mercurynews--2020-10-23--Gerald the turkey that terrorized Oakland has been captured

An Oakland neighborhood , under siege for five months by a wild turkey full of rage , has been liberated .
Gerald the pugnacious fowl has been captured .
The turkey had been terrorizing Oakland ’ s Grand Lake neighborhood since May , when his frequent attacks on unsuspecting passersby forced the closure of Morcom Rose Garden , an 8-acre municipal rose garden planted in 1932 that has more than 2,500 rose bushes .
Although some people defended Gerald and spoke lovingly of him , others in the neighborhood demanded the city do something , but officials were hard-pressed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Fish and Wildlife recommended rounding up Gerald and sending him to that Thanksgiving day dinner table in the sky , but Oakland Animal Services balked at that idea .
Instead , they first attempted to train Gerald to be a kinder , gentler gobbler , something he was not inclined to do .
It took some negotiating , but the state eventually approved a plan to capture Gerald and relocate him to an area that had plenty of turkeys , but no people .
That was in August .
Gerald managed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Rebecca Dmytryk , director of Wildlife Emergency Services and a wildlife expert with more than 40 years of experience , managed to put one over on the unsuspecting turkey .
Dmytryk and her husband had made an earlier visit to the neighborhood to scope things out and size up Gerald .
They had witnessed his aggressive behavior .
“ There was just something about him that he would target people from afar and then make a beeline toward them , ” Dmytryk says .
“ He could be relentless.
” Dmytryk returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan .
They had a hard time finding any of the turkeys , but eventually located Gerald , who appeared to be stalking another couple walking in the area .
Dmytryk tossed out Gerald ’ s favorite food — sunflower seeds and blueberries — and that directed Gerald ’ s attention her way .
Then suddenly , things went wrong .
A piece of equipment they were planning to use to catch Gerald failed and Dmytryk ’ s husband rushed back to the truck to get a replacement .
By then , Gerald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Dmytryk , who had dressed in plainclothes — no uniforms or patches — for the operation .
As Gerald gave her the eye , she decided turn the table to her advantage .
“ I pretended to be a frail old lady , ” Dmytryk says .
She crouched over and tucked her arms to her chest .
“ Oh no , oh no , ” she cried .
“ Go away.
” The more weak and fearful she appeared , the more emboldened Gerald became .
Dmytryk continued the act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She saw something change in Gerald ’ s eyes and knew she had him where she wanted .
As Gerald moved in to attack , she grabbed him by the scruff of the neck — yes , she says turkeys have neck scruffs that feel a bit like a T-shirt inside a sweatshirt — and she had him .
He instantly became more docile , Dmytryk says , and she was able to wrap her arms around him in a secure hug , but not so tight as to injure him .
Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get Gerald into a large carrier and waited for Fish and Wildlife officials to show up .
The wardens escorted Dmytryk and Gerald to the hills around Orinda , where there are plenty of wild turkeys and no humans about .
They tagged him before releasing him , and Dmytryk says he seemed pretty happy to be there .
She doesn ’ t think he ’ ll be any more trouble .
• Did hawk scare mourning doves permanently away from my yard ?
• Why does my dog bark threateningly while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Animal Control for refusing to let Gerald be killed , even though they took a lot of heat for it .
Dmytryk says they did the right thing .
Gerald ’ s behavioral issues can be laid at the door of humans , who fed him and made him lose his fear of people .
When Gerald would approach , expecting food , people didn ’ t know how to react , so they ran and Gerald pursued .
He quickly learned he had the upperwing .
“ He was habitualized , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t need to be killed because of what humans did to him.
” The moral of Gerald ’ s story , Dmytryk says , is not to feed wildlife .

An Oakland neighborhood, under siege for five months by a wild turkey full of rage, has been liberated. Gerald the pugnacious fowl has been captured.
The turkey had been terrorizing Oakland’s Grand Lake neighborhood since May, when his frequent attacks on unsuspecting passersby forced the closure of Morcom Rose Garden, an 8-acre municipal rose garden planted in 1932 that has more than 2,500 rose bushes.
Although some people defended Gerald and spoke lovingly of him, others in the neighborhood demanded the city do something, but officials were hard-pressed to find a solution. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommended rounding up Gerald and sending him to that Thanksgiving day dinner table in the sky, but Oakland Animal Services balked at that idea.
Instead, they first attempted to train Gerald to be a kinder, gentler gobbler, something he was not inclined to do. It took some negotiating, but the state eventually approved a plan to capture Gerald and relocate him to an area that had plenty of turkeys, but no people.
That was in August. Gerald managed to elude his would-be rescuers until Thursday morning when Rebecca Dmytryk, director of Wildlife Emergency Services and a wildlife expert with more than 40 years of experience, managed to put one over on the unsuspecting turkey.
Dmytryk and her husband had made an earlier visit to the neighborhood to scope things out and size up Gerald. They had witnessed his aggressive behavior.
“There was just something about him that he would target people from afar and then make a beeline toward them,” Dmytryk says. “He could be relentless.”
Dmytryk returned to the neighborhood Thursday morning with a plan. They had a hard time finding any of the turkeys, but eventually located Gerald, who appeared to be stalking another couple walking in the area.
Dmytryk tossed out Gerald’s favorite food — sunflower seeds and blueberries — and that directed Gerald’s attention her way. Then suddenly, things went wrong. A piece of equipment they were planning to use to catch Gerald failed and Dmytryk’s husband rushed back to the truck to get a replacement.
By then, Gerald was very interested in both the food and Dmytryk, who had dressed in plainclothes — no uniforms or patches — for the operation. As Gerald gave her the eye, she decided turn the table to her advantage.
“I pretended to be a frail old lady,” Dmytryk says.
She crouched over and tucked her arms to her chest. “Oh no, oh no,” she cried. “Go away.”
The more weak and fearful she appeared, the more emboldened Gerald became. Dmytryk continued the act, drawing Gerald in closer and closer. She saw something change in Gerald’s eyes and knew she had him where she wanted. As Gerald moved in to attack, she grabbed him by the scruff of the neck — yes, she says turkeys have neck scruffs that feel a bit like a T-shirt inside a sweatshirt — and she had him.
He instantly became more docile, Dmytryk says, and she was able to wrap her arms around him in a secure hug, but not so tight as to injure him. Her husband appeared about then and they managed to get Gerald into a large carrier and waited for Fish and Wildlife officials to show up.
The wardens escorted Dmytryk and Gerald to the hills around Orinda, where there are plenty of wild turkeys and no humans about. They tagged him before releasing him, and Dmytryk says he seemed pretty happy to be there. She doesn’t think he’ll be any more trouble.
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Outlaw 841: Santa Cruz otter saga highlights human disturbances Pets and Animals | Surfboard-hopping sea otter continues to give authorities the slip Dmytryk praised Oakland Animal Control for refusing to let Gerald be killed, even though they took a lot of heat for it. Dmytryk says they did the right thing. Gerald’s behavioral issues can be laid at the door of humans, who fed him and made him lose his fear of people.
When Gerald would approach, expecting food, people didn’t know how to react, so they ran and Gerald pursued. He quickly learned he had the upperwing.
“He was habitualized,” Dmytryk said, “and he didn’t need to be killed because of what humans did to him.”
The moral of Gerald’s story, Dmytryk says, is not to feed wildlife.


mercurynews--2020-10-23--Firefighters battle three-alarm fire beside I-580 in East Oakland

CLICK HERE if you ’ re viewing on a mobile device .
OAKLAND — Firefighters were at the scene Thursday of a three-alarm fire in the city ’ s Laurel District next to Interstate 580 , authorities said .
Shortly before 5 p.m. , firefighters responded to reports of heavy smoke from 35th Avenue at Quigley Street .
When firefighters arrived , they found brush on fire near a homeless encampment with spread approaching the freeway and a nearby structure .
Firefighters called second and third alarms moments later , and Oakland police also responded to the area to assist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman Michael Hunt said all traffic was asked to avoid areas above I-580 from 35th Avenue to High Street , especially below MacArthur Boulevard , and added that the fire , which appeared to have started at the encampment , threatened four structures .
Just after 6 p.m. , forward progress appeared to have stopped , thanks to efforts from more than 50 Oakland firefighters aboard about a dozen engines and at least three trucks .
Hunt said firefighters from Alameda County , Fremont and Hayward departments fortunately pre-positioned to respond to ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crews were working to douse brush near the freeway , but also focused on ensuring any embers did not land on vulnerable structure roofs or gutters nearby along Quigley .
There were no immediate reports of injuries .

OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 22: The Oakland firefighters respond to a 3-alarm vegetation fire off I-580 near 35th Ave in Oakland., Calif., on Friday, Oct. 22, 2020. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 22: Oakland firefighters battle a 3-alarm vegetation fire off I-580 near 35th Ave in Oakland., Calif., on Friday, Oct. 22, 2020. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 22: Oakland firefighters battle a 3-alarm vegetation fire off I-580 near 35th Ave in Oakland., Calif., on Friday, Oct. 22, 2020. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 22: Oakland firefighters battle a 3-alarm vegetation fire off I-580 near 35th Ave in Oakland., Calif., on Friday, Oct. 22, 2020. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 22: Oakland firefighters battle a 3-alarm vegetation fire off I-580 near 35th Ave in Oakland., Calif., on Friday, Oct. 22, 2020. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 22: Onlookers watch firefighters battling a 3-alarm vegetation fire off I-580 near 35th Ave in Oakland., Calif., on Friday, Oct. 22, 2020. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 22: Oakland firefighters battle a 3-alarm vegetation fire off I-580 near 35th Ave in Oakland., Calif., on Friday, Oct. 22, 2020. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
CLICK HERE if you’re viewing on a mobile device.
OAKLAND — Firefighters placed a three-alarm fire in the city’s Laurel District next to Interstate 580 under control, authorities said.
Shortly before 5 p.m., firefighters responded to reports of heavy smoke from 35th Avenue at Quigley Street. When firefighters arrived, they found brush on fire near a homeless encampment with spread approaching the freeway and a nearby structure.
Firefighters called second and third alarms moments later, and Oakland police also responded to the area to assist with traffic control.
Oakland Fire Department spokesman Michael Hunt said all traffic was asked to avoid areas above I-580 from 35th Avenue to High Street, especially below MacArthur Boulevard, and added that the fire, which appeared to have started at the encampment, threatened four structures.
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Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds Crashes and Disasters | Cadaver dogs are in Maui to help find the dead. Here’s how it works and why it’s difficult Just after 6 p.m., forward progress appeared to have stopped, thanks to efforts from more than 50 Oakland firefighters aboard about a dozen engines and at least three trucks. Hunt said firefighters from Alameda County, Fremont and Hayward departments fortunately pre-positioned to respond to ongoing red-flag weather conditions also joined in.
Crews were working to douse brush near the freeway, but also focused on ensuring any embers did not land on vulnerable structure roofs or gutters nearby along Quigley.
The fire was contained at 6:10 p.m. and under control by 7:05 p.m., with multiple crews released from the scene beforehand, Hunt said.
There were no immediate reports of injuries, and an official cause was under investigation.
The fire is along 35th Ave, just above Westbound 580 and across from the gas station below MacArthur. #OFD is on scene — Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) October 23, 2020
Multiple crews are responding to a vegetation fire along westbound 580 freeway at 35th Ave. Updates to follow. #OFD. Please Avoid the area. We are 20 minutes into this incident. pic.twitter.com/QM7oDF56jX — Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) October 23, 2020
Update: This incident has gone to a 3rd Alarm. Units now responding to Loma Vista and Quigley. #OFD https://t.co/LTmKeWPdm0 — Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) October 23, 2020
Update: Forward progress on this fire has stopped. This fire is confined but not contained. Firefighters continue to look for hot spots, and are actively working to prevent exposures from vegetation behind residential properties along Quigley b/w 35th and Loma Vista. #OFD — Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) October 23, 2020
Update from the 35th Ave Fire from #OFD Deputy @ChiefLuby. Credit goes to the aggressive fire attack actions of the first & subsequent units dispatched to the scene, who made sure OFD was able to prevent any significant damage to property, injuries or loss of life tonight. pic.twitter.com/6N2JDb4vlv — Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) October 23, 2020
This 3-Alarm Incident off 35th Ave at 580 freeway was announced as UNDER CONTROL by the Incident Commander at 1905 HRS (7:05pm). #OFD — Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) October 23, 2020
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180


mercurynews--2020-10-23--East Bay man who crashed into CHP officer, killing him, had drunken encounter with Manteca police ho

East Bay man who crashed into CHP officer, killing him, had drunken encounter with Manteca police hours earlier

DUBLIN — Hours before he crashed into the rear of a California Highway Patrol car in the late night of Christmas Eve 2017 , killing an officer and injuring his partner , a Hayward man had an encounter with officers 60 miles away in Manteca that ended when they accepted his promise he would walk across the street and stay indoors for the rest of the night .
Instead , prosecutors say Mohammed Ali , 24 , got behind the wheel of his Cadillac and headed west toward the Bay Area , driving at high speeds until he reached Hayward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoulder lane and rear-ended a police SUV containing CHP officer Andrew Camilleri , which was parked .
The collision speed was likely between 103 and 116 miles per hour , deputy district attorney Stacie Pettigrew told jurors at the start of Ali ’ s trial Thursday morning .
Camilleri was killed instantly , and his partner suffered permanent injuries .
“ That , ladies and gentlemen , is the definition of murder , ” Pettigrew said .
“ ( Camilleri ) paid the ultimate price.
” In his opening statement , Ali ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that while Ali was the driver in the crash , he was not guilty of murder .
He also disputed the prosecution ’ s contention that Ali ’ s blood alcohol content was measured at 0.11 percent , well over the legal limit of 0.08 percent .
“ Mr .
Ali accepts responsibility for a crime that resulted in the death of this man , ” Thompson said .
“ This is a crime of drinking and driving .
( Ali ) was certainly not capable of thinking or acting sensibly.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pettigrew recounted the hours leading up to Camilleri ’ s death , starting in Manteca when Ali drunkenly argued with his wife .
She also described Ali ’ s speeding tickets — including prior instances of exceeding 100 miles per hour — and safe driving classes he took that covered the risks of drunk driving .
On the day of Christmas Eve 2017 , Thompson said , Ali had multiple fights with his wife .
They accused each other of infidelity and even spoke of divorce .
She locked his car keys in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the window , Thompson said .
“ This was the worst fight they had ever been in … it was like an explosion of negativity , ” Thompson said .
A neighbor called police , and Manteca Ofc .
Primitivo Cruz responded , the attorneys said .
Ali , who appeared clearly intoxicated to the officer , promised to go inside and sleep it off .
“ It was Christmas Eve … because Ali said he was going to go home and sleep it off , ( Cruz ) didn ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pettigrew said , later adding , “ So he gave him a break and watched him walk into the house.
” Instead , Ali got into his car hours later and headed off to Hayward , still intoxicated on alcohol and marijuana , Pettigrew said .
He swerved into the shoulder and didn ’ t hit the brake until one second before the crash , she said .
In order to prove Ali is guilty of murder , Pettigrew must convince the jury he was well aware his actions would likely kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infractions with days of each other , as well as video evidence from his phone that shows him driving at high speeds and speaking nonchalantly about the risk of getting in trouble .
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But Thompson asked jurors not to hold Ali ’ s “ youthful indiscretions ” against him and said he hadn ’ t been in trouble for bad driving in more than a year .
He suggested Ali swerved into the shoulder to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyewitness — a retired policeman who drove by minutes before the crash — said he didn ’ t think the CHP car should have been parked there .
“ There is a retired officer who had driven by that same scene minutes earlier and he reported that , according to him , where that CHP officer was parked was a dangerous location , ” Thompson said .

DUBLIN — Hours before he crashed into the rear of a California Highway Patrol car in the late night of Christmas Eve 2017, killing an officer and injuring his partner, a Hayward man had an encounter with officers 60 miles away in Manteca that ended when they accepted his promise he would walk across the street and stay indoors for the rest of the night.
Instead, prosecutors say Mohammed Ali, 24, got behind the wheel of his Cadillac and headed west toward the Bay Area, driving at high speeds until he reached Hayward. There, he veered into the shoulder lane and rear-ended a police SUV containing CHP officer Andrew Camilleri, which was parked.
The collision speed was likely between 103 and 116 miles per hour, Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Stacie Pettigrew told jurors at the start of Ali’s trial Thursday morning. Camilleri was killed instantly, and his partner suffered permanent injuries.
“That, ladies and gentlemen, is the definition of murder,” Pettigrew said. “(Camilleri) paid the ultimate price.”
In his opening statement, Ali’s attorney, Gaurev Bali, said that while Ali was the driver in the crash, he was not guilty of murder. He also disputed the prosecution’s contention that Ali’s blood alcohol content was measured at 0.11 percent, well over the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
“Mr. Ali accepts responsibility for a crime that resulted in the death of this man,” Bali said. “This is a crime of drinking and driving. (Ali) was certainly not capable of thinking or acting sensibly.”
In her hourlong statement to the jury, Pettigrew recounted the hours leading up to Camilleri’s death, starting in Manteca when Ali drunkenly argued with his wife. She also described Ali’s speeding tickets — including prior instances of exceeding 100 miles per hour — and safe driving classes he took that covered the risks of drunk driving.
On the day of Christmas Eve 2017, Bali said, Ali had multiple fights with his wife. They accused each other of infidelity and even spoke of divorce. She locked his car keys in his Cadillac and he angrily punched out the window, Bali said.
“This was the worst fight they had ever been in … it was like an explosion of negativity,” Bali said.
A neighbor called police, and Manteca Ofc. Primitivo Cruz responded, the attorneys said. Ali, who appeared clearly intoxicated to the officer, promised to go inside and sleep it off.
“It was Christmas Eve … because Ali said he was going to go home and sleep it off, (Cruz) didn’t think he had cause to arrest him,” Pettigrew said, later adding, “So he gave him a break and watched him walk into the house.”
Instead, Ali got into his car hours later and headed off to Hayward, still intoxicated on alcohol and marijuana, Pettigrew said. He swerved into the shoulder and didn’t hit the brake until one second before the crash, she said.
In order to prove Ali is guilty of murder, Pettigrew must convince the jury he was well aware his actions would likely kill someone. His driving history includes speeding infractions with days of each other, as well as video evidence from his phone that shows him driving at high speeds and speaking nonchalantly about the risk of getting in trouble.
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But Bali asked jurors not to hold Ali’s “youthful indiscretions” against him and said he hadn’t been in trouble for bad driving in more than a year. He suggested Ali swerved into the shoulder to avoid hitting another car, and said an eyewitness — a retired policeman who drove by minutes before the crash — said he didn’t think the CHP car should have been parked there.
“There is a retired officer who had driven by that same scene minutes earlier and he reported that, according to him, where that CHP officer was parked was a dangerous location,” Bali said.


