washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Dr. Anthony Fauci: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Mike Pence should get vaccinated ASAP

Dr. Anthony Fauci said Tuesday that both President Trump and President-elect Joseph R. Biden should be among the people who get quick access to a coronavirus vaccine .
He said it ’ s in the public interest to see Mr. Biden fully protected as he enters office and that Vice President-elect Sen. Kamala D. Harris should be vaccinated soon as well .
“ For security reasons , I really feel strongly that we should get them vaccinated as soon as we possibly can , ” Dr. Fauci said of Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris .
Dr. Fauci , the director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Infectious Diseases , also said Mr. Trump , who already tested positive for the virus , and Vice President Mike Pence should receive the vaccine .
“ You still want to protect people who are very important to our country right now , ” he said on ABC ’ s “ Good Morning America .
“ To be doubly sure , I would recommend that he get vaccinated as well as the vice president.
” Mr. Trump said Sunday that he ’ s not scheduled to take the vaccine but that he looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s appropriate .
Mr. Biden has said he would lean on Dr. Fauci , who he named as a chief medical adviser , for advice on when to take a vaccine .

Dr. Anthony Fauci said Tuesday that both President Trump and President-elect Joseph R. Biden should be among the people who get quick access to a coronavirus vaccine.
He said it’s in the public interest to see Mr. Biden fully protected as he enters office and that Vice President-elect Sen. Kamala D. Harris should be vaccinated soon as well.
“For security reasons, I really feel strongly that we should get them vaccinated as soon as we possibly can,” Dr. Fauci said of Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris.
Dr. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, also said Mr. Trump, who already tested positive for the virus, and Vice President Mike Pence should receive the vaccine.
“You still want to protect people who are very important to our country right now,” he said on ABC’s “Good Morning America. “To be doubly sure, I would recommend that he get vaccinated as well as the vice president.”
Mr. Trump said Sunday that he’s not scheduled to take the vaccine but that he looks forward to doing so when it’s appropriate.
Mr. Biden has said he would lean on Dr. Fauci, who he named as a chief medical adviser, for advice on when to take a vaccine.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Cyberattack on Independence systems causes bill-paying delay

INDEPENDENCE , Mo .
( AP ) - A ransomware attack on the city of Independence ’ s computer systems @ @ @ @ @ to pay their utility bills .
The cyberattack occurred last week , officials in the @ @ @ @ @ .
City Manager Zach Walker said that 90 % of the billing issues plaguing the @ @ @ @ @ cyberattack , which has left customers unable to pay their utility bills online and has @ @ @ @ @ being delivered by mail .
Staff members are working to restore all city systems , @ @ @ @ @ not say whether any customer ’ s personal information was compromised in the attack , @ @ @ @ @ working to find out .
While people can ’ t pay their utility bills online @ @ @ @ @ person at the drive-thru window at the Independence Utilities Center .
The drive-thru is open @ @ @ @ @ 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m .

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (AP) - A ransomware attack on the city of Independence’s computer systems has left some residents unable to pay their utility bills.
The cyberattack occurred last week, officials in the Kansas City suburb told KSHB. City Manager Zach Walker said that 90% of the billing issues plaguing the city trace back to the cyberattack, which has left customers unable to pay their utility bills online and has caused a delay in bills being delivered by mail.
Staff members are working to restore all city systems, Walker said. He could not say whether any customer’s personal information was compromised in the attack, but says the city is working to find out.
While people can’t pay their utility bills online, they can pay in person at the drive-thru window at the Independence Utilities Center. The drive-thru is open Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Windfarm off Outer Banks expected to create nearly 200 jobs

COROLLA , N.C. ( AP ) - A wind farm that is scheduled to be built off North Carolina ’ s Outer Banks is projected to create nearly 200 full-time jobs in Virginia and North Carolina .
The Virginian-Pilot reported Tuesday that the projection comes from an economic study by alternative energy developer Avangrid Renewables .
The firm calculated that the project would add $ 2 billion to the region ’ s economy over the next decade .
The Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind Project will be built roughly 27 miles off Corolla .
Construction is set to begin in 2024 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completed in 2030 .
Building the windfarm is expected to create 800 jobs .
And it will produce 193 full-time jobs in Virginia and North Carolina once it ’ s running .
Those jobs will including turbine generator technicians and welders .
Support companies and services could add hundreds more positions .
The study was part of a construction and operation plan submitted Friday to the Bureau of Ocean Energy and Management .
The economic data was collected from several sources .
They include Avangrid Renewables , U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Renewable Energy Laboratory and economic impact studies of other offshore wind developments .

COROLLA, N.C. (AP) - A wind farm that is scheduled to be built off North Carolina’s Outer Banks is projected to create nearly 200 full-time jobs in Virginia and North Carolina.
The Virginian-Pilot reported Tuesday that the projection comes from an economic study by alternative energy developer Avangrid Renewables.
The firm calculated that the project would add $2 billion to the region’s economy over the next decade.
The Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind Project will be built roughly 27 miles off Corolla. Construction is set to begin in 2024. The projected is expected to be completed in 2030.
Building the windfarm is expected to create 800 jobs. And it will produce 193 full-time jobs in Virginia and North Carolina once it’s running. Those jobs will including turbine generator technicians and welders. Support companies and services could add hundreds more positions.
The study was part of a construction and operation plan submitted Friday to the Bureau of Ocean Energy and Management.
The economic data was collected from several sources. They include Avangrid Renewables, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and economic impact studies of other offshore wind developments.
Hurry, sale ends 1/4


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Somalia cuts diplomatic ties with Kenya amid rising tensions

NAIROBI , Kenya ( AP ) - Somalia ’ s government says it has severed ties with strategic neighbor Kenya “ to safeguard the unity , sovereignty , stability of the country.
” The announcement Tuesday came as the leader of the breakaway territory of Somaliland ended a three-day visit to Kenya where he was given treatment similar to that accorded to a head of state in meetings with the Kenyan leadership .
“ The Somali government , on the basis of its sovereignty , international law and order , and in fulfillment of its constitutional duty to safeguard the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , has decided to cut off diplomatic relations with the Government of Kenya , ” said Osman Dubbe , Somalia ’ s information minister on Twitter .
Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 as the country collapsed into warlord-led conflict and it has seen little of the violence and extremist attacks that plague Somalia to the south .
Despite lacking international recognition , Somaliland has maintained its own independent government , currency and security system .
Somalia , however , considers Somaliland as part of its territory .
Several rounds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach an agreement .
Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed , also known as Farmajo , and Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi met in February , the first meeting between the two , who both took office in 2017 .
The meeting was brokered by Ethiopia ’ s Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia ’ s capital , but it did not result in a breakthrough agreement .
Kenya ’ s government spokesman Col. Cyrus Oguna said a committee has been set up to normalize relations between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we have been very kind and accommodating because you know even in Daadab ( refugee center ) we have camps that currently house over 200,000 people from the neighboring country and therefore we have a lot of commonality between these two countries and anything that is capable of undermining that , is , of course , something that efforts must be put in place to ensure it is resolved , ” he told reporters .
Tensions between the two countries became evident in late November when Somalia expelled Kenya ’ s ambassador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return home .
Horn of Africa Analyst Rashid Abdi said that faced with tough competition in the coming parliamentary and presidential elections in Somalia , scheduled for December 2020 and February 2021 , respectively , Somalia ’ s president is stirring up altercations with foreign countries to try to consolidate the electorate behind him .
“ There is the old dictum about leaders picking foreign fights when they are desperate .
This is it .
Kenya is almost certain to let Farmajo huff and puff and have his usual tantrums .
Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will choose the time , date and not let Farmajo dictate the pace , ” Abdi said in a post on Twitter .
Hassan Barise in Mogadishu , Somalia , contributed to this report .

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Somalia’s government says it has severed ties with strategic neighbor Kenya “to safeguard the unity, sovereignty, stability of the country.”
The announcement Tuesday came as the leader of the breakaway territory of Somaliland ended a three-day visit to Kenya where he was given treatment similar to that accorded to a head of state in meetings with the Kenyan leadership.
“The Somali government, on the basis of its sovereignty, international law and order, and in fulfillment of its constitutional duty to safeguard the unity, sovereignty and stability of the country, has decided to cut off diplomatic relations with the Government of Kenya,” said Osman Dubbe, Somalia’s information minister on Twitter.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 as the country collapsed into warlord-led conflict and it has seen little of the violence and extremist attacks that plague Somalia to the south. Despite lacking international recognition, Somaliland has maintained its own independent government, currency and security system.
Somalia, however, considers Somaliland as part of its territory. Several rounds of talks over possible unification have failed to reach an agreement.
Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as Farmajo, and Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi met in February, the first meeting between the two, who both took office in 2017.
The meeting was brokered by Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, but it did not result in a breakthrough agreement.
Kenya’s government spokesman Col. Cyrus Oguna said a committee has been set up to normalize relations between the two countries.
“As a country, we have been very kind and accommodating because you know even in Daadab (refugee center) we have camps that currently house over 200,000 people from the neighboring country and therefore we have a lot of commonality between these two countries and anything that is capable of undermining that, is, of course, something that efforts must be put in place to ensure it is resolved,” he told reporters.
Tensions between the two countries became evident in late November when Somalia expelled Kenya’s ambassador to the country and ordered its ambassador to return home.
Horn of Africa Analyst Rashid Abdi said that faced with tough competition in the coming parliamentary and presidential elections in Somalia, scheduled for December 2020 and February 2021, respectively, Somalia’s president is stirring up altercations with foreign countries to try to consolidate the electorate behind him.
“There is the old dictum about leaders picking foreign fights when they are desperate. This is it. Kenya is almost certain to let Farmajo huff and puff and have his usual tantrums. Will it recognize Somaliland? Maybe. But it will choose the time, date and not let Farmajo dictate the pace,” Abdi said in a post on Twitter.
___
Hassan Barise in Mogadishu, Somalia, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--The European Medicines Agency says it has moved up its meeting to review the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

AMSTERDAM ( AP ) - The European Medicines Agency says it has moved up its meeting to review the Pfizer-BioNTech @ @ @ @ @

AMSTERDAM (AP) - The European Medicines Agency says it has moved up its meeting to review the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to Dec. 21.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Police identify man fatally shot in car on Lenox Avenue

PROVIDENCE , R.I. ( AP ) - Providence police have released the name of a man who was shot to @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
Jean Carlos Mercedes , age 27 , was sitting in a car on @ @ @ @ @ when someone opened fire on the car and killed him , police said .
Police @ @ @ @ @ a man who was seen fleeing the scene in a black vehicle .
The department @ @ @ @ @ with information about the killing .

