washingtontimes--2020-12-31--They were experts in viruses, and now in pitfalls of fame

BOSTON ( AP ) - Dr. Ashish Jha started 2020 thousands of miles from home , taking a sabbatical in Europe from his academic post at Harvard .
Then the coronavirus pandemic arrived in the U.S. Jha , an expert on pandemic preparedness , returned to Massachusetts , and his blunt talk on the unfolding disaster was soon hard to miss on national news and social media .
Jha estimates his office fielded more than 100 media requests a day at its peak .
He went from a few hundred Twitter followers pre-pandemic to more than 130,000 by December .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing this was to fill a void and make sure people received credible scientific information , ” said Jha , who recently became dean of Brown University ’ s School of Public Health in Providence , Rhode Island .
“ I thought it would go for a week or two , but the demand never really let up.
” In another time , experts like Jha would have enjoyed the quiet esteem , respect and relative obscurity afforded by academia .
But for better or worse , the coronavirus pandemic thrust virologists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pop culture crucible .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a leading member of President Donald Trump ’ s coronavirus task force , has been the unquestionable rock star among them .
But a cadre of other scientists also rose to prominence this year .
Many developed loyal social media followings and became regulars on the cable news circuit .
For Dr. Angela Rasmussen , a Seattle-based virologist affiliated with Georgetown University in Washington , her newfound notoriety hit home in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with billionaire Elon Musk .
Rasmussen , who was then at Columbia University , criticized the Tesla CEO ’ s tweets questioning data on the spread of the virus .
Musk , to her surprise , chimed in , challenging her to produce evidence supporting her arguments .
Rasmussen tweeted back a series of graphs and other scientific data , which Musk dismissed as “ cherry-picked.
” Twitter users following along slammed Musk for attempting to “ mansplain ” the pandemic to a virologist .
Rasmussen , who has seen her Twitter followers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 180,000 , said she ’ d like to avoid unnecessary Twitter beefs , which also included testy exchanges with “ Dilbert ” comic strip creator Scott Adams and his fans over the pandemic in recent months .
But as the pandemic has worn on , she has become frustrated with the persistent misinformation from influential leaders and celebrities like Musk and Adams , and her strongly worded tweets show it .
“ It ’ s exhausting , ” Rasmussen said .
“ The same arguments keep coming back .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you cut one head off , another one grows back in place.
” Laurel Bristow , an infectious disease researcher at Emory University in Atlanta , suggests it ’ s an indictment of academia that misinformation and conspiracy theories thrive and that parts of American society remain deeply skeptical of true scientific work .
“ Experts in these fields have ignored the importance of communication and bringing information to people in a way that is understandable and relatable for so long , ” Bristow said .
“ You have to put a face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to trust it.
” Bristow , 32 , whose Instagram username is kinggutterbaby , has gained more than 300,000 followers posting videos answering people ’ s questions and concerns about COVID-19 .
She credits her online popularity to her unfussy approach .
She shoots her short videos speaking directly at the camera while sitting in her kitchen .
It also helps , Bristow said , that her Instagram feed is filled with pictures of her posing with cuddly animals , riding motorcycles and other things from her daily life .
“ Having people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remind them scientists are people with families too , and that the best interest of people is really at the heart of what we ’ re doing , ” she said .
Dr. Akiko Iwasaki , an immunobiology professor at Yale University in New Haven , Connecticut , said she has sought interviews with conservative media outlets as a way to combat fear and misinformation , especially with the nationwide vaccine rollout underway .
“ There ’ s such a divide in society .
I ’ d really like to reach the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Iwasaki , who was already a notable advocate of women in science and tech fields before the pandemic but has seen her Twitter following swell to more than 90,000 this year .
Like other female scientists , she said that she has encountered frequent misogyny and “ mansplaining , ” but that it has only made her more determined to continue speaking up .
“ I have this platform , and I ’ m going to use it , ” said Iwasaki .
“ My priority is to get out the correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Jha , meanwhile , admitted he wasn ’ t prepared for the level of racial animus his pandemic commentary has generated - a complaint shared by other scientists of color .
A native of India who has lived in the U.S. since the 1980s , he said much of it is of the “ go back to your country ” variety that he simply shrugs off .
But a gut check moment came in November , when Jha began receiving death threats after testifying before Congress and strongly rejecting assertions made by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hydroxychloroquine could also protect people against COVID-19 .
Jha said the threats were concerning enough that he notified local police , who sent patrols past his family ’ s Boston-area home as a precaution .
Now , as 2021 dawns , he said he is looking forward to being less in the public glare .
When President-elect Joe Biden takes office , Jha said , he expects federal government authorities will take their rightful role as the public face of the nation ’ s pandemic response , after being diminished and undermined at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s who the American public needs to be hearing from more , ” he said , referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and experts like Fauci at other federal agencies .
“ I ’ m a poor substitute for what ’ s needed .
”

