washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Documents: Man killed by police carried resold sheriff gun

VANCOUVER , Wash. ( AP ) - The firearm a man carried when police killed him had been a duty weapon used by law enforcement , according to records released by prosecutors in Clark County , Washington .
Kevin Peterson , who is Black , was shot by law enforcement officers near Vancouver on Oct. 29 during a drug sting operation .
Police shot at Peterson 34 times , hitting him four times .
There ’ s no evidence Peterson fired his gun .
An investigation into the incident is ongoing .
Investigative documents released by prosecutors show the gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the manufacturer , to the Multnomah County Sheriff ’ s Office in Portland , Oregon in 2004 , Oregon Public Broadcasting reported .
The Glock is currently registered to Peterson ’ s cousin , who purchased the weapon from a firearms dealer this year .
After Peterson was killed , the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives performed an urgent trace on the weapon .
A spokesperson for the Multnomah County Sheriff ’ s Office said when deputies get new duty weapons , old ones are sold to local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the public .
The measure is designed to save costs for the sheriff ’ s office .
A 2018 investigation by The Associated Press found law enforcement in Washington state sold some 6,000 confiscated firearms between 2010 and 2017 .
More than a dozen of those weapons later ended up becoming evidence in new criminal investigations .
The AP investigation did not investigate sales of retired duty firearms .

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - The firearm a man carried when police killed him had been a duty weapon used by law enforcement, according to records released by prosecutors in Clark County, Washington.
Kevin Peterson, who is Black, was shot by law enforcement officers near Vancouver on Oct. 29 during a drug sting operation. Police shot at Peterson 34 times, hitting him four times. There’s no evidence Peterson fired his gun. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Investigative documents released by prosecutors show the gun Peterson had was originally sent from Glock, the manufacturer, to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office in Portland, Oregon in 2004, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.
The Glock is currently registered to Peterson’s cousin, who purchased the weapon from a firearms dealer this year.
After Peterson was killed, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives performed an urgent trace on the weapon.
A spokesperson for the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said when deputies get new duty weapons, old ones are sold to local gun dealers who can resell the firearms to the public. The measure is designed to save costs for the sheriff’s office.
A 2018 investigation by The Associated Press found law enforcement in Washington state sold some 6,000 confiscated firearms between 2010 and 2017. More than a dozen of those weapons later ended up becoming evidence in new criminal investigations. The AP investigation did not investigate sales of retired duty firearms.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--San Antonio's piñata makers hope vaccine brings back parties

SAN ANTONIO ( AP ) - Piñata and party shops in San Antonio whose businesses depend on celebrations are hoping COVID-19 vaccines bring back big parties next year .
More than nine months after the coronavirus pandemic began , Ana Reyes , who owns Piñata Time on Commerce Street , said she and others in the piñata industry can only hope that some of the events that were canceled this year will return in 2021 .
“ Our business is dependent on the ability of people to gather in large groups , ” said Jeffrey Weiss , president of Amol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has been selling piñatas and party goods in San Antonio since the late 1940s .
“ That ’ s what it ’ s all about ; so until that happens , it ’ s a tough struggle.
” Piñata makers , or “ Piñateros , ” say business vanished in the spring and early summer when public health restrictions were put in place , the San Antonio Express-News reported .
After business fell by more than 90 % from April into June , Weiss had to cut his store ’ s operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
He had just purchased inventory when the pandemic hit and had to eat the cost of that merchandise .
“ There was really no way to prepare for the reality of this , ” he said .
Mary Lou Hernandez , who owns the Cascaron Store in Terrell Heights , said her business dropped by 75 % and that it ’ s been a struggle to stay open .
“ A lot of our sales are based on community sales and festivals , ” she said .
However , she and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought them a little business when customers came in asking for piñatas depicting President Donald Trump .
Piñatas depicting the coronavirus have also been hot sellers .
Each piñata maker said they were optimistic that the vaccines will get distributed in the first few months of next year and that this will give people more confidence to shop in their stores .

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Piñata and party shops in San Antonio whose businesses depend on celebrations are hoping COVID-19 vaccines bring back big parties next year.
More than nine months after the coronavirus pandemic began, Ana Reyes, who owns Piñata Time on Commerce Street, said she and others in the piñata industry can only hope that some of the events that were canceled this year will return in 2021.
“Our business is dependent on the ability of people to gather in large groups,” said Jeffrey Weiss, president of Amol’s Party and Fiesta Supplies, which has been selling piñatas and party goods in San Antonio since the late 1940s. “That’s what it’s all about; so until that happens, it’s a tough struggle.”
Piñata makers, or “Piñateros,” say business vanished in the spring and early summer when public health restrictions were put in place, the San Antonio Express-News reported.
After business fell by more than 90% from April into June, Weiss had to cut his store’s operating hours by more than 20 hours per week. He had just purchased inventory when the pandemic hit and had to eat the cost of that merchandise.
“There was really no way to prepare for the reality of this,” he said.
Mary Lou Hernandez, who owns the Cascaron Store in Terrell Heights, said her business dropped by 75% and that it’s been a struggle to stay open.
“A lot of our sales are based on community sales and festivals,” she said.
However, she and Reyes both said the election in November brought them a little business when customers came in asking for piñatas depicting President Donald Trump. Piñatas depicting the coronavirus have also been hot sellers.
Each piñata maker said they were optimistic that the vaccines will get distributed in the first few months of next year and that this will give people more confidence to shop in their stores.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Texas oilman's Ansel Adams photo gets $988,000 at auction

DALLAS ( AP ) - A West Texas oilman ’ s mural-sized print of an Ansel Adams photo has sold for nearly $ 1 million at an auction .
Sotheby ’ s New York , the auction house , said Tuesday that “ The Grand Tetons and the Snake River , Grand Teton National Park , Wyoming ” sold for $ 988,000 , a record price for Adams at auction .
The photograph , taken on commission for the Department of Interior in 1942 , shows a view of the mountains over Jackson Hole .
Sotheby ’ s said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than 10 mural-sized prints of the image in existence and was acquired from the photographer ’ s descendants .
The photo was among 115 works by Adams , including single prints and portfolios , that sold at auction Monday for $ 6.4 million , Sotheby ’ s said .
They were all part of David Arrington ’ s collection .
Sotheby ’ s said Arrington , 60 , has been interested in photography since he was a teen .
Arrington said in a video posted on the auction house ’ s website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adams ’ photographs , and that it was time to let go of some .
“ I ’ ve been asked numerous times : How come you collected so many of one artist ?
And the only thing I could come up with was : I ’ m a Texan , and we overdo everything , ” Arrington said in the video .
This story has been corrected to show that 115 works were sold , not 119 .

DALLAS (AP) - A West Texas oilman’s mural-sized print of an Ansel Adams photo has sold for nearly $1 million at an auction.
Sotheby’s New York, the auction house, said Tuesday that “The Grand Tetons and the Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming” sold for $988,000, a record price for Adams at auction.
The photograph, taken on commission for the Department of Interior in 1942, shows a view of the mountains over Jackson Hole. Sotheby’s said it’s believed to be one of less than 10 mural-sized prints of the image in existence and was acquired from the photographer’s descendants.
The photo was among 115 works by Adams, including single prints and portfolios, that sold at auction Monday for $6.4 million, Sotheby’s said. They were all part of David Arrington’s collection.
Sotheby’s said Arrington, 60, has been interested in photography since he was a teen. Arrington said in a video posted on the auction house’s website that he’s collected 650 of Adams’ photographs, and that it was time to let go of some.
“I’ve been asked numerous times: How come you collected so many of one artist? And the only thing I could come up with was: I’m a Texan, and we overdo everything,” Arrington said in the video.
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This story has been corrected to show that 115 works were sold, not 119.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Man, woman fatally shot outside Kansas City apartment

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - A man and woman were fatally shot Wednesday outside a Kansas @ @ @ @ @ say .
Police said an altercation took place before gunfire erupted shortly before 11 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ police they heard 15 to 20 gunshots .
The victims were pronounced dead at the @ @ @ @ @ ’ t immediately released .
Police also haven ’ t said what led up to @ @ @ @ @ suspect information .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A man and woman were fatally shot Wednesday outside a Kansas City apartment building, authorities say.
Police said an altercation took place before gunfire erupted shortly before 11 a.m. People in the area told police they heard 15 to 20 gunshots.
The victims were pronounced dead at the scene. There names weren’t immediately released.
Police also haven’t said what led up to the shooting or provided any suspect information.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Federal jury trials in Southern District off until March 1

INDIANAPOLIS ( AP ) - Chief U.S. District Judge Jane E. Magnus-Stinson issued an order Wednesday suspending in-person jury trials @ @ @ @ @ Southern District of Indiana until at least March 1 .
Other than jury trials , @ @ @ @ @ proceed by telephone , by video teleconference , or in person , as ordered in @ @ @ @ @ order said .
Federal courthouses remain open , but clerk ’ s offices for the @ @ @ @ @ in the four divisions of the Southern District of Indiana are closed to the public @ @ @ @ @ issued an order Monday suspending jury trials statewide until March 1 because COVID-19 cases continue @ @ @

