mercurynews--2020-12-12--As bids to overturn vote fail, Trump supporters at protests stick with him

WASHINGTON — Incensed by a Supreme Court ruling that further dashed President Donald Trump ’ s hopes of invalidating his November electoral defeat , thousands of his supporters marched in Washington and several state capitals Saturday to protest what they falsely claim was a stolen election .
Trump flags dotted the air above Freedom Plaza in Washington , where demonstrators — including many members of the far-right Proud Boys group — chanted “ four more years !
” and vowed not to recognize Joe Biden as the president-elect .
State and federal courts have rejected dozens of lawsuits by Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election results , but the pointed refusal by the Supreme Court on Friday to hear a case filed by the attorney general of Texas loomed the largest yet .
By foreclosing one of the last legal avenues Trump had to potentially block Biden from succeeding him on Inauguration Day , it left his partisans casting about for answers .
Stephanie Lalich , 55 , who traveled from Baltimore to join the protest in Washington , said voting machines had been used for widespread electoral fraud — a claim that has been proved false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Trump because they did not want to take on the issue .
“ They don ’ t want to deal with this , ” Lalich said .
“ It ’ s going to have to go nuclear , using the Insurrection Act and bringing out the military.
” The protesters in Washington appeared jubilant at times , despite the dwindling time before Jan. 20 , when Biden is due to be sworn in .
They repurposed the refrain of Van Halen ’ s song “ Jump ” to say , “ Might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump-themed T-shirts and other items advertising his false claims of electoral fraud .
Some demonstrators were more confident than others about how Trump could secure a second term despite losing the election .
• East Bay protesters focus on suburbs to bring about change Phyllis Monson , 61 , who drove for several days from Tonopah , Arizona , to attend the rally , said she was not sure what steps remained available to overturn the election , but she said she was convinced that it had been unfair .
“ This election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ There needs to be a revote .
”

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

WASHINGTON — Incensed by a Supreme Court ruling that further dashed President Donald Trump’s hopes of invalidating his November electoral defeat, thousands of his supporters marched in Washington and several state capitals Saturday to protest what they contended, against all evidence, was a stolen election.
In some places, angry confrontations between protesters and counterprotesters escalated into violence. There were a number of scuffles in the national capital, where at least four people were stabbed, and the police declared a riot in Olympia, Washington, where one person was shot.
In videos of a clash in Olympia that were posted on social media, a single gunshot can be heard as black-clad counterprotesters move toward members of the pro-Trump group, including one person waving a large Trump flag. After the gunshot, one of the counterprotesters is seen falling to the ground, and others call for help. In one video, a man with a gun can be seen running from the scene and putting on a red hat.
Chris Loftis, a spokesman for the Washington State Patrol, said that two people were in custody in connection with the episode but that specific details about the shooting were not yet clear, including the condition of the person who was shot.
State and federal courts have rejected dozens of lawsuits by Trump’s allies seeking to challenge the election results, but the pointed refusal by the Supreme Court on Friday to hear a case filed by the attorney general of Texas loomed the largest yet. By foreclosing one of the last legal avenues Trump had to potentially block Biden from succeeding him on Inauguration Day, it left many of his partisans casting angrily about for answers.
Trump flags dotted the air above Freedom Plaza in Washington, where demonstrators — including many members of the far-right Proud Boys group — chanted “four more years!” and vowed not to recognize Joe Biden as the president-elect.
Stephanie Lalich, 55, who traveled from Baltimore to join the protest in Washington, said voting machines had been used for widespread electoral fraud — a claim that has been proved false — and that judges had not sided with Trump because they did not want to take on the issue.
“They don’t want to deal with this,” Lalich said. “It’s going to have to go nuclear, using the Insurrection Act and bringing out the military.”
One of Trump’s former national security advisers, Michael Flynn, whom Trump pardoned in November, told Trump supporters near the Supreme Court building not to “get bent out of shape” by the latest setback, assuring them that there were still ways to fight back.
“We decide the election,” he said, greeted by cheers. “We’re waging a battle across America.”
Trump flew over the protesters in Marine One on his way to attend the Army-Navy football game at West Point. Protesters erupted in cheers as the helicopter and its escort passed overhead.
Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys, a right-wing group known for inciting violence at protests, caused a stir earlier in the day when he posted a photograph taken at the North Portico of the White House and said he had received a “last minute invite.” Judd Deere, a White House spokesperson, said Tarrio had been part of a public tour and that no one inside the building had invited him.
At Georgia’s Statehouse in downtown Atlanta, speakers used megaphones to cast doubt on the election as American flags and Make America Great Again hats bobbed in the crowd. Across the street, a few dozen anti-Trump activists — many dressed all in black — heckled the president’s supporters.
Chris Hill, the leader of a right-wing group called the Georgia Security Force III%, rallied many of the protesters to the Statehouse. Hill said the Supreme Court had “thumbed its nose at us.” But unlike many others in attendance, he said he accepted that Trump had lost the election.
“At this point, this thing is over,” he said, adding that he was turning his focus to the two runoff races in Georgia whose outcomes will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate.
Kim Carter, who said God had told her to drive to the Atlanta rally from Jacksonville, Florida, said she was sure that Trump would be reelected. She asked a member of Hill’s group whether it could send some armed members to Florida to protect her and her neighbors from Antifa activists after the election is finally overturned, as she believes will happen.
“Four more years, because God is the one who is in control of this,” Carter said.
Pro-Trump rallies were mounted in a number of other communities around the country. More than 100 people gathered at a rally in St. Paul, Minneapolis, to display Trump flags and call on the state’s Democratic governor to loosen coronavirus restrictions in the state. In Spanish Fort, Alabama, a suburb of Mobile, about 100 people demonstrated, according to footage posted by WKRG-TV. “We want to be part of the ‘Stop the Steal’ national movement,” one speaker there said. “That’s why we’re here.”
The gunfire in Olympia, Washington, came after supporters of Trump and counterprotesters gathered near the state Capitol on Saturday afternoon. The groups had clashed before the shooting, with some people throwing objects and punches. The air on the street was clouded by smoke grenades and mace, and police officers in riot gear later arrived on the scene.
Both sets of protesters dispersed later in the afternoon, and a large area at the edge of the Capitol campus was roped off with crime scene tape while a police officer and other officials assessed the situation. Several vehicles, including one with a Trump sticker, remained in a parking lot at the police scene, along with a scattering of rocks and broken glass.
The Olympia police said there were four arrests and that four officers had been injured, according to the CBS affiliate KIRO.
Clashes also broke out between opposing groups in Washington, D.C., where videos showed people clad in Proud Boys gear punching and kicking counterprotesters who were wearing helmets. The police stepped in and sprayed mace at some of the men involved in the fighting. Another video showed anti-police protesters scuffling with officers and tossing what appeared to be a wooden stick at them.
At night, four people were stabbed near 11th Street and F Street Northwest, according to Douglas Buchanan, a spokesman for the city’s fire department. The mayor’s office said that the four were in critical condition, adding that two police officers also were hurt and taken to hospitals. Authorities did not provide any other details, including which groups of protesters the injured belonged to.
Throughout the day, the police arrested at least 23 people, including six on charges of assaulting a police officer, the mayor’s office said.
Earlier in the day, the pro-Trump crowd in Washington had appeared jubilant at times, despite the setbacks in the courts and the dwindling time remaining before Jan. 20 when Biden is due to be sworn in. They rewrote the refrain of the Van Halen song “Jump” to say, “Might as well Trump!” Others sold Trump-themed T-shirts and other items advertising his false claims of electoral fraud.
Some demonstrators were more confident than others that Trump could secure a second term despite losing the election.
Phyllis Monson, 61, who drove for several days from Tonopah, Arizona, to attend the rally, said she was not sure what steps remained available to overturn the election, but that she was convinced it had been unfair.
“This election was such a fraud,” Monson said. “There needs to be a revote.”
Luther Anderson, 30, said he had voted for former President Barack Obama and for Trump, but could not envision Biden as president. Trump has released Black people from prison through a criminal justice overhaul, he noted, while Biden contributed to the 1994 crime bill that lengthened criminal sentences for many people, many of them Black and some of whom remain imprisoned.
“The media’s trying to make him this good guy and then make Trump the villain,” said Anderson, who lives in Washington. “It’s like the media, they’re trying to, like, brainwash.”


mercurynews--2020-12-12--Rare, high-priced red wine stolen from display at Joseph George Wines in San Jose

SAN JOSE — The decades-old magnum bottles of Harlan Estate cabernet , a personal gift from the vintner , were so precious to Bert George that he didn ’ t even offer them for sale , instead proudly displaying them like Renaissance masterpieces in a museum at his San Jose wine shop .
Saturday morning , they were gone — vanishing in an apparent overnight smash-and-grab that left George heartsick .
“ This is one of the rarest cabernets in the United States , ” George said Saturday .
“ The significance of the wine is so rare that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s our Mona Lisa.
” Police said they are investigating the incident , offering few details Saturday but confirming that nine bottles of wine were taken .
George said the burglary took place some time around 2:30 a.m. Saturday .
But he emphasized that this is no ordinary crime : The bottles of Harlan Estate from the mid-1990s were some of the first bottles that the winery ever produced .
The combination of brand , age and type of bottle — gifted by the western Oakville hills estate owner Bill Harlan himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that they were not for sale , but simply on display in a glass cabinet .
George , whose family has owned the Joseph George Wines store on Meridian Avenue for generations , said he is convinced that whoever took the bottles knew what they were stealing .
He estimated they would be worth thousands of dollars to a knowledgeable buyer .
“ If I were going to break in , this is what I would steal , ” he said .
“ With wines like this , you don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them at a liquor store.
” Police declined to say if they had identified a suspect in the incident .
They also declined to confirm details of how the burglary occurred .
“ We are aware of the burglary and that expensive bottles of wine were taken , ” said Sgt .
Christian Camarillo of the San Jose Police Department .
“ It ’ s an ongoing investigation.
” George said he will be covered by insurance for the costs of damage to his store , including a smashed front door and shattered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reached out to offer him help , George said there ’ s little chance of replacing “ my rarest , most beautiful wines , without a doubt.
” “ I called them my ‘ birthday wines , ' ” he said .
“ I would only treat myself to them once a year .
”

