mercurynews--2020-12-25--Horoscopes Dec. 25, 2020: Jimmy Buffett, it’s your turn to make a move

Happy Birthday : It ’ s your turn to make a move .
Size up what ’ s happening around you , and consider what will make you happy .
Put the past behind you , and get ready to make decisions that will change your life , direction or the way you live .
Make decisions based on your needs , and walk away from situations that cause insecurity .
Choose intelligence over brawn .
Your numbers are 7 , 12 , 18 , 23 , 34 , 40 , 44 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something you think is unsafe or might put someone you love at a disadvantage .
Be the voice of reason , and you ’ ll get the backing you need to carry out your plans and feel good about your decisions .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Keep events safe and straightforward .
Look out for those less able to do for themselves .
Use your intelligence to overcome situations that are causing uncertainty or divisiveness .
An emotional situation will turn in your favor .
Don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars GEMINI ( May 21-June 20 ) : Communication will help clear up issues of concern .
Let loved ones know how much you care .
Stick to the rules , and dismiss anyone who plans to do otherwise .
Romance is in the stars , and cozy festivities look inviting .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : You are overdue for a change .
Consider your options , and discuss your plans with those who will be affected by the decisions you make .
You ’ ll be surprised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical help offered .
4 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Emotions will spin out of control if you don ’ t share the same opinions as a friend or relative .
Be careful not to overreact or send the wrong message .
It ’ s easier and to your advantage to avoid a feud as things heat up .
2 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : You ’ ll be offered information that will change the way you think and do things as you move forward .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decision that will keep you out of harm ’ s way .
Handle a manipulative situation with care .
5 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Anger won ’ t solve problems that arise due to family dynamics .
Try to see every angle of a situation , and don ’ t pick sides .
Relax , and pay more attention to someone you love .
Avoid getting involved in other people ’ s affairs .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Uncertainty will prevail this festive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be and do what ’ s right , not what others want you to do .
A decision someone makes will change the way you feel and what you do .
Follow your heart .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Don ’ t be tricked into doing something you shouldn ’ t .
Someone will lead you astray if you don ’ t stand up for yourself .
Someone from your past will come to mind .
Make a point to reconnect via social media .
Romance is favored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 ) : You are in the driver ’ s seat .
Don ’ t waste time , and leave nothing to chance .
You are on the right path to say what ’ s on your mind and see who is with you and who isn ’ t .
Success is within reach .
5 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Don ’ t make a premature decision .
Reflect on the past , and you ’ ll come up with solutions and make better decisions .
A change someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Be patient , and concentrate on what you need to do .
2 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Your intuition won ’ t let you down , but someone close to you will .
Be careful what you say and how you treat friends and relatives .
It ’ s essential to be upfront and to look out for your interests as well as those who are vulnerable .
4 stars Birthday Baby : You are insightful , resilient and smart .
You are convincing and ambitious .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Annie Lennox, 66; CCH Pounder, 68; Sissy Spacek, 71; Jimmy Buffett, 74.
Happy Birthday: It’s your turn to make a move. Size up what’s happening around you, and consider what will make you happy. Put the past behind you, and get ready to make decisions that will change your life, direction or the way you live. Make decisions based on your needs, and walk away from situations that cause insecurity. Choose intelligence over brawn. Your numbers are 7, 12, 18, 23, 34, 40, 44.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t feel pressured to do something you think is unsafe or might put someone you love at a disadvantage. Be the voice of reason, and you’ll get the backing you need to carry out your plans and feel good about your decisions. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keep events safe and straightforward. Look out for those less able to do for themselves. Use your intelligence to overcome situations that are causing uncertainty or divisiveness. An emotional situation will turn in your favor. Don’t give up or give in. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Communication will help clear up issues of concern. Let loved ones know how much you care. Stick to the rules, and dismiss anyone who plans to do otherwise. Romance is in the stars, and cozy festivities look inviting. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): You are overdue for a change. Consider your options, and discuss your plans with those who will be affected by the decisions you make. You’ll be surprised by the support you receive and the physical help offered. 4 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Emotions will spin out of control if you don’t share the same opinions as a friend or relative. Be careful not to overreact or send the wrong message. It’s easier and to your advantage to avoid a feud as things heat up. 2 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’ll be offered information that will change the way you think and do things as you move forward. A change of plans will help you make a decision that will keep you out of harm’s way. Handle a manipulative situation with care. 5 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Anger won’t solve problems that arise due to family dynamics. Try to see every angle of a situation, and don’t pick sides. Relax, and pay more attention to someone you love. Avoid getting involved in other people’s affairs. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Uncertainty will prevail this festive season. Listen to the powers that be and do what’s right, not what others want you to do. A decision someone makes will change the way you feel and what you do. Follow your heart. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t be tricked into doing something you shouldn’t. Someone will lead you astray if you don’t stand up for yourself. Someone from your past will come to mind. Make a point to reconnect via social media. Romance is favored. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You are in the driver’s seat. Don’t waste time, and leave nothing to chance. You are on the right path to say what’s on your mind and see who is with you and who isn’t. Success is within reach. 5 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t make a premature decision. Reflect on the past, and you’ll come up with solutions and make better decisions. A change someone makes will turn out better than anticipated. Be patient, and concentrate on what you need to do. 2 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Your intuition won’t let you down, but someone close to you will. Be careful what you say and how you treat friends and relatives. It’s essential to be upfront and to look out for your interests as well as those who are vulnerable. 4 stars
Birthday Baby: You are insightful, resilient and smart. You are convincing and ambitious.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


Word Game: Dec. 25, 2020

Can you find 41 or more words in HOLIEST ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — HOLIEST (HOLIEST: HOLE-ee-est: Most sacred.)
Average mark 31 words
Time limit 40 minutes
Can you find 41 or more words in HOLIEST? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — OPTIMAL omit opal pail palm patio pilot pita plait plat plot
tail tamp toil topi iota mail malt moat moil molt alit alto atom atop lamp limp lipoma
loam
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-12-25--Ask Amy: Why do they always tell me what race people are?

Dear Amy : My parents have a habit of mentioning a person ’ s race or ethnicity whenever telling a story , even though it has absolutely nothing to do with the context and serves only to point out that the person is non-white .
For example , “ The nicest Black Boy Scout came to the door ” or “ I saw my Chinese co-worker at the store !
” or “ my Filipino neighbor told me about a great book.
” I ’ ve tried gently asking why they feel the need to share racial or ethnic characteristics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they get defensive and say I ’ m being too sensitive .
Is this a weird generational thing ( they are early 70s ) ?
They are kind people , but I feel that they are being unknowingly racist , and it makes me very uncomfortable .
Am I just being too sensitive ?
• Ask Amy : I ’ m triggered by the things they say about my mother • Ask Amy : Our teen would be mortified by what her fake grandmother did • Ask Amy : My girlfriend is getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle it • Ask Amy : 18 best books for Christmas gifts to kids and adults • Ask Amy : I think she ’ s hiding something about her friend who died Dear Wondering : Your folks are revealing their underlying perception that White people exist as the norm , necessitating a qualifying descriptor for any non-White people who might cross their path .
This is the essence of privilege , and it also reflects their world as they have experienced it over the decades .
One way to push your point a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ descriptor , and direct it back at them .
Them : “ Tom , our mechanic , said we need new snow tires.
” You : “ Oh , well , normally when you mention people I don ’ t know , you say what race they are .
Shouldn ’ t this apply to White people , too ?
I ’ m pointing this out because it ’ s something that I wish you would think about doing differently.
” After that , I think you should let it go .
Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to admit to you that they are trying to change this reflexive behavior , but you will have given them a reason to think about it .
Dear Amy : You recently published my question in your column .
I signed my question No Crystals For Me .
In my question , I told you about my frustration with my therapist , who suggested a book for me to read that was full of soul-gazing , crystals and an overall approach that I described as pseudoscience and “ woo-woo.
” It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to you .
I thought about how very often the advice given for many situations was to speak up for yourself .
That does seem to be hard for many people .
I did as you suggested and took my honest concerns to my therapist .
I asked her if the book was representative of the core of her approach to therapy , because if it was , I could not benefit from it .
Well , it turned out that the book is not important to her therapy .
We both used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussion .
By writing down my concerns , you helped me even before you answered my letter .
Thank you .
And to all those that commented that I should just immediately drop the therapist , I say , “ Y ’ all sure are impatient.
” No Crystals For Me !
Dear No Crystals : In my response , I wrote , “ Be honest !
Tell her that you are resistant to this particular approach and ask if she has a different recommendation .
She will likely ask you to talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might lead to insight.
” Based on what you say , this is what happened , proving that your therapist is skilled at using information you supply to help you .
She ’ s listening .
I appreciate that you mentioned that the very act of asking me the question helped you to arrive at the answer on your own .
This , too , is “ good therapy.
” Dear Amy : As I sit here with my Christmas cards , I think about how much these cards mean to me each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the mail is slipped into a pretty basket in our living room .
Then , on a quiet evening just before Christmas we sit down together and open them one at a time .
We enjoy them so much and consider each one a small gift from the sender , who took the time and expense to think of us .
During this pandemic year and the inability to visit so many people these “ gifts ” are especially precious .
Dear Madam : Even though my own Christmas cards routinely turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I agree that — this year , especially — these missives through the mail bring even more love than usual .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

