mercurynews--2020-12-08--Elon Musk moves foundation from California to Texas, fanning relocation speculation

Elon Musk has moved his private Musk Foundation to Austin , Texas — another sign the billionaire may be relocating to the Lone Star State .
The foundation , which was based in California , created an entity in Austin over the summer .
The two merged , according to a certificate of merger filed with the Texas Secretary of State in October that Musk signed .
The surviving entity is located in the state capital ’ s downtown area .
Musk ’ s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. already has two facilities in Texas , and Tesla is building an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week that he ’ s told friends he is moving to Austin himself .
The Musk Foundation has a bare-bones website and keeps a low profile .
Formed in 2001 , it is dedicated to renewable energy and advocacy , human space exploration , pediatric research , science and engineering education , and research and development into “ safe artificial intelligence to benefit humanity.
” It has awarded grants to a variety of organizations , including the SETI Institute , which seeks evidence of life on other planets , and the Chabot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California .
The foundation ’ s assets totaled almost $ 329 million as of June 30 , 2018 , according to a tax return filed last year .
The return showed a $ 2 million gift to the Future of Life Institute in the Boston area , which focuses on “ keeping artificial intelligence beneficial.
” Musk , 49 , is the chief executive officer of Tesla , headquartered in Palo Alto , California , and SpaceX , based in Hawthorne , near Los Angeles .
Tesla ’ s stock has soared more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Musk ’ s wealth has ballooned to more than $ 145 billion , making him the world ’ s second-richest person .
Besides his own foundation , Musk has joined other rich luminaries in signing the Giving Pledge , a commitment to donate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy or charitable causes .
Musk has lived in the Los Angeles area for two decades , regularly shuttling between his companies and traveling widely across the world .
He has five teenage sons with his ex-wife , Justine Musk , and the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partner Grimes also had a baby boy earlier this year .
But Musk increasingly spends time in Texas .
SpaceX has an engine-testing site in McGregor and a rocket-production facility in Boca Chica , on Texas ’ s Gulf Coast near the Mexican border .
That ’ s where Starship — the vehicle SpaceX hopes will ferry human beings to Mars — is being tested .
Texas is already Tesla ’ s third-biggest U.S. market , even though years of opposition from auto dealers mean it can ’ t sell cars there directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East Austin for its Cybertruck electric pickup and the Model Y sport-utility vehicle .
• Tesla says Black people hold just 4 % of its U.S. leadership roles • Former Tesla factory employee to pay $ 400,000 to end lawsuit over tips to reporters • Elon Musk is now tied with Bill Gates as second richest man in the world Musk ’ s long relationship with California soured this spring during the first wave of the coronavirus .
When Alameda County shutdown orders stopped production at Tesla ’ s plant in Fremont , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late and reopening early , blasting the rules as “ fascist ” on an earnings call .
He briefly sued the county and threatened to move Tesla ’ s Palo Alto headquarters to Texas or Nevada .
Musk disclosed on Twitter that he had Covid-19 himself last month .
The Musk Foundation ’ s small board of directors includes Musk and his long-time associate Jared Birchall , a former senior vice president at Morgan Stanley .
Birchall has long been the manager of Musk ’ s family office .
He purchased a home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public records , and his LinkedIn profile states that he is based in Austin .
Birchall and Musk did not respond to an email inquiry Monday .

By Dana Hull and Laurel Brubaker Calkins | Bloomberg
Elon Musk has moved his private Musk Foundation to Austin, Texas — another sign the billionaire may be relocating to the Lone Star State.
The foundation, which was based in California, created an entity in Austin over the summer. The two merged, according to a certificate of merger filed with the Texas Secretary of State in October that Musk signed. The surviving entity is located in the state capital’s downtown area.
Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. already has two facilities in Texas, and Tesla is building an assembly plant in Austin. CNBC reported last week that he’s told friends he is moving to Austin himself.
The Musk Foundation has a bare-bones website and keeps a low profile. Formed in 2001, it is dedicated to renewable energy and advocacy, human space exploration, pediatric research, science and engineering education, and research and development into “safe artificial intelligence to benefit humanity.” It has awarded grants to a variety of organizations, including the SETI Institute, which seeks evidence of life on other planets, and the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, California.
The foundation’s assets totaled almost $329 million as of June 30, 2018, according to a tax return filed last year. The return showed a $2 million gift to the Future of Life Institute in the Boston area, which focuses on “keeping artificial intelligence beneficial.”
Musk, 49, is the chief executive officer of Tesla, headquartered in Palo Alto, California, and SpaceX, based in Hawthorne, near Los Angeles. Tesla’s stock has soared more than 650% this year, and Musk’s wealth has ballooned to more than $145 billion, making him the world’s second-richest person. Besides his own foundation, Musk has joined other rich luminaries in signing the Giving Pledge, a commitment to donate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy or charitable causes.
Traveling widely
Musk has lived in the Los Angeles area for two decades, regularly shuttling between his companies and traveling widely across the world. He has five teenage sons with his ex-wife, Justine Musk, and the two share joint custody. He and his partner Grimes also had a baby boy earlier this year.
But Musk increasingly spends time in Texas. SpaceX has an engine-testing site in McGregor and a rocket-production facility in Boca Chica, on Texas’s Gulf Coast near the Mexican border. That’s where Starship — the vehicle SpaceX hopes will ferry human beings to Mars — is being tested.
Texas is already Tesla’s third-biggest U.S. market, even though years of opposition from auto dealers mean it can’t sell cars there directly. Tesla is building a factory in East Austin for its Cybertruck electric pickup and the Model Y sport-utility vehicle.
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The Musk Foundation’s small board of directors includes Musk and his long-time associate Jared Birchall, a former senior vice president at Morgan Stanley. Birchall has long been the manager of Musk’s family office. He purchased a home in Austin in August, according to public records, and his LinkedIn profile states that he is based in Austin. Birchall and Musk did not respond to an email inquiry Monday.


mercurynews--2020-12-08--U.S. restaurant closings top 110,000 with industry in ‘free fall’

More than 110,000 restaurants have closed permanently or long-term across the country as the industry grapples with the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic .
And more pain is ahead , with a potential shutdown of indoor dining in New York City just as the temperatures drop .
The nationwide tally — representing one in six U.S. eateries — is among the findings of a survey released Monday by the National Restaurant Association .
The figure was up from about 100,000 shutdowns in a September survey .
The Washington-based trade group shared the latest results with Congressional leaders in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector rocked by rising costs and falling sales .
“ The restaurant industry simply can not wait for relief any longer , ” Sean Kennedy , executive vice president of public affairs at the association , said in a letter to Congress .
“ What these findings make clear is that more than 500,000 restaurants of every business type — franchise , chain and independent — are in an economic free fall.
” As people continue to stay and eat at home and new indoor dining bans emerge across the country , restaurateurs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with many of the hardest-hit areas in states such as New York and Illinois .
Almost 90 % of full-service restaurants in the survey reported declines , with revenue falling 36 % on average .
Expenses are also climbing amid the pandemic , with 59 % of operators saying their total labor costs as a percentage of sales are higher than they were pre-pandemic .
The industry has pleaded for aid , with many pinning their hopes on the Restaurants Act , which would establish a $ 120 billion fund to help restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Paycheck Protection Program .
In the meantime , the sector faces dire prospects .
Thirty-seven percent of operators say it is unlikely their restaurant will still be in business six months from now if there are no additional government relief packages , according to the survey .
More than one in three operators are considering temporarily closing until conditions improve .
With Covid cases on the rise , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said indoor dining would be shut down in New York City and reduced across the rest of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stabilized after five days .
“ If after 5 days a region ’ s hospital rate has not stabilized , indoor dining will close or be reduced , ” Cuomo wrote Monday on Twitter .
“ In NYC , indoor dining would close entirely .
In rest of the state , indoor dining would be reduced to 25 % capacity.
” • Berkeley lowers cap on food delivery apps even more • Bobbi ’ s Coffee Shop returns to its ’ 50s roots to ride out shutdown The pain is felt among publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An S & P index of restaurant stocks fell as much as 1.3 % Monday , with Dave & Buster ’ s Entertainment Inc. , BJ ’ s Restaurants Inc. and Cheesecake Factory Inc. among the biggest decliners .
Each has relatively large exposure to California , which continues to be rattled by lockdowns , wildfires and forced power outages .
“ It ’ s hard to look past the current very difficult restaurant industry sales and traffic trends for rays of industry sunshine , ” Telsey Advisory Group analyst Bob Derrington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sales trends to remain “ volatile ” into 2021 as more states and municipalities are “ once again cracking down on social gatherings including dining in bars and restaurants .
”