SAN JOSE — The decades-old magnum bottles of Harlan Estate cabernet, a personal gift from the vintner, were so precious to Bert George that he didn’t even offer them for sale, instead proudly displaying them like Renaissance masterpieces in a museum at his San Jose wine shop.
Saturday morning, they were gone — vanishing in an apparent overnight smash-and-grab that left George heartsick.
“This is one of the rarest cabernets in the United States,” George said Saturday. “The significance of the wine is so rare that you can’t find it anywhere … it’s our Mona Lisa.”
Police said they are investigating the incident, offering few details Saturday but confirming that nine bottles of wine were taken.
George said the burglary took place some time around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. But he emphasized that this is no ordinary crime: The bottles of Harlan Estate from the mid-1990s were some of the first bottles that the winery ever produced.
The combination of brand, age and type of bottle — gifted by the western Oakville hills estate owner Bill Harlan himself — are so unique, George said, that they were not for sale, but simply on display in a glass cabinet.
George, whose family has owned the Joseph George Wines store on Meridian Avenue for generations, said he is convinced that whoever took the bottles knew what they were stealing. He estimated they would be worth thousands of dollars to a knowledgeable buyer.
“If I were going to break in, this is what I would steal,” he said. “With wines like this, you don’t go home and drink them or sell them at a liquor store.”
Police declined to say if they had identified a suspect in the incident. They also declined to confirm details of how the burglary occurred.
“We are aware of the burglary and that expensive bottles of wine were taken,” said Sgt. Christian Camarillo of the San Jose Police Department. “It’s an ongoing investigation.”
George said he will be covered by insurance for the costs of damage to his store, including a smashed front door and shattered display cabinet. But while Harlan Estate has reached out to offer him help, George said there’s little chance of replacing “my rarest, most beautiful wines, without a doubt.”
“I called them my ‘birthday wines,'” he said. “I would only treat myself to them once a year.”


mercurynews--2020-12-12--Trump appeals election lawsuit to Georgia Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court Friday dealt a serious blow to President Donald Trump ’ s effort to win a second term through the courts .
But the president is not done with litigation .
In a lawsuit pending in Fulton County Superior Court , Trump seeks to overturn the presidential election results in Georgia .
Now he has appealed to the Georgia Supreme Court to get a resolution of the case before Monday when the Electoral College will formally vote to name Joe Biden the next president .
Trump initially filed the lawsuit Dec. 4 .
But the Fulton County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected it , saying the president ’ s attorneys didn ’ t pay the proper filing fee or fill out the paperwork correctly .
Trump ’ s attorneys corrected that on Monday – the same day state officials recertified the election results following a third tally of votes .
The vote showed Biden won Georgia by 11,779 votes out of some 5 million ballots cast .
With the certification done , Trump ’ s campaign withdrew an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order to prevent the certification .
With the emergency motion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued an order Wednesday stating the lawsuit would proceed “ in the normal course ” – which means it will not be resolved any time soon .
On Friday , Trump ’ s campaign appealed to the Georgia Supreme Court .
The appeal says Russell is not qualified to judge an election case under state law because she is a resident of Fulton County and an active judge – not a judge on senior status .
Because of that and other miscues it says occurred at the county court , the appeal asks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ merits of its case before Monday .
• As bids to overturn vote fail , Trump supporters at protests stick with him Among other things , the lawsuit says tens of thousands of people voted illegally in Georgia .
Such claims came under fire at a state legislative hearing last week , when a lawmaker said she found that several voters who allegedly cast fraudulent ballots were , in fact , legally registered voters .
U.S. Attorney General William Barr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger have said their investigators have found no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the defendant in the Trump lawsuit .
His office could not immediately be reached for comment Saturday .

David Wickert | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The U.S. Supreme Court Friday dealt a serious blow to President Donald Trump’s effort to win a second term through the courts. But the president is not done with litigation.
In a lawsuit pending in Fulton County Superior Court, Trump seeks to overturn the presidential election results in Georgia. Now he has appealed to the Georgia Supreme Court to get a resolution of the case before Monday when the Electoral College will formally vote to name Joe Biden the next president.
Trump initially filed the lawsuit Dec. 4. But the Fulton County Superior Court clerk’s office initially rejected it, saying the president’s attorneys didn’t pay the proper filing fee or fill out the paperwork correctly.
Trump’s attorneys corrected that on Monday – the same day state officials recertified the election results following a third tally of votes. The vote showed Biden won Georgia by 11,779 votes out of some 5 million ballots cast.
With the certification done, Trump’s campaign withdrew an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order to prevent the certification. With the emergency motion withdrawn, Fulton County Judge Constance Russell issued an order Wednesday stating the lawsuit would proceed “in the normal course” – which means it will not be resolved any time soon.
On Friday, Trump’s campaign appealed to the Georgia Supreme Court.
[vemba-video id=”tv/2020/12/12/extreme-white-house-makeover.cnn”]
The appeal says Russell is not qualified to judge an election case under state law because she is a resident of Fulton County and an active judge – not a judge on senior status. Because of that and other miscues it says occurred at the county court, the appeal asks the Supreme Court to rule on the merits of its case before Monday.
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Opinion: Three factors could pose a threat to Biden’s reelection prospects National Politics | Opinion: Mike Pence, a Republican of character and integrity Among other things, the lawsuit says tens of thousands of people voted illegally in Georgia. Such claims came under fire at a state legislative hearing last week, when a lawmaker said she found that several voters who allegedly cast fraudulent ballots were, in fact, legally registered voters. U.S. Attorney General William Barr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger have said their investigators have found no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
Raffensperger is the defendant in the Trump lawsuit. His office could not immediately be reached for comment Saturday.


mercurynews--2020-12-12--Rohnert Park: Man injured after setting truck, himself on fire

ROHNERT PARK — A man was injured in Rohnert Park on Thursday after reportedly setting a truck and himself on fire .
Officers with the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety responded Thursday at 5:14 p.m. to a report of a vehicle on fire in the Rancho Feliz Mobile Home Park .
Officers located the truck and the owner and learned the owner had given another man , identified as Jason Bartlett , 47 , of Rohnert Park , a ride to the mobile home park .
When they arrived there , Bartlett told the man to take him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused , Bartlett poured an unknown liquid into the interior of the truck and threatened the owner .
The owner still refused , and Bartlett lit a match and set the inside of the truck on fire .
The owner jumped out the truck , and it rolled into a pole .
Bartlett ’ s clothes also caught fire , and he got out of the truck and ran away with his clothes still on fire .
The owner of the truck and some bystanders were able to put out the fire .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured during the incident .
• California sheriff says honor system , not handcuffs , must be deployed during state ’ s stay-at-home edict • Woman accused of trying to kidnap 2 young children in Southern California Police located Bartlett a short time later on a creek path behind the mobile home park .
He was suffering from serious injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment .
Police said an arrest of Bartlett on charges related to the incident is pending .

ROHNERT PARK — A man was injured in Rohnert Park on Thursday after reportedly setting a truck and himself on fire.
Officers with the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety responded Thursday at 5:14 p.m. to a report of a vehicle on fire in the Rancho Feliz Mobile Home Park.
Officers located the truck and the owner and learned the owner had given another man, identified as Jason Bartlett, 47, of Rohnert Park, a ride to the mobile home park.
When they arrived there, Bartlett told the man to take him to another location, and when the man refused, Bartlett poured an unknown liquid into the interior of the truck and threatened the owner.
The owner still refused, and Bartlett lit a match and set the inside of the truck on fire.
The owner jumped out the truck, and it rolled into a pole.
Bartlett’s clothes also caught fire, and he got out of the truck and ran away with his clothes still on fire.
The owner of the truck and some bystanders were able to put out the fire.
The owner of the truck was not injured during the incident.
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1 dead, 2 injured when car going 100 mph slams into Southern California garage, police say Crime and Public Safety | California man arrested after attacking and injuring 2 women with a shovel Police located Bartlett a short time later on a creek path behind the mobile home park. He was suffering from serious injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Police said an arrest of Bartlett on charges related to the incident is pending.


