washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Michael Pack defends reforms at Voice Of America, Radio Free Asia

Michael Pack , the embattled chief executive officer of the Voice Of America and other U.S. government foreign broadcast outlets , defended his efforts to overhaul what he called political “ biased ” and poorly run radio stations that were failing to follow their organizing charters .
Mr .
Pack , President Trump ‘ s pick to head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media ( USAGM ) , fired back in an interview at critics who claim he tried to politicize the Voice of America , Radio Free Asia and other government-funded broadcasters and undercut their reputation for journalistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the fact that I tried to make what I think are modest changes to USAGM and international broadcasting , simply to make it more powerfully fulfill its mission , that that has created such controversy and pushback makes me really despair a little bit , ” Mr .
Pack told The Washington Times .
He contended that bureaucratic opposition from within and from Capitol Hill to needed reforms — including major personnel security problems and bias within VOA ‘ s Chinese and South Asian services — reflected the politicization and bias of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Trump administration .
“ The culture in the VOA newsroom and a lot of the journalists working here is not that dissimilar to the culture of journalists working in the mainstream media more generally , ” he said .
“ Our journalists look up to The Washington Post and The New York Times and CNN as their model.
” Mr .
Pack said the bias made it difficult for him and others leading the USAGM to return the outlets to honoring their legal obligation to present unbiased and balanced news reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO in his seven months on the job was naming former VOA Director Robert Reilly to head the VOA .
Mr. Reilly is a conservative who will attempt to restore VOA reputation and credibility , Mr .
Pack said .
“ He ’ s eminently qualified to run the VOA , ” he said .
A White House newsletter in July criticized VOA for using taxpayer funds to “ speak for authoritarian regimes ” and for supporting “ America ’ s adversaries — not its citizens.
” Mr .
Pack , a conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate-confirmed CEO of the agency , a post created to eliminate the previous management system called the Broadcasting Board of Governors , a group of people who have been blamed for the management troubles at the $ 700 million-a-year government broadcast outlets for years .
Opposition from Senate Democrats and board members who sought to keep their paid positions delayed Mr.
Pack ‘ s confirmation for two years .
Additionally , the outgoing board tried to limit the new CEO ’ s authority by imposing a “ firewall ” between USAGM and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pack went on a major housecleaning after the firewall was rescinded , firing or forcing out all radio heads , both Republicans and Democrats , in June .
VOA ‘ s Director Amanda Bennett resigned in protest shortly before Mr .
Pack could take office in mid-June .
The turmoil sparked a vicious media backlash against Mr .
Pack , who was recently denounced in a Washington Post editorial for what the newspaper said was “ the evisceration ” of the Voice of America and other U.S. global broadcasters in the final weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman for now-President-elect Joseph R. Biden said in June that Mr. Biden would fire Mr .
Pack once in the White House .
Mr .
Pack denied he is gutting the agency ‘ s broadcasting outlets and said he tried to lead the broadcasters targeting foreign audiences into “ more closely adhering to their mission.
” “ The mission is to report the news in an objective and balanced way , ” he said .
Mr .
Pack cited as one example of the larger problem of political bias an incident in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a segment drawn from a presidential campaign ad for Mr. Biden that appeared designed to promote his candidacy among Muslims in Michigan .
“ We asked them to remove it , he said , adding that he has asked for an investigation into the incident that violated the VOA operating charter .
“ It was completely inappropriate.
” The investigation was the first time VOA was probed for improper broadcasting , he added , noting that unless there is accountability , the problem will be repeated .
The China-language division has been another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Mandarin service in particular has been criticized as pro-Beijing in content and for presenting soft features instead of aggressive news reporting .
In 2017 , five employees of the VOA Chinese service were fired after the Chinese Embassy complained about a VOA interview with anti-communist dissident Guo Wengui .
One of the five has been reinstated .
Mr .
Pack said he has asked Mr. Reilly , the new VOA director , to look into problems in the Mandarin service as the most pressing priority , and also to examine the Persian-language @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve heard lots of complaints about both services that they are putting out programming that is too supportive of those regimes in power , ” Mr .
Pack said .
Mr .
Pack defended the firing of the heads of Radio Free Asia , Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty , Office of Cuban Broadcasting , which broadcasts into Cuba , and the Middle East Broadcasting Network as the work of a new executive who feels the need to clean house .
The head of the USAGM-funded Open Technology Fund , a program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also was dismissed .
Critics said the fund ’ s staff included several liberal political operatives and produced few programs aimed at China .
“ On my first day , I made sure that all the agency heads changed , ” he said , insisting that he had the legal authority to do so .
“ My view at the time was to start fresh with a new group of people.
” The dismissals included both Republicans and Democrats and prompted bipartisan criticism of Mr .
Pack on Capitol Hill .
Employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broadcasting Board of Governors have sued USAGM and the cases are now in the courts .
Mr .
Pack said one of the most serious problems he encountered since taking the job involved hundreds of broadcasting employees who were found to have been improperly granted security clearances for access to classified information .
Out of a total work force of around 4,000 employees , around 1,500 workers were found with security clearance problems .
Some 500 people left the agency as a result .
The remaining 1,000 people — a quarter of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ secret ” and “ top secret ” clearances without proper vetting and screening , including some who failed to report contacts with foreign nationals .
“ We did find huge security failures , ” he said .
Those lapses raised new concerns that foreign governments have planted operatives within the government broadcast system .
From 2010 to 2020 , broadcasting agencies were warned about the security problem but Mr .
Pack claimed the prior leadership took no action to remedy the problem .
In 2012 , the agency ‘ s authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the broadcasters continued granting clearances anyway .
“ This was a massive thing to fix and huge problem and a distraction from other things on my agenda , but I had to fix this first , ” Mr .
Pack said .
In addition to re-clearing the 1,000 employees , Mr .
Pack also sought to hold those in leadership positions accountable for the security failures .
Mr .
Pack said in the interview that VOA ‘ s reporting needs to reflect its charter , a charter that calls on government broadcasters to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States while supporting freedom and democracy .
“ We need to be doing that way more aggressively , ” Mr .
Pack said .
“ We ’ re in a battle of ideas , with China , North Korea , Iran and others , and we need to fight for those ideas and principles that we believe in , ideas rooted in our founding , based on the Declaration [ of Independence ] and Constitution.
” Mr .
Pack seconds Mr. Trump ‘ s calls for VOA also must do more to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And that will be true whether it ’ s the Trump administration , the Biden administration or any future administration , ” he said .
“ When the organization is weak , when it ’ s perceived as biased and only on the side of one party , it can not really fulfill that function.
” VOA needs to be broadcasting more content about American ideals and institutions , something that he said the outlets have not been doing adequately .
He called a Washington Post news story and editorial that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden transition team for USAGM , headed by former State Department public diplomacy undersecretary Rick Stengel , “ completely false , ” insisting he has been working with the transition team for some time .
The Post , he said , never contacted his office or the transition team regarding the bogus claim .
Other news outlets picked up the story and repeated the false information , he said .
“ I think it ’ s amazing that a story like that could run in The Washington Post .
There ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a good example of how misleading stories can get circulated and suddenly acquire the ring of truth .
”

