washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Man charged in shooting outside St. Charles bar

ST. CHARLES , Mo .
( AP ) - A St. Louis County man is accused of shooting another man @ @ @ @ @ Street in downtown St. Charles .
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 26-year-old Marcell Foster @ @ @ @ @ with first-degree assault with serious physical injury and armed criminal action .
He is jailed @ @ @ @ @ does not yet have a listed attorney .
The shooting happened late Saturday .
A @ @ @ @ @ found on a parking lot .
He had been shot at least twice and is @ @ @ @ @ Police say Foster was taken into custody at the scene .

ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) - A St. Louis County man is accused of shooting another man outside a bar on Main Street in downtown St. Charles.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 26-year-old Marcell Foster of Bel-Ridge was charged Sunday with first-degree assault with serious physical injury and armed criminal action. He is jailed on $500,000 bond and does not yet have a listed attorney.
The shooting happened late Saturday. A 32-year-old St. Louis man was found on a parking lot. He had been shot at least twice and is hospitalized in critical condition.
Police say Foster was taken into custody at the scene.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Mississippi 2020 top stories: Virus, flag, prisons, storms

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - More than one in every 1,000 Mississippi residents died of COVID-19 during 2020 .
And as the U.S. faced widespread protests over racial injustice , Mississippi legislators voted under pressure to retire a Confederate-themed state flag that had been used for 116 years .
Mississippi detected its first coronavirus cases in March , and the pandemic shook the economy , disrupted schools and scrambled people ’ s routines .
Unemployment claims rose sharply as people lost jobs .
Some could work from home , but many still had to report to factories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Gov .
Tate Reeves set a statewide mask mandate for several weeks during the summer , but at other times set county-by-county mask mandates in places with the fastest spread of the virus .
The state health officer , Dr. Thomas Dobbs , repeatedly implored people to wear masks , keep distance from others and skip nonessential gatherings .
Mississippi legislators voted in late June to surrender the last state flag in the U.S. with the Confederate battle emblem .
They did so under pressure from sports leagues , religious groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flag failed to represent a state with a 38 % Black population .
A commission later recommended a flag with a magnolia , and voters approved that design in November .
The flag change was part of a widespread reckoning over racial injustice .
In July , a Confederate soldier statue was moved from a central spot on the University of Mississippi campus to a cemetery that ’ s still on campus but is more remote - a change that was years in the making .
Confederate monuments at courthouses also came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few counties voting to move them and supervisors in a few other counties voting to keep them .
Mississippi voters updated the state constitution by erasing a complicated system for electing statewide officials ; the system that had been set during the Jim Crow era .
Mississippi inaugurated state officials in January , with Republicans Tate Reeves , Delbert Hosemann and Lynn Fitch moving into new roles - Reeves from lieutenant governor to governor , Hosemann from secretary of state to lieutenant governor and Fitch from treasurer to attorney general .
Reeves ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The third-term House speaker , Republican Philip Gunn , went to court to challenge Reeves ’ partial veto of budget bills , and the state Supreme Court sided with Reeves .
Weeks after the presidential election , Fitch joined a lawsuit by the Texas attorney general that sought to overturn presidential election results in swing states won by Democrat Joe Biden .
All three of Mississippi ’ s Republican congressmen - Trent Kelly , Michael Guest and Steven Palazzo - supported the effort .
The U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it was investigating Mississippi ’ s prison system , weeks after violent outbursts killed some inmates and injured others .
The system has struggled for years with short staffing and tight budgets .
Burl Cain , a former warden of Louisiana ’ s Angola prison , became the new corrections commissioner in Mississippi and said he would improve prisons with “ good food , good praying , good playing and good medicine.
” Former Mississippi Department of Human Services director John Davis and the others were indicted on state criminal charges in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sprawling conspiracy.
” White said in February that investigators believe at least $ 4 million in federal welfare money was stolen .
The money was meant to help the needy , but at least $ 48,000 paid for a luxury drug rehabilitation program for a former pro wrestler , according to the indictments , which also alleged a politically connected nonprofit administrator and her son took money .
White said in May that former NFL quarterback Brett Favre , who lives in Mississippi , had repaid $ 500,000 that the Department of Human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t show up ; he owed another $ 600,000 .
Favre was not facing criminal charges .
More than a dozen tornadoes blasted through Mississippi on Easter , killing at least 14 people and damaging about 1,400 homes and 80 businesses .
The National Weather Service said one of the tornadoes was the widest ever recorded in the state ; it was 2 miles ( 3.2 kilometers ) wide and stayed on the ground for about 68 miles ( 109.4 kilometers ) , from Jefferson Davis County to Clarke County in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The storms were part of a wider outbreak of severe weather across the South .
Mississippi had some deaths and damage during an active hurricane season , but was not hit as hard as Louisiana or Texas .
Voters on Nov. 3 chose incumbent Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith over Democratic challenger Mike Espy for a six-year Senate term .
It was a rematch of a 2018 special election that Hyde-Smith also won .
The first race was to finish a term started by Republican Thad Cochran , who resigned in early 2018 because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first woman to serve as Mississippi agriculture commissioner , and then-Gov .
Phil Bryant appointed her to temporarily succeed Cochran .
That made her the first woman to represent Mississippi in Congress .
During the 2018 election , Hyde-Smith praised a supporter by saying she would attend a public hanging if the man invited her .
Espy seized on that to say that Hyde-Smith was ill-equipped to represent a diverse state .
In 1986 , Espy became Mississippi ’ s first Black congressman since Reconstruction .
He later served as U.S. agriculture secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 campaign , Hyde-Smith declined to debate Espy .
Mississippi voters on Nov. 3 approved a medical marijuana initiative over objections from many state officials and public health leaders .
The initiative specified that the state Health Department has until mid-2021 to establish a program .
But Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler filed a lawsuit that could threaten the program before it is created .
Her lawsuit argues that Initiative 65 improperly landed on the ballot because of the way signatures were gathered .
The Mississippi Constitution says no more than one-fifth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from any congressional district .
That was written when Mississippi had five districts , but now has four .
An attorney general ’ s opinion had said an equal number of signatures should come from each of the four districts .
The lawsuit argues that the initiative process in the constitution must be updated .
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced in September that she would not seek a seventh trial against Curtis Flowers , who was freed from prison in December 2019 .
A district attorney put him on trial six times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a Winona furniture store .
Flowers was convicted multiple times , but the U.S. Supreme Court threw out the most recent conviction in June 2019 , citing racial bias in jury selection .
American Public Media ’ s “ In the Dark ” podcast investigated the case and recorded an interview with a witness who recanted his own testimony against Flowers .
The attorney general ’ s office said in September that prosecutors no longer had credible witnesses .
Flowers said in a statement : “ Today , I am finally free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a box for nearly twenty three years.
” The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took steps to revive a flood-control project that proposes massive pumps to remove water from the Mississippi Delta .
The Corps reversed its own previous stance that pumping out floodwater would harm wetlands .
It said pumps would decrease the depth and duration of flooding in the rural Yazoo Backwater Area , and that rainfall would keep this part of the Delta from drying out .
Conservation groups criticized efforts , saying the project would hurt the environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bipartisan support in Mississippi ’ s congressional delegation .