By Carolina Gonzalez | Bloomberg
More than 110,000 restaurants have closed permanently or long-term across the country as the industry grapples with the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. And more pain is ahead, with a potential shutdown of indoor dining in New York City just as the temperatures drop.
The nationwide tally — representing one in six U.S. eateries — is among the findings of a survey released Monday by the National Restaurant Association. The figure was up from about 100,000 shutdowns in a September survey. The Washington-based trade group shared the latest results with Congressional leaders in an attempt to secure financial support for a sector rocked by rising costs and falling sales.
“The restaurant industry simply cannot wait for relief any longer,” Sean Kennedy, executive vice president of public affairs at the association, said in a letter to Congress. “What these findings make clear is that more than 500,000 restaurants of every business type — franchise, chain and independent — are in an economic free fall.”
As people continue to stay and eat at home and new indoor dining bans emerge across the country, restaurateurs have struggled to keep up sales, with many of the hardest-hit areas in states such as New York and Illinois. Almost 90% of full-service restaurants in the survey reported declines, with revenue falling 36% on average.
Expenses are also climbing amid the pandemic, with 59% of operators saying their total labor costs as a percentage of sales are higher than they were pre-pandemic.
The industry has pleaded for aid, with many pinning their hopes on the Restaurants Act, which would establish a $120 billion fund to help restaurants, as well as a second draw of the Paycheck Protection Program.
In the meantime, the sector faces dire prospects. Thirty-seven percent of operators say it is unlikely their restaurant will still be in business six months from now if there are no additional government relief packages, according to the survey. More than one in three operators are considering temporarily closing until conditions improve.
With Covid cases on the rise, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said indoor dining would be shut down in New York City and reduced across the rest of the state if the regional hospitalization rate has not stabilized after five days.
“If after 5 days a region’s hospital rate has not stabilized, indoor dining will close or be reduced,” Cuomo wrote Monday on Twitter. “In NYC, indoor dining would close entirely. In rest of the state, indoor dining would be reduced to 25% capacity.”
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Mendocino Farms (with summer specials) opens in Walnut Creek Business | Montebello Market closes after 15 months in Los Gatos The pain is felt among publicly traded chains as well as independent establishments. An S&P index of restaurant stocks fell as much as 1.3% Monday, with Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Inc., BJ’s Restaurants Inc. and Cheesecake Factory Inc. among the biggest decliners. Each has relatively large exposure to California, which continues to be rattled by lockdowns, wildfires and forced power outages.
“It’s hard to look past the current very difficult restaurant industry sales and traffic trends for rays of industry sunshine,” Telsey Advisory Group analyst Bob Derrington wrote in a note. He expects sales trends to remain “volatile” into 2021 as more states and municipalities are “once again cracking down on social gatherings including dining in bars and restaurants.”


mercurynews--2020-12-08--49ers report card: Worst pass defense of season seized upon by Bills’ Josh Allen

Here is how the 49ers ( 5-7 ) graded in Monday night ’ s 34-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills ( 9-3 ) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale , Ariz. : Nick Mullens , his protection nor his targets could not match the Bills ’ aerial theatrics .
It took way too long to get Deebo Samuel involved .
Rookie Brandon Aiyuk ’ s couple spectacular plays ( 4-yard touchdown ; 49-yard catch ) were offset by rookie mistakes ( bobble for interception ; bad block on Tevin Coleman run ) .
After neutralizing the Rams ’ defensive front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way too unreliable , and while that will be addressed in the offseason , it should give the 49ers pause of exposing Jimmy Garoppolo to more of the same if he returns in a couple weeks .
Stuffed on multiple carries near the goal-line set the game ’ s tone .
Allow Jeff Wilson to aptly describe it : “ Kudos to their defense .
They came out with a full head of steam and had their foot on the gas from the first play all the way to the end .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause us to lose the game.
” As promising as a Wilson tag-team with Raheem Mostert should be , they ’ ve failed to gain 50 yards apiece in two games since their return .
Tevin Coleman lost yards on both of his carries ( minus-9 ) , a far too familiar sight ( which is probably why defenses easily anticipate his plays . )
After allowing no touchdown passes their past two games , the 49ers served up four to Josh Allen , along with 374 yards ( season-high allowed ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass rush .
It ’ s hard to think of a 49ers ’ loss that ’ s missed Nick Bosa and Dee Ford more ( although Aaron Rodgers also threw for four TDs ) .
Dion Jordan opened the fourth quarter with their lone sack .
Dontae Johnson got thrust in as a fourth-string nickel back , and no cornerback succeeded against Cole Beasley ( 130 yards , TD ) and Stefon Diggs ( 92 yards , fourth-down conversion ) .
There were mystifying communication issues throughout the secondary , and free safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two touchdowns .
Fred Warner emerged with a fumble recovery near the Bills ’ goal line late in the first quarter and all seemed swell .
Devin Singletary ’ s fourth-and-1 conversion to the 4-yard line set up the Bills ’ go-ahead-for-good touchdown on the next snap , and his third-and-1 conversion kept alive their third TD drive .
The 49ers gave up 3 yards per carry and no run longer than 15 yards .
Because of the Bills ’ pass-happy attack , Warner had just six tackles , and low numbers like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deserving Pro Bowl bid .
You may have missed this unit ’ s most compelling moment , when , with the 49ers down 34-17 , Aiyuk debuted as a punt returner with a 16-yard effort from the 11-yard line .
It was Buffalo ’ s only punt , and the 49ers only had two .
Robbie Gould made a field goal and all point-after kicks , pulling him within two points of David Akers at No .
15 on the NFL ’ s all-time scoring list .
Kyle Shanahan and his staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff ) deserves kudos after uprooting to Arizona mid-week because of Santa Clara County ’ s eviction notice on contact sports to stem COVID-19 .
Why ?
Because no one , Shanahan included , wailed about the emotional toll of that move .
Likely-Lions-coach-in-waiting Robert Saleh had his defense prepared but outmatched against a red-hot passer .
Said Dre Greenlaw : “ That ’ s the worst part : we knew exactly what they were running .
We just came up short.
” As much as you all Gregg Williams-types want more blitzes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no matter what .
Alex Smith won ’ t be as mobile Sunday but he can be even craftier , and Washington ’ s elite defensive front will be tough to breach in a must-win game , again at State Farm Stadium instead of a shuttered Levi ’ s Stadium .
• What the 49ers are saying after their ‘ home ’ loss to Bills Monday night • Kurtenbach : The 49ers taught another tough lesson in loss to Buffalo • 49ers playing Bills ‘ at home ’ in Arizona is just plain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DB needed with Emmanuel Moseley , K ’ Waun Williams out

Here is how the 49ers (5-7) graded in Monday night’s 34-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills (9-3) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.:
PASS OFFENSE: D+
Nick Mullens, his protection and his targets could not match the Bills’ aerial theatrics. It took way too long to get Deebo Samuel involved. Rookie Brandon Aiyuk’s pair of spectacular plays (4-yard touchdown; 49-yard catch) were offset by rookie mistakes (bobble for interception; bad block on Tevin Coleman run). After neutralizing the Rams’ defensive front enough last game, the blocking was way too unreliable, and while that will be addressed in the offseason, it should give the 49ers pause about exposing Jimmy Garoppolo to more of the same if he returns in a couple weeks.
RUN OFFENSE: D
Being stuffed early on multiple carries near the goal line set the game’s tone. Allow Jeff Wilson to aptly describe it: “Kudos to their defense. They came out with a full head of steam and had their foot on the gas from the first play all the way to the end. We couldn’t match it so it caused us to lose the game.” As promising as a Wilson tag-team with Raheem Mostert should be, they’ve both failed to gain 50 yards in either of the two games since their return. Tevin Coleman lost yards on both of his carries (minus-9), a far too familiar sight (which is probably why defenses easily anticipate his plays).
PASS DEFENSE: F
After allowing no touchdown passes their past two games, the 49ers served up four to Josh Allen, along with 374 yards (season-high allowed). He illuminated this year’s feeble pass rush. It’s hard to think of a 49ers loss that’s missed Nick Bosa and Dee Ford more (although Aaron Rodgers also threw for four TDs). Dion Jordan opened the fourth quarter with their lone sack. Dontae Johnson was thrust in as a fourth-string nickel back, and no cornerback succeeded against Cole Beasley (130 yards, TD) and Stefon Diggs (92 yards, fourth-down conversion). There were mystifying communication issues throughout the secondary, and free safety Tarvarius Moore blew it on the final two touchdowns.
RUN DEFENSE: C
Fred Warner emerged with a fumble recovery near the Bills’ goal line late in the first quarter and all seemed swell. Devin Singletary’s fourth-and-1 conversion to the 4-yard line set up the Bills’ go-ahead-for-good touchdown on the next snap, and his third-and-1 conversion kept alive their third TD drive. The 49ers gave up 3 yards per carry and no run longer than 15 yards. Because of the Bills’ pass-happy attack, Warner had just six tackles, and low numbers like that aren’t going to help a deserving Pro Bowl bid.
SPECIAL TEAMS: C
You may have missed this unit’s most compelling moment, when, with the 49ers down 34-17, Aiyuk debuted as a punt returner with a 16-yard effort from the 11-yard line. It was Buffalo’s only punt, and the 49ers only had two. Robbie Gould made a field goal and all point-after kicks, pulling him within two points of David Akers at No. 15 on the NFL’s all-time scoring list.
COACHING: C
Kyle Shanahan and his staff (and the entire 49ers’ operations staff) deserve kudos after uprooting to Arizona mid-week because of Santa Clara County’s eviction notice on contact sports to stem COVID-19. Why? Because no one, Shanahan included, wailed about the emotional toll of that move. Likely-Lions-coach-in-waiting Robert Saleh had his defense prepared but outmatched against a red-hot passer. Said Dre Greenlaw: “That’s the worst part: we knew exactly what they were running. We just came up short.” As much as all you Gregg Williams types want more blitzes, Allen proved too elusive and crafty no matter what. Alex Smith won’t be as mobile Sunday but he can be even craftier, and Washington’s elite defensive front will be tough to breach in a must-win game, again at State Farm Stadium instead of a shuttered Levi’s Stadium.


