Perdue would have been able to respond properly to the Covid-19 pandemic if you hadn ’ t been fending off multiple federal investigations for insider trading , ” Ossoff said , adding , “ It ’ s not just that you ’ re a crook , senator , it ’ s that you ’ re attacking the health of the people that you represent.
” Perdue — who has said he welcomes a full review of his stock trades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by the Department of Justice , the Securities and Exchange Commission , and Senate Ethics Committee — dismissed Ossoff ’ s attack Wednesday as “ nonsense.
” In another exchange , Perdue accused his Democratic challenger of personally benefiting from financial ties to a Hong Kong media company whose chair is opposed to the push for Hong Kong ’ s independence from China .
The GOP senator produced a piece of paper from his pocket he said was Ossoff ’ s July financial disclosure , claiming it was proof that Ossoff was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a film to the Hong Kong company .
“ He needs to own up to , because sooner or later , we need somebody in the United States Senate that will stand up to Communist China , ” he said .
Ossoff didn ’ t directly dispute Perdue ’ s accusation but said it was “ so beneath the office of a US senator.
” “ You ’ ve continued to demean yourself throughout this campaign with your conduct .
First , you were lengthening my nose in attack ads to remind everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when that didn ’ t work , you started calling me some kind of Islamic terrorist .
And then when that didn ’ t work , you started calling me a Chinese communist , ” he said .
In July , Perdue ’ s campaign took down a Facebook ad that appeared to make Ossoff ’ s nose bigger , following accusations of anti-Semitism .
A Perdue campaign spokeswoman said it was an “ unintentional error ” caused by an “ outside vendor , ” and that Perdue has a “ strong and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” During Wednesday ’ s debate , Perdue also said he meant no disrespect to Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris when he repeatedly mispronounced her first name at Trump ’ s rally in Macon earlier this month .
Harris ’ press secretary had condemned Perdue ’ s remark as “ incredibly racist.
” “ Well I absolutely meant no disrespect , I ’ ve said that publicly to Sen. Harris , ” Perdue said .
“ What I was talking about , and what I ’ m trying to do , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s trying to be perpetrated here , and that is this radical socialist agenda that Jon Ossoff will clearly just be a rubber stamp for Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi as they perpetrate this outrageous agenda on our country.
” • More misinformation directed at Harris than Pence • Union City Mayor faces two challengers critical of her leadership amid fiscal woes • Trump , Biden on the campaign trail fighting for Florida A Monmouth University poll out Wednesday showed Ossoff backed by 49 % and Perdue with 46 % support among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate receives a majority because of a third-party candidate on the ballot , the contest will advance to a January runoff .
The other Senate race in Georgia , in which multiple candidates from the same party are on the November ballot , is likely to go to a runoff .
Democrats have coalesced around the Rev .
Raphael Warnock , while Loeffler , who was appointed , is in a race to the right with GOP Rep. Doug Collins to finish in one of the top two spots .

By Veronica Stracqualursi, Keith Allen and Caroline Kelly | CNN
Georgia Republican Sen. David Perdue will not attend the final debate with Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff before Election Day, both campaigns confirmed, after the two traded barbs in unusually personal terms during their debate Wednesday night.
Perdue will instead attend an event with President Donald Trump, his campaign announced, on the heels of a debate that saw Ossoff label Perdue a “crook” and Perdue accuse Ossoff of profiting off China.
The stakes in the close race are high. Georgia has not one but two US Senate seats up for grabs, and some Republicans fear that Ossoff’s strong challenge in a reliably red state, coupled with a splintered GOP fight for current Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s seat, puts both seats at play as the party looks to avoid losing the US Senate.
“As lovely as another debate listening to Jon Ossoff lie to the people of Georgia sounds, Senator Perdue will not be participating in the WSB-TV debate but will instead join the 45th president, Donald J. Trump, for a huge Get-Out-The-Vote rally in Northwest Georgia,” Perdue spokesman John Burke told CNN in a statement.
“Shame on you, Senator,” Ossoff tweeted Thursday in response to the news. “At last night’s debate, millions saw that Perdue had no answers when I called him out on his record of blatant corruption, widespread disease, and economic devastation.”
Wednesday night in Savannah, Perdue at one point attacked Ossoff for raising large sums of cash from out-of-state donors who want a “radical socialist agenda.”
Ossoff replied by hammering Perdue for being one of several Republican senators who faced scrutiny earlier this year for selling stocks ahead of the economic downturn sparked by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Perhaps Sen. Perdue would have been able to respond properly to the Covid-19 pandemic if you hadn’t been fending off multiple federal investigations for insider trading,” Ossoff said, adding, “It’s not just that you’re a crook, senator, it’s that you’re attacking the health of the people that you represent.”
Perdue — who has said he welcomes a full review of his stock trades and claimed he was cleared “completely” by the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Senate Ethics Committee — dismissed Ossoff’s attack Wednesday as “nonsense.”
In another exchange, Perdue accused his Democratic challenger of personally benefiting from financial ties to a Hong Kong media company whose chair is opposed to the push for Hong Kong’s independence from China. The GOP senator produced a piece of paper from his pocket he said was Ossoff’s July financial disclosure, claiming it was proof that Ossoff was disguising the fact his documentary company sold a film to the Hong Kong company.
“He needs to own up to, because sooner or later, we need somebody in the United States Senate that will stand up to Communist China,” he said.
Ossoff didn’t directly dispute Perdue’s accusation but said it was “so beneath the office of a US senator.”
“You’ve continued to demean yourself throughout this campaign with your conduct. First, you were lengthening my nose in attack ads to remind everybody that I’m Jewish. Then when that didn’t work, you started calling me some kind of Islamic terrorist. And then when that didn’t work, you started calling me a Chinese communist,” he said.
In July, Perdue’s campaign took down a Facebook ad that appeared to make Ossoff’s nose bigger, following accusations of anti-Semitism. A Perdue campaign spokeswoman said it was an “unintentional error” caused by an “outside vendor,” and that Perdue has a “strong and consistent record of standing firmly against anti-Semitism.”
During Wednesday’s debate, Perdue also said he meant no disrespect to Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris when he repeatedly mispronounced her first name at Trump’s rally in Macon earlier this month. Harris’ press secretary had condemned Perdue’s remark as “incredibly racist.”
“Well I absolutely meant no disrespect, I’ve said that publicly to Sen. Harris,” Perdue said. “What I was talking about, and what I’m trying to do, is educate the people in Georgia about what’s trying to be perpetrated here, and that is this radical socialist agenda that Jon Ossoff will clearly just be a rubber stamp for Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi as they perpetrate this outrageous agenda on our country.”
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Judge Chutkan: Trump’s right to free speech ‘not absolute’ National Politics | A conservative case for disqualifying Donald Trump in 2024 A Monmouth University poll out Wednesday showed Ossoff backed by 49% and Perdue with 46% support among registered voters in Georgia. If neither candidate receives a majority because of a third-party candidate on the ballot, the contest will advance to a January runoff.
The other Senate race in Georgia, in which multiple candidates from the same party are on the November ballot, is likely to go to a runoff. Democrats have coalesced around the Rev. Raphael Warnock, while Loeffler, who was appointed, is in a race to the right with GOP Rep. Doug Collins to finish in one of the top two spots.