mercurynews--2020-12-12--Electoral College vote a big step to move past election

HARRISBURG , Pa. — When the 20 Pennsylvania loyalists selected by President-elect Joe Biden gather to cast their electoral vote ballots on Monday , it will be a big step toward leaving behind the chaos of the election and its aftermath .
The ceremony at the Capitol Complex in Harrisburg will be unusual not only for its pandemic restrictions , but also for its importance in officially anointing the president-elect amid a deluge of lawsuits and browbeating of state officials by President Donald Trump in an effort to overturn Biden ’ s victory in the state .
The ballots signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday are , under the U.S. Constitution , the real election .
“ Monday is really the official vote for president of the United States under our Electoral College system , ” said Edward B. Foley , a law professor and director of the election law program at Ohio State University .
“ Everything else up to this point is really in some ways a prelude to Monday.
” The electors ’ ballots are sent to Congress , where they are to be read into the official record by Vice President Mike Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After Monday , Trump may still try to derail Biden ’ s election .
Given historical precedent , it ’ s difficult to see how he would succeed under existing law , say constitutional law scholars .
Trump and Republican allies have tried , in various ways , to get the state ’ s Republican-controlled Legislature to put up a majority vote to dispute Biden ’ s victory in Pennsylvania and instead send Trump ’ s electors to Congress .
Courts have refused those entreaties .
So have the Legislature ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authority of picking electors to voters under a nearly century-old law .
Trump ’ s backers say courts could still intervene .
But constitutional law scholars say they can ’ t see courts intervening after electoral votes are cast , given legal precedent and constitutional provisions .
Michael R. Dimino , a law professor at Widener University ’ s law school in Harrisburg , said the courts ’ role has been to ensure the law was followed in tabulating votes , certifying results and appointing electors , not the post-Electoral College process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court has ever issued an order nullifying a governor ’ s certification of presidential election results , ” lawyers for Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf wrote in a filing Tuesday to the U.S. Supreme Court .
Wolf , a Democrat , certified the state ’ s election for Biden on Nov. 24 .
It is extraordinarily unlikely that Biden ’ s hand-picked electors — Democratic Party officials , public office holders , organized labor allies and others — might go rogue and write in Trump ’ s name on their ballot .
Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the winner of the popular vote , as some states do .
But Pennsylvania ’ s rules for picking electors — allowing the candidate themselves to pick — are stronger than many other states ’ .
“ I would be shocked if there were any faithless electors ” in Pennsylvania , said Derek Muller , a University of Iowa law professor who specializes in election law .
One of Biden ’ s electors , Pennsylvania ’ s AFL-CIO president , Rick Bloomingdale , said he had not been contacted by Trump representatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And maybe they know it would be fruitless to talk to me , ” Bloomingdale said .
“ I ’ m not changing .
I was for Joe , I am for Joe and I ’ ll be for Joe on Monday.
” Biden ’ s victory was essentially locked in by last Tuesday ’ s so-called safe harbor deadline , set by federal law for states to finish their certifications and resolve legal disputes .
It ’ s an insurance policy to guard against Congress trying to manipulate the electoral votes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capitol for counting on Jan. 6 .
Still , Trump loyalists could try to send their own electoral votes to Congress without the backing of any state authority or certification .
Trump ’ s attorney said in court papers that the campaign is asking his Wisconsin electors to do just that , in case a court intervenes in the meantime .
A Trump elector in Pennsylvania , Lou Barletta , said Saturday that the same thing is possible in his state .
If that happens , under federal law , Congress must determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state law .
The law points to Congress recognizing ballots certified by the state and bearing the governor ’ s signature , Muller said .
Republican members of the U.S. House have signaled that they will object to slates of Biden electors from Pennsylvania and other states on Jan. 6 .
To force a two-hour debate on a state ’ s electors , any senator must also sign paperwork formally objecting .
Preventing a state ’ s electoral votes from counting requires a majority vote in both chambers — something that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overturn vote fail , Trump supporters at protests stick with him Pence is to read the states in alphabetical order and , by the time Pennsylvania gets a turn , lawmakers may be tired of debating .
“ Pennsylvania has probably had the most political and legal controversy in this election , ” Muller said .
“ But it ’ s pretty low in the alphabet .
”

By Marc Levy | Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. — When the 20 Pennsylvania loyalists selected by President-elect Joe Biden gather to cast their electoral vote ballots on Monday, it will be a big step toward leaving behind the chaos of the election and its aftermath.
The ceremony at the Capitol Complex in Harrisburg will be unusual not only for its pandemic restrictions, but also for its importance in officially anointing the president-elect amid a deluge of lawsuits and browbeating of state officials by President Donald Trump in an effort to overturn Biden’s victory in the state.
The ballots signed by Biden’s chosen electors on Monday are, under the U.S. Constitution, the real election.
“Monday is really the official vote for president of the United States under our Electoral College system,” said Edward B. Foley, a law professor and director of the election law program at Ohio State University. “Everything else up to this point is really in some ways a prelude to Monday.”
The electors’ ballots are sent to Congress, where they are to be read into the official record by Vice President Mike Pence during a joint session on Jan. 6.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/12/11/faithless-electors-supreme-court-2020-mh-orig.cnn”]
After Monday, Trump may still try to derail Biden’s election. Given historical precedent, it’s difficult to see how he would succeed under existing law, say constitutional law scholars.
Trump and Republican allies have tried, in various ways, to get the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature to put up a majority vote to dispute Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania and instead send Trump’s electors to Congress.
Courts have refused those entreaties. So have the Legislature’s Republican leaders, who say lawmakers delegated the authority of picking electors to voters under a nearly century-old law.
Trump’s backers say courts could still intervene. But constitutional law scholars say they can’t see courts intervening after electoral votes are cast, given legal precedent and constitutional provisions.
Michael R. Dimino, a law professor at Widener University’s law school in Harrisburg, said the courts’ role has been to ensure the law was followed in tabulating votes, certifying results and appointing electors, not the post-Electoral College process.
In any case, “no court has ever issued an order nullifying a governor’s certification of presidential election results,” lawyers for Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf wrote in a filing Tuesday to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Wolf, a Democrat, certified the state’s election for Biden on Nov. 24.
It is extraordinarily unlikely that Biden’s hand-picked electors — Democratic Party officials, public office holders, organized labor allies and others — might go rogue and write in Trump’s name on their ballot.
Pennsylvania has no law requiring electors to vote for the winner of the popular vote, as some states do. But Pennsylvania’s rules for picking electors — allowing the candidate themselves to pick — are stronger than many other states’.
“I would be shocked if there were any faithless electors” in Pennsylvania, said Derek Muller, a University of Iowa law professor who specializes in election law.
One of Biden’s electors, Pennsylvania’s AFL-CIO president, Rick Bloomingdale, said he had not been contacted by Trump representatives hoping to change his mind.
“And maybe they know it would be fruitless to talk to me,” Bloomingdale said. “I’m not changing. I was for Joe, I am for Joe and I’ll be for Joe on Monday.”
Biden’s victory was essentially locked in by last Tuesday’s so-called safe harbor deadline, set by federal law for states to finish their certifications and resolve legal disputes.
It’s an insurance policy to guard against Congress trying to manipulate the electoral votes that will be cast and sent to the Capitol for counting on Jan. 6.
Still, Trump loyalists could try to send their own electoral votes to Congress without the backing of any state authority or certification.
Trump’s attorney said in court papers that the campaign is asking his Wisconsin electors to do just that, in case a court intervenes in the meantime. A Trump elector in Pennsylvania, Lou Barletta, said Saturday that the same thing is possible in his state.
If that happens, under federal law, Congress must determine which electoral votes were sent under color of state law. The law points to Congress recognizing ballots certified by the state and bearing the governor’s signature, Muller said.
Republican members of the U.S. House have signaled that they will object to slates of Biden electors from Pennsylvania and other states on Jan. 6. To force a two-hour debate on a state’s electors, any senator must also sign paperwork formally objecting.
Preventing a state’s electoral votes from counting requires a majority vote in both chambers — something that is also extraordinarily unlikely.
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“Pennsylvania has probably had the most political and legal controversy in this election,” Muller said. “But it’s pretty low in the alphabet.”


mercurynews--2020-12-12--Raiders’ Jeff Heath to I.R., Vic Beasley, Chris Smith up from practice squad

The Raiders placed safety Jeff Heath on injured reserve Saturday , meaning he ’ ll miss at least the next three games after a concussion against the New York Jets .
In other transactions , defensive end Vic Beasley and defensive end/tackle Chris Smith were activated from the practice squad and will be available when the Raiders host the Indianapolis Colts Sunday at Allegiant Stadium .
Heath , signed in the offseason from the Dallas Cowboys , leads the Raiders with three interceptions .
One of them cam in a 40-32 Week 5 win against the Kansas City Chiefs against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards to set up a touchdown .
It is one of the only two interceptions Mahomes has thrown this season , with Trayvon Mullen having the other in the Chiefs ’ 35-31 win on Nov. 22 .
Heath also had two interceptions in a Raiders win over Denver on Nov. 15 on a day they had five takeaways .
Against the Jets , Heath led the Raiders with seven tackles .
He left the game with 10:22 to play on a tackle attempt of Jets quarterback Sam Darnold at the goal line .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ He had already been ruled out of the Colts game because of the concussion , as was cornerback Damon Arnette .
The Raiders are expecting Johnathan Abram to return to the lineup at safety after missing the Jets game with a knee injury , with Erik Harris also starting .
Beasley made his Raiders debut against the Jets with eight snaps .
Smith has been a frequent activation from the practice squad , having played in five games .
• Raiders ’ moment of truth — Colts provide the test to see if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Waller has the NFL abuzz for his receiving skills , but all-around game has made him special

The Raiders placed safety Jeff Heath on injured reserve Saturday, meaning he’ll miss at least the next three games after a concussion against the New York Jets.
In other transactions, defensive end Vic Beasley and defensive end/tackle Chris Smith were activated from the practice squad and will be available when the Raiders host the Indianapolis Colts Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.
Heath, signed in the offseason from the Dallas Cowboys, leads the Raiders with three interceptions. One of them cam in a 40-32 Week 5 win against the Kansas City Chiefs against Patrick Mahomes. Heath returned it 47 yards to set up a touchdown. It is one of the only two interceptions Mahomes has thrown this season, with Trayvon Mullen having the other in the Chiefs’ 35-31 win on Nov. 22.
Heath also had two interceptions in a Raiders win over Denver on Nov. 15 on a day they had five takeaways.
Against the Jets, Heath led the Raiders with seven tackles. He left the game with 10:22 to play on a tackle attempt of Jets quarterback Sam Darnold at the goal line. Darnold scored on a 4-yard run. He had already been ruled out of the Colts game because of the concussion, as was cornerback Damon Arnette.
The Raiders are expecting Johnathan Abram to return to the lineup at safety after missing the Jets game with a knee injury, with Erik Harris also starting.
Beasley made his Raiders debut against the Jets with eight snaps. Smith has been a frequent activation from the practice squad, having played in five games.


