mercurynews--2020-10-14--The Latest: Day 2 of Barrett confirmation hearings wraps

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The Latest on the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ( all times local ) : The second day of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is finished after nearly 12 hours .
GOP senators are moving at a breakneck pace to confirm Barrett ahead of the Nov. 3 election .
President Donald Trump nominated her just days after the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Sept. 18 .
Barrett told Senate Judiciary Committee members she could not say whether she ’ d rule to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came before the court , or what she would do on other major culture-war issues like abortion or same-sex marriage .
She said she would first need to read the litigation and confer with her colleagues before she could make any decisions .
One of Democrats ’ biggest fears is that Barrett ’ s all-but-certain confirmation by the Republican-controlled Senate would create a 6-3 conservative majority on the court that could well overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion .
She will be questioned again Wednesday .
HERE ’ S WHAT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HEARINGS : Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett has spent a long day batting back Democrats ’ tough questioning as her Senate confirmation hearings continue .
— Barrett avoids taking positions on a variety of subjects and rulings .
— AP Fact Check looks at the debate over the Affordable Care Act .
— Barrett adheres to the judicial philosophy of originalism .
Amy Coney Barrett says she doesn ’ t recall seeing President Donald Trump ’ s statements that he planned to nominate Supreme Court justices who would repeal the Affordable Care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open seat .
Her comments came in response to questions from Sen. Kamala Harris of California , the Democratic nominee for vice president .
Harris questioned Barrett via video stream from her office in the Capitol rather than attend in person due to coronavirus concerns .
Asked if she was aware of Trump ’ s comments before her nomination , Barrett said she could not give a yes or no answer .
“ I don ’ t recall hearing about or seeing such statements , ” she said .
She later said Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments during conversations after her nomination but prior to her confirmation hearings .
Harris also noted that Barrett wrote an article critical of the court ’ s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act five months before Trump nominated her to an appellate court in May 2017 .
Harris ’ focus on the Affordable Care Act mirrored her campaign messaging about access to health care amid the pandemic .
President Donald Trump ’ s nominee for the Supreme Court is declining to get involved in the question of whether the president should commit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election doesn ’ t go his way .
Trump has said that he ’ ll “ see what happens ” before agreeing to any election outcome .
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker , a Democrat , asked Barrett about the issue Tuesday on the second day of her confirmation hearing .
Booker asked : “ Do you believe that every president should make a commitment unequivocally and resolutely to the peaceful transfer of power ?
” “ Well , senator , that seems to me to be pulling me in a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president has said that he would not peacefully leave office and so to the extent that this is a political controversy right now as a judge I want to stay out of it , ” she responded .
“ One of the beauties of America from the beginning of the republic is that we have had peaceful transfers of power and that disappointed voters have accepted the new leaders that come into office , and that ’ s not true in every country , and I think it is part of the genius @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is clarifying her use of the phrase “ sexual preference , ” apologizing to those who interpreted her word choice as suggesting hostility toward LGBT rights .
Earlier in her confirmation hearing , Barrett told senators that she has not “ discriminated on the basis of sexual preference , ” a phrase that is not used by LGBT advocates because of its suggestion that sexual orientation or gender identity is a choice .
Democratic senators seized on that moment , with Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offensive and outdated.
” Barrett later clarified that she intended to suggest no hostility with her use of the term and offered an apology when prompted by Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa .
The judge also said that her declining to state her views on the high court ’ s 2015 decision upholding same-sex marriage rights is “ not indicating disagreement with it.
” Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett has declined to say whether she views the criminalizing of in vitro fertilization as constitutional , describing it as an abstract question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump to join the nation ’ s highest court signed a 2006 statement opposing “ abortion on demand ” that was circulated by a group in her home state of Indiana that has also criticized IVF .
While the statement Barrett signed didn ’ t address IVF , Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois has urged her colleagues to reject Barrett ’ s nomination , citing her daughter ’ s conception using the common reproductive technology .
During her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing , Barrett has so far said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her personal view on abortion as a public official and that she signed the 2006 statement “ in my personal capacity.
” The Roman Catholic Church , of which Barrett is a member , is opposed to abortion .
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has described IVF as “ in disagreement ” with church teachings .
The Barrett children attended their mother ’ s Senate confirmation hearing just days after multiple cases of coronavirus were reported at the private Christian school in Indiana attended by some of the older siblings .
Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health department in St. Joseph County , Indiana , said on Tuesday that three cases were reported Friday from the Trinity School at Greenlawn .
The school , affiliated with the People of Praise religious community , has been holding in-person classes with such precautions as daily temperature screenings , wearing masks when indoors and social distancing .
Fox said it is his understanding that one teacher and two students tested positive .
It was not immediately clear whether any of the Barrett children had close contact with those infected .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coney Barrett is tested daily for COVID-19 and that her children had also recently tested negative for the virus , though the official declined to provide the dates of those tests .
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett says an article she wrote criticizing Chief Justice John Roberts ’ 2012 opinion saving the Affordable Care Act does not reflect any “ hostility ” toward the law .
Barrett was answering questions from Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware , who brought up the article she wrote in 2017 before she became a judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Affordable Care Act beyond its plausible meaning to save the statute.
” Democrats have focused much of their questioning on the health care law , as the court will hear a new case in November that could overturn it .
Barrett said that case is very different , and her “ critique of the reasoning ” in the previous case does not mean she doesn ’ t like the law .
“ I can promise you that ’ s not my view , that ’ s not my approach to the law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes the article is highly relevant to the upcoming case and that in many ways Barrett has signaled how she would rule .
He said he believes Republicans are rushing her confirmation partly so she can rule on that case .
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett says she signed a statement in 2006 opposing “ abortion on demand ” on her way out of church and “ in my personal capacity , ” separate from her current status as a federal judge .
The 2006 statement , which Barrett did not initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judiciary Committee in advance of her confirmation hearings this week , has raised questions for some critics about whether the appeals court judge can separate her personal views from her judicial decision-making .
Barrett , nominated by President Donald Trump to succeed the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , told senators Tuesday that she sees as “ distinct my personal moral religious views and my task of applying law as a judge.
” She noted that the substance of the 2006 statement , which framed life as beginning at conception , is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s position on abortion .
Barrett also said that while she shared her views publicly as a private citizen at that time , she doesn ’ t “ feel it is appropriate ” to disclose similar views now .
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett says she doesn ’ t consider the high court ’ s Roe v. Wade decision on abortion a “ super-precedent ” that can ’ t be overruled .
Barrett said the court ’ s 1973 ruling that affirmed the right to abortion isn ’ t in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling , which declared segregated public schools unconstitutional .
Barrett said in an exchange with Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar that the Roe decision does not have the same secure place in the law as Brown v. Board of Education .
Barrett says no one talks about overturning the Brown decision .
But she says all the questions she ’ s gotten in her confirmation hearing about her views of abortion “ indicates Roe doesn ’ t fall in that category.
” She says it ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepted.
” President Donald Trump has said he would appoint justices who would overturn a woman ’ s constitutional right to an abortion .
Democrats worry that the court could have enough anti-abortion justices to threaten abortion rights if Barrett is confirmed .
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is defending an opinion she wrote arguing that a person who ’ s convicted of a nonviolent felony should not automatically be disqualified from owning a gun .
Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois challenged Barrett ’ s argument , saying it would make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into his home city of Chicago , which is plagued by gun violence caused in part by guns brought in from Barrett ’ s home state of Indiana .
In a dissent in the 2019 gun rights case of Kanter v. Barr , Barrett argued a conviction for a nonviolent felony such as mail fraud was not enough to disqualify someone from owning a gun .
Durbin accused Barrett of judicial activism , noting a Supreme Court ruling by Barrett ’ s mentor , the late Justice Antonin Scalia , upheld the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ownership .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT ’ S HAPPENING IN THE SUPREME COURT CONFIRMATION HEARINGS : Barrett is facing senators ’ questions during a second day of confirmation hearings .
Republicans control the Senate and want to confirm President Donald Trump ’ s pick to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before Election Day to cement a conservative court majority .
— Health care law on line at court , but is it likely to fall ?
— Barrett hearing turns to discussion of few high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IS HAPPENING : Judge Amy Coney Barrett says the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May had a “ very personal ” effect on her family and she and her children wept over his death .
President Donald Trump ’ s nominee to the Supreme Court made the comments at her Senate confirmation hearings on Tuesday , three weeks before Election Day .
Barrett was asked by Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin whether she had seen the footage of a police officer pressing a knee to the Black man ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she had .
Barrett has two Black adopted children .
She says the Floyd video was “ very , very personal ” for her family and they “ wept together.
” Floyd ’ s death touched off mass demonstrations about police brutality and reform around the country .
Barrett made a distinction between her feelings as a person and her role as a judge , refusing to give her thoughts on systemic racism as Durbin had requested .
She said commenting on what policies should be used to combat racism would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m capable of doing as a judge.
” Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett insists she does not necessarily oppose the Affordable Care Act , the health care law that ’ s being challenged in a case heading to the court next month .
Barrett told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday she ’ s “ not hostile to the ACA.
” Barrett is being questioned about her past writings , including a piece in which she was critical of Chief Justice John Roberts ’ previous rulings on the Obama-era law .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writings , saying they were not addressing specific aspects of the law as she would if confirmed .
The court is set to hear a challenge to the law Nov. 10 .
Barrett told the senators , “ I apply the law .
I follow the law .
You make the policy.
” Still , Barrett appeared stumped when grilled by Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Virginia about particulars of the law , also called Obamacare .
Barrett could not recite specifics , including that 23 million people are covered by the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are on their parent ’ s health insurance .
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett says she can ’ t give an opinion on whether she ’ d recuse herself from any election-related litigation involving President Donald Trump .
Barrett said Tuesday in her confirmation hearing that she has not been asked by Trump or anyone else how she ’ d rule in possible upcoming cases , including the election .
She says it would be a gross violation of judicial independence to make a commitment on how she ’ d rule .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the judicial independence to put a justice on the court as a means of obtaining a particular result .
But Trump has said he would look for justices who were anti-abortion .
He ’ s said he wanted the full nine justices to decide election-related matters .
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett says she can ’ t answer whether President Donald Trump has the power to delay the general election .
Trump floated the idea earlier this year as the coronavirus pandemic worsened .
The Republican president has derided mail-in voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no evidence to suggest that .
But , Trump does not have the authority to unilaterally change the date of the election .
Article II of the Constitution gives Congress the power to choose the timing of the general election .
An 1845 federal law made the date the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November .
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein asked Barrett during her confirmation hearing on Tuesday if she could say whether Trump had that authority .
Barrett said she ’ d need to confer with her colleagues and read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is declining to say whether she thinks Roe v. Wade , the 1973 decision that established the right to abortion , should be struck down .
Barrett sidestepped questions about that landmark case from the Senate Judiciary Committee ’ s top Democrat , California Sen. Dianne Feinstein , as the panel held a second day of hearings on Barrett ’ s nomination .
Barrett says she won ’ t answer questions about whether she would rule that Roe v. Wade should be overturned because she would not join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the subject .
She says her only agenda is to “ stick to the rule of law and decide cases as they come.
” Feinstein told Barrett that it was “ distressing to not get a straight answer ” to her question .
The conservative Barrett was nominated by President Donald Trump last month to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
One of Democrats ’ biggest fears is that Barrett ’ s all but certain confirmation by the Republican controlled Senate would create a 6-3 conservative majority on the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett says the confirmation process is “ excruciating ” but that that she accepted President Donald Trump ’ s nomination because she is “ committed to the rule of law ” and the role of the Supreme Court .
Barrett said that “ if the difficulty is the only reason to say no , I should serve my country.
” She added that even though there are “ momentous consequences ” for her family , they are “ all-in ” on the decision because they share her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Still , she said she has tried to be on a “ media blackout for the sake of my mental health.
” Barrett said she and her husband “ knew that our lives would be combed over for any negative detail , we knew that our faith would be caricatured , we knew our family would be attacked.
” Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett says she will be able to put aside her Catholic beliefs when ruling if she ’ s confirmed as a justice on the nation ’ s highest court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of South Carolina on Tuesday she “ can ” set aside her Catholic beliefs and has “ done that ” since her confirmation as an appeals court judge in 2017 .
Graham chairs the Judiciary Committee overseeing Barrett ’ s Supreme Court confirmation hearing .
Barrett was nominated by President Donald Trump to fill the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s seat on the court .
She ’ s fielding questions from senators on the judiciary panel this week .
Republicans have warned Democrats against criticizing Barrett ’ s religion or making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although Democrats have made clear they have no plans to do so this week .

