washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Agent to AP: Federer to miss Australia; planning 2021 return

Roger Federer withdrew from the Australian Open while he continues preparing to return to action after two operations on his right knee and a tour absence that will have lasted longer than a year , his agent told The Associated Press .
Tony Godsick - Federer ’ s long-time representative and CEO of their management company , TEAM8 - said Sunday he is working on putting together a 2021 tennis calendar for the 20-time Grand Slam champion , who plans to get back to competition soon after the year ’ s first major tennis tournament .
This ends Federer ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Melbourne Park , a run that began with his 2000 debut there and includes six championships .
“ Roger has decided not to play the 2021 Australian Open .
He has made strong progress in the last couple of months with his knee and his fitness .
However , after consultation with his team , he decided that the best decision for him in the long run is to return to competitive tennis after the Australian Open , ” Godsick said in a statement sent to the AP .
“ I will start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin in late February and then start to build a schedule for the rest of the year , ” Godsick said .
The start of the Australian Open ’ s main draw was delayed by three weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic and is now scheduled to begin on Feb. 8 .
In other news related to the tournament , Tennis Australia announced that five-time runner-up Andy Murray was given a wild-card entry .
Murray , a three-time major champion and former No .
1 , is 122nd in the rankings after going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 39-year-old Federer , who has spent more weeks atop the ATP rankings than anyone else but is No .
5 after his hiatus , is currently training in his usual offseason home of Dubai , United Arab Emirates .
The choice to delay his comeback came with input from coaches Severin Luthi and Ivan Ljubicic and fitness coach Pierre Paganini .
“ We wish him all the best as he prepares for his comeback later in the year , ” Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said in a tweet confirming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ and look forward to seeing him in Melbourne in 2022.
” Federer hasn ’ t played a tournament match since late January at the 2020 Australian Open , where he was clearly injured while losing in straight sets to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals .
Soon after , Federer participated in an exhibition charity event with Rafael Nadal in front of a record tennis crowd of more than 50,000 people at a soccer stadium in Cape Town , South Africa .
Just weeks later , Federer announced he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be sidelined for at least four months .
He later had a second procedure on that knee and wound up missing the rest of the pandemic-altered season .
One measure of Federer ’ s popularity : Despite appearing in only six matches in 2020 , he recently was voted the winner of the ATP Tour fans ’ favorite award for the 18th consecutive time .
Until this knee issue , Federer only had his career interrupted once by an operation - on his left knee in 2016 .
He sat out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the U.S. Open , but was back at his best when he resumed playing , winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2017 .
He won the Australian Open again the following year for No .
20 in his Grand Slam collection , which includes eight trophies from Wimbledon , five from the U.S. Open and one from the French Open .
While Federer was sidelined this year , Nadal equaled his men ’ s record for most major championships by collecting his 20th at Roland Garros @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message on social media to Nadal that day , saying he hopes “ 20 is just another step on the continuing journey for both of us.
” Djokovic ’ s title in Australia this year moved him closer to the other members of the Big Three of men ’ s tennis with a total of 17 .

Roger Federer withdrew from the Australian Open while he continues preparing to return to action after two operations on his right knee and a tour absence that will have lasted longer than a year, his agent told The Associated Press.
Tony Godsick - Federer’s long-time representative and CEO of their management company, TEAM8 - said Sunday he is working on putting together a 2021 tennis calendar for the 20-time Grand Slam champion, who plans to get back to competition soon after the year’s first major tennis tournament.
This ends Federer’s streak of 21 consecutive appearances at Melbourne Park, a run that began with his 2000 debut there and includes six championships.
“Roger has decided not to play the 2021 Australian Open. He has made strong progress in the last couple of months with his knee and his fitness. However, after consultation with his team, he decided that the best decision for him in the long run is to return to competitive tennis after the Australian Open,” Godsick said in a statement sent to the AP.
“I will start discussions this coming week for tournaments that begin in late February and then start to build a schedule for the rest of the year,” Godsick said.
The start of the Australian Open’s main draw was delayed by three weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic and is now scheduled to begin on Feb. 8. In other news related to the tournament, Tennis Australia announced that five-time runner-up Andy Murray was given a wild-card entry.
Murray, a three-time major champion and former No. 1, is 122nd in the rankings after going through two hip operations and considering retirement.
The 39-year-old Federer, who has spent more weeks atop the ATP rankings than anyone else but is No. 5 after his hiatus, is currently training in his usual offseason home of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The choice to delay his comeback came with input from coaches Severin Luthi and Ivan Ljubicic and fitness coach Pierre Paganini.
“We wish him all the best as he prepares for his comeback later in the year,” Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said in a tweet confirming that Federer pulled out of the field, “and look forward to seeing him in Melbourne in 2022.”
Federer hasn’t played a tournament match since late January at the 2020 Australian Open, where he was clearly injured while losing in straight sets to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. Soon after, Federer participated in an exhibition charity event with Rafael Nadal in front of a record tennis crowd of more than 50,000 people at a soccer stadium in Cape Town, South Africa.
Just weeks later, Federer announced he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and would be sidelined for at least four months. He later had a second procedure on that knee and wound up missing the rest of the pandemic-altered season.
One measure of Federer’s popularity: Despite appearing in only six matches in 2020, he recently was voted the winner of the ATP Tour fans’ favorite award for the 18th consecutive time.
Until this knee issue, Federer only had his career interrupted once by an operation - on his left knee in 2016. He sat out the second half of that season, including the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the U.S. Open, but was back at his best when he resumed playing, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2017.
He won the Australian Open again the following year for No. 20 in his Grand Slam collection, which includes eight trophies from Wimbledon, five from the U.S. Open and one from the French Open.
While Federer was sidelined this year, Nadal equaled his men’s record for most major championships by collecting his 20th at Roland Garros in October. Federer posted a congratulatory message on social media to Nadal that day, saying he hopes “20 is just another step on the continuing journey for both of us.”
Djokovic’s title in Australia this year moved him closer to the other members of the Big Three of men’s tennis with a total of 17.
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washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Hezbollah doubled its precision-guided missiles in a year

BEIRUT ( AP ) - The leader of Lebanon ’ s Hezbollah said Sunday his group now has twice as many precision-guided missiles as it had a year ago , saying Israel ‘ s efforts to prevent it from acquiring them has failed .
Hassan Nasrallah , in an end-of-year interview with the Beirut-based Arabic Al-Mayadeen TV , said his group has the capability to strike anywhere in Israel and occupied Palestinian territories .
Nasrallah said that when Israel threatened through a U.S. official to target a Hezbollah facility in the eastern Bekaa region , his group warned it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has in recent months expressed concern that Hezbollah is trying to establish production facilities to make precision guided missiles .
During the four-hour interview , Nasrallah said there are many matters related to his group that Israel has no knowledge of because those are kept in a “ very tight circle.
” Nasrallah also said that the last few weeks of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump are critical and must be treated with care .
He called Trump “ angry ” and “ crazy.
” Hezbollah is one of Iran ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a sworn enemy of Israel , with which it has had a series of confrontations , lastly in 2006 .
Nasrallah repeated vows that Iran and its allies will avenge the U.S. killing of the commander of the elite Iranian Revolutionary Guard , Qassim Soleimani , in a drone attack a year ago in Iraq .
“ That revenge is coming no matter how long it takes , ” he told Al-Mayadeen TV , sitting with a picture of Soleimani to his left .
Nasrallah also vowed to avenge Israel ‘ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this year .
Addressing the incoming U.S. administration of President Joe Biden , Nasrallah said Iran would not negotiate with the U.S. on behalf of its allies or discuss conflicts in the region .
He said Tehran would talk with Washington only about the Iranian nuclear deal .

BEIRUT (AP) — The leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah said Sunday his group now has twice as many precision-guided missiles as it had a year ago, saying Israel’s efforts to prevent it from acquiring them have failed.
Hassan Nasrallah, in an end-of-year interview with the Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV, said his group has the capability to strike anywhere in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
Nasrallah said that when Israel threatened through a U.S. official to target a Hezbollah facility in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa region, his group warned it would retaliate for any such attack.
Israel has in recent months expressed concern that Hezbollah is trying to establish production facilities to make precision-guided missiles.
During the four-hour interview, Nasrallah said there are many matters related to his group that Israel has no knowledge of because those are kept in a “very tight circle.”
Nasrallah also said that the last few weeks of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump are critical and must be treated with care. He called Trump “angry” and “crazy.”
The Iran-backed Hezbollah is a sworn enemy of Israel, with which it has had a series of confrontations, including a full-scale war in 2006.
Nasrallah repeated vows that Iran and its allies will avenge the U.S. killing of the commander of the elite Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Qassim Soleimani, in a drone attack a year ago in Iraq.
“That revenge is coming no matter how long it takes,” he told Al-Mayadeen TV, sitting with a picture of Soleimani to his left.
Nasrallah also vowed to avenge Israel’s killing of a Hezbollah fighter in Syria earlier this year.
Addressing the incoming U.S. administration of President Joe Biden, Nasrallah said Iran would not negotiate with the U.S. on behalf of its allies or discuss conflicts in the region. He said Tehran would talk with Washington only about the Iranian nuclear deal, from which Trump withdrew.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--2 dead after crash near Walcott

2 dead after crash near Walcott

WALCOTT , Iowa ( AP ) - Two people are dead and another person is injured after a wrong-way , @ @ @ @ @ Iowa interstate highway .
The accident happened late Saturday on Interstate 80 near Walcott .
@ @ @ @ @ a 1999 Chrysler Concorde was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes when it struck an @ @ @ @ @ of the Concorde , 30-year-old Amanda Lin Countryman of Compton , Illinois , was killed @ @ @ @ @ Reisenbigler of New York City .
The driver of the Infiniti , 27-year-old John Martin @ @ @ @ @ New York , was hospitalized but his condition was not released .
The patrol said @ @ @ @ @ .

