washingtontimes--2020-12-02--People magazine reveals its '2020 People of the Year'

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - People magazine has named George Clooney , Dr. Anthony Fauci , Selena Gomez and Regina King as the “ 2020 People of the Year.
” The magazine revealed its list Wednesday morning as part of a year-end double issue with four covers .
The four will be celebrated for their positive impact in the world during a challenging 2020 .
Clooney , Fauci , Gomez and King will be separately featured on the magazine covers of the issue , which is out Friday .
Clooney has received some Oscar buzz for his upcoming film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the actor was also in spotlight for his advocacy work .
He donated $ 500,000 to the Equal Justice Initiative in wake of George Floyd ’ s death and $ 1 million for COVID-19 relief efforts in Italy , London and Los Angeles .
As the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , Fauci provided steady guidance during the turbulent pandemic .
As the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , he has been one of the nation ’ s leading sources of information about the fight against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Rare ” and hosted the cooking show “ Selena + Chef ” on HBO Max .
But the pop superstar also spread her message of inclusion through her makeup brand Rare Beauty , which set the goal of raising $ 100 million in 10 years to help give people access to mental health initiatives .
King , who won an Emmy in September , used her voice to encourage people to vote .
The actor also called for support of marginalized communities during the pandemic and end police brutality of unarmed Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One Night in Miami , ” has also been talked about as a possible Oscar contender .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - People magazine has named George Clooney, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Selena Gomez and Regina King as the “2020 People of the Year.”
The magazine revealed its list Wednesday morning as part of a year-end double issue with four covers. The four will be celebrated for their positive impact in the world during a challenging 2020.
Clooney, Fauci, Gomez and King will be separately featured on the magazine covers of the issue, which is out Friday.
Clooney has received some Oscar buzz for his upcoming film “The Midnight Sky,” but the actor was also in spotlight for his advocacy work. He donated $500,000 to the Equal Justice Initiative in wake of George Floyd’s death and $1 million for COVID-19 relief efforts in Italy, London and Los Angeles.
As the nation’s top infectious disease expert, Fauci provided steady guidance during the turbulent pandemic. As the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, he has been one of the nation’s leading sources of information about the fight against COVID-19.
Gomez released her chart-topping album “Rare” and hosted the cooking show “Selena + Chef” on HBO Max. But the pop superstar also spread her message of inclusion through her makeup brand Rare Beauty, which set the goal of raising $100 million in 10 years to help give people access to mental health initiatives.
King, who won an Emmy in September, used her voice to encourage people to vote. The actor also called for support of marginalized communities during the pandemic and end police brutality of unarmed Black people. Her directorial debut, “One Night in Miami,” has also been talked about as a possible Oscar contender.


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Inside the Beltway: Trump approval 'ticks up' to 50%

Could it be buyer ’ s remorse following the presidential election ?
Is it due to uneasiness about presumed President-elect Joseph R. Biden ’ s potential arrival at the White House , agenda in hand ?
Whatever the reason , President Trump ’ s approval ratings have popped up to 50 % among all voters despite a pronounced partisan divide among respondents , according to a Hill-HarrisX Daily Poll released Wednesday .
“ Trump ’ s job approval ticks up to 50 % post-election , ” the poll headline advised .
One thing is for sure .
Mr. Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Ninety-three percent of voters who said they cast their ballots for Trump approve of his job as president , as do 14 % of those who voted for President-elect Joe Biden .
The survey found 83 % of Republican respondents approve of Trump ’ s job as commander in chief , ” analyst Gabriela Schulte reports .
The poll also found that 19 % of Democrats and 46 % of independents also approved .
Meanwhile , Mr. Trump also got the nod from 60 % of rural residents , 54 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 51 % of Southerners , to cite a few numbers .
He did not do so well among Black voters ( 21 % favorable ) , young adults ( 41 % ) , Hispanics or women ( both 45 % ) .
The poll was conducted Nov. 27-30 among 2,825 registered U.S. voters .
And one more thing about that aforementioned Trump voter loyalty .
A CNBC poll found that just 3 % of those who voted for the president felt he should concede the election .
The survey of 1,203 U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted Nov. 18-21 .
Since it was founded in 1911 , the New York Young Republicans Club has hosted a grand Christmas gala that very year .
The tradition continues for the organization , located in Manhattan of course .
On Thursday , Rep. Matt Gaetz , Florida Republican , and James O ’ Keefe — the intrepid investigative journalist and founder of Project Veritas — are the headline speakers for the annual black-tie revels .
There ’ s a cordial cocktail reception , an awards ceremony , a “ State of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seated dinner .
And of course , there will be wisdom and wit from Mr. Gaetz and Mr. O ’ Keefe .
The sold-out event will follow all suggested safety precautions and recommendations , says club president Gavin Wax .
He also had a word for critics in the news media who do not approve of the gathering , “ When the New York Young Republicans Club is front page of The Daily Beast , you know you are doing something right , ” Mr. Wax tweeted Wednesday .
Fox News ended November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month of the year in the network ’ s history , drawing an average of 3.9 million prime-time viewers .
CNN garnered 2.8 million , MSNBC 1.5 million .
The numbers are from Nielsen Media Research .
Fox News has bested its two cable news rivals for 227 months in a row , which equals just under 19 years — yes , years — in the top spot .
In addition , Fox News aired 39 of the top 100 cable telecasts in November , also delivering six telecasts with over 10 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ratings kingpin , averaging 5.1 million nightly viewers .
Fellow host Sean Hannity follows , averaging 4.9 million viewers .
In addition , “ Sunday Morning Futures ” anchored by Maria Bartiromo was the highest-rated cable news program across the board on Sunday , with her energetic and exclusive interview with President Trump , his first since the November election .
The program earned an audience of 2.4 million viewers .
One of the more popular Democratic narratives is the idea that the nation needs to “ heal ” following the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many biased news organizations and journalists fed the national discord 24/7 from the get-go .
Presumed President-elect Joseph R. Biden , in fact , declared it was “ time to heal ” in his premature victory speech on Nov. 7 — and the cozy “ heal ” signal has resonated through mawkish news coverage and editorials ever since .
Not everyone agrees with it .
“ Joe Biden heal the nation ?
Seriously ?
He ’ s having trouble healing the divisions in his own party , ” noted Boston Herald columnist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many high-profile progressive Democrats are not very happy with the nascent Biden administration .
What about voters themselves ?
A new survey from veteran pollster John Zogby finds that 49 % of registered U.S. voters agree that the nation could “ heal and unite ” following the election .
Another 24 % , however , rejected the idea while 27 % were “ not sure ” .
There are some very marked differences of opinion among the demographics , however .
Surprisingly enough , more men than women were optimistic about all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the menfolk and 43 % of the ladies think the U.S. can unite .
Among young adults under age 24 , 54 % shared the optimism , compared to 37 % of voters over 50 and a mere 28 % of those over 70 .
Six out of 10 among both Black voters and Hispanic voters also agree the nation can heal , as do 50 % of Asian and 44 % of White voters .
Oh , but it ’ s going to get complicated .
“ President-elect Biden convinced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than Trump managing the pandemic and the economy .
Talk is cheap and it ’ s one thing to say you are the president of everyone , but in reality , Biden represents a party , some of whom , are hell bent on settling the score with Republicans , ” Mr. Zogby says .
“ We have all heard this before — ‘ hope and change and build back better.
’ Now it ’ s time to work with the other side and deliver results , not soundbites or empty promises .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ If he turns out to be another politician elected on empty promises , then hell hath no fury like a scorned ex-president , ” he notes .
⦁ 78 % of U.S. pharmacists plan to be vaccinated with the coronavirus vaccine .
⦁ 52 % overall want it “ as soon as possible.
” ⦁ 17 % would be vaccinated six months after the vaccine is available .
⦁ 9 % would receive the vaccine after a year ’ s time .
⦁ 6 % will not have the vaccine .
⦁ 17 @ @ @ @ @ @

