washingtontimes--2020-11-25--Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa Republican, clings to 8-vote lead in U.S. House race

IOWA CITY , Iowa — A Republican candidate saw her vote lead dwindle to single digits Wednesday in Iowa ’ s 2nd Congressional District as a dramatic recount moved toward a conclusion in a race that will help determine the size of Democrats ’ majority in the House of Representatives .
Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks held a lead of eight votes over Democrat Rita Hart out of more than 394,400 cast , with recount boards in all but one of the district ’ s 24 counties reporting their results .
Miller-Meeks is trying to flip a second congressional seat in Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Miller-Meeks ‘ lead , which began Wednesday at 35 votes , but couldn ’ t quite erase it .
She netted 26 votes in Scott County after the recount board adjourned without addressing a discrepancy in the number of absentee ballots recorded .
On Wednesday night , her campaign picked up one more vote in Jasper County after a machine recount of absentee ballots reduced a nine-vote net the campaign had earlier claimed .
Only Clinton County - where Hart lives on a Wheatland farm and served as an educator and state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton ’ s recount board has already reviewed most of its ballots , with Hart so far netting a single vote , said county auditor Eric Van Lancker .
The board will return Saturday morning to finish recounting the last 5,000 to 6,000 absentee ballots , he said .
A state canvassing board is expected to meet Monday , the legal deadline , to certify the results of the race .
The trailing candidate is likely to file legal action to contest the recount outcome , which would set in motion a proceeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the candidates tie , state law would require that a winner ’ s name be drawn from a hat , bowl or some other receptacle .
The candidates are vying to replace Democrat Rep. Dave Loebsack , who is retiring after seven terms .
Hart requested a districtwide recount after counties ’ initial certifications showed her trailing by 47 votes , following an election in which reporting errors flipped the lead back and forth between the candidates .
The recount has been slow but drama-filled as the race has tightened .
After the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 196,958 votes while Hart has 196,950 .
Scott County , the most populous in the district , had been set to certify the 26-vote swing that would help Hart erase most of Miller-Meeks ‘ lead .
But the county board postponed the meeting late Tuesday after the auditor discovered the recount recorded 131 more absentee ballots than the earlier canvass .
The county ’ s recount board reconvened Wednesday morning to determine whether and how to address the discrepancy , which could be the result of a machine or math error , mistakenly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovering ballots that weren ’ t tabulated on election night .
The board ultimately voted 2-1 to adjourn , rejecting the Miller-Meeks designee ’ s request for a fresh machine recount of absentee ballots .
“ The recount of absentee ballots in Scott County was unreliable , ” said Miller-Meeks campaign attorney Alan Ostergren .
Hart campaign manger Zach Meunier said the “ careful , thorough , bipartisan recount dramatically shrank the gap between the candidates.
” Compared to the county ’ s earlier canvass , Hart added 105 votes and Miller-Meeks added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued that the process used in Scott County to recount the votes was illegal .
It entailed using a machine to recount the ballots , and then examining by hand those that the machine could not read to determine voter intent .
Miller-Meeks ‘ representatives argue Iowa law requires recounts to be either done by machine or hand , not a combination of the two .
Hart ’ s campaign notes that the process has been approved by the recount board , which includes representatives of both campaigns and one neutral person , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal opinion .
In Jasper County , a ballot tabulating machine broke down during the recount and had to be repaired , said county auditor Dennis Parrott .
Miller-Meeks ‘ campaign alleged that , once repaired , the machine could not reliably read ballots and disputed the count after Hart gained nine votes .
The recount board brought in a new tabulating machine Wednesday afternoon to recount 10,999 absentee ballots that were in question , Parrott said .
The recount resulted in Miller-Meeks losing a vote in the county and Hart ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the motherboard of the 6-year-old tabulating machine used previously was not reading the ballots correctly after technicians changed its cameras , he said .
Now the district ’ s attention turns to Clinton , where the auditor said the recount board will convene Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and work for hours .
“ To draw a U.S. congressperson out of a coffee cup , I don ’ t know about that one , right ?
But we have these rules .
If we come up with a tie , we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I ’ m confident because of the processes that we have , we ’ re going to get to a result that we can be confident in .
”