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Providence police have released the name of a man who was shot to death in a car on Friday.
Jean Carlos Mercedes, age 27, was sitting in a car on Lenox Avenue around 2:30 p.m. when someone opened fire on the car and killed him, police said.
Police said they are looking for a man who was seen fleeing the scene in a black vehicle. The department is seeking help from anyone with information about the killing.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Seattle to cover mayor's legal costs from fighting recall

SEATTLE ( AP ) - Seattle will cover the legal costs Mayor Jenny Durkan incurred while fighting a recall petition the state Supreme Court rejected .
The City Council voted 9-0 Monday to pay Durkan ’ s expenses , estimated to be $ 240,000 , The Seattle Times reported .
Recall petitioners earlier this year contended the mayor had violated an oath of office requiring her to maintain peace and order when police were allowed to endanger the public with tear gas and other weapons during protests against police brutality and racism .
The case cleared initial hurdles in King @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state Supreme Court , which described the allegations as “ deeply troubling ” but concluded they were insufficient for recall .
Had the petition been approved by the court and the petitioners collected more than 50,000 signatures , a special election would have been held to allow voters to retain or remove Durkan from office .
A Durkan spokesperson last week said the mayor believes the recall process “ was a terrible use of taxpayer dollars.
” State law directs cities to cover legal expenses for elected officials who face recall petitions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in good faith purporting to perform ” their official duties .
In September , the council voted 7-1 to fund Councilmember Kshama Sawant ’ s legal expenses in her recall case , which is still active .

SEATTLE (AP) - Seattle will cover the legal costs Mayor Jenny Durkan incurred while fighting a recall petition the state Supreme Court rejected.
The City Council voted 9-0 Monday to pay Durkan’s expenses, estimated to be $240,000, The Seattle Times reported.
Recall petitioners earlier this year contended the mayor had violated an oath of office requiring her to maintain peace and order when police were allowed to endanger the public with tear gas and other weapons during protests against police brutality and racism.
The case cleared initial hurdles in King County Superior Court but was rebuffed by the state Supreme Court, which described the allegations as “deeply troubling” but concluded they were insufficient for recall.
Had the petition been approved by the court and the petitioners collected more than 50,000 signatures, a special election would have been held to allow voters to retain or remove Durkan from office.
A Durkan spokesperson last week said the mayor believes the recall process “was a terrible use of taxpayer dollars.”
State law directs cities to cover legal expenses for elected officials who face recall petitions for actions taken while performing “or in good faith purporting to perform” their official duties.
In September, the council voted 7-1 to fund Councilmember Kshama Sawant’s legal expenses in her recall case, which is still active.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Army warns: U.S. homeland bases at risk of 'deliberate and direct attacks'

U.S. Army bases face the real risk of “ deliberate and direct attacks ” from enemies and must implement new strategies to strengthen their defenses , the Army warned Monday in a major new report that painted an alarming picture of the threats that confront military installations at home .
In its 16-page “ Installations Strategy , ” Army leaders said they are operating under the assumption that enemies will directly target bases in the continental U.S .
While the idea that foreign militaries would launch conventional assaults on Army bases on American soil may sound inconceivable in today ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cyberattacks , the fomenting of protests and even the sponsoring of criminal activity by U.S. adversaries are all significant threats in the 21st-century landscape “ The Army anticipates that adversaries will use sophisticated intelligence , surveillance , and reconnaissance ( ISR ) networks to target both military installations and soft targets associated with friendly forces , including private sector organizations , civilian infrastructure , institutional Army and joint targets , communication networks , and service members ’ families , ” the Army strategy reads in part .
“ Increasing access to cyberspace , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass effects dramatically increases both the uncertainty and the risk from adversary operations in the homeland , ” the report continues .
“ In addition to deliberate and directed attacks from adversaries , Army installations exist within a natural environment increasingly characterized by the effects of climate change , extreme weather events , pandemics , and environmental degradation .
Such conditions will require adaption of existing infrastructure.
” The Army strategy includes the basic assumption that “ adversaries will subject continental U.S. homeland , overseas installations , and surrounding communities to anti-access ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means , including but not limited to , cyber attacks , fomenting protests , and criminal activity.
” To combat potential attacks , the Army proposed a four-pronged strategy that relies on both its personnel and on cutting-edge technology .
The report lays out four “ lines of effort ” that the Army says will be critical to its defense : taking care of its people ; strengthening readiness and resilience ; modernizing and innovating at installations across the Army ; and promoting stewardship .
One of the keys , Army officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the world .
“ Deployment of 5G and “ next-Gen ” communications networks must be able to handle massive amounts of data with near real-time production , ” the study says .
“ A resilient and secure communications and network infrastructure is essential to the defense of the homeland against adversarial threats and natural adverse events .
The backbone should enable key military applications such as augmented and virtual reality training , autonomous vehicles , Command and Control ( C2 ) , and remote diagnostics.
” The full Army Installations Strategy can @ @ @ @

U.S. Army bases face the real risk of “deliberate and direct attacks” from enemies and must implement new strategies to strengthen their defenses, the Army warned Monday in a major new report that painted an alarming picture of the threats that confront military installations at home.
In its 16-page “Installations Strategy,” Army leaders said they are operating under the assumption that enemies will directly target bases in the continental U.S.
While the idea that foreign militaries would launch conventional assaults on Army bases on American soil may sound inconceivable in today’s environment, the Pentagon warned that cyberattacks, the fomenting of protests and even the sponsoring of criminal activity by U.S. adversaries are all significant threats in the 21st-century landscape
“The Army anticipates that adversaries will use sophisticated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) networks to target both military installations and soft targets associated with friendly forces, including private sector organizations, civilian infrastructure, institutional Army and joint targets, communication networks, and service members’ families,” the Army strategy reads in part.
“Increasing access to cyberspace, space capabilities, and to weapons of mass effects dramatically increases both the uncertainty and the risk from adversary operations in the homeland,” the report continues. “In addition to deliberate and directed attacks from adversaries, Army installations exist within a natural environment increasingly characterized by the effects of climate change, extreme weather events, pandemics, and environmental degradation. Such conditions will require adaption of existing infrastructure.”
The Army strategy includes the basic assumption that “adversaries will subject continental U.S. homeland, overseas installations, and surrounding communities to anti-access (A2) efforts by conventional and unconventional means, including but not limited to, cyber attacks, fomenting protests, and criminal activity.”
To combat potential attacks, the Army proposed a four-pronged strategy that relies on both its personnel and on cutting-edge technology. The report lays out four “lines of effort” that the Army says will be critical to its defense: taking care of its people; strengthening readiness and resilience; modernizing and innovating at installations across the Army; and promoting stewardship.
One of the keys, Army officials said, will be upgrading technology at bases around the world.
“Deployment of 5G and “next-Gen” communications networks must be able to handle massive amounts of data with near real-time production,” the study says. “A resilient and secure communications and network infrastructure is essential to the defense of the homeland against adversarial threats and natural adverse events. The backbone should enable key military applications such as augmented and virtual reality training, autonomous vehicles, Command and Control (C2), and remote diagnostics.”
The full Army Installations Strategy can be read here.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Workers descend on northern Minnesota to build pipeline

PALISADE , Minn. ( AP ) - More than 4,000 workers are expected in northern Minnesota over the next couple weeks to build the contentious Line 3 oil pipeline replacement .
Opponents of the pipeline have escalated their efforts to block construction , while local law enforcement is focused on keeping the peace .
Construction has ramped up quickly on Line 3 since Enbridge Energy received its final state and federal permits late last month .
So too have the protests of activists determined to stop work on the pipeline , at least until legal challenges can be heard in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Aitkin County , just north of the tiny town of Palisade , construction workers are clearing a wide path through the forest near the Mississippi River to make way for the new pipeline .
Aitkin County Sheriff Dan Guida said he respects the passion that both sides bring to the project .
“ We want the people here to be safe .
We want the people to be heard , we want to support their First Amendment ( rights ) , we want to support their freedom of speech , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guida said .
Line 3 begins in Alberta , Canada , and clips a corner of North Dakota before crossing Minnesota on its way to Enbridge ’ s terminal in Superior , Wisconsin .
The replacement segments in Canada , North Dakota and Wisconsin are already complete , leaving only the 337-mile ( 542-kilometer ) stretch in Minnesota .

