newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Florida man conspired to kill teen girlfriend over suspected pregnancy: cops

A Florida man allegedly conspired with his brothers to kidnap and kill his teen girlfriend , because he mistakenly believed she was pregnant , police said this week , finally announcing arrests in the 2006 cold case .
Ralph Williams , now 36 , and his two siblings were charged in the murder of 16-year-old Amber Woods , whose body was found 14 years ago along a road in Manatee County , authorities announced Monday .
“ Cold , callous , just the worst in our society , ” Sheriff Rick Wells said of the suspects .
“ This girl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her , and they treated her like she was nothing.
” The teen was last seen alive by her aunt at home around 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 11 , 2006 .
She was found shot dead seven hours later , after a driver spotted her body some 20 feet off of State Road 62 .
Williams , who was 20 at the time , apparently believed that his teen girlfriend was pregnant with his child and had wanted to end their relationship , Wells said .
Fearing he could face criminal charges because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his brother , Tyjuan Williams , and their half-brother , Jamaine Brown , to kill the girl , the sheriff said .
The sick trio kidnapped Amber and drove her to a rural location off the state road , where , “ They got out of the car , and Tyjuan shot Amber once in the back , ” Wells said .
“ Jamaine and Ralph then dragged her deceased body off the roadway into the high grass , before fleeing the scene.
” An autopsy would later confirm that the teen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brothers had been suspects early on , but detectives did not have enough evidence to charge them , The Bradenton Herald reported .
“ We always believed that these three murderers were in cahoots together and were trying to do everything they could to conceal the fact that they had murdered Amber , ” Wells said .
“ They went the last several years like nothing ever happened.
” Investigators revisited the case in April 2019 and , using previously unavailable cellular tracking software , were allegedly able to place a cellphone used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s body was found .
On Dec. 15 , Ralph Williams and Tyjuan Williams , 32 , were charged with second-degree murder .
Both were already in custody in other Florida counties on unrelated charges and are awaiting extradition , Wells said .
Brown , 37 , was arrested on May 20 and charged with kidnapping for allegedly driving his half-brothers and Amber to the murder scene , Wells said .
He pleaded no contest to a charge of accessory to murder after the fact on Friday .
As part of his plea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing to authorities , the Herald reported .
Amber ’ s sister , Crystal Moses , thanked authorities during Monday ’ s press conference , saying she was “ ecstatic ” about the charges — and hoped the alleged killers would “ rot in hell.
” “ Justice has been proven , ” she said , “ it ’ s just taken a long time .
”

A Florida man allegedly conspired with his brothers to kidnap and kill his teen girlfriend, because he mistakenly believed she was pregnant, police said this week, finally announcing arrests in the 2006 cold case.
Ralph Williams, now 36, and his two siblings were charged in the murder of 16-year-old Amber Woods, whose body was found 14 years ago along a road in Manatee County, authorities announced Monday.
“Cold, callous, just the worst in our society,” Sheriff Rick Wells said of the suspects.
“This girl had her whole life in front of her, and they treated her like she was nothing.”
The teen was last seen alive by her aunt at home around 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 11, 2006.
She was found shot dead seven hours later, after a driver spotted her body some 20 feet off of State Road 62.
Williams, who was 20 at the time, apparently believed that his teen girlfriend was pregnant with his child and had wanted to end their relationship, Wells said.
Fearing he could face criminal charges because she was underage, he allegedly plotted with his brother, Tyjuan Williams, and their half-brother, Jamaine Brown, to kill the girl, the sheriff said.
The sick trio kidnapped Amber and drove her to a rural location off the state road, where, “They got out of the car, and Tyjuan shot Amber once in the back,” Wells said.
“Jamaine and Ralph then dragged her deceased body off the roadway into the high grass, before fleeing the scene.”
An autopsy would later confirm that the teen had not been pregnant.
The three brothers had been suspects early on, but detectives did not have enough evidence to charge them, The Bradenton Herald reported.
“We always believed that these three murderers were in cahoots together and were trying to do everything they could to conceal the fact that they had murdered Amber,” Wells said.
“They went the last several years like nothing ever happened.”
Investigators revisited the case in April 2019 and, using previously unavailable cellular tracking software, were allegedly able to place a cellphone used by Ralph Williams near where Amber’s body was found.
On Dec. 15, Ralph Williams and Tyjuan Williams, 32, were charged with second-degree murder.
Both were already in custody in other Florida counties on unrelated charges and are awaiting extradition, Wells said.
Brown, 37, was arrested on May 20 and charged with kidnapping for allegedly driving his half-brothers and Amber to the murder scene, Wells said.
He pleaded no contest to a charge of accessory to murder after the fact on Friday. As part of his plea deal, he detailed the kidnapping and killing to authorities, the Herald reported.
Amber’s sister, Crystal Moses, thanked authorities during Monday’s press conference, saying she was “ecstatic” about the charges — and hoped the alleged killers would “rot in hell.”
“Justice has been proven,” she said, “it’s just taken a long time.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--US close on deal with Pfizer for millions more vaccine doses

WASHINGTON — The U.S. government is close to a deal to acquire tens of millions of additional doses of Pfizer ’ s vaccine in exchange for helping the pharmaceutical giant gain better access to manufacturing supplies .
A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the deal is under discussion and could be finalized shortly .
The person spoke on condition of anonymity to describe ongoing deliberations .
Pfizer ’ s vaccine was the first to gain approval from the Food and Drug Administration and initial shipments went to states last week .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Moderna , which was developed in closer cooperation with scientists from the National Institutes of Health .
Moderna ’ s vaccine comes under the umbrella of the government ’ s own effort , which is called Operation Warp Speed .
That public-private endeavor was designed to have millions of vaccine doses ready and available to ship once a shot received FDA approval .
But another deal with Pfizer would move the nation closer to the goal of vaccinating all Americans .
A law dating back to the Korean War gives the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical goods in times of national emergency .
Called the Defense Production Act , it ’ s expected to be invoked to help Pfizer secure some raw materials needed for its vaccine .
Pfizer already has a contract to supply the government with 100 million doses of its vaccine under Operation Warp Speed , but government officials have said it ’ s more of an arms-length relationship with the company and they don ’ t have as much visibility into its operations .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more doses , but details provided Tuesday about the company ’ s desire for better access to supplies are new .
Earlier , U.S. officials had said they were discussing the purchase of another 100 million doses of Pfizer vaccine for delivery as early as the middle of next year .
Those details and timing may have changed .
Pfizer said in a statement that “ we continue to work collaboratively with the U.S. government to get doses of our COVID-19 vaccine to as many Americans as possible .
The company is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussions that may be taking place with the U.S. government.
” The vaccine from Pfizer and German pharmaceutical BioNTech immediately raised hopes of taming a pandemic that has killed nearly 320,000 people in the U.S. and hobbled much of the national economy .
Health care workers and nursing home residents topped the list as local TV stations across the country began broadcasting scenes of the first vaccinations .
Some polls show skepticism about getting vaccinated may be easing .
After early failures with testing , Trump administration officials are hoping to write a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warp Speed has financed the development , manufacture and distribution of millions of doses , with the goal of providing a free vaccine to any American who wants one .
Operation Warp Speed is on track to have about 40 million doses of vaccine by the end of this month , of which about 20 million would be allocated for first vaccinations .
Distribution of those doses would span into the first week of January .
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two shots to be fully effective .
The New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiations between Pfizer and the Trump administration .

WASHINGTON — The U.S. government is close to a deal to acquire tens of millions of additional doses of Pfizer’s vaccine in exchange for helping the pharmaceutical giant gain better access to manufacturing supplies.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the deal is under discussion and could be finalized shortly. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to describe ongoing deliberations.
Pfizer’s vaccine was the first to gain approval from the Food and Drug Administration and initial shipments went to states last week. It has now been joined by a vaccine from Moderna, which was developed in closer cooperation with scientists from the National Institutes of Health.
Moderna’s vaccine comes under the umbrella of the government’s own effort, which is called Operation Warp Speed. That public-private endeavor was designed to have millions of vaccine doses ready and available to ship once a shot received FDA approval.
But another deal with Pfizer would move the nation closer to the goal of vaccinating all Americans.
A law dating back to the Korean War gives the government authority to direct private companies to produce critical goods in times of national emergency. Called the Defense Production Act, it’s expected to be invoked to help Pfizer secure some raw materials needed for its vaccine.
Pfizer already has a contract to supply the government with 100 million doses of its vaccine under Operation Warp Speed, but government officials have said it’s more of an arms-length relationship with the company and they don’t have as much visibility into its operations.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said last week that the government was negotiating with Pfizer for more doses, but details provided Tuesday about the company’s desire for better access to supplies are new.
Earlier, U.S. officials had said they were discussing the purchase of another 100 million doses of Pfizer vaccine for delivery as early as the middle of next year. Those details and timing may have changed.
Pfizer said in a statement that “we continue to work collaboratively with the U.S. government to get doses of our COVID-19 vaccine to as many Americans as possible. The company is not able to comment on any confidential discussions that may be taking place with the U.S. government.”
The vaccine from Pfizer and German pharmaceutical BioNTech immediately raised hopes of taming a pandemic that has killed nearly 320,000 people in the U.S. and hobbled much of the national economy. Health care workers and nursing home residents topped the list as local TV stations across the country began broadcasting scenes of the first vaccinations. Some polls show skepticism about getting vaccinated may be easing.
After early failures with testing, Trump administration officials are hoping to write a very different ending with vaccines. Operation Warp Speed has financed the development, manufacture and distribution of millions of doses, with the goal of providing a free vaccine to any American who wants one.
Operation Warp Speed is on track to have about 40 million doses of vaccine by the end of this month, of which about 20 million would be allocated for first vaccinations. Distribution of those doses would span into the first week of January. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two shots to be fully effective.
The New York Times first reported the new details of negotiations between Pfizer and the Trump administration.


