washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Arizona vaccination priorities include people 75 and older

PHOENIX ( AP ) - A state committee of public health experts decided that Arizonans 75 and older should be among those prioritized in the second phase of distribution of vaccinations against COVID-19 , Gov .
Doug Ducey ’ s office announced Tuesday .
Older Arizonans are more likely to experience severe COVID-19 complications and be hospitalized than younger individuals and the committee ’ s decision Monday to prioritize those people is aligned with updated recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Ducey ’ s office said in a statement .
The prioritization of people 75 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk will get vaccinated sooner , both protecting them and “ relieving the strain on our hardworking health care professionals , ” Ducey said in the statement .
The first phase of groups prioritized for vaccinations include front-line health care providers , emergency medical service workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities .
Vaccinations of those groups is underway .
Along with people 75 and older , groups recommendation for prioritization in the second phase include teachers , child care providers , law enforcement personnel and corrections workers .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will begin by late January but some counties may begin earlier , the statement said .

PHOENIX (AP) - Some Arizona hospitals have stopped accepting patients brought to them by ambulance runs and transfers as they scramble to address a backlog of sick people amid a COVID-19 surge, the state’s largest hospital chain said Tuesday.
Banner Health said 10 hospitals were diverting ambulances and transfers to other medical facilities late Monday and six were still doing so early Tuesday. All hospitals continued to accept walk-in patients needing emergency care.
Arizona is grappling with the second highest coronavirus infection rate in the nation. California has the highest.
Moving to keep hospitals from getting further overwhelmed, state officials announced Tuesday that Arizona will include people aged 75 and older - over 534,000 residents - in the second phase of COVID-19 vaccinations. Older adults are more likely to be hospitalized with severe complications from the disease and fill ICU beds.
Prioritizing people 75 and older “will keep a lot of vulnerable people from getting sick,” noted Will Humble, Arizona Public Health Association director and a former state health services director.
Humble said diverting ambulances and patient transfers is not unusual during Arizona’s winter months when they are more full due to the flu, but he had never seen more than a couple hospitals undertake the measure at the same time.
“The patients will still get care, they’ll just go to a different hospital,” he said, adding that 911 emergency operators help get ambulances to hospitals equipped to deal with more patients. “But if you look at the trajectory, you can see we’ve been headed toward a crisis.”
Banner Health said Tuesday in a tweet that the unusually high number of hospitals diverting ambulances or transfers of new patients was accompanied by “the length of stay and complexity of care for COVID-19 patients adding to the challenge.”
On Tuesday, Arizona reported 2,799 additional known COVID-19 cases and a near-record 171 deaths, of which 148 were a result of periodic death certificates. Arizona’s totals since the pandemic began rose to 507,222 cases and 8,640 deaths.
The state’s coronavirus dashboard reported that 4,475 people were hospitalized for COVID-19 as of Monday, the latest in several records reported since early December. COVID-19 hospitalizations during the summer surge peaked at 3,517 on July 30.
COVID-19 patients occupied 53% of all inpatient beds and 59% of intensive care beds.
Prioritizing people 75 and older ensures those most at risk are vaccinated sooner, protecting them and “relieving the strain on our hardworking health care professionals,” Gov. Doug Ducey said in the statement.
Ducey and the Arizona Department of Health Services said the decision to prioritize people 75 and older was made Monday by a state committee of experts working with updated recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Vaccinations have already begun for the first phase of prioritized groups, including frontline health care providers, emergency medical service workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities.
Others to be prioritized in the second phase include teachers, child care providers, law enforcement personnel and corrections workers. The state anticipates those vaccinations will begin statewide by late January but some counties may begin earlier, the statement said.
The state’s seven-day rolling average of COVID-19 deaths has increased over the past two weeks from 58.3 on Dec. 14 to 71 on on Monday while the rolling average of daily new cases dropped from 7,772 to 6,154, according to data from Johns Hopkins University and The COVID Tracking Project.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher than reported because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Roscoe man dies after vehicle plunges through lake ice

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
( AP ) - Authorities say an Edmunds County man died after his utility terrain @ @ @ @ @ in northeastern South Dakota .
The Argus Leader reports 81-year-old Eugene Conn , Sr. , @ @ @ @ @ after his vehicle plunged through the ice on Hosmer Lake , southwest of Hosmer .
@ @ @ @ @ said bystanders saw what happened , contacted authorities and tried to rescue Conn .
He @ @ @ @ @ hospital .

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Authorities say an Edmunds County man died after his utility terrain vehicle broke through lake ice in northeastern South Dakota.
The Argus Leader reports 81-year-old Eugene Conn, Sr., of Roscoe, died Saturday after his vehicle plunged through the ice on Hosmer Lake, southwest of Hosmer.
Edmunds County Sheriff Todd Holtz said bystanders saw what happened, contacted authorities and tried to rescue Conn.
He was pronounced dead at a hospital.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--DA: Police shoot, kill man in Brockton armed with a knife

BROCKTON , Mass .
( AP ) - Police responding to a domestic violence call shot and killed a man @ @ @ @ @ a prosecutor said .
Police went to a home in Brockton at about 3 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ Tim Cruz said .
“ Upon arrival , two Brockton police officers encountered a male @ @ @ @ @ a knife , ” he said .
“ There was gunfire and the armed man @ @ @ @ @ subsequently transported to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
” Neither the name @ @ @ @ @ nor the names of the officers involved was released .
Police went to the home @ @ @ @ @ a child who reported two of his relatives were fighting , The Enterprise reported .
@ @ @ @ @ working the scene and making sure they can do everything that they can to get @ @ @ @ @ , ” Cruz said .

BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) - Police responding to a domestic violence call shot and killed a man armed with a knife, a prosecutor said.
Police went to a home in Brockton at about 3 p.m. Monday, Plymouth District Attorney Tim Cruz said.
“Upon arrival, two Brockton police officers encountered a male outside the home armed with a knife,” he said. “There was gunfire and the armed man was hit, he was subsequently transported to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was pronounced dead.”
Neither the name of the man who died nor the names of the officers involved was released.
Police went to the home after receiving a call from a child who reported two of his relatives were fighting, The Enterprise reported.
The shooting remains under investigation.
“The state police are working the scene and making sure they can do everything that they can to get to the resolution of this,” Cruz said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--5.7 earthquake hits 127 miles off Oregon coast, no tsunami

BANDON , Ore. ( AP ) - A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck about 127 miles ( 204 kilometers ) off @ @ @ @ @ morning , according to the U.S. Geological Survey .
The earthquake struck at 4:50 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ , the agency said .
The Northwest National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer , Alaska @ @ @ @ @ occurred , a tsunami is not expected.
” The federal agency received 88 responses from @ @ @ @ @ the quake , but said little or no area was affected and no people were @ @ @ @

BANDON, Ore. (AP) - A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck about 127 miles (204 kilometers) off the Oregon coast early Tuesday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake struck at 4:50 a.m. west of Bandon, Oregon, the agency said.
The Northwest National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, said “an earthquake occurred, a tsunami is not expected.”
The federal agency received 88 responses from people who said they felt the quake, but said little or no area was affected and no people were exposed to danger.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Public health officials report 106 deaths due to COVID-19

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - Illinois public health officials on Tuesday reported 5,644 newly confirmed COVID-19 infections and @ @ @ @ @ Illinois Department of Public Health reported the new cases were confirmed from among 66,786 tests @ @ @ @ @ rate to 7.4 % .
The number of hospitalized coronavirus patients totaled 4,313 late Monday @ @ @ @ @ virus has claimed 16,179 lives statewide and infected about 948,000 people .
About half the @ @ @ @ @ nursing homes and other long-term care facilities .
Vaccination of Illinois nursing home residents began @ @ @ @ @ in line for the vaccine , along with medical workers .
More than 112,000 people @ @ @ @ @ of Dec. 24 , according to public health officials .

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois public health officials on Tuesday reported 5,644 newly confirmed COVID-19 infections and 106 new deaths.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported the new cases were confirmed from among 66,786 tests, placing the seven-day positivity rate to 7.4%. The number of hospitalized coronavirus patients totaled 4,313 late Monday.
Since March, the virus has claimed 16,179 lives statewide and infected about 948,000 people. About half the deaths can be tied to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
Vaccination of Illinois nursing home residents began this week.. They are first in line for the vaccine, along with medical workers. More than 112,000 people had been vaccinated statewide as of Dec. 24, according to public health officials.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Florida reports more than 12K new COVID-19 cases, 101 deaths

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. ( AP ) - Florida officials reported 12,075 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday , raising the @ @ @ @ @ nearly 1.3 million .
The Department of Health also reported 105 more confirmed deaths , @ @ @ @ @ , 21,718 people have died from COVID-19 .
As of Tuesday afternoon , 6,280 people @ @ @ @ @ virus .
Also as of Tuesday , about 150,000 people have received a coronavirus vaccine @

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida officials reported 12,075 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, raising the state’s total to nearly 1.3 million.
The Department of Health also reported 105 more confirmed deaths, including four non-Floridians. Overall, 21,718 people have died from COVID-19.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 6,280 people were hospitalized because of the virus.
Also as of Tuesday, about 150,000 people have received a coronavirus vaccine.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Kansas counties drop mask rules; arena hosts COVID-19 shots