Michael Pack, the embattled chief executive officer of the Voice Of America and other U.S. government foreign broadcast outlets, defended his efforts to overhaul what he called political “biased” and poorly run radio stations that were failing to follow their organizing charters.
Mr. Pack, President Trump’s pick to head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), fired back in an interview at critics who claim he tried to politicize the Voice of America, Radio Free Asia and other government-funded broadcasters and undercut their reputation for journalistic impartiality.
“In my time here, the fact that I tried to make what I think are modest changes to USAGM and international broadcasting, simply to make it more powerfully fulfill its mission, that that has created such controversy and pushback makes me really despair a little bit,” Mr. Pack told The Washington Times.
He contended that bureaucratic opposition from within and from Capitol Hill to needed reforms — including major personnel security problems and bias within VOA’s Chinese and South Asian services — reflected the politicization and bias of mainstream media outlets that reached a crescendo during the Trump administration.
“The culture in the VOA newsroom and a lot of the journalists working here is not that dissimilar to the culture of journalists working in the mainstream media more generally,” he said. “Our journalists look up to The Washington Post and The New York Times and CNN as their model.”
Mr. Pack said the bias made it difficult for him and others leading the USAGM to return the outlets to honoring their legal obligation to present unbiased and balanced news reports.
The sole appointment made by the CEO in his seven months on the job was naming former VOA Director Robert Reilly to head the VOA. Mr. Reilly is a conservative who will attempt to restore VOA reputation and credibility, Mr. Pack said.
“He’s eminently qualified to run the VOA,” he said.
A White House newsletter in July criticized VOA for using taxpayer funds to “speak for authoritarian regimes” and for supporting “America’s adversaries — not its citizens.”
Mr. Pack, a conservative documentary film maker, is the first Senate-confirmed CEO of the agency, a post created to eliminate the previous management system called the Broadcasting Board of Governors, a group of people who have been blamed for the management troubles at the $700 million-a-year government broadcast outlets for years.
Opposition from Senate Democrats and board members who sought to keep their paid positions delayed Mr. Pack’s confirmation for two years. Additionally, the outgoing board tried to limit the new CEO’s authority by imposing a “firewall” between USAGM and the radio networks it oversaw.
Mr. Pack went on a major housecleaning after the firewall was rescinded, firing or forcing out all radio heads, both Republicans and Democrats, in June.
VOA’s Director Amanda Bennett resigned in protest shortly before Mr. Pack could take office in mid-June.
The turmoil sparked a vicious media backlash against Mr. Pack, who was recently denounced in a Washington Post editorial for what the newspaper said was “the evisceration” of the Voice of America and other U.S. global broadcasters in the final weeks before President Trump leaves office. A spokesman for now-President-elect Joseph R. Biden said in June that Mr. Biden would fire Mr. Pack once in the White House.
‘Adhering to the mission’
Mr. Pack denied he is gutting the agency’s broadcasting outlets and said he tried to lead the broadcasters targeting foreign audiences into “more closely adhering to their mission.”
“The mission is to report the news in an objective and balanced way,” he said.
Mr. Pack cited as one example of the larger problem of political bias an incident in July when the VOA Urdu language service broadcast a segment drawn from a presidential campaign ad for Mr. Biden that appeared designed to promote his candidacy among Muslims in Michigan.
“We asked them to remove it, he said, adding that he has asked for an investigation into the incident that violated the VOA operating charter. “It was completely inappropriate.”
The investigation was the first time VOA was probed for improper broadcasting, he added, noting that unless there is accountability, the problem will be repeated.
The China-language division has been another area of contention. The VOA’s Mandarin service in particular has been criticized as pro-Beijing in content and for presenting soft features instead of aggressive news reporting.
In 2017, five employees of the VOA Chinese service were fired after the Chinese Embassy complained about a VOA interview with anti-communist dissident Guo Wengui. One of the five has been reinstated.
Mr. Pack said he has asked Mr. Reilly, the new VOA director, to look into problems in the Mandarin service as the most pressing priority, and also to examine the Persian-language service that broadcasts into Iran.
“I’ve heard lots of complaints about both services that they are putting out programming that is too supportive of those regimes in power,” Mr. Pack said.
Mr. Pack defended the firing of the heads of Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Office of Cuban Broadcasting, which broadcasts into Cuba, and the Middle East Broadcasting Network as the work of a new executive who feels the need to clean house.
The head of the USAGM-funded Open Technology Fund, a program ostensibly aimed at promoting an open internet, also was dismissed. Critics said the fund’s staff included several liberal political operatives and produced few programs aimed at China.
“On my first day, I made sure that all the agency heads changed,” he said, insisting that he had the legal authority to do so. “My view at the time was to start fresh with a new group of people.”
The dismissals included both Republicans and Democrats and prompted bipartisan criticism of Mr. Pack on Capitol Hill. Employees of both the radios and the former Broadcasting Board of Governors have sued USAGM and the cases are now in the courts.
Security clearances
Mr. Pack said one of the most serious problems he encountered since taking the job involved hundreds of broadcasting employees who were found to have been improperly granted security clearances for access to classified information.
Out of a total work force of around 4,000 employees, around 1,500 workers were found with security clearance problems. Some 500 people left the agency as a result. The remaining 1,000 people — a quarter of the workforce — were granted “confidential,” “secret” and “top secret” clearances without proper vetting and screening, including some who failed to report contacts with foreign nationals.
“We did find huge security failures,” he said.
Those lapses raised new concerns that foreign governments have planted operatives within the government broadcast system.
From 2010 to 2020, broadcasting agencies were warned about the security problem but Mr. Pack claimed the prior leadership took no action to remedy the problem.
In 2012, the agency’s authority to grant clearances was revoked, but the broadcasters continued granting clearances anyway.
“This was a massive thing to fix and huge problem and a distraction from other things on my agenda, but I had to fix this first,” Mr. Pack said.
In addition to re-clearing the 1,000 employees, Mr. Pack also sought to hold those in leadership positions accountable for the security failures.
Supporting freedom
Mr. Pack said in the interview that VOA’s reporting needs to reflect its charter, a charter that calls on government broadcasters to reflect the range of opinions in the United States while supporting freedom and democracy.
“We need to be doing that way more aggressively,” Mr. Pack said. “We’re in a battle of ideas, with China, North Korea, Iran and others, and we need to fight for those ideas and principles that we believe in, ideas rooted in our founding, based on the Declaration [of Independence] and Constitution.”
Mr. Pack seconds Mr. Trump’s calls for VOA also must do more to represent the U.S. government’s views.
“And that will be true whether it’s the Trump administration, the Biden administration or any future administration,” he said. “When the organization is weak, when it’s perceived as biased and only on the side of one party, it cannot really fulfill that function.”
VOA needs to be broadcasting more content about American ideals and institutions, something that he said the outlets have not been doing adequately.
He called a Washington Post news story and editorial that he had refused to cooperate with the Biden transition team for USAGM, headed by former State Department public diplomacy undersecretary Rick Stengel, “completely false,” insisting he has been working with the transition team for some time.
The Post, he said, never contacted his office or the transition team regarding the bogus claim.
Other news outlets picked up the story and repeated the false information, he said.
“I think it’s amazing that a story like that could run in The Washington Post. There’s just no grounding in fact. It’s a good example of how misleading stories can get circulated and suddenly acquire the ring of truth.”
• Bill Gertz can be reached at bgertz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Tony-winning choreographer, actress Ann Reinking dies at 71

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Ann Reinking , the Tony Award-winning choreographer , actress and Bob Fosse collaborator who helped spread a cool , muscular hybrid of jazz and burlesque movement to Broadway and beyond , has died .
She was 71 .
Reinking died Saturday while visiting family in Seattle , said her manager , Lee Gross .
No cause of death was disclosed .
Tributes poured in from the Broadway community , including from Tony Yazbeck , who called her “ an absolute inspiration ” and Leslie Odom , Jr. , who thanked Reinking for being a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for real .
RIP to a legend.
” Bernadette Peters took to Twitter to say her heart was broken and Billy Eichner said she was “ one of the most mesmerizing people I ’ ve ever seen on stage .
A singular genius .
RIP.
” Trained as a ballet dancer , Reinking was known for her bold style of dance epitomized by her work in the revival of the Kander and Ebb musical “ Chicago , ” complete with net stockings , chair dancing and plenty of pelvic thrusts .
Reinking co-starred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Velma , and created the choreography “ in the style of Bob Fosse , ” the show ’ s original director and choreographer who died in 1987 .
She and Fosse worked together for 15 years and she was also his lover for several of them .
“ I ’ m beyond words to hear of the sudden and untimely passing of my dear friend Ann Reinking .
The world has lost such a beautiful soul and talent , ” said Chita Rivera .
“ I loved sharing the stage with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and razzle-dazzle will be with me forever.
” Reinking ’ s work on “ Chicago ” earned her a 1997 Tony , Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards .
Reinking replicated its choreography in productions throughout the world - England , Australia , Austria , Sweden , the Netherlands and elsewhere .
She was portrayed by Margaret Qualley in the recent FX series “ Fosse/Verdon.
” The musical ’ s revival was first done in a concert version at City Center ’ s “ Encores ” series in 1996 and then moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became the second longest-running show in Broadway history .
“ You know how you hear sometimes a woman goes into labor and 10 minutes later she ’ s got this beautiful baby ?
You couldn ’ t believe that it was materializing in such a beautiful way , ” she told The Associated Press in 2011 about the early days of the revival .
In 1998 , she co-directed “ Fosse , ” a salute to the man who had the largest influence , both professionally and personally , on her life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the finest dancers in the jazz-modern idiom.
” Her movie credits include “ Annie ” ( 1982 ) , “ Movie , Movie ” ( 1978 ) and the documentary “ Mad Hot Ballroom ” ( 2005 ) , which portrayed Reinking as a ballroom-dance competition judge for New York City kids .
Reinking ’ s career began in Seattle , where she grew up .
In the beginning , she wanted to be a ballet dancer , “ like all girls , ” she said .
As a student , she won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joffrey Ballet , but at many of the students ’ after-hours improvisations , she would just sing and not dance .
Robert Joffrey said that with her outgoing personality and other abilities , she should pursue musical theater .
“ I waited tables to save up enough money to get here , ” she said of New York City , where she arrived with a round-trip ticket back to Seattle and $ 500 .
She didn ’ t need the return trip .
“ You wouldn ’ t get into this if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into this have a certain sense of the high stakes , ” she said .
“ You need the break and when you get it , you ’ d better be ready for it.
” Reinking ’ s break was strung out over several shows .
She was in the ensemble for Broadway ’ s “ Coco , ” which starred Katharine Hepburn as Coco Chanel , in 1969 , and was in the chorus of “ Pippin ” in 1972 , picked by its director and choreographer , Fosse .
The ensemble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight - that the dancers were really seen .
Choreographer Pat Birch was one who noticed , and in 1974 put her in “ Over Here , ” a World War II musical starring two of the three Andrews Sisters and featuring another unknown , John Travolta .
It led to a starring role in “ Goodtime Charley , ” a musical about Joan of Arc opposite Joel Grey .
The musical was not a success , but it did make theatergoers look at Reinking as a principal performer and not just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big break , she said , was in “ Dancin ’ ” in 1978 , “ because I realized you had to be in an original part and that show has to be a hit.
” The music-and-dance revue directed and choreographed by Fosse was , running more than three years and earned her a 1978 Tony nomination .
But it was her work on the revival of “ Chicago ” where Reinking basked in the most attention .
The original , a dark indictment of celebrity and hucksterism , opened in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 900 performances .
Though not in the opening night cast , Reinking eventually slipped into the role of Roxie Hart , taking over the part from Gwen Verdon , Fosse ’ s third wife and dancing alter ego .
In the 1996 revival , which is still on Broadway , Reinking kept the part of Hart opposite Gray and Neuwirth .
Lin-Manuel Miranda was among those praising her talent .
“ A singular talent has left us , ” he wrote on Twitter .
Jason Alexander added : “ She was a pure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind and talented .
Heaven ’ s chorus line just got a star.
” Reinking also gained experience - and stayed in shape - by replacing stars in hit shows : Donna McKechnie in “ A Chorus Line ” ; Gwen Verdon in Fosse ’ s original “ Chicago ” ; and Debbie Allen in the 1986 revival of “ Sweet Charity.
” And she embarked on an eclectic film career - from playing Roy Scheider ’ s lover in Fosse ’ s 1979 semi-autobiographical film “ All That Jazz , ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Blake Edwards ’ “ Micki and Maude.
” She also created dances for a revival of “ Pal Joey ” at Chicago ’ s Goodman Theater and a musical about first lady Eleanor Roosevelt called “ Eleanor.
” She was on the national tour of “ Bye Bye Birdie ” opposite Tommy Tune .
After “ Eleanor , ” offers to choreograph “ kept falling in my lap , ” Reinking said .
She created dances for a pre-Encores “ Chicago ” in Long Beach , California , with Neuwirth and Juliet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cringe-worthy moments in her career , Reinking was asked to sing and perform the Oscar nominated song “ Against All Odds ” by Phil Collins at the 1985 telecast .
Reinking lip-synched as she danced a bombastic , cheesy rendition marred by fog .
In recent years , she choreographed “ The Look of Love ” on Broadway and the Roger Rees-directed off-Broadway “ Here Lies Jenny ” ( 2004 ) , starring Neuwirth .
In 2011 , she helped choreograph “ An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin ” on Broadway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In My Hands , ” about working with children of Marfan ’ s Syndrome , a rare genetic disorder of the connective tissues that often leaves its victims with limbs that are disproportionately long .
She also produced the film “ Two Worlds , One Planet , ” about “ high-functioning ” autism .
Reinking ’ s first three marriages ended in divorce .
Since 1994 , she had been married to Peter Talbert .
She also is survived by a son , Christopher , who has been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a heaven , I think Bob can look down and be satisfied .
He really did have an exponential effect on the next generation of choreographers and dancers , ” Reinking once said .
“ He demanded the best from you and you wanted to give it .
So you got better .
All great directors - however , they do it - make you want to be good .
I hope I do it .
It ’ s like being a parent , a psychiatrist , a disciplinarian and a friend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold them and when to show them .
”

