washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Nikki Haley says her sister-in-law died of COVID-19

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - Former U.N .
Ambassador Nikki Haley says her sister-in-law has died after contracting the coronavirus .
Haley tweeted Tuesday evening that Rhonda Lee Nelson , sister of her husband Michael , “ passed the day before Thanksgiving of Covid.
” According to an online obituary , Nelson , 53 , lived in West Milton , Ohio , and died Nov. 25 .
She was remembered as a singer and piano musician who “ ministered to many inside and outside of the church.
” According to Nelson ‘ s obituary , Tuesday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Field Christian Church in Potsdam , Ohio .
Haley — the governor of South Carolina in late 2016 when President Donald Trump selected her as ambassador to the United Nations - provided no further details on Nelson ‘ s death , which came as coronavirus numbers rise across the country and in states including Ohio .
According to an Associated Press analysis of data provided by The COVID Tracking Project , the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Ohio has risen over the past two weeks from 7,618 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One in every 193 people in Ohio tested positive for the virus in the past week .
Nelson ‘ s obituary thanked her wide support network of family and friends “ who have all showed their love for her through the years and even greater through her last days.
” In her tweet , Haley said her sister-in-law “ loved God , her family & all who knew her .
She will be missed.
” Meg Kinnard can be reached at http : //twitter.com/MegKinnardAP .

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley says her sister-in-law has died after contracting the coronavirus.
Haley tweeted Tuesday evening that Rhonda Lee Nelson, sister of her husband Michael, “passed the day before Thanksgiving of Covid.”
According to an online obituary, Nelson, 53, lived in West Milton, Ohio, and died Nov. 25. She was remembered as a singer and piano musician who “ministered to many inside and outside of the church.”
According to Nelson’s obituary, Tuesday’s memorial service was held at the Shepherd’s Field Christian Church in Potsdam, Ohio.
Haley — the governor of South Carolina in late 2016 when President Donald Trump selected her as ambassador to the United Nations - provided no further details on Nelson’s death, which came as coronavirus numbers rise across the country and in states including Ohio. According to an Associated Press analysis of data provided by The COVID Tracking Project, the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Ohio has risen over the past two weeks from 7,618 on Nov. 22 to 8,656 on Dec. 6.
One in every 193 people in Ohio tested positive for the virus in the past week.
Nelson’s obituary thanked her wide support network of family and friends “who have all showed their love for her through the years and even greater through her last days.” In her tweet, Haley said her sister-in-law “loved God, her family & all who knew her. She will be missed.”
___
Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Virginia's McAuliffe to make gubernatorial bid official

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - Terry McAuliffe is trying to get his old job back .
The former Virginia governor is set to announce a formal bid for governor Wednesday morning in Richmond , according to a McAuliffe aide who was not authorized to speak publicly about the campaign .
McAuliffe , once best known as a top Democratic money man and close friend of Bill and Hillary Clinton ’ s , will enter an already crowded Democratic primary .
The governor ’ s race in Virginia will be one of the country ’ s marquee political contests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the public mood during President-elect Joe Biden ‘ s first year in office .
As governor , McAuliffe had a largely successful four-year term starting in 2014 that saw him tirelessly market the state , make major transportation deals and restore voting rights for thousands of convicted felons .
He stepped into the national spotlight as a leading liberal voice on certain social issues , winning kudos for undoing a vestige of the state ’ s Jim Crow era and restoring voting and other civil rights to felons who had completed their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism of the white nationalists who sparked a deadly rally in Charlottesville in 2017 drew a sharp contrast with President Donald Trump ’ s shaky response to the violence .
But it ’ s unclear how broad his support is among Democratic primary voters today .
McAuliffe largely governed as a centrist and some of his business-friendly policies and actions as governor may alienate the party ’ s progressive wing .
And to win the Democratic nomination , McAuliffe would have to defeat three Black candidates who have said the state is ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a powerful Black lawmaker who is set to serve as a co-chair for McAuliffe , said the state is facing “ desperate times ” amid the coronavirus pandemic and a faltering economy .
She said McAuliffe has proven he can fix things .
“ I want somebody that I know can deliver , ” Lucas said .
She added that McAuliffe plans to make improving public education the top priority of his campaign .
Virginia bars governors from seeking consecutive terms and McAuliffe left office at the start of 2018 .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year but decided against it .
His set-to-be-announced candidacy has long been an open secret .
He ’ s been a major fundraiser for Democratic candidates in Virginia and filed paperwork to run in August but said no formal decision has been made .
Other announced Democratic candidates for governor include state Sen. Jennifer McClellan and Del .
Jennifer Carroll Foy , either of whom would be the nation ’ s first African American woman to lead a state .
Lt. Gov .
Justin Fairfax is also running .
On the Republican side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced he ’ s running for governor .
GOP state Sen. Amanda Chase has said she ’ s running as an independent .
Carroll Foy has been a frequent critic of McAuliffe , calling him a “ rich political insider with strong ties to the special interests ” in a statement Tuesday .
McAuliffe ‘ s record has plenty for his opponents to attack during the primary .
He supported a natural gas pipeline project bitterly opposed by environmentalists and his most notable tax policy proposal was to cut the corporate income tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsuccessful bid to expand Medicaid under a GOP-held legislature .
McAuliffe also was the subject of a federal investigation looking at donations to his gubernatorial campaign , a probe that never produced any charges .
And an electric car company he once lead , which received millions of dollars in economic incentives from state and local officials to build a plant in Mississippi , faced criticism for falling well below expectations in production and job creation .
But McAuliffe is almost certain to be the race ’ s top fundraiser and has shored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden even gave an unofficial endorsement at a campaign rally in Norfolk in March , calling McAuliffe the “ once and future governor of Virginia .
”

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Terry McAuliffe is trying to get his old job back.
The former Virginia governor is set to announce a formal bid for governor Wednesday morning in Richmond, according to a McAuliffe aide who was not authorized to speak publicly about the campaign.
McAuliffe, once best known as a top Democratic money man and close friend of Bill and Hillary Clinton’s, will enter an already crowded Democratic primary. The governor’s race in Virginia will be one of the country’s marquee political contests next year, serving as a barometer of the public mood during President-elect Joe Biden’s first year in office.
As governor, McAuliffe had a largely successful four-year term starting in 2014 that saw him tirelessly market the state, make major transportation deals and restore voting rights for thousands of convicted felons. He stepped into the national spotlight as a leading liberal voice on certain social issues, winning kudos for undoing a vestige of the state’s Jim Crow era and restoring voting and other civil rights to felons who had completed their sentences.
And McAuliffe’s blunt criticism of the white nationalists who sparked a deadly rally in Charlottesville in 2017 drew a sharp contrast with President Donald Trump’s shaky response to the violence.
But it’s unclear how broad his support is among Democratic primary voters today. McAuliffe largely governed as a centrist and some of his business-friendly policies and actions as governor may alienate the party’s progressive wing.
And to win the Democratic nomination, McAuliffe would have to defeat three Black candidates who have said the state is ready for new leadership.
Sen. Louise Lucas, a powerful Black lawmaker who is set to serve as a co-chair for McAuliffe, said the state is facing “desperate times” amid the coronavirus pandemic and a faltering economy. She said McAuliffe has proven he can fix things.
“I want somebody that I know can deliver,” Lucas said.
She added that McAuliffe plans to make improving public education the top priority of his campaign.
Virginia bars governors from seeking consecutive terms and McAuliffe left office at the start of 2018. He briefly flirted with a presidential run last year but decided against it.
His set-to-be-announced candidacy has long been an open secret. He’s been a major fundraiser for Democratic candidates in Virginia and filed paperwork to run in August but said no formal decision has been made.
Other announced Democratic candidates for governor include state Sen. Jennifer McClellan and Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, either of whom would be the nation’s first African American woman to lead a state. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax is also running.
On the Republican side, former House Speaker Kirk Cox has announced he’s running for governor. GOP state Sen. Amanda Chase has said she’s running as an independent.
Carroll Foy has been a frequent critic of McAuliffe, calling him a “rich political insider with strong ties to the special interests” in a statement Tuesday.
McAuliffe’s record has plenty for his opponents to attack during the primary. He supported a natural gas pipeline project bitterly opposed by environmentalists and his most notable tax policy proposal was to cut the corporate income tax rate, which was part of an unsuccessful bid to expand Medicaid under a GOP-held legislature.
McAuliffe also was the subject of a federal investigation looking at donations to his gubernatorial campaign, a probe that never produced any charges. And an electric car company he once lead, which received millions of dollars in economic incentives from state and local officials to build a plant in Mississippi, faced criticism for falling well below expectations in production and job creation.
But McAuliffe is almost certain to be the race’s top fundraiser and has shored up support from many key lawmakers. Biden even gave an unofficial endorsement at a campaign rally in Norfolk in March, calling McAuliffe the “once and future governor of Virginia.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Dangerous surf sweeps 3 people out to ocean; woman rescued