BOSTON (AP) - Dr. Ashish Jha started 2020 thousands of miles from home, taking a sabbatical in Europe from his academic post at Harvard. Then the coronavirus pandemic arrived in the U.S.
Jha, an expert on pandemic preparedness, returned to Massachusetts, and his blunt talk on the unfolding disaster was soon hard to miss on national news and social media.
Jha estimates his office fielded more than 100 media requests a day at its peak. He went from a few hundred Twitter followers pre-pandemic to more than 130,000 by December.
“For me, the purpose of doing this was to fill a void and make sure people received credible scientific information,” said Jha, who recently became dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health in Providence, Rhode Island. “I thought it would go for a week or two, but the demand never really let up.”
In another time, experts like Jha would have enjoyed the quiet esteem, respect and relative obscurity afforded by academia. But for better or worse, the coronavirus pandemic thrust virologists, epidemiologists and other normally low-profile scientists into the pop culture crucible.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a leading member of President Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force, has been the unquestionable rock star among them. But a cadre of other scientists also rose to prominence this year. Many developed loyal social media followings and became regulars on the cable news circuit.
For Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a Seattle-based virologist affiliated with Georgetown University in Washington, her newfound notoriety hit home in July when she got into a Twitter debate with billionaire Elon Musk.
Rasmussen, who was then at Columbia University, criticized the Tesla CEO’s tweets questioning data on the spread of the virus. Musk, to her surprise, chimed in, challenging her to produce evidence supporting her arguments.
Rasmussen tweeted back a series of graphs and other scientific data, which Musk dismissed as “cherry-picked.” Twitter users following along slammed Musk for attempting to “mansplain” the pandemic to a virologist.
Rasmussen, who has seen her Twitter followers explode from around 300 pre-pandemic to more than 180,000, said she’d like to avoid unnecessary Twitter beefs, which also included testy exchanges with “Dilbert” comic strip creator Scott Adams and his fans over the pandemic in recent months.
But as the pandemic has worn on, she has become frustrated with the persistent misinformation from influential leaders and celebrities like Musk and Adams, and her strongly worded tweets show it.
“It’s exhausting,” Rasmussen said. “The same arguments keep coming back. It’s like battling a hydra. Every time you cut one head off, another one grows back in place.”
Laurel Bristow, an infectious disease researcher at Emory University in Atlanta, suggests it’s an indictment of academia that misinformation and conspiracy theories thrive and that parts of American society remain deeply skeptical of true scientific work.
“Experts in these fields have ignored the importance of communication and bringing information to people in a way that is understandable and relatable for so long,” Bristow said. “You have to put a face to something for people to be able to trust it.”
Bristow, 32, whose Instagram username is kinggutterbaby, has gained more than 300,000 followers posting videos answering people’s questions and concerns about COVID-19.
She credits her online popularity to her unfussy approach. She shoots her short videos speaking directly at the camera while sitting in her kitchen.
It also helps, Bristow said, that her Instagram feed is filled with pictures of her posing with cuddly animals, riding motorcycles and other things from her daily life.
“Having people see me as a whole person helps remind them scientists are people with families too, and that the best interest of people is really at the heart of what we’re doing,” she said.
Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, an immunobiology professor at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, said she has sought interviews with conservative media outlets as a way to combat fear and misinformation, especially with the nationwide vaccine rollout underway.
“There’s such a divide in society. I’d really like to reach the other side and make a difference,” said Iwasaki, who was already a notable advocate of women in science and tech fields before the pandemic but has seen her Twitter following swell to more than 90,000 this year.
Like other female scientists, she said that she has encountered frequent misogyny and “mansplaining,” but that it has only made her more determined to continue speaking up.
“I have this platform, and I’m going to use it,” said Iwasaki. “My priority is to get out the correct information, not respond to toxic comments.”
Jha, meanwhile, admitted he wasn’t prepared for the level of racial animus his pandemic commentary has generated - a complaint shared by other scientists of color.
A native of India who has lived in the U.S. since the 1980s, he said much of it is of the “go back to your country” variety that he simply shrugs off.
But a gut check moment came in November, when Jha began receiving death threats after testifying before Congress and strongly rejecting assertions made by Trump and others that the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine could also protect people against COVID-19.
Jha said the threats were concerning enough that he notified local police, who sent patrols past his family’s Boston-area home as a precaution.
Now, as 2021 dawns, he said he is looking forward to being less in the public glare.
When President-elect Joe Biden takes office, Jha said, he expects federal government authorities will take their rightful role as the public face of the nation’s pandemic response, after being diminished and undermined at critical times this year.
“That’s who the American public needs to be hearing from more,” he said, referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and experts like Fauci at other federal agencies. “I’m a poor substitute for what’s needed.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-31--Minneapolis to release bodycam video in fatal shooting

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Police in Minneapolis said they would release body camera video on Thursday from a traffic stop that ended with a man shot dead , the city ’ s first police-involved death since George Floyd died while being restrained by officers in May .
Police said the man was a suspect in a felony and that he died in an exchange of gunfire Wednesday on the city ’ s south side .
Chief Medaria Arradondo said witnesses said the man fired first .
He said the officers ’ body cameras were turned on and promised to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a state-led investigation proceeds .
The shooting stirred anxiety about renewed protests , seven months after unrest following Floyd ‘ s death .
The latest shooting happened about a mile from where Floyd died while being restrained by officers .
“ I want our communities to see that so they can see for themselves , ” he said .
Until then , Arradondo said , “ Please allow me , the ( state ) investigators , allow us the time , let us get the evidence , get the facts , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Elder said the incident happened about 6:15 p.m. at a Holiday gas station as officers were carrying out a traffic stop .
Police did not provide details of the supposed felony nor release any information about the man , including his race .
Elder said medical personnel pronounced the man dead at the scene .
A woman in the car was unhurt , Elder said .
He declined to say whether police recovered a gun at the site of the shooting .
Elder said no officers were hurt .
He said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were at the scene carrying out the traffic stop or how many were involved in the shooting .
The state ’ s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is handling an investigation .
Dozens of people gathered at the scene in the hours after the shooting , including some who interrupted Elder and sharply questioned him as he delivered a media briefing .
Arradondo said the traffic stop was carried out by members of a police community response team - longstanding units that respond to situations such as drug investigations and gun crime .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on why the man was sought .
The shooting happened less than a mile ( 1.6 kilometers ) from the street corner where Floyd , a Black man , died in May after a Minneapolis officer pressed his knee on Floyd ‘ s neck for minutes , even as Floyd pleaded that he couldn ’ t breathe .
Floyd ‘ s death sparked days of sometimes violent protest that spread around the country and resonated worldwide .
In Minneapolis , Floyd ‘ s death also led to a push for radical change in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists for what they called a brutal culture that resisted change .
A push by some City Council members to replace the department with a new public safety unit failed this summer .
Mayor Jacob Frey and Arradondo , who opposed doing away with the department , have offered several policy changes since Floyd ‘ s death , including revising use-of-force policies and requiring officers to report on their attempts to de-escalate situations .
Just this week , the chief and mayor unveiled a new plan to involve the city attorney ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of misconduct .
Frey said in a statement late Wednesday that he was working with Arradondo for information on the shooting , and pledged to get it out as quickly as possible in coordination with the state investigation .
“ Events of this past year have marked some of the darkest days in our city , ” Frey said .
“ We know a life has been cut short and that trust between communities of color and law enforcement is fragile .
… We must all be committed to getting the facts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace.
” All four officers involved in Floyd ‘ s death were fired and quickly charged in his death .
They are scheduled for trial in March .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Police in Minneapolis said they would release body camera video on Thursday from a traffic stop that ended with a man shot dead, the city’s first police-involved death since George Floyd died while being restrained by officers in May.
Police said the man was a suspect in a felony and that he died in an exchange of gunfire Wednesday on the city’s south side. Chief Medaria Arradondo said witnesses said the man fired first. He said the officers’ body cameras were turned on and promised to release the video on Thursday, even as a state-led investigation proceeds.
The shooting stirred anxiety about renewed protests, seven months after unrest following Floyd’s death. The latest shooting happened about a mile from where Floyd died while being restrained by officers.
“I want our communities to see that so they can see for themselves,” he said. Until then, Arradondo said, “Please allow me, the (state) investigators, allow us the time, let us get the evidence, get the facts, so we can process this.”
Police spokesman John Elder said the shooting happened about 6:15 p.m. at a Holiday gas station as officers were carrying out a traffic stop. Police did not provide details of the supposed felony nor release any information about the man, including his race.
Elder said medical personnel pronounced the man dead at the scene. A woman in the car was unhurt, and no officers were hurt, Elder said. He declined to say whether police recovered a gun at the site of the shooting.
SEE ALSO: Minneapolis police shooting: Man killed during traffic stop
The state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is handling an investigation.
Bayle Gelle, of Eden Prairie, told the Star Tribune on Thursday that the dead man was his son, 22-year-old Dolal Idd. Gelle told the newspaper that authorities haven’t given him any more information about what happened. He said several officers carried out a search warrant at his home Wednesday night.
“The police they are brutality,” he told the Star Tribune. “I want to get justice.”
Online court records showed a string of minor traffic charges against Idd, but also a felony theft conviction in 2018 and a felony drug conviction in 2017. The records, which included a birthdate that would make Idd 23 years old, did not include detailed summaries of the cases.
Arradondo said the traffic stop was carried out by members of a police community response team - longstanding units that respond to situations such as drug investigations and gun crime. He said he did not have additional details on why the man was sought.
The shooting happened less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the street corner where Floyd, a Black man, died in May after a Minneapolis officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for minutes, even as Floyd pleaded that he couldn’t breathe. Floyd’s death sparked days of sometimes violent protest that spread around the country and resonated worldwide.
In Minneapolis, Floyd’s death also led to a push for radical change in the police department, long criticized by activists for what they called a brutal culture that resisted change. A push by some City Council members to replace the department with a new public safety unit failed this summer.
Mayor Jacob Frey and Arradondo, who opposed doing away with the department, have offered several policy changes since Floyd’s death, including revising use-of-force policies and requiring officers to report on their attempts to de-escalate situations. Just this week, the chief and mayor unveiled a new plan to involve the city attorney’s office more quickly in investigations of officers accused of misconduct.
Frey said in a statement late Wednesday that he was working with Arradondo for information on the shooting, and pledged to get it out as quickly as possible in coordination with the state investigation.
“Events of this past year have marked some of the darkest days in our city,” Frey said. “We know a life has been cut short and that trust between communities of color and law enforcement is fragile. … We must all be committed to getting the facts, pursuing justice, and keeping the peace.”
All four officers involved in Floyd’s death were fired and quickly charged in his death. They are scheduled for trial in March.