mercurynews--2020-12-13--Nocera: Facebook has only itself to blame for drastic remedy

In 2012 , when Instagram was 2 years old , with 13 employees and no obvious path to profitability , Zuckerberg knew that the fast-growing photo app was a potential threat to Facebook Inc. ’ s social media dominance .
“ Instagram can hurt us , ” he wrote in an email .
In an internal discussion about whether to buy Instagram — and other startups that might one day pose a threat to Facebook ’ s social media monopoly — he added , “ The basic plan would be to buy these companies and leave their products running while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve invented into our core products.
” Kevin Systrom , Instagram ’ s co-founder , knew something , too .
He knew that angering Zuckerberg might cause the “ wrath of Mark ” to come down on his still-fragile company and cause Facebook ’ s founder to go into “ destroy mode , ” as he put it in a text message to one of Instagram ’ s early investors .
Yes , Instagram might one day become a significant competitor to Facebook — but it was also possible that Facebook would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the startup out of business .
So in April 2012 , when Zuckerberg offered to pay $ 1 billion for the company , Systrom and the Instagram board said yes .
But when it sought to get the deal approved by the Federal Trade Commission in the U.S. and the Office of Fair Trading in the U.K. , Facebook argued with a straight face that there was plenty of competition from other photo apps like Camera Awesome .
And the two government agencies were also convinced that because Instagram had no revenue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaningfully add to its market share .
The two regulators took only four months to approve the deal .
But of course they didn ’ t know what Zuckerberg and Systrom knew .
On Wednesday afternoon , the FTC and 48 attorneys general filed dual antitrust suits designed to undo the merger of Facebook and Instagram — as well as Facebook ’ s takeover of WhatsApp , another potential rival that it bought in 2014 for a staggering $ 19 billion .
( WhatsApp also had no revenue and 55 employees at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a radical proposition — the U.S. government hasn ’ t contemplated breaking up a company since the Justice Department sued Microsoft in 1998 .
But I ’ ve long believed that there is simply no other way to curb Facebook ’ s immense monopoly power .
In the attorneys general complaint , the plaintiffs contend that Facebook employs a “ buy-or-bury strategy that thwarts competition and harms both users and advertisers.
” One would be hard pressed to disagree .
Venture capitalists are so fearful of Facebook ’ s ruthless tactics they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zuckerberg might view as competition , no matter how insignificant .
Thus is innovation stifled , as is competition itself .
As a result , the plaintiffs contend , social media consumers don ’ t have legitimate choices .
If they don ’ t like Facebook ’ s privacy policies , or if they want fewer ads , or are offended by Facebook ’ s unwillingness to face squarely the amount of disinformation on its platform , what are their options ?
Move to Instagram ?
Or WhatsApp ?
They are still in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still use their data to make oodles of money .
Zuckerberg has apologized a dozen times or more for some Facebook missteps and promised to do better .
Nothing much changes .
Facebook agreed to a settlement with the FTC in 2012 over what the agency called “ privacy-related violations ” — and then had to pay a $ 5 billion fine seven years later for violating the terms of that settlement .
One reason to break up Facebook is that less onerous remedies have simply failed to make a difference .
Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t take government mandates seriously .
As the economist Hal Singer put it in a tweet soon after the complaint was filed , “ There is no injunctive or behavioral cure that can remedy this mess .
Facebook ’ s anticompetitive conduct defies traditional ( regulatory ) approaches.
” The second reason to break up Facebook is that it is the only way to create competition in the social media business — and to create it instantly .
Instagram now has more than 1 billion monthly active users .
WhatsApp has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s more , before Facebook bought them , the two companies had much different approaches to matters such as privacy and even profitability .
For instance , WhatsApp ’ s chief executive officer , Jan Koum , left Facebook in 2018 after a “ clash over data , ” as The Washington Post put it at the time .
Koum had long kept the data of WhatsApp users private , but Zuckerberg had decided the time had come for Facebook to start monetizing it .
A WhatsApp that was divorced from Facebook might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook ’ s data practices .
Indeed , that ’ s what it was before it was acquired in 2014 .
The same could be true of Instagram .
They wouldn ’ t compete with Facebook on price , obviously , but on all the other things social media users care about .
It ’ s no secret that government antitrust cases are difficult to win in court , where judges have heavily favored consolidation in recent decades .
Facebook will argue — as it already has — that it won government approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Years after the FTC cleared our acquisitions , the government now wants a do-over , ” the company said in a tweet .
But reducing Facebook ’ s power is one of the few issues that Republicans and Democrats agree on , and as my colleague Tae Kim notes , David Cicilline , the chair of the House antitrust subcommittee , would be well served to craft a bill that would make it easier to curb the power of the big technology companies , starting with Facebook .
As for the antitrust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t just the right solution , it ’ s the only solution .

Mark Zuckerberg always knew.
In 2012, when Instagram was 2 years old, with 13 employees and no obvious path to profitability, Zuckerberg knew that the fast-growing photo app was a potential threat to Facebook Inc.’s social media dominance. “Instagram can hurt us,” he wrote in an email. In an internal discussion about whether to buy Instagram — and other startups that might one day pose a threat to Facebook’s social media monopoly — he added, “The basic plan would be to buy these companies and leave their products running while over time incorporating the social dynamics they’ve invented into our core products.”
Kevin Systrom, Instagram’s co-founder, knew something, too. He knew that angering Zuckerberg might cause the “wrath of Mark” to come down on his still-fragile company and cause Facebook’s founder to go into “destroy mode,” as he put it in a text message to one of Instagram’s early investors. Yes, Instagram might one day become a significant competitor to Facebook — but it was also possible that Facebook would clone Instagram’s technology and put the startup out of business. So in April 2012, when Zuckerberg offered to pay $1 billion for the company, Systrom and the Instagram board said yes.
But when it sought to get the deal approved by the Federal Trade Commission in the U.S. and the Office of Fair Trading in the U.K., Facebook argued with a straight face that there was plenty of competition from other photo apps like Camera Awesome. And the two government agencies were also convinced that because Instagram had no revenue, a merger with Facebook wouldn’t meaningfully add to its market share. The two regulators took only four months to approve the deal. But of course they didn’t know what Zuckerberg and Systrom knew.
On Wednesday afternoon, the FTC and 48 attorneys general filed dual antitrust suits designed to undo the merger of Facebook and Instagram — as well as Facebook’s takeover of WhatsApp, another potential rival that it bought in 2014 for a staggering $19 billion. (WhatsApp also had no revenue and 55 employees at the time Facebook bought it.)
This is a radical proposition — the U.S. government hasn’t contemplated breaking up a company since the Justice Department sued Microsoft in 1998. But I’ve long believed that there is simply no other way to curb Facebook’s immense monopoly power.
In the attorneys general complaint, the plaintiffs contend that Facebook employs a “buy-or-bury strategy that thwarts competition and harms both users and advertisers.” One would be hard pressed to disagree. Venture capitalists are so fearful of Facebook’s ruthless tactics they simply won’t fund startups that Zuckerberg might view as competition, no matter how insignificant. Thus is innovation stifled, as is competition itself.
As a result, the plaintiffs contend, social media consumers don’t have legitimate choices. If they don’t like Facebook’s privacy policies, or if they want fewer ads, or are offended by Facebook’s unwillingness to face squarely the amount of disinformation on its platform, what are their options? Move to Instagram? Or WhatsApp? They are still in Facebook’s universe, which can still use their data to make oodles of money.
Zuckerberg has apologized a dozen times or more for some Facebook missteps and promised to do better. Nothing much changes. Facebook agreed to a settlement with the FTC in 2012 over what the agency called “privacy-related violations” — and then had to pay a $5 billion fine seven years later for violating the terms of that settlement. One reason to break up Facebook is that less onerous remedies have simply failed to make a difference. Facebook has proved again and again that it doesn’t take government mandates seriously.
As the economist Hal Singer put it in a tweet soon after the complaint was filed, “There is no injunctive or behavioral cure that can remedy this mess. Facebook’s anticompetitive conduct defies traditional (regulatory) approaches.”
The second reason to break up Facebook is that it is the only way to create competition in the social media business — and to create it instantly. Instagram now has more than 1 billion monthly active users. WhatsApp has more than 1.6 billion. What’s more, before Facebook bought them, the two companies had much different approaches to matters such as privacy and even profitability.
For instance, WhatsApp’s chief executive officer, Jan Koum, left Facebook in 2018 after a “clash over data,” as The Washington Post put it at the time. Koum had long kept the data of WhatsApp users private, but Zuckerberg had decided the time had come for Facebook to start monetizing it. A WhatsApp that was divorced from Facebook might well establish itself as an alternative to Facebook’s data practices. Indeed, that’s what it was before it was acquired in 2014. The same could be true of Instagram. They wouldn’t compete with Facebook on price, obviously, but on all the other things social media users care about.
It’s no secret that government antitrust cases are difficult to win in court, where judges have heavily favored consolidation in recent decades. Facebook will argue — as it already has — that it won government approval of the deals fair and square. “Years after the FTC cleared our acquisitions, the government now wants a do-over,” the company said in a tweet.
But reducing Facebook’s power is one of the few issues that Republicans and Democrats agree on, and as my colleague Tae Kim notes, David Cicilline, the chair of the House antitrust subcommittee, would be well served to craft a bill that would make it easier to curb the power of the big technology companies, starting with Facebook.
As for the antitrust suits, breaking up Facebook isn’t just the right solution, it’s the only solution.
Joe Nocera is a Bloomberg columnist. ©2020 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-12-13--Rubin: How Chris Coons hopes to cure congressional paralysis