PACIFICA , Calif. ( AP ) - A man and a woman were swept Tuesday into the Pacific Ocean in Northern California by dangerous surf that included swells of 20 to 25 feet .
The woman was rescued but the man remained missing , authorities said .
The two separate incidents in Pacifica came as weather forecasters and rescue personnel urged people to stay away from beaches and cliffs , the Mercury News reported .
“ We are advising people to stay away , ” Battalion Chief Jeff Huntze of the North County Fire Authority said .
“ If anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next few days , be very careful .
It ’ s treacherous.
” The National Weather Service in a tweet early Tuesday also advised people not to go in or near the ocean or bay waters on Tuesday .
“ Extremely dangerous size , currents , and bone-chilling temperatures ( are expected ) , ” the weather service wrote .
On California ’ s northern coast , a Utah magazine editor died after being swept into the sea .
A woman walking with her dog on a beach nearly drowned after being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ sneaker wave.
” A man flying a drone nearby saw the wave knock over the woman , and he ran to the area , along with another man who happened to be on the beach , Huntze said .
By the time rescue personnel arrived , the woman was vomiting ocean water , a sign of near-drowning .
Rescue workers revived her and she was taken to a hospital .
She was expected to be OK , Huntze said .
“ Everything came together , and it was a good ending , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a man who was pulled in by waves near the Pacifica Pier earlier Tuesday continued into the afternoon , hours after rescue personnel were dispatched around 7:45 a.m .
The U.S. Coast Guard sent two helicopters and three boats to search for the man , Huntze said .
The man remained missing .
Huntze said an eyewitness told authorities that the man was walking on rocks about a half-mile north of the Pacifica Pier and got swept away by the surf .
There was a high surf advisory for the area for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

PACIFICA, Calif. (AP) - A man and a woman were swept Tuesday into the Pacific Ocean in Northern California by dangerous surf that included swells of 20 to 25 feet. The woman was rescued but the man remained missing, authorities said.
The two separate incidents in Pacifica came as weather forecasters and rescue personnel urged people to stay away from beaches and cliffs, the Mercury News reported.
“We are advising people to stay away,” Battalion Chief Jeff Huntze of the North County Fire Authority said. “If anyone is coming to visit the beach in the next few days, be very careful. It’s treacherous.”
The National Weather Service in a tweet early Tuesday also advised people not to go in or near the ocean or bay waters on Tuesday.
“Extremely dangerous size, currents, and bone-chilling temperatures (are expected),” the weather service wrote.
On California’s northern coast, a Utah magazine editor died after being swept into the sea.
A woman walking with her dog on a beach nearly drowned after being knocked over by what Huntze called a “sneaker wave.” A man flying a drone nearby saw the wave knock over the woman, and he ran to the area, along with another man who happened to be on the beach, Huntze said.
By the time rescue personnel arrived, the woman was vomiting ocean water, a sign of near-drowning. Rescue workers revived her and she was taken to a hospital. She was expected to be OK, Huntze said.
“Everything came together, and it was a good ending,” he said.
The search for a man who was pulled in by waves near the Pacifica Pier earlier Tuesday continued into the afternoon, hours after rescue personnel were dispatched around 7:45 a.m.
The U.S. Coast Guard sent two helicopters and three boats to search for the man, Huntze said. The man remained missing.
Huntze said an eyewitness told authorities that the man was walking on rocks about a half-mile north of the Pacifica Pier and got swept away by the surf.
There was a high surf advisory for the area for the rest of the day, Huntze said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Judge hears closing arguments in Minnesota mosque attack

ST. PAUL , Minn. ( AP ) - Prosecutors cited an Illinois man ’ s anti-Islamic writings and testimony from co-defendants in urging a jury Tuesday to convict him in the 2017 bombing of a Minnesota mosque .
In closing arguments in the trial of Michael Hari , 49 , prosecutors cited testimony from his co-defendants Joe Morris and Michael McWhorte r and excerpts from Hari ’ s writings on Islam that they said ” overwhelmingly ” show how and why Hari spearheaded a plan to throw a pipe bomb into the window of Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include purchases used to make explosive devices and telephone records .
Morris portrayed Hari as a father figure , and both he and McWhorter portrayed Hari as the driving force behind a plan that included renting a truck in Illinois and traveling to Minnesota to carry out the attack .
McWhorter testified that Hari waited in the car as Morris and McWhorter carried out the bombing .
“ Mr .
Hari bombed the Dar al-Farooq mosque because it was a mosque , ” Assistant U.S. Attorney John Docherty told jurors .
“ As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says and more clearly from what he writes , Mr. Hari hates Islam , he hates Muslims , and because of that hate he bombed a mosque.
” During his remarks , Docherty read excerpts of anti-Muslim rhetoric from The White Rabbit Handbook , a manifesto of Hari ’ s anti-government militia group that encourages use of guerrilla war tactics and a return to “ the good old days.
” Defense attorneys for Hari tried to raise doubts about the credibility of Morris and McWhorter , suggesting they were out to reduce their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shannon Elkins , Hari ’ s attorney , said prosecutors failed to prove Hari was in Minnesota on the date of the bombing or provide forensic evidence , arguing inconsistencies in the co-defendants ’ testimony make them untrustworthy .
“ I ask that you consider with your independent minds whether you have the whole story , ” Elkins said to the jury .
“ Something about this story seems funny , because the government ’ s star witnesses can ’ t seem to tell the truth.
” Docherty said Hari ’ s background @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and knowledge of how crimes are investigated helped him avoid leaving forensic evidence .
Hari is charged with several civil rights and hate crimes , include damaging property because of its religious character , forcibly obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs , conspiracy to commit felonies with fire and explosives , using a destructive device in a crime of violence , and possessing an unregistered destructive device .
On Aug. 5 , 2017 , Hari , Morris and McWhorter allegedly carried out the attack as several men gathered for early morning prayers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office , and while no one was hurt in bombing , the attack spread fear through the mosque ’ s community of worshippers .
Hari is the leader of an anti-government militia group called the White Rabbits based in Clarence , Ill. , a rural community about 120 miles ( 190 kilometers ) south of Chicago where Hari , Morris and McWhorter lived .
Under the screen name “ Illinois Patriot , ” Hari posted more than a dozen anti-government monologue videos to YouTube , including one video days before his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed the FBI and local law enforcement were tormenting the central Illinois town .
It ’ s not clear how the White Rabbits became aware of Dar al-Farooq , but the mosque was in headlines in recent years : Some young people from Minnesota who traveled to Syria to join the Islamic State group had worshipped there .
Mosque leaders were never accused of any wrongdoing .
A former sheriff ’ s deputy and self-described entrepreneur and watermelon farmer , Hari ’ s past includes a federal lawsuit he filed against the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food safety certification business , and an appearance on the “ Dr .
Phil ” talk show after abducting his daughters and fleeing to the Central American country of Belize during a custody dispute .
Mohamed Ibrahim is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Prosecutors cited an Illinois man’s anti-Islamic writings and testimony from co-defendants in urging a jury Tuesday to convict him in the 2017 bombing of a Minnesota mosque.
In closing arguments in the trial of Michael Hari, 49, prosecutors cited testimony from his co-defendants Joe Morris and Michael McWhorte r and excerpts from Hari’s writings on Islam that they said ”overwhelmingly” show how and why Hari spearheaded a plan to throw a pipe bomb into the window of Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center. Other evidence presented to jurors by the government include purchases used to make explosive devices and telephone records.
Morris portrayed Hari as a father figure, and both he and McWhorter portrayed Hari as the driving force behind a plan that included renting a truck in Illinois and traveling to Minnesota to carry out the attack. McWhorter testified that Hari waited in the car as Morris and McWhorter carried out the bombing.
“Mr. Hari bombed the Dar al-Farooq mosque because it was a mosque,” Assistant U.S. Attorney John Docherty told jurors. “As we can see … from what he says and more clearly from what he writes, Mr. Hari hates Islam, he hates Muslims, and because of that hate he bombed a mosque.”
During his remarks, Docherty read excerpts of anti-Muslim rhetoric from The White Rabbit Handbook, a manifesto of Hari’s anti-government militia group that encourages use of guerrilla war tactics and a return to “the good old days.”
Defense attorneys for Hari tried to raise doubts about the credibility of Morris and McWhorter, suggesting they were out to reduce their own sentences by turning on Hari. Shannon Elkins, Hari’s attorney, said prosecutors failed to prove Hari was in Minnesota on the date of the bombing or provide forensic evidence, arguing inconsistencies in the co-defendants’ testimony make them untrustworthy.
“I ask that you consider with your independent minds whether you have the whole story,” Elkins said to the jury. “Something about this story seems funny, because the government’s star witnesses can’t seem to tell the truth.”
Docherty said Hari’s background as a former sheriff’s deputy and knowledge of how crimes are investigated helped him avoid leaving forensic evidence.
Hari is charged with several civil rights and hate crimes, include damaging property because of its religious character, forcibly obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs, conspiracy to commit felonies with fire and explosives, using a destructive device in a crime of violence, and possessing an unregistered destructive device.
On Aug. 5, 2017, Hari, Morris and McWhorter allegedly carried out the attack as several men gathered for early morning prayers. The device exploded in the imam’s office, and while no one was hurt in bombing, the attack spread fear through the mosque’s community of worshippers.
Hari is the leader of an anti-government militia group called the White Rabbits based in Clarence, Ill., a rural community about 120 miles (190 kilometers) south of Chicago where Hari, Morris and McWhorter lived. Under the screen name “Illinois Patriot,” Hari posted more than a dozen anti-government monologue videos to YouTube, including one video days before his 2018 arrest for the bombing where he claimed the FBI and local law enforcement were tormenting the central Illinois town.
It’s not clear how the White Rabbits became aware of Dar al-Farooq, but the mosque was in headlines in recent years: Some young people from Minnesota who traveled to Syria to join the Islamic State group had worshipped there. Mosque leaders were never accused of any wrongdoing.
A former sheriff’s deputy and self-described entrepreneur and watermelon farmer, Hari’s past includes a federal lawsuit he filed against the U.S. Department of Agriculture for cutting into his food safety certification business, and an appearance on the “Dr. Phil” talk show after abducting his daughters and fleeing to the Central American country of Belize during a custody dispute.
___
Mohamed Ibrahim is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Black church leaders group excluded from Joe Biden cabinet inclusivity meeting

Presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden excluded an organization of Black church leaders from his meeting Tuesday with civil rights groups demanding he name more people of color to his Cabinet .
Black Church PAC said its members want a seat at the table akin to the status President Trump gave evangelical Christians .
Rev .
Michael McBride , the co-founder of Black Church PAC , said his goal is increasing the government ’ s inclusivity and said inattention to the issue could diminish Mr. Biden ’ s support among religious Black voters .
“ Bad governance is de facto voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engagement around governance does at times feed the perception that it does not matter who is elected and who wins , ” Rev .
McBride said .
“ Of course we know that elections matter , and so we think the important step here is to make sure that the administration is hearing from directly impacted families across the country on the ground and not just the Washington , D.C. , civil rights community , which again we work with all across the country but we do think that they need to hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who helped to secure this election.
” Among the groups meeting with Mr. Biden was the leadership of the NAACP , the National Urban League and Rev .
Al Sharpton ’ s National Action Network .
Rev .
McBride said his members played a role in key swing states , including in Georgia , Wisconsin and Pennsylvania , both by voting and working as poll watchers .
Now , Rev .
McBride said his members want to be rewarded for their work , which also included knocking on tens of thousands of voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia .
He said his group is eyeing the top spots at the Department of Justice , Department of Housing and Urban Development , and the Department of Agriculture as positions that could be filled by Black nominees .
Mr. Biden is expected to tap Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio , who is Black , as his pick to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development , according to multiple reports Tuesday .
Following their meeting with Mr. Biden and presumptive Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Tuesday , civil rights leaders sounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foster more inclusion as he staffs his prospective administration .
Marc Morial , president of the National Urban League , told reporters that Mr. Biden talked extensively with the groups about the need for a more diverse Cabinet and other presidential appointments .
“ The president-elect reaffirmed that he intends to make history when it comes to the appointments of African Americans and Hispanics to his Cabinet , the subcabinet and the White House , ” Mr. Morial said .
“ And while we will not judge the ultimate outcome and we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was refreshing to hear him reaffirm that commitment in the meeting to us .
But we will judge the Cabinet , and the subcabinet , and the White House staff ultimately by the results.
” One potential rift between Senate Democrats and Mr. Biden ’ s Black supporters is over the selection of retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin to be Mr. Biden ’ s secretary of defense .
Rev .
McBride said his group supports the nomination , while several Senate Democrats have signaled they oppose a waiver needed for the nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rev .
McBride said he hopes the first Black nominee for the secretary of defense position is not mistreated and wants to see more Black nominees with experience filling key federal government slots rather than those familiar with Washington ’ s corridors of power .

Presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden excluded an organization of Black church leaders from his meeting Tuesday with civil rights groups demanding he name more people of color to his Cabinet.
Black Church PAC said its members want a seat at the table akin to the status President Trump gave evangelical Christians.
Rev. Michael McBride, the co-founder of Black Church PAC, said his goal is increasing the government’s inclusivity and said inattention to the issue could diminish Mr. Biden’s support among religious Black voters.
“Bad governance is de facto voter suppression, and so the lack of engagement around governance does at times feed the perception that it does not matter who is elected and who wins,” Rev. McBride said. “Of course we know that elections matter, and so we think the important step here is to make sure that the administration is hearing from directly impacted families across the country on the ground and not just the Washington, D.C., civil rights community, which again we work with all across the country but we do think that they need to hear from our leaders all across the country who helped to secure this election.”
Among the groups meeting with Mr. Biden was the leadership of the NAACP, the National Urban League and Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network.
Rev. McBride said his members played a role in key swing states, including in Georgia, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, both by voting and working as poll watchers. Now, Rev. McBride said his members want to be rewarded for their work, which also included knocking on tens of thousands of voters’ doors, including nearly 4,300 in Georgia.
He said his group is eyeing the top spots at the Department of Justice, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Agriculture as positions that could be filled by Black nominees.
Mr. Biden is expected to tap Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio, who is Black, as his pick to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to multiple reports Tuesday.
Following their meeting with Mr. Biden and presumptive Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Tuesday, civil rights leaders sounded optimistic that Mr. Biden would aim to foster more inclusion as he staffs his prospective administration.
Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, told reporters that Mr. Biden talked extensively with the groups about the need for a more diverse Cabinet and other presidential appointments.
“The president-elect reaffirmed that he intends to make history when it comes to the appointments of African Americans and Hispanics to his Cabinet, the subcabinet and the White House,” Mr. Morial said. “And while we will not judge the ultimate outcome and we cannot at this time, for me it was refreshing to hear him reaffirm that commitment in the meeting to us. But we will judge the Cabinet, and the subcabinet, and the White House staff ultimately by the results.”
One potential rift between Senate Democrats and Mr. Biden’s Black supporters is over the selection of retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin to be Mr. Biden’s secretary of defense. Rev. McBride said his group supports the nomination, while several Senate Democrats have signaled they oppose a waiver needed for the nomination of the former military leader to proceed.
Rev. McBride said he hopes the first Black nominee for the secretary of defense position is not mistreated and wants to see more Black nominees with experience filling key federal government slots rather than those familiar with Washington’s corridors of power.
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Alderman’s Chicago restaurant faces dining violation fines

CHICAGO ( AP ) - The city of Chicago has cited a restaurant owed by an alderman for allowing customers to dine inside in violation of rules designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 , city officials said Tuesday .
Ann Sather , a restaurant owned by Alderman Tom Tunney , faces two citations , which carry maximum fines of more than $ 10,000 combined , according to Chicago ’ s Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Department .
Indoor dining has been shut down in the city since late October .
And Tunney has previously acknowledged that allowing diners inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an “ error in judgment.
” “ We ’ ve been sporadically letting some people in , regulars at the restaurant , to accommodate them from time to time , ” Tunney said Monday .
“ It ’ s done .
It will not continue , as of today.
” Tunney on Tuesday declined to comment about the citations , beyond acknowledging he received them and has a hearing date early next year .
Tunney is the latest politician facing scrutiny for not following social distancing rules .
Recently , California Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dinner at a restaurant and ignoring mask mandates .
Also , Denver Mayor Michael Hancock flew to Houston ahead of Thanksgiving despite his warnings that people should stay close to home and spend the holiday with their own household .

CHICAGO (AP) - The city of Chicago has cited a restaurant owed by an alderman for allowing customers to dine inside in violation of rules designed to slow the spread of COVID-19, city officials said Tuesday.
Ann Sather, a restaurant owned by Alderman Tom Tunney, faces two citations, which carry maximum fines of more than $10,000 combined, according to Chicago’s Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Department.
Indoor dining has been shut down in the city since late October. And Tunney has previously acknowledged that allowing diners inside his restaurant in the Wrigleyville neighborhood was an “error in judgment.”
“We’ve been sporadically letting some people in, regulars at the restaurant, to accommodate them from time to time,” Tunney said Monday. “It’s done. It will not continue, as of today.”
Tunney on Tuesday declined to comment about the citations, beyond acknowledging he received them and has a hearing date early next year.
Tunney is the latest politician facing scrutiny for not following social distancing rules. Recently, California Gov. Gavin Newsom was ridiculed for attending a dinner at a restaurant and ignoring mask mandates. Also, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock flew to Houston ahead of Thanksgiving despite his warnings that people should stay close to home and spend the holiday with their own household.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Indonesia conducts regional election during pandemic

JAKARTA , Indonesia ( AP ) - Indonesia pushed forward with holding previously postponed regional elections on Wednesday despite concerns about doing so amid the ongoing pandemic .
At least 105 million people were eligible to vote in elections being held to choose nine governors , 37 mayors and 224 district chiefs across 270 regions .
The polls were originally supposed to be held in September but were delayed because of the virus and the number of organizers who got sick .
The vote comes just days after Indonesia recorded its highest daily increase in new virus cases since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The pandemic was impacting the logistics of voting .
Masks were required for voters and poll workers .
Polling stations opened earlier than usual and each voter was given a scheduled hour during which they could vote .
LaporCOVID-19 , a non-governmental community coalition collecting data on the pandemic , had called for the election to be postponed again .
Holding the poll amid the “ uncontrolled COVID-19 pandemic proves that that the government is ignorant of the health and safety of its citizens , ” said Irma Hidayana , co-initiator of LaporCOVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates in the election who had contracted the virus and four who died .
Dida Ridwansyah , a voter in South Tangerang said he wasn ’ t worried about the pandemic and felt the polls should be held .
“ If we are talking about the pandemic , we can not predict when it will end .
As long as we can apply the health protocols , it would be run well .
As an Indonesian , we have to support this regional election , ” Ridwansyah said .
National COVID-19 Mitigation Task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health protocols would be key .
“ This regional election can only be said to be successful if it is held by enforcing health protocols so that there is no transmission of new cases , ” Adisasmito said Indonesia , the world ’ s fourth most populous country , has reported more than 586,000 virus cases since the pandemic began with 18,000 deaths , the most in Southeast Asia .