mercurynews--2020-10-23--US officials: Russian hackers targeting state, local networks

WASHINGTON — U.S. officials said Thursday that Russian hackers have targeted the networks of dozens of state and local governments in the United States in recent days , stealing data from at least two servers .
The warning , less than two weeks before the election , amplified fears of the potential for tampering with the vote and undermining confidence in the results .
The advisory from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security ’ s cybersecurity agency describes an onslaught of recent activity by a Russian state-sponsored hacking group against a broad range of networks , some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ functions as a reminder of Russia ’ s potent capabilities and ongoing interference in the election even as U.S. officials publicly called out Iran on Wednesday night .
The advisory does not identify by name or location those who were targeted , but officials say they have no information that any election or government operations have been affected or that the integrity of elections data has been compromised .
“ However , the actor may be seeking access to obtain future disruption options , to influence U.S. policies and actions , or to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entities , ” the advisory said .
U.S. officials have repeatedly said it would be extremely difficult for hackers to alter vote tallies in a meaningful way , but they have warned about other methods of interference that could disrupt the election , including cyberattacks on networks meant to impede the voting process .
The interference could continue during or after the tallying of ballots if Russians produce spoofed websites or fake content meant to confuse voters about election results and lead them to doubt the legitimacy of the outcome .
A broad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level , has been that hackers could infiltrate a county network and then work their way over to election-related systems unless certain defenses , such as firewalls , are in place .
This is especially true for smaller counties that don ’ t have as much money and IT support as their bigger counterparts to fund security upgrades .
Officials have nonetheless sought to stress the integrity of the vote , with FBI Director Christopher Wray saying Wednesday , “ You should be confident that your vote counts .
Early , unverified claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a healthy dose of skepticism.
” On Thursday , Chris Krebs , the head of Homeland Security ’ s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency , said officials don ’ t have reason to believe that hackers were looking for election infrastructure or election-related information , and aren ’ t aware of any activity “ that would allow them to come anywhere near a vote.
” He said the alert was issued in regard to the scanning of county networks for vulnerabilities , not specifically to the targeting of elections .
“ The election-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in or touching an election system , ” he said .
The threat from the Kremlin was mentioned but not especially emphasized during a hastily called news conference on Wednesday night , when officials said Russia and Iran had obtained voting registration information — though such data is sometimes publicly accessible .
But most of the focus was on Iran , which officials linked to a series of menacing but fake emails aimed at intimidating voters in multiple battleground states .
On Thursday , the Treasury Department announced sanctions against five Iranian entities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for attempting to influence U.S. elections .
Russia is widely regarded in the cybersecurity community as the bigger threat to the election .
The U.S. has said that Russia , which interfered in the 2016 election by hacking Democratic email accounts and through a covert social media effort , is interfering again this year in part through a concerted effort to denigrate President Donald Trump ’ s Democratic opponent , Joe Biden .
U.S. officials attribute the recent activity to a state-sponsored hacking group variously known as DragonFly and Energetic Bear in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have been in operation since at least 2011 and is known to have engaged in cyberespionage on energy companies and power grid operators in the U.S. and Europe , as well as on defense and aviation companies .
Aviation networks are among the entities officials say were recently targeted .
According to the advisory , the hackers obtained credentials to enter the network and moved laterally inside to locate what they felt would be “ high-value ” information .
In at least one breach , officials say , the hackers accessed documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IT instructions and vendors and purchasing information .
John Hultquist , the director of threat intelligence at FireEye , said Energetic Bear moved to the top of his worry list when the cybersecurity firm observed it breaking into state and local governments in the U.S. that administer elections , due to it having targeted election systems in 2019 .
• US officials say Russia , Iran interfering in election • US , Russia appear close to deal on nuclear arms • Report : White House was warned about Giuliani being used Hultquist said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability to directly affect the U.S. vote but fears it could disrupt local and state government networks proximate to the systems that process votes .
“ The disruption may have little effect on the outcome .
It may be entirely insignificant to the outcome — but it could be perceived as proof that the election outcome is in question , ” he said .
“ Just by getting access to these systems they may be preying on fears of the insecurity of the election .
”

By Eric Tucker | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — U.S. officials said Thursday that Russian hackers have targeted the networks of dozens of state and local governments in the United States in recent days, stealing data from at least two servers. The warning, less than two weeks before the election, amplified fears of the potential for tampering with the vote and undermining confidence in the results.
The advisory from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity agency describes an onslaught of recent activity by a Russian state-sponsored hacking group against a broad range of networks, some of which were successfully compromised. The alert functions as a reminder of Russia’s potent capabilities and ongoing interference in the election even as U.S. officials publicly called out Iran on Wednesday night.
The advisory does not identify by name or location those who were targeted, but officials say they have no information that any election or government operations have been affected or that the integrity of elections data has been compromised.
“However, the actor may be seeking access to obtain future disruption options, to influence U.S. policies and actions, or to delegitimize (state and local) government entities,” the advisory said.
U.S. officials have repeatedly said it would be extremely difficult for hackers to alter vote tallies in a meaningful way, but they have warned about other methods of interference that could disrupt the election, including cyberattacks on networks meant to impede the voting process. The interference could continue during or after the tallying of ballots if Russians produce spoofed websites or fake content meant to confuse voters about election results and lead them to doubt the legitimacy of the outcome.
A broad concern, particularly at the local government level, has been that hackers could infiltrate a county network and then work their way over to election-related systems unless certain defenses, such as firewalls, are in place. This is especially true for smaller counties that don’t have as much money and IT support as their bigger counterparts to fund security upgrades.
Officials have nonetheless sought to stress the integrity of the vote, with FBI Director Christopher Wray saying Wednesday, “You should be confident that your vote counts. Early, unverified claims to the contrary should be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism.”
On Thursday, Chris Krebs, the head of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said officials don’t have reason to believe that hackers were looking for election infrastructure or election-related information, and aren’t aware of any activity “that would allow them to come anywhere near a vote.” He said the alert was issued in regard to the scanning of county networks for vulnerabilities, not specifically to the targeting of elections.
“The election-related risk is the fact that they were in or touching an election system,” he said.
The threat from the Kremlin was mentioned but not especially emphasized during a hastily called news conference on Wednesday night, when officials said Russia and Iran had obtained voting registration information — though such data is sometimes publicly accessible. But most of the focus was on Iran, which officials linked to a series of menacing but fake emails aimed at intimidating voters in multiple battleground states.
On Thursday, the Treasury Department announced sanctions against five Iranian entities, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, for attempting to influence U.S. elections.
Russia is widely regarded in the cybersecurity community as the bigger threat to the election. The U.S. has said that Russia, which interfered in the 2016 election by hacking Democratic email accounts and through a covert social media effort, is interfering again this year in part through a concerted effort to denigrate President Donald Trump’s Democratic opponent, Joe Biden.
U.S. officials attribute the recent activity to a state-sponsored hacking group variously known as DragonFly and Energetic Bear in the cybersecurity community.
The group appears to have been in operation since at least 2011 and is known to have engaged in cyberespionage on energy companies and power grid operators in the U.S. and Europe, as well as on defense and aviation companies. Aviation networks are among the entities officials say were recently targeted.
According to the advisory, the hackers obtained credentials to enter the network and moved laterally inside to locate what they felt would be “high-value” information. In at least one breach, officials say, the hackers accessed documents related to network configurations and passwords, IT instructions and vendors and purchasing information.
John Hultquist, the director of threat intelligence at FireEye, said Energetic Bear moved to the top of his worry list when the cybersecurity firm observed it breaking into state and local governments in the U.S. that administer elections, due to it having targeted election systems in 2019.
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“The disruption may have little effect on the outcome. It may be entirely insignificant to the outcome — but it could be perceived as proof that the election outcome is in question,” he said. “Just by getting access to these systems they may be preying on fears of the insecurity of the election.”