PALISADE, Minn. (AP) - More than 4,000 workers are expected in northern Minnesota over the next couple weeks to build the contentious Line 3 oil pipeline replacement.
Opponents of the pipeline have escalated their efforts to block construction, while local law enforcement is focused on keeping the peace. Authorities said 22 protesters were arrested Monday after they blocked equipment and refused orders to disperse, the Star Tribune reported. Most of the arrests were for misdemeanor trespassing on a posted construction site.
Construction has ramped up quickly on Line 3 since Enbridge Energy received its final state and federal permits late last month. So too have the protests of activists determined to stop work on the pipeline, at least until legal challenges can be heard in court, Minnesota Public Radio News reports.
In Aitkin County, just north of the tiny town of Palisade, construction workers are clearing a wide path through the forest near the Mississippi River to make way for the new pipeline.
Aitkin County Sheriff Dan Guida said he respects the passion that both sides bring to the project.
“We want the people here to be safe. We want the people to be heard, we want to support their First Amendment (rights), we want to support their freedom of speech, we want to support all that,” Guida said.
Line 3 begins in Alberta, Canada, and clips a corner of North Dakota before crossing Minnesota on its way to Enbridge’s terminal in Superior, Wisconsin. The replacement segments in Canada, North Dakota and Wisconsin are already complete, leaving only the 337-mile (542-kilometer) stretch in Minnesota.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--4 rescued from burning boat on Alabama coast

MOBILE , Ala. ( AP ) - Four people had to be rescued from a commercial fishing boat after it @ @ @ @ @ coast .
A statement from the U.S. Coast Guard says its Mobile center received a @ @ @ @ @ that a vessel named Alexandria Pearl was on fire about a half-mile south of Fort @ @ @ @ @ of Mobile Bay .
Photos taken by a Coast Guard member show the boat deck @ @ @ @ @ flames .
Two MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews that were conducting training flights nearby were sent @ @ @ @ @ of the helicopters lowered a rescue swimmer and a life raft , and all four @ @ @ @ @ able to get inside .
A Coast Guard rescue boat then took the four to @ @ @ @ @ An investigation will determine what caused the fire .

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - Four people had to be rescued from a commercial fishing boat after it caught fire along the Alabama coast.
A statement from the U.S. Coast Guard says its Mobile center received a report about 6:45 p.m. Monday that a vessel named Alexandria Pearl was on fire about a half-mile south of Fort Morgan, or just outside of Mobile Bay.
Photos taken by a Coast Guard member show the boat deck and wheelhouse completely engulfed in flames.
Two MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews that were conducting training flights nearby were sent to the scene. One of the helicopters lowered a rescue swimmer and a life raft, and all four people aboard the boat were able to get inside.
A Coast Guard rescue boat then took the four to shore for medical evaluations.
An investigation will determine what caused the fire.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Yakima's Astria Regional Medical Center purchased for $20M

YAKIMA , Wash. ( AP ) - A local investment group has completed its purchase of the former Astria Regional Medical Center and the neighboring Astria Medical Office Building .
The $ 20 million acquisition , which closes Tuesday comes nearly two months after the U.S. Bankruptcy Court authorized the sale to Yakima MOBIC LLC , the Yakima Herald-Republic reported .
Tuesday ’ s sale comes as Astria Health works to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by the end of the year .
A hearing for Astria Health ’ s reorganization plan , which it jointly filed with creditor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier , Astria Health attorney Sam Maizel said that sale would help reduce the organization ’ s outstanding secured debt by 20 % .
Astria Regional Medical Center closed in January after Astria Health said it no longer had the financial wherewithal to operate the hospital .
Astria Health has continued to operate hospitals in Toppenish and Sunnyside .
The Medical Office Building , previously known as the Astria Medical Office Plaza , currently houses Astria Health ’ s ambulatory surgery center .
The center will continue operating under a lease agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group plans to maintain health care uses for the hospital and medical office buildings .

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) - A local investment group has completed its purchase of the former Astria Regional Medical Center and the neighboring Astria Medical Office Building.
The $20 million acquisition, which closes Tuesday comes nearly two months after the U.S. Bankruptcy Court authorized the sale to Yakima MOBIC LLC, the Yakima Herald-Republic reported.
Tuesday’s sale comes as Astria Health works to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by the end of the year. A hearing for Astria Health’s reorganization plan, which it jointly filed with creditor Lapis Advisers, is scheduled for Friday.
Earlier, Astria Health attorney Sam Maizel said that sale would help reduce the organization’s outstanding secured debt by 20%.
Astria Regional Medical Center closed in January after Astria Health said it no longer had the financial wherewithal to operate the hospital. Astria Health has continued to operate hospitals in Toppenish and Sunnyside.
The Medical Office Building, previously known as the Astria Medical Office Plaza, currently houses Astria Health’s ambulatory surgery center. The center will continue operating under a lease agreement with the investment group.
The investment group plans to maintain health care uses for the hospital and medical office buildings.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--EU: Thousands of liters of dangerous hand sanitizer seized

BRUSSELS ( AP ) - The European Union ’ s anti-fraud body said almost 140,000 liters of dangerous hand sanitizer have been seized across the region since the start of the coronavirus pandemic .
The European Anti-Fraud Office ( OLAF ) said Tuesday the product originated from Turkey and was contaminated with dangerous levels of methanol , a substance likely to create headaches , blurred vision and that can sometimes lead to blindness when used in hand sanitizers .
OLAF started the operation in August after Danish authorities passed on information relating to the seizure of 6,000 liters of hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then relayed the information to all 27 EU member states and OLAF spotted a suspicious shipment to Ireland at the end of September .
The cargo was stopped in Dublin and analysis confirmed the presence of “ unacceptably high levels of methanol , ” said OLAF , adding that further investigation led to the discovery of other stocks of the same sanitizer , while a second shipment was also contaminated .
The investigation later established that several companies based in the EU had ordered hand sanitizers from the same Turkish manufacturer operating under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic , OLAF has been active in fighting illicit material related to COVID-19 such as counterfeit and substandard face masks , rapid tests , hand sanitizers , ” said OLAF director-general Ville Itälä .
“ These products should protect people , not harm them .
OLAF investigations have detected over 900 companies involved so far , and the list is growing .
”

BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union’s anti-fraud body said almost 140,000 liters of dangerous hand sanitizer have been seized across the region since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) said Tuesday the product originated from Turkey and was contaminated with dangerous levels of methanol, a substance likely to create headaches, blurred vision and that can sometimes lead to blindness when used in hand sanitizers.
OLAF started the operation in August after Danish authorities passed on information relating to the seizure of 6,000 liters of hand sanitizer from Turkey. The anti-fraud body then relayed the information to all 27 EU member states and OLAF spotted a suspicious shipment to Ireland at the end of September.
The cargo was stopped in Dublin and analysis confirmed the presence of “unacceptably high levels of methanol,” said OLAF, adding that further investigation led to the discovery of other stocks of the same sanitizer, while a second shipment was also contaminated.
The investigation later established that several companies based in the EU had ordered hand sanitizers from the same Turkish manufacturer operating under various names.
“Since the onset of the pandemic, OLAF has been active in fighting illicit material related to COVID-19 such as counterfeit and substandard face masks, rapid tests, hand sanitizers,” said OLAF director-general Ville Itälä. “These products should protect people, not harm them. OLAF investigations have detected over 900 companies involved so far, and the list is growing.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Jay-Z's Roc Nation forms book publisher with Random House

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A decade after publishing his memoir “ Decoded , ” Jay-Z is forming a more lasting partnership with the book industry .
Roc Nation , the entertainment company founded by the rapper , is starting an imprint with Random House called Roc Lit 101 .
In a joint announcement Tuesday , Random House and Roc Nation promised “ books at the dynamic intersection of entertainment and genre-defying literature.
” Among the initial releases for next summer : “ Till the End , ” a memoir by the retired pitching star CC Sabathia ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shine Bright , ” a story of Black women in music that combines memoir , criticism and biography .
Future releases will include a book by Meek Mill on “ criminal justice and survival , ” memoirs by rappers Yo Gotti and Fat Joe and fantasy fiction from rapper Lil Uzi Vert , along with everything from cookbooks to children ’ s stories .
Roc Lit 101 will be led by Chris Jackson , the publisher and editor-in-chief of the Random House imprint One World and a recent recipient of a lifetime achievement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jana Fleishman , executive vice president of Roc Nation .
“ Our aspiration for the imprint is to create books that draw from the best of pop culture- its most imaginative and talented storytellers , innovators , and literary chroniclers - to create beautifully written and produced works that will entertain and enthrall readers , but also illuminate critical issues , ” Jackson , who published “ Decoded ” and has worked with Ta-Nehisi Coates and Ibram X. Kendi among others , said in a statement .
Fleishman said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories and we consider it a true privilege to be able to amplify diverse voices while exploring the uncharted worlds that are about to open to us.
” Random House declined comment when asked if Jay-Z himself might publish a book through Roc Lit 101 , or if Beyoncé might publish through the new imprint .

