washingtontimes--2020-12-04--AP PHOTOS: As pandemic rages, the faithful mourn, carry on

Relief may be on the way in the form of mass-produced vaccines , but COVID-19 continues to ravage communities around the world with the global death toll reaching some 1.5 million , leaving the living to mourn them and carry on .
At a Spanish mortuary , three red roses and a wooden cross graced the plain coffin of a person killed by the coronavirus before it was taken for cremation .
On the outskirts of the Iranian capital , Tehran , masked mourners prayed over the body of another victim as they stood beneath the swooping arches of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with the pandemic .
And in Montenegro , the body of Bishop Amfilohije of the Serbian Orthodox Church lay in an open-casket mass funeral in the capital ’ s ornate main temple after he contracted the virus and died .
Even as the dead are honored , the celebration of rites , rituals and traditions often emphasizes protecting the living through social distancing .
In Sedro-Wooley , Washington , the Garcia sisters eschewed their usual Thanksgiving feast attended by dozens , instead delivering food to relatives spread along 30 miles of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separately in their own homes while joining a group phone call .
From religious services in honor of St. Andrew in the Romanian village of Ion Corvin ; to an Indian woman who prayed over a grave on All Souls ’ Day in Kolkata ; to Ethiopian Orthodox Christians who lit candles to ask for peace ; many wore face coverings to try to prevent the virus ’ spread .
Masks were also the rule at an interfaith gathering near New York ’ s Washington Square Park , as Buddhists , Jews , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a show of post-election solidarity ; they were less common at protests by supporters of President Donald Trump , such as one outside the Michigan State Capitol where a woman held a large crucifix aloft while praying with fellow demonstrators .
These and more are among the AP ’ s top faith-related images from November .

Relief may be on the way in the form of mass-produced vaccines, but COVID-19 continues to ravage communities around the world with the global death toll reaching some 1.5 million, leaving the living to mourn them and carry on.
At a Spanish mortuary, three red roses and a wooden cross graced the plain coffin of a person killed by the coronavirus before it was taken for cremation.
On the outskirts of the Iranian capital, Tehran, masked mourners prayed over the body of another victim as they stood beneath the swooping arches of a cemetery that’s struggling to keep up with the pandemic.
And in Montenegro, the body of Bishop Amfilohije of the Serbian Orthodox Church lay in an open-casket mass funeral in the capital’s ornate main temple after he contracted the virus and died.
Even as the dead are honored, the celebration of rites, rituals and traditions often emphasizes protecting the living through social distancing.
In Sedro-Wooley, Washington, the Garcia sisters eschewed their usual Thanksgiving feast attended by dozens, instead delivering food to relatives spread along 30 miles of the North Cascades Highway for them to dine separately in their own homes while joining a group phone call.
From religious services in honor of St. Andrew in the Romanian village of Ion Corvin; to an Indian woman who prayed over a grave on All Souls’ Day in Kolkata; to Ethiopian Orthodox Christians who lit candles to ask for peace; many wore face coverings to try to prevent the virus’ spread.
Masks were also the rule at an interfaith gathering near New York’s Washington Square Park, as Buddhists, Jews, Muslims and Christians sang and prayed in a show of post-election solidarity; they were less common at protests by supporters of President Donald Trump, such as one outside the Michigan State Capitol where a woman held a large crucifix aloft while praying with fellow demonstrators.
These and more are among the AP’s top faith-related images from November.
___
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washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Daddy Yankee achieves new balance, readies for his comeback

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A year after a series of concerts in Puerto Rico that ended up being his last because of the pandemic , Daddy Yankee is bringing those performances to YouTube as a Christmas gift to his fans around the globe .
“ DY2K20 , ” the digital version of his show “ Con Calma Pal ’ Choli , ” will be released in three parts on Yankee ’ s YouTube channel , with the first installment released Friday .
The others will drop on Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 , respectively .
“ I wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my fans during the pandemic , bring the party to their homes free of charge , bring them joy in such difficult times , ” the reggaeton star told The Associated Press in a phone interview from Miami .
Yankee , who has stayed mostly out of the spotlight in 2020 , said that while the pandemic has hit many very hard , it has also allowed him to do something he hadn ’ t done in three decades : Focus on his health and rest .
It ’ s something he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( almost 20 kilos ) during the first months of quarantine .
“ Maybe because of the anxiety… I started eating and eating and eating and I put on the pounds like never before .
I got to weigh 230 pounds ( 105 kilos ) … But I recovered my normal weight from 10 years ago .
That was my focus , ” said the “ Despacito ” and “ Gasolina ” singer , who said he achieved his goal by watching what he ate and exercising , a lot .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something that was unknown to me , which was rest , ” he said .
“ I started to learn how to live with calmness and to appreciate it… And I feel different , I feel in a new phase completely.
” Now that he gained some balance in his life , he feels ready to reactivate his career .
In addition to the “ DY2K20 ” release , he has another surprise for his fans : A new music collaboration he will release in the coming days , although he wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said he was blessed to finally share with the world the footage of a show staged at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot , which involved over 80 people who worked with “ great passion , great creativity.
” It was well-received , going from two scheduled dates to a full residence , with 12 sold-out shows , or 170,000 tickets .
What many don ’ t know is that a technical problem on opening night resulted in a new business opportunity : Massive concerts in the daylight hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island .
After getting stuck on a platform over the stage , Yankee announced to the audience that he would give them an extra show for free , and it was a matinee .
He adjusted the content to make it family friendly , and ended up doing one more that way .
Another unique aspect of “ Con Calma Pal ’ Choli , ” which featured artists like Ozuna , Wisin & Yandel and Nicky Jam , was the use of holograms to replace those who weren ’ t there to perform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be gigantic , on people ’ s faces , so the audience could feel that they were in front of them and we achieved that , ” Yankee said .
“ It was a concert that became a residence , like if Las Vegas had moved to Puerto Rico .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - A year after a series of concerts in Puerto Rico that ended up being his last because of the pandemic, Daddy Yankee is bringing those performances to YouTube as a Christmas gift to his fans around the globe.
“DY2K20,” the digital version of his show “Con Calma Pal’ Choli,” will be released in three parts on Yankee’s YouTube channel, with the first installment out Friday. The others will drop on Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, respectively.
“I wanted to give a Christmas present to all my fans during the pandemic, bring the party to their homes free of charge, bring them joy in such difficult times,” the reggaeton star told The Associated Press in a phone interview from Miami.
Yankee, who has stayed mostly out of the spotlight in 2020, said that while the pandemic has hit many very hard, it has also allowed him to do something he hadn’t done in three decades: Focus on his health and rest.
It’s something he had to gradually learn after gaining 40 pounds (almost 20 kilos) during the first months of quarantine.
“Maybe because of the anxiety… I started eating and eating and eating and I put on the pounds like never before. I got to weigh 230 pounds (105 kilos) … But I recovered my normal weight from 10 years ago. That was my focus,” said the “Despacito” and “Gasolina” singer, adding he achieved his goal by watching what he ate and exercising, a lot.
“I devoted myself to my health and to something that was unknown to me, which was rest,” he said. “I started to learn how to live with calmness and to appreciate it… And I feel different, I feel in a new phase completely.”
Now that he gained some balance in his life, he feels ready to reactivate his career. In addition to “DY2K20,” he has another surprise for his fans: A new music collaboration he will release in the coming days, although he wouldn’t provide details yet.
For now, he said he was blessed to finally share with the world the footage of a show staged at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, which involved over 80 people who worked with “great passion, great creativity.” It was well-received, going from two scheduled dates to a full residence, with 12 sold-out shows, or 170,000 tickets.
What many don’t know is that a technical problem on opening night resulted in a new business opportunity: Massive concerts in the daylight hours, something never seen before on the island.
After getting stuck on a platform over the stage, Yankee announced to the audience that he would give them an extra show for free, and it was a matinee. He adjusted the content to make it family friendly, and ended up doing one more that way.
Another unique aspect of “Con Calma Pal’ Choli,” which featured artists like Ozuna, Wisin & Yandel and Nicky Jam, was the use of holograms to replace those who weren’t there to perform live.
“I wanted the artists to be gigantic, on people’s faces, so the audience could feel that they were in front of them and we achieved that,” Yankee said. “It was a concert that became a residence, like if Las Vegas had moved to Puerto Rico.”
___
Follow Sigal Ratner-Arias on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sigalratner.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Bighorn sheep could be in danger from domestic sheep