WALCOTT, Iowa (AP) - Two people are dead and another person is injured after a wrong-way, head-on crash on an eastern Iowa interstate highway.
The accident happened late Saturday on Interstate 80 near Walcott. The Iowa State Patrol said a 1999 Chrysler Concorde was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes when it struck an Infiniti QX60.
The driver of the Concorde, 30-year-old Amanda Lin Countryman of Compton, Illinois, was killed, along with 28-year-old Connor Reisenbigler of New York City. The driver of the Infiniti, 27-year-old John Martin Keane of the Bronx, New York, was hospitalized but his condition was not released.
The patrol said the accident remains under investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Boston police make arrest in fatal Christmas Eve stabbing

Boston police have arrested a man in connection with a fatal stabbing in the city on Christmas Eve .
Steven @ @ @ @ @ faces a murder charge in the stabbing in East Boston just after 9 p.m. Thursday @ @ @ @ @ website Sunday .
Officers responding to a call found the victim .
He was taken @ @ @ @ @ was pronounced dead .
The victim ’ s name was not publicly released .
Hatfield @ @ @ @ @ and date to be determined .
It was not clear if he had an attorney @ @ @ @ @ allegations .
No additional information , including a possible motive , was released .
The @ @ @ @ @ police asked anyone with information to contact them .

BOSTON (AP) -
Boston police have arrested a man in connection with a fatal stabbing in the city on Christmas Eve.
Steven Anthony Hatfield, 36, faces a murder charge in the stabbing in East Boston just after 9 p.m. Thursday, police posted on their website Sunday.
Officers responding to a call found the victim. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The victim’s name was not publicly released.
Hatfield faces arraignment at a time and date to be determined. It was not clear if he had an attorney who could comment on the allegations.
No additional information, including a possible motive, was released.
The stabbing remains under investigation and police asked anyone with information to contact them.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Wildlife officials: 20 Florida panthers killed this year

ST. PETERSBURG , Fla. ( AP ) - At least 20 Florida panthers have died in 2020 , a toll that appears to be on track to finish lower than in previous years .
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said that almost all of the panther deaths were caused by people .
One panther was , however , killed by another panther .
Another was hit by a train and someone mutilated yet another panther and left it ’ s remains on a roadside near Immokalee , the Tampa Bay Times reported .
Every other panther death this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said .
In 2019 , the state recorded 27 panther deaths , while 2018 saw 30 big cat deaths .
“ We typically say the number of panther fatalities and roadkill are increased with the increase in panther population size , ” Dave Onorato , a panther biologist with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission , told the Times .
So , he added , it ’ s possible that a lower death count might spell a bad turn for the endangered species .
“ It ’ s plausible .
We don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it yet , but it certainly gets our attention , ” Onorato told the newspaper .
Florida panthers are the only puma still roaming east of the Mississippi River .
Their former range across the American Southeast has shrunk to a corner of the lower Florida peninsula , where scientists estimate between 120 and 230 adults live in the wild , the Times reported .
“ For the most part we think the population is holding steady and stable , ” Onorato said .
“ Signs don ’ t seem to show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment.
” The low numbers , and variability in the population estimate , mean the panther remains extremely at-risk , scientists said .
“ The panther is like this patient that ’ s in a bed in ( the intensive care unit ) and is in stable condition , ” said Jaclyn Lopez , Florida director of the Center for Biological Diversity , told the newspaper .
“ You ’ re not going to send the panther home .
… Any wrong turn can put it at risk of plummeting into extinction.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 figures .
Biologists have tracked fewer panthers with radio collars than usual , in part due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Scientists have documented infections of the coronavirus in large cats , he said .
“ We don ’ t want to be the ones responsible for transmitting ( a disease ) to panthers , ” Onorato said Researchers are alos focused on a mysterious neurological disorder in panthers , which is visible in animals hobbled by weak back legs .
Onorato said biologists don ’ t know what causes feline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence of symptoms was recently spotted around the Big Cypress National Preserve , Onorato said .
That prompted researchers to position more cameras on public land in hopes of documenting the disorder ’ s prevalence .
Even so , the greatest challenge facing panthers is the squeeze of development , the Times reported .
“ We ’ re heading toward a habitat that ’ s just too small to sustain a big cat , ” said Matthew Schwartz , director of the South Florida Wildlands Association .
Advocates are fighting a proposed toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new highway near panther habitat .
The leader of The Nature Conservancy in Florida called it an “ existential threat.
” Proponents say the toll road would spur development in rural Florida , while environmentalists said those areas offer crucial habitat for animals like the panther .
Committees studying different segments of the road project suggested the state avoid environmentally sensitive areas , the Times reported .
“ It really would open up the spine of Florida , ” said Lopez , of the Center for Biological Diversity .
“ Frankly there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go .
… Each panther needs a ton of habitat to hunt and reproduce successfully .
”

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - At least 20 Florida panthers have died in 2020, a toll that appears to be on track to finish lower than in previous years.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said that almost all of the panther deaths were caused by people. One panther was, however, killed by another panther.
Another was hit by a train and someone mutilated yet another panther and left it’s remains on a roadside near Immokalee, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
Every other panther death this year was caused by cars, wildlife officials said.
In 2019, the state recorded 27 panther deaths, while 2018 saw 30 big cat deaths.
“We typically say the number of panther fatalities and roadkill are increased with the increase in panther population size,” Dave Onorato, a panther biologist with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, told the Times.
So, he added, it’s possible that a lower death count might spell a bad turn for the endangered species.
“It’s plausible. We don’t want to make too much of it yet, but it certainly gets our attention,” Onorato told the newspaper.
Florida panthers are the only puma still roaming east of the Mississippi River. Their former range across the American Southeast has shrunk to a corner of the lower Florida peninsula, where scientists estimate between 120 and 230 adults live in the wild, the Times reported.
“For the most part we think the population is holding steady and stable,” Onorato said. “Signs don’t seem to show that it’s increasing at the moment.”
The low numbers, and variability in the population estimate, mean the panther remains extremely at-risk, scientists said.
“The panther is like this patient that’s in a bed in (the intensive care unit) and is in stable condition,” said Jaclyn Lopez, Florida director of the Center for Biological Diversity, told the newspaper. “You’re not going to send the panther home. … Any wrong turn can put it at risk of plummeting into extinction.”
Onorato pointed to a complicating factor for the 2020 figures. Biologists have tracked fewer panthers with radio collars than usual, in part due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Scientists have documented infections of the coronavirus in large cats, he said.
“We don’t want to be the ones responsible for transmitting (a disease) to panthers,” Onorato said
Researchers are alos focused on a mysterious neurological disorder in panthers, which is visible in animals hobbled by weak back legs.
Onorato said biologists don’t know what causes feline leukomyelopathy. At least one animal with evidence of symptoms was recently spotted around the Big Cypress National Preserve, Onorato said. That prompted researchers to position more cameras on public land in hopes of documenting the disorder’s prevalence.
Even so, the greatest challenge facing panthers is the squeeze of development, the Times reported.
“We’re heading toward a habitat that’s just too small to sustain a big cat,” said Matthew Schwartz, director of the South Florida Wildlands Association.
Advocates are fighting a proposed toll road expansion, which could bring a new highway near panther habitat. The leader of The Nature Conservancy in Florida called it an “existential threat.”
Proponents say the toll road would spur development in rural Florida, while environmentalists said those areas offer crucial habitat for animals like the panther.
Committees studying different segments of the road project suggested the state avoid environmentally sensitive areas, the Times reported.
“It really would open up the spine of Florida,” said Lopez, of the Center for Biological Diversity. “Frankly there’s no additional space for the panther to go. … Each panther needs a ton of habitat to hunt and reproduce successfully.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Police: Winston-Salem man shot and killed in home invasion

WINSTON-SALEM , N.C. ( AP ) - Police in North Carolina say that a man has been shot and killed @ @ @ @ @ Winston-Salem .
The Winston-Salem Journal reports that the incident occurred Sunday night .
Winston-Salem police @ @ @ @ @ their way into a home and had intentions of robbing the people inside .
Robert @ @ @ @ @ was pronounced dead at the scene .
Authorities said he lived nearby .
It was @ @ @ @ @ suspects shot Singletary .
Authorities are asking anyone with information to call the Winston-Salem Police @ @ @ @ @ the 28th homicide in the city to occur this year .
The city saw 32 @ @ @ @

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) - Police in North Carolina say that a man has been shot and killed during a home invasion in Winston-Salem.
The Winston-Salem Journal reports that the incident occurred Sunday night.
Winston-Salem police said that several people forced their way into a home and had intentions of robbing the people inside.
Robert Pedro Singletary, 41, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said he lived nearby. It was unclear why one of the suspects shot Singletary.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to call the Winston-Salem Police Department. The shooting is the 28th homicide in the city to occur this year. The city saw 32 homicides last year.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--British hospitals scramble for space as virus cases soar