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett (all times local):
8:20 p.m.
The second day of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is finished after nearly 12 hours.
GOP senators are moving at a breakneck pace to confirm Barrett ahead of the Nov. 3 election. President Donald Trump nominated her just days after the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Sept. 18.
Barrett told Senate Judiciary Committee members she could not say whether she’d rule to overturn the Affordable Care Act if it came before the court, or what she would do on other major culture-war issues like abortion or same-sex marriage. She said she would first need to read the litigation and confer with her colleagues before she could make any decisions.
One of Democrats’ biggest fears is that Barrett’s all-but-certain confirmation by the Republican-controlled Senate would create a 6-3 conservative majority on the court that could well overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion.
She will be questioned again Wednesday.
__
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BARRETT HEARINGS:
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett has spent a long day batting back Democrats’ tough questioning as her Senate confirmation hearings continue.
Read more:
— Barrett avoids taking positions on a variety of subjects and rulings.
— AP Fact Check looks at the debate over the Affordable Care Act.
— Barrett adheres to the judicial philosophy of originalism.
__
7:20 p.m.
Amy Coney Barrett says she doesn’t recall seeing President Donald Trump’s statements that he planned to nominate Supreme Court justices who would repeal the Affordable Care Act prior to her nomination for an open seat.
Her comments came in response to questions from Sen. Kamala Harris of California, the Democratic nominee for vice president. Harris questioned Barrett via video stream from her office in the Capitol rather than attend in person due to coronavirus concerns.
Asked if she was aware of Trump’s comments before her nomination, Barrett said she could not give a yes or no answer.
“I don’t recall hearing about or seeing such statements,” she said.
She later said Democratic senators may have referenced Trump’s comments during conversations after her nomination but prior to her confirmation hearings.
Harris also noted that Barrett wrote an article critical of the court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act five months before Trump nominated her to an appellate court in May 2017.
Harris’ focus on the Affordable Care Act mirrored her campaign messaging about access to health care amid the pandemic.
__6:10 p.m.
President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court is declining to get involved in the question of whether the president should commit to a peaceful transfer of power if the election doesn’t go his way.
Trump has said that he’ll “see what happens” before agreeing to any election outcome.
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat, asked Barrett about the issue Tuesday on the second day of her confirmation hearing. Booker asked: “Do you believe that every president should make a commitment unequivocally and resolutely to the peaceful transfer of power?”
“Well, senator, that seems to me to be pulling me in a little bit into this question of whether the president has said that he would not peacefully leave office and so to the extent that this is a political controversy right now as a judge I want to stay out of it,” she responded.
Booker asked again.
“One of the beauties of America from the beginning of the republic is that we have had peaceful transfers of power and that disappointed voters have accepted the new leaders that come into office, and that’s not true in every country, and I think it is part of the genius of our Constitution,” Barrett responded.
___
5:25 p.m.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is clarifying her use of the phrase “sexual preference,” apologizing to those who interpreted her word choice as suggesting hostility toward LGBT rights.
Earlier in her confirmation hearing, Barrett told senators that she has not “discriminated on the basis of sexual preference,” a phrase that is not used by LGBT advocates because of its suggestion that sexual orientation or gender identity is a choice. Democratic senators seized on that moment, with Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii warning Barrett that the term is “offensive and outdated.”
Barrett later clarified that she intended to suggest no hostility with her use of the term and offered an apology when prompted by Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa. The judge also said that her declining to state her views on the high court’s 2015 decision upholding same-sex marriage rights is “not indicating disagreement with it.”
___
4:45 p.m.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett has declined to say whether she views the criminalizing of in vitro fertilization as constitutional, describing it as an abstract question.
The appeals court judge nominated by President Donald Trump to join the nation’s highest court signed a 2006 statement opposing “abortion on demand” that was circulated by a group in her home state of Indiana that has also criticized IVF.
While the statement Barrett signed didn’t address IVF, Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois has urged her colleagues to reject Barrett’s nomination, citing her daughter’s conception using the common reproductive technology.
During her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Barrett has so far said it would be “inappropriate” to restate her personal view on abortion as a public official and that she signed the 2006 statement “in my personal capacity.”
The Roman Catholic Church, of which Barrett is a member, is opposed to abortion. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has described IVF as “in disagreement” with church teachings.
—-
4:30 p.m.
The Barrett children attended their mother’s Senate confirmation hearing just days after multiple cases of coronavirus were reported at the private Christian school in Indiana attended by some of the older siblings.
Mark D. Fox, deputy health officer of the health department in St. Joseph County, Indiana, said on Tuesday that three cases were reported Friday from the Trinity School at Greenlawn. The school, affiliated with the People of Praise religious community, has been holding in-person classes with such precautions as daily temperature screenings, wearing masks when indoors and social distancing.
Fox said it is his understanding that one teacher and two students tested positive. It was not immediately clear whether any of the Barrett children had close contact with those infected.
A White House official said Tuesday that Amy Coney Barrett is tested daily for COVID-19 and that her children had also recently tested negative for the virus, though the official declined to provide the dates of those tests.
—By Michael Biesecker.
___
4 p.m.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett says an article she wrote criticizing Chief Justice John Roberts’ 2012 opinion saving the Affordable Care Act does not reflect any “hostility” toward the law.
Barrett was answering questions from Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, who brought up the article she wrote in 2017 before she became a judge that said Roberts had “pushed the Affordable Care Act beyond its plausible meaning to save the statute.”
Democrats have focused much of their questioning on the health care law, as the court will hear a new case in November that could overturn it. Barrett said that case is very different, and her “critique of the reasoning” in the previous case does not mean she doesn’t like the law. “I can promise you that’s not my view, that’s not my approach to the law,” she said.
Coons said he believes the article is highly relevant to the upcoming case and that in many ways Barrett has signaled how she would rule. He said he believes Republicans are rushing her confirmation partly so she can rule on that case.
“It concerns me gravely,” Coons said.
___
3:45 p.m.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett says she signed a statement in 2006 opposing “abortion on demand” on her way out of church and “in my personal capacity,” separate from her current status as a federal judge.
The 2006 statement, which Barrett did not initially include in materials provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee in advance of her confirmation hearings this week, has raised questions for some critics about whether the appeals court judge can separate her personal views from her judicial decision-making.
Barrett, nominated by President Donald Trump to succeed the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, told senators Tuesday that she sees as “distinct my personal moral religious views and my task of applying law as a judge.”
She noted that the substance of the 2006 statement, which framed life as beginning at conception, is in line with the Roman Catholic Church’s position on abortion. Barrett also said that while she shared her views publicly as a private citizen at that time, she doesn’t “feel it is appropriate” to disclose similar views now.
___
3:05 p.m.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett says she doesn’t consider the high court’s Roe v. Wade decision on abortion a “super-precedent” that can’t be overruled.
Barrett said the court’s 1973 ruling that affirmed the right to abortion isn’t in the same category as the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling, which declared segregated public schools unconstitutional.
Barrett said in an exchange with Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar that the Roe decision does not have the same secure place in the law as Brown v. Board of Education.
Barrett says no one talks about overturning the Brown decision. But she says all the questions she’s gotten in her confirmation hearing about her views of abortion “indicates Roe doesn’t fall in that category.” She says it’s “not a case that’s universally accepted.”
President Donald Trump has said he would appoint justices who would overturn a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion. Democrats worry that the court could have enough anti-abortion justices to threaten abortion rights if Barrett is confirmed.
12:10 p.m.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is defending an opinion she wrote arguing that a person who’s convicted of a nonviolent felony should not automatically be disqualified from owning a gun.
Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois challenged Barrett’s argument, saying it would make it easier for felons to bring guns into his home city of Chicago, which is plagued by gun violence caused in part by guns brought in from Barrett’s home state of Indiana.
In a dissent in the 2019 gun rights case of Kanter v. Barr, Barrett argued a conviction for a nonviolent felony such as mail fraud was not enough to disqualify someone from owning a gun.
Durbin accused Barrett of judicial activism, noting a Supreme Court ruling by Barrett’s mentor, the late Justice Antonin Scalia, upheld the idea that felons can be barred from gun ownership.
___
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE SUPREME COURT CONFIRMATION HEARINGS:
Barrett is facing senators’ questions during a second day of confirmation hearings. Republicans control the Senate and want to confirm President Donald Trump’s pick to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before Election Day to cement a conservative court majority.
Read more:
— Health care law on line at court, but is it likely to fall?
— Takeaways: Coronavirus at center of Supreme Court hearings
— Barrett hearing turns to discussion of few high court cases
— Joe Biden addresses idea of high court packing: ‘I’m not a fan’
___
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
11:50 a.m.
Judge Amy Coney Barrett says the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May had a “very personal” effect on her family and she and her children wept over his death.
President Donald Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court made the comments at her Senate confirmation hearings on Tuesday, three weeks before Election Day. Barrett was asked by Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin whether she had seen the footage of a police officer pressing a knee to the Black man’s neck until he stopped breathing. Barrett said she had.
Barrett has two Black adopted children. She says the Floyd video was “very, very personal” for her family and they “wept together.”
Floyd’s death touched off mass demonstrations about police brutality and reform around the country.
Barrett made a distinction between her feelings as a person and her role as a judge, refusing to give her thoughts on systemic racism as Durbin had requested. She said commenting on what policies should be used to combat racism would be “kind of beyond what I’m capable of doing as a judge.”
___
11:35 a.m.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett insists she does not necessarily oppose the Affordable Care Act, the health care law that’s being challenged in a case heading to the court next month.
Barrett told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday she’s “not hostile to the ACA.”
Barrett is being questioned about her past writings, including a piece in which she was critical of Chief Justice John Roberts’ previous rulings on the Obama-era law.
The appellate court judge distanced herself from those writings, saying they were not addressing specific aspects of the law as she would if confirmed. The court is set to hear a challenge to the law Nov. 10.
Barrett told the senators, “I apply the law. I follow the law. You make the policy.”
Still, Barrett appeared stumped when grilled by Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Virginia about particulars of the law, also called Obamacare. Barrett could not recite specifics, including that 23 million people are covered by the law or that more than 2 million people are on their parent’s health insurance.
___
10:50 a.m.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett says she can’t give an opinion on whether she’d recuse herself from any election-related litigation involving President Donald Trump.
Barrett said Tuesday in her confirmation hearing that she has not been asked by Trump or anyone else how she’d rule in possible upcoming cases, including the election.
She says it would be a gross violation of judicial independence to make a commitment on how she’d rule. She says it’s a violation of the judicial independence to put a justice on the court as a means of obtaining a particular result.
But Trump has said he would look for justices who were anti-abortion. He’s said he wanted the full nine justices to decide election-related matters.
___
10:15 a.m.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett says she can’t answer whether President Donald Trump has the power to delay the general election.
Trump floated the idea earlier this year as the coronavirus pandemic worsened. The Republican president has derided mail-in voting as rife with fraud though there is no evidence to suggest that.
But, Trump does not have the authority to unilaterally change the date of the election. Article II of the Constitution gives Congress the power to choose the timing of the general election. An 1845 federal law made the date the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein asked Barrett during her confirmation hearing on Tuesday if she could say whether Trump had that authority. Barrett said she’d need to confer with her colleagues and read litigation to decide the question.
___
10 a.m.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is declining to say whether she thinks Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that established the right to abortion, should be struck down.
Barrett sidestepped questions about that landmark case from the Senate Judiciary Committee’s top Democrat, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, as the panel held a second day of hearings on Barrett’s nomination.
Barrett says she won’t answer questions about whether she would rule that Roe v. Wade should be overturned because she would not join the court with “some agenda” on the subject. She says her only agenda is to “stick to the rule of law and decide cases as they come.”
Feinstein told Barrett that it was “distressing to not get a straight answer” to her question.
The conservative Barrett was nominated by President Donald Trump last month to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
One of Democrats’ biggest fears is that Barrett’s all but certain confirmation by the Republican controlled Senate would create a 6-3 conservative majority on the court that could well overturn Roe v. Wade.
___
9:55 a.m.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett says the confirmation process is “excruciating” but that that she accepted President Donald Trump’s nomination because she is “committed to the rule of law” and the role of the Supreme Court.
Barrett said that “if the difficulty is the only reason to say no, I should serve my country.” She added that even though there are “momentous consequences” for her family, they are “all-in” on the decision because they share her belief in the rule of law.
Still, she said she has tried to be on a “media blackout for the sake of my mental health.”
Barrett said she and her husband “knew that our lives would be combed over for any negative detail, we knew that our faith would be caricatured, we knew our family would be attacked.”
___
9:40 a.m.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett says she will be able to put aside her Catholic beliefs when ruling if she’s confirmed as a justice on the nation’s highest court.
Barrett told Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina on Tuesday she “can” set aside her Catholic beliefs and has “done that” since her confirmation as an appeals court judge in 2017. Graham chairs the Judiciary Committee overseeing Barrett’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing.
Barrett was nominated by President Donald Trump to fill the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat on the court. She’s fielding questions from senators on the judiciary panel this week.
Republicans have warned Democrats against criticizing Barrett’s religion or making it an issue in the hearings, although Democrats have made clear they have no plans to do so this week.
___