NEW YORK (AP) - A decade after publishing his memoir “Decoded,” Jay-Z is forming a more lasting partnership with the book industry.
Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by the rapper, is starting an imprint with Random House called Roc Lit 101. In a joint announcement Tuesday, Random House and Roc Nation promised “books at the dynamic intersection of entertainment and genre-defying literature.” Among the initial releases for next summer: “Till the End,” a memoir by the retired pitching star CC Sabathia; and music journalist Danyel Smith’s “Shine Bright,” a story of Black women in music that combines memoir, criticism and biography.
Future releases will include a book by Meek Mill on “criminal justice and survival,” memoirs by rappers Yo Gotti and Fat Joe and fantasy fiction from rapper Lil Uzi Vert, along with everything from cookbooks to children’s stories.
Roc Lit 101 will be led by Chris Jackson, the publisher and editor-in-chief of the Random House imprint One World and a recent recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Center for Fiction; and Jana Fleishman, executive vice president of Roc Nation.
“Our aspiration for the imprint is to create books that draw from the best of pop culture- its most imaginative and talented storytellers, innovators, and literary chroniclers - to create beautifully written and produced works that will entertain and enthrall readers, but also illuminate critical issues,” Jackson, who published “Decoded” and has worked with Ta-Nehisi Coates and Ibram X. Kendi among others, said in a statement.
Fleishman said in a statement that “There are so many untold stories and we consider it a true privilege to be able to amplify diverse voices while exploring the uncharted worlds that are about to open to us.”
Random House declined comment when asked if Jay-Z himself might publish a book through Roc Lit 101, or if Beyoncé might publish through the new imprint.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Grand jury indicts man accused of killing NC police officer

GASTONIA , N.C. ( AP ) - A grand jury in North Carolina has indicted a man accused of fatally @ @ @ @ @ was responding to a call .
The Gaston County grand jury returned the indictment against @ @ @ @ @ to listen to witness testimonies on Monday , Gaston Superior Court Clerk Roxann Rankin told @ @ @ @ @ , 24 , had been charged with murder for the death of Mount Holly police @ @ @ @ @ officer was shot while responding to a breaking and entering call early Friday and taken @ @ @ @ @ he later died .
Monday ’ s indictment indicates that the grand jury thinks there @ @ @ @ @ trial , Rankin said .
That will happen when the courts resume activities that have @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
Funk ’ s first court appearance will be on Friday , Rankin @ @ @ @ @ was held for Herndon on Sunday .
His funeral service will be held at First @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .

GASTONIA, N.C. (AP) - A grand jury in North Carolina has indicted a man accused of fatally shooting a police officer who was responding to a call.
The Gaston County grand jury returned the indictment against Joshua Tyler Funk after meeting to listen to witness testimonies on Monday, Gaston Superior Court Clerk Roxann Rankin told The Charlotte Observer.
Funk, 24, had been charged with murder for the death of Mount Holly police officer Tyler Herndon. The officer was shot while responding to a breaking and entering call early Friday and taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Monday’s indictment indicates that the grand jury thinks there is enough evidence for a trial, Rankin said. That will happen when the courts resume activities that have been paused due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Funk’s first court appearance will be on Friday, Rankin said.
A candlelight vigil was held for Herndon on Sunday. His funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church in Kings Mountain on Tuesday.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Family members who own Purdue to appear before Congress

Two members of the Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma agreed to appear this week before a congressional committee investigating the family and the company ’ s role in the national opioid addiction and overdose epidemic .
Thursday ’ s hearing before the House Oversight Committee will be the first time in years that any member of the wealthy family would take questions in public from an official body , and could be a watershed moment in the long legal and political battles over the opioid crisis , which has been linked to 470,000 deaths in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then canceled a hearing earlier this month after family members would not commit to appearing .
But last week , Rep. Carolyn Maloney , the New York Democrat who chairs the committee , announced it was on again and wrote a scathing letter to their lawyers .
“ Your clients have not agreed to testify at a hearing before the Committee at any time - ever .
As a result , it appears that your clients are not engaging in this process in good faith , ” Maloney wrote , threatening to issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ultimately , family members worked out a deal .
David Sackler , who served on the Purdue board from 2012 until 2018 , and Kathe Sackler , who served on it from 1990 until 2018 , when family members exited the board , are scheduled to appear at the hearing , which will be conducted by video conference because of coronavirus pandemic precautions .
Company CEO Craig Landau has also agreed to participate .
In a statement , Purdue said it is committed to addressing the opioid crisis through its proposed settlement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billions of dollars to communities , addiction treatment , overdose reversal medications and other measures .
A representative for Kathe Sackler declined to comment .
One for David Sackler did not return a message .
Members of the family have been cast by activists and officials as prime villains in the country ’ s opioid crisis who need to be held accountable for seeking profits from drugs that were leading to addictions and overdoses .
Purdue , based in Stamford , Connecticut , is owned by the descendants of Raymond and Mortimer Sackler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1950s along with a third brother , Arthur , who pioneered pharmaceutical advertising and became wealthy partly by promoting Valium , another addictive drug .
By the time OxyContin was launched in the 1990s , Arthur Sackler ’ s family had sold out their share in Purdue .
His descendants emphasize that they have not profited from OxyContin .
Purdue started selling OxyContin , a time-release version of oxycodone , in 1996 , and it became a pharmaceutical blockbuster used to treat a variety of types of pain .
Its sales were fueled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that unlike other opioids , it had a low incidence of addiction .
But that message , pushed by doctors who were paid speaking fees and pain patient advocacy groups funded by Purdue and other pharmaceutical companies , was not true .
The company and the family have been under scrutiny for decades .
The company and three of its executives pleaded guilty in 2007 to misleading the public about OxyContin ’ s risk of addiction and paid $ 635 million in fines .
Sales continued after that .
So did overdoses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then have been linked to heroin and illicit fentanyl rather than prescription opioids .
The industry has faced a legal reckoning in recent years .
Purdue and a host of drugmakers , distributors and pharmacy chains have been sued by nearly 3,000 state and local governments .
Members of the Sackler family are named as defendants in many of them .
According to a court filing last year , they made between $ 12 billion and $ 13 billion from the company before taxes .
Last year , Purdue entered a tentative settlement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through bankruptcy court .
The deal calls for the family to give up ownership of Purdue , which would be turned into a public benefit corporation with its proceeds going to combat the addiction crisis .
Under the deal , family members would also pay at least $ 3 billion in cash over time .
Most Democratic state attorneys general oppose the settlement , saying they want more accountability for Sackler family members .
Last month , the company pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges as part of a deal to settle claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not result in criminal claims against Sackler family members , but left open the possibility that some could be brought .

Two members of the Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma agreed to appear this week before a congressional committee investigating the family and the company’s role in the national opioid addiction and overdose epidemic.
Thursday’s hearing before the House Oversight Committee will be the first time in years that any member of the wealthy family would take questions in public from an official body, and could be a watershed moment in the long legal and political battles over the opioid crisis, which has been linked to 470,000 deaths in the U.S. since 2000.
The committee scheduled and then canceled a hearing earlier this month after family members would not commit to appearing. But last week, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, the New York Democrat who chairs the committee, announced it was on again and wrote a scathing letter to their lawyers.
“Your clients have not agreed to testify at a hearing before the Committee at any time - ever. As a result, it appears that your clients are not engaging in this process in good faith,” Maloney wrote, threatening to issue subpoenas that would force them to appear.
Ultimately, family members worked out a deal. David Sackler, who served on the Purdue board from 2012 until 2018, and Kathe Sackler, who served on it from 1990 until 2018, when family members exited the board, are scheduled to appear at the hearing, which will be conducted by video conference because of coronavirus pandemic precautions. Company CEO Craig Landau has also agreed to participate.
In a statement, Purdue said it is committed to addressing the opioid crisis through its proposed settlement in bankruptcy court, which would provide billions of dollars to communities, addiction treatment, overdose reversal medications and other measures. A representative for Kathe Sackler declined to comment. One for David Sackler did not return a message.
Members of the family have been cast by activists and officials as prime villains in the country’s opioid crisis who need to be held accountable for seeking profits from drugs that were leading to addictions and overdoses.
Purdue, based in Stamford, Connecticut, is owned by the descendants of Raymond and Mortimer Sackler. They bought the company in the 1950s along with a third brother, Arthur, who pioneered pharmaceutical advertising and became wealthy partly by promoting Valium, another addictive drug.
By the time OxyContin was launched in the 1990s, Arthur Sackler’s family had sold out their share in Purdue. His descendants emphasize that they have not profited from OxyContin.
Purdue started selling OxyContin, a time-release version of oxycodone, in 1996, and it became a pharmaceutical blockbuster used to treat a variety of types of pain. Its sales were fueled by a years-long campaign to persuade doctors that unlike other opioids, it had a low incidence of addiction.
But that message, pushed by doctors who were paid speaking fees and pain patient advocacy groups funded by Purdue and other pharmaceutical companies, was not true.
The company and the family have been under scrutiny for decades. The company and three of its executives pleaded guilty in 2007 to misleading the public about OxyContin’s risk of addiction and paid $635 million in fines.
Sales continued after that. So did overdoses, though the majority of opioid deaths since then have been linked to heroin and illicit fentanyl rather than prescription opioids.
The industry has faced a legal reckoning in recent years. Purdue and a host of drugmakers, distributors and pharmacy chains have been sued by nearly 3,000 state and local governments.
Members of the Sackler family are named as defendants in many of them. According to a court filing last year, they made between $12 billion and $13 billion from the company before taxes.
Last year, Purdue entered a tentative settlement and has been trying to complete it through bankruptcy court. The deal calls for the family to give up ownership of Purdue, which would be turned into a public benefit corporation with its proceeds going to combat the addiction crisis.
Under the deal, family members would also pay at least $3 billion in cash over time. Most Democratic state attorneys general oppose the settlement, saying they want more accountability for Sackler family members.
Last month, the company pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges as part of a deal to settle claims with the federal government. The agreement did not result in criminal claims against Sackler family members, but left open the possibility that some could be brought.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--French PM suggests that kids be taken out of school early

