newsweek--2020-12-19--Joe Biden's Attorney General Pick Must Insulate DOJ As Hunter, Trump Probes Play Out

President-elect Joe Biden 's pick for Attorney General faces a task of putting clear boundaries between the Department of Justice and the White House in order to insulate it from the political fray , amid a raft of sensitive investigations .
The new AG , yet to be announced by Biden , will take charge in a fraught landscape .
An investigation into the president-elect 's son Hunter is underway , with him having announced the U.S. Attorney 's office in Delaware is looking into his tax affairs .
Biden has said he has `` great confidence '' in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he thinks the accusations are `` kind of foul play . ''
While there is also the potential of further cases focused on President Donald Trump , in addition to those already underway , with further pressure potentially looming as protections granted to him as the president disappear once his tenure ends .
Given the profile of such inquiries , both Biden and his Attorney General will face a stern test to ensure they are all conducted above board—and clearly appear to be so .
Biden previously spoke of the Justice Department responding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN , adding : `` It 's not my Justice Department , it 's the people 's Justice Department . ''
Bruce Green , director of the Louis Stein Center for Law and Ethics at Fordham University School of Law , similarly told Newsweek Biden must continue to assert the department 's independence and the attorney general nominee should do so in their confirmation hearings .
`` The Attorney General nominee should promise to preserve the Department 's independence in criminal cases and should be specific about what that means .
Nominees conventionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are almost never pressed to say what that means , '' Green said .
`` The nominee should say exactly what that means and identify precisely what steps will be taken to protect the Department 's independence . ''
After confirmation , such promises should be acted upon and any further considerations assessed , Green said .
`` And then , once confirmed , the Attorney General should implement these promises and consider what additional measures should be established to protect the Department 's independence in criminal cases , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ member who has responsibilities that involve conferring with the president and White House personnel , and the president has a responsibility to establish criminal justice policy , so independence can not mean ignoring or boycotting the president .
It means that only legitimate considerations should drive decisions in criminal cases .
The attorney general should articulate what considerations are and are not legitimate . ''
Ronald Weich , dean of the University of Baltimore Law School , told Newsweek he thinks it will be necessary for the Attorney General to restore protocols that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Justice Department .
`` They will need to return rules about who can communicate with the Justice Department , '' Weich , who was also formerly assistant attorney general for legislative affairs , said .
`` On individual cases , there should be no White House interference . ''
He added that this should be stated `` explicitly and publicly , '' adding he expects Biden will want to make such comments while the nominee would also perhaps look to do so in their confirmation hearing .
Miriam Baer , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also expressed the need for the independence of the Justice Department to be focused upon .
`` Because of the number of sensitive investigations looming or already under way , the Biden presidency will want to emphasize its respect for the Department 's independence .
Accordingly , one would expect the President-elect to choose an Attorney General well acquainted with the Department 's norms and internal policies , '' Baer said .
In terms of speculation of special counsels being used for certain investigations , Weich suggested this be a last resort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counsel should be very rare , '' he said .
`` The department itself should be insulated . ''
If the Justice Department is functioning efficiently , such action of a special counsel appointment would only rarely be necessary .
However , individual recusals might be needed in some instances—with these being considered ahead of a special counsel appointment , he said .
On the other hand , Bennett Capers , professor of law and director of the center on race , law and justice at Fordham University , suggested another means of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interfered with could be appointing a permanent special counsel .
`` Biden has made it pretty clear that he has no intention of telling the DOJ what to do with respect to any investigation .
'It 's not my Justice Department .
It 's the people 's Justice Department , ' '' Capers said .
`` Still , they have to be worried about the appearance of favoritism , of adding a finger to the scale , especially given how divided the country is .
The easiest way to handle this would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special counsel , not just for Hunter 's case , but across the board to handle any significant issues that may be politically fraught . ''
While the Attorney General nominee themselves will have an ability to shape perceptions , the person chosen by Biden will give a first impression based on their own track record .
`` The most important thing Biden can do is to appoint an Attorney General who is non-political , above approach and who everyone would agree will make decisions solely based on the facts and the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously an assistant special prosecutor on the Watergate Special Prosecution Force , told Newsweek .
`` Biden should be using the same standard for selecting an Attorney General that was used to select Archibald Cox and Leon Jaworski as Watergate Special Prosecutors and Robert Mueller as Special Counsel in the Russian matter .
This may mean appointing a Republican as AG or certainly someone the Republicans will perceive as being a straight shooter who will not be influenced by partisan political considerations .
That does not mean Biden should n't appoint someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , expanding voting rights and civil rights . ''
Andrew Kent , a professor of law at Fordham University , agreed that choosing someone with a strong reputation that avoids them being painted as partisan will be key .
`` Perhaps the most important move would be to nominate someone to be Attorney General who is above the partisan fray and whose reputation for integrity is beyond any reasonable dispute , '' he told Newsweek .
For inquiries that have already begun , leaving them to pan out with those already involved continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best option , Kent said .
`` With the Biden family member investigations , one option is to allow the current Trump nominated US Attorney ( s ) handling them to remain in office until completion .
And of course to publicly pledge that the White House will stay entirely uninvolved , '' Kent said .
`` Depending on who the AG is—for instance if it is Doug Jones , who is reportedly a close friend of the Biden family—there might also be cause for a public promise that the AG will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special counsel is also a possibility . ''
However , he suggested that for potential inquiries into Trump a visible attorney general able to be heavily involved might be necessary .
`` Investigations and potential prosecutions of Trump and his family are a different matter , in my opinion , '' he said .
`` The challenges and issues are potentially so important and explosive that I think there is no good substitute for oversight by a visible and accountable Attorney General . ''
The option of letting things take their course under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a course of action Baer , of Brooklyn Law School , also suggested the Biden AG might consider taking .
On how a pick should be made , she reiterated the need for someone of a strong pedigree .
On specific investigations , Baer added : `` One would further expect the Hunter Biden investigation ( at least the part that pertains to any violations of the tax code ) to remain with the United States Attorney 's Office in Delaware , which has taken the lead on the case and is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigations of the Trump family , some of these are already under way in state and local jurisdictions ( e.g.
, New York Attorney General and Manhattan DA ) .
For those investigations , the Biden administration can hold off and watch how those cases unfold .
For other investigations , the Department will likely allow its career prosecutors to develop cases as they see fit . ''
Newsweek has contacted the Biden transition team for comment .
According to reporting by The Associated Press last week , there are four main contenders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland , former deputy attorney general Sally Yates , outgoing Alabama Senator Doug Jones and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo .

President-elect Joe Biden's pick for Attorney General faces a task of putting clear boundaries between the Department of Justice and the White House in order to insulate it from the political fray, amid a raft of sensitive investigations.
The new AG, yet to be announced by Biden, will take charge in a fraught landscape.
An investigation into the president-elect's son Hunter is underway, with him having announced the U.S. Attorney's office in Delaware is looking into his tax affairs. Biden has said he has "great confidence" in his son, telling CBS's Stephen Colbert he thinks the accusations are "kind of foul play."
While there is also the potential of further cases focused on President Donald Trump, in addition to those already underway, with further pressure potentially looming as protections granted to him as the president disappear once his tenure ends.
Given the profile of such inquiries, both Biden and his Attorney General will face a stern test to ensure they are all conducted above board—and clearly appear to be so.
Biden previously spoke of the Justice Department responding to issues independently in an interview with CNN, adding: "It's not my Justice Department, it's the people's Justice Department."
Setting Boundaries
Bruce Green, director of the Louis Stein Center for Law and Ethics at Fordham University School of Law, similarly told Newsweek Biden must continue to assert the department's independence and the attorney general nominee should do so in their confirmation hearings.
"The Attorney General nominee should promise to preserve the Department's independence in criminal cases and should be specific about what that means. Nominees conventionally acknowledge the importance of prosecutorial independence but are almost never pressed to say what that means," Green said.
"The nominee should say exactly what that means and identify precisely what steps will be taken to protect the Department's independence."
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After confirmation, such promises should be acted upon and any further considerations assessed, Green said.
"And then, once confirmed, the Attorney General should implement these promises and consider what additional measures should be established to protect the Department's independence in criminal cases," he said.
"The Attorney General is a cabinet member who has responsibilities that involve conferring with the president and White House personnel, and the president has a responsibility to establish criminal justice policy, so independence cannot mean ignoring or boycotting the president. It means that only legitimate considerations should drive decisions in criminal cases. The attorney general should articulate what considerations are and are not legitimate."
White House Separation
Ronald Weich, dean of the University of Baltimore Law School, told Newsweek he thinks it will be necessary for the Attorney General to restore protocols that limit the contact between the White House and the Justice Department.
"They will need to return rules about who can communicate with the Justice Department," Weich, who was also formerly assistant attorney general for legislative affairs, said.
"On individual cases, there should be no White House interference."
He added that this should be stated "explicitly and publicly," adding he expects Biden will want to make such comments while the nominee would also perhaps look to do so in their confirmation hearing.
Miriam Baer, a professor of law at Brooklyn Law School, also expressed the need for the independence of the Justice Department to be focused upon.
"Because of the number of sensitive investigations looming or already under way, the Biden presidency will want to emphasize its respect for the Department's independence. Accordingly, one would expect the President-elect to choose an Attorney General well acquainted with the Department's norms and internal policies," Baer said.
Hunter Biden (L) and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden attend the World Food Program USA's Annual McGovern-Dole Leadership Award Ceremony at Organization of American States on April 12, 2016 in Washington, D.C. Hunter faces a probe into his tax affairs. Teresa Kroeger/Getty Images for World Food Program USA
Special Counsels
In terms of speculation of special counsels being used for certain investigations, Weich suggested this be a last resort.
"The appointment of a special counsel should be very rare," he said.
"The department itself should be insulated."
If the Justice Department is functioning efficiently, such action of a special counsel appointment would only rarely be necessary.
However, individual recusals might be needed in some instances—with these being considered ahead of a special counsel appointment, he said.
On the other hand, Bennett Capers, professor of law and director of the center on race, law and justice at Fordham University, suggested another means of separation to allow cases to not be interfered with could be appointing a permanent special counsel.
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"Biden has made it pretty clear that he has no intention of telling the DOJ what to do with respect to any investigation. 'It's not my Justice Department. It's the people's Justice Department,'" Capers said.
"Still, they have to be worried about the appearance of favoritism, of adding a finger to the scale, especially given how divided the country is. The easiest way to handle this would be for Biden to insist on a permanent special counsel, not just for Hunter's case, but across the board to handle any significant issues that may be politically fraught."
Choice Sets the Tone
While the Attorney General nominee themselves will have an ability to shape perceptions, the person chosen by Biden will give a first impression based on their own track record.
"The most important thing Biden can do is to appoint an Attorney General who is non-political, above approach and who everyone would agree will make decisions solely based on the facts and the law," Nick Akerman, who was previously an assistant special prosecutor on the Watergate Special Prosecution Force, told Newsweek.
"Biden should be using the same standard for selecting an Attorney General that was used to select Archibald Cox and Leon Jaworski as Watergate Special Prosecutors and Robert Mueller as Special Counsel in the Russian matter. This may mean appointing a Republican as AG or certainly someone the Republicans will perceive as being a straight shooter who will not be influenced by partisan political considerations. That does not mean Biden shouldn't appoint someone who will also be sympathetic to police reform, expanding voting rights and civil rights."
Andrew Kent, a professor of law at Fordham University, agreed that choosing someone with a strong reputation that avoids them being painted as partisan will be key.
"Perhaps the most important move would be to nominate someone to be Attorney General who is above the partisan fray and whose reputation for integrity is beyond any reasonable dispute," he told Newsweek.
Leave Things Alone
For inquiries that have already begun, leaving them to pan out with those already involved continuing to take the lead might be the best option, Kent said.
"With the Biden family member investigations, one option is to allow the current Trump nominated US Attorney(s) handling them to remain in office until completion. And of course to publicly pledge that the White House will stay entirely uninvolved," Kent said.
"Depending on who the AG is—for instance if it is Doug Jones, who is reportedly a close friend of the Biden family—there might also be cause for a public promise that the AG will be uninvolved as well. Appointment of a special counsel is also a possibility."
However, he suggested that for potential inquiries into Trump a visible attorney general able to be heavily involved might be necessary.
"Investigations and potential prosecutions of Trump and his family are a different matter, in my opinion," he said. "The challenges and issues are potentially so important and explosive that I think there is no good substitute for oversight by a visible and accountable Attorney General."
The option of letting things take their course under the watch of those already involved is a course of action Baer, of Brooklyn Law School, also suggested the Biden AG might consider taking.
On how a pick should be made, she reiterated the need for someone of a strong pedigree.
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On specific investigations, Baer added: "One would further expect the Hunter Biden investigation (at least the part that pertains to any violations of the tax code) to remain with the United States Attorney's Office in Delaware, which has taken the lead on the case and is not perceived as partisan.
"As for investigations of the Trump family, some of these are already under way in state and local jurisdictions (e.g., New York Attorney General and Manhattan DA). For those investigations, the Biden administration can hold off and watch how those cases unfold. For other investigations, the Department will likely allow its career prosecutors to develop cases as they see fit."
Newsweek has contacted the Biden transition team for comment.
According to reporting by The Associated Press last week, there are four main contenders for the AG nomination.
These being federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland, former deputy attorney general Sally Yates, outgoing Alabama Senator Doug Jones and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.


newsweek--2020-12-19--Latest 'Squad' Member Cori Bush Nominated to House Judiciary Committee

The House Democratic Steering Committee nominated U.S. Representative-elect Cori Bush of Missouri to serve on the House Judiciary Committee on Friday .
Bush , who been frequently been referred to as a new member of the Congressional group informally known as `` The Squad , '' was elected to represent Missouri 's First Congressional District on November 3 after pulling off an upset victory in the Democratic primary months earlier .
Prior to entering politics , the congresswoman-elect was a prominent Black Lives Matter activist and community organizer .
`` I am proud to have been named to a committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all , '' Bush said in a statement obtained by Newsweek .
`` Every time I step into that committee room , I will bring with me the power of my lived experience .
It is a power that comes from the pain of being a survivor of sexual abuse and domestic violence , of having been unhoused , stomped by the police , and forced to live paycheck-to-paycheck . ''
`` But above all else , I will bring the stories of the people of St. Louis and fight for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congressional District , '' she added .
`` It is on the House Judiciary Committee to affirm the dignity and humanity of Black and brown communities , and I look forward to working with Chairman Nadler and my colleagues on the committee to legislate in defense of Black lives . ''
Squad member Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D-Minn. ) took to Twitter to quickly congratulate Bush on being nominated to the committee .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) issued a statement saying that Bush and the 17 other current or incoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committees on Friday represented `` the most dynamic and diverse '' majority the party had ever seen in the chamber .
The Democratic Steering Committee appeared to snub another Squad member on Thursday , when Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) was overlooked for an assignment on the House Energy and Commerce Committee .
Ocasio-Cortez , Omar , Rep. Ayanna Pressley ( D-Mass . )
and Rep. Rashida Tlaib ( D-Mich. ) make up the original four members of the informal group .
`` Congresswoman-elect Bush , a civil rights activist and community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the streets of Ferguson and across the country , will bring first-hand experience as the Committee tackles systemic racism and criminal justice reform , '' House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler ( D-N.Y. ) said in a statement .
Two other incoming Democratic House members were nominated for appointment to the House Judiciary Committee on Friday .
Congressman-elect Mondaire Jones of New York , who has also been referred to as a new member of The Squad , is likely to join Bush on the committee , as is Congresswoman-elect Deborah Ross of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to be approved , all three will go to the full Democratic Caucus before they become official .

The House Democratic Steering Committee nominated U.S. Representative-elect Cori Bush of Missouri to serve on the House Judiciary Committee on Friday.
Bush, who been frequently been referred to as a new member of the Congressional group informally known as "The Squad," was elected to represent Missouri's First Congressional District on November 3 after pulling off an upset victory in the Democratic primary months earlier. Prior to entering politics, the congresswoman-elect was a prominent Black Lives Matter activist and community organizer.
"I am proud to have been named to a committee with the power to bring about justice for all," Bush said in a statement obtained by Newsweek. "Every time I step into that committee room, I will bring with me the power of my lived experience. It is a power that comes from the pain of being a survivor of sexual abuse and domestic violence, of having been unhoused, stomped by the police, and forced to live paycheck-to-paycheck."
"But above all else, I will bring the stories of the people of St. Louis and fight for the change we need in Missouri's First Congressional District," she added. "It is on the House Judiciary Committee to affirm the dignity and humanity of Black and brown communities, and I look forward to working with Chairman Nadler and my colleagues on the committee to legislate in defense of Black lives."
Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush (D-Mo.) is pictured outside Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C. on November 19, 2020. Drew Angerer/Getty
Squad member Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) took to Twitter to quickly congratulate Bush on being nominated to the committee. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) issued a statement saying that Bush and the 17 other current or incoming House members who were appointed to several committees on Friday represented "the most dynamic and diverse" majority the party had ever seen in the chamber.
The Democratic Steering Committee appeared to snub another Squad member on Thursday, when Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) was overlooked for an assignment on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) make up the original four members of the informal group.
"Congresswoman-elect Bush, a civil rights activist and community organizer who has fought for justice on the streets of Ferguson and across the country, will bring first-hand experience as the Committee tackles systemic racism and criminal justice reform," House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.
Two other incoming Democratic House members were nominated for appointment to the House Judiciary Committee on Friday. Congressman-elect Mondaire Jones of New York, who has also been referred to as a new member of The Squad, is likely to join Bush on the committee, as is Congresswoman-elect Deborah Ross of North Carolina. Although the nominations are expected to be approved, all three will go to the full Democratic Caucus before they become official.


newsweek--2020-12-18--Mike Pompeo Says 'Pretty Clearly It Was The Russians' Behind SolarWinds Hack

