mercurynews--2020-11-27--Top California climate regulator wants to run Biden EPA

SACRAMENTO — Over four decades , Mary Nichols has been the regulator behind some of the nation ’ s most ambitious climate policies and , in recent years , she ’ s been their staunchest defender against President Donald Trump ’ s effort to dismantle them .
With Joe Biden heading to the White House , Nichols hopes she is not done yet .
Nichols , 75 , ends her second tenure as chair of the California Air Resources Board next month , a job that ’ s made her the top air and climate regulator for the nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She is viewed as a leading contender to be named as Biden ’ s administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency .
Heather McTeer Toney , senior director of Moms Clean Air Force , and Mustafa Santiago Ali of the National Wildlife Federation , both former EPA officials , also have support for the job .
Biden has signaled climate change will be a top priority .
For Nichols , it would cap a career of championing stringent air pollution rules , negotiating landmark vehicle emissions standards and implementing California ’ s carbon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EPA from 1993 to 1997 as head of the Office of Air and Radiation .
“ Not everybody has actually run a climate action program , or an air program for that matter .
And I like working with large bureaucracies , ” Nichols told The Associated Press .
“ If they offered it , I would take it.
” Biden ’ s transition team hasn ’ t said when he ’ ll announce environmental and energy nominees , and Nichols hadn ’ t been interviewed as of midweek .
Nichols has worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was previously California ’ s attorney general .
If Republicans hold the Senate , she may have a tough road to confirmation due to their opposition to environmental and business regulation .
Republicans loyal to Trump are sure to oppose her , as California styled itself as the resistance to his administration .
To her allies , Nichols ’ decades of experience implementing climate policy and her long relationships make her an ideal candidate to lead the agency as it goes through the arduous process of reversing Trump administration actions .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to preserve California ’ s ability to set its own automobile emissions standards and resisted his efforts to roll back power plant pollution regulations .
“ There ’ s no one in America who combines both the technical and political work and experience as Mary Nichols has , ” said former California Gov .
Jerry Brown , who first made Nichols chair of the California board in the late 1970s .
“ Having that wide scope of time and experience is invaluable , totally unique , and absolutely essential to deal with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council in Los Angeles , called her “ the most important actor in the climate change movement in California.
” But environmental groups are not united behind Nichols .
Cities like Los Angeles and Fresno have some of the nation ’ s dirtiest air and high childhood asthma rates .
Critics of California ’ s climate approach say the state ’ s policies have left low-income communities behind .
The California Environmental Justice Alliance and Friends of the Earth sent a letter to Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their suggestions and backed policies that favor industry over people .
“ There are just numerous examples of how Mary Nichols has neglected environmental justice and communities of color , ” said Gladys Limon , CEJA ’ s executive director .
Washington-based Food and Water Action isn ’ t taking a position on Nichols as a potential nominee , but senior energy policy analyst Jim Walsh said California has pursued a “ flawed model that says that we can just make fossil fuels better.
” Nichols began her fight against air pollution in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit under the Clean Air Act over dirty air in Southern California .
Her current stint on the air board began in 2007 under then-Gov .
Arnold Schwarzenegger , a Republican .
Transportation makes up the largest portion of the nation ’ s greenhouse gas emissions , and no state has had more power in reducing them than California , which holds a major share of the American car market .
The state won the power decades ago to implement its own emissions standards as smog choked Southern California .
But in 2007 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s request to set higher vehicle emissions standards , which in turn dictate gas mileage .
But the automakers sensed a political change was coming , and by the time President Barack Obama took office in 2009 , Nichols was already in talks with car makers and federal officials about setting one national emissions standard , built off California ’ s rules .
Three years later , Obama announced a requirement for the new fleet of vehicles to get 36 miles per gallon real-world driving by 2025 , a major step forward .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved to roll back those standards and revoke California ’ s authority to set its own .
Nichols helped persuade five companies — Ford , Honda , Volkswagen , Volvo and BMW — to buck Trump .
A lawsuit is still winding through the courts , but on Monday , General Motors pulled out and joined with California .
Other auto makers may soon do the same , and Biden is likely to end the efforts .
Nichols said she never spoke to Trump throughout the ordeal .
The Trump administration also targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requires polluters to buy or hold credits to emit carbon , though it lost in court .
Some environmental groups oppose the market-based system , arguing it gives polluters too much leeway to continue spewing emissions .
Nichols said the air board is working to reduce pollution in the most polluted areas , but acknowledged there ’ s more work to be done .
As Nichols prepares to leave the air board , California is pursuing more ambitious goals , including net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 and ending sales of new gas-powered vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Nichols sees as necessary to “ avoid catastrophe.
” Biden has proposed net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 , which he says will mean a transition away from fossil fuels , though he is not calling for a ban .
Nichols said banning oil production or refining could be an effective strategy but it would need to be coupled with major efforts to help the workforce adapt .
California is one of the nation ’ s main oil-producing states .
• Letters : Homeless plan unwise | Explanation owed | A plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Con continues • Trump says he will leave White House if EC votes for Biden Even a hint at moving away from those industries will bring sharp political fights in Washington .
To Brown , the former California governor , Nichols has the experience to navigate them .
“ The politics of regulating emissions from all the powerful industries in California is not straightforward , are not harmonious or easy , ” Brown said .
“ She ’ s been able to work through the challenges.
” Associated Press writers Tom Krisher in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington contributed .

By Kathleen Ronayne | Associated Press
SACRAMENTO — Over four decades, Mary Nichols has been the regulator behind some of the nation’s most ambitious climate policies and, in recent years, she’s been their staunchest defender against President Donald Trump’s effort to dismantle them.
With Joe Biden heading to the White House, Nichols hopes she is not done yet.
Nichols, 75, ends her second tenure as chair of the California Air Resources Board next month, a job that’s made her the top air and climate regulator for the nation’s most populous and economically influential state. She is viewed as a leading contender to be named as Biden’s administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Heather McTeer Toney, senior director of Moms Clean Air Force, and Mustafa Santiago Ali of the National Wildlife Federation, both former EPA officials, also have support for the job. Biden has signaled climate change will be a top priority.
For Nichols, it would cap a career of championing stringent air pollution rules, negotiating landmark vehicle emissions standards and implementing California’s carbon trading system. She worked at the EPA from 1993 to 1997 as head of the Office of Air and Radiation.
“Not everybody has actually run a climate action program, or an air program for that matter. And I like working with large bureaucracies,” Nichols told The Associated Press. “If they offered it, I would take it.”
Biden’s transition team hasn’t said when he’ll announce environmental and energy nominees, and Nichols hadn’t been interviewed as of midweek. Nichols has worked before with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who was previously California’s attorney general. If Republicans hold the Senate, she may have a tough road to confirmation due to their opposition to environmental and business regulation. Republicans loyal to Trump are sure to oppose her, as California styled itself as the resistance to his administration.
To her allies, Nichols’ decades of experience implementing climate policy and her long relationships make her an ideal candidate to lead the agency as it goes through the arduous process of reversing Trump administration actions. During Trump’s tenure, she fought to preserve California’s ability to set its own automobile emissions standards and resisted his efforts to roll back power plant pollution regulations.
“There’s no one in America who combines both the technical and political work and experience as Mary Nichols has,” said former California Gov. Jerry Brown, who first made Nichols chair of the California board in the late 1970s. “Having that wide scope of time and experience is invaluable, totally unique, and absolutely essential to deal with the complexities of climate.”
David Pettit, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council in Los Angeles, called her “the most important actor in the climate change movement in California.”
But environmental groups are not united behind Nichols. Cities like Los Angeles and Fresno have some of the nation’s dirtiest air and high childhood asthma rates. Critics of California’s climate approach say the state’s policies have left low-income communities behind. The California Environmental Justice Alliance and Friends of the Earth sent a letter to Biden’s transition team Tuesday saying Nichols has ignored their suggestions and backed policies that favor industry over people.
“There are just numerous examples of how Mary Nichols has neglected environmental justice and communities of color,” said Gladys Limon, CEJA’s executive director.
Washington-based Food and Water Action isn’t taking a position on Nichols as a potential nominee, but senior energy policy analyst Jim Walsh said California has pursued a “flawed model that says that we can just make fossil fuels better.”
Nichols began her fight against air pollution in the 1970s, when she brought a lawsuit under the Clean Air Act over dirty air in Southern California. Her current stint on the air board began in 2007 under then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican.
Transportation makes up the largest portion of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, and no state has had more power in reducing them than California, which holds a major share of the American car market. The state won the power decades ago to implement its own emissions standards as smog choked Southern California.
But in 2007, the Bush administration denied California’s request to set higher vehicle emissions standards, which in turn dictate gas mileage.
But the automakers sensed a political change was coming, and by the time President Barack Obama took office in 2009, Nichols was already in talks with car makers and federal officials about setting one national emissions standard, built off California’s rules. Three years later, Obama announced a requirement for the new fleet of vehicles to get 36 miles per gallon real-world driving by 2025, a major step forward.
Just months into his tenure, Trump moved to roll back those standards and revoke California’s authority to set its own. Nichols helped persuade five companies — Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, Volvo and BMW — to buck Trump. A lawsuit is still winding through the courts, but on Monday, General Motors pulled out and joined with California. Other auto makers may soon do the same, and Biden is likely to end the efforts.
Nichols said she never spoke to Trump throughout the ordeal.
The Trump administration also targeted California’s cap-and-trade program, which requires polluters to buy or hold credits to emit carbon, though it lost in court. Some environmental groups oppose the market-based system, arguing it gives polluters too much leeway to continue spewing emissions.
Nichols said the air board is working to reduce pollution in the most polluted areas, but acknowledged there’s more work to be done.
As Nichols prepares to leave the air board, California is pursuing more ambitious goals, including net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 and ending sales of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. They are aggressive targets that Nichols sees as necessary to “avoid catastrophe.”
Biden has proposed net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which he says will mean a transition away from fossil fuels, though he is not calling for a ban. Nichols said banning oil production or refining could be an effective strategy but it would need to be coupled with major efforts to help the workforce adapt. California is one of the nation’s main oil-producing states.
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“The politics of regulating emissions from all the powerful industries in California is not straightforward, are not harmonious or easy,” Brown said. “She’s been able to work through the challenges.”
Associated Press writers Tom Krisher in Detroit and Ellen Knickmeyer and Matthew Daly in Washington contributed.


