washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Asia Today: Speed of viral spread causes concern in S. Korea

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - South Korea has reported more than 500 new coronavirus cases for the third straight day , the speed of viral spread unseen since the worst wave of the outbreak in spring .
The 504 cases reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention on Saturday brought the national caseload to 33,375 , including 522 deaths .
Around 330 of the new cases came from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area , home to about half of the country ’ s 51 million population , where health workers are struggling to stem transmissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gyms and army units .
Infections were also reported in other major cities including Daegu , which was the epicenter of the country ’ s previous major outbreak in late February and March .
The recent spike in infections came after the government eased social distancing restrictions to the lowest levels in October to support a weak economy , allowing high-risk venues like nightclubs and karaoke bars to reopen and spectators to return to sports .
Officials reimposed some of the restrictions this week and could be forced to clamp down on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t slow .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea reported more than 500 new coronavirus cases for the third straight day on Saturday, the fastest spread of infections the country has seen since the early days of the pandemic.
The 504 cases reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention brought the total number of infections since the pandemic began to 33,375, including 522 deaths.
Around 330 of the new cases came from the Seoul metropolitan area, home to about half of the country’s 51 million people, where health workers are struggling to stem transmissions linked to hospitals, schools, saunas, gyms and army units.
Infections were also reported in other major cities including Daegu, which was the epicenter of the country’s previous major outbreak in late February and March.
The recent spike in infections came after the government eased social distancing restrictions to the lowest levels in October to support a weak economy, allowing high-risk venues like nightclubs and karaoke bars to reopen and spectators to return to sports.
Officials reimposed some of the restrictions this week and could be forced to clamp down on economic activities further if transmissions don’t slow.
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:
- Health authorities in northern Thailand have traced and tested more than 300 people who were in contact with a Thai women who returned from Myanmar and tested positive for the coronavirus after somehow avoiding a mandatory quarantine. The director-general of the Department of Disease Control said Saturday it was the 10th case in the last two months where it could not be ascertained with certainty where the patient caught the virus. The 29-year-old woman had been in Myanmar for a month during a coronavirus surge before entering Thailand on Nov. 24. She then spent three days in Chiang Mai, including visits to a nightclub and department store, before going to a hospital. Health officials traced and tested 326 people who had been in contact with her and quarantined the 105 judged most at risk. Thailand since January has had 3,966 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 60 deaths.
- India’s coronavirus infections dipped further with 41,322 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, and there was no signs of a resurgence as a result of a major festival two weeks ago. The high point of new infections this week was 44,739 on Wednesday. Single-day cases have remained below the 50,000-mark for three weeks. The Indian capital also saw a drop in daily cases with 5,482 after recording an all-time high on Nov. 11. The federal government blamed state authorities’ inability to ramp up testing and enforce social distancing for the surge in New Delhi. On Saturday, India’s death toll rose by 485 to to 136,200. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited three pharmaceutical facilities on Saturday to review development of potential COVID-19 vaccines. Five vaccines are under different phases of trial in India.
- The number of people hospitalized in serious condition for COVID-19 in Japan reached a record 440 people, the Health Ministry said Saturday. New reported cases nationwide topped more than 2,600 people, according to tallies by local media. If confirmed by officials, that would be a record as well. In Tokyo, daily cases have totaled more than 500 recently, raising alarm as the number had been hovering at about half that for the last couple of months. Although Japan has never had a lockdown, restaurants and bars have periodically closed early, including in Tokyo starting Saturday. Japan has seen more than 2,000 virus deaths since the pandemic began.
___
Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala stage mass raids on gangs

SAN SALVADOR , El Savador ( AP ) - The Central American countries of El Salvador , Guatemala and Honduras @ @ @ @ @ suspected street gang members as part of a U.S.-backed effort known as “ Operation Regional @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office in El Salvador has taken the lead , reporting that it obtained @ @ @ @ @ , of whom 572 had been arrested by Friday .
The weeklong effort particularly targeted @ @ @ @ @ and MS-13 gangs , which operate in all three countries .
Most of those arrested @ @ @ @ @ and kidnapping to murder .
The U.S. Department of Justice noted that authorities in El @ @ @ @ @ dozen suspected immigrant traffickers .
Those arrested in Honduras immigrant smuggling ring include a police @ @ @ @ @ and three other law enforcement agents .

SAN SALVADOR, El Savador (AP) - The Central American countries of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras have rounded up hundreds of suspected street gang members as part of a U.S.-backed effort known as “Operation Regional Shield.”
The attorney general’s office in El Salvador has taken the lead, reporting that it obtained arrest warrants for 1,152 suspects, of whom 572 had been arrested by Friday.
The weeklong effort particularly targeted members of the Barrio 18 and MS-13 gangs, which operate in all three countries. Most of those arrested face charges ranging from extortion and kidnapping to murder.
The U.S. Department of Justice noted that authorities in El Salvador and Honduras arrested three dozen suspected immigrant traffickers. Those arrested in Honduras immigrant smuggling ring include a police commissioner, a deputy inspector and three other law enforcement agents.


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Former Georgia Supreme Court chief justice dies from virus

ATLANTA ( AP ) - George H. Carley , a former chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court , has died .
He was 82 .
Carley died Thursday night from COVID-19 , according to a statement posted on the court ’ s website .
“ Please pray for his loved ones during this difficult time , ” the governor wrote .
In 2012 , Carley was set to retire as presiding justice of the high court , but his colleagues on the bench unanimously voted for him to instead serve as chief justice for the two months he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legacy will be that a thoroughly decent human being can rise to great heights , even in the legal profession , ” former Chief Justice Willis B .
Hunt Jr. said during the 2012 swearing-in ceremony in which Carley became the 29th chief justice of the state Supreme Court .
Carley was the first in state history to have served as presiding judge and chief judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals , as well as presiding justice and chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court .
Carley was appointed to the Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zell Miller , a Democrat .
He was elected to three six-year terms .
“ We are devastated by the loss of Justice Carley , a beloved friend and colleague to so many of us , ” Chief Justice Harold Melton said in a statement .
“ Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife , Sandy , his son , George H. Carley , Jr. , and his two grandsons .
”

ATLANTA (AP) - George H. Carley, a former chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, has died. He was 82.
Carley died Thursday night from COVID-19, according to a statement posted on the court’s website.
Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted his condolences Friday night, calling Carley’s death a “devastating loss.”
“Please pray for his loved ones during this difficult time,” the governor wrote.
In 2012, Carley was set to retire as presiding justice of the high court, but his colleagues on the bench unanimously voted for him to instead serve as chief justice for the two months he had before his retirement date.
“His legacy will be that a thoroughly decent human being can rise to great heights, even in the legal profession,” former Chief Justice Willis B. Hunt Jr. said during the 2012 swearing-in ceremony in which Carley became the 29th chief justice of the state Supreme Court.
Carley was the first in state history to have served as presiding judge and chief judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals, as well as presiding justice and chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court.
Carley was appointed to the Georgia Supreme Court in 1993 by then-Gov. Zell Miller, a Democrat. He was elected to three six-year terms.
“We are devastated by the loss of Justice Carley, a beloved friend and colleague to so many of us,” Chief Justice Harold Melton said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Sandy, his son, George H. Carley, Jr., and his two grandsons.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Los Angeles orders more restrictions as coronavirus surges

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Los Angeles County announced a new stay-home order Friday as coronavirus cases surged out of control in the nation ’ s most populous county , banning most gatherings but stopping short of a full shutdown on retail stores and other non-essential businesses .
The three-week “ safer at home ” order takes effect Monday .
It came as the county of 10 million residents confirmed 24 new deaths and 4,544 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
The county had set a threshold for issuing the stay-home order : an average of 4,500 cases a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hadn ’ t expected to reach that level until next month .
However , the five-day average of new cases reported Friday was 4,751 .
“ We know we are asking a lot from so many who have been sacrificing for months on end , ” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said .
“ Acting with collective urgency right now is essential if we want to put a stop to this surge.
” The order advises residents to stay home “ as much as possible ” and to wear a face covering when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from gathering with others who aren ’ t in their households , whether publicly or privately .
However , exceptions are made for church services and protests , “ which are constitutionally protected rights , ” the county Department of Public Health said in a statement .
Indoor retail businesses , which make much of their profits during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons , are allowed to remain open but with just 20 % of capacity , including nail salons and other personal care services .
Stores considered essential will be allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , museums and outdoor amusements such as mini-golf can operate at 50 % of capacity .
Restaurants in the county already were recently barred from in-person dining .
They can still offer pickup , delivery and takeout services .
Beaches , trails , and parks will remain open , with safety requirements .
Schools and day camps can remain open except for those that have three or more COVID-19 cases over 14 days .
Those should close for 14 days , the order said .
The order , which runs through Dec. 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure order issued by Gov .
Gavin Newsom in mid-March .
That order closed schools and most businesses and severely restricted movement except for essential workers or to perform essential chores such as buying groceries or picking up medications .
The restrictions are said to have slowed the spread of COVID-19 and some restrictions were eased but the caseload picked up again in summer and in recent weeks has surged to record levels throughout most of the state - as well as throughout most states in the country .
Daily cases numbers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hospitalizations statewide have increased more than 80 % in the last two weeks .
Nearly 2,000 people in the county are now hospitalized and the new order is part of an effort to prevent the county ’ s health system from being overwhelmed .
Meanwhile , public health officials are bracing for a wave of cases that could follow gatherings at Thanksgiving .
Officials say it usually takes two to three weeks for such serious cases to show but about 12 % of those infected could wind up hospitalized .
Despite its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the densest neighborhoods in the U.S .
Many of those areas have multi-generational households where workers who don ’ t have the luxury to telecommute are exposed to the virus at work or on public transportation and spread it to family members .
Case numbers in those communities have been higher and the virus has disproportionately affected more Latinos and Black people .
With infections out of control , the other options for public officials to take are even more onerous and unlikely to be enacted in the U.S. , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of California , San Francisco .
China , for example , tested millions of people and enforced quarantines .
Italy brought in the military to enforce a shutdown .
“ It ’ s hard to imagine how much further you can go in a society like we have , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a balancing act , right ?
You want people to obey it but you don ’ t want to make it so draconian that people are trying to figure out ways around it all @ @ @ @

