washingtontimes--2020-12-26--State police probing health provider's vaccine distribution

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Police and health officials were probing Saturday whether an Orange County health care provider violated state guidelines in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines .
State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said in a statement that his office and state police were investigating Parcare Community Health Network in Orange County .
Zucker said he had received reports that Parcare may have fraudulently obtained the vaccine and diverted it to other facilities to be given to members of the public .
The state has prioritized front-line health care workers , long-term care residents and staffers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine in the state was given to a critical care nurse in Queens on Dec. 14 .
“ We take this very seriously and DOH will be assisting State Police in a criminal investigation into this matter , ” Zucker said .
“ Anyone found to have knowingly participated in this scheme will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
” Parcare lists four locations in Brooklyn , one in Manhattan and one in Monroe , Orange County on its website .
A message was left with the Monroe facility @ @ @

NEW YORK (AP) - Police and health officials were probing Saturday whether an Orange County health care provider violated state guidelines in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said in a statement that his office and state police were investigating Parcare Community Health Network in Orange County.
Zucker said he had received reports that Parcare may have fraudulently obtained the vaccine and diverted it to other facilities to be given to members of the public. The state has prioritized front-line health care workers, long-term care residents and staffers to receive the vaccine first. The first vaccine in the state was given to a critical care nurse in Queens on Dec. 14.
“We take this very seriously and DOH will be assisting State Police in a criminal investigation into this matter,” Zucker said. “Anyone found to have knowingly participated in this scheme will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Parcare lists four locations in Brooklyn, one in Manhattan and one in Monroe, Orange County on its website.
In an emailed statement, the company said it would cooperate with the investigation and that it “has a long history of partnering with the city of New York to provide vital healthcare services to New Yorkers who need them most - including providing COVID-19 testing - especially for New Yorkers in medically underserved communities who’ve been hardest hit by COVID-19.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--Bloomington police chief announces retirement

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - The police chief of Bloomington , Minnesota announced Saturday he plans to retire at the @ @ @ @ @ a position leading the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association .
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported @ @ @ @ @ complete a 29-year career at the department that began when he became a patrol officer @ @ @ @ @ has been police chief for 12 years .
Potts , 52 , willl become the @ @ @ @ @ Chiefs of Police in February .
Under his leadership , the police department placed a @ @ @ @ @ , both for officers and the people they interacted with .
He focused on training @ @ @ @ @ respect and established a requirement that officers get an annual mental health checkup .
Deputy @ @ @ @ @ as the interim chief while the city looks for Pott ’ s replacement .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The police chief of Bloomington, Minnesota announced Saturday he plans to retire at the end of January and take a position leading the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Police Chief Jeff Potts will complete a 29-year career at the department that began when he became a patrol officer at age 23. He has been police chief for 12 years.
Potts, 52, willl become the executive director of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police in February.
Under his leadership, the police department placed a greater emphasis on mental health, both for officers and the people they interacted with. He focused on training officers to treat people with respect and established a requirement that officers get an annual mental health checkup.
Deputy Chief Mike Hartley will work as the interim chief while the city looks for Pott’s replacement.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--Police: officer injured after being hit by stolen car

ROSEDALE , Md .
( AP ) - Police in Maryland say an officer was injured after a woman driving @ @ @ @ @ his police cruiser .
Baltimore County Police said the officer was inside of a marked @ @ @ @ @ it was struck by a stolen 2007 Lincoln Town Car .
Police said the officer @ @ @ @ @ hospital for treatment and later released .
Police said driver of the stolen car was @ @ @ @ @ and is suspected to survive her injuries .
Police did not immediately release the woman @ @ @ @

ROSEDALE, Md. (AP) - Police in Maryland say an officer was injured after a woman driving a stolen car crashed into his police cruiser.
Baltimore County Police said the officer was inside of a marked patrol car early Saturday when it was struck by a stolen 2007 Lincoln Town Car.
Police said the officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment and later released. Police said driver of the stolen car was taken to a local hospital and is suspected to survive her injuries. Police did not immediately release the woman’s name.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--Alaska soup kitchen gets large food donation after crash

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - An official at an Anchorage soup kitchen said she received as a donation of at least 30,000 pounds ( 13,608 kilograms ) of food on Christmas Eve from a local towing company after a truck carrying the produce crashed .
Bean ’ s Cafe and Children ’ s Lunchbox CEO Lisa Sauder said the towing company offered her the food after they recovered it from a semi-truck that crashed into a ditch .
No one was injured in the crash .
The companies that were scheduled to receive the food decided that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KTUU-TV reported .
“ We were just about out of fresh produce , ” Sauder said .
“ This time of year , fresh produce gets harder and harder for us to get and so to be given this gift of produce that we can be given right away for meals … it ’ s gon na help so many people.
” “ It really is kind of a little bit of a Christmas miracle , ” she said .
Sauder said the donation from Vulcan Towing came at a time when demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher because of hardships from the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We are daily hearing from people who have never been in this position of not knowing how they ’ re going to feed their kids or where they ’ re going to sleep tonight , ” Sauder said .
The shipment included chicken , eggs , vegetables , hamburgers , strawberries and a variety of other produce .
The soup kitchen ’ s Food Service Director Scott Lingle said the package could serve those in need for up to three weeks .
Bean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 800 people a day .

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - An official at an Anchorage soup kitchen said she received as a donation of at least 30,000 pounds (13,608 kilograms) of food on Christmas Eve from a local towing company after a truck carrying the produce crashed.
Bean’s Cafe and Children’s Lunchbox CEO Lisa Sauder said the towing company offered her the food after they recovered it from a semi-truck that crashed into a ditch. No one was injured in the crash. The companies that were scheduled to receive the food decided that they could no longer sell the groceries, KTUU-TV reported.
“We were just about out of fresh produce,” Sauder said. “This time of year, fresh produce gets harder and harder for us to get and so to be given this gift of produce that we can be given right away for meals … it’s gonna help so many people.”
“It really is kind of a little bit of a Christmas miracle,” she said.
Sauder said the donation from Vulcan Towing came at a time when demand at the soup kitchen has never been higher because of hardships from the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are daily hearing from people who have never been in this position of not knowing how they’re going to feed their kids or where they’re going to sleep tonight,” Sauder said.
The shipment included chicken, eggs, vegetables, hamburgers, strawberries and a variety of other produce. The soup kitchen’s Food Service Director Scott Lingle said the package could serve those in need for up to three weeks. Bean’s Cafe feeds around 700 to 800 people a day.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--Health inspectors scrutinize crowding at Los Angeles malls

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Health inspectors and authorities stepped up enforcement at restaurants and shopping malls over the post-Christmas weekend as they desperately seek to curb a coronavirus surge that already has filled some hospitals in California well beyond normal capacity .
Crowding at Los Angeles County shopping malls came under scrutiny before the holiday .
Several of them were cited and fined up to $ 500 for violating COVID-19 measures , which could include not keeping occupancy below 20 % capacity and not prohibiting eating and drinking , the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look this weekend at the shopping malls because the pictures we ’ ve been seeing are … another little mini-disaster , ” county public health director Barbara Ferrer said .
“ The occupancy is supposed to be down to 20 % .
But when you look around , they look way more crowded than 20 % .
And that just means a complete breakdown of what we are requiring.
” Health officials were waiting to see whether people followed their pleas and avoided Christmas and New Year ’ s festivities that could lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threaten to extend stay-at-home orders in several regions of the state .
They repeated warnings before the holiday week that Thanksgiving gatherings where people didn ’ t wear masks or observe social distancing have resulted in a surge .
Beverly Hills police halted a plan for a secret New Year ’ s Eve dinner at La Scala after the Italian restaurant circulated invitations to a “ discreet ” meal that would violate the county ’ s ban on indoor dining .
In Sonoma County in California ’ s wine country , a Native @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned private New Year ’ s Eve indoor event that could have drawn as many as 4,000 people .
The Graton Resort and Casino is on sovereign native land that isn ’ t subject to state or county health orders , but it had come under scrutiny for the event .
Coronavirus cases , hospitalizations and deaths have mounted exponentially in recent weeks and are breaking new records .
On Christmas Eve , California became the first state in the nation to exceed 2 million confirmed COVID-19 cases .
On Saturday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases as of Thursday , a 22 % decrease from the previous day .
Officials said the change was due to a glitch keeping the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health from reporting its daily cases and deaths .
There were 36 new deaths reported .
The first coronavirus case in California was confirmed Jan. 25 .
It took 292 days to get to 1 million infections on Nov. 11 .
Just 44 days later , the number topped 2 million .
The crisis is straining the state ’ s medical system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals to treat patients in tents , offices and auditoriums .
As of Saturday , California had record numbers of COVID-19 patients in the hospital and in ICUs , at nearly 19,000 and more than 4,000 , respectively .
The figures showed no increase in hospitalizations , and there were a few more ICU beds available , for a total of around 1,390 statewide , according to the California Department of Public Health .
However , ICU capacity varied between the five regions of the state .
The Northern California region had 34 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California and San Joaquin Valley regions were technically at 0 % capacity , meaning that they had no more regular ICU beds available .
Hard-hit hospitals were resorting to surge capacity by putting patients in areas not originally designated for the same level of care , such as post-operative recovery rooms .
Hospitals have also hired extra staff and canceled elective surgeries - all to boost capacity before the cases contracted over Christmas and New Year ’ s show up in the next few weeks .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Health inspectors and authorities stepped up enforcement at restaurants and shopping malls over the post-Christmas weekend as they desperately seek to curb a coronavirus surge that already has filled some hospitals in California well beyond normal capacity.
Crowding at Los Angeles County shopping malls came under scrutiny before the holiday. Several of them were cited and fined up to $500 for violating COVID-19 measures, which could include not keeping occupancy below 20% capacity and not prohibiting eating and drinking, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.
“We’re going to take a hard look this weekend at the shopping malls because the pictures we’ve been seeing are … another little mini-disaster,” county public health director Barbara Ferrer said. “The occupancy is supposed to be down to 20%. But when you look around, they look way more crowded than 20%. And that just means a complete breakdown of what we are requiring.”
Health officials were waiting to see whether people followed their pleas and avoided Christmas and New Year’s festivities that could lead to a new round of infections and threaten to extend stay-at-home orders in several regions of the state. They repeated warnings before the holiday week that Thanksgiving gatherings where people didn’t wear masks or observe social distancing have resulted in a surge.
Beverly Hills police halted a plan for a secret New Year’s Eve dinner at La Scala after the Italian restaurant circulated invitations to a “discreet” meal that would violate the county’s ban on indoor dining.
In Sonoma County in California’s wine country, a Native American casino announced it was canceling a planned private New Year’s Eve indoor event that could have drawn as many as 4,000 people. The Graton Resort and Casino is on sovereign native land that isn’t subject to state or county health orders, but it had come under scrutiny for the event.
Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths have mounted exponentially in recent weeks and are breaking new records. On Christmas Eve, California became the first state in the nation to exceed 2 million confirmed COVID-19 cases.
On Saturday, the state reported more than 30,000 new COVID-19 cases as of Thursday, a 22% decrease from the previous day. Officials said the change was due to a glitch keeping the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health from reporting its daily cases and deaths.
There were 36 new deaths reported.
The first coronavirus case in California was confirmed Jan. 25. It took 292 days to get to 1 million infections on Nov. 11. Just 44 days later, the number topped 2 million.
The crisis is straining the state’s medical system well beyond its normal capacity, prompting hospitals to treat patients in tents, offices and auditoriums.
As of Saturday, California had record numbers of COVID-19 patients in the hospital and in ICUs, at nearly 19,000 and more than 4,000, respectively. The figures showed no increase in hospitalizations, and there were a few more ICU beds available, for a total of around 1,390 statewide, according to the California Department of Public Health.
However, ICU capacity varied between the five regions of the state. The Northern California region had 34% of ICU capacity while the Southern California and San Joaquin Valley regions were technically at 0% capacity, meaning that they had no more regular ICU beds available. Hard-hit hospitals were resorting to surge capacity by putting patients in areas not originally designated for the same level of care, such as post-operative recovery rooms.
Hospitals have also hired extra staff and canceled elective surgeries - all to boost capacity before the cases contracted over Christmas and New Year’s show up in the next few weeks.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--AG charges service provider with Medicaid fraud