mercurynews--2020-12-08--First Britons receive Covid-19 vaccine, a landmark moment in the coronavirus pandemic

The United Kingdom has become the first Western nation to begin vaccinating its citizens with a Covid-19 shot outside of clinical trials — a landmark moment in the coronavirus pandemic .
The first Briton to get the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine — 90-year-old Margaret Keenan — received the first of two doses at 6:31 a.m. local time on Tuesday at University Hospital in Coventry , less than a week after the UK became the first country to approve it .
Keenan , who turns 91 next week , said she felt “ privileged ” to be the first to get the shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year , ” she said , according to a statement released by the UK ’ s National Health Service ( NHS ) .
Keenan told UK media the shot was “ fine , I wasn ’ t nervous at all , ” calling it “ wonderful , really.
” “ This is for a good cause so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it done .
This is a terrible , terrible disease so we do want rid of it , ” she added .
Keenan advised others eligible for the vaccine to take up the offer : “ I would say go for it , ” she said .
“ If I can do it , well , so can you.
” May Parsons , the nurse who administered the first jab , said she was honored to be involved in the program .
“ The last few months have been tough for all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now it feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel , ” said Parsons , who is originally from the Philippines and has worked in the NHS for 24 years .
William Shakespere , 81 , known to friends as Bill , was the second person to get a Covid-19 vaccine at the Coventry hospital on Tuesday .
Shakespere , a patient on the hospital ’ s frailty ward , sat with his grandchildren ’ s artwork nearby as he received the jab .
In London , George Dyer became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital to get the jab at Croydon Health Services , while nurse Joanna Sloan was the first person in Northern Ireland to receive the vaccine .
Gill Rogers , whose husband died with the virus in residential care in April , was among the first to receive the vaccine in Sussex , in southeast England , on Tuesday .
The 86-year-old , who lives near Brighton , told the BBC it had been “ quite hard ” dealing with grief as well as isolation and that being given the shot meant she would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m a bit pleased , ” she said .
“ I shan ’ t be so careful , no , I shan ’ t be so worried , I will go in shops more and with luck I might get on to public transport.
” “ I wasn ’ t doing much before , because while my husband was alive I was spending a lot of time going to the care home , so I ’ ve been pretty limited for a long time now , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tens of millions of vaccines mean the roll-out will be gradual , with the most vulnerable people and health care workers first in line .
Boris Johnson , the UK Prime Minister , told UK media on Tuesday morning that the vaccine “ will gradually make a huge , huge difference.
” Visiting an NHS Covid-19 vaccination center in London , Johnson said : “ It is important for people to understand that the virus is , alas , still rising in some parts of the country .
It is rising for instance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had reduced the spread of coronavirus , thanks to measures including England ’ s national lockdown in November .
“ And so my message would be it ’ s amazing to see the vaccine come out , it ’ s amazing to see this tremendous shot in the arm for the entire nation , but we can ’ t afford to relax now , ” the PM said .
“ I would just say to all those who are scared , don ’ t be … you see people take the vaccine this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to be taking it in the next few days , and weeks and there is nothing to be nervous about.
” Asked whether he was getting the vaccine himself , Johnson said : “ I am not in the priority group … I ’ ve had it ( the virus ) .
” What happens next The UK has ordered 40 million doses of the vaccine , but only 800,000 shots will be available as part of the first wave that began on Tuesday .
Because the vaccine requires two doses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the UK will eventually have enough shots to vaccinate roughly a third of the country ’ s population .
The country has also ordered 7 million doses of the Moderna vaccine , which could be approved for emergency use in the UK within the next few weeks .
There will be 50 vaccination hubs in hospitals across England and dozens more across Wales and Scotland .
People over 80 and frontline healthcare workers who are at the highest risk of serious illness from Covid-19 will be the first to be vaccinated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccinations will only be administered in hospitals .
In Wales , all health boards today began administering the country ’ s 40,000 doses — they hope to have given more than 6,000 jabs by the end of the week .
Keenan and the others will have to go back for the second dose in three or four weeks ’ time .
According to government guidance , each vaccinated person will be given a credit card-sized vaccination document with details of their next appointment .
Seven to 10 days after the second dose , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine offers 95 % protection against Covid-19 .
According to the UK ’ s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) , more than one in 10 recipients may suffer side effects including pain at the injection site , headache , muscle pain , chills , joint pain , and fever .
A handful of other , less common , side effects are also listed .
It is still unclear how long the immunity provided by the vaccine lasts for , or whether those who have had it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than half of British adults say they would trust a coronavirus vaccine that has been approved for use , according to a Savanta ComRes poll for CNN affiliate ITV News .
According to the poll of 2,090 British adults , which was conducted between November 20 and 22 — before the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in the UK — 57 % of those questioned said they would trust a vaccine after approval , compared to 16 % who said they would not trust one .
Nearly half ( 47 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were comfortable with Covid vaccines being developed faster than normal .
Almost a quarter ( 23 % ) said they were not .
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock called the beginning of the vaccination program a “ big moment in scientific endeavor ” on Tuesday , saying that the vaccine “ can start to heal this disease right across the world , and protect people everywhere.
” In an interview with Sky News on Tuesday morning , Hancock said there was still “ an enormous amount of work to do , ” but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK ’ s coronavirus restrictions in the spring if enough people have been vaccinated by then .
He urged the public to “ hold our nerve and stick together and follow the rules.
” While the UK ’ s immunization program started with a big bang on Tuesday , the vaccine remains off limits to the vast majority of people .
For now , it is available by invitation only for those age 80 and over , care homes staff and front line health and social care workers .
Care home residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the government said last week that this won ’ t happen immediately .
The NHS said in a statement on Tuesday that vaccine centers would be set up in venues including sporting venues and conference centers to treat large numbers of patients once further supplies of vaccine become available .
Hari Shukla , 87 , from Tyne and Wear in England ’ s north east , is due to be one of the first to be vaccinated at a hospital in Newcastle later on Tuesday .
Ahead of the jab , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service for its work throughout the pandemic , saying that its staff “ have a heart of gold.
” “ I ’ m so pleased we are hopefully coming towards the end of this pandemic and I am delighted to be doing my bit by having the vaccine , I feel it is my duty to do so and do whatever I can to help , ” Shukla said in a NHS statement .
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine needs to be stored at around minus 70 degrees Celsius ( minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moderna ’ s vaccine , if approved , could be a more practical option for the care homes , as it can be kept at minus 20 degrees Celsius ( minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit ) .
The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to follow the UK ’ s MHRA and authorize the emergency use for the Pfizer vaccine as soon as this week — its vaccine advisory committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday .
The European Medicines Agency will make its decision on the vaccine on December 29 , according @ @ @ @ @

