washingtontimes--2020-12-01--New solar project to power 11K homes in Washington state

SEATTLE ( AP ) - A public utility company in Washington state has announced a partnership to develop a new solar project near Richland that would generate enough electricity for more than 11,000 homes , officials said .
Energy Northwest will partner with Tucci Energy Services to build the 300-acre ( 120-hectare ) , 75-megawatt solar farm on leased land , The Seattle Times reported Monday .
Construction is planned for 2022 .
“ This underscores Energy Northwest ’ s commitment to affordably and reliably meeting the region ’ s electricity needs , ” Energy Northwest CEO Brad Sawatzke said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort under a 2019 state law that calls for zero greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels to be emitted in the Pacific Northwest by 2045 , officials said .
Solar projects in Yakima and Spokane counties are already operational , and Portland-based Avangrid Renewables has proposed a 150-megawatt project on 1,700 acres ( 690 hectares ) in Klickitat County .
The recently announced project site was once part of the Hanford property where plutonium for atomic bombs was produced , officials said .
More than 1,600 federal acres ( 650 hectares ) were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District and Tri-Cities community for economic development .
Tucci Energy Services is now seeking buyers for the solar power that will be generated by the project .

SEATTLE (AP) - A public utility company in Washington state has announced a partnership to develop a new solar project near Richland that would generate enough electricity for more than 11,000 homes, officials said.
Energy Northwest will partner with Tucci Energy Services to build the 300-acre (120-hectare), 75-megawatt solar farm on leased land, The Seattle Times reported Monday. Construction is planned for 2022.
“This underscores Energy Northwest’s commitment to affordably and reliably meeting the region’s electricity needs,” Energy Northwest CEO Brad Sawatzke said.
The project is part of an effort under a 2019 state law that calls for zero greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels to be emitted in the Pacific Northwest by 2045, officials said.
Solar projects in Yakima and Spokane counties are already operational, and Portland-based Avangrid Renewables has proposed a 150-megawatt project on 1,700 acres (690 hectares) in Klickitat County.
The recently announced project site was once part of the Hanford property where plutonium for atomic bombs was produced, officials said. More than 1,600 federal acres (650 hectares) were transferred in 2015 to the Tri-Cities Research District and Tri-Cities community for economic development.
Tucci Energy Services is now seeking buyers for the solar power that will be generated by the project.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Driver outside vehicle killed in crash near Clinton

CLINTON , Mo .
( AP ) - A driver standing outside his vehicle on the shoulder of the road @ @ @ @ @ he was hit by a semitrailer , authorities said .
The crash happened around 4 @ @ @ @ @ 7 near Clinton , television station KSHB reported .
Raymond Conners , 49 , of @ @ @ @ @ the roadway outside of his vehicle , which was pulled onto the shoulder , when @ @ @ @ @ vehicle ’ s open driver ’ s side door , then hit Conners , according @ @ @ @ @ Patrol .
Conners was pronounced dead at the scene , the patrol said .

CLINTON, Mo. (AP) - A driver standing outside his vehicle on the shoulder of the road in western Missouri died when he was hit by a semitrailer, authorities said.
The crash happened around 4 a.m. Monday along Missouri Route 7 near Clinton, television station KSHB reported.
Raymond Conners, 49, of Independence, was standing in the roadway outside of his vehicle, which was pulled onto the shoulder, when a passing semi hit the vehicle’s open driver’s side door, then hit Conners, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Conners was pronounced dead at the scene, the patrol said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--New bishop named for troubled Catholic diocese in Buffalo

BUFFALO , N.Y. ( AP ) - A new bishop was named Tuesday for the troubled Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo .
The diocese announced that 62-year-old Washington , D.C. Auxiliary Bishop Michael William Fisher was appointed by Pope Francis .
Fisher ’ s installation will take place Jan. 15 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Buffalo .
The Buffalo diocese - upstate New York ’ s largest with 163 parishes and missions across eight counties - sought bankruptcy protection in February , citing hundreds of lawsuits filed against it since August 2019 .
New York ’ s attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Bishop Richard Malone and another church leader , alleging they covered up allegations of sexual misconduct and misused charitable assets by supporting predatory priests who were allowed to retire or go on leave .
Malone resigned in December 2019 amid mounting calls for his ouster from his staff , priests and the public over his handling of allegations of clergy sexual misconduct .
The diocese has been led on an interim basis by Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger .
Fisher said he was humbled by the appointment and eager to serve .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though the challenges that currently confront the Diocese of Buffalo are many and significant , ” people involved with the church in western New York are up to the task .

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - A new bishop was named Tuesday for the troubled Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.
The diocese announced that 62-year-old Washington, D.C. Auxiliary Bishop Michael William Fisher was appointed by Pope Francis. Fisher’s installation will take place Jan. 15 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Buffalo.
The Buffalo diocese - upstate New York’s largest with 163 parishes and missions across eight counties - sought bankruptcy protection in February, citing hundreds of lawsuits filed against it since August 2019.
New York’s attorney general last week sued the diocese, former Bishop Richard Malone and another church leader, alleging they covered up allegations of sexual misconduct and misused charitable assets by supporting predatory priests who were allowed to retire or go on leave.
Malone resigned in December 2019 amid mounting calls for his ouster from his staff, priests and the public over his handling of allegations of clergy sexual misconduct. The diocese has been led on an interim basis by Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger.
Fisher said he was humbled by the appointment and eager to serve.
He said in a prepared statement that “though the challenges that currently confront the Diocese of Buffalo are many and significant,” people involved with the church in western New York are up to the task.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--2 field hospitals for COVID overflow open in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE , R.I. ( AP ) - Rhode Island has opened two field hospitals that combined have more than 900 beds as the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the state reached a new high .
There were 410 patients in the state ’ s hospitals with the disease as of Sunday , the most recent date for which the information was available , the state Department of Health reported Tuesday .
That is the highest number of people hospitalized with the disease on a single day since the pandemic began .
Care New England opened a field hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , the same day the state sent an emergency alert saying conventional hospitals had reached their coronavirus capacity .
A facility with nearly 600 beds opened Tuesday at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence .
It is run by Lifespan , the state ’ s largest hospital group .
The Lifespan facility expects to admit 24 to 48 patients on Tuesday , but may need more staff , Chief Nursing Executive Cathy Duquette said .
“ We are prepared to take up to 100 patients with the staff we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see demand increasing , we will certainly reach out to get more from our agency partners , ” she said .
Both field hospitals will take patients who are not critically ill. Rhode Island ’ s seven-day rolling average of daily new cases and seven-day rolling average of the positivity rate continue to rise , according to data from The COVID Tracking Project .
The average of daily news cases has gone from almost 845 on Nov. 16 to almost 898 on Monday .
The average of the positivity rate has risen over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Nov. 16 to nearly 7.5 % on Monday .
State health departments are calculating positivity rate differently across the country , but for Rhode Island the AP calculates the rate by dividing new cases by test encounters using data from The COVID Tracking Project .
The state Department of Health on Tuesday reported 1,043 new confirmed positive cases , out of almost 11,000 tests , a daily positivity rate of 9.5 % .
The state also reported seven more virus-related deaths , for a total of 1,380 fatalities .
Of the 410 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in intensive care .
The state is averaging more than 50 new hospital admissions per day .
The coronavirus continues to sweep through the Rhode Island state prison , with 600 total confirmed positive cases among inmates and staff as of Monday , according to the Department of Corrections .
Of those cases , 488 are among prisoners and 112 are among staff , according to The Providence Journal .
The Adult Correctional Institutions ’ maximum-security unit is the hardest hit , with 316 of its 354 prisoners and 40 staff testing positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been hospitalized , department spokesman J.R. Ventura said in an email .
The department did not distinguish between active and cleared cases in the November numbers .
The department is taking measures to control the virus , authorities said .
Prisoner advocates are calling for the early release of some inmates for good behavior .
“ They could let hundreds of people out early by restoring good time , ” said Natalia Friedlander , a lawyer with the Rhode Island Center for Justice .