TOPEKA , Kan. ( AP ) - Two northeastern Kansas counties are backing off mask mandates they imposed last month as coronavirus cases surged , and officials set up a clinic in an arena in the state ’ s city to vaccine thousands of health care workers .
County commissioners in Brown and Jackson counties argued that they had weathered a wave of infections and dropped mandates requiring people to wear masks against the advice of public health officials , The Topeka Capital-Journal reported .
But in south-central Kansas , Reno County commissioners kept a mask mandate in place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s largest city , launched an effort to vaccinate 10,000 health care workers , including dentists , chiropractors , optometrists , and home-health and hospice workers , The Wichita Eagle reported .
The county ’ s clinic is in the north concourse of Intrust Bank Arena in downtown Wichita .
The county ’ s vaccination effort started after four Black doctors told a virtual town hall meeting aimed at the Black community in Wichita that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and needed to save lives .
“ Our risk is becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the benefit of living , ” Dr. Regan DeHart of GraceMed Health Clinic said during the meeting hosted by the Wichita African American Council of Elders and the Wichita Black Alliance .
“ We are at that point where we are getting close to it ’ s life or it ’ s death.
” Kansas has reported more than 216,000 confirmed and probable coronavirus cases since the pandemic reached the state in early March , or one case for every 13 of the state ’ s 2.9 million residents .
It also has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every 1,143 residents .
But the state also saw new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases peak at 2,767 for the seven days ending Nov. 18 and drop since .
Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly issued a mask mandate before Thanksgiving and successfully persuaded a majority of counties not exercise their authority under state law to opt out .
But in Jackson County , County Commissioner Ed Kathrens , a Republican , said it was “ kind of ridiculous ” to have a mask mandate that wasn ’ t enforceable .
The commission voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November .
“ The people who want to wear masks are going to wear them and the people who don ’ t aren ’ t , regardless of whether you ’ ve got a mandate or not , ” Kathrens said .
The state health department said that Jackson County had 1,001 coronavirus cases and Brown County , 1,000 , as of Monday , the bulk of them since Nov. 1 .
Brown County averaged 15 new cases a day and Jackson County , 12 new cases a day , from Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Brown County has averaged eight new cases a day and Jackson County , six .
In Brown County , Hiwatha Community Hospital CEO John Broberg said he was “ disappointed ” in the county commissioners ’ decision to rescind the mask mandate .
“ We had something in place that was dropping our numbers , ” Broberg said .
“ Now we will see .
”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Two northeastern Kansas counties are backing off mask mandates they imposed last month as coronavirus cases surged, and officials set up a clinic in an arena in the state’s city to vaccine thousands of health care workers.
County commissioners in Brown and Jackson counties argued that they had weathered a wave of infections and dropped mandates requiring people to wear masks against the advice of public health officials, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported. But in south-central Kansas, Reno County commissioners kept a mask mandate in place.
Sedgwick County, home to Wichita, the state’s largest city, launched an effort to vaccinate 10,000 health care workers, including dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, and home-health and hospice workers, The Wichita Eagle reported. The county’s clinic is in the north concourse of Intrust Bank Arena in downtown Wichita.
The county’s vaccination effort started after four Black doctors told a virtual town hall meeting aimed at the Black community in Wichita that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and needed to save lives.
“Our risk is becoming very ill or even dying, versus the benefit of living,” Dr. Regan DeHart of GraceMed Health Clinic said during the meeting hosted by the Wichita African American Council of Elders and the Wichita Black Alliance. “We are at that point where we are getting close to it’s life or it’s death.”
Kansas has reported more than 216,000 confirmed and probable coronavirus cases since the pandemic reached the state in early March, or one case for every 13 of the state’s 2.9 million residents. It also has reported 2,548 deaths, or one for every 1,143 residents.
But the state also saw new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases peak at 2,767 for the seven days ending Nov. 18 and drop since. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly issued a mask mandate before Thanksgiving and successfully persuaded a majority of counties not exercise their authority under state law to opt out.
But in Jackson County, County Commissioner Ed Kathrens, a Republican, said it was “kind of ridiculous” to have a mask mandate that wasn’t enforceable. The commission voted 2-1 to halt a mask mandate imposed in November.
“The people who want to wear masks are going to wear them and the people who don’t aren’t, regardless of whether you’ve got a mandate or not,” Kathrens said.
The state health department said that Jackson County had 1,001 coronavirus cases and Brown County, 1,000, as of Monday, the bulk of them since Nov. 1. Brown County averaged 15 new cases a day and Jackson County, 12 new cases a day, from Nov. 1 until Dec. 14. Since then, Brown County has averaged eight new cases a day and Jackson County, six.
In Brown County, Hiwatha Community Hospital CEO John Broberg said he was “disappointed” in the county commissioners’ decision to rescind the mask mandate.
“We had something in place that was dropping our numbers,” Broberg said. “Now we will see.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--California sues seafood companies over alleged lead, cadmium

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California Attorney General Xavier Becerra sued five seafood companies on Tuesday , alleging @ @ @ @ @ contains lead and cadmium in the state without legally required warnings .
The state ’ @ @ @ @ @ violated Proposition 65 , which prohibits exposing consumers to chemicals that could cause cancer or @ @ @ @ @ .
The suit says the California Department of Justice found unacceptable levels of lead or @ @ @ @ @ clams , cuttlefish , eel , octopus , oysters , periwinkle and sea squirt .
@ @ @ @ @ suit are importers , distributors and wholesalers of seafood including Clearwater Seafoods , Rhee Bros. @ @ @ @ @ Jayone Foods and Pacific American Fish Company .
Email messages left with the companies seeking @ @ @ @ @ .
The suit also claims the companies broke California ’ s unfair competition law and @ @ @ @ @ practices .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California Attorney General Xavier Becerra sued five seafood companies on Tuesday, alleging they have sold fish that contains lead and cadmium in the state without legally required warnings.
The state’s lawsuit alleges the companies violated Proposition 65, which prohibits exposing consumers to chemicals that could cause cancer or reproductive problems without clear warnings.
The suit says the California Department of Justice found unacceptable levels of lead or cadmium in fresh and frozen clams, cuttlefish, eel, octopus, oysters, periwinkle and sea squirt.
The defendants named in the suit are importers, distributors and wholesalers of seafood including Clearwater Seafoods, Rhee Bros., Seaquest Seafood Corporation, Jayone Foods and Pacific American Fish Company.
Email messages left with the companies seeking comment were not immediately returned.
The suit also claims the companies broke California’s unfair competition law and its prohibition on fraudulent business practices.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Vermont Colleges Board approves 5-year sustainability plan

MONTPELIER , Vt. ( AP ) - The Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees ’ executive committee has unanimously approved a five-year plan for the state colleges system recommended by the chancellor .
The committee recommended on Dec. 17 that the Community College of Vermont be left as a standalone accredited institution under the system ’ s umbrella and that Castleton University , Northern Vermont University and the Vermont Technical College be consolidated into one single accreditation system , the Caledonian Record reported .
Chancellor Sophie Zdatny said that recommendations from the committee were used as a guide to finalize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , governance , and operational model that is fiscally sustainable and fulfills its mission of delivering an affordable , accessible , high quality , student-centered , workforce-relevant education for Vermonters in measured stages to be completed within five years.
” The coronavirus pandemic thrust the system into crisis when $ 5.1 million in room-and-board fees had to be refunded .
The state approved a more than $ 30 million bridge funding measure to keep the system afloat this year .
The projected operating deficit for the fiscal year 2022 is $ 45 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of $ 25 million .
The plan calls for $ 5 million in annual reductions to pay down the structural deficit over the next five years .
The plan also builds in COVID mitigation funds of $ 20 million next year , assuming additional federal stimulus help .
The system is seeking $ 45 million in bridge funding for the upcoming fiscal year .

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees’ executive committee has unanimously approved a five-year plan for the state colleges system recommended by the chancellor.
The committee recommended on Dec. 17 that the Community College of Vermont be left as a standalone accredited institution under the system’s umbrella and that Castleton University, Northern Vermont University and the Vermont Technical College be consolidated into one single accreditation system, the Caledonian Record reported.
Chancellor Sophie Zdatny said that recommendations from the committee were used as a guide to finalize “a recommendation for a transformed organization, governance, and operational model that is fiscally sustainable and fulfills its mission of delivering an affordable, accessible, high quality, student-centered, workforce-relevant education for Vermonters in measured stages to be completed within five years.”
The coronavirus pandemic thrust the system into crisis when $5.1 million in room-and-board fees had to be refunded.
The state approved a more than $30 million bridge funding measure to keep the system afloat this year.
The projected operating deficit for the fiscal year 2022 is $45 million, including an existing system structural deficit of $25 million.
The plan calls for $5 million in annual reductions to pay down the structural deficit over the next five years. The plan also builds in COVID mitigation funds of $20 million next year, assuming additional federal stimulus help.
The system is seeking $45 million in bridge funding for the upcoming fiscal year.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Perdue, Loeffler find alliance with Democrats they attack