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Chief U.S. District Judge Jane E. Magnus-Stinson issued an order Wednesday suspending in-person jury trials in all divisions of the Southern District of Indiana until at least March 1.
Other than jury trials, court proceedings shall continue to proceed by telephone, by video teleconference, or in person, as ordered in a particular case, the order said.
Federal courthouses remain open, but clerk’s offices for the U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts in the four divisions of the Southern District of Indiana are closed to the public.
The Indiana Supreme Court issued an order Monday suspending jury trials statewide until March 1 because COVID-19 cases continue to surge.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Twitter to start removing COVID-19 vaccine misinformation

Twitter said Wednesday that it will begin removing misinformation about COVID-19 vaccinations from its site .
It listed among posts that will removed as those including false claims that the virus is not real , debunked claims about the effects of receiving the vaccine and baseless claims that suggest that immunizations are used to harm or control people .
Twitter said in a blog post that it will start enforcing the new policy next week .
If people send tweets in violation of the rules , they will be required to delete them before they are able to tweet again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Twitter will hide it from view .
Twitter said that starting early next year , it may also label tweets that advance “ unsubstantiated rumors , disputed claims , as well as incomplete or out-of-context information about vaccines ” but that may not merit a removal under the new rules .
The new policy comes as the U.S. is beginning to roll out COVID-19 vaccinations in the largest immunization campaign in the country ’ s history .
Vaccinations in other countries are also under way .
This while large swaths of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups and individuals peddle conspiracies on social media .
Facebook and YouTube have also announced they will remove misinformation about the vaccines .
The number of people who have died from the coronavirus in the U.S. passed a staggering 300,000 on Monday , according to Johns Hopkins University , with about 2,400 people now dying per day on average .

Twitter said Wednesday that it will begin removing misinformation about COVID-19 vaccinations from its site.
It listed among posts that will removed as those including false claims that the virus is not real, debunked claims about the effects of receiving the vaccine and baseless claims that suggest that immunizations are used to harm or control people.
Twitter said in a blog post that it will start enforcing the new policy next week. If people send tweets in violation of the rules, they will be required to delete them before they are able to tweet again. Before the offending tweet is removed, Twitter will hide it from view.
Twitter said that starting early next year, it may also label tweets that advance “unsubstantiated rumors, disputed claims, as well as incomplete or out-of-context information about vaccines” but that may not merit a removal under the new rules.
The new policy comes as the U.S. is beginning to roll out COVID-19 vaccinations in the largest immunization campaign in the country’s history. Vaccinations in other countries are also under way.
This while large swaths of people are hesitant about immunizations, and anti-vaccination groups and individuals peddle conspiracies on social media.
Facebook and YouTube have also announced they will remove misinformation about the vaccines.
The number of people who have died from the coronavirus in the U.S. passed a staggering 300,000 on Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University, with about 2,400 people now dying per day on average.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--15 area nonprofits, historically Black colleges share $253 million donation from Mackenzie Scott

Fifteen nonprofit groups and historically Black colleges and universities in Virignia , Maryland and the District have recently received a total of more than $ 253 million from novelist Mackenzie Scott , the ex-wife of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos , as part of her $ 4.2 billion philanthropic endeavor this year .
“ This is an incredible opportunity to really double-down on the things that we ’ re already doing , ” John Hoey , CEO and president of the YMCA of Central Maryland , said Wednesday .
He said the nonprofit had received $ 18 million from Ms. Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he had been sworn to secrecy about the donation and first told the organization ’ s board about it Tuesday , adding that he had not yet decided how to invest the money .
“ This is by orders of magnitude the largest gift we ’ ve ever received as an organization , ” Mr. Hoey said , adding that COVID-19 has “ eviscerated ” the YMCA ’ s financial situation .
The donations to the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington and the YWCA of Central Virginia were not made available to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a blog that a team selected organizations that have a “ high potential for impact , ” emphasizing leadership teams and documented history in addressing systemic problems , from food deserts to racial inequity .
A number of community colleges and historically Black colleges and universities said the gifts set new individual records .
Norfolk State University called Ms. Scott ’ s gift a “ towering ” sum .
The gift will give “ support for transforming the curious thoughts of our students into the brightest minds of our world , ” Norfolk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
Other schools said they would spend the gift on increasing endowments or investing in grants to make college tuition more affordable .
“ We ’ re grateful to Ms. Scott for recognizing the great work we do at University of Maryland Eastern Shore especially with first-generation college students , ” said university President Heidi M. Anderson , who noted that the gift would boost the college ’ s endowment from $ 30 million to $ 50 million .
Stephanie Archer-Smith , executive director of Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland Inc. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It is exciting to consider the changes we will achieve as a result , but it will not change our mission , ” Ms. Archer-Smith said in an email to The Times .
“ Rather , it will deepen our resolve , making it possible to continue to meet a growing need , made worse by the pandemic , the effects of which will be long lasting for so many.
” Philanthropic observers noted the gift was unique for targeting already established nonprofits and giving of funds without restrictions .
“ One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make a statement and two was that they asked for three years to give them a simple report on how we ’ re doing , ” Mr. Hoey said .
In total , 384 organizations in 50 states , Puerto Rico and the District will share in nearly $ 4.2 in donations , including food banks , emergency relief funds “ and support services for those most vulnerable.
” After donating $ 1.68 billion to 116 nonprofits , universities , community development groups and legal organizations in July 2019 , Ms. Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her “ accelerate ” her 2020 giving with immediate help to those financially gutted by the pandemic .
• This article is based in part on wire service reports .

Fifteen nonprofit groups and historically Black colleges and universities in Virignia, Maryland and the District have recently received a total of more than $253 million from novelist Mackenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, as part of her $4.2 billion philanthropic endeavor this year.
“This is an incredible opportunity to really double-down on the things that we’re already doing,” John Hoey, CEO and president of the YMCA of Central Maryland, said Wednesday.
He said the nonprofit had received $18 million from Ms. Scott’s philanthropy project. Mr. Hoey said he had been sworn to secrecy about the donation and first told the organization’s board about it Tuesday, adding that he had not yet decided how to invest the money.
“This is by orders of magnitude the largest gift we’ve ever received as an organization,” Mr. Hoey said, adding that COVID-19 has “eviscerated” the YMCA’s financial situation.
Other regional recipients include:
• YWCA South Hampton Roads ($2 million)
• YMCA South Hampton Roads ($10 million)
• United Way of South Hampton Roads ($10 million)
• United Way of Central Maryland ($20 million)
• Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia ($10 million)
• Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland ($8 million)
• Morgan State University ($40 million)
• Bowie State University ($25 million)
• University of Maryland-Eastern Shore ($20 million)
• Norfolk State University ($40 million)
• Virginia State University ($30 million)
• United Way of National Capital Area ($20 million)
The donations to the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington and the YWCA of Central Virginia were not made available to The Washington Times.
Ms. Scott announced in a blog that a team selected organizations that have a “high potential for impact,” emphasizing leadership teams and documented history in addressing systemic problems, from food deserts to racial inequity.
A number of community colleges and historically Black colleges and universities said the gifts set new individual records. Norfolk State University called Ms. Scott’s gift a “towering” sum.
The gift will give “support for transforming the curious thoughts of our students into the brightest minds of our world,” Norfolk State President Javaune Adams-Gaston said in a statement.
Other schools said they would spend the gift on increasing endowments or investing in grants to make college tuition more affordable.
“We’re grateful to Ms. Scott for recognizing the great work we do at University of Maryland Eastern Shore especially with first-generation college students,” said university President Heidi M. Anderson, who noted that the gift would boost the college’s endowment from $30 million to $50 million.
Stephanie Archer-Smith, executive director of Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland Inc., called the gift “extraordinary.”
“It is exciting to consider the changes we will achieve as a result, but it will not change our mission,” Ms. Archer-Smith said in an email to The Times. “Rather, it will deepen our resolve, making it possible to continue to meet a growing need, made worse by the pandemic, the effects of which will be long lasting for so many.”
Philanthropic observers noted the gift was unique for targeting already established nonprofits and giving of funds without restrictions.
“One was confidentiality until the donor was prepared to make a statement and two was that they asked for three years to give them a simple report on how we’re doing,” Mr. Hoey said.
In total, 384 organizations in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District will share in nearly $4.2 in donations, including food banks, emergency relief funds “and support services for those most vulnerable.”
After donating $1.68 billion to 116 nonprofits, universities, community development groups and legal organizations in July 2019, Ms. Scott asked a team of advisers to help her “accelerate” her 2020 giving with immediate help to those financially gutted by the pandemic.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Christopher Vondracek can be reached at cvondracek@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Montana prison reports 6th virus death, another has 65 cases

BILLINGS , Mont .
( AP ) - The Montana State Prison reported its sixth death from a coronavirus outbreak Wednesday , while a prison in Dawson County reported the same day an outbreak of at least 65 people .
The state Department of Corrections said in a statement that a 60-year-old man died from the virus on Dec. 11 and that there are no ongoing cases in the Montana State Prison .
That marks the end of an outbreak that infected 477 inmates and 162 employees starting in October , the Lee Newspapers of Montana reported .
Dawson County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a facility has 53 inmates and 12 staff members who have tested positive for the coronavirus .
Protocols have been implemented in an attempt to mitigate the spread , including a mask mandate for inmates when they are outside of their cell and for every staff member , the Billings Gazette reported .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .
For most people , the new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - The Montana State Prison reported its sixth death from a coronavirus outbreak Wednesday, while a prison in Dawson County reported the same day an outbreak of at least 65 people.
The state Department of Corrections said in a statement that a 60-year-old man died from the virus on Dec. 11 and that there are no ongoing cases in the Montana State Prison.
That marks the end of an outbreak that infected 477 inmates and 162 employees starting in October, the Lee Newspapers of Montana reported.
Dawson County Sheriff Ross Canen said in a statement that a facility has 53 inmates and 12 staff members who have tested positive for the coronavirus. Protocols have been implemented in an attempt to mitigate the spread, including a mask mandate for inmates when they are outside of their cell and for every staff member, the Billings Gazette reported.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--California woman convicted of killing newborn grandson

