washingtontimes--2020-12-11--FDA approves Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for emergency use

The Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer ’ s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use late Friday , launching an historic campaign to inoculate millions of Americans against a disease that ’ s upended normal life , pummeled the economy and killed nearly 300,000 in the U.S. Regulators authorized the two-dose vaccine for use in persons 16 or older after an advisory panel of outside experts endorsed the vaccine late Thursday and the White House heaped immense pressure on the FDA to get it done before the weekend .
President Trump called it “ one of the greatest scientific achievements in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieved a medical miracle .
We have delivered a safe and effective vaccine in just nine months , ” Mr. Trump said in a three-minute video he tweeted after the approval .
“ A vaccine will vanquish the virus and return life back to normal.
” Mr. Trump ‘ s “ Operation Warp Speed ” is expected to load nearly 3 million vials onto FedEx and UPS planes within 24 hours of the FDA ‘ s decision .
States told the federal government where the shipments should go .
The federal operation will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so the first recipients can be assured their booster shot 21 days later .
It is also reserving 500,000 doses in case of early mishaps .
States are expected to begin inoculating health workers and residents of long-term care facilities within a day of receiving their share of doses , though governors will have the final say over who ’ s first in line .
The administration hopes to get initial shots into 20 million people before the end of the year .
Vaccination is considered the world ’ s best chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long as enough people take up the vaccine to induce the type of widespread immunity that leaves little human tinder for the virus to burn .
Immunizing every American who wants the vaccine will take months , however , stretching into late spring or early summer .
In the meantime , the country is entering a daunting period .
The coronavirus killed roughly 3,000 Americans on successive days and doctors and nurses are worn down by the flood of patients .
Over 107,000 patients have been admitted for COVID-19 in hospitals across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we must not let our guards down , ” Sen. Mark Warner , Virginia Democrat , said in a statement cheering the news .
“ As health officials boost vaccine production for public distribution , we must continue to follow public health guidance on frequent handwashing , mask wearing , and social distancing .
While I welcome this good news , the best way to keep our communities safe and slow the spread is by following these necessary steps.
” New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , a Democrat , said indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down again on Monday as he tries to stave off another wave of the virus and stabilize hospitalization rates .
Eateries are likely to cry foul , saying they ’ re on the brink of collapse and 70 % of New York cases have been traced to household gatherings , anyway .
Pfizer , which developed the messenger-RNA shots with German company BioNTech , requested emergency approval on Nov. 20 after data showed its vaccine was 95 % effective against COVID-19 .
It beat several other vaccine candidates to the punch , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that also use mRNA .
Canada recently approved the Pfizer vaccine and the U.K. started injecting it into people days ago , heaping pressure on U.S. regulators .
Mr. Trump scolded the FDA even as it put the finishing touches on its authorization .
He said the agency is a “ big , old , slow turtle ” when it appeared the agency would act Saturday instead of finishing by Friday evening .
“ Get the dam [ sic ] vaccines out NOW , Dr. Hahn @ SteveFDA .
Stop playing games and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he tweeted Friday .
Mr. Trump struck an upbeat tone once authorization was in hand , thanking the “ brilliant scientists ” who made the breakthrough possible and extolling the “ gold standard ” review at the FDA .
He said experts at the agency “ meticulously ” studied the vaccines after human trials that enrolled tens of thousands of people .
The FDA set a high bar for COVID-19 vaccines to earn emergency approval , demanding standards that approach a full biologics license .
Pfizer said it plans to file for full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take any money from the Trump administration in developing its vaccine , though it entered a pre-purchase agreement with the U.S. to provide 100 million doses with the option to provide 500 million more .
Other companies , including Moderna , accepted federal help and even worked alongside government scientists to create their vaccines .
The administration said it procured an additional 100 million doses from Moderna on Friday , for 200 million total .
Johnson and Johnson is developing a promising single-dose shot that could be approved for emergency use by January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and GlaxoSmithKline said the launch of its vaccine likely won ’ t occur until late 2021 after clinical trials showed an inadequate response in older people .
AstraZeneca , meanwhile , said it will work with Russian scientists to see if its vaccine can be combined with Moscow ’ s Sputnik V vaccine to increase efficacy .

The Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use late Friday, launching an historic campaign to inoculate millions of Americans against a disease that’s upended normal life, pummeled the economy and killed nearly 300,000 in the U.S.
Regulators authorized the two-dose vaccine for use in persons 16 or older after an advisory panel of outside experts endorsed the vaccine late Thursday and the White House heaped immense pressure on the FDA to get it done before the weekend.
President Trump called it “one of the greatest scientific achievements in history.”
“Today our nation has achieved a medical miracle. We have delivered a safe and effective vaccine in just nine months,” Mr. Trump said in a three-minute video he tweeted after the approval. “A vaccine will vanquish the virus and return life back to normal.”
Now the hard work begins.
Mr. Trump’s “Operation Warp Speed” is expected to load nearly 3 million vials onto FedEx and UPS planes within 24 hours of the FDA’s decision. States told the federal government where the shipments should go.
The federal operation will hold back nearly 3 million additional doses, so the first recipients can be assured their booster shot 21 days later. It is also reserving 500,000 doses in case of early mishaps.
States are expected to begin inoculating health workers and residents of long-term care facilities within a day of receiving their share of doses, though governors will have the final say over who’s first in line.
The administration hopes to get initial shots into 20 million people before the end of the year.
Vaccination is considered the world’s best chance at reining in the virus, so long as enough people take up the vaccine to induce the type of widespread immunity that leaves little human tinder for the virus to burn. Immunizing every American who wants the vaccine will take months, however, stretching into late spring or early summer.
In the meantime, the country is entering a daunting period.
The coronavirus killed roughly 3,000 Americans on successive days and doctors and nurses are worn down by the flood of patients. Over 107,000 patients have been admitted for COVID-19 in hospitals across the country.
“Despite this momentous breakthrough, we must not let our guards down,” Sen. Mark Warner, Virginia Democrat, said in a statement cheering the news. “As health officials boost vaccine production for public distribution, we must continue to follow public health guidance on frequent handwashing, mask wearing, and social distancing. While I welcome this good news, the best way to keep our communities safe and slow the spread is by following these necessary steps.”
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, said indoor dining in New York City will shut down again on Monday as he tries to stave off another wave of the virus and stabilize hospitalization rates. Eateries are likely to cry foul, saying they’re on the brink of collapse and 70% of New York cases have been traced to household gatherings, anyway.
Pfizer, which developed the messenger-RNA shots with German company BioNTech, requested emergency approval on Nov. 20 after data showed its vaccine was 95% effective against COVID-19. It beat several other vaccine candidates to the punch, though Moderna is right behind it with shots that also use mRNA.
Canada recently approved the Pfizer vaccine and the U.K. started injecting it into people days ago, heaping pressure on U.S. regulators.
Mr. Trump scolded the FDA even as it put the finishing touches on its authorization. He said the agency is a “big, old, slow turtle” when it appeared the agency would act Saturday instead of finishing by Friday evening.
“Get the dam [sic] vaccines out NOW, Dr. Hahn @SteveFDA. Stop playing games and start saving lives!!!” he tweeted Friday.
Mr. Trump struck an upbeat tone once authorization was in hand, thanking the “brilliant scientists” who made the breakthrough possible and extolling the “gold standard” review at the FDA.
He said experts at the agency “meticulously” studied the vaccines after human trials that enrolled tens of thousands of people.
The FDA set a high bar for COVID-19 vaccines to earn emergency approval, demanding standards that approach a full biologics license. Pfizer said it plans to file for full licensure by April.
Pfizer did not take any money from the Trump administration in developing its vaccine, though it entered a pre-purchase agreement with the U.S. to provide 100 million doses with the option to provide 500 million more.
Other companies, including Moderna, accepted federal help and even worked alongside government scientists to create their vaccines. The administration said it procured an additional 100 million doses from Moderna on Friday, for 200 million total.
Johnson & Johnson is developing a promising single-dose shot that could be approved for emergency use by January of February.
A partnership between Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline said the launch of its vaccine likely won’t occur until late 2021 after clinical trials showed an inadequate response in older people.
AstraZeneca, meanwhile, said it will work with Russian scientists to see if its vaccine can be combined with Moscow’s Sputnik V vaccine to increase efficacy.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Icebreaker leaves Australia after 150 Antarctica trips

HOBART , Australia ( AP ) - The giant orange icebreaker Aurora Australis left Australia for the final time on Saturday after more than 150 trips to Antarctica .
Next stop : a shipyard in Dubai , where it will be refurbished and either leased or sold .
The Australian Antarctic Division announced earlier this year that after 30 years of sailing to the frozen continent for research and to support Australian bases in Antarctica , the Aurora Australis would be replaced by a larger ship .
The 95-meter ( 312-foot ) Aurora Australis was built in Newcastle north of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It undertook its maiden voyage to Heard Island , an external Australian territory in Antarctica , in 1990 .
It has since ferried researchers , crucial food and fuel supplies and been involved in several rescues .
Sean Lawrence , a seaman for 14 years on the vessel , planned to toast the icebreaker with a beer from his house south of Hobart as he watched it leave the River Derwent .
“ You form a bond when you ’ re isolated and working in extreme conditions , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it leaves a bit of a hole.
” Lawrence was aboard the Aurora Australis when it ran aground near Mawson Station in Antarctica during a blizzard in 2016 .
It was stuck for several days after a mooring line came undone .
“ ( It was ) extreme conditions but we saw the way people stepped up to the mark and got on with the job , ” Lawrence said .
In December 2013 , it transported 52 people from the MV Akademik Shokalskiy to safety after the Russian ship became stranded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , dozens of people gathered at the dock to say a final goodbye to the ship , with many saying the vessel had become a focal part of the city and the island state .
The Aurora Australis will be replaced by the $ 398 million RSV Nuyina , named after a Tasmanian Aboriginal word for southern lights .
The new ship , currently undergoing sea trials in Europe after some construction delays , is expected to be in Hobart by the middle of next year .
It will carry up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tons of cargo and nearly 2 million liters ( 500,000 gallons ) of fuel , substantially more than the Aurora Australis , which completed its last Antarctic supply trip in March .

