mercurynews--2020-12-01--It’s over: GOP Rep. Mike Garcia defeats Christy Smith for California’s 25th Congressional seat by 33

It’s over: GOP Rep. Mike Garcia defeats Christy Smith for California’s 25th Congressional seat by 333 votes

Rep. Mike Garcia , R-Saugus , has won a fresh term in Congress as the representative of northern Los Angeles County ’ s 25th Congressional District after a turbulent campaign that ended in a neck-and-neck race .
Challenger Christy Smith conceded the election on Monday , Nov. 30 .
Garcia won by a razor-thin 333 votes in a skirmish that went right down to the last day of canvassing by the registrar ’ s offices in L.A. and Ventura counties .
The L.A. County Registrar officially certified the county election on Monday evening , including its portion of the 25th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A total of 4,338,191 ballots were processed in all county races , and counted , with a huge turnout : 75.98 % of eligible voters casting ballots in the county .
Next week , the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to declare the election official .
“ After four weeks of canvassing , every vote has been counted , ” Garcia said in a statement .
“ Both Los Angeles County and Ventura County have officially certified the race today and have declared me the victor .
I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this pivotal time in our country ’ s history.
” The tally was 169,638 votes for Garcia and169,305 for Smith , according to a tabulation of results from the Ventura County Registrar and Los Angeles County Registrar .
Garcia acknowledged just how challenging it was to take on opponent Smith , who was not willing to concede as the vote count tallies when back and forth for weeks after the Nov. 3 election .
But on Monday night , the end came with Smith , the former Assemblywoman in the overlapping 38th state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not close the gap .
“ This is not the end result we fought for , but I am proud of the strong , grassroots campaign we ran , ” she said .
Smith said in recent weeks , the campaign ’ s attorneys reviewed the count of ballots and campaign volunteers pressed hard to “ cure ” hundreds of votes to make sure the registrar ’ s offices counted every vote .
“ We exhausted every possible option , and did everything within our power to ensure that every voice in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we came up short , ” she said .
The notably “ purple ” district has been trending Democrat in recent years .
But its strong conservative roots were enough for many to give the nod to Garcia .
The political divide in the district did not appear to elude Garcia on Monday .
“ My focus is on representing all constituents in CA-25 , ” he said .
“ In the short term , this means pushing to get federal relief to those who are most impacted by COVID ( individuals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s results bring to an end a tumultuous race that began more than a year ago , when Garcia — a severe underdog — was gearing up to run against then Congresswoman Katie Hill , a rising star who in 2018 had ousted former Congressman Steve Knight to flip the longtime GOP post .
But Hill resigned in October 2019 , after the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into allegations that she had inappropriate relationships with a male congressional staffer .
Hill acknowledged having a sexual relationship with a female campaign staffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former Raytheon executive and Navy fighter pilot , stayed in the race , joined by several Republicans — including Knight and former Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos .
Instead of running against Hill in the primary , they ’ d be running to fill out Hill ’ s term and then run again in November to earn a fresh term .
Smith , a rising Democrat star who also had flipped the overlapping state Assembly seat in 2018 , also jumped in .
For months , she was the leading contender .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garcia filling out the top two slots for a special election in May .
Then came COVID-19 , changing the whole nature of campaigning .
The race nonetheless snared national headlines , with President Donald Trump endorsing Garcia and slamming the decision to add last-minute in-person voting centers in the district .
Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama endorsed Smith .
By May 12 , the day of the special election , it was a toss-up .
Garcia won the special election , driven by a flood of mail-in ballot votes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ much time in the aftermath of the May special election .
They had to gear up for November .
But their platforms did not stray , save for the layer of COVID-19-era politics that added a whole new dynamic , with the pair split over the effectiveness of the Trump Administration ’ s response to the pandemic .
Garcia continued to run on an anti-tax , pro-deregulation , strong national defense platform while backing Trump ’ s economic policies .
Smith continued to push for public investment in education , infrastructure and healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Assembly Bill 5 , state legislation that requires businesses to reclassify gig workers as “ employees ” so they can get workplace benefits .
Garcia ’ s win gives Republicans another win in the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives .
But it ’ s another notch in the GOP effort to slim that majority .
“ I remain committed to protecting the Constitution , ’ Garcia said Monday , “ fighting for the longevity of our Nation and ensuring we invest in our public ’ s safety and our collective national security .

Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Saugus, has won a fresh term in Congress as the representative of northern Los Angeles County’s 25th Congressional District after a turbulent campaign that ended in a neck-and-neck race. Challenger Christy Smith conceded the election on Monday, Nov. 30.
Garcia won by a razor-thin 333 votes in a skirmish that went right down to the last day of canvassing by the registrar’s offices in L.A. and Ventura counties.
The L.A. County Registrar officially certified the county election on Monday evening, including its portion of the 25th district, which straddles the two counties. A total of 4,338,191 ballots were processed in all county races, and counted, with a huge turnout: 75.98% of eligible voters casting ballots in the county.
Next week, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to declare the election official.
“After four weeks of canvassing, every vote has been counted,” Garcia said in a statement. “Both Los Angeles County and Ventura County have officially certified the race today and have declared me the victor. I am once again honored to represent CA-25 during this pivotal time in our country’s history.”
The tally was 169,638 votes for Garcia and169,305 for Smith, according to a tabulation of results from the Ventura County Registrar and Los Angeles County Registrar.
Garcia acknowledged just how challenging it was to take on opponent Smith, who was not willing to concede as the vote count tallies when back and forth for weeks after the Nov. 3 election.
But on Monday night, the end came with Smith, the former Assemblywoman in the overlapping 38th state Assembly District, conceding that her campaign could not close the gap.
“This is not the end result we fought for, but I am proud of the strong, grassroots campaign we ran,” she said.
Smith said in recent weeks, the campaign’s attorneys reviewed the count of ballots and campaign volunteers pressed hard to “cure” hundreds of votes to make sure the registrar’s offices counted every vote.
“We exhausted every possible option, and did everything within our power to ensure that every voice in this election was heard. Nonetheless, we came up short,” she said.
The notably “purple” district has been trending Democrat in recent years. But its strong conservative roots were enough for many to give the nod to Garcia.
The political divide in the district did not appear to elude Garcia on Monday.
“My focus is on representing all constituents in CA-25,” he said. “In the short term, this means pushing to get federal relief to those who are most impacted by COVID (individuals and small businesses).”
Monday’s results bring to an end a tumultuous race that began more than a year ago, when Garcia — a severe underdog — was gearing up to run against then Congresswoman Katie Hill, a rising star who in 2018 had ousted former Congressman Steve Knight to flip the longtime GOP post.
But Hill resigned in October 2019, after the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into allegations that she had inappropriate relationships with a male congressional staffer. Hill acknowledged having a sexual relationship with a female campaign staffer while running for Congress.
Garcia, a former Raytheon executive and Navy fighter pilot, stayed in the race, joined by several Republicans — including Knight and former Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos. Instead of running against Hill in the primary, they’d be running to fill out Hill’s term and then run again in November to earn a fresh term.
Smith, a rising Democrat star who also had flipped the overlapping state Assembly seat in 2018, also jumped in.
For months, she was the leading contender. She won the March primary, with Garcia filling out the top two slots for a special election in May.
Then came COVID-19, changing the whole nature of campaigning.
The race nonetheless snared national headlines, with President Donald Trump endorsing Garcia and slamming the decision to add last-minute in-person voting centers in the district. Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama endorsed Smith.
By May 12, the day of the special election, it was a toss-up. Garcia won the special election, driven by a flood of mail-in ballot votes.
But the two didn’t have much time in the aftermath of the May special election. They had to gear up for November.
But their platforms did not stray, save for the layer of COVID-19-era politics that added a whole new dynamic, with the pair split over the effectiveness of the Trump Administration’s response to the pandemic.
Garcia continued to run on an anti-tax, pro-deregulation, strong national defense platform while backing Trump’s economic policies.
Smith continued to push for public investment in education, infrastructure and healthcare.
Garcia slammed Smith over her support of Assembly Bill 5, state legislation that requires businesses to reclassify gig workers as “employees” so they can get workplace benefits.
Garcia’s win gives Republicans another win in the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives. But it’s another notch in the GOP effort to slim that majority.
“I remain committed to protecting the Constitution,’ Garcia said Monday, “fighting for the longevity of our Nation and ensuring we invest in our public’s safety and our collective national security.


mercurynews--2020-12-01--Recount sought in California school board race with 1-vote margin

The very close Brea Olinda Unified school board election was the last contest to be decided once all the Nov. 3 ballots were counted , and it ’ s still not quite over .
Board member Gail Lyons has requested a recount in her race with newcomer Lauren Barnes for the seat representing Trustee Are 5 , after losing by a single vote ( the results were 1,805 for Barnes and 1,804 for Lyons , and as the results were updated as counting continued after Nov. 3 , the two spend many days tied ) .
Lyons could not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will start Wednesday , Dec. 2 , and will likely finish that day , Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley said .
It ’ s expected to cost just under $ 4,000 and will be paid for by Lyons .
Election workers will pull all 3,609 ballots in the race and hand-count them , and Kelley said Lyons will be able to look at mail-in ballot envelopes or other election materials if she chooses .
The last recount he conducted was after a recall election for Westminster ’ s mayor and two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were no changes as a result , he said .
More than 17,000 votes were cast in that contest .