mercurynews--2020-10-14--Annual Binational Health Week addresses Latinx health disparities amid pandemic

Despite the coronavirus pandemic , Santa Clara County all this month is keeping alive its annual effort to help address @ @ @ @ @ people in the region .
The 16th annual Binational Health Week features a series of @ @ @ @ @ and online informational sessions that include drive-up resource fairs and webinars on checking and controlling @ @ @ @ @ also a free COVID-19 testing and face covering giveaway at the Children ’ s Discovery @ @ @ @ @ the weekend .
CLICK HERE if you are having a problem viewing the photos on @ @ @ @ @ year , the way to celebrate it has changed , ” Alejandra María Gabriela Bologna @ @ @ @ @ of Mexico in San Jose , said in a statement .
“ However , it @ @ @ @ @ raising awareness and responding to the unique healthcare challenges of Latinos living in the United @ @ @ @ @ of our community , ” she said .
The full list of events is available @ @ @ @ @ at sccsbs.org .

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Santa Clara County all this month is keeping alive its annual effort to help address health disparities experienced by Latinx people in the region.
The 16th annual Binational Health Week features a series of in-person events with safety precautions and online informational sessions that include drive-up resource fairs and webinars on checking and controlling blood pressure. There was also a free COVID-19 testing and face covering giveaway at the Children’s Discovery Museum in San Jose over the weekend.
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 10: Myrna Ash, right, receives a nasal swab from Ingrid Rodriguez with the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center during a free COVID-19 testing and flu shot event held at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department partnering with multiple organizations held the free event as part of the 16th Annual Binational Health Week, expanded this year to a monthlong event addressing health disparities experienced by the Latinx community. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 10: A free COVID-19 testing and flu shot event is held at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department partnering with multiple organizations held the free event as part of the 16th Annual Binational Health Week, expanded this year to a monthlong event addressing health disparities experienced by the Latinx community. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 10: Andrew Chong receives a nasal swab from Ingrid Rodriguez with the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center during a free COVID-19 testing and flu shot event held at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department partnering with multiple organizations held the free event as part of the 16th Annual Binational Health Week, expanded this year to a monthlong event addressing health disparities experienced by the Latinx community. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 10: The large Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose's rooftop rubber duck wears a face mask while free COVID-19 testing and flu shots are administered at the museum in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department partnering with multiple organizations held the free event as part of the 16th Annual Binational Health Week, expanded this year to a monthlong event addressing health disparities experienced by the Latinx community. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 10: Kyle Williams, 12, receives a flu shot from Rosalba Gonzalez with Bay Area Community Health during a free COVID-19 testing and flu shot event held at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department partnering with multiple organizations held the free event as part of the 16th Annual Binational Health Week, expanded this year to a monthlong event addressing health disparities experienced by the Latinx community. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 10: A free COVID-19 testing and flu shot event is held at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department partnering with multiple organizations held the free event as part of the 16th Annual Binational Health Week, expanded this year to a monthlong event addressing health disparities experienced by the Latinx community. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 10: Omri Phillips, 11, has his temperature checked by Jessica Gomez with Bay Area Community Health before getting a flu shot during a free COVID-19 testing and flu shot event held at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department partnering with multiple organizations held the free event as part of the 16th Annual Binational Health Week, expanded this year to a monthlong event addressing health disparities experienced by the Latinx community. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 10: Lilibeth Zaragoza with Bay Area Community Health prepares a flu shot during a free COVID-19 testing and flu shot event held at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department partnering with multiple organizations held the free event as part of the 16th Annual Binational Health Week, expanded this year to a monthlong event addressing health disparities experienced by the Latinx community. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 10: Pinky Trapse receives a flu shot from Rosalba Gonzalez with Bay Area Community Health during a free COVID-19 testing and flu shot event held at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department partnering with multiple organizations held the free event as part of the 16th Annual Binational Health Week, expanded this year to a monthlong event addressing health disparities experienced by the Latinx community. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
(Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group) SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 10: Face masks are handed out at a free COVID-19 testing and flu shot event held at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department partnering with multiple organizations held the free event as part of the 16th Annual Binational Health Week, expanded this year to a monthlong event addressing health disparities experienced by the Latinx community. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 10: Aaron Todd, 14, receives a flu shot from Rosalba Gonzalez with Bay Area Community Health during a free COVID-19 testing and flu shot event held at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department partnering with multiple organizations held the free event as part of the 16th Annual Binational Health Week, expanded this year to a monthlong event addressing health disparities experienced by the Latinx community. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 10: The large Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose's rooftop rubber duck wears a face mask while free COVID-19 testing and flu shots are administered at the museum in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department partnering with multiple organizations held the free event as part of the 16th Annual Binational Health Week, expanded this year to a monthlong event addressing health disparities experienced by the Latinx community. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 10: Antibacterial wet wipes are handed out at a free COVID-19 testing and flu shot event held at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department partnering with multiple organizations held the free event as part of the 16th Annual Binational Health Week, expanded this year to a monthlong event addressing health disparities experienced by the Latinx community. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
CLICK HERE if you are having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device
“This year, the way to celebrate it has changed,” Alejandra María Gabriela Bologna Zubikarai, the Consul General of Mexico in San Jose, said in a statement.
“However, it keeps its core objective of raising awareness and responding to the unique healthcare challenges of Latinos living in the United States to enhance the well-being of our community,” she said.
The full list of events is available at sccbhw.org and in Spanish at sccsbs.org.


mercurynews--2020-10-14--Election drop boxes: Here are 207 places to safely deliver your ballot in the Bay Area

After California made headlines this week when state officials forced Republican party officials to remove unauthorized ballot drop boxes , an obvious question arose for Bay Area voters : Where can we safely drop off our ballots if we don ’ t trust the mail ?
There are hundreds of Official Ballot Drop Boxes scattered around the Bay Area at libraries , community centers and City Halls .
Here ’ s a list by city .
Check with your local registrars office for more information on where you can drop off you ballot before the polls officially close at 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Hall , 500 Castro St. ( in front of Center for Performing Arts ) Computer History Museum , 1401 North Shoreline Blvd .
Fire Station 4 , 229 North Whisman Rd .
Mountain View Public Library , 585 Franklin St. OAKLAND Alameda County Administration Building , 1221 Oak St. Rene C. Davidson Courthouse , 1225 Fallon St. Merritt College , 12500 Campus Drive ( in front of the bus stop ) Peralta Hacienda Historical Park , 2496 Coolidge Ave .
Roots Community Health Center , 9925 International Blvd .
Samuel Merritt University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PIEDMONT Highland Way and Mountain Ave. ( next to library book drop ) SAN JOSE Almaden Branch Library , 6445 Camden Ave. Almaden Neighborhood Church , 19550 McKean Rd .
Alum Rock Union School District , 2930 Gay Ave. Berryessa Library , 3355 Noble Ave. Biblioteca Latinoamericana Branch Library , 921 South First St. Brooktree Elementary School , 1781 Olive Tree Drive Cambrian School District , 4115 Jacksol Drive Campbell Union High School District , 3235 Union Ave. Captain Jason M. Dahl Elementary School , 3200 Water St. City Hall , 26 South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City College , Technology Center , 2100 Moorpark Ave. Dr. Roberto Cruz Library , 3090 Alum Rock Ave. Edenvale Branch Library , 101 Branham Lane E Edenvale Community Center , 330 East Branham Lane E Educational Branch Library , 1772 Educational Park Drive Evergreen Branch Library , 2635 Aborn Rd .
Evergreen Valley College , Lot 7 , 4750 San Felipe Rd .
Evergreen Valley High School , 3300 Quimby Rd .
Forest Hill Elementary School , 4450 McCoy Ave. Franklin-McKinley School District , 645 Wool Creek Drive Hammer Montessori , 1610 Bird @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drive Martin Luther King Library , 150 East San Fernando St. Mayfair Community Center , 2039 Kammerer Ave. Moreland School District , 4711 Campbell Ave. Mount Pleasant School District , 3434 Marten Rd .
Orchard School District , 921 Fox Lane Pearl Avenue Branch Library , 4270 Pearl Ave. Registrar of Voters , Building 1 , 1555 Berger .
( by flagpole ) Rose Garden Library , 1580 Naglee Ave. San Andreas Regional Center , 6203 San Ignacio Ave. , Suite 200 Santa Clara County Civic Center , 70 West Hedding St. Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First St. SAP Center , 525 West Santa Clara St .
Seven Trees Branch Library , 3590 Cas Drive SJSU , Dudley Hall , 1 Washington Square SJSU , The Villages , 1 Washington Square South Valley YMCA , 5632 Santa Teresa Blvd .
Southside Community Center , 5585 Cottle Rd .
Tully Community Branch Library , 880 Tully Rd .
Union Elementary School District , 5175 Union Ave. Valley Medical Center Valley Specialty Center , 751 South Bascom Ave .
Village Square Branch Library , 4001 Evergreen Village Square Vineland Branch Library @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park & Ride , Capitol Station , West Capitol Expressway VTA Park & Ride , Hostetter Station , North Capitol Ave. and Camino Del Rey VTA Park & Ride , Santa Teresa Station , Santa Teresa Blvd .
and Miyuki Drive West Valley Branch Library , 1243 San Tomas Aquino Rd .
Willow Glen Branch Library , 1157 Minnesota Ave .