washingtontimes--2020-12-31--Kansas earthquake was largest in recent series of quakes

WICHITA , Kan. ( AP ) - The Kansas Geological Survey says one of two earthquakes that rumbled Wednesday morning @ @ @ @ @ in a recent series of quakes .
The Wichita Eagle reports that the 3.9 magnitude @ @ @ @ @ a.m. Wednesday also was the 32nd strongest in Kansas data .
The other quake Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ 5:23 a.m .
The epicenter of the first earthquake was near Greenwich .
The second @ @ @ @ @ in Wichita .
KGS senior scientist Rick Miller believes the 18 quakes to hit Wichita @ @ @ @ @ that will subside once the suspected fault causing them has released its built-up energy .

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas Geological Survey says one of two earthquakes that rumbled Wednesday morning in Kansas was the largest in a recent series of quakes.
The Wichita Eagle reports that the 3.9 magnitude earthquake that hit at 5:04 a.m. Wednesday also was the 32nd strongest in Kansas data. The other quake Wednesday was a 2.0 magnitude at 5:23 a.m.
The epicenter of the first earthquake was near Greenwich. The second quake’s epicenter was in Wichita.
KGS senior scientist Rick Miller believes the 18 quakes to hit Wichita recently are a natural event that will subside once the suspected fault causing them has released its built-up energy.


washingtontimes--2020-12-31--EU reviews BioNTech request for 'extra dose' of virus shot

THE HAGUE , Netherlands ( AP ) - The European Union medicines watchdog said Thursday that German company BioNTech has applied for clearance in the 27-nation bloc to administer up to six doses of its COVID-19 vaccine from each vial , instead of the five doses currently approved .
In an email to The Associated Press , the European Medicines Agency said that BioNTech , which developed its vaccine together with Pfizer , has “ submitted a request for change ” which will be reviewed by the agency ’ s human medicines committee “ in the shortest possible timeframe.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that six doses can be consistently extracted from each vial of vaccine , it will recommend changing the authorization that clears the vaccine for use in EU nations .
German weekly Der Spiegel first reported this week that BioNTech has asked European regulators to change the conditions of approval to allow doctors to use excess vaccine in the vials to draw a sixth dose if possible , rather than tip the leftovers away after five as currently required .
This could result in hundreds of thousands of additional doses in Germany alone during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regulators in the United States , Switzerland and the U.K. already allow up to six doses of 0.3 milliliters each to be drawn from vials .
“ The vaccine is manufactured with enough volume for five doses , ” the U.K. regulator MHRA said in an email .
“ However , it is normal for some vials to contain a slight excess volume , and in some cases this could allow a full sixth dose to be extracted.
” “ However , care needs to be taken to ensure a full 0.3 ml @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” it added .
“ Where this can not be achieved when diluted as recommended , the vial and its contents should be discarded after the fifth dose has been extracted.
” Mixing leftovers from multiple vials is forbidden by all regulators , though .
German Health Minister Jens Spahn on Wednesday backed the idea of extracting additional doses if possible .
BioNTech intentionally fills the vials with more vaccine than necessary to ensure that even inexperienced doctors can get at least five doses out of them .