LONDON ( AP ) - British hospitals are canceling non-urgent procedures and scrambling to find space for COVID-19 patients as coronavirus cases continue to surge despite tough new restrictions imposed to curb a fast-spreading new variant of the virus .
Dr. Nick Scriven , immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine , said Monday that the rising number of hospitalized patients was “ extremely worrying.
” “ With the numbers approaching the peaks from April , systems will again be stretched to the limit , ” he said .
British authorities are blaming a new variant of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and southeast England .
They say the new version is more easily transmitted than the original , but stress there is no evidence it makes people sicker .
In response , authorities have put a swath of England that ’ s home to 24 million people under restrictions that require nonessential shops to close , bar indoor socializing and allow restaurants and pubs only to operate for takeout .
Even so , hospital admissions for COVID-19 in southeast England are approaching or exceeding the levels seen at the first peak of the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalized with the coronavirus across the U.K. on Dec. 22 , the last day for which data is available .
That is only slightly below the high of 21,683 COVID-19 patients who were recorded in U.K. hospitals on April 12 .
Dr. Katherine Henderson , president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine , described her experience working in a hospital on Christmas Day as “ wall-to-wall COVID.
” “ The chances are that we will cope , but we cope at a cost , ” Henderson told the BBC .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped , which is being able to keep non-COVID activities going.
” Britain has already recorded more than 70,000 deaths among people with the coronavirus , one of the highest tolls in Europe .
Cabinet Minister Michael Gove said more parts of England might have to be put into the toughest tier of restrictions if case numbers do not fall .
Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland also have implemented strong lockdown measures .
Still , there is rising confidence help could soon be on the way , with expectation mounting that U.K. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
British media reports say the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is likely to give the green light to a vaccine made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University .
The regulator authorized a jab made by U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer and German firm BioNTech on Dec. 2 , making Britain the first country to gain access to a rigorously tested vaccine .
More than 600,000 people in the U.K. have received the first of the two shots needed of the vaccine .
If the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine is authorized this week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it from Jan. 4 .
Britain has ordered 100 million doses , compared to 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech shot .
The AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine is considered a potential game-changer in global immunization efforts because it is less expensive than the Pfizer shot and does not need to be stored at freezer temperatures , making it easier to distribute .
But it had less clear-cut results from clinical trials than its main rivals .
Partial results suggest that the shot is about 70 % effective for preventing illness from coronavirus infection , compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine .
But the trials produced two different results based on the dosing regimen used .
Researchers said the vaccine protected against disease in 62 % of those given two full doses and in 90 % of those given a half dose followed by a full dose .
However , the second group included only 2,741 people - too few to be conclusive .
AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot told the Sunday Times newspaper that he was confident the vaccine would work against the new strain and would prove as effective as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have figured out the winning formula and how to get efficacy that , after two doses , is up there with everybody else , ” Soriot said .

LONDON (AP) - British hospitals are canceling non-urgent procedures and scrambling to find space for COVID-19 patients as coronavirus cases continue to surge despite tough new restrictions imposed to curb a fast-spreading new variant of the virus.
Another 41,385 confirmed cases were recorded across the U.K. on Monday. It was the first time the daily number of cases reported in the country surpassed 40,000, although many more tests are being performed than earlier in the pandemic.
Dr. Nick Scriven, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the rising number of hospitalized patients was “extremely worrying.”
“With the numbers approaching the peaks from April, systems will again be stretched to the limit,” he said.
British authorities are blaming a new variant of the coronavirus for soaring infection rates in London and southeast England. They say the new version is more easily transmitted than the original, but stress there is no evidence it makes people sicker.
In response, authorities have put a swath of England that’s home to 24 million people under restrictions that require nonessential shops to close, bar indoor socializing and allow restaurants and pubs only to operate for takeout.
Even so, hospital admissions for COVID-19 in southeast England are approaching or exceeding the levels seen at the first peak of the outbreak. Government figures show 21,286 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus across the U.K. on Dec. 22, the last day for which data is available. That is only slightly below the high of 21,683 COVID-19 patients who were recorded in U.K. hospitals on April 12.
Dr. Katherine Henderson, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, described her experience working in a hospital on Christmas Day as “wall-to-wall COVID.”
“The chances are that we will cope, but we cope at a cost,” Henderson told the BBC. “The cost is not doing what we had hoped, which is being able to keep non-COVID activities going.”
The U.K. has reported more than 71,000 deaths among people with the coronavirus, one of the highest tolls in Europe. A further 357 deaths were reported Monday.
Cabinet Minister Michael Gove said more parts of England might have to be put into the toughest tier of restrictions if case numbers do not fall. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also have implemented strong lockdown measures.
Still, there is rising confidence help could soon be on the way, with expectation mounting that U.K. regulators may authorize a second coronavirus vaccine this week.
British media reports say the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is likely to give the green light to a vaccine made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.
The regulator authorized a jab made by U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer and German firm BioNTech on Dec. 2, making Britain the first country to gain access to a rigorously tested vaccine. More than 600,000 people in the U.K. have received the first of the two shots needed of the vaccine.
If the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine is authorized this week, members of the public could start receiving it from Jan. 4. Britain has ordered 100 million doses, compared to 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech shot.
The AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine is considered a potential game-changer in global immunization efforts because it is less expensive than the Pfizer shot and does not need to be stored at freezer temperatures, making it easier to distribute.
But it had less clear-cut results from clinical trials than its main rivals. Partial results suggest that the shot is about 70% effective for preventing illness from coronavirus infection, compared to the 95% efficacy reported for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
But the trials produced two different results based on the dosing regimen used. Researchers said the vaccine protected against disease in 62% of those given two full doses and in 90% of those given a half dose followed by a full dose. However, the second group included only 2,741 people - too few to be conclusive.
AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot told the Sunday Times newspaper that he was confident the vaccine would work against the new strain and would prove as effective as its rivals.
“We think we have figured out the winning formula and how to get efficacy that, after two doses, is up there with everybody else,” Soriot said.
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Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic, https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Iowa's first hospitalized COVID-19 patient still recovering

IOWA CITY , Iowa ( AP ) - It has been nearly 10 months since Neil Bennett of Iowa City became Iowa ’ s first person hospitalized for the coronavirus , and 74-year-old is still dealing with the impact .
Bennett was admitted to a hospital in early March , the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported .
Though he long ago returned home , Bennett still uses a cane and walker and undergoes physical therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation to build up strength in his body and lungs .
Bennett said he sometimes becomes impatient with his progress and craves a sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s just getting up on a ladder and changing a light bulb .
He also hasn ’ t escaped the psychological impact .
“ Sometimes I start to reflect back to the beginning , and it ’ s easy to get emotional and think ‘ I almost died , ’ ” Bennett said .
Bennett , his wife and their daughter and more than a dozen others became infected after traveling to Egypt in February .
Their cases were among the first reported in Iowa .
He was admitted in early March to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and was soon placed on a ventilator , which was required for several weeks .
Bennett spent about five months in health care facilities before he was finally allowed to go home in August .
He urges people to wear a mask , maintain social distancing and wash their hands frequently .

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - It has been nearly 10 months since Neil Bennett of Iowa City became Iowa’s first person hospitalized for the coronavirus, and 74-year-old is still dealing with the impact.
Bennett was admitted to a hospital in early March, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported. Though he long ago returned home, Bennett still uses a cane and walker and undergoes physical therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation to build up strength in his body and lungs.
Bennett said he sometimes becomes impatient with his progress and craves a sense of normalcy - even if it’s just getting up on a ladder and changing a light bulb.
He also hasn’t escaped the psychological impact.
“Sometimes I start to reflect back to the beginning, and it’s easy to get emotional and think ‘I almost died,’” Bennett said.
Bennett, his wife and their daughter and more than a dozen others became infected after traveling to Egypt in February. Their cases were among the first reported in Iowa.
He was admitted in early March to the intensive care unit at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and was soon placed on a ventilator, which was required for several weeks. Bennett spent about five months in health care facilities before he was finally allowed to go home in August.
He urges people to wear a mask, maintain social distancing and wash their hands frequently.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--'Frost quakes' may be cause of mysterious noises in Muskego

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - Meteorologists believe that mysterious sounds reported southeastern Wisconsin may have been caused by a rare natural phenomenon known as “ frost quakes , ” which happen when moisture in the ground suddenly freezes and expands .
The Journal Sentinel reports Muskego police on Sunday received reports of loud booming noises in the city but were unable to determine the source of the sounds .
Police said the sounds were reported just after noon and rattled homes ’ windows .
Police said there weren ’ t any reports of damage .
Police said the noises also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wind Lake and Vernon .
National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Stumpf said that frost quakes are a reasonable explanation for the sounds .
“ We can ’ t confirm anything because they happen pretty randomly , but it ’ s not out of the realm of possibility to occur here , ” he said .
Scientists say If conditions are just right , the soil or bedrock breaks like a brittle frozen pipe , generating mysterious noises that range from an earthquake-like rumble to sharp cracking noises sometimes mistaken for falling trees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something the National Weather Service tracks .

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Meteorologists believe that mysterious sounds reported southeastern Wisconsin may have been caused by a rare natural phenomenon known as “frost quakes,” which happen when moisture in the ground suddenly freezes and expands.
The Journal Sentinel reports Muskego police on Sunday received reports of loud booming noises in the city but were unable to determine the source of the sounds.
Police said the sounds were reported just after noon and rattled homes’ windows. Police said there weren’t any reports of damage.
Police said the noises also were heard in Waukesha, Big Bend, Wind Lake and Vernon.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Stumpf said that frost quakes are a reasonable explanation for the sounds.
“We can’t confirm anything because they happen pretty randomly, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility to occur here,” he said.
Scientists say If conditions are just right, the soil or bedrock breaks like a brittle frozen pipe, generating mysterious noises that range from an earthquake-like rumble to sharp cracking noises sometimes mistaken for falling trees.
Stumpf said the phenomenon is not something the National Weather Service tracks.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--2 children hurt in crash as robbery suspect flees police

CARMEL , Ind .
( AP ) - Two young children have been hurt after the vehicle they were riding @ @ @ @ @ fled police in suburban Indianapolis .
Carmel officers responding to a report of an armed @ @ @ @ @ to stop the vehicle Saturday evening as it sped from the area , the police @ @ @ @ @ crashed on the property of a golf course and ran away , leaving another man @ @ @ @ @ six and one - in the vehicle .
The children were not wearing seat belts @ @ @ @ @ .
They were taken to a hospital with minor injuries , police said .
The @ @ @ @ @ was being held in the Hamilton County Jail on robbery , resisting police , driving @ @ @ @ @ unlawful possession of a firearm and marijuana possession charges .

