washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Man charged with murder in 89-year-old grandmother's death

CARTERET , N.J. ( AP ) - A man has been charged with murder in the death of his 89-year-old @ @ @ @ @ found in her central New Jersey home this summer .
Shawn Gonzalez , 39 , @ @ @ @ @ pending a detention hearing , according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor ’ s Office .
@ @ @ @ @ Wednesday if he ’ s retained an attorney .
Gonzalez is charged in the Aug. @ @ @ @ @ , whose body was found in a chair at her Carteret home by emergency responders @ @ @ @ @ Authorities said Gonzalez had fatally assaulted Babij earlier that day , but have not provided @ @ @ @ @ spurred the attack .
A cause of death for Babij has not been disclosed .

CARTERET, N.J. (AP) - A man has been charged with murder in the death of his 89-year-old grandmother, whose body was found in her central New Jersey home this summer.
Shawn Gonzalez, 39, of Carteret, remains jailed pending a detention hearing, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. It wasn’t known Wednesday if he’s retained an attorney.
Gonzalez is charged in the Aug. 27 death of Dolores Babij, whose body was found in a chair at her Carteret home by emergency responders after someone called 911. Authorities said Gonzalez had fatally assaulted Babij earlier that day, but have not provided further details or said what spurred the attack.
A cause of death for Babij has not been disclosed.


Editorial Roundup: US

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad : The Washington Post on President Donald Trump ’ s final month in office : While Americans prepare to celebrate the holiday season , President Trump and his hardcore supporters are contemplating a turbulent final month that could make the rest of his chaotic presidency look placid .
As Mr. Trump sidelines even some of his most loyal aides and allies , the few checks that remained on the president ’ s behavior are eroding , potentially leading to a Jan. 6 showdown over electoral votes on Capitol Hill that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials and even some presidential aides are reportedly bracing for what might come next .
The possibilities include strange orders to the armed forces , mass firings in key national security departments , more bizarre pardons , demands to prosecute Trump political enemies or the appointment of one or several special counsels to force the Justice Department to investigate bogus claims of election irregularities and other Trump obsessions .
These possibilities have led senior government officials to deliver extraordinary public statements .
Attorney General William P. Barr , whose last day is Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence of “ systemic or broad-based ” election fraud and no basis for seizing election machines , appointing a special counsel to investigate voting irregularities or tapping a special counsel to examine President-elect Joe Biden ’ s son Hunter .
Meanwhile , responding to suggestions of martial law from some of those in Mr. Trump ’ s orbit , the Army chief of staff , Gen. James C. McConville , and Army Secretary Ryan D. McCarthy declared Friday that “ there is no role for the U.S. military in determining the outcome of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these statements - while feeling horrified that they are necessary .
Necessary for Army brass to say that the military will not help stage a coup .
Necessary for the attorney general to make clear that federal law enforcement authorities will not help the president overturn an election he lost .
What seems increasingly likely is a Capitol Hill fight on Jan. 6 , in which a distressingly large number of Republican lawmakers might move to strike the electoral votes of several swing states in a desperate effort to deny Americans their duly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservatives has been plotting at the White House with Mr. Trump and Vice President Pence .
Mr. Pence ’ s presence is notable because he will preside over the electoral vote counting at the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress .
If just a single senator signs on to the objections , lawmakers must engage in a lengthy debate and vote that would serve as another toxic loyalty test for congressional Republicans : Mr. Trump or democracy .
Incoming Alabama senator Tommy Tuberville ( R ) has already signaled interest in forcing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tempted to sign on to the objections or vote to sustain them , calculating that the Democratic House and a handful of GOP senators will vote to uphold Mr. Biden ’ s victory , anyway .
But their votes would not be costless .
Their collaboration with Mr. Trump would heighten the chances of a future Congress controlled by one party overturning the results of a presidential election , based on fake fraud allegations .
Republican lawmakers who are cowering before Mr. Trump must find the self-respect that Mr. Barr , Pentagon officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several days .
Indulging Mr. Trump ’ s lies about a stolen election and his corrupt efforts to negate the people ’ s will corrodes self-government and stains their reputations forever .
The Los Angles Times on the coronavirus relief bill : Close to one-fifth of the $ 908 billion proposed in Congress ’ long-awaited coronavirus relief bill will be sent directly to American taxpayers in the form of “ Economic Impact Payments ” - checks of up to $ 600 per person .
The $ 166 billion devoted to these payments is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , trailing only the $ 325 billion for loans to help struggling small businesses .
And yet , in the view of some critics , the amount isn ’ t nearly enough .
” $ 600 is not ‘ a lot ’ for families , ” author Don Winslow said in a tweet that typified the pushback , “ and … the people who said it was ‘ a lot ’ are detached from the pain of millions of Americans .
It will not help them in any real or meaningful way.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will make only a small dent in the fiscal problems faced by some Americans .
At the same time , they will pad the savings accounts of millions of Americans who are not struggling .
That ’ s because the payments are the least efficient and most poorly targeted element of the bill .
The full amount will be available to individuals earning up to $ 75,000 per year and to couples earning up to $ 150,000 ; at least some dollars will flow to individuals with adjusted gross incomes of up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to $ 198,000 .
That ’ s about 85 % of the population .
Dumping money broadly across the public is not a bad idea when the economy needs a spark .
But the economy , which rebounded sharply in the summer only to level off in recent weeks , doesn ’ t need stimulus at this point .
The public needs relief - not everyone , just the minority who ’ ve experienced the pandemic most acutely .
Other parts of the bill will funnel aid more exclusively to people in crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping renters and increasing food stamp benefits .
Beyond that are the provisions that respond to other pandemic-related needs , including aid for small employers , local bus and rail services , child care centers , schools and the Postal Service .
There ’ s also more than $ 50 billion to help distribute COVID-19 vaccines and run testing and tracing programs to try to contain the disease .
All of those programs are important , and in the case of unemployment benefits and rental assistance , the needs will almost certainly continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , many state and local governments , whose efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus have raised their costs and slashed their tax collections , are facing severe budget shortages that could force extensive layoffs .
The latest relief bill will help those governments in some specific ways - for example , by covering some pandemic-related healthcare costs - but it doesn ’ t provide the magnitude or breadth of help that local governments have been desperately seeking .
So Monday ’ s measure is a temporary one .
The question is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up again next year to address the problems that remain - and the ones that will return after the latest injection of aid runs out .
On that point , the signs are not encouraging .
Congressional Republicans have voiced more concern about the burgeoning federal budget deficit , something they showed no interest in when they controlled both houses of Congress and the presidency .
It ’ s worth remembering that in the last recession , Republican opposition to stimulus efforts after the passage of the $ 800-billion American Recovery and Reinvestment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pace of economic growth .
With future funding uncertain , you might argue that Congress should have provided significantly larger checks to help people through the current crisis .
But given how poorly targeted the program is , bigger checks would also mean even more money flowing to people who don ’ t need it .
The perceived waste will only lend ammunition to the lawmakers who don ’ t want to provide more aid of any kind next year .
A better answer would have been to provide significantly larger checks just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reach of the government ’ s financial safety net - for example , lower-income Americans struggling to pay an unexpected car repair bill or medical expense .
And that ’ s really hard to do , especially when you ’ re trying to get the aid out quickly .
The proposal unveiled Monday is as unsatisfying as any compromise , but the amount of money overall is significant .
Considering that Senate Republicans were willing to provide only $ 500 billion as recently as October ( and much of that money was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new bill is a welcome step forward .
The next challenge will be to make sure it isn ’ t the last step in the right direction .
The Wall Street Journal on the Democrats response to the coronavirus relief bill : No sooner had Congress passed Covid relief and a budget bill totaling $ 2.3 trillion on Monday than Democrats were already demanding more .
Joe Biden called it a mere “ down payment ” and Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it is “ a first step.
” They want bailouts for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest Census report shows states are doing far better than they claim .
States are also doing very well in this latest Covid bill .
Start with the $ 26 billion for transit agencies , airports and shovel-ready public works .
This will help New York ’ s transit and port authorities reduce their financial holes .
There ’ s also $ 22 billion for the states for Covid testing and contact tracing , though insurers and the feds cover the cost of tests .