mercurynews--2020-11-27--Raiders on the edge: Takk McKinley, Vic Beasley will wait their turn to supply pass rush

Anyone who had hopes of Raiders newcomers Takk McKinley and Vic Beasley screaming off the edge to pressure former Falcons teammate Matt Ryan got a dose of reality Friday from coach Jon Gruden .
McKinley , the former first-round draft pick out of UCLA by way of Richmond ’ s Kennedy High , won ’ t be making the trip to Atlanta and has been placed on injured reserve .
Beasley , also a former first-round pick who was released by the Tennessee Titans earlier this month , will likely remain on the practice squad when the Raiders ( 6-4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both players were draft selections by the Falcons , Beasley No .
8 overall in 2015 and McKinley No .
26 in 2017 .
They arrive hopeful of re-igniting careers which have fallen on hard times .
Since the Raiders are ranked 31st in the NFL in sacks with 11 , ahead of only the Jacksonville Jaguars , they were only too happy to supply jumper cables .
McKinley got farther with the Raiders than he did with either the Cincinnati Bengals or the 49ers .
He was originally waived by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but failed his physical in Cincinnati because of a groin injury .
The 49ers got the next shot based on win-loss record , and they too put him back on waivers .
The Raiders were next , and determined they could put him on the IR to heal and get something out of him before the end of the season .
“ Takk McKinley will not be on the trip this week , but he is a big part of our plans for the future , ” Gruden said Friday during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know how far in the immediate future that is.
” McKinley ( 6-foot-2 , 256 pounds ) is only under contract through the rest of the season , and will receive just under $ 656,000 for six games .
He last played on Oct. 25 , getting 23 snaps against the Detroit Lions , so he has already had over a month to heal .
In 49 games with the Falcons , McKinley had 25 starts and 17 1/2 sacks .
He had 13 sacks in his first two seasons , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past two years .
Gruden said both players were part of a long-standing Raiders tradition of giving players second chances and those opportunities arise through first impressions .
“ We ’ ve always looked at what we thought of these players coming out ( of college ) to bring them here as soon as possible , ” Gruden said .
“ When McKinley came out of UCLA , when Vic came out of Clemson , I know I liked them both .
I know Mike Mayock liked them both.
” Mayock , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analyst , rated McKinley the No .
5 edge player in the draft after Myles Garrett of Texas A & M , Solomon Thomas of Stanford , Charles Harris of Missouri and Derek Barnett of Tennessee .
In other interviews , Mayock also thought highly of T.J. Watt of Wisconsin .
It ’ s a measure of how tricky it is to assess draft talent that only two of that group — Garrett at No .
1 to Cleveland and Watt at No .
30 to Pittsburgh — have ascended to an elite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season with the Falcons , racking up 15 1/2 sacks for a team that went to the Super Bowl .
In 51 games since 2016 , Beasley had 15 sacks in 51 games .
Tennessee signed Beasley to a one-year , $ 9.5 million as a free agent , but he reported to camp 10 days late with an unexcused absence and never made an impact with three tackles and a forced fumble in 118 snaps .
“ I don ’ t want to say that Vic is going to be ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to keep looking at him , ” Gruden said .
“ We ’ re going to try to teach him our defense and bring him up to speed hopefully he can make a contribution soon .
Given that the Raiders are only on the hook for $ 72,000 at a practice squad rate ( a promotion would get his salary increased the the league minimum ) , Beasley is clearly in a “ prove it ” mode .
Defensive end Maxx Crosby has six of the Raiders ’ 11 sacks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free agent in the offseason , second with 1 1/2 .
The Raiders have been careful regarding right tackle Trent Brown , who is in his second stint on the COVID-19 reserve list with complications from his bout with the coronavirus .
While Brown still remains on that list , along with nickel corner Lamarcus Joyner and practice squad running back Theo Riddick , he should coming off soon .
“ I think the first thing is his state of mind is excellent , ” Gruden said .
“ He ’ s passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to resume practice on Wednesday .
Hopefully we ’ ll get him back in the lineup shortly after that .
The No .
1 thing right now is his health , and it ’ s a serious matter , obviously .
We ’ ve done everything possible to make sure all systems are go and are anxious to get Trent back on the grass.
” — Defensive end Clelin Ferrell came off the COVID-19 list and was on the field for the first time , but was listed as questionable to face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would likely be made on the charter flight .
The only other person with an injury designation was safety Erik Harris , who is questionable with a calf injury .
• Falcons ’ Raheem Morris indebted to Raiders ’ Jon Gruden for getting his start in coaching • Raiders ’ Derek Carr keeping defenses and viewers guessing with ‘ Purple Walrus ’ and other audibles • NFL Week 12 picks : Cowboys , Steelers win at home ; 49ers fall at Rams ; Raiders rebound in Atlanta Defensive end/tackle Chris Smith is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gruden said .
That means running back Jalen Richard , who missed the Chiefs game with a chest injury sustained on a kickoff return against Denver , should be good to go .
Cornerback Amik Robertson , who missed two days of practice with an illness , was limited and also should be available .
— Gruden declined to specify the role of Cory Littleton , who is off the COVID-19 reserve list and available to face Atlanta .
Linebacker Nicholas Morrow had the best game of his career against Denver in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to play all our linebackers , ” Gruden said .
“ We ’ re going to play a lot of people on defense .
We ’ re still looking for the right combination on all three levels and that ’ s a big part of the process here this week.
” — The Atlanta game is the first of back-to-back East Coast swings , with the New York Jets up next at the Meadowlands in Week 13 .
The coronavirus pandemic has altered the Raiders ’ original travel plans .
“ When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were going to stay on the East Coast and reduce the flight time , but obviously given these circumstances we have to do what ’ s right , ” Gruden said .
“ We ’ re going to do what the protocols advise us to do .
”

