washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Nebraska virus hospitalizations continue to decline

OMAHA , Neb .
( AP ) - The number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus in Nebraska is roughly @ @ @ @ @ 987 set on Nov. 20 .
Nebraska said 503 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 Saturday @ @ @ @ @ from 505 the day before .
That number is down significantly since last month ’ @ @ @ @ @ remains more than twice as high as it was at the start of October .
@ @ @ @ @ virus cases Saturday to give the state a total of 161,337 cases , but the @ @ @ @ @ closed on Christmas day .
The state also said 1,559 deaths have been linked to @ @ @ @ @ began .
Over the past two weeks , the seven-day rolling average of daily new @ @ @ @ @ 1,507.43 new cases per day on Dec. 12 to 916.71 new cases per day on @ @

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus in Nebraska is roughly half of the record of 987 set on Nov. 20.
Nebraska said 503 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 Saturday, which was down slightly from 505 the day before. That number is down significantly since last month’s peak, but it remains more than twice as high as it was at the start of October.
Nebraska reported just 175 new virus cases Saturday to give the state a total of 161,337 cases, but the Test Nebraska testing sites were closed on Christmas day. The state also said 1,559 deaths have been linked to the virus since the pandemic began.
Over the past two weeks, the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Nebraska decreased from 1,507.43 new cases per day on Dec. 12 to 916.71 new cases per day on Saturday.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Arkansas coronavirus hospitalizations close to record high

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - Coronavirus hospitalizations in Arkansas rose Sunday to near their recent record high , as state health officials reported more than 900 news cases of COVID-19 and 41 more deaths linked to the disease .
The Arkansas Department of Health said there were 1,093 state residents hospitalized with COVID-19 Sunday , 34 more than Saturday .
The state record was set Wednesday , when there were 1,110 patients hospitalized with the disease .
There were 649 newly confirmed coronavirus cases and 259 more probable cases Saturday , according to the department .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel are likely to further spread the virus .
The actual number of coronavirus cases is believed to be far higher because many people haven ’ t been tested and some who get the disease don ’ t show symptoms .
Over the last seven days , more than 17 % of coronavirus tests in Arkansas have come back positive , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus can cause severe illness and be fatal .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Coronavirus hospitalizations in Arkansas rose Sunday to near their recent record high, as state health officials reported more than 900 news cases of COVID-19 and 41 more deaths linked to the disease.
The Arkansas Department of Health said there were 1,093 state residents hospitalized with COVID-19 Sunday, 34 more than Saturday. The state record was set Wednesday, when there were 1,110 patients hospitalized with the disease.
There were 649 newly confirmed coronavirus cases and 259 more probable cases Saturday, according to the department. Health officials have warned holiday gatherings and travel are likely to further spread the virus.
The actual number of coronavirus cases is believed to be far higher because many people haven’t been tested and some who get the disease don’t show symptoms.
Over the last seven days, more than 17% of coronavirus tests in Arkansas have come back positive, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe illness and be fatal.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--FAA: Single-engine plane crashes at Dutchess County airport

MILLBROOK , N.Y. ( AP ) - A 17-year-old girl walked away unscathed Sunday after the single-engine plane she was @ @ @ @ @ in Dutchess County , authorities said .
The Federal Aviation Administration said the Cessna 172 @ @ @ @ @ ” and crashed about 3 p.m. Sunday in a wooded area about a mile southwest @ @ @ @ @ outside Poughkeepsie , New York .
The pilot , who was not identified , was @ @ @ @ @ , the FAA said .
She “ was able to remove herself from the plane @ @ @ @ @ Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro said in a statement .
The FAA and National Transportation @ @ @ @ @ cause of the crash .

MILLBROOK, N.Y. (AP) - A 17-year-old girl walked away unscathed Sunday after the single-engine plane she was piloting crashed near an airport in Dutchess County, authorities said.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the Cessna 172 experienced a “rough-running engine” and crashed about 3 p.m. Sunday in a wooded area about a mile southwest of Sky Acres Airport, outside Poughkeepsie, New York.
The pilot, who was not identified, was the only person on board, the FAA said.
She “was able to remove herself from the plane with no injuries,” Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro said in a statement.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board were investigating the cause of the crash.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Man surrenders to Green Bay police after armed standoff

GREEN BAY , Wis. ( AP ) - Authorities say a man who exchanged gunfire with Green Bay police Sunday @ @ @ @ @ with officers and discussions with crisis negotiators .
Police say the incident began when police @ @ @ @ @ was wanted on an unspecified warrant .
Following a pursuit , the man eventually pulled @ @ @ @ @ officers , who returned fire .
Negotiators were able to defuse the situation and convinced @ @ @ @ @ vehicle , police said .
A SWAT team has also been called to the scene @ @ @ @ @ injuries were reported .
Police say they don ’ t know how many shots were @ @ @ @ @ involved in the standoff will be placed on administrative assignments , which is standard department @ @ @ @ @ gun believed to belong to the suspect was recovered at the scene .
The investigation @ @ @ @ @ more information should be released Monday .

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - Authorities say a man who exchanged gunfire with Green Bay police Sunday morning surrendered after a standoff with officers and discussions with crisis negotiators.
Police say the incident began when police spotted the man, who was wanted on an unspecified warrant. Following a pursuit, the man eventually pulled a gun and shot at officers, who returned fire.
Negotiators were able to defuse the situation and convinced the man to leave his vehicle, police said. A SWAT team has also been called to the scene, WBAY-TV reported.
No injuries were reported. Police say they don’t know how many shots were fired. The three officers involved in the standoff will be placed on administrative assignments, which is standard department procedure.
Police said a gun believed to belong to the suspect was recovered at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing. Police said more information should be released Monday.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--The Latest: 'Nova pauses hoops, coach Wright tests positive

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world : Villanova coach Jay Wright has tested positive for COVID-19 and the No .
5 Wildcats have paused basketball activities .
Wright says in a statement issued Sunday by Villanova that he another staff member tested positive .
Wright says he has been experiencing mild symptoms .
Villanova ’ s game against Xavier scheduled for Saturday has been postponed , but the school outside Philadelphia says no determination has been made for games beyond this week .
The next game on the Wildcats ’ schedule is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , Wright got St. John ’ s to agree to postpone a Big East matchup scheduled for Dec. 30 so the Villanova players could be off over the holidays , with Wright saying they “ needed a break.
” Yeldon was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will not travel and play in Monday night ’ s game at New England .
Yeldon has 10 carries for 70 yards in three games this season .
He hasn ’ t played since Week 5 for the AFC East champion Bills .
Syracuse has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contact tracing is underway after a positive COVID-19 test was confirmed within the program .
The 22nd-ranked Orange women have canceled a game against Morgan State scheduled for Monday night .
Their next scheduled game is Thursday at home against North Carolina .
The Syracuse men also have been on pause .
They halted team activities after a home game a week ago against Buffalo .
One of the Bulls players tested positive after the game .
Mississippi also has coronavirus issues within its women ’ s basketball program .
The Rebels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina on Thursday night has been postponed .
The Gamecocks last played Dec. 17 against Temple .
Their next game is scheduled for Jan. 4 at Alabama .
South Carolina said in a news release that that game could not be played due to a combination of positive COVID-19 tests , contact tracing and quarantining individuals according to SEC protocols .
There has been no makeup date announced .

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
___
Villanova coach Jay Wright has tested positive for COVID-19 and the No. 5 Wildcats have paused basketball activities.
Wright says in a statement issued Sunday by Villanova that he another staff member tested positive. Wright says he has been experiencing mild symptoms.
Villanova’s game against Xavier scheduled for Saturday has been postponed, but the school outside Philadelphia says no determination has been made for games beyond this week. The next game on the Wildcats’ schedule is Jan. 5 at DePaul.
Earlier this month, Wright got St. John’s to agree to postpone a Big East matchup scheduled for Dec. 30 so the Villanova players could be off over the holidays, with Wright saying they “needed a break.”
___
Buffalo Bills running back T.J. Yeldon has tested positive for COVID-19.
Yeldon was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will not travel and play in Monday night’s game at New England.
Yeldon has 10 carries for 70 yards in three games this season. He hasn’t played since Week 5 for the AFC East champion Bills.
___
Syracuse has paused all women’s basketball-related activities and contact tracing is underway after a positive COVID-19 test was confirmed within the program.
The 22nd-ranked Orange women have canceled a game against Morgan State scheduled for Monday night. Their next scheduled game is Thursday at home against North Carolina.
The Syracuse men also have been on pause. They halted team activities after a home game a week ago against Buffalo. One of the Bulls players tested positive after the game.
Mississippi also has coronavirus issues within its women’s basketball program. The Rebels’ game against No. 5 South Carolina on Thursday night has been postponed.
The Gamecocks last played Dec. 17 against Temple. Their next game is scheduled for Jan. 4 at Alabama. South Carolina said in a news release that that game could not be played due to a combination of positive COVID-19 tests, contact tracing and quarantining individuals according to SEC protocols. There has been no makeup date announced.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Anthony Quinn Warner, Nashville bombing suspect, died in blast, authorities confirm

NASHVILLE , Tenn. — The man believed to be responsible for the Christmas Day bombing that tore through downtown Nashville blew himself up in the explosion , and appears to have acted alone , federal officials said Sunday .
Investigators used DNA and other evidence to link the man , identified as Anthony Quinn Warner , to the mysterious explosion but said they have not determined a motive .
Officials have received hundreds of tips and leads , but have concluded that no one other than Warner is believed to have been involved in the early morning explosion that damaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re still following leads , but right now there is no indication that any other persons were involved , ” said Douglas Korneski , special agent in charge of the FBI ’ s Memphis field office .
“ We ’ ve reviewed hours of security video surrounding the recreation vehicle .
We saw no other people involved.
” In publicly identifying the suspect and his fate , officials disclosed a major breakthrough in their investigation even as they acknowledged the lingering mystery behind the explosion , which took place on a holiday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity and was accompanied by a recorded announcement warning anyone nearby that a bomb would soon detonate .
No motive was disclosed by investigators nor was it revealed why Warner had selected the particular location for the bombing , which damaged an AT & T building and has continued to wreak havoc on cellphone service and police and hospital communications in several Southern states as the company worked to restore service .
Warner , who public records show had experience with electronics and alarms and who had also worked as a computer consultant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linked to the bombing since at least Saturday when federal and local investigators converged on a home in suburban Nashville linked to him .
Federal agents could be seen looking around the property , searching the home and the backyard .
A Google Maps image captured in May 2019 had shown an RV similar to the one that exploded parked in the backyard , but it was not at the property on Saturday , according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene .
On Sunday morning , police formally named Warner as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identification of Warner involved several key pieces of evidence , including DNA found at the explosion site .
Investigators from the Tennessee Highway Patrol also recovered parts from the recreational vehicle where the bomb was detonated among the wreckage from the blast , and were able to link the vehicle identification number to an RV that was registered to Warner , officials said .

