newsweek--2020-12-08--Civil Rights Leaders Urge Biden to Pick a Black Attorney General Nominee

Several prominent civil rights leaders are urging President-elect Joe Biden to nominate a Black person to be his attorney general , citing pressing issues like voting rights , police violence and prison concerns that disproportionately have affected the Black community .
`` My preference is to have a Black attorney general , '' the Rev .
Al Sharpton , president and founder of the National Action Network , told reporters Tuesday evening after he and other leaders held a virtual meeting with Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris .
`` The least we can have is someone with a proven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , president of the National Urban League , said he also specifically voiced a preference for a Black attorney general who has a background in civil rights , similar to Eric Holder , who served as Barack Obama 's attorney general from 2009 to 2015 .
The outspoken comments come as Biden has been weighing several potential attorney general nominees with an eye on the top issues they will face in the new administration—priorities that will likely be a major reversal from the Trump administration 's Department of Justice .
The civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' meeting with Biden to stress that the Department of Justice should focus on issues of equality for the Black and Latino communities .
`` It 's a vast portfolio , '' Sherrilyn Ifill , president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund , said of the Justice Department 's authority .
`` We did n't provide names , but we tried to give a framework to give confidence to the Black community and civil rights organizations . ''
A wave of protests broke out across the country in May after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest in which one officer placed his knee on Floyd 's neck for nearly nine minutes .
Protesters also have highlighted the death of Breonna Taylor and other Black people who were killed in encounters with law enforcement .
Kristen Clarke , president and executive director of the Lawyers ' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law , said she 's also concerned that `` voter suppression is alive and well '' with rollbacks of the Voting Rights Act .
Others who took part in the meeting with Biden and Harris included Melanie Campbell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coalition on Black Civic Participation ; Vanita Gupta , president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights ; and NAACP President Derrick Johnson .
Biden , who has been steadily revealing his list of nominees to top cabinet posts , has n't yet reached a final decision on attorney general .
The civil rights leaders said they did not discuss any specific candidates , and Biden gave them no indication of who his leading pick is , they said .
`` This was not a meeting to broker for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our constituents , '' Sharpton said .
Biden 's transition team said in a statement after the meeting that it likely would be the first in recurring meetings with the groups .
`` They discussed their joint priorities including advancing racial equity across the board , enforcing civil rights , and assembling a diverse White House and Cabinet that represents America , '' the Biden statement read .
`` They expressed the need to make sure the public knows the historic nature of many of the president-elect 's diverse nominees and the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Senate confirms them . ''
Some names that have been floated as potential attorney general nominees include Obama 's former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson ; outgoing U.S. Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama ; former Massachusetts Gov .
Deval Patrick ; and Sally Yates , who was deputy attorney general in the Obama administration .
The group of civil rights leaders told Biden to resist the temptation to go with a `` watered down '' pick just to ensure the nominee could make it through a closely-split and combative U.S. Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Senate confirmability should serve as a measuring stick is deeply troubling and unacceptable , '' she said .
In a meeting with the same civil rights leaders in June , Biden promised his administration would be historically diverse .
He 's expected to formally introduce retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin as his pick to become Defense Secretary during an event in Delaware on Wednesday .
Austin would be the first Black secretary of defense if the Senate confirms his nomination .
Biden 's also expected to name Ohio U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Caucus , to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development .
`` When we see the end of this process , it will be the most diverse cabinet , sub-cabinet and administration in history , '' Sharpton told reporters .
`` We will hold him by what he said . ''

Several prominent civil rights leaders are urging President-elect Joe Biden to nominate a Black person to be his attorney general, citing pressing issues like voting rights, police violence and prison concerns that disproportionately have affected the Black community.
"My preference is to have a Black attorney general," the Rev. Al Sharpton, president and founder of the National Action Network, told reporters Tuesday evening after he and other leaders held a virtual meeting with Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. "The least we can have is someone with a proven civil rights background."
Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, said he also specifically voiced a preference for a Black attorney general who has a background in civil rights, similar to Eric Holder, who served as Barack Obama's attorney general from 2009 to 2015.
The outspoken comments come as Biden has been weighing several potential attorney general nominees with an eye on the top issues they will face in the new administration—priorities that will likely be a major reversal from the Trump administration's Department of Justice.
The civil rights leaders said they used their "friendly" meeting with Biden to stress that the Department of Justice should focus on issues of equality for the Black and Latino communities.
"It's a vast portfolio," Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, said of the Justice Department's authority. "We didn't provide names, but we tried to give a framework to give confidence to the Black community and civil rights organizations."
A wave of protests broke out across the country in May after the death of George Floyd during a police arrest in which one officer placed his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes. Protesters also have highlighted the death of Breonna Taylor and other Black people who were killed in encounters with law enforcement.
Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said she's also concerned that "voter suppression is alive and well" with rollbacks of the Voting Rights Act.
Others who took part in the meeting with Biden and Harris included Melanie Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation; Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights; and NAACP President Derrick Johnson.
Biden, who has been steadily revealing his list of nominees to top cabinet posts, hasn't yet reached a final decision on attorney general. The civil rights leaders said they did not discuss any specific candidates, and Biden gave them no indication of who his leading pick is, they said.
"This was not a meeting to broker for anybody, but to stand up for our constituents," Sharpton said.
Biden's transition team said in a statement after the meeting that it likely would be the first in recurring meetings with the groups.
"They discussed their joint priorities including advancing racial equity across the board, enforcing civil rights, and assembling a diverse White House and Cabinet that represents America," the Biden statement read. "They expressed the need to make sure the public knows the historic nature of many of the president-elect's diverse nominees and the need to galvanize the community around making sure that the Senate confirms them."
U.S. President-elect Joe Biden speaks at the Queen Theater December 08, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Some names that have been floated as potential attorney general nominees include Obama's former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson; outgoing U.S. Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama; former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick; and Sally Yates, who was deputy attorney general in the Obama administration.
The group of civil rights leaders told Biden to resist the temptation to go with a "watered down" pick just to ensure the nominee could make it through a closely-split and combative U.S. Senate, Clarke said.
"The idea that Senate confirmability should serve as a measuring stick is deeply troubling and unacceptable," she said.
In a meeting with the same civil rights leaders in June, Biden promised his administration would be historically diverse. He's expected to formally introduce retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin as his pick to become Defense Secretary during an event in Delaware on Wednesday. Austin would be the first Black secretary of defense if the Senate confirms his nomination.
Biden's also expected to name Ohio U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, a former chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
"When we see the end of this process, it will be the most diverse cabinet, sub-cabinet and administration in history," Sharpton told reporters. "We will hold him by what he said."


newsweek--2020-12-08--'NCIS' Season 18, Episode 4 Release Date: When the Show Returns After Break

NCIS Season 18 , Episode 4 is the latest installment of the CBS drama , but it is not set to air until 2021 .
Though the series has been airing for less than a month , it is already time for the show to go on its winter break .
CBS is set to air some classic episodes in the coming weeks , with a new episode coming in January 2021 .
The next episode of NCIS , titled `` Sunburn , '' will be released on Tuesday , January 5 2021 on CBS , in the series ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ET / 7 p.m. CT. As usual , the show will be available to watch shortly after it airs on the CBS website and app and on CBS All Access .
CBS is set to fill the gap left by new NCIS with some recent episodes , starting on December 15 with the Season 17 premiere , which saw the return of Ziva David ( played by Cote de Pablo ) .
So far , CBS has not released an episode synopsis for `` Sunburn , '' though fans may note that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that airs in the dead of winter .
This seems to suggest that the show is continuing its decision to set episodes in the time before the coronavirus , with episodes set to catch up to our current moment in episodes set to air in February 2021 .
NCIS co-showrunner Steven Binder explained this jump backward in a TVLine interview .
`` We had an episode last year called 'Musical Chairs , ' where Gibbs disappears from the squad room to go on a mission , and then he shows up at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye , '' Binder said .
`` We are going to pick up Season 18 with that mission that Gibbs was on , back in time ... We 're in a pre-COVID world for a little while . ''
His fellow showrunner Frank Cardea explained exactly when Gibbs ( played by Mark Harmon ) will be battling the coronavirus as well as the perp of the week in a CarterMatt interview .
He said , `` The first five episodes take place in the period of [ 'Musical Chairs ' ] .
Episode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 will bring us up to a post-COVID world . ''
According to the pair , it also seems that as soon as we get to the present day timeline , we will be losing a cast member as Maria Bello departs the show as Jack Sloane .
The actor has signed up to eight episodes of Season 18 , meaning that her time on the show is up in the first few episodes of 2021 .
Episode 5 of NCIS Season 18 , the showrunners have teased , will also see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Margo Harshman returns as McGee 's ( Sean Murray ) wife Delilah—though we may be seeing her again as she and her spouse experience some troubles .
Binder told CarterMatt : `` Everyone 's relationships are generally pretty happy , but at some point every marriage has a rough patch .
We dip our toe into that water a little bit . ''
NCIS Season 18 returns on Tuesday , January 5 on CBS .
Every episode so far of NCIS is streaming now on CBS All Access .