The very close Brea Olinda Unified school board election was the last contest to be decided once all the Nov. 3 ballots were counted, and it’s still not quite over.
Board member Gail Lyons has requested a recount in her race with newcomer Lauren Barnes for the seat representing Trustee Are 5, after losing by a single vote (the results were 1,805 for Barnes and 1,804 for Lyons, and as the results were updated as counting continued after Nov. 3, the two spend many days tied). Lyons could not be reached for comment Monday.
The recount will start Wednesday, Dec. 2, and will likely finish that day, Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley said. It’s expected to cost just under $4,000 and will be paid for by Lyons.
Election workers will pull all 3,609 ballots in the race and hand-count them, and Kelley said Lyons will be able to look at mail-in ballot envelopes or other election materials if she chooses.
Kelley certified the election results Nov. 25.
The last recount he conducted was after a recall election for Westminster’s mayor and two council members in April, and there were no changes as a result, he said. More than 17,000 votes were cast in that contest.


mercurynews--2020-12-02--Warriors expected to face Giannis, Bucks in Christmas matinee game

The Warriors are set to play on Christmas morning .
The NBA ’ s tentative schedule has Golden State traveling to Milwaukee to face the Bucks on Dec. 25 , according to ESPN ’ s Adrian Wojnarowski , with the game tipping off at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time .
This will be the eighth straight Christmas Day game for the Warriors .
The last time the Warriors tipped before noon Pacific on Christmas was 2016 , when they lost in Cleveland to the LeBron James-led Cavaliers .
Looming over the proceedings will be rumors of the Warriors ’ long-held long-shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Steph Curry .
Though all 29 NBA teams outside Milwaukee would surely love to add the two-time defending MVP to their roster , few have been as visible on the rumor mill as the Warriors , even if the odds have always been long , given their salary cap constraints .
Antetokounmpo , a pending free agent , has until Dec. 21 to sign a supermax extension with Milwaukee before the season .
Traditionally , ESPN and partner ABC broadcast a majority of the NBA ’ s games on Christmas Day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Worldwide Leader was involved in leaking the schedule for one of the league ’ s premier days .
The 72-game regular season is set to tip Dec. 22 , and the full first-half schedule is expected to be released in the coming days .
The league is releasing just the first half of its schedule initially , allowing for changes to the second half of the schedule in the event of cancellations or postponements .
• Two Warriors test positive for COVID — training camp delayed one day • Curry vs. Jordan : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own brand to compete with Nike • Former Warriors star Antawn Jamison elected to Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Of course , all games are somewhat tentative this season as the coronavirus continues to spread largely uncontrolled across the country .
Two Warriors have tested positive for the virus as the team is preparing to begin training camp , general manager Bob Myers said Tuesday .
The Warriors are set to begin individual workouts Wednesday for training camp , with group workouts scheduled for next week ahead of a Dec. 12 preseason opener @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The Warriors are set to play on Christmas morning.
The NBA’s tentative schedule has Golden State traveling to Milwaukee to face the Bucks on Dec. 25, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, with the game tipping off at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
This will be the eighth straight Christmas Day game for the Warriors. The last time the Warriors tipped before noon Pacific on Christmas was 2016, when they lost in Cleveland to the LeBron James-led Cavaliers.
Looming over the proceedings will be rumors of the Warriors’ long-held long-shot desire to pair Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo with Steph Curry. Though all 29 NBA teams outside Milwaukee would surely love to add the two-time defending MVP to their roster, few have been as visible on the rumor mill as the Warriors, even if the odds have always been long, given their salary cap constraints.
Antetokounmpo, a pending free agent, has until Dec. 21 to sign a supermax extension with Milwaukee before the season.
ESPN Sources: Tentative Christmas Day Schedule pic.twitter.com/MId025HKvB — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 2, 2020
Traditionally, ESPN and partner ABC broadcast a majority of the NBA’s games on Christmas Day, so it’s no surprise the Worldwide Leader was involved in leaking the schedule for one of the league’s premier days.
The 72-game regular season is set to tip Dec. 22, and the full first-half schedule is expected to be released in the coming days. The league is releasing just the first half of its schedule initially, allowing for changes to the second half of the schedule in the event of cancellations or postponements.
Of course, all games are somewhat tentative this season as the coronavirus continues to spread largely uncontrolled across the country. Two Warriors have tested positive for the virus as the team is preparing to begin training camp, general manager Bob Myers said Tuesday.
The Warriors are set to begin individual workouts Wednesday for training camp, with group workouts scheduled for next week ahead of a Dec. 12 preseason opener against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center.


mercurynews--2020-12-02--China spacecraft lands on moon to retrieve samples

BEIJING — A Chinese spacecraft landed on the moon to bring back lunar rocks to Earth for the first time since the 1970s , the government announced .
The China National Space Administration said Chang ’ e 5 “ successfully landed ” at its designated site shortly after 11 p.m. ( 1500 GMT ) Tuesday after making a powered descent from its orbiter .
It published images of the barren scene at the landing site , including where the lander ’ s shadow can be seen .
The lander was launched Nov. 24 from the tropical southern island of Hainan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Chinese space program that sent its first astronaut into orbit in 2003 , has a spacecraft en route to Mars and aims eventually to land a human on the moon .
Plans call for the lander to spend about two days drilling into the lunar surface and collecting 2 kilograms ( 4.4 pounds ) of rocks and debris .
The sample will be lifted up into orbit and transferred to a return capsule for the trip to Earth , setting down on the grasslands of Inner Mongolia around the middle of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be the first time scientists have obtained fresh samples of lunar rocks since a Soviet probe in the 1970s .
Those samples are expected to be made available to scientists from other nations , although its unclear how much access NASA will have , given tight U.S. government restrictions on space cooperation with China .
From the rocks and debris , scientists hope to learn more about the moon , including its precise age , as well as increased knowledge about other bodies in our solar system .
Collecting samples , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of many space programs and China ’ s mastery of the technology once again places it among the leading nations operating in space .
U.S. astronauts with NASA ’ s Apollo space program brought back 842 pounds ( 382 kilograms ) of lunar samples from 1969 to 1972 , some of which is still being analyzed and experimented on .
The Chang ’ e 5 flight is China ’ s third successful lunar landing .
Its predecessor , Chang ’ e 4 , was the first probe to land on the moon ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program officials have said they envision future crewed missions along with robotic ones , including possibly building some sort of permanent space base for conducting research .
No timeline or other details have been announced .
The latest flight includes collaboration with the European Space Agency , which is helping to monitor the mission .
China ’ s space program has proceeded more cautiously than the U.S.-Soviet space race of the 1960s , which was marked by fatalities and launch failures .
In 2003 , China became the third country to send an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Soviet Union and the United States .
It also launched a crewed space station .
China , along with neighbors Japan and India , also has joined the growing race to explore Mars .
The Tianwen 1 probe launched in July is on its way to the red planet carrying a lander and a rover to search for water .

By Joe McDonald | Associated Press
BEIJING — A Chinese spacecraft landed on the moon to bring back lunar rocks to Earth for the first time since the 1970s, the government announced.
The China National Space Administration said Chang’e 5 “successfully landed” at its designated site shortly after 11 p.m. (1500 GMT) Tuesday after making a powered descent from its orbiter. It published images of the barren scene at the landing site, including where the lander’s shadow can be seen.
The lander was launched Nov. 24 from the tropical southern island of Hainan. It is the latest venture by a Chinese space program that sent its first astronaut into orbit in 2003, has a spacecraft en route to Mars and aims eventually to land a human on the moon.
Plans call for the lander to spend about two days drilling into the lunar surface and collecting 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of rocks and debris. The sample will be lifted up into orbit and transferred to a return capsule for the trip to Earth, setting down on the grasslands of Inner Mongolia around the middle of the month.
If it succeeds, it will be the first time scientists have obtained fresh samples of lunar rocks since a Soviet probe in the 1970s. Those samples are expected to be made available to scientists from other nations, although its unclear how much access NASA will have, given tight U.S. government restrictions on space cooperation with China.
From the rocks and debris, scientists hope to learn more about the moon, including its precise age, as well as increased knowledge about other bodies in our solar system. Collecting samples, including from asteroids, is an increasing focus of many space programs and China’s mastery of the technology once again places it among the leading nations operating in space.
U.S. astronauts with NASA’s Apollo space program brought back 842 pounds (382 kilograms) of lunar samples from 1969 to 1972, some of which is still being analyzed and experimented on.
The Chang’e 5 flight is China’s third successful lunar landing. Its predecessor, Chang’e 4, was the first probe to land on the moon’s little-explored far side. Chinese space program officials have said they envision future crewed missions along with robotic ones, including possibly building some sort of permanent space base for conducting research. No timeline or other details have been announced.
The latest flight includes collaboration with the European Space Agency, which is helping to monitor the mission.
China’s space program has proceeded more cautiously than the U.S.-Soviet space race of the 1960s, which was marked by fatalities and launch failures.
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China, along with neighbors Japan and India, also has joined the growing race to explore Mars. The Tianwen 1 probe launched in July is on its way to the red planet carrying a lander and a rover to search for water.


mercurynews--2020-12-02--COVID-19: San Jose State football team finds home in Hawaii for its next game

