washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Brad Raffensperger, GA SoS: I'm disappointed Trump didn't win Georgia, but 'numbers don't lie'

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Friday that Presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden won the state ’ s 16 Electoral College votes , confirming results from an audit that was released Thursday .
“ Like other Republicans , I ’ m disappointed our candidate didn ’ t win Georgia ’ s electoral votes , ” he said .
“ Close elections sow distrust .
People feel their side was cheated .
We saw this from the Democrats in 2018 , and we see this from Republicans today.
” That ’ s a reference to Democrat Stacey Abrams , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brian Kemp after the 2018 gubernatorial race .
“ Working as an engineer throughout my life , I live by the motto that numbers don ’ t lie , ” Mr. Raffensperger said .
“ As secretary of state , I believe that the numbers that we have presented today are correct.
” He said the numbers “ reflect the verdict of the people.
” A statewide audit showed Mr. Biden won the state over President Trump by 12,284 votes , or about 0.2 percentage points .
Mr. Trump gained about 1,200 votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unofficial results .
“ The audit revealed that in some counties , not all the votes had been counted , ” Mr. Raffensperger said .
“ That doesn ’ t mean those counties had systemic problems , but it does raise a concern .
We must implement a reconciliation process that prevents such errors from happening in the future.
” The state appears on track to certify its election results on Friday .
The Trump campaign said Thursday evening that it ’ s not over and that they will pursue all “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal ballots are counted .
The losing candidate has the right to request another recount , given the close margin of the race .
GOP Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler , who are facing runoff elections on Jan. 5 , have called for Mr. Raffensperger to step down , saying he failed to deliver “ honest and transparent ” elections .
Some Republicans , angered at Mr. Trump ’ s loss in the state , have also directed their ire at Mr. Kemp , who is one of the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested that the president has only himself to blame , saying that there were about 24,000 Republican voters who voted absentee in the June primary earlier this year but did not vote , either absentee or in person , in the general election .
He also suggested this week that Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called him to ask about ways to potentially toss out legally cast ballots .
Mr. Graham , who has acknowledged reaching out to other election officials in states where Mr. Trump narrowly lost , @ @ @ @ @

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office said it’s on track to certify the state’s election results Friday and confirm that presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden won the state’s 16 Electoral College votes after a statewide audit.
His office had announced the certification was complete before later saying that Mr. Raffensperger “will” certify the results on Friday.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Raffensperger had called himself a “passionate conservative” and a “proud Trump supporter.”
“Like other Republicans, I’m disappointed our candidate didn’t win Georgia’s electoral votes,” he said. “Close elections sow distrust. People feel their side was cheated. We saw this from the Democrats in 2018, and we see this from Republicans today.”
That’s a reference to Democrat Stacey Abrams, who declined to formally concede to Gov. Brian Kemp after the 2018 gubernatorial race.
“Working as an engineer throughout my life, I live by the motto that ‘numbers don’t lie,’” Mr. Raffensperger said. “As secretary of state, I believe that the numbers that we have presented today are correct.”
He said the numbers “reflect the verdict of the people.”
A statewide audit showed Mr. Biden won the state over President Trump by 12,284 votes, or about 0.2 percentage points.
Mr. Trump netted about 1,200 votes during the statewide audit compared to earller, unofficial results.
“The audit revealed that in some counties, not all the votes had been counted,” Mr. Raffensperger said. “That doesn’t mean those counties had systemic problems, but it does raise a concern. We must implement a reconciliation process that prevents such errors from happening in the future.”
By law, Georgia’s results were supposed to be certified by 5 p.m. Friday.
The Trump campaign said Thursday evening that it’s not over and that they will pursue all “legal options” to make sure only legal ballots are counted.
The losing candidate — in this case, Mr. Trump — would have two business days to request another recount.
GOP Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, who are facing runoff elections on Jan. 5, have called for Mr. Raffensperger to step down, saying he failed to deliver “honest and transparent” elections.
Some Republicans, angered at Mr. Trump’s loss in the state, have also directed their ire at Mr. Kemp, who is one of the president’s staunchest allies.
Mr. Raffensperger has suggested that the president has only himself to blame, saying that there were about 24,000 Republican voters who voted absentee in the June primary earlier this year but did not vote, either absentee or in person, in the general election.
He also suggested this week that Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called him to ask about ways to potentially toss out legally cast ballots.
Mr. Graham, who has acknowledged reaching out to other election officials in states where Mr. Trump narrowly lost, said that was ridiculous.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--State Police:  Man fatally shot while resisting arrest

LOS LUNAS , N.M. ( AP ) - The New Mexico State Police says an officer fatally shot a man @ @ @ @ @ officer ’ s gun during an encounter following a chase .
A State Police statement @ @ @ @ @ in Los Lunas on the Manzano Expressway .
According to the statement , the shooting @ @ @ @ @ a State Police officer tried to conduct a traffic stop on the expressway , prompting @ @ @ @ @ terminated due to road conditions and traffic .
The statement said two officers soon after @ @ @ @ @ where a man reportedly was trying to stop traffic on the expressway and that the @ @ @ @ @ struggle while resisting arrest .
The man ’ s identity was not released immediately .

LOS LUNAS, N.M. (AP) - The New Mexico State Police says an officer fatally shot a man allegedly trying to grab an officer’s gun during an encounter following a chase.
A State Police statement said the incident occurred Thursday in Los Lunas on the Manzano Expressway.
According to the statement, the shooting occurred a short time after a State Police officer tried to conduct a traffic stop on the expressway, prompting a pursuit that a supervisor terminated due to road conditions and traffic.
The statement said two officers soon after were sent to a location where a man reportedly was trying to stop traffic on the expressway and that the man was shot during a struggle while resisting arrest.
The man’s identity was not released immediately.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Commission suspends license of ex-doctor at Monroe prison

SEATTLE ( AP ) - The Washington state Medical Commission has indefinitely suspended the license of a former head doctor at a prison in Monroe , citing evidence of inadequate care that harmed incarcerated people .
Dr. Julia Barnett was fired in April 2019 by the state Department of Corrections after the agency ’ s internal probe found six prison inmates - including three who died - had suffered because of inadequate care she provided or supervised .
The medical commission ’ s long-running investigation basically supported the DOC ’ s earlier findings regarding Barnett , who had been hired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical director position , The Seattle Times reported .
Barnett committed unprofessional conduct , including “ incompetence , negligence , or malpractice which results in injury to a patient or creates an unreasonable risk that a patient may be harmed… ” according to a statement of charges signed by the medical commission ’ s executive director , Melanie de Leon .
Among the incidents cited was the case of a person with a degenerative lung condition who died in August 2018 gasping for air , with inadequate treatment and no attempt to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a hospital .
“ The delay in care caused ( him ) to suffer unnecessarily , ” the commission investigation found in that case .
Another inmate died in August 2018 from an infected surgical wound after “ substandard care , ” including failure to diagnose and treat problems , according to the investigation .
In its Nov. 16 order , the commission found “ an immediate danger to the public health and safety ” and ordered Barnett to surrender her license to practice as a physician and surgeon in Washington .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that decision , said Stephanie Mason , a commission spokesperson .
An attorney for Barnett , D. Jeffrey Burnham , declined to comment on Thursday .
Barnett has appealed her firing and defended her medical care in a response to the commission last year , describing the Monroe prison infirmary as short-staffed and “ a problematic place to care for sick people.
” She also said she had raised concerns about conditions including ventilation problems and inadequate heating and air conditioning .
She was being paid $ 260,000 a year at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still pending before the state Personnel Resources Board .

SEATTLE (AP) - The Washington state Medical Commission has indefinitely suspended the license of a former head doctor at a prison in Monroe, citing evidence of inadequate care that harmed incarcerated people.
Dr. Julia Barnett was fired in April 2019 by the state Department of Corrections after the agency’s internal probe found six prison inmates - including three who died - had suffered because of inadequate care she provided or supervised.
The medical commission’s long-running investigation basically supported the DOC’s earlier findings regarding Barnett, who had been hired despite lacking some qualifications for the prison medical director position, The Seattle Times reported.
Barnett committed unprofessional conduct, including “incompetence, negligence, or malpractice which results in injury to a patient or creates an unreasonable risk that a patient may be harmed…” according to a statement of charges signed by the medical commission’s executive director, Melanie de Leon.
Among the incidents cited was the case of a person with a degenerative lung condition who died in August 2018 gasping for air, with inadequate treatment and no attempt to bring in a specialist or seek advanced care at a hospital.
“The delay in care caused (him) to suffer unnecessarily,” the commission investigation found in that case.
Another inmate died in August 2018 from an infected surgical wound after “substandard care,” including failure to diagnose and treat problems, according to the investigation.
In its Nov. 16 order, the commission found “an immediate danger to the public health and safety” and ordered Barnett to surrender her license to practice as a physician and surgeon in Washington.
Barnett can request a hearing to dispute that decision, said Stephanie Mason, a commission spokesperson.
An attorney for Barnett, D. Jeffrey Burnham, declined to comment on Thursday.
Barnett has appealed her firing and defended her medical care in a response to the commission last year, describing the Monroe prison infirmary as short-staffed and “a problematic place to care for sick people.” She also said she had raised concerns about conditions including ventilation problems and inadequate heating and air conditioning.
She was being paid $260,000 a year at the time of her firing. Her appeal is still pending before the state Personnel Resources Board.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Pilot found dead in wreckage of small plane that crashed

ARLINGTON , Wash. ( AP ) - A pilot in a small two-seat plane was found dead Thursday night in @ @ @ @ @ near Arlington , Washington .
Snohomish County Sheriff deputies received a 911 call from the @ @ @ @ @ the plane had crashed and gave a general idea where it might be located , @ @ @ @ @ and fire crews searched the area and were finally able to locate debris and then @ @ @ @ @ in a heavily wooded area near North Cedarvale Loop Road .
The body of the @ @ @ @ @ Investigators do not know what caused the plane to crash .
The pilot ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .