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Man fatally shot inside NYC liquor store

A 24-year-old man was shot in the head inside an East Harlem liquor store and died on Tuesday night , police said .
The victim was with a group at R & C Wine & Liquor on East 111th Street near Madison Avenue around 9:40 p.m. , when an argument broke out , according to preliminary information obtained by cops .
“ It happened so fast — within a minute , ” said 30-year-old Yi Shy , who was working at the shop when the shots rang out .
The staffer was helping a customer when a group of six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started fighting … pushing each other , ” he recalled .
“ Then there was a shooting sound and everyone started running out , ” including the victim , who apparently collapsed somewhere outside , Shy said .
Authorities found him with a gunshot wound to the head .
He was taken to Harlem Hospital Center and pronounced dead , the NYPD said .
The victim wasn ’ t immediately identified .
No arrests had been made as of late Tuesday .
Photos from the scene showed the corners of both East 111th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cordoned off with yellow police tape and several NYPD officers in the area .
The liquor store worker , Shy , still hadn ’ t left the store at around 11:30 p.m. , as cops investigated .
“ I thought it was just a BB gun , ” he recalled of hearing the shot , adding that then , “ I looked down on the floor [ and ] there was bullet shell.
” Hours earlier and across town , a 44-year-old man was also shot in the head and died , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between West 132nd and 133rd streets in Harlem .

A 24-year-old man was shot in the head inside an East Harlem liquor store and died on Tuesday night, police said.
The victim was with a group at R&C Wine & Liquor on East 111th Street near Madison Avenue around 9:40 p.m., when an argument broke out, according to preliminary information obtained by cops.
“It happened so fast — within a minute,” said 30-year-old Yi Shy, who was working at the shop when the shots rang out.
The staffer was helping a customer when a group of six or seven people strolled in and “started fighting … pushing each other,” he recalled.
“Then there was a shooting sound and everyone started running out,” including the victim, who apparently collapsed somewhere outside, Shy said.
Authorities found him with a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to Harlem Hospital Center and pronounced dead, the NYPD said.
The victim wasn’t immediately identified. No arrests had been made as of late Tuesday.
Photos from the scene showed the corners of both East 111th and East 110th streets at Madison Avenue cordoned off with yellow police tape and several NYPD officers in the area.
The liquor store worker, Shy, still hadn’t left the store at around 11:30 p.m., as cops investigated.
“I thought it was just a BB gun,” he recalled of hearing the shot, adding that then, “I looked down on the floor [and] there was bullet shell.”
Hours earlier and across town, a 44-year-old man was also shot in the head and died, at around 5:45 p.m., on Seventh Avenue between West 132nd and 133rd streets in Harlem.


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Fort Bragg soldier kills pregnant wife, turns gun on himself

A Fort Bragg soldier fatally shot his pregnant wife — who was due on Christmas Day — before turning the @ @ @ @ @ night , according to reports .
Staff Sgt .
Keith Lewis , 31 , allegedly @ @ @ @ @ while the couple ’ s 3-year-old daughter was with them at their Fayetteville , North @ @ @ @ @ Times reported .
Keith Lewis was declared dead on scene .
His wife , 34-year-old @ @ @ @ @ to the hospital , but she and her unborn child could not be saved .
@ @ @ @ @ fun and lighthearted and easygoing and really had a heart to be of service , @ @ @ @ @ news station .
Sarah was due to have her fourth child — and second with @ @ @ @ @ , the report said .
The mother was also a member of the military until @ @ @ @ @ , family members told WRAL .
Police in 2016 had responded to the Lewis ’ @ @ @ @ @ call , but no charges were filed , the Fayetteville Observer reported .

A Fort Bragg soldier fatally shot his pregnant wife — who was due on Christmas Day — before turning the gun on himself on Sunday night, according to reports.
Staff Sgt. Keith Lewis, 31, allegedly carried out the fatal shootings while the couple’s 3-year-old daughter was with them at their home in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the Army Times reported.
Keith Lewis was declared dead on scene. His wife, 34-year-old Sarah Lewis, was taken to the hospital, but she and her unborn child could not be saved.
“It’s a complete shock. It’s like a horror movie,” Sarah’s aunt, Tammy De Mirza, told WRAL.
“She was vivacious and fun and lighthearted and easygoing and really had a heart to be of service,” the aunt told the news station.
Sarah was due to have her fourth child — and second with Keith, her second husband, the report said.
The mother was also a member of the military until she had her first baby, family members told WRAL.
Police in 2016 had responded to the Lewises’ home for a domestic dispute call, but no charges were filed, the Fayetteville Observer reported.


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Kyrie Irving is a Nets leader no matter what he says

It is hard to believe that any of this could ...

Before the Nets opened the season against Golden State, all the attention was on Kevin Durant’s Achilles. Now with Kyrie Irving’s Christmas Day return to Boston, the scrutiny will be on the All-Star’s attitude.
Irving will demure he’s not the Nets leader. Salty Celtics fans will claim he couldn’t lead if he tried. But here’s the thing: The way Brooklyn is built — with Durant’s quiet nature and the departure of several steadying veterans — Irving is going to be looked to whether he wants to admit it or not.
“You look up after practice and Kevin, Ky are always out there. Caris [LeVert] is following them closely and is extremely hard-working,” coach Steve Nash said. “Our guys have great routines, they have great focus and they definitely are influenced by the amount of work and effort that Kevin and Ky put in.”
While both Durant and Irving put in work, Durant is laconic and Irving is loquacious. The irony is that while Irving has had issues speaking (or not speaking) to the media, his star status combined with vocal nature has cast him not only as a vice president of the Players Association but a leader of the Nets locker room.
“Kevin doesn’t say a whole lot. He talks when he needs to, but he’s much more a lead-by-example-type guy. He definitely leads by the way he works, the way he approaches the game, the way he supports his teammates. Ky is a little more vocal,” Nash said. “He’s the head of the snake in that respect, and is able to lead guys in talking them through things, pointing and directing.
Kyrie Irving shoots over the Warriors’ James Wiseman and Juan Toscano-Anderson in the Nets’ season opener. AP
“So, he also is mentoring players. They’re both great examples. They have different styles. Kevin is much more laid-back. I think Ky is willing to mentor, talk guys through things. … They’re slightly different. It’s amazing when your top players work as hard as they do and set an example. That really is leadership.”
In his youth, Irving admitted he fell into playing too much hero ball, and he also chafed under LeBron James’ leadership in Cleveland. Then when Irving himself was asked to guide the Celtics, he acknowledges struggles in doing so. It contributed to clashes with some teammates, and an ugly exit.
On Christmas Day, Irving will play his first regular-season game in Boston since joining the Nets in June 2019. Learning from clashes with Celtics teammates, he’s taking pains to avoid sound bites and present a unified Nets front of egalitarian teamwork. Even if those teammates admit they’re looking to him.
“We want to be the best team,” Irving said. “We don’t want to be a great collection of just me and KD and other guys that we have. No, we want to be a great team. The Brooklyn Nets team. I’m not the leading voice in the locker room. I’m not the leader here. I’m not this one guy that’s depended upon to get us over the hump. Nah. We have other great players that are developing, that are already established.
“We just need to continue to give knowledge when needed to these players that are thirsty for it. These guys here want to win just as bad as us. We have that winning mentality and attitude. It’s easy for me to fall in line and follow direction.”
LeVert is one of those players thirsty for knowledge. He joined Irving and Durant to give the Nets three 20-point scorers in an opener for the first time since 2007. And with LeVert often seen as a potential third star in Brooklyn, Irving has taken his young teammate under his wing.
“Super helpful,” LeVert said. “Super, super, super helpful. He’s one of those guys that’s calling me after a good game, calling me after a bad game, talking after every practice, when we’re on the plane, constant communication. And that’s something that I thank him for every day.
“He’s on me; he’s on me each and every day. It’s always truthful, its always real. It’s always the right — not necessarily what I want to hear — but it’s the right thing to say. So I definitely cherish that, for sure.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Gary Sanchez is well-aware of his Yankees ‘disaster’

This holiday season , Brian Cashman is the regifter .
For if ...

Gary Sanchez has plenty of company in wanting to get this year over with.
“He felt like 2020 was a disaster for him,’’ Yankees hitting coach Marcus Thames said by phone Wednesday. “He knows it.’’
It’s why Sanchez, who spent most of this year’s postseason on the bench, called Thames shortly after the Yankees were knocked out of the playoffs and said he wanted to start hitting in Tampa.
And it’s why the 28-year-old catcher is currently getting at-bats in the Dominican Winter League.
“The fact he’s playing there says a lot,’’ Thames said. “Not a lot of guys with his credentials play down there. It shows you how much he wants to get better and get back to where he was.”
The process started with Thames and assistant hitting coach PJ Pilittere last month, as they worked with Sanchez to figure out just what went wrong last season, when the former All-Star hit just .147 with a whopping 64 strikeouts in just 178 plate appearances.
“We watched a lot of video and he wasn’t slowing the game down with his lower half,’’ Thames said. “He wasn’t staying behind the ball and he wasn’t recognizing pitches, so he was swinging at a lot of bad pitches, and swinging and missing. He normally doesn’t do that. We detected some things and I think he’s back.”
Sanchez’s numbers were ugly. His strikeout-rate was 36 percent, compared to 26.3 percent for his career. And he finished the 60-game regular season with a contact rate of 68.4 percent, a career-low.
Gary Sanchez Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Through his first 14 games with his Dominican League club, Toros del Este, Sanchez was 13-for-48, with four doubles, two homers — and 17 strikeouts to go along with six walks.
The numbers aren’t what Thames is paying the most attention to.
“It still feels new to him, but he’s making good moves to the baseball and looking like the Gary I’ve seen and we’ve been used to seeing,’’ Thames said.
No one knows Sanchez’s swing better than Thames, who coached Sanchez from Single-A Tampa to the majors, every step along the way since 2013.
“I never lost confidence in him,’’ Thames said. “I’d tell him, ‘You’re a pretty good player. You’ll figure it out.’ We only had 60 games last year, so it’s a little hard to evaluate. Those were the cards we were dealt and now he has to put it behind him.’’
To Thames, the fact Sanchez wanted to play winter ball for the first time in seven years showed his dedication.
“This was all him,’’ Thames said. “When he wanted to get started so soon, it showed me his head was in the right place. He was pumped up to play winter ball. He really has a will to get better.’’
Thames said he spoke with Sanchez last week and called him “confident as heck” — something that wasn’t always the case in 2020 amid his struggles.
Despite his woeful performance, the Yankees tendered Sanchez a contract and he’s due to make a bit more than $5 million.
Sources have said the Yankees haven’t ruled out the possibility of trading Sanchez. Earlier this month, however, general manager Brian Cashman said he thought Sanchez “would be the heir apparent” at starting catcher.
“We’re gonna certainly bet on him returning to form, the All-Star caliber player he was prior to the 2020 season,’’ Cashman said. “I know some people might take that as an excuse, but I think we’re just making what we believe is a safe bet.”
So does Thames.
“I know how hard he works,’’ Thames said. “He’s always prepared. Even in the playoffs, when he wasn’t playing every day, he was still doing the work.’’
Thames expects Sanchez to be back in Tampa next month.
“We’ll get back to work,’’ Thames said. “We’re getting his swing where it needs to be for next season, so he can get back to being the player he’s been in the past, which I know he’s still capable of being.’’