IOWA CITY, Iowa — A Republican candidate saw her vote lead dwindle to single digits Wednesday in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District as a dramatic recount moved toward a conclusion in a race that will help determine the size of Democrats’ majority in the House of Representatives.
Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks held a lead of eight votes over Democrat Rita Hart out of more than 394,400 cast, with recount boards in all but one of the district’s 24 counties reporting their results. Miller-Meeks is trying to flip a second congressional seat in Iowa for Republicans this cycle.
Hart cut into Miller-Meeks’ lead, which began Wednesday at 35 votes, but couldn’t quite erase it.
She netted 26 votes in Scott County after the recount board adjourned without addressing a discrepancy in the number of absentee ballots recorded. On Wednesday night, her campaign picked up one more vote in Jasper County after a machine recount of absentee ballots reduced a nine-vote net the campaign had earlier claimed.
Only Clinton County - where Hart lives on a Wheatland farm and served as an educator and state senator - is yet to report.
Clinton’s recount board has already reviewed most of its ballots, with Hart so far netting a single vote, said county auditor Eric Van Lancker. The board will return Saturday morning to finish recounting the last 5,000 to 6,000 absentee ballots, he said.
A state canvassing board is expected to meet Monday, the legal deadline, to certify the results of the race. The trailing candidate is likely to file legal action to contest the recount outcome, which would set in motion a proceeding run by a judicial panel.
If the candidates tie, state law would require that a winner’s name be drawn from a hat, bowl or some other receptacle.
The candidates are vying to replace Democrat Rep. Dave Loebsack, who is retiring after seven terms.
Hart requested a districtwide recount after counties’ initial certifications showed her trailing by 47 votes, following an election in which reporting errors flipped the lead back and forth between the candidates.
The recount has been slow but drama-filled as the race has tightened.
After the swings on Wednesday, Miller-Meeks unofficially has 196,958 votes while Hart has 196,950.
Scott County, the most populous in the district, had been set to certify the 26-vote swing that would help Hart erase most of Miller-Meeks’ lead. But the county board postponed the meeting late Tuesday after the auditor discovered the recount recorded 131 more absentee ballots than the earlier canvass.
The county’s recount board reconvened Wednesday morning to determine whether and how to address the discrepancy, which could be the result of a machine or math error, mistakenly counting a box twice, or inadvertently discovering ballots that weren’t tabulated on election night.
The board ultimately voted 2-1 to adjourn, rejecting the Miller-Meeks designee’s request for a fresh machine recount of absentee ballots.
“The recount of absentee ballots in Scott County was unreliable,” said Miller-Meeks campaign attorney Alan Ostergren.
Hart campaign manger Zach Meunier said the “careful, thorough, bipartisan recount dramatically shrank the gap between the candidates.”
Compared to the county’s earlier canvass, Hart added 105 votes and Miller-Meeks added 79.
Miller-Meeks’ campaign has already argued that the process used in Scott County to recount the votes was illegal. It entailed using a machine to recount the ballots, and then examining by hand those that the machine could not read to determine voter intent.
Miller-Meeks’ representatives argue Iowa law requires recounts to be either done by machine or hand, not a combination of the two. Hart’s campaign notes that the process has been approved by the recount board, which includes representatives of both campaigns and one neutral person, and is backed by a Scott County legal opinion.
In Jasper County, a ballot tabulating machine broke down during the recount and had to be repaired, said county auditor Dennis Parrott. Miller-Meeks’ campaign alleged that, once repaired, the machine could not reliably read ballots and disputed the count after Hart gained nine votes.
The recount board brought in a new tabulating machine Wednesday afternoon to recount 10,999 absentee ballots that were in question, Parrott said. The recount resulted in Miller-Meeks losing a vote in the county and Hart’s total staying the same.
It turns out the motherboard of the 6-year-old tabulating machine used previously was not reading the ballots correctly after technicians changed its cameras, he said.
Now the district’s attention turns to Clinton, where the auditor said the recount board will convene Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and work for hours.
“To draw a U.S. congressperson out of a coffee cup, I don’t know about that one, right? But we have these rules. If we come up with a tie, we’ve got the tiebreaker,” Van Lancker said. “I’m confident because of the processes that we have, we’re going to get to a result that we can be confident in.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--Adult websites complying with new Utah warning label law

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - Some adult entertainment websites have started to comply with a new Utah law requiring warning labels on pornographic material online .
The websites Pornhub , XTube and RedTube attached an opt-in notification for visitors stating that Utah believes pornographic materials can be harmful if viewed by minors , KSTU-TV reports .
Republican state Rep. Brady Brammer sponsored the bill seeking the online warning and said the law does not block adults from viewing online pornography .
The legislation allows private civil actions to be brought in court against websites for displaying obscene materials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ material to be declared obscene .
Republican Gov .
Gary Herbert allowed the bill to pass into law without his signature .
“ It shows for a lot of businesses , they ’ re more concerned about their pocketbook than they are about being prosecuted , ” Brammer said of the compliance with the law by the websites .
Brammer wants to expand the legislation to allow lawsuits against adult websites even if their owners are not immediately known .
The warning label has already alerted parents when children were redirected to adult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them about parental filters , Brammer said .
The measure faced criticism and threats of lawsuits from the adult entertainment industry when it was introduced earlier this year .
The adult site XHamster posted a parody warning on its site for Utah viewers .
Mike Stabile , a spokesman for the Free Speech Coalition , said the First Amendment restricts the government ’ s ability to compel speech regardless of the message .
The trade group representing the adult entertainment industry has not advised members to comply with the law , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comply because it ’ s easier than facing lawsuits or fines , ” Stabile said in an email .