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo revealed during a Friday interview that he believes that Russia was behind a widespread cyberattack that potentially breached the computer systems of U.S. government agencies .
Hackers exploited a vulnerability in software created by Texas technology firm SolarWinds and inserted malicious code .
The software called Orion was designed to monitor computer networks for security flaws .
While investigators into the attack have been reticent to name the entity behind the hacking , Pompeo said during a Friday interview on The Mark Levin Show that Russia was the main suspect .
`` I ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still unpacking precisely what it is , and I 'm sure some of it will remain classified , '' Pompeo said .
`` But suffice it to say there was a significant effort to use a piece of third-party software to essentially embed code inside of U.S. Government systems and it now appears systems of private companies and companies and governments across the world as well .
This was a very significant effort , and I think it 's the case that now we can say pretty clearly that it was the Russians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo said that some information could not be revealed while the investigation into the attack was ongoing .
`` There are many things that you 'd very much love to say , 'Boy , I 'm going to call that out , ' '' Pompeo said , `` but a wiser course of action to protect the American people is to calmly go about your business and defend freedom . ''
Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) and the U.S. State Department for comment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event a `` massive hack '' Friday during an interview with CNN 's Chris Cuomo .
Schiff said the cyber incursion affected `` our national security infrastructure , our critical infrastructure , both private and public sectors . ''
Schiff added it could take `` perhaps even months '' to ascertain how widespread the attack was .
Because of the intricacies of the attack , it could take months to purge the malicious code from the breached systems .
SolarWinds listed among its client base the U.S. Air Force , the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service .
A page on the SolarWinds website listing their high-profile clients has been removed .
Russia has denied any involvement in the attack .
In a statement sent to Newsweek on Tuesday , the Russian embassy in Washington said that `` Russia does not conduct offensive operations in the cyber domain . ''
While President Donald Trump has yet to comment publicly on the attack , President-elect Joe Biden described the hack as a `` matter of great concern '' in a Thursday statement .
Biden said that his administration would deter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on those responsible for such malicious attacks , including in coordination with our allies and partners .
Our adversaries should know that , as President , I will not stand idly by in the face of cyber assaults on our nation . ''
Investigations into the attack are being conducted by the Cyber Unified Coordination Group , a joint effort between CISA , the FBI and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence .

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo revealed during a Friday interview that he believes that Russia was behind a widespread cyberattack that potentially breached the computer systems of U.S. government agencies.
Hackers exploited a vulnerability in software created by Texas technology firm SolarWinds and inserted malicious code. The software called Orion was designed to monitor computer networks for security flaws. While investigators into the attack have been reticent to name the entity behind the hacking, Pompeo said during a Friday interview on The Mark Levin Show that Russia was the main suspect.
"I can't say much more as we're still unpacking precisely what it is, and I'm sure some of it will remain classified," Pompeo said. "But suffice it to say there was a significant effort to use a piece of third-party software to essentially embed code inside of U.S. Government systems and it now appears systems of private companies and companies and governments across the world as well. This was a very significant effort, and I think it's the case that now we can say pretty clearly that it was the Russians that engaged in this activity."
Pompeo said that some information could not be revealed while the investigation into the attack was ongoing. "There are many things that you'd very much love to say, 'Boy, I'm going to call that out,'" Pompeo said, "but a wiser course of action to protect the American people is to calmly go about your business and defend freedom."
Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the U.S. State Department for comment.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday he believed that the Russians were "pretty clearly" behind the recent SolarWinds cyberattack that affected many U.S. government agencies. Jessica McGowan/Getty
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff called the event a "massive hack" Friday during an interview with CNN's Chris Cuomo.
Schiff said the cyber incursion affected "our national security infrastructure, our critical infrastructure, both private and public sectors." Schiff added it could take "perhaps even months" to ascertain how widespread the attack was. Because of the intricacies of the attack, it could take months to purge the malicious code from the breached systems.
SolarWinds listed among its client base the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Secret Service. A page on the SolarWinds website listing their high-profile clients has been removed.
Russia has denied any involvement in the attack. In a statement sent to Newsweek on Tuesday, the Russian embassy in Washington said that "Russia does not conduct offensive operations in the cyber domain."
While President Donald Trump has yet to comment publicly on the attack, President-elect Joe Biden described the hack as a "matter of great concern" in a Thursday statement.
Biden said that his administration would deter cyber criminals by "imposing substantial costs on those responsible for such malicious attacks, including in coordination with our allies and partners. Our adversaries should know that, as President, I will not stand idly by in the face of cyber assaults on our nation."
Investigations into the attack are being conducted by the Cyber Unified Coordination Group, a joint effort between CISA, the FBI and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.


newsweek--2020-12-18--35% of Americans Could Lose Their Home in Next Two Months, Census Report Says

Over one-third of American adults could face eviction or home foreclosure amid the COVID-19 pandemic during the next two months , according to new data from a U.S. Census Bureau survey .
The latest data from the Census Bureau 's Household Pulse Survey , taken between November 25 and December 7 , found that 35.3 percent of U.S. adults are `` living in households not current on rent or mortgage where eviction or foreclosure in the next two months is either very likely or somewhat likely . ''
The survey found that residents of Washington , D.C. are the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 67.3 percent of adults living in households where the prospect is at least somewhat likely .
States with a majority of adults also likely to lose their homes include South Dakota , South Carolina , Georgia and Oregon .
A potential housing crisis sparked by a massive wave of evictions has been a topic of concern for many in the U.S. recently .
A federal moratorium on evictions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is set to expire on December 31 despite no signs that the pandemic , or its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anytime soon .
Congress has continued to engage in often partisan disagreements that have scuttled efforts to pass new COVID-19 relief legislation .
With a significant share of the population unemployed , a key point of contention that could impact potential evictions or foreclosures is how long to supply any weekly unemployment aid payments .
The new Census survey data finds that 31 percent of American adults `` expect someone in their household to have a loss in employment income in the next 4 weeks . ''
Around 12 million will lose their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the year , according to The Washington Post .
Other roadblocks to passing the first stimulus package since the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act was passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump almost nine months ago include disagreements on a fresh round of direct economic impact payments .
Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-Wis. ) and others are blocking efforts towards another $ 1,200 payment , insisting that the amount is too generous .
The Census Bureau describes the Household Pulse Survey as an `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal statistics-gathering agencies to `` document temporal trends in how individuals are experiencing business curtailment and closures , stay-at-home orders , school closures , changes in the availability of consumer goods and consumer patterns , and other abrupt and significant changes to American life '' amid the pandemic .
Data collection for the survey began on April 23 and will continue at least through Monday .
Unlike some other surveys conducted by the Census Bureau , data from the Household Pulse Survey is released quickly , occurring on a biweekly schedule during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to the Census Bureau for comment .

Over one-third of American adults could face eviction or home foreclosure amid the COVID-19 pandemic during the next two months, according to new data from a U.S. Census Bureau survey.
The latest data from the Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey, taken between November 25 and December 7, found that 35.3 percent of U.S. adults are "living in households not current on rent or mortgage where eviction or foreclosure in the next two months is either very likely or somewhat likely."
The survey found that residents of Washington, D.C. are the most likely to face eviction or foreclosure, with 67.3 percent of adults living in households where the prospect is at least somewhat likely. States with a majority of adults also likely to lose their homes include South Dakota, South Carolina, Georgia and Oregon.
A potential housing crisis sparked by a massive wave of evictions has been a topic of concern for many in the U.S. recently. A federal moratorium on evictions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is set to expire on December 31 despite no signs that the pandemic, or its devastating economic impact, will be ending anytime soon.
While COVID-19 continues to quickly spread throughout the U.S., a federal moratorium on evictions is set to expire on December 31, 2020. tap10/Getty
Congress has continued to engage in often partisan disagreements that have scuttled efforts to pass new COVID-19 relief legislation. With a significant share of the population unemployed, a key point of contention that could impact potential evictions or foreclosures is how long to supply any weekly unemployment aid payments.
The new Census survey data finds that 31 percent of American adults "expect someone in their household to have a loss in employment income in the next 4 weeks." Around 12 million will lose their current unemployment benefits when they expire at the end of the year, according to The Washington Post.
Other roadblocks to passing the first stimulus package since the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act was passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump almost nine months ago include disagreements on a fresh round of direct economic impact payments. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and others are blocking efforts towards another $1,200 payment, insisting that the amount is too generous.
The Census Bureau describes the Household Pulse Survey as an "experimental" effort for it and other federal statistics-gathering agencies to "document temporal trends in how individuals are experiencing business curtailment and closures, stay-at-home orders, school closures, changes in the availability of consumer goods and consumer patterns, and other abrupt and significant changes to American life" amid the pandemic.
Data collection for the survey began on April 23 and will continue at least through Monday. Unlike some other surveys conducted by the Census Bureau, data from the Household Pulse Survey is released quickly, occurring on a biweekly schedule during the latest of three phases.
Newsweek reached out to the Census Bureau for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-19--Ex-Politician Who Wanted To Legalize Child Porn Charged With Kidnapping