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles County announced a new stay-home order Friday as coronavirus cases surged out of control in the nation’s most populous county, banning most gatherings but stopping short of a full shutdown on retail stores and other non-essential businesses.
The three-week “safer at home” order takes effect Monday. It came as the county of 10 million residents confirmed 24 new deaths and 4,544 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The county had set a threshold for issuing the stay-home order: an average of 4,500 cases a day over a five-day period, but hadn’t expected to reach that level until next month.
However, the five-day average of new cases reported Friday was 4,751.
“We know we are asking a lot from so many who have been sacrificing for months on end,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. “Acting with collective urgency right now is essential if we want to put a stop to this surge.”
The order advises residents to stay home “as much as possible” and to wear a face covering when they go out. It bans people from gathering with others who aren’t in their households, whether publicly or privately.
However, exceptions are made for church services and protests, “which are constitutionally protected rights,” the county Department of Public Health said in a statement.
Indoor retail businesses, which make much of their profits during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons, are allowed to remain open but with just 20% of capacity, including nail salons and other personal care services.
Stores considered essential will be allowed 35% capacity. Outdoor fitness centers, museums and outdoor amusements such as mini-golf can operate at 50% of capacity.
Restaurants in the county already were recently barred from in-person dining. They can still offer pickup, delivery and takeout services.
Beaches, trails, and parks will remain open, with safety requirements.
Schools and day camps can remain open except for those that have three or more COVID-19 cases over 14 days. Those should close for 14 days, the order said.
The order, which runs through Dec. 20, is more modest than a statewide closure order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom in mid-March. That order closed schools and most businesses and severely restricted movement except for essential workers or to perform essential chores such as buying groceries or picking up medications.
The restrictions are said to have slowed the spread of COVID-19 and some restrictions were eased but the caseload picked up again in summer and in recent weeks has surged to record levels throughout most of the state - as well as throughout most states in the country.
Daily cases numbers in California have set records in recent days. Hospitalizations statewide have increased more than 80% in the last two weeks. Nearly 2,000 people in the county are now hospitalized and the new order is part of an effort to prevent the county’s health system from being overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, public health officials are bracing for a wave of cases that could follow gatherings at Thanksgiving. Officials say it usually takes two to three weeks for such serious cases to show but about 12% of those infected could wind up hospitalized.
Despite its reputation for sprawl, Los Angeles has some of the densest neighborhoods in the U.S. Many of those areas have multi-generational households where workers who don’t have the luxury to telecommute are exposed to the virus at work or on public transportation and spread it to family members.
Case numbers in those communities have been higher and the virus has disproportionately affected more Latinos and Black people.
With infections out of control, the other options for public officials to take are even more onerous and unlikely to be enacted in the U.S., said Dr. George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco.
China, for example, tested millions of people and enforced quarantines. Italy brought in the military to enforce a shutdown.
“It’s hard to imagine how much further you can go in a society like we have,” he said. “It’s a balancing act, right? You want people to obey it but you don’t want to make it so draconian that people are trying to figure out ways around it all the time.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Syracuse officer suspended for second time in as many months

SYRACUSE , N.Y. ( AP ) - A Syracuse police officer suspended this year for shoving a man in the face has been placed on unpaid leave following an investigation into an earlier incident involving the arrest of a 13-year-old girl .
Syracuse.com reported Friday that Officer Michael Birklin was placed on unpaid leave for two days for violating the department ’ s policies on demeanor and de-escalation in the August arrest .
Police said Birklin had been pulling over a stolen car when the car stopped and the girl - a passenger in the car - fled .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the news outlet reported .
The girl ’ s mother disputed the police account , telling CNYCentral the officer used unnecessary force and slammed her daughter ’ s face into the street .
It was not immediately clear whether Birklin had an attorney who could comment on the allegations .
Birklin previously was suspended 15 days for violating department policies when he shoved a man in the face .
Video of that September incident was posted on Facebook , and police later released body camera footage of the encounter .
None of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force in their reports on to the incident , Syracuse.com reported .
Police told The Associated Press on Friday that body camera footage from the earlier case will not yet be released because the investigation remains open .

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - A Syracuse police officer suspended this year for shoving a man in the face has been placed on unpaid leave following an investigation into an earlier incident involving the arrest of a 13-year-old girl.
Syracuse.com reported Friday that Officer Michael Birklin was placed on unpaid leave for two days for violating the department’s policies on demeanor and de-escalation in the August arrest.
Police said Birklin had been pulling over a stolen car when the car stopped and the girl - a passenger in the car - fled. He chased the girl down and arrested her, the news outlet reported.
The girl’s mother disputed the police account, telling CNYCentral the officer used unnecessary force and slammed her daughter’s face into the street.
It was not immediately clear whether Birklin had an attorney who could comment on the allegations.
Birklin previously was suspended 15 days for violating department policies when he shoved a man in the face. Video of that September incident was posted on Facebook, and police later released body camera footage of the encounter. None of the officers involved documented the use of force in their reports on to the incident, Syracuse.com reported.
Police told The Associated Press on Friday that body camera footage from the earlier case will not yet be released because the investigation remains open.


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Milwaukee County completes recount; Joe Biden's lead grows

MADISON , Wis. — Milwaukee County completed its recount of presidential ballots Friday , finding only small changes in vote totals for one of the two Wisconsin counties recounting ballots , but President Donald Trump ‘ s attorneys appear ready for a legal challenge seeking to toss tens of thousands of ballots .
President-elect Joe Biden ‘ s lead increased by 132 votes after county election officials recounted over 450,000 votes .
Biden , a Democrat , won the state by nearly 20,600 votes , and his margin in Milwaukee and Dane counties was about 2-to-1 .
Trump paid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which have large numbers of Democrat voters .
As of Friday morning , Trump had gained 68 votes over Biden in Dane County , but election officials there do not expect to finish until Sunday .
The Milwaukee County vote totals increased for both candidates when election officials found several hundred ballots , election officials said .
Election officials said those ballots were not initially counted due to “ human error.
” “ I promised this would be a transparent and fair process , and it was , ” said Milwaukee County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign appears to be preparing a court challenge to change the election ’ s outcome , but his window to sue is narrow .
The deadline to certify the vote is Tuesday .
Certification is done by the bipartisan commission ’ s chair , who is a Democrat .
The Wisconsin Voters Alliance , a conservative group , has already filed a lawsuit against election officials , seeking to block certification of the results .
It echoes many of the claims Trump is expected to make .
Trump ‘ s attorneys have targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ indefinitely confined , ” allowing them to cast an absentee ballot without showing a photo ID ; ballots that have a certification envelope with two different ink colors , indicating a poll worker may have helped complete it ; and absentee ballots that don ’ t have a separate written record for its request , such as in-person absentee ballots .
Election officials have counted those ballots during the recount , but marked them as exhibits at the request of the Trump campaign .
Trump ‘ s campaign has already failed elsewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which experts widely agree doesn ’ t exist .
Trump legal challenges have failed in Arizona , Georgia , Michigan , Nevada and Pennsylvania .
On Monday , the federal government recognized Biden as the “ apparent winner ” of the Nov. 3 election over Trump .
Even though Trump kept up his attacks on the election , he said he is assisting Biden with the transition .

MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County completed its recount of presidential ballots Friday, finding only small changes in vote totals for one of the two Wisconsin counties recounting ballots, but President Donald Trump’s attorneys appear ready for a legal challenge seeking to toss tens of thousands of ballots.
President-elect Joe Biden’s lead increased by 132 votes after county election officials recounted over 450,000 votes. Biden, a Democrat, won the state by nearly 20,600 votes, and his margin in Milwaukee and Dane counties was about 2-to-1.
Trump paid to have a recount in both those counties, which have large numbers of Democrat voters. As of Friday morning, Trump had gained 68 votes over Biden in Dane County, but election officials there do not expect to finish until Sunday.
The Milwaukee County vote totals increased for both candidates when election officials found several hundred ballots, election officials said. Election officials said those ballots were not initially counted due to “human error.”
“I promised this would be a transparent and fair process, and it was,” said Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson.
Trump’s campaign appears to be preparing a court challenge to change the election’s outcome, but his window to sue is narrow. The deadline to certify the vote is Tuesday. Certification is done by the bipartisan commission’s chair, who is a Democrat.
The Wisconsin Voters Alliance, a conservative group, has already filed a lawsuit against election officials, seeking to block certification of the results. It echoes many of the claims Trump is expected to make.
Trump’s attorneys have targeted absentee ballots where voters identified themselves as “indefinitely confined,” allowing them to cast an absentee ballot without showing a photo ID; ballots that have a certification envelope with two different ink colors, indicating a poll worker may have helped complete it; and absentee ballots that don’t have a separate written record for its request, such as in-person absentee ballots.
Election officials have counted those ballots during the recount, but marked them as exhibits at the request of the Trump campaign.
Trump’s campaign has already failed elsewhere in court without proof of widespread fraud, which experts widely agree doesn’t exist. Trump legal challenges have failed in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Pennsylvania.
On Monday, the federal government recognized Biden as the “apparent winner” of the Nov. 3 election over Trump. Even though Trump kept up his attacks on the election, he said he is assisting Biden with the transition.