NCIS Season 18, Episode 4 is the latest installment of the CBS drama, but it is not set to air until 2021. Though the series has been airing for less than a month, it is already time for the show to go on its winter break. CBS is set to air some classic episodes in the coming weeks, with a new episode coming in January 2021.
NCIS Season 18, Episode 4 release date
The next episode of NCIS, titled "Sunburn," will be released on Tuesday, January 5 2021 on CBS, in the series' usual time slot of 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT.
As usual, the show will be available to watch shortly after it airs on the CBS website and app and on CBS All Access.
CBS is set to fill the gap left by new NCIS with some recent episodes, starting on December 15 with the Season 17 premiere, which saw the return of Ziva David (played by Cote de Pablo).
So far, CBS has not released an episode synopsis for "Sunburn," though fans may note that the episode has an odd title for one that airs in the dead of winter. This seems to suggest that the show is continuing its decision to set episodes in the time before the coronavirus, with episodes set to catch up to our current moment in episodes set to air in February 2021.
Promo image for 'NCIS' Season 18. CBS
NCIS co-showrunner Steven Binder explained this jump backward in a TVLine interview. "We had an episode last year called 'Musical Chairs,' where Gibbs disappears from the squad room to go on a mission, and then he shows up at the end of the episode with a black eye," Binder said. "We are going to pick up Season 18 with that mission that Gibbs was on, back in time...We're in a pre-COVID world for a little while."
His fellow showrunner Frank Cardea explained exactly when Gibbs (played by Mark Harmon) will be battling the coronavirus as well as the perp of the week in a CarterMatt interview. He said, "The first five episodes take place in the period of ['Musical Chairs']. Episode 6 wraps that up, and Episode 7 will bring us up to a post-COVID world."
According to the pair, it also seems that as soon as we get to the present day timeline, we will be losing a cast member as Maria Bello departs the show as Jack Sloane. The actor has signed up to eight episodes of Season 18, meaning that her time on the show is up in the first few episodes of 2021.
Episode 5 of NCIS Season 18, the showrunners have teased, will also see the return of a familiar guest star, as Margo Harshman returns as McGee's (Sean Murray) wife Delilah—though we may be seeing her again as she and her spouse experience some troubles.
Binder told CarterMatt: "Everyone's relationships are generally pretty happy, but at some point every marriage has a rough patch. We dip our toe into that water a little bit."
NCIS Season 18 returns on Tuesday, January 5 on CBS. Every episode so far of NCIS is streaming now on CBS All Access.


newsweek--2020-12-08--Dez Bryant, After Removal For Positive COVID Test, Promotes His Business

Dez Bryant is a Texas native who made a professional name for himself with the home-state Dallas Cowboys .
Bryant recently made the roster for the Baltimore Ravens , and his appearance against his old team was going to be Tuesday night .
That was , until he became a late , and mysterious , COVID scratch .
Now Bryant is promoting a business .
What in the world of Jerry Jones and the NFL is going on ?
The strange thing about it is the fact that Bryant was reportedly on the field during early pre-game warmups Tuesday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baltimore .
Bryant later tweeted he had tested positive .
`` Tell me why they pull me from warming up so I can go get tested ... my s*** come back positive ...
I tested positive for Covid WTF , '' Bryan tweeted .
`` Since I 'm out do you guys want to hear about my businesses I 've been working on ?
, '' Bryant tweeted after he was no longer part of the game .
Bryant is from Lufkin , Texas , and went on to play at Oklahoma State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cowboys .
Bryant had not been on an NFL roster since the Cowboys let him go more than a year ago .
The Ravens signed him to their practice squad this season , and he eventually made the 53-man roster , and his return Tuesday was going to be against the team that released him .

Dez Bryant is a Texas native who made a professional name for himself with the home-state Dallas Cowboys. Bryant recently made the roster for the Baltimore Ravens, and his appearance against his old team was going to be Tuesday night. That was, until he became a late, and mysterious, COVID scratch. Now Bryant is promoting a business.
What in the world of Jerry Jones and the NFL is going on?
The strange thing about it is the fact that Bryant was reportedly on the field during early pre-game warmups Tuesday night at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Bryant later tweeted he had tested positive.
"Tell me why they pull me from warming up so I can go get tested... my s*** come back positive... I tested positive for Covid WTF," Bryan tweeted.
Tell me why they pull me from warming up so I can go get tested... my shit come back positive... I tested positive for Covid WTF — Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) December 9, 2020
"Since I'm out do you guys want to hear about my businesses I've been working on?," Bryant tweeted after he was no longer part of the game.
Bryant is from Lufkin, Texas, and went on to play at Oklahoma State University before getting drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.
Wide receiver Dez Bryant #88 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before playing against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Bryant had not been on an NFL roster since the Cowboys let him go more than a year ago. The Ravens signed him to their practice squad this season, and he eventually made the 53-man roster, and his return Tuesday was going to be against the team that released him.


newsweek--2020-12-08--Giuliani Rails Against COVID Masks, Restrictions from Hospital Bed After Testing Positive

While hospitalized with COVID-19 , on Tuesday , Rudy Giuliani , the personal lawyer of President Donald Trump , called into a radio program to criticize the widespread use of face masks and social distancing restrictions to prevent future coronavirus outbreaks .
He also said that COVID-19 is `` curable '' even though it has killed over 285,000 Americans .
On Sunday , Giuliani was admitted to the Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington , D.C. after testing positive for COVID-19 .
Two days later , he called into his own daily radio program on WABC-AM in New York to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The program 's interviewer asked if contracting the virus had changed his view of its handling by political leaders .
`` Things happen in life and you have to go with them , '' Giuliani said .
`` You can overreact to them .
Otherwise , you let the fear of illness drive your entire life .
So I 've never overreacted to it ... .
I 'd rather face risk than live in a basement all my life . ''
Giuliani then said that state shutdown measures mean to prevent COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in five or six or seven major cities , '' adding , `` I 've been watching that on television .
It 's probably getting me angrier than anything else . ''
He then referenced Mac 's Public House—a bar in Staten Island , New York City which re-opened in defiance of shutdown restrictions—and Sheila Kuehl , the Los Angeles County supervisor who was seen eating outdoors hours after voting to ban outdoor dining throughout the county .
`` They enforce these mask rules , '' Giuliani said , `` and the rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by them . ''
A WABC interviewer then asked Giuliani how he felt about President-elect Joe Biden 's plea for Americans to wear masks for 100 days after his inauguration .
`` I think you can overdo the masks , '' Giuliani said .
`` You can overdo almost anything .
Everything done in moderation makes much more sense .
And what we 're doing to American business right now is disgraceful , and it 's not based on science .
This is a curable disease at this point ... the mortality rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six months ago . ''
While the national COVID-19 mortality rate has declined since the pandemic began , the total number of deaths is rising .
The mortality rate 's decline may have been caused by improved medical care or a decrease in the average age of people with COVID-19 , Dr. Barry J .
Make , a pulmonologist and critical care specialist at National Jewish Health told the website Healthline .
Giuliani is at least the 40th person in Trump 's administration , campaign and family to become infected with COVID-19 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numerous public hearings seeking to overturn state election results in Trump 's favor , Giuliani has sought to calm fears that he may have infected many others before testing positive himself .
The former New York mayor told the radio interviewers that he received a medical cocktail of remdesivir and dexamethasone as treatment and has been feeling `` 100 percent better '' since .
When one interviewer pointed out that not every hospital can provide similar medications to other people with COVID-19 , Giuliani remarked that he did n't know that .

While hospitalized with COVID-19, on Tuesday, Rudy Giuliani, the personal lawyer of President Donald Trump, called into a radio program to criticize the widespread use of face masks and social distancing restrictions to prevent future coronavirus outbreaks. He also said that COVID-19 is "curable" even though it has killed over 285,000 Americans.
On Sunday, Giuliani was admitted to the Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. after testing positive for COVID-19. Two days later, he called into his own daily radio program on WABC-AM in New York to provide an update of his medical care. The program's interviewer asked if contracting the virus had changed his view of its handling by political leaders.
"Things happen in life and you have to go with them," Giuliani said. "You can overreact to them. Otherwise, you let the fear of illness drive your entire life. So I've never overreacted to it.... I'd rather face risk than live in a basement all my life."
Giuliani then said that state shutdown measures mean to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks are "destroying American small business in five or six or seven major cities," adding, "I've been watching that on television. It's probably getting me angrier than anything else."
He then referenced Mac's Public House—a bar in Staten Island, New York City which re-opened in defiance of shutdown restrictions—and Sheila Kuehl, the Los Angeles County supervisor who was seen eating outdoors hours after voting to ban outdoor dining throughout the county.
"They enforce these mask rules," Giuliani said, "and the rules are so ridiculous they can't live by them."
While being hospitalized for COVID-19, President Donald Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani called into a radio show to speak against restrictions and face masks used to prevent coronavirus outbreaks. In this December 2, 2020 photo, Giuliani listens to Detroit poll worker Jessi Jacobs during an appearance before the Michigan House Oversight Committee on in Lansing, Michigan. Rey Del Rio/Getty
A WABC interviewer then asked Giuliani how he felt about President-elect Joe Biden's plea for Americans to wear masks for 100 days after his inauguration.
"I think you can overdo the masks," Giuliani said. "You can overdo almost anything. Everything done in moderation makes much more sense. And what we're doing to American business right now is disgraceful, and it's not based on science. This is a curable disease at this point... the mortality rates are nothing like they were five, six months ago."
While the national COVID-19 mortality rate has declined since the pandemic began, the total number of deaths is rising. The mortality rate's decline may have been caused by improved medical care or a decrease in the average age of people with COVID-19, Dr. Barry J. Make, a pulmonologist and critical care specialist at National Jewish Health told the website Healthline.
Giuliani is at least the 40th person in Trump's administration, campaign and family to become infected with COVID-19 in recent months. Despite appearing maskless at numerous public hearings seeking to overturn state election results in Trump's favor, Giuliani has sought to calm fears that he may have infected many others before testing positive himself.
The former New York mayor told the radio interviewers that he received a medical cocktail of remdesivir and dexamethasone as treatment and has been feeling "100 percent better" since. When one interviewer pointed out that not every hospital can provide similar medications to other people with COVID-19, Giuliani remarked that he didn't know that.
Newsweek contacted Giuliani for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-08--House Passes Defense Bill as Republicans Revolt Against Veto-Wielding Trump

