washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Pandemic prompts stage talent to move to northwest Montana

KALISPELL , Mont .
( AP ) - Back in March , actor and singer Dustin Brayley was on stage performing the first of four concerts in Florida with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra , a touring rock band , when officials suddenly canceled the remainder of their shows due to the novel coronavirus that was spreading around the world .
As nationwide lockdowns began , Brayley immediately booked a flight home to Los Angeles , fearing he might get stuck in Florida .
After 17 chaotic hours in mask-less airports among panic-stricken travelers , Brayley was back home in L.A. with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meredith Patterson , and their 5- and 8-year-old sons .
With nearly all of their jobs canceled for the foreseeable future as the pandemic raged on , they hunkered down in California .
But not everything was canceled .
In July , Brayley , Patterson and their kids road-tripped to Whitefish to help coach Alpine Theatre Project ’ s ( ATP ) Broadway Summer Training Camp , which they ’ ve done for the last few years .
During the trip , their two sons cried and begged their parents to move the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they were completely moved out of their home in L.A. “ We said , ‘ Screw it , ’ ” Brayley told the Flathead Beacon .
“ There ’ s nothing keeping us here ; all of our jobs are gone .
We could either have the mentality of ‘ let ’ s just ride this out ’ or ‘ let ’ s just make this our home base.
’ ” Brayley and Patterson are not the only talented transplants who have moved to the Flathead since the pandemic began .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luke Walrath says a handful of professional artists and former Broadway actors he ’ s worked with have permanently relocated to the area .
Since Walrath and his wife , Betsi Morrison , founded ATP in 2004 , they have consistently hired professional Broadway stars for the theater ’ s shows and to coach the kid ’ s camps in the summer , creating connections and introducing East and West Coast talent to Montana .
With no work in the entertainment hubs of L.A. and New York City , those artists are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has seen a gradual migration of artists to the Flathead since he moved to the area in 2002 , and that trend skyrocketed this fall after the pandemic continued to leave performers out of work .
But he didn ’ t foresee the high volume of professionals leaving cities to anchor roots in Northwest Montana .
“ I think at a certain point the valley started creating its own gravity , ” Walrath said .
“ Nick Spear moved here in 2007 , then Mike Eldred , and Erica von Kleist in 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started picking up.
” As more artists have gravitated to the area in recent years , the valley has increasingly become an entertainment hub , with more artists realizing they can maintain their professional careers while calling Montana home base .
After working in Whitefish with ATP the past few summers , Patterson and Brayley knew there was a community of artists here and kept the area on their radar .
With most of the entertainment industry on hold until the pandemic sees significant progress , they ’ re grateful they have work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , ATP has done everything from the virtual musical “ Young Frankenstein ” to outdoor performances this summer and fall with “ Aladdin Jr. ” and “ Operalesque ” to the upcoming “ Yuletide Affair.
” These types of musical adaptations haven ’ t been possible for theater productions in other states , making Montana a more attractive place for professionals seeking work and creative outlets .
“ We have creativity here that we ’ re able to do , ” Patterson said .
“ Being able to do outdoor theater with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montana is unique.
” Vocalist and former Broadway actor Eric Krop had a similar mindset when he decided to move to Whitefish permanently a few months ago .
After working for ATP this summer and helping with “ Aladdin Jr. , ” Krop and his husband pulled the trigger and moved shortly afterward .
Krop has lived in big cities like New York City and L.A. for most of his career , working on the Broadway musical “ Godspell ” in 2011 and later transitioning to focus on songwriting and singing .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a place people go to “ be seen.
” “ It ’ s not my vibe , ” Krop said .
“ Here , it ’ s all about what can I offer to my community .
The mentality of this area is people are super nice , honest and just want to do their thing.
” Krop says when they arrived during the busy tourist season this July , Montana almost felt normal after coming from a strict lockdown in L.A .
In the spring , Krop had watched the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when COVID canceled almost everything .
When his husband started working remotely , they no longer had a reason to be in the big city .
“ I asked myself , ‘ What am I doing here ?
’ ” Krop said .
“ I can go work on music in Montana and be happy.
” Krop has kept busy since he started working again in July for ATP after a slow spring on the West Coast .
He ’ s also been teaching voice lessons and a remote course for a college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have work and money in the bank , ” Krop said .
“ It ’ s insane .
I ’ m incredibly lucky and grateful and ATP has saved my life.
” Now , he ’ s a cast member and audio-engineer for ATP ’ s annual “ Yuletide Affair.
” Artists are working together to make the musical happen during the pandemic with small groups and remote production , as actors and musicians film scenes on location in places like the banks of the North Fork Flathead River and Whitefish City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Whitefish .
With a diverse range of skillsets , from voice to dance to music , several artists are also working together on personal projects in Whitefish .
With a few different albums and musicals in the works , as well as future performance plans , the valley will one day have a front-row seat to these top-tier shows .
“ Once we return to some normalcy , it will really thrive , ” Brayley said .
“ When we can start putting in the body of work that will be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local , we ’ ll be turning out so many great performances and work with things that stretch from the main stage to concert work and filming .
All these people bring this different element to it.
” Not only will the valley see more high-quality professional shows , kids now have a small army of experienced , professional artists to learn from .
“ Here ’ s the thing that ’ s changing with our business , ” Patterson said .
“ It ’ s not just a big city that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are learning to do stuff virtually , and I really think it ’ s going to make the smaller towns thrive .
The kids here are now being coached by Broadway veterans.
” From voice lessons to music theory to help with college applications , Walrath says everyone is teaching classes and educating the Flathead Valley ’ s youth .
“ We ’ ve learned how to do a lot of these things COVID-safe , ” Walrath said .
“ They ’ re able to coach the kids and , to me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exciting things .
We have all this experienced talent and they immediately wanted to start teaching.
” Former “ Rent ” Broadway actress Tracy McDowell moved from Brooklyn to Whitefish with her husband and son this fall .
In addition to working for ATP , she ’ s also teaching private voice coaching via Zoom and in-person with masks , and she ’ s also coaching students who are applying to college .
After living in New York City for 20 years , McDowell likes the slower pace of Montana , especially with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way .
She still plans on traveling to the East Coast to work periodically once the pandemic subsides , but she ’ s also planning on picking up gigs here , too .
“ It ’ s really tiring and you really have to make a lot of money to live there , ” she said .
“ I was in a really famous wedding band and that ’ s all gone , but there ’ s wedding bands here that I ’ m going to do .
Just having a home base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hustle of having to make thousands and thousands of dollars a month.
” Being in Montana full-time , McDowell and other new residents can provide students with direct connections to the Broadway and entertainment industries , creating opportunities that might not otherwise be possible .
Patterson , too , is busy coaching acting , tap dancing and industry networking to kids in the area .
She says there ’ s now more opportunity in the Flathead Valley than even where she grew up in the Bay Area .
“ There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good enough to star on Broadway , ” Patterson said .
“ They just haven ’ t geographically gone there to battle the city and battle auditions , and that ’ s what I think is exciting .
Towns like this will get Broadway-caliber people on these stages and get exposed to that kind of theater.
” Now that there are so many professional artists in the Flathead , ATP plans to launch a year-round curriculum of musical theater , acting , dance , studio and more for students , which will eventually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ATP Garage , their studio in Whitefish .
“ We ’ re trying to build this program and make it a place where young talent can come and have a place to be creative , ” McDowell said .
While everyone waits for live shows to restart nationwide , some of the Flathead ’ s newest residents are thankful for ATP and their ability to continue working and creating art throughout the pandemic .
At ATP ’ s production of “ Dare to Dream : The Road to Broadway ” this summer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moments among their tight-knit group .
“ I miss teaching , I miss singing out loud with a mask off and I miss performing really , really bad , ” McDowell said .
“ This summer when we all did the show , we took our masks off and started crying.
” ATP has already proven that it can produce high-quality performances even in a pandemic .
Working on the “ Aladdin Jr. ” production in a snowstorm this fall , McDowell teared up after realizing live theater was still possible even with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead , ” McDowell said .
For more information about ATP or to buy tickets to “ Yuletide Affair , ” visit www.atpwhitefish.org .