Anyone who had hopes of Raiders newcomers Takk McKinley and Vic Beasley screaming off the edge to pressure former Falcons teammate Matt Ryan got a dose of reality Friday from coach Jon Gruden.
McKinley, the former first-round draft pick out of UCLA by way of Richmond’s Kennedy High, won’t be making the trip to Atlanta and has been placed on injured reserve.
Beasley, also a former first-round pick who was released by the Tennessee Titans earlier this month, will likely remain on the practice squad when the Raiders (6-4) visit the Falcons (3-7).
Reclamation projects rarely pay immediate dividends.
Both players were draft selections by the Falcons, Beasley No. 8 overall in 2015 and McKinley No. 26 in 2017.
They arrive hopeful of re-igniting careers which have fallen on hard times. Since the Raiders are ranked 31st in the NFL in sacks with 11, ahead of only the Jacksonville Jaguars, they were only too happy to supply jumper cables.
McKinley got farther with the Raiders than he did with either the Cincinnati Bengals or the 49ers. He was originally waived by the Falcons on Nov. 9 at his request, but failed his physical in Cincinnati because of a groin injury. The 49ers got the next shot based on win-loss record, and they too put him back on waivers.
The Raiders were next, and determined they could put him on the IR to heal and get something out of him before the end of the season.
“Takk McKinley will not be on the trip this week, but he is a big part of our plans for the future,” Gruden said Friday during a teleconference. “I just don’t know how far in the immediate future that is.”
McKinley (6-foot-2, 256 pounds) is only under contract through the rest of the season, and will receive just under $656,000 for six games. He last played on Oct. 25, getting 23 snaps against the Detroit Lions, so he has already had over a month to heal.
In 49 games with the Falcons, McKinley had 25 starts and 17 1/2 sacks. He had 13 sacks in his first two seasons, and 4 1/2 sacks in 18 games over the past two years.
Gruden said both players were part of a long-standing Raiders tradition of giving players second chances and those opportunities arise through first impressions.
“We’ve always looked at what we thought of these players coming out (of college) to bring them here as soon as possible,” Gruden said. “When McKinley came out of UCLA, when Vic came out of Clemson, I know I liked them both. I know Mike Mayock liked them both.”
Mayock, the Raiders general manager and former NFL.com analyst, rated McKinley the No. 5 edge player in the draft after Myles Garrett of Texas A&M, Solomon Thomas of Stanford, Charles Harris of Missouri and Derek Barnett of Tennessee. In other interviews, Mayock also thought highly of T.J. Watt of Wisconsin.
It’s a measure of how tricky it is to assess draft talent that only two of that group — Garrett at No. 1 to Cleveland and Watt at No. 30 to Pittsburgh — have ascended to an elite level.
Beasley had a huge second season with the Falcons, racking up 15 1/2 sacks for a team that went to the Super Bowl. In 51 games since 2016, Beasley had 15 sacks in 51 games.
Tennessee signed Beasley to a one-year, $9.5 million as a free agent, but he reported to camp 10 days late with an unexcused absence and never made an impact with three tackles and a forced fumble in 118 snaps.
“I don’t want to say that Vic is going to be ready to go this week, but we’re going to keep looking at him,” Gruden said. “We’re going to try to teach him our defense and bring him up to speed hopefully he can make a contribution soon.
Given that the Raiders are only on the hook for $72,000 at a practice squad rate (a promotion would get his salary increased the the league minimum), Beasley is clearly in a “prove it” mode.
Defensive end Maxx Crosby has six of the Raiders’ 11 sacks, with Carl Nassib, signed as a free agent in the offseason, second with 1 1/2.
Trent Brown timetable
The Raiders have been careful regarding right tackle Trent Brown, who is in his second stint on the COVID-19 reserve list with complications from his bout with the coronavirus.
While Brown still remains on that list, along with nickel corner Lamarcus Joyner and practice squad running back Theo Riddick, he should coming off soon.
“I think the first thing is his state of mind is excellent,” Gruden said. “He’s passed all his tests. He’s going to resume practice on Wednesday. Hopefully we’ll get him back in the lineup shortly after that. The No. 1 thing right now is his health, and it’s a serious matter, obviously. We’ve done everything possible to make sure all systems are go and are anxious to get Trent back on the grass.”
ETCETERA
— Defensive end Clelin Ferrell came off the COVID-19 list and was on the field for the first time, but was listed as questionable to face the Falcons. Gruden said a determination would likely be made on the charter flight. The only other person with an injury designation was safety Erik Harris, who is questionable with a calf injury.
Defensive end/tackle Chris Smith is in the mix to play up front, Gruden said.
That means running back Jalen Richard, who missed the Chiefs game with a chest injury sustained on a kickoff return against Denver, should be good to go. Cornerback Amik Robertson, who missed two days of practice with an illness, was limited and also should be available.
— Gruden declined to specify the role of Cory Littleton, who is off the COVID-19 reserve list and available to face Atlanta. Linebacker Nicholas Morrow had the best game of his career against Denver in place of Littleton.
“We’re going to play all our linebackers,” Gruden said. “We’re going to play a lot of people on defense. We’re still looking for the right combination on all three levels and that’s a big part of the process here this week.”
— The Atlanta game is the first of back-to-back East Coast swings, with the New York Jets up next at the Meadowlands in Week 13. The coronavirus pandemic has altered the Raiders’ original travel plans.
“When we initially made the schedule, we were going to stay on the East Coast and reduce the flight time, but obviously given these circumstances we have to do what’s right,” Gruden said. “We’re going to do what the protocols advise us to do.”


mercurynews--2020-11-27--49ers injury report vs. Rams: Samuel, Mostert, Sherman back but outlook unclear on Williams, others

SANTA CLARA — Wide receiver Deebo Samuel , running back Raheem Mostert and cornerback Richard Sherman are cleared to return from injuries and play in the 49ers ’ scheduled game Sunday at the Los Angeles Rams .
That about sums up Friday ’ s positive news from coach Kyle Shanahan .
A slew of other personnel shuffling has hindered the short-staffed 49ers , who ’ ve had only one full-speed practice ( Wednesday ) since their Nov. 15 loss at New Orleans and their ensuing bye last weekend .
Six players remain on the NFL ’ s COVID-19 reserve list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left tackle Trent Williams has a “ outside chance ” of playing among that group .
Those unlikely to be activated include wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk , for the second time in three games .
While defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw did come of COVID-19 reserve Friday ( another bit of positive news ) , he is questionable , as are tight end Jordan Reed and linebackers Dre Greenlaw and Azeez Al-Shaair .
That later trio were kept out of the past two practices because of COVID-19 precautions after feeling ill ( but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn until about 15 minutes prior to the Thanksgiving practice that Reed , Greenlaw and Al-Shaair would miss the workout .
That prompted the 49ers to downshift Thursday ’ s session into a walk-through like Friday ’ s .
After Thursday ’ s workout , the 49ers lost another potential starter , as guard Tom Compton reported a concussion and has been ruled out .
Rookie Colton McKivitz will make his first start after rotating with Compton at right guard in the loss at New Orleans .
Running back Tevin Coleman ( knee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeff Wilson is expected to come off injured reserve and help Jerick McKinnon back up the presumed starter , Mostert .
The IR activations of Mostert , Wilson and Sherman are due by 1 p.m. Saturday .
“ We had some guys out , maybe had to switch the practice schedule around , but it hasn ’ t been too bad , ” quarterback Nick Mullens , who ’ ll make his fifth start in place of Jimmy Garoppolo .
“ Our circumstances are different a little but the same info is getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and same with the reps. ” Kinlaw , the 49ers ’ top draft pick this year , has come on strong his rookie season and has yet to miss a game .
But last week , he and six others followed Arik Armstead onto the COVID-19 list ; Armstead was cleared Wednesday .
Still on the COVID-19 reserve list are Aiyuk , Williams , linebacker Joe Walker , tight end Daniel Helm and defensive linemen D.J .
Jones and Jordan Willis .
If Greenlaw and Al-Shaair can ’ t go , lining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be converted Marcell Harris and practice-squad call-up Jonas Griffith .
“ It ’ s been a challenge , ” Shanahan said .
“ Meetings has been the easier part .
Everyone in the league is getting used to Zooming .
… The biggest challenge was knowing how much work we had to do to get crisp and only had ( a full-speed practice ) Wednesday.
” Perhaps signaling Aiyuk ’ s unavailability , the 49ers re-signed Jordan Matthews for a potential practice squad promotion ; Chris Finke was released .
Others ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williams ( ankle ) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles ( hamstring ) .
Williams ’ ankle sprain likely will keep him out the next game against Buffalo , too .
• Which 49ers are left to suit up against Rams if Sunday ’ s game goes as scheduled ?
• 49ers injury report : Coronavirus precautions keep Jordan Reed , two linebackers out of practice • 49ers Mostert , Coleman regroup with running backs to likely face favored Rams As for the Rams , tight end Tyler Higbee ( elbow ) is questionable and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Terrell Lewis ( knee ) is doubtful .
The Rams canceled Friday ’ s practice after two team members , including an unidentified player , received positive COVID-19 test results Thursday ; negative tests have since followed .