ARLINGTON, Wash. (AP) - A pilot in a small two-seat plane was found dead Thursday night in the wreckage of a crash near Arlington, Washington.
Snohomish County Sheriff deputies received a 911 call from the friend of the pilot worried the plane had crashed and gave a general idea where it might be located, according to KOMO-TV.
Deputies and fire crews searched the area and were finally able to locate debris and then the cockpit of the plane in a heavily wooded area near North Cedarvale Loop Road.
The body of the pilot was found inside.
Investigators do not know what caused the plane to crash. The pilot’s name has not been released.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Police make arrest in double shooting that killed woman

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - Police in Kansas City have made an arrested in a double @ @ @ @ @ left a woman dead and a man injured .
James Gregory , 28 , of @ @ @ @ @ on suspicion of second-degree murder , first-degree assault and several other counts , police said @ @ @ @ @ the late Monday night shooting in a northeastern Kansas City neighborhood that killed Michelle Capell @ @ @ @ @ City , and injured a man , who is expected to recover .
The man @ @ @ @ @ Capell were talking when a car drove by and the driver opened fire , investigators @ @ @ @ @ from several cameras in the area that showed the shooting and determined the car seen @ @ @ @ @ Gregory ’ s fiance .
Under questioning , Gregory denied any involvement in the shootings @ @ @ @ @

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Police in Kansas City have made an arrested in a double shooting earlier this week that left a woman dead and a man injured.
James Gregory, 28, of Independence, has been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, first-degree assault and several other counts, police said. He is suspected in the late Monday night shooting in a northeastern Kansas City neighborhood that killed Michelle Capell, 36, of Kansas City, and injured a man, who is expected to recover.
The man told police that he and Capell were talking when a car drove by and the driver opened fire, investigators said. Detectives found video from several cameras in the area that showed the shooting and determined the car seen in the videos belongs to Gregory’s fiance.
Under questioning, Gregory denied any involvement in the shootings, court documents say.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Death penalty sought against man accused of killing child

CLEMMONS , N.C. ( AP ) - A judge in North Carolina is allowing prosecutors to seek the death penalty @ @ @ @ @ who is accused of killing a 1-year-old girl .
The Winston-Salem Journal reported Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ , of Clemmons , faces a first-degree-murder murder charge in the death of Carolina Rose @ @ @ @ @ daughter of Perkins ’ girlfriend .
The girl died in August of 2018 from what @ @ @ @ @ being smothered .
Assistant District Attorney James Dornfried said that aggravating circumstances make Perkins eligible @ @ @ @ @ Dornfried said that Perkins had admitted to smothering Carolina and told investigators that Carolina resisted @ @ @ @ @ being held in jail with without bond .
It is unclear if he has hired @ @ @ @ @ court date is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 7 .

CLEMMONS, N.C. (AP) - A judge in North Carolina is allowing prosecutors to seek the death penalty against a Forsyth County man who is accused of killing a 1-year-old girl.
The Winston-Salem Journal reported Thursday that Jesse Wayne Perkins, 24, of Clemmons, faces a first-degree-murder murder charge in the death of Carolina Rose Dodd.
Carolina was the daughter of Perkins’ girlfriend. The girl died in August of 2018 from what authorities said was asphyxia from being smothered.
Assistant District Attorney James Dornfried said that aggravating circumstances make Perkins eligible for the death penalty. Dornfried said that Perkins had admitted to smothering Carolina and told investigators that Carolina resisted and struggled.
Perkins is being held in jail with without bond. It is unclear if he has hired an attorney. His next court date is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 7.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--South African police use tear gas on protest over race

CAPE TOWN , South Africa ( AP ) - South African police used tear gas , stun grenades and water cannons on hundreds of mainly Black protesters who gathered again Friday outside a high school in a predominantly white neighborhood that ’ s become a flashpoint for racial tensions .
The opposition Economic Freedom Fighters party has organized protests at the school in response to a students ’ prom they claim that only white kids were invited to .
The school said the party was a private function organized by parents and had nothing to do with them .
Organizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all children taking end-of-school exams , although it was limited to 100 because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The issue forced its way into the public discourse in a country with deep wounds from a racist past when a man shared a video of what he said was the whites-only party on social media .
The EFF acquired a court order for the latest protest at the Brackenfell High School outside Cape Town , but protesters were met with a heavy police and private security presence Friday .
The EFF said its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tear gas , stun grenades and water cannons on them .
Police said they began using force after protesters ignored an instruction to stay at an agreed point for the protest and started approaching the school .
Some of the protesters were seen carrying machetes , sticks and golf clubs .
Another protest by the EFF descended into violence last week when Black members of the party and whites who said they were parents of students scuffled in the street outside the school .
Then , the white community members attacked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Africa ’ s 60 million people are Black but the majority of them still struggle in poverty 26 years after the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule .
The EFF , and some others , say Blacks are still held back by deep-rooted racism that remains in South Africa , and especially in neighborhoods like Brackenfell .
EFF deputy secretary general Poppy Mailola said the community of Brackenfell “ had even taught their children to be racist.
” She also called the police at the protest , who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests in South Africa have utilized slogans and imagery connected to the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States .
On Friday , one EFF protester wore a black T-shirt with the words “ I can ’ t breathe , ” a reference to the killing of George Floyd that sparked widespread protests this year .
Floyd was a Black man who died in Minneapolis in May after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes despite Floyd ’ s pleas .

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) - South African police used tear gas, stun grenades and water cannons on hundreds of mainly Black protesters who gathered again Friday outside a high school in a predominantly white neighborhood that’s become a flashpoint for racial tensions.
The opposition Economic Freedom Fighters party has organized protests at the school in response to a students’ prom they claim that only white kids were invited to. The school said the party was a private function organized by parents and had nothing to do with them. Organizers of the prom say it was open to all children taking end-of-school exams, although it was limited to 100 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The issue forced its way into the public discourse in a country with deep wounds from a racist past when a man shared a video of what he said was the whites-only party on social media.
The EFF acquired a court order for the latest protest at the Brackenfell High School outside Cape Town, but protesters were met with a heavy police and private security presence Friday. The EFF said its followers were protesting peacefully when police used the tear gas, stun grenades and water cannons on them.
Police said they began using force after protesters ignored an instruction to stay at an agreed point for the protest and started approaching the school.
Some of the protesters were seen carrying machetes, sticks and golf clubs.
Another protest by the EFF descended into violence last week when Black members of the party and whites who said they were parents of students scuffled in the street outside the school. Then, the white community members attacked the Black protesters.
The chaos moved Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu, the former archbishop of Cape Town, to release a statement through his foundation calling for “peaceful and rational discourse, and action. Not division.”
He said the protagonists on both sides are “actually acting with common purpose: To undermine non-racialism.”
“Brackenfell High School is a symbol of unresolved issues from South Africa’s past,” the foundation’s statement said.
Approximately 80% of South Africa’s 60 million people are Black but the majority of them still struggle in poverty 26 years after the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule. The EFF, and some others, say Blacks are held back by deep-rooted racism that remains in South Africa, and especially in neighborhoods like Brackenfell.
EFF deputy secretary general Poppy Mailola said the community of Brackenfell “had even taught their children to be racist.”
She also called the police at the protest, who were mainly Black, racist.
Recent anti-racism protests in South Africa have utilized slogans and imagery connected to the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States. On Friday, one EFF protester wore a black T-shirt with the words “I can’t breathe,” a reference to the killing of George Floyd that sparked widespread protests this year. Floyd was a Black man who died in Minneapolis in May after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes despite Floyd’s pleas.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Rate of rejected SC ballots without signatures drops in 2020

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - Absentee ballots in South Carolina were turned in without required signatures at a lower rate in the 2020 election than the presidential election four years ago .
About 0.7 % of mailed in ballots lacked witness signatures this election , compared to about 1.2 % in 2016 , according to an analysis of South Carolina Election Commission data by The State newspaper .
More total ballots were rejected this year - 3,134 in 2020 , compared to 1,575 in 2016 - but the state allowed anyone to vote absentee by mail without an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more than three times as many mail in ballots were received for this election , according to the commission ’ s data .
South Carolina ’ s law that a witness sign a mailed in ballot was fought in court this year .
A federal judge overturned the requirement , but her ruling was eventually overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court .
Election officials did not toss out ballots without the signature submitted before or up to two days after the early October ruling .
But there were some South Carolina counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots because officials specified voters could not be given a chance to correct them if they did not get a witness signature .
Aiken County rejected two ballots in 2016 after giving voters a chance to add missing signatures .
The county rejected 107 in 2020 , officials said .
Clarendon County went from no rejected ballots in 2016 to 79 in 2020 because workers could not contact voters who did not follow the directions , county elections director Shirley Black-Oliver told the newspaper .
“ It was quite unfortunate , ” Black-Oliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow the laws that are set forth.
” In all , 4,378 , or less than 1 % of all the mail in ballots in South Carolina in 2020 were rejected .
About three-quarters were for lack of a witness signature .
Most of the rest came in after Election Day .
A few lacked the signature of the voter , according to state Election Commission data .
The commission thinks in a way , the confusion caused by the court case meant more voters were aware they needed a witness signature and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down , Election Commission spokesman Chris Whitmire said .
“ There was a time when you couldn ’ t turn on a TV or open a newspaper without reading about this requirement , and I think it had to have a positive impact on voter education about this issue , ” Whitmire said .

