washingtontimes--2020-12-21--The holidays could make or break struggling stores

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Clothing stores and specialty retailers are offering big discounts and heavily promoting curbside pickup in hopes of rescuing a lackluster holiday shopping season in which surging coronavirus cases have kept many shoppers at home .
For some , it could be their last chance at survival .
And even a last-minute sales boost could be too late to save them .
The holiday season , which accounts for about 20 % of the retail industry ’ s annual sales , has always been make-or-break for struggling stores .
But it ’ s even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make up for sales lost since the pandemic forced them to temporarily close locations .
That ’ s a big challenge given that the deadline to order online and get items in time for Christmas has passed .
Retailers also can ’ t rely on big crowds of procrastinators because of restrictions on how many people can shop at once .
Big box retailers like Walmart and Target , which have been deemed essential and mostly allowed to remain open throughout the pandemic , have done well by attracting shoppers with safety concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to multiple stores .
Supermarkets , home improvement stores and online retailers have also seen strong sales .
But many clothing and department stores have struggled , especially those in shopping malls , some of which were already in trouble even before the coronavirus upended the retail landscape .
“ People are spending money .
It ’ s just falling in pockets of areas like home improvement and food , ” said Ken Perkins of RetailMetrics LLC , a retail research firm .
“ You have to worry about the mall-based retailer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter , you ’ ve got to wonder what kind of position some of these chains are going to to be in.
” Perkins expects fourth-quarter earnings for the roughly 100 chains he monitors to be down 2.1 % , with mall-based retailers down nearly 30 % and stores located outside of malls up 3.4 % .
A recent report from S & P ; Global highlighted seven publicly traded mall landlords who are facing a brutal winter .
Already , more than 40 U.S. retailers have filed for Chapter 11 since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And more than 8,600 stores have closed this year , according to Coresight Research .
Just in the last month , music chain Guitar Center Inc. and clothier Francesca ’ s Holdings Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy .
Meanwhile , retailers like Neiman Marcus and J.C. Penney that emerged from bankruptcy this past fall are looking to regain their footing .
Neiman Marcus is among the companies heavily promoting curbside pickup in the final days before Christmas .
The luxury department store chain is offering customers a $ 25 gift card if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could still be ahead , with COVID-19 cases on the rise in the U.S. and the possibility of more store closures and restrictions in 2021 .
“ Without this extra boost that they normally get , we are going to see an uptick in bankruptcies and store closures in the first quarter , ” said Natalie Kotlyar , a national leader of BDO ’ s Retail & Consumer Products practice .
“ I think many retailers were holding out filing bankruptcy to see how the holiday season is going to go.
” Retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November , according to the U.S. Commerce Department .
It was the biggest drop in seven months , with many types of retailers seeing declines .
The biggest drop was at department stores , down 7.7 % .
There ’ s also other evidence of growing consumer caution : Overall spending from roughly Oct. 30 through Dec. 14 is down 5.4 % , from the equivalent period last year , according to JPMorgan Chase , which tracks activity on 30 million of its debit and credit cards .
Still , the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest retail trade group , expects holiday sales to increase between 3.6 percent and 5.2 percent compared to 2019 , mostly due to strong sales at the big box stores .
Those numbers , which exclude automobile dealers , gasoline stations and restaurants , compare with last year ’ s gain of 4 % .
The holiday season is also the time when stores typically get a chance to attract new customers .
Nearly 90 % of customers polled by America ’ s Research Group in recent years said that when they shop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , it ’ s during the holidays .
That ’ s not happening this year .
Shoppers are cutting back the number of stores they visit to four or five , from six to eight , says C. Britt Beemer , chairman of the group .
Liana Pai , who co-owns clothing store Liana in Manhattan , says her family business used to be bustling with customers during the holiday season .
But with restrictions and people nervous about shopping , she has just a few people coming in per day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ spring , Liana reopened in July , but she ’ s only recaptured about one third of her typical sales .
She ’ s been on the verge of closing her business three times “ It ’ s definitely been rough , “ said Pai , who has been stepping up FaceTime with her customers , marketing her shop on Instagram and offering fat discounts during the final days of the season .
She noted that she needed to do well during the holidays because it helps her get through the slow period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managed a successful transition to online sales .
Camp , a small chain that designed its toy shops to be places kids wanted to play , had to temporarily close all five of its locations in the spring .
It regrouped , shifting activities like birthday parties online and launching a holiday gift exchange 10 days ago .
Online sales increased 40 % compared with last year and overall sales have tripled .
Since stores reopened , traffic has increased an average of 17 % each week .
Tiffany Markofsky , Camp ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoor location outside of a Manhattan store and ticketed shopping times have helped shoppers feel comfortable .
“ We are in a much better place than last year , ” said Markofsky , noting a strong holiday season .
“ A lot of this stuff we were thinking about in our minds .
But COVID crystalized it .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - Clothing stores and specialty retailers are offering big discounts and heavily promoting curbside pickup in hopes of rescuing a lackluster holiday shopping season in which surging coronavirus cases have kept many shoppers at home.
For some, it could be their last chance at survival. And even a last-minute sales boost could be too late to save them.
The holiday season, which accounts for about 20% of the retail industry’s annual sales, has always been make-or-break for struggling stores. But it’s even more important this year as they look to make up for sales lost since the pandemic forced them to temporarily close locations.
That’s a big challenge given that the deadline to order online and get items in time for Christmas has passed. Retailers also can’t rely on big crowds of procrastinators because of restrictions on how many people can shop at once.
Big box retailers like Walmart and Target, which have been deemed essential and mostly allowed to remain open throughout the pandemic, have done well by attracting shoppers with safety concerns who don’t want to go to multiple stores. Supermarkets, home improvement stores and online retailers have also seen strong sales.
But many clothing and department stores have struggled, especially those in shopping malls, some of which were already in trouble even before the coronavirus upended the retail landscape.
“People are spending money. It’s just falling in pockets of areas like home improvement and food,” said Ken Perkins of RetailMetrics LLC, a retail research firm. “You have to worry about the mall-based retailer. When the dust settles after the fourth quarter, you’ve got to wonder what kind of position some of these chains are going to to be in.”
Perkins expects fourth-quarter earnings for the roughly 100 chains he monitors to be down 2.1%, with mall-based retailers down nearly 30% and stores located outside of malls up 3.4%. A recent report from S&P Global highlighted seven publicly traded mall landlords who are facing a brutal winter.
Already, more than 40 U.S. retailers have filed for Chapter 11 since the pandemic started forcing shutdowns in March. And more than 8,600 stores have closed this year, according to Coresight Research. Just in the last month, music chain Guitar Center Inc. and clothier Francesca’s Holdings Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Meanwhile, retailers like Neiman Marcus and J.C. Penney that emerged from bankruptcy this past fall are looking to regain their footing.
Neiman Marcus is among the companies heavily promoting curbside pickup in the final days before Christmas. The luxury department store chain is offering customers a $25 gift card if they use the service.
The worst could still be ahead, with COVID-19 cases on the rise in the U.S. and the possibility of more store closures and restrictions in 2021.
“Without this extra boost that they normally get, we are going to see an uptick in bankruptcies and store closures in the first quarter,” said Natalie Kotlyar, a national leader of BDO’s Retail & Consumer Products practice. “I think many retailers were holding out filing bankruptcy to see how the holiday season is going to go.”
Retail sales fell a seasonally adjusted 1.1% in November, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. It was the biggest drop in seven months, with many types of retailers seeing declines. The biggest drop was at department stores, down 7.7%.
There’s also other evidence of growing consumer caution: Overall spending from roughly Oct. 30 through Dec. 14 is down 5.4%, from the equivalent period last year, according to JPMorgan Chase, which tracks activity on 30 million of its debit and credit cards.
Still, the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, expects holiday sales to increase between 3.6 percent and 5.2 percent compared to 2019, mostly due to strong sales at the big box stores. Those numbers, which exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants, compare with last year’s gain of 4%.
The holiday season is also the time when stores typically get a chance to attract new customers. Nearly 90% of customers polled by America’s Research Group in recent years said that when they shop at a new store for the first time, it’s during the holidays. That’s not happening this year. Shoppers are cutting back the number of stores they visit to four or five, from six to eight, says C. Britt Beemer, chairman of the group.
Liana Pai, who co-owns clothing store Liana in Manhattan, says her family business used to be bustling with customers during the holiday season. But with restrictions and people nervous about shopping, she has just a few people coming in per day. After being forced to close in the spring, Liana reopened in July, but she’s only recaptured about one third of her typical sales. She’s been on the verge of closing her business three times
“It’s definitely been rough, “said Pai, who has been stepping up FaceTime with her customers , marketing her shop on Instagram and offering fat discounts during the final days of the season. She noted that she needed to do well during the holidays because it helps her get through the slow period of January through March.
“We’re scraping by,” she said.
Others have managed a successful transition to online sales. Camp, a small chain that designed its toy shops to be places kids wanted to play, had to temporarily close all five of its locations in the spring. It regrouped, shifting activities like birthday parties online and launching a holiday gift exchange 10 days ago.
Online sales increased 40% compared with last year and overall sales have tripled. Since stores reopened, traffic has increased an average of 17% each week. Tiffany Markofsky, Camp’s chief marketing officer, says an outdoor location outside of a Manhattan store and ticketed shopping times have helped shoppers feel comfortable.
“We are in a much better place than last year,” said Markofsky, noting a strong holiday season. “A lot of this stuff we were thinking about in our minds. But COVID crystalized it.”
___
Follow Anne D’Innocenzio: http://twitter.com/ADInnocenzio