HOBART, Australia (AP) - The giant orange icebreaker Aurora Australis left Australia for the final time on Saturday after more than 150 trips to Antarctica. Next stop: a shipyard in Dubai, where it will be refurbished and either leased or sold.
The Australian Antarctic Division announced earlier this year that after 30 years of sailing to the frozen continent for research and to support Australian bases in Antarctica, the Aurora Australis would be replaced by a larger ship.
The 95-meter (312-foot) Aurora Australis was built in Newcastle north of Sydney and launched in September 1989. It undertook its maiden voyage to Heard Island, an external Australian territory in Antarctica, in 1990.
It has since ferried researchers, crucial food and fuel supplies and been involved in several rescues.
Sean Lawrence, a seaman for 14 years on the vessel, planned to toast the icebreaker with a beer from his house south of Hobart as he watched it leave the River Derwent.
“You form a bond when you’re isolated and working in extreme conditions,” he said. “To suddenly have that leaving your life, it leaves a bit of a hole.”
Lawrence was aboard the Aurora Australis when it ran aground near Mawson Station in Antarctica during a blizzard in 2016. It was stuck for several days after a mooring line came undone.
“(It was) extreme conditions but we saw the way people stepped up to the mark and got on with the job,” Lawrence said.
In December 2013, it transported 52 people from the MV Akademik Shokalskiy to safety after the Russian ship became stranded in thick ice.
At 6 a.m. Saturday, dozens of people gathered at the dock to say a final goodbye to the ship, with many saying the vessel had become a focal part of the city and the island state.
The Aurora Australis will be replaced by the $398 million RSV Nuyina, named after a Tasmanian Aboriginal word for southern lights.
The new ship, currently undergoing sea trials in Europe after some construction delays, is expected to be in Hobart by the middle of next year.
It will carry up to 117 crew and travelers, 1,200 metric tons of cargo and nearly 2 million liters (500,000 gallons) of fuel, substantially more than the Aurora Australis, which completed its last Antarctic supply trip in March.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--US allows emergency COVID-19 vaccine in bid to end pandemic

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - The U.S. gave the final go-ahead Friday to the nation ’ s first COVID-19 vaccine , marking what could be the beginning of the end of an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans .
Shots for health workers and nursing home residents are expected to begin in the coming days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of what promises to be a strongly protective vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech .
Initial doses are scarce and rationed as the U.S. joins Britain and several other countries in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible ahead of a long , grim winter .
It will take months of work to tamp down the coronavirus that has surged to catastrophic levels in recent weeks and already claimed 1.5 million lives globally .
While the FDA decision came only after public review of data from a huge ongoing study , it has also been dogged by intense political pressure from the Trump administration , which has accused the agency of being too slow and even threatened to remove FDA chief Stephen Hahn if a ruling did not come Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history — but it also has global ramifications because it ’ s a role model to many other countries facing the same decision .
It offers the ability “ in this situation where the pandemic is out of control , to bring hope to the people , ” Dr. Ugur Sahin , CEO of BioNTech , told The Associated Press .
The world desperately needs multiple vaccines for enough to go around , and the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is the first based on rigorous scientific testing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record-setting scientific achievement that shaved years off the usual process .
“ I don ’ t think you would have found a scientist on this planet that would have predicted this 11 months ago , ” said Dr. Paul Offit , a vaccine expert at Children ’ s Hospital of Philadelphia who advises the FDA .
The U.S. is considering a second vaccine , made by Moderna Inc. , that could roll out in another week .
In early January , Johnson & Johnson expects to learn if its vaccine is working in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make its own decision on the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots later this month , an important step as some other candidates that multiple countries were anxiously awaiting have hit roadblocks .
Friday , Sanofi and GSK announced a months-long delay after early tests showed their vaccine didn ’ t work well enough in older adults .
And China and Russia didn ’ t wait for final-stage tests before beginning vaccinations with some homegrown shots .
President Donald Trump said late Friday that Pfizer had “ passed the gold standard of safety , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ one of the greatest scientific accomplishments in history.
” About 3 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are expected in the first shipments around the country , according to officials with Operation Warp Speed , the Trump administration ’ s vaccine development program .
A similar amount is to be held in reserve for those recipients ’ second dose .
The government still is hammering out final recommendations , but expected to follow health workers and nursing homes are other essential workers , older adults and people at high risk because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t expect enough for the general population before spring , and that ’ s assuming there are no manufacturing glitches .
“ We would need at least until March , April , to have an impact on the pandemic , ” BioNTech ’ s Sahin said .
But he predicted that protecting the most vulnerable could start putting a dent in hospitals and deaths sooner .
In a still unfinished study of nearly 44,000 people , the FDA found the vaccine was safe and more than 90 % effective across recipients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , races and those with health problems that put them at high risk from the coronavirus .
It ’ s authorized for people age 16 and up .
Emergency use means the vaccine still is experimental .
Most important for would-be recipients to know : —Some protection begins after the first dose , but it takes a second dose three weeks later for full protection .
It ’ s unclear how long protection lasts .
-The vaccine protects against COVID-19 illness , but no one yet knows if it can stop the silent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half of all cases .
The ongoing study will attempt to answer that but for now , the vaccinated still will need to wear a mask and keep their distance .
-Expect a sore arm and some flu-like symptoms such as fever , fatigue , headache and chills after the second dose .
While uncomfortable , those reactions only last about a day .
“ That ’ s just your immune system working .
It ’ s a good thing , ” Offit said .
-Authorities are investigating several allergic reactions reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of severe allergies .
The FDA said people must have treatments for allergic reactions on hand before they are administered the COVID-19 vaccine , and not give it to those with a known history of severe allergic reactions to any of its ingredients .
-Every vaccine recipient must be given an FDA-written fact sheet about the vaccine and its known risks and benefits .
-FDA didn ’ t forbid the vaccine ’ s use in pregnant women but noted there isn ’ t enough evidence to determine its safety in that group .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine also is authorized , the U.S. expects to vaccinate 20 million people by the end of December .
They hope to have enough for another 30 million people in January and 50 million in February .
Globally , Sahin said production should scale up considerably in February , with Pfizer and BioNTech projecting 120 million to 130 million doses a month to reach 1.3 billion doses in 2021 .
Getting shots into arms is the big challenge , especially as a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine when it ’ s their turn .
About a quarter say they won ’ t get it and the rest aren ’ t sure .
Political interference has complicated health authorities ’ message that the testing was rigorous and cut no corners .
Trump bashed the FDA , again , Friday for taking too long , complaining that the agency “ is still a big , old slow turtle.
” One of his deputies even pressed Hahn to clear the shots by the end of the day or face possible firing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unique in analyzing drugmakers ’ raw data , a process that takes longer than many other countries ’ regulatory reviews .
In addition , the FDA insisted that large COVID-19 vaccine studies track at least half the participants for two months to look for side effects , a time period when historically any vaccine problems appear .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

