washingtontimes--2020-12-01--School district returns to remote learning amid COVID spike

DOVER , Del .
( AP ) - A school district in Delaware has returned its students to remote learning after the state ’ s COVID-19 figures showed that the county has met two of three indicators to determine significant community spread of the coronavirus .
Remote instructions for Capital School District students in Kent County will be effective from Tuesday until Jan. 4 , Interim Superintendent Dr. Sylvia Henderson said in a statement on the district ’ s website .
The county ’ s rates of new case and positive COVID tests are now in the “ red phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic , but closures are not mandated by the state .
The change comes after the school board voted last week to continue hybrid learning to elementary students and delay in-person instructions to other students , Delaware State News reported .
Gov .
John Carney said in a Facebook post Monday that educators doing their part and following public health guidance is “ why we ’ re not seeing spread of COVID-19 in schools – even as we continue to see increasing cases statewide.
” He wrote officials advise all districts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to follow the statewide school reopening gating criteria , which indicates hybrid learning .
”

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Delaware schools are “safe places” and should continue with a mix of in-person and virtual instruction despite a statewide spike in coronavirus cases, Gov. John Carney said Tuesday.
During his weekly COVID-19 briefing, Carney said the number of new cases was “off the charts” compared with numbers in late summer. He noted hospitalizations as of Monday have more than doubled since the start of November.
But the Democratic governor’s administration has taken issue with decisions by some school districts in central Delaware to move to remote learning, rather than a hybrid approach of online and in-person classes.
The districts’ decisions were based on trends in the number of new COVID-19 cases, average daily hospitalizations and the percentage of positive tests in Kent County.
Under school reopening guidelines on a state COVID-19 dashboard, those criteria are combined to define “green light, yellow light, red light” scenarios indicating minimal spread of the virus, minimal-to-moderate spread and significant spread. A green scenario allows for in-person instruction, while yellow calls for a hybrid model of remote learning and in-person classes. Under the red scenario, schools would close and instruction would be virtual only.
Statewide, the number of new cases per 100,000 people has been in the red zone for the past five weeks, suggesting significant community spread of the virus. But the other two categories have remained in the yellow zone, which equates to minimal-to-moderate spread and suggests hybrid learning is still in order.
In Kent County, however, the case rate per 100,000 people and the positivity rate have both climbed into the red zone. Given that two of the three factors suggest significant community spread, local school officials decided to suspend in-person classes in some districts.
Carney said he believes school districts should continue hybrid learning.
“That particular dashboard was not meant to automatically signal that schools be closed once it passed that threshold, although that certainly was the impression that was given,” he said. “So we’ll need to work through that.”
On Monday, Carney tweeted that state officials, guided by the Division of Public Health, were continuing to advise district and charter schools to follow the statewide criteria for reopening schools.
“Our statewide school reopening gating criteria indicates hybrid learning,” he said in another tweet. “We rely on our DPH experts to interpret the information behind the data to guide our recommendations.”
On Tuesday, the governor repeatedly asserted schools were “safe.”
“Schools are safe environments. Children are wearing masks and they’re social distancing,” he said. “We’re not seeing a lot of spread within schools themselves. Most of that spread is coming from the community and informal social gatherings.”
Carney also noted the infection rates in Kent County are the lowest in the state, and said not as many people are being tested as in other areas of Delaware. As with hospitals, one of the biggest factors for schools is staffing, he added.
“As people test positive, they’re obviously not able to be in the school setting, and that creates operational challenges,” Carney said.
The Delaware State Education Association issued a statement Tuesday calling for more transparency from Carney’s administration regarding COVID-19 data.
“We have been told that our schools are a safe place to be,” the statement read. “Stop telling us and start showing us by sharing all data and information regarding positive cases connected to schools, the results of contact tracing in terms of the number of identified close contacts required to quarantine and a clear indication of whether any transmission is occurring within our schools.”
Carney said officials are restrained by medical privacy laws in how much information they can disclose, particularly when there’s a small number of cases in one geographic area.
Meanwhile, the state teachers union praised officials in the Caesar Rodney, Capital and Milford school districts for returning to remote learning while they assess how and when schools can operate safely. It also urged administrators in other districts to seriously consider returning to remote learning.
“Given the continuing increase in new cases and percentage of tests that are positive, we are calling on all districts, at a minimum, to stop the expansion of in person learning until our data returns to more acceptable levels,” the union said.
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Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Christmas tree lots reporting brisk business in Wisconsin

APPLETON , Wis. ( AP ) - Christmas tree lots report that business is already brisk in Wisconsin this holiday season and owners attribute that in part to the coronavirus pandemic .
Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association spokesman Greg Hann says many families want a fresh tree because they won ’ t be traveling this year and will be home to care for it .
“ I have had people come up to me and say we haven ’ t had a real tree in 20 years , we just need that fragrance , we need that good feeling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He says the growing season was strong , so there are enough trees to go around .
Wisconsin has nearly 400 Christmas tree farms .
In Appleton , Uncle Paul ’ s Christmas Trees lot is seeing many more customers much earlier in the season , WLUK-TV reports .
“ We were actually selling trees as we were setting up on Wednesday , ” said employee Michelle Dotterer .
And Sue Schroeder with Schroeder ’ s Forevergreens says their Neenah lot has more visitors too .
“ We ’ ve had multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the first , quote on quote , normal thing that they ’ ve done in months is to go and pick out the family Christmas tree , ” said Schroeder .
Schroeder says people are looking for outdoor activities in this pandemic climate .

APPLETON, Wis. (AP) - Christmas tree lots report that business is already brisk in Wisconsin this holiday season and owners attribute that in part to the coronavirus pandemic.
Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association spokesman Greg Hann says many families want a fresh tree because they won’t be traveling this year and will be home to care for it.
“I have had people come up to me and say we haven’t had a real tree in 20 years, we just need that fragrance, we need that good feeling of a live tree,” Hann said.
He says the growing season was strong, so there are enough trees to go around. Wisconsin has nearly 400 Christmas tree farms.
In Appleton, Uncle Paul’s Christmas Trees lot is seeing many more customers much earlier in the season, WLUK-TV reports.
“We were actually selling trees as we were setting up on Wednesday,” said employee Michelle Dotterer.
And Sue Schroeder with Schroeder’s Forevergreens says their Neenah lot has more visitors too.
“We’ve had multiple people at both locations tell us this is the first, quote on quote, normal thing that they’ve done in months is to go and pick out the family Christmas tree,” said Schroeder.
Schroeder says people are looking for outdoor activities in this pandemic climate.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Maryland's governor presses Washington for more virus aid

ANNAPOLIS , Md .
( AP ) - Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan and state Attorney General Brian E. Frosh are pressing leaders in Washington for more stimulus relief related to the coronavirus pandemic .
The Frederick News-Post reported Monday that the governor urged President-elect Joe Biden to prioritize a new stimulus package to help states and small businesses that are struggling .
The state is approaching 200,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
“ States are already fighting an uphill battle to rebuild our economies and maintain essential services in education , health care , emergency operations and public safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also tweeted that “ Congress has failed to deliver a new stimulus package , American families have suffered and small businesses have permanently closed their doors .
As lawmakers return to Washington , this critical relief must be their most urgent priority-no more excuses.
” Frosh , the state ’ s Democratic AG , joined a coalition of attorneys general who are asking Congress to extend CARES Act funding through the end of next year .
The CARES Act has provided more than $ 2 trillion in economic relief to state and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to end Dec. 30 , ” Frosh said .

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Faced with surging COVID-19 cases, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced measures on Tuesday to boost the number of available health care workers and plan for more hospital beds.
In a partnership with the Maryland Hospital Association, the governor announced the launch of an initiative called MarylandMedNow to recruit people with clinical backgrounds to work at state hospitals, nursing homes, testing sites and vaccination clinics.
The state has asked colleges and universities to develop emergency policies and procedures to award academic credit to students who are willing to get hands-on work experience during the pandemic.
“The current surge is not only increasing the burden on our health care system and filling available hospital beds, but it is also affecting our health care workers who are already spread thin and operating under immense strain and stress,” Hogan said.
Colleges also are being encouraged to allow health care students who are in their final semester and have satisfied all graduation requirements to get an “early exit” and expedited testing and licensing requirements to get them into the workforce.
The governor also announced steps to increase hospital beds. Hospitals across the state will be required to submit a patient surge plan, including strategies to expand bed and staffing capacity adjustments. They will be due at the health department Dec. 8.
Also, if hospitalizations reach a total of 8,000 hospitalizations or more, hospitals will be required to expand their staffed bed capacity by 10% of each hospital’s physical bed capacity within seven calendar days.
“We currently have 6,816 Marylanders in our state hospitals,” Hogan said. “When we reach the 8,000 total hospitalization statewide, all hospitals will be required to expand their staff-bed capacity by at least 10% within seven days of that trigger.”
Of the 6,816 people in hospitals, 1,583 had confirmed cases of the coronavirus as of Tuesday.
The Republican governor also announced that Dennis Schrader, the health department’s chief operating officer, will be acting health secretary to replace Robert Neall, whose retirement went into effect Tuesday. Hogan also announced that Dr. David Marcozzi, the COVID-19 incident commander for the University of Maryland Medical System, will serve as a senior medical adviser to the governor.
Maryland’s health department has reported more than 201,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and at least 4,516 confirmed virus-related deaths since the pandemic began.
Marcozzi said the rising number of cases in the state confirm Maryland has entered a period of high risk, in which more people are getting infected and becoming ill. He also said he is very concerned cases will continue to rise in the next few weeks and months, and he urged people to redouble their virus prevention efforts and wear masks.
“Marylanders, we need to get our second wind,” Marcozzi said. “We need to double our efforts right now to get more of us through this healthy. If we do that, we will not only maintain our health but also maintain our economy.”
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Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--OPEC talks on production hit snag as pandemic clouds outlook