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Absentee ballots in South Carolina were turned in without required signatures at a lower rate in the 2020 election than the presidential election four years ago.
About 0.7% of mailed in ballots lacked witness signatures this election, compared to about 1.2% in 2016, according to an analysis of South Carolina Election Commission data by The State newspaper.
More total ballots were rejected this year - 3,134 in 2020, compared to 1,575 in 2016 - but the state allowed anyone to vote absentee by mail without an excuse because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and more than three times as many mail in ballots were received for this election, according to the commission’s data.
South Carolina’s law that a witness sign a mailed in ballot was fought in court this year. A federal judge overturned the requirement, but her ruling was eventually overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Election officials did not toss out ballots without the signature submitted before or up to two days after the early October ruling.
But there were some South Carolina counties where there were sharp increases in rejected ballots because officials specified voters could not be given a chance to correct them if they did not get a witness signature.
Aiken County rejected two ballots in 2016 after giving voters a chance to add missing signatures. The county rejected 107 in 2020, officials said.
Clarendon County went from no rejected ballots in 2016 to 79 in 2020 because workers could not contact voters who did not follow the directions, county elections director Shirley Black-Oliver told the newspaper.
“It was quite unfortunate,” Black-Oliver said. “But we have to follow the laws that are set forth.”
In all, 4,378, or less than 1% of all the mail in ballots in South Carolina in 2020 were rejected. About three-quarters were for lack of a witness signature. Most of the rest came in after Election Day. A few lacked the signature of the voter, according to state Election Commission data.
The commission thinks in a way, the confusion caused by the court case meant more voters were aware they needed a witness signature and that sent the rate of rejected ballots down, Election Commission spokesman Chris Whitmire said.
“There was a time when you couldn’t turn on a TV or open a newspaper without reading about this requirement, and I think it had to have a positive impact on voter education about this issue,” Whitmire said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Alabama coronavirus app part of growing multistate network

BIRMINGHAM , Ala. ( AP ) - An app that ’ s been used in Alabama to warn people that they might have been exposed to the coronavirus is joining a growing network in other states , giving an extra layer of protection especially ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday season , officials announced .
The GuideSafe Exposure Notification app was developed by the University of Alabama at Birmingham , the Alabama Department of Health and the Birmingham-based tech company MotionMobs , Al.com reported Thursday .
According to the GuideSafe website it uses technology from a collaboration between Google and Apple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine when two cell phones are within six feet of each other for longer than 15 minutes - considered to be close proximity .
If one of those people later tests positive for the virus they can report it to the GuideSafe app and then the other people who have been in close proximity are notified .
So far Alabama ’ s version of the app has only worked with other people who ’ d downloaded the state ’ s version .
But on Thursday the app was connected to a wider network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Key Server .
That connects apps created by 13 states and the District of Columbia .
More states are to be added in the future .
So far 150,000 users have downloaded Alabama ’ s notification app .
Now , if one of those people comes into contact with someone who uses a different state ’ s app and tests positive , the Alabama users will be notified .
Dr. Karen Landers , from the Alabama Department of Public Health , said by connecting the state ’ s app to the wider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially at a time when people might be traveling for the holidays .
The app is designed to not collect personal identifying information or a user ’ s location data .

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - An app that’s been used in Alabama to warn people that they might have been exposed to the coronavirus is joining a growing network in other states, giving an extra layer of protection especially ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday season, officials announced.
The GuideSafe Exposure Notification app was developed by the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the Alabama Department of Health and the Birmingham-based tech company MotionMobs, Al.com reported Thursday. According to the GuideSafe website it uses technology from a collaboration between Google and Apple.
The app uses Bluetooth signals to determine when two cell phones are within six feet of each other for longer than 15 minutes - considered to be close proximity. If one of those people later tests positive for the virus they can report it to the GuideSafe app and then the other people who have been in close proximity are notified.
So far Alabama’s version of the app has only worked with other people who’d downloaded the state’s version. But on Thursday the app was connected to a wider network called the Association of Public Health Laboratories National Key Server. That connects apps created by 13 states and the District of Columbia. More states are to be added in the future.
So far 150,000 users have downloaded Alabama’s notification app. Now, if one of those people comes into contact with someone who uses a different state’s app and tests positive, the Alabama users will be notified.
Dr. Karen Landers, from the Alabama Department of Public Health, said by connecting the state’s app to the wider network it gives another layer of protection especially at a time when people might be traveling for the holidays.
The app is designed to not collect personal identifying information or a user’s location data.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Miami coach Manny Diaz in isolation with coronavirus

CORAL GABLES , Fla. ( AP ) - Miami coach Manny Diaz said Friday he is in isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus , and he will work virtually with the No .
12 Hurricanes until he can return to the field .
Miami is not scheduled to play again until Dec. 5 at Wake Forest .
The Hurricanes had games scheduled for this coming Saturday and Nov. 28 , postponing both earlier this week because of coronavirus issues .
“ I have tested positive for COVID-19 .
I am currently in isolation and feeling good overall , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work with our team virtually as we prepare for our next game at Wake Forest.
” The Hurricanes are third in the Atlantic Coast Conference , 7-1 overall and 6-1 in league play .
They ’ ve won each of their last four games , including a comeback 25-24 win at Virginia Tech last weekend .
Miami was “ on the brink , ” Diaz said , of choosing to not play that game because its roster was dealing with so many coronavirus cases .
“ We were just really down on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diaz said after that game , in which his five starting offensive linemen played all 86 snaps without a substitution .
“ And you know , just makes it hard to practice , makes it hard to do anything.
” He becomes the latest major-college football coach to have a positive COVID-19 test released , a list that includes Florida ’ s Dan Mullen , Florida State ’ s Mike Norvell , Purdue ’ s Jeff Brohm , Arizona ’ s Kevin Sumlin and Kansas ’ Les Miles .
Alabama coach Nick Saban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miss a game after that result was later deemed false .
Earlier this week , Diaz said he believes the coronavirus numbers nationally “ are really , really getting to a bad place.
” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more than 1 million coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the U.S. in the past week alone , numbers that - when combined with soaring hospitalization rates - prompted the CDC to urge Americans to curtail Thanksgiving travel and not partake in large gatherings with people from outside their household .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have a coronavirus-in-college-football problem , ” Diaz said Monday .
“ We have a coronavirus-in-America problem .
”

Tennessee athletic director and former Volunteers football coach Phillip Fulmer said Friday he is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. And Miami’s Manny Diaz became the latest active coach to announce he has contracted the virus.
Fulmer, 70, posted on Twitter that he is “feeling fine” and was deemed not to have been in close contact with any Tennessee athletes or “sport-specific staff members.”
Tennessee plays at No. 23 Auburn on Saturday.
Fulmer is a College Football Hall of Famer who coached the Vols for 17 years and won a national championship in 1998. He has been Tennessee’s AD since 2017.
Diaz made a similar social media post earlier to announce he tested positive for COVID-19 and is isolating. Diaz, 46, said he will work virtually with the No. 12 Hurricanes until he can return to the field.
Miami is not scheduled to play again until Dec. 5 at Wake Forest. The Hurricanes this week were forced to postpone games scheduled for Saturday and Nov. 28 because of coronavirus issues.
“I have tested positive for COVID-19. I am currently in isolation and feeling good overall,” Diaz tweeted.
Diaz was the second coach from a Power Five school to publicly acknowledge testing positive this week, along with Maryland’s Mike Locksley. Locksley’s team, like Diaz’s, had its Saturday game called off because of COVID-19 issues within the program.
As of Friday evening, 17 of the 62 games across major college football had been postponed or canceled. That’s the most disrupted games in any week of this season, one more than last week.
The latest addition was Washington State’s game at Stanford, which got canceled before the Cougars left for the Bay Area. The Cougars fell below the Pac-12 minimum of 53 scholarship players available due to positive coronavirus cases and contact tracing.
“I’m disappointed for our team and our players. They have battled through so much this year,” Washington State coach Nick Rolovich said in a statement. “We had a good week of practice and were excited to play this game. I recognize the pain they feel with this lost opportunity but this 2020 football team is a resilient group of young men.”
Among the other active coaches to have said they tested positive for COVID-19 are: Florida’s Dan Mullen, Florida State’s Mike Norvell, Purdue’s Jeff Brohm, Arizona’s Kevin Sumlin, Kansas’ Les Miles, and Troy’s Chip Lindsey, who will not be with his team when the Trojans play Middle Tennessee on Saturday.
Alabama coach Nick Saban also tested positive, but did not miss a game after that result was later deemed false.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Pittsburgh said its players will be outfitted with face coverings to use on the field and sideline during its home game against Virginia Tech on Saturday, in accordance with recent guidelines handed down by state officials in Pennsylvania.
Pitt later clarified that players will not be required to pull up the face coverings while they are competing.
In a statement, Penn State said the new orders include exceptions for competition to be played without face coverings “in the context of rigorous and stringent University and Big Ten testing, health and safety protocols.” The Nittany Lions host Iowa on Saturday.
Diaz has said he believes the coronavirus numbers nationally “are really, really getting to a bad place.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more than 1 million coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the U.S. in the past week alone, numbers that - when combined with soaring hospitalization rates - prompted the CDC to urge Americans to curtail Thanksgiving travel and not partake in large gatherings with people from outside their household.
“What we know is we don’t have a coronavirus-in-college-football problem,” Diaz said Monday. “We have a coronavirus-in-America problem.”
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College Football Writer Ralph D. Russo contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Effort underway to name post office after fallen soldier