SAN JOSE– The San Jose State football team that is enjoying its best start since 1955 finally has a place to play .
The Spartans ( 4-0 ) are headed 2,400 miles across the Pacific to face Hawaii on Saturday at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu , the Mountain West Conference announced .
The game originally was scheduled for CEFEU Stadium in San Jose .
Kickoff time has not been announced , according to a statement released Tuesday night .
The game will be broadcast by Spectrum Sports .
A San Jose State athletics official said he did not have details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Islands and where they plan to practice ahead of the game .
“ We explored many venue and date options for this game over the last 48 hours , ” athletic director Marie Tuite said in a statement .
“ Moving the game from San Jose to Honolulu became the best option based on our county and the state ’ s current public health directives.
” SJSU had to relocate because of Santa Clara County ’ s new COVID-19 restrictions that include a three-week ban on all professional , collegiate and high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those traveling into the region from more than 150 miles away and new capacity limits for indoor businesses .
On Monday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom suggested Californians could face a more restrictive stay-at-home order in the coming days .
While the announcement Tuesday answered one question , many other remains for the football team .
After playing in Hawaii the team will need to figure out where to practice and then play its regular-season finale Dec. 11 against Nevada ( 5-1 ) .
Like the Hawaii game , that contest must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spartans also can not play host to the Mountain West Championship on Dec. 19 should they reach the finale .
With all of California bracing for tighter restrictions in the face of surging case rates and hospitalization rates for the novel coronavirus , it could be difficult for SJSU to decamp somewhere in the state .
Once the Spartans leave campus they will not be able to return to Santa Clara County without undergoing a 14-day quarantine .
San Jose , which did not practice on Monday , has a tough opponent in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brennan said Hawaii presents “ an incredible challenge while we figure out where we are going to practice , where we are going to play .
So there is no shortage of challenges for us to face and overcome.
” SJSU has faced one coronavirus-related obstacle after another .
It had its two most recent games canceled because of COVID-19 issues , including one Saturday at Boise State .
The Spartans did not learn about the cancellation until after arriving in Idaho .
The team also did not play Fresno State the previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Brennan said Monday he had hoped the school could find a place where his players could “ keep a little bit of their normal routine.
” At the time , school officials said Hawaii was not an option .
Brennan added he didn ’ t want the Spartans singled out because many people in America have faced similarly complicated situations .
New Mexico ’ s football team ( 0-5 ) went to Las Vegas after losing at San Jose State on Oct. 31 to avoid having to quarantine at home .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa .
The team practices and plays at Sam Boyd Stadium , the one-time home of Nevada-Las Vegas .
Before the season began Oct. 24 , the Spartans relocated 320 miles to Humboldt State because county health officials would not permit contact drills on campus .
The team trained for 10 days in Arcata in what officials from both state universities declared a success .
• Wherever San Jose State plays , Spartans must be sharp to beat rival Hawaii • Santa Clara County COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and college teams stand now • San Jose State football at Boise State : What to know about this Mountain West showdown Brennan said he hopes the Humboldt experience will make it easier for his players to adjust to the latest move .
SJSU officials also are searching for homes for their men ’ s and women ’ s basketball teams .
The men ’ s season opener on Wednesday night at Pepperdine was canceled because Malibu is beyond the 150-mile travel radius .
The team has three scheduled home games on Dec. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that need to be moved or canceled .
The women ’ s basketball team had five scheduled games set for the next three weeks , including four at home .
The game Tuesday against USF has been called off with more cancellations or relocations expected to be announced soon .

SAN JOSE– The San Jose State football team that is enjoying its best start since 1955 finally has a place to play.
The Spartans (4-0) are headed 2,400 miles across the Pacific to face Hawaii on Saturday at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, the Mountain West Conference announced. The game originally was scheduled for CEFEU Stadium in San Jose.
Kickoff time has not been announced, according to a statement released Tuesday night. The game will be broadcast by Spectrum Sports.
A San Jose State athletics official said he did not have details on when the Spartans would leave for the Islands and where they plan to practice ahead of the game. Travelers landing in Hawaii must have negative coronavirus test results before departing to avoid a mandatory 14-day quarantine, according to Hawaii state health guidelines.
“We explored many venue and date options for this game over the last 48 hours,” athletic director Marie Tuite said in a statement. “Moving the game from San Jose to Honolulu became the best option based on our county and the state’s current public health directives.”
SJSU had to relocate because of Santa Clara County’s new COVID-19 restrictions that include a three-week ban on all professional, collegiate and high school sports, a mandatory quarantine for those traveling into the region from more than 150 miles away and new capacity limits for indoor businesses.
On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom suggested Californians could face a more restrictive stay-at-home order in the coming days.
While the announcement Tuesday answered one question, many other remains for the football team. After playing in Hawaii the team will need to figure out where to practice and then play its regular-season finale Dec. 11 against Nevada (5-1).
Like the Hawaii game, that contest must be played outside Santa Clara County. The Spartans also cannot play host to the Mountain West Championship on Dec. 19 should they reach the finale.
With all of California bracing for tighter restrictions in the face of surging case rates and hospitalization rates for the novel coronavirus, it could be difficult for SJSU to decamp somewhere in the state. Once the Spartans leave campus they will not be able to return to Santa Clara County without undergoing a 14-day quarantine.
San Jose, which did not practice on Monday, has a tough opponent in Hawaii (3-3). Coach Brent Brennan said Hawaii presents “an incredible challenge while we figure out where we are going to practice, where we are going to play. So there is no shortage of challenges for us to face and overcome.”
SJSU has faced one coronavirus-related obstacle after another. It had its two most recent games canceled because of COVID-19 issues, including one Saturday at Boise State. The Spartans did not learn about the cancellation until after arriving in Idaho. The team also did not play Fresno State the previous week because the Bulldogs had to cancel.
Brennan said Monday he had hoped the school could find a place where his players could “keep a little bit of their normal routine.” At the time, school officials said Hawaii was not an option.
Brennan added he didn’t want the Spartans singled out because many people in America have faced similarly complicated situations.
New Mexico’s football team (0-5) went to Las Vegas after losing at San Jose State on Oct. 31 to avoid having to quarantine at home. The Lobos created a “bubble” environment at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa. The team practices and plays at Sam Boyd Stadium, the one-time home of Nevada-Las Vegas.
Before the season began Oct. 24, the Spartans relocated 320 miles to Humboldt State because county health officials would not permit contact drills on campus. The team trained for 10 days in Arcata in what officials from both state universities declared a success.
Brennan said he hopes the Humboldt experience will make it easier for his players to adjust to the latest move.
SJSU officials also are searching for homes for their men’s and women’s basketball teams. The men’s season opener on Wednesday night at Pepperdine was canceled because Malibu is beyond the 150-mile travel radius. The team has three scheduled home games on Dec. 6, Dec. 9 and Dec. 18 that need to be moved or canceled.
The women’s basketball team had five scheduled games set for the next three weeks, including four at home. The game Tuesday against USF has been called off with more cancellations or relocations expected to be announced soon.


mercurynews--2020-12-02--Who gets COVID-19 vaccine first? Health-care workers and nursing home residents, panel says