The United Kingdom has become the first Western nation to begin vaccinating its citizens with a Covid-19 shot outside of clinical trials — a landmark moment in the coronavirus pandemic.
The first Briton to get the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine — 90-year-old Margaret Keenan — received the first of two doses at 6:31 a.m. local time on Tuesday at University Hospital in Coventry, less than a week after the UK became the first country to approve it.
Keenan, who turns 91 next week, said she felt “privileged” to be the first to get the shot.
[vemba-video id=”world/2020/12/08/uk-first-coronavirus-vaccination-intl-ldn-vpx.cnn”]
“It’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year,” she said, according to a statement released by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
Keenan told UK media the shot was “fine, I wasn’t nervous at all,” calling it “wonderful, really.”
“This is for a good cause so I’m so pleased I had it done. This is a terrible, terrible disease so we do want rid of it,” she added.
Keenan advised others eligible for the vaccine to take up the offer: “I would say go for it,” she said. “If I can do it, well, so can you.”
May Parsons, the nurse who administered the first jab, said she was honored to be involved in the program.
“The last few months have been tough for all of us working in the NHS, but now it feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Parsons, who is originally from the Philippines and has worked in the NHS for 24 years.
William Shakespere, 81, known to friends as Bill, was the second person to get a Covid-19 vaccine at the Coventry hospital on Tuesday. Shakespere, a patient on the hospital’s frailty ward, sat with his grandchildren’s artwork nearby as he received the jab.
In London, George Dyer became one of the first people in the capital to get the jab at Croydon Health Services, while nurse Joanna Sloan was the first person in Northern Ireland to receive the vaccine.
Gill Rogers, whose husband died with the virus in residential care in April, was among the first to receive the vaccine in Sussex, in southeast England, on Tuesday.
The 86-year-old, who lives near Brighton, told the BBC it had been “quite hard” dealing with grief as well as isolation and that being given the shot meant she would not need to be so careful.
“I’m a bit pleased,” she said. “I shan’t be so careful, no, I shan’t be so worried, I will go in shops more and with luck I might get on to public transport.”
“I wasn’t doing much before, because while my husband was alive I was spending a lot of time going to the care home, so I’ve been pretty limited for a long time now,” she said.
The logistical challenges of manufacturing and distributing tens of millions of vaccines mean the roll-out will be gradual, with the most vulnerable people and health care workers first in line.
Boris Johnson, the UK Prime Minister, told UK media on Tuesday morning that the vaccine “will gradually make a huge, huge difference.”
Visiting an NHS Covid-19 vaccination center in London, Johnson said: “It is important for people to understand that the virus is, alas, still rising in some parts of the country. It is rising for instance in London.”
He said the UK had reduced the spread of coronavirus, thanks to measures including England’s national lockdown in November.
“And so my message would be it’s amazing to see the vaccine come out, it’s amazing to see this tremendous shot in the arm for the entire nation, but we can’t afford to relax now,” the PM said.
“I would just say to all those who are scared, don’t be … you see people take the vaccine this morning, in large numbers, people are going to be taking it in the next few days, and weeks and there is nothing to be nervous about.”
Asked whether he was getting the vaccine himself, Johnson said: “I am not in the priority group … I’ve had it (the virus).”
What happens next
The UK has ordered 40 million doses of the vaccine, but only 800,000 shots will be available as part of the first wave that began on Tuesday.
Because the vaccine requires two doses, administered at least three weeks apart, the UK will eventually have enough shots to vaccinate roughly a third of the country’s population. The country has also ordered 7 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, which could be approved for emergency use in the UK within the next few weeks.
There will be 50 vaccination hubs in hospitals across England and dozens more across Wales and Scotland. People over 80 and frontline healthcare workers who are at the highest risk of serious illness from Covid-19 will be the first to be vaccinated.
In England, the first wave of vaccinations will only be administered in hospitals. In Wales, all health boards today began administering the country’s 40,000 doses — they hope to have given more than 6,000 jabs by the end of the week.
Keenan and the others will have to go back for the second dose in three or four weeks’ time. According to government guidance, each vaccinated person will be given a credit card-sized vaccination document with details of their next appointment. Seven to 10 days after the second dose, they should be protected against the virus.
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine offers 95% protection against Covid-19. According to the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), more than one in 10 recipients may suffer side effects including pain at the injection site, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, and fever. A handful of other, less common, side effects are also listed.
It is still unclear how long the immunity provided by the vaccine lasts for, or whether those who have had it can still transmit coronavirus to other people.
More than half of British adults say they would trust a coronavirus vaccine that has been approved for use, according to a Savanta ComRes poll for CNN affiliate ITV News.
According to the poll of 2,090 British adults, which was conducted between November 20 and 22 — before the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in the UK — 57% of those questioned said they would trust a vaccine after approval, compared to 16% who said they would not trust one.
Nearly half (47%) of British adults said they were comfortable with Covid vaccines being developed faster than normal. Almost a quarter (23%) said they were not.
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock called the beginning of the vaccination program a “big moment in scientific endeavor” on Tuesday, saying that the vaccine “can start to heal this disease right across the world, and protect people everywhere.”
In an interview with Sky News on Tuesday morning, Hancock said there was still “an enormous amount of work to do,” but that it may be possible to lift the UK’s coronavirus restrictions in the spring if enough people have been vaccinated by then. He urged the public to “hold our nerve and stick together and follow the rules.”
While the UK’s immunization program started with a big bang on Tuesday, the vaccine remains off limits to the vast majority of people.
For now, it is available by invitation only for those age 80 and over, care homes staff and front line health and social care workers. Care home residents were also expected to be prioritized, but the government said last week that this won’t happen immediately.
The NHS said in a statement on Tuesday that vaccine centers would be set up in venues including sporting venues and conference centers to treat large numbers of patients once further supplies of vaccine become available.
Hari Shukla, 87, from Tyne and Wear in England’s north east, is due to be one of the first to be vaccinated at a hospital in Newcastle later on Tuesday. Ahead of the jab, he thanked the UK’s National Health Service for its work throughout the pandemic, saying that its staff “have a heart of gold.”
“I’m so pleased we are hopefully coming towards the end of this pandemic and I am delighted to be doing my bit by having the vaccine, I feel it is my duty to do so and do whatever I can to help,” Shukla said in a NHS statement.
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine needs to be stored at around minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit), which makes its distribution difficult. Moderna’s vaccine, if approved, could be a more practical option for the care homes, as it can be kept at minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit).
The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to follow the UK’s MHRA and authorize the emergency use for the Pfizer vaccine as soon as this week — its vaccine advisory committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday.
The European Medicines Agency will make its decision on the vaccine on December 29, according to the European Commission.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-12-08--Recipes: Potato dishes take center stage for Hanukkah

Potatoes have long been associated with Hanukkah , which begins Thursday evening , Dec. 10 , because potato latkes — pancakes made of shredded potatoes — are customary at holiday dinners .
In fact it ’ s oil that commemorates the Hanukkah miracle , and it can be used in a variety of potato dishes .
After ancient Jerusalem was liberated from invaders , the oil that was needed to rekindle the Holy Temple ’ s eternal light was said to have miraculously lasted for eight days instead of one .
That ’ s why Hanukkah is celebrated with candle-lighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used in ancient Israel for lighting lamps and for cooking , and this is the oil that we use to prepare our potato dishes for Hanukkah .
Potato kugel , made from a baked mixture of potatoes , eggs and flavorings , is a favorite of ours for the holiday .
Some cooks make their kugels from grated potatoes , using a batter that resembles that of potato latkes .
In our family we sometimes prepare mashed potato kugel flavored with mushrooms and onions sauteed in olive oil , dotted with vegetables and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was born in Poland , we fry our potato latkes in olive oil .
Although we frequently serve the standard latke accompaniments of sour cream and apple sauce , we like to vary our toppings .
We enjoy eating our potato latkes with yellow pepper cheese sauce and black olives , a popular Peruvian way to serve potatoes .
After all , Peru is where potatoes were first domesticated , and the Peruvians are experts in potato preparation .
We also like smashed potatoes , for which lightly cooked potatoes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their edges become crisp .
They might be the easiest Hanukkah potato treats to make .
2 1/2 pounds yellow-fleshed boiling potatoes , such as baby Dutch Yellow Potatoes or medium-large Yukon Gold Potatoes 1 1/4 teaspoons salt , plus more to taste 1 teaspoon paprika , plus more for sprinkling 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper , plus more to taste Cook ’ s notes : If using small potatoes with tender skins , you don ’ t need to peel them .
1 .
In a large saucepan , cover the whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pinches of salt and bring to a boil .
Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until they are tender enough to mash , about 25 minutes for small potatoes , 40 minutes for large ones .
Transfer them to a large bowl with a slotted spoon .
Pour their broth into another bowl .
2 .
Combine the saffron and 1/3 cup hot potato broth in a cup .
Let stand , covered , about 30 minutes .
3 .
Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ occasionally , until they begin to brown , about 20 minutes .
Add the mushrooms , 1 teaspoon paprika and a sprinkling of salt and pepper .
Cook , stirring often , until the mixture browns lightly , about 7 minutes .
Taste ; adjust seasoning .
4 .
Return 2 cups potato broth to the saucepan .
Bring to a boil .
Add the carrot and broccoli .
Cook uncovered over high heat for 5 minutes .
Add the peas ; boil until the vegetables are tender , about 1 minute .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 .
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees .
If using large potatoes , peel them .
Finely mash the potatoes in batches with a potato masher ; if using small unpeeled potatoes , remove large pieces of peel that come off easily .
6 .
Stir in the saffron mixture and 2 tablespoons oil , then the uncooked eggs one by one .
Add 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper ; mix well .
Lightly stir in the parsley , mushroom mixture , vegetables and hard boiled egg .
7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spoon in the potato mixture ; smooth the top .
Drizzle with the remaining oil .
Sprinkle with paprika .
8 .
Bake uncovered until the top is firm and golden , about 50 minutes .
Let stand 30 minutes before serving .
9 .
Serve hot or warm .
Run a knife around the edges to make serving easier .
Serve with a spoon .
Fried latkes can be refrigerated overnight .
Reheat them on a cookie sheet in a 450-degree oven for a few minutes .
1 1/4 to 1 1/3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 ) 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil ( for frying ) , more if needed 1 .
To keep the latkes warm , heat oven to 250F .
Have a baking sheet ready .
Line a plate with paper towels .
2 .
Mix the flour , baking powder , salt and white pepper in a small bowl .
3 .
Peel the potatoes .
Using a coarse grating or shredding disc of a food processor or the large holes of a grater , grate the potatoes and onion , alternating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a strainer .
Squeeze it by handfuls , removing as much liquid as possible .
Transfer the mixture to a bowl .
4 .
Add the egg ; mix well .
Add the flour mixture ; mix well .
5 .
Heat 1/2 cup oil in a deep , heavy large skillet over medium heat .
For each latke , slide 1 heaping tablespoonful potato mixture into the pan .
Flatten it with the back of a spoon to a pancake about 2 1/2 inches in diameter .
Add more pancakes without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ golden brown , about 4 minutes per side ; use 2 pancake turners to turn them carefully so the oil doesn ’ t splatter .
Transfer them to paper towels .
Stir the batter before frying each batch .
Reduce the heat if necessary so the pancakes don ’ t become too dark .
Add more oil to the pan as needed ; heat it before adding more latkes .
Keep them warm on the baking sheet in the oven .
If the last few spoonfuls of batter are watery , leave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
6 .
Before serving , pat the latkes with paper towels .
Serve hot or warm , with the sauce , extra pepper puree , olives , parsley and hard boiled egg quarters .
Frozen aji amarillo , Peruvian yellow peppers , can be found at markets that carry South American ingredients .
To substitute sweet peppers , see the variation .
1. Pepper puree : Cut the peppers in pieces .
In a blender , puree the peppers with 1 tablespoon oil to a paste .
Transfer to a bowl ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 .
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat .
Add the onion and cook until softened but not brown , about 3 minutes .
Add the garlic and heat for a few seconds , stirring .
Cool the mixture in a bowl .
3 .
Put the onion mixture in the blender .
Add the cheese , 1/3 cup milk and 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pepper puree .
Blend until smooth .
If the sauce is too thick , gradually blend in more milk at low speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blend the sauce again until smooth .
Add salt , pepper and more pepper puree to taste .
Variation : Substitute 1/2 yellow bell pepper for Peruvian peppers .
Remove core and seeds .
Broil pepper half skin side up on foil until skin blackens in spots , about 5 minutes .
Enclose pepper in foil .
Let cool .
Peel with paring knife .
Puree with oil , following step one , and add hot pepper sauce to taste .
These crisp-edged potatoes are based on a recipe from “ Live Life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Preheat oven to 425 degrees .
In a large pot , cover the potatoes with water , add the salt and bring to a boil .
Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until tender , about 10 minutes .
Drain well .
2 .
Drizzle a rimmed baking sheet with 3 tablespoons oil .
Roll the potatoes around on the baking sheet to coat them with oil .
3 .
Use the bottom of a glass to flatten the potatoes until about 1/2 inch thick .
Sprinkle with cheese .
Drizzle with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the potatoes are golden and crisped around the edges , about 20 minutes .
Serve them hot , topped with a little pesto .
Serve the remaining pesto separately .
Pinch of red pepper flakes , or to taste Combine the pepitas , salt , zest , garlic and parsley in a food processor .
Pulse until the parsley is very finely chopped .
Pulse until just combined to a pesto-like sauce .
Let sit for 10 minutes before serving .
Faye Levy is the author of “ 1,000 Jewish Recipes .
@