Kimberlee Kruesi, Michael Balsamo, Eric Tucker

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The man believed to be responsible for the Christmas Day bombing that tore through downtown Nashville blew himself up in the explosion, and appears to have acted alone, federal officials said Sunday.
Investigators used DNA and other evidence to link the man, identified as Anthony Quinn Warner, to the mysterious explosion but said they have not determined a motive. Officials have received hundreds of tips and leads, but have concluded that no one other than Warner is believed to have been involved in the early morning explosion that damaged dozens of buildings.
“We’re still following leads, but right now there is no indication that any other persons were involved,” said Douglas Korneski, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Memphis field office. “We’ve reviewed hours of security video surrounding the recreation vehicle. We saw no other people involved.”
In publicly identifying the suspect and his fate, officials disclosed a major breakthrough in their investigation even as they acknowledged the lingering mystery behind the explosion, which took place on a holiday morning well before downtown streets were bustling with activity and was accompanied by a recorded announcement warning anyone nearby that a bomb would soon detonate.
No motive was disclosed by investigators nor was it revealed why Warner had selected the particular location for the bombing, which damaged an AT&T building and has continued to wreak havoc on cellphone service and police and hospital communications in several Southern states as the company worked to restore service.
Warner, who public records show had experience with electronics and alarms and who had also worked as a computer consultant for a Nashville realtor, had been linked to the bombing since at least Saturday when federal and local investigators converged on a home in suburban Nashville linked to him.
SEE ALSO: Anthony Warner identified as Nashville bombing suspect
Federal agents could be seen looking around the property, searching the home and the backyard. A Google Maps image captured in May 2019 had shown an RV similar to the one that exploded parked in the backyard, but it was not at the property on Saturday, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.
On Sunday morning, police formally named Warner as being under investigation.
Officials said their identification of Warner involved several key pieces of evidence, including DNA found at the explosion site. Investigators from the Tennessee Highway Patrol also recovered parts from the recreational vehicle where the bomb was detonated among the wreckage from the blast, and were able to link the vehicle identification number to an RV that was registered to Warner, officials said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Nevada reports 1,856 additional virus cases

CARSON CITY , N.V. ( AP ) - Nevada health officials reported an increase of 1,856 confirmed COVID-19 cases Sunday @ @ @ @ @ of known cases to 217,509 since the pandemic began .
Nine additional deaths were reported @ @ @ @ @ to 2,952 .
The state ’ s testing positivity rate remains high , with around @ @ @ @ @ a COVID-19 test getting a positive result .
The number of infections is thought to @ @ @ @ @ people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the @ @ @ @ @ For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as @ @ @ @ @ up in two to three weeks .
For some - especially older adults and people @ @ @ @ @ it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .

CARSON CITY, N.V. (AP) - Nevada health officials reported an increase of 1,856 confirmed COVID-19 cases Sunday, bringing the total number of known cases to 217,509 since the pandemic began.
Nine additional deaths were reported Sunday, bringing the total to 2,952.
The state’s testing positivity rate remains high, with around 1 in 5 people taking a COVID-19 test getting a positive result.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--FBI official: No indication anyone else was involved in Nashville explosion, other than suspect who

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - FBI official : No indication anyone else was involved in Nashville explosion , @ @ @ @ @ in bombing .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - FBI official: No indication anyone else was involved in Nashville explosion, other than suspect who died in bombing.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Georgia officials say reduced ballot rejection rate caused by change to laws

President Trump is citing a dramatically lower rejection rate for mail-in ballots in Georgia in 2020 compared to 2016 and 2018 as evidence of widespread voter fraud , but state officials say fewer ballots were tossed this year because of changes to election laws , not because of cheating .
The rate of mail-in ballots rejected for errors , such as a missed deadline or use of an incorrect return envelope , plummeted from 6.4 % in 2016 to 3.1 % in 2018 to 0.6 % in this year ’ s Nov. 3 election , according to state records .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ election laws since 2018 account for the lower rate of discarded ballots .
Other battleground states also saw significant declines in rejection rates .
In Nevada , the rejection rate rose from 1.6 % in 2016 to 2.05 % in 2018 and then dropped to 0.58 % in 2020 .
In Pennsylvania , the rejection rate for mail-in ballots soared from 0.95 % in 2016 to 2.85 % in 2018 and then crashed to 0.28 % this year , according to data compiled by the U.S .
Elections Project , an information source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McDonald .
Not all official state numbers have been published .
The projected trend of decreases , however , shows the drop could have changed the outcomes in close races such as in Georgia , where President-elect Joseph R. Biden beat Mr. Trump by about 10,000 votes .
“ You would have to think , obviously , fraud could explain it — but the most obvious explanation is very lax enforcement and perhaps motivated by the explosion of mail-in ballots , ” said Curt Levey , president of the Committee for Justice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance in several major cities in key swing states due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements .
Some witnesses said it made it hard to analyze ballots and envelopes for errors .
Some battleground states did not see a dramatic swing in rejection rates .
In Michigan , the rejection rate was 0.49 % in 2016 , 0.57 % in 2018 and 0.46 % in 2020 , according to the Michigan secretary of state .
The fluctuation in Georgia ’ s reject rate convinced the Trump campaign that something was wrong with the count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a 45-minute recorded speech earlier this month .
“ One of the most significant indications of widespread fraud is the extraordinarily low rejection rates for mail-in ballots in many key states .
These are the states that I had to win .
In swing state after swing state , the number of ballots rejected has been dramatically lower than what would have been expected , based on prior experience , ” the president said .
“ That means years and years of voting in Georgia .
Just point 2 % : that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mail-in ballots have been rejected .
In other words , almost none have been rejected.
” But Georgia officials said a change in state law after the 2018 elections allowing for ballot curing — giving the voter an opportunity to remedy a balloting error — is what ’ s really behind the significant decline in the rejection rate .
A spokesperson from the Georgia secretary of state told state lawmakers probing alleged election irregularities at a recent hearing that Georgia voters are now allowed to cure — or fix — flawed mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of flatly having ballots tossed and discounted .
That ’ s not the law everywhere .
In Pennsylvania , some Democratic counties allowed ballot curing while others did not .
The Trump campaign made that part of their legal argument in the courts , saying it amounted to treating Republican and Democratic voters differently and violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution .
Courts have repeatedly rejected that argument .
Wanda Murren , a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of State , noted the state ’ s official numbers are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Election Project is not up to date .
“ The Department of State has not released data on mail ballot rejection rates for the Nov. 3 election .
This information is typically not available until some weeks after the election , once all ballots have been canvassed by counties , ” she said when asked what could cause a significant decline .

President Trump is citing a dramatically lower rejection rate for mail-in ballots in Georgia in 2020 compared to 2016 and 2018 as evidence of widespread voter fraud, but state officials say fewer ballots were tossed this year because of changes to election laws, not because of cheating.
The rate of mail-in ballots rejected for errors, such as a missed deadline or use of an incorrect return envelope, plummeted from 6.4% in 2016 to 3.1% in 2018 to 0.6% in this year’s Nov. 3 election, according to state records.
Georgia election officials said changes in their election laws since 2018 account for the lower rate of discarded ballots.
Other battleground states also saw significant declines in rejection rates.
In Nevada, the rejection rate rose from 1.6% in 2016 to 2.05% in 2018 and then dropped to 0.58% in 2020.
In Pennsylvania, the rejection rate for mail-in ballots soared from 0.95% in 2016 to 2.85% in 2018 and then crashed to 0.28% this year, according to data compiled by the U.S. Elections Project, an information source founded by University of Florida professor Michael McDonald.
Not all official state numbers have been published. The projected trend of decreases, however, shows the drop could have changed the outcomes in close races such as in Georgia, where President-elect Joseph R. Biden beat Mr. Trump by about 10,000 votes.
“You would have to think, obviously, fraud could explain it — but the most obvious explanation is very lax enforcement and perhaps motivated by the explosion of mail-in ballots,” said Curt Levey, president of the Committee for Justice.
Poll observers were kept more at a distance in several major cities in key swing states due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements. Some witnesses said it made it hard to analyze ballots and envelopes for errors.
Some battleground states did not see a dramatic swing in rejection rates.
In Michigan, the rejection rate was 0.49% in 2016, 0.57% in 2018 and 0.46% in 2020, according to the Michigan secretary of state.
The fluctuation in Georgia’s reject rate convinced the Trump campaign that something was wrong with the count. Mr. Trump slammed the Republican-run state during a 45-minute recorded speech earlier this month.
“One of the most significant indications of widespread fraud is the extraordinarily low rejection rates for mail-in ballots in many key states. These are the states that I had to win. In swing state after swing state, the number of ballots rejected has been dramatically lower than what would have been expected, based on prior experience,” the president said.
“That means years and years of voting in Georgia. Just point 2%: that’s substantially less than 1% of mail-in ballots have been rejected. In other words, almost none have been rejected.”
But Georgia officials said a change in state law after the 2018 elections allowing for ballot curing — giving the voter an opportunity to remedy a balloting error — is what’s really behind the significant decline in the rejection rate.
A spokesperson from the Georgia secretary of state told state lawmakers probing alleged election irregularities at a recent hearing that Georgia voters are now allowed to cure — or fix — flawed mail-in ballots. They can confirm their signatures instead of flatly having ballots tossed and discounted.
That’s not the law everywhere.
In Pennsylvania, some Democratic counties allowed ballot curing while others did not.
The Trump campaign made that part of their legal argument in the courts, saying it amounted to treating Republican and Democratic voters differently and violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. Courts have repeatedly rejected that argument.
Wanda Murren, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of State, noted the state’s official numbers are not released yet, and the data from the U.S. Election Project is not up to date.
“The Department of State has not released data on mail ballot rejection rates for the Nov. 3 election. This information is typically not available until some weeks after the election, once all ballots have been canvassed by counties,” she said when asked what could cause a significant decline.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Washington state will spend $54M to help gig workers