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--50-something Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr. hungry to fight again

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Mike Tyson stepped onto a spotlighted stage Friday and weighed in at 220 pounds , ripping off his shirt to reveal a muscled torso that could belong to an athlete of half his 54 years .
The former heavyweight champion moved into a COVID-protective glass box and went nose-to-nose with Roy Jones Jr. , once the most talented fighter in the world .
Jones ‘ 210-pound frame was slightly less toned , but still clearly in better condition than most of his fellow 51-year-olds .
These two boxing greats are older , calmer men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ring Saturday night intending to recapture a moment of their brilliant past - and they ’ ve both worked very hard to make sure they won ’ t be embarrassed in this extraordinary boxing exhibition .
“ This is the fun part , ” said Tyson , who will fight for the first time in 15 years .
“ Everything else to get here was hell.
” Their fight at Staples Center is an eight-round sparring session of sorts .
It will have two-minute rounds , no official judging and limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether you ’ re asking the California State Athletic Commission or the fighters , who both intend to let their hands go .
“ Maybe I don ’ t know how to go easy , ” Tyson said .
“ I don ’ t know .
I don ’ t want to say the wrong thing .
I don ’ t want the commission mad at me.
” But for Tyson and Jones , this unique pay-per-view show is less of a sporting event and more of a chance for two transcendent athletes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and aging is a choice .
“ I don ’ t look at life as age , ” Tyson said .
“ I look at life as energy .
You don ’ t bring your age to the table .
You bring your energy to the table .
You don ’ t go meet people : ‘ Hey , I ’ m Bob .
I ’ m 59.
’ You don ’ t do that.
” Tyson still seems surprised by the wave of events that carried him back to the ring .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have believed he would be a middle-aged husband and father who needed to lose 100 pounds two years ago , because that headstrong kid from Brooklyn had never thought that far ahead .
“ I didn ’ t even think I would live this long , ” he said .
“ I was just so intense , and just took myself so serious.
” Tyson got back into shape at the urging of his wife , who got him to start doing 15 minutes a day on the treadmill .
The 15 minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded to biking , running and eventually punching , along with the adoption of a vegan diet .
“ Never eat anything , ” he said with a laugh .
“ Just starve and exercise.
” The momentum started when he posted video of a training session on social media early in the coronavirus pandemic , and his crisp , powerful punches led to millions of impressions and a subsequent stream of increasingly lucrative comeback offers , along with the chance to raise money for charities .
“ This is a part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrown away , ” Tyson said .
“ My last fight , I didn ’ t have any interest in doing it .
I ’ m interested in doing it now.
” Tyson is referring to his loss to journeyman Kevin McBride in 2005 , when he finally wrapped up his singular career in ugly fashion .
He became the heavyweight champion at 20 and reigned over the division for five years , but his epic downfall soured him on the sport .
“ I want to do it now , ” Tyson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was obligated to do it from a contract perspective : ‘ If you don ’ t do this , we ’ ll take everything you have , and you ’ ll be back in Brownsville.
’ They were blackmailing me .
It ’ s a different perspective now.
” While Tyson became an international icon for his brutish , dangerous image and numerous misbehaviors , Jones was widely revered as perhaps the most skilled boxer of his generation .
Jones was a preternaturally gifted athlete who dominated his weight classes while still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robinson was a rookie guard for the Knicks in 2005 when Jones participated in a full practice with the team .
“ I was freaking out , ” said the 36-year-old Robinson , no stranger to freakish athletic feats as a three-time winner of the NBA Slam Dunk contest at 5-foot-9 .
“ That was one of the highlights of my life , to be able to rub shoulders and hoop with one of your favorite boxers.
” Jones fought regularly throughout the 2010s , but thought he was finally retired two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be the opponent in Tyson ’ s comeback , Jones couldn ’ t resist the chance to fight a legend he never got to meet during a career spent mostly at light heavyweight .
So Jones embarked on his own comeback training regimen .
“ It ’ s been the craziest thing you ever could have imagined , ” Jones said .
“ I can ’ t believe I ’ m able to maintain my speed at 51 years old .
I ’ m still faster than 95 % of the boxing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The aches and pains are there because you ’ re 50 , and they ’ re going to be there no matter what you do .
You just have to have a mental strength to overcome an adversity.
” Tyson and Jones are returning to a new world of boxing fandom and consumption .
This show is being promoted by Triller , a video-making app and social media platform , with a fight-night show featuring performances by several rappers , a surprisingly solid undercard and a co-main event pitting Robinson in his professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Robinson and Paul both seem appropriately awed by the circumstances of their bout .
“ You ’ ve got to remember , I ’ m 23 , and this is the first time that people my age will be able to experience a Mike Tyson fight live , ” Paul said .
” I can ’ t believe I ’ m a part of it.
” Neither Tyson nor Jones is likely done with boxing after this show .
Jones said he hopes to fight mixed martial arts legend Anderson Silva next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” while Tyson will go wherever this strange trip takes him next .
“ Me being here is already a success , ” Tyson said .
“ Me just existing as a human being is a success .
”

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Mike Tyson stepped onto a spotlighted stage Friday and weighed in at 220 pounds, ripping off his shirt to reveal a muscled torso that could belong to an athlete of half his 54 years.
The former heavyweight champion moved into a COVID-protective glass box and went nose-to-nose with Roy Jones Jr., once the most talented fighter in the world. Jones’ 210-pound frame was slightly less toned, but still clearly in better condition than most of his fellow 51-year-olds.
These two boxing greats are older, calmer men now, but they’re returning to the ring Saturday night intending to recapture a moment of their brilliant past - and they’ve both worked very hard to make sure they won’t be embarrassed in this extraordinary boxing exhibition.
“This is the fun part,” said Tyson, who will fight for the first time in 15 years. “Everything else to get here was hell.”
Their fight at Staples Center is an eight-round sparring session of sorts. It will have two-minute rounds, no official judging and limited violence, although the limit depends on whether you’re asking the California State Athletic Commission or the fighters, who both intend to let their hands go.
“Maybe I don’t know how to go easy,” Tyson said. “I don’t know. I don’t want to say the wrong thing. I don’t want the commission mad at me.”
But for Tyson and Jones, this unique pay-per-view show is less of a sporting event and more of a chance for two transcendent athletes to prove age is a number - and aging is a choice.
“I don’t look at life as age,” Tyson said. “I look at life as energy. You don’t bring your age to the table. You bring your energy to the table. You don’t go meet people: ‘Hey, I’m Bob. I’m 59.’ You don’t do that.”
Tyson still seems surprised by the wave of events that carried him back to the ring. He admits the younger Tyson never would have believed he would be a middle-aged husband and father who needed to lose 100 pounds two years ago, because that headstrong kid from Brooklyn had never thought that far ahead.
“I didn’t even think I would live this long,” he said. “I was just so intense, and just took myself so serious.”
Tyson got back into shape at the urging of his wife, who got him to start doing 15 minutes a day on the treadmill. The 15 minutes turned into two hours, and then expanded to biking, running and eventually punching, along with the adoption of a vegan diet.
“Never eat anything,” he said with a laugh. “Just starve and exercise.”
The momentum started when he posted video of a training session on social media early in the coronavirus pandemic, and his crisp, powerful punches led to millions of impressions and a subsequent stream of increasingly lucrative comeback offers, along with the chance to raise money for charities.
“This is a part of my life that I had pretty much thrown away,” Tyson said. “My last fight, I didn’t have any interest in doing it. I’m interested in doing it now.”
Tyson is referring to his loss to journeyman Kevin McBride in 2005, when he finally wrapped up his singular career in ugly fashion. He became the heavyweight champion at 20 and reigned over the division for five years, but his epic downfall soured him on the sport.
“I want to do it now,” Tyson said. “Most of the time I was obligated to do it from a contract perspective: ‘If you don’t do this, we’ll take everything you have, and you’ll be back in Brownsville.’ They were blackmailing me. It’s a different perspective now.”
While Tyson became an international icon for his brutish, dangerous image and numerous misbehaviors, Jones was widely revered as perhaps the most skilled boxer of his generation. Jones was a preternaturally gifted athlete who dominated his weight classes while still pursuing his passion for basketball.
Nate Robinson was a rookie guard for the Knicks in 2005 when Jones participated in a full practice with the team.
“I was freaking out,” said the 36-year-old Robinson, no stranger to freakish athletic feats as a three-time winner of the NBA Slam Dunk contest at 5-foot-9. “That was one of the highlights of my life, to be able to rub shoulders and hoop with one of your favorite boxers.”
Jones fought regularly throughout the 2010s, but thought he was finally retired two years ago. When he got an offer to be the opponent in Tyson’s comeback, Jones couldn’t resist the chance to fight a legend he never got to meet during a career spent mostly at light heavyweight.
So Jones embarked on his own comeback training regimen.
“It’s been the craziest thing you ever could have imagined,” Jones said. “I can’t believe I’m able to maintain my speed at 51 years old. I’m still faster than 95% of the boxing world, and it shocks me. The aches and pains are there because you’re 50, and they’re going to be there no matter what you do. You just have to have a mental strength to overcome an adversity.”
Tyson and Jones are returning to a new world of boxing fandom and consumption. This show is being promoted by Triller, a video-making app and social media platform, with a fight-night show featuring performances by several rappers, a surprisingly solid undercard and a co-main event pitting Robinson in his professional boxing debut against YouTube star Jake Paul.
Robinson and Paul both seem appropriately awed by the circumstances of their bout.
“You’ve got to remember, I’m 23, and this is the first time that people my age will be able to experience a Mike Tyson fight live,” Paul said. ”I can’t believe I’m a part of it.”
Neither Tyson nor Jones is likely done with boxing after this show. Jones said he hopes to fight mixed martial arts legend Anderson Silva next “if this one goes well,” while Tyson will go wherever this strange trip takes him next.
“Me being here is already a success,” Tyson said. “Me just existing as a human being is a success.”
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/tag/apf-sports/ and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Milwaukee County vote recount gives Biden small boost