FRANKFURT , Germany ( AP ) - The OPEC oil producers ’ cartel was to push ahead with a new round of discussions Tuesday about how much oil to pump next year as countries wrestled over whether to extend production cuts to support prices depressed by the pandemic .
Members adjourned a videoconference after a first day of deliberations Monday ended without an agreement .
They also put off from Tuesday to Thursday a meeting with non-OPEC oil producers like Russia , who have been coordinating their actions with the cartel in recent years to increase their influence .
Oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The pandemic has sapped demand for fuel across the economy , which induced them to cut back production this year to keep prices from sagging even more than they have .
Yet the lower production means less revenue for governments that depend on oil sales to fill state coffers .
And the outlook for demand is mixed across the globe ; economies in the U.S. and Europe have been disrupted by a second upsurge in coronavirus infections , while activity and travel in China have rebounded more strongly .
Oil traded 19 cents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
That is off from $ 63 at the start of 2020 .
The sag in demand has been reflected in lower prices to consumers for auto fuel in the U.S .
Gasoline prices at the pump dipped well below $ 2 per gallon in many parts of the country in May as the pandemic took hold , and have remained flat after a mild rebound .
The U.S. average was $ 2.12 as of Nov. 30 , down 45 cents from the same week a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency .
Analysts at UniCredit bank said the oil producing countries were likely to agree to extend this year ’ s production cuts of about 7.7 million barrels a day .
“ In our view , the delay should not be a concern and we still expect the current curbs to be extended into the first quarter of 2021 , ” they said , adding that it is not unusual for OPEC meetings to last longer than scheduled and virtual discussions slow the negotiation process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia – the two leaders of the group – favor an extension of the cuts and this should be enough to square the circle and finalize the deal on Thursday.
” Saudi Arabia tends to take a leadership role within OPEC , while Russia is the biggest non-OPEC country to coordinate with the cartel .

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - The OPEC oil producers’ cartel was to push ahead with a new round of discussions Tuesday about how much to pump next year as countries wrestled over whether to extend the production cuts that have been supporting prices depressed by the pandemic.
Members adjourned a videoconference after a first day of deliberations Monday ended without an agreement. They also put off from Tuesday to Thursday a meeting with non-OPEC oil producers like Russia, who have been coordinating their actions with the cartel in recent years to increase their influence.
Oil producing countries face a difficult situation. The pandemic has sapped demand for fuel across the economy, which induced them to cut back production this year to keep prices from sagging even more than they have. Yet the lower production means less revenue for governments that depend on oil sales to fill state coffers.
And the outlook for demand is mixed across the globe; economies in the U.S. and Europe have been disrupted by a second upsurge in coronavirus infections, while activity and travel in China have rebounded more strongly.
Oil traded 19 cents lower at $45.15 per barrel Tuesday on the New York Mercantile Exchange. That is off from $63 at the start of 2020.
The sag in demand has been reflected in lower prices to consumers for auto fuel in the U.S. Gasoline prices at the pump dipped well below $2 per gallon in many parts of the country in May as the pandemic took hold, and have remained flat after a mild rebound. The U.S. average was $2.12 as of Nov. 30, down 45 cents from the same week a year earlier but little changed from this summer, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency.
Analysts at UniCredit bank said the oil producing countries were likely to agree to extend this year’s production cuts of about 7.7 million barrels a day.
“In our view, the delay should not be a concern and we still expect the current curbs to be extended into the first quarter of 2021,” they said, adding that it is not unusual for OPEC meetings to last longer than scheduled and virtual discussions slow the negotiation process.
“Moreover, both Saudi Arabia and Russia – the two leaders of the group – favor an extension of the cuts and this should be enough to square the circle and finalize the deal on Thursday.” Saudi Arabia tends to take a leadership role within OPEC, while Russia is the biggest non-OPEC country to coordinate with the cartel.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Sweden: Mother suspected of locking up her son for 28 years

STOCKHOLM ( AP ) - Police in Stockholm are investigating a woman in her 70s suspected of having kept her son locked up - reportedly for 28 years - in an apartment south of the Swedish capital , investigators said Tuesday .
Prosecutor Emma Olsson , who heads the preliminary investigation , said the woman who was held on suspicion of unlawful deprivation of liberty and grievous bodily harm .
Olsson said the 41-year-old son was found by a relative who then alerted authorities .
The woman has denied wrongdoing , Olsson said , adding that the son was admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the physical injuries he had when he was found.
” “ We can not go into what type of injuries ” he has , Olsson said .
Swedish newspaper Expressen said the man was found Sunday by a relative who had learned that the elderly woman had been admitted to a hospital .
The relative went to the flat , found the main door unlocked and entered it .
The relative who was not identified , told the daily that there was “ urine , dirt and dust ” all over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She heard a noise from the kitchen and found the man sitting on blankets and pillows .
According to the relative ’ s account in the paper , he had no teeth , had sores on his legs and his speech was slurred .
“ He spoke very fast and a little incoherently , but he was not afraid of me , ” the relative was quoted as saying by Expressen .
The daily said the man ’ s apparent captivity had started 28 years ago , which would have made him 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be interviewing the mother , the son and witnesses .

STOCKHOLM (AP) - Police in Stockholm are investigating a woman in her 70s suspected of having kept her son locked up - reportedly for 28 years - in an apartment south of the Swedish capital, investigators said Tuesday.
Prosecutor Emma Olsson, who heads the preliminary investigation, said the woman who was held on suspicion of unlawful deprivation of liberty and grievous bodily harm.
Olsson said the 41-year-old son was found by a relative who then alerted authorities.
The woman has denied wrongdoing, Olsson said, adding that the son was admitted to a hospital to be treated for “the physical injuries he had when he was found.”
“We cannot go into what type of injuries” he has, Olsson said.
Swedish newspaper Expressen said the man was found Sunday by a relative who had learned that the elderly woman had been admitted to a hospital. The relative went to the flat, found the main door unlocked and entered it.
The relative who was not identified, told the daily that there was “urine, dirt and dust” all over the place and “it smelled rotten.”
She heard a noise from the kitchen and found the man sitting on blankets and pillows. According to the relative’s account in the paper, he had no teeth, had sores on his legs and his speech was slurred.
“He spoke very fast and a little incoherently, but he was not afraid of me,” the relative was quoted as saying by Expressen.
The daily said the man’s apparent captivity had started 28 years ago, which would have made him 13 at the time.
Olsson said investigators would be interviewing the mother, the son and witnesses.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Prosecutors: Hate crimes on the rise in King County

SEATTLE ( AP ) - Two years ago , there were 30 hate crimes in King County , and last year that number was 38 , but so far in 2020 , the King County Prosecuting Attorney ’ s Office has handled 51 hate crime cases .
One case happened last month in Federal Way .
Police say two white men chased a Black man in their cars for more than 10 miles , KING5 reported .
The defendants accused the man of a hit and run , and when they caught him , they began beating him and yelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The man had to be hospitalized .
“ By far the most common victims for hate crimes in Seattle are African Americans and gay men , ” said David Bannick .
He and Leandra Craft are the deputy prosecuting attorneys who focus on hate crime cases for King County .
The pandemic has contributed to the rise in hate crimes in King County , they said .
“ Due to COVID , we have seen hate crimes cases come in against Asian Americans , ” Craft said .
Overall , an increase is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that hate crimes in the United States have reached the highest level in more than a decade .
Data from the U.S. Department of Justice shows that Washington state had over 500 cases in 2018 .
Only three other states reported more crimes motivated by hate .
Washington passed a bill last year that changed the legal name of the crime from malicious harassment to hate crime .
Bannick said the change sends a message .
“ It sounds like a little thing , but to me it ’ s a very big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to victims , to judges , to attorneys , to the community .
Call these crimes what they actually are , ” Bannick said .
Bannick also says Seattle police created a bias crime unit with a detective dedicated to those cases .
But not all departments have such a system in place .
“ There ’ s likely dozens of hate crimes that go unreported , or do not ever make it to us , ” Bannick said .

SEATTLE (AP) - Two years ago, there were 30 hate crimes in King County, and last year that number was 38, but so far in 2020, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has handled 51 hate crime cases.
One case happened last month in Federal Way. Police say two white men chased a Black man in their cars for more than 10 miles, KING5 reported.
The defendants accused the man of a hit and run, and when they caught him, they began beating him and yelling racial epithets, according to police. The man had to be hospitalized.
“By far the most common victims for hate crimes in Seattle are African Americans and gay men,” said David Bannick. He and Leandra Craft are the deputy prosecuting attorneys who focus on hate crime cases for King County.
The pandemic has contributed to the rise in hate crimes in King County, they said.
“Due to COVID, we have seen hate crimes cases come in against Asian Americans,” Craft said.
Overall, an increase is being seen nationwide. The FBI reports that hate crimes in the United States have reached the highest level in more than a decade. Data from the U.S. Department of Justice shows that Washington state had over 500 cases in 2018. Only three other states reported more crimes motivated by hate.
Washington passed a bill last year that changed the legal name of the crime from malicious harassment to hate crime. Bannick said the change sends a message.
“It sounds like a little thing, but to me it’s a very big thing just to be able to communicate to victims, to judges, to attorneys, to the community. Call these crimes what they actually are,” Bannick said.
Bannick also says Seattle police created a bias crime unit with a detective dedicated to those cases. But not all departments have such a system in place.
“There’s likely dozens of hate crimes that go unreported, or do not ever make it to us,” Bannick said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Metro budget proposal closes 19 train stations, no weekend rides

Metro ’ s 2021 budget proposal includes closing 19 train stations , no weekend rides and ending service at 9 @ @ @ @ @ news outlet reports .
Reeling from the pandemic , the regional transit agency is facing @ @ @ @ @ deficit , WTOP reported .
The proposal reportedly Would decrease Metrobus services to roughly 45 @ @ @ @ @ Moreover , workers could be subject to layoffs , salary freezes , and postponed wage @ @ @ @ @ If passed , the changes would go into effect in July .