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Some adult entertainment websites have started to comply with a new Utah law requiring warning labels on pornographic material online.
The websites Pornhub, XTube and RedTube attached an opt-in notification for visitors stating that Utah believes pornographic materials can be harmful if viewed by minors, KSTU-TV reports.
Republican state Rep. Brady Brammer sponsored the bill seeking the online warning and said the law does not block adults from viewing online pornography.
The legislation allows private civil actions to be brought in court against websites for displaying obscene materials, but requires a court order for material to be declared obscene.
Republican Gov. Gary Herbert allowed the bill to pass into law without his signature.
“It shows for a lot of businesses, they’re more concerned about their pocketbook than they are about being prosecuted,” Brammer said of the compliance with the law by the websites.
Brammer wants to expand the legislation to allow lawsuits against adult websites even if their owners are not immediately known.
The warning label has already alerted parents when children were redirected to adult sites from other websites and has educated them about parental filters, Brammer said.
The measure faced criticism and threats of lawsuits from the adult entertainment industry when it was introduced earlier this year. The adult site XHamster posted a parody warning on its site for Utah viewers.
Mike Stabile, a spokesman for the Free Speech Coalition, said the First Amendment restricts the government’s ability to compel speech regardless of the message. The trade group representing the adult entertainment industry has not advised members to comply with the law, he said.
“Individual companies may choose to comply because it’s easier than facing lawsuits or fines,” Stabile said in an email.


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--Guard kills California prisoner during stabbing attack

FOLSOM , Calif. ( AP ) - A guard at a California prison shot and killed an inmate who was trying to kill another prisoner Wednesday , authorities said .
Guards used chemical agents and fired three rifle shots to break up the 9 a.m. attack by three inmates on another man at California State Prison , Sacramento in Folsom , according to a statement from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation .
Martin Pacheco , 34 , was shot in the back and died a short time later .
The inmate who was attacked , Paul Solis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was taken to an outside hospital for treatment .
Three inmate-made weapons were found at the scene , authorities said .
Pacheco was serving life with a chance of parole for attempted first-degree murder , along with sentencing enhancements .
He was sent to prison from Los Angeles County in 2014 , the corrections department said .
Solis was serving life with the possibility of parole for attempted first-degree murder along with sentencing enhancements .
He was sent to prison in 2003 from Los Angeles County .
Solis was given additional time in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 for making or possessing a deadly weapon in prison .
Two other prisoners have been placed in segregation while the stabbing is investigated , corrections officials said .
Gustavo Reyes , 42 , was admitted from Los Angeles County in 2004 to serve life with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder and Angel Torres , 23 , was admitted from San Bernardino County in 2018 and is serving life with the chance of parole for first-degree murder .
Torres also was sentenced to additional time in February for making or possessing @ @ @ @ @ @

FOLSOM, Calif. (AP) - A guard at a California prison shot and killed an inmate who was trying to kill another prisoner Wednesday, authorities said.
Guards used chemical agents and fired three rifle shots to break up the 9 a.m. attack by three inmates on another man at California State Prison, Sacramento in Folsom, according to a statement from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Martin Pacheco, 34, was shot in the back and died a short time later.
The inmate who was attacked, Paul Solis, 37, received six stab wounds and was taken to an outside hospital for treatment.
Three inmate-made weapons were found at the scene, authorities said.
Pacheco was serving life with a chance of parole for attempted first-degree murder, along with sentencing enhancements. He was sent to prison from Los Angeles County in 2014, the corrections department said.
Solis was serving life with the possibility of parole for attempted first-degree murder along with sentencing enhancements. He was sent to prison in 2003 from Los Angeles County. Solis was given additional time in 2007 for a prison assault and in 2018 for making or possessing a deadly weapon in prison.
Two other prisoners have been placed in segregation while the stabbing is investigated, corrections officials said.
Gustavo Reyes, 42, was admitted from Los Angeles County in 2004 to serve life with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder and Angel Torres, 23, was admitted from San Bernardino County in 2018 and is serving life with the chance of parole for first-degree murder. Torres also was sentenced to additional time in February for making or possessing a deadly weapon in prison.