NORTH SMITHFIELD , R.I. ( AP ) - Efforts to name a post office in Rhode Island after a soldier who died during a training exercise in 2017 are moving forward .
The U.S. Senate this week unanimously approved legislation to name the postal facility in the Slatersville section of North Smithfield after Spc .
Matthew Turcotte , according to a statement from Democratic U.S. Sens .
Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse .
The North Smithfield native was serving with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division when he was killed in August 2017 during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado .
He was 20 years old .
An identical measure sponsored by Democratic Reps. David Cicilline and Jim Langevin was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives .
Turcotte enlisted in the Army while attending North Smithfield High School , where he was a co-captain of the football team .
He was deployed to Kosovo and earned several awards and medals for his service .
“ Matthew was a dedicated soldier , promising young man , and proud son of Rhode Island .
He died in the line of duty and naming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small token of our enduring gratitude for his faithful service to our nation , ” Reed said .

NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. (AP) - Efforts to name a post office in Rhode Island after a soldier who died during a training exercise in 2017 are moving forward.
The U.S. Senate this week unanimously approved legislation to name the postal facility in the Slatersville section of North Smithfield after Spc. Matthew Turcotte, according to a statement from Democratic U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse.
The North Smithfield native was serving with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division when he was killed in August 2017 during a live-ammunition training exercise at Fort Carson in Colorado. He was 20 years old.
An identical measure sponsored by Democratic Reps. David Cicilline and Jim Langevin was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Turcotte enlisted in the Army while attending North Smithfield High School, where he was a co-captain of the football team.
He was deployed to Kosovo and earned several awards and medals for his service.
“Matthew was a dedicated soldier, promising young man, and proud son of Rhode Island. He died in the line of duty and naming this post office after him is a small token of our enduring gratitude for his faithful service to our nation,” Reed said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Pack of feral dogs is on the loose after killing 11 goats

FAYETTEVILLE , N.C. ( AP ) - Authorities in North Carolina say a pack of dogs is still on the @ @ @ @ @ in Cumberland County near Fayetteville .
The Raleigh News & Observer reported Friday that the @ @ @ @ @ to be German Shepherd mixes with white fur .
Elaine Smith , Cumberland County ’ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement that the dogs “ have not been aggressive toward people , @ @ @ @ @ able to get within 50 feet of them.
” Cumberland County Animal Services said it @ @ @ @ @ unidentified owner abandoned several dogs .
“ The areas the dogs have been sighted in @ @ @ @ @ pockets of thickly overgrown woods , which has made capturing them very difficult , ” @ @ @ @ @ dogs have also traveled more than 2 ½ miles from their original sighting.
” Officials @ @ @ @ @ ’ s help with tracking down the dogs .
They say they ’ re trying @ @ @ @ @ dogs with the use of tranquilizer darts , special traps and snares .
”

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Authorities in North Carolina say a pack of dogs is still on the loose after killing 11 goats in Cumberland County near Fayetteville.
The Raleigh News & Observer reported Friday that the three feral dogs are reported to be German Shepherd mixes with white fur.
Elaine Smith, Cumberland County’s animal services director, said in a statement that the dogs “have not been aggressive toward people, and we have not been able to get within 50 feet of them.”
Cumberland County Animal Services said it has received reports that an unidentified owner abandoned several dogs.
“The areas the dogs have been sighted in are heavily populated, with pockets of thickly overgrown woods, which has made capturing them very difficult,” Smith said. “The dogs have also traveled more than 2 ½ miles from their original sighting.”
Officials are asking for the public’s help with tracking down the dogs. They say they’re trying to “humanely capture the dogs with the use of tranquilizer darts, special traps and snares.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Man convicted of killing father, son in 1984 granted parole

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
( AP ) - The South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles has granted the release of an 81-year-old man convicted of killing a father and son in 1984 .
The board voted 5-4 Thursday to grant compassionate parole to Jennis Hofer , one of the few prisoners in the state to be considered for that type of release .
Board members say Hofer was granted parole this time because he does not pose a risk to the public , and the cost to keep him incarcerated with multiple medical conditions did not equal the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Argus Leader reported .
Hofer ’ s attorney , Raleigh Hansman , says Hofer will be returning home to family in Tea .
Hansman says Hofer has atrial fibrillation , congestive heart failure and diabetes and takes more than 30 pills a day .
She says he has recovered from COVID-19 within the last 10 days after contracting it in prison .
Hofer pled guilty to manslaughter for fatally shooting Andrew Wipf Sr. and Andrew Wipf Jr. Deputy Attorney General Robert Mayer spoke on the behalf of the victims ’ family urging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them and reject parole for Hofer .

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - The South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles has granted the release of an 81-year-old man convicted of killing a father and son in 1984.
The board voted 5-4 Thursday to grant compassionate parole to Jennis Hofer, one of the few prisoners in the state to be considered for that type of release.
Board members say Hofer was granted parole this time because he does not pose a risk to the public, and the cost to keep him incarcerated with multiple medical conditions did not equal the interest in keeping him behind bars, the Argus Leader reported.
Hofer’s attorney, Raleigh Hansman, says Hofer will be returning home to family in Tea.
Hansman says Hofer has atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure and diabetes and takes more than 30 pills a day. She says he has recovered from COVID-19 within the last 10 days after contracting it in prison.
Hofer pled guilty to manslaughter for fatally shooting Andrew Wipf Sr. and Andrew Wipf Jr. Deputy Attorney General Robert Mayer spoke on the behalf of the victims’ family urging the board to show compassion for the them and reject parole for Hofer.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Alabama man arrested, charged with sexual extortion

TUSCALOOSA , Ala. ( AP ) - A 20-year-old Alabama man was arrested and accused of sexual extortion , authorities @ @ @ @ @ faces several charges including sexual extortion and possession and dissemination of obscene matter containing persons @ @ @ @ @ West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force , investigators from the University of Alabama Police Department @ @ @ @ @ Crime Task Force served a search warrant Thursday at a home near the university .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ t immediately released but the search led to the Yeager ’ s arrest .
@ @ @ @ @ Yeager or the victims were students .
It ’ s also unclear whether Yeager had @ @ @ @ @ on his behalf .

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - A 20-year-old Alabama man was arrested and accused of sexual extortion, authorities said.
Aden Willis Yeager faces several charges including sexual extortion and possession and dissemination of obscene matter containing persons under age 17.
The West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, investigators from the University of Alabama Police Department and the UA Joint Electronics Crime Task Force served a search warrant Thursday at a home near the university.
Details on the search weren’t immediately released but the search led to the Yeager’s arrest.
It’s unclear whether Yeager or the victims were students. It’s also unclear whether Yeager had an attorney who would comment on his behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Coast Guard calls off search for man, 77, in Florida waters

ISLAMORADA , Fla. ( AP ) - The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended a search for an elderly man who @ @ @ @ @ off Islamorada in the Florida Keys .
The agency identified the man as Paul James @ @ @ @ @ Guard was alerted on Monday that a 30-foot ( 9-meter ) Grady-White boat near Islamorada @ @ @ @ @ Crews searched more than 3,000 square miles ( 7,770 square kilometers ) for about 60 @ @ @ @ @ .
The agency said late Thursday it had decided to call off the search .