BISMARCK , N.D. ( AP ) - The North Dakota attorney general ’ s office is charging a Mandan woman @ @ @ @ @ submitting $ 76,000 worth of claims for work she did not perform .
The Bismark @ @ @ @ @ Human Services began looking into Medicaid claims the service provider , Rebecca Fruge , made @ @ @ @ @ she claimed she had performed more than 24 hours of work on three separate days @ @ @ @ @ The department also found that Fruge ‘ s client was in the hospital for one @ @ @ @ @ not have received services from her .
Fruge has denied submitting incorrect or fraudulent claims @ @ @ @ @ told investigators she was in the process of moving when the Department of Human Services @ @ @ @ @ .
If convicted , Fruge could face up to 20 years in prison and a @ @ @ @

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The North Dakota attorney general’s office is charging a Mandan woman with Medicaid fraud for allegedly submitting $76,000 worth of claims for work she did not perform.
The Bismark Tribune reports the Department of Human Services began looking into Medicaid claims the service provider, Rebecca Fruge, made for in-home medical services after she claimed she had performed more than 24 hours of work on three separate days in May last year. The department also found that Fruge’s client was in the hospital for one of those days and could not have received services from her.
Fruge has denied submitting incorrect or fraudulent claims, investigators say. She told investigators she was in the process of moving when the Department of Human Services requested documentation for her claims.
If convicted, Fruge could face up to 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--Nebraska pipeline rupture causes explosion; no one hurt

LYONS , Neb .
( AP ) - A natural gas pipeline in rural Nebraska has been repaired after a rupture caused an explosion that was large enough to be seen by satellite .
The Omaha World-Herald reports that Northern Natural Gas said in a statement Saturday that “ a series of scores and gouges were found across the impacted pipeline segment , indicating that the damage may have been caused from a third party working in the area.
” The company said exact confirmation will take several weeks .
No injuries were reported in Thursday ’ s explosion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clock ” to repair damage .
The company said service was interrupted temporarily for three customers .
“ The likelihood that a third party caused the damage is a stark reminder to all persons , including those who till and plow fields , that the state One Call system should be notified prior to any excavation , ” the statement said .
Northern Natural Gas owns and operates the largest interstate natural gas pipeline system in the U.S. , with a 14,700-mile pipeline system that stretches across 11 states , from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Upper Peninsula .

LYONS, Neb. (AP) - A natural gas pipeline in rural Nebraska has been repaired after a rupture caused an explosion that was large enough to be seen by satellite.
The Omaha World-Herald reports that Northern Natural Gas said in a statement Saturday that “a series of scores and gouges were found across the impacted pipeline segment, indicating that the damage may have been caused from a third party working in the area.” The company said exact confirmation will take several weeks.
No injuries were reported in Thursday’s explosion. Northern Natural Gas crews worked “around the clock” to repair damage. The company said service was interrupted temporarily for three customers.
“The likelihood that a third party caused the damage is a stark reminder to all persons, including those who till and plow fields, that the state One Call system should be notified prior to any excavation,” the statement said.
Northern Natural Gas owns and operates the largest interstate natural gas pipeline system in the U.S., with a 14,700-mile pipeline system that stretches across 11 states, from the Permian Basin in Texas to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--Barry Lopez, author who tied people to place, dies at 75

EUGENE , Ore. ( AP ) - Barry Lopez , an award-winning writer who tried to tighten the bonds between people and place by describing the landscapes he saw in 50 years of travel , has died .
He was 75 .
Lopez died in Eugene , Oregon , on Friday after a years-long struggle with prostate cancer , his family said .
Longtime friend Kim Stafford , former Oregon poet laureate , said Lopez ‘ s books “ are landmarks that define a region , a time , a cause .
He also exemplifies a life of devotion to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the face of wisdom of all kinds.
” An author of nearly 20 books on natural history studies , along with essay and short story collections , Lopez was awarded the National Book Award in 1986 for “ Arctic Dreams : Imagination and Desire in a Northern Landscape.
” It was the result of almost five years of traveling the Arctic .
His final work was “ Horizon , ” an autobiography that recalls a lifetime of travel in more than 70 countries .
Born in 1945 in Port Chester , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s San Fernando Valley and , after his mother remarried , New York City .
In “ Horizon , ” he wrote that in those formative years , he developed “ a desire simply to go away .
To find what the skyline has cordoned off.
” His later years were spent with his wife , Debra Gwartney , in a wooded area along the McKenzie River east of Eugene .
After years of writing about the natural world and humans ’ effect on climate change , he mourned the loss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal papers , in the September 2020 Holiday Farm fire .
The wildfire damaged Lopez ’ s home so badly that he couldn ’ t live in it .
The blaze also destroyed a building that stored his original manuscripts , personal letters , photos and a typewriter he used to write his books .
The IBM Selectric III was quickly replaced with an identical model by his friends .
“ Just an incredible body of work and memories , ” said his stepdaughter Stephanie Woodruff .
“ Very meticulously kept and organized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , certainly .
He wrote every single book on a typewriter.
” In 2013 , Lopez wrote the essay “ Sliver of Sky , ” revealing he had been sexually abused by a family friend for several years starting when he was 7 .
Lopez said the essay was an attempt at catharsis .
Woodruff said the essay possibly helped lead to “ Horizon , ” a book more than two decades in the making .
In a 2019 review , The Associated Press said the book felt like the crowning achievement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it as part travel journal , part history , part science lecture , part autobiography , and completely unique .
“ I do think that ( the essay ) released something in him to really ground and round out and complete ‘ Horizon , ’ ” Woodruff said .
“ Everything he wrote was personal , of course.
” In a statement Saturday , his family encouraged financial support for the McKenzie River Trust , with which Lopez had worked on conservation efforts .
Lopez is survived by his wife , four stepdaughters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother died in 2017 .