PARIS ( AP ) - The French prime minister has suggested that parents concerned about the welfare of vulnerable relatives take their children out of school from Thursday , to begin an eight-day period of protective confinement before Christmas family gatherings .
Jean Castex ’ s comments were made briefly on Europe-1 radio Tuesday morning , but they have already set off a wave of nationwide plan-changing and lengthy discussions over breakfast croissants on the risks of the holiday season .
“ My step-daughter Soizic was coming over for a Christmas evening this week , but after the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going into isolation from Thursday , to be able to see her 85-year-old grandmother in Nice , ” said Paris resident Eve Jackson .
“ She now won ’ t see her father over the holidays .
The pandemic is forcing us to make hard choices about who to see , or who to protect.
” Jackson said that 10-year-old Soizic ’ s two half-siblings will be “ disappointed ” not to see their half-sister , and the new arrangement has upended plans .
Soizic ’ s mother is able to work from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of school .
Others find themselves in a different situation .
Brittany resident Fabien Fournier , 43 , said that he and his wife are not able to work from home to look after their 6-year-old daughter Lola .
“ It ’ s a good thing if families can self-isolate , but there ’ s already been so much disruption this year with school , it sounds like a nightmare for parents who can ’ t work remotely , ” he said .
From spring this year , owing to the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks or months , depending on the age group .
Even after re-opening , dozens around the country were temporarily shut again following COVID-19 outbreaks .
The government chief said that in order to protect the elderly and vulnerable the approach of self-confinement is being encouraged , rather than automated virus testing , which will clog up health clinics and pharmacies .
But Fournier suggested that confinement is a luxury some could not afford .
“ Childcare is difficult to find , and expensive .
For people who do not have childcare solutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best option.
” France on Tuesday is lifting a lockdown imposed on Oct. 28 , but strict measures are still in place as infections are still high .
There will be a nationwide curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. , which will be lifted on Christmas Eve but not on New Year ’ s Eve .
Theaters and cinemas will remain shut , as will bars and restaurants .

PARIS (AP) - The French prime minister has suggested that parents concerned about the welfare of vulnerable relatives take their children out of school from Thursday, to begin an eight-day period of protective confinement before Christmas family gatherings.
Jean Castex’s comments were made briefly on Europe-1 radio Tuesday morning, but they have already set off a wave of nationwide plan-changing and lengthy discussions over breakfast croissants on the risks of the holiday season.
“My step-daughter Soizic was coming over for a Christmas evening this week, but after the prime minister’s comments she will now be going into isolation from Thursday, to be able to see her 85-year-old grandmother in Nice,” said Paris resident Eve Jackson.
“She now won’t see her father over the holidays. The pandemic is forcing us to make hard choices about who to see, or who to protect.”
Jackson said that 10-year-old Soizic’s two half-siblings will be “disappointed” not to see their half-sister, and the new arrangement has upended plans. Soizic’s mother is able to work from home, enabling her to be taken out of school.
Others find themselves in a different situation.
Brittany resident Fabien Fournier, 43, said that he and his wife are not able to work from home to look after their 6-year-old daughter Lola.
“It’s a good thing if families can self-isolate, but there’s already been so much disruption this year with school, it sounds like a nightmare for parents who can’t work remotely,” he said.
From spring this year, owing to the pandemic, French schools were shuttered for several weeks or months, depending on the age group. Even after re-opening, dozens around the country were temporarily shut again following COVID-19 outbreaks.
The government chief said that in order to protect the elderly and vulnerable the approach of self-confinement is being encouraged, rather than automated virus testing, which will clog up health clinics and pharmacies.
But Fournier suggested that confinement is a luxury some could not afford.
“Childcare is difficult to find, and expensive. For people who do not have childcare solutions, automated tests would seem to be the best option.”
France on Tuesday is lifting a lockdown imposed on Oct. 28, but strict measures are still in place as infections are still high. There will be a nationwide curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., which will be lifted on Christmas Eve but not on New Year’s Eve. Theaters and cinemas will remain shut, as will bars and restaurants.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Church vandalism exposes divisions over faith and politics

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Vandalism at four downtown Washington churches after rallies in support of President Donald Trump are exposing rifts among people of faith as the nation confronts bitter post-election political divisions .
Among the damaged houses of worship were two historically Black churches where people ripped down Black Lives Matter banners , with video posted to social media showing one banner being burned .
Those defacements – which are being investigated as possible hate crimes , according to the police – raised questions among some clergy and churchgoers about why more fellow Christians were not speaking out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Ianther Mills , senior pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church , issued a statement Sunday likening the torched banner to a cross burning and said Monday that she hopes more evangelical Christians condemn the destruction .
Mills also underscored that she didn ’ t “ want to make this into a political statement ” and said her intention was to “ move us all to greater healing and to more of a commitment to building a beloved community where all are welcome.
” The church plans a Thursday prayer service to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The nearby Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church reported that vandals slashed a banner printed with colors supporting LGBTQ rights and rejecting “ acts of hate or violence ” against others , pastor Donna Claycomb Sokol said .
She added that the episode at her church was “ incredibly minor compared with what happened to our neighbors ” and urged that attention be paid to the damage at Asbury and Metropolitan A.M.E. Church , both historically Black institutions .
“ People need to denounce it and call it an act of racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ People who have been really quick to be silent need to wrestle with what actually took place on our streets on Saturday , and how silence can actually be a sign of support , of complicity.
” The tearing down of Black Lives Matter signs came after pro-Trump demonstrations in the capital that attracted a sizable number of Proud Boys , a neo-fascist group prone to violent encounters .
The protests were planned to bolster the president ’ s claims of election irregularities , although the absence of widespread election fraud has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide , including Attorney General William Barr .
Police in Washington are seeking public help in identifying suspects in the defacements , with the FBI ’ s Washington field office also offering a reward for those who aid the investigation .
Some members of the affected churches noted the contrast between the vocal Christian response to property destruction during protests against racial injustice this summer and the comparatively quieter pushback now .
“ When evangelicals can speak on behalf of unborn babies , can speak on behalf of law and order when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but are silent when it comes to banners that proclaim ‘ Black lives matter , ’ the moral silence is stupefying , ” said Cornell William Brooks , former president of the NAACP and a member of Metropolitan A.M.E. “ We ’ ve gone from having to say ‘ Black lives matter ’ to now having to say ‘ Black churches matter , ’ ” added Brooks , a professor at Harvard University ’ s Kennedy School graduate program .
The Episcopal bishop of Washington , who criticized Trump during the summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were forcibly cleared in order for him to stage a visit to a fire-damaged church , issued a statement Monday with the dean of the Washington National Cathedral decrying the recent church vandalism as well as “ the racist and religious overtones surrounding the effort to discredit the presidential election.
” One pro-Trump rally on Saturday counted several religious conservatives as headliners .
Some pro-Trump conservative evangelicals criticized the church vandalism , while describing it as part of a broader trend that has marked a year of heightened political tensions .
Johnnie Moore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leaders and an evangelical adviser to the administration , said that “ we must put extremists on the far right and the far left on notice that these acts stop now.
” “ Whether it ’ s synagogues in Portland , Los Angeles , or Kenosha , a Catholic shrine in Southern California , or historic - especially historically Black - churches in Washington , D.C. - America ’ s places of worship must never be targeted in any form , whatsoever , by violent extremists , ” Moore said by email .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ evangelical leader who has advised Trump , said in a statement that “ there is quite a difference between a movement driven by righteousness and justice , truth and love , and a movement driven by chaos , describing attacks on houses of worship as “ a clear , unbridled depiction of the true agenda behind many of these so-called ‘ movements.
’ ” While stopping short of fully acknowledging Trump ’ s election loss , several top evangelical conservatives have refrained from echoing the harsh rhetoric that the president directed toward President-elect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House spokesman Judd Deere said by email that “ President Trump condemns violence in all forms and any group that expounds hate and bigotry.
” Cameron French , a Biden-Harris transition official said in a statement that places of worship are sacred spaces and protected under the law and “ acts that target these places because of their views , are unacceptable and undermine our work to build a more perfect union.
” Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is @ @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON (AP) - Vandalism at four downtown Washington churches after rallies in support of President Donald Trump is exposing rifts among people of faith as the nation confronts bitter post-election political divisions.
Among the damaged houses of worship were two historically Black churches where people ripped down Black Lives Matter banners, with video posted to social media showing one banner being burned. Those defacements – which are being investigated as possible hate crimes, according to the police – raised questions among some clergy and churchgoers about why more fellow Christians were not speaking out against the incidents.
The Rev. Dr. Ianther Mills, senior pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church, issued a statement Sunday likening the torched banner to a cross burning and said Monday that she hopes more evangelical Christians condemn the destruction.
Mills also underscored that she didn’t “want to make this into a political statement” and said her intention was to “move us all to greater healing and to more of a commitment to building a beloved community where all are welcome.” The church plans a Thursday prayer service to help foster unity and healing, she said.
The nearby Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church reported that vandals slashed a banner printed with colors supporting LGBTQ rights and rejecting “acts of hate or violence” against others, pastor Donna Claycomb Sokol said.
She added that the episode at her church was “incredibly minor compared with what happened to our neighbors” and urged that attention be paid to the damage at Asbury and Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, both historically Black institutions.
“People need to denounce it and call it an act of racial violence,” Claycomb Sokol said. “People who have been really quick to be silent need to wrestle with what actually took place on our streets on Saturday, and how silence can actually be a sign of support, of complicity.”
The tearing down of Black Lives Matter signs came after pro-Trump demonstrations in the capital that attracted a sizable number of Proud Boys, a neo-fascist group prone to violent encounters. The protests were planned to bolster the president’s claims of election irregularities, although the absence of widespread election fraud has been confirmed by a range of officials nationwide, including Attorney General William Barr.
Police in Washington are seeking public help in identifying suspects in the defacements, with the FBI’s Washington field office also offering a reward for those who aid the investigation.
The Rev. William H. Lamar IV, pastor at Metropolitan A.M.E., said in an interview that he saw not division but two separate faiths, contrasting his own beliefs with that of conservative evangelicals whose faith “clearly buttresses the status quo.”
“Their faith is not my faith and is not the faith of my ancestors,” Lamar said in an interview.
Some members of the affected churches noted the contrast between the vocal Christian response to property destruction during protests against racial injustice this summer and the comparatively quieter pushback now.
“When evangelicals can speak on behalf of unborn babies, can speak on behalf of law and order when it comes to white people and white property, but are silent when it comes to banners that proclaim ‘Black lives matter,’ the moral silence is stupefying,” said Cornell William Brooks, former president of the NAACP and a member of Metropolitan A.M.E.
“We’ve gone from having to say ‘Black lives matter’ to now having to say ‘Black churches matter,’” added Brooks, a professor at Harvard University’s Kennedy School graduate program.
The Episcopal bishop of Washington, who criticized Trump during the summer’s racial inequality protests after protesters were forcibly cleared in order for him to stage a visit to a fire-damaged church, issued a statement Monday with the dean of the Washington National Cathedral decrying the recent church vandalism as well as “the racist and religious overtones surrounding the effort to discredit the presidential election.” One pro-Trump rally on Saturday counted several religious conservatives as headliners.
Some pro-Trump conservative evangelicals criticized the church vandalism, while describing it as part of a broader trend that has marked a year of heightened political tensions.
Johnnie Moore, president of The Congress of Christian Leaders and an evangelical adviser to the administration, said that “we must put extremists on the far right and the far left on notice that these acts stop now.”
“Whether it’s synagogues in Portland, Los Angeles, or Kenosha, a Catholic shrine in Southern California, or historic - especially historically Black - churches in Washington, D.C. - America’s places of worship must never be targeted in any form, whatsoever, by violent extremists,” Moore said by email.
The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, an evangelical leader who has advised Trump, said in a statement that “there is quite a difference between a movement driven by righteousness and justice, truth and love, and a movement driven by chaos, describing attacks on houses of worship as “a clear, unbridled depiction of the true agenda behind many of these so-called ‘movements.’”
While stopping short of fully acknowledging Trump’s election loss, several top evangelical conservatives have refrained from echoing the harsh rhetoric that the president directed toward President-elect Joe Biden during the hard-fought campaign.
White House spokesman Judd Deere said by email that “President Trump condemns violence in all forms and any group that expounds hate and bigotry.”
Cameron French, a Biden-Harris transition official said in a statement that places of worship are sacred spaces and protected under the law and “acts that target these places because of their views, are unacceptable and undermine our work to build a more perfect union.”
___
Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for this content.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Sentencing set for Ohio man who claimed to be missing child