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - More than one in every 1,000 Mississippi residents died of COVID-19 during 2020. And as the U.S. faced widespread protests over racial injustice, Mississippi legislators voted under pressure to retire a Confederate-themed state flag that had been used for 116 years.
COVID-19
Mississippi detected its first coronavirus cases in March, and the pandemic shook the economy, disrupted schools and scrambled people’s routines. Unemployment claims rose sharply as people lost jobs. Some could work from home, but many still had to report to factories or other places requiring in-person labor. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves set a statewide mask mandate for several weeks during the summer, but at other times set county-by-county mask mandates in places with the fastest spread of the virus. The state health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, repeatedly implored people to wear masks, keep distance from others and skip nonessential gatherings.
RACIAL INJUSTICE
Mississippi legislators voted in late June to surrender the last state flag in the U.S. with the Confederate battle emblem. They did so under pressure from sports leagues, religious groups, business leaders and young activists who said the flag failed to represent a state with a 38% Black population. A commission later recommended a flag with a magnolia, and voters approved that design in November. The flag change was part of a widespread reckoning over racial injustice. In July, a Confederate soldier statue was moved from a central spot on the University of Mississippi campus to a cemetery that’s still on campus but is more remote - a change that was years in the making. Confederate monuments at courthouses also came under scrutiny, with supervisors in a few counties voting to move them and supervisors in a few other counties voting to keep them. Mississippi voters updated the state constitution by erasing a complicated system for electing statewide officials; the system that had been set during the Jim Crow era.
NEW OFFICIALS
Mississippi inaugurated state officials in January, with Republicans Tate Reeves, Delbert Hosemann and Lynn Fitch moving into new roles - Reeves from lieutenant governor to governor, Hosemann from secretary of state to lieutenant governor and Fitch from treasurer to attorney general. Reeves’ year was dominated by the pandemic response. The third-term House speaker, Republican Philip Gunn, went to court to challenge Reeves’ partial veto of budget bills, and the state Supreme Court sided with Reeves. Weeks after the presidential election, Fitch joined a lawsuit by the Texas attorney general that sought to overturn presidential election results in swing states won by Democrat Joe Biden. All three of Mississippi’s Republican congressmen - Trent Kelly, Michael Guest and Steven Palazzo - supported the effort. The U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit.
PRISON PROBLEMS
The U.S. Justice Department announced in February that it was investigating Mississippi’s prison system, weeks after violent outbursts killed some inmates and injured others. The system has struggled for years with short staffing and tight budgets. Burl Cain, a former warden of Louisiana’s Angola prison, became the new corrections commissioner in Mississippi and said he would improve prisons with “good food, good praying, good playing and good medicine.”
HUMAN SERVICES SCANDAL
Former Mississippi Department of Human Services director John Davis and the others were indicted on state criminal charges in what Auditor Shad White called a “sprawling conspiracy.” White said in February that investigators believe at least $4 million in federal welfare money was stolen. The money was meant to help the needy, but at least $48,000 paid for a luxury drug rehabilitation program for a former pro wrestler, according to the indictments, which also alleged a politically connected nonprofit administrator and her son took money. White said in May that former NFL quarterback Brett Favre, who lives in Mississippi, had repaid $500,000 that the Department of Human Services paid for multiple speeches where Favre didn’t show up; he owed another $600,000. Favre was not facing criminal charges.
SEVERE WEATHER
More than a dozen tornadoes blasted through Mississippi on Easter, killing at least 14 people and damaging about 1,400 homes and 80 businesses. The National Weather Service said one of the tornadoes was the widest ever recorded in the state; it was 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) wide and stayed on the ground for about 68 miles (109.4 kilometers), from Jefferson Davis County to Clarke County in the southern part of the state. The storms were part of a wider outbreak of severe weather across the South. Mississippi had some deaths and damage during an active hurricane season, but was not hit as hard as Louisiana or Texas.
SENATE REMATCH
Voters on Nov. 3 chose incumbent Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith over Democratic challenger Mike Espy for a six-year Senate term. It was a rematch of a 2018 special election that Hyde-Smith also won. The first race was to finish a term started by Republican Thad Cochran, who resigned in early 2018 because of health concerns. Hyde-Smith was the first woman to serve as Mississippi agriculture commissioner, and then-Gov. Phil Bryant appointed her to temporarily succeed Cochran. That made her the first woman to represent Mississippi in Congress. During the 2018 election, Hyde-Smith praised a supporter by saying she would attend a public hanging if the man invited her. Espy seized on that to say that Hyde-Smith was ill-equipped to represent a diverse state. In 1986, Espy became Mississippi’s first Black congressman since Reconstruction. He later served as U.S. agriculture secretary under President Bill Clinton. During the 2020 campaign, Hyde-Smith declined to debate Espy.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Mississippi voters on Nov. 3 approved a medical marijuana initiative over objections from many state officials and public health leaders. The initiative specified that the state Health Department has until mid-2021 to establish a program. But Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler filed a lawsuit that could threaten the program before it is created. Her lawsuit argues that Initiative 65 improperly landed on the ballot because of the way signatures were gathered. The Mississippi Constitution says no more than one-fifth of the signatures for an initiative may come from any congressional district. That was written when Mississippi had five districts, but now has four. An attorney general’s opinion had said an equal number of signatures should come from each of the four districts. The lawsuit argues that the initiative process in the constitution must be updated.
CURTIS FLOWERS
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced in September that she would not seek a seventh trial against Curtis Flowers, who was freed from prison in December 2019. A district attorney put him on trial six times in the 1996 killing of four people at a Winona furniture store. Flowers was convicted multiple times, but the U.S. Supreme Court threw out the most recent conviction in June 2019, citing racial bias in jury selection. American Public Media’s “In the Dark” podcast investigated the case and recorded an interview with a witness who recanted his own testimony against Flowers. The attorney general’s office said in September that prosecutors no longer had credible witnesses. Flowers said in a statement: “Today, I am finally free from the injustice that left me locked in a box for nearly twenty three years.”
YAZOO PUMPS
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took steps to revive a flood-control project that proposes massive pumps to remove water from the Mississippi Delta. The Corps reversed its own previous stance that pumping out floodwater would harm wetlands. It said pumps would decrease the depth and duration of flooding in the rural Yazoo Backwater Area, and that rainfall would keep this part of the Delta from drying out. Conservation groups criticized efforts, saying the project would hurt the environment to help agribusiness. The project has bipartisan support in Mississippi’s congressional delegation.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--2 small earthquakes shake Puget Sound area

SEATTLE ( AP ) - The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network says a magnitude 2.9 earthquake was recorded near Monroe at @ @ @ @ @ a 2.2 earthquake was recorded at 12:05 p.m. near Carnation .
At least 116 people @ @ @ @ @ Monroe , according to the U.S. Geological Survey ’ s “ Did You Feel It @ @ @ @ @ injuries or damage were reported in either quake , The Seattle Times reported .
The @ @ @ @ @ because it lies near the edge of the North American tectonic land plate and the @ @ @ @ @ large oceanic plate .
The 700-mile ( 1,127 kilometer ) boundary , a fault known @ @ @ @ @ , runs from Northern California to Canada .
Scientists say the Juan de Fuca plate @ @ @ @ @ way under the North American plate .
Last year , an earthquake danger assessment by @ @ @ @ @ said Puget Sound has a 75 % or greater chance of being struck by a @ @ @ @ @ 100 years .

SEATTLE (AP) - The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network says a magnitude 2.9 earthquake was recorded near Monroe at 2:41 a.m. Monday, and a 2.2 earthquake was recorded at 12:05 p.m. near Carnation.
At least 116 people reported feeling the earthquake near Monroe, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s “Did You Feel It” web page. No injuries or damage were reported in either quake, The Seattle Times reported.
The Puget Sound region experiences earthquakes because it lies near the edge of the North American tectonic land plate and the Juan de Fuca, a large oceanic plate. The 700-mile (1,127 kilometer) boundary, a fault known as the Cascadia Subduction Zone, runs from Northern California to Canada. Scientists say the Juan de Fuca plate is trying to force its way under the North American plate.
Last year, an earthquake danger assessment by the U. S. Geological Survey said Puget Sound has a 75% or greater chance of being struck by a damaging earthquake in the next 100 years.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--New Mexico sees decline in daily confirmed COVID-19 cases

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - New Mexico is seeing its daily COVID-19 case totals decline , but health officials have been worried about whether the Christmas holiday could lead to another spike as it takes two to three weeks for infections to manifest .
On Monday , the state reported an additional 700 confirmed cases , bringing the total to more than 138,650 since the pandemic began .
The death toll stands at 2,380 .
Almost one-third of the 36 fatalities reported Monday involved people at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities .
A male inmate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was among the deaths .
Vaccinations of health care workers as well as staff and residents at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities is ongoing .
Data collected by the state shows the virus has been most deadly for Hispanics and Native Americans .
While those 65 years and older make up the largest group of people who have succumbed to the virus overall , deaths have been more evenly spread among younger groups of Hispanics and Native Americans .
The data also shows hypertension and diabetes are the leading underlying conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a COVID-19 infection .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico is seeing its daily COVID-19 case totals decline, but health officials have been worried about whether the Christmas holiday could lead to another spike as it takes two to three weeks for infections to manifest.
On Monday, the state reported an additional 700 confirmed cases, bringing the total to more than 138,650 since the pandemic began.
The death toll stands at 2,380. Almost one-third of the 36 fatalities reported Monday involved people at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. A male inmate at the Guadalupe County Correctional Facility also was among the deaths.
Vaccinations of health care workers as well as staff and residents at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities is ongoing.
Data collected by the state shows the virus has been most deadly for Hispanics and Native Americans. While those 65 years and older make up the largest group of people who have succumbed to the virus overall, deaths have been more evenly spread among younger groups of Hispanics and Native Americans.
The data also shows hypertension and diabetes are the leading underlying conditions among those who die from complications of a COVID-19 infection.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Kentucky announces next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations

FRANKFORT , Ky. ( AP ) - Kentucky hopes to begin the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations targeting emergency responders , educators and people 70 and older at the start of February , Gov .
Andy Beshear said Monday .
More than 26,000 vaccine doses have been administered in Kentucky , and 40 additional sites will receive doses for the first time this week , the governor said .
Health care workers along with residents and staff at long-term care facilities are at the top of the list for receiving vaccinations .
Vaccinations for the next designated groups of Kentuckians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel and first responders such as police and firefighters — are targeted to begin around Feb. 1 , though it could be “ plus or minus a week , ” Beshear said .
The state expects it will take most of February to vaccinate those groups , he said .
People 70 and older represent about 11 % of Kentucky ’ s population but account for three-fourths of the state ’ s virus-related deaths , said Dr. Steven Stack , Kentucky ’ s public health commissioner .
“ This is clearly the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Beshear urged patience as vaccine supplies are allocated to Kentucky .
The state is scheduled to receive more than 200,000 doses by the end of December .
“ Right now , the vaccine is trickling in , ” he said at a news conference .
“ I love having 200,000 doses , but it ’ s not enough .
But as production ramps up , as more vaccines come online , we ’ re going to have a lot more coming in .
And as we move into the next priority phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about who gets the vaccine , it ’ s going to be bigger and bigger populations.
” Some leftover doses , however , were reportedly administered recently to people who don ’ t yet qualify for the vaccines by a couple of pharmacies in Louisville and Lexington , media outlets reported .
Some doses were thawed too early and set to expire .
Those vaccinations shouldn ’ t have occurred , the governor told reporters Monday .
“ If more of the Pfizer vaccine was thawed than they thought could be immediately used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next long-term care facility , the one that that vaccine is supposed to be saved for , needs to be contacted and they need to do what it takes to get it out to that facility in time , ” Beshear said .
The governor added that “ in an undertaking this massive , mistakes are going to happen.
” Meanwhile , Beshear said the state has curbed the most recent surge of coronavirus cases .
The governor reported 1,455 new statewide virus cases Monday and eight more virus-related deaths .
He noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the holiday , but said Kentucky ’ s case numbers have been declining in recent weeks .
“ We have certainly stopped the exponential growth ; this third wave , ” Beshear said .
“ And I believe that now we ’ ve not only plateaued it but we ’ re starting to see cases decrease.
” “ It ’ s certain to say that the steps we took — that temporary closure of indoor dining and bars , the restrictions on gatherings to make them very small … made a real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reported more than 258,000 coronavirus cases and at least 2,563 virus-related deaths since the pandemic began .
More than 1,500 virus patients are hospitalized in Kentucky , including 411 in intensive-care units , Beshear said .
The statewide rate for positive tests was 7.97 % .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal .
The vast majority of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https : //apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic .

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky hopes to begin the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations targeting emergency responders, educators and people 70 and older at the start of February, Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday.
More than 26,000 vaccine doses have been administered in Kentucky, and 40 additional sites will receive doses for the first time this week, the governor said. Health care workers along with residents and staff at long-term care facilities are at the top of the list for receiving vaccinations.
Vaccinations for the next designated groups of Kentuckians - those 70 and older, school personnel and first responders such as police and firefighters — are targeted to begin around Feb. 1, though it could be “plus or minus a week,” Beshear said.
The state expects it will take most of February to vaccinate those groups, he said.
People 70 and older represent about 11% of Kentucky’s population but account for three-fourths of the state’s virus-related deaths, said Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s public health commissioner.
“This is clearly the population at greatest risk,” he said.
Beshear urged patience as vaccine supplies are allocated to Kentucky. The state is scheduled to receive more than 200,000 doses by the end of December.
“Right now, the vaccine is trickling in,” he said at a news conference. “I love having 200,000 doses, but it’s not enough. But as production ramps up, as more vaccines come online, we’re going to have a lot more coming in. And as we move into the next priority phase, and eventually the one after that about who gets the vaccine, it’s going to be bigger and bigger populations.”
Some leftover doses, however, were reportedly administered recently to people who don’t yet qualify for the vaccines by a couple of pharmacies in Louisville and Lexington, media outlets reported. Some doses were thawed too early and set to expire.
Those vaccinations shouldn’t have occurred, the governor told reporters Monday.
“If more of the Pfizer vaccine was thawed than they thought could be immediately used, what needs to happen is the next long-term care facility, the one that that vaccine is supposed to be saved for, needs to be contacted and they need to do what it takes to get it out to that facility in time,” Beshear said.
The governor added that “in an undertaking this massive, mistakes are going to happen.”
Meanwhile, Beshear said the state has curbed the most recent surge of coronavirus cases.
The governor reported 1,455 new statewide virus cases Monday and eight more virus-related deaths. He noted that some labs have been closed due to the holiday, but said Kentucky’s case numbers have been declining in recent weeks.
“We have certainly stopped the exponential growth; this third wave,” Beshear said. “And I believe that now we’ve not only plateaued it but we’re starting to see cases decrease.”
“It’s certain to say that the steps we took — that temporary closure of indoor dining and bars, the restrictions on gatherings to make them very small … made a real difference,” he added.
Kentucky has reported more than 258,000 coronavirus cases and at least 2,563 virus-related deaths since the pandemic began.
More than 1,500 virus patients are hospitalized in Kentucky, including 411 in intensive-care units, Beshear said. The statewide rate for positive tests was 7.97%.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.
___
Find AP’s full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Louisiana's medical director retiring; 30 years with state

BATON ROUGE , La .
( AP ) - Louisiana ’ s longtime medical director is retiring and will be replaced by the current interim assistant secretary for public health .
Dr. Jimmy Guidry has worked for the agency for 30 years including 24 as state health officer and medical director - the longest anyone has held the position , the Louisiana Department of Health said Monday .
“ Thank you to Dr. Guidry for his tremendous work on the behalf of all Louisianans .
He has worked tirelessly for the people of Louisiana through many catastrophes , among them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ike , Laura and Delta , the Deepwater Horizon oil spill , the great floods of 2016 and the COVID-19 pandemic , ” said Dr. Courtney N. Phillips , secretary of the department .
A news release said Guidry will retire Dec. 31 , and will be replaced by Dr. Joseph Kanter .
Kanter , who was named interim assistant health secretary in October , after Dr. Alex Billioux left the agency , will remain interim assistant secretary while the department looks for a permanent one .
Guidry also has been assistant secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Acadiana Region ’ s medical director .
Kanter , who is medical director for the region including New Orleans , will be replaced in that position by Dr. Shantel Hébert-Magee , a physician , health policy advisor and minority health strategist , the department said .

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana’s longtime medical director is retiring and will be replaced by the current interim assistant secretary for public health.
Dr. Jimmy Guidry has worked for the agency for 30 years including 24 as state health officer and medical director - the longest anyone has held the position, the Louisiana Department of Health said Monday.
“Thank you to Dr. Guidry for his tremendous work on the behalf of all Louisianans. He has worked tirelessly for the people of Louisiana through many catastrophes, among them Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike, Laura and Delta, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the great floods of 2016 and the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Courtney N. Phillips, secretary of the department.
A news release said Guidry will retire Dec. 31, and will be replaced by Dr. Joseph Kanter.
Kanter, who was named interim assistant health secretary in October, after Dr. Alex Billioux left the agency, will remain interim assistant secretary while the department looks for a permanent one.
Guidry also has been assistant secretary for the Office of Public Health and the Acadiana Region’s medical director.
Kanter, who is medical director for the region including New Orleans, will be replaced in that position by Dr. Shantel Hébert-Magee, a physician, health policy advisor and minority health strategist, the department said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Police ask for help solving state trooper’s 1973 killing

DENVER ( AP ) - The Denver Police Department ’ s cold case unit is asking for the public ’ s help solving the 1973 shooting death of a Colorado State Patrol trooper .
Investigators are seeking information about the death of Trooper Thomas Carpenter , who was shot Dec. 27 , 1973 , after he was apparently kidnapped by two men who had been with a stopped car along the side of U.S. 36 near Broadway , The Denver Post reports .
Thomas , 31 , spotted the car and pulled up to it sometime before 10 a.m. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report that he was pulling over .
Investigators believe he either intended to help a stranded motorist or he saw something suspicious .
The car turned out to have been stolen , and witnesses later told investigators they saw the trooper driving his patrol car with two men in the back .
Carpenter was told to respond to a crash at 9:58 a.m. , but he told the dispatcher he was at Interstate 70 and Havana Street at the time , several miles from the area he was supposed to be patrolling .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , and Carpenter tersely replied that he was on his way .
He was found dead in his car a short time later in the Montbello neighborhood with a gunshot wound to the back of his head .
Witnesses said they saw two people running from the vehicle .
Carpenter , whose gun was found two years later in a ditch in New Mexico , was a married father of three who had been a state trooper for about five years when he was killed .
“ Thomas Carpenter was a devoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Col. Matthew Packard , chief of the Colorado State Patrol .
“ Someone must know something about the murder .
”

DENVER (AP) - The Denver Police Department’s cold case unit is asking for the public’s help solving the 1973 shooting death of a Colorado State Patrol trooper.
Investigators are seeking information about the death of Trooper Thomas Carpenter, who was shot Dec. 27, 1973, after he was apparently kidnapped by two men who had been with a stopped car along the side of U.S. 36 near Broadway, The Denver Post reports.
Thomas, 31, spotted the car and pulled up to it sometime before 10 a.m., but he did not make a radio report that he was pulling over. Investigators believe he either intended to help a stranded motorist or he saw something suspicious.
The car turned out to have been stolen, and witnesses later told investigators they saw the trooper driving his patrol car with two men in the back.
Carpenter was told to respond to a crash at 9:58 a.m., but he told the dispatcher he was at Interstate 70 and Havana Street at the time, several miles from the area he was supposed to be patrolling. Six minutes later, the dispatcher called again, and Carpenter tersely replied that he was on his way.
He was found dead in his car a short time later in the Montbello neighborhood with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Witnesses said they saw two people running from the vehicle.
Carpenter, whose gun was found two years later in a ditch in New Mexico, was a married father of three who had been a state trooper for about five years when he was killed.
“Thomas Carpenter was a devoted husband, father and trooper,” said Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Someone must know something about the murder.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--VA home residents to receive COVID-19 vaccinations