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) - Back in March, actor and singer Dustin Brayley was on stage performing the first of four concerts in Florida with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, a touring rock band, when officials suddenly canceled the remainder of their shows due to the novel coronavirus that was spreading around the world.
As nationwide lockdowns began, Brayley immediately booked a flight home to Los Angeles, fearing he might get stuck in Florida.
After 17 chaotic hours in mask-less airports among panic-stricken travelers, Brayley was back home in L.A. with his wife, actress and Broadway veteran Meredith Patterson, and their 5- and 8-year-old sons. With nearly all of their jobs canceled for the foreseeable future as the pandemic raged on, they hunkered down in California.
But not everything was canceled. In July, Brayley, Patterson and their kids road-tripped to Whitefish to help coach Alpine Theatre Project’s (ATP) Broadway Summer Training Camp, which they’ve done for the last few years. During the trip, their two sons cried and begged their parents to move the family to Whitefish.
In four weeks, they were completely moved out of their home in L.A.
“We said, ‘Screw it,’” Brayley told the Flathead Beacon. “There’s nothing keeping us here; all of our jobs are gone. We could either have the mentality of ‘let’s just ride this out’ or ‘let’s just make this our home base.’”
Brayley and Patterson are not the only talented transplants who have moved to the Flathead since the pandemic began. In the last few months, ATP co-founder Luke Walrath says a handful of professional artists and former Broadway actors he’s worked with have permanently relocated to the area.
Since Walrath and his wife, Betsi Morrison, founded ATP in 2004, they have consistently hired professional Broadway stars for the theater’s shows and to coach the kid’s camps in the summer, creating connections and introducing East and West Coast talent to Montana. With no work in the entertainment hubs of L.A. and New York City, those artists are now questioning why they live there.
Walrath has seen a gradual migration of artists to the Flathead since he moved to the area in 2002, and that trend skyrocketed this fall after the pandemic continued to leave performers out of work. But he didn’t foresee the high volume of professionals leaving cities to anchor roots in Northwest Montana.
“I think at a certain point the valley started creating its own gravity,” Walrath said. “Nick Spear moved here in 2007, then Mike Eldred, and Erica von Kleist in 2012. Then all of a sudden it started picking up.”
As more artists have gravitated to the area in recent years, the valley has increasingly become an entertainment hub, with more artists realizing they can maintain their professional careers while calling Montana home base.
After working in Whitefish with ATP the past few summers, Patterson and Brayley knew there was a community of artists here and kept the area on their radar. With most of the entertainment industry on hold until the pandemic sees significant progress, they’re grateful they have work in Montana.
In the last nine months, ATP has done everything from the virtual musical “Young Frankenstein” to outdoor performances this summer and fall with “Aladdin Jr.” and “Operalesque” to the upcoming “Yuletide Affair.” These types of musical adaptations haven’t been possible for theater productions in other states, making Montana a more attractive place for professionals seeking work and creative outlets.
“We have creativity here that we’re able to do,” Patterson said. “Being able to do outdoor theater with everyone in masks and social distancing, Montana is unique.”
Vocalist and former Broadway actor Eric Krop had a similar mindset when he decided to move to Whitefish permanently a few months ago. After working for ATP this summer and helping with “Aladdin Jr.,” Krop and his husband pulled the trigger and moved shortly afterward.
Krop has lived in big cities like New York City and L.A. for most of his career, working on the Broadway musical “Godspell” in 2011 and later transitioning to focus on songwriting and singing. After living in L.A., he describes it as a place people go to “be seen.”
“It’s not my vibe,” Krop said. “Here, it’s all about what can I offer to my community. The mentality of this area is people are super nice, honest and just want to do their thing.”
Krop says when they arrived during the busy tourist season this July, Montana almost felt normal after coming from a strict lockdown in L.A.
In the spring, Krop had watched the next year of jobs and commission work disappear when COVID canceled almost everything. When his husband started working remotely, they no longer had a reason to be in the big city.
“I asked myself, ‘What am I doing here?’” Krop said. “I can go work on music in Montana and be happy.”
Krop has kept busy since he started working again in July for ATP after a slow spring on the West Coast. He’s also been teaching voice lessons and a remote course for a college in L.A.
“I cannot believe I have work and money in the bank,” Krop said. “It’s insane. I’m incredibly lucky and grateful and ATP has saved my life.”
Now, he’s a cast member and audio-engineer for ATP’s annual “Yuletide Affair.” Artists are working together to make the musical happen during the pandemic with small groups and remote production, as actors and musicians film scenes on location in places like the banks of the North Fork Flathead River and Whitefish City Beach, while Krop engineers the sound from Whitefish.
With a diverse range of skillsets, from voice to dance to music, several artists are also working together on personal projects in Whitefish. With a few different albums and musicals in the works, as well as future performance plans, the valley will one day have a front-row seat to these top-tier shows.
“Once we return to some normalcy, it will really thrive,” Brayley said. “When we can start putting in the body of work that will be able to happen with people who are now local, we’ll be turning out so many great performances and work with things that stretch from the main stage to concert work and filming. All these people bring this different element to it.”
Not only will the valley see more high-quality professional shows, kids now have a small army of experienced, professional artists to learn from.
“Here’s the thing that’s changing with our business,” Patterson said. “It’s not just a big city that you have to be in anymore. People are learning to do stuff virtually, and I really think it’s going to make the smaller towns thrive. The kids here are now being coached by Broadway veterans.”
From voice lessons to music theory to help with college applications, Walrath says everyone is teaching classes and educating the Flathead Valley’s youth.
“We’ve learned how to do a lot of these things COVID-safe,” Walrath said. “They’re able to coach the kids and, to me, that’s one of the most exciting things. We have all this experienced talent and they immediately wanted to start teaching.”
Former “Rent” Broadway actress Tracy McDowell moved from Brooklyn to Whitefish with her husband and son this fall. In addition to working for ATP, she’s also teaching private voice coaching via Zoom and in-person with masks, and she’s also coaching students who are applying to college.
After living in New York City for 20 years, McDowell likes the slower pace of Montana, especially with a toddler and another baby on the way. She still plans on traveling to the East Coast to work periodically once the pandemic subsides, but she’s also planning on picking up gigs here, too.
“It’s really tiring and you really have to make a lot of money to live there,” she said. “I was in a really famous wedding band and that’s all gone, but there’s wedding bands here that I’m going to do. Just having a home base and having more space to create without the hustle of having to make thousands and thousands of dollars a month.”
Being in Montana full-time, McDowell and other new residents can provide students with direct connections to the Broadway and entertainment industries, creating opportunities that might not otherwise be possible. Patterson, too, is busy coaching acting, tap dancing and industry networking to kids in the area. She says there’s now more opportunity in the Flathead Valley than even where she grew up in the Bay Area.
“There’s artists all over the country that are good enough to star on Broadway,” Patterson said. “They just haven’t geographically gone there to battle the city and battle auditions, and that’s what I think is exciting. Towns like this will get Broadway-caliber people on these stages and get exposed to that kind of theater.”
Now that there are so many professional artists in the Flathead, ATP plans to launch a year-round curriculum of musical theater, acting, dance, studio and more for students, which will eventually become a full-time after-school program at the ATP Garage, their studio in Whitefish.
“We’re trying to build this program and make it a place where young talent can come and have a place to be creative,” McDowell said.
While everyone waits for live shows to restart nationwide, some of the Flathead’s newest residents are thankful for ATP and their ability to continue working and creating art throughout the pandemic.
At ATP’s production of “Dare to Dream: The Road to Broadway” this summer, McDowell says the collaboration triggered some emotional moments among their tight-knit group.
“I miss teaching, I miss singing out loud with a mask off and I miss performing really, really bad,” McDowell said. “This summer when we all did the show, we took our masks off and started crying.”
ATP has already proven that it can produce high-quality performances even in a pandemic. Working on the “Aladdin Jr.” production in a snowstorm this fall, McDowell teared up after realizing live theater was still possible even with the coronavirus.
“Theater is not dead,” McDowell said.
For more information about ATP or to buy tickets to “Yuletide Affair,” visit www.atpwhitefish.org.
maggie@flatheadbeacon.com


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--AP Exclusive: MLB payrolls drop nearly $2.5B in pandemic

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Major League Baseball payrolls plunged to $ 1.75 billion during the pandemic-shortened season from $ 4.22 billion , and the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers led with $ 98.6 million - the smallest for the top spender in 20 years .
Base wages for 40-man rosters tumbled to $ 1.54 billion , according to information sent from Major League Baseball to teams on Friday night and obtained by The Associated Press .
That was down from $ 3.99 billion in 2019 .
Prorated portions of signing bonuses totaled $ 120.6 million , down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bonuses fell to $ 25 million from $ 26.9 million .
Buyouts of unexercised 2021 options came to $ 58.2 million , more than double the $ 26.9 million for buyouts of unexercised 2020 options , a sign of expense-cutting amid the revenue loss .
Los Angeles won its first title since 1988 as it topped spending for the first time since 2017 , when the Dodgers led for the fourth year in a row .
The total had not been that low of the top spender since the New York Yankees in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yankees , at $ 83.6 million , were No .
2 for the second straight season .
The New York Mets were third at $ 83.4 million in their final season of ownership by the Wilpon and Katz families , up from 12th and their highest since they were second in 2009 .
The Mets were purchased last month by hedge fund manager Steven Cohen , who is boosting payroll higher for next year .
Houston was fourth at $ 81.4 million , up from eighth , followed by the Chicago Cubs at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
San Diego was sixth at $ 76.3 million , followed by Washington ( $ 76.2 million ) , Texas ( $ 75.2 million ) and the Los Angeles Angels ( $ 69.9 million ) , Boston , two years removed from a World Series title , dropped from first to 13th at $ 63.3 million after trading stars Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers .
AL champion Tampa Bay was 28th at $ 29.4 million , ahead of only Pittsburgh ( $ 24.1 million ) and Baltimore ( $ 23.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 60/162 due the shortened schedule as part of an agreement between MLB and the players ’ association following the interruption of spring training by the novel coronavirus .
The season ’ s start was delayed from March 26 to July 23 , and each team ’ s schedule cut from 162 games to 60 .
If full salaries had been paid and a complete schedule played with the usual average of callups from the minors , payrolls likely would have increased by 4 % from 2019 .
While the luxury tax was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the $ 208 million tax threshold , based on full payrolls by average annual value and including benefits and a COVID credit of at least $ 1.5 million per club : the Yankees ( $ 239.8 million ) , Houston ( $ 224.3 million ) and the Chicago Cubs ( $ 216.3 million ) .
New York and Chicago , both over for the second straight year , would have paid at 30 % of the amount above $ 208 million up until $ 228 million , and the Yankees would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 228 million .
Houston would have paid at a 20 % amount on its overage .
The Yankees avoided what would have been a full tax bill of $ 10,965,773 according to AP ’ s calculation , the Astros $ 3,263,801 and the Cubs $ 2,480,775 .
If they had paid on a prorated 60/162 share , the Yankees would have owed $ 4,061,397 , the Astros $ 1,208,815 and the Cubs $ 918,805 .
Still , each of those teams will have the compensation rate of a luxury tax-paying club if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down a qualifying offer from another team : Each would forfeit its second- and fifth-highest picks in the 2021 amateur draft and lose $ 1 million of international amateur signing bonus pool allotment .
Philadelphia was just under the tax threshold at $ 207.3 million and the Dodgers at $ 204.6 million .
Boston dropped to $ 184.9 million after paying a Red Sox record $ 13.4 million luxury tax in 2019 , when the team failed make the playoffs .