Metro’s 2021 budget proposal includes closing 19 train stations, no weekend rides and ending service at 9 p.m., according to local news outlet reports.
Reeling from the pandemic, the regional transit agency is facing a nearly $500 million deficit, WTOP reported.
The proposal reportedly would decrease Metrobus services to roughly 45% of pre-pandemic operations. Moreover, workers could be subject to layoffs, salary freezes, and postponed wage increases for union members.
If passed, the changes would go into effect in July.
• Emily Zantow can be reached at ezantow@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Suspect arrested in fatal hit-and-run crash in Connecticut

VERNON , Conn. ( AP ) - A man charged in the hit-and-run death a of volunteer soccer coach in Connecticut told detectives he thought he had hit a mailbox , police said .
Philip Holmes , 41 , was arrested Monday in the death of Andrew Aggarwala , who was hit by a car on Nov. 24 while walking his dog near his home in Vernon , police announced .
Holmes , of Somers , was stopped at a police checkpoint the day after the crash while driving a damaged car with streaks of blood on the hood , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vernon police .
When detectives told Holmes they had pieces of a headlamp recovered from the crime scene that matched his damaged car , he told the officers “ he didn ’ t know how any of this happened , ” according to court papers .
He later called detectives and said he thought he had hit a mailbox , the court papers said .
Holmes was arrested on charges including leaving the scene of a fatal crash .
He was awaiting arraignment Tuesday .
Information on an attorney who could respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available .
Aggarwala , 44 , a father of two and a volunteer for the Vernon Soccer Club , was walking his family ’ s 6-month-old puppy , Ollie , when he was fatally struck .
The puppy ran away from the crash scene but was found and reunited with the Aggarwala family four days later .

VERNON, Conn. (AP) - A man charged in the hit-and-run death a of volunteer soccer coach in Connecticut told detectives he thought he had hit a mailbox, police said.
Philip Holmes, 41, was arrested Monday in the death of Andrew Aggarwala, who was hit by a car on Nov. 24 while walking his dog near his home in Vernon, police announced.
Holmes, of Somers, was stopped at a police checkpoint the day after the crash while driving a damaged car with streaks of blood on the hood, according to an affidavit released by the Vernon police.
When detectives told Holmes they had pieces of a headlamp recovered from the crime scene that matched his damaged car, he told the officers “he didn’t know how any of this happened,” according to court papers. He later called detectives and said he thought he had hit a mailbox, the court papers said.
Holmes was arrested on charges including leaving the scene of a fatal crash. He posted $100,000 bail Tuesday and declined to comment after being arraigned in Rockville Superior Court.
Aggarwala, 44, a father of two and a volunteer for the Vernon Soccer Club, was walking his family’s 6-month-old puppy, Ollie, when he was fatally struck. The puppy ran away from the crash scene but was found and reunited with the Aggarwala family four days later.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Maine grants $30M to aid health care providers amid pandemic

PORTLAND , Maine ( AP ) - Maine has launched a grant program designed to help health care organizations continue serving patients during the coronavirus pandemic .
The program is backed by $ 30 million in federal CARES Act dollars and is called the Maine Health Care Financial Relief Program , Democratic Gov .
Janet Mills said .
The grant program is open to hospitals as well as nursing , congregate care and behavioral health facilities and community service providers , state officials said .
The grants can go as high as $ 100,000 , Mills said Monday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heroic workers they employ , have shouldered an enormous burden this year , ” Mills said .
“ These funds , although not nearly enough to make up for their losses , will help bolster our providers at this critical time and allow them to continue providing care to Maine people .
Mills also announced a $ 40 million economic recovery grant program for Maine ’ s tourism , hospitality and retail small business sector earlier on Monday .
That program is backed by CARES Act money as well .
The latest average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
State health departments are calculating positivity rate differently across the country , but for Maine the AP calculates the rate by dividing new cases by test specimens using data from The COVID Tracking Project .
The 7-day rolling average of the positivity rate in Maine has risen over the past two weeks from 2.13 % on Nov. 16 to 2.4 % on Nov. 30 .
The state has reported more than 11,700 cases of the virus in total .

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Maine’s governor said Tuesday she is quarantining after exposure to someone who is believed to have COVID-19.
Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, said she’s quarantining in the Blaine House, the residence of the Maine governor, until Dec. 12. She said she is not experiencing symptoms, but is believed to have been exposed to COVID-19 by a member of her executive protection unit.
Executive protection unit members are with the governor at all times and follow strict safety protocols about the coronavirus, Mills’ office said. The member developed symptoms that resembled COVID-19 on Monday and is awaiting the results of a test, the governor’s office said.
“I am going to continue working as hard as I can on behalf of Maine people during this quarantine; but putting a lid on this virus will also require hard work by every person all across the state,” Mills said.
Mills is scheduled to take a coronavirus test on Thursday. The governor’s office did not release the name of the executive protection unit member. The governor and the unit member were in a car together with face coverings on for less than 10 minutes, the office said.
Mills had been scheduled to swear in the Maine Legislature on Wednesday. Andrew Mead, the acting chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, will do it in her absence. Mills said she plans to continue fulfilling her obligations as governor and stay in touch with her cabinet members and staff virtually while in quarantine.
In other virus news in Maine:
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SHIPYARD OUTBREAK
Maine’s Bath Iron Works is dealing with a growing number of COVID-19 cases at the shipyard and at a fabrication facility in Brunswick.
There are 17 active cases with workers getting treatment or quarantining at home, a shipyard spokesperson said.
Last week, the company confirmed seven employees tested positive for COVID-19 between Monday and Wednesday. The week before, the shipyard announced a dozen other employees tested positive.
Despite the growing number of cases, the company that builds destroyers for the U.S. Navy will not close any facilities because the company is deemed vital to the nation’s defense, the spokesperson said.
The company employs about 6,800 workers.
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RECORD DEATH TOLL
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported 20 deaths from the virus on Tuesday. That was the largest single-day total since the start of the pandemic, bringing the total number of deaths in Maine to 214.
The state’s positivity rate is also climbing. The latest average positivity rate in Maine is 2.4%. State health departments are calculating positivity rate differently across the country, but for Maine, the AP calculates the rate by dividing new cases by test specimens using data from The COVID Tracking Project.
The seven-day rolling average of the positivity rate in Maine has risen over the past two weeks from 2.13% on Nov. 16 to 2.4% on Nov. 30.
The state has reported more than 11,900 cases of the virus in total.
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GRANT PROGRAM
Maine has launched a grant program designed to help health care organizations continue serving patients during the coronavirus pandemic.
The program is backed by $30 million in federal coronavirus relief dollars and is called the Maine Health Care Financial Relief Program, Mills said. The grant program is open to hospitals as well as nursing, congregate care and behavioral health facilities and community service providers, state officials said.
The grants can go as high as $100,000, Mills said Monday.
“Our health care providers, and the heroic workers they employ, have shouldered an enormous burden this year,” Mills said. “These funds, although not nearly enough to make up for their losses, will help bolster our providers at this critical time and allow them to continue providing care to Maine people.”
Mills also announced a $40 million economic recovery grant program for Maine’s tourism, hospitality and retail small business sector earlier on Monday. That program is backed by CARES Act money as well.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Woman killed in gun battle crossfire on Missouri interstate

OLIVETTE , Mo .
( AP ) - A woman has died after being caught in the crossfire of a @ @ @ @ @ in two other cars on Interstate 170 in suburban St. Louis , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ Greater St. Louis is investigating the Monday afternoon shooting .
Officers were called to the @ @ @ @ @ Boulevard in Olivette for a report of two vehicles trading gunfire while traveling southbound , @ @ @ @ @ found a 46-year-old woman with gunshot wounds inside a third vehicle that had been hit @ @ @ @ @ .
The woman was taken to a hospital , where she was pronounced dead .
@ @ @ @ @ involved in the gun battle had already fled the area when police arrived .
The @ @ @ @ @ not immediately released , and no arrests had been reported by Tuesday morning .

