washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Nations grapple with pasts after U.S. protests for racial justice

George Floyd ’ s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer this summer reverberated thousands of miles to the east , where protesters in Belgium toppled a statue of a former king , Leopold II .
In Britain , meanwhile , a massive bronze statue of a philanthropist who made his money in the 17th century slave trade was hooked with a pulley , pulled to the ground and dumped in the docks by demonstrators in Bristol .
And an Oxford University college will decide early next year whether to oust Cecil Rhodes , a 19th century British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diamond firm and creator of the Rhodes Scholarship program — and seen by many as a racist who laid the groundwork for apartheid .
A Rhodes statue at the University of Cape Town in South Africa came down in 2015 , and a bust of Rhodes in Cape Town was decapitated this summer .
In Canada , Sir John A. MacDonald , the country ’ s first prime minister , was tumbled by protesters in Montreal , angered by the treatment of Indigenous children , who were forced into residential schools , forbidden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some cases abused to death .
America ’ s racial unrest of 2020 has become a worldwide reckoning , with demonstrators taking it into their own hands to conduct urban planning .
And where the targets in the U.S. are largely figures from the American Civil War or the later era of segregation , other countries are grappling with their colonial pasts or their treatment of Native populations .
“ I think that every single country has specific issues that historically , if they pulled back that curtain of history , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lens of today , ” said Timothy P. Schmalz , an Ontario-based sculptor .
In Canada , he said , “ Most of our focus is on the Indigenous people that were mishandled throughout the centuries.
” While the debate targets vary , public opinion is generally united — from Canada to the U.S. to Britain , most people don ’ t think very highly of the protesters tearing down statues on their own say-so .
Neither do the countries ’ leaders .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson defended the Rhodes statue at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trudeau said he was “ deeply disappointed ” to see MacDonald ’ s statue pulled down .
In France , where Parisian activists splashed red paint on a statue of Jean-Baptiste Colbert , who drafted a legal framework for slavery in the French colonies , President Emmanuel Macron delivered a televised address saying his country wasn ’ t in the business of trying to “ erase ” its colonial-era history .
He said “ truth ” was more important than “ denying who we are.
” Christopher Phelps , a historian in American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the debates “ transpire within societies with distinct pasts to reckon with.
” But he said the commonalities among the countries are striking .
“ Are the Cecil Rhodes memorials that arc from Oxford to South Africa , occasioning a ‘ Rhodes Must Fall ’ movement , really so different from Robert E. Lee statues in the United States ?
” he said .
“ Both were erected in the early 20th century at the dawn of imperialism , deliberately meant to affirm the white supremacist ideology favored by those with wealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous generation ’ s work is by no means a modern phenomenon .
As far back as ancient Egypt , kings were erasing predecessors .
Akhenaten , a pharaoh who pioneered the idea of a monotheistic religion , had his monumental memory demolished .
And in ancient Rome , Sulla tore down statues that had been erected by Marius — and Julius Caesar had them restored .
Those deletions were made by authorities in power .
What sets much of the 2020 debate apart is the vigilante nature of some statue destruction and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have survived years and even decades of controversy are coming down this time .
Even at the U.S. Capitol , a Robert E. Lee statue from Virginia that has stood for more than a century despite decades of controversy was ousted .
Mr. Phelps said there ’ s been a tipping point in the debate over statues , with a deeper public examination of who is celebrated .
“ I see this as a healthy and reasonable reconsideration , ” the scholar said .
“ As commissioned monuments , such statues are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often knock down or overhaul buildings to make room for new forms that are more useful , so too new public art may be needed to reflect new democratic aspirations .
”

George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer this summer reverberated thousands of miles to the east, where protesters in Belgium toppled a statue of a former king, Leopold II.
In Britain, meanwhile, a massive bronze statue of a philanthropist who made his money in the 17th century slave trade was hooked with a pulley, pulled to the ground and dumped in the docks by demonstrators in Bristol.
And an Oxford University college will decide early next year whether to oust Cecil Rhodes, a 19th century British imperialist, founder of the De Beers diamond firm and creator of the Rhodes Scholarship program — and seen by many as a racist who laid the groundwork for apartheid.
A Rhodes statue at the University of Cape Town in South Africa came down in 2015, and a bust of Rhodes in Cape Town was decapitated this summer.
In Canada, Sir John A. MacDonald, the country’s first prime minister, was tumbled by protesters in Montreal, angered by the treatment of Indigenous children, who were forced into residential schools, forbidden from speaking their languages, and in some cases abused to death.
America’s racial unrest of 2020 has become a worldwide reckoning, with demonstrators taking it into their own hands to conduct urban planning.
And where the targets in the U.S. are largely figures from the American Civil War or the later era of segregation, other countries are grappling with their colonial pasts or their treatment of Native populations.
“I think that every single country has specific issues that historically, if they pulled back that curtain of history, there are darker aspects of that history through the lens of today,” said Timothy P. Schmalz, an Ontario-based sculptor.
In Canada, he said, “Most of our focus is on the Indigenous people that were mishandled throughout the centuries.”
While the debate targets vary, public opinion is generally united — from Canada to the U.S. to Britain, most people don’t think very highly of the protesters tearing down statues on their own say-so.
Neither do the countries’ leaders.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson defended the Rhodes statue at Oxford, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “deeply disappointed” to see MacDonald’s statue pulled down.
In France, where Parisian activists splashed red paint on a statue of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, who drafted a legal framework for slavery in the French colonies, President Emmanuel Macron delivered a televised address saying his country wasn’t in the business of trying to “erase” its colonial-era history.
He said “truth” was more important than “denying who we are.”
Christopher Phelps, a historian in American studies at the University of Nottingham, said the debates “transpire within societies with distinct pasts to reckon with.”
But he said the commonalities among the countries are striking.
“Are the Cecil Rhodes memorials that arc from Oxford to South Africa, occasioning a ‘Rhodes Must Fall’ movement, really so different from Robert E. Lee statues in the United States?” he said. “Both were erected in the early 20th century at the dawn of imperialism, deliberately meant to affirm the white supremacist ideology favored by those with wealth and power then.”
Taking down a previous generation’s work is by no means a modern phenomenon.
As far back as ancient Egypt, kings were erasing predecessors. Akhenaten, a pharaoh who pioneered the idea of a monotheistic religion, had his monumental memory demolished.
And in ancient Rome, Sulla tore down statues that had been erected by Marius — and Julius Caesar had them restored.
Those deletions were made by authorities in power.
What sets much of the 2020 debate apart is the vigilante nature of some statue destruction and the breadth of successful targets. Statues that have survived years and even decades of controversy are coming down this time.
Even at the U.S. Capitol, a Robert E. Lee statue from Virginia that has stood for more than a century despite decades of controversy was ousted.
Mr. Phelps said there’s been a tipping point in the debate over statues, with a deeper public examination of who is celebrated.
“I see this as a healthy and reasonable reconsideration,” the scholar said. “As commissioned monuments, such statues are akin to architecture; just as we often knock down or overhaul buildings to make room for new forms that are more useful, so too new public art may be needed to reflect new democratic aspirations.”
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Texas hits new record high of COVID-19 hospitalizations

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - Texas hit a new record of COVID-19 hospitalizations Monday , smashing the previous high mark set in July , as the state continues to slowly give its first round of vaccines .
At least 11,351 people were hospitalized with the disease caused by the coronavirus - more than 450 patients beyond the previous one-day record of 10,893 of hospitalizations , set July 22 during a summer surge .
The current mark is an increase of nearly 2,500 more patients since the end of November .
State health officials also noted 49 newly reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
The new cases are in-line with Texas ’ seven-day rolling average .
During the past two weeks , that number has gone from 13,914 new cases per day on Dec. 13 to 12,418.43 new cases per day on Dec. 27 , the latest data available .
Texas is nearing 27,000 virus-related deaths to date , according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University , which has been at the forefront of the global response to COVID-19 .
That death count is the second highest in the country overall .
Health officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s police officers would be getting vaccines starting Monday .
Law enforcement agencies nationwide have seen their ranks sickened by COVID-19 , and the vaccine news in Austin came after the city ’ s police chief , Brian Manley , recently tested positive for COVID-19 , Austin-Travis County interim health authority Dr. Mark Escott confirmed Monday .
Priority would be given to Austin officers who are older than 65 or are at higher risk due to medical conditions , Escott said .
“ Those police officers are often the first first-responders , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that law enforcement provides support to firefighters and other emergency personnel .
Texas , like many other places , is still delivering its first round vaccinations to healthcare workers , EMTs and residents of long-term care facilities .
The general public is likely to be waiting for months to get the shots .
Hospitals in Austin are not yet overwhelmed , Escott said , but he continued his warnings for people to stay home and avoid gathering with large groups .
Some bars have reopened as restaurants thanks to a “ loophole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked the businesses to consider closing to avoid putting more people at risk .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott has closed most of the state ’ s bars while allowing most other businesses to reopen , though some bars have been able to get new local licensing for food service , while still serving alcohol .
Abbott ’ s executive orders on the virus won ’ t allow local officials to impose further restrictions on businesses .