States will use it for more budget backfill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month that 25 LA County firefighters had made more than $ 100,000 on average in overtime by ferrying test supplies , most of which was reimbursed by federal Cares Act funds .
Education will get a whopping $ 82 billion , about $ 54 billion of which will go to K-12 schools though many are closed and employ fewer staff .
That ’ s about as much as the federal government spends on K-12 in a normal year .
The bill also provides $ 3.2 billion for broadband for low-income families , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay for that .
States will also benefit from the federal enhanced $ 300 weekly unemployment benefits , which are taxable income in most states .
The jobless benefit sweetener will especially help states with higher unemployment such as New Jersey ( 10.2 % ) , Hawaii ( 10.1 % ) , New York ( 8.4 % ) , Connecticut ( 8.2 % ) and California ( 8.2 % ) .
New Bureau of Economic Analysis data show how blue states that shut down more businesses have reaped larger federal payments .
Transfer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 67.6 % ) , California ( 54.6 % ) , Illinois ( 51.7 % ) , and New York ( 44.7 % ) than for Arizona ( 35.4 % ) , Florida ( 26.5 % ) , Wisconsin ( 22.5 % ) and South Dakota ( 20.9 % ) from the third quarter of 2019 to the third quarter of 2020 .
At the same time , wages and salaries increased significantly more in states that allowed more businesses to reopen such as Arizona ( 4.7 % ) , South Dakota ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % ) and Wisconsin ( 2.9 % ) than in states that maintained stricter lockdowns like New York ( -1.6 % ) , New Jersey ( -1 % ) , Illinois ( 0.2 % ) and California ( 2.3 % ) .
See the nearby charts .
Florida took an earnings hit because its hospitality industry was slammed especially hard by the pandemic .
Silicon Valley , on the other hand , has remained buoyant , with California ’ s professional , scientific and tech service earnings up 4.5 % year-over-year , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and Utah ( 8.5 % ) , which have benefited from California ’ s tech job outsourcing .
The Golden State is also rolling in tax revenue amid the stock market ’ s boom and tech initial public offerings .
Its November revenues were 16.4 % higher year-over-year and so far this fiscal year are 20.4 % above the state ’ s spring estimate .
The Census Bureau reported last week that total state and local government tax revenues for the 12 months ending in September were up $ 46.4 billion ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax revenue has increased 3.3 % and property tax revenues 4.7 % while sales taxes have dipped a mere 0.4 % .
The Federal Reserve ’ s interventions have lifted housing prices and stock-market capital gains .
Increased asset values have also produced a “ wealth effect , ” which in addition to government transfer payments has boosted spending .
The bottom 20 % of households account for 9 % of consumer spending compared to 39 % by the top 20 % .
Democrats aren ’ t talking about all this because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Administration takes power .
But state and local governments have already received plenty of federal Covid cash .
They want more so they can pay off public unions and avoid reforming their runaway pensions .
The next Congress should do taxpayers a favor and just say no , we already gave at the office .
The Chicago Sun Times on Gen. Gustave F. Perna apologizing for shipping fewer Pfizer Covid vaccine doses than expected : We can ’ t learn from our mistakes if we don ’ t fess up to them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear Gen. Gustave F. Perna , head of the federal effort to distribute coronavirus vaccines , offer an actual apology - just when we feared the word had been stricken from the dictionary of politics .
Perna took the blame for the confusion created when the federal government miscalculated how many doses of Pfizer-BioNTech ’ s vaccine could be shipped .
At least 14 states , including Illinois , learned they would not be getting as many of the vials as they expected .
On Dec. 16 , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 million doses had been reduced to 4.3 million doses .
“ It was my fault , ” Perna said .
“ It was a planning error , and I am responsible.
” How often lately have we heard words like that from any top federal official , though the government ’ s response to the pandemic has been appallingly bad ?
Never once before , as best we can recall .
Nobody says “ I apologize.
” Nobody says “ I am responsible.
” At a time when it ’ s critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , our judgment is that we ’ re lucky to have Perna heading the effort .
We ’ ll take integrity over perfection any time .
We should also heed the general ’ s fear , expressed on “ 60 Minutes ” recently , that too few people might line up to get the shots .
Perna looks to be doing his job .
We had better do ours .
The Seattle Times on philanthropist MacKenzie Scott $ 4.16 billion donation to serval American organizations , including several historically black colleges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of giving , the announcement that MacKenzie Scott is giving $ 4.16 billion to hundreds of American organizations sent a powerful message .
In a tsunami of philanthropy , she leapt toward fulfillment of her May 2019 pledge to donate the majority of her wealth to help others .
In the process , she exemplified for the nation ’ s hundreds of other billionaires how to give back after getting much .
The jaw-dropping sum is only part of what makes Scott ’ s act so impressive .
It is a fortune by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lives of an immense number of people .
But the range of organizations chosen to receive the money - and the effort Scott put into vetting that list - deserves as much praise as the cash involved .
The 384 recipients came from a potential pool of more than 6,000 organizations , Scott wrote in her blog .
Her team analyzed 822 of that group closely and set aside more than half of them after examining operational structures and organizational effectiveness .
This diligence sent the donations where their effect has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” as described by the leader of one of five Washington recipients , Cathy Bisaillon , CEO of Easterseals Washington .
Worthy recipients stretch from Alaska to Puerto Rico , encompassing historically Black universities , food banks , legal defense funds and economic-empowerment programs .
The other Washington recipients are Walla Walla Community College , the YMCA of Greater Seattle , The Pride Foundation and Craft3 , which invests in businesses owned by people of color .
This philanthropic agenda thoughtfully addresses a nation wearied by a pandemic and strained by systemic inequities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the donations - “ with full trust and no strings attached , ” she wrote - means the organizations her team found well-run and effective don ’ t have to waste time proving grant compliance .
People already doing this world some good can now do more of it , thanks to Scott ’ s work .
And wealthy people who want to become better givers now have a world-class template for how to do it .
Thank you , MacKenzie Scott .
The Guardian on a new and seemingly more contagious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The lockdown in the south-east of England may be the shape of things to come .
Sixteen million people are under new severe tier 4 restrictions and there are suggestions that these tougher new rules could be in place for months .
Many more across the country have seen their plans torn up at the 11th hour .
The reason for the government ’ s change of plan is a new strain of the virus , dubbed B117 , that appears no more lethal than the original Sars-CoV-2 but is much more transmissible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK , fearful that a mutant pathogen , homegrown in Kent , will spread across our borders and seas .
If the new virus ’ s effect on the rate of transmission is as bad as government advisers ’ fear then we will need a national shutdown of the kind imposed in March .
The prime minister should have acted sooner .
He may not have known exactly what was driving the growth in Covid cases but ministers have been aware for a week that something was going wrong .
On Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Service Journal warned that if current trends continued , even without the planned Christmas relaxation , there were likely to be 19,000 Covid patients in English hospitals by New Year ’ s Eve – the same as at the peak of the first wave in April .
There are calls by influential Conservative backbenchers for the health secretary , Matt Hancock , to resign , but the buck stops with his boss .
On planet Boris Johnson it was all going to be terribly easy .
Back here on Earth , reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Mr. Johnson doesn ’ t have it .
The UK has registered a new daily record of coronavirus cases , reporting 35,928 new infections and 326 deaths on Sunday .
The most important way to reduce the emergence of new mutants is to limit the spread of the virus .
For the third time in a year , the government refused to face the facts and take the necessary action until much too late .
Those delays have not only cost thousands of lives but have , cumulatively , shredded the trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is all the more frustrating as the vaccine rollout offered new hope .
More than ever , given increased infectivity , Mr. Johnson needs to get an effective test-and-trace system and devise a proper support system for people to self-isolate .
The prime minister ought to come up with a funded plan to make schools safe .
Without these measures , Mr. Johnson does not have a snowball ’ s chance in hell of escaping from months of lockdown purgatory .
A mutant virus can not wholly explain why we are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failures that have led us here .
The government ought to pursue a zero-Covid strategy that Independent Sage has long advocated .
Compliance should not and can not rely upon coercion .
Had the government been wiser in setting rules , and more effective in communicating the regulations and advice and the reasons for them , it would not now be in the absurd position of sending police to urge people not to board trains home .
Over this year , goodwill has not only been drained by the cumulative effect of lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flouting of lockdown by Dominic Cummings and the discovery that while millions are struggling economically , the chumocracy has prospered from government handouts dished out with little scrutiny .
That the bulk of the public still wants to do the right thing is despite , not because , of the government .