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--NYPD sergeant in off-duty shooting indicted, as is man shot

MINEOLA , N.Y. ( AP ) - An off-duty New York Police Department sergeant accused of shooting a man outside his Long Island home and the man who was struck have both been indicted by a grand jury in connection with the October 2019 shooting , authorities announced Wednesday .
Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said the off-duty officer , Justin Ellis , 35 , of Seaford , New York , was indicted on an assault charge , while Patrick Catania , 30 , of Point Lookout , New York , was indicted on attempted assault .
Both men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday and were released on their own recognizance .
Singas said Ellis had arrived at his home , which he shared with his wife and children , early on Oct. 25 , 2019 , and found Catania , whom he knew .
According to the indictment , a confrontation ensued and Catania got a baseball bat and tried to assault Ellis , who is accused of firing at Catania twice and hitting him once in the chest .
Catania ’ s lawyer , Jason Russo , refuted the contention that his client had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was an attempt at assault .
Russo said Catania , a personal trainer , had recently gotten involved romantically with Ellis ‘ wife , and had previously been in contentious encounters with Ellis .
He said on the occasion in question , Catania had walked away and was at his car , where he had gotten a baseball bat , when he was fired upon .
“ We ’ re shocked by this result , ” Russo said of the indictment .
Ellis ‘ attorney , Andrew Quinn , declined to comment on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We believe his actions were justified given the circumstances.
” Quinn said Ellis had been on modified NYPD duty after the shooting , but had been suspended in the wake of the indictment .

MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) - An off-duty New York Police Department sergeant accused of shooting a man outside his Long Island home and the man who was struck have both been indicted by a grand jury in connection with the October 2019 shooting, authorities announced Wednesday.
Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said the off-duty officer, Justin Ellis, 35, of Seaford, New York, was indicted on an assault charge, while Patrick Catania, 30, of Point Lookout, New York, was indicted on attempted assault.
Both men pleaded not guilty at their arraignments on Wednesday and were released on their own recognizance.
Singas said Ellis had arrived at his home, which he shared with his wife and children, early on Oct. 25, 2019, and found Catania, whom he knew.
According to the indictment, a confrontation ensued and Catania got a baseball bat and tried to assault Ellis, who is accused of firing at Catania twice and hitting him once in the chest.
Catania’s lawyer, Jason Russo, refuted the contention that his client had been arguing with Ellis or that there was an attempt at assault.
Russo said Catania, a personal trainer, had recently gotten involved romantically with Ellis’ wife, and had previously been in contentious encounters with Ellis.
He said on the occasion in question, Catania had walked away and was at his car, where he had gotten a baseball bat, when he was fired upon.
“We’re shocked by this result,” Russo said of the indictment.
Ellis’ attorney, Andrew Quinn, declined to comment on the circumstances, but said, “We believe his actions were justified given the circumstances.”
Quinn said Ellis had been on modified NYPD duty after the shooting, but had been suspended in the wake of the indictment.


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--AP PHOTOS: Maradona a genius on the field, a character off

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - On the soccer field , he was considered as a genius .
Outside , he was a character known practically everywhere , by everybody .
Diego Maradona , who died Wednesday of a heart attack at age 60 , started his story as a player in the Villa Fiorito neighborhood in Buenos Aires and over the decades he became a soccer great .
He debuted with Argentinos Juniors and then jumped to the mythical Boca Juniors , where in 1981 he got his first title as a professional soccer player .
Then , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legend began .
He won three titles with the Barcelona club , becoming a world soccer figure .
But Maradona won a place as one of the all-time greats when he led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title in Mexico , where he scored one of the most storied goals in soccer history - the “ Hand of God ” goal that helped defeat England in a quarterfinal match .
Pundits have debated about who was the best soccer player in history - whether Maradona or Pelé , the iconic Brazilian who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There has been no consensus .
Maradona and Pelé had a very good relationship until the Argentine failed a doping test and was expelled from the 1994 World Cup in the United States .
Pelé criticized him and they parted ways until 2005 , when they re-established a relationship .
Maradona retired in 1997 , but he remained linked to soccer .
He was Argentina ’ s team coach .
Off the field , Maradona was an outspoken personality who leaned to leftist ideology .
He was a good friend of Fidel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revolution , and was also close to the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - On the soccer field, he was considered as a genius. Outside, he was a character known practically everywhere, by everybody.
Diego Maradona, who died Wednesday of a heart attack at age 60, started his story as a player in the Villa Fiorito neighborhood in Buenos Aires and over the decades he became a soccer great.
He debuted with Argentinos Juniors and then jumped to the mythical Boca Juniors, where in 1981 he got his first title as a professional soccer player. Then, it was off to Europe, and his legend began.
He won three titles with the Barcelona club, becoming a world soccer figure. But Maradona won a place as one of the all-time greats when he led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title in Mexico, where he scored one of the most storied goals in soccer history - the “Hand of God” goal that helped defeat England in a quarterfinal match.
Pundits have debated about who was the best soccer player in history - whether Maradona or Pelé, the iconic Brazilian who retired in 1977 and is still alive. There has been no consensus.
Maradona and Pelé had a very good relationship until the Argentine failed a doping test and was expelled from the 1994 World Cup in the United States. Pelé criticized him and they parted ways until 2005, when they re-established a relationship.
Maradona retired in 1997, but he remained linked to soccer. He was Argentina’s team coach.
Off the field, Maradona was an outspoken personality who leaned to leftist ideology. He was a good friend of Fidel Castro, the leader of the Cuban revolution, and was also close to the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--New Mexico governor says holiday plans aren't worth the risk

ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. ( AP ) - New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday made a last push to get people to stay home for the Thanksgiving holiday .
She tweeted a new video from the state health department showing family members eating dinner at their own homes while talking via video calls .
She said it ’ s not too late to cancel in-person plans .
“ This isn ’ t a normal year , and it isn ’ t a normal holiday season .
We all wish it weren ’ t that way , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know it ’ s hard .
We ’ re tired .
We all want to see our families .
But please understand it ’ s not worth the risk .
We can replace Thanksgiving dinner .
We can not replace you.
” State health officials on Wednesday reported 1,873 additional confirmed cases , marking one of the lower daily counts seen in recent weeks .
Overall , the statewide total for COVID-19 infections now tops 88,100 while the death toll stands at 1,451 .
That includes nearly 23 additional deaths reported Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strictest lockdowns in the country , attempting what the governor has described as a “ reset ” on the outbreak , with closures extending to all restaurants and many other businesses .
Essential businesses such as grocery stores are still open but can have only a certain number of customers inside at a time - a restriction that has led to waiting lines at some stores .
The latest public health order will expire Monday , but the governor ’ s office is not expecting any changes until then .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses in an attempt to avoid mandatory shutdowns when COVID-19 cases among workers reach certain levels .
The business would be allowed to stay open if owners sign an agreement that calls for regular testing among employees and help with state contact tracing efforts .
The health department on Wednesday confirmed that Albertsons grocery stores are participating at all 34 locations in the state .
Company officials said the agreement allows them to welcome back customers and workers to the stores that had been closed just in time for Thanksgiving .

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday made a last push to get people to stay home for the Thanksgiving holiday.
She tweeted a new video from the state health department showing family members eating dinner at their own homes while talking via video calls. She said it’s not too late to cancel in-person plans.
“This isn’t a normal year, and it isn’t a normal holiday season. We all wish it weren’t that way, but it is,” she tweeted. “I know it’s hard. We’re tired. We all want to see our families. But please understand it’s not worth the risk. We can replace Thanksgiving dinner. We cannot replace you.”
State health officials on Wednesday reported 1,873 additional confirmed cases, marking one of the lower daily counts seen in recent weeks. Overall, the statewide total for COVID-19 infections now tops 88,100 while the death toll stands at 1,451. That includes nearly 23 additional deaths reported Wednesday.
New Mexico recently implemented one of the strictest lockdowns in the country, attempting what the governor has described as a “reset” on the outbreak, with closures extending to all restaurants and many other businesses. Essential businesses such as grocery stores are still open but can have only a certain number of customers inside at a time - a restriction that has led to waiting lines at some stores.
The latest public health order will expire Monday, but the governor’s office is not expecting any changes until then.
The state this week launched a new option for businesses in an attempt to avoid mandatory shutdowns when COVID-19 cases among workers reach certain levels. The business would be allowed to stay open if owners sign an agreement that calls for regular testing among employees and help with state contact tracing efforts.
The health department on Wednesday confirmed that Albertsons grocery stores are participating at all 34 locations in the state. Company officials said the agreement allows them to welcome back customers and workers to the stores that had been closed just in time for Thanksgiving.


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--Pandemic postpones national math, reading tests until 2022