ISLAMORADA, Fla. (AP) - The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended a search for an elderly man who went missing in the waters off Islamorada in the Florida Keys.
The agency identified the man as Paul James, 77. The Coast Guard was alerted on Monday that a 30-foot (9-meter) Grady-White boat near Islamorada was sending distress signals.
Crews searched more than 3,000 square miles (7,770 square kilometers) for about 60 hours with boats and helicopters.
The agency said late Thursday it had decided to call off the search.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Owl found in Rockefeller Center tree could take flight soon

SAUGERTIES , N.Y. ( AP ) - A tiny owl that was found dehydrated and hungry in the branches of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is eating its way back to good health and is set to be released back into the wild Saturday .
The adult male Saw-whet owl was dubbed Rockefeller after it was discovered Monday by a worker setting up the towering holiday tree in Manhattan .
The Norway spruce was cut down 170 miles ( 275 kilometers ) northwest in upstate New York and brought to Manhattan on Saturday .
The bird was taken to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where it is dining on mice in preparation for a return to the wild , tentatively before dusk Saturday .
“ I just want to make sure he ’ s well-fed before he goes , ” Director Ellen Kalish told the Daily Freeman on Thursday .
“ He was a little on the thin side when he came in .
He probably hadn ’ t eaten in a number of days .
So I just want to make sure that he ’ s at his best weight and health , and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in “ great condition ” with no bone fractures apparent after an X-ray .
She plans to release the owl from the center ’ s location in Saugerties , New York .

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. (AP) - A tiny owl that was found dehydrated and hungry in the branches of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is eating its way back to good health and is set to be released back into the wild Saturday.
The adult male Saw-whet owl was dubbed Rockefeller after it was discovered Monday by a worker setting up the towering holiday tree in Manhattan. The Norway spruce was cut down 170 miles (275 kilometers) northwest in upstate New York and brought to Manhattan on Saturday.
The bird was taken to the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center in the Hudson Valley, where it is dining on mice in preparation for a return to the wild, tentatively before dusk Saturday.
“I just want to make sure he’s well-fed before he goes,” Director Ellen Kalish told the Daily Freeman on Thursday. “He was a little on the thin side when he came in. He probably hadn’t eaten in a number of days. So I just want to make sure that he’s at his best weight and health, and then he goes.”
Kalish said the owl is in “great condition” with no bone fractures apparent after an X-ray. She plans to release the owl from the center’s location in Saugerties, New York.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Asia Today: South Korea, Japan mull steps as new cases rise

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - South Korea has reported 386 new cases of the coronavirus in a resurgence that could force authorities to reimpose stronger social distancing restrictions after easing them in October to spur a faltering economy .
The figures released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Saturday brought the national caseload to 30,403 , including 503 deaths .
More than 270 of the new cases came from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area , where health workers have struggled to track transmissions in schools , private tutoring academies and religious facilities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities including Busan , Daejeon , Gwangju and Asan .
South Korea has so far managed to weather its COVID-19 epidemic without major lockdowns , relying instead on an aggressive test-and-quarantine campaign and mask-wearing .
Officials eased distancing measures to the lowest level in October , which allowed high-risk venues such as nightclubs and karaoke bars to reopen and fans to return to professional sports .
But the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases said Friday that the country could be reporting more than 1,000 new infections a day in a week or two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectively strengthened .
“ COVID-19 transmissions are occurring in large numbers simultaneously across the country , and in some regions , the pace of infections has already overwhelmed local capacities for contact tracing , ” the doctors ’ group said .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : - The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Japan reached a record for the third straight day at 2,418 .
Japan , with fewer than 2,000 deaths related to the coronavirus , has been relatively successful at containing the damage from the pandemic with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks .
But worries are growing about another surge over a three-day weekend .
Monday is Labor Thanksgiving holiday .
A government coronavirus panel is meeting later Saturday and may decide to scale back the “ GoTo ” tourism campaign , which offers discounts for domestic travel and eating out .
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has been aggressive on keeping the economy going while balancing health risks .
Tokyo ’ s Haneda Airport was packed Saturday with vacationers .
Spots popular for holiday travel , such as the northernmost main island of Hokkaido @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have seen COVID-19 cases jump recently .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea has reported 386 new cases of the coronavirus in a resurgence that could force authorities to reimpose stronger social distancing restrictions after easing them in October to spur a faltering economy.
The figures released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Saturday raised the country’s total number of confirmed cases to 30,403, including 503 deaths.
More than 270 of the new cases have come from the Seoul metropolitan area, where health workers have struggled to track transmissions in schools, private tutoring academies and religious facilities.
Infections were also reported in other major cities, including Busan, Daejeon, Gwangju and Asan.
South Korea has so far managed to weather the pandemic without major lockdowns, relying instead on an aggressive test-and-quarantine campaign and mask-wearing.
Officials eased distancing measures to the lowest level in October, which allowed high-risk venues such as nightclubs and karaoke bars to reopen and fans to return to professional sports.
But the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases said Friday that the country could be reporting more than 1,000 new infections a day in a week or two if social distancing measures aren’t effectively strengthened.
“COVID-19 transmissions are occurring in large numbers simultaneously across the country, and in some regions, the pace of infections has already overwhelmed local capacities for contact tracing,” the doctors’ group said.
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:
- Japan is scaling back on the government-backed “GoTo” campaign to encourage travel and dining out, as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases reached a record for the third day straight on Saturday, at 2,418. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced the decision at a government panel on coronavirus pandemic measures. Stressing the need for “utmost caution,” he said the campaign’s travel discounts will no longer apply to hard-hit areas, and discounts on eating out will end temporarily. Japan has never had a total lockdown. It has had fewer than 2,000 deaths so far related to the coronavirus. But worries have been growing about a spike in infections over the three-day weekend. Monday is Labor Thanksgiving, a national holiday.
- India reported 46,232 new cases, with the situation particularly alarming in New Delhi. Intensive care wards and the capital’s main crematorium are near capacity, and health officials this week found the prevalence of infections in markets much higher than expected. The city has added an average of 6,700 cases each day in recent weeks. The Health Ministry on Saturday also registered 564 deaths in the past 24 hours, raising the death toll to 132,726. India hit a grim milestone Friday, passing 9 million infections, the second-most behind the U.S.
- China is starting mass testing on 3 million people in a section of the northern city of Tianjin and has tested 4,015 others in a hospital in Shanghai after the discovery of a pair of cases there. The National Health Commission recorded seven new domestically transmitted cases Saturday, including five in Tianjin and two in Shanghai. Tianjin on Friday reported community transmission involving four different individuals and another case. In response, local authorities sealed off the residential community where the people lived as well as a hospital and a kindergarten. On Saturday, authorities began testing all residents in the Binhai district of Tianjin, according to the local government’s social media page. Authorities in Shanghai sealed off a hospital after a husband and wife tested positive for the virus Friday night. China’s total number of confirmed cases is now 86,414.
- After more than three weeks of no new infections or deaths in Victoria, the focus in Australia has shifted to neighboring South Australia state. On Saturday in the state capital of Adelaide, South Australia Premier Steven Marshall said there were no fresh cases of community transmission. There have been 26 new cases in a north Adelaide suburb, prompting a lockdown that will end at midnight Saturday, although a range of measures will remain to limit crowds at venues including pubs and restaurants.
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Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Beloved gorilla 'Zura' dies at San Francisco zoo

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) - A beloved gorilla has died Friday at the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens , the zoo announced .
Zura , a 39-year-old Western lowland gorilla , was being treated for “ long-term digestive issues ” but her condition recently had worsened , a zoo statement said .
“ Zura had a beautiful , distinctive face and a one-of-a-kind personality , and so many of our guests recognized her when they visited , ” said Tanya M. Peterson , CEO and executive director of the San Francisco Zoological Society .
“ As one of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generations of our gorilla troop , from the great silverback , ‘ Bwana , ’ to our gentle , contemplative silverback , ‘ OJ.
’ She will be missed by all of us.
” Zura arrived in San Francisco in 1982 from the Columbus Zoo , where her grandmother was Colo , who was widely known as the first gorilla in the world to be born in captivity .
Colo was more than 60 years old when she died at the Columbus Zoo in 2017 .
Zura didn ’ t leave any offspring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lowland gorillas , a male and three females .

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A beloved gorilla has died Friday at the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, the zoo announced.
Zura, a 39-year-old Western lowland gorilla, was being treated for “long-term digestive issues” but her condition recently had worsened, a zoo statement said.
“Zura had a beautiful, distinctive face and a one-of-a-kind personality, and so many of our guests recognized her when they visited,” said Tanya M. Peterson, CEO and executive director of the San Francisco Zoological Society. “As one of our older females, she lived among different generations of our gorilla troop, from the great silverback, ‘Bwana,’ to our gentle, contemplative silverback, ‘OJ.’ She will be missed by all of us.”
Zura arrived in San Francisco in 1982 from the Columbus Zoo, where her grandmother was Colo, who was widely known as the first gorilla in the world to be born in captivity. Colo was more than 60 years old when she died at the Columbus Zoo in 2017.
Zura didn’t leave any offspring. The zoo has four remaining Western lowland gorillas, a male and three females.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Restaurant Association asks court to halt virus restrictions