BAKERSFIELD , Calif. ( AP ) - A Southern California woman was convicted Wednesday of killing her newborn grandson because @ @ @ @ @ be shamed over the fact that her 15-year-old daughter had given birth , according to @ @ @ @ @ Dhillon drowned the baby , and then she and a nephew buried the body in @ @ @ @ @ Dhillon ’ s teenage daughter informed detectives that she was told the baby was taken @ @ @ @ @ Later the girl found out the baby was dead and told a social worker at @ @ @ @ @ , according to KBAK-TV .
She killed the child to hide that her daughter had @ @ @ @ @ over what the Sikh community would think , said prosecutor John Allen .
Allen said @ @ @ @ @ , just ” verdict .
Defense attorney David Torres said he was disappointed with the @ @ @ @ @ years to life in prison when she ’ s sentenced Jan. 21 .

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) - A Southern California woman was convicted Wednesday of killing her newborn grandson because she feared her family wound be shamed over the fact that her 15-year-old daughter had given birth, according to news reports.
A Kern County jury found Beant Kaur Dhillon guilty of first degree murder, KGET-TV reported.
Investigators said Dhillon drowned the baby, and then she and a nephew buried the body in her backyard in 2018.
Dhillon’s teenage daughter informed detectives that she was told the baby was taken somewhere to be adopted. Later the girl found out the baby was dead and told a social worker at school, who contacted police, according to KBAK-TV.
She killed the child to hide that her daughter had been pregnant out of fear over what the Sikh community would think, said prosecutor John Allen.
Allen said it was a “correct, just” verdict.
Defense attorney David Torres said he was disappointed with the verdict.
Dhillon faces 25 years to life in prison when she’s sentenced Jan. 21.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Navajo Nation reports another 160 COVID cases plus 4 deaths

WINDOW ROCK , Ariz. ( AP ) - Navajo Nation health officials on Wednesday reported 160 new COVID-19 cases for @ @ @ @ @ four more related deaths .
In all , the tribe now has reported 20,095 coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ since the pandemic began .
Health officials said more than 186,000 people on the vast @ @ @ @ @ Arizona , New Mexico and Utah have been tested and nearly 11,000 have recovered from @ @ @ @ @ Health officials said 77 communities on the reservation still have uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ nearly all intensive care unit beds on the reservation are being used as COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ remains in a three-week lockdown that requires all residents to remain home at all times @ @ @ @ @ workers that are required to report to work , cases of emergencies , and to @ @ @ @ @ food , water and medicine .
On Thursday , Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to distribute food packages at Birdsprings Chapter and Indian Wells Chapter .

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) - Navajo Nation health officials on Wednesday reported 160 new COVID-19 cases for the second consecutive day plus four more related deaths.
In all, the tribe now has reported 20,095 coronavirus cases resulting in 731 deaths since the pandemic began.
Health officials said more than 186,000 people on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah have been tested and nearly 11,000 have recovered from COVID-19.
Navajo Department of Health officials said 77 communities on the reservation still have uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus.
Tribal officials have said nearly all intensive care unit beds on the reservation are being used as COVID-19 cases surge.
The Navajo Nation remains in a three-week lockdown that requires all residents to remain home at all times with the exception of essential workers that are required to report to work, cases of emergencies, and to obtain essential items such as food, water and medicine.
On Thursday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer are scheduled to distribute food packages at Birdsprings Chapter and Indian Wells Chapter.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Omar Vizquel denies wife's allegations of domestic abuse

Longtime major league shortstop Omar Vizquel denied accusations of domestic abuse made by his wife after she described two alleged acts of physical violence by the 11-time Gold Glove winner in a story published Wednesday by The Athletic .
Blanca Vizquel , 36 , said her 53-year-old husband first assaulted her in 2011 , three years before they married , and again in 2016 .
She described another heated dispute with him last August , which she said prompted her to leave him and file for divorce .
She also spoke of the allegations in a video on her Instagram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ no one deserves to have violence against them.
” Omar Vizquel said in a statement on Twitter that he cheated on Blanca and apologized for the “ pain my indiscretions may have caused , ” but he denied ever abusing her .
“ Let me be clear and unequivocal , ” he said .
“ I have never hit or been violent towards my wife , Blanca .
Any accusation to the contrary is false.
” Vizquel was taken into police custody in Sammamish , Washington , in 2016 after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Athletic said .
Blanca Vizquel told police her husband pushed her over , injuring her shin and breaking several finger nails .
She later asked prosecutors to drop charges against her husband , but she told The Athletic she did so only after Omar Vizquel threatened her with financial repercussions .
Blanca Vizquel also described a 2011 incident when Omar Vizquel allegedly strangled her .
Major League Baseball is investigating the 2016 arrest and has spoken to Blanca .
The league is also looking into a 2019 clubhouse incident while Vizquel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chicago White Sox system .
Vizquel was set to manage the Toros de Tijuana in the Mexican League in 2020 before the league canceled its season due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Vizquel , from Caracas , Venezuela , has been gaining support on the Hall of Fame ballot , getting 52.6 % of the required 75 % needed for enshrinement in the last round of voting .
The three-time All-Star was considered the top defender at his position through much of his 24-year career , which ended in 2012 after time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Texas , the Chicago White Sox and Toronto .

Longtime major league shortstop Omar Vizquel denied accusations of domestic abuse made by his wife after she described two alleged acts of physical violence by the 11-time Gold Glove winner in a story published Wednesday by The Athletic.
Blanca Vizquel, 36, said her 53-year-old husband first assaulted her in 2011, three years before they married, and again in 2016. She described another heated dispute with him last August, which she said prompted her to leave him and file for divorce. She also spoke of the allegations in a video on her Instagram posted Oct. 7, saying in Spanish that “no one deserves to have violence against them.”
Omar Vizquel said in a statement on Twitter that he cheated on Blanca and apologized for the “pain my indiscretions may have caused,” but he denied ever abusing her.
“Let me be clear and unequivocal,” he said. “I have never hit or been violent towards my wife, Blanca. Any accusation to the contrary is false.”
Vizquel was taken into police custody in Sammamish, Washington, in 2016 after an incident at the couple’s home, The Athletic said. Blanca Vizquel told police her husband pushed her over, injuring her shin and breaking several finger nails. She later asked prosecutors to drop charges against her husband, but she told The Athletic she did so only after Omar Vizquel threatened her with financial repercussions.
Blanca Vizquel also described a 2011 incident when Omar Vizquel allegedly strangled her.
Major League Baseball is investigating the 2016 arrest and has spoken to Blanca. The league is also looking into a 2019 clubhouse incident while Vizquel was managing the Double-A Birmingham Barons in the Chicago White Sox system.
Vizquel was set to manage the Toros de Tijuana in the Mexican League in 2020 before the league canceled its season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Vizquel, from Caracas, Venezuela, has been gaining support on the Hall of Fame ballot, getting 52.6% of the required 75% needed for enshrinement in the last round of voting. The three-time All-Star was considered the top defender at his position through much of his 24-year career, which ended in 2012 after time with Seattle, Cleveland, San Francisco, Texas, the Chicago White Sox and Toronto.
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washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Oregon deputy shoots man wanted on Washington warrant

BEND , Ore. ( AP ) - A man wanted on a Washington state warrant was shot by a Deschutes @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday after the man was found on BLM land and displayed a knife , authorities @ @ @ @ @ tried to arrest Seven Newburg Tuesday on a warrant for parole violation and failure to @ @ @ @ @ , but he ran , according to Deschutes County Sgt .
Jayson Janes .
Deputies @ @ @ @ @ and drones but did not find him .
On Wednesday , Janes said deputies found @ @ @ @ @ west of Bend Road .
When confronted , Newburg displayed a knife and a deputy @ @ @ @ @ .
He also said less-lethal methods were tried in an effort to get Newburg to @ @ @ @ @ negotiated with Newburg , and he was eventually taken into custody .
Newburg was taken @ @ @ @ @ expected to survive , Janes said .
The name of the deputy who shot Newburg @ @ @ @

BEND, Ore. (AP) - A man wanted on a Washington state warrant was shot by a Deschutes County sheriff’s deputy Wednesday after the man was found on BLM land and displayed a knife, authorities said.
KTVZ-TV reports deputies tried to arrest Seven Newburg Tuesday on a warrant for parole violation and failure to register as a sex offender, but he ran, according to Deschutes County Sgt. Jayson Janes.
Deputies searched for hours with dogs and drones but did not find him. On Wednesday, Janes said deputies found Newburg walking on BLM land west of Bend Road.
When confronted, Newburg displayed a knife and a deputy shot Newburg, Janes said. He also said less-lethal methods were tried in an effort to get Newburg to drop the knife. Deputies negotiated with Newburg, and he was eventually taken into custody.
Newburg was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive, Janes said.
The name of the deputy who shot Newburg was not released.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Texas virus cases and hospitalizations continue to rise

DALLAS ( AP ) - Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Texas rose again Wednesday with numbers that signaled a dark holiday season on the way despite early vaccinations providing some comfort that an end of the pandemic is in sight .
Texas reported 9,528 people hospitalized with COVID-19 and 252 more fatalities from the disease caused by the virus Wednesday .
Intensive care units in some regions were at or near full capacity , according to the Texas Department of State Health Services .
The department also reported 14,805 newly confirmed cases of the virus and 3,202 more probable cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed to be far higher because many people haven ’ t been tested and some who get the disease don ’ t show symptoms .
Over the last week , more than one in five coronavirus tests in Texas have come back positive , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
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 .