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - Washington state will spend $ 54 million to provide one-time payments to nearly 100,000 gig and self-employed workers cut off from unemployment benefits because of the impasse over the federal COVID-19 relief and spending bill , Gov .
Jay Inslee said Sunday .
Later this week , 94,555 people in Washington who were enrolled federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program as of Nov. 21 will get payments of $ 550 , which is roughly the equivalent of two weeks ’ worth of benefits , he said .
The PUA program , set up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not qualify for them , expired at midnight Saturday .
The program would be extended until March 14 , 2021 , if President Donald Trump signs the relief bill into law .
However , even if Trump signs the bill in the coming days , those who have been getting PUA payments will lose at least one week of benefits , Inslee said , calling that “ unacceptable.
” “ This does not solve all the problems caused by the president ’ s inaction - we are doing what we can , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to replace all of the unemployment supports in the relief package .
However , for some people in our state who have been receiving PUA benefits , this will prevent an immediate loss of assistance at a time when they are most in need , ” he said .
The bill also includes relief payments to families and money for vaccine distribution , businesses and strained public transit systems .

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington state will spend $54 million to provide one-time payments to nearly 100,000 gig and self-employed workers cut off from unemployment benefits because of the impasse over the federal COVID-19 relief and spending bill, Gov. Jay Inslee said Sunday.
Later this week, 94,555 people in Washington who were enrolled federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program as of Nov. 21 will get payments of $550, which is roughly the equivalent of two weeks’ worth of benefits, he said.
The PUA program, set up to provide unemployment benefits to workers who normally do not qualify for them, expired at midnight Saturday. The program would be extended until March 14, 2021, if President Donald Trump signs the relief bill into law.
However, even if Trump signs the bill in the coming days, those who have been getting PUA payments will lose at least one week of benefits, Inslee said, calling that “unacceptable.”
“This does not solve all the problems caused by the president’s inaction - we are doing what we can, but we simply do not have the ability to replace all of the unemployment supports in the relief package. However, for some people in our state who have been receiving PUA benefits, this will prevent an immediate loss of assistance at a time when they are most in need,” he said.
The bill also includes relief payments to families and money for vaccine distribution, businesses and strained public transit systems.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--U.S. attorney: Man suspected of setting off bomb ‘perished in explosion’ that rocked downtown Nashvi

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - U.S. attorney : Man suspected of setting off bomb ‘ perished in explosion @ @ @ @ @ on Christmas Day .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - U.S. attorney: Man suspected of setting off bomb ‘perished in explosion’ that rocked downtown Nashville on Christmas Day.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Analysis: Mississippi early voting needs veto-proof support

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - Mississippi Gov .
Tate Reeves is making clear , even before the start of the 2021 legislative session , that he opposes any big changes in the way the state conducts elections .
About 1.3 million Mississippi residents voted in the 2020 presidential race , and the vast majority cast their ballots on Election Day .
Republican Secretary of State Michael Watson said the state issued about 248,000 absentee ballots .
Some people voted absentee by mail , and some cast absentee ballots in-person at circuit clerk ’ s offices .
Watson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double what it was during the 2016 presidential election .
In many places around Mississippi , people stood in long lines outside and inside precincts .
The Republican governor said that he and his wife , Elee , stood in line more than an hour at a precinct near the Governor ’ s Mansion in downtown Jackson - and he said he was OK with that .
“ I believe in the institution of Election Day , and I have said that from the beginning , ” Reeves told reporters Dec. 14 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expansion of mail-in voting .
Many states allow people to cast a ballot days or weeks in advance , at their convenience .
That list includes Texas , Louisiana , Arkansas , Tennessee and Georgia .
Efforts to enact early voting in Mississippi have hit a wall , so far .
With Reeves staking out his preference for the tradition of Election Day , singular , rather than Election Days , plural , any change would have to be made by a veto-proof margin with more than two-thirds support in the state House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For enough of them to go against the governor ’ s wishes , they would need strong support from people back home .
Republican lawmakers also would have to be convinced that early voting would help Republicans at least as much , if not more , than it would help Democrats .
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures , Mississippi is one of the 16 states that require people to have an excuse to cast an absentee ballot .
In Mississippi , being out of town on Election Day because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excuse .
Wanting to avoid standing in line near other people during a pandemic is not .
Mississippi also allows absentee voting by anyone 65 or older or by anyone who has a permanent or temporary physical disability .
Legislators made a temporary revision that expires at the end of 2020 , allowing absentee voting by any person under a physician-imposed quarantine because of COVID-19 or by any person caring for a dependent who was under a such a quarantine .
Mississippi cities have elections for mayor and other officials in 2021 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general election in June .
As the pandemic continues , it ’ s unclear whether legislators will consider extending the absentee voting provisions tied to COVID-19 quarantine .
Democratic state Sen. David Blount of Jackson has filed bills for a number of years to create no-excuse early voting in Mississippi .
He said he will do so again in 2021 because he believes legislators should do all they can to make it easier for people to vote in a secure manner .
“ Most states already have it , most people want it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Blount told The Associated Press last week .
“ You have to walk in the courthouse past the sheriff ’ s deputy , you work with a trained circuit clerk ’ s staff person and you show your ID.
” Blount said such a system would have “ zero potential for fraud.
” As for needing a veto-proof margin , Blount said he hopes most legislators would see early voting is what their constituents want .
“ Do we want more people to vote , or not ?
Do we want shorter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Blount said .
“ Early voting helps with both of those questions.
” Emily Wagster Pettus has covered Mississippi government and politics since 1994 .
Follow her on Twitter : http : //twitter.com/EWagsterPettus .

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves is making clear, even before the start of the 2021 legislative session, that he opposes any big changes in the way the state conducts elections.
About 1.3 million Mississippi residents voted in the 2020 presidential race, and the vast majority cast their ballots on Election Day. Republican Secretary of State Michael Watson said the state issued about 248,000 absentee ballots. Some people voted absentee by mail, and some cast absentee ballots in-person at circuit clerk’s offices. Watson said absentee voting in 2020 was roughly double what it was during the 2016 presidential election.
In many places around Mississippi, people stood in long lines outside and inside precincts. The Republican governor said that he and his wife, Elee, stood in line more than an hour at a precinct near the Governor’s Mansion in downtown Jackson - and he said he was OK with that.
“I believe in the institution of Election Day, and I have said that from the beginning,” Reeves told reporters Dec. 14 at the Capitol, adding that he opposes expansion of mail-in voting.
Many states allow people to cast a ballot days or weeks in advance, at their convenience. That list includes Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee and Georgia. Efforts to enact early voting in Mississippi have hit a wall, so far.
With Reeves staking out his preference for the tradition of Election Day, singular, rather than Election Days, plural, any change would have to be made by a veto-proof margin with more than two-thirds support in the state House and Senate. Republicans control both chambers. For enough of them to go against the governor’s wishes, they would need strong support from people back home. Republican lawmakers also would have to be convinced that early voting would help Republicans at least as much, if not more, than it would help Democrats.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Mississippi is one of the 16 states that require people to have an excuse to cast an absentee ballot. In Mississippi, being out of town on Election Day because of work or school is an acceptable excuse. Wanting to avoid standing in line near other people during a pandemic is not.
Mississippi also allows absentee voting by anyone 65 or older or by anyone who has a permanent or temporary physical disability. Legislators made a temporary revision that expires at the end of 2020, allowing absentee voting by any person under a physician-imposed quarantine because of COVID-19 or by any person caring for a dependent who was under a such a quarantine.
Mississippi cities have elections for mayor and other officials in 2021, with party primaries in April and the general election in June. As the pandemic continues, it’s unclear whether legislators will consider extending the absentee voting provisions tied to COVID-19 quarantine.
Democratic state Sen. David Blount of Jackson has filed bills for a number of years to create no-excuse early voting in Mississippi. He said he will do so again in 2021 because he believes legislators should do all they can to make it easier for people to vote in a secure manner.
“Most states already have it, most people want it and it’s completely secure,” Blount told The Associated Press last week. “You have to walk in the courthouse past the sheriff’s deputy, you work with a trained circuit clerk’s staff person and you show your ID.”
Blount said such a system would have “zero potential for fraud.” As for needing a veto-proof margin, Blount said he hopes most legislators would see early voting is what their constituents want.
“Do we want more people to vote, or not? Do we want shorter lines on Election Day, or not?” Blount said. “Early voting helps with both of those questions.”
____
Emily Wagster Pettus has covered Mississippi government and politics since 1994. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/EWagsterPettus.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Longtime NY Assemblyman William 'Bill' Magee dies at 81