On Tuesday , the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) despite President Trump 's threats to veto the defense spending bill without certain concessions .
Trump had objected to a provision in the act that called for the renaming of U.S. military installations that had named after Confederate Army leaders .
The repeal of Section 230 , which protects social media platforms from being considered the publishers of third-party content , was not included in the NDAA .
On Tuesday , Trump reiterated his claims that he would veto the NDAA .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the very weak National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) , which I will VETO , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Must include a termination of Section 230 ( for National Security purposes ) , preserve our National Monuments , & allow for 5G & troop reductions in foreign lands ! ''
With 355 representatives voting for the NDAA and only 78 representatives voting against it , the NDAA received more than the two-thirds majority necessary to override any attempt to veto the act .
Next , the NDAA will go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment , the White House directed Newsweek to the statement of administration policy concerning the NDAA , which was released Tuesday .
`` Unfortunately , this conference report fails to include critical national security measures , includes provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our military 's history , and contradicts efforts by this Administration to put America first in our national security and foreign policy actions , '' the statement read .
Before the vote , Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the NDAA `` upholds our values , honors our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I hope that it will be swiftly signed into law . ''
Texas Republican Representative Chip Roy said he voted against the NDAA because Democrats had included policy provisions that could be dealt with as separate issues .
`` This ought to be single-issue legislation focused on defense policy , '' Roy said in a Tuesday statement .
`` Instead it contains several policy provisions , like Section 230 repeal , that go well outside of that realm .
We owe it to the American people to deliberate this on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we should do with all of our legislation . ''
Despite Trump 's warnings of a veto , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicated on Monday that the Senate would `` receive and pass a conference report on the annual defense authorization '' before the end of the year .
Some lawmakers said that if Trump attempted to veto the NDAA during the upcoming Congressional winter recess , they would reconvene to override Trump 's decision .

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) despite President Trump's threats to veto the defense spending bill without certain concessions.
Trump had objected to a provision in the act that called for the renaming of U.S. military installations that had named after Confederate Army leaders. The repeal of Section 230, which protects social media platforms from being considered the publishers of third-party content, was not included in the NDAA. On Tuesday, Trump reiterated his claims that he would veto the NDAA.
President Donald Trump has threatened to veto the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act unless certain provisions are included. Tasos Katopodis/Getty
"I hope House Republicans will vote against the very weak National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which I will VETO," Trump tweeted. "Must include a termination of Section 230 (for National Security purposes), preserve our National Monuments, & allow for 5G & troop reductions in foreign lands!"
I hope House Republicans will vote against the very weak National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which I will VETO. Must include a termination of Section 230 (for National Security purposes), preserve our National Monuments, & allow for 5G & troop reductions in foreign lands! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2020
With 355 representatives voting for the NDAA and only 78 representatives voting against it, the NDAA received more than the two-thirds majority necessary to override any attempt to veto the act. Next, the NDAA will go to the U.S. Senate.
When contacted for comment, the White House directed Newsweek to the statement of administration policy concerning the NDAA, which was released Tuesday.
"Unfortunately, this conference report fails to include critical national security measures, includes provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our military's history, and contradicts efforts by this Administration to put America first in our national security and foreign policy actions," the statement read.
Before the vote, Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the NDAA "upholds our values, honors our troops and keeps the American people safe. And I hope that it will be swiftly signed into law."
Texas Republican Representative Chip Roy said he voted against the NDAA because Democrats had included policy provisions that could be dealt with as separate issues.
"This ought to be single-issue legislation focused on defense policy," Roy said in a Tuesday statement. "Instead it contains several policy provisions, like Section 230 repeal, that go well outside of that realm. We owe it to the American people to deliberate this on its merits as a standalone bill, as we should do with all of our legislation."
Despite Trump's warnings of a veto, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicated on Monday that the Senate would "receive and pass a conference report on the annual defense authorization" before the end of the year. Some lawmakers said that if Trump attempted to veto the NDAA during the upcoming Congressional winter recess, they would reconvene to override Trump's decision.


newsweek--2020-12-08--College Football Playoff Rankings on 12/08/20: Alabama Remains No. 1

The College Football Playoff ( CFP ) committee announced their latest rankings Tuesday night , and the Alabama Crimson Tide remain atop the pack .
Notre Dame , Clemson and Ohio State are the other three teams who would make the four-team playoff it it started today .
The rankings were announced Tuesday night .
Here they are : Alabama has been asked No .
1 in the CFP rankings 21 times now , more than all other teams combined at 19 times ranked at the top spot .
Iowa State moved to the No .
7 spot this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 .
Georgia and Miami held firm at the final two spots in the Top 10 .
`` I think the focus will be on Ohio State , with the number of games , '' ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit said .
Herbstreit said Ohio State fans should be big-time Alabama fans , cheering for the Crimson Tide to beat Florida in the SEC Championship game , and for Notre Dame to beat Clemson in the ACC title game .
Ohio State ( 5-0 ) had its annual rivalry game against Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ann Arbor .
The Big Ten rule this season states that a team needs to have played six games to qualify for the conference championship game , which is next weekend ( Dec. 19 ) .
Big Ten officials are scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss altering the rule , which could allow Ohio State to play in the conference title game .
If Ohio State does not play in the conference championship , it could allow teams like Florida to slip into the rankings with an upset of Alabama , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The second would be a revenge win as Notre Dame beat Clemson in double overtime earlier this season .
The College Football Playoff matches the No .
1 ranked team vs. No .
4 , and No .
2 vs. No .
3 in semifinal games that rotate annually among six bowl games—the Cotton Bowl , Fiesta Bowl , Peach Bowl , Orange Bowl , Sugar Bowl and the Rose Bowl Game .
This season 's Playoff Semifinals will take place Friday , January 1 , 2021 , at the Rose Bowl Game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday , January 11 , 2021 , at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens , Florida .
Last season 's NFL Super Bowl was played at Hard Rock Stadium .

The College Football Playoff (CFP) committee announced their latest rankings Tuesday night, and the Alabama Crimson Tide remain atop the pack. Notre Dame, Clemson and Ohio State are the other three teams who would make the four-team playoff it it started today.
The rankings were announced Tuesday night. Here they are:
Alabama (9-0) Notre Dame (10-0) Clemson (9-1) Ohio State (5-0) Texas A&M (7-1) Florida (8-1) Iowa State (8-2) Cincinnati (8-0) Georgia (6-2) Miami (8-1) Oklahoma (7-2) Indiana (6-1) Coastal Carolina (10-0) Northwestern (5-1) USC (4-0) Iowa (5-2) North Carolina (7-3) BYU (9-1) Louisiana (9-1) Texas (6-3) Colorado (4-0) Oklahoma State (5-2)) N.C. State (8-3) Tulsa (6-1) Missouri (5-3)
DeVonta Smith #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on December 05, 2020 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Crimson Tide remains No. 1 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Alabama has been asked No. 1 in the CFP rankings 21 times now, more than all other teams combined at 19 times ranked at the top spot. Iowa State moved to the No. 7 spot this week, bumping Cincinnati down to No. 8. Georgia and Miami held firm at the final two spots in the Top 10.
"I think the focus will be on Ohio State, with the number of games," ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit said. Herbstreit said Ohio State fans should be big-time Alabama fans, cheering for the Crimson Tide to beat Florida in the SEC Championship game, and for Notre Dame to beat Clemson in the ACC title game.
Ohio State (5-0) had its annual rivalry game against Michigan canceled this Saturday because of COVID issues in Ann Arbor. The Big Ten rule this season states that a team needs to have played six games to qualify for the conference championship game, which is next weekend (Dec. 19).
Big Ten officials are scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss altering the rule, which could allow Ohio State to play in the conference title game. If Ohio State does not play in the conference championship, it could allow teams like Florida to slip into the rankings with an upset of Alabama, or a Clemson win over Notre Dame. The second would be a revenge win as Notre Dame beat Clemson in double overtime earlier this season.
The College Football Playoff matches the No. 1 ranked team vs. No. 4, and No. 2 vs. No. 3 in semifinal games that rotate annually among six bowl games—the Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl and the Rose Bowl Game.
This season's Playoff Semifinals will take place Friday, January 1, 2021, at the Rose Bowl Game and the Sugar Bowl. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, January 11, 2021, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Last season's NFL Super Bowl was played at Hard Rock Stadium.


newsweek--2020-12-08--'Cyberpunk 2077' Release Time: When Can I Download on PS4, PS5, Xbox and PC?