Nathan Daniel Larson , a former politician who has run for public office in Virginia , has been arrested after allegedly grooming a 12-year-old girl in California and convincing her to join him in Virginia , according to police .
The girl , whose identity has not been revealed by the Fresno County Sheriff 's Office , was reported missing on Monday .
According to police , the girl met Larson , 40 , via social media in October .
Between October and December , police say Larson groomed the girl and convinced her to send him pornographic images of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into flying across the country to come to his home in Virginia .
Larson flew to Fresno to meet up with the girl at her home , and convinced her to leave her house at about 2 a.m. on Monday , police say .
From there , the two used a ride-sharing app to take a trip to the Fresno Airport , with the girl wearing a long wig .
Larson allegedly told the girl to pretend she was disabled and mute so she would n't have to speak with anyone at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a flight to Washington , D.C .
Working with Fresno Airport Police and Homeland Security Investigations ( HSI ) , police discovered the flight had a layover in Denver , Colorado .
Denver Police and the FBI found Larson at the airport and rescued the girl .
She was returned home to her family in Fresno later Monday night , the Fresno County Sheriff 's Office said .
Larson was charged with a misdemeanor charge of harboring a minor in Denver County , but faces extradition to Fresno County , where he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child abduction , meeting a child for the intention of sex and soliciting child pornography from a minor .
Larson faces life in prison for these charges .
His court date is scheduled for December 24 .
On December 17 , detectives from the Fauquier County , Virginia Sheriff 's office , as well as agents from HSI and the Northern Virginia/District of Columbia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force obtained a search warrant of Larson 's home .
Police seized electronic devices , however , while they were at the house , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 69 , allegedly assaulted a HSI agent .
Arthur Larson was arrested and charged with assault and battery .
He was released from jail after posting bond .
Newsweek reached out to the Fresno County Sheriff 's Office for comment .
Before his arrest , Larson had run three times for public office in Virginia .
In 2008 , he ran to represent Virginia 's 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives , receiving 1.46 percent of the vote .
He ran again in 2017 to represent the 31st District in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received 1.68 percent of the vote .
His final run was for the 10th District in the U.S. House , but withdrew prior to the election .
He described his platform as `` anti-feminist , '' with promises to legalize child pornography and polygyny , abolishing the state 's Child Protective Services department and discouraging women to go to college , according to the Fauquier Times .
He also wanted to legalize incestuous marriage and repeal the 19th Amendment which grants women the right to vote , according to The Washington Post .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has since been taken down , Larson said , `` We need to switch to a system that classifies women as property , initially of their fathers and later of their husbands , '' according to HuffPost .
In addition , Larson also identifies himself as a white supremacist , promising to `` restore ... benevolent white supremacy , '' and calling Adolf Hitler a `` white supremacist hero . ''
His manifesto also said it was unfair for `` incels , '' or involuntary celibates , to be `` forced to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other support for other men 's children . ''
Larson 's other online postings on now-defunct sites `` suiped.com '' and `` incelocalypse.today '' endorsed the rape and sexual abuse of children .
`` Why does n't every pedo just focus on making money so they can get a pedo-wife and then either impregnate her with some f*cktoys or adopt some f*cktoys ? ''
he wrote in posts discovered by HuffPost in 2018 .
`` That would accommodate both those who are and are n't into incest .
And of course , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or a girl . ''
In 2009 , Larson was convicted of threatening to kill then-President George W. Bush .
In December 2008 , he emailed the U.S. Secret Service , `` I am writing to inform you that in the near future , I will kill the president of the United States of America , '' according to the Fauquier Times .
He was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release .

Nathan Daniel Larson, a former politician who has run for public office in Virginia, has been arrested after allegedly grooming a 12-year-old girl in California and convincing her to join him in Virginia, according to police.
The girl, whose identity has not been revealed by the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, was reported missing on Monday. According to police, the girl met Larson, 40, via social media in October. Between October and December, police say Larson groomed the girl and convinced her to send him pornographic images of herself.
Larson also allegedly coerced her into flying across the country to come to his home in Virginia. Larson flew to Fresno to meet up with the girl at her home, and convinced her to leave her house at about 2 a.m. on Monday, police say.
From there, the two used a ride-sharing app to take a trip to the Fresno Airport, with the girl wearing a long wig. Larson allegedly told the girl to pretend she was disabled and mute so she wouldn't have to speak with anyone at the airport. Larson and the girl boarded a flight to Washington, D.C.
Working with Fresno Airport Police and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), police discovered the flight had a layover in Denver, Colorado. Denver Police and the FBI found Larson at the airport and rescued the girl. She was returned home to her family in Fresno later Monday night, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office said.
Larson was charged with a misdemeanor charge of harboring a minor in Denver County, but faces extradition to Fresno County, where he is expected to be charged with kidnapping, child abduction, meeting a child for the intention of sex and soliciting child pornography from a minor. Larson faces life in prison for these charges. His court date is scheduled for December 24.
On December 17, detectives from the Fauquier County, Virginia Sheriff's office, as well as agents from HSI and the Northern Virginia/District of Columbia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force obtained a search warrant of Larson's home. Police seized electronic devices, however, while they were at the house, Larson's father, Arthur Larson, 69, allegedly assaulted a HSI agent. Arthur Larson was arrested and charged with assault and battery. He was released from jail after posting bond.
Nathan Larson, shown here in a 2017 political campaign photo, was arrested Monday and charged with kidnapping, child abduction, soliciting child pornography from a minor and meeting a child for the intention of sex. Fresno County Sheriff's Office
Before his arrest, Larson had run three times for public office in Virginia. In 2008, he ran to represent Virginia's 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, receiving 1.46 percent of the vote. He ran again in 2017 to represent the 31st District in Virginia's House of Delegates, and received 1.68 percent of the vote. His final run was for the 10th District in the U.S. House, but withdrew prior to the election.
He described his platform as "anti-feminist," with promises to legalize child pornography and polygyny, abolishing the state's Child Protective Services department and discouraging women to go to college, according to the Fauquier Times. He also wanted to legalize incestuous marriage and repeal the 19th Amendment which grants women the right to vote, according to The Washington Post.
In his 2018 political manifesto, which has since been taken down, Larson said, "We need to switch to a system that classifies women as property, initially of their fathers and later of their husbands," according to HuffPost. In addition, Larson also identifies himself as a white supremacist, promising to "restore... benevolent white supremacy," and calling Adolf Hitler a "white supremacist hero." His manifesto also said it was unfair for "incels," or involuntary celibates, to be "forced to pay taxes for schools, welfare, and other support for other men's children."
Larson's other online postings on now-defunct sites "suiped.com" and "incelocalypse.today" endorsed the rape and sexual abuse of children.
"Why doesn't every pedo just focus on making money so they can get a pedo-wife and then either impregnate her with some f*cktoys or adopt some f*cktoys?" he wrote in posts discovered by HuffPost in 2018. "That would accommodate both those who are and aren't into incest. And of course, the adoption process lets you pick a boy or a girl."
In 2009, Larson was convicted of threatening to kill then-President George W. Bush. In December 2008, he emailed the U.S. Secret Service, "I am writing to inform you that in the near future, I will kill the president of the United States of America," according to the Fauquier Times. He was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release.


newsweek--2020-12-19--Cardi B Shares Pro-Mask 'WAP' Parody From Johns Hopkins University

A new `` WAP '' parody posted this week by Johns Hopkins University ( JHU ) has received the blessing of one of the creators of the original song .
On Tuesday , JHU posted `` WAmP : Wear a Mask , Please , '' a reworking of the massive hit by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion , rewritten to promote wearing face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
The track is credited to Birdi Jay feat .
Thee Mental Notes .
Birdi Jay is portrayed by JHU 's mascot , the Johns Hopkins Blue Jay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` e '' in tribute to Megan Thee Stallion—is one of the university 's thirteen a cappella groups .
The Mental Notes are described on JHU 's website as a co-ed `` group that blends comedy with their singing . ''
Though `` WAP '' is notorious for its explicit lyrics , the parody is all-ages , and includes lyrics like `` Do n't just hold it like a prop / you 've got to wear a mask , please , '' and `` Rock the science with a pose / with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it covers your mouth and nose . ''
On Thursday , Cardi B herself shared the video , writing `` Sksksksk , '' which is internet slang that represents `` enjoyment or laughter , '' according to Urban Dictionary .
As of publication time , Megan Thee Stallion has not responded to the parody .
Since sharing the parody on Twitter , the video has received about 445,000 views .
On YouTube , the video has been seen an additional 20,420 times .
Speaking to The Baltimore Sun , the producer of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had originally hoped that the rapper would share their video .
`` The pie-in-the-sky hope for the video , all along , was like , 'What if Cardi B retweeted it ? '
'' Moran said .
When he 's not producing music videos , Moran is the associate director for audience engagement at the Bloomberg School .
The track was written by Aliza Rosen , JHU 's online community specialist .
Rosen also directed the video .
Newsweek reached out to Aliza Rosen and representatives for Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow the spread of COVID-19 , there have been anti-mask protests across America .
On Friday , anti-mask protesters paraded through a Target and a Wal-Mart in Arizona , carrying signs like `` End A1 Mask Mandate '' and `` Masks=666 . ''
Earlier this month , protesters in Idaho forced a board meeting of health commissioners in Idaho to adjourn due to safety concerns .
Protesters also demonstrated outside of some of the commissioners ' homes , according to Boise police .
Though anti-mask protests have received much in the way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Geographic and Morning Consult showed that 92 percent of Americans always wear a face mask , including 84 percent of Democrats and 66 percent of Republicans .
The poll asked 2,200 Americans about their mask habits , and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percent .