mercurynews--2020-10-22--Survey: 70% of Americans support same-sex marriage

A new survey indicates there ’ s been a sea change in public support for same-sex marriage .
More than two-thirds of Americans support same-sex marriage — record-high numbers , according to the 2020 American Values Survey .
In the survey , published this week by the Public Religion Research Institute ( PRRI ) , a random sample of over 2,500 respondents from every state in the US were asked their opinion on issues including LGBTQ rights , immigration , racial justice and the pandemic .
The survey found about 70 % of Americans said they support granting same-sex couples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percentage of supporters the survey has recorded .
28 % of Americans said they opposed it .
A previous American Values Survey from 2017 , the last survey that asked Americans about their same-sex marriage opinions , found that 61 % of respondents supported same-sex marriage while 30 % opposed it .
In all but one of the religious groups polled in the 2020 survey , a majority of members said they supported same-sex marriage .
That includes Protestants , Catholics , other Christians and non-Christians of all races .
Religiously unaffiliated people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 90 % .
Only white evangelicals didn ’ t support same-sex marriage by a majority , at 34 % in support .
The survey suggests public opinion is changing even among religious conservatives .
Robert Jones , founder and CEO of PRRI and one of its leads on the 2020 American Values Survey , said trends in public opinion around same-sex marriage play out in a series of plateaus and jumps .
Between 2008 and 2010 , he said , PRRI surveys showed that support for same-sex marriage jumped nearly 10 percentage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , among respondents .
Support stayed relatively stable until 2015 , the year the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was legal , when it jumped to 59 % .
Now , support has jumped once more , and among almost every group polled — among men and women , among white , Black and Latino Americans and among almost every religious group except white evangelicals .
It ’ s remarkable evidence , Jones said , that same-sex marriage is no longer as controversial and divisive as it was even a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are definitively at a place where same-sex marriage is no longer a part of the American culture wars , ” he told CNN .
“ It has become a near-consensus issue .
Every age group , every racial group , every education group , both men and women and every religious group with one exception are now all in majority support.
” The outliers , he said , were Republicans and white evangelicals .
Though now 50 % of Republicans say they support same-sex marriage , their percentage of support still jumped since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Jones credited this to the lack of discussion of same-sex marriage on the 2020 campaign trail .
Democrats and independents are far more supportive of same-sex marriage , at 80 % and 76 % respectively .
Jones said that ’ s likely due to the Democratic Party ’ s embrace of same-sex marriage since Barack Obama ’ s presidency .
Same-sex marriage was once a religiously divisive issue .
The data shows that almost every religious group surveyed , with the exception of white evangelicals , is more accepting of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There was once truth to when conservative Christians said people of faith oppose gay marriage , ” he said .
“ That is now not even plausibly true .
If you look at the public opinion data , actually , people of faith as a whole , there are many more religious Americans that support [ same-sex marriage ] .
” This week , the leader of the Catholic Church stopped just short of supporting same-sex marriage .
In a documentary that released Wednesday , Pope Francis declared his support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal arrangement similar to marriage ) , the boldest statement of support for same-sex couples that the Catholic Church has ever made .
Support for same-sex marriage rises as time goes on A historic look at public opinion toward same-sex marriage shows that support has continued to rise over time , said Jean Twenge , a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of “ iGen , ” a nonfiction work that outlines the differences between Gen Z and older generations .
Twenge wasn ’ t involved in the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was low during most of the 1980s , Twenge said , hovering around 15 % for much of the decade .
It began to climb steadily in the 1990s , continued to climb and fall until the mid-2000s , when 50 % of Americans said they supported same-sex marriage .
In more recent years , support for same-sex marriage increased fairly sharply .
That ’ s likely due to generational changes , Twenge said .
Young people age into polling samples , and many of those younger people-turned-recent adults can ’ t remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she said .
“ It had been commonly argued that cultural attitudes don ’ t change very quickly , ” she told CNN .
“ And attitudes around same-sex marriage are the big exception to that.
” • Letters : Impractical power | Harris and hope | Gift of voting | Re-elect Eshoo | Gay marriage | Barrett and guns In her research , Twenge said she ’ s found that as the US became more individualistic and Americans stopped viewing gay and lesbian people as a monolith , their attitudes toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individualism increased , she said , more people likely began to come out as LGBTQ , and it became more common to know an LGBTQ person .
When a person has close contact with someone who belongs to a marginalized group , their attitudes often change to become more positive , she said , as was the case with support of same-sex marriage .

By Scottie Andrew | CNN
A new survey indicates there’s been a sea change in public support for same-sex marriage.
More than two-thirds of Americans support same-sex marriage — record-high numbers, according to the 2020 American Values Survey.
In the survey, published this week by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), a random sample of over 2,500 respondents from every state in the US were asked their opinion on issues including LGBTQ rights, immigration, racial justice and the pandemic.
The survey found about 70% of Americans said they support granting same-sex couples the right to marry — the highest percentage of supporters the survey has recorded. 28% of Americans said they opposed it.
A previous American Values Survey from 2017, the last survey that asked Americans about their same-sex marriage opinions, found that 61% of respondents supported same-sex marriage while 30% opposed it.
In all but one of the religious groups polled in the 2020 survey, a majority of members said they supported same-sex marriage. That includes Protestants, Catholics, other Christians and non-Christians of all races. Religiously unaffiliated people showed the highest support for same-sex marriage at 90%.
Only white evangelicals didn’t support same-sex marriage by a majority, at 34% in support.
The survey suggests public opinion is changing even among religious conservatives.
Robert Jones, founder and CEO of PRRI and one of its leads on the 2020 American Values Survey, said trends in public opinion around same-sex marriage play out in a series of plateaus and jumps.
Between 2008 and 2010, he said, PRRI surveys showed that support for same-sex marriage jumped nearly 10 percentage points, from 40% to 48%, among respondents. Support stayed relatively stable until 2015, the year the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was legal, when it jumped to 59%.
Now, support has jumped once more, and among almost every group polled — among men and women, among white, Black and Latino Americans and among almost every religious group except white evangelicals.
It’s remarkable evidence, Jones said, that same-sex marriage is no longer as controversial and divisive as it was even a few years ago.
“I think we are definitively at a place where same-sex marriage is no longer a part of the American culture wars,” he told CNN. “It has become a near-consensus issue. Every age group, every racial group, every education group, both men and women and every religious group with one exception are now all in majority support.”
The outliers, he said, were Republicans and white evangelicals. Though now 50% of Republicans say they support same-sex marriage, their percentage of support still jumped since the 2017 survey when 42% supported it. Jones credited this to the lack of discussion of same-sex marriage on the 2020 campaign trail.
Democrats and independents are far more supportive of same-sex marriage, at 80% and 76% respectively. Jones said that’s likely due to the Democratic Party’s embrace of same-sex marriage since Barack Obama’s presidency.
Same-sex marriage was once a religiously divisive issue. The data shows that almost every religious group surveyed, with the exception of white evangelicals, is more accepting of it than previous polling showed, Jones said.
“There was once truth to when conservative Christians said people of faith oppose gay marriage,” he said. “That is now not even plausibly true. If you look at the public opinion data, actually, people of faith as a whole, there are many more religious Americans that support [same-sex marriage].”
This week, the leader of the Catholic Church stopped just short of supporting same-sex marriage. In a documentary that released Wednesday, Pope Francis declared his support for civil unions for same-sex couples (a legal arrangement similar to marriage), the boldest statement of support for same-sex couples that the Catholic Church has ever made.
Support for same-sex marriage rises as time goes on
A historic look at public opinion toward same-sex marriage shows that support has continued to rise over time, said Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of “iGen,” a nonfiction work that outlines the differences between Gen Z and older generations. Twenge wasn’t involved in the American Values Survey.
Support for same-sex marriage was low during most of the 1980s, Twenge said, hovering around 15% for much of the decade. It began to climb steadily in the 1990s, continued to climb and fall until the mid-2000s, when 50% of Americans said they supported same-sex marriage.
In more recent years, support for same-sex marriage increased fairly sharply. That’s likely due to generational changes, Twenge said. Young people age into polling samples, and many of those younger people-turned-recent adults can’t remember a time before same-sex marriage was legal, she said.
“It had been commonly argued that cultural attitudes don’t change very quickly,” she told CNN. “And attitudes around same-sex marriage are the big exception to that.”
Related Articles National News | Another California district may require schools to tell parents if their child is transgender
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California teacher on leave after ‘Angels in America’ controversy hopes to return to class National News | Attorney General Rob Bonta ‘deeply disturbed’ by Murrieta Valley schools’ transgender policy In her research, Twenge said she’s found that as the US became more individualistic and Americans stopped viewing gay and lesbian people as a monolith, their attitudes toward same-sex marriage became more positive.
As individualism increased, she said, more people likely began to come out as LGBTQ, and it became more common to know an LGBTQ person. When a person has close contact with someone who belongs to a marginalized group, their attitudes often change to become more positive, she said, as was the case with support of same-sex marriage.