LAURAN NEERGAARD, MATTHEW PERRONE and JONATHAN LEMIRE

WASHINGTON (AP) - The nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine will begin arriving in states Monday morning, U.S. officials said Saturday, after the government gave the final go-ahead to the shots needed to end an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans.
Trucks will roll out Sunday morning as shipping companies UPS and FedEx begin delivering Pfizer’s vaccine to nearly 150 distribution centers across the states, said Army Gen. Gustave Perna of Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s vaccine development program. An additional 425 sites will get shipments Tuesday, and the remaining 66 on Wednesday.
Initially, about 3 million doses were expected to be shipped nationwide. It was unclear exactly who would receive the first shots, though health care workers and nursing home residents were the priority. Perna said health authorities would decide.
A similar number of shots will be held back for those recipients’ second dose, which is needed for full protection from COVID-19.
The announcement Saturday kicks off a massive logistical operation involving the federal and state governments, private companies and health care workers to quickly distribute limited vaccine supplies throughout the U.S. It offers hope in a country grappling with surging COVID-19 infections and deaths, which are overwhelming hospitals and raising fears that things will only get worse as people gather over the holidays.
Perna compared the vaccine distribution effort to D-Day, the U.S.-led military offensive that turned the tide in World War II.
“D-Day was the beginning of the end and that’s where we are today,” Perna said a news conference. But he added that it would take months of work and “diligence, courage and strength to eventually achieve victory.”
MaineHealth, a network of 12 hospitals based in Portland, plans to provide an expected first delivery of nearly 2,000 vaccines to doctors, nurses and others facing risk as they treat COVID-19 patients, said Dr. Dora Mills, chief health improvement officer.
“It’s almost hard for me to talk about without tearing up,” Mills said Saturday. “This vaccine gives us some glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.”
The first shipments will leave Pfizer’s manufacturing plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, by truck and then be flown to regional hubs around the country. Medical distributor McKesson and pharmacy chains, including CVS and Walgreens, also are involved in the initial rollout and vaccinations at nursing homes and assisted living centers.
In a key distribution challenge, the vaccine, co-developed with BioNTech, must be stored and shipped at ultra-low temperatures - about 94 degrees below zero. Pfizer has developed shipping containers that use dry ice, and GPS-enabled sensors will allow the company to track each shipment and ensure it stays cold.
Distribution sites are mainly large hospitals and other facilities able to meet those ultra-cold storage requirements. Within three weeks, vaccines should be delivered to all vaccination sites identified by states, such as local pharmacies, Perna said.
The vaccine was timed to arrive Monday so health workers could receive the shots and begin giving them, Perna said.
Workers at Mount Sinai Hospital System in New York did a dry run this week to prepare for their shipment. In a clean room, pharmacists practiced making separate doses of a training vaccine and ensuring the freezer was kept at temperatures colder than in Antarctica.
“Not a lot of people have vaccinated for a large pandemic like this,” said Susan Mashni, vice president of pharmacy at Mount Sinai. “So we want to make certain that we get it right. There’s a lot of different moving pieces and parts.”
At a meeting where an expert panel advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccines unanimously endorsed the Pfizer shot, some said local health officials were struggling to ensure the vaccine is distributed fairly and to those most in need and to ease people’s concerns about getting the shot.
But “the funding necessary for state and local health departments to carry out this program has been put in the deep freeze,” said Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, a Seattle physician representing the National Association of County and City Health Officials.
The Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use of the vaccine late Friday. It capped an unprecedented global race to speed vaccines through testing and review, chopping years off the normal development process.
The FDA found the vaccine highly protective with no major safety issues. U.S. regulators worked for months to emphasize the rigor and independence of their review, but President Donald Trump’s administration pressured the agency until the final announcement. A top White House official even threatened to remove FDA chief Stephen Hahn if a ruling didn’t come before Saturday.
Concerns that a shot was rushed out could undermine vaccination efforts in a country with deeply ingrained skepticism about vaccines.
“Science and data guided the FDA’s decision,” Hahn said Saturday. “We worked quickly because of the urgency of this pandemic, not because of any other external pressure.”
While the vaccine was determined to be safe, regulators in the U.K. are investigating several severe allergic reactions. The FDA’s instructions tell providers not give it to those with a known history of severe allergic reactions to any of its ingredients.
The FDA’s vaccine director, Dr. Peter Marks, said the agency will carefully track any reports of allergic reactions in the U.S.
Next week, the FDA will review a vaccine from Moderna and the National Institutes of Health that appears about as protective as Pfizer’s shot. On Friday, the Trump administration said it had purchased 100 million more doses of that vaccine on top of 100 million it previously ordered.
The announcement came after revelations that the White House opted not to lock in an additional 100 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine for delivery in the second quarter of 2021. The Trump administration contends the current orders plus those in the pipeline will be enough to accommodate any American who wants to be vaccinated by the end of the second quarter of 2021.
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Stobbe reported from New York, and Scolforo from Harrisburg, Pa. Associated Press Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard in Alexandria, Virginia, video journalist Marshall Ritzel and Health Writer Candice Choi in New York contributed to this story.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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This story was first published on Dec. 12, 2020. It was updated on Dec. 14, 2020, to correct the name of one of the companies involved in the initial rollout at U.S. nursing homes and assisted living centers. It is Walgreens, not Rite Aid.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Alfred Bourgeois executed; second federal execution in two days

A Louisiana man who molested , tortured and beat to death his two-year-old daughter was put to death Friday night , the second federal execution in as many days .
Alfred Bourgeois , 56 , was pronounced dead at 8:21 p.m. after getting a lethal injection at the federal prison complex in Terre Haute , Indiana .
He is the 10th federal inmate executed this year , the most ever put to death in one year .
Since resuming federal executions this summer after a 17-year hiatus , the Trump administration has been rushing through executions .
The administration has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joseph R. Biden takes office in January .
Lawyers for Bourgeois had asked the Supreme Court to halt his execution , saying it was unconstitutional because of his intellectual disability .
The court rejected the request late Friday with Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissenting .
The dissenting justices noted that tools for assessing an inmate ’ s mental capacity have changed since Bourgeois was convicted 17 years ago .
“ While a prisoner ’ s intellectual disability may not change , the medical standards used to assess that disability constantly evolve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grows , ” they wrote .
Bourgeois , a 57-year-old truck driver , has spent the last 18 years on death row after murdering his 2-year-old daughter , Jakaren Harrison , during a work delivery at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi , Texas .
Bourgeois repeatedly slammed his daughter ’ s head into a windshield and dashboard after becoming enraged that she tipped over her potty trainer , according to the Justice Department .
He was also said to have punched the girl in the face , whipped her with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a cigarette lighter .
The child , who was placed on life support before dying at a hospital , was also sexually molested by Bourgeois .
A Justice Department press release earlier this year said Bourgeois and the other inmates set to be executed committed “ staggeringly brutal murders.
” Bourgeois ’ lawyers maintained that was intellectually disabled with an IQ between 70 and 75 , as proven by tests and testimony from his family .
They have also criticized his former lawyers for not presenting such evidence at trial .
Victor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , called his client ’ s execution unconstitutional because of the ban on putting intellectually disabled people to death .
“ It is shameful that the government executed Mr. Bourgeois without fair consideration of his intellectual disability , ” he said in a statement .
“ The fact that he was executed without this review taking place — even though he is categorically ineligible for the death penalty — shows just why the government ’ s haste to execute so many people , in the midst of a pandemic and during a lame-duck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family of Jakaren Harrison ’ s mother said Bourgeois should have been put to death sooner .
“ Jakaren lost her life brutally to a monster who lived for 18 years after the crime , ” they said in a statement .
“ A child should not have to endure what she did then .
None of us could have imagined that she would return from a summer visit in a casket.
” “ Now we can start the process of healing .
It should not have taken 18 years for us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will forever be loved and missed .
We love you , Jaja , ” the statement continued .
Bourgeois is the second federal inmate to be put to death by the Trump administration in as many days .
On Thursday night , Brandon Bernard was executed for his role in the 1999 murder of a Texas youth pastor and his wife .
Bernard ’ s execution moved forward despite pleas from Kim Kardashian West and Democratic lawmakers , who said his sentence should be commuted to life in prison because of new evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the same Terre Haute prison .
The American Constitution Society called the Trump administration carrying out executions during the transition period , “ an affront to the American people.
” “ The shocking speed with which President Trump and Attorney General [ William ] Barr have pursued executions is captured by one simple fact : They have killed more people in less than five months than the federal government had previously executed , in total , since 1953 , ” said former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold , who heads the liberal advocacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race to maximize the death toll is an affront to the American people , and comes as public support for the death penalty , in the U.S. and around the world , has reached a near-historic nadir , ” Mr. Feingold continued .