OLIVETTE, Mo. (AP) - A woman has died after being caught in the crossfire of a rolling gun battle between people in two other cars on Interstate 170 in suburban St. Louis, police said.
The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis is investigating the Monday afternoon shooting. Officers were called to the area of I-170 and Olive Boulevard in Olivette for a report of two vehicles trading gunfire while traveling southbound, police said.
Arriving officers found a 46-year-old woman with gunshot wounds inside a third vehicle that had been hit by gunfire, police said. The woman was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police said the two vehicles involved in the gun battle had already fled the area when police arrived.
The woman’s name was not immediately released, and no arrests had been reported by Tuesday morning.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Widow's lawsuit over fatal Chesapeake Bay plunge to be heard

NORFOLK , Va. ( AP ) - A trial involving a widow ’ s lawsuit filed over the death of her husband who was killed when his tractor-trailer plunged over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is scheduled to begin on Tuesday in a Virginia court .
The Virginian-Pilot reported in January that the lawsuit filed by Billie Jo Chen against the CBBT said the bridge-tunnel ’ s own wind and gauge policy should have prohibited Joseph Chen from crossing the bridge in 2017 .
Billie Jo Chen is suing for $ 6 million .
CBBT is claiming sovereign immunity , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A CBBT police investigation concluded Joseph Chen was responsible for the accident .
Joseph Chen , 47 , was an experienced driver delivering seafood for a company based near Greenville , North Carolina .
By the time his rig reached northern entrance , a powerful storm blew into the mouth of the bay .
Such conditions activate the CBBT ’ s six-level system of traffic restrictions , which impact certain types of vehicles as wind speed increases .
Tractor-trailers which are empty are stopped from crossing if gauges along the 17.6-mile ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 46 mph .
Douglas Desjardins , the attorney representing Chen ’ s widow , says CBBT logs indicate a 47-mph gust hit just as Joseph Chen threaded the toll plaza and entered the span .
At 12:21 pm , when his front tires struck the curb and went through the guard rail , a CBBT gauge clocked a 50-mph blast .
Shortly after the accident , a published story said CBBT Police Chief Edward Spencer said , “ Any time there ’ s a loss of life , it ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 86 trucks out there on the facility at the incident , and they all made it across except him.
” The trial , which takes place in Northampton County Circuit Court , is expected to last three or four days .
Attorneys representing Chen say they ’ d originally hoped to have a jury hear the case but opted for a bench trial in the face of pandemic-related backlogs .
A verdict isn ’ t expected for several weeks .

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - A trial involving a widow’s lawsuit filed over the death of her husband who was killed when his tractor-trailer plunged over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is scheduled to begin on Tuesday in a Virginia court.
The Virginian-Pilot reported in January that the lawsuit filed by Billie Jo Chen against the CBBT said the bridge-tunnel’s own wind and gauge policy should have prohibited Joseph Chen from crossing the bridge in 2017. Billie Jo Chen is suing for $6 million.
CBBT is claiming sovereign immunity, which usually protects governmental entities from negligence lawsuits. A CBBT police investigation concluded Joseph Chen was responsible for the accident.
Joseph Chen, 47, was an experienced driver delivering seafood for a company based near Greenville, North Carolina. By the time his rig reached northern entrance, a powerful storm blew into the mouth of the bay. Such conditions activate the CBBT’s six-level system of traffic restrictions, which impact certain types of vehicles as wind speed increases. Tractor-trailers which are empty are stopped from crossing if gauges along the 17.6-mile (28.3-kilometer) span are detecting gusts higher than 46 mph.
Douglas Desjardins, the attorney representing Chen’s widow, says CBBT logs indicate a 47-mph gust hit just as Joseph Chen threaded the toll plaza and entered the span. At 12:21 pm, when his front tires struck the curb and went through the guard rail, a CBBT gauge clocked a 50-mph blast.
Shortly after the accident, a published story said CBBT Police Chief Edward Spencer said, “Any time there’s a loss of life, it’s a terrible tragedy. But there were 80 to 86 trucks out there on the facility at the incident, and they all made it across except him.”
The trial, which takes place in Northampton County Circuit Court, is expected to last three or four days. Attorneys representing Chen say they’d originally hoped to have a jury hear the case but opted for a bench trial in the face of pandemic-related backlogs. A verdict isn’t expected for several weeks.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Ajit Pai, FCC chair, to depart on Jan. 20

Federal Communications Commission Chair Ajit Pai said he will leave his post on Inauguration Day .
Mr. Pai ’ s exit will set up an FCC expected to be divided 2-2 , with an even split of Republicans and Democrats , under presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden in the New Year .
Mr. Pai was selected to lead the FCC by President Trump and appointed as a Republican member of the commission during former President Barack Obama ’ s tenure .
In a statement announcing his departure , Mr. Pai touted the work of the commission in helping to implement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been the honor of a lifetime to serve at the Federal Communications Commission , including as Chairman of the FCC over the past four years , ” Mr. Pai said in a statement .
“ I am grateful to President Trump for giving me the opportunity to lead the agency in 2017 , to President Obama for appointing me as a Commissioner in 2012 , and to Senate Majority Leader McConnell and the Senate for twice confirming me .
To be the first Asian-American to chair the FCC has been a particular privilege @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in America.
” Mr. Pai ’ s term was set to end later in 2021 , and his departure gives Mr. Biden the opportunity to select a Democrat to lead the commission sooner after his anticipated inauguration .
Mr. Biden has selected John Williams , senior counsel on the House Judiciary Committee , as the lead person on his burgeoning transition team ’ s review of the FCC that will help chart the course of the agency .

Federal Communications Commission Chair Ajit Pai said he will leave his post on Inauguration Day.
Mr. Pai’s exit will set up an FCC expected to be divided 2-2, with an even split of Republicans and Democrats, under presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden in the New Year.
Mr. Pai was selected to lead the FCC by President Trump and appointed as a Republican member of the commission during former President Barack Obama’s tenure. In a statement announcing his departure, Mr. Pai touted the work of the commission in helping to implement 5G technology policies.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve at the Federal Communications Commission, including as Chairman of the FCC over the past four years,” Mr. Pai said in a statement. “I am grateful to President Trump for giving me the opportunity to lead the agency in 2017, to President Obama for appointing me as a Commissioner in 2012, and to Senate Majority Leader McConnell and the Senate for twice confirming me. To be the first Asian-American to chair the FCC has been a particular privilege. As I often say: only in America.”
Mr. Pai’s term was set to end later in 2021, and his departure gives Mr. Biden the opportunity to select a Democrat to lead the commission sooner after his anticipated inauguration.
Mr. Biden has selected John Williams, senior counsel on the House Judiciary Committee, as the lead person on his burgeoning transition team’s review of the FCC that will help chart the course of the agency.
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Irina Antonova, head of top Moscow art museum, dies at 98

MOSCOW ( AP ) - Irina Antonova , a charismatic art historian who presided over one of Russia ‘ s top art museums for more than half a century , has died at 98 .
The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts said Antonova , its president , died in Moscow on Monday .
It said Tuesday that Antonova last week tested positive for coronavirus , which exacerbated her chronic heart ailments .
Antonova began working at the Pushkin museum after her graduation in 1945 , and in 1961 she became its director .
She held the job until 2013 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post of its president .
The 52-year tenure made her the world ’ s longest-serving director of a major art museum .
As the Pushkin museum director , Antonova spearheaded major art exhibitions that saw the exchange of art treasures between the Pushkin Museum and top international art collections despite the Cold War-era tensions and constraints .
Those exchanges , facilitated by her extensive personal contacts with colleagues in the museum world , brought Antonova wide acclaim worldwide .
She also was very active in promoting the museum ’ s treasures to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his condolences .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the president often met Antonova at the museum and “ highly appraised her deep expert knowledge.
” Antonova will be buried in Moscow ‘ s Novodevichy cemetery alongside her husband , who also was an art historian .
Funeral ceremonies will be closed to the public amid coronavirus restrictions .

MOSCOW (AP) - Irina Antonova, a charismatic art historian who presided over one of Russia’s top art museums for more than half a century, has died at 98.
The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts said Antonova, its president, died in Moscow on Monday. It said Tuesday that Antonova last week tested positive for coronavirus, which exacerbated her chronic heart ailments.
Antonova began working at the Pushkin museum after her graduation in 1945, and in 1961 she became its director. She held the job until 2013, when she shifted into the ceremonial post of its president. The 52-year tenure made her the world’s longest-serving director of a major art museum.
As the Pushkin museum director, Antonova spearheaded major art exhibitions that saw the exchange of art treasures between the Pushkin Museum and top international art collections despite the Cold War-era tensions and constraints. Those exchanges, facilitated by her extensive personal contacts with colleagues in the museum world, brought Antonova wide acclaim worldwide.
She also was very active in promoting the museum’s treasures to the public.
Antonova has received numerous Russian and foreign state awards.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the president often met Antonova at the museum and “highly appraised her deep expert knowledge.”
Antonova will be buried in Moscow’s Novodevichy cemetery alongside her husband, who also was an art historian. Funeral ceremonies will be closed to the public amid coronavirus restrictions.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Bismarck man accused of shaking, injuring baby daughter

BISMARCK , N.D. ( AP ) - A Bismarck man is charged with felony child abuse after his baby daughter suffered brain injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome , according to authorities .
Delaurence Monsegue , 36 , was arrested Sunday after the baby was taken to a hospital apparently suffering from seizures , according to a police affidavit .
Health care providers called police after finding injuries that they say were caused by the child being forcefully and violently shaken , the affidavit said .
Monsegue called the baby ’ s mother Saturday while the child was in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gurgling noises , vomiting and has become stiff and unresponsive , according to police .
Monsegue admitted to shaking the baby but said he was only trying to clear her throat , according to the affidavit .
He also said he gave the child a bath and she may have fallen on her head in the bathtub or could have fallen in her crib .
South Central District Judge Douglas Bahr set his bail at $ 100,000 cash on Monday , according to the Bismarck Tribune .
No attorney is listed for him @ @ @ @

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A Bismarck man is charged with felony child abuse after his baby daughter suffered brain injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome, according to authorities.
Delaurence Monsegue, 36, was arrested Sunday after the baby was taken to a hospital apparently suffering from seizures, according to a police affidavit.
Health care providers called police after finding injuries that they say were caused by the child being forcefully and violently shaken, the affidavit said.
Monsegue called the baby’s mother Saturday while the child was in his care, saying the girl was making gurgling noises, vomiting and has become stiff and unresponsive, according to police.
Monsegue admitted to shaking the baby but said he was only trying to clear her throat, according to the affidavit. He also said he gave the child a bath and she may have fallen on her head in the bathtub or could have fallen in her crib.
South Central District Judge Douglas Bahr set his bail at $100,000 cash on Monday, according to the Bismarck Tribune.
No attorney is listed for him in court records.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--New Mexico residents endure long wait for virus results