Cyberpunk 2077 is hours away from its global release , so we want to make sure you 're prepared for what might be the single biggest game launch of the year .
Below , we recap all you need to know about platform-specific release times , preloads , editions and more .
Unlike most games that stick to a standard 12 a.m. EST launch time across all platforms , Cyberpunk 2077 features a staggered rollout plan depending on your platform and timezone .
Especially if you 're playing on PC or Stadia , launch may be sooner than you think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graphic from CD Projekt RED .
That 's right , those planning to enjoy Cyberpunk 2077 via Stadia , GOG , the Epic Games Store or Steam will have a handful of hours exploring Night City ahead of those on PlayStation or Xbox .
That being said , considering how long most of us have waited to play Cyberpunk , the slight differential in release times should n't matter too much .
Just like most major triple-A releases Cyberpunk 2077 does indeed support preloads on Xbox Series X|S , Xbox One , PS5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those preloads start and the size of the download varies by platform .
• Xbox : Preloads went live December 3 at 11 a.m. EST and take up about 60GB of hard drive space .
• PlayStation : Preloads went live around 12 a.m. local time December 8 and take up around 70GB of hard drive space .
• PC : Preloads began December 7 at 6 a.m. EST on GOG and 11 a.m. EST on Steam and EGS .
Preloads require about 70GB of hard drive space .
Unfortunately , given that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the final file size of the game is currently a bit difficult to pin down .
Here 's a quick overview of how to preload on all platforms • Go to the Cyberpunk 2077 store page on the PlayStation Store , Microsoft Store , Steam , Epic Games Store or GOG , and you should be given the option to download the game .
• On PS4 or PS5 , scroll over to your games Library and select Cyberpunk 2077 .
The option to download the game should appear .
• On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cyberpunk 2077 should be visible in the `` ready to install '' section of `` Games & apps . ''
• In Steam , open your Library and click the Preload button in the Cyberpunk 2077 area .
Now that you know the exact release time and preload details for Cyberpunk 2077 , you may be curious about the various editions of the game that are available for purchase .
Here 's the full rundown .
Simply put , there 's basically only one version of the game that 's currently for sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edition features a copy of the game plus the following bonuses .
• Art booklet featuring a selection of art from the game You can buy this at all major storefronts .
The only real aberration worth knowing is that Walmart and Amazon are both offering pre-orders for $ 49 , which is $ 10 less than everywhere else .
There 's a massive $ 249 Collector 's Edition , of course , but those sold out a long time ago .
Cyberpunk 2077 is available December 10 on Xbox Series X|S , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PC and Stadia .
How are you feeling about Cyberpunk 2077 leading up to its release ?
Will this game deliver on its high expectations ?
Tell us in the comments section !

Cyberpunk 2077 is hours away from its global release, so we want to make sure you're prepared for what might be the single biggest game launch of the year. Below, we recap all you need to know about platform-specific release times, preloads, editions and more.
What time does Cyberpunk 2077 release?
Unlike most games that stick to a standard 12 a.m. EST launch time across all platforms, Cyberpunk 2077 features a staggered rollout plan depending on your platform and timezone. Especially if you're playing on PC or Stadia, launch may be sooner than you think. Check out this official release time graphic from CD Projekt RED.
'Cyberpunk 2077' arrives soon. Check out the full list of release times above. 'Cyberpunk 2077' is available December 10 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC and Stadia. CD Projekt RED
PC/Stadia : December 9 at 7 p.m. EST
: December 9 at 7 p.m. EST Console: December 10 at 12 a.m. local time
That's right, those planning to enjoy Cyberpunk 2077 via Stadia, GOG, the Epic Games Store or Steam will have a handful of hours exploring Night City ahead of those on PlayStation or Xbox. That being said, considering how long most of us have waited to play Cyberpunk, the slight differential in release times shouldn't matter too much.
What about Cyberpunk 2077 preloads?
Just like most major triple-A releases Cyberpunk 2077 does indeed support preloads on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4 and PC. The dates those preloads start and the size of the download varies by platform.
Xbox: Preloads went live December 3 at 11 a.m. EST and take up about 60GB of hard drive space.
PlayStation: Preloads went live around 12 a.m. local time December 8 and take up around 70GB of hard drive space.
PC: Preloads began December 7 at 6 a.m. EST on GOG and 11 a.m. EST on Steam and EGS. Preloads require about 70GB of hard drive space.
Unfortunately, given that Cyberpunk 2077 requires a 40GB day-one patch, the final file size of the game is currently a bit difficult to pin down.
Here's a quick overview of how to preload on all platforms
Go to the Cyberpunk 2077 store page on the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Steam, Epic Games Store or GOG, and you should be given the option to download the game.
On PS4 or PS5, scroll over to your games Library and select Cyberpunk 2077. The option to download the game should appear.
On Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S, Cyberpunk 2077 should be visible in the "ready to install" section of "Games & apps."
In Steam, open your Library and click the Preload button in the Cyberpunk 2077 area.
What editions of Cyberpunk 2077 exist?
There isn't much debate about which edition of 'Cyberpunk 2077' you should buy. CD Projekt RED
Now that you know the exact release time and preload details for Cyberpunk 2077, you may be curious about the various editions of the game that are available for purchase. Here's the full rundown. Simply put, there's basically only one version of the game that's currently for sale.
Cyberpunk 2077 Standard edition: This edition features a copy of the game plus the following bonuses.
Physical
World Compendium detailing the game's setting and lore
Postcards from Night City
Map of Night City
Stickers
Digital
Game soundtrack
Art booklet featuring a selection of art from the game
Cyberpunk 2020 sourcebook
Wallpapers for desktop and mobile
You can buy this at all major storefronts. The only real aberration worth knowing is that Walmart and Amazon are both offering pre-orders for $49, which is $10 less than everywhere else. There's a massive $249 Collector's Edition, of course, but those sold out a long time ago.
Cyberpunk 2077 is available December 10 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC and Stadia.
How are you feeling about Cyberpunk 2077 leading up to its release? Will this game deliver on its high expectations? Tell us in the comments section!


newsweek--2020-12-08--Stimulus Checks of $600 in White House's $916 Billion Offer To Pelosi

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin offered House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a $ 916 billion stimulus proposal on Tuesday afternoon as hope for further relief before the end of year grows .
The new stimulus package includes a provision for a $ 600 stimulus check for Americans .
In a statement , Mnuchin said that White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows , President Donald Trump , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy have reviewed that proposal that 's a `` slightly larger package than the bipartisan proposal of $ 908 billion . ''
`` Speaker Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and on behalf of the President , I presented a $ 916 billion proposal , '' Mnuchin said in a statement .
`` This proposal includes money for state and local governments and robust liability protections for businesses , schools and universities . ''
The Trump administration official explained that the plan will be funded with $ 140 billion in unused funds from the Paycheck Protection Program and $ 429 billion in Treasury funds . ''
`` I look forward to achieving bipartisan agreement so we can provide this critical economic relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
In addition , the plan includes a second round of stimulus checks for Americans .
The new checks would be $ 600 , half the amount of the checks issued at the beginning of 2020 , according to the Associated Press .
Earlier plans without a provision for more stimulus checks were opposed by both progressives and some conservatives , with GOP Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri telling Trump to `` veto any bill that did not have direct payments in it . ''
Newsweek reached out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have pushed for funding for states and local governments and Republicans have demanded COVID liability protections for businesses .
But apart from those details , Mnuchin did not disclose any other provisions to their proposal .
Democratic leaders , including Pelosi , President-elect Joe Biden and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , have backed a $ 908 bipartisan framework , introduced by a group of Republican and Democratic senators , that includes funding for state and local governments , further unemployment benefits and relief for small businesses .
The new White House proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is unclear whether Pelosi would support a measure that includes liability protection for companies .
McConnell , who 's been holding out for a $ 550 billion GOP measure , has also yet to comment on the proposal .
McConnell previously said that both parties could compromise by excluding both funding for states and local governments , as well as liability protections .
But Democrats quickly rejected the suggestion , with some indicating that both parties could reach a deal by including both .
`` We are moving forward on both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Democratic aide familiar with ongoing bipartisan discussions told Newsweek earlier on Tuesday .
`` Excluding both is n't on the table . ''
In a statement , Pelosi said `` the bipartisan negotiations involving Senators and Members of the House have made good progress and must be allowed to proceed without Leader McConnell 's obstruction . ''
Update ( 12/8/2020 , 9:00 p.m. ) : This article has been updated to include information about the proposed $ 600 stimulus checks .