MADISON , Wis. ( AP ) - Milwaukee County completed its recount of presidential ballots Friday , finding only small changes in vote totals for one of the two Wisconsin counties recounting ballots , but President Donald Trump ’ s attorneys appear ready for a legal challenge seeking to toss tens of thousands of ballots .
President-elect Joe Biden ’ s lead increased by 132 votes after county election officials recounted over 450,000 votes .
Biden , a Democrat , won the state by nearly 20,600 votes , and his margin in Milwaukee and Dane counties was about 2-to-1 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ both those counties , which have large numbers of Democrat voters .
As of Friday morning , Trump had gained 68 votes over Biden in Dane County , but election officials there do not expect to finish until Sunday .
The Milwaukee County vote totals increased for both candidates after election officials found several hundred ballots earlier this week .
Claire Woodall-Vogg , the chief election official for the City of Milwaukee , said the ballots were not initially counted due to “ human error.
” “ I promised this would be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was , ” said Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson .
Trump ’ s campaign appears to be preparing a court challenge to change the election ’ s outcome , but his window to sue is narrow .
The deadline to certify the vote is Tuesday .
Certification is done by the Democratic chair of the Wisconsin Election Commission , which is bipartisan .
The Wisconsin Voters Alliance , a conservative group , has already filed a lawsuit against election officials , seeking to block certification of the results .
It echoes many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers ’ attorneys filed a response to the lawsuit on Friday , calling it a “ brazen attack on democracy itself ” and asked the state Supreme Court to dismiss it .
Evers , a Democrat , said the group ’ s lawsuit is a “ mishmash of legal distortions ” that uses factual misrepresentations in an attempt to take voting rights away from millions of Wisconsin residents .
He argues that failing to certify the election results would overturn other election results across the state , throwing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s attorneys have targeted absentee ballots where voters identified themselves as “ indefinitely confined , ” allowing them to cast an absentee ballot without showing a photo ID ; ballots that have a certification envelope with two different ink colors , indicating a poll worker may have helped complete it ; and absentee ballots that don ’ t have a separate written record for its request , such as in-person absentee ballots .
Election officials have counted those ballots during the recount , but marked them as exhibits at the request of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has already failed elsewhere in court without proof of widespread fraud , which experts widely agree doesn ’ t exist .
Trump legal challenges have failed in Arizona , Georgia , Michigan , Nevada and Pennsylvania .
On Monday , the federal government recognized Biden as the “ apparent winner ” of the Nov. 3 election over Trump .
Even though Trump kept up his attacks on the election , he said he is assisting Biden with the transition .

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Milwaukee County completed its recount of presidential ballots Friday, finding only small changes in vote totals for one of the two Wisconsin counties recounting ballots, but President Donald Trump’s attorneys appear ready for a legal challenge seeking to toss tens of thousands of ballots.
President-elect Joe Biden’s lead increased by 132 votes after county election officials recounted over 450,000 votes. Biden, a Democrat, won the state by nearly 20,600 votes, and his margin in Milwaukee and Dane counties was about 2-to-1.
Trump paid to have a recount in both those counties, which have large numbers of Democrat voters. As of Friday morning, Trump had gained 68 votes over Biden in Dane County, but election officials there do not expect to finish until Sunday.
The Milwaukee County vote totals increased for both candidates after election officials found several hundred ballots earlier this week. Claire Woodall-Vogg, the chief election official for the City of Milwaukee, said the ballots were not initially counted due to “human error.”
“I promised this would be a transparent and fair process, and it was,” said Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson.
Trump’s campaign appears to be preparing a court challenge to change the election’s outcome, but his window to sue is narrow. The deadline to certify the vote is Tuesday. Certification is done by the Democratic chair of the Wisconsin Election Commission, which is bipartisan.
The Wisconsin Voters Alliance, a conservative group, has already filed a lawsuit against election officials, seeking to block certification of the results. It echoes many of the claims Trump is expected to make.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ attorneys filed a response to the lawsuit on Friday, calling it a “brazen attack on democracy itself” and asked the state Supreme Court to dismiss it.
Evers, a Democrat, said the group’s lawsuit is a “mishmash of legal distortions” that uses factual misrepresentations in an attempt to take voting rights away from millions of Wisconsin residents. He argues that failing to certify the election results would overturn other election results across the state, throwing the government into chaos.
Trump’s attorneys have targeted absentee ballots where voters identified themselves as “indefinitely confined,” allowing them to cast an absentee ballot without showing a photo ID; ballots that have a certification envelope with two different ink colors, indicating a poll worker may have helped complete it; and absentee ballots that don’t have a separate written record for its request, such as in-person absentee ballots.
Election officials have counted those ballots during the recount, but marked them as exhibits at the request of the Trump campaign.
Trump’s campaign has already failed elsewhere in court without proof of widespread fraud, which experts widely agree doesn’t exist. Trump legal challenges have failed in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Pennsylvania.
On Monday, the federal government recognized Biden as the “apparent winner” of the Nov. 3 election over Trump. Even though Trump kept up his attacks on the election, he said he is assisting Biden with the transition.


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Coronavirus vaccine priority: CDC panel to vote Tuesday

ATLANTA — A panel of U.S. advisers will meet Tuesday to vote on how scarce , initial supplies of a COVID-19 vaccine will be given out once one has been approved .
Experts have proposed giving the vaccine to health workers first .
High priority also may be given to workers in essential industries , people with certain medical conditions and people age 65 and older .
Tuesday ’ s meeting is for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices , a group established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The panel of experts recommends who to vaccinate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost always follows .
The agenda for next week ’ s emergency meeting was posted Friday .
Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have asked the Food and Drug Administration to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate .
Moderna Inc. is expected to also seek emergency use of its vaccine soon .
FDA ’ s scientific advisers are holding a public meeting Dec. 10 to review Pfizer ’ s request , and send a recommendation to the FDA .
Manufacturers already have begun stockpiling coronavirus vaccine doses in anticipation of eventual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in short supply and rationed .

ATLANTA — A panel of U.S. advisers will meet Tuesday to vote on how scarce, initial supplies of a COVID-19 vaccine will be given out once one has been approved.
Experts have proposed giving the vaccine to health workers first. High priority also may be given to workers in essential industries, people with certain medical conditions and people age 65 and older.
Tuesday’s meeting is for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The panel of experts recommends who to vaccinate and when — advice that the government almost always follows. The agenda for next week’s emergency meeting was posted Friday.
Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have asked the Food and Drug Administration to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Moderna Inc. is expected to also seek emergency use of its vaccine soon.
FDA’s scientific advisers are holding a public meeting Dec. 10 to review Pfizer’s request, and send a recommendation to the FDA.
Manufacturers already have begun stockpiling coronavirus vaccine doses in anticipation of eventual approval, but the first shots will be in short supply and rationed.


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--CDC panel meets Tuesday to vote on COVID-19 vaccine priority

ATLANTA ( AP ) - A panel of U.S. advisers will meet Tuesday to vote on how scarce , initial supplies of a COVID-19 vaccine will be given out once one has been approved .
Experts have proposed giving the vaccine to health workers first .
High priority also may be given to workers in essential industries , people with certain medical conditions and people age 65 and older .
Tuesday ’ s meeting is for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices , a group established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The panel of experts recommends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the government almost always follows .
The agenda for next week ’ s emergency meeting was posted Friday .
Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have asked the Food and Drug Administration to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate .
Moderna Inc. is expected to also seek emergency use of its vaccine soon .
FDA ’ s scientific advisers are holding a public meeting Dec. 10 to review Pfizer ’ s request , and send a recommendation to the FDA .
Manufacturers already have begun stockpiling coronavirus vaccine doses in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first shots will be in short supply and rationed .

ATLANTA (AP) - A panel of U.S. advisers will meet Tuesday to vote on how scarce, initial supplies of a COVID-19 vaccine will be given out once one has been approved.
Experts have proposed giving the vaccine to health workers first. High priority also may be given to workers in essential industries, people with certain medical conditions and people age 65 and older.
Tuesday’s meeting is for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The panel of experts recommends who to vaccinate and when — advice that the government almost always follows. The agenda for next week’s emergency meeting was posted Friday.
Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have asked the Food and Drug Administration to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Moderna Inc. is expected to also seek emergency use of its vaccine soon.
FDA’s scientific advisers are holding a public meeting Dec. 10 to review Pfizer’s request, and send a recommendation to the FDA.
Manufacturers already have begun stockpiling coronavirus vaccine doses in anticipation of eventual approval, but the first shots will be in short supply and rationed.


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Los Angeles issues coronavirus stay-at-home order

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County announced a new stay-home order Friday as coronavirus cases surge out of control in the nation ’ s most populous county .
The three-week order takes effect Monday .
It came as the county confirmed 24 new deaths and 4,544 new cases of COVID-19 .
The five-day average of new cases was 4,751 .
Nearly 2,000 people in the county are hospitalized .
“ We know we are asking a lot from so many who have been sacrificing for months on end , ” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said .
“ Acting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to put a stop to this surge.
” The order advises residents to stay home “ as much as possible ” and to wear a face covering when they go out .
It bans people from gathering with people who aren ’ t in their households , whether publicly or privately .
However , exceptions are made for church services and protests , “ which are constitutionally protected rights , ” the county Department of Public Health said in a statement .
Businesses are allowed to remain open but with limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nail salons and other personal care services .
Beaches , trails , and parks also will remain open , with safety requirements .
The order , which runs through Dec. 20 , is more modest than a statewide closure order in the spring .