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Report: Wyoming sees rise in occupational deaths in 2019

CASPER , Wyo .
( AP ) - Wyoming has one of the worst rates of workplace-related deaths in the @ @ @ @ @ more fatalities than the national average , a report said .
The Wyoming Department of @ @ @ @ @ report that 32 workers died while on the job in 2019 , an increase of @ @ @ @ @ , The Casper Star-Tribune reported Sunday .
The report said 65 % of the deaths @ @ @ @ @ incidents , including “ highway crashes , pedestrian vehicular incidents , aircraft incidents and water @ @ @ @ @ , the state occupational epidemiologist , said transportation incidents accounted for more than half of @ @ @ @ @ all industries in Wyoming from 2003 to 2019 .
About a quarter of the workplace @ @ @ @ @ the natural resources and mining sector , department officials said .
The Research and Planning @ @ @ @ @ of Workforce Services analyzed the federal data through its Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Program @

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) - Wyoming has one of the worst rates of workplace-related deaths in the country, with three times more fatalities than the national average, a report said.
The Wyoming Department of Workplace Solutions revealed in the report that 32 workers died while on the job in 2019, an increase of one death compared to 2018, The Casper Star-Tribune reported Sunday.
The report said 65% of the deaths were a result of transportation incidents, including “highway crashes, pedestrian vehicular incidents, aircraft incidents and water vehicle incidents.”
Meredith Towle, the state occupational epidemiologist, said transportation incidents accounted for more than half of all deaths at workplaces across all industries in Wyoming from 2003 to 2019.
About a quarter of the workplace deaths last year occurred in the natural resources and mining sector, department officials said.
The Research and Planning Division of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services analyzed the federal data through its Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Program.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Reports of gunfire close lanes on DC-area highway

Authorities have closed the northbound lanes of a highway in the Washington , D.C. , area after a report of @ @ @ @ @ Park Police issued a statement Monday saying that officers went to the Baltimore–Washington Parkway in @ @ @ @ @ in response to a report of a shooting .
The area is in Maryland just @ @ @ @ @ Columbia .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear if anyone was hit by gunfire .
@ @ @ @ @ traffic backed up on the highway .

Authorities have closed the northbound lanes of a highway in the Washington, D.C., area after a report of a shooting.
The U.S. Park Police issued a statement Monday saying that officers went to the Baltimore–Washington Parkway in the area of Route 410 in response to a report of a shooting. The area is in Maryland just outside of the District of Columbia.
It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone was hit by gunfire.
News stations showed images of traffic backed up on the highway.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Bergman succeeds Horn as Disney Studios chairman

Walt Disney Co. veteran Alan Bergman has been named chairman of Disney Studios , the company said Monday .
Bergman will be succeeding Alan Horn , who will remain chief creative officer .
Horn and Bergman have been operating as co-chairs since May 2019 .
“ The Walt Disney Studios ’ achievements under the leadership of Alan Horn and Alan Bergman have been nothing short of extraordinary , ” said Bob Chapek , Walt Disney Co. CEO , in a statement .
“ Having worked closely for years with Alan Bergman , an exceptional leader and proven executive , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name him as Chairman.
” The position involves overseeing everything from creative and operations to production and marketing for all Disney Studios content from its myriad brands , including Disney Animation , Pixar , Marvel , Lucasfilm and 20th Century Studios .
The heads of each studio , from Kevin Feige to Kathleen Kennedy , will report to Horn and Bergman .
“ I believe deeply in our people , culture , and the work we do , ” Bergman said in a statement .
He ’ ll assume the position officially on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disney for 24 years and served as president of Walt Disney Studios from 2005 to 2019 , helping to integrate Pixar , Lucasfilm , Marvel and Twenty-First Century Fox into the Disney stable of brands .
Both Horn and Bergman will report to Chapek , who took over from longtime CEO Bob Iger in February .
Horn , who joined Disney as Chairman in 2012 , said in a statement that , “ The time feels right to shift my focus solely to our enormous creative slate.
” Disney earlier this month unveiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ + , including 10 “ Star Wars ” series spinoffs , 10 Marvel series and 15 live-action , Pixar and animated series .
The studio has been a market leader for the past few years and last year surpassed a record $ 11 billion in box office .
But with the launch of Disney+ last year and the unforseen complications of the pandemic , much focus has been placed on streaming .

Walt Disney Co. veteran Alan Bergman has been named chairman of Disney Studios, the company said Monday. Bergman will be succeeding Alan Horn, who will remain chief creative officer. Horn and Bergman have been operating as co-chairs since May 2019.
“The Walt Disney Studios’ achievements under the leadership of Alan Horn and Alan Bergman have been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Bob Chapek, Walt Disney Co. CEO, in a statement. “Having worked closely for years with Alan Bergman, an exceptional leader and proven executive, I couldn’t be more pleased to name him as Chairman.”
The position involves overseeing everything from creative and operations to production and marketing for all Disney Studios content from its myriad brands, including Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 20th Century Studios. The heads of each studio, from Kevin Feige to Kathleen Kennedy, will report to Horn and Bergman.
“I believe deeply in our people, culture, and the work we do,” Bergman said in a statement. He’ll assume the position officially on Jan. 1.
Bergman has worked at Disney for 24 years and served as president of Walt Disney Studios from 2005 to 2019, helping to integrate Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel and Twenty-First Century Fox into the Disney stable of brands.
Both Horn and Bergman will report to Chapek, who took over from longtime CEO Bob Iger in February.
Horn, who joined Disney as Chairman in 2012, said in a statement that, “The time feels right to shift my focus solely to our enormous creative slate.”
Disney earlier this month unveiled ambitious plans for its streaming service Disney +, including 10 “Star Wars” series spinoffs, 10 Marvel series and 15 live-action, Pixar and animated series.
The studio has been a market leader for the past few years and last year surpassed a record $11 billion in box office. But with the launch of Disney+ last year and the unforseen complications of the pandemic, much focus has been placed on streaming.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Sheriff: Alabama man, son kill each other in spat over dog

CHATOM , Ala. ( AP ) - An Alabama man and his son killed each other in a dispute over @ @ @ @ @ .
Washington County Sheriff Richard Stringer told WALA-TV that Kelvin James Coker , 60 , @ @ @ @ @ shot on Saturday .
The man then drove to the home of his 32-year-old son @ @ @ @ @ who claimed to have killed the animal .
The older man shot first , shooting @ @ @ @ @ , and the younger man returned fire with a shotgun , Stringer said .
Both @ @ @ @ @ .

CHATOM, Ala. (AP) - An Alabama man and his son killed each other in a dispute over a dog, authorities said.
Washington County Sheriff Richard Stringer told WALA-TV that Kelvin James Coker, 60, discovered his dog had been shot on Saturday. The man then drove to the home of his 32-year-old son, Kelvin Nicholas Coker, who claimed to have killed the animal.
The older man shot first, shooting his son in the leg, and the younger man returned fire with a shotgun, Stringer said. Both men died from their wounds.
The sheriff called the family “very dysfunctional.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Murphy: 'No problem' revealing full virus spending details

TRENTON , N.J. ( AP ) - New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy on Monday promised transparency over the state ’ s spending on protective gear bought to combat COVID-19 .
Murphy , a Democrat , spoke Monday during a news conference about the virus and responded to a reporter ’ s question about an Associated Press report showing New York and New Jersey have so far declined to release detailed breakdowns of their spending on personal protective gear and medical equipment during the first frenzied months of the virus outbreak .
Murphy said he wasn ’ t sure why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - were declined .
“ ì have no problem at all reporting what we spent on PPE , ” he said .
“ I ’ m all for everyone knowing exactly what we ’ re doing.
” New Jersey failed to provide purchase orders for personal protective equipment , saying fulfilling the request would be “ substantially disruptive to agency operations.
” The state did provide a one-page document showing it spent $ 164 million for 153 million pieces of equipment , including masks , gloves , goggles , beds and even morgue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the documents will become available .

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday promised transparency over the state’s spending on protective gear bought to combat COVID-19.
Murphy, a Democrat, spoke Monday during a news conference about the virus and responded to a reporter’s question about an Associated Press report showing New York and New Jersey have so far declined to release detailed breakdowns of their spending on personal protective gear and medical equipment during the first frenzied months of the virus outbreak.
Murphy said he wasn’t sure why the purchase orders -typically a public document - were declined.
“ì have no problem at all reporting what we spent on PPE,” he said. “I’m all for everyone knowing exactly what we’re doing.”
New Jersey failed to provide purchase orders for personal protective equipment, saying fulfilling the request would be “substantially disruptive to agency operations.”
The state did provide a one-page document showing it spent $164 million for 153 million pieces of equipment, including masks, gloves, goggles, beds and even morgue trucks.
It’s unclear when the documents will become available.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Older judges forced from NY bench sue for age discrimination

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A group of New York judges is suing for age discrimination after the state ’ s cash-strapped court system cracked down on a long-standing practice that had allowed them to continue serving past the mandatory retirement age of 70 .
The New York Times reported Monday that nine older judges are involved in two lawsuits stemming from the court system ’ s decision to reject the applications of 46 of 49 judges who have sought to continue to working in their 70s .
They must leave by Dec. 31 .
The lawsuits name as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Janet DiFiore , and an administrative board that approved the move .
Court rules allow judges who reach age 70 to apply for two-year extensions to remain on the bench until they are 76 , as long as they receive necessary medical clearance .
There is no requirement that the court system approve the applications , but the judges who are suing allege they were decided on en masse instead of individually , as rules require .
Because of revenue shortfalls related to the pandemic , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by $ 300 million .
By rejecting the applications of all but three judges who have specialized assignments , the court system will save $ 55 million over two years , a spokesperson said .
State trial judges earn about $ 210,000 and appellate judges about $ 222,000 , the Times reported .
If all 49 older judges who applied were retained , the courts would have been required to lay off more than 300 other staff members , such as court officers and clerks , courts spokesperson Lucian Chalfen told the Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retirements will leave courthouses undermanned .
The Times reports that eight judges are set to depart in the Bronx , while six judges each are leaving courts in Queens and Manhattan .
Some judges say that with pension payments they ’ re due to receive in retirement nearly matching their salaries , the decision doesn ’ t make as much fiscal sense as the court system says it does .
One older judge , who wasn ’ t part of the lawsuits , offered to keep working for free .