NEW YORK (AP) - Major League Baseball payrolls plunged to $1.75 billion during the pandemic-shortened season from $4.22 billion, and the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers led with $98.6 million - the smallest for the top spender in 20 years.
Base wages for 40-man rosters tumbled to $1.54 billion, according to information sent from Major League Baseball to teams on Friday night and obtained by The Associated Press. That was down from $3.99 billion in 2019.
Prorated portions of signing bonuses totaled $120.6 million, down slightly from $122.8 million. Earned bonuses fell to $25 million from $26.9 million.
Buyouts of unexercised 2021 options came to $58.2 million, more than double the $26.9 million for buyouts of unexercised 2020 options, a sign of expense-cutting amid the revenue loss.
Los Angeles won its first title since 1988 as it topped spending for the first time since 2017, when the Dodgers led for the fourth year in a row. The total had not been that low of the top spender since the New York Yankees in 2000 at $95.3 million.
The Yankees, at $83.6 million, were No. 2 for the second straight season. The New York Mets were third at $83.4 million in their final season of ownership by the Wilpon and Katz families, up from 12th and their highest since they were second in 2009. The Mets were purchased last month by hedge fund manager Steven Cohen, who is boosting payroll higher for next year.
Houston was fourth at $81.4 million, up from eighth, followed by the Chicago Cubs at $80.6 million, down from third.
San Diego was sixth at $76.3 million, followed by Washington ($76.2 million), Texas ($75.2 million) and the Los Angeles Angels ($69.9 million),
Boston, two years removed from a World Series title, dropped from first to 13th at $63.3 million after trading stars Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers.
AL champion Tampa Bay was 28th at $29.4 million, ahead of only Pittsburgh ($24.1 million) and Baltimore ($23.5 million).
Base salaries were reduced by 60/162 due the shortened schedule as part of an agreement between MLB and the players’ association following the interruption of spring training by the novel coronavirus. The season’s start was delayed from March 26 to July 23, and each team’s schedule cut from 162 games to 60.
If full salaries had been paid and a complete schedule played with the usual average of callups from the minors, payrolls likely would have increased by 4% from 2019.
While the luxury tax was suspended, three teams projected to finish over the $208 million tax threshold, based on full payrolls by average annual value and including benefits and a COVID credit of at least $1.5 million per club: the Yankees ($239.8 million), Houston ($224.3 million) and the Chicago Cubs ($216.3 million).
New York and Chicago, both over for the second straight year, would have paid at 30% of the amount above $208 million up until $228 million, and the Yankees would have paid 42% in the amount over $228 million. Houston would have paid at a 20% amount on its overage.
The Yankees avoided what would have been a full tax bill of $10,965,773 according to AP’s calculation, the Astros $3,263,801 and the Cubs $2,480,775. If they had paid on a prorated 60/162 share, the Yankees would have owed $4,061,397, the Astros $1,208,815 and the Cubs $918,805.
Still, each of those teams will have the compensation rate of a luxury tax-paying club if it signs a free agent who turned down a qualifying offer from another team: Each would forfeit its second- and fifth-highest picks in the 2021 amateur draft and lose $1 million of international amateur signing bonus pool allotment.
Philadelphia was just under the tax threshold at $207.3 million and the Dodgers at $204.6 million.
Boston dropped to $184.9 million after paying a Red Sox record $13.4 million luxury tax in 2019, when the team failed make the playoffs.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Police make arrests in Sacramento election protests

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - Sacramento police made several arrests Saturday near the state Capitol as pro-Trump and @ @ @ @ @ over the results of the presidential election .
Since the election on Nov. 3 , @ @ @ @ @ Proud Boys who support President Donald Trump have protested near the Capitol against what they @ @ @ @ @ .
They have been regularly confronted by members of left-wing groups .
Police made the @ @ @ @ @ Saturday after protesters started throwing objects over police barricades at officers who were attempting to @ @ @ @ @ Sacramento Bee reported .
The protesters dispersed from the area about 3 p.m. , the @ @ @

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Sacramento police made several arrests Saturday near the state Capitol as pro-Trump and anti-Trump protesters once again clashed over the results of the presidential election.
Since the election on Nov. 3, groups such as the far-right Proud Boys who support President Donald Trump have protested near the Capitol against what they say was a fraudulent election. They have been regularly confronted by members of left-wing groups.
Police made the arrests shortly after 1:45 p.m. Saturday after protesters started throwing objects over police barricades at officers who were attempting to keep them separated, the Sacramento Bee reported.
The protesters dispersed from the area about 3 p.m., the Bee reported.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Police: Shooting at Atlanta area mall, no one hurt by shots

DOUGLASVILLE , Ga. ( AP ) - A fight between two women led to a shooting at a mall in the greater Atlanta area on Saturday afternoon , police said , adding no one was struck by shots and both women were being sought .
Douglasville Police tweeted they received calls shortly before 4 p.m. of shots fired near the security entrance to Arbor Place mall , the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported .
The mall is near Interstate 20 in Douglasville , about 22 miles ( 35 kilometers ) west of downtown Atlanta .
Police said video footage showed two women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was discharged and the women fled , according to the newspaper account .
It said Douglasville police Maj. J.R. Davidson reported a person who ran in the commotion was hurt from a fall and taken to a hospital .
The person wasn ’ t identified and the extent of the injuries wasn ’ t immediately disclosed .
The paper reported several shoppers hid in stores after hearing shots and some ran from the mall .
Authorities said they were still searching for the two women late Saturday .
Arbor Place remained open afterward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time Saturday afternoon while police investigated , according to the newspaper account .

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. (AP) - A fight between two women led to a shooting at a mall in the greater Atlanta area on Saturday afternoon, police said, adding no one was struck by shots and both women were being sought.
Douglasville Police tweeted they received calls shortly before 4 p.m. of shots fired near the security entrance to Arbor Place mall, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The mall is near Interstate 20 in Douglasville, about 22 miles (35 kilometers) west of downtown Atlanta.
Police said video footage showed two women had been physically fighting when a gun was discharged and the women fled, according to the newspaper account.
It said Douglasville police Maj. J.R. Davidson reported a person who ran in the commotion was hurt from a fall and taken to a hospital. The person wasn’t identified and the extent of the injuries wasn’t immediately disclosed. The paper reported several shoppers hid in stores after hearing shots and some ran from the mall.
Authorities said they were still searching for the two women late Saturday.
Arbor Place remained open afterward though one entrance was closed for a time Saturday afternoon while police investigated, according to the newspaper account.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--U.S. Army asks for public's help in locating missing soldier

FORT DRUM , N.Y. ( AP ) - The U.S Army was seeking the public ’ s help on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ the Fort Drum military base in upstate New York who has been missing since Friday @ @ @ @ @ , 20 , was supposed to meet someone in Watertown , N.Y. for “ some @ @ @ @ @ but has not been seen since , according to a news release from the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ Command .
He was driving a red 2016 Ford Mustang coup with the Tennessee license @ @ @ @ @ Army command has asked anyone who believes they may have spotted Harris or his car @ @ @ @ @ who may have information about his current whereabouts , to contact investigators .
Harris is @ @ @ @ @ 1-89 Calvary , at Fort Drum .

FORT DRUM, N.Y. (AP) - The U.S Army was seeking the public’s help on Saturday in locating a soldier from the Fort Drum military base in upstate New York who has been missing since Friday.
Specialist Hayden Allen Harris, 20, was supposed to meet someone in Watertown, N.Y. for “some type of vehicle transaction” but has not been seen since, according to a news release from the U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigation Command. He was driving a red 2016 Ford Mustang coup with the Tennessee license plate BZA 826.
The Army command has asked anyone who believes they may have spotted Harris or his car on Friday, or anyone who may have information about his current whereabouts, to contact investigators.
Harris is assigned to C Troop, 1-89 Calvary, at Fort Drum.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Congress stuck on Federal Reserve fight as COVID-19 relief deal stalls

Lawmakers are stuck over the final details of coronavirus relief Saturday , with a last-minute fight over the Federal Reserve ’ s emergency lending powers .
Without a final deal , Congress is running up against the clock once again to pass not only pandemic relief but also a massive government funding package .
At the heart of the partisan standoff is Sen. Pat Toomey ’ s push to ensure several of the Fed ’ s emergency lending programs , established in March , end at the end of December .
The Pennsylvania Republican ’ s provision would also prohibit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without congressional approval .
The vast majority of the GOP party has rallied around Mr. Toomey ’ s provision .
Their concern is that without following through on the original intention of March ’ s CARES act the lending programs could essentially become a slush fund in the future .
Democrats , however , argue the programs are still needed to help stimulate the economy and warn that it could tie President-elect Joseph R. Biden ’ s hands come next year .
Mr. Toomey met with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempted to work out an agreement .
Sen. John Cornyn , Texas Republican , also noted that there are a handful of other small details , such as the deductibility of Paycheck Protection Program grants , are making progress .
Though not all are optimistic that Congress will actually be able to announce a deal Saturday evening .
“ It won ’ t be tonight .
We ’ ve got one vote and then we ’ re leaving , ” Sen. Dick Durbin , Illinois Democrat , said , noting they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not need another stopgap funding measure .
Congress passed a two-day funding extension Friday evening to give themselves more time to finalize and get a deal to President Trump ’ s desk .

