newsweek--2020-11-29--Did Leslie Van Houten Kill Anyone? Charles Manson Follower Denied Parole Over LaBianca Murders

California Gov .
Gavin Newson has blocked the release of Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten .
In July , a California parole board had recommended parole for 71-year-old Van Houten , who is serving a life sentence at the California Institution for Women in Chino for helping Manson and others murder grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife , Rosemary , in August 1969 .
Newsom reversed the decision , marking the fourth time a governor has blocked Van Houten 's release Newsom also blocked Van Houten 's release last year , while his predecessor , Jerry Brown , blocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's attorney , Rich Pfeiffer , told The Associated Press that he will appeal Newsom 's decision .
`` This reversal will demonstrate to the courts that there is no way Newsom will let her out , '' Pfeiffer said .
`` So they have to enforce the law or it will never be enforced . ''
In his decision , Newsom said that Van Houten `` currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison . ''
After his decision to block Van Houten 's release from prison last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` family '' had `` committed some of the most notorious and brutal killings in California history . ''
According to CNN , Newsom also said that he understood Van Houten was 19 at the time of the crime and that a psychologist who evaluated her said it was likely `` her involvement in the life offense was significantly impacted by characteristics of youth , including impulsivity , the inability to adequately foresee the long-term consequences of her behavior and the inability to manage her emotions that resulted from trauma . ''
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understanding of what led her to submit to Mr. Manson and participate in these horrific murders , I can not be sure that Ms. Van Houten is capable of acting differently in the future . ''
Pfeiffer and Newsom 's office have been contacted for additional comment .
Van Houten has been behind bars for almost five decades for her role in the LaBianca murders .
She and other Manson followers fatally stabbed the couple and smeared their blood on the walls of their home in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followers , but not Van Houten , had murdered the actress Sharon Tate , who was heavily pregnant at the time , and several friends at her home in Los Angeles .
At her parole hearing in 2017 , Van Houten said she had difficulty coming to terms with the crime she committed .
`` To tell you the truth , the older I get the harder it is to deal with all of this , to know what I did , how it happened , '' she said .
She also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her boyfriend at the age of 17 and had met Manson while traveling along the coast , the AP reported .
According to Vincent Bugliosi 's book Helter Skelter : The True Story of the Manson Murders , Manson had wanted to spark a race war with random , savage murders .
Manson died of natural causes in a California hospital at the age of 83 in November 2017 .
He was serving a life sentence .

California Gov. Gavin Newson has blocked the release of Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten.
In July, a California parole board had recommended parole for 71-year-old Van Houten, who is serving a life sentence at the California Institution for Women in Chino for helping Manson and others murder grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, in August 1969.
Newsom reversed the decision, marking the fourth time a governor has blocked Van Houten's release Newsom also blocked Van Houten's release last year, while his predecessor, Jerry Brown, blocked it another two times.
Van Houten's attorney, Rich Pfeiffer, told The Associated Press that he will appeal Newsom's decision.
"This reversal will demonstrate to the courts that there is no way Newsom will let her out," Pfeiffer said. "So they have to enforce the law or it will never be enforced."
Sheron Lawin (L), a member of the Board of Prison Terms commissioners, listens to Leslie Van Houten (R), after her parole was denied 28 June 2002 at the California Institution for Women in California. Damian Dovarganes/AFP via Getty Images
In his decision, Newsom said that Van Houten "currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison."
After his decision to block Van Houten's release from prison last year, Newsom said she and the Manson "family" had "committed some of the most notorious and brutal killings in California history."
According to CNN, Newsom also said that he understood Van Houten was 19 at the time of the crime and that a psychologist who evaluated her said it was likely "her involvement in the life offense was significantly impacted by characteristics of youth, including impulsivity, the inability to adequately foresee the long-term consequences of her behavior and the inability to manage her emotions that resulted from trauma."
But he added that "without a deeper understanding of what led her to submit to Mr. Manson and participate in these horrific murders, I cannot be sure that Ms. Van Houten is capable of acting differently in the future."
Pfeiffer and Newsom's office have been contacted for additional comment.
Van Houten has been behind bars for almost five decades for her role in the LaBianca murders. She and other Manson followers fatally stabbed the couple and smeared their blood on the walls of their home in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The day before, other Manson followers, but not Van Houten, had murdered the actress Sharon Tate, who was heavily pregnant at the time, and several friends at her home in Los Angeles.
At her parole hearing in 2017, Van Houten said she had difficulty coming to terms with the crime she committed. "To tell you the truth, the older I get the harder it is to deal with all of this, to know what I did, how it happened," she said.
She also said she had run away from home with her boyfriend at the age of 17 and had met Manson while traveling along the coast, the AP reported.
According to Vincent Bugliosi's book Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders, Manson had wanted to spark a race war with random, savage murders.
Manson died of natural causes in a California hospital at the age of 83 in November 2017. He was serving a life sentence.


newsweek--2020-11-29--David Prowse 'Much More Than Darth Vader,' Says Mark Hamill As 'Star Wars' Fans Mourn Actor's Death

Actor Mark Hamill has paid tribute to his Star Wars co-star David Prowse following his death at the age of 85 .
Briton Prowse was best known for his role as the antagonist in the film series ' original trilogy , and was also a successful bodybuilder , a champion weightlifter , the face of a road safety campaign , and helped Christopher Reeve prepare for his role as Superman .
Hamill said Prowse was a `` kind man '' who was `` much more than Darth Vader . ''
`` So sad to hear David Prowse has passed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader .
Actor-Husband-Father-Member of the Order of the British Empire-3 time British Weightlifting Champion & Safety Icon the Green Cross Code Man .
He loved his fans as much as they loved him .
Prowse played Darth Vader in the earliest Star Wars movies , which were released in 1977 , 1980 and 1983 .
His agent , Thomas Bowington , said that the actor 's death after a short illness was `` a truly and deeply heart-wrenching loss for us and millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be with him , always ! ''
he said in tribute .
`` Though famous for playing many monsters - for myself , and all who knew Dave and worked with him , he was a hero in our lives . ''
Daniel Logan , who played Boba Fett in more recent Star Wars : Episode II Attack Of The Clones and is a regular at fan conventions , shared a picture of him with Prowse .
`` Darth Vader would n't be the same without you in the costume .
We had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together over the years , '' he wrote on Twitter .
`` Glad to have been able to call you a friend .
Rest now and be one with the Force ! ''
Prowse was invited to audition for the Vader and Chewbacca roles after being spotted by Star Wars director George Lucas for his performance as a bodyguard in the 1971 movie A Clockwork Orange .
Prowse later told the BBC that he picked Vader because `` you always remember the bad guys . ''
However , the character was voiced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's West Country accent was not suitable for the part .
American actor Carl Weathers , who played Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films , also paid tribute , saying that his `` stature contributed so much to Darth Vader 's legend '' .
Many in the U.K. will also know Prowse for his role as the Green Cross Code Man , a superhero-like character who was the front of a road safety campaign in the 1970s .
British comedian still Bennett Arron joined those paying tribute , quoting the Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , look and listen . ''
Prowse himself said the role was the `` best job I ever had '' .
He received an MBE honour in 2000 for his services to charity and his work to improve road safety .
Before that role , Prowse was a successful athlete .
He won the British Weight Lifting Heavyweight Championships for three consecutive years from 1962 to 1965 , and represented Team England at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth , Australia .

Actor Mark Hamill has paid tribute to his Star Wars co-star David Prowse following his death at the age of 85.
Briton Prowse was best known for his role as the antagonist in the film series' original trilogy, and was also a successful bodybuilder, a champion weightlifter, the face of a road safety campaign, and helped Christopher Reeve prepare for his role as Superman.
Hamill said Prowse was a "kind man" who was "much more than Darth Vader."
"So sad to hear David Prowse has passed, he wrote on Twitter. "He was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader. Actor-Husband-Father-Member of the Order of the British Empire-3 time British Weightlifting Champion & Safety Icon the Green Cross Code Man. He loved his fans as much as they loved him.
So sad to hear David Prowse has passed. He was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader. Actor-Husband-Father-Member of the Order of the British Empire-3 time British Weightlifting Champion & Safety Icon the Green Cross Code Man. He loved his fans as much as they loved him. #RIP pic.twitter.com/VbDrGu6iBz — Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) November 29, 2020
Prowse played Darth Vader in the earliest Star Wars movies, which were released in 1977, 1980 and 1983.
His agent, Thomas Bowington, said that the actor's death after a short illness was "a truly and deeply heart-wrenching loss for us and millions of fans."
"May the force be with him, always!" he said in tribute.
"Though famous for playing many monsters - for myself, and all who knew Dave and worked with him, he was a hero in our lives."
Mark Hamill, as Luke Skywalker, and David Prowse, as Darth vader, on the set of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi directed by Welsh Richard Marquand. Hamill has paid tribute to his co-star after his death aged 85. Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty
Daniel Logan, who played Boba Fett in more recent Star Wars: Episode II Attack Of The Clones and is a regular at fan conventions, shared a picture of him with Prowse.
"Darth Vader wouldn't be the same without you in the costume. We had many fun times & laughs at cons together over the years," he wrote on Twitter.
"Glad to have been able to call you a friend. Rest now and be one with the Force!"
Sad to hear of the passing of a #StarWars family member. RIP Dave Prowse. Darth Vader wouldn't be the same without you in the costume. We had many fun times & laughs at cons together over the years. Glad to have been able to call you a friend. Rest now and be one with the Force! pic.twitter.com/st28CQGckF — Daniel Logan (@Daniel_Logan) November 29, 2020
Prowse was invited to audition for the Vader and Chewbacca roles after being spotted by Star Wars director George Lucas for his performance as a bodyguard in the 1971 movie A Clockwork Orange. Prowse later told the BBC that he picked Vader because ''you always remember the bad guys.''
However, the character was voiced by James Earl Jones after movie-makers decided Prowse's West Country accent was not suitable for the part.
American actor Carl Weathers, who played Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films, also paid tribute, saying that his "stature contributed so much to Darth Vader's legend".
English actor David Prowse, who played the character of Darth Vader in the first Star Wars trilogy poses with a fan dressed up in a Darth Vader costume during a Star Wars convention on April 27, 2013 in Cusset, France. Prowse has died aged 85 following a short illness. THIERRY ZOCCOLAN/AFP/Getty
Many in the U.K. will also know Prowse for his role as the Green Cross Code Man, a superhero-like character who was the front of a road safety campaign in the 1970s.
British comedian still Bennett Arron joined those paying tribute, quoting the Green Cross Code Man's catchphrase "Stop, look and listen."
Sad to hear about the passing of David Prowse. To me, as well as being Darth Vader, I will always remember him as the Green Cross Code Man. I can still remember those immortal lines:
"Stop Luke, and Listen" — Bennett Arron (@BennettArron) November 29, 2020
Prowse himself said the role was the "best job I ever had".
He received an MBE honour in 2000 for his services to charity and his work to improve road safety.
Before that role, Prowse was a successful athlete. He won the British Weight Lifting Heavyweight Championships for three consecutive years from 1962 to 1965, and represented Team England at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia.


