mercurynews--2020-11-17--Expired unemployment benefits, EDD debacles sink jobless Californians

Inundated with more than 15 million claims since March , the Employment Development Department is struggling to keep up .
The agency continues to whittle down its backlog and unresolved claims have fallen to 542,000 as of Nov. 11 .
In its latest blunder , EDD temporarily suspended more than 300,000 of the Bank of America debit cards it issued to claimants because of suspected fraud .
But the aggressive anti-fraud measure caught thousands of innocent claimants in the crossfire , wiping out their only lifeline .
The state ’ s miscues and slim benefits have spelled financial ruin for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions about what bills to forego or what meals to skip .
Here ’ s how three residents are being taken under by diminishing benefits .
Out of work and booted out by her landlord , Leigh Holguin used her unemployment benefits to buy a new home : a 1996 Chevrolet Swinger RV .
Holguin , 50 , her boyfriend Adam Rapp , 41 , and their pitbull puppy have lived in their vehicle in Eureka since April .
A self-employed caretaker , Holguin lost work as soon as the pandemic hit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing lawn care and collecting and selling scrap metal for recycling .
Both filed for unemployment on the same day back in March , but Rapp has yet to see a penny .
His claim is lost somewhere in the state agency ’ s massive backlog .
Holguin saw her monthly benefits drop to $ 800 when the weekly $ 600 from the federal relief package expired in July .
Holguin was saving up to secure a spot at a local trailer park where they could hook the RV up to power and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood flustered when her EDD-issued debit card declined twice at the pump early last month .
Swept up by Sacramento ’ s aggressive anti-fraud efforts , Holguin ’ s bank account had been suspended .
It took a week of waiting on the phone to get through to the agency .
When she finally got through , a representative told her she needed to call the Bank of America .
A game of hot potato ensued .
“ When you call it ’ s , ‘ Oh , it ’ s EDD ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bank of America , ’ and you just flip flop back and forth , ” Hoguin said .
“ It ’ s frustrating.
” When the state finally unfroze her card , her $ 800 lifeline for the month of October disappeared .
Tired of investing hours on the phone , she gave up trying to recover that money .
Then their RV broke down , leaving the couple stranded in a Costco parking lot .
A mechanic gave her a $ 3,500 quote for the repair .
Money she doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving the RV out of the lot .
She ’ s worried they ’ ll have her home towed away .
“ We ’ re slowly sinking , ” Holguin said .
“ It ’ s like we ’ re in a boat with a hole and we ’ re using a teaspoon to bail out the water.
” Reidun Saxerud , 33 , has felt the pinch since she made the solo move to Los Angeles from Minnesota eight years ago — jumping from job to job and making just enough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was finally making headway earlier this year , then came coronavirus .
The pandemic stripped the raise she had gotten three weeks prior as an administrative assistant for a talent agency .
Out of a job , she filed for unemployment less than a week after Gov .
Gavin Newsom ordered the state to shut down in March .
Her weekly award totaled $ 58 but real support came when the federal stimulus package added a weekly $ 600 boost to her account in late April .
The aid filled her bank account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in years and freed her up to leave a hostile living situation and move into a townhome with new housemates in May .
Backed by a PPP loan , the talent agency re-hired Saxerud in May .
But as she had expected , her return was short-lived .
By the end of June , she was unemployed again .
She made only half of what she would have made had she remained unemployed during those six weeks .
Saxerud has since survived on $ 58 in weekly unemployment benefits and what unemployment money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stimulus ended at the end of July .
An artist and a writer , she ’ s helped by the occasional couple hundred bucks a month she ’ s able to pull in from art commissions .
October was the first month she was unable to pay her $ 550 rent in full .
Three weeks ago , she started a seasonal job as a personal assistant at a gift arrangement shop near her home .
If she can ’ t hold her new job she ’ ll have to go back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Having lived every week in California on a tight budget , Saxerud said she feels numb to her present situation .
Except this time , she hardly feels alone in her struggle .
She is looking forward to seeing what comes of a country she believes is at its tipping point .
“ I ’ ve felt for a long time , about 10 years now , that we ’ ve been on the edge of a massive revolution and this might finally be the time , ” Saxerud said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and take care of myself everyday the way I know how , because I know something big is coming.
” Back on the street after unemployment account froze Ron Adams , 41 , doesn ’ t sleep most nights .
He ’ s woken up to too many missing backpacks .
Adams roams the streets of Riverside chock-full of indignation .
Two months ago , he had a place to call home for the first time in nearly a year .
Three weeks and a frozen bank account later , he found himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeless one year ago when a break up with his ex-girlfriend left him without a place to stay .
Shifting between hotel rooms and sleeping on the street , he quickly drained his savings as he struggled to find work as a handyman .
For Adams , the federal coronavirus relief bill represented a roof over his head .
His weekly unemployment benefits were enough for him to string together consistent stays at hotels for most of the summer and repay friends who helped get him through the winter .
• Bay Area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how you count it • EDD unemployment backlog might take months to fix In September , he moved into a small Riverside home he found on Craigslist .
His $ 1,000 monthly benefit gave him just enough to cover $ 900 in rent .
Then EDD froze his debit card .
Unable to pay October rent , his landlord asked him to leave .
One month of fruitless back and forth with EDD has sapped Adams of all hope .
The latest word from the agency is that he will have to wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ verified .
Local shelters never have room for him , he says .
He relies on the generosity of his ex-girlfriend to stay fed .
Some weekends , he manages to convince her to book him a hotel room .
He ’ s repaying her soon as EDD resolves his claim .
This article is part of California Divide , a collaboration among newsrooms examining income inequity and economic survival in California .

As coronavirus resurges eight months into a devastating pandemic, many jobless Californians have exhausted their options and are hanging on to what little government support remains. Once padded by an extra $600 a week from the federal coronavirus relief bill, many of the state’s unemployed say their benefits are just enough to survive — if they can get them.
Inundated with more than 15 million claims since March, the Employment Development Department is struggling to keep up. The agency continues to whittle down its backlog and unresolved claims have fallen to 542,000 as of Nov. 11.
In its latest blunder, EDD temporarily suspended more than 300,000 of the Bank of America debit cards it issued to claimants because of suspected fraud. But the aggressive anti-fraud measure caught thousands of innocent claimants in the crossfire, wiping out their only lifeline.
The state’s miscues and slim benefits have spelled financial ruin for thousands across the state and forced tough decisions about what bills to forego or what meals to skip. Here’s how three residents are being taken under by diminishing benefits.
Holding out in a Costco parking lot
Out of work and booted out by her landlord, Leigh Holguin used her unemployment benefits to buy a new home: a 1996 Chevrolet Swinger RV. Holguin, 50, her boyfriend Adam Rapp, 41, and their pitbull puppy have lived in their vehicle in Eureka since April.
A self-employed caretaker, Holguin lost work as soon as the pandemic hit. So did Rapp, who had been doing lawn care and collecting and selling scrap metal for recycling.
Both filed for unemployment on the same day back in March, but Rapp has yet to see a penny.
His claim is lost somewhere in the state agency’s massive backlog. Holguin saw her monthly benefits drop to $800 when the weekly $600 from the federal relief package expired in July.
Holguin was saving up to secure a spot at a local trailer park where they could hook the RV up to power and access running water. Instead, she stood flustered when her EDD-issued debit card declined twice at the pump early last month.
Swept up by Sacramento’s aggressive anti-fraud efforts, Holguin’s bank account had been suspended. It took a week of waiting on the phone to get through to the agency. When she finally got through, a representative told her she needed to call the Bank of America. A game of hot potato ensued.
“When you call it’s, ‘Oh, it’s EDD’ or ‘Oh, it’s Bank of America,’ and you just flip flop back and forth,” Hoguin said. “It’s frustrating.”
When the state finally unfroze her card, her $800 lifeline for the month of October disappeared. Tired of investing hours on the phone, she gave up trying to recover that money.
Then their RV broke down, leaving the couple stranded in a Costco parking lot. A mechanic gave her a $3,500 quote for the repair. Money she doesn’t have.
Police badger the couple about moving the RV out of the lot. She’s worried they’ll have her home towed away.
“We’re slowly sinking,” Holguin said. “It’s like we’re in a boat with a hole and we’re using a teaspoon to bail out the water.”
Living in Los Angeles on $58 a week
Reidun Saxerud, 33, has felt the pinch since she made the solo move to Los Angeles from Minnesota eight years ago — jumping from job to job and making just enough to keep her head above water.
Saxerud was finally making headway earlier this year, then came coronavirus. The pandemic stripped the raise she had gotten three weeks prior as an administrative assistant for a talent agency.
Out of a job, she filed for unemployment less than a week after Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the state to shut down in March. Her weekly award totaled $58 but real support came when the federal stimulus package added a weekly $600 boost to her account in late April.
The aid filled her bank account with more money than it had seen in years and freed her up to leave a hostile living situation and move into a townhome with new housemates in May.
Backed by a PPP loan, the talent agency re-hired Saxerud in May. But as she had expected, her return was short-lived. By the end of June, she was unemployed again. She made only half of what she would have made had she remained unemployed during those six weeks.
Saxerud has since survived on $58 in weekly unemployment benefits and what unemployment money she was able to tuck away when the stimulus ended at the end of July. An artist and a writer, she’s helped by the occasional couple hundred bucks a month she’s able to pull in from art commissions.
October was the first month she was unable to pay her $550 rent in full.
Three weeks ago, she started a seasonal job as a personal assistant at a gift arrangement shop near her home. If she can’t hold her new job she’ll have to go back to surviving on $58 a week.
Having lived every week in California on a tight budget, Saxerud said she feels numb to her present situation. Except this time, she hardly feels alone in her struggle. She is looking forward to seeing what comes of a country she believes is at its tipping point.
“I’ve felt for a long time, about 10 years now, that we’ve been on the edge of a massive revolution and this might finally be the time,” Saxerud said. “So I’ll bide my time and take care of myself everyday the way I know how, because I know something big is coming.”
Back on the street after unemployment account froze
Ron Adams, 41, doesn’t sleep most nights. He’s woken up to too many missing backpacks.
Adams roams the streets of Riverside chock-full of indignation. Two months ago, he had a place to call home for the first time in nearly a year. Three weeks and a frozen bank account later, he found himself on the street again.
Adams became homeless one year ago when a break up with his ex-girlfriend left him without a place to stay. Shifting between hotel rooms and sleeping on the street, he quickly drained his savings as he struggled to find work as a handyman.
For Adams, the federal coronavirus relief bill represented a roof over his head. His weekly unemployment benefits were enough for him to string together consistent stays at hotels for most of the summer and repay friends who helped get him through the winter.
In September, he moved into a small Riverside home he found on Craigslist. His $1,000 monthly benefit gave him just enough to cover $900 in rent. Then EDD froze his debit card. Unable to pay October rent, his landlord asked him to leave.
One month of fruitless back and forth with EDD has sapped Adams of all hope. The latest word from the agency is that he will have to wait six weeks for his ID to be verified.
Local shelters never have room for him, he says. He relies on the generosity of his ex-girlfriend to stay fed. Some weekends, he manages to convince her to book him a hotel room. He’s repaying her soon as EDD resolves his claim.
This article is part of California Divide, a collaboration among newsrooms examining income inequity and economic survival in California.