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - The European Union medicines watchdog said Thursday that German company BioNTech has applied for clearance in the 27-nation bloc to administer up to six doses of its COVID-19 vaccine from each vial, instead of the five doses currently approved.
In an email to The Associated Press, the European Medicines Agency said that BioNTech, which developed its vaccine together with U.S. drugmaker Pfizer, has “submitted a request for change” which will be reviewed by the agency’s human medicines committee “in the shortest possible timeframe.”
It said that if the committee establishes that six doses can be consistently extracted from each vial of vaccine, it will recommend changing the authorization that clears the vaccine for use in EU nations.
In a written statement, Pfizer said its vials contain enough vaccine for at least five doses and the amount remaining can vary depending on the type of needles and syringes used.
“Decisions regarding label updates and/or other temporary approvals regarding dose preparation and administration belong to local health authorities,” the company said.
German weekly Der Spiegel first reported this week that BioNTech has asked European regulators to change the conditions of approval to allow doctors to use excess vaccine in the vials to draw a sixth dose if possible, rather than tip the leftovers away after five as currently required.
This could result in hundreds of thousands of additional doses in Germany alone during the first quarter, Spiegel reported.
Regulators in the United States, Switzerland and the U.K. already allow up to six doses of 0.3 milliliters each to be drawn from vials.
“The vaccine is manufactured with enough volume for five doses,” the U.K. regulator MHRA said in an email. “However, it is normal for some vials to contain a slight excess volume, and in some cases this could allow a full sixth dose to be extracted.”
“However, care needs to be taken to ensure a full 0.3 ml dose can be administered to the individual,” it added. “Where this cannot be achieved when diluted as recommended, the vial and its contents should be discarded after the fifth dose has been extracted.”
Mixing leftovers from multiple vials is forbidden by all regulators, though.
German Health Minister Jens Spahn on Wednesday backed the idea of extracting additional doses if possible.
BioNTech intentionally fills the vials with more vaccine than necessary to ensure that even inexperienced doctors can get at least five doses out of them.
Meanwhile, a prominent doctors’ organization in Britain expressed anger that family physicians will have to rebook tens of thousands of appointments for second vaccine dose jabs for vulnerable patients following the British government’s decision Wednesday to extend the period between the required two doses to up to 12 weeks.
“This group of very elderly patients is at the highest risk of death if they contract COVID-19, which is why GPs are so concerned for them,” Dr. Richard Vautrey, chair of the British Medical Association’s general practitioners’ committee, said. “It is grossly and patently unfair to tens of thousands of our most at-risk patients to now try to reschedule their appointments.”
The U.K.’s chief medical officers defended the decision to delay the second jab, saying one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine gave at least 70% protection, with the second acting as a booster and prolonging immunity,
In a letter to the medical profession, the top medical advisers for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland said that with vaccine stocks limited around the world. “a model where we can vaccinate twice the number of people in the next 2-3 months is obviously much more preferable in public health terms than one where we vaccinate half the number but with only slightly greater protection. ”
A senior vaccine researcher at Berlin’s Charite hospital, Dr. Leif-Erik Sander, also said the U.K.’s strategy makes sense as a temporary strategy.
“That way we could vaccinate (more people) faster and win valuable time in the fight against COVID-19,” Sander said.
He said the vaccines made by BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna have a strong protective effect about 10 days after the first shot. The Moderna vaccine has not yet been approved in the European Union or the U.K.
“In my view, the booster vaccination can be delayed without problem for a little while, without having to expect any significant reduction in effectiveness,” he said, noting that attention should be paid to ensuring everyone does eventually get their second dose. .
___
Jordans reported from Bonn, Germany. Jill Lawless contributed from London.
___
Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus, https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine and https://apnews.com/hub/understanding-the-outbreak


washingtontimes--2020-12-31--5 anchors will no longer work at NY1 after suit settlement

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Five female anchors will no longer work at a New York news channel as part of the settlement of an age and gender discrimination lawsuit alleging they were passed over in favor of younger talent , according to statements from the women , their lawyers and the channel .
The women who sued in Manhattan federal court in June 2019 include Roma Torre , a Montclair , New Jersey , resident in her early 60s who was NY1′s first on-air hire when it began its programs in 1992 .
The settlement of the lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyers and by NY1 .
Its terms were not disclosed .
It came a month after a judge allowed some age and gender discrimination claims to proceed but rejected some hostile work environment and retaliation claims .
In their lawsuit , the women , all over age 40 , alleged that they were marginalized and cast aside to make room for younger women and men after Charter Communications , a Stamford , Connecticut-based company , took over the local news channel in 2016 .
The lawsuit had sought unspecified damages and a return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charter took control .
According to the lawsuit , the women found their on-air time dramatically reduced , anchoring opportunities decreased , prime reporting opportunities taken away and promotional efforts mostly eliminated .
“ We are pleased to announce we have reached a confidential resolution of the lawsuit filed by Roma Torre , Kristen Shaughnessy , Jeanine Ramirez , Vivian Lee and Amanda Farinacci and as a result , have mutually agreed to part ways , ” NY1 said in its statement .
“ We want to thank them for their years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Yorkers and we wish them well in their future endeavors , ” it added .
In a statement , the women said they were pleased to reach the settlement “ after engaging in a lengthy dialogue with NY1.
” “ We believe it is in everyone ’ s interest - ours , NY1 ’ s and our viewers - that this litigation be resolved and we have mutually agreed to part ways , ” the statement said .
“ We want to thank everyone who has supported us through these times – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and every person has made a real difference.
” Their attorneys , Douglas Wigdor and David Gottlieb , thanked their clients ’ viewers who “ tuned in to watch them fairly and accurately report the news for so many years .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - Five female anchors will no longer work at a New York news channel as part of the settlement of an age and gender discrimination lawsuit alleging they were passed over in favor of younger talent, according to statements from the women, their lawyers and the channel.
The women who sued in Manhattan federal court in June 2019 include Roma Torre, a Montclair, New Jersey, resident in her early 60s who was NY1′s first on-air hire when it began its programs in 1992.
The settlement of the lawsuit was announced by the women, their lawyers and by NY1. Its terms were not disclosed.
It came a month after a judge allowed some age and gender discrimination claims to proceed but rejected some hostile work environment and retaliation claims.
In their lawsuit, the women, all over age 40, alleged that they were marginalized and cast aside to make room for younger women and men after Charter Communications, a Stamford, Connecticut-based company, took over the local news channel in 2016.
The lawsuit had sought unspecified damages and a return to the positions the women occupied before Charter took control.
According to the lawsuit, the women found their on-air time dramatically reduced, anchoring opportunities decreased, prime reporting opportunities taken away and promotional efforts mostly eliminated.
“We are pleased to announce we have reached a confidential resolution of the lawsuit filed by Roma Torre, Kristen Shaughnessy, Jeanine Ramirez, Vivian Lee and Amanda Farinacci and as a result, have mutually agreed to part ways,” NY1 said in its statement.
“We want to thank them for their years of dedicated service in reporting the news for New Yorkers and we wish them well in their future endeavors,” it added.
In a statement, the women said they were pleased to reach the settlement “after engaging in a lengthy dialogue with NY1.”
“We believe it is in everyone’s interest - ours, NY1’s and our viewers - that this litigation be resolved and we have mutually agreed to part ways,” the statement said. “We want to thank everyone who has supported us through these times – please know that the support from each and every person has made a real difference.”
Their attorneys, Douglas Wigdor and David Gottlieb, thanked their clients’ viewers who “tuned in to watch them fairly and accurately report the news for so many years.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-31--Under fire, France pledges speedier vaccination rollout

PARIS ( AP ) - Under fire for a glacially slow rollout of coronavirus vaccine shots , France ’ s government pledged Thursday to pick up the pace , offering quicker inoculation to a broader array of health care workers starting next week .
President Emmanuel Macron also intervened in what was becoming an increasingly sharp debate about the slow start of vaccinations against the virus in France .
Macron used his traditional New Year ’ s address to the nation Thursday night to promise that he will personally ensure there is no unnecessary heel-dragging .
The French leader said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slowness , for bad reasons , to take root.
” Before Macron spoke , his health minister tweeted that shots would be offered from Monday to health care workers aged 50 and older .
Only a few hundred people received vaccines against the coronavirus in the days after a 78-year-old in a long-term care facility got the first shot on Sunday .
Consent requirements have slowed the process .
Officials were also treading cautiously because of widespread skepticism in France around the safety of the rapidly developed vaccines .
But critics increasingly are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The National Academy of Medicine said the slow start “ is difficult to defend.
” France has reported the virus-related deaths of more than 64,000 people since the start of the pandemic .