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) - National reading and math tests long used to track what U.S. students know in those subjects are being postponed from next year to 2022 over concerns about whether testing would be feasible or produce valid results during the coronavirus pandemic , the National Center for Education Statistics announced Wednesday .
The biennial National Assessment of Educational Progress evaluations used for the Nation ’ s Report Card were slated early next year for hundreds of thousands of the country ’ s fourth and eighth graders .
But widespread remote learning and health protocols would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the model uses shared equipment and sends outside proctors to conduct the testing in schools .
Pushing ahead with testing in 2021 runs the risk of spending tens of millions of dollars and still not getting the data necessary to produce a reliable , comparable picture of state and national student performance , NCES Commissioner James Woodworth said in a statement .
By law , they would have to wait another two years for the next chance at testing .
Testing in 2022 instead “ would be more likely to provide valuable - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the wake of COVID-19 to support effective policy , research , and resource allocation , ” the leaders of the National Assessment Governing Board said in a separate statement supporting the move .
The nonpartisan Council of Chief State School Officers also supported the NAEP postponement .
Ohio Department of Education spokesperson Mandy Minick called it “ entirely understandable ” given the extensive disruptions schools are facing .
“ I think we ’ re all on the same page about trying to stress health and safety , ” she said .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could help show how the pandemic is impacting learning .
Woodworth suggested that results from states ’ annual tests - generally conducted using schools ’ own equipment and staff , and perhaps therefore more feasible than the national tests - could help bridge the gap and provide a state-level look at the impact .
But the NAEP postponement might have ripple effects in the debate about whether those state tests even happen in spring 2021 .
State tests , which are federally mandated and are used more for accountability purposes , were canceled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic surged .
The current administration under Republican President Donald Trump had indicated states shouldn ’ t expect to be granted another round of waivers if they request them , but it ’ s an issue likely to come up again after Democratic President-elect Joe Biden ’ s administration takes office .
“ If the national assessment can ’ t be done in ‘ 21 , states are legitimately going to say , ’ Well , why are we expected to test in ‘ 21 ?
’ ” said Chester Finn , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Board and president emeritus of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute who advocates results-based accountability .
If states get to skip the tests again this spring , that could create a multiyear gap in data that helps inform other decisions and identify concerns , Finn said .
“ If you ’ re not held accountable for your results , or there ’ s no way to do it because there ’ s no information about your results , then all sorts of bad things happen to the education system and to the kids in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We sort of go back to the pre-accountability days , when , you know , the only thing you knew about a kid ’ s learning was the teachers ’ grades , and the only thing you knew about a school ’ s performance was what the principal said it was , and nobody had data on gaps between different groups of kids.
” The postponement of national tests is understandable but makes having state tests in 2021 “ a moral imperative , ” the chairman of the House Committee on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-Va. , and the top Democrat on the Senate Health , Education , Labor and Pensions Committee , Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state , said in a joint statement .
“ In order for our nation to recover and rebuild from the pandemic , we must first understand the magnitude of learning loss that has impacted students across the country , ” they wrote .
“ That can not happen without assessment data.
” In letters to those lawmakers , Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also expressed strong support for proceeding with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ have ample time to plan for successful test administration tailored to their unique circumstances.
” Her letters also noted that because NAEP is federally mandated , Congress would need to sign off on postponing the national testing for a year .

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - National reading and math tests long used to track what U.S. students know in those subjects are being postponed from next year to 2022 over concerns about whether testing would be feasible or produce valid results during the coronavirus pandemic, the National Center for Education Statistics announced Wednesday.
The biennial National Assessment of Educational Progress evaluations used for the Nation’s Report Card were slated early next year for hundreds of thousands of the country’s fourth and eighth graders. But widespread remote learning and health protocols would have added big complications and costs because the model uses shared equipment and sends outside proctors to conduct the testing in schools.
Pushing ahead with testing in 2021 runs the risk of spending tens of millions of dollars and still not getting the data necessary to produce a reliable, comparable picture of state and national student performance, NCES Commissioner James Woodworth said in a statement. By law, they would have to wait another two years for the next chance at testing.
Testing in 2022 instead “would be more likely to provide valuable - and valid - data about student achievement in the wake of COVID-19 to support effective policy, research, and resource allocation,” the leaders of the National Assessment Governing Board said in a separate statement supporting the move.
The nonpartisan Council of Chief State School Officers also supported the NAEP postponement.
Ohio Department of Education spokesperson Mandy Minick called it “entirely understandable” given the extensive disruptions schools are facing.
“I think we’re all on the same page about trying to stress health and safety,” she said.
However, the decision also delays data that could help show how the pandemic is impacting learning.
Woodworth suggested that results from states’ annual tests - generally conducted using schools’ own equipment and staff, and perhaps therefore more feasible than the national tests - could help bridge the gap and provide a state-level look at the impact. But the NAEP postponement might have ripple effects in the debate about whether those state tests even happen in spring 2021.
State tests, which are federally mandated and are used more for accountability purposes, were canceled last spring under federal waivers as the pandemic surged. The current administration under Republican President Donald Trump had indicated states shouldn’t expect to be granted another round of waivers if they request them, but it’s an issue likely to come up again after Democratic President-elect Joe Biden’s administration takes office.
“If the national assessment can’t be done in ‘21, states are legitimately going to say, ’Well, why are we expected to test in ‘21?’” said Chester Finn, a former chair of the National Assessment Governing Board and president emeritus of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute who advocates results-based accountability.
If states get to skip the tests again this spring, that could create a multiyear gap in data that helps inform other decisions and identify concerns, Finn said.
“If you’re not held accountable for your results, or there’s no way to do it because there’s no information about your results, then all sorts of bad things happen to the education system and to the kids in the education system,” he said. “We sort of go back to the pre-accountability days, when, you know, the only thing you knew about a kid’s learning was the teachers’ grades, and the only thing you knew about a school’s performance was what the principal said it was, and nobody had data on gaps between different groups of kids.”
The postponement of national tests is understandable but makes having state tests in 2021 “a moral imperative,” the chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., and the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state, said in a joint statement.
“In order for our nation to recover and rebuild from the pandemic, we must first understand the magnitude of learning loss that has impacted students across the country,” they wrote. “That cannot happen without assessment data.”
In letters to those lawmakers, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also expressed strong support for proceeding with state assessments next spring and said states “have ample time to plan for successful test administration tailored to their unique circumstances.”
Her letters also noted that because NAEP is federally mandated, Congress would need to sign off on postponing the national testing for a year.