MORRISVILLE , N.Y. ( AP ) - William “ Bill ” Magee , a former New York assemblyman who represented a rural district east of Syracuse for nearly three decades , has died .
Magee died on Christmas Eve , his niece told Syracuse.com .
He was 81 .
He had tested positive for COVID-19 but was not showing serious symptoms , his niece , Robin Blazer Commins , told the news outlet .
His cause of death was not clear .
A Democrat from Nelson , Magee was first elected to his state seat in 1990 and represented a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oneida counties .
He previously served as a town supervisor in Nelson and worked at the New York State Fair .
He served in the Legislature until he was unseated in 2018 , chairing its Agriculture Committee and becoming a vocal advocate for the state ’ s farmers .
“ Bill truly understood the needs of New York ’ s farmers and all his constituents and worked diligently in Albany to help them , ” U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer , D-New York , said in a statement .
“ He will be missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. (AP) - William “Bill” Magee, a former New York assemblyman who represented a rural district east of Syracuse for nearly three decades, has died.
Magee died on Christmas Eve, his niece told Syracuse.com. He was 81.
He had tested positive for COVID-19 but was not showing serious symptoms, his niece, Robin Blazer Commins, told the news outlet. His cause of death was not clear.
A Democrat from Nelson, Magee was first elected to his state seat in 1990 and represented a district that included Madison, Otsego and Oneida counties. He previously served as a town supervisor in Nelson and worked at the New York State Fair.
He served in the Legislature until he was unseated in 2018, chairing its Agriculture Committee and becoming a vocal advocate for the state’s farmers.
“Bill truly understood the needs of New York’s farmers and all his constituents and worked diligently in Albany to help them,” U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, said in a statement. “He will be missed by all who knew him.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Coin shortage fears renewed as coronavirus surges

Want to know when the pandemic is really easing ?
Watch the coin machine at your local supermarket .
One of the weirder social symptoms of the coronavirus shutdowns has been a coin shortage , which has pinched operations at some businesses and left coin collectors scrounging for material .
Things were improving over the fall , and signs asking customers to pay with exact change disappeared from some stores , but as the virus has surged and a new round of shutdowns kicks in , experts say the shortage will grow more acute once again .
“ I see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising , because banks are being shut down , people are being told to stay home , ” said Jay Zagorsky , senior lecturer at Boston University ’ s Questrom School of Business .
“ Once people start becoming fearful of using Coinstar , can ’ t get into their bank lobbies , stores are shut down so rolls of quarters are being locked up in rolls in managers ’ offices .
We ’ re going to go back into a coin shortage problem again.
” That means the coin shortage of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those who haven ’ t been following the story might wonder what it ’ s all about .
According to experts , there ’ s never been an actual shortage of coins in existence .
The U.S. Mint is pumping them out at rates unseen in decades this year .
But the coins that are out there are piling up in places , rather than being circulated .
Consumers don ’ t want to spend 15 minutes standing at a sorting machine at the supermarket , and businesses can ’ t turn their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Money is being stranded , ” Mr. Zagorsky said .
The Federal Reserve says in the initial days of the pandemic , coin deposits dropped by more than half .
And the U.S. Mint had cut production as a virus safety precaution , so new coins were entering at a slower pace .
The Fed even imposed caps on coin orders , limiting the amount of metal any one firm could obtain .
Government agencies responded with a coin task force , recruiting folks from banks and credit unions , the armored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coin aggregating machines .
Among the task force ’ s moves was an attempt to get the public to dig into its coin jars and car cup holders and bring them in .
The U.S. Mint also increased production .
It says it ’ s on track to mint 14 billion coins this year , compared to 11.7 billion in 2019 .
“ We have attained this level of production while prioritizing the health and well-being of our employees and implementing measures to reduce risk of their exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mint ’ s chief of corporate communications .
Heading into December , there were signs things were improving .
Caps on penny , dime and quarter orders had ended , and while nickels are still limited , the cap has been raised multiple times , the Fed said .
But new closures shutdown orders have left folks wary again .
Mr. Zagorsky said it won ’ t be as bad as last summer , but “ we ’ re going to go back to a coin shortage problem again.
” Jim Gaherity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the task force , said coin redemptions by both consumers and cash businesses have improved but are still well below normal .
“ The problem will persist until redemptions increase substantially from consumers , ” he said .
Some analysts dispute using the term “ shortage , ” saying “ disruption ” is more accurate .
The U.S. Mint said there ’ s always been an “ adequate amount of coins ” afloat , but they aren ’ t circulating the way they once did , meaning some geographies or businesses may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to .
Whatever the right term , the coin issue is a real problem for those analysts refer to as the “ unbanked ” — those without credit cards or other cashless means of payment who have to rely on paper and coin .
One classic example is the low-income family trying to wash clothes at a laundromat where coins are , literally , the coin of the realm .
Casinos with coin machines have taken to pleading with employees and patrons alike to dig through their homes and bring in what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that as people return to the market , the disruption should ease .
When that happens will probably coincide with the slackening of the pandemic itself .
Shortages aren ’ t inherent , though .
While Americans are suffering a scarcity , the U.K. is facing a glut , the BBC reported .
Indeed , demand for change is so low that the Royal Mint is sitting on a “ coin mountain , ” the BBC said , and announced plans this year to not produce any new two pence or two pound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cash is used in less than 30 % of purchases in the U.K. now , the National Audit Office said .
The auditors said the pandemic may have accelerated the change .
In the U.S. , though , a majority of transactions were still based on cash as of 2019 , a quarter of consumers don ’ t even have a credit card and 10 % make all of their purchases in cash .
Mr. Zagorsky said the pandemic has been a good stress test for those who talk about moving to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cards all the time , but I ’ m saying using cash a little bit , keeping cash as a backstop , is very useful , ” he said .
“ There are some reasons why we want to have both a cash and a cashless comity running in parallel .
I don ’ t think an all-cash society is good , I don ’ t think an all cashless society is good .
”

Want to know when the pandemic is really easing? Watch the coin machine at your local supermarket.
One of the weirder social symptoms of the coronavirus shutdowns has been a coin shortage, which has pinched operations at some businesses and left coin collectors scrounging for material.
Things were improving over the fall, and signs asking customers to pay with exact change disappeared from some stores, but as the virus has surged and a new round of shutdowns kicks in, experts say the shortage will grow more acute once again.
“I see the same problems are going to start rising, because banks are being shut down, people are being told to stay home,” said Jay Zagorsky, senior lecturer at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. “Once people start becoming fearful of using Coinstar, can’t get into their bank lobbies, stores are shut down so rolls of quarters are being locked up in rolls in managers’ offices. We’re going to go back into a coin shortage problem again.”
That means the coin shortage of 2020 is certain to bleed into 2021.
Those who haven’t been following the story might wonder what it’s all about.
According to experts, there’s never been an actual shortage of coins in existence. The U.S. Mint is pumping them out at rates unseen in decades this year.
But the coins that are out there are piling up in places, rather than being circulated. Consumers don’t want to spend 15 minutes standing at a sorting machine at the supermarket, and businesses can’t turn their coins in at shuttered bank lobbies.
“Money is being stranded,” Mr. Zagorsky said.
The Federal Reserve says in the initial days of the pandemic, coin deposits dropped by more than half. And the U.S. Mint had cut production as a virus safety precaution, so new coins were entering at a slower pace.
The Fed even imposed caps on coin orders, limiting the amount of metal any one firm could obtain.
Government agencies responded with a coin task force, recruiting folks from banks and credit unions, the armored car industry and Coinstar, which operates coin aggregating machines.
Among the task force’s moves was an attempt to get the public to dig into its coin jars and car cup holders and bring them in.
The U.S. Mint also increased production. It says it’s on track to mint 14 billion coins this year, compared to 11.7 billion in 2019.
“We have attained this level of production while prioritizing the health and well-being of our employees and implementing measures to reduce risk of their exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace,” said Todd Martin, the Mint’s chief of corporate communications.
Heading into December, there were signs things were improving.
Caps on penny, dime and quarter orders had ended, and while nickels are still limited, the cap has been raised multiple times, the Fed said.
But new closures shutdown orders have left folks wary again. Mr. Zagorsky said it won’t be as bad as last summer, but “we’re going to go back to a coin shortage problem again.”
Jim Gaherity, CEO of Coinstar, which is part of the task force, said coin redemptions by both consumers and cash businesses have improved but are still well below normal.
“The problem will persist until redemptions increase substantially from consumers,” he said.
Some analysts dispute using the term “shortage,” saying “disruption” is more accurate.
The U.S. Mint said there’s always been an “adequate amount of coins” afloat, but they aren’t circulating the way they once did, meaning some geographies or businesses may not have the supply they’re used to.
Whatever the right term, the coin issue is a real problem for those analysts refer to as the “unbanked” — those without credit cards or other cashless means of payment who have to rely on paper and coin.
One classic example is the low-income family trying to wash clothes at a laundromat where coins are, literally, the coin of the realm.
Casinos with coin machines have taken to pleading with employees and patrons alike to dig through their homes and bring in what they have.
The good news is that as people return to the market, the disruption should ease. When that happens will probably coincide with the slackening of the pandemic itself.
Shortages aren’t inherent, though. While Americans are suffering a scarcity, the U.K. is facing a glut, the BBC reported.
Indeed, demand for change is so low that the Royal Mint is sitting on a “coin mountain,” the BBC said, and announced plans this year to not produce any new two pence or two pound coins for at least a decade.
Cash is used in less than 30% of purchases in the U.K. now, the National Audit Office said. The auditors said the pandemic may have accelerated the change.
In the U.S., though, a majority of transactions were still based on cash as of 2019, a quarter of consumers don’t even have a credit card and 10% make all of their purchases in cash.
Mr. Zagorsky said the pandemic has been a good stress test for those who talk about moving to a cashless society.
“I use credit cards all the time, but I’m saying using cash a little bit, keeping cash as a backstop, is very useful,” he said. “There are some reasons why we want to have both a cash and a cashless comity running in parallel. I don’t think an all-cash society is good, I don’t think an all cashless society is good.”
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Michigan State Police warn of man impersonating trooper