PARIS (AP) - Under fire for a glacially slow rollout of coronavirus vaccine shots, France’s government pledged Thursday to pick up the pace, offering quicker inoculation to a broader array of health care workers starting next week.
President Emmanuel Macron also intervened in what was becoming an increasingly sharp debate about the slow start of vaccinations against the virus in France. Macron used his traditional New Year’s address to the nation Thursday night to promise that he will personally ensure there is no unnecessary heel-dragging.
The French leader said he would not allow “an unjustified slowness, for bad reasons, to take root.”
Before Macron spoke, his health minister tweeted that shots would be offered from Monday to health care workers aged 50 and older.
Only a few hundred people received vaccines against the coronavirus in the days after a 78-year-old in a long-term care facility got the first shot on Sunday.
Consent requirements have slowed the process. Officials were also treading cautiously because of widespread skepticism in France around the safety of the rapidly developed vaccines.
But critics increasingly are accusing health officials of being overly cautious.
The National Academy of Medicine said the slow start “is difficult to defend.”
France has reported the virus-related deaths of more than 64,000 people since the start of the pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-12-31--Former US Sen. Saxby Chambliss recovering from stroke

ATLANTA ( AP ) - Former U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss is recovering from a minor stroke , his spokeswoman said @ @ @ @ @ , was admitted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and is being treated at its @ @ @ @ @ , spokeswoman Lauren Claffey Tomlinson said .
Chambliss suffered the stroke on Tuesday and is @ @ @ @ @ recovery , Tomlinson said in a statement .
“ He is doing well , resting @ @ @ @ @ forward to a full recovery , ” she said .
“ Saxby and his wife @ @ @ @ @ well wishes and prayers during this time.
” Chambliss , a Republican from Moultrie , @ @ @ @ @ to the House of Representatives in 1994 .
He served four terms in the House @ @ @ @ @ the Senate after a 2002 campaign in which he defeated Democratic incumbent Max Cleland .
@ @ @ @ @ announced that he would not seek re-election .

ATLANTA (AP) - Former U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss is recovering from a minor stroke, his spokeswoman said Thursday.
Chambliss, 77, was admitted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and is being treated at its Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center, spokeswoman Lauren Claffey Tomlinson said.
Chambliss suffered the stroke on Tuesday and is expected to make a complete recovery, Tomlinson said in a statement.
“He is doing well, resting comfortably, and is looking forward to a full recovery,” she said. “Saxby and his wife Julianne thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers during this time.”
Chambliss, a Republican from Moultrie, Georgia, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1994. He served four terms in the House.
He was elected to the Senate after a 2002 campaign in which he defeated Democratic incumbent Max Cleland. In January 2013, he announced that he would not seek re-election.


washingtontimes--2020-12-31--Holding company buys Lake Michigan car ferry SS Badger

LUDINGTON , Mich. ( AP ) - A coal-fired ferry that carries people and cars across Lake Michigan between Michigan and Wisconsin has been sold .
Interlake Holding Co. announced Wednesday that it bought the SS Badger , The Ludington Daily News reported .
The Middleburg Heights , Ohio-based company also purchased a tug-barge called the SS Spartan and the Lake Michigan Carferry and Pere Marquette Shipping companies .
“ I think we ’ ve always been interested in the Pere Marquette and the Badger , ” said Mark Barker , Interlake president .
“ We ’ re just excited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is really iconic and historic.
” The 410-foot ( 125-meter ) SS Badger launched in 1952 and hauled railcars across Lake Michigan from 1953 to 1990 .
It was converted into a car and passenger ferry and can carry 600 people and 180 vehicles .
It now operates between Ludington in western Michigan and Manitowoc in Wisconsin and was designated a national historic landmark in 2016 .
“ We ’ re keeping most of the employees , ” Barker said .
“ It ’ s a great operation , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation in Ludington.
” The SS Badger , the other ships and the carferry and shipping companies had been owned by Bob Manglitz , Don Clingan and Jim Anderson .
“ The communities of Manitowoc and Ludington and the people have a sense of ownership in the Badger , ” Manglitz said after the sale .
“ It was like nothing I have ever been involved with .
”

LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP) - A coal-fired ferry that carries people and cars across Lake Michigan between Michigan and Wisconsin has been sold.
Interlake Holding Co. announced Wednesday that it bought the SS Badger, The Ludington Daily News reported.
The Middleburg Heights, Ohio-based company also purchased the tug-barge Undaunted/Pere Marquette 41, the mothballed ferry SS Spartan, and the Lake Michigan Carferry and Pere Marquette Shipping companies.
“I think we’ve always been interested in the Pere Marquette and the Badger,” said Mark Barker, Interlake president. “We’re just excited to acquire this vessel and this operation. It is really iconic and historic.”
The 410-foot (125-meter) SS Badger launched in 1952 and hauled railcars across Lake Michigan from 1953 to 1990. It was converted into a car and passenger ferry and can carry 600 people and 180 vehicles.
It now operates between Ludington in western Michigan and Manitowoc in Wisconsin and was designated a national historic landmark in 2016.
“We’re keeping most of the employees,” Barker said. “It’s a great operation, and it’s our goal to continue that operation in Ludington.”
The SS Badger, the other ships and the carferry and shipping companies had been owned by Bob Manglitz, Don Clingan and Jim Anderson.
“The communities of Manitowoc and Ludington and the people have a sense of ownership in the Badger,” Manglitz said after the sale. “It was like nothing I have ever been involved with.”
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This story has been corrected to show that the company bought the tug-barge Undaunted/Pere Marquette 41. The SS Spartan is a mothballed ferry, not a tug-barge.


washingtontimes--2020-12-31--Vermont dismisses charges against former officer and father

ST. ALBANS , Vt. ( AP ) - The state of Vermont has filed a notice in court to dismiss @ @ @ @ @ Albans police officer and his father who were accused of entering a woman ’ s @ @ @ @ @ , the attorney general ’ s office said Thursday .
Zachary Pigeon , 30 , @ @ @ @ @ his father Allen Pigeon , 57 , of Swanton , faced charges from April including @ @ @ @ @ assault , simple assault , and obstruction of justice .
The state provided notice to @ @ @ @ @ it can not meet the elements of the charged crimes beyond a reasonable doubt at @ @ @ @ @ general ’ s office said .
The state also filed notice to dismiss sexual assault @ @ @ @ @ accused him of sexually assaulting the woman over five years when she was a child @ @ @ @ @ s office said .
It was not immediately known if the two men were being @ @ @ @