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County announced a new stay-home order Friday as coronavirus cases surge out of control in the nation’s most populous county.
The three-week order takes effect Monday. It came as the county confirmed 24 new deaths and 4,544 new cases of COVID-19. The five-day average of new cases was 4,751.
Nearly 2,000 people in the county are hospitalized.
“We know we are asking a lot from so many who have been sacrificing for months on end,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. “Acting with collective urgency right now is essential if we want to put a stop to this surge.”
The order advises residents to stay home “as much as possible” and to wear a face covering when they go out. It bans people from gathering with people who aren’t in their households, whether publicly or privately.
However, exceptions are made for church services and protests, “which are constitutionally protected rights,” the county Department of Public Health said in a statement.
Businesses are allowed to remain open but with limited capacity, and the same is true of nail salons and other personal care services.
Beaches, trails, and parks also will remain open, with safety requirements.
The order, which runs through Dec. 20, is more modest than a statewide closure order in the spring.


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Arkansas coronavirus hospitalizations rise again

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - The number of people hospitalized in Arkansas with COVID-19 climbed again Friday after this week surpassing 1,000 for the first time since the pandemic began .
The state reported 1,011 people were hospitalized with the disease caused by the novel coronavirus Friday , an increase of eight from Thursday .
Arkansas health officials reported 1,052 newly confirmed and probable cases but no additional deaths Friday .
The state has had 153,677 total cases and 2,436 deaths , according to the Arkansas Department of Health .
The actual number of coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people haven ’ t been tested and some who get the disease don ’ t show symptoms .
More than 13 % of coronavirus tests in Arkansas came back positive over the last seven days , according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal .
The vast majority of people recover .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The number of people hospitalized in Arkansas with COVID-19 climbed again Friday after this week surpassing 1,000 for the first time since the pandemic began.
The state reported 1,011 people were hospitalized with the disease caused by the novel coronavirus Friday, an increase of eight from Thursday. Arkansas health officials reported 1,052 newly confirmed and probable cases but no additional deaths Friday. The state has had 153,677 total cases and 2,436 deaths, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
The actual number of coronavirus cases is believed to be far higher because many people haven’t been tested and some who get the disease don’t show symptoms.
More than 13% of coronavirus tests in Arkansas came back positive over the last seven days, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Cuomo: COVID-19 cases, deaths rising in western New York

BUFFALO , N.Y. ( AP ) - Coronavirus cases continued climbing Friday in New York and hospitalizations rose even as the state recorded a record high in testing for COVID-19 .
Western New York ‘ s positivity rate spiked to a seven-day average of 6.28 % , outpacing other parts of the state , according to figures released by the state .
And Erie County , which includes Buffalo , reported more coronavirus deaths - six - than any other county in the state for a second consecutive day .
The state reported 8,176 new cases , the figures show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We ’ re seeing an increase with the numbers across the country and within our own state , ” Cuomo said in a news release .
“ It started with the fall , and it ’ s going to continue and probably worsen in the winter.
” Cuomo insisted this week that New York is “ doing phenomenally well ” compared to the rest of the country .
The governor said 219,442 COVID-19 test results were reported to the state on Thursday - a record high for the second straight day @

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Coronavirus cases continued climbing Friday in New York and hospitalizations rose even as the state recorded a record high in testing for COVID-19.
Western New York’s positivity rate spiked to a seven-day average of 6.28%, outpacing other parts of the state, according to figures released by the state. And Erie County, which includes Buffalo, reported more coronavirus deaths - six - than any other county in the state for a second consecutive day.
The state reported 8,176 new cases, the figures show, and statewide hospitalizations climbed to 3,103.
“We’re seeing an increase with the numbers across the country and within our own state,” Cuomo said in a news release. “It started with the fall, and it’s going to continue and probably worsen in the winter.”
Cuomo insisted this week that New York is “doing phenomenally well” compared to the rest of the country.
The governor said 219,442 COVID-19 test results were reported to the state on Thursday - a record high for the second straight day.


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Brooklyn bishop hails ruling, says diocese in line with pope

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The longtime head of the Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn said Friday that a ruling by the Supreme Court that barred New York from enforcing certain restrictions on religious services in areas hit hard by the coronavirus is a “ good decision ” that guarantees constitutional protections for the free exercise of religion .
The high court late Wednesday sided with the Diocese of Brooklyn and other religious organizations in New York state in temporarily barring New York from enforcing the restrictions against the groups .
In an unsigned opinion the Supreme Court said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worship for especially harsh treatment.
” The groups said the state action had limited attendance for religious worshippers while other businesses in state-designated red zones could remain open without capacity limits .
“ Right now , we see this as a good decision , opening up the understanding that First Amendment rights are much more powerful than the right for somebody to shop , ” Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said in an interview with the Associated Press .
DiMarzio also praised the words of Pope Francis , who in a New York Times Opinion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 restrictions .
“ I think the pope ’ s words are wonderful .
I don ’ t think we protested .
I don ’ t think we ’ ve ever negated the rules that were imposed upon us , except we had a difference of opinion on the number of people that could go into a building .
That ’ s a big difference from flaunting the rules , as some congregations have done in Brooklyn and Queens , ” he told the AP .
“ They refused to take precautions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ complied with everything we were asked to do and more.
” “ So , I think that it ’ s a big difference .
I don ’ t think those words of the pope really apply to us - this is not an ideological issue .
It ’ s not anti-government , but it is looking at the First Amendment that people have a right to worship when it ’ s possible.
” New York City became an early U.S. hot spot of the pandemic and the deadliest with some of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Queens .
The Diocese of Brooklyn and Agudath Israel of America have churches and synagogues in areas of the two boroughs previously designated red and orange zones .
The state had capped attendance at houses of worship at 10 people in red zones and 25 people for orange zones .
But those areas are now designated as yellow zones with less restrictive rules neither group challenged .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has said that the court ’ s decision is “ irrelevant from any practical impact ” given that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said that the 5-4 ruling , with new Justice Amy Coney Barrett in the majority , is more about demonstrating that the high court has changed its stripes .
But DiMarzio disagreed .
“ ( Cuomo ) said the court changed its decision because it ’ s politically convenient , it has nothing to do with that ” DiMarzio said .
“ The Supreme Court many times changes its position.
” Churches under the Diocese of Brooklyn were disproportionately hit and suffered many losses at the onset of the pandemic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of St. Brigid Church in Brooklyn , was the first Catholic cleric in the U.S to die from the coronavirus .
By July , Saint Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church in Queens , reported that at least 74 parishioners had died from COVID-19 .
DiMarzio said that Ortiz-Garay and the Rev .
Gioacchino Basile , a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark who was ministering as pastor of Saint Gabriel Church in East Elmhurst , contracted the virus before rules had been issued on how to protect against the pandemic .
“ So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
Subsequently with the idea of St. Bartholomew , for example : It doesn ’ t mean they got sick in church .
It means they got sick.
” DiMarzio said he closed the churches down 10 days before an order by the governor and delayed opening a week after that order was lifted in July .
“ So , I think we ’ ve been overly cautious… ” he said .
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Brooklyn said that St. Bartholomew has not reported any new deaths since July , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 18-point precautions at churches in Brooklyn and Queens under the diocese ’ s jurisdiction include sanitizing churches regularly , asking everyone to wear a mask for the entire Mass and keeping social distancing .
Members of the clergy must also sanitize their hands before Mass , while congregants can not exchange peace or hold hands during the recitation of the Lord ’ s Prayer , and the Holy Communion must be given in the hand .
DiMarzio also said that all Masses are live streamed and in-person services have been capped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Look , we were the epicenter at the beginning of this .
Now , we ’ re the best .
From the worst we became the best because of the restrictions and the way people followed them , ” he said , calling the rules issued by Cuomo overtly restrictive .
“ Ten people to 25 people in churches that hold 500 and 1,000 people , that ’ s the crux of the matter , because we were designated to be non-essential .
So , we were put with theaters and bowling alleys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not with something that ’ s essential as a church.
” DiMarzio expects the Christmas season to be challenging but essential for believers after a long pandemic .
“ People want to go to Mass at Christmas .
The children need to see the Nativity and act it out , sometimes in different churches .
So , we ’ re trying to prepare for that again safely , ” he said .
Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely @ @ @ @ @

NEW YORK (AP) - The longtime head of the Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn said Friday that a ruling by the Supreme Court that barred New York from enforcing certain restrictions on religious services in areas hit hard by the coronavirus is a “good decision” that guarantees constitutional protections for the free exercise of religion.
The high court late Wednesday sided with the Diocese of Brooklyn and other religious organizations in New York state in temporarily barring New York from enforcing the restrictions against the groups. In an unsigned opinion the Supreme Court said the restrictions “single out houses of worship for especially harsh treatment.” The groups said the state action had limited attendance for religious worshippers while other businesses in state-designated red zones could remain open without capacity limits.
“Right now, we see this as a good decision, opening up the understanding that First Amendment rights are much more powerful than the right for somebody to shop,” Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said in an interview with the Associated Press.
DiMarzio also praised the words of Pope Francis, who in a New York Times Opinion piece published on Thursday criticized groups protesting COVID-19 restrictions.
“I think the pope’s words are wonderful. I don’t think we protested. I don’t think we’ve ever negated the rules that were imposed upon us, except we had a difference of opinion on the number of people that could go into a building. That’s a big difference from flaunting the rules, as some congregations have done in Brooklyn and Queens,” he told the AP. “They refused to take precautions. That was not our case. We complied with everything we were asked to do and more.”
“So, I think that it’s a big difference. I don’t think those words of the pope really apply to us - this is not an ideological issue. It’s not anti-government, but it is looking at the First Amendment that people have a right to worship when it’s possible.”
New York City became an early U.S. hot spot of the pandemic and the deadliest with some of the city’s worst-hit areas concentrated in Brooklyn and Queens.
The Diocese of Brooklyn and Agudath Israel of America have churches and synagogues in areas of the two boroughs previously designated red and orange zones. The state had capped attendance at houses of worship at 10 people in red zones and 25 people for orange zones. But those areas are now designated as yellow zones with less restrictive rules neither group challenged.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said that the court’s decision is “irrelevant from any practical impact” given that the restrictions have already been removed. Cuomo also said that the 5-4 ruling, with new Justice Amy Coney Barrett in the majority, is more about demonstrating that the high court has changed its stripes. But DiMarzio disagreed.
“(Cuomo) said the court changed its decision because it’s politically convenient, it has nothing to do with that” DiMarzio said. “The Supreme Court many times changes its position.”
Churches under the Diocese of Brooklyn were disproportionately hit and suffered many losses at the onset of the pandemic. The Rev. Jorge Ortiz-Garay, the pastor of St. Brigid Church in Brooklyn, was the first Catholic cleric in the U.S to die from the coronavirus. By July, Saint Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church in Queens, reported that at least 74 parishioners had died from COVID-19.
DiMarzio said that Ortiz-Garay and the Rev. Gioacchino Basile, a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark who was ministering as pastor of Saint Gabriel Church in East Elmhurst, contracted the virus before rules had been issued on how to protect against the pandemic.
“So, you shouldn’t be looking at that. Subsequently with the idea of St. Bartholomew, for example: It doesn’t mean they got sick in church. It means they got sick.”
DiMarzio said he closed the churches down 10 days before an order by the governor and delayed opening a week after that order was lifted in July. “So, I think we’ve been overly cautious…” he said. A spokesperson for the Diocese of Brooklyn said that St. Bartholomew has not reported any new deaths since July, according to the church’s pastor.
The 18-point precautions at churches in Brooklyn and Queens under the diocese’s jurisdiction include sanitizing churches regularly, asking everyone to wear a mask for the entire Mass and keeping social distancing. Members of the clergy must also sanitize their hands before Mass, while congregants cannot exchange peace or hold hands during the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, and the Holy Communion must be given in the hand. DiMarzio also said that all Masses are live streamed and in-person services have been capped to about 50% capacity.
“Look, we were the epicenter at the beginning of this. Now, we’re the best. From the worst we became the best because of the restrictions and the way people followed them,” he said, calling the rules issued by Cuomo overtly restrictive.
“Ten people to 25 people in churches that hold 500 and 1,000 people, that’s the crux of the matter, because we were designated to be non-essential. So, we were put with theaters and bowling alleys and other things that were recreational, and not with something that’s essential as a church.”
DiMarzio expects the Christmas season to be challenging but essential for believers after a long pandemic.
“People want to go to Mass at Christmas. The children need to see the Nativity and act it out, sometimes in different churches. So, we’re trying to prepare for that again safely,” he said.
___
Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for this content.


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--9 days, another 1,000 COVID-19 deaths in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - Illinois topped 12,000 deaths from COVID-19 on Friday , and also passed the 700,000 mark for cases of coronavirus illness .
It took just nine days for public health officials to log 1,000 deaths , according to an Associated Press review of the data , matching the deadliest period previously in the pandemic , in late April and early May .
Officials in Illinois and across the nation pleaded Americans to limit travel during the Thanksgiving holiday to help prevent the surging coronavirus outbreak from spreading farther and faster .
But millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
Experts fear it will mean even more infections and deaths in the coming weeks at a time when colder weather is forcing people indoors and closer together .
After a quiet summer lulled some into complacency , the virus aggressively returned in October .
Illinois marked its 11,000th death on Nov. 18 , after recording 1,000 fatalities in just 13 days , then jumped another 1,000 in nine days to 12,000 .
That matches the numbers from the pandemic ’ s springtime nadir , when deaths rose from 2,000 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 to May 15 .
Similarly , the spread of the infection has not slowed .
It took the same 17 days for the number of confirmed cases to increase from 500,000 to 700,000 .
From March 5 , which marked the beginning of the period on which new cases have been reported each day , 159 days had elapsed before the 200,000th case was recorded on Aug. 13 .
The state doubled that number , hitting 400,000 after 77 days and soared to 600,000 in 19 days .
Testing for the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spring .
The 77,000 test results recorded Friday was the first day in nearly three weeks that the total fell below 90,000 , a period in which results averaged more than 100,000 a day .
But state health officials have maintained that the increase in testing can not nearly account for the exponential growth in cases .
The difficult fall has stretched hospitals ’ capacity and , more importantly , health care staff are running short while there ’ s no borrowing from other states like last spring .
The Belleville News-Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital beds in the metro east region - the Illinois suburbs of St. Louis - were full .
The number of people hospitalized in Illinois dropped below 6,000 for the first time since Nov. 18 , but those who remain are sicker .
The 1,215 patients in intensive care units were a 6 % increase in those nine days .
The most seriously ill - those needing ventilator assistance to breathe - dropped to 698 on Friday , but that was 28 % increase from Nov. 18 .

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois topped 12,000 deaths from COVID-19 on Friday, and also passed the 700,000 mark for cases of coronavirus illness.
It took just nine days for public health officials to log 1,000 deaths, according to an Associated Press review of the data, matching the deadliest period previously in the pandemic, in late April and early May.
Officials in Illinois and across the nation pleaded Americans to limit travel during the Thanksgiving holiday to help prevent the surging coronavirus outbreak from spreading farther and faster.
But millions of people disregarded the warnings and left home this week. Experts fear it will mean even more infections and deaths in the coming weeks at a time when colder weather is forcing people indoors and closer together.
After a quiet summer lulled some into complacency, the virus aggressively returned in October. Illinois marked its 11,000th death on Nov. 18, after recording 1,000 fatalities in just 13 days, then jumped another 1,000 in nine days to 12,000.
That matches the numbers from the pandemic’s springtime nadir, when deaths rose from 2,000 to 4000 in 17 days, from April 29 to May 15.
Similarly, the spread of the infection has not slowed. It took the same 17 days for the number of confirmed cases to increase from 500,000 to 700,000. From March 5, which marked the beginning of the period on which new cases have been reported each day, 159 days had elapsed before the 200,000th case was recorded on Aug. 13.
The state doubled that number, hitting 400,000 after 77 days and soared to 600,000 in 19 days.
Testing for the virus is far more available now than in the spring. The 77,000 test results recorded Friday was the first day in nearly three weeks that the total fell below 90,000, a period in which results averaged more than 100,000 a day.
But state health officials have maintained that the increase in testing cannot nearly account for the exponential growth in cases.
The difficult fall has stretched hospitals’ capacity and, more importantly, health care staff are running short while there’s no borrowing from other states like last spring. The Belleville News-Democrat reported Friday that 87% of staffed hospital beds in the metro east region - the Illinois suburbs of St. Louis - were full.
The number of people hospitalized in Illinois dropped below 6,000 for the first time since Nov. 18, but those who remain are sicker. The 1,215 patients in intensive care units were a 6% increase in those nine days. The most seriously ill - those needing ventilator assistance to breathe - dropped to 698 on Friday, but that was 28% increase from Nov. 18.
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Follow Political Writer John O’Connor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--3 arrested for vandalizing South Carolina church

CHARLESTON , S.C. ( AP ) - Three people face charges in South Carolina for allegedly spray-painting a church .
@ @ @ @ @ McElwain , 43 , Jesse Earle , 29 , and Sarah Sleeman , 30 , @ @ @ @ @ place of worship .
Earle and Sleeman each posted a $ 5,000 bond .
McElwain @ @ @ @ @ the Al Cannon Detention Center also on a $ 5,000 bond .
It was unknown @ @ @ @ @ an attorney who could comment on their behalf .
Officers on a routine patrol spotted @ @ @ @ @ Greater Refuge Temple Church in Charleston around 3:30 a.m. Friday , WCSC-TV reported .
According @ @ @ @ @ tried to arrest them they all fled .
While they were running away , police @ @ @ @ @ subsequently arrested .
Sleeman and McElwain were later picked up as well .
Officers said @ @ @ @ @ words “ Spicy , ” “ KOC ” and “ GABITCH ” on the church @ @ @ @ @ told officers the “ tags ” had no specific meaning .