A Louisiana man who molested, tortured and beat to death his 2-year-old daughter was put to death Friday night, becoming the 10th federal inmate executed this year — the most ever in a single year. Alfred Bourgeois, 56, was pronounced dead after getting a lethal injection at the federal prison complex in Terre Haute, Indiana. It was the second federal execution in as many days.
Since resuming federal executions this summer after a 17-year hiatus, the Trump administration has been rushing through executions. Three more are scheduled before presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden is to take office on Jan. 20.
The American Constitution Society called the Trump administration carrying out executions during the transition period, “an affront to the American people.”
“The shocking speed with which President Trump and Attorney General [William] Barr have pursued executions is captured by one simple fact: They have killed more people in less than five months than the federal government had previously executed, in total, since 1953,” said former Sen. Russ Feingold, who heads the liberal advocacy group.
“His macabre and frenzied race to maximize the death toll is an affront to the American people, and comes as public support for the death penalty, in the U.S. and around the world, has reached a near-historic nadir.”
Lawyers for Bourgeois asked the Supreme Court to halt his execution saying it was unconstitutional because of his intellectual disability. The court rejected the request late Friday with Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissenting.
The dissenting justices noted that tools for assessing an inmate’s mental capacity have changed since Bourgeois was convicted in 2004.
“While a prisoner’s intellectual disability may not change, the medical standards used to assess that disability constantly evolve as the scientific community’s understanding grows,” they wrote.
Bourgeois, a former truck driver, has spent over a decade on death row after murdering his 2-year-old daughter, Jakaren Harrison, while making a delivery to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Bourgeois repeatedly slammed his daughter’s head into a windshield and dashboard after becoming enraged that she tipped over her potty trainer, according to the Justice Department.
He was also said to have punched the girl in the face, whipped her with an electrical cord, and burned her foot with a cigarette lighter. Courts ruled that Bourgeois had also sexually abused his daughter.
The child was placed on life support before dying at a hospital in 2002.
A Justice Department press release earlier this year said Bourgeois and the other inmates set to be executed committed “staggeringly brutal murders.”
Bourgeois’ lawyers maintained that their client was intellectually disabled with an IQ between 70 and 75, as proven by tests and testimony from his family. They have also criticized his former lawyers for not presenting such evidence at trial.
Victor J. Abreu, an attorney for Bourgeois, called his client’s execution unconstitutional because of the ban on putting intellectually disabled people to death.
“It is shameful that the government executed Mr. Bourgeois without fair consideration of his intellectual disability,” he said in a statement. “The fact that he was executed without this review taking place — even though he is categorically ineligible for the death penalty — shows just why the government’s haste to execute so many people, in the midst of a pandemic and during a lame-duck presidency, is simply unconscionable.”
The family of Jakaren Harrison’s mother said Bourgeois should have been put to death sooner.
“Jakaren lost her life brutally to a monster who lived for 18 years after the crime,” they said in a statement. “A child should not have to endure what she did then. None of us could have imagined that she would return from a summer visit in a casket.”
“Now we can start the process of healing. It should not have taken 18 years for us to receive justice for our angel. She will forever be loved and missed. We love you, Jaja.”
On Thursday, Brandon Bernard was executed for his role in the 1999 murder of a Texas youth pastor and his wife.
Bernard’s execution moved forward despite pleas from Kim Kardashian West and Democratic lawmakers, who said his sentence should be commuted to life in prison because of new evidence.
He also died by lethal injection at the Terre Haute prison.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Charges dismissed against technician in alcohol device case

CHARLOTTE , Mich. ( AP ) - A judge has dismissed charges against one of two people charged with forgery @ @ @ @ @ investigation of Michigan ’ s desktop alcohol-breath devices .
Eaton County District Court Judge Julie @ @ @ @ @ probable cause to send Andrew Clark to trial .
Separately , she said Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ filed the case in the wrong county , the Lansing State Journal reported Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ used to measure alcohol levels at county jails or police departments after a motorist is @ @ @ @ @ , all 203 machines were taken out of service until state police could verify that @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Clark worked for Intoximeters , a St. Louis company that had a state contract @ @ @ @ @ He was accused of creating false documents to show he completed tests and repairs on @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There was no independent eyewitness of anything the defendant actually did or did @ @ @ @ @ judge said .

CHARLOTTE, Mich. (AP) - A judge has dismissed charges against one of two people charged with forgery and other crimes in an investigation of Michigan’s desktop alcohol-breath devices.
Eaton County District Court Judge Julie O’Neill found no probable cause to send Andrew Clark to trial. Separately, she said Attorney General Dana Nessel’s staff filed the case in the wrong county, the Lansing State Journal reported Friday.
“Justice was served,” defense attorney Conrad Vincent said.
The DataMaster breath test is used to measure alcohol levels at county jails or police departments after a motorist is arrested. Earlier this year, all 203 machines were taken out of service until state police could verify that each was properly calibrated.
Andrew Clark worked for Intoximeters, a St. Louis company that had a state contract to service the machines. He was accused of creating false documents to show he completed tests and repairs on DataMasters at two police agencies.
“There was no independent eyewitness of anything the defendant actually did or did not do,” the judge said.
David John is facing charges in Kalamazoo County.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Asia Today: S. Korea reports 950 cases, biggest daily jump

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - South Korea has reported another 950 coronavirus cases , its largest daily increase since the emergence of the pandemic , as fears grow about overwhelmed hospitals in the greater capital area .
The figures released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Saturday brought the country ’ s caseload to 41,736 , after health officials added more than 8,900 cases in the last 15 days alone .
Six COVID-19 patients died in the past 24 hours to bring the death toll to 578 .
Nearly 680 of the new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area , where health workers have struggled to track transmissions popping up from just about everywhere , including hospitals , long-term care facilities , restaurants , saunas , schools and army units .
Infections were also reported in other major urban centers , including Busan , Gwangju , Daejeon , Ulsan and Daegu , a southeastern city that was the epicenter of the spring outbreak .
The government had eased its social distancing restrictions to the lowest tier in October despite experts warning about a viral surge during colder weather , when people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some restrictions in recent weeks , such as shutting nightclubs and allowing restaurants to provide only deliveries and takeouts after 9 p.m. , and could be forced to clamp down on economic activity further .
Health officials are also trying to ramp up testing and prevent the virus from being spread by those with mild or no symptoms .
From Monday , rapid antigen tests at emergency rooms , intensive care units and remote hospitals will be covered by the national health insurance , which would cost recipients about 8,000 won ( $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another form of rapid testing based on saliva samples will also be available at designated sites in the capital area free of charge and regardless whether people are symptomatic .
The country will also deploy more than 800 police officers , troops and civil servants to support contact tracing .
In other developments in the region : - The Australian state of Queensland on Saturday welcomed travelers from New Zealand , who for the first time in 10 months were supposed to enter without having to quarantine .
But the first flight didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk reopened the state to New Zealand from 1 a.m. Saturday , saying residents would no longer need to abide by COVID-19 travel restrictions .
When the flight touched down in Brisbane , passengers were whisked away in busses to begin a mandatory 14 days in hotel quarantine .
A spokesman for the premier said the travelers had arrived on a “ red ” flight , which included passengers from other countries .
“ So all the passengers on that plane have to go into hotel quarantine because you had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , for example , ” he said .
Passengers from New Zealand on the flight were told they would need to quarantine before takeoff and had the option to wait for a “ green ” flight with only New Zealanders aboard , he said .
Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the first quarantine-free flight from New Zealand was due to arrive on Wednesday .
More than 200,000 New Zealanders live in Queensland , the popular destination for those wanting to escape blustery southern hemisphere winters or visit relatives in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them the largest group of foreign-born residents .
The decision to lift travel restrictions came after New Zealand went 28 days without a local case .
While people from New Zealand can enter Queensland freely , they will still have to go into managed isolation or quarantine when they return home .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea has reported 950 new coronavirus cases, its largest daily increase since the emergence of the pandemic, as fears grow about overwhelmed hospitals in the greater capital area.
The figures released Saturday brought the country’s caseload to 41,736, after health officials added more than 8,900 cases in the last 15 days alone. Six COVID-19 patients died in the past 24 hours to bring the death toll to 578.
Nearly 680 of the new cases came from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, where health workers have struggled to track transmissions popping up from just about everywhere, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, restaurants, saunas, schools and army units.
Infections were also reported in other major urban centers, including Busan, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan and Daegu, a southeastern city that was the epicenter of the spring outbreak.
The government had eased its social distancing restrictions to the lowest tier in October despite experts warning about a viral surge during colder weather, when people spend longer hours indoors.
Officials restored some restrictions in recent weeks, such as shutting nightclubs and allowing restaurants to provide only deliveries and takeouts after 9 p.m., and could be forced to clamp down on economic activity further.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said South Korea may have to elevate social distancing restrictions to the highest level, which includes a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people, school closures, a halt to to professional sports and requiring companies to have most of their employees work from home.
President Moon Jae-in in a Facebook message apologized for his government’s failure to contain the outbreak despite months of measures that hurt the economy. He pleaded for vigilance, saying the country was going through its “last crisis before the arrival of vaccines and treatment.”
Health officials are also trying to ramp up testing and prevent the virus from being spread by those with mild or no symptoms.
From Monday, rapid antigen tests at emergency rooms, intensive care units and remote hospitals will be covered by the national health insurance, which would cost recipients about 8,000 won ($7) each.
Antigen tests and another form of rapid testing based on saliva samples will also be available at designated sites in the capital area free of charge and regardless whether people are symptomatic.
The country will also deploy more than 800 police officers, troops and civil servants to support contact tracing.
In other developments in the region:
- Tokyo reported 621 new coronavirus cases Saturday, setting a new record in the capital where a lack of government measures triggered concerns about a surge during the holiday season. Nationwide, Japan reported a total of 174,000 cases, with about 2,500 deaths. Experts on a Tokyo metropolitan task force say serious cases are on the rise, putting burdens on hospitals and forcing many of them to scale back on care for other patients. Japan issued a non-binding state of emergency in the spring and has survived earlier infection peaks without a lockdown. The coronavirus task force on Friday asked the national government to take tougher steps to slow social and economic activities, such as suspension of out-of-town trips and requesting shorter business hours in areas where infections are accelerating. Latest data shows that ongoing measures have been ineffective and the situation could worsen during the holiday season.
- New Zealand and the Cook Islands say they plan to have a travel bubble in place early next year, which will allow people to fly between the two countries without going into quarantine. The arrangement would represent the first travel bubble that New Zealand has agreed to since closing its borders when the coronavirus first hit earlier this year. New Zealand has moved cautiously on restarting international travel after stamping out community spread of the virus. Australia is currently allowing many New Zealanders to arrive without going into quarantine but that arrangement isn’t yet reciprocal. The Cook Islands, with a population of only about 10,000, is self-governing but has close ties to New Zealand under a free-association arrangement, and its economy relies on New Zealand tourists.
- The Australian state of Queensland on Saturday welcomed travelers from New Zealand, who for the first time in 10 months were supposed to enter without having to quarantine. But the first flight didn’t go according to the plan. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk reopened the state to New Zealand from 1 a.m. Saturday, saying residents would no longer need to abide by COVID-19 travel restrictions. When the flight touched down in Brisbane, passengers were whisked away in busses to begin a mandatory 14 days in hotel quarantine. A spokesman for the premier said the travelers had arrived on a “red” flight, which included passengers from other countries. “So all the passengers on that plane have to go into hotel quarantine because you had Kiwis sitting next to people from the United States, for example,” he said. Passengers from New Zealand on the flight were told they would need to quarantine before takeoff and had the option to wait for a “green” flight with only New Zealanders aboard, he said. Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the first quarantine-free flight from New Zealand was due to arrive on Wednesday. More than 200,000 New Zealanders live in Queensland, the popular destination for those wanting to escape blustery southern hemisphere winters or visit relatives in the subtropical and tropical state, making them the largest group of foreign-born residents. The decision to lift travel restrictions came after New Zealand went 28 days without a local case. While people from New Zealand can enter Queensland freely, they will still have to go into managed isolation or quarantine when they return home.
- Eight mainly Western nations accused North Korea of using the pandemic “to crack down further on the human rights of its own people,” pointing to reports of an uptick in executions related to the coronavirus and strict controls on movements in and around the capital. Their statement was read virtually after the U.N. Security Council discussed North Korea’s human rights situation behind closed doors on Friday. Germany had sought an open meeting but Russia and China, both neighbors of North Korea, objected. Seven council members — Germany, Belgium, Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, United Kingdom and United States — joined by Japan said in the statement that North Korea was putting nuclear power and military might over its people. The government’s decision “to prioritize its weapons programs over the needs of its people and their isolation from the international community, is inevitably worsening the impacts of the pandemic on the North Korean population,” they said. North Korea sealed its border with China, its biggest trading partner and aid benefactor, as the coronavirus started spreading in January. Kim Jong Un’s government maintains it hasn’t found a single coronavirus case on its soil, a claim disputed by outside experts.
___
Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis say Donald Trump 'not finished' after Supreme Court setback