newsweek--2020-11-29--Portland Police Car Severely Damaged After Being Set On Fire, Authorities Say

A police vehicle was severely damaged after it was allegedly set on fire in Portland , Oregon , authorities said .
The unoccupied Portland Police patrol vehicle had been parked in a city fleet parking lot in the 800 block of North Graham Street when the blaze broke out , Portland Police said in a news release .
Officers responded to the parking lot after a report of a vehicle on fire at around 8.20 p.m. on Saturday , police said .
Portland Fire and Rescue also responded and extinguished the flames .
The cause of the fire is under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to police .
No arrests have been made and police said no suspect information was available .
Police said the vehicle was a fully marked 2018 Portland Police Ford Interceptor Utility vehicle .
It had been involved in a minor crash and had been towed to the parking lot for body damage repairs .
The incident occurred after an outdoor kitchen across from the federal courthouse in downtown Portland was robbed at gunpoint and heavily vandalized in the early hours of Saturday morning .
Police said officers were dispatched to the 1000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report of a disturbance involving a weapon at around 2.30 a.m. on Saturday .
Officers spoke with a man who said he was working in the kitchen when he was robbed by a group of about a dozen suspects , including one who was armed with a shotgun , police said in a news release .
`` The victim said that some of his cooking equipment was stolen and other equipment was damaged , '' police said .
`` The suspects also heavily damaged the victim 's car parked next to his canopy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the incident fled the scene in multiple vehicles before officers were called .
No-one was injured in the incident and an investigation is ongoing .
The incident took place near the Mark O. Hatfield United States courthouse , the scene of months of protests since the May 25 killing of George Floyd .
Floyd , a Black man , died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes despite his pleas that he could n't breathe .
Over the summer , the Trump administration deployed federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quell the protests .
That prompted nightly clashes that saw federal agents stationed at the courthouse fire tear gas or less-lethal munitions at protesters on several occasions .

A police vehicle was severely damaged after it was allegedly set on fire in Portland, Oregon, authorities said.
The unoccupied Portland Police patrol vehicle had been parked in a city fleet parking lot in the 800 block of North Graham Street when the blaze broke out, Portland Police said in a news release.
Officers responded to the parking lot after a report of a vehicle on fire at around 8.20 p.m. on Saturday, police said. Portland Fire and Rescue also responded and extinguished the flames.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but arson is suspected, according to police. No arrests have been made and police said no suspect information was available.
A Portland Police patrol car was heavily damaged after it caught fire in an incident police suspect was arson. Portland Police
Police said the vehicle was a fully marked 2018 Portland Police Ford Interceptor Utility vehicle. It had been involved in a minor crash and had been towed to the parking lot for body damage repairs.
The incident occurred after an outdoor kitchen across from the federal courthouse in downtown Portland was robbed at gunpoint and heavily vandalized in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Police said officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Southwest Third Avenue after a report of a disturbance involving a weapon at around 2.30 a.m. on Saturday.
Officers spoke with a man who said he was working in the kitchen when he was robbed by a group of about a dozen suspects, including one who was armed with a shotgun, police said in a news release.
"The victim said that some of his cooking equipment was stolen and other equipment was damaged," police said.
"The suspects also heavily damaged the victim's car parked next to his canopy."
Police said the suspects involved in the incident fled the scene in multiple vehicles before officers were called. No-one was injured in the incident and an investigation is ongoing.
The incident took place near the Mark O. Hatfield United States courthouse, the scene of months of protests since the May 25 killing of George Floyd.
Floyd, a Black man, died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes despite his pleas that he couldn't breathe.
Over the summer, the Trump administration deployed federal agents to Portland in a bid to quell the protests. That prompted nightly clashes that saw
federal agents stationed at the courthouse fire tear gas or less-lethal munitions at protesters on several occasions.


newsweek--2020-11-29--Utah Monolith Mysteriously Vanishes, Replaced By Pyramid

A mystifying metal monolith has been disappeared and replaced with a smaller pyramid , just over a week after it was discovered by sheep herders in the Utah Desert .
The Bureau of Land Management ( BLM ) , which administers the area , said it had received `` credible reports '' the structure was removed `` by an unknown party '' on Friday .
`` The BLM did not remove the structure which is considered private property , '' the agency said in a statement released Saturday .
`` We do not investigate crimes involving private property which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The structure was first spotted by state employees who were counting sheep from a helicopter last Wednesday .
Pilot Ryan Bacher was among the first and last to see the structure , after spotting dozens of others `` looking at this fun piece of art '' on Friday .
`` Twenty-four hours later , my close friend , who is also a helicopter pilot , flew his family down to see as well and found it taken down , '' he told local news outlet KSLTV .
He has since shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where the monolith apperas to have been replaced by a smaller metal pyramid and some rocks .
It comes after coordinates which pinpointed the location of the 10 to 12ft tall structure were shared on Reddit .
David Suber , who later visited the location , then shared directions to the monolith on social media .
Discussing his experience on Instagram , he said it was neither magnetic or solid and described it as soundeing `` like a cardboard box '' when he knocked on it .
`` At the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artistic expression ; the monolith provided an opportunity for thousands of people to rally behind something positive again , '' he told CNN after his visit .
`` It was a good escape from all the negativity we 've experienced in 2020 . ''
He was not the only one to make the trip .
YouTuber Justin McBride said he found handprints on the monolith , which was fastened to a metal frame in the rock .
`` The thing was filthy from people touching it , '' he said .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's like the handprints were frozen to it and from a donut glaze or something . ''
There is no suggestion Suber or McBride were involved in the monolith 's disappearance .
Officials never publicly disclosed the monolith 's location because concern intrigued could put themselves in danger trying to visit it .
Speaking after the discover last week , Hutchings told KSLTV it was `` about the strangest thing that I 've come across out there in all my years of flying . ''
`` We were kind of joking around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then the rest of us make a run for it , '' Hutchings said and compared the sight to something from Stanley Kubrick film 2001 : A Space Odyssey .
`` I 'm assuming it 's some new wave artist or something or , you know , somebody that was a big 2001 : A Space Odyssey fan , '' he added .
In the film , a group of apes encounters a monolith and it influences them to evolve by using tools .

A mystifying metal monolith has disappeared and been replaced with a smaller pyramid, just over a week after it was discovered by sheep herders in the Utah Desert.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which administers the area, said it had received "credible reports" the structure was removed "by an unknown party" on Friday.
"The BLM did not remove the structure which is considered private property," the agency said in a statement released Saturday.
"We do not investigate crimes involving private property which are handled by the local sheriff's office."
The structure was first spotted by state employees who were counting sheep from a helicopter last Wednesday.
Pilot Ryan Bacher was among the first and last to see the structure, after spotting dozens of others "looking at this fun piece of art" on Friday.
"Twenty-four hours later, my close friend, who is also a helicopter pilot, flew his family down to see as well and found it taken down," he told local news outlet KSLTV.
He has since shared a photograph showing visitors at the site, where the monolith apperas to have been replaced by a smaller metal pyramid and some rocks.
We've seen too much.
The monolith in Utah's southeastern desert (which was likely installed about 5 years ago) has been stolen. All that is left is a pile of rocks and a small, metal pyramid.https://t.co/BaHKusn0IF — Jen Riess (@JenRiess) November 29, 2020
It comes after coordinates which pinpointed the location of the 10 to 12ft tall structure were shared on Reddit.
David Suber, who later visited the location, then shared directions to the monolith on social media.
Discussing his experience on Instagram, he said it was neither magnetic or solid and described it as sounding "like a cardboard box" when he knocked on it.
"At the end of the day, extraterrestrial or made through artistic expression; the monolith provided an opportunity for thousands of people to rally behind something positive again," he told CNN after his visit. "It was a good escape from all the negativity we've experienced in 2020."
He was not the only one to make the trip. YouTuber Justin McBride said he found handprints on the monolith, which was fastened to a metal frame in the rock.
"The thing was filthy from people touching it," he said. "I attempted to wipe it down, but it's like the handprints were frozen to it and from a donut glaze or something."
There is no suggestion Suber or McBride were involved in the monolith's disappearance.
Officials never publicly disclosed the monolith's location because concern intrigued could put themselves in danger trying to visit it.
Speaking after the discover last week, Hutchings told KSLTV it was "about the strangest thing that I've come across out there in all my years of flying."
"We were kind of joking around that if one of us suddenly disappears, then the rest of us make a run for it," Hutchings said and compared the sight to something from Stanley Kubrick film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
"I'm assuming it's some new wave artist or something or, you know, somebody that was a big 2001: A Space Odyssey fan," he added.
In the film, a group of apes encounters a monolith and it influences them to evolve by using tools.


newsweek--2020-11-29--Powerball Results, Numbers for 11/28/20: Did Anyone Win the $216 Million?