NEWS AND OPINION:
Could it be buyer’s remorse following the presidential election? Is it due to uneasiness about presumed President-elect Joseph R. Biden’s potential arrival at the White House, agenda in hand? Whatever the reason, President Trump’s approval ratings have popped up to 50% among all voters despite a pronounced partisan divide among respondents, according to a Hill-HarrisX Daily Poll released Wednesday.
“Trump’s job approval ticks up to 50% post-election,” the poll headline advised.
One thing is for sure. Mr. Trump’s fans are standing by their man.
“Ninety-three percent of voters who said they cast their ballots for Trump approve of his job as president, as do 14% of those who voted for President-elect Joe Biden. The survey found 83% of Republican respondents approve of Trump’s job as commander in chief,” analyst Gabriela Schulte reports.
The poll also found that 19% of Democrats and 46% of independents also approved. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump also got the nod from 60% of rural residents, 54% of men, 53% of Midwesterners and 51% of Southerners, to cite a few numbers. He did not do so well among Black voters (21% favorable), young adults (41%), Hispanics or women (both 45%). The poll was conducted Nov. 27-30 among 2,825 registered U.S. voters.
And one more thing about that aforementioned Trump voter loyalty. A CNBC poll found that just 3% of those who voted for the president felt he should concede the election.
The survey of 1,203 U.S. adults who voted for Mr. Trump was conducted Nov. 18-21.
HUBBUB OVER A REPUBLICAN CHRISTMAS GALA
Since it was founded in 1911, the New York Young Republicans Club has hosted a grand Christmas gala that very year. The tradition continues for the organization, located in Manhattan of course.
On Thursday, Rep. Matt Gaetz, Florida Republican, and James O’Keefe — the intrepid investigative journalist and founder of Project Veritas — are the headline speakers for the annual black-tie revels. There’s a cordial cocktail reception, an awards ceremony, a “State of the Club” address, and a sumptuous seated dinner. And of course, there will be wisdom and wit from Mr. Gaetz and Mr. O’Keefe.
The sold-out event will follow all suggested safety precautions and recommendations, says club president Gavin Wax. He also had a word for critics in the news media who do not approve of the gathering,
“When the New York Young Republicans Club is front page of The Daily Beast, you know you are doing something right,” Mr. Wax tweeted Wednesday.
FOXIFIED
Fox News ended November with the largest audiences for the 11th month of the year in the network’s history, drawing an average of 3.9 million prime-time viewers. CNN garnered 2.8 million, MSNBC 1.5 million. The numbers are from Nielsen Media Research.
Fox News has bested its two cable news rivals for 227 months in a row, which equals just under 19 years — yes, years — in the top spot. In addition, Fox News aired 39 of the top 100 cable telecasts in November, also delivering six telecasts with over 10 million viewers.
Prime-time host Tucker Carlson is the ratings kingpin, averaging 5.1 million nightly viewers. Fellow host Sean Hannity follows, averaging 4.9 million viewers.
In addition, “Sunday Morning Futures” anchored by Maria Bartiromo was the highest-rated cable news program across the board on Sunday, with her energetic and exclusive interview with President Trump, his first since the November election. The program earned an audience of 2.4 million viewers.
WHEELING, DEALING AND HEALING
One of the more popular Democratic narratives is the idea that the nation needs to “heal” following the 2020 election — a somewhat ironic idea given that many biased news organizations and journalists fed the national discord 24/7 from the get-go.
Presumed President-elect Joseph R. Biden, in fact, declared it was “time to heal” in his premature victory speech on Nov. 7 — and the cozy “heal” signal has resonated through mawkish news coverage and editorials ever since.
Not everyone agrees with it.
“Joe Biden heal the nation? Seriously? He’s having trouble healing the divisions in his own party,” noted Boston Herald columnist Joe Battenfeld, who makes the point that many high-profile progressive Democrats are not very happy with the nascent Biden administration.
What about voters themselves? A new survey from veteran pollster John Zogby finds that 49% of registered U.S. voters agree that the nation could “heal and unite” following the election. Another 24%, however, rejected the idea while 27% were “not sure”.
There are some very marked differences of opinion among the demographics, however. Surprisingly enough, more men than women were optimistic about all the “healing” business: 55% of the menfolk and 43% of the ladies think the U.S. can unite. Among young adults under age 24, 54% shared the optimism, compared to 37% of voters over 50 and a mere 28% of those over 70.
Six out of 10 among both Black voters and Hispanic voters also agree the nation can heal, as do 50% of Asian and 44% of White voters.
Oh, but it’s going to get complicated.
“President-elect Biden convinced voters he can do a better job than Trump managing the pandemic and the economy. Talk is cheap and it’s one thing to say you are the president of everyone, but in reality, Biden represents a party, some of whom, are hell bent on settling the score with Republicans,” Mr. Zogby says.
“We have all heard this before — ‘hope and change and build back better.’ Now it’s time to work with the other side and deliver results, not soundbites or empty promises. If Biden delivers, everyone wins. If he turns out to be another politician elected on empty promises, then hell hath no fury like a scorned ex-president,” he notes.
POLL DU JOUR
⦁ 78% of U.S. pharmacists plan to be vaccinated with the coronavirus vaccine.
⦁ 52% overall want it “as soon as possible.”
⦁ 17% would be vaccinated six months after the vaccine is available.
⦁ 9% would receive the vaccine after a year’s time.
⦁ 6% will not have the vaccine.
⦁ 17% are undecided about it.
Source: AN AMERICAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION survey of 400 PHARMACISTS conducted Nov. 21-28.
⦁ Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