President Trump ’ s lawyers vowed to fight on Friday night despite the Supreme Court rejecting a GOP lawsuit from Texas challenging Joe Biden ’ s pivotal wins in four swing states .
“ We ’ re not finished , believe me , ” lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani said on Newsmax .
“ The president ’ s reaction is to look at other options.
” Mr. Giuilani said the Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit over Texas ’ standing , not on the merits of the case .
He said the election challenge could be filed in a lower court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to have to go to , ” he said .
“ There ’ s nothing that prevents us from filing these cases immediately in the district court , in which the president of course would have standing .
Some of the electors would have standing , in that their constitutional rights have been violated.
” Campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis said , “ We still have time.
” At a White House holiday party on Friday night , after the Court ’ s decision was released , guests were told that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make remarks .
The president is scheduled to attend the annual Army-Navy football game on Saturday at West Point , New York .
Mr. Giuliani said the president and his team believe , “ above and beyond President Trump and Joe Biden , these facts [ about election fraud ] need to be heard.
” “ This kind of voter fraud can continue to go on if it ’ s not nipped in the bud , ” he said .
“ If we don ’ t stand up to it , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Big Tech and the Democrat politicians and the Washington elite , if we allow them to roll over this , election fraud is just going to get worse and worse and worse.
” “ It ’ s got to be stopped .
And I think the only person who has the courage to stand up to it is Donald Trump , ” he said .

President Trump’s lawyers vowed to fight on Friday night despite the Supreme Court rejecting a GOP lawsuit from Texas challenging Joe Biden’s pivotal wins in four swing states.
“We’re not finished, believe me,” lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani said on Newsmax. “The president’s reaction is to look at other options.”
Mr. Giuilani said the Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit over Texas’ standing, not on the merits of the case. He said the election challenge could be filed in a lower court.
“That’s the option we’re going to have to go to,” he said. “There’s nothing that prevents us from filing these cases immediately in the district court, in which the president of course would have standing. Some of the electors would have standing, in that their constitutional rights have been violated.”
Campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis said, “We still have time.”
At a White House holiday party on Friday night, after the Court’s decision was released, guests were told that the president would not be joining them to make remarks. The president is scheduled to attend the annual Army-Navy football game on Saturday at West Point, New York.
Mr. Giuliani said the president and his team believe, “above and beyond President Trump and Joe Biden, these facts [about election fraud] need to be heard.”
“This kind of voter fraud can continue to go on if it’s not nipped in the bud,” he said. “If we don’t stand up to it, if we allow the big media and the Big Tech and the Democrat politicians and the Washington elite, if we allow them to roll over this, election fraud is just going to get worse and worse and worse.”
“It’s got to be stopped. And I think the only person who has the courage to stand up to it is Donald Trump,” he said.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--California father indicted for murder of 9-year-old son

RIVERSIDE , Calif. ( AP ) - A Southern California man has been indicted for the murder of his 9-year-old son last year , prosecutors said Friday .
The grand jury indictment charges Bryce McIntosh with one count of murder with a special circumstance allegation of torture and one count of willful child cruelty , the Riverside County District Attorney ’ s Office said .
Contact information for an attorney for McIntosh could not be found .
Investigators believe McIntosh killed his son Noah and bought gloves , acid , drain opener and a trash can two days after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw him at the father ’ s home in Corona southeast of Los Angeles .
The mother said the boy had been missing for several days .
The investigation into Noah ’ s disappearance revealed Bryce McIntosh had been abusing the boy , handcuffing him and holding him in hot and cold water for hours at a time , according to prosecutors .
McIntosh was first charged in the boy ’ s murder in March of 2019 .
But delays in the case prompted prosecutors to present the charges to a Riverside County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Nov. 19 .
McIntosh is scheduled to appear in court for a pre-trial conference on Feb. 18. will make his next court appearance for a trial readiness conference on Feb. 18 , 2021 .

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) - A Southern California man has been indicted for the murder of his 9-year-old son last year, prosecutors said Friday.
The grand jury indictment charges Bryce McIntosh with one count of murder with a special circumstance allegation of torture and one count of willful child cruelty, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office said.
Contact information for an attorney for McIntosh could not be found.
Investigators believe McIntosh killed his son Noah and bought gloves, acid, drain opener and a trash can two days after the boy’s mother said she last saw him at the father’s home in Corona southeast of Los Angeles. The mother said the boy had been missing for several days.
The investigation into Noah’s disappearance revealed Bryce McIntosh had been abusing the boy, handcuffing him and holding him in hot and cold water for hours at a time, according to prosecutors.
McIntosh was first charged in the boy’s murder in March of 2019. But delays in the case prompted prosecutors to present the charges to a Riverside County criminal grand jury, which indicted McIntosh on Nov. 19.
McIntosh is scheduled to appear in court for a pre-trial conference on Feb. 18.
will make his next court appearance for a trial readiness conference on Feb. 18, 2021.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Sierra storm could dump foot of snow on ridges above Tahoe

RENO , Nev. ( AP ) - A winter storm moving into the Sierra is expected to bring as much as a foot ( 30 centimeters ) of snow to upper elevations of the mountains around Lake Tahoe by Saturday afternoon .
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory Friday effective through 10 a.m. Saturday for the Tahoe-area and parts of eastern California and western Nevada .
Only a few inches of snow is expected at lake level but up to 8 inches ( 20 cm ) is possible on mountain passes above 6,500 feet ( 1,981 meters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 cm ) above 7,000 feet ( 2,133 meters ) .
Chain or snow tire restrictions are possible over the passes .
“ Travel could be difficult , ” the service said .
Small boats or kayaks will be prone to capsizing as wind gusts up to 30 mph ( 48 kph ) will send waves as high as 4 feet ( 1.2 meters ) crashing onto Lake Tahoe ’ s shores .
Up to 4 inches ( 10 cm ) of snow is expected in northern Washoe and Pershing counties , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plumas counties .
Another storm system is expected to arrive Sunday into Sunday night .