Last night 's Powerball drawing for Saturday , November 28 , saw the jackpot stand at a colossal $ 216 million , with a cash option of $ 168.4 million .
But did anyone win the life-changing sum ?
Here 's a breakdown of last night 's numbers and all winners .
The winning numbers for the Powerball drawing in Tallahassee , Florida were 8 , 12 , 18 , 44 and 51 with the Powerball 18 and the Power Play 2x .
Alas , nobody won the jackpot last night by purchasing a ticket that successfully matched all five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No one took home the second biggest prize of $ 1 million either , as no ticket purchased matched all five white numbers .
The two highest payouts last night were both for $ 100,000 , as a couple of tickets purchased matched four of the five white balls and the red Powerball , along with the 2x Power Play .
A further 15 players won half that amount because they also matched four numbers and the Powerball , but did not purchase the additional 2X Power Play to double their winnings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw 641,634 players win at least $ 4 .
With the jackpot not being won , it means the total for the grand prize rolls over to a gigantic $ 231 million , with a cash value of $ 180 million , for the next drawing on Wednesday , December 2 .
This could increase if sales further lottery projections , according to officials .
Before Wednesday 's draw , the previous Powerball on Wednesday , November 25 had the winning numbers of 2 , 57 , 58 , 60 and 65 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Play 2x .
There were no jackpot winners for that drawing , nor did anyone match all five white balls minus the red Powerball to secure the second biggest prize .
With the jackpot not being claimed in the final drawing of November , it means the top prize will have rolled over for four months .
The last time the jackpot was won was way back on August 12 , when one lucky person in Florida scooped a $ 169 million payout .
How do you play Powerball ?
Powerball , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most popular multi-state lotteries in the country .
The game is available to play in 45 states , the District of Columbia , Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands .
The five states that do not sell lottery tickets are Alabama , Alaska , Hawaii , Nevada and Utah .
Drawings usually take place twice a week on a Wednesday and Saturday night , at 10:59 p.m. ED .
Each draw is broadcast live from the lottery studio in Tallahassee , Florida .
You can play Powerball in Each ticket costs $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five numbers from 1 to 69 , in addition to one red Powerball number from 1 to 26 .
In certain circumstances , players can also multiply non-jackpot prizes by using the Power Play option for an additional $ 1 .
Why is the Powerball so low ?
Powerball slashed its minimum payout in half from $ 40 million to $ 20 million back in March because of the coronavirus pandemic leading to reduced sales , according to lottery officials .
Powerball Product Group Chairman and Maine Lottery Director Gregory Mineo said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Powerball players in many U.S. lottery jurisdictions are under shelter-in-place orders or recommendations , which have affected normal consumer behaviors .
`` Just like other enterprises around the world that are making adjustments , we are making proactive changes to continue to offer the world 's premier lottery product . ''
Since the coronavirus pandemic , the jackpot hasbeen reset at $ 20 million after it is won , rather than the previous $ 40 million .
Powerball 's official website claims that players have a 1 in 24.9 chance of winning any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the chances of winning the grand prize jackpot are astronomically higher at 1 in 292,201,338 , according to the official website .
Winners can choose to either select their prize as an annuity , or for significantly less , a lump-sum payment .
The annuity option sees the winner receive 30 annual payments over the space of 29 years , with each payment increasing by five percent until the 30th and final payment .
Your chances of hitting the grand prize jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338 , regardless of the jackpot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you win a jackpot , call lottery officials at 1-800-222-0996 .

Last night's Powerball drawing for Saturday, November 28, saw the jackpot stand at a colossal $216 million, with a cash option of $168.4 million. But did anyone win the life-changing sum? Here's a breakdown of last night's numbers and all winners.
The winning numbers for the Powerball drawing in Tallahassee, Florida were 8, 12, 18, 44 and 51 with the Powerball 18 and the Power Play 2x.
Alas, nobody won the jackpot last night by purchasing a ticket that successfully matched all five white numbers and the red Powerball. No one took home the second biggest prize of $1 million either, as no ticket purchased matched all five white numbers.
The two highest payouts last night were both for $100,000, as a couple of tickets purchased matched four of the five white balls and the red Powerball, along with the 2x Power Play. A further 15 players won half that amount because they also matched four numbers and the Powerball, but did not purchase the additional 2X Power Play to double their winnings. In total, last night's drawing saw 641,634 players win at least $4.
With the jackpot not being won, it means the total for the grand prize rolls over to a gigantic $231 million, with a cash value of $180 million, for the next drawing on Wednesday, December 2. This could increase if sales further lottery projections, according to officials.
Before Wednesday's draw, the previous Powerball on Wednesday, November 25 had the winning numbers of 2, 57, 58, 60 and 65, with the Powerball 26 and the Power Play 2x. There were no jackpot winners for that drawing, nor did anyone match all five white balls minus the red Powerball to secure the second biggest prize.
With the jackpot not being claimed in the final drawing of November, it means the top prize will have rolled over for four months. The last time the jackpot was won was way back on August 12, when one lucky person in Florida scooped a $169 million payout.
How do you play Powerball?
Powerball, along with Mega Millions is one of the most popular multi-state lotteries in the country. The game is available to play in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The five states that do not sell lottery tickets are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
Drawings usually take place twice a week on a Wednesday and Saturday night, at 10:59 p.m. ED. Each draw is broadcast live from the lottery studio in Tallahassee, Florida.
Powerball and Mega Millions lottery tickets are displayed on January 3, 2018 in San Anselmo, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
You can play Powerball in Each ticket costs $2 per play, with players selecting five numbers from 1 to 69, in addition to one red Powerball number from 1 to 26. In certain circumstances, players can also multiply non-jackpot prizes by using the Power Play option for an additional $1.
Why is the Powerball so low?
Powerball slashed its minimum payout in half from $40 million to $20 million back in March because of the coronavirus pandemic leading to reduced sales, according to lottery officials.
Powerball Product Group Chairman and Maine Lottery Director Gregory Mineo said in a statement at the time" "Powerball players in many U.S. lottery jurisdictions are under shelter-in-place orders or recommendations, which have affected normal consumer behaviors.
"Just like other enterprises around the world that are making adjustments, we are making proactive changes to continue to offer the world's premier lottery product."
Since the coronavirus pandemic, the jackpot hasbeen reset at $20 million after it is won, rather than the previous $40 million.
Powerball's official website claims that players have a 1 in 24.9 chance of winning any prize regardless of the number of participants. But the chances of winning the grand prize jackpot are astronomically higher at 1 in 292,201,338, according to the official website.
Winners can choose to either select their prize as an annuity, or for significantly less, a lump-sum payment. The annuity option sees the winner receive 30 annual payments over the space of 29 years, with each payment increasing by five percent until the 30th and final payment.
Your chances of hitting the grand prize jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338, regardless of the jackpot size—according to Powerball's website. If you win a jackpot, call lottery officials at 1-800-222-0996.


newsweek--2020-11-29--Jake Paul Says He'll Knock Out Conor McGregor After Brutal Demolition of Nate Robinson

YouTube personality Jake Paul said he wants to fight UFC 's Conor McGregor after a knockout win over ex-NBA star Nate Robinson Saturday .
Paul and Robinson clashed at the Staples Center in Los Angeles this weekend during a boxing match that came to a swift end in the second round , with Paul landing a K/O on the three-time Slam Dunk Champion to earn a second professional victory .
They entered the ring as the Mike Tyson v.s .
Roy Jones Jr. undercard , a long-awaited confrontation that was hosted by a social media company called Triller .
Footage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , many reacting in shock as the 23-year-old YouTuber landed a final blow sending Robinson to the floor .
Paul now has a 2-0 record as a professional boxer after a win over Ali Eson Gib in January this year .
According to ESPN , Paul landed a total of eight punches , three of which had resulted in knockdowns .
That included the overhand right punch that finally ended the fight .
In a post-match interview , Paul said he had come into the ring with a broken nose and sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career move lightly—pitching a series of bouts and claiming that his record of two successful knockouts would continue .
Paul stated : `` I have been training my ass off for the past year .
I 'm taking this seriously .
There 's a long list of opponents that I want .
Conor McGregor , Dillon Danis , I am going to knock them both out .
There 's my brother , there 's KSI on the line .
Austin McBroom .
I want to be in this sport for a long time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so why not ? ''
Danis is an American mixed martial artist and Austin McBroom is a basketball player .
KSI , real name Olajide William Olatunji , is an internet personality who previously drew with Paul 's sibling Logan , 25 , in an amateur boxing match in August 2018 .
McGregor needs little introduction .
The Irish mixed martial artist is a Ultimate Fighting Championship ( UFC ) champion and currently ranked as 12th in the world .
Paul said in the post match interview on Saturday he has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that despite the tough-talking his `` actions speak louder than words . ''
Paul also went on to praise his boxing opponent Robinson , saying : `` I respect him and his basketball career has been amazing and I do n't want to take anything away from him .
It takes a lot of balls to step in the ring .
Not a lot of people can do that . ''
Robinson himself shared a brief message to his 2.5 million Instagram followers today in the wake of defeat , assuring fans he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I appreciate Triller for the opportunity as well as everyone that has backed me during the fight , '' he said .
`` To my coaches , trainers , fans , and teammates , I appreciate all of the ... support you guys put in with me ... it was n't the outcome that we wanted , but I 'm thankful for the opportunity to fight on the biggest stage that there has been . ''