NEW YORK (AP) — Ann Reinking, the Tony Award-winning choreographer, actress and Bob Fosse collaborator who helped spread a cool, muscular hybrid of jazz and burlesque movement to Broadway and beyond, has died. She was 71.
Reinking died Saturday while visiting family in Seattle, said her manager, Lee Gross. No cause of death was disclosed.
Tributes poured in from the Broadway community, including from Tony Yazbeck, who called her “an absolute inspiration” and Leslie Odom, Jr., who thanked Reinking for being a mentor: “She honored the calling for real. RIP to a legend.” Bernadette Peters took to Twitter to say her heart was broken and Billy Eichner said she was “one of the most mesmerizing people I’ve ever seen on stage. A singular genius. RIP.”
Trained as a ballet dancer, Reinking was known for her bold style of dance epitomized by her work in the revival of the Kander and Ebb musical “Chicago,” complete with net stockings, chair dancing and plenty of pelvic thrusts.
Reinking co-starred as Roxie Hart along with Bebe Neuwirth’s Velma, and created the choreography “in the style of Bob Fosse,” the show’s original director and choreographer who died in 1987. She and Fosse worked together for 15 years and she was also his lover for several of them.
“I’m beyond words to hear of the sudden and untimely passing of my dear friend Ann Reinking. The world has lost such a beautiful soul and talent,” said Chita Rivera. “I loved sharing the stage with her whenever we could. Her spirit and razzle-dazzle will be with me forever.”
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Reinking’s work on “Chicago” earned her a 1997 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards. Reinking replicated its choreography in productions throughout the world - England, Australia, Austria, Sweden, the Netherlands and elsewhere. She was portrayed by Margaret Qualley in the recent FX series “Fosse/Verdon.”
The musical’s revival was first done in a concert version at City Center’s “Encores” series in 1996 and then moved to Broadway, where in 2011 it became the second longest-running show in Broadway history.
“You know how you hear sometimes a woman goes into labor and 10 minutes later she’s got this beautiful baby? You couldn’t believe that it was materializing in such a beautiful way,” she told The Associated Press in 2011 about the early days of the revival.
In 1998, she co-directed “Fosse,” a salute to the man who had the largest influence, both professionally and personally, on her life. He once called her “one of the finest dancers in the jazz-modern idiom.”
Her movie credits include “Annie” (1982), “Movie, Movie” (1978) and the documentary “Mad Hot Ballroom” (2005), which portrayed Reinking as a ballroom-dance competition judge for New York City kids.
Reinking’s career began in Seattle, where she grew up. In the beginning, she wanted to be a ballet dancer, “like all girls,” she said. As a student, she won a scholarship in San Francisco with the Joffrey Ballet, but at many of the students’ after-hours improvisations, she would just sing and not dance.
Robert Joffrey said that with her outgoing personality and other abilities, she should pursue musical theater. “I waited tables to save up enough money to get here,” she said of New York City, where she arrived with a round-trip ticket back to Seattle and $500. She didn’t need the return trip.
“You wouldn’t get into this if you had a guarantee. People who get into this have a certain sense of the high stakes,” she said. “You need the break and when you get it, you’d better be ready for it.”
Reinking’s break was strung out over several shows. She was in the ensemble for Broadway’s “Coco,” which starred Katharine Hepburn as Coco Chanel, in 1969, and was in the chorus of “Pippin” in 1972, picked by its director and choreographer, Fosse. The ensemble was so small - there were only eight - that the dancers were really seen.
Choreographer Pat Birch was one who noticed, and in 1974 put her in “Over Here,” a World War II musical starring two of the three Andrews Sisters and featuring another unknown, John Travolta.
It led to a starring role in “Goodtime Charley,” a musical about Joan of Arc opposite Joel Grey. The musical was not a success, but it did make theatergoers look at Reinking as a principal performer and not just a member of the chorus.
Her other big break, she said, was in “Dancin’” in 1978, “because I realized you had to be in an original part and that show has to be a hit.” The music-and-dance revue directed and choreographed by Fosse was, running more than three years and earned her a 1978 Tony nomination.
But it was her work on the revival of “Chicago” where Reinking basked in the most attention. The original, a dark indictment of celebrity and hucksterism, opened in the summer of 1975 and ran for about 900 performances. Though not in the opening night cast, Reinking eventually slipped into the role of Roxie Hart, taking over the part from Gwen Verdon, Fosse’s third wife and dancing alter ego. In the 1996 revival, which is still on Broadway, Reinking kept the part of Hart opposite Gray and Neuwirth.
Lin-Manuel Miranda was among those praising her talent. “A singular talent has left us,” he wrote on Twitter. Jason Alexander added: “She was a pure joy - fun and funny and endlessly kind and talented. Heaven’s chorus line just got a star.”
Reinking also gained experience - and stayed in shape - by replacing stars in hit shows: Donna McKechnie in “A Chorus Line”; Gwen Verdon in Fosse’s original “Chicago”; and Debbie Allen in the 1986 revival of “Sweet Charity.”
And she embarked on an eclectic film career - from playing Roy Scheider’s lover in Fosse’s 1979 semi-autobiographical film “All That Jazz,” to the screen version of “Annie” to Blake Edwards’ “Micki and Maude.”
She also created dances for a revival of “Pal Joey” at Chicago’s Goodman Theater and a musical about first lady Eleanor Roosevelt called “Eleanor.” She was on the national tour of “Bye Bye Birdie” opposite Tommy Tune.
After “Eleanor,” offers to choreograph “kept falling in my lap,” Reinking said. She created dances for a pre-Encores “Chicago” in Long Beach, California, with Neuwirth and Juliet Prowse.
In one of the more cringe-worthy moments in her career, Reinking was asked to sing and perform the Oscar nominated song “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins at the 1985 telecast. Reinking lip-synched as she danced a bombastic, cheesy rendition marred by fog.
In recent years, she choreographed “The Look of Love” on Broadway and the Roger Rees-directed off-Broadway “Here Lies Jenny” (2004), starring Neuwirth. In 2011, she helped choreograph “An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin” on Broadway.
Reinking also produced a documentary called “In My Hands,” about working with children of Marfan’s Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder of the connective tissues that often leaves its victims with limbs that are disproportionately long. She also produced the film “Two Worlds, One Planet,” about “high-functioning” autism.
Reinking’s first three marriages ended in divorce. Since 1994, she had been married to Peter Talbert. She also is survived by a son, Christopher, who has been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome and autism.
“If there is a heaven, I think Bob can look down and be satisfied. He really did have an exponential effect on the next generation of choreographers and dancers,” Reinking once said.
“He demanded the best from you and you wanted to give it. So you got better. All great directors - however, they do it - make you want to be good. I hope I do it. It’s like being a parent, a psychiatrist, a disciplinarian and a friend. You really have to know when to hold them and when to show them.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Illinois House panel ends probe of powerful Speaker Madigan