mercurynews--2020-10-22--Milpitas will sue to stop homeless housing project funded by state, county

The Milpitas City Council voted unanimously Thursday to sue to stop a hotel in the city from being converted into permanent supportive housing for homeless people .
The move ratchets up pressure on Santa Clara County , which is pursuing the project through Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s Project Homekey , along with Jamboree Housing , a nonprofit developer .
At a special , closed-session meeting Thursday , the council decided to “ pursue litigation against any and all parties involved in the Homekey project located at Extended Stay America , ” Milpitas City Attorney Chris Diaz said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover the cost of purchasing the Extended Stay America at 1000 Hillview Court , and converting it from a 146-room hotel into 132 studio apartments for homeless people with supportive services on site .
Both the county and Jamboree could now be targets of a lawsuit over the proposal , which is on an expedited timeline allowed by new legislation signed into law signed by Newsom in June , AB 83 .
Under AB 83 , pandemic housing projects for homeless people would be allowed to skip local planning processes , which rankled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s unclear if the state would be targeted for a suit by Milpitas .
“ We obviously haven ’ t seen any lawsuit yet , so can not comment on it , ” James Williams , the county ’ s attorney , said in an email Thursday .
“ But I can tell you that my office is always prepared to vigorously and effectively defend the county , ” he said .
The county was awarded $ 29.2 million from the state last month through Homekey to fund the project , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21.9 million from the 2016 Measure A bond for affordable housing .
Jamboree Housing would take on a roughly $ 30 million loan for the balance .
Though Milpitas city staff supported the project application in recent months , the council recently turned against the project after hearing from many residents who opposed it because it would make them feel unsafe to have formerly homeless people , possibly with mental health needs , living near them , they said .
Some also were upset the project wouldn ’ t guarantee spots in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Milpitas .
The city council echoed those concerns in recent meetings .
“ This is a huge step for our city , ” Mayor Rich Tran said Thursday afternoon in an interview after the closed session meeting .
“ The voices of the community and residents all across town , we have to represent those voices , ” he said .
At the direction of the council , Milpitas City Manager Steve McHarris sent a letter to Santa Clara County Executive Jeff Smith on Oct. 16 , asking the county to withdraw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Homekey Project has been an example of the county ’ s and city ’ s collaborative relationship and commitment to address the monumental problem of homelessness , ” Smith wrote to McHarris .
“ The City Council ’ s recent change in perspective represents a local policy change that staff can not address , ” Smith said , according to a copy of the email viewed by this news organization .
Vice Mayor Bob Nuñez , in a joint press release issued Sept. 22 from the county , the city , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ unique opportunity to address critical housing needs ” that would “ transform lives.
” Nuñez switched his position after hearing concerns from residents that there wasn ’ t enough outreach from the county to the public about the project .
The full council knew about the project since at least Aug. 25 , however .
“ If there ’ s going to be any type of homeless housing project , the city is going to have to have full control along with full public engagement .
And the outcomes of those decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democracy , ” Tran said Thursday .
Asked if he was concerned about the public perception of the city working to shoot down housing for homeless people , Tran said he ’ s acting as a messenger for residents .
“ I will continue to stand with the will of the people , ” Tran said , “ and that allows me to sleep easy at night .
”

The Milpitas City Council has unanimously voted to sue to stop a hotel in the city from being converted into permanent supportive housing for homeless people.
The move ratchets up pressure on Santa Clara County, which is pursuing the project through Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Project Homekey, along with Jamboree Housing, a nonprofit developer.
At a special, closed-session meeting Thursday, the council decided to “pursue litigation against any and all parties involved in the Homekey project located at Extended Stay America,” Milpitas City Attorney Chris Diaz said.
The roughly $80 million proposal would cover the cost of purchasing the Extended Stay America at 1000 Hillview Court, and converting it from a 146-room hotel into 132 studio apartments for homeless people with supportive services on site.
Both the county and Jamboree could now be targets of a lawsuit over the proposal, which is on an expedited timeline allowed by new legislation signed into law signed by Newsom in June, AB 83.
Under AB 83, pandemic housing projects for homeless people would be allowed to skip local planning processes, which rankled some city leaders and residents.
It’s unclear if the state would be targeted for a suit by Milpitas.
“We obviously haven’t seen any lawsuit yet, so cannot comment on it,” James Williams, the county’s attorney, said in an email Thursday.
“But I can tell you that my office is always prepared to vigorously and effectively defend the county,” he said.
The county was awarded $29.2 million from the state last month through Homekey to fund the project, and the county plans to pitch in $21.9 million from the 2016 Measure A bond for affordable housing. Jamboree Housing would take on a roughly $30 million loan for the balance.
Though Milpitas city staff supported the project application in recent months, the council recently turned against the project after hearing from many residents who opposed it because it would make them feel unsafe to have formerly homeless people, possibly with mental health needs, living near them, they said.
Some also were upset the project wouldn’t guarantee spots in the hotel for those who are currently homeless in Milpitas. The city council echoed those concerns in recent meetings.
“This is a huge step for our city,” Mayor Rich Tran said Thursday afternoon in an interview after the closed session meeting.
“The voices of the community and residents all across town, we have to represent those voices,” he said.
At the direction of the council, Milpitas City Manager Steve McHarris sent a letter to Santa Clara County Executive Jeff Smith on Oct. 16, asking the county to withdraw its application and halt the project.
Smith wrote back on Thursday morning.
“The Homekey Project has been an example of the county’s and city’s collaborative relationship and commitment to address the monumental problem of homelessness,” Smith wrote to McHarris.
“The City Council’s recent change in perspective represents a local policy change that staff cannot address,” Smith said, according to a copy of the email viewed by this news organization.
Vice Mayor Bob Nuñez, in a joint press release issued Sept. 22 from the county, the city, and Jamboree, called the project a “unique opportunity to address critical housing needs” that would “transform lives.”
Nuñez switched his position after hearing concerns from residents that there wasn’t enough outreach from the county to the public about the project. The full council knew about the project since at least Aug. 25, however.
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New San Jose law would ban homeless encampments and RVs near schools Housing | Home sweet parking lot: Some hospitals welcome RV living for patients, families, and workers “If there’s going to be any type of homeless housing project, the city is going to have to have full control along with full public engagement. And the outcomes of those decisions are always up to people of our democracy,” Tran said Thursday.
Asked if he was concerned about the public perception of the city working to shoot down housing for homeless people amid a statewide homelessness and housing affordability crisis, Tran said he’s acting as a messenger for the residents.
A special council meeting will be held 6 p.m. Monday to further discuss the city’s decision, Tran said.
“I will continue to stand with the will of the people,” Tran said, “and that allows me to sleep easy at night.”


mercurynews--2020-10-22--The 4 things every kitchen needs according to America’s Test Kitchen