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--‘Bachelorette’ Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark visit her family

It stars the couple , their son Archie , and their dogs ...

Relationship achievement: Unlocked.
Newly engaged “Bachelorette” Tayshia Adams and the suitor she chose, Zac Clark, crossed a very specific relationship Rubicon on Wednesday when they visited the California home of Adams’ family and, crucially, Clark helped her dad move a couch.
(They say meeting the in-laws for the first time is a big deal, but really, it all comes down to the first time you have to fit a couch through a doorway together.)
In the photos, Adams and Clark wave to photographers, do some light smooching and pal around with Adams’ dad, Desmond — all in a day’s work.
The historic moment came a day after the finale of the show’s fraught 16th season. This year saw Adams get subbed in for Clare Crawley, who exited the show after making no bones about the fact she fell quickly for former NFL player Dale Moss and accepted an early proposal from him. (Crawley and Moss bestowed their blessing on Adams and Clark Wednesday.)
Clark, 36, and Adams, 30, explained Wednesday that they’re “just going to date each other” for the conceivable future, with no wedding plans as of yet. California native Adams also said she plans to be “bi-coastal” going forward; New Jersey native Clark works in New York and the couple announced their move to the Big Apple by driving off in a cardboard taxi at the end of the finale.
“I’ll have my place [in California], and I’m looking forward to spending some time in New York with him,” Adams told “Good Morning America” Wednesday.
Previous 1 of 11 Next Advertisement Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark SplashNews.com Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark SplashNews.com Advertisement Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark SplashNews.com Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark SplashNews.com Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark SplashNews.com Advertisement Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark SplashNews.com Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark SplashNews.com Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark SplashNews.com Advertisement
Coincidentally, they’ll be sharing the city with Crawley and Moss. Moss was spotted house-hunting in Manhattan in November, and the couple have also been snapped performing such hallowed NYC traditions as checking out Christmas trees and shopping at Tiffany’s.


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Knicks rookie Immanuel Quickley exits debut with injury

Knicks rookie Immanuel Quickley saw his NBA debut end early Wednesday after suffering a hip pointer against the Pacers , @ @ @ @ @ point guard appeared to hurt his hip while colliding with Indianapolis power forward Myles Turner @ @ @ @ @ The severity of the injury was not clear .
Quickley shined during the preseason after @ @ @ @ @ 25th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft , but began the season-opener off the bench @ @ @ @ @ Payton .
The 21-year-old had five points in 12 minutes .
Quickley was one of @ @ @ @ @ hit all three of his free throws , adding a rebound and assist .

Knicks rookie Immanuel Quickley saw his NBA debut end early after suffering a hip pointer during Wednesday’s loss to the Pacers, the team announced.
The point guard appeared to hurt his hip while colliding with Indianapolis power forward Myles Turner in the second quarter.
The severity of the injury was not clear.
Quickley shined during the preseason after he was selected with the 25th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but began the season-opener off the bench in favor of veteran Elfrid Payton.
The 21-year-old had five points in 12 minutes. Quickley was one of three from the field and hit all three of his free throws, adding a rebound and assist.


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Cold temps — and falling iguanas — possible in South Florida on Christmas

Christmas Day in South Florida will likely feature unusually low temperatures — along with a chance of falling iguanas , @ @ @ @ @ !
Much colder temps expected for Christmas , ” the National Weather Service ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Low temperatures in the 30s/40s and falling Iguanas are possible .
Keep up @ @ @ @ @ warm !
” The mercury is projected to stay below normal for about a week @ @ @ @ @ said .
The possibility of falling iguanas is not entirely uncommon .
Last January , @ @ @ @ @ Miami outpost issued the same alert , with an explainer as to what causes the @ @ @ @ @ cold blooded .
They slow down or become immobile when temps drop into the 40s @ @ @ @ @ trees , but they are not dead , ” the office wrote in a tweet @

Christmas Day in South Florida will likely feature unusually low temperatures — along with a chance of falling iguanas, forecasters said.
“Brrr! Much colder temps expected for Christmas,” the National Weather Service’s Miami office tweeted on Monday.
“Low temperatures in the 30s/40s and falling Iguanas are possible. Keep up with forecast changes and stay warm!”
The mercury is projected to stay below normal for about a week in South Florida, forecasters said.
The possibility of falling iguanas is not entirely uncommon.
Last January, the weather service’s Miami outpost issued the same alert, with an explainer as to what causes the phenomenon.
“Iguanas are cold blooded. They slow down or become immobile when temps drop into the 40s. They may fall from trees, but they are not dead,” the office wrote in a tweet.


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Massive Sam Darnold what-if could drastically alter Jets’ future

What if Sam Darnold performs in these final two games the way he did Sunday in Los Angeles ?
What if the Jets maligned third-year quarterback is as assured and decisive as he was in the shocking 23-20 upset victory over the Rams ?
What if Darnold throws for 300 yards and three touchdowns and doesn ’ t turn the ball over and the Jets beat the 10-4 Browns in their home finale Sunday at MetLife Stadium ?
What if he follows that up by going up to Foxborough , Mass.
, next week for the season finale and makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ghosts ?
What if Darnold ’ s 2020 résumé is capped off by three consecutive strong , winning performances — even if they came at the end of an otherwise miserable 3-13 season ?
They will have been three meaningless wins for the Jets , but would they be meaningless performances by Darnold ?
Before the upset of the Rams , the assumption was that the Jets were destined to finish 0-16 , guarantee themselves the No .
1-overall draft pick and the chance to choose Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence .
With Lawrence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ staring them in the face in April , there was going to be little decision for the Jets about what to do with Darnold .
They would move on .
Darnold would be traded for whatever the Jets could get for a third-year quarterback with a 12-24 record and 44 turnovers .
But what now ?
Barring an unexpected stumble in the next two games ( against the Bears and Colts ) by the 1-13 Jaguars , who by virtue of the Jets win in LA and Jacksonville owning the tiebreaker for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strength of schedule , they will get Lawrence .
Now the Jets must ask themselves this question once this season comes to an end : Are they better off building around Darnold ( which they ’ ve done a poor job of in the past three years ) or rolling the dice on a college quarterback not named Trevor Lawrence ?
Ohio State ’ s Justin Fields looked ordinary Saturday against Northwestern , dropping his stock .
BYU ’ s Zach Wilson looked dynamic in a meaningless bowl game against a pedestrian UCF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Kyle Trask the answer ?
North Dakota State ’ s Trey Lance ?
What if Darnold shines this Sunday and next ?
Does that change the narrative or will that be simply dismissed as garbage time ?
The Jets , remember , finished last season 6-2 after a 1-7 start .
What did that turn out to be once the 2020 season began ?
Fool ’ s gold .
“ Every game is important for evaluation in the NFL , ” former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum told The Post on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to have to make some important decisions in the offseason — most notably starting at quarterback .
The big question they ’ re going to have that a lot of people have about Sam is turnovers .
Right now , Sam has 44 turnovers since he ’ s been in the NFL .
That ’ s the sixth most of any quarterback in that time period .
“ It ’ s not unlike Daniel Jones , ’ ’ Tannenbaum went on , referring to the Giants second-year quarterback with turnover problems .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t turn the ball over , they both give their teams a reasonable chance to win .
We ’ ve seen that consistently for both teams.
” Weird statistic on Darnold , though : Of his 36 career starts , in the 14 he hasn ’ t thrown an interception , the Jets are just 3-11 .
That ’ s a result of too many bad teams around Darnold and it raises the question : Have the Jets failed Darnold more than Darnold has failed the Jets ?
The answer to that question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , doesn ’ t exonerate Darnold from the fact that he hasn ’ t been special , hasn ’ t elevated the players around him the way a No .
3-overall draft pick should .
On Sunday in LA , Darnold did that , though .
His quick and correct decision-making was the difference in the game .
Was that a flash in the pan , a blip on the radar ?
Or a sign that he ’ s starting to figure it out ?
“ I thought Sam looked real good Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ He was decisive and accurate .
That was a very encouraging performance.
’ ’ It was only the fifth game this season he ’ s had all three of his top receivers — Jamison Crowder , Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims — on the field with him at the same time .
Head coach Adam Gase was asked Wednesday what the “ next step ’ ’ is for Darnold .
“ Just keep playing games like that , ’ ’ Gase said , referring to the Rams game .
Asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it hasn ’ t yet clicked for Darnold , Gase said , “ A little bit has to do with who ’ s around him , and the consistency there .
You watch some of these quarterbacks playing with the same receivers , playing with the same skill guys .
That would be a good start for him — to have some consistency with the roster.
’ ’ The question , of course , is which roster will Darnold be on in 2021 ?