CINCINNATI ( AP ) - A federal judge plans to complete sentencing Tuesday afternoon for an Ohio man who falsely claimed to be a long-missing Illinois child .
Brian Michael Rini , now 25 , was initially sentenced earlier this year to two years behind bars .
But the judge wanted to see results of a pre-sentencing investigation , likely including details of Rini ’ s mental and physical conditions , before officially entering his sentence .
Court records show the deadline for the investigation was extended repeatedly during the pandemic .
Rini , of Medina , Ohio , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft .
Rini signed a court document admitting that he claimed he was Timmothy Pitzen , an Aurora , Illinois , boy who disappeared at age 6 in 2011 .
Rini had shown up in northern Kentucky claiming to be Pitzen .
He told authorities he had just escaped captors who sexually and physically abused him for years .
Confronted with DNA results proving he wasn ’ t Pitzen , Rini said he had watched a story about Timmothy on ABC ’ s “ 20/20 ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own family , the FBI said .
Rini ’ s DNA was already on file because of his criminal record .
He served time for burglary and vandalism .
He twice portrayed himself in Ohio as a juvenile victim of sex trafficking , and in each case was identified after being fingerprinted , authorities have said .

CINCINNATI (AP) - A federal judge Tuesday sentenced an apologetic Ohio man to two years behind bars and one year of probation for falsely claiming to be a long-missing Illinois child.
Brian Michael Rini, now 25, said he was sorry during the video hearing before U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett made his sentence official.
“I wish that I could just take it back,” Rini said. “I am sorry to the family.”
Kyle Healey, an assistant U.S. attorney, admonished Rini for causing “unnecessary pain” by raising false hope for relatives of Timmothy Pitzen, an Aurora, Illinois, boy who disappeared at age 6 in 2011.
“He needs to understand that when he tells lies like this, it does cause damage,” Healey said. “It hurts people, it hurts their families, and it takes law enforcement away from their very serious job of helping children who have been sex trafficked.”
Rini, who will get credit for time served, had shown up in northern Kentucky in early April 2019 claiming to be Pitzen. He told authorities he had just escaped captors who sexually and physically abused him for years.
Confronted with DNA results proving he wasn’t Pitzen, Rini said he had watched a story about the missing boy on ABC’s “20/20” and wanted to get away from his own family, the FBI said.
Rini’s DNA was already on file because of his criminal record. He served time for burglary and vandalism.
Barrett told Rini earlier this year he faced a mandatory two-year sentence, but the judge wanted to see results of a presentencing investigation before entering his sentence. Rini will be released on probation in less than four months.
The judge said Rini should receive mental health treatment and counseling, have no contact with the missing boy’s family, and can’t have drugs or guns.
Rini earlier pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors dismissed two other charges.
He twice portrayed himself in Ohio as a juvenile victim of sex trafficking, and in each case was identified after being fingerprinted, authorities have said.
___
Follow Dan Sewell at https://www.twitter.com/dansewell.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Inslee unveils climate proposals ahead of full budget plan

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee on Tuesday announced several climate related proposals for the next legislative session , including fully reinstating a plan to cap carbon pollution in the state .
“ We can fight climate change and we can create good paying jobs by transitioning to a cleaner energy economy , ” Inslee said at a news conference announcing his plan .
“ We know these actions are required now .
We can not kick this can down the road anymore.
” In January , the state Supreme Court ruled that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not apply to companies that sell or distribute petroleum or natural gas because they don ’ t make their own emissions - other people burn the fuel they provide .
The Department of Ecology only has the authority to regulate “ actual emitters , ” like refineries , power plants , factories and other big polluters .
But about three-quarters of the emissions that would have been covered by the rule came indirectly from petroleum and natural gas importers and sellers .
Under his plan , announced as part of a weeklong budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12.6 million to implement a bill called the “ Climate Commitment Act.
” In addition to the cap on greenhouse gas emissions , the bill would authorize the state Department of Ecology to implement a program for industries to comply through the sale , tracking and accounting of greenhouse gas credits .
Proceeds from those will go toward funding projects focused on transportation and clean energy .
Inslee is also seeking a measure that would require fuel producers and importers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with gasoline and other transportation fuels .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Legislature , would create a clean fuels program similar to ones in British Columbia , California and Oregon .
It would require fuel producers to reduce the carbon emissions associated with their products by 10 percent by 2028 and 20 percent by 2035 .
The plan also expands the effort to transition the state ’ s 21-vessel ferry system from diesel to electric .
Last year , one vessel was converted to electric .
A second conversion has already been authorized , and the funding is also in place for construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s plan for the next two year budget would fund that second conversion , as well as construction of a second new electric ferry and funding to build three charging stations .
The cost over the four years would be $ 318 million , with about $ 190 being spent in the next two year budget cycle .
Inslee ’ s climate proposal also looks to do the following : -Allocate $ 3.25 million to coordinate with Oregon and British Columbia on a ultra-high-speed rail corridor .
-Require new buildings to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to eliminate fossil fuels from existing buildings by 2050 .
He also allocates $ 55 million to weatherize and support energy efficiency investments for 7,000 low-income homes ; $ 66 million to retrofit more than 200 public buildings ; and $ 20 million to shift from fossil fuels like gas to high-efficiency electric heat pumps and other electric equipment .
- A focus on communities most impacted by climate change , including the creation of a permanent environmental justice and equity advisory panel .
-Spend $ 100 million on clean energy projects , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lenders who provide loans for clean-energy upgrades and research and development for new clean energy technology .
Inslee , who was elected to a third term last month , is releasing his state budget this week in several stages throughout the week .
The Democratic-controlled House and Senate will each present their own budget proposals during the 105-day legislative session that begins Jan. 11 .