mercurynews--2020-11-17--California man sentenced to nearly 3 years in $5 million tax fraud

A Garden Grove man convicted earlier this year of cheating the government out of nearly $ 5 million was sentenced Monday , Nov. 16 , to 34 months in federal prison , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office said .
Michael Hung Lee , 70 , pleaded guilty in July to a felony count of conspiracy to aid and assist in preparing false tax returns .
During Monday ’ s sentencing at the federal courthouse in Santa Ana , he was also ordered to pay $ 4.9 million in restitution .
From 2014 to 2018 , Lee owned and operated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lee has acknowledged he conspired to file fraudulent federal income-tax returns on behalf of clients in order to get unwarranted breaks from the IRS .
Lee claimed capital losses that he knew his clients didn ’ t approve and weren ’ t qualified for , according to the plea deal , which reduced their taxable income .
Lee didn ’ t pocket any money , but his track record of larger refunds brought in more clients , said Ciaran McEvoy of the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office .
“ He did benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There were “ thousands ” of clients , and some have been already audited and had to pay back the extra money they received , McEvoy said .
Lee ’ s step daughter , Mylinh Thi Lee , 50 , of Garden Grove also prepared taxes at the same business and previously pleaded guilty for her part in the scheme .
She faces three years in federal prison when she is sentenced , with a hearing scheduled for Dec. 7 , federal authorities said .

A Garden Grove man convicted earlier this year of cheating the government out of nearly $5 million was sentenced Monday, Nov. 16, to 34 months in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Michael Hung Lee, 70, pleaded guilty in July to a felony count of conspiracy to aid and assist in preparing false tax returns. During Monday’s sentencing at the federal courthouse in Santa Ana, he was also ordered to pay $4.9 million in restitution.
From 2014 to 2018, Lee owned and operated 1040 U.S. Tax Center in Garden Grove. Lee has acknowledged he conspired to file fraudulent federal income-tax returns on behalf of clients in order to get unwarranted breaks from the IRS.
Lee claimed capital losses that he knew his clients didn’t approve and weren’t qualified for, according to the plea deal, which reduced their taxable income.
Lee didn’t pocket any money, but his track record of larger refunds brought in more clients, said Ciaran McEvoy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“He did benefit financially but indirectly,” McEvoy said.
There were “thousands” of clients, and some have been already audited and had to pay back the extra money they received, McEvoy said.
Lee’s step daughter, Mylinh Thi Lee, 50, of Garden Grove also prepared taxes at the same business and previously pleaded guilty for her part in the scheme. She faces three years in federal prison when she is sentenced, with a hearing scheduled for Dec. 7, federal authorities said.


mercurynews--2020-11-17--Coronavirus map: Here’s what tier each county in California is on Nov. 16

State officials moved 29 of California ’ s 58 counties on Monday , Nov. 16 , to the most restrictive purple tier of the state ’ s four-tier coronavirus tracking system .
There are now 41 counties in the purple tier after Monday ’ s changes .
Two counties are categorized in the least restrictive yellow tier – last week there were six in the yellow and nine were yellow two weeks ago .
Counties are assigned to a tier based on metrics showing the speed and the spread of the virus in their borders .
A list of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included below .
Note : The state recently added a new metric called health equity .
For a county with a population of greater than 106,000 , the county must : Ensure that the test positivity rates in its most disadvantaged neighborhoods – the Healthy Places Index census tracts are used for that – do not significantly lag behind its overall county test positivity rate .
There are additional conditions listed on the state ’ s site .
Here is the current metrics for each county , where they are now and where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the tiers ?
• Stanford responds to Trump coronavirus adviser Scott Atlas ’ calls for Michigan to ‘ rise up ’ against new restrictions • Project Roomkey : Gov .
Newsom pledges another $ 62 million to prop up COVID hotel program Purple is the most restrictive , especially for education .
Schools in the Widespread ( purple ) tier aren ’ t permitted to reopen for in-person instruction unless they receive a waiver from local health departments for TK-6 grades .
Schools can reopen for in-person instruction once their county has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least two weeks .
If a county regresses back to the purple tier , schools won ’ t be forced to close again , but any that hadn ’ t open would be prevented from opening until the county clocks at least two weeks in the red tier .

State officials moved 29 of California’s 58 counties on Monday, Nov. 16, to the most restrictive purple tier of the state’s four-tier coronavirus tracking system.
There are now 41 counties in the purple tier after Monday’s changes.
Two counties are categorized in the least restrictive yellow tier – last week there were six in the yellow and nine were yellow two weeks ago.
Counties are assigned to a tier based on metrics showing the speed and the spread of the virus in their borders.
A list of what businesses are impacted by each tier is included below.
Note: The state recently added a new metric called health equity. For a county with a population of greater than 106,000, the county must: Ensure that the test positivity rates in its most disadvantaged neighborhoods – the Healthy Places Index census tracts are used for that – do not significantly lag behind its overall county test positivity rate. There are additional conditions listed on the state’s site.
Here is the current metrics for each county, where they are now and where they were last week.
State metrics:
How different are the tiers?
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Source: California Department of Finance


mercurynews--2020-11-18--VTA pumps brakes on service cuts, will add more buses instead to prevent crowding

South Bay bus riders are in for a temporary reprieve , after Valley Transportation Authority leaders announced Tuesday that they are pressing pause on proposed cuts to the bus and light rail network that could have seen local transit service slashed to its lowest levels in decades .
VTA instead plans to do the opposite , at least in the short term : increase the frequency of buses on several of its most popular routes where coaches frequently hit limited capacities to allow for social distancing , forcing drivers to pass up would-be riders waiting at stops .
Authority leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — it ’ s not yet clear what lines will get more frequent service , when the extra buses will start or how an agency that had been considering severe cuts amid a dire long-term financial outlook will pay for the additional service .
Spokeswoman Brandi Childress warned more frequent buses on some routes could have consequences elsewhere .
VTA officials are considering running fewer buses on less-popular lines to shift coaches and drivers to core routes , Childress said , in which case the better service for some riders would mean longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still in the same financial situation , ” Childress said .
She estimated that three to six especially popular lines — perhaps including routes 22 , 23 and 66 , where buses now come every 15 minutes — could see more frequent service in a matter of “ weeks , not months.
” Meanwhile the more permanent service cuts , which VTA ’ s board was set to vote on early next month , could still become a reality .
VTA officials had been zeroing in on a plan to avoid the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the frequency of bus service across much of their network and shutting down light rail service earlier each night compared to pre-pandemic levels , to save tens of millions of dollars per year .
The agency so far has not sought any staff layoffs or furloughs to reduce expenses .
“ This is something that we can shelve right now , ” Childress said of the cuts , though she warned , “ It ’ s just a pause — it ’ s not going away.
” While the plan would amount to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuts made during the pandemic , transit riders and advocates have warned the result would be longer and less-reliable trips for those who rely on public transportation , and millions more trips taken by car instead .