What if?
What if Sam Darnold performs in these final two games the way he did Sunday in Los Angeles?
What if the Jets’ maligned third-year quarterback is as assured and decisive as he was in the shocking 23-20 upset victory over the Rams?
What if Darnold throws for 300 yards and three touchdowns and doesn’t turn the ball over and the Jets beat the 10-4 Browns in their home finale Sunday at MetLife Stadium?
What if he follows that up by going up to Foxborough, Mass., next week for the season finale and makes Bill Belichick’s Patriots defense see ghosts?
What if Darnold’s 2020 résumé is capped off by three consecutive strong, winning performances — even if they came at the end of an otherwise miserable 3-13 season?
They will have been three meaningless wins for the Jets, but would they be meaningless performances by Darnold?
Before the upset of the Rams, the assumption was that the Jets were destined to finish 0-16, guarantee themselves the No. 1-overall draft pick and the chance to choose Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
With Lawrence, the supposed “generational talent’’ staring them in the face in April, there was going to be little decision for the Jets about what to do with Darnold. They would move on. Darnold would be traded for whatever the Jets could get for a third-year quarterback with a 12-24 record and 44 turnovers.
But what now?
Barring an unexpected stumble in the next two games (against the Bears and Colts) by the 1-13 Jaguars, who by virtue of the Jets’ win in LA and Jacksonville owning the tiebreaker for the No. 1 pick because of strength of schedule, they will get Lawrence.
Sam Darnold Corey Sipkin
Now the Jets must ask themselves this question once this season comes to an end: Are they better off building around Darnold (which they’ve done a poor job of in the past three years) or rolling the dice on a college quarterback not named Trevor Lawrence?
Ohio State’s Justin Fields looked ordinary Saturday against Northwestern, dropping his stock. BYU’s Zach Wilson looked dynamic in a meaningless bowl game against a pedestrian UCF team Tuesday night. Is Florida’s Kyle Trask the answer? North Dakota State’s Trey Lance?
What if Darnold shines this Sunday and next?
Does that change the narrative or will that be simply dismissed as garbage time?
The Jets, remember, finished last season 6-2 after a 1-7 start. What did that turn out to be once the 2020 season began? Fool’s gold.
“Every game is important for evaluation in the NFL,” former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum told The Post on Wednesday. “Look, they’re going to have to make some important decisions in the offseason — most notably starting at quarterback. The big question they’re going to have that a lot of people have about Sam is turnovers. Right now, Sam has 44 turnovers since he’s been in the NFL. That’s the sixth-most of any quarterback in that time period.
“It’s not unlike Daniel Jones,’’ Tannenbaum went on, referring to the Giants’ second-year quarterback with turnover problems. “When those young quarterbacks don’t turn the ball over, they both give their teams a reasonable chance to win. We’ve seen that consistently for both teams.”
Weird statistic on Darnold, though: Of his 36 career starts, in the 14 he hasn’t thrown an interception, the Jets are just 3-11.
That’s a result of too many bad teams around Darnold and it raises the question: Have the Jets failed Darnold more than Darnold has failed the Jets?
The answer to that question is: Yes.
That, however, doesn’t exonerate Darnold from the fact that he hasn’t been special, hasn’t elevated the players around him the way a No. 3-overall draft pick should.
On Sunday in LA, Darnold did that, though. His quick and correct decision-making was the difference in the game. Was that a flash in the pan, a blip on the radar? Or a sign that he’s starting to figure it out?
“I thought Sam looked real good Sunday against the Rams,’’ Tannenbaum said. “He was decisive and accurate. That was a very encouraging performance.’’
It was only the fifth game this season he’s had all three of his top receivers — Jamison Crowder, Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims — on the field with him at the same time.
Head coach Adam Gase was asked Wednesday what the “next step’’ is for Darnold.
“Just keep playing games like that,’’ Gase said, referring to the Rams game.
Asked why, three years into his career, it hasn’t yet clicked for Darnold, Gase said, “A little bit has to do with who’s around him, and the consistency there. You watch some of these quarterbacks playing with the same receivers, playing with the same skill guys. That would be a good start for him — to have some consistency with the roster.’’
The question, of course, is which roster will Darnold be on in 2021?


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Source of James Bradberry’s COVID-19 scare has connection to Jets

Save the highlight clips of interceptions , forced fumbles and blanket ...

James Bradberry is a Pro Bowler for the first time in his five-year NFL career, so naturally, the Giants missed him on the field in Sunday night’s 20-6 loss to the Browns.
Bradberry was unavailable because he was deemed to be a high-risk close contact of someone (his chiropractor) who tested positive for COVID-19.
“I can’t really say I blame myself,” Bradberry said. “It was just a predicament because of COVID. It was an uncontrollable accident that happened.”
Here is what went down, according to Bradberry: In his first year with the Giants after four seasons with the Panthers, he sought and found a new chiropractor during training camp.
“Football is a physical sport, it takes a toll on your body, so of course when you come to a new city you want to get a routine started with people that can help you with your recovery,” Bradberry said.
Through conversations, Bradberry learned the chiropractor worked with Jets players.
“Of course he got popped with a positive COVID test later on in the season,” Bradberry said. “I became aware he was with the Jets, so I knew he was getting tested every day, so I didn’t really see it as a problem.”
It was a problem, and Bradberry missed his first game of the season.
“It was definitely weird watching the game from my couch,’’ he said. “I was just really disappointed I wasn’t able to go out there.’’
Bradberry said getting voted into his first Pro Bowl was “surreal.’’ He said he was disappointed he did not make it after the 2019 season and believes he is playing at the same level this season.
“I think I’m just getting more recognition,’’ he said.
Outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell was designated to return to practice. If he gets through the week of practice, he will play versus the Ravens on Sunday.
The Giants can use all the pass-rush help they can get, as Fackrell’s position has been ravaged, with season-ending injuries to Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines and the trade of Markus Golden to the Cardinals. Fackrell missed the past three games on injured reserve with a calf issue. When he went on IR, Fackrell’s three sacks were second on the team to Leonard Williams. Fackrell is now third on the team in sacks, behind Williams and Dexter Lawrence (four sacks).
The Giants defense so depleted at the edge spots that David Mayo, an inside linebacker, played 25 of the 64 snaps on the outside in the loss to the Browns.
Five Giants players were limited participants in Wednesday’s practice: QB Daniel Jones (hamstring/ankle), TE Evan Engram (calf), CB Darnay Holmes (knee), OT Matt Peart (ankle) and WR Golden Tate (calf). … Nine Ravens players did not practice, including starting cornerbacks Marcus Peters (calf) and Jimmy Smith (ribs/shoulder) and WR Dez Bryant (thigh).


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Teen killed in Yonkers crash was going to meet friend before tragedy

Five men were killed in a “ catastrophic ” crash that split ...

Randy Brisbane was looking forward to hanging out with a friend Tuesday, but tragedy struck when he was later killed in a crash that claimed the lives of four others in Yonkers.
Friend Mojisola Shokeye, 18, was shattered when she learned Brisbane, Brandon Sierra, Tamari Watkins, and Anthony Cruz were all killed during a traffic stop that went horribly wrong Tuesday night.
Shokeye went to Saunders Trades and Technical High School with the 18-year-old victims, who recently graduated in June.
She especially considered Brisbane like a brother.
“Randy was like my brother. He texted me an hour before he passed away,” she told The Post on Wednesday. “Me and Randy, today we were going to go to Chick-fil-A to try the cookies.”
She added that before the crash, Brisbane last texted her that he was going to talk to her later.
The silver 2006 Nissan sedan carrying all the victims was split in half, killing them at the scene.
The incident began when Devon Haywood was driving his white 2009 Infiniti sedan erratically at South Broadway and Prospect Street just after 9:20 p.m., Yonkers police said.
Cops chased Haywood, 36, who continued to accelerate before smashing into the four teens on Culver Street, police said. Haywood later died at a local hospital.
Shokeye recalled how all the teens were good friends who loved to make others smile.
“They were always making people laugh, in a good way,” she said. “They’re all really close friends. They all had a close bond.”
Yonkers Public Schools mourned the death of the young men saying they were beloved at their former high school.
“This unthinkable tragedy, the loss of four young people with their lives ahead of them, breaks our hearts. Our prayers and condolences are with the family members and friends suffering today,” Superintendent Edwin Quezada said in a statement.


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Leslie West, of ‘Mississippi Queen’ band Mountain, dead at 75

Leslie West , who kicked out towering jams ( with a towering hairdo ) in foundational classic-rockers Mountain , has died at 75 , his publicist confirmed to The Post .
West suffered cardiac arrest at his home near Daytona , Florida on Monday and was hospitalized , never regaining consciousness , reported Rolling Stone .
On Tuesday , his brother , Larry West Weinstein , wrote on Facebook that West ’ s heart stopped and he had been put on a ventilator , according to the LA Times .
He is survived by his wife Jenni Maurer , whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commemorating the 40th anniversary of Woodstock .
West laid down authoritative guitar riffs and chesty yowls in Mountain , a thundering power trio rounded out by Felix Pappalardi on bass and Corky Laing on drums .
The band ’ s contribution to the canon was the archetypal “ Mississippi Queen , ” a growling blues-rock number featuring pounding cowbell that went to No .
21 on Billboard ’ s Hot 100 .
Burly New York native West cut an imposing figure onstage , with his eccentric outfits and a Gibson that appeared tiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared its name with his first solo album , he joked that the trio was dubbed Mountain “ because I was so fat ” and later named a solo record “ The Great Fatsby.
” One critic even called him a “ 300-pounder dressed in blue velvet , suede and snakeskin ” in a concert review , according to Rolling Stone .
The group played a set at the era-defining Woodstock festival , where West “ had the most amplifiers of anybody there , ” he recalled to Rolling Stone in 1989 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to play with Laing , subbing in Cream bassist Jack Bruce for Pappalardi .
He re-formed Mountain in 1974 and continued to play with different variations of the band for the next decade after a stalled solo career ( based on the aforementioned “ Fatsby ” ) .
Like many rockers of his era , West struggled with drugs ; his choice was heroin .
His weight was an issue , too , and in the 1980s he was diagnosed with diabetes and lost the lower half of his right leg to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added “ actor ” to his CV , appearing in 1973 ’ s “ Family Honor ” and 1986 ’ s “ The Money Pit , ” and also became close friends with Howard Stern , notching repeated appearances on the show .
His music also garnered a surprise second act from the hip-hop community via the tune “ Long Red , ” which was sampled by De La Soul , The Game , ASAP Rocky , Kanye West and Jay-Z ( for the fellow New Yorker ’ s most rocking song @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” There was something about that song that appealed to rappers , ” West told Blues Blast magazine in 2015 .
“ I ’ ve got six different platinum albums on my wall from all these different guys sampling my stuff.
” West was revered by his musical descendants .
Twisted Sister ’ s Dee Snider tweeted that West was “ one of the founding fathers of heavy metal ” and Rolling Stone noted that recently-deceased guitar hero Eddie Van Halen hailed West as one of his early influences in 2011 , calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ incredible.
” And no less a rock authority than Dave Grohl recently covered “ Mississippi Queen ” for his virtual “ Hanukkah Sessions ” series .
West , who never really stopped his output , releasing albums all through the 2000s , with his most recent in 2015 , remained a quick wit who was great with a quote into his later years .
He told Page Six in 2007 that his new label was called “ Big Rack Records ” “ because my fiancée has a nice , big rack.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , ” he added , comparing 2007 to his glory years .
“ Most of the stuff that happened back then I don ’ t remember .
”

