mercurynews--2020-11-05--Inside the Raiders: Rookie class needs to heal up, step up for shot at the playoffs

A year ago through seven games , the Raiders were 3-4 but their rookie draft class was creating a buzz .
Josh Jacobs was among the NFL ’ s top rushers , Clelin Ferrell was starting and although Johanthan Abram was lost to a shoulder injury in the opener , mid-round picks such as wide receiver Hunter Renfrow , defensive end Maxx Crosby and tight end Foster Moreau were earning playing time and turning heads .
That doesn ’ t include Alec Ingold , an undrafted fullback who earned national acclaim for a neat cutblock of Khalil Mack when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cornerback Trayvon Mullen , a second-round pick , would eventually become a starter .
All are foundation pieces for the future .
For an encore , general manager Mike Mayock wound up with seven picks out of the first 139 players in 2020 , all in Rounds 1 through 4 .
And as Mayock said in a pre-draft conference call , “ To me , three picks in the third is just like stealing .
If we ’ re doing our jobs the right way , hopefully that ’ s three more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raiders ’ three third-round picks were running back Lynn Bowden Jr. of Kentucky , wide receiver Bryan Edwards of South Carolina and linebacker Tanner Muse of Clemson .
Bowden was so unimpressive he was shipped to Miami at a loss .
Edwards opened as a starter but was hurt in the third game .
Muse is done for the year after toe surgery following a shaky training camp .
The Class of 2021 has yet to ascend , and it mostly has to do with injury .
“ We had a virtual draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the birds , ” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said Wednesday in a video conference .
“ I think it doesn ’ t help these young guys get ready .
We like our young guys .
.
.
it ’ s just the beginning for them .
I think there ’ s reasons why maybe they ’ re still waiting to explode on to the scene .
But I ’ m very confident in them.
” In particular , first-round draft picks Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette , along with Edwards , could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the season after returning to health .
Quarterback Derek Carr is counting on it .
“ I just feel bad for a lot of these guys because they ’ ve been hurt , ” Carr said .
“ You hope we can get these guys healthy .
.
.
if we want to make the playoffs , try to win the division , try to win a Super Bowl , we ’ re going to need every bit of every person .
.
.
we need them now.
” How the rookie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the season arriving Sunday on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers : Selected : First round , wide receiver , No .
12 overall .
Production : Has 10 receptions for 221 yards and a touchdown .
Had two catches for 118 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs , looking like the Tyreek Hill clone Gruden was seeking .
Missed two games with knee and hamstring issues .
Appears to be healthy now .
Four of the six receivers drafted behind Ruggs in the first round ( Jerry Jeudy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justin Jefferson of Minnesota and Brandon Aiyuk of the 49ers ) have more receptions and yards .
With seven of nine remaining games in indoor stadiums , Ruggs needs to be a major factor with his speed down the stretch .
Mayock at draft : “ When you ’ re in the division we ’ re in and you look at Kansas City and you look at what they have on offense and what their explosion looks like , we needed to get faster and we think that his addition opens up our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep routes .
He also gets the manufactured touches , the bubble screens , the jet sweeps .
I think if you force defenses to roll coverage , it opens up our run game.
” Selected : First round , cornerback , No .
19 overall Production : Considered a reach by most draft pundits , Arnette spent all training camp with a cast on his right thumb , played three games that way ( he also played with a cast in college ) before finally aggravating it and needing surgery .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Immediately seized a starter ’ s role upon arrival .
Quarterbacks were 9 of 11 for 110 yards in his direction before the injury .
The Raiders think his boisterous edge will mesh nicely with the energetic Abram for years to come .
Mayock at draft : “ Did I think we could have moved down maybe and still got him ?
Maybe , but we didn ’ t want to lose him .
What distinguishes him is No .
1 , he can run .
No .
2 , he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the season with a cast on his arm .
He can play inside , he can play outside , he can play left , he can play right .
We feel like this is one of the most competitive football players in the entire draft.
” Selected : Third round , running back , No .
80 overall Production : The Raiders cut their losses with what they quickly identified , right or wrong , as a mistake .
Bowden , their third overall pick went to MIami along with a sixth-round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 in return .
An option running quarterback in college , Bowden so far as been a mystery to the Dolphins as well .
He has four carries for nine yards and one reception for minus-1 yard in four games .
A big swing and a miss .
Mayock at draft : “ We think he ’ s one of the most athletic , tougher guys in this year ’ s draft .
We ’ re going to train him to be running back , if he ’ s able to do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do some other things with him .
Move him around , let him catch the football .
He ’ s a really good punt returner .
That will be his role originally.
” Selected : Third round , wide receiver , No .
81 overall Production : Edwards started three games and had five catches for 99 yards before injuring an ankle against New England .
He had moments where he looked like the physical 50-50 ball outside receiver who would complement Ruggs .
Nearing a return , it will be Edwards ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the way veteran Nelson Agholor has .
Mayock at draft : “ We see Edwards an outstanding ‘ X ’ , meaning he ’ s a big physical tough fast wide receiver on the opposite side .
We think he can win one-on-one matchups .
We loved his production in the SEC .
We wanted to get more dynamic on offense , and that ’ s what we ’ re trying to do here.
” Selected : Third round , linebacker , No .
100 overall Production : Projected as a linebacker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Muse , according to practice onlookers , looked lost early on and nowhere near ready to be a factor as a linebacker .
A toe injury placed Muse on injured reserve .
It appeared that ’ s where he was going to stay in a redshirt season of sorts .
Muse has now reportedly had toe surgery , will look to catch up in whatever training camp entails in 2021 and prove he was not a reach .
Mayock at draft : “ He blew a lot of people away when at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role for him day one is to be a core special teams player .
While he ’ s getting 20 , 25 snaps a game at special teams he ’ s got to learn MIKE and WILL linebacker .
He ’ s predominately a safety but he ’ s going to be a linebacker for us .
We think he ’ s one of the smartest and most intuitive players in the draft.
” Production : Coached hard by Gruden and line coach Tom Cable , Simpson responded positively at left guard when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Achilles ’ injury .
Simpson drew praise for his play in a win over New Orleans and expressed gratitude for being challenged by Gruden .
Simpson wasn ’ t as good in Week 3 against New England , and went back to a reserve role after that when Sam Young was able to play at right tackle , freeing Denzelle Good to return to left guard .
Mayock at draft : “ He was a guy that we had on our board for yesterday , depending on how the board fell .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ third round .
We kind of felt like he was going to go quickly.
” • Aside from Derek Carr , Raiders ’ most indispensable player is .
.
.
Denzelle Good ?
• Focus on Los Angeles : Chargers in middle of record-breaking streak of futility • Raiders ’ Trent Brown reportedly out of hospital , ‘ seems to be doing well ’ per Gruden • Raiders report card : Road team looked more at home in bad weather • Inside the Raiders : Derek Carr proves he ’ s not just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cornerback , No .
139 overall Production : Robertson blew a coverage for a touchdown on his first snap against Buffalo and his most playing time came with 14 snaps against Kansas City .
Played just two snaps against Cleveland , but the coaching staff likes him and depending on what happens with Lamarcus Joyner after this year , Robertson could step in as the nickel corner .
May have the best ball skills of any of the corners .
Mayock at draft : “ I talked to his defensive coordinator , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him as a person and player .
He said , ` you ’ re not going to like his length outside but you ’ re going to love his speed , toughness and competitiveness .
He ’ s got the physical traits and toughness that you would love as a nickel in the NFL .
”