Editorial Roundup: Ohio

Recent editorials of statewide and national interest from Ohio newspapers : Few parents ever want to see lawmakers pass a bill named for their child , because when that happens , it typically comes after there has been a tragic end to a short life .
Once a mother and father have experienced the horrific death of a son or daughter , they surely want to think their child didn ’ t die in vain .
It won ’ t ease their pain - not in the least - but knowing that something has changed to try to prevent another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope .
This is why the Ohio General Assembly must finish its work on House Bill 310 and send Collin ’ s Law : The Ohio Anti-Bullying and Hazing Act to Gov .
Mike DeWine .
It will close a chapter in the nightmare lived by Kathleen and Wade Wiant of Dublin since they received the unthinkable news that their son died after collapsing in an off-campus fraternity house at Ohio University on Nov. 12 , 2018 .
The legislation is a much-needed effort to try to prevent injury and death from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that preys on individuals ’ desires to belong .
As detailed in The Dispatch six-part digital series Broken Pledge last year , and in follow-up stories , some college fraternities , sororities , as well as university bands , sports teams or other organizations , still haze new members by requiring demeaning or dangerous tasks to demonstrate loyalty .
An Indiana university professor and author who tracks such behavior said 92 hazing-related deaths occurred in the United States since 2000 .
Hank Nuwer said the legislation , which the Ohio House passed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ could help save a life , but it won ’ t stop hazing.
” Still , he believes that Collin ’ s Law , if enacted , would offer “ an important cudgel to hold over the heads of hazers who ignore basic human decency and personal safety.
” Collin Wiant , 18 , was a freshman pledge of Sigma Pi when he inhaled a canister of nitrous oxide gas , known as a whippit , and died of asphyxiation .
The Broken Pledge series chronicled pressures that had been put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use engaged in by members .
OU subsequently banned the fraternity permanently .
HB 310 would expand definitions of bullies and their victims , require school districts to investigate claims of bullying in elementary through high schools and include forced consumption of drugs and alcohol in the definition of hazing .
The bill would also raise penalties for criminal charges , elevating hazing from a fourth-degree misdemeanor to a second-degree misdemeanor unless it involves drugs or alcohol , which would make it a third-degree felony , punishable by a prison term .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should pass HB 310 and send a message to discourage behavior that demeans others , which any form of hazing certainly does , no matter how anyone tries to dress it up differently .
Even better , senators may want to listen to Collin Wiant ’ s parents ’ pleas to strengthen the bill even more with required hazing education and transparency for colleges and universities .
The Wiants vow to continue fighting to try to save other parents from the heartache they have suffered and to obtain results that give them some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their efforts .
Sadly , there are too many examples these days of people who demean others to deflect their own insecurities .
We hope lawmakers pass HB 310 to strongly discourage such harmful acts in educational institutions .
Who are you really mad at ?
Dr. Jonathan Ross , president of the Lucas County Board of Health , looked out his window during his family ’ s Thanksgiving dinner Thursday to see a crowd of demonstrators protesting .
They were angry , Dr. Ross noticed .
And they have a right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself pointed out , these protesters are aiming their justifiable anger at the wrong target .
“ They should be angry at the situation we ’ re in .
Sometimes you can control situations and sometimes you can ’ t .
And I genuinely believe they ’ ve done everything they can to control it .
And despite that , our numbers are terrible.
” What provoked the demonstrators ’ ire was a resolution the board of health passed Wednesday ordering schools to close facilities to in-person learning for older students , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 11 as coronavirus cases continue to climb locally .
As most people are all too aware , there is widespread exposure to the virus in Lucas County .
The number of cases and deaths are spiraling each day .
The health board made its decision to try to slow the spread of the virus and save lives .
There are no moustache-twisting villains eager to pounce on opportunities to curtail the social activities we enjoy .
There is no grand conspiracy of medical experts who want to ruin the holidays .
Get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ armed - protested at the Columbus-area home of former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton until she stepped down earlier this year and stepped away from the public spotlight .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s leading expert on infectious diseases , has had to have a security detail since the spring .
The man worked in public health for the federal government for more than 50 years but now he needs security .
Public health officials across the country have faced the same hostility .
The National Association of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the pandemic began more than 70 professionals have resigned , announced plans to leave their jobs , or been fired .
Harassing public health officials does not make the virus go away .
It doesn ’ t end the threat .
Only the coming vaccine and , in the meantime , smart precautions , can do that .
Do protesters have a First Amendment right to speak their minds and demonstrate ?
Absolutely .
That doesn ’ t make this particular demonstration a good idea , though .
And it doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t bunk .
A global pandemic that has killed more than a quarter-million people in this country alone this year , that is now raging out of control in most places , including Lucas County , is exactly the emergency for which we depend on public-health experts .
Physicians and public-health authorities doing their best to keep communities safe should not be harassed .
Dr. Ross and his family should be able to eat their turkey in peace .
Everyone is angry and fed up .
We should be .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real enemy is the virus .
Give FBI officials credit for holding their cards close to the vest regarding utility-related corruption in Ohio .
What is troubling is that the number of cards seems to be increasing .
Earlier this year , federal agents arrested former state House of Representatives Speaker Larry Householder and a few associates in a $ 60 million bribery scheme .
Two of the men , but not Householder , have pleaded guilty to charges in what has been termed an “ unholy alliance ” between public officials and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoe dropped .
Federal agents raided the Columbus townhome of Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Sam Randazzo , carting away documents .
Randazzo resigned the PUCO post - and it was reported FirstEnergy had paid a firm in which an Ohio utility regulator was involved more than $ 4 million as part of a consulting contract .
The regulator fits Randazzo ’ s description .
At this point , Ohioans can be pardoned for wondering whether anyone in state government who was supposed to be looking out for their best interests was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with pocket-lining .
The sooner Buckeye State residents know where to start , the sooner a major cleanup can begin .
Elected officials trying to get away with conceitedly corrupt acts , unfortunately , is nothing new .
But watching one-third of Cincinnati City Council get arrested by the FBI for pay-to-play schemes in less than a year is an intolerable embarrassment for our city and should offend the sensibilities of every voter .
Councilwoman Tamaya Dennard , the first of the three busted for exchanging votes for cash , was sentenced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after pleading guilty to honest wire services fraud .
Council members Jeff Pastor and P.G .
Sittenfeld could be facing a similar outcome or worse for allegedly taking bribes related to a downtown development project involving former Cincinnati Bengals player and developer Chinedum Ndukwe .
Pastor recently accepted a suspension from council with pay .
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is seeking a similar suspension for Sittenfeld .
Both men should put the public first and resign immediately , allowing a broken council to conduct business without distraction and them to focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are ultimately cleared of the charges , they can run again for public office at a later date .
But for now , they should put the people ’ s interests ahead of their personal desires .
Each case is a sad and stunning betrayal of the public trust .
Sittenfeld was a shoo-in to be the next mayor of Cincinnati , but those aspirations have disintegrated beneath a cloud of suspected corruption .
Sittenfeld , a magna cum laude graduate of Princeton University , should have known better , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Unlike his one-time staffer , Dennard , Sittenfeld is accused of taking bribes to increase his political power not to pay past due bills .
Of course , Sittenfeld and Pastor are innocent until proven guilty .
Sittenfeld has adamantly maintained his innocence since the arrest .
Pastor has not spoken since being taken into custody , but his attorney Ben Dusing warned against “ rushing to judgment.
” But based on what we know so far from the FBI , the suspected behavior is totally unacceptable .
It doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Hall and demands not only outrage and resignations , but a movement of reforms not seen since the days of former mayor Murray Seasongood .
There should be vigorous public discussion about exactly what changes should be implemented , whether that is changing how council members are elected , ethics training for newly elected officials , creating an ethics or other oversight board , or campaign finance reform .
A good first step would be council members understanding their roles and duties and staying in their proper lanes .
Council members need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deals and leave those sensitive negotiations to the city manager and administrators hired to do the job .
There is plenty of fault to go around for our present predicament .
An epidemic of arrogance has infected our elected officials at every level of government .
Some politicians have no shame .
Hardly any contrition .
And when confronted with their bad behavior , they double down on victimization instead of being accountable .
Most of the council members involved with the so-called Gang of Five text messaging scandal , which included Sittenfeld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing wrong , despite being found guilty of breaking Ohio ’ s open meetings law .
Not a single council member involved personally paid a price , outside of a tongue lashing by the judge , and taxpayers wound up paying most of the $ 101,000 in court fines and fees .
Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Robert Ruehlman told the five council members they violated the trust of voters and should immediately resign from office .
“ No city voter should ever vote for them again , ” he said .
Maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties and the supporters who enable these council members have a shared responsibility .
It was good to see the Ohio and Hamilton County GOP step up quickly to denounce Pastor ’ s actions .
The Hamilton County Democrats likewise issued a statement calling for Sittenfeld ’ s resignation if the allegations against him prove true .
It ’ s critically important that these parties , and others , not only do a better job of vetting their candidates for office , but swiftly calling out misbehavior and corruption when they occur .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate is , both Democrats and Republicans need to demonstrate that the public good trumps party loyalty .
The community has a role to play too .
Voters get the politicians they deserve for the most part .
If residents want better government , then they must vote differently and hold elected officials accountable not enable them .
Voters have a responsibility to know what they are voting for in terms of a council person ’ s character and their actual duties .
In other words , better understand what your elected officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roles , which can help manage expectations .
The FBI investigations are a national embarrassment and a black eye Cincinnati can ill afford .
More disturbing is the FBI might not be done exposing other under-the-table dealings .
While much of the spotlight has been cast on the misdeeds of the politicians , there should be equal scrutiny placed on developers .
It takes two to tango in pay-to-play schemes .
The Feds should be as focused on rooting out shady developers trying to buy favor from council members for their projects .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stand now and send a clear message this culture of corruption at City Hall has come to an end .
We live in an era of polarization in our politics , from Washington to Columbus .
It is concerning that some choose to build huge and cavernous divides among us when the true level of disagreement is small and , in some cases , non-existent .
It is dangerous that some lawmakers choose to exploit these divides - real and imagined - for their own personal benefit , either for political reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not know which it is - politics or disturbed ego - that drives state Rep. John Becker , R-Union Twp .
in his quest to impeach Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine , a fellow Republican .
Perhaps it is a combination of both for Becker , and for the prominent supporters of his effort , state reps. Candice Keller of Middletown , Nino Vitale of Urbana and Paul Zeltwanger of Mason , also Republicans .
We are grateful these pandemic deniers are not gaining more support from the statehouse Republicans , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this delusional effort ?
The reasons Becker , Keller , Vitale and Zeltwanger give for targeting DeWine are flimsy , shallow and ignorant and this effort and their practice of politics should be condemned and repudiated by Democrats and Republicans alike .
But , especially by Ohio Republicans , including state Sen. Theresa Gavarone , R-Bowling Green , and state reps. DJ Swearingen , R-Huron , and Dick Stein , R-Norwalk .
Failure to condemn this ignorance is giving tacit approval to destructive talking point politics that rips at the fabric of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage it does to the public health .
While Becker , Keller , Vitale and Zeltwanger downplay the pandemic , encouraging revolt against public officials and public health orders , the coronavirus is spreading misery in the communities they represent .
We , like many Americans , were shocked in October when the FBI arrested 13 people who allegedly plotted to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer , the governor of Michigan , and otherwise violently overthrow the state government .
Something like that happens in Third World countries , not in the heartland , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what prioritizing polarization and promoting division does .
Becker , in fact , was reported to have met with a woman who was later implicated in a police report to have plotted a “ citizen ’ s arrest ” of DeWine .
Our local representatives and the Republican majority in the Ohio House and Senate , in our view , should publicly and soundly reject and repudiate the efforts of Becker , Keller , Vitale and Zeltwanger and encourage them to leave the statehouse .