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Indonesia pushed forward with holding previously postponed regional elections on Wednesday despite concerns about doing so amid the ongoing pandemic.
At least 105 million people were eligible to vote in elections being held to choose nine governors, 37 mayors and 224 district chiefs across 270 regions. The polls were originally supposed to be held in September but were delayed because of the virus and the number of organizers who got sick.
The vote comes just days after Indonesia recorded its highest daily increase in new virus cases since the pandemic began - more than 8,000.
The pandemic was impacting the logistics of voting. Masks were required for voters and poll workers. Polling stations opened earlier than usual and each voter was given a scheduled hour during which they could vote.
LaporCOVID-19, a non-governmental community coalition collecting data on the pandemic, had called for the election to be postponed again.
Holding the poll amid the “uncontrolled COVID-19 pandemic proves that that the government is ignorant of the health and safety of its citizens,” said Irma Hidayana, co-initiator of LaporCOVID-19.
The group said it tracked 76 candidates in the election who had contracted the virus and four who died.
Dida Ridwansyah, a voter in South Tangerang said he wasn’t worried about the pandemic and felt the polls should be held.
“If we are talking about the pandemic, we cannot predict when it will end. As long as we can apply the health protocols, it would be run well. As an Indonesian, we have to support this regional election,” Ridwansyah said.
National COVID-19 Mitigation Task Force spokesman Wiku Adisasmito said adhering to health protocols would be key.
“This regional election can only be said to be successful if it is held by enforcing health protocols so that there is no transmission of new cases,” Adisasmito said
Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, has reported more than 586,000 virus cases since the pandemic began with 18,000 deaths, the most in Southeast Asia.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Minnesota police officers who killed 19-year-old identified

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Minnesota investigators released Tuesday the names of the officers who killed a 19-year-old man they suspected in a drive-by shooting , but didn ’ t provide details on what happened .
Estavon Elioff , 19 , died Saturday of multiple gunshot wounds in Mountain Iron , Minnesota , the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said in a press release .
Elioff had been earlier identified by his mother , Jacqueline Elioff , of Vancouver , Washington , who questioned why officers felt they needed to shoot her son .
The sheriff ’ s deputies who shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith and Matt Tomsich with the St. Louis County Sheriff ’ s Office , according to the press release .
The pair has been working for the department for about a dozen years .
They have been placed on standard administrative leave .
Authorities on Saturday responded to a report of a shoplifter , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
The shoplifter , who fled the scene , was later identified in surveillance video as a suspect in drive-by shooting the day before in the nearby town of Virginia , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office said deputies with a police dog eventually found Elioff in a wooded area .
There was a confrontation , deputies deployed Tasers and then two of them shot Elioff , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
He died at the scene .
The BCA said investigators found a knife at the scene of the shooting .
St. Louis County sheriff ’ s deputies do not wear body cameras and dash cameras did not capture the incident , the BCA said , adding there were no other witnesses to the shooting @

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota investigators released Tuesday the names of the officers who killed a 19-year-old man they suspected in a drive-by shooting, but didn’t provide details on what happened.
Estavon Elioff, 19, died Saturday of multiple gunshot wounds in Mountain Iron, Minnesota, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said in a press release. Elioff had been earlier identified by his mother, Jacqueline Elioff, of Vancouver, Washington, who questioned why officers felt they needed to shoot her son.
The sheriff’s deputies who shot and killed Elioff were identified as Ryan Smith and Matt Tomsich with the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, according to the press release. The pair has been working for the department for about a dozen years. They have been placed on standard administrative leave.
Authorities on Saturday responded to a report of a shoplifter, according to the sheriff’s office. The shoplifter, who fled the scene, was later identified in surveillance video as a suspect in drive-by shooting the day before in the nearby town of Virginia, where Elioff lived.
The sheriff’s office said deputies with a police dog eventually found Elioff in a wooded area. There was a confrontation, deputies deployed Tasers and then two of them shot Elioff, according to the sheriff’s office. He died at the scene.
The BCA said investigators found a knife at the scene of the shooting.
St. Louis County sheriff’s deputies do not wear body cameras and dash cameras did not capture the incident, the BCA said, adding there were no other witnesses to the shooting.


Illinois Editorial Roundup:

Here are excerpts of editorials published in Illinois newspapers .
Take if from April Ibanez and small business owners : We ’ ll get through this pandemic better together Consider the crossroads of crises in two front-page stories in ( the ) Sun-Times : Ald .
Tom Tunney was caught serving customers indoors at his Ann Sather restaurant during the pandemic , violating state and city orders .
He shouldn ’ t have done this , as he admits , but there is no question restaurants are desperate .
And 450,000 unemployed people in Illinois , such as the worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ibanez , are in danger of losing their unemployment benefits on the day after Christmas .
Ibanez was furloughed from a restaurant job last spring when the pandemic first hit .
The two stories tell a single story about how the coronavirus pandemic is hammering our nation ’ s economy , with devastating consequences for small businesses and individuals alike .
The most responsible national response , both to save whole sectors of the economy and to help people in desperate straits , would be a more aggressive federal financial stimulus - on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries .
Our nation will get through this pandemic .
Vaccines are on the way .
The only question is whether we will get there as humanely as possible , practicing the rules of mitigation , without allowing COVID-19 to lay waste to our economy and livelihoods .
Congress is contemplating a bipartisan $ 908 billion pandemic relief package , which beats nothing at all .
It is better than an earlier $ 500 billion plan put forward by Republicans , even if it falls far short of a $ 2.2 trillion package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the aim is for our nation to emerge from this crisis stable and whole , positioned to bounce back , it simply is not enough .
Unemployed workers would receive $ 300 a week of enhanced federal jobless benefits , just half of the $ 600-a-week boost workers received from last spring ’ s CARES Act .
Small businesses would be similarly shorted .
Most notably , a $ 120 billion proposal to assist independent restaurants and bars with fewer than 20 locations - the Restaurants Act - is nowhere to be found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this play out , just as an example , as we creep toward a post-pandemic world ?
A great little Italian restaurant on Taylor Street - a family business - might be forced to close permanently , even as some deep-pockets corporate chain like Olive Garden sweeps in .
And even that Olive Garden is no sure thing .
The restaurant and bar industry is expected to lose $ 240 billion this year , the Washington Post reports , and some analysts warn that 85 % of small , independent restaurants will close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Congress on Monday , the National Restaurant Association warned that “ 500,000 restaurants of every business type - franchise , chain and independent - are in an economic free fall.
” In normal times , we might understand the reluctance of Republicans to support more generous government assistance to businesses and workers .
The free market picks winners and losers .
But these are not normal times , and nothing about them reflects the workings of free markets .
They reflect the workings of a modern-day plague .
The argument , put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generous unemployment benefits would encourage slothfulness is absurd .
The argument that a larger stimulus package would dangerously run up the federal deficit , coming from a Republican Party that has padded the deficit by $ 6.6 trillion in the last four years , is dishonest .
As President Franklin D. Roosevelt understood during the Great Depression - and as leaders of other countries understand now during the pandemic - there are times when a nation must pull out all the stops .
Japan ’ s economic stimulus during the pandemic has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s gross domestic product .
Canada ’ s has been equal to 16.4 % of its GDP .
But the United States , where the social safety net was so much smaller to begin with , has provided stimulus funding equal to 13.2 % of GDP .
For the sake of every business and every worker , we can do better .
The coronavirus pandemic has been a disaster for the administration of Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , who probably never imagined the public-health crisis he would confront after becoming this state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to devastate the state , the coronavirus is exacerbating its severe financial woes while at the same time distracting public attention from the fallout of its bad habit of spending far more money than it has available .
To cover a massive shortfall , Pritzker announced last week that the state will borrow another $ 2 billion from the Federal Reserve ’ s Municipal Liquidity Facility .
That ’ s on top of borrowing $ 1.2 billion from the fund in June .
The Fed ’ s fund , which will expire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was established to help states and municipalities address financial needs in the event they are unable to borrow in the traditional market .
The fact that Illinois is the only entity to take advantage of this option is just one indication of the state ’ s dire financial condition .
The additional $ 2 billion in borrowing is intended to cover shortfalls in revenue .
But there is more than one kind of shortfall here .
Legislators have for years passed one deficit budget after another , and that was their plan again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic that hit the nation in March severely complicated Illinois ’ financial problems due to the economic freeze resulting from Pritzker ’ s lockdown .
His subsequent modifications of that lockdown eased the problems but haven ’ t generated enough revenue to solve them .
As a consequence , Illinois is borrowing from Peter to pay Paul .
Pritzker expressed concern about borrowing from the Fed ’ s fund because he said it will “ saddle our state with a large amount of short-term debt ” that must be repaid .
“ Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of credit as early as possible , after either the awarding of stimulus by Congress or a sufficient recovery of state revenues , ” he said .
It seems clear Illinois ’ economy is not going to come roaring back soon .
The University of Illinois Flash Index , a gauge of the state ’ s economy overseen by Professor J. Fred Giertz , was progressing nicely , but Giertz ’ s latest report said “ progress stalled ” in November .
The index revealed that equity markets are looking strong but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current results that do not reflect these expectations.
” That means that Pritzker is left depending on a federal bailout to pay back federal loans , all in the face of an estimated $ 4 billion budget deficit , $ 7 billion in unpaid bills and more than $ 300 billion in unfunded state pension and retiree health insurance obligations .
All those numbers add up to big trouble .
As hard as it is to imagine , Illinois is closing out 2020 in even worse shape than it was at the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a pandemic comes with risks .
Even when staff members are practicing safety measures inside and outside the doors , no one lives in a bubble and can be 100 % protected from COVID-19 .
We ’ ve seen outbreaks at such facilities throughout the past nine months .
All are terrifying and sad .
Such as the case with the La Salle Veterans Home , which for the first eight months of the pandemic , had , to the staff ’ s credit , relatively few COVID-19 cases .
And then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 La Salle Veterans Home residents – a quarter of the population – have died from complications related to COVID-19 .
Nearly all the residents have tested positive , as well as about 100 staff members .
How did this happen ?
How do we stop it ?
What steps did the administration/staff take to control the outbreak ?
How do we prevent this from happening again ?
These are questions state Sen. Sue Rezin , R-Morris , is pushing to get answered .
Rezin has been a strong advocate for residents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislative hearings , and just as importantly , talking and listening to residents ’ families .
She ’ s also heard from staff members looking for help and willing to provide a little insight , even after being told to keep quiet .
The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee finally met last week .
Without reason , Rezin was not allowed to participate .
To exclude the Senate ’ s point person in the district , someone who had already spent much time talking with constituents about the issue and likely had more inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unacceptable .
Rezin continues to push for more hearings to get to the bottom of the outbreak .
Last week ’ s hearing left more questions than answers , but did reveal reports documenting areas for immediate change , including replacing all nonalcohol-based hand sanitizers with alcohol-based sanitizers ; testing residents and staff two times a week for COVID-19 , rather than once a week ; and requiring staff to follow strict personal protective equipment guidelines .
State officials pointed to a rise in community spread as a cause , but other veterans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t seeing the same spikes in cases and deaths .
IDVA Director Linda Chapa LaVia said the agency is committed to a transparent review of the circumstances surrounding the outbreak and has adopted all recommendations from a number of agencies .
Let ’ s hope that ’ s not just lip service .
And it ’ s puzzling that the IDPH ’ s site visit was on Nov. 13 – 12 days after the initial outbreak .
Chapa LaVia said she believes the agency responded as quickly as it could .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this editorial board , are unconvinced .
In contrast , when the Quincy Veterans Home had a Legionnaires outbreak , the state conducted a site visit by day three .
The IDVA has asked for an independent investigation , which we fully support , if it ’ s truly independent .
However , the timeline of the investigation could take anywhere between four and six months , which doesn ’ t help the outbreak raging at the home today .
The typical political timetable of examining a problem and conducting an investigation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is of little help .
Yes , there needs to be an investigation , but action and answers are needed now .
“ The Illinois Department of Public Health should have uncovered the problems detailed in the November 13 site visit report at the beginning of the outbreak , not two weeks into the deadliest outbreak seen at a state-run facility in Illinois history , ” Rezin tweeted .
There ’ s still time to slow the outbreak , and hopefully some of the protocols pushed after the senate hearing last week are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear guidance , and proper oversight to ensure these homes are following the rules .