A year ago through seven games, the Raiders were 3-4 but their rookie draft class was creating a buzz.
Josh Jacobs was among the NFL’s top rushers, Clelin Ferrell was starting and although Johnathan Abram was lost to a shoulder injury in the opener, mid-round picks such as wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, defensive end Maxx Crosby and tight end Foster Moreau were earning playing time and turning heads.
That doesn’t include Alec Ingold, an undrafted fullback who earned national acclaim for a neat cutblock of Khalil Mack when the Raiders upset the Chicago Bears in London. Cornerback Trayvon Mullen, a second-round pick, would eventually become a starter. All are foundation pieces for the future.
For an encore, general manager Mike Mayock wound up with seven picks out of the first 139 players in 2020, all in Rounds 1 through 4. And as Mayock said in a pre-draft conference call, “To me, three picks in the third is just like stealing. If we’re doing our jobs the right way, hopefully that’s three more starters.”
For the record, the Raiders’ three third-round picks were running back Lynn Bowden Jr. of Kentucky, wide receiver Bryan Edwards of South Carolina and linebacker Tanner Muse of Clemson. Bowden was so unimpressive he was shipped to Miami at a loss. Edwards opened as a starter but was hurt in the third game. Muse is done for the year after toe surgery following a shaky training camp.
The Class of 2021 has yet to ascend, and it mostly has to do with injury.
“We had a virtual draft, virtual offseason. Virtual is for the birds,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said Wednesday in a video conference. “I think it doesn’t help these young guys get ready. We like our young guys. … It’s just the beginning for them. I think there’s reasons why maybe they’re still waiting to explode on to the scene. But I’m very confident in them.”
In particular, first-round draft picks Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette, along with Edwards, could be key contributors over the second half after returning to health.
Quarterback Derek Carr is counting on it.
“I just feel bad for a lot of these guys because they’ve been hurt,” Carr said. “You hope we can get these guys healthy. … If we want to make the playoffs, try to win the division, try to win a Super Bowl, we’re going to need every bit of every person. … We need them now.”
How the rookie class is faring with the midway point of the season arriving Sunday on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers:
Henry Ruggs III
Selected: First round, wide receiver, No. 12 overall (Alabama)
Height/weight: 5-11, 188
Production: Has 10 receptions for 221 yards and a touchdown. Had two catches for 118 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs, looking like the Tyreek Hill clone Gruden was seeking. Missed two games with knee and hamstring issues. Appears to be healthy. Four of the six receivers drafted behind Ruggs in the first round (Jerry Jeudy of Denver, CeeDee Lamb of Dallas, Justin Jefferson of Minnesota and Brandon Aiyuk of the 49ers) have more receptions and yards. With seven of nine remaining games in indoor stadiums, Ruggs needs to be a major factor with his speed.
Mayock at draft: “When you’re in the division we’re in and you look at Kansas City and you look at what they have on offense and what their explosion looks like, we needed to get faster and we think that his addition opens up our entire offense. He can run the deep routes. He also gets the manufactured touches, the bubble screens, the jet sweeps. I think if you force defenses to roll coverage, it opens up our run game.”
Damon Arnette
Selected: First round, cornerback, No. 19 overall (Ohio State)
Height/weight: 6-foot, 195 pounds
Production: Considered a reach by most draft pundits, Arnette spent all training camp with a cast on his right thumb, played three games that way (he also played with a cast in college) before finally aggravating it and needing surgery. He’s scheduled to practice Thursday. Immediately seized a starter’s role upon arrival. Quarterbacks were 9 of 11 for 110 yards in his direction before the injury. The Raiders think his boisterous edge will mesh nicely with the energetic Abram for years to come.
Mayock at draft: “Did I think we could have moved down maybe and still got him? Maybe, but we didn’t want to lose him. What distinguishes him is No. 1, he can run. No. 2, he’s tough as nails. He played most of the season with a cast on his arm. He can play inside, he can play outside, he can play left, he can play right. We feel like this is one of the most competitive football players in the entire draft.”
Lynn Bowden Jr.
Selected: Third round, running back, No. 80 (Kentucky)
Height/weight: 5-11, 204
Production: The Raiders cut their losses with what they quickly identified, right or wrong, as a mistake. Bowden, their third overall pick went to Miami along with a sixth-round pick to get a fourth-round pick in 2021 in return. An option quarterback in college, Bowden so far as been a mystery to the Dolphins as well. He has four carries for nine yards and one reception for minus-1 yard in four games. A big swing and a miss.
Mayock at draft: “We think he’s one of the most athletic, tougher guys in this year’s draft. We’re going to train him to be running back, if he’s able to do that job, we’ll be able do some other things with him. Move him around, let him catch the football. He’s a really good punt returner. That will be his role originally.”
Bryan Edwards
Selected: Third round, wide receiver, No. 81 (South Carolina)
Height/weight: 6-3, 212
Production: Edwards started three games and had five catches for 99 yards before injuring an ankle against New England. He had moments where he looked like the physical 50-50 ball outside receiver who would complement Ruggs. Nearing a return, it will be Edwards’ challenge to earn the trust of Carr in the way veteran Nelson Agholor has.
Mayock at draft: “We see Edwards an outstanding ‘X’, meaning he’s a big physical tough fast wide receiver on the opposite side. We think he can win one-on-one matchups. We loved his production in the SEC. We wanted to get more dynamic on offense, and that’s what we’re trying to do here.”
Tanner Muse
Selected: Third round, linebacker, No. 100 (Clemson
Height/weight: 6-2, 227
Production: Projected as a linebacker after playing a hybrid safety at Clemson, Muse, according to practice onlookers, looked lost early on and nowhere near ready to be a factor as a linebacker. A toe injury placed Muse on injured reserve. It appeared that’s where he was going to stay in a redshirt season of sorts. Muse has now reportedly had toe surgery, will look to catch up in whatever training camp entails in 2021 and prove he was not a reach.
Mayock at draft: “He blew a lot of people away when at 227 pounds he ran 4.39. The role for him day one is to be a core special teams player. While he’s getting 20, 25 snaps a game at special teams he’s got to learn MIKE and WILL linebacker. He’s predominately a safety but he’s going to be a linebacker for us. We think he’s one of the smartest and most intuitive players in the draft.”
John Simpson
Selected: Fourth round, guard, No. 109 (Clemson)
Height/weight: 6-4, 321
Production: Coached hard by Gruden and line coach Tom Cable, Simpson responded positively at left guard when Richie Incognito left in Week 2 with an Achilles’ injury. Simpson drew praise for his play in a win over New Orleans and expressed gratitude for being challenged by Gruden. Simpson wasn’t as good in Week 3 against New England and went back to a reserve role after that when Sam Young was able to play at right tackle, freeing Denzelle Good to return to left guard.
Mayock at draft: “He was a guy that we had on our board for yesterday, depending on how the board fell. We would have taken him in the third round. We kind of felt like he was going to go quickly.”
Amik Robertson
Selected: Fourth round, cornerback, No. 139 (Louisiana Tech)
Height/weight: 5-8, 187
Production: Robertson blew a coverage for a touchdown on his first snap against Buffalo and his most playing time came with 14 snaps against Kansas City. Played just two snaps against Cleveland, but the coaching staff likes him, and depending, on what happens with Lamarcus Joyner after this year, Robertson could step in as the nickel corner. May have the best ball skills of any of the corners.
Mayock at draft: “I talked to his defensive coordinator, and he jumped on the table for him as a person and player. He said, ‘you’re not going to like his length outside but you’re going to love his speed, toughness and competitiveness. He’s got the physical traits and toughness that you would love as a nickel in the NFL.”


mercurynews--2020-11-05--California. man gets six years in prison for altering debit cards to steal money from ATMs in Louisi

California. man gets six years in prison for altering debit cards to steal money from ATMs in Louisiana

SHREVEPORT , La .
— A California man was sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison for using altered debit @ @ @ @ @ ATMs in Louisiana , Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook said in a news @ @ @ @ @ 40 , of of Costa Mesa , was sentenced in federal court in Shreveport , @ @ @ @ @ said .
Busch was ordered to pay more than $ 63,000 in restitution .
The @ @ @ @ @ July that he altered and re-encoded Capital One debit cards and used them along with @ @ @ @ @ numbers he had obtained .
Prosecutors said the illegal withdrawals took place in 2018 and @ @ @ @ @ revealed that some of the account holders had previously responded to text messages that were @ @ @ @ @ , which compromised their banking information .
Capital One reimbursed the account holders and ultimately @ @ @ @ @ the release said .

SHREVEPORT, La. — A California man was sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison for using altered debit cards to steal money from ATMs in Louisiana, Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook said in a news release.
Dennis Busch, 40, of of Costa Mesa, was sentenced in federal court in Shreveport, Van Hook’s release said.
Busch was ordered to pay more than $63,000 in restitution.
The release says Busch admitted in July that he altered and re-encoded Capital One debit cards and used them along with account holders’ personal identification numbers he had obtained. Prosecutors said the illegal withdrawals took place in 2018 and 2019.
“The investigation revealed that some of the account holders had previously responded to text messages that were part of a phishing scam, which compromised their banking information. Capital One reimbursed the account holders and ultimately sustained the loss,” the release said.


mercurynews--2020-11-06--Californians ask: Will Arizona, Nevada extend their West Coast wall of blue?

When Rebecca Prozan and her close friends left Arizona on Wednesday after days of knocking on doors to get out the vote for the Biden-Harris ticket , they felt buoyed by the early election results : Arizona was turning blue .
One day later , back at home in San Francisco on Thursday morning , they texted each other frantically : “ We should have stayed .
We should have f-ing stayed.
” In one of the most contentious presidential elections in U.S. history , the Grand Canyon State and its neighbor to the north , Nevada , have brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House to the West Coast .
President Trump continued to narrow Joe Biden ’ s lead in Arizona on Thursday evening , and the president trailed his Democratic challenger by only 11,000 votes in Nevada , although Biden ’ s margin there is growing .
The two states along with Georgia and Pennsylvania on the East Coast kept Americans on the edge of their seats , scanning the electoral map for updated results like a high-stakes tennis match .
Arizona has become an unexpected nail-biter , thanks in part to an influx @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vegas , Phoenix and the suburbs of Maricopa County .
While California , Oregon and Washington have built a solid blue wall along the Pacific Coast , the demographic shifts in both Arizona and Nevada appear to be slowly extending it .
“ A lot of the rhetoric about blue states vs. red states is that blue states are the ones on the borders , ” said Melissa Michelson , political science professor at Menlo College .
With the exception of Colorado , “ it ’ s a big sea of red until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s evidence that the simple story about the edges of the country and the internal states really isn ’ t the whole story.
” In 2016 , Trump took Arizona by more than 3 points , while Hillary Clinton carried Nevada by more than 2 .
The most powerful factor in tilting the political needle blue in traditionally deep-red Western states is the Latinx vote , the “ sleeping giant ” of American politics that finally appears to be rising .
Many children of undocumented immigrants who crossed the Mexico border in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age and turning out to vote , experts say .
“ Those kids have been involved in the Black Lives Matter and some local issues here , ” said Tom Rex , a researcher at Arizona State University .
“ They may well be influencing their parents , those who are eligible to vote.
” Indeed , when Prozan and her San Francisco friends flew to Arizona late last week , they weren ’ t sent to the neighborhoods of California ex-pats .
Instead , they knocked on doors in the heavily Hispanic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were in Biden-rich territory , ” said Prozan , who ran Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris ’ campaign for San Francisco District Attorney two decades ago .
“ It was like knocking for gay rights in the Castro.
” The exodus of Californians to other Western states has contributed to explosive growth in places such as Reno and Las Vegas .
Between 2001 and 2018 , Californians accounted for 41 percent of net domestic migration to Arizona , according to Internal Revenue Service numbers .
But Rex doesn ’ t believe that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from red to purple .
“ A lot of people move here , but a lot of people leave , too .
It ’ s the more conservative ones who move here and stay.
” He wouldn ’ t be surprised , he said , if newcomers from San Francisco soured on the Tea Party politics and the antics of Maricopa County ’ s former Sheriff Joe Arpaio , who took a hard stand on undocumented immigration and investigated former President Obama ’ s birth certificate .
In Nevada , conservative neighbors haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entrepreneur who sold her South San Francisco home and moved fulltime to Nevada with her wife two years ago .
They bought a piece of land in the Republican-dominated Douglas County for about the price of a luxury car .
Not only did she join her local Democratic Party chapter and become a convention delegate in 2018 , she ran for a state assembly seat this year .
She was no catalyst for a blue wave , however .
She won only about 30 % of the vote against a four-term Republican incumbent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more conservative , but there are also people like me who came here because we like the open spaces and the beauty of nature here , ” she said .
The main reason Nevada overall is shifting blue , she said , is the high population density of Las Vegas and its large Latinx population of service workers .
“ The rest of the state is very conservative , and it ’ s going to take some work for the Democrats to get better known here and just keep growing , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot count in all the battleground states has been excruciating for Prozan and her friends just back from Arizona .
When they watched Trump supporters Wednesday night shouting outside the Maricopa County recorder ’ s office to challenge early vote counts , they were conflicted .
Should they go back to demonstrate themselves ?
“ We just wished we could have stayed to see if there was something we could have done , ” she said .
• Editorial : Why America should do away with the Electoral College • McManus : Legitimacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , they kept a Zoom call open all day Thursday to jump on to share their anxiety as soon as results were called .
“ Like every Californian , ” Prozan said , “ we ’ re just going to be hitting refresh all day .
”