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - An Illinois House committee on Monday ended its consideration of a breach of trust claim against House Speaker Michael Madigan , voting down further proceedings that could have led to discipline against the powerful Chicago Democrat .
The committee vote to authorize a charge against Madigan was 3-3 , but Democratic control rendered the partisan tie a rejection .
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin last summer filed documents seeking a charge of conduct unbecoming a legislator against Madigan after federal prosecutors implicated the longtime leader in a bribery scheme involving ComEd .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Chris ” Welch of Hillside , abruptly closed the proceedings after scolding the committee ‘ s GOP members for initiating the proceedings to discredit Madigan and attempting to allow Durkin to grab the gavel .
Madigan has been speaker for all but two of the past 37 years and is the longest-serving leader of any legislative body in U.S. history .
“ This is nothing but politics .
This is a sham show trial … , ” Welch said .
“ There ’ s not a self-respecting Democrat in this state who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaker of this House.
” House Democrats in the upcoming General Assembly outnumber Republicans 73-45 .
While 19 Democrats have declared they will not support Madigan for a 19th term as speaker because of the scandal , it ’ s unlikely Durkin could convince 15 of them to give control to the GOP for the first time since 1995 .
ComEd agreed to pay a $ 200 million fine and cooperate with U.S. Attorney John Lausch ’ s ongoing investigation after the utility giant admitted doling out $ 1.3 million in no-work jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for legislation favorable to the electric-power industry .
The 78-year-old Madigan has not been charged with a crime and has denied any wrongdoing .
Last month , four people , including ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggirore and former lobbyist and longtime Madigan confidante Michael McLain , were indicted on bribery and conspiracy charges in connection with the scheme .
They pleaded not guilty .
That followed the September guilty plea by a former ComEd vice president , Fidel Marquez .
The committee ‘ s ranking Republican , Rep. Tom Demmer of Dixon , continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Madigan , McLain and others , but was again rebuffed .
He denounced the procedure which saw just one witness testify , a vice president for Exelon , ComEd ’ s parent , who volunteered to appear .
“ It ’ s our job to conduct an investigation , not to have an open mic , where people can come and volunteer information if they so choose … , ” Demmer said .
“ One of the powers that ’ s delegated to the committee , in order to allow it to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue a subpoena.
” Welch repeatedly pointed out that state law automatically grants immunity from prosecution to anyone who provides testimony in response to a subpoena from the General Assembly .
While Lausch told the committee he did not oppose its issuance of subpoenas , Welch said he would clearly object to a grant of immunity .
Rep. Natalie Manley , a Democrat from Joliet , said , “ We should leave the ComEd situation to a federal prosecutor and stop pretending like we ’ re junior G-Men here.
” Welch did authorize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the scandal , including hundreds of emails .
They provided evidence of McLain going to extraordinary lengths to get ComEd to hire employees and a law firm that Madigan preferred , but they also showed an instance in which McLain pushed a candidate favored by Durkin .
“ If Jim Durkin actually believes it is conduct unbecoming of a legislator to recommend people for jobs or help constituents , he might want to review his own hypocritical behavior , ” Madigan said in a statement Monday evening .
The special investigating committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedure .
Had the committee authorized the charge against Madigan , a second committee would have been convened to deliberate a penalty , including expulsion .
The committee last prepared for action against former Rep. Luis Arroyo , a Chicago Democrat , after he was charged with bribery , but disbanded after Arroyo resigned in November 2019 .
He has pleaded not guilty .
In 2012 , the process led to the expulsion of Chicago Democratic Rep. Derrick Smith for bribery , for which he later was sentenced to five months in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1905 to oust Rep. Frank Comerford , also a Chicago Democrat , for accusing his colleagues of corruption without evidence .

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - An Illinois House committee on Monday ended its consideration of a breach of trust claim against House Speaker Michael Madigan, voting down further proceedings that could have led to discipline against the powerful Chicago Democrat.
The committee vote to authorize a charge against Madigan was 3-3, but Democratic control rendered the partisan tie a rejection. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin last summer filed documents seeking a charge of conduct unbecoming a legislator against Madigan after federal prosecutors implicated the longtime leader in a bribery scheme involving ComEd.
But the committee chairman, Democratic Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch of Hillside, abruptly closed the proceedings after scolding the committee’s GOP members for initiating the proceedings to discredit Madigan and attempting to allow Durkin to grab the gavel. Madigan has been speaker for all but two of the past 37 years and is the longest-serving leader of any legislative body in U.S. history.
“This is nothing but politics. This is a sham show trial …,” Welch said. “There’s not a self-respecting Democrat in this state who would vote for Jim Durkin to be speaker of this House.”
House Democrats in the upcoming General Assembly outnumber Republicans 73-45. While 19 Democrats have declared they will not support Madigan for a 19th term as speaker because of the scandal, it’s unlikely Durkin could convince 15 of them to give control to the GOP for the first time since 1995.
ComEd agreed to pay a $200 million fine and cooperate with U.S. Attorney John Lausch’s ongoing investigation after the utility giant admitted doling out $1.3 million in no-work jobs and subcontracts to Madigan allies in exchange for legislation favorable to the electric-power industry.
The 78-year-old Madigan has not been charged with a crime and has denied any wrongdoing. Last month, four people, including ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggirore and former lobbyist and longtime Madigan confidante Michael McLain, were indicted on bribery and conspiracy charges in connection with the scheme. They pleaded not guilty. That followed the September guilty plea by a former ComEd vice president, Fidel Marquez.
The committee’s ranking Republican, Rep. Tom Demmer of Dixon, continued to push Monday for committee-issued subpoenas to Madigan, McLain and others, but was again rebuffed. He denounced the procedure which saw just one witness testify, a vice president for Exelon, ComEd’s parent, who volunteered to appear.
“It’s our job to conduct an investigation, not to have an open mic, where people can come and volunteer information if they so choose …,” Demmer said. “One of the powers that’s delegated to the committee, in order to allow it to do its fundamental task is the power to issue a subpoena.”
Welch repeatedly pointed out that state law automatically grants immunity from prosecution to anyone who provides testimony in response to a subpoena from the General Assembly. While Lausch told the committee he did not oppose its issuance of subpoenas, Welch said he would clearly object to a grant of immunity.
Rep. Natalie Manley, a Democrat from Joliet, said, “We should leave the ComEd situation to a federal prosecutor and stop pretending like we’re junior G-Men here.”
Welch did authorize requesting from ComEd hundreds of documents related to the scandal, including hundreds of emails. They provided evidence of McLain going to extraordinary lengths to get ComEd to hire employees and a law firm that Madigan preferred, but they also showed an instance in which McLain pushed a candidate favored by Durkin.
“If Jim Durkin actually believes it is conduct unbecoming of a legislator to recommend people for jobs or help constituents, he might want to review his own hypocritical behavior,” Madigan said in a statement Monday evening.
The special investigating committee process is not intended as a criminal procedure. Had the committee authorized the charge against Madigan, a second committee would have been convened to deliberate a penalty, including expulsion.
The committee last prepared for action against former Rep. Luis Arroyo, a Chicago Democrat, after he was charged with bribery, but disbanded after Arroyo resigned in November 2019. He has pleaded not guilty. In 2012, the process led to the expulsion of Chicago Democratic Rep. Derrick Smith for bribery, for which he later was sentenced to five months in prison. A similar process was used in 1905 to oust Rep. Frank Comerford, also a Chicago Democrat, for accusing his colleagues of corruption without evidence.
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Follow Political Writer John O’Connor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Georgia Senate runoffs may make or break Joe Biden's agenda

DULUTH , Georgia — Jay L. Bean emerged after casting his ballot on the first day of early voting in Georgia ’ s Senate runoff elections to say he backed both Democratic candidates because he ’ s worried that without them , President-elect Joseph R. Biden wouldn ’ t be able to get anything done .
Moments later Keith , who asked that only his first name be used , emerged from the same polling place to say he backed both Republican candidates because he wants to make sure the Senate stays in Republican hands to stop Mr. Biden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ things going too much toward socialism , ” the 62-year-old said .
“ Too many people are dependent on the government for too many things.
” Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler , the Republican incumbents , and Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock , the Democratic challengers , may be the names on the ballot for the Jan. 5 runoffs .
But for voters , the most important name is Mr. Biden ‘ s .
The Nov. 3 election was seen as a referendum on President Trump , with the country rejecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Georgia , though , are shaping up as the first real referendum on Mr. Biden and his agenda — and whether this once solid-red state really is now a swing state .
Polls have shown the twin races are tight .
Democrats need to win both seats to hold 50 seats in the Senate and , with incoming Vice President Kamala D. Harris ’ s tie-breaking vote , claim control of the chamber .
Should either Mr. Perdue or Ms. Loeffler prevail , the GOP would remain in control , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans , delay nominees and start investigations of the new administration .
Mr. Biden is scheduled to visit the state Tuesday to campaign for Mr. Ossoff and Mr. Warnock , marking his first campaign stop since he won the presidential election .
The two Democrats have embraced Mr. Biden ‘ s calls for a bigger coronavirus relief package , a government-run public option to be added to Obamacare , stricter gun control laws , student debt relief and increasing the federal minimum wage .
They also are eager to embrace their role as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few dozen supporters gathered beneath a pavilion here Monday , Mr. Ossoff said Georgia will determine whether Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell can thwart the Biden agenda .
“ In order for us to pass the kind of COVID relief that families and business here in this state need , we have to win these two Senate races because here is the bottom line : Mitch McConnell is going to try to do to Joe and Kamala exactly like he tried to do to President Obama , ” the 33-year-old Democrat said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paralysis at a moment of crisis.
” Republicans are just as eager to make the race a referendum on Mr. Biden , as well as Democratic lawmakers such as Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
“ We are the last line of defense against this radical leftist agenda that the Democrats are trying to perpetrate on America , ” Mr. Perdue said on “ Fox News Sunday.
” “ If we win Georgia , it is very simple we save America .
“ If we keep the majority , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic agenda , but we also protect the gains that we made under President Trump , ” he said .
“ We don ’ t want to go back to the economic dark-side of the Obama and Biden administration.
” But David Johnson , a GOP strategist , said Mr. Trump ’ s insistence the election was stolen and that Republican leaders in Georgia abandoned him is distracting from that message .
“ You have a lot of Georgia Republicans who are still refusing to accept that Biden won , and they feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on somehow pulling a rabbit out of the hat for Trump rather than focusing on the U.S. Senate races , ” he said .
That dynamic could change now that Georgia ’ s 16 Democratic electors cast their ballots for Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris on Monday , officially closing out the presidential race .
Monday also marked the first day of early voting in the state .
Mr. Perdue started airing a television ad featuring clips of Mr. Trump showering him with praise .
“ David Perdue has been one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington , and there is nobody in Washington that is more respected than David Perdue , ” Mr. Trump says in the ad .
“ A lot of people , friends of mine , say let ’ s not vote , we ’ re not going to vote because we are angry about the presidential election , but if you do that the radical left wins.
” Mr. Ossoff , meanwhile , led a march to the polls in Gwinnett County before appearing with Mr. Warnock at a car rally in Atlanta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stakes are high , and rattled off his policy plans .
“ Are you ready for affordable health care ?
” Mr. Warnock said .
“ Are you ready for a livable wage ?
Are you ready for voting rights ?
Are you ready for criminal justice reform ?
Are you ready for investment in infrastructure ?
Are you ready for this defining moment in American history ?
” Rep. Hank Johnson told the crowd the Democrats “ are committed to working with the Biden administration — not against a Biden administration.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not be able to move forward with their plans unless we show up and show out at the polls , ” the Democrat said .