mercurynews--2020-10-29--Bay Area wins more money for homeless housing under Project Homekey

Alameda and San Mateo counties won millions of dollars for homeless housing Thursday , as Gov .
Gavin Newsom doled out the last round of state funding through Project Homekey .
Alameda County received more than $ 23 million for two projects totaling 165 units .
Both sites will be used temporarily as interim housing for homeless residents , and then turned into permanent studio units by the fall of 2022 .
San Mateo County won more than $ 33 million for two projects that will provide 170 units of interim housing .
County spokeswoman Michelle Durand said she couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects Thursday , as negotiations to acquire the buildings weren ’ t complete .
Funding also went to projects in Sacramento , West Sacramento , Marin County , Los Angeles County , Fresno and Tahoe .
“ Today , we make the final round of awards creating 982 units across the state at a cost well below the average of what it typically takes to build new units , ” Newsom said , according to a news release .
“ This program is an example of what ’ s possible when we think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across government and put the needs of those most vulnerable among us first.
” Project Homekey represents phase two of Newsom ’ s plan to move the state ’ s homeless residents off the streets and out of crowded shelters to protect them from COVID-19 .
The first step was Project Roomkey , which temporarily moved more than 22,000 people into hotels throughout the state .
But with federal funds for those rooms poised to dry up , many are closing soon .
Project Homekey — which helps cities and counties buy hotels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them into long-term homeless housing — is intended to be a more permanent solution .
Newsom has doled out more than $ 835 million for 93 projects that will provide 6,055 new units of housing throughout the state .
• Milpitas will sue to stop homeless housing project funded by state , county • San Jose is converting a motel into long-term homeless housing .
Here ’ s where it ’ s at .
Newsom initially launched the program with $ 600 million , but that pot of money was quickly used up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he announced an additional $ 200 million for the fund — $ 17.5 million of which went to two projects in Oakland .
Using that money , Oakland will turn the 22-unit Inn at Temescal hotel into housing for homeless veterans .
And the city will turn an 82-unit single-room-occupancy hotel on Franklin Street into housing for people recently released from jail or prison .
“ With these two projects , Oakland just created more than 100 new units of housing for our unsheltered residents , and with a special priority to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our veterans , ” Mayor Libby Schaaf said , according to a news release .
“ Our city staff works tirelessly to end homelessness in our streets , and I ’ m grateful for Gov .
Newsom ’ s leadership and his partnership , as we all work together to urgently address this crisis.
” Homekey awards also have gone to San Francisco , Santa Clara County , Mountain View , San Jose and Contra Costa County .

Alameda and San Mateo counties won millions of dollars for homeless housing Thursday, as Gov. Gavin Newsom doled out the last round of state funding through Project Homekey.
Alameda County received more than $23 million for two projects totaling 165 units. Both sites will be used temporarily as interim housing for homeless residents, and then turned into permanent studio units by the fall of 2022.
San Mateo County won more than $33 million for two projects that will provide 170 units of interim housing. County spokeswoman Michelle Durand said she couldn’t disclose further details about the projects Thursday, as negotiations to acquire the buildings weren’t complete.
Funding also went to projects in Sacramento, West Sacramento, Marin County, Los Angeles County, Fresno and Tahoe.
“Today, we make the final round of awards creating 982 units across the state at a cost well below the average of what it typically takes to build new units,” Newsom said, according to a news release. “This program is an example of what’s possible when we think outside of the box, work together across government and put the needs of those most vulnerable among us first.”
Project Homekey represents phase two of Newsom’s plan to move the state’s homeless residents off the streets and out of crowded shelters to protect them from COVID-19. The first step was Project Roomkey, which temporarily moved more than 22,000 people into hotels throughout the state. But with federal funds for those rooms poised to dry up, many are closing soon.
Project Homekey — which helps cities and counties buy hotels, apartments and other buildings and turn them into long-term homeless housing — is intended to be a more permanent solution. Newsom has doled out more than $835 million for 93 projects that will provide 6,055 new units of housing throughout the state.
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Using that money, Oakland will turn the 22-unit Inn at Temescal hotel into housing for homeless veterans. And the city will turn an 82-unit single-room-occupancy hotel on Franklin Street into housing for people recently released from jail or prison.
“With these two projects, Oakland just created more than 100 new units of housing for our unsheltered residents, and with a special priority to take care of our American heroes — our veterans,” Mayor Libby Schaaf said, according to a news release. “Our city staff works tirelessly to end homelessness in our streets, and I’m grateful for Gov. Newsom’s leadership and his partnership, as we all work together to urgently address this crisis.”
Homekey awards also have gone to San Francisco, Santa Clara County, Mountain View, San Jose and Contra Costa County.


mercurynews--2020-10-29--49ers’ Garoppolo somehow sings praises of Seahawks’ NFL-worst defense