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Judge Chutkan: Trump’s right to free speech ‘not absolute’ Election | A conservative case for disqualifying Donald Trump in 2024 After California made headlines this week when state officials forced Republican Party officials to remove unauthorized ballot drop boxes, an obvious question arose for Bay Area voters: Where can we safely drop off our ballots if we don’t trust the mail?
There are hundreds of Official Ballot Drop Boxes scattered around the Bay Area at libraries, community centers and City Halls. Here’s a list by city. Check with your local registrars office for more information on where you can drop off you ballot before the polls officially close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
ALAMEDA
City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Ave.
College of Alameda, 555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway
Bay Farm Island Library, 3221 Mecartney Rd.
ALAMO
Alamo Plaza Shopping Center, 190 Alamo Plaza
ALBANY
City Hall, 1000 San Pablo Ave.
ALVISO
Alviso Branch Library, 5050 North First St.
ANTIOCH
City Hall, 200 H St.
Antioch Community Center, 4703 Lone Tree Way
ATHERTON
City Hall, 150 Watkins Ave. (business hours only)
BAY POINT
Ambrose Community Center, 3105 Willow Pass Rd.
BELMONT
Belmont Library, 1110 Alameda de las Pulgas
City Hall, 1 Twin Pines Lane
BERKELEY
Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center Building, 2180 Milvia St.
UC Berkeley, Sather Rd., Between Sather Gate and Architects & Engineers Building
West Branch Library, 1125 University Ave.
North Branch Library, 1170 The Alameda
Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue Ave.
Frances A. Rec. Center, 2800 Park St.
BRENTWOOD
City Hall, 150 City Park Way
BRISBANE
City Hall, 50 Park Place
BURLINGAME
Burlingame School District, 1825 Trousdale Drive
City Hall, 501 Primrose Rd.
Temporary Recreation Center, 1010 Burlingame Ave.
CAMPBELL
City Hall, 70 North First St. (outside city clerk)
Campbell Library, 77 Harrison Ave.
Westmont High School, 4805 Westmont Ave.
CASTRO VALLEY
Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave.
Community Center, 18988 Lake Chabot Rd.
Bay Trees Park, 19855 Cull Canyon
CLAYTON
City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trial, Floor 3 (business hours only)
Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Rd.
COLMA
Town Hall, 1198 El Camino Real
CONCORD
City Hall, 1950 Parkside Drive
Monument Crisis Center, 1990 Market St.
First Lutheran Church, 4000 Concord Blvd.
CUPERTINO
City Hall, 10300 Torre Ave. (outside city clerk)
De Anza College, Student Services Building, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Quinlan Community Center, 10185 North Stelling Rd.
DALY CITY
City Hall, 333 90th St.
DANVILLE
Danville Park & Ride, Sycamore Valley Rd. and 680 Exit
Danville Maintenance Service Center, 1000 Sherburne Hills Rd.
DISCOVERY BAY
Discovery Bay Yacht Club, 5871 Marina Rd.
DUBLIN
Dublin City Offices, 100 Civic Plaza
The Wave, 4201 Central Parkway
EAST PALO ALTO
Government Center, 2415 University Ave.
Ravenswood City School District Office, 2120 Euclid Ave. (business hours only)
University Circle, 1900 University Ave. (business hours only)
EL CERRITO
City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Ave.
EL SOBRANTE
El Sobrante Library, 4191 Appian Way
EMERYVILLE
City Hall, 1333 Park Ave.
FOSTER CITY
City Hall, 610 Foster City Blvd.
FREMONT
Fremont City Building, 3300 Capitol Ave., Building A
Centerville Library, 3801 Nicolet Ave.
Irvington Library, 41825 Greenpark Drive
Northwestern Polytechnic University, 47671 Westinghouse Drive
Ohlone College, 43600 Mission Blvd., Building 19
Niles Library, 150 I St.
Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd.
East Bay Depot Cafe, 37260 Fremont Blvd. (near Amtrak)
GILROY
Gavilan College, Student Center, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd.
City Hall, 7351 Rosanna St. (outside city clerk)
Gilroy Library, 350 West Sixth St.
Rod Kelley Elementary School, 8755 Kern Ave.
HALF MOON BAY
City Hall, 501 Main St.
New Leaf Community Market, 150 San Mateo Rd. (business hours only)
HAYWARD
Cal State East Bay, 25800 West Loop Rd.
Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd. (near bus stop)
City Hall, 777 B St.
Hall of Justice, 24405 Amador St.
Cherryland Park, Grove Way
San Felipe Community Park, 2058 D St.
Weekes Community Center, 27182 Patrick Ave.
HERCULES
Hercules Public Library, 109 Civic Drive
HILLSBOROUGH
Town Hall, 1600 Floribunda Ave.
KENSINGTON
Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave.
LAFAYETTE
Lafayette School District Office, 3477 School St.
LA HONDA
La Honda Fire Brigade, 8945 La Honda Rd.
LIVERMORE
City Hall, 1052 South Livermore Ave.
Summit Park, 6329 Tioga Pass Ct.
Rincon Branch Library, 725 Rincon Ave.
LOS ALTOS
City Hall, 1 North San Antonio Rd. (outside city clerk)
Los Altos Library, 13 South San Antonio Rd.
Woodland Branch Library, 1975 Grant Rd.
LOS ALTOS HILLS
Foothill College, Lot 8, 12345 El Monte Rd.
Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Rd. (outside city clerk)
LOS GATOS
Los Gatos Public Library, 100 Villa Ave.
Town Hall, 110 East Main St. (outside city clerk)
MARTINEZ
Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Office, 555 Escobar St.
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, 5019 Imhoff Pl.
Contra Costa EHSD Administration, 40 Douglas Drive
MENLO PARK
City Hall, 701 Laurel St.
Onetta Harris Community Center, 100 Terminal Ave.
MILLBRAE
City Hall, 621 Magnolia Ave.
MILPITAS
City Hall, 455 East Calaveras Blvd. (outside city clerk)
Milpitas Library, 160 North Main St.
Milpitas Unified School District, 1331 East Calaveras Blvd.
MONTE SERENO
City Hall, 18041 Saratoga-Los Gatos Rd. (outside city clerk)
MORAGA
Saint Mary’s College, 1928 Saint Marys Rd. (rugby field parking lot)
MORGAN HILL
City Hall, 17575 Peak Ave. (outside city clerk)
Morgan Hill Library, 660 West Main Ave.
Morgan Hill Unified School District, 15600 Concord Circle
Nordstrom Elementary School, 1425 East Dunne Ave.
MOUNTAIN VIEW
City Hall, 500 Castro St. (in front of Center for Performing Arts)
Computer History Museum, 1401 North Shoreline Blvd.
Fire Station 4, 229 North Whisman Rd.
Mountain View Public Library, 585 Franklin St.
NEWARK
Newark Library, 6300 Civic Terrace Ave.
OAKLAND
Alameda County Administration Building, 1221 Oak St.
Rene C. Davidson Courthouse, 1225 Fallon St.
Merritt College, 12500 Campus Drive (in front of the bus stop)
Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, 2496 Coolidge Ave.
Roots Community Health Center, 9925 International Blvd.
Samuel Merritt University, Peralta Lawn, 450 30th St.