ATLANTA ( AP ) - President Donald Trump ’ s call to more than triple pandemic cash relief for individual Americans has scrambled political calculations made by Georgia ’ s two Republican senators in the closing week of their high-stakes runoff campaign .
Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler belatedly declared their support on Tuesday for one-time payments of $ 2,000 that Trump and Democrats endorse but most congressional Republicans oppose .
The move came only after the two Georgians sidestepped the matter for days while celebrating the passage of a long-sought aid package that included smaller $ 600 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alliance with the mercurial president , the senators also find themselves aligned with the very Democratic congressional forces they caricature as socialists who ’ d tax-and-spend the nation into bankruptcy if the Georgia contests go against the Republicans .
Democrats must sweep the Jan. 5 runoffs to force a 50-50 chamber with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as the tiebreaking vote for control .
Republicans need just one of the Georgia seats to maintain a majority .
Perdue told Fox & Friends in a Tuesday morning interview he ’ d be “ delighted ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual payments .
He called it “ appropriate ” and “ the right thing to do.
” Loeffler said in a separate Fox News interview that she ’ d support the increase , as well : “ Absolutely , we need to get relief to Americans now.
” Those statements came less than a day after House Democrats adopted the $ 2,000 relief stipend , openly crediting Trump ’ s request .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , followed Tuesday by blocking the measure from being considered in his chamber , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Wednesday .
That could allow Loeffler and Perdue to cast a “ yes ” vote on the record , giving them partial political cover even if the measure doesn ’ t pass .
Trump amplified the matter again Tuesday via Twitter .
“ Give the people $ 2000 , not $ 600 , ” the president wrote .
“ They have suffered enough !
” Perdue ’ s and Loeffler ’ s campaign aides did not respond to Associated Press inquiries asking whether they asked McConnell to allow an up-or-down vote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has foisted upon his Georgia allies .
Tacitly echoing Trump ’ s debunked assertions of widespread voter fraud in the November election , neither senator has explicitly recognized that President-elect Joe Biden won nationally or in Georgia .
Loeffler has left open the possibility of protesting the Electoral College count during a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6 , even after McConnell urged Republican senators to accept the results .
That refusal to deviate from Trump underscores the president ’ s hold on the Republican base , which both senators will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I stood by the president 100 % of the time .
I ’ m proud to do that , ” Loeffler said Tuesday on Fox .
Perdue ’ s and Loeffler ’ s respective opponents , Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock , sought to capitalize on the potential vulnerability .
Speaking at a downtown Atlanta campaign stop , Ossoff said Perdue “ needs to step up ” and “ join ” Trump to help people who “ have credit cards maxed out , rent past due , gas bills piling up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Warnock addressed a drive-in rally of union members later Tuesday and , without acknowledging the senators ’ statements earlier in the day , criticized the pair as complicit in a pandemic economy that designates “ essential workers ” but “ won ’ t give them essential pay.
” At the least , the matter ensures Perdue and Loeffler will face uncomfortable questions Republicans thought they ’ d settled after Congress passed a $ 2.3 trillion pandemic relief and government financing measure after months of delay .
On Fox , Perdue nodded to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talked multiple times with Trump urging him to sign the COVID-19 relief package that Congress passed after months of delay .
Those conversations came after Perdue and Loeffler endured weeks of Democratic attacks that are now certain to continue , just as Perdue had launched a new television ad taking credit for “ direct checks to Georgians.
” Warnock reminded supporters that Loeffler and Perdue opposed more generous unemployment benefits earlier in the pandemic .
Indeed , throughout the fall campaign and runoff blitz , the senators have hailed the “ Paycheck Protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But they have been less enthusiastic about direct individual support .
“ We don ’ t need incentives not to work , ” Loeffler said over the summer , referring to increased unemployment insurance payments .
“ We need to get folks back to work .
… We need to remove that incentive not to be at work.
” Around the same time , Perdue told PBS Newshour that he supported a “ targeted ” payroll tax cut over “ just a direct payment like we did in the first round ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending plan delivered Americans $ 1,200 cash payments .
Perdue and Loeffler , meanwhile , have anchored their arguments against Ossoff and Warnock with warnings that their election would herald a socialist expansion of government .
“ We ’ re the firewall for stopping socialism , ” Loeffler declared on Fox in the same segment she endorsed the $ 2,000 direct payments to Americans .
Warnock and Ossoff would “ rubber stamp ” a “ radical agenda to reshape this country into something unrecognizable , ” she insisted .
For his part , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assertion of Ossoff ’ s radicalism by noting that the Democratic challenger welcomed support from Bernie Sanders , a democratic socialist who caucuses with Democrats .
It was Sanders who originally proposed $ 2,000 monthly payments to Americans early in the coronavirus pandemic and who has been the most forceful in recent days in demanding action on the one-time $ 2,000 payment Perdue now supports .

ATLANTA (AP) - President Donald Trump’s call to more than triple pandemic cash relief for individual Americans has scrambled political calculations made by Georgia’s two Republican senators in the closing week of their high-stakes runoff campaign.
Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler belatedly declared their support on Tuesday for one-time payments of $2,000 that Trump and Democrats endorse but most congressional Republicans oppose. The move came only after the two Georgians sidestepped the matter for days while celebrating the passage of a long-sought aid package that included smaller $600 payments.
Now, to maintain their alliance with the mercurial president, the senators also find themselves aligned with the very Democratic congressional forces they caricature as socialists who’d tax-and-spend the nation into bankruptcy if the Georgia contests go against the Republicans.
Democrats must sweep the Jan. 5 runoffs to force a 50-50 chamber with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as the tiebreaking vote for control. Republicans need just one of the Georgia seats to maintain a majority.
Perdue told Fox & Friends in a Tuesday morning interview he’d be “delighted” to back a $1,400 increase in individual payments. He called it “appropriate” and “the right thing to do.” Loeffler said in a separate Fox News interview that she’d support the increase, as well: “Absolutely, we need to get relief to Americans now.”
Those statements came less than a day after House Democrats adopted the $2,000 relief stipend, openly crediting Trump’s request. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., followed Tuesday by blocking the measure from being considered in his chamber, though he’s scheduled a vote for Wednesday. That could allow Loeffler and Perdue to cast a “yes” vote on the record, giving them partial political cover even if the measure doesn’t pass.
Trump amplified the matter again Tuesday via Twitter. “Give the people $2000, not $600,” the president wrote. “They have suffered enough!”
Perdue’s and Loeffler’s campaign aides did not respond to Associated Press inquiries asking whether they asked McConnell to allow an up-or-down vote.
It’s not the first conundrum Trump has foisted upon his Georgia allies. Tacitly echoing Trump’s debunked assertions of widespread voter fraud in the November election, neither senator has explicitly recognized that President-elect Joe Biden won nationally or in Georgia. Loeffler has left open the possibility of protesting the Electoral College count during a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, even after McConnell urged Republican senators to accept the results.
That refusal to deviate from Trump underscores the president’s hold on the Republican base, which both senators will need to turnout in order to win.
“I stood by the president 100% of the time. I’m proud to do that,” Loeffler said Tuesday on Fox.
Perdue’s and Loeffler’s respective opponents, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, sought to capitalize on the potential vulnerability.
Speaking at a downtown Atlanta campaign stop, Ossoff said Perdue “needs to step up” and “join” Trump to help people who “have credit cards maxed out, rent past due, gas bills piling up, prescription drug costs, child-care costs.”
Warnock addressed a drive-in rally of union members later Tuesday and, without acknowledging the senators’ statements earlier in the day, criticized the pair as complicit in a pandemic economy that designates “essential workers” but “won’t give them essential pay.”
At the least, the matter ensures Perdue and Loeffler will face uncomfortable questions Republicans thought they’d settled after Congress passed a $2.3 trillion pandemic relief and government financing measure after months of delay.
On Fox, Perdue nodded to those dynamics, acknowledging he’d talked multiple times with Trump urging him to sign the COVID-19 relief package that Congress passed after months of delay. Those conversations came after Perdue and Loeffler endured weeks of Democratic attacks that are now certain to continue, just as Perdue had launched a new television ad taking credit for “direct checks to Georgians.”
Warnock reminded supporters that Loeffler and Perdue opposed more generous unemployment benefits earlier in the pandemic. Indeed, throughout the fall campaign and runoff blitz, the senators have hailed the “Paycheck Protection Program” that financed loans to businesses. But they have been less enthusiastic about direct individual support.
“We don’t need incentives not to work,” Loeffler said over the summer, referring to increased unemployment insurance payments. “We need to get folks back to work. … We need to remove that incentive not to be at work.”
Around the same time, Perdue told PBS Newshour that he supported a “targeted” payroll tax cut over “just a direct payment like we did in the first round” of relief in the spring. That spending plan delivered Americans $1,200 cash payments.
Perdue and Loeffler, meanwhile, have anchored their arguments against Ossoff and Warnock with warnings that their election would herald a socialist expansion of government.
“We’re the firewall for stopping socialism,” Loeffler declared on Fox in the same segment she endorsed the $2,000 direct payments to Americans. Warnock and Ossoff would “rubber stamp” a “radical agenda to reshape this country into something unrecognizable,” she insisted.
For his part, Perdue has in recent weeks buttressed his assertion of Ossoff’s radicalism by noting that the Democratic challenger welcomed support from Bernie Sanders, a democratic socialist who caucuses with Democrats.
It was Sanders who originally proposed $2,000 monthly payments to Americans early in the coronavirus pandemic and who has been the most forceful in recent days in demanding action on the one-time $2,000 payment Perdue now supports.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Police: Man killed in road rage incident near Coos Bay