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:
___
Dec. 22
The Washington Post on President Donald Trump’s final month in office:
While Americans prepare to celebrate the holiday season, President Trump and his hardcore supporters are contemplating a turbulent final month that could make the rest of his chaotic presidency look placid. As Mr. Trump sidelines even some of his most loyal aides and allies, the few checks that remained on the president’s behavior are eroding, potentially leading to a Jan. 6 showdown over electoral votes on Capitol Hill that could further damage U.S. democracy.
Government officials and even some presidential aides are reportedly bracing for what might come next. The possibilities include strange orders to the armed forces, mass firings in key national security departments, more bizarre pardons, demands to prosecute Trump political enemies or the appointment of one or several special counsels to force the Justice Department to investigate bogus claims of election irregularities and other Trump obsessions.
These possibilities have led senior government officials to deliver extraordinary public statements. Attorney General William P. Barr, whose last day is Wednesday, has said that he saw no evidence of “systemic or broad-based” election fraud and no basis for seizing election machines, appointing a special counsel to investigate voting irregularities or tapping a special counsel to examine President-elect Joe Biden’s son Hunter. Meanwhile, responding to suggestions of martial law from some of those in Mr. Trump’s orbit, the Army chief of staff, Gen. James C. McConville, and Army Secretary Ryan D. McCarthy declared Friday that “there is no role for the U.S. military in determining the outcome of an American election.” Americans can appreciate these statements - while feeling horrified that they are necessary. Necessary for Army brass to say that the military will not help stage a coup. Necessary for the attorney general to make clear that federal law enforcement authorities will not help the president overturn an election he lost.
What seems increasingly likely is a Capitol Hill fight on Jan. 6, in which a distressingly large number of Republican lawmakers might move to strike the electoral votes of several swing states in a desperate effort to deny Americans their duly elected government. A cabal of House conservatives has been plotting at the White House with Mr. Trump and Vice President Pence. Mr. Pence’s presence is notable because he will preside over the electoral vote counting at the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress.
If just a single senator signs on to the objections, lawmakers must engage in a lengthy debate and vote that would serve as another toxic loyalty test for congressional Republicans: Mr. Trump or democracy. Incoming Alabama senator Tommy Tuberville (R) has already signaled interest in forcing that vote. Many Republican lawmakers will be tempted to sign on to the objections or vote to sustain them, calculating that the Democratic House and a handful of GOP senators will vote to uphold Mr. Biden’s victory, anyway. But their votes would not be costless. Their collaboration with Mr. Trump would heighten the chances of a future Congress controlled by one party overturning the results of a presidential election, based on fake fraud allegations.
Republican lawmakers who are cowering before Mr. Trump must find the self-respect that Mr. Barr, Pentagon officials and others have summoned over the past several days. Indulging Mr. Trump’s lies about a stolen election and his corrupt efforts to negate the people’s will corrodes self-government and stains their reputations forever.
Online: https://www.washingtonpost.com/
___
Dec. 22
The Los Angles Times on the coronavirus relief bill:
Close to one-fifth of the $908 billion proposed in Congress’ long-awaited coronavirus relief bill will be sent directly to American taxpayers in the form of “Economic Impact Payments” - checks of up to $600 per person. The $166 billion devoted to these payments is the second-largest line item in the bill, trailing only the $325 billion for loans to help struggling small businesses.
And yet, in the view of some critics, the amount isn’t nearly enough. ”$600 is not ‘a lot’ for families,” author Don Winslow said in a tweet that typified the pushback, “and … the people who said it was ‘a lot’ are detached from the pain of millions of Americans. It will not help them in any real or meaningful way.”
The critics are right that the checks will make only a small dent in the fiscal problems faced by some Americans. At the same time, they will pad the savings accounts of millions of Americans who are not struggling.
That’s because the payments are the least efficient and most poorly targeted element of the bill. The full amount will be available to individuals earning up to $75,000 per year and to couples earning up to $150,000; at least some dollars will flow to individuals with adjusted gross incomes of up to $99,000 and couples with AGIs up to $198,000. That’s about 85% of the population.
Dumping money broadly across the public is not a bad idea when the economy needs a spark. But the economy, which rebounded sharply in the summer only to level off in recent weeks, doesn’t need stimulus at this point. The public needs relief - not everyone, just the minority who’ve experienced the pandemic most acutely.
Other parts of the bill will funnel aid more exclusively to people in crisis, extending and enlarging unemployment benefits, helping renters and increasing food stamp benefits. Beyond that are the provisions that respond to other pandemic-related needs, including aid for small employers, local bus and rail services, child care centers, schools and the Postal Service. There’s also more than $50 billion to help distribute COVID-19 vaccines and run testing and tracing programs to try to contain the disease.
All of those programs are important, and in the case of unemployment benefits and rental assistance, the needs will almost certainly continue after the money is exhausted. Meanwhile, many state and local governments, whose efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus have raised their costs and slashed their tax collections, are facing severe budget shortages that could force extensive layoffs. The latest relief bill will help those governments in some specific ways - for example, by covering some pandemic-related healthcare costs - but it doesn’t provide the magnitude or breadth of help that local governments have been desperately seeking.
So Monday’s measure is a temporary one. The question is whether Congress will be willing to step up again next year to address the problems that remain - and the ones that will return after the latest injection of aid runs out.
On that point, the signs are not encouraging. Congressional Republicans have voiced more concern about the burgeoning federal budget deficit, something they showed no interest in when they controlled both houses of Congress and the presidency. It’s worth remembering that in the last recession, Republican opposition to stimulus efforts after the passage of the $800-billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009 contributed to the sluggish pace of economic growth.
With future funding uncertain, you might argue that Congress should have provided significantly larger checks to help people through the current crisis. But given how poorly targeted the program is, bigger checks would also mean even more money flowing to people who don’t need it. The perceived waste will only lend ammunition to the lawmakers who don’t want to provide more aid of any kind next year.
A better answer would have been to provide significantly larger checks just to people with problems that fall outside the reach of the government’s financial safety net - for example, lower-income Americans struggling to pay an unexpected car repair bill or medical expense. And that’s really hard to do, especially when you’re trying to get the aid out quickly.
The proposal unveiled Monday is as unsatisfying as any compromise, but the amount of money overall is significant. Considering that Senate Republicans were willing to provide only $500 billion as recently as October (and much of that money was recycled from previous measures), the new bill is a welcome step forward. The next challenge will be to make sure it isn’t the last step in the right direction.
Online: https://www.latimes.com/
___
Dec. 22
The Wall Street Journal on the Democrats response to the coronavirus relief bill:
No sooner had Congress passed Covid relief and a budget bill totaling $2.3 trillion on Monday than Democrats were already demanding more. Joe Biden called it a mere “down payment” and Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it is “a first step.” They want bailouts for the states in particular, even as the latest Census report shows states are doing far better than they claim.
States are also doing very well in this latest Covid bill. Start with the $26 billion for transit agencies, airports and shovel-ready public works. This will help New York’s transit and port authorities reduce their financial holes.
There’s also $22 billion for the states for Covid testing and contact tracing, though insurers and the feds cover the cost of tests. States will use it for more budget backfill. The Los Angeles Times reported last month that 25 LA County firefighters had made more than $100,000 on average in overtime by ferrying test supplies, most of which was reimbursed by federal Cares Act funds.
Education will get a whopping $82 billion, about $54 billion of which will go to K-12 schools though many are closed and employ fewer staff. That’s about as much as the federal government spends on K-12 in a normal year. The bill also provides $3.2 billion for broadband for low-income families, so public schools don’t have to pay for that.
States will also benefit from the federal enhanced $300 weekly unemployment benefits, which are taxable income in most states. The jobless benefit sweetener will especially help states with higher unemployment such as New Jersey (10.2%), Hawaii (10.1%), New York (8.4%), Connecticut (8.2%) and California (8.2%).
New Bureau of Economic Analysis data show how blue states that shut down more businesses have reaped larger federal payments. Transfer receipts grew significantly more for New Jersey (67.6%), California (54.6%), Illinois (51.7%), and New York (44.7%) than for Arizona (35.4%), Florida (26.5%), Wisconsin (22.5%) and South Dakota (20.9%) from the third quarter of 2019 to the third quarter of 2020.
At the same time, wages and salaries increased significantly more in states that allowed more businesses to reopen such as Arizona (4.7%), South Dakota (5.5%), Florida (1.7%) and Wisconsin (2.9%) than in states that maintained stricter lockdowns like New York (-1.6%), New Jersey (-1%), Illinois (0.2%) and California (2.3%). See the nearby charts.
Florida took an earnings hit because its hospitality industry was slammed especially hard by the pandemic. Silicon Valley, on the other hand, has remained buoyant, with California’s professional, scientific and tech service earnings up 4.5% year-over-year, though less than in Idaho (7.4%) and Utah (8.5%), which have benefited from California’s tech job outsourcing.
The Golden State is also rolling in tax revenue amid the stock market’s boom and tech initial public offerings. Its November revenues were 16.4% higher year-over-year and so far this fiscal year are 20.4% above the state’s spring estimate.
The Census Bureau reported last week that total state and local government tax revenues for the 12 months ending in September were up $46.4 billion (3%) year-over-year. Personal income tax revenue has increased 3.3% and property tax revenues 4.7% while sales taxes have dipped a mere 0.4%.
The Federal Reserve’s interventions have lifted housing prices and stock-market capital gains. Increased asset values have also produced a “wealth effect,” which in addition to government transfer payments has boosted spending. The bottom 20% of households account for 9% of consumer spending compared to 39% by the top 20%.
Democrats aren’t talking about all this because they want to plead poverty as the Biden Administration takes power. But state and local governments have already received plenty of federal Covid cash. They want more so they can pay off public unions and avoid reforming their runaway pensions. The next Congress should do taxpayers a favor and just say no, we already gave at the office.
Online: https://www.wsj.com/
___
Dec. 21
The Chicago Sun Times on Gen. Gustave F. Perna apologizing for shipping fewer Pfizer Covid vaccine doses than expected:
We can’t learn from our mistakes if we don’t fess up to them.
So it was refreshing over the weekend to hear Gen. Gustave F. Perna, head of the federal effort to distribute coronavirus vaccines, offer an actual apology - just when we feared the word had been stricken from the dictionary of politics.
Perna took the blame for the confusion created when the federal government miscalculated how many doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine could be shipped. At least 14 states, including Illinois, learned they would not be getting as many of the vials as they expected. On Dec. 16, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the expected federal nationwide shipment of 8 million doses had been reduced to 4.3 million doses.
“It was my fault,” Perna said. “It was a planning error, and I am responsible.”
How often lately have we heard words like that from any top federal official, though the government’s response to the pandemic has been appallingly bad? Never once before, as best we can recall. Nobody says “I apologize.” Nobody says “I am responsible.”
At a time when it’s critical to get the vaccines distributed properly across the country, our judgment is that we’re lucky to have Perna heading the effort. We’ll take integrity over perfection any time.
We should also heed the general’s fear, expressed on “60 Minutes” recently, that too few people might line up to get the shots.
Perna looks to be doing his job. We had better do ours.
Online: https://chicago.suntimes.com/
___
Dec. 21
The Seattle Times on philanthropist MacKenzie Scott $4.16 billion donation to serval American organizations, including several historically black colleges and universities:
Even in this season of giving, the announcement that MacKenzie Scott is giving $4.16 billion to hundreds of American organizations sent a powerful message. In a tsunami of philanthropy, she leapt toward fulfillment of her May 2019 pledge to donate the majority of her wealth to help others. In the process, she exemplified for the nation’s hundreds of other billionaires how to give back after getting much.
The jaw-dropping sum is only part of what makes Scott’s act so impressive. It is a fortune by itself, one large enough to better the lives of an immense number of people. But the range of organizations chosen to receive the money - and the effort Scott put into vetting that list - deserves as much praise as the cash involved.
The 384 recipients came from a potential pool of more than 6,000 organizations, Scott wrote in her blog. Her team analyzed 822 of that group closely and set aside more than half of them after examining operational structures and organizational effectiveness.
This diligence sent the donations where their effect has the greatest chance to be “transformational,” as described by the leader of one of five Washington recipients, Cathy Bisaillon, CEO of Easterseals Washington. Worthy recipients stretch from Alaska to Puerto Rico, encompassing historically Black universities, food banks, legal defense funds and economic-empowerment programs. The other Washington recipients are Walla Walla Community College, the YMCA of Greater Seattle, The Pride Foundation and Craft3, which invests in businesses owned by people of color.
This philanthropic agenda thoughtfully addresses a nation wearied by a pandemic and strained by systemic inequities. And Scott’s hands-off terms for the donations - “with full trust and no strings attached,” she wrote - means the organizations her team found well-run and effective don’t have to waste time proving grant compliance.
People already doing this world some good can now do more of it, thanks to Scott’s work. And wealthy people who want to become better givers now have a world-class template for how to do it. Thank you, MacKenzie Scott.
Online: https://www.seattletimes.com/
___
Dec. 20
The Guardian on a new and seemingly more contagious strain of the coronavirus in England:
The lockdown in the south-east of England may be the shape of things to come. Sixteen million people are under new severe tier 4 restrictions and there are suggestions that these tougher new rules could be in place for months. Many more across the country have seen their plans torn up at the 11th hour. The reason for the government’s change of plan is a new strain of the virus, dubbed B117, that appears no more lethal than the original Sars-CoV-2 but is much more transmissible. European nations have banned flights from the UK, fearful that a mutant pathogen, homegrown in Kent, will spread across our borders and seas. If the new virus’s effect on the rate of transmission is as bad as government advisers’ fear then we will need a national shutdown of the kind imposed in March.
The prime minister should have acted sooner. He may not have known exactly what was driving the growth in Covid cases but ministers have been aware for a week that something was going wrong. On Tuesday, the British Medical Journal and the Health Service Journal warned that if current trends continued, even without the planned Christmas relaxation, there were likely to be 19,000 Covid patients in English hospitals by New Year’s Eve – the same as at the peak of the first wave in April.
There are calls by influential Conservative backbenchers for the health secretary, Matt Hancock, to resign, but the buck stops with his boss. On planet Boris Johnson it was all going to be terribly easy. Back here on Earth, reality has proved otherwise. Competence matters, and Mr. Johnson doesn’t have it. The UK has registered a new daily record of coronavirus cases, reporting 35,928 new infections and 326 deaths on Sunday.
The most important way to reduce the emergence of new mutants is to limit the spread of the virus. For the third time in a year, the government refused to face the facts and take the necessary action until much too late. Those delays have not only cost thousands of lives but have, cumulatively, shredded the trust in authority needed to boost compliance. This is all the more frustrating as the vaccine rollout offered new hope.
More than ever, given increased infectivity, Mr. Johnson needs to get an effective test-and-trace system and devise a proper support system for people to self-isolate. The prime minister ought to come up with a funded plan to make schools safe. Without these measures, Mr. Johnson does not have a snowball’s chance in hell of escaping from months of lockdown purgatory. A mutant virus cannot wholly explain why we are in this mess or distract from the other failures that have led us here. The government ought to pursue a zero-Covid strategy that Independent Sage has long advocated.
Compliance should not and cannot rely upon coercion. Had the government been wiser in setting rules, and more effective in communicating the regulations and advice and the reasons for them, it would not now be in the absurd position of sending police to urge people not to board trains home. Over this year, goodwill has not only been drained by the cumulative effect of lockdown, but squandered by official incompetence, the flouting of lockdown by Dominic Cummings and the discovery that while millions are struggling economically, the chumocracy has prospered from government handouts dished out with little scrutiny. That the bulk of the public still wants to do the right thing is despite, not because, of the government.
Online: https://www.theguardian.com/