When 18 Republican attorneys general back President Donald Trump ’ s latest ludicrous Supreme Court try to overturn the election , it ’ s hard to foresee any GOP cooperation with a Biden presidency .
When leading GOP senators stay mum on Trump ’ s fake fraud claims and his fans ’ threats of violence , with tongues frozen by fear of the president and his followers , it ’ s hard to imagine bipartisanship in Congress .
Yet President-elect Joe Biden has made bipartisan outreach his motto .
His calls to heal the country ’ s bitter partisan divide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And Biden knows that little congressional work will get done with a slim Democratic margin in the House and a closely divided Senate unless there is some cross-party cooperation .
So a key to Biden ’ s legislative agenda will be Sen. Chris Coons , D-Del.
, a close ally for decades , who has spent the last decade cultivating relationships with Senate Republicans , out of a sincere belief that this is the only way government can function .
The news website Politico labeled Coons “ Biden ’ s ambassador to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find GOP partners could be critical on many domestic and foreign issues .
So watch Coons ’ progress closely to gauge whether enough legislators finally realize that — to paraphrase Lincoln for our times — a country bitterly divided can not stand .
“ It ’ s going to be very difficult , ” Coons told me by phone , referring to the odds for cross-party action .
But the Delaware Democrat , ( who holds Biden ’ s old seat ) is unflagging .
He is also smart , thoughtful and straightforward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in ethics from Yale Divinity School .
( Ethics and law : How blissfully old-fashioned to think of those two words in the same sentence . )
“ A number of GOP senators I have talked with , including Pennsylvania ’ s Sen. ( Pat ) Toomey , talk about how frustrated we are , ” Coons continued .
“ The work of the legislature has ground to a halt .
This is a bipartisan concern .
A group of us are pressing our leaders.
” Behind the scenes , there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than may be apparent in TrumpTimes .
Coons has tried to have dinner with incoming new GOP senators .
He asks his staff to look for areas of common interest with GOP legislators for possible legislation .
He is warmly regarded by many Republican colleagues , some of whom called and asked him to congratulate Biden after the election because they couldn ’ t do it publicly .
The senator talked of working with Sen .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on the First Step Act , a bipartisan effort to reform the criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Outdoors Act , to help maintain our public lands .
He can imagine such cross-party cooperation on aspects of climate change and global food security .
And there is room for cooperation on international recovery from the pandemic .
“ Senator Coons is a friend and a good colleague , ” Sen. Toomey told me via email , recalling how he worked with Coons on a bill to improve the firearm background check system .
“ He understands that progress can generally only be achieved through bipartisan cooperation in the Senate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share a goal of restoring normal legislative activity on the Senate floor , which could help in lessening the current partisan divide.
” Moreover , Coons ’ foreign policy expertise ( he was seriously considered by Biden for secretary of state ) , and work as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , has put him in close touch with many GOP counterparts .
He has traveled the world with South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham .
He talks regularly with Utah Sen. Mitt Romney in the climate caucus .
North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the human rights caucus .
Of course , one has to ask whether these friendships can translate into real progress on domestic or foreign issues , especially if Trump is still sniping from the sidelines after he leaves office .
Even now , as a bipartisan senatorial group , Coons included , has been working hard on a compromise stimulus package , McConnell has blocked them .
And although Biden has a longtime close relationship with McConnell , relying on the future cooperation of the majority leader is a dubious bet .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I wouldn ’ t shy from putting my money on Coons ’ bipartisan strategy — and Biden ’ s .
One main reason Biden won is that so many voters were fed up with political divisions and gravitated towards his message of healing .
His popularity will grow if his excellent coronavirus team can mange the pandemic and vaccine distribution in ways Trump never bothered to plan .
Senators from the heartland ignore this reality at their peril .
The issues of most concern to Americans — control of the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without bipartisan efforts .
So too , the country can ’ t address its major foreign policy challenges , from China policy to trade to climate change , without cross the aisle cooperation .
( And cooperation between wings of the Democratic Party . )
No matter who wins the two senatorial seats in the Georgia runoff election , the Congress will remain too divided to operate under control of one party .
The GOP senators who call Coons privately know that .
Unless he , and others like him , can lift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will all lose big .
Trudy Rubin is a columnist for the The Philadelphia Inquirer .
©2020 The Philadelphia Inquirer .
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency , LLC .

When 18 Republican attorneys general back President Donald Trump’s latest ludicrous Supreme Court try to overturn the election, it’s hard to foresee any GOP cooperation with a Biden presidency.
When leading GOP senators stay mum on Trump’s fake fraud claims and his fans’ threats of violence, with tongues frozen by fear of the president and his followers, it’s hard to imagine bipartisanship in Congress.
Yet President-elect Joe Biden has made bipartisan outreach his motto. His calls to heal the country’s bitter partisan divide were a key reason for his victory. And Biden knows that little congressional work will get done with a slim Democratic margin in the House and a closely divided Senate unless there is some cross-party cooperation.
So a key to Biden’s legislative agenda will be Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., a close ally for decades, who has spent the last decade cultivating relationships with Senate Republicans, out of a sincere belief that this is the only way government can function. The news website Politico labeled Coons “Biden’s ambassador to the GOP.” His unflagging efforts to find GOP partners could be critical on many domestic and foreign issues.
So watch Coons’ progress closely to gauge whether enough legislators finally realize that — to paraphrase Lincoln for our times — a country bitterly divided cannot stand.
“It’s going to be very difficult,” Coons told me by phone, referring to the odds for cross-party action.
But the Delaware Democrat, (who holds Biden’s old seat) is unflagging. He is also smart, thoughtful and straightforward, with simultaneous Yale degrees in law and in ethics from Yale Divinity School. (Ethics and law: How blissfully old-fashioned to think of those two words in the same sentence.)
“A number of GOP senators I have talked with, including Pennsylvania’s Sen. (Pat) Toomey, talk about how frustrated we are,” Coons continued. “The work of the legislature has ground to a halt. This is a bipartisan concern. A group of us are pressing our leaders.”
Behind the scenes, there is more contact between senators from both parties than may be apparent in TrumpTimes. Coons has tried to have dinner with incoming new GOP senators. He asks his staff to look for areas of common interest with GOP legislators for possible legislation. He is warmly regarded by many Republican colleagues, some of whom called and asked him to congratulate Biden after the election because they couldn’t do it publicly.
The senator talked of working with Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on the First Step Act, a bipartisan effort to reform the criminal justice system, and on the Great American Outdoors Act, to help maintain our public lands. He can imagine such cross-party cooperation on aspects of climate change and global food security. And there is room for cooperation on international recovery from the pandemic.
“Senator Coons is a friend and a good colleague,” Sen. Toomey told me via email, recalling how he worked with Coons on a bill to improve the firearm background check system. “He understands that progress can generally only be achieved through bipartisan cooperation in the Senate,” Toomey added. “We also share a goal of restoring normal legislative activity on the Senate floor, which could help in lessening the current partisan divide.”
Moreover, Coons’ foreign policy expertise (he was seriously considered by Biden for secretary of state), and work as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has put him in close touch with many GOP counterparts. He has traveled the world with South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham. He talks regularly with Utah Sen. Mitt Romney in the climate caucus. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis is his co-chair in the human rights caucus.
Of course, one has to ask whether these friendships can translate into real progress on domestic or foreign issues, especially if Trump is still sniping from the sidelines after he leaves office. Even now, as a bipartisan senatorial group, Coons included, has been working hard on a compromise stimulus package, McConnell has blocked them.
And although Biden has a longtime close relationship with McConnell, relying on the future cooperation of the majority leader is a dubious bet.
However, if I were a betting woman, I wouldn’t shy from putting my money on Coons’ bipartisan strategy — and Biden’s. One main reason Biden won is that so many voters were fed up with political divisions and gravitated towards his message of healing. His popularity will grow if his excellent coronavirus team can mange the pandemic and vaccine distribution in ways Trump never bothered to plan.
Senators from the heartland ignore this reality at their peril. The issues of most concern to Americans — control of the virus, economic recovery and jobs — will fester without bipartisan efforts. So too, the country can’t address its major foreign policy challenges, from China policy to trade to climate change, without cross the aisle cooperation. (And cooperation between wings of the Democratic Party.)
No matter who wins the two senatorial seats in the Georgia runoff election, the Congress will remain too divided to operate under control of one party. The GOP senators who call Coons privately know that. Unless he, and others like him, can lift the Trumpian stigma attached to bipartisanship, we will all lose big.
Trudy Rubin is a columnist for the The Philadelphia Inquirer. ©2020 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-12-13--Skelton: In Becerra, Biden picked a team player who knows how to fight