RENO, Nev. (AP) - A winter storm moving into the Sierra is expected to bring as much as a foot (30 centimeters) of snow to upper elevations of the mountains around Lake Tahoe by Saturday afternoon.
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory Friday effective through 10 a.m. Saturday for the Tahoe-area and parts of eastern California and western Nevada.
Only a few inches of snow is expected at lake level but up to 8 inches (20 cm) is possible on mountain passes above 6,500 feet (1,981 meters) and up to 12 inches (30 cm) above 7,000 feet (2,133 meters). Chain or snow tire restrictions are possible over the passes.
“Travel could be difficult,” the service said.
Small boats or kayaks will be prone to capsizing as wind gusts up to 30 mph (48 kph) will send waves as high as 4 feet (1.2 meters) crashing onto Lake Tahoe’s shores.
Up to 4 inches (10 cm) of snow is expected in northern Washoe and Pershing counties, and in eastern California’s Lassen and Plumas counties.
Another storm system is expected to arrive Sunday into Sunday night.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Mexico approves emergency use of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - The Mexican government ’ s medical safety commission approved the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine Friday , making Mexico the fourth country to do so .
Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López-Gatell said Mexico ‘ s approval came after Britain , Canada and Bahrain .
Mexico is set to receive 250,000 doses of the vaccine , enough for 125,000 people , because each person requires two shots .
López-Gatell has said that front-line health workers will get the shots first .
Vaccinations are expected to begin as soon as next week .
López-Gatell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reason for hope , ” though the initial rounds of shots are not nearly enough for Mexico ’ s estimated 1.6 million health care workers .
López-Gatell downplayed reports of allergic reactions among some vaccine recipients in Britain , noting that “ the immense , immense , immense majority of people in Mexico and the world will be able to take this vaccine.
” Mexico posted a record increase of 12,253 coronavirus cases Friday , for a total of 1,229,379 infections during the pandemic .
Officials also reported 693 more deaths related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s total to 113,019 .
However , even official estimates place the real death toll at closer to 150,000 , due to Mexico ‘ s extremely low level of testing .
Mexico City has become the central focus of increasing cases in the country .
The capital ’ s hospitals were 78 % full Friday , a level that worried officials .
Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum issued an urgent appeal for residents of the capital to stay home , saying the city of almost 9 million was in a “ coronavirus emergency .
”

MEXICO CITY (AP) - The Mexican government’s medical safety commission approved the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine Friday, making Mexico the fourth country to do so.
Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López-Gatell said Mexico’s approval came after Britain, Canada and Bahrain. The United States announced its own approval of the vaccine shortly after Mexico.
Mexico is set to receive 250,000 doses of the vaccine, enough for 125,000 people, because each person requires two shots. López-Gatell has said that front-line health workers will get the shots first.
Vaccinations are expected to begin as soon as next week. López-Gatell said the approval “is of course a reason for hope,” though the initial rounds of shots are not nearly enough for Mexico’s estimated 1.6 million health care workers.
López-Gatell downplayed reports of allergic reactions among some vaccine recipients in Britain, noting that “the immense, immense, immense majority of people in Mexico and the world will be able to take this vaccine.”
Mexico posted a record increase of 12,253 coronavirus cases Friday, for a total of 1,229,379 infections during the pandemic.
Officials also reported 693 more deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the country’s total to 113,019. However, even official estimates place the real death toll at closer to 150,000, due to Mexico’s extremely low level of testing.
Mexico City has become the central focus of increasing cases in the country. The capital’s hospitals were 78% full Friday, a level that worried officials.
Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum issued an urgent appeal for residents of the capital to stay home, saying the city of almost 9 million was in a “coronavirus emergency.”
López-Gatell called it an “extremely urgent” situation.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Howard County tree trimmer dies 40 feet off the ground

RUSSIAVILLE , Ind .
( AP ) - A 65-year-old man died while 40 feet in the air on a @ @ @ @ @ County authorities said .
The sheriff ’ s office called it an accident Thursday while @ @ @ @ @ in the air while inside a bucket on a bucket truck .
He was unconscious @ @ @ @ @ for the weekend .

RUSSIAVILLE, Ind. (AP) - A 65-year-old man died while 40 feet in the air on a tree trimming job, Howard County authorities said.
The sheriff’s office called it an accident Thursday while William Lidy of Russiaville was in the air while inside a bucket on a bucket truck. He was unconscious.
An autopsy was planned for the weekend.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Trump responds to Supreme Court rejection of Texas election challenge with litany of fraud charges

President Trump doubled down on his election fraud allegations Friday after the Supreme Court rejected Texas ’ massive lawsuit challenging the Nov. 3 results .
Mr. Trump posted one of his campaign ’ s videos on Twitter that presented a litany of fraud claims from Georgia , Wisconsin , Nevada , Pennsylvania and Michigan .
“ America deserved an honest election .
This is what they got , ” says the female narrator .
“ Suitcases of ballots added in secret in Georgia , dead people voting in Wisconsin , a money-for-vote scheme in Nevada , poll watchers denied access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and clerks facing felony charges in Michigan .
The evidence is overwhelming.
” The video urged Trump supporters to contact state lawmakers and “ demand they fight for honest elections.
” The rejection of the Texas lawsuit was a major setback for Mr. Trump ’ s quest to overturn the win for presumed President-elect Joseph R. Biden .
Mr. Trump described the last-ditch Supreme Court case as his biggest and best chance at reversing the election outcome .
Still , as described in the video , Mr. Trump holds out hope that state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second term in the White House .
The Supreme Court ruling also did not end the allegations that Democrats fixed the election .
The justices rejected the case on procedural grounds and did not address Texas ’ claims of election misconduct in Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
Mr. Trump said he will accept the results from the Electoral College vote Monday , which is set to affirm Mr. Biden will be the next president .
The video , however , raises doubts about it .
Mr. Trump ’ s supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election process and the legitimacy of a Biden presidency .

President Trump doubled down on his election fraud allegations Friday after the Supreme Court rejected Texas’ massive lawsuit challenging the Nov. 3 results.
Mr. Trump posted one of his campaign’s videos on Twitter that presented a litany of fraud claims from Georgia, Wisconsin, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
“America deserved an honest election. This is what they got,” says the female narrator. “Suitcases of ballots added in secret in Georgia, dead people voting in Wisconsin, a money-for-vote scheme in Nevada, poll watchers denied access in Pennsylvania, faulty ballot drop boxes and clerks facing felony charges in Michigan. The evidence is overwhelming.”
The video urged Trump supporters to contact state lawmakers and “demand they fight for honest elections.”
Twitter flagged the video as a disputed election fraud claim.
The rejection of the Texas lawsuit was a major setback for Mr. Trump’s quest to overturn the win for presumed President-elect Joseph R. Biden.
Mr. Trump described the last-ditch Supreme Court case as his biggest and best chance at reversing the election outcome.
Still, as described in the video, Mr. Trump holds out hope that state legislatures will intervene to deliver him a second term in the White House.
The Supreme Court ruling also did not end the allegations that Democrats fixed the election. The justices rejected the case on procedural grounds and did not address Texas’ claims of election misconduct in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Mr. Trump said he will accept the results from the Electoral College vote Monday, which is set to affirm Mr. Biden will be the next president. The video, however, raises doubts about it. Mr. Trump’s supporters, meanwhile, remain skeptical of the election process and the legitimacy of a Biden presidency.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Allen West floats secession after Supreme Court rejects Texas election challenge

Texas Republican Party Chairman Allen West suggested Friday that secession might be the answer for pro-Trump states .
“ Perhaps @ @ @ @ @ and form a Union of states that will abide by the Constitution , ” Mr. @ @ @ @ @ Court announced Friday it won ’ t hear a lawsuit by the state of Texas @ @ @ @ @ Joseph R. Biden ’ s victories in four swing states , dealing a massive blow @ @ @ @ @ nearly extinguished prospects for a second term .
The high court said in a brief @ @ @ @ @ not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its @ @ @ @ @ pending motions are dismissed as moot , ” the court said .
Mr. West said @ @ @ @ @ means that states “ can violate the U.S. Constitution and not be held accountable.
” @ @ @ @ @ far-reaching ramifications for the future of our constitutional republic , ” Mr. West said .