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Man found dead at rural Dallas County intersection

ADEL , Iowa ( AP ) - A man was found dead early Tuesday at a rural intersection in Dallas @ @ @ @ @ they are investigating the killing as a homicide .
The Dallas County Sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ about 1:30 a.m. to an intersection in rural Adel , where they found a man @ @ @ @ @ He was pronounced dead at the scene .
The sheriff ’ s office said the @ @ @ @ @ to be at danger from anyone involved in the shooting .
The sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Criminal Investigation are continuing an investigation .

ADEL, Iowa (AP) - A man was found dead early Tuesday at a rural intersection in Dallas County, and authorities said they are investigating the killing as a homicide.
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called about 1:30 a.m. to an intersection in rural Adel, where they found a man with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man wasn’t immediately identified.
The sheriff’s office said the public isn’t believed to be at danger from anyone involved in the shooting.
The sheriff’s office and state Division of Criminal Investigation are continuing an investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--VW recalls Beetles to replace Takata air bag inflators

DETROIT ( AP ) - Volkswagen is recalling over 105,000 Beetles with faulty Takata front driver ’ s air bags that can explode and hurl shrapnel .
The recall covers Beetles from the 2012 through 2014 model years .
Dealers will replace the front driver ’ s air bags at no cost to owners starting on Feb. 12 .
Takata used volatile ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate the bags in a crash .
But the chemical can degrade when exposed to high heat and humidity and burn too fast , blowing apart a metal canister .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exploding inflators , including 18 in the U.S. Volkswagen says in government documents that the inflators have a moisture-absorbing chemical and do not pose an unreasonable safety risk .
But it ’ s recalling them at the behest of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , which is concerned that the air bags could explode over time .
Exploding Takata inflators caused the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history , with at least 63 million inflators recalled .
The U.S. government says that as of September , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide .

DETROIT (AP) - Volkswagen is recalling over 105,000 Beetles with faulty Takata front driver’s air bags that can explode and hurl shrapnel.
The recall covers Beetles from the 2012 through 2014 model years.
Dealers will replace the front driver’s air bags at no cost to owners starting on Feb. 12.
Takata used volatile ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate the bags in a crash. But the chemical can degrade when exposed to high heat and humidity and burn too fast, blowing apart a metal canister. Twenty-seven people have been killed worldwide by the exploding inflators, including 18 in the U.S.
Volkswagen says in government documents that the inflators have a moisture-absorbing chemical and do not pose an unreasonable safety risk. But it’s recalling them at the behest of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is concerned that the air bags could explode over time.
Exploding Takata inflators caused the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 63 million inflators recalled. The U.S. government says that as of September, more than 11.1 million had not been fixed. About 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Environmental groups renew legal attacks against pipeline

ROANOKE , Va. ( AP ) - A coalition of environmental groups is making another legal attack against the Mountain @ @ @ @ @ Virginia and Virginia .
The Roanoke Times reported Tuesday that the environmental groups are contesting @ @ @ @ @ recent decision to allow the troubled project to move forward .
A Federal Energy Regulatory @ @ @ @ @ construction of the pipeline to resume .
The order also extended for another two years @ @ @ @ @ An attorney for Appalachian Mountain Advocates , which represents seven environmental groups , has asked @ @ @ @ @ for the District of Columbia to review FERC ’ s order .
Environmental groups have @ @ @ @ @ blasting that they say impacts threatened and endangered species .
Mountain Valley has been cited @ @ @ @ @ to curb muddy runoff from construction sites .
An official with the federal agency declined @ @ @ @ @ policy of not talking about pending litigation .
Mountain Valley said in a statement that @ @ @ @ @ about stopping the pipeline , not environmental protection .

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) - A coalition of environmental groups is making another legal attack against the Mountain Valley Pipeline project in West Virginia and Virginia.
The Roanoke Times reported Tuesday that the environmental groups are contesting a federal agency’s recent decision to allow the troubled project to move forward.
A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission order in October allowed construction of the pipeline to resume. The order also extended for another two years its deadline for completion.
An attorney for Appalachian Mountain Advocates, which represents seven environmental groups, has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to review FERC’s order. Environmental groups have raised concerns about sedimentation and blasting that they say impacts threatened and endangered species.
Mountain Valley has been cited repeatedly by regulators for failing to curb muddy runoff from construction sites.
An official with the federal agency declined to comment because of its policy of not talking about pending litigation. Mountain Valley said in a statement that the most recent filing is about stopping the pipeline, not environmental protection.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Florida teacher accused of insulting students suspended

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - A South Florida middle school teacher accused of regularly insulting her students , often about their nationality or intelligence , has had her educator license suspended for six months by Florida education officials .
The school district in Palm Beach County had moved to fire Susan Oyer in March , but her termination was never approved by the school board .
Instead , she reached a settlement with the state Department of Education in which her license was suspended for six months , according to The Palm Beach Post .
Records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raton Middle School , is no longer employed by the school district .
She isn ’ t allowed to teach during the six-month suspension but she can return to the classroom afterward , according to the settlement approved earlier this month .
According to education officials , the teacher once threatened to call immigration authorities on a student , and another time referred to a student as “ Oh look , Ms.
I ’ m-Not-Even-American talking.
” Another time , she told a student , “ I ’ m surprised your parents haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” according to a state affidavit .
Oyer ’ s license will remain on probation for three years after her suspension ends .
She must also pay a $ 1,000 fine and take a classroom management course .
Oyer did not deny the allegations but was not required to admit fault as part of the settlement .