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Barry Lopez, an award-winning writer who tried to tighten the bonds between people and place by describing the landscapes he saw in 50 years of travel, has died. He was 75.
Lopez died in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday after a years-long struggle with prostate cancer, his family said.
Longtime friend Kim Stafford, former Oregon poet laureate, said Lopez’s books “are landmarks that define a region, a time, a cause. He also exemplifies a life of devotion to craft and learning, to being humble in the face of wisdom of all kinds.”
An author of nearly 20 books on natural history studies, along with essay and short story collections, Lopez was awarded the National Book Award in 1986 for “Arctic Dreams: Imagination and Desire in a Northern Landscape.” It was the result of almost five years of traveling the Arctic.
His final work was “Horizon,” an autobiography that recalls a lifetime of travel in more than 70 countries.
Born in 1945 in Port Chester, New York, Lopez grew up in California’s San Fernando Valley and, after his mother remarried, New York City. In “Horizon,” he wrote that in those formative years, he developed “a desire simply to go away. To find what the skyline has cordoned off.”
His later years were spent with his wife, Debra Gwartney, in a wooded area along the McKenzie River east of Eugene. After years of writing about the natural world and humans’ effect on climate change, he mourned the loss of acres of timber, not to mention personal papers, in the September 2020 Holiday Farm fire.
The wildfire damaged Lopez’s home so badly that he couldn’t live in it. The blaze also destroyed a building that stored his original manuscripts, personal letters, photos and a typewriter he used to write his books. The IBM Selectric III was quickly replaced with an identical model by his friends.
“Just an incredible body of work and memories,” said his stepdaughter Stephanie Woodruff. “Very meticulously kept and organized. That (loss) was devastating, certainly. He wrote every single book on a typewriter.”
In 2013, Lopez wrote the essay “Sliver of Sky,” revealing he had been sexually abused by a family friend for several years starting when he was 7. Lopez said the essay was an attempt at catharsis.
Woodruff said the essay possibly helped lead to “Horizon,” a book more than two decades in the making. In a 2019 review, The Associated Press said the book felt like the crowning achievement of Lopez’s illustrious career, describing it as part travel journal, part history, part science lecture, part autobiography, and completely unique.
“I do think that (the essay) released something in him to really ground and round out and complete ‘Horizon,’” Woodruff said. “Everything he wrote was personal, of course.”
In a statement Saturday, his family encouraged financial support for the McKenzie River Trust, with which Lopez had worked on conservation efforts.
Lopez is survived by his wife, four stepdaughters and an older brother. A younger brother died in 2017.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--Wisconsin reports 632 virus cases as Christmas slows testing

MADISON , Wis. ( AP ) - Wisconsin on Saturday reported its lowest number of daily coronavirus cases in months @ @ @ @ @ Christmas holiday .
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported 632 people tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ died from COVID-19 .
The tally of daily new cases has not dropped below 600 @ @ @ @ @ , according to Johns Hopkins researchers .
However , health officials also reported the slowest @ @ @ @ @ spring , with a total of 5,893 tests processed .
The 10.7 % positivity rate @ @ @ @ @ was higher than the 8.1 % positivity rate of tests in the last seven days @ @ @ @ @ its average number of cases reported each day decrease by nearly 35 % over the @ @ @ @ @ average of 2,712 daily cases were reported in the last week , according to Johns @ @ @ @ @ Health Services also reported 31 more people have been hospitalized by the virus .
A @ @ @ @ @ died in Wisconsin .

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin on Saturday reported its lowest number of daily coronavirus cases in months after testing dropped over the Christmas holiday.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported 632 people tested positive for the coronavirus and four people died from COVID-19. The tally of daily new cases has not dropped below 600 since the beginning of September, according to Johns Hopkins researchers. However, health officials also reported the slowest day of testing since the spring, with a total of 5,893 tests processed.
The 10.7% positivity rate among tests reported on Saturday was higher than the 8.1% positivity rate of tests in the last seven days.
The state has seen its average number of cases reported each day decrease by nearly 35% over the last two weeks. An average of 2,712 daily cases were reported in the last week, according to Johns Hopkins.
The Department of Health Services also reported 31 more people have been hospitalized by the virus. A total of 4,683 people have died in Wisconsin.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--Arkansas coronavirus hospitalizations fall but remain high

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - Coronavirus hospitalizations in Arkansas fell Saturday but remained near their recent record high , as state health officials reported more than 700 news cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths linked to the disease .
The Arkansas Department of Health said there were 1,059 Arkansas residents hospitalized with COVID-19 Saturday , a drop of three from the day before .
The state record was set Wednesday , when there were 1,110 patients hospitalized with the disease .
There were 660 newly confirmed coronavirus cases and 42 more probable cases Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have warned holiday gatherings and travel are likely to further spread the virus .
The actual number of coronavirus cases is believed to be far higher because many people haven ’ t been tested and some who get the disease don ’ t show symptoms .
Over the last seven days , more than 18 % of coronavirus tests in Arkansas have come back positive , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe illness and be fatal .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Coronavirus hospitalizations in Arkansas fell Saturday but remained near their recent record high, as state health officials reported more than 700 news cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths linked to the disease.
The Arkansas Department of Health said there were 1,059 Arkansas residents hospitalized with COVID-19 Saturday, a drop of three from the day before. The state record was set Wednesday, when there were 1,110 patients hospitalized with the disease.
There were 660 newly confirmed coronavirus cases and 42 more probable cases Saturday, according to the department. Health officials have warned holiday gatherings and travel are likely to further spread the virus.
The actual number of coronavirus cases is believed to be far higher because many people haven’t been tested and some who get the disease don’t show symptoms.
Over the last seven days, more than 18% of coronavirus tests in Arkansas have come back positive, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe illness and be fatal.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--20-25 train cars derail after small bridge collapses in Iowa

DES MOINES , Iowa ( AP ) - Authorities say 20 to 25 train cars derailed near Des Moines area @ @ @ @ @ .
The Des Moines Register reports that the Polk County Sheriff ’ s Office says @ @ @ @ @ in the northeast part of the county .
It closed roads in the area for @ @ @ @ @ Right now , we ’ re being told that a small bridge over a waterway @ @ @ @ @ ” said Sgt .
Ryan Evans , of the Polk County Sheriff ’ s Office @ @ @ @ @ office is assisting Union Pacific with the investigation .

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Authorities say 20 to 25 train cars derailed near Des Moines area after a small bridge collapsed.
The Des Moines Register reports that the Polk County Sheriff’s Office says the collapse happened Friday morning in the northeast part of the county. It closed roads in the area for nearly 12 hours.
“Right now, we’re being told that a small bridge over a waterway gateway caused the mess,” said Sgt. Ryan Evans, of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office is assisting Union Pacific with the investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--Holiday sales tick up as shoppers invest in their homes

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Retail sales increased a modest 3 % during a longer holiday season this year , as homebound shoppers spent more on furnishing and food but less on clothing and jewelry , according to figures released Saturday by a firm that tracks all forms of payments .
The increase fell short of predictions from the National Retail Federation , the nation ’ s largest retail trade group , which had expected sales to rise between 3.6 % and 5.2 % this year compared to 2019 .
As expected , a surge in online shopping fueled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record 49 % year-over-year between Oct. 11 and Dec. 24 , according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse figures , which exclude services , automotive and gasoline sales .
The holiday shopping season was considered longer this year as retailers offered promotions sooner and encouraged customers to get a jump-start to avoid delivery delays .
During the traditional holiday period , between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 , retail sales rose 2.4 % year-over-year , according to Mastercard ’ s data .
Steve Sadove , senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and Chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in online spending and the early shopping was “ a testament to the holiday season and strength of retailers and consumers alike.
” Buying trends benefited e-commerce giant Amazon and big-box stores like Target and Walmart , which already had robust e-commerce operations and were allowed to stay open during the pandemic , attracting shoppers who wanted to avoid visiting multiple stores .
But the pandemic has been detrimental for smaller shops , clothing brands and department stores , which had already been struggling to adapt to the rise of online shopping .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since the pandemic started forcing shutdowns in March .
Holiday department store sales fell 10.2 % year-over-year , according to Mastercard .
Spending on apparel plunged 19.1 % , and jewelry sales fell 2.3 % .
Shoppers instead invested in their homes .
Furniture and furnishing sales increased 16.2 % , while spending on home improvement rose 14.1 % .
Consumers also favored electronics and appliances , a category where sales rose 6 % .
Clothing stores and specialty retailers offered big discounts and promoted curbside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday season and surviving a difficult year .
There was some payoff , as online clothing sales rose 15.7 % , according to Mastercard .
E-commerce sales at department stores also ticked up 3.3 % .

NEW YORK (AP) - Retail sales increased a modest 3% during a longer holiday season this year, as homebound shoppers spent more on furnishing and food but less on clothing and jewelry, according to figures released Saturday by a firm that tracks all forms of payments.
The increase fell short of predictions from the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, which had expected sales to rise between 3.6% and 5.2% this year compared to 2019.
As expected, a surge in online shopping fueled much of spending. Online sales rose a record 49% year-over-year between Oct. 11 and Dec. 24, according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse figures, which exclude services, automotive and gasoline sales.
The holiday shopping season was considered longer this year as retailers offered promotions sooner and encouraged customers to get a jump-start to avoid delivery delays. During the traditional holiday period, between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, retail sales rose 2.4% year-over-year, according to Mastercard’s data.
Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and Chairman of Saks Incorporated, said the surge in online spending and the early shopping was “a testament to the holiday season and strength of retailers and consumers alike.”
Buying trends benefited e-commerce giant Amazon and big-box stores like Target and Walmart, which already had robust e-commerce operations and were allowed to stay open during the pandemic, attracting shoppers who wanted to avoid visiting multiple stores.
But the pandemic has been detrimental for smaller shops, clothing brands and department stores, which had already been struggling to adapt to the rise of online shopping. Already, more than 40 U.S. retailers have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since the pandemic started forcing shutdowns in March.
Holiday department store sales fell 10.2% year-over-year, according to Mastercard. Spending on apparel plunged 19.1%, and jewelry sales fell 2.3%.
Shoppers instead invested in their homes. Furniture and furnishing sales increased 16.2%, while spending on home improvement rose 14.1%. Consumers also favored electronics and appliances, a category where sales rose 6%.
Clothing stores and specialty retailers offered big discounts and promoted curbside pickup in the hopes of rescuing the holiday season and surviving a difficult year. There was some payoff, as online clothing sales rose 15.7%, according to Mastercard. E-commerce sales at department stores also ticked up 3.3%.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--New virus-related deaths reported at Virginia prisons