YouTube personality Jake Paul said he wants to fight UFC's Conor McGregor after a knockout win over ex-NBA star Nate Robinson Saturday.
Paul and Robinson clashed at the Staples Center in Los Angeles this weekend during a boxing match that came to a swift end in the second round, with Paul landing a K/O on the three-time Slam Dunk Champion to earn a second professional victory.
They entered the ring as the Mike Tyson v.s. Roy Jones Jr. undercard, a long-awaited confrontation that was hosted by a social media company called Triller.
Footage of the K/O spread quickly on Twitter today, many reacting in shock as the 23-year-old YouTuber landed a final blow sending Robinson to the floor. Paul now has a 2-0 record as a professional boxer after a win over Ali Eson Gib in January this year.
According to ESPN, Paul landed a total of eight punches, three of which had resulted in knockdowns. That included the overhand right punch that finally ended the fight.
Jake Paul knocked out Nate Robinson in the second round 😳 @ESPNRingside #TysonJones pic.twitter.com/gYpbmLGHYV — ESPN (@espn) November 29, 2020
JAKE PAUL JUST PUT NATE ROBINSON TO SLEEP pic.twitter.com/UkKYVX3jGW — Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 29, 2020
In a post-match interview, Paul said he had come into the ring with a broken nose and sought to stress he was not taking the career move lightly—pitching a series of bouts and claiming that his record of two successful knockouts would continue.
Paul stated: "I have been training my ass off for the past year. I'm taking this seriously. There's a long list of opponents that I want. Conor McGregor, Dillon Danis, I am going to knock them both out. There's my brother, there's KSI on the line. Austin McBroom. I want to be in this sport for a long time, I am in love with it, so why not?"
Danis is an American mixed martial artist and Austin McBroom is a basketball player. KSI, real name Olajide William Olatunji, is an internet personality who previously drew with Paul's sibling Logan, 25, in an amateur boxing match in August 2018.
McGregor needs little introduction. The Irish mixed martial artist is a Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion and currently ranked as 12th in the world.
Paul said in the post match interview on Saturday he has a "long future ahead" and noted that despite the tough-talking his "actions speak louder than words."
Paul also went on to praise his boxing opponent Robinson, saying: "I respect him and his basketball career has been amazing and I don't want to take anything away from him. It takes a lot of balls to step in the ring. Not a lot of people can do that."
Robinson himself shared a brief message to his 2.5 million Instagram followers today in the wake of defeat, assuring fans he was OK after the knockout ruling.
"I appreciate Triller for the opportunity as well as everyone that has backed me during the fight," he said. "To my coaches, trainers, fans, and teammates, I appreciate all of the... support you guys put in with me... it wasn't the outcome that we wanted, but I'm thankful for the opportunity to fight on the biggest stage that there has been."


newsweek--2020-11-29--Multiple Amazon Workers Hospitalized, Warehouse Evacuated After Exposure to 'Unknown Substance'

Several Amazon employees were hospitalized after being exposed to an `` unknown substance '' at a distribution center in California , authorities said .
The Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department said firefighters responded to the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Eastvale , California shortly after the incident was first reported to authorities at 4:38 p.m. on Saturday .
Firefighters evacuated 150 employees from the warehouse , at 4950 Goodman Road , the department said on Twitter .
Six employees were transported to area hospitals for treatment .
The employees had sustained injuries that were described as minor to moderate , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposed to an unknown substance inside the building , '' said Jody Hagemann , a spokeswoman for Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department , told The Press-Enterprise .
The fire department said hazmat teams arrived at the warehouse to isolate the substance involved and identity it .
But in a tweet on Saturday evening , the department said the team was unable to locate anything inside the facility .
`` HAZ MAT team made entry into the building and were unable to locate anything .
Incident will be terminated shortly , '' the tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and resume normal operations . ''
Amazon and the fire department have been contacted for comment .
The incident comes weeks after Amazon was fined for coronavirus safety violations at two warehouses , including the one in Eastvale .
California 's Division of Occupational Safety and Health investigated the Eastvale fulfilment center and the Amazon delivery center in Hawthorne after employees complained about their working conditions amid the pandemic , The Los Angeles Times reported .
The employees alleged that Amazon did not adequately promote social distancing and did not stop operations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where infected workers had spent their shifts .
Investigators found the facilities failed to mitigate the exposure of employees to the coronavirus by not providing effective safety training and fined the company around $ 1,500 .
`` The employer did not ensure that all employees had access to , viewed and understood all COVID-19 training materials , and employees were unaware of key elements in the training materials , including but not limited to , sanitation of work stations and frequently touched objects in the workplace , '' the citations , dated October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Amazon revealed that almost 20,000 Amazon and Whole Foods Market front-line employees across the U.S. had tested positive or been presumed positive for the virus as of late September .
This week , the company announced plans to hand out bonuses worth more than $ 500 million to U.S. workers over the holiday season .

Several Amazon employees were hospitalized after being exposed to an "unknown substance" at a distribution center in California, authorities said.
The Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department said firefighters responded to the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Eastvale, California shortly after the incident was first reported to authorities at 4:38 p.m. on Saturday.
Firefighters evacuated 150 employees from the warehouse, at 4950 Goodman Road, the department said on Twitter.
Six employees were transported to area hospitals for treatment. The employees had sustained injuries that were described as minor to moderate, according to the tweet.
Hazardous Materials w/Persons Ill in Eastvale RPT @ 4:38 PM - Amazon Dist Ctr 5200 Blk Goodman Wy. 150 employees evacuated, 6 employees being transported to area hospitals for treatment of minor-moderate injuries. 4 ENG, 1 TRK, HAZ MAT, ENV HLTH, CHIEF OFFICER #GoodmanIncident pic.twitter.com/6EQh7f07Yw — CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) November 29, 2020
"They were exposed to an unknown substance inside the building," said Jody Hagemann, a spokeswoman for Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, told The Press-Enterprise.
The fire department said hazmat teams arrived at the warehouse to isolate the substance involved and identity it.
But in a tweet on Saturday evening, the department said the team was unable to locate anything inside the facility.
#GoodmanIncident final update - HAZ MAT team made entry into the building and were unable to locate anything. Incident will be terminated shortly. The business will reopen and resume normal operations. — CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) November 29, 2020
"HAZ MAT team made entry into the building and were unable to locate anything. Incident will be terminated shortly," the tweet said. "The business will reopen and resume normal operations."
Amazon spokesperson Lisa Levandowski told Newsweek: "We evacuated our building yesterday out of an abundance of caution. The safety of our employees and delivery partners is our top priority. We appreciate all the efforts of our local first responders yesterday."
The incident comes weeks after Amazon was fined for coronavirus safety violations at two warehouses, including the one in Eastvale.
California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health investigated the Eastvale fulfilment center and the Amazon delivery center in Hawthorne after employees complained about their working conditions amid the pandemic, The Los Angeles Times reported.
The employees alleged that Amazon did not adequately promote social distancing and did not stop operations to clean and disinfect parts of the warehouses where infected workers had spent their shifts.
Investigators found the facilities failed to mitigate the exposure of employees to the coronavirus by not providing effective safety training and fined the company around $1,500.
"The employer did not ensure that all employees had access to, viewed and understood all COVID-19 training materials, and employees were unaware of key elements in the training materials, including but not limited to, sanitation of work stations and frequently touched objects in the workplace," the citations, dated October 6, said.
Early last month, Amazon revealed that almost 20,000 Amazon and Whole Foods Market front-line employees across the U.S. had tested positive or been presumed positive for the virus as of late September.
This week, the company announced plans to hand out bonuses worth more than $500 million to U.S. workers over the holiday season.
This article has been updated with a statement from an Amazon spokesperson.


newsweek--2020-11-29--'I'm an FBI Trained Former Hostage Negotiator'