The Mountain has fallen.
Leslie West, who kicked out towering jams (with a towering hairdo) in foundational classic-rockers Mountain, has died at 75, his publicist confirmed to The Post.
West suffered cardiac arrest at his home near Daytona, Florida on Monday and was hospitalized, never regaining consciousness, reported Rolling Stone.
On Tuesday, his brother, Larry West Weinstein, wrote on Facebook that West’s heart stopped and he had been put on a ventilator, according to the LA Times.
He is survived by his wife Jenni Maurer, whom he married onstage at a 2009 concert commemorating the 40th anniversary of Woodstock.
West laid down authoritative guitar riffs and chesty yowls in Mountain, a thundering power trio rounded out by Felix Pappalardi on bass and Corky Laing on drums. The band’s contribution to the canon was the archetypal “Mississippi Queen,” a growling blues-rock number featuring pounding cowbell that went to No. 21 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
Burly New York native West cut an imposing figure onstage, with his eccentric outfits and a Gibson that appeared tiny in his hands. While the group shared its name with his first solo album, he joked that the trio was dubbed Mountain “because I was so fat” and later named a solo record “The Great Fatsby.”
One critic even called him a “300-pounder dressed in blue velvet, suede and snakeskin” in a concert review, according to Rolling Stone.
The group played a set at the era-defining Woodstock festival, where West “had the most amplifiers of anybody there,” he recalled to Rolling Stone in 1989. Mountain disbanded in 1972, but West continued to play with Laing, subbing in Cream bassist Jack Bruce for Pappalardi. He re-formed Mountain in 1974 and continued to play with different variations of the band for the next decade after a stalled solo career (based on the aforementioned “Fatsby”).
Like many rockers of his era, West struggled with drugs; his choice was heroin. His weight was an issue, too, and in the 1980s he was diagnosed with diabetes and lost the lower half of his right leg to the disease. Along the way, he added “actor” to his CV, appearing in 1973’s “Family Honor” and 1986’s “The Money Pit,” and also became close friends with Howard Stern, notching repeated appearances on the show.
His music also garnered a surprise second act from the hip-hop community via the tune “Long Red,” which was sampled by De La Soul, The Game, ASAP Rocky, Kanye West and Jay-Z (for the fellow New Yorker’s most rocking song, “99 Problems”).
”There was something about that song that appealed to rappers,” West told Blues Blast magazine in 2015. “I’ve got six different platinum albums on my wall from all these different guys sampling my stuff.”
Leslie West performing in New York City in 2012 WireImage
West was revered by his musical descendants. Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider tweeted that West was “one of the founding fathers of heavy metal” and Rolling Stone noted that recently-deceased guitar hero Eddie Van Halen hailed West as one of his early influences in 2011, calling the big man’s guitar tone “incredible.” And no less a rock authority than Dave Grohl recently covered “Mississippi Queen” for his virtual “Hanukkah Sessions” series.
West, who never really stopped his output, releasing albums all through the 2000s, with his most recent in 2015, remained a quick wit who was great with a quote into his later years. He told Page Six in 2007 that his new label was called “Big Rack Records” “because my fiancée has a nice, big rack.”
“There’s no drugs for me,” he added, comparing 2007 to his glory years. “Most of the stuff that happened back then I don’t remember.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Behold Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s heavily Photoshopped Xmas card

At long last , the holiday season can begin .
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have released their first Christmas card as residents of these United States , starring their son Archie , 1 , and dogs Pula and Guy .
The family poses in front of a playhouse in the yard of their new Montecito home alongside such Christmas touchstones as poinsettia and a mini Christmas tree .
At least , we think that ’ s what ’ s happening in the photo , which appears to have been run through Photoshop ’ s dry brush filter in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though the finished product suggests more “ Vaseline on a Fujifilm lens ” than Caravaggio .
A spokesperson for the family explained , “ The original photo of the family was taken at their home earlier this month by The Duchess ’ s mother .
The small Christmas tree , including the homemade ornaments and other decorations , was selected by Archie , and the tree will be replanted after the holidays.
” So there you have it .
It may seem hard to believe given 2020 ’ s interminable pace , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since then , the 36-year-old Harry and Meghan , 39 , have spent time in Canada , rented one of Tyler Perry ’ s homes in Beverly Hills , purchased their $ 14.65 million Montecito homestead and decided to enter the fast-paced , exciting world of podcasting with a reportedly multimillion-dollar deal with Spotify .

Happy holidays from the Sussexes.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have released their first Christmas card as residents of these United States, starring their son, Archie, 1, and dogs Pula and Guy. The family poses in front of a playhouse in the yard of their new Montecito, Calif., home alongside such Christmas touchstones as poinsettia and a mini Christmas tree.
At least, we think that’s what’s happening in the photo, which appears to have been run through Photoshop’s dry brush filter in an attempt to make it resemble a painting.
A spokesperson for the family explained, “The original photo of the family was taken at their home earlier this month by the Duchess’s mother. The small Christmas tree, including the homemade ornaments and other decorations, was selected by Archie, and the tree will be replanted after the holidays.” So there you have it.
It may seem hard to believe given 2020’s interminable pace, but Megxit only occurred in January. Since then, the 36-year-old Harry and Meghan, 39, have spent time in Canada, rented one of Tyler Perry’s homes in Beverly Hills, purchased their $14.65 million Montecito homestead and decided to enter the fast-paced, exciting world of podcasting with a reportedly multimillion-dollar deal with Spotify.


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Louisiana congressman-elect in ICU after testing positive for COVID-19

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic .
A newly-elected congressman @ @ @ @ @ the ICU on Wednesday to be treated for the coronavirus , his spokesman said .
@ @ @ @ @ , was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Friday .
He was admitted to the hospital the @ @ @ @ @ now in the intensive care unit at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport , La.
, @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
Letlow is in stable condition and is being treated with the antiviral @ @ @ @ @ LSU Health Sciences Center Chancellor G.E .
Ghali said in the statement .
The Republican @ @ @ @ @ , won the Pelican State ’ s 5th District seat in a Dec. 5 runoff @ @ @ @ @ including wife Julia Letlow and their two children — is “ thankful for all of @ @ @ @ @ continue to receive , ” the statement said .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
A newly-elected congressman from Louisiana was transferred to the ICU on Wednesday to be treated for the coronavirus, his spokesman said.
Rep.-elect Luke Letlow, 40, was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Friday.
He was admitted to the hospital the next day, and is now in the intensive care unit at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport, La., spokesman Andrew Bautsch said in a statement.
Letlow is in stable condition and is being treated with the antiviral medication remdesivir and steroids, LSU Health Sciences Center Chancellor G.E. Ghali said in the statement.
The Republican from rural Start, La., won the Pelican State’s 5th District seat in a Dec. 5 runoff race.
His family — including wife Julia Letlow and their two children — is “thankful for all of the prayers and support they continue to receive,” the statement said.


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Trump pardons 26, including Paul Manafort, Roger Stone and Charles Kushner

President Trump continued his pre-Christmas forgiveness blitz on Wednesday , pardoning his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort , his longtime associate Roger Stone , and Charles Kushner , the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner .
Both Manafort , 71 , and Stone , 68 — whose sentence Trump had already commuted in July — were convicted as a result of investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
Trump has now pardoned four people convicted in special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s probe including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and 2016 campaign aide George Papadopoulos , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Manafort , a longtime Republican aide and lobbyist , had been sentenced to seven years in prison for tax fraud and other crimes relating to his work in Ukraine .
The White House said that Manafort ’ s convictions were “ premised on the Russian collusion hoax.
” He was released from prison in May because of coronavirus concerns and was under home confinement .
He thanked the outgoing president in a tweet , writing that “ words can not fully convey how grateful we are ” and praising his administration .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lying to lawmakers also investigating Russian election interference and was spared a three year and four month prison stint when Trump commuted his sentence a day before he was due to begin serving time .
“ Due to prosecutorial misconduct by Special Counsel Mueller ’ s team , Mr. Stone was treated very unfairly , ” the White House said in a statement .
Kushner , 60 , a wealthy New Jersey real estate developer who Trump knew from industry circles , was convicted in 2005 of illegal campaign contributions , tax evasion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salacious family scandal .
His son Jared , a Trump adviser , married first daughter Ivanka Trump in 2009 .
In a 2004 plea agreement , Kushner admitted to hiring a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law , filming the tryst and sending the tape to his sister .
The case , which was prosecuted by then-US attorney Christ Christie , resulted in Kushner serving two years behind bars .
Kushner , a wealthy New Jersey real estate developer who Trump knew from industry circles , was convicted in 2005 of illegal campaign contributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served a 24 month prison sentence .
His son Jared , a Trump adviser , married first daughter Ivanka Trump in 2009 .
In all , Trump granted full pardons to 26 people on Wednesday night and commuted part or all of the sentences of three others , the White House said .
Also on the list was Margaret Hunter , the estranged wife of former US Rep. Duncan Hunter ( R-Calif. ) , who was granted a pardon on Tuesday .
Both had pleaded guilty to stealing campaign funds .
Several people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some who served several years in prison , also received pardons .
Among them was Topeka Sam , a New York prison reform advocate who , along with Kim Kardashian , had rallied for Trump to commute the sentence of Alice Marie Johnson .
Johnson , who had been serving a 21-year sentence , was freed in 2018 and granted a full pardon by Trump in August .
Trump also pardoned Rebekah Charleston , a former sex trafficking victim from Texas who served 13 months in prison for tax evasion and whose bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who arrested her .
His pardon spree began Tuesday night , when he granted clemency to 20 convicted felons , including three former GOP congressmen , four military contractors convicted in the massacre of 17 Iraqi civilians in 2007 and two former Border Patrol agents who covered up the shooting of an unarmed illegal immigrant .
Papadopoulos and Dutch lawyer Alex van der Zwaan , who lied to investigators in the Mueller probe , were also granted clemency Tuesday .