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island has opened two field hospitals that combined have more than 900 beds as the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the state reached a new high.
There were 410 patients in the state’s hospitals with the disease as of Sunday, the most recent date for which the information was available, the state Department of Health reported Tuesday. That is the highest number of people hospitalized with the disease on a single day since the pandemic began.
Care New England opened a field hospital with more than 300 beds in Cranston on Monday, the same day the state sent an emergency alert saying conventional hospitals had reached their coronavirus capacity.
A facility with nearly 600 beds opened Tuesday at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. It is run by Lifespan, the state’s largest hospital group.
The Lifespan facility expects to admit 24 to 48 patients on Tuesday, but may need more staff, Chief Nursing Executive Cathy Duquette said.
“We are prepared to take up to 100 patients with the staff we have been able to get. If we see demand increasing, we will certainly reach out to get more from our agency partners,” she said.
Both field hospitals will take patients who are not critically ill.
___
WRONG WAY TRENDS
Rhode Island’s seven-day rolling average of daily new cases and seven-day rolling average of the positivity rate continue to rise, according to data from The COVID Tracking Project.
The average of daily news cases has gone from almost 845 on Nov. 16 to almost 898 on Monday.
The average of the positivity rate has risen over the past two weeks from 6.03% on Nov. 16 to nearly 7.5% on Monday.
State health departments are calculating positivity rate differently across the country, but for Rhode Island the AP calculates the rate by dividing new cases by test encounters using data from The COVID Tracking Project.
The state Department of Health on Tuesday reported 1,043 new confirmed positive cases, out of almost 11,000 tests, a daily positivity rate of 9.5%. The state also reported seven more virus-related deaths, for a total of 1,380 fatalities.
Of the 410 people in the hospital, 41 were in intensive care. The state is averaging more than 50 new hospital admissions per day.
___
PRISON OUTBREAK
The coronavirus continues to sweep through the Rhode Island state prison, with 600 total confirmed positive cases among inmates and staff as of Monday, according to the Department of Corrections.
Of those cases, 488 are among prisoners and 112 are among staff, according to The Providence Journal.
The Adult Correctional Institutions’ maximum-security unit is the hardest hit, with 316 of its 354 prisoners and 40 staff testing positive in November.
One maximum-security inmate has been hospitalized, department spokesman J.R. Ventura said in an email.
The department did not distinguish between active and cleared cases in the November numbers. The department is taking measures to control the virus, authorities said.
Prisoner advocates are calling for the early release of some inmates for good behavior.
“They could let hundreds of people out early by restoring good time,” said Natalia Friedlander, a lawyer with the Rhode Island Center for Justice.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--18 indicted, including rapper, in gang-related activity

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Authorities on Tuesday announced the indictment of 18 people , including New York City rapper Casanova , in connection to a litany of gang-related crimes including racketeering , murder , drugs , firearms , and fraud offenses .
Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss and other law enforcement officials issued a statement accusing those named in the indictment of being part of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation gang , operating in New York City and part of New York state .
Authorities said 17 of the 18 named in the indictment were in custody .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued a tweet saying Casanova , whose legal name is Caswell Senior , was still being sought .
“ Members of Gorilla Stone committed terrible acts of violence , trafficked in narcotics , and even engaged in brazen fraud by exploiting benefits programs meant to provide assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic , ” Strauss said in the statement .
One of those indicted was accused in connection with the Sept. 21 killing of a minor in Poughkeepsie , New York .
The others were indicted in connection to charges including assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two people were charged with falsely using other people ’ s identity information to file for COVID-19 unemployment benefits .
Casanova , currently signed to Roc Nation , was indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit racketeering ; conspiracy to distribute controlled substances , and firearms possession .
Emails were sent to Roc Nation and the rapper ’ s representative seeking comment .

NEW YORK (AP) - Authorities on Tuesday announced the indictment of 18 people, including New York City rapper Casanova, in connection to a litany of gang-related crimes including racketeering, murder, drugs, firearms, and fraud offenses.
Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss and other law enforcement officials issued a statement accusing those named in the indictment of being part of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation gang, operating in New York City and part of New York state.
Authorities said 17 of the 18 named in the indictment were in custody. The FBI’s New York office issued a tweet saying Casanova, whose legal name is Caswell Senior, was still being sought.
“Members of Gorilla Stone committed terrible acts of violence, trafficked in narcotics, and even engaged in brazen fraud by exploiting benefits programs meant to provide assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Strauss said in the statement.
One of those indicted was accused in connection with the Sept. 21 killing of a minor in Poughkeepsie, New York. The others were indicted in connection to charges including assault, drug distribution and weapons possession. Two people were charged with falsely using other people’s identity information to file for COVID-19 unemployment benefits.
Casanova, currently signed to Roc Nation, was indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit racketeering; conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and firearms possession.
Emails were sent to Roc Nation and the rapper’s representative seeking comment.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Terror, hate-crime counts mulled in Vegas in 2-state rampage

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - A prosecutor in Nevada said Tuesday that three people from Texas could face terrorism and hate-crime charges following several Thanksgiving day shootings in suburban Las Vegas , including one that killed a man at a convenience store , and more shootings before their arrests in rural Arizona .
Michael Schwartzer , a chief deputy Clark County district attorney , said that Shawn McDonnell , Christopher McDonnell and Kayleigh Lewis could face the death penalty in Las Vegas stemming from the 11-hour two-state rampage , the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported .
Kevin Mendiola Jr. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was killed and three other people were wounded in one shooting at a Henderson convenience store .
Schwartzer said other people including motorists reported being targeted on southern Nevada freeways and roads before 1 a.m. Nov. 26 .
“ Once we get our arms around this , it ’ s going to be quite a case , ” Schwartzer said .
“ We ’ re still trying to find out what happened.
” The McDonnells are brothers and Lewis is married to Christopher McDonnell , Schwartzer said .
Clark County District Attorney Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyler , Texas .
Their prosecution in Las Vegas could include crimes in Nevada and Arizona under a court doctrine of “ long-arm jurisdiction.
” The trio was arrested Nov. 26 following several vehicle-to-vehicle shootings in the area of the Colorado River town of Parker , Arizona ; a chase involving the Arizona Department of Public Safety ; a vehicle crash ; and the wounding of Shawn McDonnell by two troopers wielding assault-style rifles in La Paz County , Arizona .
Troopers reported that Shawn McDonnell pointed a handgun at them before he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found three handguns , two machete-style knives and a baseball bat in a wrecked black Toyota Camry with tinted windows .
In Nevada , Christopher McDonnell , 28 , faced a judge Tuesday on murder , attempted murder , battery and firearm charges .
Henderson Justice of the Peace Stephen George set a Dec. 15 bail hearing .
McDonnell ’ s court-appointed attorney , Curtis Brown , said later that it was too early to comment about the case .
Schwartzer said Christopher McDonnell told investigators his brother told him to “ shoot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ upcoming war , ” and the multiple instances of shootings on highways and roads could constitute one continued act of terrorism , the Review-Journal reported .
The La Paz County sheriff ’ s office said investigators identified three who said they were victims of vehicle-to-vehicle shootings on U.S. 95 in the Parker area and two more who drove to Lake Havasu before stopping .
Lewis was being held at the La Paz County jail pending a court hearing , and Shawn McDonnell was hospitalized with gunshot wounds .
“ We have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe the victims were random , ” the statement said .

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A prosecutor in Nevada said Tuesday that three people from Texas could face terrorism and hate-crime charges following several Thanksgiving day shootings in suburban Las Vegas, including one that killed a man at a convenience store, and more shootings before their arrests in rural Arizona.
Michael Schwartzer, a chief deputy Clark County district attorney, said that Shawn McDonnell, Christopher McDonnell and Kayleigh Lewis could face the death penalty in Las Vegas stemming from the 11-hour two-state rampage, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
Kevin Mendiola Jr., 22, of North Las Vegas, was killed and three other people were wounded in one shooting at a Henderson convenience store. Schwartzer said other people including motorists reported being targeted on southern Nevada freeways and roads before 1 a.m. Nov. 26.
“Once we get our arms around this, it’s going to be quite a case,” Schwartzer said. “We’re still trying to find out what happened.”
The McDonnells are brothers and Lewis is married to Christopher McDonnell, Schwartzer said. Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson has said the three were from Tyler, Texas. Their prosecution in Las Vegas could include crimes in Nevada and Arizona under a court doctrine of “long-arm jurisdiction.”
The trio was arrested Nov. 26 following several vehicle-to-vehicle shootings in the area of the Colorado River town of Parker, Arizona; a chase involving the Arizona Department of Public Safety; a vehicle crash; and the wounding of Shawn McDonnell by two troopers wielding assault-style rifles in La Paz County, Arizona.
Troopers reported that Shawn McDonnell pointed a handgun at them before he was shot, and that a search found three handguns, two machete-style knives and a baseball bat in a wrecked black Toyota Camry with tinted windows.
In Nevada, Christopher McDonnell, 28, faced a judge Tuesday on murder, attempted murder, battery and firearm charges. Henderson Justice of the Peace Stephen George set a Dec. 15 bail hearing.
McDonnell’s court-appointed attorney, Curtis Brown, said later that it was too early to comment about the case.
Schwartzer said Christopher McDonnell told investigators his brother told him to “shoot the black guy” and referenced an “upcoming war,” and the multiple instances of shootings on highways and roads could constitute one continued act of terrorism, the Review-Journal reported.
The La Paz County sheriff’s office said investigators identified three who said they were victims of vehicle-to-vehicle shootings on U.S. 95 in the Parker area and two more who drove to Lake Havasu before stopping.
Lewis was being held at the La Paz County jail pending a court hearing, and Shawn McDonnell was hospitalized with gunshot wounds.
“We have not tied anything or anyone together and we believe the victims were random,” the statement said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Europe charts path for U.S. to rejoin Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran

European allies are preparing to pounce on presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden ’ s arrival at the White House next month as an opportunity to breathe life back into the all-but-dead Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran .
The 2015 accord , which saw Iran cut its nuclear program in exchange for relief on international economic sanctions , has been on life support since President Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal two years ago .
But Western European signatories , including Britain , Germany and France , continue to hold out hope for the accord ’ s revival when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-level European diplomats underscored that hope Monday by issuing a detailed blueprint on how Mr. Biden and the U.S. can come back to the deal in the coming months .
“ Having worked so hard to preserve the Iran nuclear deal over the last four years , European governments and the EU must now unequivocally call on the incoming Biden administration and Iran to swiftly come back into full compliance , ” said the former diplomats in a paper released by the European Council on Foreign Relations , arguing that the “ Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran has failed.
” The other parties to the 2015 deal — France , Germany , Britain , Russia , China and the European Union — never renounced the accord even as the U.S. reimposed sanctions not only on Tehran but on countries that continued to trade with it .
The nuclear deal was a signature foreign policy achievement of the Obama administration and Mr. Biden , Mr. Obama ’ s vice president , has already signaled his desire for a return to the path of diplomacy with Iran .
But tensions have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , making it difficult for Washington and Tehran to fully return to the old status quo .
The European statement this week came against a backdrop of outrage in Tehran over the assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist , Mohsen Fakhrizadeh , which Iranian leaders have blamed on Israel .
It has been widely speculated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the killing in large part to prevent the next U.S. administration from seeking a rapprochement with Tehran .
There were signs Tuesday that Iran was ready to exploit Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the struggle over the future of the nuclear deal .
Tehran has responded to Mr. Trump ’ s pullout from the deal by methodically exceeding the accord ’ s limits on uranium enrichment that could be used for a bomb , while pressuring the Europeans in particular to continue economic ties despite the U.S. pressure campaign .
Furious Iranian lawmakers on Tuesday advanced a bill that would suspend U.N. inspections of its nuclear facilities and accelerate uranium enrichment operations if the Europeans do not provide relief from the U.S.-driven oil and banking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said 251 lawmakers in the 290-seat chamber voted in favor of the measure , with many chanting “ Death to America !
” and “ Death to Israel !
” Some U.S. analysts predict that Iranian hardliners , who never fully backed President Hassan Rouhani ’ s outreach to the West to end Iran ’ s isolation , will reject any attempt by Europe or the incoming Biden administration to resuscitate the nuclear deal .
The European diplomats ’ statement downplayed such concerns , citing “ positive signaling ” by the Rouhani government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Biden can “ take advantage ” of it by preparing to act quickly before Mr. Rouhani ’ s term in office ends in mid-2021 .
The statement , signed by such figures as former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt , former German Ambassador to the U.S. Wolfgang Ischinger and former French Ambassador to the U.S. Jean-David Levitte , said the Europeans could begin now acting as intermediaries between the incoming U.S. administration and Iran .
“ European governments , ” the former diplomats said , “ should also intensify communication with other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arabia and the United Arab Emirates , aimed at both preventing dangerous escalation and laying the groundwork for a wider subsequent process.
” There was no immediate reaction from the Biden transition team to the European statement .
A meeting is set for later this month between representatives of the countries still in the nuclear deal .

European allies are preparing to pounce on presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden’s arrival at the White House next month as an opportunity to breathe life back into the all-but-dead Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran.
The 2015 accord, which saw Iran cut its nuclear program in exchange for relief on international economic sanctions, has been on life support since President Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal two years ago. But Western European signatories, including Britain, Germany and France, continue to hold out hope for the accord’s revival when Mr. Trump steps down.
Several former high-level European diplomats underscored that hope Monday by issuing a detailed blueprint on how Mr. Biden and the U.S. can come back to the deal in the coming months.
“Having worked so hard to preserve the Iran nuclear deal over the last four years, European governments and the EU must now unequivocally call on the incoming Biden administration and Iran to swiftly come back into full compliance,” said the former diplomats in a paper released by the European Council on Foreign Relations, arguing that the “Trump administration’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran has failed.”
The other parties to the 2015 deal — France, Germany, Britain, Russia, China and the European Union — never renounced the accord even as the U.S. reimposed sanctions not only on Tehran but on countries that continued to trade with it. The nuclear deal was a signature foreign policy achievement of the Obama administration and Mr. Biden, Mr. Obama’s vice president, has already signaled his desire for a return to the path of diplomacy with Iran.
But tensions have escalated with Iran over the past two years, making it difficult for Washington and Tehran to fully return to the old status quo. The European statement this week came against a backdrop of outrage in Tehran over the assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, which Iranian leaders have blamed on Israel.
It has been widely speculated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the killing in large part to prevent the next U.S. administration from seeking a rapprochement with Tehran.
There were signs Tuesday that Iran was ready to exploit Mr. Fakhrizadeh’s death to gain leverage in the struggle over the future of the nuclear deal.
Tehran has responded to Mr. Trump’s pullout from the deal by methodically exceeding the accord’s limits on uranium enrichment that could be used for a bomb, while pressuring the Europeans in particular to continue economic ties despite the U.S. pressure campaign.
Furious Iranian lawmakers on Tuesday advanced a bill that would suspend U.N. inspections of its nuclear facilities and accelerate uranium enrichment operations if the Europeans do not provide relief from the U.S.-driven oil and banking sanctions.
The official IRNA news agency said 251 lawmakers in the 290-seat chamber voted in favor of the measure, with many chanting “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!”
Some U.S. analysts predict that Iranian hardliners, who never fully backed President Hassan Rouhani’s outreach to the West to end Iran’s isolation, will reject any attempt by Europe or the incoming Biden administration to resuscitate the nuclear deal.
The European diplomats’ statement downplayed such concerns, citing “positive signaling” by the Rouhani government about reviving the deal, and that Mr. Biden can “take advantage” of it by preparing to act quickly before Mr. Rouhani’s term in office ends in mid-2021.
The statement, signed by such figures as former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, former German Ambassador to the U.S. Wolfgang Ischinger and former French Ambassador to the U.S. Jean-David Levitte, said the Europeans could begin now acting as intermediaries between the incoming U.S. administration and Iran.
“European governments,” the former diplomats said, “should also intensify communication with other regional actors, notably Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, aimed at both preventing dangerous escalation and laying the groundwork for a wider subsequent process.”
There was no immediate reaction from the Biden transition team to the European statement. A meeting is set for later this month between representatives of the countries still in the nuclear deal.
• Guy Taylor can be reached at gtaylor@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Virus measures agreed upon by ACLU, Colorado county sheriff

DENVER ( AP ) - The ACLU of Colorado and a county sheriff ’ s office have reached an agreement Tuesday to implement measures at the county ’ s jail to better protect inmates from the coronavirus pandemic .
Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams and the ACLU have asked a federal judge to enter a consent decree between the two sides to officially implement the changes and provide federal oversight .
The ACLU had filed a lawsuit in April alleging that the sheriff ’ s office had failed to meet public health orders related to the pandemic and did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public .
“ With this resolution , people held in the Weld County Jail as well as staff and the public at large stand a fighting chance against this virus , ” said ACLU of Colorado Legal Director Mark Silverstein in a statement Tuesday .
As part of the agreement , the jail is required to promote social distancing , require and distribute masks to all people in the jail , conduct coronavirus testing pursuant to U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidelines and isolate medically vulnerable inmates while monitoring them regularly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceptions , to prevent inmates charged with misdemeanor , municipal or petty crimes from being held in the facility .
The county sheriff will also be required to regularly advise officers to minimize custodial arrests .
Weld ’ s office will also provide a regular report to the Chief Judge of the Weld County District Court , whose court will consider potential releases because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Joe Moylan , a spokesperson for the Weld County Sheriff ’ s Office , told The Associated Press , “ We don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s stipulated in the agreement.
” There are currently 1,558 virus cases among the state ’ s inmate population of 14,083 , according to the Colorado Department of Corrections .
“ We can no longer ignore the role that jails play in this pandemic , ACLU Cooperating Attorney Dan Williams said in a statement .
“ This proposed consent decree will save lives .
”

DENVER (AP) - The ACLU of Colorado and a county sheriff’s office have reached an agreement Tuesday to implement measures at the county’s jail to better protect inmates from the coronavirus pandemic.
Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams and the ACLU have asked a federal judge to enter a consent decree between the two sides to officially implement the changes and provide federal oversight.
The ACLU had filed a lawsuit in April alleging that the sheriff’s office had failed to meet public health orders related to the pandemic and did not sufficiently protect inmates, jail staff and the public.
“With this resolution, people held in the Weld County Jail as well as staff and the public at large stand a fighting chance against this virus,” said ACLU of Colorado Legal Director Mark Silverstein in a statement Tuesday.
As part of the agreement, the jail is required to promote social distancing, require and distribute masks to all people in the jail, conduct coronavirus testing pursuant to U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidelines and isolate medically vulnerable inmates while monitoring them regularly. The jail also agreed, with limited exceptions, to prevent inmates charged with misdemeanor, municipal or petty crimes from being held in the facility.
The county sheriff will also be required to regularly advise officers to minimize custodial arrests. Weld’s office will also provide a regular report to the Chief Judge of the Weld County District Court, whose court will consider potential releases because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Joe Moylan, a spokesperson for the Weld County Sheriff’s Office, told The Associated Press, “We don’t have anything more to offer beyond what’s stipulated in the agreement.”
There are currently 1,558 virus cases among the state’s inmate population of 14,083, according to the Colorado Department of Corrections.
“We can no longer ignore the role that jails play in this pandemic, ACLU Cooperating Attorney Dan Williams said in a statement. “This proposed consent decree will save lives.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Navajo Nation reports 104 new COVID-19 cases, 3 more deaths

WINDOW ROCK , Ariz. ( AP ) - The Navajo Nation is reporting 104 new COVID-19 cases and three additional @ @ @ @ @ also said Tuesday night that the Navajo Department of Health has identified 75 75 communities @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
The Navajo Nation now has had 16,711 total cases since the pandemic began @ @ @ @ @ The vast reservation includes parts of Arizona , New Mexico and Utah .
Tribal health @ @ @ @ @ been tested and 9,425 have recovered .
Residents remain under a stay-at-home order , with @ @ @ @ @ and essential needs like food , medication and emergencies .
Essential businesses also have been @ @ @ @ @ to between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily .
A mask requirement has been in @ @ @ @ @ year .