When Rebecca Prozan and her close friends left Arizona on Wednesday after days of knocking on doors to get out the vote for the Biden-Harris ticket, they felt buoyed by the early election results: Arizona was turning blue.
One day later, back at home in San Francisco on Thursday morning, they texted each other frantically: “We should have stayed. We should have f-ing stayed.”
In one of the most contentious presidential elections in U.S. history, the Grand Canyon State and its neighbor to the north, Nevada, have brought the drama of the battle for the White House to the West Coast.
President Trump continued to narrow Joe Biden’s lead in Arizona on Thursday evening, and the president trailed his Democratic challenger by only 11,000 votes in Nevada, although Biden’s margin there is growing.
The two states along with Georgia and Pennsylvania on the East Coast kept Americans on the edge of their seats, scanning the electoral map for updated results like a high-stakes tennis match.
Arizona has become an unexpected nail-biter, thanks in part to an influx of Californians moving to Reno, Las Vegas, Phoenix and the suburbs of Maricopa County.
While California, Oregon and Washington have built a solid blue wall along the Pacific Coast, the demographic shifts in both Arizona and Nevada appear to be slowly extending it.
“A lot of the rhetoric about blue states vs. red states is that blue states are the ones on the borders,” said Melissa Michelson, political science professor at Menlo College. With the exception of Colorado, “it’s a big sea of red until you get to Illinois. Maybe it’s evidence that the simple story about the edges of the country and the internal states really isn’t the whole story.”
In 2016, Trump took Arizona by more than 3 points, while Hillary Clinton carried Nevada by more than 2.
The most powerful factor in tilting the political needle blue in traditionally deep-red Western states is the Latinx vote, the “sleeping giant” of American politics that finally appears to be rising. Many children of undocumented immigrants who crossed the Mexico border in the 1990s and 2000s are coming of age and turning out to vote, experts say.
“Those kids have been involved in the Black Lives Matter and some local issues here,” said Tom Rex, a researcher at Arizona State University. “They may well be influencing their parents, those who are eligible to vote.”
Indeed, when Prozan and her San Francisco friends flew to Arizona late last week, they weren’t sent to the neighborhoods of California ex-pats.
Instead, they knocked on doors in the heavily Hispanic working-class neighborhood of Maryvale.
“We were in Biden-rich territory,” said Prozan, who ran Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ campaign for San Francisco District Attorney two decades ago. “It was like knocking for gay rights in the Castro.”
The exodus of Californians to other Western states has contributed to explosive growth in places such as Reno and Las Vegas.
Between 2001 and 2018, Californians accounted for 41 percent of net domestic migration to Arizona, according to Internal Revenue Service numbers.
But Rex doesn’t believe that’s a huge factor in Arizona turning from red to purple. “A lot of people move here, but a lot of people leave, too. It’s the more conservative ones who move here and stay.”
He wouldn’t be surprised, he said, if newcomers from San Francisco soured on the Tea Party politics and the antics of Maricopa County’s former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who took a hard stand on undocumented immigration and investigated former President Obama’s birth certificate.
In Nevada, conservative neighbors haven’t intimidated Deborah Chang, an entrepreneur who sold her South San Francisco home and moved fulltime to Nevada with her wife two years ago. They bought a piece of land in the Republican-dominated Douglas County for about the price of a luxury car.
Not only did she join her local Democratic Party chapter and become a convention delegate in 2018, she ran for a state assembly seat this year. She was no catalyst for a blue wave, however. She won only about 30% of the vote against a four-term Republican incumbent.
“A lot of California ex-pats are more conservative, but there are also people like me who came here because we like the open spaces and the beauty of nature here,” she said.
The main reason Nevada overall is shifting blue, she said, is the high population density of Las Vegas and its large Latinx population of service workers.
“The rest of the state is very conservative, and it’s going to take some work for the Democrats to get better known here and just keep growing,” Chang said.
Thursday’s slow-motion ballot count in all the battleground states has been excruciating for Prozan and her friends just back from Arizona. When they watched Trump supporters Wednesday night shouting outside the Maricopa County recorder’s office to challenge early vote counts, they were conflicted. Should they go back to demonstrate themselves?
“We just wished we could have stayed to see if there was something we could have done,” she said.
Instead, they kept a Zoom call open all day Thursday to jump on to share their anxiety as soon as results were called.
“Like every Californian,” Prozan said, “we’re just going to be hitting refresh all day.”


mercurynews--2020-11-06--Trump hits election integrity with unsupported complaints

By JONATHAN LEMIRE , ZEKE MILLER and WILL WEISSERT WASHINGTON ( AP ) — With votes still being counted across the nation , President Donald Trump on Thursday sought to undermine confidence in the nation ’ s election , making unsupported accusations from the White House about the integrity of the results in his race against Democrat Joe Biden .
Hours earlier , Biden offered reassurances that the counting could be trusted , projecting a more presidential appearance while urging patience from Americans .
The candidates ’ sharply contrasting postures intensified a national moment of uncertainty as the nation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would collect the 270 electoral votes needed to capture the presidency .
Trump pursued legal options with little success , working the phones and escalating efforts to sow doubt about the outcome of the race .
His path to victory narrow , Trump pushed unsupported allegations of electoral misconduct in a series of tweets and insisted the ongoing vote count of ballots submitted before and on Election Day must cease .
And in his first public appearance since late on Election Night , he amplified the conspiracy theories amid the trappings of presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they are trying to steal an election , they are trying to rig an election , ” said Trump of Democrats , whom he accused of corruption while providing no evidence .
He made similar claims about election integrity during the 2016 campaign , which he went on to win .
This time , he was speaking not as a candidate , but as the sitting president of the United States .
Biden took a different tack , speaking briefly to reporters after attending a COVID-19 briefing to declare that “ each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask everyone to stay calm .
The process is working , ” said Biden .
“ It is the will of the voters .
No one , not anyone else who chooses the president of the United States of America.
” Biden ’ s victories in Michigan and Wisconsin put him in a commanding position , but Trump showed no sign of giving up .
It could take several more days for the vote count to conclude and a clear winner emerge .
With millions of ballots yet to be tabulated , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes , the most in history .
Trump ’ s campaign engaged in a flurry of legal activity to try to improve the Republican president ’ s chances , requesting a recount in Wisconsin and filing lawsuits in Pennsylvania , Michigan and Georgia .
Statewide recounts in Wisconsin have historically changed the vote tally by only a few hundred votes ; Biden led by more than 20,000 ballots out of nearly 3.3 million counted .
Judges in Georgia and Michigan quickly dismissed Trump campaign lawsuits there on Thursday .
Biden has already won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia and Pennsylvania , along with Nevada and North Carolina , were tight with votes still being tabulated .
The Trump campaign said it was confident the president would ultimately pull out a victory in Arizona , where votes were also still being counted , including in Maricopa County , the state ’ s most populous area .
The AP has declared Biden the winner in Arizona and said Thursday that it was monitoring the vote count as it proceeded .
“ The Associated Press continues to watch and analyze vote count results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Sally Buzbee , AP ’ s executive editor .
“ We will follow the facts in all cases.
” Trump ’ s legal challenges faced long odds .
He would have to win multiple suits in multiple states in order to stop vote counts , since more than one state was undeclared .
There were no obvious grounds for the Justice Department to attempt to intervene to stop a vote count at the state level , unless the federal government could somehow assert a violation of federal voting laws or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brief in support of a Trump campaign lawsuit if it believed there were federal concerns at stake , but that intervention would be extraordinary .
While Trump has insisted that ballot counting stop , it was unclear exactly what that would include .
Counting for votes received by Nov. 3 was continuing , but roughly 20 states allow ballots to be counted if postmarked by Nov. 3 but received in the days after .
In some states that is as long as nine days , or even longer .
Some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic , but others are just routine parts of state election laws .
Trump has fixated on Pennsylvania , where the Supreme Court refused to stop a court ’ s ruling that allowed for a three-day extension .
He also said he was taking fraud claims to court – but most of the lawsuits only demand better access for campaign observers to locations where ballots are being processed and counted .
A judge in Georgia dismissed the campaign ’ s suit there less than 12 hours after it was filed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit over whether enough GOP challengers had access to handling of absentee ballots Biden attorney Bob Bauer said the suits were legally “ meritless.
” Their only purpose , he said “ is to create an opportunity for them to message falsely about what ’ s taking place in the electoral process.
” It was unclear when a national winner would be determined after a long , bitter campaign dominated by the coronavirus and its effects on Americans and the national economy .
The U.S. on Wednesday set another record for daily confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The pandemic has killed more than 233,000 people in the United States .
Beyond the presidency , Democrats had hoped the election would allow the party to reclaim the Senate and pad its majority in the House .
But while the voting scrambled seats in the House and Senate , it ultimately left Congress much like it began — deeply divided .
Weissert reported from Wilmington , Delaware .
Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Alexandra Jaffe in Washington contributed to this report .