OKANOGAN , Wash. ( AP ) - Bighorn sheep in central Washington could be in danger if domestic sheep continue to graze nearby .
That ’ s the concern from two groups suing the U.S. Forest Service .
Domestic sheep or goats can pass a deadly bacteria to bighorns , the Northwest News Network reported .
Environmental groups WildEarth Guardians and the Western Watersheds Project say that ’ s why there ’ s cause for concern in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest , where around half of Washington ’ s bighorns roam the landscape .
Greg Dyson , with WildEarth Guardians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Forest the “ hotspot for bighorns in the state of Washington.
” “ I ’ ve worked on bighorn issues for 15 years , and I ’ ve not seen anything that ’ s this bad in a long time , ” Dyson said .
“ In terms of on-going issues in the West , this is it .
This is the worst situation , ” Dyson said .
The rugged spots of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest makes up some of the best habitat for bighorn sheep in Washington .
The east @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to seven domestic sheep grazing allotments .
The mingling of the two could spell trouble for four bighorn herds , the conservation groups say .
If bighorn sheep interact with domestic animals , they could contract a deadly bacteria , Mycoplasma ovipneumonia , or M. Ovi for short .
The bacteria causes pneumonia that is often fatal for bighorns .
M. Ovi doesn ’ t normally harm their domestic-raised counterparts .
Infected sheep can be seen coughing or have difficulty running or climbing .
If a female bighorn survives , she can pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 10 years .
That can greatly reduce herd numbers .
There is no cure or vaccine .
“ Every year you see these ewes are giving birth , and the lambs aren ’ t surviving .
It ’ s just the most heartbreaking thing you ’ ve ever seen , ” Dyson said .
That ’ s been the case this year in some of Oregon ’ s bighorn heards near Baker City .
All lambs in the Lookout Mountain herd have died .
The adult deaths have tapered off , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biologists have seen the same strain of M. Ovi spread between two herds , across Interstate-84 .
The herds are usually around 10 miles apart .
Nasal swabs collected by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation show the strain isn ’ t related to an earlier outbreak among herds in Hells Canyon .
Washington has also seen its share of wildlife infections .
In 2013 , an entire herd was removed in central Washington after an outbreak .
Wildlife managers hoped removing the Tieton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herd , where a bighorn sheep and lamb have tested positive this year .
A hunter spotted the dead lamb and others that were acting lethargic .
The source of the bacteria hasn ’ t been determined .
Washington ’ s Department of Fish and Wildlife isn ’ t planning on euthanizing any of the herd at this time .
They will collect lungs and nasal swab samples from hunters this season .
In Kittitas County , Washington , a domestic ewe was spotted with several wild rams in the Quilomene bighorn sheep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ M. Ovi .
Several bighorns were euthanized to prevent a large-scale outbreak .
They later tested negative for the bacteria .
WDFW officials said they are on “ high alert for any abnormal behavior ” in the herd .
Biologists don ’ t think the two strains are related .
The two herds are separated by about 40 miles .
Bighorn sheep were extirpated from Washington by the mid-1920s , mostly because of the spread of pathogens causing pneumonia from domestic herds .
Though overhunting and habitat loss also contributed to their demise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now designated a “ species of greatest conservation need ” in the state .
Bighorn rams can travel up to 20 miles during breeding season .
That ’ s good for genetic diversity , not so good for disease containment , Dyson says .
“ The young rams , in particular , go on these amazing forays .
We ’ ve tracked them across Hells Canyon , 15 air-miles or more .
That ’ s pretty rugged country to be going out and looking for a date , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the conservation groups suing the federal government say you can ’ t have both wild and domestic sheep in the same area .
Conservation groups have successfully sued to stop domestic sheep grazing in Idaho .
The current lawsuit over the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest says : “ The Forest Service relied on a ‘ risk of contact ’ model that it developed to analyze the risk of the two species coming into contact based on habitat , the location of bighorn home ranges , and the potential for bighorn sheep forays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can not comment on pending litigation .
Last year , the Forest Service began an environmental analysis for a species-specific forest plan in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest .
The plan would minimize domestic sheep and goat grazing and wild bighorns .
No existing grazing allotments would be changed with the project , according to a 2019 Forest Service news release .
Right now , there are several measures to reduce contact .
They include : “ Requiring experienced sheepherders on allotments located near bighorn sheep habitat ; conducting full counts of domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grazing ; trucking in water if needed to reduce straying ; and reporting of stray or missing domestic sheep and any wild sheep and domestic sheep interactions , ” according to the Federal Register .
Environmental groups say the process is taking too long .
It ’ s time the bighorn sheep don ’ t have – every year is another risk for the disease , Dyson says .
“ We ’ ve been trying to get the Forest Service to deal with this for years , and they keep saying , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start this process , and we ’ re about to start that process.
’ They never do .
They just keep putting it off , ” Dyson said .
Washington wildlife managers ask anyone who notices coughing or abnormal behaviors in wild sheep to contact WDFW immediately .

OKANOGAN, Wash. (AP) - Bighorn sheep in central Washington could be in danger if domestic sheep continue to graze nearby. That’s the concern from two groups suing the U.S. Forest Service.
Domestic sheep or goats can pass a deadly bacteria to bighorns, the Northwest News Network reported.
Environmental groups WildEarth Guardians and the Western Watersheds Project say that’s why there’s cause for concern in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, where around half of Washington’s bighorns roam the landscape.
Greg Dyson, with WildEarth Guardians, calls the situation in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest the “hotspot for bighorns in the state of Washington.”
“I’ve worked on bighorn issues for 15 years, and I’ve not seen anything that’s this bad in a long time,” Dyson said. “In terms of on-going issues in the West, this is it. This is the worst situation,” Dyson said.
The rugged spots of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest makes up some of the best habitat for bighorn sheep in Washington. The east side of the forest is also home to seven domestic sheep grazing allotments.
The mingling of the two could spell trouble for four bighorn herds, the conservation groups say. If bighorn sheep interact with domestic animals, they could contract a deadly bacteria, Mycoplasma ovipneumonia, or M. Ovi for short.
The bacteria causes pneumonia that is often fatal for bighorns. M. Ovi doesn’t normally harm their domestic-raised counterparts. Infected sheep can be seen coughing or have difficulty running or climbing.
If a female bighorn survives, she can pass the pneumonia to her lambs for up to 10 years. That can greatly reduce herd numbers. There is no cure or vaccine.
“Every year you see these ewes are giving birth, and the lambs aren’t surviving. It’s just the most heartbreaking thing you’ve ever seen,” Dyson said.
That’s been the case this year in some of Oregon’s bighorn heards near Baker City. All lambs in the Lookout Mountain herd have died. The adult deaths have tapered off, but the disease appears to be spreading.
Biologists have seen the same strain of M. Ovi spread between two herds, across Interstate-84. The herds are usually around 10 miles apart.
Nasal swabs collected by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation show the strain isn’t related to an earlier outbreak among herds in Hells Canyon.
Washington has also seen its share of wildlife infections.
In 2013, an entire herd was removed in central Washington after an outbreak. Wildlife managers hoped removing the Tieton herd could protect the nearby Cleman Mountain herd, where a bighorn sheep and lamb have tested positive this year. A hunter spotted the dead lamb and others that were acting lethargic.
The source of the bacteria hasn’t been determined. Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife isn’t planning on euthanizing any of the herd at this time. They will collect lungs and nasal swab samples from hunters this season.
In Kittitas County, Washington, a domestic ewe was spotted with several wild rams in the Quilomene bighorn sheep herd. The ewe tested positive for M. Ovi. Several bighorns were euthanized to prevent a large-scale outbreak. They later tested negative for the bacteria.
WDFW officials said they are on “high alert for any abnormal behavior” in the herd.
Biologists don’t think the two strains are related. The two herds are separated by about 40 miles.
Bighorn sheep were extirpated from Washington by the mid-1920s, mostly because of the spread of pathogens causing pneumonia from domestic herds. Though overhunting and habitat loss also contributed to their demise. Bighorns were reintroduced in Washington and are now designated a “species of greatest conservation need” in the state.
Bighorn rams can travel up to 20 miles during breeding season. That’s good for genetic diversity, not so good for disease containment, Dyson says.
“The young rams, in particular, go on these amazing forays. We’ve tracked them across Hells Canyon, 15 air-miles or more. That’s pretty rugged country to be going out and looking for a date,” he said.
It may make for good grazing habitat, but the conservation groups suing the federal government say you can’t have both wild and domestic sheep in the same area.
Conservation groups have successfully sued to stop domestic sheep grazing in Idaho.
The current lawsuit over the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest says: “The Forest Service relied on a ‘risk of contact’ model that it developed to analyze the risk of the two species coming into contact based on habitat, the location of bighorn home ranges, and the potential for bighorn sheep forays onto allotments.”
Forest Service officials say they cannot comment on pending litigation.
Last year, the Forest Service began an environmental analysis for a species-specific forest plan in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The plan would minimize domestic sheep and goat grazing and wild bighorns. No existing grazing allotments would be changed with the project, according to a 2019 Forest Service news release.
Right now, there are several measures to reduce contact. They include: “Requiring experienced sheepherders on allotments located near bighorn sheep habitat; conducting full counts of domestic sheep when trailing and regularly during general grazing; trucking in water if needed to reduce straying; and reporting of stray or missing domestic sheep and any wild sheep and domestic sheep interactions,” according to the Federal Register.
Environmental groups say the process is taking too long. It’s time the bighorn sheep don’t have – every year is another risk for the disease, Dyson says.
“We’ve been trying to get the Forest Service to deal with this for years, and they keep saying, ‘Oh, we’re about to start this process, and we’re about to start that process.’ They never do. They just keep putting it off,” Dyson said.
Washington wildlife managers ask anyone who notices coughing or abnormal behaviors in wild sheep to contact WDFW immediately.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Pedestrian in suburban St. Louis parking lot fatally hit

FENTON , Mo .
( AP ) - A man died after being hit by a car in a suburban @ @ @ @ @ police there said .
The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. Thursday in a strip mall @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The man was rushed to a hospital , where he later died @ @ @ @ @ release the name of the man killed or other details about the crash .
The @ @ @ @ @ crash has cooperated with police , police said .