The first time I was the primary negotiator—the guy who is actually on the phone—was a Sunday morning in 2008 .
I remember it was early on a Sunday morning and we were not getting a lot of negotiators from our eight person team responding to say that they were able to come to this situation .
It was described as a man holding a woman hostage , maybe armed with a gun , and the police thought the man may have been restraining the woman .
The local police department had reached out to our regional SWAT team and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned out that I was one of the first negotiators on the scene , and often that 's the individual who ends up speaking with the person in crisis .
I just remember being so overwhelmed by how stressful it was .
I had to step back from it for a moment and think , `` If I do n't get this right , the consequences here are well beyond anything else I 've faced in my life . ''
I began in law enforcement working as a police officer in the Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for hostage negotiation .
When I was in college , I just remember being fascinated by the wide variety of people I met .
Perhaps it came from having a slightly boring childhood and not having many diverse experiences when I was much younger .
I wanted to understand people—my undergraduate study was behavioral science and I went on to achieve a Master 's degree in psychology .
I felt that hostage negotiation was a really good field to apply my interest and education in a way that might be helpful to other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be selected for Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ) hostage negotiation training and I was probably selected to do it a little before I had earned it ; I was perhaps a little too young and had only been a police officer for five years .
But with the FBI you go through extensive educational and practical training .
The people in my class at Northwestern University in Chicago in 2007 were very experienced and skilled .
I just remember thinking I had a lot to learn before I was going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think one of the biggest misconceptions about negotiators is that they are very good at talking with people .
Of course , they are very good at that , but I think the bigger component is that they are terrific listeners—they 're good at drawing out what 's not being said and how to thoughtfully get into areas that are being avoided .
The very top negotiators are listening to the words reading body language and studying expressions —especially in 2020 when we 're doing more negotiations face-to-face digitally .
During my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole class would watch , the situation forced us to focus on listening .
It 's a great way to manufacture the pressure that you have when you actually conduct a negotiation .
Another big part of the training is to understand the various skills of active listening , which is n't a secret , it 's articulated in many books .
Because as soon as you 're talking to someone and they feel that you 're reading off a script or going through a checklist , that communication becomes very fake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone who is genuine and really cares about us .
And the great negotiators are the ones who are really able to listen and connect with someone and have that person in crisis feel the negotiator is a likeable , genuine person who cares .
We 're very lucky that we do n't see a lot of purposeful hostage taking in the U.S .
The majority of the work we do as police negotiators is actually crisis negotiation ; dealing with a single individual who is in crisis and may be threatening themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a weapon .
They could be armed and barricaded inside a home , room or business .
Fortunately , that first negotiation I led in 2008 turned out to be OK , we had a conversation and very quickly it seemed that the situation was over ; he came out and everything was OK .
The lesson I learned was that we process information differently under stress .
It was when I really understood and felt such respect for the job because the consequences of getting it wrong truly are life or death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out are really the ones that stick with you .
We had one case where we spoke to a man for nearly a day , but he did ultimately injure himself .
Fortunately he survived .
You ca n't simulate those experiences in training , so afterwards I look back and reflect on what I could have done better or differently .
Ultimately , that person in crisis is in control of making that decision , but you do remember those types of calls .
We once had a domestic hostage taking situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ex-girlfriend to the point where she had to move out of her home and find safety somewhere else , but yet he was able to track her down and find her .
When the police got there , that man shot and significantly injured a police officer at that scene .
In that particular case our team was called to negotiate with someone who is holding his girlfriend hostage and has already shot a police officer .
So , we knew the level of danger was very high .
And we knew there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of the officers involved because this was a friend and co-worker of theirs who has just been shot and who was now fighting for his life .
That was a great example of how , even given the situation , we went to work and did our best to verbally resolve this incident and give this person every opportunity to surrender peacefully .
I think that after watching police movies , people expect that a negotiator is going to come in and tell the person : `` You 're going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' But we listen and allow the person in crisis some freedom to make choices that will impact their life and their safety .
So , we did n't send the police in to storm the house and cause him harm or put the hostage in an unsafe situation .
Even in a situation like this when many people could say that this person gets whatever he gets , we have to try and resolve it peacefully .
The U.S. has laws and rules that will allow for someone else to make the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual .
As negotiators , our job is to resolve this situation safely .
It 's not our job to decide what should happen to this person .
It 's not our job to determine whether this person should live or die .
We are directed by law .
Unless there is an imminent or immediate reason to use deadly force on someone , if we have an ability to have a discussion and a negotiation instead , we always try to do that .
There are a lot of people out there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems that empathy is a skill or a feeling that I believe we are losing in our society .
It 's so important for me as a negotiator to realize in an interaction that the person I 'm talking to is experiencing pain , loss , grief or fear .
I think that if all of us could have a better appreciation for realizing we are not necessarily the happy lives we put on social media , that all of us are likely struggling with a piece of our life somewhere , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society .
One of the big elements of being an effective negotiator is that you need to have no preconceived notion about that person .
As soon as we think that we know the situation and we have beliefs about a situation , it becomes dangerous for us , because we might be wrong .
When I teach negotiation to police officers , one of the visuals I use is a photo that I took of a sunset over a small lake near my house .
The water is absolutely still , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lake perfectly .
I take that photo and I turn it upside down .
I give them a glance , tell them to look for a couple of seconds and then I take it away .
I have them describe the photo , and everyone describes the sunset , still water and a reflection .
Then we go back and I tell them that the image I showed them was obviously wrong .
Every time I do that exercise , almost the entire room does n't see that the image they have initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm trying to teach is that if we do n't come in with a completely open mind to say : `` I think I know what 's going on , I 'm starting to develop my strategy , but I might be wrong and I might need more information '' .
The really great negotiators can suspend judgement and be very curious and have an open mind and compassion for the people we deal with .
But it is dangerous work and my wife certainly worried about me and my safety , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked as a police officer .
In my younger years I have been in situations that were not entirely safe , but in the negotiation context where I 'm working with a SWAT team , I 'm going to be physically safe .
I 'm probably going to be a bit removed from the situation and I think that creating safety for that negotiator really allows for them to do their best work .
All the people that do this really do it in a selfless way , they are putting other people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I 'm a little bit older with three kids at home , that 's where my priority is .
I 'm not an active negotiator at this current moment , my focus now is on teaching the next generation of negotiators .
I 'm proud and excited about teaching negotiators and passing on my knowledge and experience to the next generation .
One of the big pieces of being a negotiator is that it 's not about just me .
Rarely do we have a situation where we have one negotiator saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because you do n't do anything without the team .
Every time that we reach a safe resolution as a team I 'm excited .
I now train around the country and very recently there was a hostage negotiation with some colleagues of mine in Texas that went on for a very long time .
I had previously presented to some of the negotiators from that particular team and I was so excited when they reached a peaceful resolution .
It 's satisfying to think I may have contributed in some small way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have felt for a while that it is my mission and purpose in life to train police officers in the field of negotiation ; it 's truly where my passion lies .
Scott Tillema is an active duty law enforcement officer and nationally recognized leader in the field of crisis and hostage negotiations .
Scott has developed a model for crisis negotiation , which he now also uses for training in sales , communication , influence , and leadership .
Find out more at ScottTillema.com .
All views expressed in this article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have thoughts of suicide , confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline .
Call 1-800-273-8255 .
The line is available 24 hours , every day .