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas hit a new record of COVID-19 hospitalizations Monday, smashing the previous high mark set in July, as the state continues to slowly give its first round of vaccines.
At least 11,351 people were hospitalized with the disease caused by the coronavirus - more than 450 patients beyond the previous one-day record of 10,893 of hospitalizations, set July 22 during a summer surge.
The current mark is an increase of nearly 2,500 more patients since the end of November.
State health officials also noted 49 newly reported deaths Monday, and 12,841 newly confirmed cases. The new cases are in-line with Texas’ seven-day rolling average. During the past two weeks, that number has gone from 13,914 new cases per day on Dec. 13 to 12,418.43 new cases per day on Dec. 27, the latest data available.
Texas is nearing 27,000 virus-related deaths to date, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University, which has been at the forefront of the global response to COVID-19. That death count is the second highest in the country overall.
Health officials in Austin announced that the capital city’s police officers would be getting vaccines starting Monday.
Law enforcement agencies nationwide have seen their ranks sickened by COVID-19, and the vaccine news in Austin came after the city’s police chief, Brian Manley, recently tested positive for COVID-19, Austin-Travis County interim health authority Dr. Mark Escott confirmed Monday.
Priority would be given to Austin officers who are older than 65 or are at higher risk due to medical conditions, Escott said.
“Those police officers are often the first first-responders,” Escott said during a news conference, adding that law enforcement provides support to firefighters and other emergency personnel.
Texas, like many other places, is still delivering its first round vaccinations to healthcare workers, EMTs and residents of long-term care facilities.
The general public is likely to be waiting for months to get the shots.
Hospitals in Austin are not yet overwhelmed, Escott said, but he continued his warnings for people to stay home and avoid gathering with large groups.
Some bars have reopened as restaurants thanks to a “loophole,” Escott said, and he asked the businesses to consider closing to avoid putting more people at risk.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has closed most of the state’s bars while allowing most other businesses to reopen, though some bars have been able to get new local licensing for food service, while still serving alcohol. Abbott’s executive orders on the virus won’t allow local officials to impose further restrictions on businesses.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Timothy Schmalz, sculptor, says statue removal advocates need reality check

For Timothy P. Schmalz , an Ontario-based sculptor , that ’ s really the only way to describe the renewed push to tear down statues that commemorate people who are now deemed out of step with modern morals .
When a Confederate figure gets toppled in the U.S. , or a prime minister who was part of brutal treatment of Indigenous people is destroyed in Canada , it says more than just disagreeing , Mr. Schmalz said .
It ’ s a claim that we would have known better , acted otherwise .
“ When one destroys or puts a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sight , out of mind , what they ’ re suggesting is if we were in their place we would have done something different .
And that ’ s their arrogance , ” he told The Washington Times .
It ’ s a notion that challenges the current zeitgeist , where statues are being taken down by everyone including city councils , university boards and mobs of demonstrators fired up over racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
Floyd , a Black man , died while in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monument is both history and memory , saying something about the generation that erected it and about the ensuing generations that allowed it to stand .
But Mr. Schmalz says it ’ s worth taking a reality check on the certainty the tear-down movement displays .
It was only two decades ago that the world rose in condemnation of the Taliban for destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas , two massive sculptures carved into a cliff face some 1,400 years ago .
Taliban engineers bored holes into the carvings and set dynamite to blast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mullah Omar , who declared them “ false idols.
” “ We ’ re doing the same thing , ” Mr. Schmalz said .
“ What ’ s it ’ s doing is creating blind spots.
” To scholars , it ’ s sometimes known as “ de-commemoration , ” which is but one side of commemoration , where a people decides which holidays to celebrate , which cultural practices to perpetuate and which historical figures to venerate .
The statues are a specific part of it .
Often , they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sculptures themselves .
When protesters in the nation ’ s capital topped and burned a statue of Albert Pike , you could almost hear the collective “ Who ?
” coming from D.C. residents .
Pike was a Confederate general and also a Freemason .
The statue , depicting Pike in civilian clothing , was erected by the Masons .
The tear-down movement has been rising in recent months , gaining significant ground in public opinion .
Just a few years ago , surrounding the Charlottesville , Virginia , clashes over a Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling showed most Americans didn ’ t want to see the statues come down .
This summer , polling was decidedly more mixed , with some surveys showing a majority now in favor of ousting Confederate figures from public spaces .
A growing number also are willing to nix slaveholding founders of the nation .
For Mr. Schmalz , that ’ s just the kind of slippery slope he worries about .
“ Are we going to go and dismantle the Colosseum because it was built by slaves ?
” he wondered .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has had a piece placed in the Vatican and soon will install a companion sculpture near the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the campus of Catholic University in the District of Columbia .
Angels Unawares depicts 140 refugees packed into a boat .
There are Jews escaping Nazi Germany , Irish famine refugees and Cubans fleeing the island .
The Holy Family is also depicted .
The Gospel of Matthew recounts the flight of Joseph , Mary and Jesus into Egypt to avoid King Herod ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sculpture , confronting a very real and heatedly debated question , that he says public spaces could benefit from .
“ Art work has to work harder , and cities have to take the responsibility of continuing the culture in a positive way that is legible to the people , ” Mr. Schmalz said .
The problem isn ’ t too many statues put up by previous generations — but rather the current generation has put up too few , or at least too few that have any real meaning .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , geometric designs and visual puns , which he said will give future generations a “ distorted idea ” of early 21st century sensibilities .
Mr. Schmalz says the current generation has ceded public morality to the past , and instead of celebrating our own heroes or grappling with our own morals , we ’ ve turned to abstractions devoid of value .
“ Cities and artists have to work hard to bring out pieces that are in our urban centers , in our public spaces , that actually teach a message that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace and getting along with each other , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t say leave them be .
I say enhance , embellish , bring out more sculptures.
” Or , put more bluntly : “ Fight sculptures with sculptures.
” It ’ s an approach President Trump is already taking .
In a speech at Mount Rushmore over the summer , he said he was creating a task force dedicated to rebuilding monuments to American heroes and to erecting new ones .
He also signed an executive order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , listing more than 30 figures he considered must-include names , such as John Adams , Jackie Robinson and Orville and Wilbur Wright .
Locations are being scouted and other names suggested , and Mr. Trump set a July 4 , 2026 , deadline for opening the garden .
The president , looking to avoid abstract pieces , also dictated every sculpture “ should be lifelike or realistic representations of the persons they depict .
”

Absolutely arrogant.
For Timothy P. Schmalz, an Ontario-based sculptor, that’s really the only way to describe the renewed push to tear down statues that commemorate people who are now deemed out of step with modern morals.
When a Confederate figure gets toppled in the U.S., or a prime minister who was part of brutal treatment of Indigenous people is destroyed in Canada, it says more than just disagreeing, Mr. Schmalz said. It’s a claim that we would have known better, acted otherwise.
And that’s the hubris.
“When one destroys or puts a Confederate statue in a museum, out of sight, out of mind, what they’re suggesting is if we were in their place we would have done something different. And that’s their arrogance,” he told The Washington Times.
It’s a notion that challenges the current zeitgeist, where statues are being taken down by everyone including city councils, university boards and mobs of demonstrators fired up over racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Floyd, a Black man, died while in Minneapolis police custody last May.
Each monument is both history and memory, saying something about the generation that erected it and about the ensuing generations that allowed it to stand.
But Mr. Schmalz says it’s worth taking a reality check on the certainty the tear-down movement displays.
It was only two decades ago that the world rose in condemnation of the Taliban for destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas, two massive sculptures carved into a cliff face some 1,400 years ago. Taliban engineers bored holes into the carvings and set dynamite to blast them to rubble on the orders of Mullah Omar, who declared them “false idols.”
“We’re doing the same thing,” Mr. Schmalz said. “What’s it’s doing is creating blind spots.”
To scholars, it’s sometimes known as “de-commemoration,” which is but one side of commemoration, where a people decides which holidays to celebrate, which cultural practices to perpetuate and which historical figures to venerate.
The statues are a specific part of it.
Often, they’re obscure — either the people or the sculptures themselves.
When protesters in the nation’s capital topped and burned a statue of Albert Pike, you could almost hear the collective “Who?” coming from D.C. residents. Pike was a Confederate general and also a Freemason. The statue, depicting Pike in civilian clothing, was erected by the Masons.
The tear-down movement has been rising in recent months, gaining significant ground in public opinion.
Just a few years ago, surrounding the Charlottesville, Virginia, clashes over a Robert E. Lee statue in August 2017, polling showed most Americans didn’t want to see the statues come down. This summer, polling was decidedly more mixed, with some surveys showing a majority now in favor of ousting Confederate figures from public spaces. A growing number also are willing to nix slaveholding founders of the nation.
For Mr. Schmalz, that’s just the kind of slippery slope he worries about.
“Are we going to go and dismantle the Colosseum because it was built by slaves?” he wondered.
Mr. Schmalz is an avowedly Christian artist who has had a piece placed in the Vatican and soon will install a companion sculpture near the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the campus of Catholic University in the District of Columbia.
Angels Unawares depicts 140 refugees packed into a boat. There are Jews escaping Nazi Germany, Irish famine refugees and Cubans fleeing the island. The Holy Family is also depicted. The Gospel of Matthew recounts the flight of Joseph, Mary and Jesus into Egypt to avoid King Herod’s assassins.
It’s the type of sculpture, confronting a very real and heatedly debated question, that he says public spaces could benefit from.
“Art work has to work harder, and cities have to take the responsibility of continuing the culture in a positive way that is legible to the people,” Mr. Schmalz said.
The problem isn’t too many statues put up by previous generations — but rather the current generation has put up too few, or at least too few that have any real meaning. He bristles at sculptures of hamburgers, spoons, geometric designs and visual puns, which he said will give future generations a “distorted idea” of early 21st century sensibilities.
Mr. Schmalz says the current generation has ceded public morality to the past, and instead of celebrating our own heroes or grappling with our own morals, we’ve turned to abstractions devoid of value.
“Cities and artists have to work hard to bring out pieces that are in our urban centers, in our public spaces, that actually teach a message that is one of inclusion and love and peace and getting along with each other,” he said. “I don’t say leave them be. I say enhance, embellish, bring out more sculptures.”
Or, put more bluntly: “Fight sculptures with sculptures.”
It’s an approach President Trump is already taking.
In a speech at Mount Rushmore over the summer, he said he was creating a task force dedicated to rebuilding monuments to American heroes and to erecting new ones.
He also signed an executive order establishing a National Garden of American Heroes, listing more than 30 figures he considered must-include names, such as John Adams, Jackie Robinson and Orville and Wilbur Wright.
Locations are being scouted and other names suggested, and Mr. Trump set a July 4, 2026, deadline for opening the garden.
The president, looking to avoid abstract pieces, also dictated every sculpture “should be lifelike or realistic representations of the persons they depict.”
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Marc Basnight, longest serving NC Senate leader, dies at 73