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - New figures from the Virginia Department of Corrections show that two inmates and @ @ @ @ @ positive for the coronavirus have died in recent days .
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that @ @ @ @ @ posted Friday show that 41 inmates and two staff members who had tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ ’ s up from Monday , when the department said were 39 inmates and one @ @ @ @ @ did not immediately release details about the recent deaths .
There are about 25,000 state @ @ @ @ @ department has about 11,000 staff members .
About 7,000 inmates have tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up @ @ @ @ @ others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can @ @ @ @ @ fatal .
The vast majority of people recover .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - New figures from the Virginia Department of Corrections show that two inmates and one staff member who tested positive for the coronavirus have died in recent days.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the DOC’s figures posted Friday show that 41 inmates and two staff members who had tested positive for COVID-19 have died. That’s up from Monday, when the department said were 39 inmates and one staff member.
The department did not immediately release details about the recent deaths.
There are about 25,000 state inmates in Virginia and the department has about 11,000 staff members. About 7,000 inmates have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--Texas coronavirus hospitalizations fall but remain near peak

DALLAS ( AP ) - Coronavirus hospitalizations in Texas fell Saturday but continued to hover near their summer peak , as state health officials reported more than 2,500 new cases of COVID-19 and 13 deaths linked to the disease .
The state health department reported there were 10,773 patients hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19 , a decrease of nearly 100 from Friday when hospitalizations hit their highest number since July .
Intensive care units in several parts of Texas were full or nearly full , according to the Texas Department of State Health Services .
Health officials have wared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to further spread the virus .
There were 2,127 newly confirmed cases of the virus Saturday and another 428 probable cases , according to the health department .
The actual number of cases is believed to be far higher because many people haven ’ t been tested and some who get sick don ’ t show symptoms .
Over the past week , more than 14 % of coronavirus tests in Texas have come back positive , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe illness and be fatal .

DALLAS (AP) - Coronavirus hospitalizations in Texas fell Saturday but continued to hover near their summer peak, as state health officials reported more than 2,500 new cases of COVID-19 and 13 deaths linked to the disease.
The state health department reported there were 10,773 patients hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19, a decrease of nearly 100 from Friday when hospitalizations hit their highest number since July.
Intensive care units in several parts of Texas were full or nearly full, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Health officials have wared that holiday gatherings and travel are likely to further spread the virus.
There were 2,127 newly confirmed cases of the virus Saturday and another 428 probable cases, according to the health department.
The actual number of cases is believed to be far higher because many people haven’t been tested and some who get sick don’t show symptoms.
Over the past week, more than 14% of coronavirus tests in Texas have come back positive, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe illness and be fatal.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--Details of Connecticut tax deferrals will depend on towns

HARTFORD , Conn. ( AP ) - Connecticut residents , businesses and landlords are getting a three-month grace period on taxes due to the COVID-19 pandemic - but exactly how much they ’ ll end up paying will depend on where they live .
In some towns , the tax deferment will be interest free , while in others it will come with a lowered interest rate .
Whether taxpayers need to apply for the deferment also varies from town to town , the Hartford Courant reported .
The tax deferments apply to real estate , motor vehicle and personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order in the spring instructing towns to defer July tax payments for three months at zero interest or lower the interest to 0.25 % monthly .
He recently extended the order to cover tax payments due Jan. 1 .
Taxpayers applying for the deferment must show their household had an income loss of at least 20 % due to COVID-19 .
Businesses must show their expected revenue will decrease at least 30 % during the deferment period .
Hartford and numerous towns in Hartford County are offering interest-free deferment , the newspaper reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lowered interest rate .
Windsor will give the deferment automatically , town tax collector Cathleen Eliot told the Courant , while South Windsor will require an application .
The state Office of Policy Management website contains a list of towns and their policies .
Sara Spodick , director of the tax clinic at Quinnipiac University , said many people in low-income communities could be adversely affected by delinquent motor vehicle taxes .
“ If you can ’ t pay these taxes , you can ’ t register your car , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a car , ” Spodick said .
“ Somebody who ’ s had a significant cut in income may find that they ’ re coming up on a renewal period for their registration , which would include full year or even a year and a half of unpaid taxes .
”

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut residents, businesses and landlords are getting a three-month grace period on taxes due to the COVID-19 pandemic - but exactly how much they’ll end up paying will depend on where they live.
In some towns, the tax deferment will be interest free, while in others it will come with a lowered interest rate. Whether taxpayers need to apply for the deferment also varies from town to town, the Hartford Courant reported. The tax deferments apply to real estate, motor vehicle and personal property taxes.
Lamont signed an executive order in the spring instructing towns to defer July tax payments for three months at zero interest or lower the interest to 0.25% monthly. He recently extended the order to cover tax payments due Jan. 1.
Taxpayers applying for the deferment must show their household had an income loss of at least 20% due to COVID-19. Businesses must show their expected revenue will decrease at least 30% during the deferment period.
Hartford and numerous towns in Hartford County are offering interest-free deferment, the newspaper reported, while Berlin and Enfield are offering a lowered interest rate. Windsor will give the deferment automatically, town tax collector Cathleen Eliot told the Courant, while South Windsor will require an application.
The state Office of Policy Management website contains a list of towns and their policies.
Sara Spodick, director of the tax clinic at Quinnipiac University, said many people in low-income communities could be adversely affected by delinquent motor vehicle taxes.
“If you can’t pay these taxes, you can’t register your car, and that means you can’t legally drive a car,” Spodick said. “Somebody who’s had a significant cut in income may find that they’re coming up on a renewal period for their registration, which would include full year or even a year and a half of unpaid taxes.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--Man convicted of murders asks for retrial based on DNA test

RAPID CITY , S.D .
( AP ) - A Rapid City man convicted of murdering his wife and mother-in-law in 1983 will argue before a South Dakota judge that he should be granted a new criminal trial based on DNA testing .
The Rapid City Journal reports that George Luna , 71 , has maintained that he is innocent of killing his wife , Lynn Luna , and mother-in-law , Helen Thomas .
They were both beaten to death in Rapid City .
George Luna is serving two life sentences after a Pennington County jury found him guilty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granted a civil habeas corpus trial , where his lawyers will argue that DNA testing performed by the Minnesota Innocence Project in 2016 shows hairs found in Lynn Luna ’ s hand could have belonged to another suspect in the case , but not George Luna .
If the judge decides that the new evidence changes the case so much that original jurors would not have convicted Luna , he will be given a new criminal trial .
South Dakota has not exonerated anyone based on DNA evidence , according to The National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to begin in March .

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - A Rapid City man convicted of murdering his wife and mother-in-law in 1983 will argue before a South Dakota judge that he should be granted a new criminal trial based on DNA testing.
The Rapid City Journal reports that George Luna, 71, has maintained that he is innocent of killing his wife, Lynn Luna, and mother-in-law, Helen Thomas. They were both beaten to death in Rapid City. George Luna is serving two life sentences after a Pennington County jury found him guilty of murdering them.
George Luna has been granted a civil habeas corpus trial, where his lawyers will argue that DNA testing performed by the Minnesota Innocence Project in 2016 shows hairs found in Lynn Luna’s hand could have belonged to another suspect in the case, but not George Luna. If the judge decides that the new evidence changes the case so much that original jurors would not have convicted Luna, he will be given a new criminal trial.
South Dakota has not exonerated anyone based on DNA evidence, according to The National Registry of Exonerations. The three-day trial is expected to begin in March.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--N Carolina man sentenced for robbing pizza delivery driver

ROCKY MONT , N.C. ( AP ) - Federal prosecutors in North Carolina say a man has been sentenced to @ @ @ @ @ robbing a pizza delivery driver at gunpoint .
Emmanuel Marquise Morris ordered the pizza from @ @ @ @ @ Mount in January of 2019 , according to court documents .
The news release said @ @ @ @ @ , Morris displayed a handgun and stole his cash , wallet and car .
Authorities @ @ @ @ @ three days later in Greensboro .
He pleaded guilty to state and federal charges , @ @ @ @ @ .
The federal charges were interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during @ @ @ @ @ Federal prosecutors say he also faces separate pending robbery charges in Nash County .
A @ @ @ @ @ immediately respond to an email Wednesday seeking comment on the sentencing .

ROCKY MONT, N.C. (AP) - Federal prosecutors in North Carolina say a man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for robbing a pizza delivery driver at gunpoint.
Emmanuel Marquise Morris ordered the pizza from Domino’s in Rocky Mount in January of 2019, according to court documents.
The news release said that when the driver arrived, Morris displayed a handgun and stole his cash, wallet and car. Authorities say that Morris was arrested three days later in Greensboro.
He pleaded guilty to state and federal charges, according to the news release. The federal charges were interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
Federal prosecutors say he also faces separate pending robbery charges in Nash County.
A defense attorney didn’t immediately respond to an email Wednesday seeking comment on the sentencing.