Texas Republican Party Chairman Allen West suggested Friday that secession might be the answer for pro-Trump states.
“Perhaps law-abiding states should bond together and form a Union of states that will abide by the Constitution,” Mr. West said.
The Supreme Court announced Friday it won’t hear a lawsuit by the state of Texas that sought to overturn Democrat Joseph R. Biden’s victories in four swing states, dealing a massive blow to President Trump’s nearly extinguished prospects for a second term.
The high court said in a brief order that Texas “has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections.”
“All other pending motions are dismissed as moot,” the court said.
Mr. West said the Court’s decision means that states “can violate the U.S. Constitution and not be held accountable.”
“This decision will have far-reaching ramifications for the future of our constitutional republic,” Mr. West said.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Utah State players opt out of Colorado State game in protest

LOGAN , Utah ( AP ) - Utah State has canceled its football game against Colorado State amid concerns voiced about religious discrimination during the search for a new football coach .
Aggies players issued a statement to Stadium on Friday , saying they were opting out of Saturday ’ s game because of alleged comments made by University President Noelle Cockett about the religious and cultural background of interim coach Frank Maile .
Cockett ’ s comments were reportedly made during a video call Tuesday with athletic director John Hartwell and the Utah State University Leadership Council to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head coaching job .
Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson resigned to take over Utah State , a source told The Associated Press on Thursday .
“ We want our message to be clear that this has nothing to do with the hiring of Coach Blake Anderson , the recently-named head coach of the program , ” the players said in their statement .
“ We are sure he is an excellent coach ; we look forward to meeting him and his staff .
We are highlighting the ongoing problems of inequality and want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community of Logan and Utah State University.
” Maile is in his second go-round as an assistant coach at Utah State , with a stint at Vanderbilt from 2014-15 in between .
He has been assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator for the past five seasons and was named interim head coach when Gary Andersen was fired after an 0-3 start this season .
“ I am devastated that my comments were interpreted as bias against anyone ’ s religious background , ” Cockett said in a statement .
“ Throughout my professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of USU , I have welcomed the opportunity to meet directly and often with students about their experiences .
“ Regardless of how difficult the conversations might be in the coming days , I remain committed to giving our students a voice .
”

LOGAN, Utah (AP) - Utah State has canceled its football game against Colorado State amid concerns voiced about religious discrimination during the search for a new football coach.
Aggies players issued a statement to Stadium on Friday, saying they were opting out of Saturday’s game because of alleged comments made by University President Noelle Cockett about the religious and cultural background of interim coach Frank Maile.
Cockett’s comments were reportedly made during a video call Tuesday with athletic director John Hartwell and the Utah State University Leadership Council to discuss Maile’s candidacy for the permanent head coaching job.
Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson resigned to take over Utah State, a source told The Associated Press on Thursday.
“We want our message to be clear that this has nothing to do with the hiring of Coach Blake Anderson, the recently-named head coach of the program,” the players said in their statement. “We are sure he is an excellent coach; we look forward to meeting him and his staff. We are highlighting the ongoing problems of inequality and want to create a better future for the community of Logan and Utah State University.”
Maile is in his second go-round as an assistant coach at Utah State, with a stint at Vanderbilt from 2014-15 in between. He has been assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator for the past five seasons and was named interim head coach when Gary Andersen was fired after an 0-3 start this season.
“I am devastated that my comments were interpreted as bias against anyone’s religious background,” Cockett said in a statement. “Throughout my professional career and, especially, as president of USU, I have welcomed the opportunity to meet directly and often with students about their experiences.
“Regardless of how difficult the conversations might be in the coming days, I remain committed to giving our students a voice.”
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Mexico approves emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTec coronavirus vaccine, becoming the fourth country

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Mexico approves emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTec coronavirus vaccine , becoming the fourth country @ @ @ @

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico approves emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTec coronavirus vaccine, becoming the fourth country to do so.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Springfield police chief turns down new job, gets raise

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - The police chief in Springfield said Friday he ’ s turning down a @ @ @ @ @ will stay in the Illinois capital .
“ Springfield has been our home for 26 @ @ @ @ @ blessed us , ” Kenny Winslow said .
“ Many factors played heavily into this @ @ @ @ @ for this community and our personal obligations to my extended family.
” Officials in Franklin @ @ @ @ @ Winslow as a new deputy chief with a Jan. 19 starting date , The State @ @ @ @ @ Jim Langfelder said he had encouraged Winslow to stay and offered a 5 % raise @ @ @ @ @ professionally the move to Tennessee was a great opportunity , ultimately I have to put @ @ @ @ @ Winslow said .

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The police chief in Springfield said Friday he’s turning down a new job in Tennessee and will stay in the Illinois capital.
“Springfield has been our home for 26 years and this community has blessed us,” Kenny Winslow said. “Many factors played heavily into this decision, including our love for this community and our personal obligations to my extended family.”
Officials in Franklin, Tennessee, had announced Winslow as a new deputy chief with a Jan. 19 starting date, The State Journal-Register reported.
Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder said he had encouraged Winslow to stay and offered a 5% raise.
“While personally and professionally the move to Tennessee was a great opportunity, ultimately I have to put my family first,” Winslow said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-12--Trump says Supreme Court 'let us down' on election challenge

President Trump said early Saturday the Supreme Court let America down by not hearing an election challenge brought by Texas against four battleground states , and he vowed to “ fight on.
” “ The Supreme Court really let us down .
No Wisdom , No Courage !
” the president tweeted hours after the high court announced it would not consider the case .
“ It is a legal disgrace , an embarrassment to the USA !
!
!
” The president criticized the justices for rejecting what he called a well-reasoned complaint , without weighing the legal arguments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the President of the United States , and you just went through an election where you got more votes than any sitting President in history , by far - and purportedly lost , ” the president tweeted .
“ You can ’ t get ‘ standing ’ before the Supreme Court , so you ‘ intervene ’ with wonderful states that , after careful study and consideration , think you got ‘ screwed ’ , something which will hurt them also .
Many others likewise join the suit but , within a flash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , without even looking at the many reasons it was brought .
A Rigged Election , fight on !
” The justices on Friday night rejected the Texas case , which argued Pennsylvania , Wisconsin , Georgia , and Michigan officials altered their state election laws without approval from state legislatures .
Texas argued that the constitution permits the justices to settle disputes between states .
The Lone Star State said the other states ’ conduct diluted Texas ’ 38 electoral votes for Mr. Trump .
The four battleground states , though , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case , charging it was not grounded in law or facts .
They said the state of Texas didn ’ t suffer an injury sufficient for bringing the court action .
The justices agreed , dismissing it for lack of standing under Article III of the Constitution .
“ There ’ s no way to say it other than they dodged , ” White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said of the justices on Fox News .
“ They dodged , they hid behind procedure , and they refused to use their authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rudolph W. Giuliani said he ’ ll pursue the election challenge in lower federal courts or state courts , where the campaign already has lost numerous cases .
Presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden won the four swing states , flipping them blue after Mr. Trump had carried them in 2016 .
A Biden spokesman said it was “ no surprise ” that the Supreme Court rejected “ baseless attempts ” to deny that Mr. Trump lost the election .
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel , a Democrat , said the decision was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation of laws , and though some may bend to the desire of a single individual , the courts will not.
” The Court ‘ s decision paves the way for the Electoral College ’ s meeting on Monday , when it is expected to formally cast its votes and make Mr. Biden ’ s victory official .
Mr. Biden has 306 electoral votes to Mr. Trump ‘ s 232 .
The four states in question in Texas ’ lawsuit contributed a combined 62 votes to Mr. Biden ’ s total .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are needed .
At least 16 other red states had supported Texas ’ lawsuit .
The president urged the high court publicly several times on Friday to rule in his favor .
“ If the Supreme Court shows great Wisdom and Courage , the American People will win perhaps the most important case in history , and our Electoral Process will be respected again !
” Mr. Trump had tweeted .

President Trump said early Saturday the Supreme Court let America down by not hearing an election challenge brought by Texas against four battleground states, and he vowed to “fight on.”
“The Supreme Court really let us down. No Wisdom, No Courage!” the president tweeted hours after the high court announced it would not consider the case. “It is a legal disgrace, an embarrassment to the USA!!!”
The president criticized the justices for rejecting what he called a well-reasoned complaint, without weighing the legal arguments.
“So, you’re the President of the United States, and you just went through an election where you got more votes than any sitting President in history, by far - and purportedly lost,” the president tweeted. “You can’t get ‘standing’ before the Supreme Court, so you ‘intervene’ with wonderful states that, after careful study and consideration, think you got ‘screwed’, something which will hurt them also. Many others likewise join the suit but, within a flash, it is thrown out and gone, without even looking at the many reasons it was brought. A Rigged Election, fight on!”
The justices on Friday night rejected the Texas case, which argued Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Michigan officials altered their state election laws without approval from state legislatures.
Texas argued that the constitution permits the justices to settle disputes between states. The Lone Star State said the other states’ conduct diluted Texas’ 38 electoral votes for Mr. Trump.
The four battleground states, though, had urged the court not to hear the case, charging it was not grounded in law or facts. They said the state of Texas didn’t suffer an injury sufficient for bringing the court action.
The justices agreed, dismissing it for lack of standing under Article III of the Constitution.
“There’s no way to say it other than they dodged,” White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said of the justices on Fox News. “They dodged, they hid behind procedure, and they refused to use their authority to enforce the constitution.”
Trump lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani said he’ll pursue the election challenge in lower federal courts or state courts, where the campaign already has lost numerous cases.
Presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden won the four swing states, flipping them blue after Mr. Trump had carried them in 2016.
A Biden spokesman said it was “no surprise” that the Supreme Court rejected “baseless attempts” to deny that Mr. Trump lost the election.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, said the decision was “an important reminder that we are a nation of laws, and though some may bend to the desire of a single individual, the courts will not.”
The Court’s decision paves the way for the Electoral College’s meeting on Monday, when it is expected to formally cast its votes and make Mr. Biden’s victory official. Mr. Biden has 306 electoral votes to Mr. Trump’s 232.
The four states in question in Texas’ lawsuit contributed a combined 62 votes to Mr. Biden’s total. To win the White House, 270 votes are needed.
At least 16 other red states had supported Texas’ lawsuit.
The president urged the high court publicly several times on Friday to rule in his favor.
“If the Supreme Court shows great Wisdom and Courage, the American People will win perhaps the most important case in history, and our Electoral Process will be respected again!” Mr. Trump had tweeted.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com. • Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-12--Beartooth peak naming project connects mountain range's fans