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - Former state Sen. Marc Basnight , a Democrat from North Carolina ’ s barrier islands who became one of North Carolina ’ s most powerful contemporary political leaders while serving a record 18 years as Senate leader , died Monday .
He was 73 .
Basnight , who was ill for years with what was later diagnosed as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , died at his Manteo home with family members present , according to Amy Fulk , Basnight ’ s chief of staff while he held the chamber ’ s top job .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Basnight rose through state politics to serve in the Senate for 26 years .
His nine two-year terms as Senate president pro tempore made him the longest-serving head of a legislative body in North Carolina history .
Basnight was a legislative powerhouse involved in enacting every significant state policy of the 1990s and 2000s , including passage of the state lottery , a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars and improved public education and ethics reforms .
And he made it a point of stopping to meet constituents on his weekly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the coastal Outer Banks to learn about their needs .
He resigned his seat in early 2011 , announcing his decision weeks before Republicans took over the chamber for the first time in over a century due to electoral wins the previous November .
Basnight told reporters at the time that he was already struggling with a degenerative nerve disease that affected his balance and speech .
Democrats who served and learned as lieutenants under Basnight in the Senate are numerous and included a future governor , Beverly Perdue ; the late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Roy Cooper , who was Senate majority leader in the late 1990s .
“ North Carolina lost a giant today with the passing of my friend , ” Cooper said in a news release .
“ His positive influence on our public universities , transportation , environment and more will be felt for decades .
A man of great power and influence , his humble , common touch made everyone he met feel special … He believed in North Carolina and its people , and our state is stronger because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in state government in 1977 with little other than a high school diploma and his distinctive Outer Banks accent .
Then-Gov .
Jim Hunt appointed him to the Board of Transportation .
Basnight succeeded his uncle as a senator seven years later .
Basnight was an effective board member and senator for his district , and became a voracious reader , turning himself into an authority on the state ’ s environment and the University of North Carolina system .
Basnight rose to a co-chairmanship of the appropriations committee and won the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For several election cycles .
the Dare County Democrat and his allies extended their party ’ s majority in the Senate even as North Carolina evolved further into a two-party state .
They won through a highly professional campaign and fundraising operation and an agenda emphasizing North Carolina ’ s high-tech future even as traditional textiles and tobacco faded .
Though he never attended college himself , Basnight made it a mission to keep the UNC system a national leader in higher education .
Basnight was perhaps proudest of passage of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2000 that was approved later that year in a statewide referendum .
While Senate leader , GOP senators complained Basnight had consolidated too much power .
But members of both parties said his embrace of the average person and loyalty to the Senate were unquestioned .
“ He loved people , and they loved him back , ” said Sen. Phil Berger , a Rockingham County Republican who succeeded Berger as Senate leader and remains at the post .
“ He could wage political battle with the best of them , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate , as a symbol of the people ’ s representative government , first.
” After Basnight left office , his family still operated the Lone Cedar Cafe on the Outer Banks .
The new bridge over Oregon Inlet , connecting Hatteras Island to the Outer Banks mainland , was named for him .
“ He ’ s done so many remarkable things that are here forever , ” longtime North Carolina political consultant John Davis said a decade ago as Basnight departed the Senate .
His wife , Sandy , died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His survivors include two daughters , Vicki and Caroline , and grandchildren .
Funeral arrangements were incomplete late Monday .
A memorial service will be held later .
Basnight ’ s death marks the passing of another heavyweight in state Democratic politics during 2020 .
Former Lt. Gov .
Bob Jordan died in February , while Sen. Tony Rand , who was majority leader and rules committee chairman under Basnight , died in May .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Former state Sen. Marc Basnight, a Democrat from North Carolina’s barrier islands who became one of North Carolina’s most powerful contemporary political leaders while serving a record 18 years as Senate leader, died Monday. He was 73.
Basnight, who was ill for years with what was later diagnosed as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, died at his Manteo home with family members present, according to Amy Fulk, Basnight’s chief of staff while he held the chamber’s top job.
Despite humble beginnings and little formal education, Basnight rose through state politics to serve in the Senate for 26 years. His nine two-year terms as Senate president pro tempore made him the longest-serving head of a legislative body in North Carolina history.
Basnight was a legislative powerhouse involved in enacting every significant state policy of the 1990s and 2000s, including passage of the state lottery, a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars and improved public education and ethics reforms. And he made it a point of stopping to meet constituents on his weekly 190-mile (305-kilometer) commute between Raleigh and the coastal Outer Banks to learn about their needs.
He resigned his seat in early 2011, announcing his decision weeks before Republicans took over the chamber for the first time in over a century due to electoral wins the previous November. Basnight told reporters at the time that he was already struggling with a degenerative nerve disease that affected his balance and speech.
Democrats who served and learned as lieutenants under Basnight in the Senate are numerous and included a future governor, Beverly Perdue; the late U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan; and current Gov. Roy Cooper, who was Senate majority leader in the late 1990s.
“North Carolina lost a giant today with the passing of my friend,” Cooper said in a news release. “His positive influence on our public universities, transportation, environment and more will be felt for decades. A man of great power and influence, his humble, common touch made everyone he met feel special … He believed in North Carolina and its people, and our state is stronger because of him.”
The Manteo sewer contractor arrived in state government in 1977 with little other than a high school diploma and his distinctive Outer Banks accent. Then-Gov. Jim Hunt appointed him to the Board of Transportation. Basnight succeeded his cousin as a senator seven years later.
Basnight was an effective board member and senator for his district, and became a voracious reader, turning himself into an authority on the state’s environment and the University of North Carolina system. Basnight rose to a co-chairmanship of the appropriations committee and won the president pro tempore’s job in 1993.
For several election cycles. the Dare County Democrat and his allies extended their party’s majority in the Senate even as North Carolina evolved further into a two-party state. They won through a highly professional campaign and fundraising operation and an agenda emphasizing North Carolina’s high-tech future even as traditional textiles and tobacco faded.
Though he never attended college himself, Basnight made it a mission to keep the UNC system a national leader in higher education. Basnight was perhaps proudest of passage of a $3.1 billion higher education bond package in 2000 that was approved later that year in a statewide referendum.
While Senate leader, GOP senators complained Basnight had consolidated too much power. But members of both parties said his embrace of the average person and loyalty to the Senate were unquestioned.
“He loved people, and they loved him back,” said Sen. Phil Berger, a Rockingham County Republican who succeeded Berger as Senate leader and remains at the post. “He could wage political battle with the best of them, but he always put the institution of the Senate, as a symbol of the people’s representative government, first.”
After Basnight left office, his family still operated the Lone Cedar Cafe on the Outer Banks. The new bridge over Oregon Inlet, connecting Hatteras Island to the Outer Banks mainland, was named for him.
“He’s done so many remarkable things that are here forever,” longtime North Carolina political consultant John Davis said a decade ago as Basnight departed the Senate.
His wife, Sandy, died in 2007 after being treated for leukemia. His survivors include two daughters, Vicki and Caroline, and grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were incomplete late Monday. A memorial service will be held later.
Basnight’s death marks the passing of another heavyweight in state Democratic politics during 2020. Former Lt. Gov. Bob Jordan died in February, while Sen. Tony Rand, who was majority leader and rules committee chairman under Basnight, died in May.
——
The story is corrected to clarify Basnight succeeded his cousin, not his uncle.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Another person charged in fatal shooting of ex-firefighter

CHICAGO ( AP ) - A third person charged in the death of a retired Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant , killed during an attempt to carjack his SUV , was ordered held without bond Monday .
Devin Barron , 20 , was arrested Saturday in Lansing , Illinois by the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force , according to Chicago police .
Barron is charged in the Dec. 3 death of 65-year-old Dwain Williams .
Cook County Circuit Judge David Navarro ordered Barron held without bond .
Surveillance video released by police show two people with guns approach Williams as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby popcorn shop .
Williams , who had a concealed carry permit , was killed while exchanging gunfire with his assailants .
Two others , one a 15-year-old boy , have already been charged in Williams ‘ death .
The getaway driver remains at large , according to authorities .
Barron , was captured on video exiting the rear passenger seat of a stolen car shortly before Williams ’ murder , prosecutors told Navarro , adding an eyewitness familiar with all four suspects positively identified them from surveillance videos .
A defense attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear enough to identify his client as a suspect , adding that most of the prosecution ’ s evidence was circumstantial and didn ’ t prove Barron was the shooter .