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--Gilgeous-Alexander jumper lifts Thunder past Hornets 109-107

CHARLOTTE , N.C. ( AP ) - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a tiebreaking jumper with 1.4 seconds left and finished with 24 points , helping the Oklahoma City Thunder hold off a furious rally by the Charlotte Hornets to win their season opener 109-107 Saturday night .
The Thunder led by 13 with 1:50 to go , but Miles Bridges spurred Charlotte with 11 of his 14 points in the final 1:06 - including a trio of 3s in the last 25 seconds .
His final 3 tied it at 107 with 10.3 seconds left .
Gilgeous-Alexander then took the inbound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor and pulled up from 23 feet to drain a contested jumper over Caleb Martin from the top of the key .
George Hill was 8 of 9 from the field and finished with 21 points , and Darius Bazley and Luguentz Dort each had 15 points for the Thunder after their first scheduled game against the Rockets was postponed earlier in the week .
Terry Rozier , who had 42 points on 10 3-pointers in Charlotte ’ s loss to the Cavaliers to open the season , had 19 points to lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the buzzer fell short .
P.J .
Washington added 18 points and rookie LaMelo Ball scored 13 points off the bench .
Ball was held scoreless in the NBA regular season debut against the Cavaliers but scored nine in the first quarter Saturday , including two 3s .
He later got a floater to fall from 13 feet and added a dunk off a steal , finishing the first half 5 of 6 from the floor for 13 points to give the Hornets a 59-57 lead at the break .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half , missing all four shots from the field .
Thunder : Outrebound the Hornets 54-47 behind 13 boards from Al Horford .
Hornets : Bismack Biyombo started at center for Cody Zeller , who is out at least four weeks after breaking a bone in his left hand in the team ’ s season-opening loss at Cleveland .
Thunder : Will host the Jazz on Monday night in their home opener .
Hornets : Will be tested as they host Kevin Durant and the Nets in a back-to-back at home Sunday night @

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - After watching his team surrender a 13-point lead in the final two minutes, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said he needed to clear his head.
He did, and then he went to work.
Gilgeous-Alexander knocked down a tiebreaking jumper with 1.4 seconds left and finished with 24 points, helping the Oklahoma City Thunder hold off a furious rally by the Charlotte Hornets to win their season opener 109-107 Saturday night.
Taking the last shot is a role the third-year player said he’s become comfortable with.
“The greats do it,” he said. “It’s a role I’m blessed to have. But I work extremely hard and I want to take full advantage of it.”
The Thunder led 102-89 with 1:50 to go, but Miles Bridges spurred Charlotte with 11 of his 14 points in the final 1:06 - including a trio of 3s in the last 25 seconds. His final 3 tied it at 107 with 10.3 seconds left.
Gilgeous-Alexander then took the inbound pass, brought the ball up the floor and pulled up from 23 feet to drain a contested jumper over Caleb Martin from the top of the key.
“He understood how much time he had and got to his spot,” said Mark Daigneault, who won in his debut as Oklahoma City’s coach.
George Hill was 8 of 9 from the field and finished with 21 points, and Darius Bazley and Luguentz Dort each had 15 points for the Thunder after their first scheduled game against the Rockets was postponed earlier in the week.
“When coach drew it up, he told Shai to go at six, I was like, he’s hitting the shot,” Bazley said.
Hill said he liked what he saw from the new-look Thunder.
“This season is a going to have a lot of ups and downs, some wins and losses, but the more we can stay together and be resilient, we will be fine,” Hill said.
Terry Rozier, who had 42 points on 10 3-pointers in Charlotte’s loss to the Cavaliers to open the season, had 19 points to lead the Hornets, but his desperation heave at the buzzer fell short.
P.J. Washington added 18 points and rookie LaMelo Ball scored 13 points off the bench.
Ball was held scoreless in the NBA regular season debut against the Cavaliers but scored nine in the first quarter Saturday, including two 3s. He later got a floater to fall from 13 feet and added a dunk off a steal, finishing the first half 5 of 6 from the floor for 13 points to give the Hornets a 59-57 lead at the break. However, he did not score in the second half, missing all four shots from the field.
“I thought LaMelo played extremely well tonight,” Hornets coach James Borrego said. “There may be more minutes for him. Tonight was a good step for him.”
TIP-INS
Thunder: Outrebound the Hornets 54-47 behind 13 boards from Al Horford.
Hornets: Charlotte shot 6 of 31 from the field in the third quarter after shooting 50% in the first half. … Bismack Biyombo started at center for Cody Zeller, who is out at least four weeks after breaking a bone in his left hand in the team’s season-opening loss at Cleveland.
CLOSING THE DEAL
The Thunder struggled with putting the game away in the final 2 minutes, missing free throws and turning the ball over. Daigneault said that will be an area the team must improve upon.
“We could have handled it better,” Daigneault said. “Hopefully we learn from it and handle it better next time.”
As for his own performance in his coaching debut, Daigneault said he gave himself a “C-plus.”
UP NEXT
Thunder: Will host the Jazz on Monday night in their home opener.
Hornets: Will be tested as they host Kevin Durant and the Nets in a back-to-back at home Sunday night.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-12-26--Shooting at Illinois bowling alley leaves 3 dead, 3 injured

ROCKFORD , Ill. ( AP ) - A gunman opened fire inside an Illinois bowling alley , killing three people @ @ @ @ @ night in what authorities believe was a random attack .
A “ person of interest @ @ @ @ @ after the shooting at Don Carter Lanes , Rockford Police Chief Dan O ’ Shea @ @ @ @ @ .
He said two of those who were shot were teenagers .
O ’ Shea @ @ @ @ @ information about the victims or the person who was taken into custody .
He described @ @ @ @ @ said he did not think any officers fired their weapons while apprehending the person of @ @ @ @ @ 80 miles ( 130 kilometers ) northwest of Chicago .
The Rockford Register Star reported @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s deadliest year for homicides , according to records that date back to @ @ @ @ @ been killed in the city this year , breaking the previous record of 31 in @ @

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) - A gunman opened fire inside an Illinois bowling alley, killing three people and injuring three others Saturday night in what authorities believe was a random attack.
A 37-year-old male suspect was in custody after the shooting at Don Carter Lanes, Rockford police said in a social media post.
Two of those who were shot were teenagers, police Chief Dan O’Shea said during a news conference.
O’Shea did not immediately release additional information about the victims. He described the scene as contained and said he did not think any officers fired their weapons while apprehending the suspected gunman.
Rockford is about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northwest of Chicago.
Mayor Tom McNamara released a statement saying he was “angered and saddened” about the shooting.
“My thoughts are with the families of those who lost loved ones,” McNamara said. “I’m also thinking of those who were injured and my hopes are with them for a quick and full recovery.”
The Rockford Register Star reported that 2020 has been the city’s deadliest year for homicides, according to records that date back to 1965. Thirty-five people have been killed in the city this year, breaking the previous record of 31 in 1996.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Militants attack checkpoint in Pakistan, killing at least 7

QUETTA , Pakistan ( AP ) - At least seven Pakistani security men were killed when a group of militants attacked a paramilitary checkpoint early Sunday in a province rocked for years by an insurgency , a statement from Pakistan ’ s army said .
Officials say gunmen attacked the Frontier Corps post in the district of Harnai in Baluchistan province .
Senior police officer Shawli Tareen gave a slightly higher death toll than the army , saying that during the exchange of gunfire early Sunday morning , six paramilitary troops and two private guards were killed .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attack .
The attackers fled the scene and made their way into the mountainous terrain before other security teams could arrive to assist , Tareen said .
The attack on the Frontier Corps comes a day after a bomb exploded near a soccer field , killing two spectators and wounding another six in Panjgur district in southwestern Baluchistan .
No group immediately claimed responsibility for either attack .
Similar attacks in the past have been claimed by separatist groups in the area .
Islamic militants also operate in the region .
Baluchistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a decade .
Baluch separatists demand complete autonomy or a massive share to locals from the province ’ s gas and mineral resources .
Associated Press writer Asim Tanveer contributed to this report from Multan , Pakistan .

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) - At least seven Pakistani security men were killed when a group of militants attacked a paramilitary checkpoint early Sunday in a province rocked for years by an insurgency, a statement from Pakistan’s army said.
Officials say gunmen attacked the Frontier Corps post in the district of Harnai in Baluchistan province.
Senior police officer Shawli Tareen gave a slightly higher death toll than the army, saying that during the exchange of gunfire early Sunday morning, six paramilitary troops and two private guards were killed. He said six other troops were critically wounded in the attack.
The attackers fled the scene and made their way into the mountainous terrain before other security teams could arrive to assist, Tareen said.
The attack on the Frontier Corps comes a day after a bomb exploded near a soccer field, killing two spectators and wounding another six in Panjgur district in southwestern Baluchistan.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for either attack. Similar attacks in the past have been claimed by separatist groups in the area. Islamic militants also operate in the region.
Baluchistan has been battling an insurgency for more than a decade. Baluch separatists demand complete autonomy or a massive share to locals from the province’s gas and mineral resources.
___
Associated Press writer Asim Tanveer contributed to this report from Multan, Pakistan.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Pope proclaims year of families, offers advice to keep peace

ROME ( AP ) - Pope Francis on Sunday proclaimed an upcoming year dedicated to the family as he doubled down on one of his papal priorities and urged renewed attention to his controversial 2016 document on family life .
Francis announced the upcoming year on the family would begin March 19 , the fifth anniversary of his document “ The Joy of Love.
” Among other things , the document opened the door to letting divorced and civilly remarried couples receive Communion , sparking criticism and even claims of heresy from conservative Catholics .
Francis penned the document after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate how the Catholic Church can better minister to families .
While the divorce-remarriage issue dominated headlines during the back-to-back synods , the discussion also touched on ministering to gay people and other “ non-traditional ” families .
Francis made the comments during his Sunday noon blessing , delivered from inside his studio to prevent people from gathering in St. Peter ’ s Square below as part of the Vatican ’ s anti-virus precautions .
In making the announcement , Francis offered some friendly papal advice to bickering families , reminding them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sorry ” and never end the day without making peace .
“ Because the Cold War the day after is dangerous , ” he quipped .