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association is seeking a court order from a federal judge to block Gov .
Kate Brown ’ s “ two-week freeze ” that bans dining in restaurants in response to a spike in COVID-19 cases .
The association , which represents 10,000 food service and 2,000 lodging businesses across the state , argues the new restrictions will cause devastating effects for its members and their employees , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
The association and the public policy group Restaurant Law Center filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the governor ’ s new executive order took effect .
The order expected to last at least through Dec. 2 limits social get-togethers to no more than six people from no more than two households and limits restaurants to take-out and delivery only .
When issuing the freeze , Brown acknowledged it will be difficult for everyone .
“ We are trying to stop this ferocious virus from spreading even more quickly and far and wide , and to save lives , ” she said .
As of Thursday , there have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the virus , according to state reporting .
The suit says the governor ’ s order violates due process and equal protection , and that Brown has exceeded her power in issuing it .
The association urges a judge to grant a temporary injunction that would bar the order ’ s enforcement , in whole or in part , while the case is pending .
Leaders of the association and the law center said they hope Brown and her staff will work with them to develop “ a more reasonable and pragmatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
“ A blanket ban on indoor and outdoor dining is wrong and we believe the latest executive order in Oregon is also illegal , ” Angelo Amador , executive director of the Restaurant Law Center , said in a news release .
The governor ’ s office , through spokeswoman Liz Merah , declined to comment on the suit , but pointed to Brown ’ s announcement earlier this week in which she announced $ 55 million would be offered in financial assistance to support Oregon businesses who have been impacted @ @ @ @ @ @

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association is seeking a court order from a federal judge to block Gov. Kate Brown’s “two-week freeze” that bans dining in restaurants in response to a spike in COVID-19 cases.
The association, which represents 10,000 food service and 2,000 lodging businesses across the state, argues the new restrictions will cause devastating effects for its members and their employees, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
The association and the public policy group Restaurant Law Center filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Portland on Friday, two days after the governor’s new executive order took effect.
The order expected to last at least through Dec. 2 limits social get-togethers to no more than six people from no more than two households and limits restaurants to take-out and delivery only.
When issuing the freeze, Brown acknowledged it will be difficult for everyone. “We are trying to stop this ferocious virus from spreading even more quickly and far and wide, and to save lives,” she said. As of Thursday, there have been 60,873 coronavirus cases and 808 deaths from the virus, according to state reporting.
The suit says the governor’s order violates due process and equal protection, and that Brown has exceeded her power in issuing it. The association urges a judge to grant a temporary injunction that would bar the order’s enforcement, in whole or in part, while the case is pending.
Leaders of the association and the law center said they hope Brown and her staff will work with them to develop “a more reasonable and pragmatic approach,” according to a news release.
“A blanket ban on indoor and outdoor dining is wrong and we believe the latest executive order in Oregon is also illegal,” Angelo Amador, executive director of the Restaurant Law Center, said in a news release.
The governor’s office, through spokeswoman Liz Merah, declined to comment on the suit, but pointed to Brown’s announcement earlier this week in which she announced $55 million would be offered in financial assistance to support Oregon businesses who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic restrictions.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Maricopa County, Arizona, certifies Biden win over Trump

PHOENIX — The elected leaders of Arizona ’ s most populous county certified election results Friday that showed Democrat Joe Biden won the presidential race and set the stage for state leaders to certify results once one holdout county follows suit next week .
The five-member Maricopa County Board of Supervisors acted after lawsuits backed by the Republican Party and others supporting President Donald Trump failed to halt the normally routine action of verifying election results .
One Democrat and four Republicans are on the Phoenix-based board that voted unanimously to accept the election results .
Protesters marched outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the canvass , but Republican Chairman Clint Hickman said there ’ s no question about the accuracy of the count and no legal reason not to certify it .
“ In a free democracy elections result in some people ’ s candidates losing , ” Hickman said , “ I was disappointed in the outcome of a couple races and I was extremely happy with the outcome in others .
But I ’ m not going to violate the law or deviate from my own moral compass as some have pushed me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked a court to order an audit of a larger sample of ballots , saying there were questions about the counts , but a judge in Phoenix threw out that effort Thursday .
The action by the Maricopa County board comes as the state GOP has been pressuring county officials statewide to delay certifying their election results , leading officials in Republican-heavy Mohave County to postpone their certification until Monday .
That ’ s the deadline for them to act , unless there are outstanding votes that have not been counted .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona counties had completed their tallies by the end of last week .
Board members heard extensive reports from county elections officials who said the vote count was correct and noted that all tests and hand-count reviews showed the electronic ballot count was 100 % accurate .
Those tests are done with help from Democrats and Republicans .
“ In all those instances the political parties themselves found zero variance in all three elections , ” said Scott Jarrett , Maricopa County ’ s director of election day and emergency voting , referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is determined by the political parties themselves that this system is accurate.
” Around 70 Trump supporters gathered outside the site where the supervisors were meeting .
Various speakers took turns lambasting the board , saying any certification would be an act of “ treason.
” They also rehashed previous allegations such as votes had been cast in the names of hundreds of dead people .
Several people said an independent , forensic audit of ballots and voting machines would make them feel comfortable accepting whatever election outcome .
“ The point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is voter fraud .
The point is , is there the possibility of voter fraud , ” said Stephanie O ’ Brien , 56 .
“ If there is , it takes away the confidence of the people .
My biggest issue is I don ’ t feel confident about it.
” Several lawsuits had been filed since Election Day , and the remaining challenge was dismissed as the board was meeting , although its outcome would not have changed the outcome that saw a Democratic presidential candidate win the state for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that some voters ’ ballots may not have been tabulated at county-run election sites , but that could only affect a handful of potential votes .
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Margaret Mahoney announced her plans immediately after lawyers made closing arguments at a hearing , though she didn ’ t detail her reasons for wanting to throw out the case .
The lawsuit asked a court to let one person who alleged a tabulator rejected her ballot to recast her vote .
Lawyers defending Maricopa County said there was no evidence the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lawsuit weren ’ t counted .
During the hearing , lawyers who filed the case tried to admit into evidence a photograph of a ballot taken inside a polling location , but later backed off that effort when it was explained that it ’ s a crime to take photos within 75 feet of a polling place .
Those lawyers also faced criticism when they unsuccessfully tried to admit into evidence an expert ’ s report about a tabulator made by the same vendor used by Maricopa County , but the expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Maricopa County .
Biden won the county by more than 45,000 votes , and bested Trump statewide by a margin of more than 10,000 votes .
The win came as Democrats made an all-out push to turn Arizona blue after decades of leaning Republican .
Democrats pinned their hopes on Arizona ’ s changing demographics and swing voters who split their tickets two years ago to elect a Republican governor and send a Democrat to the U.S. Senate .
Their fortunes have risen thanks to the state ’ s growing Latino population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unease with Trump among suburban women .
Trump and his allies battled to hold on to Arizona , which the president won in 2016 by 3.5 percentage points .
The state plans to do its statewide election canvass on Nov. 30 .

PHOENIX — The elected leaders of Arizona’s most populous county certified election results Friday that showed Democrat Joe Biden won the presidential race and set the stage for state leaders to certify results once one holdout county follows suit next week.
The five-member Maricopa County Board of Supervisors acted after lawsuits backed by the Republican Party and others supporting President Donald Trump failed to halt the normally routine action of verifying election results. One Democrat and four Republicans are on the Phoenix-based board that voted unanimously to accept the election results.
Protesters marched outside the board chambers urging members not to approve the canvass, but Republican Chairman Clint Hickman said there’s no question about the accuracy of the count and no legal reason not to certify it.
“In a free democracy elections result in some people’s candidates losing,” Hickman said, “I was disappointed in the outcome of a couple races and I was extremely happy with the outcome in others. But I’m not going to violate the law or deviate from my own moral compass as some have pushed me to do.”
The Arizona Republican Party had asked a court to order an audit of a larger sample of ballots, saying there were questions about the counts, but a judge in Phoenix threw out that effort Thursday.
The action by the Maricopa County board comes as the state GOP has been pressuring county officials statewide to delay certifying their election results, leading officials in Republican-heavy Mohave County to postpone their certification until Monday. That’s the deadline for them to act, unless there are outstanding votes that have not been counted. That is not the case; all 15 Arizona counties had completed their tallies by the end of last week.
Board members heard extensive reports from county elections officials who said the vote count was correct and noted that all tests and hand-count reviews showed the electronic ballot count was 100% accurate. Those tests are done with help from Democrats and Republicans.
“In all those instances the political parties themselves found zero variance in all three elections,” said Scott Jarrett, Maricopa County’s director of election day and emergency voting, referring to three elections this year. “This is determined by the political parties themselves that this system is accurate.”
Around 70 Trump supporters gathered outside the site where the supervisors were meeting. Various speakers took turns lambasting the board, saying any certification would be an act of “treason.” They also rehashed previous allegations such as votes had been cast in the names of hundreds of dead people. Several people said an independent, forensic audit of ballots and voting machines would make them feel comfortable accepting whatever election outcome.
“The point is it’s not that there is voter fraud. The point is, is there the possibility of voter fraud,” said Stephanie O’Brien, 56. “If there is, it takes away the confidence of the people. My biggest issue is I don’t feel confident about it.”
Several lawsuits had been filed since Election Day, and the remaining challenge was dismissed as the board was meeting, although its outcome would not have changed the outcome that saw a Democratic presidential candidate win the state for the first time since 1996. It alleged that some voters’ ballots may not have been tabulated at county-run election sites, but that could only affect a handful of potential votes.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Margaret Mahoney announced her plans immediately after lawyers made closing arguments at a hearing, though she didn’t detail her reasons for wanting to throw out the case.
The lawsuit asked a court to let one person who alleged a tabulator rejected her ballot to recast her vote. Lawyers defending Maricopa County said there was no evidence the votes of the two people who filed the lawsuit weren’t counted.
During the hearing, lawyers who filed the case tried to admit into evidence a photograph of a ballot taken inside a polling location, but later backed off that effort when it was explained that it’s a crime to take photos within 75 feet of a polling place. Those lawyers also faced criticism when they unsuccessfully tried to admit into evidence an expert’s report about a tabulator made by the same vendor used by Maricopa County, but the expert hadn’t examined the model used by Maricopa County.
Biden won the county by more than 45,000 votes, and bested Trump statewide by a margin of more than 10,000 votes. The win came as Democrats made an all-out push to turn Arizona blue after decades of leaning Republican.
Democrats pinned their hopes on Arizona’s changing demographics and swing voters who split their tickets two years ago to elect a Republican governor and send a Democrat to the U.S. Senate. Their fortunes have risen thanks to the state’s growing Latino population, an influx of new voters and unease with Trump among suburban women.
Trump and his allies battled to hold on to Arizona, which the president won in 2016 by 3.5 percentage points.
The state plans to do its statewide election canvass on Nov. 30.
• Associated Press reporters Terry Tang and Jacques Billeaud contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Arizona's largest county certifies Biden win over Trump