Here are excerpts of editorials published in Illinois newspapers.
December 8, 2020
Chicago Sun-Times
Take if from April Ibanez and small business owners: We’ll get through this pandemic better together
Consider the crossroads of crises in two front-page stories in (the) Sun-Times:
Ald. Tom Tunney was caught serving customers indoors at his Ann Sather restaurant during the pandemic, violating state and city orders. He shouldn’t have done this, as he admits, but there is no question restaurants are desperate.
And 450,000 unemployed people in Illinois, such as the worried, single mother in Chicago named April Ibanez, are in danger of losing their unemployment benefits on the day after Christmas. Ibanez was furloughed from a restaurant job last spring when the pandemic first hit.
The two stories tell a single story about how the coronavirus pandemic is hammering our nation’s economy, with devastating consequences for small businesses and individuals alike.
The most responsible national response, both to save whole sectors of the economy and to help people in desperate straits, would be a more aggressive federal financial stimulus - on a scale already seen in some other countries.
Our nation will get through this pandemic. Vaccines are on the way. The only question is whether we will get there as humanely as possible, practicing the rules of mitigation, without allowing COVID-19 to lay waste to our economy and livelihoods.
Congress is contemplating a bipartisan $908 billion pandemic relief package, which beats nothing at all. It is better than an earlier $500 billion plan put forward by Republicans, even if it falls far short of a $2.2 trillion package put forward by Democrats. But if the aim is for our nation to emerge from this crisis stable and whole, positioned to bounce back, it simply is not enough.
Unemployed workers would receive $300 a week of enhanced federal jobless benefits, just half of the $600-a-week boost workers received from last spring’s CARES Act. Small businesses would be similarly shorted. Most notably, a $120 billion proposal to assist independent restaurants and bars with fewer than 20 locations - the Restaurants Act - is nowhere to be found in this relief package.
How might this play out, just as an example, as we creep toward a post-pandemic world? A great little Italian restaurant on Taylor Street - a family business - might be forced to close permanently, even as some deep-pockets corporate chain like Olive Garden sweeps in. And even that Olive Garden is no sure thing.
The restaurant and bar industry is expected to lose $240 billion this year, the Washington Post reports, and some analysts warn that 85% of small, independent restaurants will close without federal help.
In a letter to Congress on Monday, the National Restaurant Association warned that “500,000 restaurants of every business type - franchise, chain and independent - are in an economic free fall.”
In normal times, we might understand the reluctance of Republicans to support more generous government assistance to businesses and workers. The free market picks winners and losers. But these are not normal times, and nothing about them reflects the workings of free markets. They reflect the workings of a modern-day plague.
The argument, put forth by some Republicans, that more generous unemployment benefits would encourage slothfulness is absurd. The argument that a larger stimulus package would dangerously run up the federal deficit, coming from a Republican Party that has padded the deficit by $6.6 trillion in the last four years, is dishonest.
As President Franklin D. Roosevelt understood during the Great Depression - and as leaders of other countries understand now during the pandemic - there are times when a nation must pull out all the stops.
Japan’s economic stimulus during the pandemic has been equal to 21.1% of that country’s gross domestic product. Canada’s has been equal to 16.4% of its GDP. But the United States, where the social safety net was so much smaller to begin with, has provided stimulus funding equal to 13.2% of GDP.
For the sake of every business and every worker, we can do better.
___
December 6, 2020
The (Champaign) News-Gazette
State budget numbers disturbing
The coronavirus pandemic has been a disaster for the administration of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who probably never imagined the public-health crisis he would confront after becoming this state’s chief executive.
As it continues to devastate the state, the coronavirus is exacerbating its severe financial woes while at the same time distracting public attention from the fallout of its bad habit of spending far more money than it has available.
To cover a massive shortfall, Pritzker announced last week that the state will borrow another $2 billion from the Federal Reserve’s Municipal Liquidity Facility. That’s on top of borrowing $1.2 billion from the fund in June.
The Fed’s fund, which will expire at the end of the year, was established to help states and municipalities address financial needs in the event they are unable to borrow in the traditional market.
The fact that Illinois is the only entity to take advantage of this option is just one indication of the state’s dire financial condition.
The additional $2 billion in borrowing is intended to cover shortfalls in revenue.
But there is more than one kind of shortfall here. Legislators have for years passed one deficit budget after another, and that was their plan again this year. However, the coronavirus pandemic that hit the nation in March severely complicated Illinois’ financial problems due to the economic freeze resulting from Pritzker’s lockdown. His subsequent modifications of that lockdown eased the problems but haven’t generated enough revenue to solve them.
As a consequence, Illinois is borrowing from Peter to pay Paul.
How so?
Pritzker expressed concern about borrowing from the Fed’s fund because he said it will “saddle our state with a large amount of short-term debt” that must be repaid.
“Our collection intention is to repay this line of credit as early as possible, after either the awarding of stimulus by Congress or a sufficient recovery of state revenues,” he said.
It seems clear Illinois’ economy is not going to come roaring back soon.
The University of Illinois Flash Index, a gauge of the state’s economy overseen by Professor J. Fred Giertz, was progressing nicely, but Giertz’s latest report said “progress stalled” in November.
The index revealed that equity markets are looking strong but that “the flash index is based on current results that do not reflect these expectations.”
That means that Pritzker is left depending on a federal bailout to pay back federal loans, all in the face of an estimated $4 billion budget deficit, $7 billion in unpaid bills and more than $300 billion in unfunded state pension and retiree health insurance obligations.
All those numbers add up to big trouble. As hard as it is to imagine, Illinois is closing out 2020 in even worse shape than it was at the beginning.
___
December 5, 2020
Sauk Valley Media
Response timeline for LaSalle Veterans Home COVID-19 outbreak questionable
Residing in an assisted living facility during a pandemic comes with risks. Even when staff members are practicing safety measures inside and outside the doors, no one lives in a bubble and can be 100% protected from COVID-19.
We’ve seen outbreaks at such facilities throughout the past nine months. All are terrifying and sad. Such as the case with the La Salle Veterans Home, which for the first eight months of the pandemic, had, to the staff’s credit, relatively few COVID-19 cases.
And then came November. As of Thursday, 30 La Salle Veterans Home residents – a quarter of the population – have died from complications related to COVID-19.
Nearly all the residents have tested positive, as well as about 100 staff members.
How did this happen? How do we stop it? What steps did the administration/staff take to control the outbreak? How do we prevent this from happening again? These are questions state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, is pushing to get answered. Rezin has been a strong advocate for residents and their families for weeks, pushing for legislative hearings, and just as importantly, talking and listening to residents’ families. She’s also heard from staff members looking for help and willing to provide a little insight, even after being told to keep quiet.
The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee finally met last week. Without reason, Rezin was not allowed to participate. To exclude the Senate’s point person in the district, someone who had already spent much time talking with constituents about the issue and likely had more inside information than any other legislator, is unacceptable.
Rezin continues to push for more hearings to get to the bottom of the outbreak. Last week’s hearing left more questions than answers, but did reveal reports documenting areas for immediate change, including replacing all nonalcohol-based hand sanitizers with alcohol-based sanitizers; testing residents and staff two times a week for COVID-19, rather than once a week; and requiring staff to follow strict personal protective equipment guidelines.
State officials pointed to a rise in community spread as a cause, but other veterans homes in areas with high infection rates weren’t seeing the same spikes in cases and deaths.
IDVA Director Linda Chapa LaVia said the agency is committed to a transparent review of the circumstances surrounding the outbreak and has adopted all recommendations from a number of agencies. Let’s hope that’s not just lip service.
And it’s puzzling that the IDPH’s site visit was on Nov. 13 – 12 days after the initial outbreak. Chapa LaVia said she believes the agency responded as quickly as it could. Rezin, and many others, including this editorial board, are unconvinced. In contrast, when the Quincy Veterans Home had a Legionnaires outbreak, the state conducted a site visit by day three.
The IDVA has asked for an independent investigation, which we fully support, if it’s truly independent. However, the timeline of the investigation could take anywhere between four and six months, which doesn’t help the outbreak raging at the home today.
The typical political timetable of examining a problem and conducting an investigation and producing a report months down the road is of little help. Yes, there needs to be an investigation, but action and answers are needed now.
“The Illinois Department of Public Health should have uncovered the problems detailed in the November 13 site visit report at the beginning of the outbreak, not two weeks into the deadliest outbreak seen at a state-run facility in Illinois history,” Rezin tweeted.
There’s still time to slow the outbreak, and hopefully some of the protocols pushed after the senate hearing last week are helping. The staff and residents deserve clear guidance, and proper oversight to ensure these homes are following the rules.
Our veterans deserve better.