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday announced several climate related proposals for the next legislative session, including fully reinstating a plan to cap carbon pollution in the state.
“We can fight climate change and we can create good paying jobs by transitioning to a cleaner energy economy,” Inslee said at a news conference announcing his plan. “We know these actions are required now. We cannot kick this can down the road anymore.”
In January, the state Supreme Court ruled that the state’s Clean Air Rule cannot apply to companies that sell or distribute petroleum or natural gas because they don’t make their own emissions - other people burn the fuel they provide. The Department of Ecology only has the authority to regulate “actual emitters,” like refineries, power plants, factories and other big polluters. But about three-quarters of the emissions that would have been covered by the rule came indirectly from petroleum and natural gas importers and sellers.
Under his plan, announced as part of a weeklong budget rollout, his budget would include $12.6 million to implement a bill called the “Climate Commitment Act.” In addition to the cap on greenhouse gas emissions, the bill would authorize the state Department of Ecology to implement a program for industries to comply through the sale, tracking and accounting of greenhouse gas credits. Proceeds from those will go toward funding projects focused on transportation and clean energy.
Inslee is also seeking a measure that would require fuel producers and importers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with gasoline and other transportation fuels. That effort, which has previously stalled in the Legislature, would create a clean fuels program similar to ones in British Columbia, California and Oregon. It would require fuel producers to reduce the carbon emissions associated with their products by 10 percent by 2028 and 20 percent by 2035.
The plan also expands the effort to transition the state’s 21-vessel ferry system from diesel to electric. Last year, one vessel was converted to electric. A second conversion has already been authorized, and the funding is also in place for construction of a new 144-car vessel. Inslee’s plan for the next two year budget would fund that second conversion, as well as construction of a second new electric ferry and funding to build three charging stations. The cost over the four years would be $318 million, with about $190 being spent in the next two year budget cycle.
Inslee’s climate proposal also looks to do the following:
-Allocate $3.25 million to coordinate with Oregon and British Columbia on a ultra-high-speed rail corridor.
-Require new buildings to be zero-carbon by 2030, with a goal to eliminate fossil fuels from existing buildings by 2050. He also allocates $55 million to weatherize and support energy efficiency investments for 7,000 low-income homes; $66 million to retrofit more than 200 public buildings; and $20 million to shift from fossil fuels like gas to high-efficiency electric heat pumps and other electric equipment.
- A focus on communities most impacted by climate change, including the creation of a permanent environmental justice and equity advisory panel.
-Spend $100 million on clean energy projects, including grid modernization, grants to nonprofit lenders who provide loans for clean-energy upgrades and research and development for new clean energy technology.
Inslee, who was elected to a third term last month, is releasing his state budget this week in several stages throughout the week. The Democratic-controlled House and Senate will each present their own budget proposals during the 105-day legislative session that begins Jan. 11.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--California officer charged with accepting $128K in bribes

SANTA ANA , Calif. ( AP ) - Federal prosecutors charged a Southern California police officer Tuesday with accepting $ 128,000 in bribes and expect he will plead guilty in the next few weeks , officials said .
Steven Lopez , 28 , of Chino , is currently on administrative leave from the Santa Ana Police Department , where he has worked since April 2016 .
His peace officer powers have been suspended , according to the police department .
In some instances , Lopez was on-duty - wearing his police uniform and driving a marked police car - when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors said .
At least once , the handoff was completed on the top floor of a parking garage across the street from Santa Ana police headquarters .
In documents filed Tuesday in federal court , Lopez agreed to plead guilty to one count of bribery .
He faces up to 10 years in prison for taking the bribes from a “ crime figure ” who was only named “ Co-Schemer 1 ” in the plea agreement .
His court appearance to plead guilty has not yet been scheduled .
“ Mr .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a first step in making amends for the harm that he knows he caused to law enforcement , ” Lopez ‘ s attorney , Brian Gurwitz said in a statement .
“ His conduct was the result of serious personal issues that he is addressing.
” Between August 2019 and last month , Lopez accepted - and sometimes solicited - bribes from the person , who wanted to stop law enforcement from policing his illegally operating businesses .
Lopez , in exchange for the money , agreed to prevent or stop compliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as efforts to shut down or search them , according to the plea agreement .
The Santa Ana Police Department was notified of the FBI ’ s investigation into Lopez in October , the department said Tuesday in a news release .
An internal affairs investigation has been launched as well .
“ The allegations against this officer tear at the core of what our industry represents and erodes the public trust we work so hard to uphold and maintain , ” Chief David Valentin said in the release , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by Lopez ‘ s actions .

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - Federal prosecutors charged a Southern California police officer Tuesday with accepting $128,000 in bribes and expect he will plead guilty in the next few weeks, officials said.
Steven Lopez, 28, of Chino, is currently on administrative leave from the Santa Ana Police Department, where he has worked since April 2016. His peace officer powers have been suspended, according to the police department.
In some instances, Lopez was on-duty - wearing his police uniform and driving a marked police car - when he would pick up the bribes, prosecutors said. At least once, the handoff was completed on the top floor of a parking garage across the street from Santa Ana police headquarters.
In documents filed Tuesday in federal court, Lopez agreed to plead guilty to one count of bribery. He faces up to 10 years in prison for taking the bribes from a “crime figure” who was only named “Co-Schemer 1” in the plea agreement. His court appearance to plead guilty has not yet been scheduled.
“Mr. Lopez’s decision to plead guilty was a first step in making amends for the harm that he knows he caused to law enforcement,” Lopez’s attorney, Brian Gurwitz said in a statement. “His conduct was the result of serious personal issues that he is addressing.”
Between August 2019 and last month, Lopez accepted - and sometimes solicited - bribes from the person, who wanted to stop law enforcement from policing his illegally operating businesses.
Lopez, in exchange for the money, agreed to prevent or stop compliance checks at the person’s businesses, as well as efforts to shut down or search them, according to the plea agreement.
The Santa Ana Police Department was notified of the FBI’s investigation into Lopez in October, the department said Tuesday in a news release. An internal affairs investigation has been launched as well.
“The allegations against this officer tear at the core of what our industry represents and erodes the public trust we work so hard to uphold and maintain,” Chief David Valentin said in the release, saying he was “disappointed and angered” by Lopez’s actions.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Tyson plant in Storm Lake sued over worker's COVID-19 death

STORM LAKE , Iowa ( AP ) - The family of a man who died from COVID-19 while working at a Tyson pork plant in Storm Lake has filed a lawsuit accusing the company and several plant executives of gross negligence .
Michael Everhard , 65 , of Fonda , died June 18 , three weeks after being diagnosed with the virus .
His family contends he caught the virus at the plant , where he worked for 27 years , The Sioux City Journal reported .
The lawsuit argues Tyson and its managers required Everhard to continue working in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and didn ’ t implement safety precautions to protect him and other workers from contracting the virus , Storm Lake attorney Willis Hamilton said in the lawsuit , filed Friday in Buena Vista County District Court .
Everhard ’ s three children are seeking an unspecified amount of damages from the company .
A Tyson spokeswoman defended the company ’ s efforts to protect its workers from the virus .
“ Our top priority is the health and safety of our workers , and we ’ ve implemented a host of protective measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC and OSHA guidance for preventing COVID-19 , ” spokeswoman Liz Croston said in an email

STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) - The family of a man who died from COVID-19 while working at a Tyson pork plant in Storm Lake has filed a lawsuit accusing the company and several plant executives of gross negligence.
Michael Everhard, 65, of Fonda, died June 18, three weeks after being diagnosed with the virus. His family contends he caught the virus at the plant, where he worked for 27 years, The Sioux City Journal reported.
The lawsuit argues Tyson and its managers required Everhard to continue working in an environment “rife with coronavirus” and didn’t implement safety precautions to protect him and other workers from contracting the virus, Storm Lake attorney Willis Hamilton said in the lawsuit, filed Friday in Buena Vista County District Court.
Everhard’s three children are seeking an unspecified amount of damages from the company.
A Tyson spokeswoman defended the company’s efforts to protect its workers from the virus.
“Our top priority is the health and safety of our workers, and we’ve implemented a host of protective measures at our facilities that meet or exceed CDC and OSHA guidance for preventing COVID-19,” spokeswoman Liz Croston said in an email


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Turning the page? Republicans acknowledge Biden's victory