CARMEL, Ind. (AP) - Two young children have been hurt after the vehicle they were riding in crashed as the driver fled police in suburban Indianapolis.
Carmel officers responding to a report of an armed robbery at a pharmacy attempted to stop the vehicle Saturday evening as it sped from the area, the police department said.
The driver crashed on the property of a golf course and ran away, leaving another man and two children - ages six and one - in the vehicle.
The children were not wearing seat belts or in car safety seats. They were taken to a hospital with minor injuries, police said.
The driver later was arrested and was being held in the Hamilton County Jail on robbery, resisting police, driving on a suspended license, unlawful possession of a firearm and marijuana possession charges.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Protests erupt against new Montenegro govt over religion law

PODGORICA , Montenegro ( AP ) - Several thousand people rallied Monday in Montenegro , accusing the new government of being pro-Serb because of its plans to amend a religious property law that is strongly opposed by the Serbian Orthodox Church .
Carrying Montenegrin flags and chanting “ Treason !
” the protesters gathered outside the parliament building in Podgorica , the capital , where lawmakers are to discuss the proposed changes .
The demonstration is the first major protest in the small Balkan country against the new government that came to power after winning a slim majority over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in August .
That vote was marked by the dispute over the religious law that the Serbian Orthodox Church said was designed to strip the church of its property .
The government has denied this but the church still led months of protests that helped strengthen the opposition ahead of the election .
Years after gaining independence from a union with Serbia following a 2006 referendum , residents in Montenegro remain divided over its relations with Belgrade .
Some 30 % of Montenegrins declare themselves as Serbs and the Serbian Orthodox Church enjoys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by the Democratic Party of Socialists steered Montenegro away from Serbia ’ s and Russia ’ s influence .
The Adriatic nation joined NATO in 2017 and is seeking European Union membership .
Demonstrators at Monday ’ s gathering blasted the new government ’ s plan to revoke parts of the religious law dealing with property .
They accused the government of setting the stage for the “ occupation ” of Montenegro .
It was not immediately clear when the parliamentary vote on the religious law changes will take place .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of coronavirus , the protesters crowded together , many without masks .
Montenegro has reported 666 virus deaths in a nation of 620,000 people .

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) - Several thousand people rallied Monday in Montenegro, accusing the young country’s new government of being pro-Serb because of its plans to amend a religious property law that is strongly opposed by the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Carrying Montenegrin flags and chanting “Treason,” protesters gathered outside the parliament building in Podgorica, the capital, where lawmakers plan to discuss the proposed changes.
The demonstration was the first major protest in the small Balkan country against the coalition government that came to power after the opposition won a slim majority over a long-ruling pro-Western party during an August parliamentary election.
The religious property law was an issue in the election. The Serbian Orthodox Church alleged the law was designed to strip the church of its property, which the previous government denied. The church led months of protests that helped strengthen the opposition ahead of the election.
Montenegro declared independence from a union with Serbia following a 2006 referendum. The country’s residents remain divided over relations with Belgrade. Some 30% of Montenegrins identify themselves as Serbs, and the Serbian Orthodox Church enjoys the biggest following of any organized religion.
The previous government, led by the Democratic Party of Socialists, steered Montenegro away from the influence of Serbia and Russia. The Adriatic nation joined NATO in 2017 and is seeking European Union membership.
Participants at Monday’s demonstration blasted the new government’s plan to revoke parts of the religious law dealing with property. They accused the government of setting the stage for the “occupation” of Montenegro.
It was not immediately clear when the parliamentary vote on amending the law will take place.
Despite calls to adhere to measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the protesters crowded together, many without masks. Montenegro has reported 666 virus deaths in a nation of 620,000 people.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Self-described 'lizard lady' wants to change face of science

UA ’ s ‘ lizard lady ’ wants to use online fame to put new face on science If there is such a thing as a celebrity herpetologist , University of Arizona doctoral student Earyn McGee is well on her way .
At age 26 , the self-described “ lizard lady ” already has her own Wikipedia page , a temporary statue in her honor at the Central Park Zoo in New York City , and her own line of merchandise for the tens of thousands of people who follow her on social media .
Earlier this month , McGee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun and her field more inclusive to people of color helped land her on Forbes ’ 30 Under 30 list of North American scientists to watch in 2021 .
And the woman known online as Afro_Herper has no intention of stopping there , the Arizona Daily Star reported .
McGee ’ s ultimate goal is to host her own nature show - something inspiring and adventurous , like a mash-up of “ The Crocodile Hunter ” and “ Dirty Jobs , ” only about researchers who look like her .
“ I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I want to go and be a natural-history TV host - because I want to show other Black girls and other kids of color that these are jobs that they can have if they want them , ” McGee said .
That notion never even occurred to her when she was a little girl , watching with jealousy as other people got to play with critters on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel .
Here ’ s why Christmas movies are so appealing this holiday season “ I was never able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s their job .
They went and got training , they applied for a job and they got it , ” she said .
“ I didn ’ t think that that was something I could do.
” If McGee does wind up on TV some day , UA assistant professor Michael Bogan won ’ t be surprised a bit .
“ When Earyn gets an idea in her head , she is relentless , ” said Bogan , McGee ’ s graduate adviser .
“ I have no doubt that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a few years , she will be on her way or in that position.
” McGee was born in Atlanta and lived there until she was about 10 , when her family moved several times before finally settling in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood .
She ’ s had an interest in nature for as long as she can remember .
Once , when she was about 5 , she and her grandmother came across a dead bird while out on a walk , and little Earyn kept begging to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creature .
“ I was always super into animals , ” McGee said .
As the oldest of five siblings , she said her parents always encouraged her dream of working with wildlife .
Their only requirement : She had to be able to find a job and support herself , so when she moved out of the house , she didn ’ t come back , McGee said with a laugh .
She originally planned to go to veterinary school , but all the people she knew who went that route were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental biology instead .
After she enrolled at Howard University in Washington , D.C. , she went looking for a research lab with live animals in it , but the pickings were slim .
One of them specialized in fish , another in snails .
“ I thought , ‘ Oh , that ’ s not cool , ’ ” she said .
Before long , McGee was spending her summers in Southern Arizona catching and cataloging the Sky Island reptiles of the Chiricahua Mountains , where Middendorf had been conducting research for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ d get up , I ’ d go have breakfast , I ’ d go catch lizards and then I was done for the day , ” she said of her two summers in the field .
“ I could get paid for this ?
” About the time McGee was finishing up her bachelor ’ s degree at Howard , Bogan was looking for the first crop of graduate students to work in his new lab at Arizona .
He called up Middendorf , a trusted friend and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work in the Chiricahuas .
“ He said , ‘ Do I have a student for you , ’ ” Bogan recalled .
“ I knew Earyn was going to be good in the field .
I just didn ’ t know that she was going to be so good at everything else.
” At the time , Bogan was grudgingly learning to use social media to expand the reach of the work he was doing .
He encouraged McGee to give it a try , too .
“ As a teacher , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better than you .
Earyn has certainly succeeded there , ” he said with a laugh .
Today McGee has nearly 40,000 followers on Twitter and more than 19,000 followers on Instagram .
And as her following has grown , so has her voice .
Earlier this year , she helped organize and amplify Black Birders Week , an online celebration of Black nature lovers .
The viral event in late May and early June came in response to police brutality nationwide and to the specific case of a white woman in Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Black bird watcher of threatening her and her dog .
Other , similar events followed to highlight Black scientists in other fields , including astronomy , botany , chemistry and neurology .
In the midst of all that , American Association for the Advancement of Science named McGee as an IF/THEN Ambassador , an honor given to just 125 innovators nationwide to highlight women in science , technology , engineering and math .
As part of the recognition , she received a fellowship that allowed her to hone her science communication skills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Las Vegas Review-Journal , Nevada ’ s largest newspaper .
She and her fellow ambassadors were also immortalized in a 3D-printed art exhibit , which is why there is a statue of McGee on display at the Central Park Zoo through the end of the year .
So far , though , McGee ’ s biggest claim to fame is # FindThatLizard , a weekly social-media game she started in 2018 .
Each Wednesday at 5 p.m. , she posts a picture and gives participants four hours to find the lizard hiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s like a coldblooded version of Where ’ s Waldo ?
but educational and a whole lot harder .
The contest draws hundreds of likes and responses every week .
Several of her friends have tried to talk her into posting a picture without a lizard in it , just to mess with people .
“ But I can ’ t damage my credibility like that , ” she said .
“ There ’ s always a lizard.
” She now sells # FindThatLizard stickers , T-shirts and candles featuring a cartoon version @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hair .
“ It kind of took on a life of its own , ” she said .
But McGee isn ’ t just in it for the clicks .
She is still a working scientist , and she ’ s more than happy to get out there and get her hands dirty .
Last year , she co-wrote a paper with Bogan and fellow lizard lassoer Sarah Manka-Worthington outlining an effective technique for collecting fecal samples from small reptiles .
( Without getting too graphic , it involves a piece of pool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McGee said whatever she ends up doing in the future , she always wants to make time for research .
Along the way , she also hopes to literally rewrite the language of her chosen field to make it more inclusive .
Instead of the “ noose ” long favored by herpetologists , McGee talks about using a “ lasso ” to catch lizards .
Both words describe the same action - and the same string-like piece of equipment used for the task - but only one carries disturbing historical connotations , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominated by white people .
Not only that , but “ the term is just inaccurate , ” McGee said .
“ We ’ re not trying to kill or hurt the lizard.
” She remembers the first time as an undergraduate when she heard someone casually use the word “ noose ” in a scientific setting .
It was weird and off-putting , she said , even though she couldn ’ t articulate why at the time .
The term still made her feel “ icky ” when she started graduate school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start talking about it , and not just online .
“ That ’ s an example of how fearless Earyn is , ” Bogan said .
It ’ s one thing to bring up an issue like that on social media , he said .
“ It ’ s another to say it in person at a scientific conference.
” Bogan thinks she ’ s making a difference , too , though the only way to know for sure is to track the use of both words in the scientific literature over time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on it , he said .
Not right now , though .
Right now McGee is busy writing her dissertation , which covers a wide range of topics from the impacts of stream drying on lizards that feed on aquatic insects , to the barriers preventing Black women from entering careers in ecology and natural history .
She is scheduled to defend her research in April and graduate in summer with a Ph.D. in natural resources .
After that , Bogan said , McGee could get a job with a university , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something to pay the bills while she continues her research on the diets of lizards and the impacts of climate change on desert ecosystems .