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A South Florida middle school teacher accused of regularly insulting her students, often about their nationality or intelligence, has had her educator license suspended for six months by Florida education officials.
The school district in Palm Beach County had moved to fire Susan Oyer in March, but her termination was never approved by the school board. Instead, she reached a settlement with the state Department of Education in which her license was suspended for six months, according to The Palm Beach Post.
Records show Oyer, who taught at Boca Raton Middle School, is no longer employed by the school district. She isn’t allowed to teach during the six-month suspension but she can return to the classroom afterward, according to the settlement approved earlier this month.
According to education officials, the teacher once threatened to call immigration authorities on a student, and another time referred to a student as “Oh look, Ms. I’m-Not-Even-American talking.”
Another time, she told a student, “I’m surprised your parents haven’t thrown you into a wall,” according to a state affidavit.
Oyer’s license will remain on probation for three years after her suspension ends. She must also pay a $1,000 fine and take a classroom management course. Oyer did not deny the allegations but was not required to admit fault as part of the settlement.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Orders for big-ticket manufactured goods up 0.9% in November

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticketed manufactured goods rose a moderate 0.9 % in November @ @ @ @ @ tracks business investment plans showing a gain .
The November gain in orders for durable @ @ @ @ @ last at least three years , followed stronger gains in recent months including a 3.8 @ @ @ @ @ the Commerce Department said Wednesday .
A key category that serves as a proxy for @ @ @ @ @ modest 0.4 % in November following much stronger gains of 3.6 % in October and @ @ @ @ @ Analysts are concerned that business investment could begin to fade if the resurgence of the @ @ @ @ @ strength in November included a 3.4 % rise in demand for motor vehicles and parts @ @ @ @ @ following a 2.5 % drop in October .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticketed manufactured goods rose a moderate 0.9% in November with a key category that tracks business investment plans showing a gain.
The November gain in orders for durable goods, items expected to last at least three years, followed stronger gains in recent months including a 3.8% rise in October, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.
A key category that serves as a proxy for business investment spending rose a modest 0.4% in November following much stronger gains of 3.6% in October and 3.9% in September.
Analysts are concerned that business investment could begin to fade if the resurgence of the coronavirus curtails demand.
The strength in November included a 3.4% rise in demand for motor vehicles and parts, which represented a rebound following a 2.5% drop in October.
Overall, orders for transportation equipment rose by 1.9%. Demand for commercial aircraft fell by 2.9% as the airline industry continued to be battered by a slump in travel due to the pandemic.
Oren Klachkin, an economist at Oxford Economics, noted the slowdown in overall orders and said “factory activity is set to grind forward in a low gear in 2021.” He said this would reflect weaker spending on consumer goods and a slowing in economic momentum.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Gulf Coast at risk of severe storms ahead of holidays

NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) - More than 4 million people near the U.S. Gulf Coast will be at risk @ @ @ @ @ of the holidays , forecasters said .
Damaging winds will be one of the main @ @ @ @ @ possibility of a few tornadoes , according to the national Storm Prediction Center .
The @ @ @ @ @ through Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night .
Forecasters say the area most likely to see @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday night includes the southern portions of Louisiana , Mississippi and Alabama .
The region @ @ @ @ @ Rouge in Louisiana ; the Gulfport-Biloxi area in Mississippi ; and the Mobile metropolitan area @ @ @ @ @ system moves east , severe storms will be possible in Florida , Georgia and the @ @ @ @ @

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - More than 4 million people near the U.S. Gulf Coast will be at risk of severe storms just ahead of the holidays, forecasters said.
Damaging winds will be one of the main threats, along with the possibility of a few tornadoes, according to the national Storm Prediction Center.
The storms are expected to move through Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night.
Forecasters say the area most likely to see strong storms Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night includes the southern portions of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
The region includes New Orleans and Baton Rouge in Louisiana; the Gulfport-Biloxi area in Mississippi; and the Mobile metropolitan area in Alabama.
In Birmingham, Alabama, city officials say they will open a warming station in an auditorium on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas to provide shelter for homeless people during the freezing temperatures expected during the holiday period. Low temperatures are expected to drop below 20 degrees (minus 6.7 Celsius) in the Birmingham area by early Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
As the system moves east, severe storms will be possible in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas on Christmas Eve.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--'Calamari comeback,' topless voter: New England's weird 2020

It ’ s difficult to imagine a year when we needed a little comic relief more desperately than in 2020 .
No yuks ?
Yuck .
Fortunately , New Englanders came through with some welcome pandemic distractions .
Rhode Island ’ s signature squid took center stage at the Democratic National Convention .
A Connecticut city named a sewage treatment plant in comedian John Oliver ’ s ( dis ) honor .
And a soybean farmer in Vermont harvested a prosthetic leg that a skydiver had lost during a jump .
A guide to some of the region ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Rhode Island was a big sensation at the virtual Democratic National Convention for its unconventional video plugging calamari - the state ’ s official appetizer .
In a nationally broadcast made-for-memes moment , a lawmaker and a restaurateur with a heaping plate of sauteed squid stood on a beach and proclaimed Rhode Island the “ calamari comeback state.
” State Democratic Party chair Joseph McNamara said he wanted to highlight how the coronavirus pandemic has decimated the seafood industry .
Rhode Island ’ s 30-second spot , part of the DNC ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden for president , was an instant social media sensation .
The story of Buddy the Elf meeting his biological father came to life just in time for the holidays .
Doug Henning of Eliot , Maine , wore a costume to look like Will Ferrell in the movie “ Elf ” while meeting his father face to face for the first time last week at Boston ’ s Logan International Airport .
He even broke into the same awkward song from the movie .
Henning said his biological father “ probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dad didn ’ t get the joke because he hadn ’ t seen the movie , but that didn ’ t stop him from giving his son a big hug .
Other family members laughed and cheered .
Comedian John Oliver made a secret trip to Connecticut to help cut the ribbon on a new sign naming the city ’ s sewage treatment plant in his honor .
Danbury ’ s City Council voted to rename the sewage plant “ The John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant , ” following a tongue-in-cheek battle that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city on HBO ’ s “ Last Week Tonight with John Oliver ” in August .
Mayor Mark Boughton responded to the attack by posting a video of himself at the sewage plant , saying the city was going to name it after Oliver “ because it ’ s full of crap just like you , John.
” A New Hampshire voter who was told she couldn ’ t wear an anti-Trump shirt at a polling place because it violated electioneering rules simply whipped it off and did her civic duty topless .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump Zero ” T-shirt to the polls in Exeter for September ’ s primary election .
Moderator Paul Scafidi told her she couldn ’ t wear a shirt featuring a political candidate .
He said the woman took her shirt off before he could react , and because he didn ’ t want to inflame the situation , he just let her vote .
A Vermont skydiver who lost his prosthetic leg during a jump got it back , thanks to a farmer who spotted it in a soybean field .
Double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Vermont Skydiving Adventures in West Addison and lost one of his prosthetic legs after leaping from the plane while harnessed to an instructor .
Marckres said he was experiencing an adrenaline rush and didn ’ t realize he ’ d lost the expensive limb .
When he spread the word on social media about the missing prosthetic , farmer Joe Marszalkowski saw the post , kept an eye out and found it .
Except for scratches , the leg was undamaged .
A lost dog ’ s journey across the Canadian border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limiting movement from a town on one side of the St. John River to a Maine town on the other .
The German shepherd named Diamond escaped from her home in New Brunswick and crossed into Fort Kent , Maine .
Coronavirus restrictions prevented her caretakers from following .
Diamond ’ s owner , Paryse Michaud , posted a plea for help on Facebook .
After six hours , friends on the Maine side found Diamond and coordinated with friends to hand her off through a border station .