Dear Amy: My parents have a habit of mentioning a person’s race or ethnicity whenever telling a story, even though it has absolutely nothing to do with the context and serves only to point out that the person is non-white.
For example, “The nicest Black Boy Scout came to the door” or “I saw my Chinese co-worker at the store!” or “my Filipino neighbor told me about a great book.”
I’ve tried gently asking why they feel the need to share racial or ethnic characteristics of the people they encounter, but they get defensive and say I’m being too sensitive.
Is this a weird generational thing (they are early 70s)? They are kind people, but I feel that they are being unknowingly racist, and it makes me very uncomfortable. Am I just being too sensitive?
Thoughts?
Wondering
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Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now? Advice | Ask Amy: The man I love is my grandchild’s uncle, and things have gotten messy Dear Wondering: Your folks are revealing their underlying perception that White people exist as the norm, necessitating a qualifying descriptor for any non-White people who might cross their path. This is the essence of privilege, and it also reflects their world as they have experienced it over the decades.
One way to push your point a bit might be to use their typical descriptor, and direct it back at them.
Here’s an example:
Them: “Tom, our mechanic, said we need new snow tires.”
You: “You forgot to mention Tom’s race.”
Them: “That’s because he’s White.”
You: “Oh, well, normally when you mention people I don’t know, you say what race they are. Shouldn’t this apply to White people, too? I’m pointing this out because it’s something that I wish you would think about doing differently.”
After that, I think you should let it go. Their defensiveness indicates that they aren’t going to admit to you that they are trying to change this reflexive behavior, but you will have given them a reason to think about it.
Dear Amy: You recently published my question in your column. I signed my question No Crystals For Me. In my question, I told you about my frustration with my therapist, who suggested a book for me to read that was full of soul-gazing, crystals and an overall approach that I described as pseudoscience and “woo-woo.”
It was good therapy to even write the letter to you.
I thought about how very often the advice given for many situations was to speak up for yourself. That does seem to be hard for many people.
I did as you suggested and took my honest concerns to my therapist. I asked her if the book was representative of the core of her approach to therapy, because if it was, I could not benefit from it.
Well, it turned out that the book is not important to her therapy. We both used this as an opening to a good discussion.
By writing down my concerns, you helped me even before you answered my letter. Thank you.
And to all those that commented that I should just immediately drop the therapist, I say, “Y’all sure are impatient.”
No Crystals For Me!
Dear No Crystals: In my response, I wrote, “Be honest! Tell her that you are resistant to this particular approach and ask if she has a different recommendation. She will likely ask you to talk about your reaction, and this conversation might lead to insight.”
Based on what you say, this is what happened, proving that your therapist is skilled at using information you supply to help you. She’s listening.
I appreciate that you mentioned that the very act of asking me the question helped you to arrive at the answer on your own. This, too, is “good therapy.”
Dear Amy: As I sit here with my Christmas cards, I think about how much these cards mean to me each year.
Each card that we receive in the mail is slipped into a pretty basket in our living room.
Then, on a quiet evening just before Christmas we sit down together and open them one at a time.
We enjoy them so much and consider each one a small gift from the sender, who took the time and expense to think of us.
During this pandemic year and the inability to visit so many people these “gifts” are especially precious.
Madam in Michigan
Dear Madam: Even though my own Christmas cards routinely turn into “Happy New Year” cards, I agree that — this year, especially — these missives through the mail bring even more love than usual.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-12-25--Harriette Cole: This is one year we shouldn’t be holiday pigeons

DEAR READERS : Merry Christmas !
Happy holidays !
( Belated ) happy Hanukkah !
Happy Kwanzaa !
All love to you and your families .
What a strange time we are experiencing right now .
Normally millions of Americans would be traveling to be with family and loved ones .
Between Thanksgiving and New Year ’ s Day , more people travel than at any other time of year .
This is in part because our culture has become more diverse geographically .
Our children go away to school and often stay where they were educated .
Family members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while being posted at different ports of call .
Our jobs take us to spots all over the country — and beyond .
But no matter where we live , most of us act like homing pigeons during the holidays : We make the trek home .
We long to be with our loved ones and reserve time on our calendars and dollars in our wallets to make it happen .
And then came COVID-19 .
If we are following directions today , most of us are not spending time with our families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even if most family members live in the same town , the advice is not to gather in large groups , and even when in small groups to gather wearing masks .
This is tough .
For many of us , it has been months since we have been able to be in the company of our parents , aunts , uncles , siblings , cousins and dear friends .
We ache at not being able to have that connection .
And yet , the discipline of following directions during this time may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cole : She destroyed my hair and then she disappeared • Harriette Cole : I ’ m not cleaning up her mess , and she ’ s going to be mad • Harriette Cole : I ’ m a nervous mom , and my boss ’ s new rule makes things worse • Harriette Cole : He forgets me all the time .
How about I forget his big day ?
• Harriette Cole : Will my little boy think he ’ s supposed to be gay ?
My mother is 91 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All I want to do is go to be with her , to hug her and to comfort her as she comforts me .
I can not .
My niece has a new baby whom I have only met on a videoconference .
This is far from normal .
I share this because I know you have your own stories of longing and tenderness as you think about how you will spend your holiday .
Do what you can to share your love with the people who matter most .
But also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient .
At this point , most of us have been directly touched by COVID-19 .
When someone you love falls ill or even dies from this disease , your eyes open wider and you see how real and deadly it is .
We are not invincible or immune to illness .
But we can be smart .
In this season of gratitude and generosity , let us give the gift of patience and groundedness to ourselves and one another .
Let ’ s use technology to keep connected to those we love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can give to each other is a chance at good health .
I pray that we put politics aside and embrace the science that tells us that staying distant will keep us safest .
Let us love each other such that we will live another day .
Let us thank God for the opportunity to share joy in this moment .
Let us be creative in our celebrations so that we come together , even though it ’ s from a distance .
We can do this .
We must .
God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS , an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams .
You can send questions to askharriette @ harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

DEAR READERS: Merry Christmas! Happy holidays! (Belated) happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! All love to you and your families.
What a strange time we are experiencing right now. Normally millions of Americans would be traveling to be with family and loved ones.
Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, more people travel than at any other time of year. This is in part because our culture has become more diverse geographically. Our children go away to school and often stay where they were educated. Family members join the military and travel the world while being posted at different ports of call. Our jobs take us to spots all over the country — and beyond.
But no matter where we live, most of us act like homing pigeons during the holidays: We make the trek home. We long to be with our loved ones and reserve time on our calendars and dollars in our wallets to make it happen.
And then came COVID-19. If we are following directions today, most of us are not spending time with our families the way we did last year. Even if most family members live in the same town, the advice is not to gather in large groups, and even when in small groups to gather wearing masks.
This is tough. For many of us, it has been months since we have been able to be in the company of our parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins and dear friends. We ache at not being able to have that connection. And yet, the discipline of following directions during this time may save thousands of lives.
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I share this because I know you have your own stories of longing and tenderness as you think about how you will spend your holiday. Do what you can to share your love with the people who matter most. But also remember to be smart, disciplined and patient.
At this point, most of us have been directly touched by COVID-19. When someone you love falls ill or even dies from this disease, your eyes open wider and you see how real and deadly it is. We are not invincible or immune to illness. But we can be smart. In this season of gratitude and generosity, let us give the gift of patience and groundedness to ourselves and one another. Let’s use technology to keep connected to those we love.
The greatest, most precious gift we can give to each other is a chance at good health. I pray that we put politics aside and embrace the science that tells us that staying distant will keep us safest. Let us love each other such that we will live another day. Let us thank God for the opportunity to share joy in this moment. Let us be creative in our celebrations so that we come together, even though it’s from a distance. We can do this. We must. God bless you all.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-12-25--Miss Manners: I may cut them out of my will if they won’t tell me where they live