President Trump continued his pre-Christmas forgiveness blitz on Wednesday, pardoning his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, his longtime associate Roger Stone, and Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Both Manafort, 71, and Stone, 68 — whose sentence Trump had already commuted in July — were convicted as a result of investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Trump has now pardoned four people convicted in special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and 2016 campaign aide George Papadopoulos, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.
Manafort, a longtime Republican aide and lobbyist, had been sentenced to seven years in prison for tax fraud and other crimes relating to his work in Ukraine. The White House said that Manafort’s convictions were “premised on the Russian collusion hoax.”
He was released from prison in May because of coronavirus concerns and was under home confinement. He thanked the outgoing president in a tweet, writing that “words cannot fully convey how grateful we are” and praising his administration.
Stone was convicted in November 2019 of lying to lawmakers also investigating Russian election interference and was spared a three year and four month prison stint when Trump commuted his sentence a day before he was due to begin serving time.
“Due to prosecutorial misconduct by Special Counsel Mueller’s team, Mr. Stone was treated very unfairly,” the White House said in a statement.
Kushner, 60, a wealthy New Jersey real estate developer who Trump knew from industry circles, was convicted in 2005 of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion and witness tampering as part of a salacious family scandal. His son Jared, a Trump adviser, married first daughter Ivanka Trump in 2009.
In a 2004 plea agreement, Kushner admitted to hiring a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, filming the tryst and sending the tape to his sister. The case, which was prosecuted by then-US attorney Chris Christie, resulted in Kushner serving two years behind bars.
Charles and Jared Kushner in 2012 PatrickMcMulla
In all, Trump granted full pardons to 26 people on Wednesday night and commuted part or all of the sentences of three others, the White House said.
Also on the list was Margaret Hunter, the estranged wife of former US Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), who was granted a pardon on Tuesday. Both had pleaded guilty to stealing campaign funds.
Several people convicted of non-violent drug crimes, including some who served several years in prison, also received pardons.
Among them was Topeka Sam, a New York prison reform advocate who, along with Kim Kardashian, had rallied for Trump to commute the sentence of Alice Marie Johnson. Johnson, who had been serving a 21-year sentence, was freed in 2018 and granted a full pardon by Trump in August.
Trump also pardoned Rebekah Charleston, a former sex trafficking victim from Texas who served 13 months in prison for tax evasion and whose bid for clemency was supported by the officer who arrested her.
His pardon spree began Tuesday night, when he granted clemency to 20 convicted felons, including three former GOP congressmen, four military contractors convicted in the massacre of 17 Iraqi civilians in 2007 and two former Border Patrol agents who covered up the shooting of an unarmed illegal immigrant.
Papadopoulos and Dutch lawyer Alex van der Zwaan, who lied to investigators in the Mueller probe, were also granted clemency Tuesday.


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Whodini rapper John ‘Ecstasy’ Fletcher dead at 56

Whodini rapper John “ Ecstasy ” Fletcher has died at 56 years old .
Musician and journalist Questlove broke the news on Wednesday afternoon .
“ One love to Ecstasy of the legendary # Whodini , ” he said .
“ This man was legendary and a pivotal member of one of the most legendary groups in hip hop .
This is sad man.
” Ecstasy formed the group Whodini with Jalil Hutchins in Brooklyn , New York , in 1982 , before DJ Grandmaster Dee joined in 1986 .
The trio were responsible for hits “ The Haunted House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ Freaks Come Out at Night.
” The group received the Hip Hop Icon Award at the third annual Black Music Honors in 2018 .
Following the news of his death , several artists took to social media to share their condolences .
Ice Cube posted a photo of the artist , writing : “ Thank you Ecstasy for showing us how to do it .
RIP.
” Rapper Jermaine Dupri shared a video of Fletcher , with the caption : “ My God , this one hurts me so bad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m posting this , Ex you know I love you thank you for every word , every conversation every good time , may your soul Rest In Power # whodini q.
” “ RIP to Ecstasy from http : //Whodini.one of the most under appreciated voices in hip hop .
Too many hits !
Condolences to his fam , ” rapper Q-Tip wrote .

Whodini rapper John “Ecstasy” Fletcher has died at 56 years old.
Musician and journalist Questlove broke the news on Wednesday afternoon.
“One love to Ecstasy of the legendary #Whodini,” he said.
“This man was legendary and a pivotal member of one of the most legendary groups in hip hop. This is sad man.”
Ecstasy formed the group Whodini with Jalil Hutchins in Brooklyn, New York, in 1982, before DJ Grandmaster Dee joined in 1986.
The trio were responsible for hits “The Haunted House of Rock,” “Friends” and “Freaks Come Out at Night.”
The group received the Hip Hop Icon Award at the third annual Black Music Honors in 2018.
Drew Carter (left) and John ‘Ecstasy’ Fletcher of Whodini, circa 1986. Getty Images
Following the news of his death, several artists took to social media to share their condolences.
Ice Cube posted a photo of the artist, writing: “Thank you Ecstasy for showing us how to do it. RIP.”
Jalil Hutchins and John ‘Ecstasy’ Fletcher of Whodini in 2018. Getty Images
Rapper Jermaine Dupri shared a video of Fletcher, with the caption: “My God, this one hurts me so bad,I can’t even believe I’m posting this,Ex you know I love you thank you for every word,every conversation every good time,may your soul Rest In Power #whodini q.”
“RIP to Ecstasy from http://Whodini.one of the most under appreciated voices in hip hop. Too many hits! Condolences to his fam,” rapper Q-Tip wrote.


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Ted Cruz proved that GOP won’t simply return to Reaganism after Trump

Throughout President Trump ’ s capture of the GOP , many Republicans have held fast to the hope that after he leaves office , the party can return to the sunny Reaganism of the Before Times .
Of course , Trump ’ s bitter-enders have made it clear that they ’ d be happy to tear down not just the party , but the country itself to avoid having to live in a post-Trump world .
It might have seemed as if we hit rock bottom this month , when the Texas attorney general sued the swing states that decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have tens of millions of legal votes erased and the election effectively handed to Trump .
More than 100 Republican House members and 17 Republican state attorneys general lent their names in support .
The Supreme Court rejected that idiotic suit , but no rebuke or reason seems to be able to divert this movement from where it ’ s headed .
Allen West , the head of the Texas Republican Party , issued a bizarre statement after the ruling , suggesting that perhaps “ law-abiding states should bond together and form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Constitution.
” Now , Team Trump appears to be moving past the election altogether , since it has failed spectacularly to alter that reality .
Instead , former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has been leading calls for martial law to save the Trump presidency .
Over the weekend , Kelli Ward , the head of Arizona ’ s Republican Party , tweeted to assure Trump that Arizona is “ working every avenue to stop this coup , ” using the hashtag # CrossTheRubicon .
The best defense of Ward is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what that phrase actually means : Julius Caesar ’ s illegal crossing of the Rubicon River with his troops marked the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of Caesarian tyranny .
As ridiculous as such talk is , many GOPers still think this is all a temporary fever , a last gasp of Trump ’ s cynical performative nonsense aimed at venting anger and raising money .
They think the GOP can still go back to being the party of Reagan .
One reason for skepticism is the latest move by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has long been a reliable bellwether for the mood of the broader GOP base , which is why he switched from one of Trump ’ s biggest critics to one of his biggest supporters — and why he offered to argue the Texas lawsuit before the Supreme Court .
No politician in recent memory has wrapped himself more in Reagan ’ s legacy than Cruz .
He ’ s read all the biographies , can quote all the big speeches and has said countless times that he models himself after the Gipper .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cruz single-handedly scuttled an effort to protect Hong Kongers facing persecution for supporting democracy .
The measure , so uncontroversial that it passed unanimously by voice vote in the House , is vintage Reagan .
“ We shall continue America ’ s tradition as a land that welcomes peoples from other countries , ” Reagan declared in his 1981 speech on immigration “ We shall also , with other countries , continue to share in the responsibility of welcoming and resettling those who flee oppression.
” Indeed , Cruz issued a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reagan ’ s Berlin Wall speech , saying , “ America should remember ” that “ our principles can tear down walls.
” While the Berlin Wall may be gone , he added , “ the evils of tyranny still exist today , and nowhere is that more evident than in Hong Kong , where the Chinese Communist Party has moved to crush Hong Kong ’ s autonomy and strip away their freedoms.
” This Christmas , Cruz says we can ’ t lend support to potential victims of tyranny , because giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Chinese Communists to send even more Chinese spies into the United States.
” He also suggested that the time-limited , Hong Kong-specific adjustment is really a Trojan horse for the Dems ’ radical approach to immigration .
None of this withstands close scrutiny .
But that ’ s not the point .
If Cruz thinks fighting for Reaganite principles is a political loser , that should tell you something about how far we are from a return to Reaganism .