ST. ALBANS, Vt. (AP) - The state of Vermont has filed a notice in court to dismiss charges against a former St. Albans police officer and his father who were accused of entering a woman’s home and assaulting her outside, the attorney general’s office said Thursday.
Zachary Pigeon, 30, of St. Albans, and his father Allen Pigeon, 57, of Swanton, faced charges from April including burglary, kidnapping, aggravated assault, simple assault, and obstruction of justice.
The state provided notice to the court on Wednesday that it cannot meet the elements of the charged crimes beyond a reasonable doubt at this time, the attorney general’s office said.
The state also filed notice to dismiss sexual assault charges against Zachary Pigeon that accused him of sexually assaulting the woman over five years when she was a child, the attorney general’s office said.
It was not immediately known if the two men were being represented by attorneys.


washingtontimes--2020-12-31--Trump returns to White House early, offers year-end message

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - President Donald Trump delivered a year-end video message Thursday after returning early from vacation , highlighting his administration ’ s work to rapidly develop a vaccine against COVID-19 and rebuild the economy .
As the end of his presidency neared , Trump cut short his stay at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida and got back to the White House a day ahead of schedule .
Upon his return , Trump released a video message over Twitter to underscore his administration ’ s work on the vaccine , economic stimulus checks and America ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the face of challenges .
He called the vaccine , which is rolling out nationwide , a “ truly unprecedented medical miracle ” and said it would be available to every American early this coming year .
“ We have to be remembered for what ’ s been done , ” Trump said in the nearly five-minute message .
The White House didn ’ t give a reason for Trump ’ s early return , and the schedule change means Trump will miss the glitzy New Year ’ s Eve party held annually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes as tensions escalate between the United States and Iran in the final weeks of his administration .
There is concern in Washington that Iran could order further military retaliation for the U.S. killing last Jan. 3 of top Iranian military commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
Iran ’ s initial response , five days after that deadly U.S. drone strike , was a ballistic missile attack on a military base in Iraq that caused brain concussion injuries to about 100 U.S. troops .
Iranian-supported Shiite militia groups launched a rocket attack on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 20 .
No one was killed , but Trump said days later that Iran was on notice .
“ Some friendly health advice to Iran : If one American is killed , I will hold Iran responsible .
Think it over , ” Trump tweeted on Dec. 23 .
He added , ” We hear chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq.
” The White House announced the abrupt change in the president ’ s schedule late Wednesday , hours after Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, said he would raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affirm President-elect Joe Biden ’ s victory in the November election .
It ’ s the latest futile attempt by Trump and his allies to fight his election defeat and overturn the will of the voters , and scores of previous challenges have failed , including at the Supreme Court .
Former Attorney General William Barr and other administration officials have said they saw no evidence of mass voter fraud , as Trump has claimed .
Trump , accompanied by first lady Melania Trump , arrived at Mar-a-Lago after dark on Dec. 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on subverting the election results .
That includes an effort to get Republican lawmakers to challenge the vote when Congress meets Jan. 6 to affirm Biden ’ s 306-232 win in the Electoral College .
A group of Republicans in the Democratic-controlled House already had said they will object on Trump ’ s behalf .
They needed at least one senator to join them to force votes in both chambers , and Hawley stepped up .
The GOP objections , however , will not prevent Biden from being sworn in as president on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-Calif. , a Black woman of South Asian descent , from becoming vice president .
During his vacation , Trump also took near daily swipes on Twitter at Georgia Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp and other state elections officials over his loss to Biden in that state .
While he has remained focused on the effort to stay in power , Trump has stayed mum on major developments during the holiday break , including a Christmas Day bombing in Nashville , Tennessee , the discovery of a new and apparently more contagious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States and the death of Rep.-elect Luke Letlow , R-La.
, from COVID-19 complications .
Since losing the election , the usually chatty Trump has avoided engaging with reporters , even those who accompanied him to Florida .
He went as far as barring them from his Christmas Day remarks to the troops , the type of event the White House typically opens for news coverage .
Before he left Washington , Trump stunned Capitol Hill by objecting to spending in a government funding bill that had been paired with a fresh round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600 payments to most Americans .
Much of that spending had been sought by his own administration .
Trump jeopardized the financial aid and flirted with a government shutdown by implying that he wouldn ’ t sign the sweeping legislation unless lawmakers increased the payments to $ 2,000 , a sum sought by most Democrats and some Republicans .
Trump eventually signed the bill Sunday night after several days of uncertainty in exchange for congressional votes on his demands .
He also wants Congress to lift certain protections for social media companies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election .
The House voted this week in favor of increasing the payments , but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , all but shut the door Wednesday when he declared that Congress had provided enough pandemic aid .
McConnell blocked attempts by Democrats to force a vote in that chamber on the higher payments sought by Trump .

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump delivered a year-end video message Thursday after returning early from vacation, highlighting his administration’s work to rapidly develop a vaccine against COVID-19 and rebuild the economy.
As the end of his presidency neared, Trump cut short his stay at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida and got back to the White House a day ahead of schedule.
Upon his return, Trump released a video message over Twitter to underscore his administration’s work on the vaccine, economic stimulus checks and America’s “grit, strength and tenacity” in the face of challenges.
He called the vaccine, which is rolling out nationwide, a “truly unprecedented medical miracle” and said it would be available to every American early this coming year. “We have to be remembered for what’s been done,” Trump said in the nearly five-minute message.
The White House didn’t give a reason for Trump’s early return, and the schedule change means Trump will miss the glitzy New Year’s Eve party held annually at his Palm Beach club.
But it comes as tensions escalate between the United States and Iran in the final weeks of his administration. There is concern in Washington that Iran could order further military retaliation for the U.S. killing last Jan. 3 of top Iranian military commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Iran’s initial response, five days after that deadly U.S. drone strike, was a ballistic missile attack on a military base in Iraq that caused brain concussion injuries to about 100 U.S. troops.
Iranian-supported Shiite militia groups launched a rocket attack on the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad on Dec. 20. No one was killed, but Trump said days later that Iran was on notice.
“Some friendly health advice to Iran: If one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over,” Trump tweeted on Dec. 23. He added, ”We hear chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq.”
The White House announced the abrupt change in the president’s schedule late Wednesday, hours after Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said he would raise objections next week when Congress meets to affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the November election.
It’s the latest futile attempt by Trump and his allies to fight his election defeat and overturn the will of the voters, and scores of previous challenges have failed, including at the Supreme Court. Former Attorney General William Barr and other administration officials have said they saw no evidence of mass voter fraud, as Trump has claimed.
Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, arrived at Mar-a-Lago after dark on Dec. 23 and spent practically the entire vacation focused on subverting the election results. That includes an effort to get Republican lawmakers to challenge the vote when Congress meets Jan. 6 to affirm Biden’s 306-232 win in the Electoral College.
A group of Republicans in the Democratic-controlled House already had said they will object on Trump’s behalf. They needed at least one senator to join them to force votes in both chambers, and Hawley stepped up.
The GOP objections, however, will not prevent Biden from being sworn in as president on Jan. 20, and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., a Black woman of South Asian descent, from becoming vice president.
During his vacation, Trump also took near daily swipes on Twitter at Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and other state elections officials over his loss to Biden in that state.
While he has remained focused on the effort to stay in power, Trump has stayed mum on major developments during the holiday break, including a Christmas Day bombing in Nashville, Tennessee, the discovery of a new and apparently more contagious variant of the coronavirus in the United States and the death of Rep.-elect Luke Letlow, R-La., from COVID-19 complications.
Since losing the election, the usually chatty Trump has avoided engaging with reporters, even those who accompanied him to Florida. He went as far as barring them from his Christmas Day remarks to the troops, the type of event the White House typically opens for news coverage.
Before he left Washington, Trump stunned Capitol Hill by objecting to spending in a government funding bill that had been paired with a fresh round of needed coronavirus relief that included $600 payments to most Americans. Much of that spending had been sought by his own administration.
Trump jeopardized the financial aid and flirted with a government shutdown by implying that he wouldn’t sign the sweeping legislation unless lawmakers increased the payments to $2,000, a sum sought by most Democrats and some Republicans.
Trump eventually signed the bill Sunday night after several days of uncertainty in exchange for congressional votes on his demands. He also wants Congress to lift certain protections for social media companies and investigate his unfounded claims of fraud in the election.
The House voted this week in favor of increasing the payments, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., all but shut the door Wednesday when he declared that Congress had provided enough pandemic aid. McConnell blocked attempts by Democrats to force a vote in that chamber on the higher payments sought by Trump.