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - If there is such a thing as a celebrity herpetologist, University of Arizona doctoral student Earyn McGee is well on her way.
At age 26, the self-described “lizard lady” already has her own Wikipedia page, a temporary statue in her honor at the Central Park Zoo in New York City, and her own line of merchandise for the tens of thousands of people who follow her on social media.
Earlier this month, McGee’s campaign to make science more fun and her field more inclusive to people of color helped land her on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list of North American scientists to watch in 2021.
And the woman known online as Afro_Herper has no intention of stopping there, the Arizona Daily Star reported.
McGee’s ultimate goal is to host her own nature show - something inspiring and adventurous, like a mash-up of “The Crocodile Hunter” and “Dirty Jobs,” only about researchers who look like her.
“I want to change the face of science - and I want to go and be a natural-history TV host - because I want to show other Black girls and other kids of color that these are jobs that they can have if they want them,” McGee said.
That notion never even occurred to her when she was a little girl, watching with jealousy as other people got to play with critters on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel.
Here’s why Christmas movies are so appealing this holiday season
“I was never able to put together two and two: That’s their job. They went and got training, they applied for a job and they got it,” she said. “I didn’t think that that was something I could do.”
If McGee does wind up on TV some day, UA assistant professor Michael Bogan won’t be surprised a bit.
“When Earyn gets an idea in her head, she is relentless,” said Bogan, McGee’s graduate adviser. “I have no doubt that if that’s still her career goal in a few years, she will be on her way or in that position.”
McGee was born in Atlanta and lived there until she was about 10, when her family moved several times before finally settling in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood.
She’s had an interest in nature for as long as she can remember. Once, when she was about 5, she and her grandmother came across a dead bird while out on a walk, and little Earyn kept begging to go back to try to save the fallen creature.
“I was always super into animals,” McGee said.
As the oldest of five siblings, she said her parents always encouraged her dream of working with wildlife.
Their only requirement: She had to be able to find a job and support herself, so when she moved out of the house, she didn’t come back, McGee said with a laugh.
She originally planned to go to veterinary school, but all the people she knew who went that route were miserable, so she decided to study environmental biology instead.
The lizard thing happened by accident.
After she enrolled at Howard University in Washington, D.C., she went looking for a research lab with live animals in it, but the pickings were slim. One of them specialized in fish, another in snails. “I thought, ‘Oh, that’s not cool,’” she said.
Then she discovered professor George Middendorf’s lizard lab.
Before long, McGee was spending her summers in Southern Arizona catching and cataloging the Sky Island reptiles of the Chiricahua Mountains, where Middendorf had been conducting research for decades. The lizard lady was hooked.
“I’d get up, I’d go have breakfast, I’d go catch lizards and then I was done for the day,” she said of her two summers in the field. “I could get paid for this?”
About the time McGee was finishing up her bachelor’s degree at Howard, Bogan was looking for the first crop of graduate students to work in his new lab at Arizona.
He called up Middendorf, a trusted friend and colleague he came to know from his work in the Chiricahuas.
“He said, ‘Do I have a student for you,’” Bogan recalled. “I knew Earyn was going to be good in the field. I just didn’t know that she was going to be so good at everything else.”
At the time, Bogan was grudgingly learning to use social media to expand the reach of the work he was doing. He encouraged McGee to give it a try, too.
“As a teacher, you want to see your students do better than you. Earyn has certainly succeeded there,” he said with a laugh.
Today McGee has nearly 40,000 followers on Twitter and more than 19,000 followers on Instagram.
And as her following has grown, so has her voice.
Earlier this year, she helped organize and amplify Black Birders Week, an online celebration of Black nature lovers.
The viral event in late May and early June came in response to police brutality nationwide and to the specific case of a white woman in Central Park who called 911 to falsely accuse a Black bird watcher of threatening her and her dog.
Other, similar events followed to highlight Black scientists in other fields, including astronomy, botany, chemistry and neurology.
In the midst of all that, American Association for the Advancement of Science named McGee as an IF/THEN Ambassador, an honor given to just 125 innovators nationwide to highlight women in science, technology, engineering and math.
As part of the recognition, she received a fellowship that allowed her to hone her science communication skills as a reporter for the summer at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Nevada’s largest newspaper.
She and her fellow ambassadors were also immortalized in a 3D-printed art exhibit, which is why there is a statue of McGee on display at the Central Park Zoo through the end of the year.
So far, though, McGee’s biggest claim to fame is #FindThatLizard, a weekly social-media game she started in 2018.
Each Wednesday at 5 p.m., she posts a picture and gives participants four hours to find the lizard hiding somewhere in the image. It’s like a coldblooded version of Where’s Waldo? but educational and a whole lot harder.
The contest draws hundreds of likes and responses every week.
Several of her friends have tried to talk her into posting a picture without a lizard in it, just to mess with people. “But I can’t damage my credibility like that,” she said. “There’s always a lizard.”
She now sells #FindThatLizard stickers, T-shirts and candles featuring a cartoon version of herself with a lizard in her hair.
“It kind of took on a life of its own,” she said.
But McGee isn’t just in it for the clicks. She is still a working scientist, and she’s more than happy to get out there and get her hands dirty.
Last year, she co-wrote a paper with Bogan and fellow lizard lassoer Sarah Manka-Worthington outlining an effective technique for collecting fecal samples from small reptiles. (Without getting too graphic, it involves a piece of pool noodle and some gentle pressure.)
McGee said whatever she ends up doing in the future, she always wants to make time for research.
Along the way, she also hopes to literally rewrite the language of her chosen field to make it more inclusive.
Instead of the “noose” long favored by herpetologists, McGee talks about using a “lasso” to catch lizards.
Both words describe the same action - and the same string-like piece of equipment used for the task - but only one carries disturbing historical connotations, especially for a Black woman in a field dominated by white people.
Not only that, but “the term is just inaccurate,” McGee said. “We’re not trying to kill or hurt the lizard.”
She remembers the first time as an undergraduate when she heard someone casually use the word “noose” in a scientific setting. It was weird and off-putting, she said, even though she couldn’t articulate why at the time.
The term still made her feel “icky” when she started graduate school in 2016, so she decided to start talking about it, and not just online.
“That’s an example of how fearless Earyn is,” Bogan said. It’s one thing to bring up an issue like that on social media, he said. “It’s another to say it in person at a scientific conference.”
Bogan thinks she’s making a difference, too, though the only way to know for sure is to track the use of both words in the scientific literature over time. Maybe McGee should do a paper on it, he said.
Not right now, though. Right now McGee is busy writing her dissertation, which covers a wide range of topics from the impacts of stream drying on lizards that feed on aquatic insects, to the barriers preventing Black women from entering careers in ecology and natural history.
She is scheduled to defend her research in April and graduate in summer with a Ph.D. in natural resources.
After that, Bogan said, McGee could get a job with a university, a conservation group or a wildlife agency - something to pay the bills while she continues her research on the diets of lizards and the impacts of climate change on desert ecosystems.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--2 shot near George Floyd memorial in south Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - A man and a woman were shot Sunday night near the George Floyd memorial site @ @ @ @ @ said .
Police received a report of a shooting near 38th Street and Chicago Avenue @ @ @ @ @ spokesman John Elder said the victims were taken to the hospital in private vehicles .
@ @ @ @ @ not life-threatening .
George Floyd was killed at the corner of 38th and Chicago on @ @ @ @ @ custody .
The Star Tribune reports the intersection since has become a Floyd memorial , @ @ @ @ @ it has also seen increased gunfire .
In the seven weeks after Floyd ’ s @ @ @ @ @ shot in the area .
Officials responding to emergencies in the area have reported being @ @ @ @ @ has emerged that police won ’ t respond to gunfire reports there unless there is @ @ @

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A man and a woman were shot Sunday night near the George Floyd memorial site in south Minneapolis, police said.
Police received a report of a shooting near 38th Street and Chicago Avenue South at 8:42 p.m. Police spokesman John Elder said the victims were taken to the hospital in private vehicles. He said their injuries were not life-threatening.
George Floyd was killed at the corner of 38th and Chicago on May 25 while in police custody. The Star Tribune reports the intersection since has become a Floyd memorial, but residents and authorities say it has also seen increased gunfire.
In the seven weeks after Floyd’s death, 11 people were shot in the area. Officials responding to emergencies in the area have reported being harassed, and a perception has emerged that police won’t respond to gunfire reports there unless there is a victim.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Nebraska firefighter saves fisherman who fell through ice

LINCOLN , Neb .
( AP ) - A fisherman who broke through the ice is recovering , thanks to @ @ @ @ @ firefighter .
The Omaha World-Herald reports that the man was fishing Sunday at Holmes Lake @ @ @ @ @ through the ice , leaving the man to hang onto an ice shelf about 30 @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Nancy Crist said Battalion Chief Lloyd Mueller donned an ice @ @ @ @ @ to a rescue line , crawled out on the ice .
He was able to @ @ @ @ @ fisherman , and the two were pulled to safety by rescuers from the shore .