SANTA CLARA — If Jimmy Garoppolo can ’ t say anything nice about you , well , you must be truly rotten .
It ’ s not his nature to publicly return fire at his critics , or to demean others , at least not off the field .
Garoppolo sprayed compliments at each and every target that came his way Thursday .
He even found something nice to say about the Seattle Seahawks ’ league-worst defense , which he astutely does not want to rile up ahead of the 49ers ’ game Sunday in Seattle .
“ There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you work for it , though , ” Garoppolo began .
“ There ’ s no gimmies against this type of defense .
You have to earn it and work your way down the field .
They ’ re very sound.
” Disclaimer : The Seahawks ( 5-1 ) have allowed the most yards in NFL history through six games .
Garoppolo is obviously progressing from a Sept. 20 ankle injury , and his positive outlook is vital in a season rife with injuries , setbacks and , yes , relentless critics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ even returning texts more promptly , or even sending one out of the blue , like he did Wednesday night .
When it was time for his media video call , Garoppolo was not short with feel-good comments , such as : On this up-and-down season ’ s potential : “ It ’ s not just smooth sailing , like it was last year , win after win .
We ’ ve had the ups and downs , and that ’ s made us battle tested , just as a team .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guys up from the practice squad or second-stringers , it just makes your team overall that much better and that much more prepared down the road.
” On his rarely seen deep ball , which he noticeably practiced at the start of Thursday ’ s session : “ I ’ m always confident in that .
That ’ s one thing we do real well .
Whether it ’ s running or passing , with this offense , it ’ s pick your poison .
We ’ ve done it a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the Seahawks not allowing in their fervid fans : “ I ’ ll miss the atmosphere up there .
It ’ s one of the cooler places to play with the fans and everything .
With the cadence and procedure , it ’ ll make it easier for us , and I ’ m looking forward to that.
” On Shanahan ’ s evolving game plans : “ You get more and more used to it .
It ’ s what you expect .
Each week is little different , some weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great group of guys willing to learn that stuff .
It ’ s not easy .
It takes time .
… It makes us more dangerous.
” And just to test Garoppolo ’ s feel-good day , it was worth testing his reaction to Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa , 76 , being named skipper of Garoppolo ’ s beloved White Sox : “ My brothers , we ’ re all in group text , so they shot that out .
I ’ m happy about it .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t get to keep up with them much this year , with the crazy season and everything .
But , yeah , White Sox all day , baby.
” Safety Jimmie Ward ’ s return to practice Thursday is especially significant because of the 49ers ’ upcoming opponent .
Same goes with nickel back K ’ Waun Williams ’ potential emergence off the Injured Reserve list .
Instead of traveling to Seattle to face a run-oriented opponent as in past years , this Sunday ’ s challenge comes from Russell Wilson ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lockett at a NFL-leading level .
49ers cornerbacks Jason Verrett and Emmanuel Moseley won ’ t be able to stop them alone .
“ It ’ s definitely a different approach to what we ’ re used to seeing out of Seattle , ” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said .
“ But Russell is doing it , man .
He ’ s an unbelievable talent and they have unbelievable wide receivers .
… With that comes a lot of yards , explosives and points.
” The 49ers secondary will need to match the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one way to counter that is enlisting multiple defensive backs .
Their dime package should see a lot of action .
“ We feel we match up with people on the back end better than anyone in the league , ” Saleh said .
“ So based on week to week game plan , we can utilize every one of them.
” That includes the 49ers linebacker corps , which might welcome back Kwon Alexander back from an ankle injury and two-game absence , but more likely will again call on Dre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warner .
Greenlaw was last year ’ s “ Big Play Dre ” in thwarting the Seahawks , first with an overtime interception at Levi ’ s Stadium and then a goal-line stop to save the regular-season finale at Seattle .
Ward was out the past week with a quadriceps strain .
Tarvarious Moore excelled in his place in Sunday ’ s 33-6 rout at New England , and Marcell Harris adequately replaced strong safety Jaquiski Tartt , who remains out with a groin injury .
Williams also looks poised to return from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injury .
Tight end George Kittle is always a soundbite dream when he wears a mic during games , and one aspect it reveals are his verbal exchanges with opponents .
“ I either get silence , they swear at me or we start having a conversation .
It just depends on the guy , ” Kittle said .
“ I throw a feeler out there to see what I ’ ll deal with all day .
It ’ s fun for me.
” Because Kittle lines up on either side of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different approaches .
“ It ’ s really funny because maybe I ’ m on the right side and the guy will tell me to shove it , and then I ’ ll go to the left side and have a conversation the whole game , ” Kittle added .
“ It ’ s fun for me .
I like to have those conversations.
” Speaking of opponents , Kittle said the Seahawks ’ last-ranked defense still presents an imposing challenge with linebacker Bobby Wagner , who he compared to the Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a play-making stopper .
“ Any defense with Bobby Wagner in the middle is a very good defense in my opinion , ” Kittle said .
“ If you don ’ t account for him , he ’ s the guy that prevents big plays from happening.
” • 49ers depth chart : How they look nearing NFL trade deadline , halfway mark of season • Special report : Two Giants owners lead Bay Area sports in campaign contributions — and they ’ re big Trump supporters • Kurtenbach : The 49ers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that should worry the rest of the NFC Linebacker Kwon Alexander practiced for the first time since sustaining a high-ankle sprain against Philadelphia .
Not practicing were wide receivers Deebo Samuel ( hamstring ) and Richie James ( ankle ) , running back Jeff Wilson ( ankle ) and Tartt ( groin ) .
Running back Tevin Coleman , tight end Jordan Reed and Williams practiced in their quest to come off Injured Reserve .