DEAR MISS MANNERS : In a world where families live in separate parts of the country , I have a hard time keeping up with members of my own , especially nieces and nephews .
I am not on social media , but even if I were , that would not give me addresses to send birthday cards or baby gifts .
I have politely and repeatedly asked parents for details when they mention that Lily or Leo has a new house or baby .
But physical addresses or the date of a birth are difficult to come by .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer done ?
I understand that the families may be too busy to write letters to an aunt , but I enjoy sending cards and small gifts when appropriate .
I need an address to do so .
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• Miss Manners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone — and then they meet me • Miss Manners : ‘ I threw away your gift .
Now can you make me another ?
’ Miss Manners can be assured that I never have showed up on a doorstep without an invitation .
Most of these persons are listed in my estate planning , but I may need to make some concessions if they can not be located .
GENTLE READER : What a confusing threat .
Miss Manners feels certain , however , that these seemingly elusive relatives would find a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew that there would be a reward for it .
In fact , they would probably provide it now .
Forgive the obvious , but have you considered asking them ?
Yes , it is laborious and announcements would make it easier , but forging a connection by calling them is a much better way to preserve the relationship now — rather than inexplicably leaving them out of your will long after the fact .
DEAR MISS MANNERS : Could you please say something about the rudeness of asking people how much money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who sees nothing wrong with doing this .
Sometimes it ’ s done during a party he is hosting , and other times he just asks , even if there are others present .
When I ’ ve pointed out ( in private ) that this is rude , he says , “ But I want to know.
” Please expand on the personal nature of money and salaries .
He reads your column .
GENTLE READER : We are all of us curious about things that are none of our business — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were invented .
Miss Manners ’ mailbox is flooded with letters about people who think they are owed presents and financial assistance by friends and relatives who show evidence of being “ loaded.
” This rude practice does not need any assistance by asking outright .
You may therefore assure your relative that it is unequivocally impolite to ask anyone how much money they make .
Even if he really wants to know .
DEAR MISS MANNERS : As much as I love hearing from folks and/or reaching out to them , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to an end .
How does one politely bring it to a close ?
GENTLE READER : Not by saying “ I will let you go , ” although Miss Manners has noticed that is a popular one .
The sentiment is correct — acknowledging the other person ’ s time constraints , rather than your own ; it is just the phrasing that is awkward and transparent .
Instead , she suggests , “ Well , it was lovely to talk to you … ” with nothing following it , except @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even if that next time is vague .
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website , www.missmanners.com ; to her email , dearmissmanners @ gmail.com ; or through postal mail to Miss Manners , Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: In a world where families live in separate parts of the country, I have a hard time keeping up with members of my own, especially nieces and nephews.
I am not on social media, but even if I were, that would not give me addresses to send birthday cards or baby gifts.
I have politely and repeatedly asked parents for details when they mention that Lily or Leo has a new house or baby. But physical addresses or the date of a birth are difficult to come by.
Are new address notices or birth announcements no longer done? I understand that the families may be too busy to write letters to an aunt, but I enjoy sending cards and small gifts when appropriate. I need an address to do so.
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GENTLE READER: What a confusing threat. Miss Manners feels certain, however, that these seemingly elusive relatives would find a way to publish their addresses if they knew that there would be a reward for it. In fact, they would probably provide it now.
Forgive the obvious, but have you considered asking them? Yes, it is laborious and announcements would make it easier, but forging a connection by calling them is a much better way to preserve the relationship now — rather than inexplicably leaving them out of your will long after the fact.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Could you please say something about the rudeness of asking people how much money they make?
I have a relative who sees nothing wrong with doing this. Sometimes it’s done during a party he is hosting, and other times he just asks, even if there are others present. When I’ve pointed out (in private) that this is rude, he says, “But I want to know.”
Please expand on the personal nature of money and salaries. He reads your column.
GENTLE READER: We are all of us curious about things that are none of our business — that is why secrets and search engines were invented.
Miss Manners’ mailbox is flooded with letters about people who think they are owed presents and financial assistance by friends and relatives who show evidence of being “loaded.” This rude practice does not need any assistance by asking outright.
You may therefore assure your relative that it is unequivocally impolite to ask anyone how much money they make. Even if he really wants to know.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: As much as I love hearing from folks and/or reaching out to them, there comes a time when the call should come to an end. How does one politely bring it to a close?
GENTLE READER: Not by saying “I will let you go,” although Miss Manners has noticed that is a popular one. The sentiment is correct — acknowledging the other person’s time constraints, rather than your own; it is just the phrasing that is awkward and transparent.
Instead, she suggests, “Well, it was lovely to talk to you …” with nothing following it, except perhaps a plan to talk another time. Even if that next time is vague.
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-12-26--The Latest: South Korea sees surge in coronavirus cases