A new "WAP" parody posted this week by Johns Hopkins University (JHU) has received the blessing of one of the creators of the original song.
On Tuesday, JHU posted "WAmP: Wear a Mask, Please," a reworking of the massive hit by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, rewritten to promote wearing face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19. The track is credited to Birdi Jay feat. Thee Mental Notes. Birdi Jay is portrayed by JHU's mascot, the Johns Hopkins Blue Jay, while The Mental Notes—who gained an extra "e" in tribute to Megan Thee Stallion—is one of the university's thirteen a cappella groups. The Mental Notes are described on JHU's website as a co-ed "group that blends comedy with their singing."
Though "WAP" is notorious for its explicit lyrics, the parody is all-ages, and includes lyrics like "Don't just hold it like a prop / you've got to wear a mask, please," and "Rock the science with a pose / with the mask right on your face / so it covers your mouth and nose."
On Thursday, Cardi B herself shared the video, writing "Sksksksk," which is internet slang that represents "enjoyment or laughter," according to Urban Dictionary. As of publication time, Megan Thee Stallion has not responded to the parody.
Since sharing the parody on Twitter, the video has received about 445,000 views. On YouTube, the video has been seen an additional 20,420 times. Speaking to The Baltimore Sun, the producer of the video, Nick Moran, said he had originally hoped that the rapper would share their video.
"The pie-in-the-sky hope for the video, all along, was like, 'What if Cardi B retweeted it?'" Moran said. When he's not producing music videos, Moran is the associate director for audience engagement at the Bloomberg School.
The promotional art for the music video parody "WAmP: Wear a Mask, Please." On Thursday, Cardi B shared the Johns Hopkins University-created parody on Twitter. Johns Hopkins University/YouTube
The track was written by Aliza Rosen, JHU's online community specialist. Rosen also directed the video. Rosen told Newsweek that writing the parody came easy to her as she'd already had experience.
"I grew up in a language-loving family, and I remember making up funny songs and parody lyrics with my dad when I was growing up. So the lyrics for this actually flowed pretty quickly from my brain to the (digital) paper, once I decided the direction I wanted to take them in," Rosen said.
She also shared that "WAmP" wasn't her first idea for a parody.
"Back in early October, the 'WAP dance' was trending on TikTok, so the tune was stuck in my head. I thought of how 'WAP' (as an acronym, not an initialism) rhymes with 'Hop,' which is a nickname for Johns Hopkins ("The Hop"). My first thought was to make a Hopkins-specific parody, but that seemed too niche and I still didn't have anything that 'W.A.P.' actually stood for as an initialism. Wear A Mask... no, that's WAM... Wear A mask, Please! There it is!" she said.
"I had only written the first verse or two when I sent the idea to Nick over at Public Health. He had already posted some shorter parody lines and verses promoting flu shots and confirmed I was on a roll and should keep writing. With Johns Hopkins having been central to so much of the research, data, and discussion around COVID this year, Nick and I have worked very closely since January to amplify important public health information on social," she continued.
JHU is the home the Coronavirus Resource Center, which keeps track of new cases of COVID-19, recoveries and deaths around the world. The resources has been used by many news outlets, including Newsweek, for accurate and up-to-date COVID information.
Rosen also assures Newsweek that the shot was "as safe as the message we were promoting," with the recordings done at the singers' homes and minimizing the time spent in indoor spaces, small shooting crews and, of course, masks being worn at all times by everyone. She also gave a peek into some of the original ideas that didn't quite make it into the video.
"There was one thing on my original "what if" shot list that we didn't end up getting to include: a cut to Dr. Fauci, silently and slowly walking down a hallway in the middle of the video, wearing a long, flowing white lab coat, and a leopard-print mask. Who knows, maybe he'll see this and reach out to star in the next one," she said.
Though Rosen didn't get to work with Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, she was overjoyed that Cardi B saw and shared the video.
"As the pieces all came into place – including the incredible videography and editing done by the SPH team – Nick and I knew this had potential. We thought it could totally be something Cardi or Megan might share, but when it finally happened, we were both absolutely over the moon. You can be sure many all-caps texts were sent," Rosen said.
Newsweek reached out to representatives for Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion for comment.
Though masks can help slow the spread of COVID-19, there have been anti-mask protests across America. On Friday, anti-mask protesters paraded through a Target and a Wal-Mart in Arizona, carrying signs like "End A1 Mask Mandate" and "Masks=666."
Earlier this month, protesters in Idaho forced a board meeting of health commissioners in Idaho to adjourn due to safety concerns. Protesters also demonstrated outside of some of the commissioners' homes, according to Boise police.
Though anti-mask protests have received much in the way of media coverage, an October poll from National Geographic and Morning Consult showed that 92 percent of Americans always wear a face mask, including 84 percent of Democrats and 66 percent of Republicans. The poll asked 2,200 Americans about their mask habits, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percent.
Update (12/19/2020, 9:45 p.m.): This article has been updated to include comments from Aliza Rosen.


newsweek--2020-12-19--Vaccine Rollout Mistake 'My Fault,' Operation Warp Speed Official Tells Frustrated States

As historic vaccine rollouts continue across the nation , Gustave Perna , the chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed , said Saturday that he takes full responsibility for the rollout issues that will result in states receiving fewer doses of Pfizer 's COVID-19 vaccine next week than they had been anticipating .
`` I want to assure everybody , and I want to take personal responsibility for the miscommunication , '' Perna , an Army general , told reporters in a weekend press briefing .
`` I know that 's not done much these days , but I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from more than 10 states were notified that the number of doses they 'd been expecting next week during the second wave of shipments had been cut , with little explanation offered .
Washington Governor Jay Inslee wrote on Twitter Thursday that the state 's allocation will be cut by 40 percent , calling it `` disruptive and frustrating . ''
California , which has had a major spike in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations , will receive 160,000 fewer vaccine doses than state officials anticipated , an almost 40 percent reduction , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the cuts were due to incorrect forecasts originally provided to state officials before vaccines were cleared , stating that there is a delay between `` what is available and what is releasable '' because of the `` hundreds and thousands and millions of doses '' that get reviewed .
After receiving more information about the number of vaccines cleared for shipment , Perna said he had to revise the number of allocated doses to states .
`` It was my fault , I gave guidance .
I am the one that approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one that approved the allocations , '' Perna told reporters .
`` There is no problem with the process .
There is no problem with the Pfizer vaccine , there is no problem with the Moderna vaccine . ''
`` It was a planning error and I am responsible , '' he added .
`` We 're learning from it , we 're trying to get better because , at the end of the day , it is about facilitating the most available vaccine doses that are releasable out to the American people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuts , addressing the governors and state officials directly .
`` Please accept my personal apologies if this was disruptive to your decision-making , '' he said , noting that he would personally brief governors on Monday .
On Friday evening , the Food and Drug Administration authorized the Moderna vaccine for emergency use , meaning that more doses will likely be available nationwide as early as Monday .
Perna said that , between the Moderna and the Pfizer vaccines , roughly 7.9 million doses will be shipped next week and arrive at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the end of this month or the first week of January , the U.S. would have allocated approximately 20 million doses of coronavirus vaccines , according to Perna .
The delivery of millions of vaccine doses comes as state officials grapple with decisions on who should get the vaccine first .
Many states were planning to use the second shipment of vaccines for long-term-care facilities that account for nearly 40 percent of COVID-19 deaths so far , according to The Washington Post .
`` We have already learned a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rollout , and we will continue to apply those lessons as we move forward , '' Perna said .
`` I know we 'll learn more this week , but I 'm also confident that we will have the agility to correct ourselves and get things right so that the next time , it will go flawlessly . ''

As historic vaccine rollouts continue across the nation, Gustave Perna, the chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed, said Saturday that he takes full responsibility for the rollout issues that will result in states receiving fewer doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine next week than they had been anticipating.
"I want to assure everybody, and I want to take personal responsibility for the miscommunication," Perna, an Army general, told reporters in a weekend press briefing. "I know that's not done much these days, but I am responsible."
This week, officials from more than 10 states were notified that the number of doses they'd been expecting next week during the second wave of shipments had been cut, with little explanation offered. Washington Governor Jay Inslee wrote on Twitter Thursday that the state's allocation will be cut by 40 percent, calling it "disruptive and frustrating."
California, which has had a major spike in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, will receive 160,000 fewer vaccine doses than state officials anticipated, an almost 40 percent reduction, according to the Associated Press.
Perna said that the cuts were due to incorrect forecasts originally provided to state officials before vaccines were cleared, stating that there is a delay between "what is available and what is releasable" because of the "hundreds and thousands and millions of doses" that get reviewed. After receiving more information about the number of vaccines cleared for shipment, Perna said he had to revise the number of allocated doses to states.
"It was my fault, I gave guidance. I am the one that approved the forecast sheets. I am the one that approved the allocations," Perna told reporters. "There is no problem with the process. There is no problem with the Pfizer vaccine, there is no problem with the Moderna vaccine."
"It was a planning error and I am responsible," he added. "We're learning from it, we're trying to get better because, at the end of the day, it is about facilitating the most available vaccine doses that are releasable out to the American people."
Gustave Perna, the chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed, said Saturday that he takes full responsibility for the rollout issues that will result in states receiving fewer doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine next week than they had been anticipating. Here he speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House on November 13. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images/Getty
Perna apologized for the unforeseen cuts, addressing the governors and state officials directly.
"Please accept my personal apologies if this was disruptive to your decision-making," he said, noting that he would personally brief governors on Monday.
On Friday evening, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the Moderna vaccine for emergency use, meaning that more doses will likely be available nationwide as early as Monday.
Perna said that, between the Moderna and the Pfizer vaccines, roughly 7.9 million doses will be shipped next week and arrive at more than 3,700 locations in 64 jurisdictions. At the end of this month or the first week of January, the U.S. would have allocated approximately 20 million doses of coronavirus vaccines, according to Perna.
The delivery of millions of vaccine doses comes as state officials grapple with decisions on who should get the vaccine first. Many states were planning to use the second shipment of vaccines for long-term-care facilities that account for nearly 40 percent of COVID-19 deaths so far, according to The Washington Post.
"We have already learned a lot of lessons from last week in the initial rollout, and we will continue to apply those lessons as we move forward," Perna said. "I know we'll learn more this week, but I'm also confident that we will have the agility to correct ourselves and get things right so that the next time, it will go flawlessly."