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - New Mexico residents have encountered longer lines for COVID-19 testing and must wait several days or weeks for test results as confirmed coronavirus cases surge throughout the state , health officials said .
Another 2,330 confirmed cases were reported Tuesday , bringing the statewide total to more than 99,400 since the pandemic began .
Another 21 deaths also were reported , bringing that tally to nearly 1,590 .
Hospitalizations remain high , with more than 900 people being treated .
The waits are happening because more daily cases mean more testing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delays , Health Department spokeswoman Marisa Maez said Monday .
Maria Higuera went for a COVID-19 test at a state health office in Santa Fe on Nov. 18 and was still waiting for her results on Monday .
Higuera told The Santa Fe New Mexican that she and her family were tested in preparation for a visit with her son in Utah .
“ If I knew it would have taken 12 days , I wouldn ’ t have done it , ” she said , adding she had been tested three times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days for results .
The Health Department says the state ’ s seven-day average daily testing number is 12,651 - compared to less than 5,000 tests daily over the summer .
There is a “ tremendous influx of tests pouring into the state lab ; roughly 3,000 per day , ” Maez said .
“ Meantime , other contracted labs both in and outside of New Mexico are equally as overwhelmed.
” There is also a slower process of informing people about results because most are opting out of text message alerts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly , she said .
Many people don ’ t answer because they are called from numbers they don ’ t know .
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 .
New Mexico is preparing to ease some public health restrictions Wednesday , and officials in some cities are opting to reopen senior centers , libraries and other facilities at reduced capacities .
Rio Rancho , Roswell and Farmington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Tuesday that citizens entering any city facility will be required to wear a face covering and maintain distance between themselves and others .
They also said it ’ s still imperative that people continue to stay home as much as possible .
In Roswell , the City Council passed a resolution Monday night allowing the city manager to keep city venues or facilities open , regardless of the state public health order .
The Roswell Daily Record reported that Councilor Jacob Roebuck proposed the resolution , saying his concern was for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health of the people , especially youth .
Those who testified before the City Council talked about rising levels of depression , anxiety , suicidal thoughts , violence , sexual assaults , substance abuse and academic failures that they have witnessed in recent months .
Roswell High School football coach Jeff Lynn said gun violence has increased and the New Mexico Activities Association has reported that eight student-athletes in the state have committed suicide .
Roebuck said he realized that the city can ’ t affect businesses or schools , so the resolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution .
But he said keeping city venues and facilities open would at least provide some opportunities for youth and the elderly to be active and social .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico residents have encountered longer lines for COVID-19 testing and must wait several days or weeks for test results as confirmed coronavirus cases surge throughout the state, health officials said.
Another 2,330 confirmed cases were reported Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to more than 99,400 since the pandemic began. Another 21 deaths also were reported, bringing that tally to nearly 1,590. Hospitalizations remain high, with more than 900 people being treated.
The waits are happening because more daily cases mean more testing, putting strain on laboratories and increasing result delays, Health Department spokeswoman Marisa Maez said Monday.
Maria Higuera went for a COVID-19 test at a state health office in Santa Fe on Nov. 18 and was still waiting for her results on Monday. Higuera told The Santa Fe New Mexican that she and her family were tested in preparation for a visit with her son in Utah.
“If I knew it would have taken 12 days, I wouldn’t have done it,” she said, adding she had been tested three times before and never waited more than several days for results.
The Health Department says the state’s seven-day average daily testing number is 12,651 - compared to less than 5,000 tests daily over the summer.
There is a “tremendous influx of tests pouring into the state lab; roughly 3,000 per day,” Maez said. “Meantime, other contracted labs both in and outside of New Mexico are equally as overwhelmed.”
There is also a slower process of informing people about results because most are opting out of text message alerts and that forces health workers to make calls directly, she said. Many people don’t answer because they are called from numbers they don’t know.
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.
New Mexico is preparing to ease some public health restrictions Wednesday, and officials in some cities are opting to reopen senior centers, libraries and other facilities at reduced capacities. Rio Rancho, Roswell and Farmington are among them.
Rio Rancho officials said Tuesday that citizens entering any city facility will be required to wear a face covering and maintain distance between themselves and others. They also said it’s still imperative that people continue to stay home as much as possible.
In Roswell, the City Council passed a resolution Monday night allowing the city manager to keep city venues or facilities open, regardless of the state public health order. The Roswell Daily Record reported that Councilor Jacob Roebuck proposed the resolution, saying his concern was for the mental, social, academic and financial health of the people, especially youth.
Those who testified before the City Council talked about rising levels of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, violence, sexual assaults, substance abuse and academic failures that they have witnessed in recent months. Roswell High School football coach Jeff Lynn said gun violence has increased and the New Mexico Activities Association has reported that eight student-athletes in the state have committed suicide.
Roebuck said he realized that the city can’t affect businesses or schools, so the resolution was “far from a perfect” solution. But he said keeping city venues and facilities open would at least provide some opportunities for youth and the elderly to be active and social.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--2 Danish brothers convicted of biracial man's island murder

COPENHAGEN , Denmark ( AP ) - A court in Denmark on Tuesday sentenced two brothers to 14 years in prison each for the murder of a biracial man on a Danish island in June , which had sparked a debate about racism .
But the prosecution said there was insufficient evidence of a racist motive in the killing , which the court viewed as a personal relationship that went wrong .
Witnesses and defense lawyers ruled out racism , and the defendants denied it .
The body of Phillip Mbuji Johansen , who had Danish and Tanzanian roots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baltic Sea island of Bornholm on June 23 .
He had spent the evening drinking beer and vodka there with Mads and Magnus Moeller , ages 23 and 26 .
The brothers allegedly assaulted Johansen , stabbed him with a knife and beat him with a wooden pole and a bottle .
They tortured him for at least 20 minutes , according to a medical examiner who testified in court , and left Johansen helpless in the woods .
During the assault one of the brothers pressed a knee against the victim ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he was bi-racial caused speculation that the murder could have been racially motivated as it resembled the May 25 killing of a Black man , George Floyd , by police in Minneapolis , which sparked protests around the world .
The Danish chapter of SOS-Racism , an international association , had said a racist motive couldn ’ t be ruled out , and the Danish chapter of Black Lives Matter had portrayed the case as a “ racial murder.
” The defendants admitted to the three judges and six jurors to attacking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to kill him .
They claimed they assaulted him because he allegedly had raped their mother .
The rape had never been reported to police .
Chief prosecutor Benthe Pedersen Lund said she was satisfied with the sentence for the “ gruesome murder.
” Before the start of the trial , she repeatedly had said there were not sufficient grounds to charge the brothers under Denmark ’ s hate crime legislation .
Both defense lawyers said they would appeal the verdict and the sentencing .
The trial took place in Roenne , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sweden .

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - A court in Denmark on Tuesday sentenced two brothers to 14 years in prison each for the murder of a biracial man on a Danish island in June, which had sparked a debate about racism.
But the prosecution said there was insufficient evidence of a racist motive in the killing, which the court viewed as a personal relationship that went wrong. Witnesses and defense lawyers ruled out racism, and the defendants denied it.
The body of Phillip Mbuji Johansen, who had Danish and Tanzanian roots, was found in a forest on the Baltic Sea island of Bornholm on June 23. He had spent the evening drinking beer and vodka there with Mads and Magnus Moeller, ages 23 and 26.
The brothers allegedly assaulted Johansen, stabbed him with a knife and beat him with a wooden pole and a bottle. They tortured him for at least 20 minutes, according to a medical examiner who testified in court, and left Johansen helpless in the woods.
During the assault one of the brothers pressed a knee against the victim’s neck. This and the fact that he was bi-racial caused speculation that the murder could have been racially motivated as it resembled the May 25 killing of a Black man, George Floyd, by police in Minneapolis, which sparked protests around the world.
The Danish chapter of SOS-Racism, an international association, had said a racist motive couldn’t be ruled out, and the Danish chapter of Black Lives Matter had portrayed the case as a “racial murder.”
The defendants admitted to the three judges and six jurors to attacking the 28-year-old, but denied having intended to kill him. They claimed they assaulted him because he allegedly had raped their mother. The rape had never been reported to police.
Chief prosecutor Benthe Pedersen Lund said she was satisfied with the sentence for the “gruesome murder.” Before the start of the trial, she repeatedly had said there were not sufficient grounds to charge the brothers under Denmark’s hate crime legislation.
Both defense lawyers said they would appeal the verdict and the sentencing.
The trial took place in Roenne, the main town on Bornholm, south of Sweden.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Man enters not guilty pleas to shooting, wounding 2 officers

WAUKESHA , Wis. ( AP ) - A North Dakota man accused of shooting and wounding two police officers in Wisconsin has entered not guilty pleas to charges against him .
Nathanael Benton , 23 , of Fargo , was bound over for trial in Waukesha County Circuit Court Monday after waiving his preliminary hearing , according to court records .
Benton is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide/use of a dangerous weapon as well as possession of a firearm by an out-of-state felon .
The officers , one from Delafield and one from Hartland , were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 27 miles ( 43 kilometers ) west of Milwaukee .
They had responded to a Holiday Inn Express in Delafield for a complaint about a possible hit-and-run when they confronted Benton and were shot , according to officials .
Police chiefs in both the communities have declined to identify the officers , both of whom suffered serious , but non-life threatening injuries .
The shooting set off a nine-hour manhunt for Benton .
If convicted of all charges , Benton could face more than 140 years in prison .
He is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) - A North Dakota man accused of shooting and wounding two police officers in Wisconsin has entered not guilty pleas to charges against him.
Nathanael Benton, 23, of Fargo, was bound over for trial in Waukesha County Circuit Court Monday after waiving his preliminary hearing, according to court records.
Benton is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide/use of a dangerous weapon as well as possession of a firearm by an out-of-state felon.
The officers, one from Delafield and one from Hartland, were shot Nov. 6 in Waukesha County, about 27 miles (43 kilometers) west of Milwaukee.
They had responded to a Holiday Inn Express in Delafield for a complaint about a possible hit-and-run when they confronted Benton and were shot, according to officials.
Police chiefs in both the communities have declined to identify the officers, both of whom suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries.
The shooting set off a nine-hour manhunt for Benton.
If convicted of all charges, Benton could face more than 140 years in prison. He is also wanted in Fargo for attempted murder.
Benton’s bail remains at $1.5 million.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Lobster diver missing off Southern California island