DALLAS (AP) - Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Texas rose again Wednesday with numbers that signaled a dark holiday season on the way despite early vaccinations providing some comfort that an end of the pandemic is in sight.
Texas reported 9,528 people hospitalized with COVID-19 and 252 more fatalities from the disease caused by the virus Wednesday. Intensive care units in some regions were at or near full capacity, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The department also reported 14,805 newly confirmed cases of the virus and 3,202 more probable cases.
The actual number of cases is believed to be far higher because many people haven’t been tested and some who get the disease don’t show symptoms.
Over the last week, more than one in five coronavirus tests in Texas have come back positive, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
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.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--3 life terms for Reno child sex trafficker who placed ads

RENO , Nev. ( AP ) - A 28-year-old Reno man convicted of child sex trafficking after the FBI says @ @ @ @ @ market his victims for prostitution has been sentenced to three life terms in prison .
@ @ @ @ @ Hicks said Wednesday Kevin Belcher will have to serve a minimum of 30 years in @ @ @ @ @ eligible for parole .
Belcher was convicted last week three counts of sex trafficking of @ @ @ @ @ .
The FBI ’ s Child Exploitation Task Force launched an investigation into suspected sex @ @ @ @ @ area in May 2019 .
Investigators say they pinpointed Belcher as the primary suspect and @ @ @ @ @ female victims along with ads intended to market them for prostitution .
They say he @ @ @ @ @ underage girls .
Deputy District Attorney Tyson League credited the victims for helping bring him @ @ @

RENO, Nev. (AP) - A 28-year-old Reno man convicted of child sex trafficking after the FBI says he placed explicit advertisements to market his victims for prostitution has been sentenced to three life terms in prison.
Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks said Wednesday Kevin Belcher will have to serve a minimum of 30 years in prison before he’s eligible for parole.
Belcher was convicted last week three counts of sex trafficking of a child under age 16.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force launched an investigation into suspected sex trafficking activities in the Reno area in May 2019.
Investigators say they pinpointed Belcher as the primary suspect and developed evidence of multiple minor female victims along with ads intended to market them for prostitution. They say he also engaged in sex with underage girls.
Washoe County District Judge Kathleen Drakulich sentenced Belcher to the maximum penalty.
Deputy District Attorney Tyson League credited the victims for helping bring him to justice.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--San Diego strip clubs exempt from coronavirus lockdown, California judge rules

SAN DIEGO — A California judge on Wednesday extended an order exempting San Diego strip clubs from state pandemic-related restrictions , a setback for Gov .
Gavin Newsom in his efforts to make his orders stick .
The scope of San Diego Superior Court Judge Joel Wohlfeil ’ s preliminary injunction appeared to extend far beyond the two clubs that sued the state to potentially all of the thousands of restaurants in San Diego County , the state ’ s second-largest county after Los Angeles .
Wohlfiel said it applies to “ San Diego County businesses with restaurant services , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it exempts them from shutdowns and “ any related orders ” that bar live adult entertainment and go beyond protocols “ that are no greater than essential ” to controlling the spread of COVID-19 .
The judge noted that Pacers International Showgirls and Cheetahs Gentlemen ’ s Club operated for five weeks during the pandemic under their own safety measures , which included keeping strippers 15 feet ( 4.6 meters ) from tables , allowing no more than one stripper per stage and requiring them and other employees to wear masks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diego County , said county attorneys were meeting “ to decipher the ruling and determine what ’ s next .
Stay tuned.
” County supervisors last week vowed to appeal any extension of the exemption for strip clubs , which the judge initially granted last month .
Representatives of the governor ’ s office didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment .
The state attorney general ’ s office referred questions to Newsom and the California Department of Public Health .
Jason Saccuzzo , a lawyer for Pacers , referred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when asked about its scope , saying it was “ a difficult question to answer.
” Steve Hoffman , an attorney for Cheetahs , said he was “ very pleased ” with the ruling and had no comment on whether it extended to other strip clubs and restaurants .
“ Cheetahs and Pacers will continue to operate in a manner that takes all appropriate and essential measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while at the same time providing a means for their staff to earn a livelihood , ” he wrote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes effect immediately , comes after Newsom ’ s Dec. 3 stay-at-home order in response to a surge of coronavirus cases that has hammered hospitals across the state .
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a “ cease-and-desist ” order to both clubs last week that they were violating the state ’ s new policy , which bars indoor and outdoor dining and prohibits social gatherings that bring together people of different households in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
Becerra wrote that he was acting on behalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the state health department and that he will pursue legal action if the companies didn ’ t comply .
Wednesday ’ s ruling followed more than an hour of spirited argument about whether state authorities overreached or acted within the law to protect public health .
“ What ’ s going to happen next when there is some greater emergency ?
Are we all going to be under house arrest ?
Are we going to even have a Constitution ?
” said Saccuzzo , the Pacers lawyer .
“ I fear that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we don ’ t even recognize.
” The clubs sued San Diego County in October after they were ordered to close .
Last month , a judge in another case denied a request to temporarily lift some restrictions on San Diego County restaurants and gyms .
The California Restaurant Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday ’ s ruling .

SAN DIEGO — A California judge on Wednesday extended an order exempting San Diego strip clubs from state pandemic-related restrictions, a setback for Gov. Gavin Newsom in his efforts to make his orders stick.
The scope of San Diego Superior Court Judge Joel Wohlfeil’s preliminary injunction appeared to extend far beyond the two clubs that sued the state to potentially all of the thousands of restaurants in San Diego County, the state’s second-largest county after Los Angeles.
Wohlfiel said it applies to “San Diego County businesses with restaurant services,” including the strip clubs, and that it exempts them from shutdowns and “any related orders” that bar live adult entertainment and go beyond protocols “that are no greater than essential” to controlling the spread of COVID-19.
The judge noted that Pacers International Showgirls and Cheetahs Gentlemen’s Club operated for five weeks during the pandemic under their own safety measures, which included keeping strippers 15 feet (4.6 meters) from tables, allowing no more than one stripper per stage and requiring them and other employees to wear masks.
Michael Workman, a spokesman for San Diego County, said county attorneys were meeting “to decipher the ruling and determine what’s next. Stay tuned.” County supervisors last week vowed to appeal any extension of the exemption for strip clubs, which the judge initially granted last month.
Representatives of the governor’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The state attorney general’s office referred questions to Newsom and the California Department of Public Health.
Jason Saccuzzo, a lawyer for Pacers, referred to the order’s precise language when asked about its scope, saying it was “a difficult question to answer.”
Steve Hoffman, an attorney for Cheetahs, said he was “very pleased” with the ruling and had no comment on whether it extended to other strip clubs and restaurants.
“Cheetahs and Pacers will continue to operate in a manner that takes all appropriate and essential measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while at the same time providing a means for their staff to earn a livelihood,” he wrote in an email.
The ruling, which takes effect immediately, comes after Newsom’s Dec. 3 stay-at-home order in response to a surge of coronavirus cases that has hammered hospitals across the state.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a “cease-and-desist” order to both clubs last week that they were violating the state’s new policy, which bars indoor and outdoor dining and prohibits social gatherings that bring together people of different households in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Becerra wrote that he was acting on behalf of Newsom, a fellow Democrat, and the state health department and that he will pursue legal action if the companies didn’t comply.
Wednesday’s ruling followed more than an hour of spirited argument about whether state authorities overreached or acted within the law to protect public health.
“What’s going to happen next when there is some greater emergency? Are we all going to be under house arrest? Are we going to even have a Constitution?” said Saccuzzo, the Pacers lawyer. “I fear that we may end up in a country that we don’t even recognize.”
The clubs sued San Diego County in October after they were ordered to close.
Last month, a judge in another case denied a request to temporarily lift some restrictions on San Diego County restaurants and gyms. The California Restaurant Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday’s ruling.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--US Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina says he has COVID-19