NEW YORK (AP) - A group of New York judges is suing for age discrimination after the state’s cash-strapped court system cracked down on a long-standing practice that had allowed them to continue serving past the mandatory retirement age of 70.
The New York Times reported Monday that nine older judges are involved in two lawsuits stemming from the court system’s decision to reject the applications of 46 of 49 judges who have sought to continue to working in their 70s. They must leave by Dec. 31.
The lawsuits name as defendants the state’s chief judge, Janet DiFiore, and an administrative board that approved the move.
Court rules allow judges who reach age 70 to apply for two-year extensions to remain on the bench until they are 76, as long as they receive necessary medical clearance. There is no requirement that the court system approve the applications, but the judges who are suing allege they were decided on en masse instead of individually, as rules require.
Because of revenue shortfalls related to the pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has asked the state judiciary to slash its budget by $300 million. By rejecting the applications of all but three judges who have specialized assignments, the court system will save $55 million over two years, a spokesperson said.
State trial judges earn about $210,000 and appellate judges about $222,000, the Times reported. If all 49 older judges who applied were retained, the courts would have been required to lay off more than 300 other staff members, such as court officers and clerks, courts spokesperson Lucian Chalfen told the Times.
Some lawmakers are concerned the forced retirements will leave courthouses undermanned. The Times reports that eight judges are set to depart in the Bronx, while six judges each are leaving courts in Queens and Manhattan.
Some judges say that with pension payments they’re due to receive in retirement nearly matching their salaries, the decision doesn’t make as much fiscal sense as the court system says it does. One older judge, who wasn’t part of the lawsuits, offered to keep working for free.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Sheriff announces charges in 2006 slaying of teenage girl

BRADENTON , Fla. ( AP ) - Three brothers have been charged in Florida with involvement in the 2006 slaying of a 16-year-old girl .
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells said at a news conference Monday that the case was solved using cellphone tracking analysis unavailable when Amber Woods was fatally shot 14 years ago .
Second-degree murder charges have been filed against Ralph Williams , 35 , and Tyjuan Williams , 32 .
Both are jailed on unrelated charges in different counties .
It ’ s not clear if they have lawyers to represent them on these new charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleaded no contest last week to being an accessory to murder after the fact , the Bradenton Herald reported .
Authorities say Brown provided detectives with details about Woods ’ kidnapping and killing as part of a plea deal .
Wells said Ralph Williams , who was Woods ’ s boyfriend at the time , suspected she was pregnant and feared he would face criminal charges because of her age .
An autopsy later determined the girl , who lived in Hardee County , was not pregnant .
“ We always believed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and were trying to do everything they could to conceal the fact that they had murdered Amber and they went the last several years like nothing ever happened , ” Wells said .

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - Three brothers have been charged in Florida with involvement in the 2006 slaying of a 16-year-old girl.
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells said at a news conference Monday that the case was solved using cellphone tracking analysis unavailable when Amber Woods was fatally shot 14 years ago.
Second-degree murder charges have been filed against Ralph Williams, 35, and Tyjuan Williams, 32. Both are jailed on unrelated charges in different counties. It’s not clear if they have lawyers to represent them on these new charges.
Their half-brother, Jamaine Brown, pleaded no contest last week to being an accessory to murder after the fact, the Bradenton Herald reported. Authorities say Brown provided detectives with details about Woods’ kidnapping and killing as part of a plea deal.
Wells said Ralph Williams, who was Woods’s boyfriend at the time, suspected she was pregnant and feared he would face criminal charges because of her age. An autopsy later determined the girl, who lived in Hardee County, was not pregnant.
“We always believed that these three murderers were in cahoots together and were trying to do everything they could to conceal the fact that they had murdered Amber and they went the last several years like nothing ever happened,” Wells said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Oklahoma teachers union head warns about return to classes

OKLAHOMA CITY ( AP ) - The head of Oklahoma ’ s largest teachers union praised Gov .
Kevin Stitt on Monday for moving school personnel to phase two of the vaccine distribution plan , but she warned the governor that forcing schools to return to in-person learning next month could jeopardize the safety of public school workers .
During a news conference , Oklahoma Education Association President Alicia Priest also released details of an informal survey of more than half its members that show 63 % believe schools are not safe for in-person instruction .
The governor , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said his goal is to have all public schools offer in-person classes after the Christmas break .
“ We have heard from so many teachers who are excited about returning to their classrooms in January or are grateful to teach in a district that offers in-person instruction because they know how many students are struggling with distance learning , ” said Stitt ’ s spokesman , Charlie Hannema , who noted that the majority of Oklahoma teachers are not members of the union and didn ’ t participate in the survey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , described Stitt ’ s plan is an “ arbitrary date ” and suggested it could pit parents and educators against one another .
“ As someone with a daughter who is attending school , I identify with the frustration of parents , ” Priest said .
“ But we must remember that the enemy is the virus .
It ’ s not educators and it ’ s not parents.
” Priest also praised the State Board of Education for its recent decision to suspend for one year the state ’ s A-F @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system the OEA opposed .
Among the other findings of the union ’ s survey was that 12 % of the 3,147 members surveyed reported that they had contracted COVID-19 , which would be about double the state average , and that about 90 % said they don ’ t believe schools are able to effectively accomplish social distancing .
The survey also found that more than 97 % of respondents reported having some kind of mask mandate in their district , although those who responded represented fewer than half of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While studies have shown that children are less likely than adults to get infected with the virus , the risk of spreading the virus at schools depends largely on how much community transmission is taking place in the district .
Also on Monday , CVS Health announced that it plans to begin administering vaccines to more than 27,000 patients at 176 skilled nursing and assisted living facilities across Oklahoma .
Those workers are in the first phase of the state ’ s vaccine distribution plan .
More than one-third of the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , have been residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities , according to the most recent data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health .
Oklahoma health officials reported 2,596 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Monday and six additional deaths , bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 263,434 and the statewide death toll to 2,218 .
While the seven-day rolling average of both positivity rate and new cases in Oklahoma has increased over the last two weeks , the seven-day rolling average of daily deaths decreased slightly , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 20 , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The head of Oklahoma’s largest teachers union praised Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday for moving school personnel to phase two of the vaccine distribution plan, but she warned the governor that forcing schools to return to in-person learning next month could jeopardize the safety of public school workers.
During a news conference, Oklahoma Education Association President Alicia Priest also released details of an informal survey of more than half its members that show 63% believe schools are not safe for in-person instruction. The governor, who has pushed an aggressive reopening plan, has said his goal is to have all public schools offer in-person classes after the Christmas break.
“We have heard from so many teachers who are excited about returning to their classrooms in January or are grateful to teach in a district that offers in-person instruction because they know how many students are struggling with distance learning,” said Stitt’s spokesman, Charlie Hannema, who noted that the majority of Oklahoma teachers are not members of the union and didn’t participate in the survey.
Priest, a Spanish teacher from Yukon, described Stitt’s plan is an “arbitrary date” and suggested it could pit parents and educators against one another.
“As someone with a daughter who is attending school, I identify with the frustration of parents,” Priest said. “But we must remember that the enemy is the virus. It’s not educators and it’s not parents.”
Priest also praised the State Board of Education for its recent decision to suspend for one year the state’s A-F grading system for public schools, a system the OEA opposed.
Among the other findings of the union’s survey was that 12% of the 3,147 members surveyed reported that they had contracted COVID-19, which would be about double the state average, and that about 90% said they don’t believe schools are able to effectively accomplish social distancing. The survey also found that more than 97% of respondents reported having some kind of mask mandate in their district, although those who responded represented fewer than half of the state’s more than 500 school districts.
While studies have shown that children are less likely than adults to get infected with the virus, the risk of spreading the virus at schools depends largely on how much community transmission is taking place in the district.
Also on Monday, CVS Health announced that it plans to begin administering vaccines to more than 27,000 patients at 176 skilled nursing and assisted living facilities across Oklahoma. Those workers are in the first phase of the state’s vaccine distribution plan.
More than one-third of the COVID-19 deaths in Oklahoma, or about 685 people, have been residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities, according to the most recent data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
Oklahoma health officials reported 2,596 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Monday and six additional deaths, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 263,434 and the statewide death toll to 2,218.
While the seven-day rolling average of both positivity rate and new cases in Oklahoma has increased over the last two weeks, the seven-day rolling average of daily deaths decreased slightly, from 22.86 on Dec. 6 to 21.14 on Dec. 20, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Reputed head of eastern Connecticut drug operation sentenced

NEW HAVEN , Conn. ( AP ) - A 51-year-old man who prosecutors say ran a major drug trafficking operation @ @ @ @ @ Monday to 25 years in prison .
Carlos Delgado , of Mansfield , was convicted @ @ @ @ @ trafficking and firearms possession charges following an investigation begun in 2018 by the Drug Enforcement @ @ @ @ @ Force and the Willimantic Police Department .
Prosecutors said Delgado was coordinating the shipment of @ @ @ @ @ the mail from Puerto Rico to various spots in eastern Connecticut .
Delgado and his @ @ @ @ @ then mailed cash proceeds from their sales back to people in Puerto Rico , prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ also received cocaine from the Dominican Republic and heroin from Mexico .
He has been @ @ @ @ @ in July 2018 .
The sentence , handed down Monday by U.S. District Judge Janet @ @ @ @ @ years of supervised release .