Lawmakers are stuck over the final details of coronavirus relief Saturday, with a last-minute fight over the Federal Reserve’s emergency lending powers.
Without a final deal, Congress is running up against the clock once again to pass not only pandemic relief but also a massive government funding package.
At the heart of the partisan standoff is Sen. Pat Toomey’s push to ensure several of the Fed’s emergency lending programs, established in March, end at the end of December. The Pennsylvania Republican’s provision would also prohibit the central bank from re-creating similar programs without congressional approval.
The vast majority of the GOP party has rallied around Mr. Toomey’s provision. Their concern is that without following through on the original intention of March’s CARES act the lending programs could essentially become a slush fund in the future.
Democrats, however, argue the programs are still needed to help stimulate the economy and warn that it could tie President-elect Joseph R. Biden’s hands come next year.
Mr. Toomey met with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, earlier as they attempted to work out an agreement.
Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Republican, also noted that there are a handful of other small details, such as the deductibility of Paycheck Protection Program grants, are making progress.
Though not all are optimistic that Congress will actually be able to announce a deal Saturday evening.
“It won’t be tonight. We’ve got one vote and then we’re leaving,” Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois Democrat, said, noting they’ll be back Sunday and he hopes to not need another stopgap funding measure.
Congress passed a two-day funding extension Friday evening to give themselves more time to finalize and get a deal to President Trump’s desk.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Army beats Air Force 10-7, wins Commander-in-Chief's Trophy

WEST POINT , N.Y. ( AP ) - With the Commander-in-Chief ’ s Trophy at stake , Jakobi Buchanan made sure the prized hardware returned to West Point .
Facing a fourth-and-goal from the 1 , the 260-pound Army fullback followed senior captain left guard Mike Johnson through the Air Force line and into the end zone with 73 seconds left to give the Black Knights a 10-7 victory Saturday , their second emotional win in a week .
Army ( 9-2 ) was coming off a hard-fought 15-0 victory over archrival Navy a week ago in the first game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 77 years .
The win gave the Black Knights their ninth CIC , emblematic of supremacy among the three academies .
“ We were just determined , ” said Buchanan , who finished with 86 yards rushing on 21 carries .
“ For us , fourth down is just another down to convert .
We were all on the same page .
We knew it was a game-winner .
We had to get it .
There was no other choice for us.
” The touchdown was the second fourth-down conversion of the march @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six plays earlier and Arik Smith ’ s interception on a deflected first-down pass after the ensuing kickoff sealed it for the Black Knights .
“ I don ’ t know if I ’ ve processed it yet .
It ’ s definitely tough , right ?
” Air Force defensive tackle George Silvanic said .
“ One play to win a championship and you don ’ t get it and they do .
Hats off to them .
I ’ m very sad and distraught and I ’ m heartbroken for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s kind of the feeling of the whole team right now.
” Quinn Maretzki kicked a 24-yard field goal early in the second quarter for Army ’ s other points .
The Falcons ( 3-3 ) beat Army 17-13 at home last year , stopping the Black Knights on fourth down at the goal line in the final seconds to escape , so this was a sweet payback , especially since it gave the senior class its 35th win , an academy record .
“ The last drive , we found a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be denied.
” Army coach Jeff Monken said .
“ This season , this year has been a challenge for every human being on the face of this planet .
There ’ s a spirit in this team and a love for each other in this brotherhood that ’ s just uncommon .
This is the best team that I ’ ve ever been a part of.
” The Falcons ( 3-3 ) began the season with a dominant 40-7 win over Navy and were poised to capture their record 21st CIC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and failing to score in the first half .
They went to the air late in the third and finally broke through behind Haaziq Daniels .
He hit Kyle Patterson for 16 yards and 39 yards , and Brandon Lewis for 11 yards , to key a 10-play , 87-yard drive that he finished with a 10-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Patterson with 15 seconds left in the third .
But Army ’ s Jabari Moore stopped the Falcons ’ attempt to seal it with an interception at the goal line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the winning drive for the Black Knights , who have won 10 straight at home .
Daniels completed a 22-yard pass to Ben Peterson on a third-and-18 play but got greedy and Moore made them pay with his juggling catch on the interception .
“ The game came down to a couple of plays .
We didn ’ t make those plays , ” Patterson said .
“ Our defense was playing lights-outs .
They gave us a chance .
Just frustration.
” Air Force ranked second in the country averaging 336 yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts ran for 83 yards on 11 carries and Daniels - who was intercepted three times - ran for 61 yards on 10 carries .
Air Force kicker Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl , who was 5 of 7 on the season , missed twice in the first half from inside the 40 , and just like last week Army entered the locker room with a 3-0 halftime lead .
Army lost starting quarterback Tyhier Tyler midway through the second quarter when Air Force linebacker Brandon Gooding delivered a helmet-to-helmet without a penalty .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the season began , and he finished with 85 yards rushing on 18 carries .
Air Force : The Falcons had lots of time to prepare for its service academy rivals .
They started the season with the dominant win over Navy and had more than a month to prepare for Army .
They were held to 109 yards rushing in the opening half and and 47 of those came on two carries - a 30-yarder by Roberts and a 17-yard gain by Daniels - as Army dominated possession time , holding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 10 third downs .
Army : Through COVID-19 , the Black Knights rebounded from a subpar 2019 despite starting four quarterbacks until Tyler emerged late in the season .
Though the schedule had to be revamped almost entirely - it ended up including three championship subdivision teams .
Monken did a masterful job , and the schemes of new defensive coordinator Nate Woody , led to a strong showing .
Army entered the game ranked second nationally ( 272.1 yards per game ) .
Air Force : Its regular season is finished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the team would play in a bowl game , if offered .
Army : Plays next Saturday in the Independence Bowl .

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) - With the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy at stake, Jakobi Buchanan made sure the prized hardware returned to West Point.
Facing a fourth-and-goal from the 1, the 260-pound Army fullback followed senior captain left guard Mike Johnson through the Air Force line and into the end zone with 73 seconds left to give the Black Knights a 10-7 victory Saturday, their second emotional win in a week.
Army (9-2) was coming off a hard-fought 15-0 victory over archrival Navy a week ago in the first game between the schools at West Point in 77 years. The win gave the Black Knights their ninth CIC, emblematic of supremacy among the three academies.
“We were just determined,” said Buchanan, who finished with 86 yards rushing on 21 carries. “For us, fourth down is just another down to convert. We were all on the same page. We knew it was a game-winner. We had to get it. There was no other choice for us.”
The touchdown was the second fourth-down conversion of the march. Quarterback Christian Anderson converted on fourth-and-3 six plays earlier and Arik Smith’s interception on a deflected first-down pass after the ensuing kickoff sealed it for the Black Knights.
“I don’t know if I’ve processed it yet. It’s definitely tough, right?” Air Force defensive tackle George Silvanic said. “One play to win a championship and you don’t get it and they do. Hats off to them. I’m very sad and distraught and I’m heartbroken for the guys, the seniors. That’s kind of the feeling of the whole team right now.”
Quinn Maretzki kicked a 24-yard field goal early in the second quarter for Army’s other points.
The Falcons (3-3) beat Army 17-13 at home last year, stopping the Black Knights on fourth down at the goal line in the final seconds to escape, so this was a sweet payback, especially since it gave the senior class its 35th win, an academy record.
“The last drive, we found a way. We just weren’t going to be denied.” Army coach Jeff Monken said. “This season, this year has been a challenge for every human being on the face of this planet. There’s a spirit in this team and a love for each other in this brotherhood that’s just uncommon. This is the best team that I’ve ever been a part of.”
The Falcons (3-3) began the season with a dominant 40-7 win over Navy and were poised to capture their record 21st CIC after being stymied by the Army defense and failing to score in the first half. They went to the air late in the third and finally broke through behind Haaziq Daniels. He hit Kyle Patterson for 16 yards and 39 yards, and Brandon Lewis for 11 yards, to key a 10-play, 87-yard drive that he finished with a 10-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Patterson with 15 seconds left in the third.
But Army’s Jabari Moore stopped the Falcons’ attempt to seal it with an interception at the goal line midway through the fourth to set up the winning drive for the Black Knights, who have won 10 straight at home. Daniels completed a 22-yard pass to Ben Peterson on a third-and-18 play but got greedy and Moore made them pay with his juggling catch on the interception.
“The game came down to a couple of plays. We didn’t make those plays,” Patterson said. “Our defense was playing lights-outs. They gave us a chance. Just frustration.”
Air Force ranked second in the country averaging 336 yards rushing but was outgained 290-154. Brad Roberts ran for 83 yards on 11 carries and Daniels - who was intercepted three times - ran for 61 yards on 10 carries.
Air Force kicker Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl, who was 5 of 7 on the season, missed twice in the first half from inside the 40, and just like last week Army entered the locker room with a 3-0 halftime lead.
Army lost starting quarterback Tyhier Tyler midway through the second quarter when Air Force linebacker Brandon Gooding delivered a helmet-to-helmet without a penalty. He was relieved by Anderson, the starter when the season began, and he finished with 85 yards rushing on 18 carries.
THE TAKEAWAY
Air Force: The Falcons had lots of time to prepare for its service academy rivals. They started the season with the dominant win over Navy and had more than a month to prepare for Army. They were held to 109 yards rushing in the opening half and and 47 of those came on two carries - a 30-yarder by Roberts and a 17-yard gain by Daniels - as Army dominated possession time, holding the ball for 19 minutes and converting seven of 10 third downs.
Army: Through COVID-19, the Black Knights rebounded from a subpar 2019 despite starting four quarterbacks until Tyler emerged late in the season. Though the schedule had to be revamped almost entirely - it ended up including three championship subdivision teams. Monken did a masterful job, and the schemes of new defensive coordinator Nate Woody, led to a strong showing. Army entered the game ranked second nationally (272.1 yards per game).
UP NEXT
Air Force: Its regular season is finished but school officials haven’t said if the team would play in a bowl game, if offered.
Army: Plays next Saturday in the Independence Bowl.
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Suspect in deadly NY subway fire arraigned on murder charge