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson is the latest member of South Carolina ’ s congressional delegation to test positive for the coronavirus , announcing his test result Wednesday just hours after speaking on the U.S. House floor .
In a statement released by his office , the Republican said that he tested positive earlier in the day , adding , “ I feel fine and do not have any symptoms.
” Wilson , 73 , said he would quarantine “ through the Christmas holiday.
” “ It is so important that we all do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this virus , ” he said .
Wilson was at the U.S. House on Wednesday , when he delivered a floor speech lauding President Donald Trump “ for his efforts to bring a vaccine to the United States faster than any other vaccine in history.
” Wilson was wearing a face covering during his remarks .
His office did not immediately respond to a message regarding other elements of the congressman ’ s recent schedule .
Elected to a 10th term in November , Wilson is the latest of South Carolina ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
U.S. Tom Rice , a Republican representing Myrtle Beach , tested positive this year , along with several members of his immediate family .
Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham of Charleston also tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this year , as has Nancy Mace , the Republican who unseated Cunningham in the November election .
Meg Kinnard can be reached at h ttp : //twitter.com/MegKinnardAP .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson is the latest member of South Carolina’s congressional delegation to test positive for the coronavirus, announcing his test result Wednesday just hours after speaking on the U.S. House floor.
In a statement released by his office, the Republican said that he tested positive earlier in the day, adding, “I feel fine and do not have any symptoms.”
Wilson, 73, said he would quarantine “through the Christmas holiday.”
“It is so important that we all do our part to help prevent the spread of this virus,” he said.
Wilson was at the U.S. House on Wednesday, when he delivered a floor speech lauding President Donald Trump “for his efforts to bring a vaccine to the United States faster than any other vaccine in history.”
Wilson was wearing a face covering during his remarks. His office did not immediately respond to a message regarding other elements of the congressman’s recent schedule.
Elected to a 10th term in November, Wilson is the latest of South Carolina’s seven-member U.S. House delegation to contract COVID-19. U.S. Tom Rice, a Republican representing Myrtle Beach, tested positive this year, along with several members of his immediate family.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham of Charleston also tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this year, as has Nancy Mace, the Republican who unseated Cunningham in the November election.
___
Meg Kinnard can be reached at h ttp://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.
___
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Kelly Loeffler, David Perdue oppose renaming Atlanta Braves; Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock keep quiet

Republican Sens .
Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue have a message for Georgia baseball fans : Go , Braves .
The Georgia senators said the Atlanta Braves should keep its century-old nickname , declaring that it “ honors our nation ’ s Native American heritage , ” and urged the team not to “ cave to the demands of the cancel culture and the radical left.
” “ We adamantly oppose any effort to rename the Atlanta Braves , one of our states most storied and successful sports franchises , ” said the Republican senators in a Monday statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia institution—they ’ re an American institution.
” Their message came after word leaked Sunday that the Cleveland Indians , another Major League Baseball team with a Native American nickname , plan to drop “ Indians ” and replace it for the 2022 season .
The Georgia Republicans are locked in tight races in the Jan. 5 double run-off election .
Ms. Loeffler is being challenged by the Rev .
Raphael Warnock , a Democrat , while Mr. Perdue faces Democrat Jon Ossoff .
Georgia Republican Party spokeswoman Abigail Sigler on Wednesday challenged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issue .
“ Jon Ossoff and Radical Raphael Warnock should tell Georgians where they stand on renaming the Atlanta Braves ; they either think the Braves should be renamed or they don ’ t , ” said Ms. Sigler in a statement .
“ Their silence is just another reminder they are purely politically motivated , and Georgians can not trust them .
If Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock can ’ t answer a simple question about a baseball team , they certainly can ’ t answer tough questions.
” The team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlanta Braves name as franchises with Native American nicknames come under pressure to change them .
“ We are so proud of our team ’ s name , and our expectation is that we will always be the Atlanta Braves , ” Terry McGuirk , the Braves ‘ chairman , told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday .
A Trafalgar Group poll released Sunday found that 71.8 % of voters disagreed with dropping the Atlanta Braves nickname , while 19.7 % agreed and 8.5 % were undecided .
More than 90 % of voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Perdue opposed a name change , according to RealClearPolitics .
After years of protests , the NFL ’ s Washington Redskins dropped in July its 87-year-old nickname , renaming the franchise temporarily the Washington Football Team .

Republican Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue have a message for Georgia baseball fans: Go, Braves.
The Georgia senators said the Atlanta Braves should keep its century-old nickname, declaring that it “honors our nation’s Native American heritage,” and urged the team not to “cave to the demands of the cancel culture and the radical left.”
“We adamantly oppose any effort to rename the Atlanta Braves, one of our states most storied and successful sports franchises,” said the Republican senators in a Monday statement. “Not only are the Braves a Georgia institution—they’re an American institution.”
Their message came after word leaked Sunday that the Cleveland Indians, another Major League Baseball team with a Native American nickname, plan to drop “Indians” and replace it for the 2022 season.
The Georgia Republicans are locked in tight races in the Jan. 5 double run-off election. Ms. Loeffler is being challenged by the Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, while Mr. Perdue faces Democrat Jon Ossoff.
Georgia Republican Party spokeswoman Abigail Sigler on Wednesday challenged the Democrats to take a stand on the issue.
“Jon Ossoff and Radical Raphael Warnock should tell Georgians where they stand on renaming the Atlanta Braves; they either think the Braves should be renamed or they don’t,” said Ms. Sigler in a statement. “Their silence is just another reminder they are purely politically motivated, and Georgians cannot trust them. If Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock can’t answer a simple question about a baseball team, they certainly can’t answer tough questions.”
The team has said it plans to keep the Atlanta Braves name as franchises with Native American nicknames come under pressure to change them.
“We are so proud of our team’s name, and our expectation is that we will always be the Atlanta Braves,” Terry McGuirk, the Braves’ chairman, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday.
A Trafalgar Group poll released Sunday found that 71.8% of voters disagreed with dropping the Atlanta Braves nickname, while 19.7% agreed and 8.5% were undecided.
More than 90% of voters who planned to support Ms. Loeffler and Mr. Perdue opposed a name change, according to RealClearPolitics.
After years of protests, the NFL’s Washington Redskins dropped in July its 87-year-old nickname, renaming the franchise temporarily the Washington Football Team.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--California judge extends strip-club exemption from lockdown

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) - Two San Diego strip clubs can remain open and make their own determinations about providing a safe environment for dancers and patrons during the pandemic , a judge ruled Wednesday , dealing a setback to Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s health order that calls for such establishments to be shuttered .
The scope of San Diego Superior Court Judge Joel Wohlfeil ’ s preliminary injunction appeared to extend far beyond the two clubs that sued the state to potentially all of the thousands of restaurants in San Diego County , the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wohlfiel said it applies to “ San Diego County businesses with restaurant services , ” including the strip clubs , and that it exempts them from shutdowns and “ any related orders ” that bar live adult entertainment and go beyond protocols “ that are no greater than essential ” to controlling the spread of COVID-19 .
The judge noted that Pacers International Showgirls and Cheetahs Gentlemen ’ s Club operated for five weeks during the pandemic under their own safety measures , which included keeping strippers 15 feet ( 4.6 meters ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one stripper per stage and requiring them and other employees to wear masks .
Michael Workman , a spokesman for San Diego County , said county attorneys were meeting “ to decipher the ruling and determine what ’ s next .
Stay tuned.
” County supervisors last week vowed to appeal any extension of the exemption for strip clubs , which the judge initially granted last month .
Representatives of the governor ’ s office didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment .
The state attorney general ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Public Health .
Jason Saccuzzo , a lawyer for Pacers , referred to the order ’ s precise language when asked about its scope , saying it was “ a difficult question to answer.
” Steve Hoffman , an attorney for Cheetahs , said he was “ very pleased ” with the ruling and had no comment on whether it extended to other strip clubs and restaurants .
“ Cheetahs and Pacers will continue to operate in a manner that takes all appropriate and essential measures to prevent the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a means for their staff to earn a livelihood , ” he wrote in an email .
The ruling , which takes effect immediately , comes after Newsom ’ s Dec. 3 stay-at-home order in response to a surge of coronavirus cases that has hammered hospitals across the state .
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a “ cease-and-desist ” order to both clubs last week that they were violating the state ’ s new policy , which bars indoor and outdoor dining and prohibits social gatherings that bring together people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the coronavirus .
Becerra wrote that he was acting on behalf of Newsom , a fellow Democrat , and the state health department and that he will pursue legal action if the companies didn ’ t comply .
Wednesday ’ s ruling followed more than an hour of spirited argument about whether state authorities overreached or acted within the law to protect public health .
“ What ’ s going to happen next when there is some greater emergency ?
Are we all going to be under house arrest ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution ?
” said Saccuzzo , the Pacers lawyer .
“ I fear that we may end up in a country that we don ’ t even recognize.
” The clubs sued San Diego County in October after they were ordered to close .
Last month , a judge in another case denied a request to temporarily lift some restrictions on San Diego County restaurants and gyms .
The California Restaurant Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday ’ s ruling .