By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ZEKE MILLER and WILL WEISSERT
WASHINGTON (AP) — With votes still being counted across the nation, President Donald Trump on Thursday sought to undermine confidence in the nation’s election, making unsupported accusations from the White House about the integrity of the results in his race against Democrat Joe Biden.
Hours earlier, Biden offered reassurances that the counting could be trusted, projecting a more presidential appearance while urging patience from Americans.
The candidates’ sharply contrasting postures intensified a national moment of uncertainty as the nation and the world waited to learn which man would collect the 270 electoral votes needed to capture the presidency. Trump pursued legal options with little success, working the phones and escalating efforts to sow doubt about the outcome of the race.
His path to victory narrow, Trump pushed unsupported allegations of electoral misconduct in a series of tweets and insisted the ongoing vote count of ballots submitted before and on Election Day must cease. And in his first public appearance since late on Election Night, he amplified the conspiracy theories amid the trappings of presidential power.
“This is a case when they are trying to steal an election, they are trying to rig an election,” said Trump of Democrats, whom he accused of corruption while providing no evidence.
He made similar claims about election integrity during the 2016 campaign, which he went on to win. This time, he was speaking not as a candidate, but as the sitting president of the United States.
Biden took a different tack, speaking briefly to reporters after attending a COVID-19 briefing to declare that “each ballot must be counted.”
“I ask everyone to stay calm. The process is working,” said Biden. “It is the will of the voters. No one, not anyone else who chooses the president of the United States of America.”
Biden’s victories in Michigan and Wisconsin put him in a commanding position, but Trump showed no sign of giving up. It could take several more days for the vote count to conclude and a clear winner emerge.
With millions of ballots yet to be tabulated, Biden already had received more than 72 million votes, the most in history.
Trump’s campaign engaged in a flurry of legal activity to try to improve the Republican president’s chances, requesting a recount in Wisconsin and filing lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia. Statewide recounts in Wisconsin have historically changed the vote tally by only a few hundred votes; Biden led by more than 20,000 ballots out of nearly 3.3 million counted.
Judges in Georgia and Michigan quickly dismissed Trump campaign lawsuits there on Thursday.
Biden has already won Michigan and Wisconsin. The contests in Georgia and Pennsylvania, along with Nevada and North Carolina, were tight with votes still being tabulated.
The Trump campaign said it was confident the president would ultimately pull out a victory in Arizona, where votes were also still being counted, including in Maricopa County, the state’s most populous area. The AP has declared Biden the winner in Arizona and said Thursday that it was monitoring the vote count as it proceeded.
“The Associated Press continues to watch and analyze vote count results from Arizona as they come in,” said Sally Buzbee, AP’s executive editor. “We will follow the facts in all cases.”
Trump’s legal challenges faced long odds. He would have to win multiple suits in multiple states in order to stop vote counts, since more than one state was undeclared.
There were no obvious grounds for the Justice Department to attempt to intervene to stop a vote count at the state level, unless the federal government could somehow assert a violation of federal voting laws or the Constitution. The department could theoretically file a brief in support of a Trump campaign lawsuit if it believed there were federal concerns at stake, but that intervention would be extraordinary.
While Trump has insisted that ballot counting stop, it was unclear exactly what that would include. Counting for votes received by Nov. 3 was continuing, but roughly 20 states allow ballots to be counted if postmarked by Nov. 3 but received in the days after. In some states that is as long as nine days, or even longer. Some of the deadline changes were made as a result of the pandemic, but others are just routine parts of state election laws. Trump has fixated on Pennsylvania, where the Supreme Court refused to stop a court’s ruling that allowed for a three-day extension.
He also said he was taking fraud claims to court – but most of the lawsuits only demand better access for campaign observers to locations where ballots are being processed and counted. A judge in Georgia dismissed the campaign’s suit there less than 12 hours after it was filed. And a Michigan judge dismissed a Trump lawsuit over whether enough GOP challengers had access to handling of absentee ballots
Biden attorney Bob Bauer said the suits were legally “meritless.” Their only purpose, he said “is to create an opportunity for them to message falsely about what’s taking place in the electoral process.”
It was unclear when a national winner would be determined after a long, bitter campaign dominated by the coronavirus and its effects on Americans and the national economy. The U.S. on Wednesday set another record for daily confirmed cases as several states posted all-time highs. The pandemic has killed more than 233,000 people in the United States.
Beyond the presidency, Democrats had hoped the election would allow the party to reclaim the Senate and pad its majority in the House. But while the voting scrambled seats in the House and Senate, it ultimately left Congress much like it began — deeply divided.
___
Weissert reported from Wilmington, Delaware. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Alexandra Jaffe in Washington contributed to this report.
___
Find AP’s full election coverage at APNews.com/Election2020.


mercurynews--2020-11-06--Bud Light’s NFL/49ers game shout-out goes to Vegan Hood Chefs

With Black-owned restaurants hit hard economically during this pandemic year , Bud Light has decided to turn over their ad space during Thursday Night Football to highlight some of those businesses .
Tonight , when the San Francisco 49ers take on the Green Bay Packers in Santa Clara , the weekly shout-out will go to the Vegan Hood Chefs , a female-owned culinary venture .
The chef-owners are Ronnishia Johnson and Rheema Calloway , who were raised in the city ’ s Bayview/Hunters Point/Lakeview neighborhoods and have made it their mission to provide healthful cultural dishes to communities of color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vegan dishes that are fun , that are exciting and a representation of our culture , ” they say during the 30-second spot .
“ We want to heal the hood.
” That innovative menu is divided into small bites , big bites , salads , soups and sandwiches .
Among the highlights : Jackfruit stars instead of chicken in the Jamaican Curry and the Mardi Gras Pasta .
The Red , Black and Green Salad combines grilled marinated asparagus , mushrooms and tomatoes .
Cajun “ Crab ” Cakes are made with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peppers .
During COVID-19 , the duo has had to limit their public appearances and offer only private catering and deliveries .
To preorder for a Sunday delivery ( 3-6 p.m. ) , find them on the EatOkra app or go to www.theveganhoodchefs.com .

With Black-owned restaurants hit hard economically during this pandemic year, Bud Light has decided to turn over their ad space during Thursday Night Football to highlight some of those businesses.
Tonight, when the San Francisco 49ers take on the Green Bay Packers in Santa Clara, the weekly shout-out will go to the Vegan Hood Chefs, a female-owned culinary venture.
The chef-owners are Ronnishia Johnson and Rheema Calloway, who were raised in the city’s Bayview/Hunters Point/Lakeview neighborhoods and have made it their mission to provide healthful cultural dishes to communities of color.
“Our goal is to create vegan dishes that are fun, that are exciting and a representation of our culture,” they say during the 30-second spot. “We want to heal the hood.”
That innovative menu is divided into small bites, big bites, salads, soups and sandwiches. Among the highlights: Jackfruit stars instead of chicken in the Jamaican Curry and the Mardi Gras Pasta. The Red, Black and Green Salad combines grilled marinated asparagus, mushrooms and tomatoes. Cajun “Crab” Cakes are made with hearts of palm, chickpeas and bell peppers.
During COVID-19, the duo has had to limit their public appearances and offer only private catering and deliveries. To preorder for a Sunday delivery (3-6 p.m.), find them on the EatOkra app or go to www.theveganhoodchefs.com.


mercurynews--2020-11-06--Raiders’ Trent Brown is back on COVID-19 reserve list

The Trent Brown saga took another twist Thursday when the Raiders tackle was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list for the second time , the club announced on its daily transactions report .
A request for additional information from the Raiders received no response .
Brown spent nine days under quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus and being placed on the list coming off the Raiders ’ bye week .
He practiced last Friday and traveled to Cleveland expecting to start against the Browns .
However , Brown became ill in the locker room and needed assistance to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NFL Network , the problem was from a pregame I.V .
which left air in his blood , a potentially dangerous condition .
Brown remained behind following a 16-6 win by the Raiders for additional tests , flew home Monday and according to coach Jon Gruden was back at the facility Wednesday although not ready to practice .
The Raiders have provided no specific information on Brown ’ s condition or the locker room issue which sent him to the hospital .
Albert Breer of MMQB reported Brown ’ s return to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ complications ” from the virus .
“ Trent is here today , ” Gruden said Wednesday .
“ I ’ m not going to get into everything .
There ’ s been some reports out there .
I ’ m not going to cover Trent Brown until he ’ s back on the field with us .
He ’ s in good spirits .
I ’ m told everything is fine.
” What is unclear is if Raiders players who were in contact with Brown after he was cleared the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designated as “ high risk , ” which could lead to additional players on the COVID-19 list heading into Sunday ’ s road game against the Los Angeles Chargers .
• Inside the Raiders : Rookies must step up for playoff run — after they heal up • Aside from Derek Carr , Raiders ’ most indispensable player is .
.
.
Denzelle Good ?
• Focus on Los Angeles : Chargers in middle of record-breaking streak of futility • Raiders ’ Trent Brown reportedly out of hospital , ‘ seems to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raiders showed up on the injury report Thursday as non-participants in practice because of illness — safety Johnathan Abram and running back Josh Jacobs .
Abram missed the Tampa Bay game on the COVID-19 reserve list for having come in contact with Brown after he ’ d tested positive .
Four Raiders offensive linemen were also quarantined , but since they last had contact with Brown on Monday , were cleared to face Tampa Bay .
Abram , who was last in contact with Brown on Tuesday , wound up missing the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , $ 66 million contract with the Raiders before the 2019 season , has played in just two games this season — three snaps against Carolina in the opener before aggravating a calf injury , and then the entire game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 11 .