Recent editorials of statewide and national interest from Ohio newspapers:
Pass Collin’s Law to help stop hazing
The Columbus Dispatch
Dec. 1
Few parents ever want to see lawmakers pass a bill named for their child, because when that happens, it typically comes after there has been a tragic end to a short life.
Once a mother and father have experienced the horrific death of a son or daughter, they surely want to think their child didn’t die in vain. It won’t ease their pain - not in the least - but knowing that something has changed to try to prevent another senseless death can provide a ray of hope.
This is why the Ohio General Assembly must finish its work on House Bill 310 and send Collin’s Law: The Ohio Anti-Bullying and Hazing Act to Gov. Mike DeWine. It will close a chapter in the nightmare lived by Kathleen and Wade Wiant of Dublin since they received the unthinkable news that their son died after collapsing in an off-campus fraternity house at Ohio University on Nov. 12, 2018.
The legislation is a much-needed effort to try to prevent injury and death from the deplorable behavior of any group or institution that preys on individuals’ desires to belong. As detailed in The Dispatch six-part digital series Broken Pledge last year, and in follow-up stories, some college fraternities, sororities, as well as university bands, sports teams or other organizations, still haze new members by requiring demeaning or dangerous tasks to demonstrate loyalty.
An Indiana university professor and author who tracks such behavior said 92 hazing-related deaths occurred in the United States since 2000. Hank Nuwer said the legislation, which the Ohio House passed on Nov. 19 and sent to the Senate, “could help save a life, but it won’t stop hazing.” Still, he believes that Collin’s Law, if enacted, would offer “an important cudgel to hold over the heads of hazers who ignore basic human decency and personal safety.”
Collin Wiant, 18, was a freshman pledge of Sigma Pi when he inhaled a canister of nitrous oxide gas, known as a whippit, and died of asphyxiation. The Broken Pledge series chronicled pressures that had been put on him by the fraternity and drug use engaged in by members. OU subsequently banned the fraternity permanently.
HB 310 would expand definitions of bullies and their victims, require school districts to investigate claims of bullying in elementary through high schools and include forced consumption of drugs and alcohol in the definition of hazing. The bill would also raise penalties for criminal charges, elevating hazing from a fourth-degree misdemeanor to a second-degree misdemeanor unless it involves drugs or alcohol, which would make it a third-degree felony, punishable by a prison term.
At the very least, the Ohio Senate should pass HB 310 and send a message to discourage behavior that demeans others, which any form of hazing certainly does, no matter how anyone tries to dress it up differently.
Even better, senators may want to listen to Collin Wiant’s parents’ pleas to strengthen the bill even more with required hazing education and transparency for colleges and universities.
The Wiants vow to continue fighting to try to save other parents from the heartache they have suffered and to obtain results that give them some solace that their son would be proud of their efforts.
Sadly, there are too many examples these days of people who demean others to deflect their own insecurities. We hope lawmakers pass HB 310 to strongly discourage such harmful acts in educational institutions.
Online: https://bit.ly/3mAxMLt
___
Who are you really mad at?
The Toledo Blade
Dec. 2
Dr. Jonathan Ross, president of the Lucas County Board of Health, looked out his window during his family’s Thanksgiving dinner Thursday to see a crowd of demonstrators protesting. They were angry, Dr. Ross noticed. And they have a right to be.
But as Dr. Ross himself pointed out, these protesters are aiming their justifiable anger at the wrong target.
“They should be angry at the situation we’re in. Sometimes you can control situations and sometimes you can’t. And I genuinely believe they’ve done everything they can to control it. And despite that, our numbers are terrible.”
What provoked the demonstrators’ ire was a resolution the board of health passed Wednesday ordering schools to close facilities to in-person learning for older students, and shutting down athletics and extracurricular activities until Jan. 11 as coronavirus cases continue to climb locally.
As most people are all too aware, there is widespread exposure to the virus in Lucas County. The number of cases and deaths are spiraling each day. The health board made its decision to try to slow the spread of the virus and save lives.
There are no moustache-twisting villains eager to pounce on opportunities to curtail the social activities we enjoy. There is no grand conspiracy of medical experts who want to ruin the holidays. Get real.
Protesters - some of them armed - protested at the Columbus-area home of former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton until she stepped down earlier this year and stepped away from the public spotlight.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading expert on infectious diseases, has had to have a security detail since the spring. The man worked in public health for the federal government for more than 50 years but now he needs security.
Public health officials across the country have faced the same hostility. The National Association of County and City Health Officials notes that since the pandemic began more than 70 professionals have resigned, announced plans to leave their jobs, or been fired.
Harassing public health officials does not make the virus go away. It doesn’t end the threat. Only the coming vaccine and, in the meantime, smart precautions, can do that.
Do protesters have a First Amendment right to speak their minds and demonstrate? Absolutely. That doesn’t make this particular demonstration a good idea, though. And it doesn’t mean that the protesters’ complaints aren’t bunk.
A global pandemic that has killed more than a quarter-million people in this country alone this year, that is now raging out of control in most places, including Lucas County, is exactly the emergency for which we depend on public-health experts.
Physicians and public-health authorities doing their best to keep communities safe should not be harassed. Dr. Ross and his family should be able to eat their turkey in peace.
Everyone is angry and fed up. We should be. But it’s important to remember the real enemy is the virus.
Online: https://bit.ly/36yjDbZ
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Corrupt officials should be exposed
The Marietta Time
Dec. 1
Give FBI officials credit for holding their cards close to the vest regarding utility-related corruption in Ohio. What is troubling is that the number of cards seems to be increasing.
Earlier this year, federal agents arrested former state House of Representatives Speaker Larry Householder and a few associates in a $60 million bribery scheme. Two of the men, but not Householder, have pleaded guilty to charges in what has been termed an “unholy alliance” between public officials and a FirstEnergy affiliate.
Then the other shoe dropped. Federal agents raided the Columbus townhome of Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Sam Randazzo, carting away documents. Randazzo resigned the PUCO post - and it was reported FirstEnergy had paid a firm in which an Ohio utility regulator was involved more than $4 million as part of a consulting contract. The regulator fits Randazzo’s description.
At this point, Ohioans can be pardoned for wondering whether anyone in state government who was supposed to be looking out for their best interests was doing so - or was too preoccupied with pocket-lining.
The sooner Buckeye State residents know where to start, the sooner a major cleanup can begin.
Online: https://bit.ly/39AUZtb
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Council arrests an intolerable embarrassment for Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Nov. 27
Elected officials trying to get away with conceitedly corrupt acts, unfortunately, is nothing new. But watching one-third of Cincinnati City Council get arrested by the FBI for pay-to-play schemes in less than a year is an intolerable embarrassment for our city and should offend the sensibilities of every voter.
Councilwoman Tamaya Dennard, the first of the three busted for exchanging votes for cash, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on Tuesday, after pleading guilty to honest wire services fraud. Council members Jeff Pastor and P.G. Sittenfeld could be facing a similar outcome or worse for allegedly taking bribes related to a downtown development project involving former Cincinnati Bengals player and developer Chinedum Ndukwe.
Pastor recently accepted a suspension from council with pay. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is seeking a similar suspension for Sittenfeld. Both men should put the public first and resign immediately, allowing a broken council to conduct business without distraction and them to focus on their families and legal defense. If they are ultimately cleared of the charges, they can run again for public office at a later date. But for now, they should put the people’s interests ahead of their personal desires.
Each case is a sad and stunning betrayal of the public trust. Sittenfeld was a shoo-in to be the next mayor of Cincinnati, but those aspirations have disintegrated beneath a cloud of suspected corruption. Sittenfeld, a magna cum laude graduate of Princeton University, should have known better, but it seems his ambition might have consumed him. Unlike his one-time staffer, Dennard, Sittenfeld is accused of taking bribes to increase his political power not to pay past due bills.
Of course, Sittenfeld and Pastor are innocent until proven guilty. Sittenfeld has adamantly maintained his innocence since the arrest. Pastor has not spoken since being taken into custody, but his attorney Ben Dusing warned against “rushing to judgment.” But based on what we know so far from the FBI, the suspected behavior is totally unacceptable. It doesn’t speak well of the political culture at City Hall and demands not only outrage and resignations, but a movement of reforms not seen since the days of former mayor Murray Seasongood.
There should be vigorous public discussion about exactly what changes should be implemented, whether that is changing how council members are elected, ethics training for newly elected officials, creating an ethics or other oversight board, or campaign finance reform. A good first step would be council members understanding their roles and duties and staying in their proper lanes. Council members need to stop sticking their noses in development deals and leave those sensitive negotiations to the city manager and administrators hired to do the job.
There is plenty of fault to go around for our present predicament. An epidemic of arrogance has infected our elected officials at every level of government. Some politicians have no shame. Hardly any contrition. And when confronted with their bad behavior, they double down on victimization instead of being accountable.
Most of the council members involved with the so-called Gang of Five text messaging scandal, which included Sittenfeld and Dennard, still think they did nothing wrong, despite being found guilty of breaking Ohio’s open meetings law. Not a single council member involved personally paid a price, outside of a tongue lashing by the judge, and taxpayers wound up paying most of the $101,000 in court fines and fees.
Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Robert Ruehlman told the five council members they violated the trust of voters and should immediately resign from office. “No city voter should ever vote for them again,” he said. Maybe Ruehlman was onto something.
Local political parties and the supporters who enable these council members have a shared responsibility. It was good to see the Ohio and Hamilton County GOP step up quickly to denounce Pastor’s actions. The Hamilton County Democrats likewise issued a statement calling for Sittenfeld’s resignation if the allegations against him prove true. It’s critically important that these parties, and others, not only do a better job of vetting their candidates for office, but swiftly calling out misbehavior and corruption when they occur. It shouldn’t matter who the candidate is, both Democrats and Republicans need to demonstrate that the public good trumps party loyalty.
The community has a role to play too. Voters get the politicians they deserve for the most part. If residents want better government, then they must vote differently and hold elected officials accountable not enable them. Voters have a responsibility to know what they are voting for in terms of a council person’s character and their actual duties. In other words, better understand what your elected officials can and cannot do in their roles, which can help manage expectations.
The FBI investigations are a national embarrassment and a black eye Cincinnati can ill afford. More disturbing is the FBI might not be done exposing other under-the-table dealings. While much of the spotlight has been cast on the misdeeds of the politicians, there should be equal scrutiny placed on developers. It takes two to tango in pay-to-play schemes. The Feds should be as focused on rooting out shady developers trying to buy favor from council members for their projects.
Every corner of this community must take a stand now and send a clear message this culture of corruption at City Hall has come to an end.
Online: https://bit.ly/33CM7zy
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Ohio GOP should reject ignorance
The Sandusky Register
Dec. 1
We live in an era of polarization in our politics, from Washington to Columbus. It is concerning that some choose to build huge and cavernous divides among us when the true level of disagreement is small and, in some cases, non-existent. It is dangerous that some lawmakers choose to exploit these divides - real and imagined - for their own personal benefit, either for political reasons or some maladjusted psychological dysfunction.
We do not know which it is - politics or disturbed ego - that drives state Rep. John Becker, R-Union Twp. in his quest to impeach Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a fellow Republican. Perhaps it is a combination of both for Becker, and for the prominent supporters of his effort, state reps. Candice Keller of Middletown, Nino Vitale of Urbana and Paul Zeltwanger of Mason, also Republicans.
We are grateful these pandemic deniers are not gaining more support from the statehouse Republicans, but is it enough to just not join in this delusional effort?
The reasons Becker, Keller, Vitale and Zeltwanger give for targeting DeWine are flimsy, shallow and ignorant and this effort and their practice of politics should be condemned and repudiated by Democrats and Republicans alike. But, especially by Ohio Republicans, including state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, and state reps. DJ Swearingen, R-Huron, and Dick Stein, R-Norwalk.
Failure to condemn this ignorance is giving tacit approval to destructive talking point politics that rips at the fabric of our Democracy, in addition to the damage it does to the public health. While Becker, Keller, Vitale and Zeltwanger downplay the pandemic, encouraging revolt against public officials and public health orders, the coronavirus is spreading misery in the communities they represent.
We, like many Americans, were shocked in October when the FBI arrested 13 people who allegedly plotted to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan, and otherwise violently overthrow the state government. Something like that happens in Third World countries, not in the heartland, we thought. But, indeed, this is what prioritizing polarization and promoting division does. Becker, in fact, was reported to have met with a woman who was later implicated in a police report to have plotted a “citizen’s arrest” of DeWine.
Our local representatives and the Republican majority in the Ohio House and Senate, in our view, should publicly and soundly reject and repudiate the efforts of Becker, Keller, Vitale and Zeltwanger and encourage them to leave the statehouse.
Online: https://bit.ly/2KTj4ky
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washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Campbell County, Virginia, votes to ignore Ralph Northam coronavirus orders