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) - The Navajo Nation is reporting 104 new COVID-19 cases and three additional deaths.
Tribal health officials also said Tuesday night that the Navajo Department of Health has identified 75 75 communities with uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus.
The Navajo Nation now has had 16,711 total cases since the pandemic began with 656 known deaths.
The vast reservation includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
Tribal health officials said 160,369 people have been tested and 9,425 have recovered.
Residents remain under a stay-at-home order, with an exception for essential workers and essential needs like food, medication and emergencies.
Essential businesses also have been ordered to limit their hours to between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily. A mask requirement has been in place for much of the year.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Alaska man charged in the shooting deaths of aunt, 3 cousins

An 18-year-old Alaska man just out of jail for assault has been charged with killing four members of his family , including two cousins ages 7 and 10 , charging documents released Tuesday said .
Alaska State Troopers say another 6-year-old was apparently spared during the early Monday morning shooting spree north of Anchorage because of defective bullets .
Malachi Maxon has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder , among other charges , and he will be arraigned Wednesday .
He has been assigned a public defender , and an email sent to the Public Defender Agency in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maxon is accused of first shooting an 18-year-old cousin , Cody Roehl , at a home near Wasilla early Monday morning and stealing a vehicle and a semiautomatic Glock pistol , charging documents filed by Alaska State Trooper Ted Nordgaarden said .
Roehl was taken to a nearby hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
Maxon then drove to nearby Palmer , where authorities say he broke into a home through a basement window where he shot his aunt and two cousins .
Responding officers found his aunt , 43-year-old Kimora Buster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bedroom , they found a boy , 7-year-old Ellison Buster , dead in his bed , and 10-year-old Sienna Buster injured in her bed .
She was also taken to a hospital , where she later died , authorities said .
The charging documents say a 6-year-old , only identified as AB in the documents , was found in the bed with Ellison and was not injured .
Police found a number defective cartridges on the flood .
“ The scene revealed spent cartridge casings outside the broken front window , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person appeared to be about the same , with the exception of Ellison .
In the bed where Ellison and AB were found , there were several more bullet defects than there were with the other bodies that indicated Maxon was likely trying to shoot AB , who was sleeping near the wall , ” the charging documents said .
Maxon was later apprehended while driving on the only highway between Anchorage and Palmer .
Once in custody , and being transferred between facilities , authorities said Maxon attempted to pull a gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escape before being subdued .
On Nov. 23 , Maxon was released from custody after an arrest for family assault , with no further clarification .
The charging documents say Maxon had been living with his aunt and cousins the last few days .
The charging documents did not indicate a motive for the shootings .
When Maxon was photographed following his arrest , troopers found lacerations and other wounds on his legs that appeared to have been caused by broken glass .
An audio recording from a surveillance camera in the home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glass breaking .
The charging documents also allege the recording captured sounds of Maxon walking over the broken glass as he climbed through the broken window to leave .

An 18-year-old Alaska man just out of jail for assault has been charged with killing four members of his family, including two cousins ages 7 and 10, charging documents released Tuesday said.
Alaska State Troopers say another 6-year-old was apparently spared during the early Monday morning shooting spree north of Anchorage because of defective bullets.
Malachi Maxon has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, among other charges, and he will be arraigned Wednesday. He has been assigned a public defender, and an email sent to the Public Defender Agency in Palmer was not immediately returned Tuesday.
Maxon is accused of first shooting an 18-year-old cousin, Cody Roehl, at a home near Wasilla early Monday morning and stealing a vehicle and a semiautomatic Glock pistol, charging documents filed by Alaska State Trooper Ted Nordgaarden said. Roehl was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Maxon then drove to nearby Palmer, where authorities say he broke into a home through a basement window where he shot his aunt and two cousins.
Responding officers found his aunt, 43-year-old Kimora Buster, dead on the floor. In a bedroom, they found a boy, 7-year-old Ellison Buster, dead in his bed, and 10-year-old Sienna Buster injured in her bed. She was also taken to a hospital, where she later died, authorities said.
The charging documents say a 6-year-old, only identified as AB in the documents, was found in the bed with Ellison and was not injured. Police found a number defective cartridges on the flood.
“The scene revealed spent cartridge casings outside the broken front window, and the number of bullets fired at each person appeared to be about the same, with the exception of Ellison. In the bed where Ellison and AB were found, there were several more bullet defects than there were with the other bodies that indicated Maxon was likely trying to shoot AB, who was sleeping near the wall,” the charging documents said.
Maxon was later apprehended while driving on the only highway between Anchorage and Palmer. Once in custody, and being transferred between facilities, authorities said Maxon attempted to pull a gun from a trooper’s holster and escape before being subdued.
On Nov. 23, Maxon was released from custody after an arrest for family assault, with no further clarification. The charging documents say Maxon had been living with his aunt and cousins the last few days.
The charging documents did not indicate a motive for the shootings.
When Maxon was photographed following his arrest, troopers found lacerations and other wounds on his legs that appeared to have been caused by broken glass. An audio recording from a surveillance camera in the home caught the sounds of the shooting and glass breaking. The charging documents also allege the recording captured sounds of Maxon walking over the broken glass as he climbed through the broken window to leave.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Winter's dry start prompts low California water allocation

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California ’ s water managers on Tuesday preliminarily allocated just 10 % of requested water supplies to agencies that together serve more than 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland .
The state Department of Water Resources cited the dry start to the winter rainy season in California ’ s Mediterranean climate , along with low reservoir levels remaining from last year ’ s relatively dry winter .
Winter snow typically supplies about 30 % of the state ’ s water as it melts .
Last year ’ s initial allocation also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 % when the final allocation was made in May .
Most areas that depend on the state-supplied water also have other sources including groundwater , streams and their own reservoirs .
The department ‘ s eight precipitation measuring stations scattered across Northern California collected a record-low 0 % of average rainfall in October and 53 % in November .
Meanwhile , the state ’ s major reservoirs are lower than they were at this time a year ago .
Lake Shasta , the federal Central Valley Project ’ s largest reservoir , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average , down from 119 % a year ago .
Lake Oroville , the State Water Project ’ s largest reservoir , is at 61 % compared to 90 % last year .
“ While we still have several months ahead of us , dry conditions persist , ” department Director Karla Nemeth said in a statement urging the state ’ s nearly 40 million residents to conserve water .
“ As communities throughout California prepare to support their environment and economies through times of extended dry periods , state agencies plan together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocation uses conservative assumptions and is updated monthly as conditions change based on snowfall and water runoff .
The department will conduct this winter ’ s first snow survey south of Lake Tahoe on Dec. 30 .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California’s water managers on Tuesday preliminarily allocated just 10% of requested water supplies to agencies that together serve more than 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland.
The state Department of Water Resources cited the dry start to the winter rainy season in California’s Mediterranean climate, along with low reservoir levels remaining from last year’s relatively dry winter. Winter snow typically supplies about 30% of the state’s water as it melts.
Last year’s initial allocation also was 10% and climbed only to 20% when the final allocation was made in May. Most areas that depend on the state-supplied water also have other sources including groundwater, streams and their own reservoirs.
The department’s eight precipitation measuring stations scattered across Northern California collected a record-low 0% of average rainfall in October and 53% in November.
Meanwhile, the state’s major reservoirs are lower than they were at this time a year ago.
Lake Shasta, the federal Central Valley Project’s largest reservoir, is at 75% of its historical average, down from 119% a year ago. Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, is at 61% compared to 90% last year.
“While we still have several months ahead of us, dry conditions persist,” department Director Karla Nemeth said in a statement urging the state’s nearly 40 million residents to conserve water. “As communities throughout California prepare to support their environment and economies through times of extended dry periods, state agencies plan together to support those communities.”
The initial allocation uses conservative assumptions and is updated monthly as conditions change based on snowfall and water runoff. The department will conduct this winter’s first snow survey south of Lake Tahoe on Dec. 30.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Bobcat burned in California wildfire set for release to wild

A young bobcat that was badly burned in a Southern California wildfire will be released back into the wild , the San Diego Humane Society announced Tuesday .
The 7- to 9-month-old female was picked up on Tuesday from the group ’ s Ramona Wildlife Center .
A state Department of Fish and Wildlife worker took her to an area outside the site of the fire that biologists say has “ rich food and water sources , ” according to a humane society statement .
The blaze erupted in September near Yucaipa in San Bernardino County .
It was sparked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a gender reveal party .
The fire destroyed several homes and killed a firefighter in San Bernardino National Forest .
The bobcat was discovered on Oct. 13 by a Yucaipa woman walking her dogs .
The emaciated cat was treated for burns , some of which were infected , and did so well that she doubled in size to more than 9 pounds in a month and made a full recovery in seven weeks , the humane society said .
“ This is why we work so hard for every single patient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can return to the wild and thrive in their natural habitat , ” Andy Blue , campus director at the Ramona Wildlife Center , said in a statement .
“ This little fighter went from emaciated with severe burns to becoming a feisty predator who will be able to fend for herself in nature .
We are thrilled !
”

SAN DIEGO (AP) - A young bobcat that was badly burned in a Southern California wildfire will be released back into the wild, the San Diego Humane Society announced Tuesday.
The 7- to 9-month-old female was picked up on Tuesday from the group’s Ramona Wildlife Center.
A state Department of Fish and Wildlife worker took her to an area outside the site of the fire that biologists say has “rich food and water sources,” according to a humane society statement.
The blaze erupted in September near the small city of Yucaipa in San Bernardino County. It was sparked by a pyrotechnic device a couple used for a gender reveal party. The fire destroyed several homes and killed a firefighter in San Bernardino National Forest.
The bobcat was discovered on Oct. 13 by a woman walking her dogs. The emaciated cat was treated for burns, some of which were infected, and did so well that she doubled in size to more than 9 pounds (4.1 kilograms) in a month and made a full recovery in seven weeks, the humane society said.
“This is why we work so hard for every single patient who comes through our doors - so they can return to the wild and thrive in their natural habitat,” Andy Blue, campus director at the Ramona Wildlife Center, said in a statement. “This little fighter went from emaciated with severe burns to becoming a feisty predator who will be able to fend for herself in nature. We are thrilled!”