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - Residents at Alabama ’ s four state veterans homes will receive COVID-19 vaccinations beginning Tuesday .
The arrival of the vaccine is a bright spot amid a record-setting surge in COVID-19 cases .
Alabama ranked sixth in the United States for the most new cases per capita in the past 14 days Alabama ’ s vaccine plan has prioritized frontline medical workers and residents and employees of long-term care facilities for the first allotments of the vaccine .
Health care workers began receiving vaccinations last week .
State Health Officer Scott Harris said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin at long-term care facilities this week under a partnership with pharmacies .
A record 2,800 people were in state hospitals Monday with COVID-19 , roughly 1,200 more than were hospitalized in mid-summer .
The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs said in a news release that the first immunizations of the Pfizer vaccine will be administered to residents and staff at the Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City on Tuesday .
Vaccinations will continue over the next two-weeks at the other three homes .
“ For several weeks our health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Public Health … in scheduling the vaccinations for our veteran-residents and staff , ” said Kent Davis , state commissioner of veterans affairs .
Residents and staff of long-term care facilities in Alabama are vaccinated through the Federal Pharmacy Program in cooperation with CVS and Walgreens pharmacies .
The health care provider for the state veterans homes , Health Management Resources of Alabama , INC. , has partnered with Walgreens to administer the two-dose Pfizer vaccine .
More than 347,000 people in Alabama have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died .
The virus causes only mild or moderate in most people , but it can be deadly for older people and those with underlying health problems .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Residents at Alabama’s four state veterans homes will receive COVID-19 vaccinations beginning Tuesday.
The arrival of the vaccine is a bright spot amid a record-setting surge in COVID-19 cases. Alabama ranked sixth in the United States for the most new cases per capita in the past 14 days
Alabama’s vaccine plan has prioritized frontline medical workers and residents and employees of long-term care facilities for the first allotments of the vaccine. Health care workers began receiving vaccinations last week. State Health Officer Scott Harris said last week that vaccinations were to be begin at long-term care facilities this week under a partnership with pharmacies.
A record 2,800 people were in state hospitals Monday with COVID-19, roughly 1,200 more than were hospitalized in mid-summer.
The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs said in a news release that the first immunizations of the Pfizer vaccine will be administered to residents and staff at the Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City on Tuesday. Vaccinations will continue over the next two-weeks at the other three homes.
“For several weeks our health care team has worked with the Alabama Department of Public Health … in scheduling the vaccinations for our veteran-residents and staff,” said Kent Davis, state commissioner of veterans affairs.
Residents and staff of long-term care facilities in Alabama are vaccinated through the Federal Pharmacy Program in cooperation with CVS and Walgreens pharmacies. The health care provider for the state veterans homes, Health Management Resources of Alabama, INC., has partnered with Walgreens to administer the two-dose Pfizer vaccine.
More than 347,000 people in Alabama have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began and more than 4,700 people have died.
The virus causes only mild or moderate in most people, but it can be deadly for older people and those with underlying health problems.
___
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage: http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Nevada reports lowest number of virus cases since November

Nevada officials reported fewer cases and deaths from COVID-19 on Monday than any time in December , but aren ’ t sure if the record-setting surge is truly decreasing or if the holiday affected testing .
Officials reported 868 new confirmed coronavirus cases Monday , and 21 additional deaths .
Both figures are far less than the daily records set earlier in December of 3,194 cases and 57 deaths .
Before Monday , Nevada had reported at least 1,000 new confirmed cases each day since Nov. 2 .
Officials said the downward trend ’ s cause was unclear and could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s prevention measures , a decreased number of tests taken and processed over the holiday , or both .
“ The reality is it ’ s probably a combination of all of the factors right now , with mitigation measures and with decreased testing , ” Nevada ’ s COVID-19 response director Caleb Cage said .
“ We ’ ve been very careful about drawing a dark line connecting cause and effect because it ’ s incredibly difficult to make that assessment.
” Cage said Nevada health officials would have a better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ statewide pause ” restrictions were working and whether Christmas caused fewer people to get tested in the coming weeks .
The restrictions include tightening capacity limits to 25 % for casinos , churches and restaurants , mandating face-coverings at additional locations like gyms and limiting private gatherings - including holiday meals - to two households and no more than 10 people .
There have been 218,377 coronavirus cases in Nevada since the start of the pandemic and 2,973 deaths .
For most people , the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and people with existing health problems can face severe illness and death .
However , the vast majority of people recover .
Sam Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

Nevada officials reported fewer cases and deaths from COVID-19 on Monday than any time in December, but aren’t sure if the record-setting surge is truly decreasing or if the holiday affected testing.
Officials reported 868 new confirmed coronavirus cases Monday, and 21 additional deaths. Both figures are far less than the daily records set earlier in December of 3,194 cases and 57 deaths.
Before Monday, Nevada had reported at least 1,000 new confirmed cases each day since Nov. 2.
Officials said the downward trend’s cause was unclear and could be due to adherence to the state’s prevention measures, a decreased number of tests taken and processed over the holiday, or both.
“The reality is it’s probably a combination of all of the factors right now, with mitigation measures and with decreased testing,” Nevada’s COVID-19 response director Caleb Cage said. “We’ve been very careful about drawing a dark line connecting cause and effect because it’s incredibly difficult to make that assessment.”
Cage said Nevada health officials would have a better idea of whether the governor’s “statewide pause” restrictions were working and whether Christmas caused fewer people to get tested in the coming weeks. The restrictions include tightening capacity limits to 25% for casinos, churches and restaurants, mandating face-coverings at additional locations like gyms and limiting private gatherings - including holiday meals - to two households and no more than 10 people.
There have been 218,377 coronavirus cases in Nevada since the start of the pandemic and 2,973 deaths.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms for up to three weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems can face severe illness and death. However, the vast majority of people recover.
___
Sam Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--NY set to pass law to limit evictions, closures in pandemic

ALBANY , N.Y. ( AP ) - New York will freeze evictions and certain foreclosures for two months under a new law that the state ’ s governor signed Monday .
Renters who are facing pending evictions - or who face evictions in the next 30 days - will be protected from eviction for at least 60 days .
And the new law will also suspend evictions until May 1 for renters who submit signed paperwork stating they ’ ve faced hardship amid the coronavirus pandemic .
New Yorkers could point to hardships ranging from significant loss of household income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to caregiving responsibilities , to the risk that moving itself poses for individuals with underlying medical conditions that leave them vulnerable to COVID-19 .
The legislation also make it harder for banks to foreclose on smaller landlords who say they are facing similar hardships , including having a tenant who ’ s defaulted on significant amount of rent payments since March 2020 .
The bill protects landlords who own fewer than 10 dwelling units from foreclosure or tax liens until May 1 , while also protecting their credit rating .
At least 930,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York so far this year and more than 37,000 people have died , according to the state ’ s dashboard and data compiled by John Hopkins University of Medicine .
About 20 % of New York households say they ’ re behind on rent or mortgage payments and likely to face eviction or foreclosure in the next two months , according to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau .
The state ’ s unemployment rate increased to 8.1 % in November , up from 3.6 % in November 2019 .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national unemployment rate in November .
Lawmakers who support the law stressed Monday it isn ’ t designed to “ cancel rent ” but to keep people in their homes and avoid an increase in homelessness .
“ People are struggling , some people are dying , ” Bronx state Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz , a Democrat and the bill ’ s sponsor , said .
“ Tenants aren ’ t gaming the system , they ’ re desperate.
” But Republicans - and several Democrats - warned the bill would violate due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wave of foreclosures after May 1 .
Landlord industry groups said a blanket moratorium would push New York City into bankruptcy and destroy affordable housing infrastructure , while other critics said the lack of income restrictions could simply let wealthy residents avoid financial obligations .
“ I am concerned however that this time with this bill , that safety net is now falling to landlords , particularly small landlords , ” said Assembly member Patricia Fahy , a Democrat who represents parts of Albany County .
“ In the past , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who need it has fallen to government.
” Meanwhile , both supporters and critics said the bill doesn ’ t address the looming crisis of renters and landlords facing months of unpaid bills .
President Donald Trump signed Sunday a massive COVID-19 aid bill that includes $ 25 billion for states and local governments to help people facing eviction , with $ 1.3 billion set aside for New York .
Democrats in New York are pushing for higher taxes on the wealthy to help pay for more rent relief .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent a full-blown housing crisis from erupting as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic , ” Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris said in a statement .
“ This moratorium is a good step to ensure New Yorkers don ’ t get thrown out of their homes at a time when we ’ re asking people to stay in their homes .
We must do even more to provide real relief in the months ahead.
” The state Senate , which Democrats control 40-21 , passed the bill Monday along party lines .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed the bill with a 99-47 vote , with no Republicans supporting the bill .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , a Democrat , had pledged to extend the current eviction moratorium beyond its Jan. 1 expiration .
Cuomo ’ s executive order has blocked evictions for those who prove financial hardship , but housing advocates said it imposes a high hurdle .