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--Kentucky reports 3,408 new confirmed coronavirus cases

LOUISVILLE , Ky ( AP ) - Concerned about the risks of large gatherings amid surging coroavirus cases , Gov .
Andy Beshear implored Kentuckians on Wednesday to keep Thanksgiving celebrations small and avoid traveling .
“ Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays , and usually we get together with about 15 people , ” Beshear said .
“ This year , we just can ’ t do that .
I ’ m really disappointed , like all of us are , but protecting my parents , my kids , our neighbors and all of our health care workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,408 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 26 virus-related deaths Wednesday .
More than 1,700 are hospitalized , and roughly 400 are in intensive care .
Almost all of Kentucky ’ s 120 counties are reported to be in the red zone - the most serious category for COVID-19 incidence rates .
People in those counties are asked to follow stricter recommended guidelines to contain the virus .
The state ’ s test positivity rate is 8.88 % , up slightly from Tuesday .
The positivity rate is an indicator of the extent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the World Health Organization .
If the rate is less than 5 % for two weeks and testing is widespread , the virus is considered under control .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal .
The vast majority of people recover .
Hudspeth Blackburn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

LOUISVILLE, Ky (AP) - Concerned about the risks of large gatherings amid surging coroavirus cases, Gov. Andy Beshear implored Kentuckians on Wednesday to keep Thanksgiving celebrations small and avoid traveling.
“Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and usually we get together with about 15 people,” Beshear said. “This year, we just can’t do that. I’m really disappointed, like all of us are, but protecting my parents, my kids, our neighbors and all of our health care workers has to come first.”
Kentucky reported 3,408 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 26 virus-related deaths Wednesday. More than 1,700 are hospitalized, and roughly 400 are in intensive care.
Almost all of Kentucky’s 120 counties are reported to be in the red zone - the most serious category for COVID-19 incidence rates. People in those counties are asked to follow stricter recommended guidelines to contain the virus.
The state’s test positivity rate is 8.88%, up slightly from Tuesday. The positivity rate is an indicator of the extent of the spread of the virus, according to the World Health Organization. If the rate is less than 5% for two weeks and testing is widespread, the virus is considered under control.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.
___
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/virus-outbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.
___
Hudspeth Blackburn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--Sanford settles with state over improper Medicaid billing

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
( AP ) - Sanford Health must pay more than $ 329,000 to settle allegations @ @ @ @ @ South Dakota Medicaid plan , the state attorney general ’ s office announced Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ that was done on behalf of former Sanford neurosurgeon Dr. Wilson Asfora , the Argus @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit accuses Asfora of using medical devices he had invested in during his surgeries involving @ @ @ @ @ laws prohibit health providers from using goods or services in which they have a financial @ @ @ @ @ federal medical programs .
Asfora allegedly ran a physician owned distributorship that gives doctors a @ @ @ @ @ devices .
Asfora has denied the allegations and has filed a counter suit against Sanford @

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Sanford Health must pay more than $329,000 to settle allegations of improper billing to the South Dakota Medicaid plan, the state attorney general’s office announced Wednesday.
The penalty resulted from billing that was done on behalf of former Sanford neurosurgeon Dr. Wilson Asfora, the Argus Leader reported. A federal lawsuit accuses Asfora of using medical devices he had invested in during his surgeries involving Medicaid patients.
Federal anti-kickback laws prohibit health providers from using goods or services in which they have a financial interest for patients participating in federal medical programs. Asfora allegedly ran a physician owned distributorship that gives doctors a cut from the sales of devices.
Asfora has denied the allegations and has filed a counter suit against Sanford.