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - A 51-year-old man who prosecutors say ran a major drug trafficking operation in eastern Connecticut was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison.
Carlos Delgado, of Mansfield, was convicted in January of federal drug trafficking and firearms possession charges following an investigation begun in 2018 by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the Willimantic Police Department.
Prosecutors said Delgado was coordinating the shipment of kilogram quantities of cocaine through the mail from Puerto Rico to various spots in eastern Connecticut.
Delgado and his gang distributed the drugs and then mailed cash proceeds from their sales back to people in Puerto Rico, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors say Delgado also received cocaine from the Dominican Republic and heroin from Mexico.
He has been in prison since his arrest in July 2018.
The sentence, handed down Monday by U.S. District Judge Janet Hall, also includes five years of supervised release.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Carolina Hurricanes arena sustained damages after water leak

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - The home of the NHL ’ s Carolina Hurricanes sustained $ 250,000 in damages after a water leak was discovered in the room where video replays are controlled for the overhead scoreboard , officials said .
Some team employees returned to PNC Arena in Raleigh earlier this month to find the leak in the CanesVision audio/visual control room and server room , The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Monday .
The source of the leak hasn ’ t been determined , officials said .
The scoreboard was not working for Saturday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game , the first event inside the building since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
That meant there were no video replays for the few people attending the game as well as coaches , players and media .
Centennial Authority executive director Jeff Merritt said in an email to authority members that the video board won ’ t be fully operational until late January .
The authority ’ s finance and its building and construction committees discussed the issue Monday , recommending that $ 262,500 be approved for restoring the CanesVision system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authority ’ s audio/visual consultant .
The authority has planned a full renovation of the CanesVision system that will cost $ 3.3 million and could be completed in the summer of 2021 .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The home of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes sustained $250,000 in damages after a water leak was discovered in the room where video replays are controlled for the overhead scoreboard, officials said.
Some team employees returned to PNC Arena in Raleigh earlier this month to find the leak in the CanesVision audio/visual control room and server room, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Monday. The source of the leak hasn’t been determined, officials said.
The scoreboard was not working for Saturday’s Campbell-N.C. State men’s basketball game, the first event inside the building since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That meant there were no video replays for the few people attending the game as well as coaches, players and media.
Centennial Authority executive director Jeff Merritt said in an email to authority members that the video board won’t be fully operational until late January.
The authority’s finance and its building and construction committees discussed the issue Monday, recommending that $262,500 be approved for restoring the CanesVision system, including $12,500 in fees for the authority’s audio/visual consultant.
The authority has planned a full renovation of the CanesVision system that will cost $3.3 million and could be completed in the summer of 2021.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Lawsuit alleges inhumane conditions at Missouri jail

O ’ FALLON , Mo .
( AP ) - A prisoners rights group filed a lawsuit Monday alleging that a Missouri jail has been mistreating its inmates , saying deputies have taunted and tortured inmates and that the jail provided so little food that one detainee ate toothpaste and toilet paper to ward off hunger .
The lawsuit by the St. Louis-based civil rights law firm ArchCity Defenders was filed on behalf of Robert Hopple , Stefani Rudigier and Shawn Mesey , who recently were pretrial detainees at the Francois County Jail .
The lawsuit names the eastern Missouri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former jail administrator , along with the company providing medical care at the jail and a nurse .
It seeks unspecified damages .
The lawsuit contends that the actions at the jail “ violate basic standards of human decency as well as the United States Constitution.
” Bullock and St. Francois County Presiding Commissioner Harold Gallaher didn ’ t immediately reply to phone messages or emails seeking comment .
The county is about 60 miles southwest of St. Louis .
The lawsuit cites concerns such as black mold on the walls , frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopple , 49 , of Bonne Terre , recounts an instance in which his cell was so cold that sewage that had overflowed onto the floor froze .
The lawsuit alleges that food rations were tiny and lacking in nutrients .
Rudigier says she lost more than 100 pounds during her nearly two years of incarceration .
The lawsuit says deputies would sometimes taunt the hungry inmates by bringing out extra meal packs and offering them up to anyone who could answer a trivia question .
If no one answered correctly , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Mr .
Hopple resorted to eating toothpaste and toilet paper to curb his hunger , ” the lawsuit states .
Hopple alleges that deputies organized “ Friday Night Fights , ” in which they arranged fights between the inmates .
The lawsuit also questions the medical care at the jail .
Among other complaints , Rudigier , 27 , of Maplewood , says she was denied mental illness medication for 21 of the nearly 24 months she was incarcerated .
The lawsuit accuses the jail of abusing inmates placed in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates were sprayed in the mouth with Mace or punched in the head .
Concerns have been raised before about the jail ’ s use of a restraint chair .
An inmate , William Ames III , died after being strapped to the chair in November 2018 .
A 2019 wrongful death lawsuit claimed that Ames was placed in the chair for more than 24 hours and missed several doses of anti-seizure medication .
It also alleged that jail workers were told that Ames had swallowed a bag containing a combination of methamphetamine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to act .

O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) - A prisoners rights group filed a lawsuit Monday alleging that a Missouri jail has been mistreating its inmates, saying deputies have taunted and tortured inmates and that the jail provided so little food that one detainee ate toothpaste and toilet paper to ward off hunger.
The lawsuit by the St. Louis-based civil rights law firm ArchCity Defenders was filed on behalf of Robert Hopple, Stefani Rudigier and Shawn Mesey, who recently were pretrial detainees at the Francois County Jail. The lawsuit names the eastern Missouri county, Sheriff Dan Bullock and the former jail administrator, along with the company providing medical care at the jail and a nurse. It seeks unspecified damages.
The lawsuit contends that the actions at the jail “violate basic standards of human decency as well as the United States Constitution.”
Bullock and St. Francois County Presiding Commissioner Harold Gallaher didn’t immediately reply to phone messages or emails seeking comment. The county is about 60 miles southwest of St. Louis.
The lawsuit cites concerns such as black mold on the walls, frequently overflowing toilets and other inhumane conditions. Hopple, 49, of Bonne Terre, recounts an instance in which his cell was so cold that sewage that had overflowed onto the floor froze.
The lawsuit alleges that food rations were tiny and lacking in nutrients. Rudigier says she lost more than 100 pounds during her nearly two years of incarceration. The lawsuit says deputies would sometimes taunt the hungry inmates by bringing out extra meal packs and offering them up to anyone who could answer a trivia question. If no one answered correctly, the deputies would allegedly throw out the food.
“Mr. Hopple resorted to eating toothpaste and toilet paper to curb his hunger,” the lawsuit states.
Hopple alleges that deputies organized “Friday Night Fights,” in which they arranged fights between the inmates.
The lawsuit also questions the medical care at the jail. Among other complaints, Rudigier, 27, of Maplewood, says she was denied mental illness medication for 21 of the nearly 24 months she was incarcerated.
The lawsuit accuses the jail of abusing inmates placed in a restraint chair. It says some restrained inmates were sprayed in the mouth with Mace or punched in the head.
Concerns have been raised before about the jail’s use of a restraint chair. An inmate, William Ames III, died after being strapped to the chair in November 2018.
A 2019 wrongful death lawsuit claimed that Ames was placed in the chair for more than 24 hours and missed several doses of anti-seizure medication. It also alleged that jail workers were told that Ames had swallowed a bag containing a combination of methamphetamine, cocaine and bath salts, but failed to act.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--UW leader pledges return to in-person learning this spring