By The Associated Press SEOUL , South Korea — South Korea has reported another new 1,132 cases of the new coronavirus as its resurgence worsened over Christmas week , putting greater pressure on the government to enforce stricter physical distancing controls .
The figures released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Saturday brought the country ’ s caseload to 55,902 .
The country had added 1,241 cases on Christmas Day , which was its largest daily increase since the emergence of the pandemic .
Total fatalities were at 793 after more than 220 COVID-19 patients died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viral surge left hospital capacities and medical staff stretched thin .
Around 780 of the new cases were from the greater Seoul area , home to 26 million people .
Health workers discovered a large virus cluster in a huge prison where more than 500 inmates and workers have been found infected .
Transmissions in recent weeks have also been tied to hospitals , nursing homes , churches , restaurants and army units .
Government officials restored some social distancing restrictions in recent weeks after easing them to the lowest tier in October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social gatherings , shutting down ski resorts , restricting hotel occupancy and setting fines for restaurants if they accept large groups .
Officials plan to meet Sunday to determine whether to possibly shutter hundreds of thousands of nonessential businesses .
Officials have resisted such action for weeks , saying it could unleash further shock on an already weak economy .
— Curfews , quarantines and even border closings complicated Christmas celebrations , but ingenuity and determination helped many keep the day special — Canceled and scaled-back holiday magnifies the solitude for the elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus concerns — President Donald Trump spent Christmas golfing in Florida after refusing to sign bills to fund the government and to provide millions of Americans with COVID relief checks — China ’ s vaccines are poised to fill a gap for poorer countries , but past scandals and secrecy raise doubts about effectiveness — British soldiers worked to clear the backlog of truck drivers stranded after France ’ s brief border closure over virus variant HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : PARIS — French health authorities have confirmed the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variant that prompted strict new lockdown measures in Britain and global travel restrictions .
A French man living in England arrived in France on Dec. 19 and tested positive for the new variant Friday , the French public health agency said in a statement .
He had no symptoms and was isolating in his home in the central city of Tours .
Authorities were tracing the person ’ s contacts and laboratories were analyzing tests from several other people who may have the new variant , the statement said .
Some other European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new variant , which British authorities said appears more contagious and was spreading fast .
The British announcement Dec. 19 prompted countries around the world to suspend flights from the U.K. , and France banned all passengers and cargo from Britain for two days , causing massive traffic problems around the British port of Dover .
France reopened the border but now requires anyone entering from Britain to have a test showing they do not have the new variant .
A second partial lockdown sharply curbed France ’ s infections , but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past two weeks .
France has among the world ’ s highest virus death tolls .
DALLAS — Coronavirus hospitalizations in Texas on Friday approached a peak equaling the summer ’ s surge even as health officials warned that holiday gatherings and travel are likely to further spread the virus and pressure health care services .
The state health department reported 10,868 patients hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state on Christmas , less than 30 behind the record high set in July .
Intensive care units in several parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the Texas Department of State Health Services .
Texas on Friday reported 200 more death from COVID-19 .
There were 3,123 newly confirmed cases of the virus and another 973 probable cases , according to the health department .
ATHENS — The first vaccines against the coronavirus have arrived in Greece .
The first 9,750 doses arrived overland , crossing from the Bulgarian border in the north Friday evening , with the van carrying them escorted by six police cars , a video taken at the border shows .
Vaccinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with health personnel and elderly residents of nursing homes .
Greece ’ s president , prime minister and a total of 42 government , military and police officials deemed essential to the functioning of the state , as well as opposition leaders , will also be vaccinated in the first days .
Health authorities announced Friday 617 new infections over the past 24 hours , alongside 50 deaths .
The numbers are lower than recent trends , but authorities are still vigilant against a possible spread during the holiday season .
Five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday afternoon to keep people from congregating in the capital ’ s festively decorated central squares and avenues .
A nightly curfew at 10 p.m. is still in effect across the country .
ROME — For a fourth straight day , Italy ’ s daily new caseload of confirmed coronavirus infections has climbed higher .
Adding 19,037 COVID-19 cases on Friday , the nation raised its overall tally of confirmed infections in the pandemic to 2,028,354 .
The figures from the Health Ministry on Christmas Day included 459 deaths registered since Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead in Italy to 71,359 .
As it has had most recently , the northeast Veneto region reported the highest daily caseload , with just over 5,000 confirmed infections registered on Friday .
That ’ s nearly double the day ’ s caseload in neighboring Lombardy , the populous region which has suffered the most deaths and has had the most COVID-19 cases since Italy ’ s first native case emerged in February .
TOKYO — Japan ’ s health ministry has confirmed the country ’ s first cases of infection with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified in Britain .
The five people arrived between Dec. 18 and Dec. 21 , before Japan stepped up border control on Friday for entrants from Britain .
A man in his 60s developed fatigue , but the other four were without symptoms .
Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said the five were sent to quarantine straight from the airports .
After they tested positive for the virus , further analysis conducted at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases determined they had the British variant that is 70 % more transmissible , the ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , head of a government taskforce , called for tighter border control to prevent new variants .
MOSCOW — Russian authorities have ordered those arriving from the U.K. to quarantine for two weeks .
Earlier this week , Russia suspended direct flights from the U.K. after a variant of the coronavirus that is 70 % more transmissible has spread across London and parts of England .
The order from the Rospotrebnadzor sanitary safety agency posted Friday on the portal of official information obliges all those traveling from the U.K. to remain in isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
The measure is effective starting Saturday .
Dozens of countries have barred flights from the U.K. or announced travel restrictions .
The United States will require airline passengers from Britain to get a negative COVID-19 test before their flight starting Monday .
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has made a passionate appeal to nations to ensure COVID-19 vaccines for all .
In his Christmas Day message on Friday , he urged that the vulnerable and the needy be first in line .
Francis said the laws of the markets and patents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws of love and health of humanity ” and he called on leaders of nations , international organizations and businesses to “ promote cooperation , not competition ” in the distribution of the vaccines .
ATLANTA — The United States will require airline passengers from Britain to get a negative COVID-19 test before their flight .
The U.S. is the latest country to announce new travel restrictions because of a new variant of the coronavirus that is spreading in Britain .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says airline passengers from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 tests within three days of their trip and provide the results to the airline .
The agency says the order will be signed Friday and go into effect on Monday .
The CDC says because of travel restrictions in place since March , air travel to the U.S. from the U.K. has been cut by 90 % .
Last weekend , Britain ’ s prime minister said a new variant of the coronavirus seemed to spread more easily than earlier ones and was moving rapidly through England .
Dozens of countries have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Authorities in China ’ s northeastern port city of Dalian are testing millions of residents after seven new coronavirus cases were reported there in the last 24 hours .
The cluster that has emerged in recent days has grown to 12 cases .
In five neighborhood divisions , authorities have shut schools and public spaces and are restricting anyone but essential workers from leaving their residential compounds .
Beijing is also on high alert after two asymptomatic cases were reported Thursday , in addition to two confirmed cases last week .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and workplace of one of the asymptomatic cases , a restaurant employee who worked handling cold chain .
SEOUL , South Korea — Christmas Day has brought South Korea its biggest daily increase in coronavirus infections of the pandemic as officials urged for citizen vigilance to help curb a viral surge that has worsened hospitalization and deaths .
The 1,241 new confirmed cases reported Friday raised the country ’ s total to 54,770 .
Officials said 17 more people had died from COVID-19 in the previous 24 hours , bringing the death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanding its mass testing program to slow the rate of transmissions and more than 118,000 tests were conducted Thursday alone .
Officials are also clamping down on private social gatherings through Jan. 3 , shutting down national parks and ski resorts and setting fines for restaurants if they serve groups of five people or more .
RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has used his Christmas message to cast more doubt on a coronavirus vaccine purchased by one of the country ’ s states from the Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Sinovac .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , Bolsonaro said “ the efficacy of that vaccine of Sao Paulo seems to be very low , ” though he gave nothing specific .
Sao Paulo health authorities have not presented complete trial results a week after announcing that there were encouraging phase three studies on the shot ’ s effectiveness .
Brazil so far has no agreements to import vaccine made by American companies Pfizer or Moderna , which have been approved by U.S. and other nations .
It has a deal to secure up to 100 million doses of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NEW YORK — The number of passengers screened for flights in the U.S. topped nearly 1.2 million Wednesday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic outbreak , but it ’ s still about 38.5 % below the same Wednesday last year , by far the smallest percentage decline since March .
The Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday ’ s tally of 1.19 million was the most since mid-March .
On the same weekday a year ago , 1.94 million passengers were screened .
However , that was Christmas 2019 when travel was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early April after the pandemic broadsided the U.S. economy , fewer than 100,000 people were screened to board planes .
The bump comes as the CDC warns that holiday travel may increase one ’ s chances of getting and spreading the virus .
It recommends staying home and postponing travel as the best way to protect oneself from COVID-19 .
JERUSALEM — The Israeli government says it will impose its third nationwide lockdown on Sunday to halt the spread of the coronavirus .
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’ s Cabinet approved the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include the shutdown of most nonessential businesses , limitations on gatherings and movement from people ’ s homes and reduced public transit .
But classes for high school , kindergartens and some grade school students will continue .
Israel , a country of 9 million people , started rolling out coronavirus vaccinations this week and has already inoculated over 140,000 people , according to the health ministry .
Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel aims to increase vaccinations to 100,000 people per day by next week .
Israel has recorded over 385,000 cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
But the infection rate has shot up in recent weeks after the government started easing restrictions put in place in September .