Until a few weeks ago , I thought I was an OK cook .
I was wrong .
In fact , I probably have no business writing about cooking , but since when has lack of knowledge stopped me ?
During a recent two-hour conversation with America ’ s Test Kitchen ’ s executive reviewer Lisa McManus , who really does know what she ’ s talking about , I learned that my kitchen , though it contains plenty of cookware , is in fact ill-equipped .
Of the four essential pieces of cookware McManus says every kitchen should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was lacking a Dutch oven and a cast-iron skillet .
No wonder my cooking isn ’ t better !
Now , as a compulsive home organizer and improver , I pride myself on having only what I need and no more , and on buying household goods once and buying them right .
However , in my kitchen , not only do I not have the right basics , but what I do have is subpar .
“ What are you doing ?
” my husband DC asked when he found me in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the counter .
“ Our pans are all wrong , ” I said .
“ The nonstick surfaces are shot .
The handles are plastic .
The metal is too thin.
” “ If you want better dinners , we have some pan purging and purchasing to do , ” I said .
Normally , DC would question the need to buy more anything , but the prospect of better meals prompted him to hop online .
“ Since the pandemic , folks are cooking more at home and turning to us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Test Kitchens teaches cooking basics through public TV shows , magazines and a subscription website .
McManus had her work cut out with me .
I told her about my cookware , an assortment of 10 pots and pans , half of which I have never used .
“ That ’ s typical of people who buy sets , ” McManus said .
The four pans I do use are nonstick — not her first choice — and , I learned , they were also well past their prime , if they ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nonstick pan only lasts a few years , and mine were going on 10 .
“ In our kitchens , we test pieces , not sets , ” McManus said .
A pan test involves making the same recipe over and over in many pans of the same size from different makers to see what works and what annoys .
“ If I am fighting the pan and burning my hand , it ’ s not working.
” Because good pans are both a household staple and an investment , McManus tells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time based on what they cook and can afford .
Start with a few durable , flexible workhorses that will earn their keep .
Here are four pieces every well-equipped kitchen should have , and the brands ATK recommends : A Dutch oven : These high-sided , cast-iron , enamel-coated cookers can go from stovetop to oven , and can be used to steam , deep fry , braise , bake or roast .
Choose round over oval because round fits burners better , and get the 7-quart size .
Cooks universally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dutch oven , but it ’ s expensive at *cough* around $ 375 .
However , McManus also recommends a best-buy runner up , the much less expensive Cuisinart Chef ’ s Classic Enameled Dutch Oven Casserole .
A large four-quart saucepan with lid : A high-walled saucepan that can handle gravies , soups and puddings is another kitchen must .
At ATK , the category winner is the All-Clad tri-ply stainless saucepan .
“ You can always cook a small amount of food in a large pan , but you can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small pan , ” McManus said .
So start large and get smaller pans later .
A 12-inch stainless-steel skillet : Again , the ATK team favorite is the All-Clad D3 stainless-steel frying pan with lid , which sells for around $ 120 .
“ That may sound like a lot , but these are the hardest workers in your kitchen , ” McManus said .
A second 12-inch skillet made of cast iron or carbon steel : Lodge makes the winning cast-iron skillet , which , for a change , fits most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pan to get if you ’ re broke , ” she said .
Last week , I found a Lodge 12-inch cast-iron pan at Home Goods for $ 15 .
I have cooked in it every night since , and dinners are markedly better .
Carbon steel offers the same benefits of cast iron but is lighter .
The ATK team favorite is the Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel round frying pan .
When properly cared for and seasoned , both materials develop nonstick surfaces naturally and never need replacing .
Nice to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the following items fall in the would-be-nice-to-have category : A generous stockpot ( eight to 12 quarts ) , a two-quart saucepan , a 10-inch skillet and an 8-inch skillet .
Avoid nonstick : Although nonstick pans are easy to clean and inexpensive , don ’ t make them your first purchase , McManus said .
The coating goes downhill fast , so they need to be replaced every few years .
With wear , the coating , usually made of polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene , or PTFE ( popularly known as Teflon ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food , which has raised health concerns .
Though alternative nonstick surfaces are available , you ’ ll be better off starting your recipe with a little oil in a regular pan .
My worn-out nonstick cookware is panned and banned .
A Le Creuset and a tri-ply stainless frying pan are on the way , and my cast-iron skillet and I are making beautiful meals together .

Until a few weeks ago, I thought I was an OK cook. I was wrong. In fact, I probably have no business writing about cooking, but since when has lack of knowledge stopped me?
During a recent two-hour conversation with America’s Test Kitchen’s executive reviewer Lisa McManus, who really does know what she’s talking about, I learned that my kitchen, though it contains plenty of cookware, is in fact ill-equipped. Of the four essential pieces of cookware McManus says every kitchen should have … I had only two. I was lacking a Dutch oven and a cast-iron skillet.
No wonder my cooking isn’t better!
Now, as a compulsive home organizer and improver, I pride myself on having only what I need and no more, and on buying household goods once and buying them right. However, in my kitchen, not only do I not have the right basics, but what I do have is subpar.
“What are you doing?” my husband DC asked when he found me in the kitchen with our pans all over the counter.
“Our pans are all wrong,” I said. “The nonstick surfaces are shot. The handles are plastic. The metal is too thin.”
“What are you telling me?”
“If you want better dinners, we have some pan purging and purchasing to do,” I said.
Normally, DC would question the need to buy more anything, but the prospect of better meals prompted him to hop online.
“Since the pandemic, folks are cooking more at home and turning to us,” McManus said. America’s Test Kitchens teaches cooking basics through public TV shows, magazines and a subscription website.
McManus had her work cut out with me. I told her about my cookware, an assortment of 10 pots and pans, half of which I have never used.
“That’s typical of people who buy sets,” McManus said.
The four pans I do use are nonstick — not her first choice — and, I learned, they were also well past their prime, if they ever had a prime. The surface of a nonstick pan only lasts a few years, and mine were going on 10.
“In our kitchens, we test pieces, not sets,” McManus said. A pan test involves making the same recipe over and over in many pans of the same size from different makers to see what works and what annoys. “If I am fighting the pan and burning my hand, it’s not working.”
Because good pans are both a household staple and an investment, McManus tells home cooks to buy pans one at a time based on what they cook and can afford. Start with a few durable, flexible workhorses that will earn their keep. Here are four pieces every well-equipped kitchen should have, and the brands ATK recommends:
A Dutch oven: These high-sided, cast-iron, enamel-coated cookers can go from stovetop to oven, and can be used to steam, deep fry, braise, bake or roast. Choose round over oval because round fits burners better, and get the 7-quart size. Cooks universally agree that Le Creuset makes the winning Dutch oven, but it’s expensive at *cough* around $375. However, McManus also recommends a best-buy runner up, the much less expensive Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Enameled Dutch Oven Casserole.
A large four-quart saucepan with lid: A high-walled saucepan that can handle gravies, soups and puddings is another kitchen must. At ATK, the category winner is the All-Clad tri-ply stainless saucepan. “You can always cook a small amount of food in a large pan, but you can’t cook a large amount in a small pan,” McManus said. So start large and get smaller pans later.
A 12-inch stainless-steel skillet: Again, the ATK team favorite is the All-Clad D3 stainless-steel frying pan with lid, which sells for around $120. “That may sound like a lot, but these are the hardest workers in your kitchen,” McManus said.
A second 12-inch skillet made of cast iron or carbon steel: Lodge makes the winning cast-iron skillet, which, for a change, fits most budgets. “This is the one pan to get if you’re broke,” she said. Last week, I found a Lodge 12-inch cast-iron pan at Home Goods for $15. I have cooked in it every night since, and dinners are markedly better. Carbon steel offers the same benefits of cast iron but is lighter. The ATK team favorite is the Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel round frying pan. When properly cared for and seasoned, both materials develop nonstick surfaces naturally and never need replacing.
Nice to have: After you have your core set, the following items fall in the would-be-nice-to-have category: A generous stockpot (eight to 12 quarts), a two-quart saucepan, a 10-inch skillet and an 8-inch skillet.
Avoid nonstick: Although nonstick pans are easy to clean and inexpensive, don’t make them your first purchase, McManus said. The coating goes downhill fast, so they need to be replaced every few years. With wear, the coating, usually made of polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE (popularly known as Teflon), blisters, peels and gets in food, which has raised health concerns. Though alternative nonstick surfaces are available, you’ll be better off starting your recipe with a little oil in a regular pan.
My worn-out nonstick cookware is panned and banned. A Le Creuset and a tri-ply stainless frying pan are on the way, and my cast-iron skillet and I are making beautiful meals together.


mercurynews--2020-10-22--Explainer: What’s next for Amy Coney Barrett?

WASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is speeding toward confirmation , with a majority of the Senate supporting her and a final vote expected Monday .
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved her nomination on Thursday as Democrats boycotted the vote .
If confirmed on Monday , as is expected , Barrett could be sworn in as a justice almost immediately , just a week before the Nov. 3 election .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said confirming Barrett , 48 , will be “ another signature accomplishment ” for Republicans in their effort to fill the courts with “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quaint notion that maybe the job of a judge is to actually follow the law.
” Democrats have made a vigorous case against Barrett ’ s confirmation and argue the seat last held by the late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg should not be filled so close to the election .
Yet they have no recourse to stop it .
A look at what ’ s next for Barrett ’ s nomination and what her confirmation would mean : The Judiciary panel sent the nomination to the floor Thursday morning with all 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting in person .
Though Democrats stayed away , they placed at their empty spots posters of their constituents who they say have been helped by the Affordable Care Act , which is now being challenged in court .
In a statement Wednesday with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer , the committee Democrats said they will “ not grant this process any further legitimacy by participating in a committee markup of this nomination just twelve days before the culmination of an election that is already underway.
” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats “ take over the committee ” and moved ahead with the vote anyway , under committee rules .
He said this was a “ groundbreaking , historical moment , ” especially for conservative women .
“ We did it , ” Graham said to his Republican colleagues after the vote .
“ We did it .
Judge Barrett ’ s going to the floor .
I hope you look back on this time on the committee and say , ‘ I was there when it mattered.
’ And you were.
” Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
They control the chamber by a 53-47 margin , and only one Republican , Maine Sen. Susan Collins , is a certain “ no ” vote .
A second Republican , Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski , has said she opposes filling the seat before the election .
Still , senators will have to pass through several procedural steps before the final tally .
Besides boycotting the committee hearing , Democrats objecting to the nomination are expected to force multiple floor votes over the weekend , potentially keeping in Washington Republican senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With no ability to stop Barrett ’ s ascent , Democrats are trying to turn voters against the nomination by making the case that she could strike down the Affordable Care Act and roll back abortion rights .
In four days of hearings last week , they spent much of their questioning focused on those two issues .
Democrats have also argued that McConnell ’ s decision to move forward on Barrett ’ s nomination after Ginsburg died in September is “ hypocrisy ” after Republicans refused to consider President Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , several months before the 2016 election .
Republicans say the difference is that the White House and Senate are now controlled by the same party .
Barrett could be sworn in the same day of the confirmation vote , so she could be a justice as soon as Monday .
One of her first acts could be to attend a private telephone conference of the justices on Oct. 30 .
Oral arguments at the court resume on Nov. 2 , and they being done over the phone through at least December because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already has eight cases on the calendar for the first two weeks of November , including one on Nov. 4 , the day after the presidential election , that ’ s a test of religious rights , a dispute over a Philadelphia Catholic agency that won ’ t place foster children with same-sex couples .
The following week the justices will hear a challenge to the Obama-era Affordable Care Act .
Democrats made that case central to their argument against Barrett , warning she could be a vote to strike down the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment on the case , but she emphasized that she is ” not here on a mission to destroy the Affordable Care Act.
” Barrett would also be part of any court decisions related to the presidential election , unless she recused herself from them .
Barrett ’ s confirmation could cement a 6-3 conservative majority on the court for years to come .
The shift from Ginsburg to the conservative appeals court judge from Indiana would be the most pronounced ideological change on the court in 30 years .
Barrett is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court in decades — Republicans called her a “ pro-life ” judge during her confirmation hearings — and she could tilt the balance on that issue and many others .
It is unclear whether Barrett ’ s confirmation will help or hurt President Donald Trump or Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential contest .
The confirmation vote will be held eight days before the Nov. 3 election , which is without precedent .
Republicans are defending 23 of the 35 Senate seats that are on the ballot this year , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett in an effort to bolster their standing with conservatives .
Cory Gardner in Colorado , Martha McSally in Arizona , Joni Ernst in Iowa , Kelly Loeffler in Georgia , John Cornyn in Texas and Thom Tillis in North Carolina quickly rallied to Trump ’ s pick and called for a quick confirmation .
Another senator in a tight race , Collins , opposed an immediate vote and said the next president should decide who replaces Ginsburg .