MADISON , Wis. ( AP ) - A top University of Wisconsin System official said Monday that students will be allowed to return to campus for the spring semester and take more in-person courses , hoping that more robust COVID-19 testing will help stave off the outbreaks that forced the system to turn to online-only instruction a few weeks into the fall semester .
Meanwhile at the state Capitol , Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers and Republican leaders continued to squabble over a new COVID-19 relief package , with Evers offering what he called a compromise proposal and Assembly Speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from the table .
UW Board of Regents President Andrew Petersen said he expects students to be able to return to their schools safely .
The system plans to test students living in dorms for the disease at least once a week .
Students living off-campus and faculty and staff will be tested at least once every two weeks .
UW-Madison , the system ’ s flagship school , will test all students twice a week .
Regents want to see more in-person classes than schools offered in the fall , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning or a hybrid model , he said .
Chancellors will work with faculty to determine how best to implement in-person instruction , he said .
“ Every barometer and metric that we measure right now suggests we ’ ll be back in January , ” Petersen said .
UW schools shut down in March as the virus began to spread in the state.
, sending students home to finish the semester online .
Faced with dwindling revenue , system leaders decided to resume in-person instruction in the fall semester .
Students living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and students living off-campus didn ’ t have to get tested at all .
Major outbreaks erupted almost immediately when students returned to campus .
COVID-19 was so rampant at UW-Madison , the state ’ s flagship university , that the school temporarily moved all its classes back online and locked down thousands of students in two of its largest dorms for two weeks .
The number of positive tests on campuses has dropped dramatically since then .
As of Thursday , the the seven-day positivity rate was 1 % at UW-Platteville , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eau Claire .
Petersen said that the system will have administered more than 500,000 tests by the end of December for students , faculty and community members .
He added that he hopes system campuses can become regional vaccine distribution hubs this spring .
While UW has been preparing for the spring semester , Evers and Republicans have been trying to hammer out a deal on COVID-19 relief legislation for weeks to no avail .
The governor released a new package Monday , calling it a compromise and urging Republicans to take it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The package would make some concessions to Republicans , including requiring the creation of a plan to address a lingering backlog in unemployment benefit claims and the addition of extended hours at the state ’ s unemployment call center .
Republicans have been criticizing Evers for months for not doing enough to eliminate the backlog .
But the proposed package contains a number of items that Republicans have branded nonstarters , including an extension of the suspension of a one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits until July .
Senate Majority Leader Devin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s Medicaid surplus to cover testing and overflow facilities for COVID-19 patients .
Assembly Republicans have proposed their own package that would prohibit employers and the government from requiring vaccinations , offer weekly COVID-19 tests for home use and make it harder for schools to hold online classes .
Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu also want oversight of federal aid and vaccine distribution .
Vos said in a statement that Monday ’ s proposal is so ineffectual that Evers is essentially walking away from the negotiating table .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s job to work with us and negotiate a Covid package , not just give us his summary of where he thinks we are , ” Vos said .
“ I would hope he ’ d reconsider his decision to walk away from the table .
Assuming he continues this path , I look forward to continuing the discussion with the Senate so that we have a final bill early next month.
” Wisconsin health officials reported 1,435 new confirmed cases and eight more deaths on Thursday , pushing its pandemic totals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10,360 people in Wisconsin have received Pfizer ’ s vaccine since federal regulators authorized the drug for emergency use on Dec. 11 , according to the state Department of Health Services .
The state received 49,725 doses of the vaccine with another 35,100 doses expected to arrive this week , perhaps as early as Tuesday or Wednesday , DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said .
The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses about three weeks apart .
The 35,100 doses coming this week are first doses , Van Dijk said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 49,725 but Van Dijk said federal officials have said that was only a planning estimate and it ’ s now unclear when those second doses will arrive and how many the state may get .
Evers , meanwhile , announced that the state is in line to receive 100,000 doses of Moderna ’ s vaccine , with an initial shipment of 16,000 arriving this week .
Federal regulators authorized that vaccine for emergency use on Friday .

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A top University of Wisconsin System official said Monday that students will be allowed to return to campus for the spring semester and take more in-person courses, hoping that more robust COVID-19 testing will help stave off the outbreaks that forced the system to turn to online-only instruction a few weeks into the fall semester.
Meanwhile at the state Capitol, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican leaders continued to squabble over a new COVID-19 relief package, with Evers offering what he called a compromise proposal and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos accusing the governor of walking away from the table.
UW Board of Regents President Andrew Petersen said he expects students to be able to return to their schools safely. The system plans to test students living in dorms for the disease at least once a week. Students living off-campus and faculty and staff will be tested at least once every two weeks. UW-Madison, the system’s flagship school, will test all students twice a week.
Regents want to see more in-person classes than schools offered in the fall, saying such instruction is far preferable to online learning or a hybrid model, he said. Chancellors will work with faculty to determine how best to implement in-person instruction, he said.
“Every barometer and metric that we measure right now suggests we’ll be back in January,” Petersen said.
UW schools shut down in March as the virus began to spread in the state., sending students home to finish the semester online. Faced with dwindling revenue, system leaders decided to resume in-person instruction in the fall semester.
Students living in dorms were tested every other week and students living off-campus didn’t have to get tested at all. Major outbreaks erupted almost immediately when students returned to campus. COVID-19 was so rampant at UW-Madison, the state’s flagship university, that the school temporarily moved all its classes back online and locked down thousands of students in two of its largest dorms for two weeks.
The number of positive tests on campuses has dropped dramatically since then. As of Thursday, the the seven-day positivity rate was 1% at UW-Platteville, Parkside, Madison, Green Bay and Eau Claire.
Petersen said that the system will have administered more than 500,000 tests by the end of December for students, faculty and community members. He added that he hopes system campuses can become regional vaccine distribution hubs this spring.
While UW has been preparing for the spring semester, Evers and Republicans have been trying to hammer out a deal on COVID-19 relief legislation for weeks to no avail.
The governor released a new package Monday, calling it a compromise and urging Republicans to take it up before the end of the year.
The package would make some concessions to Republicans, including requiring the creation of a plan to address a lingering backlog in unemployment benefit claims and the addition of extended hours at the state’s unemployment call center. Republicans have been criticizing Evers for months for not doing enough to eliminate the backlog.
But the proposed package contains a number of items that Republicans have branded nonstarters, including an extension of the suspension of a one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits until July.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu has said he wants to tap the state’s Medicaid surplus to cover testing and overflow facilities for COVID-19 patients. Assembly Republicans have proposed their own package that would prohibit employers and the government from requiring vaccinations, offer weekly COVID-19 tests for home use and make it harder for schools to hold online classes. Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu also want oversight of federal aid and vaccine distribution.
Vos said in a statement that Monday’s proposal is so ineffectual that Evers is essentially walking away from the negotiating table.
“It’s the Governor’s job to work with us and negotiate a Covid package, not just give us his summary of where he thinks we are,” Vos said. “I would hope he’d reconsider his decision to walk away from the table. Assuming he continues this path, I look forward to continuing the discussion with the Senate so that we have a final bill early next month.”
Wisconsin health officials reported 1,435 new confirmed cases and eight more deaths on Thursday, pushing its pandemic totals to 458,612 cases and 4,425 deaths.
About 10,360 people in Wisconsin have received Pfizer’s vaccine since federal regulators authorized the drug for emergency use on Dec. 11, according to the state Department of Health Services. The state received 49,725 doses of the vaccine with another 35,100 doses expected to arrive this week, perhaps as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said.
The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses about three weeks apart. The 35,100 doses coming this week are first doses, Van Dijk said. The state was initially promised a second shipment of 49,725 but Van Dijk said federal officials have said that was only a planning estimate and it’s now unclear when those second doses will arrive and how many the state may get.
Evers, meanwhile, announced that the state is in line to receive 100,000 doses of Moderna’s vaccine, with an initial shipment of 16,000 arriving this week. Federal regulators authorized that vaccine for emergency use on Friday.
___
Follow Todd Richmond on Twitter: https://twitter.com/trichmond1


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Tunisia: IS-affiliated group accused of beheading farmer

TUNIS , Tunisia ( AP ) - Tunisian authorities say a group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group was behind the weekend beheading of a sheep farmer that has raised national concern .
The farmer , Okba Dhehibi , was found dead Sunday in a mountainous area near the town of Mont Salloum .
The military sent reinforcements to search for the attackers , and the prime minister pledged heightened government efforts against terrorism .
Dhehibi and two friends were taking his sheep to graze when multiple assailants attacked them , according to official Tunisian news agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Monday that the Jound Al Khilafa brigade was behind the attack .
Tunisian authorities say the group has pledged allegiance to IS and has fighters hiding out in the Mount Salloum region , near the Algerian border .
The brigade was accused of killing two other young shepherds in the area in recent years .
Interior Minister Taoufik Charfeddine traveled to the region Monday to pay the government ’ s condolences for Dhehibi ’ s death and to offer material and psychological support to his family .
While he was en route @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guard officers accompanying the ministerial convoy and injured two others , according to the minister ’ s office .

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) - Tunisian authorities say a group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group was behind the weekend beheading of a sheep farmer that has raised national concern.
The farmer, Okba Dhehibi, was found dead Sunday in a mountainous area near the town of Mont Salloum. The military sent reinforcements to search for the attackers, and the prime minister pledged heightened government efforts against terrorism.
Dhehibi and two friends were taking his sheep to graze when multiple assailants attacked them, according to official Tunisian news agency TAP.
Regional court spokesman Riadh Nouioui said Monday that the Jound Al Khilafa brigade was behind the attack. Tunisian authorities say the group has pledged allegiance to IS and has fighters hiding out in the Mount Salloum region, near the Algerian border. The brigade was accused of killing two other young shepherds in the area in recent years.
Interior Minister Taoufik Charfeddine traveled to the region Monday to pay the government’s condolences for Dhehibi’s death and to offer material and psychological support to his family. While he was en route, a car accident killed three national guard officers accompanying the ministerial convoy and injured two others, according to the minister’s office.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Sheriff's deputies hospitalized after possible drug exposure

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. ( AP ) - At least two northern Arizona sheriff ’ s deputies were taken to a hospital Monday after possibly being exposed to an opioid during a traffic stop and pursuit , authorities said .
Coconino County Sheriff ’ s Lt. Gerrit Boeck said in a statement that deputies were taking three people into custody when the deputies began to feel sick and experienced symptoms consistent with the ingestion of fentanyl , a powerful painkiller .
Boeck said the deputies were administered naloxone for the opioid-overdose antidote which seemed to mitigate their symptoms , but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a precaution .
The deputies were in stable condition Monday night but the substance they may have been exposed to has not been identified , Boeck said .
The sheriff ’ s office did not immediately respond to questions about how many deputies were involved and how they may have ingested the substance .
The driver of the car , 26-year-old Flagstaff man was also taken to the hospital as a precaution and would be booked into jail following his release , Boeck said .
The incident began when the deputies attempted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver did not pull over , Boeck said , instead leading officers on a 10-minute pursuit into the Coconino National Forest , where the car got stuck .