The Trent Brown saga took another twist Thursday when the Raiders tackle was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list for the second time, the club announced on its daily transactions report.
A request for additional information from the Raiders received no response.
Brown spent nine days under quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus and being placed on the list coming off the Raiders’ bye week. He practiced last Friday and traveled to Cleveland expecting to start against the Browns. However, Brown became ill in the locker room and needed assistance to leave the locker room.
According to the NFL Network, the problem was from a pregame I.V. which left air in his blood, a potentially dangerous condition.
Brown remained behind following a 16-6 win by the Raiders for additional tests, flew home Monday and according to coach Jon Gruden was back at the facility Wednesday although not ready to practice.
The Raiders have provided no specific information on Brown’s condition or the locker room issue which sent him to the hospital. Albert Breer of MMQB reported Brown’s return to the COVID-19 list were because he was experiencing “complications” from the virus.
“Trent is here today,” Gruden said Wednesday. “I’m not going to get into everything. There’s been some reports out there. I’m not going to cover Trent Brown until he’s back on the field with us. He’s in good spirits. I’m told everything is fine.”
What is unclear is if Raiders players who were in contact with Brown after he was cleared the first time are subject to contract tracing and being designated as “high risk,” which could lead to additional players on the COVID-19 list heading into Sunday’s road game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Two key Raiders showed up on the injury report Thursday as non-participants in practice because of illness — safety Johnathan Abram and running back Josh Jacobs. Abram missed the Tampa Bay game on the COVID-19 reserve list for having come in contact with Brown after he’d tested positive. Four Raiders offensive linemen were also quarantined, but since they last had contact with Brown on Monday, were cleared to face Tampa Bay. Abram, who was last in contact with Brown on Tuesday, wound up missing the game.
Brown, who signed a four-year, $66 million contract with the Raiders before the 2019 season, has played in just two games this season — three snaps against Carolina in the opener before aggravating a calf injury, and then the entire game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 11.


mercurynews--2020-11-06--2020 Latest: Biden says ‘no one’ will take US democracy away

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The Latest on the presidential campaign ( all times local ) : Democrat Joe Biden says , “ No one is going to take our democracy away from us.
” His comment came after President Donald Trump ’ s unfounded claims that Democrats were trying to “ steal ” the presidential election from him .
In a Thursday evening tweet , Biden says , “ America has come too far , fought too many battles , and endured too much to let that happen.
” The nation is waiting to learn whether Biden or Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to capture the presidency .
Biden ’ s victories in Michigan and Wisconsin have put him in a commanding position , but Trump has showed no sign of giving up .
Speaking earlier Thursday from the White House , Trump did not back up his claim about Democrats with any details or evidence .
State and federal officials have not reported any instances of widespread voter fraud .
The ballot-counting process across the country has been running smoothly , and the count is ongoing in several battleground states .
HERE ’ S WHAT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RACE : Democrat Joe Biden is pushing closer to the 270 Electoral College votes needed to carry the White House , securing victories in the battlegrounds of Wisconsin and Michigan and narrowing President Donald Trump ’ s path .
— With another Florida loss , Democrats begin second guessing — EXPLAINER : States still in play and what makes them that way HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON : A federal judge has denied a bid by President Donald Trump ’ s campaign to stop the vote count in Philadelphia over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to instead forge an agreement .
U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond suggested each party be allowed 60 observers inside a hall at a downtown convention center where the final ballots are being tallied .
As the hearing unfolded Thursday evening , President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden were locked in a tight battle for the 20 electoral votes in Pennsylvania .
Diamond , an appointee of President George W. Bush , chastened the lawyers as both sides bickered about who was following the rules and reminded them they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , can ’ t we be responsible adults here and reach an agreement ?
” the exasperated judge asked .
“ The whole thing could ( soon ) be moot.
” Republicans went to court Thursday afternoon to complain that election officials in the Democratic-led city were ignoring a state court order they ’ d won earlier in the day to give them a closer view of ballot processing .
The Associated Press has not declared a winner in the presidential race , with a number of battleground states still too early to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renewing his unfounded claims that Democrats are trying to “ steal ” the election from him .
He did not back up his claim with any details or evidence .
State and federal officials have not reported any instances of widespread voter fraud .
Trump spoke from the White House briefing room on Thursday , unleashing harsh criticism of pre-election polling that showed him trailing Democrat Joe Biden and claiming without evidence that the ballot-counting process is unfair and corrupt .
He also renewed his criticism of widespread use of mail-in balloting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country has been running smoothly , and the count is ongoing in several battleground states .
A legal effort in Nevada by President Donald Trump ’ s campaign and state Republicans to try to stop the count of mail ballots in Las Vegas is over .
A document submitted in an appeal pending before the state Supreme Court says the campaign , state GOP , Democrats and attorneys for the state have reached a settlement requiring Clark County election officials to supply “ additional observation access ” at a ballot processing facility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court declined on Election Day to stop the count based on an appeal of a state judge ’ s decision not to stop processing mail ballots in Las Vegas and surrounding Clark County — a Democratic stronghold in an otherwise red GOP state .
In an order released Monday , Judge James Wilson Jr. in Carson City said he found neither the state nor Clark County had done anything to give one vote preference over another .
Nevada Democrats accuse Republicans of trying to suppress voting in the state ’ s most diverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they intended to file another complaint in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas to try to stop the counting of what state campaign co-chair Adam Laxalt called “ improper votes.
” That lawsuit was not immediately filed .
President Donald Trump is set to make his first public appearance since the early morning hours after Election Day .
The White House says Trump will deliver remarks at 6:30 p.m. Thursday from the press briefing room .
It was unclear if he would take questions .
Trump last appeared in public early Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential race .
Trump has also publicly called for vote counting to stop by citing baseless allegations of fraud and misconduct .
The presidential race has not yet been called because neither Trump nor Biden has yet collected the requisite 270 Electoral College votes .
Biden ’ s victories in Michigan and Wisconsin have put him in a commanding position to win the presidency , but Trump has showed no sign of giving up .
The Trump campaign and Republican National Committee have asked an Arizona judge to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote tabulation equipment in metro Phoenix was unable to record a voter ’ s ballot because she completed it with a county-issued Sharpie pen .
They argued that anecdotal accounts of potential tabulation errors resulting from Sharpies demands further review and that they should be allowed to participate in the lawsuit because it will likely affect their interests in the tabulation of votes .
The lawsuit seeks a court order for all Maricopa County voters whose ballots were rejected as a result of using a Sharpie to be given a chance to fix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such voters to be able to be present while election officials count their ballots .
The Arizona Democratic Party earlier asked to join the lawsuit , arguing that Democratic voters could be disenfranchised if the woman who filed the lawsuit was able to challenge a voter ’ s intent in making ballot choices without knowing the applicable standards .
A judge is holding a hearing Thursday in Phoenix in the lawsuit by Phoenix-area voter Laurie Aguilera , who also alleged ink from the marker bled through the back side of her ballot and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new ballot .
Democrat Joe Biden says he feels “ very good ” about the outcome of the presidential election and is telling his supporters to “ stay calm ” as votes continue to be counted .
Biden delivered brief remarks Thursday at a theater in downtown Wilmington , Delaware .
He says , “ It is the will of the voters — no one , not anyone else — who chooses the president of the United States of America.
” President Donald Trump ’ s campaign has pursued legal efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is seeking a recount in Wisconsin .
Biden says that “ the process is working ” and “ we ’ ll know very soon ” the outcome of the election .
Biden and his top campaign officials have expressed confidence about the vote but have been careful to emphasize the need for every ballot to be counted .
Biden ’ s running mate , California Sen. Kamala Harris , stood next to him as he spoke .
The Associated Press has not called the presidential race yet because neither Biden nor Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed for victory .
Several key states remain too early to call — Pennsylvania , Georgia , North Carolina and Nevada .
A federal judge in Washington , D.C. , has ordered the U.S .
Postal Service to perform twice daily sweeps of processing centers in states with extended ballot receipt deadlines to check for mail-in votes and to expedite them for delivery .
Thursday ’ s order will remain in place until the end of states ’ windows for accepting ballots .
According to court records , a similar order by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 ballots in a search of 27 processing hubs in several battleground areas .
Elections officials in key battleground states are continuing presidential vote counting .
Democrat Joe Biden is urging patience , while President Donald Trump is pursuing his legal options .
Several key states are too early to call — Pennsylvania , Georgia , North Carolina and Nevada .
Joe Biden is getting virtual briefings on the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout from panels of experts , sticking to a routine he ’ s had since March , even as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in doubt .
The former vice president traveled Thursday afternoon to a theater in downtown Wilmington , Delaware , where his campaign has set up a makeshift studio .
He and his running mate , California Sen. Kamala Harris , often sit facing large screens while experts participate by video conference .
Biden has held similar public health and economic briefings about once a week since March while criticizing President Donald Trump ’ s administration for the federal government ’ s response to a pandemic that has killed more than 230,000 Americans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside the briefing but saw him as he entered the theater .
He did not take questions .
The Arizona Democratic Party has asked a court to let it participate in a lawsuit that alleges vote tabulation equipment in metro Phoenix was unable to record a voter ’ s ballot because she completed it with a county-issued Sharpie pen .
A judge is holding a hearing Thursday in Phoenix in the lawsuit by voter Laurie Aguilera , who also alleged that ink from the marker bled through the back side of her ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a new ballot .
Aguilera is seeking a court order for all Maricopa County voters whose ballots were rejected as a result of using a Sharpie to be given a chance to fix their ballots .
She also is asking for such voters to be able to be present while election officials count their ballots .
The Democrats say the lawsuit is based on the unconfirmed account of one voter and her request to monitor ballot processing could throw the processing of ballots in Arizona ’ s largest county in disarray .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Democratic voters could be disenfranchised if Aguilera and others were able to challenge a voter ’ s intent in making ballot choices without knowing the applicable standards .
Arizona election officials have said voting with a Sharpie would have no impact on the votes being recorded by a tabulation machine .
As the nation awaits results from Nevada , Clark County Registrar Joe Gloria says it could take until Saturday or Sunday before the state ’ s largest county finishes tallying mail-in ballots that have been returned .
Gloria said Thursday at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here in Clark County is not to count fast .
We want to make sure that we ’ re being accurate.
” Gloria says Clark County has at least 63,262 ballots left to count , including 34,743 returned in drop boxes on Election Day and 4,208 returned via the U.S .
Postal Service .
But as mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day continue to trickle in , Gloria said he had no way of knowing the total number of outstanding ballots .
He says , “ That ’ s a number that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t predict to you what ’ s going to come through the U.S. mail.
” Gloria says the fact that Nevada ’ s six electoral votes could push Democrat Joe Biden beyond the 270 electoral vote threshold needed to win the presidency reaffirmed the need to not rush the count .
He said the last day to count ballots is Nov. 12 .
A Michigan judge has dismissed a lawsuit by President Donald Trump ’ s campaign in a dispute over whether Republican challengers had access to the handling of absentee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lawsuit was filed late Wednesday afternoon , just hours before the last ballots were counted .
She also said the defendant , Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson , was the wrong person to sue because she doesn ’ t control the logistics of local ballot counting , even if she is the state ’ s chief election officer .
The Associated Press called the Michigan presidential election for Democrat Joe Biden on Wednesday evening .
Trump won the state in 2016 .
The lawsuit claimed Benson , a Democrat , was allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of bipartisan observers as well as challengers .
She was accused of undermining the “ constitutional right of all Michigan voters … to participate in fair and lawful elections.
” Benson , through state attorneys , denied the allegations .
Much of the dispute centered on the TCF Center in Detroit where pro-Trump protesters gathered while absentee ballots were being counted .
A judge in Georgia has dismissed a lawsuit by the state Republican Party and President Donald Trump ’ s campaign that asked him to ensure one county was following state laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Superior Court Judge James Bass did not provide an explanation for his decision Thursday at the close of a roughly one-hour hearing .
The county includes the heavily Democratic city of Savannah .
The suit had raised concerns about 53 absentee ballots that poll observers said were not part of an original batch of ballots .
County elections officials testified that all 53 ballots had been received on time .
Joe Biden ’ s campaign is expressing optimism at the ultimate result of the election but warning supporters to “ stay patient and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillon said Thursday on a briefing call with reporters that “ the story of today is going to be a very positive story ” for their campaign , but cautioned that as the counting continues , “ we need to allow it to get done and get done well.
” She says the campaign expects their lead to fluctuate in some states as more votes come in .
O ’ Malley Dillon also charged that legal challenges by President Donald Trump ’ s campaign to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek a recount in Wisconsin are a “ flailing strategy ” that are an “ attempt to distract and delay ” from the results of the election .
The Associated Press is not calling the presidential race yet because neither candidate has secured the 270 Electoral College votes needed for victory .
Several key states were too early to call — Pennsylvania , Georgia , North Carolina and Nevada .
Arizona state officials say there are about 450,000 ballots still to be counted in the Western battleground .
The Associated Press says it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes in .
The AP has called the presidential race in Arizona for Democrat Joe Biden .
AP executive editor Sally Buzbee says : “ The Associated Press continues to watch and analyze vote count results from Arizona .
We will follow the facts in all cases.
” Biden holds a 2.35 percentage point lead over Trump in Arizona , an advantage of about 68,000 votes .
The vast majority of the ballots yet to be counted are from Maricopa County , the most populous area of the state .
This item has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not 375,000 ballots , still need to be counted .
With Joe Biden edging closer to unseating him from the White House , President Donald Trump says he wants to put a halt to vote counting .
The extraordinary statement by an incumbent president to voice support for ceasing the count of legally cast votes came in a Thursday morning tweet , saying only : “ STOP THE COUNT !
” Elections are run by individual state , county and local governments .
Trump ’ s public comments have no impact on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So far , the vote count across the country has been conducted efficiently and without evidence of any misconduct , despite Trump ’ s public complaints .
Trump ’ s comments come as his campaign has filed legal action in several states to try to stop vote counting , claiming a lack of transparency .
Still , Trump ’ s campaign has held out hope that continued counting in Arizona could overcome a Biden lead in the state .