By Mary Clare Jalonick | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is speeding toward confirmation, with a majority of the Senate supporting her and a final vote expected Monday. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved her nomination on Thursday as Democrats boycotted the vote.
If confirmed on Monday, as is expected, Barrett could be sworn in as a justice almost immediately, just a week before the Nov. 3 election.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said confirming Barrett, 48, will be “another signature accomplishment” for Republicans in their effort to fill the courts with “men and women who believe in the quaint notion that maybe the job of a judge is to actually follow the law.”
Democrats have made a vigorous case against Barrett’s confirmation and argue the seat last held by the late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg should not be filled so close to the election. Yet they have no recourse to stop it.
A look at what’s next for Barrett’s nomination and what her confirmation would mean:
COMMITTEE APPROVAL: ‘WE DID IT’
The Judiciary panel sent the nomination to the floor Thursday morning with all 12 Republicans on the committee supporting Barrett and voting in person. Though Democrats stayed away, they placed at their empty spots posters of their constituents who they say have been helped by the Affordable Care Act, which is now being challenged in court.
In a statement Wednesday with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, the committee Democrats said they will “not grant this process any further legitimacy by participating in a committee markup of this nomination just twelve days before the culmination of an election that is already underway.”
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham said he was not going to let Democrats “take over the committee” and moved ahead with the vote anyway, under committee rules. He said this was a “groundbreaking, historical moment,” especially for conservative women.
“We did it,” Graham said to his Republican colleagues after the vote. “We did it. Judge Barrett’s going to the floor. I hope you look back on this time on the committee and say, ‘I was there when it mattered.’ And you were.”
AN EASY MAJORITY
Republicans are expected to easily confirm Barrett next week. They control the chamber by a 53-47 margin, and only one Republican, Maine Sen. Susan Collins, is a certain “no” vote. A second Republican, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, has said she opposes filling the seat before the election.
Still, senators will have to pass through several procedural steps before the final tally. Besides boycotting the committee hearing, Democrats objecting to the nomination are expected to force multiple floor votes over the weekend, potentially keeping in Washington Republican senators who would otherwise be at home campaigning.
DEMOCRATS’ ONLY RECOURSE: ELECTION DAY
With no ability to stop Barrett’s ascent, Democrats are trying to turn voters against the nomination by making the case that she could strike down the Affordable Care Act and roll back abortion rights. In four days of hearings last week, they spent much of their questioning focused on those two issues.
Democrats have also argued that McConnell’s decision to move forward on Barrett’s nomination after Ginsburg died in September is “hypocrisy” after Republicans refused to consider President Barack Obama’s nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, several months before the 2016 election. Republicans say the difference is that the White House and Senate are now controlled by the same party.
INSTANT JUSTICE
Barrett could be sworn in the same day of the confirmation vote, so she could be a justice as soon as Monday.
One of her first acts could be to attend a private telephone conference of the justices on Oct. 30. Oral arguments at the court resume on Nov. 2, and they being done over the phone through at least December because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The court already has eight cases on the calendar for the first two weeks of November, including one on Nov. 4, the day after the presidential election, that’s a test of religious rights, a dispute over a Philadelphia Catholic agency that won’t place foster children with same-sex couples.
The following week the justices will hear a challenge to the Obama-era Affordable Care Act. Democrats made that case central to their argument against Barrett, warning she could be a vote to strike down the law. Barrett said she couldn’t comment on the case, but she emphasized that she is ” not here on a mission to destroy the Affordable Care Act.”
Barrett would also be part of any court decisions related to the presidential election, unless she recused herself from them.
NEW COURT BALANCE
Barrett’s confirmation could cement a 6-3 conservative majority on the court for years to come. The shift from Ginsburg to the conservative appeals court judge from Indiana would be the most pronounced ideological change on the court in 30 years.
Barrett is the most open opponent of abortion nominated to the Supreme Court in decades — Republicans called her a “pro-life” judge during her confirmation hearings — and she could tilt the balance on that issue and many others.
THE CAMPAIGN FACTOR
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Supreme Court reinstates regulation of ghost guns National Politics | Scaramucci, SCOTUS megadonor Crow give to Christie Super PAC It is unclear whether Barrett’s confirmation will help or hurt President Donald Trump or Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential contest. The confirmation vote will be held eight days before the Nov. 3 election, which is without precedent.
Republicans are defending 23 of the 35 Senate seats that are on the ballot this year, and most of their vulnerable members have embraced Barrett in an effort to bolster their standing with conservatives. Cory Gardner in Colorado, Martha McSally in Arizona, Joni Ernst in Iowa, Kelly Loeffler in Georgia, John Cornyn in Texas and Thom Tillis in North Carolina quickly rallied to Trump’s pick and called for a quick confirmation.
Another senator in a tight race, Collins, opposed an immediate vote and said the next president should decide who replaces Ginsburg.


mercurynews--2020-10-22--Jimmy Garoppolo recalls instant ‘love’ of 49ers’ chemistry after trade from Patriots