NORTH BEND , Ore. ( AP ) - A 28-year-old North Bend man was killed Sunday in a road-rage incident , police said .
Michael David Moore died after he was run over by the driver of a Chevy Tahoe pickup at around 11:27 a.m. in North Bend , The World reported .
In a press release , District Attorney R. Paul Frasier said it ’ s clear Moore was intentionally struck .
An autopsy showed Moore died as a result of severe crushing injuries to his chest and abdomen , Frasier said .
The Coos County Major Crime Team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with North Bend police .
The investigation so far shows an initial altercation happened in downtown North Bend , according to police .
Moore was a passenger in a black Ford Ranger pickup and after the altercation , the Ranger was followed by people in the Chevy Tahoe and what was initially reported as a red Honda Prelude .
Frasier said in a news release Tuesday that it was instead a Toyota Camry that also followed the Ranger .
During the chase , the Ford Ranger crashed into a curb and could no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vehicle and confronted the Tahoe driver , police said .
The argument continued and police say the Tahoe driver drove over Moore , crashed into a home and drove away .
Police located the Tahoe nearby and police say a witness indicated the driver of the Tahoe fled in the Camry .
The Ranger and the Tahoe have since been impounded .
The Camry was found abandoned in a remote rural part of North Coos County , Frasier said Tuesday .
Frasier said investigators are looking for Joshua Thompson , 40 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coquille , as well as driver of the Camry .
Thompson was described as a person of interest by police .

NORTH BEND, Ore. (AP) - A 28-year-old North Bend man was killed Sunday in a road-rage incident, police said.
Michael David Moore died after he was run over by the driver of a Chevy Tahoe pickup at around 11:27 a.m. in North Bend, The World reported.
In a press release, District Attorney R. Paul Frasier said it’s clear Moore was intentionally struck. An autopsy showed Moore died as a result of severe crushing injuries to his chest and abdomen, Frasier said.
The Coos County Major Crime Team and Coos County Crash Team are investigating with North Bend police.
The investigation so far shows an initial altercation happened in downtown North Bend, according to police. Moore was a passenger in a black Ford Ranger pickup and after the altercation, the Ranger was followed by people in the Chevy Tahoe and what was initially reported as a red Honda Prelude. Frasier said in a news release Tuesday that it was instead a Toyota Camry that also followed the Ranger.
During the chase, the Ford Ranger crashed into a curb and could no longer be driven.
Moore then exited the vehicle and confronted the Tahoe driver, police said. The argument continued and police say the Tahoe driver drove over Moore, crashed into a home and drove away.
Police located the Tahoe nearby and police say a witness indicated the driver of the Tahoe fled in the Camry. The Ranger and the Tahoe have since been impounded. The Camry was found abandoned in a remote rural part of North Coos County, Frasier said Tuesday.
Frasier said investigators are looking for Joshua Thompson, 40, who was last known to live in Coquille, as well as driver of the Camry. Thompson was described as a person of interest by police.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Panel rejects proposals for decertifying police officers

HARTFORD , Conn. ( AP ) - Connecticut ’ s police accountability task force on Tuesday rejected proposals to automatically decertify police officers convicted of felonies and drug possession , as current and former law enforcement officials on the panel opposed the measures .
Police officials said officers would be denied the due process right of presenting their side of the case before the state Police Officer Standards and Training Council , which certifies and decertifies officers .
“ POST does a good job right now of dealing with this issue .
There ’ s a system in place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a member of both the task force and POST .
“ I couldn ’ t support a blanket mandatory decertification without allowing for due process , which everybody else is entitled to.
” Shafiq Abdussabur , a task force member and retired New Haven police sergeant , also opposed the measures , saying minority officers are disproportionately charged with crimes compared with white officers .
He also cited due process concerns .
“ It is often the Black cops … inside of many departments - Black , Hispanic , Latino officers - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hunted down by administrative individuals for power issues or personality conflicts and for other things … that could potentially get an officer acquiring that felony , some feloniously , and then they find themselves being decertified automatically without a due process , ” he said .
Besides the existing POST process for decertification , police officials also said anyone convicted of a felony in Connecticut is barred from possessing guns , which would disqualify them from being a police officer .
The proposal to automatically decertify officers convicted of felonies failed on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ automatically decertify officers convicted of drug crimes was defeated 5-3 .
The Police Transparency and Accountability Task Force is charged with making recommendations to the legislature .
The panel was created last year as part of a police reform bill approved in response to police shootings of unarmed Black and Hispanic people in the state and across the country .
The panel is expected to present preliminary recommendations to state lawmakers next month , with a final report due at the end of 2021 .
In June , the panel voted to further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creating an independent authority to investigate police use-of-force incidents , banning chokeholds and other neck restraints and examining labor contract sections that make it hard to fire unfit officers .
Many of those proposals , however , were included in a new police reform bill signed into law by Gov .
Ned Lamont in July .
Also Tuesday , the task force tabled a proposal to study the feasibility of using social workers and mobile crisis units to respond to calls involving disabled people .
The decision came after police officials on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the task force , would provide a better assessment of using social workers and crisis units .
Other task force members disagreed .

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut’s police accountability task force on Tuesday rejected proposals to automatically decertify police officers convicted of felonies and drug possession, as current and former law enforcement officials on the panel opposed the measures.
Police officials said officers would be denied the due process right of presenting their side of the case before the state Police Officer Standards and Training Council, which certifies and decertifies officers.
“POST does a good job right now of dealing with this issue. There’s a system in place,” said Norwalk Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik, a member of both the task force and POST. “I couldn’t support a blanket mandatory decertification without allowing for due process, which everybody else is entitled to.”
Shafiq Abdussabur, a task force member and retired New Haven police sergeant, also opposed the measures, saying minority officers are disproportionately charged with crimes compared with white officers. He also cited due process concerns.
“It is often the Black cops … inside of many departments - Black, Hispanic, Latino officers - which are the officers that are often hunted down by administrative individuals for power issues or personality conflicts and for other things … that could potentially get an officer acquiring that felony, some feloniously, and then they find themselves being decertified automatically without a due process,” he said.
Besides the existing POST process for decertification, police officials also said anyone convicted of a felony in Connecticut is barred from possessing guns, which would disqualify them from being a police officer.
The proposal to automatically decertify officers convicted of felonies failed on a 4-4 vote. A second measure to automatically decertify officers convicted of drug crimes was defeated 5-3.
The Police Transparency and Accountability Task Force is charged with making recommendations to the legislature. The panel was created last year as part of a police reform bill approved in response to police shootings of unarmed Black and Hispanic people in the state and across the country.
The panel is expected to present preliminary recommendations to state lawmakers next month, with a final report due at the end of 2021.
In June, the panel voted to further study proposals in a draft report including creating an independent authority to investigate police use-of-force incidents, banning chokeholds and other neck restraints and examining labor contract sections that make it hard to fire unfit officers.
Many of those proposals, however, were included in a new police reform bill signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont in July.
Also Tuesday, the task force tabled a proposal to study the feasibility of using social workers and mobile crisis units to respond to calls involving disabled people.
The decision came after police officials on the panel suggested that experts, and not the task force, would provide a better assessment of using social workers and crisis units. Other task force members disagreed.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--First reported US case of COVID-19 variant found in Colorado

DENVER ( AP ) - The first reported U.S. case of the COVID-19 variant that ’ s been seen in the United Kingdom has been discovered in Colorado , Gov .
Jared Polis announced Tuesday , adding urgency to efforts to vaccinate Americans .
The variant was found in a man in his 20s who is in isolation southeast of Denver in Elbert County and has no travel history , state health officials said .
Elbert County is a mainly rural area of rolling plains at the far edge of the Denver metro area that includes a portion of Interstate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ east-west highway .
Colorado Politics reported there is a second suspected case of the variant in the state according to Dwayne Smith , director of public health for Elbert County .
Both of the people were working in the Elbert County community of Simla .
Neither of them are residents of that county - expanding the possibility of the variant ’ s spread throughout the state .
The Colorado State Laboratory confirmed the virus variant , and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was notified .
Scientists in the U.K. believe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strains .
The vaccines being given now are thought to be effective against the variant , Colorado health officials said in a news release .
For the moment , the variant is likely still rare in the U.S. , but the lack of travel history in the first case means it is spreading , probably seeded by travelers from Britain in November or December , said scientist Trevor Bedford , who studies the spread of COVID-19 at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle .
“ Now I ’ m worried there will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variant , ” Bedford said .
“ It ’ s a race with the vaccine , but now the virus has just gotten a little bit faster.
” Public health officials are investigating other potential cases and performing contact tracing to determine the spread of the variant throughout the state .
“ There is a lot we don ’ t know about this new COVID-19 variant , but scientists in the United Kingdom are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious .
The health and safety of Coloradans is our top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this case , as well as all COVID-19 indicators , very closely , ” Polis said .
The discovery of the new variant led the CDC to issue new rules on Christmas Day for travelers arriving to the U.S. from the U.K. , requiring they show proof of a negative COVID-19 test .
Worry has been growing about the variant since the weekend before Christmas , when Britain ’ s prime minister said a new strain of the coronavirus seemed to spread more easily than earlier ones and was moving rapidly through England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case was identified in southeast England .
Dozens of countries barred flights from the U.K. , and southern England was placed under strict lockdown measures .
Scientists say there is reason for concern but the new strains should not cause alarm .
Japan announced Monday it would bar entry of all nonresident foreign nationals as a precaution against the new strain .
New variants of the coronavirus have been seen almost since the virus was first detected in China nearly a year ago .
It is common for viruses to undergo minor changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population .
The slight modifications are how scientists track the spread of a virus from one place to another .
But if the virus has significant mutations , one concern is that current vaccines might no longer offer the same protections .
Although that ’ s a possibility to watch for over time with the coronavirus , experts say they don ’ t believe it will be the case with the latest variant .
The U.K. variant , known as B.1.1.7 , has also been found in Canada , Italy , India and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also discovered a highly contagious COVID-19 variant that is driving the country ’ s latest spike of confirmed cases , hospitalizations and deaths .
The variant , known as 501.V2 , is dominant among the newly confirmed infections in South Africa , according to health officials and scientists leading the country ’ s virus strategy .
This story has been corrected to refer to the announcement of the new variant by the British Prime Minister taking place the weekend before Christmas .
Nieberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