PORT HUENEME , Calif. ( AP ) - Authorities are searching for a diver missing since Sunday off Southern California @ @ @ @ @ .
Santa Barbara County sheriff ’ s officials say the man and a partner were @ @ @ @ @ a boat when he did not resurface .
The dive partner radioed for help and @ @ @ @ @ a search and rescue operation .
By Monday afternoon the rescue operation was suspended and @ @ @ @ @ took over as lead agency for a search and recovery mission .
The diver has @ @ @ @ @ , 34 , of Port Hueneme , KSBY News reported .
Searchers will get help @ @ @ @ @ Angeles County agencies .
The sheriff ’ s office says foul play is not suspected @

PORT HUENEME, Calif. (AP) - Authorities are searching for a diver missing since Sunday off Southern California’s Santa Cruz Island.
Santa Barbara County sheriff’s officials say the man and a partner were tank diving for lobster from a boat when he did not resurface.
The dive partner radioed for help and the U.S. Coast Guard began a search and rescue operation.
By Monday afternoon the rescue operation was suspended and the sheriff’s office took over as lead agency for a search and recovery mission.
The diver has been identified as Ryder Sturt, 34, of Port Hueneme, KSBY News reported.
Searchers will get help Tuesday from Ventura and Los Angeles County agencies.
The sheriff’s office says foul play is not suspected.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--New Jersey environmental commissioner retiring in January

TRENTON , N.J ( AP ) - New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Catherine McCabe will be retiring in @ @ @ @ @ .
Phil Murphy said Tuesday .
Murphy said McCabe will be retiring Jan. 15 , @ @ @ @ @ yet been named .
She took the reins at the DEP early in Murphy ‘ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 .
A former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official and Justice Department attorney , @ @ @ @ @ that enforces the New Jersey ’ s environmental regulations and oversees state parks .
Under @ @ @ @ @ Democrat , she ’ s also been tasked with reducing greenhouse gas emissions in New @ @ @ @ @ , New Jersey rejoined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative , a 10-state compact aimed at @ @ @ @ @ also oversaw , along with the state attorney general , the resumption of lawsuits against @ @ @ @ @ time such claims had been brought by New Jersey in a decade .

TRENTON, N.J (AP) - New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Catherine McCabe will be retiring in the new year, Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday.
Murphy said McCabe will be retiring Jan. 15, and a successor has not yet been named.
She took the reins at the DEP early in Murphy’s tenure, which began in 2018.
A former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official and Justice Department attorney, McCabe oversaw the state agency that enforces the New Jersey’s environmental regulations and oversees state parks.
Under Murphy, a self-described progressive Democrat, she’s also been tasked with reducing greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey.
During her tenure, New Jersey rejoined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a 10-state compact aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
She also oversaw, along with the state attorney general, the resumption of lawsuits against alleged polluters, the first time such claims had been brought by New Jersey in a decade.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Hawaii escapes 2020 hurricane season without major impact

HONOLULU ( AP ) - The 2020 hurricane season set records with the number of storms in Atlantic Ocean regions , but Hawaii escaped largely unscathed in the season that has now drawn to a close .
The Central Pacific basin area experienced only an early tropical depression that did not near Hawaii , while Hurricane Douglas passed close to the islands in late July with little impact , The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Monday .
The season in the Atlantic produced 30 named storms with top wind speeds of 39 mph ( 63 kph ) or more , including 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thirteen of the storms became hurricanes , which have top winds of 74 mph ( 119 kph ) or greater .
There were six major hurricanes with top winds of 111 mph ( 179 kph ) or greater .
The Central Pacific basin extending north of the equator typically experiences four to five tropical cyclones during an average season , which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 .
The 2020 season began with neutral El Nino conditions in the equatorial Pacific , but transitioned to a La Nina weather phenomenon with equatorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
El Nino is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon starting with unusually warm water in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific and changing weather worldwide .
La Nina is an occasional but natural cooling of the equatorial Pacific that also changes global weather .
Large-scale circulation during La Nina is characterized by a large-scale sinking motion of air over the Eastern and Central Pacific areas , which tends to suppress hurricane activity , said Phil Klotzbach , a hurricane researcher at Colorado State University .
“ That quietness in the Central Pacific is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Klotzbach said .
Hurricane Douglas arrived in the Central Pacific basin July 24 as a Category 4 major hurricane with maximum sustained wind of 130 mph ( 209 kph ) .
But the storm gradually weakened and passed within 30 miles ( 48 kilometers ) north of Oahu July 26 as a Category 1 hurricane .
August and September remained quiet , despite historically being the busiest months for hurricanes .
While hurricane season officially ended Monday , meteorologists warn tropical storms can develop during any month .

HONOLULU (AP) - The 2020 hurricane season set records with the number of storms in Atlantic Ocean regions, but Hawaii escaped largely unscathed in the season that has now drawn to a close.
The Central Pacific basin area experienced only an early tropical depression that did not near Hawaii, while Hurricane Douglas passed close to the islands in late July with little impact, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Monday.
The season in the Atlantic produced 30 named storms with top wind speeds of 39 mph (63 kph) or more, including 12 which made landfall on the continental U.S.
Thirteen of the storms became hurricanes, which have top winds of 74 mph (119 kph) or greater. There were six major hurricanes with top winds of 111 mph (179 kph) or greater.
The Central Pacific basin extending north of the equator typically experiences four to five tropical cyclones during an average season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.
The 2020 season began with neutral El Nino conditions in the equatorial Pacific, but transitioned to a La Nina weather phenomenon with equatorial ocean temperatures steadily cooling in the summer.
El Nino is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon starting with unusually warm water in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific and changing weather worldwide. La Nina is an occasional but natural cooling of the equatorial Pacific that also changes global weather.
Large-scale circulation during La Nina is characterized by a large-scale sinking motion of air over the Eastern and Central Pacific areas, which tends to suppress hurricane activity, said Phil Klotzbach, a hurricane researcher at Colorado State University.
“That quietness in the Central Pacific is pretty typical for a La Nina season,” Klotzbach said.
Hurricane Douglas arrived in the Central Pacific basin July 24 as a Category 4 major hurricane with maximum sustained wind of 130 mph (209 kph). But the storm gradually weakened and passed within 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Oahu July 26 as a Category 1 hurricane.
August and September remained quiet, despite historically being the busiest months for hurricanes.
While hurricane season officially ended Monday, meteorologists warn tropical storms can develop during any month.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Man arrested after boy forced out of car, killed by vehicle

FORT MITCHELL , Ala. ( AP ) - An Alabama soldier was charged with reckless murder after allegedly forcing his girlfriend ’ s unruly 5-year-old son to get out of a car at night along a road where the boy was hit and killed by another vehicle , authorities said .
Army Sgt .
Bryan Starr , 35 , surrendered to officials in Russell County after being charged in the death of Austin Birdseye , Sheriff Heath Taylor told a news conference Monday .
Originally from Illinois , Starr is stationed at Fort Benning in Columbus , Georgia , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s mother , Christina Birdseye , 33 , share a home in southeast Alabama near the sprawling base .
Court records were not available Tuesday to show whether Starr had an attorney who could speak on his behalf .
Starr told investigators the boy began acting up in the car as they traveled on Alabama 165 near their home Sunday night , so he pulled his Dodge Charger into a church parking lot and made the boy get out in the rain , Taylor said .
The child ’ s mother was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The man lost sight of the child but soon saw cars stopped in the road , where the boy had been struck by an oncoming Toyota Avalon .
The road was dark and the boy was hard to see , and the driver of the Toyota was not at fault , Taylor said .
“ We have their information and we ’ ve spoken to them , and will speak to them again .
But at this point , there ’ s no indication that they had any chance of not hitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Ledger-Enquirer reported .
The child died at a hospital in Columbus , and Starr was charged with murder because he showed reckless disregard for the child ’ s safety , Taylor said .
An online campaign meant to raise money for the boy ’ s family said Austin often sang along with songs “ at the top of his lungs ” while in the car , but the sheriff said he could not understand the man ’ s actions .
“ What do you say to that ?
What is your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get out of the car on a rainy night , because they were being loud in the car ?
” he said .
“ It ’ s just heartbreaking .
”