CHICAGO (AP) - A third person charged in the death of a retired Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant, killed during an attempt to carjack his SUV, was ordered held without bond Monday.
Devin Barron, 20, was arrested Saturday in Lansing, Illinois by the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, according to Chicago police. Barron is charged in the Dec. 3 death of 65-year-old Dwain Williams. Cook County Circuit Judge David Navarro ordered Barron held without bond.
Surveillance video released by police show two people with guns approach Williams as he walks toward his Jeep from a nearby popcorn shop. Williams, who had a concealed carry permit, was killed while exchanging gunfire with his assailants.
Two others, one a 15-year-old boy, have already been charged in Williams’ death. The getaway driver remains at large, according to authorities.
Barron, was captured on video exiting the rear passenger seat of a stolen car shortly before Williams’ murder, prosecutors told Navarro, adding an eyewitness familiar with all four suspects positively identified them from surveillance videos.
A defense attorney told Navarro video footage wasn’t clear enough to identify his client as a suspect, adding that most of the prosecution’s evidence was circumstantial and didn’t prove Barron was the shooter.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Saints' Kamara has come through with his best season yet

NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) - Alvin Kamara has had the finest season of his four-year career , producing as a runner and receiver , setting personal highs and Saints records , and even tying an NFL record for rushing TDs in a game that had gone unmatched for nine decades .
It begs the question : Where the Saints would be without him ?
The Saints haven ’ t been able to rely on 2019 Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas this season because he ’ s been sidelined eight games with injuries and will miss at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drew Brees missed four games with rib and lung injuries .
Several other offensive players have been in and out of the lineup because of minor injuries or COVID-19 protocols .
Meanwhile , Kamara has come through with 1,688 yards and 21 touchdowns from scrimmage , including six TDs rushing against Minnesota on Sunday , tying a record set by Ernie Nevers in 1929 .
“ He ’ s had a phenomenal season , ” Brees said of Kamara on Monday .
“ He ’ s been available .
He ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has been in the pass game , as he has been in protection .
So , all around , I certainly feel like this has been his best season .
He ’ s done great things all the way up to this point.
” Kamara ’ s 15 rushing TDs are a franchise record for a season - same for his total of 21 TDs scored .
He also established a new career high for yards rushing in a game with 155 .
Coach Sean Payton said opponents essentially must treat Kamara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s so dangerous in both the running and passing game .
Kamara “ gives us a lot of versatility as an offense and as a team in deciding how we want to use him each game , ” Payton added .
“ But his yards , whether they ’ ve been on the ground or in the air , have been real important to the success we ’ ve had.
” Brees noted that Kamara ’ s best football has come after he signed a new contract ( worth up to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training camp , much like Thomas did in 2019 when he set an NFL record with 149 catches after signing his first big extension .
“ For him to have the year that he did when I think you may look historically at some guys that , where maybe the motivation isn ’ t quite as much ( after landing a big contract ) … it says a lot about the type of guys that we bring in here , and their love of the game , and their commitment to what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Brees said .
The Saints are planning to have Thomas back for the playoffs , and he may yet emerge as a crucial contributor .
But if winning the division and hosting playoff games is as important as coaches and players tend to say it is , then New Orleans can thank Kamara for his sizeable role in that .
A rushing attack featuring Kamara , Latavius Murray and sometimes reserve QB Taysom Hill accounted for 264 yards and seven TDs against Minnesota .
The Saints were missing both starting guards on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t seem to matter .
WHAT NEEDS HELP The Saints ’ defense is having issues in the red zone again - something that plagued the team earlier this season .
Minnesota converted all five of its drives inside the Saints 20-yard line into touchdowns .
Left tackle Terron Armstead .
He has been in and out of the lineup because of injuries this season and did not initially look like himself when he returned during a loss at Philadelphia three weeks ago .
But on Sunday , he was driving defenders more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Brees was not sacked when he dropped back to throw .
Cornerback Janoris Jenkins was the primary defender on Vikings receiver Adam Thielen , who caught eight passes for 97 yards and a touchdown .
The Saints lost linebacker Kwon Alexander for the rest of the season because of an Achilles tendon injury .
Alexander had started since he was acquired from San Francisco in a midseason trade .
3 - The number of times the Saints have rushed for more than 200 yards in a game .
All three of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks and all were victories .
The Saints wrap up the regular season at Carolina ( 5-10 ) in a game that will influence playoff seeding in the NFC .
The Saints could finish anywhere from first to third in the conference .

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Alvin Kamara has had the finest season of his four-year career, producing as a runner and receiver, setting personal highs and Saints records, and even tying an NFL record for rushing TDs in a game that had gone unmatched for nine decades.
It begs the question: Where the Saints would be without him?
The Saints haven’t been able to rely on 2019 Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas this season because he’s been sidelined eight games with injuries and will miss at least one more this week.
Record-setting quarterback Drew Brees missed four games with rib and lung injuries. Several other offensive players have been in and out of the lineup because of minor injuries or COVID-19 protocols.
Meanwhile, Kamara has come through with 1,688 yards and 21 touchdowns from scrimmage, including six TDs rushing against Minnesota on Sunday, tying a record set by Ernie Nevers in 1929.
“He’s had a phenomenal season,” Brees said of Kamara on Monday. “He’s been available. He’s been as good in the run game as he has been in the pass game, as he has been in protection. So, all around, I certainly feel like this has been his best season. He’s done great things all the way up to this point.”
Kamara’s 15 rushing TDs are a franchise record for a season - same for his total of 21 TDs scored. He also established a new career high for yards rushing in a game with 155.
Coach Sean Payton said opponents essentially must treat Kamara like “two players” because he’s so dangerous in both the running and passing game.
Kamara “gives us a lot of versatility as an offense and as a team in deciding how we want to use him each game,” Payton added. “But his yards, whether they’ve been on the ground or in the air, have been real important to the success we’ve had.”
Brees noted that Kamara’s best football has come after he signed a new contract (worth up to $75 million over five years) during training camp, much like Thomas did in 2019 when he set an NFL record with 149 catches after signing his first big extension.
“For him to have the year that he did when I think you may look historically at some guys that, where maybe the motivation isn’t quite as much (after landing a big contract) … it says a lot about the type of guys that we bring in here, and their love of the game, and their commitment to what we’re trying to accomplish here,” Brees said.
The Saints are planning to have Thomas back for the playoffs, and he may yet emerge as a crucial contributor.
But if winning the division and hosting playoff games is as important as coaches and players tend to say it is, then New Orleans can thank Kamara for his sizeable role in that.
WHAT’S WORKING
A rushing attack featuring Kamara, Latavius Murray and sometimes reserve QB Taysom Hill accounted for 264 yards and seven TDs against Minnesota. The Saints were missing both starting guards on their offensive line and it didn’t seem to matter.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
The Saints’ defense is having issues in the red zone again - something that plagued the team earlier this season. Minnesota converted all five of its drives inside the Saints 20-yard line into touchdowns.
STOCK UP
Left tackle Terron Armstead. He has been in and out of the lineup because of injuries this season and did not initially look like himself when he returned during a loss at Philadelphia three weeks ago. But on Sunday, he was driving defenders more than 10 yards downfield on some running plays, and Brees was not sacked when he dropped back to throw.
STOCK DOWN
Cornerback Janoris Jenkins was the primary defender on Vikings receiver Adam Thielen, who caught eight passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.
INJURED
The Saints lost linebacker Kwon Alexander for the rest of the season because of an Achilles tendon injury. Alexander had started since he was acquired from San Francisco in a midseason trade.
KEY NUMBER
3 - The number of times the Saints have rushed for more than 200 yards in a game. All three of those games occurred in the past five weeks and all were victories.
NEXT STEPS
The Saints wrap up the regular season at Carolina (5-10) in a game that will influence playoff seeding in the NFC. The Saints could finish anywhere from first to third in the conference.
___
Follow Brett Martel on Twitter at https://twitter.com/brettmartel
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--US cuts military aid to El Salvador amid intense lobbying

MIAMI ( AP ) - The U.S. is slashing foreign military aid to El Salvador despite staunchly pro-American President Nayib Bukele ’ s intense lobbying in Washington to counter criticism he has taken his country down an authoritarian path .
Tucked into the omnibus spending bill signed Sunday by President Donald Trump was a provision barring access for El Salvador - as well as for neighbors Guatemala and Honduras - to a State Department program that finances the purchase of U.S. defense equipment .
The ban is part of an initiative by House Democrats to strengthen anti-corruption efforts in Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ channeled through the Pentagon to fight drug trafficking is not affected , it ’ s nonetheless a symbolic blow to the countries as they try to show progress in strengthening the rule of law , said Adam Isacson at the Washington Office on Latin America .
“ It basically puts these countries on the same tier as dictatorships and failed states , ” said Isacson , an expert on defense spending .
“ Only a handful of countries aren ’ t eligible for this program.
” Israel , Egypt and more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5.6 billion through the so-called Foreign Military Financing program to fund purchases of U.S. military equipment and services .
El Salvador has received about $ 15 million through the program since 2016 , including $ 1.9 million this year .
Honduras and Guatemala last received such funding in 2018 .
Milena Mayorga , who this month became El Salvador ‘ s ambassador in Washington , said she was surprised by the curtailment , which she said goes against decades of close military cooperation between the two countries .
El Salvador was one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S.-led coalition that invaded Iraq in 2003 and the country ’ s international airport is one of just two in Latin America used by the U.S. military to carry out anti-narcotics missions in the region .
“ It ’ s of vital importance this decision be reconsidered , ” Mayorga said in an interview with The Associated Press .
“ Our military will always need to have certain tools to fight insecurity.
” Bukele took office in 2019 vowing to rescue El Salvador from the deep divisions left by uncontrolled gang violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left-wing governments that followed the end of a bloody civil war in 1992 .
He remains popular at home thanks to a sharp reduction in one of the world ’ s highest homicide rates .
But in Washington he has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans for strong-armed tactics like his decision last February to surround congress with heavily armed troops to pressure lawmakers into approving a loan to fund the fight against gangs .
Mayorga said the traditional parties that have dominated El Salvador ‘ s congress have spared no effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But she said many of the president ’ s initiatives , such as inviting the Organization of American States to lead a commission to investigate graft , are in line with anti-corruption concerns in the U.S. Congress .
“ Right now is when we most need the U.S. ’ s support , ” said Mayorga , a popular former TV anchor who as a lawmaker angrily split with her conservative ARENA party to back Bukele .
Bukele ’ s government tried to improve its standing in Washington by signing lobby contracts with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.6 million since August .
The partial ban , which was pushed by Rep. Norma Torres , a California Democrat who is the only Central American immigrant serving in Congress , was adopted by the Senate in the federal spending bill sent this month to the president .
Also included in the spending plan is a provision threatening targeted sanctions on government officials in the so-called Northern Triangle countries - El Salvador , Guatemala and Honduras - deemed to have undermined democratic institutions .
It requires the president to submit in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corrupt individuals .
That is expected to include some of the region ’ s most-powerful politicians , some of whom have been suspected for years of ties to drug traffickers .
Foreign aid to Central America has been the subject of much haggling in recent years .
Trump in 2019 suspended aid to several countries over the continued flow of migrants from the region .
Bukele managed to resume aid by signing an agreement to allow the U.S. to send asylum seekers from other countries to El Salvador , paving the way for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration .
But even Trump officials in May quietly expressed concer n that Bukele ‘ s defiance of El Salvador ‘ s congress and supreme court threatened its eligibility to receive anti-poverty assistance .
President-elect Joe Biden has made Central America one of his foreign policy priorities in the Western Hemisphere and it ’ s unclear whether he will go along with the decision to curtail military aid to the Northern Triangle .
As vice president he aggressively pushed a $ 750 million package to the region to attack the root causes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and as president has vowed to expand aid to $ 4 billion .