newsweek--2020-12-19--Powerball Drawing For 12/19/20, Saturday Jackpot is $304 Million

The Powerball jackpot for 12/19/20 is $ 304 million .
The Saturday night drawing will be shortly after 11 p.m .
This page can be bookmarked and refreshed to see if you hold the winning numbers .
Tonight 's 12/19/20 Powerball jackpot is estimated at $ 304 million , with a cash option of $ 236.0 million .
The jackpot could increase if sales further lottery projections , according to officials .
The winning numbers on Wednesday ( 12/16/20 ) for the $ 287 million Powerball jackpot were : 04-23-37-61-67 with a Powerball of 07 .
The Power Play was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner on Wednesday , but there was a ticket sold in Virginia that matched all five white balls , and just missing out on the red Powerball , for the game 's second prize of $ 1 million .
*Had they purchased the Power Play for an extra $ 1 , their second prize would be worth $ 2 million .
The last winning Powerball ticket was sold on August 12 , 2020 for a jackpot worth $ 169 million .
That ticket was sold in Florida .
Normally , the game would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the COVID-19 pandemic forced Powerball officials to cut the minimum jackpot in half , which began with the 04/11/20 jackpot .
The previous winning ticket was sold on June 10 , 2020 .
The previous winning ticket sold was purchased in New Jersey for the 04/08/20 jackpot worth $ 190 million .
The previous grand prize won before that was $ 70 million in the 02/12/20 drawing with a ticket purchased in Michigan .
The grand prize winner before that was on 01/29/20 .
That ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the $ 394 million grand prize , which had a cash option of $ 274.6 million .
The odds of hitting the grand prize jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338 , regardless of the jackpot size—according to Powerball 's website .
Powerball is a multi-state lottery played every Wednesday and Saturday , and one of America 's two biggest lottery jackpot games .
Powerball jackpots start at $ 20 million , and other prizes pay from $ 1 million to $ 2 million with a Power Play .
Tickets are $ 2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or any past winning numbers , on the official Powerball website .
The other multi-state lottery is Mega Millions , which is played on Tuesdays and Fridays .
Like Powerball , the jackpot is reset at $ 20 million after a jackpot is won , and one line of numbers is $ 2 , with a $ 1 option to multiply their winnings with a Megaplier .
Here is the Mega Millions website for more information , or to check any potential past numbers .
There are nine ways to win money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Powerball 12/19/20 drawing payouts and tell if there was a winner and where that winner came from , if so .
Here are the all-time top Powerball jackpot prizes Two winning tickets were drawn , one sold in Iowa and one sold in New York Two winning tickets were drawn , one sold in Missouri and one sold in Arizona

The Powerball jackpot for 12/19/20 is $304 million. Here are the winning umbers from the Saturday night drawing.
First Five: 27-32-34-43-52
Powerball: 13
Power Play: 2x
Saturday night's 12/19/20 Powerball jackpot was estimated at $304 million, with a cash option of $236.0 million. The jackpot could increase if sales further lottery projections, according to officials.
The winning numbers last Wednesday (12/16/20) for the $287 million Powerball jackpot were: 04-23-37-61-67 with a Powerball of 07. The Power Play was 2x.
There was no grand prize winner on Wednesday, but there was a ticket sold in Virginia that matched all five white balls, and just missing out on the red Powerball, for the game's second prize of $1 million.
*Had they purchased the Power Play for an extra $1, their second prize would be worth $2 million.
Tickets shown for the Powerball lottery in Texas during June 2019. Photo by Scott McDonald/Newsweek
The last winning Powerball ticket was sold on August 12, 2020 for a jackpot worth $169 million. That ticket was sold in Florida.
Normally, the 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 jackpot.
The previous winning ticket was sold on June 10, 2020. The previous winning ticket sold was purchased in New Jersey for the 04/08/20 jackpot worth $190 million. The previous grand prize won before that was $70 million in the 02/12/20 drawing with a ticket purchased in Michigan. The grand prize winner before that was on 01/29/20. That ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven store in Bonita Springs, Florida, for the $394 million grand prize, which had a cash option of $274.6 million.
The odds of hitting the grand prize jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338, regardless of the jackpot size—according to Powerball's website.
Powerball is a multi-state lottery played every Wednesday and Saturday, and one of America's two biggest lottery jackpot games. Powerball jackpots start at $20 million, and other prizes pay from $1 million to $2 million with a Power Play. Tickets are $2. You can check the numbers for tonight, or any past winning numbers, on the official Powerball website.
The other multi-state lottery is Mega Millions, which is played on Tuesdays and Fridays. Like Powerball, the jackpot is reset at $20 million after a jackpot is won, and one line of numbers is $2, with a $1 option to multiply their winnings with a Megaplier. Here is the Mega Millions website for more information, or to check any potential past 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.
Here are the all-time top Powerball jackpot prizes
1. $1.586 billion (01/13/2016)
Winning tickets sold in California, Florida and Tennessee
2. $768.4 million (03/27/2019)
Single ticket sold in Wisconsin
3. $758.7 million (08/23/2017)
Single ticket sold in Massachusetts
4. $687.8 million (10/27/2018)
Two winning tickets were drawn, one sold in Iowa and one sold in New York
5. $590.5 million (05/18/2013)
Single ticket sold in Florida
6. $587.5 million (11/28/2012)
Two winning tickets were drawn, one sold in Missouri and one sold in Arizona
7. $564.1 million (02/11/2015)
Winning tickets sold in Texas, North Carolina and Puerto Rico


newsweek--2020-12-19--'Only Significant Hurdle' to Stimulus Deal Is GOP Provision to Curb Fed Lending: Schumer

Democratic Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer said on Saturday that a GOP condition to limit the Federal Reserve 's emergency lending powers remains the only `` significant hurdle '' to passing a $ 900 billion bipartisan coronavirus relief package .
Lawmakers failed to pass the economic package on Friday , but avoided a government shutdown after President Donald Trump signed a two-day funding bill that will allow Congress to reconvene Sunday .
The GOP proposal , introduced by Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania , would stop the Federal Reserve from restoring emergency lending programs—which previously aided small and medium-sized businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 .
Republicans say that those lending programs , which were initially funded under the CARES Act in March , are no longer necessary in any emergency case .
`` What this does is it says that nobody can revive or create a duplicate of the programs that received CARES Act money , '' Toomey previously told reporters , according to Bloomberg .
`` We are not changing the role of the Fed at all .
The 13 ( 3 ) legislation remains on the books , and the Fed 's 13 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It is not the role of our central bank , the Fed , to engage in fiscal policy , social policy or allocating credit , '' he added .
Others have worried that the Fed 's emergency lending powers could be used by Democrats to give aid to states and cities , with Republicans oppose .
In an interview with Newswmax Saturday , GOP Oklahoma Senator James Lankford accused Democrats of wanting to `` bail out '' Democratic-led states including California , Illinois and New York with `` an open slush fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Section 13 ( 3 ) of the Federal Reserve Act allows for the creation of emergency lending programs with approval from the treasury secretary during `` unusual and exigent circumstances , '' for example , a pandemic .
Democrats argue that Toomey 's proposal would limit the Fed 's broader authority , and have called it an attempt to impede President-elect Joe Biden 's incoming administration .
`` It 's a way to say to Joe Biden , we are tying up our hands , no matter what comes down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi said during a caucus call on Saturday afternoon , according to Politico .
Schumer echoed those concerns from the Senate floor .
`` Senator Toomey 's new proposal would potentially prohibit the Treasury and the Fed from setting up new emergency lending facilities moving forward , greatly reducing their ability to respond to economic crises , '' he said , in remarks that were given to Newsweek from his office Saturday .
`` What he 's proposing is not about COVID or helping the American people , it 's about tying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next Fed Chairman in a true emergency , '' he added .
`` I hope our Republican friends can agree to compromise here .
Sen. Toomey 's legislation is the only significant hurdle to completing an agreement , and Republicans need to make a decision . ''
In defense of the proposal , Toomey told Democrats on Saturday that `` we 're not making permanent changes to laws , '' and said that spending from the CARES Act was `` supposed to end at the end of the year . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law is ever permanent .
Any future Congress can change it , '' he added , as reported by C-SPAN producer Craig Caplan on Twitter Saturday .
Republicans said Saturday that they would stand firm in their position , with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell telling colleagues during a conference call that he would n't budge on the language , according to a tweet from Politico reporter Burgess Everett .
`` I think we need to stick with where we are , '' McConnell reportedly said on the call .
`` I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , it can be written up and voted on—best-case scenario would be sometime tomorrow , '' said Senate Majority Whip John Thune , a Republican from South Dakota , according to Politico .
`` But more likely , probably Monday . ''
As of Saturday afternoon , it was unclear whether a deal could be reached .