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - At least two northern Arizona sheriff’s deputies were taken to a hospital Monday after possibly being exposed to an opioid during a traffic stop and pursuit, authorities said.
Coconino County Sheriff’s Lt. Gerrit Boeck said in a statement that deputies were taking three people into custody when the deputies began to feel sick and experienced symptoms consistent with the ingestion of fentanyl, a powerful painkiller.
Boeck said the deputies were administered naloxone for the opioid-overdose antidote which seemed to mitigate their symptoms, but they were taken to Flagstaff Medical Center as a precaution.
The deputies were in stable condition Monday night but the substance they may have been exposed to has not been identified, Boeck said.
The sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to questions about how many deputies were involved and how they may have ingested the substance.
The driver of the car, 26-year-old Flagstaff man was also taken to the hospital as a precaution and would be booked into jail following his release, Boeck said.
The incident began when the deputies attempted a traffic stop in east Flagstaff but the driver did not pull over, Boeck said, instead leading officers on a 10-minute pursuit into the Coconino National Forest, where the car got stuck.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Ron Wyden: Treasury Department officials email hacked

No taxpayer data was affected in the recently discovered hack affecting federal networks but several Treasury Department officials ’ email accounts were compromised , according to Sen. Ron Wyden , Oregon Democrat .
Following a briefing to the Senate Finance Committee on Monday , Mr. Wyden said in a statement that the IRS said it had no evidence that it was compromised or that taxpayers ’ personal information was affected .
“ According to Treasury staff , the agency suffered a serious breach , beginning in July , the full depth of which isn ’ t known , ” Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Microsoft notified the agency that dozens of email accounts were compromised .
Additionally the hackers broke into the Departmental Offices division of the Treasury , home to the department ’ s highest-ranking officials .
Treasury still does not know all of the actions taken by the hackers , or precisely what information was stolen.
” Mr. Wyden also said that the breach of federal networks seemed to involver hackers stealing encryption keys from federal government servers , and noted that federal government officials had clamored for backdoors in encrypted networks despite warnings from @ @ @

No taxpayer data was affected in the recently discovered hack affecting federal networks but several Treasury Department officials’ email accounts were compromised, according to Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregon Democrat.
Following a briefing to the Senate Finance Committee on Monday, Mr. Wyden said in a statement that the IRS said it had no evidence that it was compromised or that taxpayers’ personal information was affected.
“According to Treasury staff, the agency suffered a serious breach, beginning in July, the full depth of which isn’t known,” Mr. Wyden said in a statement. “Microsoft notified the agency that dozens of email accounts were compromised. Additionally the hackers broke into the Departmental Offices division of the Treasury, home to the department’s highest-ranking officials. Treasury still does not know all of the actions taken by the hackers, or precisely what information was stolen.”
Mr. Wyden also said that the breach of federal networks seemed to involver hackers stealing encryption keys from federal government servers, and noted that federal government officials had clamored for backdoors in encrypted networks despite warnings from federal officials.
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Asia Today: South Korea to curb social gatherings nationwide

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - South Korea will prohibit private social gatherings of more than five people and shut down ski resorts and major tourist spots nationwide starting from Christmas Eve as it contends with surging coronavirus infections .
The restrictions revealed by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Tuesday widen similar plans announced by authorities in the Seoul metropolitan area to a national level and are the most serious step the government has taken so far to reinstate social distancing after months of complacency .
Chung said the measures will be in place at least until Jan. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the center of a viral resurgence in past weeks that has overwhelmed hospitals and increased death tolls and raised questions to how the government is handling the outbreak .
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Tuesday reported another new 869 infections , mostly from the capital area , which brought the country ’ s caseload to 51,460 .
Forty-eight COVID-19 patients have died in the past 48 hours , the deadliest two days since the emergence of the pandemic .
The death toll could rise as the agency said 281 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or critical condition .
The viral resurgence has put pressure on the government to raise social distancing restrictions to maximum levels , something policymakers have resisted for weeks out of economic concerns .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : - The spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney ’ s northern beach suburbs appeared to continue to slow on Tuesday , raising hopes that a lockdown will be eased by Christmas .
Only eight new infections were reported in the latest 24-hour period , New South Wales state authorities said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ announce on Wednesday whether a lockdown of more than 250,000 people in the northern beaches that has been in force since Saturday would be eased .
She said while the numbers were lower , more places have been identified with ties to cases .
Previously , cases had centered on two live music venues .
One new case , however , was a nurse involved in transferring infected arrivals from the airport .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea will prohibit private social gatherings of five or more people and shut down ski resorts and major tourist spots nationwide starting from Christmas Eve as it contends with surging coronavirus infections.
The restrictions revealed by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Tuesday widen similar plans announced by authorities in the Seoul metropolitan area to a national level and are the most serious step the government has taken so far to reinstate social distancing after months of complacency.
Chung said the measures will be in place at least until Jan. 3.
The capital area has been at the center of a viral resurgence in past weeks that has overwhelmed hospitals and increased death tolls and raised questions to how the government is handling the outbreak.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Tuesday reported another new 869 infections, mostly from the capital area, which brought the country’s caseload to 51,460. Forty-eight COVID-19 patients have died in the past 48 hours, the deadliest two days since the emergence of the pandemic. The death toll could rise as the agency said 281 among 14,810 active patients were in serious or critical condition.
The viral resurgence has put pressure on the government to raise social distancing restrictions to maximum levels, something policymakers have resisted for weeks out of economic concerns.
Visitors will also be prohibited at nursing homes and long-term care facilities, where residents and workers will be tested every one or two weeks. Churches and other religious facilities will be shut, and restaurants will face fines if they receive large groups and must maintain social distance between people dining there.
“It will be crucial to prevent the upcoming two holiday periods from triggering a further spread of COVID-19,” Chung said during a virus meeting, referring to Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Around 180 skiing, sledding and skating venues around the country will be closed, which officials saw as necessary following a series of outbreaks as winter sports venues in recent weeks. National parks and coastal tourist spots, where thousands travel to every year to watch the sun rise on the new year, will close. Hotels will be banned from selling more than 50% of their rooms.
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:
- Health officials in Thailand reported 427 new cases of the coronavirus on Tuesday, most of them from a cluster involving migrant workers in Samut Sakhon province, near Bangkok. The mass outbreak in Samut Sakhon was revealed over the weekend when authorities reported more than 500 new cases, the country’s biggest single-day increase by far. The combined increase of 1,385 cases over the past few days boosts the country’s overall total to 5,716, including 60 deaths. The exact origin of the outbreak in Samut Sakhon is not yet known, though the first of the recent cases to be confirmed was a 67-year-old shrimp vendor at a major seafood market. Following his case, mass testing was carried out and many of those who tested positive did not display symptoms. The affected market was sealed off and a night curfew and travel restrictions for the province were imposed until Jan. 3. Many public places, including shopping malls, schools, cinemas, spas and sports stadiums, have been ordered closed.
- Taiwan reported a locally transmitted case of the coronavirus on Tuesday, the first in 253 days. The patient is a 30-year-old female, the island’s Central Epidemic Command Center said at a regular press briefing. She was confirmed as a close contact of a foreign pilot who previously tested positive for the virus. Health officials are in touch with 167 contacts of the two individuals, and have asked 13 of them to quarantine at home. The pilot, who did not mention the woman as a close contact, may be found in violation of Taiwan’s epidemic prevention laws and could be fined up to $10,000, the official said. Taiwan has been a success story during the pandemic, recording just 770 cases and seven deaths.
- The spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney’s northern beach suburbs appeared to continue to slow on Tuesday, raising hopes that a lockdown will be eased by Christmas. Only eight new infections were reported in the latest 24-hour period, New South Wales state authorities said. State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would announce on Wednesday whether a lockdown of more than 250,000 people in the northern beaches that has been in force since Saturday would be eased. She said while the numbers were lower, more places have been identified with ties to cases. Previously, cases had centered on two live music venues. One new case, however, was a nurse involved in transferring infected arrivals from the airport.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Hawaii hopes to avoid furloughs thanks to virus relief bill

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Hawaii ’ s governor and legislative leaders expressed hope Monday that a new coronavirus relief package being voted on in the U.S. Congress will allow the state to either delay or avoid furloughing state employees .
Gov .
David Ige said his staff was going through the 6,000-page bill to understand what help would be heading to Hawaii .
“ And clearly , I am hopeful that the funding provided with the federal government will be flexible enough so that we can look at deferring or reducing the furloughs that we have planned , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill came as Ige met a legal deadline to submit his proposed budget to the Legislature 30 days before lawmakers were scheduled to convene next month .
The governor ’ s budget , which covers spending for the next two fiscal years , included furloughs because Congress hadn ’ t yet agreed on a new relief bill when his staff drafted it .
Then lawmakers in Washington reached a deal Sunday and put it in bill form Monday .
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said the federal bill includes about $ 200 million for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support teacher salaries .
Altogether , the Hawaii Democrat said the bill has at least $ 1.7 billion in funding for the islands , including money for COVID-19 vaccine distribution , hospitals and health care workers .
The governor and state lawmakers had expected to use the state ’ s general funds to pay for these medical costs .
Federal funding will allow the state to use the money elsewhere .
The help is critical for Hawaii , which has suffered a sharp drop in tax revenue as the coronavirus pandemic clobbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s biggest employer and driver of the economy .
Earlier this month Ige announced plans to furlough most state employees , including teachers , to plug a $ 1.4 billion hole in the annual state budget .
About 10,000 state workers would have to stay home two days a month under the plan , resulting in about a 9 % salary cut .
The state Department of Education released modified furlough plans for more than 20,000 employees taking into account the academic calendar to minimize the affect the days off would have on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the chairperson of the House Finance Committee , said the federal relief bill offers the governor an opportunity to reexamine his proposals .
“ We will be working very closely with him and departments to reevaluate and then come to some consensus on how we can work together to come up with a balanced budget , ” Luke said .
State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz , chairperson of the Senate Ways and Means Committee , said he hopes the federal funds will change the budget outlook but he wants to see whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the money can be used .
More broadly , he said Hawaii ’ s leaders need to consider how to use the budget crunch to improve government .
“ I just think that this is the opportune time for us to look at how we ’ re going to restructure or reinvent or modify government , especially because we ’ ve seen how government initially had a very difficult time in reacting to the crisis , ” Dela Cruz said .
The governor ’ s overall executive budget for the fiscal year ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion , which includes general fund tax revenue spending and infrastructure investments supported by bonds .
He budgeted general fund tax revenue spending of $ 7.7 billion , down 4.5 % from the current fiscal year .
Another factor that may alter the budget outlook is the Council on Revenues , which is scheduled to meet and develop new tax revenue forecasts for the state on Jan. 7 .
Both the governor and lawmakers are required by law to use the council ’ s forecasts when drafting their budgets .