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Denver air traffic controller's virus causes flight delays

Flights to and from Denver were briefly halted then delayed for several hours on Tuesday after an air traffic controller tested positive for COVID-19 .
About 250 flights in and out of Denver International Airport were delayed and more than 40 canceled on Tuesday , according to FlightAware.com , although it was not clear how many were due to air traffic control issues .
The Federal Aviation Administration said flight-control work slowed down at the airport after workers were moved to a training room .
That led the FAA to hold up flights in and out of the region for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights resumed , delays continued and affected Denver-bound flights at airports throughout the country , the FAA said .
An airport spokeswoman said operations were expected to return to normal by early evening .
The facility was cleaned later Tuesday , according to FAA .
The FAA did not identify the controller or provide information about their condition .
It was the fourth time that someone tested positive at the same facility , which handles planes approaching or leaving nearby airports or flying through the area .
A similar facility nearby in Longmont @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for COVID-19 nine times .
Nearly 250 FAA facilities including air traffic control towers have had workers test positive during the pandemic .
In some cases , remaining controllers are shifted to a backup facility , and at other times entire facilities have closed .
Most of those closures have been brief , according to information on the agency ’ s website .

Flights to and from Denver were briefly halted then delayed for several hours on Tuesday after an air traffic controller tested positive for COVID-19.
About 250 flights in and out of Denver International Airport were delayed and more than 40 canceled on Tuesday, according to FlightAware.com, although it was not clear how many were due to air traffic control issues.
The Federal Aviation Administration said flight-control work slowed down at the airport after workers were moved to a training room. That led the FAA to hold up flights in and out of the region for nearly an hour Tuesday afternoon.
After flights resumed, delays continued and affected Denver-bound flights at airports throughout the country, the FAA said.
An airport spokeswoman said operations were expected to return to normal by early evening.
The facility was cleaned later Tuesday, according to FAA. The FAA did not identify the controller or provide information about their condition. It was the fourth time that someone tested positive at the same facility, which handles planes approaching or leaving nearby airports or flying through the area.
A similar facility nearby in Longmont, Colorado, has had employees test positive for COVID-19 nine times.
Nearly 250 FAA facilities including air traffic control towers have had workers test positive during the pandemic. In some cases, remaining controllers are shifted to a backup facility, and at other times entire facilities have closed. Most of those closures have been brief, according to information on the agency’s website.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Sheriff: Florida deputies fatally shot man after car chase

PENSACOLA , Fla. ( AP ) - Florida deputies fatally shot an armed man following a car chase , authorities @ @ @ @ @ Monday afternoon at a busy Pensacola intersection , the Pensacola News Journal reported .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ a local bondsman called the Escambia County Sheriff ’ s Office to report that a @ @ @ @ @ was in the area .
Responding deputies tried to initiate a traffic stop , and @ @ @ @ @ area , Sheriff David Morgan said at a news conference .
When the chase ended @ @ @ @ @ at the man , who was armed with a handgun , officials said .
The @ @ @ @ @ .
No other injuries were reported .
Officials didn ’ t immediately release the names @ @ @ @ @ and the man they shot .

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) - Florida deputies fatally shot an armed man following a car chase, authorities said.
The shooting occurred Monday afternoon at a busy Pensacola intersection, the Pensacola News Journal reported.
Officials said the chase began after a local bondsman called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to report that a man with several felony warrants was in the area.
Responding deputies tried to initiate a traffic stop, and the suspect fled from the area, Sheriff David Morgan said at a news conference. When the chase ended, three deputies fired shots at the man, who was armed with a handgun, officials said. The man died from his wounds.
No other injuries were reported.
Officials didn’t immediately release the names or races of the deputies and the man they shot.
State law enforcement officials will investigate.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--UN urges countries to designate ship crews as 'key workers'

UNITED NATIONS ( AP ) - With the coronavirus pandemic stranding nearly 400,000 merchant seamen at sea , the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution Tuesday urging all nations to designate those working on ships as “ key workers , ” which would ease their travel .
The resolution adopted by consensus in the 193-member world body stresses the very difficult conditions that seafarers face at sea , which have been exacerbated by pandemic restrictions that have impeded crew changes and repatriation of sailors to their home countries .
Indonesian Ambassador DianTriansyah Djani , who sponsored the resolution , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the work of 2 million seafarers “ who have shown their dedication and professionalism during this crisis , ensuring that world trade and logistics continue to move properly.
” Djani said travel restrictions imposed by countries as a result of the pandemic “ have generated difficulties for crew changes , and prevent the seafarers from embarkation and disembarkation , ” resulting in hundreds of thousands stranded at sea .
Designating seafarers and other marine personnel as “ key workers ” would ease their plight , he said .
The International Chamber of Shipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s merchant fleet , estimates nearly 400,000 sailors are stuck at sea because of the pandemic , many for more than a year and some for up to 17 months .
The resolution calls on all governments to implement measures to facilitate crew changes and travel and repatriation for seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Guy Platten , president of shipping trade group , said 44 countries currently classify seafarers as “ key workers ” but the vast majority do not .
“ Clearly there is much more to be done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says the situation of stranded seafarers also requires a “ concrete response ” from the private sector .
It notes approximately 2 million seafarers work on more than 98,000 commercial vessels that transported more than 11 billion tons of goods and material in 2019 .
“ Shipping has continued to transport more than 80 % of world trade essential to the normal functioning of society , including vital medical supplies , food and other basic goods that are critical for the COVID-19 response and recovery , ” the resolution says .

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - With the coronavirus pandemic stranding nearly 400,000 merchant seamen at sea, the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution Tuesday urging all nations to designate those working on ships as “key workers,” which would ease their travel.
The resolution adopted by consensus in the 193-member world body stresses the very difficult conditions that seafarers face at sea, which have been exacerbated by pandemic restrictions that have impeded crew changes and repatriation of sailors to their home countries.
Indonesian Ambassador DianTriansyah Djani, who sponsored the resolution, said the world largely pays little heed to the work of 2 million seafarers “who have shown their dedication and professionalism during this crisis, ensuring that world trade and logistics continue to move properly.”
Djani said travel restrictions imposed by countries as a result of the pandemic “have generated difficulties for crew changes, and prevent the seafarers from embarkation and disembarkation,” resulting in hundreds of thousands stranded at sea.
Designating seafarers and other marine personnel as “key workers” would ease their plight, he said.
The International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 80% of the world’s merchant fleet, estimates nearly 400,000 sailors are stuck at sea because of the pandemic, many for more than a year and some for up to 17 months.
The resolution calls on all governments to implement measures to facilitate crew changes and travel and repatriation for seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guy Platten, president of shipping trade group, said 44 countries currently classify seafarers as “key workers” but the vast majority do not.
“Clearly there is much more to be done,” Platten said.
The resolution says the situation of stranded seafarers also requires a “concrete response” from the private sector. It notes approximately 2 million seafarers work on more than 98,000 commercial vessels that transported more than 11 billion tons of goods and material in 2019.
“Shipping has continued to transport more than 80% of world trade essential to the normal functioning of society, including vital medical supplies, food and other basic goods that are critical for the COVID-19 response and recovery,” the resolution says.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Judge Jeffrey White blocks Trump bid forcing firms to pay Americans before hiring foreign workers

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the government ’ s attempt to force companies to offer better pay to Americans before looking to hire skilled foreign workers for those jobs , ruling that the Trump administration cut too many corners .
The Labor and Homeland Security Departments had tried to justify speeding the changes into effect by citing the coronavirus pandemic , but Judge Jeffrey S. White said that was too weak a reason to dispense with the usual notice and comment requirements for a major policy change .
“ Without any consultation with interested parties about the impact on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes to policies on which Plaintiffs and their members have relied for years and which are creating uncertainty in their planning and budgeting , ” ruled Judge White , who was appointed to the court by President George W. Bush .
At issue were changes to the H-1B visa guest worker program , which allows tens of thousands of foreigners to take jobs each year .
The H-1B is particularly popular among tech companies , some of which have used it to oust Americans and brought in foreign workers to replace them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reeling in the H-1B , but his administration waited until the waning days of this term to act .
Now , with presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden poised to take the reins next month , Tuesday ’ s ruling creates an easy path for him to abandon Mr. Trump ’ s attempt .
The rule had been slated to take effect Dec. 7 .
In order to issue an H-1B a company is supposed to prove that it couldn ’ t find a worker already in the U.S. at the prevailing wage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevailing wage figure , so companies would have to offer better pay before turning to migrant labor .
Major business groups had sued to stop it , arguing they relied on those foreign workers to fill out their workforce and other American jobs depend on them .
They also claimed the coronavirus pandemic , which has left millions of Americans out of work , makes reliance on foreign skilled labor more important .
“ We need high-skilled innovators now more than ever , ” said Linda Kelly , general counsel at the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those challenging the Trump administration ’ s attempts to limit foreign workers .
Judge White ’ s ruling is the latest in a lengthy list of cases where the Trump administration was found to have cut corners in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act .
The APA has been particularly devastating to the president on immigration , where everything from asylum changes to his attempt to reel in the Obama-era DACA deportation amnesty for “ Dreamers ” has been blocked by judges citing the law .