A man accused of setting a train fire that killed a New York City subway driver in March told police he was on the train , had a disposable lighter and set paper on fire but not the “ big fire , ” according to court documents released after his arraignment Saturday on murder and arson charges .
Nathaniel Avinger was also seen on subway station video walking away from the front of the train where the fire was located , and then exiting the station , according to court documents , which identified him as 49 years old .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A message was left seeking comment with Avinger ’ s attorney , Marnie Zien from The Legal Aid Society .
Detectives linked Avinger to the fatal blaze after he was arrested Wednesday , accused of groping a transit worker in Brooklyn , authorities said .
The New York Post reported Avinger was charged in that case with forcible touching and third-degree sexual abuse and was awaiting arraignment in that case .
He ’ s been charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of fourth-degree arson in connection with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is scheduled to appear again in court on Dec. 23 , is accused of setting fire to a shopping cart aboard a No .
2 train as it pulled into the 110th Street station in Harlem , near Central Park , around 3 a.m. on March 27 .
The motorman , 36-year-old Garrett Goble , died after he and another transit employee helped passengers escape to safety , officials said .
His body was found on the tracks .
Several people were hurt .
Fires were also reported at around the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 96th Street and 116th Street , officials said .
The New York Post reported Avinger was recently charged with setting a March 11 blaze outside of a Columbia University Computer Music Center on 125th Street .

A man accused of setting a train fire that killed a New York City subway driver in March told police he was on the train, had a disposable lighter and set paper on fire but not the “big fire,” according to court documents released after his arraignment Saturday on murder and arson charges.
Nathaniel Avinger was also seen on subway station video walking away from the front of the train where the fire was located, and then exiting the station, according to court documents, which identified him as 49 years old. Police on Friday said he was 50.
A message was left seeking comment with Avinger’s attorney, Marnie Zien from The Legal Aid Society.
Detectives linked Avinger to the fatal blaze after he was arrested Wednesday, accused of groping a transit worker in Brooklyn, authorities said. The New York Post reported Avinger was charged in that case with forcible touching and third-degree sexual abuse and was awaiting arraignment in that case. He’s been charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of fourth-degree arson in connection with the deadly subway fire.
Avinger, who is scheduled to appear again in court on Dec. 23, is accused of setting fire to a shopping cart aboard a No. 2 train as it pulled into the 110th Street station in Harlem, near Central Park, around 3 a.m. on March 27.
The motorman, 36-year-old Garrett Goble, died after he and another transit employee helped passengers escape to safety, officials said. His body was found on the tracks. Several people were hurt.
Fires were also reported at around the same time at three nearby stations - 86th Street, 96th Street and 116th Street, officials said.
The New York Post reported Avinger was recently charged with setting a March 11 blaze outside of a Columbia University Computer Music Center on 125th Street.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--SC man diagnosed with virus 3 days after playing Santa

FOUNTAIN INN , S.C. ( AP ) - Days after playing Santa for special needs children , a South Carolina man tested positive for the novel coronavirus .
About 11 families visited “ Sensory Santa ” event on Dec. 13 , and all were notified after the man ’ s test came back positive on Wednesday , Fountain Inn city administrator Shawn Bell told the Greenville News .
The city said on its webpage that the man learned after the event that he had been exposed to the virus .
Bell said the event was outdoors .
A rope separated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not wear a mask , he said .
“ We obviously regret that this has happened , but we were trying to do something nice for the community and especially for a segment of the community that often goes overlooked , ” he said .
On Sunday , the state reported that 2,919 new infections had been confirmed , for a total of 250,386 .
It said 4,529 people have died from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , with 16 of those deaths newly confirmed .
About 22.9 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the state website .
Fountain Inn is a city of about 10,400 located about 15 miles ( 25 kilometers ) southeast of Greenville .

FOUNTAIN INN, S.C. (AP) - Days after playing Santa for special needs children, a South Carolina man tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
About 11 families visited “Sensory Santa” event on Dec. 13, and all were notified after the man’s test came back positive on Wednesday, Fountain Inn city administrator Shawn Bell told the Greenville News.
The city said on its webpage that the man learned after the event that he had been exposed to the virus.
Bell said the event was outdoors. A rope separated the children from Santa, who did not wear a mask, he said.
“We obviously regret that this has happened, but we were trying to do something nice for the community and especially for a segment of the community that often goes overlooked,” he said.
On Sunday, the state reported that 2,919 new infections had been confirmed, for a total of 250,386. It said 4,529 people have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, with 16 of those deaths newly confirmed.
About 22.9 percent of all people tested had the virus, according to the state website.
Fountain Inn is a city of about 10,400 located about 15 miles (25 kilometers) southeast of Greenville.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Man, 58, killed in Tacoma hit-and-run; no arrest made

TACOMA , Wash. ( AP ) - Police in Tacoma are investigating after a 58-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed @ @ @ @ @ happened at about 12:40 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of South 72nd Street and South @ @ @ @ @ Tribune reported .
Investigators said they have not made an arrest and that no one @ @ @ @ @ ’ s death .
Tacoma Police Department spokeswoman Wendy Haddow said detectives planned to go @ @ @ @ @ if anyone has a video recording of the incident .

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) - Police in Tacoma are investigating after a 58-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed in a hit-and-run.
It happened at about 12:40 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of South 72nd Street and South I Street, The News Tribune reported.
Investigators said they have not made an arrest and that no one has reported witnessing the man’s death. Tacoma Police Department spokeswoman Wendy Haddow said detectives planned to go door to door, asking if anyone has a video recording of the incident.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Man, woman arrested after car crashes and injures 5 children

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) - A man who police said brandished a gun from a van in southern California @ @ @ @ @ crashed the car with five children inside , injuring them , have been arrested .
@ @ @ @ @ reported that a man in La Mesa , about 10 miles ( 16 kilometers ) @ @ @ @ @ had a gun inside a moving vehicle .
An officer later tried to stop the @ @ @ @ @ refused to pull over , police said .
Shortly thereafter , the car crashed , @ @ @ @ @ reported .
The officer pursuing the suspect found five children inside without car seats .
@ @ @ @ @ minor injuries and were taken to a hospital for further tests .
The driver was @ @ @ @ @ arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and felony child endangerment .
The man @ @ @ @ @ gun had fled from the van at some point , but a suspect was later @ @ @ @ @ yet to identify either suspect .

SAN DIEGO (AP) - A man who police said brandished a gun from a van in southern California and a woman who then crashed the car with five children inside, injuring them, have been arrested.
A person on Friday night reported that a man in La Mesa, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) outside of San Diego, had a gun inside a moving vehicle.
An officer later tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over, police said. Shortly thereafter, the car crashed, the San Diego Union Tribune reported.
The officer pursuing the suspect found five children inside without car seats. Police said the children suffered minor injuries and were taken to a hospital for further tests.
The driver was a woman, who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and felony child endangerment.
The man who was reportedly brandishing a gun had fled from the van at some point, but a suspect was later arrested.
The police have yet to identify either suspect.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--New Mexico reports 1,442 more COVID-19 cases, 27 deaths

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - New Mexico on Saturday reported 1,442 additional known COVID-19 cases and 27 @ @ @ @ @ totals increased to 128,930 cases and 2,155 as seven-day rolling averages for daily new cases @ @ @ @ @ over the last two weeks .
According to data from Johns Hopkins University and The @ @ @ @ @ rolling average of daily new cases in New Mexico dropped from 1,869 on Dec. 4 @ @ @ @ @ the rolling average of deaths rose from 28.9 to 34.1 .
On Thursday , when @ @ @ @ @ 48 daily deaths linked to the pandemic , Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham said she @ @ @ @ @ could grow even higher over the year-end holidays .
“ We are still in a @ @ @ @ @ ” she said as she urged residents to continue to take precautions against spread of @ @ @ @ @ of overall infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been @ @ @ @ @ people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico on Saturday reported 1,442 additional known COVID-19 cases and 27 additional deaths.
The statewide totals increased to 128,930 cases and 2,155 as seven-day rolling averages for daily new cases dropped and daily deaths rose over the last two weeks.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University and The COVID Tracking Project, the rolling average of daily new cases in New Mexico dropped from 1,869 on Dec. 4 to 1,542.1 on Friday while the rolling average of deaths rose from 28.9 to 34.1.
On Thursday, when the state reported a pandemic-high 48 daily deaths linked to the pandemic, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said she was concerned that daily deaths could grow even higher over the year-end holidays.
“We are still in a dramatic set of circumstances,” she said as she urged residents to continue to take precautions against spread of the virus.
The number of overall 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.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Sei Young Kim takes 1-shot lead in LPGA Tour finale