The first time I was the primary negotiator—the guy who is actually on the phone—was a Sunday morning in 2008. I remember it was early on a Sunday morning and we were not getting a lot of negotiators from our eight person team responding to say that they were able to come to this situation. It was described as a man holding a woman hostage, maybe armed with a gun, and the police thought the man may have been restraining the woman. The local police department had reached out to our regional SWAT team and asked us to assist them.
It turned out that I was one of the first negotiators on the scene, and often that's the individual who ends up speaking with the person in crisis. I just remember being so overwhelmed by how stressful it was. I had to step back from it for a moment and think, "If I don't get this right, the consequences here are well beyond anything else I've faced in my life."
I began in law enforcement working as a police officer in the Chicago area, which is the foundation needed for hostage negotiation. When I was in college, I just remember being fascinated by the wide variety of people I met. Perhaps it came from having a slightly boring childhood and not having many diverse experiences when I was much younger. I wanted to understand people—my undergraduate study was behavioral science and I went on to achieve a Master's degree in psychology. I felt that hostage negotiation was a really good field to apply my interest and education in a way that might be helpful to other people.
It's quite an honor to be selected for Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) hostage negotiation training and I was probably selected to do it a little before I had earned it; I was perhaps a little too young and had only been a police officer for five years. But with the FBI you go through extensive educational and practical training. The people in my class at Northwestern University in Chicago in 2007 were very experienced and skilled. I just remember thinking I had a lot to learn before I was going to be any good at this.
I think one of the biggest misconceptions about negotiators is that they are very good at talking with people. Of course, they are very good at that, but I think the bigger component is that they are terrific listeners—they're good at drawing out what's not being said and how to thoughtfully get into areas that are being avoided. The very top negotiators are listening to the words reading body language and studying expressions —especially in 2020 when we're doing more negotiations face-to-face digitally.
During my initial training we would sit back-to-back while the whole class would watch, the situation forced us to focus on listening. It's a great way to manufacture the pressure that you have when you actually conduct a negotiation.
Another big part of the training is to understand the various skills of active listening, which isn't a secret, it's articulated in many books. Because as soon as you're talking to someone and they feel that you're reading off a script or going through a checklist, that communication becomes very fake. We all want to connect with someone who is genuine and really cares about us. And the great negotiators are the ones who are really able to listen and connect with someone and have that person in crisis feel the negotiator is a likeable, genuine person who cares.
We're very lucky that we don't see a lot of purposeful hostage taking in the U.S. The majority of the work we do as police negotiators is actually crisis negotiation; dealing with a single individual who is in crisis and may be threatening themselves with a weapon or threatening others with a weapon. They could be armed and barricaded inside a home, room or business.
Fortunately, that first negotiation I led in 2008 turned out to be OK, we had a conversation and very quickly it seemed that the situation was over; he came out and everything was OK. The lesson I learned was that we process information differently under stress. It was when I really understood and felt such respect for the job because the consequences of getting it wrong truly are life or death.
The situations that don't work out are really the ones that stick with you. We had one case where we spoke to a man for nearly a day, but he did ultimately injure himself. Fortunately he survived. You can't simulate those experiences in training, so afterwards I look back and reflect on what I could have done better or differently. Ultimately, that person in crisis is in control of making that decision, but you do remember those types of calls.
We once had a domestic hostage taking situation where a man had been stalking his ex-girlfriend to the point where she had to move out of her home and find safety somewhere else, but yet he was able to track her down and find her. When the police got there, that man shot and significantly injured a police officer at that scene. In that particular case our team was called to negotiate with someone who is holding his girlfriend hostage and has already shot a police officer. So, we knew the level of danger was very high. And we knew there was a high level of emotion with a lot of the officers involved because this was a friend and co-worker of theirs who has just been shot and who was now fighting for his life.
That was a great example of how, even given the situation, we went to work and did our best to verbally resolve this incident and give this person every opportunity to surrender peacefully. I think that after watching police movies, people expect that a negotiator is going to come in and tell the person: "You're going to have to do this right now!" But we listen and allow the person in crisis some freedom to make choices that will impact their life and their safety.
So, we didn't send the police in to storm the house and cause him harm or put the hostage in an unsafe situation. Even in a situation like this when many people could say that this person gets whatever he gets, we have to try and resolve it peacefully. The U.S. has laws and rules that will allow for someone else to make the determination of what should happen with this individual.
As negotiators, our job is to resolve this situation safely. It's not our job to decide what should happen to this person. It's not our job to determine whether this person should live or die. We are directed by law. Unless there is an imminent or immediate reason to use deadly force on someone, if we have an ability to have a discussion and a negotiation instead, we always try to do that.
Scott Tillema is an FBI trained former hostage negotiator. He now speaks across the U.S. and trains other negotiators. William Heche
There are a lot of people out there in a lot of pain and it seems that empathy is a skill or a feeling that I believe we are losing in our society. It's so important for me as a negotiator to realize in an interaction that the person I'm talking to is experiencing pain, loss, grief or fear. I think that if all of us could have a better appreciation for realizing we are not necessarily the happy lives we put on social media, that all of us are likely struggling with a piece of our life somewhere, we would be such a kinder, gentler society.
One of the big elements of being an effective negotiator is that you need to have no preconceived notion about that person. As soon as we think that we know the situation and we have beliefs about a situation, it becomes dangerous for us, because we might be wrong.
When I teach negotiation to police officers, one of the visuals I use is a photo that I took of a sunset over a small lake near my house. The water is absolutely still, so you can see the reflection off the lake perfectly. I take that photo and I turn it upside down. I give them a glance, tell them to look for a couple of seconds and then I take it away. I have them describe the photo, and everyone describes the sunset, still water and a reflection. Then we go back and I tell them that the image I showed them was obviously wrong.
Every time I do that exercise, almost the entire room doesn't see that the image they have initially seen is obviously incorrect. What I'm trying to teach is that if we don't come in with a completely open mind to say: "I think I know what's going on, I'm starting to develop my strategy, but I might be wrong and I might need more information". The really great negotiators can suspend judgement and be very curious and have an open mind and compassion for the people we deal with.
But it is dangerous work and my wife certainly worried about me and my safety, just as she does every day I have worked as a police officer. In my younger years I have been in situations that were not entirely safe, but in the negotiation context where I'm working with a SWAT team, I'm going to be physically safe. I'm probably going to be a bit removed from the situation and I think that creating safety for that negotiator really allows for them to do their best work. All the people that do this really do it in a selfless way, they are putting other people's safety before their own. Now that I'm a little bit older with three kids at home, that's where my priority is. I'm not an active negotiator at this current moment, my focus now is on teaching the next generation of negotiators.
I'm proud and excited about teaching negotiators and passing on my knowledge and experience to the next generation. One of the big pieces of being a negotiator is that it's not about just me. Rarely do we have a situation where we have one negotiator saying: "I did that". Because you don't do anything without the team. Every time that we reach a safe resolution as a team I'm excited.
I now train around the country and very recently there was a hostage negotiation with some colleagues of mine in Texas that went on for a very long time. I had previously presented to some of the negotiators from that particular team and I was so excited when they reached a peaceful resolution.
It's satisfying to think I may have contributed in some small way to their journey to negotiation excellence.
I have felt for a while that it is my mission and purpose in life to train police officers in the field of negotiation; it's truly where my passion lies.
Scott Tillema is an active duty law enforcement officer and nationally recognized leader in the field of crisis and hostage negotiations. Scott has developed a model for crisis negotiation, which he now also uses for training in sales, communication, influence, and leadership. Find out more at ScottTillema.com.
All views expressed in this article are the author's own.
As told to Jenny Haward.
If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.


newsweek--2020-11-29--Colorado's Jared Polis Becomes Sixth U.S. Governor to Test Positive for Coronavirus

Colorado Democratic Governor Jared Polis announced on Saturday night that he and his spouse have tested positive for coronavirus .
In a statement , the governor 's office said that Polis and First Gentleman , Marlon Reis , learned that they tested positive for COVID-19 this evening .
Polis told his followers on Twitter `` we are both asymptomatic , feeling well , and will continue to isolate at home . ''
`` No person or family is immune to this virus .
I urge every Coloradan to practice caution , limit public interactions , wear a mask in public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wash your hands regularly , '' the governor said , adding that he will continue to fulfil his duties and responsibilities remotely from home .
The 45-year-old Democrat is the sixth American governor to report testing positive for the novel virus .
Four governors—two Republicans and two Democrats—contracted COVID-19 earlier this year .
Oklahoma 's Kevin Stitt , a Republican , became the first governor known to have caught the virus in July .
Virginia 's Ralph Northam , a Democrat , and Missouri 's Mike Parson , a Republican , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nevada 's Steve Sisolak , a Democrat , confirmed he had tested positive earlier this month .
A third Republican governor , Ohio 's Mike DeWine , also announced a positive test using a rapid-result test in August .
However , he tested negative hours later with a more accurate test that took longer for a result to show .
Polis ' positive test came two days after he announced that he was exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 .
`` I took a test tonight and tested negative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC and CDPHE guidance , '' he said at the time .
A third coronavirus wave has rapidly spread throughout most states in America as the country nears its winter months .
Three weeks after setting a grim record of more than 100,000 daily cases on November 4 , the U.S. recorded over 200,000 cases for the first time on Friday .
Polis on November 9 extended the state 's mask mandate for 30 additional days and urged residents to take the profound virus threat more seriously as cases climbed .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prospect of a vaccine , saying `` the end is in sight . ''
As of November 28 , more than 13.5 million individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 across the country , with over 272,000 deaths caused by the virus .
About 8 million people have recovered after being infected with the virus .
Newsweek reached out to Polis ' office for further comment .

Colorado Democratic Governor Jared Polis announced on Saturday night that he and his spouse have tested positive for coronavirus.
In a statement, the governor's office said that Polis and First Gentleman, Marlon Reis, learned that they tested positive for COVID-19 this evening. Polis told his followers on Twitter "we are both asymptomatic, feeling well, and will continue to isolate at home."
"No person or family is immune to this virus. I urge every Coloradan to practice caution, limit public interactions, wear a mask in public, stay six feet from others, and wash your hands regularly," the governor said, adding that he will continue to fulfil his duties and responsibilities remotely from home.
Colorado governor Jared Polis speaks to the media regarding the shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch at the Douglas County Sheriffs Office on May 8, 2019. Michael Ciaglo/Getty
The 45-year-old Democrat is the sixth American governor to report testing positive for the novel virus. Four governors—two Republicans and two Democrats—contracted COVID-19 earlier this year.
Oklahoma's Kevin Stitt, a Republican, became the first governor known to have caught the virus in July. Virginia's Ralph Northam, a Democrat, and Missouri's Mike Parson, a Republican, both tested positive with their wives in September. Nevada's Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, confirmed he had tested positive earlier this month.
A third Republican governor, Ohio's Mike DeWine, also announced a positive test using a rapid-result test in August. However, he tested negative hours later with a more accurate test that took longer for a result to show.
Polis' positive test came two days after he announced that he was exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19. "I took a test tonight and tested negative, but will begin quarantining, per CDC and CDPHE guidance," he said at the time.
A third coronavirus wave has rapidly spread throughout most states in America as the country nears its winter months. Three weeks after setting a grim record of more than 100,000 daily cases on November 4, the U.S. recorded over 200,000 cases for the first time on Friday.
Polis on November 9 extended the state's mask mandate for 30 additional days and urged residents to take the profound virus threat more seriously as cases climbed. At the same time, he expressed optimism at the prospect of a vaccine, saying "the end is in sight."
As of November 28, more than 13.5 million individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 across the country, with over 272,000 deaths caused by the virus. About 8 million people have recovered after being infected with the virus.
Newsweek reached out to Polis' office for further comment.


newsweek--2020-11-28--Trump Tweets Legal Advice from Diamond and Silk to Support Voter Fraud Allegations

President Donald Trump on Saturday night tweeted legal advice from former Fox Nation personalities Lynnette Hardaway and Rochelle Richardson , also known as Diamond and Silk , to support his unverified claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election .
The roughly four-minute clip shared by Trump shows Hardaway and Richardson insinuating voter fraud in an appearance on Newsmax .
`` Voter fraud is : impersonating people at the polls , false registrations , duplicate voting , fraudulent use of absentee ballots , buying votes , illegal assistance at the polls , ineligible voting like illegal aliens voting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count , ballot petition fraud .
Those are some of the fraudulent activities , '' Hardaway said .
The political personality went on to explain the difference between voter fraud and election fraud .
`` Election fraud is when you talk about the system , like the systems being used and how the votes are tabulated and how the vote was pulled from Donald Trump and given to Biden , '' she said .
In April , Fox News cut ties with Diamond and Silk—two pro-Trump vloggers who rose to prominence amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for spreading coronavirus disinformation .
Over the past four years , the duo have hosted `` Women United for Trump '' events , appeared onstage at Trump campaign rallies and contributed weekly original content to Fox Nation , before the network sought distance from them .
Media reporters noticed that Diamond and Silk had not shared any new videos to Fox News since April 7 , one day after they were briefly locked out of Twitter for encouraging their followers to flout stay-at-home orders put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of conspiracy theories on Twitter and their YouTube channel .
On March 30 , they accused the media and health officials of inflating domestic coronavirus-related deaths to hurt Trump 's reputation in a livestream .
`` What I need to know is how many people have passed away in New York , and what I need to know is : Who has the bodies ? ''
Hardaway asked .
`` I need for somebody that does investigative work to call the morgues .
To call the funeral homes .
We need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything else ... Something 's not right here .
Something is off here . ''
Richardson called the virus `` man-made '' and wondered if the World Health Organization had a `` switch [ to ] turn this virus on and off . ''
On April 10 , Diamond and Silk questioned whether `` deep state snakes '' were crafting 5G technology to infect people with coronavirus , pushing a prevalent conspiracy theory .
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment .

President Donald Trump on Saturday night tweeted legal advice from former Fox Nation personalities Lynnette Hardaway and Rochelle Richardson, also known as Diamond and Silk, to support his unverified claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
The roughly four-minute clip shared by Trump shows Hardaway and Richardson insinuating voter fraud in an appearance on Newsmax. "Voter fraud is: impersonating people at the polls, false registrations, duplicate voting, fraudulent use of absentee ballots, buying votes, illegal assistance at the polls, ineligible voting like illegal aliens voting, dead people voting, altering the vote count, ballot petition fraud. Those are some of the fraudulent activities," Hardaway said.
The political personality went on to explain the difference between voter fraud and election fraud. "Election fraud is when you talk about the system, like the systems being used and how the votes are tabulated and how the vote was pulled from Donald Trump and given to Biden," she said.
In April, Fox News cut ties with Diamond and Silk—two pro-Trump vloggers who rose to prominence amid the 2016 election cycle—after they faced public outrage for spreading coronavirus disinformation. Over the past four years, the duo have hosted "Women United for Trump" events, appeared onstage at Trump campaign rallies and contributed weekly original content to Fox Nation, before the network sought distance from them.
Media reporters noticed that Diamond and Silk had not shared any new videos to Fox News since April 7, one day after they were briefly locked out of Twitter for encouraging their followers to flout stay-at-home orders put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The duo has previously shared a number of conspiracy theories on Twitter and their YouTube channel. On March 30, they accused the media and health officials of inflating domestic coronavirus-related deaths to hurt Trump's reputation in a livestream.
"What I need to know is how many people have passed away in New York, and what I need to know is: Who has the bodies?" Hardaway asked. "I need for somebody that does investigative work to call the morgues. To call the funeral homes. We need to know, because I don't trust anything else... Something's not right here. Something is off here."
Richardson called the virus "man-made" and wondered if the World Health Organization had a "switch [to] turn this virus on and off."
On April 10, Diamond and Silk questioned whether "deep state snakes" were crafting 5G technology to infect people with coronavirus, pushing a prevalent conspiracy theory.
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment.


newsweek--2020-11-28--GOP Lawmaker Slams Republican Trump Loyalists, Calls Out 'Anti-American' Supporters, Says He's 'Damn

GOP Lawmaker Slams Republican Trump Loyalists, Calls Out 'Anti-American' Supporters, Says He's 'Damn Sick of It'

Outgoing Republican Congressman Denver Riggleman of Virginia on Saturday unleashed a barrage of criticism against Donald Trump , his allies and `` anti-American '' supporters , as the president continues to cast doubt on his election loss .
Riggleman is among the few Republicans who have acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden 's victory over Trump .
Most media outlets called the election for the Democrat , who has secured 306 Electoral College votes , over two weeks ago , but Trump has refused to concede .
In an interview with Forbes , Riggleman condemned his fellow Republicans for remaining quiet amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election process by claiming a `` rigged '' and `` stolen '' election .
It 's `` completely unethical , '' he said , explaining that some of his colleagues believe that breaking with Trump would `` cost them their careers . ''
`` The career is more important than the facts , it 's that simple , '' Riggleman added .
`` I 'm so damn sick of it .
I 'm sick of it . ''
Riggleman admitted that there were `` true believers '' of Trump 's claims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to suggest that they were not smart people .
`` [ It ] really speaks to where your intelligence level is ... to believe in that type of operation , '' he said .
The lawmaker also criticized Trump for embracing `` anti-Semitic '' and `` anti-American '' supporters and added that it was `` irresponsible '' for the president to retweet QAnon conspiracies .
`` He got so desperate to retain power that he forgot he was serving people and not himself , '' Riggleman said of Trump , adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but himself , when you talk about his businesses and what he 's done . ''
In a statement to Newsweek , Riggleman noted that he does n't think all MAGA supporters are `` anti-American , '' only the ones pushing pro-Trump conspiracy theories .
He also affirmed his belief that `` conspiracy theories can cause huge damage and those that knowingly spread them and know they are false is dangerous . ''
Riggleman 's remarks came hours after he shot back at a tweet that accused him of being `` responsible '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to Trump 's loss .
The tweet named Riggleman and a number of other Republicans who have acknowledged Biden 's win or called for a peaceful transition of power to the incoming Biden administration .
`` I 'm proud to be on this list with my honorable colleagues—it 's one of many circulating , '' he responded .
`` We have been tagged and called 'traitors ' based on our use of data analytics , facts and common sense .
Time for a GOP that represents the core of America , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day , Trump has aggressively alleged widespread voter fraud and a `` rigged '' election in remarks issued to the public through Twitter .
His campaign has also filed a series of lawsuits in key states seeking to overturn his loss , but the suits have been largely unsuccessful in court so far .
On November 19 , the Trump campaign promised supporters `` massive bombshells '' pertaining to his claims , but its failure to deliver substantial evidence have caused anger among some loyalists , such as radio host Rush Limbaugh .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comment .
This story has been updated to include additional remarks from Riggleman .

Outgoing Republican Congressman Denver Riggleman of Virginia on Saturday unleashed a barrage of criticism against Donald Trump, his allies and "anti-American" supporters, as the president continues to cast doubt on his election loss.
Riggleman is among the few Republicans who have acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden's victory over Trump. Most media outlets called the election for the Democrat, who has secured 306 Electoral College votes, over two weeks ago, but Trump has refused to concede.
In an interview with Forbes, Riggleman condemned his fellow Republicans for remaining quiet amid Trump's attempts to cast doubt on the election process by claiming a "rigged" and "stolen" election. It's "completely unethical," he said, explaining that some of his colleagues believe that breaking with Trump would "cost them their careers."
President Donald Trump golfs at Trump National Golf Club on November 27, 2020 in Sterling, Virginia. Tasos Katopodis/Getty
"The career is more important than the facts, it's that simple," Riggleman added. "I'm so damn sick of it. I'm sick of it."
Riggleman admitted that there were "true believers" of Trump's claims of widespread voter fraud, but he went on to suggest that they were not smart people. "[It] really speaks to where your intelligence level is... to believe in that type of operation," he said.
The lawmaker also criticized Trump for embracing "anti-Semitic" and "anti-American" supporters and added that it was "irresponsible" for the president to retweet QAnon conspiracies.
"He got so desperate to retain power that he forgot he was serving people and not himself," Riggleman said of Trump, adding that the president has "never served anything but himself, when you talk about his businesses and what he's done."
In a statement to Newsweek, Riggleman noted that he doesn't think all MAGA supporters are "anti-American," only the ones pushing pro-Trump conspiracy theories. He also affirmed his belief that "conspiracy theories can cause huge damage and those that knowingly spread them and know they are false is dangerous."
Riggleman's remarks came hours after he shot back at a tweet that accused him of being "responsible" for the "corrupt election" that led to Trump's loss. The tweet named Riggleman and a number of other Republicans who have acknowledged Biden's win or called for a peaceful transition of power to the incoming Biden administration.
"I'm proud to be on this list with my honorable colleagues—it's one of many circulating," he responded. "We have been tagged and called 'traitors' based on our use of data analytics, facts and common sense. Time for a GOP that represents the core of America, not the manic fringes."
Since Election Day, Trump has aggressively alleged widespread voter fraud and a "rigged" election in remarks issued to the public through Twitter. His campaign has also filed a series of lawsuits in key states seeking to overturn his loss, but the suits have been largely unsuccessful in court so far.
On November 19, the Trump campaign promised supporters "massive bombshells" pertaining to his claims, but its failure to deliver substantial evidence have caused anger among some loyalists, such as radio host Rush Limbaugh.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.
This story has been updated to include additional remarks from Riggleman.


newsweek--2020-11-29--Joe Biden's Entirely Female WH Communications Team Includes Ex-Bernie Sanders Press Sec