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the government’s attempt to force companies to offer better pay to Americans before looking to hire skilled foreign workers for those jobs, ruling that the Trump administration cut too many corners.
The Labor and Homeland Security Departments had tried to justify speeding the changes into effect by citing the coronavirus pandemic, but Judge Jeffrey S. White said that was too weak a reason to dispense with the usual notice and comment requirements for a major policy change.
“Without any consultation with interested parties about the impact on American employers, DHS and DOL made changes to policies on which Plaintiffs and their members have relied for years and which are creating uncertainty in their planning and budgeting,” ruled Judge White, who was appointed to the court by President George W. Bush.
At issue were changes to the H-1B visa guest worker program, which allows tens of thousands of foreigners to take jobs each year. The H-1B is particularly popular among tech companies, some of which have used it to oust Americans and brought in foreign workers to replace them.
President Trump had campaigned in 2016 on reeling in the H-1B, but his administration waited until the waning days of this term to act.
Now, with presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden poised to take the reins next month, Tuesday’s ruling creates an easy path for him to abandon Mr. Trump’s attempt.
The rule had been slated to take effect Dec. 7.
In order to issue an H-1B a company is supposed to prove that it couldn’t find a worker already in the U.S. at the prevailing wage. The rule was intended to raise that prevailing wage figure, so companies would have to offer better pay before turning to migrant labor.
Major business groups had sued to stop it, arguing they relied on those foreign workers to fill out their workforce and other American jobs depend on them.
They also claimed the coronavirus pandemic, which has left millions of Americans out of work, makes reliance on foreign skilled labor more important.
“We need high-skilled innovators now more than ever,” said Linda Kelly, general counsel at the National Association of Manufacturers, which was among those challenging the Trump administration’s attempts to limit foreign workers.
Judge White’s ruling is the latest in a lengthy list of cases where the Trump administration was found to have cut corners in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.
The APA has been particularly devastating to the president on immigration, where everything from asylum changes to his attempt to reel in the Obama-era DACA deportation amnesty for “Dreamers” has been blocked by judges citing the law.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Sheriff: Shooting at nightclub may have been retaliation

AIKEN , S.C. ( AP ) - A deadly weekend shooting outside an Aiken nightclub is believed to be an @ @ @ @ @ may be connected to other recent shootings , the sheriff said Tuesday .
The Aiken @ @ @ @ @ Sheriff Michael Hunt said Saturday ’ s shooting , which killed a North Augusta man @ @ @ @ @ seemed to be a gang retaliation to incidents that have occurred “ over the past @ @ @ @ @ Without saying too much we think these are connected to some surrounding incidents in other @ @ @ @ @ , ” Hunt said Monday .
The weekend following Thanksgiving was marked with a string @ @ @ @ @ around the Aiken County community .
Multiple law enforcement agencies are working to see if @ @ @ @

AIKEN, S.C. (AP) - A deadly weekend shooting outside an Aiken nightclub is believed to be an act of gang retaliation and may be connected to other recent shootings, the sheriff said Tuesday.
The Aiken Standard reports that Aiken County Sheriff Michael Hunt said Saturday’s shooting, which killed a North Augusta man and injured several others, seemed to be a gang retaliation to incidents that have occurred “over the past couple of weeks.”
“Without saying too much we think these are connected to some surrounding incidents in other counties and in our county,” Hunt said Monday.
The weekend following Thanksgiving was marked with a string of fatal shootings in and around the Aiken County community. Multiple law enforcement agencies are working to see if they are connected.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Mexico's president acknowledges end to killings far away

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - President Andrés Manuel López Obrador took office two years ago promising to transform Mexico , but he acknowledged Tuesday that some pledges have been hard to keep .
The president said in a sober , restrained ceremony marking his second anniversary in office that “ there is still a long way to go to bring peace to the country.
” Homicide rates have barely budged from his predecessor ’ s last year in office , with Mexico still registering about 3,000 homicides per month .
Nor has the coronavirus pandemic slowed the killings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 106,000 people in Mexico and has devastated the economy .
López Obrador touted progress in the fight against corruption and in government building projects , and claimed that over 70 % of Mexicans want him to go on governing .
Still , the country is more polarized than ever between his supporters and those who oppose him .
He said the government austerity drive had saved the country billions , but acknowledged his plan to transfer centralized government offices to cities throughout the country was a promise that he hadn ’ t fulfilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said , but added “ we have established the basis for transforming Mexico .
”

MEXICO CITY (AP) - President Andrés Manuel López Obrador took office two years ago promising to transform Mexico, but he acknowledged Tuesday that some pledges have been hard to keep.
The president said in a sober, restrained ceremony marking his second anniversary in office that “there is still a long way to go to bring peace to the country.”
Homicide rates have barely budged from his predecessor’s last year in office, with Mexico still registering about 3,000 homicides per month.
Nor has the coronavirus pandemic slowed the killings, though the disease itself has killed about 106,000 people in Mexico and has devastated the economy.
López Obrador touted progress in the fight against corruption and in government building projects, and claimed that over 70% of Mexicans want him to go on governing. Still, the country is more polarized than ever between his supporters and those who oppose him.
He said the government austerity drive had saved the country billions, but acknowledged his plan to transfer centralized government offices to cities throughout the country was a promise that he hadn’t fulfilled.
“Not everything is perfect,” he said, but added “we have established the basis for transforming Mexico.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Texas virus spread even puts desert artist hub Marfa on edge

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - Texas surpassed 9,000 hospitalized coronavirus patients Tuesday for the first time since a deadly summer outbreak as the pandemic ’ s spread threatened the Big Bend region near the desert artist hub of Marfa , where tourists continued visiting and officials urged people to stay home .
The rising number of cases near the remote West Texas border is but another example of how the virus is now spreading into places that ducked previous surges but are now ensnared by its long-reaching tentacles and confronted with its wide-ranging challenges .
Texas reported more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous single-day record .
State health officials attributed at least some of the spike to a lag in reporting over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend , but doctors and local leaders still say they ’ re trending in the wrong direction .
Marfa is located about 200 miles ( 321.87 kilometers ) down the border from El Paso , where hospitalizations have fallen slightly after a grim November .
The town of roughly 1,700 people is the second-largest in Presidio County , where in the past two weeks the number of cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 460 confirmed cases , according to state health figures .
The county borders Ojinagao , Mexico , and the only hospital in rural Alpine has just enough beds to treat only a handful of COVID-19 patients .
“ I feel safer going to the grocery store in Ojinaga than to the grocery store in Alpine , ” said Malynda Richardson , the only paramedic in the city of Presidio , where she is also the director of emergency management services .
She , too , recently tested positive for COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one in 13 people in the West Texas county have contracted COVID-19 .
She said the main concern for the county , which spans nearly 4000 square miles ( 10,359.96 square kilometers ) , is that they do not have a hospital , so ill residents have to travel up to an hour or be flown out for critical care .
On Monday , Guevara urged residents to shelter in place and avoid nonessential travel given the “ alarming ” hike in cases .
The county is where former U.S. Supreme Court Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a ranch near Marfa .
Guevara attributes the spread to family gatherings , people visiting loved ones or doing business across the U.S.-Mexico border and those who have relaxed precautionary measures like masks and socially distancing when visiting loved ones .
Richardson said the increase in tourism in the area may also be contributing , observing that while people often socially distance in parks and hiking trails in the Big Bend region , they still visit restaurants , restrooms and gas stations in the nearby towns .
Big Bend National Park has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus lockdown , with October recording some of the biggest numbers seen in the history of the park , said Tom Vandenberg , a park spokesman .
He said the park is open at limited capacity and limits groups of eight but visitors may still find themselves searching for parking spots or sharing restrooms with other visitors .
“ We are scared because our hospital is small , there is not good enough equipment if a person becomes severely ill , ” said Laura Sanchez , 50 , a retail worker in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge in Brewster , the surrounding county in Alpine , on family gatherings , tourism and people not taking the pandemic seriously and refusing to wear masks .
She said in her Latino community , she has noticed many residents taking more precautions over fears of being sent far away for care .
Big Bend Regional Medical Center said a lack of space has not been an issue so far .
The hospital was treating four COVID-19 patients as of Tuesday and had enough capacity for an influx of patients , said Ruth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said no virus patients had died at the hospital within the last two weeks .
Texas is on the verge of 22,000 confirmed virus deaths , the second-highest in the country .
Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott has ruled out a return to shutdown measures , saying local leaders instead need to enforce existing measures , such as limits on restaurant capacity .
Presidio Mayor John Ferguson said his small community has done a good job of following safety precautions but wants to see tougher restrictions as cases surge .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to make , ” Ferguson said .