DENVER (AP) - The first reported U.S. case of the COVID-19 variant that’s been seen in the United Kingdom has been discovered in Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday, adding urgency to efforts to vaccinate Americans.
The variant was found in a man in his 20s who is in isolation southeast of Denver in Elbert County and has no travel history, state health officials said.
Elbert County is a mainly rural area of rolling plains at the far edge of the Denver metro area that includes a portion of Interstate 70, the state’s main east-west highway.
Colorado Politics reported there is a second suspected case of the variant in the state according to Dwayne Smith, director of public health for Elbert County. Both of the people were working in the Elbert County community of Simla. Neither of them are residents of that county - expanding the possibility of the variant’s spread throughout the state.
The Colorado State Laboratory confirmed the virus variant, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was notified.
Scientists in the U.K. believe the variant is more contagious than previously identified strains. The vaccines being given now are thought to be effective against the variant, Colorado health officials said in a news release.
For the moment, the variant is likely still rare in the U.S., but the lack of travel history in the first case means it is spreading, probably seeded by travelers from Britain in November or December, said scientist Trevor Bedford, who studies the spread of COVID-19 at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.
“Now I’m worried there will be another spring wave due to the variant,” Bedford said. “It’s a race with the vaccine, but now the virus has just gotten a little bit faster.”
Public health officials are investigating other potential cases and performing contact tracing to determine the spread of the variant throughout the state.
“There is a lot we don’t know about this new COVID-19 variant, but scientists in the United Kingdom are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious. The health and safety of Coloradans is our top priority, and we will closely monitor this case, as well as all COVID-19 indicators, very closely,” Polis said.
Polis and state health officials are expected hold a news conference Wednesday.
The discovery of the new variant led the CDC to issue new rules on Christmas Day for travelers arriving to the U.S. from the U.K., requiring they show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
Worry has been growing about the variant since the weekend before Christmas, when Britain’s prime minister said a new strain of the coronavirus seemed to spread more easily than earlier ones and was moving rapidly through England. The nation’s first variant case was identified in southeast England.
Dozens of countries barred flights from the U.K., and southern England was placed under strict lockdown measures. Scientists say there is reason for concern but the new strains should not cause alarm.
Japan announced Monday it would bar entry of all nonresident foreign nationals as a precaution against the new strain.
New variants of the coronavirus have been seen almost since the virus was first detected in China nearly a year ago. It is common for viruses to undergo minor changes as they reproduce and move through a population. The slight modifications are how scientists track the spread of a virus from one place to another.
But if the virus has significant mutations, one concern is that current vaccines might no longer offer the same protections. Although that’s a possibility to watch for over time with the coronavirus, experts say they don’t believe it will be the case with the latest variant.
The U.K. variant, known as B.1.1.7, has also been found in Canada, Italy, India and the United Arab Emirates.
South Africa has also discovered a highly contagious COVID-19 variant that is driving the country’s latest spike of confirmed cases, hospitalizations and deaths. The variant, known as 501.V2, is dominant among the newly confirmed infections in South Africa, according to health officials and scientists leading the country’s virus strategy.
___
This story has been corrected to refer to the announcement of the new variant by the British Prime Minister taking place the weekend before Christmas.
___
AP Medical Writer Carla K. Johnson in Washington state contributed.
___
Nieberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--COVID-19 variant: First U.S. case reported in Colorado

Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis on Tuesday announced the first known case of the “ U.K .
variant ” of the coronavirus in the U.S .
The infected person is a man in his 20s who did not travel recently , according to the Democratic governor .
“ There is a lot we don ’ t know about this new COVID-19 variant , but scientists in the United Kingdom are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious .
The health and safety of Coloradans is our top priority and we will closely monitor this case , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are working to prevent spread and contain the virus at all levels , ” Mr. Polis said .
A state lab was analyzing samples when it found a telltale genetic sign of the variant known to scientists as an “ S Drop Out Profile.
” It ’ s possible the variant has been circulating in the U.S. for some time but scientists didn ’ t realize it .
The U.S. performs less sequencing of the virus than the U.K. and other countries .
Scientists in the U.K. believe the variant is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus but does not cause more severe disease .
Experts also think approved vaccines will still work against it .
Still , anything that worsens the vicious pandemic is alarming .
Countries around the globe have detected the U.K. variant and one from South Africa , and many have placed travel restrictions on people arriving from the U.K .
In the U.S. , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said anyone arriving from the U.K. must test negative within 72 hours of departure .

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday announced the first known case of the “U.K. variant” of the coronavirus in the U.S.
The infected person is a man in his 20s who did not travel recently, according to the Democratic governor.
“There is a lot we don’t know about this new COVID-19 variant, but scientists in the United Kingdom are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious. The health and safety of Coloradans is our top priority and we will closely monitor this case, as well as all COVID-19 indicators, very closely. We are working to prevent spread and contain the virus at all levels,” Mr. Polis said.
A state lab was analyzing samples when it found a telltale genetic sign of the variant known to scientists as an “S Drop Out Profile.”
It’s possible the variant has been circulating in the U.S. for some time but scientists didn’t realize it. The U.S. performs less sequencing of the virus than the U.K. and other countries.
Scientists in the U.K. believe the variant is more transmissible than known strains of the coronavirus but does not cause more severe disease. Experts also think approved vaccines will still work against it.
Still, anything that worsens the vicious pandemic is alarming.
Countries around the globe have detected the U.K. variant and one from South Africa, and many have placed travel restrictions on people arriving from the U.K.
In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said anyone arriving from the U.K. must test negative within 72 hours of departure.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Mississippi lt. governor: Teacher pay a priority in 2021

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - Mississippi Lt. Gov .
Delbert Hosemann said Tuesday that giving teachers a pay raise will be the most important issue he pushes during the 2021 legislative session that opens next week .
The state has had some of the lowest teacher salaries in the nation for generations .
According to the most recent figures available from the Southern Regional Education Board , the average teacher salary in the U.S. for 2018-19 was $ 62,304 .
For Mississippi , the average was $ 45,105 .
Hosemann is a Republican entering his second year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a teacher pay raise during the 2020 session , but that effort fell short after the coronavirus pandemic started and caused uncertainty about state spending .
“ I think you ’ ll see a teacher pay raise coming from the Senate again , ” Hosemann told reporters Tuesday .
“ It got COVID-ed last year with the pandemic , and we had to make a 5 % cut in our budget.
” Republicans control both chambers of the Mississippi Legislature .
The state Senate passed a bill in early February to provide a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and teachers ’ assistants .
The plan would have given raises of $ 1,100 to teachers in the first two years of their careers .
Hosemann said the Senate will start the 2021 session with the same teacher pay raise proposal as last year .
Once legislators get a longer look at how state tax collections are faring during the first few months of 2021 , they might start discussing future compensation packages for teachers “ that are respectful of the work that those people do , ” Hosemann said .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have risen over the last year it ’ s teachers , ” Hosemann said .
“ Moms and dads who have struggled with teaching math or whatever to their children , I think have a newfound appreciation for what a teacher is.
” Republican House Speaker Philip Gunn told reporters Dec. 7 that he did not know whether the House will consider a teacher pay raise during the 2021 session .
The first set of spending recommendations released by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee that day did not include a raise .
Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a teacher pay raise in his own budget proposal .
He has pushed legislators to keep putting money into a school recognition program that provides extra money for teachers in high-performing school districts or in districts that make significant academic improvements from one year to the next .
A legislative watchdog group said in a recent report that officials won ’ t have up-to-date information for the recognition program during the 2021 session because the pandemic prompted the cancelation of school assessments during the spring of 2020 .
Legislators have until late March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan , and the new budget year begins July 1 .