DETROIT ( AP ) - Michigan State Police have warned of a man who was allegedly impersonating police and making @ @ @ @ @ .
Authorities said they received reports of a man in an unmarked car identifying himself @ @ @ @ @ made stops around 7:30 p.m. Saturday near Interstate 96 and Davison Avenue in Detroit .
@ @ @ @ @ a black uniform and driving a black Dodge Charger with red and blue lights .
@ @ @ @ @ t use unmarked cars for traffic stops .
State police advised anyone uncertain of being @ @ @ @ @ to slow down , use hazard lights , drive to a public place and call @ @

DETROIT (AP) - Michigan State Police have warned of a man who was allegedly impersonating police and making traffic stops over the weekend.
Authorities said they received reports of a man in an unmarked car identifying himself as a state trooper who made stops around 7:30 p.m. Saturday near Interstate 96 and Davison Avenue in Detroit.
The man was reportedly wearing a black uniform and driving a black Dodge Charger with red and blue lights.
Police said troopers don’t use unmarked cars for traffic stops.
State police advised anyone uncertain of being stopped by an unmarked car to slow down, use hazard lights, drive to a public place and call 911.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Jim McLaughlin, pollster, Trump laid foundation for Republican expansion

A wounded Democratic Party is terrified that President Trump has laid the groundwork for an expansion of the Republican base in the 2020s , said a veteran pollster .
Despite his loss on Nov. 3 , Mr. Trump made significant inroads with Hispanic and Black voters .
The GOP also managed to stave off disaster by holding on to several vulnerable Senate seats and picking up seats in the House .
“ The expansion of the base is a really , really big story and I think it shows real inroads and I think it scares the heck out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McLaughlin , a veteran Republican pollster who did work for the Trump campaign .
Some analysts have tried to explain presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden ’ s underperformance in Florida ’ s Miami-Dade County by pointing to South Florida ’ s conservative Cuban American population .
But Mr. McLaughlin said the president ’ s support among Hispanics is broader than that .
“ He got a lot of non-Cuban Hispanics because he talked to them , he went down there , he made them a priority , ” he said .
Exit polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the Hispanic vote , which is the largest share for a GOP presidential nominee since 2004 .
Mr. McLaughlin said he would hear over and over again from Florida focus groups that Mr. Biden and the Democrats sounded like communist and socialist dictators such as Fidel Castro of Cuba , Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela and Hugo Chavez , the late leader of Venezuela .
“ They would tell you that , and that wasn ’ t like a once-in-a-while .
It was every single time , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a big deal.
” Hispanic immigrants come to the U.S. for a better quality of life and want to work hard and take care of their families , he said .
“ They really got turned off by the riots and the looting and the protests and whatnot and they would literally tell you , this is what we left to come here , ” Mr. McLaughlin said .
“ We saw that .
It wasn ’ t like hey , surprise , look what happened on Election Day.
” Exit polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Black voters , up from 8 % four years ago .
“ It ’ s not as much about their race , ” Mr. McLaughlin said .
“ They live in the suburbs or they live in suburban or wealthier , more affluent urban areas .
They ’ re more middle- to upper-middle income African Americans and Hispanics.
” He said the president ’ s support among minority voters often is small business owners or middle-to-upper management .
“ They have money and it ’ s just like what 50 Cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the rapper .
“ 50 Cent said , ‘ I don ’ t want to be 20 Cent , ’ and they got it .
They want to be safe .
They want to have school choice .
They want low taxes.
” Mr. McLaughlin said that both in this year ’ s race and in 2016 , people tended to side with Mr. Trump on the issues over Mr. Biden or 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton regardless of who they thought won the presidential debates .
“ On things like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people safe , stopping the rioting and the looting , trade issues , creating jobs and the economy , wanting lower taxes post-COVID — the voters agree with the Republicans here , ” he said .
Mr. Trump hit his high water mark in surveys on the economy .
Celinda Lake , a Democratic pollster who worked with Mr. Biden ’ s team , said the economy was one issue that helped prop up Mr. Trump .
“ His voters were economic voters .
Biden ’ s voters were COVID voters , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the challenges that Democrats face going forward is we still have to establish a more robust economic profile.
” She said there was broad support among voters for a robust coronavirus relief package — something Congress did manage to pass this month .
“ I think the voters , in particular the silent majority that determined that Joe Biden was president , the suburban vote , the mom vote , is a vote that really wants to get going and doesn ’ t want to keep fighting , ” Ms. Lake said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was actually a stronger governing coalition maybe even than it was a political coalition.
” Democrats are in a unique position in that they appear to have clinched the presidency but fell well below expectations in several high-profile Senate races .
They also will enter next year with a much thinner majority in the House .
Republicans will maintain control of the Senate unless Democrats can sweep two runoff contests on Jan. 5 in Georgia , which until Mr. Biden ’ s narrow win had been reliably red for decades .
David Winston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said 2020 appears to have ended in a “ bizarre outcome.
” “ While the current situation looks like Biden won , his party lost , ” Mr. Winston said .

A wounded Democratic Party is terrified that President Trump has laid the groundwork for an expansion of the Republican base in the 2020s, said a veteran pollster.
Despite his loss on Nov. 3, Mr. Trump made significant inroads with Hispanic and Black voters. The GOP also managed to stave off disaster by holding on to several vulnerable Senate seats and picking up seats in the House.
“The expansion of the base is a really, really big story and I think it shows real inroads and I think it scares the heck out of the Democratic Party,” said Jim McLaughlin, a veteran Republican pollster who did work for the Trump campaign.
Some analysts have tried to explain presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden’s underperformance in Florida’s Miami-Dade County by pointing to South Florida’s conservative Cuban American population.
But Mr. McLaughlin said the president’s support among Hispanics is broader than that.
“He got a lot of non-Cuban Hispanics because he talked to them, he went down there, he made them a priority,” he said.
Exit polls show Mr. Trump won an estimated 32% of the Hispanic vote, which is the largest share for a GOP presidential nominee since 2004.
Mr. McLaughlin said he would hear over and over again from Florida focus groups that Mr. Biden and the Democrats sounded like communist and socialist dictators such as Fidel Castro of Cuba, Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela and Hugo Chavez, the late leader of Venezuela.
“They would tell you that, and that wasn’t like a once-in-a-while. It was every single time,” he said. “They hated the socialism thing — it was a big deal.”
Hispanic immigrants come to the U.S. for a better quality of life and want to work hard and take care of their families, he said.
“They really got turned off by the riots and the looting and the protests and whatnot and they would literally tell you, this is what we left to come here,” Mr. McLaughlin said. “We saw that. It wasn’t like hey, surprise, look what happened on Election Day.”
Exit polling also showed that Mr. Trump won 12% of Black voters, up from 8% four years ago.
“It’s not as much about their race,” Mr. McLaughlin said. “They live in the suburbs or they live in suburban or wealthier, more affluent urban areas. They’re more middle- to upper-middle income African Americans and Hispanics.”
He said the president’s support among minority voters often is small business owners or middle-to-upper management.
“They have money and it’s just like what 50 Cent said,” he said, referring to the rapper. “50 Cent said, ‘I don’t want to be 20 Cent,’ and they got it. They want to be safe. They want to have school choice. They want low taxes.”
Mr. McLaughlin said that both in this year’s race and in 2016, people tended to side with Mr. Trump on the issues over Mr. Biden or 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton regardless of who they thought won the presidential debates.
“On things like education and school choice, on keeping people safe, stopping the rioting and the looting, trade issues, creating jobs and the economy, wanting lower taxes post-COVID — the voters agree with the Republicans here,” he said.
Mr. Trump hit his high water mark in surveys on the economy.
Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster who worked with Mr. Biden’s team, said the economy was one issue that helped prop up Mr. Trump.
“His voters were economic voters. Biden’s voters were COVID voters,” Ms. Lake said. “One of the challenges that Democrats face going forward is we still have to establish a more robust economic profile.”
She said there was broad support among voters for a robust coronavirus relief package — something Congress did manage to pass this month.
“I think the voters, in particular the silent majority that determined that Joe Biden was president, the suburban vote, the mom vote, is a vote that really wants to get going and doesn’t want to keep fighting,” Ms. Lake said. “[Biden’s] coalition was actually a stronger governing coalition maybe even than it was a political coalition.”
Democrats are in a unique position in that they appear to have clinched the presidency but fell well below expectations in several high-profile Senate races. They also will enter next year with a much thinner majority in the House.
Republicans will maintain control of the Senate unless Democrats can sweep two runoff contests on Jan. 5 in Georgia, which until Mr. Biden’s narrow win had been reliably red for decades.
David Winston, a longtime Republican consultant and pollster, said 2020 appears to have ended in a “bizarre outcome.”
“While the current situation looks like Biden won, his party lost,” Mr. Winston said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Police: Deaths of Ohio couple believed to be murder-suicide