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the presidential campaign (all times local):
7:55 p.m.
Democrat Joe Biden says, “No one is going to take our democracy away from us.” His comment came after President Donald Trump’s unfounded claims that Democrats were trying to “steal” the presidential election from him.
In a Thursday evening tweet, Biden says, “America has come too far, fought too many battles, and endured too much to let that happen.”
The nation is waiting to learn whether Biden or Trump will collect the 270 electoral votes needed to capture the presidency. Biden’s victories in Michigan and Wisconsin have put him in a commanding position, but Trump has showed no sign of giving up.
Speaking earlier Thursday from the White House, Trump did not back up his claim about Democrats with any details or evidence. State and federal officials have not reported any instances of widespread voter fraud.
The ballot-counting process across the country has been running smoothly, and the count is ongoing in several battleground states.
___
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE:
Democrat Joe Biden is pushing closer to the 270 Electoral College votes needed to carry the White House, securing victories in the battlegrounds of Wisconsin and Michigan and narrowing President Donald Trump’s path.
Read more:
— Biden pushes closer to victory as Trump presses legal threats
— With another Florida loss, Democrats begin second guessing
— EXPLAINER: States still in play and what makes them that way
— Trump sues in 3 states, laying ground for contesting outcome
___
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON:
7:10 p.m.
A federal judge has denied a bid by President Donald Trump’s campaign to stop the vote count in Philadelphia over observer access, urging the two sides to instead forge an agreement.
U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond suggested each party be allowed 60 observers inside a hall at a downtown convention center where the final ballots are being tallied. As the hearing unfolded Thursday evening, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden were locked in a tight battle for the 20 electoral votes in Pennsylvania.
Diamond, an appointee of President George W. Bush, chastened the lawyers as both sides bickered about who was following the rules and reminded them they are officers of the court.
“Really, can’t we be responsible adults here and reach an agreement?” the exasperated judge asked. “The whole thing could (soon) be moot.”
Republicans went to court Thursday afternoon to complain that election officials in the Democratic-led city were ignoring a state court order they’d won earlier in the day to give them a closer view of ballot processing.
___
7:05 p.m.
The Associated Press has not declared a winner in the presidential race, with a number of battleground states still too early to call.
But President Donald Trump is renewing his unfounded claims that Democrats are trying to “steal” the election from him. He did not back up his claim with any details or evidence. State and federal officials have not reported any instances of widespread voter fraud.
Trump spoke from the White House briefing room on Thursday, unleashing harsh criticism of pre-election polling that showed him trailing Democrat Joe Biden and claiming without evidence that the ballot-counting process is unfair and corrupt. He also renewed his criticism of widespread use of mail-in balloting in the pandemic.
The ballot-counting process across the country has been running smoothly, and the count is ongoing in several battleground states.
___
6:15 p.m.
A legal effort in Nevada by President Donald Trump’s campaign and state Republicans to try to stop the count of mail ballots in Las Vegas is over.
A document submitted in an appeal pending before the state Supreme Court says the campaign, state GOP, Democrats and attorneys for the state have reached a settlement requiring Clark County election officials to supply “additional observation access” at a ballot processing facility in Las Vegas.
The state high court declined on Election Day to stop the count based on an appeal of a state judge’s decision not to stop processing mail ballots in Las Vegas and surrounding Clark County — a Democratic stronghold in an otherwise red GOP state.
In an order released Monday, Judge James Wilson Jr. in Carson City said he found neither the state nor Clark County had done anything to give one vote preference over another.
Nevada Democrats accuse Republicans of trying to suppress voting in the state’s most diverse area.
Trump campaign representatives said Thursday that they intended to file another complaint in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas to try to stop the counting of what state campaign co-chair Adam Laxalt called “improper votes.” That lawsuit was not immediately filed.
___
6 p.m.
President Donald Trump is set to make his first public appearance since the early morning hours after Election Day.
The White House says Trump will deliver remarks at 6:30 p.m. Thursday from the press briefing room. It was unclear if he would take questions.
Trump last appeared in public early Wednesday, when he falsely declared victory over Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential race. Trump has also publicly called for vote counting to stop by citing baseless allegations of fraud and misconduct.
The presidential race has not yet been called because neither Trump nor Biden has yet collected the requisite 270 Electoral College votes.
Biden’s victories in Michigan and Wisconsin have put him in a commanding position to win the presidency, but Trump has showed no sign of giving up.
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5:50 p.m.
The Trump campaign and Republican National Committee have asked an Arizona judge to let them join a lawsuit that alleges vote tabulation equipment in metro Phoenix was unable to record a voter’s ballot because she completed it with a county-issued Sharpie pen.
They argued that anecdotal accounts of potential tabulation errors resulting from Sharpies demands further review and that they should be allowed to participate in the lawsuit because it will likely affect their interests in the tabulation of votes.
The lawsuit seeks a court order for all Maricopa County voters whose ballots were rejected as a result of using a Sharpie to be given a chance to fix their ballots. It also asks for such voters to be able to be present while election officials count their ballots.
The Arizona Democratic Party earlier asked to join the lawsuit, arguing that Democratic voters could be disenfranchised if the woman who filed the lawsuit was able to challenge a voter’s intent in making ballot choices without knowing the applicable standards.
A judge is holding a hearing Thursday in Phoenix in the lawsuit by Phoenix-area voter Laurie Aguilera, who also alleged ink from the marker bled through the back side of her ballot and that poll workers refused her request for a new ballot.
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4:30 p.m.
Democrat Joe Biden says he feels “very good” about the outcome of the presidential election and is telling his supporters to “stay calm” as votes continue to be counted.
Biden delivered brief remarks Thursday at a theater in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. He says, “It is the will of the voters — no one, not anyone else — who chooses the president of the United States of America.”
President Donald Trump’s campaign has pursued legal efforts to halt the vote counting in some states and is seeking a recount in Wisconsin.
Biden says that “the process is working” and “we’ll know very soon” the outcome of the election. Biden and his top campaign officials have expressed confidence about the vote but have been careful to emphasize the need for every ballot to be counted.
Biden’s running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, stood next to him as he spoke.
The Associated Press has not called the presidential race yet because neither Biden nor Trump has secured the 270 Electoral College votes needed for victory. Several key states remain too early to call — Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina and Nevada.
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3:35 p.m.
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has ordered the U.S. Postal Service to perform twice daily sweeps of processing centers in states with extended ballot receipt deadlines to check for mail-in votes and to expedite them for delivery.
Thursday’s order will remain in place until the end of states’ windows for accepting ballots.
According to court records, a similar order by the same judge earlier this week found just 13 ballots in a search of 27 processing hubs in several battleground areas.
Elections officials in key battleground states are continuing presidential vote counting. Democrat Joe Biden is urging patience, while President Donald Trump is pursuing his legal options.
Several key states are too early to call — Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina and Nevada.
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2:25 p.m.
Joe Biden is getting virtual briefings on the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout from panels of experts, sticking to a routine he’s had since March, even as the outcome of the presidential race remains in doubt.
The former vice president traveled Thursday afternoon to a theater in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, where his campaign has set up a makeshift studio. He and his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, often sit facing large screens while experts participate by video conference.
Biden has held similar public health and economic briefings about once a week since March while criticizing President Donald Trump’s administration for the federal government’s response to a pandemic that has killed more than 230,000 Americans.
Journalists traveling with Biden were not allowed inside the briefing but saw him as he entered the theater. He did not take questions.
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2 p.m.
The Arizona Democratic Party has asked a court to let it participate in a lawsuit that alleges vote tabulation equipment in metro Phoenix was unable to record a voter’s ballot because she completed it with a county-issued Sharpie pen.
A judge is holding a hearing Thursday in Phoenix in the lawsuit by voter Laurie Aguilera, who also alleged that ink from the marker bled through the back side of her ballot and that poll workers refused her request for a new ballot.
Aguilera is seeking a court order for all Maricopa County voters whose ballots were rejected as a result of using a Sharpie to be given a chance to fix their ballots. She also is asking for such voters to be able to be present while election officials count their ballots.
The Democrats say the lawsuit is based on the unconfirmed account of one voter and her request to monitor ballot processing could throw the processing of ballots in Arizona’s largest county in disarray.
In a court filing, the party says Democratic voters could be disenfranchised if Aguilera and others were able to challenge a voter’s intent in making ballot choices without knowing the applicable standards.
Arizona election officials have said voting with a Sharpie would have no impact on the votes being recorded by a tabulation machine.
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1:55 p.m.
As the nation awaits results from Nevada, Clark County Registrar Joe Gloria says it could take until Saturday or Sunday before the state’s largest county finishes tallying mail-in ballots that have been returned.
Gloria said Thursday at a press conference: “Our goal here in Clark County is not to count fast. We want to make sure that we’re being accurate.”
Gloria says Clark County has at least 63,262 ballots left to count, including 34,743 returned in drop boxes on Election Day and 4,208 returned via the U.S. Postal Service. But as mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day continue to trickle in, Gloria said he had no way of knowing the total number of outstanding ballots.
He says, “That’s a number that I can’t give you. I can’t predict to you what’s going to come through the U.S. mail.”
Gloria says the fact that Nevada’s six electoral votes could push Democrat Joe Biden beyond the 270 electoral vote threshold needed to win the presidency reaffirmed the need to not rush the count.
He said the last day to count ballots is Nov. 12.
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1:30 p.m.
A Michigan judge has dismissed a lawsuit by President Donald Trump’s campaign in a dispute over whether Republican challengers had access to the handling of absentee ballots.
Judge Cynthia Stephens noted that the lawsuit was filed late Wednesday afternoon, just hours before the last ballots were counted. She also said the defendant, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, was the wrong person to sue because she doesn’t control the logistics of local ballot counting, even if she is the state’s chief election officer.
The Associated Press called the Michigan presidential election for Democrat Joe Biden on Wednesday evening. Trump won the state in 2016.
The lawsuit claimed Benson, a Democrat, was allowing absentee ballots to be counted without teams of bipartisan observers as well as challengers. She was accused of undermining the “constitutional right of all Michigan voters … to participate in fair and lawful elections.”
Benson, through state attorneys, denied the allegations. Much of the dispute centered on the TCF Center in Detroit where pro-Trump protesters gathered while absentee ballots were being counted.
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11:45 a.m.
A judge in Georgia has dismissed a lawsuit by the state Republican Party and President Donald Trump’s campaign that asked him to ensure one county was following state laws on processing absentee ballots.
Chatham County Superior Court Judge James Bass did not provide an explanation for his decision Thursday at the close of a roughly one-hour hearing. The county includes the heavily Democratic city of Savannah.
The suit had raised concerns about 53 absentee ballots that poll observers said were not part of an original batch of ballots. County elections officials testified that all 53 ballots had been received on time.
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11:40 a.m.
Joe Biden’s campaign is expressing optimism at the ultimate result of the election but warning supporters to “stay patient and stay calm” as vote counting continues.
Biden campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon said Thursday on a briefing call with reporters that “the story of today is going to be a very positive story” for their campaign, but cautioned that as the counting continues, “we need to allow it to get done and get done well.”
She says the campaign expects their lead to fluctuate in some states as more votes come in.
O’Malley Dillon also charged that legal challenges by President Donald Trump’s campaign to halt vote counting in some states and seek a recount in Wisconsin are a “flailing strategy” that are an “attempt to distract and delay” from the results of the election.
The Associated Press is not calling the presidential race yet because neither candidate has secured the 270 Electoral College votes needed for victory. Several key states were too early to call — Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina and Nevada.
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10:38 a.m.
Arizona state officials say there are about 450,000 ballots still to be counted in the Western battleground.
The Associated Press says it is monitoring that vote count as it comes in. The AP has called the presidential race in Arizona for Democrat Joe Biden.
AP executive editor Sally Buzbee says: “The Associated Press continues to watch and analyze vote count results from Arizona. We will follow the facts in all cases.”
Biden holds a 2.35 percentage point lead over Trump in Arizona, an advantage of about 68,000 votes.
The vast majority of the ballots yet to be counted are from Maricopa County, the most populous area of the state.
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This item has been corrected to show that 450,000 ballots, not 375,000 ballots, still need to be counted.
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9:40 a.m.
With Joe Biden edging closer to unseating him from the White House, President Donald Trump says he wants to put a halt to vote counting.
The extraordinary statement by an incumbent president to voice support for ceasing the count of legally cast votes came in a Thursday morning tweet, saying only: “STOP THE COUNT!”
Elections are run by individual state, county and local governments. Trump’s public comments have no impact on the tallying of votes across the country.
So far, the vote count across the country has been conducted efficiently and without evidence of any misconduct, despite Trump’s public complaints.
Trump’s comments come as his campaign has filed legal action in several states to try to stop vote counting, claiming a lack of transparency. Still, Trump’s campaign has held out hope that continued counting in Arizona could overcome a Biden lead in the state.
Find AP’s full election coverage at APNews.com/Election2020.