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York will freeze evictions and certain foreclosures for two months under a new law that the state’s governor signed Monday.
Renters who are facing pending evictions - or who face evictions in the next 30 days - will be protected from eviction for at least 60 days.
And the new law will also suspend evictions until May 1 for renters who submit signed paperwork stating they’ve faced hardship amid the coronavirus pandemic. New Yorkers could point to hardships ranging from significant loss of household income, to increased out-of-pocket health expenses, to caregiving responsibilities, to the risk that moving itself poses for individuals with underlying medical conditions that leave them vulnerable to COVID-19.
The legislation also make it harder for banks to foreclose on smaller landlords who say they are facing similar hardships, including having a tenant who’s defaulted on significant amount of rent payments since March 2020. The bill protects landlords who own fewer than 10 dwelling units from foreclosure or tax liens until May 1, while also protecting their credit rating.
At least 930,000 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in New York so far this year and more than 37,000 people have died, according to the state’s dashboard and data compiled by John Hopkins University of Medicine.
About 20% of New York households say they’re behind on rent or mortgage payments and likely to face eviction or foreclosure in the next two months, according to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. The state’s unemployment rate increased to 8.1% in November, up from 3.6% in November 2019. That’s compared to a 6.4% national unemployment rate in November.
Lawmakers who support the law stressed Monday it isn’t designed to “cancel rent” but to keep people in their homes and avoid an increase in homelessness.
“People are struggling, some people are dying,” Bronx state Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz, a Democrat and the bill’s sponsor, said. “Tenants aren’t gaming the system, they’re desperate.”
But Republicans - and several Democrats - warned the bill would violate due process rights for landlords, and fuel a wave of foreclosures after May 1. Landlord industry groups said a blanket moratorium would push New York City into bankruptcy and destroy affordable housing infrastructure, while other critics said the lack of income restrictions could simply let wealthy residents avoid financial obligations.
“I am concerned however that this time with this bill, that safety net is now falling to landlords, particularly small landlords,” said Assembly member Patricia Fahy, a Democrat who represents parts of Albany County. “In the past, the responsibility of providing a safety net to those who need it has fallen to government.”
Meanwhile, both supporters and critics said the bill doesn’t address the looming crisis of renters and landlords facing months of unpaid bills.
President Donald Trump signed Sunday a massive COVID-19 aid bill that includes $25 billion for states and local governments to help people facing eviction, with $1.3 billion set aside for New York. Democrats in New York are pushing for higher taxes on the wealthy to help pay for more rent relief.
“There has not been nearly enough done to prevent a full-blown housing crisis from erupting as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris said in a statement. “This moratorium is a good step to ensure New Yorkers don’t get thrown out of their homes at a time when we’re asking people to stay in their homes. We must do even more to provide real relief in the months ahead.”
The state Senate, which Democrats control 40-21, passed the bill Monday along party lines. The Assembly - which Democrats control 107-43 - passed the bill with a 99-47 vote, with no Republicans supporting the bill.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, had pledged to extend the current eviction moratorium beyond its Jan. 1 expiration. Cuomo’s executive order has blocked evictions for those who prove financial hardship, but housing advocates said it imposes a high hurdle.


Editorial Roundup: Ohio

Recent editorials of statewide and national interest from Ohio newspapers : What does it mean to be grateful ?
At its root , it ’ s a dual action , a combination of appreciating the good things in life and recognizing that someone else is responsible for them .
This year has provided no shortage of things to decry .
There ’ s no need to list them here , but for evidence of the year ’ s negative impacts on the American psyche , see the spiking anxiety depression rates around the country .
Suicide , too , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic and its economic fallout in particular have pushed many to the brink and beyond .
But getting back to gratitude , researchers are uncovering links between feeling grateful and expressing gratitude and other positive emotions , including joy and optimism .
This can also correlate with greater sense of purpose in life , higher quality , mutually supportive relationships , and lower levels of negative emotions including shame and depression .
One study even reports that grateful people tend to sleep better at night .
This might sound like a magic bullet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others requires little effort after all .
Who wouldn ’ t want to sleep better and increase their happiness ?
But this is where research suggests a sharp divide between an overall lifestyle that includes experiencing and expressing gratitude and a deliberate effort to simply act grateful .
Studies have shown that performing gratitude exercises suggests that they actually have little effect on well-being overall .
Suddenly altering one ’ s lifestyle to include verbal affirmation for others will not cure anxiety or depression or miraculously alter one ’ s mindset .
Rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gratitude for others in one ’ s life can help them feel supported .
It creates a sort of network of goodwill .
Those relationships , multiplied , become our social fabric , badly frayed of late by politics and toxic media and the erosion of community and fraternal organizations .
A simple “ thank you ” to health care workers or anyone in your life who has done you a kindness may not help you start sleeping better .
But it may make them feel seen , heard , and appreciated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ support others in a similar manner .
Furthermore , a deliberate effort to remember the good things in life on a regular basis , whether the roof overhead or the kindness of strangers , can and does have significant health outcomes in the long run .
Above all , remembering that this time is temporary and shall pass should encourage us to look ahead with optimism .
As we approach the end of the year , difficult though it has been , there is always something to be grateful for .
We Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend it staunchly .
As the old saying goes , we may not agree with what some people say , but we defend their right to say it .
Unless it is intended to incite violence to harm people otherwise .
There , we draw the line .
In August 2019 , a federal judge in Missoula , Montana , ruled that the publisher of a neo-Nazi website had stepped across that line .
Andrew Anglin , founder and operator of The Daily Stormer website , had orchestrated a campaign intended to harass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided in a lawsuit filed by a member of the family , Tanya Gersh , of Whitefish , Montana .
Anglin was ordered to pay a $ 14 million judgment to end the lawsuit .
Similar judgments have been made in other lawsuits against Anglin , in Ohio and Washington .
Now , Gersh ’ s lawyers are back in court , seeking new action against Anglin - because he has not paid any of the $ 14 million judgment .
In fact , the attorneys say , Anglin can not be located @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an attempt to dodge his financial obligations .
It may be that Anglin has left the country .
Anglin and others enamored of Nazism are entitled to their despicable beliefs .
They are not entitled to harm others in any way , however .
To this point , it appears Anglin has not run afoul of criminal law .
His court trouble has been in civil cases - but attempting to dodge judges ’ orders in such situations can be a criminal offense .
He should be hunted down and held accountable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has caused .
There are some things most people agree upon , including the commandment “ thou shall not kill.
” The only ones among us who disagree are the criminally deranged , the severely mentally impaired and those who support capital punishment .
Science and experts have brought us a long way toward a better understanding of mental health illnesses .
But the law , by-and-large , has not kept pace with that understanding .
There are examples , however , in which making law and enforcing it has evolved .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffering from epileptic seizures were brought to the local jail , and that was the treatment .
More recently , individuals suffering from addiction too often got clean in jail because there were no other alternative sites where detoxifying could happen with medical supervision .
Our understanding of the cycle of addiction , its causes and triggers , has enabled a better response to it today than was there even just a few years ago .
It is still true that law enforcement agencies are charged with “ getting the bad guys off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also true that police leaders have a greater understanding that a revolving door of justice is counterproductive , and they know too that society can not build enough prisons to deal with crime ; there must be a different response .
That ’ s where lawmakers can make a difference .
A deliberative body is designed to be just that .
The Ohio Legislature is just that , but its deliberations are hit-and-miss of late .
Its job is to carefully consider matters of importance and deliberate in an honest , open way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in regulations that impact people .
We ’ re not seeing that from the Statehouse in Columbus .
The Legislature ’ s deliberations about public health law have been slipshod , at best , and likely downright dangerous to the public health more than being productive .
It ’ s been a knee-jerk 2020 reaction from lawmakers hoping to win favor from a vocal but misinformed portion of the electorate .
Their response to the pandemic has been political , not deliberative .
It ’ s that kind of behavior we hope is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are actively undermining common sense responses to the pandemic and other important issues facing Ohio , pandering more than having those true and honest deliberations that democracy requires .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine asked lawmakers to consider increasing the criminal penalties for people charged with carrying weapons under disability - meaning they have prior felony convictions and are prohibited from possessing a firearm .
DeWine ’ s reasoning is that a small portion of the population - convicted criminals who carry guns - are responsible for a large percentage of violent crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deliberation , in our view , but lawmakers ’ answer to the governor ’ s request was to approve a controversial “ stand your ground ” law viewed by many - including civil rights organizations - as racist .
In our view , lawmakers are feeding red meat to that same angry portion of the electorate with this legislation .
This law , similar to laws adopted years ago in other states , expands the definition of self-defense .
In reality , its impact is not to address a real problem ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base .
Lawmakers should raise their expectations .
Do better than this .
Muskingum County Court Judge Mark Fleegle might want to take another look at his own judgment , after Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O ’ Connor was forced to remove him from two cases because of his careless attitude toward coronavirus prevention measures .
One would be hard pressed to find a Buckeye State resident who does not understand we are under a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew , a statewide mask-wearing mandate and restrictions on gatherings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a complaint filed by a defense attorney , in Fleegle ’ s little corner of the judicial branch there was no mask mandate in his courtrooms , social distancing was limited , there was no discernible air circulation and no barriers between participants .
The attorney reported during one recent trial “ a significant number of jurors ( three or four ) never wore masks.
” Aware of the complaint , Fleegle announces a few preventive steps , but still failed to put written procedures in place .
His justification ?
Fleegle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traced to the court under his prior procedures and the risk of exposure is part of being an essential worker .
Such an attitude is appalling in a public official with so great a responsibility as Fleegle ’ s .
Failure to understand all it takes is one positive case to kill someone ; and that , in fact , proper preventive measures can lower the risk even for essential workers , should amount to punishable incompetence .
O ’ Connor did the right thing by removing him from the two cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Fleegle to require written protocols in courtrooms .
She may have saved some lives .
But there is still the matter of a delay in justice for those involved in the cases in question .
At the very least , Fleegle is in need of a little continuing education so future plaintiffs , defendants , attorneys , jurors and staff will not feel as though their health is at risk in his courtrooms .