South Bay bus riders are in for a temporary reprieve, after Valley Transportation Authority leaders announced Tuesday that they are pressing pause on proposed cuts to the bus and light rail network that could have seen local transit service slashed to its lowest levels in decades.
VTA instead plans to do the opposite, at least in the short term. The agency will increase the frequency of buses on several of its most popular routes where coaches frequently hit tight capacity limits to allow for social distancing, forcing drivers to leave would-be riders stranded at stops.
It’s a problem that has happened thousands of times since the spring — last week, VTA data showed its buses went into “drop off only” mode 285 times per weekday on average. Monica Mallon, a VTA rider and activist who founded the group Turnout 4 Transit, says buses have passed her by at stops along route 22 on several occasions in recent months because coaches were full. She said that can add 15 minutes to her trip as she waits for another bus.
“It’s really frustrating,” Mallon said. And she considers herself fortunate — Mallon works from home, taking the bus for other trips where she can typically afford to be late, unlike those who rely on VTA for their commutes.
“There’s only so many times that you can be late to work before you buy a car or you get fired,” she said. “People need to get picked up. They need to have reliable service.”
Authority leaders announced the plan with few specifics Tuesday — it’s not yet clear when the extra buses will start, or how an agency that had been considering severe cuts amid a dire long-term financial outlook will pay for the additional service.
Spokeswoman Brandi Childress said seven especially popular lines — routes 23, 25, 64, 66, 68, 71 and 77 — could see more frequent service in a matter of “weeks, not months.”
Still, Childress warned that adding more frequent buses on some routes could have consequences elsewhere. VTA officials are considering running fewer buses on less-popular lines to shift coaches and drivers to core routes, Childress said, in which case the better service for some riders would mean longer waits for others.
“We are still in the same financial situation,” Childress said.
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“This is something that we can shelve right now,” Childress said of the cuts, though she warned, “It’s just a pause — it’s not going away.”
While the plan announced Tuesday would amount to an increase of service over temporary cuts made during the pandemic, transit riders and advocates have warned the result would be longer and less-reliable trips for those who rely on public transportation in the post-coronavirus world, and millions more trips taken by car instead. Mallon said she plans to continue lobbying against any permanent cuts next year.
“We have a very difficult battle ahead of us to preserve transit service,” Mallon said.


mercurynews--2020-11-18--Inside the MS-13 federal case: San Francisco defense attorneys say they’re ‘stymied’ by prosecution

Inside the MS-13 federal case: San Francisco defense attorneys say they’re ‘stymied’ by prosecution lag in turning over evidence

SAN FRANCSICO — It has been nine months since federal authorities rounded up 17 suspected MS-13 members were rounded up and hit with racketeering charges alleging assaults on rival gangs , and attempts to “ tax ” drug dealers within the city .
But while the defendants spend their time in Santa Rita Jail , still legally presumed innocent , not much progress has been made toward bringing the case toward trial or some other resolution , according to several attorneys who spoke out in court at a Tuesday morning hearing .
They ’ ve accused federal prosecutors of lagging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jail calls and cell phone drains that they say is needed to provide a competent defense .
“ We ’ re just stymied…I have to say it ’ s frustrating , ” said Peter Arian , the attorney for Edwin “ Muerte ” Alvarado Amaya , who is accused of attempted murder and racketeering , at Tuesday ’ s court hearing .
“ When the government says ‘ We ’ re diligently moving forward , we produced 25 phone calls that we ’ d like to use , ’ that in my mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources that chose to file the case this way — that ’ s not progress.
” Arian ’ s comments were echoed by several other defense attorneys in the case , who say they ’ ve yet to see key evidence that allegedly implicates their clients in a number of violent crimes , mostly stabbings or other melee attacks , which federal prosecutors say were part of an effort by an MS-13 subset known as the 20th Street clique to extort Tenderloin drug dealers and conquer territory from the rival Norteño gang .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aseem Padukone said he ’ s sympathetic to the defense concerns .
Part of the reason for the stall , he said , was a COVID-19-related shutdown of a tech lab tasked with downloading data from the defendants ’ smart phones .
The process of translating jail calls from Spanish to English has also slowed things down , he said .
“ We expect the pace to pick up , ” Padukone said in court Tuesday .
But he added , “ We ’ re not yet in a place where we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today.
” The charges against the defendants include multiple attempted murders , as well as allegations that several defendants communicated with MS-13 members in Los Angeles about plans to “ murder of two ‘ rogue ’ MS-13 members , all on the instruction from higher-ups in El Salvador.
” They also include a 2015 shooting of an alleged Norteño member , which was followed by a successful police chase ; the alleged driver escaped police by going the wrong way down the Vermont Street offramp on Highway 101 .
Most of the alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involve knives , bats , machetes , and in one instance , a mop handle .
In court records , federal prosecutors have detailed several attacks on suspected Norteño members , including an attack outside a San Francisco pizza parlor where one alleged MS-13 member stood watch , machete in hand , while others used blunt objects — like a plastic water cooler — to beat the victim .
In another instance , in November 2017 , Elmer “ Gordo ” Rodriguez allegedly shot a man in the chest with a shotgun in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innocent bystanders , as “ part of an ongoing effort , led by Rodrigeuz , to tax drug dealers for selling their drugs in MS-13 territory , ” prosecutors allege .
The victim went into a coma , but survived the attack .
Rodriguez ’ s MS-13 membership is evidenced by photos of him and others throwing up gang signs in the presence of MS-13 indicia , according to court filings by the U.S. Attorney ’ s office .

SAN FRANCSICO — It has been nine months since federal authorities rounded up 17 suspected MS-13 members were rounded up and hit with racketeering charges alleging assaults on rival gangs, and attempts to “tax” drug dealers within the city.
But while the defendants spend their time in Santa Rita Jail, still legally presumed innocent, not much progress has been made toward bringing the case toward trial or some other resolution, according to several attorneys who spoke out in court at a Tuesday morning hearing. They’ve accused federal prosecutors of lagging at turning over evidence collected from recorded jail calls and cell phone drains that they say is needed to provide a competent defense.
“We’re just stymied…I have to say it’s frustrating,” said Peter Arian, the attorney for Edwin “Muerte” Alvarado Amaya, who is accused of attempted murder and racketeering, at Tuesday’s court hearing. “When the government says ‘We’re diligently moving forward, we produced 25 phone calls that we’d like to use,’ that in my mind — for an entity with virtually unlimited resources that chose to file the case this way — that’s not progress.”
Arian’s comments were echoed by several other defense attorneys in the case, who say they’ve yet to see key evidence that allegedly implicates their clients in a number of violent crimes, mostly stabbings or other melee attacks, which federal prosecutors say were part of an effort by an MS-13 subset known as the 20th Street clique to extort Tenderloin drug dealers and conquer territory from the rival Norteño gang.
In court Tuesday, assistant U.S. Attorney Aseem Padukone said he’s sympathetic to the defense concerns. Part of the reason for the stall, he said, was a COVID-19-related shutdown of a tech lab tasked with downloading data from the defendants’ smart phones. The process of translating jail calls from Spanish to English has also slowed things down, he said.
“We expect the pace to pick up,” Padukone said in court Tuesday. But he added, “We’re not yet in a place where we can provide a concrete timeline, as of today.”
The charges against the defendants include multiple attempted murders, as well as allegations that several defendants communicated with MS-13 members in Los Angeles about plans to “murder of two ‘rogue’ MS-13 members, all on the instruction from higher-ups in El Salvador.” They also include a 2015 shooting of an alleged Norteño member, which was followed by a successful police chase; the alleged driver escaped police by going the wrong way down the Vermont Street offramp on Highway 101.
Most of the alleged attempted murders and assaults, though, involve knives, bats, machetes, and in one instance, a mop handle. In court records, federal prosecutors have detailed several attacks on suspected Norteño members, including an attack outside a San Francisco pizza parlor where one alleged MS-13 member stood watch, machete in hand, while others used blunt objects — like a plastic water cooler — to beat the victim.
In another instance, in November 2017, Elmer “Gordo” Rodriguez allegedly shot a man in the chest with a shotgun in the Tenderloin, striking him and two innocent bystanders, as “part of an ongoing effort, led by Rodrigeuz, to tax drug dealers for selling their drugs in MS-13 territory,” prosecutors allege. The victim went into a coma, but survived the attack.
Rodriguez’s MS-13 membership is evidenced by photos of him and others throwing up gang signs in the presence of MS-13 indicia, according to court filings by the U.S. Attorney’s office.


mercurynews--2020-11-18--Lawsuit requests that Trump ‘be declared the winner’ in Nevada

President Donald Trump ’ s campaign on Tuesday announced a lawsuit to halt President-elect Joe Biden ’ s victory in Nevada , the latest in a flurry of challenges that legal experts have said will not change the election ’ s outcome .
According to a court filing released by the campaign , the lawsuit requests a court order that Trump “ be declared the winner of the Election in Nevada , ” or , alternatively , that the results in the state are annulled and no winner is certified there .
Biden won Nevada by a 33,596-vote margin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office .
The legal challenge was formally brought by a group of Republicans known as “ electors ” who would have been pledged to Trump in the U.S .
Electoral College system if he had won Nevada .
In the Electoral College system , electoral votes are allotted to all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on their population .
Nevada carries six Electoral College votes .
Biden has secured 306 votes to Trump ’ s 232 .
The lawsuit claims , providing no evidence , that “ fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nevada election illegitimate.
” A focus of the complaint is a signature verification machine the Trump campaign has said was flawed .
The machine was used in Clark County , which includes Las Vegas .
The lawsuit also alleged that observers were denied meaningful access to the ballot counting process .
The lawsuit appears to be “ parroting erroneous allegations made by partisans without first-hand knowledge of the facts , ” said Dan Kulin , a spokesman for the Clark County Election Department .
“ We have not seen their complaint yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are repeating allegations the courts have already rejected , ” Kulin said .
The campaign and Trump supporters have filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania , Michigan and others states challenging the Nov. 3 election but have had little success changing vote tallies .
A senior Biden legal adviser has dismissed the litigation as “ theatrics , not really lawsuits.
” ( Reporting by Jan Wolfe ; Editing by Edwina Gibbs )