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii’s governor and legislative leaders expressed hope Monday that a new coronavirus relief package being voted on in the U.S. Congress will allow the state to either delay or avoid furloughing state employees.
Gov. David Ige said his staff was going through the 6,000-page bill to understand what help would be heading to Hawaii.
“And clearly, I am hopeful that the funding provided with the federal government will be flexible enough so that we can look at deferring or reducing the furloughs that we have planned,” Ige said.
Word of the relief bill came as Ige met a legal deadline to submit his proposed budget to the Legislature 30 days before lawmakers were scheduled to convene next month. The governor’s budget, which covers spending for the next two fiscal years, included furloughs because Congress hadn’t yet agreed on a new relief bill when his staff drafted it. Then lawmakers in Washington reached a deal Sunday and put it in bill form Monday.
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said the federal bill includes about $200 million for Hawaii schools, which can be used to support teacher salaries. Altogether, the Hawaii Democrat said the bill has at least $1.7 billion in funding for the islands, including money for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, hospitals and health care workers.
The governor and state lawmakers had expected to use the state’s general funds to pay for these medical costs. Federal funding will allow the state to use the money elsewhere.
The help is critical for Hawaii, which has suffered a sharp drop in tax revenue as the coronavirus pandemic clobbers the tourism industry, the state’s biggest employer and driver of the economy.
Earlier this month Ige announced plans to furlough most state employees, including teachers, to plug a $1.4 billion hole in the annual state budget. About 10,000 state workers would have to stay home two days a month under the plan, resulting in about a 9% salary cut. The state Department of Education released modified furlough plans for more than 20,000 employees taking into account the academic calendar to minimize the affect the days off would have on student instruction.
State Rep. Sylvia Luke, the chairperson of the House Finance Committee, said the federal relief bill offers the governor an opportunity to reexamine his proposals.
“We will be working very closely with him and departments to reevaluate and then come to some consensus on how we can work together to come up with a balanced budget,” Luke said.
State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, chairperson of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said he hopes the federal funds will change the budget outlook but he wants to see whether Congress may have imposed restrictions on how the money can be used.
More broadly, he said Hawaii’s leaders need to consider how to use the budget crunch to improve government.
“I just think that this is the opportune time for us to look at how we’re going to restructure or reinvent or modify government, especially because we’ve seen how government initially had a very difficult time in reacting to the crisis,” Dela Cruz said.
The governor’s overall executive budget for the fiscal year ending in June 2022 is for $15.4 billion, which includes general fund tax revenue spending and infrastructure investments supported by bonds. He budgeted general fund tax revenue spending of $7.7 billion, down 4.5% from the current fiscal year.
Another factor that may alter the budget outlook is the Council on Revenues, which is scheduled to meet and develop new tax revenue forecasts for the state on Jan. 7. Both the governor and lawmakers are required by law to use the council’s forecasts when drafting their budgets.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Newsom announces new leadership for his office in new year

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - Change is coming to the top of Gov .
Gavin Newsom ‘ s office as California faces its deadliest period yet in the coronavirus pandemic .
Newsom announced Monday his chief of staff , Ann O ’ Leary , will depart the office in mid-January after two years in the role .
Longtime lobbyist and Capitol staffer Jim DeBoo will take take over leadership of the governor ’ s staff on Jan. 1 .
“ When we started this journey in 2018 , neither one of us could have predicted the perfect storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test its leadership , ” O ’ Leary wrote in a resignation letter , referencing the pandemic , wildfires , the bankruptcy of the state ’ s largest utility and protests against police brutality .
The leadership transition has been widely expected .
It ’ s not unusual for a governor to shake up staff halfway through a term , and O ’ Leary may be in line for a position in the Biden administration , though nothing has been announced .
But the transition also represents a change in direction and approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Leary , a former policy adviser to Hillary Clinton , had limited relationships in Sacramento and was selected in part to help Newsom pursue ambitious policies related to children and families .
But the administration was soon bouncing from crisis to crisis , quickly shifting its political and policy priorities .
DeBoo , meanwhile , is a longtime Capitol insider who observers say has shrewd political instincts that will benefit Newsom as he enters the new year with a worsening pandemic , a pending economic recovery and the threat of a recall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communications firm in Sacramento , worked on behalf of major clients including the California Medical Association , the California Apartment Association and T-Mobile .
He ended his registration as a lobbyist earlier this month .
He also served in top positions for former Assembly Speaker John Perez .
“ Jim DeBoo has a long legacy of service at all levels of government and , as we continue to carry our state through these unprecedented challenges , his ability to bring people together and drive the priorities most important to Californians will be pivotal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
DeBoo will take the title of executive secretary rather than chief of staff ; it ’ s the title that ’ s previously been held by the top staff member in the governor ’ s office .
The job includes overseeing the governor ’ s staff and the strategy on communications and messaging as well as the office ’ s relationship with lawmakers .
He ’ ll work closely with Ana Matosantos , Newsom ’ s cabinet secretary .
DeBoo said in a statement he hopes to help the state “ recover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make $ 207,000 a year .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Change is coming to the top of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office as California faces its deadliest period yet in the coronavirus pandemic.
Newsom announced Monday his chief of staff, Ann O’Leary, will depart the office in mid-January after two years in the role. Longtime lobbyist and Capitol staffer Jim DeBoo will take take over leadership of the governor’s staff on Jan. 1.
“When we started this journey in 2018, neither one of us could have predicted the perfect storm of crises that would hit California and test its leadership,” O’Leary wrote in a resignation letter, referencing the pandemic, wildfires, the bankruptcy of the state’s largest utility and protests against police brutality.
The leadership transition has been widely expected. It’s not unusual for a governor to shake up staff halfway through a term, and O’Leary may be in line for a position in the Biden administration, though nothing has been announced.
But the transition also represents a change in direction and approach for Newsom’s administration. O’Leary, a former policy adviser to Hillary Clinton, had limited relationships in Sacramento and was selected in part to help Newsom pursue ambitious policies related to children and families. But the administration was soon bouncing from crisis to crisis, quickly shifting its political and policy priorities.
DeBoo, meanwhile, is a longtime Capitol insider who observers say has shrewd political instincts that will benefit Newsom as he enters the new year with a worsening pandemic, a pending economic recovery and the threat of a recall.
DeBoo, who ran his own communications firm in Sacramento, worked on behalf of major clients including the California Medical Association, the California Apartment Association and T-Mobile. He ended his registration as a lobbyist earlier this month. He also served in top positions for former Assembly Speaker John Perez.
“Jim DeBoo has a long legacy of service at all levels of government and, as we continue to carry our state through these unprecedented challenges, his ability to bring people together and drive the priorities most important to Californians will be pivotal,” Newsom said in a statement.
DeBoo will take the title of executive secretary rather than chief of staff; it’s the title that’s previously been held by the top staff member in the governor’s office. The job includes overseeing the governor’s staff and the strategy on communications and messaging as well as the office’s relationship with lawmakers. He’ll work closely with Ana Matosantos, Newsom’s cabinet secretary.
DeBoo said in a statement he hopes to help the state “recover, thrive and grow.” He will make $207,000 a year.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--113 people homeless people in Multnomah County died in 2019

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - A new report shows more people lacking permanent housing in Multnomah County died in 2019 than in any previous year studied .
That number — 113 — is likely an undercount , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
Since 2011 , Multnomah County has produced a report on deaths in the area ’ s homeless population .
In 2019 , the number of such deaths jumped by 21 .
Report author , Dr. Paul Lewis , speculates the increase is mainly due to an increase in people experiencing homelessness .
“ The broad causes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , ” Lewis said a a news conference Monday .
According to the report , drugs or alcohol were involved in about half of the reported deaths in 2019 , and more than half of the people who died — 63 — were found outside , in sidewalks , parks and parking lots .
Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury pointed to increased rents in the Portland area and lack of federal funding as driving causes of homelessness .
“ We need a serious and comprehensive federal response now , ” Kafoury said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” and adding , “ it is not for us to look away.
” Lewis also cautioned that the report was “ clearly an undercount ” of actual deaths .
It is based on reports from the medical examiner , and not all deaths are reported through that channel , and only includes people that could be verified to be homeless in Multnomah County at the time they died .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A new report shows more people lacking permanent housing in Multnomah County died in 2019 than in any previous year studied.
That number — 113 — is likely an undercount, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
Since 2011, Multnomah County has produced a report on deaths in the area’s homeless population. In 2019, the number of such deaths jumped by 21.
Report author, Dr. Paul Lewis, speculates the increase is mainly due to an increase in people experiencing homelessness.
“The broad causes and manners of death are similar to other years,” Lewis said a a news conference Monday.
According to the report, drugs or alcohol were involved in about half of the reported deaths in 2019, and more than half of the people who died — 63 — were found outside, in sidewalks, parks and parking lots.
Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury pointed to increased rents in the Portland area and lack of federal funding as driving causes of homelessness.
“We need a serious and comprehensive federal response now,” Kafoury said, calling the deaths “largely preventable,” and adding, “it is not for us to look away.”
Lewis also cautioned that the report was “clearly an undercount” of actual deaths. It is based on reports from the medical examiner, and not all deaths are reported through that channel, and only includes people that could be verified to be homeless in Multnomah County at the time they died.