Throughout President Trump’s capture of the GOP, many Republicans have held fast to the hope that after he leaves office, the party can return to the sunny Reaganism of the Before Times. Of course, Trump’s bitter-enders have made it clear that they’d be happy to tear down not just the party, but the country itself to avoid having to live in a post-Trump world.
It might have seemed as if we hit rock bottom this month, when the Texas attorney general sued the swing states that decided the election for Joe Biden, demanding to have tens of millions of legal votes erased and the election effectively handed to Trump. More than 100 Republican House members and 17 Republican state attorneys general lent their names in support.
The Supreme Court rejected that idiotic suit, but no rebuke or reason seems to be able to divert this movement from where it’s headed. Allen West, the head of the Texas Republican Party, issued a bizarre statement after the ruling, suggesting that perhaps “law-abiding states should bond together and form a union of states that will abide by the Constitution.”
Now, Team Trump appears to be moving past the election altogether, since it has failed spectacularly to alter that reality. Instead, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has been leading calls for martial law to save the Trump presidency.
Over the weekend, Kelli Ward, the head of Arizona’s Republican Party, tweeted to assure Trump that Arizona is “working every avenue to stop this coup,” using the hashtag #CrossTheRubicon. The best defense of Ward is that she has a thumbless grasp of what that phrase actually means: Julius Caesar’s illegal crossing of the Rubicon River with his troops marked the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of Caesarian tyranny.
As ridiculous as such talk is, many GOPers still think this is all a temporary fever, a last gasp of Trump’s cynical performative nonsense aimed at venting anger and raising money. They think the GOP can still go back to being the party of Reagan.
One reason for skepticism is the latest move by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. Cruz has long been a reliable bellwether for the mood of the broader GOP base, which is why he switched from one of Trump’s biggest critics to one of his biggest supporters — and why he offered to argue the Texas lawsuit before the Supreme Court.
No politician in recent memory has wrapped himself more in Reagan’s legacy than Cruz. He’s read all the biographies, can quote all the big speeches and has said countless times that he models himself after the Gipper.
So it was revealing that on Friday, Cruz single-handedly scuttled an effort to protect Hong Kongers facing persecution for supporting democracy. The measure, so uncontroversial that it passed unanimously by voice vote in the House, is vintage Reagan.
“We shall continue America’s tradition as a land that welcomes peoples from other countries,” Reagan declared in his 1981 speech on immigration “We shall also, with other countries, continue to share in the responsibility of welcoming and resettling those who flee oppression.”
Indeed, Cruz issued a statement in June commemorating the 33rd anniversary of Reagan’s Berlin Wall speech, saying, “America should remember” that “our principles can tear down walls.” While the Berlin Wall may be gone, he added, “the evils of tyranny still exist today, and nowhere is that more evident than in Hong Kong, where the Chinese Communist Party has moved to crush Hong Kong’s autonomy and strip away their freedoms.”
This Christmas, Cruz says we can’t lend support to potential victims of tyranny, because giving them temporary protection could be “used by the Chinese Communists to send even more Chinese spies into the United States.” He also suggested that the time-limited, Hong Kong-specific adjustment is really a Trojan horse for the Dems’ radical approach to immigration.
None of this withstands close scrutiny. But that’s not the point. If Cruz thinks fighting for Reaganite principles is a political loser, that should tell you something about how far we are from a return to Reaganism.
Twitter: JonahDispatch


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Schools can do remote learning — my charter-school kids benefiting from it

A group of Big Apple charter schools and families say ...

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s decision to reopen in-person schooling for 190,000 students, and the head-spinning series of closings and openings that preceded it, risk eclipsing a striking fact: More than half of Gotham’s parents don’t want to send their kids to school and have instead opted for remote learning. What these parents do want, however, is better remote learning. I’m fortunate — because the charter schools my two children attend could serve as a model for other schools on how to do remote learning well.
This fall, my kids didn’t miss a single day of school due to school closures. Administrators were in communication with parents in July, telling us what to expect. At first, school was supposed to be hybrid, but when the city decided not to open buildings, we learned we’d be 100 percent remote to start. While it was disappointing for my kids not to be having at least some time on campus, I was amazed at how quickly and thoughtfully administrators had set up the remote program.
The daily routines were almost an exact mirror of on-campus schooling, from the length of the day to the full curriculum. As normal, students were expected to wear their uniforms; attendance was taken every morning; and parents were called if a student wasn’t present.
My daughter, who is in first grade, was thrilled to hear she would be learning about the Arctic Circle; the topic has been woven throughout her English, math and science classes — subjects in which she receives live instruction from all her teachers.
Unlike stories that have circulated about remote learning in district schools — little or no live instruction, pre-recorded videos, reading materials and online discussion boards — I have the comfort of knowing my children’s teachers are on the other end of the screen, teaching them and engaging them by asking questions and giving feedback.
Daily attendance averages 97 percent. In contrast with the unpredictable openings and closings of district schools over the course of this fall, and the lost learning days, I have enjoyed peace of mind from the continuity and stability of what my children experience. Instead of worrying about a new positive case causing a school closure, teachers are able to put all their focus and energy into making remote learning work for students.
Teachers have even found a way to do electives virtually. Kids are doing soccer drills and competing in virtual chess and debate tournaments with students from other schools in the charter network. The high school recently put on a virtual production of “Almost, Maine,” and student artists and dancers have the opportunity to participate in virtual performing-arts productions.
When the school day ends, there’s an option for some creative after-school programs. Some days, my kids are reading screenplays aloud, and others they’re learning about animals’ life cycles, inherited traits and behaviors that help ensure survival. Every few weeks, kids can take online “class trips” to performances like the Paper Bag Players and the Big Apple Circus.
Of course, the foundation for the success of this remote program is an equitable distribution of technology, and this was accomplished only because the schools took action last spring. From Day 1 of this school year, every student, even kindergarteners, had a personal laptop or tablet loaded with software like Kami and Jamboard to enhance collaboration with teachers.
All work, including math, writing assessments and homework, is fully digital. Teachers use Zoom breakout rooms to do small-group instruction for students who need extra help. The network distributed headphones, art supplies, physics kits, books and other materials to make learning more hands-on. And teachers received large-screen monitors to allow them to easily see all their students on screen at once.
We’d all like to snap our fingers and have things be back to normal — for our children to be back at school with their teachers and friends — but that’s just not an immediate option. What makes sense is to focus on reality, and right now, most parents are choosing remote learning for their children. Unfortunately, for the majority of students, the quality of remote learning is just not where it should be.
My family is lucky. I just wish our government leaders could apply what’s working in my kids’ schools for the rest of the city’s kids.
Edwin Cespedes’ children attend a Success Academy school.


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Police arrest Connecticut UPS worker suspected in death of coworker

A 19-year-old UPS worker from Connecticut suspected in the deadly assault of his coworker was arrested on Wednesday , police @ @ @ @ @ being sought by authorities since the 28-year-old victim , Nathan Burk , was found badly @ @ @ @ @ in Watertown at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday , according to Connecticut State Police .
Charges @ @ @ @ @ announced .
A motive in the alleged attack was unknown .
Police did not disclose @ @ @ @ @ suffered .
An autopsy will determine his cause of death , authorities said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ the loss of our colleague , and are cooperating with the investigation , ” UPS @ @ @ @ @ said .

A 19-year-old UPS worker from Connecticut suspected in the deadly assault of his coworker was arrested on Wednesday, police said.
Elijah Bertrand was being sought by authorities since the 28-year-old victim, Nathan Burk, was found badly injured in their UPS truck in Watertown at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to Connecticut State Police.
Burk later died at a nearby hospital.
Charges against Bertrand were not immediately announced. A motive in the alleged attack was unknown.
Police did not disclose what type of injuries Burk suffered. An autopsy will determine his cause of death, authorities said.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague, and are cooperating with the investigation,” UPS spokesperson Matthew O’Connor said.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Rutgers blows big lead in agonizing loss to Ohio State

Suddenly , all the shots that had been falling were harmlessly bouncing off the rim .
The stingy defense , without its elite rim protector who had fouled out , was being ravaged .
Minus its ace penetrator and creator , the offense became stagnant .
Rutgers and its fans will have to wait for a top-10 ranking .
For the first time in this impressive start to the season , the 11th-ranked Scarlet Knights tasted defeat , blowing a 16-point second-half lead at No .
23 Ohio State in a disappointing 80-68 setback .
The game turned just past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rutgers was up eight when center Myles Johnson fouled out .
Less than a minute later , point guard Jacob Young was lost to a shoulder injury .
A technical foul was then assessed on the Rutgers bench after a Geo Baker drive on which he felt drew contact .
“ It changes a lot of things , ” coach Steve Pikiell said over Zoom of the two key absences .
Baker and Pikiell refused to fault the officials that sent Ohio State to the free-throw line 29 times .
They pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had to coach better .
Baker said he had to play better .
Rutgers was outrebounded 45-25 .
It allowed 80 points , its second-highest total of the season .
Those areas , both agreed , is where the game was lost .
“ I thought we let up a lead , which as a veteran team we shouldn ’ t be doing , ” Baker said when asked specifically about the officiating .
“ We just got to be better as a team .
That ’ s on us.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were already down prized freshman forward Cliff Omoruyi ( knee ) , so losing Johnson and Young only compounded matters .
A 16-2 run turned the game into a one-sided Buckeyes victory , part of a 52-point second half .
Rutgers had no answer for them in the paint , as E.J .
Liddell and Kyle Young combined to score 37 points and grab 18 rebounds .
Without a post option and the speedy Young sidelined , the offense became too perimeter-oriented , making it easy to defend .
Ron Harper Jr. ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the final 10:09 and the Scarlet Knights managed just one made field goal over the last 9:18 .
Up until that point , Rutgers had been in control , taking a 10-point lead into halftime .
It was still an eight-point advantage when Johnson fouled out on a questionable call with 8:46 left .
Less than a minute later , another key Rutgers player was lost , when Young hurt his shoulder on a drive .
“ I think it humbled us a little bit , ” Baker said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going into Christmas .
There are some things we need to work on , and now we know that.
” Pikiell didn ’ t have much clarity on Young , whom he said was in a lot of pain .
Omoruyi hasn ’ t returned to practice yet .
There was some good news : The Scarlet Knights have nearly a week off before they return to face Purdue on Tuesday at the RAC .