SANTA CLARA — Wide receiver Deebo Samuel, running back Raheem Mostert and cornerback Richard Sherman are cleared to return from injuries and play in the 49ers’ scheduled game Sunday at the Los Angeles Rams.
That about sums up Friday’s positive news from coach Kyle Shanahan.
A slew of other personnel shuffling has hindered the short-staffed 49ers, who’ve had only one full-speed practice (Wednesday) since their Nov. 15 loss at New Orleans and their ensuing bye last weekend.
Six players remain on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list, and Shanahan was briefed that only left tackle Trent Williams has a “outside chance” of playing among that group. Those unlikely to be activated include wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, for the second time in three games.
While defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw did come of COVID-19 reserve Friday (another bit of positive news), he is questionable, as are tight end Jordan Reed and linebackers Dre Greenlaw and Azeez Al-Shaair. That later trio were kept out of the past two practices because of COVID-19 precautions after feeling ill (but not testing positive).
Shanahan did not learn until about 15 minutes prior to the Thanksgiving practice that Reed, Greenlaw and Al-Shaair would miss the workout.
That prompted the 49ers to downshift Thursday’s session into a walk-through like Friday’s. After Thursday’s workout, the 49ers lost another potential starter, as guard Tom Compton reported a concussion and has been ruled out. Rookie Colton McKivitz will make his first start after rotating with Compton at right guard in the loss at New Orleans.
Running back Tevin Coleman (knee) also was ruled out, but Jeff Wilson is expected to come off injured reserve and help Jerick McKinnon back up the presumed starter, Mostert.
The IR activations of Mostert, Wilson and Sherman are due by 1 p.m. Saturday.
“We had some guys out, maybe had to switch the practice schedule around, but it hasn’t been too bad,” quarterback Nick Mullens, who’ll make his fifth start in place of Jimmy Garoppolo. “Our circumstances are different a little but the same info is getting distributed as far as the game plan, and same with the reps. ”
Kinlaw, the 49ers’ top draft pick this year, has come on strong his rookie season and has yet to miss a game. But last week, he and six others followed Arik Armstead onto the COVID-19 list; Armstead was cleared Wednesday.
Still on the COVID-19 reserve list are Aiyuk, Williams, linebacker Joe Walker, tight end Daniel Helm and defensive linemen D.J. Jones and Jordan Willis.
If Greenlaw and Al-Shaair can’t go, lining up at linebacker next to Fred Warner will be converted Marcell Harris and practice-squad call-up Jonas Griffith.
“It’s been a challenge,” Shanahan said. “Meetings has been the easier part. Everyone in the league is getting used to Zooming. … The biggest challenge was knowing how much work we had to do to get crisp and only had (a full-speed practice) Wednesday.”
Perhaps signaling Aiyuk’s unavailability, the 49ers re-signed Jordan Matthews for a potential practice squad promotion; Chris Finke was released.
Others ruled out are slot cornerback K’Waun Williams (ankle) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (hamstring). Williams’ ankle sprain likely will keep him out the next game against Buffalo, too.
As for the Rams, tight end Tyler Higbee (elbow) is questionable and will be a game-time decision. Linebacker Terrell Lewis (knee) is doubtful.
The Rams canceled Friday’s practice after two team members, including an unidentified player, received positive COVID-19 test results Thursday; negative tests have since followed.


mercurynews--2020-11-27--Warriors preseason schedule: Three games to prepare for Dec. 22 start

Two weeks from Saturday , the Warriors are scheduled to play their first game in nine months .
The NBA unveiled its preseason schedule Friday , with less than a month to go before the regular season starts Dec. 22 .
The Warriors will play three preseason games in advance of the regular season , fewer than their normal preseason slate of five — yet another tweak as the NBA aims to play a 72-game season amid a raging coronavirus pandemic .
For their first game of any kind since March , the Warriors will host the Denver Nuggets on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
The Dubs will stay in Northern California for the duration of the preseason , as they ’ ll head to Sacramento for a pair of road dates with the Kings on Dec. 15 and 17 ( both at 7 p.m. ) .
• Steph Curry has his chance to shut down Warriors skeptic Charles Barkley • Former Warrior Andre Iguodala sizes up changes : ‘ I think Steph ’ s going to have a big year ’ • Warriors mailbag : Projected starting lineup , and why an up-tempo style fits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the regular season doesn ’ t exactly bode well for the Warriors as they hope to learn what to expect out of James Wiseman and allow Steph Curry more time to develop chemistry with new teammates after missing almost all of last season with a broken hand .
But they ’ re far from the only team in that boat .
With training camps opening Dec. 1 , just three weeks before the regular season tips off , expect to see a lot of choppy play — and probably some choppy scheduling , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing and safety precautions to limit COVID-19 ’ s impact on the season .

Two weeks from Saturday, the Warriors are scheduled to play their first game in nine months.
The NBA unveiled its preseason schedule Friday, with less than a month to go before the regular season starts Dec. 22.
The Warriors will play three preseason games in advance of the regular season, fewer than their normal preseason slate of five — yet another tweak as the NBA aims to play a 72-game season amid a raging coronavirus pandemic.
For their first game of any kind since March, the Warriors will host the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 12 (5:30 p.m. Pacific Time).
The Dubs will stay in Northern California for the duration of the preseason, as they’ll head to Sacramento for a pair of road dates with the Kings on Dec. 15 and 17 (both at 7 p.m.).
A short run-up to the regular season doesn’t exactly bode well for the Warriors as they hope to learn what to expect out of James Wiseman and allow Steph Curry more time to develop chemistry with new teammates after missing almost all of last season with a broken hand.
But they’re far from the only team in that boat. With training camps opening Dec. 1, just three weeks before the regular season tips off, expect to see a lot of choppy play — and probably some choppy scheduling, even as the league hopes to use testing and safety precautions to limit COVID-19’s impact on the season.


mercurynews--2020-11-29--Driver grabs, fires San Jose Police officer’s holstered gun during traffic stop

A police officer sustained a minor injury during a traffic stop in East San Jose in which the driver grabbed @ @ @ @ @ gun and fired a round .
The incident occurred at 6:42 p.m. Friday near the @ @ @ @ @ , not far from the intersection of King and McKee roads .
The officer was @ @ @ @ @ treatment and released a few hours later , San Jose police Sgt .
Christian Camarillo @ @ @ @ @ The San Jose Police Department did not immediately respond to a question about whether the @ @ @ @ @ wound .
No other information was immediately available .
In a tweet , SJPD Chief @ @ @ @ @ contained “ a loaded .40 cal and 46 grams of cocaine packaged for sale.
” @ @ @ @ @ posted photos of a gun and bags of money that appeared to be concealed inside @ @ @ @ @

A police officer sustained a minor injury during a traffic stop in East San Jose in which the driver grabbed the officer’s holstered gun and fired a round.
The incident occurred at 6:42 p.m. Friday near the 500 block of Avalani Avenue, not far from the intersection of King and McKee roads. The officer was taken to a hospital for treatment and released a few hours later, San Jose police Sgt. Christian Camarillo said in an email.
The San Jose Police Department did not immediately respond to a question about whether the injury was from a gunshot wound. No other information was immediately available.
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Giuliani: Legal quagmires have left him broke Crime and Public Safety | Oakland nonfatal shooting suspect hit with federal gun possession charges In a tweet, SJPD Chief Eddie Garcia said the car contained “a loaded .40 cal and 46 grams of cocaine packaged for sale.”
Accompanying the tweet, Garcia posted photos of a gun and bags of money that appeared to be concealed inside a Louis Vuitton box.
Last night a car stop was made, a struggle ensued with the driver, who gripped the officers holstered gun and fired a round. In the car was a loaded .40 cal and 46 grams of cocaine packaged for sale. My brothers and sisters, you are desperately needed. God bless the peacekeepers. pic.twitter.com/Xqh4xpQx7H — Chief Eddie Garcia (@sjpdchief) November 28, 2020
Check back for updates.


mercurynews--2020-11-29--Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court allows state to complete certification

PHILADELPHIA — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court allowed the state to complete its certification of the presidential vote won by Democrat Joe Biden , reversing a temporary delay ordered by a lower-court judge and throwing out a challenge filed by state Republicans .
The Supreme Court on Saturday rejected an attack on the state ’ s mail-voting law , saying Republicans waited too long to sue after the law was enacted last year .
In a sharply worded order , the Supreme Court turned aside the “ extraordinary proposition that the court disenfranchise all 6.9 million Pennsylvanians who voted in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the state legislature .
On Nov. 25 , Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia McCullough blocked any additional steps needed for certification while she considered the case , which was filed by state Republicans led by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly , on an expedited basis .
Gov .
Tom Wolf and Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar , both Democrats , appealed the order to the state ’ s top court .
McCullough ’ s ruling came after the state certified the vote in favor of Biden .
It ’ s unclear exactly what further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed , but the plaintiffs suggested there were several , including the assembly of electors .
The Electoral College vote to certify the Nov. 3 election results doesn ’ t take place until Dec. 14 .
The case is unrelated to one brought by President Donald Trump ’ s campaign , rejected by a federal appeals court on Friday , that sought to undo Pennsylvania ’ s certification of President-elect Biden ’ s victory in the Keystone State .
The campaign has said it will try to have the case heard by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court intervenes in the Pennsylvania challenge , Trump may have no further means of persuading courts there to override the results , in a state that was critical to his reelection hopes .
Biden won Pennsylvania by more than 80,000 votes , and with it 20 electoral votes .
• With end drawing near in California ’ s 25th Congress election , GOP Rep. Mike Garcia leads Democrat Christy Smith by 405 votes • Is California still counting votes ?
Yep .
GOP just flipped another congressional seat .
• Trump says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes for Biden • Biden appeals for unity : ‘ We ’ re all in this together ’ In Saturday ’ s ruling , two state Supreme Court judges said the Republicans could be correct that the mail-voting law may have violated the state Constitution .
But all the judges said a court could neither invalidate the results nor halt the certification process at this point .