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Three people face charges in South Carolina for allegedly spray-painting a church.
Officers early Friday arrested Nathan McElwain, 43, Jesse Earle, 29, and Sarah Sleeman, 30, for malicious injury to a place of worship. Earle and Sleeman each posted a $5,000 bond. McElwain is currently behind bars at the Al Cannon Detention Center also on a $5,000 bond. It was unknown if any of them have an attorney who could comment on their behalf.
Officers on a routine patrol spotted the suspects spray painting the Greater Refuge Temple Church in Charleston around 3:30 a.m. Friday, WCSC-TV reported. According to police, when officers tried to arrest them they all fled. While they were running away, police said Earle tripped and was subsequently arrested. Sleeman and McElwain were later picked up as well.
Officers said the three had spray-painted the words “Spicy,” “KOC” and “GABITCH” on the church. During questioning, McElwain told officers the “tags” had no specific meaning.


washingtontimes--2020-11-28--Iowa GOP congressional candidate holds lead after recount

CLINTON , Iowa ( AP ) - A Republican candidate is hanging onto a single-digit lead in Iowa ’ s 2nd Congressional District after a recount in a race that will help determine the size of Democrats ’ majority in the House of Representatives .
Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks had just six more votes than Democrat Rita Hart after the recount wrapped up Saturday in Clinton County , which was the last of the district ’ s 24 counties to reports its results , the Iowa Press-Citizen reports .
Clinton County also is where Hart lives on a Wheatland farm and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A state canvassing board is expected to meet Monday , the legal deadline , to certify the results of the race in which more than 394,400 votes were cast .
Miller-Meeks acknowledged in a statement that the race was “ extraordinarily close , ” but said she was proud of the outcome and looked forward to being certified as the winner .
The candidates have been vying to replace Democrat Rep. Dave Loebsack , who is retiring after seven terms .
Hart requested the districtwide recount after counties ’ initial certifications showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election in which reporting errors flipped the lead back and forth between the candidates .
In a statement , Hart ’ s campaign manager , Zach Meunier , did not say whether the campaign will file a legal challenge in the race , the closest House election in the nation .
A challenge would set in motion a proceeding run by a judicial panel .
“ We will closely review what the county and state boards do on Monday with an eye toward making sure all Iowa voices are fully and fairly heard @ @ @ @ @

CLINTON, Iowa (AP) - A Republican candidate is hanging onto a single-digit lead in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District after a recount in a race that will help determine the size of Democrats’ majority in the House of Representatives.
Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks had just six more votes than Democrat Rita Hart after the recount wrapped up Saturday in Clinton County, which was the last of the district’s 24 counties to reports its results, the Iowa Press-Citizen reports. Clinton County also is where Hart lives on a Wheatland farm and served as an educator and state senator.
A state canvassing board is expected to meet Monday, the legal deadline, to certify the results of the race in which more than 394,400 votes were cast.
Miller-Meeks acknowledged in a statement that the race was “extraordinarily close,” but said she was proud of the outcome and looked forward to being certified as the winner.
The candidates have been vying to replace Democrat Rep. Dave Loebsack, who is retiring after seven terms.
Hart requested the districtwide recount after counties’ initial certifications showed her trailing by 47 votes following an election in which reporting errors flipped the lead back and forth between the candidates.
In a statement, Hart’s campaign manager, Zach Meunier, did not say whether the campaign will file a legal challenge in the race, the closest House election in the nation. A challenge would set in motion a proceeding run by a judicial panel.
“We will closely review what the county and state boards do on Monday with an eye toward making sure all Iowa voices are fully and fairly heard,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-28--Colts lock up DT Grover Stewart with contract extension

When the Indianapolis Colts selected defensive tackle Grover Stewart in the 2017 draft , they initially considered him a rotational player .
They hopes he could develop into a starter .
Stewart has done better than expected .
He ’ s become a key cog on the NFL ‘ s second-stingiest defense and on Saturday , general manager Chris Ballard rewarded Stewart by signing him to a three-year contract extension worth up to $ 30.75 million with $ 20 million guaranteed .
The four-year veteran could have become a free agent after this season .
“ He ( Stewart ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pro Bowl linebacker Darius Leonard said last week .
“ He feels like he ’ s been slept on and you can tell that his mindset this year has been crazy .
He ’ s running to the ball like no other .
After a full day of practice , he is out there running with receivers just making sure he ’ s staying in shape .
He ’ s out to prove something , and me , I ’ m the same way .
But if he ’ s up front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m running around making plays , too.
” The move aligns perfectly with two of Ballard ’ s staple principles - keeping players the Colts ( 7-3 ) develop and building his defense from the inside out .
And it means Indy ’ s two starting defensive tackles will stay together long term .
Ballard sent a first-round pick to San Francisco in March to acquire Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner , who quickly agreed to a four-year deal worth $ 84 million .
Stewart , a fourth-round draft pick selected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big deal , too .
Playing next to Buckner has led to a career year for the 6-foot-4 , 315-pound Stewart .
He already has a career-high 36 tackles and his four tackles for loss are one short of last season ’ s career best .
Both Colts defensive tackles also have 24 solo tackles this season , tied for the second-most in the league at their position .
And Stewart is expected to take on an even bigger role Sunday with Tennessee visiting Indy in a matchup of the AFC South co-leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list earlier this week and will not play .
Defensive end Denico Autry , who leads the Colts with six sacks , also will miss the game after going on the COVID list last week .
Coach Frank Reich had already announced starting linebacker also would sit out with an ankle injury .
On Saturday , the Colts also ruled out two more starters - center Ryan Kelly ( neck ) and rookie running back Jonathan Taylor after he was placed on the COVID list .

When the Indianapolis Colts selected defensive tackle Grover Stewart in the 2017 draft, they initially considered him a rotational player. They hopes he could develop into a starter.
Stewart has done better than expected. He’s become a key cog on the NFL’s second-stingiest defense and on Saturday, general manager Chris Ballard rewarded Stewart by signing him to a three-year contract extension worth up to $30.75 million with $20 million guaranteed.
The four-year veteran could have become a free agent after this season.
“He (Stewart) feels like he’s underrated,” Pro Bowl linebacker Darius Leonard said last week. “He feels like he’s been slept on and you can tell that his mindset this year has been crazy. He’s running to the ball like no other. After a full day of practice, he is out there running with receivers just making sure he’s staying in shape. He’s out to prove something, and me, I’m the same way. But if he’s up front proving a point, that means I’m running around making plays, too.”
The move aligns perfectly with two of Ballard’s staple principles - keeping players the Colts (7-3) develop and building his defense from the inside out.
And it means Indy’s two starting defensive tackles will stay together long term.
Ballard sent a first-round pick to San Francisco in March to acquire Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who quickly agreed to a four-year deal worth $84 million. Stewart, a fourth-round draft pick selected No. 144 overall, has his big deal, too.
Playing next to Buckner has led to a career year for the 6-foot-4, 315-pound Stewart.
He already has a career-high 36 tackles and his four tackles for loss are one short of last season’s career best. Both Colts defensive tackles also have 24 solo tackles this season, tied for the second-most in the league at their position.
And Stewart is expected to take on an even bigger role Sunday with Tennessee visiting Indy in a matchup of the AFC South co-leaders.
Buckner was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week and will not play. Defensive end Denico Autry, who leads the Colts with six sacks, also will miss the game after going on the COVID list last week.
Coach Frank Reich had already announced starting linebacker also would sit out with an ankle injury. On Saturday, the Colts also ruled out two more starters - center Ryan Kelly (neck) and rookie running back Jonathan Taylor after he was placed on the COVID list.
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More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


washingtontimes--2020-11-28--Tubb wins Mississippi House runoff election

HATTIESBURG , Miss .
( AP ) - Mississippi businessman Joseph “ Bubba ” Tubb , has won a state @ @ @ @ @ runoff election between him and teacher Matthew Conoly .
Tubb , 57 , of Lamar @ @ @ @ @ with no prior political experience .
He works in commercial real estate .
He fills @ @ @ @ @ Billy Andrews of Purvis who was elected in November 2019 to the District 87 seat @ @ @ @ @ he could not serve in the House while also collecting the state pension he earned @ @ @ @ @ total of 1,596 ballots were cast , with Tubb receiving 930 votes or about 58.5 @ @ @ @ @ 41.5 % for Conoly , 39 , who has worked in the Forrest County and @ @ @ @ @ Hattiesburg American reported .
Tubb will serve the final three years of a four-year term @

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi businessman Joseph “Bubba” Tubb, has won a state House seat after a Tuesday runoff election between him and teacher Matthew Conoly.
Tubb, 57, of Lamar County, is a Republican with no prior political experience. He works in commercial real estate. He fills the seat vacated by Republican Billy Andrews of Purvis who was elected in November 2019 to the District 87 seat but resigned in March because he could not serve in the House while also collecting the state pension he earned as a judge.
The seat represents Forrest and Lamar counties.
A total of 1,596 ballots were cast, with Tubb receiving 930 votes or about 58.5% to 666 votes or 41.5% for Conoly, 39, who has worked in the Forrest County and Hattiesburg school systems, The Hattiesburg American reported.
Tubb will serve the final three years of a four-year term.


washingtontimes--2020-11-28--Republicans to hold meeting on Nov. 3 election, Trump defeat

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Arizona Republicans have scheduled a meeting at a hotel in downtown Phoenix on Monday to discuss the Nov. 3 election and President Donald Trump ’ s defeat .
The event was billed as a “ fact-finding hearing ” featuring members of Trump ’ s legal team and members of the Arizona Legislature , but top leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature told The Associated Press that the planned gathering was not an official legislative event .
According to press release by state Rep. Mark Finchem , R-Oro-Valley , the gathering is intended “ to hear testimony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electoral compromise related to the 2020 election.
” No evidence of fraud or hacking of voting machines has emerged during this election in Arizona .
Five challenges have been filed in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix since Nov. 3 and four of those have been dismissed .
An initial hearing on the fifth is scheduled Monday , the same day as the hotel event and the state election canvass at the state Capitol .
Among the Trump supporters using social media to publicize the Arizona event were state GOP Chairwoman Kelli Ward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I will be there , ” Gosar declared on Twitter .
It wasn ’ t clear whether the Trump attorneys would be present in Phoenix or addressing the gathering remotely .
On Tuesday , Republican Gov .
Doug Ducey acknowledged for the first time that President-elect Joe Biden won Arizona .
The Arizona Legislature is not in session and Senate President Karen Fann said neither she nor House Speaker Rusty Bowers , authorized fellow Republican lawmakers to hold a hearing at the Capitol on the election .
“ So they found a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fann said .
The planned gathering drew scorn from some Democrats .
“ Might as well have a boat parade and call it a legislative hearing .
This unsanctioned unofficial circus sideshow will have no bearing or impact on @ JoeBiden ’ s victory in Arizona , ” the Democratic Caucus of the Arizona House said in its Twitter feed .