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said Tuesday that giving teachers a pay raise will be the most important issue he pushes during the 2021 legislative session that opens next week.
The state has had some of the lowest teacher salaries in the nation for generations. According to the most recent figures available from the Southern Regional Education Board, the average teacher salary in the U.S. for 2018-19 was $62,304. For Mississippi, the average was $45,105.
Hosemann is a Republican entering his second year as lieutenant governor. He pushed for a teacher pay raise during the 2020 session, but that effort fell short after the coronavirus pandemic started and caused uncertainty about state spending.
“I think you’ll see a teacher pay raise coming from the Senate again,” Hosemann told reporters Tuesday. “It got COVID-ed last year with the pandemic, and we had to make a 5% cut in our budget.”
Republicans control both chambers of the Mississippi Legislature. The state Senate passed a bill in early February to provide a $1,000 pay raise to most teachers and teachers’ assistants. The plan would have given raises of $1,100 to teachers in the first two years of their careers.
Hosemann said the Senate will start the 2021 session with the same teacher pay raise proposal as last year. Once legislators get a longer look at how state tax collections are faring during the first few months of 2021, they might start discussing future compensation packages for teachers “that are respectful of the work that those people do,” Hosemann said.
“If there’s anybody whose poll numbers have risen over the last year it’s teachers,” Hosemann said. “Moms and dads who have struggled with teaching math or whatever to their children, I think have a newfound appreciation for what a teacher is.”
Republican House Speaker Philip Gunn told reporters Dec. 7 that he did not know whether the House will consider a teacher pay raise during the 2021 session. The first set of spending recommendations released by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee that day did not include a raise.
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves did not include a teacher pay raise in his own budget proposal. He has pushed legislators to keep putting money into a school recognition program that provides extra money for teachers in high-performing school districts or in districts that make significant academic improvements from one year to the next. A legislative watchdog group said in a recent report that officials won’t have up-to-date information for the recognition program during the 2021 session because the pandemic prompted the cancelation of school assessments during the spring of 2020.
Legislators have until late March to agree on a final state spending plan, and the new budget year begins July 1.
____
Follow Emily Wagster Pettus on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EWagsterPettus.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--First reported U.S. case of COVID-19 variant seen in Britain has been found in Colorado, governor sa

DENVER ( AP ) - First reported U.S. case of COVID-19 variant seen in Britain has been found in Colorado @ @ @ @

DENVER (AP) - First reported U.S. case of COVID-19 variant seen in Britain has been found in Colorado, governor says.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Inmates transferred from St. Louis jail after disturbance

ST. LOUIS ( AP ) - Dozens of inmates were transferred out of the St. Louis City Justice Center after @ @ @ @ @ their cells Tuesday , officials said .
It was unclear what led the inmates to @ @ @ @ @ .
The situation was resolved by 2:15 p.m. , The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported .
@ @ @ @ @ Correctional staff and sheriff ’ s deputies worked to de-escalate the situation , with St. @ @ @ @ @ support capacity .
Officials said 56 inmates were transferred to the St. Louis Medium Security @ @ @ @ @ the workhouse , to separate them from other inmates at the justice center .
The @ @ @ @ @ up to 860 inmates , had about 100 inmates before the transfer , said Jacob @ @ @ @ @ Lyda Krewson .
The city plans to close the workhouse after several years of protests @ @ @ @ @ conditions there .
But Krewson said earlier this month that it won ’ t close @ @ @ @ @ planned .

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Dozens of inmates were transferred out of the St. Louis City Justice Center after they refused to return to their cells Tuesday, officials said.
It was unclear what led the inmates to defy orders beginning Tuesday morning. The situation was resolved by 2:15 p.m., The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. No one was injured.
Correctional staff and sheriff’s deputies worked to de-escalate the situation, with St. Louis police serving in a support capacity.
Officials said 56 inmates were transferred to the St. Louis Medium Security Institution, also known as the workhouse, to separate them from other inmates at the justice center.
The workhouse, which can hold up to 860 inmates, had about 100 inmates before the transfer, said Jacob Long, spokesman for Mayor Lyda Krewson.
The city plans to close the workhouse after several years of protests by social rights activists over conditions there. But Krewson said earlier this month that it won’t close by next year as originally planned.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Tamir Rice shooting probe closed with no charges

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department announced Tuesday that it would not bring federal criminal charges against two Cleveland police officers in the 2014 killing of 12-year-old Tamir Rice , saying video of the shooting was of too poor a quality for prosecutors to conclusively establish what had happened .
In closing the case , the department brought to an end a long-running investigation into a high-profile shooting that helped galvanize the Black Lives Matter movement and that became part of the national dialogue about police use of force against minorities , including children .
The decision , revealed in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers ’ actions but rather says the cumulative evidence was not enough to support a federal criminal civil rights prosecution .
Tamir was playing with a pellet gun outside a recreation center in Cleveland on Nov. 22 , 2014 , when he was shot and killed by Officer Timothy Loehmann , who is white , seconds after Loehmann and his partner , Officer Frank Garmback , arrived at the scene .
The officers were called to the recreation center after a man drinking beer and waiting for a bus had called 911 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointing a gun at people .
The caller told a 911 dispatcher that it was probably a juvenile and the gun might be “ fake , ” though that information was never relayed to the officers .
To bring federal civil rights charges in cases like these , the Justice Department must prove that an officer ’ s actions willfully broke the law rather than being the result of a mistake , negligence or bad judgment .
It has been a consistently tough burden for federal prosecutors to meet across both Democratic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declining criminal charges against police officers in other high-profile cases in recent years , including in the deaths of Eric Garner in New York City and Michael Brown in Ferguson , Missouri .
In this case , the Justice Department said poor-quality surveillance video recorded in the area where the shooting took place prevented prosecutors from being able to conclusively determine whether Rice was or was not reaching for his toy gun just prior to being shot .
The two officers who were investigated told authorities soon after the shooting that Rice was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being shot and was given multiple commands to show his hands .
But the video reviewed by federal prosecutors makes the sequence of events less clear .
The grainy time-lapse video , which has no audio , “ does not show detail or perspective ” and the camera ’ s view is obstructed by a police patrol car , prosecutors said .
In addition , they said , though the positioning of the boy ’ s arms suggests they were in the vicinity of his waist , “ his hands are not visible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be determined from the video what he was doing.
” The Justice Department says seven use-of-force experts – three retained by the family , four by local authorities – reviewed the recording , but the poor quality of the video on which they relied and their “ conflicting opinions added little to the case.
” The experts used by the family said the shooting was unreasonable while the four others said that it was reasonable .
The New York Times reported in October that the department had effectively shut down the investigation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official .
Inconsistent witness statements also complicated any prosecution , and neither person said they saw exactly what Rice was doing just before the shooting , according to the Justice Department .
In a statement at the scene to three other law enforcement officers , Loehmann “ repeatedly and consistently stated ” that Tamir was reaching for a gun before he shot him , prosecutors said .
Both Loehmann and Garmback also said in statements after the shooting that Loehmann had given Tamir “ multiple commands to show his hands before shooting ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weapon .
Prosecutors said Loehmann and Garmback were the only two witnesses in the “ near vicinity of the shooting.
” A state grand jury had declined to indict Loehmann , though he was later fired after it was discovered he was previously deemed “ unfit for duty.
” The Justice Department also investigated whether the officers obstructed justice in statements they made to other investigators soon after the shooting .
Prosecutors concluded that though the statements included some different language , they were generally consistent .
And since there was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ untrue , there was also not enough evidence to prove that the officers sought to misled investigators or to obstruct a probe into their actions .

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department announced Tuesday that it would not bring federal criminal charges against two Cleveland police officers in the 2014 killing of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, saying video of the shooting was of too poor a quality for prosecutors to conclusively establish what had happened.
In closing the case, the department brought to an end a long-running investigation into a high-profile shooting that helped galvanize the Black Lives Matter movement and that became part of the national dialogue about police use of force against minorities, including children. The decision, revealed in a lengthy statement, does not condone the officers’ actions but rather says the cumulative evidence was not enough to support a federal criminal civil rights prosecution.
Tamir was playing with a pellet gun outside a recreation center in Cleveland on Nov. 22, 2014, when he was shot and killed by Officer Timothy Loehmann, who is white, seconds after Loehmann and his partner, Officer Frank Garmback, arrived at the scene. The officers were called to the recreation center after a man drinking beer and waiting for a bus had called 911 to report that a “guy” was pointing a gun at people. The caller told a 911 dispatcher that it was probably a juvenile and the gun might be “fake,” though that information was never relayed to the officers.
To bring federal civil rights charges in cases like these, the Justice Department must prove that an officer’s actions willfully broke the law rather than being the result of a mistake, negligence or bad judgment. It has been a consistently tough burden for federal prosecutors to meet across both Democratic and Republican administrations, with the Justice Department declining criminal charges against police officers in other high-profile cases in recent years, including in the deaths of Eric Garner in New York City and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
In this case, the Justice Department said poor-quality surveillance video recorded in the area where the shooting took place prevented prosecutors from being able to conclusively determine whether Rice was or was not reaching for his toy gun just prior to being shot. The two officers who were investigated told authorities soon after the shooting that Rice was reaching for his toy weapon prior to being shot and was given multiple commands to show his hands.
But the video reviewed by federal prosecutors makes the sequence of events less clear. The grainy time-lapse video, which has no audio, “does not show detail or perspective” and the camera’s view is obstructed by a police patrol car, prosecutors said. In addition, they said, though the positioning of the boy’s arms suggests they were in the vicinity of his waist, “his hands are not visible in the video and it cannot be determined from the video what he was doing.”
The Justice Department says seven use-of-force experts – three retained by the family, four by local authorities – reviewed the recording, but the poor quality of the video on which they relied and their “conflicting opinions added little to the case.” The experts used by the family said the shooting was unreasonable while the four others said that it was reasonable.
The New York Times reported in October that the department had effectively shut down the investigation, but Tuesday’s announcement makes it official.
Inconsistent witness statements also complicated any prosecution, and neither person said they saw exactly what Rice was doing just before the shooting, according to the Justice Department.
In a statement at the scene to three other law enforcement officers, Loehmann “repeatedly and consistently stated” that Tamir was reaching for a gun before he shot him, prosecutors said.
Both Loehmann and Garmback also said in statements after the shooting that Loehmann had given Tamir “multiple commands to show his hands before shooting” and both officers saw him reaching for the weapon. Prosecutors said Loehmann and Garmback were the only two witnesses in the “near vicinity of the shooting.”
A state grand jury had declined to indict Loehmann, though he was later fired after it was discovered he was previously deemed “unfit for duty.”
The Justice Department also investigated whether the officers obstructed justice in statements they made to other investigators soon after the shooting. Prosecutors concluded that though the statements included some different language, they were generally consistent. And since there was not enough evidence to prove the statements were untrue, there was also not enough evidence to prove that the officers sought to misled investigators or to obstruct a probe into their actions.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Closing prices for crude oil, gold and other commodities