FORT MITCHELL, Ala. (AP) - An Alabama soldier was charged with reckless murder after allegedly forcing his girlfriend’s unruly 5-year-old son to get out of a car at night along a road where the boy was hit and killed by another vehicle, authorities said.
Army Sgt. Bryan Starr, 35, surrendered to officials in Russell County after being charged in the death of Austin Birdseye, Sheriff Heath Taylor told a news conference Monday.
Originally from Illinois, Starr is stationed at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia, the sheriff said. He and the child’s mother, Christina Birdseye, 33, share a home in southeast Alabama near the sprawling base.
Court records were not available Tuesday to show whether Starr had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
Starr told investigators the boy began acting up in the car as they traveled on Alabama 165 near their home Sunday night, so he pulled his Dodge Charger into a church parking lot and made the boy get out in the rain, Taylor said. The child’s mother was not in the vehicle, he said.
The man lost sight of the child but soon saw cars stopped in the road, where the boy had been struck by an oncoming Toyota Avalon. The road was dark and the boy was hard to see, and the driver of the Toyota was not at fault, Taylor said.
“We have their information and we’ve spoken to them, and will speak to them again. But at this point, there’s no indication that they had any chance of not hitting the little guy,” Taylor said, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.
The child died at a hospital in Columbus, and Starr was charged with murder because he showed reckless disregard for the child’s safety, Taylor said.
An online campaign meant to raise money for the boy’s family said Austin often sang along with songs “at the top of his lungs” while in the car, but the sheriff said he could not understand the man’s actions.
“What do you say to that? What is your thought process when you tell a 5-year-old to get out of the car on a rainy night, because they were being loud in the car?” he said. “It’s just heartbreaking.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Polish zoo captures rare mouse-deer birth on video

WARSAW , Poland ( AP ) - A zoo in Poland says it ’ s the first to have captured on video the birth of a rare Philippine mouse-deer , and everyone ’ s hoping it ’ s a male so it can help the endangered species breed .
The night birth on Nov. 10 at 2:24 a.m. at the Wroclaw Zoo was filmed by a camera in the stall .
It has given experts some knowledge on the mouse-deer ’ s birth process and the first actions of a newborn , including that it begins to nurse quite quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this species , ” the head of the Wroclaw Zoo , Radosław Ratajszczak was quoted as saying in a statement Tuesday .
The naturally reclusive new mouse-deer is hiding from view and experts have not been able yet to determine its sex .
They are hoping it ’ s male , because among the 12 mouse-deer living in Europe ’ s zoos there is only one confirmed male , named Johnny English , in Wroclaw .
There are females in zoos in Chester , England , and in Rotterdam , in The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given that the animals are very sensitive and experts are reluctant to make them travel .
The little-known Philippine mouse-deer is endemic only for the Filipino islands of Balabac , Bugsuc and Ramos .
Their population is shrinking as they lose habitat to palm oil plantations , the Wroclaw Zoo said .

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - A zoo in Poland says it’s the first to have captured on video the birth of a rare Philippine mouse-deer, and everyone’s hoping it’s a male so it can help the endangered species breed.
The night birth on Nov. 10 at 2:24 a.m. at the Wroclaw Zoo was filmed by a camera in the stall. It has given experts some knowledge on the mouse-deer’s birth process and the first actions of a newborn, including that it begins to nurse quite quickly.
“It is a conservation milestone for this species,” the head of the Wroclaw Zoo, Radosław Ratajszczak was quoted as saying in a statement Tuesday.
The naturally reclusive new mouse-deer is hiding from view and experts have not been able yet to determine its sex. They are hoping it’s male, because among the 12 mouse-deer living in Europe’s zoos there is only one confirmed male, named Johnny English, in Wroclaw.
There are females in zoos in Chester, England, and in Rotterdam, in The Netherlands. That makes breeding difficult, given that the animals are very sensitive and experts are reluctant to make them travel.
The little-known Philippine mouse-deer is endemic only for the Filipino islands of Balabac, Bugsuc and Ramos. Their population is shrinking as they lose habitat to palm oil plantations, the Wroclaw Zoo said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Big island could stop testing travelers after funding ends

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Coronavirus tests for travelers arriving on the Big Island could end as a new mayoral administration takes charge of the county and the deadline for federal virus recovery funding is reached .
Hawaii County has tested community members and arriving travelers for COVID-19 , but the programs may change depending on available funding , KHON-TV reported Sunday .
“ A lot of things that have been happening with COVID have been guided by the the CARES Act funds , and those funds have to be spent by Dec. 31 , ” Hawaii Island Mayor-Elect Mitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have asked President Donald Trump and Congress to extend the Dec. 30 deadline for spending virus relief money already allocated under the CARES Act , which was approved in March , and to provide more federal funding to deal with the consequences of the latest surge .
Roth said there is other funding available for community testing that will likely continue , but traveler testing is conducted by county or contracted employees with the costs covered by federal funding .
“ We ’ d like to continue that and so we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we don ’ t have the funds to do it .
That may come to an end , ” Roth said .
Most of the county ’ s budget revenue comes from from property taxes .
Roth said about $ 19 million to $ 20 million from the Transient Accommodations Tax will be will not be collected because of decreased tourism .
Roth said his financial recovery plans include putting people back to work safely and streamlining the permitting process .
“ One of the big problems is Hawaii has been so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need to change that to help our businesses succeed .
And when our businesses are succeeding , that means they ’ re going to be employing people.
” For most people , the 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 .

HONOLULU (AP) - Coronavirus tests for travelers arriving on the Big Island could end as a new mayoral administration takes charge of the county and the deadline for federal virus recovery funding is reached.
Hawaii County has tested community members and arriving travelers for COVID-19, but the programs may change depending on available funding, KHON-TV reported Sunday.
“A lot of things that have been happening with COVID have been guided by the the CARES Act funds, and those funds have to be spent by Dec. 31,” Hawaii Island Mayor-Elect Mitch Roth said.
Some state government leaders have asked President Donald Trump and Congress to extend the Dec. 30 deadline for spending virus relief money already allocated under the CARES Act, which was approved in March, and to provide more federal funding to deal with the consequences of the latest surge.
Roth said there is other funding available for community testing that will likely continue, but traveler testing is conducted by county or contracted employees with the costs covered by federal funding.
“We’d like to continue that and so we’re looking at ways of continuing that, but we don’t have the funds to do it. That may come to an end,” Roth said.
Most of the county’s budget revenue comes from from property taxes. Roth said about $19 million to $20 million from the Transient Accommodations Tax will be will not be collected because of decreased tourism.
Roth said his financial recovery plans include putting people back to work safely and streamlining the permitting process.
“One of the big problems is Hawaii has been so anti-business,” Roth said. “We need to change that to help our businesses succeed. And when our businesses are succeeding, that means they’re going to be employing people.”
For most people, the 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--2020-12-01--Remote sales tax in Alaska projected to raise up to $10M

FAIRBANKS , Alaska ( AP ) - A group of Alaska communities collecting remote sales tax is projected to take in between $ 8 million and $ 10 million in new revenue this year .
The 33 communities are part of the Alaska Remote Sellers Sales Tax Commission formed by the Alaska Municipal League in November 2019 , KTVF-TV reported Saturday .
The league was formed to help local governments statewide collect sales tax from purchases made from outside Alaska .
Most of the taxes are collected from online sales , but can also be applied to phone purchases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to collect the revenue in 2018 .
More than 40 states have since started collecting remote sales tax .
The remote sales tax is not new , but an extension of an existing tax to online sales , Alaska Municipal League Executive Director Nils Andreassen said .
The remote sales tax has provided more stability for participating communities during the pandemic , Andreassen said .
The Alaska commission reports 665 vendors have joined and there are 106 other communities that could join because they have sales tax mechanisms in place , Andreassen said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 million to be collected statewide in 2020 could be doubled as more communities and vendors sign up , Commission President Jeff Rogers said .
The effort is about leveling the playing field for so-called brick and mortar stores - physical businesses rather than online-only entities - where customers would normally pay sales tax .
“ If you are not collecting remote sales tax , you are effectively subsidizing those sales , ” Rogers added .
The Small Business Development Center reported online shopping has gone up by 100 % across every age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The commission requires companies operating remotely and making more than $ 100,000 in sales annually , or with more than 200 annual sales across Alaska , to remit tax revenue to communities .
The amount each company pays is confidential .
Participating sellers including Amazon.com Inc. , Walmart Inc. , Target Corp. , Lowe ’ s Companies , Inc. and Home Depot Inc .

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - A group of Alaska communities collecting remote sales tax is projected to take in between $8 million and $10 million in new revenue this year.
The 33 communities are part of the Alaska Remote Sellers Sales Tax Commission formed by the Alaska Municipal League in November 2019, KTVF-TV reported Saturday.
The league was formed to help local governments statewide collect sales tax from purchases made from outside Alaska. Most of the taxes are collected from online sales, but can also be applied to phone purchases.
The U.S. Supreme Court granted states authority to collect the revenue in 2018. More than 40 states have since started collecting remote sales tax.
The remote sales tax is not new, but an extension of an existing tax to online sales, Alaska Municipal League Executive Director Nils Andreassen said.
The remote sales tax has provided more stability for participating communities during the pandemic, Andreassen said.
The Alaska commission reports 665 vendors have joined and there are 106 other communities that could join because they have sales tax mechanisms in place, Andreassen said.
The projection of up to $10 million to be collected statewide in 2020 could be doubled as more communities and vendors sign up, Commission President Jeff Rogers said.
The effort is about leveling the playing field for so-called brick and mortar stores - physical businesses rather than online-only entities - where customers would normally pay sales tax.
“If you are not collecting remote sales tax, you are effectively subsidizing those sales,” Rogers added.
The Small Business Development Center reported online shopping has gone up by 100% across every age demographic in Alaska during the coronavirus pandemic.
The commission requires companies operating remotely and making more than $100,000 in sales annually, or with more than 200 annual sales across Alaska, to remit tax revenue to communities. The amount each company pays is confidential.
Participating sellers including Amazon.com Inc., Walmart Inc., Target Corp., Lowe’s Companies, Inc. and Home Depot Inc.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--School boards in 2 W.Va. counties reject charter school bid

MORGANTOWN , W.Va. ( AP ) - School boards in two West Virginia counties have separately denied an application for @ @ @ @ @ charter school .
The boards of education in Monongalia and Preston counties rejected the bid @ @ @ @ @ Academy , news outlets reported .
The Monongalia County board said the academy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ of 10 benchmarks established by the state , including inadequate financial and facilities plans .
@ @ @ @ @ in Morgantown while recruiting students from across Monongalia County and portions of Preston and Marion @ @ @ @ @ accounting professor John Treu , who is the board chairman for the academy , said @ @ @ @ @ County were “ vague and largely subjective.
” Republican Gov .
Jim Justice signed a @ @ @ @ @ for the creation of charter schools .
The signing came after a gridlocked special legislative @ @ @ @ @ heavy protests from public school teachers .
Educators and Democrats argued that the move to @ @ @ @ @ outside interests that will steer money away from public schools .