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Two San Diego strip clubs can remain open and make their own determinations about providing a safe environment for dancers and patrons during the pandemic, a judge ruled Wednesday, dealing a setback to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s health order that calls for such establishments to be shuttered.
The scope of San Diego Superior Court Judge Joel Wohlfeil’s preliminary injunction appeared to extend far beyond the two clubs that sued the state to potentially all of the thousands of restaurants in San Diego County, the state’s second-largest county after Los Angeles.
Wohlfiel said it applies to “San Diego County businesses with restaurant services,” including the strip clubs, and that it exempts them from shutdowns and “any related orders” that bar live adult entertainment and go beyond protocols “that are no greater than essential” to controlling the spread of COVID-19.
The judge noted that Pacers International Showgirls and Cheetahs Gentlemen’s Club operated for five weeks during the pandemic under their own safety measures, which included keeping strippers 15 feet (4.6 meters) from tables, allowing no more than one stripper per stage and requiring them and other employees to wear masks.
Michael Workman, a spokesman for San Diego County, said county attorneys were meeting “to decipher the ruling and determine what’s next. Stay tuned.” County supervisors last week vowed to appeal any extension of the exemption for strip clubs, which the judge initially granted last month.
The state attorney general’s office referred questions to Newsom and the California Department of Public Health. The governor’s office said its legal team was “reviewing options to determine next steps.”
“While we are disappointed in the court’s decision today, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the health and safety of all Californians,” Newsom’s office said in statement.
Jason Saccuzzo, a lawyer for Pacers, referred to the order’s precise language when asked about its scope, saying it was “a difficult question to answer.”
Steve Hoffman, an attorney for Cheetahs, said he was “very pleased” with the ruling and had no comment on whether it extended to other strip clubs and restaurants.
“Cheetahs and Pacers will continue to operate in a manner that takes all appropriate and essential measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while at the same time providing a means for their staff to earn a livelihood,” he wrote in an email.
The ruling, which takes effect immediately, comes after Newsom’s Dec. 3 stay-at-home order in response to a surge of coronavirus cases that has hammered hospitals across the state.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a “cease-and-desist” order to both clubs last week that they were violating the state’s new policy, which bars indoor and outdoor dining and prohibits social gatherings that bring together people of different households in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Becerra wrote that he was acting on behalf of Newsom, a fellow Democrat, and the state health department and that he will pursue legal action if the companies didn’t comply.
Wednesday’s ruling followed more than an hour of spirited argument about whether state authorities overreached or acted within the law to protect public health.
“What’s going to happen next when there is some greater emergency? Are we all going to be under house arrest? Are we going to even have a Constitution?” said Saccuzzo, the Pacers lawyer. “I fear that we may end up in a country that we don’t even recognize.”
Patti Li, an attorney for the state, highlighted extreme scarcity of intensive-care unit beds and growing waits in hospital emergency rooms to justify what she emphasized were temporary measures.
“It really is about the entire community, the entire state,” Li said. “This is the most serious moment of this pandemic in the state, in the nation so far.”
Li disputed the clubs’ argument that orders violated constitutional rights to free speech by prohibiting adult entertainment, saying the restrictions are aimed at live performances with people in close proximity. “There is no targeting of expression here,” she said.
The clubs sued the state and county in October after they were ordered to close.
Last month, a judge in another case denied a request to temporarily lift some restrictions on San Diego County restaurants and gyms. The California Restaurant Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday’s ruling.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Asia Today: S. Korea marks deadliest day, over 1,000 cases

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - South Korea has added more than 1,000 infections to its coronavirus caseload for the second straight day amid growing fears that the virus is spreading out of control in the greater capital area .
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Thursday said the COVID-19 death toll was now at 634 after 22 patients died in the past 24 hours , the deadliest day since the emergence of the pandemic .
Among 12,209 active patients , 242 are in serious or critical condition .
Nearly 800 of the 1,014 new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metropolitan area , where health officials have raised alarm about a looming shortage in hospital capacities .
Thursday marked the 40th consecutive day of triple digit daily jumps , which brought the national caseload to 46,453 .
The viral resurgence came after months of pandemic fatigue , complacency and government efforts to breathe life into a sluggish economy .
Officials are now mulling whether to raise social distancing restriction to maximum levels , which could possibly include bans on gatherings of more than 10 people , shutting tens of thousands of businesses deemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees work from home .
Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region : - The Australian Open men ’ s tennis tournament will begin three weeks later than planned on Feb. 8 because of the pandemic .
The ATP said that men ’ s qualifying for the season ’ s first Grand Slam tournament is being moved to Doha , Qatar , from Jan. 10-13 .
That will be followed by a period of about 2 1/2 weeks set aside for travel to Melbourne and a 14-day quarantine period for players and their coaches or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not take place next year include the New York Open and an event in Auckland , New Zealand .
The ATP is looking for new dates for the Rio Open , which was supposed to begin Feb. 17 but now conflicts with the two-week Australian Open main draw .
As with other sports , tennis was disrupted this year because of the COVID-19 outbreak , including several months with no competition , the postponement of the French Open ’ s start from May to September , and the cancelation of Wimbledon for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
- New Zealand ’ s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has told The Associated Press that her country ’ s successful drive to eliminate the coronavirus was driven as much by fear as it was ambition .
She said the target grew from an early realization the nation ’ s health system simply couldn ’ t cope with a big outbreak .
She also criticized President Donald Trump for misrepresenting the situation in New Zealand in August when a handful of unexplained cases began cropping up , saying “ It ’ s over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone.
” New Zealand ’ s response to the virus has been among the most successful .
The country of 5 million has counted just 25 deaths and managed to stamp out the spread of COVID-19 , allowing people to return to workplaces , schools and packed sports stadiums without restrictions .
For the world to begin to return to normal , Ardern said there needs to be comprehensive work around ensuring that everybody can get vaccinated against COVID-19 and putting in place a vaccine certification process that would allow people to travel @

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea has added more than 1,000 infections to its coronavirus caseload for the second straight day amid growing fears that the virus is spreading out of control in the greater capital area.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Thursday said the COVID-19 death toll was now at 634 after 22 patients died in the past 24 hours, the deadliest day since the emergence of the pandemic. Among 12,209 active patients, 242 are in serious or critical condition.
Nearly 800 of the 1,014 new cases were reported from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, where health officials have raised alarm about a looming shortage in hospital capacities. Thursday marked the 40th consecutive day of triple digit daily jumps, which brought the national caseload to 46,453.
The viral resurgence came after months of pandemic fatigue, complacency and government efforts to breathe life into a sluggish economy.
Officials are now mulling whether to raise social distancing restriction to maximum levels, which could possibly include bans on gatherings of more than 10 people, shutting tens of thousands of businesses deemed non-essential and requiring companies to have more employees work from home.
Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region:
- The World Health Organization says the coming COVID-19 vaccines will not end the pandemic quickly and countries of the Western Pacific region are not guaranteed to have early access to the shots. WHO Regional Director Dr. Takeshi Kasai says the vaccines are not “a silver bullet that will end the pandemic in the near future.” He says, “The development of safe and effective vaccines is one thing. Producing them in adequate quantities and reaching everyone who needs them is another.” While some countries that have independent vaccine purchase agreements might start vaccination campaigns in the coming months, others could see vaccination begin in the middle or late 2021, said Dr. Socorro Escalante, WHO’s coordinator for essential medicines and health technologies. “It’s important to emphasize that most, if not all, the countries in the Western Pacific region are a part of the COVAX Facility,” said Escalante. COVAX was set up by WHO, vaccines alliance GAVI and CEPI, a global coalition to fight epidemics, in an effort to ensure equitable access to vaccines across the world. WHO representatives also urged that high-risk groups should be prioritized for vaccination as vaccines will only be available in limited quantities.
- Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike on Thursday declared “a special coronavirus alert,” urging residents to share a sense of crisis over accelerating infections, as new cases in the capital rose sharply Thursday to 822, a new high. It exceeded the earlier record of 678 set Wednesday and brought the capital’s total to 49,490. The alert is largely a verbal warning against complacency during the rise in cases since early November, with experts saying a greater number of serious cases is forcing hospitals to reduce care for non-coronavirus patients. Koike said Thursday’s spike and the experts’ assessment of Tokyo’s medical system “struck me with a strong sense of crisis, and I need to share this with all residents of Tokyo.” She urged people to avoid parties and non-essential out-of-town trips and asked organizers to consider canceling New Year’s Eve countdown events. Infections have been on a steady climb nationwide for several weeks. Japan now has 187,103 confirmed cases, up 2,988 from Wednesday, including 2,739 deaths. Norio Ohmagari, director of the Disease Control and Prevention Center, warned of an explosion in infections if they continue spreading at the current pace, and called for more tests to quickly find and isolate patients. Japan has not had a compulsory lockdown and has survived earlier waves of infections, but experts say the current resurgence during the cold season could be a bigger challenge, especially with half of new cases now untraceable.
- Authorities are searching for the source of an emerging COVID-19 cluster in Sydney’s northern coastal suburbs. Australia’s largest city had gone 12 consecutive days without community transmission until Wednesday, when a driver who transported international air crews in a van to and from Sydney Airport tested positive for the coronavirus. By Thursday, six people had been infected with the virus though community transmission in Sydney, as well as six returned travelers who had been infected overseas and tested positive while in hotel quarantine. The new infections include a woman who works at the Pittwater Palms aged care home, which has since been closed to visitors. A drummer in a band that had played in several clubs around Sydney has also been infected. The New South Wales Health Department said later Thursday that 17 people had been infected in Sydney’s northern coastal suburbs. Residents in the Northern Beaches Local Government Area were advised to work from home and remain at home as much as possible for the next three days. Others were advised to avoid traveling to the area.
- The Australian Open men’s tennis tournament will begin three weeks later than planned on Feb. 8 because of the pandemic. The ATP said men’s qualifying for the season’s first Grand Slam tournament is being moved to Doha, Qatar, from Jan. 10-13. That will be followed by a period of about 2 1/2 weeks set aside for travel to Melbourne and a 14-day quarantine period for players and their coaches or other support staff. Other tournaments that will not take place next year include the New York Open and an event in Auckland, New Zealand. The ATP is looking for new dates for the Rio Open, which was supposed to begin Feb. 17 but now conflicts with the two-week Australian Open main draw. As with other sports, tennis was disrupted this year because of the COVID-19 outbreak, including several months with no competition, the postponement of the French Open’s start from May to September, and the cancelation of Wimbledon for the first time since World War II.
- New Zealand’s economy has bounced back close to where it was before the coronavirus hit after GDP rose by a record 14% in the third quarter. The rise followed a record 11% drop in the second quarter and a small drop in the first quarter, according to Statistics New Zealand. In the year to September, GDP declined by 2.2%. Leading the rebound in the third quarter were goods-producing industries, up 26%, and service industries, up 11%. New Zealand has eliminated community spread of the virus, at least for now, and many aspects of life have returned to normal. The nation’s borders, however, remain shut.
___
Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Underground leak leads to spill on Kenai Peninsula