Recent editorials of statewide and national interest from Ohio newspapers:
The science of gratitude
The Toldeo Blade
Dec. 28
What does it mean to be grateful?
At its root, it’s a dual action, a combination of appreciating the good things in life and recognizing that someone else is responsible for them.
This year has provided no shortage of things to decry. There’s no need to list them here, but for evidence of the year’s negative impacts on the American psyche, see the spiking anxiety depression rates around the country. Suicide, too, has become an even greater concern - the pandemic and its economic fallout in particular have pushed many to the brink and beyond.
But getting back to gratitude, researchers are uncovering links between feeling grateful and expressing gratitude and other positive emotions, including joy and optimism. This can also correlate with greater sense of purpose in life, higher quality, mutually supportive relationships, and lower levels of negative emotions including shame and depression.
One study even reports that grateful people tend to sleep better at night.
This might sound like a magic bullet. Giving thanks and showing appreciation for others requires little effort after all. Who wouldn’t want to sleep better and increase their happiness?
But this is where research suggests a sharp divide between an overall lifestyle that includes experiencing and expressing gratitude and a deliberate effort to simply act grateful.
Studies have shown that performing gratitude exercises suggests that they actually have little effect on well-being overall.
Suddenly altering one’s lifestyle to include verbal affirmation for others will not cure anxiety or depression or miraculously alter one’s mindset.
Rather, making a concerted effort to show gratitude for others in one’s life can help them feel supported. It creates a sort of network of goodwill.
Those relationships, multiplied, become our social fabric, badly frayed of late by politics and toxic media and the erosion of community and fraternal organizations.
A simple “thank you” to health care workers or anyone in your life who has done you a kindness may not help you start sleeping better. But it may make them feel seen, heard, and appreciated. Supporting others by affirmation encourages them to support others in a similar manner. Furthermore, a deliberate effort to remember the good things in life on a regular basis, whether the roof overhead or the kindness of strangers, can and does have significant health outcomes in the long run.
Above all, remembering that this time is temporary and shall pass should encourage us to look ahead with optimism. As we approach the end of the year, difficult though it has been, there is always something to be grateful for.
Online: https://bit.ly/3pw2Som
___
Freedom of speech stops with threats
The Tribune Chronicle
Dec. 28
We Americans treasure our freedom of speech. We defend it staunchly. As the old saying goes, we may not agree with what some people say, but we defend their right to say it.
Unless it is intended to incite violence to harm people otherwise. There, we draw the line.
In August 2019, a federal judge in Missoula, Montana, ruled that the publisher of a neo-Nazi website had stepped across that line. Andrew Anglin, founder and operator of The Daily Stormer website, had orchestrated a campaign intended to harass a Jewish family, Judge Dana Christensen decided in a lawsuit filed by a member of the family, Tanya Gersh, of Whitefish, Montana.
Anglin was ordered to pay a $14 million judgment to end the lawsuit. Similar judgments have been made in other lawsuits against Anglin, in Ohio and Washington.
Now, Gersh’s lawyers are back in court, seeking new action against Anglin - because he has not paid any of the $14 million judgment. In fact, the attorneys say, Anglin cannot be located. It seems he has gone underground in an attempt to dodge his financial obligations. It may be that Anglin has left the country.
Anglin and others enamored of Nazism are entitled to their despicable beliefs. They are not entitled to harm others in any way, however.
To this point, it appears Anglin has not run afoul of criminal law. His court trouble has been in civil cases - but attempting to dodge judges’ orders in such situations can be a criminal offense.
He should be hunted down and held accountable for any harm the courts find he has caused.
Online: https://bit.ly/34LKErd
___
Lawmakers pander
The Sandusky Register
Dec. 23
There are some things most people agree upon, including the commandment “thou shall not kill.” The only ones among us who disagree are the criminally deranged, the severely mentally impaired and those who support capital punishment. Science and experts have brought us a long way toward a better understanding of mental health illnesses. But the law, by-and-large, has not kept pace with that understanding.
There are examples, however, in which making law and enforcing it has evolved. It was not that long ago that individuals suffering from epileptic seizures were brought to the local jail, and that was the treatment. More recently, individuals suffering from addiction too often got clean in jail because there were no other alternative sites where detoxifying could happen with medical supervision. Our understanding of the cycle of addiction, its causes and triggers, has enabled a better response to it today than was there even just a few years ago.
It is still true that law enforcement agencies are charged with “getting the bad guys off the streets.” But it’s also true that police leaders have a greater understanding that a revolving door of justice is counterproductive, and they know too that society cannot build enough prisons to deal with crime; there must be a different response. That’s where lawmakers can make a difference. A deliberative body is designed to be just that. The Ohio Legislature is just that, but its deliberations are hit-and-miss of late.
Its job is to carefully consider matters of importance and deliberate in an honest, open way before approving new law, or changes in regulations that impact people. We’re not seeing that from the Statehouse in Columbus. The Legislature’s deliberations about public health law have been slipshod, at best, and likely downright dangerous to the public health more than being productive. It’s been a knee-jerk 2020 reaction from lawmakers hoping to win favor from a vocal but misinformed portion of the electorate. Their response to the pandemic has been political, not deliberative.
It’s that kind of behavior we hope is put to an end, but lawmakers are actively undermining common sense responses to the pandemic and other important issues facing Ohio, pandering more than having those true and honest deliberations that democracy requires. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine asked lawmakers to consider increasing the criminal penalties for people charged with carrying weapons under disability - meaning they have prior felony convictions and are prohibited from possessing a firearm. DeWine’s reasoning is that a small portion of the population - convicted criminals who carry guns - are responsible for a large percentage of violent crime.
That’s a topic worthy of deliberation, in our view, but lawmakers’ answer to the governor’s request was to approve a controversial “stand your ground” law viewed by many - including civil rights organizations - as racist. In our view, lawmakers are feeding red meat to that same angry portion of the electorate with this legislation. This law, similar to laws adopted years ago in other states, expands the definition of self-defense. In reality, its impact is not to address a real problem; its purpose is to fire up the base.
Lawmakers should raise their expectations. Do better than this.
Online: https://bit.ly/3hn7kmN
___
Muskingum judge shows poor judgment
The Marietta Times
Dec. 28
Muskingum County Court Judge Mark Fleegle might want to take another look at his own judgment, after Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor was forced to remove him from two cases because of his careless attitude toward coronavirus prevention measures.
One would be hard pressed to find a Buckeye State resident who does not understand we are under a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, a statewide mask-wearing mandate and restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people. But according to a complaint filed by a defense attorney, in Fleegle’s little corner of the judicial branch there was no mask mandate in his courtrooms, social distancing was limited, there was no discernible air circulation and no barriers between participants. The attorney reported during one recent trial “a significant number of jurors (three or four) never wore masks.”
Aware of the complaint, Fleegle announces a few preventive steps, but still failed to put written procedures in place.
His justification? Fleegle says only one positive case has been traced to the court under his prior procedures and the risk of exposure is part of being an essential worker.
Such an attitude is appalling in a public official with so great a responsibility as Fleegle’s.
Failure to understand all it takes is one positive case to kill someone; and that, in fact, proper preventive measures can lower the risk even for essential workers, should amount to punishable incompetence. O’Connor did the right thing by removing him from the two cases in question, and to use her ruling on Fleegle to require written protocols in courtrooms. She may have saved some lives.
But there is still the matter of a delay in justice for those involved in the cases in question.
At the very least, Fleegle is in need of a little continuing education so future plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys, jurors and staff will not feel as though their health is at risk in his courtrooms.
Online: https://bit.ly/38LAhVm
___


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--2 weekend Louisiana house fires kill 3, all in 60s

EROS , La .
( AP ) - Two home fires have killed three north Louisiana residents in the past @ @ @ @ @ state fire marshal said Monday .
A mobile home fire on Sunday in Eros killed @ @ @ @ @ been the homeowner , a 63-year-old man described by neighbors as having mobility issues , @ @ @ @ @ Another news release said a fire in Shreveport on Saturday killed two people believed to @ @ @ @ @ couple in their 60s .
All three identities and causes of death must be confirmed @ @ @ @ @ said .
They said the mobile home fire started in a bedroom , the house @ @ @ @ @ .
Causes are being investigated .
The Ouachita Parish man was found in what investigators @ @ @ @ @ hallway .
The Shreveport man was at the door with keys next to his hand @ @ @ @ @ a few feet away .
Eros is in Ouachita Parish , about 78 miles ( @ @ @ @ @ Shreveport .

EROS, La. (AP) - Two home fires have killed three north Louisiana residents in the past week, Louisiana’s state fire marshal said Monday.
A mobile home fire on Sunday in Eros killed a man believed to have been the homeowner, a 63-year-old man described by neighbors as having mobility issues, a news release said.
Another news release said a fire in Shreveport on Saturday killed two people believed to be the homeowners - a couple in their 60s.
All three identities and causes of death must be confirmed by autopsies, the statements said. They said the mobile home fire started in a bedroom, the house fire in the living room. Causes are being investigated.
The Ouachita Parish man was found in what investigators believe to have been a hallway. The Shreveport man was at the door with keys next to his hand, and the woman was a few feet away.
Eros is in Ouachita Parish, about 78 miles (126 kilometers) east of Shreveport.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Navy approves the environmental cleanup plan for Carr Point

PORTSMOUTH , R.I. ( AP ) - The U.S. Navy and federal environmental agencies have agreed to the cleanup and @ @ @ @ @ Carr Point shooting range in Rhode Island .
A 163-page “ Record of Decision ” @ @ @ @ @ by Naval Station Newport and outlines the removal of contaminated soil from the site and @ @ @ @ @ Newport Daily News reported .
The 4-acre site on the shore of Narragansett Bay is @ @ @ @ @ retired military as a recreational vehicle campground .
Carr Point was formerly a skeet-shooting range @ @ @ @ @ Navy personnel and from 1975 to 1989 by the Aquidneck Island Military Rod and Gun @ @ @ @ @ report .
Target fragments and lead pellets can be found in the water mainly about @ @ @ @ @ ) from the shooting area , but “ lead pellet accumulation extends another 600 feet @ @ @ @ @ ” according to the report .
The remediation plan calls for the excavation of between @ @ @ @ @ 1 meter ) of soil that will be capped with fresh soil .