FENTON, Mo. (AP) - A man died after being hit by a car in a suburban St. Louis parking lot, police there said.
The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. Thursday in a strip mall parking lot in Fenton, police said. The man was rushed to a hospital, where he later died.
Police did not immediately release the name of the man killed or other details about the crash. The driver involved in the fatal crash has cooperated with police, police said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Sununu: GOP lawmakers should've told Dems about infections

A GOP caucus meeting that resulted in at least four lawmakers testing positive for the coronavirus was “ horribly managed , ” but lawmakers , not public health officials , should have alerted Democrats , Republican Gov .
Chris Sununu said .
Democrats learned of the Nov. 20 meeting held indoors at McIntyre ski area on Tuesday , the day before the Legislature was to be sworn-in at the University of New Hampshire .
“ It was horribly managed , ” Sununu said Thursday when asked about the caucus meeting .
There was an open buffet at the gathering , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participants were not wearing masks or socially distancing , he said .
The Department of Health and Human Services conducted contact tracing to alert lawmakers who were in close contact with their infected colleagues , and a letter went out to the rest of the GOP members , he said .
Republican leaders should have also notified Democrats , he said .
“ It was badly managed from the beginning , and communication should ’ ve been much better , ” he said .
Many Democrats skipped Wednesday ’ s session over concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by phone the next day .

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Jury trials and grand jury meetings scheduled for January in four county courthouses have been canceled because of rising COVID-19 infection rates and limited air circulation in the buildings.
The decision affects the courthouses in Newport, Strafford, Laconia and Nashua, said Superior Court Chief Justice Tina Nadeau. Ventilation in those buildings is adequate for smaller, necessary in-person hearings, she said, and video and telephone hearings will continue as well.
“Cancelling these cases is a difficult decision, and it was made to ensure the continued health and safety of jurors, court staff, and parties to these cases,” she said in a statement.
Trials and grand jury proceedings will continue in other counties with lower infection rates and better ventilated courthouses.
In other coronavirus developments:
NATIONAL GUARD ACTIVATION:
Members of the state’s Democratic congressional delegation said Friday they are glad President Donald Trump has extended the activation of the New Hampshire National Guard to help respond to the coronavirus pandemic but his refusal to fully fund it is unacceptable.
The activation has been extended through March 31, 2021, but since August, the state has only been reimbursed 75%.
“We are witnessing record-high cases, hospitalizations and deaths – now is not the time to shortchange support for the Guard’s response efforts, which include staffing testing sites, conducting voluntary contact tracing, distributing medical supplies, and preparing for its upcoming mission to assist with vaccine distribution,” said Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, and Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas.
INFECTED LAWMAKERS
A GOP caucus meeting that resulted in at least four lawmakers testing positive for the coronavirus was “horribly managed,” but lawmakers, not public health officials, should have alerted Democrats, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu said.
Democrats learned of the Nov. 20 meeting held indoors at McIntyre ski area on Tuesday, the day before the Legislature was to be sworn-in at the University of New Hampshire.
“It was horribly managed,” Sununu said Thursday when asked about the caucus meeting. There was an open buffet at the gathering, and “a lot” of the participants were not wearing masks or socially distancing, he said.
The Department of Health and Human Services conducted contact tracing to alert lawmakers who were in close contact with their infected colleagues, and a letter went out to the rest of the GOP members, he said. Republican leaders should have also notified Democrats, he said.
“It was badly managed from the beginning, and communication should’ve been much better,” he said.
Many Democrats skipped Wednesday’s session over concerns about the virus and instead were sworn-in by phone the next day.
___
THE NUMBERS
More than 23,000 people have tested positive for the virus in New Hampshire, including 782 cases announced Thursday that included results from several days earlier in the week. Eight additional deaths were announced, bringing the total to 552.
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in New Hampshire has risen over the past two weeks from 401 on Nov. 19 to 592 on Dec. 3.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Man convicted in psychiatric ward killing gets new trial

WORCESTER , Mass .
( AP ) - A Massachusetts man whose conviction in the killing a fellow patient in @ @ @ @ @ overturned by the state ’ s highest court will remain in custody while he awaits @ @ @ @ @ Dunphe , of Spencer , was held without bail at a court appearance Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ .
His attorney , Michael Hussey , reserved the right to request a bail hearing @ @ @ @ @ was granted a new trial by the Supreme Judicial Court , which determined that a @ @ @ @ @ the possibility of a miscarriage of justice .
Dunphe was convicted in 2016 of beating @ @ @ @ @ the psychiatric unit at UMass Memorial Medical Center in November 2013 .
Bhattarai died two @ @ @ @ @ convicted of first-degree murder by a Worcester Superior Court jury that rejected his insanity defense @ @ @ @ @ said their client was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the fatal attack and @ @ @ @ @ actions .

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - A Massachusetts man whose conviction in the killing a fellow patient in a hospital psychiatric ward was overturned by the state’s highest court will remain in custody while he awaits his new trial.
Aldo Dunphe, of Spencer, was held without bail at a court appearance Thursday, The Telegram & Gazette reported. His attorney, Michael Hussey, reserved the right to request a bail hearing in the future.
Dunphe was granted a new trial by the Supreme Judicial Court, which determined that a problem involving jury instructions created the possibility of a miscarriage of justice.
Dunphe was convicted in 2016 of beating and strangling Ratna Bhattarai in the psychiatric unit at UMass Memorial Medical Center in November 2013. Bhattarai died two days later.
His was convicted of first-degree murder by a Worcester Superior Court jury that rejected his insanity defense.
Dunphe’s lawyers said their client was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the fatal attack and lacked criminal responsibility for his actions.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--US trade deficit rises 1.7% to $63.1 billion in October

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - The U.S. trade deficit widened 1.7 % in October to $ 63.1 billion .
The politically sensitive gap in the trade of goods with China and Mexico grew .
The gap between the goods and services the United States sold and what it bought abroad rose from $ 62.1 billion in September , the Commerce Department reported Friday .
Exports rose 2.2 % to $ 182 billion , led by sales of aircraft engines .
Imports increased 2.1 % to $ 245.1 billion on an uptick in shipments of auto parts .
The deficit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 % to $ 26.5 billion and the gap with Mexico rose 10 % to $ 11.8 billion .
So far this year , the overall gap in the trade of goods and services with the rest of the world has risen to $ 536.7 billion , up 9.5 % from January-October 2019 .
President Donald Trump , who vowed to reduce the trade deficit , has imposed tariffs on foreign steel , aluminum and on $ 360 billion in Chinese products .
It is unclear how much of Trump ’ s aggressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden .
The coronavirus , however , has upended trade in services such as education and travel in which the United States runs persistent surpluses .
U.S. services exports are down nearly 20 % so far this year , and America ’ s trade surplus in services dropped in October to $ 18.3 billion , lowest since August 2012 .
The U.S. ran an October deficit of $ 81.4 billion in the trade of goods such as autos and appliances .

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. trade deficit widened 1.7% in October to $63.1 billion. The politically sensitive gap in the trade of goods with China and Mexico grew.
The gap between the goods and services the United States sold and what it bought abroad rose from $62.1 billion in September, the Commerce Department reported Friday. Exports rose 2.2% to $182 billion, led by sales of aircraft engines. Imports increased 2.1% to $245.1 billion on an uptick in shipments of auto parts.
The deficit in the trade of goods with China rose 9% to $26.5 billion and the gap with Mexico rose 10% to $11.8 billion.
So far this year, the overall gap in the trade of goods and services with the rest of the world has risen to $536.7 billion, up 9.5% from January-October 2019.
President Donald Trump, who vowed to reduce the trade deficit, has imposed tariffs on foreign steel, aluminum and on $360 billion in Chinese products. It is unclear how much of Trump’s aggressive trade policies will be retained by President-elect Joe Biden.
The coronavirus, however, has upended trade in services such as education and travel in which the United States runs persistent surpluses. U.S. services exports are down nearly 20% so far this year, and America’s trade surplus in services dropped in October to $18.3 billion, lowest since August 2012.
The U.S. ran an October deficit of $81.4 billion in the trade of goods such as autos and appliances.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Virginia panel to make decision on Lee statue replacement

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - A state panel in Virginia will soon make a decision about the replacement for Virginia @ @ @ @ @ statue at the U.S. Capitol .
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the Commission For Historical @ @ @ @ @ Capitol is expected to make its recommendation on Dec. 16 .
The recommendation will be @ @ @ @ @ General Assembly .
Like every other state , Virginia has two representatives in the Statuary @ @ @ @ @ Capitol in Washington .
The state ’ s other statue is of George Washington .
@ @ @ @ @ Confederate general , for one of its statues in 1909 .
The eight-member commission voted @ @ @ @ @ down the Lee statute .
The Virginia Department of Historic Resources has been researching potential @ @ @ @ @ the public .
The department is helping develop a list of five finalists for the @ @ @ @ @ Names have been mentioned most often include former Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense @ @ @ @ @ is civil rights attorney Oliver W. Hill Sr .