ROME (AP) - Pope Francis on Sunday proclaimed an upcoming year dedicated to the family as he doubled down on one of his papal priorities and urged renewed attention to his controversial 2016 document on family life.
Francis announced the upcoming year on the family would begin March 19, the fifth anniversary of his document “The Joy of Love.” Among other things, the document opened the door to letting divorced and civilly remarried couples receive Communion, sparking criticism and even claims of heresy from conservative Catholics.
Francis penned the document after summoning bishops from around the world to debate how the Catholic Church can better minister to families. While the divorce-remarriage issue dominated headlines during the back-to-back synods, the discussion also touched on ministering to gay people and other “non-traditional” families.
Francis made the comments during his Sunday noon blessing, delivered from inside his studio to prevent people from gathering in St. Peter’s Square below as part of the Vatican’s anti-virus precautions.
In making the announcement, Francis offered some friendly papal advice to bickering families, reminding them to say “pardon me, thank you and sorry” and never end the day without making peace.
“Because the Cold War the day after is dangerous,” he quipped.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Bus crash in western Cameroon kills 37, injures 18

YAOUNDE , Cameroon ( AP ) - More than 37 people are dead and 18 others seriously injured after a @ @ @ @ @ s western village of Nemale , officials said .
A 70-seater bus was on its @ @ @ @ @ Yaounde , from the western town of Foumban when it crashed into a truck while @ @ @ @ @ of people on the road around 2 a.m. Sunday , said Absalom Monono Woloa , @ @ @ @ @ the area .
“ Most of the travelers were either going to spend New Year @ @ @ @ @ families , returning from Christmas Day festivities or were business people supplying gifts for New @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Village residents ran to the road to help the more than @ @ @ @ @ the bus , he said .
The death toll will likely rise as rescue workers @ @ @ @ @ he said .

YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) - More than 37 people are dead and 18 others seriously injured after a bus crash in Cameroon’s western village of Nemale, officials said.
A 70-seater bus was on its way to the capital, Yaounde, from the western town of Foumban when it crashed into a truck while trying to avoid a crowd of people on the road around 2 a.m. Sunday, said Absalom Monono Woloa, a senior government official in the area.
“Most of the travelers were either going to spend New Year’s Day with their families, returning from Christmas Day festivities or were business people supplying gifts for New Year’s feasts,” he said.
Village residents ran to the road to help the more than 60 commuters who were on the bus, he said.
The death toll will likely rise as rescue workers dig through the wreckage, he said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Sudanese man's death draws attention to paramilitary force

CAIRO ( AP ) - The death of a Sudanese man who was snatched while sitting at a coffee shop has sparked controversy around the scope of a paramilitary force whose members once formed the backbone of a militia that rights groups say committed war crimes in Darfur .
Bahaa el-Din Nouri , 45 , was taken on Dec. 16 from the Kalakla neighborhood in the southern part of the capital , Khartoum , by men wearing plain clothes and riding in a vehicle without license plates , his family has said .
Five days later , his body appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Omdurman , just across the Nile River from Khartoum .
The family refused to take the body for immediate burial after seeing signs of apparent beating and torture , according to Nouri ’ s brother , Yasser .
Culture and Information Minister Faisal Mohammed Saleh said the family met with the general prosecutor on Thursday and asked for an autopsy to reveal the cause of death .
Saleh , who is also the government spokesman , said an initial investigation showed that Nouri died while being interrogated by the Rapid Support Forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not respond to phone calls and text messages seeking comment .
The force is largely comprised of former Janjaweed militiamen who executed a brutal crackdown in Sudan ’ s Darfur region over the past two decades .
Rights groups have accused the Janjaweed of committing war crimes , including raping and killing civilians and burning down villages during counterinsurgency raids in Darfur and other areas of western Sudan during the conflict .
The RSF is led by powerful Sudanese Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo , who is also the deputy head of the ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead the RSF by former longtime leader Omar al-Bashir .
Since al-Bashir ’ s ouster in April 2019 , Dagalo has emerged as Sudan ’ s main power broker , with his forces deployed in areas across the capital and other main cities .
The country is currently led by a joint military-civilian government .
A report by Sudan ’ s Monti-Caroo news website , which extensively covers RSF activities , said Nouri was being interrogated over allegations of belonging to a “ terrorist group trading in explosives.
” The report did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Association , which helped spearhead mass protests against al-Bashir , called for the closure of all detention centers run by the RSF .
The association also called for the release of the RSF ’ s detainees or for detainees to be turned over to the police .
In a satirical tweet , Sudanese analyst and the editor of the daily newspaper al-Tayar , Osman Mirghani , suggested that Sudanese drivers ought to remove their car license plates “ to force the government to ban ” security forces from doing so .
Activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nouri ’ s death to be held accountable , and for an end to impunity when the suspects are members of the security forces .
She said what happened with Nouri could happen to anyone , adding “ this is a serious indication of the state institutions ’ inaction towards security issues .
”

CAIRO (AP) - The death of a Sudanese man who was snatched while sitting at a coffee shop has sparked controversy around the scope of a paramilitary force whose members once formed the backbone of a militia that rights groups say committed war crimes in Darfur.
Bahaa el-Din Nouri, 45, was taken on Dec. 16 from the Kalakla neighborhood in the southern part of the capital, Khartoum, by men wearing plain clothes and riding in a vehicle without license plates, his family has said.
Five days later, his body appeared at a hospital morgue in the city of Omdurman, just across the Nile River from Khartoum. The family refused to take the body for immediate burial after seeing signs of apparent beating and torture, according to Nouri’s brother, Yasser.
Culture and Information Minister Faisal Mohammed Saleh said the family met with the general prosecutor on Thursday and asked for an autopsy to reveal the cause of death.
Saleh, who is also the government spokesman, said an initial investigation showed that Nouri died while being interrogated by the Rapid Support Forces.
Brig. Gen. Gamal Goma, the RSF spokesman, said the head of the RSF’s intelligence unit as well as officers involved in Nouri’s detention and interrogation have been suspended or detained, pending an investigation into his death. The statement did not give further details.
The RSF is largely comprised of former Janjaweed militiamen who executed a brutal crackdown in Sudan’s Darfur region over the past two decades. Rights groups have accused the Janjaweed of committing war crimes, including raping and killing civilians and burning down villages during counterinsurgency raids in Darfur and other areas of western Sudan during the conflict.
The RSF is led by powerful Sudanese Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, who is also the deputy head of the ruling sovereign council. Dagalo was appointed to lead the RSF by former longtime leader Omar al-Bashir.
Since al-Bashir’s ouster in April 2019, Dagalo has emerged as Sudan’s main power broker, with his forces deployed in areas across the capital and other main cities. The country is currently led by a joint military-civilian government.
A report by Sudan’s Monti-Caroo news website, which extensively covers RSF activities, said Nouri was being interrogated over allegations of belonging to a “terrorist group trading in explosives.” The report did not provide further details.
The Sudanese Professionals’ Association, which helped spearhead mass protests against al-Bashir, called for the closure of all detention centers run by the RSF. The association also called for the release of the RSF’s detainees or for detainees to be turned over to the police.
In a satirical tweet, Sudanese analyst and the editor of the daily newspaper al-Tayar, Osman Mirghani, suggested that Sudanese drivers ought to remove their car license plates “to force the government to ban” security forces from doing so.
Activist Shamael el-Noor called for those responsible for Nouri’s death to be held accountable, and for an end to impunity when the suspects are members of the security forces. She said what happened with Nouri could happen to anyone, adding “this is a serious indication of the state institutions’ inaction towards security issues.”
Another Sudanese man died on Saturday, a day after his release from police custody in Omdurman, according to a police statement Sunday.
Ezzel-Din Ali Hamed, 22, was arrested on Dec. 17 as part of an investigation into charges of robbery. On Friday, prosecutors had ordered his release pending the investigation.
However, police say his health deteriorated after his release and he was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The police statement didn’t say what was wrong with him, but said security officers implicated in Hamed’s arrest and death were being detained and investigated.
The statement was released amid public outcry over his death. Hamed’s family held a protest Saturday outside a hospital in Omdurman, accusing police of beating and torturing him to death.
French researcher Jean-Baptiste Gallopin, meanwhile, said he was not allowed to enter Sudan. He said he was detained upon his arrival at Khartoum’s airport Sunday morning, and that security officials told him his name was on a “security list.”
“I am now safely back home … I hope to be able to travel back to Sudan very soon and resume my work,” Gallopin, a former researcher at Amnesty International, said in a tweet.
Saleh, the government spokesman, did not respond to calls seeking comment.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Syrian refugee camp burnt to ground in northern Lebanon

BEIRUT ( AP ) - More than 300 Syrian refugees were forced to flee an informal camp in northern Lebanon as a blaze raged through and burnt tents to the ground , U.N. and Lebanese officials said Sunday .
The fire late Saturday raged for four hours as firefighters tried to put it out , the Lebanese civil defense said .
The fire ensued following a fight between a Lebanese family in al-Miniyeh in the country ’ s north and Syrians living in the camp , according to Lebanese media reports .
A Lebanese official said the army is investigating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raids to round up those responsible for the altercation .
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because an official statement has not yet been released .
Khaled Kabbara , a U.N .
Refugee Agency spokesman in northern Lebanon , said some 375 people lived in the informal settlement that was located on a plot of rented land .
He said the entire camp was burnt to the ground .
Kabbara said four people were injured in the fire and hospitalized with minor injuries .
He said some residents of the camp returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salvaged from the fire .
Most of the refugees have sought refuge in other nearby informal settlements .
Some from the local community have also offered shelter , Kabbara said .
Kabbara said altercations between residents and Syrian refugees often “ catastrophically impact the community as a whole.
” Tensions are common in Lebanon between citizens and Syrian refugees who have fled the war in their country .
Lebanon is host to more than 1 million refugees , nearly a quarter of the country ’ s population of 5 million , burdening the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tensions between Lebanese and Syrians also dates back to the days when Syria dominated its smaller neighbor for almost three decades with thousands of troops stationed in Lebanon .
They withdrew in 2005 following the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri , which sparked massive anti-Syrian protests .