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas surpassed 9,000 hospitalized coronavirus patients Tuesday for the first time since a deadly summer outbreak as the pandemic’s spread threatened the Big Bend region near the desert artist hub of Marfa, where tourists continued visiting and officials urged people to stay home.
The rising number of cases near the remote West Texas border is but another example of how the virus is now spreading into places that ducked previous surges but are now ensnared by its long-reaching tentacles and confronted with its wide-ranging challenges.
Texas reported more than 15,000 new cases Tuesday, smashing the previous single-day record. State health officials attributed at least some of the spike to a lag in reporting over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend, but doctors and local leaders still say they’re trending in the wrong direction.
Marfa is located about 200 miles (321.87 kilometers) down the border from El Paso, where hospitalizations have fallen slightly after a grim November. The town of roughly 1,700 people is the second-largest in Presidio County, where in the past two weeks the number of cases since the pandemic began has doubled to at least 460 confirmed cases, according to state health figures.
The county borders Ojinagao, Mexico, and the only hospital in rural Alpine has just enough beds to treat only a handful of COVID-19 patients.
“I feel safer going to the grocery store in Ojinaga than to the grocery store in Alpine,” said Malynda Richardson, the only paramedic in the city of Presidio, where she is also the director of emergency management services. She, too, recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara said that one in 13 people in the West Texas county have contracted COVID-19. She said the main concern for the county, which spans nearly 4000 square miles (10,359.96 square kilometers), is that they do not have a hospital, so ill residents have to travel up to an hour or be flown out for critical care. On Monday, Guevara urged residents to shelter in place and avoid nonessential travel given the “alarming” hike in cases.
The county is where former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anton Scalia died in 2016 while staying at a ranch near Marfa.
Guevara attributes the spread to family gatherings, people visiting loved ones or doing business across the U.S.-Mexico border and those who have relaxed precautionary measures like masks and socially distancing when visiting loved ones. Richardson said the increase in tourism in the area may also be contributing, observing that while people often socially distance in parks and hiking trails in the Big Bend region, they still visit restaurants, restrooms and gas stations in the nearby towns.
Big Bend National Park has seen a large increase in visitors during the coronavirus lockdown, with October recording some of the biggest numbers seen in the history of the park, said Tom Vandenberg, a park spokesman. He said the park is open at limited capacity and limits groups of eight but visitors may still find themselves searching for parking spots or sharing restrooms with other visitors.
“We are scared because our hospital is small, there is not good enough equipment if a person becomes severely ill,” said Laura Sanchez, 50, a retail worker in Alpine.
Sanchez said she blames the surge in Brewster, the surrounding county in Alpine, on family gatherings, tourism and people not taking the pandemic seriously and refusing to wear masks. She said in her Latino community, she has noticed many residents taking more precautions over fears of being sent far away for care.
Big Bend Regional Medical Center said a lack of space has not been an issue so far. The hospital was treating four COVID-19 patients as of Tuesday and had enough capacity for an influx of patients, said Ruth Hucke, a hospital spokeswoman. She said no virus patients had died at the hospital within the last two weeks.
Texas is on the verge of 22,000 confirmed virus deaths, the second-highest in the country. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has ruled out a return to shutdown measures, saying local leaders instead need to enforce existing measures, such as limits on restaurant capacity.
Presidio Mayor John Ferguson said his small community has done a good job of following safety precautions but wants to see tougher restrictions as cases surge.
“It’s a sacrifice we should all be willing to make,” Ferguson said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--U.S. drug certification is outdated, says report

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A U.S. congressional commission has proposed replacing the U.S. drug certification process - a fixture of U.S. anti-narcotics policy that classifies countries based on their cooperation on the fight on drugs - with more nuanced diplomatic approaches to keep up with rapidly changing threats like synthetic drugs .
The 117-page report from the Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission , released on Tuesday , proposes to eliminate the Drugs Majors List of drug-producing or drug-trafficking countries , calling it “ increasingly anachronistic ” and offensive to partners .
Congress currently requires the president to identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counternarcotic policies .
“ The concept of a Majors List of countries of particular interest , with numerical definitions of drug cultivation or production ( mainly plant-based ) , can not keep pace with rapidly changing threats from synthetic drugs produced in and shipped from almost anywhere in the world , ” the report said .
“ A requirement for a theatrical public rollout of our ‘ naughty and nice ’ countries is similarly outdated ” , the report adds .
Rep. Eliot Engel , chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling it “ a breath of fresh air ” and saying he hopes “ it will serve as a blueprint ” for the upcoming Joe Biden administration .
On Thursday the Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing to examine the bipartisan commission ’ s findings .
According to the report , today ’ s drug markets are more diversified than in the past and keeping a list of drug-trafficking countries current “ would mean constant updating of the law ’ s parameters to keep pace with drug trends , ” the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ‘ name and shame ’ approach generates resentment , undermining the principle of shared responsibility , which recognized the role of U.S. demand for illicit drugs as well as Latin American supply , ” the report said .
The commission also claimed in the report that the U.S. designation of countries that have “ failed demonstrably ” to meet its drug control obligations have often not been effective .
It mentioned the case of Bolivia , whose designation “ had little impact on the government of former President Evo Morales ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug supply ” .
Engel said in a press release on Tuesday that billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars “ have been spent on counternarcotics efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean , but the results have been few and far between ” .
The report recommends , among other things , to empower the State Department to develop and coordinate efforts to counter transnational criminal organizations abroad and to develop compact-based counternarcotics and law enforcement assistance programs with foreign partners .

NEW YORK (AP) - A U.S. congressional commission has proposed replacing the U.S. drug certification process - a fixture of U.S. anti-narcotics policy that classifies countries based on their cooperation on the fight on drugs - with more nuanced diplomatic approaches to keep up with rapidly changing threats like synthetic drugs.
The 117-page report from the Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission, released on Tuesday, proposes to eliminate the Drugs Majors List of drug-producing or drug-trafficking countries, calling it “increasingly anachronistic” and offensive to partners.
Congress currently requires the president to identify countries and certify their cooperation with U.S. counternarcotic policies.
“The concept of a Majors List of countries of particular interest, with numerical definitions of drug cultivation or production (mainly plant-based), cannot keep pace with rapidly changing threats from synthetic drugs produced in and shipped from almost anywhere in the world,” the report said.
“A requirement for a theatrical public rollout of our ‘naughty and nice’ countries is similarly outdated”, the report adds.
Rep. Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, released the report on Tuesday, calling it “a breath of fresh air” and saying he hopes “it will serve as a blueprint” for the upcoming Joe Biden administration. On Thursday the Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing to examine the bipartisan commission’s findings.
According to the report, today’s drug markets are more diversified than in the past and keeping a list of drug-trafficking countries current “would mean constant updating of the law’s parameters to keep pace with drug trends,” the report said.
“Critics also contend that the ‘name and shame’ approach generates resentment, undermining the principle of shared responsibility, which recognized the role of U.S. demand for illicit drugs as well as Latin American supply,” the report said.
The commission also claimed in the report that the U.S. designation of countries that have “failed demonstrably” to meet its drug control obligations have often not been effective. It mentioned the case of Bolivia, whose designation “had little impact on the government of former President Evo Morales” and also “had little impact on US drug supply”.
Engel said in a press release on Tuesday that billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars “have been spent on counternarcotics efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean, but the results have been few and far between”.
The report recommends, among other things, to empower the State Department to develop and coordinate efforts to counter transnational criminal organizations abroad and to develop compact-based counternarcotics and law enforcement assistance programs with foreign partners.


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--California paid $400 million in jobless benefits to inmates