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Los Angeles restaurants win court battle over coronavirus closures

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County ’ s health director acted “ arbitrarily ” and didn ’ t prove the danger to the public when she banned outdoor dining at restaurants as coronavirus cases surged last month , a judge ruled Tuesday in a case other businesses may use to try to overturn closures and restrictions .
The county failed to show that health benefits outweigh the negative economic effects before issuing the ban , Superior Court Judge James Chalfant wrote .
He also said the county did not offer evidence that outdoor dining presented a greater risk of spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weigh the benefits of an outdoor dining restriction against its costs , the county acted arbitrarily and its decision lacks a rational relationship to a legitimate end , ″ the judge wrote .
Chalfant limited the outdoor dining ban to three weeks and said once it expires Dec. 16 the Department of Public Health must conduct a risk-benefit analysis before trying to extend it .
It was the first victory for California restaurants challenging health orders that have crippled their industry .
But there was no immediate relief for LA county restaurant owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Gavin Newsom now is in effect .
The California Restaurant Association , which brought the lawsuit , had hoped the judge would lift the ban but still was pleased with the result .
“ I do think that this is gon na hold the county ’ s feet to the fire when they decide to close down an entire sector of economy , ” association lawyer Richard Schwartz said .
“ You can ’ t have a cure that ’ s worse than the disease.
” Chalfant ’ s ruling clears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation when Newsom ’ s order expires .
However , it ’ s not clear when that will happen since the governor ’ s order is in effect until “ at least ” Dec. 27 .
The association didn ’ t say if it would challenge the state order in court .
Lawyers for the county didn ’ t immediately respond to requests for comment .
Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have reached record levels in Los Angeles County and much of the rest of California .
LA County is the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a disproportionately large number of California ’ s cases , hospitalizations and deaths .
On Tuesday , the county recorded its 8,000th death .
It is now averaging about 9,000 additional cases a day , more than double what it was two weeks ago .
More than 30,000 restaurants in Los Angeles County were closed to diners for months after a statewide shutdown order in March relegated them to offering takeout .
They never fully recovered as they tried to navigate ever-changing regulations for reopening that eventually allowed dining on patios and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lots , sidewalks and blocked-off streets .
But as cases surged last month Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer cut the outdoor dining capacity in half and said it would be banned altogether if daily case counts exceeded 4,000 .
Ferrer didn ’ t anticipate the county hitting that number for weeks .
It instead took just a few days .
Now only takeout and delivery meals are allowed .
Cases continued to rise and after banning outdoor dining the county issued a stay-home order that included an overnight curfew and many more business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s order , which took effect Monday .
While some churches have prevailed in court on claims that health orders limiting religious services violate the Constitution , it ’ s been rare for businesses to win .
Restaurants and gyms in San Diego last month lost their effort to lift Newsom ’ s ban on indoor dining and workouts .
Those groups had challenged on grounds the governor didn ’ t have the data to back up the restrictions .
More challenges now are likely , said Robert Lapsley , president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire statewide business community was watching what was happening today because of its implications for the future , ” Lapsley said after Tuesday ’ s ruling .
“ The decision pierces the veil and provides some transparency .
Whole sectors of the economy face ruin based on judgment and not data.
” Los Angeles officials had claimed that eating without a mask raises the threat of transmission of the virus .
In a public meeting two weeks ago , a health officer cited a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from eating at a restaurant .
But the study only looked at dining indoors where the virus is known to spread more easily .
“ The best evidence is it ’ s not a significant risk , ” Chalfant said at a hearing last week .
“ And the county has acted inconsistently with the governor ’ s order , which , by the way , requires a risk-benefit analysis .
”

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County’s health director acted “arbitrarily” and didn’t prove the danger to the public when she banned outdoor dining at restaurants as coronavirus cases surged last month, a judge ruled Tuesday in a case other businesses may use to try to overturn closures and restrictions.
The county failed to show that health benefits outweigh the negative economic effects before issuing the ban, Superior Court Judge James Chalfant wrote. He also said the county did not offer evidence that outdoor dining presented a greater risk of spreading the virus.
“By failing to weigh the benefits of an outdoor dining restriction against its costs, the county acted arbitrarily and its decision lacks a rational relationship to a legitimate end,″ the judge wrote.
Chalfant limited the outdoor dining ban to three weeks and said once it expires Dec. 16 the Department of Public Health must conduct a risk-benefit analysis before trying to extend it.
It was the first victory for California restaurants challenging health orders that have crippled their industry. But there was no immediate relief for LA county restaurant owners because a more sweeping shutdown ordered by Gov. Gavin Newsom now is in effect.
The California Restaurant Association, which brought the lawsuit, had hoped the judge would lift the ban but still was pleased with the result.
“I do think that this is gonna hold the county’s feet to the fire when they decide to close down an entire sector of economy,” association lawyer Richard Schwartz said. “You can’t have a cure that’s worse than the disease.”
Chalfant’s ruling clears the way for restaurants to return to operation when Newsom’s order expires. However, it’s not clear when that will happen since the governor’s order is in effect until “at least” Dec. 27.
The association didn’t say if it would challenge the state order in court. Lawyers for the county didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have reached record levels in Los Angeles County and much of the rest of California. LA County is the state’s largest with some 10 million residents and has a disproportionately large number of California’s cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
On Tuesday, the county recorded its 8,000th death. It is now averaging about 9,000 additional cases a day, more than double what it was two weeks ago.
More than 30,000 restaurants in Los Angeles County were closed to diners for months after a statewide shutdown order in March relegated them to offering takeout. They never fully recovered as they tried to navigate ever-changing regulations for reopening that eventually allowed dining on patios and makeshift seating areas in alleys, parking lots, sidewalks and blocked-off streets.
But as cases surged last month Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer cut the outdoor dining capacity in half and said it would be banned altogether if daily case counts exceeded 4,000. Ferrer didn’t anticipate the county hitting that number for weeks. It instead took just a few days. Now only takeout and delivery meals are allowed.
Cases continued to rise and after banning outdoor dining the county issued a stay-home order that included an overnight curfew and many more business closures. It was superseded by Newsom’s order, which took effect Monday.
While some churches have prevailed in court on claims that health orders limiting religious services violate the Constitution, it’s been rare for businesses to win. Restaurants and gyms in San Diego last month lost their effort to lift Newsom’s ban on indoor dining and workouts.
Those groups had challenged on grounds the governor didn’t have the data to back up the restrictions. More challenges now are likely, said Robert Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable.
“The entire statewide business community was watching what was happening today because of its implications for the future,” Lapsley said after Tuesday’s ruling. “The decision pierces the veil and provides some transparency. Whole sectors of the economy face ruin based on judgment and not data.”
Los Angeles officials had claimed that eating without a mask raises the threat of transmission of the virus. In a public meeting two weeks ago, a health officer cited a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that showed twice the risk of contracting the virus from eating at a restaurant.
But the study only looked at dining indoors where the virus is known to spread more easily.
“The best evidence is it’s not a significant risk,” Chalfant said at a hearing last week. “And the county has acted inconsistently with the governor’s order, which, by the way, requires a risk-benefit analysis.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--Terry McAuliffe to announce run for Virginia governor