DULUTH, Georgia — Jay L. Bean emerged after casting his ballot on the first day of early voting in Georgia’s Senate runoff elections to say he backed both Democratic candidates because he’s worried that without them, President-elect Joseph R. Biden wouldn’t be able to get anything done.
Moments later Keith, who asked that only his first name be used, emerged from the same polling place to say he backed both Republican candidates because he wants to make sure the Senate stays in Republican hands to stop Mr. Biden.
“I am a little worried about things going too much toward socialism,” the 62-year-old said. “Too many people are dependent on the government for too many things.”
Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, the Republican incumbents, and Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, the Democratic challengers, may be the names on the ballot for the Jan. 5 runoffs.
But for voters, the most important name is Mr. Biden’s.
The Nov. 3 election was seen as a referendum on President Trump, with the country rejecting another four years.
The special elections in Georgia, though, are shaping up as the first real referendum on Mr. Biden and his agenda — and whether this once solid-red state really is now a swing state.
Polls have shown the twin races are tight.
Democrats need to win both seats to hold 50 seats in the Senate and, with incoming Vice President Kamala D. Harris’s tie-breaking vote, claim control of the chamber.
Should either Mr. Perdue or Ms. Loeffler prevail, the GOP would remain in control, with the power to thwart Mr. Biden’s plans, delay nominees and start investigations of the new administration.
If Democrats win, Mr. Biden could claim a mandate.
Mr. Biden is scheduled to visit the state Tuesday to campaign for Mr. Ossoff and Mr. Warnock, marking his first campaign stop since he won the presidential election.
The two Democrats have embraced Mr. Biden’s calls for a bigger coronavirus relief package, a government-run public option to be added to Obamacare, stricter gun control laws, student debt relief and increasing the federal minimum wage.
They also are eager to embrace their role as enablers of Mr. Biden.
Speaking to a few dozen supporters gathered beneath a pavilion here Monday, Mr. Ossoff said Georgia will determine whether Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell can thwart the Biden agenda.
“In order for us to pass the kind of COVID relief that families and business here in this state need, we have to win these two Senate races because here is the bottom line: Mitch McConnell is going to try to do to Joe and Kamala exactly like he tried to do to President Obama,” the 33-year-old Democrat said.
“We can’t have paralysis at a moment of crisis.”
Republicans are just as eager to make the race a referendum on Mr. Biden, as well as Democratic lawmakers such as Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“We are the last line of defense against this radical leftist agenda that the Democrats are trying to perpetrate on America,” Mr. Perdue said on “Fox News Sunday.” “If we win Georgia, it is very simple we save America.
“If we keep the majority, we not only hold the line on the Democratic agenda, but we also protect the gains that we made under President Trump,” he said. “We don’t want to go back to the economic dark-side of the Obama and Biden administration.”
But David Johnson, a GOP strategist, said Mr. Trump’s insistence the election was stolen and that Republican leaders in Georgia abandoned him is distracting from that message.
“You have a lot of Georgia Republicans who are still refusing to accept that Biden won, and they feel the energy should be focused right now on somehow pulling a rabbit out of the hat for Trump rather than focusing on the U.S. Senate races,” he said.
That dynamic could change now that Georgia’s 16 Democratic electors cast their ballots for Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris on Monday, officially closing out the presidential race.
Monday also marked the first day of early voting in the state.
Mr. Perdue started airing a television ad featuring clips of Mr. Trump showering him with praise.
“David Perdue has been one of the toughest fighters for our American first agenda in Washington, and there is nobody in Washington that is more respected than David Perdue,” Mr. Trump says in the ad. “A lot of people, friends of mine, say let’s not vote, we’re not going to vote because we are angry about the presidential election, but if you do that the radical left wins.”
Mr. Ossoff, meanwhile, led a march to the polls in Gwinnett County before appearing with Mr. Warnock at a car rally in Atlanta.
Mr. Warnock spoke first, saying the stakes are high, and rattled off his policy plans.
“Are you ready for affordable health care?” Mr. Warnock said. “Are you ready for a livable wage? Are you ready for voting rights? Are you ready for criminal justice reform? Are you ready for investment in infrastructure? Are you ready for this defining moment in American history?”
Rep. Hank Johnson told the crowd the Democrats “are committed to working with the Biden administration — not against a Biden administration.”
“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will not be able to move forward with their plans unless we show up and show out at the polls,” the Democrat said.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--It's close but 2020 likely to end up hottest year on record

Just how warm Earth stays this December will determine if 2020 goes down as the hottest year on record .
And it ’ s looking a lot like it will .
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration calculated Monday that last month globally was the second hottest November on record , behind only 2015 .
Yet NASA and a European climate monitoring group said it was the hottest November on record .
NASA has coverage over the poles that NOAA does not - and both the Arctic and Antarctic were very warm in November , NOAA climate scientist Ahira Sanchez-Lugo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s temperature in November was 56.95 degrees ( 13.87 degrees Celsius ) , which was 1.75 degrees ( 0.97 degrees Celsius ) above the 20th century average , according to NOAA .
Nearly 7 % of the world had record-warm November temperatures , including Australia and Norway .
NOAA ’ s calculations show that the first 11 months of 2020 were .02 degrees ( 0.01 Celsius ) cooler than record-hot 2016 , but there ’ s a 55 % chance that 2020 will end up the warmest on record .
If December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was , then 2020 will at least tie 2016 as the warmest on record , Sanchez-Lugo said .
Florida , Virginia and Maryland so far have had their hottest year on record , while California had its hottest fall .
For its part , NASA said 2020 so far is the warmest on record and it ’ s likely to stay that way .
Using NASA data , if December is just 0.59 degrees ( 0.33 degrees Celsius ) above the 1980 to 2010 average , 2020 should be the hottest year on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average than that , and December so far has been 1.16 degrees ( 0.64 Celsius ) above normal , said Zeke Hausfather , climate scientist with the Berkeley Earth climate-monitoring group .
NASA and NOAA records go back to 1880 .
Emissions from the burning of coal , oil and natural gas cause the planet to warm .
The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Just how warm Earth stays this December will determine if 2020 goes down as the hottest year on record. And it’s looking a lot like it will.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration calculated Monday that last month globally was the second hottest November on record, behind only 2015. Yet NASA and a European climate monitoring group said it was the hottest November on record. NASA has coverage over the poles that NOAA does not - and both the Arctic and Antarctic were very warm in November, NOAA climate scientist Ahira Sanchez-Lugo said to explain the difference.
Earth’s temperature in November was 56.95 degrees (13.87 degrees Celsius), which was 1.75 degrees (0.97 degrees Celsius) above the 20th century average, according to NOAA. Nearly 7% of the world had record-warm November temperatures, including Australia and Norway.
NOAA’s calculations show that the first 11 months of 2020 were .02 degrees (0.01 Celsius) cooler than record-hot 2016, but there’s a 55% chance that 2020 will end up the warmest on record. If December is as much above normal as November was, then 2020 will at least tie 2016 as the warmest on record, Sanchez-Lugo said. Florida, Virginia and Maryland so far have had their hottest year on record, while California had its hottest fall.
For its part, NASA said 2020 so far is the warmest on record and it’s likely to stay that way.
Using NASA data, if December is just 0.59 degrees (0.33 degrees Celsius) above the 1980 to 2010 average, 2020 should be the hottest year on record. November was much more above average than that, and December so far has been 1.16 degrees (0.64 Celsius) above normal, said Zeke Hausfather, climate scientist with the Berkeley Earth climate-monitoring group.
NASA and NOAA records go back to 1880. Emissions from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas cause the planet to warm.
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Follow AP’s climate coverage here.
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Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter: @borenbears .
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The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Elections office: Audit affirms Alaska initiative passage

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - An audit of a statewide ballot measure sought by Lt. Gov .
Kevin Meyer affirmed the measure ’ s passage , the Division of Elections said Monday .
Meyer , who oversees elections , last month said he would seek an audit of Ballot Measure 2 to help put to rest questions some had raised about the “ validity ” of election results tied to vote tabulation equipment the state uses .
The ballot measure would end party primaries and institute ranked choice voting for general elections .
The audit , conducted last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 election the prior week .
The certified results showed the measure passed with 174,032 “ yes ” votes and 170,251 “ no ” votes .
The audit showed 173,929 “ yes ” votes and 170,183 “ no , ” the division announced Monday .
The audit did not include election materials from Point Hope , which the division said did not arrive in Juneau in time for the audit .
A prior count for Point Hope had shown 95 “ yes ” votes and 84 “ no , ” results released by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed what the division knew it would , that our equipment worked properly , and the 2020 general election was administered accurately and fairly in the state of Alaska , ” Gail Fenumiai , the division ’ s director , said in a statement .