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California sent about $ 400 million in fraudulent unemployment benefit payments to state prisoners , a state official said Tuesday , nearly triple the amount disclosed last week and a number that could grow as a criminal investigation continues .
Nine county district attorneys and a federal prosecutor are investigating unemployment fraud involving payments from the California Employment Development Department , which was under intense pressure to quickly process millions of claims as the economic impact from the coronavirus intensified last spring .
Criminals took advantage by submitting numerous fraudulent claims , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prosecutors discovered the fraud included inmates working with people outside the prisons and last week estimated $ 140 million was paid to about 20,000 prisoners between March and August .
But Crystal Page , spokeswoman for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency that oversees the unemployment office , said a review of records now pegs the figure at about $ 400 million .
The new number includes not just the base benefits of $ 450 per week but also additional aid Congress approved during the pandemic - $ 600 per week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week for six weeks after that .
In all , records show benefit claims were submitted in the names of 31,000 inmates .
About 20,800 inmates were paid and another $ 80 million in claims involving the other prisoners were not , according to Page .
The new figure came after comparing jobless claims data with the Social Security numbers of state prison inmates .
That part of the investigation was slowed - to the great frustration of prosecutors - because of a state law that forbids the prison system from giving out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around that law by convincing the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Labor to issue a subpoena for the information in late September , according to Dana Simas , press secretary for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation .
The subpoena is only a temporary solution because it covers just records between March 1 and Oct. 30 .
State officials say they are working on a more permanent fix .
California OK ’ d benefits for at least 133 inmates on death row , including some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prosecutors said someone filed a claim in the name of Scott Peterson , who was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of his pregnant wife following a trial that gripped the nation .
It ’ s unclear how many inmates actually got the money .
It ’ s possible criminals applied for the benefits by stealing inmates ’ identities .
Peterson , whose death sentence was recently overturned by the California Supreme Court , did not apply or receive any unemployment benefits , according to his attorney Pat Harris .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors “ have quite a bit of evidence that the inmates are in on it , ” including recorded phone calls from prison where inmates brag about how much they and their families are being paid by the state .
“ We ’ re continuing to uncover more fraud , and the scale of it is frankly stunning , ” Hestrin said .
Hestrin is among the nine DAs leading a statewide task force that also includes U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott .
Prosecutors first disclosed the scheme during a news conference last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Employment Development Department that they said has hindered their investigation .
They sent Gov .
Gavin Newsom a letter asking him to get involved .
“ This has hardly been transparent at this point , ” said El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson , who is also president of the California District Attorneys Association .
Newsom responded to the letter Tuesday , saying he has been “ deeply alarmed ” by the problem .
He blamed the fraud in part on Congress ’ decision to expand unemployment benefits during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they were eligible .
“ While this helped many individuals in need during this pandemic , bad actors took advantage of the crisis to abuse the system , ” Newsom said .
Newsom tapped Mark Ghilarducci , director of the Governor ’ s Office of Emergency Services , to smooth things out by coordinating the state ’ s cooperation with the investigation .
Ghilarducci ’ s main job is to help multiple state and federal agencies cooperate when there is a natural disaster .
His skills could be useful in the investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re going to have to rethink our system here , ” Hestrin said .
“ The safeguards that were supposed to prevent this from happening didn ’ t work .
”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California sent about $400 million in fraudulent unemployment benefit payments to state prisoners, a state official said Tuesday, nearly triple the amount disclosed last week and a number that could grow as a criminal investigation continues.
Nine county district attorneys and a federal prosecutor are investigating unemployment fraud involving payments from the California Employment Development Department, which was under intense pressure to quickly process millions of claims as the economic impact from the coronavirus intensified last spring.
Criminals took advantage by submitting numerous fraudulent claims, many of which were approved by the state. Prosecutors discovered the fraud included inmates working with people outside the prisons and last week estimated $140 million was paid to about 20,000 prisoners between March and August.
But Crystal Page, spokeswoman for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency that oversees the unemployment office, said a review of records now pegs the figure at about $400 million.
The new number includes not just the base benefits of $450 per week but also additional aid Congress approved during the pandemic - $600 per week for four months plus $300 a week for six weeks after that.
In all, records show benefit claims were submitted in the names of 31,000 inmates. About 20,800 inmates were paid and another $80 million in claims involving the other prisoners were not, according to Page.
The new figure came after comparing jobless claims data with the Social Security numbers of state prison inmates. That part of the investigation was slowed - to the great frustration of prosecutors - because of a state law that forbids the prison system from giving out inmates’ numbers.
State officials got around that law by convincing the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Labor to issue a subpoena for the information in late September, according to Dana Simas, press secretary for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The subpoena is only a temporary solution because it covers just records between March 1 and Oct. 30. State officials say they are working on a more permanent fix.
California OK’d benefits for at least 133 inmates on death row, including some of the state’s most notorious serial killers. Prosecutors said someone filed a claim in the name of Scott Peterson, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of his pregnant wife following a trial that gripped the nation.
It’s unclear how many inmates actually got the money. It’s possible criminals applied for the benefits by stealing inmates’ identities. Peterson, whose death sentence was recently overturned by the California Supreme Court, did not apply or receive any unemployment benefits, according to his attorney Pat Harris.
Riverside County District Attorney Michael Hestrin said prosecutors “have quite a bit of evidence that the inmates are in on it,” including recorded phone calls from prison where inmates brag about how much they and their families are being paid by the state.
“We’re continuing to uncover more fraud, and the scale of it is frankly stunning,” Hestrin said.
Hestrin is among the nine DAs leading a statewide task force that also includes U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott. Prosecutors first disclosed the scheme during a news conference last week, where they decried the dysfunction of the Employment Development Department that they said has hindered their investigation. They sent Gov. Gavin Newsom a letter asking him to get involved.
“This has hardly been transparent at this point,” said El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson, who is also president of the California District Attorneys Association.
Newsom responded to the letter Tuesday, saying he has been “deeply alarmed” by the problem. He blamed the fraud in part on Congress’ decision to expand unemployment benefits during the pandemic while mostly relying on applicants to self-certify that they were eligible.
“While this helped many individuals in need during this pandemic, bad actors took advantage of the crisis to abuse the system,” Newsom said.
Newsom tapped Mark Ghilarducci, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, to smooth things out by coordinating the state’s cooperation with the investigation. Ghilarducci’s main job is to help multiple state and federal agencies cooperate when there is a natural disaster.
His skills could be useful in the investigation, which crosses multiple jurisdictional boundaries.
“We’re going to have to rethink our system here,” Hestrin said. “The safeguards that were supposed to prevent this from happening didn’t work.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Tennessee dismisses LB Kivon Bennett hours after arrest

KNOXVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - Tennessee dismissed outside linebacker Kivon Bennett from the football team on Tuesday , hours after he was arrested during a traffic stop .
“ There is a standard our student-athletes are expected to uphold at Tennessee , and today ’ s incident fell well short of that standard , ” coach Jeremy Pruitt said in a statement .
Bennett was stopped Tuesday around 11:21 a.m. by campus police , who clocked him driving 59 mph in a 45-mph zone .
The police report said an officer asked Bennett if he had marijuana in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did .
Police reported finding more than 44 grams of marijuana , a scale , 58 plastic baggies and a loaded 9mm handgun , according to the police report .
Having more than half an ounce of marijuana is a felony in Tennessee .
Bennett is the son of Cornelius Bennett , who was the No .
2 pick of the 1987 NFL Draft and a five-time Pro Bowler .
The younger Bennett was charged with felony marijuana possession and possession of a firearm during commission or attempt to commit a felony , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possession of a weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia .
Attorney Greg Isaacs ’ law firm is representing Bennett and he told the Knoxville News Sentinel the firm was investigating the stop and Bennett ’ s subsequent arrest .
Bennett is tied for the team lead with 4 1/2 sacks and had started four of seven games this season .

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee dismissed outside linebacker Kivon Bennett from the football team on Tuesday, hours after he was arrested during a traffic stop.
“There is a standard our student-athletes are expected to uphold at Tennessee, and today’s incident fell well short of that standard,” coach Jeremy Pruitt said in a statement.
Bennett was stopped Tuesday around 11:21 a.m. by campus police, who clocked him driving 59 mph in a 45-mph zone. The police report said an officer asked Bennett if he had marijuana in the vehicle and that Bennett said he did.
Police reported finding more than 44 grams of marijuana, a scale, 58 plastic baggies and a loaded 9mm handgun, according to the police report. Having more than half an ounce of marijuana is a felony in Tennessee.
Bennett is the son of Cornelius Bennett, who was the No. 2 pick of the 1987 NFL Draft and a five-time Pro Bowler.
The younger Bennett was charged with felony marijuana possession and possession of a firearm during commission or attempt to commit a felony, as well as two misdemeanors: unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Attorney Greg Isaacs’ law firm is representing Bennett and he told the Knoxville News Sentinel the firm was investigating the stop and Bennett’s subsequent arrest.
Bennett is tied for the team lead with 4 1/2 sacks and had started four of seven games this season.
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


washingtontimes--2020-12-01--Washington secretary of state certifies election results

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman on Tuesday certified the final results of Washington state ’ s election , two days ahead of the deadline .
The state saw its second-highest turnout percentage , with 84.14 % of the state ’ s nearly 4.9 million voters casting a ballot .
President-elect Joe Biden , who won 58 % of the state ’ s vote , will receive the state ’ s 12 electoral votes at the Electoral College on Dec. 14 .
There were still a record number of voters participating in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters casting a ballot this year , compared to the 3 million cast in 2008 , when the state record of 84.6 % was set .
Wyman said the increase in voter numbers is due in part to the population increase in the state over the years , as well as voter access laws , including same-day registration .
She noted that in the two weeks leading up to Election Day , more than 55,000 people registered to vote , 20 % of whom registered on Election Day .
“ Throughout this election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and eager to make their voices heard , ” Wyman said in a written statement .

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman on Tuesday certified the final results of Washington state’s election, two days ahead of the deadline.
The state saw its second-highest turnout percentage, with 84.14% of the state’s nearly 4.9 million voters casting a ballot. President-elect Joe Biden, who won 58% of the state’s vote, will receive the state’s 12 electoral votes at the Electoral College on Dec. 14.
There were still a record number of voters participating in the election, with more than 4.1 million voters casting a ballot this year, compared to the 3 million cast in 2008, when the state record of 84.6% was set.
Wyman said the increase in voter numbers is due in part to the population increase in the state over the years, as well as voter access laws, including same-day registration. She noted that in the two weeks leading up to Election Day, more than 55,000 people registered to vote, 20% of whom registered on Election Day.
“Throughout this election season, voters were energized, engaged, and eager to make their voices heard,” Wyman said in a written statement.