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A fisherman who broke through the ice is recovering, thanks to the actions of a Nebraska firefighter.
The Omaha World-Herald reports that the man was fishing Sunday at Holmes Lake in Lincoln when he broke through the ice, leaving the man to hang onto an ice shelf about 30 yards from the shore.
Lincoln Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Nancy Crist said Battalion Chief Lloyd Mueller donned an ice rescue suit and, attached to a rescue line, crawled out on the ice. He was able to secure himself to the stranded fisherman, and the two were pulled to safety by rescuers from the shore.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Darfur clashes kill 15 amid calls for peacekeepers to stay

CAIRO ( AP ) - Tribal clashes in Sudan ’ s troubled Darfur region have killed at least 15 people in recent days , forcing authorities to deploy more troops , the state-run news agency reported .
The violence came as thousands of displaced people protested against a decision by the U.N. Security Council to end the mandate of a U.N.-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur and replace it with a smaller political mission .
The clashes over the weekend in the town of Gereida in South Darfur province pitted the Fallata tribe against the Arab Masalit .
The unrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital , Khartoum , who are trying to end the country ’ s long-running rebellions as part of a fragile transition to democracy following last year ’ s overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir .
Al-Bashir waged a scorched-earth campaign against rebels in Darfur in the early 2000s .
Some 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were forcibly displaced .
The International Criminal Court later charged al-Bashir and others with genocide and crimes against humanity .
The latest violence comes amid tensions between military and civilian authorities , who are sharing power in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demanding greater control and oversight over the military ’ s economic assets , built up over decades of internal conflicts .
The violence was linked to a dispute over a water source , Omar al-Malek , a local leader , was quoted as saying by the state-run SUNA news agency late Sunday .
It said the Fallata retaliated after two of its tribesmen were slain , killing at least 13 members of the Masalit and wounding at least 34 others .
Mahdi Musa , the governor of South Darfur , said authorities have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the fighting .
“ The era of reconciliation conferences is over , and the era of enforcing the law has come , ” he was quoted as saying by SUNA .
He was referring to recent negotiations to settle the dispute .
The clashes came after the U.N. Security Council voted unanimously last week not to extend the mandate of the joint mission , known as UNAMID , when it runs out on Dec. 31 .
The UNAMID force , established in 2007 , was the first joint U.N.-AU peacekeeping operation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by June 30 .
The decision by the Security Council led to renewed protests Saturday and Sunday by thousands of people across the Sudan ’ s western region .
The protesters , mostly displaced women and children , want the peacekeepers to stay .
Adam Regal , a spokesman for a local organization that helps run refugee camps in Darfur , said the UNAMID exit would create a “ security vacuum ” in a region with several active militias .
In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month , Jeremiah Mamabolo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Darfur , said the transitional government in Khartoum needs to embark on the “ huge task ” of gaining the trust of the local people .

CAIRO (AP) - Tribal clashes in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region have killed at least 15 people in recent days, forcing authorities to deploy more troops, the state-run news agency reported.
The violence came as thousands of displaced people protested against a decision by the U.N. Security Council to end the mandate of a U.N.-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur and replace it with a smaller political mission.
The clashes over the weekend in the town of Gereida in South Darfur province pitted the Fallata tribe against the Arab Masalit. The unrest poses a challenge to authorities in the capital, Khartoum, who are trying to end the country’s long-running rebellions as part of a fragile transition to democracy following last year’s overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir.
Al-Bashir waged a scorched-earth campaign against rebels in Darfur in the early 2000s. Some 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were forcibly displaced. The International Criminal Court later charged al-Bashir and others with genocide and crimes against humanity.
The latest violence comes amid tensions between military and civilian authorities, who are sharing power in a transitional government. Civilian leaders are demanding greater control and oversight over the military’s economic assets, built up over decades of internal conflicts.
The violence was linked to a dispute over a water source, Omar al-Malek, a local leader, was quoted as saying by the state-run SUNA news agency late Sunday. It said the Fallata retaliated after two of its tribesmen were slain, killing at least 13 members of the Masalit and wounding at least 34 others.
Mahdi Musa, the governor of South Darfur, said authorities have deployed troops to help detain those implicated in the fighting.
“The era of reconciliation conferences is over, and the era of enforcing the law has come,” he was quoted as saying by SUNA. He was referring to recent negotiations to settle the dispute.
The clashes came after the U.N. Security Council voted unanimously last week not to extend the mandate of the joint mission, known as UNAMID, when it runs out on Dec. 31.
The UNAMID force, established in 2007, was the first joint U.N.-AU peacekeeping operation. Its withdrawal is expected to be completed by June 30.
The decision by the Security Council led to renewed protests Saturday and Sunday by thousands of people across the Sudan’s western region. The protesters, mostly displaced women and children, want the peacekeepers to stay.
Adam Regal, a spokesman for a local organization that helps run refugee camps in Darfur, said the UNAMID exit would create a “security vacuum” in a region with several active militias.
In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month, Jeremiah Mamabolo, the joint U.N.-African Union envoy for Darfur, said the transitional government in Khartoum needs to embark on the “huge task” of gaining the trust of the local people.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Man killed in rollover crash in western South Dakota

RAPID CITY , S.D .
( AP ) - Authorities say a 63-year-old man died in a rollover crash in @ @ @ @ @ Rapid City Journal reports the crash happened early Sunday morning east of Keystone on state @ @ @ @ @ the man ’ s vehicle went off the road , hit a ditch and rolled @ @ @ @ @ dead at the scene .
He was the vehicle ’ s only occupant .

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - Authorities say a 63-year-old man died in a rollover crash in western South Dakota.
The Rapid City Journal reports the crash happened early Sunday morning east of Keystone on state Highway 40. Authorities say the man’s vehicle went off the road, hit a ditch and rolled.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the vehicle’s only occupant.
South Dakota’s Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Five people homeless after Shawnee fire

Five people homeless after Shawnee fire

SHAWNEE , Kan. ( AP ) - Fire officials in the Kansas City suburb of Shawnee , Kansas , are @ @ @ @ @ that left five adults homeless .
The fire broke out around noon Sunday .
By @ @ @ @ @ was coming from the roof .
Investigators say the fire started in a fireplace and @ @ @ @ @ All five adults were able to get out safely but damage to the home was @ @ @ @ @ Deputy Fire Chief Corey Sands said the incident is a “ reminder for us to @ @ @ @ @ and cleaned at least once a year .
”

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) - Fire officials in the Kansas City suburb of Shawnee, Kansas, are continuing to investigate a fire that left five adults homeless.
The fire broke out around noon Sunday. By the time firefighters arrived smoke was coming from the roof.
Investigators say the fire started in a fireplace and spread to the walls. All five adults were able to get out safely but damage to the home was estimated at $75,000.
Deputy Fire Chief Corey Sands said the incident is a “reminder for us to have our fireplaces professionally inspected and cleaned at least once a year.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--NATO scrambled around 350 times for Russian jets in 2020

BRUSSELS ( AP ) — NATO says that Russian military activity in the alliance ’ s airspace increased slightly this @ @ @ @ @ Europe scrambled more than 400 times to escort or shadow unknown aircraft .
In a @ @ @ @ @ said almost 90 % , or about 350 of these missions , were connected to @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is a moderate increase from 2019 , ” NATO said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ not transmit a transponder code indicating their position and altitude , do not file a @ @ @ @ @ not communicate with air traffic controllers , posing a potential risk to civilian airliners.
” @ @ @ @ @ centers — one in Germany , covering northern Europe , and one in Spain covering @ @ @ @ @ monitor all air movements across Europe .

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO says that Russian military activity in the alliance’s airspace increased slightly this year as its jets across Europe scrambled more than 400 times to escort or shadow unknown aircraft.
In a statement released Monday, NATO said almost 90%, or about 350 of these missions, were connected to flights by Russian military aircraft.
“This is a moderate increase from 2019,” NATO said. “Russian military aircraft often do not transmit a transponder code indicating their position and altitude, do not file a flight plan, or do not communicate with air traffic controllers, posing a potential risk to civilian airliners.”
NATO has two air operations centers — one in Germany, covering northern Europe, and one in Spain covering the south — which together monitor all air movements across Europe.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--Pandemic deaths and economic fallout are top Alabama story