MARION , Ohio ( AP ) - Authorities in Ohio are calling the deaths of a husband and wife found @ @ @ @ @ Marion home over the weekend an apparent murder-suicide .
Lt. B. J. Gruber of the @ @ @ @ @ information has led investigators to believe that Max Berry , 44 , shot and killed @ @ @ @ @ before shooting himself , police said in a news release .
A relative found the @ @ @ @ @ the garage of the home on the city ’ s eastern edge shortly after 5 @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is a horrible tragedy in every conceivable way , ” Marion Police @ @ @ @ @ of the Criminal Investigations Division , said in the release .
The bodies were taken @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Office for autopsies , and the Marion County coroner ’ s office is @ @ @ @ @ of death .
Police said the investigation continues and no further release of information was @ @ @

MARION, Ohio (AP) - Authorities in Ohio are calling the deaths of a husband and wife found in the garage of their Marion home over the weekend an apparent murder-suicide.
Lt. B. J. Gruber of the Marion police department said preliminary information has led investigators to believe that Max Berry, 44, shot and killed Amy Berry, 42, before shooting himself, police said in a news release.
A relative found the couple’s bodies in the garage of the home on the city’s eastern edge shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, police said.
“This is a horrible tragedy in every conceivable way,” Marion Police Maj. Jeff Clewell, commander of the Criminal Investigations Division, said in the release.
The bodies were taken to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office for autopsies, and the Marion County coroner’s office is to determine the official cause of death. Police said the investigation continues and no further release of information was planned Sunday.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Hunter Biden, Eric Swalwell china ties ding Ossoff

Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff is fighting Republican attacks over his business ties to China as the Georgia runoff election nears , but the Hunter Biden and Eric Swalwell scandals involving Beijing aren ’ t making it any easier .
Mr. Biden , the president-elect ’ s son , and California Democratic Rep. Swalwell have kept stories about Beijing ’ s influence in the news , lending oxygen to Republicans hammering Mr. Ossoff ‘ s link to a Hong Kong conglomerate owned in part by the Chinese communist government .
Mr. Ossoff , who is challenging Republican Sen. David Perdue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slipped a few points in the Dec. 18 poll by the Trafalgar Group , which pollster Robert Cahaly attributed primarily to the China issue .
“ The movement , from what we can see , is more of the Ossoff-Perdue race , ” Mr. Cahaly told Fox News .
“ The voters are telling us that the movement is about the China thing .
I think the attacks on Ossoff about his connections to China are working for Perdue.
” For Mr. Ossoff , the timing could hardly be worse .
Alarm over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new reports of Hunter Biden ’ s lucrative business deals with Beijing , followed by an Axios investigation earlier this month into a suspected Chinese spy who became chummy with some California Democrats , including Mr. Swalwell .
The Perdue campaign connected the dots in a digital ad with news clips of critics , including Sen. Marsha Blackburn , Tennessee Republican , raising concerns about Mr. Ossoff ’ s company receiving payments from PCCW Media , which is owned in part by China Unicom , a state-run telecommunications provider .
The ad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” ends with a photo of Mr. Swalwell posing with Christine Fang , the suspected Chinese operative who also is known as Fang Fang .
“ Ossoff had to amend his financial dealings , ” Fox News host Dana Perino says in a news clip in the ad released Dec. 16 .
“ I ’ ve got to tell you , America has been given a wake-up call in this Swalwell thing .
Now , who do they target ?
Young , up-and-coming progressive people .
If I were in Georgia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The race is tight , but Mr. Ossoff has trended in the wrong direction .
The latest Trafalgar poll showed Mr. Perdue ahead with committed and leaning voters by 50.2 % to 47.5 % for Mr. Ossoff , even though the Democrat led in the Dec. 11 poll by 49.1 % to 48.8 % .
The China issue erupted in September after National Review reported that Mr. Ossoff amended his May 15 financial disclosure report in July to reflect that his London-based investigative-film company , Insight TWI , received funding from PCCW .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ PCCW .
The Georgia Republican Party filed an ethics complaint on Dec. 8 , accusing the Democrat of trying to hide his PCCW connection before the June 9 primary , which the Ossoff campaign dismissed as a “ laughable smear campaign.
” The Ossoff campaign , which added payments from a total of 32 groups to its May 15 filing , attributed the revisions to a “ paperwork oversight ” that was discovered after a “ normal review of the campaign ’ s paperwork , ” according to FactCheck.org .
The campaign also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ad last month that said Mr. Ossoff was “ hiding cash from Chinese communists , ” with an Ossoff spokesperson saying that the payments came from royalties from the airing of two Insight TWI documentaries , and that “ PCCW does not = Chinese communists.
” Even so , Mr. Ossoff has been dogged by the issue .
Hecklers waved Chinese flags last month at an Ossoff rally .
The Perdue campaign released a 30-second spot Monday showing a red map of China and Chinese troops juxtaposed with photos of Mr. Ossoff .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the communist Chinese government through a media company , ” says the 30-second ad .
“ He tried hiding , it got caught , then lied … Why did China really pay Ossoff ?
What ’ s he hiding ?
” The issue was the subject of debate Monday on “ The Georgia Gang , ” the state ’ s longest-running public-affairs program .
Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson called the attacks on Mr. Ossoff “ totally , totally false , ” citing an unnamed media fact-check .
“ While it ’ s fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I think the only difference is you ’ ve got to back it up with evidence , especially when it ’ s been thoroughly vetted to be false , ” said Mr. Johnson on the Fox 5 Atlanta show .
The Ossoff campaign said in a statement to National Review that the candidate “ strongly supports Hong Kong ’ s pro-democracy movement and condemns the brutality and authoritarianism of the Chinese Communist Party.
” That wasn ’ t strong enough , said Phil Kent , CEO and publisher of InsiderAdvantage , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics .
“ If you want to convince us , Mr. Ossoff , condemn the communist Chinese government for their infiltration in America , for their horrible human rights record , their crushing of independence in Hong Kong , ” Mr. Kent said .
“ Even Joe Biden has to be very careful with all of this controversy about China .
So Ossoff better renounce China and any ties.
” The Senate ethics form requires candidates to disclose any income over $ 5,000 , but the campaign told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 from PCCW , which means it did not need to be reported .
Why disclose it ?
The Ossoff camp said it did so in the interest of transparency , according to the newspaper , although critics say there has been little in the way of openness on the issue .
“ Back in May , just before Democratic primary , Jon Ossoff hid the fact that he received all this money for his media company from the Chinese Communist government , and he said it was a mistake and an oversight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Well , come on , what a joke that was.
” The Ossoff campaign cited the Atlanta Journal-Constitution article , which ran on Dec. 9 , after being contacted for comment by The Washington Times .
The runoff elections also feature a race between Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Democrat Raphael Warnock .
The outcome of the two races will determine control of the Senate .

Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff is fighting Republican attacks over his business ties to China as the Georgia runoff election nears, but the Hunter Biden and Eric Swalwell scandals involving Beijing aren’t making it any easier.
Mr. Biden, the president-elect’s son, and California Democratic Rep. Swalwell have kept stories about Beijing’s influence in the news, lending oxygen to Republicans hammering Mr. Ossoff’s link to a Hong Kong conglomerate owned in part by the Chinese communist government.
Mr. Ossoff, who is challenging Republican Sen. David Perdue in a Jan. 5 runoff election, slipped a few points in the Dec. 18 poll by the Trafalgar Group, which pollster Robert Cahaly attributed primarily to the China issue.
“The movement, from what we can see, is more of the Ossoff-Perdue race,” Mr. Cahaly told Fox News. “The voters are telling us that the movement is about the China thing. I think the attacks on Ossoff about his connections to China are working for Perdue.”
For Mr. Ossoff, the timing could hardly be worse.
Alarm over Chinese influence soared starting in mid-October with new reports of Hunter Biden’s lucrative business deals with Beijing, followed by an Axios investigation earlier this month into a suspected Chinese spy who became chummy with some California Democrats, including Mr. Swalwell.
The Perdue campaign connected the dots in a digital ad with news clips of critics, including Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Republican, raising concerns about Mr. Ossoff’s company receiving payments from PCCW Media, which is owned in part by China Unicom, a state-run telecommunications provider.
The ad, “Jon Ossoff Has a China Problem,” ends with a photo of Mr. Swalwell posing with Christine Fang, the suspected Chinese operative who also is known as Fang Fang.
“Ossoff had to amend his financial dealings,” Fox News host Dana Perino says in a news clip in the ad released Dec. 16. “I’ve got to tell you, America has been given a wake-up call in this Swalwell thing. Now, who do they target? Young, up-and-coming progressive people. If I were in Georgia, I’d take a look.”
The race is tight, but Mr. Ossoff has trended in the wrong direction. The latest Trafalgar poll showed Mr. Perdue ahead with committed and leaning voters by 50.2% to 47.5% for Mr. Ossoff, even though the Democrat led in the Dec. 11 poll by 49.1% to 48.8%.
The China issue erupted in September after National Review reported that Mr. Ossoff amended his May 15 financial disclosure report in July to reflect that his London-based investigative-film company, Insight TWI, received funding from PCCW. China owns an 18% share of PCCW.
The Georgia Republican Party filed an ethics complaint on Dec. 8, accusing the Democrat of trying to hide his PCCW connection before the June 9 primary, which the Ossoff campaign dismissed as a “laughable smear campaign.”
The Ossoff campaign, which added payments from a total of 32 groups to its May 15 filing, attributed the revisions to a “paperwork oversight” that was discovered after a “normal review of the campaign’s paperwork,” according to FactCheck.org.
The campaign also pushed back on a Senate Leadership Fund ad last month that said Mr. Ossoff was “hiding cash from Chinese communists,” with an Ossoff spokesperson saying that the payments came from royalties from the airing of two Insight TWI documentaries, and that “PCCW does not = Chinese communists.”
Even so, Mr. Ossoff has been dogged by the issue. Hecklers waved Chinese flags last month at an Ossoff rally. The Perdue campaign released a 30-second spot Monday showing a red map of China and Chinese troops juxtaposed with photos of Mr. Ossoff.
“We know Ossoff was paid by the communist Chinese government through a media company,” says the 30-second ad. “He tried hiding, it got caught, then lied … Why did China really pay Ossoff? What’s he hiding?”
The issue was the subject of debate Monday on “The Georgia Gang,” the state’s longest-running public-affairs program. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson called the attacks on Mr. Ossoff “totally, totally false,” citing an unnamed media fact-check.
“While it’s fair for Sen. Perdue to make that claim, I think the only difference is you’ve got to back it up with evidence, especially when it’s been thoroughly vetted to be false,” said Mr. Johnson on the Fox 5 Atlanta show.
The Ossoff campaign said in a statement to National Review that the candidate “strongly supports Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement and condemns the brutality and authoritarianism of the Chinese Communist Party.”
That wasn’t strong enough, said Phil Kent, CEO and publisher of InsiderAdvantage, an online publication focused on Georgia business and politics.
“If you want to convince us, Mr. Ossoff, condemn the communist Chinese government for their infiltration in America, for their horrible human rights record, their crushing of independence in Hong Kong,” Mr. Kent said. “Even Joe Biden has to be very careful with all of this controversy about China. So Ossoff better renounce China and any ties.”
The Senate ethics form requires candidates to disclose any income over $5,000, but the campaign told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Mr. Ossoff’s company received about $1,000 from PCCW, which means it did not need to be reported.
Why disclose it? The Ossoff camp said it did so in the interest of transparency, according to the newspaper, although critics say there has been little in the way of openness on the issue.
“Back in May, just before Democratic primary, Jon Ossoff hid the fact that he received all this money for his media company from the Chinese Communist government, and he said it was a mistake and an oversight,” said Mr. Kent. “Well, come on, what a joke that was.”
The Ossoff campaign cited the Atlanta Journal-Constitution article, which ran on Dec. 9, after being contacted for comment by The Washington Times.
The runoff elections also feature a race between Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Democrat Raphael Warnock. The outcome of the two races will determine control of the Senate.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Music City Bowl canceled after virus sidelines Missouri