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (AP) - The U.S. Navy and federal environmental agencies have agreed to the cleanup and environmental remediation of the former Carr Point shooting range in Rhode Island.
A 163-page “Record of Decision” was made public this week by Naval Station Newport and outlines the removal of contaminated soil from the site and contaminated sediment offshore, the Newport Daily News reported.
The 4-acre site on the shore of Narragansett Bay is currently used by active and retired military as a recreational vehicle campground.
Carr Point was formerly a skeet-shooting range from 1967 to 1973 by Navy personnel and from 1975 to 1989 by the Aquidneck Island Military Rod and Gun Club, according to the report.
Target fragments and lead pellets can be found in the water mainly about 300 feet (90 meters) from the shooting area, but “lead pellet accumulation extends another 600 feet beyond the target area,” according to the report.
Other contaminants include polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
The remediation plan calls for the excavation of between 2 to 4 feet (1 meter) of soil that will be capped with fresh soil.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Freed, US attorney in Harrisburg for 3 years, is resigning

HARRISBURG , Pa. ( AP ) - The head federal prosecutor based in Harrisburg announced Monday he ’ s quitting @ @ @ @ @ .
U.S. Attorney Dave Freed said he ’ s resigning after serving more than three @ @ @ @ @ .
The Republican is a former Cumberland County district attorney who lives in Camp Hill @ @ @ @ @ is the U.S. attorney in the 33-county Middle District of Pennsylvania , which has courthouses @ @ @ @ @ Scranton .
One of Freed ’ s top aides , Bruce Brandler , will take @ @ @ @ @ Biden will have the authority to choose U.S. attorneys around the country , subject to @ @ @

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The head federal prosecutor based in Harrisburg announced Monday he’s quitting the job later this week.
U.S. Attorney Dave Freed said he’s resigning after serving more than three years in the Trump Administration.
The Republican is a former Cumberland County district attorney who lives in Camp Hill.
Freed, 50, is the U.S. attorney in the 33-county Middle District of Pennsylvania, which has courthouses in Harrisburg, Williamsport and Scranton.
One of Freed’s top aides, Bruce Brandler, will take over. Democratic President-elect Joe Biden will have the authority to choose U.S. attorneys around the country, subject to Senate confirmation.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Maryland lawmakers, advocates eye more renter protections

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - Democratic lawmakers and housing advocates in Maryland are eyeing legislation to extend restrictions on evictions and offer other protections to renters amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
The Baltimore Sun reports that the bills expected to be introduced after the General Assembly convenes next month include a measure that would bar all eviction filings other than those that cite an “ imminent threat ” until April 2022 .
Other legislation would encourage landlords to seek alternatives before filing for eviction and establish a statewide right-to-counsel for tenants .
A $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed on Monday includes $ 25 billion in rental assistance and extend a federal eviction moratorium through the end of January .
But advocates said Monday that more needs to be done .
Del .
Jheanelle Wilkins of Montgomery County said she and Sen. Will Smith will be introducing a bill prohibiting landlords from raising rent or issuing late fees or interest charges during the epidemic .
Landlords also would be barred from terminating or not renewing leases unless they have a “ legitimate reason ” to do so .
Del .
Melissa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charles Sydnor of Baltimore County will introduce a bill giving judges broader power to delay evictions and renters more time to prepare for trial , and establishing a process to create opportunities for resolutions short of evictions , such as mediated repayment plans .
Democratic Attorney General Brian Frosh joined lawmakers at Monday ’ s news conference said one of his top priorities is increasing the filing fees that landlords have to pay to begin the eviction process .
Frosh said he wants lawmakers to increase Maryland ’ s current fee of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of $ 120 and prohibit landlords from passing on that cost to tenants .
Frosh said the fee increase would help fund legal representation for tenants in court .

BALTIMORE (AP) - Democratic lawmakers and housing advocates in Maryland are eyeing legislation to extend restrictions on evictions and offer other protections to renters amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The Baltimore Sun reports that the bills expected to be introduced after the General Assembly convenes next month include a measure that would bar all eviction filings other than those that cite an “imminent threat” until April 2022.
Other legislation would encourage landlords to seek alternatives before filing for eviction and establish a statewide right-to-counsel for tenants.
A $2 trillion coronavirus relief and federal spending package that President Donald Trump signed on Monday includes $25 billion in rental assistance and extend a federal eviction moratorium through the end of January.
But advocates said Monday that more needs to be done.
Del. Jheanelle Wilkins of Montgomery County said she and Sen. Will Smith will be introducing a bill prohibiting landlords from raising rent or issuing late fees or interest charges during the epidemic.
Landlords also would be barred from terminating or not renewing leases unless they have a “legitimate reason” to do so.
Del. Melissa Wells of Baltimore said she and Sen. Charles Sydnor of Baltimore County will introduce a bill giving judges broader power to delay evictions and renters more time to prepare for trial, and establishing a process to create opportunities for resolutions short of evictions, such as mediated repayment plans.
Democratic Attorney General Brian Frosh joined lawmakers at Monday’s news conference said one of his top priorities is increasing the filing fees that landlords have to pay to begin the eviction process.
Frosh said he wants lawmakers to increase Maryland’s current fee of $15 to at least the national average of $120 and prohibit landlords from passing on that cost to tenants. Frosh said the fee increase would help fund legal representation for tenants in court.
¶


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--House votes to increase COVID-19 checks to $2,000

The House on Monday followed through on President Trump ’ s demand and approved an increase in stimulus checks to $ 2,000 for most Americans , despite the objections of 130 House Republicans who voted against the spending bill .
But the measure faces long odds in the Senate , where it threatens Republicans ’ hold on their majority ahead of key elections in Georgia next week .
On a bipartisan vote of 275 to 134 , House lawmakers agreed to increase the payments from $ 600 in the current coronavirus relief package Mr. Trump signed on Sunday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s request for the bigger stimulus checks were House Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Andy Biggs of Arizona , close allies of the White House .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi challenged GOP lawmakers to vote with their president , instead of voting to “ deny the American people a bigger paycheck .
“ We are a consumer economy .
Putting money into the hands of the American people is a boost to the economy , ” she said .
President-elect Joseph R. Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing the payments to $ 2,000 .
Hiking the stimulus payments would cost an estimated $ 464 billion , the official scorekeeper of Congress said Monday .
That ’ s on top of the $ 164 billion that the Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that the $ 600 payments will cost .
Opponents said the checks aren ’ t targeted to help the people who need it most .
“ Nothing in this bill helps anyone get back to work , ” said Rep. Kevin Brady , Texas Republican .
“ Not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dime for Main Street .
The best way to help struggling families is to get them back to work.
” In signing the $ 900 billion relief package that includes extended unemployment benefits , the president complained that the $ 600 stimulus checks were “ measly.
” He called on lawmakers to raise the amount , a development that Democrats were only too happy to take up .
But the move creates problems for Senate Republicans , some of whom resisted lower stimulus checks and have raised concerns about increasing the debt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican , has not indicated whether he will bring the new measure up for a vote .
The question threatens to divide the Senate GOP just as Georgia ’ s two Republican senators , Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue , are facing runoff elections on Jan. 5 .
Ms. Loeffler has said she would support the increased stimulus checks if the money is offset by spending cuts .
Mr. Perdue hasn ’ t voiced support for the larger payments .
Their Democratic opponents , Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock , support the higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican , said on Monday that he , too , supports increasing the checks to $ 2,000 .
He said millions of families “ are still in dire need of relief.
” Sen. Bernard Sanders , Vermont independent , said Monday night that he ’ ll prevent the Senate from leaving this week unless Mr. McConnell allows a vote .
“ I ’ m going to object until we get a vote on legislation to provide a $ 2,000 direct payment to the working class , ” Mr. Sanders said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If Senator McConnell doesn ’ t agree to an up or down vote to provide the working people of our country a $ 2,000 direct payment , Congress will not be going home for New Year ’ s Eve .
Let ’ s do our job.
” Senate Republicans previously rejected a move to increase the stimulus checks to $ 1,200 .
Sen. Roy Blunt , Missouri Republican , said he would be “ surprised ” if the Senate took up the new measure .
Sen. Pat Toomey , Pennsylvania Republican , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the payments because the aid isn ’ t targeted to people who need it most .
But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said he ’ ll bring it up in the Senate .
“ No Democrats will object , ” Mr. Schumer tweeted .
“ Will Senate Republicans ?
” All 100 senators would need to agree to hold an expedited vote on the bill as early as Tuesday .
Otherwise , the earliest the Senate could vote on the question would be on New Year ’ s Eve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included the $ 600 checks passed the House on Dec. 21 by a vote of 359 to 53 , with 50 Republicans voting “ no.
” Monday ’ s vote was held under rules requiring a two-thirds majority .
Only two Republicans spoke out on the House floor against the higher stimulus checks .
Rep. Glenn Grothman , Wisconsin Republican , said having the Federal Reserve print more money won ’ t help the economy .
“ We should not think the way to prosperity is just printing money , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ to hold the line ” against the new spending .
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal , Massachusetts Democrat , countered that the larger stimulus checks are not a path to prosperity .
He said 20 million Americans are out of work .
“ They can ’ t pay their rent , they can ’ t buy food , ” she said .