Potatoes have long been associated with Hanukkah, which begins Thursday evening, Dec. 10, because potato latkes — pancakes made of shredded potatoes — are customary at holiday dinners. In fact it’s oil that commemorates the Hanukkah miracle, and it can be used in a variety of potato dishes.
After ancient Jerusalem was liberated from invaders, the oil that was needed to rekindle the Holy Temple’s eternal light was said to have miraculously lasted for eight days instead of one. That’s why Hanukkah is celebrated with candle-lighting for eight days.
Olive oil was used in ancient Israel for lighting lamps and for cooking, and this is the oil that we use to prepare our potato dishes for Hanukkah.
Potato kugel, made from a baked mixture of potatoes, eggs and flavorings, is a favorite of ours for the holiday. Some cooks make their kugels from grated potatoes, using a batter that resembles that of potato latkes. In our family we sometimes prepare mashed potato kugel flavored with mushrooms and onions sauteed in olive oil, dotted with vegetables and seasoned with saffron.
Unlike my mother, who was born in Poland, we fry our potato latkes in olive oil. Although we frequently serve the standard latke accompaniments of sour cream and apple sauce, we like to vary our toppings. We enjoy eating our potato latkes with yellow pepper cheese sauce and black olives, a popular Peruvian way to serve potatoes. After all, Peru is where potatoes were first domesticated, and the Peruvians are experts in potato preparation.
We also like smashed potatoes, for which lightly cooked potatoes are flattened and baked with olive oil so their edges become crisp. They might be the easiest Hanukkah potato treats to make.
***
Mashed Potato Kugel with Sauteed Mushrooms
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 pounds yellow-fleshed boiling potatoes, such as baby Dutch Yellow Potatoes or medium-large Yukon Gold Potatoes
1 1/4 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
Pinch of saffron threads, crushed (about 1/8 teaspoon)
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 pound onions (2 medium-large), chopped (about 3 cups)
6 ounces mushrooms, diced (about 2 2/3 cups)
1 teaspoon paprika, plus more for sprinkling
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste
1 large carrot (about 5 ounces), diced small (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup small broccoli florets
1/2 cup frozen peas
4 large eggs
1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
1 hard-boiled egg, diced small
Cook’s notes: If using small potatoes with tender skins, you don’t need to peel them.
PROCEDURE
1. In a large saucepan, cover the whole potatoes with water, add a few pinches of salt and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until they are tender enough to mash, about 25 minutes for small potatoes, 40 minutes for large ones. Transfer them to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Pour their broth into another bowl.
2. Combine the saffron and 1/3 cup hot potato broth in a cup. Let stand, covered, about 30 minutes.
3. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown, about 20 minutes. Add the mushrooms, 1 teaspoon paprika and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the mixture browns lightly, about 7 minutes. Taste; adjust seasoning.
4. Return 2 cups potato broth to the saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add the carrot and broccoli. Cook uncovered over high heat for 5 minutes. Add the peas; boil until the vegetables are tender, about 1 minute. Remove them with a slotted spoon.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If using large potatoes, peel them. Finely mash the potatoes in batches with a potato masher; if using small unpeeled potatoes, remove large pieces of peel that come off easily.
6. Stir in the saffron mixture and 2 tablespoons oil, then the uncooked eggs one by one. Add 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; mix well. Lightly stir in the parsley, mushroom mixture, vegetables and hard boiled egg.
7. Oil a 2-quart baking dish. Spoon in the potato mixture; smooth the top. Drizzle with the remaining oil. Sprinkle with paprika.
8. Bake uncovered until the top is firm and golden, about 50 minutes. Let stand 30 minutes before serving.
9. Serve hot or warm. Run a knife around the edges to make serving easier. Serve with a spoon.
Potato Latkes with Peruvian Yellow Pepper Cheese Sauce
Fried latkes can be refrigerated overnight. Reheat them on a cookie sheet in a 450-degree oven for a few minutes.
Yield: 4 or 5 appetizer servings
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 1/4 to 1 1/3 pounds russet potatoes (about 3 or 4)
1 medium-large onion (about 8 ounces), peeled, halved
1 large egg
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying), more if needed
Yellow pepper cheese sauce, room temperature, plus extra pepper puree (see recipe)
15 black olives
2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
3 hard boiled eggs, quartered
PROCEDURE
1. To keep the latkes warm, heat oven to 250F. Have a baking sheet ready. Line a plate with paper towels.
2. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and white pepper in a small bowl.
3. Peel the potatoes. Using a coarse grating or shredding disc of a food processor or the large holes of a grater, grate the potatoes and onion, alternating potato and onion. Transfer the mixture to a strainer. Squeeze it by handfuls, removing as much liquid as possible. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
4. Add the egg; mix well. Add the flour mixture; mix well.
5. Heat 1/2 cup oil in a deep, heavy large skillet over medium heat. For each latke, slide 1 heaping tablespoonful potato mixture into the pan. Flatten it with the back of a spoon to a pancake about 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Add more pancakes without crowding. Fry them until crisp and golden brown, about 4 minutes per side; use 2 pancake turners to turn them carefully so the oil doesn’t splatter. Transfer them to paper towels. Stir the batter before frying each batch. Reduce the heat if necessary so the pancakes don’t become too dark. Add more oil to the pan as needed; heat it before adding more latkes. Keep them warm on the baking sheet in the oven. If the last few spoonfuls of batter are watery, leave the liquid in the bowl to prevent splatters.
6. Before serving, pat the latkes with paper towels. Serve hot or warm, with the sauce, extra pepper puree, olives, parsley and hard boiled egg quarters.
Yellow Pepper Cheese Sauce
Frozen aji amarillo, Peruvian yellow peppers, can be found at markets that carry South American ingredients. To substitute sweet peppers, see the variation.
Yield: about 1 cup, 4 or 5 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 frozen Peruvian yellow peppers (scant 3 ounces), thawed, halved, seeds and membranes removed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, chopped (1 teaspoon)
1 cup (packed) queso fresco (fresh Mexican cheese) (about 5.3 ounces), cut in small pieces
1/2 cup whole milk
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
PROCEDURE
1. Pepper puree: Cut the peppers in pieces. In a blender, puree the peppers with 1 tablespoon oil to a paste. Transfer to a bowl; don’t wash blender yet.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook until softened but not brown, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and heat for a few seconds, stirring. Cool the mixture in a bowl.
3. Put the onion mixture in the blender. Add the cheese, 1/3 cup milk and 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pepper puree. Blend until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, gradually blend in more milk at low speed. Scrape down the blender sides. Blend the sauce again until smooth. Add salt, pepper and more pepper puree to taste.
4. Reserve the remaining pepper puree for serving separately.
Variation: Substitute 1/2 yellow bell pepper for Peruvian peppers. Remove core and seeds. Broil pepper half skin side up on foil until skin blackens in spots, about 5 minutes. Enclose pepper in foil. Let cool. Peel with paring knife. Puree with oil, following step one, and add hot pepper sauce to taste.
Smashed Potatoes with Pepita Pesto
These crisp-edged potatoes are based on a recipe from “Live Life Deliciously” by Tara Teaspoon.
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 pounds red or white baby potatoes
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Pepita Pesto (see recipe)
PROCEDURE
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large pot, cover the potatoes with water, add the salt and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well.
2. Drizzle a rimmed baking sheet with 3 tablespoons oil. Roll the potatoes around on the baking sheet to coat them with oil.
3. Use the bottom of a glass to flatten the potatoes until about 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle with cheese. Drizzle with the remaining oil.
4. Bake until the potatoes are golden and crisped around the edges, about 20 minutes. Serve them hot, topped with a little pesto. Serve the remaining pesto separately.
Pepita pesto
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 cup Italian parsley sprigs or 1/2 cup mixed fresh basil, mint and oregano
3 to 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Pinch of red pepper flakes, or to taste
PROCEDURE
Combine the pepitas, salt, zest, garlic and parsley in a food processor.
Pulse until the parsley is very finely chopped.
Add the orange juice and olive oil.
Pulse until just combined to a pesto-like sauce.
Add black and red pepper.
Taste for salt.
Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Faye Levy is the author of “1,000 Jewish Recipes.”