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin offered House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a $916 billion stimulus proposal on Tuesday afternoon as hope for further relief before the end of year grows. The new stimulus package includes a provision for a $600 stimulus check for Americans.
In a statement, Mnuchin said that White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy have reviewed that proposal that's a "slightly larger package than the bipartisan proposal of $908 billion."
"Speaker Pelosi and I spoke today at 5 p.m., and on behalf of the President, I presented a $916 billion proposal," Mnuchin said in a statement. "This proposal includes money for state and local governments and robust liability protections for businesses, schools and universities."
The Trump administration official explained that the plan will be funded with $140 billion in unused funds from the Paycheck Protection Program and $429 billion in Treasury funds."
"I look forward to achieving bipartisan agreement so we can provide this critical economic relief to American works, families and businesses," he said.
In addition, the plan includes a second round of stimulus checks for Americans. The new checks would be $600, half the amount of the checks issued at the beginning of 2020, according to the Associated Press. Earlier plans without a provision for more stimulus checks were opposed by both progressives and some conservatives, with GOP Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri telling Trump to "veto any bill that did not have direct payments in it."
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attends a House Financial Services Committee oversight hearing on December 02, 2020. Getty
Newsweek reached out to Pelosi's office for comment.
McCarthy on Tuesday called the Trump administration's proposal "a great offer."
Democrats have pushed for funding for states and local governments and Republicans have demanded COVID liability protections for businesses. But apart from those details, Mnuchin did not disclose any other provisions to their proposal.
Democratic leaders, including Pelosi, President-elect Joe Biden and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have backed a $908 bipartisan framework, introduced by a group of Republican and Democratic senators, that includes funding for state and local governments, further unemployment benefits and relief for small businesses.
The new White House proposal is $8 billion more, however, it is unclear whether Pelosi would support a measure that includes liability protection for companies. McConnell, who's been holding out for a $550 billion GOP measure, has also yet to comment on the proposal.
McConnell previously said that both parties could compromise by excluding both funding for states and local governments, as well as liability protections. But Democrats quickly rejected the suggestion, with some indicating that both parties could reach a deal by including both.
"We are moving forward on both state and local and liability," a Democratic aide familiar with ongoing bipartisan discussions told Newsweek earlier on Tuesday. "Excluding both isn't on the table."
In a statement, Pelosi said "the bipartisan negotiations involving Senators and Members of the House have made good progress and must be allowed to proceed without Leader McConnell's obstruction."
Update (12/8/2020, 9:00 p.m.): This article has been updated to include information about the proposed $600 stimulus checks.


newsweek--2020-12-08--Trump Didn't Make Top 10 Most Liked Posts of 2020 Despite Being Most Tweeted About Person

Despite being the most discussed person on Twitter in 2020 , none of President Donald Trump 's many tweets were among the social media platform 's top 10 most-liked or most-retweeted tweets of 2020 , an internal Twitter review found .
Alongside Trump in the 10 most discussed people on Twitter were President-elect Joe Biden , police violence victim George Floyd , deceased basketball player Kobe Bryant , former President Barack Obama , the Korean pop boy band BTS , Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi , rapper and failed presidential candidate Kanye West , Tesla founder Elon Musk and Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liked and most-retweeted tweets of 2020 included an announcement of the death of Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman , an acapella video performance by a member of BTS , a 10-second video of a sock puppet `` eating '' cars visible from an apartment window , Obama 's message commemorating Bryant 's life , actor Macaulay Culkin announcing his 40th birthday and a video from Harris of her calling Biden after winning the 2020 presidential election .
Among the top 10 Twitter users with the most followers , Trump ranks 8th behind Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rihanna , Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga ; and Portuguese pro-soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo , according to the German consumer data company Statista .
As a president who uses Twitter to speak his mind and criticize recent political events , it makes sense that Trump would be the most discussed person on Twitter .
On July 24 , Trump said in an interview that he oftentimes regrets the things he tweets .
However , the President has long alleged that Twitter exhibits an `` unfair '' `` illegal '' anti-conservative bias and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partly because it has increasingly flagged his tweets about the election as `` disputed '' and because its list of trending topics often includes terms that are personally unfavorable to him .
Twitter has increasingly served as a check on Trump 's unproven claims of widespread voter fraud following the 2020 elections .
From November 4 until the end of December 1 , Trump tweeted more than 750 times .
More than two-thirds of the tweets were about the election or his claims of `` fraud , '' according to The Washington Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweets as erroneous .
Collectively the flagged tweets represent over 25 percent of all of Trump 's tweets posted over the last month .
In retaliation to Twitter 's treatment of him , on May 29 , Trump signed an executive order which sought to reinterpret Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act , a law that protects websites and tech companies from defamation and copyright lawsuits .
In a statement , Twitter said Trump 's executive order would threaten online freedom of speech and called the order a `` reactionary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' More recently , Trump threatened to veto the massive 2020 military spending bill , the National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) if it did n't include a repeal of Section 230 .
The NDAA , unveiled on December 3 , had no repeal measure included and seemingly had enough congressional backers to override a presidential veto .
Twitter could theoretically ban Trump from Twitter after he leaves the White House seeing as his tweets will no longer fall under statements of public interest from elected officials .
However , if Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he could possibly retain protected status on the platform .

Despite being the most discussed person on Twitter in 2020, none of President Donald Trump's many tweets were among the social media platform's top 10 most-liked or most-retweeted tweets of 2020, an internal Twitter review found.
Alongside Trump in the 10 most discussed people on Twitter were President-elect Joe Biden, police violence victim George Floyd, deceased basketball player Kobe Bryant, former President Barack Obama, the Korean pop boy band BTS, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, rapper and failed presidential candidate Kanye West, Tesla founder Elon Musk and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
The 10 most liked and most-retweeted tweets of 2020 included an announcement of the death of Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman, an acapella video performance by a member of BTS, a 10-second video of a sock puppet "eating" cars visible from an apartment window, Obama's message commemorating Bryant's life, actor Macaulay Culkin announcing his 40th birthday and a video from Harris of her calling Biden after winning the 2020 presidential election.
Among the top 10 Twitter users with the most followers, Trump ranks 8th behind Obama; singers Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga; and Portuguese pro-soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo, according to the German consumer data company Statista.
As a president who uses Twitter to speak his mind and criticize recent political events, it makes sense that Trump would be the most discussed person on Twitter. On July 24, Trump said in an interview that he oftentimes regrets the things he tweets.
However, the President has long alleged that Twitter exhibits an "unfair" "illegal" anti-conservative bias and "stifling of free speech", partly because it has increasingly flagged his tweets about the election as "disputed" and because its list of trending topics often includes terms that are personally unfavorable to him.
Despite being the most discussed person on Twitter, President Donald Trump's tweets weren't among the micro-blogging social media platform's top 10 most liked tweets of 2020. In this July 30, 2020 tweet, Trump speaks during a news conference in the James Brady Briefing Room of the White House. Alex Wong/Getty
Twitter has increasingly served as a check on Trump's unproven claims of widespread voter fraud following the 2020 elections.
From November 4 until the end of December 1, Trump tweeted more than 750 times. More than two-thirds of the tweets were about the election or his claims of "fraud," according to The Washington Post. Twitter flagged 40 percent of those tweets as erroneous. Collectively the flagged tweets represent over 25 percent of all of Trump's tweets posted over the last month.
In retaliation to Twitter's treatment of him, on May 29, Trump signed an executive order which sought to reinterpret Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, a law that protects websites and tech companies from defamation and copyright lawsuits.
In a statement, Twitter said Trump's executive order would threaten online freedom of speech and called the order a "reactionary and politicized approach to a landmark law."
More recently, Trump threatened to veto the massive 2020 military spending bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) if it didn't include a repeal of Section 230. The NDAA, unveiled on December 3, had no repeal measure included and seemingly had enough congressional backers to override a presidential veto.
Twitter could theoretically ban Trump from Twitter after he leaves the White House seeing as his tweets will no longer fall under statements of public interest from elected officials. However, if Trump announces a 2024 run for the presidency, he could possibly retain protected status on the platform.
Newsweek contacted the White House for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-08--Powerball, Mega Millions Combined Jackpots More Than Half a Billion Dollars