MIAMI (AP) - The U.S. is slashing foreign military aid to El Salvador despite staunchly pro-American President Nayib Bukele’s intense lobbying in Washington to counter criticism he has taken his country down an authoritarian path.
Tucked into the omnibus spending bill signed Sunday by President Donald Trump was a provision barring access for El Salvador - as well as for neighbors Guatemala and Honduras - to a State Department program that finances the purchase of U.S. defense equipment.
The ban is part of an initiative by House Democrats to strengthen anti-corruption efforts in Central America.
While far larger security assistance channeled through the Pentagon to fight drug trafficking is not affected, it’s nonetheless a symbolic blow to the countries as they try to show progress in strengthening the rule of law, said Adam Isacson at the Washington Office on Latin America.
“It basically puts these countries on the same tier as dictatorships and failed states,” said Isacson, an expert on defense spending. “Only a handful of countries aren’t eligible for this program.”
Israel, Egypt and more than a dozen other countries annually receive around $5.6 billion through the so-called Foreign Military Financing program to fund purchases of U.S. military equipment and services. El Salvador has received about $15 million through the program since 2016, including $1.9 million this year. Honduras and Guatemala last received such funding in 2018.
Milena Mayorga, who this month became El Salvador’s ambassador in Washington, said she was surprised by the curtailment, which she said goes against decades of close military cooperation between the two countries. El Salvador was one of the few Latin American nations to join the U.S.-led coalition that invaded Iraq in 2003 and the country’s international airport is one of just two in Latin America used by the U.S. military to carry out anti-narcotics missions in the region.
“It’s of vital importance this decision be reconsidered,” Mayorga said in an interview with The Associated Press. “Our military will always need to have certain tools to fight insecurity.”
Bukele took office in 2019 vowing to rescue El Salvador from the deep divisions left by uncontrolled gang violence and systemic corruption in both right- and left-wing governments that followed the end of a bloody civil war in 1992.
He remains popular at home thanks to a sharp reduction in one of the world’s highest homicide rates. But in Washington he has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans for strong-armed tactics like his decision last February to surround congress with heavily armed troops to pressure lawmakers into approving a loan to fund the fight against gangs.
Mayorga said the traditional parties that have dominated El Salvador’s congress have spared no effort trying to portray Bukele as an autocrat. But she said many of the president’s initiatives, such as inviting the Organization of American States to lead a commission to investigate graft, are in line with anti-corruption concerns in the U.S. Congress.
“Right now is when we most need the U.S.’s support,” said Mayorga, a popular former TV anchor who as a lawmaker angrily split with her conservative ARENA party to back Bukele.
Bukele’s government tried to improve its standing in Washington by signing lobby contracts with three different Washington firms totaling more than $1.6 million since August.
The partial ban, which was pushed by Rep. Norma Torres, a California Democrat who is the only Central American immigrant serving in Congress, was adopted by the Senate in the federal spending bill sent this month to the president.
Also included in the spending plan is a provision threatening targeted sanctions on government officials in the so-called Northern Triangle countries - El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras - deemed to have undermined democratic institutions. It requires the president to submit in the next 180 days a public list of corrupt individuals. That is expected to include some of the region’s most-powerful politicians, some of whom have been suspected for years of ties to drug traffickers.
Foreign aid to Central America has been the subject of much haggling in recent years. Trump in 2019 suspended aid to several countries over the continued flow of migrants from the region.
Bukele managed to resume aid by signing an agreement to allow the U.S. to send asylum seekers from other countries to El Salvador, paving the way for an era of close cooperation with the Trump administration. But even Trump officials in May quietly expressed concer n that Bukele’s defiance of El Salvador’s congress and supreme court threatened its eligibility to receive anti-poverty assistance.
President-elect Joe Biden has made Central America one of his foreign policy priorities in the Western Hemisphere and it’s unclear whether he will go along with the decision to curtail military aid to the Northern Triangle. As vice president he aggressively pushed a $750 million package to the region to attack the root causes of migration - poverty and violence - and as president has vowed to expand aid to $4 billion.
___
Joshua Goodman on Twitter: @APJoshGoodman


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Killings in Baltimore continued at high rate in 2020

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - Baltimore has experienced sharp declines in many categories of crime during 2020 and amid the @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s high rate of killings and shootings has continued .
The Baltimore Sun @ @ @ @ @ crimes such as robberies fell by 30 % .
And there ’ s been an @ @ @ @ @ reported violent crime .
But Baltimore still eclipsed 300 homicides for the sixth year in @ @ @ @ @ also recorded more than 1,000 shootings .
Baltimore had recorded 333 homicides this year as @ @ @ @ @ Commissioner Michael Harrison told The Sun that the decreases in some crimes are attributed to @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ fewer opportunities and chances for victimization.
” Harrison noted that the number @ @ @ @ @ is up 9 % .
“ The bad actors who commit crime are still there @ @ @ @ @ shootings and murders remain notoriously high , ” he said .
“ Even compared to @ @ @ @

BALTIMORE (AP) - Baltimore has experienced sharp declines in many categories of crime during 2020 and amid the coronavirus pandemic. But the city’s high rate of killings and shootings has continued.
The Baltimore Sun reported Tuesday that reports of crimes such as robberies fell by 30%. And there’s been an almost 20% drop in reported violent crime.
But Baltimore still eclipsed 300 homicides for the sixth year in a row. The city also recorded more than 1,000 shootings. Baltimore had recorded 333 homicides this year as of Monday evening.
Police Commissioner Michael Harrison told The Sun that the decreases in some crimes are attributed to “fewer people being out” and “fewer opportunities and chances for victimization.”
Harrison noted that the number of guns recovered by police is up 9%.
“The bad actors who commit crime are still there, because the level of shootings and murders remain notoriously high,” he said. “Even compared to other cities.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--'60 Minutes' keeps on the news and is rewarded by viewers

NEW YORK ( AP ) - One of television ’ s hottest shows is also among its oldest .
It ’ s not the first time that ’ s been said about “ 60 Minutes ” since its 1968 debut .
In the frenzied news year of 2020 , however , the success is a tribute to both durability and adaptability .
CBS ’ pioneering newsmagazine is consistently one of the most-watched programs on television and its viewership is up 9 % over last year , the Nielsen company said .
That ’ s more than any other prime-time program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox , and also one of only four to show a year-to-year increase .
All that , and a well-publicized dust-up with President Donald Trump , too .
After executive producer Bill Owens turned the show primarily over to COVID-19 coverage last spring , “ 60 Minutes ” has returned to its traditional format while being focused on being timely .
“ We ’ re being encouraged , and we do , to look for stories that relate to the week , ” said veteran correspondent Lesley Stahl .
“ Certainly for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been unpredictable .
You have to be prepared to jump .
“ It ’ s part of the reason that we have continued to be successful , and continue to get a new stream of young people to come in and watch , ” she said .
“ I also think that people find a certain kind of comfort in the fact that we do it in the same way we ’ ve always done it .
It looks the same , the sensibility is the same , the DNA is the same.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lingering COVID-19 symptoms received a strong response this fall , and there have been other pandemic-related stories about vaccine development and problems producing protective equipment .
Reporters almost always return from coronavirus stories with ideas for others , Owens said .
“ The thing about this story is that it really does touch every part of our lives , ” he said .
“ It ’ s not that we ’ re looking to just do stories about the pandemic .
We want to do relevant stories about the pandemic .
But I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That has encouraged profiles of Jerry Seinfeld , Viola Davis , David Attenborough and Ken Burns to be mixed in with stories on autism , a growing grizzly bear population and a striking Scott Pelley piece on churches hewn into rock in Ethiopia .
“ 60 Minutes ” this fall has featured interviews with fired government cybersecurity chief Chris Krebs , former President Barack Obama and poisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny .
“ In this newsiest of years , it ’ s fitting that ‘ 60 Minutes ’ became even more responsive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heyward , former CBS News president and now research professor at Arizona State ’ s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication .
Original executive producer Don Hewitt often ran “ 60 Minutes ” as an island unto itself .
His replacement , Jeff Fager , pushed the broadcast to be more responsive to the news and Owens has emphasized it even more over the past nine months .
The show ’ s ticking stopwatch has never changed , and Stahl is a living link to late reporters Mike Wallace , Morley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yet it ’ s noteworthy how “ 60 Minutes ” has maintained momentum while turning to a new generation of reporters like Pelley , Cooper , Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim , Heyward said .
“ The key to the program ’ s success is really smart story selection , really deep research and really good reporters and producers out there doing the work , ” he said .
While Trump ’ s ongoing effort to stay in office was addressed in the Krebs interview , Owens said he ’ s chosen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story .
Stahl ’ s off-the-rails interview with the president will likely be the season ’ s most-remembered moment .
Trump became disgusted with Stahl ’ s questioning and cut things short .
“ I ’ ve had people say to me , ‘ He set you up .
He planned that , ’ ” Stahl said .
“ I am absolutely positive that that ’ s not the case .
It happened organically in the room.
” Owens said “ 60 Minutes ” has had a decent professional relationship with Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president-elect in 2016 .
But this time , “ there was a different feeling in the room from the moment we walked in.
” He said he confronted a press representative when he saw Trump ’ s team was preparing to videotape the interview , reminding them of an agreement not to use the material .
When Trump threatened to release the unedited tapes , Owens protested and tried to stop it .
The White House went ahead anyway , allowing outsiders a rare opportunity to see how the show crafted raw material @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Like the interview itself , that ultimately proved unremarkable .
“ I was heartened - not surprised , but heartened - that we had almost no criticism over our editing , which people thought was fair , ” Stahl said .
“ That was pleasing .
But I knew it would be fair .
We ’ re always fair.
” Owens said that “ we didn ’ t feel good that we were unable to deliver a more fulsome interview .
But it also wasn ’ t of our own choosing.
” How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first TV interview of his post-presidency ?
“ I haven ’ t given that much thought , ” Owens said .
“ I have a feeling we wouldn ’ t be his first shot.
” Stahl , too , has moved on .
She ’ s preparing for an interview with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
Stahl said she ’ s completely healed from her own rough bout with COVID-19 last spring .
That contrasts with her husband , who had a relatively mild case , but still feels lingering symptoms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t had much impact on her work , both physically and in influencing the types of stories she wants to do , she said .
She does feel a connection to stories about health care workers , because she ’ s seen how hard they work .
“ One person who took care of me said - when I got better - that I was the first person she had taken care of who hadn ’ t died , ” she said .