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - Crews are cleaning up an oil spill of nearly 8,000 gallons ( 31,200 @ @ @ @ @ facility on Alaska ’ s Kenai Peninsula .
The source of the spill at the @ @ @ @ @ about 20 miles ( 32 kilometers ) northwest of Kenai has been secured , the @ @ @ @ @ said in a situation report .
The spill was slop oil , or crude emulsified @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s considered waste and can ’ t be sold in a pipeline , @ @ @ @ @ came from a leak in an underground line , and oil was spotted under and @ @ @ @ @ Nine Hilcorp personnel on site recovered about 630 gallons ( 2,385 liters ) of the @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday afternoon .
Additional company personnel and a spill response team were en route Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ facility is near the state-managed Trading Bay State Game Refuge and the Redoubt Bay Critical @ @ @ @ @ said no impacts to wildlife had been reported so far .

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Crews are cleaning up an oil spill of nearly 8,000 gallons (31,200 liters) at a Hilcorp facility on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula.
The source of the spill at the Hilcorp Trading Bay production facility about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Kenai has been secured, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation said in a situation report.
The spill was slop oil, or crude emulsified with water and solids. It’s considered waste and can’t be sold in a pipeline, the report said. It came from a leak in an underground line, and oil was spotted under and around a secondary liner.
Nine Hilcorp personnel on site recovered about 630 gallons (2,385 liters) of the oil after it was discovered Tuesday afternoon. Additional company personnel and a spill response team were en route Wednesday to assist.
The production facility is near the state-managed Trading Bay State Game Refuge and the Redoubt Bay Critical Habitat Area. The state said no impacts to wildlife had been reported so far.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Houston-area priest gets 10 years for child indecency counts

CONROE , Texas ( AP ) - A Houston-area Roman Catholic priest was sentenced to a decade in prison on Wednesday for abusing children at his church more than 20 years ago .
Manuel La Rosa-Lopez pleaded guilty last month to two counts of indecency with a child .
As part of an agreement with the Montgomery County District Attorney ’ s Office , three other indecency with a child charges he was also facing were dropped .
He will be eligible for parole after five years .
The two counts La Rosa-Lopez pleaded guilty to arise from allegations made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe , located just north of Houston .
In one case , La Rosa-Lopez in April 2000 brought a teenage girl to his office after confession , kissed her and then groped her days later , according to authorities .
In the other case , a teenage boy told authorities La Rosa-Lopez tried to take the boy ’ s clothes off and put his hands down the victim ’ s pants in 1999 .
Some of the three counts that were dropped are related to a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was from a church in neighboring Harris County , where Houston is located .
During Wednesday ’ s hearing , two of the victims described the setbacks and successes they ’ ve had in healing from what happened to them , according to prosecutors .
“ This was the day when ( the victims ) could speak publicly and without shame about the crimes committed against them privately , and the day when they could finally see a measure of justice , ” prosecutors Nancy Hebert and Wesley LeRouax said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement it hoped the sentencing “ will provide healing and peace to the victims and their families.
” Wendell Odom , La Rosa-Lopez ’ s lawyer , has said his client accepted responsibility and wanted closure .

CONROE, Texas (AP) - A Houston-area Roman Catholic priest was sentenced to a decade in prison on Wednesday for abusing children at his church more than 20 years ago.
Manuel La Rosa-Lopez pleaded guilty last month to two counts of indecency with a child. As part of an agreement with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, three other indecency with a child charges he was also facing were dropped. He will be eligible for parole after five years.
The two counts La Rosa-Lopez pleaded guilty to arise from allegations made against him while he was a priest at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe, located just north of Houston.
In one case, La Rosa-Lopez in April 2000 brought a teenage girl to his office after confession, kissed her and then groped her days later, according to authorities. In the other case, a teenage boy told authorities La Rosa-Lopez tried to take the boy’s clothes off and put his hands down the victim’s pants in 1999.
Some of the three counts that were dropped are related to a third victim. Prosecutors say a fourth victim was from a church in neighboring Harris County, where Houston is located.
During Wednesday’s hearing, two of the victims described the setbacks and successes they’ve had in healing from what happened to them, according to prosecutors.
“This was the day when (the victims) could speak publicly and without shame about the crimes committed against them privately, and the day when they could finally see a measure of justice,” prosecutors Nancy Hebert and Wesley LeRouax said in a statement.
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston said in a statement it hoped the sentencing “will provide healing and peace to the victims and their families.”
Wendell Odom, La Rosa-Lopez’s lawyer, has said his client accepted responsibility and wanted closure.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Tornado leaves thousands without power in Florida

ST. PETERSBURG , Fla. ( AP ) - A tornado damaged vehicles and buildings on Wednesday while leaving thousands without @ @ @ @ @ Tampa Bay area , authorities said .
Most of the damage was in Pinellas County @ @ @ @ @ , the Tampa Bay Times reported .
The same storm moved east Wednesday afternoon , @ @ @ @ @ , but the National Weather Service eventually lifted tornado warnings for those areas .
About @ @ @ @ @ according to Duke Energy ’ s online outage map .
The tornado started in Pinellas @ @ @ @ @ the county , the Weather Service said .
A waterspout was spotted near a bridge @ @ @ @ @ of the bay .
Photos from after the storm show trees and fences knocked down @ @ @ @ @ upside down pickup truck was spotted .
No injuries were immediately reported .

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - A tornado damaged vehicles and buildings on Wednesday while leaving thousands without power in Florida’s Tampa Bay area, authorities said.
Most of the damage was in Pinellas County, north of St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
The same storm moved east Wednesday afternoon, threatening Hillsborough and Polk counties, but the National Weather Service eventually lifted tornado warnings for those areas.
About 14,000 customers lost power, according to Duke Energy’s online outage map. The tornado started in Pinellas Park and traveled east across the county, the Weather Service said. A waterspout was spotted near a bridge moving toward the Tampa side of the bay.
Photos from after the storm show trees and fences knocked down and roofs damaged. An upside down pickup truck was spotted. No injuries were immediately reported.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--9 judges recuse themselves in Louisiana church abuse suit

SHREVEPORT , La .
( AP ) - All nine judges in Louisiana ’ s Second Circuit Court of Appeal have recused themselves from a sexual abuse lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Shreveport and a late priest .
Following the full court recusal , the Louisiana State Supreme Court reassigned the case to the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal in New Orleans , attorneys for the plaintiff stated Wednesday .
The lawsuit filed against the diocese alleges a plaintiff , a former altar boy , was sexually abused by the late Father William Allison and another man who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occasions in the 1970s , the Shreveport Times reported .
Allison died in 1986 .
The team of attorneys said the judges recused themselves “ because of an apparent conflict with each and every judge , ” but added that they didn ’ t know the reasons .
“ As an initial conclusion , it appears that ( victim-survivors ) of clergy sexual abuse can not get an impartial hearing before the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal , ” a statement from the attorneys said .
The lawsuit contends that Allison groomed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or sixth-grade student serving as an altar boy at Our Lady of Fatima in Monroe .
Doe was forced to perform sex acts on the priest , the lawsuit said .
In July , The Shreveport Times reported that it contacted the diocese for comment on the lawsuit but never received one from the Diocese ’ s Communications and Public Relations Director , Mark Willcox .
Willcox said at the time that he was working on preparing a response , the newspaper said .