The two biggest lottery games in the United States now have jackpots more than a quarter of a billion dollars , and their combined total is more than half a billion bucks .
Just one of those prizes could buy a lifetime of Christmas presents for friends and family .
Hitting both might get you a small island .
• The Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday ( 12/08/20 ) is worth $ 264 million , with a cash-value option of $ 199.8 million .
• The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday ( 12/09/20 ) is worth $ 262 million , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If somebody were to get outrageously lucky and hit jackpots on back-to-back nights , their total winnings would be $ 526 million , with cash options worth $ 399.2 million .
Jackpot winners have been few and far between in 2020 .
The last Mega Millions grand prize jackpot winner was from a ticket sold in Wisconsin on 09/15/20 for a jackpot worth $ 119 million .
It was only the fifth Mega Millions jackpot won in the 2020 calendar year .
Here are the five Mega Millions jackpots won in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wisconsin $ 22 million — July 31 in California $ 124 million — July 24 in New Jersey $ 410 million — June 9 in Arizona $ 202 million — February 11 in New Jersey The last winning Powerball ticket was sold on August 12 , 2020 for a jackpot worth $ 169 million .
That ticket was sold in Florida .
There have been only five Powerball grand prize winners in 2020 as well , and here they are : $ 169 million — August 12 in Florida $ 22 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million — April 8 in New Jersey $ 70 million — February 12 in Michigan $ 394 million — January in Florida Normally , each game would reset to a $ 40 million minimum , but the COVID-19 pandemic forced Powerball officials to cut the minimum jackpot in half , which began with the 04/11/20 jackpots .
Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery every Tuesday and Friday night , and it is one of America 's two biggest lottery jackpot games .
Mega Millions jackpots start at $ 20 million , and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2 million or more with a Megaplier .
Tickets are $ 2 per line , and odds of winning with a $ 2 Mega Millions ticket are one in 303 million .
For more information on Mega Millions , or to check your past numbers , visit its website .
Powerball is the other multi-state lottery , and it also starts at $ 20 million .
Its drawings take place shortly after 11 p.m .
ET on Wednesday and Saturday nights .
Here is the Powerball website for more information , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are nine ways to win money during the Powerball .
Just getting the powerball with no other numbers pays out $ 4 , and even more if the power play is bought for an extra dollar .
The same payout goes for one ball plus the powerball , and $ 7 is the payout for two correct numbers with the powerball , or three correct numbers and no powerball .
If all five white , numbered balls are chosen but the red powerball is not correct , then the payout is $ 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the power play is chosen .

The two biggest lottery games in the United States now have jackpots more than a quarter of a billion dollars, and their combined total is more than half a billion bucks. Just one of those prizes could buy a lifetime of Christmas presents for friends and family. Hitting both might get you a small island.
The Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday (12/08/20) is worth $264 million, with a cash-value option of $199.8 million.
The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday (12/09/20) is worth $262 million, with a cash option of $199.4 million.
If somebody were to get outrageously lucky and hit jackpots on back-to-back nights, their total winnings would be $526 million, with cash options worth $399.2 million.
The Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday (12/08/20) is worth $264 million, with a cash-value option of $199.8 million. The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday (12/09/20) is worth $262 million, with a cash option of $199.4 million. The combined total is $526 million. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Jackpot winners have been few and far between in 2020.
The last Mega Millions grand prize jackpot winner was from a ticket sold in Wisconsin on 09/15/20 for a jackpot worth $119 million. It was only the fifth Mega Millions jackpot won in the 2020 calendar year.
Here are the five Mega Millions jackpots won in 2020:
$119 million — September 15 in Wisconsin
$22 million — July 31 in California
$124 million — July 24 in New Jersey
$410 million — June 9 in Arizona
$202 million — February 11 in New Jersey
The last winning Powerball ticket was sold on August 12, 2020 for a jackpot worth $169 million. That ticket was sold in Florida.
There have been only five Powerball grand prize winners in 2020 as well, and here they are:
$169 million — August 12 in Florida
$22 million — June 10 in Wisconsin
$190 million — April 8 in New Jersey
$70 million — February 12 in Michigan
$394 million — January in Florida
Normally, each game would reset to a $40 million minimum, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced Powerball officials to cut the minimum jackpot in half, which began with the 04/11/20 jackpots.
Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery every Tuesday and Friday night, and it is one of America's two biggest lottery jackpot games. Mega Millions jackpots start at $20 million, and other prizes pay from $1 million to $2 million or more with a Megaplier. Tickets are $2 per line, and odds of winning with a $2 Mega Millions ticket are one in 303 million. For more information on Mega Millions, or to check your past numbers, visit its website.
Powerball is the other multi-state lottery, and it also starts at $20 million. Its drawings take place shortly after 11 p.m. ET on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Here is the Powerball website for more information, or to check past winning numbers.
There are nine ways to win money during the Powerball. Just getting the powerball with no other numbers pays out $4, and even more if the power play is bought for an extra dollar. The same payout goes for one ball plus the powerball, and $7 is the payout for two correct numbers with the powerball, or three correct numbers and no powerball.
If all five white, numbered balls are chosen but the red powerball is not correct, then the payout is $1 million, with an even higher payout if the power play is chosen.


newsweek--2020-12-08--GOP Congressman Shames Young People for Staying Home Amid Pandemic: 'Death Rate Is 0.001%'

A Republican Georgia congressman attempted to shame young Americans for being reluctant to go shopping amid the COVID-19 pandemic despite what he characterized as an exceedingly low death rate .
Rep. Barry Loudermilk made the remarks during a `` Peaceful Protest Biblical Citizenship Barnstorming Tour '' event in Georgia over the weekend .
The congressman unfavorably compared young people who are currently concerned about COVID-19 to American World War II soldiers on D-Day , while recalling a moment where President Donald Trump acknowledged a veteran during an event at the American Cemetery in Normandy , France last year .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years old when he stormed the beaches of Normandy , '' Loudermilk said in a video of the event surfaced by Right Wing Watch .
`` The death rate of his unit was 96 percent .
The death rate of COVID is .001 percent and we have young people that wo n't go to the store . ''
It is not clear where the .001 percent death rate that Loudermilk cited came from , with nearly all major sources and reputable medical experts estimating that U.S. death rates are significantly higher .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the number of deaths divided by the number of confirmed cases , is 1.9 percent , according to Johns Hopkins University .
When only counting `` closed cases , '' those that have an outcome of either recovery or death , the U.S. fatality rate is a little higher than 3 percent , according to Worldometer .
Death rates do rise exponentially with age , so a person aged 17 or 18 would be much less likely to die than an elderly person , although it is not clear that their overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent .
Regardless , youth does not prevent those who contract the virus from passing it on to others who may be far more vulnerable .
Not taking precautions like limiting opportunities for exposure can significantly increase the chances of the virus spreading .
Some young people may be reluctant to make unnecessary shopping trips out of concern of infecting others , rather than solely the fear of dying of the virus themselves .
Despite encouraging news that effective vaccines may soon be available in the U.S. , there is no sign that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Record highs of both new cases and new deaths have been recorded in recent weeks .
There have been 15,678 COVID-19 deaths , along with over 1.4 million new confirmed cases , reported in the country during the past week alone .
Total cases numbered 14,949,299 as of Tuesday , with over 283,703 deaths since the pandemic began .
Newsweek reached out to Loudermilk 's office for comment .

A Republican Georgia congressman attempted to shame young Americans for being reluctant to go shopping amid the COVID-19 pandemic despite what he characterized as an exceedingly low death rate.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk made the remarks during a "Peaceful Protest Biblical Citizenship Barnstorming Tour" event in Georgia over the weekend. The congressman unfavorably compared young people who are currently concerned about COVID-19 to American World War II soldiers on D-Day, while recalling a moment where President Donald Trump acknowledged a veteran during an event at the American Cemetery in Normandy, France last year.
"This guy was about 17 or 18 years old when he stormed the beaches of Normandy," Loudermilk said in a video of the event surfaced by Right Wing Watch. "The death rate of his unit was 96 percent. The death rate of COVID is .001 percent and we have young people that won't go to the store."
It is not clear where the .001 percent death rate that Loudermilk cited came from, with nearly all major sources and reputable medical experts estimating that U.S. death rates are significantly higher. The current observed COVID-19 death rate, based on the number of deaths divided by the number of confirmed cases, is 1.9 percent, according to Johns Hopkins University.
When only counting "closed cases," those that have an outcome of either recovery or death, the U.S. fatality rate is a little higher than 3 percent, according to Worldometer. Death rates do rise exponentially with age, so a person aged 17 or 18 would be much less likely to die than an elderly person, although it is not clear that their overall risk would be as low as .001 percent.
U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) speaks during a hearing on voting rights in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on May 6, 2019. Joe Raedle/Getty
Regardless, youth does not prevent those who contract the virus from passing it on to others who may be far more vulnerable. Not taking precautions like limiting opportunities for exposure can significantly increase the chances of the virus spreading. Some young people may be reluctant to make unnecessary shopping trips out of concern of infecting others, rather than solely the fear of dying of the virus themselves.
Despite encouraging news that effective vaccines may soon be available in the U.S., there is no sign that the pandemic is currently losing steam. Record highs of both new cases and new deaths have been recorded in recent weeks. There have been 15,678 COVID-19 deaths, along with over 1.4 million new confirmed cases, reported in the country during the past week alone. Total cases numbered 14,949,299 as of Tuesday, with over 283,703 deaths since the pandemic began.
Newsweek reached out to Loudermilk's office for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-08--Penn. Lawyer Who Lost Mail-in Ballot Case Says It Wouldn't Have Helped Trump Win