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Saturday that a GOP condition to limit the Federal Reserve's emergency lending powers remains the "only significant hurdle" to passing a $900 billion bipartisan coronavirus relief package.
Lawmakers failed to pass the economic package on Friday, but avoided a government shutdown after President Donald Trump signed a two-day funding bill that will allow Congress to reconvene Sunday.
The GOP proposal, introduced by Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, would stop the Federal Reserve from restoring emergency lending programs—which previously aided small and medium-sized businesses along with local and state governments—starting January 1.
Republicans say that those lending programs, which were initially funded under the CARES Act in March, are no longer necessary in any emergency case.
"What this does is it says that nobody can revive or create a duplicate of the programs that received CARES Act money," Toomey previously told reporters, according to Bloomberg. "We are not changing the role of the Fed at all. The 13(3) legislation remains on the books, and the Fed's 13(3) authority will continue."
"It is not the role of our central bank, the Fed, to engage in fiscal policy, social policy or allocating credit," he added.
Others have worried that the Fed's emergency lending powers could be used by Democrats to give aid to states and cities, with Republicans oppose.
In an interview with Newswmax Saturday, GOP Oklahoma Senator James Lankford accused Democrats of wanting to "bail out" Democratic-led states including California, Illinois and New York with "an open slush fund that states can spend how they want."
Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act allows for the creation of emergency lending programs with approval from the treasury secretary during "unusual and exigent circumstances," for example, a pandemic.
Democrats argue that Toomey's proposal would limit the Fed's broader authority, and have called it an attempt to impede President-elect Joe Biden's incoming administration.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Saturday that a GOP proposal limiting the Federal Reserve's emergency lending powers is the most significant hurdle in efforts to pass a COVID relief package. In this photo, Schumer speaks on Capitol Hill on December 16. Tasos Katopodis/Getty
"It's a way to say to Joe Biden, we are tying up our hands, no matter what comes down the pike," Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said during a caucus call on Saturday afternoon, according to Politico.
Schumer echoed those concerns from the Senate floor. "Senator Toomey's new proposal would potentially prohibit the Treasury and the Fed from setting up new emergency lending facilities moving forward, greatly reducing their ability to respond to economic crises," he said, in remarks that were given to Newsweek from his office Saturday.
"What he's proposing is not about COVID or helping the American people, it's about tying the hands of the next Treasury Secretary and the next Fed Chairman in a true emergency," he added. "I hope our Republican friends can agree to compromise here. Sen. Toomey's legislation is the only significant hurdle to completing an agreement, and Republicans need to make a decision."
In defense of the proposal, Toomey told Democrats on Saturday that "we're not making permanent changes to laws," and said that spending from the CARES Act was "supposed to end at the end of the year."
"And of course, no change in law is ever permanent. Any future Congress can change it," he added, as reported by C-SPAN producer Craig Caplan on Twitter Saturday.
Republicans said Saturday that they would stand firm in their position, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell telling colleagues during a conference call that he wouldn't budge on the language, according to a tweet from Politico reporter Burgess Everett. "I think we need to stick with where we are," McConnell reportedly said on the call.
"I'm hoping if they can announce a deal today, it can be written up and voted on—best-case scenario would be sometime tomorrow," said Senate Majority Whip John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, according to Politico. "But more likely, probably Monday."
As of Saturday afternoon, it was unclear whether a deal could be reached.


newsweek--2020-12-19--Minnesota AG Files Lawsuits Against Restaurants Defying Indoor Dining Ban

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed at least four lawsuits this week against restaurants and bars defying an executive order issued by Gov .
Tim Walz last month banning indoor dining statewide .
In a series of statements beginning Thursday , Ellison 's office announced it has filed legal action against four Minnesota restaurants : Alibi Drinkery in Lakeville , Neighbors on the Run in Princeton , Cornerstone Cafe in Monticello , and Cork in Anoka .
His office alleged that these establishments had been hosting indoor dining in open violation of the governor 's orders .
In a Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cornerstone Cafe and Cork .
`` There are 10,000 restaurants and 1,500 bars in Minnesota .
By far the vast majority of them have served their communities by complying with the law all along , '' Ellison said in a Friday statement .
`` Of the few that have threatened not to comply and the even fewer that violated the law , many have already pulled back .
The two restaurants that we 're holding accountable today are among the very few that have refused to live up to their responsibility to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe . ''
Ellison , whose mother died of COVID-19 complications in March , emphasized that restaurants and bars should comply with safety measures imposed by Walz , who cited data in his order that supports indoor restaurant areas could further the spread of the virus .
`` Once again , I 'm asking all restaurants and bars to do the right thing and comply with the law and orders that are designed to stop the spread of COVID-19 , '' Ellison continued .
`` I do n't enjoy using the enforcement tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prefer people do the right thing on their own , but I will use them when I have no other choice to protect Minnesotans from this deadly virus . ''
Cork owner Bobby Martin , whose grandmother died from the virus two weeks ago , told Newsweek Saturday that he 's simply trying to survive and keep his 12-table business afloat .
He noted that other indoor venues , including gyms and fitness studios , are open .
`` This is n't about sticking it to anybody .
This is about surviving a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is legal , '' Martin said .
`` People do n't realize that restaurants run on the tightest margins of any business .
That 's how we 've always ranked because there 's too much competition .
So if you got ta lose some here , lose some there , that hurts us horrendously . ''
Meanwhile , state officials have encouraged restaurants to adapt by seating customers outdoors—not ideal in the Minnesota cold—at 50 percent capacity or up to 100 people , or by offering takeout , as Martin 's restaurant offers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't work for the type of food he serves and the customer service he provides , which relies a great deal on the positive vibes of the space .
While Martin says he 's not willing to pack people into his small restaurant , which seats a little over 52 people , as other locations have attempted to do , he believes there are real , devastating consequences in banning indoor dining for small bars and restaurants like Cork , especially as orders continue to change once businesses adjust .
`` Before , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now , they 're gon na lose their houses , '' Martin said .
`` People do n't understand that these people have families , too . ''
He adds that people from all over the country have n't been sympathetic after news of the lawsuit broke .
`` I 'm not here to hurt anybody .
I 'm not here to have my family be ridiculed , '' Martin said .
`` My cousins are hundreds of miles away from us saying , wow they 're really hacking you guys and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go and hack my cousins too . ''
`` Is that really how it is ? ''
he asked .
`` We 're just trying to survive . ''
On Wednesday , Ellison 's office announced that it would hold restaurants and bars accountable for serving food and beverages on their premises following a plan formulated by a coalition of businesses , called the ReOpen Minnesota Coalition , to resume business operations in protest of state restrictions .
The announcement noted that the office would seek up to $ 25,000 in civil penalties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many businesses that reopened Wednesday in protest did not actually violate the executive orders , while the ones who were in violation consisted of restaurants and bars .
`` Of a list of approximately 150 establishments supposedly open today in violation of Executive Order 20-99 , approximately 40 percent can already legally operate , do not in fact intend to violate the executive order , or are anonymous , '' the statement reads .
`` Of the remaining number , approximately 60 are bars and restaurants , '' the statement continued .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ represented to the Attorney General 's office that they are in fact complying with the executive order and are not open for on-premises service . ''
Ellison 's office announced Thursday that it filed a motion for a temporary restraining order against Alibi Drinkery for refusing to close on-premise dining after the lawsuit .
The restraining order was granted by the Dakota County District Court on Friday , indicating that the bar must close for indoor dining or risk being found in contempt of court .
Neighbors on the Rum voluntarily closed on-premise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellison 's office .
The Minnesota Department of Health announced on Friday that it issued cease-and-desist orders to Alibi Drinkery and The Interchange , in Albert Lea , for violating executive orders .
The department detailed photographs and videos showing patrons eating and drinking indoors Wednesday at Alibi Drinkery , along with food workers not wearing masks .
In a social media post on Thursday , the bar announced that it was open and welcoming customers to dine indoors .
`` COVID-19 protocols are designed to slow the spread of this virus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Dan Huff , the department 's assistant commissioner .
`` Our preference is always to work with business to bring them into compliance , and we consider regulatory actions as a last resort , '' he continued .
`` The vast majority of businesses are doing their best to help slow down the spread of COVID-19 , and we owe it to them to have a consistent and fair enforcement approach . ''
Newsweek reached out to Cornerstone Cafe and Alibi Drinkery for comment but did not receive a response in @ @ @ @