Cesar E. Chavez Library, 3301 East 12th St., #271
DeFremery Park, 1651 Adeline St.
Rainbow Recreation Center, 5800 International Blvd.
Highland Hospital, 1411 East 31st St.
Eastmont Wellness, 7200 Bancroft Ave.
Goodwill, 3525 MacArthur Blvd.
Keller Market, 4400 Keller Ave.
Montclair Park Recreation Center, 6300 Moraga Ave.
Woodminster Market, 5000 Woodminster Lane
Walgreens, 5055 Telegraph Ave.
OAKLEY
City Hall, 3231 Main St.
ORINDA
City Hall, 22 Orinda Way
PACIFICA
City Hall, 170 Santa Maria Ave.
PALO ALTO
City Hall, King Plaza, 250 Hamilton Ave.
Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd.
Palo Alto High School, 50 Embarcadero Rd.
Rinconada Branch Library, 1213 Newell Rd.
PESCADERO
Fire Station 59, 1200 Pescadero Creek Rd.
PIEDMONT
Highland Way and Mountain Ave. (next to library book drop)
PINOLE
City Hall, 2131 Pear St.
PITTSBURG
City Hall, 65 Civic Ave. (business hours only)
Pittsburg Unified School District, 2000 Railroad Ave.
PLEASANT HILL
City Hall, 100 Gregory Ln.
Contra Costa County Office of Education Admin Office, 77 Santa Barbara Rd.
Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Drive
PLEASANTON
City Hall, 123 Main St.
Dolores Bengston Aquatic Center, 4455 Black Ave.
Pleasanton Sports Complex, 5800 Parkside Dr.
PORTOLA VALLEY
Town Hall, 765 Portola Rd.
REDWOOD CITY
Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder, 555 County Center (indoor box business hours only)
City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Rd.
RICHMOND
City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza
Contra Costa County EHSD, 1305 Macdonald Ave
West County Wastewater District Office, 2910 Hilltop Drive
SAN BRUNO
City Hall, 570 Linden Ave.
San Bruno Senior Center, 1555 Crystal Springs Rd.
SAN CARLOS
City Hall Park, 1401 San Carlos Ave. (next to dog park)
San Carlos Library, 610 Elm St. (open Oct. 31)
SAN JOSE
Almaden Branch Library, 6445 Camden Ave.
Almaden Neighborhood Church, 19550 McKean Rd.
Alum Rock Union School District, 2930 Gay Ave.
Berryessa Library, 3355 Noble Ave.
Biblioteca Latinoamericana Branch Library, 921 South First St.
Brooktree Elementary School, 1781 Olive Tree Drive
Cambrian School District, 4115 Jacksol Drive
Campbell Union High School District, 3235 Union Ave.
Captain Jason M. Dahl Elementary School, 3200 Water St.
City Hall, 26 South 4th Street (outside trademark office)
City College, Technology Center, 2100 Moorpark Ave.
Dr. Roberto Cruz Library, 3090 Alum Rock Ave.
Edenvale Branch Library, 101 Branham Lane E
Edenvale Community Center, 330 East Branham Lane E
Educational Branch Library, 1772 Educational Park Drive
Evergreen Branch Library, 2635 Aborn Rd.
Evergreen Valley College, Lot 7, 3095 Yerba Buena Rd. (eastern most entry)
Evergreen Valley High School, 3300 Quimby Rd.
Forest Hill Elementary School, 4450 McCoy Ave.
Franklin-McKinley School District, 645 Wool Creek Drive
Hammer Montessori, 1610 Bird Ave.
Hillview Branch Library, 1600 Hopkins Drive
Martin Luther King Library, 150 East San Fernando St.
Mayfair Community Center, 2039 Kammerer Ave.
Moreland School District, 4711 Campbell Ave.
Mount Pleasant School District, 3434 Marten Rd.
Orchard School District, 921 Fox Lane
Pearl Avenue Branch Library, 4270 Pearl Ave.
Registrar of Voters, Building 1, 1555 Berger Dr. (by flagpole)
Rose Garden Library, 1580 Naglee Ave.
San Andreas Regional Center, 6203 San Ignacio Ave., Suite 200
Santa Clara County Civic Center, 70 West Hedding St.
Santa Clara County Superior Court, 191 North First St.
SAP Center, 525 West Santa Clara St.
Seven Trees Branch Library, 3590 Cas Drive
SJSU, Dudley Hall, 1 Washington Square
SJSU, The Villages, 1 Washington Square
South Valley YMCA, 5632 Santa Teresa Blvd.
Southside Community Center, 5585 Cottle Rd.
Tully Community Branch Library, 880 Tully Rd.
Union Elementary School District, 5175 Union Ave.
Valley Medical Center Valley Specialty Center, 751 South Bascom Ave.
Village Square Branch Library, 4001 Evergreen Village Square
Vineland Branch Library, 1450 Blossom Hill Rd.
VTA Park & Ride, Capitol Station, West Capitol Expressway
VTA Park & Ride, Hostetter Station, North Capitol Ave. and Camino Del Rey
VTA Park & Ride, Santa Teresa Station, Santa Teresa Blvd. and Miyuki Drive
West Valley Branch Library, 1243 San Tomas Aquino Rd.
Willow Glen Branch Library, 1157 Minnesota Ave.
SAN LEANDRO
Civic Center, 835 East 14th St.
Fairmont Hospital, 15400 Foothill Blvd. (near Building Maintenance)
Manor Branch Library, 1241 Manor Blvd.
REACH Ashland Youth Center, 16335 E 14th St.
San Leandro Hospital, 13855 E 14th St.
SAN LORENZO
San Lorenzo Library, 395 Paseo Grande
SAN MATEO
City Hall, 330 West 20th Ave.
Main Library, 55 West 3rd Ave. (open Oct. 31)
Marina Library, 1530 Susan Court
Recreation Center, 725 Monte Diablo Ave.
Registration & Elections Division, 40 Tower Rd. (indoor box business hours only)
SAN PABLO
City Hall, 1000 Gateway Ave.
San Pablo Library, 13751 San Pablo Ave. (business hours only)
SAN RAMON
Alcosta Senior and Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd. (business hours only)
City Hall, 7000 Bollinger Canyon Rd. (business hours only)
San Ramon Community Center, 12501 Alcosta Blvd.
Dougherty Station Community Center, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd.
San Ramon Permit Center, 2401 Crow Canyon Rd. (business hours only)
SANTA CLARA
City Hall, 1500 Warburton Ave. (outside clerk office)
Santa Clara County Traffic Court, 1095 Homestead Rd.
Briarwood Elementary School, 1930 Townsend Ave.
Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Rd.
Kona Kai Swim Club, 680 Hubbard Ave.
Mission College,3000 Mission College Blvd. (student drop off)
SARATOGA
City Hall, 13777 Fruitvale Ave. (outside city clerk)
Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave.
West Valley College, Fox Center, 14000 Fruitvale Ave.,
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
City Hall, 400 Grand Ave.
Main Library, 840 West Orange Ave. (only during vote center hours)
SUNNYVALE
Valley Medical Center, 660 South Fair Oaks Ave.
City Hall, 456 West Olive Ave. (outside finance office)
Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 East Remington Drive
Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, 1180 North Fair Oaks Ave.
Presbyterian Church, 728 West Fremont Ave.
Sunnyvale Public Library, 665 West Olive Ave.
UNION CITY
City Hall, 34009 Alvarado-Niles Rd.
Contempo Park, 32300 Meteor Dr. (cross street is Galaxy Drive)
Holly Community Center, 31600 Alvarado Blvd.
WALNUT CREEK
City Hall, 1666 North Main St
Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd.
Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Rd.
WOODSIDE
Town Hall, 2955 Woodside Rd.