NAPLES , Fla. ( AP ) - Sei Young Kim is in position to defend her title in the CME Group Tour Championship , take player of the year honors , win the money title and possibly even move to No .
1 in the world .
Kim took a one-stroke lead over top-ranked Jin Young Ko into the final round of the LPGA Tour season , shooting a 5-under 67 on Saturday in warmer conditions at Tiburon Golf Club to reach 13-under 203 .
Ko had a 69 .
“ Really good chance to chase everything , ” Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tomorrow , good chance.
” For Kim to take the No .
1 spot in the world from Ko , she would have to win Sunday and have Ko finish solo 10th or worse .
Ko has held the top spot for 73 weeks in a row .
Georgia Hall was third at 10 under after a 68 .
Lexi Thompson ( 71 ) , Brooke Henderson ( 66 ) , Charley Hull ( 66 ) , Minjee Lee ( 66 ) and Austin Ernst ( 69 ) were 9 under .
Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Danielle Kang with two , winning the major KPMG Women ’ s PGA Championship and Pelican Women ’ s Championship in consecutive starts in October and November .
The South Korean star played a 12-hole stretch from the second to the 13th in 6 under , then dropped a stroke on the par-4 18th .
“ My vibe was really good because warmer weather , and then I play pairing with Jin Young and Lexi ( Thompson ) .
Those are my favorite player , so yeah , it was fun .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was very comfortable and chill out there.
” Ko had three birdies in a bogey-free round .
“ I said yesterday my goal is like just bogey-free round on the weekend , so I made it today , ” Ko said .
“ I ’ m looking forward to tomorrow.
” “ Always fun playing with her , ” Ko said .
“ We play together last year and we played — we practiced together at the U.S. Open last week .
So we knows each other .
But this is competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to separate on the course.
” Coming off a second-place tie last week in Houston in the U.S. Women ’ s Open , Ko has a chance to win the money title in only four events .
The $ 1.1 million winner ’ s prize , down from $ 1.5 million last year , is the richest in women ’ s golf .
Ko is 13th with $ 567,925 .
Inbee Park is the leader with $ 1,365,138 , and Kim second with $ 1,207,438 .
Race to CME Globe leader Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after her third straight 71 .
Second-place Kang was tied for 42nd at even par after a 70 .

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) - Sei Young Kim is in position to defend her title in the CME Group Tour Championship, take player of the year honors, win the money title and possibly even move to No. 1 in the world.
Kim took a one-stroke lead over top-ranked Jin Young Ko into the final round of the LPGA Tour season, shooting a 5-under 67 on Saturday in warmer conditions at Tiburon Golf Club to reach 13-under 203. Ko had a 69.
“Really good chance to chase everything,” Kim said. “If I play well tomorrow, good chance.”
For Kim to take the No. 1 spot in the world from Ko, she would have to win Sunday and have Ko finish solo 10th or worse. Ko has held the top spot for 73 weeks in a row.
Georgia Hall was third at 10 under after a 68.
Lexi Thompson (71), Brooke Henderson (66), Charley Hull (66), Minjee Lee (66) and Austin Ernst (69) were 9 under.
Kim is tied for the tour victory lead with Danielle Kang with two, winning the major KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and Pelican Women’s Championship in consecutive starts in October and November. The South Korean star played a 12-hole stretch from the second to the 13th in 6 under, then dropped a stroke on the par-4 18th.
“My vibe was really good because warmer weather, and then I play pairing with Jin Young and Lexi (Thompson). Those are my favorite player, so yeah, it was fun. We wasn’t talking much but it was very comfortable and chill out there.”
Ko had three birdies in a bogey-free round.
“I said yesterday my goal is like just bogey-free round on the weekend, so I made it today,” Ko said. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Kim and Ko are longtime friends.
“Always fun playing with her,” Ko said. “We play together last year and we played — we practiced together at the U.S. Open last week. So we knows each other. But this is competition, so we are close but we have to separate on the course.”
Coming off a second-place tie last week in Houston in the U.S. Women’s Open, Ko has a chance to win the money title in only four events. The $1.1 million winner’s prize, down from $1.5 million last year, is the richest in women’s golf. Ko is 13th with $567,925. Inbee Park is the leader with $1,365,138, and Kim second with $1,207,438.
Race to CME Globe leader Park was tied for 28th at 3 under after her third straight 71. Second-place Kang was tied for 42nd at even par after a 70.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--AP source: Rose Bowl denied exemption to allow fans for CFP

The Rose Bowl was denied a special exemption from the state of California to allow a few hundred fans to attend the College Football Playoff semifinal Jan. 1 , putting the game staying in Pasadena in serious doubt .
A person involved with organizing the game told The Associated Press the Tournament of Roses ’ request was denied earlier this week .
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Rose Bowl and College Football Playoff were still finalizing a plan for what to do with the game .
A decision was expected before the playoff teams are selected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles Times was first to report the Rose Bowl was denied an exception by health officials .
If the game is moved a likely site would be AT & T ; Stadium in Arlington , Texas .
The CFP offices are located in suburban Dallas .
Coaches and school officials with playoff contenders have complained about the Rose Bowl being unable to accommodate players ’ family members because of California ’ s COVID-19 restrictions , put in a place as the state tries to fight a public health crisis that is straining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Playoff semifinal on Jan. 1 will be held in New Orleans at the Sugar Bowl , with current plans to allow 3,000 fans at the Superdome .
The championship game is scheduled for Jan. 11 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens , Florida .
This is the second time California health officials have denied the Tournament of Roses ’ request for an exemption to allow fans in the 90,888-seat stadium .
UCLA has been playing its home games at the Rose Bowl as usual since early November .
Los Angeles County is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this month .
Pasadena has its own public health department and can set its own rules , but has mostly followed the county ’ s lead during the coronavirus pandemic .
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly even suggested Friday the Fighting Irish could boycott the playoff if they made the field and were forced to play in the Rose Bowl without players ’ families being permitted to attend .
After Ohio State beat Northwestern in the Big Ten championship game Saturday to improve its chances to earn a spot in the CFP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentiments of Kelly , Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and others .
“ I also agree that families need to be there , ” Day said .
It is unclear if the game moves if it would be called a Rose Bowl .
If not , it would be the first time in more than 100 years no Rose Bowl game was played after a college football season .
The first Rose Bowl was played Jan. 1 , 1902 .
The last time the Rose Bowl game was played outside Pasadena , California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State and Duke was played in Durham , North Carolina , because the West Coast was deemed unsafe after the attacks on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7 , 1941 .

The College Football Playoff semifinal scheduled to be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Jan. 1 is relocating to the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium in Texas, a move prompted by California’s ban on spectators at sporting events during the pandemic.
College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock said Saturday night that conference commissioners who make up the CFP management committee and the Tournament of Roses mutually agreed to relocate the game because of the “growing number of COVID-19 cases in Southern California.”
“The game in Dallas will still be played in the mid-afternoon window on New Year’s Day,” Hancock said in a statement. “We are pleased that parents and loved ones will now be able to see their students play in the game.”
The decision, announced about 13 1/2 hours before the playoff field was scheduled to be set Sunday, is just the latest twist during a college football season played through myriad COBID-19 disruptions.
The Rose Bowl, know as the Granddaddy of all college football’s postseason games, has been played every year since 1916.
Coaches and school officials with playoff contenders have complained about the Rose Bowl being unable to accommodate players’ family members because of California’s COVID-19 restrictions, put in a place as the state tries to fight a public health crisis that is straining its hospitals.
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly even suggested that if the Fighting Irish were selected to play in the Rose Bowl, the school would boycott if players could not have family attend.
None of the teams in contention to be selected for the playoff are from the western United States.
The Rose Bowl asked the state for an exception to the restriction, but was denied twice, including earlier this week. The restrictions have been in place since March and UCLA has played its home football games at the Rose Bowl since November, including its regular-season finale Saturday night.
“We know that the decision was not an easy one to make,” said David Eads, Tournament of Roses CEO and Executive Director. “While we remain confident that a game could have been played at the Rose Bowl Stadium, as evident in the other collegiate and professional games taking place in the region, the projection of COVID-19 cases in the region has continued on an upward trend.”
The other College Football Playoff semifinal on Jan. 1 will be held in New Orleans at the Sugar Bowl, with current plans to allow 3,000 fans at the Superdome. The championship game is scheduled for Jan. 11 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Hancock said it had not yet been determined if the semifinal at AT&T Stadium in Arlington would still be called the Rose Bowl. The name is part of licensing agreement and is co-owned by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena.
If not, it would be the first time in more than 100 years no Rose Bowl game was played after a college football season. The first Rose Bowl was played Jan. 1, 1902.
The last time the Rose Bowl game was played outside Pasadena, California, was 1942. The game between Oregon State and Duke was played in Durham, North Carolina, because the West Coast was deemed unsafe after the attacks on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
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washingtontimes--2020-12-19--S Carolina man caught in Oregon; attempted murder charge

A man accused of trying to kill his mother in South Carolina has been arrested in Oregon .
James Shawn Nichol , 48 , of Myrtle Beach , South Carolina , was arrested Thursday on a warrant from Horry County police , Oregon State Police told The Myrtle Beach Sun .
Authorities said troopers stopped a stolen vehicle at the Baker Valley Rest Area along Interstate 84 and arrested Nichol without incident .
He ’ s accused of stealing his mother ’ s car after trying to kill her , police said .
It was not immediately clear whether Nichol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
A man accused of trying to kill his mom in Horry County was arrested nearly a continent away , police say .
James Shawn Nichol , 48 , of Myrtle Beach , was wanted by Horry County police on an attempted murder charge and was arrested Thursday in Oregon , according to the Oregon State Police .
Police found Nichol in a stolen vehicle at the Baker Valley Rest Area along I-84 in Oregon , according to the state police .
Troopers stopped his car and arrested him without incident .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mom and stole her car in the Myrtle Beach area .