By Bob Van Voris | Bloomberg News
PHILADELPHIA — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court allowed the state to complete its certification of the presidential vote won by Democrat Joe Biden, reversing a temporary delay ordered by a lower-court judge and throwing out a challenge filed by state Republicans.
The Supreme Court on Saturday rejected an attack on the state’s mail-voting law, saying Republicans waited too long to sue after the law was enacted last year. In a sharply worded order, the Supreme Court turned aside the “extraordinary proposition that the court disenfranchise all 6.9 million Pennsylvanians who voted in the General Election” and throw the decision to the state legislature.
On Nov. 25, Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia McCullough blocked any additional steps needed for certification while she considered the case, which was filed by state Republicans led by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, on an expedited basis. Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, both Democrats, appealed the order to the state’s top court.
McCullough’s ruling came after the state certified the vote in favor of Biden. It’s unclear exactly what further steps in the process could have been delayed, but the plaintiffs suggested there were several, including the assembly of electors. The Electoral College vote to certify the Nov. 3 election results doesn’t take place until Dec. 14.
The case is unrelated to one brought by President Donald Trump’s campaign, rejected by a federal appeals court on Friday, that sought to undo Pennsylvania’s certification of President-elect Biden’s victory in the Keystone State. The campaign has said it will try to have the case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Unless the U.S. Supreme Court intervenes in the Pennsylvania challenge, Trump may have no further means of persuading courts there to override the results, in a state that was critical to his reelection hopes. Biden won Pennsylvania by more than 80,000 votes, and with it 20 electoral votes.
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Judge Chutkan: Trump’s right to free speech ‘not absolute’ National Politics | A conservative case for disqualifying Donald Trump in 2024 In Saturday’s ruling, two state Supreme Court judges said the Republicans could be correct that the mail-voting law may have violated the state Constitution. But all the judges said a court could neither invalidate the results nor halt the certification process at this point.
(c)2020 Bloomberg News
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC


mercurynews--2020-11-29--To court Latinos, Democrats have to expand strategy in 2022

PHOENIX — President-elect Joe Biden ’ s campaign credits its success in Arizona to the immigrant-rights and grassroots organizations that have been mobilizing Latinos for nearly two decades .
The fruits of their labor — in triple-digit heat , no less — paid off in this traditionally conservative state , where changing demographics and suburban voters turning out to oppose President Donald Trump also worked in Biden ’ s favor .
But what that means for the future of Democratic candidates and how the party can capitalize on these gains will be tested in 2022 and 2024 — especially because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in statewide races or in some other parts of the country with large Latino populations .
“ It was extremely important and extremely helpful to the campaign to be able to tap into that enthusiasm , to be able to tap into that incredible network .
I think it made all the difference into turning Arizona blue , ” said Jessica Mejia , Arizona director for Biden ’ s campaign .
A coalition of longstanding grassroots organizations known as Mi AZ started knocking on doors in July , eventually hitting 1.1 million homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record in Phoenix .
They made nearly 8 million phone calls and managed digital and broadcast campaigns .
Their work is nothing new .
In 2016 , groups involved with Mi AZ helped get a minimum wage increase passed and then-Sheriff Joe Arpaio , who had long targeted immigrants , voted out of office .
Driven by years of anti-immigrant propositions and legislation — from banning bilingual education 20 years ago , forcing college students without legal status to pay out-of-state tuition in 2006 to SB 1070 , the infamous “ show me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these groups have built a network of activists and voters who turned out in huge numbers .
Latinos also now account for 24 % of eligible voters in Arizona , compared with 19 % in 2012 , according to Pew Research Center .
Biden ’ s victory and that of Mark Kelly , who unseated Republican Sen. Martha McSally , are notable gains for Democrats .
Biden is only the second Democratic presidential candidate to win Arizona since 1948 .
Kelly ’ s win gives the state two Democratic senators for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a slew of Democrats who ran for the state Legislature and statewide races failed to gain enough traction .
Biden also owes his victory to changing suburban demographics , with Republican areas shifting Democratic , and to Native Americans .
In parts of the country where Democrats have long reigned , more Latinos voted for Trump this year than expected , including areas of Florida and Texas .
Although Latinos likely helped propel Biden to the presidency , it was a lesson in the limits of the party ’ s grip on an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how or whether Democrats can keep that enthusiasm in the 2022 midterm elections will require a lot of work .
Chuck Rocha , a senior Democratic strategist , said the work by grassroots groups in Arizona helped Biden win .
But it ’ s also incumbent on campaigns to prioritize Latino voters by spending time and money in their communities consistently , not just right before an election .
Super PACs that target Latino voters are also crucial , Rocha said , adding that his , Nuestro PAC , spent $ 4 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week of June , but that such spending is rare .
“ I think Arizona is an example of the way to do things right , and it ’ s more than just the grassroots groups , ” Rocha said .
He said Democrats will have to deploy similar tactics in other Hispanic-heavy areas of the country if they want to succeed in 2022 , especially after losing several congressional seats in areas with a significant percentage of voters of color .
“ If you ’ re relying on a bunch of white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put it on Univision , that ’ s not a winning strategy , ” Rocha said .
Antonio Arellano , interim executive director for Jolt , a Texas advocacy group that aims to grow Latinos ’ political power and mobilize young voters , said both parties need to invest more in their outreach efforts if they ’ re going to win an increasingly large and diverse constituency .
They have to hire people who come from and reflect their communities and stop treating them as a safe bet , Arellano said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , they ’ re just not doing it .
They have outdated strategies , ” he said .
“ The Latino electorate is incredibly young .
In order to connect with them , they need to modernize civic engagement , and that requires an investment… What we ’ ve seen is that Latinos are an afterthought.
” The Biden administration will keep supporters by focusing not just on immigration reform and reinstating the Obama-era program that shields from deportation immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children , but by tackling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Julie Rodríguez , Biden ’ s deputy campaign manager who was recently named director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs .
“ I think folks are gon na see a material difference between how we ’ re prioritizing communities and small businesses and addressing the day-to-day issues , whether it ’ s extending benefits or continuing to provide rent support , ” Rodríguez said .
“ And that ’ s something this administration hasn ’ t done.
” To sway Latino voters , she said Democrats need to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states .
But the party will face stiff competition .
Republicans attracted Latinos in parts of south Texas , and they will try to replicate that success elsewhere .
T.J. Shope , a longtime Republican state lawmaker newly elected to the Arizona Senate , said his party will look to its success in Texas for the midterm elections .
Shope , who is Hispanic , says the Trump campaign had a significant Latino voter outreach effort , making inroads for the party in the future .
Shope , 35 , says Republicans need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities .
He says it ’ s contingent on his party to ensure Arizona doesn ’ t turn into a reliably blue state .
“ This is serious .
We want to be competitive , we don ’ t want to be Colorado , ” Shope said .
In Arizona , Democrats presented Trump as the boogeyman , getting voters to show up , while in south Florida , Republicans used socialism to drive voters to Trump , Shope said .
• Opinion : What to make of the Latino vote and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in vain for a repudiation of Trump that never came Trump won ’ t be on the ballot in 2022 , when the reigning party usually loses seats .
“ I guess the question I ’ m asking myself is , who does the boogeyman become for both parties ?
” Shope said .