PHOENIX ( AP ) - The elected leaders of Arizona ’ s most populous county certified election results Friday that showed Democrat Joe Biden won the presidential race and set the stage for state leaders to certify results once one holdout county follows suit next week .
The five-member Maricopa County Board of Supervisors acted after lawsuits backed by the Republican Party and others supporting President Donald Trump failed to halt the normally routine action of verifying election results .
One Democrat and four Republicans are on the Phoenix-based board that voted unanimously to accept the election results .
Protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to approve the canvass , but Republican Chairman Clint Hickman said there ’ s no question about the accuracy of the count and no legal reason not to certify it .
“ In a free democracy elections result in some people ’ s candidates losing , ” Hickman said , “ I was disappointed in the outcome of a couple races and I was extremely happy with the outcome in others .
But I ’ m not going to violate the law or deviate from my own moral compass as some have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Party had asked a court to order an audit of a larger sample of ballots , saying there were questions about the counts , but a judge in Phoenix threw out that effort Thursday .
The action by the Maricopa County board comes as the state GOP has been pressuring county officials statewide to delay certifying their election results , leading officials in Republican-heavy Mohave County to postpone their certification until Monday .
That ’ s the deadline for them to act , unless there are outstanding votes that have not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; all 15 Arizona counties had completed their tallies by the end of last week .
Board members heard extensive reports from county elections officials who said the vote count was correct and noted that all tests and hand-count reviews showed the electronic ballot count was 100 % accurate .
Those tests are done with help from Democrats and Republicans .
“ In all those instances the political parties themselves found zero variance in all three elections , ” said Scott Jarrett , Maricopa County ’ s director of election day and emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
“ This is determined by the political parties themselves that this system is accurate.
” Around 70 Trump supporters gathered outside the site where the supervisors were meeting .
Various speakers took turns lambasting the board , saying any certification would be an act of “ treason.
” They also rehashed previous allegations such as votes had been cast in the names of hundreds of dead people .
Several people said an independent , forensic audit of ballots and voting machines would make them feel comfortable accepting whatever election outcome .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not that there is voter fraud .
The point is , is there the possibility of voter fraud , ” said Stephanie O ’ Brien , 56 .
“ If there is , it takes away the confidence of the people .
My biggest issue is I don ’ t feel confident about it.
” Several lawsuits had been filed since Election Day , and the remaining challenge was dismissed as the board was meeting , although its outcome would not have changed the outcome that saw a Democratic presidential candidate win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It alleged that some voters ’ ballots may not have been tabulated at county-run election sites , but that could only affect a handful of potential votes .
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Margaret Mahoney announced her plans immediately after lawyers made closing arguments at a hearing , though she didn ’ t detail her reasons for wanting to throw out the case .
The lawsuit asked a court to let one person who alleged a tabulator rejected her ballot to recast her vote .
Lawyers defending Maricopa County said there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who filed the lawsuit weren ’ t counted .
During the hearing , lawyers who filed the case tried to admit into evidence a photograph of a ballot taken inside a polling location , but later backed off that effort when it was explained that it ’ s a crime to take photos within 75 feet of a polling place .
Those lawyers also faced criticism when they unsuccessfully tried to admit into evidence an expert ’ s report about a tabulator made by the same vendor used by Maricopa County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the model used by Maricopa County .
Biden won the county by more than 45,000 votes , and bested Trump statewide by a margin of more than 10,000 votes .
The win came as Democrats made an all-out push to turn Arizona blue after decades of leaning Republican .
Democrats pinned their hopes on Arizona ’ s changing demographics and swing voters who split their tickets two years ago to elect a Republican governor and send a Democrat to the U.S. Senate .
Their fortunes have risen thanks to the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new voters and unease with Trump among suburban women .
Trump and his allies battled to hold on to Arizona , which the president won in 2016 by 3.5 percentage points .
The state plans to do its statewide election canvass on Nov. 30 .

PHOENIX (AP) - The elected leaders of Arizona’s most populous county certified election results Friday that showed Democrat Joe Biden won the presidential race and set the stage for state leaders to certify results once one holdout county follows suit next week.
The five-member Maricopa County Board of Supervisors acted after lawsuits backed by the Republican Party and others supporting President Donald Trump failed to halt the normally routine action of verifying election results. One Democrat and four Republicans are on the Phoenix-based board that voted unanimously to accept the election results.
Protesters marched outside the board chambers urging members not to approve the canvass, but Republican Chairman Clint Hickman said there’s no question about the accuracy of the count and no legal reason not to certify it.
“In a free democracy elections result in some people’s candidates losing,” Hickman said, “I was disappointed in the outcome of a couple races and I was extremely happy with the outcome in others. But I’m not going to violate the law or deviate from my own moral compass as some have pushed me to do.”
The Arizona Republican Party had asked a court to order an audit of a larger sample of ballots, saying there were questions about the counts, but a judge in Phoenix threw out that effort Thursday.
The action by the Maricopa County board comes as the state GOP has been pressuring county officials statewide to delay certifying their election results, leading officials in Republican-heavy Mohave County to postpone their certification until Monday. That’s the deadline for them to act, unless there are outstanding votes that have not been counted. That is not the case; all 15 Arizona counties had completed their tallies by the end of last week.
Board members heard extensive reports from county elections officials who said the vote count was correct and noted that all tests and hand-count reviews showed the electronic ballot count was 100% accurate. Those tests are done with help from Democrats and Republicans.
“In all those instances the political parties themselves found zero variance in all three elections,” said Scott Jarrett, Maricopa County’s director of election day and emergency voting, referring to three elections this year. “This is determined by the political parties themselves that this system is accurate.”
Around 70 Trump supporters gathered outside the site where the supervisors were meeting. Various speakers took turns lambasting the board, saying any certification would be an act of “treason.” They also rehashed previous allegations such as votes had been cast in the names of hundreds of dead people. Several people said an independent, forensic audit of ballots and voting machines would make them feel comfortable accepting whatever election outcome.
“The point is it’s not that there is voter fraud. The point is, is there the possibility of voter fraud,” said Stephanie O’Brien, 56. “If there is, it takes away the confidence of the people. My biggest issue is I don’t feel confident about it.”
Several lawsuits had been filed since Election Day, and the remaining challenge was dismissed as the board was meeting, although its outcome would not have changed the outcome that saw a Democratic presidential candidate win the state for the first time since 1996. It alleged that some voters’ ballots may not have been tabulated at county-run election sites, but that could only affect a handful of potential votes.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Margaret Mahoney announced her plans immediately after lawyers made closing arguments at a hearing, though she didn’t detail her reasons for wanting to throw out the case.
The lawsuit asked a court to let one person who alleged a tabulator rejected her ballot to recast her vote. Lawyers defending Maricopa County said there was no evidence the votes of the two people who filed the lawsuit weren’t counted.
During the hearing, lawyers who filed the case tried to admit into evidence a photograph of a ballot taken inside a polling location, but later backed off that effort when it was explained that it’s a crime to take photos within 75 feet of a polling place. Those lawyers also faced criticism when they unsuccessfully tried to admit into evidence an expert’s report about a tabulator made by the same vendor used by Maricopa County, but the expert hadn’t examined the model used by Maricopa County.
Biden won the county by more than 45,000 votes, and bested Trump statewide by a margin of more than 10,000 votes. The win came as Democrats made an all-out push to turn Arizona blue after decades of leaning Republican.
Democrats pinned their hopes on Arizona’s changing demographics and swing voters who split their tickets two years ago to elect a Republican governor and send a Democrat to the U.S. Senate. Their fortunes have risen thanks to the state’s growing Latino population, an influx of new voters and unease with Trump among suburban women.
Trump and his allies battled to hold on to Arizona, which the president won in 2016 by 3.5 percentage points.
The state plans to do its statewide election canvass on Nov. 30.
___
Associated Press reporters Terry Tang and Jacques Billeaud contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Accused cold-case rapist dies from self-inflicted wounds

OAKLAND , Calif. ( AP ) - A man charged with raping two women in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1997 has died after shooting himself with a nail gun , and the case will be dismissed , prosecutors announced Friday .
Gregory Paul Vien of Livermore had been arrested a year ago after DNA evidence linked him to the Alameda County attacks .
But a court ordered his release from jail in April because of COVID-19 concerns , the county district attorney ’ s office said .
After both alleged victims testified at Vien ’ s preliminary hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several times with a nail gun and he died from his injuries on Thursday , the DA ’ s office said in a statement .
With the defendant dead , prosecutors said the case must be dismissed .
Vien was accused of attacking a woman in Union City in May 1997 as she walked to the Bay Area Rapid Transit train after work .
She was dragged to a secluded area and sexually assaulted , prosecutors said .
In September , another woman was attacked while walking near Livermore High School , authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the cases went cold until investigators using a genealogical DNA search identified Vien as a suspect .
Investigators then managed to collect his DNA from a discarded plastic spoon and linked it to the crime samples , authorities said .
“ The survivors of these sexual assaults showed great courage in coming to court to face the man who attacked and terrorized them 23 years ago , ” District Attorney Nancy E. O ’ Malley said in a statement .
“ Both women lived for all these years without knowing who assaulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
However , ” the police agencies never stopped investigating these heinous crimes , ” O ’ Malley said .