mercurynews--2020-12-09--Venice floods before safeguard barriers are activated

ROME – Venice was under water on Tuesday as heavy rain and strong winds pushed into the lagoon city , catching the authorities off guard before they could activate the huge flood barriers that were rolled out just two months ago .
The system of 78 flood gates , known as Mose , guard the entrance to the Venetian lagoon and are designed to protect the city from tides of up to 3 meters ( 10 ft ) .
However , they require 48-hours notice to be activated .
Weather bulletins in past days had forecast rainfall pushing sea levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 130 cm threshold at which the flood barriers are operated .
Luigi Brugnaro , the city ’ s mayor , said on Twitter that the weather had suddenly worsened and water had reached a 145 cm peak as strong sirocco winds blew in from Croatia and two rivers flooded near the sea around Venice .
He called for more rapid and reactive protocols in the operation of Mose in order to face sudden weather changes .
“ The situation is terrible , we are under water , ” said Carlo Alberto Tesserin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Basilica , adding that if the water rose further all the internal chapels would be flooded .
The center for tidal forecasts in the Venice area said the water would recede to 120 cm on Wednesday and be back up to 135 cm on Thursday .
High tides , or “ acqua alta ” in Italian , have been regular occurrences in Venice over the years , caused by a combination of factors exacerbated by climate change – from rising sea levels and unusually high tides to land subsidence that has caused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Of the 24 tides ever recorded above the 140-cm level , 15 have occurred in the last two decades , including five last November when the city ’ s St Mark ’ s Square was submerged under a meter of water .
Designed in 1984 , construction of the multi-billion euro Mose project started in 2003 but was plagued by delays , corruption and cost overruns .
The 78 yellow barriers were tested in July and then first raised in October .

By Giulia Segreti | Reuters
ROME – Venice was under water on Tuesday as heavy rain and strong winds pushed into the lagoon city, catching the authorities off guard before they could activate the huge flood barriers that were rolled out just two months ago.
The system of 78 flood gates, known as Mose, guard the entrance to the Venetian lagoon and are designed to protect the city from tides of up to 3 meters (10 ft). However, they require 48-hours notice to be activated.
Weather bulletins in past days had forecast rainfall pushing sea levels up to 120 centimeters, below the 130 cm threshold at which the flood barriers are operated.
Luigi Brugnaro, the city’s mayor, said on Twitter that the weather had suddenly worsened and water had reached a 145 cm peak as strong sirocco winds blew in from Croatia and two rivers flooded near the sea around Venice.
He called for more rapid and reactive protocols in the operation of Mose in order to face sudden weather changes.
“The situation is terrible, we are under water,” said Carlo Alberto Tesserin, responsible for managing Saint Mark’s Basilica, adding that if the water rose further all the internal chapels would be flooded.
The center for tidal forecasts in the Venice area said the water would recede to 120 cm on Wednesday and be back up to 135 cm on Thursday.
High tides, or “acqua alta” in Italian, have been regular occurrences in Venice over the years, caused by a combination of factors exacerbated by climate change – from rising sea levels and unusually high tides to land subsidence that has caused the ground level of the city to sink.
Of the 24 tides ever recorded above the 140-cm level, 15 have occurred in the last two decades, including five last November when the city’s St Mark’s Square was submerged under a meter of water.
Designed in 1984, construction of the multi-billion euro Mose project started in 2003 but was plagued by delays, corruption and cost overruns. The 78 yellow barriers were tested in July and then first raised in October.


mercurynews--2020-12-09--Lone San Benito County hospital slammed by “double-headed surge,” ICU hits capacity

HOLLISTER — Every morning since the new coronavirus surge began , Dr. Michael Bogey gathers his staff into a huddle at San Benito County ’ s only hospital .
They talk about morale and keeping up energy and staying positive .
“ Sometimes people cry .
Sometimes people laugh , ’ said Bogey , the chief medical officer and head of the emergency department at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister .
“ It ’ s trying on everyone because we ’ re maxed out.
” Hazel Hawkins is a small , rural hospital an hour south of Silicon Valley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It has just 25 beds , and every bed is full this week , straining the hospital and the staff .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom has warned that hospitals in this newly-designated San Joaquin Valley region have only 6 percent capacity left in their intensive care units — on average .
But that also means many of those ICUs in hospitals from Sonora to Bakersfield , including Hollister , are already full or spilling over .
Hazel Hawkins ’ four-bed ICU reached 100 percent capacity last week and has stayed there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the ER every day , nearly half are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms .
A three-room tent is set up in the parking lot for testing and screening after which most people are sent home .
The hospital is so full that people waiting to be admitted often are held in the emergency room for hours — or days — until other patients are discharged , before moving into a room .
“ We ’ re getting a double-headed surge .
We ’ re getting COVID and really sick patients ” with other ailments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only doctor on duty in the emergency department Wednesday .
“ I don ’ t think we ’ ve seen the sickest from Thanksgiving gatherings yet.
” It ’ s even worse elsewhere : in the Central Valley town of French Camp , the ICU at San Joaquin General is at 113 percent , meaning that all ICU beds were occupied and other severely ill patients needing intensive care were held in other parts of the hospital , said Marissa Matta , spokeswoman for the San Joaquin County emergency services agency .
St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit 123 percent .
These smaller hospitals are bellwethers , signs of dire things to come for larger hospitals around the Bay Area and across California .
Gov .
Newsom ’ s new lockdown was ordered precisely to avoid overcrowding hospitals .
But by Monday evening , the virus had been spreading so quickly , in part because of a post-Thanksgiving surge that has yet to peak , that East San Jose ’ s Regional Medical Center announced that its 40-bed ICU had reached its limit , too , along with its emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a metaphor for what hospital staff is experiencing in all the hardest hit hospitals — with little downtime since the pandemic began in February — perhaps Regional ’ s nurse Liz Thurstone put it best : “ It ’ s like you ’ re trying to outrun the bulls in Spain , ” Thurstone said .
“ You ’ re looking over your shoulder and they keep getting closer and closer and all of a sudden you ’ re being stampeded .
That ’ s the way it is at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you.
” At Hazel Hawkins Memorial , Dr. Bogey and his staff are trying desperately to stay ahead of the bulls , treating every patient that arrives and hoping to avoid transferring anyone outside the region .
If more patients need ICU care — and the ICU is as full as it is now — they will be held in the Emergency Department where doctors have the ability to intubate patients to help them breathe if necessary .
A 72-inch digital screen in the emergency room keeps track of all the patients .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing a game of chess .
We ’ re just kind of moving on the fly and adapting as things change , ” Bogey said .
“ We brought that emergency room mentality to the entire hospital .
We make it work.
” Beds in the maternity ward have been shifted to the medical surgical wing to accommodate people with the virus and other patients .
Hospitals administrators are talking about cancelling surgeries and doubling up COVID patients into shared rooms .
Local officials are discussing opening a middle school for spillover patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Guard for help .
Hazel Hawkins Memorial was founded in 1907 by T.S .
Hawkins in memory of his granddaughter who died of appendicitis while being taken by horse and buggy to Monterey because Hollister had no hospital .
For Bogey , it ’ s a matter of pride and practicality to keep his patients within the community instead of shipping them to hospitals miles away , where follow-up appointments would be taxing .
Although there are still ICU beds available in the Bay Area — just an hour ’ s drive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are few left in the Central Valley .
At John C. Fremont hospital in the Sierra foothills town of Mariposa , outside the gates of Yosemite National Park , the lone hospital in the region that has no ICU is struggling to find hospitals that can take their high-risk patients .
“ We really are seeing not only a scant number of ICU beds , but it ’ s hard to find them , ” said Mariposa County Health Officer Dr. Eric Sergienko .
“ There ’ s no unified bed finder .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone and continue dialing around to find an ICU bed .
That creates a whole lot of inefficiencies when that patient is sitting in Sonora or Mariposa maybe for hours.
” In Hollister on Wednesday morning , 8 of the 25 admitted patients at Hazel Hawkins were being treated for COVID , including two of the four in the ICU and six in medical surgical wing rooms down the hall .
Another four COVID patients were being treated in the emergency room .
By early afternoon , upwards of 20 people with coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday for tests and screenings .
One was admitted .
Most were sent home .
“ It ’ s the ebb and flow of chaos this week , ” Bogey said .
In the midst of the pandemic ’ s surge , Bogey says he is fortunate that the old hospital was retired and a new one was built just 10 years ago , with an impressive Emergency Department and state-of-the-art trauma rooms .
But the ER that normally serves 60 to 70 patients is now seeing closer to 90 a day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel nurses have been brought in to help with the surge .
Many employees are doing double duty , especially unit clerks who answer phones , but are now asked to clean rooms and transfer patients throughout the hospital .
A COVID hotline in the ER rings constantly with people worried they might have the disease .
“ We ’ re doing triage after triage on the phone , ” said one nurse named Ariahnna , who couldn ’ t give her last name because of hospital policy .
“ People are panicking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us .
It ’ s a stressful time for everyone.
” Some of the patients are getting difficult , too .
Some are refusing to wear masks .
“ Early on , we were heroes , ” Bogey said .
“ But that has shifted as we have been bombarded with cases .
People have been more impatient.
” That ’ s why the morning huddles are helpful .
They didn ’ t need them for months , but Bogey started them back up during the surge last week .
With about six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the day and assesses where spare beds may be found .
But mostly , it ’ s a chance to vent and bond .