It’s difficult to imagine a year when we needed a little comic relief more desperately than in 2020. No yuks? Yuck.
Fortunately, New Englanders came through with some welcome pandemic distractions.
Rhode Island’s signature squid took center stage at the Democratic National Convention. A Connecticut city named a sewage treatment plant in comedian John Oliver’s (dis)honor. And a soybean farmer in Vermont harvested a prosthetic leg that a skydiver had lost during a jump.
A guide to some of the region’s stranger stories from the past 12 months:
___
CALAMARI COMEBACK
Rhode Island was a big sensation at the virtual Democratic National Convention for its unconventional video plugging calamari - the state’s official appetizer. In a nationally broadcast made-for-memes moment, a lawmaker and a restaurateur with a heaping plate of sauteed squid stood on a beach and proclaimed Rhode Island the “calamari comeback state.” State Democratic Party chair Joseph McNamara said he wanted to highlight how the coronavirus pandemic has decimated the seafood industry. Rhode Island’s 30-second spot, part of the DNC’s roll call where states formally nominated Joe Biden for president, was an instant social media sensation.
___
REAL-LIFE BUDDY THE ELF
The story of Buddy the Elf meeting his biological father came to life just in time for the holidays. Doug Henning of Eliot, Maine, wore a costume to look like Will Ferrell in the movie “Elf” while meeting his father face to face for the first time last week at Boston’s Logan International Airport. He even broke into the same awkward song from the movie. Henning said his biological father “probably thought I was a lunatic.” The dad didn’t get the joke because he hadn’t seen the movie, but that didn’t stop him from giving his son a big hug. Other family members laughed and cheered.
___
JOHN OLIVER SEWAGE PLANT
Comedian John Oliver made a secret trip to Connecticut to help cut the ribbon on a new sign naming the city’s sewage treatment plant in his honor. Danbury’s City Council voted to rename the sewage plant “The John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant,” following a tongue-in-cheek battle that began with an expletive-filled rant against the city on HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” in August. Mayor Mark Boughton responded to the attack by posting a video of himself at the sewage plant, saying the city was going to name it after Oliver “because it’s full of crap just like you, John.”
___
TOPLESS VOTER
A New Hampshire voter who was told she couldn’t wear an anti-Trump shirt at a polling place because it violated electioneering rules simply whipped it off and did her civic duty topless. The woman wore a “McCain Hero, Trump Zero” T-shirt to the polls in Exeter for September’s primary election. Moderator Paul Scafidi told her she couldn’t wear a shirt featuring a political candidate. He said the woman took her shirt off before he could react, and because he didn’t want to inflame the situation, he just let her vote.
___
IT’S A BIRD, A PLANE … A LEG?
A Vermont skydiver who lost his prosthetic leg during a jump got it back, thanks to a farmer who spotted it in a soybean field. Double amputee Chris Marckres went for a jump at Vermont Skydiving Adventures in West Addison and lost one of his prosthetic legs after leaping from the plane while harnessed to an instructor. Marckres said he was experiencing an adrenaline rush and didn’t realize he’d lost the expensive limb. When he spread the word on social media about the missing prosthetic, farmer Joe Marszalkowski saw the post, kept an eye out and found it. Except for scratches, the leg was undamaged.
___
DOGGONE CORONAVIRUS
A lost dog’s journey across the Canadian border and back was complicated by coronavirus restrictions limiting movement from a town on one side of the St. John River to a Maine town on the other. The German shepherd named Diamond escaped from her home in New Brunswick and crossed into Fort Kent, Maine. Coronavirus restrictions prevented her caretakers from following. Diamond’s owner, Paryse Michaud, posted a plea for help on Facebook. After six hours, friends on the Maine side found Diamond and coordinated with friends to hand her off through a border station.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Woman killed in accident on interstate highway in Wichita

WICHITA , Kan. ( AP ) - A Wichita woman is dead after an accident on Interstate 235 .
The @ @ @ @ @ the accident happened Tuesday afternoon .
A woman in her 30s was traveling south in @ @ @ @ @ attached to a Dodge pickup became detached , crossed the median and struck her car @ @ @ @ @ to a hospital where she later died .
Her name was not released .

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - A Wichita woman is dead after an accident on Interstate 235.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reports that the accident happened Tuesday afternoon. A woman in her 30s was traveling south in an SUV when a trailer attached to a Dodge pickup became detached, crossed the median and struck her car.
The woman was taken to a hospital where she later died. Her name was not released.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Consumer spending drops 0.4%, first decline since April

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - U.S. consumer spending fell 0.4 % in November , the first decline since April , @ @ @ @ @ resurgent virus .
The November decline followed a 0.3 % gain in October and even @ @ @ @ @ , the Commerce Department reported Wednesday , as the country emerged from a pandemic lockdown @ @ @ @ @ try to stop the spread of the virus .
The last decline was 12.7 % @ @ @ @ @ lockdown .
Personal incomes fell 1.1 % in November , the third drop in the @ @ @ @ @ government relief programs have been expiring .
Inflation as measured by a gauge preferred by @ @ @ @ @ modest 1.1 % gain in November , well below the Fed ’ s 2 % @ @

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. consumer spending fell 0.4% in November, the first decline since April, as Americans confronted a newly resurgent virus.
The decline followed a 0.3% gain in October and even bigger increases starting in May, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday, a period when the country was emerging from lockdowns intended to halt the spread of COVID-19. There was a massive 12.7% decline because of that in April.
Also, personal incomes fell 1.1% in November, marking the third drop in the past four months as various government relief programs expire.
Inflation as measured by a gauge preferred by the Federal Reserve showed a modest 1.1% gain in November, well below the Fed’s 2% target. The benign inflation readings will give the Fed leeway to continue providing support to an economy that has absorbed millions of people who suddenly unemployed as businesses shut down or lay off workers.
Economists, however, fear that weak spending by Americans will slow economic growth in coming months. Congress passed a $900 billion pandemic rescue package Monday, but President Donald Trump attacked the measure the following day as insufficient with direct payments to Americans.
Consumer spending accounts for around 70% of economic activity so even small declines can weigh heavily on economic growth.
It is unknown if Trump will sign the measure, which as been fought over for months, as his presidency expires.
Without more government help, the economy could be crippled, and economists say the pullback on spending by Americans last month could be a harbinger of worse days to come as a resurgent coronavirus leads to more shutdowns.
COVID-19 has killed more than 318,000 Americans and counting.
“A rapidly worsening health situation, weakening income, depleted savings for lower income families and cooler weather ed consumers to slam their wallets shut in November,” said Gregory Daco, chief economist at Oxford Economics. “The economy is entering 2021 with very little dynamism.”
The government reported Tuesday that the overall economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, grew at a record 33.4% annual rate from July through September, rebounding from a record fall in the second quarter.
But the concern is that growth could slow significantly in the current quarter and some analysts belief without further congressional support, GDP could dip back into negative territory in the first quarter of 2021.
The 1.1% fall in personal incomes reflected the fact that government transfer payments continued to fall sharply in November as more unemployed Americans exhausted their unemployment benefits.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--New task force in Des Moines to promote urban farming

DES MOINES , Iowa ( AP ) - A new task force in Des Moines will promote urban agriculture and @ @ @ @ @ bolstering resources for residents with limited access to healthy diets .
The Des Moines Register @ @ @ @ @ unanimously approved the food security task force Monday .
The seven-member group will work on @ @ @ @ @ officials to promote urban farming , research and recommend potential policies and create an online @ @ @ @ @ will offer information about where to find tools , compost , seeds , laying hens @ @ @ @ @ supplies .
The idea came from Ed Fallon , a climate activist and former Democratic @ @ @ @ @ Byrnes , founder of the nonprofit Birds & Bees Urban Farm .

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A new task force in Des Moines will promote urban agriculture and other measures in hopes of bolstering resources for residents with limited access to healthy diets.
The Des Moines Register reports that City Council members unanimously approved the food security task force Monday.
The seven-member group will work on a volunteer basis with city officials to promote urban farming, research and recommend potential policies and create an online resource guide. The guide will offer information about where to find tools, compost, seeds, laying hens, honey bees and other supplies.
The idea came from Ed Fallon, a climate activist and former Democratic state legislator, and Kathy Byrnes, founder of the nonprofit Birds & Bees Urban Farm.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Alabama police officer fired after off-duty killing, arrest

MOBILE , Ala. ( AP ) - An Alabama police officer has been fired after being arrested on a murder @ @ @ @ @ as an off-duty shooting .
The Prichard Police Department said officer Johnathan Murphy , 35 @ @ @ @ @ slaying in nearby Mobile .
The department is investigating , said a statement .
Murphy @ @ @ @ @ killing of Larry Taylor , 39 , who was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
Authorities didn ’ t release information about what might have prompted the gunfire @ @ @ @ @ duty in Prichard , shot and killed a motorist in 2017 but wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ force , new outlets reported .
Court records weren ’ t available Tuesday to show @ @ @ @ @ who could speak on his behalf .

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - An Alabama police officer has been fired after being arrested on a murder charge in what authorities describe as an off-duty shooting.
The Prichard Police Department said officer Johnathan Murphy, 35, was terminated following the slaying in nearby Mobile. The department is investigating, said a statement.
Murphy was arrested Tuesday in the killing of Larry Taylor, 39, who was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds at an apartment building late Monday. Authorities didn’t release information about what might have prompted the gunfire.
Murphy, while on duty in Prichard, shot and killed a motorist in 2017 but wasn’t charged and remained on the force, new outlets reported.
Court records weren’t available Tuesday to show whether Murphy had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Eviction moratorium extended through March in Washington

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee has again extended the state ’ s eviction moratorium , this time through the end of March .
Inslee said in a news release on Wednesday that the moratorium has been critical for many people as they cope with the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ People need certainty about whether the moratorium will be extended , and it is important that I provide that certainty today while we work out the final details of the moratorium , ” the governor said .
The moratorium has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several times .
It was scheduled to expire next week .
It bans , with limited exceptions , residential evictions and late fees on unpaid rent .
It also requires landlords to offer residents a repayment plan on unpaid rent .
Inslee said next week his office will provide additional details about the latest extension .
As of this week , there have been more than 219,000 confirmed cases in Washington since the pandemic began , and 3,131 people have died .
For most , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in two to three weeks , although long-term effects are unknown .
But for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has again extended the state’s eviction moratorium, this time through the end of March.
Inslee said in a news release on Wednesday that the moratorium has been critical for many people as they cope with the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
“People need certainty about whether the moratorium will be extended, and it is important that I provide that certainty today while we work out the final details of the moratorium,” the governor said.
The moratorium has been in place since March and extended several times. It was scheduled to expire next week.
It bans, with limited exceptions, residential evictions and late fees on unpaid rent. It also requires landlords to offer residents a repayment plan on unpaid rent. Inslee said next week his office will provide additional details about the latest extension.
As of this week, there have been more than 219,000 confirmed cases in Washington since the pandemic began, and 3,131 people have died. For most, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks, although long-term effects are unknown. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Slaying victims in Mississippi included 90-year-old woman