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona Republicans have scheduled a meeting at a hotel in downtown Phoenix on Monday to discuss the Nov. 3 election and President Donald Trump’s defeat.
The event was billed as a “fact-finding hearing” featuring members of Trump’s legal team and members of the Arizona Legislature, but top leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature told The Associated Press that the planned gathering was not an official legislative event.
According to press release by state Rep. Mark Finchem, R-Oro-Valley, the gathering is intended “to hear testimony and view evidence related to allegations of electoral compromise related to the 2020 election.”
A similar event was held Wednesday in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
No evidence of fraud or hacking of voting machines has emerged during this election in Arizona.
Five challenges have been filed in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix since Nov. 3 and four of those have been dismissed. An initial hearing on the fifth is scheduled Monday, the same day as the hotel event and the state election canvass at the state Capitol.
Among the Trump supporters using social media to publicize the Arizona event were state GOP Chairwoman Kelli Ward and U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz. “I will be there,” Gosar declared on Twitter.
It wasn’t clear whether the Trump attorneys would be present in Phoenix or addressing the gathering remotely.
On Tuesday, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey acknowledged for the first time that President-elect Joe Biden won Arizona.
The Arizona Legislature is not in session and Senate President Karen Fann said neither she nor House Speaker Rusty Bowers, authorized fellow Republican lawmakers to hold a hearing at the Capitol on the election.
“So they found a site off-site to hold it,” Fann said.
The planned gathering drew scorn from some Democrats.
“Might as well have a boat parade and call it a legislative hearing. This unsanctioned unofficial circus sideshow will have no bearing or impact on @JoeBiden’s victory in Arizona,” the Democratic Caucus of the Arizona House said in its Twitter feed.


washingtontimes--2020-11-28--AP source: All Broncos QBs pulled out of practice over virus

ENGLEWOOD , Colo. ( AP ) - The Denver Broncos won ’ t have any of their four quarterbacks available Sunday when they face the New Orleans Saints because of coronavirus concerns , multiple people familiar with the NFL ‘ s investigation told The Associated Press .
One person told The AP that starter Drew Lock , backup Brett Rypien and practice squad veteran Blake Bortles were deemed high-risk close contacts with No .
3 quarterback Jeff Driskel on Wednesday , the day before Driskel tested positive for COVID-19 .
Another person , also speaking on condition of anonymity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four quarterbacks apparently weren ’ t wearing their masks the whole time they were together as required by the league ’ s pandemic protocols .
The people spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because the NFL and the Broncos hadn ’ t made any announcements after Lock , Rypien and Bortles were ordered off the practice field Saturday and into isolation .
The Broncos were scrambling to prepare practice squad rookie receiver Kendall Hinton and No .
3 running back Royce Freeman to share snaps at quarterback Sunday when Denver ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Hinton played quarterback for three seasons in college and Freeman is the team ’ s emergency QB .
The NFL cleared the Broncos to practice on Thanksgiving Day after Driskel tested positive for the virus and again Friday after kick returner Deontae Spencer tested positive along with two staffers .
But coach Vic Fangio decided to shut down the building Friday and the team conducted meetings remotely .
Lock , Rypien and Bortles were loosening up before Saturday ’ s short walkthrough practice when they were pulled off the field and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to quarantine for several days and in order to return next week will have to continue to test negative for COVID-19 .
The NFL isn ’ t allowing any teams to gather until Wednesday out of concern the Thanksgiving holiday might have exposed players to infection .
After learning of their dire situation at quarterback , the Broncos ‘ brain trust of Fangio , general manager John Elway and team president and CEO Joe Ellis spoke with officials from NFL headquarters .
The league decided not force Denver to forfeit the game or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steelers-Ravens matchup that was pushed back from Thanksgiving to Sunday and then again to Tuesday night after the Ravens ’ virus outbreak .
A virus outbreak in New England last month forced the Broncos ‘ game at Gillette Stadium to get pushed back a week and essentially cost Denver its bye week because of the domino effect on the team ’ s schedule .
The Saints own the league ’ s second-ranked run defense and last week sacked Falcons QB Matt Ryan eight times , a daunting proposition for anyone who lines up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed frustration on social media about the NFL not pushing back their game like it did the Steelers-Ravens game , which would have at least given Denver ’ s makeshift offense a better chance to prepare .
Tight end Noah Fant tweeted , “ I ’ m not one to complain but @ NFL y ’ all can ’ t possibly send us into a game without a QB .
The most important position to an offense .
We don ’ t have got a backup.
” He followed that tweet with this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manning is busy tomorrow ?
Laughing but serious.
” Von Miller , who ’ s on injured reserve while recovering from ankle surgery , posted a photo on Instagram of him with about to toss a football and wrote , “ Been waiting my whole life for this moment !
‘ Von ELWAY.
’ Imma passing QB don ’ t need to run much !
Ankle is good for QB.
” Fangio said Saturday morning before the developments at quarterback that there were no new COVID-19 cases and he reiterated that he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick because contract tracing had shown they hadn ’ t been within 6 feet of Driskel before he tested positive .
The league ’ s contact tracing protocols include checking electronic contact devices , interviews and review of surveillance , and the league has been busy investigating coronavirus cases on multiple teams .
The news on the quarterbacks broke Saturday about the same time the Broncos announced they had signed left tackle Garett Bolles to a four-year contract extension .
Bolles , a 2017 first-round draft pick , has shown dramatic improvement this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option .

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - The Denver Broncos won’t have any of their four quarterbacks available Sunday when they face the New Orleans Saints because of coronavirus concerns.
Starter Drew Lock, backup Brett Rypien and practice squad veteran Blake Bortles were deemed high-risk close contacts with No. 3 quarterback Jeff Driskel on Wednesday, the day before Driskel tested positive for COVID-19.
A person familiar with the league’s investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive topic, said the four quarterbacks apparently weren’t wearing their masks the whole time they were together as required by the league’s pandemic protocols.
In a statement released Saturday night, the Broncos confirmed reports that Lock, Rypien and Bortles were ordered off the practice field Saturday and into isolation after being identified as high-risk COVID-19 close contacts.
The Broncos said the three QBs aren’t experiencing any symptoms and have consistently tested negative for the virus.
The Broncos were scrambling to prepare practice squad rookie receiver Kendall Hinton and No. 3 running back Royce Freeman to share snaps at quarterback Sunday when Denver (4-6) hosts the Saints (8-2).
Hinton played quarterback for three seasons in college and Freeman is the team’s emergency QB.
The NFL cleared the Broncos to practice on Thanksgiving Day after Driskel tested positive for the virus and again Friday after kick returner Deontae Spencer tested positive along with two staffers. But coach Vic Fangio decided to shut down the building Friday and the team conducted meetings remotely.
Lock, Rypien and Bortles were loosening up before Saturday’s short walkthrough practice when they were pulled off the field and sent home.
They’ll have to quarantine for five days and in order to return next week will have to continue to test negative for COVID-19. The NFL isn’t allowing any teams to gather until Wednesday out of concern the Thanksgiving holiday might have exposed players to infection.
After learning of their situation at quarterback, the Broncos’ brain trust of Fangio, general manager John Elway and team president and CEO Joe Ellis spoke with officials from NFL headquarters.
The league decided not force Denver to forfeit the game or to postpone it like they did with the Steelers-Ravens matchup that was pushed back from Thanksgiving to Sunday and then again to Tuesday night after the Ravens’ outbreak.
A virus outbreak in New England last month forced the Broncos’ game at Gillette Stadium to get pushed back a week and essentially cost Denver its bye week because of the domino effect on the team’s schedule.
In their statement posted on social media Saturday night, the Broncos said they “will continue to work closely with the NFL whenever there is a positive COVID-19 case, including sharing all available information in a thorough and timely manner to ensure the safety of our team.”
The Saints own the league’s second-ranked run defense and last week sacked Falcons QB Matt Ryan eight times, a daunting proposition for anyone who lines up under center on Sunday.
Some Broncos were incredulous about the NFL leaving them without a quarterback Sunday and for not pushing back their game like it did the Steelers-Ravens game, which would have at least given Denver’s makeshift offense a better chance to prepare.
Tight end Noah Fant tweeted, “I’m not one to complain but @NFL y’all can’t possibly send us into a game without a QB. The most important position to an offense. We don’t have got a backup.”
He followed that tweet with this one: “Anyone know if Peyton Manning is busy tomorrow? Laughing but serious.”
Von Miller, who’s on injured reserve while recovering from ankle surgery, posted a photo on Instagram of him with about to toss a football and wrote, “Been waiting my whole life for this moment! ‘Von ELWAY.’”
Fangio said Saturday morning before the developments at quarterback that there were no new COVID-19 cases and he reiterated that he had no worries about his other QBs getting sick because contract tracing had shown they hadn’t been within 6 feet of Driskel before he tested positive.
The league’s contact tracing protocols include checking electronic contact devices, interviews and review of surveillance, and the league has been busy investigating coronavirus cases on multiple teams.
The news on the quarterbacks broke Saturday about the same time the Broncos announced they had signed left tackle Garett Bolles to a four-year contract extension. Bolles, a 2017 first-round draft pick, has shown dramatic improvement this season after the Broncos declined his fifth-year option.
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AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner contributed to this report.
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Follow Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arniestapleton
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