The House on Monday followed through on President Trump’s demand and approved an increase in stimulus checks to $2,000 for most Americans, despite the objections of 130 House Republicans who voted against the spending bill.
But the measure faces long odds in the Senate, where it threatens Republicans’ hold on their majority ahead of key elections in Georgia next week.
On a bipartisan vote of 275 to 134, House lawmakers agreed to increase the payments from $600 in the current coronavirus relief package Mr. Trump signed on Sunday night.
Among the Republicans who voted against Mr. Trump’s request for the bigger stimulus checks were House Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Andy Biggs of Arizona, close allies of the White House.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi challenged GOP lawmakers to vote with their president, instead of voting to “deny the American people a bigger paycheck.
“We are a consumer economy. Putting money into the hands of the American people is a boost to the economy,” she said.
SEE ALSO: COVID-19 relief, federal spending bill: What you get for $2.3 trillion
President-elect Joseph R. Biden also said on Monday that he supports increasing the payments to $2,000.
Hiking the stimulus payments would cost an estimated $464 billion, the official scorekeeper of Congress said Monday. That’s on top of the $164 billion that the Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that the $600 payments will cost.
Opponents said the checks aren’t targeted to help the people who need it most.
“Nothing in this bill helps anyone get back to work,” said Rep. Kevin Brady, Texas Republican. “Not a dime for small businesses, not a dime for Main Street. The best way to help struggling families is to get them back to work.”
In signing the $900 billion relief package that includes extended unemployment benefits, the president complained that the $600 stimulus checks were “measly.” He called on lawmakers to raise the amount, a development that Democrats were only too happy to take up.
But the move creates problems for Senate Republicans, some of whom resisted lower stimulus checks and have raised concerns about increasing the debt.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, has not indicated whether he will bring the new measure up for a vote.
The question threatens to divide the Senate GOP just as Georgia’s two Republican senators, Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, are facing runoff elections on Jan. 5. Ms. Loeffler has said she would support the increased stimulus checks if the money is offset by spending cuts. Mr. Perdue hasn’t voiced support for the larger payments.
Their Democratic opponents, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, support the higher payments.
Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Republican, said on Monday that he, too, supports increasing the checks to $2,000. He said millions of families “are still in dire need of relief.”
Sen. Bernard Sanders, Vermont independent, said Monday night that he’ll prevent the Senate from leaving this week unless Mr. McConnell allows a vote.
“I’m going to object until we get a vote on legislation to provide a $2,000 direct payment to the working class,” Mr. Sanders said in a statement. “Let me be clear: If Senator McConnell doesn’t agree to an up or down vote to provide the working people of our country a $2,000 direct payment, Congress will not be going home for New Year’s Eve. Let’s do our job.”
Senate Republicans previously rejected a move to increase the stimulus checks to $1,200. Sen. Roy Blunt, Missouri Republican, said he would be “surprised” if the Senate took up the new measure.
Sen. Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania Republican, said Sunday that many Republicans don’t like the payments because the aid isn’t targeted to people who need it most.
But Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York said he’ll bring it up in the Senate.
“No Democrats will object,” Mr. Schumer tweeted. “Will Senate Republicans?”
All 100 senators would need to agree to hold an expedited vote on the bill as early as Tuesday. Otherwise, the earliest the Senate could vote on the question would be on New Year’s Eve.
The larger coronavirus relief bill that included the $600 checks passed the House on Dec. 21 by a vote of 359 to 53, with 50 Republicans voting “no.” Monday’s vote was held under rules requiring a two-thirds majority.
Only two Republicans spoke out on the House floor against the higher stimulus checks. Rep. Glenn Grothman, Wisconsin Republican, said having the Federal Reserve print more money won’t help the economy.
“We should not think the way to prosperity is just printing money,” he said. Mr. Grothman called on Mr. McConnell “to hold the line” against the new spending.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, Massachusetts Democrat, countered that the larger stimulus checks are not a path to prosperity. He said 20 million Americans are out of work.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas Democrat, called the larger checks “a survival cash payment” for Americans.
“They can’t pay their rent, they can’t buy food,” she said.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Report: Farms deadliest workplaces in Montana last year

HELENA , Mont .
( AP ) - An annual report made public by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry has shown that 2019 was slightly more deadly than the previous year in workplaces , with farming the most dangerous industry .
The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries released last week said the state had 38 work-related fatal injuries last year , a 35.7 % increase over the prior year , the Independent Record reported .
It also said 16 of the deaths , or 42 % , occurred on farms .
“ I don ’ t think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Austin Grazier , director of agriculture safety for the Montana Farm Bureau , which has 20,000 member families .
“ The agriculture industry is inherently risky , but it is a good reminder for us to work on safety on farms and ranches and put safety in a preeminent position on all of our operations.
” The state reported that between 30 and 40 work-related deaths a year is average in Montana .
The lowest number of workplace deaths occurred in 2018 , 2014 and 2013 with 28 .
The highest occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data clearly shows that too many workers are being killed and face dangerous working conditions on the job , ” Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Al Ekblad said .
“ As a country we have a moral obligation to provide the regulations and inspections to allow workers to safely go home to their families at the end of the day.
” The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Dec. 16 that there were 5,333 fatal work injuries recorded in the country last year , a 2 % increase from 2018 .
It noted this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that a worker died every 99 minutes from a work-related injury during the year , officials said .
Montana State Fund President and CEO Laurence Hubbard said the number of workplace deaths this year is just 9 % higher when looking at a 10-year average , but that it is more than just the data .
“ We ’ re talking about human lives , and it ’ s tragic to lose that many Montana lives each year needlessly , ” Hubbard said .
The Montana State Fund is the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 25,000 businesses and organizations .
The census is conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and is aimed at increasing workplace safety .

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - An annual report made public by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry has shown that 2019 was slightly more deadly than the previous year in workplaces, with farming the most dangerous industry.
The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries released last week said the state had 38 work-related fatal injuries last year, a 35.7% increase over the prior year, the Independent Record reported. It also said 16 of the deaths, or 42%, occurred on farms.
“I don’t think it’s surprising at all,” said Austin Grazier, director of agriculture safety for the Montana Farm Bureau, which has 20,000 member families. “The agriculture industry is inherently risky, but it is a good reminder for us to work on safety on farms and ranches and put safety in a preeminent position on all of our operations.”
The state reported that between 30 and 40 work-related deaths a year is average in Montana. The lowest number of workplace deaths occurred in 2018, 2014 and 2013 with 28. The highest occurred in 1992 with 65.
“The data clearly shows that too many workers are being killed and face dangerous working conditions on the job,” Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Al Ekblad said. “As a country we have a moral obligation to provide the regulations and inspections to allow workers to safely go home to their families at the end of the day.”
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Dec. 16 that there were 5,333 fatal work injuries recorded in the country last year, a 2% increase from 2018. It noted this was the largest annual number since 2007 and that a worker died every 99 minutes from a work-related injury during the year, officials said.
Montana State Fund President and CEO Laurence Hubbard said the number of workplace deaths this year is just 9% higher when looking at a 10-year average, but that it is more than just the data.
“We’re talking about human lives, and it’s tragic to lose that many Montana lives each year needlessly,” Hubbard said.
The Montana State Fund is the state’s largest workers’ compensation provider for nearly 25,000 businesses and organizations.
The census is conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and is aimed at increasing workplace safety.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Evers swears in Assembly Democrats in virtual ceremony

Evers met with the Democratic caucus through Zoom on Monday afternoon .
He swore in new members Deb Andraca , @ @ @ @ @ , Dora Drake , Francesca Hong , Supreme Moore Omokunde , Sylvia Ortiz-Velez , Sara @ @ @ @ @ Lee Snodgrass individually .
He swore in returning members en masse .
Assembly Democrats posted @ @ @ @ @ channel .
Republicans emerged from the November elections with a 61-38 majority in the Assembly @ @ @ @ @ its majority in the state Senate , setting up a frustrating session for Democrats .

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Gov. Tony Evers swore in state Assembly Democrats in a virtual ceremony Monday.
Evers met with the Democratic caucus through Zoom on Monday afternoon. He swore in new members Deb Andraca, Samba Baldeh, Sue Conley, Dora Drake, Francesca Hong, Supreme Moore Omokunde, Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, Sara Rodriguez, Kristina Shelton and Lee Snodgrass individually. He swore in returning members en masse. Assembly Democrats posted the ceremony on their YouTube channel.
Republicans emerged from the November elections with a 61-38 majority in the Assembly. The GOP also maintained its majority in the state Senate, setting up a frustrating session for Democrats.