By The Associated Press
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has reported another new 1,132 cases of the new coronavirus as its resurgence worsened over Christmas week, putting greater pressure on the government to enforce stricter physical distancing controls.
The figures released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Saturday brought the country’s caseload to 55,902. The country had added 1,241 cases on Christmas Day, which was its largest daily increase since the emergence of the pandemic. Total fatalities were at 793 after more than 220 COVID-19 patients died in the past 15 days alone as the viral surge left hospital capacities and medical staff stretched thin.
Around 780 of the new cases were from the greater Seoul area, home to 26 million people. Health workers discovered a large virus cluster in a huge prison where more than 500 inmates and workers have been found infected. Transmissions in recent weeks have also been tied to hospitals, nursing homes, churches, restaurants and army units.
Government officials restored some social distancing restrictions in recent weeks after easing them to the lowest tier in October and are now clamping down on private social gatherings, shutting down ski resorts, restricting hotel occupancy and setting fines for restaurants if they accept large groups.
Officials plan to meet Sunday to determine whether to possibly shutter hundreds of thousands of nonessential businesses. Officials have resisted such action for weeks, saying it could unleash further shock on an already weak economy.
___
THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
— Curfews, quarantines and even border closings complicated Christmas celebrations, but ingenuity and determination helped many keep the day special
— Canceled and scaled-back holiday magnifies the solitude for the elderly isolated from their families, friends by virus concerns
— President Donald Trump spent Christmas golfing in Florida after refusing to sign bills to fund the government and to provide millions of Americans with COVID relief checks
— China’s vaccines are poised to fill a gap for poorer countries, but past scandals and secrecy raise doubts about effectiveness
— British soldiers worked to clear the backlog of truck drivers stranded after France’s brief border closure over virus variant
— Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic, https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
___
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
PARIS — French health authorities have confirmed the country’s first case of the virus variant that prompted strict new lockdown measures in Britain and global travel restrictions.
A French man living in England arrived in France on Dec. 19 and tested positive for the new variant Friday, the French public health agency said in a statement. He had no symptoms and was isolating in his home in the central city of Tours.
Authorities were tracing the person’s contacts and laboratories were analyzing tests from several other people who may have the new variant, the statement said.
Some other European countries have also reported cases of the new variant, which British authorities said appears more contagious and was spreading fast. The British announcement Dec. 19 prompted countries around the world to suspend flights from the U.K., and France banned all passengers and cargo from Britain for two days, causing massive traffic problems around the British port of Dover.
France reopened the border but now requires anyone entering from Britain to have a test showing they do not have the new variant.
A second partial lockdown sharply curbed France’s infections, but they have been again on the rise over the past two weeks. France has among the world’s highest virus death tolls.
___
DALLAS — Coronavirus hospitalizations in Texas on Friday approached a peak equaling the summer’s surge even as health officials warned that holiday gatherings and travel are likely to further spread the virus and pressure health care services.
The state health department reported 10,868 patients hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state on Christmas, less than 30 behind the record high set in July. Intensive care units in several parts of Texas were full or nearly full, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Texas on Friday reported 200 more death from COVID-19. There were 3,123 newly confirmed cases of the virus and another 973 probable cases, according to the health department.
___
ATHENS — The first vaccines against the coronavirus have arrived in Greece.
The first 9,750 doses arrived overland, crossing from the Bulgarian border in the north Friday evening, with the van carrying them escorted by six police cars, a video taken at the border shows.
Vaccinations will begin at five Athens hospitals Sunday, with health personnel and elderly residents of nursing homes.
Greece’s president, prime minister and a total of 42 government, military and police officials deemed essential to the functioning of the state, as well as opposition leaders, will also be vaccinated in the first days.
Health authorities announced Friday 617 new infections over the past 24 hours, alongside 50 deaths.
The numbers are lower than recent trends, but authorities are still vigilant against a possible spread during the holiday season.
Five subway stations in central Athens were closed Friday afternoon to keep people from congregating in the capital’s festively decorated central squares and avenues. A nightly curfew at 10 p.m. is still in effect across the country.
___
ROME — For a fourth straight day, Italy’s daily new caseload of confirmed coronavirus infections has climbed higher.
Adding 19,037 COVID-19 cases on Friday, the nation raised its overall tally of confirmed infections in the pandemic to 2,028,354.
The figures from the Health Ministry on Christmas Day included 459 deaths registered since Thursday. That brings the number of known pandemic dead in Italy to 71,359.
As it has had most recently, the northeast Veneto region reported the highest daily caseload, with just over 5,000 confirmed infections registered on Friday.
That’s nearly double the day’s caseload in neighboring Lombardy, the populous region which has suffered the most deaths and has had the most COVID-19 cases since Italy’s first native case emerged in February.
___
TOKYO — Japan’s health ministry has confirmed the country’s first cases of infection with the new variant of the coronavirus that was identified in Britain.
The five people arrived between Dec. 18 and Dec. 21, before Japan stepped up border control on Friday for entrants from Britain. A man in his 60s developed fatigue, but the other four were without symptoms.
Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said the five were sent to quarantine straight from the airports.
After they tested positive for the virus, further analysis conducted at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases determined they had the British variant that is 70% more transmissible, the ministry said in a statement.
Shigeru Omi, head of a government taskforce, called for tighter border control to prevent new variants.
___
MOSCOW — Russian authorities have ordered those arriving from the U.K. to quarantine for two weeks.
Earlier this week, Russia suspended direct flights from the U.K. after a variant of the coronavirus that is 70% more transmissible has spread across London and parts of England.
The order from the Rospotrebnadzor sanitary safety agency posted Friday on the portal of official information obliges all those traveling from the U.K. to remain in isolation for 14 days after their arrival in Russia. The measure is effective starting Saturday.
Dozens of countries have barred flights from the U.K. or announced travel restrictions. The United States will require airline passengers from Britain to get a negative COVID-19 test before their flight starting Monday.
___
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has made a passionate appeal to nations to ensure COVID-19 vaccines for all.
In his Christmas Day message on Friday, he urged that the vulnerable and the needy be first in line. Francis said the laws of the markets and patents can’t come before the “laws of love and health of humanity” and he called on leaders of nations, international organizations and businesses to “promote cooperation, not competition” in the distribution of the vaccines.
___
ATLANTA — The United States will require airline passengers from Britain to get a negative COVID-19 test before their flight.
The U.S. is the latest country to announce new travel restrictions because of a new variant of the coronavirus that is spreading in Britain.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says airline passengers from the United Kingdom will have to get negative COVID-19 tests within three days of their trip and provide the results to the airline. The agency says the order will be signed Friday and go into effect on Monday.
The CDC says because of travel restrictions in place since March, air travel to the U.S. from the U.K. has been cut by 90%.
Last weekend, Britain’s prime minister said a new variant of the coronavirus seemed to spread more easily than earlier ones and was moving rapidly through England. Dozens of countries have since barred flights from the U.K.
___
BEIJING — Authorities in China’s northeastern port city of Dalian are testing millions of residents after seven new coronavirus cases were reported there in the last 24 hours.
The cluster that has emerged in recent days has grown to 12 cases. In five neighborhood divisions, authorities have shut schools and public spaces and are restricting anyone but essential workers from leaving their residential compounds.
Beijing is also on high alert after two asymptomatic cases were reported Thursday, in addition to two confirmed cases last week.
The city began mass testing in the neighborhood and workplace of one of the asymptomatic cases, a restaurant employee who worked handling cold chain.
___
SEOUL, South Korea — Christmas Day has brought South Korea its biggest daily increase in coronavirus infections of the pandemic as officials urged for citizen vigilance to help curb a viral surge that has worsened hospitalization and deaths.
The 1,241 new confirmed cases reported Friday raised the country’s total to 54,770. Officials said 17 more people had died from COVID-19 in the previous 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 773.
The country has been expanding its mass testing program to slow the rate of transmissions and more than 118,000 tests were conducted Thursday alone. Officials are also clamping down on private social gatherings through Jan. 3, shutting down national parks and ski resorts and setting fines for restaurants if they serve groups of five people or more.
___
RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has used his Christmas message to cast more doubt on a coronavirus vaccine purchased by one of the country’s states from the Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Sinovac.
In his live broadcast on social media Thursday, Bolsonaro said “the efficacy of that vaccine of Sao Paulo seems to be very low,” though he gave nothing specific.
Sao Paulo health authorities have not presented complete trial results a week after announcing that there were encouraging phase three studies on the shot’s effectiveness.
Brazil so far has no agreements to import vaccine made by American companies Pfizer or Moderna, which have been approved by U.S. and other nations. It has a deal to secure up to 100 million doses of the potential vaccine produced by AstraZeneca.
___
NEW YORK — The number of passengers screened for flights in the U.S. topped nearly 1.2 million Wednesday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic outbreak, but it’s still about 38.5% below the same Wednesday last year, by far the smallest percentage decline since March.
The Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday’s tally of 1.19 million was the most since mid-March.
It’s the third straight daily gain.
On the same weekday a year ago, 1.94 million passengers were screened. However, that was Christmas 2019 when travel was lighter than normal. On several days in early April after the pandemic broadsided the U.S. economy, fewer than 100,000 people were screened to board planes.
The bump comes as the CDC warns that holiday travel may increase one’s chances of getting and spreading the virus. It recommends staying home and postponing travel as the best way to protect oneself from COVID-19.
___
JERUSALEM — The Israeli government says it will impose its third nationwide lockdown on Sunday to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet approved the movement restrictions for two weeks. They include the shutdown of most nonessential businesses, limitations on gatherings and movement from people’s homes and reduced public transit. But classes for high school, kindergartens and some grade school students will continue.
Israel, a country of 9 million people, started rolling out coronavirus vaccinations this week and has already inoculated over 140,000 people, according to the health ministry. Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel aims to increase vaccinations to 100,000 people per day by next week.
Israel has recorded over 385,000 cases of the coronavirus since March, and 3,150 deaths. But the infection rate has shot up in recent weeks after the government started easing restrictions put in place in September.


mercurynews--2020-12-26--Rocket-propelled grenade launcher found in Honda abandoned in California

An anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher was found in a car abandoned in Grand Terrace after the vehicle was struck by @ @ @ @ @ .
The grenade launcher was sitting in plain view on the back seat of a @ @ @ @ @ Sheriff ’ s deputies arrived at the scene of a single-vehicle accident near Glendora Drive @ @ @ @ @ at around 12:30 a.m. , the department said in a news release .
The driver @ @ @ @ @ but officers found the vehicle ’ s rear window had been shattered by a bullet @ @ @ @ @ , which then struck the inside windshield and landed on the dashboard .
Deputies also @ @ @ @ @ between the driver and passenger side of the car .
The vehicle is registered to @ @ @ @ @ on parole for assault with an automatic weapon , according to authorities .
It was @ @ @ @ @ contacted him or if he was the driver at the time of the incident .
@ @ @ @ @ the sheriff department ’ s Central Station at ( 909 ) 387-3545 .

An anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher was found in a car abandoned in Grand Terrace after the vehicle was struck by a bullet, authorities say.
The grenade launcher was sitting in plain view on the back seat of a Honda when San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene of a single-vehicle accident near Glendora Drive and Barton Road on Friday at around 12:30 a.m., the department said in a news release.
The driver had fled on foot, but officers found the vehicle’s rear window had been shattered by a bullet entering through the passenger side, which then struck the inside windshield and landed on the dashboard. Deputies also found a trace of blood between the driver and passenger side of the car.
The vehicle is registered to a Colton resident who is on parole for assault with an automatic weapon, according to authorities. It was not clear if investigators have contacted him or if he was the driver at the time of the incident.
Anyone with information can contact the sheriff department’s Central Station at (909) 387-3545.


mercurynews--2020-12-26--Downtown Nashville explosion knocks communications offline, possible human remains found