A federal advisory committee voted on Tuesday to recommend distribution of precious COVID-19 vaccines first to health care workers and long-term care residents , a move that marks the beginning of the end of a pandemic that is claiming one American life every minute .
The historic agreement , which likely will be followed by California and other state public health departments , is a triage plan : With too many needy people and too few doses , these two groups were deemed most deserving of protection .
“ To all the people out there anxiously waiting for vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one step closer to the day when we can all feel safe again , and when this pandemic is over , ” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases .
Until more doses are available , access within these two groups also will be restricted , according to the panel called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices , comprised of physicians and public health experts .
For instance , health care workers with direct patient contact will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that provide services to the most frail and oldest adults will also be prioritized .
So will the health care workers who staff these facilities .
Only 40 million doses will be available nationwide by the end of December .
Because two doses are required , this will protect 20 million people .
But after the vaccines receive federal authorization , an additional 5 to 10 million doses will be available every week .
The U.S. has an estimated 17 million health care workers .
California alone has up to 2 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in health care or long-term care settings .
The state also has nearly half a million residents in skilled nursing facilities , assisted living facilities and similar settings .
California initially will get 327,000 doses , according to Gov .
Gavin Newsom , far short of what is needed .
The state ’ s “ Phase 1 allocation ” plans for high-risk groups , which likely will mirror the federal group ’ s decision Tuesday , will be finalized this week .
States have a Friday deadline to submit initial vaccine distribution plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for counties in a prioritization framework that is still under development , according to the California Department of Public Health .
Two state “ working groups ” are designing these plans .
A Drafting Guidelines Workgroup is developing California-specific guidance for the prioritization and allocation of vaccine .
The Community Vaccine Advisory Committee is providing input to ensure equitable access .
Health care workers across the country have been hit hard by the pandemic , with at least 243,000 infections and 858 deaths , according to data presented at the advisory committee meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also have been disproportionately affected , with nearly 500,000 infections and 70,000 deaths .
“ It ’ s something I ’ ve been dreaming about for months now , ” said infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Chin-Hong , who works on the front lines of COVID-19 care , treating some of UC San Francisco ’ s most infectious patients .
“ It ’ s not only because we ’ re being protected individually , but because we come into contact with so many potentially infected patients every day , others will be protected.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ goggles , “ I don ’ t pull my kids as close as I would normally do .
The chances of infection are low , but it ’ s still always a lingering doubt in my mind , ” he said .
California ’ s hospitals already are planning distribution , experts say .
It ’ s not based on seniority or status but rather those at highest risk .
“ Direct caregivers like respiratory therapists , janitors who clean the rooms , housekeepers , transporters who are moving patients , respiratory therapists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re all at risk , ” said Sal Rosselli , president of the National Union of Healthcare Workers , which represents more than 15,000 health care workers in California and Hawaii .
Residents of long-term care facilities are also at extreme risk not only because of their age and disabilities but because they live together .
And many have have other illnesses , such as diabetes and heart disease , said Los Altos geriatric specialist Dr. Mehrdad Ayati .
Preventing infections in those facilities will reduce the burden on hospitals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ones sending patients to the hospital , ” Ayati said .
Early in the pandemic , many of the most devastating outbreaks were caused by infections introduced by health care workers in those facilities , he said .
The pharmacies that provide care to these facilities , such as CVS and Walgreens , already have reached out to describe their plans , said Ayati .
Federal and state authorities have not yet decided which groups would be next in line .
Based on recommendations by the National Academy of Medicine , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include people with significant illnesses , “ essential workers ” who can not telework , teachers and school staff , older adults , people in homeless shelters and incarcerated people and staff .
Young adults , children and workers who can telecommute would be last .
Two vaccines — one from Pfizer and its partner BioNTech , the second from Moderna — have filed for an emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
Both enlist a new and hitherto unproven idea of using messenger RNA to trick our own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triggering an antibody response .
These requests are under review by the FDA ’ s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee .
If the FDA gives the go-ahead , Pfizer said it could start delivering vaccines no later than Dec. 14 .
Moderna says its vaccine would be ready a week later .
• COVID-19 : San Jose State football team finds home in Hawaii for its next game • What could California ’ s new coronavirus restrictions look like ?
Here are some clues • H-1B : Bay Area Council , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new visa rules shot down • Starbucks will give free coffee all month to health care providers , first responders and more The approach causes unease for Liz Thurstone , a registered nurse at San Jose ’ s Regional Medical Center .
“ I want to protect myself and those around me , ” she said .
But the vaccine strategy “ is difficult for me to wrap my head around .
At this moment , I am reserving my final decision but am leaning towards accepting the vaccine.
” So far , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been infected , and nearly 270,000 have died .

A federal advisory committee voted on Tuesday to recommend distribution of precious COVID-19 vaccines first to health care workers and long-term care residents, a move that marks the beginning of the end of a pandemic that is claiming one American life every minute.
The historic agreement, which likely will be followed by California and other state public health departments, is a triage plan: With too many needy people and too few doses, these two groups were deemed most deserving of protection.
“To all the people out there anxiously waiting for vaccine, we hope that this vote gets us one step closer to the day when we can all feel safe again, and when this pandemic is over,” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
Until more doses are available, access within these two groups also will be restricted, according to the panel called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, comprised of physicians and public health experts.
For instance, health care workers with direct patient contact will be first in line. Most facilities say they can vaccinate all of their health care workers within three weeks, according to Messonnier.
Care facilities that provide services to the most frail and oldest adults will also be prioritized, along with the health care workers who staff these nursing facilities. Assisted living facilities would be next in line, if supplies allow.
Only 40 million doses will be available nationwide by the end of December. Because two doses are required, this will protect 20 million people.
But after the vaccines receive federal authorization, an additional 5 to 10 million doses will be available every week.
California initially will get 327,000 doses, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom, far short of what is needed.
California alone has up to 2 million people at risk of exposure through their work in health care or long-term care settings. The state also has nearly half a million residents in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and similar settings.
The state’s “Phase 1 allocation” plans for high-risk groups, which likely will mirror the federal group’s decision Tuesday, will be finalized this week. States have a Friday deadline to submit initial vaccine distribution plans.
The state is also determining allocations for counties in a prioritization framework that is still under development, according to the California Department of Public Health. Local public health departments will both administer vaccines and allocate doses to other providers. Large health care systems are expected to continue their role in immunizing many Californians.
Two state “working groups” are designing these plans. A Drafting Guidelines Workgroup is developing California-specific guidance for the prioritization and allocation of vaccine. The Community Vaccine Advisory Committee is providing input to ensure equitable access.
Health care workers across the country have been hit hard by the pandemic, with at least 243,000 infections and 858 deaths, according to data presented at the advisory committee meeting. It’s important that this workforce stays strong to sustain health services during the pandemic.
Residents and staff at care homes also have been disproportionately affected, with nearly 500,000 infections and 70,000 deaths.
“It’s something I’ve been dreaming about for months now,” said infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, who works on the front lines of COVID-19 care, treating some of UC San Francisco’s most infectious patients. “It’s not only because we’re being protected individually, but because we come into contact with so many potentially infected patients every day, others will be protected. I’m thinking about my family, people at home. It goes beyond me.”
He knows his risk of infection is low because he wears gloves, gowns and goggles, “but it is still always a lingering doubt in my mind. It’s a powerful psychological burden,” he said. “I don’t pull my kids as close as I would normally do.”
California’s hospitals already are planning distribution, experts say. It’s not based on seniority or status but rather those at highest risk.
“Direct caregivers like respiratory therapists, janitors who clean the rooms, housekeepers, transporters who are moving patients, respiratory therapists, phlebotomists that are testing patients — they’re all at risk,” said Sal Rosselli, president of the National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents more than 15,000 health care workers in California and Hawaii.
Residents of long-term care facilities need protection not only because of their age and disabilities but because they live together. And many have have other illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, that put them at elevated risk, said Los Altos geriatric specialist Dr. Mehrdad Ayati, who cares for patients at Mountain View’s Grant Cuesta Sub-Acute and Rehabilitation Center.
Preventing infections in those facilities will reduce the burden on hospitals, he said, because “they are the ones sending patients to the hospital,” he said. Early in the pandemic, many of the most devastating outbreaks were caused by infections introduced by health care workers in those facilities, he said.
The pharmacies that provide care to these facilities, such as CVS and Walgreens, already have reached out to describe their plans, said Ayati.
Federal and state authorities have not yet decided which groups would be next in line. Based on recommendations by the National Academy of Medicine, the “Phase 2” group would likely include people with significant illnesses, “essential workers” who cannot telework, teachers and school staff, older adults, people in homeless shelters and incarcerated people and staff. Young adults, children and workers who can telecommute would be last.
Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the plan would cover the estimated 45% to 50% of the U.S. population at greatest risk.
Two vaccines — one from Pfizer and its partner BioNTech, the second from Moderna — have filed for an emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Both enlist a new and hitherto unproven idea of using messenger RNA to trick our own cells into making a viral protein, triggering an antibody response. Their requests are under review by the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee.
If the FDA gives the go-ahead, Pfizer said it could start delivering vaccines no later than Dec. 14. Moderna says its vaccine would be ready a week later. Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
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The approach causes unease for Liz Thurstone, a registered nurse at San Jose’s Regional Medical Center. “I want to protect myself and those around me,” she said. But the vaccine strategy “is difficult for me to wrap my head around. At this moment, I am reserving my final decision but am leaning towards accepting the vaccine.”
So far, 13.6 million people in the country have been infected, and nearly 270,000 have died.


mercurynews--2020-12-02--What could California’s new coronavirus restrictions look like? Here are some clues

Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s warning that California will soon face “ more dramatic ” coronavirus restrictions in an effort to blunt an alarming surge of COVID-19 infections threatening to overwhelm hospitals is reviving memories of last spring ’ s frantic lockdowns .
But even as we enter what epidemiologists warn could be some of the darkest and deadliest days of the pandemic , there are few indications at this point that California is going to return to such a widespread , near-total halt of daily life .
Instead , book stores and barbers that shuttered in March could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with much smaller capacities .
Closures of parks and beaches seem unlikely to return , though travel limits may make those destinations less accessible .
Outdoor restaurant dining stands some chance of making it through the winter .
Those are some of the potential changes highlighted by epidemiologists , who cited new restrictions enacted by Santa Clara and Los Angeles counties as examples of what could be next for the state as a whole .
“ We see the writing on the wall and we have to take these steps now , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California-San Francisco .
Still , she said , “ Nobody wants a full shut down.
” Newsom has not yet announced the new health orders that his office expects to roll out in the coming days .
He said Monday that the restrictions would “ fall in line ” with the spring stay-at-home order , though with unspecified modifications .
It isn ’ t clear how the order might affect schools .
With the effect of Thanksgiving gatherings and travel still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization paints a dire picture of an accelerating pandemic in California .
More than 9,000 people are being treated in hospitals for the virus , more than at any other point during the pandemic , and the seven-day average of new confirmed cases is also higher than ever , at 14,058 per day .
The vast majority of California ’ s nearly 40 million residents live in counties — including all but Marin in the Bay Area — that already have the tightest restrictions under the state ’ s tiered system for coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly illness in those regions to be “ widespread.
” State rules for those counties prohibit higher-risk activities , such as eating indoors at restaurants or exercising inside gyms , and require other businesses to limit their indoor capacities .
But as the winter wave of new coronavirus infections and hospitalizations grows , with Newsom warning Monday that California could run out of intensive care unit beds by the middle of this month , the state is exploring new limits above and beyond the ones it already considered its toughest .
Last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ limited Stay at Home Order ” barring gatherings and requiring non-essential businesses to close between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. A future state order could expand that directive to all hours : The order Los Angeles County officials announced last Friday asks residents to “ stay home as much as possible ” and not gather with anyone from outside their household .
The county also shut down outdoor dining , requiring restaurants to go back to the take-out only model from the spring , a step Santa Clara County has not taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place strict limits on travel , telling those who have arrived from more than 150 miles away to isolate for 14 days and ordering that people can only stay in its hotels for essential trips .
Those could be some of the most important steps in limiting the spread of COVID-19 during the holidays .
There is little appetite for governments to aggressively enforce those sorts of orders , however , leaving it up to a weary public to avoid the temptation to gather with friends and family after a grueling year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus vaccines , which are expected to start going out to health care workers later this month and to the broader pubic next year , helps overcome that fatigue .
“ There is reason to be hopeful , and I hope that we can communicate that help is right around the corner , ” Bibbins-Domingo said .
“ But we have to really fight through the next several months.
” Bibbins-Domingo and others said they expect new state rules to reflect the lessons public health officials have learned more than eight months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them : That contaminated surfaces don ’ t pose nearly as much risk as was once feared , outdoor activities are much safer than those indoors and masks are far more effective than many initially thought at limiting the spread , even when indoors .
Some of those lessons are showing up already .
While non-essential retailers and personal service businesses such as hair salons were shut down in the spring , both Santa Clara and Los Angeles counties ’ orders allow them to keep operating — at tightly limited capacities and requiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is expected to be a crucial holiday season for many after a difficult year .
“ They are trying to balance the economic damage to small businesses , ” said Dr. Arthur Reingold , division head of epidemiology and biostatistics at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health , “ with minimizing mortality , quite frankly.
” In Santa Clara County , where retailers are limited to 10 percent of their pre-pandemic capacity , that means Parvin Abdollahi can only allow one shopper at a time inside Penelope Boutique , her clothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sometimes other customers are willing to wait , Abdollahi said , but often “ after 10 or 15 minutes they just give up.
” • COVID-19 : San Jose State football team finds home in Hawaii for its next game • Who gets COVID-19 vaccine first ?
Health-care workers and nursing home residents , panel says • H-1B : Bay Area Council , Stanford win as Trump administration ’ s new visa rules shot down • Starbucks will give free coffee all month to health care providers , first responders and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding ways to work within the limits , like having customers shop by appointment .
And she appreciates being able to stay open at all .
“ It ’ s going to be harder , but safety is more important , ” Abdollahi said .
“ Nobody wants to get sick to buy clothes .
”

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s warning that California will soon face “more dramatic” coronavirus restrictions in an effort to blunt an alarming surge of COVID-19 infections threatening to overwhelm hospitals is reviving memories of last spring’s frantic lockdowns.
But even as we enter what epidemiologists warn could be some of the darkest and deadliest days of the pandemic, there are few indications at this point that California is going to return to such a widespread, near-total halt of daily life.
Instead, book stores and barbers that shuttered in March could stay open this time around, albeit with much smaller capacities. Closures of parks and beaches seem unlikely to return, though travel limits may make those destinations less accessible. Outdoor restaurant dining stands some chance of making it through the winter. Those are some of the potential changes highlighted by epidemiologists, who cited new restrictions enacted by Santa Clara and Los Angeles counties as examples of what could be next for the state as a whole.
“We see the writing on the wall and we have to take these steps now,” said Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, a professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California-San Francisco. Still, she said, “Nobody wants a full shut down.”
Newsom has not yet announced the new health orders that his office expects to roll out in the coming days. He said Monday that the restrictions would “fall in line” with the spring stay-at-home order, though with unspecified modifications. It isn’t clear how the order might affect schools.
With the effect of Thanksgiving gatherings and travel still unclear, data compiled by this news organization paints a dire picture of an accelerating pandemic in California. More than 9,000 people are being treated in hospitals for the virus, more than at any other point during the pandemic, and the seven-day average of new confirmed cases is also higher than ever, at 14,058 per day.
The vast majority of California’s nearly 40 million residents live in counties — including all but Marin in the Bay Area — that already have the tightest restrictions under the state’s tiered system for coronavirus limits because officials consider spread of the deadly illness in those regions to be “widespread.” State rules for those counties prohibit higher-risk activities, such as eating indoors at restaurants or exercising inside gyms, and require other businesses to limit their indoor capacities.
But as the winter wave of new coronavirus infections and hospitalizations grows, with Newsom warning Monday that California could run out of intensive care unit beds by the middle of this month, the state is exploring new limits above and beyond the ones it already considered its toughest.
Last month, Newsom instituted what he called a “limited Stay at Home Order” barring gatherings and requiring non-essential businesses to close between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. A future state order could expand that directive to all hours: The order Los Angeles County officials announced last Friday asks residents to “stay home as much as possible” and not gather with anyone from outside their household. The county also shut down outdoor dining, requiring restaurants to go back to the take-out only model from the spring, a step Santa Clara County has not taken.
Santa Clara County’s rules place strict limits on travel, telling those who have arrived from more than 150 miles away to isolate for 14 days and ordering that people can only stay in its hotels for essential trips.
Those could be some of the most important steps in limiting the spread of COVID-19 during the holidays. There is little appetite for governments to aggressively enforce those sorts of orders, however, leaving it up to a weary public to avoid the temptation to gather with friends and family after a grueling year. Bibbins-Domingo said she hopes encouraging news about new coronavirus vaccines, which are expected to start going out to health care workers later this month and to the broader pubic next year, helps overcome that fatigue.
“There is reason to be hopeful, and I hope that we can communicate that help is right around the corner,” Bibbins-Domingo said. “But we have to really fight through the next several months.”
Bibbins-Domingo and others said they expect new state rules to reflect the lessons public health officials have learned more than eight months after the initial lockdown orders. Among them: That contaminated surfaces don’t pose nearly as much risk as was once feared, outdoor activities are much safer than those indoors and masks are far more effective than many initially thought at limiting the spread, even when indoors.
Some of those lessons are showing up already. While non-essential retailers and personal service businesses such as hair salons were shut down in the spring, both Santa Clara and Los Angeles counties’ orders allow them to keep operating — at tightly limited capacities and requiring all shoppers to wear masks — through what is expected to be a crucial holiday season for many after a difficult year.
“They are trying to balance the economic damage to small businesses,” said Dr. Arthur Reingold, division head of epidemiology and biostatistics at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, “with minimizing mortality, quite frankly.”
In Santa Clara County, where retailers are limited to 10 percent of their pre-pandemic capacity, that means Parvin Abdollahi can only allow one shopper at a time inside Penelope Boutique, her clothing store in the Santana Row shopping center. Sometimes other customers are willing to wait, Abdollahi said, but often “after 10 or 15 minutes they just give up.” Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
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Still, Abdollahi said she’s finding ways to work within the limits, like having customers shop by appointment. And she appreciates being able to stay open at all.
“It’s going to be harder, but safety is more important,” Abdollahi said. “Nobody wants to get sick to buy clothes.”


mercurynews--2020-12-02--Dive boat captain charged with manslaughter in deadly fire