RICHMOND , Va. — Terry McAuliffe is trying to get his old job back .
The former Virginia governor is set to announce a formal bid for governor Wednesday morning in Richmond , according to a McAuliffe aide who was not authorized to speak publicly about the campaign .
McAuliffe , once best known as a top Democratic money man and close friend of Bill and Hillary Clinton ’ s , will enter an already crowded Democratic primary .
The governor ’ s race in Virginia will be one of the country ’ s marquee political contests next year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mood during President-elect Joe Biden ‘ s first year in office .
As governor , McAuliffe had a largely successful four-year term starting in 2014 that saw him tirelessly market the state , make major transportation deals and restore voting rights for thousands of convicted felons .
He stepped into the national spotlight as a leading liberal voice on certain social issues , winning kudos for undoing a vestige of the state ’ s Jim Crow era and restoring voting and other civil rights to felons who had completed their sentences .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white nationalists who sparked a deadly rally in Charlottesville in 2017 drew a sharp contrast with President Donald Trump ’ s shaky response to the violence .
But it ’ s unclear how broad his support is among Democratic primary voters today .
McAuliffe largely governed as a centrist and some of his business-friendly policies and actions as governor may alienate the party ’ s progressive wing .
And to win the Democratic nomination , McAuliffe would have to defeat three Black candidates who have said the state is ready for new leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black lawmaker who is set to serve as a co-chair for McAuliffe , said the state is facing “ desperate times ” amid the coronavirus pandemic and a faltering economy .
She said McAuliffe has proven he can fix things .
“ I want somebody that I know can deliver , ” Lucas said .
She added that McAuliffe plans to make improving public education the top priority of his campaign .
Virginia bars governors from seeking consecutive terms and McAuliffe left office at the start of 2018 .
He briefly flirted with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against it .
His set-to-be-announced candidacy has long been an open secret .
He ’ s been a major fundraiser for Democratic candidates in Virginia and filed paperwork to run in August but said no formal decision has been made .
Other announced Democratic candidates for governor include state Sen. Jennifer McClellan and Del .
Jennifer Carroll Foy , either of whom would be the nation ’ s first African American woman to lead a state .
Lt. Gov .
Justin Fairfax is also running .
On the Republican side , former House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s running for governor .
GOP state Sen. Amanda Chase has said she ’ s running as an independent .
Carroll Foy has been a frequent critic of McAuliffe , calling him a “ rich political insider with strong ties to the special interests ” in a statement Tuesday .
McAuliffe ‘ s record has plenty for his opponents to attack during the primary .
He supported a natural gas pipeline project bitterly opposed by environmentalists and his most notable tax policy proposal was to cut the corporate income tax rate , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his efforts to expand Medicaid .
McAuliffe also was the subject of a federal investigation looking at donations to his gubernatorial campaign , a probe that never produced any charges .
And an electric car company he once lead , which received millions of dollars in economic incentives from state and local officials to build a plant in Mississippi , faced criticism for falling well below expectations in production and job creation .
But McAuliffe is almost certain to be the race ’ s top fundraiser and has shored up support from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unofficial endorsement at a campaign rally in Norfolk in March , calling McAuliffe the “ once and future governor of Virginia .
”

RICHMOND, Va. — Terry McAuliffe is trying to get his old job back.
The former Virginia governor is set to announce a formal bid for governor Wednesday morning in Richmond, according to a McAuliffe aide who was not authorized to speak publicly about the campaign.
McAuliffe, once best known as a top Democratic money man and close friend of Bill and Hillary Clinton’s, will enter an already crowded Democratic primary. The governor’s race in Virginia will be one of the country’s marquee political contests next year, serving as a barometer of the public mood during President-elect Joe Biden’s first year in office.
As governor, McAuliffe had a largely successful four-year term starting in 2014 that saw him tirelessly market the state, make major transportation deals and restore voting rights for thousands of convicted felons. He stepped into the national spotlight as a leading liberal voice on certain social issues, winning kudos for undoing a vestige of the state’s Jim Crow era and restoring voting and other civil rights to felons who had completed their sentences.
And McAuliffe’s blunt criticism of the white nationalists who sparked a deadly rally in Charlottesville in 2017 drew a sharp contrast with President Donald Trump’s shaky response to the violence.
But it’s unclear how broad his support is among Democratic primary voters today. McAuliffe largely governed as a centrist and some of his business-friendly policies and actions as governor may alienate the party’s progressive wing.
And to win the Democratic nomination, McAuliffe would have to defeat three Black candidates who have said the state is ready for new leadership.
Sen. Louise Lucas, a powerful Black lawmaker who is set to serve as a co-chair for McAuliffe, said the state is facing “desperate times” amid the coronavirus pandemic and a faltering economy. She said McAuliffe has proven he can fix things.
“I want somebody that I know can deliver,” Lucas said.
She added that McAuliffe plans to make improving public education the top priority of his campaign.
Virginia bars governors from seeking consecutive terms and McAuliffe left office at the start of 2018. He briefly flirted with a presidential run last year but decided against it.
His set-to-be-announced candidacy has long been an open secret. He’s been a major fundraiser for Democratic candidates in Virginia and filed paperwork to run in August but said no formal decision has been made.
Other announced Democratic candidates for governor include state Sen. Jennifer McClellan and Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, either of whom would be the nation’s first African American woman to lead a state. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax is also running.
On the Republican side, former House Speaker Kirk Cox has announced he’s running for governor. GOP state Sen. Amanda Chase has said she’s running as an independent.
Carroll Foy has been a frequent critic of McAuliffe, calling him a “rich political insider with strong ties to the special interests” in a statement Tuesday.
McAuliffe’s record has plenty for his opponents to attack during the primary. He supported a natural gas pipeline project bitterly opposed by environmentalists and his most notable tax policy proposal was to cut the corporate income tax rate, an idea that a GOP-held legislature rejected along with his efforts to expand Medicaid.
McAuliffe also was the subject of a federal investigation looking at donations to his gubernatorial campaign, a probe that never produced any charges. And an electric car company he once lead, which received millions of dollars in economic incentives from state and local officials to build a plant in Mississippi, faced criticism for falling well below expectations in production and job creation.
But McAuliffe is almost certain to be the race’s top fundraiser and has shored up support from many key lawmakers. Biden even gave an unofficial endorsement at a campaign rally in Norfolk in March, calling McAuliffe the “once and future governor of Virginia.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-08--DoorDash sets share price at $102 ahead of Wednesday IPO

DoorDash has priced its shares at $ 102 apiece heading into its stock market debut Wednesday , valuing the 7-year-old food delivery company at nearly $ 39 billion .
The price was higher than the company ’ s most recent target price of $ 90 to $ 95 a share , reflecting investor enthusiasm for the initial public offering .
The San Francisco-based company raised $ 3.4 billion in its offering .
Starting Wednesday morning , DoorDash will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DASH .
DoorDash was founded in 2013 , when CEO Tony Xu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up a website and posted local menus .
Customers have placed more than 900 million orders since then .
It now offers delivery from 390,000 merchants in the U.S. , Canada and Australia .
Powering that service are 1 million independent delivery drivers .
DoorDash was already growing before the pandemic thanks to customers ’ growing preference for dining at home .
Its revenue more than tripled to $ 885 million between 2018 and 2019 .
But lockdown orders and the closure of indoor dining have made DoorDash indispensable for many restaurants and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of $ 1.9 billion in the first nine months of 2020 alone .
DoorDash pulled ahead of its rivals by focusing on suburbs and smaller cities .
It now controls 50 % of the U.S. food delivery market .
Its chief rival , Uber Eats , controls 26 % , while GrubHub controls 16 % .
Despite its market dominance , DoorDash has yet to post an annual profit .
It had a net loss of $ 667 million in 2019 and lost $ 149 million in the first nine months of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of $ 23 million in the second quarter this year , but followed that with a $ 43 million loss in the third quarter .
In federal filings , DoorDash warned that its sales growth may not continue at the same pace once the pandemic subsides .