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) — A recreational vehicle parked in the deserted streets of downtown Nashville exploded early Christmas morning , causing widespread communications outages that took down police emergency systems and grounded holiday travel at the city ’ s airport .
Police were responding to a report of shots fired Friday when they encountered the RV blaring a recorded warning that a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes , Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake said .
Police evacuated nearby buildings and called in the bomb squad .
The RV exploded shortly afterward , Drake said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our community was intended to create chaos and fear in this season of peace and hope .
But Nashvillians have proven time and time again that the spirit of our city can not be broken , ” Mayor John Cooper said at a news conference after issuing a curfew for the area .
Police believe the blast was intentional but don ’ t yet know a motive or target , and Drake noted that officials had not received any threats before the explosion .
The chief said investigators at the scene “ have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains , but we ’ ll have that examined and let you know at that time.
” Police could not say whether it potentially came from someone inside the RV .
Three people taken to area hospitals for treatment were in stable condition Friday evening , Cooper said .
Surveillance video published on a Twitter account Friday that appeared to be across the street from the blast captured the warning issuing from the RV , “ … if you can hear this message , evacuate now , ” seconds before the explosion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ billowing from the heart of downtown Nashville ’ s tourist scene , an area packed with honky-tonks , restaurants and shops .
Buildings shook and windows shattered streets away from the explosion near a building owned by AT & T that lies one block from the company ’ s office tower , a landmark in downtown .
“ We do not know if that was a coincidence , or if that was the intention , ” police spokesman Don Aaron said .
He said earlier that some people were taken to the department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to give details .
AT & T said the affected building is the central office of a telephone exchange , with network equipment in it .
The blast interrupted service , but the company declined to say how widespread outages were .
The AT & T outages site showed service issues in middle Tennessee and Kentucky .
Several police agencies reported that their 911 systems were down because of the outage , including Knox County , home to Knoxville about 180 miles ( 290 kilometers ) east of Nashville .
AT & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portable cell sites and was working with law enforcement to get access to make repairs to its equipment .
The company noted that “ power is essential to restoring ” service .
The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily halted flights out of Nashville International Airport because of telecommunications issues associated with the explosion .
The FBI will be taking the lead in the investigation , agency spokesman Joel Siskovic said .
Federal investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives were also on the scene .
The FBI is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal crimes , such as explosives violations and acts of terrorism .
A Philadelphia man staying in a nearby hotel said that when he heard the blast , he was knew it wasn ’ t harmless .
“ We tried to rationalize it that it was an earthquake or something , but it was obvious it wasn ’ t an earthquake , ” Joseph Fafara said .
When he went to look at the damage , police barricades had already been put in place .
Buck McCoy , who lives near the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water pouring down the ceiling of his home .
Alarms blare in the background along with cries of people in distress .
A fire is visible in the street outside .
McCoy said he heard gunfire 15 minutes before the explosion rocked his building , set cars in the street on fire and blew trees apart .
“ All my windows , every single one of them got blown into the next room .
If I had been standing there it would have been horrible , ” he said .
“ It felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big , ” he told The Associated Press .
President Donald Trump has been briefed , according to White House spokesperson Judd Deere .
The U.S. Justice Department said Acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen was also briefed and directed all department resources be made available to help with the investigation .
Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee said on Twitter that the state would provide the resources necessary “ to determine what happened and who was responsible.
” The American Red Cross of Tennessee announced that it was working with officials to open a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thalia Beaty in New York contributed .
Balsamo and Tucker reported from Washington .

By KIMBERLEE KRUESI, MICHAEL BALSAMO and ERIC TUCKER
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A recreational vehicle parked in the deserted streets of downtown Nashville exploded early Christmas morning, causing widespread communications outages that took down police emergency systems and grounded holiday travel at the city’s airport.
Police were responding to a report of shots fired Friday when they encountered the RV blaring a recorded warning that a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes, Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake said. Police evacuated nearby buildings and called in the bomb squad. The RV exploded shortly afterward, Drake said.
“This morning’s attack on our community was intended to create chaos and fear in this season of peace and hope. But Nashvillians have proven time and time again that the spirit of our city cannot be broken,” Mayor John Cooper said at a news conference after issuing a curfew for the area.
Police believe the blast was intentional but don’t yet know a motive or target, and Drake noted that officials had not received any threats before the explosion.
The chief said investigators at the scene “have found tissue that we believe could be remains, but we’ll have that examined and let you know at that time.” Police could not say whether it potentially came from someone inside the RV.
Three people taken to area hospitals for treatment were in stable condition Friday evening, Cooper said.
Surveillance video published on a Twitter account Friday that appeared to be across the street from the blast captured the warning issuing from the RV, “… if you can hear this message, evacuate now,” seconds before the explosion.
The blast sent black smoke and flames billowing from the heart of downtown Nashville’s tourist scene, an area packed with honky-tonks, restaurants and shops. Buildings shook and windows shattered streets away from the explosion near a building owned by AT&T that lies one block from the company’s office tower, a landmark in downtown.
“We do not know if that was a coincidence, or if that was the intention,” police spokesman Don Aaron said. He said earlier that some people were taken to the department’s central precinct for questioning but declined to give details.
AT&T said the affected building is the central office of a telephone exchange, with network equipment in it. The blast interrupted service, but the company declined to say how widespread outages were.
The AT&T outages site showed service issues in middle Tennessee and Kentucky. Several police agencies reported that their 911 systems were down because of the outage, including Knox County, home to Knoxville about 180 miles (290 kilometers) east of Nashville.
AT&T said that it was bringing in portable cell sites and was working with law enforcement to get access to make repairs to its equipment. The company noted that “power is essential to restoring” service.
The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily halted flights out of Nashville International Airport because of telecommunications issues associated with the explosion. Later Friday, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority said most flights were resuming but advised passengers to check with their airline for updates due to possible delays.
The FBI will be taking the lead in the investigation, agency spokesman Joel Siskovic said. Federal investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also on the scene. The FBI is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for investigating federal crimes, such as explosives violations and acts of terrorism.
A Philadelphia man staying in a nearby hotel said that when he heard the blast, he was knew it wasn’t harmless.
“We tried to rationalize it that it was an earthquake or something, but it was obvious it wasn’t an earthquake,” Joseph Fafara said.
When he went to look at the damage, police barricades had already been put in place.
Buck McCoy, who lives near the area, posted videos on Facebook that show water pouring down the ceiling of his home. Alarms blare in the background along with cries of people in distress. A fire is visible in the street outside.
McCoy said he heard gunfire 15 minutes before the explosion rocked his building, set cars in the street on fire and blew trees apart.
“All my windows, every single one of them got blown into the next room. If I had been standing there it would have been horrible,” he said.
“It felt like a bomb. It was that big,” he told The Associated Press.
President Donald Trump has been briefed, according to White House spokesperson Judd Deere. The U.S. Justice Department said Acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen was also briefed and directed all department resources be made available to help with the investigation.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said on Twitter that the state would provide the resources necessary “to determine what happened and who was responsible.”
The American Red Cross of Tennessee announced that it was working with officials to open a shelter for victims.
___
Associated Press writer Thalia Beaty in New York contributed. Balsamo and Tucker reported from Washington.


mercurynews--2020-12-25--Kurtenbach: James Wiseman is the Warriors’ future — he might need to be their present, too