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - An audit of a statewide ballot measure sought by Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer affirmed the measure’s passage, the Division of Elections said Monday.
Meyer, who oversees elections, last month said he would seek an audit of Ballot Measure 2 to help put to rest questions some had raised about the “validity” of election results tied to vote tabulation equipment the state uses.
The ballot measure would end party primaries and institute ranked choice voting for general elections. The audit, conducted last week, followed certification of the Nov. 3 election the prior week.
The certified results showed the measure passed with 174,032 “yes” votes and 170,251 “no” votes. The audit showed 173,929 “yes” votes and 170,183 “no,” the division announced Monday.
The audit did not include election materials from Point Hope, which the division said did not arrive in Juneau in time for the audit. A prior count for Point Hope had shown 95 “yes” votes and 84 “no,” results released by the division showed.
“This audit showed what the division knew it would, that our equipment worked properly, and the 2020 general election was administered accurately and fairly in the state of Alaska,” Gail Fenumiai, the division’s director, said in a statement.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--GOP attack on new Kansas lieutenant governor previews 2022

TOPEKA , Kan. ( AP ) - Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly gave Kansas ’ top economic development official a second job as the state ’ s next lieutenant governor , and the state Republican Party immediately previewed possible attacks against their ticket in the 2022 elections .
Kelly named state Commerce Secretary David Toland to replace Lt. Gov .
Lynn Rogers , who is stepping down Jan. 2 to fill a vacancy in the state treasurer ’ s office .
Toland has been commerce secretary since Kelly took office in January 2019 and last year won a contentious battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate that included opposition from the state ’ s most politically influential anti-abortion group .
Toland , 43 , ran a nonprofit economic development group in Allen County in southeast Kansas for 11 years before becoming state commerce secretary .
He also served as the treasurer for Kelly ’ s successful 2018 campaign for governor .
In addition to having political fundraising chops , Toland is highly regarded by some business leaders and local economic development officials , something that could help Kelly with the moderate Republican and independent voters in seeking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor also could help set him up for a future run for governor - or in 2022 , if Kelly decides not to run again .
Kelly brushed aside questions about her political plans , saying during a Statehouse news conference that she isn ’ t focused on such questions during the coronavirus pandemic and with the GOP-controlled Legislature set to reconvene in January .
“ You all - and others - are going to speculate all you want , and there ’ s nothing I can say that will stop that speculation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is always who is absolutely the most qualified for the position , and that ’ s what David Toland is.
” It ’ s not been unusual in recent decades for the lieutenant governor to have a position in the governor ’ s Cabinet .
Gary Sherrer , lieutenant governor with GOP Gov .
Bill Graves from 1996 through 2002 , also was commerce secretary .
The governor ’ s choice for lieutenant governor is not subject to legislative oversight .
Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run for election on a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testimonials for Toland from 18 people , including business executives , local chamber of commerce leaders and former Democratic Gov .
John Carlin .
Toland credited the Kelly administration with attracting $ 2.4 billion in new business investment this year alone .
“ We have a new way of doing business in Kansas , and it ’ s working , ” he told reporters .
But Republicans are painting a different picture of the state ’ s economy , arguing restrictions Kelly imposed this spring to check the spread of the coronavirus across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy too much .
State GOP Chairman Mike Kuckelman also revived criticism of Toland from last year over grants received by Thrive Allen County in 2015 and 2018 , totaling less than $ 20,000 , to promote women ’ s health .
The grants were from a fund named for the late Dr. George Tiller , who performed late-term abortions in Wichita and who was murdered by an anti-abortion zealot in 2009 .
The anti-abortion group Kansans for Life pushed unsuccessfully for the Senate to reject Toland ’ s appointment as commerce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The state GOP sent out a fundraising email Monday calling Toland a “ radical liberal.
” Kuckelman also noted that Republicans retained supermajorities in both legislative chambers in this year ’ s elections , adding , “ Governor Kelly ’ s liberal agenda is dead on arrival for the remainder of her term.
” Kelly announced last week that Rogers , the current lieutenant governor , would become state treasurer .
He will replace Republican Jake LaTurner , who won the eastern Kansas seat in the U.S. House in November .

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly gave Kansas’ top economic development official a second job as the state’s next lieutenant governor, and the state Republican Party immediately previewed possible attacks against their ticket in the 2022 elections.
Kelly named state Commerce Secretary David Toland to replace Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers, who is stepping down Jan. 2 to fill a vacancy in the state treasurer’s office. Toland has been commerce secretary since Kelly took office in January 2019 and last year won a contentious battle over his confirmation by the Republican-dominated state Senate that included opposition from the state’s most politically influential anti-abortion group.
Toland, 43, ran a nonprofit economic development group in Allen County in southeast Kansas for 11 years before becoming state commerce secretary. He also served as the treasurer for Kelly’s successful 2018 campaign for governor.
In addition to having political fundraising chops, Toland is highly regarded by some business leaders and local economic development officials, something that could help Kelly with the moderate Republican and independent voters in seeking a second term. Appointing Toland as lieutenant governor also could help set him up for a future run for governor - or in 2022, if Kelly decides not to run again.
Kelly brushed aside questions about her political plans, saying during a Statehouse news conference that she isn’t focused on such questions during the coronavirus pandemic and with the GOP-controlled Legislature set to reconvene in January.
“You all - and others - are going to speculate all you want, and there’s nothing I can say that will stop that speculation,” she said. “It is always who is absolutely the most qualified for the position, and that’s what David Toland is.”
It’s not been unusual in recent decades for the lieutenant governor to have a position in the governor’s Cabinet. Gary Sherrer, lieutenant governor with GOP Gov. Bill Graves from 1996 through 2002, also was commerce secretary.
The governor’s choice for lieutenant governor is not subject to legislative oversight. Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run for election on a single ticket.
Kelly’s office released testimonials for Toland from 18 people, including business executives, local chamber of commerce leaders and former Democratic Gov. John Carlin. Toland credited the Kelly administration with attracting $2.4 billion in new business investment this year alone.
“We have a new way of doing business in Kansas, and it’s working,” he told reporters.
But Republicans are painting a different picture of the state’s economy, arguing restrictions Kelly imposed this spring to check the spread of the coronavirus across the state were too harsh and hurt the economy too much.
State GOP Chairman Mike Kuckelman also revived criticism of Toland from last year over grants received by Thrive Allen County in 2015 and 2018, totaling less than $20,000, to promote women’s health. The grants were from a fund named for the late Dr. George Tiller, who performed late-term abortions in Wichita and who was murdered by an anti-abortion zealot in 2009.
The anti-abortion group Kansans for Life pushed unsuccessfully for the Senate to reject Toland’s appointment as commerce secretary and force to step down. The state GOP sent out a fundraising email Monday calling Toland a “radical liberal.”
Kuckelman also noted that Republicans retained supermajorities in both legislative chambers in this year’s elections, adding, “Governor Kelly’s liberal agenda is dead on arrival for the remainder of her term.”
Kelly announced last week that Rogers, the current lieutenant governor, would become state treasurer. He will replace Republican Jake LaTurner, who won the eastern Kansas seat in the U.S. House in November.
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Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Electoral College vote in California cements Biden victory

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - California electors on Monday cast the state ’ s 55 votes for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris , formally cementing the Democratic presidential ticket ’ s victory over President Donald Trump .
Biden and Harris , the home-state senator , carried the heavily Democratic state in a landslide on Election Day , defeating Trump by over 5 million votes .
California , the nation ’ s most populous state with 40 million people , is the largest prize in the presidential election .
The vote Monday was taken in a mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chamber in Sacramento , where electors wore face masks and were socially distanced at separate desks for safety because of the coronavirus pandemic .
When Assemblywoman Shirley Weber , a San Diego Democrat who chaired the proceedings , announced the unanimous votes , electors burst into cheers and stood applauding at their desks .
The California tally pushed Biden above the 270 electoral votes he needed to formally claim the win .
During the proceedings , there was no direct criticism of Trump or the unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud that he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , talked of the enduring strength of democracy , the importance of an orderly transfer of power and persevering through challenging times .
“ We ’ ve made all of those who stand so firm on this Constitution very proud , because we have ensured the will of the people will be done , ” she said .
Small pro-Trump protests have been staged in Sacramento since the election , but the fenced statehouse grounds were quiet Monday .
Police vehicles were parked outside several entrances .
The state-by-state tally of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , took on added importance this year because of Trump ’ s refusal to concede he lost his bid for a second term .
The results will be sent to Washington and tallied in a Jan. 6 joint session of Congress over which Vice President Mike Pence will preside .
When all the votes are in , Biden is expected to have 306 electoral votes to 232 for Trump .
Biden ’ s victory represents the eighth consecutive presidential election that Democratic candidates have secured in California .
The last Republican to carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1988 .
Biden piled up a record 11.1 million votes in the state , with Trump pulling in just over 6 million .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - California electors on Monday cast the state’s 55 votes for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, formally cementing the Democratic presidential ticket’s victory over President Donald Trump.
Biden and Harris, the home-state senator, carried the heavily Democratic state in a landslide on Election Day, defeating Trump by over 5 million votes. California, the nation’s most populous state with 40 million people, is the largest prize in the presidential election.
The vote Monday was taken in a mostly subdued ceremony in the ornate state Assembly chamber in Sacramento, where electors wore face masks and were socially distanced at separate desks for safety because of the coronavirus pandemic.
When Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, a San Diego Democrat who chaired the proceedings, announced the unanimous votes, electors burst into cheers and stood applauding at their desks. The California tally pushed Biden above the 270 electoral votes he needed to formally claim the win.
During the proceedings, there was no direct criticism of Trump or the unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud that he has been making since the election.
Weber, however, talked of the enduring strength of democracy, the importance of an orderly transfer of power and persevering through challenging times.
“We’ve made all of those who stand so firm on this Constitution very proud, because we have ensured the will of the people will be done,” she said.
Small pro-Trump protests have been staged in Sacramento since the election, but the fenced statehouse grounds were quiet Monday. Police vehicles were parked outside several entrances.
The state-by-state tally of electoral votes, typically a little-watched ceremony, took on added importance this year because of Trump’s refusal to concede he lost his bid for a second term.
The results will be sent to Washington and tallied in a Jan. 6 joint session of Congress over which Vice President Mike Pence will preside. When all the votes are in, Biden is expected to have 306 electoral votes to 232 for Trump.
Biden’s victory represents the eighth consecutive presidential election that Democratic candidates have secured in California. The last Republican to carry the state was George H.W. Bush in 1988.
Biden piled up a record 11.1 million votes in the state, with Trump pulling in just over 6 million.
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washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Federal judge again rules against Tennessee in abortion case