A county in southern Virginia has voted to declare itself a “ First Amendment sanctuary ” and ignore Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s coronavirus-related restrictions .
Campbell County ’ s Board of Supervisors endorsed a resolution that declares Mr. Northam ’ s crowd-size limits and other orders as violations of the Virginia Constitution and urges county agencies not to enforce them .
On Nov. 15 , Mr. Northam capped public gatherings at 25 people , ordered everyone older than 5 to wear masks in indoor public spaces , and forced restaurants and bars not to sell alcohol after 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the elected officials in Campbell County , a county of 55,000 people that lies southeast of Lynchburg , see things differently .
The resolution , which was passed unanimously Tuesday night , says the sheriff ’ s office should not “ assist any state law enforcement officer , state health agent or federal agent ” enforce the governor ’ s restrictions .
It also bars county funds should not enforce or promote the orders .
Sunburst District Supervisor Steve Shockley told the Lynchburg News and Advance that the measure is largely symbolic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said county supervisors do not have the power to direct constitutional officers , like those in the sheriff ’ s or commonwealth ’ s attorney ’ s offices , and that the resolution will not threaten the funding of its county departments .
But when Mr. Cline “ began to read the resolution , there was a flurry of movement as [ spectators ] took off their face masks in a show of support , ” the Lynchburg paper reported .
Mr. Shockley still called Mr. Northam ’ s executive orders a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater violations of county residents ’ rights .
Campbell County Attorney Tripp Isenhour said that while he is still determining the resolution ’ s precise impact , the governor has “ broad powers ” on public health , and Virginia localities have “ very little role ” in enforcing executive mandates .
Enforcement is in the hands of the state health department , he said .
Campbell County Sheriff Whit Clark said he supports the resolution but the sheriff ’ s office already was “ not enforcing any of that.
” “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re not going to , ” he said .

A county in southern Virginia has voted to declare itself a “First Amendment sanctuary” and ignore Gov. Ralph Northam’s coronavirus-related restrictions.
Campbell County’s Board of Supervisors endorsed a resolution that declares Mr. Northam’s crowd-size limits and other orders as violations of the Virginia Constitution and urges county agencies not to enforce them.
On Nov. 15, Mr. Northam capped public gatherings at 25 people, ordered everyone older than 5 to wear masks in indoor public spaces, and forced restaurants and bars not to sell alcohol after 10 p.m. and close altogether by midnight.
But the elected officials in Campbell County, a county of 55,000 people that lies southeast of Lynchburg, see things differently.
The resolution, which was passed unanimously Tuesday night, says the sheriff’s office should not “assist any state law enforcement officer, state health agent or federal agent” enforce the governor’s restrictions. It also bars county funds should not enforce or promote the orders.
Sunburst District Supervisor Steve Shockley told the Lynchburg News and Advance that the measure is largely symbolic.
Concord District Supervisor Matt Cline had said county supervisors do not have the power to direct constitutional officers, like those in the sheriff’s or commonwealth’s attorney’s offices, and that the resolution will not threaten the funding of its county departments.
But when Mr. Cline “began to read the resolution, there was a flurry of movement as [spectators] took off their face masks in a show of support,” the Lynchburg paper reported.
Mr. Shockley still called Mr. Northam’s executive orders a “slippery slope” that will escalate into greater violations of county residents’ rights.
Campbell County Attorney Tripp Isenhour said that while he is still determining the resolution’s precise impact, the governor has “broad powers” on public health, and Virginia localities have “very little role” in enforcing executive mandates.
Enforcement is in the hands of the state health department, he said.
Campbell County Sheriff Whit Clark said he supports the resolution but the sheriff’s office already was “not enforcing any of that.”
“We haven’t been and we’re not going to,” he said.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Navajo Nation reports 310 new COVID-19 cases, 2 more deaths

WINDOW ROCK , Ariz. ( AP ) - Navajo Nation health officials on Wednesday night reported 310 new COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ Tribal officials said the Navajo Nation now has had 17,035 total cases since the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ .
The vast reservation includes parts of Arizona , New Mexico and Utah .
Tribal @ @ @ @ @ have been tested and 9,517 have recovered .
Residents remain under a stay-at-home order , @ @ @ @ @ workers and essential needs like food , medication and emergencies .
Essential businesses also have @ @ @ @ @ hours to between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily .
A mask requirement has been @ @ @ @ @ the year .

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) - Navajo Nation health officials on Wednesday night reported 310 new COVID-19 cases and two additional deaths.
Tribal officials said the Navajo Nation now has had 17,035 total cases since the pandemic began with 658 known deaths.
The vast reservation includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
Tribal health officials said 166,517 people have been tested and 9,517 have recovered.
Residents remain under a stay-at-home order, with an exception for essential workers and essential needs like food, medication and emergencies.
Essential businesses also have been ordered to limit their hours to between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily. A mask requirement has been in place for much of the year.


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Ceremony marks anniversary of fatal California terror attack

SAN BERNARDINO , Calif. ( AP ) - Survivors of a terrorist attack that killed 14 people at a holiday party east of Los Angeles observed the fifth anniversary of the assault on Wednesday , and officials unveiled plans for a memorial to honor the dead .
A private memorial ceremony that also included families of the slain was held outside the San Bernardino County Government Center , where the memorial will be built , a county statement said .
Family members laid white roses at the site , the San Bernardino Sun reported .
One survivor , Kevin Ortiz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the shooting scene , the Inland Regional Center , not far away from the Government Center .
“ Today is a tough day .
It definitely brings back memories , ” Ortiz told KNBC-TV .
“ I was actually shot six times.
” Ortiz said recovering has been a long process .
“ After 21 days in the hospital , physical and psychological therapy as well , I finally feel like I ’ m in a lot better place , ” he said but added of the survivors : “ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forget .
Something that does not go to the back of our mind .
We think about it daily.
” Syed Rizwan Farook , 28 , and his wife , Tashfeen Malik , 29 , shot and killed 14 people and wounded 22 others who were attending a holiday party and training session for San Bernardino County health services workers at the Inland Regional Center .
Farook worked with the victims .
Minutes later , a post on a Facebook page associated with Malik pledged allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed in a gunfight with police .
“ It forever changed our lives , ” Supervisor Josie Gonzales said after the private gathering .
“ Today , we start rebuilding what has been torn apart , in the form of a memorial.
” Plans also were formally announced to build a “ Curtain of Courage ” at the site .
A committee composed of family members of the victims , shooting survivors and first responders is helping develop the plans , said Gonzales , who chairs the committee .
The memorial , designed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walter Hood , will consist of 14 alcoves - one for each of the dead - created by a series of curving bronze and steel honeycomb-mesh panels with colored glass pieces .
The panels with the wave-like alcoves will stretch on either side of a walkway .
“ The panels simulate the curvature of a curtain and are situated around sitting areas to create a place of healing and reflection by evoking an image of a prism ’ s eternal sparkle , ” a county statement said .
“ We didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we want it to be of light , we want it to be of remembrance , ” Hood said in a video .
The cost and completion date of the memorial will be determined later , but supervisors have set aside $ 1 million for the project , county spokesman David Wert told the Sun .

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) - Survivors of a terrorist attack that killed 14 people at a holiday party east of Los Angeles observed the fifth anniversary of the assault on Wednesday, and officials unveiled plans for a memorial to honor the dead.
A private memorial ceremony that also included families of the slain was held outside the San Bernardino County Government Center, where the memorial will be built, a county statement said.
Family members laid white roses at the site, the San Bernardino Sun reported.
One survivor, Kevin Ortiz, joined other people in laying flowers at the shooting scene, the Inland Regional Center, not far away from the Government Center.
“Today is a tough day. It definitely brings back memories,” Ortiz told KNBC-TV. “I was actually shot six times.”
Ortiz said recovering has been a long process.
“After 21 days in the hospital, physical and psychological therapy as well, I finally feel like I’m in a lot better place,” he said but added of the survivors: “It’s definitely something we can’t forget. Something that does not go to the back of our mind. We think about it daily.”
Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, 29, shot and killed 14 people and wounded 22 others who were attending a holiday party and training session for San Bernardino County health services workers at the Inland Regional Center. Farook worked with the victims.
Minutes later, a post on a Facebook page associated with Malik pledged allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State terror group.
The couple were later killed in a gunfight with police.
“It forever changed our lives,” Supervisor Josie Gonzales said after the private gathering. “Today, we start rebuilding what has been torn apart, in the form of a memorial.”
Plans also were formally announced to build a “Curtain of Courage” at the site. A committee composed of family members of the victims, shooting survivors and first responders is helping develop the plans, said Gonzales, who chairs the committee.
The memorial, designed by noted Oakland, California, architect Walter Hood, will consist of 14 alcoves - one for each of the dead - created by a series of curving bronze and steel honeycomb-mesh panels with colored glass pieces.
The panels with the wave-like alcoves will stretch on either side of a walkway.
“The panels simulate the curvature of a curtain and are situated around sitting areas to create a place of healing and reflection by evoking an image of a prism’s eternal sparkle,” a county statement said.
“We didn’t want the space to be of sorrow, we want it to be of light, we want it to be of remembrance,” Hood said in a video.
The cost and completion date of the memorial will be determined later, but supervisors have set aside $1 million for the project, county spokesman David Wert told the Sun.
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washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Asia Today: S. Korean students take exams amid viral spike