BEIRUT (AP) - More than 300 Syrian refugees were forced to flee an informal camp in northern Lebanon as a blaze raged through and burnt tents to the ground, U.N. and Lebanese officials said Sunday.
The fire late Saturday raged for four hours as firefighters tried to put it out, the Lebanese civil defense said.
The fire ensued following a fight between a Lebanese family and Syrians living in the camp in the al-Miniyeh district in the country’s north, according to Lebanese media reports.
The Lebanese army said Sunday it had conducted raids and arrested two Lebanese men and six Syrians as part of the investigation. The statement said the Lebanese men had fired weapons into the air and torched the tents. The army also confiscated weapons during the raids and said it expected to make further arrests.
Khaled Kabbara, a U.N. refugee agency spokesman in northern Lebanon, said some 375 people lived in the informal settlement that was located on a plot of rented land. He said the entire camp was burnt to the ground.
Kabbara said four people were hospitalized with minor injuries from the fire. He said some residents of the camp returned Sunday to see if anything could be salvaged.
Most of the refugees have sought shelter in other nearby informal settlements, and some members of the local community have also offered shelter, Kabbara said.
Kabbara said altercations between residents and Syrian refugees often “catastrophically impact the community as a whole.”
Tensions are common in Lebanon between citizens and Syrian refugees who have fled the war in their country. Lebanon is host to more than 1 million refugees, nearly a quarter of the country’s population of 5 million, burdening the nation’s already crumbling infrastructure.
Tensions between Lebanese and Syrians also dates back to the days when Syria dominated its smaller neighbor for almost three decades with thousands of troops stationed in Lebanon. They withdrew in 2005 following the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, which sparked massive anti-Syrian protests.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Niger polls open for presidential, legislative elections

NIAMEY , Niger ( AP ) - Niger is voting Sunday in presidential and legislative elections that could see the West African country ’ s first democratic transition of power since independence amid a growing threat from jihadists in the region .
“ Equipment was well installed and the first voter was able to vote , ” just after 8 a.m. at the Diori school in Niamey , according to the head of the polling station there , Khadija Hassan .
“ Everything has been going normally.
” Other voting centers in the capital reported successful openings as well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7.4 million Nigeriens are voting to elect legislators and the successor to President Mahamadou Issoufou .
Issoufou , who has served two terms , is stepping down , paving the way for the first peaceful transfer of power between two elected presidents since Niger became independent from France in 1960 .
Niger has seen four coups since then .
Issoufou voted Sunday with his wife and the president of the National Assembly .
He said he hopes the election “ will allow Niger to consolidate its status as a model of democracy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 6,800 observers from various organizations are deployed around the country , he said .
“ We are the bearer of an ambition , the ambition to modernize politics , the ambition to detribalize politics , the ambition to put policy around values and not on identity , ” he said .
“ The victory will belong to the Nigerien people.
” A peaceful transfer would be significant not only in Niger but also in West Africa , where leaders recently have held on for disputed third terms in Guinea and Ivory Coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to deal with major problems including extremism , poverty , displacement and corruption .
Attacks by Islamic extremists has affected local elections for weeks .
In the most recent incident , the Nigeria-based Boko Haram fighters killed more than 28 people in Toumour in the Diffa region , the day before the vote .
Niger also faces increasing attacks from fighters linked to the Islamic State group and al-Qaida .
Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands have been displaced despite the presence of thousands of regional and international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bazoum , the candidate of the current president ’ s Nigerian Party for Democracy and Socialism , is among the front runners in the election .
A teacher by training , Bazoum has promised to build boarding schools for girls to encourage them to stay in school longer , which he said would help reduce child marriage in a country with many teenage pregnancies .
Another candidate , retired Gen. Salou Djibo , a former head of state who staged a coup in 2010 , has said he is best placed to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign affairs minister who was kicked out of the ruling party because of indiscipline , is campaigning against corruption .
But Bazoum ’ s biggest competition comes from former President Mahamane Ousmane , who has the endorsement of opposition leader Hama Amadou , whose candidacy was rejected by the constitutional court because of a one-year prison sentence for charges of baby-trafficking .
Amadou denies the charges , calling them politically motivated .
If no one candidate wins more than 50 % , Nigeriens will vote in a second round on Feb. 21 .

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) - Niger voted Sunday in presidential and legislative elections that could see the West African country’s first democratic transition of power since independence amid a growing threat from jihadists in the region.
A good turnout was seen in the capital throughout the day, said observers .
“Equipment was well installed and the first voter was able to vote,” just after 8 a.m. at the Diori school in Niamey, according to the head of the polling station there, Khadija Hassan. “Everything has been going normally.”
Other voting centers in the capital reported successes as well, with COVID-19 restrictions in place.
Some 7.4 million Nigeriens were registered to vote to elect legislators and the successor to President Mahamadou Issoufou.
Issoufou, who has served two terms, is stepping down, paving the way for the first peaceful transfer of power between two elected presidents since Niger became independent from France in 1960. Niger has seen four coups since then.
Issoufou voted Sunday with his wife and the president of the National Assembly.
He said he hopes the election “will allow Niger to consolidate its status as a model of democracy in Africa and in the world.”
More than 6,800 observers from various organizations are deployed around the country, he said.
“We are the bearer of an ambition, the ambition to modernize politics, the ambition to detribalize politics, the ambition to put policy around values and not on identity,” he said. “The victory will belong to the Nigerien people.”
A peaceful transfer would be significant not only in Niger but also in West Africa, where leaders recently have held on for disputed third terms in Guinea and Ivory Coast.
Niger’s next president will have to deal with major problems including extremism, poverty, displacement and corruption.
Attacks by Islamic extremists has affected local elections for weeks. In the most recent incident, the Nigeria-based Boko Haram fighters killed more than 28 people in Toumour in the Diffa region, the day before the vote.
Niger also faces increasing attacks from fighters linked to the Islamic State group and al-Qaida. Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands have been displaced despite the presence of thousands of regional and international troops.
Former foreign affairs minister Mohamed Bazoum, the candidate of the current president’s Nigerian Party for Democracy and Socialism, is among the front runners in the election.
A teacher by training, Bazoum has promised to build boarding schools for girls to encourage them to stay in school longer, which he said would help reduce child marriage in a country with many teenage pregnancies.
Another candidate, retired Gen. Salou Djibo, a former head of state who staged a coup in 2010, has said he is best placed to fight extremism.
Ibrahim Yacoubou, a former foreign affairs minister who was kicked out of the ruling party because of indiscipline, is campaigning against corruption.
But Bazoum’s biggest competition comes from former President Mahamane Ousmane, who has the endorsement of opposition leader Hama Amadou, whose candidacy was rejected by the constitutional court because of a one-year prison sentence for charges of baby-trafficking. Amadou denies the charges, calling them politically motivated.
If no one candidate wins more than 50%, Nigeriens will vote in a second round on Feb. 21.
___
AP journalist Carley Petesch contributed from Dakar, Senegal.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Me who? Andrew Cuomo accuser's fast-fading charges make mockery of 'believe all women'