By Brian Melley and Stefanie Dazio | Associated Press LOS ANGELES — The captain of a scuba diving boat that caught fire and sank off the coast of California last year , killing 34 people who were trapped below deck , was indicted Tuesday on federal manslaughter charges for one of the deadliest maritime disasters in recent U.S. history .
Jerry Boylan was charged with 34 counts of seaman ’ s manslaughter for “ misconduct , negligence and inattention ” by failing to train his crew , conduct fire drills and have a roving night watchman on the Conception when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the indictment said .
“ As a result of the alleged failures of Captain Boylan to follow well-established safety rules , a pleasant holiday dive trip turned into a hellish nightmare as passengers and one crew member found themselves trapped in a fiery bunkroom with no means of escape , ” U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna said in a statement .
Boylan and four other crew members , who had all been sleeping , escaped from the flaming boat after he made a breathless mayday call .
All 33 passengers and one crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the dead were found with their shoes on , leading to speculation they were trying to escape but were trapped by flames that blocked a stairwell and a small hatch that were the only exits to the deck above .
All died of smoke inhalation , according to coroner ’ s reports .
The rare federal charges against Boylan were brought under a pre-Civil War law aimed at holding steamboat captains and crew responsible for watery disasters that were far more frequent at the time .
Federal safety investigators faulted the owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight , but they were not charged with any crime .
“ I hate the term accident in this case because , in my opinion , it is not an accident if you fail to operate your company safely , ” National Transportation Safety Board member Jennifer Homendy said at a hearing in October .
The company that owned the boat , Truth Aquatics Inc. , has filed suit in federal court under a provision in maritime law to avoid payouts to the families of the victims .
The families of 32 victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Dana Fritzler and the company .
The cause of the fire was been under investigation for more there a year and may be impossible to pinpoint .
It began in an area on the main deck where divers had plugged in phones , flashlights and other items with combustible lithium ion batteries .
The fire happened on the final night of a three-day Labor Day weekend scuba diving excursion near Santa Cruz Island off Santa Barbara .
The 34 victims ranged from a new deckhand to scientists and engineers to parents with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came from as far away as China , Singapore and India .
Two passengers were celebrating birthdays .
The sole crewmember who died , Allie Kurtz , 26 , had previously worked as a cook on another Truth Aquatics boat and was thrilled with her promotion .
Her family said she loved the water and had childhood aspirations of becoming a pirate .
Marine biologist Kristy Finstad , who co-owned Worldwide Diving Adventures and chartered the Labor Day Weekend trip , first put on a dive tank at the age of nine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rugged , wind-swept Channel Islands , off Santa Barbara ’ s coast .
Five members of the Quitasol family took the trip to celebrate their father ’ s birthday .
Sisters Angela , Nicole and Evan joined their father , Michael Quitasol , and their stepmother , Fernisa Sison .
The family had been scuba diving together for at least a decade .
Before the disaster , Boylan and Truth Aquatics had a good reputation with customers and the boating community in Santa Barbara , where the company had a fleet of three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two most recent Coast Guard safety inspections .
But NTSB investigators condemned the company and captain for a litany of issues including failing to train the crew on emergency procedures .
Ryan Sims , who had been working aboard the boat for just three weeks , told investigators he had asked the captain to discuss emergency plans the day before the fire .
“ I didn ’ t know what the procedures were supposed to be , ” Sims said , echoing what other crew members told investigators .
The NTSB said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire to spread quickly and trap victims below deck .
The agency also faulted the Coast Guard for not enforcing the night watch requirement , citing records showing no one cited for failing to provide one since 1991 .
Crew members told investigators they were asleep on the upper deck when the fire broke out below around 3 a.m .
They said they made repeated attempts to reach those below deck .
But the flames and heat kept them back and eventually forced them to jump overboard .
Boylan made a mayday call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t breathe , ” before abandoning ship .
Sims , who has sued the boat ’ s owners , broke a leg jumping from the boat .
The crew climbed into a dinghy and motored to a yacht anchored nearby to call again for help .
“ One thing we never heard was any screams or banging or anything from the boat , both while we were on it or when we were close , ” Cullen Molitor , the boat ’ s second captain , told investigators .

By Brian Melley and Stefanie Dazio | Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — The captain of a scuba diving boat that caught fire and sank off the coast of California last year, killing 34 people who were trapped below deck, was indicted Tuesday on federal manslaughter charges for one of the deadliest maritime disasters in recent U.S. history.
Jerry Boylan was charged with 34 counts of seaman’s manslaughter for “misconduct, negligence and inattention” by failing to train his crew, conduct fire drills and have a roving night watchman on the Conception when fire broke out Sept. 2, 2019, the indictment said.
“As a result of the alleged failures of Captain Boylan to follow well-established safety rules, a pleasant holiday dive trip turned into a hellish nightmare as passengers and one crew member found themselves trapped in a fiery bunkroom with no means of escape,” U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna said in a statement.
Boylan and four other crew members, who had all been sleeping, escaped from the flaming boat after he made a breathless mayday call. All 33 passengers and one crew member perished in the bunkroom.
Some of the dead were found with their shoes on, leading to speculation they were trying to escape but were trapped by flames that blocked a stairwell and a small hatch that were the only exits to the deck above. All died of smoke inhalation, according to coroner’s reports.
The rare federal charges against Boylan were brought under a pre-Civil War law aimed at holding steamboat captains and crew responsible for watery disasters that were far more frequent at the time.
Federal safety investigators faulted the owners of the vessel for a lack of oversight, but they were not charged with any crime.
“I hate the term accident in this case because, in my opinion, it is not an accident if you fail to operate your company safely,” National Transportation Safety Board member Jennifer Homendy said at a hearing in October.
The company that owned the boat, Truth Aquatics Inc., has filed suit in federal court under a provision in maritime law to avoid payouts to the families of the victims. The families of 32 victims have filed claims against boat owners Glen and Dana Fritzler and the company.
The cause of the fire was been under investigation for more there a year and may be impossible to pinpoint. It began in an area on the main deck where divers had plugged in phones, flashlights and other items with combustible lithium ion batteries.
The fire happened on the final night of a three-day Labor Day weekend scuba diving excursion near Santa Cruz Island off Santa Barbara.
The 34 victims ranged from a new deckhand to scientists and engineers to parents with their teenage and adult children. They came from as far away as China, Singapore and India. Two passengers were celebrating birthdays.
The sole crewmember who died, Allie Kurtz, 26, had previously worked as a cook on another Truth Aquatics boat and was thrilled with her promotion. Her family said she loved the water and had childhood aspirations of becoming a pirate.
Marine biologist Kristy Finstad, who co-owned Worldwide Diving Adventures and chartered the Labor Day Weekend trip, first put on a dive tank at the age of nine and had done hundreds of dives in the rugged, wind-swept Channel Islands, off Santa Barbara’s coast.
Five members of the Quitasol family took the trip to celebrate their father’s birthday. Sisters Angela, Nicole and Evan joined their father, Michael Quitasol, and their stepmother, Fernisa Sison. The family had been scuba diving together for at least a decade.
Before the disaster, Boylan and Truth Aquatics had a good reputation with customers and the boating community in Santa Barbara, where the company had a fleet of three boats. The Conception had passed its two most recent Coast Guard safety inspections.
But NTSB investigators condemned the company and captain for a litany of issues including failing to train the crew on emergency procedures.
Ryan Sims, who had been working aboard the boat for just three weeks, told investigators he had asked the captain to discuss emergency plans the day before the fire.
“When we have time,” Boylan replied, Sims reported.
“I didn’t know what the procedures were supposed to be,” Sims said, echoing what other crew members told investigators.
The NTSB said the lack of a night watch allowed the fire to spread quickly and trap victims below deck. The agency also faulted the Coast Guard for not enforcing the night watch requirement, citing records showing no one cited for failing to provide one since 1991.
Crew members told investigators they were asleep on the upper deck when the fire broke out below around 3 a.m.
They said they made repeated attempts to reach those below deck. But the flames and heat kept them back and eventually forced them to jump overboard.
Boylan made a mayday call at 3:14 a.m. saying, “I can’t breathe,” before abandoning ship.
Sims, who has sued the boat’s owners, broke a leg jumping from the boat.
The crew climbed into a dinghy and motored to a yacht anchored nearby to call again for help.
“One thing we never heard was any screams or banging or anything from the boat, both while we were on it or when we were close,” Cullen Molitor, the boat’s second captain, told investigators.


mercurynews--2020-12-02--Map: 5.1 earthquake near Mono Lake followed by flurry of aftershocks

A 5.1-magnitude quake rocked an area near the Nevada-California line that has experienced a recent surge of seismic activity .
In the first 15 minutes after the quake , at 3:32 p.m. Tuesday , seven aftershocks from 2.5 to 4.3 were recorded , the U.S. Geological Survey said .
The epicenter was in the ghost town of Candelaria , Nevada — 14 miles northwest of Coaldale and about 50 miles east of California ’ s Mono Lake .
It was within 15 miles of the epicenters of a 5.3 quake on Nov. 13 and a 6.5 quake on May 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ map above ) .
The May quake was Nevada ’ s largest since 1954 and was felt in the Reno-Tahoe area and as far away as the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys in California .
Responses to the USGS Did You Feel It ?
website indicated Tuesday ’ s quake was felt in Reno , 130 miles to the northwest , as well as in Yosemite National Park and Bishop , Calif .
It was the largest quake in the conterminous United States since the Nov. 13 quake near the same place .

A 5.1-magnitude quake rocked an area near the Nevada-California line that has experienced a recent surge of seismic activity.
The quake, at 3:32 p.m. Tuesday, was followed in the next 15 minutes by seven aftershocks from 2.5 to 4.3, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
The epicenter was in the ghost town of Candelaria, Nevada — 15 miles south of Mina and about 50 miles east of California’s Mono Lake. It was within 15 miles of the epicenters of a 5.3 quake on Nov. 13 and a 6.5 quake on May 15 (indicated by orange dots on the map above).
The May quake was Nevada’s largest since 1954 and was felt in the Reno-Tahoe area and as far away as the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys in California.
Responses to the USGS Did You Feel It? website indicated Tuesday’s quake was felt in Reno, 130 miles to the northwest, as well as in Yosemite National Park and Bishop, Calif.
It was the largest quake in the conterminous United States since the Nov. 13 quake near the same place.


mercurynews--2020-12-02--H-1B: Bay Area Council, Stanford win as Trump administration’s new visa rules shot down