mercurynews--2020-10-13--East Oakland: Teen shot Tuesday afternoon

OAKLAND — A teen was shot in the leg Tuesday afternoon in the city ’ s Fairfax neighborhood , authorities @ @ @ @ @ , officers responded to reports of ShotSpotter activity near the 4700 block of Fairfax Avenue @ @ @ @ @ minutes , they found a male suffering from at least one gunshot wound to his @ @ @ @ @ s condition was not immediately available .
Police did not provide any description of a @ @ @ @ @ For information leading to the arrest of a suspect , police are offering up to @ @ @ @ @ .
Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3426 or Crime Stoppers of Oakland at @ @

OAKLAND, CA – October 13: Officers investigate a shooting on the 4700 block of Fairfax Avenue where they found a male suffering from at least one gunshot wound to his leg in East Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – October 13: Officers investigate a shooting on the 4700 block of Fairfax Avenue where they found a male suffering from at least one gunshot wound to his leg in East Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – October 13: Officers investigate a shooting on the 4700 block of Fairfax Avenue where they found a male suffering from at least one gunshot wound to his leg in East Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – October 13: Officers investigate a shooting on the 4700 block of Fairfax Avenue where they found a male suffering from at least one gunshot wound to his leg in East Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – October 13: Officers investigate a shooting on the 4700 block of Fairfax Avenue where they found a male suffering from at least one gunshot wound to his leg in East Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – October 13: Officers investigate a shooting on the 4700 block of Fairfax Avenue where they found a male suffering from at least one gunshot wound to his leg in East Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – October 13: Officers investigate a shooting on the 4700 block of Fairfax Avenue where they found a male suffering from at least one gunshot wound to his leg in East Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – October 13: Officers investigate a shooting near 85th Avenue and Dowling Street, where they discovered a male victim, in East Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – October 13: Officers investigate a shooting near 85th Avenue and Dowling Street, where they discovered a male victim, in East Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
CLICK HERE if you’re viewing on a mobile device.
OAKLAND — Two men were wounded in separate shootings about four hours apart Tuesday in different areas of East Oakland, authorities said.
Police said they do not believe that the shootings were related.
Around 4:10 p.m. a ShotSpotter alert signalled 20 rounds fired off. Responding officers found that a 19-year-old man was wounded multiple times in the 4700 block of Fairfax Avenue, near his home.
The man was apparently shot by someone as he was walking. He was taken to a hospital and was in stable condition.
Some parked vehicles were also hit by gunfire but no other injuries were reported.
Police have not released a motive yet for the shooting and have not made any arrests.
Around 8:15 p.m. an 18-year-old man was shot in the 8500 block of Dowling Street near 85th Avenue as he walked to a store. He was able to get his own transportation to a hospital and was in stable condition.
Some parked vehicles and at least one building was also hit by gunfire but no other injuries were reported.
Police said numerous shots were fired in the area and investigators are trying to determine if the man wounded was an intended target or was hit by a stray bullet fired during a shootout in the area between other people.
No motive has been determined yet for the shooting and no arrests have been made.
Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $5,000 in reward money in each shooting for information leading to the arrests of the suspects. Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3426 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.
Staff writer Harry Harris contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-10-13--CA appeals court: Contra Costa judges were wrong to deny defendant a preliminary hearing during COVI

CA appeals court: Contra Costa judges were wrong to deny defendant a preliminary hearing during COVID-19 shutdown

MARTINEZ — In a decision that judges across the state can use for guidance in similar cases , a California appeals court sided with a defendant who contended that his right to a speedy preliminary hearing was denied last March amidst the COVID-19 statewide shutdown of the courts system .
The First District Appellate Court ’ s June decision — reaffirmed for publication last month — centers on the issue of a person ’ s right to a speedy preliminary hearing .
During a preliminary hearing , someone who ’ s charged with a felony has the opportunity to cross-examine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors have failed to meet their burden to bring charges .
In this case , a Bay Area man named Dyjuan Bullock was charged with human trafficking and pimping in a case that alleged he pimped two women in Contra Costa County .
The published appeals court decision reverses an order by Contra Costa Judge David Goldstein , which found Bullock ’ s right to a speedy preliminary hearing had not been violated .
Judge Anita Santos later upheld Goldstein ’ s order .
The decision comes with a bitter irony for Bullock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his favor June 25 , he had accepted a plea deal on pimping charges — and a three-year state prison sentence — just days earlier .
Otherwise , the charges against him would have been dismissed .
At issue was this : Bullock refused to waive his right to a speedy preliminary hearing within 10 days .
As luck would have it , the 10th day occurred just two weeks after the state court system ground to a near-halt as the virus spread throughout California .
Jury trials were suspended for months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But unlike trials , where dozens of citizens are called to appear for jury duty in court , a preliminary hearing simply requires the presence of a judge , a clerk , a court reporter , and parties to the case .
When Bullock ’ s preliminary hearing extended past 15 days , the charges against him should have been dismissed , the appeals court judges wrote .
Superior court judges were “ clearly mistaken ” when they ruled otherwise , the decision says .
• ‘ You took an excellent man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to federal prison in Oakland murder ordered by pot trafficker known as ‘ Hitler ’ • East Bay man convicted of mailing bombs to cops in revenge plot ; devices exploded and injured two • California man gets prison for putting his semen into water bottle of co-worker “ There is no dispute that ( Bullock ) remained in custody solely on the underlying complaint for more than the extended 15-court-day period without receiving a preliminary hearing , ” appeals court judges wrote .
They later added , “ Because the record does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nexus between the pandemic and the Superior Court ’ s purported inability to conduct preliminary hearings during the second half of March , the Superior Court abused its discretion in rejecting an in-custody defendant ’ s demand for a prompt preliminary examination.
” After the decision , a legal fight continued the case for another three months .
The Contra Costa District Attorney ’ s office filed a motion asking for the case to be unpublished , meaning that it would no longer be used to dictate other cases .
The county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fought the DA ’ s motion and won in a Sept. 9 ruling .

MARTINEZ — In a decision that judges across the state can use for guidance in similar cases, a California appeals court sided with a defendant who contended that his right to a speedy preliminary hearing was denied last March during the COVID-19 statewide shutdown of the courts system.
Jose Carlos Fajardo/staff archives In a decision that judges across the state can use for guidance in similar cases, a California appeals court sided against the Contra Costa Superior Court, seen above at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez, and in favor of a defendant who contended that his right to a speedy preliminary hearing was denied last March during the COVID-19 statewide shutdown of the courts system.
photo courtesy of Google Maps The June decision — reaffirmed for publication last month — of the First District Appellate Court of California, seen above in San Francisco’s Warren Building, centers on the issue of a person's right to a speedy preliminary hearing. The published appeals court decision reverses an order by two Contra Costa County Superior Court judges who found that a defendant's right to a speedy preliminary hearing had not been violated.
The First District Appellate Court’s June decision — reaffirmed for publication last month — centers on the issue of a person’s right to a speedy preliminary hearing. During a preliminary hearing, someone who’s charged with a felony has the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses and argue before a judge that prosecutors have failed to meet their burden to bring charges.
In this case, a Bay Area man named Dyjuan Bullock was charged with human trafficking and pimping in a case that alleged he pimped two women in Contra Costa County. The published appeals court decision reverses an order by Contra Costa Judge David Goldstein, which found Bullock’s right to a speedy preliminary hearing had not been violated. Judge Anita Santos had later upheld Goldstein’s order.
The decision comes with a bitter irony for Bullock: When the appeals court ruled in his favor June 25, he had accepted a plea deal on pimping charges — and a three-year state prison sentence — just days earlier. Otherwise, the charges against him would have been dismissed.
At issue was this: Bullock refused to waive his right to a speedy preliminary hearing within 10 days. As luck would have it, the 10th day occurred just two weeks after the state court system ground to a near-halt because of California’s coronavirus closures.
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Giuliani: Legal quagmires have left him broke Crime and Public Safety | Oakland nonfatal shooting suspect hit with federal gun possession charges Jury trials were suspended for months, an action that appeals courts have upheld. But unlike trials, for which dozens of citizens are called to appear in court for jury duty, a preliminary hearing simply requires the presence of a judge, clerk, court reporter and parties to the case.
When Bullock’s wait for a preliminary hearing extended past 15 days, the charges against him should have been dismissed, the appeals court judges wrote. Superior court judges were “clearly mistaken” when they ruled otherwise, the decision says.
“There is no dispute that (Bullock) remained in custody solely on the underlying complaint for more than the extended 15-court-day period without receiving a preliminary hearing,” appeals court judges wrote.
They later added that “Because the record does not support a finding that there was a nexus between the pandemic and the Superior Court’s purported inability to conduct preliminary hearings during the second half of March, the Superior Court abused its discretion in rejecting an in-custody defendant’s demand for a prompt preliminary examination.”
After the decision, a legal fight continued the case for another three months. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s office filed a motion asking for the case to be unpublished, meaning that it would no longer be used to dictate other cases. The county’s public defender’s office fought the DA’s motion and won in a Sept. 9 ruling.


mercurynews--2020-10-13--If Billy Beane leaves the A’s, who becomes the face of the front office?