The Music City Bowl between Missouri and Iowa was canceled Sunday because COVID-19 issues left the Tigers unable to play .
The game scheduled for Wednesday in Nashville , Tennessee , is the second bowl called off since the postseason lineup was set on Dec. 20 , joining the Gasparilla Bowl .
Overall , 18 bowl games scheduled to be played this season have been canceled .
Missouri athletic director Jim Sterk said the team has had a “ significant increase in positive COVID-19 tests among our student-athletes , coaches and staff ” since the end of the regular season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team that has had to pull out of its bowl game , joining Tennessee and South Carolina .
Army was able to replace Tennessee in the Liberty Bowl against West Virginia to salvage that game .
South Carolina ’ s COVID-19 issues left UAB without an opponent in the Gasparilla Bowl .
Iowa was left in the same situation , with no short-notice replacement available .
“ We are extremely disappointed to have our season end today , ” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said .
“ This is a remarkable group of players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an honor to coach them.
” Ferentz added that the Hawkeyes “ have overcome several challenges together during a season like no other.
” The coach himself tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month and the program was rocked during the summer by allegations from former players of systemic racism .
The pandemic continues to disrupt other college sports .
Villanova announced Sunday that coach Jay Wright has tested positive for COVID-19 and the fifth-ranked Wildcats have paused basketball activities , including Saturday ’ s game against Xavier .
Syracuse also paused all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracing is underway after a positive COVID-19 test for the 22nd-ranked Orange .
The Music City Bowl seemed to be in danger last week because Iowa paused football activities due to COVID-19 cases , but the Hawkeyes resumed practice this weekend .
Iowa ( 6-2 ) got all eight of its scheduled regular-season games in before having first its championship weekend Big Ten matchup against Michigan canceled and now its bowl , too .
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz wraps up his first season with a two-game skid and a 5-5 record .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and resiliency that our players have shown throughout this challenging season , ” he said .
“ This is the eighth time in 11 games we ’ ve been faced with a schedule adjustment , but we ’ ve been able to fight through and finish while competing at a very high level throughout the season , which I believe shows the true character of our team .
”

The Music City Bowl between Missouri and Iowa was canceled Sunday because COVID-19 issues left the Tigers unable to play.
The game scheduled for Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee, is the second bowl called off since the postseason lineup was set on Dec. 20, joining the Gasparilla Bowl. Overall, 18 bowl games scheduled to be played this season have been canceled.
Missouri athletic director Jim Sterk said the team has had a “significant increase in positive COVID-19 tests among our student-athletes, coaches and staff” since the end of the regular season.
Missouri is the third Southeastern Conference team that has had to pull out of its bowl game, joining Tennessee and South Carolina. Army was able to replace Tennessee in the Liberty Bowl against West Virginia to salvage that game. South Carolina’s COVID-19 issues left UAB without an opponent in the Gasparilla Bowl.
Iowa was left in the same situation, with no short-notice replacement available.
“We are extremely disappointed to have our season end today,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “This is a remarkable group of players and men, and it has been an honor to coach them.”
Ferentz added that the Hawkeyes “have overcome several challenges together during a season like no other.” The coach himself tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month and the program was rocked during the summer by allegations from former players of systemic racism.
The pandemic continues to disrupt other college sports. Villanova announced Sunday that coach Jay Wright has tested positive for COVID-19 and the fifth-ranked Wildcats have paused basketball activities, including Saturday’s game against Xavier. Syracuse also paused all women’s basketball-related activities and contact tracing is underway after a positive COVID-19 test for the 22nd-ranked Orange.
The Music City Bowl seemed to be in danger last week because Iowa paused football activities due to COVID-19 cases, but the Hawkeyes resumed practice this weekend.
Iowa (6-2) got all eight of its scheduled regular-season games in before having first its championship weekend Big Ten matchup against Michigan canceled and now its bowl, too.
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz wraps up his first season with a two-game skid and a 5-5 record.
“I am extremely proud of the fight and resiliency that our players have shown throughout this challenging season,” he said. “This is the eighth time in 11 games we’ve been faced with a schedule adjustment, but we’ve been able to fight through and finish while competing at a very high level throughout the season, which I believe shows the true character of our team.”
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Wisconsin reports nearly 2,300 new virus cases, 9 new deaths

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - Wisconsin health officials on Sunday reported 2,287 positive tests for the coronavirus in the last @ @ @ @ @ number of confirmed cases to 470,818 .
The new cases accounted for 46.7 % of @ @ @ @ @ processed in the last 24 hours .
The overall positivity rate since the start of @ @ @ @ @ 10 % .
The COVID Tracking Project reports that the rolling average number of daily @ @ @ @ @ past two weeks has decreased by 45.3 % .
The state ranks 34th in the @ @ @ @ @ capita .
One in every 379 people in Wisconsin tested positive in the past week @ @ @ @ @ new deaths since Saturday , for a total of 4,692 fatalities .
For most people @ @ @ @ @ mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two @ @ @ @ @ some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia and death .

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Wisconsin health officials on Sunday reported 2,287 positive tests for the coronavirus in the last day, lifting the total number of confirmed cases to 470,818.
The new cases accounted for 46.7% of the 4,902 tests that were processed in the last 24 hours. The overall positivity rate since the start of the pandemic stands at about 10%.
The COVID Tracking Project reports that the rolling average number of daily cases in Wisconsin over the past two weeks has decreased by 45.3%. The state ranks 34th in the country for new cases per capita. One in every 379 people in Wisconsin tested positive in the past week.
The state reported nine new deaths since Saturday, for a total of 4,692 fatalities.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--James Turgeon, driver of box truck playing 'similar' audio as Nashville bomber, arrested

NASHVILLE — A sheriff ’ s office in Tennessee says the driver of a box truck that was heard playing audio at a convenience store outside of Nashville has been booked into jail on felony charges .
The Rutherford County Sheriff ’ s Office says members of a church and customers at the nearby market where the white box truck was spotted Sunday morning heard the driver playing audio “ similar to what was heard ” before a recreational vehicle exploded in downtown Nashville on Christmas Day .
Sgt .
Steve Craig says deputies were called to investigate reports of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” outside the market , and later learned that the man was also accused of similar actions outside a church during a service .
The sheriff ’ s office said in a statement that 33-year-old driver James Turgeon has been detained and charged with two counts of felony filing a false report and one count of tampering with evidence .
Officials say Turgeon received the evidence tampering charge because he “ damaged the speaker system wiring intentionally.
” The Tennessee Highway Patrol has said a robot was sent to investigate the truck and @ @ @ @ @

NASHVILLE — A sheriff’s office in Tennessee says the driver of a box truck that was heard playing audio at a convenience store outside of Nashville has been booked into jail on felony charges.
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office says members of a church and customers at the nearby market where the white box truck was spotted Sunday morning heard the driver playing audio “similar to what was heard” before a recreational vehicle exploded in downtown Nashville on Christmas Day.
Sgt. Steve Craig says deputies were called to investigate reports of the truck driver playing audio “loudly” outside the market, and later learned that the man was also accused of similar actions outside a church during a service.
The sheriff’s office said in a statement that 33-year-old driver James Turgeon has been detained and charged with two counts of felony filing a false report and one count of tampering with evidence. Officials say Turgeon received the evidence tampering charge because he “damaged the speaker system wiring intentionally.”
The Tennessee Highway Patrol has said a robot was sent to investigate the truck, and no device was found.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Mavericks set NBA record with 50-point halftime lead in rout