HOLLISTER — Every morning since the new coronavirus surge began, Dr. Michael Bogey gathers his staff into a huddle at San Benito County’s only hospital.
They talk about morale and keeping up energy and staying positive.
“Sometimes people cry. Sometimes people laugh,’ said Bogey, the chief medical officer and head of the emergency department at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister. “It’s trying on everyone because we’re maxed out.”
Hazel Hawkins is a small, rural hospital an hour south of Silicon Valley, surrounded by orchards and grazing cattle. It has just 25 beds, and every bed is full this week, straining the hospital and the staff. Gov. Gavin Newsom has warned that hospitals in this newly-designated San Joaquin Valley region have only 6 percent capacity left in their intensive care units — on average. But that also means many of those ICUs in hospitals from Sonora to Bakersfield, including Hollister, are already full or spilling over.
Hazel Hawkins’ four-bed ICU reached 100 percent capacity last week and has stayed there. Of the nearly 90 patients that come into the ER every day, nearly half are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. A three-room tent is set up in the parking lot for testing and screening after which most people are sent home. The hospital is so full that people waiting to be admitted often are held in the emergency room for hours — or days — until other patients are discharged, before moving into a room.
“We’re getting a double-headed surge. We’re getting COVID and really sick patients” with other ailments, said Bogey, 51, the only doctor on duty in the emergency department Tuesday. “I don’t think we’ve seen the sickest from Thanksgiving gatherings yet.”
It’s even worse elsewhere: in the Central Valley town of French Camp, the ICU at San Joaquin General is at 113 percent, meaning that all ICU beds were occupied and other severely ill patients needing intensive care were held in other parts of the hospital, said Marissa Matta, spokeswoman for the San Joaquin County emergency services agency. St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton hit 123 percent.
These smaller hospitals are bellwethers, signs of dire things to come for larger hospitals around the Bay Area and across California. Gov. Newsom’s new lockdown was ordered precisely to avoid overcrowding hospitals.
But by Monday evening, the virus had been spreading so quickly, in part because of a post-Thanksgiving surge that has yet to peak, that East San Jose’s Regional Medical Center announced that its 40-bed ICU had reached its limit, too, along with its emergency department and COVID ward.
If there’s a metaphor for what hospital staff is experiencing in all the hardest hit hospitals — with little downtime since the pandemic began in February — perhaps Regional’s nurse Liz Thurstone put it best:
“It’s like you’re trying to outrun the bulls in Spain,” Thurstone said. “You’re looking over your shoulder and they keep getting closer and closer and all of a sudden you’re being stampeded. That’s the way it is at the moment. The bulls have finally overtaken you.”
At Hazel Hawkins Memorial, Dr. Bogey and his staff are trying desperately to stay ahead of the bulls, treating every patient that arrives and hoping to avoid transferring anyone outside the region. If more patients need ICU care — and the ICU is as full as it is now — they will be held in the Emergency Department where doctors have the ability to intubate patients to help them breathe if necessary. A 72-inch digital screen in the emergency room keeps track of all the patients.
“Right now, we’re playing a game of chess. We’re just kind of moving on the fly and adapting as things change,” Bogey said. “We brought that emergency room mentality to the entire hospital. We make it work.”
Beds in the maternity ward have been shifted to the medical surgical wing to accommodate people with the virus and other patients. Hospitals administrators are talking about cancelling surgeries and doubling up COVID patients into shared rooms. Local officials are discussing opening a middle school for spillover patients and Dr. Bogey is considering asking the National Guard for help.
Hazel Hawkins Memorial was founded in 1907 by T.S. Hawkins in memory of his granddaughter who died of appendicitis while being taken by horse and buggy to Monterey because Hollister had no hospital.
For Bogey, it’s a matter of pride and practicality to keep his patients within the community instead of shipping them to hospitals miles away, where follow-up appointments would be taxing. Although there are still ICU beds available in the Bay Area — just an hour’s drive north of Hollister if needed — there are few left in the Central Valley.
At John C. Fremont hospital in the Sierra foothills town of Mariposa, outside the gates of Yosemite National Park, the lone hospital in the region that has no ICU is struggling to find hospitals that can take their high-risk patients.
“We really are seeing not only a scant number of ICU beds, but it’s hard to find them,” said Mariposa County Health Officer Dr. Eric Sergienko. “There’s no unified bed finder. A clerk has to pick up the phone and continue dialing around to find an ICU bed. That creates a whole lot of inefficiencies when that patient is sitting in Sonora or Mariposa maybe for hours.”
In Hollister on Tuesday morning, 8 of the 25 admitted patients at Hazel Hawkins were being treated for COVID, including two of the four in the ICU and six in medical surgical wing rooms down the hall. Another four COVID patients were being treated in the emergency room.
By early afternoon, upwards of 20 people with coronavirus symptoms pulled up in their cars early Wednesday for tests and screenings. One was admitted. Most were sent home.
“It’s the ebb and flow of chaos this week,” Bogey said.
In the midst of the pandemic’s surge, Bogey says he is fortunate that the old hospital was retired and a new one was built just 10 years ago, with an impressive Emergency Department and state-of-the-art trauma rooms. But the ER that normally serves 60 to 70 patients is now seeing closer to 90 a day. Nurses are routinely working overtime shifts and travel nurses have been brought in to help with the surge. Many employees are doing double duty, especially unit clerks who answer phones, but are now asked to clean rooms and transfer patients throughout the hospital. A COVID hotline in the ER rings constantly with people worried they might have the disease.
HOLLISTER, CA - DEC. 8: An RN named Ariahnna, who couldn't give her last name due to hospital policy, works under a totally full patient tracking board at in the ER department at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Hollister, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
HOLLISTER, CA - DEC. 8: Dr. Michael Bogey oversees staff at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, Calif., as people line up in cars for Covid tests and medical screenings at San Benito County's only hospital, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
HOLLISTER, CA - DEC. 8: Dr. Michael Bogey talks with an EMT as a patient is brought into the ER department at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Hollister, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
HOLLISTER, CA - DEC. 8: Dr. Michael Bogey works in the ER department at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, the only hospital in San Benito County, and one that is a full capacity, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Hollister, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
HOLLISTER, CA - DEC. 8: Outside Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, Calif., an RN named Erin helps people lining up in cars for Covid tests and medical screenings at San Benito County's only hospital, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
HOLLISTER, CA - DEC. 8: A medical assistant named Beatriz works outside Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, Calif., helping people driving up for Covid tests and medical screenings at San Benito County's only hospital, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
HOLLISTER, CA - DEC. 8: Dr. Michael Bogey oversees staff at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, Calif., as people line up in cars for Covid tests and medical screenings at San Benito County's only hospital, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
HOLLISTER, CA - DEC. 8: Outside Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, Calif., staff prepare for people in cars lining up for Covid tests and medical screenings at San Benito County's only hospital, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
HOLLISTER, CA - DEC. 8: Dr. Michael Bogey checks a totally full patient tracking board in the ER department at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, the only hospital in San Benito County, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Hollister, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
HOLLISTER, CA - DEC. 8: Dr. Michael Bogey works in the ER department at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Hollister, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
HOLLISTER, CA - DEC. 8: A room is cleaned inside the Emergency Room at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Hollister, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
HOLLISTER, CA - DEC. 8: Dr. Michael Bogey, the chief medical officer and head of the emergency department at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, talks with charge nurse Mylene, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Hollister, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
HOLLISTER, CA - DEC. 8: Dr. Michael Bogey, being shadowed by a medical student named Bailey, finishes visiting with a COVID-19 patient in the ER department at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Hollister, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
HOLLISTER, CA - DEC. 8: Outside Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, Calif., staff prepare for people in cars lining up for Covid tests and medical screenings at San Benito County's only hospital, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
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Some of the patients are getting difficult, too. Some are refusing to wear masks.
“Early on, we were heroes,” Bogey said. “But that has shifted as we have been bombarded with cases. People have been more impatient.”
That’s why the morning huddles are helpful. They didn’t need them for months, but Bogey started them back up during the surge last week. With about six nurses, Bogey discusses their game plan for the day and assesses where spare beds may be found.
But mostly, it’s a chance to vent and bond.
“It’s teamwork. It’s coming together,” nurse Ariahnna said. “We are surviving.”


mercurynews--2020-12-09--Biden expected to pick Vilsack for Agriculture post

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate Tom Vilsack to lead the Department of Agriculture , two sources familiar with the matter said .
One source tells CNN that the announcement could come later this week .
Vilsack served as agriculture secretary for the entirety of President Barack Obama ’ s time in the White House .
He was unanimously confirmed by the US Senate in January 2009 , and served in that post until he stepped down in 2017 shortly before President Donald Trump took office .
If Vilsack is ultimately selected , he would be the latest example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Cabinet and surrounding himself with longtime advisers , loyal supporters or experts in their respective fields with whom he has a great degree of comfort .
Vilsack , a former Iowa governor , and his wife , Christie , endorsed Biden during the Iowa caucuses and campaigned aggressively for him .
Biden finished fourth place , which at the time he called “ a gut punch , ” but he repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the Vilsacks for their support .
Vilsack has also expressed interest in other positions , people familiar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States trade representative .
He is among several top supporters of Biden who remain in contention to key posts , including former Michigan Gov .
Jennifer Granholm and Pete Buttigieg , a primary rival whose decision to leave the race helped consolidate support around Biden in March .
In 1998 , Vilsak became the first Democrat elected governor of Iowa in more than 30 years .
He served as governor from 1999 to 2007 .
During his time as governor , he served for one year as chair of the Democratic Governors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement of candidacy to run for in the 2008 presidential race , but he dropped out of the race in February 2007 .
He ultimately endorsed Hillary Clinton for president and became co-chairman of her national campaign .
After stepping down as agriculture secretary , Vilsack became the president and CEO of the US Dairy Export Council .
Vilsack also won a $ 150,000 Powerball prize in the Iowa Lottery , and claimed his prize in February of this year .
With Biden poised to select Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge to lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agriculture secretary position is among the Cabinet positions that have yet to be named .
Fudge had openly expressed interest in serving at USDA and had several top boosters for the post , including House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn , but he signaled Tuesday that she was pleased with the reports she was tapped for HUD .
Former North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp is also been seen as a contender for USDA .
A senior Democratic official said that while the Cabinet is shaping up to be racially diverse , the gender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause concern among some Democrats , with several men named for key posts in quick order .