mercurynews--2020-11-06--San Francisco Giants second baseman Donovan Solano wins Silver Slugger Award

Donovan Solano , who was fifth in the National League with a .326 batting average , became the first Giants second baseman to win a Silver Slugger Award since Jeff Kent in 2002 .
Solano also had three homers and 29 RBIs in 54 games .
The Silver Slugger awards are given annually to the top hitter at each position in both the NL and the American League .
Three outfield winners are chosen per league , regardless of specific position .
Mookie Betts , after winning a World Series ring in his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The right fielder won a National League Silver Slugger , two days after winning a Gold Glove .
The Atlanta Braves led all teams with four players chosen : first baseman Freddie Freeman , center fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. , catcher Travis d ’ Arnaud and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna .
Betts won his fourth Silver Slugger and his third in a row , having previously been honored while playing for the Boston Red Sox .
Betts , 28 , hit .292 with a .366 on-base percentage , a .562 slugging percentage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the abbreviated 2020 regular season .
Also claiming NL outfield Silver Sluggers were Washington Nationals left fielder Juan Soto and Acuna .
The other NL Silver Slugger awards went to Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. ( .277 , 17 homers , 45 RBIs in 59 games ) , d ’ Arnaud ( .321 , nine homers , 34 RBIs in 44 games ) and Ozuna ( .338 while leading the NL with both 18 homers and 56 RBIs in 60 games ) .
The three AL MVP finalists — Chicago White Sox first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second baseman DJ LeMahieu and Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez — all received Silver Slugger awards .
Abreu led the majors 60 RBIs and topped the AL with a .617 slugging percentage while hitting .317 with 19 homers in 60 games .
LeMahieu paced the major leagues with a .364 batting average and led the AL with a .421 on-base percentage .
He hit 10 homers and drove in 27 runs in 50 games .
Ramirez was tied for the AL lead with 45 runs , and he batted .292 with 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The AL Silver Slugger outfield winners were Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout ( .281 , 17 homers , 46 RBIs in 53 games ) , Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Teoscar Hernandez ( .289 , 16 homers , 34 RBIs in 50 games ) and Chicago White Sox left fielder Eloy Jimenez ( .296 , 14 homers , 41 RBIs in 55 games ) .
Rounding out the list of AL honorees were White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson ( .322 , 10 homers , 21 RBIs , league-high 45 runs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Royals catcher Salvador Perez ( .333 , 11 homers , 32 RBIs in 37 games ) and Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz ( .303 , 16 homers , 33 RBIs in 53 games ) .