A man accused of trying to kill his mother in South Carolina has been arrested in Oregon.
James Shawn Nichol, 48, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was arrested Thursday on a warrant from Horry County police, Oregon State Police told The Myrtle Beach Sun.
Authorities said troopers stopped a stolen vehicle at the Baker Valley Rest Area along Interstate 84 and arrested Nichol without incident.
He’s accused of stealing his mother’s car after trying to kill her, police said.
It was not immediately clear whether Nichol had an attorney who could speak for him.
A man accused of trying to kill his mom in Horry County was arrested nearly a continent away, police say.
James Shawn Nichol, 48, of Myrtle Beach, was wanted by Horry County police on an attempted murder charge and was arrested Thursday in Oregon, according to the Oregon State Police.
Police found Nichol in a stolen vehicle at the Baker Valley Rest Area along I-84 in Oregon, according to the state police. Troopers stopped his car and arrested him without incident.
Police say that Nichols tried to kill his mom and stole her car in the Myrtle Beach area.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Virginia courts to use theater for trials during pandemic

HOPEWELL , Va. ( AP ) - Virginia ’ s highest court is allowing the circuit courts for three counties @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic in a theater that typically hosts music concerts .
The Richmond Times-Dispatch @ @ @ @ @ Court ’ s chief justice informed the circuit courts for Hopewell , Prince George and @ @ @ @ @ they can use the Beacon Theatre as a temporary trial venue .
The city of @ @ @ @ @ theater and has opened it for shows at 30 % capacity during the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ trial at the theater in August to test its suitability .
They planned to use @ @ @ @ @ for the judge ’ s bench , witness stand and prosecution and defense tables , @ @ @ @ @ be seated in the theater ’ s gallery .
The Virginia Supreme Court has now @ @ @ @ @ the state to resume jury trials .

HOPEWELL, Va. (AP) - Virginia’s highest court is allowing the circuit courts for three counties to hold jury trials during the COVID-19 pandemic in a theater that typically hosts music concerts.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the Virginia Supreme Court’s chief justice informed the circuit courts for Hopewell, Prince George and Surry counties on Wednesday that they can use the Beacon Theatre as a temporary trial venue.
The city of Hopewell owns and operates the theater and has opened it for shows at 30% capacity during the pandemic.
Court officials held a mock trial at the theater in August to test its suitability. They planned to use the theater’s stage for the judge’s bench, witness stand and prosecution and defense tables, while socially distanced jurors would be seated in the theater’s gallery.
The Virginia Supreme Court has now allowed 52 circuit courts across the state to resume jury trials.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Feds announce operation to reduce violent crime in Austin

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - Federal officials have announced an effort to reduce violent crime in Austin , one of many U.S. cities that have seen an increase in murders and other violent crime during the pandemic .
U.S. Attorney Gregg Sofer announced Friday the creation of an operation that will focus on reducing crime through ballistics evidence , the targeting of repeat offenders , federal prosecution of the most violent and serious robbery cases and the targeting of violent crimes on military bases .
Austin ’ s crime rate has been the focus of state and federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the City Council in August to reduce its police budget in the wake of nationwide protests over racial injustice .
In a tweet Friday , Gov .
Greg Abbott supported Sofer ’ s announcement and said Texas would pass a law in the upcoming legislative session to defund cities that defund police .
Austin police have reported 45 murders this year , up from 29 during the same time last year .
Austin Police Chief Brian Manley told reporters Friday the city is fortunate its homicide rate is much lower than other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to be equally as concerned with the increases we ’ ve seen this year .
”

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Federal officials have announced an effort to reduce violent crime in Austin, one of many U.S. cities that have seen an increase in murders and other violent crime during the pandemic.
U.S. Attorney Gregg Sofer announced Friday the creation of an operation that will focus on reducing crime through ballistics evidence, the targeting of repeat offenders, federal prosecution of the most violent and serious robbery cases and the targeting of violent crimes on military bases.
Austin’s crime rate has been the focus of state and federal officials in the wake of action taken by the City Council in August to reduce its police budget in the wake of nationwide protests over racial injustice.
In a tweet Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott supported Sofer’s announcement and said Texas would pass a law in the upcoming legislative session to defund cities that defund police.
Austin police have reported 45 murders this year, up from 29 during the same time last year.
Austin Police Chief Brian Manley told reporters Friday the city is fortunate its homicide rate is much lower than other major cities, “but we also have to be equally as concerned with the increases we’ve seen this year.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--St. Louis-area hospitals struggle as COVID-19 surges

ST. LOUIS ( AP ) - A top St. Louis area health official is warning that doctors and nurses are becoming exhausted as the virus surges and that the tempo gives them “ little room to maneuver.
” Dr. Alex Garza , who leads a pandemic task force of 22 hospitals , said an average of more than 100 COVID-19 patients have been admitted every day to those hospitals for over a month .
He said they are filling 20 % of general hospital beds and 30 % of ICU beds , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports .
The hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 85 % full on average .
More than 20 COVID-19 patients are dying every day .
“ You just can ’ t maintain this sort of operations tempo at this rate , because it gives us very little room to maneuver .
Even the slightest uptick in admissions above what we are seeing as normal now can really tip us into crisis management , ” he said .
“ Beyond that , we can ’ t keep up this tempo because we are burning our staff out.
” Crisis management means doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets the best care and who doesn ’ t .
“ Make no mistake , ” Garza said , “ we continue to be in the most serious and deadly part of the pandemic .
”

ST. LOUIS (AP) - A top St. Louis area health official is warning that doctors and nurses are becoming exhausted as the virus surges and that the tempo gives them “little room to maneuver.”
Dr. Alex Garza, who leads a pandemic task force of 22 hospitals, said an average of more than 100 COVID-19 patients have been admitted every day to those hospitals for over a month. He said they are filling 20% of general hospital beds and 30% of ICU beds, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
The hospitals’ intensive care and medical units are about 85% full on average. More than 20 COVID-19 patients are dying every day.
“You just can’t maintain this sort of operations tempo at this rate, because it gives us very little room to maneuver. Even the slightest uptick in admissions above what we are seeing as normal now can really tip us into crisis management,” he said. “Beyond that, we can’t keep up this tempo because we are burning our staff out.”
Crisis management means doctors have to make difficult decisions on who gets the best care and who doesn’t.
“Make no mistake,” Garza said, “we continue to be in the most serious and deadly part of the pandemic.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Sheriff: Man arrested on cross-country trip with girl, 12

FRESNO , Calif. ( AP ) - A self-proclaimed pedophilia advocate who once ran for political office in Virginia has been arrested by authorities who said they caught him flying across the country earlier this week with a 12-year-old girl he had persuaded to run away from her California home .
Nathan Larson , 40 , made the girl wear a long-haired wig to make her look older and told her to pretend to be mute during their travel , Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims announced on Saturday .
The investigation began Monday morning when the girl ’ s family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fresno , California .
Mims said detectives learned that Larson , a resident of Catlett , Virginia , met the girl previously through social media , flew to California and persuaded her to sneak out of her house around 2 a.m. Monday .
They took a rideshare car to the Fresno Airport , where they board a plane bound for Washington , D.C. , she added .
Larson was taken into custody and the girl was rescued by a Denver police officer who stopped the pair during their layover in Colorado , Mims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and later was reunited with her family .
Mims said that while the girl was not physically harmed detectives have evidence of inappropriate touching at the airport .
She said the steps Larson had taken to groom the girl were of a “ sophisticated nature ” and asked anyone who may have had inappropriate contact with Larson to contact police .
She also urged parents to always monitor their children ’ s internet activity and who they are communicating with online .
Federal agents searched Larson ’ s house and discovered that during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online in October , Larson persuaded the girl to send him pornographic images of herself , according to Mims .
During the search , Larson ’ s 69-year-old father , Arthur Larson , assaulted a federal agent and was arrested , she said .
Charged with assault and battery , the father was later released from jail after posting bond .
Mims said detectives also discovered the son ’ s “ deeply disturbing background.
” “ He is a white supremacist and a well-known advocate for pedophilia , ” she said of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man who runs a website , which encourages the raping of children and sharing of naked photos and video of children being raped.
” Nathan Larson ran and lost a 2017 campaign to become a member of the Virginia House of Delegates , representing the 31st House District encompassing Prince William and Fauquier counties in northern Virginia .
He ran as an independent and his platform included advocating for fathers to be able to marry their daughters , legalizing child pornography and suppressing women ’ s rights .
In 2009 , while living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to sending an email to the Secret Service that he intended to kill the president “ in the near future.
” It is unclear whether Larson was referring to then-President George W. Bush or then-President-elect Barack Obama .
Larson was being held in the Denver County jail facing a misdemeanor charge of harboring a minor .
However , Fresno County authorities will seek an extradition request to Fresno where he will face felony charges of kidnapping , child abduction , soliciting child pornography from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the intention of sex .
It wasn ’ t immediately known whether he has a lawyer .