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Luka Doncic scored 24 points and the Dallas Mavericks led by a NBA-record 50 points at halftime in a 124-73 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday .
Josh Richardson added 21 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 18 points for the Mavericks .
The Clippers trailed 77-27 at halftime , with their 50-point deficit being the largest at the break in the shot-clock era , which began in 1954-55 .
Paul George led the Kawhi Leonard-less Clippers with 15 points before sitting out the second half .
Serge Ibaka added 13 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the team ’ s first loss .
The Clippers opened with victories over the defending NBA champion Lakers and Denver .
Leonard sat out after needing eight stitches in his mouth after accidentally getting elbowed by the 7-foot Ibaka going for a rebound in Friday ’ night at Denver .
CLEVELAND ( AP ) - Andre Drummond had 24 points , 14 rebounds and three steals to help Cleveland beat Philadelphia for its third straight victory to start the season .
Collin Sexton added 22 points and Darius Garland had 14 points and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the second-worst record in the NBA last season at 19-46 .
They Cavaliers are 3-0 for the first time since winning six in a row to begin 2016-17 .
Tobias Harris had 16 points , nine rebounds and five assists for Philadelphia , which fell to 2-1 and played without center Joel Embiid ( back tightness ) .
WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Markelle Fultz and Terrence Ross each scored 26 points and Orlando rallied to beat Washington for its first 3-0 start since 2009-10 .
Nikola Vucevic scored in the post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25.1 seconds as the Magic scored the final 10 points of the game in beating the Wizards for the sixth straight game .
Vucevic had with 15 points and eight rebounds , while Evan Fournier added 19 points .
Bradley Beal had 29 points and seven assists for Washington .
Russell Westbrook was held out for rest .
NEW YORK ( AP ) - Tom Thibodeau ’ s first victory as Knicks coach came surprisingly easy against a top opponent , as New York routed Milwaukee .
Julius Randle had 29 points , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Payton scored 27 points in his best game as a Knick , and New York led by as much as 28 against the team that had the best record in the NBA the previous two seasons .
The Knicks were among the NBA ’ s worst during that time but are hoping for a turnaround under Thibodeau , the former Coach of the Year who engineered comebacks in Chicago and Minnesota .
The Knicks opened his tenure by hanging with Indiana and Philadelphia for a half before those teams pulled away in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 points and 13 rebounds for the Bucks .
NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) - Brandon Ingram had 28 points and 11 rebounds and New Orleans held off San Antonio .
The Spurs had a chance to tie it after Steven Adams , whose put-back dunk put New Orleans up 97-91 with two minutes left , missed a pair of free throws with 11 seconds to go .
But Eric Bledsoe blocked DeMar DeRozan ’ s 3-point attempt from behind in the final seconds to preserve the victory .
Zion Williamson had 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scoring about half of his points on dunks .
Lonzo Ball had 16 points and five steals .
Rudy Gay scored 22 points for the Spurs .
They opened with two victories .
CHARLOTTE , N.C. ( AP ) - Gordon Hayward had 28 points , seven assists and six rebounds and Charlotte handed Brooklyn its first loss of the season .
Terry Rozier added 19 points , including two clutch free throws , and P.J .
Washington finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Hornets .
Kevin Durant led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyrie Irving had 25 points .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Luka Doncic scored 24 points and the Dallas Mavericks led by a NBA-record 50 points at halftime in a 124-73 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
Josh Richardson added 21 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 18 points for the Mavericks.
The Clippers trailed 77-27 at halftime, with their 50-point deficit being the largest at the break in the shot-clock era, which began in 1954-55.
Paul George led the Kawhi Leonard-less Clippers with 15 points before sitting out the second half. Serge Ibaka added 13 points and nine rebounds over three quarters of the team’s first loss. The Clippers opened with victories over the defending NBA champion Lakers and Denver.
Leonard sat out after needing eight stitches in his mouth after accidentally getting elbowed by the 7-foot Ibaka going for a rebound in Friday’ night at Denver.
WARRIORS 129, BULLS 128
CHICAGO (AP) - Damion Lee hit a 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds remaining and Stephen Curry scored 36 points, sending Golden State past Chicago for its first victory of the season.
With the Chicago defense focused on the sharp-shooting Curry, Lee took a handoff after Golden State inbounded the ball with 5 seconds left and fired from a few feet beyond the top of the 3-point arc. Lee finished with 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting on 3s.
Curry was 11 for 25 from the field, including 5 of 15 on 3-pointers - a day after making 105 straight 3s to finish practice at the Bulls’ facility.
With his first 3 late in the first quarter, Curry became the third NBA player to amass 2,500 career 3-pointers. Ray Allen (2,973) and Reggie Miller (2,560) are the others.
Late in the third quarter, Curry set a Warriors record for most consecutive made free throws with his 61st dating to last season. He finished 9 for 9 for the game to run his streak to 64. Rick Barry set the previous record of 60 in 1976.
Zach LaVine had 33 points for winless Chicago.
LAKERS 127, TIMBERWOLVES 91
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Kyle Kuzma scored 20 points in the first half while starting in Anthony Davis’ place, and LeBron James added 18 points in Los Angeles’ win over Minnesota.
Star big men Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns sat out.
Kuzma had a phenomenal opening half in his first start. He hit three consecutive 3-pointers to open the scoring in a wire-to-wire win for Los Angeles, which led by 20 in the first quarter and 36 in the third.
Marc Gasol had 12 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in just 21 minutes for the Lakers, while James tied Kevin Garnett for fourth place in NBA history by scoring at least 10 points for the 1,260th time.
No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards had 15 points on 6-of-21 shooting in the Timberwolves’ first loss of the season. Minnesota missed its first 12 3-point attempts while falling behind by 23 early in the second quarter.
CAVALIERS 118, 76ERS 94
CLEVELAND (AP) - Andre Drummond had 24 points, 14 rebounds and three steals to help Cleveland beat Philadelphia for its third straight victory to start the season.
Collin Sexton added 22 points and Darius Garland had 14 points and seven assists for Cleveland. The Cavaliers had the second-worst record in the NBA last season at 19-46. They Cavaliers are 3-0 for the first time since winning six in a row to begin 2016-17.
Tobias Harris had 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists for Philadelphia, which fell to 2-1 and played without center Joel Embiid (back tightness).
PACERS 108, CELTICS 107
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Domantas Sabonis scored on a layup with 8.4 seconds left and had 19 points and 10 rebounds for his 100th double-double, helping Indiana beat Boston.
Malcolm Brogdon scored a season-high 25 points as Indiana improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2013-14 season.
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 25 points, but missed a 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds to go as the Celtics lost their second straight.
MAGIC 120, WIZARDS 113
WASHINGTON (AP) - Markelle Fultz and Terrence Ross each scored 26 points and Orlando rallied to beat Washington for its first 3-0 start since 2009-10.
Nikola Vucevic scored in the post to give Orlando a 114-113 lead with 25.1 seconds as the Magic scored the final 10 points of the game in beating the Wizards for the sixth straight game.
Vucevic had with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Evan Fournier added 19 points.
Bradley Beal had 29 points and seven assists for Washington. Russell Westbrook was held out for rest.
KNICKS 130, BUCKS 110
NEW YORK (AP) - Tom Thibodeau’s first victory as Knicks coach came surprisingly easy against a top opponent, as New York routed Milwaukee.
Julius Randle had 29 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists, Elfrid Payton scored 27 points in his best game as a Knick, and New York led by as much as 28 against the team that had the best record in the NBA the previous two seasons.
The Knicks were among the NBA’s worst during that time but are hoping for a turnaround under Thibodeau, the former Coach of the Year who engineered comebacks in Chicago and Minnesota. The Knicks opened his tenure by hanging with Indiana and Philadelphia for a half before those teams pulled away in the final two quarters.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 27 points and 13 rebounds for the Bucks.
PELICANS 98, SPURS 95
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Brandon Ingram had 28 points and 11 rebounds and New Orleans held off San Antonio.
The Spurs had a chance to tie it after Steven Adams, whose put-back dunk put New Orleans up 97-91 with two minutes left, missed a pair of free throws with 11 seconds to go. But Eric Bledsoe blocked DeMar DeRozan’s 3-point attempt from behind in the final seconds to preserve the victory.
Zion Williamson had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Pelicans, scoring about half of his points on dunks. Lonzo Ball had 16 points and five steals.
Rudy Gay scored 22 points for the Spurs. They opened with two victories.
SUNS 116, KINGS 100
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Mikal Bridges scored 22 points, Cameron Johnson had 21 in 21 minutes and Phoenix pulled away with two second-half runs to beat Sacramento.
Devin Booker added 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Deandre Ayton had 11 points and 15 rebounds for the Suns, a night after a 106-103 loss in the opener of the two-game set in Sacramento. The loss snapped the Suns’ winning streak at nine.
Bridges was 9 of 15 from the field, going 4 of 8 from long range. Johnson was 7 of 9, hitting 3 of 4 3-pointers. He made all four of his free throws.
Buddy Hield scored 17 points for Sacramento. First-round draft pick Tyrese Haliburton added 15 points and six assists.
HORNETS 106, NETS 104
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Gordon Hayward had 28 points, seven assists and six rebounds and Charlotte handed Brooklyn its first loss of the season.
Terry Rozier added 19 points, including two clutch free throws, and P.J. Washington finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Hornets.
Kevin Durant led the Nets with 29 points, and Kyrie Irving had 25 points.