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for February delivery rose 38 cents to $ 48 a barrel Tuesday .
Brent crude oil @ @ @ @ @ cents to $ 51.09 a barrel .
Wholesale gasoline for January delivery rose 2 cents @ @ @ @ @ .
January heating oil rose 1 cent to $ 1.49 a gallon .
January natural @ @ @ @ @ $ 2.47 per 1,000 cubic feet .
Gold for February delivery rose $ 2.50 to @ @ @ @ @ Silver for March delivery fell 32 cents to $ 26.22 an ounce and March copper @ @ @ @ @ 3.56 a pound .
The dollar fell to 103.53 Japanese yen from 103.84 yen .
@ @ @ @ @ 1.2251 from $ 1.2207 .

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for February delivery rose 38 cents to $48 a barrel Tuesday. Brent crude oil for February delivery rose 23 cents to $51.09 a barrel.
Wholesale gasoline for January delivery rose 2 cents to $1.39 a gallon. January heating oil rose 1 cent to $1.49 a gallon. January natural gas rose 16 cents to $2.47 per 1,000 cubic feet.
Gold for February delivery rose $2.50 to $1,882.90 an ounce. Silver for March delivery fell 32 cents to $26.22 an ounce and March copper fell 2 cents to $3.56 a pound.
The dollar fell to 103.53 Japanese yen from 103.84 yen. The euro rose to $1.2251 from $1.2207.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Feds add human smuggling charges to case against illegal immigrant fake family

Prosecutors divulged new details Tuesday of an illegal immigrant fake family , and announced new human smuggling charges against the abusive couple .
Santos Teodora Ac-Salazar and Olga Choc Laj had previously been charged with forcing two girls , ages 15 and about 10 , to go to work and turn over their incomes .
But now the couple stands charged with smuggling and harboring the girls .
All four people involved are illegal immigrants from Guatemala .
Ac-Salazar and Ms. Choc Laj , who were a couple , paid smugglers to connect them with unrelated children they could use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could pretend were their children when they showed up at the U.S. border , according to a new indictment .
Bringing children earned the adults speedy release into the U.S. , where they disappeared into the shadows , ignoring their immigration court dates , the indictment says , “ It was part of the conspiracy and Ac-Salazar and Choc Laj planned and agreed that they would separately enter the United States unlawfully with a child in order to more easily be allowed entry into the United States and to avoid prolonged detention by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jury charged .
The case is an early test of the government ’ s ability to go after fake families , thousands of whom are believed to have exploited lax border policies in recent years in order to gain a foothold in the U.S .
The Washington Times reported on the case in November .
According to the new indictment the adults refused to enroll the children in school , and kept the girls isolated by lying to others in claiming they did not speak Spanish .
The girls were also ordered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
Federal agents say the 15-year-old was forced to work and the couple took almost all of her income to support them .
After sneaking into the U.S. , the couple also had a child of their own , and put the younger smuggled girl to work changing diapers , feeding the baby and cleaning the house , authorities say .
The younger girl ’ s age is listed as “ approximately 10 years old ” — an indication of just how little authorities have been able to learn about her , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretend to be the daughter of Al-Salazar .
Ac-Salazar has already been convicted on child abuse charges in Illinois court .
Court records show state charges against Ms. Choc Laj were dismissed last month .
Both are still in custody of law enforcement , federal prosecutors said , and are slated to be arraigned on the new charges Wednesday .

Prosecutors divulged new details Tuesday of an illegal immigrant fake family, and announced new human smuggling charges against the abusive couple.
Santos Teodora Ac-Salazar and Olga Choc Laj had previously been charged with forcing two girls, ages 15 and about 10, to go to work and turn over their incomes. But now the couple stands charged with smuggling and harboring the girls.
All four people involved are illegal immigrants from Guatemala.
Ac-Salazar and Ms. Choc Laj, who were a couple, paid smugglers to connect them with unrelated children they could use for their journey north and who they could pretend were their children when they showed up at the U.S. border, according to a new indictment.
Bringing children earned the adults speedy release into the U.S., where they disappeared into the shadows, ignoring their immigration court dates, the indictment says,
“It was part of the conspiracy and Ac-Salazar and Choc Laj planned and agreed that they would separately enter the United States unlawfully with a child in order to more easily be allowed entry into the United States and to avoid prolonged detention by U.S. immigration authorities,” the grand jury charged.
The case is an early test of the government’s ability to go after fake families, thousands of whom are believed to have exploited lax border policies in recent years in order to gain a foothold in the U.S.
The Washington Times reported on the case in November.
According to the new indictment the adults refused to enroll the children in school, and kept the girls isolated by lying to others in claiming they did not speak Spanish.
The girls were also ordered to hide when social workers came to their home.
Federal agents say the 15-year-old was forced to work and the couple took almost all of her income to support them.
After sneaking into the U.S., the couple also had a child of their own, and put the younger smuggled girl to work changing diapers, feeding the baby and cleaning the house, authorities say.
The younger girl’s age is listed as “approximately 10 years old” — an indication of just how little authorities have been able to learn about her, other than that she was forced to pretend to be the daughter of Al-Salazar.
Ac-Salazar has already been convicted on child abuse charges in Illinois court.
Court records show state charges against Ms. Choc Laj were dismissed last month.
Both are still in custody of law enforcement, federal prosecutors said, and are slated to be arraigned on the new charges Wednesday.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Argentine Senate weighs fate of abortion in pope's homeland

BUENOS AIRES , Argentina ( AP ) - The decades-long fight by Argentine women ’ s groups for legal abortion was being decided by the Senate in a debate Tuesday that could change the outlook for the procedure across a continent where it is still largely illegal .
The bill , which would legalize elective abortion in the first 14 weeks of a pregnancy , was already approved by Argentina ’ s Chamber of Deputies and had the support of President Alberto Fernández , meaning the Senate vote would be its final hurdle in the homeland of Pope Francis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by lawmakers in 2018 , but this time it was being backed by the center-left government .
Seventy senators , more than half of them men , were to vote on the measure following a debate that could stretch into the early hours of Wednesday .
The outcome was considered uncertain .
“ The vote is even , ” said Sen. Nancy González , a backer of the legislation .
“ This is vote by vote .
We are still working on the undecided.
” Outside the Senate in Buenos Aires , pro- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill ’ s supporters wearing the color green that represents their pro-abortion movement .
Argentina ’ s feminist movement has been demanding legal abortion for more than 30 years and activists say the bill ’ s approval could mark a watershed in Latin America , where the Roman Catholic Church ’ s influence has long dominated .
Abortion remains largely illegal in the region , except for in Uruguay , Cuba , Mexico City , the Mexican state of Oaxaca , the Antilles and French Guiana .
“ Our country is a country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Albarello , a psychiatrist with a network of health professionals that supports the bill , who was among the demonstrators outside the congressional building .
“ It is the only one in the world that brought members of its genocidal military dictatorship to justice with all the guarantees .
But we still don ’ t have legal abortion .
Why ?
Because the church is together with the state.
” Hours before the start of the historic session , the pope again once commented on abortion .
“ The Son of God was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell us that every outcast is a child of God , ” the pontiff said on his Twitter account .
“ He came into the world as each child comes into the world , weak and vulnerable , so that we can learn to accept our weaknesses with tender love.
” The legislative debate was being presided over by Vice President Cristina Fernández , who was president in 2007-2015 and would vote only if there was a tie among the senators .
Supporters said the bill seeks to eradicate the clandestine abortions that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country since 1983 , according to figures from authorities .
The uncertainty surrounding the vote was partly due to the fact that the political parties , including the governing Peronist movement , gave their legislators freedom to vote as they chose .
Two of the 72 senators were absent , and 43 of the remaining senators were men .
Argentina currently penalizes women and those who help them abort .
The only exceptions are cases involving rape or a risk to the health of the mother , and activists complain even these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also gathered outside the legislature , a group that calls its members “ defenders of the two lives ” set up an altar with a crucifix under a blue tent .
Dressed in a white smock and light-blue face mask , teacher Adriana Broni said that even if the abortion law won approval , “ I will not teach that it is a right to kill , murder , a baby who has no voice.
” In addition to allowing abortion within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy , the legislation also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a pregnancy could be legally terminated if it was the result of rape or if the person ’ s life or integral health was in danger .
It would allow conscientious refusal to participate in an abortion for health professionals and private medical institutions at which all doctors are against the procedure .
But they would be required to refer the woman to another medical center .
Conscientious objection also could not be claimed if a pregnant woman ’ s life or health was in danger .