SANTA CLARA — If Jimmy Garoppolo can’t say anything nice about you, well, you must be truly rotten. It’s not his nature to publicly return fire at his critics, or to demean others, at least not off the field.
Garoppolo sprayed compliments at each and every target that came his way Thursday. He even found something nice to say about the Seattle Seahawks’ league-worst defense, which he astutely does not want to rile up ahead of the 49ers’ game Sunday in Seattle.
“There’s some soft spots. They make you work for it, though,” Garoppolo began. “There’s no gimmies against this type of defense. You have to earn it and work your way down the field. They’re very sound.”
Disclaimer: The Seahawks (5-1) have allowed the most yards in NFL history through six games.
Garoppolo is obviously progressing from a Sept. 20 ankle injury, and his positive outlook is vital in a season rife with injuries, setbacks and, yes, relentless critics.
George Kittle gleefully reported that Garoppolo is even returning texts more promptly, or even sending one out of the blue, like he did Wednesday night. When it was time for his media video call, Garoppolo was not short with feel-good comments, such as:
On this up-and-down season’s potential: “It’s not just smooth sailing, like it was last year, win after win. We’ve had the ups and downs, and that’s made us battle tested, just as a team. With guys getting hurt, having to bring guys up from the practice squad or second-stringers, it just makes your team overall that much better and that much more prepared down the road.”
On his rarely seen deep ball, which he noticeably practiced at the start of Thursday’s session: “I’m always confident in that. That’s one thing we do real well. Whether it’s running or passing, with this offense, it’s pick your poison. We’ve done it a number of ways last season and this season.”
On the Seahawks not allowing in their fervid fans: “I’ll miss the atmosphere up there. It’s one of the cooler places to play with the fans and everything. With the cadence and procedure, it’ll make it easier for us, and I’m looking forward to that.”
On Shanahan’s evolving game plans: “You get more and more used to it. It’s what you expect. Each week is little different, some weeks harder than the others. We have a great group of guys willing to learn that stuff. It’s not easy. It takes time. … It makes us more dangerous.”
And just to test Garoppolo’s feel-good day, it was worth testing his reaction to Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, 76, being named skipper of Garoppolo’s beloved White Sox: “My brothers, we’re all in group text, so they shot that out. I’m happy about it. It’s exciting. I really didn’t get to keep up with them much this year, with the crazy season and everything. But, yeah, White Sox all day, baby.”
BACK END STRENGTH
Safety Jimmie Ward’s return to practice Thursday is especially significant because of the 49ers’ upcoming opponent. Same goes with nickel back K’Waun Williams’ potential emergence off the Injured Reserve list.
Instead of traveling to Seattle to face a run-oriented opponent as in past years, this Sunday’s challenge comes from Russell Wilson’s passes targeting D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett at a NFL-leading level. 49ers cornerbacks Jason Verrett and Emmanuel Moseley won’t be able to stop them alone.
“It’s definitely a different approach to what we’re used to seeing out of Seattle,” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said. “But Russell is doing it, man. He’s an unbelievable talent and they have unbelievable wide receivers. … With that comes a lot of yards, explosives and points.”
The 49ers secondary will need to match the Seahawks’ speed and play-making prowess, and one way to counter that is enlisting multiple defensive backs. Their dime package should see a lot of action.
“We feel we match up with people on the back end better than anyone in the league,” Saleh said. “So based on week to week game plan, we can utilize every one of them.”
That includes the 49ers linebacker corps, which might welcome back Kwon Alexander back from an ankle injury and two-game absence, but more likely will again call on Dre Greenlaw to line up next to Fred Warner. Greenlaw was last year’s “Big Play Dre” in thwarting the Seahawks, first with an overtime interception at Levi’s Stadium and then a goal-line stop to save the regular-season finale at Seattle.
Ward was out the past week with a quadriceps strain. Tarvarious Moore excelled in his place in Sunday’s 33-6 rout at New England, and Marcell Harris adequately replaced strong safety Jaquiski Tartt, who remains out with a groin injury. Williams also looks poised to return from a three-game absence due to a knee injury.
KITTLE’S TALK SHOW
Tight end George Kittle is always a soundbite dream when he wears a mic during games, and one aspect it reveals are his verbal exchanges with opponents.
“I either get silence, they swear at me or we start having a conversation. It just depends on the guy,” Kittle said. “I throw a feeler out there to see what I’ll deal with all day. It’s fun for me.”
Because Kittle lines up on either side of the formation, he encounters different opponents with different approaches.
“It’s really funny because maybe I’m on the right side and the guy will tell me to shove it, and then I’ll go to the left side and have a conversation the whole game,” Kittle added. “It’s fun for me. I like to have those conversations.”
Speaking of opponents, Kittle said the Seahawks’ last-ranked defense still presents an imposing challenge with linebacker Bobby Wagner, who he compared to the Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald in terms of a play-making stopper.
“Any defense with Bobby Wagner in the middle is a very good defense in my opinion,” Kittle said. “If you don’t account for him, he’s the guy that prevents big plays from happening.”
HEALTH UPDATES
Linebacker Kwon Alexander practiced for the first time since sustaining a high-ankle sprain against Philadelphia.
Not practicing were wide receivers Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and Richie James (ankle), running back Jeff Wilson (ankle) and Tartt (groin).
Running back Tevin Coleman, tight end Jordan Reed and Williams practiced in their quest to come off Injured Reserve.