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - Hundreds of thousands of masked students in South Korea , including 35 @ @ @ @ @ the highly competitive university entrance exam Thursday despite a viral resurgence that forced authorities to @ @ @ @ @ The Education Ministry said about 493,430 students were taking the one-day exam at about 1,380 @ @ @ @ @ They include hospitals and other medical facilities with the 35 virus patients and hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ This year ’ s exams had been originally scheduled for November but were delayed due @ @ @ @ @ South Korea on Thursday reported 540 new cases .
Last week it reimposed stringent distancing @ @ @ @ @ area and other places to try to suppress a spike in new infections .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Hundreds of thousands of masked students in South Korea, including 41 confirmed COVID-19 patients, took the highly competitive university entrance exam Thursday despite a viral resurgence that forced authorities to toughen social distancing rules.
The Education Ministry said about 426,340 students were taking the one-day exam at about 1,380 sites across the nation. They include hospitals and other medical facilities with the 41 virus patients and hundreds of others placed under self-quarantine.
This year’s exams had been originally scheduled for November but were delayed due to the virus outbreak.
South Korea on Thursday reported 540 new cases. Last week it reimposed stringent distancing guidelines in the greater Seoul area and other places to try to suppress a spike in new infections.
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:
- Taiwanese carrier EVA Airways has fired three flight attendants for violating the island’s quarantine rules. Taiwan has since March required that all flight crew isolate themselves at home for five days after arriving from overseas. During those flights, crew members must wear full personal protective equipment. The airline said the three had left to visit acquaintances, family members and locations outside their homes. Two were sacked last month and the third on Wednesday, the airline said. According to Taiwanese regulations, they will not be fined or face criminal penalties. Taiwan has been praised for its early and aggressive approach to controlling the coronavirus, largely through mask requirements, social distancing and case tracing. The island of 23 million has reported just 686 cases, including that of a woman in her 30s who was confirmed after returning earlier this week from abroad. Taiwan has reported seven deaths from COVID-19 and says 107 people are currently hospitalized.
- Health authorities in Thailand have reported 13 new coronavirus cases, including six Thai women who crossed the border illegally as they returned from a nightclub in Myanmar. Earlier, four other women who had been at the same nightclub also tested positive after returning illegally. The seven other new cases announced Thursday were people who had been quarantined after arriving from other countries. The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration said the 10 Thai women had been at the nightclub in Tachileik, Myanmar, and did not go through proper immigration procedures or undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine for people arriving from abroad, prompting widespread concern that they may have spread the coronavirus. Thailand has been able to largely control the virus and has had few cases of local transmission in recent months. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the women’s actions make the possibility of opening the country more difficult. “I beg those who came back from Tachileik illegally to show up and get a test at a hospital. We have no intention of putting them in jail. But we want to minimize the risk of the virus spreading,” he said. Health officials are tracing about 700-800 people who were in contact with the women. Those at high risk will be tested twice and quarantined for 14 days, the center said. Thailand has had 4,039 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 60 deaths.
- Indonesia set another daily record for COVID-19 cases on Thursday with 8,369 new infections, prompting the government of the world’s fourth most populous nation to shorten yearend holidays. The increase brings the country’s confirmed total to 557,877 cases, the most in Southeast Asia and second in Asia only to India’s 9.5 million confirmed cases. The Health Ministry reported a total of 17,355 deaths from the coronavirus. The country’s previous record was set Sunday with 6,267 new cases. President Joko Widodo instructed his ministers to cut the 2020 yearend holiday short to curb COVID-19 transmission. The holidays will be reduced by three days, Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said.
- India reported less than 40,000 new daily coronavirus cases for a fourth straight day as it awaits a vaccine rollout for its vast population. With 35,551 new infections, India’s confirmed tally crossed 9.5 million on Thursday. For more than three weeks, India’s single-day cases have remained below 50,000. The Health Ministry also reported 526 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking total fatalities to 138,648. India doesn’t have any advance purchase agreement with any vaccine manufacturer. The Serum Institute of India, which has been testing the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, says it will apply for emergency approval by Indian authorities in two weeks. The institute is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer. India’s Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories also is conducting tests on the Russian vaccine Sputnik V.
- The Japanese prefecture of Osaka has issued a COVID-19 alert, urging residents to stay home as much as possible until mid-December as it faces a surge in cases that have put health systems on the verge of collapse. “Our medical systems are in an emergency,” Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura said Thursday. “We have to act now or we won’t be able to save lives that can be saved.” Osaka reported 386 new cases Thursday for a prefectural total of 21,404, including 341 deaths. Serious cases are on the rise, Yoshimura said. With hospital beds running out, some patients have had to be sent to neighboring prefectures for treatment. Cases have been expanding rapidly across the country, including the Tokyo region, Aichi in central Japan and Hokkaido in the north. Those areas have asked places that serve alcohol to close early in exchange for compensation. Japan has managed to keep infections from exploding without imposing mandatory lockdowns. However, the government has been criticized for being slow in taking measures that would reduce business activity as it tries to avoid further hurting the economy. Nationwide, Japan had about 153,000 confirmed cases and more than 2,200 deaths as of Wednesday, the health ministry said.
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Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Homes destroyed, people may be missing after Alaska mudslide

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - Homes are believed to have been destroyed and at least two people are unaccounted for after multiple mudslides in the Alaska community of Haines on Wednesday , authorities said .
The largest slide , about 600 feet ( 182.88 meters ) wide , hit early Wednesday afternoon and trapped about 30 people .
Those residents have now been evacuated , Haines Borough Mayor Douglas Olerud told The Associated Press .
He said there were several smaller slides in the community of about 2,000 people .
Olerud said there has been a wide range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had extreme flooding in some of the houses .
We ’ ve had some that have shifted on their foundation .
We ’ ve had some houses that were totally destroyed , ” he said .
The slides occurred in heavy rains in southeast Alaska .
The National Weather Service said Wednesday afternoon that 4 to 8 inches ( 10 to 20 centimeters ) had fallen in the Haines area as part of the storm and an additional 1 to 2 inches was possible by early Thursday morning .
Olerud said the rain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas affected by slides and flooding .
A flash flood warning remains in effect until late Wednesday night .
The pandemic is prompting social distancing challenges for those being evacuated .
Staging areas have been set up for evacuees at the Legion Hall and at a Presbyterian church .
Area motels are being contacted to find temporary housing , Anchorage television station Alaska ’ s News Source reported .
An effort to fly search and rescue teams in a helicopter from Juneau were underway , Alaska State Troopers said .
The Coast Guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in southeast Alaska to assist .
“ At this point we are aware that damage has occurred in the town of Haines following the report of multiple landslides in the borough , ” said Capt .
Stephen White , commander of Coast Guard Sector Juneau , said in a statement .
“ The scope of the damage is unknown at this time but we are proactively moving several assets and personnel to provide assistance to local first responders and the residents who may have been impacted by the landslides.
” A Coast Guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sitka to assist , and the Coast Guard cutters Liberty and Anacapa have been ordered to make preparations to sail to Haines to provide additional support .
A 45-foot ( 13.7-meter ) Coast Guard response boat has also been launched from Juneau .
Olerud said the situation was moving so quickly he couldn ’ t provide a list of additional resources they may need .
“ Prayers help .
We can always take prayers .
Those always work .
We need a lot of those right now , ” Olerud told the AP @

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Six people were missing after a mudslide measuring an estimated two football fields across slammed into a neighborhood in the southeast Alaska community of Haines, Alaska State Troopers said Wednesday.
It was one of several reported mudslides after a period of intense rain that authorities said destroyed at least four houses and damaged others.
Search and rescue efforts were suspended Wednesday evening as rains continued to batter the area. A flash flood warning was in effect until late Wednesday. Haines Borough Mayor Douglas Olerud told The Associated Press search efforts will resume Thursday morning.
“The soil isn’t stable enough right now,” he said, adding the state will be providing additional resources Thursday. The borough has about 2,500 residents.
Those unaccounted for were in the Beach Road area, where the largest slide - about 600 feet (183 meters) wide - came down Wednesday afternoon, Olerud said. About 9 feet (2.7 meters) of mud and trees cover the area, according to the troopers.
About 30 people were evacuated, and emergency response crews rescued others, Olerud said. He did not have a total figure.
Rebecca Kameika lives on Beach Road, though closer to Haines than where the slide hit. She said slides and related road damage had left some neighborhoods inaccessible.
She and her boyfriend were staying at his place of work; they were fine and expected their home to be, too, but evacuated as a precaution, she said.
The incident is devastating for the community, said Kameika, who set up a fundraising account and plans to work with another group to make sure the money is distributed fairly and where it’s needed.
Haines resident Luke Williams said the community is coming together. This rainstorm has been the “worst I have ever seen,” he said, adding he’s lived in the area throughout his 39 years.
“That’s the one thing special about this small town. Everyone comes together no matter how mad one person is at another. In the end if there is an emergency we all come together to help each other,” he said.
An effort to fly search and rescue teams in a helicopter from Juneau was pushed back to Thursday morning, troopers said. The Coast Guard is also deploying forces from other ports in southeast Alaska to help.
“At this point we are aware that damage has occurred in the town of Haines following the report of multiple landslides in the borough,” said Capt. Stephen White, commander of Coast Guard Sector Juneau, said in a statement. “The scope of the damage is unknown at this time but we are proactively moving several assets and personnel to provide assistance to local first responders and the residents who may have been impacted by the landslides.”
A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew was launched from Sitka to assist, and the Coast Guard cutters Liberty and Anacapa have been ordered to make preparations to sail to Haines to provide additional support.
A 45-foot (13.7-meter) Coast Guard response boat has also been launched from Juneau.
Olerud said the situation was moving so quickly he couldn’t provide a list of additional resources they may need.
“Prayers help. We can always take prayers. Those always work. We need a lot of those right now,” Olerud told the AP.
___
Thiessen reported from Anchorage, Alaska. Associated Press journalist Ryan Kryska contributed from Hoboken, New Jersey.