Billy Beane has long been the face of the A ’ s front office ; his name is synonymous with the “ Moneyball ” operation rooted in Oakland and popularized throughout Major League Baseball .
With reports that Beane will likely leave the A ’ s after 30 years in the organization to pursue other business ventures , A ’ s fans are surely wondering : Who will fill Beane ’ s place ?
Surely , there is a possibility for a front-office shake-up , but current general manager David Forst would presumably step up into Beane ’ s role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A ’ s organization .
Forst has been Beane ’ s second-in-command since he became his assistant general manager in 2004 , succeeding Paul DePodesta .
When Beane stepped aside from his general manager duties in 2015 , Forst was tapped as his replacement .
The changing of the guard didn ’ t require much of a shift ; according to Beane .
Forst was already well-versed in a general manager ’ s responsibilities .
“ No .
1 , we don ’ t want to lose him , because frankly , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in the organization , ” Beane told reporters after the promotion in 2015 .
“ This makes public how we ’ ve been operating .
David has a lot of autonomy .
He had it before .
He ’ ll continue to have that.
” Clubs vied for Forst ’ s services before his promotion .
He declined interviews for general manager vacancies with the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners .
Now 44 , Forst has been with the Oakland organization since 2000 , two years after he graduated from Harvard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crimson .
He joined as a scout and quickly moved up the ranks as a scouting director , then assistant GM .
Since his promotion to GM and Beane ’ s to executive vice president of baseball operations , Forst has been the public voice of the A ’ s front office .
With media , Forst rationalizes trades and transactions .
He paints the scope and vision for the A ’ s season at spring training and dissects the cause of death in the wake of team eliminations .
During the coronavirus-impacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the midseason coronavirus positive test that shook the organization .
Beane , even after his promotion to executive VP , has always been present , visible and candid about the team ’ s direction — even if the front office he built around him operated autonomously .
Beane ’ s still the face of the front office , but that could soon change .
This week , it was reported RedBall Acquisition Corp. , a special purpose company that Beane joined over the summer , could merge with Fenway Sports Group , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Boston Red Sox and English Premier League ’ s Liverpool club .
• Tony La Russa managing again ?
Report says White Sox will reach out • The Oakland A ’ s have 10 free agents .
Who will they bring back ?
• Billy Beane could leave Athletics , baseball behind for Fenway financial gig , per report • Bob Melvin reflects on ALDS loss to Astros : ‘ We ran into a buzzsaw ’ It has been reported that Beane wouldn ’ t take a position with the Red Sox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could instead work toward buying soccer clubs in Europe to , perhaps , implement the “ Moneyball ” model in a new sport across the ocean .
Still , should the merger go through , Beane ’ s resulting involvement with the Red Sox could pose a conflict of interest for him as an A ’ s minority owner .
Fenway Sports Groups ’ John Henry would finally be working with Beane , whom he has long courted since the early “ Moneyball ” days .
In 2002 , Henry offered Beane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s baseball operations and become the highest-paid general manager in baseball .
After a pandemic-impacted season that could pose yet another rebuild in the A ’ s near future , Beane may see this venture as a clean exit from the organization he ’ s helped rebuild time and time again over the past three decades .
Forst , though , could be facing one of the toughest offseasons in recent history — not just for the A ’ s , but all of sports .
With revenues impacted by a short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A ’ s owner John Fisher may not be so willing to increase the team ’ s payroll by much .
The A ’ s have 10 free agents , including shortstop Marcus Semien .
They have 11 arbitration-eligible players , including Matt Chapman and Matt Olson .
The A ’ s will need to spend a bit more with this core than in years past , a tough scenario given that spending parameters could be unpredictable and undefined because of the pandemic .
It ’ s going to be tricky , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the challenges .

Billy Beane has long been the face of the A’s front office; his name is synonymous with the “Moneyball” operation rooted in Oakland and popularized throughout Major League Baseball.
With reports that Beane will likely leave the A’s after 30 years in the organization to pursue other business ventures, A’s fans are surely wondering: Who will fill Beane’s place?
Surely, there is a possibility for a front-office shake-up, but current general manager David Forst would presumably step up into Beane’s role as the highest-ranking baseball executive in the A’s organization.
Forst has been Beane’s second-in-command since he became his assistant general manager in 2004, succeeding Paul DePodesta. When Beane stepped aside from his general manager duties in 2015, Forst was tapped as his replacement.
The changing of the guard didn’t require much of a shift; according to Beane. Forst was already well-versed in a general manager’s responsibilities.
“No. 1, we don’t want to lose him, because frankly, he’s one of the most valuable people in the organization,” Beane told reporters after the promotion in 2015. “This makes public how we’ve been operating. David has a lot of autonomy. He had it before. He’ll continue to have that.”
Clubs vied for Forst’s services before his promotion. He declined interviews for general manager vacancies with the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.
Now 44, Forst has been with the Oakland organization since 2000, two years after he graduated from Harvard, where he played shortstop for the Crimson. He joined as a scout and quickly moved up the ranks as a scouting director, then assistant GM.
Since his promotion to GM and Beane’s to executive vice president of baseball operations, Forst has been the public voice of the A’s front office. With media, Forst rationalizes trades and transactions. He paints the scope and vision for the A’s season at spring training and dissects the cause of death in the wake of team eliminations. During the coronavirus-impacted season, he talked through test delays and the midseason coronavirus positive test that shook the organization.
Beane, even after his promotion to executive VP, has always been present, visible and candid about the team’s direction — even if the front office he built around him operated autonomously.
Beane’s still the face of the front office, but that could soon change. This week, it was reported RedBall Acquisition Corp., a special purpose company that Beane joined over the summer, could merge with Fenway Sports Group, which owns, among other things, the Boston Red Sox and English Premier League’s Liverpool club.
It has been reported that Beane wouldn’t take a position with the Red Sox. If the company goes public, it could instead work toward buying soccer clubs in Europe to, perhaps, implement the “Moneyball” model in a new sport across the ocean. Still, should the merger go through, Beane’s resulting involvement with the Red Sox could pose a conflict of interest for him as an A’s minority owner.
Fenway Sports Groups’ John Henry would finally be working with Beane, whom he has long courted since the early “Moneyball” days. In 2002, Henry offered Beane $12.5 million to head up Boston’s baseball operations and become the highest-paid general manager in baseball.
After a pandemic-impacted season that could pose yet another rebuild in the A’s near future, Beane may see this venture as a clean exit from the organization he’s helped rebuild time and time again over the past three decades.
Forst, though, could be facing one of the toughest offseasons in recent history — not just for the A’s, but all of sports. With revenues impacted by a short season without fans in the stands, A’s owner John Fisher may not be so willing to increase the team’s payroll by much.
The A’s have 10 free agents, including shortstop Marcus Semien. They have 11 arbitration-eligible players, including Matt Chapman and Matt Olson. The A’s will need to spend a bit more with this core than in years past, a tough scenario given that spending parameters could be unpredictable and undefined because of the pandemic.
It’s going to be tricky, but A’s executives are used to the challenges.


mercurynews--2020-10-13--Report: Great Barrier Reef lost half its corals in 3 decades

Australia ’ s Great Barrier Reef has lost 50 % of its coral populations in the last three decades , with climate change a key driver of reef disturbance , a new study has found .
Researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies , in Queensland , northeastern Australia , assessed coral communities and their colony size along the length of the Great Barrier Reef between 1995 and 2017 , finding depletion of virtually all coral populations , they said Tuesday .
Coral reefs are some of the most vibrant marine ecosystems on the planet — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all marine species rely on them at some point in their life cycle .
The Great Barrier Reef , the world ’ s largest coral reef , covers nearly 133,000 square miles and is home to more than 1,500 species of fish , 411 species of hard corals and dozens of other species .
“ We found the number of small , medium and large corals on the Great Barrier Reef has declined by more than 50 % since the 1990s , ” reported co-author Terry Hughes , a distinguished professor at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Studies , in a statement .
Reefs are fundamental to the health of marine ecosystems — without them , ecosystems collapse , and marine life dies .
Coral population sizes are also considered vital when it comes to the coral ’ s ability to breed .
“ A vibrant coral population has millions of small , baby corals , as well as many large ones– the big mamas who produce most of the larvae , ” said Andy Dietzel , a doctoral student at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results show the ability of the Great Barrier Reef to recover — its resilience — is compromised compared to the past , because there are fewer babies , and fewer large breeding adults , ” he added .
Population declines occurred in both shallow and deep water coral species , experts found , but branching and table-shaped corals — which provide habitats for fish — were worst affected by mass bleaching events in 2016 and 2017 , triggered by record-breaking temperatures .
Warm ocean temperatures are the main driver of coral bleaching , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to water that is too warm .
Bleaching doesn ’ t kill coral immediately , but if temperatures remain high , eventually the coral will die , destroying a natural habitat for many species of marine life .
Tuesday ’ s study found steeper deteriorations of coral colonies in the Northern and Central Great Barrier Reef following the mass bleaching events in 2016 and 2017 .
The Great Barrier Reef has suffered several mass bleaching events in the past five years , and experts said the southern part of the reef was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
“ We used to think the Great Barrier Reef is protected by its sheer size — but our results show that even the world ’ s largest and relatively well-protected reef system is increasingly compromised and in decline , ” Hughes said .
The report authors warned that climate change is driving an uptick in the frequency of “ reef disturbances ” like marine heatwaves .
“ There is no time to lose — we must sharply decrease greenhouse gas emissions ASAP , ” the report authors warned in the paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Royal Society journal .