washingtontimes--2020-12-31--Alabama health officials: Stay home this holiday weekend

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - Alabama health officials urged people to avoid large gatherings over the holiday weekend amid a record-setting surge in COVID-19 cases .
“ Please stay home , ” State Health Officer Scott Harris said , noting that New Year ’ s Eve gatherings are particularly worrisome because they tend to be crowded indoor gatherings and often involve drinking .
“ We understand that people are tired and they want to get out and they want to do things and that is perfectly understandable , but it ’ s just not a good idea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began , the state has had more than 360,000 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 .
On Friday , Alabama set a new record for the number of people in state hospitals - 2,815 across the state .
The number jumped by about 1,000 people during the month of December .
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo , director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital , this week cautioned that Alabama is “ not in a good place ” with virus numbers .
“ It ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure ; lots of travel ; lots of opportunity for transmission , ” Marrazzo said .
Marrazzo said she has lost patience with people who continue to dispute the need for masks .
“ Honestly , my tolerance and the tolerance of many of my colleagues for these kind of falsehoods and misinformation is really going down .
If you are saying this at this point , you are denying the reality of the 3,700 who have died of this infection .
And , honestly , that just makes me angry and sad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Randall Woodfin announced Wednesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 .
He said his symptoms are mild .
“ Remember , everyone : COVID-19 is real .
Please be safe and protect yourselves and your loved ones this holiday weekend , ” Woodfin wrote in a tweet .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama health officials urged people to avoid large gatherings over the holiday weekend amid a record-setting surge in COVID-19 cases.
“Please stay home,” State Health Officer Scott Harris said, noting that New Year’s Eve gatherings are particularly worrisome because they tend to be crowded indoor gatherings and often involve drinking.
“We understand that people are tired and they want to get out and they want to do things and that is perfectly understandable, but it’s just not a good idea,” Harris said.
Since the pandemic began, the state has had more than 360,000 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19.
On Friday, Alabama set a new record for the number of people in state hospitals - 2,815 across the state. The number jumped by about 1,000 people during the month of December.
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, this week cautioned that Alabama is “not in a good place” with virus numbers.
“It’s the end of the holidays. Lots of exposure; lots of travel; lots of opportunity for transmission,” Marrazzo said.
Marrazzo said she has lost patience with people who continue to dispute the need for masks.
“Honestly, my tolerance and the tolerance of many of my colleagues for these kind of falsehoods and misinformation is really going down. If you are saying this at this point, you are denying the reality of the 3,700 who have died of this infection. And, honestly, that just makes me angry and sad,” she said.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced Wednesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He said his symptoms are mild.
“Remember, everyone: COVID-19 is real. Please be safe and protect yourselves and your loved ones this holiday weekend,” Woodfin wrote in a tweet.


washingtontimes--2020-12-31--Worcester board approves Amazon facility, despite opposition

WORCESTER , Mass .
( AP ) - Worcester ’ s planning board has approved a site plan for the proposed demolition and redevelopment of the Greendale Mall as an Amazon “ last mile ” distribution center , despite concerns from neighbors about traffic , environmental impacts and noise .
Board members on Wednesday said they didn ’ t want to invalidate neighborhood concerns , but they could only consider a narrow range of factors defined by the site plan review process , according to The Telegram & Gazette .
Board members and city planning officials reminded residents the online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is allowed under zoning rules .
Amazon officials have said the site is scheduled to come online in late 2022 or early 2023 .
Opponents of the facility said Amazon has misled other communities where it has built similar facilities about traffic impacts in particular .
Residents took issue with Amazon ’ s traffic estimates , which include 18 tractor-trailer trips overnight .
Residents said that could increase to 30 at peak holiday times .
Jessica Schumer , an Amazon representative , said the 30 or so truck trips cited as peak holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site and any more demand would not be pushed through the site .

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - Worcester’s planning board has approved a site plan for the proposed demolition and redevelopment of the Greendale Mall as an Amazon “last mile” distribution center, despite concerns from neighbors about traffic, environmental impacts and noise.
Board members on Wednesday said they didn’t want to invalidate neighborhood concerns, but they could only consider a narrow range of factors defined by the site plan review process, according to The Telegram & Gazette.
Board members and city planning officials reminded residents the online retail giant’s proposed distribution center is allowed under zoning rules.
Amazon officials have said the site is scheduled to come online in late 2022 or early 2023.
Opponents of the facility said Amazon has misled other communities where it has built similar facilities about traffic impacts in particular. Residents took issue with Amazon’s traffic estimates, which include 18 tractor-trailer trips overnight.
Residents said that could increase to 30 at peak holiday times.
Jessica Schumer, an Amazon representative, said the 30 or so truck trips cited as peak holiday traffic would be about capacity for the site and any more demand would not be pushed through the site.


washingtontimes--2020-12-31--It's win and they're in (the playoffs) for Ravens vs Bengals