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - A man charged with raping two women in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1997 has died after shooting himself with a nail gun, and the case will be dismissed, prosecutors announced Friday.
Gregory Paul Vien of Livermore had been arrested a year ago after DNA evidence linked him to the Alameda County attacks. But a court ordered his release from jail in April because of COVID-19 concerns, the county district attorney’s office said.
After both alleged victims testified at Vien’s preliminary hearing on Nov. 12, Vien shot himself several times with a nail gun and he died from his injuries on Thursday, the DA’s office said in a statement.
With the defendant dead, prosecutors said the case must be dismissed.
Vien was accused of attacking a woman in Union City in May 1997 as she walked to the Bay Area Rapid Transit train after work. She was dragged to a secluded area and sexually assaulted, prosecutors said.
In September, another woman was attacked while walking near Livermore High School, authorities said.
DNA samples were taken. But the cases went cold until investigators using a genealogical DNA search identified Vien as a suspect. Investigators then managed to collect his DNA from a discarded plastic spoon and linked it to the crime samples, authorities said.
“The survivors of these sexual assaults showed great courage in coming to court to face the man who attacked and terrorized them 23 years ago,” District Attorney Nancy E. O’Malley said in a statement. “Both women lived for all these years without knowing who assaulted her or seeing him brought to justice.”.
However, ”the police agencies never stopped investigating these heinous crimes,” O’Malley said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Michigan election staff recommend certification of Biden win

DETROIT ( AP ) - Michigan ’ s election agency on Friday recommended that the Nov. 3 results be certified next week by state canvassers , a decision that would bless Joe Biden ’ s victory over President Donald Trump but likely not cool partisan strife over the vote .
The recommendation was posted online with the formal Monday meeting notice of the Board of State Canvassers .
The guidance came at the end of a stormy week in which Trump summoned Republican state lawmakers to the White House on Friday in an extraordinary effort to try to set aside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , GOP canvassers in Michigan ’ s largest county , Wayne , refused to certify local results but then changed their position after hours of intense public criticism over Zoom .
Then after talking to Trump , they said a day later they were rescinding their previous vote but it was too late .
The state Bureau of Elections said all of Michigan ’ s 83 counties had sent their certified results to Lansing .
“ As in past elections , some jurisdictions made errors in reporting unofficial results on election night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ These errors are all attributable to human error in the operation of tools used to report unofficial results , did not affect the actual tabulation of votes and were identified and corrected either prior to or during the county canvass.
” Biden defeated Trump by more than 150,000 votes , according to unofficial returns , while Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters defeated Republican John James by more than 90,000 votes .
At least 71.9 % of Detroit precincts were balanced , meaning the number of ballots matched the number of names in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvement ” over the August primary , the Bureau of Elections said .
Trump gained a higher percentage of votes in Detroit compared to 2016 .
His performance , as well as James ’ , undermines the “ suggestion that irregularities affecting the outcome of the election occurred on any significant scale , ” the bureau said .
James wants state canvassers to hold off on any certification until an audit of Wayne County ’ s results can be performed .
Michigan election law experts noted that the work of the Board of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats - is limited .
“ Their duties are to receive the canvass and certify the canvass , that ’ s it , ” said John Pirich , a former assistant attorney general .
“ There should be no dispute on what they can or can not do .
The statute is absolutely clear.
” Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield , both Republicans , released a statement after meeting Trump , saying they weren ’ t aware of any information that would change the results in Michigan .

DETROIT (AP) - Michigan’s election agency on Friday recommended that the Nov. 3 results be certified next week by state canvassers, a decision that would bless Joe Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump but likely not cool partisan strife over the vote.
The recommendation was posted online with the formal Monday meeting notice of the Board of State Canvassers. The guidance came at the end of a stormy week in which Trump summoned Republican state lawmakers to the White House on Friday in an extraordinary effort to try to set aside Biden’s 154,000-vote victory.
On Tuesday, GOP canvassers in Michigan’s largest county, Wayne, refused to certify local results but then changed their position after hours of intense public criticism over Zoom. Then after talking to Trump, they said a day later they were rescinding their previous vote but it was too late.
The state Bureau of Elections said all of Michigan’s 83 counties had sent their certified results to Lansing.
“As in past elections, some jurisdictions made errors in reporting unofficial results on election night,” the staff memo said. “These errors are all attributable to human error in the operation of tools used to report unofficial results, did not affect the actual tabulation of votes and were identified and corrected either prior to or during the county canvass.”
Biden defeated Trump by more than 150,000 votes, according to unofficial returns, while Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters defeated Republican John James by more than 90,000 votes.
At least 71.9% of Detroit precincts were balanced, meaning the number of ballots matched the number of names in a poll book, a “substantial improvement” over the August primary, the Bureau of Elections said.
Trump gained a higher percentage of votes in Detroit compared to 2016. His performance, as well as James’, undermines the “suggestion that irregularities affecting the outcome of the election occurred on any significant scale,” the bureau said.
James wants state canvassers to hold off on any certification until an audit of Wayne County’s results can be performed.
Michigan election law experts noted that the work of the Board of State Canvassers - two Republicans and two Democrats - is limited.
“Their duties are to receive the canvass and certify the canvass, that’s it,” said John Pirich, a former assistant attorney general. “There should be no dispute on what they can or cannot do. The statute is absolutely clear.”
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield, both Republicans, released a statement after meeting Trump, saying they weren’t aware of any information that would change the results in Michigan.
___
Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez


washingtontimes--2020-11-20--Xavier Becerra, California AG, drops lawsuit against state GOP

SACRAMENTO , Calif. — California ’ s attorney general has dropped a lawsuit seeking the names and contact information of every person who used one of the state Republican Party ’ s unofficial ballot drop boxes .
The party used the boxes to collect ballots in some counties with closely contested U.S. House races .
It ’ s legal in California to collect completed ballots and turn them in on behalf of voters .
But state law says only county election officials are allowed to deploy ballot drop boxes .
State Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Secretary of State Alex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boxes .
But they relented once the party made changes , including not labeling the boxes as “ official.
” Still , Becerra vowed to keep investigating to make sure all of the ballots were counted .
He asked the California Republican Party to turn over the location of each box plus the names and contact information for every voter who used one .
Becerra sued when party officials refused to comply .
Friday , the attorney general ’ s office announced it was dropping the lawsuit because it was able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a written statement , the office said it relied on investigative efforts , cooperation with state and local election officials and a response to its questions by the party .
“ We are confident that this election was safe and secure in California - as it was across the country , ” the attorney general ’ s press office wrote in an email to reporters .
California Republicans have denounced Becerra ’ s investigation , saying they were following the law .
“ As we said all along , this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General and the Secretary of State – and they lost , ” California Republican Party spokesman Hector Barajas said .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s attorney general has dropped a lawsuit seeking the names and contact information of every person who used one of the state Republican Party’s unofficial ballot drop boxes.
The party used the boxes to collect ballots in some counties with closely contested U.S. House races. It’s legal in California to collect completed ballots and turn them in on behalf of voters. But state law says only county election officials are allowed to deploy ballot drop boxes.
State Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Secretary of State Alex Padilla initially ordered the party to remove the boxes. But they relented once the party made changes, including not labeling the boxes as “official.”
Still, Becerra vowed to keep investigating to make sure all of the ballots were counted. He asked the California Republican Party to turn over the location of each box plus the names and contact information for every voter who used one. Becerra sued when party officials refused to comply.
Friday, the attorney general’s office announced it was dropping the lawsuit because it was able to ensure that voters’ ballots were counted. In a written statement, the office said it relied on investigative efforts, cooperation with state and local election officials and a response to its questions by the party.
“We are confident that this election was safe and secure in California - as it was across the country,” the attorney general’s press office wrote in an email to reporters.
California Republicans have denounced Becerra’s investigation, saying they were following the law.
“As we said all along, this was just a political ploy by the Attorney General and the Secretary of State – and they lost,” California Republican Party spokesman Hector Barajas said.