NEW YORK (AP) - One of television’s hottest shows is also among its oldest.
It’s not the first time that’s been said about “60 Minutes” since its 1968 debut. In the frenzied news year of 2020, however, the success is a tribute to both durability and adaptability.
CBS’ pioneering newsmagazine is consistently one of the most-watched programs on television and its viewership is up 9% over last year, the Nielsen company said. That’s more than any other prime-time program on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, and also one of only four to show a year-to-year increase.
All that, and a well-publicized dust-up with President Donald Trump, too.
After executive producer Bill Owens turned the show primarily over to COVID-19 coverage last spring, “60 Minutes” has returned to its traditional format while being focused on being timely.
“We’re being encouraged, and we do, to look for stories that relate to the week,” said veteran correspondent Lesley Stahl. “Certainly for the last few years, every week has been unpredictable. You have to be prepared to jump.
“It’s part of the reason that we have continued to be successful, and continue to get a new stream of young people to come in and watch,” she said. “I also think that people find a certain kind of comfort in the fact that we do it in the same way we’ve always done it. It looks the same, the sensibility is the same, the DNA is the same.”
Anderson Cooper’s report on lingering COVID-19 symptoms received a strong response this fall, and there have been other pandemic-related stories about vaccine development and problems producing protective equipment. Reporters almost always return from coronavirus stories with ideas for others, Owens said.
“The thing about this story is that it really does touch every part of our lives,” he said. “It’s not that we’re looking to just do stories about the pandemic. We want to do relevant stories about the pandemic. But I also think people need a break.”
That has encouraged profiles of Jerry Seinfeld, Viola Davis, David Attenborough and Ken Burns to be mixed in with stories on autism, a growing grizzly bear population and a striking Scott Pelley piece on churches hewn into rock in Ethiopia.
“60 Minutes” this fall has featured interviews with fired government cybersecurity chief Chris Krebs, former President Barack Obama and poisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
“In this newsiest of years, it’s fitting that ‘60 Minutes’ became even more responsive to the headlines,” said Andrew Heyward, former CBS News president and now research professor at Arizona State’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Original executive producer Don Hewitt often ran “60 Minutes” as an island unto itself. His replacement, Jeff Fager, pushed the broadcast to be more responsive to the news and Owens has emphasized it even more over the past nine months.
The show’s ticking stopwatch has never changed, and Stahl is a living link to late reporters Mike Wallace, Morley Safer, Ed Bradley and Bob Simon. Yet it’s noteworthy how “60 Minutes” has maintained momentum while turning to a new generation of reporters like Pelley, Cooper, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim, Heyward said.
“The key to the program’s success is really smart story selection, really deep research and really good reporters and producers out there doing the work,” he said.
While Trump’s ongoing effort to stay in office was addressed in the Krebs interview, Owens said he’s chosen not to give additional oxygen to the story.
Stahl’s off-the-rails interview with the president will likely be the season’s most-remembered moment. Trump became disgusted with Stahl’s questioning and cut things short.
“I’ve had people say to me, ‘He set you up. He planned that,’” Stahl said. “I am absolutely positive that that’s not the case. It happened organically in the room.”
Owens said “60 Minutes” has had a decent professional relationship with Trump, who gave Stahl his first interview as president-elect in 2016. But this time, “there was a different feeling in the room from the moment we walked in.”
He said he confronted a press representative when he saw Trump’s team was preparing to videotape the interview, reminding them of an agreement not to use the material. When Trump threatened to release the unedited tapes, Owens protested and tried to stop it.
The White House went ahead anyway, allowing outsiders a rare opportunity to see how the show crafted raw material into a finished, edited piece. Like the interview itself, that ultimately proved unremarkable.
“I was heartened - not surprised, but heartened - that we had almost no criticism over our editing, which people thought was fair,” Stahl said. “That was pleasing. But I knew it would be fair. We’re always fair.”
Owens said that “we didn’t feel good that we were unable to deliver a more fulsome interview. But it also wasn’t of our own choosing.”
How about going back, and offering Trump the first TV interview of his post-presidency?
“I haven’t given that much thought,” Owens said. “I have a feeling we wouldn’t be his first shot.”
Stahl, too, has moved on. She’s preparing for an interview with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Stahl said she’s completely healed from her own rough bout with COVID-19 last spring. That contrasts with her husband, who had a relatively mild case, but still feels lingering symptoms, she said.
Her experience hasn’t had much impact on her work, both physically and in influencing the types of stories she wants to do, she said. She does feel a connection to stories about health care workers, because she’s seen how hard they work.
“One person who took care of me said - when I got better - that I was the first person she had taken care of who hadn’t died,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Head-on crash kills 3 in Buffalo

Head-on crash kills 3 in Buffalo

BUFFALO , N.Y. ( AP ) - Three people were killed in a head-on crash on a city street that @ @ @ @ @ hit by debris .
A minivan that witnesses said was speeding slammed into a car @ @ @ @ @ two men and a woman , according to Buffalo police .
An 18-year-old from one @ @ @ @ @ pedestrian were hospitalized .
Police did not identify any of the victims .
The investigation @ @ @ @ @ .

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Three people were killed in a head-on crash on a city street that also injured a 61-year-old pedestrian hit by debris.
A minivan that witnesses said was speeding slammed into a car early Monday afternoon, killing two men and a woman, according to Buffalo police.
An 18-year-old from one of the cars and the pedestrian were hospitalized.
Police did not identify any of the victims.
The investigation into the accident was continuing.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Albania prime minister reshuffles cabinet ahead of elections

TIRANA , Albania ( AP ) - Albania ’ s left-wing prime minister on Tuesday reshuffled some main posts ahead @ @ @ @ @ .
Edi Rama said acting Foreign Minister Gent Cakaj resigned and would be replaced by @ @ @ @ @ .
Niko Peleshi , former deputy prime minister in a previous cabinet under Rama , @ @ @ @ @ minister .
Rama gave no reason for the reshuffle .
Cakaj , whose nomination as @ @ @ @ @ by President Ilir Meta due to the president ’ s political frictions with Rama , @ @ @ @ @ involved in politics ahead of the April 25 elections .
Albania ’ s parliament is @ @ @ @ @ Party , which is expected to win in the contest dominated by issues including the @ @ @ @ @ earthquake and returning the economy back to growth after the coronavirus pandemic .
This story @ @ @ @ @ it was not the resigned acting minister in friction with the prime minister , but @ @ @ @ @ minister ’ s nomination .

TIRANA, Albania (AP) - Albania’s left-wing prime minister on Tuesday reshuffled some main posts ahead of parliamentary elections next year.
Edi Rama said acting Foreign Minister Gent Cakaj resigned and would be replaced by former defense minister Olta Xhacka. Niko Peleshi, former deputy prime minister in a previous cabinet under Rama, will take over as defense minister.
Rama gave no reason for the reshuffle. Cakaj, whose nomination as foreign minister was not approved by President Ilir Meta due to the president’s political frictions with Rama, has said he would be involved in politics ahead of the April 25 elections.
Albania’s parliament is dominated by the left-wing Socialist Party, which is expected to win in the contest dominated by issues including the recovery from the November 2019 earthquake and returning the economy back to growth after the coronavirus pandemic.
—-
This story is corrected to show that it was not the resigned acting minister in friction with the prime minister, but the president who approves the minister’s nomination.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Ambulance company settles lawsuit with pregnant employee

SPOKANE , Wash. ( AP ) - Ambulance company American Medical Response will settle a discrimination lawsuit after it refused to provide a pregnant Spokane , Washington employee a temporary reprieve from heavy-duty work , regulators announced Monday .
AMR will pay $ 162,500 to a paramedic to resolve a lawsuit brought by the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission , which alleged that rather than offer her light-duty work , the company told her to take unpaid leave for the final days of her pregnancy .
The company , based in Colorado , provides medical transportation for the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In response to questions from The Spokesman-Review , AMR spokesperson Nicole Lee said the company “ applies appropriate policy and practice changes with each new change in law and had already changed its practice in Washington state before this lawsuit was started .
“ American Medical Response does not further comment on resolved litigation , ” Lee said .
The lawsuit , which was filed last year in U.S. District Court in Spokane , centers on the company ’ s treatment of paramedic Katherine Hall when she was pregnant in 2017 .
Hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s note requesting that she be limited to lifting 20 pounds at time , work shifts 12 hours or fewer in length , and be assigned to dispatch instead of field work .
The company ’ s regional director told Hall “ there was no alternative work available at the time and further advised Hall that due to her work restrictions , she would need to take a leave of absence instead , ” the lawsuit stated .
Hall said she could not afford to take unpaid leave .
By refusing to offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tasks it offers employees who have been injured on the job , the EEOC alleged that the company violated the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 .
As part of the settlement , the company will enter a two-and-a-half year consent decree , under which it agrees to provide training on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to its supervisors and employees in Spokane .