The Bay Area Council , Stanford University and a host of other business and educational groups scored a legal victory over the administration of President Donald Trump on Tuesday , with a federal judge tossing out new rules for the H-1B visa .
“ This is a major win for our economy and for our ability to recover from the worst downturn in generations , ” Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman said in a statement .
“ H-1B workers fill an important need in our economy and provide immense benefits not only to the companies they work for but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the leading and fastest-growing technology companies in the Bay Area have been founded by entrepreneurs from other countries who first came here on visas.
” The rules issued in October by the federal departments of Labor and Homeland Security had imposed a one-year limit on placement of H-1B workers at third-party firms , along with more-restrictive definitions of what jobs and employment relationships qualify for the visa , and increased minimum pay for foreign workers on the H-1B .
Homeland Security had said its rule would “ combat the use of H-1B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for otherwise qualified American workers.
” The Labor Department had said the new pay requirements would “ induce some employers to employ U.S. workers instead of foreign workers from the H-1B program.
” The agencies cited unemployment from the coronavirus pandemic as reason to invoke the rules without the standard public notice and comment periods .
Neither immediately provided a response to the ruling or said whether they planned to appeal it .
The Bay Area Council , Stanford , the U.S. Chamber of Commerce , the National Association of Manufacturers and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the council arguing the rules would gut the H-1B program and be disastrous for the economy and post-pandemic recovery .
Bay Area technology giants rely heavily on the H-1B program , with Google , Apple and Facebook last year together receiving approvals for more than 5,500 new H-1B workers , according to federal government data .
On Tuesday , Judge Jeffrey White in U.S. District Court in Oakland shot down the rules , saying that although the pandemic had created an emergency and “ a fiscal calamity for many individuals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause for imposing the rules without notice or opportunities for public comment .
The rules contained statements that “ corrective measures should have been taken long ago , ” White said .
“ Although both agencies cited ‘ skyrocketing ’ and ‘ widespread ’ unemployment rates as a basis to find ‘ immediate ’ action was necessary , they did not do so for over six months.
” The H-1B program has become a flashpoint in America ’ s immigration debate .
Major tech firms employ foreign workers directly through the program , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The tech industry has pushed to expand the annual 85,000 cap on new visas , while critics have pointed to reported abuses and argue that the H-1B is used to supplant U.S. workers , drive down wages and facilitate outsourcing .
Research by Daniel Costa , of the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute , and Howard University political science professor Ron Hira , found that 60 % of H-1B workers receive lower-than-average wages for their job and region , and that major tech companies pay some H-1B workers less than local median wages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to scrap lottery , replace it with wage-based selections • H-1B visa pay boost : Historic win for foreign workers , or ‘ mess ’ doomed to fail ?
The Trump administration has dramatically increased denials of the visa for staffing and outsourcing firms that place H-1B workers at third-party companies .
Hira , after the rules were passed , called the minimum-pay boost the first substantive reform in the visa ’ s 30-year history , and said it would cut “ the incentive to hire people because they ’ re cheaper ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Bay Area Council , which represents Google , Facebook , Uber and other Silicon Valley firms , had been “ really concerned ” about the rules , Wunderman said in an interview .
“ Many of them are really dependent on having the talent that comes from other countries .
We ’ re in a global economy .
Countries like Canada have been really aggressive about saying , ‘ Come to Canada , and come to our tech community , ' ” he said , adding that the council would like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the H-1B cap .

The Bay Area Council, Stanford University and a host of other business and educational groups scored a legal victory over the administration of President Donald Trump on Tuesday, with a federal judge tossing out new rules for the H-1B visa.
“This is a major win for our economy and for our ability to recover from the worst downturn in generations,” Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman said in a statement. “H-1B workers fill an important need in our economy and provide immense benefits not only to the companies they work for but the communities where they live. Many of the leading and fastest-growing technology companies in the Bay Area have been founded by entrepreneurs from other countries who first came here on visas.”
However, Howard University political science professor Ron Hira, whose research with Daniel Costa of the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute found that 60% of H-1B workers receive lower-than-average wages for their job and region, and that major tech companies pay some H-1B workers less than local median wages, called the ruling “a significant blow to U.S. workers.”
The rules issued in October by the federal departments of Labor and Homeland Security had imposed a one-year limit on placement of H-1B workers at third-party firms, along with more-restrictive definitions of what jobs and employment relationships qualify for the visa, and increased minimum pay for foreign workers on the H-1B.
Homeland Security had said its rule would “combat the use of H-1B workers to serve as a low-cost replacement for otherwise qualified American workers.” The Labor Department had said the new pay requirements would “induce some employers to employ U.S. workers instead of foreign workers from the H-1B program.”
The agencies cited unemployment from the coronavirus pandemic as reason to invoke the rules without the standard public notice and comment periods. Neither immediately provided a response to the ruling or said whether they planned to appeal it.
The Bay Area Council, Stanford, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and other groups sued the agencies later in October, with the council arguing the rules would gut the H-1B program and be disastrous for the economy and post-pandemic recovery.
Bay Area technology giants rely heavily on the H-1B program, with Google, Apple and Facebook last year together receiving approvals for more than 5,500 new H-1B workers, according to federal government data.
On Tuesday, Judge Jeffrey White in U.S. District Court in Oakland shot down the rules, saying that although the pandemic had created an emergency and “a fiscal calamity for many individuals,” the government had not shown good cause for imposing the rules without notice or opportunities for public comment. The rules contained statements that “corrective measures should have been taken long ago,” White said. “Although both agencies cited ‘skyrocketing’ and ‘widespread’ unemployment rates as a basis to find ‘immediate’ action was necessary, they did not do so for over six months.”
The H-1B program has become a flashpoint in America’s immigration debate. Major tech firms employ foreign workers directly through the program, and also through staffing companies and outsourcers. The tech industry has pushed to expand the annual 85,000 cap on new visas, while critics have pointed to reported abuses and argue that the H-1B is used to supplant U.S. workers, drive down wages and facilitate outsourcing.
Related Articles Technology | H-1B: Trump administration proposes to scrap lottery, replace it with wage-based selections
H-1B: Trump administration proposes to scrap lottery, replace it with wage-based selections Technology | H-1B visa pay boost: Historic win for foreign workers, or ‘mess’ doomed to fail?
H-1B visa pay boost: Historic win for foreign workers, or ‘mess’ doomed to fail? Technology | H-1B visa: Federal government officers coming to remote workers’ homes, Bay Area lawyer reports The Trump administration has dramatically increased denials of the visa for staffing and outsourcing firms that place H-1B workers at third-party companies.
Hira, after the rules were passed, had called the minimum-pay boost the first substantive reform in the visa’s 30-year history, and said it would cut “the incentive to hire people because they’re cheaper” and improve the H-1B workforce.
After White’s ruling, Hira said the judge found fault with the rule-making process, not the rules’ substance. “The Trump administration should immediately file these rules through the normal procedure,” Hira said. “If the rule-making process carries over to the Biden administration, it should support the rules and finish the process.”
Members of the Bay Area Council, which represents Google, Facebook, Uber and other Silicon Valley firms, had been “really concerned” about the rules, Wunderman said in an interview. “Many of them are really dependent on having the talent that comes from other countries. We’re in a global economy. Countries like Canada have been really aggressive about saying, ‘Come to Canada, and come to our tech community,'” he said, adding that the council would like to see a “modest” expansion of the H-1B cap.


mercurynews--2020-12-02--The Warriors’ goal in training camp: Build a top-10 defense