By Jan Wolfe | Reuters
President Donald Trump’s campaign on Tuesday announced a lawsuit to halt President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in Nevada, the latest in a flurry of challenges that legal experts have said will not change the election’s outcome.
According to a court filing released by the campaign, the lawsuit requests a court order that Trump “be declared the winner of the Election in Nevada,” or, alternatively, that the results in the state are annulled and no winner is certified there.
Biden won Nevada by a 33,596-vote margin, according to the Nevada Secretary of State’s office.
The legal challenge was formally brought by a group of Republicans known as “electors” who would have been pledged to Trump in the U.S. Electoral College system if he had won Nevada.
In the Electoral College system, electoral votes are allotted to all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on their population. Nevada carries six Electoral College votes. Biden has secured 306 votes to Trump’s 232.
The lawsuit claims, providing no evidence, that “fraud and abuse renders the purported results of the Nevada election illegitimate.”
A focus of the complaint is a signature verification machine the Trump campaign has said was flawed. The machine was used in Clark County, which includes Las Vegas. The lawsuit also alleged that observers were denied meaningful access to the ballot counting process.
The lawsuit appears to be “parroting erroneous allegations made by partisans without first-hand knowledge of the facts,” said Dan Kulin, a spokesman for the Clark County Election Department.
“We have not seen their complaint yet; however, it sounds like they are repeating allegations the courts have already rejected,” Kulin said.
The campaign and Trump supporters have filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Michigan and others states challenging the Nov. 3 election but have had little success changing vote tallies.
A senior Biden legal adviser has dismissed the litigation as “theatrics, not really lawsuits.” (Reporting by Jan Wolfe; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)


mercurynews--2020-11-18--Warriors gain more clarity on 2020-21 season schedule

As the regular season approaches , the Warriors have slightly more clarity as to which teams they will play during the 72-game schedule and additional incentive to earn a higher seed in the playoffs .
Teams will play 42 games within their conference and 30 games out of conference , the NBA announced Tuesday .
The schedule will be released in two parts , the first half in early December , as to account for any scheduling conflicts due to the coronavirus .
The one-time structure will include a play-in tournament for the seventh and eighth seeds in the playoffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the other four Pacific division teams — the NBA-champion Lakers , Clippers , Suns and Kings — with each pairing featuring either two home games and one road game , or one home game and two road games .
The Warriors will also play two home games against each team from one of the other Western Conference divisions , and two road games against the other Western Conference division .
These Western Conference games could be scheduled “ series-style , ” with teams playing both games in each city in a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each Eastern Conference team twice , once at home and once on the road .
The first half of the regular season will span from Dec. 22 to March 4 .
Any games postponed in the first half of the schedule will be added to the second half of the schedule , which will be released around the time of the revised All-Star break from March 5-10 , per the release .
The playoffs are set to begin May 22 , and conclude July 22 .
On Tuesday the NBA approved a play-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will take place after the regular season and include teams with the seventh-best record to the 10th-best record in each conference .
The seventh and eighth seeds will each have two opportunities to win one game to earn a playoff spot , while teams nine and 10 will each have to win two straight games to make the postseason .
At the end of the regular season on May 16 , the seventh and eighth-place teams will play one game , with the winner being awarded the No .
7 seed .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner of the game between the ninth and 10th-place teams for the No .
8 seed .
With the NBA draft Wednesday and free agency to begin Friday , the Warriors aim to vault back to the top of the Western Conference and avoid participating in the play-in tournament altogether .

As the regular season approaches, the Warriors have slightly more clarity as to which teams they will play during the 72-game schedule and additional incentive to earn a higher seed in the playoffs.
Teams will play 42 games within their conference and 30 games out of conference, the NBA announced Tuesday. The schedule will be released in two parts, the first half in early December, as to account for any scheduling conflicts due to the coronavirus. The one-time structure will include a play-in tournament for the seventh and eighth seeds in the playoffs.
Golden State will play three games against the other four Pacific division teams (Lakers, Clippers, Suns and Kings) with each pairing featuring either two home games and one road game, or one home game and two road games.
The Warriors will also play three games, two at home, against each team from the Northwest division (Nuggets, Timberwolves, Thunder, Trail Blazers and Jazz), and three games, two on the road, against each team in the Southwest division (Mavericks, Rockets, Grizzlies, Pelicans and Spurs). Games could be scheduled “series-style,” with teams playing both games in each city in a single trip.
Golden State will play each Eastern Conference team twice, once at home and once on the road.
The first half of the regular season will span from Dec. 22 to March 4. Any games postponed in the first half of the schedule will be added to the second half of the schedule, which will be released around the time of the revised All-Star break from March 5-10, per the release. The playoffs are set to begin May 22, and conclude July 22.
On Tuesday the NBA approved a play-in tournament for the 2020-21 season, which will take place after the regular season and include teams with the seventh-best record to the 10th-best record in each conference. The seventh and eighth seeds will each have two opportunities to win one game to earn a playoff spot, while teams nine and 10 will each have to win two straight games to make the postseason.
At the end of the regular season on May 16, the seventh and eighth-place teams will play one game, with the winner being awarded the No. 7 seed. The loser of that game will play the winner of the game between the ninth and 10th-place teams for the No. 8 seed.
With the NBA draft Wednesday and free agency to begin Friday, the Warriors aim to vault back to the top of the Western Conference and avoid participating in the play-in tournament altogether.


mercurynews--2020-11-18--GOP election board members refuse to certify Detroit results

In an unprecedented move , the Detroit-based Wayne County Board of Canvassers deadlocked along partisan lines on a critical vote Tuesday and was unable to certify the county ’ s presidential results before the deadline .
The two Democrats on the panel voted to certify the results , while the two Republicans voted against it .
President-elect Joe Biden won Michigan by more than 148,000 votes , a win made possible by a strong showing in Wayne County .
If those votes aren ’ t eventually certified , it could jeopardize Biden ’ s claim to Michigan ’ s electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a longshot attempt to overturn the election results through lawsuits and with the Electoral College , though GOP lawmakers in Michigan have said they ’ ll respect the statewide popular vote .
According to Michigan law , the Board of State Canvassers is now required to deal with the results from Wayne County within 10 days .
The Board of State Canvassers similarly has two Democrats and two Republicans .
It is unclear what would happen if the state board reaches the same partisan deadlock .
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday night that she could use her powers overseeing the statewide Bureau of Election to get the results from Wayne County certified .
“ In similar circumstances in the past , state canvassers have appointed the Bureau of Elections to carry out the processes of canvassing the vote and voter totals , ” Benson said .
“ The Bureau stands ready to fulfill this duty and we expect this will address clerical errors and improve the quality of the canvass overall.
” During the meeting of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ reckless and irresponsible.
” Kinloch is one of the two Democrats on the panel .
“ This board , over the years , has taken pride in not allowing politics to show itself in the actions of what we do , ” Kinloch said .
“ There is no reason under the sun for us to not certify this election .
I believe politics made its presence here today , and I think forever that this board will have to live with the fact that we have allowed external , non-relevant issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change and bring about an outcome that will not happen.
” The Republican chair of the board , Monica Palmer , explained why she voted against certification .
“ Based on what I saw and went through in poll books in this canvas , I believe that we do not have complete and accurate information in those poll books , ” Palmer said .
In Benson ’ s statement , she said it was “ common ” for some precincts to have minor discrepancies with their poll books .
But she also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not an indication that any votes were improperly cast or counted.
” Election experts and Michigan insiders reacted with shock to the stalemate .
Nancy Kaffer , a columnist at the Detroit Free Press , tweeted , “ This is unprecedented in my 20 years covering government here.
” Amy Walter of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report tweeted , “ There has been zero evidence of fraud here or elsewhere ” and said Republican efforts to block certification “ does real and lasting damage to our institutions.
” “ It ’ s so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold up in the long run , ” Ben Ginsberg , one of the most prominent Republican election lawyers in the country , told CNN ’ s Erin Burnett on Tuesday night .
The GOP-led Michigan Senate voted in September in support of resolution confirming that the state ’ s electors should be faithful to voting for the Presidential candidate as certified by Michigan ’ s election officials , Amber McCann , deputy chief of staff for Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey , confirmed to CNN .

By Ed White | Associated Press
DETROIT — Michigan’s largest county reversed course and unanimously certified its presidential election results Tuesday night after Republicans first blocked the move in a party-line vote that threatened to temporarily stall official approval of Democrat Joe Biden’s win in the state.
The Wayne County Board of Canvassers acted after the 2-2 tie was condemned by Democrats, election experts and the meeting’s online spectators as a dangerous attempt to overthrow the will of voters.
The board met after days of unsuccessful litigation filed by Republican poll challengers and President Donald Trump’s allies. They claimed fraud during absentee ballot counting at a Detroit convention center, but two judges found no evidence and refused to stop the canvassing process.
Biden crushed Trump in Wayne County, a Democratic stronghold, by more than a 2-1 margin and won the state by 146,000 votes, according to unofficial results.
The canvassers first rejected certification of the Detroit-area vote with the tie. Monica Palmer, a Republican, said poll books in certain Detroit precincts were out of balance. In response, Jonathan Kinloch, a Democrat, said it was “reckless and irresponsible” to not certify the results.
“It’s not based upon fraud. It’s absolutely human error,” Kinloch said of any discrepancies. “Votes that are cast are tabulated.”
The board then listened to a parade of spectators blasting Palmer and fellow Republican William Hartmann during the meeting’s public comment period over Zoom.
The Rev. Wendell Anthony, a well-known pastor and head of the Detroit branch of the NAACP, called them a “disgrace.”
“You have extracted a Black city out of a county and said the only ones that are at fault is the city of Detroit, where 80% of the people who reside here are African Americans. Shame on you!” Anthony said, his voice rising.
Certification of the Nov. 3 election results in each of Michigan’s 83 counties is a step toward statewide certification by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers.
“Glad to see common sense prevailed in the end,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said. “Thank you to all those citizens who spoke up so passionately. You made the difference!”
Michigan Democratic Party chair Lavora Barnes called the initial 2-2 vote “blatant racism.”
At least six lawsuits have been filed in Michigan, the latest one landing Sunday in federal court. But there is no evidence of widespread fraud in the U.S. election.
The issues that Trump’s allies have raised are typical in every election: problems with signatures, secrecy envelopes and postal marks on mail-in ballots, as well as the potential for a small number of ballots miscast or lost.
University of Kentucky law professor Joshua Douglas, who teaches election law, said certifying results is usually a routine task.
“We depend on democratic norms, including that the losers graciously accept defeat. That seems to be breaking down,” Douglas said before the Detroit-area board had second thoughts and blessed the results.