In Xavier Becerra , President-elect Joe Biden is getting a team player , savvy politician and competent manager — who excels at being in the right place at the right time .
He ’ s also a truly nice guy who won ’ t be an administration troublemaker , but he can be tough in a fight .
And he ’ s Washington-ready , not a naive outsider who needs D.C. training wheels .
But , unlike many in politics , he ’ s not a media-seeking grandstander .
The California attorney general is unquestionably a liberal , but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allege .
Becerra once said he supported “ Medicare for All.
” But what does that mean ?
Leftists who advocate for that don ’ t mean real Medicare , which is supplemented with private insurance .
They want government-only medical coverage .
Becerra has said he favors Biden ’ s more moderate , practical proposal to expand the Affordable Care Act — Obamacare — with a “ public option ” of government-funded insurance .
That ’ s just one of the complicated , heated battles Becerra will face as Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a snake pit of programs that attract fiercely competing interests and ideologies and can overwhelm someone trying to lead it .
The sprawling agency spends more than $ 1.4 trillion annually and is responsible for the health coverage of more than 100 million Americans , mostly through Medicare and Medicaid .
Becerra , 62 , seems up to the job based on his four-year tenure as California ’ s “ top cop ” running a large bureaucracy and 12 terms previously as a U.S. House member representing Central Los Angeles .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maneuver Obamacare through the House .
The son of working-class Mexican immigrants , he would be the first Latino U.S. health secretary if confirmed by the Senate .
He also was California ’ s first Latino attorney general .
It was a smart move by Biden to settle on Becerra for the job after two earlier potential nominees botched their chances to become prestigious cabinet members .
New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham , a co-chair of Biden ’ s transition team , was eager to run HHS , according to published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead and turned it down , upsetting the president-elect ’ s top advisers .
She wound up getting nothing so far .
Rhode Island Gov .
Gina Raimondo was about to be offered the HHS job , according to news reports .
But she has kids in school and wasn ’ t keen on moving to Washington .
She also fretted about turf — how much of a role she ’ d have in fighting the pandemic and vaccinating Americans .
So , the governor publicly announced she didn ’ t want the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Becerra , who had already been vetted and was on the short list for U.S. attorney general .
Becerra didn ’ t hesitate .
He jumped at the offer , realizing that an opportunity to become a Cabinet secretary is usually a once-in-a-lifetime priceless gift .
You ’ re powerful and treated like royalty , especially as a top player in a new administration .
You don ’ t get choosy about the job or fight over turf before you ’ re even nominated .
Biden showed strength in sticking to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preferences of the two governors .
Becerra was in the right place at the right time — as he was in 2016 when then-Gov .
Jerry Brown selected him to fill the attorney general post being vacated by Kamala Harris .
Harris had just been elected to the U.S. Senate , an office she would use as a springboard to vice president-elect .
Right before the 2016 general election , Becerra was in Sacramento campaigning for two congressional candidates .
At a reception , he ran into a former Washington acquaintance : the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top aide .
They talked for a long while .
Harris seemed a cinch to win the Senate seat , and Brown hadn ’ t decided on a replacement .
McFadden started thinking : “ What about Xavier ?
” McFadden suggested Becerra to Brown , who was impressed with the congressman ’ s resume and political smarts , she told me later .
The governor talked with Becerra on the phone and offered him the job .
“ It wasn ’ t a hard decision , ” she said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lots of sense for the Democrat to give up his House seat and return to his hometown of Sacramento to become state attorney general .
Donald Trump had been elected president , and Republicans would control both houses of Congress .
Becerra probably caught Biden ’ s eye by filing more than 100 federal lawsuits against the Trump administration over , you name it : the administration ’ s attempts to scuttle Obamacare , its anti-immigration policies , efforts to undermine California ’ s environmental protections and weaken the state ’ s attempts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been steadily winning in court .
Critics thought he was too obsessed with suing Trump .
“ We don ’ t wake up looking to pick a fight , but when the Trump administration threatens our people , values and resources , we ’ re ready , ” Becerra has said .
Becerra has also been criticized by many Republicans for writing official titles and summaries of ballot propositions with a Democratic bias .
And they ’ re right .
Chalk it up to his being a party team player .
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ select Becerra to replace Harris as senator .
But that wasn ’ t going to happen .
And Becerra wasn ’ t even campaigning for the Senate seat .
He assumed — most likely correctly — that it will go to Secretary of State Alex Padilla , a longtime Newsom loyalist .
Maybe Becerra ’ s first task now should be to teach his future boss to pronounce his name .
Biden butchered it twice introducing his new nominee to a national TV audience .

In Xavier Becerra, President-elect Joe Biden is getting a team player, savvy politician and competent manager — who excels at being in the right place at the right time.
He’s also a truly nice guy who won’t be an administration troublemaker, but he can be tough in a fight.
And he’s Washington-ready, not a naive outsider who needs D.C. training wheels.
But, unlike many in politics, he’s not a media-seeking grandstander.
The California attorney general is unquestionably a liberal, but not a far-left radical as some Senate Republicans allege.
Becerra once said he supported “Medicare for All.” But what does that mean? Leftists who advocate for that don’t mean real Medicare, which is supplemented with private insurance. They want government-only medical coverage.
Becerra has said he favors Biden’s more moderate, practical proposal to expand the Affordable Care Act — Obamacare — with a “public option” of government-funded insurance.
That’s just one of the complicated, heated battles Becerra will face as Biden’s secretary of Health and Human Services, a snake pit of programs that attract fiercely competing interests and ideologies and can overwhelm someone trying to lead it.
The sprawling agency spends more than $1.4 trillion annually and is responsible for the health coverage of more than 100 million Americans, mostly through Medicare and Medicaid.
Becerra, 62, seems up to the job based on his four-year tenure as California’s “top cop” running a large bureaucracy and 12 terms previously as a U.S. House member representing Central Los Angeles. He was chairman of the Democratic Caucus and helped maneuver Obamacare through the House.
The son of working-class Mexican immigrants, he would be the first Latino U.S. health secretary if confirmed by the Senate. He also was California’s first Latino attorney general.
It was a smart move by Biden to settle on Becerra for the job after two earlier potential nominees botched their chances to become prestigious cabinet members.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a co-chair of Biden’s transition team, was eager to run HHS, according to published reports. She was offered Interior secretary instead and turned it down, upsetting the president-elect’s top advisers. She wound up getting nothing so far.
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo was about to be offered the HHS job, according to news reports. But she has kids in school and wasn’t keen on moving to Washington. She also fretted about turf — how much of a role she’d have in fighting the pandemic and vaccinating Americans. So, the governor publicly announced she didn’t want the job.
The Biden team quickly turned to Becerra, who had already been vetted and was on the short list for U.S. attorney general.
Becerra didn’t hesitate. He jumped at the offer, realizing that an opportunity to become a Cabinet secretary is usually a once-in-a-lifetime priceless gift. You’re powerful and treated like royalty, especially as a top player in a new administration. You don’t get choosy about the job or fight over turf before you’re even nominated.
Biden showed strength in sticking to his guns and not giving in to the preferences of the two governors.
Becerra was in the right place at the right time — as he was in 2016 when then-Gov. Jerry Brown selected him to fill the attorney general post being vacated by Kamala Harris. Harris had just been elected to the U.S. Senate, an office she would use as a springboard to vice president-elect.
Right before the 2016 general election, Becerra was in Sacramento campaigning for two congressional candidates. At a reception, he ran into a former Washington acquaintance: the late Nancy McFadden, Brown’s top aide. They talked for a long while. Harris seemed a cinch to win the Senate seat, and Brown hadn’t decided on a replacement. McFadden started thinking: “What about Xavier?”
McFadden suggested Becerra to Brown, who was impressed with the congressman’s resume and political smarts, she told me later. The governor talked with Becerra on the phone and offered him the job.
“It wasn’t a hard decision,” she said. “It just made sense.”
It also made lots of sense for the Democrat to give up his House seat and return to his hometown of Sacramento to become state attorney general. Donald Trump had been elected president, and Republicans would control both houses of Congress.
Becerra probably caught Biden’s eye by filing more than 100 federal lawsuits against the Trump administration over, you name it: the administration’s attempts to scuttle Obamacare, its anti-immigration policies, efforts to undermine California’s environmental protections and weaken the state’s attempts to fight climate change.
Becerra has been steadily winning in court.
Critics thought he was too obsessed with suing Trump.
“We don’t wake up looking to pick a fight, but when the Trump administration threatens our people, values and resources, we’re ready,” Becerra has said.
Becerra has also been criticized by many Republicans for writing official titles and summaries of ballot propositions with a Democratic bias. And they’re right. Chalk it up to his being a party team player.
There was speculation that Gov. Gavin Newsom might select Becerra to replace Harris as senator. But that wasn’t going to happen. And Becerra wasn’t even campaigning for the Senate seat. He assumed — most likely correctly — that it will go to Secretary of State Alex Padilla, a longtime Newsom loyalist.
Maybe Becerra’s first task now should be to teach his future boss to pronounce his name. Biden butchered it twice introducing his new nominee to a national TV audience.
George Skelton is a Los Angeles Times columnist.


mercurynews--2020-12-13--Undercover cops dressed as Santa and his elf fight crime at a California shopping center

Cops dressed as Santa Claus and his elf jumped into action when they saw car being stolen , said police in Riverside , California .
The undercover police officer and detective were outside a busy shopping center on Thursday as part of a holiday enforcement program when they saw three men in the process of stealing a Honda CR-V in the parking lot , according to a post on the Riverside Police Department ’ s Facebook page .
Two suspects ran when they saw the police but were quickly apprehended , according to the post .
Police video of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costume ordering one of the suspects to get on his knees at gunpoint .
A second suspect resisted arrest , according to police , before the detective dressed as Santa rushed over to help .
“ Get him Santa , ” someone yelled off camera as he grabbed the suspect from behind and forced him on the ground .
One of the suspects was identified and later released and the second was arrested for possession of illegal drugs and resisting arrest , police said .
The third suspect was able to drive away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said they have identified the third suspect and will arrest him on car theft charges in the near future .
• Photos : Bay Area worshipers celebrate feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe • Disneyland resort will close on Christmas Day for first time in decades The police were at the shopping center as part of a program to crackdown on retail theft .
They arrested three people , including a woman , who allegedly walked out of the story with a cart full of merchandise and a man accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
A police spokesman said it was the first time the department has used an undercover Santa .