By Amy Woodyatt | CNN
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has lost 50% of its coral populations in the last three decades, with climate change a key driver of reef disturbance, a new study has found.
Researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, in Queensland, northeastern Australia, assessed coral communities and their colony size along the length of the Great Barrier Reef between 1995 and 2017, finding depletion of virtually all coral populations, they said Tuesday.
Coral reefs are some of the most vibrant marine ecosystems on the planet — between a quarter and one third of all marine species rely on them at some point in their life cycle.
The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef, covers nearly 133,000 square miles and is home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 411 species of hard corals and dozens of other species.
[vemba-video id=”tv/2020/09/15/camp-coral-climate-change-great-barrier-reef-c2e-spc.cnn”]
Video: The world’s toughest corals could help save dying reefs
“We found the number of small, medium and large corals on the Great Barrier Reef has declined by more than 50% since the 1990s,” reported co-author Terry Hughes, a distinguished professor at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, in a statement.
Reefs are fundamental to the health of marine ecosystems — without them, ecosystems collapse, and marine life dies.
Coral population sizes are also considered vital when it comes to the coral’s ability to breed.
“A vibrant coral population has millions of small, baby corals, as well as many large ones– the big mamas who produce most of the larvae,” said Andy Dietzel, a doctoral student at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, in a statement.
“Our results show the ability of the Great Barrier Reef to recover — its resilience — is compromised compared to the past, because there are fewer babies, and fewer large breeding adults,” he added.
Population declines occurred in both shallow and deep water coral species, experts found, but branching and table-shaped corals — which provide habitats for fish — were worst affected by mass bleaching events in 2016 and 2017, triggered by record-breaking temperatures.
Warm ocean temperatures are the main driver of coral bleaching, when corals turn white as a stress response to water that is too warm. Bleaching doesn’t kill coral immediately, but if temperatures remain high, eventually the coral will die, destroying a natural habitat for many species of marine life.
Tuesday’s study found steeper deteriorations of coral colonies in the Northern and Central Great Barrier Reef following the mass bleaching events in 2016 and 2017.
The Great Barrier Reef has suffered several mass bleaching events in the past five years, and experts said the southern part of the reef was also exposed to record-breaking temperatures in early 2020.
“We used to think the Great Barrier Reef is protected by its sheer size — but our results show that even the world’s largest and relatively well-protected reef system is increasingly compromised and in decline,” Hughes said.
The report authors warned that climate change is driving an uptick in the frequency of “reef disturbances” like marine heatwaves.
“There is no time to lose — we must sharply decrease greenhouse gas emissions ASAP,” the report authors warned in the paper, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society journal.


mercurynews--2020-10-13--Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw scratched from Game 2 start in NLCS

ARLINGTON , Texas ( AP ) — Clayton Kershaw was scratched Tuesday from his start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series due to back spasms , though manager Dave Roberts said the likelihood is very good their ace lefty will pitch in the series .
The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner initially felt spasms after a bullpen session Saturday , three days after he went six innings to win Game 2 of the National League Division Series against San Diego .
Roberts said Kershaw has felt better each day since but wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start against the Atlanta Braves .
“ Sunday , played some catch and just started to dissipate , got a little bit better .
And then yesterday , a little bit better , even more , ” Roberts said .
“ And then today just woke up and felt that it just wasn ’ t quite where he wanted to be , we wanted it to be.
” Rookie Tony Gonsolin made his major league postseason debut in Kershaw ’ s place with the Dodgers down 1-0 in the series to the Atlanta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitched in a game since Sept. 26 .
Julio Urías , a 24-year-old lefty already pitching in his fourth postseason , will start Game 3 on Wednesday .
Urías allowed one unearned run and one hit over five innings in relief to win the clinching Game 3 of the NL Division Series over San Diego last Thursday .
Kershaw played some catch on the field before Tuesday ’ s game .
Roberts would not commit to which game could be targeted for Kershaw ’ s return .
“ It ’ s kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really don ’ t want to say what ’ s the soonest , ” Roberts said .
“ I don ’ t know.
” Los Angeles announced the decision on its longtime ace about six hours before the first pitch in Arlington , Texas .
Kershaw dealt with back pain once previously during an otherwise resurgent season for the 32-year-old left-hander , a three-time NL Cy Young Award winner .
Roberts said the spasms weren ’ t related to the back tightness that forced Kershaw to miss his opening start of the regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6-2 with a 2.16 ERA in 10 starts as the Dodgers finished with the majors ’ best record .
He had 62 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings and finished second in the NL with an 0.84 WHIP , while opponents batted just .194 against him .
Kershaw has kept it up in the postseason with victories in two strong starts .
“ He ’ s been completely dominant all year .
He ’ s been an ace .
He ’ s back to his form and being totally dominant , ” May said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader and a key guy to our group .
And I just hope that he ’ s going to be able to come back.
” When Kershaw wasn ’ t ready for the opener , the 23-year-old May became the first Dodgers rookie to start on opening day since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981 .
Kershaw threw eight scoreless innings of three-hit ball and struck out a career postseason-best 13 to beat Milwaukee in the wild card round .
Kershaw picked up another win in the Division Series while allowing three runs over six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominated the Braves throughout his career , going 7-0 with a 1.49 ERA in 14 starts .
He is 2-0 in three postseason starts against Atlanta , allowing just one earned run in 21 innings .
Although Kershaw has endured playoff problems in the past , his 11 postseason victories are the most in Dodgers history .
Gonsolin earned a spot in the Dodgers ’ rotation in late August after several outstanding spot starts .
He had a 2.31 ERA in nine games during the regular season with 46 strikeouts in 46 2/3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field for the NL Rookie of the Year award .

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Clayton Kershaw was scratched Tuesday from his start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series due to back spasms, though manager Dave Roberts said the likelihood is very good their ace lefty will pitch in the series.
The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner initially felt spasms after a bullpen session Saturday, three days after he went six innings to win Game 2 of the National League Division Series against San Diego. Roberts said Kershaw has felt better each day since but wasn’t ready to make the scheduled start against the Atlanta Braves.
“Sunday, played some catch and just started to dissipate, got a little bit better. And then yesterday, a little bit better, even more,” Roberts said. “And then today just woke up and felt that it just wasn’t quite where he wanted to be, we wanted it to be.”
Rookie Tony Gonsolin made his major league postseason debut in Kershaw’s place with the Dodgers down 1-0 in the series to the Atlanta Braves. The right-hander hadn’t pitched in a game since Sept. 26.
Julio Urías, a 24-year-old lefty already pitching in his fourth postseason, will start Game 3 on Wednesday. Urías allowed one unearned run and one hit over five innings in relief to win the clinching Game 3 of the NL Division Series over San Diego last Thursday.
Kershaw played some catch on the field before Tuesday’s game. Roberts would not commit to which game could be targeted for Kershaw’s return.
“It’s kind of day to day. So I just really don’t want to say what’s the soonest,” Roberts said. “I don’t know.”
Los Angeles announced the decision on its longtime ace about six hours before the first pitch in Arlington, Texas. Kershaw dealt with back pain once previously during an otherwise resurgent season for the 32-year-old left-hander, a three-time NL Cy Young Award winner.
Roberts said the spasms weren’t related to the back tightness that forced Kershaw to miss his opening start of the regular season.
Kershaw recovered quickly and went 6-2 with a 2.16 ERA in 10 starts as the Dodgers finished with the majors’ best record. He had 62 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings and finished second in the NL with an 0.84 WHIP, while opponents batted just .194 against him. Kershaw has kept it up in the postseason with victories in two strong starts.
“He’s been completely dominant all year. He’s been an ace. He’s back to his form and being totally dominant,” May said. “He’s definitely a leader and a key guy to our group. And I just hope that he’s going to be able to come back.”
When Kershaw wasn’t ready for the opener, the 23-year-old May became the first Dodgers rookie to start on opening day since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981.
Kershaw threw eight scoreless innings of three-hit ball and struck out a career postseason-best 13 to beat Milwaukee in the wild card round. Kershaw picked up another win in the Division Series while allowing three runs over six innings against San Diego.
Kershaw has dominated the Braves throughout his career, going 7-0 with a 1.49 ERA in 14 starts. He is 2-0 in three postseason starts against Atlanta, allowing just one earned run in 21 innings.
Although Kershaw has endured playoff problems in the past, his 11 postseason victories are the most in Dodgers history.
Gonsolin earned a spot in the Dodgers’ rotation in late August after several outstanding spot starts. He had a 2.31 ERA in nine games during the regular season with 46 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings, earning consideration in the crowded field for the NL Rookie of the Year award.
___
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