Democratic President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Sunday announced the first-ever all-female White House senior communications team .
`` I am proud to announce today the first senior White House communications team comprised entirely of women .
These qualified , experienced communicators bring diverse perspectives to their work and a shared commitment to building this country back better , '' Biden said in a statement .
`` Communicating directly and truthfully to the American people is one of the most important duties of a President , and this team will be entrusted with the tremendous responsibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House , '' he added .
Most members of the new team have previously worked for Biden and other Democrats .
Jen Psaki , who was named as the White House press secretary , had served under the Obama administration as a White House communications director , deputy White House communications director , and deputy White House press secretary .
`` Honored to work again for @ JoeBiden , a man I worked on behalf of during the Obama-Biden Admin as he helped lead economic recovery , rebuilt our relationships with partners ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empathy and humanity into nearly every meeting I sat in , '' Psaki wrote in a tweet after the announcement .
Symone Sanders was named as senior adviser and chief spokeswoman for the vice president .
She previously worked as a senior adviser on Biden 's 2020 campaign after serving as Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders ' 2020 campaign press secretary .
`` Also AN ALL LADY SQUAD ?
!
I am excited to serve alongside @ AshleyEtienne09 , my battle buddy @ KBeds , @ jrpsaki , @ pilitobar87 and @ EAlexander332 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are elated to get to work for the people and build back better !
Lets go ladies ! ''
Symone Sanders tweeted .
Kate Bedingfield is slated to become Biden 's White House communications director .
Prior to the announcement , Bedingfield was the Biden campaign 's communications director and deputy campaign manager .
She also worked for the former vice president under the Obama administration .
`` I 'm unspeakably proud to have the opportunity to serve as White House Communications Director for @ joebiden , '' Bedingfield tweeted .
`` Working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign gave me insight into what kind of capable , compassionate , clear-eyed president he will be and it will be a profound honor to be a small part of his work . ''
The Biden administration 's principal deputy press secretary will be Karine Jean-Pierre , who worked as an adviser for Biden 's 2020 campaign .
Jean-Pierre was previously an MSNBC and NBC analyst .
Pili Tober , a former deputy director at America 's Voice , a nonprofit focused on immigration reform , was named the deputy White House communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director will be Ashley Etienne , who also worked on Biden 's campaign as an adviser .
Etienne had served as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's communications director and senior adviser .
`` On behalf of our House Democratic Majority , I congratulate Ashley and thank her for her important and impactful service in my office and in the House , '' Pelosi said in a statement .
`` Her experience working on both sides of Pennsylvania Avenue and the immense respect she commands among both Members and staff will make her a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Former Biden campaign senior adviser Elizabeth Alexander was named as first lady Jill Biden 's communications director .
`` Honored & humbled to join @ DrBiden and her growing team as she charts her own historic path forward as the next FLOTUS .
And so proud [ to ] be part of this group of hard-working pros and strategic communicators , '' Alexander wrote on Twitter .
Newsweek reached out to the president-elect 's transition team for additional information .

Democratic President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Sunday announced the first-ever all-female White House senior communications team.
"I am proud to announce today the first senior White House communications team comprised entirely of women. These qualified, experienced communicators bring diverse perspectives to their work and a shared commitment to building this country back better," Biden said in a statement.
"Communicating directly and truthfully to the American people is one of the most important duties of a President, and this team will be entrusted with the tremendous responsibility of connecting the American people to the White House," he added.
Most members of the new team have previously worked for Biden and other Democrats. Jen Psaki, who was named as the White House press secretary, had served under the Obama administration as a White House communications director, deputy White House communications director, and deputy White House press secretary.
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris hold a news conference at the Queen Theater on November 19, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. Joe Raedle/Getty
"Honored to work again for @JoeBiden, a man I worked on behalf of during the Obama-Biden Admin as he helped lead economic recovery, rebuilt our relationships with partners (turns out good practice) and injected empathy and humanity into nearly every meeting I sat in," Psaki wrote in a tweet after the announcement.
Symone Sanders was named as senior adviser and chief spokeswoman for the vice president. She previously worked as a senior adviser on Biden's 2020 campaign after serving as Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders' 2020 campaign press secretary.
"Also AN ALL LADY SQUAD?! I am excited to serve alongside @AshleyEtienne09, my battle buddy @KBeds, @jrpsaki, @pilitobar87 and @EAlexander332. We each take our service seriously and are elated to get to work for the people and build back better! Lets go ladies!" Symone Sanders tweeted.
Kate Bedingfield is slated to become Biden's White House communications director. Prior to the announcement, Bedingfield was the Biden campaign's communications director and deputy campaign manager. She also worked for the former vice president under the Obama administration.
"I'm unspeakably proud to have the opportunity to serve as White House Communications Director for @joebiden," Bedingfield tweeted. "Working for him as VP and on this campaign gave me insight into what kind of capable, compassionate, clear-eyed president he will be and it will be a profound honor to be a small part of his work."
The Biden administration's principal deputy press secretary will be Karine Jean-Pierre, who worked as an adviser for Biden's 2020 campaign. Jean-Pierre was previously an MSNBC and NBC analyst.
Pili Tober, a former deputy director at America's Voice, a nonprofit focused on immigration reform, was named the deputy White House communications director.
Vice President-elect Harris' communications director will be Ashley Etienne, who also worked on Biden's campaign as an adviser. Etienne had served as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's communications director and senior adviser.
"On behalf of our House Democratic Majority, I congratulate Ashley and thank her for her important and impactful service in my office and in the House," Pelosi said in a statement. "Her experience working on both sides of Pennsylvania Avenue and the immense respect she commands among both Members and staff will make her a powerful force in the Biden-Harris Administration."
Former Biden campaign senior adviser Elizabeth Alexander was named as first lady Jill Biden's communications director.
"Honored & humbled to join @DrBiden and her growing team as she charts her own historic path forward as the next FLOTUS. And so proud [to] be part of this group of hard-working pros and strategic communicators," Alexander wrote on Twitter.
Newsweek reached out to the president-elect's transition team for additional information.


newsweek--2020-11-29--'Fargo' Season 5: Will There Be Another Season of the FX Show?

Fargo is bringing its longest season yet to a close , with the season finale of the FX show airing on November 29 .
After that point , fans could be in for a long wait for Season 5—if it comes at all .
So far , series creator Noah Hawley has been noncommittal when asked about the potential of a Fargo Season 5 .
In a press call in September 2020 , for example , he said , `` I 'm certainly not ruling it out . ''
Previously , Hawley also suggested he had other priorities over making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be another few years before we get more from the FX anthology show .
At a Television Critics Association event , he said , `` I have a novel , I 'm trying to finish , it 's not my goal to race back into production . ''
This seems to suggest that fans of the show could be in for another long wait .
There were 16 months between Seasons 2 and 3 , and a massive 39 month ( three years and three months ) between Seasons 3 and 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until 2022 or 2023 if it does get another season .
Ratings have been down for Season 4 , which could be another factor why the show is not rushing into a new season .
The last season managed an average of 1.1 million viewers , while the latest has averaged 800,000 , a reduction of a third and the first time the average has dropped under 1 million viewers per episode .
This could hint that , while the show has not been outright canceled , FX and Hawley may simply choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed a production deal with the channel in 2015 , and among the projects , he is said to be working on are an adaptation of the Kurt Vonnegut novel Cat 's Cradle .
Hawley has also been attached to plenty of projects in recent years which will keep him pretty busy .
In fall 2020 , for example , he finished a script for a new Star Trek movie , starring an entirely new Enterprise crew .
This project is currently been put on hold , but could be restarted once the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview , however , Hawley seemed to have been thinking more about Fargo Season 5 , but still seemed noncommittal about the show 's future .
He told the LA Times : `` Well , I spent three years saying I was done , and then not being done .
So I 'm not going to say that this time ...
The only reason to do another is if you think it could be the best one yet .
And that 's certainly what I have felt about this fourth year , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So I 'll walk right up to the starting gate , and if I feel like I ca n't top it , we might not start .
But I do n't know , I like a challenge . ''
Fargo Season 4 concludes on Sunday , November 29 at 10 p.m .
ET / 9 p.m. CT on FX .
Seasons 1 to 4 are streaming now on Hulu .

Fargo is bringing its longest season yet to a close, with the season finale of the FX show airing on November 29. After that point, fans could be in for a long wait for Season 5—if it comes at all.
So far, series creator Noah Hawley has been noncommittal when asked about the potential of a Fargo Season 5. In a press call in September 2020, for example, he said, "I'm certainly not ruling it out."
Previously, Hawley also suggested he had other priorities over making a new season, meaning that it could be another few years before we get more from the FX anthology show. At a Television Critics Association event, he said, "I have a novel, I'm trying to finish, it's not my goal to race back into production."
This seems to suggest that fans of the show could be in for another long wait. There were 16 months between Seasons 2 and 3, and a massive 39 month (three years and three months) between Seasons 3 and 4, suggesting that Fargo might not return until 2022 or 2023 if it does get another season.
Chris Rock leads the cast of 'Fargo' Season 4, currently airing on FX and Hulu. FX
Ratings have been down for Season 4, which could be another factor why the show is not rushing into a new season. The last season managed an average of 1.1 million viewers, while the latest has averaged 800,000, a reduction of a third and the first time the average has dropped under 1 million viewers per episode.
This could hint that, while the show has not been outright canceled, FX and Hawley may simply choose to work on other projects. He signed a production deal with the channel in 2015, and among the projects, he is said to be working on are an adaptation of the Kurt Vonnegut novel Cat's Cradle.
Hawley has also been attached to plenty of projects in recent years which will keep him pretty busy. In fall 2020, for example, he finished a script for a new Star Trek movie, starring an entirely new Enterprise crew. This project is currently been put on hold, but could be restarted once the pandemic is over.
In a recent interview, however, Hawley seemed to have been thinking more about Fargo Season 5, but still seemed noncommittal about the show's future.
He told the LA Times: "Well, I spent three years saying I was done, and then not being done. So I'm not going to say that this time...The only reason to do another is if you think it could be the best one yet. And that's certainly what I have felt about this fourth year, and it's a hard one to top. So I'll walk right up to the starting gate, and if I feel like I can't top it, we might not start. But I don't know, I like a challenge."
Fargo Season 4 concludes on Sunday, November 29 at 10 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. CT on FX. Seasons 1 to 4 are streaming now on Hulu.