mercurynews--2020-11-18--Fremont police arrest armed-robbery spree suspect

FREMONT — A Union City man is in county jail after his arrest in connection with a series of more than 20 East Bay and South Bay armed robberies , police said Tuesday .
At least five of those robberies happened at Fremont restaurants , gas stations and convenience stores over the last month , including one last Friday at a Quik Stop in the 38900 block of Farwell Drive , police said .
Stores in Campbell , Hayward , Los Altos , Milpitas , Mountain View , Newark , Sunnyvale and Union City were also robbed .
During those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was committing them because of a sick child , police said .
After surveillance efforts at robbery-struck businesses , including officer stakeouts and review of video footage from nearby businesses and community cameras , officers identified a suspect vehicle seen at several businesses just before the robberies .
Several hours later , officers searching for the vehicle found it in Union City , and asked Union City officers for help stopping its driver , identified as Nelson Ramirez , 40 .
After a search of the vehicle yielded a replica handgun and clothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviewed Ramirez , who “ stated that he did not have a sick child , nor did he have any children at all , ” police said .
Other detectives soon carried out search warrants for locations tied to Ramirez , and were working to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies on possible additional charges .
Anyone with information about the robberies or who may have been harmed may call Fremont police Det .
Jared Madsen at 510-790-6900 or e-mail jmadsen @ fremont.gov .
Ramirez was arrested on suspicion of multiple counts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jail .
He was held on at least $ 1.1 million bail and faces arraignment Thursday at Dublin ’ s East County Hall of Justice , according to a county records check .

FREMONT — A Union City man is in county jail after his arrest in connection with a series of more than 20 East Bay and South Bay armed robberies, police said Tuesday.
At least five of those robberies happened at Fremont restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores over the last month, including one last Friday at a Quik Stop in the 38900 block of Farwell Drive, police said. Stores in Campbell, Hayward, Los Altos, Milpitas, Mountain View, Newark, Sunnyvale and Union City were also robbed.
During those robberies, the suspect consistently claimed he was committing them because of a sick child, police said.
After surveillance efforts at robbery-struck businesses, including officer stakeouts and review of video footage from nearby businesses and community cameras, officers identified a suspect vehicle seen at several businesses just before the robberies.
Several hours later, officers searching for the vehicle found it in Union City, and asked Union City officers for help stopping its driver, identified as Nelson Ramirez, 40.
After a search of the vehicle yielded a replica handgun and clothing apparently worn during the robberies, detectives interviewed Ramirez, who “stated that he did not have a sick child, nor did he have any children at all,” police said.
Other detectives soon carried out search warrants for locations tied to Ramirez, and were working to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies on possible additional charges.
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East Bay man gets 35 years to life for murdering his uncle before police shot him Crime and Public Safety | Teen shot at Oakland outdoor memorial dies from wounds Anyone with information about the robberies or who may have been harmed may call Fremont police Det. Jared Madsen at 510-790-6900 or e-mail jmadsen@fremont.gov.
Ramirez was arrested on suspicion of multiple counts of armed robbery and booked into Santa Rita Jail. He was held on at least $1.1 million bail and faces arraignment Thursday at Dublin’s East County Hall of Justice, according to a county records check.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.


mercurynews--2020-11-18--COVID-19: New Orleans cancels 2021 Mardi Gras parades

Mardi Gras parades will not be permitted next year at New Orleans ’ annual festival , but city officials are saying the holiday is definitely not canceled .
“ I want to be very clear .
Mardi Gras 2021 is not canceled .
It is going to look different .
The mayor has been very consistent about saying that at every stage , ” said Beau Tidwell , communications director for Mayor LaToya Cantrell , during a Tuesday press conference .
Mardi Gras , to be celebrated on February 16 , 2021 , is a religious holiday , and therefore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s website .
However , as Covid-19 cases continue to rise in the city , with the number of new cases approaching critical levels , the city is imposing some restrictions — notably , canceling parades in an effort to prevent a super spreader event .
“ There ’ s no way that that ’ s responsible given what we know about the pandemic right now , ” Tidwell said .
“ So while we certainly want to move forward and find ways that we can celebrate , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do it safely .
We have … 10 more deaths in the last two weeks .
The positivity rate doubled in the last week.
” Though the city will still allow visitors — with both Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street remaining open — the city still requires everyone to wear masks in public and maintain social distancing .
“ It is highly recommended that time in the city ’ s entertainment districts be limited and social distancing observed with mask wearing , ” the mayor ’ s website states .
The mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents on how to hold the carnival in a safe way .
The loss of parades means nonprofits such as The Roots of Music , which depend on the parades for revenue , may struggle .
Roots executive director Suzanne Raether said the organization will miss out on about $ 60,000 in funding .
“ While it will have a dramatic impact on our finances , The Roots of Music fully supports our City ’ s decision to cancel Mardi Gras parades in 2021 , ” Raether said in a statement .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge across the country , with record numbers of hospitalizations and daily cases .
Many states are issuing a new wave of mask mandates and other restrictions in an attempt to fend off the virus , with some places discouraging holiday festivities as well .

By Leah Asmelash | CNN
Mardi Gras parades will not be permitted next year at New Orleans’ annual festival, but city officials are saying the holiday is definitely not canceled.
“I want to be very clear. Mardi Gras 2021 is not canceled. It is going to look different. The mayor has been very consistent about saying that at every stage,” said Beau Tidwell, communications director for Mayor LaToya Cantrell, during a Tuesday press conference.
Mardi Gras, to be celebrated on February 16, 2021, is a religious holiday, and therefore cannot be canceled, according to the city’s website.
However, as Covid-19 cases continue to rise in the city, with the number of new cases approaching critical levels, the city is imposing some restrictions — notably, canceling parades in an effort to prevent a super spreader event.
“There’s no way that that’s responsible given what we know about the pandemic right now,” Tidwell said.
“So while we certainly want to move forward and find ways that we can celebrate, and we can mark this occasion, we have to do it safely. We have … 10 more deaths in the last two weeks. The positivity rate doubled in the last week.”
Though the city will still allow visitors — with both Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street remaining open — the city still requires everyone to wear masks in public and maintain social distancing. “It is highly recommended that time in the city’s entertainment districts be limited and social distancing observed with mask wearing,” the mayor’s website states.
The mayor’s office is taking suggestions from residents on how to hold the carnival in a safe way.
The loss of parades means nonprofits such as The Roots of Music, which depend on the parades for revenue, may struggle. Roots executive director Suzanne Raether said the organization will miss out on about $60,000 in funding.
“While it will have a dramatic impact on our finances, The Roots of Music fully supports our City’s decision to cancel Mardi Gras parades in 2021,” Raether said in a statement.
The news comes as Covid-19 cases continue to surge across the country, with record numbers of hospitalizations and daily cases. Many states are issuing a new wave of mask mandates and other restrictions in an attempt to fend off the virus, with some places discouraging holiday festivities as well.


mercurynews--2020-11-18--‘It’s literally at record levels’: Prosecutors up and down California say they’ve seen a rise in dom

‘It’s literally at record levels’: Prosecutors up and down California say they’ve seen a rise in domestic violence amidst the pandemic

State and federal prosecutors across California are trying to raise awareness about a disturbing trend that has held across the state since the start of the pandemic : domestic violence appears to be going up , as avenues for victims to report it are closing .
In a late-October virtual news conference , federal and state prosecutors from cities all over the state came together to share news of domestic violence trends in their areas and what they ’ re doing to stop it .
Though domestic violence generally isn ’ t a prosecutable federal offense , federal agencies play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges against people with domestic violence convictions who illegally possess guns , and distributing grants to state agencies .
“ We ’ re all really concerned because of COVID , ” Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert said on the call .
“ We know the numbers are creeping up , we know that it ’ s grossly underreported .
In our county we realized very quickly when this pandemic hit that we needed to do something more.
” The Alameda County Family Justice Center typically serves around 15,000 people per year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were issued across the Bay Area , they saw a drastic drop in walk-ins , according to Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O ’ Malley .
“ We had only about 50 people contact the justice center .
As a result , we called the victims , ” O ’ Malley said .
“ We had over 140 women who identified themselves as needing to get out of the home because they were sheltered in place with their abusers.
” She later added , “ Since that time , the number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … is over 400 .
We know reaching out to the community and telling people help is available made a difference to them.
” One problem , prosecutors say , is shutdowns related to the pandemic have forced victims to remain in the home with their abusers , and prevents kids from being able to confide about abuse in their home to their teachers .
To combat this , many offices are partnering with rideshare services to give free rides to victims , as well as keeping shelters and family justice centers open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 39 percent increase in police bringing domestic violence cases to county prosecutors for filing since the pandemic hit .
In Ventura County , the increase has been drastic , Ventura District Attorney Gregory Totten said .
“ We ’ ve also seen a 90 percent increase in child abuse and child sex crimes referrals to us , ” Totten said , adding that the number of domestic violence seeking shelter has increased by 120 percent .
“ It ’ s literally at record levels since COVID-19 occurred.
” Victims of domestic violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 1-800-799-SAFE ( 7233 ) or TTY 1-800-787-3224 .
Those in Alameda County can contact the family justice center at 510-267-8800 or reach its 24-hour mobile response team at : 1-800 947-8301