The Supreme Court of the United States turned back a challenge on Tuesday that could have seen nearly 3 million mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania tossed out , an unprecedented response to what Republican lawyers said was a method of voting prohibited by Pennsylvania 's constitution .
Democratic party lawyers briefed U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito today , responding to a Dec. 3 brief from that attorney .
The Supreme Court sided with them and declined to hear the case : `` The application for injunctive relief presented to Justice [ Samuel ] Alito and by him referred to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court 's order read , without any dissenting opinions .
Even if Republicans had prevailed in their Pennsylvania case and won the remedies they seek , that legal victory alone would not have changed the outcome of the presidential race or delivered the GOP control of the U.S. House of Representatives .
`` For the people who voted for Biden , what the hell do they care ?
Biden will still win the overall election , '' the attorney , Greg Teufel , told Zenger News on Monday night .
`` Their votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that victory , but they also wo n't be seeing the opposite candidate to who they voted for win . ''
`` It 's a sort of disenfranchisement , but who cares ? ''
he said .
Teufel founded and leads an eight-lawyer practice in Pittsburgh and came recommended by the state Republican Party when a sitting congressman and a losing congressional candidate decided to mount a challenge .
Teufel said pro bono attorneys helped keep the case 's total legal cost under $ 100,000 .
Teufel was primed to avoid hiring a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz had offered to do it free of charge .
Cruz argued nine Supreme Court cases during his five years as solicitor general for Texas .
Teufel said the offer was `` like a gift from God . ''
The Republicans ' brief to the U.S. Supreme Court said a law known as Act 77 itself violates the Pennsylvania Constitution , which describes only two ways for voters to cast ballots : in person and via absentee ballot , with a stated reason like work-related travel , illness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large majority of the mail-in ballots cast under Act 77 's rules in November included votes for former Vice President Joseph R. Biden .
His control of Pennsylvania 's 20 electoral votes now appears certain .
Marc Elias , the Democratic election lawyer who has briefed the case in lower courts , did not respond to Zenger 's requests for comment .
In a response brief filed Tuesday morning , four different attorneys representing the state of Pennsylvania said Teufel 's suit was `` nothing less than an affront to constitutional democracy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ end . ''
`` No court has ever issued an order nullifying a governor 's certification of presidential election results , '' according to the response brief , which called the claims `` fundamentally frivolous . ''
Georgia 's Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Monday re-certified Biden 's Election Day win there , calling it `` an important day for election integrity . ''
Trump tweeted Monday that Raffensperger , Gov .
Brian Kemp and Lt. Gov .
Geoff Duncan were `` RINOs '' —Republicans In Name Only .
He complained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Assembly into a special session .
The president says the vote recounts were mere political theater because they did n't re-examine whether signatures on absentee ballot envelopes match those in voter files .
`` The Republican Governor of Georgia refuses to do signature verification , which would give us an easy win .
What 's wrong with this guy ?
What is he hiding ? ''
Trump tweeted .
The president called Kemp on Dec. 5 , the governor 's office confirmed , in an attempt to persuade him to call a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes the assembly , dominated by Republicans , should declare the election results unreliable and send its own slate of electors when the Electoral College meets Dec. 14 .
The Trump campaign is still asking a Georgia court to nullify Raffensperger 's action certifying the election for Biden .
The campaign presented what it said was `` sworn testimony '' identifying `` 2,560 felons ; 66,247 underage voters , 2,423 votes from people not registered ; 1,043 individuals registered at post office boxes ; 4,926 individuals who voted in Georgia after registering in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in two states ; 15,700 votes from people who moved out of state before the election ; 40,279 votes of people who moved without re-registering in their new county ; and another 30,000 to 40,000 absentee ballots lacking proper signature matching and verification . ''
Biden led Trump by just over 12,000 votes in Georgia , according to the most recent recount .
Separately , Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed his own long-shot lawsuit on Tuesday , asking U.S. Supreme Court justices to directly intervene in four states without waiting for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his application that Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin had all improperly changed their election laws by using the Covid-19 pandemic to justify `` executive fiat or friendly lawsuits , thereby weakening ballot integrity . ''
He wants the high court to prevent all four states from sending electors when the Electoral College meets on Dec. 14 .
The Supreme Court can intervene through what lawyers called `` original jurisdiction , '' a power that is typically applied in cases where the interests of multiple states collide .
The Arizona Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal of a case brought by state Republican Party chair Kelli Ward .
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Steven Warner ruled Dec. 4 that Ward had not proven significant voter fraud in Arizona 's most populous county .
As in Georgia , Arizona 's Republican House Speaker Rusty Bowers said he will not call the state legislature into a special session , where Republicans might have overturned the election and sent their own electors .
Teufel had filed an emergency request for a U.S. Supreme Court injunction on behalf of U.S. Rep. Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kelly won re-election , but Parnell lost his race to Democratic incumbent Conor Lamb by about 9,000 votes out of 423,000 cast .
Because congressional districts in Pennsylvania cross over county lines , it 's unclear how many mail-in ballots contributed to Lamb 's victory .
The petition asked Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to stay the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling and asks the full Court to hear the case and rule quickly .
Teufel said Monday that a Supreme Court victory would not `` have impact in other states , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change `` unless two other states also flip .
And tell me the likely scenario where that happens ? ''
Teufel filed an emergency request for a U.S. Supreme Court injunction on behalf of U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly , Parnell and six other Republicans .
Kelly won re-election , but Parnell lost his race to Democratic incumbent Conor Lamb by about 9,000 votes out of 423,000 cast .
Because congressional districts in Pennsylvania cross over county lines , it 's unclear how many mail-in ballots contributed to Lamb 's victory .
The petition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling and asks the full Court to hear the case and rule quickly .
The Pennsylvania case could provide the president with rare momentum , even if Teufel thinks a second term is the longest of long shots .
While a victory might motivate Republicans in other states to keep fighting , Teufel told Zenger , `` this ripple is not going to have impact in other states . ''
`` If you voted for Biden and you 're really concerned that he wins the election , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on that unless two other states also flip , '' he said , `` And tell me the likely scenario where that happens ? ''
This story was provided to Newsweek by Zenger News .