WASHINGTON (AP) - A state panel in Virginia will soon make a decision about the replacement for Virginia’s Robert E. Lee statue at the U.S. Capitol.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the Commission For Historical Statues In The United States Capitol is expected to make its recommendation on Dec. 16.
The recommendation will be made to Virginia’s General Assembly.
Like every other state, Virginia has two representatives in the Statuary Hall Collection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. The state’s other statue is of George Washington.
Virginia picked Lee, the Confederate general, for one of its statues in 1909. The eight-member commission voted earlier this year to take down the Lee statute.
The Virginia Department of Historic Resources has been researching potential replacements while receiving suggestions from the public. The department is helping develop a list of five finalists for the panel’s consideration.
Names have been mentioned most often include former Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall. Another is civil rights attorney Oliver W. Hill Sr.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Israel arrests man who doused inside of church with fuel

JERUSALEM ( AP ) - Israeli police said Friday they arrested a Jewish man after he poured out a “ @ @ @ @ @ church near Jerusalem ’ s Old City , in what they described as a “ @ @ @ @ @ police did not provide further details about the motive , but past attacks on churches @ @ @ @ @ been blamed on Jewish extremists .
Friday ’ s incident took place at the Church @ @ @ @ @ Catholic church built on the traditional site of the Garden of Gethsemane , where Christians @ @ @ @ @ Judas , one of his followers , and arrested by the Romans before being crucified @ @ @ @ @ of wooden pews with black stains on them .
A 2015 arson attack blamed on @ @ @ @ @ to the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish , a popular pilgrimage @ @ @ @ @ Galilee in northern Israel .
Jewish extremists have targeted mosques , churches and dovish Israeli @ @ @ @ @

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israeli police said Friday they arrested a Jewish man after he poured out a “flammable liquid” inside a church near Jerusalem’s Old City, in what they described as a “criminal” incident.
The police did not provide further details about the motive, but past attacks on churches in the Holy Land have been blamed on Jewish extremists.
Friday’s incident took place at the Church of All Nations, a Catholic church built on the traditional site of the Garden of Gethsemane, where Christians believe Jesus was betrayed by Judas, one of his followers, and arrested by the Romans before being crucified.
The Roman Catholic custodian in the Holy Land, Francesco Patton, condemned the incident and called for “a serious investigation.” He said it was no simple criminal attack but a “terrible, humiliating and intentional act.”
His statement said the attacker used a firebomb - a claim that could not immediately be reconciled with the police statement about the attacker pouring out a flammable liquid. The police also circulated a photograph of wooden pews with black stains on them.
A 2015 arson attack blamed on Jewish extremists caused extensive damage to the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish, a popular pilgrimage site on the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel.
Jewish extremists have targeted mosques, churches and dovish Israeli groups in recent years.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Six vice presidents talk about job once considered invisible

NEW YORK ( AP ) - After interviewing Dan Quayle in Arizona for his documentary on the vice presidency , filmmaker Jeffrey Roth was rushing to the airport to catch a flight to Wyoming , where he had an appointment with Dick Cheney the next morning .
He had little time to spare .
Suddenly , traffic halted for a motorcade to pass .
It was Vice President Mike Pence and his entourage .
Roth appreciates the irony .
At least , he can now .
He made his flight , “ President in Waiting ” is finished and set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. Eastern .
He interviewed all six living vice presidents and four presidents about a job that for much of American history was considered a joke , an appendage to government with few real duties other than being available to become the world ’ s most powerful figure at a moment ’ s notice .
“ Ben Franklin , when the Constitution was written , said , ‘ we should refer to the vice president as ’ his superfluous excellency , ’ ” President-elect Joe Biden , who served eight years as Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the film .
Roth ’ s doc includes several similar quotes , including the classic by John Nance Garner , Franklin Roosevelt ’ s first vice president , who said the job was “ not worth a bucket of warm piss.
” Cheney said Gerald Ford described it as the worst nine months of his life and urged him not to become George W. Bush ’ s running mate .
So why would Roth want to devote three years of his life to making it ?
“ For whatever reason , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vice presidency and I thought there was an intriguing story behind it , ” he said .
Achieving access was his most important task .
Two or three veeps wouldn ’ t do .
He needed them all , and each wanted to know the others were participating .
Walter Mondale was his first interview ; Al Gore and Pence took a year and a half to set up , he said .
Ultimately , his only scheduling failure was Donald Trump .
Roth also didn ’ t want to make the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a high school social studies class , putting all the students to sleep .
“ It ’ s a tough bunch of people to squeeze comedy out of , ” said Courtney Sexton , senior vice president of CNN Films .
But it has moments , like when Obama and Biden both struggle to edit the language of some of their conversations for public consumption .
Both Cheney and his boss , George W. Bush , tell a funny story about their dogs clashing at Camp David .
Cheney is a revelation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was considered the Darth Vader of the Bush administration .
He ’ s engaging and entertaining , with a keen awareness of his own role and the job ’ s spot in history .
His insider look at what happened on Sept. 11 , 2001 , as well as Biden ’ s description of the deliberations before the killing of Osama bin Laden , are particularly illuminating .
The film also describes the role of Mondale and his president , Jimmy Carter , in essentially creating the modern vice presidency .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely unaware of ; Roth said it was news to him .
Mondale , a Minnesota senator , knew how Hubert Humphrey felt about his treatment at the hands of President Lyndon Johnson , and “ President in Waiting ” contains audio of Johnson essentially treating Humphrey as a lapdog .
He told Carter he ’ d only become his running mate if given a meaningful role in the administration and an office in the White House .
He composed a memo outlining his ideas that ’ s still referenced today .
Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about being in the room when key decisions are made , and being copied in on internal correspondence .
It ’ s difficult to imagine a repeat of 1945 , when Harry Truman succeeded Roosevelt and didn ’ t know that the United States had developed an atomic bomb .
Still , the limitations are visible when you listen to Bush .
His vice president , Cheney , is widely considered the most powerful vice president , or close to it .
“ I don ’ t know what the definition of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says in the film .
“ I think people have got to recognize that the vice president is empowered by the president.
” That ’ s also stated explicitly by Pence , whose role in the Trump administration gets little examination in the film .
Whatever the modern precedent , a president can easily render the vice president ’ s role meaningless again .
In another month , the first woman , Kamala Harris , will join the vice president ’ s club .
Considering its title , the film spends surprisingly little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the job .
No American under age 60 has any memory of a vice president suddenly elevated because of a president ’ s death .
Ford took over upon the resignation of President Richard Nixon 46 years ago .
How did that knowledge change each man ’ s life ?
How did they keep prepared for the possibility ?
Roth said none of the politicians had much illuminating to say on the topic .
“ There was not much of a story to be told there , ” he said .

NEW YORK (AP) - After interviewing Dan Quayle in Arizona for his documentary on the vice presidency, filmmaker Jeffrey Roth was rushing to the airport to catch a flight to Wyoming, where he had an appointment with Dick Cheney the next morning.
He had little time to spare. Suddenly, traffic halted for a motorcade to pass. It was Vice President Mike Pence and his entourage.
Roth appreciates the irony. At least, he can now. He made his flight, “President in Waiting” is finished and set to debut on CNN Saturday at 9 p.m. Eastern.
He interviewed all six living vice presidents and four presidents about a job that for much of American history was considered a joke, an appendage to government with few real duties other than being available to become the world’s most powerful figure at a moment’s notice.
“Ben Franklin, when the Constitution was written, said, ‘we should refer to the vice president as ’his superfluous excellency,’” President-elect Joe Biden, who served eight years as Barack Obama’s vice president, says in the film.
Roth’s doc includes several similar quotes, including the classic by John Nance Garner, Franklin Roosevelt’s first vice president, who said the job was “not worth a bucket of warm piss.” Cheney said Gerald Ford described it as the worst nine months of his life and urged him not to become George W. Bush’s running mate.
So why would Roth want to devote three years of his life to making it?
“For whatever reason, I was always fascinated by the office of the vice presidency and I thought there was an intriguing story behind it,” he said.
Achieving access was his most important task. Two or three veeps wouldn’t do. He needed them all, and each wanted to know the others were participating. Walter Mondale was his first interview; Al Gore and Pence took a year and a half to set up, he said.
Ultimately, his only scheduling failure was Donald Trump.
Roth also didn’t want to make the type of film that would unspool in a high school social studies class, putting all the students to sleep.
“It’s a tough bunch of people to squeeze comedy out of,” said Courtney Sexton, senior vice president of CNN Films.
But it has moments, like when Obama and Biden both struggle to edit the language of some of their conversations for public consumption. Both Cheney and his boss, George W. Bush, tell a funny story about their dogs clashing at Camp David.
Cheney is a revelation in the film, considering he knows he was considered the Darth Vader of the Bush administration. He’s engaging and entertaining, with a keen awareness of his own role and the job’s spot in history.
His insider look at what happened on Sept. 11, 2001, as well as Biden’s description of the deliberations before the killing of Osama bin Laden, are particularly illuminating.
The film also describes the role of Mondale and his president, Jimmy Carter, in essentially creating the modern vice presidency. It’s a turning point many viewers are likely unaware of; Roth said it was news to him.
Mondale, a Minnesota senator, knew how Hubert Humphrey felt about his treatment at the hands of President Lyndon Johnson, and “President in Waiting” contains audio of Johnson essentially treating Humphrey as a lapdog. He told Carter he’d only become his running mate if given a meaningful role in the administration and an office in the White House. He composed a memo outlining his ideas that’s still referenced today.
Vice presidents lost their invisibility. Biden talks about being in the room when key decisions are made, and being copied in on internal correspondence. It’s difficult to imagine a repeat of 1945, when Harry Truman succeeded Roosevelt and didn’t know that the United States had developed an atomic bomb.
Still, the limitations are visible when you listen to Bush. His vice president, Cheney, is widely considered the most powerful vice president, or close to it.
“I don’t know what the definition of a powerful vice president is,” Bush says in the film. “I think people have got to recognize that the vice president is empowered by the president.”
That’s also stated explicitly by Pence, whose role in the Trump administration gets little examination in the film. Whatever the modern precedent, a president can easily render the vice president’s role meaningless again.
In another month, the first woman, Kamala Harris, will join the vice president’s club.
Considering its title, the film spends surprisingly little time talking about the most important part of the job. No American under age 60 has any memory of a vice president suddenly elevated because of a president’s death. Ford took over upon the resignation of President Richard Nixon 46 years ago.
How did that knowledge change each man’s life? How did they keep prepared for the possibility?
Roth said none of the politicians had much illuminating to say on the topic.
“There was not much of a story to be told there,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Police: Man charged in stabbing death of Missouri woman

ST. PETERS , MO .
( AP ) - A suburban St. Louis man has been charged in the stabbing @ @ @ @ @ body was found one day after she was reported missing , authorities said .
Damion @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Fallon , was charged this week with first-degree murder , second-degree murder and @ @ @ @ @ death last month of 22-year-old Amethyst Killian , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported .
Killian @ @ @ @ @ , was reported missing by her family on Thanksgiving night , when she failed to @ @ @ @ @ cigarettes hours earlier .
Her body was discovered under some brush the next day just @ @ @ @ @ Peters home .
Police said she had been stabbed repeatedly , and a knife was @ @ @ @ @ Investigators found text message exchanges with Delgado on Killian ’ s phone arranging to meet @ @ @ @ @ police said .
Police also interviewed a rideshare driver who said he drove Delgado to @ @ @ @ @ .
Delgado is being held on $ 1 million bail .