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - School boards in two West Virginia counties have separately denied an application for the state’s first charter school.
The boards of education in Monongalia and Preston counties rejected the bid Monday by the West Virginia Academy, news outlets reported.
The Monongalia County board said the academy’s application failed to meet seven of 10 benchmarks established by the state, including inadequate financial and facilities plans.
The academy would have located in Morgantown while recruiting students from across Monongalia County and portions of Preston and Marion counties.
West Virginia University accounting professor John Treu, who is the board chairman for the academy, said the deficiencies noted by Monongalia County were “vague and largely subjective.”
Republican Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill last year that allows for the creation of charter schools. The signing came after a gridlocked special legislative session on education that drew heavy protests from public school teachers.
Educators and Democrats argued that the move to install charters was driven by outside interests that will steer money away from public schools.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Suspect snatches $24K from Pennsylvania casino

CHESTER , Pa. ( AP ) - A man who asked to use a phone made off with approximately $ @ @ @ @ @ early Tuesday , police said .
The heist unfolded around 12:15 a.m. in the area @ @ @ @ @ races at Harrah ’ s Casino in Chester .
According to police , the suspect @ @ @ @ @ counting cash from a money drawer if he could use the phone .
The employee @ @ @ @ @ and the suspect grabbed the cash and took off , police said .

CHESTER, Pa. (AP) - A man who asked to use a phone made off with approximately $24,000 from a Pennsylvania casino early Tuesday, police said.
The heist unfolded around 12:15 a.m. in the area where customers bet on horse races at Harrah’s Casino in Chester.
According to police, the suspect asked an employee who was counting cash from a money drawer if he could use the phone.
The employee turned away for a moment and the suspect grabbed the cash and took off, police said.
Police planned to review surveillance video.
The investigation was ongoing.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--California police shoot man who stole city-owned skip loader

BAKERSFIELD , Calif. ( AP ) - Police shot and wounded a man who stole a city-owned heavy equipment machine @ @ @ @ @ said .
Officers responded Monday afternoon following reports that someone had taken a skip loader @ @ @ @ @ police Sgt .
Robert Pair .
The man then fled from the loader to an @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s when two officers opened fire , Pair said .
The suspect , @ @ @ @ @ was struck once and hospitalized in critical but stable condition , according to Bakersfield Now @ @ @ @ @ immediately say what prompted the shooting or whether the suspect was armed .
The incident @ @ @ @ @ officers were wearing body cameras and there were multiple witnesses , the news station reported @ @ @ @ @ used in construction to move heavy materials like rocks or debris .

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) - Police shot and wounded a man who stole a city-owned heavy equipment machine in Southern California, authorities said.
Officers responded Monday afternoon following reports that someone had taken a skip loader near downtown Bakersfield, said police Sgt. Robert Pair.
The man then fled from the loader to an older red Nissan pickup and that’s when two officers opened fire, Pair said.
The suspect, who was not identified, was struck once and hospitalized in critical but stable condition, according to Bakersfield Now.
Police didn’t immediately say what prompted the shooting or whether the suspect was armed. The incident is under investigation.
The officers were wearing body cameras and there were multiple witnesses, the news station reported.
A skip loader is used in construction to move heavy materials like rocks or debris.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Bodies of man, woman found in home in St. Louis County

DULUTH , Minn. ( AP ) - The deaths of a couple whose bodies were found in a northeastern Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ murder-suicide case , sheriff ’ s officials said Tuesday .
The St. Louis County Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ members and co-workers went to check on the two at their home in Grand Lake @ @ @ @ @ to show up for work .
A preliminary investigation shows 62-year-old Loretta Billman and 55-year-old @ @ @ @ @ wounds , the sheriff ’ s office said .
Autopsies will be performed by the @ @ @ @ @ Office in Anoka County .

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) - The deaths of a couple whose bodies were found in a northeastern Minnesota home appear to be a murder-suicide case, sheriff’s officials said Tuesday.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said family members and co-workers went to check on the two at their home in Grand Lake Township Monday after they failed to show up for work.
A preliminary investigation shows 62-year-old Loretta Billman and 55-year-old Robert Kerr died of gunshot wounds, the sheriff’s office said.
Autopsies will be performed by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office in Anoka County.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension crime scene unit helped collect evidence.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--UnitedHealth 2021 forecast dinged by coronavirus

UnitedHealth has debuted a lower-than-expected 2021 earnings forecast partly due to the unknown extent of COVID-19 ’ s impact on the health care system .
The nation ’ s largest health insurance provider said Tuesday that it expects to take a hit in the new year from treatment and testing costs tied to the pandemic .
It believes it may see more claims for things like elective surgeries that people deferred this year as the pandemic spread .
The company also cited a potential impact from rising unemployment , which can reduce employer-sponsored health insurance enrollment .
The company said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 17.75 to $ 18.25 per share on revenue of between $ 277 billion and $ 280 billion .
That earnings forecast included a hit of about $ 1.80 per share from COVID-19 .
Analysts expect , on average , earnings of $ 18.39 per share on $ 278.46 billion in revenue in 2021 , according to FactSet .
SVB Leerink analyst Stephen Tanal said in a research note that the initial forecast was “ likely no worse than feared.
” Mizuho Securities USA analyst Ann Hynes said the impact of COVID-19 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also suspects the company is acting conservatively .
“ We consider the underlying growth excluding the COVID impact strong , ” she said in a note .
UnitedHealth usually starts its annual forecasts conservatively , and CEO David Wichmann told analysts in October to expect that for 2021 .
He said the company still has confidence in its long-term goal of 13 % to 16 % earnings growth , and UnitedHealth expects its underlying business to be strong .
But Wichmann also noted that the pandemic ’ s impact remains a big potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know how it will affect the economy or a return to more normal levels of health care use .
Insurers like UnitedHealth reaped huge profits earlier this year when the pandemic forced patients to put off elective surgeries and other care that wasn ’ t deemed essential .
But health insurers say those care levels have since nearly returned to normal .
UnitedHealth has earned $ 13.19 billion through the the first nine months of this year , with adjusted earnings totaling $ 14.36 per share .
The company also said Tuesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 16.75 per share , which is slightly higher than the average Wall Street forecast .
Based in Minnetonka , Minnesota , UnitedHealth Group Inc. runs a health insurance business that covers about 48 million people , mostly in the United States .
Its Optum segment also runs one of the nation ’ s largest pharmacy benefit management operations as well as a growing number of clinics and urgent care and surgery centers .
Shares of UnitedHealth , which is a component of the Dow Jones industrial average , jumped 5 % to @ @ @ @

UnitedHealth has debuted a lower-than-expected 2021 earnings forecast partly due to the unknown extent of COVID-19’s impact on the health care system.
The nation’s largest health insurance provider said Tuesday that it expects to take a hit in the new year from treatment and testing costs tied to the pandemic. It believes it may see more claims for things like elective surgeries that people deferred this year as the pandemic spread.
The company also cited a potential impact from rising unemployment, which can reduce employer-sponsored health insurance enrollment.
The company said it expects adjusted earnings to range from $17.75 to $18.25 per share on revenue of between $277 billion and $280 billion.
That earnings forecast included a hit of about $1.80 per share from COVID-19.
Analysts expect, on average, earnings of $18.39 per share on $278.46 billion in revenue in 2021, according to FactSet.
SVB Leerink analyst Stephen Tanal said in a research note that the initial forecast was “likely no worse than feared.”
Mizuho Securities USA analyst Ann Hynes said the impact of COVID-19 is greater than she expected, but she also suspects the company is acting conservatively.
“We consider the underlying growth excluding the COVID impact strong,” she said in a note.
UnitedHealth usually starts its annual forecasts conservatively, and CEO David Wichmann told analysts in October to expect that for 2021.
He said the company still has confidence in its long-term goal of 13% to 16% earnings growth, and UnitedHealth expects its underlying business to be strong.
But Wichmann also noted that the pandemic’s impact remains a big potential challenge. They still don’t know how it will affect the economy or a return to more normal levels of health care use.
Insurers like UnitedHealth reaped huge profits earlier this year when the pandemic forced patients to put off elective surgeries and other care that wasn’t deemed essential. But health insurers say those care levels have since nearly returned to normal.
UnitedHealth has earned $13.19 billion through the the first nine months of this year, with adjusted earnings totaling $14.36 per share.
The company also said Tuesday that its adjusted earnings for 2020 will approach $16.75 per share, which is slightly higher than the average Wall Street forecast.
Based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, UnitedHealth Group Inc. runs a health insurance business that covers about 48 million people, mostly in the United States.
Its Optum segment also runs one of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefit management operations as well as a growing number of clinics and urgent care and surgery centers.
Shares of UnitedHealth, which is a component of the Dow Jones industrial average, jumped 5% to $353.20 Tuesday.
___
Follow Tom Murphy on Twitter: @thpmurphy