BILLINGS , Mont .
( AP ) - Thrust 6,000 feet above the horizon to the southwest of Billings , the Beartooth Mountains have long demanded attention for their jagged beauty and imposing appearance .
Now , thanks to dedicated research by a couple of Beartooth junkies , lovers of the mountain range can figure out which prominent peaks they are seeing from Montana ’ s largest city .
Billings resident Doug Jones began the project out of curiosity .
“ I ’ ve always wanted a frame of reference , ” Jones told The Billings Gazette .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ window seat in a plane , ” allowing him to look out and track the familiar parts of the landscape below .
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , Jones had some extra time on his hands .
So he scouted around for a photo of the Beartooth Mountains to start his project .
When he didn ’ t find what he wanted , he drove to the top of the Billings Rimrocks , snapped his own photos and stitched them together for a panoramic view .
In seeking reference material to identify the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peak bagger Matt Lemke ’ s website , lemkeclimbs.com .
The site lists mountains Lemke has scaled in 12 states , two Canadian provinces as well as overseas .
In the Beartooths , Lemke lists more than 20 areas he ’ s visited .
Much of that information was gathered when he spent a summer working in Red Lodge , as well as after college when he dedicated more than two months to exploring the mountains .
Lemke climbed all 27 of the 12,000-foot high peaks .
Along the way , he took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information on his website .
“ It ’ s still my favorite part of Montana , ” Lemke said .
After swapping information with Lemke via email , Jones decided he needed a better photo to work with on his project .
He searched the internet and came across Gazette photographer Larry Mayer ’ s Oct. 15 , 2017 , aerial view of the Beartooths .
In his 43 years at The Gazette , Mayer has taken hundreds of photos of the Beartooth Mountains from a variety of angles .
The photo Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area with the city in the foreground .
It was an unusually clear day following a cold front that had passed through , clearing the sky of any haze , Mayer said .
With Mayer ’ s photo in hand , Jones decided to up the ante .
In addition to naming the visible peaks taller than 11,500 feet in the photo , he decided to also name some of the prominent ones that were just out of sight .
All told , the modified photo identifies about two dozen peaks , Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a curious guy who got it started , ” he said , “ a bored old guy on a computer.
” Jones calculated that over the course of a month he spent about 40 hours working on the project in an old-school way that could admittedly be much easier with today ’ s technology .
If Jones hadn ’ t done the research in such an old-fashioned manner , however , he may not have met his kindred spirit , Lemke .
In discussing their shared interest in the Beartooth Mountains , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both went to the Colorado School of Mines where they were trained as earth science engineers - Jones is a mining engineer and Lemke is a geological engineer .
Jones said he arrived in Billings years ago to work at the Stillwater Mine .
An outdoorsy guy , his family took backpacking , camping , fishing , hiking and hunting trips into the mountains .
When his two sons were in Boy Scouts , the family planned a five-day backpacking trip on the Beaten Path , a route that travels up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the best experiences of my life , ” Jones said .
The fishing was great and the weather was beautiful until the last night when a downpour thoroughly soaked the campers .
His job eventually took him away from Billings , but three years ago he returned , drawn in part by the beauty of the Beartooths and the memories they hold .
Geologically , the high plateaus , steep cliffs and glacier-carved valleys are “ unusual and fascinating , ” Lemke said .
He was attracted to the area because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about hiking into the mountain range ’ s high lakes and peaks .
“ I found that super appealing , ” he said .
“ Granite Peak is one of the few mountains I ’ ve climbed multiple times , ” Lemke added .
“ It ’ s one of the most captivating mountains.
” At an elevation of 12,808 feet , Granite Peak is Montana ’ s highest point and is considered one of the most difficult in the United States to summit because of the long hike to get to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Death .
“ The hikes to get to it are some of the most beautiful terrain I ’ ve seen in the United States , ” Lemke added .
“ I haven ’ t been anywhere else where you can throw a cast in a lake and every single time get a bite.
” So although the two men have never met in person and are separated in age by decades , via email they ’ ve shared an appreciation of an unusual Montana mountain range .
“ It was nice to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I wish I would have done something like he did when I was his age .
”

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Thrust 6,000 feet above the horizon to the southwest of Billings, the Beartooth Mountains have long demanded attention for their jagged beauty and imposing appearance.
Now, thanks to dedicated research by a couple of Beartooth junkies, lovers of the mountain range can figure out which prominent peaks they are seeing from Montana’s largest city.
Billings resident Doug Jones began the project out of curiosity.
“I’ve always wanted a frame of reference,” Jones told The Billings Gazette. “I’m the guy who takes the window seat in a plane,” allowing him to look out and track the familiar parts of the landscape below.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jones had some extra time on his hands. So he scouted around for a photo of the Beartooth Mountains to start his project. When he didn’t find what he wanted, he drove to the top of the Billings Rimrocks, snapped his own photos and stitched them together for a panoramic view.
In seeking reference material to identify the mountains, Jones came across backpacker and peak bagger Matt Lemke’s website, lemkeclimbs.com. The site lists mountains Lemke has scaled in 12 states, two Canadian provinces as well as overseas. In the Beartooths, Lemke lists more than 20 areas he’s visited.
Much of that information was gathered when he spent a summer working in Red Lodge, as well as after college when he dedicated more than two months to exploring the mountains. Lemke climbed all 27 of the 12,000-foot high peaks. Along the way, he took numerous photos and notes, posting the information on his website.
“It’s still my favorite part of Montana,” Lemke said.
After swapping information with Lemke via email, Jones decided he needed a better photo to work with on his project. He searched the internet and came across Gazette photographer Larry Mayer’s Oct. 15, 2017, aerial view of the Beartooths.
In his 43 years at The Gazette, Mayer has taken hundreds of photos of the Beartooth Mountains from a variety of angles. The photo Jones came across was taken from the Lockwood area with the city in the foreground. It was an unusually clear day following a cold front that had passed through, clearing the sky of any haze, Mayer said.
With Mayer’s photo in hand, Jones decided to up the ante. In addition to naming the visible peaks taller than 11,500 feet in the photo, he decided to also name some of the prominent ones that were just out of sight. All told, the modified photo identifies about two dozen peaks, Jones said.
“I’m just a curious guy who got it started,” he said, “a bored old guy on a computer.”
Jones calculated that over the course of a month he spent about 40 hours working on the project in an old-school way that could admittedly be much easier with today’s technology.
If Jones hadn’t done the research in such an old-fashioned manner, however, he may not have met his kindred spirit, Lemke. In discussing their shared interest in the Beartooth Mountains, they’ve also discovered a common background. Both went to the Colorado School of Mines where they were trained as earth science engineers - Jones is a mining engineer and Lemke is a geological engineer.
Jones said he arrived in Billings years ago to work at the Stillwater Mine. An outdoorsy guy, his family took backpacking, camping, fishing, hiking and hunting trips into the mountains. When his two sons were in Boy Scouts, the family planned a five-day backpacking trip on the Beaten Path, a route that travels up the East Rosebud Valley.
“That was one of the best experiences of my life,” Jones said.
The fishing was great and the weather was beautiful until the last night when a downpour thoroughly soaked the campers. His job eventually took him away from Billings, but three years ago he returned, drawn in part by the beauty of the Beartooths and the memories they hold.
Geologically, the high plateaus, steep cliffs and glacier-carved valleys are “unusual and fascinating,” Lemke said. He was attracted to the area because he couldn’t find much information about hiking into the mountain range’s high lakes and peaks.
“I found that super appealing,” he said.
“Granite Peak is one of the few mountains I’ve climbed multiple times,” Lemke added. “It’s one of the most captivating mountains.”
At an elevation of 12,808 feet, Granite Peak is Montana’s highest point and is considered one of the most difficult in the United States to summit because of the long hike to get to its base, a plateau known as Froze to Death.
“The hikes to get to it are some of the most beautiful terrain I’ve seen in the United States,” Lemke added. “I haven’t been anywhere else where you can throw a cast in a lake and every single time get a bite.”
So although the two men have never met in person and are separated in age by decades, via email they’ve shared an appreciation of an unusual Montana mountain range.
“It was nice to get to know Matt,” Jones said. “I wish I would have done something like he did when I was his age.”