ST. PETERS, MO. (AP) - A suburban St. Louis man has been charged in the stabbing death of a woman whose body was found one day after she was reported missing, authorities said.
Damion Delgado, 27, of O’Fallon, was charged this week with first-degree murder, second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death last month of 22-year-old Amethyst Killian, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Killian, a mother of two, was reported missing by her family on Thanksgiving night, when she failed to return after going out for cigarettes hours earlier. Her body was discovered under some brush the next day just a block from her St. Peters home. Police said she had been stabbed repeatedly, and a knife was found at the scene.
Investigators found text message exchanges with Delgado on Killian’s phone arranging to meet the night she disappeared, police said. Police also interviewed a rideshare driver who said he drove Delgado to the location to meet Killian.
Delgado is being held on $1 million bail.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Maryland man convicted of killing girlfriend gets new trial

ANNAPOLIS , Md .
( AP ) - Maryland ’ s second-highest court ordered a new trial for a man who was sentenced 50 years in prison for the shooting death of his girlfriend after the court ruled that trial judges had wrongly prevented defense attorneys from asking prospective jurors certain questions .
The conviction of Marco Holmes was overturned this week .
It ’ s the latest case to be reversed by the Court of Special Appeals following the Kazadi v. State ruling , The Baltimore Sun reported .
That ruling ordered any cases pending appeal when the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the defense attorneys had asked to question jurors , be overturned .
During Holmes ’ s trial , his defense attorney had requested the judge to ask whether prospective jurors would be unable to comply with a presumption of innocence for Holmes and the state ’ s burden of proof .
The trial judge denied that request .
Holmes , 26 , was convicted of second degree-murder in 2018 for the death of Tonja Chadwick .
She was reported missing in January 2017 , and her body was later found wrapped in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baltimore park .
She had been shot in the head .

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland’s second-highest court ordered a new trial for a man who was sentenced 50 years in prison for the shooting death of his girlfriend after the court ruled that trial judges had wrongly prevented defense attorneys from asking prospective jurors certain questions.
The conviction of Marco Holmes was overturned this week. It’s the latest case to be reversed by the Court of Special Appeals following the Kazadi v. State ruling, The Baltimore Sun reported.
That ruling ordered any cases pending appeal when the court’s opinion was filed, and where the defense attorneys had asked to question jurors, be overturned.
During Holmes’s trial, his defense attorney had requested the judge to ask whether prospective jurors would be unable to comply with a presumption of innocence for Holmes and the state’s burden of proof. The trial judge denied that request.
Holmes, 26, was convicted of second degree-murder in 2018 for the death of Tonja Chadwick. She was reported missing in January 2017, and her body was later found wrapped in blankets and buried under leaves in a Baltimore park. She had been shot in the head.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--AG vows to defend clean energy law as governor seeks tweaks

RUTLAND , Vt. ( AP ) - Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan says he ’ s prepared to defend the state ’ s new clean energy law , even if the challenge comes from the governor .
His position is detailed in a letter sent to Gov .
Phil Scott ’ s legal counsel after the administration sought a meeting to discuss the constitutionality of the Global Warming Solutions Act , the Rutland Herald reported .
Scott , a Republican , vetoed the bill , but lawmakers overrode the veto .
“ The Legislature passed a bill , the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , and the Legislature overrode his veto , that ’ s how the system works .
It ’ s the law of the state of Vermont and I ’ m going to defend it , ” Donovan said .
The law creates the Vermont Climate Council , which can set rules and deadlines to be implemented by the Agency of Natural Resources .
The disagreement centers on whether the law takes authority from the executive branch and cedes it the Vermont Climate Council .
The Legislature has the power to create rule-making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , but there are concerns that the structure of the law could take power away from Agency of Natural Resources , said , Jaye Pershing Johnson , the governor ’ s counsel .
As the law is set up , the ANR has no power or discretion to modify the rules it ’ s given to enforce , and it would open itself up to lawsuits if it opted against implementing the council ’ s recommendations , she wrote .
“ The fixes could be relatively simple , but we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law as passed , ” she said .

RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) - Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan says he’s prepared to defend the state’s new clean energy law, even if the challenge comes from the governor.
His position is detailed in a letter sent to Gov. Phil Scott’s legal counsel after the administration sought a meeting to discuss the constitutionality of the Global Warming Solutions Act, the Rutland Herald reported.
Scott, a Republican, vetoed the bill, but lawmakers overrode the veto.
“The Legislature passed a bill, the governor, as is his right, vetoed it, and the Legislature overrode his veto, that’s how the system works. It’s the law of the state of Vermont and I’m going to defend it,” Donovan said.
The law creates the Vermont Climate Council, which can set rules and deadlines to be implemented by the Agency of Natural Resources.
The disagreement centers on whether the law takes authority from the executive branch and cedes it the Vermont Climate Council.
The Legislature has the power to create rule-making bodies and delegate its own authority to them, but there are concerns that the structure of the law could take power away from Agency of Natural Resources, said, Jaye Pershing Johnson, the governor’s counsel.
As the law is set up, the ANR has no power or discretion to modify the rules it’s given to enforce, and it would open itself up to lawsuits if it opted against implementing the council’s recommendations, she wrote.
“The fixes could be relatively simple, but we’re not looking to undermine the goal of the law as passed,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--US job growth slowed in November for a 5th straight month to 245,000 in face of surging pandemic

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - US job growth slowed in November for a 5th straight month to 245,000 in face @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON (AP) - US job growth slowed in November for a 5th straight month to 245,000 in face of surging pandemic.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Virginia board renames schools honoring 2 US presidents

PORTSMOUTH , Va. ( AP ) - Schools in Virginia honoring two U.S. presidents who sided with or praised the Confederacy are getting new names , along with an elementary that honored a superintendent who funneled money away from Black schools .
The Portsmouth School Board voted 8-1 Thursday night to change the names of Woodrow Wilson High School , John Tyler Elementary School and James Hurst Elementary School , news outlets reported .
Alumni and others had pushed for the changes following the global protests against racism and police brutality .
Board member Lakeesha Atkinson said it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a progressive reformer who established the federal income tax , the central banking system and was a leading architect of the League of Nations , was also the first Southerner to serve as president since the Civil War .
A segregationist Democrat , he wrote a history textbook praising the Confederacy and the Ku Klux Klan , and worked to keep blacks students out while serving as Princeton University ’ s president .
The school that bears the 28th president ’ s name in Portsmouth will be called Manor High School beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had before a merger with another school named after Wilson in the 1990s , WAVY-TV reported .
Waterview Elementary is the new name of the school named for John Tyler , the 10th president , who later sided with the Confederacy and was elected to the Confederate House of Representatives shortly before his death in 1862 .
The school honoring James Hurst , who was Norfolk County Schools superintendent in the early to mid 20th century , will be changed to Cradock Elementary , after the school ’ s historic neighborhood .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ white schools over Black schools , according to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources .
District officials estimated it could cost nearly $ 443,000 to rename the schools .
“ We are in a COVID-19 pandemic .
I just think $ 443,000 needs to be concentrated in the resources for students , ” Board member Ted Lamb told WAVY-TV .
He was the only board member who voted against the changes .
But Atkinson said money shouldn ’ t be a factor in the decision .
“ If we focused on costs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (AP) - Schools in Virginia honoring two U.S. presidents who sided with or praised the Confederacy are getting new names, along with an elementary that honored a superintendent who funneled money away from Black schools.
The Portsmouth School Board voted 8-1 Thursday night to change the names of Woodrow Wilson High School, John Tyler Elementary School and James Hurst Elementary School, news outlets reported. Alumni and others had pushed for the changes following the global protests against racism and police brutality.
Board member Lakeesha Atkinson said it’s about “righting the wrongs.”
Wilson, a progressive reformer who established the federal income tax, the central banking system and was a leading architect of the League of Nations, was also the first Southerner to serve as president since the Civil War. A segregationist Democrat, he wrote a history textbook praising the Confederacy and the Ku Klux Klan, and worked to keep blacks students out while serving as Princeton University’s president.
The school that bears the 28th president’s name in Portsmouth will be called Manor High School beginning next July, returning to the name it had before a merger with another school named after Wilson in the 1990s, WAVY-TV reported.
Waterview Elementary is the new name of the school named for John Tyler, the 10th president, who later sided with the Confederacy and was elected to the Confederate House of Representatives shortly before his death in 1862.
The school honoring James Hurst, who was Norfolk County Schools superintendent in the early to mid 20th century, will be changed to Cradock Elementary, after the school’s historic neighborhood. Hurst’s budgets funneled money to white schools over Black schools, according to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
District officials estimated it could cost nearly $443,000 to rename the schools.
“We are in a COVID-19 pandemic. I just think $443,000 needs to be concentrated in the resources for students,” Board member Ted Lamb told WAVY-TV. He was the only board member who voted against the changes.
But Atkinson said money shouldn’t be a factor in the decision.
“If we focused on costs and finances we still would be in slavery,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Bill would remove Confederate flag from Alabama Coat of Arms