Cops dressed as Santa Claus and his elf jumped into action when they saw car being stolen, said police in Riverside, California.
The undercover police officer and detective were outside a busy shopping center on Thursday as part of a holiday enforcement program when they saw three men in the process of stealing a Honda CR-V in the parking lot, according to a post on the Riverside Police Department’s Facebook page.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Ho-Ho-Ho, you’re busted: Santa Claus tackles car-theft suspect in Southern California Two suspects ran when they saw the police but were quickly apprehended, according to the post.
Police video of the incident showed the officer in his elf costume ordering one of the suspects to get on his knees at gunpoint.
A second suspect resisted arrest, according to police, before the detective dressed as Santa rushed over to help.
“Get him Santa,” someone yelled off camera as he grabbed the suspect from behind and forced him on the ground.
One of the suspects was identified and later released and the second was arrested for possession of illegal drugs and resisting arrest, police said.
The third suspect was able to drive away in the SUV and abandoned it nearby.
Police said they have identified the third suspect and will arrest him on car theft charges in the near future.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Disneyland is already decking the halls for the Christmas holiday season
Disneyland is already decking the halls for the Christmas holiday season Crime and Public Safety | Grammy-winning pop act sets Christmas concert tour with 2 California stops The police were at the shopping center as part of a program to crackdown on retail theft.
They arrested three people, including a woman, who allegedly walked out of the story with a cart full of merchandise and a man accused of stealing expensive Lego sets worth $1,000, police said.
A police spokesman said it was the first time the department has used an undercover Santa.
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mercurynews--2020-12-13--Task force: Stolen packages found under California woman’s Christmas tree

Riverside County law enforcement officers arrested a woman on Thursday , Dec. 10 , who was suspected of stealing packages @ @ @ @ @ Menifee and San Jacinto areas .
Some of the packages , the task force said @ @ @ @ @ presents underneath her Christmas tree .
The sweep by a coalition of five Riverside County @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement agencies was coincidentally titled Operation Santa ’ s List .
Officers performed probation @ @ @ @ @ patrols and served arrest warrants .
Illegal drugs , firearms and ammunition were seized , @ @ @ @ @ , the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley gang task force commander .
The operation netted 24 arrests @ @ @ @ @ was found in possession of several checkbooks , cowboy boots , $ 1,000 in gold @ @ @ @ @ said they believe were stolen .
The woman with the packages was arrested after officers @ @ @ @ @ believed to be involved in thefts and compared her to images posted on social media @ @ @ @

Riverside County law enforcement officers arrested a woman on Thursday, Dec. 10, who was suspected of stealing packages from outside homes in the Menifee and San Jacinto areas.
Some of the packages, the task force said, were found wrapped as presents underneath her Christmas tree.
The sweep by a coalition of five Riverside County gang task forces encompassing 25 law enforcement agencies was coincidentally titled Operation Santa’s List. Officers performed probation compliance checks, did saturation patrols and served arrest warrants. Illegal drugs, firearms and ammunition were seized, said Sgt. Bob Nishida, the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley gang task force commander.
The operation netted 24 arrests, including a driver who was found in possession of several checkbooks, cowboy boots, $1,000 in gold coins and electronics that police said they believe were stolen.
The woman with the packages was arrested after officers recognized her car as one believed to be involved in thefts and compared her to images posted on social media, Nishida said.


mercurynews--2020-12-13--The 30 retailers and restaurant chains that filed for bankruptcy in 2020

There ’ s no way to sugarcoat it : 2020 was a brutal year for restaurants and stores .
The pandemic , massive amounts of debt and a shift in shopping as well as dining habits created a lethal cocktail of bankruptcies and closures .
New data from Coresight Research reveals American retailers have announced 8,400 closures this year .
Ascena Retail closed the most locations , at nearly 1,200 .
Coresight anticipates closures will snowball and set a new record this year , breaking the 2019 record of 9,302 closures tracked by the firm .
Business is equally bleak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 % of the country ’ s restaurants — roughly 110,000 — have permanently closed this year , with thousands more on the brink according to a recent National Restaurant Association report .
With lockdowns devastating retail and restaurants — many of which that were already in deep trouble , dozens declared bankruptcy this year .
Papyrus : The mall staple best known for selling stationery and upscale greeting cards went out of business , resulting in the closure of more than 250 stores across the US and Canada .
Papyrus blamed an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brick-and-mortar shopping and its inability to recover fully from the 2008 financial crisis .
Bar Louie : It was last call for about half of the 90 US locations of the casual restaurant chain , which is best known for its happy hour deals .
The chain filed for Chapter 11 and came to an agreement with its lenders to purchase the chain through a bankruptcy sale .
Krystal : In its bankruptcy filing , the 88-year-old fast food chain blamed several contributing factors including increased competition , shifting consumer tastes and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerged from bankruptcy in May .
Pier 1 Imports : The home goods retailer filed for bankruptcy , following years of decline because of online competition and big-box chains .
Pier 1 , which once had more than 1,000 locations , cultimately closed all of its locations .
In July , the brand name was purchased by an investment firm and will relaunch it as an online-only store .
Modell ’ s Sporting Goods : The family-owned chain founded in 1889 , was known best for selling local teams ’ jerseys and equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in permanent closure all of its 153 stores , primarily in the northeast .
The same company that bought Pier 1 also bought Modell ’ s brand name in August for an online store .
True Religion : Temporary store closures and the work-from-home trend took its toll on the denim retailer .
True Religion emerged from bankruptcy in October , and it managed to slashed its debt but closed dozens of locations .
J.Crew Group : The preppy retailer , which operates the J.Crew and Madewell brands , became the first national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the pandemic forced a wave of temporary store closures .
It exited bankruptcy in September with a smaller debt load and named a new CEO — its third in three years — in November .
Neiman Marcus : The 113-year-old upscale department store was hit especially hard by the nation working from home .
It emerged from bankruptcy in September with billions of dollars less in debt and five fewer stores , including its flashy Hudson Yards stores that opened in New York City in 2019 .
JCPenney : The pandemic was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling to overcome a decade of bad decisions , executive instability and damaging market trends .
JCPenney shuttered about a third of its stores .
The company was rescued in December by mall owners Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management , which bought JCPenney out of bankruptcy .
Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes : Covid-19 was a brutal blow for all-you-can-eat buffets , especially for this restaurant chain .
It announced the closure of all of its 97 US restaurants and liquidated its assets .
Tuesday Morning : Another discount home goods retailer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that the prolonged store closures caused an “ insurmountable financial hurdle.
” The Dallas-based chain permanently closed approximately 230 of its nearly 700 US stores in cities where “ too many locations are in close proximity.
” GNC : The 85-year-old vitamin and dietary supplement company closed about 1,200 stores as part of its bankruptcy .
GNC has has been saddled with nearly $ 1 billion of debt and has faced declining sales at its brick-and-mortar locations since before the pandemic .
It ’ s in the process of selling itself to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prolonged closures and stay-at-home orders was particularly damaging to Chuck E. Cheese ’ s parent company .
CEC , which also owns Peter Piper Pizza , is using Chapter 11 protection to “ achieve a comprehensive balance sheet restructuring that supports its re-opening and longer-term strategic plans.
” NPC International : The name of this huge franchisee might not sound familiar , but the stores it operates certainly have name recognition : 1,200 Pizza Hut and 400 Wendy ’ s restaurants throughout the United States .
The company blamed its debt load of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising labor and food costs for the bankruptcy .
Weeks later , NPC announced that up to 300 of its Pizza Hut locations will close .
Brooks Brothers : The 200-year-old menswear retailer , which has dressed 40 US presidents and unofficially became the outfitter of Wall Street bankers , filed for bankruptcy .
The privately held company had been struggling as business attire grew more casual in recent years and was especially damaged by the pandemic , which sent demand for suits plummeting .
The brand was bought in September by Simon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 50-year-old purveyor of upscale kitchenware filed for bankruptcy , resulting in the closure of roughly half of its 120 US stores .
Sur La Table was sold for $ 90 million August to an investment firm .
Muji USA : The US arm of the Japanese retailer entered bankruptcy and closed a “ small number ” of its locations .
Muji is using the process to emerge with a renewed focus on online sales .
Lucky Brand : The once-trendy denim company filed for bankruptcy , explaining in a release that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all channels.
” Lucky Brand will immediately close 13 of its roughly 200 stores in North America , which are mostly in malls .
It sold itself to SPARC Group , the owner of Nautica and Aéropostale , in August .
RTW Retailwinds : The owner of women ’ s retailer New York & Co. filed in mid-July .
RTW Retailwinds , which has nearly 400 stores and 5,000 employees , closed hundreds of its locations .
It blamed its collapse on the “ challenging retail environment coupled with the impact of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial distress.
” Ascena Retail Group : The owner of Ann Taylor , LOFT , Lane Bryant and other women ’ s clothng stores also filed for bankruptcy .
Ascena , which was in deep financial trouble even before the pandemic , closed hundreds of its stores including all of its roughly 300 Catherines locations .
It ’ s currently in the process of selling itself to a private equity firm .
California Pizza Kitchen : The 35-year-old pizza chain filed for bankruptcy because of restrictions on indoor dining in several US states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its debt and closed several unprofitable locations .
CPK exited bankruptcy in mid-November .
Lord & Taylor : The once-snazzy upscale retailer filed for bankruptcy just a year after it was bought for $ 75 million .
Hopes of keeping some of its stores quickly collapsed with the brand announcing a month later it was shutting all of them down , ending a nearly 200-year run .
Tailored Brands : The brand , which owns Men ’ s Wearhouse and Jos .
A .
Bank , filed for bankruptcy to cut down its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement that it was closing a third of its stores and cutting 20 % of corporate positions .
Tailored emerged from bankruptcy with a lighter debt load in December .
Stein Mart : The third major discount retailer filed for bankruptcy and closed its 300 US stores .
The 112-year-old company blamed its failure on changing consumer habits and the pandemic , both of which “ have caused significant financial distress on our business , ” its CEO said .
The brand was bought by an investment firm in December with plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by New Yorkers , the department store chain shuttered its 13 locations ending a 60-year-old run .
The company blamed the lack of payment on its business interruption insurance as the cause of its demise .
Sizzler USA : The restaurant chain , which was one of the country ’ s first casual restaurant chains , filed for bankruptcy because of Covid-19 lockdowns that forced it to temporarily close its restaurants ’ dining rooms .
The 62-year-old company said that it ’ s using the bankruptcy process to reduce debt and renegotiate its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dining chain blamed the pandemic for its bankruptcy .
Ruby Tuesday said it ’ s using the process to reduce its debt and operate as normally as possible .
The privately held chain has closed roughly 200 locations within the past few years , with about 300 remaining globally .
• East Bay restaurants defy health order to remain open , now consider legal action • Oakland : A new restaurant is coming to Tribune Tower — again Friendly ’ s : The East Coast diner chain best known for its “ Fribble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankruptcy for the second time in less than a decade .
It intends to “ sell substantially all of its assets ” to a private hedge fund company that owns other quick-service restaurants , including Red Mango and Souper Salad .
Friendly ’ s has about 130 locations left , down from the 400 it operated about a decade ago .
Guitar Center : The 61-year-old company , the biggest musical instrument retailer in the United States , had tried to stay afloat during the pandemic by offering virtual music lessons , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guitar Center depend on people making discretionary purchases have been among the worst-hit retailers this year .
Francesca ’ s : Malls were dealt another blow with the bankruptcy of this woman ’ s boutique .
Francesca ’ s is closing about a quarter of its 700 stores , and it ’ s using the bankruptcy to obtain new financing and a possible sale .