State and federal prosecutors across California are trying to raise awareness about a disturbing trend that has held across the state since the start of the pandemic: domestic violence appears to be going up, as avenues for victims to report it are closing.
In a late-October virtual news conference, federal and state prosecutors from cities all over the state came together to share news of domestic violence trends in their areas and what they’re doing to stop it. Though domestic violence generally isn’t a prosecutable federal offense, federal agencies play a role in two ways: filing charges against people with domestic violence convictions who illegally possess guns, and distributing grants to state agencies.
“We’re all really concerned because of COVID,” Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert said on the call. “We know the numbers are creeping up, we know that it’s grossly underreported. In our county we realized very quickly when this pandemic hit that we needed to do something more.”
The Alameda County Family Justice Center typically serves around 15,000 people per year. In March 2020, as shutdown orders were issued across the Bay Area, they saw a drastic drop in walk-ins, according to Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley.
“We had only about 50 people contact the justice center. As a result, we called the victims,” O’Malley said. “We had over 140 women who identified themselves as needing to get out of the home because they were sheltered in place with their abusers.”
She later added, “Since that time, the number of people coming to the family justice center now … is over 400. We know reaching out to the community and telling people help is available made a difference to them.”
One problem, prosecutors say, is shutdowns related to the pandemic have forced victims to remain in the home with their abusers, and prevents kids from being able to confide about abuse in their home to their teachers. To combat this, many offices are partnering with rideshare services to give free rides to victims, as well as keeping shelters and family justice centers open.
Schubert says her office has seen a 39 percent increase in police bringing domestic violence cases to county prosecutors for filing since the pandemic hit. In Ventura County, the increase has been drastic, Ventura District Attorney Gregory Totten said.
“We’ve also seen a 90 percent increase in child abuse and child sex crimes referrals to us,” Totten said, adding that the number of domestic violence seeking shelter has increased by 120 percent. “It’s literally at record levels since COVID-19 occurred.”
Victims of domestic violence can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224. Those in Alameda County can contact the family justice center at 510-267-8800 or reach its 24-hour mobile response team at : 1-800 947-8301


mercurynews--2020-11-18--Stanford’s David Shaw doesn’t see big impact with new COVID-19 restrictions

STANFORD — Santa Clara County ’ s move to the most restrictive tier of California ’ s COVID-19 reopening system should not impact Stanford ’ s football team this week , coach David Shaw said Tuesday .
On the day state officials placed Santa Clara and 40 other California counties in the restrictive purple tier the Cardinal continued to prepare for its home game Saturday night against Washington State .
The game kicks off at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 .
“ There are some things that we will adjust per county guidelines , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference .
The coach said his winless team has no plans to relocate to Woodside High School in neighboring San Mateo County as it did for a few days in the preseason .
“ We ’ ve trained in small groups throughout the summer , ” Shaw said .
“ If we have to go back to doing that we can do that.
” Shaw added that it will be easier to shift schedules after the fall quarter ends this week .
Dr. Sara Cody , Santa Clara County public health officer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a timeline to consider what changes were needed for Stanford and San Jose State ’ s football teams because they had just learned about being placed in the purple tier .
“ A lot of decisions , a lot of thinking , a lot to discuss , ” Cody told this news organization .
“ I can just tell you it ’ s something we ’ re actively considering in the context of everything else that ’ s going on.
” • San Jose State football : A look at milestones in Spartans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officials put halt on college football as coronavirus cases spike ?
Last month , both schools were approved to practice and play within county borders after submitting plans that include having games without spectators .
“ We haven ’ t been doing much in-person outside of practice , ” Shaw said .
“ Not doing many things indoors .
We ’ re in constant communication with the county and we will follow the guidelines they give us .
“ Our guys are used to adjusting so we will adjust and continue to @ @ @ @ @

STANFORD — Santa Clara County’s move to the most restrictive tier of California’s COVID-19 reopening system should not impact Stanford’s football team this week, coach David Shaw said Tuesday.
On the day state officials placed Santa Clara and 40 other California counties in the restrictive purple tier the Cardinal continued to prepare for its home game Saturday night against Washington State. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1.
“There are some things that we will adjust per county guidelines,” Shaw said during his weekly video news conference.
The coach said his winless team has no plans to relocate to Woodside High School in neighboring San Mateo County as it did for a few days in the preseason.
“We’ve trained in small groups throughout the summer,” Shaw said. “If we have to go back to doing that we can do that.”
Shaw added that it will be easier to shift schedules after the fall quarter ends this week.
Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara County public health officer, said Monday local officials did not have a timeline to consider what changes were needed for Stanford and San Jose State’s football teams because they had just learned about being placed in the purple tier.
“A lot of decisions, a lot of thinking, a lot to discuss,” Cody told this news organization. “I can just tell you it’s something we’re actively considering in the context of everything else that’s going on.”
Last month, both schools were approved to practice and play within county borders after submitting plans that include having games without spectators.
“We haven’t been doing much in-person outside of practice,” Shaw said. “Not doing many things indoors. We’re in constant communication with the county and we will follow the guidelines they give us.
“Our guys are used to adjusting so we will adjust and continue to prepare to play.”


mercurynews--2020-11-18--Trump fires official who defended election integrity

President Donald Trump on Tuesday fired the Department of Homeland Security official who had rejected Trump ’ s claims of widespread voter fraud .
Trump announced on Twitter he was firing Chris Krebs , the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency , and directly tied it to Krebs ’ statement that said there “ is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes , changed votes , or was in any way compromised.
” “ The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate , in that there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a tweet before repeating multiple baseless conspriacy theories about the election .
“ Therefore , effective immediately , Chris Krebs has been terminated as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
” CNN reported that Krebs , who ran the cyber arm of the Department of Homeland Security , expected to be fired .
In the lead-up to the election , Krebs had often quietly disputed the President ’ s repeated false claims about mail-in ballots but went out of his way to not get drawn into criticizing his boss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days that have followed , Krebs has adopted a more forceful approach regularly posting on Twitter — often with blaring red siren emojis — fact checks of the claims and conspiracy theories being pushed by Trump , his allies and supporters around the country .
Krebs has been responsible for a widely praised revamp of the department ’ s cybersecurity efforts and increasing coordination with state and local governments , as the first director of CISA .
He served as one of the most key federal national security officials that oversaw an election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Foreign adversaries were not able to affect any of the votes , CISA said , and it was “ the most secure election in American history , ” according to them and the wider group of public and private election officials .
That was the statement for which the President decided to fire Krebs on Tuesday evening .
Krebs kept up the fact check of the President ’ s conspiracy-mongering until the final hours of his tenure , tweeting earlier Tuesday that claims of manipulation of election systems “ either have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was quoting from a letter signed by 59 election specialists that also said that “ anyone asserting that a US election was ‘ rigged ’ is making an extraordinary claim ” and called them “ alarming assertions.
” Firing Krebs , a US official previously told CNN , would “ cross a red line ” and set off alarm bells throughout the national security apparatus .
Still , his dismissal comes after several of the Pentagon ’ s most senior civilian officials were replaced with officials perceived as loyal to the President , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustration with CIA Director Gina Haspel .

[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/11/18/chris-krebs-firing-dhs-trump-ebof-vpx.cnn”]
By Kaitlan Collins and Paul LeBlanc | CNN
President Donald Trump on Tuesday fired the Department of Homeland Security official who had rejected Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud.
Trump announced on Twitter he was firing Chris Krebs, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and directly tied it to Krebs’ statement that said there “is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised.”
“The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud,” Trump said in a tweet before repeating multiple baseless conspriacy theories about the election. “Therefore, effective immediately, Chris Krebs has been terminated as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.”
CNN reported that Krebs, who ran the cyber arm of the Department of Homeland Security, expected to be fired.
In the lead-up to the election, Krebs had often quietly disputed the President’s repeated false claims about mail-in ballots but went out of his way to not get drawn into criticizing his boss for spreading lies.
But in the days that have followed, Krebs has adopted a more forceful approach regularly posting on Twitter — often with blaring red siren emojis — fact checks of the claims and conspiracy theories being pushed by Trump, his allies and supporters around the country.
Krebs has been responsible for a widely praised revamp of the department’s cybersecurity efforts and increasing coordination with state and local governments, as the first director of CISA. He served as one of the most key federal national security officials that oversaw an election that by all accounts went very smoothly.
Foreign adversaries were not able to affect any of the votes, CISA said, and it was “the most secure election in American history,” according to them and the wider group of public and private election officials. That was the statement for which the President decided to fire Krebs on Tuesday evening.
Krebs kept up the fact check of the President’s conspiracy-mongering until the final hours of his tenure, tweeting earlier Tuesday that claims of manipulation of election systems “either have been unsubstantiated or are technically incoherent.” He was quoting from a letter signed by 59 election specialists that also said that “anyone asserting that a US election was ‘rigged’ is making an extraordinary claim” and called them “alarming assertions.”
Firing Krebs, a US official previously told CNN, would “cross a red line” and set off alarm bells throughout the national security apparatus.
Still, his dismissal comes after several of the Pentagon’s most senior civilian officials were replaced with officials perceived as loyal to the President, and reports of Trump’s increasing frustration with CIA Director Gina Haspel.