MERIDIAN , Miss .
( AP ) - A 90-year-old woman was among the victims of a quadruple slaying in Mississippi , police said Wednesday .
The Lauderdale County Sheriff ’ s Department identified Virginia Jay at a news conference .
Sheriff ’ s officials identified the other victims as Beverly Kaiser Fulton , 64 ; April Fulton Tucker , 39 ; and Bryce Fisher Tucker , 14 , WTOK-TV reported .
The suspect was identified as 40-year-old Matthew Jay Tucker .
Authorities said sometime between 9:30 p.m. Monday and noon Tuesday , Tucker killed Jay , who was his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son and mother-in-law .
It was unclear how the victims were killed .
Matthew Tucker later died of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound after leading police on a chase .
Chief Deputy Ward Calhoun said Tucker was arrested in late October for simple assault-domestic violence , but had since bonded out .
“ There are a lot of family members and relatives in our community that are affected because of the events of yesterday , ” Calhoun said .
A church prayer service was scheduled late Wednesday for the families @ @ @ @

MERIDIAN, Miss. (AP) - A 90-year-old woman was among the victims of a quadruple slaying in Mississippi, police said Wednesday.
The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department identified Virginia Jay at a news conference. Sheriff’s officials identified the other victims as Beverly Kaiser Fulton, 64; April Fulton Tucker, 39; and Bryce Fisher Tucker, 14, WTOK-TV reported.
The suspect was identified as 40-year-old Matthew Jay Tucker. Authorities said sometime between 9:30 p.m. Monday and noon Tuesday, Tucker killed Jay, who was his grandmother; along with his wife, son and mother-in-law. It was unclear how the victims were killed.
Matthew Tucker later died of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound after leading police on a chase.
Chief Deputy Ward Calhoun said Tucker was arrested in late October for simple assault-domestic violence, but had since bonded out.
“There are a lot of family members and relatives in our community that are affected because of the events of yesterday,” Calhoun said.
A church prayer service was scheduled late Wednesday for the families of the victims.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Journalist killed in Honduras, 4th so far this year

TEGUCIGALPA , Honduras ( AP ) - A radio journalist has been killed in Honduras , the fourth to be @ @ @ @ @ InterAmerican Press Association said Wednesday .
The group identified the victim as Pedro Arcángel Canelas @ @ @ @ @ and host of the news program “ Correo Informativo.
” It said Canelas was shot @ @ @ @ @ on a motorcycle in the rural province of Olancho over the weekend .
The group @ @ @ @ @ thoroughly investigate the crime .
Independent journalist Luis Alonso Almendares was killed in September , @ @ @ @ @ and cameraman Jorge Posas were killed in July .
The association said 23 journalists have @ @ @ @ @ in 2020 - 11 of them in Mexico , four in Honduras , two each @ @ @ @ @ and one each in Barbados , Brazil , Colombia y Paraguay .

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) - A radio journalist has been killed in Honduras, the fourth to be slain this year, the InterAmerican Press Association said Wednesday.
The group identified the victim as Pedro Arcángel Canelas, owner of Radio Bambi and host of the news program “Correo Informativo.”
It said Canelas was shot to death by a man on a motorcycle in the rural province of Olancho over the weekend. The group called on Honduran authorities to thoroughly investigate the crime.
Independent journalist Luis Alonso Almendares was killed in September, and reporter Germán Vallecillo Jr. and cameraman Jorge Posas were killed in July.
The association said 23 journalists have been killed in the Americas in 2020 - 11 of them in Mexico, four in Honduras, two each in Venezuela and Guatemala, and one each in Barbados, Brazil, Colombia y Paraguay.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Nursing homes focus of coronavirus vaccination program

U.S. officials hope a nursing home vaccination program that began in earnest this week will pump the brakes on a climbing COVID-19 death toll that has afflicted society at large but continues to fall hardest on the frail and elderly , especially those in long-term care .
Vaccinators plan to hit 75,000 sites in total as part of a federal partnership with CVS and Walgreens that kicked off in select states Friday and is expanding to every corner of the country .
They reached 238 facilities in a dozen states this week and will reach an additional 1,000 sites in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Army Gen. Gustave Perna said Wednesday .
“ I see us multiplying capacity every day as we go and more vaccine becomes available , ” said Gen. Perna , who oversees logistics for President Trump ’ s Operation Warp Speed vaccine initiative .
“ Every week , we ’ re just building that as we go.
” Long-term care facilities are ripe targets for COVID-19 , which can sicken people of all ages but preys on the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions .
Less than 1 % of the U.S. population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities have accounted for nearly 40 % of deaths from COVID-19 , at over 115,000 , according to the COVID Tracking Project .
“ The coronavirus-associated death toll amongst long-term care facility residents should begin to decrease significantly as more of the most vulnerable become immunized , ” said Moncef Slaoui , science adviser for Operation Warp Speed .
He said the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that are in circulation stiff-armed severe disease in human trials , so it would be reasonable to see a downward trend in deaths among the vaccinated population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their shots .
Roughly 2,500 are dying per day overall in the U.S. , on average , nudging the death toll from COVID-19 to a once-unfathomable 325,000 .
It ’ s by far the highest death toll in the world , although some question whether other nations such as China are as diligent or transparent in reporting COVID-19 mortality .
Government disease trackers say COVID-19 deaths don ’ t appear to be simply replacing deaths that might have occurred this year from other leading causes .
Deaths from those other causes are on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some cases .
“ If COVID were simply displacing these other deaths , we ’ d likely see fewer deaths from heart disease , cancer , dementia , diabetes .
That is not what we are seeing this year , ” said Lauren Rossen , a mortality statistician at the National Center for Health Statistics .
Beyond nursing homes , which are largely populated by people older than 65 , data shows death figures among those 35 to 65 inching up again .
Numbers in that age group dipped after a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In the last couple of months , young adults have contributed more to deaths .
They ’ re still obviously much less apt to get sick , but because they ’ re out and about , they do contribute ” to the toll , said William Schaffner , an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University .
Prisons are another worry spot , prompting debate over their place in the pecking order for a vaccine .
Federal data also shows 1,685 people in prisons have died from COVID-19 , including nearly 100 staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of health care services for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation , said advisers to federal agencies should prioritize inmates in the vaccine rollout .
“ Cases among staff and inmates are currently surging to unprecedented numbers , threatening to overwhelm local resources , ” he told a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel last week .
For now , the vaccination effort will focus on people in long-term care .
Roughly 80 % of Americans who have died of COVID-19 were older than 65 and were either in or out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more frequently and protect the vulnerable , the virus continues to seep in as community transmission flourishes , with 4,525 deaths in long-term care in the week ending Dec. 6 — a 47 % increase from the week ending Nov. 8 , according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services .
“ This is due to soaring spread in the surrounding community , which has ultimately led to record-breaking cases in nursing homes , ” the American Health Care Association , a nonprofit that represents nursing homes , assisted living communities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in an email to The Washington Times .
“ While mortality rates decreased compared to the spring due to a better understanding of the virus , better treatments , and government resources to help reduce spread , as we predicted , the rising number of new COVID cases in facilities are resulting in an increasing number of deaths , ” the association said .
“ We are extremely hopeful this vaccine will literally be a lifesaver for thousands of residents and expedite the reopening of our facilities to family members and loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort will likely have hiccups as nursing homes deal with staff who do not want the vaccine or seek proxy permission from adult children of those with Alzheimer ’ s disease or dementia .
“ There ’ s obviously issues with consent , issues with medical exemptions , ” said Rachel Garfield , a vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation and director of its program on Medicaid and the uninsured .
Still , she said , the campaign marks “ a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of U.S. deaths .
The U.S. case fatality rate , or share of people who test positive and then die , is steadily improving and down to 1.8 % .
That puts the country on better footing than Mexico ( 9 % ) and Italy ( 3.5 % ) .
The case fatality rate is a slippery number , however .
Widespread transmission creates a larger denominator that drives down the case fatality percentage , even as deaths across America rise .
“ The sheer number of cases will translate , biologically , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Amesh Adalja , a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security .
The U.S. is recording about 99 deaths per 100,000 people , putting it roughly on par with Mexico ( 95 ) and France ( 92 ) but far worse than Germany ( 34 ) , India ( 11 ) and South Korea ( 1.4 ) .
New York state has lost the most residents in total — nearly 37,000 — and New Jersey has the biggest share of deaths of per 100,000 residents , at 206 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kansas and South Dakota have recorded the most deaths per 100,000 residents .