In a game against the Dallas Mavericks last December , D ’ Angelo Russell couldn ’ t miss .
He made all four of his 3-pointers in the first quarter en route to a team-leading 35-point performance — going toe-to-toe with Luka Doncic , who finished with 31 .
In this offensive spectacle , the Warriors and Mavericks each surpassed 70 points in the first half and , by the end of the night , combined for 262 points .
Despite all that , Golden State still lost by 20 .
“ That game was a good reminder to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , how efficiently you score , when you can ’ t make stops , you just can ’ t really get any traction in the game , ” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr .
Since Kerr took over as head coach in 2014 , the Warriors have been known for their scorched-earth approach to offense .
Shooting was in abundance , and no point total seemed out of reach .
But just as important as those all-time great offenses , Kerr often says , was the team ’ s defense .
Anchored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by elite wing defenders Andre Iguodala , Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant , the Warriors ’ defense finished in the top 11 each season under Kerr .
Until last season , when the Warriors had the fifth-worst defensive rating in the NBA .
To reclaim their status as title contenders , the Warriors aim to have one of the best 10 defenses in the NBA this coming season .
With training camp starting this week — postponed one day due to a pair of positive coronavirus tests — defense will be the main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miss his second straight season will a torn Achilles tendon , the Warriors this offseason addressed the defensive side of the ball by adding long , athletic wings in Kelly Oubre Jr. , Kent Bazemore and Brad Wanamaker .
Choosing 7-footer James Wiseman with the No .
2 pick in the draft was a way to improve the defense now and in the future .
“ I think we have potential to be an excellent defensive team , ” Kerr told reporters Tuesday .
“ I ’ ll challenge the guys from day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top-10 defensive team .
Training camp will largely be centered around our defense.
” Stephen Curry will still be the headliner but , as the Warriors enter this new chapter , they want to establish a new identity as one of the top defensive teams in the league .
“ We got to get stops , establish ourselves as a defensive team first , ” Kerr said , “ then the offense we ’ ll figure out as we go.
” Alongside Curry , the starting lineup will feature more length than last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wiggins and Oubre , both at 6-foot-7 , are athletic slashers who can create turnovers with steals and deflections .
The 30-year-old Green may be a few years removed from winning defensive player of the year , but he ’ s still one of the smartest defenders in the league .
• Two Warriors test positive for COVID — training camp delayed one day • Curry vs. Jordan : Under Armour unveils Warriors star ’ s own brand to compete with Nike • Former Warriors star Antawn Jamison elected to Collegiate Basketball Hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mold James Wiseman to help immediately — without sacrificing growth Unlike the experienced groups that carried the Warriors to five straight NBA Finals appearances , this one will rely on athleticism to aggressively defend opponents .
Oubre , acquired with the trade exception this offseason , will fill Thompson ’ s role defending opposing ball handlers .
“ He ’ s got the ability on the ball to hound people .
I envision us using Kelly quite a bit on the ball , ” Kerr said .
He ’ ll also have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge Curry to hold his own .
“ I think we can mix and match and have a lot of options defensively .
We plan on using those options.
” At center , Golden State will cycle through the uber-talented Wiseman , and reliable defenders Kevon Looney and Marquese Chriss .
Though Kerr is not yet ready to name a starter , all three expect to see minutes .
Getting Wiseman time with Curry and Green , however , is a priority as he learns to play with the team ’ s stars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Green together as much as possible , leaving both a scoring and defensive void when they are resting .
The Warriors aim to keep Curry ’ s minutes to about 34 per game , and Green should log closer to 32 .
As Green once did for Looney , he will be tasked with shepherding Wiseman .
It ’ s fair to expect Looney , then , to anchor the second unit defense when Curry and Green are on the bench .
Chriss , last season ’ s starter , has the inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could change .
“ As always , we ’ ll figure out who starts and who plays in what role as we go.
” That figure-it-out-as-you-go approach is necessary .
Despite being nine months removed from their last game , the Warriors don ’ t have much time to prepare after a condensed offseason and Thompson ’ s unexpected injury .
Every day of practice is important .
Still , the goal remains to return to the playoffs .
For the Warriors , the bounce-back season starts this week .
A few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference : • More on keeping Curry ’ s minutes to 34 per game : “ We ’ ve always been blessed with great talent , the ability to give our starters a lot of rest .
We ’ ve been blessed over the years to have a lot of blowouts where Steph didn ’ t have to play the fourth quarter , same with Draymond and Klay and ( Kevin Durant ) .
We don ’ t have that luxury any more .
I would love to keep his minutes down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s the best thing for him and for us long-term .
That ’ s going to be the goal.
” • On if dealing with Thompson ’ s injury will be easier the second time around : “ I think it will be easier than last year .
I mean , last year was difficult for a number of reasons .
The injuries were really difficult , but so was just the rebound off of five straight years of deep runs , emotional seasons .
I feel like Steph and Draymond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us.
” … “ They ’ ve had a long time off .
I think they ’ re ready to compete again.
” • More on why Wiseman will play alongside Curry and Green : “ Our bread and butter offensively is the Steph-Draymond pick- ‘ n-roll .
When ( Wiseman ) is on the court with those guys , he ’ s got to learn the spacing .
He has to learn to get to that dunker spot and be on the backside and understand his role in those circumstances .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Draymond is going to be anchoring the defense .
He ’ s got to be Draymond ’ s partner ultimately.
” • And on not staggering Curry and Green ’ s minutes : “ They ’ re such a dynamic pair , offensively especially , together in the pick- ‘ n-roll .
My gut would be from the beginning of this year to just play them together , then try to find another combination when those two guys are on the bench .
”

In an offensive spectacle one night last December, the Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks each surpassed 70 points in the first half and, by the end of the night, combined for 262 points.
And the Warriors lost by 20.
“That game was a good reminder to me that no matter how well you shoot it, how efficiently you score, when you can’t make stops, you just can’t really get any traction in the game,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
When the Warriors open training camp Monday, defense will be the primary focus. The goal is to be a top-10 defense this season.
Since Kerr took over as head coach in 2014, the Warriors have been known for their scorched-earth approach to offense. But just as important to the team’s run of glory — five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals — was the team’s defense, Kerr routinely says.
With Draymond Green flanked by elite wing defenders Andre Iguodala, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant, the Warriors finished no worse than 12th in Defensive Rating in their first five seasons under Kerr, peaking at No. 2 in 2014-15. Last season, the Warriors ranked 24th among the 30 teams.
Thompson’s season-long absence was a factor, and it will remain so as he recovers from a second season-ending injury. To address the loss of Thompson, the Warriors acquired Kelly Oubre Jr., a long-armed wing with scoring ability, and drafted 7-foot center James Wiseman with the No. 2 pick. Kent Bazemore and Brad Wanamaker also figure in the mix.
“I think we have potential to be an excellent defensive team,” Kerr said. “I’ll challenge the guys from Day One that we want to be a top-10 defensive team. Training camp will largely be centered around our defense.
“We’ve got to get stops, establish ourselves as a defensive team first,” Kerr said. “Then the offense we’ll figure out as we go.”
Alongside Steph Curry, the starting lineup will feature more length than a year ago. Andrew Wiggins and Oubre, both at 6-foot-7, are athletic slashers who can create turnovers with steals and deflections. Green, 30, is four years removed from being the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, but he remains among the smartest defenders in the league.
Unlike the experienced groups that carried the Warriors to glory, this one will rely on athleticism to aggressively defend opponents.
Oubre will fill Thompson’s role defending opposing ball handlers.
“He’s got the ability on the ball to hound people. I envision us using Kelly quite a bit on the ball,” Kerr said.
Kerr also plans to have Wiggins guard opposing wings, and he will challenge Curry to hold his own defensively. “I think we can mix and match and have a lot of options defensively. We plan on using those options,” Kerr said.
At center, Golden State will rotate Wiseman, Kevon Looney and Marquese Chriss. Kerr isn’t ready to name a starter, but getting Wiseman on the floor with Green and Curry is a priority.
Kerr plans to play Curry and Green together as much as possible, leaving both a scoring and defensive void when they are resting. The Warriors aim to keep Curry’s minutes to about 34 per game, and Green should log closer to 32.
As Green once did for Looney, he will be tasked with shepherding Wiseman. It’s fair to expect Looney, then, to anchor the second unit defense when Curry and Green are on the bench. Chriss, last season’s starter, has the inside track on starting opening night, but that could change.
“As always, we’ll figure out who starts and who plays in what role as we go.”
That figure-it-out-as-you-go approach is necessary. Despite being nine months removed from their last game, the Warriors don’t have much time to prepare after a condensed offseason and Thompson’s unexpected injury. Every day of practice is important.
Still, the goal remains to return to the playoffs. For the Warriors, the bounce-back season starts this week.
A few more notable quotes from Kerr’s news conference:


mercurynews--2020-12-02--Justice Dept. investigating presidential pardon bribery scheme

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is investigating whether there was a secret scheme to lobby White House officials for a pardon as well as a related plot to offer a hefty political contribution in exchange for clemency , according to a court document unsealed Tuesday .
Most of the information in the 18-page court order is redacted , including the identity of the people whom prosecutors are investigating and whom the proposed pardon might be intended for .
But the document from August does reveal that people are suspected of having acted to secretly lobby White House officials to secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in a related scheme , a substantial political contribution was floated in exchange for a pardon .
As part of the investigation , more than 50 laptops , iPads and other digital devices have been seized , according to the document .
The existence of the investigation was revealed in a court order from U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell , the chief judge of Washington ’ s federal court , in which she granted investigators access to certain email communications connected to the alleged schemes that she said was not protected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use that material to confront any subject or target of the investigation , the judge wrote .
The order was dated Aug. 28 , and prosecutors sought to keep it private because they said it identifies people not charged by a grand jury .
But on Tuesday , Howell unsealed that document while redacting from view any personally identifiable information .
Pardons are common at the end of a president ’ s tenure and are occasionally politically fraught affairs as some convicted felons look to leverage connections inside the White House to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump announced that he had pardoned his first national security adviser , Michael Flynn , even as a federal judge was weighing a Justice Department request to dismiss the case .
Spokespeople for the Justice Department did not immediately return an email seeking comment Tuesday evening .
The existence of the investigation was first reported by CNN .

By Eric Tucker | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is investigating whether there was a secret scheme to lobby White House officials for a pardon as well as a related plot to offer a hefty political contribution in exchange for clemency, according to a court document unsealed Tuesday.
Most of the information in the 18-page court order is redacted, including the identity of the people whom prosecutors are investigating and whom the proposed pardon might be intended for.
But the document from August does reveal that people are suspected of having acted to secretly lobby White House officials to secure a pardon or sentence commutation and that, in a related scheme, a substantial political contribution was floated in exchange for a pardon.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/12/02/doj-investigation-presidential-pardon-burnett-ebof-vpx.cnn”]
Video: Law professor reacts to DOJ investigation of White House pardons
As part of the investigation, more than 50 laptops, iPads and other digital devices have been seized, according to the document.
The existence of the investigation was revealed in a court order from U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, the chief judge of Washington’s federal court, in which she granted investigators access to certain email communications connected to the alleged schemes that she said was not protected by attorney-client privilege. Prosecutors will be able to use that material to confront any subject or target of the investigation, the judge wrote.
The order was dated Aug. 28, and prosecutors sought to keep it private because they said it identifies people not charged by a grand jury. But on Tuesday, Howell unsealed that document while redacting from view any personally identifiable information.
Pardons are common at the end of a president’s tenure and are occasionally politically fraught affairs as some convicted felons look to leverage connections inside the White House to secure clemency. Last week, President Donald Trump announced that he had pardoned his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, even as a federal judge was weighing a Justice Department request to dismiss the case.
Spokespeople for the Justice Department did not immediately return an email seeking comment Tuesday evening.
The existence of the investigation was first reported by CNN.