mercurynews--2020-11-18--California Rep. Mike Garcia increases his lead to 422 votes in tight race for 25th Congressional Dis

California Rep. Mike Garcia increases his lead to 422 votes in tight race for 25th Congressional District seat

Rep. Mike Garcia , R-Saugus , increased his whisper-thin lead in the tug-of-war race for northern Los Angeles County ’ s 25th Congressional District seat , according to updated results posted Tuesday , Nov. 17 , by the California Secretary of State ’ s Office .
Democrat challenger Christy Smith trailed the incumbent by 422 votes as of Tuesday afternoon .
Garcia extended his lead as the counting of ballots continues by the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder ’ s office .
His margin was 159 votes on Friday .
Vote by mail ballots will continue to be accepted through Nov. 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garcia was listed with 50.1 % of the vote with Smith holding 49.9 % .
In the back-and-forth race , Smith has also led by as many 1,287 votes .
The next update in the race will come on Friday , according to the L.A. County Registrar-Recorder ’ s Office .
Additional updates are scheduled for next week , if the vote count is not complete .
The estimated number of outstanding ballots to be counted in the county is now 66,245 , according to elections officials , but it ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counted in this race .
The district spans two counties — L.A. , where Smith was leading , and Ventura , where Garcia was on top .
Challenger Smith has served as the 38th Assembly District ’ s representative for the past two years .
Garcia defeated Smith in a May 12 special election to fill the final 7 1/2 months of the term of former Rep. Katie Hill , who resigned following the online release of salacious photos and allegations of an extramarital affair with a staff member .
The seat had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 2018 victory over then-Rep. Steve Knight , R-Palmdale .

Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Saugus, increased his whisper-thin lead in the tug-of-war race for northern Los Angeles County’s 25th Congressional District seat, according to updated results posted Tuesday, Nov. 17, by the California Secretary of State’s Office.
Democrat challenger Christy Smith trailed the incumbent by 422 votes as of Tuesday afternoon. Garcia extended his lead as the counting of ballots continues by the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder’s office. His margin was 159 votes on Friday.
Vote by mail ballots will continue to be accepted through Nov. 20 if they were postmarked Election Day.
Garcia was listed with 50.1% of the vote with Smith holding 49.9%. In the back-and-forth race, Smith has also led by as many 1,287 votes.
The next update in the race will come on Friday, according to the L.A. County Registrar-Recorder’s Office. Additional updates are scheduled for next week, if the vote count is not complete.
The estimated number of outstanding ballots to be counted in the county is now 66,245, according to elections officials, but it’s not known how many ballots remain to be counted in this race.
The district spans two counties — L.A., where Smith was leading, and Ventura, where Garcia was on top.
Challenger Smith has served as the 38th Assembly District’s representative for the past two years.
Garcia defeated Smith in a May 12 special election to fill the final 7 1/2 months of the term of former Rep. Katie Hill, who resigned following the online release of salacious photos and allegations of an extramarital affair with a staff member.
The seat had long been held by Republicans until Hill’s 2018 victory over then-Rep. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale.
City News Service contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-11-18--Editorial: Be better than Trump and Newsom, stay home for Thanksgiving

For those of you planning to travel to see relatives or friends this Thanksgiving , or planning to host the dinner and guests , here ’ s one piece of advice : Don ’ t do it .
The more crowded the airports , the more holiday gatherings , the more people will get sick with COVID-19 , the more packed hospitals will become , and the more people will die .
Yes , this is hard .
Yes , we all have lockdown fatigue .
Yes , we want to see our friends and family , whom we miss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives .
About stopping the spread of the deadly virus .
About putting the common good of society , of the Bay Area , the state and the nation , above our individual needs .
With winter coming on , with coronavirus cases spiking across the nation , we are facing potentially the deadliest phase of the virus .
On Nov. 4 , daily cases in the country surpassed 100,000 for the first time ; less than two weeks later the number hit 166,000 .
This week , the portion of tests coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level last seen in the United States at the end of the first surge in May .
Since Nov. 10 , the average number of daily deaths nationally surpassed 1,000 , a mark last hit in mid-August , and has steadily risen since .
California lags the worst areas in the nation , but things are rapidly deteriorating here , too .
Daily cases are on a trajectory to break the state ’ s record this week or next .
The increasing rate of tests coming back positive this week hit 5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than two months .
The data is all bad .
It ’ s up to us to slow the spread of the virus .
We can ’ t count on our brooding , self-obsessed president to step up .
Donald Trump ’ s months of inaction , and disdain for science and basic safety protocols , have greatly exacerbated the spread of the virus .
We can ’ t even count on our governor to lead .
Since March , Gavin Newsom ’ s politically titrated coronavirus policies have been consistently reactive rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of restrictions this week as “ pulling the emergency brake.
” But the reason he needed that emergency brake was because he had been barreling along for weeks , ignoring the warnings from scientists across the nation .
Perhaps if he had started slowing down earlier , the situation in the state wouldn ’ t have reached emergency levels .
And let ’ s be clear , he might be pulling the emergency brake , but he isn ’ t pulling terribly hard .
Not even close .
Most notably for the holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to enter California without a mandatory quarantine period .
Oh sure , self-quarantine is recommended , but there are no teeth behind that .
Leaders in states like New York , Connecticut , Rhode Island , Massachusetts and Maine understand the need to slow the interstate spread of the virus .
They ’ ve issued meaningful quarantine mandates .
Real leadership begins with setting good examples .
Trump , of course , has done just the opposite , refusing to wear a mask in most situations and discouraging others from doing so .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lobbyist friend this month at the tony French Laundry in Yountville , he violated his own guideline – now mandate – against gatherings of more than three households .
Those gatherings , by the way , must be outside in the state ’ s purple tier , which currently covers most of California , including the entire Bay Area except San Francisco , Marin and San Mateo counties .
Californians have a choice .
They can follow the president and continue to facilitate spread of the virus .
They can follow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t apply to them .
Or they can do the right thing : Celebrate Thanksgiving with only the members of their household or their limited bubble .
And be thankful for people like them who put the lives of their friends , their family members , other Californians and other Americans ahead of the need to party .

Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards

For those of you planning to travel to see relatives or friends this Thanksgiving, or planning to host the dinner and guests, here’s one piece of advice: Don’t do it.
The more crowded the airports, the more holiday gatherings, the more people will get sick with COVID-19, the more packed hospitals will become, and the more people will die.
Yes, this is hard. Yes, we all have lockdown fatigue. Yes, we want to see our friends and family, whom we miss badly. But this is about saving lives. About stopping the spread of the deadly virus. About putting the common good of society, of the Bay Area, the state and the nation, above our individual needs.
With winter coming on, with coronavirus cases spiking across the nation, we are facing potentially the deadliest phase of the virus. On Nov. 4, daily cases in the country surpassed 100,000 for the first time; less than two weeks later the number hit 166,000.
This week, the portion of tests coming back positive hit 10%, a level last seen in the United States at the end of the first surge in May. Since Nov. 10, the average number of daily deaths nationally surpassed 1,000, a mark last hit in mid-August, and has steadily risen since.
California lags the worst areas in the nation, but things are rapidly deteriorating here, too. Daily cases are on a trajectory to break the state’s record this week or next. The increasing rate of tests coming back positive this week hit 5%, a level not seen in more than two months.
The data is all bad. It’s up to us to slow the spread of the virus.
We can’t count on our brooding, self-obsessed president to step up. Donald Trump’s months of inaction, and disdain for science and basic safety protocols, have greatly exacerbated the spread of the virus.
We can’t even count on our governor to lead. Since March, Gavin Newsom’s politically titrated coronavirus policies have been consistently reactive rather than proactive.
He describes his tightening of restrictions this week as “pulling the emergency brake.” But the reason he needed that emergency brake was because he had been barreling along for weeks, ignoring the warnings from scientists across the nation.
Perhaps if he had started slowing down earlier, the situation in the state wouldn’t have reached emergency levels. And let’s be clear, he might be pulling the emergency brake, but he isn’t pulling terribly hard. Not even close.
Most notably for the holiday season, Newsom continues to allow people to enter California without a mandatory quarantine period. Oh sure, self-quarantine is recommended, but there are no teeth behind that.
Leaders in states like New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine understand the need to slow the interstate spread of the virus. They’ve issued meaningful quarantine mandates.
Real leadership begins with setting good examples. Trump, of course, has done just the opposite, refusing to wear a mask in most situations and discouraging others from doing so.
And when Newsom attended a dinner for a lobbyist friend this month at the tony French Laundry in Yountville, he violated his own guideline – now mandate – against gatherings of more than three households.
Those gatherings, by the way, must be outside in the state’s purple tier, which currently covers most of California, including the entire Bay Area except San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo counties.
Californians have a choice. They can follow the president and continue to facilitate spread of the virus. They can follow the governor and pretend the rules don’t apply to them.
Or they can do the right thing: Celebrate Thanksgiving with only the members of their household or their limited bubble. And be thankful for people like them who put the lives of their friends, their family members, other Californians and other Americans ahead of the need to party.


mercurynews--2020-11-18--49ers mailbag: Which running backs, defenders return after bye?