mercurynews--2020-10-29--Trump Cabinet officials test limits by campaigning

WASHINGTON — Education Secretary Betsy DeVos planned a “ Moms for Trump ” rally in her home state of Michigan .
The Department of Homeland Security ’ s top official was in Texas to celebrate completion of a section of the U.S.-Mexico border wall .
The chief of the Environmental Protection Agency headed to North Carolina after visiting Georgia the day before .
That was just Thursday .
Members of President Donald Trump ’ s Cabinet are logging extra miles as mostly unofficial campaign surrogates in crucial states in the final days before Tuesday ’ s election , blending politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skirt established norms and may even violate the law .
It ’ s long been one of the benefits of incumbency that a president can enlist his Cabinet to promote administration accomplishments .
But only to a point , with a law on the books since 1939 requiring a division between political and official activities for all federal employees except the president and vice president .
“ The Trump administration has completely obliterated that line , ” said Austin Evers , executive director of American Oversight , which describes itself as a nonpartisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now the seat of government , where the president lives , and one of his chief campaign props .
And that erosion of norms has spread throughout the entire administration.
” This criticism isn ’ t new , but it ’ s intensified in recent months .
The administration , which came under fire for using the White House as a backdrop for the president ’ s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention , insists it is adhering to the law known as the Hatch Act .
“ The Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events are conducted in compliance with the law , ” White House spokesman Judd Deere said .
But already , at least one member of the administration has run afoul of the decades-old law in recent weeks .
The Office of Special Counsel , led by a Trump appointee , concluded this month that Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue violated the law at a North Carolina event in August where his remarks in support of the president devolved into crowd chants of “ four more years.
” Perdue was ordered to reimburse the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He turned an official event into a campaign one , ” by tying aid to farmers to reelecting Trump , said Jordan Libowitz , communications director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington , which filed complaint with that federal office over Perdue ’ s appearance .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo could be next .
Two New York Democrats , Reps. Eliot L. Engel and Rep. Nita Lowey , said this week that the same office was investigating the speech that America ’ s top diplomat made to the GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment and the State Department noted that a previous Hatch Act complaint against Pompeo was dismissed .
That Pompeo speech was among a number of appearances , including one in September in Wisconsin , that appeared to many observers to cast aside a long tradition of avoiding partisan politics by secretaries of state .
But he ’ s hardly alone , and the examples have proliferated in recent days .
Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette this week was visiting southwestern Pennsylvania — a swing area in one of the most important battleground states — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August .
In an area closely tied to fracking , Brouillette didn ’ t mention Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden by name but warned that efforts to develop renewable energy to address climate change could threaten “ every form of energy besides renewables.
” Environmental Protection Agency chief Andrew Wheeler has made repeated trips to closely contested Michigan , including one to announce $ 2 million in grant funding , where he criticized the Obama administration ’ s response to the lead contamination crisis in Flint .
DeVos has made frequent visits to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Wisconsin , for discussions of efforts to reopen schools closed by the coronavirus pandemic and to promote school choice , an issue that Trump has focused on in hopes of appealing to Black voters .
The announcement of her appearance at Thursday ’ s “ Moms for Trump ” rally in Detroit referred to her as the “ Honorable Betsy DeVos , ” not as education secretary for a clearly political event .
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf was in South Texas to mark completion of 400 miles of border wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump 2016 campaign .
Wolf also has drawn scrutiny by holding news conferences in Pennsylvania and elsewhere to announce relatively minor immigration operations .
American Oversight , in a letter Thursday , urged the Office of Special Counsel to investigate Wolf and other DHS officials .
Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie has traveled to a host of presidential and Senate battleground states in recent months , mixing in dedication ceremonies and other official business with a “ fireside chat ” and praise of vulnerable GOP incumbents .
His activity has received criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien traveling to Minnesota and Wisconsin this month to discuss trade ; senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller holding a conference call Wednesday with reporters and speaking “ in his personal capacity ” to discuss immigration policy ; and Kayleigh McEnany doing double duty as White House press secretary and “ Trump 2020 campaign adviser , ” as she was described in an appearance on “ Fox & Friends ” on Thursday .
• Trump officials end gray wolf protections across most of US • Dr. Scott Atlas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ tracks with dramatic decline in one key state • H-1B : Trump administration proposes to scrap lottery , replace it with wage-based selections • Former DHS official Miles Taylor says he is ‘ Anonymous ’ Hatch Act violations can be referred to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation , but more typically result in administrative penalties .
Evers , a former litigator and government lawyer , said lower-level staff should be concerned about the possible legal consequences of working on barely concealed political missions .
There could be electoral consequences as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go into these decisions could be very wrong , ” he said .
“ It should matter to the public that their apolitical government is being used for purely partisan ends .
So it may not have the payoff they expect.
” Associated Press writers Collin Binkley in Boston , Marc Levy in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania , and Ellen Knickmeyer and Hope Yen in Washington contributed to this report .

By Ben Fox | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Education Secretary Betsy DeVos planned a “Moms for Trump” rally in her home state of Michigan. The Department of Homeland Security’s top official was in Texas to celebrate completion of a section of the U.S.-Mexico border wall. The chief of the Environmental Protection Agency headed to North Carolina after visiting Georgia the day before.
That was just Thursday.
Members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet are logging extra miles as mostly unofficial campaign surrogates in crucial states in the final days before Tuesday’s election, blending politics and policy in ways that critics say skirt established norms and may even violate the law.
It’s long been one of the benefits of incumbency that a president can enlist his Cabinet to promote administration accomplishments. But only to a point, with a law on the books since 1939 requiring a division between political and official activities for all federal employees except the president and vice president.
“The Trump administration has completely obliterated that line,” said Austin Evers, executive director of American Oversight, which describes itself as a nonpartisan watchdog organization. “The White House is now the seat of government, where the president lives, and one of his chief campaign props. And that erosion of norms has spread throughout the entire administration.”
This criticism isn’t new, but it’s intensified in recent months. The administration, which came under fire for using the White House as a backdrop for the president’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, insists it is adhering to the law known as the Hatch Act.
“The Trump administration takes the Hatch Act seriously and all events are conducted in compliance with the law,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said.
But already, at least one member of the administration has run afoul of the decades-old law in recent weeks.
The Office of Special Counsel, led by a Trump appointee, concluded this month that Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue violated the law at a North Carolina event in August where his remarks in support of the president devolved into crowd chants of “four more years.” Perdue was ordered to reimburse the government for costs associated with the trip.
“He turned an official event into a campaign one,” by tying aid to farmers to reelecting Trump, said Jordan Libowitz, communications director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which filed complaint with that federal office over Perdue’s appearance.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo could be next.
Two New York Democrats, Reps. Eliot L. Engel and Rep. Nita Lowey, said this week that the same office was investigating the speech that America’s top diplomat made to the GOP convention from Israel. The office declined comment and the State Department noted that a previous Hatch Act complaint against Pompeo was dismissed.
That Pompeo speech was among a number of appearances, including one in September in Wisconsin, that appeared to many observers to cast aside a long tradition of avoiding partisan politics by secretaries of state. But he’s hardly alone, and the examples have proliferated in recent days.
Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette this week was visiting southwestern Pennsylvania — a swing area in one of the most important battleground states — for at least the third time since August. In an area closely tied to fracking, Brouillette didn’t mention Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden by name but warned that efforts to develop renewable energy to address climate change could threaten “every form of energy besides renewables.”
Environmental Protection Agency chief Andrew Wheeler has made repeated trips to closely contested Michigan, including one to announce $2 million in grant funding, where he criticized the Obama administration’s response to the lead contamination crisis in Flint.
DeVos has made frequent visits to pivotal states such as Florida, Texas and Wisconsin, for discussions of efforts to reopen schools closed by the coronavirus pandemic and to promote school choice, an issue that Trump has focused on in hopes of appealing to Black voters. The announcement of her appearance at Thursday’s “Moms for Trump” rally in Detroit referred to her as the “Honorable Betsy DeVos,” not as education secretary for a clearly political event.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf was in South Texas to mark completion of 400 miles of border wall, one of the central themes of the Trump 2016 campaign. Wolf also has drawn scrutiny by holding news conferences in Pennsylvania and elsewhere to announce relatively minor immigration operations. American Oversight, in a letter Thursday, urged the Office of Special Counsel to investigate Wolf and other DHS officials.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie has traveled to a host of presidential and Senate battleground states in recent months, mixing in dedication ceremonies and other official business with a “fireside chat” and praise of vulnerable GOP incumbents. His activity has received criticism from congressional Democrats.
Other examples include national security adviser Robert O’Brien traveling to Minnesota and Wisconsin this month to discuss trade; senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller holding a conference call Wednesday with reporters and speaking “in his personal capacity” to discuss immigration policy; and Kayleigh McEnany doing double duty as White House press secretary and “Trump 2020 campaign adviser,” as she was described in an appearance on “Fox & Friends” on Thursday.
Hatch Act violations can be referred to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation, but more typically result in administrative penalties. Evers, a former litigator and government lawyer, said lower-level staff should be concerned about the possible legal consequences of working on barely concealed political missions.
There could be electoral consequences as well. “The political calculation that go into these decisions could be very wrong,” he said. “It should matter to the public that their apolitical government is being used for purely partisan ends. So it may not have the payoff they expect.”
Associated Press writers Collin Binkley in Boston, Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Ellen Knickmeyer and Hope Yen in Washington contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-10-29--Washington season preview: Game-by-game predictions, program trajectory, coach and quarterback asses