By Astrid Galvan | Associated Press
PHOENIX — President-elect Joe Biden’s campaign credits its success in Arizona to the immigrant-rights and grassroots organizations that have been mobilizing Latinos for nearly two decades. The fruits of their labor — in triple-digit heat, no less — paid off in this traditionally conservative state, where changing demographics and suburban voters turning out to oppose President Donald Trump also worked in Biden’s favor.
But what that means for the future of Democratic candidates and how the party can capitalize on these gains will be tested in 2022 and 2024 — especially because there wasn’t a blue shift in statewide races or in some other parts of the country with large Latino populations.
“It was extremely important and extremely helpful to the campaign to be able to tap into that enthusiasm, to be able to tap into that incredible network. I think it made all the difference into turning Arizona blue,” said Jessica Mejia, Arizona director for Biden’s campaign.
A coalition of longstanding grassroots organizations known as Mi AZ started knocking on doors in July, eventually hitting 1.1 million homes, even in the hottest summer on record in Phoenix. They made nearly 8 million phone calls and managed digital and broadcast campaigns.
Their work is nothing new. In 2016, groups involved with Mi AZ helped get a minimum wage increase passed and then-Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who had long targeted immigrants, voted out of office.
Driven by years of anti-immigrant propositions and legislation — from banning bilingual education 20 years ago, forcing college students without legal status to pay out-of-state tuition in 2006 to SB 1070, the infamous “show me your papers” law from 2010 — these groups have built a network of activists and voters who turned out in huge numbers.
Latinos also now account for 24% of eligible voters in Arizona, compared with 19% in 2012, according to Pew Research Center.
Biden’s victory and that of Mark Kelly, who unseated Republican Sen. Martha McSally, are notable gains for Democrats. Biden is only the second Democratic presidential candidate to win Arizona since 1948. Kelly’s win gives the state two Democratic senators for the first time in nearly 70 years.
But a slew of Democrats who ran for the state Legislature and statewide races failed to gain enough traction. Biden also owes his victory to changing suburban demographics, with Republican areas shifting Democratic, and to Native Americans.
In parts of the country where Democrats have long reigned, more Latinos voted for Trump this year than expected, including areas of Florida and Texas. Although Latinos likely helped propel Biden to the presidency, it was a lesson in the limits of the party’s grip on an increasingly diverse segment of voters.
And how or whether Democrats can keep that enthusiasm in the 2022 midterm elections will require a lot of work.
Chuck Rocha, a senior Democratic strategist, said the work by grassroots groups in Arizona helped Biden win. But it’s also incumbent on campaigns to prioritize Latino voters by spending time and money in their communities consistently, not just right before an election.
Super PACs that target Latino voters are also crucial, Rocha said, adding that his, Nuestro PAC, spent $4 million in ads in Arizona starting the last week of June, but that such spending is rare.
“I think Arizona is an example of the way to do things right, and it’s more than just the grassroots groups,” Rocha said.
He said Democrats will have to deploy similar tactics in other Hispanic-heavy areas of the country if they want to succeed in 2022, especially after losing several congressional seats in areas with a significant percentage of voters of color.
“If you’re relying on a bunch of white consultants to Google-Translate you an ad and put it on Univision, that’s not a winning strategy,” Rocha said.
Antonio Arellano, interim executive director for Jolt, a Texas advocacy group that aims to grow Latinos’ political power and mobilize young voters, said both parties need to invest more in their outreach efforts if they’re going to win an increasingly large and diverse constituency.
They have to hire people who come from and reflect their communities and stop treating them as a safe bet, Arellano said.
“The parties know what they need to do, they’re just not doing it. They have outdated strategies,” he said. “The Latino electorate is incredibly young. In order to connect with them, they need to modernize civic engagement, and that requires an investment… What we’ve seen is that Latinos are an afterthought.”
The Biden administration will keep supporters by focusing not just on immigration reform and reinstating the Obama-era program that shields from deportation immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children, but by tackling the coronavirus crisis and its economic fallout, said Julie Rodríguez, Biden’s deputy campaign manager who was recently named director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.
“I think folks are gonna see a material difference between how we’re prioritizing communities and small businesses and addressing the day-to-day issues, whether it’s extending benefits or continuing to provide rent support,” Rodríguez said. “And that’s something this administration hasn’t done.”
To sway Latino voters, she said Democrats need to take the tactics used in Arizona to other states.
But the party will face stiff competition. Republicans attracted Latinos in parts of south Texas, and they will try to replicate that success elsewhere.
T.J. Shope, a longtime Republican state lawmaker newly elected to the Arizona Senate, said his party will look to its success in Texas for the midterm elections. Shope, who is Hispanic, says the Trump campaign had a significant Latino voter outreach effort, making inroads for the party in the future.
Shope, 35, says Republicans need to recruit more candidates who reflect their communities. He says it’s contingent on his party to ensure Arizona doesn’t turn into a reliably blue state.
“This is serious. We want to be competitive, we don’t want to be Colorado,” Shope said.
In Arizona, Democrats presented Trump as the boogeyman, getting voters to show up, while in south Florida, Republicans used socialism to drive voters to Trump, Shope said.
Trump won’t be on the ballot in 2022, when the reigning party usually loses seats.
“I guess the question I’m asking myself is, who does the boogeyman become for both parties?” Shope said.


mercurynews--2020-11-29--Dublin: Police investigating homicide near BART

A 26-year-old man died Saturday after being shot near the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station .
The shooting occurred on the 5100 @ @ @ @ @ , Dublin police said in a statement .
No suspect has been located .
Police @ @ @ @ @ Center in Pleasanton around 1 a.m. Saturday for a report of a patient who had @ @ @ @ @ The patient was transferred to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley , where he later @ @ @ @ @ church stabbing : Suspect ’ s jail release was revoked at time of attack • @ @ @ @ @ , three wounded in stabbing spree at church The victim is not being identified until @ @ @ @ @ The investigation is ongoing .
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact @ @ @ @ @ .

A 26-year-old man died Saturday after being shot near the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station.
The shooting occurred on the 5100 block of Iron Horse Parkway, Dublin police said in a statement. No suspect has been located.
Police were called to ValleyCare Medical Center in Pleasanton around 1 a.m. Saturday for a report of a patient who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The patient was transferred to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley, where he later died.
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The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Captain Nate Schmidt at 925-833-6626.
Check back for updates.


mercurynews--2020-11-29--49ers’ Trent Williams, Joe Walker come off COVID-19 reserve for Sunday’s game at Rams

SANTA CLARA — On a day in which Santa Clara County effectively evicted the 49ers from hosting games or practices the next three weeks , the franchise did have some optimistic COVID-19 news to share : Left tackle Trent Williams got activated off the NFL ’ s COVID-19 reserve list and can play in Sunday ’ s game at the Los Angeles Rams .
Linebacker Joe Walker also came off that COVID list , but four players remain on it : wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk , tight end Daniel Helm and defensive linemen D.J .
Jones and Jordan Willis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , plus reserve center Hroniss Grasu , got activated earlier in the week after the 49ers at one point had a season-high nine players on the COVID-19 reserve list .
Meanwhile , cornerback Richard Sherman and running backs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson all got activated off Injured Reserve .
Questionable are defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw ( came off COVID-19 reserve Friday ) , tight end Jordan Reed and linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Dre Greenlaw , the latter three having been kept out of Thursday and Friday practices because of COVID-19 precautions among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49ers are expecting Al-Shaair and Greenlaw to be available , otherwise they likely would have brought up Jonas Griffith to join Fred Warner , Marcell Harris and Walker on that linebacker corps .
Four players did get elevated from the practice squad : Defensive linemen Alex Barrett , Darrion Daniels and Willie Henry Jr. ; and , offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom .
So far , 72 different players have appeared in a game this season for the 49ers .
Ruled out for Sunday ’ s game are running back Tevin Coleman ( knee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , cornerback K ’ Waun Williams ( ankle ) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles ( hamstring ) .
The Rams ’ roster moves included signing linebacker Natrez Patrick , elevating defensive back J.R. Reed from the practice squad and activating defensive end Derek Rivers after recently claiming him off waivers from the New England Patriots .

SANTA CLARA — On a day in which Santa Clara County effectively evicted the 49ers from hosting games or practices the next three weeks, the franchise did have some optimistic COVID-19 news to share:
Left tackle Trent Williams got activated off the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list and can play in Sunday’s game at the Los Angeles Rams.
Linebacker Joe Walker also came off that COVID list, but four players remain on it: wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, tight end Daniel Helm and defensive linemen D.J. Jones and Jordan Willis.
Defensive linemen Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw, plus reserve center Hroniss Grasu, got activated earlier in the week after the 49ers at one point had a season-high nine players on the COVID-19 reserve list.
Meanwhile, cornerback Richard Sherman and running backs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson all got activated off Injured Reserve.
Questionable are defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (came off COVID-19 reserve Friday), tight end Jordan Reed and linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Dre Greenlaw, the latter three having been kept out of Thursday and Friday practices because of COVID-19 precautions among due to signs of illness.
The 49ers are expecting Al-Shaair and Greenlaw to be available, otherwise they likely would have brought up Jonas Griffith to join Fred Warner, Marcell Harris and Walker on that linebacker corps.
Four players did get elevated from the practice squad: Defensive linemen Alex Barrett, Darrion Daniels and Willie Henry Jr.; and, offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom.
So far, 72 different players have appeared in a game this season for the 49ers.
Ruled out for Sunday’s game are running back Tevin Coleman (knee), guard Tom Compton (concussion), cornerback K’Waun Williams (ankle) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (hamstring).
The Rams’ roster moves included signing linebacker Natrez Patrick, elevating defensive back J.R. Reed from the practice squad and activating defensive end Derek Rivers after recently claiming him off waivers from the New England Patriots.