The Supreme Court of the United States turned back a challenge on Tuesday that could have seen nearly 3 million mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania tossed out, an unprecedented response to what Republican lawyers said was a method of voting prohibited by Pennsylvania's constitution.
Democratic party lawyers briefed U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito today, responding to a Dec. 3 brief from that attorney. The Supreme Court sided with them and declined to hear the case: "The application for injunctive relief presented to Justice [Samuel] Alito and by him referred to the Court is denied," the high court's order read, without any dissenting opinions.
Even if Republicans had prevailed in their Pennsylvania case and won the remedies they seek, that legal victory alone would not have changed the outcome of the presidential race or delivered the GOP control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
"For the people who voted for Biden, what the hell do they care? Biden will still win the overall election," the attorney, Greg Teufel, told Zenger News on Monday night. "Their votes won't be counted as part of that victory, but they also won't be seeing the opposite candidate to who they voted for win."
Representative Jim Jordan stands with dozens of people calling for stopping the vote count in Pennsylvania due to alleged fraud against President Donald Trump gather on the steps of the State Capital on November 05, 2020 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Spencer Platt/Getty
"It's a sort of disenfranchisement, but who cares?" he said. Teufel founded and leads an eight-lawyer practice in Pittsburgh and came recommended by the state Republican Party when a sitting congressman and a losing congressional candidate decided to mount a challenge. Teufel said pro bono attorneys helped keep the case's total legal cost under $100,000.
Teufel was primed to avoid hiring a white-shoe lawyer to deliver oral arguments. Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz had offered to do it free of charge. Cruz argued nine Supreme Court cases during his five years as solicitor general for Texas. Teufel said the offer was "like a gift from God."
The Republicans' brief to the U.S. Supreme Court said a law known as Act 77 itself violates the Pennsylvania Constitution, which describes only two ways for voters to cast ballots: in person and via absentee ballot, with a stated reason like work-related travel, illness, disability or a religious holiday.
A large majority of the mail-in ballots cast under Act 77's rules in November included votes for former Vice President Joseph R. Biden. His control of Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes now appears certain.
Marc Elias, the Democratic election lawyer who has briefed the case in lower courts, did not respond to Zenger's requests for comment. In a response brief filed Tuesday morning, four different attorneys representing the state of Pennsylvania said Teufel's suit was "nothing less than an affront to constitutional democracy. It should meet a swift and decisive end."
"No court has ever issued an order nullifying a governor's certification of presidential election results," according to the response brief, which called the claims "fundamentally frivolous."
People participate in a protest in support of counting all votes as the election in Pennsylvania is still unresolved on November 4, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Spencer Platt/Getty
Georgia's Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Monday re-certified Biden's Election Day win there, calling it "an important day for election integrity."
Trump tweeted Monday that Raffensperger, Gov. Brian Kemp and Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan were "RINOs"—Republicans In Name Only. He complained that Kemp refused to call the Georgia General Assembly into a special session. The president says the vote recounts were mere political theater because they didn't re-examine whether signatures on absentee ballot envelopes match those in voter files.
"The Republican Governor of Georgia refuses to do signature verification, which would give us an easy win. What's wrong with this guy? What is he hiding?" Trump tweeted.
The president called Kemp on Dec. 5, the governor's office confirmed, in an attempt to persuade him to call a special legislative schedule. The Trump campaign believes the assembly, dominated by Republicans, should declare the election results unreliable and send its own slate of electors when the Electoral College meets Dec. 14.
The Trump campaign is still asking a Georgia court to nullify Raffensperger's action certifying the election for Biden.
The campaign presented what it said was "sworn testimony" identifying "2,560 felons; 66,247 underage voters, 2,423 votes from people not registered; 1,043 individuals registered at post office boxes; 4,926 individuals who voted in Georgia after registering in another state; 395 individuals who voted in two states; 15,700 votes from people who moved out of state before the election; 40,279 votes of people who moved without re-registering in their new county; and another 30,000 to 40,000 absentee ballots lacking proper signature matching and verification."
Biden led Trump by just over 12,000 votes in Georgia, according to the most recent recount.
A poll watcher monitors the counting of ballots at the Allegheny County elections warehouse on November 6, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jeff Swensen/Getty
Separately, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed his own long-shot lawsuit on Tuesday, asking U.S. Supreme Court justices to directly intervene in four states without waiting for a lawsuit to reach them. Paxton said in his application that Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin had all improperly changed their election laws by using the Covid-19 pandemic to justify "executive fiat or friendly lawsuits, thereby weakening ballot integrity." He wants the high court to prevent all four states from sending electors when the Electoral College meets on Dec. 14.
The Supreme Court can intervene through what lawyers called "original jurisdiction," a power that is typically applied in cases where the interests of multiple states collide.
The Arizona Supreme Court has agreed to hear an expedited appeal of a case brought by state Republican Party chair Kelli Ward. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Steven Warner ruled Dec. 4 that Ward had not proven significant voter fraud in Arizona's most populous county.
As in Georgia, Arizona's Republican House Speaker Rusty Bowers said he will not call the state legislature into a special session, where Republicans might have overturned the election and sent their own electors.
Teufel had filed an emergency request for a U.S. Supreme Court injunction on behalf of U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, Parnell and six other Republicans. Kelly won re-election, but Parnell lost his race to Democratic incumbent Conor Lamb by about 9,000 votes out of 423,000 cast. Because congressional districts in Pennsylvania cross over county lines, it's unclear how many mail-in ballots contributed to Lamb's victory.
Dozens of people calling for stopping the vote count in Pennsylvania due to alleged fraud against President Donald Trump gather on the steps of the State Capital on November 5, 2020 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Spencer Platt/Getty
The petition asked Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to stay the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling and asks the full Court to hear the case and rule quickly.
Teufel said Monday that a Supreme Court victory would not "have impact in other states," and the election's result wouldn't change "unless two other states also flip. And tell me the likely scenario where that happens?"
Teufel filed an emergency request for a U.S. Supreme Court injunction on behalf of U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, Parnell and six other Republicans. Kelly won re-election, but Parnell lost his race to Democratic incumbent Conor Lamb by about 9,000 votes out of 423,000 cast. Because congressional districts in Pennsylvania cross over county lines, it's unclear how many mail-in ballots contributed to Lamb's victory.
Read more Trump Claims He Won When Asked Why Biden Team Not Invited to Vaccine Summit Trump Claims He Won When Asked Why Biden Team Not Invited to Vaccine Summit
The petition asks Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to stay the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling and asks the full Court to hear the case and rule quickly.
The Pennsylvania case could provide the president with rare momentum, even if Teufel thinks a second term is the longest of long shots.
While a victory might motivate Republicans in other states to keep fighting, Teufel told Zenger, "this ripple is not going to have impact in other states."
"If you voted for Biden and you're really concerned that he wins the election, in all likelihood it will have no impact on that unless two other states also flip," he said, "And tell me the likely scenario where that happens?"
This story was provided to Newsweek by Zenger News.


newsweek--2020-12-08--'Super Spreader' California Party Leads to 158 Arrests as New Lockdown Begins

An underground party in Southern California that authorities identified as a likely `` super spreader '' event ended with 158 people arrested , the Los Angeles County Sheriff 's Department said Tuesday .
The party took place at a vacant home in Palmdale over the weekend of December 5 and 6 in direct violation of public health orders that recently expanded throughout California due to the state 's surge in new COVID-19 cases , authorities said .
In addition to partygoers breaking local gathering restrictions , authorities said they recovered six weapons at the party location and found a minor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexually exploited child . ''
`` This was a flagrant violation of the governor 's health order , '' Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said during a Tuesday news conference .
`` But also , please understand : Even without the health order , these actions were criminal in nature . ''
In a news release announcing the arrests , the department said underground parties like the one that took place over the weekend `` typically involve drugs , alcohol , weapons , minors , and prostitution . ''
A total of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities broke up the party , which Villanueva said they learned about in advance .
Even amid the ongoing pandemic , roughly six similar underground parties occur every weekend in Los Angeles County , he said .
Ron Shaffer , the captain of the Palmdale Sheriff 's Station , said during the news conference that the party occurred inside a vacant single-family house in a residential neighborhood .
Though Villanueva said some underground events take place partially or entirely outside , cool nighttime temperatures kept last weekend 's party attendees inside , raising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the most recent party likely would have attracted about 500 attendees if authorities had not interrupted it .
`` Imagine 500 people all in close proximity indoors , and then they fan out once the party 's over , '' Villanueva said .
`` That 's how these become super spreader events . ''
The party took place as California was on the brink of a new stay-at-home order .
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the order last week in anticipation of hospitals becoming overwhelmed as health officials reported rising numbers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's five regions would fall under the new order for at least three weeks once their ICUs dropped below 15 percent availability .
Southern California 's stay-at-home order began Sunday night .
On Monday , Newsom said the region 's ICU capacity was at 10.9 percent .
As of Sunday , December 6 , health officials reported more than 1.3 million COVID-19 infections statewide since the start of the pandemic .
More than 443,000 of those were reported in Los Angeles County , according to state data .
Villanueva said his department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to public health orders and called for government officials to prioritize supporting efforts to crack down on super spreader events .
`` I ask our state and local politicians to strongly consider allowing our restaurant industry to reopen , and instead strongly support law enforcement in focusing on the targeted enforcement of super spreader events , such as this one , '' he said .
Newsweek reached out to Newsom 's office for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication .

An underground party in Southern California that authorities identified as a likely "super spreader" event ended with 158 people arrested, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday.
The party took place at a vacant home in Palmdale over the weekend of December 5 and 6 in direct violation of public health orders that recently expanded throughout California due to the state's surge in new COVID-19 cases, authorities said.
In addition to partygoers breaking local gathering restrictions, authorities said they recovered six weapons at the party location and found a minor there who qualified as a "commercially sexually exploited child."
"This was a flagrant violation of the governor's health order," Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said during a Tuesday news conference. "But also, please understand: Even without the health order, these actions were criminal in nature."
In a news release announcing the arrests, the department said underground parties like the one that took place over the weekend "typically involve drugs, alcohol, weapons, minors, and prostitution."
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Tuesday that 158 people were arrested at an underground party in Palmdale over the weekend, a gathering held in direct violation of local public health orders. In the photo above, shuttered outdoor restaurant seating is decorated with American flags on the first day of new stay-at-home orders on December 7, 2020, in West Hollywood, California. Mario Tama/Getty
A total of 158 adults and minors were arrested as authorities broke up the party, which Villanueva said they learned about in advance. Even amid the ongoing pandemic, roughly six similar underground parties occur every weekend in Los Angeles County, he said.
Ron Shaffer, the captain of the Palmdale Sheriff's Station, said during the news conference that the party occurred inside a vacant single-family house in a residential neighborhood. Though Villanueva said some underground events take place partially or entirely outside, cool nighttime temperatures kept last weekend's party attendees inside, raising the risk of COVID-19 spread. Villanueva said the most recent party likely would have attracted about 500 attendees if authorities had not interrupted it.
"Imagine 500 people all in close proximity indoors, and then they fan out once the party's over," Villanueva said. "That's how these become super spreader events."
The party took place as California was on the brink of a new stay-at-home order. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the order last week in anticipation of hospitals becoming overwhelmed as health officials reported rising numbers of new COVID-19 cases. Each of the state's five regions would fall under the new order for at least three weeks once their ICUs dropped below 15 percent availability.
Southern California's stay-at-home order began Sunday night. On Monday, Newsom said the region's ICU capacity was at 10.9 percent.
As of Sunday, December 6, health officials reported more than 1.3 million COVID-19 infections statewide since the start of the pandemic. More than 443,000 of those were reported in Los Angeles County, according to state data.
Villanueva said his department will "continue to apply common sense" to public health orders and called for government officials to prioritize supporting efforts to crack down on super spreader events.
"I ask our state and local politicians to strongly consider allowing our restaurant industry to reopen, and instead strongly support law enforcement in focusing on the targeted enforcement of super spreader events, such as this one," he said.
Newsweek reached out to Newsom's office for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.