Washington season preview: Game-by-game predictions, program trajectory, coach and quarterback assessment and more

*** The Hotline ’ s rollout of season previews continues with Washington and will churn into next week with predictions for each team and the division races , an analysis of quarterback depth , bowl picks , our all-conference selections , a ranking of top newcomers and more .
Four times this century , a Pac-12 football program has participated in one of the major bowls in three consecutive years .
USC did it seven seasons in a row ( 2002-08 ) during its Pete Carroll-era dominance .
Oregon did it four consecutive years under Chip Kelly ( 2009-12 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major bowls in back-to-back-to-back fashion under Chris Petersen ( 2016-18 ) .
The Trojans , pummeled by NCAA sanctions , required almost a decade to get back to sport ’ s grand stage .
But Stanford and Oregon recovered quickly : Each experienced a one-year backslide before returning to the top of the conference .
That is Jimmy Lake ’ s challenge in his first season in charge on Montlake : Return the Huskies to the Pac-12 throne before their second-class status becomes an identity , not an outlier .
The numbers support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and next — as a crucial stretch : The Huskies ascended , held their position — that ’ s more difficult than the climb itself — and then dropped from relevance last season .
Were this a normal 12-game season , we ’ d consider it an undeniable , indisputable tipping point for the program .
We ’ ll wait until the close of Nov. ’ 21 before rendering final judgment on the state of the program .
Lake ’ s appointment to replace Petersen was one of the cleanest , clearest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordinated a championship defense , put together backfields that were the envy of the league , sent players to the NFL , turned down coaching offers from other schools .
The lone unknown was the timing of his eventual ascent .
Then Petersen stunned us all with his post-Apple Cup departure , and Lake was handed the keys .
He has an odd mix of security and urgency .
The Huskies need to get back to the top of the division sooner than later .
Contract status : Lake is signed through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million this season ( excluding pandemic-related reductions ) It was just two seasons ago that UW ’ s quarterback room included Jake Browning , Jacob Eason , Colson Yankoff , Jacob Sirmon and Jake Haener — an embarrassment of four- and five-star riches compared to so many of the Huskies ’ peers .
Now here we are , one week from the 2020 opener , and only Sirmon remains .
A graduate transfer ( Kevin Thomson , Sacramento State ) has been brought in , and we expect him to take the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the safest choice in a season with so much uncertainty swirling .
The Huskies lost Eason , Hunter Bryant , Myles Bryant , Trey Adams , Nick Harris and Salvon Ahmed last spring .
They lost Levi Onwuzurike and Joe Tryon as opt outs .
So what ’ s left ?
The secondary is loaded , as usual .
But beyond the back line , where are the playmakers ?
Where are the pass rushers ?
Where are the future first rounders ?
We haven ’ t been impressed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backs look merely solid .
If there ’ s a dominant player on either line of scrimmage , this would be a fine time to step forward .
From our vantage point , the roster has something to prove .
This topic was explored above , but let ’ s add the following : Combine the disrupted offseason , the abbreviated regular season , the coaching change and the epic recruiting class available in metro Seattle , and we ’ d argue that UW ’ s outlook depends as much on the signatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall .
In fact , we made that very argument prior to the pandemic .
Nov. 7 : at Cal Result : Loss Record : 0-1 Comment : Worse Cal teams have beaten better Washington teams the past two years .
This only counts as an upset if UW gets the W. Nov. 14 : vs. Oregon State Result : Win Record : 1-1 Comment : Back home and back on track , although it could be just as tough on the eyes as UW ’ s 19-7 win last season .
Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Record : 2-1 Comment : Huskies owe a few words of appreciation to the gods of crossover schedules .
Nov. 27 ( Friday ) : at Washington State Result : Loss Record : 2-2 Comment : On the list of crazy you-know-what in 2020 , UW losing the Apple Cup after six years of dominance doesn ’ t even register .
Dec. 5 : vs. Stanford Result : Win Record : 3-2 Comment : Home team has dominated the series of late .
UW ’ s defense is the difference in driving rain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oregon Result : Loss Record : 3-3 Comment : Huskies head to Eugene with a chance to win the division .
They come home with no crown but one consolation : Oregon doesn ’ t win it , either .
Dec. 19 : TBA Result : N/A Record : N/A Comment : Of greater significance to the program than the Week Seven result : How UW performs during the early-signing period that concludes Dec. 18 .
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*** The Hotline’s rollout of season previews continues with Washington and will churn into next week with predictions for each team and the division races, an analysis of quarterback depth, bowl picks, our all-conference selections, a ranking of top newcomers and more.
Four times this century, a Pac-12 football program has participated in one of the major bowls in three consecutive years.
USC did it seven seasons in a row (2002-08) during its Pete Carroll-era dominance.