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--China: Moon probe preparing to return rock samples to Earth

BEIJING ( AP ) - China ’ s latest lunar probe has finished taking samples of the moon ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the spacecraft for return to Earth , the government announced Thursday .
The Chang ’ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese probe to land on the moon , is the latest in a series of @ @ @ @ @ ’ s space program , which also has a probe en route to Mars carrying @ @ @ @ @ Chang ’ e 5 touched down Tuesday on a mission to return lunar rocks to @ @ @ @ @ since 1976 .
The probe “ has completed sampling on the moon , and the @ @ @ @ @ the spacecraft , ” the China National Space Administration said in a statement .
Plans @ @ @ @ @ of the probe to be launched back into lunar orbit to transfer the samples to @ @ @ @ @ Earth .

BEIJING (AP) - China said Thursday its latest lunar probe has finished taking samples of the moon’s surface and sealed them within the spacecraft for return to Earth, the first time such a mission has been attempted by any country in more than 40 years.
The Chang’e 5, the third Chinese probe to land on the moon, is the latest in a series of increasingly ambitious missions for Beijing’s space program, which also has a probe en route to Mars carrying a robot rover.
The Chang’e 5 touched down Tuesday on the Sea of Storms on the moon’s near side, on a mission to return lunar rocks to Earth for the first time since 1976.
The probe “has completed sampling on the moon, and the samples have been sealed within the spacecraft,” the China National Space Administration said in a statement.
Plans call for the upper stage of the probe known as the ascender to be launched back into lunar orbit to transfer the samples to a capsule for return to Earth. The timing off its return was not immediately clear and the lander can last up to one moon day, or 14 Earth days, before plummeting temperatures would make it inoperable.
Chang’e is equipped to both scoop samples from the surface and drill 2 meters (more than 6 feet) to retrieve materials that could provide clues into the history of the moon, Earth other planets and space features.
While retrieving samples is its main task, the lander is also equipped to extensively photograph the area surrounding its landing site, map conditions below the surface with ground penetrating radar and analyze the lunar soil for minerals and water content.
Chang’e 5’s return module is supposed to touch down around the middle of December on the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, where China’s crewed Shenzhou spacecraft have made their returns since China first put a man in space in 2003, becoming only the third country do so after Russia and the United States.
Chang’e 5 has revived talk of China one day sending a crewed mission to the moon and possibly building a scientific base there, although no timeline has been proposed for such projects.
China also launched Its first temporary orbiting laboratory in 2011 and a second in 2016. Plans call for a permanent space station after 2022, possibly to be serviced by a reusable space plane.
While China is boosting cooperation with the European Space Agency and others, interactions with NASA are severely limited by concerns over the secretive nature and close military links of the Chinese program.
While


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--State halts vaccine plan that put retail before care homes

CARSON CITY , Nev. ( AP ) - Nevada officials said they plan to revise their coronavirus vaccine distribution plan to align with interim recommendations that a U.S. Centers for Disease Control committee issued Tuesday .
As pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna seek approval for COVID-19 vaccines , the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that the first available doses go to nursing home residents and health care workers .
In Nevada , where tourism and hospitality fuel the economy , officials initially assigned residents of long-term care facilities third-tier priority , behind retail workers , teachers , police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s recommendations differ from the state ’ s original tiered distribution plan released in October , prompting health officials to revise their plan .
“ We have adjusted our tiered structure and will be following the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices as it is released for their recommendations , ” said Shannon Bennett , an immunization program manager in Nevada ’ s public health department .
State officials throughout the United States are rushing to integrate the recommendations into distribution plans they must submit by Friday along with orders for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States will receive shares of the vaccine based on their adult populations , and many fear that initially there won ’ t be enough doses for the 24 million people designated as high priority because their work or residence exposes them to the virus .
Gov .
Steve Sisolak said neither he nor his team knew how many doses they would receive initially and whether they would be enough to cover all frontline workers and nursing home residents .
“ Unfortunately , we don ’ t know the size of Tier One yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depend how many vaccinations and how many doses we ’ re going to need to get through Tier One , ” the governor said .
Sisolak applauded the news that vaccines would soon be available and said it indicated that “ we ’ re closer to the end ( of the pandemic ) than the beginning.
” He said the Nevada could begin distributing vaccines as soon as next week but would likely not be able to provide them to the broader population until spring .
“ We need a bridge to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our state , that bridge between today and the day that we have large-scale vaccination must be built by Nevadans .
The tools we have to build that bridge are the same public health measures we ’ ve all heard on repeat over the last nine months , ” Sisolak said , imploring residents to commit to mitigation measures like social distancing , wearing masks and staying home .
Regardless of the recommendations , states have final say over how to distribute the vaccine .
CDC guidelines allow them to direct supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in coastal jurisdictions as an example .
In addition to moving an estimated 18,000 residents of long-term care facilities to the front of the line , Nevada ’ s updated plan also moves an estimated 12,500 state inmates up to Tier Two .
State prisons , including Warm Springs Correctional Center in Carson City , have experienced massive outbreaks in November .
The plan will allocate each county a share of the initial doses and task local officials with distribution .
Once 80 % of priority groups are vaccinated , the state will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunization program manager , said frontline healthcare workers would receive the vaccine at state and local facilities while CVS and Walgreens would be provided vaccines to distribute to residents and staff in long-term care facilities .
Sisolak tightened restrictions on businesses and public gatherings last week to rein in the spread of the virus , but the surge continues to rewrite the record book in Nevada .
Officials reported 2,129 new confirmed cases and 35 deaths on Tuesday - the second-highest since the start of the pandemic .
In total , Nevada has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,200 deaths .
The surge has pushed hospitals to the brink of their capacity .
On Tuesday , 81 % of staffed hospital beds statewide were occupied , including 91 % in Washoe County .
Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Nevada officials said they plan to revise their coronavirus vaccine distribution plan to align with interim recommendations that a U.S. Centers for Disease Control committee issued Tuesday.
As pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna seek approval for COVID-19 vaccines, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that the first available doses go to nursing home residents and health care workers.
In Nevada, where tourism and hospitality fuel the economy, officials initially assigned residents of long-term care facilities third-tier priority, behind retail workers, teachers, police officers and airport operators. The committee’s recommendations differ from the state’s original tiered distribution plan released in October, prompting health officials to revise their plan.
“We have adjusted our tiered structure and will be following the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices as it is released for their recommendations,” said Shannon Bennett, an immunization program manager in Nevada’s public health department.
State officials throughout the United States are rushing to integrate the recommendations into distribution plans they must submit by Friday along with orders for the first set of vaccines produced by Pfizer.
States will receive shares of the vaccine based on their adult populations, and many fear that initially there won’t be enough doses for the 24 million people designated as high priority because their work or residence exposes them to the virus. Gov. Steve Sisolak said neither he nor his team knew how many doses they would receive initially and whether they would be enough to cover all frontline workers and nursing home residents.
“Unfortunately, we don’t know the size of Tier One yet. So it’s going to depend how many vaccinations and how many doses we’re going to need to get through Tier One,” the governor said.
Sisolak applauded the news that vaccines would soon be available and said it indicated that “we’re closer to the end (of the pandemic) than the beginning.”
He said the Nevada could begin distributing vaccines as soon as next week but would likely not be able to provide them to the broader population until spring.
“We need a bridge to get from now ‘til then. Here in our state, that bridge between today and the day that we have large-scale vaccination must be built by Nevadans. The tools we have to build that bridge are the same public health measures we’ve all heard on repeat over the last nine months,” Sisolak said, imploring residents to commit to mitigation measures like social distancing, wearing masks and staying home.
Regardless of the recommendations, states have final say over how to distribute the vaccine. CDC guidelines allow them to direct supply to key sectors and use port-related workers in coastal jurisdictions as an example. In addition to moving an estimated 18,000 residents of long-term care facilities to the front of the line, Nevada’s updated plan also moves an estimated 12,500 state inmates up to Tier Two. State prisons, including Warm Springs Correctional Center in Carson City, have experienced massive outbreaks in November.
The plan will allocate each county a share of the initial doses and task local officials with distribution. Once 80% of priority groups are vaccinated, the state will distribute remaining doses.
Bennett, the immunization program manager, said frontline healthcare workers would receive the vaccine at state and local facilities while CVS and Walgreens would be provided vaccines to distribute to residents and staff in long-term care facilities.
Sisolak tightened restrictions on businesses and public gatherings last week to rein in the spread of the virus, but the surge continues to rewrite the record book in Nevada. Officials reported 2,129 new confirmed cases and 35 deaths on Tuesday - the second-highest since the start of the pandemic. In total, Nevada has reported nearly 157,000 cases and more than 2,200 deaths.
The surge has pushed hospitals to the brink of their capacity. On Tuesday, 81% of staffed hospital beds statewide were occupied, including 91% in Washoe County.
___
Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Search persists for parents of 628 kids separated at border

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) - A court-appointed committee has yet to find the parents of 628 children separated at the border early in the Trump administration , according to a court filing Wednesday that also said the government last week provided additional phone numbers to aid the long-running search .
Parents of 333 children are believed to be in the United States , while parents of the other 295 are believed to be outside the U.S. That doesn ’ t necessarily mean the parents and children are still separated , only that the committee has been unable to locate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other family members for 168 of the 628 children whose parents have yet to be located .
The joint filing by attorneys for the Justice Department and families offers the latest snapshot of efforts to reunite families under a “ zero tolerance ” policy on illegal border crossings that resulted in thousands of separations when parents were criminally prosecuted .
On Nov. 25 , the administration provided the search committee with phone numbers and other information from a database of the Justice Department ’ s Executive Office for Immigration Review , which manages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lee Gelernt , an attorney representing parents for the American Civil Liberties Union , said he had been pressing the administration for any additional information for the last year .
“ We just received this new information the day before Thanksgiving and only because the global outcry over the fact that these parents had not been found , ” he said in an interview .
The search committee said it is too early to know how useful the additional phone numbers will be in finding more parents .
More than 2,700 children were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw in San Diego ordered an end to the practice under the “ zero-tolerance ” policy .
He ordered them reunited within 30 days .
The 628 children whose parents are still not accounted for were separated before the judge ’ s order , going back to July 1 , 2017 , and were all released from federal custody before the June 2018 order .
Children from that period are difficult to find because the government had inadequate tracking systems .
They include hundreds separated during a trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Texas , from July to November 2017 that was not publicly disclosed at the time .
President-elect Joe Biden seized on the issue during the final weeks of his campaign , promising a task force to help locate parents .
The ACLU wants Biden to allow separated families to return to the United States to be given “ some kind of legal status , ” Gelernt said .
“ We think that ’ s only fair given what they ’ ve been put through , ” Gelernt said .
“ We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide the families with the right to return to the United States and give legal status .
Only the administration can do that.
” Volunteers have searched for parents by phone and by going door-to-door in Central America , an effort that was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic .
The committee established toll-free numbers in the U.S. , Mexico , Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador and mailed letters to 1,600 potential families .