A biological threat that once seemed far removed from Alabama dominated both state news and everyday life like nothing else in 2020 .
The coronavirus pandemic was the state ’ s top news story of the year , and its effects will linger into the New Year and beyond .
Here is a look at that and other Top 10 Alabama news stories of the year : A pandemic that spread waves of death and misery across the globe killed more than 4,100 people in Alabama , sickened thousands more and ravaged the state ’ s economy like nothing else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closings and business shutdowns was followed by months of mask-wearing and social distancing .
A midsummer surge in cases eased , but that was followed by a fall spike that health experts say will keep killing people at least into 2021 .
Unemployment dropped after hitting a high of 12.9 % in April , when nearly 217,000 people lost their jobs statewide .
Yet the prospects for continuing improvement could be tied to how well people heed health precautions and the success of a vaccination program that is just beginning .
Republican Tommy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grip on Alabama by defeating Democratic Sen. Doug Jones after stopping a comeback bid by Jeff Sessions for the party ’ s nomination .
Faced with a crowded primary field that included President Donald Trump ’ s first attorney general , the retired football coach emerged from a runoff against Sessions to run a campaign that consisted of embracing Trump at all turns .
The tactic worked to perfection in deeply conservative Alabama : Tuberville trounced Jones in November to oust the only state Democrat holding statewide office .
The fallout from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alabama helped erase vestiges of the state ’ s white supremacist past with stunning swiftness .
Confederate monuments were removed and college buildings were renamed following the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota .
A night of violence after a demonstration in Birmingham set the stage for the removal of an obelisk honoring Confederate soldiers and sailors .
Monuments also came down in Mobile , Montgomery and Huntsville , and protests were held elsewhere .
The Alabama Department of Archives and History acknowledged its past role in perpetuating racism and so-called lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change that once seemed unlikely .
Longstanding complaints over violence , dilapidated buildings and inadequate care in Alabama ’ s prisons resulted in a Justice Department lawsuit claiming men ’ s lockups are so bad they violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment .
Calling the state ’ s prison system one of the most understaffed and violent in the nation , the department asked a court to require unspecified changes to improve conditions .
The court fight will last at least into 2021 , as Alabama said it plans a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also is moving ahead with a $ 900 million plan to have companies build three new , giant prisons that will be leased by Corrections .
Hurricane Sally blasted the Alabama coast , leaving widespread damage and knocking out power for weeks in some areas , during a record-setting year of tropical weather .
Sally made landfall as a Category 2 storm at Gulf Shores on Sept. 16 , pummeling the coast with fierce winds and as much as 30 inches ( 76 centimeters ) of rain .
Officials said the damage was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which landed a direct hit on the same area in 2004 .
Crews spent weeks removing mountains of debris that lined roadsides .
The hurricane season was so busy forecasters had to turn to the Greek alphabet after running out of assigned names .
Alabama native and longtime U.S. Rep. John Lewis was honored with events in Troy , Selma and Montgomery following his death at age 80 in July .
A wagon drawn by two horses carried Lewis ’ body across Selma ’ s Edmund Pettus Bridge , where he and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alabama state troopers in 1965 .
A long line of people later waited to pay respects to Lewis as he was honored at Alabama ’ s Capitol .
A native of rural Pike County near Troy , Lewis had moved to Georgia and represented Atlanta in Congress for decades .
Eight people were killed in a horrific fire that swept through a north Alabama marina near the Tennessee River in Scottsboro .
The January blaze at Jackson County Park Marina began in the middle of the night and quickly engulfed a dock where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Five children and teens were among the dead , and the victims included six members of one family .
The fire was later determined to be an accident , but a federal report said it was worsened by the marina ’ s “ limited fire safety practices.
” The long saga of disgraced Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard finally ended behind bars .
The one-time Republican leader reported to prison in September four years after jurors convicted him of ethics violations .
Then a judge reduced Hubbard ’ s sentence from four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the defense after part of his conviction was overturned earlier this year .
Prosecutors accused Hubbard of leveraging his powerful Statehouse office to obtain clients and investments for his private businesses , and he was automatically removed from office when he was found guilty in 2016 .
Six of his 12 felony convictions were thrown out on appeal .
A lawsuit for control of the Alabama Democratic Party ended with new leadership but the same old results .
Long given up for dead in a reliably red state , the party found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight over control of the organization in late 2019 .
The battle ended in February when a judge dismissed the lawsuit filed by longtime leader Nancy Worley to prevent the new party chair , state Rep. Chris England , from taking control .
Newly invigorated , the party fielded a slate of candidates with hopes of winning new seats in the November election .
Instead , Democrats didn ’ t claim any new statewide offices and lost the one they had when Sen. Doug Jones lost to Republican Tommy Tuberville .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preserve the remnants of the Clotilda , the last slave ship known to have landed in the United States .
A federal judge granted ownership of the Clotilda shipwreck to the Alabama Historical Commission in April , and the state responded by announcing funding to protect whatever remains of the vessel on the muddy bottom of the Mobile River .
With plans for a visitor center and dreams of tourism linked to the ship , 2021 will begin with new hope in Africatown , the community near Mobile where relatives of the ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A biological threat that once seemed far removed from Alabama dominated both state news and everyday life like nothing else in 2020. The coronavirus pandemic was the state’s top news story of the year, and its effects will linger into the New Year and beyond. Here is a look at that and other Top 10 Alabama news stories of the year:
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
A pandemic that spread waves of death and misery across the globe killed more than 4,100 people in Alabama, sickened thousands more and ravaged the state’s economy like nothing else in decades. A springtime of school closings and business shutdowns was followed by months of mask-wearing and social distancing. A midsummer surge in cases eased, but that was followed by a fall spike that health experts say will keep killing people at least into 2021. Unemployment dropped after hitting a high of 12.9% in April, when nearly 217,000 people lost their jobs statewide. Yet the prospects for continuing improvement could be tied to how well people heed health precautions and the success of a vaccination program that is just beginning.
SENATE ELECTION
Republican Tommy Tuberville reasserted the GOP’s lock grip on Alabama by defeating Democratic Sen. Doug Jones after stopping a comeback bid by Jeff Sessions for the party’s nomination. Faced with a crowded primary field that included President Donald Trump’s first attorney general, the retired football coach emerged from a runoff against Sessions to run a campaign that consisted of embracing Trump at all turns. The tactic worked to perfection in deeply conservative Alabama: Tuberville trounced Jones in November to oust the only state Democrat holding statewide office.
RACIAL RECKONING
The fallout from a police killing hundreds of miles away from Alabama helped erase vestiges of the state’s white supremacist past with stunning swiftness. Confederate monuments were removed and college buildings were renamed following the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. A night of violence after a demonstration in Birmingham set the stage for the removal of an obelisk honoring Confederate soldiers and sailors. Monuments also came down in Mobile, Montgomery and Huntsville, and protests were held elsewhere. The Alabama Department of Archives and History acknowledged its past role in perpetuating racism and so-called lost cause ideals in a sign of systemic change that once seemed unlikely.
ALABAMA PRISONS
Longstanding complaints over violence, dilapidated buildings and inadequate care in Alabama’s prisons resulted in a Justice Department lawsuit claiming men’s lockups are so bad they violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Calling the state’s prison system one of the most understaffed and violent in the nation, the department asked a court to require unspecified changes to improve conditions. The court fight will last at least into 2021, as Alabama said it plans a vigorous defense in court. The state also is moving ahead with a $900 million plan to have companies build three new, giant prisons that will be leased by Corrections.
TROPICAL WEATHER
Hurricane Sally blasted the Alabama coast, leaving widespread damage and knocking out power for weeks in some areas, during a record-setting year of tropical weather. Sally made landfall as a Category 2 storm at Gulf Shores on Sept. 16, pummeling the coast with fierce winds and as much as 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain. Officials said the damage was worse in places than from Hurricane Ivan, which landed a direct hit on the same area in 2004. Crews spent weeks removing mountains of debris that lined roadsides. The hurricane season was so busy forecasters had to turn to the Greek alphabet after running out of assigned names.
JOHN LEWIS
Alabama native and longtime U.S. Rep. John Lewis was honored with events in Troy, Selma and Montgomery following his death at age 80 in July. A wagon drawn by two horses carried Lewis’ body across Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge, where he and other voting rights marchers were attacked by Alabama state troopers in 1965. A long line of people later waited to pay respects to Lewis as he was honored at Alabama’s Capitol. A native of rural Pike County near Troy, Lewis had moved to Georgia and represented Atlanta in Congress for decades.
DEADLY MARINA FIRE
Eight people were killed in a horrific fire that swept through a north Alabama marina near the Tennessee River in Scottsboro. The January blaze at Jackson County Park Marina began in the middle of the night and quickly engulfed a dock where people who lived aboard boats were sleeping. Five children and teens were among the dead, and the victims included six members of one family. The fire was later determined to be an accident, but a federal report said it was worsened by the marina’s “limited fire safety practices.”
HUBBARD REPORTS TO PRISON
The long saga of disgraced Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard finally ended behind bars. The one-time Republican leader reported to prison in September four years after jurors convicted him of ethics violations. Then a judge reduced Hubbard’s sentence from four years to 28 months at the request of the defense after part of his conviction was overturned earlier this year. Prosecutors accused Hubbard of leveraging his powerful Statehouse office to obtain clients and investments for his private businesses, and he was automatically removed from office when he was found guilty in 2016. Six of his 12 felony convictions were thrown out on appeal.
DEMOCRATIC FIGHT
A lawsuit for control of the Alabama Democratic Party ended with new leadership but the same old results. Long given up for dead in a reliably red state, the party found itself at the center of a court fight over control of the organization in late 2019. The battle ended in February when a judge dismissed the lawsuit filed by longtime leader Nancy Worley to prevent the new party chair, state Rep. Chris England, from taking control. Newly invigorated, the party fielded a slate of candidates with hopes of winning new seats in the November election. Instead, Democrats didn’t claim any new statewide offices and lost the one they had when Sen. Doug Jones lost to Republican Tommy Tuberville.
CLOTILDA
The state committed to spend $1 million to preserve the remnants of the Clotilda, the last slave ship known to have landed in the United States. A federal judge granted ownership of the Clotilda shipwreck to the Alabama Historical Commission in April, and the state responded by announcing funding to protect whatever remains of the vessel on the muddy bottom of the Mobile River. With plans for a visitor center and dreams of tourism linked to the ship, 2021 will begin with new hope in Africatown, the community near Mobile where relatives of the ship’s captive Africans still live.


washingtontimes--2020-12-28--2020: Pandemic, politics, and passing of a civil rights icon