Oregon did it four consecutive years under Chip Kelly (2009-12)
Stanford mirrored Oregon’s accomplishment, but on a one-season delay (2010-13).
And more recently, Washington went to major bowls in back-to-back-to-back fashion under Chris Petersen (2016-18).
The Trojans, pummeled by NCAA sanctions, required almost a decade to get back to sport’s grand stage.
But Stanford and Oregon recovered quickly: Each experienced a one-year backslide before returning to the top of the conference.
That is Jimmy Lake’s challenge in his first season in charge on Montlake:
Return the Huskies to the Pac-12 throne before their second-class status becomes an identity, not an outlier.
The numbers support the next 13 months — this season and next — as a crucial stretch:
*** UW’s overall record and bowl:
2014: 8-6/Cactus Bowl
2015: 7-6/Heart of Dallas Bowl
2016: 12-2/College Football Playoff
2017: 10-3/Fiesta Bowl
2018: 10-4/Rose Bowl
2019: 8-5/Las Vegas Bowl
*** UW’s conference record:
2014: 4-5
2015: 4-5
2016: 8-1
2017: 7-2
2018: 7-2
2019: 4-5
The Huskies ascended, held their position — that’s more difficult than the climb itself — and then dropped from relevance last season.
Were this a normal 12-game season, we’d consider it an undeniable, indisputable tipping point for the program.
But sweeping conclusions don’t square with shortened seasons.
We’ll wait until the close of Nov. ’21 before rendering final judgment on the state of the program.
2019 season: 8-5/4-5
Head coach: Jimmy Lake, first season (career record: 0-0)
Lake’s seat temperature: Frozen over
Lake’s appointment to replace Petersen was one of the cleanest, clearest, no-brainer promotions in conference history. He coordinated a championship defense, put together backfields that were the envy of the league, sent players to the NFL, turned down coaching offers from other schools. The lone unknown was the timing of his eventual ascent. Then Petersen stunned us all with his post-Apple Cup departure, and Lake was handed the keys. He has an odd mix of security and urgency. The Huskies need to get back to the top of the division sooner than later.
Contract status: Lake is signed through the 2024 season and will earn $3 million this season (excluding pandemic-related reductions)
QB clarity level: Nonexistent
It was just two seasons ago that UW’s quarterback room included Jake Browning, Jacob Eason, Colson Yankoff, Jacob Sirmon and Jake Haener — an embarrassment of four- and five-star riches compared to so many of the Huskies’ peers. Now here we are, one week from the 2020 opener, and only Sirmon remains. A graduate transfer (Kevin Thomson, Sacramento State) has been brought in, and we expect him to take the first snap next week in Berkeley. He’s the safest choice in a season with so much uncertainty swirling.
Roster grade: B-
The Huskies lost Eason, Hunter Bryant, Myles Bryant, Trey Adams, Nick Harris and Salvon Ahmed last spring. They lost Levi Onwuzurike and Joe Tryon as opt outs. So what’s left? The secondary is loaded, as usual. But beyond the back line, where are the playmakers? Where are the pass rushers? Where are the future first rounders? We haven’t been impressed by the wideouts for several years. The running backs look merely solid. If there’s a dominant player on either line of scrimmage, this would be a fine time to step forward. From our vantage point, the roster has something to prove.
Program trajectory: Check back in February
This topic was explored above, but let’s add the following: Combine the disrupted offseason, the abbreviated regular season, the coaching change and the epic recruiting class available in metro Seattle, and we’d argue that UW’s outlook depends as much on the signatures acquired this winter as games won this fall. In fact, we made that very argument prior to the pandemic.
Our projections …
Nov. 7: at Cal
Result: Loss
Record: 0-1
Comment: Worse Cal teams have beaten better Washington teams the past two years. This only counts as an upset if UW gets the W.
Nov. 14: vs. Oregon State
Result: Win
Record: 1-1
Comment: Back home and back on track, although it could be just as tough on the eyes as UW’s 19-7 win last season.
Nov. 21: vs. Arizona
Result: Win
Record: 2-1
Comment: Huskies owe a few words of appreciation to the gods of crossover schedules.
Nov. 27 (Friday): at Washington State
Result: Loss
Record: 2-2
Comment: On the list of crazy you-know-what in 2020, UW losing the Apple Cup after seven years of dominance doesn’t even register.
Dec. 5: vs. Stanford
Result: Win
Record: 3-2
Comment: Home team has dominated the series of late. UW’s defense is the difference in driving rain and wind.
Dec. 12: at Oregon
Result: Loss
Record: 3-3
Comment: Huskies head to Eugene with a chance to win the division. They come home with no crown but one consolation: Oregon doesn’t win it, either.
Dec. 19: TBA
Result: N/A
Record: N/A
Comment: Of greater significance to the program than the Week Seven result: How UW performs during the early-signing period that concludes Dec. 18.
*** Previous: Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, USC, UCLA, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington State
*** Next up: Bay Area teams
Support the Hotline: Several Hotline articles will remain free each month (as will the newsletter), but for access to all content, you’ll need to subscribe. I’ve secured a rate of $1 per week for a full year or just 99 cents for the first month, with the option to cancel anytime. Click here. And thanks for your loyalty.
*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716
*** Follow me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline
*** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference, and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference.