SAN DIEGO (AP) - A court-appointed committee has yet to find the parents of 628 children separated at the border early in the Trump administration, according to a court filing Wednesday that also said the government last week provided additional phone numbers to aid the long-running search.
Parents of 333 children are believed to be in the United States, while parents of the other 295 are believed to be outside the U.S.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the parents and children are still separated, only that the committee has been unable to locate the parents. The committee has found other family members for 168 of the 628 children whose parents have yet to be located.
The joint filing by attorneys for the Justice Department and families offers the latest snapshot of efforts to reunite families under a “zero tolerance” policy on illegal border crossings that resulted in thousands of separations when parents were criminally prosecuted.
On Nov. 25, the administration provided the search committee with phone numbers and other information from a database of the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review, which manages immigration courts, the filing said.
Lee Gelernt, an attorney representing parents for the American Civil Liberties Union, said he had been pressing the administration for any additional information for the last year.
“We just received this new information the day before Thanksgiving and only because the global outcry over the fact that these parents had not been found,” he said in an interview.
The search committee said it is too early to know how useful the additional phone numbers will be in finding more parents.
More than 2,700 children were separated from their parents in June 2018 when U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw in San Diego ordered an end to the practice under the “zero-tolerance” policy. He ordered them reunited within 30 days.
The 628 children whose parents are still not accounted for were separated before the judge’s order, going back to July 1, 2017, and were all released from federal custody before the June 2018 order. Children from that period are difficult to find because the government had inadequate tracking systems. They include hundreds separated during a trial run of the policy in El Paso, Texas, from July to November 2017 that was not publicly disclosed at the time.
President-elect Joe Biden seized on the issue during the final weeks of his campaign, promising a task force to help locate parents.
The ACLU wants Biden to allow separated families to return to the United States to be given “some kind of legal status,” Gelernt said.
“We think that’s only fair given what they’ve been put through,” Gelernt said. “We will find the families but we cannot provide the families with the right to return to the United States and give legal status. Only the administration can do that.”
Volunteers have searched for parents by phone and by going door-to-door in Central America, an effort that was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. The committee established toll-free numbers in the U.S., Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador and mailed letters to 1,600 potential families.


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Donald Trump sues Wisconsin Election Commission

President Trump filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin on Wednesday against the state ’ s election commission and mayors of five cities , asking the court to send the matter to the state legislature ahead of the electoral college .
The federal lawsuit alleged a violation of the Constitution by election officials permitting ballots to be dropped at unauthorized drop boxes .
The lawsuit also said the officials broke chain of custody standards as well as identification requirements .
The complaint asks for the matter to be sent to the Wisconsin legislature once violations are adjudicated under Article II .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislature is the final decision maker on how to treat constitutional violation in an election .
“ We have alleged in our Complaint on behalf of the President that the Wisconsin Elections Commission and other state and local officials in Wisconsin broke the Wisconsin Election Code and ran an unconstitutional and unlawful election .
Nothing is more important to our national fabric and future than integrity in our electoral process .
This lawsuit is one-step in the direction of fairer , more transparent , more professional and ultimately more reliable elections in America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney working on behalf of Mr. Trump in Wisconsin .
Specifically , the 72-page filing said the state elections committee violated Wisconsin ’ s photo identification requirement , mayors in some cities permitted an outside organization to facilitate unauthorized and unmanned ballot drop boxes , and that the commission directed protocols for handling drop boxes that violated chain of custody and security standards .
It also alleged that election officials were directed to tamper with absentee ballot witness certifications .

President Trump filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin on Wednesday against the state’s election commission and mayors of five cities, asking the court to send the matter to the state legislature ahead of the electoral college.
The federal lawsuit alleged a violation of the Constitution by election officials permitting ballots to be dropped at unauthorized drop boxes. The lawsuit also said the officials broke chain of custody standards as well as identification requirements.
The complaint asks for the matter to be sent to the Wisconsin legislature once violations are adjudicated under Article II.
The president’s lawyers said the state legislature is the final decision maker on how to treat constitutional violation in an election.
“We have alleged in our Complaint on behalf of the President that the Wisconsin Elections Commission and other state and local officials in Wisconsin broke the Wisconsin Election Code and ran an unconstitutional and unlawful election. Nothing is more important to our national fabric and future than integrity in our electoral process. This lawsuit is one-step in the direction of fairer, more transparent, more professional and ultimately more reliable elections in America,” said Bill Bock, an attorney working on behalf of Mr. Trump in Wisconsin.
Specifically, the 72-page filing said the state elections committee violated Wisconsin’s photo identification requirement, mayors in some cities permitted an outside organization to facilitate unauthorized and unmanned ballot drop boxes, and that the commission directed protocols for handling drop boxes that violated chain of custody and security standards.
It also alleged that election officials were directed to tamper with absentee ballot witness certifications.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Hattiesburg police chief announces retirement

HATTIESBURG , Miss .
( AP ) - Hattiesburg Police Chief Anthony Parker is retiring after nearly 40 years in @ @ @ @ @ American reported that Parker will be retiring at the end of the year .
“ @ @ @ @ @ and a privilege to serve as Hattiesburg ’ s chief of police , ” Parker @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I am grateful to the citizens of this community and for the ability @ @ @ @ @ men - Mayor Johnny DuPree and Mayor Toby Barker .
I have a lot of @ @ @ @ @ , and I am grateful for having an opportunity to serve a city I love.
@ @ @ @ @ in 2015 the department was in turmoil , the newspaper reported .
Officers were still @ @ @ @ @ two of their own - Benjamin J. Deen and Liquori Tate were shot to death @ @ @ @ @ a few weeks before Parker took the helm .
Staffing was also low at that @ @ @ @ @ .

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Hattiesburg Police Chief Anthony Parker is retiring after nearly 40 years in law enforcement.
The Hattiesburg American reported that Parker will be retiring at the end of the year.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Hattiesburg’s chief of police,” Parker said in a news release.
“I am grateful to the citizens of this community and for the ability to serve under two great men - Mayor Johnny DuPree and Mayor Toby Barker. I have a lot of respect for both of them, and I am grateful for having an opportunity to serve a city I love.”
When Parker became chief in 2015 the department was in turmoil, the newspaper reported. Officers were still reeling from the deaths of two of their own - Benjamin J. Deen and Liquori Tate were shot to death during a traffic stop just a few weeks before Parker took the helm.
Staffing was also low at that time, the newspaper reported.


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Vermont parents arrested in death of their 1-month-old child

ST. ALBANS , Vt. ( AP ) - The parents of a 1-month-old who died in August were arrested Wednesday by Vermont State Police .
Leo Cushing died Aug. 1 in Swanton inside the home he shared with his parents .
An autopsy concluded that the cause of death was a subdural hemorrhage to the brain and indicated a homicide , state police said .
The investigation determined that Stephanie Gero , 28 , caused injuries to Leo prior to his death and that Leo ’ s father , Matthew Cushing , 36 , was aware Gero was prohibited from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he allowed her to be with her son unsupervised while he was taking a shower , police said .
Gero faces a charge of first-degree aggravated domestic assault , and cruelty to a child with death resulting .
She is scheduled for arraignment Thursday afternoon .
Cushing faces a charge of cruelty to a child with death resulting and was processed and released on a citation to appear in court Dec. 22 .
Gero was ordered jailed on $ 25,000 bail pending her arraignment .
It was unclear Wednesday whether Gero and @ @ @ @

ST. ALBANS, Vt. (AP) - The parents of a 1-month-old who died in August were arrested Wednesday by Vermont State Police.
Leo Cushing died Aug. 1 in Swanton inside the home he shared with his parents. An autopsy concluded that the cause of death was a subdural hemorrhage to the brain and indicated a homicide, state police said.
The investigation determined that Stephanie Gero, 28, caused injuries to Leo prior to his death and that Leo’s father, Matthew Cushing, 36, was aware Gero was prohibited from being alone with the infant, but that he allowed her to be with her son unsupervised while he was taking a shower, police said.
Gero faces a charge of first-degree aggravated domestic assault, and cruelty to a child with death resulting. She is scheduled for arraignment Thursday afternoon. Cushing faces a charge of cruelty to a child with death resulting and was processed and released on a citation to appear in court Dec. 22.
Gero was ordered jailed on $25,000 bail pending her arraignment.
It was unclear Wednesday whether Gero and Cushing have attorneys.