Donovan Solano, who was fifth in the National League with a .326 batting average, became the first Giants second baseman to win a Silver Slugger Award since Jeff Kent in 2002.
Solano also had three homers and 29 RBIs in 54 games.
The Silver Slugger awards are given annually to the top hitter at each position in both the NL and the American League. Three outfield winners are chosen per league, regardless of specific position.
Mookie Betts, after winning a World Series ring in his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, keeps adding to his hardware haul. The right fielder won a National League Silver Slugger, two days after winning a Gold Glove.
The Atlanta Braves led all teams with four players chosen: first baseman Freddie Freeman, center fielder Ronald Acuna Jr., catcher Travis d’Arnaud and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna.
Betts won his fourth Silver Slugger and his third in a row, having previously been honored while playing for the Boston Red Sox.
Betts, 28, hit .292 with a .366 on-base percentage, a .562 slugging percentage, 16 homers and 39 RBIs during the abbreviated 2020 regular season.
Also claiming NL outfield Silver Sluggers were Washington Nationals left fielder Juan Soto and Acuna.
The other NL Silver Slugger awards went to Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (.277, 17 homers, 45 RBIs in 59 games), d’Arnaud (.321, nine homers, 34 RBIs in 44 games) and Ozuna (.338 while leading the NL with both 18 homers and 56 RBIs in 60 games).
The three AL MVP finalists — Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu and Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez — all received Silver Slugger awards.
Abreu led the majors 60 RBIs and topped the AL with a .617 slugging percentage while hitting .317 with 19 homers in 60 games.
LeMahieu paced the major leagues with a .364 batting average and led the AL with a .421 on-base percentage. He hit 10 homers and drove in 27 runs in 50 games.
Ramirez was tied for the AL lead with 45 runs, and he batted .292 with 17 homers and 46 RBIs in 58 games.
The AL Silver Slugger outfield winners were Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (.281, 17 homers, 46 RBIs in 53 games), Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Teoscar Hernandez (.289, 16 homers, 34 RBIs in 50 games) and Chicago White Sox left fielder Eloy Jimenez (.296, 14 homers, 41 RBIs in 55 games).
Rounding out the list of AL honorees were White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (.322, 10 homers, 21 RBIs, league-high 45 runs in 49 games), Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (.333, 11 homers, 32 RBIs in 37 games) and Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz (.303, 16 homers, 33 RBIs in 53 games).


mercurynews--2020-11-06--Richmond police investigating Thursday afternoon homicide

RICHMOND — Police here are investigating the death of a man who was shot and killed Thursday afternoon , authorities @ @ @ @ @ identified the victim as a 25-year-old man , but his identity is not being made @ @ @ @ @ informed of his death .
The victim was shot and killed Thursday afternoon near the @ @ @ @ @ intersection of 7th Street and Barrett Avenue , police said .
The killing is Richmond @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , including one fatal police shooting in April .
Police have not yet released @ @ @ @ @ motive .
Investigators have blocked off a large along Barrett Avenue , between 7th Street @ @ @ @ @ to a Richmond police Twitter post .
Members of the public are encouraged to avoid @ @ @

RICHMOND, CA - November 5: Officers investigate a homicide on the 700 block of Barrett Avenue in Richmond, Calif., on Thursday, November 5, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - November 5: Officers investigate a homicide on the 700 block of Barrett Avenue in Richmond, Calif., on Thursday, November 5, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - November 5: Officers investigate a homicide on the 700 block of Barrett Avenue in Richmond, Calif., on Thursday, November 5, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - November 5: Officers investigate a homicide on the 700 block of Barrett Avenue in Richmond, Calif., on Thursday, November 5, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - November 5: Officers investigate a homicide on the 700 block of Barrett Avenue in Richmond, Calif., on Thursday, November 5, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - November 5: Officers investigate a homicide on the 700 block of Barrett Avenue in Richmond, Calif., on Thursday, November 5, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - November 5: Officers investigate a homicide on the 700 block of Barrett Avenue in Richmond, Calif., on Thursday, November 5, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
RICHMOND, CA - November 5: Officers investigate a homicide on the 700 block of Barrett Avenue in Richmond, Calif., on Thursday, November 5, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
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RICHMOND — Police here are investigating the death of a man who was shot and killed Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
Richmond police have identified the victim as a 25-year-old man, but his identity is not being made public until the family is informed of his death. The victim was shot and killed around 3 p.m. Thursday near the Barrett Plaza, at the intersection of 7th Street and Barrett Avenue, police said.
A gunfire detector recorded dozens of shots being fired, police said. Police believe the suspect and the victim argued shortly before the shooting, possibly over some property.
The killing is Richmond’s 18th homicide of 2020, including one fatal police shooting in April.
Police have not yet released suspect information.


mercurynews--2020-11-06--Progressive candidates, causes are on a path to victory in Richmond election

RICHMOND — This city leaned a little more left this week after three City Council candidates supported by the Richmond Progressive Alliance appeared to pick up election night victories , as did a union-backed ballot measure that ’ ll change the way the city taxes businesses .
With about 180,000 votes left to count in Contra Costa County , the three council candidates had strong enough leads to declare victory in the city ’ s first district-based election .
One of them , incumbent Councilman Melvin Willis , held a commanding 57 % lead to apparently retain his District 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city , against challenger Eleanor Thompson , according to Tuesday night ’ s semiofficial results .
The county will release its latest tallies on Friday .
Richmond City Council District 1 incumbent and candidate Melvin Willis Jr. was re-elected Tuesday .
( Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group ) In a message to supporters posted on his website , Willis said , “ With most of the votes counted , it looks like I will have the honor of continuing to serve as your City Councilmember .
I am grateful and humbled that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me.
” In District 5 , which covers southeast Richmond , former mayor Gayle McLaughlin captured more than 51 % of the vote , with candidates Ahmad Anderson , Mike Vasilas and Najari Smith behind .
And in District 6 , community organizer Claudia Jimenez held 52 % of the vote against challengers Vinay Pimple , a former council member , and La ’ Tanya Dandie , who goes by Ms. Dandie .
The candidates were celebrating their apparent wins in messages posted on social media and on their websites , expressing hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the council come January .
“ My two teammates , Councilmember Melvin Willis and Claudia Jimenez , have similar leads and together , along with Councilmember Eduardo Martinez , we will make up a strong progressive majority on the City Council , ” McLaughlin wrote in an update to voters online .
“ We also will work with the others who remain on the Council ( Mayor Tom Butt , Councilmember Demnlus Johnson and Councilmember Nat Bates ) on issues of agreement.
” McLaughlin said during her campaign that her priorities for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeowner foreclosures , building a community hospital and promoting sustainable , green jobs in the city .
Willis , too , has supported those efforts , and has urged for reallocating funding from the police to other emergency responses and services .
They also have expressed support for a ballot measure that was on its way to a win this week .
Measure U , which had more than 73 % of the vote in early returns , authorizes the city to tax businesses based on their gross receipts instead of the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a flat annual license tax of $ 234.10 plus $ 46.80 per employee up to 25 employees and $ 40.10 for each additional employee .
Under the measure , businesses would have to pay a percentage of their gross receipts earned in Richmond , with the amount depending on the nature of their business and at a rate assigned per industry .
The measure drew support from workers and union members , who say the change would stimulate job creation because additional employees wouldn ’ t become a tax burden and would generate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business owners in the community expressed concern in the months leading up to the election that it would be too burdensome after COVID-19 has already wreaked havoc on the local economy .
Mayor Tom Butt also opposed the gross receipts tax and has criticized the progressive candidates for supporting strong rent control and just-cause eviction policies and for accepting campaign support from local unions .
“ This victory belongs to the broader movement of community organizations , activists , workers , and residents who share our vision of a city where we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are most marginalized , ” Jimenez wrote in a message to her supporters .

RICHMOND — This city leaned a little more left this week after three City Council candidates supported by the Richmond Progressive Alliance appeared to pick up election night victories, as did a union-backed ballot measure that’ll change the way the city taxes businesses.
With about 180,000 votes left to count in Contra Costa County, the three council candidates had strong enough leads to declare victory in the city’s first district-based election.
One of them, incumbent Councilman Melvin Willis, held a commanding 57% lead to apparently retain his District 1 seat representing a northern portion of the city, against challenger Eleanor Thompson, according to Tuesday night’s semiofficial results. The county will release its latest tallies on Friday.
Richmond City Council District 1 incumbent and candidate Melvin Willis Jr. was re-elected Tuesday. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)In a message to supporters posted on his website, Willis said, “With most of the votes counted, it looks like I will have the honor of continuing to serve as your City Councilmember. I am grateful and humbled that you have continued to put your trust in me.”
In District 5, which covers southeast Richmond, former mayor Gayle McLaughlin captured more than 51% of the vote, with candidates Ahmad Anderson, Mike Vasilas and Najari Smith behind.
And in District 6, community organizer Claudia Jimenez held 52% of the vote against challengers Vinay Pimple, a former council member, and La’Tanya Dandie, who goes by Ms. Dandie.
The candidates were celebrating their apparent wins in messages posted on social media and on their websites, expressing hope for the progressive majority that will make up the council come January.
“My two teammates, Councilmember Melvin Willis and Claudia Jimenez, have similar leads and together, along with Councilmember Eduardo Martinez, we will make up a strong progressive majority on the City Council,” McLaughlin wrote in an update to voters online. “We also will work with the others who remain on the Council (Mayor Tom Butt, Councilmember Demnlus Johnson and Councilmember Nat Bates) on issues of agreement.”
(Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group Archives)
McLaughlin said during her campaign that her priorities for the city include preventing renter evictions and homeowner foreclosures, building a community hospital and promoting sustainable, green jobs in the city.
Willis, too, has supported those efforts, and has urged for reallocating funding from the police to other emergency responses and services.
They also have expressed support for a ballot measure that was on its way to a win this week.
Measure U, which had more than 73% of the vote in early returns, authorizes the city to tax businesses based on their gross receipts instead of the number of employees.
Currently, businesses pay a flat annual license tax of $234.10 plus $46.80 per employee up to 25 employees and $40.10 for each additional employee.
Under the measure, businesses would have to pay a percentage of their gross receipts earned in Richmond, with the amount depending on the nature of their business and at a rate assigned per industry. The measure drew support from workers and union members, who say the change would stimulate job creation because additional employees wouldn’t become a tax burden and would generate more revenue for the city.
But business owners in the community expressed concern in the months leading up to the election that it would be too burdensome after COVID-19 has already wreaked havoc on the local economy.
Mayor Tom Butt also opposed the gross receipts tax and has criticized the progressive candidates for supporting strong rent control and just-cause eviction policies and for accepting campaign support from local unions.
“This victory belongs to the broader movement of community organizations, activists, workers, and residents who share our vision of a city where we can all thrive and belong, especially those who are most marginalized,” Jimenez wrote in a message to her supporters.