washingtontimes--2020-12-21--Wolves' Beasley pleads guilty to threats of violence charge

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Minnesota Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley pleaded guilty Monday to using a rifle to threaten a family in his suburban Minneapolis neighborhood .
Beasley pleaded guilty to a felony count of threats of violence and faces 120 days in a workhouse , Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said in a statement .
As part of the plea deal , prosecutors agreed to drop a felony fifth-degree drug possession charge .
The voicemail for Beasley ’ s attorney , Ryan Pacyga , was full and not accepting messages .
The complaint said a couple on a house-hunting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled up to the home rented by Beasley and his wife , Montana Yao , but saw it was roped off .
Beasley tapped on the window of the family ’ s SUV , pointed a rifle at them and told them to get off his property , prosecutors said .
Police said they searched Beasley and Yao ’ s home and found a 12-gauge shotgun , a handgun and an automatic rifle that matched the description given by the couple in the SUV .
Police said they also found leafy marijuana in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original leafy form is illegal in Minnesota .
Yao was charged with fifth-degree drug possession .
Her next court appearance is Dec. 29 .
Beasley averaged 20.7 points in 14 games with the Wolves this past season .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley pleaded guilty Monday to using a rifle to threaten a family in his suburban Minneapolis neighborhood.
Beasley pleaded guilty to a felony count of threats of violence and faces 120 days in a workhouse, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said in a statement. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed to drop a felony fifth-degree drug possession charge.
The voicemail for Beasley’s attorney, Ryan Pacyga, was full and not accepting messages.
The complaint said a couple on a house-hunting tour last month with their 13-year-old child pulled up to the home rented by Beasley and his wife, Montana Yao, but saw it was roped off. Beasley tapped on the window of the family’s SUV, pointed a rifle at them and told them to get off his property, prosecutors said.
Police said they searched Beasley and Yao’s home and found a 12-gauge shotgun, a handgun and an automatic rifle that matched the description given by the couple in the SUV.
Police said they also found leafy marijuana in the home. Possessing marijuana in its original leafy form is illegal in Minnesota. Yao was charged with fifth-degree drug possession. Her next court appearance is Dec. 29.
Beasley averaged 20.7 points in 14 games with the Wolves this past season.
___
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washingtontimes--2020-12-21--U.S. open to Britain regardless of coronavirus variant concerns

The U.S. resisted calls for a British travel ban despite growing alarm Monday over a coronavirus strain in London and southern England that has upended the Christmas season , demoralized Wall Street and prompted dozens of countries to shut out British passengers .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered nonessential stores to close and told households not to mix over the holidays , citing data that suggests the strain is 70 % more contagious than previously known strains .
The development is a blow to the year-end shopping season and is complicating high-wire “ Brexit ” talks with the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe and tempered enthusiasm on Wall Street despite a stimulus deal in Congress .
The S & P 500 and Nasdaq indexes dipped , and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied late for a small gain .
A key member of President Trump ’ s vaccine team said there is no “ hard evidence ” that the British strain is more aggressive because it is based on modeling and not experimental data such as animal tests .
He said regular sequencing of the virus might have unveiled a spike in the British population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened in the shadows and we ’ re seeing now a surge , or maybe it has higher transmissibility , ” said Moncef Slaoui , a science adviser for Operation Warp Speed .
Mr. Slaoui said newly approved vaccines should be effective against the variant , which also has been detected in Denmark , the Netherlands and Australia and does not appear to cause more severe illness than known strains .
The world can ill afford another hiccup in the COVID-19 response .
Europe faces another round of economic lockdowns , the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ICU units in California report they are at capacity .
As countries shut out the British , the U.S. deliberated whether that was necessary .
“ I think everything is possible .
We just need to put everything on the table , have an open scientific discussion and make the best recommendation , ” Adm. Brett Giroir , the U.S. coronavirus testing czar , told CNN .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , a Democrat , said he won ’ t wait for federal action .
He asked three airlines to require @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before stepping foot in his state , citing the devastation caused by transmission from Europe in the spring .
“ We can ’ t let history repeat itself with this new virus variant , ” he said in a post on Twitter .
British Airways agreed to Mr. Cuomo ’ s demand , so the governor is trying to get Delta Airlines and Virgin Atlantic on board .
Fears of a new strain come at a critical juncture in the global fight against the virus .
The U.S. just approved a second coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million doses are being sent to the states this week , along with 2 million additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine that kicked off the immunization campaign last week .
“ We ’ re now on offense against the virus , ” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said .
The European Union on Monday approved the Pfizer vaccine , which was developed with German company BioNTech , clearing the way for vaccinations to begin right after Christmas .
Scientists don ’ t expect the British mutation to elude the immune response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they interact with the virus .
“ The essential part of the virus , namely the spike protein , has remained sheltered from these changes .
It has remained intact , ” said William Schaffner , an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University .
“ That gives us optimism about the effectiveness of the vaccine.
” Eli Lilly , which produces an antibody treatment for COVID-19 known as bamlanivimab , said testing suggests the drug should “ maintain full activity ” in combating the strain .
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals , which makes an antibody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October , said it believes its version will remain effective too .
The strain is causing plenty of upheaval , however .
It was first detected in September but swiftly became the dominant version , accounting for two-thirds of London cases by mid-December .
Much of Europe cut off travel from the United Kingdom , and France suspended freight transit across the English Channel for 48 hours .
The freeze was imposed even as negotiators , hoping to avoid more upheaval , raced against a 10-day deadline to sort out details of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union .
Hong Kong barred British passengers .
Canada , Russia , India and others also imposed restrictions .
Saudi Arabia , meanwhile , shut its doors to international travel altogether .

The U.S. resisted calls for a British travel ban despite growing alarm Monday over a coronavirus strain in London and southern England that has upended the Christmas season, demoralized Wall Street and prompted dozens of countries to shut out British passengers.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered nonessential stores to close and told households not to mix over the holidays, citing data that suggests the strain is 70% more contagious than previously known strains.
The development is a blow to the year-end shopping season and is complicating high-wire “Brexit” talks with the European Union.
It also sparked sell-offs in Europe and tempered enthusiasm on Wall Street despite a stimulus deal in Congress. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes dipped, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied late for a small gain.
A key member of President Trump’s vaccine team said there is no “hard evidence” that the British strain is more aggressive because it is based on modeling and not experimental data such as animal tests. He said regular sequencing of the virus might have unveiled a spike in the British population.
“It may be just seeding happened in the shadows and we’re seeing now a surge, or maybe it has higher transmissibility,” said Moncef Slaoui, a science adviser for Operation Warp Speed.
SEE ALSO: White House coronavirus team: Britain virus strain not more deadly
Mr. Slaoui said newly approved vaccines should be effective against the variant, which also has been detected in Denmark, the Netherlands and Australia and does not appear to cause more severe illness than known strains.
The world can ill afford another hiccup in the COVID-19 response. Europe faces another round of economic lockdowns, the U.S. counts over 2,500 deaths per day and ICU units in California report they are at capacity.
As countries shut out the British, the U.S. deliberated whether that was necessary.
“I think everything is possible. We just need to put everything on the table, have an open scientific discussion and make the best recommendation,” Adm. Brett Giroir, the U.S. coronavirus testing czar, told CNN.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, said he won’t wait for federal action. He asked three airlines to require British travelers to produce negative test results before stepping foot in his state, citing the devastation caused by transmission from Europe in the spring.
“We can’t let history repeat itself with this new virus variant,” he said in a post on Twitter.
British Airways agreed to Mr. Cuomo’s demand, so the governor is trying to get Delta Airlines and Virgin Atlantic on board.
Fears of a new strain come at a critical juncture in the global fight against the virus.
The U.S. just approved a second coronavirus vaccine, from Moderna. Nearly 6 million doses are being sent to the states this week, along with 2 million additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine that kicked off the immunization campaign last week.
“We’re now on offense against the virus,” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said.
The European Union on Monday approved the Pfizer vaccine, which was developed with German company BioNTech, clearing the way for vaccinations to begin right after Christmas.
Scientists don’t expect the British mutation to elude the immune response produced by available vaccines, given how they interact with the virus.
“The essential part of the virus, namely the spike protein, has remained sheltered from these changes. It has remained intact,” said William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University. “That gives us optimism about the effectiveness of the vaccine.”
Eli Lilly, which produces an antibody treatment for COVID-19 known as bamlanivimab, said testing suggests the drug should “maintain full activity” in combating the strain.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, which makes an antibody “cocktail” that President Trump received in October, said it believes its version will remain effective too.
The strain is causing plenty of upheaval, however. It was first detected in September but swiftly became the dominant version, accounting for two-thirds of London cases by mid-December.
Much of Europe cut off travel from the United Kingdom, and France suspended freight transit across the English Channel for 48 hours. The freeze was imposed even as negotiators, hoping to avoid more upheaval, raced against a 10-day deadline to sort out details of Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Hong Kong barred British passengers. Canada, Russia, India and others also imposed restrictions. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, shut its doors to international travel altogether.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.