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - A self-proclaimed pedophilia advocate who once ran for political office in Virginia has been arrested by authorities who said they caught him flying across the country earlier this week with a 12-year-old girl he had persuaded to run away from her California home.
Nathan Larson, 40, made the girl wear a long-haired wig to make her look older and told her to pretend to be mute during their travel, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims announced on Saturday.
The investigation began Monday morning when the girl’s family reported her missing from her bedroom in Fresno, California.
Mims said detectives learned that Larson, a resident of Catlett, Virginia, met the girl previously through social media, flew to California and persuaded her to sneak out of her house around 2 a.m. Monday. They took a rideshare car to the Fresno Airport, where they board a plane bound for Washington, D.C., she added.
Larson was taken into custody and the girl was rescued by a Denver police officer who stopped the pair during their layover in Colorado, Mims said. The girl was not injured and later was reunited with her family.
Mims said that while the girl was not physically harmed detectives have evidence of inappropriate touching at the airport.
She said the steps Larson had taken to groom the girl were of a “sophisticated nature” and asked anyone who may have had inappropriate contact with Larson to contact police. She also urged parents to always monitor their children’s internet activity and who they are communicating with online.
Federal agents searched Larson’s house and discovered that during the past two months since meeting her online in October, Larson persuaded the girl to send him pornographic images of herself, according to Mims. During the search, Larson’s 69-year-old father, Arthur Larson, assaulted a federal agent and was arrested, she said.
Charged with assault and battery, the father was later released from jail after posting bond.
Mims said detectives also discovered the son’s “deeply disturbing background.”
“He is a white supremacist and a well-known advocate for pedophilia,” she said of the younger Larson. “This is a man who runs a website, which encourages the raping of children and sharing of naked photos and video of children being raped.”
Nathan Larson ran and lost a 2017 campaign to become a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 31st House District encompassing Prince William and Fauquier counties in northern Virginia. He ran as an independent and his platform included advocating for fathers to be able to marry their daughters, legalizing child pornography and suppressing women’s rights.
In 2009, while living in Boulder, Colorado, he was sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to sending an email to the Secret Service that he intended to kill the president “in the near future.” It is unclear whether Larson was referring to then-President George W. Bush or then-President-elect Barack Obama.
He wound up serving 14 months.
Larson was being held in the Denver County jail facing a misdemeanor charge of harboring a minor. However, Fresno County authorities will seek an extradition request to Fresno where he will face felony charges of kidnapping, child abduction, soliciting child pornography from a minor and meeting a child for the intention of sex.
It wasn’t immediately known whether he has a lawyer.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Tucson police: Man, boy dead in apparent murder-suicide

TUCSON , Ariz. ( AP ) - Tucson police say two people are dead in an apparent murder-suicide .
Police @ @ @ @ @ a home early Friday to check the welfare of its occupants discovered a man and @ @ @ @ @ Police said 40-year-old Phillip Emmanuel Foye apparently killed the boy and then himself .
The @ @ @ @ @ ’ t released and police said a woman who lived at the home wasn ’ @ @ @

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Police on Sunday released the name of a boy who was the victim of an apparent murder-suicide at a Tucson home.
They said 10-year-old Sebastian Phillip Foye was declared dead at the scene early Saturday morning with oblivious signs of gunshot trauma.
Police say 40-year-old Phillip Emmanuel Foye apparently fatally shot the boy before turning the gun on himself.
The relationship of the man and boy wasn’t immediately released by police.
Officers who were sent to a home to check the welfare of its occupants discovered a man and a boy both dead.
Police said the man and boy lived together at the residence along with an adult female who was not home at the time of the incident and Phillip Emmanuel Foye was the only adult in the home armed with a gun.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Arizona public, charter schools to face budget deficit

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Arizona public and charter schools will face a $ 266 million budget deficit because the state gives money to remote learning schools at a lower rate than they do to in-person schools .
The state Department of Education has released data that shows how much schools will need to cut their budgets by this school year , the Arizona Republic reported Friday .
Mesa Public Schools , the largest district in Arizona , will lose $ 16 million .
Chandler Unified School will have its budget cut by $ 12 million .
Tucson Unified School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under state law , online schools are funded at a rate 5 % lower than in-person schools , per student .
The state has also experienced a sharp decline in the number of students enrolled in its schools .
The state reported an estimated 50,000 fewer students than usual for the fall semester of 2020 .
“ Schools already struggling to maintain operations and meet their students ’ needs during the COVID-19 pandemic can not afford cuts to their budgets , ” Superintendent Kathy Hoffman said in a statement .
Federal coronavirus relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deficit , but those grants have yielded less money than expected .

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona public and charter schools will face a $266 million budget deficit because the state gives money to remote learning schools at a lower rate than they do to in-person schools.
The state Department of Education has released data that shows how much schools will need to cut their budgets by this school year, the Arizona Republic reported Friday.
Mesa Public Schools, the largest district in Arizona, will lose $16 million. Chandler Unified School will have its budget cut by $12 million. Tucson Unified School District will lose $11.9 million.
Under state law, online schools are funded at a rate 5% lower than in-person schools, per student.
The state has also experienced a sharp decline in the number of students enrolled in its schools. The state reported an estimated 50,000 fewer students than usual for the fall semester of 2020.
“Schools already struggling to maintain operations and meet their students’ needs during the COVID-19 pandemic cannot afford cuts to their budgets,” Superintendent Kathy Hoffman said in a statement.
Federal coronavirus relief funds were given to schools to fill the deficit, but those grants have yielded less money than expected.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Police investigate report of shooting at California mall

MILPITAS , Calif. ( AP ) - The Milpitas Police Department is investigating a shooting Saturday night at a mall @ @ @ @ @ in place .
The Police Department said in a tweet about the shooting at the @ @ @ @ @ of an abundance of caution we have asked all stores to shelter-in-place while officers continue @ @ @ @ @ stay away from the area.
” The shooting was first reported at 5:32 p.m. , @ @ @ @ @ one of its producers was at the Home Depot next to the mall when the @ @ @ @ @ was a large police presence in the parking lot .
She said the mall is @ @ @ @ @ The mall ’ s website says it has more than 200 businesses and is known @ @ @ @ @ mall in Northern California .

MILPITAS, Calif. (AP) - The Milpitas Police Department investigated a shooting Saturday night at a mall, and people temporarily sheltered in place.
The shooting was first reported at 5:32 p.m., KGO-TV reported.
At 8:30 p.m., the department said officers were escorting store employees and shoppers out of the mall. The all clear was given around 9:30 p.m. Police say two people went to the hospital for unrelated medical emergencies during evacuations.
The Mercury News reported that police did not offer details about the shooting itself, including about any victims and whether a suspect was still at large. But emergency responders were seen transporting one victim on a stretcher from the mall.
Angelo Palma told KNTV that he and a friend were coming from a church meeting when they decided to stop by the mall. He said they were in a store when they saw people running.
“We started running,” Palma said. “Everyone starts running. A shooting, everyone just started running. People were running forward, people were running back. People were falling. It was hectic.”
KGO-TV said one of its producers was at the Home Depot next to the mall when the incident happened and said there was a large police presence in the parking lot. She said the mall is turning new visitors away.
The mall’s website says it has more than 200 businesses and is known as the biggest indoor outlet mall in Northern California.
Police were continuing to investigate but said there were “no on-going threats to the community.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Asia Today: Sydney outbreak grows; Thailand finds 548 cases

SYDNEY ( AP ) - The outbreak in Sydney ’ s northern beach suburbs has grown to 70 cases with an additional 30 in the last 24 hours , and authorities say they may never be able to trace the source .
While the numbers are rising , New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Sunday there hasn ’ t been evidence of massive seeding outside the northern beaches community .
A new list of cases , however , shows the virus had spread to greater Sydney and other parts of the state .
The government has imposed a lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will only be permitted to leave their homes for five basic reasons , including medical care , exercise , grocery shop , work or for compassionate care reasons .
State Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said that contact tracers are yet to locate patient zero , but an extensive investigation is underway .
Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region : - Thailand on Saturday reported more than 500 new coronavirus cases , the highest daily tally in a country that had largely brought the pandemic under control .
The 548 new cases , most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market on the outskirts of Bangkok , come after Thailand saw only a small number of infections over the past several months due to strict border and quarantine controls .
Health officials say the new cases are mostly migrant workers from Myanmar connected to the outbreak at the shrimp market in Samut Sakhon province .
The governor imposed a night curfew and travel restrictions until Jan. 3 .

SYDNEY (AP) - The outbreak in Sydney’s northern beach suburbs has grown to 70 cases with an additional 30 in the last 24 hours, and authorities say they may never be able to trace the source.
While the numbers are rising, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Sunday there hasn’t been evidence of massive seeding outside the northern beaches community. A new list of cases, however, shows the virus had spread to greater Sydney and other parts of the state.
The government has imposed a lockdown in the area until Wednesday. Residents will only be permitted to leave their homes for five basic reasons, including medical care, exercise, grocery shop, work or for compassionate care reasons.
State Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said that contact tracers are yet to locate patient zero, but an extensive investigation is underway.
Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region:
- Thousands of people lined up for coronavirus tests in a province near Bangkok on Sunday, as Thai authorities scrambled to contain an outbreak of the virus that has infected nearly 700 people. Triple lines of mainly migrant workers stretched for around 100 meters in one location alone, at Mahachai in Samut Sakhon province, as health officials in mobile units methodically took nasal swabs. There were three locations in total in the area. Nearby, razor wire and police guards blocked access to the Klang Koong, or Central Shrimp, seafood market - one of Thailand’s largest - and its associated housing, the epicenter of the new cluster. Thailand’s Disease Control Department said Sunday that they found 141 more cases linked to the market outbreak. On Saturday, the department reported 548 cases, Thailand’s biggest daily spike, sending shockwaves through a country that has seen only a small number of infections over the past several months due to strict border and quarantine controls.
- South Korea has recorded more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases for the fifth consecutive day, putting pressure on authorities to enforce the toughest distancing rules that would further hurt the economy. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency says it’s found 1,097 additional cases over the past 24-hour period, the highest daily tally since the pandemic began. That puts the national caseload at 49,665, including 674 deaths. About 70% of the new cases come from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, which has been at the center of a viral resurgence. The pace of the spread has already met government conditions for raising social distancing rules to their highest level. But officials have been reluctant to move forward with the measure out of worries for the economy. The new step would ban a gathering of more than 10 people and shut hundreds of thousands of non-essential businesses.
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