MARIETTA , Ga. ( AP ) - The coronavirus pandemic and its imprint on politics , education , work and society in all corners of Georgia made headlines throughout most of 2020 .
But the year also included the high-stakes November election and early voting in a pair of Senate run-off elections that cast a white-hot spotlight on Georgia .
Two high-profile killings drew sharp attention to racial justice issues in a year that also saw the passing of civil rights icon John Lewis .
A look at the top 10 stories in Georgia in 2020 : VIRUS OUTBREAK-GEORGIA : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life in Georgia .
Large festivals , church services and other events are canceled as restaurants and other small businesses struggle to bring in customers .
Major corporations shift to remote work when possible , and the lives of parents and their children are disrupted as schools close and learning shifts online .
The pandemic also causes political upheaval in Georgia , as Gov .
Brian Kemp faces sharp criticism for not imposing the kind of severe restrictions several other states have implemented .
New cases and deaths surge during the summer months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall , leading to a record number of people with confirmed infections hospitalized by mid-December .
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTS : The pandemic prompts the cancellation of what would have been one of Georgia ’ s largest sporting events : The National Collegiate Athletic Association ’ s “ Final Four ” Division I basketball championship .
In Augusta , organizers announce the postponement of another marquee event : The Masters golf tournament .
High schools , colleges and professional leagues cancel multiple games and play others in mostly empty stadiums and arenas .
GEORGIA ELECTION @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first Democratic presidential nominee to win Georgia since 1992 , defeating President Donald Trump .
The president claims there was widespread voting fraud in the state .
He blasts Republican officials , including Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Gov .
Brian Kemp , accusing them of failing to take appropriate action .
Raffensperger insists there was no evidence of systemic fraud .
Votes in the presidential race are recounted multiple times , with recounts affirming Biden ’ s win .
Trump and his allies file numerous lawsuits alleging the election outcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to convince any court to take action .
GEORGIA SENATE RUNOFFS : Dual runoffs for two U.S. Senate seats are further evidence that Georgia is now a battleground after nearly two decades of Republican dominance .
The two races , set to be decided Jan. 5 , focus attention on Georgia as the outcome will determine the balance of power in the Senate .
Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler is being challenged by the Rev .
Raphael Warnock , a Democrat , in one runoff .
The other features Republican Sen. David Perdue and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began this month , and a significant portion of the votes are expected to be cast this year .
JOHN LEWIS : Civil rights icon John Lewis dies in July at age 80 .
Three former presidents eulogize him at his funeral at Ebenezer Baptist Church , once pastored by the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. Lewis championed equal rights and voting access during the Civil Rights movement and later in Congress as a longtime U.S. representative .
He was known worldwide for leading protesters in the 1965 “ Bloody Sunday ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Selma , where he was beaten by Alabama state troopers .
AHMAUD ARBERY : The slaying of Ahmaud Arbery by armed white men adds fuel to a national outcry over killings of unarmed Black men .
In coastal Georgia , more than two months passed before authorities charge Gregory McMichael and his adult son , Travis McMichael , in Arbery ’ s death .
Also charged was William “ Roddie ” Bryan , whose cellphone video of the shooting became public right before arrests were made in May .
The McMichaels armed themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after they saw him running in their neighborhood outside Brunswick .
They told police they suspected him of being a burglar , and that the shooting was in self-defense .
RAYSHARD BROOKS : Police body camera video shows two Atlanta officers having a calm and respectful conversation with Rayshard Brooks for more than 40 minutes after responding to complaints that Brooks had fallen asleep in his car in a Wendy ’ s drive-thru lane on June 12 .
When the officers tried to handcuff Brooks , he resisted in a struggle caught on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taser from one of the officers and fired it at Officer Garrett Rolfe as he ran away .
Rolfe fired his gun and an autopsy found Brooks was shot twice in the back .
The killing sparks new demonstrations against police brutality in Atlanta .
Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigns less than 24 hours after the shooting .
The Fulton County district attorney files charges including felony murder against Rolfe , and charges Brosnan with aggravated assault and violating his oath .
Their lawyers have said their actions were justified .
IMMIGRATION @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical records and interviews reveals growing allegations that surgeries and other procedures were performed on immigrants being detained in Georgia who never sought them or didn ’ t fully understand the situation .
Lawyers and experts say the women ’ s lack of consent or knowledge raises serious legal and ethical issues .
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Tony Pham says he ’ s committed to the health , welfare and safety of ICE detainees .
CHURCH MURDERS : A judge in July overturns the convictions of a man who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their south Georgia church in 1985 , and orders a new trial .
Dennis Perry had been in prison for 20 years after the killings of Harold and Thelma Swain , who were killed inside Rising Daughters Baptist Church in Waverly , Georgia .
The ruling comes after DNA recovered from the crime scene matched an alternate suspect during reinvestigation of the case .
MEDICAID EXPANSION : Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp in November unveils a plan to expand Medicaid to the state ’ s poorest able-bodied adults , on the condition that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training or attend school .
Associated Press writers Kate Brumback and Jeff Amy in Atlanta ; and Russ Bynum in Savannah , Georgia , contributed .

MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) - The coronavirus pandemic and its imprint on politics, education, work and society in all corners of Georgia made headlines throughout most of 2020. But the year also included the high-stakes November election and early voting in a pair of Senate run-off elections that cast a white-hot spotlight on Georgia. Two high-profile killings drew sharp attention to racial justice issues in a year that also saw the passing of civil rights icon John Lewis.
A look at the top 10 stories in Georgia in 2020:
VIRUS OUTBREAK-GEORGIA: The coronavirus pandemic invades all aspects of life in Georgia. Large festivals, church services and other events are canceled as restaurants and other small businesses struggle to bring in customers. Major corporations shift to remote work when possible, and the lives of parents and their children are disrupted as schools close and learning shifts online. The pandemic also causes political upheaval in Georgia, as Gov. Brian Kemp faces sharp criticism for not imposing the kind of severe restrictions several other states have implemented. New cases and deaths surge during the summer months, and begin spiking again in the fall, leading to a record number of people with confirmed infections hospitalized by mid-December.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTS: The pandemic prompts the cancellation of what would have been one of Georgia’s largest sporting events: The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s “Final Four” Division I basketball championship. In Augusta, organizers announce the postponement of another marquee event: The Masters golf tournament. High schools, colleges and professional leagues cancel multiple games and play others in mostly empty stadiums and arenas.
GEORGIA ELECTION: Former Vice President Joe Biden becomes the first Democratic presidential nominee to win Georgia since 1992, defeating President Donald Trump. The president claims there was widespread voting fraud in the state. He blasts Republican officials, including Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Gov. Brian Kemp, accusing them of failing to take appropriate action. Raffensperger insists there was no evidence of systemic fraud. Votes in the presidential race are recounted multiple times, with recounts affirming Biden’s win. Trump and his allies file numerous lawsuits alleging the election outcome was tainted by fraud, but fail to convince any court to take action.
GEORGIA SENATE RUNOFFS: Dual runoffs for two U.S. Senate seats are further evidence that Georgia is now a battleground after nearly two decades of Republican dominance. The two races, set to be decided Jan. 5, focus attention on Georgia as the outcome will determine the balance of power in the Senate. Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler is being challenged by the Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, in one runoff. The other features Republican Sen. David Perdue and Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff. Early voting began this month, and a significant portion of the votes are expected to be cast this year.
JOHN LEWIS: Civil rights icon John Lewis dies in July at age 80. Three former presidents eulogize him at his funeral at Ebenezer Baptist Church, once pastored by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Lewis championed equal rights and voting access during the Civil Rights movement and later in Congress as a longtime U.S. representative. He was known worldwide for leading protesters in the 1965 “Bloody Sunday” march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, where he was beaten by Alabama state troopers.
AHMAUD ARBERY: The slaying of Ahmaud Arbery by armed white men adds fuel to a national outcry over killings of unarmed Black men. In coastal Georgia, more than two months passed before authorities charge Gregory McMichael and his adult son, Travis McMichael, in Arbery’s death. Also charged was William “Roddie” Bryan, whose cellphone video of the shooting became public right before arrests were made in May. The McMichaels armed themselves and chased after Arbery in a truck after they saw him running in their neighborhood outside Brunswick. They told police they suspected him of being a burglar, and that the shooting was in self-defense.
RAYSHARD BROOKS: Police body camera video shows two Atlanta officers having a calm and respectful conversation with Rayshard Brooks for more than 40 minutes after responding to complaints that Brooks had fallen asleep in his car in a Wendy’s drive-thru lane on June 12. When the officers tried to handcuff Brooks, he resisted in a struggle caught on dash camera video. Brooks grabbed a Taser from one of the officers and fired it at Officer Garrett Rolfe as he ran away. Rolfe fired his gun and an autopsy found Brooks was shot twice in the back. The killing sparks new demonstrations against police brutality in Atlanta. Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigns less than 24 hours after the shooting. The Fulton County district attorney files charges including felony murder against Rolfe, and charges Brosnan with aggravated assault and violating his oath. Their lawyers have said their actions were justified.
IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATION: An Associated Press review of medical records and interviews reveals growing allegations that surgeries and other procedures were performed on immigrants being detained in Georgia who never sought them or didn’t fully understand the situation. Lawyers and experts say the women’s lack of consent or knowledge raises serious legal and ethical issues. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Tony Pham says he’s committed to the health, welfare and safety of ICE detainees.
CHURCH MURDERS: A judge in July overturns the convictions of a man who was found guilty of killing two people in their south Georgia church in 1985, and orders a new trial. Dennis Perry had been in prison for 20 years after the killings of Harold and Thelma Swain, who were killed inside Rising Daughters Baptist Church in Waverly, Georgia. The ruling comes after DNA recovered from the crime scene matched an alternate suspect during reinvestigation of the case.
MEDICAID EXPANSION: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in November unveils a plan to expand Medicaid to the state’s poorest able-bodied adults, on the condition that they work, volunteer, receive job training or attend school.
___
Associated Press writers Kate Brumback and Jeff Amy in Atlanta; and Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia, contributed.