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--Anchorage orders monthlong restrictions to stem virus spike

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - Bars and restaurants in Anchorage will be closed for indoor service , employers must allow people to work from home if possible and many businesses will be limited to 25 % capacity for the month of December as Alaska ’ s largest city tries to stem the increase in coronavirus cases , Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson said Wednesday .
The new rules go into effect Tuesday and don ’ t end until Jan. 1 , she said during a teleconference .
“ Today , we find ourselves in a situation that nobody wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy answers , but we must act because continuing on this path is the worst of all bad options , ” she said .
The director of the Anchorage Health Department , Heather Harris , says the agency “ has been waving red flags for weeks as we have experienced record-breaking case counts.
” As of Wednesday , a total of 15,100 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Anchorage since the pandemic began ; of those , 2,115 were reported in the last week .
There are 82 people hospitalized with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died .
Only 22 ICU beds are available .
If infections increase , it could put a burden on the city ’ s health care system , which most of the rest of Alaska also relies on .
Dr. Tom Hennessy , an infectious disease epidemiologist with the University of Alaska Anchorage , said the spread of the disease has to be reduced and kept at a low level .
“ If we do that , we can reduce daily COVID cases , we can reduce the demand on our hospitals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen the economy , ” he said .
“ What we ’ re doing right now isn ’ t working , ” Hennessy said , adding that the new restrictions are needed to reduce the number of cases .
Under the rules , people must limit outings and contact to those in their household .
Indoor gatherings are limited to six people .
That number rises to 10 for outdoor activities .
There will be no indoor sports competitions , and indoor gyms are limited to 25 % capacity .
Bars and restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or delivery .
Like other businesses , salons and other personal care services are also limited to 25 % capacity .
Any service that requires removing a person ’ s mask is prohibited .
“ Our goal with this order is to drive down transmission as much and as quickly as possible to a level that protects hospital and health care worker capacity , prevents unnecessary deaths and gives schools a real shot at reopening safely , ” Quinn-Davidson said .
She said she realizes the restrictions may be incredibly difficult for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial lockdown was in effect last spring .
“ You are the heart of our community , you give our neighborhoods character , you contribute to the economy and provide jobs to many in our community , ” she said .
“ What happens to you next matters to all of us.
” Quinn-Davison said the city has about $ 15 million in federal relief funds left and that she will ask the Anchorage Assembly to distribute it where it ’ s needed most : rent and mortgage assistance .
The current relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitality businesses and other small businesses “ need it to survive , ” the acting mayor said .
She also called on Congress to pass stimulus relief for businesses and individuals in Anchorage and across the country .
“ I am calling on our congressional delegation to put politics aside and pass another round of economic stimulus , ” she said .
“ There is no legitimate reason that they have not done this .
”

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Bars and restaurants in Anchorage will be closed for indoor service, employers must allow people to work from home if possible and many businesses will be limited to 25% capacity for the month of December as Alaska’s largest city tries to stem the increase in coronavirus cases, Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson said Wednesday.
The new rules go into effect Tuesday and don’t end until Jan. 1, she said during a teleconference.
“Today, we find ourselves in a situation that nobody wants to be in. There are no easy answers, but we must act because continuing on this path is the worst of all bad options,” she said.
The director of the Anchorage Health Department, Heather Harris, says the agency “has been waving red flags for weeks as we have experienced record-breaking case counts.”
As of Wednesday, a total of 15,100 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Anchorage since the pandemic began; of those, 2,115 were reported in the last week.
There are 82 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the city, and 66 residents have died. Only 22 ICU beds are available. If infections increase, it could put a burden on the city’s health care system, which most of the rest of Alaska also relies on.
Dr. Tom Hennessy, an infectious disease epidemiologist with the University of Alaska Anchorage, said the spread of the disease has to be reduced and kept at a low level.
“If we do that, we can reduce daily COVID cases, we can reduce the demand on our hospitals, we can reopen schools, we can reopen the economy,” he said.
“What we’re doing right now isn’t working,” Hennessy said, adding that the new restrictions are needed to reduce the number of cases.
Under the rules, people must limit outings and contact to those in their household. Indoor gatherings are limited to six people. That number rises to 10 for outdoor activities.
There will be no indoor sports competitions, and indoor gyms are limited to 25% capacity. Bars and restaurants can still offer outdoor service, takeout or delivery.
Like other businesses, salons and other personal care services are also limited to 25% capacity. Any service that requires removing a person’s mask is prohibited.
“Our goal with this order is to drive down transmission as much and as quickly as possible to a level that protects hospital and health care worker capacity, prevents unnecessary deaths and gives schools a real shot at reopening safely,” Quinn-Davidson said.
She said she realizes the restrictions may be incredibly difficult for some businesses that have been struggling since an initial lockdown was in effect last spring.
“You are the heart of our community, you give our neighborhoods character, you contribute to the economy and provide jobs to many in our community,” she said. “What happens to you next matters to all of us.”
Quinn-Davison said the city has about $15 million in federal relief funds left and that she will ask the Anchorage Assembly to distribute it where it’s needed most: rent and mortgage assistance. The current relief program expires in December and grants to hospitality businesses and other small businesses “need it to survive,” the acting mayor said.
She also called on Congress to pass stimulus relief for businesses and individuals in Anchorage and across the country.
“I am calling on our congressional delegation to put politics aside and pass another round of economic stimulus,” she said. “There is no legitimate reason that they have not done this.”