The Warriors could have used two more Wisemans in their Christmas Day loss to the Milwaukee Bucks .
Without Klay Thompson for the season and without Draymond Green for the first two games , the Warriors have been looking for a No .
2 scoring option to Stephen Curry .
They might have found it in the No .
2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft , James Wiseman .
And while that ’ s a compliment to the Warriors ’ rookie , it ’ s not a good thing for the Dubs , overall .
The start to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to folks with gold-tinted glasses .
Golden State still fancied itself a contender , even without Thompson .
But against arguably the two best teams in the Eastern Conference , they have lost by 26 and 39 points .
Yes , it ’ s early , but does that strike you as something a contender would do ?
• Takeaways : Warriors know where they stand after Christmas Day loss to Bucks • K.C .
Jones dies at 88 ; cog in Boston Celtics dynasty first won at the University of San Francisco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilt Chamberlain up next on Warriors ’ all-time scoring list • What it ’ s like playing alongside both Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo If the Warriors are going to reach that level , they have much longer to go than anyone — even the most ardent Dubs pessimist — initially thought .
Of course , things will change for the better when Green ’ s defensive genius and offensive playmaking ability enters the equation in the coming days .
But will Green unlock Andrew Wiggins , who looks uncomfortable playing on Steph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s kind of an important role . )
Wiggins shot 6 for 18 Friday Will he help Kelly Oubre — the Warriors ’ only other viable two-way starter — make an open outside shot while also helping him avoid tying to take mid-range shots over three defenders ?
Oubre made one of 10 shots Friday .
He has made four out of 24 through two games and missed all 11 of his three-pointers .
Wiggins was 6 for 18 Friday .
He is 10 for 34 overall and has missed eight of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope , and there will be some natural regression to the mean ( which is a good thing for Golden State ) , but that ’ s still a big ask .
And the longer these struggles go on — the more the Warriors look disjointed at best and feeble at their worst — the greater the impetus will be for Golden State to go with what is working .
The big man out of Memphis was one of the few bright spots for the Warriors in their season-opening blowout loss to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could make the argument he was the only bright spot .
The same argument could probably be made for Friday ’ s game , too .
His performance in his second NBA game wasn ’ t perfect , but it was impressive : 18 points , eight rebounds , three blocks , and three made 3-pointers on four attempts .
( He had 19 points and six rebounds Tuesday night , and made the only 3 he took . )
The 19-year-old is playing like he doesn ’ t know he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s not polished — far from it – but his athletic ability has stood up to any player on the court in his first two games , despite going up against Kevin Durant , Kyrie Irving , and Giannis Antetokounmpo .
Wiseman looks the part and isn ’ t afraid to fail in the venture to make things happen .
The Warriors also keep calling Wiseman a sponge .
They say the kid — born in 2001 , in case you wanted to feel old today — wants to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that not being lip service .
There were game situations he didn ’ t recognize in his debut that he was able to spot in game No .
2 , including a defensive possession where he made a great block from the weak side .
But the Warriors need to start soaking up more of what he ’ s providing them .
• Kurtenbach : An over-reliance on Steph Curry portends bad things for Warriors • Kurtenbach : Will Kevin Durant ’ s showdown with Warriors bring closure to that glorious and tense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorite bets for the 2021 NBA season • Kurtenbach : 10 reasons the Warriors will be thrilling , whether they ’ re contenders or not • Kurtenbach : The biggest thing we learned about the Warriors in the preseason There ’ s already been some adaptation from Warriors head coach Steve Kerr .
Golden State ran far more pick-and-roll with Wiseman and Curry on Friday than it did Tuesday night .
And those plays created , far and away , the team ’ s best offensive looks .
But those kinds of direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the outside , are borderline antithetical to the way the Warriors want to play , where four guys are in constant motion around the ball .
It ’ s just two games , so it ’ d be ridiculous to abandon the ideal just yet — especially without Green in the mix .
But if Wiggins and Oubre , the Warriors ’ top choices as No .
2 scorer , don ’ t start showing progress in those offensive sets , the Warriors might have to change up those ideals to better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s up for the gig :

The Warriors could have used two more Wisemans in their Christmas Day loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Without Klay Thompson for the season and without Draymond Green for the first two games, the Warriors have been looking for a No. 2 scoring option to Stephen Curry.
They might have found it in the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, James Wiseman. And while that’s a compliment to the Warriors’ rookie, it’s not a good thing for the Dubs, overall.
The start to this season has been concerning, even to folks with gold-tinted glasses. Golden State still fancied itself a contender, even without Thompson. But against arguably the two best teams in the Eastern Conference, they have lost by 26 and 39 points.
Yes, it’s early, but does that strike you as something a contender would do?
If the Warriors are going to reach that level, they have much longer to go than anyone — even the most ardent Dubs pessimist — initially thought.
Of course, things will change for the better when Green’s defensive genius and offensive playmaking ability enters the equation in the coming days.
But will Green unlock Andrew Wiggins, who looks uncomfortable playing on Steph Curry’s wing? (That’s kind of an important role.) Wiggins shot 6 for 18 Friday
Will he help Kelly Oubre — the Warriors’ only other viable two-way starter — make an open outside shot while also helping him avoid tying to take mid-range shots over three defenders?
Oubre made one of 10 shots Friday. He has made four out of 24 through two games and missed all 11 of his three-pointers. Wiggins was 6 for 18 Friday. He is 10 for 34 overall and has missed eight of his 10 three-pointers.
The Warriors can hope, and there will be some natural regression to the mean (which is a good thing for Golden State), but that’s still a big ask.
And the longer these struggles go on — the more the Warriors look disjointed at best and feeble at their worst — the greater the impetus will be for Golden State to go with what is working.
And that’s Wiseman.
The big man out of Memphis was one of the few bright spots for the Warriors in their season-opening blowout loss to the Nets on Tuesday. Actually, you could make the argument he was the only bright spot.
The same argument could probably be made for Friday’s game, too.
His performance in his second NBA game wasn’t perfect, but it was impressive: 18 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and three made 3-pointers on four attempts. (He had 19 points and six rebounds Tuesday night, and made the only 3 he took.)
The 19-year-old is playing like he doesn’t know he’s supposed to be struggling against these pros. He’s not polished — far from it – but his athletic ability has stood up to any player on the court in his first two games, despite going up against Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Wiseman looks the part and isn’t afraid to fail in the venture to make things happen.
The Warriors also keep calling Wiseman a sponge. They say the kid — born in 2001, in case you wanted to feel old today — wants to be coached. There’s credence to that not being lip service. There were game situations he didn’t recognize in his debut that he was able to spot in game No. 2, including a defensive possession where he made a great block from the weak side.
But the Warriors need to start soaking up more of what he’s providing them.
There’s already been some adaptation from Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. Golden State ran far more pick-and-roll with Wiseman and Curry on Friday than it did Tuesday night. And those plays created, far and away, the team’s best offensive looks.
But those kinds of direct plays, where three wings hang around on the outside, are borderline antithetical to the way the Warriors want to play, where four guys are in constant motion around the ball.
It’s just two games, so it’d be ridiculous to abandon the ideal just yet — especially without Green in the mix. But if Wiggins and Oubre, the Warriors’ top choices as No. 2 scorer, don’t start showing progress in those offensive sets, the Warriors might have to change up those ideals to better fit the one guy who seems like he’s up for the gig:
The kid.


mercurynews--2020-12-25--Black doctor dies of COVID after racist treatment complaints

INDIANAPOLIS ( AP ) — A Black doctor who died battling COVID-19 complained of racist medical care in widely shared social media posts days before her death , prompting an Indiana hospital system to promise a “ full external review ” into her treatment .
Dr. Susan Moore , 52 , tested positive for COVID-19 late last month and was admitted to IU Health North Hospital in Carmel , Indiana , according to a Facebook post .
Acutely aware of her condition and medical procedures , the physician said had to repeatedly ask for medication , scans and routine checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Indiana .
She noted a white doctor in particular who seemingly dismissed her pain and said she didn ’ t trust the hospital .
“ I put forth and maintain , if I was white , I wouldn ’ t have to go through that , ” she says in a Dec. 4 video , her voice often cracking .
“ This is how Black people get killed , when you send them home , and they don ’ t know how to fight for themselves.
” She was released from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Dec. 7 , but was again hospitalized 12 hours later when her temperature spiked and her blood pressure dropped , according to her post .
She was taken to a different hospital , Ascencion St. Vincent in Carmel , and said she was experiencing better care .
Still , her condition worsened and she was put on a ventilator .
She died Dec. 20 , her 19-year-old son Henry Muhammad told news outlets .
A listed number for Muhammad could not be located Friday .
Messages left by The Associated Press for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned Friday .
The coronavirus has disproportionately affected Black people , who suffer from higher rates of obesity , diabetes and asthma , making them more susceptible to the virus .
Black Americans are also more vulnerable because of systemic racism , inequity in health care access and economic opportunity .
Many Black Americans also report that medical professionals take their ailments less seriously when they seek treatment .
Moore grew up in Michigan , where she earned a medical degree at the University of Michigan in 2002 .
She had an active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her death , according to MLive.com .
Muhammad told The New York Times that his mother had often frequently experienced inferior medical care .
She had an inflammatory disease called sarcoidosis that attacks the lungs and was often treated for her condition .
“ Nearly every time she went to the hospital she had to advocate for herself , fight for something in some way , shape or form , just to get baseline , proper care , ” he told the newspaper .
Dennis Murphy , the president and CEO of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was saddened by Moore ’ s death .
He said he did not believe the medical team “ failed the technical aspects ” of Moore ’ s care after a preliminary medical quality review but “ may not have shown the level of compassion and respect we strive for in understanding what matters most to patients.
” “ I am asking for an external review of this case .
We will have a diverse panel of healthcare and diversity experts conduct a thorough medical review of Dr. Moore ’ s concerns to address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
In the past year , public health experts nationwide have acknowledged the role racism plays in health care with dozens of cities , counties and states declaring racism a public health threat .
While public health experts have called it a first step , many are skeptical .
Muhammad , who said his mother was his best friend and a very caring person , didn ’ t get the chance to say goodbye before she died .
“ I am outraged beyond words … because if what my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was racism , and they neglected her because of that , nobody should go through that , ” he told ABC News .