U.S. officials hope a nursing home vaccination program that began in earnest this week will pump the brakes on a climbing COVID-19 death toll that has afflicted society at large but continues to fall hardest on the frail and elderly, especially those in long-term care.
Vaccinators plan to hit 75,000 sites in total as part of a federal partnership with CVS and Walgreens that kicked off in select states Friday and is expanding to every corner of the country. They reached 238 facilities in a dozen states this week and will reach an additional 1,000 sites in 13 more states by next week, Army Gen. Gustave Perna said Wednesday.
“I see us multiplying capacity every day as we go and more vaccine becomes available,” said Gen. Perna, who oversees logistics for President Trump’s Operation Warp Speed vaccine initiative. “Every week, we’re just building that as we go.”
Long-term care facilities are ripe targets for COVID-19, which can sicken people of all ages but preys on the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. Less than 1% of the U.S. population lives in long-term care, but these facilities have accounted for nearly 40% of deaths from COVID-19, at over 115,000, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
“The coronavirus-associated death toll amongst long-term care facility residents should begin to decrease significantly as more of the most vulnerable become immunized,” said Moncef Slaoui, science adviser for Operation Warp Speed.
He said the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that are in circulation stiff-armed severe disease in human trials, so it would be reasonable to see a downward trend in deaths among the vaccinated population two to three weeks after they receive their shots.
Roughly 2,500 are dying per day overall in the U.S., on average, nudging the death toll from COVID-19 to a once-unfathomable 325,000. It’s by far the highest death toll in the world, although some question whether other nations such as China are as diligent or transparent in reporting COVID-19 mortality.
Government disease trackers say COVID-19 deaths don’t appear to be simply replacing deaths that might have occurred this year from other leading causes. Deaths from those other causes are on par with prior years and even higher in some cases.
“If COVID were simply displacing these other deaths, we’d likely see fewer deaths from heart disease, cancer, dementia, diabetes. That is not what we are seeing this year,” said Lauren Rossen, a mortality statistician at the National Center for Health Statistics.
Beyond nursing homes, which are largely populated by people older than 65, data shows death figures among those 35 to 65 inching up again. Numbers in that age group dipped after a “Sun Belt” spike in midsummer.
“In the last couple of months, young adults have contributed more to deaths. They’re still obviously much less apt to get sick, but because they’re out and about, they do contribute” to the toll, said William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University.
Prisons are another worry spot, prompting debate over their place in the pecking order for a vaccine. Federal data also shows 1,685 people in prisons have died from COVID-19, including nearly 100 staff members.
Joseph Bick, the director of health care services for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, said advisers to federal agencies should prioritize inmates in the vaccine rollout.
“Cases among staff and inmates are currently surging to unprecedented numbers, threatening to overwhelm local resources,” he told a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel last week.
For now, the vaccination effort will focus on people in long-term care. Roughly 80% of Americans who have died of COVID-19 were older than 65 and were either in or out of such facilities.
Despite efforts to test more frequently and protect the vulnerable, the virus continues to seep in as community transmission flourishes, with 4,525 deaths in long-term care in the week ending Dec. 6 — a 47% increase from the week ending Nov. 8, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
“This is due to soaring spread in the surrounding community, which has ultimately led to record-breaking cases in nursing homes,” the American Health Care Association, a nonprofit that represents nursing homes, assisted living communities, and facilities for people with disabilities, said in an email to The Washington Times.
“While mortality rates decreased compared to the spring due to a better understanding of the virus, better treatments, and government resources to help reduce spread, as we predicted, the rising number of new COVID cases in facilities are resulting in an increasing number of deaths,” the association said.
“We are extremely hopeful this vaccine will literally be a lifesaver for thousands of residents and expedite the reopening of our facilities to family members and loved ones,” it said.
The effort will likely have hiccups as nursing homes deal with staff who do not want the vaccine or seek proxy permission from adult children of those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
“There’s obviously issues with consent, issues with medical exemptions,” said Rachel Garfield, a vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation and director of its program on Medicaid and the uninsured.
Still, she said, the campaign marks “a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel” after long-term care contributed an outsized share of U.S. deaths.
The U.S. case fatality rate, or share of people who test positive and then die, is steadily improving and down to 1.8%. That puts the country on better footing than Mexico (9%) and Italy (3.5%).
The case fatality rate is a slippery number, however. Widespread transmission creates a larger denominator that drives down the case fatality percentage, even as deaths across America rise.
“The sheer number of cases will translate, biologically, into a certain rate of death,” said Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
The U.S. is recording about 99 deaths per 100,000 people, putting it roughly on par with Mexico (95) and France (92) but far worse than Germany (34), India (11) and South Korea (1.4).
New York state has lost the most residents in total — nearly 37,000 — and New Jersey has the biggest share of deaths of per 100,000 residents, at 206. In just the past week, Kansas and South Dakota have recorded the most deaths per 100,000 residents.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Man shot by police after allegedly threatening officers

JOLIET , Ill. ( AP ) - Police in a Chicago suburb fatally shot a man who was brandishing what they believed to be a handgun and who allegedly threatened officers , officials of the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force said Wednesday .
Joliet police responded late Tuesday to call of a person threatening to shoot people .
Authorities say when officers arrived on the scene , they found Joseph Casten , 19 , of Naperville brandishing what appeared to be a black semi-automatic handgun .
When Casten allegedly threatened police he was shot and later died at Silver Cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later determined the weapon was a BB gun .
Police said an investigation determined Casten was the 911 caller reporting a person in the street threatening to shoot people .
No officers were injured during the incident , though several were taken to a hospital for evaluation .
An autopsy determined that the preliminary cause of death is multiple gunshot wounds , according to a statement by the Will County coroner ’ s office .
The coroner is waiting for a final review of police , autopsy and toxicological reports before ruling on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a final cause of death .

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) - Police in a Chicago suburb fatally shot a man who was brandishing what they believed to be a handgun and who allegedly threatened officers, officials of the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force said Wednesday.
Joliet police responded late Tuesday to call of a person threatening to shoot people. Authorities say when officers arrived on the scene, they found Joseph Casten, 19, of Naperville brandishing what appeared to be a black semi-automatic handgun. When Casten allegedly threatened police he was shot and later died at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox. It was later determined the weapon was a BB gun.
Police said an investigation determined Casten was the 911 caller reporting a person in the street threatening to shoot people. No officers were injured during the incident, though several were taken to a hospital for evaluation.
An autopsy determined that the preliminary cause of death is multiple gunshot wounds, according to a statement by the Will County coroner’s office. The coroner is waiting for a final review of police, autopsy and toxicological reports before ruling on a manner of death as well as a final cause of death.


washingtontimes--2020-12-23--Court orders virus safety rules for Foster Farms plant

LIVINGSTON , Calif. ( AP ) - A chicken processing plant in central California that saw a deadly coronavirus outbreak must provide its workers with masks and follow a raft of other anti-COVID-19 health orders , a court ruled Wednesday .
A judge in Merced County granted a temporary restraining order sought by the United Farm Workers of America union against Foster Farms , where a virus outbreak at its Livingston facility - one of the world ’ s largest chicken plants - killed nine people and sickened hundreds earlier this year .
The plant was temporarily ordered to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another processing plant in Fresno forced that plant to shut down for a deep cleaning , although it later reopened .
California ’ s heavily agricultural San Joaquin Valley has seen its COVID-19 infection rate explode .
Hospitals there have been out of normal intensive care unit beds for days , forcing them to use other makeshift areas to treat patients .
Around the nation , meatpacking plants have been among the hardest-hit sites for COVID-19 .
Workers , many of them immigrants , often work in close quarters and live in packed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lasts until a Jan. 29 court hearing , requires the Livingston plant to supply face masks to workers and make sure they wear them or face shields where social distancing isn ’ t possible .
Other sanitation and hygiene measures also are required , including temperature and health screenings for visitors and workers before they can enter the plant ; and installing physical dividers in break rooms and on production lines where it ’ s hard for workers to remain socially distant .
The plant also must inform all employees in English , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks and safety training .
In a statement , Foster Farms said it has been working with Merced County health officials and some of the measures contained in the injunction already are in place , including testing and mask-wearing requirements .
The company also is installing special filters in shared areas at its processing plants .
The company has performed more than 25,000 virus tests at the Livingston facility since September .
Its positivity rate among workers is far below the rate for Merced County as a whole , the company said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ turkey processing in Turlock and at chicken plants in Livingston , Fresno and Porterville as well as in Oregon , Washington , Louisiana , and Alabama .
About 3,750 people work at the Livingston facility .

LIVINGSTON, Calif. (AP) - A chicken processing plant in central California that saw a deadly coronavirus outbreak must provide its workers with masks and follow a raft of other anti-COVID-19 health orders, a court ruled Wednesday.
A judge in Merced County granted a temporary restraining order sought by the United Farm Workers of America union against Foster Farms, where a virus outbreak at its Livingston facility - one of the world’s largest chicken plants - killed nine people and sickened hundreds earlier this year. The plant was temporarily ordered to close.
Another outbreak two weeks ago at another processing plant in Fresno forced that plant to shut down for a deep cleaning, although it later reopened.
California’s heavily agricultural San Joaquin Valley has seen its COVID-19 infection rate explode. Hospitals there have been out of normal intensive care unit beds for days, forcing them to use other makeshift areas to treat patients.
Around the nation, meatpacking plants have been among the hardest-hit sites for COVID-19. Workers, many of them immigrants, often work in close quarters and live in packed housing.
The restraining order, which lasts until a Jan. 29 court hearing, requires the Livingston plant to supply face masks to workers and make sure they wear them or face shields where social distancing isn’t possible.
Other sanitation and hygiene measures also are required, including temperature and health screenings for visitors and workers before they can enter the plant; and installing physical dividers in break rooms and on production lines where it’s hard for workers to remain socially distant.
The plant also must inform all employees in English, Spanish and Punjabi of testing requirements, outbreaks and safety training.
In a statement, Foster Farms said it has been working with Merced County health officials and some of the measures contained in the injunction already are in place, including testing and mask-wearing requirements. The company also is installing special filters in shared areas at its processing plants.
The company has performed more than 25,000 virus tests at the Livingston facility since September. Its positivity rate among workers is far below the rate for Merced County as a whole, the company said.
Foster Farms employs about 12,000 people in turkey processing in Turlock and at chicken plants in Livingston, Fresno and Porterville as well as in Oregon, Washington, Louisiana, and Alabama. About 3,750 people work at the Livingston facility.