There’s no way to sugarcoat it: 2020 was a brutal year for restaurants and stores. The pandemic, massive amounts of debt and a shift in shopping as well as dining habits created a lethal cocktail of bankruptcies and closures.
New data from Coresight Research reveals American retailers have announced 8,400 closures this year. Ascena Retail closed the most locations, at nearly 1,200. Coresight anticipates closures will snowball and set a new record this year, breaking the 2019 record of 9,302 closures tracked by the firm.
Business is equally bleak for the US restaurant industry. About 17% of the country’s restaurants — roughly 110,000 — have permanently closed this year, with thousands more on the brink according to a recent National Restaurant Association report.
With lockdowns devastating retail and restaurants — many of which that were already in deep trouble, dozens declared bankruptcy this year.
January
Papyrus: The mall staple best known for selling stationery and upscale greeting cards went out of business, resulting in the closure of more than 250 stores across the US and Canada. Papyrus blamed an overexpansion of stores, the downturn in brick-and-mortar shopping and its inability to recover fully from the 2008 financial crisis.
Bar Louie: It was last call for about half of the 90 US locations of the casual restaurant chain, which is best known for its happy hour deals. The chain filed for Chapter 11 and came to an agreement with its lenders to purchase the chain through a bankruptcy sale.
Krystal: In its bankruptcy filing, the 88-year-old fast food chain blamed several contributing factors including increased competition, shifting consumer tastes and the rise of online delivery platforms. Krystal emerged from bankruptcy in May.
February
Pier 1 Imports: The home goods retailer filed for bankruptcy, following years of decline because of online competition and big-box chains. Pier 1, which once had more than 1,000 locations, cultimately closed all of its locations. In July, the brand name was purchased by an investment firm and will relaunch it as an online-only store.
March
Modell’s Sporting Goods: The family-owned chain founded in 1889, was known best for selling local teams’ jerseys and equipment for youth leagues. The bankruptcy resulted in permanent closure all of its 153 stores, primarily in the northeast. The same company that bought Pier 1 also bought Modell’s brand name in August for an online store.
April
True Religion: Temporary store closures and the work-from-home trend took its toll on the denim retailer. True Religion emerged from bankruptcy in October, and it managed to slashed its debt but closed dozens of locations.
May
J.Crew Group: The preppy retailer, which operates the J.Crew and Madewell brands, became the first national US retailer to file for bankruptcy protection since the pandemic forced a wave of temporary store closures. It exited bankruptcy in September with a smaller debt load and named a new CEO — its third in three years — in November.
Neiman Marcus: The 113-year-old upscale department store was hit especially hard by the nation working from home. It emerged from bankruptcy in September with billions of dollars less in debt and five fewer stores, including its flashy Hudson Yards stores that opened in New York City in 2019.
JCPenney: The pandemic was the final blow to a 119-year-old company struggling to overcome a decade of bad decisions, executive instability and damaging market trends. JCPenney shuttered about a third of its stores. The company was rescued in December by mall owners Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management, which bought JCPenney out of bankruptcy.
Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes: Covid-19 was a brutal blow for all-you-can-eat buffets, especially for this restaurant chain. It announced the closure of all of its 97 US restaurants and liquidated its assets.
Tuesday Morning: Another discount home goods retailer filed for bankruptcy in the spring, saying that the prolonged store closures caused an “insurmountable financial hurdle.” The Dallas-based chain permanently closed approximately 230 of its nearly 700 US stores in cities where “too many locations are in close proximity.”
June
GNC: The 85-year-old vitamin and dietary supplement company closed about 1,200 stores as part of its bankruptcy. GNC has has been saddled with nearly $1 billion of debt and has faced declining sales at its brick-and-mortar locations since before the pandemic. It’s in the process of selling itself to a Chinese pharmaceutical company
CEC Entertainment: Prolonged closures and stay-at-home orders was particularly damaging to Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company. CEC, which also owns Peter Piper Pizza, is using Chapter 11 protection to “achieve a comprehensive balance sheet restructuring that supports its re-opening and longer-term strategic plans.”
July
NPC International: The name of this huge franchisee might not sound familiar, but the stores it operates certainly have name recognition: 1,200 Pizza Hut and 400 Wendy’s restaurants throughout the United States. The company blamed its debt load of nearly $1 billion as well as rising labor and food costs for the bankruptcy. Weeks later, NPC announced that up to 300 of its Pizza Hut locations will close.
Brooks Brothers: The 200-year-old menswear retailer, which has dressed 40 US presidents and unofficially became the outfitter of Wall Street bankers, filed for bankruptcy. The privately held company had been struggling as business attire grew more casual in recent years and was especially damaged by the pandemic, which sent demand for suits plummeting. The brand was bought in September by Simon Property Group.
Sur La Table: The 50-year-old purveyor of upscale kitchenware filed for bankruptcy, resulting in the closure of roughly half of its 120 US stores. Sur La Table was sold for $90 million August to an investment firm.
Muji USA: The US arm of the Japanese retailer entered bankruptcy and closed a “small number” of its locations. Muji is using the process to emerge with a renewed focus on online sales.
Lucky Brand: The once-trendy denim company filed for bankruptcy, explaining in a release that the pandemic has “severely impacted sales across all channels.” Lucky Brand will immediately close 13 of its roughly 200 stores in North America, which are mostly in malls. It sold itself to SPARC Group, the owner of Nautica and Aéropostale, in August.
RTW Retailwinds: The owner of women’s retailer New York & Co. filed in mid-July. RTW Retailwinds, which has nearly 400 stores and 5,000 employees, closed hundreds of its locations. It blamed its collapse on the “challenging retail environment coupled with the impact of the pandemic” that has caused “significant financial distress.”
Ascena Retail Group: The owner of Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lane Bryant and other women’s clothng stores also filed for bankruptcy. Ascena, which was in deep financial trouble even before the pandemic, closed hundreds of its stores including all of its roughly 300 Catherines locations. It’s currently in the process of selling itself to a private equity firm.
California Pizza Kitchen: The 35-year-old pizza chain filed for bankruptcy because of restrictions on indoor dining in several US states. It used the process to reduce its debt and closed several unprofitable locations. CPK exited bankruptcy in mid-November.
August
Lord & Taylor: The once-snazzy upscale retailer filed for bankruptcy just a year after it was bought for $75 million. Hopes of keeping some of its stores quickly collapsed with the brand announcing a month later it was shutting all of them down, ending a nearly 200-year run.
Tailored Brands: The brand, which owns Men’s Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank, filed for bankruptcy to cut down its debt. The filing followed a previous announcement that it was closing a third of its stores and cutting 20% of corporate positions. Tailored emerged from bankruptcy with a lighter debt load in December.
Stein Mart: The third major discount retailer filed for bankruptcy and closed its 300 US stores. The 112-year-old company blamed its failure on changing consumer habits and the pandemic, both of which “have caused significant financial distress on our business,” its CEO said. The brand was bought by an investment firm in December with plans to relaunch online.
September
Century 21: Beloved by New Yorkers, the department store chain shuttered its 13 locations ending a 60-year-old run. The company blamed the lack of payment on its business interruption insurance as the cause of its demise.
Sizzler USA: The restaurant chain, which was one of the country’s first casual restaurant chains, filed for bankruptcy because of Covid-19 lockdowns that forced it to temporarily close its restaurants’ dining rooms. The 62-year-old company said that it’s using the bankruptcy process to reduce debt and renegotiate its leases.
October
Ruby Tuesday: Another casual dining chain blamed the pandemic for its bankruptcy. Ruby Tuesday said it’s using the process to reduce its debt and operate as normally as possible. The privately held chain has closed roughly 200 locations within the past few years, with about 300 remaining globally.
November
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Mendocino Farms (with summer specials) opens in Walnut Creek Business | Montebello Market closes after 15 months in Los Gatos Friendly’s: The East Coast diner chain best known for its “Fribble” milkshakes and sandwiches, filed for bankruptcy for the second time in less than a decade. It intends to “sell substantially all of its assets” to a private hedge fund company that owns other quick-service restaurants, including Red Mango and Souper Salad. Friendly’s has about 130 locations left, down from the 400 it operated about a decade ago.
Guitar Center: The 61-year-old company, the biggest musical instrument retailer in the United States, had tried to stay afloat during the pandemic by offering virtual music lessons, but ultimately filed for bankruptcy. Stores like Guitar Center depend on people making discretionary purchases have been among the worst-hit retailers this year.
December
Francesca’s: Malls were dealt another blow with the bankruptcy of this woman’s boutique. Francesca’s is closing about a quarter of its 700 stores, and it’s using the bankruptcy to obtain new financing and a possible sale.
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