Suddenly, all the shots that had been falling were harmlessly bouncing off the rim. The stingy defense, without its elite rim protector who had fouled out, was being ravaged. Minus its ace penetrator and creator, the offense became stagnant.
Rutgers and its fans will have to wait for a top-10 ranking. For the first time in this impressive start to the season, the 11th-ranked Scarlet Knights tasted defeat, blowing a 16-point second-half lead at No. 23 Ohio State in a disappointing 80-68 setback.
The game turned just past the midway point of the second half. Rutgers was up eight when center Myles Johnson fouled out. Less than a minute later, point guard Jacob Young was lost to a shoulder injury. A technical foul was then assessed on the Rutgers bench after a Geo Baker drive on which he felt drew contact.
“It changes a lot of things,” coach Steve Pikiell said over Zoom of the two key absences.
Baker and Pikiell refused to fault the officials that sent Ohio State to the free-throw line 29 times. They pointed the finger at themselves. Pikiell said he had to coach better. Baker said he had to play better. Rutgers was outrebounded 45-25. It allowed 80 points, its second-highest total of the season. Those areas, both agreed, is where the game was lost.
“I thought we let up a lead, which as a veteran team we shouldn’t be doing,” Baker said when asked specifically about the officiating. “We just got to be better as a team. That’s on us.”
The Scarlet Knights (6-1, 2-1) were already down prized freshman forward Cliff Omoruyi (knee), so losing Johnson and Young only compounded matters. A 16-2 run turned the game into a one-sided Buckeyes victory, part of a 52-point second half. Rutgers had no answer for them in the paint, as E.J. Liddell and Kyle Young combined to score 37 points and grab 18 rebounds. Without a post option and the speedy Young sidelined, the offense became too perimeter-oriented, making it easy to defend. Ron Harper Jr. (team-high 20 points) was held scoreless over the final 10:09 and the Scarlet Knights managed just one made field goal over the last 9:18.
Up until that point, Rutgers had been in control, taking a 10-point lead into halftime. It was still an eight-point advantage when Johnson fouled out on a questionable call with 8:46 left. Less than a minute later, another key Rutgers player was lost, when Young hurt his shoulder on a drive.
“I think it humbled us a little bit,” Baker said. “We obviously wanted to go undefeated, especially going into Christmas. There are some things we need to work on, and now we know that.”
Pikiell didn’t have much clarity on Young, whom he said was in a lot of pain. Omoruyi hasn’t returned to practice yet. There was some good news: The Scarlet Knights have nearly a week off before they return to face Purdue on Tuesday at the RAC.


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--NYC planning is a nightmare — here comes a plan to make it worse

The Big Apple saw almost one in seven nationally recognized ...

In 1936, New York City adopted a new city charter, creating the City Planning Commission and charging it with drafting a master plan that would “provide for the improvement of the city and its future growth and development and afford adequate facilities for the housing, transportation, distribution, comfort, convenience, health and welfare of its population.”
Somehow, the commission never got around to producing this master plan, but the next version of the charter, in 1961, was even more ambitious, adding “business,” “industry” and “recreation” to the list of “adequate and appropriate” facilities to be included in the plan. Mayor John Lindsay, elected in 1965, was determined to produce a plan as called for by the charter; in 1969, the Plan for New York City was released as a draft in six volumes.
This mighty master-planning process produced nothing of much consequence. Certainly, there was a splendid Mass Transit Program, but little of it was ever built. There was also an Arterial Highways Program, but little of that was built, either. Most of the plan was merely descriptive of the city; little was suggested of the wrenching social and economic changes the city was about to undergo. The plan was never adopted. In the next major charter revision, in 1975, the requirement for a master plan was deleted.
This history offers context for reviewing a new report issued by City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, titled “Planning Together: A New Comprehensive Planning Framework for New York City.” Johnson’s report, supported by other councilmembers, has a cogent critique of current planning efforts for zoning changes and capital improvements. The current process is fragmented, with various agencies responsible for critical pieces, and coordination is weak. “Without a coherent citywide framework or shared understanding of citywide challenges and goals,” the report states, “proceeding with neighborhood-by-neighborhood and lot-by-lot rezonings has become increasingly contentious.”
That judgment is correct, but the report’s analysis takes a wrong turn: “New Yorkers’ lack of confidence in our planning processes is partly attributable to the city’s failure to provide meaningful opportunities for communities to proactively plan for their neighborhoods . . . Communities’ increasing aversion to rezonings and growth is also rooted in deep skepticism that the city will adequately invest in the critical infrastructure needed to meet neighborhoods’ existing budget needs, let alone the investments needed to support significant growth.”
The idea that the city’s problems could be solved if only communities were allowed to plan for themselves — to develop solutions appropriate to their own needs — has a long history in New York. A whole section of the current charter allows communities to develop plans; the report even cites it, saying that it has “largely failed to create a meaningful avenue for communities to plan for their futures . . . due to lack of funding, support, and encouragement” from the city.
The Johnson report’s solution: a “ten-year comprehensive planning cycle” for the city. One notable aspect of the proposal is that it would disempower the Department of City Planning and the Office of Management and Budget, the principal professional agencies charged with ensuring that the city’s zoning and spending proposals reflect citywide priorities set by the mayor.
Instead, the process begins with the appointment of a Long-Term Planning Steering Committee, which “would be required to include people historically underrepresented in planning and land use decision-making processes who have expertise in the fields of planning, transportation, sustainability, resilience, housing, public utilities, social services and economic development.”
This committee “would advise on issues related to the Long-Term Plan and adopt citywide and district-level targets for housing, commercial and industrial space to support a diverse mix of jobs, open space, resiliency infrastructure, city facilities, schools, transportation, public utilities and other infrastructure, including the criteria and methodology for determining them in the citywide goals statement.”
The report describes the new process as culminating in a long-term plan that would be adopted by the council but not the City Planning Commission. When considering an application for a zoning change, the City Planning Commission would be required to determine if it is consistent with the long-term plan. If it is consistent, the council could let it pass without a vote — though the council is likely to do this only for noncontroversial proposals. If it isn’t consistent, then the application would go through the normal uniform land-use review procedure, or ULURP, culminating in a vote by the council.
The Johnson report outlines a vast, costly new multiyear process to produce a citywide comprehensive plan, very much in the vein of the old master plan. The plan would be prepared outside the control of the professional agencies that ensure that plans and priorities are realistic and consistent with budgetary resources.
Communities and activists would get the opportunity to draft unconstrained plans, but in the end, the budget process and ULURP would govern, with a new array of promises made but unable to be kept. The speaker’s proposed long-term plan promises only trouble, so it’s unlikely that any mayor would agree to fund it, just as most mayors had the good sense not to pursue a master plan — and any sitting council would likely agree with that assessment.
Master planning failed 50 years ago, because Gotham is too big and diverse to achieve a citywide consensus on change. The speaker would make that consensus easier to achieve by firing naysayers; stakeholders could get their fullest wish lists. But the constraints remain.
The city needs growth, both to balance its budget and to provide the services New Yorkers want. The mayor and the city’s planning agencies need to do a better job of showing that the locations where growth is to be encouraged are fairly and equitably chosen. Voters need to hold the mayor and City Council accountable for improving services commensurate with community needs. But the idea that contentious decisions can be avoided through more community consultation and empowering outsiders to set priorities is just a dream.
Eric Kober is a former New York City planner. Adapted from City Journal.


newyorkpost--2020-12-23--Mom and daughter who worked at same nursery school die of COVID-19

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic .
A Florida mother and daughter , both of them teachers at the same nursery school , died within days of each other from coronavirus complications .
Marilyn Foshee , 81 , and her daughter , Julie Foshee-Knowell , 44 , were both diagnosed with COVID-19 in late November , The Miami Herald reported .
The women , longtime employees of Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville , were believed to have contracted the virus during the Thanksgiving break .
They never made it back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend .
Her mother died a few days earlier , on Dec. 15 .
Mom Marylin , known to students as “ Mimi , ” was a longtime preschool teacher , who had been involved with the school since 1994 , according to News4Jax .
Her daughter , the preschool director , started as an assistant at the school when she was a teenager and rose through the ranks , the outlet reported .
Trinity spokesman Pastor Tom Messer told The Florida Times-Union that the beloved educators “ lived in a way that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else.
” “ I think this is a time that you come together and you recommit yourself to the mission of what Julie and Marilyn were all about , and that is being selfless and in the sense that you give yourself away to other people , ” Messer said .
A GoFundMe page was initially set up by family friend Angie Dennard to help cover Foshee ’ s funeral costs .
Now , the money will go to pay for services for both women .
“ Julie and her mom will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the page .
“ Let ’ s continue to lift her family up in prayers .
”

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
A Florida mother and daughter, teachers at the same nursery school, died within days of each other from coronavirus complications.
Marilyn Foshee, 81, and her daughter, Julie Foshee-Knowell, 44, were both diagnosed with COVID-19 in late November, the Miami Herald reported.
The women, longtime employees of Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, were believed to have contracted the virus during the Thanksgiving break.
They never made it back to school. Foshee-Knowell died over the weekend. Her mother died a few days earlier, on Dec. 15.
Mom Marylin, known to students as “Mimi,” was a longtime preschool teacher, who had been involved with the school since 1994, according to News4Jax.
Her daughter, the preschool director, started as an assistant at the school when she was a teenager and rose through the ranks, the outlet reported.
Trinity spokesman Pastor Tom Messer told the Florida Times-Union that the beloved educators “lived in a way that they gave their life up for everybody else.”
“I think this is a time that you come together and you recommit yourself to the mission of what Julie and Marilyn were all about, and that is being selfless and in the sense that you give yourself away to other people,” Messer said.
A GoFundMe page was initially set up by family friend Angie Dennard to help cover Foshee’s funeral costs. Now the money will go to pay for services for both women.
“Julie and her mom will be missed by all,” Dennard wrote on the page. “Let’s continue to lift her family up in prayers.”