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - An Alabama lawmaker aims to remove a Confederate flag from Alabama ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Laura Hall has pre-filed three bills aimed at eliminating symbols and language associated with @ @ @ @ @ .
The bills will be part of Alabama ’ s legislative session that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
Along with the Confederate flag , Alabama ’ s coat of arms features a @ @ @ @ @ three countries that held territory in what later became Alabama : Great Britain , France @ @ @ @ @ a Democrat from Huntsville .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - An Alabama lawmaker aims to remove a Confederate flag from Alabama’s Coat of Arms.
State Rep. Laura Hall has pre-filed three bills aimed at eliminating symbols and language associated with the Confederacy, Al.com reported. The bills will be part of Alabama’s legislative session that’s set to start Feb. 2.
Along with the Confederate flag, Alabama’s coat of arms features a shield with the flags of three countries that held territory in what later became Alabama: Great Britain, France and Spain. Hall is a Democrat from Huntsville.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Man suspected in New Mexico homicide fatally shot in Arizona

TONOPAH , Ariz. ( AP ) - A man accused of killing a New Mexico woman was fatally shot Friday @ @ @ @ @ enforcement officials who were trying to arrest him in Arizona , the FBI said .
@ @ @ @ @ , was pronounced dead in a remote area in Tonopah , about 50 miles west @ @ @ @ @ said .
The agency said members of its Violent Crimes Task Force were executing a @ @ @ @ @ p.m. when Kieren fired at them , and they shot back , killing him .
@ @ @ @ @ Nov. 22 shooting death of Kathleen Lorraine Vigil , 57 , at her home near @ @ @ @ @ Santa Fe County Sheriff ’ s Office said .
A man called 911 to report @ @ @ @ @ was his girlfriend .
The 911 call was traced back to a number belonging to @ @ @ @ @ arrest warrant affidavit .
Authorities said Kieren had an address in Buckeye , which is @ @ @ @ @

TONOPAH, Ariz. (AP) - A man accused of killing a New Mexico woman was fatally shot Friday after he fired at law enforcement officials who were trying to arrest him in Arizona, the FBI said.
Leonard Francis Kieren, 60, was pronounced dead in a remote area in Tonopah, about 50 miles west of Phoenix, the FBI said. The agency said members of its Violent Crimes Task Force were executing a federal arrest warrant around 12:30 p.m. when Kieren fired at them, and they shot back, killing him.
Kieren was accused in the Nov. 22 shooting death of Kathleen Lorraine Vigil, 57, at her home near San Ildefonso Pueblo, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said.
A man called 911 to report the shooting and said Vigil was his girlfriend. The 911 call was traced back to a number belonging to Kieren, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.
Authorities said Kieren had an address in Buckeye, which is 25 miles from Tonopah.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Budget analyst urges elimination of nearly 1,000 LAPD jobs

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - A budget proposal on Friday called for the Police Department to eliminate nearly 1,000 officer jobs - even though it could harm crime-fighting as the city struggles to close a huge budget shortfall caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
The proposal from City Administrative Officer Rich Llewellyn calls for deep cuts in many departments , including the LAPD , which already saw a $ 150 million reduction in its $ 3 billion budget earlier this year after police brutality protesters called for defunding police in the wake of George Floyd ’ s killing by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional cuts would affect the jobs of 951 sworn officers and hundreds of civilian jobs .
The LAPD already dropped below 10,000 officers earlier this year and the proposed cuts would reduce sworn staffing to around 8,800 for its lowest level since 1995 , Llewellyn said .
The cuts “ will significantly impact public safety services ” at a time when the city is experiencing a “ drastic ” rise in homicide rates with about 300 so far this year , his proposal said .
It will be reviewed by the City Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing of some LAPD divisions and affect response times for emergency calls , his proposal said .
More than 220 police officers in specialized units already are being reassigned to patrol and other jobs as the LAPD disbands or downsizes the units , including those focusing on traffic , sexual assault , homeless outreach and the robbery-homicide division , KABC-TV reported , citing a department memo .
Los Angeles is trying to close a projected $ 675 million budget shortfall sparked by tax and other revenue losses because of business shutdowns and personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
The estimate doesn ’ t include fallout from a new stay-at-home order that goes into effect Saturday as virus cases threaten to overwhelm intensive care unit beds in many areas .
Los Angeles has asked employee unions to allow it to delay planned pay increases but the LAPD officers ’ union , the Police Protective League , has so far refused .
Officers are due a 3.25 % raise next month .
The cuts are being proposed in the midst of a “ shooting and homicide epidemic , ” league President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Coming atop the $ 150 million reduction , “ this latest proposal will further victimize Black and Hispanic residents who make up 70 % of L.A. ’ s violent crime victims , ” he said .
“ It ’ s disgusting.
” Mayor Eric Garcetti said the city is still talking with the league and added that he hoped to avoid layoffs , possibly with hoped-for federal assistance , calling it “ the very last option that we have .
”

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A budget proposal on Friday called for the Police Department to eliminate nearly 1,000 officer jobs - even though it could harm crime-fighting as the city struggles to close a huge budget shortfall caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The proposal from City Administrative Officer Rich Llewellyn calls for deep cuts in many departments, including the LAPD, which already saw a $150 million reduction in its $3 billion budget earlier this year after police brutality protesters called for defunding police in the wake of George Floyd’s killing by police in Minneapolis.
That reduction and additional cuts would affect the jobs of 951 sworn officers and hundreds of civilian jobs. The LAPD already dropped below 10,000 officers earlier this year and the proposed cuts would reduce sworn staffing to around 8,800 for its lowest level since 1995, Llewellyn said.
The cuts “will significantly impact public safety services” at a time when the city is experiencing a “drastic” rise in homicide rates with about 300 so far this year, his proposal said. It will be reviewed by the City Council.
The cuts could result in the closing of some LAPD divisions and affect response times for emergency calls, his proposal said.
More than 220 police officers in specialized units already are being reassigned to patrol and other jobs as the LAPD disbands or downsizes the units, including those focusing on traffic, sexual assault, homeless outreach and the robbery-homicide division, KABC-TV reported, citing a department memo.
Los Angeles is trying to close a projected $675 million budget shortfall sparked by tax and other revenue losses because of business shutdowns and personal restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19.
The estimate doesn’t include fallout from a new stay-at-home order that goes into effect Saturday as virus cases threaten to overwhelm intensive care unit beds in many areas.
Los Angeles has asked employee unions to allow it to delay planned pay increases but the LAPD officers’ union, the Police Protective League, has so far refused. Officers are due a 3.25% raise next month.
The cuts are being proposed in the midst of a “shooting and homicide epidemic,” league President Craig Lally told the Los Angeles Times.
Coming atop the $150 million reduction, “this latest proposal will further victimize Black and Hispanic residents who make up 70% of L.A.’s violent crime victims,” he said. “It’s disgusting.”
Mayor Eric Garcetti said the city is still talking with the league and added that he hoped to avoid layoffs, possibly with hoped-for federal assistance, calling it “the very last option that we have.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Judge agrees to drop charges in 1997 death of pregnant teen

COTTONWOOD , Ariz. ( AP ) - A judge has dismissed charges against an Arizona man who was accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend more than two decades ago .
Cecilio Cruz went on trial last month on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges , but the jury failed to reach a verdict in the case .
He was accused of fatally shooting Marisol Gonzalez in the alley between the homes they lived in as teenagers in Cottonwood in 1997 .
She was scheduled to deliver a baby she named Andrew the day her body was found .
Prosecutors had 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk said she wouldn ’ t without new evidence .
Yavapai County Superior Court administrator Julie Malinowski said the judge overseeing the case granted Polk ’ s request to dismiss the charges without prejudice this week , meaning they can be refiled .
Cruz ’ s attorney , Alex D. Gonzalez said he agreed with the request to drop the case .
“ It has been a stressful and trying process for Cecilio Cruz , who has always maintained his innocence in this case , ” he wrote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @

COTTONWOOD, Ariz. (AP) - A judge has dismissed charges against an Arizona man who was accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend more than two decades ago.
Cecilio Cruz went on trial last month on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges, but the jury failed to reach a verdict in the case.
He was accused of fatally shooting Marisol Gonzalez in the alley between the homes they lived in as teenagers in Cottonwood in 1997. She was scheduled to deliver a baby she named Andrew the day her body was found.
Prosecutors had 60 days to retry the case, but Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk said she wouldn’t without new evidence.
Yavapai County Superior Court administrator Julie Malinowski said the judge overseeing the case granted Polk’s request to dismiss the charges without prejudice this week, meaning they can be refiled.
Cruz’s attorney, Alex D. Gonzalez said he agreed with the request to drop the case.
“It has been a stressful and trying process for Cecilio Cruz, who has always maintained his innocence in this case,” he wrote in a statement to The Associated Press.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Kelli Ward, Arizona GOP bid to undo Joe Biden victory tossed by judge