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed at least four lawsuits this week against restaurants and bars defying an executive order issued by Gov. Tim Walz last month banning indoor dining statewide.
In a series of statements beginning Thursday, Ellison's office announced it has filed legal action against four Minnesota restaurants: Alibi Drinkery in Lakeville, Neighbors on the Run in Princeton, Cornerstone Cafe in Monticello, and Cork in Anoka. His office alleged that these establishments had been hosting indoor dining in open violation of the governor's orders.
In a Friday statement, Ellison announced the lawsuits against Cornerstone Cafe and Cork.
"There are 10,000 restaurants and 1,500 bars in Minnesota. By far the vast majority of them have served their communities by complying with the law all along," Ellison said in a Friday statement. "Of the few that have threatened not to comply and the even fewer that violated the law, many have already pulled back. The two restaurants that we're holding accountable today are among the very few that have refused to live up to their responsibility to keep their customers, employees, and communities safe."
Ellison, whose mother died of COVID-19 complications in March, emphasized that restaurants and bars should comply with safety measures imposed by Walz, who cited data in his order that supports indoor restaurant areas could further the spread of the virus.
"Once again, I'm asking all restaurants and bars to do the right thing and comply with the law and orders that are designed to stop the spread of COVID-19," Ellison continued. "I don't enjoy using the enforcement tools I have available because I'd much prefer people do the right thing on their own, but I will use them when I have no other choice to protect Minnesotans from this deadly virus."
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed lawsuits Friday against restaurants defying an indoor dining ban. Here he’s shown speaking in Washington, D.C. in February 2017. Alex Wong/Getty Images/Getty
Cork owner Bobby Martin, whose grandmother died from the virus two weeks ago, told Newsweek Saturday that he's simply trying to survive and keep his 12-table business afloat. He noted that other indoor venues, including gyms and fitness studios, are open.
"This isn't about sticking it to anybody. This is about surviving a mandate that I personally don't think is legal," Martin said. "People don't realize that restaurants run on the tightest margins of any business. That's how we've always ranked because there's too much competition. So if you gotta lose some here, lose some there, that hurts us horrendously."
Meanwhile, state officials have encouraged restaurants to adapt by seating customers outdoors—not ideal in the Minnesota cold—at 50 percent capacity or up to 100 people, or by offering takeout, as Martin's restaurant offers. But Martin says it just doesn't work for the type of food he serves and the customer service he provides, which relies a great deal on the positive vibes of the space.
While Martin says he's not willing to pack people into his small restaurant, which seats a little over 52 people, as other locations have attempted to do, he believes there are real, devastating consequences in banning indoor dining for small bars and restaurants like Cork, especially as orders continue to change once businesses adjust.
"Before, people were going to lose their businesses. Now, they're gonna lose their houses," Martin said. "People don't understand that these people have families, too."
He adds that people from all over the country haven't been sympathetic after news of the lawsuit broke.
"I'm not here to hurt anybody. I'm not here to have my family be ridiculed," Martin said. "My cousins are hundreds of miles away from us saying, wow they're really hacking you guys and, all of a sudden, they go and hack my cousins too."
"Is that really how it is?" he asked. "We're just trying to survive."
On Wednesday, Ellison's office announced that it would hold restaurants and bars accountable for serving food and beverages on their premises following a plan formulated by a coalition of businesses, called the ReOpen Minnesota Coalition, to resume business operations in protest of state restrictions.
The announcement noted that the office would seek up to $25,000 in civil penalties for each violation.
It also indicated that many businesses that reopened Wednesday in protest did not actually violate the executive orders, while the ones who were in violation consisted of restaurants and bars.
"Of a list of approximately 150 establishments supposedly open today in violation of Executive Order 20-99, approximately 40 percent can already legally operate, do not in fact intend to violate the executive order, or are anonymous," the statement reads.
"Of the remaining number, approximately 60 are bars and restaurants," the statement continued. "Of those, approximately 20 have represented to the Attorney General's office that they are in fact complying with the executive order and are not open for on-premises service."
Ellison's office announced Thursday that it filed a motion for a temporary restraining order against Alibi Drinkery for refusing to close on-premise dining after the lawsuit. The restraining order was granted by the Dakota County District Court on Friday, indicating that the bar must close for indoor dining or risk being found in contempt of court.
Alibi Drinkery, in Lakeville was standing-room only Wednesday afternoon after opening in defiance of Gov. Walz's COVID-19 restrictions on bars and restaurants. His address, which announced changes to those restrictions, was broadcast on TVs around the bar. @StarTribune pic.twitter.com/Kjh3JtSkeB — Aaron Lavinsky (@ADLavinsky) December 16, 2020
Neighbors on the Rum voluntarily closed on-premise dining following the lawsuit, according to Ellison's office.
The Minnesota Department of Health announced on Friday that it issued cease-and-desist orders to Alibi Drinkery and The Interchange, in Albert Lea, for violating executive orders.
The department detailed photographs and videos showing patrons eating and drinking indoors Wednesday at Alibi Drinkery, along with food workers not wearing masks. In a social media post on Thursday, the bar announced that it was open and welcoming customers to dine indoors.
"COVID-19 protocols are designed to slow the spread of this virus and reduce the impacts of this pandemic," said Dan Huff, the department's assistant commissioner.
"Our preference is always to work with business to bring them into compliance, and we consider regulatory actions as a last resort," he continued. "The vast majority of businesses are doing their best to help slow down the spread of COVID-19, and we owe it to them to have a consistent and fair enforcement approach."
Newsweek reached out to Cornerstone Cafe and Alibi Drinkery for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-12-19--Trump Supporters Mock Biden Visit to Family Grave on Anniversary of Deadly Crash

Some of President Donald Trump 's most ardent supporters reacted to the Biden family visiting the graves of deceased relatives Friday by accusing the president-elect of `` looking for votes '' in a cemetery .
President-elect Joe Biden and future first lady Jill Biden on Friday marked the 48th anniversary of a 1972 car accident that killed his first wife and infant daughter Naomi .
They visited their graves at the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington , Delaware .
But Trump supporters clinging on to desperate hopes the president can overturn the November election ridiculed the somber cemetery visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This prompted some publications to delete comment sections altogether .
Other staunch Trump backers questioned `` where is Hunter Biden ? ''
as the president-elect visited the nearby grave of his late son , Beau , who survived the deadly car crash but died of cancer in 2015 .
Many appalled Biden supporters asked how they were `` supposed to be nice to these people after the election '' as Trump backers mercilessly mocked the Biden family through memes accusing him of `` rallying up deceased voters . ''
`` He should probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and take care of that first , '' tweeted Mindy Robinson , who unsuccessfully ran as a Republican congressional candidate in Nevada and is now a conservative radio commentator .
`` Joe Biden makes last minute trip to cemetery to rally up deceased voters , '' reads a post-turned-meme that climbed to the top of Reddit 's largest pro-Trump group Friday evening .
The mockery comes as Trump urged his most hard-line supporters to join a `` wild '' protest on January 6 in Washington , D.C. in his latest desperate attempt to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Biden 's ] wearing a mask in the cemetery thanking all those voters , '' wrote Robert Conder , an Indiana man , on the WLKY-TV Facebook page that shared the story of the family 's cemetery visit .
Conder and dozens of other Trump supporter remarks were immediately chastised by people calling for a `` basic respect for human life . ''
Some Biden backers questioned how the comments could be made by Trump supporters who describe themselves as Christians .
Many Trump backers accused Biden of infidelity at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just as the 29-year-old Biden was elected to his first term in the U.S. Senate .
Numerous top comments on dozens of local news pages even questioned the `` honest evidence '' of how Biden 's family was killed in the 1972 car crash .
This is not the first time supporters—and Trump campaign officials—have mocked the Bidens for paying respect to their deceased family members .
In September , the campaign 's director of strategic response , Francis Brennan , said Biden `` just keeps meandering along '' as he visited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter and first wife are all buried .
Newsweek reached out to both the Biden and Trump campaign 's for reaction Saturday afternoon but did not hear back by time of publishing .

Some of President Donald Trump's most ardent supporters reacted to the Biden family visiting the graves of deceased relatives Friday by accusing the president-elect of "looking for votes" in a cemetery.
President-elect Joe Biden and future first lady Jill Biden on Friday marked the 48th anniversary of a 1972 car accident that killed his first wife and infant daughter Naomi. They visited their graves at the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington, Delaware. But Trump supporters clinging on to desperate hopes the president can overturn the November election ridiculed the somber cemetery visit as a "photo op." This prompted some publications to delete comment sections altogether. Other staunch Trump backers questioned "where is Hunter Biden?" as the president-elect visited the nearby grave of his late son, Beau, who survived the deadly car crash but died of cancer in 2015.
Many appalled Biden supporters asked how they were "supposed to be nice to these people after the election" as Trump backers mercilessly mocked the Biden family through memes accusing him of "rallying up deceased voters."
"He should probably find the bridge Hunter's living under and take care of that first," tweeted Mindy Robinson, who unsuccessfully ran as a Republican congressional candidate in Nevada and is now a conservative radio commentator.
"Joe Biden makes last minute trip to cemetery to rally up deceased voters," reads a post-turned-meme that climbed to the top of Reddit's largest pro-Trump group Friday evening. The mockery comes as Trump urged his most hard-line supporters to join a "wild" protest on January 6 in Washington, D.C. in his latest desperate attempt to overturn the U.S. election results.
He should probably find the bridge Hunter's living under and take care of that first. 👌🏻 — Mindy Robinson 🇺🇸 (@iheartmindy) November 3, 2020
"[Biden's] wearing a mask in the cemetery thanking all those voters," wrote Robert Conder, an Indiana man, on the WLKY-TV Facebook page that shared the story of the family's cemetery visit. Conder and dozens of other Trump supporter remarks were immediately chastised by people calling for a "basic respect for human life."
Some Biden backers questioned how the comments could be made by Trump supporters who describe themselves as Christians. Many Trump backers accused Biden of infidelity at the time of his wife's death in 1972, just as the 29-year-old Biden was elected to his first term in the U.S. Senate. Numerous top comments on dozens of local news pages even questioned the "honest evidence" of how Biden's family was killed in the 1972 car crash.
This is not the first time supporters—and Trump campaign officials—have mocked the Bidens for paying respect to their deceased family members. In September, the campaign's director of strategic response, Francis Brennan, said Biden "just keeps meandering along" as he visited the Delaware graveyard where his son, daughter and first wife are all buried.
Newsweek reached out to both the Biden and Trump campaign's for reaction Saturday afternoon but did not hear back by time of publishing.