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Review: ‘The Craft: Legacy’ is vast improvement on original

More than a few Halloweens ago — two dozen to be exact — came a film that looked like a treat but ended up as a trick .
“ The Craft ” was about four teenage witches who eventually turned their powers against each other and lost everything , leaving the film with a conventional , conservative message : Don ’ t unleash your power .
It was deflating .
Now comes — well , its not entirely clear .
A reboot ?
A sequel ?
A continuation and a re-imagining ?
It doesn ’ t matter at all .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legacy ” is a vastly better , smartly crafted version that ’ s woke , feminist and very 2020 .
It ’ s the story ’ s best self .
Director and writer Zoe Lister-Jones leaves little nods to the original 1996 film — snakes , butterflies , chants and a pagan deity called Manon — but has gut-renovated the property and restored the female empowerment theme the first one virtually cried out for .
It is a film about resistance and sisterhood .
One recurring slogan is “ Your difference is your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouldn ’ t run from your power.
” It arrives at a time when the concept of witches is being reclaimed , just as this story has been .
The first film starred Neve Campbell , Robin Tunney , Fairuza Balk and Rachel True .
The new one stars Cailee Spaeny , Gideon Adlon , Lovie Simone , and Zoey Luna , widening the circle to include a trans voice .
Appropriately , the soundtrack kicks off with an Alanis Morissette tune , leading a female-centric sonic landscape that includes Lonette , Princess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rose and Betta Lem me .
Spaeny plays a new girl in a new town , echoing the role Tunney played in “ The Craft.
” The new girl connects with a coven of three fledgling witches who are looking for a fourth to complete their circle .
“ So it shall be sealed and done/When all four corners meet as one.
” The foursome contend with bullies but grow in confidence as they begin to assert their powers .
With a flick of a hand , they can add face gems or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When they levitate a member , they repeat the incantation from the first film : “ Light as a feather , stiff as a board.
” Lister-Jones ’ script is very naturalistic and current — “ all the feels , ” “ VBD ” and “ That ’ s fire.
” There are “ Twilight ” references and a cauldron made out of a bong .
In one spell , the witches make a sexist bully suddenly very politically correct and vulnerable , apologizing for his power to shame .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michelle Monaghan plays single mom to Spaeny ’ s character and David Duchovny , as a potential stepdad , masterfully fills his scenes with a troubling macho spirit .
( He plays a motivational speaker who believes power equals order and is author of “ The Hallowed Masculine.
” ) The four witches do squabble over how far to push their magic — “ If we ’ re not going to use our power responsibly , then we shouldn ’ t be using it at all , ” one says — but unity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its cool supernatural climax — and then a coda that connects it to the first film — “ The Craft : Legacy ” is firing on all cylinders , looking back respectfully but also showing how the same story in different hands can soar .
We beg Lister-Jones to do it again and reclaim and retell more schlocky fare from the ’ 80s or ’ 90s .
What about an updated “ Weird Science ” or “ Risky Business ?
” One thing is clear : She ’ s fire .
Rating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crude and sexual content , language and brief drug material )

By Mark Kennedy | Associated Press
More than a few Halloweens ago — two dozen to be exact — came a film that looked like a treat but ended up as a trick.
“The Craft” was about four teenage witches who eventually turned their powers against each other and lost everything, leaving the film with a conventional, conservative message: Don’t unleash your power. It was deflating.
Now comes — well, its not entirely clear. A reboot? A sequel? A continuation and a re-imagining? It doesn’t matter at all. Blumhouse’s “The Craft: Legacy” is a vastly better, smartly crafted version that’s woke, feminist and very 2020. It’s the story’s best self.
Director and writer Zoe Lister-Jones leaves little nods to the original 1996 film — snakes, butterflies, chants and a pagan deity called Manon — but has gut-renovated the property and restored the female empowerment theme the first one virtually cried out for.
It is a film about resistance and sisterhood. One recurring slogan is “Your difference is your power.” Another is: “You shouldn’t run from your power.” It arrives at a time when the concept of witches is being reclaimed, just as this story has been.
The first film starred Neve Campbell, Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk and Rachel True. The new one stars Cailee Spaeny, Gideon Adlon, Lovie Simone, and Zoey Luna, widening the circle to include a trans voice.
Appropriately, the soundtrack kicks off with an Alanis Morissette tune, leading a female-centric sonic landscape that includes Lonette, Princess Nokia, Sharon Van Etten, Nadia Rose and Betta Lemme.
Spaeny plays a new girl in a new town, echoing the role Tunney played in “The Craft.” The new girl connects with a coven of three fledgling witches who are looking for a fourth to complete their circle. “So it shall be sealed and done/When all four corners meet as one.”
The foursome contend with bullies but grow in confidence as they begin to assert their powers. With a flick of a hand, they can add face gems or set fires or injure a tormenter. When they levitate a member, they repeat the incantation from the first film: “Light as a feather, stiff as a board.”
Lister-Jones’ script is very naturalistic and current — “all the feels,” “VBD” and “That’s fire.” There are “Twilight” references and a cauldron made out of a bong. In one spell, the witches make a sexist bully suddenly very politically correct and vulnerable, apologizing for his power to shame. “I’m sorry,” he says.
Michelle Monaghan plays single mom to Spaeny’s character and David Duchovny, as a potential stepdad, masterfully fills his scenes with a troubling macho spirit. (He plays a motivational speaker who believes power equals order and is author of “The Hallowed Masculine.”)
The four witches do squabble over how far to push their magic — “If we’re not going to use our power responsibly, then we shouldn’t be using it at all,” one says — but unity is the solution.
As it races to its cool supernatural climax — and then a coda that connects it to the first film — “The Craft: Legacy” is firing on all cylinders, looking back respectfully but also showing how the same story in different hands can soar.
We beg Lister-Jones to do it again and reclaim and retell more schlocky fare from the ’80s or ’90s. What about an updated “Weird Science” or “Risky Business?” One thing is clear: She’s fire.
“The Craft: Legacy”
3 stars out of 4
Rating: PG-13 (for thematic elements, crude and sexual content, language and brief drug material)
Running time: 94 minutes