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) - All nine judges in Louisiana’s Second Circuit Court of Appeal have recused themselves from a sexual abuse lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Shreveport and a late priest.
Following the full court recusal, the Louisiana State Supreme Court reassigned the case to the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal in New Orleans, attorneys for the plaintiff stated Wednesday.
The lawsuit filed against the diocese alleges a plaintiff, a former altar boy, was sexually abused by the late Father William Allison and another man who lived in a church rectory on separate occasions in the 1970s, the Shreveport Times reported. Allison died in 1986.
The team of attorneys said the judges recused themselves “because of an apparent conflict with each and every judge,” but added that they didn’t know the reasons.
“As an initial conclusion, it appears that (victim-survivors) of clergy sexual abuse cannot get an impartial hearing before the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal,” a statement from the attorneys said.
The lawsuit contends that Allison groomed the child, who was a fifth- or sixth-grade student serving as an altar boy at Our Lady of Fatima in Monroe. Doe was forced to perform sex acts on the priest, the lawsuit said.
In July, The Shreveport Times reported that it contacted the diocese for comment on the lawsuit but never received one from the Diocese’s Communications and Public Relations Director, Mark Willcox. Willcox said at the time that he was working on preparing a response, the newspaper said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Joe Biden to thrust climate change to Pentagon forefront

Climate change soon will be thrust back into the spotlight at the Pentagon , with the incoming Biden administration set to frame the issue as an immediate threat to national security , a destabilizing force around the world , and a danger to U.S. military installations at home and abroad .
The looming shift at the Defense Department , analysts and insiders say , will represent something of a return to the Obama era , a time when Pentagon leadership loudly and consistently cast climate change as an existential challenge that must be addressed across all corners of the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , Russia , or Islamic extremism .
After Democrat Joseph R. Biden is sworn in as president on Jan. 20 , the new dynamic is likely to be as much about rhetoric and attitude as action .
Throughout the Trump presidency , the Pentagon has prepared bases for rising sea levels and hotter temperatures , moved to more fuel-efficient technologies , and implemented a host of other programs and initiatives that military leaders said address the risks that a changing climate pose to military readiness .
Missing from that approach , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top , critics say .
Defense secretaries and other high-level officials in the Trump administration have not spoken about climate change nor cast it as a major threat in the same way as their predecessors , perhaps leading to an unspoken understanding inside the Pentagon that the issue was no longer a top priority .
“ In general , you ’ ll find that the military doesn ’ t whipsaw .
They care about mission assurance , they care about military resilience , they care about readiness .
That didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said John Conger , director of the Center for Climate and Security , which tracks the intersection of environmental and security issues .
“ But when you talk about it in a strategic sense , you elevate certain discussions , and that makes a difference , ” he said .
“ I have long said when the Trump administration came in , it ’ s not like they put their foot on the brake in the Department of Defense .
But it ’ s like they took it off the accelerator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on.
” Given his campaign rhetoric and some of his early personnel choices , Mr. Biden appears set on implementing a host of new climate-change measures across government , including a likely return to the Obama-era Paris climate accord that set new limits on U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions .
Mr. Trump withdrew from that deal early in his presidency .
The incoming commander in chief also has signaled that he intends to use the entirety of the federal government — including the military — to further his ambitious climate agenda .
In an essay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gen. Lloyd Austin to be his defense secretary , Mr. Biden listed climate change as one of the key issues the next Pentagon leader must focus on .
“ We must build a foreign policy that leads with diplomacy and revitalizes our alliances , putting American leadership back at the table and rallying the world to meet global threats to our security — from pandemics to climate change , from nuclear proliferation to the refugee crisis , ” Mr. Biden said in the piece , published in The Atlantic .
While he voiced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr. Biden still faces growing pressure from environmental groups and others on the left who argue that the planet is at a turning point and that the Biden administration may have the last real opportunity to stave off environmental disaster .
While many of those liberal voices have cast the Trump era as a catastrophe for the environment , the truth is that many of the worst fears simply did not materialize — at least as far as the Pentagon is concerned .
Early speculation that the White House would essentially ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents and studies ultimately did not pan out , and the Defense Department itself — along with the Army , Navy , Marine Corps and Air Force — has routinely addressed the impact of the issue on its operations and strategies .
Just this week , the Army released a major study that laid out how climate change poses a growing challenge to bases in the U.S. and around the world , many located along unstable coastlines or in harsh climates .
“ In addition to deliberate and directed attacks from adversaries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly characterized by the effects of climate change , extreme weather events , pandemics and environmental degradation , ” the Army “ Installations Strategy ” reads in part .
“ Such conditions will require adaptation of existing infrastructure.
” That report follows an even more detailed study on the “ implications of climate change ” released by the Army last year .
Other services have taken a similar tack .
Pentagon officials do not hesitate in describing climate change as a key issue confronting the military .
“ The impacts from a changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to DoD missions , operational plans and installations , ” a Defense Department official told The Washington Times .
“ DoD will focus on ensuring it remains ready and able to adapt to a wide variety of threats — regardless of the source — to fulfill our mission.
” In January 2019 , the Defense Department published a lengthy study on the “ effects of a changing climate ” on the U.S. military , and the report laid out wildfires , flooding , desertification , food shortages , drought and other consequences that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but also could spur new conflicts around the world .
Pentagon studies also have zeroed in on thawing ice in the Arctic , which has opened new shipping lanes and created a new playing field for great-power competition between the U.S. and competitors such as Russia and China .
Citing those and other examples , analysts stress that the military ’ s work to plan for and mitigate the effects of climate change has continued throughout the Trump administration .
But they also point to some specific areas that could see increased attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , Mr. Conger cited a Pentagon directive that all military bases develop within five years a climate resilience plan .
“ There hasn ’ t been a sense of urgency ” to get it done , he said .
“ When the new administration comes in , I wouldn ’ t be surprised to see them say … ‘ Get it done in a year .
’ ”

Climate change soon will be thrust back into the spotlight at the Pentagon, with the incoming Biden administration set to frame the issue as an immediate threat to national security, a destabilizing force around the world, and a danger to U.S. military installations at home and abroad.
The looming shift at the Defense Department, analysts and insiders say, will represent something of a return to the Obama era, a time when Pentagon leadership loudly and consistently cast climate change as an existential challenge that must be addressed across all corners of the military and as an enemy on par with China, Russia, or Islamic extremism.
After Democrat Joseph R. Biden is sworn in as president on Jan. 20, the new dynamic is likely to be as much about rhetoric and attitude as action. Throughout the Trump presidency, the Pentagon has prepared bases for rising sea levels and hotter temperatures, moved to more fuel-efficient technologies, and implemented a host of other programs and initiatives that military leaders said address the risks that a changing climate pose to military readiness.
Missing from that approach, however, has been a vocal message from the top, critics say. Defense secretaries and other high-level officials in the Trump administration have not spoken about climate change nor cast it as a major threat in the same way as their predecessors, perhaps leading to an unspoken understanding inside the Pentagon that the issue was no longer a top priority.
“In general, you’ll find that the military doesn’t whipsaw. They care about mission assurance, they care about military resilience, they care about readiness. That didn’t change from Obama to Trump to Biden,” said John Conger, director of the Center for Climate and Security, which tracks the intersection of environmental and security issues.
“But when you talk about it in a strategic sense, you elevate certain discussions, and that makes a difference,” he said. “I have long said when the Trump administration came in, it’s not like they put their foot on the brake in the Department of Defense. But it’s like they took it off the accelerator. … Biden will put it back on.”
Given his campaign rhetoric and some of his early personnel choices, Mr. Biden appears set on implementing a host of new climate-change measures across government, including a likely return to the Obama-era Paris climate accord that set new limits on U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions. Mr. Trump withdrew from that deal early in his presidency.
The incoming commander in chief also has signaled that he intends to use the entirety of the federal government — including the military — to further his ambitious climate agenda. In an essay this month explaining his choice of retired Gen. Lloyd Austin to be his defense secretary, Mr. Biden listed climate change as one of the key issues the next Pentagon leader must focus on.
“We must build a foreign policy that leads with diplomacy and revitalizes our alliances, putting American leadership back at the table and rallying the world to meet global threats to our security — from pandemics to climate change, from nuclear proliferation to the refugee crisis,” Mr. Biden said in the piece, published in The Atlantic.
Pressure from the left
While he voiced skepticism of the so-called Green New Deal, Mr. Biden still faces growing pressure from environmental groups and others on the left who argue that the planet is at a turning point and that the Biden administration may have the last real opportunity to stave off environmental disaster.
While many of those liberal voices have cast the Trump era as a catastrophe for the environment, the truth is that many of the worst fears simply did not materialize — at least as far as the Pentagon is concerned.
Early speculation that the White House would essentially ban references to climate change from official government documents and studies ultimately did not pan out, and the Defense Department itself — along with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force — has routinely addressed the impact of the issue on its operations and strategies.
Just this week, the Army released a major study that laid out how climate change poses a growing challenge to bases in the U.S. and around the world, many located along unstable coastlines or in harsh climates.
“In addition to deliberate and directed attacks from adversaries, Army installations exist within a natural environment increasingly characterized by the effects of climate change, extreme weather events, pandemics and environmental degradation,” the Army “Installations Strategy” reads in part. “Such conditions will require adaptation of existing infrastructure.”
That report follows an even more detailed study on the “implications of climate change” released by the Army last year. Other services have taken a similar tack.
Pentagon officials do not hesitate in describing climate change as a key issue confronting the military.
“The impacts from a changing climate will continue to pose a challenge to DoD missions, operational plans and installations,” a Defense Department official told The Washington Times. “DoD will focus on ensuring it remains ready and able to adapt to a wide variety of threats — regardless of the source — to fulfill our mission.”
In January 2019, the Defense Department published a lengthy study on the “effects of a changing climate” on the U.S. military, and the report laid out wildfires, flooding, desertification, food shortages, drought and other consequences that could not only impact the armed forces but also could spur new conflicts around the world.
Pentagon studies also have zeroed in on thawing ice in the Arctic, which has opened new shipping lanes and created a new playing field for great-power competition between the U.S. and competitors such as Russia and China.
Citing those and other examples, analysts stress that the military’s work to plan for and mitigate the effects of climate change has continued throughout the Trump administration. But they also point to some specific areas that could see increased attention early in a Biden administration.
For example, Mr. Conger cited a Pentagon directive that all military bases develop within five years a climate resilience plan.
“There hasn’t been a sense of urgency” to get it done, he said. “When the new administration comes in, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them say … ‘Get it done in a year.’”
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.