SANTA CLARA — Jimmy Garoppolo became a heartthrob to 49ers fans the instant he arrived on the franchise ’ s doorstep in a 2017 Halloween trade .
But what hooked him on the 49ers ?
It wasn ’ t necessarily Kyle Shanahan ’ s offensive mind .
It wasn ’ t just the financial windfall he soon would land .
It wasn ’ t even the California sunshine , although he affirms it ’ s “ very easy to get used to.
” “ It was a young team , but the connection was real , and guys weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
“ That ’ s why I fell in love with this team.
” Fresh off getting dealt from perennial Super Bowl contender New England , Garoppolo joined a winless franchise where “ everything was different.
” Actually , not everything .
“ The one consistency I would say is the locker room , ” Garoppolo said .
“ It was a similar atmosphere of people being together and pulling in the same direction .
“ Initially I got traded here and was going to be a free agent at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuck out to me just how together the team was.
” Going 5-0 once he made his December debut sent the 49ers in the right direction , leading up to last season ’ s Super Bowl .
Now , injuries and a 3-3 start to the 2020 season are testing the 49ers ’ cohesiveness and will tested as much as their 0-9 start did in 2017 .
Garoppolo is geeked about going back to New England , however .
He compares the excitement level to his 49ers starting debut , a victory at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home of Arlington Heights .
“ It ’ s an exciting week .
I get to go back where it all started for my NFL career , ” Garoppolo added .
Garoppolo credited the Patriots for setting him up for a smooth transition to becoming the 49ers ’ franchise quarterback , and he returned compliments to Bill Belichick , who earlier this week raved about Garoppolo , a 2014 second-round pick who needed much tutoring out of Eastern Illinois .
• Former 49ers star Dana Stubblefield sentenced to 15 years to life for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could give them more than ‘ a little bit of a spark ’ • NFL picks for Week 7 : Garoppolo guides 49ers over Patriots ; Bucs down Raiders • What does 49ers ’ trade for Jordan Willis mean to pass rush ?
“ Being my first coach in the NFL , he was just very honest , really never beat around the bush and was very black and white with everything .
That ’ s how I am .
I appreciated that from him , ” Garoppolo said .
“ Whether it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day I got traded , he always shot me straight.
” Cornerback Jason Verrett ’ s career looks back at a Pro Bowl-caliber level , as supported by Sunday night ’ s acrobatic interception in the end zone to help seal a 24-16 win over the Rams .
Verrett called it “ a preparation play ” based on film study , and it drew a flood of congratulatory messages , from not only former teammates , coaches and general managers but also injured 49ers who were not at the game , including Richard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his tenure with the Chargers , and even after he spent most of his first 49ers season on injured reserve last year , that time off set him up for this year ’ s comeback .
“ Last year was a lot , coming back from an ACL and an Achilles , tough injuries , ” Verrett said .
“ The Niners did a good job noticing that I needed rest and time to get body stronger .
The IR situation for me last year worked out .
I got my speed back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back .
“ Fast forward to where I am now and those injuries are behind me.
” Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh praised Verrett not only for his play but his “ quiet leadership ” over the past year .
“ All we did was watch JV work the last couple years , stay quiet , keep his head down and do everything he could to get back so he could provide help , ” Saleh said .
“ And he ’ s doing it .
Knock on wood , if he stays healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great he is , again.
” Because this is the 49ers ’ first trip to Foxborough since 2012 , it is the first visit for most players , including tight end George Kittle , who takes time to appreciate his stadium debuts .
This will be his 17th venue .
“ Just that first step on a field is kind of a conscious step , ” Kittle said .
“ You know , ‘ Hey , this is a new place to leave your mark on.
’ I definitely think about it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the challenge that awaits us .
It ’ s going to be a fist fight .
I look forward to it.
” He also looks forward to “ National Tight Ends Day , ” a pseudo-holiday as designated by the NFL for the last weekend of October .
“ It ’ s fun , that tight ends get recognition on this one day , all are mic ’ d up and they mash it up together and it ’ s just fun , ” Kittle said .
Left tackle Trent Williams returned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an ankle sprain .
Williams was limited , as was running back Jeff Wilson Jr. ( calf ) .
At center , Hroniss Grasu looks poised to start for the first time since the season opener in place of Ben Garland , who went on injured reserve with a calf strain .
Safety Jaquiski Tartt ( groin ) remained out of practice , and while Marcell Harris likely will replace him as in past years , another option is to call up Johnathan Cyprien from the practice squad as a reserve and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start again in place of linebacker Kwon Alexander , who hasn ’ t practiced or played since an Oct. 11 high-ankle sprain .
The 49ers ’ pending trade for edge rusher Jordan Willis offers him a chance to thrive in a system that suits his skillset , more so than his past stops at the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets .
“ We hope this gives him a breath of fresh air and we feel this really fits his style of how we can maximize his body , ” Saleh said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give him an opportunity to compete , to get off the edge and get after the quarterback.
” The 49ers will fly after Friday ’ s walk-through practice to Boston and will be sequestered at their suburban hotel until Sunday ’ s game in Foxborough ( 1:25 p.m. PT ) .
Fans are not allowed at the Patriots ’ Gillette Stadium .
The Seattle Seahawks announced Thursday they also will not have fans when the 49ers visit Nov. 1 .
Currently , Santa Clara County is banning the 49ers from allowing fans at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosts the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 4 .
Hence , the 49ers ’ first game this season with fans is expected Nov. 15 at New Orleans , when as many as 6,000 fans might be present .

SANTA CLARA — Jimmy Garoppolo became a heartthrob to 49ers fans the instant he arrived on the franchise’s doorstep in a 2017 Halloween trade.
But what hooked him on the 49ers?
It wasn’t necessarily Kyle Shanahan’s offensive mind. It wasn’t just the financial windfall he soon would land. It wasn’t even the California sunshine, although he affirms it’s “very easy to get used to.”
“It was a young team, but the connection was real, and guys weren’t faking it,” Garoppolo recalled Friday. “That’s why I fell in love with this team.”
Fresh off getting dealt from perennial Super Bowl contender New England, Garoppolo joined a winless franchise where “everything was different.”
Actually, not everything.
“The one consistency I would say is the locker room,” Garoppolo said. “It was a similar atmosphere of people being together and pulling in the same direction.
“Initially I got traded here and was going to be a free agent at the end of the year, but it really stuck out to me just how together the team was.”
Going 5-0 once he made his December debut sent the 49ers in the right direction, leading up to last season’s Super Bowl. Now, injuries and a 3-3 start to the 2020 season are testing the 49ers’ cohesiveness and will tested as much as their 0-9 start did in 2017.
Garoppolo is geeked about going back to New England, however. He compares the excitement level to his 49ers starting debut, a victory at Chicago, not far from his childhood home of Arlington Heights.
“It’s an exciting week. I get to go back where it all started for my NFL career,” Garoppolo added.
Garoppolo credited the Patriots for setting him up for a smooth transition to becoming the 49ers’ franchise quarterback, and he returned compliments to Bill Belichick, who earlier this week raved about Garoppolo, a 2014 second-round pick who needed much tutoring out of Eastern Illinois.
“Being my first coach in the NFL, he was just very honest, really never beat around the bush and was very black and white with everything. That’s how I am. I appreciated that from him,” Garoppolo said. “Whether it was my first day there or the day I got traded, he always shot me straight.”
VERRETT’S REDEMPTION
Cornerback Jason Verrett’s career looks back at a Pro Bowl-caliber level, as supported by Sunday night’s acrobatic interception in the end zone to help seal a 24-16 win over the Rams.
Verrett called it “a preparation play” based on film study, and it drew a flood of congratulatory messages, from not only former teammates, coaches and general managers but also injured 49ers who were not at the game, including Richard Sherman and Nick Bosa.
Injuries derailed his tenure with the Chargers, and even after he spent most of his first 49ers season on injured reserve last year, that time off set him up for this year’s comeback.
“Last year was a lot, coming back from an ACL and an Achilles, tough injuries,” Verrett said. “The Niners did a good job noticing that I needed rest and time to get body stronger. The IR situation for me last year worked out. I got my speed back, I’ve got my strength back.
“Fast forward to where I am now and those injuries are behind me.”
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh praised Verrett not only for his play but his “quiet leadership” over the past year.
“All we did was watch JV work the last couple years, stay quiet, keep his head down and do everything he could to get back so he could provide help,” Saleh said. “And he’s doing it. Knock on wood, if he stays healthy, we’ll all see how great he is, again.”
KITTLE’S NEW ENGLAND DEBUT
Because this is the 49ers’ first trip to Foxborough since 2012, it is the first visit for most players, including tight end George Kittle, who takes time to appreciate his stadium debuts. This will be his 17th venue.
“Just that first step on a field is kind of a conscious step,” Kittle said. “You know, ‘Hey, this is a new place to leave your mark on.’ I definitely think about it. We’re all really excited about the challenge that awaits us. It’s going to be a fist fight. I look forward to it.”
He also looks forward to “National Tight Ends Day,” a pseudo-holiday as designated by the NFL for the last weekend of October.
“It’s fun, that tight ends get recognition on this one day, all are mic’d up and they mash it up together and it’s just fun,” Kittle said.
INJURY UPDATES
Left tackle Trent Williams returned to practice after missing Wednesday’s session with an ankle sprain. Williams was limited, as was running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (calf).
At center, Hroniss Grasu looks poised to start for the first time since the season opener in place of Ben Garland, who went on injured reserve with a calf strain.
Safety Jaquiski Tartt (groin) remained out of practice, and while Marcell Harris likely will replace him as in past years, another option is to call up Johnathan Cyprien from the practice squad as a reserve and special-teams helper.
Dre Greeenlaw is expected to start again in place of linebacker Kwon Alexander, who hasn’t practiced or played since an Oct. 11 high-ankle sprain.
WILLIS TRADE
The 49ers’ pending trade for edge rusher Jordan Willis offers him a chance to thrive in a system that suits his skillset, more so than his past stops at the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets.
“We hope this gives him a breath of fresh air and we feel this really fits his style of how we can maximize his body,” Saleh said. “We’re excited to give him an opportunity to compete, to get off the edge and get after the quarterback.”
TRAVEL PLANS & FANS
The 49ers will fly after Friday’s walk-through practice to Boston and will be sequestered at their suburban hotel until Sunday’s game in Foxborough (1:25 p.m. PT).
Fans are not allowed at the Patriots’ Gillette Stadium. The Seattle Seahawks announced Thursday they also will not have fans when the 49ers visit Nov. 1. Currently, Santa Clara County is banning the 49ers from allowing fans at Levi’s Stadium, which next hosts the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 4. Hence, the 49ers’ first game this season with fans is expected Nov. 15 at New Orleans, when as many as 6,000 fans might be present.