By Jeff Zeleny, Arlette Saenz and Kate Sullivan | CNN
President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate Tom Vilsack to lead the Department of Agriculture, two sources familiar with the matter said.
One source tells CNN that the announcement could come later this week.
Vilsack served as agriculture secretary for the entirety of President Barack Obama’s time in the White House. He was unanimously confirmed by the US Senate in January 2009, and served in that post until he stepped down in 2017 shortly before President Donald Trump took office.
If Vilsack is ultimately selected, he would be the latest example of how President-elect Joe Biden is filling his Cabinet and surrounding himself with longtime advisers, loyal supporters or experts in their respective fields with whom he has a great degree of comfort.
Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, and his wife, Christie, endorsed Biden during the Iowa caucuses and campaigned aggressively for him. Biden finished fourth place, which at the time he called “a gut punch,” but he repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the Vilsacks for their support.
Vilsack has also expressed interest in other positions, people familiar with the matter say, including the United States trade representative. He is among several top supporters of Biden who remain in contention to key posts, including former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Pete Buttigieg, a primary rival whose decision to leave the race helped consolidate support around Biden in March.
A transition official declined to comment.
In 1998, Vilsak became the first Democrat elected governor of Iowa in more than 30 years. He served as governor from 1999 to 2007. During his time as governor, he served for one year as chair of the Democratic Governors Association.
In 2006, Vilsack filed a statement of candidacy to run for in the 2008 presidential race, but he dropped out of the race in February 2007. He ultimately endorsed Hillary Clinton for president and became co-chairman of her national campaign.
After stepping down as agriculture secretary, Vilsack became the president and CEO of the US Dairy Export Council. Vilsack also won a $150,000 Powerball prize in the Iowa Lottery, and claimed his prize in February of this year.
With Biden poised to select Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge to lead the Housing and Urban Development Department, the agriculture secretary position is among the Cabinet positions that have yet to be named. Fudge had openly expressed interest in serving at USDA and had several top boosters for the post, including House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, but he signaled Tuesday that she was pleased with the reports she was tapped for HUD.
Former North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp is also been seen as a contender for USDA.
A senior Democratic official said that while the Cabinet is shaping up to be racially diverse, the gender diversity was something that was beginning to cause concern among some Democrats, with several men named for key posts in quick order.


mercurynews--2020-12-09--Days before start of murder trial, East Bay woman pleads guilty with no deal in place; victim was sh

Days before start of murder trial, East Bay woman pleads guilty with no deal in place; victim was sheriff’s explorer

OAKLAND — Just days before she was about to stand trial in the horrific 2016 killing of a 21-year-old Alameda County Sheriff ’ s explorer , an East Bay woman shocked observers by pleading guilty to first degree murder with no deal in place , all but guaranteeing she will serve a life sentence with no chance for parole for 26 years .
The decision by 26-year-old Laura Rodgers — accused of luring Karla Ramirez-Segoviano to an Oakland park and stabbing her to death — was motivated by a desire to “ start the healing process , ” her attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt guilty about her role in the crime and reportedly wanted to spare Ramirez-Segoviano ’ s family the ordeal of watching gruesome details of her killing play out during a trial .
“ It is unconventional ( to plead guilty ) but it is with the understanding that she is remorseful for what happened and terribly sorry for everything that the young lady ’ s family has gone through and is going through , ” said Rodgers ’ attorney , Darryl Stallworth , adding that he hadn ’ t seen a move like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attorney .
“ ( Rodgers ) did something incredibly courageous and brave today by not having them go through a trial process and reliving all of the painful circumstances.
” Rodgers ’ co-defendant , 26-year-old Curtys Taylor , is still facing murder charges .
His trial is expected to start in late January , but may be delayed depending on the court ’ s ability to select jurors amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Taylor is accused of bringing gasoline to the scene of the crime to burn Ramirez-Segoviano ’ s body in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ramirez-Segoviano ’ s death had a lasting impact on the Alameda County Sheriff ’ s Office , where she worked as an explorer , said sheriff Sgt .
Ray Kelly in a Tuesday interview .
“ When we lost Karla , that was very impactful to a lot of those young kids .
A lot of her friends are now deputies .
I know it greatly impacted our staff who worked with Karla , ” Kelly said .
“ If ( Rodgers ) is pleading guilty to spare the family the emotional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think that ’ s respectable and it ’ s something that ’ s very rare .
In that regard I think it ’ s a blessing and an act of kindness.
” It was revealed during the 2018 preliminary hearing that Rodgers and Taylor were in a relationship , but that Rodgers had an affair with Ramirez-Segoviano .
Authorities say that Rodgers , who had been friends with the victim for four years , lured Ramirez-Segoviano to the Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center in Oakland and attacked her .
Taylor was allegedly waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found Ramirez-Segoviano body , beaten , stabbed and burned .
“ During trial , all kinds of crime scene photos are shown and they go through these brutal crimes minute-by-minute , ” Kelly said .
Taylor and Rodgers were arrested shortly after Ramirez-Segoviano ’ s death , but the case stalled for years as attorneys debated Rodgers ’ mental competency to stand trial .
This month , prosecuting and defense attorneys started hearing legal motions and were moving toward jury selection when Rodgers upended the process by deciding to take the murder charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence of 26 years to life , sometime in 2021 .
Stallworth said he is not sure if she will testify against Taylor during his trial .

OAKLAND — Just days before she was about to stand trial in the horrific 2016 killing of a 21-year-old Alameda County sheriff’s Explorer, an East Bay woman shocked observers by pleading guilty to first-degree murder with no deal in place, all but guaranteeing she will serve a life sentence with no chance for parole for 26 years.
The decision by 26-year-old Laura Rodgers — accused of luring Karla Ramirez-Segoviano to an Oakland park and stabbing her to death — was motivated by a desire to “start the healing process,” her attorney said in an interview Tuesday. Rodgers felt guilty about her role in the crime and reportedly wanted to spare Ramirez-Segoviano’s family the ordeal of hearing gruesome details of her killing during a trial.
“It is unconventional (to plead guilty) but it is with the understanding that she is remorseful for what happened and terribly sorry for everything that the young lady’s family has gone through and is going through,” said Rodgers’ attorney, Darryl Stallworth, adding that he hadn’t seen a move like Rodgers’ in his 30 years as an attorney. “(Rodgers) did something incredibly courageous and brave today by not having them go through a trial process and reliving all of the painful circumstances.”
Rodgers’ co-defendant, 26-year-old Curtys Taylor, is still facing murder charges. His trial is expected to start in late January, but may be delayed depending on the court’s ability to select jurors amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Taylor is accused of bringing gasoline to the park to burn Ramirez-Segoviano’s body in an attempt to cover up the crime.
Ramirez-Segoviano’s death had a lasting impact on the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, said sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly in a Tuesday interview. She belonged to the agency’s Explorer program, which introduces participants ages 14-20 to law enforcement careers.
“When we lost Karla, that was very impactful to a lot of those young kids. A lot of her friends are now deputies. I know it greatly impacted our staff who worked with Karla,” Kelly said. “If (Rodgers) is pleading guilty to spare the family the emotional pain of Karla’s death, I think that’s respectable and it’s something that’s very rare. In that regard I think it’s a blessing and an act of kindness.”
It was revealed during the 2018 preliminary hearing that Rodgers and Taylor were in a relationship, but that Rodgers had an affair with Ramirez-Segoviano, with whom she had been friends for four years. Authorities say that Rodgers lured the victim to the Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center in Oakland and attacked her. Taylor was allegedly waiting at the park. Ramirez-Segoviano’s body was found beaten, stabbed and burned.
“During trial, all kinds of crime scene photos are shown and they go through these brutal crimes minute-by-minute,” Kelly said.
Taylor and Rodgers were arrested shortly after Ramirez-Segoviano’s death, but the case stalled for years as attorneys debated Rodgers’ mental competency to stand trial. This month, prosecuting and defense attorneys started hearing legal motions and were moving toward jury selection when Rodgers upended the process by deciding to take the murder charge.
She is expected to receive a sentence of 26 years to life, sometime in 2021. Stallworth said he is not sure if she will testify against Taylor during his trial.
Staff writer Angela Ruggiero contributed to this report.