CINCINNATI ( AP ) - Five weeks ago , the Baltimore Ravens figured they ’ d have to win out and get some help to reach the playoffs .
After tending to their own part of the equation with four straight victories and receiving the necessary assistance last weekend in the form of losses by Cleveland and Indianapolis , all that remains for the Ravens ( 10-5 ) is one more item of business : defeat Cincinnati in the regular-season finale this Sunday .
Getting into the postseason for the third year in a row is what ’ s important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is irrelevant .
“ All we can focus on is the next game .
Not focus on the playoffs , ” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said .
“ We ’ re just trying to get better and win this game , and the cards will fall how they fall.
” Baltimore was 5-1 before a skid that coincided with an outbreak of COVID-19 at its training facility sent the season off the rails .
Four losses in five games - including three in a row before the current hot streak - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cincinnati ( 4-10-1 ) .
Ravens star Lamar Jackson needs 92 yards rushing to become the first quarterback in NFL history with two 1,000-yard seasons .
At this juncture in the season , personal accomplishments are meaningless to the league ’ s reigning MVP .
“ Being honest , I just want to win Sunday and come out of the game healthy , ” Jackson said .
“ It doesn ’ t really matter about any records being broken , or anything like that .
I just want to win to get in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their past three games against Cincinnati , their longtime AFC North foe .
Baltimore beat the Bengals 27-3 in October before Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow ’ s season ended with a knee injury that brought about the emergence of Brandon Allen , who shredded Houston last week by going 29 for 37 for 371 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions .
Cincinnati has nothing to gain except being the spoiler and ending a difficult season with a three-game winning streak .
After the Bengals went on the road to defeat the Texans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re out of the playoff hunt .
It ’ s easy for guys to check out right now , and we haven ’ t had a single player do it .
Just proud to coach these guys.
” Following a 19-14 loss in Pittsburgh in which Jackson was sidelined with the coronavirus , Baltimore stood at 6-5 and in third place in the division .
Ravens coach John Harbaugh kept spirits up with a calming directive that set the course for the rest of the season .
“ I feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that time , ” safety Chuck Clark said .
“ We were all at home on Zoom waiting for the next thing .
What would be next ?
What ’ s the message ?
Where are we going from here ?
Coach did a good job of keeping us all grounded , knowing that we would all eventually overcome the situations that we had , and be able to get back out there and go win football games to be able to put ourselves in position.
” Bengals receiver Tee Higgins is on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record .
Higgins has 67 catches , tied with Cris Collinsworth for most by a Bengals rookie .
He was selected out of Clemson with the first pick in the second round of this year ’ s draft .
Ravens rookie J.K. Dobbins has displaced Mark Ingram as the starting running back and is part of a three-tiered threat for a team that counts heavily on the run .
Jackson leads the way with 908 yards rushing , Gus Edwards has 663 and Dobbins checks in with 645 after being used sparingly early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former star at Ohio State , has seven touchdowns , one in each of the past five games .
“ As soon as they drafted me , my thought process was , ‘ Let ’ s go in here , let ’ s get better , and I ’ m going to find a way to get on this field and help this team win as many games as possible - get us to a Super Bowl , if that ’ s possible , ’ ” he said .
“ And that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing.
” Allen is 1-3 as a starter this year , so he wasn ’ t about to proclaim himself a star after tearing apart Houston ’ s defense last weekend .
“ I ’ ve had a couple bad games too , ” Allen said .
“ So I ’ ll take this with a grain of salt and just keep trying to get better .
But I always wake up on game day with the confidence that we ’ re going to make all the plays we need to to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of feel like I ’ m going to make all the throws that I need to.
” He will tested by a Baltimore defense that has had 11 sacks in the past two games .

CINCINNATI (AP) - Five weeks ago, the Baltimore Ravens figured they’d have to win out and get some help to reach the playoffs.
After tending to their own part of the equation with four straight victories and receiving the necessary assistance last weekend in the form of losses by Cleveland and Indianapolis, all that remains for the Ravens (10-5) is one more item of business: defeat Cincinnati in the regular-season finale this Sunday.
Getting into the postseason for the third year in a row is what’s important. Who they play if they get there is irrelevant.
“All we can focus on is the next game. Not focus on the playoffs,” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said. “We’re just trying to get better and win this game, and the cards will fall how they fall.”
Baltimore was 5-1 before a skid that coincided with an outbreak of COVID-19 at its training facility sent the season off the rails. Four losses in five games - including three in a row before the current hot streak - can be forgotten with a victory at Cincinnati (4-10-1).
Ravens star Lamar Jackson needs 92 yards rushing to become the first quarterback in NFL history with two 1,000-yard seasons. At this juncture in the season, personal accomplishments are meaningless to the league’s reigning MVP.
“Being honest, I just want to win Sunday and come out of the game healthy,” Jackson said. “It doesn’t really matter about any records being broken, or anything like that. I just want to win to get in the playoffs.”
The Ravens have won their past three games against Cincinnati, their longtime AFC North foe. Baltimore beat the Bengals 27-3 in October before Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow’s season ended with a knee injury that brought about the emergence of Brandon Allen, who shredded Houston last week by going 29 for 37 for 371 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Cincinnati has nothing to gain except being the spoiler and ending a difficult season with a three-game winning streak.
After the Bengals went on the road to defeat the Texans 37-31, coach Zac Taylor said, “We’re out of the playoff hunt. It’s easy for guys to check out right now, and we haven’t had a single player do it. Just proud to coach these guys.”
MAINTAINING FOCUS
Following a 19-14 loss in Pittsburgh in which Jackson was sidelined with the coronavirus, Baltimore stood at 6-5 and in third place in the division. Ravens coach John Harbaugh kept spirits up with a calming directive that set the course for the rest of the season.
“I feel that coach did a great job during that time,” safety Chuck Clark said. “We were all at home on Zoom waiting for the next thing. What would be next? What’s the message? Where are we going from here? Coach did a good job of keeping us all grounded, knowing that we would all eventually overcome the situations that we had, and be able to get back out there and go win football games to be able to put ourselves in position.”
ROOKIE SENSATION
Bengals receiver Tee Higgins is on the cusp of setting a team rookie record.
Higgins has 67 catches, tied with Cris Collinsworth for most by a Bengals rookie. He was selected out of Clemson with the first pick in the second round of this year’s draft.
ROOKIE SENSATION II
Ravens rookie J.K. Dobbins has displaced Mark Ingram as the starting running back and is part of a three-tiered threat for a team that counts heavily on the run.
Jackson leads the way with 908 yards rushing, Gus Edwards has 663 and Dobbins checks in with 645 after being used sparingly early in the season.
Dobbins, a former star at Ohio State, has seven touchdowns, one in each of the past five games.
“As soon as they drafted me, my thought process was, ‘Let’s go in here, let’s get better, and I’m going to find a way to get on this field and help this team win as many games as possible - get us to a Super Bowl, if that’s possible,’” he said. “And that’s just what I’ve been doing.”
HUMBLE BUT CONFIDENT
Allen is 1-3 as a starter this year, so he wasn’t about to proclaim himself a star after tearing apart Houston’s defense last weekend.
“I’ve had a couple bad games too,” Allen said. “So I’ll take this with a grain of salt and just keep trying to get better. But I always wake up on game day with the confidence that we’re going to make all the plays we need to to win the game. And I always kind of feel like I’m going to make all the throws that I need to.”
He will tested by a Baltimore defense that has had 11 sacks in the past two games.
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