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - More than a month after the election , top Republicans finally acknowledged Joe Biden as the next U.S. president on Tuesday , a collapse in GOP resistance to the millions of voters who decisively chose the Democrat .
Foreign leaders joined the parade , too , including Russia ’ s Vladimir Putin .
Speaking from the floor of the U.S. Senate where Biden spent 36 years of his career , Majority Leader Mitch McConnell congratulated his former colleague as president-elect .
The two men spoke later in the day .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his likely successor in the new administration , Antony Blinken .
And GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina , one of President Donald Trump ‘ s closest allies , said he ’ d spoken with some of Biden ’ s Cabinet picks .
A similar shift unfolded in capitals across the world , where leaders including Russia ’ s Putin and Mexico ’ s Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador acknowledged Biden ‘ s win .
The moves come a day after electors nationwide formally cast votes affirming Biden ‘ s victory in last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while that clears a more stable path for Biden to assume the presidency , it does little to stop Trump from continuing to try to undermine confidence in the results with baseless allegations that have been rejected by judges across political spectrum .
As Republicans began discussing a Biden presidency more openly on Tuesday , Trump still pledged to press forward with almost nonexistent legal options .
“ Tremendous evidence pouring in on voter fraud .
There has never been anything like this in our Country !
” Trump tweeted just as members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ s victory .
The growing acknowledgement of reality in Washington was triggered by the Electoral College formally voting on Monday to seal Biden ’ s win with 306 votes to Trump ‘ s 232 , the same margin that Trump pulled together four years ago .
The normally humdrum political ceremony didn ’ t change the facts of the election , but was nonetheless used as political cover by leading Republicans .
“ Many of us had hoped the presidential election would yield a different result , ” McConnell said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processes to determine who will be sworn in on Jan. 20 .
The Electoral College has spoken.
” The bureaucratic transition from Trump ’ s government to Biden ’ s actually began weeks ago , despite the president ’ s legal challenges .
Still , the suddenly conciliatory stance from many Republicans could thaw the political deep freeze that has gripped Washington lately .
Biden has been trying to build momentum as he prepares to assume the presidency while facing the historic challenge of vaccinating hundreds of millions of Americans against the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarks since the election , Biden is calling for unity but also calling Trump ‘ s attacks on the voting process “ unconscionable ” and insisting it is time to “ turn the page.
’ “ We need to work together , give each other a chance , and lower the temperature , ” Biden said in a speech Monday .
Still , the shift coming so late in the tone from Republicans has left the president-elect with barely a month to finish building out key parts his new government .
Some say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much at this point .
“ Even them doing this now , the damage has been done because they ’ ve blocked , they ’ ve interrupted , ” said Anthony Robinson , a former Obama administration appointee who served several national security policy roles including during the transition to the Trump administration in 2016 .
“ I don ’ t want to say , ‘ Who cares ?
, ’ but it definitely doesn ’ t symbolize a smooth transition , ” said Robinson , who is now political director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates and campaign staffers all over the country .
Biden ‘ s first priority will be the fair and efficient distribution of vaccines against the virus .
The president-elect said Tuesday that he would follow the advice of Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , who says that getting the president-elect himself vaccinated as soon as possible is a matter of national security .
“ Dr .
Fauci recommends I get the vaccine sooner than later .
I want to make sure we do it by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he ’ d be immunized publicly , which could help build public trust in the vaccine .
Trump ’ s continued opposition to Biden , meanwhile , may still present roadblocks , especially in the U.S. House where Republicans as recently as last week were introducing legislation to punish members of their party who might be seen as urging Trump to “ concede prematurely.
” Other top Trump administration Cabinet officials haven ’ t yet followed the lead of Pompeo , who plans to meet Thursday with Blinken , Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president is still involved in ongoing litigation related to the election , ” said White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , calling the Electoral College vote “ one step in the constitutional process.
” Rick Tyler , a Republican operative and fierce Trump critic , said it seemed at first like “ the Electoral College had broken the evil spell that Trump cast across the Republican Party.
” But he said the attacks on the electoral system that Trump is continuing to wage have many of his supporters now questioning American democracy itself- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just because some Republicans and world leaders are now willing to say conciliatory things .
“ There really are 50-plus million people who no longer have trust in our system , and that ’ s a dangerous thing , ” said Tyler .
He said Biden must “ figure out a way to restore that trust .
And it can ’ t just be a partisan attack on Republicans for , frankly , being stupid.
” Also looming large is the divided U.S. Senate , where majority control will depend on the outcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 5 .
Unless Democrats win both those races , Senate Republicans will have the power to block many of Biden ’ s Cabinet nominations , not to mention thwart his policy initiatives .
Underscoring the urgency on that score , Biden traveled Tuesday to Georgia , his first trip beyond Delaware and southeast Pennsylvania since the election .
“ I need two senators from this state who want to get something done , not just get in the way , ” Biden told a drive-in rally in Atlanta .

WASHINGTON (AP) - More than a month after the election, top Republicans finally acknowledged Joe Biden as the next U.S. president on Tuesday, a collapse in GOP resistance to the millions of voters who decisively chose the Democrat. Foreign leaders joined the parade, too, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
Speaking from the floor of the U.S. Senate where Biden spent 36 years of his career, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell congratulated his former colleague as president-elect. The two men spoke later in the day.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, meanwhile, was to meet with his likely successor in the new administration, Antony Blinken. And GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies, said he’d spoken with some of Biden’s Cabinet picks.
A similar shift unfolded in capitals across the world, where leaders including Russia’s Putin and Mexico’s Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador acknowledged Biden’s win.
The moves come a day after electors nationwide formally cast votes affirming Biden’s victory in last month’s presidential election. And while that clears a more stable path for Biden to assume the presidency, it does little to stop Trump from continuing to try to undermine confidence in the results with baseless allegations that have been rejected by judges across political spectrum.
As Republicans began discussing a Biden presidency more openly on Tuesday, Trump still pledged to press forward with almost nonexistent legal options.
“Tremendous evidence pouring in on voter fraud. There has never been anything like this in our Country!” Trump tweeted just as members of his party were publicly recognizing Biden’s victory.
The growing acknowledgement of reality in Washington was triggered by the Electoral College formally voting on Monday to seal Biden’s win with 306 votes to Trump’s 232, the same margin that Trump pulled together four years ago. The normally humdrum political ceremony didn’t change the facts of the election, but was nonetheless used as political cover by leading Republicans.
“Many of us had hoped the presidential election would yield a different result,” McConnell said. “But our system of government has the processes to determine who will be sworn in on Jan. 20. The Electoral College has spoken.”
The bureaucratic transition from Trump’s government to Biden’s actually began weeks ago, despite the president’s legal challenges. Still, the suddenly conciliatory stance from many Republicans could thaw the political deep freeze that has gripped Washington lately.
Biden has been trying to build momentum as he prepares to assume the presidency while facing the historic challenge of vaccinating hundreds of millions of Americans against the coronavirus. In some of his most forceful remarks since the election, Biden is calling for unity but also calling Trump’s attacks on the voting process “unconscionable” and insisting it is time to “turn the page.’
“We need to work together, give each other a chance, and lower the temperature,” Biden said in a speech Monday.
Still, the shift coming so late in the tone from Republicans has left the president-elect with barely a month to finish building out key parts his new government. Some say the GOP about-face won’t mean much at this point.
“Even them doing this now, the damage has been done because they’ve blocked, they’ve interrupted,” said Anthony Robinson, a former Obama administration appointee who served several national security policy roles including during the transition to the Trump administration in 2016.
“I don’t want to say, ‘Who cares?,’ but it definitely doesn’t symbolize a smooth transition,” said Robinson, who is now political director of the National Democratic Training Committee, which trains candidates and campaign staffers all over the country.
Biden’s first priority will be the fair and efficient distribution of vaccines against the virus. The president-elect said Tuesday that he would follow the advice of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, who says that getting the president-elect himself vaccinated as soon as possible is a matter of national security.
“Dr. Fauci recommends I get the vaccine sooner than later. I want to make sure we do it by the numbers,” Biden said, adding that he’d be immunized publicly, which could help build public trust in the vaccine.
Trump’s continued opposition to Biden, meanwhile, may still present roadblocks, especially in the U.S. House where Republicans as recently as last week were introducing legislation to punish members of their party who might be seen as urging Trump to “concede prematurely.” Other top Trump administration Cabinet officials haven’t yet followed the lead of Pompeo, who plans to meet Thursday with Blinken, Biden’s secretary of state nominee.
“The president is still involved in ongoing litigation related to the election,” said White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, calling the Electoral College vote “one step in the constitutional process.”
Rick Tyler, a Republican operative and fierce Trump critic, said it seemed at first like “the Electoral College had broken the evil spell that Trump cast across the Republican Party.”
But he said the attacks on the electoral system that Trump is continuing to wage have many of his supporters now questioning American democracy itself- and that won’t quickly dissipate just because some Republicans and world leaders are now willing to say conciliatory things.
“There really are 50-plus million people who no longer have trust in our system, and that’s a dangerous thing,” said Tyler. He said Biden must “figure out a way to restore that trust. And it can’t just be a partisan attack on Republicans for, frankly, being stupid.”
Also looming large is the divided U.S. Senate, where majority control will depend on the outcome of two special elections in Georgia on Jan. 5. Unless Democrats win both those races, Senate Republicans will have the power to block many of Biden’s Cabinet nominations, not to mention thwart his policy initiatives.
Underscoring the urgency on that score, Biden traveled Tuesday to Georgia, his first trip beyond Delaware and southeast Pennsylvania since the election.
“I need two senators from this state who want to get something done, not just get in the way,” Biden told a drive-in rally in Atlanta.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Babysitter charged with abusing and killing 2-year-old girl

SANDY SPRINGS , Ga. ( AP ) - The babysitter of a 2-year-old Georgia girl was charged with murder after @ @ @ @ @ beaten to death and was not hurt in an accidental fall like her caretaker claimed @ @ @ @ @ Flood , 29 , was arrested after an autopsy revealed the abuse , Sandy Springs @ @ @ @ @ .
The girl died at the hospital after being found unconscious in her apartment Dec. @ @ @ @ @ care of the toddler , police said .
Flood did internet searches for “ what @ @ @ @ @ other people ’ s children ” and “ what does it mean to have a @ @ @ @ @ child that ’ s not yours , ” according to an arrest warrant obtained by @ @ @ @ @ the girl hit her head on a slide at a park and didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ the warrant .
Flood also faces aggravated battery and first-degree cruelty to children charges .
@ @ @ @ @ if she had a lawyer .

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. (AP) - The babysitter of a 2-year-old Georgia girl was charged with murder after police determined the girl was beaten to death and was not hurt in an accidental fall like her caretaker claimed, police said.
Kirstie Flood, 29, was arrested after an autopsy revealed the abuse, Sandy Springs Police said in a statement.
The girl died at the hospital after being found unconscious in her apartment Dec. 9. Flood was taking care of the toddler, police said.
Flood did internet searches for “what type of people enjoy abusing other people’s children” and “what does it mean to have a sudden urge to beat a child that’s not yours,” according to an arrest warrant obtained by WSB-TV.
Flood told investigators the girl hit her head on a slide at a park and didn’t wake up, according to the warrant.
Flood also faces aggravated battery and first-degree cruelty to children charges. It wasn’t known if she had a lawyer.