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Ambulance company American Medical Response will settle a discrimination lawsuit after it refused to provide a pregnant Spokane, Washington employee a temporary reprieve from heavy-duty work, regulators announced Monday.
AMR will pay $162,500 to a paramedic to resolve a lawsuit brought by the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which alleged that rather than offer her light-duty work, the company told her to take unpaid leave for the final days of her pregnancy.
The company, based in Colorado, provides medical transportation for the city of Spokane and several other surrounding communities.
In response to questions from The Spokesman-Review, AMR spokesperson Nicole Lee said the company “applies appropriate policy and practice changes with each new change in law and had already changed its practice in Washington state before this lawsuit was started.
“American Medical Response does not further comment on resolved litigation,” Lee said.
The lawsuit, which was filed last year in U.S. District Court in Spokane, centers on the company’s treatment of paramedic Katherine Hall when she was pregnant in 2017.
Hall provided her supervisors with a doctor’s note requesting that she be limited to lifting 20 pounds at time, work shifts 12 hours or fewer in length, and be assigned to dispatch instead of field work.
The company’s regional director told Hall “there was no alternative work available at the time and further advised Hall that due to her work restrictions, she would need to take a leave of absence instead,” the lawsuit stated. Hall said she could not afford to take unpaid leave.
By refusing to offer her the same, less physically strenuous tasks it offers employees who have been injured on the job, the EEOC alleged that the company violated the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
As part of the settlement, the company will enter a two-and-a-half year consent decree, under which it agrees to provide training on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to its supervisors and employees in Spokane.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Pierre Cardin, famed French designer, dies at 98

PARIS ( AP ) — Pierre Cardin , the French designer whose famous name embossed myriad consumer products after his iconic Space Age styles shot him into the fashion stratosphere in the 1960s , has died , the French Academy of Fine Arts said Tuesday .
He was 98 .
A licensing maverick , Cardin ’ s name embossed thousands of products from wristwatches to bed sheets , and in the brand ’ s heyday in the 1970s and ‘ 80s , goods bearing his fancy cursive signature were sold at some 100,000 outlets worldwide .
That number dwindled dramatically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were increasingly regarded as cheaply made and his clothing — which , decades later , remained virtually unchanged from its 60s-era styles - felt almost laughably dated .
A savvy businessman , Cardin used the fabulous wealth that was the fruit of his empire to snap up top-notch properties in Paris , including the Belle Epoque restaurant Maxim ’ s , which he also frequented .
The Fine Arts Academy announced his death in a tweet Tuesday .
He had been among its illustrious members since 1992 .
The academy did not give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or when he died .
Along with fellow Frenchman Andre Courreges and Spain ’ s Paco Rabanne , two other Paris-based designers known for their Space Age styles , Cardin revolutionized fashion starting in the early 1950s .
At a time when other Paris labels were obsessed with flattering the female form , Cardin ’ s designs cast the wearer as a sort of glorified hanger , there to showcase the clothes ’ sharp shapes and graphic patterns .
Destined neither for pragmatists nor for wallflowers , his designs were all about making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gowns and bodysuits in fluorescent spandex were fitted with plastic hoops that stood away from the body at the waist , elbows , wrists and knees .
Bubble dresses and capes enveloped their wearers in oversized spheres of fabric .
Toques were shaped like flying saucers ; bucket hats sheathed the models ’ entire head , with cutout windshields at the eyes .
“ Fashion is always ridiculous , seen from before or after .
But in the moment , it ’ s marvelous , ” Cardin said in a 1970 interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on July 7 , 1922 , in a small town near Venice , Italy , to a modest , working-class family .
When he was a child , the family moved to Saint Etienne in central France where Cardin was schooled and became an apprentice to a tailor at age 14 .
Cardin would later embrace his status as a self-made man , saying in the same 1970 interview that going it alone “ makes you see life in a much more real way and forces you to take decision and to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more difficult to enter a dark woods alone than when you already know the way through , ” he said .
After moving to Paris , he worked as an assistant in the House of Paquin starting in 1945 and also helped design costumes for the likes of Jean Cocteau .
He also was involved in creating the costumes for the director ’ s 1946 hit , “ Beauty and the Beast.
” After working briefly with Elsa Schiaparelli and Christian Dior , Cardin opened his own house in the city ’ s @ @ @ @

PARIS (AP) — Pierre Cardin, the French designer whose famous name embossed myriad consumer products after his iconic Space Age styles shot him into the fashion stratosphere in the 1960s, has died, the French Academy of Fine Arts said Tuesday. He was 98.
A licensing maverick, Cardin’s name embossed thousands of products from wristwatches to bed sheets, and in the brand’s heyday in the 1970s and ‘80s, goods bearing his fancy cursive signature were sold at some 100,000 outlets worldwide.
That number dwindled dramatically in later years, as his products were increasingly regarded as cheaply made and his clothing — which, decades later, remained virtually unchanged from its 60s-era styles - felt almost laughably dated.
A savvy businessman, Cardin used the fabulous wealth that was the fruit of his empire to snap up top-notch properties in Paris, including the Belle Epoque restaurant Maxim’s, which he also frequented.
The Fine Arts Academy announced his death in a tweet Tuesday. He had been among its illustrious members since 1992. The academy did not give a cause of death or say where or when he died.
Along with fellow Frenchman Andre Courreges and Spain’s Paco Rabanne, two other Paris-based designers known for their Space Age styles, Cardin revolutionized fashion starting in the early 1950s.
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At a time when other Paris labels were obsessed with flattering the female form, Cardin’s designs cast the wearer as a sort of glorified hanger, there to showcase the clothes’ sharp shapes and graphic patterns. Destined neither for pragmatists nor for wallflowers, his designs were all about making a big entrance - sometimes very literally.
Gowns and bodysuits in fluorescent spandex were fitted with plastic hoops that stood away from the body at the waist, elbows, wrists and knees. Bubble dresses and capes enveloped their wearers in oversized spheres of fabric. Toques were shaped like flying saucers; bucket hats sheathed the models’ entire head, with cutout windshields at the eyes.
“Fashion is always ridiculous, seen from before or after. But in the moment, it’s marvelous,” Cardin said in a 1970 interview with French television.
Cardin was born on July 7, 1922, in a small town near Venice, Italy, to a modest, working-class family. When he was a child, the family moved to Saint Etienne in central France where Cardin was schooled and became an apprentice to a tailor at age 14.
Cardin would later embrace his status as a self-made man, saying in the same 1970 interview that going it alone “makes you see life in a much more real way and forces you to take decision and to be courageous.
“It’s much more difficult to enter a dark woods alone than when you already know the way through,” he said.
After moving to Paris, he worked as an assistant in the House of Paquin starting in 1945 and also helped design costumes for the likes of Jean Cocteau. He also was involved in creating the costumes for the director’s 1946 hit, “Beauty and the Beast.”
After working briefly with Elsa Schiaparelli and Christian Dior, Cardin opened his own house in the city’s tony first district.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--500 vaccine doses discarded at clinic due to 'human error'

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - Clinicians had to discard about 500 doses of the Moderna vaccine after vials were kept @ @ @ @ @ Aurora Medical Center in Grafton .
Advocate Aurora Health officials said someone removed 50 vials @ @ @ @ @ other items and failed to put them back overnight Friday .
Each vial contained 10 @ @ @ @ @ Journal Sentinel reports an internal investigation found the failure was an “ unintended human error.
@ @ @ @ @ to administer some of the vaccine from the vials within the allowable 12 hour post-refrigeration @ @ @ @ @ most of it .
Once the vaccine is thawed , it can not be refrozen @ @ @ @ @ it has vaccinated about 17,000 of its employees in the last 12 days .

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Clinicians had to discard about 500 doses of the Moderna vaccine after vials were kept unrefrigerated for too long at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton.
Advocate Aurora Health officials said someone removed 50 vials from a refrigerator to access other items and failed to put them back overnight Friday. Each vial contained 10 doses of vaccine.
The Journal Sentinel reports an internal investigation found the failure was an “unintended human error.”
Clinicians were still able to administer some of the vaccine from the vials within the allowable 12 hour post-refrigeration window but had to discard most of it. Once the vaccine is thawed, it cannot be refrozen.
Advocate Aurora Health says it has vaccinated about 17,000 of its employees in the last 12 days.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--ATF: Potentially live grenade was sold at antique mall

OCEAN ISLE BEACH , N.C. ( AP ) - The federal Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives @ @ @ @ @ grenade that was sold a North Carolina antique mall .
The Charlotte Observer reported Monday @ @ @ @ @ be live and ready to explode .
The agency said that the grenade was purchased @ @ @ @ @ Flea Antique Mall in Ocean Isle Beach .
Workers had thought they sold something that @ @ @ @ @ harmless paperweight “ The grenade , thought to be inert , may contain materials that @ @ @ @ @ explode , ” the ATF statement said .
The ATF wants the public ’ s @ @ @ @ @ and the person who bought it .
It wouldn ’ t be the first time @ @ @ @ @ sold .
A live grenade was found last year at a thrift store in Durham @ @ @ @ @ donated .
Nobody was harmed , and a hazardous disposal team got rid of the @ @

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. (AP) - The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is looking for a hand grenade that was sold a North Carolina antique mall.
The Charlotte Observer reported Monday that the device may actually be live and ready to explode.
The agency said that the grenade was purchased June 13 from the Fancy Flea Antique Mall in Ocean Isle Beach. Workers had thought they sold something that was little more than a harmless paperweight
“The grenade, thought to be inert, may contain materials that could degrade (and) explode,” the ATF statement said.
The ATF wants the public’s help in locating the grenade and the person who bought it.
It wouldn’t be the first time a potentially harmful grenade was sold. A live grenade was found last year at a thrift store in Durham inside a dresser someone had donated.
Nobody was harmed, and a hazardous disposal team got rid of the explosive.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Hiker killed in fall at Bridal Veil Falls Trail