mercurynews--2020-11-28--On Small Business Saturday, entrepreneurs’ mantra is: Shop local

OAKLAND , CA - NOVEMBER 28 : Erica Thompson , of San Francisco , tries a hat on as her @ @ @ @ @ and Nina Thompson look on , at TBX and Company hats and jewelry booth on @ @ @ @ @ Calif. , on Saturday , Nov. 28 , 2020 .
TBX and Company was one @ @ @ @ @ Small Business Saturday , a day after the traditional Black Friday , to encourage shoppers @ @ @ @ @ ( Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group )

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Erica Thompson, of San Francisco, tries a hat on as her parents Doug, left, and Nina Thompson look on, at TBX and Company hats and jewelry booth on Lakeshore Avenue in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. TBX and Company was one of many businesses participating in Small Business Saturday, a day after the traditional Black Friday, to encourage shoppers to support small businesses. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)


mercurynews--2020-11-28--COVID-19: Another major blow for high school football in South Bay

Any chance that Santa Clara County high school football teams would start practice Dec. 14 , as hoped , ended Saturday with the announcement of a temporary ban on contact sports in the county .
But even before the ban , which will be in effect for a minimum of three weeks , the odds of a mid-December start with games in early January seemed long in the face of rising coronavirus case numbers .
Anticipating updated guidelines from state health officials this month , high school sports administrators instead received more delays .
“ We ’ re on an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coast Section Commissioner Dave Grissom said two weeks ago .
“ When they can give us clearance to land , they will .
It ’ s the same plan we ’ ve had since July.
” After Saturday ’ s announcement , Grissom , whose section stretches from King City to San Francisco and covers six counties , said , “ The reality is this .
I don ’ t think it changes much for us .
Until the guidelines change , we couldn ’ t have done anything with contact or any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of at a loss why Santa Clara County put anything out in regards to youth sports .
They should be well aware that we haven ’ t been allowed to have any youth sports.
” Depending on what the new state guidelines for youth sports say — guidelines that have been put on pause by Gov .
Gavin Newsom because of the recent spike in virus numbers — it ’ s possible that some sports scheduled for the winter season could get the green light to start while others do not , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s possible that some counties within the CCS could have sports while others do not , depending on county restrictions .
“ Would we go forward with those sports ?
I would say , ‘ Yeah , we would go forward with those sports , ' ” Grissom said .
Longtime Valley Christian football coach Mike Machado said Saturday that nobody among the coaches he ’ d spoken with expected practices to start on Dec. 14 after 41 counties in California moved to the widespread risk “ purple ” tier two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a revised schedule will allow for a truncated season of league games in late winter and early spring .
“ I want my seniors to have a season , ” Machado said .
“ As far as I can tell , the science tells you that shutting down places isn ’ t what ’ s stopping people from getting coronavirus .
The damage it ’ s doing to the kids in terms of the educational system that we ’ re all stuck with right now and social inaction , we have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Everybody knows what needs to happen to be as safe as possible , the masks , the distancing and that stuff .
We worked out before last week , we worked out for three weeks two hours a day Monday through Thursday , and we never had a case .
Santa Clara County ’ s revised and mandatory directives will start Monday , Nov. 30 at 12:01 a.m. and will stretch until Dec. 21 at 5 a.m. , unless they are extended .
• Watch : Santa Clara County officials on increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holidays , Nov. 25 • Sharks say they may need to leave San Jose for training camp • COVID : Santa Clara County hospitals are about to hit a critical moment • Watch : Santa Clara County officials on the importance of mental health support during coronavirus , Nov. 20 The order for pro , college and youth sports states : “ All recreational activities that involve physical contact or close proximity to persons outside one ’ s household , including all contact sports , will be temporarily prohibited .
People can continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where social distancing can be maintained at all times .
”

Any chance that Santa Clara County high school football teams would start practice Dec. 14, as hoped, ended Saturday with the announcement of a temporary ban on contact sports in the county.
But even before the ban, which will be in effect for a minimum of three weeks, the odds of a mid-December start with games in early January seemed long in the face of rising coronavirus case numbers.
Anticipating updated guidelines from state health officials this month, high school sports administrators instead received more delays.
“We’re on an airplane circling the runway,” Central Coast Section Commissioner Dave Grissom said two weeks ago. “When they can give us clearance to land, they will. It’s the same plan we’ve had since July.”
After Saturday’s announcement, Grissom, whose section stretches from King City to San Francisco and covers six counties, said, “The reality is this. I don’t think it changes much for us. Until the guidelines change, we couldn’t have done anything with contact or any sports, anyway.
“I am kind of at a loss why Santa Clara County put anything out in regards to youth sports. They should be well aware that we haven’t been allowed to have any youth sports.”
Depending on what the new state guidelines for youth sports say — guidelines that have been put on pause by Gov. Gavin Newsom because of the recent spike in virus numbers — it’s possible that some sports scheduled for the winter season could get the green light to start while others do not, Grissom said. The commissioner also said it’s possible that some counties within the CCS could have sports while others do not, depending on county restrictions.
“Would we go forward with those sports? I would say, ‘Yeah, we would go forward with those sports,'” Grissom said.
Longtime Valley Christian football coach Mike Machado said Saturday that nobody among the coaches he’d spoken with expected practices to start on Dec. 14 after 41 counties in California moved to the widespread risk “purple” tier two weeks ago, but he is hopeful that a revised schedule will allow for a truncated season of league games in late winter and early spring.
“I want my seniors to have a season,” Machado said. “As far as I can tell, the science tells you that shutting down places isn’t what’s stopping people from getting coronavirus. The damage it’s doing to the kids in terms of the educational system that we’re all stuck with right now and social inaction, we have to get these kids out and involved.
“Everybody knows what needs to happen to be as safe as possible, the masks, the distancing and that stuff. We worked out before last week, we worked out for three weeks two hours a day Monday through Thursday, and we never had a case.
“From my standpoint, it’s doable.”
Santa Clara County’s revised and mandatory directives will start Monday, Nov. 30 at 12:01 a.m. and will stretch until Dec. 21 at 5 a.m., unless they are extended.
The order for pro, college and youth sports states:
“All recreational activities that involve physical contact or close proximity to persons outside one’s household, including all contact sports, will be temporarily prohibited. People can continue to engage in outdoor athletics and recreation where social distancing can be maintained at all times.”