PHOENIX — A judge has thrown out a Republican bid to undo Democrat President-elect Joe Biden ’ s victory in Arizona , concluding the GOP failed to prove fraud in a challenge of election results in metro Phoenix and that evidence presented at trial wouldn ’ t reverse President Donald Trump ’ s loss in the state .
Judge Randall Warner on Friday dismissed Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Kelli Ward ’ s challenge of ballots in metro Phoenix that were duplicated because voters ’ earlier ballots were damaged or could not be run through tabulators .
Poll observers called to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the processing of duplicated ballots , but the judge wrote that those problems were pointed out to election workers , who then fixed the mistakes .
Warner wrote “ there is no evidence that the inaccuracies were intentional or part of a fraudulent scheme .
They were mistakes .
And given both the small number of duplicate ballots and the low error rate , the evidence does not show any impact on the outcome.
” Jack Wilenchik , Ward ’ s attorney , said the state ’ s GOP chief will appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We have a significant issue to litigate here , ” Wilenchik said .
Her lawsuit says some suburbs on the southeastern edge of Maricopa County had an unusually high number of duplicated ballots - and that the election results in that area were “ strongly inconsistent ” with voter registration and historical voting data .
It also alleged the software used in processing such ballots would “ prefill ” Biden ’ s name on ballots more often than it did President Donald Trump .
Attorneys defending election officials in the lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to for a court to reverse an election in which more than 3 million Arizonans voted .
A court-ordered sampling of 1,626 duplicated ballots found Trump lost seven votes due to errors in ballot processing in Maricopa County .
An election official had testified Trump could have lost 103 votes if the error rate were extrapolated across all 27,800 duplicated ballots in the county .
Biden won Arizona by more than 10,000 votes .
The state ’ s election results were certified on Monday , showing Biden won Arizona .
The Electoral College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No evidence of voter fraud or election fraud has emerged during this election season in Arizona .
U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr has said the Justice Department has uncovered no evidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the outcome of the election .
Even though Republican Gov .
Doug Ducey said earlier this week that Arizona ’ s election was well-run as he certified the Nov. 3 results , many GOP politicians in the state have mostly been silent or slow to express confidence in the election results that gave Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaker Rusty Bowers broke ranks with many in his party Friday when he released a lengthy statement rejecting what he called a “ breathtaking ” request from Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani for the Legislature to step in and replace electors legally pledged for Biden with others who would support Trump .
Bowers said Giuliani presented theories of voter fraud but no proof , and he said there ’ s no way the Legislature could reverse the will of the voters .
Four earlier election challenges in Maricopa County were dismissed , including one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought to determine whether voting machines were hacked .
Firebrand conservative attorney Sidney Powell , who was removed from Trump ’ s legal team , asked a judge to decertify the state ’ s votes , alleging that there were more than 400,000 illegal ballots counted in the state , and criticized the voting equipment used in metro Phoenix .
A hearing in the case is scheduled for Tuesday .
___

PHOENIX — A judge has thrown out a Republican bid to undo Democrat President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in Arizona, concluding the GOP failed to prove fraud in a challenge of election results in metro Phoenix and that evidence presented at trial wouldn’t reverse President Donald Trump’s loss in the state.
Judge Randall Warner on Friday dismissed Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Kelli Ward’s challenge of ballots in metro Phoenix that were duplicated because voters’ earlier ballots were damaged or could not be run through tabulators.
Poll observers called to testify by Ward said they witnessed problems in the processing of duplicated ballots, but the judge wrote that those problems were pointed out to election workers, who then fixed the mistakes.
Warner wrote “there is no evidence that the inaccuracies were intentional or part of a fraudulent scheme. They were mistakes. And given both the small number of duplicate ballots and the low error rate, the evidence does not show any impact on the outcome.”
Jack Wilenchik, Ward’s attorney, said the state’s GOP chief will appeal the decision to the Arizona Supreme Court. “We have a significant issue to litigate here,” Wilenchik said.
Her lawsuit says some suburbs on the southeastern edge of Maricopa County had an unusually high number of duplicated ballots - and that the election results in that area were “strongly inconsistent” with voter registration and historical voting data. It also alleged the software used in processing such ballots would “prefill” Biden’s name on ballots more often than it did President Donald Trump.
Attorneys defending election officials in the lawsuit said it would be an extraordinary move to for a court to reverse an election in which more than 3 million Arizonans voted.
A court-ordered sampling of 1,626 duplicated ballots found Trump lost seven votes due to errors in ballot processing in Maricopa County. An election official had testified Trump could have lost 103 votes if the error rate were extrapolated across all 27,800 duplicated ballots in the county. Biden won Arizona by more than 10,000 votes.
The state’s election results were certified on Monday, showing Biden won Arizona. The Electoral College is scheduled to meet on Dec. 14.
No evidence of voter fraud or election fraud has emerged during this election season in Arizona. U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr has said the Justice Department has uncovered no evidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the outcome of the election.
Even though Republican Gov. Doug Ducey said earlier this week that Arizona’s election was well-run as he certified the Nov. 3 results, many GOP politicians in the state have mostly been silent or slow to express confidence in the election results that gave Biden a victory in Arizona.
Republican House Speaker Rusty Bowers broke ranks with many in his party Friday when he released a lengthy statement rejecting what he called a “breathtaking” request from Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani for the Legislature to step in and replace electors legally pledged for Biden with others who would support Trump.
Bowers said Giuliani presented theories of voter fraud but no proof, and he said there’s no way the Legislature could reverse the will of the voters.
Four earlier election challenges in Maricopa County were dismissed, including one filed by the state Republican Party that sought to determine whether voting machines were hacked.
One election challenge remains pending in Arizona.
Firebrand conservative attorney Sidney Powell, who was removed from Trump’s legal team, asked a judge to decertify the state’s votes, alleging that there were more than 400,000 illegal ballots counted in the state, and criticized the voting equipment used in metro Phoenix.
A hearing in the case is scheduled for Tuesday. ___
Associated Press reporter Bob Christie contributed from Phoenix.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--School superintendents told to plan for vaccine distribution

FRANKFORT , Ky. ( AP ) - Kentucky ’ s governor called on school superintendents Friday to begin planning for the eventual distribution of coronavirus vaccines to their employees .
The latest development in the state ’ s plans to allocate the vaccine came as Gov .
Andy Beshear reported more than 3,600 new coronavirus cases and 25 more virus-related deaths .
Kentucky is approaching a milestone of 200,000 virus cases since the start of the pandemic .
The state ’ s initial shipment of about 38,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine , expected in mid-December pending federal approval , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home residents and staff .
After those groups , the state will then prioritize EMS workers and educators .
Beshear met virtually with school superintendents Friday , asking them to start preparing rosters of school personnel willing to be vaccinated .
“ That recognizes the exposure ( to the virus ) that educators have within the building , ” Beshear said .
“ But it also recognizes the absolute , critical importance of what they do and how much better in-person classes are.
” The Democratic governor said he ’ s unsure when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s K-12 schools are under orders to halt in-person instruction .
Middle and high schools will be required to continue remote instruction until January .
Elementary schools can reopen Dec. 7 if they aren ’ t located in a “ red-zone ” county .
Beshear said Thursday that 113 of Kentucky ’ s 120 counties are in the red zone - the most serious category for COVID-19 incidence rates .
The governor on Friday urged Kentuckians to keep up the fight against the virus by wearing masks in public , social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week extended the statewide mask mandate for another 30 days .
“ These vaccines are right around the corner , ” he said .
“ Within the next 10 days or so , we might be giving out the first vaccines .
That means every loss of life and every extra infection that happens between now and then is entirely avoidable.
” About two-thirds of the initial shipment of 38,000 doses of vaccine are being reserved for nursing home staff and residents .
Health care workers at 11 hospitals across Kentucky will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the initial allocation , the governor said Thursday .
Meanwhile , Beshear on Friday reported 3,614 more virus cases , pushing the statewide total to more than 194,000 cases since the pandemic began .
The 25 latest deaths raised the state ’ s death toll to at least 2,039 .
Kentucky is experiencing its worst trends of virus cases , hospitalizations and deaths .
Nearly 1,800 virus patients are hospitalized in Kentucky , including 409 in intensive care units and 230 on ventilators , Beshear said .
Some hospitals are being stretched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases escalate , he warned this week .
The statewide rate for positive tests was 9.93 % .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal .
The vast majority of people recover .
Find AP ’ s full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https : //apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic .

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky’s governor called on school superintendents Friday to begin planning for the eventual distribution of coronavirus vaccines to their employees.
The latest development in the state’s plans to allocate the vaccine came as Gov. Andy Beshear reported more than 3,600 new coronavirus cases and 25 more virus-related deaths. Kentucky is approaching a milestone of 200,000 virus cases since the start of the pandemic.
The state’s initial shipment of about 38,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, expected in mid-December pending federal approval, will go to health care providers and nursing home residents and staff. After those groups, the state will then prioritize EMS workers and educators.
Beshear met virtually with school superintendents Friday, asking them to start preparing rosters of school personnel willing to be vaccinated.
“That recognizes the exposure (to the virus) that educators have within the building,” Beshear said. “But it also recognizes the absolute, critical importance of what they do and how much better in-person classes are.”
The Democratic governor said he’s unsure when educators will begin receiving vaccines.
Kentucky’s K-12 schools are under orders to halt in-person instruction. Middle and high schools will be required to continue remote instruction until January. Elementary schools can reopen Dec. 7 if they aren’t located in a “red-zone” county. Beshear said Thursday that 113 of Kentucky’s 120 counties are in the red zone - the most serious category for COVID-19 incidence rates.
The governor on Friday urged Kentuckians to keep up the fight against the virus by wearing masks in public, social distancing and following other health guidelines. Beshear this week extended the statewide mask mandate for another 30 days.
“These vaccines are right around the corner,” he said. “Within the next 10 days or so, we might be giving out the first vaccines. That means every loss of life and every extra infection that happens between now and then is entirely avoidable.”
About two-thirds of the initial shipment of 38,000 doses of vaccine are being reserved for nursing home staff and residents. Health care workers at 11 hospitals across Kentucky will receive the remaining 12,675 doses as part of the initial allocation, the governor said Thursday.
Meanwhile, Beshear on Friday reported 3,614 more virus cases, pushing the statewide total to more than 194,000 cases since the pandemic began. The 25 latest deaths raised the state’s death toll to at least 2,039. Kentucky is experiencing its worst trends of virus cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
Nearly 1,800 virus patients are hospitalized in Kentucky, including 409 in intensive care units and 230 on ventilators, Beshear said. Some hospitals are being stretched “to the brink” as virus cases escalate, he warned this week.
The statewide rate for positive tests was 9.93%.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.
___
Find AP’s full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Judge: Trump administration must take new DACA applications