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - A federal judge who earlier this year struck down Tennessee ’ s 48-hour waiting period for abortions as unconstitutional has ruled against the state again .
U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman refused on Monday to put his earlier order on hold while the state appeals to the 6th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
Freidman ruled in October that Tennessee ’ s waiting period law serves no legitimate purpose while placing a substantial burden on women who seek abortions in Tennessee .
The 2015 law required women to make two trips to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counseling and then for the abortion at least 48 hours later .
Directors of Tennessee abortion clinics testified during the 2019 trial that the waiting period posed logistical challenges for patients and clinics that could actually delay abortions by weeks .
At times , women were no longer eligible for medication abortions because their pregnancies were too far along and they had to get surgical abortions instead , which have greater risks of complications .
A few women were pushed beyond the time when they could receive an abortion altogether .
A motion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Herbert Slatery in the U.S. District Court in Nashville asked Friedman to keep the law in place during the appeal .
It argued that Friedman should have weighed the benefits of the restriction against the burdens it places on patients .
In his opinion Monday , Friedman stated that the outcome would have been the same .
“ With or without such a balancing test , the Tennessee statute constitutes a ‘ substantial obstacle to a woman seeking an abortion ’ and , thus , an undue burden , ” he wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a burden for a “ large fraction ” of the people it affects .
“ This is incorrect , ” Friedman wrote , noting that he found in his October ruling that the restriction “ ‘ burdens the majority of abortion patients with significant , and often insurmountable , logistical and financial hurdles.
’ ” Before the law was struck down , Tennessee was one of 13 states that required in-person counseling and then a waiting period before a woman could get an abortion , necessitating two separate trips to the facility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a research group that supports abortion rights .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A federal judge who earlier this year struck down Tennessee’s 48-hour waiting period for abortions as unconstitutional has ruled against the state again. U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman refused on Monday to put his earlier order on hold while the state appeals to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Freidman ruled in October that Tennessee’s waiting period law serves no legitimate purpose while placing a substantial burden on women who seek abortions in Tennessee. The 2015 law required women to make two trips to an abortion clinic, first for mandatory counseling and then for the abortion at least 48 hours later.
Directors of Tennessee abortion clinics testified during the 2019 trial that the waiting period posed logistical challenges for patients and clinics that could actually delay abortions by weeks. At times, women were no longer eligible for medication abortions because their pregnancies were too far along and they had to get surgical abortions instead, which have greater risks of complications. A few women were pushed beyond the time when they could receive an abortion altogether.
A motion filed last month by state Attorney General Herbert Slatery in the U.S. District Court in Nashville asked Friedman to keep the law in place during the appeal. It argued that Friedman should have weighed the benefits of the restriction against the burdens it places on patients.
In his opinion Monday, Friedman stated that the outcome would have been the same. “With or without such a balancing test, the Tennessee statute constitutes a ‘substantial obstacle to a woman seeking an abortion’ and, thus, an undue burden,” he wrote.
Tennessee also argued that the statute is not a burden for a “large fraction” of the people it affects.
“This is incorrect,” Friedman wrote, noting that he found in his October ruling that the restriction “‘burdens the majority of abortion patients with significant, and often insurmountable, logistical and financial hurdles.’”
Before the law was struck down, Tennessee was one of 13 states that required in-person counseling and then a waiting period before a woman could get an abortion, necessitating two separate trips to the facility, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Australian PM says China coal ban would breach WTO rules

CANBERRA , Australia ( AP ) - Australia ’ s prime minister said Tuesday that China would be in breach of World Trade Organization rules as well as a bilateral free trade agreement if it banned Australian coal .
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was responding to a report in the Chinese state-owned Global Times newspaper that the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission had given power plants approval to import coal without restrictions except for Australian coal .
Morrison said he was treating the report as “ media speculation ” because the Chinese government had yet to clarify its position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then that would obviously be in breach of WTO rules , ” Morrison told reporters .
“ It would be obviously in breach of our on free trade agreement and so we would hope that ’ s certainly not the case.
” Coal and iron ore are Australia ’ s most lucrative exports .
But Australian exports appear to have suffered due to deteriorating bilateral relations since Australia called for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic .
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said Australia was close to finalizing a complaint to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on barley .
“ We see these reports and obviously are deeply troubled by them , ” Birmingham told Australian Broadcasting Corp. referring to the reported coal import ban .
“ They , if true , would indicate discriminatory trade practices being deployed by Chinese authorities and we would urge them to rule that out swiftly , ” he added .

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Australia’s prime minister said Tuesday that China would be violating World Trade Organization rules and a bilateral free trade agreement if it banned Australian coal.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was replying to a report in China’s state-owned Global Times newspaper that said Beijing’s main planning agency had given power plants approval to import coal without restrictions, except for Australian coal.
Morrison said he was treating the report as “media speculation” because the Chinese government had yet to clarify its position.
“If that were the case, then that would obviously be in breach of WTO rules,” Morrison told reporters. “It would be obviously in breach of our free trade agreement and so we would hope that’s certainly not the case.”
China has targeted various Australian exports as relations with the country have deteriorated after Australia called for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic.
Asked about the report, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin gave no specifics but said China had “recently taken measures against some imported Australian products in accordance with law and regulations.”
China has consistently said Australia is entirely responsible for disruptions in economic and political ties motivated by what it sees as anti-Chinese bias among Australian politicians, civic leaders and media outlets.
Wang said China would “never accept” accusations of unfair trade practices, and accused Australia of having politicized bilateral exchanges in trade, investment, science and technology, while targeting Chinese companies with increased security checks on investments.
“We hope that the Australian side will reflect on itself, be consistent with its words and actions, and effectively provide good conditions and atmosphere for China-Australia practical cooperation in various fields, rather than the other way around,” Wang told reporters at a daily briefing.
China’s pique has pitted Australia’s most important trading relationship against its alliance with the U.S., which has rolled out increasingly harsh measures against Beijing over trade, technology and human rights.
Beijing’s grievances against Australia range from accusations of Chinese meddling in Australian politics to the barring of tech giant Huawei and the government’s push for an independent investigation into the pandemic that is believed to have originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.
Coal and iron ore, Australia’s most lucrative exports, appear to have suffered due to Chinese barriers, while wine, lumber and other products have also seen their Chinese markets reduced.
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said Australia was close to finalizing a complaint to the World Trade Organization over Chinese tariffs imposed on barley.
“We see these reports and obviously are deeply troubled by them,” Birmingham told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. referring to the reported coal import ban.
“They, if true, would indicate discriminatory trade practices being deployed by Chinese authorities and we would urge them to rule that out swiftly,” he added.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Joe Biden: GOP senators are blowing up my phone

President-elect Joseph R. Biden said Monday his phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from Republican senators who say they ’ re interested in working with the incoming administration .
“ Seven of your colleagues have already called me - Republicans , mostly senior , saying they want to work with me , saying they want to work with us , ” Mr. Biden told Vice President-elect Sen. Kamala D. Harris on a video call with supporters .
He said he didn ’ t talk to all of them , but that he did touch base with “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said that particular member expressed an interest in working together on China , COVID-19 , and infrastructure .
“ I may eat these words , but I predict to you as Donald Trump ’ s shadow fades away , you ’ re going to see an awful lot change , ” he said .
“ We can put this together — I really believe it .
And I think evidence is the people [ who ] have already called just in the first 20 minutes after it was official.
” The Electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win over President Trump hours before he made the comments.Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said earlier Monday he did have a conversation with Mr. Biden , though he said it was some time ago .

President-elect Joseph R. Biden said Monday his phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from Republican senators who say they’re interested in working with the incoming administration.
“Seven of your colleagues have already called me - Republicans, mostly senior, saying they want to work with me, saying they want to work with us,” Mr. Biden told Vice President-elect Sen. Kamala D. Harris on a video call with supporters.
He said he didn’t talk to all of them, but that he did touch base with “one of the most senior members.”
He said that particular member expressed an interest in working together on China, COVID-19, and infrastructure.
“I may eat these words, but I predict to you as Donald Trump’s shadow fades away, you’re going to see an awful lot change,” he said. “We can put this together — I really believe it. And I think evidence is the people [who] have already called just in the first 20 minutes after it was official.”
The Electoral College formally affirmed Mr. Biden’s win over President Trump hours before he made the comments.Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said earlier Monday he did have a conversation with Mr. Biden, though he said it was some time ago.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--First COVID-19 vaccine in Idaho administered to doctor

REXBURG , Idaho .
( AP ) - The first COVID-19 vaccine in Idaho has been administered to a physician in the eastern part of the state .
Gov .
Brad Little said on social media Monday that Dr. Russ McUne in Rexburg was the first Idahoan to receive the vaccine .
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says it is expecting 13,650 doses of the new COVID-19 vaccines to arrive by later the week .
The vaccine advisory committee discussed the state ’ s needs recently and determined that healthcare workers would be receiving the first doses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physician working frontlines , working with a lot of COVID , this is a vaccine that we ’ ve been waiting for for a long time , ” McUne told the Post Register .
“ So this is definitely something we need people to see , we need people to be able to do , and I want to set an example that this is not something to be afraid of .
This is going to help us .
We really really need this vaccine in people.
” The first vaccine doses come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths , and while hospitals in Idaho are near capacity as infections , hospitalizations and deaths continue rising .