INDEX , Wash. ( AP ) - Authorities say a hiker on a Snohomish County trail was killed after he @ @ @ @ @ along the route .
The incident happened at about 2 p.m. Monday at Bridal Veil @ @ @ @ @ of Index , KOMO-TV reported .
The Snohomish County Sheriff ’ s Office sent its @ @ @ @ @ CPR couldn ’ t revive the 49-year-old man .
The man ’ s identity was @ @ @ @ @ sheriff ’ s office said it was not immediately known how far the victim fell @

INDEX, Wash. (AP) - Authorities say a hiker on a Snohomish County trail was killed after he apparently fell from a peak along the route.
The incident happened at about 2 p.m. Monday at Bridal Veil Falls Trail near the town of Index, KOMO-TV reported. The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office sent its helicopter but medics who performed CPR couldn’t revive the 49-year-old man.
The man’s identity was not immediately disclosed.
The sheriff’s office said it was not immediately known how far the victim fell.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Omaha police: Avoid gunfire to ring in the new year

OMAHA , Neb .
( AP ) - Omaha police are urging residents to ring in 2021 without shooting off @ @ @ @ @ gunfire can have tragic results with innocent people being struck and injured or killed by @ @ @ @ @ shot into the sky has to land somewhere .
Omaha police cite the department ’ @ @ @ @ @ illegal gun use and say violators will be arrested .
The department also reminded residents @ @ @ @ @ fireworks ordinance only allows fireworks to be discharged from 5 p.m. New Year ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 1 .

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Omaha police are urging residents to ring in 2021 without shooting off guns.
Police say celebratory gunfire can have tragic results with innocent people being struck and injured or killed by stray bullets. Even a shot into the sky has to land somewhere.
Omaha police cite the department’s zero tolerance policy for illegal gun use and say violators will be arrested.
The department also reminded residents that the city’s fireworks ordinance only allows fireworks to be discharged from 5 p.m. New Year’s Eve through 1 a.m. on Jan. 1.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Minnesota woman dies after ATV falls through frozen lake

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - A woman died after an ATV she was riding in fell through the ice on Kabekona Lake in northern Minnesota .
The Star Tribune reports 60-year-old Rose Peterson , of Brooklyn Park , died Saturday night after she and two family members traveling in an ATV fell through thin ice on the lake , about 8 miles northwest of Walker .
Riding in the ATV with Peterson were her husband , Kenneth , and a 29-year-old daughter , while her 36-year-old son and another family member followed on snowmobiles .
Peterson ’ s son pulled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ATV plunged into about 18 feet of water .
Peterson was unresponsive when her son performed CPR on the ice and after first responders from Lakeport Township met the family back at their cabin .
She was transported to a Bemidji hospital and later airlifted to Fargo , North Dakota where she was pronounced dead .
There were no reported injuries in three similar incidents over the weekend involving thin ice and ATVs in Minnesota , but officials warned the public to be cautious when venturing out on frozen lakes as conditions @ @ @ @

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A woman died after an ATV she was riding in fell through the ice on Kabekona Lake in northern Minnesota.
The Star Tribune reports 60-year-old Rose Peterson, of Brooklyn Park, died Saturday night after she and two family members traveling in an ATV fell through thin ice on the lake, about 8 miles northwest of Walker.
Riding in the ATV with Peterson were her husband, Kenneth, and a 29-year-old daughter, while her 36-year-old son and another family member followed on snowmobiles. Peterson’s son pulled all three out of the water after the ATV plunged into about 18 feet of water.
Peterson was unresponsive when her son performed CPR on the ice and after first responders from Lakeport Township met the family back at their cabin. She was transported to a Bemidji hospital and later airlifted to Fargo, North Dakota where she was pronounced dead.
There were no reported injuries in three similar incidents over the weekend involving thin ice and ATVs in Minnesota, but officials warned the public to be cautious when venturing out on frozen lakes as conditions and thickness vary.


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Dutch government under fire for late start with vaccinations

THE HAGUE , Netherlands ( AP ) - A former senior health official has called the Netherlands ‘ coronavirus vaccination strategy “ embarrassing , ” as the nation waits until Jan. 8 to begin administering shots while other nations in Europe and elsewhere already have started vaccinations .
Roel Coutinho , a respected former director of the Center for Infectious Disease Control at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , told Dutch current affairs show Nieuwsuur on Monday night : “ Every week counts.
” Delaying the start of the vaccination program means that “ the overburdening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
That means it has an effect not only for people who have COVID , but also for others , because they can not be admitted or operations have to be postponed.
” The first batch of vaccines made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech already have arrived in the Netherlands , but will not be administered until Jan. 8 .
The government has said it is still involved in preparations including getting IT systems ready to register all the vaccinations and training staff .
“ Ultimately , our goal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Minister Hugo de Jonge said earlier this month .
“ We can only achieve this if people have confidence in the vaccine and in the vaccination process.
” In another grim measure of the pandemic ’ s impact , the Dutch government ’ s Central Bureau for Statistics reported Tuesday that 162,000 people have died in the Netherlands this year , 13,000 more than would be expected in a normal year .
The country has registered more than 10,500 COVID-19 fatalities .
“ Such a rise in the number of deaths has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the agency said .
The 7-day rolling average of daily new cases in Netherlands has risen over the past two weeks from 48.64 new cases per 100,000 people on Dec. 14 to 58.30 new cases per 100,000 people on Dec. 28 , although reported new cases declined over the Christmas holidays .
The country has been in a tough lockdown since Dec. 15 , with all schools , bars , restaurants and non-essential shops closed for at least five weeks and restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather indoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that hospitals across the country are reaching their limits , and some have appealed for the military to be deployed to help cover for staff shortages .
Troops already are helping at a military hospital in the city of Utrecht and at a nursing home in the central town of Ede that has been hit hard by infections .
The Defense Ministry said it was sending a team to assess requests for help in three regions that warned Monday they were struggling to deliver even the minimum level of care .
Defense Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ to help overburdened care workers .
”

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - A former senior health official has called the Netherlands’ coronavirus vaccination strategy “embarrassing,” as the nation waits until Jan. 8 to begin administering shots while other nations in Europe and elsewhere already have started vaccinations.
Roel Coutinho, a respected former director of the Center for Infectious Disease Control at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, told Dutch current affairs show Nieuwsuur on Monday night: “Every week counts.”
Delaying the start of the vaccination program means that “the overburdening of healthcare will continue for a long time. That means it has an effect not only for people who have COVID, but also for others, because they cannot be admitted or operations have to be postponed.”
The first batch of vaccines made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech already have arrived in the Netherlands, but will not be administered until Jan. 8. The government has said it is still involved in preparations including getting IT systems ready to register all the vaccinations and training staff.
“Ultimately, our goal is the highest possible vaccination coverage,” Health Minister Hugo de Jonge said earlier this month. “We can only achieve this if people have confidence in the vaccine and in the vaccination process.”
De Jonge declined comment Tuesday on Coutinho’s criticism.
In another grim measure of the pandemic’s impact, the Dutch government’s Central Bureau for Statistics reported Tuesday that 162,000 people have died in the Netherlands this year, 13,000 more than would be expected in a normal year. The country has registered more than 10,500 COVID-19 fatalities.
“Such a rise in the number of deaths has not been seen since World War II,” the agency said.
The 7-day rolling average of daily new cases in Netherlands has risen over the past two weeks from 48.64 new cases per 100,000 people on Dec. 14 to 58.30 new cases per 100,000 people on Dec. 28, although reported new cases declined over the Christmas holidays.
The country has been in a tough lockdown since Dec. 15, with all schools, bars, restaurants and non-essential shops closed for at least five weeks and restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather indoors and outside.
Health workers are concerned that hospitals across the country are reaching their limits, and some have appealed for the military to be deployed to help cover for staff shortages. Troops already are helping at a military hospital in the city of Utrecht and at a nursing home in the central town of Ede that has been hit hard by infections.
The Defense Ministry said it was sending a team to assess requests for help in three regions that warned Monday they were struggling to deliver even the minimum level of care.
Defense Minister Ank Bijleveld-Schouten said troops would pitch in “to help overburdened care workers.”
____
Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic, https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-12-29--Three people charged in fatal shooting in Omaha

OMAHA , Neb .
( AP ) - A man , his sister and his girlfriend are all facing charges @ @ @ @ @ shooting in Omaha .
The Omaha World-Herald reports that 34-year-old Jessie Sullivan , his 30-year-old @ @ @ @ @ and his 28-year-old girlfriend , Ciera Johnson , appeared in court Monday .
Jessie Sullivan @ @ @ @ @ in the death of 32-year-old Charles Fisher .
His sister and girlfriend are charged with @ @ @ @ @ .
Authorities say the trio followed Fisher in a vehicle chase on Dec. 20 , @ @ @ @ @ was driving .
Prosecutors say the motive was a disagreement with Fisher , the brother @ @ @ @ @ husband .

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A man, his sister and his girlfriend are all facing charges in connection with a fatal shooting in Omaha.
The Omaha World-Herald reports that 34-year-old Jessie Sullivan, his 30-year-old sister, Donna Sullivan, and his 28-year-old girlfriend, Ciera Johnson, appeared in court Monday. Jessie Sullivan is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 32-year-old Charles Fisher. His sister and girlfriend are charged with being an accessory to murder.
Authorities say the trio followed Fisher in a vehicle chase on Dec. 20, then shot him as he was driving. Prosecutors say the motive was a disagreement with Fisher, the brother of Donna Sullivan’s husband.
Fisher died at the scene.