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - The decades-long fight by Argentine women’s groups for legal abortion was being decided by the Senate in a debate that spilled into the early hours of Wednesday before a vote that could change the outlook for the procedure across a continent where it is still largely illegal.
The bill, which would legalize elective abortion in the first 14 weeks of a pregnancy, was already approved by Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies and had the support of President Alberto Fernández, meaning the Senate vote would be its final hurdle in the homeland of Pope Francis.
A previous abortion bill was voted down by lawmakers in 2018, but this time it was being backed by the center-left government. Seventy senators, more than half of them men, were to vote on the measure sometime Wednesday. The outcome was considered uncertain.
“The vote is even,” said Sen. Nancy González, a backer of the legislation. “This is vote by vote. We are still working on the undecided.”
Outside the Senate in Buenos Aires, pro- and anti-abortion activists gathered, with the bill’s supporters wearing the color green that represents their pro-abortion movement.
Argentina’s feminist movement has been demanding legal abortion for more than 30 years and activists say the bill’s approval could mark a watershed in Latin America, where the Roman Catholic Church’s influence has long dominated. Abortion remains largely illegal in the region, except for in Uruguay, Cuba, Mexico City, the Mexican state of Oaxaca, the Antilles and French Guiana.
“Our country is a country of many contradictions,” said Ester Albarello, a psychiatrist with a network of health professionals that supports the bill, who was among the demonstrators outside the congressional building. “It is the only one in the world that brought members of its genocidal military dictatorship to justice with all the guarantees. But we still don’t have legal abortion. Why? Because the church is together with the state.”
Hours before the start of the historic session, the pope again once commented on abortion.
“The Son of God was born an outcast, in order to tell us that every outcast is a child of God,” the pontiff said on his Twitter account. “He came into the world as each child comes into the world, weak and vulnerable, so that we can learn to accept our weaknesses with tender love.”
The legislative debate was being presided over by Vice President Cristina Fernández, who was president in 2007-2015 and would vote only if there was a tie among the senators.
Supporters said the bill seeks to eradicate the clandestine abortions that have caused more than 3,000 deaths in the country since 1983, according to figures from authorities.
The uncertainty surrounding the vote was partly due to the fact that the political parties, including the governing Peronist movement, gave their legislators freedom to vote as they chose. Two of the 72 senators were absent, and 43 of the remaining senators were men.
Argentina currently penalizes women and those who help them abort. The only exceptions are cases involving rape or a risk to the health of the mother, and activists complain even these exceptions are not respected in some provinces.
Also gathered outside the legislature, a group that calls its members “defenders of the two lives” set up an altar with a crucifix under a blue tent. Dressed in a white smock and light-blue face mask, teacher Adriana Broni said that even if the abortion law won approval, “I will not teach that it is a right to kill, murder, a baby who has no voice.”
In addition to allowing abortion within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, the legislation also would establish that even after that period, a pregnancy could be legally terminated if it was the result of rape or if the person’s life or integral health was in danger.
It would allow conscientious refusal to participate in an abortion for health professionals and private medical institutions at which all doctors are against the procedure. But they would be required to refer the woman to another medical center. Conscientious objection also could not be claimed if a pregnant woman’s life or health was in danger.
____
AP journalist Yesica Brumec contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Kyle Rittenhouse case: Prosecutors add new charge

MILWAUKEE — Prosecutors have charged a 17-year-old Illinois teen accused of shooting three people during a protest in southeastern Wisconsin this summer with violating curfew that night .
Kyle Rittenhouse was charged in August with multiple counts , including reckless and intentional homicide , endangerment and being a minor in possession of a firearm .
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that prosecutors added violating curfew the night of the shootings to the list of charges on Monday .
The offense is a civil citation punishable by forfeiture .
Prosecutors allege Rittenhouse , who is white , left his home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kenosha , Wisconsin , after learning of a call for militia to protect businesses in that city on Aug. 25 .
Kenosha was in the throes of several nights of chaotic street demonstrations after a white officer shot Jacob Blake , who is Black , in the back during domestic disturbance , leaving Blake paralyzed .
Rittenhouse opened fire with an assault-style rifle during the protest that night , killing Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz .
Rittenhouse has argued he fired in self-defense .
Conservatives have rallied around him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2 million cash bail .
The Journal Sentinel reported that police arrested about 150 people for curfew violations during the protests .

MILWAUKEE — Prosecutors have charged a 17-year-old Illinois teen accused of shooting three people during a protest in southeastern Wisconsin this summer with violating curfew that night.
Kyle Rittenhouse was charged in August with multiple counts, including reckless and intentional homicide, endangerment and being a minor in possession of a firearm. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that prosecutors added violating curfew the night of the shootings to the list of charges on Monday. The offense is a civil citation punishable by forfeiture.
Prosecutors allege Rittenhouse, who is white, left his home in Antioch, Illinois, and traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin, after learning of a call for militia to protect businesses in that city on Aug. 25. Kenosha was in the throes of several nights of chaotic street demonstrations after a white officer shot Jacob Blake, who is Black, in the back during domestic disturbance, leaving Blake paralyzed.
Rittenhouse opened fire with an assault-style rifle during the protest that night, killing Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz. Rittenhouse has argued he fired in self-defense. Conservatives have rallied around him, generating enough money to make his $2 million cash bail.
The Journal Sentinel reported that police arrested about 150 people for curfew violations during the protests.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Convictions reversed against former police commissioner

CONCORD , N.H. ( AP ) - The New Hampshire Supreme Court has reversed convictions against a former Portsmouth police commissioner whose partner shot at a teenager who mistakenly thought the couple ’ s home was a party venue .
The court on Tuesday sent the case of Brenna Cavanaugh back to Rockingham Superior Court for a new trial .
Cavanaugh was convicted of being an accomplice to attempted first-degree assault and being an accomplice to criminal mischief .
Her lawyer argued that the judge was wrong in not allowing a self-defense jury instruction during her trial last year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was charged in the same case for admittedly firing a gun , was granted a self-defense instruction at his own trial .
He was found not guilty of all charges .
Police said Gray fired shots at a pickup truck driven by a teen who entered the couple ’ s Portsmouth home in August 2018 .
Cavanaugh was accused of telling Gray to “ get your gun , ” then “ shoot ” or “ shoot him.
” Police said the teen , who wasn ’ t hurt , went to the address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received .
Cavanaugh , who lost her job , had said the truck was being driven toward them when the shots were fired .
She denied saying “ shoot .
”

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The New Hampshire Supreme Court has reversed convictions against a former Portsmouth police commissioner whose partner shot at a teenager who mistakenly thought the couple’s home was a party venue.
The court on Tuesday sent the case of Brenna Cavanaugh back to Rockingham Superior Court for a new trial. Cavanaugh was convicted of being an accomplice to attempted first-degree assault and being an accomplice to criminal mischief. Her lawyer argued that the judge was wrong in not allowing a self-defense jury instruction during her trial last year.
Her partner, Mark Gray, who was charged in the same case for admittedly firing a gun, was granted a self-defense instruction at his own trial. He was found not guilty of all charges.
Police said Gray fired shots at a pickup truck driven by a teen who entered the couple’s Portsmouth home in August 2018. Cavanaugh was accused of telling Gray to “get your gun,” then “shoot” or “shoot him.”
Police said the teen, who wasn’t hurt, went to the address based on a text message he had received.
Cavanaugh, who lost her job, had said the truck was being driven toward them when the shots were fired. She denied saying “shoot.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Lee calls special session to address education issues

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - Gov .
Bill Lee on Tuesday announced he was calling for a special legislative session to address education challenges that have popped up amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Lee said the GOP-dominant Legislature will convene at the Capitol on Jan. 19 to address a handful of legislative proposals , but he did not detail how long it will last .
This is the third special session Lee has convened during his first term in office .
“ Even before the virus hit , and despite years of improvement , too many of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to read on grade level , ” Lee said in a statement .
“ I ’ m calling on the legislature to join us in addressing these serious issues so we can equip our hardworking educators and districts with the resources and supports they need to set our students on the path to success.
” Lee is asking lawmakers to take up five issues : learning , funding , accountability , literacy and teacher pay .
More details will be released by the Department of Education .
Separately , the Legislature is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 12 .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Gov. Bill Lee on Tuesday announced he was calling for a special legislative session to address education challenges that have popped up amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Lee said the GOP-dominant Legislature will convene at the Capitol on Jan. 19 to address a handful of legislative proposals, but he did not detail how long it will last.
This is the third special session Lee has convened during his first term in office.
“Even before the virus hit, and despite years of improvement, too many of our state’s students were still unable to read on grade level,” Lee said in a statement. “I’m calling on the legislature to join us in addressing these serious issues so we can equip our hardworking educators and districts with the resources and supports they need to set our students on the path to success.”
Lee is asking lawmakers to take up five issues: learning, funding, accountability, literacy and teacher pay. More details will be released by the Department of Education.
Separately, the Legislature is expected to start its regular legislative session on Jan. 12.