If you blinked—or if you watch CNN—you may have missed Lindsey Boylan ’ s harassment allegations against New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , another sign that the # MeToo movement has lost its mojo when it comes to Democratic political luminaries .
Ten days after the 36-year-old ex-Cuomo aide tweeted that the governor “ sexually harassed me for years , ” which he promptly denied , the story has all but disappeared , barely nicking Mr. Cuomo ’ s status as an A-list Democratic star while making a further mockery of the party ’ s “ believe all women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are concerned , the lesson is that women—even liberal Democratic women like Ms. Boylan who can prove their proximity to the accused—shouldn ’ t expect the Christine Ford Blasey treatment if the man in question is a Democratic heavyweight .
“ I think it suggests that the usual logic is back in play , which is , you ’ d better have a decent load of evidence if you ’ re going to accuse a powerful liberal Democrat , ” said Tim Graham , director of media analysis for the conservative Media Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have what they would consider the goods.
” And that ’ s on her .
After leveling the explosive charge on Dec. 13 , Ms. Boylan offered no evidence and said she would have no further comment , tweeting , “ I have no interest in talking to journalists , ” even though she was already a public figure as a candidate for Manhattan Borough president .
Within hours , the Cuomo team went on defense .
Leaked internal documents showed that Ms. Boylan left the governor ’ s office after other staffers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three Black employees who said she was a “ bully ” who treated them “ like children , ” according to the New York Post .
Days later , Ms. Boylan ’ s campaign communications consultant quit over the allegations , the New York Daily News reported .
Elsewhere , the story received perfunctory coverage .
Major newspapers covered her allegations and Mr. Cuomo ’ s denial , while the broadcast networks ran online stories .
Fox News reported the story on the air , but there was one cable network that appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than a week after the story broke , Mr. Graham said his organization , which tracks media bias , had found no evidence of coverage from CNN , where Mr. Cuomo ’ s brother Chris Cuomo works as host of “ Cuomo Prime Time.
” The Washington Times has reached out to CNN for comment on the absence of reporting , which conservative critics have cited as evidence of political favoritism when it comes to Andrew Cuomo .
“ I don ’ t think they [ CNN ] have even tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Cuomo , ” said Mr. Graham .
“ I could sit here for several hours scratching my head trying to come up with an example .
No segments where [ host ] Brian Stelter chews out the rest of the network for being soft on Chris ’ s brother.
” Democrats have been similarly mum on the accusations , although there was one political figure who took them seriously enough to call for an investigation : New York Rep. Elise Stefanik , a Republican .
“ I am publicly calling for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pervasive workplace sexual harassment and verbal abuse by Governor Andrew Cuomo , ” Ms. Stefanik said in a statement to Syracuse.com .
“ The people of New York deserve a Governor who lives up to his own public statements on sexual harassment.
” Ms. Boylan , who described the office atmosphere as “ beyond toxic , ” also said she was certain that other women had been harassed .
“ Not knowing what to expect [ that ’ s ] the most upsetting part aside from knowing that no one would do a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Ms. Boylan tweeted .
“ No one .
And I *know* I am not the only woman.
” Without details and corroboration , it may be unsurprising that her allegations have gone nowhere , although that was hardly the criteria in the Kavanaugh case , as Republican operative Scott Jennings noted .
After USA Today reported that Ms. Boylan had no “ validating evidence , ” Mr. Jennings tweeted , “ Oh , is that the standard ?
I ’ ll let Brett Kavanaugh know.
” The case against Mr. Kavanaugh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blasey Ford unable even to prove that she had met him , and yet her uncorroborated 2017 sexual-assault allegations became a national rallying cry that nearly toppled a Supreme Court nominee .
That could mean that the # MeToo movement has stalled after taking out the most egregious high-profile transgressors , starting with Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein .
Or maybe the movement has evolved to the point that an allegation alone isn ’ t enough to trigger a media inquisition .
If so , “ that would be convenient , wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Well , ‘ we learned our lesson from Kavanaugh , so now we ’ re going to go easy on Andrew Cuomo.
’ I would love to hear someone actually say that.
” If not , then the case could be made that top Democrats are benefiting from a MeToo double standard .
President-elect Joseph R. Biden survived sexual-assault allegations made in March by a former staffer , Tara Reade , which he denied .
Coverage of her accusations included reports about her misrepresenting her academic credentials and praising Mr. Biden a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden came under fire last year for touching women at events and smelling their hair , which some women said made them uncomfortable .
He never quite apologized , but he did say in April 2019 that he would be “ more mindful about respecting personal space.
” In August 2018 , an ex-girlfriend , Karen Monahan , accused then-Rep. Keith Ellison , Minnesota Democrat , of abusive behavior , which he denied .
Three months later , he won his race for Minnesota Attorney General .
While the allegations were arguably stronger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against now-Justice Kavanaugh—both Ms. Monahan and Ms. Reade could prove they knew their accused—neither of the accusers ever became a feminist folk hero , as Ms. Blasey Ford did .
Of course , not every Democrat emerged from the MeToo heyday unscathed .
Sen. Al Franken , Minnesota Democrat , resigned in January 2018 after allegations of inappropriate behavior and touching from multiple women .
Then again , the damage to the party was minimal .
Unlike Mr. Biden and Mr. Ellison , Mr. Franken was not viewed as pivotal to the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Sen. Tina Smith , who won a special election to keep the seat in November 2018 .
In a staff editorial , the New York Post said Mr. Cuomo was lucky to be a Democrat , lest the episode result in “ political challenges and media shame.
” “ You have to regard Boylan ’ s claims with skepticism , since she offers no details or back-up and won ’ t even discuss the matter , ” said the Dec. 14 editorial .
“ But will the left and the media be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone from the political right facing such charges ?
”

If you blinked — or if you watch CNN — you may have missed Lindsey Boylan’s harassment allegations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, another sign that the #MeToo movement has lost its mojo when it comes to Democratic political luminaries.
Ten days after the 36-year-old ex-Cuomo aide tweeted that the governor “sexually harassed me for years,” which he promptly denied, the story has all but disappeared, barely nicking Mr. Cuomo’s status as an A-list Democratic star while making a further mockery of the party’s “believe all women” mantra.
As far as conservatives are concerned, the lesson is that women—even liberal Democratic women like Ms. Boylan who can prove their proximity to the accused—shouldn’t expect the Christine Ford Blasey treatment if the man in question is a Democratic heavyweight.
“I think it suggests that the usual logic is back in play, which is, you’d better have a decent load of evidence if you’re going to accuse a powerful liberal Democrat,” said Tim Graham, director of media analysis for the conservative Media Research Center. “She doesn’t have what they would consider the goods.”
And that’s on her. After leveling the explosive charge on Dec. 13, Ms. Boylan offered no evidence and said she would have no further comment, tweeting, “I have no interest in talking to journalists,” even though she was already a public figure as a candidate for Manhattan Borough president.
Within hours, the Cuomo team went on defense. Leaked internal documents showed that Ms. Boylan left the governor’s office after other staffers claimed she exceeded her authority, including three Black employees who said she was a “bully” who treated them “like children,” according to the New York Post.
Days later, Ms. Boylan’s campaign communications consultant quit over the allegations, the New York Daily News reported.
Yes, @NYGovCuomo sexually harassed me for years. Many saw it, and watched.
I could never anticipate what to expect: would I be grilled on my work (which was very good) or harassed about my looks. Or would it be both in the same conversation? This was the way for years. — Lindsey Boylan (@LindseyBoylan) December 13, 2020
Elsewhere, the story received perfunctory coverage. Major newspapers covered her allegations and Mr. Cuomo’s denial, while the broadcast networks ran online stories. Fox News reported the story on the air, but there was one cable network that appeared to ignore the incident entirely: CNN.
More than a week after the story broke, Mr. Graham said his organization, which tracks media bias, had found no evidence of coverage from CNN, where Mr. Cuomo’s brother Chris Cuomo works as host of “Cuomo Prime Time.”
The Washington Times has reached out to CNN for comment on the absence of reporting, which conservative critics have cited as evidence of political favoritism when it comes to Andrew Cuomo.
“I don’t think they [CNN] have even tried to demonstrate that they can be fair on Cuomo,” said Mr. Graham. “I could sit here for several hours scratching my head trying to come up with an example. No segments where [host] Brian Stelter chews out the rest of the network for being soft on Chris’s brother.”
Democrats have been similarly mum on the accusations, although there was one political figure who took them seriously enough to call for an investigation: New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican.
“I am publicly calling for an independent investigation into the serious allegations of pervasive workplace sexual harassment and verbal abuse by Governor Andrew Cuomo,” Ms. Stefanik said in a statement to Syracuse.com. “The people of New York deserve a Governor who lives up to his own public statements on sexual harassment.”
Ms. Boylan, who described the office atmosphere as “beyond toxic,” also said she was certain that other women had been harassed.
“Not knowing what to expect [that’s] the most upsetting part aside from knowing that no one would do a damn thing even when they saw it,” Ms. Boylan tweeted. “No one. And I *know* I am not the only woman.”
Without details and corroboration, it may be unsurprising that her allegations have gone nowhere, although that was hardly the criteria in the Kavanaugh case, as Republican operative Scott Jennings noted.
After USA Today reported that Ms. Boylan had no “validating evidence,” Mr. Jennings tweeted, “Oh, is that the standard? I’ll let Brett Kavanaugh know.”
Biden, Ellison emerge unscathed
The case against Mr. Kavanaugh amounted to a he-said-she-said, with Ms. Blasey Ford unable even to prove that she had met him, and yet her uncorroborated 2017 sexual-assault allegations became a national rallying cry that nearly toppled a Supreme Court nominee.
That could mean that the #MeToo movement has stalled after taking out the most egregious high-profile transgressors, starting with Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Or maybe the movement has evolved to the point that an allegation alone isn’t enough to trigger a media inquisition.
If so, “that would be convenient, wouldn’t it?” said Mr. Graham. “Well, ‘we learned our lesson from Kavanaugh, so now we’re going to go easy on Andrew Cuomo.’ I would love to hear someone actually say that.”
If not, then the case could be made that top Democrats are benefiting from a MeToo double standard.
President-elect Joseph R. Biden survived sexual-assault allegations made in March by a former staffer, Tara Reade, which he denied. Coverage of her accusations included reports about her misrepresenting her academic credentials and praising Mr. Biden a few years earlier on Twitter.
Mr. Biden came under fire last year for touching women at events and smelling their hair, which some women said made them uncomfortable. He never quite apologized, but he did say in April 2019 that he would be “more mindful about respecting personal space.”
In August 2018, an ex-girlfriend, Karen Monahan, accused then-Rep. Keith Ellison, Minnesota Democrat, of abusive behavior, which he denied. Three months later, he won his race for Minnesota Attorney General.
While the allegations were arguably stronger than Ms. Blasey Ford’s case against now-Justice Kavanaugh—both Ms. Monahan and Ms. Reade could prove they knew their accused—neither of the accusers ever became a feminist folk hero, as Ms. Blasey Ford did.
Of course, not every Democrat emerged from the MeToo heyday unscathed. Sen. Al Franken, Minnesota Democrat, resigned in January 2018 after allegations of inappropriate behavior and touching from multiple women.
Then again, the damage to the party was minimal. Unlike Mr. Biden and Mr. Ellison, Mr. Franken was not viewed as pivotal to the Democratic future. He was promptly replaced by Democratic Sen. Tina Smith, who won a special election to keep the seat in November 2018.
In a staff editorial, the New York Post said Mr. Cuomo was lucky to be a Democrat, lest the episode result in “political challenges and media shame.”
“You have to regard Boylan’s claims with skepticism, since she offers no details or back-up and won’t even discuss the matter,” said the Dec. 14 editorial. “But will the left and the media be so skeptical next time it’s someone from the political right facing such charges?”
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.