mercurynews--2020-11-28--Iran’s supreme leader vows revenge over slain scientist

By Amir Vahdat and Jon Gambrell | Associated Press TEHRAN , Iran — Iran ’ s supreme leader on Saturday demanded the “ definitive punishment ” of those behind the killing of a scientist who led Tehran ’ s disbanded military nuclear program , as the Islamic Republic blamed Israel for a slaying that has raised fears of reignited tensions across the Middle East .
After years of being in the shadows , the image of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh suddenly was to be seen everywhere in Iranian media , as his widow spoke on state television and officials publicly demanded revenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slaying .
Israel , long suspected of killing Iranian scientists a decade ago amid earlier tensions over Tehran ’ s nuclear program , has yet to comment on Fakhrizadeh ’ s killing Friday .
However , the attack bore the hallmarks of a carefully planned , military-style ambush , the likes of which Israel has been accused of conducting before .
The attack has renewed fears of Iran striking back against the U.S. , Israel ’ s closest ally in the region , as it did earlier this year when a U.S. drone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The U.S. military acknowledged moving an aircraft carrier back into the region , while an Iranian lawmaker suggested throwing out U.N. nuclear inspectors in response to the killing .
Iran ’ s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Fakhrizadeh “ the country ’ s prominent and distinguished nuclear and defensive scientist.
” Khamenei , who has the final say on all matters of state , said Iran ’ s first priority after the killing was the “ definitive punishment of the perpetrators and those who ordered it.
” He did not elaborate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Martyr Fakhrizadeh in a proper time , ” Rouhani said .
“ The Iranian nation is smarter than falling into the trap of the Zionists .
They are thinking to create chaos.
” “ Of course we condemn any assassination or extra-judicial killing , ” said Stephane Dujarric , spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres .
“ We urge restraint and the need to avoid any actions that could lead to an escalation of tensions in the region.
” Both Rouhani and Khamenei said Fakhrizadeh ’ s death would not stop the nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program has continued its experiments and now enriches a growing uranium stockpile up to 4.5 % purity in response to the collapse of Iran ’ s nuclear deal after the U.S. ’ 2018 withdrawal from the accord .
That ’ s still far below weapons-grade levels of 90 % , though experts warn Iran now has enough low-enriched uranium for at least two atomic bombs if it chose to pursue them .
Analysts have compared Fakhrizadeh to being on par with Robert Oppenheimer , the scientist who led America ’ s Manhattan Project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atom bomb .
Fakhrizadeh headed Iran ’ s so-called AMAD program that Israel and the West have alleged was a military operation looking at the feasibility of building a nuclear weapon .
The International Atomic Energy Agency says that “ structured program ” ended in 2003 .
Iran long has maintained its nuclear program is peaceful .
Fakhrizadeh ’ s widow appeared unnamed on state television in a black chador , saying his death would spark a thousand others to take up his work .
“ He wanted to get martyred and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hard-line Iranian media has begun circulating memorial images showing Fakhrizadeh standing alongside a machine-gun-cradling likeness of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani , whom the U.S. killed in the January drone strike .
Soleimani ’ s death led to Iran retaliating with a ballistic missile barrage that injured dozens of American troops in Iraq .
Tehran also has forces at its disposal all around Israel , including troops and proxies in neighboring Syria , Hezbollah in Lebanon and Islamic Jihad — and to a lesser extent Hamas — in the Gaza Strip .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ routinely shadow and have tense encounters with U.S. Navy forces in the Persian Gulf as well .
Hours after the attack , the Pentagon announced it had brought the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier back into the Middle East , an unusual move as the carrier already spent months in the region .
It cited the drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq as the reason for the decision , saying “ it was prudent to have additional defensive capabilities in the region to meet any contingency.
” Iran has conducted attacks targeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its scientists , like in the case of the three Iranians recently freed in Thailand in exchange for a detained British-Australian academic .
Iran also could throw out inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency , who have provided an unprecedented , real-time look at Iran ’ s nuclear program since the deal .
Nasrollah Pezhmanfar , a hard-line lawmaker , said a statement calling to expel the “ IAEA ’ s spy inspections ” could be read Sunday , the parliament ’ s official website quoted him as saying .
Friday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ village just east of the capital that is a retreat for the country ’ s elite .
Iranian state television said an old truck with explosives hidden under a load of wood blew up near a sedan carrying Fakhrizadeh .
As Fakhrizadeh ’ s sedan stopped , at least five gunmen emerged and raked the car with rapid fire , the semiofficial Tasnim news agency said .
The precision of the attack led to the suspicion of Israel ’ s Mossad intelligence service being involved .
The CIA separately declined to comment on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only said the attack killed Fakhrizadeh , though a statement Saturday from the European Union described the incident as killing “ an Iranian government official and several civilians.
” EU officials did not respond to requests for comment .
In Tehran , a small group of hardline protesters burned images of Trump and President-elect Joe Biden , who has said his administration will consider reentering Tehran ’ s nuclear deal with world powers .
While burning an American and Israeli flag , the hard-liners criticized Iran ’ s foreign minister who helped negotiate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of Tehran if officials chose to come back the accord .
• US official : Trump asked about attacking Iran last week On Saturday night , the family of Fakhrizadeh gathered at a mosque in central Tehran for his funeral service , a website associated with Iranian state TV reported .
The scientist ’ s body lay in a flag-draped , open coffin , his eyes closed .

By Amir Vahdat and Jon Gambrell | Associated Press
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s supreme leader on Saturday demanded the “definitive punishment” of those behind the killing of a scientist who led Tehran’s disbanded military nuclear program, as the Islamic Republic blamed Israel for a slaying that has raised fears of reignited tensions across the Middle East.
After years of being in the shadows, the image of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh suddenly was to be seen everywhere in Iranian media, as his widow spoke on state television and officials publicly demanded revenge on Israel for the scientist’s slaying.
Israel, long suspected of killing Iranian scientists a decade ago amid earlier tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program, has yet to comment on Fakhrizadeh’s killing Friday. However, the attack bore the hallmarks of a carefully planned, military-style ambush, the likes of which Israel has been accused of conducting before.
The attack has renewed fears of Iran striking back against the U.S., Israel’s closest ally in the region, as it did earlier this year when a U.S. drone strike killed a top Iranian general. The U.S. military acknowledged moving an aircraft carrier back into the region, while an Iranian lawmaker suggested throwing out U.N. nuclear inspectors in response to the killing.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Fakhrizadeh “the country’s prominent and distinguished nuclear and defensive scientist.” Khamenei, who has the final say on all matters of state, said Iran’s first priority after the killing was the “definitive punishment of the perpetrators and those who ordered it.” He did not elaborate.
Speaking earlier Saturday, President Hassan Rouhani blamed Israel for the killing.
“We will respond to the assassination of Martyr Fakhrizadeh in a proper time,” Rouhani said. “The Iranian nation is smarter than falling into the trap of the Zionists. They are thinking to create chaos.”
[vemba-video id=”world/2020/11/28/iran-mohsen-fakhrizadeh-nuclear-scientist-killed-npw-vpx.cnn”]
The United Nations called for restraint.
“Of course we condemn any assassination or extra-judicial killing,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “We urge restraint and the need to avoid any actions that could lead to an escalation of tensions in the region.”
Both Rouhani and Khamenei said Fakhrizadeh’s death would not stop the nuclear program. Iran’s civilian atomic program has continued its experiments and now enriches a growing uranium stockpile up to 4.5% purity in response to the collapse of Iran’s nuclear deal after the U.S.’ 2018 withdrawal from the accord.
That’s still far below weapons-grade levels of 90%, though experts warn Iran now has enough low-enriched uranium for at least two atomic bombs if it chose to pursue them.
Analysts have compared Fakhrizadeh to being on par with Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist who led America’s Manhattan Project in World War II that created the atom bomb.
Fakhrizadeh headed Iran’s so-called AMAD program that Israel and the West have alleged was a military operation looking at the feasibility of building a nuclear weapon. The International Atomic Energy Agency says that “structured program” ended in 2003. Iran long has maintained its nuclear program is peaceful.
Fakhrizadeh’s widow appeared unnamed on state television in a black chador, saying his death would spark a thousand others to take up his work.
“He wanted to get martyred and his wish came true,” she said.
Hard-line Iranian media has begun circulating memorial images showing Fakhrizadeh standing alongside a machine-gun-cradling likeness of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, whom the U.S. killed in the January drone strike.
Soleimani’s death led to Iran retaliating with a ballistic missile barrage that injured dozens of American troops in Iraq. Tehran also has forces at its disposal all around Israel, including troops and proxies in neighboring Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Islamic Jihad — and to a lesser extent Hamas — in the Gaza Strip. The Iranian Guard’s naval forces routinely shadow and have tense encounters with U.S. Navy forces in the Persian Gulf as well.
Hours after the attack, the Pentagon announced it had brought the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier back into the Middle East, an unusual move as the carrier already spent months in the region. It cited the drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq as the reason for the decision, saying “it was prudent to have additional defensive capabilities in the region to meet any contingency.”
Iran has conducted attacks targeting Israeli interests abroad over the killing of its scientists, like in the case of the three Iranians recently freed in Thailand in exchange for a detained British-Australian academic.
Iran also could throw out inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, who have provided an unprecedented, real-time look at Iran’s nuclear program since the deal. Nasrollah Pezhmanfar, a hard-line lawmaker, said a statement calling to expel the “IAEA’s spy inspections” could be read Sunday, the parliament’s official website quoted him as saying.
Friday’s attack happened in Absard, a village just east of the capital that is a retreat for the country’s elite. Iranian state television said an old truck with explosives hidden under a load of wood blew up near a sedan carrying Fakhrizadeh.
As Fakhrizadeh’s sedan stopped, at least five gunmen emerged and raked the car with rapid fire, the semiofficial Tasnim news agency said. The precision of the attack led to the suspicion of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service being involved. The CIA separately declined to comment on the attack Saturday.
State media has only said the attack killed Fakhrizadeh, though a statement Saturday from the European Union described the incident as killing “an Iranian government official and several civilians.” EU officials did not respond to requests for comment.
In Tehran, a small group of hardline protesters burned images of Trump and President-elect Joe Biden, who has said his administration will consider reentering Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers. While burning an American and Israeli flag, the hard-liners criticized Iran’s foreign minister who helped negotiate the nuclear deal, showing the challenge ahead of Tehran if officials chose to come back the accord.
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Trump returned document he claimed wasn’t real on recording World News | After protests, Iran’s morality police return to the streets On Saturday night, the family of Fakhrizadeh gathered at a mosque in central Tehran for his funeral service, a website associated with Iranian state TV reported. The scientist’s body lay in a flag-draped, open coffin, his eyes closed.
Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.