INDIANAPOLIS — A Black doctor who died battling COVID-19 complained of racist medical care in widely shared social media posts days before her death, prompting an Indiana hospital system to promise a “full external review” into her treatment.
Dr. Susan Moore, 52, tested positive for COVID-19 late last month and was admitted to IU Health North Hospital in Carmel, Indiana, according to a Facebook post. Acutely aware of her condition and medical procedures, the physician said had to repeatedly ask for medication, scans and routine checks while admitted at a hospital in Carmel, Indiana. She noted a white doctor in particular who seemingly dismissed her pain and said she didn’t trust the hospital.
“I put forth and maintain, if I was white, I wouldn’t have to go through that,” she says in a Dec. 4 video, her voice often cracking. “This is how Black people get killed, when you send them home, and they don’t know how to fight for themselves.”
She was released from the hospital run by Indiana University Health System on Dec. 7, but was again hospitalized 12 hours later when her temperature spiked and her blood pressure dropped, according to her post. She was taken to a different hospital, Ascencion St. Vincent in Carmel, and said she was experiencing better care.
Still, her condition worsened and she was put on a ventilator. She died Dec. 20, her 19-year-old son Henry Muhammad told news outlets. A listed number for Muhammad could not be located Friday. Messages left by The Associated Press for two family spokespeople weren’t immediately returned Friday.
The coronavirus has disproportionately affected Black people, who suffer from higher rates of obesity, diabetes and asthma, making them more susceptible to the virus. Black Americans are also more vulnerable because of systemic racism, inequity in health care access and economic opportunity.
Many Black Americans also report that medical professionals take their ailments less seriously when they seek treatment.
Moore grew up in Michigan, where she earned a medical degree at the University of Michigan in 2002. She had an active medical license in Indiana at the time of her death, according to MLive.com.
Muhammad told The New York Times that his mother had often frequently experienced inferior medical care. She had an inflammatory disease called sarcoidosis that attacks the lungs and was often treated for her condition.
“Nearly every time she went to the hospital she had to advocate for herself, fight for something in some way, shape or form, just to get baseline, proper care,” he told the newspaper.
Dennis Murphy, the president and CEO of Indiana University Health, said Thursday he was saddened by Moore’s death. He said he did not believe the medical team “failed the technical aspects” of Moore’s care after a preliminary medical quality review but “may not have shown the level of compassion and respect we strive for in understanding what matters most to patients.”
“I am asking for an external review of this case. We will have a diverse panel of healthcare and diversity experts conduct a thorough medical review of Dr. Moore’s concerns to address any potential treatment bias,” he said in a statement.
In the past year, public health experts nationwide have acknowledged the role racism plays in health care with dozens of cities, counties and states declaring racism a public health threat. While public health experts have called it a first step, many are skeptical.
Muhammad, who said his mother was his best friend and a very caring person, didn’t get the chance to say goodbye before she died.
“I am outraged beyond words … because if what my mom thinks was true and that it was racism, and they neglected her because of that, nobody should go through that,” he told ABC News.


mercurynews--2020-12-25--California school districts, charter schools to get $6.8 billion, in varying amounts, of federal aid

The COVID-19 relief legislation that Congress passed on Monday will provide at least $ 6.8 billion to California ’ s school districts and charter schools .
That equals about an eighth of the $ 54.9 billion that Congress will award to K-12 schools .
This assumes President Trump signs the legislation .
Late Tuesday , he threatened not to .
Although both bills passed by veto-proof majorities , the president objected that the checks for individuals , a cornerstone of the bill , should be $ 2,000 per person , triple what ’ s in the bill .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The latest federal funding in the bill is about four times as much as the $ 13.5 billion in aid that went to K-12 schools under the CARES Act that Congress passed in March .
But the combination of the two — about $ 70 billion — is substantially less than the $ 98 billion that Congress provided K-12 under the economic recovery act that Congress funded in the midst of the Great Recession a decade ago , said Michael Griffith , a national expert on school finance who is currently a senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alto-based Learning Policy Institute .
The latest round should be “ really helpful to meet the short-term costs of COVID and some of the budget shortfalls facing states , ” Griffith said .
But it won ’ t be enough to address the extra funding needed to address the lost learning that a substantial number of students are experiencing .
Those extra costs distinguish the current pandemic-precipitated recession from the Great Recession , Griffith said .
President-elect Joe Biden has vowed to return to Congress early next year for more money for schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding for districts and charter schools in California will vary widely per student , because it will be tied to how much districts received last year in federal Title I funding — a complex formula determined by the poverty rate and other factors .
Los Angeles Unified , the state ’ s largest district , alone will receive $ 1.2 billion — $ 2,756 per student , while Capistrano Unified in Orange County , with a low rate of poverty , will receive $ 15.4 million – $ 331 per student , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is distributed by Title I funding , the legislation allows districts to spend the money for students districtwide on a wide range of COVID-related purposes .
Districts will have until Sept. 30 , 2022 , to spend it .
Districts that receive negligible Title I funding are likely to complain that they face some of the same health and safety costs , in personal protective equipment , ventilation improvements , teacher training and sanitizing expenses , as high-poverty districts .
Receiving no Title I funding , and therefore no federal COVID assistance this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school districts .
Although most are tiny , rural districts , 10 have more than 1,000 students , including the 11,000-student Fremont Union High School District in Sunnyvale ; while it had some income-eligible families , the district did not apply for Title I funding .
Last spring , Gov .
Gavin Newsom augmented funding for K-12 schools with an additional $ 5.3 billion in “ learning loss ” funding , much of it in CARES Act dollars he had at his discretion .
But in the latest round , Congress funded no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Funding for them was a bargaining chip in failed negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over giving businesses and school districts liability protection from being sued by employees and parents , in the case of school districts , who contract the coronavirus .
They ’ ll argue that they should now be Newsom ’ s priority .
The total funding for education is $ 82 billion in the latest round of federal aid .
This includes the $ 54.9 billion for K-12 , $ 23 billion for higher education and $ 4 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on education .
However , $ 2.75 billion of that discretionary money must be given to private schools , targeting those serving low-income children .

The COVID-19 relief legislation that Congress passed on Monday will provide at least $6.8 billion to California’s school districts and charter schools. That equals about an eighth of the $54.9 billion that Congress will award to K-12 schools.
This assumes President Trump signs the legislation. Late Tuesday, he threatened not to. Although both bills passed by veto-proof majorities, the president objected that the checks for individuals, a cornerstone of the bill, should be $2,000 per person, triple what’s in the bill. It’s unclear what will happen next.
The latest federal funding in the bill is about four times as much as the $13.5 billion in aid that went to K-12 schools under the CARES Act that Congress passed in March. But the combination of the two — about $70 billion — is substantially less than the $98 billion that Congress provided K-12 under the economic recovery act that Congress funded in the midst of the Great Recession a decade ago, said Michael Griffith, a national expert on school finance who is currently a senior researcher and policy analyst at the Palo Alto-based Learning Policy Institute.
The latest round should be “really helpful to meet the short-term costs of COVID and some of the budget shortfalls facing states,” Griffith said. But it won’t be enough to address the extra funding needed to address the lost learning that a substantial number of students are experiencing. Those extra costs distinguish the current pandemic-precipitated recession from the Great Recession, Griffith said.
President-elect Joe Biden has vowed to return to Congress early next year for more money for schools.
The $6.8 billion in new funding for districts and charter schools in California will vary widely per student, because it will be tied to how much districts received last year in federal Title I funding — a complex formula determined by the poverty rate and other factors.
Los Angeles Unified, the state’s largest district, alone will receive $1.2 billion — $2,756 per student, while Capistrano Unified in Orange County, with a low rate of poverty, will receive $15.4 million – $331 per student, according to EdSource calculations.
Although the money is distributed by Title I funding, the legislation allows districts to spend the money for students districtwide on a wide range of COVID-related purposes. Districts will have until Sept. 30, 2022, to spend it.
Districts that receive negligible Title I funding are likely to complain that they face some of the same health and safety costs, in personal protective equipment, ventilation improvements, teacher training and sanitizing expenses, as high-poverty districts. Receiving no Title I funding, and therefore no federal COVID assistance this round are 253 charter schools and 89 school districts. Although most are tiny, rural districts, 10 have more than 1,000 students, including the 11,000-student Fremont Union High School District in Sunnyvale; while it had some income-eligible families, the district did not apply for Title I funding.
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America’s educational culture wars hit Bay Area school district Education | Taliban have no plans to lift ban on female education Last spring, Gov. Gavin Newsom augmented funding for K-12 schools with an additional $5.3 billion in “learning loss” funding, much of it in CARES Act dollars he had at his discretion. But in the latest round, Congress funded no new money for county and city governments. Funding for them was a bargaining chip in failed negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over giving businesses and school districts liability protection from being sued by employees and parents, in the case of school districts, who contract the coronavirus. They’ll argue that they should now be Newsom’s priority.
The total funding for education is $82 billion in the latest round of federal aid. This includes the $54.9 billion for K-12, $23 billion for higher education and $4 billion that governors can decide how to spend on education. However, $2.75 billion of that discretionary money must be given to private schools, targeting those serving low-income children.