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The Trump administration must accept new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that protects some young immigrants from deportation , a federal judge ruled Friday , in vacating a memo from the acting Homeland Security secretary that had suspended it .
U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis said the government had to post a public notice within three days - including on its website and the websites of all other relevant government agencies - that new DACA applications were being accepted .
The ruling follows one from November where Garaufis said Acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unlawfully in his position .
On Friday , the judge said that invalidated the memo Wolf had issued in July suspending DACA for new applications and reducing how long renewals were valid from two years down to one year .
Wolf had issued his memo after the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled in June that President Donald Trump failed to follow rule-making procedures when he tried to end the program .
Garaufis also ordered the government to put together a status report on the DACA program by Jan. 4 .
An email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Homeland Security .
“ Every time the outgoing administration tried to use young immigrants as political scapegoats , they defiled the values of our nation .
The court ’ s order makes clear that fairness , inclusion , and compassion matter , ” said New York state Attorney General Letitia James , who led a number of state attorneys general in one of the lawsuits against the administration .
DACA , which was started in 2012 during the Obama administration , allows certain young immigrants who were brought to the country as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from deportation .
Those who are approved for it must first go through background checks and regularly renew .
The Trump administration had announced the end of the program in 2017 , leading to the legal challenges that wound up in front of the Supreme Court .
In making its ruling , the Supreme Court upheld DACA , saying that the particular way the administration had gone about shutting it down was improper , but that the president did have the authority to do so .
“ Dreamers have fought so hard for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a court has ordered the administration to resume processing DACA applications .
It ’ s time to do the right thing , ” Jennifer Molina , a spokesperson for President-elect Joe Biden ’ s transition team , said Friday .
“ On day one , President-elect Biden will ensure Dreamers and their families have the opportunity to live their lives free of fear and continue to contribute to our country.
” About 650,000 people are currently enrolled in the program .

NEW YORK (AP) - The Trump administration must accept new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that protects some young immigrants from deportation, a federal judge ruled Friday, in vacating a memo from the acting Homeland Security secretary that had suspended it.
U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis said the government had to post a public notice within three days - including on its website and the websites of all other relevant government agencies - that new DACA applications were being accepted.
The ruling follows one from November where Garaufis said Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf was unlawfully in his position.
On Friday, the judge said that invalidated the memo Wolf had issued in July suspending DACA for new applications and reducing how long renewals were valid from two years down to one year.
Wolf had issued his memo after the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled in June that President Donald Trump failed to follow rule-making procedures when he tried to end the program.
Garaufis also ordered the government to put together a status report on the DACA program by Jan. 4.
An email seeking comment was sent to the Department of Homeland Security.
“Every time the outgoing administration tried to use young immigrants as political scapegoats, they defiled the values of our nation. The court’s order makes clear that fairness, inclusion, and compassion matter,” said New York state Attorney General Letitia James, who led a number of state attorneys general in one of the lawsuits against the administration.
DACA, which was started in 2012 during the Obama administration, allows certain young immigrants who were brought to the country as children to legally work and shields them from deportation. Those who are approved for it must first go through background checks and regularly renew.
The Trump administration had announced the end of the program in 2017, leading to the legal challenges that wound up in front of the Supreme Court.
In making its ruling, the Supreme Court upheld DACA, saying that the particular way the administration had gone about shutting it down was improper, but that the president did have the authority to do so.
“Dreamers have fought so hard for justice. For the second time, a court has ordered the administration to resume processing DACA applications. It’s time to do the right thing,” Jennifer Molina, a spokesperson for President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team, said Friday. “On day one, President-elect Biden will ensure Dreamers and their families have the opportunity to live their lives free of fear and continue to contribute to our country.”
About 650,000 people are currently enrolled in the program.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--No. 10 Oregon women beat Colorado 82-53 in Pac-12 opener

EUGENE , Ore. ( AP ) - Nyara Sabally waited two years to take the floor for Oregon .
The redshirt sophomore had 20 points and 10 rebounds in her first collegiate start and No .
10 Oregon set a school-record for consecutive victories with 22 , opening Pac-12 Conference play with a 82-53 romp over Colorado on Friday .
Oregon ( 3-0 ) broke the mark set in 1978-79 .
The Ducks also set a school record with their 21st straight home victory , topping the mark set from 1998-2000 .
Sabally - a 6-foot-5 sophomore whose sister , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Ducks - made all nine of her shots from the field , including one 3-pointer .
“ That ’ s definitely a first , ” Sabally said about not missing a shot .
“ It ’ s fun to start the game , but at the same time , it doesn ’ t really bother me to come off the bench .
It ’ s not any different .
It just happened to be a good game today.
” Sabally missed each of the last two seasons due to knee injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be back after the layoff .
She played in the Ducks ’ first two games this season , but Friday marked her first start .
“ I thought it would take me a little bit to get acclimated , ” she said .
“ I have been on the sideline for two years and seen the games so I know teams are really good .
I was glad that I was able to come out and play the way I know I can play .
It has been really hard the last two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journey so I am happy to finally be on the court with my teammates.
” Senior Erin Boley added 17 points , and freshman point guard Te-Hina Paopao had 13 points and four assists as the Ducks shot 50 % from the field , making 10 of 22 3-pointers .
Sophomore Sedona Prince , who was averaging 15.0 points and 6.5 rebounds , had six points and three rebounds in 18 minutes before leaving with an injury to her left foot .
Peanut Tuitele and Charlotte Whittaker each scored 10 points for Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buffaloes shot 31.9 % from the field .
“ I loved our effort in a lot of ways , ” Colorado coach JR Payne said .
“ I didn ’ t think we played great basketball , I thought we played pretty hard .
But I didn ’ t think our execution was great offensively or defensively , so that was disappointing.
” The Ducks led 39-30 early in the second half before going on a 21-4 run to break it open .
Oregon coach Kelly Graves used a new lineup for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Sabally made her first start and scored the first five points for the Ducks .
“ Nyara has now played a little over 50 minutes in 2 1/2 years , ” Graves said .
“ She is playing well .
I thought she was a factor on both ends of the floor .
She ’ s such a great rebounder so I thought it was great to see her have that kind of game.
” Colorado : Jaylyn Sherrod had four points , six rebounds and five assists .
… Mya Hollingshed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Buffaloes went 16-14 overall last season , and 5-13 in conference .
Oregon : Oregon seeks a fourth straight Pac-12 title .
The Ducks are 50-5 in conference play during the past four seasons .

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Nyara Sabally waited two years to take the floor for Oregon.
The redshirt sophomore had 20 points and 10 rebounds in her first collegiate start and No. 10 Oregon set a school-record for consecutive victories with 22, opening Pac-12 Conference play with a 82-53 romp over Colorado on Friday.
Oregon (3-0) broke the mark set in 1978-79. The Ducks also set a school record with their 21st straight home victory, topping the mark set from 1998-2000.
Sabally - a 6-foot-5 sophomore whose sister, Satou, was an All-American last season for the Ducks - made all nine of her shots from the field, including one 3-pointer.
“That’s definitely a first,” Sabally said about not missing a shot. “It’s fun to start the game, but at the same time, it doesn’t really bother me to come off the bench. It’s not any different. It just happened to be a good game today.”
Sabally missed each of the last two seasons due to knee injuries. She’s clearly happy to be back after the layoff. She played in the Ducks’ first two games this season, but Friday marked her first start.
“I thought it would take me a little bit to get acclimated,” she said. “I have been on the sideline for two years and seen the games so I know teams are really good. I was glad that I was able to come out and play the way I know I can play. It has been really hard the last two years. It has been a long journey so I am happy to finally be on the court with my teammates.”
Senior Erin Boley added 17 points, and freshman point guard Te-Hina Paopao had 13 points and four assists as the Ducks shot 50% from the field, making 10 of 22 3-pointers. Sophomore Sedona Prince, who was averaging 15.0 points and 6.5 rebounds, had six points and three rebounds in 18 minutes before leaving with an injury to her left foot.
Peanut Tuitele and Charlotte Whittaker each scored 10 points for Colorado (2-1, 0-1). The Buffaloes shot 31.9% from the field.
“I loved our effort in a lot of ways,” Colorado coach JR Payne said. “I didn’t think we played great basketball, I thought we played pretty hard. But I didn’t think our execution was great offensively or defensively, so that was disappointing.”
The Ducks led 39-30 early in the second half before going on a 21-4 run to break it open.
Oregon coach Kelly Graves used a new lineup for the third time in three games this season as Sabally made her first start and scored the first five points for the Ducks.
“Nyara has now played a little over 50 minutes in 2 1/2 years,” Graves said. “She is playing well. I thought she was a factor on both ends of the floor. She’s such a great rebounder so I thought it was great to see her have that kind of game.”
BIG PICTURE
Colorado: Jaylyn Sherrod had four points, six rebounds and five assists. … Mya Hollingshed fouled out of the game. … The Buffaloes went 16-14 overall last season, and 5-13 in conference.
Oregon: Oregon seeks a fourth straight Pac-12 title. The Ducks are 50-5 in conference play during the past four seasons.
UP NEXT
Colorado: At Oregon State on Sunday.
Oregon: Hosts Utah on Sunday.