DoorDash has priced its shares at $102 apiece heading into its stock market debut Wednesday, valuing the 7-year-old food delivery company at nearly $39 billion.
The price was higher than the company’s most recent target price of $90 to $95 a share, reflecting investor enthusiasm for the initial public offering.
The San Francisco-based company raised $3.4 billion in its offering. Starting Wednesday morning, DoorDash will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DASH.
DoorDash was founded in 2013, when CEO Tony Xu and some classmates at Stanford University set up a website and posted local menus. Customers have placed more than 900 million orders since then.
It now offers delivery from 390,000 merchants in the U.S., Canada and Australia. Powering that service are 1 million independent delivery drivers.
DoorDash was already growing before the pandemic thanks to customers’ growing preference for dining at home. Its revenue more than tripled to $885 million between 2018 and 2019.
But lockdown orders and the closure of indoor dining have made DoorDash indispensable for many restaurants and diners this year. DoorDash reported revenue of $1.9 billion in the first nine months of 2020 alone.
DoorDash pulled ahead of its rivals by focusing on suburbs and smaller cities. It now controls 50% of the U.S. food delivery market. Its chief rival, Uber Eats, controls 26%, while GrubHub controls 16%.
Despite its market dominance, DoorDash has yet to post an annual profit. It had a net loss of $667 million in 2019 and lost $149 million in the first nine months of 2020. The company did turn a profit of $23 million in the second quarter this year, but followed that with a $43 million loss in the third quarter.
In federal filings, DoorDash warned that its sales growth may not continue at the same pace once the pandemic subsides.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Gone-olith: Mystery 10-foot pillar in Germany destroyed

BERLIN ( AP ) - A mysterious 3-meter ( 10-foot ) tall metal pillar that appeared on a field near @ @ @ @ @ Sulzbach over the weekend has been reduced to scrap .
German news agency dpa reports @ @ @ @ @ of many so-called monoliths that have appeared without explanation around the world in recent weeks @ @ @ @ @ persons late Tuesday .
It quoted a local official in Sulzbach saying Wednesday that the @ @ @ @ @ to a junkyard to avoid endangering passers-by .
A large wooden sculpture of a more @ @ @ @ @ was then swiftly replaced in Bavaria , causing mirth and a flurry of headlines worldwide @

BERLIN (AP) - A mysterious 3-meter (10-foot) tall metal pillar that appeared on a field near the central German town of Sulzbach over the weekend has been reduced to scrap.
German news agency dpa reports that the pillar, one of many so-called monoliths that have appeared without explanation around the world in recent weeks, was destroyed by unknown persons late Tuesday.
It quoted a local official in Sulzbach saying Wednesday that the debris has already been taken to a junkyard to avoid endangering passers-by.
A large wooden sculpture of a more profane nature recently disappeared and was then swiftly replaced in Bavaria, causing mirth and a flurry of headlines worldwide.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--AP's top albums of 2020: Toni Braxton, Teyana Taylor, JoJo

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The top 10 albums of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu ( a playlist of the albums can be found here ) : 1 .
Toni Braxton , “ Spell My Name ” : I can breathe again , thanks in part to the living legend Toni Braxton .
2020 was a hot mess , and one way to escape the madness was through music .
“ Spell My Name , ” her 10th album , was released in August while we were in the thick of pandemic woes and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say : You mean the world to me .
In my home , it ’ s been playing seven whole days a week since its release .
I don ’ t want to turn it off .
Listen up , and just let it flow .
With guest appearances from rap genius Missy Elliott , songwriting saint Babyface and guitar slayer H.E.R.
, let Toni un-break your heart with another sad love song after another sad love song on this epic 10-track set - but don ’ t worry , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an already sad year sadder .
Instead , it ’ s classic R & B ; music led by a veteran singer who knows how to beautifully emote direct and strong lyrics on her songs .
On “ Do It , ” she sings about how he wasn ’ t man enough .
On past hits she sang about why love shoulda brought you home , but now - on songs like “ Saturday Night ” and “ Got ta Move On ” - she ’ s the one calling the shots and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And on “ Dance , ” she brings the heat with a song so perfect for BBQs and family reunions ( wait till social distancing is over people !
!
!
! )
How many ways can I say it ?
It ’ s no secret , “ Spell My Name ” is the No .
1 of the year .
2 .
Teyana Taylor , “ The Album ” : R & B ; princess Teyana Taylor boldly named her latest release “ The Album ” and she has reason to .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a groovy and heartfelt 23-song adventure through the mind of a woman experiencing life ’ s highs and lows .
Her voice is piercing , her lyrics are striking , and the beats are both familiar and refreshing .
With a heavy hand for sampling first-class R & B ; jams , Taylor has perfectly learned how to borrow from a song but still stand in front of it .
3 .
Ingrid Andress , “ Lady Like ” : A breakthrough country singer with a sharp pen , Ingrid Andress ’ “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the feels - much like Kacey Musgraves ’ groundbreaking “ Golden Hour.
” 4 .
Chloe x Halle , “ Ungodly Hour ” : From “ Do It ” to “ Busy Boy , ” Chloe x Halle let their hair down on their sophomore album , taking us from the lounge to the club .
5 .
JoJo , “ good to know ” : Vocal beast JoJo pours all of her emotions on “ good to know , ” making a superb album that ’ s good to listen to now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Springsteen , “ Letter to You ” : Opening up about his friends who have died , Springsteen ’ s voice is beautifully aching and gritty on this excellent rock album that screams PLAY ME LIVE !
7 .
Tiwa Savage , “ Celia ” : Nigerian superstar Tiwa Savage proves why she ’ s the Queen of Afrobeats on “ Celia , ” a daredevil album with addictive tracks like “ Koroba , ” “ Attention , ” “ Dangerous Love , ” “ Ole , ” “ Park Well ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith .
Savage moves to the beat of her own drum , and listening to this batch of bops will induce your body to do the same .
9 .
Victoria Monét , “ JAGUAR ” : Victoria Monét has helped everyone from Ariana Grande to Chloe x Halle with her songwriting skills , but it ’ s time the attention turns to her own albums .
Monét ’ s 2018 EP , “ Life After Love , Pt .
2 , ” was a masterpiece , and she followed it up this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” is a contemporary R & B ; showpiece and proves there ’ s more to come from Monét .
10 .
Ellie Goulding , “ Brightest Blue ” : Ellie Goulding ’ s first three albums explored different sounds but none of them missed a beat , and her fourth release is no different .
Dripping with emotion , the tracks that make up “ Brightest Blue ” are bold and brave , and anchored by Goulding ’ s breathtaking , airy vocal style .
Singing the blues never sounded so good @

NEW YORK (AP) - The top 10 albums of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu (a playlist of the albums can be found here ):
1. Toni Braxton, “Spell My Name”: I can breathe again, thanks in part to the living legend Toni Braxton. 2020 was a hot mess, and one way to escape the madness was through music. “Spell My Name,” her 10th album, was released in August while we were in the thick of pandemic woes and other worldly issues. To this album I say: You mean the world to me. In my home, it’s been playing seven whole days a week since its release. I don’t want to turn it off. Listen up, and just let it flow.
With guest appearances from rap genius Missy Elliott, songwriting saint Babyface and guitar slayer H.E.R., let Toni un-break your heart with another sad love song after another sad love song on this epic 10-track set - but don’t worry, it’s not a depressing album that will make an already sad year sadder. Instead, it’s classic R&B music led by a veteran singer who knows how to beautifully emote direct and strong lyrics on her songs. On “Do It,” she sings about how he wasn’t man enough. On past hits she sang about why love shoulda brought you home, but now - on songs like “Saturday Night” and “Gotta Move On” - she’s the one calling the shots and breaking free from the bad guys. And on “Dance,” she brings the heat with a song so perfect for BBQs and family reunions (wait till social distancing is over people!!!!)
How many ways can I say it? It’s no secret, “Spell My Name” is the No. 1 of the year.
2. Teyana Taylor, “The Album”: R&B princess Teyana Taylor boldly named her latest release “The Album” and she has reason to. The project, her third, is a groovy and heartfelt 23-song adventure through the mind of a woman experiencing life’s highs and lows. Her voice is piercing, her lyrics are striking, and the beats are both familiar and refreshing. With a heavy hand for sampling first-class R&B jams, Taylor has perfectly learned how to borrow from a song but still stand in front of it.
3. Ingrid Andress, “Lady Like”: A breakthrough country singer with a sharp pen, Ingrid Andress’ “Lady Like” will give you all the feels - much like Kacey Musgraves’ groundbreaking “Golden Hour.”
4. Chloe x Halle, “Ungodly Hour”: From “Do It” to “Busy Boy,” Chloe x Halle let their hair down on their sophomore album, taking us from the lounge to the club.
5. JoJo, “good to know”: Vocal beast JoJo pours all of her emotions on “good to know,” making a superb album that’s good to listen to now, and later.
6. Bruce Springsteen, “Letter to You”: Opening up about his friends who have died, Springsteen’s voice is beautifully aching and gritty on this excellent rock album that screams PLAY ME LIVE!
7. Tiwa Savage, “Celia”: Nigerian superstar Tiwa Savage proves why she’s the Queen of Afrobeats on “Celia,” a daredevil album with addictive tracks like “Koroba,” “Attention,” “Dangerous Love,” “Ole,” “Park Well” and “Temptation,” which features Sam Smith. Savage moves to the beat of her own drum, and listening to this batch of bops will induce your body to do the same.
8. Taylor Swift, “folklore”: A fearless album from a five-star songwriter.
9. Victoria Monét, “JAGUAR”: Victoria Monét has helped everyone from Ariana Grande to Chloe x Halle with her songwriting skills, but it’s time the attention turns to her own albums. Monét’s 2018 EP, “Life After Love, Pt. 2,” was a masterpiece, and she followed it up this year with another knockout. “JAGUAR” is a contemporary R&B showpiece and proves there’s more to come from Monét.
10. Ellie Goulding, “Brightest Blue”: Ellie Goulding’s first three albums explored different sounds but none of them missed a beat, and her fourth release is no different. Dripping with emotion, the tracks that make up “Brightest Blue” are bold and brave, and anchored by Goulding’s breathtaking, airy vocal style. Singing the blues never sounded so good.