SANTA CLARA — Rather than drone on about the 49ers ’ three-game losing streak , fans are fretting over what awaits after this week ’ s bye and this injury-riddled season .
Let ’ s get to their mailbag questions via my Instagram and Twitter handles : In the offseason , what areas do the Niners target for upgrades ?
QB , interior OL , CBs , DE ( opposite Bosa ) , other ?
What would be the top priority ?
( @ Anthony04315169 ) You accurately covered plenty , there .
Offensive tackle could become priority No .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ McGlinchey wanes .
After 20 years , wide receiver is not a top priority ( thanks to Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel ) but the need exists for a blazing fast deep threat .
Defensively , this regime prioritizes pass rushers over cornerbacks , and that will not change .
Who will be our starting running backs against the Rams ?
( @ niners_forever_4life ) Plural ?
Heck , they only have one rusher not injured , and that is rookie Austin Walter .
Look for Raheem Mostert to start if his ankle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week ’ s bye .
Otherwise just let Kyle Juszczyk repeatedly run the fullback dive or get more shots than his career-high four carries in their last win .
Is Deebo Samuel going to return ?
( @ santino_ruiz11 ) The goal , for him and so many others , is to face the Rams in the 49ers ’ SoFi Stadium debut Nov. 29 .
He ’ s yet to practice since a hamstring injury sidelined him for this three-game slide .
Can we get an injury update on all the Injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes , that list can be found here .
Mostert and cornerback Richard Sherman are most likely to come off IR for next game ; Samuel is not on Injured Reserve , nor is K ’ Waun Williams and Tevin Coleman .
I won ’ t fire in a question .
I ’ m firing in a statement : Jimmy G will be back in 2021 with the 49ers .
( @ 49ercast ) ) To repeat my weekly stance : I don ’ t see them moving off Garoppolo , either .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ see them ditching DeForest Buckner at the contract-extension alter ( bad move , still ) .
Garoppolo ’ s injuries and those of so many other player are reason enough for a 2020 mulligan .
On top of that , the quarterback market is bleak .
Best move is to keep Garoppolo at his $ 24 million salary , which is high but market rate for an above-average QB , which he certainly was in 2019 .
Drafting an heir to the throne is wise , too , so Kyle Shanahan can school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you expect the 49ers to draft a quarterback in the first round , and will they invest in a cornerback this offseason ?
( @ divince ) I only see them drafted a first-round quarterback if they truly despise Garoppolo ’ s future ( I don ’ t sense that ) and if can position themselves for one without mortgaging too many picks .
As for cornerback , they have to invest in one , two , three , four and five .
None of the current cornerbacks are signed for 2021 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see and overanalyze this question until draft day .
Because Wilson is BYU ’ s quarterback , 49ers fans assume he is Steve Young 2.0 , and one of Wilson ’ s fans is , sure enough , Young .
• 49ers ’ Shanahan ‘ expects ’ Garoppolo to start in 2021 , hopes he returns ‘ for a reason ’ this year • 49ers fans have two more chances to watch their team in person this year • 49ers fans thrilled to finally see their team in person , even in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start Josh Johnson at quarterback after the bye ?
( @ ordonez_3321 ) Slim to none .
Shanahan is loyal to Nick Mullens and C.J .
Beathard while Garoppolo rehabs .
If Mullens is hindered by a quadriceps ( as revealed in the postgame injury report ) , and if Beathard flops , that is when Johnson enters the equation , say , in Week 17 .
Why is it that whenever the Niners return a kickoff , they seldom get past the 20-yard line ?
( @ 11012010Finally ) Their seven returners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the longest was a 34-yard pop in Austin Walter ’ s debut against Green Bay .
Could be their blocking .
Could be a returner ’ s lack of vision .
Could be the unit ’ s personnel turnover amid injuries .
Could be that there is only one Cordarrelle Patterson and he ’ s on the Bears with eight career touchdowns on kick returns ; his 29.9-yard average that is second only to Gale Sayers .
You still believe in making the playoffs ?
( @ mr.cotallat ) You must believe to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains to reverse this skid , and for other wild-card challengers to falter , those being all their NFC West and NFC North clubs , plus the NFC South ’ s Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers .
An eight-team field , if COVID-19 prompts cancellations , might help , but the 49ers need immediate wins to advance that way .
How many 49ers starters are on their contract year ?
( @ imos18 ) Key players unsigned for 2021 : Trent Williams , Richard Sherman , Jason Verrett , Solomon Thomas , Jaquiski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emmanuel Moseley , Kyle Juszczyk , Tevin Coleman , Jerick McKinnon , Jordan Reed , Kendrick Bourne , Kerry Hyder , D.J .
Jones , Tom Compton , Ben Garland , Daniel Brunskill and Nick Mullens .
Also in question are the high-priced salaries of Garoppolo , Robbie Gould , Dee Ford and Weston Richburg .
Which free agents , according to you , are we not retaining ?
( @ anirudhsripuram ) Williams and Verrett are pricing themselves out of the 49ers ’ frugal state .
If Sherman is still happy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has a better chance at a ring elsewhere next year .
All other free agents figure to test the market , but once there , it ’ s hard to see a majority returning .

SANTA CLARA — Rather than drone on about the 49ers’ three-game losing streak, fans are fretting over what awaits after this week’s bye and this injury-riddled season. Let’s get to their mailbag questions via my Instagram and Twitter handles:
In the offseason, what areas do the Niners target for upgrades? QB, interior OL, CBs, DE (opposite Bosa), other? What would be the top priority? (@Anthony04315169)
You accurately covered plenty, there. Offensive tackle could become priority No. 1 if Trent Williams walks and Mike McGlinchey wanes. After 20 years, wide receiver is not a top priority (thanks to Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel) but the need exists for a blazing-fast deep threat. Defensively, this regime prioritizes pass rushers over cornerbacks, and that will not change.
Who will be our starting running backs against the Rams? (@niners_forever_4life)
Plural? Heck, they only have one rusher not injured, and that is rookie Austin Walter. Look for Raheem Mostert to start if his ankle and knee look OK in practice after this week’s bye. Otherwise just let Kyle Juszczyk repeatedly run the fullback dive or get more shots than his career-high four carries in their last win.
Is Deebo Samuel going to return? (@santino_ruiz11)
The goal, for him and so many others, is to face the Rams in the 49ers’ SoFi Stadium debut Nov. 29. He’s yet to practice since a hamstring injury sidelined him for this three-game slide.
Can we get an injury update on all the Injured Reserve guys? (@bigev49er)
Yes, that list can be found here. Mostert and cornerback Richard Sherman are most likely to come off IR for next game; Samuel is not on Injured Reserve, nor is K’Waun Williams and Tevin Coleman. Williams is out many more games.
I won’t fire in a question. I’m firing in a statement: Jimmy G will be back in 2021 with the 49ers. (@49ercast))
To repeat my weekly stance: I don’t see them moving off Garoppolo, either. That said, I didn’t see them ditching DeForest Buckner at the contract-extension alter (bad move, still). Garoppolo’s injuries and those of so many other player are reason enough for a 2020 mulligan. On top of that, the quarterback market is bleak. Best move is to keep Garoppolo at his $24 million salary, which is high but market rate for an above-average QB, which he certainly was in 2019. Drafting an heir to the throne is wise, too, so Kyle Shanahan can school him in this complex system.
Do you expect the 49ers to draft a quarterback in the first round, and will they invest in a cornerback this offseason? (@divince)
I only see them drafted a first-round quarterback if they truly despise Garoppolo’s future (I don’t sense that) and if they can position themselves for one without sacrificing too many picks. As for cornerback, they have to invest in one, two, three, four and five. None of the current cornerbacks are signed for 2021.
Zach Wilson, future QB? (@amu_villanueva3.0)
Oh joy, just five months left to see and overanalyze this question until draft day. Because Wilson is BYU’s quarterback, 49ers fans assume he is Steve Young 2.0, and one of Wilson’s fans is, sure enough, Young.
What are the chances they start Josh Johnson at quarterback after the bye? (@ordonez_3321)
Slim to none. Shanahan is loyal to Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard while Garoppolo rehabs. If Mullens is hindered by injury (he had a quad in Sunday’s postgame injury report), and if Beathard flops, that is when Johnson enters the equation, say, in Week 17.
Why is it that whenever the Niners return a kickoff, they seldom get past the 20-yard line? (@11012010Finally)
Their seven returners have averaged 20.5-yard per return, and the longest was a 34-yard pop in Austin Walter’s debut against Green Bay. Could be their blocking. Could be a returner’s lack of vision. Could be the unit’s personnel turnover amid injuries. Could be that there is only one Cordarrelle Patterson and he’s on the Bears with eight career touchdowns on kick returns; his 29.9-yard average is second only to Gale Sayers.
You still believe in making the playoffs? (@mr.cotallat)
You must believe to receive, Santa Claus says. Time remains to reverse this skid, and for other wild-card challengers to falter, those being all their NFC West and NFC North clubs, plus the NFC South’s Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. An eight-team field, if COVID-19 prompts cancellations, might help, but the 49ers need immediate wins to advance that way.
How many 49ers starters are on their contract year? (@imos18)
Key players unsigned for 2021: Trent Williams, Richard Sherman, Jason Verrett, Solomon Thomas, Jaquiski Tartt, K’Waun Williams, Emmanuel Moseley, Kyle Juszczyk, Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon, Jordan Reed, Kendrick Bourne, Kerry Hyder, D.J. Jones, Tom Compton, Ben Garland, Daniel Brunskill and Nick Mullens. Also in question are the high-priced salaries of Garoppolo, Robbie Gould, Dee Ford and Weston Richburg.
Which free agents, according to you, are we not retaining? (@anirudhsripuram)
Trent Williams and Verrett are pricing themselves out of the 49ers’ frugal state. Shanahan strongly said Tuesday he wants to keep Williams long term. If Sherman is still happy, he likely stays, though maybe not if he has a better chance at a ring elsewhere next year. All other free agents figure to test the market, but once there, it’s hard to see a majority returning.