REXBURG, Idaho. (AP) - The first COVID-19 vaccine in Idaho has been administered to a physician in the eastern part of the state.
Gov. Brad Little said on social media Monday that Dr. Russ McUne in Rexburg was the first Idahoan to receive the vaccine.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says it is expecting 13,650 doses of the new COVID-19 vaccines to arrive by later the week. The vaccine advisory committee discussed the state’s needs recently and determined that healthcare workers would be receiving the first doses, CBS-2 reported.
“As a ER physician working frontlines, working with a lot of COVID, this is a vaccine that we’ve been waiting for for a long time,” McUne told the Post Register. “So this is definitely something we need people to see, we need people to be able to do, and I want to set an example that this is not something to be afraid of. This is going to help us. We really really need this vaccine in people.”
The first vaccine doses come as the nation surpassed 300,000 total COVID-19 deaths, and while hospitals in Idaho are near capacity as infections, hospitalizations and deaths continue rising.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Ex-Epstein pal seeks bail with $28.5M and armed guards

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Lawyers for the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein are urging a judge to free her to await trial under a $ 28.5 million bail package that would include armed guards to keep her in a New York City residence and protect her safety .
The bail arguments on behalf of Ghislaine Maxwell were filed under seal last Tuesday , but were publicly filed late Monday with redactions in Manhattan federal court that were approved by Judge Alison J. Nathan .
The lawyers said Maxwell and her spouse , with whom she has been living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering a $ 22.5 million personal recognizance bond secured by about $ 8 million in property and $ 500,000 in cash .
They said $ 22.5 million represents all of Maxwell and her spouse ’ s assets .
The spouse was not identified in court papers .
The identities of seven other close friends and family members who the lawyers said were willing to pledge about $ 5 million of their own assets toward the bail package were also not revealed .
They also said she would have electronic monitoring .
Maxwell is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges that she recruited three teenage girls for Epstein to abuse in the mid-1990s .
Her first attempt at bail shortly after her July arrest was rejected .
“ Ms .
Maxwell vehemently maintains her innocence and is committed to defending herself , ” the lawyers wrote .
“ She wants nothing more than to remain in this country to fight the allegations against her , which are based on the uncorroborated testimony of a handful of witnesses about events that took place over 25 years ago.
” To support the bail request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maxwell ’ s spouse .
They said the letter tells how Ms. Maxwell was forced to leave her family and drop out of public view , not because she was eluding law enforcement , but because of “ the intense media frenzy and threats following the arrest and death of Jeffrey Epstein.
” Epstein killed himself in a federal Manhattan lockup in August 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges .

NEW YORK (AP) - Lawyers for the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein are urging a judge to free her to await trial under a $28.5 million bail package that would include armed guards to ensure she remains safe and doesn’t flee a New York City residence.
The bail arguments on behalf of Ghislaine Maxwell, first filed under seal last Tuesday, were publicly released late Monday with redactions in Manhattan federal court that were approved by Judge Alison J. Nathan.
They were supported by numerous letters from family and friends who insisted that Maxwell sought seclusion in a New Hampshire home in December 2019 after receiving death threats and worrying that the public and media would find her at a home where she lived with her husband.
A security specialist who offered to pledge $1 million toward the bail package and to provide armed security for Maxwell if she is released on bail said Maxwell retreated into a back room of her residence when the FBI approached on July 2 because it was thought reporters had found her.
Maxwell, 58, is scheduled to face a July trial on charges that she recruited three teenage girls for Epstein to abuse in the mid-1990s.
Her first attempt at bail shortly after her July arrest was rejected.
The lawyers said Maxwell and her spouse, with whom she has been living for most of the past four years, were offering a bail package partially consisting of a $22.5 million personal recognizance bond secured by $8 million in property and $500,000 in cash. They said it represents all of Maxwell and her husband’s assets, including three homes.
The husband was not identified in court papers, but a financial report among exhibits said the couple was married in 2016 and that Maxwell had put the majority of the $20.2 million in assets she had in 2015 into a trust controlled by her spouse. It said the assets, $16 million of which was in cash or equities, were worth $22.5 million on Oct. 31.
The financial report also noted that prosecutors in their initial bail submission cited transfers totaling more than $20 million from 2007 to 2011, describing them as transfers from Epstein’s accounts to Maxwell’s accounts and vice versa.
The financial report noted that Maxwell during those years acted as an officer of various corporate entities related to aircraft and air travel associated with Epstein and there were substantial transfers involving those corporate entities.
The identities of seven other close friends and family members who the lawyers said were willing to pledge about $5 million of their own assets toward the bail package were also not revealed. The lawyers said bail would include electronic monitoring.
“Ms. Maxwell vehemently maintains her innocence and is committed to defending herself,” the lawyers wrote. “She wants nothing more than to remain in this country to fight the allegations against her, which are based on the uncorroborated testimony of a handful of witnesses about events that took place over 25 years ago.”
To support the bail request, the lawyers included a letter from Maxwell’s spouse. They said the letter tells how Ms. Maxwell was forced to leave her family and drop out of public view, not because she was eluding law enforcement, but because of “the intense media frenzy and threats following the arrest and death of Jeffrey Epstein.”
In one letter attached to the bail request as an exhibit, an individual wrote: “Her love for … her husband was a principal reason that she stayed close by as possible while fighting for her innocence.”
“I can attest that when she moved, it was always and only due to fear of being discovered by the press or ‘vigilantes’ - the fear was palpable,” the unidentified individual wrote. “The only reason that she was forced to find quiet places to be in all this time, is due to the howling ‘mobs’ screaming for her ‘scalp’ on Twitter and other social media outlets.”
The individual added: “She has never hid from the authorities and is frustrated that she never had the opportunity to talk to them personally to counteract all the lies pouring out in the media.”
Epstein killed himself in a federal Manhattan lockup in August 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. He was 66.
A spokesperson for prosecutors declined to comment.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Councilman: Man exposes himself during city council meeting

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - A man exposed himself on camera during a virtual city council meeting in @ @ @ @ @ .
The incident happened during Monday night ’ s Richmond city council meeting , Councilman @ @ @ @ @ The man appeared under the name “ Patrick Graham , ” but Jones said it @ @ @ @ @ who shared the same name .
The exposure happened while Councilwoman Ellen Robertson was speaking @ @ @ @ @ an outgoing council vice president .
It was not seen by people watching the meeting @ @ @ @ @ be seen reacting in surprise .
“ Come on Mr. Graham , ” Jones said @ @ @ @ @ could be taken out of the meeting .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A man exposed himself on camera during a virtual city council meeting in Virginia, a councilman said.
The incident happened during Monday night’s Richmond city council meeting, Councilman Mike Jones told WRIC-TV. The man appeared under the name “Patrick Graham,” but Jones said it was not a city employee who shared the same name.
The exposure happened while Councilwoman Ellen Robertson was speaking and sharing parting words for an outgoing council vice president. It was not seen by people watching the meeting online but council members could be seen reacting in surprise.
“Come on Mr. Graham,” Jones said before asking if the man could be taken out of the meeting.


washingtontimes--2020-12-15--Research trip to study impact of giant floating iceberg

LONDON ( AP ) - A team of scientists will set off next month on a research mission to find out the impact of a giant floating iceberg on the wildlife and marine life on a sub-Antarctic island , the British Antarctic Survey said Tuesday .
The huge iceberg — the size of the U.S. state of Delaware — has been floating north since it broke away from Antarctica ’ s Larsen C ice shelf in 2017 .
It is now about 75 kilometers ( 47 miles ) from the island of South Georgia , and scientists are concerned over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the area if it grounds near the island .
South Georgia is home to colonies of tens of thousands of penguins and 6 million fur seals , which could be threatened by the iceberg during their breeding season .
The waters near the island are also one of the world ’ s largest marine protected areas and house more marine species than the Galapagos .
The research ship RRS James Cook is expected to depart from the Falkland Islands for the iceberg in late January .
Two underwater robotic gliders will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months collecting data to help investigate the impact of freshwater from the melting ice on the region .
The iceberg - named A-68s - is travelling at varying speeds depending on local conditions , but at its fastest was travelling about 20 kilometers ( 12 miles ) a day .
Geraint Tarling , an ecologist at the British Antarctic Survey , said the iceberg will “ cause devastation to the sea floor by scouring the seabed communities of sponges , brittle stars , worms and sea-urchins , so decreasing biodiversity.
” “ These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their body tissue and surrounding sediment .
Destruction by the iceberg will release this stored carbon back into the water and , potentially , the atmosphere , which would be a further negative impact , ” he said .
Povl Abrahamsen , who is leading the mission , said it normally takes years to plan such marine research trips .
But the mission is made possible because officials recognize the urgency to act quickly .
“ Everyone is pulling out all the stops to make this happen , ” he said .

LONDON (AP) - A team of scientists will set off next month on a research mission to find out the impact of a giant floating iceberg on the wildlife and marine life on a sub-Antarctic island, the British Antarctic Survey said Tuesday.
The huge iceberg — the size of the U.S. state of Delaware — has been floating north since it broke away from Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf in 2017. It is now about 75 kilometers (47 miles) from the island of South Georgia.
Scientists are concerned about the risks it poses to the wildlife in the area if it grounds near the island. Recent images captured from the air show the iceberg is breaking up, and researchers are also concerned about the impact of freshwater from the melting ice on animals and marine life in the area.
South Georgia is home to colonies of tens of thousands of penguins and 6 million fur seals, which could be threatened by the iceberg during their breeding season. The waters near the island are also one of the world’s largest marine protected areas and house more marine species than the Galapagos.
The research ship RRS James Cook is expected to depart from the Falkland Islands for the iceberg in late January. Two underwater robotic gliders will be deployed from the ship and get as close as possible to the edge of the iceberg to collect data such as seawater temperature, salinity and how much plankton is in the water.
The iceberg - named A-68a - is travelling at varying speeds depending on local conditions, but at its fastest was travelling about 20 kilometers (12 miles) a day.
Geraint Tarling, an ecologist at the British Antarctic Survey, said the iceberg will “cause devastation to the sea floor by scouring the seabed communities of sponges, brittle stars, worms and sea-urchins, so decreasing biodiversity.”
“These communities help store large amounts of carbon in their body tissue and surrounding sediment. Destruction by the iceberg will release this stored carbon back into the water and, potentially, the atmosphere, which would be a further negative impact,” he said.
Povl Abrahamsen, who is leading the mission, said it normally takes years to plan such marine research trips. But the mission is made possible because officials recognize the urgency to act quickly.
“Everyone is pulling out all the stops to make this happen,” he said.
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